Wade was at the backdoor again though, staring in at her as she came down the stairs. His vexation boldly showing on his face. "Let me in, Wendy."
"Not until I've had my coffee," she yelled through the door. "This is my house, and you have a bunkhouse to drink your coffee in. Use it. From now on, I want some privacy."
"Well, that's the first sensible thing you've said. But, sooner or later, we will have to talk," he demanded as though she had no choice in the matter.
"At five thirty in the morning, I don't want to talk, Wade. Later maybe," she yelled back. "When you cool off. I'm not ready to begin my day with your temper or your threats."
Wade stood there staring at her for a long moment through the window in the door, his face registering a fury she recognized, and then he finally left.
She sighed with relief. She hadn't noticed her hands shaking so badly until she'd almost spilled her coffee on her hand.
She looked at herself. Never had she seen Wade so angry. She knew it was coming, but seeing it in full force made her tremble even more if that were possible. By now, everyone on the ranch knew what was going on. He had banged on the door loud enough to wake half the men up.
"I've got to get a grip," she commanded herself. "I'm not a baby anymore. I've got to show him that I'm not afraid." Then she looked up as though looking for an answer. "So how do I go about that?" she asked aloud.
Another knock came at the door and Wendy didn't move, but she sloshed her coffee with her shaking hands.
"Wendy, it's me, Sam."
Relief flooded her. Wendy ran to the door, and flung herself in his arms, as he came through the doorway briskly. Sam held her close, obviously trying to calm her down. She wondered if he'd heard all the banging.
"Hey, I hear you had a rough day of it, yesterday."
"I'm okay, just glad you are here," she whispered as she clung to him.
"You aren't okay, you are shaking." Sam pulled her away so he could look at her.
She held her tears in check. "He knows the door locks were changed. He wanted in, I didn't let him. It's five thirty in the morning. For the past six months he's been coming in this house at all hours, as though he owned it. He never did that when Dad was alive."
"I'm sure he didn't. He's no way to start a day." Sam tried to smile into her tense face.
"Want some coffee?" she asked, her voice unsteady as she pulled out of his arms and moved toward the counter.
"No, no coffee, I want to make sure you are alright. Come here," he instructed, striding toward her, taking her back into his arms and holding her tightly.
It felt good being in Sam's arms. She felt suddenly protected.
"Cade told me Wade hurt you yesterday," Sam whispered as he kissed her earlobe. "I wanted to come then, but it looked as though your whole family was here, and I didn't think it the right time."
"Yeah, everyone was here. The men changed the locks for me." She shivered. "I just fell against the stairs…that's all."
"They said your leg was hurt."
"A little." She cried, holding onto him again.
The truth was she was nearly limping from having to move her leg. But she had to quit whining and hold herself erect.
"Let me see," he whispered.
"It's nothing…" she protested, but he wasn't taking that as an answer. He pulled her robe away and pulled her gown around so he could see. He gasped.
"He did that?" Sam's voice and eyes spoke for him as he stared with disbelief.
"No. I fell against the stairs," she said weakly.
"Fell? Or did he push you?"
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
What had looked mildly bad yesterday looked like a rainbow of colors on her leg today, especially in the morning light.
"I'll kill him…!" Sam gasped when he saw it.
"Sam, no…it isn't serious. It just looks bad. I don't want you getting into trouble. If he could, he'd push you into a fight, and I certainly don't want that. I don't want any reason for him to fire you," she protested, pulling him back to her. "Thank you, but no…"
Sam slowly moved away from her, looking at her now, as though he was making a decision, for the both of them. "I'll leave…if I'm causing all of this…"
"No…please…don't go…" Wendy cried out with desperation. She moved toward him again, and laid her hand on his. "I don't want you to go," she pleaded, her hands going to his chest.
He took her back into his arms, and this time he kissed her hard and long. Wendy melted into him, as his lips seemed to soothe her raw nerves. The kiss went on and on and Wendy sighed into his arms when he came up for air, both of their breathing ragged.
"I don't want to cause any trouble for you, Wendy." His lips traveled her face, stopping to kiss her nose, her eyelids, and her brow. "I don't want to see you get hurt. If I go away now, maybe it won't get to that point."
She pulled away slowly; her hurt expression stared at him.
"Do you want to leave?" she asked, her anticipation for his answer made her tremble.
"No…but…"
"Then don't," she barely breathed as she went back into his arms, her lips finding his, as she sighed with such relief.
"Honey…I got to go…" he said, slowly pushing her away. "And right now!"
"Go…where?" she asked.
"Away from you…"
A tear escaped her. "You're leaving me?"
"No…but if I stay right now, I'll want more than you are ready to give…I guess you don't realize what a powerful little lady you really are," he explained and turned to go out the door. "You tempt a man so easily…"
"Oh God…I did it again. I'm scaring you away…aren't I?" she cried, feeling a shame she couldn't explain.
He turned to look at her and the expression on his face softened as he stared into her eyes. "You've done nothing wrong, honey. And I'm not scared of anyone but myself. I'll see you later. If you need me, let me know. Okay. If he starts to bother you again…let someone know. Okay? Don't wait, let us know, scream, holler, anything, but let us know. All the boys know what's going on, and none of them like it. They are all concerned for you. It would seem that whatever is wrong with him, he's taking it all out on you."
She nodded numbly, not fully understanding.
"He has no right whatsoever to do this to you. No right at all, and if it wasn't for the probation thing, I'd be glad to prove it to him. I've come to think a lot of you Wendy, and I promise you, I'm not going to mess my future up by going to jail. But…if he hurts you again, I may have to break that promise."
Wendy stared at him a moment, aware that he cared, her heart beat faster, her mouth hung open in wonder.
He reached to close it with his fingertips.
"You think a lot of me…" she repeated, her heart singing so loud she was afraid he'd hear it. Joy replaced fear now.
His eyes caressed her, like a soft kiss as he stared at her lips. "Yes ma'am, I do. But…understand this; I'm not in a position to say much more. I'm on probation, and that means everyone looks at me and wonders if I'm going to behave myself. Wade's in a position to provoke me, and he knows it. I've got to keep myself in control. Or I'll go to jail. Right now, I got too much to look forward to. And you are a big part of that…"
He seemed to let those words soak in, as he stared at her.
He couldn't have made love to her any plainer than with those words. Wendy let the words flow over her, like a blanket of protection. Peace began to flow through her like she'd never experienced before. Elated, her fears dissipated.
"If I were you, I'd keep this door locked today at least. He isn't in a pretty mood. The best I can do is stay out of his way, so I don't lose my temper. I don't hold with any man mistreating a woman, especially you."
Again, his words warmed her. She flushed at his bold face stare.
"So lock your doors when I leave…" he said in an almost whisper.
She nodded, her heart swelling from his admissions.
And the
n he was gone. She locked the door and leaned against it, her heart swelling with the knowledge that Sam cared about her, really cared.
~*~
Later that day, Sam went into the barn, to get some extra rope; he was about to break in a few of the new wild horses that Cade had purchased, and found Caleb working. The minute he walked in, Caleb raised his gaze to him.
The old man looked annoyed. "Okay Sam, I want to know what's going on around here. I heard Wade banging on the ranch house door this morning, early. What was that all about?"
Sam shook his head and tried to smile. "Wendy changed the locks on the doors."
"Good for her. But I sense Wade didn't know she was going to?" Caleb asked, his frustration leading to a frown.
"No, he didn't. And he didn't like it, either. She hadn't told him."
Caleb nodded. "Good for her. She's growing up and she needs some privacy. She don't need no cowboys comin' in there at all times of the day. Especially with her sisters moved away. That was a good thing. Glad to see her usin' her head."
"Yeah, I agree."
"So why was Wade so mad about it?" Caleb kept up his interrogation. Sam was sure he'd get no rest until he told the whole story. Everyone on the ranch knew Caleb was nosey as could be. Nosey, but harmless.
"Wade has been very overbearing with Wendy lately."
"What do you mean?" The old man's voice went cold and hard. "Explain overbearing."
Sam studied the old man for a moment. "In a nutshell, he don't want her dating me. To the point that he's been threatening her, and yesterday he went a little too far, he pushed her. Her leg is bruised and she's limping a little. She said she fell, but Cade, Hank and Mike think Wade pushed her. She tries not to limp, but her face contorts to pain every time she moves."
Suddenly, the old man bristled like a bear. Sam watched him with amusement. "He hurt that baby girl?"
The way he said that had Sam taking note. He knew most of the hands were protective of the McKay girls, but Caleb was angry, he could see it in his body movements, his hands fisted, and his voice was so hard and his eyes reflected the same kind of cold anger he felt.
"Yeah…he did."
"Anybody doing anything about it?" Caleb wanted to know.
"That's why the family was all here last night. Cade changed the locks for her, and then they talked to Wade. Cade told him, straight out, if he kept up he'd throw him off this ranch, personally."
Caleb smiled wryly. "Good for him."
Sam hung his head. "I'd like to do the same, but I'm not in much of a position to do anything. First time I cause trouble, I'll go to jail."
Caleb scratched his chin. "You are kind of fond of Wendy, aren't you?"
Sam's face changed to a shy smile. "Very fond of her. She's the nicest little lady I've ever met."
"I thought so. Good for you. But you are right. You aren't in a position to do much. Leave it to the rest of us. There's no way I'll put up with anyone hurtin' that little gal. She's done one hundred percent around this ranch. And no one is gonna run rough shod over her. I'm glad you told me."
Sam stared at the old man. He seemed to mean that.
"You're kind of fond of her too, aren't you?" Sam smiled at him and slapped him on the shoulder.
"You bet I am. Those are all good girls and there ain't a one of them I wouldn't protect with my life." Caleb stared into Sam's eyes.
Sam grinned. "She's pretty special…"
"You got that right," Caleb said. "Listen…it'll be taken care of. I can promise that. Just don't rock the boat. Reassure her that it will all be straightened out before long."
And without another word, he walked out of the barn leaving Sam to mull over his words.
Chapter Seven
Julie and Letty both called Wendy the next day to find out how things were going. Wendy told them about Wade coming to the kitchen door.
"What time was it, do you know?" Julie asked.
"About five thirty this morning," Wendy said. "I know it was still dark outside. His banging on the door woke me. I told him I'd talk to him later and that he could drink his coffee in the bunkhouse. He didn't like that."
"Do you think if you talked to him you might find out what is eating him?" Julie asked innocently.
"Maybe, but I'm not sure I want to talk to him. Every time we talk something happens," Wendy said, her voice fading.
"Maybe you should go to him, confront him straight on. Just don't go somewhere there aren't some people around," Julie suggested.
"I want him to get used to the idea that he can't just walk in on me here. With everyone gone, I'm not comfortable anymore."
"I've been thinking about this, and I've talked to Cade and he doesn't know what is wrong either. Wade won't open up to many people. But you've worked with him so long, I thought maybe he would soften a little if you don't approach him as though he's the enemy."
Wendy sighed. "Okay, I'll try to talk to him…"
"Good."
When Letty called, she didn't agree. "No, I wouldn't go near him; he'll take it as a flirt or a come-on, Wendy. Leave it alone for a while. At least until he gets used to the idea that he doesn't have the run of the place any longer."
"Yeah, I agree with you, but Julie thought it might work."
"Not right now it won't. He's got to cool off and have some time to think. I can't believe that woman did this to him. I think it's something else. But I don't know what. And I don't want you taking any chances of getting hurt anymore."
"Sam and I have a date tonight anyway." Wendy sighed.
"You and Sam are pretty thick, aren't you?"
Wendy smiled into the phone. "I really like him."
"I can tell. Does he really like you?"
"I think so…"
"Good. Well, call me if you need me, and keep that door locked no matter what."
"I will."
Later that day, when Wade flew out of the yard in his truck, Wendy went down to the barn.
Caleb was working, but turned toward her when she came in.
"I been wondering when I would see you." The old man's eyes lit up.
Wendy smiled. "I'm sorry, I haven't been around much."
"I want to know how things are." Caleb frowned at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Is Wade still bothering you?"
Wendy leaned against a stall and watched Caleb work. "He found out I changed the locks this morning and tried to get in. I told him he could take his coffee in the bunkhouse with the rest of the men. I don't think he was too happy about that, and he flew out of here like the devil was after him. I don't know what has gotten into him."
"Nobody seems to know. He's always been a pretty quiet fella. It isn't like him at all."
"I'm going to lay low for a while, Caleb. Until he simmers down a little. Then I'm going to try to talk to him."
Caleb's eyes widened. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not? Someone has to make him see he's being unreasonable."
"It doesn't have to be you." Caleb frowned and watched her.
"He might listen to me, if he wasn't so mad."
"You know, maybe Cade is right. Maybe there is something to this…bi-polar thing."
"I don't know much about it," Wendy confessed.
"Neither do I. But he does need to go to the doctor, to find out about it."
"Yeah, but you know Wade. You think he'll go?"
"Not unless he's forced. No," Caleb said. "But don't you worry about anything. All of us men know what's been going on. We'll handle this. You just stay close to the house and keep those doors locked. If it really is a bi-polar thing, he could be quite dangerous."
She smiled at Caleb, realizing how much she'd come to care about the old man. "Okay…thanks…"
She started to leave but turned to look at him over her shoulder. "Talking to you makes me feel better."
Caleb smiled.
~*~
That same afternoon, Julie came over to see Wendy. Julie's f
ace was a wad of frowns and worry. Wendy knew something was wrong, she just didn't know what. "I want you to forget about talking to Wade. I was wrong, Wendy."
Wendy was trying to decide what to wear on her date with Sam. Slightly distracted, she wasn't paying much attention to Julie. "Why?"
"Because his girlfriend came to talk to Cade."
"Valarie?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"And there is definitely something wrong with Wade. So I don't want you going near him." Julie was adamant as she stared at her sister for a reaction.
"How do you know?" Wendy asked, turning to look at her.
"She said she has noticed something very different about him lately too. A complete change of personality. She is even having doubts about marrying him now."
"Why, what's happened?" Wendy asked, sitting on the edge of her bed and watching Julie closely as she sat on her vanity stool. Wendy wasn't completely dressed when Julie flew up the stairs in a hailstorm.
She slipped on a pair of jeans and a nice shirt, and then got into her cowboy boots.
Julie watched, but Wendy could tell her mind was not on the boots.
"Wade has been trying every night to get her to go to bed with him. She said she's not that kind of girl. She refused and, last night, he hit her and started to take her clothes off. She pulled a knife out of the kitchen drawer and threatened to use it on him if he didn't get out."
Wendy's eyes rounded with surprise. "You don't mean it? So Wade's been pushing her…for…sex?"
"That's what she said. She said he's been very aggressive since she came up here, demanding she have sex with him, where before he always said he wanted to wait until they were married. At the time her father approved of them getting married. She said if she told her father, there would be no wedding at all. She was hysterical. She's afraid of him too. The girl was in tears, Wendy."
Stand By Me (Book 4 of the McKay's) Page 7
