A Bride For Luke

by Cyndi Raye

  She spun around one last time to find he hadn’t moved from where she left him. The others in the yard were slowly dispersing, stretching their necks to see what else happened. Abigail didn’t see Nora anywhere. The only two in the yard were Luke’s brother and Melody as they talked, oblivious to what was going on around them.

  Luke turned away from her towards the house. He looked back one last time then went inside, closing the door behind him.

  A tear ran down Abigail’s cheek. She hadn’t meant a word of what she said to him. She wasn’t about to seduce her husband. What in the world made her say all that nonsense? Melody had given her courage earlier that day but there was only so much seducing a woman can do until she realizes the man doesn’t want her.

  “It looks like no matter what I say or do he doesn’t want me,” she cried out, realizing how awful she may have sounded. How did she let her emotions get the best of her?

  Abigail sat down on the rocker on the porch realizing any man would kiss her like that if she tried to seduce them. It was her idea to dance in the first place. Wouldn’t any other man have done the same thing?

  Except Luke wasn’t any other man. He was her temporary husband. The man she’d be leaving in another month and a half. Perhaps she should leave tomorrow, get the waiting over with. There was no sense in pretending this was a real marriage even if she made a bargain with him. Her emotions were out of control at this point and she needed to sleep on things before making a rash decision. No one said it would be easy to pull this off.

  Abigail let the tears fall. Maybe a good cry was all she needed. When she lifted her head ten minutes later, the sky was littered with tiny stars as far as the eye could see. It was a beautiful, clear night. She wanted to spend it with Luke but here she was, alone.

  He had chosen his mother’s house instead of coming home to discuss the two of them.

  She stood and stared up at the sky. “Oh, tiny stars, if only you could make my wishes and dreams come true.” There were no shooting stars she could wish upon tonight.

  “Abigail.” His voice was low, his steps sure as he came across the yard.

  He had come back after all. She looked up at the stars, giving them a small smile. Maybe someone up there heard her cries after all.

  She stood there, watching him and then he was in front of her. “I’m sorry.”

  Her cheeks, still wet from the tears made her shiver. “I,”

  He placed a finger over her mouth. “No, please, let’s not talk. Come, sit down with me.”

  They sat, rocking back and forth, not saying a word at first. He took her hand in his as if it were the most natural thing to do.

  “Why did you come back?”

  “Ma kicked me out of the house.”

  Abigail grinned. She flung back her head and let out a slow laugh. Luke joined in, shaking his head.

  Abigail closed her eyes and rocked back and forth. “I love your mother.”

  “I know you do and you treat her well. Just like a daughter would.”

  She smiled at his words.

  “Let’s call a truce tonight, shall we?”

  His warm hand still held hers. She liked this side of him. “OK, lets. I’m sorry I seduced you.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’m not.”

  Chapter 7

  Abigail waved to the others as they rode away, heading to Dallas. Melody had been so excited to be on her way. Rusty and Adam decided to follow along, mainly to make sure Melody didn’t run into any problems. Someone had spent time rearranging the buggy so all of the furniture and bags fit. It was no longer leaning to one side. She had a sneaking suspicion it had been Adam.

  Nora and two of the ranch hands had decided to take a trip to Wichita Falls for one reason or another so Abigail was left to her own means today. Luke had already gone with Samuel and the others out on the range which meant he wouldn’t be home until well after supper time.

  She decided to pick some apples to make a few pies. It would keep her busy most of the day. Abigail went inside Nora’s house to find a basket and then made her way to the orchard. After gathering what she needed, she began the long trek back to their cabin, glad for the long walk. It was a beautiful fall day even though the temperature didn’t change much here. Not like in Philadelphia. There, the seasons changed. By this time of year, a light shawl had to be worn when outside. Here, the weather was nice, almost perfect. Like her life right now.

  She didn’t want to think of the future. For now they had called a truce. Luke hadn’t said anything more of future plans or whether he’d thought about not sending her back. Last night on the porch watching the stars with him had been so wonderful compared to earlier that night when she had tried to seduce him.

  It had been nice to sit and stargaze while he told her stories of how his brothers always got the three of them in trouble over the years. Abigail had laughed long into the night until Luke warned her they’d have a hard time getting up if they didn’t retire.

  He had left her at the door of her bedroom, kissing her lightly on the cheek like any gentleman would have done. “I promise we will discuss our situation but not now. I refuse to ruin our evening.”

  She hadn’t said a word. It wasn’t because she didn’t have anything to say. She was unable to. Her throat had been choked up with tears of joy at his words.

  Perhaps he was willing to change his mind after all.

  Only time will tell, she had thought last night. Abigail had lain awake, staring out the window at the clusters of stars, wondering how her life was going to turn out. Her last thoughts before she drifted off were if dreams did come true when wishing upon a star, she had plenty of them to wish upon.

  A movement in the distance distracted her thoughts. Over the fence line, a furry little ball of golden honey frolicked in the tall grass. She hurried towards the familiar pup, the one she called Trouble, shocked he had gotten so far from home again. Abigail’s heart began to hammer. She prayed a coyote wasn’t chasing him.

  Abigail tried to lean over the fence but wasn’t able to reach him. He jumped around like a little rabbit instead of a puppy as she stretched her hand to no avail. Finally, after looking to make sure there was no one on the range watching, she hiked up her skirts and carefully jumped the fence.

  Abigail jumped when a portion of her skirt got caught on the ragged wire. She yanked hard at the cloth once she was over the fence only to hear it tear off, leaving a large patch behind. She grimaced, then left the patch there since the puppy began to run through the tall grass.

  “Trouble! Come here, pup, come on!” She had left the basket of apples on the ground on the other side of the fence except for two in her pocket. Pulling out the juicy apple, she hoped it was enough to lure the puppy out of the grass.

  Hours later, she looked back, unable to see the cabin. Abigail hadn’t realized she had walked so far. The pup kept moving along, it’s chubby behind sticking out from the grass enough so Abigail was able to follow along but he darted back when Abigail tried to snatch him up.

  Frustrated, she pushed the loose strands of hair from her eyes. It was getting later and later but there was no way she’d leave little Trouble out here with coyotes and bears. Abigail’s fears came to fruition. Were there bears in Texas? She shivered at the thought, realizing she was out on the prairie with no means of protection.

  The moment she contemplated retracing her steps the little fur ball darted out of the grass to hide under her skirts. Abigail squealed with delight. Exhausted, she reached down and scooped the little pup into her arms. “You are very, very bad,” she scolded, running a hand over Trouble’s yellow head. “Why in the world do you keep leaving your home to come all the way out here?”

  The pup sniffed at her before curling deep in her arms. A sense of protectiveness washed over Abigail as she realized the pup was content to be held. “You must be exhausted, too. Let’s sit here and rest for a few minutes before trying to find our way back.” Abigail found a tree limb lying on the gr
ound beside a large trunk. She settled on the ground, leaning against the limb and cuddled the pup in her arms. Abigail pulled an apple from her pocket.

  She began to rock little Trouble back and forth. Taking a bite of the apple, the pup lifted its head and sniffed at the fruit. She bit a piece off, handing it to him but he buried his head in her lap and fell asleep.

  Abigail finished her apple, wiped her mouth with one hand and laid her head back against the tree limb. She’d rest here for a few more minutes then try to find her way back to the cabin. There was still apple pies to make.

  Closing her eyes, she wondered how she’d get the pup back to its owners, although if they were keeping an eye on Trouble, they’d know by now he had run off. It would be nice if the Young brothers found both of them since she figured she was as lost as the pup.

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  Luke rode in from the range along with Samuel and a few of the ranch hands. They’d been checking the fences and making sure the cattle were good. Each day he sent out riders to each part of the property, meeting up at one vantage point before all riding back together.

  He was hungry and ready to call it a day.

  “It doesn’t look like Ma and Rusty are back yet. Guess I’ll head to the barn. Anyone want to join me in a game?”

  A few of the other ranch hands nodded. Samuel turned to Luke. “Wonder if Abigail is making supper since Ma isn’t home?”

  Luke shrugged. “Probably cooking at the cabin. I’ll check and let you know what time supper is done.”

  The others agreed heartily, grumbling about how hungry they were. “If you don’t stop complaining, you can all fend for yourselves.”

  Luke grinned as he rode off towards home, his last remark causing havoc amongst the others. The men did deserve a hot meal after a long day on the range and his Ma always made sure they got one. If Ma knew she was going to be late, she’d have told Abigail to do the cooking or prepared something ahead of time. He hoped Ma talked to Abigail and she made enough for all the others. If not, he’d have to explain to her when Ma was away, she had to take over.

  The thought occurred to him that when she left after her three months were up there would be no woman to take over for Ma the few times she was gone. It did make Ma’s life easier to have someone to do the cooking when she wasn’t able to and it gave her a much needed break.

  It saddened him yet he was still determined his Pa’s secret would never be revealed. If he let her stay, the others would want the same thing. The possibility of having the secret revealed was too great. The less people who lived on the ranch would assure them Pa’s secret would stay where it belonged. He loved his Ma too much to hurt her and it would devastate her, he knew. They all knew.

  The sun was starting to line itself against the horizon, causing shadows across the prairie. Luke frowned when he saw no lights inside. Why was she in the dark? A growing, nagging feeling began to rest in his stomach. If Abigail wasn’t inside, where was she?

  His gaze went from the cabin to the surrounding area to the ranch beyond the property line. Small dots of light protruded from far away. The Youngs were settling in for the evening after a long day on their ranch as well. Mrs. Young was probably feeding her boys right now, along with the two other ranch hands they hired. Their property wasn’t large at all but it butted up against the White Ranch. It didn’t take no more than three or four men to run the place.

  Luke went inside the cabin. Abigail was nowhere to be found. He looked around the cabin, walked to the small stream running through the area and began to trust his intuition as he got back on his horse. He rode through the yard towards the property line. The first thing he noticed was his Ma’s basket filled with apples lying on the ground beside the fence. He looked closer.

  Luke leaned over to pluck the piece of fabric from the fence. “Abigail! Abigail!” He raised his voice again and again to no avail. Luke turned back and rode towards the barn. “Samuel! Get out here!”

  Samuel and two of the ranch hands ran out of the barn so fast he had to pull back on the reins so quick the horse came to a complete stop about two inches from where Samuel stood. “Saddle up, I think Abigail went exploring beyond the fence.”

  Samuel’s eyes widened. “You think she’s lost?”

  “I don’t know but we need to find her before the Young brothers do. They see someone wandering across their property they may shoot first and ask questions later. Let’s get a move on!”

  Luke didn’t wait for the rest. He grabbed a lantern from the barn, knowing it may help to light the way if they didn’t find her before the sky went completely dark. He knew the others would as well.

  Galloping across the yard and meadow, Luke jumped the fence in one leap, landing on the dreaded Young property. He was well armed in case those boys came after him. Although he doubted they would even though he told them if they step foot on White property, he’d shoot them first. They told him the same before riding off.

  Luke didn’t want to be mean to Wesley or Russell. It wasn’t their fault what had happened so long ago. It wasn’t anyone’s fault except his Pa’s. Luke shook himself. Thinking wasn’t going to get him anywhere. He had a lost wife to find. Riding along the fence line for some time didn’t bring him any more clues. He felt the fabric still in his hand. It was getting darker by the minute.

  The rest of the men rode up beside him. “Are you sure she came this way?” Samuel asked, his face no longer jovial. He was as concerned as the rest. Luke knew they all liked Abigail.

  He nodded. “I found this caught on the fence.” He held up the torn fabric. “For whatever reason, she went over the fence and she’s nowhere to be found. Guess we better split up. Watch your backs, boys. Them Youngs come wandering out, their may be trouble.”

  One of the ranch hands spoke up. “Want me to go see if she went visiting at their ranch?”

  Luke hated getting the Youngs involved. He didn’t see any reason for her to walk that far from home. She never mentioned anything about them. “Not yet. Let’s see if we can find her first.”

  Dusk happened soon after. The darkness descended upon the riders so fast, Luke began to worry. Each man lit a lantern, enabling the light to help them see and move quickly through the tall grass. Except it didn’t help find Abigail. He guessed they had no choice but to check over at the Young Ranch. “Samuel, you go on over to the Youngs and see if they know anything. Take someone with you.”

  Luke widened the circle. He ordered two men to ride further out while he went in the opposite direction. Soon after, he heard Rusty and his Ma.

  “Son, we’re here to help. We followed the lanterns.”

  “Thanks, Ma. I’m not sure why she went over the fence. All I know is she isn’t anywhere to be found.”

  Nora rode beside him. “I wanted to go see Miss Addie today to order another bride since Abigail has worked out so well.”

  “Don’t do that yet, Ma.”

  She tilted her head. “Why not? You and Abigail seem to be settling in.”

  “Hardly. We’ve called a truce for now.” He didn’t want to give her too much information or reveal the fact he didn’t plan on letting her stay.

  “It doesn’t matter. I overlooked one thing.”

  Luke shifted in the saddle. He’d been in it too long today. “Yeah? What did you overlook?”

  “I didn’t realize we had to wait three months to make sure the marriage was working. Did you know you may annul the marriage within the three month period, Luke?”

  He didn’t want to lie to his Ma so he said nothing. It didn’t matter because she hardly noticed and kept on talking.

  “I have to wait until your three months are up to order another bride. Miss Addie informed me it was written in the contract. Somehow in my rush to see you all married, I neglected to read all of the fine print.”

  Luke patted his Ma’s hand. “It’s all good, Ma. No need to worry.”

  She nodded, then smiled. “So you have consummated the marriage? Good. All we can do now
is wait for another three weeks, four days and fifty-six hours until I can order a bride for Adam.”

  Luke didn’t have the heart to tell his Ma the truth. Besides, it would be awkward to do so. He turned his horse towards a large pasture where he knew there was some overgrown trees. Luke knew the land like the back of his hand even though it belonged to someone else.

  When he was real young, perhaps five or six, he rode this land with his Pa. They had been helping the widow since she had just lost her husband. Samuel was way too young but him and Adam would ride with their Pa daily to help round up the cattle. Pa saddled up a pony for the two. He remembered how he’d tuck Adam in front of him since he was three years younger. Adam didn’t remember much but Luke did. He remembered more than he wanted to.

  “Abigail! Abigail, where are you?” Nora clasped her hands together, calling out.

  The rest of the men followed suit, spreading out and calling her name. A few minutes later, Samuel and the Young twins showed up.

  Luke glared at the two boys. He didn’t want them around, but right now needed all the man power available.

  Samuel was the first to speak up. “Wesley said a week ago one of the puppies in the new litter got taken by a coyote. They followed it to the fence line where Abigail helped them capture the pup.”

  “We can’t find the pup. Somehow it may have made its way back to the fence.”

  Luke barked. “How do you lose a pup?”

  Nora placed a hand on his arm. “Now is not the time, Luke.” She turned to the Youngs. “We need everyone to work together. I want to know there will be no problem with that.”

  Wesley and his brother nodded. “No, ma’am, there won’t be any trouble.”

  “Luke? Adam? Samuel?”

  “No, Ma.”

  “No problem.”

  “Luke?”

  He gritted his teeth. He wanted to chase off the Youngs but when it was all said and done if they stood here arguing, Abigail may be in grave danger. They had to find her, with the twin’s help. “No problem here as long as those two steer clear of me.”