Mabel bumped her with her shoulder. “Sweetheart, you have that man aching for you in a bad way. Keep up the good work.”
“But I’m not doing anything.” Nothing she could put her finger on anyway.
“All the better. And remember, a bear is drawn to honey. You might want to sweeten things up. Watch your temper.” Mabel hefted the flour sack. “Let’s get these things unloaded. Hiram and I thought we’d visit for the day before we’re all snowed in. I’ve missed having a woman neighbor in the worst way.”
“I don’t even have bread rising.” Charity grabbed the bolts of fabric. “We just returned from purchasing our winter supplies, but we’re glad to have you.”
“Don’t worry. Hiram and I brought the fixings for chili. Wouldn’t be right to show up unannounced and expect you to feed us. Not when you got little ones.” Mabel led the way into the house. “You just fix your mind on getting that man to ask you to stay. But he won’t do that if you don’t have your heart right with the Lord.”
Charity was afraid of that. Why was it so hard for her to trust in God when it came easily for so many other people? How did one get the faith? Her ma tried instilling faith in her, despite her apparent unhappiness, but when she’d died, Charity stumbled. Pa stumbled right along with her, letting her know that a loving God wouldn’t have taken a woman as good as her ma. Not if he cared. Charity believed him. What if they were wrong?
She needed time to ponder the questions in her heart. Dwell on them over the winter months while Gabriel read from the Word of God, and work slowed down. Maybe her questions would be answered then. She headed back to the wagon for more supplies.
By the time the smaller things were unpacked in the house, Gabriel and Hiram returned from their secret conversation and unloaded the feed for the livestock. Charity glared at Gabriel over the back of the wagon, and smirked when he avoided her eyes.
He looked as guilty as a fox caught in a hen house. She tilted her nose and sashayed away. Wouldn’t hurt to let him know she was miffed. Maybe he’d come apologizing and tell her what was going on. She’d try the honey approach after he stewed for a while.
Gabe grunted as he carried in a box. “What’s in here, books?”
“Never you mind. Just set it on the floor beside my bed.” Heavens, the man was nosey, yet he didn’t want to share a single secret of his own.
She followed him inside and nodded at Mabel. “Let me hide these under my bed, and I’ll be ready to help you with supper.” Charity slid the purchased gifts under the bed.
“Are you excited about Christmas?” Mabel slung a dish towel over her shoulder. “You most likely haven’t had one surrounded by the excitement of children, have you?”
“No, and I must confess to my own excitement. I think I’m worse than the children, and Christmas is three months away. It’s Thanksgiving supper I’m concerned about.” Charity tugged the quilt to make it hang lower on the side of the bed away from the wall. “I want it to be special and don’t completely trust my cooking skills for such a holiday.”
“You’ll do fine. If the snow ain’t bad, Hiram and I will join you for the meal. Chili’s done, if you want to call the menfolk and children.”
###
Hiram stuck a blade of straw between his teeth. Gabe propped a foot on the corral fence and waited for him to spill the rest of his news.
“As I was saying before your missus got all nosey, your cattle are gone again. The dogs were locked in the barn, so I figured someone came during the night while they was sleeping and slid the bolt.” Hiram jerked his chin.
Gabe sighed. “I visited Sheriff Spraggins, and it’s clear he’s not going to question Amos.” He pounded his thigh. “I know the man is behind all my setbacks. He spoke with Charity at the mercantile and threatened to take the children. I don’t know what to do, Hiram. I really don’t.”
“Have you prayed about it?”
“I try, but the anger and guilt over the situation binds me up.” Gabe shook his head and leaned his elbows on the fence. “I’m confused about what to do about the wager, about Charity, about…”
“Your wife?” Hiram raised his eyebrows. “Problems?”
“Definitely. I’m falling in love with her. Never felt this way about a woman before.”
“That’s good, ain’t it, or am I missing something?”
“We have a marriage of convenience, Hiram. I expected Mabel to tell you.” He sighed. “Once I meet the terms of my foolish bet, we’ll have our marriage annulled.” Saying the words out loud to a man he admired, made Gabe feel even more foolish. He peered at Hiram from beneath his hat brim. “I can’t let her go come spring.”
“Tell her.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Supper!” Mabel hooted from the direction of the house.
“My woman sure was blessed with a set of lungs.” Hiram clapped Gabe on the shoulder. “Don’t fret. An opportunity will present itself. You’ve got all winter.”
Hopefully. At least that’s what he kept telling himself. Gabe shuffled behind his friend as they made their way to the horse trough to wash for their meal. He splashed his face with the icy water, ran his fingers through his hair, and prepared to face Charity across the table. She would spear him with glances until he told her about his visit with the sheriff. Not a conversation he wanted to have with the children or company around.
As clean as he could get without a dunk in the creek or a hot bath, Gabe headed inside and took his seat at the table. Charity tossed him a heart-stopping grin as she pranced to the table with a pan of cornpone. She had changed her clothes and now wore a wine red dress with black stripes that set off highlights in her hair.
Gabe returned her smile with a shaky one of his own. When she passed behind him to take her seat, she trailed her fingers along his back, sending spiders skittering up his spine, and gluing his tongue to the roof of his mouth.
“Should I say the blessing?” Hiram stuck his napkin in his shirt collar.
Gabe nodded, his gaze never leaving Charity’s face. She blushed and placed her napkin in her lap. She peered from beneath her lashes, green eyes glittering. Then, she lowered her head. Gabe started as Hiram began praying, and then closed his eyes. How could he focus on Charity and forget to pray?
“Got meat stored up for the winter?” Hiram pulled him from his thoughts.
Gabriel jerked his head. “Pardon?”
“I just need me a big buck and my smokehouse will be full.”
“Nope. Plan on heading out tomorrow. We’ve got a couple of pigs we can butcher, and some chickens, but I wouldn’t mind a deer and some rabbits.” Gabe dug his spoon into the chili.
He’d been kept so busy building the house and hunting down his cattle, he hadn’t spent the time on winter preparations that he should have. A month away from being snowed in and his smokehouse wasn’t full. He was a neglectful husband and father.
“Doesn’t Charity look pretty today?” Mabel asked around the rim of her cup.
Gabe’s hand shook as he reached for his mug, spilling his drink across the table.
Charity laid a hand on his. “Are you all right, dear? Do you need more water?” She stood. “Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll get a rag and clean that right up.”
Mabel giggled and dug into her chili.
Gabe shook his head, sliding his hand from under Charity’s. He didn’t need the distraction of her touch. What was she doing? She never voluntarily touched him. And what happened to her voice? Instead of low and husky as normal, it had risen to almost a girlish tone. Had he unleashed something when he kissed her? The thought scared him as much as knowing she’d been grabbed and pulled into the alley.
“Gotta feed the livestock.” He pushed back his chair and raced outside, leaving Hiram sitting with the women and children.
###
Charity hadn’t figured on being as affected by touching Gabriel as she meant for him to be. Acting all sweet could be as dangerous for her as it was for him. Her
hands trembled as she cleared the dishes from the table. She plunged them and the bowls into the washtub. Goodness, it was hot inside the soddy.
“I think he’s being affected right fine.” Mabel added spoons to the washtub. “That dress was the perfect touch. Is it new?”
Charity shook her head. “It was my mother’s. It’s rather dated, six years in fact, but it’s still the nicest thing I own.”
“I hope you bought yourself fabric for new clothes when you were in town.”
“I did.” She scrubbed the first bowl. “It’s green like my eyes and I got some yellow like the sun.” She set the bowl down hard enough to splash suds. “Are you sure this is the way to win his heart? Can’t I just find gold and show him how valuable I am that way?”
Mabel shook her head. “Are you still set on discovering gold? Honey, there’s no time. Snow is mere weeks away. Do you have winter clothing sewed for the children? Have you checked for holes in the soddy? There’s no end to the work that needs done to prepare for winter. Not to mention setting up butter, soap, candles. Anything you might need. If you didn’t purchase them in town, you have a lot of work to do.”
Charity didn’t purchase anything she could make herself. Mabel was right. There would barely be enough time to sleep at night. No wonder bears waited until winter to hibernate. There was too much to do during the warmer months and longer days.
“I feel as if I’m being deceitful.” She handed the washed bowl to Mabel. “Gabriel looked at me as if he didn’t know who I was.”
“That’s wonderful. Keep him surprised. Men like variety.”
“I just don’t feel right about it.”
“I’ve been married over half my life. Trust me.” Mabel watched Hiram move outside, ushering the children in front of him. “Even I throw in a surprise to my husband every blue moon. A new dress, a wink, a caress he isn’t expecting.”
“But your marriage was founded out of love.”
“Yours will be too. Have faith.”
Charity huffed. Faith again. Except this time, Mabel was not talking about a faith in God. She was talking about Charity having faith in herself. That was worse.
The ground vibrated under her feet, and Charity grabbed the edge of the counter to steady herself. From outside, shots rang out. She stared in horror at Mabel. Then she heard Meg screamed.
21
The ground over Charity’s head rumbled. Dust and multi-legged varmints fell into her hair and eyes. She squealed and pawed at her head to knock the insects free. Was that a centipede? A millipede? Heavens it was a miracle they were all still alive!
Particles of dirt and grass filtered through the ceiling boards. Dust filled the room. The walls shook. She shrieked and rushed to the fireplace, grabbing Maggie’s clock off the mantel before it could crash to the floor. Setting it safely in Gabriel’s chair, she spun. Her gaze met Mabel’s startled one. The children!
With her heart in her throat, Charity raced outside. “Meg! Sam!”
“They’re here!” Gabriel had his arms wrapped around both children and flattened them against the barn. “Get back in the house. Someone started a stampede.”
Charity drew back into the doorway. First one cow, then a couple more, then tens of cattle thundered past them, some leaping off the top of the soddy. Their hooves beat the ground with mighty thuds.
Charity threw out her arm to stop Mabel from dashing into the yard. “Lady! Prince!” Please, God, spare the dogs.
“Where’s my Hiram?” Mabel clutched at her arm. “I don’t see him. Lordy, he’s trampled! God’s taken him to heaven without letting me say goodbye!”
“Hush, Mabel, he’s probably in the barn.” Charity grabbed her friend around the waist and pulled her inside, out of harm’s way. Lady and Prince skirted between the cattle’s legs until the dogs stopped, trembling, in the doorway of the soddy. Charity threw her arms around them, not only giving love, but receiving comfort, and effectively blocking the door so Mabel couldn’t escape.
“Lord, don’t take my Hiram.” Mabel sagged against the table. “He’s all I’ve got.” She covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
Tears sprang to Charity’s eyes, and she went to her friend’s side. She’d never seen Mabel exhibit anything but good nature and self-control, and she wasn’t sure how to handle this new hysterical Mabel.
“God will take care of Hiram.” Did she actually believe He would choose to save Hiram after taking her parents? What made him more special than they? Was he kinder, a better man? Sure her Da had gambled, her Ma bitter about her lot in life, but did that make them unworthy of God’s attention? God seemed choosey in regards to whom He decided to spare. At least the words would make Mabel feel better. If only they didn’t taste like sawdust leaving Charity’s tongue.
The thundering faded away, and Gabriel entered the house with Sam and Meg. Mabel bolted to his side and gripped his shirt. “Hiram? Where is he?”
Gabriel shook his head. “I’ll look for him now. Last I saw, he was headed for my temporary corral.” He grabbed the rifle from above the mantel. “All of you stay here. These cattle were stampeded on purpose. I don’t want to have to worry about you while I’m searching for Hiram. Most likely, I’ll meet him coming back this way. He’s a smart man. He knows how to take care of himself.”
“Be careful.” Charity laid a hand on his arm. She wanted to tell him she couldn’t live without him. Didn’t want a world where he didn’t exist. But she couldn’t. She wasn’t ready. Not until she knew with all certainty that he felt the same about her. She couldn’t put her heart in someone else’s hands only to have it shoved back at her.
“I will.” He took a step toward her, then stopped and nodded, before whirling and heading back outside.
Charity gathered the children in her arms. “Are you two all right? You aren’t hurt?”
“Nah, we’re fine.” Sam said. “We were in the barn when we heard the ruckus. As soon as we ran out, pa grabbed us.”
Meg held up a finger. “I got a splinter from the barn.”
Charity closed her eyes and hugged them harder. “Let’s get you two cleaned up, and that splinter removed. Mabel, would you like to help until the men return?”
She turned a shocked gaze on Charity. “I’ll heat some water for a bath.”
If Charity kept the other woman busy, maybe she wouldn’t have time to worry about her husband. She eyed the other rifle over the mantel. Maybe Gabriel could use her help. Charity’s hands tightened into fists. Most likely a good thing she didn’t know how to shoot. If she did, she’d hunt down the man who started the stampede and put a bullet in him. Somebody could have been killed.
###
Gabe saddled Rogue and headed in the direction where he’d corralled his cattle. Hiram had offered to check things out earlier, and Gabriel appreciated the gesture. Now, his friend might be dead because of that neighborly offer. Gabe hadn’t figured someone would cause a stampede. Not just someone. He clenched his jaw. Amos Jenkins. He would bet Sunday dinner that man was behind this.
His heart sat like a frozen boulder in his throat. Lord, don’t let me have to tell Mabel she’s lost the love of her life. What would it be like to consider someone that dear to your heart? He cared for Maggie, but didn’t think he could call her the love of his life. More like a comfortable blanket after a hard day’s work. Could he ever feel that way about Charity? Right now, she made his heart pound and his palms sweat. Did he really want the type of comfort he felt around Maggie? He leaned more on wanting to keep the excitement that Charity added to his life.
The closer he got to his destination, the more he relaxed. Unless the scoundrel who stampeded the cattle shot Hiram and dragged him into the bushes, the man wasn’t lying in a trampled mess somewhere. Gabe figured if Hiram had been trampled, he would have found his body by now. He allowed Rogue free rein of his head and concentrated on the tree line.
After while he guessed was half an hour, he made out a tan shape through the green of a lin
e of pine trees and low shrubs. Gabe slid from his horse, grabbed his rifle, and jogged the few feet. His heart stopped.
An Indian girl lay face down among the needles. Blood matted the side of her dark hair. He knelt and placed his face close to hers to check for signs of life. None.
Gabe straightened and studied the trees with an intensity born of fear. If caught by the woman’s people, they’d assume he killed her. Some of the Indians believed a life for a life. Yet, he couldn’t leave her here for the animals.
Rocks rattled to his right. Gabe leaped to his feet, rifle at the ready.
“Don’t shoot.” Hiram stepped from the trees. “I heard gunshots and went to investigate. Couldn’t find the culprit. He must be long gone by now.” He stopped and stared at the girl. “Is she one of Red Feather’s people?”
“I don’t know.” Gabe lowered his rifle. “Your wife is worried sick about you. I promised to bring you back in one piece.”
“Yep, she most likely is worried. Worrying is her favorite thing outside talking.” Hiram squatted and smoothed the hair away from the woman’s face. “A pretty little thing. That bullet crease on the side of her face wasn’t what killed her. Looks like she fell and hit her head on that rock.” He pointed to a three-foot boulder smeared with blood.
“Maybe. No telling how her people will look at it. Either way, the shooter is to blame for her death, accidental or not.” Poor thing. She didn’t look old enough to be a wife yet.
What if it were Charity lying here? The way she had come busting out of the house, it could very easily have been. Or one of the children. Gabe closed his eyes. Did he really want to be responsible for another human being? Maybe he should let his feelings go and allow Charity the annulment she wanted come spring. His heart couldn’t take losing another wife to death.
“We can’t leave her here,” Gabe said. “Help me get her on my horse, and I’ll see if I can’t find Red Feather. Then, tomorrow I guess I’ll pay another visit to the sheriff.” One way or the other, the man who did this was going to pay for harassing Gabe, putting his family in danger, and murdering this young girl.
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