“Sounds good,” Marcus said. “Don’t mind helping with that.” The three continued talking and Tobias knew they purposely left him out of the conversation. When Owen and Marcus mounted to start separating the cattle, Jacob asked Tobias to stay back.
“You and I can do the second round.” His father’s hazel gaze, much like his own green eyes with gold flecks, scanned the herd. “How is Lucille doing?”
“She’s well, physically. But she’s angry with me right now. Everyone is I suppose.”
Jacob stretched and yawned. “Can’t blame them can you?”
“I suppose not.” Tobias waited for his father to order him to go. He tensed when Jacob turned to him.
“I’m not going to tell you what to do about this situation, son. But I will say that regardless of how hard we cling to someone, we can still lose them. Don’t allow your fear to ruin the relationship you’re building with Lucille and, in the process, affect how you and your brother get along. Wilhelmina is expecting, too, you know that.”
Tobias nodded, unsure of how he felt or what he’d do. To go on the drive meant it could be seven to eight days gone. He could ask Lucille to stay at Marcus’ or his parents’ home. She’d be safe and not alone. He let out a breath. Everything was so complicated.
That evening, he trudged to his home. His legs were heavy from the day. Tobias let out a sigh at smoke coming from the chimney and the lights shining out through the windows. He went to the rain barrel beside the house and rinsed his face, hands and forearms. Lucille left a drying cloth and soap on a rope attached to the barrel, which he used.
The house was quiet except for the tinkling of utensils in the kitchen.
“I’m home.” He stopped at the doorway. Lucille stirred whatever was in a shallow pan and looked over her shoulder to him. “Supper will be ready in a few minutes. There’s a hot bath waiting for you.”
Despite wanting to scold her for carrying the heavy buckets of water, he went behind the screen in the front room. He almost groaned with relief when he sank into the tub of hot water. The water soothed his tender muscles and his eyelids drooped.
After getting out of the bath, Tobias dried off and dressed in a clean pair of pants and shirt. He felt like a new man upon entering the kitchen. “Thank you.”
Lucille had already set the table for two. She was plating what looked to be eggs and bacon. “I wasn’t in the mood to cook a big meal today.” She put the plates on the table, went back to the counter and returned with sliced bread.
Tobias wasn’t sure what to tell her. He’d not been able to speak to anyone for the rest of the day and, as hard as he tried, it seemed wrong to leave Lucille alone in her state.
“Did you stay long visiting with Eleanor?”
Her eyes lifted to his. “I’m not sure how long I stayed. She said James would go again so Marcus didn’t have to.”
“What do you think?”
She let out a huff. “I think you lied to me and I can’t trust your word. My stance has not changed.”
They finished the meal in silence. Afterward, Tobias emptied the tub and slumped into a chair in front of the hearth, barely able to stay awake. When Lucille walked by toward the bedroom, he took her hand. “I am trying, Lucille. I really am.”
“No, you are not. You lied to me.” She pulled her hand away and continued to the bedroom.
A week later, Lucille was awake early. She’d barely slept, bothered by the situation with Tobias. They’d gone from being so happy over her pregnancy to barely speaking. It seemed to her he’d given up on trying. She was so disappointed, it physically hurt to just think about it.
The men prepared for the drive and would leave in two days. Marcus had balked at James giving up his turn to stay home and refused to accept the offer. Although neither Wilhelmina nor Eleanor said anything, she knew they were angry with Tobias. She didn’t blame them. As a matter of fact, she was just as upset and angry with him. A part of her was too embarrassed to address the upcoming drive, so she’d not visited them for several days.
Finally, fearful of melancholy settling, she went to visit her sister-in-law. The walk there helped with her mood, only to be dampened upon seeing the house and knowing her situation had, no doubt, been the topic of dinner conversations.
“Would you like more tea?” Eleanor refilled her own cup and looked to Lucille. “You’re quiet today. How are things between you and my brother?”
“Unfortunately, not well. Tobias and I barely speak. I am not sure what to do. The few days of happiness ended upon my divulging I was expecting. I knew it. I should have kept the news to myself until after the drive.”
“It’s just seven days,” Wilhelmina, who was also visiting, said. Her friend tried to make light of it, but Lucille knew she was not looking forward to her husband’s absence.
Eleanor pursed her lips. “I think it’s time for a family talk. Tonight, we will all sit in this house and let it out. I’ve had enough of it.”
“Oh no.” Wilhelmina’s statement was belied when she looked more pleased than upset. She looked to Lucille. “You haven’t seen Eleanor lose her temper. The men are terrified of her.”
“They better be terrified today. I’m angry with all of them. Instead of catering to Tobias, the way it’s always been, they need to stand up to him and stop letting him have his way just because he’s the youngest.”
Lucille nodded. “None of them took my side.”
Before she could say anything else, Eleanor was out the front door. Both Lucille and Wilhelmina followed. Eleanor put her hands up to her mouth and whistled so loudly that Lucille’s ear rang.
When Owen rode closer, she yelled to him, “Tell the others to come here right away. Tell them I’m about to kill one of them. You included, Irishman!”
Without any further questions, Owen galloped away.
Wilhelmina giggled and Lucille could only stare at her sister-in-law wide-eyed.
Within moments, the men all shuffled into the house and chairs were drug in from the dining room until everyone was seated. Jacob, the only one who looked at ease, accepted a cup of coffee from Wilhelmina. The others didn’t ask for anything. Instead, their gazes moved from various walls to Eleanor, who paced in front of the hearth.
Her sister-in-law was wonderfully in charge of the room, her pretty face flushed and her eyes bright with anger. Lucille snuck a peek to James, who seemed enthralled by his wife. She almost smiled, but the tension in the room stopped the idea of it.
“Mama would be so mad at all of you right now,” Eleanor proclaimed. She glared at her husband. “That includes you and Owen.”
She clenched her hands into fists and leaned forward. “It’s time we stop coddling Tobias.”
When his sister said his name, Tobias started to speak only to be hushed by her. “No, you do not get to speak. This has gone on long enough. We understand you were affected the most by Mama’s death. We gave you time to mourn. Unfortunately, while we grieved in private, you were given the luxury of brooding and given extra consideration. But that ends today.”
She turned to her father and Marcus, who sat next to each other. “What we are doing is making it easy for him to ruin his marriage. Lucille cannot be expected to pay for our mistakes.”
Jacob nodded and Marcus swallowed visibly. Tobias kept his gaze lowered, his face bright red. Whether with anger or embarrassment, Lucille wasn’t sure.
“Now, Brother,” Eleanor continued, standing in front of Tobias. “This drive coming up. The fact you are refusing to go is causing a rift in our family. We are growing resentful of not just you, but your wife. Not on purpose, of course, but it’s only natural for Wilhelmina and me to hate how unfair it is to our husbands. So, either you go on the drive or tell us right now, why you are above doing the things the rest of these men are willing to do.”
The room went silent. The only sound was the tick-tock of a clock over the mantel
Finally, Tobias cleared his throat. “I apologize to all of you.” His g
aze met Lucille’s. “Especially you. I did not keep my word to you. This morning, I had planned to tell you all that I was going.”
Jacob stood and went to Eleanor. “I am proud of you, Ellie. You are your mother’s daughter. I expect your mother is smiling down on you right now.”
Although anxious to leave the room by the wistful looks toward the door, the men waited, not moving. That made Lucille and Wilhelmina exchange amused looks.
“No more, Tobias. I mean it. No more.” Finally, Eleanor put her hands on her hips and let out an annoyed huff. “Go on, get out of here. We’ll see you all at suppertime.”
As everyone shuffled out, Tobias came to Lucille and took her hand. “May I speak to you?” His gaze went to his sister’s as if to ask permission. Eleanor shook her head and went to the kitchen.
They walked out to the porch. Lucille’s stomach was in knots. She wanted so much for him to hold her, while at the same time it was hard to let the resentment go.
Without speaking, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Immediately, tears fell and she cried silently into his chest.
“Please don’t cry. I hate to see you sad.”
“I want us to be happy, Tobias. Those days when things were perfect, that is the way our daily life should always be.”
Her husband nodded. “I don’t like how it’s been lately. Each day without your smile made me realize that I’m responsible for it. For all of it. Whether I was coddled or not shouldn’t matter at this point. I’m a grown man and need to act like it.”
Lucille wasn’t sure what to do when her husband lowered to his knees and looked up to her. With rounded eyes, she witnessed the struggle with emotions she could only guess at.
“On my knees here today, I vow to you to make you happy, to do my best every single day and to keep my promises to you. Lucille, will you please forgive me?”
A lump formed in her throat and she touched his face. “I love you, Tobias. I want to be happy, to raise a family and live out my life with you. I forgive you daily and pray for us to be happy every single morning.”
He wrapped his arms around her legs and leaned his head on her stomach. “Thank you.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“They should be back any day now,” Eleanor pronounced, looking out the window one morning.
Lucille walked in from the bedroom where she’d been staying and smiled at her sister-in-law. “I believe so. It’s been almost ten days.”
Eleanor turned and, taking Lucille’s hands, pulled her into the kitchen. “I have news. I am pretty sure I’m in the family way.”
Unable to keep from it, Lucille squealed with joy and hugged her sister-in-law. James rushed in from the side garden, his handsome face streaked with dirt.
“I thought something was wrong. All that yellin’.”
Eleanor looked to Lucille. “I just gave her the news. She’s happy that’s all.”
“Congratulations.” Lucille hugged James and moved away quickly as he was covered in dirt.
With a rare sheepish grin, James nodded. “Thank you.”
His wife, although smiling, pushed him back out the door. “Go on now. You’re making a mess out of my clean floors.”
That evening, Wilhelmina and Marcus came for supper. The conversation centered mostly on the upcoming new additions to the family.
“Pa is going to be happy when I tell him.” Eleanor beamed with excitement. “It’s making this wait for him to return harder.”
As if on cue, the door opened and Jacob, Tobias and Owen walked in. The bearded men in long dusters removed their hats to show dirty faces and wide smiles.
Lucille rounded the table and rushed into Tobias’ open arms. Not caring he’d not bathed in days, she accepted his kisses. “You’re home.” She smiled as she looked into his eyes.
“Everyone needs to get bathed.” Eleanor was turning green.
“Let’s go home.” Tobias pulled Lucille to the door.
“Give me time to get my things together and such. It won’t take me too long.”
Once he got his horse settled into the stable, brushed down and fed, Tobias finally walked into their house. In the meantime, Lucille had prepared a hot bath and brought food from Eleanor’s for him.
He bathed and ate.
“Don’t eat so fast, you’ll give yourself a stomachache,” Lucille admonished with a grin. “There’s no hurry.”
His gaze traveled over her body, sending waves of heat through her. “Yes ma’am, there is.”
Before she could formulate a response, he’d swept her off her feet and hurried to the bedroom.
His mouth covered hers as he fumbled with her buttons until he was finally able to push her dress from her shoulders. Fully unclothed, Lucille clung to him, desperate for their union.
“I’ll try to be gentle, but I can’t hold off too long.” Tobias grabbed the bottom of his shirt and stripped it off, his pants quickly followed.
When he covered her with his large, hard body, every single inch of hers ached for his touch, his kisses.
They made love with the urgency of two lovers who’d missed each other. Tobias ensured she was fully sated before finally allowing himself release.
He collapsed, sprawled over her and pressed kisses next to her ear.
“I love you so much, dear wife.”
It was the first time he’d said it with so much passion, although she’d known it by his actions. His overly protective nature and insecurity came from loving her. Deep down, she knew he’d struggle with it from time to time. But having gone on the drive had been a good step toward him facing his fears.
* * *
The week after the men’s return flew by. Lucille and Eleanor went into town for supplies and returned with plenty of items to prepare a feast to celebrate Wilhelmina’s birthday the following day.
Thankfully, the morning brought bright sunshine and they were able to plan an outdoor meal. Aurora and Evan, along with Emmett and Elias, Evan’s brothers, arrived. Two wagons followed them. The first held Gemina and her husband, the second with Gladys, her husband and daughter. Lastly, Sheriff Blake arrived on his palomino.
James played the fiddle while Marcus played the harmonica. The music helped create a festive atmosphere as the women bustled about setting out platters of food.
Lucille hesitated on the porch and looked over the gathered crowd, her chest expanding with happiness. This was exactly what she was meant for, her purpose was to be a good wife, friend and mother in a new land with people who’d quickly become her family.
The door opened and Eleanor walked out, her eyes wide and hand flat on her chest. In her other hand, she held a telegram.
“Is something wrong?” Lucille touched her sister-in-law’s shoulder.
“You can say that.” Eleanor looked to Tobias and her father. Both seemed to sense something was wrong and came to the porch followed by James. They stood in a circle and waited to see what Eleanor would say.
“Remember when Mama and I put notices in the paper back east for a mail order bride for you and Marcus?” Eleanor looked at Tobias.
Tobias nodded. “Yeah, but no one replied after that one letter I got.”
“She did,” Eleanor looked to Lucille. “Her name is Sarah and she plans to depart and come to Montana next month.”
“We’ll send her a telegram and tell her Tobias is married,” stated Marcus, who’d joined them on the porch.
Eleanor blew out a breath. “That’s the problem. She’s already left her home to go to visit an elderly aunt before heading here. There is no way to get in touch with her. She didn’t say where her aunt lives.”
Everyone looked to each other.
“Poor girl,” Lucille exclaimed. “We have to do something.”
“I’ll pick her up at the train station. And if no one has any reservations, I’ll marry her.”
The group was stunned silent. No one said a single word.
Not even after Owen walked off toward the food tab
le after making the announcement.
The End
First Chapter for
Esther,
an Easter Bride
by Hildie McQueen
Chapter One
Everyone knew the reason for her drab clothing. Yet they looked upon her with judgmental expressions. They had pursed lips and gave her side glances accompanied by raised eyebrows.
As much as Esther tried to ignore them, the familiar pang in the pit of her stomach made it impossible. Yes, her dresses were at least two seasons out of style and her shoes scuffed and resoled, but what did it matter when the gathering of women was for a charitable event? Obviously, grace was not what drove the group of women meeting to discuss the upcoming clothing collection for the poor.
Esther glanced down at her hands, noticing a broken nail and wondered why she was even there. Although her husband had money, she, along with her household, had suffered his miserly ways until his recent death.
Married for seven years to a man almost twice her age had served two main purposes: an elevated status for her sisters and knowledge of how horrible the people in her social circle actually were.
“You’re not drinking your tea, dear.” Lady Eugenia Price, the only friendly face, nudged her. “It’s quite good.”
Esther smiled at the attractive woman, the only one who’d approached each time she’d come to the gathering, and sipped. “It is.”
The woman leaned closer and whispered, “The air in this room, however, has a bitter aftertaste, wouldn’t you say?”
She had to chuckle. Amazing that the woman with the highest social stature in the group was also the friendliest and most amicable. “A bit, yes.”
After everyone dispersed having not accomplished much more than scrutinize each other’s attire and gossip about the latest soiree, Esther gathered her cape and walked out.
Lucille, A Lucky Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 3) Page 13
