On the Mountain

by Peggy Ann Craig

  In the kitchen, she dropped down at the huge harvest table that acted as kitchen table and ate her dinner. The door opened and Wade came in, carrying his plate. She watched him with surprise as he sat down across from her. They ate in silence and when he was done, Wade got up and put his plate in the large kitchen sink then headed for the exit. At the door he stopped and looked back down at Anna. “From now on, you will join Prescott and myself in the dining room for meals.”

  He didn’t wait for a response, he simply left. She frowned and realized she wasn’t certain what Wade expected from her in her new role. Other than that last parting comment, he said nothing else all evening. He disappeared to the bunkhouse where she was certain he was informing his ranch hands of the new situation at the house.

  She watched from the back porch and wondered exactly what he was saying. One thing for certain, he would not be declaring his undying love for Anna. Recalling how irate he had become at being tricked into marrying her, she blushed with humiliation and prayed he left that bit of information out as well when talking to the men.

  When she spotted him emerging from the bunkhouse, she hurried back into the house and waited with uncertainty near the bottom of the staircase. Being they were now married and it was their wedding night, Anna waited breathlessly for his return. Having never been with a man before, she felt a finger of trepidation run up and down her spine. However, the anticipation of finally being with him was more powerful.

  The back door opened and he looked startled to see her standing there, but just as swiftly recovered. Giving her a nod, he said, “Night, Anna.” Then went up the stairs to his bedroom. Alone.

  She stood there feeling utterly foolish and could not recall her feelings being hurt so desperately. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had hoped his marrying her was an indication of his love for her. However, his outright rejection was confirmation of her false hopes. It was apparent he detested the very thought of touching her. If she had been that woman at the saloon, Anna was certain she would be spending the night with her husband.

  Closing her eyes in anguish, she headed for the cook’s room and shut the door quietly. Her body felt numb even though she was on the verge of breaking down in tears. Dropping down fully clothed onto the bed, she covered her eyes with folded arms and forced the pain aside. After all, she had brought this upon herself. She had been a fool to think she could snare Wade. Up to then, no other woman could. Why she thought that she, a simple peasant girl from the mountain, was able to snare the most eligible bachelor in the entire province was beyond even her own thinking.

  * * *

  Marriage life wasn’t so bad after all, Wade deduced a few weeks later. As a matter-of-fact, it affected his life little. True, at the beginning, the unending amount of visitors to the ranch, bringing gifts and well-wishes was unbearable, but eventually that even eased off until finally life returned to normal at the Circle H.

  As he watched Anna milking the cow only a few yards away from him, he thought that in the end he truly was the winner. Taking her on as a bride turned out to be less stressful than he would ever had imagined. She continued to work hard around the ranch and in the home, not once complaining. Any other wife would have whined for a servant or maid by this point. Anna asked for neither.

  Though, admittedly, he did consider hiring her a maid. He was no fool and knew her workload was huge. Until then, he thought he could probably shift some of her duties to some of the ranch hands.

  “Anna, why don’t you leave that?” He told her. “I’ll have Neil finish it for you.”

  She looked up, startled, and Wade caught his breath. Even with her hair messy and her face covered in dark smudges, she was still the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. A corresponding response shifted in his pants. Forcing the feeling down, he went over to her and removed the bucket from her hands.

  He would give anything to take her up to his room and make love to her the way a man does with his wife, but she had requested one thing at their wedding. Keep things the way they were. And he had agreed. Hell, he just didn’t know how long he could hold that promise. It had already been a long while since he had been with a woman. He couldn’t even recall the last time he made a visit with Marion. As a married man, those days were over.

  As he stood above her and watched as she rubbed her hands over the boy’s clothing which she preferred to wear when working, he realized with a start the reason why he hadn’t been with Marion. Ever since he discovered she was a female, both his mind and body refused to betray Anna. He wanted her and was willing to wait.

  He smiled and she frowned up at him. “What?”

  “Tomorrow we go into town and buy you proper attire. I think those clothes are at the end of their line.”

  She looked down and examined the clothing. “They have lots of wear left out of them.”

  This time Wade frowned. “All right. Then let me put it to you this way. No wife of mine is going to walk around looking like a boy.”

  That obviously got her attention for a look of hurt crossed her features, but Wade didn’t care. So far the rules of this marriage were being followed as per her wish, but every now and then he was determined to get his way.

  The following day brought gray skies and cooler temperatures. As it looked like rain, he ensured they packed their slicks before heading to Lantern. Prescott had joined them as he intended to visit with Elizabeth. As Wade watched him head toward the restaurant, he had a feeling his brother would be following shortly in his steps. Kathleen would be having that wedding celebration after all.

  Grinning he turned Anna toward the boardwalk. A woman with bright red hair headed their way, and he felt Anna tense up beside him. He wished the memory of finding them in a sexual position would have been one of the memories Anna had lost forever.

  “Hello there lover.” The woman offered her usual seductive greeting.

  Wade would have liked to ignored her completely and move on, but she stopped directly in front of them. “Morning Ms. Walsh.”

  Her painted face screwed up. “Now why have you started going all formal on me?”

  “If you’ll excuse us,” he decided not to respond, but instead drew Anna away.

  But the redheaded woman had other ideas. “Heard you got married?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Where is she?”

  Anna went rigid next to him, but Wade decided it was best to be as civil to Marion as possible. If he was lucky, she would simply move on without any trouble. “Anna, this is Marion Walsh. An old friend.”

  The woman arched her brows in a theatrical manner. “My God, what a horrible mistake. I thought this was one of your ranch hands.”

  Wade felt the first stirring of his temper. “This is my wife. Mrs. Haddock.”

  He wasn’t certain why he added this last part, but he was certainly satisfied with the results. Anger flashed in her eyes. “If it was a wife you were looking for, you needn’t have looked further. You knew I would have married you at the drop of a hat.”

  “The wife I took wouldn’t also have shared her bed with half the men in town.”

  Fire lit her eyes. “She won’t be able to satisfy you Wade. No other woman knew how but me.”

  Beside him, he felt Anna’s muscles grow taut and wasn’t certain from anger or hurt. Slipping his arm around her waist, he drew her small body up close to his. “She does just fine. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have some shopping to do.”

  This time he brushed past her and didn’t care how rude he appeared. Keeping his arm protectively around Anna he marched her to the general store. Outside the entrance, he stopped them and turned her around to face him.

  “I have some business dealings with Walter Grisham,” he told her. “I’ll meet you back here in thirty minutes. Do not wander away.”

  She nodded and he left her to head across town toward the office building where the lawyer who handled his family’s affairs since his father arrived in the Colonies, was located. There w
as something he had to do. It had been on his mind for a while now, however his marriage to Anna only made his decision more appropriate.

  * * *

  Anna entered the shop and tried to forget that hateful woman. However, that was easier said than done. She was fully aware of their relationship. Far too aware, and Anna wasn’t even sure if Wade still made frequent visits to the saloon. By the sounds of the woman it didn’t appear that way, but she knew Wade was a very active member of the opposite sex in that field. Just not with Anna.

  A stabbing disappointment pierced her chest and she automatically raised her hand and rubbed the area over her heart. The storekeeper looked up when she entered and offered her a bright and warm smile. He had always been so kind and understanding to her family. Unlike many of the townsfolk in Lantern.

  “Morning, miss,” he said, then quickly corrected. “Mean, Mrs. Haddock, and congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” she replied quietly and hoped the other customers in the shop did not overhear. It would be terribly embarrassing if the people in town were aware of Wade’s extra activity in the saloon. They would also know, then, that she was not a typical wife and that their marriage was a sham. Keeping her chin down, she removed a small pouch and put it on the counter in front of the shopkeeper.

  He looked puzzled. “What’s this?”

  “I believe the money my family owed you.” So humiliated by the fact her family had to resort to stealing to survive, in particular from such a kind and decent man, Anna couldn’t bear to look him in the eye. Since employed at the Circle H, she had been saving almost every single dollar she made to repay her family’s debt.

  There was a moment’s hesitation before he spoke soft and low so that the other clientele could not overhear their conversation. “That’s not necessary miss. I was happy to help out where I could.”

  She pushed the sack closer to him. “Please, take it.”

  Again, a pause, then he took the money without any more comment or scene. Anna sighed inwardly. It was difficult enough having to do it.

  “Was there anything else the miss wanted today?”

  “I am to pick out some new clothing.” She self-consciously looked at the elegantly dressed ladies in the back of the shop.

  “Of course.” He led her to a lovely day dress in his shop window. “This style in particular is very practical and we always keep it in stock, though I am certain I would not have a size small enough for your frame. There is a seamstress in town who could take it in for you.”

  “No, thank you. I’m quite capable of doing that myself.”

  He nodded and asked, “Would you like to have a look?”

  Anna looked at the dress and thought it was far too pretty to wear around the ranch. She simply could not see herself mucking the stalls or milking the cows in such a fine dress. “Do you carry pants?”

  She obviously surprised him, for his eyes automatically dropped down to her attire. Anna felt her face go red. “Of course. Perhaps the miss would prefer pants from the boy’s department?”

  Nodding, she heard the ladies begin to whisper and wished terribly that Wade had not decided to go visit some man by the name of Walter Grisham. She had no idea who he was or where she could find him, but the idea of remaining in the shop with the women mocking her was unbearable.

  “Excuse us.” One of the ladies wandered over and tapped Anna on the shoulder.

  Reluctantly, she turned around but said nothing.

  “Are you Wade Haddock’s new wife?”

  Anna gave a single nod.

  “So it is true.” She exclaimed. “I could hardly believe the rumor when I heard it.”

  She glanced toward the shopkeeper, but he continued with his task of fishing through piles of boy’s pants, obviously in search of the right fit.

  “My name is Lilith Grahams and this is Gertrude Farley.”

  The second woman stepped forward and plastered a big smile on her face. “You can call me Trudy, everyone does.”

  Anna frowned, puzzled by the lady’s behavior.

  “I’m sorry, we didn’t catch your name.”

  “Anna.”

  “Lovely name.” They both beamed at her. “May we call you by your first name?”

  Perplexed, she looked at them and wondered what other name they would have her referred to. The shopkeeper seemed to sense her confusion, for he turned from his task and said, “Mind your manners, ladies. Mrs. Haddock is also the Countess of Lorden and is the wife of a very prominent man in our community.”

  They smiled and unconsciously their glance dropped and took in her attire. Instinctively, Anna blushed and went to take a step back. Not necessarily from fear of the ladies, but more of an innate reaction to the shopkeeper’s words. With all that had gone on, she had not realized the full impact of marrying Wade. She suddenly felt like she had taken on more than she could handle.

  “It really is no surprise that when Wade eventually chose a bride, she would be as rugged as him.”

  Anna frowned, insulted, but the ladies noticed her expression and immediately went to correct themselves. “That wasn’t meant as an insult. I bet half the women in town wish they could be allowed to romp around in men’s clothing. They certainly look far more comfortable.”

  She nodded slowly, but truthfully would give anything to look as beautiful as they did. Perhaps then Wade would notice his wife was a woman and not the boy he had rescued. Looking at them closely she wasn’t sure if they were being sincere or not. Apart from Kathleen and Elizabeth, she had no experience in this field. There were no girls her own age in the village. Her only friend had been her brother.

  “We hold a woman’s weekly community gathering every Wednesday night. We would be honored if you came and joined us.”

  Taken back, her jaw dropped and she thought desperately on how to respond. Thankfully, that chore was taken out of her hands.

  “I’m afraid my wife is very busy at the ranch. She has little time for such nonsense.” Though his words sounded offending, Wade offered them a friendly smile.

  “Don’t be ridiculous Mr. Haddock.” They brushed off his comment, apparently use to his bland remarks. “With all that male company up at the Circle H, your wife could do for some female companionship.”

  His brow arched and he turned to look down at Anna. “Do you feel that way?”

  She hesitated, not sure why, other than she hadn’t given it much thought. But if she were to be truthful, perhaps the ladies were correct. It seemed he read the answer in her eyes for he raised his brows in surprise.

  “Your wife is a beautiful woman, Mr. Haddock, but a bit of female influence wouldn’t hurt her.”

  “I’m fully aware of how beautiful my wife is, ladies, I do not need your affirmation on that account,” he told them, and had Anna’s mouth gaping open. Wade had never told her he thought her beautiful. When he glanced at her, she immediately closed her mouth and looked away. “I do not believe she is in any need of your attention.”

  They chuckled and he looked away from Anna swiftly, his face screwed up as if he had just been slighted. “Then allow her to own a half decent dress when coming into town. Those boys’ pants she is purchasing, we admittedly envy, but she needs to feel elegant once in a while.”

  Wade’s eyes narrowed as he glared down at Anna. “Pants?”

  She shifted and wished the ladies would leave. Better yet, she wished she could go. Running would actually be her preference of exit. “I thought they were more practical.”

  He did not respond and Anna dared not look at him. They stood there for several minutes before he turned and addressed the women. “Thank you, ladies, you have been most cordial with my wife as she waited for me, however, if you will excuse us now.”

  They nodded and stepped away. “Shall we see Mrs. Haddock at the woman’s gathering Wednesday night?”

  “If Mrs. Haddock wishes to go, then I will ensure she will be there promptly.” He turned and took her arm in a firm grip, then propelled her to
ward the counter. “Would you kindly include the dress in the window to my wife’s purchase order?”

  “Certainly.” The storekeeper smiled and went to fetch the item.

  When they were alone Wade turned his attention to Anna. She kept her eyes fixed firmly on the ground. Any second now he was going to realize his mistake in marrying her. She was a far cry from what a countess should be. However, before he could say anything the entrance to the shop swung open and Prescott hurried toward them.

  “I just saw Bob O’Connor,” he told Wade. “He said he was on his way to our ranch to let us know that he spotted four good sized pregnant heifers in the Sattler Canyon.”

  Wade frowned and dropped Anna’s arm. “If it rains, the river along the bed of the canyon will be sure to rise.”

  Prescott nodded. “He tried to lure the one animal out, but the banks have already started to get far too muddy.”

  He nodded and turned back to the shopkeeper as he made his appearance. “Package those items up quickly and add them to my account.”

  Then turning back to his brother, he said, “We best ride back to the ranch as soon as possible and round up as many of the hands before we lose daylight.”

  The shopkeeper had finished wrapping the items and handed them to Anna. She returned his smile before Wade led her out of the shop. “I can drop both the wagon and Anna off and saddle up Sty. He’s familiar with the terrain.”

  Anna felt an unexpected jolt of uneasiness. She had no idea of its origin, or the reason for the growing and paralyzing fear that gripped her heart the entire trip back to the ranch.

  What she did know by the time she dismounted at the Circle H, was if she did not go with Wade, he would not return.

  Chapter 22

  “I want to go.” Anna told him matter-of-fact and tried to think up plenty of reasons why while she waited for him to tell her no.

  So was surprised than when he replied, “Saddle up one of the horses.”