by Barbara Goss
“Absolutely. I’ll be back….um…around the time you wake from your nap.”
“Will you give me a ride on your horse?”
“If you’re a good girl for your mama, then, yes…and I will check with her!”
Max kissed her on the cheek and set her down. When she smiled up at him, it felt like something had squeezed his heart, and it made him realize how fortunate he was. For once he’d made the right life decision. “See you later, sweetheart.”
“Max!” Walter greeted. “You’re out and about early.”
“I saw the two men last night. I have an idea, and I want to run it by you.”
“Fire away.”
“Sadie at the saloon is going to tell those men about some money buried behind the Howard place. I need to get over there and get ready for them. I’m going to put thin branches across the whole length of the hole around the well, and cover it over with straw. The final step is for us to wait for the men to claim their reward.”
Walter threw his head back and laughed. “Hey, that’s a great idea. I want to be there. I’ll contribute the straw.”
“It’ll be tonight.”
“Stop by for me on your way,” Walter said. “Oh, and I thought of the perfect solution to refurbishing the well. You can make a pond there. The water will always be fresh. All you need to do is to fill in a good portion of the hole so it’s not so deep.”
“What would I fill it with?”
“Sawdust from the lumber mill, and some sand.”
“Good morning Edith, Ethel,” Max said, removing his hat. “How about we turn that mess of a well into a beautiful pond?”
The spinsters were silent for several moments. “I like the idea!” Ethel said.
Edith clapped her hands together. “So do I!”
“Consider it done. I’ll do a lot of filling in so the water won’t be too deep. I’ll get started on it right away, but first, I need a tiny favor.”
Both women looked at him with anticipation.
“I need to use the well tonight to capture the two men who burned down our stables.”
The women exchanged looks and then both of them smiled. Edith said, “I think that would be fitting punishment for them, don’t you, Ethel?”
“It sounds rather fun.” Ethel giggled a bit. “Can we watch?”
Max worked all day toting straw from the livery to the Howards' wagon. When he was done, he headed to the saloon to let Sadie know they were on for that night.
Laura sat in front of Pastor James’ desk. She was somewhat taken aback by his appearance. He was young and extremely attractive, with his dark hair and eyes. He greeted her warmly. “How can I help you, Mrs. Winters?” Pastor James asked.
“Two rough-looking men are trying to scare us into selling our property by harassing us. Their final stunt was setting fire to our stables. We had to free the horses. Pastor, those horses are our livelihood. I was hoping you could help me line up a few volunteers to rebuild the stables.”
“That’s atrocious! Of course, I’ll help.” He grabbed his pen, took a paper from his top drawer, and made a few notes. “How many men have you already?”
“Just two: my husband, Max, our stable hand, Dexter…oh, and possibly Walter Myers.”
James tapped his pen on the desk. “I can round up a lot more. When are you planning to build?”
“As soon as possible.”
“What about the men who did this? I’d hate to build a new one only to have them burn it down again.”
Laura gave him her best sly smile. “My husband is taking care of it tonight. If all goes well, we won’t have to worry about those two men anymore after that.”
Max was home in time to give Caro her ride on a horse. He set her in front of him and galloped around the property. He enjoyed the romp as much as she did. The sound of her giggles and laughs were more than rewarding.
When he set Caro safely into Laura’s arms, he headed for the barn to see how Dexter was making out.
The barn was large, but not large enough for the horses that were crowded into the one-room barn. Max looked around and whistled.
Dexter walked over to Max. “I was just giving them food and water. More horses have returned.”
Max pointed. “Is that Hunter?”
“Yep. He came back about an hour ago.”
Max sighed. “We have to get the new stables built.”
“I cleaned up the corral so the horses have a place to exercise,” Dexter said. “I got a good start on cleaning up the debris from the fire. Dawn helped while Caro was sleeping.”
“I’ll give you a hand with that tomorrow. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Dexter.”
Dexter’s proud smile told Max he had a loyal, hardworking ranch hand.
Fortune smiled down on Max and Laura, providing them with a very dark night with just a sliver of a moon. Behind the Howards’ home was a small, screened springhouse where Edith, Ethel, Walter, Max, and Laura sat quietly in the dark. They sat for so long, poor Edith kept falling asleep, and Ethel would have to elbow her awake. Max was disappointed because it didn’t look like the men would show up after all. He was about to announce they should give up, when Walter held his hand up.
“What?” Max whispered.
“I hear something.”
Max strained to hear. It sounded like someone was walking on the cinders at the side of the house. In a few moments, the men were in view, walking toward the straw, shovels thrown over their shoulders.
One of the men said, “How do we knows where to dig?”
“Sadie said to dig where the straw is laid,” the other man said.
“All right, let's go,” the other one said.
Together, they took a few steps. A loud crack sounded and both men swiftly disappeared. The two men’s screams faded slowly as they fell deeper into the well.
“I’ll go for the marshal,” Walter said. “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”
Max felt vindicated—the men won’t hurt anyone anymore—but he noticed Laura sitting there, twisting her handkerchief nervously.
“Laura?” When she looked up, he asked, “Are you all right?”
“Max, those poor men aren’t dead, are they?”
“I can hear them yelling for help. They’re fine, Laura.”
Before long, Marshal Sewell and his men threw ropes down into the hole to bring Otis and Bart up. Laura looked relieved that they were unhurt, and would soon be locked up tight. Max felt good that they'd be able to move ahead and rebuild what they’d lost.
“Shall we go home, husband?” Laura asked.
He took her hand. “I’m ready.” Max turned to Walter. “I’m in need of your expertise in planning my new building. Are you available?”
“I’ll visit your ranch in the morning, and we’ll get started,” Walter said.
Walter and Max sat at the kitchen table planning the new stables. Laura had poured them coffee before taking Caro out for a walk so they could concentrate.
“Whoa!” Walter said, pointing to an area on the drawing of the new stables, “you can’t have your corral outdoors. Given the rain it would be muddy all the time.”
“That’s true. Our present one is always muddy,” Max said. “I’ve never heard of an indoor corral.”
“When you have a horse sale or show, you can even call it an arena.” Walter pointed to the center of the proposed stable. “Right in the middle.”
“Why the middle?”
“You’ll have horses housed in stalls at the front and back of the stable. It will be easier getting the horses to the corral with less traffic, and you can train in the wintertime.” Walter pointed to the sides of the building. “Here is where you’ll keep all the grooming supplies and,” he pointed again, “here’s your office.”
Max grinned. “I love it.” He ran his hand over the plans. “The new stables will be twice the size of the old ones.”
“Yep, so you can breed and sell more.” Walter pointed again.
“I forgot—here, next to the grooming room, is the breeding area.”
“How did you become a stable designer?” Max asked.
“I grew up on a horse breeding ranch back in Missouri. My older brother inherited it, and I came to Oregon to work in the silver mines. I took a nasty fall one day, and I could no longer do the bending and lifting the job in the mines dictated, so I started working at the livery.”
“Which reminds me,” Max said, standing, “I have to turn the well into a pretty pond before I join you Monday at the livery.”
“I have Harry minding the livery. I’ll come along and give you a hand, Max.”
Max smiled at his new friend. “I’m relieved. I wasn’t sure how I’d handle the job alone.”
“I don’t think you’ll be working for me very long, Max. During our slow times at the livery I’m going to give you a few lessons on breeding.”
Max let out a huge sigh of relief. “I also have to stop by and thank Sadie at the saloon.”
Later that day Max bought a frilly handkerchief at the general store and gave it to Sadie with his thanks.
Chapter 10
“So, how do you like the pond?” Max asked Ethel and Edith.
“Oh, my!” Edith said. “It’s so pretty.”
Ethel looked the pond over carefully before saying, “I like it. Well done, Maxwell Winters.”
“Don’t you ladies be surprised if you find some ducks swimming here some morning.”
“I’d love that!” Edith said. “I’m going to have someone make me a bench so I can sit here and read.”
Ethel paid Max, and he was relieved they had enough money to purchase much-needed supplies in town.
Max had driven the wagon that day, in the hope that Ethel would pay him and he could buy the things on Laura’s list. He went into the mercantile and handed the clerk his list. “I’ll come back for the order,” he said.
He then walked down to the telegraph office.
Della Smythe handed him a message as soon as he entered. “I was hoping you’d drop in. That message came in this morning.”
“Good afternoon, Della. Thank you.” Max opened the telegram and let out a whoop, causing Della to jump. “My brother, Jake, is coming to Silverpines! Today!”
Della simply smiled at him.
Max pulled out his pocket watch. “This wire's from Astoria. What time did it come in?”
“About three hours ago,” Della said.
Max mumbled his thanks and darted to the train depot. It wasn’t far from the telegraph office, but he still found himself out of breath when he got there, since he’d run so fast. He glanced frantically around until his eyes met a welcome sight: Jake, sitting on a bench, one leg bent over the other, reading a newspaper.
“Jake!” Max yelled.
Jake threw the paper down and stood to greet his brother. They embraced.
Seeing Jake did something to Max. A piece of his old life had appeared in his new life, and while Jake was more than welcome in it, it seemed strange.
“So,” Jake said, “are you married, little brother?”
“Yes. Laura's a wonderful woman. I’m also father to a sweet four-year-old, named Carolyn.”
“I’m happy for you, so I probably shouldn’t tell you Catherine’s husband, Joe, was killed in a saloon fight. She’s been asking about you.” Jake must have noticed Max’s face pale, so he said, “Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that.”
Max sighed. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, my marriage hasn’t been consummated yet. I could still get out if I wanted to.”
“There. So, you could come home, apply for an annulment, and get back with Catherine.”
Max shook his head slowly. He thought about leaving Silverpines and never seeing Laura or Caro again, and his heart beat a bit faster. “No, Jake. I’m in love with Laura and Caro. The thought of never seeing either of them again made me realize that fact. I thought I might be in love before, but now I know for sure: I love them.”
Max picked up Jake’s valise and led him to the wagon parked in front of the mercantile. “I’m waiting for an order.” He took a seat in the back of the flatbed, and Jake joined him.
“Tell me, Max: why haven’t you consummated your marriage yet?”
“Well,” Max said, “first, we had to get to know each other. Then, when the time was finally right, someone set our stables on fire. Since then, it’s been one thing after another.”
“Should I get a room at the hotel?”
“No! You can have my bedroom. I think your coming for a visit is just the excuse I need to move into Laura’s room.”
“Glad I could help, little brother.”
“By the way, Jake, why did you come?”
“I brought money from our father, and you mentioned the fire in your wire, so I thought I might help—you know, do a stable raising?”
“Money?”
Jake took a wad of money from his pocket. “Here.”
“All this?”
“It’s not a loan; it’s your inheritance. Our father has—”
Max excitedly interrupted his brother. “This will more than pay for the lumber! We’re going to have the grandest stables in all of Oregon.”
Max couldn’t wait to get home to his wife. Having just realized how very much he loved her, he couldn’t wait to take her into his arms and convey his affection to her. He’d move into her room, and they’d consummate their marriage. Her nature-thing must be over by now, and if it wasn’t, he'd be happy just lying beside her.
Laura sat on the porch thinking, while she waited for Max to return. Caro played at her feet. Her whole life had been turned upside down when Edwin had been killed. Now, she was in love with her new husband. Her time of the month was over, and she wondered how she could possibly create the same mood as they'd had before the fire. It just didn’t feel like a real marriage without it being consummated.
With all the setbacks she feared Max might give up and return to Texas. If he did, Caro wouldn’t be the only one with a broken heart. It was her job to see that he stayed. She’d find a way to see the marriage happy and consummated, she just had to.
Laura started and Caro jumped when they heard the sound of a wagon, barreling down the lane toward the house.
“Max! Max!" Caro cried.
Laura held her back from running to him. “Wait until the wagon stops, Caro.” When she looked up from Caro, she noticed there was another man with Max, one whom she didn’t recognize.
The men jumped down and Max put his arm around the other man and led him to the porch. “Laura, Carolyn, this is my brother, Jacob.”
Laura was stunned. She hadn’t expected Max to bring anyone home. The house only had four bedrooms. Nevertheless, she forced herself to greet him warmly. He appeared to be a nice enough man who looked just enough like Max to validate their relationship.
Caro looked up at Jake. “You can call me Caro.”
Jake look down at her and winked. “You can call me Uncle Jake.”
Caro ran to Max. “Can I have a horse ride?”
“Not today. We need to bring in the supplies and show Uncle Jake around.”
“Won’t you come in, Jake?” Laura asked, holding the front door open wide.
Jake nodded and went through the door. “Thank you for the hospitality. I offered to stay at the hotel, but Max insisted.”
Max insisted? Laura smiled. Maybe that meant he had already planned to move into the master bedroom.
“I won’t hear of it, Jake—you’re family.”
Laura looked at Max. “Let’s eat dinner before you men bring in the supplies.”
They entered the kitchen, and Laura introduced Jake to Dawn. While Laura was explaining her relationship with Dawn to Jake, Max took Caro to the kitchen sink where he washed himself up, and washed Caro’s face and hands. Laura’s heart melted when she saw Caro put her arms around his neck and hug him. How could she not love a man who treated her daughter so well?
After dinner, while
Laura helped Dawn with the dishes, Max and Jake brought the supplies in. When the dishes were done, Dawn busied herself putting the supplies away, Max took Jake out to show him the ranch, and Laura readied Caro for bed.
“Will Max come in to say goodnight, Mama?”
“He may not tonight, sweetheart. He’s showing Uncle Jake the ranch.”
“But Mama, he always says goodnight.”
Laura sighed. “I’ll read you a story.”
Just as the story ended and Laura was wondering how she’d explain Max’s absence during the bedtime ritual, he walked in.
“I knew you’d come!” Caro held her arms out to him. He picked her up and out of the bed and swung her around. “Nothing could keep me from saying goodnight to my favorite girl, not even a brother who's just arrived from Texas.”
Max tucked Caro back into the bed. “Sweet dreams.” He kissed her on the forehead. “See you in the morning.”
Laura turned the lamp off, and she and Max backed from the room.
“Thank you for showing up, Max,” Laura said.
Max smiled. “I know it means a lot to her. I tried very hard to make it on time.”
“Where’s Jake?”
“He’s downstairs talking to Dawn. I need a word with you in private.”
“Shall we go in your room or mine?” she asked.
“Mine.” He escorted her into his room and closed the door silently behind them.
“Laura, I need to give Jake my room. I…I—”
“Hush, Max,” Laura said with a chuckle. “It’s all right. You were meant to be in the master bedroom with me, anyway.”
“I know, but we…we haven’t slept together yet, and I didn’t want you to think—”
“Hush. I’ll help you move your things.”
“Laura, if you aren’t ready, I don’t mind sleeping on the settee or lounge chair.”
She stepped closer to Max, looked up at him, and said, “I am ready.”
Max ran the back of his hand over her cheek. “I realized today just how much you mean to me, Laura. I want this marriage to be forever.”
