Wildcat Bride

by Lauri Robinson

  Bug spun about. “Do you think so?”

  “Yes, I’ll be back this afternoon.”

  “No.” Bug shook his head. “Do you think I’m the one she’ll want to see?”

  Jack looked thunderstruck. “Are you still questioning how much she loves you?”

  “I… Aw hell, Jack, I don’t know what to think,”

  he admitted.

  “Welcome to the world of love, Buggie-boy.” Jack slapped his back again. “And get used to it my good man.”

  The hall grew so empty it threatened to close in on Bug within seconds of Jack’s leaving. He walked over, plopped down on the chair, and hung his head over his chest. He was used to loving Eva, it was getting used to life that didn’t make rhyme or reason that had his mind, heart, and stomach doe-see-doeing around each other.

  He was lost in a world where he’d never left for Pennsylvania when something touched his shoulder.

  Bolting from the chair, he asked, “What? What’s happened?”

  “Nothing, Mr. Quinter,” Mrs. French said. She’d been taking care of Eva during the days lately, and was a nice woman. It was the smart talking woman that tried to kick him out every night that he didn’t like. “Miss Reynolds is ready to see you now. I’m going to get her something to eat. Would you like something?”

  “Eat? She’s up to eating?”

  The woman smiled. “Yes. Would you like something?”

  “No.” He turned to the door. “Can I go in?”

  “Yes, you can go in.”

  Bug didn’t wait to hear what else she said.

  Something about returning shortly may have touched his ears as he pushed open the door. Eva was propped up on the bed, not really sitting, but not lying flat on her back anymore either. He tiptoed, not wanting his boot heals to click on the floor as he pulled the door shut and made his way across the room.

  She turned, and though her eyes were red and somewhat swollen, she smiled at him.

  “Hi,” he said, unable to come up with anything else. “Hello.”

  He stopped near the bed. She lifted a hand. A rush of relief, he wasn’t sure from what, floated down his body. He took a hold of her hand and lowering himself onto the chair beside her bed, he brushed a kiss to her knuckles.

  “Thank you for the flowers.”

  “You’re welcome, but they aren’t all from me.

  Jack brought some in, so did Ma.”

  “I know. Mrs. French told me.” She swallowed and leaned back against the pillows. “You used to bring me flowers all the time. Do you remember that?”

  “Yes.” He wrapped his other hand around the one he still held. “But I can’t take credit for all of them. Snake was forever telling me to take a bunch to you and Willamina every time he pruned.” He pinched his lips together, wondering why he always felt the need to explain things to death.

  “I know, but you were the one who handed them to me.” She closed her eyes.

  “I’ll bring you flowers every day for the rest of your life if it will make you feel better,” he vowed.

  “You make me feel better. Even right now, just having you sit beside me makes me feel better.”

  “Then I’ll stay right here, forever.” Her fingers threaded between his and she squeezed. “I love you, Eva. And I wish with all my soul there was something I could do right now.”

  “You are doing something, Bug. You’re here for me.” A single tear slipped from beneath her closed lid. “I love you, Bug,” she whispered.

  He leaned forward and kissed the tear away.

  “Tell me what else I can do, there has to be something you need, something I can do.”

  She opened her eyes and met his gaze. “Will you sit beside me, and hold me like you did that morning back at the house?” A little sob slipped over her lips.

  “Will you just hold me, Bug?”

  The bed was narrow, but that didn’t matter to him. He eased himself onto the mattress and leaned against the pillow, sharing the space with her. Once again he slipped one arm under her neck and the other around her front, and held her tight. “I’ll always be here to hold you, honey, always,” he whispered.

  ****

  The next two weeks flew by, with Eva feeling better every day, Bug found himself outside the hospital more and more. Not because he wanted to be away from her side, but because Eva had small errands she’d ask him to run. The fresh air and sunshine did him good she said, but for him, it was the smile on her face when he returned that had his spirits soaring. He brought her another bunch of flowers most every time he returned, and she’d thank him with sweet tender kisses.

  A train whistle split the air, and he pulled his attention back to the depot. Ma sat near a front window in the first passenger car, she gave him another wave. He returned it. She’d agreed to go home after seeing Eva settled into the private care home yesterday.

  Bug wouldn’t necessarily call it a home, but more of a mansion. Built of bricks and hosting more than a dozen beds, it was where those who could afford it went to be pampered and catered to for a variety of issues. It was most certainly where Eva needed to be, but he questioned some of the other residents—who seemed to not be ill in any shape or form. The workers were excellent, and held pride in their abilities to see to their customer’s every comfort. The only issue he had with the Westmaster Care Facility was the fact he couldn’t stay there.

  Eva told him not to fret, the weeks would go by quickly, but he feared they’d drag on. She could now walk around, and rarely slept during the day, but Dr. Robb wanted her in Wichita until the last of her incision was completely healed. Bug agreed, but the want to be home had been growing deeper and deeper within him.

  “See you in a few weeks!” Ma shouted from the train as it started to roll away.

  “Snake will be at the station when you arrive!”

  Bug assured one last time.

  Ma waved and then pulled her arm in. Bug watched as the train chugged along, until the last car had rolled past. He turned around then and jogged to where Buddy Murphy sat in the buggy.

  The driver had been at their beck and call the past weeks, and from the looks of him, he didn’t mind it in the least. A smile was permanently pasted on his young face, along with a few freckles and blond peach fuzz. He couldn’t be more than sixteen or so, but from the way he knew the city streets, had been wheeling a wagon about for years.

  “All set, sir?” Buddy asked as Bug settled in.

  “Yes.”

  “Then hold on.” Buddy cracked the whip above the horse’s ears.

  “I always do,” Bug replied, with a death grip on the canopy brace. “I always do.”

  Buddy laughed, guiding the horses through the traffic with a precision Bug had grown to respect.

  “Anywhere else you need to stop?”

  Bug glanced in the back seat. A bouquet of flowers wrapped with twine bounced on the leather.

  He snatched up the flowers before they slid onto the floor. “Nope, just the care facility.”

  “All right, then, sir.”

  Bug set the flowers between him and the driver.

  Buddy had told him where to buy them the first day, and most days since if Bug didn’t make it to the store on the corner, Buddy did for him. Today it was a bunch of lilies—sparkling white with little hints of yellow. Eva would like them.

  After Buddy dropped him off, Bug spent the rest of the afternoon visiting with Eva in the sunny garden. They talked of minor things as they did every day. Neither of them brought up her surgery, or the outcome of it, other than when he’d asked how she felt and she said fine. However, this particular evening after they had dinner together in a private suite off the small downstairs dining room, Jack arrived. The paints, brushes, canvases, and easels Jack, along with Buddy’s help, carried in, made Bug once again wish he’d done it for her.

  Eva was so happy she was almost jumping up and down with excitement. It wasn’t that Bug wasn’t happ
y, but somehow Jack’s gifts made his flowers extremely insignificant. Pasting a grin on his face, Bug kissed Eva’s cheek. “I see you’re ready to start painting again.”

  “Oh, yes,” she said. “I’ve felt so useless lying around.” She hugged him. “The first things I’m going to paint are the roses you gave me at the hospital.

  The images have been dancing in my head for weeks.”

  Bug had to let her slip away, since she practically bolted out of his arms to hug Jack.

  “Thank you, Jack. You always seem to know exactly what I need.”

  Jack gave her a hug, and then he slapped Bug’s back. “When you’re up to it, there’s someone in New York waiting for a picture of Buffalo Killer. Just like the one we sold at the art show.”

  His back teeth ached, forcing Bug to lessen the way he clenched his jaw. He also let the smile fall from his face. He’d forgotten about the Judge’s request. It all seemed so long ago.

  “What do you say, Bug?”

  “Sorry,” he offered. His mind had been back in New York.

  “I said we’d carry this all up to the sun room off her bedroom, the light will be perfect for Eva to paint there,” Jack said.

  “Sure.” Bug picked up the easel and canvas frames Buddy had carried in earlier, and followed Jack and Eva, who talked nonstop, out of the room.

  Crossing the large foyer, he glanced around as an eerie feeling tickled his shoulders. The elegant and stylish foyer reminded him of the Staples home back in Pennsylvania. His gaze landed back on Eva. She seemed comfortable with the classy ambiance, whereas it always made him uneasy—like he was walking in someone else’s shoes.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Eva looked at Dr. Robb. “Really?”

  “Yes, really.” The grin on his face said even more than his words.

  Elation zipped through her. “When? How soon?”

  “I’d say you’re ready to travel today.” He snapped his bag shut. “But it looks like it will take you a day or two to pack up.”

  Eva followed his gaze around the room.

  Paintings sat everywhere. Since Jack had brought her the paints two weeks ago, she’d spent every moment she could find in the sun room creating the visions dancing in her head. “I’m a little obsessive when it comes to painting,” she admitted. “Would you be interested in helping me get rid of one or two?”

  “How so?” Dr. Robb asked, moving to examine a painting she’d created of Mrs. French assisting a small child in an overly large hospital bed. His eyes returned to her. “This is remarkable, Eva.”

  “Thank you.” She moved to the far side of the room and turned another canvas around. “This is the one I made of you.” Eva held her breath, hoping Dr.

  Robb liked it. He’d done so much for her. She sincerely wanted to offer him a gift. The painting was of him listening to a child’s heart with his stethoscope. It was a picture she’d seen at the hospital, when a mother had carried the young child into the hospital that first night, right after Bug and Ma had left. Of course, at the time, she hadn’t known it was Dr. Robb who rushed to the child’s aid.

  But later, upon receiving his excellent treatment herself, she’d recognized him. The supplies Jack had brought were everything she’d needed to create her thank you.

  “Oh, my.” Dr Robb stood next to the painting. “I don’t know what to say, Eva. It’s…it’s, well, remarkable.”

  “Thank you. Would you care to take it off my hands? And the one of Mrs. French?”

  He glanced her way. “Off your hands?”

  “Yes. I painted them for you and Mrs. French, as a token of my appreciation.”

  “Eva, I know how sought after your paintings are, I couldn’t possibly accept it without offering payment.” His gaze never left the painting, as if it mesmerized him.

  “I’ll refuse your offer, so you might as well just take it.” He spun around to gape at her. She giggled with happiness that he liked the picture so much, and held it up. “Please accept this token of my appreciation, Dr. Robb.”

  “I really am speechless.” He relieved her of the painting. “Thank you, Eva. I will cherish it always.”

  “As I will the excellent care you provided me.”

  She gave a respectful bow. “Thank you, Dr. Robb.”

  He bowed his head in return. When he lifted it, he said, “I shall miss you Eva. Not only have you been an excellent patient, you’re a delight to be around. I’ve really enjoyed our time together.”

  A blush rose into her cheeks. “I shall miss you, too, but I’m extremely happy to go home.” The news he’d provided her with made her laugh with glee.

  “I’ve missed my friends so much, and my home.”

  “I’m sure you have, my dear.” He set the painting down near the door and then returned to the sun room to gather the one for Mrs. French. “I’ll ask the staff to wrap these and have them delivered to the hospital. I have more patients to see before I leave.” After he’d set it down with the other one, and as if it was an afterthought, he walked back across the room and gave her a gentle hug. “Though I know it’s very unlikely, if you ever decide Bug isn’t the man for you, look me up.” He winked one of his blue eyes. She giggled. “That’s a tempting offer, but I’ve loved Bug for so long, there’s no chance I’ll change my mind now.”

  “That’s what I imagined, but I had to try.” His teasing was so sincere she almost thought he was serious for a moment. He held her gaze for a moment longer, and then he turned and walked to the door.

  “Speaking of Bug. I met his older brother earlier today.”

  “You did? Which one?” She followed him to the door.

  “How many does he have?”

  “Four. There’s Hog, Snake, Skeeter, and Kid.”

  “Ah, are they all as unique as Bug?”

  She nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Kid,” Dr. Robb said, pulling the door open.

  “He’s downstairs. He arrived at the same time I did today.”

  “Really? No one mentioned he was traveling to Wichita. I hope nothing has happened at home.”

  “I’m sure everything is fine. I’ve told you before that you worry too much, about others that is.” He pulled the door open. “They’re waiting for you in the library. I said I’d send you down there as soon as I completed my exam.”

  She stepped into the hall. “Then I shall go say hello. And tell them the wonderful news. I know Bug is anxious to get home.” Hitching her skirt, she rushed to the stairs, knowing Bug would be as happy as she to hear she was healed.

  The hem of her yellow sateen dress swished around her ankles at each step. She held it a touch higher, to assure she wouldn’t trip as she hurried downward. At the bottom, she turned left to make her way across the foyer and down the hall to the library. The soft soles of her kid slippers slid silently across the floor, until heated male voices made her skid to a halt.

  Listening, she leaned near the door that was slightly opened.

  “What the hell all happened when you were out East?” Kid’s voice was raised to a level Eva had never heard. “First Sheriff Turley brought me out a wire from some Judge in New York claiming new evidence came forward about your arrest and that he needs to speak to you about it. Then some young blond girl shows up at Ma’s claiming you promised to marry her. And after that a family of seven arrives, telling us you adopted three of their kids.”

  Eva’s hands began to tremble.

  “Three little redheaded kids?” Bug asked. “Are they okay? How about Reed, how’s his cough?” Eva cringed at how worried he sounded. “Is little Heather all right? She’s shy, and needs a little coaxing to tell you when she’s hungry. Tucker’s taking good care of them isn’t he? He’s only seven, but he’s been taking care of Reed and Heather for over a year now.”

  Eva leaned closer. He’d never mentioned…Her mind snapped, as if she’d just been slapped. Bug didn’t want three red headed kids. He already had the
m. And he had his girlfriend waiting for him back in Scott. No wonder he didn’t care if she couldn’t have children, he had no intention of marrying her.

  “Bug,” Kid growled, sounding exasperated.

  “Are they all right, Kid?” Bug asked again.

  “Yes, they look fine.” Kid said. “Ma settled the whole family in Eva’s soddy since someone needed to care for her stock every day. That’s not the point.

  What the hell happened? How did you end up adopting three kids? And what’s this about being arrested? And who’s the blonde that says you promised to marry her? Why didn’t you mention any of this?”

  “Aw, hell, Kid. It all happened so fast. My arrest, the kids, Eva’s illness. Everything. I never had time to tell you about it. I’ve been out here for the past month. Have you forgotten that?” He moaned as if in pain. “Shit, Kid, I feel like I’m caught in the middle of a tornado.”

  “What about the woman?” Kid asked. “She’s got Ma pulling her hair out. The woman has your wedding planned out. Invitations and all. She claims it will happen as soon as you arrive in Scott. Who the hell is she?”

  Eva held her breath, hoping it would dull the pain ripping her heart into tiny pieces.

  “A short, pretty blonde?” Bug asked.

  She knew it. The woman from the art show.

  Why hadn’t he told her? Then again, why hadn’t she asked?

  “Yes,” Kid answered.

  “Shit,” Bug growled. Eva could imagine he was running his hands through his hair, that’s what he did when he was frustrated and trying to think.

  “That would be Jenny Staples.”

  The softness in his voice was unmistakable.

  “Staples? The man you worked for out east?”

  “Yes, Jenny and I—”

  The sound of footsteps made Eva spin about.