by Jill Maguire
Noah exhaled as he reached the bottom step of the porch – not a single plank creaked on his way down. The moon was so full and bright that Noah could clearly see the outline of the barn. Maybe a few hours of reading would help clear his muddled mind.
Once inside, he tucked himself up against the bale of hay and cracked open the spine of his book -- the smell he loved so much wafted up from the pages and invaded his senses. Noah smiled and removed his hat. He started on the top line of text but read only a few words before something outside startled him.
Noah jumped to his feet and snatched the rifle he kept stored above Moe’s bridle. He hunched over and scrambled to the window, rubbing off the grime with the cuff of his shirt to see outside. He could see the shadow of a figure in the moonlight and brought the gun to his shoulder as the barn door slowly opened.
“Don’t take another step,” Noah shouted his finger tight against the trigger.
“Noah?”
Noah peeked out from the sightline of the gun and saw Elizabeth step into the barn. She was bathed in the soft glow of the moon and it made her look almost angelic.
“Eli? What are you doing out here?”
“A better question is what are you doing out here? With a gun pointed at me?”
Noah leaned the gun against the wall and tried to come up with a reason for his late night visit to the barn. Elizabeth would think he was a fool if he told her he snuck out to the barn to read.
“I needed to make sure Moe had food and water,” he lied.
“In the middle of the night?”
“He gets real thirsty when it’s hot.”
“Noah Cartwright. We may not be kids anymore, and we may not even be friends, but I can still tell when you’re lying. Your chin twitches you know.”
“My……what? My chin twitches?”
Elizabeth couldn’t help but giggle. “Just the same as it did when we were twelve. I still remember how badly it twitched the day you told me you could swim six miles without getting tired.”
Noah’s smirked. “That’s more of an exaggeration than a lie. I was a very strong swimmer.”
Elizabeth took a few more steps into the barn, her long nightgown pulling the hay into a bunch at her feet. “So? What are you doing out here all alone in the barn in the middle of the night?”
“I may have told a few fibs in my day, but at least I wasn’t nosey.” Noah was just being playful for the most part, but he also didn’t want Elizabeth to know his secret. “I already told you, I was making sure Moe……”
Before Noah could say any more, Elizabeth spotted his book fanned out on the top of the hay. She walked to it and picked it up. “Is this yours?”
“Nah, that’s just an old book of Ma’s that been lying around. I keep meaning to burn it.”
“Your chin is twitching again,” Elizabeth reminded him.
Noah felt like a cat backed into a corner. “It’s really none of your business, Eli. Now, why don’t you go back inside to bed like a good girl?” Even Noah couldn’t believe how condescending he sounded. “You’ll need to be well-rested for your meeting with your future husband.”
“Is that what this is all about? Because you’ve been nothing but rude to me since I got here.”
“Rude to you?!” Noah wanted to ask if picking flowers for her was rude. Or letting her have his bed. Or losing sleep over her. If anything, she was the one who had been rude! “I think it’s the other way around, Eli.”
Elizabeth stomped closer to Noah. “I have not been rude,” she started. But the sternness in her voice quickly became more delicate as she lowered her eyes to the hay, scattered around the dirt floor. “I’ve just been……..”
Noah wasn’t sure, but in the glimmer of moonlight, he thought he could see a dab of wetness in the corner of Elizabeth’s eye. Suddenly, he felt awful for the way he had spoken to her. He too let his tired eyes fall to the straw at his feet, trying to find the right words to make everything okay.
“It is my book,” Noah admitted. “I come out here to the barn to read so Jed won’t know.” It felt good to be honest.
Elizabeth thumbed through the thin pages. “Will you read to me? My mother always read to me when I was a child.”
Noah frowned. “Here? Now? In……in, the barn?” Noah stuttered. “I don’t think you’d be interested. It’s a business book.”
“A business book? Do you want to be a businessman?”
“Someday. Hopefully before Ma passes so she can see that I finally made something of myself.”
“I’d still like to sit with you for a while, I can’t sleep anyway. It’ll be like the good old days when we’d beg our parents to let us sleep on the beach under the stars. Remember that one time…..” Elizabeth returned to where she had picked up the book and sat herself down, cross-legged in the hay. “When we planned to sneak out and spend the night in Cafferty Cave? We even had snacks and matches hidden.”
“I remember,” Noah chuckled. “You said you got caught when really you fell asleep.”
“How did you know?”
Noah joined Elizabeth in the corner of the barn. As he sat down across from her, he felt his stomach swarm with nervous butterflies. She was beautiful, arrogant, intimidating and innocent, all at the same time.
“Because I saw you.”
“What do you mean you saw me?”
“That night. I waited and waited for you to come but you never did. So I went to your house and climbed up the trellis that your Ma used to grow those purple flowers. When I got to the top, I saw you asleep on your bed. I knew you hadn’t been caught because you still had your bag in your hand as you slept.”
Elizabeth threw her hand over her mouth in disbelief. “You never said anything.”
“I know. I didn’t want you to think I was mad.”
“Were you? Mad, I mean?”
“Nope, I was glad you were safe in your bed and that I could go home and do the same. Sleeping in a cave was a really bad idea.”
They both laughed and agreed.
“Bad judgement, I guess,” Elizabeth smiled. “I’m pretty good at that.”
Noah could sense maybe Elizabeth was referring to her impending marriage but didn’t want to pry. Instead he reached his hand out to take the book from her. She obliged and curled up on her side, resting her head on her arm folded beneath her ear.
To avoid the awkward silence, Noah began to read, his voice hushed and soft as the crickets and frogs accompanied him in perfect harmony. Elizabeth watched his mouth moved over every word and smiled when Noah looked up from the pages with a bit of embarrassment.
“Do you miss the coast?” Elizabeth blurted, interrupting Noah in mid-sentence.
Noah lowered the book and looked right into Elizabeth’s eyes. “Every single day. I never, ever wanted to leave.”
“I know. Your mother told me about that earlier today. She said you cried for two whole days.” Elizabeth didn’t say it to embarrass Noah. She just wanted him to know that she didn’t blame him for leaving.
“It is a much harder life out here. And it makes you a much harder person.” Noah said sadly. “I would go back in a heartbeat.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“I can’t leave Ma. She needs me here.”
“I understand,” Elizabeth nodded. “Father says she doesn’t have much time left. I’m so sorry Noah. I wish there was more we could do for her.”
“Just having you and your father here has meant so much to her. She told me today that you both remind her of home.”
Elizabeth almost began to weep. She felt sad for Noah and his mother. They had both been dealt a hand in life that they didn’t want. “I’m happy we have provided some comfort. And I’m sorry if I’ve been less than pleasant these past few days. I have a lot on my mind.”
Again, Noah balked at the implied mention of Eli’s wedding. “Should I continue?” Noah raised the book and waited for Elizabeth’s response.
“Yes, please do.”
> Noah had only read three pages before Elizabeth fell asleep. He watched as her tired body twitched and listened to her sigh softly as she curled her knees closer to her chest. Once Noah was sure she was in a deep slumber, he tiptoed to Moe’s stall and snatched a warm wool blanket from the hook. He laid it gently over her and returned to his spot to watch her sleep.
His Ma was right. She did feel like home. And everything felt right when he was with her.
Chapter Twelve
Elizabeth’s eyes shot open at the sound of a man’s angry voice. She sat up straight, brushing away a piece of straw that was stuck to her cheek and jumped to her feet. The blanket that had kept her warm in the barn overnight landed in a heap around her ankles. Noah must have covered her in the night.
She gathered her nightgown and scurried to the window, peeking though the same clearing that Noah had used to the night before. At the bottom of the porch steps, she could see three men in long black coats surrounding her father who looked calm but insistent. Elizabeth gasped. The Marshall’s men.
Elizabeth ran to the barn door, eager to help her father explain the situation to the lawmen. Noah may never forgive her if she didn’t try to prevent Jed’s arrest for kidnapping her father.
Glancing down at her undergarments, Elizabeth realized she was in a very peculiar position. Not only would everyone wonder why she had been sleeping in the barn, but why she had been in the barn all night with Noah. Speaking of Noah. Where was he anyway?
As the men’s voices got louder and more agitated, Elizabeth knew she had to act quickly, nightgown or not. She yanked the barn door open and raced to her father’s side.
“Elizabeth?” William Ridgeway looked perplexed and panicked as he shielded his daughter from the view of the other men. “What in the name of Adam are you doing out here in your sleeping attire?”
Elizabeth ignored her father’s question and turned to the three men. “As I’m sure my father has explained, there has been a terrible mistake. The Cartwright’s mean us no harm. In fact, they are some of our dearest friends. There is no need for you to be here I assure you.”
The tallest of the three men spoke to Elizabeth, but out of respect, did so without looking at her. “That may be so Ma’am, but my orders came straight from the Marshall. I’m here to arrest Jed and Noah Cartwright for kidnapping and attempted robbery.”
“But I’m telling you that isn’t necessary. My father is fine, I am fine. There has been no crime committed.”
“I’m afraid the train company doesn’t agree Ma’am. Now if you’ll kindly point me in the direction of the assailants, we can be on our way.”
Before Elizabeth or William could plead their case once more, a steely voice came from the porch of the cabin.
“You tell the Marshall to come and see me in person if he wants to arrest my boys.” Marion’s eyes were tightened with anger and her bony finger pointed accusingly at each of the men. She braced herself against the railing, refusing to show weakness. “That man promised he’d arrest the man who murdered my husband but none of you have lifted a finger to find him. If he wants my boys in jail, he’ll have to answer to me first.”
William, Elizabeth and the three lawmen stood in silence. How could such a diminutive, sickly woman suddenly become so bold and firm?
The answer was simple. A mother’s love was the most powerful love of all.
The lawmen mumbled amongst themselves as Marion and the Ridgeway’s awaited their answer.
“We’ll come back with the Marshall. And when we do, we won’t be taking no for an answer.” The man tipped his hat at Marion and the three men mounted their horses and galloped away toward town.
Once the black horses rounded the corner, Marion collapsed on the porch; her exhausted body slumped in pain. William and Elizabeth hurried to her. “Marion!” William hollered. “We need to get her inside,” he instructed. Together, he and Elizabeth carried Marion back to her bed and sat with her until she was calm and resting.
Elizabeth’s own nerves had barely settled when she heard the sound of horses again. The lawmen could have only barely made it back to town. There was no way they had returned with the Marshall already.
Elizabeth ran to the window and saw a wagon coming to a halt in front of the cabin.
“Who’s there?” Her father asked.
“I’m not sure, father. There’s a wagon,” Elizabeth paused. “And a man in a brown coat and hat with a white flower in his lapel.”
Marion tried to speak but all that came was a hoarse whisper.
“What’s that Marion?” William leaned his ear close to her lips.
“Doctor,” was all she could manage to say.
“Doctor Blackwood?”
Marion nodded, barely moving her chin. Even the slightest movement caused her great pain now.
Elizabeth’s heart leapt to her throat. Now! Now was the time she was going to meet her future husband? Now? In her nightgown? After sleeping in the barn in a pile of hay? She was an utter mess and probably smelled even worse. This was a nightmare!
She peeked out the window again and watched as the young doctor helped a woman down from the wagon. It was Molly Timmins, Elizabeth recognized her right away. The hoity-toity Ms. Timmins took the doctor’s gloved hand and walked proudly at his side, gushing giddily at him as they walked to the front door. Elizabeth found herself revolted and angry, and in that moment, she simply did not care at all about her appearance.
Elizabeth pulled the door open and met the pair on the porch, closing the door firmly behind her. “Hello,” she said.
The two stopped to greet her and Molly wrinkled her nose at the smell of dirt, hay and horse manure. “Ms. Ridgeway?” Molly’s tone was that of surprise and disgust.
“Nice to see you again Ms. Timmins.” Elizabeth ignored the woman’s slight curtsy and swung her eyes to the handsome man at her side. “You must be Doctor Blackwood.” Elizabeth could tell by his expression that he was somewhat confused.
“Yes, Henry Blackwood. The townsfolk were quite a buzz about my future bride being here at the Cartwright place. I came to see that you were safe and to bring you home with me.”
Molly Timmins didn’t have a smart bone in her body, but she was right on the money about how handsome Doctor Blackwood was. His skin was tanned and flawless and his dark brown eyes reminded her of a lost puppy, so trusting and true. He was taller than she was and his coat fit his frame perfectly. He was everything she thought he would be.
Elizabeth now felt she needed to explain herself. Flustered, she said, “I hope you can excuse how I look. It’s not been a great morning.” She looked disappointingly at her dirty nightgown and stroked her matted hair.
“I completely understand,” he said kindly. “I have a warm basin that I’m sure you’ll find to your liking once we return.” Elizabeth should have been swooning over such an attractive man, but rather, she felt uncomfortable.
“Elizabeth?” Molly interrupted. “Is Noah here? I’m sure you’ve probably met him by now, but if not, he is the ‘outsider’ I spoke to you about earlier.” Molly winked one eye strongly at Elizabeth. Elizabeth wanted to knock her lights out right then and there.
“I’m not entirely sure where Noah is, Molly. Is that the reason you accompanied Doctor Blackwood all the way out here this fine morning?” If only spitting at someone was ladylike…..
Molly didn’t have a chance to answer before Noah rounded the corner on his horse, dismounting before Moe had come to a complete halt.
“Well, there he is now,” Molly sneered at Elizabeth. “Noah!” she called, “Oh, Noah!” Molly spun away from the door and made her way to Noah’s side. Elizabeth watched as the two got acquainted, exchanging pleasantries and a few smiles before she excused herself to change her clothes.
Elizabeth sat on the edge of Noah’s bed. Just the sight of Noah and Molly together made her feel sick. But why? She had a gorgeous, wealthy man standing outside waiting to take her home. Home to a brand new life. There was not
hing left to do but pack her things and go.
Without a word to her father, Elizabeth got dressed, brushed her long hair into a loose braid and re-joined Henry on the porch. “I’m ready,” she announced. Henry Blackwood took her hand in his and guided her down the steps to his wagon.
Noah was nowhere to be found and Molly had already taken her position in the middle seat on the buckboard. How fitting that she had so quickly nestled herself between both men and Elizabeth? She was good – Elizabeth would give her that.
“Noah said to tell you he wishes you all the best,” Molly said, pretending to be sincere.
Henry stood next to Elizabeth, waiting to offer assistance as she climbed onto the wagon. But before she took the first step, Elizabeth stopped, smiled at Henry and told him she’d be right back.
Chapter Thirteen
Noah stood in the cool, damp darn, brushing Moe’s coat and muttering to himself. He jammed his hand into his pocket and shook his head. How could he have let Elizabeth Ridgeway back into his heart?
The barn door slid open. The beam of sunlight entered first and illuminated the dust in the air – making it look like tiny fairies dancing across the sky. Elizabeth stepped into the light and took Noah’s breath away. Her hair was brushed and twisted neatly over her shoulder and her clean purple dress hugged her body the way he dreamt of doing the night before as he watched her sleep.
Noah hated goodbyes. He had already said it to Eli once and now he would have to do it all over again.
“I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye,” Elizabeth whispered as she crept closer to Noah. “It was nice to see you again and I hope we can still be friends once I become Mrs. Blackwood.”
Noah could sense the disappointment in her voice and it took every ounce of his strength not to tell her she was making a huge mistake. “I don’t think your new husband will want you hanging around the likes of me. We’re outlaws, remember?”
“You are not a criminal Noah Cartwright. You are a good man.”
Noah snorted.
