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An Unexpected Welcome

Page 4

by Rita Hestand


  She sighed heavily.

  "What's wrong?"

  She smiled shyly at him. "I think this is the first time I've been proposed to."

  He smiled into her warm brown eyes. "You've heard of mail-order brides, well, you could be one, only I wouldn't have to mail-order for you."

  She fidgeted.

  "I know it's not perfect…like some. But maybe we could grow into it."

  "Grow into it?" She twisted her head. "That's a strange way of putting it."

  "We've got a bond between us. You can't deny that. After all these years, it's still there I'd say more so than ever, and you know it."

  She nodded. "No…I can't deny I don't care for you. But…it's just so sudden, so unexpected. I guess we do have a bond…"

  "It's the only way I'm going to stay here Lilly. I won't live alone any longer. I've been alone too long. And I think you have too. We need each other."

  "You don't waste much time, do you?" She tried to laugh it away.

  "No…think about it, will you?" Cord asked.

  He hadn't told her how he felt, and he knew that was wrong, but just asking her to wed was a big enough question. He didn't want to smother her with words he wasn't sure he could live up to. He had feelings for her, but he didn't know how deep they went. He didn't know if he could tell her he loved her and mean it forever. But those feelings ran deep and they'd been there a long time. He trusted her more than any woman he knew and he cared about her. He liked her kid too. That was enough to start a life together. But he saw her hesitation and some day he knew he'd have to commit his feelings one way or another for her.

  "I'll think about it. Give me a little time, I wasn't expecting this…"

  "Neither was I. But it came to me last night that together we could make a good life. Maybe we could make up for our old lives."

  She smiled but her eyes weren't shining.

  She wanted to hear words of love, like any other woman, but Cord didn't want to lie to her. He wanted to see where his feelings led him with her. He liked her, he liked kissing her. He felt something for her he just wasn't sure how deep it went yet. He wanted to help her, like he knew she could help him. Couldn't that be enough for them for now? Love might come naturally, in time.

  It was a solution and right now, he thought it a grand idea.

  But if she wouldn't marry him, he'd move on though. There would be nothing to keep him here. Nothing. Not even his mother's grave. He'd come back and visit off and on, but he wouldn't stay.

  And if she accepted, she'd have to marry him without the words of love for now. One thing he knew, if he ever said them to her, he'd never walk away from her. Never!

  However, the disappointment he saw in her face, had him restless and worried.

  "Cord," She whispered. "What if we marry and months or years down the way, you decide you don't want this…what happens then?"

  "If I commit to you, and you commit to me, then it will be forever. I may not go to church but I believe in the sacred vows. Right now, I feel like the three of us can make it as a family. And no man, not even Sam himself is going to come between us."

  "You don't understand. Without loving each other it could turn out to be miserable." She cried. "For both of us."

  "Do you have any feelings for me?" He asked, pulling her chin around so she looked him in the eyes.

  She put her hands on her hips and smiled. "Cord, that's your place to say if you have any for me. You are the one asking me to marry."

  He looked off, and his voice was gravely. "I love you in so many ways. I always have. I love your beautiful red hair, and your warm brown eyes. I love how you kiss me. I love that you are a strong woman, able to fend on your own. I love how you raised Charlie to be a good son. I love how you cared enough about my mother to come visit. But if you are asking if I love you…forever kind of love, I'm not sure yet. We've been apart a long while, both of us have changed to some degree. I love lots of things about you, the way you care for people, the way you handle your life. I know I'd be happy to come home to you every day, you and Charlie. I'd never hurt you. We could be a real family."

  She smiled reflectively. "I think you might be one of the most honest men I know, Cord. And despite the disappointment, I know you are just being honest with me. I respect that. If you'd have said you loved me, so soon, I'd have known you were lying. I like that. I like that we can be honest with each other."

  "We always could. You know that." He winked.

  "But there is a lot to consider. However, I'm willing to consider it. So…let's just call ourselves engaged for the time being and see how things go. I mean, you've just come home. You haven't had any time to adjust to it all yet. It's a big step, especially if you intend staying married the rest of your life. I can't just say I'll marry you without talking to Charlie and see how he feels about it. He hardly knows you."

  "That's true enough. And you're right, he needs to be included in this. And you've given me an answer. Charlie needs time to get to know me. Alright, we'll be engaged for a while, then if you don't want to make it permanent, I'll move on. How's that? No matter what happens, if I do move on, at some point, I'll deed the house to you. But as long as we are married, I'll take care of you and Charlie. And I'll never leave you, Lilly. You'd be my family. And as far as the unwed mother thing, you could tell people I'm Charlie's real father."

  "You'd do that?" She gasped, staring at him with new hope.

  "Sure, why not? But I intend on making it work out between us. If we do this, I want it to work. Understand?"

  "Alright. How long an engagement?"

  "Three months…"

  "That's not very long." She chuckled.

  "I want you with me." He said softly. "A man can't run a place, without someone that cares by his side. We need each other. Maybe it's time we both owned up to that. We always have, you know that. And I got a feeling, deep inside me that says everything will work out. And Lilly?"

  She looked at him.

  "Maybe in time, the words will come easier for us. Both of us."

  "Alright, three months…" She relented and started to walk back to the house.

  "One thing…Pedro stays. He's my friend and I need help out here. I can't do it alone."

  "Of course, I like Pedro and his family."

  "Good."

  She started to walk back to the house again and he stopped her.

  "Don't I get a little kiss?" He asked turning her to face him. "I mean…I did just propose."

  "Of course…" She smiled and reached to peck his cheek, but he was having none of that. He pulled her fully into his arms and kissed her tenderly. It was such a sweet promise she clung to him for a second allowing the kiss to deepen.

  He growled in his throat and brought her closer, whispering in her ear as he came up for air.

  "Kissing you is a real pleasure Lilly. The only pleasure I've had since I've come home."

  "That's lust Cord, not love…" She breathed heavily.

  "Is it? Are you so sure?" His blue eyes sparkled into hers.

  Chapter Five

  As everyone was leaving, Cord asked Lilly to stay for a while longer. Pedro was still there, with his family. He seemed to study the place a while on his own.

  "Alright…" she called Charlie inside.

  Charlie came running in with a flushed face from running in the sun. He'd been playing games with the Pedro's children and was a little out of breath.

  "Are we going now Ma?" He asked.

  "No…not just yet." She looked at her son as Cord went into the back room. "Charlie, what do you think of Cord?"

  Charlie shrugged. "I don't know. He's alright, I guess. Is he a real gunman like they say?"

  "I was, yes." Cord answered as he strolled back into the room.

  "What would you think of living out here…with him?" Lilly asked, watching his facial expression.

  "Here? But why?"

  "Because your mother and I are getting engaged today. And I'm giving her an engagement r
ing, right now." Cord told him as he showed it to Charlie. "Do you approve?"

  "What does that mean?" Charlie looked surprised.

  "I want to marry your mother, and make us a family. What would you say to that?" Cord asked as he turned to look at Lilly.

  Charlie shrugged. He looked around the place and then back at his mother. "Could I play outside here and go fishing and stuff, Ma?"

  "Yes…I suppose you could." Lilly answered.

  "Then I like it."

  "And what do you think of me?" Cord looked him in the eyes.

  Charlie stared at him a minute, "You're okay…As long as you are good to me and my Ma."

  "That's a good answer. I intend to be very good to both of you. But I did want your approval before I make it official." Cord took Lilly's hand and slid the ring on her finger. She looked at it in shock.

  "Cord I…. never expected…. this."

  "I know. I can tell. But we have to make it official, don't we? I didn't buy this ring, but it means more than any ring I could buy. It belonged to Ma."

  She stared at the ring for a long moment.

  When she didn't comment, he added. "I know I'm rushing you, but you've got three months to make up your mind."

  She nodded. "Alright, Cord. Three months."

  He glanced at Charlie. "Can you ride, Charlie?"

  "Yes sir, Ma taught me."

  "Good. Can you swim?"

  "Yes sir, sort of. I fell in the pond last year and I thought I was gonna drown, but Ma told me to paddle with my feet and reach out with my hands. And I made it to shore."

  Cord smiled. "Do you like school?"

  "No sir. Not a bit."

  "Good. If you'd have said yes, I would have known you were lying. But you told the truth. That's good, we are going to get along fine."

  Charlie smiled shyly.

  "Are you and my Ma getting married for sure and certain?"

  "That's the plan. What do you think of it?"

  He looked around again and nodded. "Would Ma still work in the saloon?"

  "No, she'd be here, on the ranch with you and me." Cord explained.

  "That's good. That's really good. I like it. I like it a lot."

  She looked at her son and smiled, "Alright, you can go back out and play now."

  Charlie took off like greased lightning.

  Cord smiled. "He's a fine boy, Lilly."

  Lilly was still staring at the ring.

  "Do you like it?"

  "It's beautiful…And it means much more, coming from her."

  "I think she'd approve of the whole idea."

  Lilly smiled. "I think she wanted something like this to happen all along. She used to sit and read your letters to me. They made her so happy."

  "Let's cut this watermelon and see what we can do with it, and give everyone some." Cord changed the subject.

  Lilly helped and they took a big platter outside calling attention to the treat. All the kids came running.

  "I love watermelon." Juan, the oldest of Pedro's children said with a smile as he picked out a piece and gave it to his little sister, then picked one up for himself.

  "Help yourself." Cord smiled.

  Charlie smiled and helped himself. Him and Juan wandered off and sat on the ground under a scrub oak and ate.

  "Lilly we can make this a good home. But if you decide it's not for you, I'll understand. I know I've rushed you, today. But I had to know, I wasn't planning on staying. There was nothing here for me. Not alone at least. Just tell me. Still, I'd like you to give it the full three months."

  Lilly wiped her mouth and sat on the steps. "I'll give it the three months, Cord. You might even change your own mind about it all. You've only been back a short while, not long enough to know for sure if this is what you want to do."

  "You're wrong. I've been thinking of settling down for a long time. Ma was right about having a home. It's time. With a family, and a life to get on with, I think I could grow roots."

  "But you could do all that without me." Lilly reminded him.

  "No…no, I couldn't. You see, what I'm missing…what I've been wanting all these years is a family. A reason to throw down roots. Something to work for. And you…" His eyes met hers and he smiled. "Are the only woman I've ever cared for…"

  "It doesn't bother you that Charlie isn't yours?" She asked, her face scrunched into a frown from the sun.

  "Not at all. He's a kid. A good kid. And he's yours. A man like me…can latch onto to a ready made family pretty easy. He'd be a responsibility, and so would you, but it's one I'm ready to take on. I think the three of us would fit together nicely."

  "Why me Cord? In all these years hasn't there been a woman for you?"

  "There have been women, yes, but not the kind a man wants to settle down with and make a family."

  "But I am one of those women…" She frowned.

  "No you're not. You never were…"

  She sighed.

  "And your gun?" Lilly glanced at the black gun on his hip.

  Cord looked down at his gun, and then back up at her.

  "A man needs a gun to protect and defend. I won't give it up, as I have somewhat of a reputation. It would be suicide to give it up completely. But I'll make you one promise."

  She looked straight at him. "What promise?"

  "I won't use it except to defend, protect, and kill for food."

  "Can you keep that kind of promise?" She whispered.

  "I never killed for the fun of it Lilly. I didn't get a reputation on purpose. I used a gun during the war. I used it afterwards to protect others. I was even a lawman for a while. A man gets a reputation because he uses it, not for why he uses it. That's the difference. But to answer your question, yes, I can keep that promise. Now let me ask you a question."

  "Of course…what is it?"

  "Can you sell the saloon and forget about that life?" He asked curiously.

  Lilly reddened. "That would be no problem, on my part. I never really liked that life. I mean the last few years have been nice, because I own it and I don't have to participate. But…I have to warn you, others might not forget so easily. Would that bother you?"

  "No…not in the least. As long as when you marry me, you take the vows seriously. I want your loyalties, your faith and maybe someday…your love. You see I happen to know that when you live with someone long enough, go through a lot of hell and high water…love begins to grow on you. I won't touch you until we can both commit to that love. Is that fair enough? "

  Lilly stared with her mouth open. "That's fair…Cord."

  "But I hope you'll allow a kiss every now and then, because I sure did enjoy yours."

  She looked into his eyes and smiled shyly again. "I guess that's fair, because…I enjoyed it too."

  "Good. And Lilly…."

  "Yes," her voice lowered as he stared into her eye, sincerely. "What I feel for you now, is more than what I feel for anyone else that's alive. So I'd say we have a good start."

  She swallowed. "Yes…" she whispered and covered his hand with her own.

  He smiled into her shining eyes.

  "You haven't said how you feel." Cord looked at her and her alone.

  "I feel the same Cord…" She squeezed his hand. "The very same."

  "Good." He understood that to say the words came hard for both of them. They'd both lived hard lives and to give into an emotion as strong as love, would take time.

  When they got ready to leave Cord followed them out. "I'll be in town in a day or two, we'll talk more."

  "Alright." Lilly smiled almost shyly now.

  Cord looked at Charlie. "Can I kiss your Ma?"

  "I guess…" Charlie sighed a bit, obviously wondering why.

  Cord touched his lips gently to Lilly's. Although the urge to smother her with more made him weaken, he pulled away gently and shook Charlie's hand. He stared into the boy's eyes. "Charlie I won't lay a hand on you, mistreat you, but I will expect you to mind me, and respect me, and maybe…someday you migh
t care for me…"

  Charlie stared for a long time. "Does this mean you'll be my Pa?"

  "That's what we're talking about, son." Cord firmed his lips.

  "One question." Charlie stared at him.

  "Sure, what's that?" Cord smiled.

  "Do you love my mother?"

  Cord's face became very serious and he slowly nodded, "I care for your mother very much son…and you."

  Charlie considered his words. Cord worried whether he'd answered that question to the boy's expectations, but Charlie nodded his head slowly as though considering it.

  "Then I'll call you Pa, when you marry." Charlie answered.

  Cord broke into a smile.

  Lilly glanced at the grave once more before leaving. "I'm gonna miss her."

  "Me too…" Cord sighed.

  He watched them drive off and sat on the steps a long while.

  He glanced over at the grave. "Well Mama, what do you think about us getting engaged?"

  He smiled sadly.

  "I love her. I'm just not sure how much and how deep, but it's enough. I'll take good care of her and Charlie. And I'll never hurt her." Cord assured his Ma quietly. "I'm keeping Pedro on too. I'm hoping he'll want to build a place on the property, there's plenty of room for it. I hope this makes you happy Ma, knowing I'll be here. And Ma…. thanks!" Cord hung his head.

  Chapter Six

  The next day Cord walked into the bank. He hadn't been here in a long while, but not much had changed. Mr. Southerland saw him and waved him into his office. His office was quite plush, with padded chairs and big mahogany desk, with shelves of books, and huge ashtrays on the tables for customers to enjoy.

  The bank was the only building in town made of bricks and with ceiling fans and barred windows. It had fancy wallpaper, and shiny wood floors. Cord couldn't help but wonder what would happen to those shiny floors when it rained, and the people tracked in mud. This was truly a rich man's bank.

  It took on a polished smell too, as if someone polished the wood every day.

  Cord looked around for a minute, realizing how much money had gone into making the bank look so prosperous.

  "Well now, Doc said you might be selling the place, is that the case?" Southerland asked. He wasn't a man to beat around the bush. Southerland was one of those people who had little regard for Cord, but he was also a businessman. "I've got several people interested in buying the land, already. I'm sure any number of them would give you a fair price."

 

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