“Howdy, Charity.” Hiram whipped off his hat. “Is your husband home? Red Feather saw a few of his cows wandering so we figured it might warrant coming to see if something is amiss. I wondered why he didn’t come straight here, but Red Feather said he was led to go to my place.”
Charity sniffed. “Gabriel went out day before yesterday to search for the cattle. This is the second time someone let them loose. He was shot. I’ve been caring for him and haven’t had the opportunity to go looking for them myself.”
“Shot?” Hiram glanced at Red Feather.
“A flesh wound, but he ran a fever all day yesterday and through the night.” Charity stepped aside and let the men enter. “I’ve been cooling him with creek water and aspen bark tea. I think it’s working, but I’ve been dreadful worried, all the same.”
Red Feather knelt beside the bed and peered under Gabriel’s bandages. His face remained impassive. Planting his hands on his thighs, he stood. “No infection. Gabriel will live. I go find cows.”
“Thank you so much! I’m mighty grateful.” Charity almost hugged him, but then, remembering the way the Indian appraised her on their first meeting, stepped back and held out her hand instead.
Red Feather stared at her hand before shaking. “Old man will stay with you until I return.”
“Old man,” Hiram sputtered. “Savage.” His eyes twinkled, belying the harshness of his words. “You be careful. If there’s someone out there with a vengeance, you don’t want to be the next victim.”
“Red Feather move like the smoke. I be back before sundown or I not be back.”
With the way he scooted out the door, Charity had no doubt he’d scout around just as he said, invisible. “Hiram, can I get you some coffee?”
“Much obliged.” He removed his hat, hung it on a nail, then sat at the table. “Has Gabriel said anything about who he thinks might have done this?”
Charity shook her head. “I think he has his suspicions, but hasn’t discussed them with me.” Nothing a woman should concern herself with, he’d say. She lifted the pot off the stove and poured the fragrant brew into two cups. She’d earned one for herself.
Hiram glanced around the soddy. “Where’s the young’uns?”
“Chores. With me nursing Gabriel, I don’t have a lot of time for the livestock.” She glanced out the still open door. The day before yesterday’s blast of unseasonably cold weather had left as quickly as it had arrived. Although the day was still cooler than normal, the sun glistened off what was left of the snowfall piled against buildings. Tomorrow, all signs of an early winter would be gone and the last days of summer would linger for a while.
Hiram sipped his coffee. “I’ll take this out to the barn and see what I can do to help. Don’t want to leave you until Red Feather gets back.”
“What are you not telling me?” He and Red Feather had never worried before. Of course, Gabriel was always here, but surely they realized he would be gone for a full day sometimes. Had they somehow known Gabriel was wounded? Were she and the children in danger?
Hiram swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Gabriel will have my head if I tell you.”
“I’ll have your head if you don’t.” She put her fists on her hips.
Hiram turned his coffee cup in his hands. “Don’t get your Irish dander up with me, missy. Red Feather was out hunting. Came across a couple of Gabe’s cows. He followed the tracks, which happened to go close to my land. He fetched me, and we backtracked. Wasn’t hard to see blood drops on the rocks, so we hightailed it here.”
“And, you thought to tell me a falsehood as to why you came?” She cast a glance to where Gabriel’s blankets rustled. “Don’t get me wrong. I am grateful you are here.”
He lowered his head. “We’re figuring it’s the same scalawag that started the fire.”
“You have a big mouth.” Gabriel panted as he tried to sit up.
“The fire wasn’t an accident?” Charity rushed to Gabriel’s side and propped pillows under him. A quick touch to his face showed her his fever had ebbed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s a man’s place to protect his family.” Gabriel reached for the cup of water on a crate Charity had moved close to the bed.
“Women can help.” She narrowed her eyes. “Once you’re on your feet. I want you to teach me how to shoot.”
“Why?”
“What if something really does happen to you? I’ll need to fend for meself and the children.”
“That’s why women remarry out here. For the protection.”
“Heaven save me from a stubborn fool.” Charity whirled and stormed outside. Her husband would teach her to shoot, of that she had no doubt. All she needed to do was badger him enough and show him the logic in the idea. Most likely Maggie had known, so why the hesitation in Charity’s case? Gabriel Williams was the most infuriating man!
She plopped on a stump outside the barn and rested her chin in her hands. Maybe she was fatigued and small things bothered her more than they should. Gabriel’s distrust in allowing her to be his partner in all things was another sign of his plans to eventually send her away. Why did she keep hoping things might be different?
“Ma?” Sam stepped out of the barn. “Is Pa dead?” His chin trembled.
Charity held out her arms. Sam, followed by his sister, launched into her lap. “Your father will be fine.” Cranky as ever.
“Then why are you sad?” Meg asked.
“I’m tired, ‘tis all.” Charity smoothed chocolate-colored hair away from her daughter’s face. “You look so much like your father.”
“He ain’t our real pa.” Sam pulled away and leaned against her knee. “But we love him like he is.”
“Not your real pa?” Her heart thudded to her stomach as her hand fluttered around her throat. Another secret Gabriel kept from her? Did she know anything about her husband?
“Nah, our pa died in the war, then Ma remarried this pa. But, they talk like they used to know each other when they were young’uns. When she died, he kept us.”
Something else that ate at Gabriel like a starving hound? Did his desire to keep the children have anything to do with his wager against the land? Charity held the children tight. They had no blood relatives left. Gabriel needed to take care of himself so he would be around to raise these children. Somehow, Charity needed to convince him to let her stay on past the agreed date. If she was no longer around, and Gabriel died, who would care for these angels? She needed to have a serious conversation with her husband.
She set her chin. She’d refuse to go, simple as that. “Your father is awake. Why don’t the two of you go in and check on him? He could use some kisses and hugs.”
They dashed away, leaving Charity to dwell in her thoughts. Her gaze roamed past the burned aspens to the creek, then over to the barn and the frame of the new house. She’d grown attached to the land, despite the difficulty of each day’s work, and she loved the stubborn man lying wounded on the bed. She straightened. She had all winter to convince Gabriel to keep her, not to mention Thanksgiving and Christmas. Two days she would make very special.
Gabriel came slowly out of the sod house, leaning on Hiram’s shoulder. Charity gasped. Fully dressed with his rifle in hand! “Are you crazy?” She rushed to his side. “I wonder about your mental state sometimes. You should be in bed.”
“Red Feather is out looking for my cattle. A man looks out for his own.”
“Sometimes friends help!”
Charity glared at Hiram, who shrugged. “He wouldn’t stay down. Short of shooting him again, there wasn’t much I could do.”
“Now, what? You’re going to get on your horse?” Charity stomped her foot. “I didn’t climb on that monster of a horse and keep you from falling off so you could go back out and finish what someone else started!”
###
“What are you talking about?” Gabe nodded toward the barn. “Hiram, help me get Rogue ready.”
“You can’t even saddle your h
orse.” Charity flitted around him like an annoying gnat. When had she gotten so bossy? Tears welled in her eyes, giving his heart a lurch.
“Are you crying?” He hadn’t been in her company for five minutes. How could he have said something to hurt her feelings?
“That’s my cue to vamoose.” Hiram tipped his hat and sauntered to the horse he left to graze in the corral.
Charity sniffed. “I’m not crying.”
“Yes, you are.” Gabe sagged against the barn. Maybe he wasn’t ready to get back on the horse. His side burned like all get out. “What did I say this time?”
“Nothing. Get yourself killed if you want to.” She gathered her skirts and sprinted for the house.
Could she possibly be fearful for his safety? The thought warmed him and lent him strength. Not enough to actually go looking for the cattle like he wanted, but enough to sit outside and wait for Red Feather.
Life had gotten as unpredictable as a tornado. Maybe they should start their nightly Bible readings before winter set in. Who said they could only read during the months they were snowed in?
God wasn’t a seasonable God. Most likely. More Bible reading would do them all good and help solve whatever problems Charity carted around that made her as flighty as a squirrel. It might even help Gabe know how to deal with the unknown person stealing his cattle. Well, not stealing actually. More like relocating.
He gnawed his lip. Why would someone let the cattle loose, but not keep them, and then try to kill Gabe? What would he do when he found the culprit?
Instinct made him want to shoot the culprit. His heart told him that wasn’t the answer. Did he really want to shoot Amos? Maggie would most likely come down from heaven and give him a slap alongside the head if he killed her cousin, distant relation and scoundrel that the man was.
A commotion near the corral drew his head up. Red Feather galloped up, and dismounted. “Cows back in pasture. I set plank back in fence. Why not move them closer to home until you handle this trouble?”
Gabe braced a hand against the barn and pushed to his feet. “I’ve been thinking on it. Been thinking about a dog, too.”
“Red Feather have pup. I bring it and its mother. She good watchdog.”
“I’m obliged. The young’uns will love the puppy. What breed?”
Red Feather shrugged. “Big. Wolf, maybe. Found after white people drove wagons across land. Dog and pups were left. Only one survived.”
Gabe rubbed his chin. A wolf for the children? “Is it tame?”
“Like a baby wolf.” Red Feather grinned. “No worry. She won’t eat your young. I fetch. I kept for to celebrate your white man’s Christmas. As a gift for you. They’re in the woods.” He nodded and rode away, leaving Gabe second-guessing his decision about a dog.
Within fifteen minutes, Red Feather returned leading the largest dog Gabe had ever seen. The dog’s back almost came to his waist. Wiry hair, brindled grey and black, and a lolling tongue. A fearsome looking beast, yet almost regal. “That thing’s a horse!”
“No.” Charity sprinted toward them. “It’s an Irish Wolfhound.” She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around the adult’s neck. “My you’re a beauty. Is she ours? And the pup?”
Red Feather nodded before Gabe could change his mind.
“Where are we going to keep something that size? Not in the house.” Definitely not. They already had a cat.
“Yes, we are.” Charity stood, keeping a hand on the dog’s head. The dog gazed at her with soulful eyes. “They aren’t staying outside in a Montana winter. We’ll manage. Come on, Lady. You too, Prince.”
Lady? Prince? Gabe shook his head. What had he gotten himself into this time? “Thank you very much, Red Feather.”
His friend clapped him on the shoulder and laughed. “You very welcome, my white brother.”
Sam and Meg ran from the house squealing. Meg gathered the pup in her arms, the young things legs dragging the ground. “Is it Christmas?”
“Might as well be.” Gabe slumped back on his stump. The bullet might not have killed him, but living with Charity very well could.
A few minutes later, he sighed and slowly made his way to the house. He opened the door and stepped into a din that most likely rivaled the wailing of an asylum.
Lady barked, deep and throaty. Prince yipped and raced around the table, Meg in hot pursuit. Patches launched herself, claws extended at Gabe’s leg and scurried up and around to his back. He added his own yell to the mix and whirled to unlatch the menace shredding his skin. “Get this infernal animal off me.”
Charity giggled and grabbed the cat by the scruff of the neck. “She’s only frightened.”
“She isn’t the only one.” Gabe clutched his side and tottered to his leather chair. After carefully lowering himself, he closed his eyes and laid his head back. Yep, the woman would definitely be the death of him.
What in the world would they feed two dogs the size of small ponies? He hadn’t realized Red Feather had such a wicked sense of humor. No wonder he was so quick to give them up. What could he get the man as a gift that would rival the one Gabe had received? Payback would be a real pleasure. Maybe he should give him Charity after all.
He opened one eye and watched as Charity nuzzled the cat, then bent over to let Lady and Patches get acquainted with the kitten. Her face lit with pleasure, her fiery hair slipping free of its restraints. He fought a smile. Send her away and miss all this?
Hiram poked his head in the door, took a look around, and backed out. Smart man. Now, he could return to his pleasant quiet home. Maybe Gabe could go with him. He chuckled and closed his eye again. Nope. He might complain, but he’d lived more in the couple of months since he’d married Charity then he had in all the years before.
The new house couldn’t get built fast enough. This little one was busting at the seams. A laugh escaped him, then another. Soon, he wrapped his arms around his waist and howled. Charity gave him a perplexed look which only made him laugh harder. The house quieted, all its occupants staring as he lost himself in joy.
Thank you Lord, for the full life you’ve given me.
17
A week later, Gabe loaded his family, minus the pets, into the wagon and headed for Virginia City. They’d spend the night in the same hotel in which he’d married Charity. What had seemed like a spur of the moment, desperate action, turned out to be the best decision he’d ever made. He couldn’t imagine the homestead without her.
The afternoon and next morning would give them time to purchase winter supplies and Christmas gifts, although he knew Charity had been working on a few things in the rare moments she had the house to herself. It had been fun to see her scamper every time he or one of the children walked in the door.
He wanted to get her something special and wracked his brain trying to decide what. He was a fair whittler, so something to that effect was an option. Maybe a nativity? Her trunk contained a few frilly things like tablecloths and doilies, so maybe a nice mantel clock other than the plain one that sat there now? Something that would look nice in the new house? He made a note to purchase yarn to occupy her hands during the winter months.
Sam and Meg said the dogs were all they wanted as presents but Gabe knew come Christmas morning, their tone would change. Every child wanted a present. Gabe didn’t have a lot of money, but he had enough to make this year’s holiday one Charity would never forget. Come spring, leaving would be the last thing on her mind.
“You should’ve let us bring Prince, at least.” Sam leaned over the seat. “He’s just a pup. He’ll miss us.”
“He has his mother,” Gabe replied. “They’re fine in the barn for one night.”
“I bet he digs out and gets lost.”
“No betting, please.” Charity frowned. “Must everything be a bet between you two?”
“It’s harmless talk,” Gabe assured her.
“To some.” Charity stared at the road in front of them. Her bottom lip quivered. “To others, it’s a
wasted life.”
They definitely needed to have a talk about Gabe’s wager. Charity deserved to know the circumstances that led to his moment of foolishness. Winter would give them plenty of opportunity for long heart-to-heart talks once the children were in bed. Maybe, then, she would tell him what plagued her so.
“Can I have a peppermint stick from the mercantile, Pa?” Meg joined her brother at leaning over the seat. “It’s been such a long time.”
“You can have two.” Gabe flicked the reins to encourage Rogue and Ruby to move faster. Charity’s horse hadn’t liked the harness at first, but she’d adapted nicely. “You’ll also have fabric for new clothes. Charity, there’s a list in the pocket of my jacket. Feel free to add to it anything you need.”
“Sugar, flour, salt, coffee?”
“All there.”
“Wicks for candles?”
“Whatever you need.”
She smiled and nodded.
“I’ll take care of feed for the animals while you take the children to the mercantile. Then we’ll meet at the diner for supper. If we place our orders today, we can pick them up in the morning after breakfast.” No need to rush the biannual trip to town. They wouldn’t be back again until the snows melted.
The children settled down until the first houses appeared, then even Charity sat straighter at that point. Gabe had always regretted the thought of more people settling the area, but maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing. Women seemed to need folks around once in a while. Charity sure was teaching him a lot about women.
Maybe if he’d known some of the things he knew now, Maggie would have been happier. Then, she wouldn’t have felt the need for long solitary walks in the afternoon and wouldn’t have stumbled across that snake.
He set the wagon brake in front of the mercantile. “I’ll meet you back here in an hour for supper.” He jumped down and helped Charity out then reached for Meg. Sam wasted no time in leaping over the back. “You two young’uns stay close to your ma. No wandering off.”
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