Love Inspired Historical November 2015

by Linda Ford

  “Almost.”

  He moved behind her and placed his hands over her eyes. The heat of his body surrounded her along with his distinctive scent—an enticing blend of leather, horse and the outdoors. Turning her head ever so slightly, she inhaled the enticing aroma.

  He’d fetched her this afternoon after Edith’s arrival, promising a surprise and appearing as giddy as a schoolboy.

  His hands fell away.

  “You can look now,” he said.

  She sucked in a fortifying breath and opened her eyes. A man stood at the bottom of the porch stairs holding the reins of a beautiful bay mare.

  Tessa turned toward Shane. “I don’t understand.”

  His grin widened at her confusion. “I promised you a horse, remember?”

  Tessa’s eyes widened and her lips parted. “For me?”

  “Yes!” He clasped her hand and gently tugged her forward. “This is John Elder. He lives down the road a piece.”

  The man holding the reins tipped his hat with a generous smile. He was tall and solidly built with thick dark hair visible beneath the brim of his hat, his eyes shaded from view.

  “Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. McCoy.”

  “Tessa,” she replied automatically. “Call me Tessa.”

  “Come down and meet her.” He motioned with one hand. “She’s a sweetheart. I trained her myself.”

  Drawn forward by his easy manner, she cautiously traversed the last few steps with Shane keeping a protective hold on her elbow.

  After the last step, he released her and stepped back a pace. She extended her trembling fingers and the beautiful horse nosed her hand. A sprig of holly had been tucked into the mare’s bridle. Feeling giddy, she stroked the white stripe on the horse’s muzzle.

  “She’s beautiful,” Tessa breathed. “Does she have a name?”

  “Bluebell,” Mr. Elder replied.

  “What a romantic name.”

  The man flushed beneath her amused gaze. “My daughter, Hazel, names all the animals. She has a rather vivid imagination. You can call her whatever you please.”

  “I wouldn’t change a thing. Bluebell is the perfect name for this lovely animal.”

  The horse pawed the ground and shook its head up and down. Shane moved beside her and rubbed his hand down the black hair of its mane. “John raises the finest horses in the county.”

  She playfully elbowed him in the side. “I thought you did.”

  “John raises the finest riding horses. I raise the finest dray horses. We’re not in competition with one another.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” she replied with a smile.

  There was something different about Shane this morning, a lightness in his attitude. He was almost flirtatious and his mood was contagious.

  She pressed her forehead against Bluebell’s muzzle and rubbed her skin against the soft fur. “You’re a pretty lady, aren’t you?”

  She’d never owned a horse. She’d never owned a pet of any kind. When she was younger, her mother didn’t abide animals. Her life with Emmett had been far too nomadic for a pet.

  Mr. Elder patted the horse’s flank. “She’s got a gait like a well-sprung carriage. She’s smart, too. I put her through all the paces.”

  He snapped his fingers and Bluebell’s ears pricked in his direction. Tessa trailed her fingers along the animal’s side and rubbed her withers. “She’s simply beautiful.”

  “Horse,” a small voice called.

  Owen toddled outside, Alyce close on his heels. They negotiated the steps, turning backward and crawling feetfirst. They held hands and tipped back their heads, gazing up. They tended to cluster together when they were uncertain.

  “This is Bluebell,” Tessa explained. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

  “Horse,” Owen stubbornly asserted.

  “Bluebell is a bit of a mouthful, I know,” she said. “We can call her ‘horse’ for now.”

  “Ba-bell,” Alyce declared, casting a triumphant look toward her brother.

  “Horse.” Owen scowled.

  Tessa gazed at the animal in wonder. She’d never owned anything this fine, this, well, this expensive. “I don’t ride very well. I’m not certain I’ll do your excellent training justice, Mr. Elder.”

  “Call me John. My wife was anxious to meet you, but Moira is a little under the weather.”

  Tessa frowned. “Nothing serious, I hope.”

  “Not at all.” He grinned from ear to ear. “We’re expecting another child come spring.”

  An aching need inside her unfurled. “Congratulations.”

  How lucky for Moira. Though challenging, Tessa had discovered she loved children. She adored Alyce and Owen. Hearing John Elder speak about his impending child with such pride in his voice, she realized she wanted more. She wanted a whole houseful of little ones.

  John Elder fairly beamed. “Our seventh.”

  “Oh my.”

  He must have started his family young to have all those children.

  Shane chuckled. “The Elders are a generous family. They’ve never turned away a lost soul.”

  “Some of our children come to us as infants,” Mr. Elder said. “And some of them come to us a little older. My wife was an orphan and she’s never turned away a child in need. No matter how they come to us, all of them are ours in heart.” He squinted at the sky. “Looks like the sun is setting soon. I should be getting back.”

  Shane slapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks for coming out. You could have sent someone.”

  “When my closest neighbor asks to buy my best mount, I figure that calls for a personal delivery.” Mr. Elder winked at Tessa. “And I got to meet the new bride as well. Welcome to Cimarron Springs. If you need anything, we’re just down the road and across the creek.”

  “You’re very kind.” Everyone had been so warm and welcoming. Each day the ranch felt more and more like home. With Shane softening toward her as well, she had hope for their future. “Give your wife my regards.”

  “I will.”

  Distracted by their conversation, she’d taken her attention off the children. Owen brushed past her legs and toddled directly beneath the horse’s hooves. Tessa’s heart leaped into her throat and she lunged. John Elder snapped his fingers. Bluebell instantly stilled, standing stiff-legged with only a gentle twitch of her tail.

  Tessa reached beneath the horse’s belly and hugged the boy against her side with her uninjured arm. “Owen McCoy, you’re going to turn my hair gray.”

  Shane shooed him toward where Alyce sat on the steps, as prim and proper as a porcelain doll.

  “Up you go,” Shane ordered. “You’ve frightened Tessa enough for one day.”

  Alyce scooted away. “Bad.”

  Owen socked her arm. “You bad.”

  Alyce sobbed and shoved him back.

  Shane quickly intervened and broke up the tussle with a sigh.

  Tessa glanced between the two children, their features highlighted in the rosy glow of the setting sun, and her thoughts drifted to the dates written in the Bible. Judging by the picture of Abby, the children’s father must have been quite fair as well. She shook away her musing in frustration. Why did the identity of their father matter? Except she’d always had more than her fair share of curiosity.

  Edith appeared on the porch, her hands firmly planted on her hips. “Come along, you two. We’re making maple syrup crackle.”

  The idea of candy was far more interesting than the horse, and the twins shoved at each other in their race back inside.

  “There was another reason I came in person,” John Elder said, jarring her from her musings. “You may have squatters on your land.”

  Shane’s gaze sharpened. “What have you seen?”

  “Smoke. Late in the evening. I checked it out this morning and found a carcass. One of your cattle, I presume. The remnants of a fire as well. I followed the footprints. One man for certain, probably more.”

  “Indians?”

  Tessa’s breath caught
. She’d never considered that danger.

  “No,” Mr. Elder replied. “These folks wasted a full three-quarters of the beast.”

  “Nope. That’s not Indians.” Shane caught her worried gaze and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, giving her a comforting squeeze. “Don’t worry. We’ve never had problems this far north.”

  If not Indians, then who? The Fultons.

  Busy with her new life, she’d forgotten all about them. The danger remained. She doubted they’d forgotten about her. Despite Shane’s assurances, tiny shards of fear pricked her spine. Her legs shook beneath her, threatening to give way.

  Shane tucked her against his side. “Have you informed Garrett?”

  Nodding, Mr. Elder said, “I sent someone into town first thing. Garrett isn’t there. Called out on a land dispute. Could be a week before he’s back. David, his deputy, is taking a look.”

  “David is good, but I’d prefer the marshal. Tessa and I had a run-in with a man in Wichita. A member of the Fulton Gang.” She stiffened and Shane soothed her upper arm in rhythmic circles. “I doubt it’s them, but let’s not take any chances.”

  John Elder rubbed his chin. “Can’t say that I’ve heard of that bunch.”

  “They usually stick around Kansas City. Keep a sharp eye out, just in case.”

  “I will.” Mr. Elder extended the reins to Tessa. “She’s all yours.”

  Shane held out a restraining hand. “Are you certain you’re up to it?”

  “Indulge me,” Tessa implored. “I’ve never owned anything this beautiful, and I’m not letting go just yet.”

  “All right. But don’t tax yourself.”

  “Thank you.” Even with Mr. Elder looking on, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss against his cheek. “She’s perfect.”

  A flush crept up his neck.

  His generosity humbled her and her guilt flared. She’d been lulled into a sense of complacency. In truth, nothing had changed. Emmett was missing. The Fultons were a threat. The men John Elder had seen might be beggars or tramps. Or they might not. The horse nudged her hip and she playfully skipped ahead. She enjoyed her new life. She loved the children and she believed she was doing good for them. Shane was coming around.

  And yet a deep sense of unease chased away her brief contentment. She gazed at the prairie, the undulating grasses visible above the scattered patches of snow. As long as the Fultons were out there, she’d always be in danger.

  If she’d put this family in danger as well, she’d never forgive herself.

  *

  For the next few days Shane and the men scoured the fields, searching for any sign of the men who’d slaughtered his cattle. Despite their efforts, their search met with frustration. Shane didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried. The unknown nagged at him, and Tessa’s lingering fear was more than worrisome. There was something more going on between her and the outlaw, and he needed her trust. Unless she confided in him, he was helpless.

  In anticipation of his first evening of officially courting his wife, he’d donned his best coat, and with a fresh shave and a touch of the cologne Wheeler kept in his shaving kit, he nervously approached the door to the ranch house. He’d already made arrangements with Edith, but he’d forgotten to inform Tessa of his plans. Probably he should have done that.

  Shane slicked back his hair and lifted his knuckles toward the door. Should he knock? It felt as if he should knock. Yet knocking at his own house seemed odd as well. As he pondered the correct behavior, the door swung open.

  Tessa smiled. “I thought I heard something out here.”

  “I was going to knock,” he said dumbly.

  “It’s your house. I’m your wife. You don’t have to knock.”

  He raked his fingers through his hair again. “I wasn’t sure.”

  “Come inside.” She snagged his arm and dragged him off the porch. “You’re letting in the cold.”

  Once inside, she waved him toward the table. He sat and clasped his hands on the table. “How are you feeling?”

  She took the chair to his right. “I’m feeling wonderful. Fit as a fiddle. Edith says you’re guilty about my accident.”

  “Edith talks too much.”

  She covered his hands with her own. “What happened was an accident.”

  “I said I’d keep you safe.”

  “Now you’re being silly. You can’t prevent all the icy patches in the world.”

  “I—”

  She placed two fingers over his lips. “I won’t hear another word. We’re supposed to be courting. If I don’t have something to tell JoBeth when she brings the children around, she’ll have my hide.”

  He splayed his fingers on the table and collapsed forward. “Then you know about the courting? Good. I was going to mention it…”

  “Don’t worry. Edith filled me in. I hope they didn’t browbeat you too much. We can go through the motions, make everyone happy. It’ll be our little secret.”

  “Good. Sure. I have the wagon hitched. How about dinner in town tonight? Just the two of us?”

  “That sounds lovely,” she replied, and he knew immediately that Edith had also informed her of his plans for the evening. “Let me fetch my coat.”

  A short time later they were settled on the buckboard of the wagon, two blankets tucked around Tessa’s legs and her feet propped on a warm brick. She wore her ridiculous emerald green hat, muffler and mittens, managing to look silly and charming at the same time.

  He slapped the reins against the horses’ backs and cast her a sidelong glance. “Anna said we should ask each other questions. So, um, what’s your favorite color?”

  “Peach, I guess. My favorite shade is during the sunset, when the sky turns kind of a peachy pink. How about you? What’s your favorite color?”

  “Green.” He searched for a descriptor. Did he like the green of an evergreen? Or grass? After a moment he said, “Just green.”

  Not as exciting as a sunset, but it was the best he had.

  “When Edith insisted I wear my best dress before she took the children off to her house, I admit I was a little nervous.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I’ve never courted anyone before.”

  “Me neither.” They both grinned and he added, “We’re a pair, aren’t we?”

  The air was crisp and the sky cloudless. He couldn’t have picked a better day for their new beginning. Earlier he and the boys had tossed around questions he might ask, and he searched his memory. “This will give us a chance to know each other better. Where were you raised?”

  “I was born in Chicago. We lived in an apartment on the third floor of a tenement. I remember my mother hanging laundry between the buildings. My dresses smelled of wood smoke and pipe tobacco.”

  “But you didn’t stay? What happened after your mother died?”

  She puffed a breath of warm air into her mittens and warmed her nose. “After my mother died I stayed with some relatives. Some months later, my father, Emmett, took me with him.”

  Something in her closed expression had him searching for a different question, less personal questions. He’d circle back to her family later.

  The next twenty minutes passed in much the same way. With the help of the questions he’d compiled earlier, he pushed and prodded the conversation, cajoling and parrying with her. Yet no matter how carefully he broached the subject of her past and her family, she deftly turned the conversation back on him.

  He knew her favorite color, food and time of day, yet frustratingly, infuriatingly, he didn’t feel he was any closer to actually knowing the heart of her.

  “What of your father?” she asked. “What was he like?”

  Shane’s hands tightened on the reins. “Gone.”

  She murmured a noncommittal response, and he recalled her previous criticism of his suppertime conversation. He finally understood what she’d meant. He’d been talking, but never really opening up about himself. No wonder she’d been unsatisfied.

&nb
sp; Since he’d been pushing her to open up to him, he owed her the same in return. “My father left when I was thirteen. It was just my mother and me after that.”

  She leaned nearer and hugged his arm. “I’m sorry. That must have been very difficult for both you and your mother.”

  “We had good times and bad. I heard he died some years back.”

  He’d always admired Tessa’s affection with the children. Recently he’d noticed that affection had been extended to him. She was incredibly demonstrative, touching his bent knee as she scooted past, brushing her fingers along his sleeve, laying a hand on his shoulder as she served him at the dinner table. He’d never considered himself the kind of man who enjoyed that sort of thing. Not anymore. He yearned for her slightest touch.

  She straightened once more. “Maybe that’s why we’re so awkward with each other. Neither of us has ever seen a proper marriage. We have nothing to go by.”

  “It doesn’t have to be that way. There’s no reason we can’t change things.”

  “You’re uncharacteristically optimistic this evening.”

  He started. “I didn’t realize I was pessimistic.”

  “Hmm, perhaps not. You’re more of a realist, I suppose.” She plucked at the red tartan blanket covering her legs. “Have you caught any sight of the men Mr. Elder saw?”

  “Nothing,” he bit out in frustration. “I’d have liked to settle the thing at least and discover their identities.”

  As the town appeared in the distance, they lapsed into silence. He hitched the wagon before the hotel and assisted Tessa down, letting his fingers linger around her waist a touch longer than necessary.

  They stepped into the warmth of the restaurant, and he surveyed the crowd. Several tables were occupied but there was plenty of seating.

  He turned toward Tessa and caught her shocked expression. He followed her gaze toward a dark-haired gentleman rising from his seat.

  Tessa abandoned his side and wove through the tables, then launched herself at the gentleman, who caught her against his chest.

  “Emmett!’ she exclaimed.

  Shane’s heartbeat thudded against his ribs. This was Tessa’s father?