She’d been so enamored by his good looks she hadn’t taken into consideration how ruthless he might still be. Prudie always said her impetuous behavior would get her into trouble someday. She’d already proved that with Jackson and promised herself she’d take care in the future. Now here she was with a man she knew nothing about in a place she didn’t know, going who knew where with night coming on.
What was worse, she’d put Mrs. Hollingsworth in danger. She inched away from him.
Josh jumped down, and she leaped to the ground before he had a chance to help her. He assisted Mrs. Hollingsworth, who wobbled on unsteady legs for a moment.
“It won’t be so bad,” he said. “I’ll take the luggage out, and you ladies can make a bed in the buckboard.”
“I suppose we have no choice but to spend the night here, but you can take us back to Sacramento first thing in the morning.”
If she expected him to commiserate with her, she was disappointed. “I can’t do that. I have to get on to Serenity and check on Granny. Should have already gone, but I waited so I could meet your train.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The stage comes through Serenity once a week. You can catch that back to Sacramento.”
Anger raged for a moment. So he’d wasted his time waiting for her. Well, she’d wasted her time too, since it was certain they weren’t suited to each other. He was bereft of common courtesy, but better to find that out now. Straightening her shoulders, she spun on her heel like a soldier and joined Mrs. Hollingsworth, who was pacing about trying to work the kinks out of her bones.
Ramee’s conscience pricked her. She must have taken leave of her senses to have brought Mrs. Hollingsworth out here? The poor woman would have normally been hired to do her tatting in the corner of a parlor while Ramee entertained her suitor, not to be jostled over a rutty path mile after endless mile.
What was it about this good-looking cowboy that made her forget her plans? His soft, husky voice? Blue, dusky eyes? Murky past?
Of course when he’d suggested she go, she’d thought he meant a two-hour journey, not two days. Was she to blame for assuming he actually lived near the city he listed as his address? They were not only traveling farther from Sacramento, but away from San Francisco too. Without ready access to sizeable cities, how would she ever find rich patrons for her designs?
She swung around in a circle. Beautiful scenery for a picnic, but this was more of the rustic west than she’d bargained for.
What really irritated her, he didn’t seem to care. If he wanted to win her as his bride, wouldn’t he put out some effort to please her? Even Jackson had tried to please her at first—before showing his true intentions.
Ramee set out to make Josh pay for his lack of consideration by giving him the cold shoulder. They ate the food he brought from the Merriweather Inn’s restaurant in silence. He had been considerate enough to bring a cooked meal, her sense of fairness nudged her, and he’d brought enough provisions for the rest of their journey. But she wasn’t ready to give him credit yet.
She answered his few questions with monosyllables until he emptied the wagon of their luggage to make a comfortable bed for her and Mrs. Hollingsworth. “Where are you going to sleep?” she asked.
“I’ll pull up a piece of ground near the fire, I guess.”
With the firelight playing on his rugged features, he was a handsome sight, but even the devil was beautiful at one time, she reminded herself. She gave their camp site a sweeping glance. “I see plenty of ground available.” Not trusting herself to say more, she hiked her skirt and flounced to the wagon.
Poor Mrs. Hollingsworth looked about ready to drop. She must be as irritated with the turn of events as Ramee, but the older woman sent Josh an apologetic smile. “Good-night, Mr. Volker.”
Chapter 12
Ramee’s mood didn’t soften the next day. By the time Josh stopped for the evening, she’d resolved to rent some conveyance to take her and Mrs. Hollingsworth back to Sacramento as soon as they got close enough to civilization to find anything that could be driven.
If she weren’t so aggravated and sore and dirty, she might have enjoyed the setting. A gurgling stream cut through a forest where hardwoods battled with conifers for space. At this particular spot, the towering aspens were winning. The few pines huddled together along the clearing, dominating the air with their pleasant fragrance.
Ramee watched Josh walk off into the woods to gather wood for the fire. Mrs. Hollingsworth was down at the stream, collecting water. Tired of the left-over food from the restaurant, Ramee decided to cook their supper.
She peered into the wooden box containing their provisions. A tin of cornmeal, cheese, a slab of bacon, a flour sack filled with stale biscuits, and some apples. On the side were a frying pan, coffee pot, and a canister containing coffee beans. Everything for a feast. There was even a tin of shortbread cookies.
Josh had the fire roaring by the time she’d prepared the ingredients for their meal. He stood and brushed his jeans. “I found a spring a ways back. The stream water’s all right for cooking, but I’ll take the canteens and fill them up with spring water for drinking.”
“I’ll have the coffee on by the time you return and the bacon sizzling.”
He tied four canteens together, two by two, and draped them over each shoulder. “No need to go to the trouble. Save the bacon for breakfast. If I had some beans and a pot, you could cook that, but the cheese and biscuits will do fine for tonight.”
She huffed as he disappeared into the brush. Just like a man to only consider what he wanted to eat. The more she thought about the way he’d tricked her into coming out here, the more she fumed. The mosquitos eating her alive weren’t helping her mood, nor the chill wind that sent her searching for her coat. If she’d stayed in Sacramento as she wanted to, she’d be warm and comfortable with a nice steak for the evening meal instead of bending over a fire that sent its smoke right in her face no matter where she stood.
Did all men think they were the only ones who could think for themselves, make a decision, then expect everyone else to fall in line? No wonder they fought wars.
Well, she wouldn’t have it. She wouldn’t bow down to Jackson, and she wouldn’t accede to Josh’s orders either. The sooner he realized that the better.
After about ten minutes, Josh returned, and they sat around the quilt Mrs. Hollingsworth provided for their tabletop. Ramee poured the coffee, and Josh offered the same short grace he’d uttered at their other meals.
Ramee sipped her coffee, waiting to see how he liked the unusual meal she’d whipped up of bacon wrapped fritters with melted cheese in the center. He said nothing, although he ate twice as much as she and Mrs. Hollingsworth.
As he reached for the coffeepot, she grabbed the handle. “I’ll do that.” Might as well keep their proper roles in order. “Do you know of anyone in Serenity who might sell me a horse and buggy?”
“What do you need with a horse and buggy?”
“I’ll need one to get around, and if I can find one in Serenity, Mrs. Hollingsworth and I won’t have to wait for the stage.”
Mrs. Hollingsworth almost dropped her mug, sloshing coffee on the quilt. “You mean we’ll turn right around?”
“Why are you so all-fired anxious to get back to Sacramento?” Josh asked. “I thought you came out here to meet me.”
Ramee’s mouth fell open, and she clamped it shut. She could hardly tell him the real reason. Come to think of it, she’d forgotten the real reason. She came to marry this man to protect her from Jackson. But how could she marry an ex-outlaw, even if he was a Christian?
Mrs. Hollingsworth looked as perplexed as Josh, but Mrs. Hollingsworth didn’t know he’d been an outlaw. Ramee didn’t want her to know. “I did come out to meet you, but I didn’t have nearly enough time in Sacramento. There were two other dress shops I wanted to see. I did mention I’m a dress designer.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that a few times.”
His jab annoyed her.
/> “We wouldn’t have to go back if you’d changed your plans out of consideration for us.”
“I could have…if I’d thought of it.” He stalked off before she could think of a retort.
Mrs. Hollingsworth started gathering the dishes. “You’re being rather rude to Mr. Volker, aren’t you, Miss Abbott? In my day, that wasn’t how you got a man to propose.”
Ramee folded the quilt and pulled herself up. “I suppose I am being rude, but I abhor the thought of sleeping out here with the mosquitos and bears lurking about, and I wouldn’t have come if I’d known.”
Mrs. Hollingsworth gave her a sly glance. “Wouldn’t you? I saw how your face lit up when you laid eyes on Mr. Volker. I know that look. I have four daughters, all happily married now. At least you know Mr. Volker wants a wife. Most girls have to do more of the wooing to get the men to that point.”
That Mrs. Hollingsworth would defend Josh surprised Ramee. She poured the remains of the coffee on the pine straw covered ground. “I’m just sorry you have to be inconvenienced in such a way.” It was a lame excuse, but all she could think of.
“Posh, I’m well paid for my inconvenience. I admit I thought it an outrageous idea to come out here to marry a man you’d never met, but I’ve changed my mind about Mr. Volker. And I’ve enjoyed the journey. Have you ever seen such a sight?” She pointed to the mountain line on the eastern horizon. The valley was now shaded from the sun, but it lingered on the snow topped mountain ridge. The colors ranged from pink to fire and rivaled the sunset in the opposite direction.
A dreamy quality edged Mrs. Hollingsworth voice. “If we hadn’t come on this trip, we’d never have seen that. It reminds me when I’d just married and traveled with my new husband back to his home in Kentucky and how the sun played over the Smoky Mountains.”
She tapped Ramee’s shoulder as they made their way to the wagon. “This experience has brought me some pleasant memories, and it could make some for you.” She sent Ramee a glance from under her sparse lashes and turned.
Ramee swiveled around and searched the trees for Josh. He came toward them with an armload of dead wood.
She kept quiet the rest of the evening, letting Josh and Mrs. Hollingsworth carry the conversation.
A half-moon hung in the sky, giving scant light. All too quickly clouds rolled in, and they were plunged into darkness, except for the red glow of the fire. She and Mrs. Hollingsworth got into their make-shift bed and pulled up the covers. Josh had already stretched out beside the fire, resting his head on his saddle. Nothing but the chirping of night insects and the crackle of the fire broke the quiet.
Quilts made a soft bed, so she and Mrs. Hollingsworth were quite comfortable. Her companion was soon snoring, but Ramee’s mind was too full for sleep. Thoughts raced one after another as she stared into the night sky. A south wind blew the clouds away to reveal a canopy of stars, and they seemed to descend upon her. What lay on the other side of that canopy?
She heard Josh stirring and lifted her head to peer over the edge of wagon. He hunched over, clasping his knees with his head down. Praying?
There was something endearing about a man praying, especially a tall, strong man like Josh. Being careful not to disturb Mrs. Hollingsworth, Ramee slipped out from under the covers and made her way to the ground.
Her footsteps crunched the pine straw, alerting Josh. As she dropped beside him, he asked, “Is anything wrong?”
“No, when I saw you were still awake, I wanted to apologize for…for behaving like a petulant child.”
“And I apologize for not making the situation clear. Truth is, I’ve been alone for so long, I don’t give others enough consideration. That’s something I’ll have to work on.” He turned to the fire, and the light revealed his features, deepening the creases of his smile.
“You had a good reason, being worried about your grandmother.”
“Well, mostly worried about my cousin, Tom, and worried about having to tell Granny how much trouble he’s in.”
“What trouble is he in?”
He stared into the fire for so long she feared he wouldn’t say. “The worst kind. He was in a shootout and is wanted for murder.”
Her hand flew to her chest as she gasped. When he’d first mentioned the trouble with his cousin, she’d thought it nothing more than a barroom brawl. An accusation of murder could lead to hanging. No wonder Josh was preoccupied. “Do you think he did it?” Sympathy softened her voice.
“Not Tom. He was always skittish with guns. I was the slinger. There was a time I could’ve shot to kill, but not Tom. Trouble is, there’s no way to prove who pulled the trigger.” He looked off into the darkness for a few seconds, then sent her a soul-deep gaze. “I might as well have done it. I’m the one who introduced him to the Renfros.”
She laid a hand on his forearm. “I can tell you’re close to your cousin, but guilt won’t help him.”
Josh released a deep sigh. “We grew up together. His pa, my Uncle Hal, ran a ranch over in Bluffton. My pa worked in a leather goods shop. One day there was an accident…Uncle Hal…my pa too…both of them were killed.”
“How horrible.” A shiver ran through her, but she wanted to keep him talking, wanted to know all about him.
He patted her hand and stooped to toss another log on the fire. For once he seemed inclined to talk. “When Uncle Hal slaughtered cows, he’d take the hides to Pa for tanning. We don’t know exactly what happened that day, but we figure Uncle Hal must have fell in the lye vat, and Pa must have tried to get him out and fell in himself.”
She tried to keep that image from her mind and waited for him to stir up the fire. “The worst of it was my mother found them.”
Ramee hugged herself. She wanted to hug him, comfort him. “I’m so sorry, Josh. When did your mother pass away.” She assumed his mother was no longer in his life.
“She’s still alive. She lost her mind completely that day, and is in an asylum in Denver.”
Her mouth worked to say something, but no words came out. What could one say to so great a loss?
“Tom and I worked his ranch until he lost it gambling. I liked working cattle, but Tom never did. After he lost the place, we came to Serenity to help Granny out. She has a small farm, but you don’t earn any money farming, at least we didn’t. That’s when the Renfro brothers told us about mining in the Blackhills. I talked Tom into going.”
The Blackhills? Deadwood? She’d never heard of anything good coming out of Deadwood. “That didn’t work out?”
“None of the miners made anything. We started out by stealing from fellows we thought had stolen from us, then the Renfros wanted to go on to bigger jobs. I knew it was time for me to leave. I guess Granny’s praying got through to me, but Tom had become a gambler, winning just enough to convince himself to keep at it. He’d take the money they robbed and use it for stakes—or that’s what he intended to do.”
“Your grandmother doesn’t know about Tom, and you have to tell her?” Now she knew why it was so urgent to leave Sacramento. Of course if he’d told her that to begin with—. Compassion stirred something else in her, a caring she hadn’t expected. “May I go with you? I’d like to meet your grandmother.”
“You do?” He seemed surprised. “Can you ride a horse? The best way to get to her place is by mountain trail.”
“Yes.” She’d only ridden sidesaddle, but she had a skirt full enough to allow her to ride astride, if that was necessary. “Is your grandmother’s farm very far from Serenity?”
He smiled around a yawn. “I promise it’s only an hour’s ride.”
She wanted to linger, but it was late. “I’ll leave you to your prayers now.”
“I’m finished, and one of my prayers has already been answered.”
She furrowed her brows, not understanding.
“I was praying you’d change your mind about going back to Sacramento.”
Laughter escaped her as it often did when she was overcome by emotion. She squeezed his arm. �
�I’m glad I changed my mind too. Good-night, Josh.”
The firelight flickered over his features, but the light in his eyes didn’t come from the fire. Was it possible for a man to change as radically as he claimed in a short time? She’d heard of that happening but had always been skeptical. It had taken her years to gain faith. Her experience was more like an awakening that took her from avoiding the Light to seeking it.
Could she believe Josh had left his sinful past behind? He’d admitted to committing crimes and living in a lawless town. How could a man change that much?
Chapter 13
Bacon sizzled. Josh’s eyes opened to find the first streaks of dawn lighting the sky. Fragrant coffee mingled with the aroma of frying bacon stimulated hunger pangs. Someone wanted to get an early start, and this was a sure-fire way to get everyone started.
He’d been sleeping with his back to the fire, and when he twisted around, Ramee’s smiling face greeted him. She held out the canteens. “Good morning. By the time you get back with these, breakfast will be served.”
With all the bearing of a waitress at a fine restaurant, Mrs. Hollingsworth came up with the tin plates and cups.
Josh took the canteens. His greeting cracked with early morning hoarseness. “I’ll have to see to the horses first, but you ladies can start without me.” His stomach complained even as the words left his mouth.
“We’ll wait on you,” Mrs. Hollingsworth said.
After leading the horses to the stream for a drink, he threaded through the trees to the spring.
When he returned with the filled canteens, the meal was spread out over the quilt, Ramee and Mrs. Hollingsworth already seated on the ground. He slid in his place and examined the plate before him.
Ramee wasn’t satisfied with cooking the normal way. She’d reconfigured the food into a work of art. The biscuits, split in two and pressed down the middle, had apparently been fried in bacon fat. Stewed apples fanned out on top with a sprinkling of slivered cheese. Four of these concoctions sat on his plate along with several strips of bacon. What could she do if she had adequate provisions? The smell alone had him salivating.
The Annex Mail-Order Brides: Preque (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 0) Page 16
