Wincing, he remembered his insensitivity, brushing off her anxiety about wearing a dead woman’s clothes. Poor Freddie had lived a life under a tyrannical father and all he’d cared about was how badly done by he was.
After dressing, he heated up the coffee pot. A couple of strong black coffees should clear his head. He didn’t like doing it, but Paterson, his nearest neighbor, had wanted to buy the ranch for years. They weren’t on friendly terms, nor were they enemies. They just kept their distance from each other, except for the yearly visits from Paterson or one of his sons asking him if he would sell. He would call in and see them, tell them he was thinking of selling and would give them first offer, but would let them know for certain within a week. They in turn had to look after his stock.
If Freddie agreed to marry him, they could have the place. If she didn’t, he would hightail it back here with his tail between his legs.
His stomach churned just thinking about heading to a large town like Guilford Crossing. He couldn’t live in town even for Freddie, but a place nearby on a few acres of land he could cope with that. Decision made, he refilled the water containers for the chickens.
The cattle and horses were fine, they had the creek. All they needed was hay every couple of days. He collected his bedroll and a few supplies, made sure his canteen was full, saddled his gelding and rode off.
****
After three nights sleeping under the stars, Nick finally arrived in Guilford Crossing. He hadn’t been here since he had come with his uncle to collect supplies after his uncle had a falling out with his usual supplier. Once new people had taken over the supply route to Everton, they never came here again.
He was hot, sweaty and dusty and in no condition to see Freddie. She hadn’t liked his beard or long hair, not that he particularly liked it. It had just been easier not having to shave.
A red and white barber’s pole stood outside a small shop and he read the sign, saying Barber, with bathing facilities. He would have a haircut, shave and bath. He couldn’t do much with his pants, but he did have a clean shirt in his saddlebag.
“A rub down and some oats for you, boy.” He patted the gelding’s neck. After leaving the horse at the livery, he strode to the barber’s shop, ignoring the interested stares cast his way. The shop was empty thank goodness. He was anxious to see Freddie, although not in this filthy condition.
“I want a shave, haircut and a bath,” Nick said without preamble. No point in wasting words.
The barber paused from stropping his razor and waved it around. “You haven’t seen one of these in a few years by the looks of it,” he said with a strong English accent.
“No.”
An hour later, Nick walked out of the shop feeling and looking like a new man. Once his hair was cut he couldn’t believe how light his head felt. He ran the palm of one hand across his newly shaved jaw, and the skin felt smooth under his fingers tips.
Would Freddie approve? Would she even recognize him? He’d hardly recognized himself when he looked in the mirror. There were a few flecks of grey in his hair now that he couldn’t remember seeing before. There again, he hadn’t really peered into a mirror for years.
He strode down the main street, staring straight ahead, his eyes riveted on the sign painted across the front of a large shed. “Guilford Freight. His stomach churned with nerves now, his heart beat a rapid tattoo in his chest.
“Anyone there,” he called out. No answer. He stepped inside. There was a strong
smell of horses and leather.
“What do you want, stranger?” Sam Guilford stared at him with hostility.
The old man hadn’t changed much, his hair was greyer, and he was a little more stooped than before. Still ornery, though.
“I don’t welcome saddle bums.”
“I’m not a saddle bum, I’m looking for Freddie.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m Nick Brown.”
“You sonofabitch.” The old man took up a fighting stance. “If I had a gun I’d put you in the ground.”
“Well, you don’t, but I’ve got mine.” Nick glanced at his holstered colt.
“You ruined my daughter.”
Nick’s neck and face burned with embarrassment. “I admit I did wrong by Freddie. I want to marry her if she’ll still have me.”
“Oh, she’ll have you all right, I’ll make damn sure of it.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning, you’ll marry my gal before the week is out or I’ll nail your hide to the wall, you filthy polecat.”
The animosity emanating from the old man was positively tangible. What in tarnation had Freddie told him? The whole sordid tale by the sounds of it.
“She’s in the house behind this barn. Now, you git in there and make things right for her.”
“I will.”
“You damn well better. And I don’t want her upset in her condition.”
“What!”
“You heard me the first time. I’m warning you.”
The old buzzard must be loco, talking in riddles no sane man could understand. Was Freddie ill? A vice-like fear gripped his stomach. “Is she sick?”
“Not unless you call having a baby growing in her belly, sick.”
Nick rocked back on his heels, he almost doubled over with the shock. It felt like he’d been gut shot.
“I didn’t know, I didn’t think….”
“Didn’t care more like.”
Sam looked like he wanted to kill him with his bare hands, not that he blamed the old man. Poor Freddie would be feeling so desperate and betrayed. He felt lower than a snake’s belly. “She told you?” He was blabbering like an idiot but couldn’t seem to stop.
“Freddie didn’t realize when she came home that she was, but the moment I looked into her eyes I knew. I’ve got the gift.”
Nick was glad his hand was in his pocket so Sam couldn’t see it clenched into a fist. The old man was loco for sure.
“I can look into a woman’s eyes and know there’s a baby, even if she’s just conceived it.”
“What a load of bull dust.”
“It’s true. Freddie didn’t believe me, either when I told her, but she’s sure now.”
“How?”
“Use your brain, how do you think?”
Nick was doing calculations in his head now and wasn’t sure he liked the outcome. She must have conceived when he took her virginity. He swallowed several times in quick succession. “You don’t think she’ll turn me down?”
“She won’t turn you down, I’ll make sure of it.”
“If you hurt her in anyway, old man, I’ll rip you to pieces with my bare hands.” He shuddered to think what the vicious old buzzard was capable of. “I want to see her now.”
“I told you where she was.” Sam turned around and stomped toward the back of a wagon.
Nick strode off. He had to force himself not to run. The house was about twenty yards from the back of the freight shed. A single-story place about twice the size of his cabin. It was old, with peeling white paintwork on the windows and door surrounds. It was in better condition than what he had imagined it would be.
He knocked on the door and waited. He knocked again. The blood was pounding in his ears, he’d end up with a raging headache if he wasn’t careful. He strode around the back and skidded to a halt. “Freddie!”
The book she had been reading fell on to the porch floor and she got up from the armchair and stared at him. “Nick?”
“Yeah, a little more presentable, don’t you think?”
“What do you want?” Her gaze was hostile now.
“I’m sorry about what I said, for driving you away. I love you. I want to marry you.”
“Since when?”
“Since I sobered up and realized how much I missed you and wanted to be with you. I’ll make it up to you, darlin’, I swear I will.”
Hope flared in her eyes, but just as quickly died, leaving her looking so sad it ripped his heart to shreds.
He stepped closer to her and she backed away. “Don’t recoil from me, I know I treated you bad. I should have offered marriage after I took you to my bed, but I was dead against it. Hated the thought because of what happened to Li. It was my fault. If I’d married her maybe they wouldn’t have called her a whore or killed her.”
“Nick, I….”
“They were all so pious, like that holier than though preacher who refused to marry us. I think it was because we were living in sin, rather than her being Chinese. I’ve spoken to your father and he’s agreed to me marrying you, only he wants it done fast and so do I.”
“He told you about the baby, that’s why you came.” She pounded his chest with clenched fists.
He grabbed hold of her flailing arms. “I didn’t know until I arrived here less than five minutes ago.”
“Liar.”
“It’s true. I came to beg you to marry me for no other reason except I love you and can’t live without you. Why do you think I had my hair cut and a shave and a bath at the barbers, if it wasn’t to impress you so you wouldn’t refuse me?”
Her lips trembled.
Freddie, I love you.” He dragged her into his arms and kissed her. Tentatively at first, she returned his kisses, she couldn’t stop herself he looked so handsome now and he loved her. Finally, when he released her and stepped back they were both gasping for air.
“What about your ranch?”
“I went over and saw a neighbor and asked him to keep an eye on things. Old Peterson has been wanting to buy the place for years. I told him if he’d look after things while I was gone, and you agreed to become my wife. I’d sell it to him for a fair price.
He wanted to sell his ranch for her? “I wouldn’t expect you to sell your ranch because of me.”
“It’s too isolated for you, and our child.” He patted her stomach. “I couldn’t live here in Guilford Crossing, I can’t stand noise, a throwback from the war I suppose. If I could get us a place a couple of miles out of town it would be perfect. I wouldn’t feel hemmed in and you’d be close to your family and friends. Please say you’ll marry me, I only come alive when I’m with you.”
“Yes, a hundred times yes.” She threw herself into his arms and he kissed her again.
“You’ll be staying for supper?” Sam’s gravelly voice had them jumping apart.
“I hope you said yes to him, gal. He’s a dead man if he doesn’t get a wedding ring on your finger and be quick about it.”
“You had no right telling him about the baby, Pa.”
“I had every right. Do you think I’d let my grandson be born out of wedlock?”
“But, Pa.”
“Luckily for him the man wants to marry you, otherwise I’d have dragged him to the preacher by the scruff of his neck.”
Nick stifled a grin. He was beginning to think Sam’s bark was worth than his bite.
“You been resting like I told you?”
“Yes. No heavy lifting, no chopping wood, no rushing around, naps twice a day, I’m doing it all.”
“All right, get supper on, Alfie and Billie should be here soon.”
“What about Alex?”
“She’s spending the night at La Grange. There was a holdup with the shipment in Houston, and Zac will be late getting in. Can you drive a wagon?” He stared at Nick.
“Yes, why?”
“Want a job?”
“A job?”
“Working for me. I need another driver now this gal can’t do it.”
“I can still drive….”
“No.” Both men shouted together. “I won’t have you doing a man’s work,” Nick growled.
“Why not?” She planted both hands on her hips. She wouldn’t risk her baby by driving a bumpy wagon, but it wasn’t in her nature to give in without a fight, even a pretend one.
They trouped inside. Nick was surprised, the kitchen had plenty of room, even with the large wooden table and eight chairs. There was a modern stove as well.
“I’ll get us some coffee,” Freddie said. No sooner had she poured the coffee then the door banged, and Alfie strode in. She skidded to a halt on seeing Nick.
“Nick Brown, I presume.”
“Yes.” He scrambled to his feet.
“I’m Alfie.”
“Howdy, Alfie.”
“Ah, coffee, I smelled it coming around the corner.”
Freddie went to rise.
“Stay, I’ll get it.” Alfie stepped over to the stove.
“Where’s your brother?”
“Seeing to the horses. I needed a coffee before I start unloading.”
The door banged and Billy walked in.
“Want a coffee?” Freddie asked.
He shook his head. Suddenly his body became rigid. “Captain?”
Tremors shook all the way through him.
“What did you say, son?” Sam took him by the shoulders. “What Captain?”
“Him.” Billy pointed at Nick.
“I don’t know you,” Nick said, staring at Billy in puzzlement.
“You saved me.”
“Holy Hell. You’re the soldier I brought in from the battlefield?”
The kitchen fell silent.
“You’re that Captain?” Pa said, and Freddie watched his jaw work.
“Yes, I saw him felled by a shot and I couldn’t leave him out on the battlefield to die like a dog. Anyone would have done the same.”
“Yeah, they didn’t, though,” Sam growled.
Nick shrugged. “It was a long time ago.” He leaned back in his chair. “I’d rather forget about it.”
Freddie got up and went around and put her hands on his shoulders, resting her chin on his head. “Lookee what we’ve got here. A real live hero.”
Nick grinned. “Well, this real live hero as you call him, only wants one thing. To marry the woman he loves as quickly as he can.
EPILOGUE
Twelve months later
As Nick dismounted in the front yard of his newly acquired ranch, he spied Matt Brayshaw’s buggy in the shade of a large tree. Stepping on to the porch he heard little Rachel Brayshaw’s excited squeals.
Freddie and Lily had become close friends. Taking off his hat, he hung it on the back of the door. If he was lucky he might still be in time for a couple of hot biscuits and a coffee.
He stepped into the parlor. “Howdy ladies.” His gaze immediately alighted on Freddie who was feeding five-month-old, Oliver. He never tired of seeing her suckle their baby. He would like it even more if he could change place with his son.
Rachel toddled up to him and grabbed his leg. He picked her up and swung her around a couple of times. “How’s my little princess, going?”
She gabbled away in a baby language he couldn’t understand.
“I’ll get you a coffee when I’ve finished feeding Oliver,” Freddie said.
“No, it’s all right, darlin’, I can get it for myself. I just wanted to check in with you ladies first. I swear, I could hear you cackling out in the front yard.” He grinned at them.
“I’ll get the coffee for you. Sit down and take the load off your feet,” Lily said. “I’ll have to be leaving soon, Matt likes me to be home well before dusk.”
“What about Annie?” Nick asked, knowing how protective Lily was of the little girl.
“Pedro always makes sure he’s working near the house on my shopping day in case I get held up. She’s got him wrapped around her little finger.” Lily laughed as she left the room.
“Did you get everything you wanted in town, darlin’?”
“Yes. Anyway, we’re only three miles out of Guilford Crossing, so it wouldn’t take long for me to ride in and get anything I forgot.”
“Freddie!”
“Oh, all right.” She gave him a cheeky grin. “I was only joking.
“You’re a respectable married woman now.” He tried to sound severe but spoiled it by laughing. Freddie would never be like some of those straight-laced, genteel w
omen in town, and he didn’t want her to be. He loved her just the way she was.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right if I do the La Grange run with Billy tomorrow? With the baby and all….”
“Pa is coming to stay, although the gout hasn’t improved his temper, he’s still raving and ranting. He wouldn’t believe the Doc when he said gout was his problem.” Freddie grinned. “And he wants everyone to believe he sprained his ankle. The only person I know who can calm Pa down is Oliver. He’s as docile as a kitten with his grandson.”
Lily returned with a cup of steaming coffee and two buttered biscuits, reminding Nick how hungry he was, because he’d missed lunch.
He enjoyed living here. The house was a fair distance from the road leading to Guilford Crossing. Peterson had given him a good price for his other ranch once he learned about the hidden spring. He wasn’t sorry to leave the other place, should have done it years ago instead of letting the bitterness fester until it almost ruined his life. Freddie had been his savior. The whole Guilford family had welcomed him, even old San had been reasonable, that in itself was a miracle everyone said.
“Don’t forget Matt and I are expecting you for lunch next Sunday for Annie’s birthday.” Lily interrupted his musing.
“We’ll be there,” Nick promised. He liked Matt and they got on well. He was still a bit of a loner, but being married to Freddie had made him more sociable. He was a lucky man.
What a strange thing fate was. If he hadn’t rescued Freddie, there would have been no happy ending for him. He had it all now, a beautiful wife and son, a fine ranch, and a small circle of good friends. He even got on passably well with Sam Guilford.
“I love you.” Freddie mouthed the words to him over the baby’s head.
He laughed, he did that a lot now. He was as happy as a weasel in a henhouse. “I feel the same away about you,” he mouthed back. Now and forever, Freddie.
The End
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Freddie Page 7
