Mariah nodded, unable to gather a coherent thought. Seth coughed beside her.
"Come in, come in," Sadie boomed, "we'll do our talkin' inside where the chill ain't gonna put frost on our teeth."
Seth leaned close to her ear. "Don't let her scare you. She's a lamb." He straightened and smiled broadly again as Sadie's husband reached a hand to him. Two strapping teenaged boys appeared at their father's side, gaping curiously at Mariah.
Without breaking stride, Sadie rapped each on the head with her spoon. "Catchin' flies with yer mouth ain't gonna win you any points with womenfolk, boys. It ain't terrible attractive. C'mon inside, now."
Mariah stifled a smile as the boys, properly chastised, stumbled back into the house, their mouths firmly closed.
The house was, indeed, warm with a fire burning in the huge stone fireplace that took up the better part of one wall. Most of the furniture was handmade; colorful rag rugs decorated the floor, adding to the coziness. Kerosene lamps brightened the corners and the plank table was set with a mishmash of plates and dishes that suited the house just perfectly. The tantalizing aroma of roast venison made her stomach rumble.
Her gaze went to the smudge of flour on Sadie's cheek and the long white apron that covered her faded blue calico gown. She was plentifully built, with strong hands that Mariah could imagine pushing a plow. There was, however, a grace about Sadie despite her rough manner—an economy of motion that belied her size.
"This here's my husband, Wade Bender," Sadie went on, taking control of the introductions. "And my two boys, Jarrod and Jason. Say hello, boys."
"Hullo," they mumbled in unison.
"Miss Parsons—it's a pure pleasure to meet you at last," Wade replied in a gallant, soft-spoken voice. He held an ornately carved pipe clamped between his teeth. As slender as Sadie was broad, Wade had thinning brown hair and spectacles. His face was gentle, with laugh lines around his eyes and a neatly trimmed beard showing the first touches of gray.
A smile eased the tension of Mariah's mouth. "The pleasure's mine, Mr. Bender."
"And o' course, I'm Sadie Bender," his wife went on, "but I only go by Sadie. Anything more formal just makes me feel old."
"Hello, Sadie." Mariah awkwardly took her proffered hand and Sadie pumped her arm up and down. She sent a helpless look to Seth, who simply grinned.
"Howdy-do, Miss Parsons."
"It's just Mariah, please," she insisted. "I apologize for my inappropriate appearance." She glanced down at her still-grimy pants and shirt, which Sadie seemed not to notice.
"Ain't nothin' inappropriate about you, young lady. You're lookin' mighty fit after a trip like you must have had."
Relief swelled through Mariah. "Seth has told me what a help you were to him when he was ill. I wish there was some way to thank you."
"Pshaw," Sadie retorted with a wave of her hand, urging Mariah into a horsehair sofa near the fireplace. "Friends help friends in times of need. Nothin' more to it. Yer bein' here at last is thanks enough. But to be sure, Seth's lucky to be here at all.
"There were times, girl, I thought I'd be a'showin' you his grave when you came. That fever were the dad-blamedest affliction I ever did see, burnin' him up like a pyre and Wade and me packin' him with blockhouse ice cut from the Missouri last winter."
"Truthfully," Seth admitted, sheepishly, "I don't ever recall absorbing the effect of that particular remedy. I don't recall much of anything for nigh on a week, except the distinct impression that I would shake myself out of my bed."
"Oh, Seth," Mariah whispered.
Sadie shook her head. "That quack of a doctor tried oil of wormwood, vermifuge, quinine... even jalap-of-turpentine." Waving her hand disparagingly, she said, "Then he gave it up altogether, leavin' us to our own resources. Goldenseal. There was the ticket. And my teas—feverfew, yarrow and hyssop. Right as rain after forty-eight hours, he was. He's still a mite peaked though, and he can use a hand at the store with the heavy work for a few days." She looked up at Seth. "Speakin' of which, where's Creed?"
"He's back, too." Seth sat down next to Mariah. "I hope you don't mind that I invited him to come tonight, too. He had some things to do, but he said he'd try to make it."
"Try? He'd better come or he'll miss my bramble-berry pie. An' ya know how he hankers after my pies. Jarrod," she ordered, rapping the youngster on the arm with the wooden spoon, "set another place for Miss Parsons and Mr. Devereaux."
The boy jumped out of the chair he'd been lounging in, eyes wide with expectation. "Creed's comin'? Think he'll tell us any more stories about the Innocents Gang, Pa? Or the way he caught up with Black Jack Jesson up in the north country?"
Wade sent his younger son a patient look and took a thoughtful pull on his pipe. Smoke curled in a blue wreath around his head. "Aren't you tired of hearing those tales yet, boy?"
Stricken, Jarrod exclaimed, "Tired? No, sir. I don't reckon I'll ever get tired of hearin' Creed talk about it. I want to be a bounty hunter someday, just like him."
"When pigs fly," Sadie mumbled, wrapping a dishtowel around her hands-to pull a pan out of the oven.
"It's Mister Devereaux to you, Jarrod," Wade instructed in a fatherly tone. "And maybe, just maybe, Mr. Devereaux doesn't find it as fascinating to talk about his line of work as you do."
That was the understatement of the year, Mariah thought.
Seth grinned. "Jarrod plagues Creed whenever he comes over until he's forced to recount at least one hair-raising adventure of his 'illustrious' career. But he doesn't really mind. He's taken a shine to the boys."
She tried to imagine Creed plying the boys with tales of derring-do. It was so out of character, it made her smile. But then, there were undoubtedly sides to Creed she'd never even seen.
Seth's hand slipped over hers and he gave her a covert squeeze. It lasted only long enough to make her heart jump, then Wade called him over to look at a new mail order pipe he'd added to his collection.
While Jarrod set the extra places, Mariah glanced at his older brother, Jason, whose mind was clearly not on criminals. His gaze seemed fastened with some tenacity on the shape of her legs beneath the heavy denim Levis.
But for the sweet moonstruck expression on his face when his gaze met hers, she might have been offended. Color flooded his neck and blossomed in two splotches in his fair cheeks. Without a word, he bolted from the room with a mumbled excuse about going for more wood. Jarrod followed him out the door.
Sadie smiled and shook her head as she removed the roast venison and partridges from the warming oven and set them on the table. "Don't you pay him no mind, Mariah. Jason's sap's runnin' high these days. Hasn't got his mind on much but the opposite gender."
Mariah rose and walked into the cozy kitchen area where Sadie was pouring a batch of piccalilli into a glass bowl. "How old are the boys?"
Sadie raised an eyebrow. "Jarrod's nearly thirteen. Jason's fourteen, goin' on twenty-four. Ah, it goes by too fast, Mariah. Seems like those two was sprouts just yesterday."
Though now it seemed a lifetime ago that she'd been that young and naive, Mariah remembered sending lovestruck looks of her own at Seth. She watched Sadie pull a puffy, golden-edged yorkshire pudding from the oven.
"They're wonderful boys," Mariah said, picking up the tray of relish and setting it on the table. "Handsome, too."
Sadie nodded. "Thanks, darlin'. You an' Seth... you'll have a fine batch of younguns, too. Real lookers, they'll be."
Mariah faltered, clattering the bowl against the planked table. The room grew suddenly warm. Children. Yes, she'd always wanted children. She knew Seth did, too. But not now. Not yet.
She felt Sadie's hand on her arm and turned to find her looking at her with concern. "Are ya all right, dear? You look a mite... tuckered."
"I'm fine." Mariah ran a hand over her hair. "I'm just... it's been a long day."
Sadie patted her hand with a shake of her head. "O' course yer tired, and ya got a bride's jitters. And here I am talkin' about youngu
ns. Sometimes my mouth runs on ahead of the cart. Ya know, it hasn't been so long I don't remember what it's like."
Mariah glanced up at Seth, who was deep in conversation with Wade. "I guess I am a little nervous."
Sadie lowered her voice. "And rightly so. Young thing like you. My heavens, and after a trip like you must've had... and what with not seein' yer man for nigh onto four years. You got every right to feel a little ruffled.
"But let me tell you this—Seth, he's a fine man. One of the best I know. You remember that. And if you ever need anyone to talk to about... womanly things... well, you just come to Sadie. I may have a voice that would shake the last leaf off a fall tree, but my ears aren't half bad." She patted her hand again and turned to finish putting dinner on the table.
Mariah found she liked Sadie Bender very much. It was heartening to know that she'd have a friend here in Virginia City. And seeing a family like this gave Mariah hope that she, too, could have this kind of contentment.
Without Creed.
From across the room, Seth caught her eye and smiled. It was a private smile, one she imagined husbands and wives exchanged every day. A lump formed in her throat as she returned it. Yes, she thought, I love him. I can do this. I can make it work.
Mariah picked up the water pitcher and filled the glasses at each place. Jason and Jarrod returned with armloads of wood just in time to hear the knock on the door. Jarrod got there first and yanked the portal open.
Mariah looked up to see Creed standing on the stoop. Her heart stopped, then raced. His black hair was still damp and his jaw freshly shaven. His choker stood out against his tanned face and complemented the teal chambray shirt beneath his blanket capote. His fingers toyed absently with the string on the box he was holding.
Creed's eyes found hers before the cool air from outdoors reached her and as if he'd touched her, a shiver went down her spine. She set the pitcher down heavily against the table, but couldn't move her gaze from him.
"Creed!" Jarrod cried, cuffing Creed's arm.
Creed pulled his hat off and smiled tightly at the boy. "I think you've grown another inch since I left, Jarrod."
The boy beamed and his brother pressed forward to shake Creed's hand. "H'llo, Creed," he said formally in a voice that cracked on the last word.
"Jase?"
"High time you got here, Creed Devereaux," Sadie boomed, giving Creed a hug. "You were about to miss the vittles."
"Not likely, Sadie. You're the best cook in the Gulch and it's been a while since I had a home-cooked meal." He glanced at Mariah. "Campfire coffee excluded, of course."
Mariah's gaze flicked to him and she forced a smile. Seth took Creed's hand with both of his. "Ah, Creed," he interjected with a laugh. "I should have warned you about Mariah's coffee. Her father wouldn't let her near the pot."
Clearing her throat, Mariah admitted, "I'm afraid my coffee receipt is becoming somewhat infamous," she said, looking at Sadie. "It's been compared quite favorably to rattlesnake venom."
Wade and Seth laughed, but Creed's attempt at a smile was tellingly poor. He wasn't remembering the coffee, but the river incident that had followed it and the moment he'd realized he was in over his head with Miss Mariah Parsons.
Sadie just shook her head at Mariah and said, "Don't you worry about that, honey. Coffee's easier to figure out than men."
Creed handed Sadie the box. "I stopped at the Mechanical Bakery on my way here—a loaf of bread. Yours is better, but I didn't want to come empty-handed."
Sadie sent him a pleased smile. "Thanks. You won't find anybody in this house turnin' away food. In fact, this brace of partridge here is Seth's contribution. He's become quite a crack shot, Mariah. Why, he can shoot the eye off a fly at a hundred paces. I've never seen anything like it."
"Well, a shopkeeper should have some redeeming qualities," Seth allowed modestly.
Sadie patted his arm. "More'n yer share, dearie... Dinner's on so why don't we all set down before it gets cold?"
While the others were heading toward the table, Seth stopped Creed with a hand on his arm and a serious look in his eye. "I haven't had a chance to thank you properly yet for everything you did."
"Yes, you have. Besides, seeing you on your feet again is thanks enough. I never realized what a stubborn cuss you are, Travers. I thought I was going to have to tie you down to keep you here."
Seth shook his head, running two fingers over his mustache. "Hell, I barely remember arguing."
"You look good. A hell of a lot better, at any rate."
"Virginia City's buried a few men who had the same thing I had. Nevada City, even more. They weren't lucky enough to have Sadie doctoring them with those God-awful teas," he added with a smile.
Creed glanced at the plump woman bustling around the dinner table, setting out the food with Mariah. Seth's gaze was on the younger woman.
"Mariah's turned into a real beauty, hasn't she?"
Creed followed Seth's gaze and swallowed hard. "Oui." In buckskins, denims, or silk, Mariah Parsons was the prettiest woman he'd ever laid eyes on. A real swan, he thought, remembering back to the first time he saw her aboard that steamer at Fort Benton. That day seemed so long ago.
"I hope she didn't give you too much trouble. Thank God you brought her with you on horseback instead of leaving her at the stage station," Seth said quietly. "You probably haven't heard what happened to the Lochries."
"Hasty Denton told me over at the livery."
Seth shook his head. "I kept imagining that you two were among them, but they told me only one woman was found." He pushed his dark blond hair back. "I haven't told Mariah yet. I didn't want to upset her. Who the hell would do something like that?"
"One guess," Creed answered grimly.
Seth frowned, but before he could reply, Sadie called them from the table.
"Are you two gonna stand there jawin' all day, or are you gonna set down and partake of these vittles?"
Seth forced a grin. "Well, partake, of course." He slapped Creed on the back and they headed for the table.
* * *
Despite his protests to the contrary and the wonderful aroma of the food, Creed found his appetite decidedly lacking. The sight of Seth and Mariah sitting together was almost more than he could bear. More than once, their eyes caught and held for a moment, but she looked away before he could guess what she was thinking. They hadn't discussed her impending marriage to Seth since that morning at the cabin. He thought it best to avoid talking about options where there were none.
Despite the fact that his best friend was sitting only two feet away, he wanted nothing more than to take Mariah in his arms and taste the sweetness of those lips one more time, savor the feel of her arms around him and the nearly mystical rightness of their bodies fitting together.
He scowled at his nearly full plate, wondering at the sort of bastard he'd become.
The feast of roast partridge, yorkshire pudding, greens, and piccalilli seemed to vanish without much help from him, and no one but Mariah seemed to notice.
Everyone was anxious to hear about their trip. Creed let Mariah do most of the telling—from her near-drowning, to LaRousse's attack on their camp, to the blizzard that had nearly killed them.
Seth's expression went from pale to grim upon learning of their ordeal. His knuckles went white at the part about LaRousse, his raging fury held barely in check. Sadie and Wade were equally shocked.
For their part, the boys were riveted to the tale, Jason pelting her with questions and comments along the way. He was particularly fascinated with Jesse's wolf-dog and the Indian woman, Raven.
Creed listened with half an ear, toying with his food. It was excruciating to sit there so close to her without being able to touch her. It had taken him two hours to work up the courage to come tonight. In the end, it had been for her sake that he had—avoiding her and Seth would only create suspicion. He didn't know what she'd decided to do about Seth, but he had no intention of standing in her way any more than
he already had.
The fire had burned down in the grate by the time they finished dessert and Wade got up to stoke it while Sadie and Mariah cleared the table. Wade returned with a bottle of brandy, poured Seth and Creed a shot, and filled the ladies' glasses with dandelion wine Sadie had made the previous summer. The boys lifted glasses of water.
"Here's to Creed and Mariah, surviving a trip that would have been a trial to Job himself. We thank you, Creed, for bringing Mariah home to Seth safely," Wade said softly.
"Here, here," Seth agreed and took a sip of his brandy. "And here's to friendship."
Heat crawled up Creed's neck, but he managed a smile. Wishing fervently for a hole to open up in the floor and swallow his black soul, he slugged back half his brandy. The smooth liquor burned a comforting path of fire down his throat and his gaze flicked to Mariah. Her back was rigid as a spruce plank and she stared sightlessly at the untouched glass of dandelion wine in her hand.
"And here's to Seth and Mariah," Creed said, knuckles going white around the stem of the glass. "To the future... to happiness." Mariah's gaze rose suddenly to his and held for one brief, bittersweet moment.
"Thanks, Creed," Seth said, his voice thick with emotion. "Listen... I, uh, guess this is as good a time as any to announce it. Mariah and I will be married before the circuit preacher from Bannack when he comes through next week."
Creed concentrated on breathing normally while the others at the table offered their congratulations. He forced himself not to look at Mariah. If he did that, not a soul in the room would miss what was in his eyes.
He'd known it was coming, but imagining and hearing it first-hand were two different things. He wanted to run, bolt, get on Buck and ride so damn far he wouldn't have to think of either one of them again.
But what he did was to reach across the table and shake Seth's hand. "Bon. Trés bon, mes amis. I am... happy for you both."
Mariah leaned back in her chair and avoided Sadie's curious stare. She felt sick. Sick at heart. She would have given anything to be the one to tell Creed her decision instead of letting him hear it here in front of everyone. The pain she saw in his eyes told her what he'd never been able to. He did care about her, even if he'd never been able to tell her. It was killing him to see her with Seth, but he was too damnably honorable to do anything.
Renegade Bride Page 23
