“What in the world are you talking about?”
“You need to get married, and you need to do it fast. Now, tell me, out of all the men in Asherville, which ones do you like?” He folded his arms on top of the chair and gazed at her.
“The only ones I like are already married.”
His brows drew together. “What in tarnation is wrong with you? Married men are off limits. You do understand that, don’t you?”
A smile tugged at her lips, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “What do you think I’m trying to do? I don’t want any man and I don’t want to get married.”
“Well, let’s pretend you have to get married. Who would you choose?”
“I’m not playing this game with you. Not now and not ever. If it’s the house you’re after, I’m almost healed and ready to go.”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Where will you go? Life is not easy for single females.”
What was it going to take for him to change the subject? “Judge Gleason seems like a nice fella.”
Tramp’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Gleason? Isn’t he a bit long in the tooth for you?”
“No, he’s a mature man is all. Nothing wrong with that, is there?”
He pressed his lips together. “I can’t think of one thing wrong. Judge Gleason it is.” Tramp stood up and gave her a curt nod before he left.
Men. They were so contrary. One minute he wanted a name and the next he was not pleased. How could he be displeased with a judge? Did Burt have a deep dark secret she didn’t know about? Besides, what difference did it make to Tramp anyway? He already picked his intended. And Judge Gleason was a safe bet. He’d been a bachelor for far too long to want a wife now.
Judge Gleason? Why him? He hardly even knew how to ride a horse. Well, maybe that was going too far. He knew how to ride, but Tramp would bet he didn’t know how to rope. Women didn’t flock to him or anything. What was so special about the judge that Ilene would pick him? He sat on the front porch and took a cigarette out of his pocket. He lit it with a match and took a deep draw. No, he couldn’t think of one thing that would make the judge a better candidate than him.
Tramp stopped in mid-smoke and ended up coughing. Why did his brain think that? He was not a candidate nor did he want to be one. First thing in the morning he’d find someone to take care of Ilene. Then he’d ride into town and get the judge to come out and spend time with her. The sooner she got hitched the sooner he’d have his house. He was itching to get back out on the range again. So far there’d been no sign of the herd Gold Dust had run off with. He’d find them eventually.
The next morning, Tramp rode into Asherville and tied his horse outside Eats’ Place. The restaurant had burned down not too long ago, and it was heartening to see it built again and much nicer than before. Tramp got down off his horse and tied it to the hitching post before he strode in. A few folks nodded in his direction, and he returned the nods of greeting before he made his way to Judge Gleason’s table. It was a known fact that the judge did most of his business in two places: Eats’ and the saloon. He made it well-known he didn’t consort with the women. He just wanted to be where the rest of the men were.
“Good Morning, Judge. Mind if I join you?” Tramp took off his hat.
Judge Gleason wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin and gestured with a sweeping motion of his hand for Tramp to sit down. “Morning. What can I do for you?”
Before he could answer, a young man came rushing toward them. “Howdy, Tramp. Coffee?”
“That would be great, Poor Boy.” Tramp grinned. Poor Boy looked more bright-eyed than he’d ever seen him before. He’d been an orphan when Eats took him in. He’d always looked haggard and thin, but now he looked good, not so ill at ease and kind of filled out.
Judge Gleason smiled knowingly. “You haven’t seen him for a while, have you? Great changes in that boy. When Eats burned down, Poor Boy went and lived with Sheriff O’Connor and his wife Cecily. He flourished under their nurturing but he loves Eats like a father. When the place was rebuilt, he came back.”
“I’m happy for him,” Tramp said. He nodded his thanks at Poor Boy when his coffee was served. He took a sip and set the cup down. “The reason I’m here is Ilene.”
“She’s not worse is she?”
“No, nothing like that. She’s lonely, and I remembered you sayin’ you wanted to court her. I just thought you’d like to come out to the ranch for a visit.” Now that the words were out, Tramp felt foolish. He shook his head. “You know what? Never mind. I shouldn’t try to match you two up. It’s none of my business.” He pushed back his chair.
“Don’t leave just yet. You haven’t finished your coffee.” Judge Gleason stroked his chin a few times then smiled. “You know, I would like to visit with her. I know I was angry with you before, but I know both of you. You’re honest people. I believe nothing is going on.” He motioned for Poor Boy to come to the table. “Tell Eats the food was great, but I have to get going. You take care.”
Poor Boy nodded and hurried away to clear off a table.
“We might as well get going,” Judge Gleason said as he wiped his mouth again. He threw down the napkin and stood.
Tramp stood and followed him out the door. They got on their horses and rode off. Tramp was surprised that the judge didn’t try to make conversation. He thought really smart people liked to talk, but it was a mostly silent ride. His body became tense with the worry that maybe he was supposed to be the one jawing. He was never so happy to see the house.
Cookie came hurrying out of Tramp’s house, and when he saw Judge Gleason he frowned. “Somethin’ going on that I don’t know about?” His eyes narrowed.
Tramp swung down from his horse. “No. The judge here is visiting Ilene.”
“Does she know that?” Cookie’s stare didn’t waver.
“It’s a surprise.”
Cookie turned to the judge who was now standing on the ground. “Nice to see you, Gleason.” He turned and strode away.
Judge Gleason shrugged and walked toward the house. Tramp quickly followed, hoping he was doing the right thing. Cookie’s stare unnerved him, and now he wasn’t so sure of his idea to get the judge and Ilene together.
Judge Gleason took off his hat and set it on the table. He ran his hand through his hair and then straightened his jacket. He didn’t wait for Tramp, just walked in to Ilene’s room unannounced.
Undecided on what to do, Tramp shrugged his shoulders and walked to the door. He stood just outside, not wanting to intrude, but he was too curious to stay away. Soft murmurs filtered from inside the room. Well, at least she didn’t seem upset, yet part of him wondered why she wasn’t. She didn’t seem like a woman who liked surprises. As much as he wanted to barge in, he had decided on this course of action and he planned to see it through.
He heard the sound of laughter and frowned, taking a step toward the door. Going in would be the right thing to do for propriety’s sake of course. Just as he stepped over the threshold he gasped. Judge Gleason had swept up Ilene into his arms. Tramp tried to leave the room without being seen, but it didn’t work.
“Oh good,” said the judge. “I’ll need you to hold open the front door so that me and this young lady can sit on the front porch.” Judge Gleason whispered something into Ilene’s ear and she giggled again.
None of this sat well with Tramp. He just turned and led the way holding open the door for the couple. Although tempted to sit with them to see what was going on, he decided it best to leave them be. Now that everyone could see Ilene with the judge all pressure was off of him. There’d be no more talk of hasty weddings and wagging tongues. He did however leave the front door open, and he stood by the front window just off to the side so he wouldn’t be seen.
After a few minutes, Tramp shook his head in frustration. He still couldn’t hear what they were saying. Funny thing, Gleason usually was a bit boisterous and seemed to be used to having people hear what he had to say.
Disappointed, Tramp sat on the settee and waited. This wasn’t what he’d had in mind at all. He’d wanted to be free to ride the range, but instead he was too busy keeping an eye on Ilene. He could see her profile from where he sat, and he watched as she nodded eagerly. He hadn’t noticed before that she had a dimple on her cheek when she smiled.
Shaking his head, he stood and went to the kitchen and started to pace. Perhaps he never noticed the dimple on her cheek because he never made her smile the way the judge made her smile. His fists clenched and unclenched as he realized what a mistake he’d made by bringing another man into the house.
Ilene’s face hurt from smiling at the judge. She tried and tried to concentrate on what he was saying, but her mind kept wandering. Where was Tramp? What did he think about Judge Gleason’s visit? Or rather Burt’s visit? Somehow in her mind she thought of him as Judge Gleason and not as a Burt. Maybe that was because she didn’t like him as much as she had thought she might. He was a nice enough man but he liked to talk about himself an awful lot. He was an important man. Perhaps that’s what important men did.
“Don’t you think, Ilene?”
Her smile didn’t dim as she tried to remember what he’d been talking about. It had to have been something about himself. She wished she could just fake it and say yes but she didn’t want to commit herself to something she’d rather not do. “I’m sorry, Judge, er, Burt, I didn’t hear what you had to say. The pain in my wrist is worse today than usual, and I can’t keep my mind focused. Forgive me?”
Judge Gleason reached over and patted her on her non-injured hand. “Don’t you worry none. We’ll have plenty of time to talk. I just enjoy spending time with you.”
Her constant smile was giving her a headache. Was Tramp coming back? He really shouldn’t have left her alone. Was he inside the house?
“And when Tramp suggested I court you, I realized just how much I really wanted to.”
Her eyes widened for a brief second and then narrowed. “This was Tramp’s idea? Do you think you would’ve come to the same conclusion if it hadn’t been suggested to you by Tramp?” She pretended to be smoothing out her skirt, but what she really wanted to do was hit Tramp. How dare he interfere! Enough was enough. If he wanted his house, he could have his house. “Do you think you could do me a favor?”
Judge Gleason leaned in toward her. “Of course, my dear, what do you need?”
“I know that Keegan and Addie have an unoccupied house on their property since they built the new house for themselves. Do you think perhaps you could ask them if it would be all right for me to come and live there? I’d be more than happy to earn my keep.” She watched as the judge drew his brows together and tilted his head.
“Is something going on that I don’t know about? Are you in some type of trouble? Is it Tramp? Has he done something to you?” His voice got louder with each question.
“No! It’s nothing like that. You see, this house belongs to Tramp, and I’d just feel better if he could have his house back. He’s done more than his share to help me, but it’s not fair to him.”
Judge Gleason leaned back in his chair and relaxed his shoulders. “Sure, I’d be happy to stop over to Keegan’s place and see if they’d be amendable to your suggestion. There is, however, another solution. Now, hear me out before you say anything, but you could marry me, my dear. I have a nice house in town, and you wouldn’t have to move from place to place ever again. Nor would you ever have to work to earn your keep. I’m not saying I’m any prize, and I’ve been a bachelor far too long, but I think we could make a go at it. So what do you say?”
He’d startled her, and she was in no way ready to promise herself to a man she hardly knew. She looked up and saw Tramp leaning against the open door staring at her. So he was still here after all. Why? Why had he done this? Was she so hard to get along with or did he simply just not like her? She’d never figure him out and she was too weary to keep trying. So, instead of saying no to Judge Gleason, she found herself telling him she’d think about it.
Both men frowned at her, but she didn’t care. If either one of them really had a care for her feelings, they wouldn’t have made this whole plan behind her back. It stung her pride that Tramp wanted to be rid of her so badly. It also stung that it hadn’t been the judge’s idea to come courting.
“I hate to end our little visit, but I’m feeling, oh so tired. I do believe a nice nap would do me good.” She didn’t look at either man. She wasn’t happy with them, and she didn’t care which one carried her into her room. She sat stiffly in her chair and she had to keep her jaw from dropping when Tramp stepped forward and swung her up into his arms. It had to be her imagination, but it felt as though Tramp was holding her tighter than usual. Wishful thinking, though. It had to be, for Tramp had no interest in her. Gazing into his glittering eyes, a jolt went through her. He didn’t look at all pleased. What had she done now to make him mad?
She hadn’t realized how tense her body had become until Tramp set her down on her bed and her muscles began to relax. Gazing past him toward the door, she looked for Judge Gleason expecting him to say goodbye. To her surprise, he wasn’t there. Her gaze met Tramp’s and held. Why was he so hard to read? He couldn’t really be mad could he? After all it was his idea to bring the judge to her. She shook her head. She’d never understand this man.
“Why are you shaking your head at me? What did I do now? Never mind you don’t have to answer. Besides, I know you have a lot on your mind. So what will it be? Are you and the judge going to be courting? He’s a very respectable man, you know.”
“I know he’s respectable, and I know he’s nice and kind, but I’m going to make my own decisions. Just because you brought him out here doesn’t mean I have to marry him. I will of course give it much thought, but I plan to take my time. I know you want your house back, so I’ve come up with a solution.”
Tramp scowled and crossed his arms in front of him. “Is that so? Tell me about the solution.”
If only she could she would have walked out of the room and as far away from Tramp as she could get. He treated her as if she was a young girl without a brain in her head. “Burt is going to find out for me whether or not the empty house at Keegan and Addy’s place is available to rent. It’s really a win for you if it works out. You get your house back and your life back, and you get to have the horses all to yourself. It’s what you wanted all along. I can’t stay here any longer. I’m not wanted, and I’m not needed. I’ve become a burden to you, and I apologize. We should have found a different solution instead of having you take care of me. It was really a bad idea.”
Tramp ran his fingers through his hair and then rubbed the back of his neck staring at her all the while. “Is that what you think? You think you’re a burden, and I want to be free of you?”
Her eyes widened. “Why would I think anything else? You’ve been kind, and you take good care of me. I appreciate it more than I can say, but bringing Judge Gleason out here tells me everything I need to know. You brought him here to be rid of me.”
Tramp shook his head. He opened his mouth as if to speak but said nothing.
“Don’t even try to deny it. It’s fine really it is. You have your own life to live; you have Ava and a great future together. I want you to be happy, and you can’t start your life, your new life, with me here in your way.”
Tramp plopped down onto the chair and briefly closed his eyes. When he opened them, a smile spread over his face. “What’s this about Ava? We are not together, and I have no plans for a future with her. Where did you hear this little tidbit of news?”
She furrowed her brow. “I got it from the horse’s mouth, Ava herself. She told me you plan to get married. Pretty much as soon as I was able to leave. I don’t think she has any reason to lie to me.”
Tramp chuckled. “So is that what’s been on your mind the last few days? I never asked Ava to marry me, though it’s true she thought that we were getting married.”
Ilene frowned. “Y
ou know, Tramp, you’re good at speaking in riddles. I never seem to know the truth about where I stand with you. I feel bad that you led Ava on. When she told me about your plans she was serious. It’s hurtful when people play with your feelings, Tramp, very hurtful. I hope you talked to her and told her that you don’t plan to marry her.”
Tramp stood, walked to the window and gazed outside for moment before turning around. “It doesn’t sound like you have a very high opinion of me. I’m not one to toy with other people’s feelings. Like I said, I never asked Ava to marry me, and I would think that you’d know me well enough by now to realize that. I guess it just goes to show that you don’t know me at all. And no I’m not all fired up to get you out of here, so you relax, rest, and heal all in your own time.” The whole time he talked he avoided her gaze. He walked out of the room and closed her door behind him.
A sense of loneliness and regret of what could’ve been cocooned her. No wonder she didn’t have any friends; she didn’t trust enough for any type of friendship.
Chapter Seven
Three days later, Ilene was dressed and sitting on the settee in the front room waiting for Shannon and the rest of the quilting bee ladies. She was both nervous and excited. Well, mostly nervous. What if she said the wrong thing? Perhaps they wouldn’t like her. Her mouth grew dry, as she began to perspire. She couldn’t do it, she just couldn’t. She pushed herself up with the aid of crutches Tramp had fashioned for her. She got herself turned around and was just about to head back into the kitchen when Tramp intercepted her before she took so much as a step.
“Going somewhere, darlin’?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” she snapped at him. When she saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes, she was immediately sorry. “I’m just so nervous. I mean I’ve met most of the women at one time or another but Tramp, what if I say something stupid or what if I freeze and say nothing at all? I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but I really don’t have friends. I don’t know how to make friends.”
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