Love Inspired Historical June 2014 Bundle: Lone Star HeiressThe Lawman's Oklahoma SweetheartThe Gentleman's Bride SearchFamily on the Range

by Griggs, Winnie; Pleiter, Allie; Hale, Deborah; Nelson, Jessica

  Refusing to meet his eyes, she plucked a towel from her basket and stretched it evenly on the line. Lou took a clip from her waist and pinned the cloth.

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “If you’d rather do this, I can go prepare lunch. Since you’re apparently not busy.”

  “I’m busy.” He shifted closer, and suddenly she became aware of how much larger he was than her, and yet she felt no fear, only an odd fluttering below her ribs that prompted her to step back. She reached for the remaining sock in the basket.

  “I can meet you up there.” She wanted her voice to remain steady, but it came out wrong, breathy and not at all like her.

  Thankfully, Lou turned and paced away, toward the small porch of Trevor’s—her—house. Stifling a sigh, she hung the sock and then trudged after him.

  Perhaps he wished to speak of the ranch sale or of her mother’s presence on this property. Resolve hardened within her and gave life to her steps.

  Heart thumping and breath a tad thin, she followed Lou onto the porch. She settled in the chair next to his. Close enough to smell the Wrigley’s in his pocket and see the stubble on his chin. “You’re in need of a shave.”

  He cocked his head, catching her gaze with his. “I was going to ask you to do that for me this afternoon.”

  “Me?” she squeaked.

  “Yeah, we’re heading out tomorrow morning, early, and I don’t have time to get to a barber.”

  She swallowed her denial. The man needed a shave and a trim, but she’d only given them to James. Rarely had she touched Lou, and now it seemed they were thrown together all the time. It did not bode well for her nerves.

  “Josie does not wish to go.” She heard the stubborn note in her voice and didn’t care.

  “I’m gonna be honest with you.” Lou peered at her, forehead furrowed. “If we don’t take her home, my bosses will be sending someone to do it for us. I’ve bought as much time as I can but any longer and we’re liable to be charged with some kind of wrongdoing.”

  “That’s not right.”

  “Life isn’t about what we feel. You’re saying it’s not right, but what about Josie’s mother? How’s she feeling, knowing her daughter never made it safely to relatives?” Lou frowned. “What’s gotten into you? I’ve never known you to be so unreasonable.”

  Mary recoiled. “It is not I who is unreasonable here. You’ve wanted to get rid of her since the very beginning.”

  “I just wanted her to be cared for, out of danger.” His eyes were inscrutable.

  She stood and paced near the steps, pushing her skirt in front of her knees as she moved back and forth.

  Lou stepped in front of her, placing his palms against her shoulders. She stopped, unable to move forward because he’d effectively ended her momentum. Annoyed, she glared at him.

  “Remove your hands.”

  His eyes narrowed. “She’s not ours, Mary. You’ve got to let her go.”

  No. The word echoed in her heart, a lonely, distant wail that couldn’t seem to make it to her lips. She didn’t want to let Josie go. She wanted to hold her and love her and raise her. Spin in the sunlight with her a million times more.

  His grip loosened, and he crossed his arms across his chest. “This afternoon I need a shave and a trim. Can you do that?”

  Numbly, she nodded past the ache that was already spreading through her.

  “Good.” He paused as though he’d say something more, and his gaze lingered on her face, but she couldn’t bear to feel his pity for her.

  The alone woman, as he’d said.

  She watched as he walked away, his body casting a long, confident shadow against her beloved lands. How many times had she watched him leave? Drive off to fight battles unknown. To rescue those in distress. And never once had she asked him to stay so she wouldn’t be alone. It hadn’t been her place either, and yet…

  This time she was determined to walk first.

  *

  Mary rode hard into Burns shortly after hanging the wash. Josie remained with Rose. As for Lou, she planned to cut his hair this evening, but for now she wanted to see about renting rooms somewhere. An idea had blossomed after he left, but she wasn’t sure how financially practical opening a bakery might be.

  Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s plan prevails.

  The verse resonated within as she hitched up her horse and hurried into the general store.

  She found the owner bent beside an old shelf, dusting it.

  “Joseph.”

  “Miss Mary.” He stood and shared his ready smile. “Did you bring any winterfat? The ladies wiped me clean within the week.”

  She shook her head. “I am actually curious to know if you’ve heard of a storeroom for rent. And if you’ve advice on how to go about getting some.”

  “Well, now…” He scratched his chin. “I can’t say I’ve heard a thing about that. Maybe the best one you should be talking to is a solicitor? I bought this place years ago and don’t reckon I remember which is the best way to go about finding any places for rent.”

  Mary pasted a smile to her lips though her heart had sunk to her knees. “Very well. I shall try someone else.”

  “Are you planning on opening a goods store?”

  The too-casual question amused her. “Never fear, I shall only bring my herbs to you.”

  “I don’t care either way.” He shrugged, and Mary bit back a smile at the untruth.

  She left him and walked the streets of Burns. There were, in fact, several rooms within buildings for sale. But which one would best suit her needs? She peered within dusty windows while pondering the situation.

  “Yoo-hoo, Mary!”

  Turning, Mary looked for the source of the female calling to her. Across the road a young woman dressed in a frilly garment scooted over, clutching her dress in one hand and a parasol in the other.

  Amy. Gracie’s friend. She waited as the girl dashed over.

  “How nice to see you again.” Amy’s smile spread wide and fresh.

  “And you.” Mary inclined her head. “Your dress is lovely.”

  “Why, thank you. I’m attending a wedding. A Monday wedding, which is rather romantic. This gentleman returned from the war and my friend Sally had waited ever so long for him, but he’d been hurt, you see, and had to recuperate. Well, they’re finally marrying and it’s the biggest to-do.”

  “That is very romantic,” Mary acknowledged, feeling her own heart wither beneath the girl’s innocent, starry outlook. “Young love—”

  “Oh, they’re not young.” Freckles trotted across Amy’s features with bold perkiness. Rather like their wearer’s voice. “She’s been waiting years, ever since school days, and it took his going to war for him to realize that she was the woman for him. It helped that she nursed him back to health, as well.”

  There seemed to be an underlying message in Amy’s eyes, and Mary shifted uncomfortably. “I suppose such a thing could bring about a certain closeness.”

  “It most certainly can.” Amy’s grin stretched as she swooped her parasol to point at Mary. “I must be off, but wanted to run over and say hello. Also, I had a bit of news about that murderer.”

  “You did?”

  “Yep.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Turns out that good-looking stranger has been released. The police have a new suspect. I don’t know why or how it all came about.” She straightened. “Well, then, care to join me at the wedding?”

  “No, thank you.” Her mind churned.

  “Boy, it’s sweltering out here.” Up popped the parasol. A vigorous wave and then Amy was off in a different direction.

  Mary watched her, feeling a strange intermingling of bewilderment and laughter. When Gracie returned, she probably ought to join her on one of her outings with Amy. She rather liked the girl.

  A quick glance in both directions proved the road to be empty. She crossed and moments later knocked on a local deputy’s door.

  “Hullo?” The elderly man poke
d his head out. The scent of Colgate shaving cream wafted out and reminded Mary that she needed to get home and help Lou before dusk.

  Shrugging off the thought, she straightened her shoulders and gave him a serious look. “Sir, is it true that a murderer has been released from your custody?”

  “I highly doubt that.” The door widened to reveal his bent structure.

  Frowning, she held his gaze. “I’ve been told the man originally arrested for assault, the man I pointed out to you, is no longer under suspicion.”

  “Don’t know how you heard those details but it’s true. Mr. Langdon is no longer considered a suspect. We have a man who came forward and confessed. Is that all you needed today?”

  Dumbly, she nodded. She turned and walked down the road, back to her horse, mulling over the deputy’s words. It seemed rather convenient that a man confessed. Too convenient. And incredibly bothersome.

  Did Mr. Langdon know she’d pointed him out as a suspect? She could only guess he did, and of course he knew she worked at Lou’s ranch…. A shudder swept through her despite the summer warmth.

  Suddenly she had an urge to hurry home, to check on Josie and share with Lou what she’d learned. But perhaps he knew. He was a man who, for all his smiles and carefree words, kept secrets.

  She reached her horse and mounted quickly. Casting a look down the road, she felt sure the coast was clear and galloped out of town. She passed the Paiute settlement on the way and waved.

  The sight of the dogs, the misplaced tents and the rundown people filled her with sadness. But for her Irish father and renegade mother, she might be weaving baskets for an income and living in a canvas tent that would never be her own.

  The horse’s even movements lulled her into deep thoughts of the past. She’d been thirteen when her mother dropped her off with Trevor’s mom, at the house of ill repute she’d owned.

  Although she’d known Trevor since she was a wee one, her mother’s constant moving had kept them in sporadic touch. When her da had disappeared and the men in her mother’s life had started looking at Mary, she’d dropped her off for safety with Trevor’s mom and gone in search of Da.

  That choice had forged a loyalty between Mary and Trevor that had kept her safe until she was eighteen. Until Trevor’s mother had grown impatient with Mary’s decision to be the house seamstress and nothing more. Until she’d seen the growing bond between her son and her friend’s daughter. Until her jealousy had forced her to do the unthinkable….

  Mary blinked and urged her horse to move faster, wishing the hot air against her skin could melt the memories that blistered her heart and twisted her stomach. She glanced at the sky. It must be nearing three o’clock. She would go home, make a meal, help Lou, and then she’d have to speak with Josie to explain what must happen soon.

  Would the little girl understand?

  Mary felt sure she wouldn’t. Every day it seemed the pressure on her shoulders grew heavier. It had taken Gracie leaving and Lou being home to make her see how much she longed for family. After her self-induced seclusion of twelve years, the need for family and belonging bludgeoned her senses and as Lou had said, twisted her priorities.

  It had been wrong for her to try to keep Josie for so long. A little girl needed her mother and for all she knew, Josie’s mother had been frantic with worry. Powerless to change anything since she was ill.

  Oh, Lord, forgive me.

  Keeping Josie from her mother was the biggest mistake Mary had ever made. How could she have been blind to it for so long? Thinking only of her own desires and not another’s?

  This must be fixed. Tomorrow she would leave with Lou and do what must be done. It was time to put her trust in the God who had saved her from wicked people, who had filled her with peace.

  A hawk swooped ahead, gliding through the sky in search of food. Like that bird, God would care for her and tend to her needs. She must believe it.

  And it started with thanks, something she’d sorely neglected since Lou had returned with his injury and since she’d been busy taking care of Josie.

  The hawk disappeared from view, its majestic red-tipped wings spread in splendor against the azure sky. Mary lifted her face upward, feeling the graze of sunlight against her skin, and began a song to praise her King.

  Her voice echoed, rising and falling, filling the desert around her, reaching, she hoped, the God she loved. As she neared the hidden trail that wound carefully to the ranch’s secluded location, her voice tapered with the end of the song and she slowed the mare to a stop.

  She took a deep breath. Filled her lungs with the scents of sage and pine, listening to the sounds of summer birds calling to each other across the rugged landscape.

  As she sat there, another sound filtered through to her hearing, a different sound. A sound that didn’t fit.

  She froze, patting her mare to soothe the sudden dance she did with her hooves.

  The sound came again. A steady clop, like the muted sounds of covered hooves.

  Her breaths shortened as panic began to claw up her breastbone, rising and grabbing her, reaching to her throat and clutching it in an unbreakable vise.

  Someone had followed her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Somehow Mary managed to keep calm and continue onward. She dodged the main, albeit camouflaged, trail and instead guided the horse down a steep embankment into a gnarled, woody area. The steep hills and shrubbery provided decent enough cover if she stayed within shadows and kept to the sides of the range, which in some places rose to over a thousand feet.

  The ranch was nestled in a deserted area that was almost like a valley. The Steens Mountains loomed on one side, and the surrounding desert provided natural protection against human intruders. When Trevor had first brought her to the ranch, she’d been in shock from the kidnapping and hardly noticed her surroundings. As months passed, though, the encircling natural formations began to be her peace, to comfort and protect her. But they never did warm the chill in her soul.

  It took a special kind of person to do that. She smiled as she navigated a particularly rough patch in her detour. Miss Alma’s presence had changed the way Mary looked at life and though it took time, eventually she’d been able to trust others and find joy again.

  Fear hadn’t been her companion in so long that now when it reappeared, she wasn’t sure what to do. Praising God had helped…until she’d heard someone following her.

  For the first time in years, her faith was being tested in a large, unanticipated way. She deliberately slowed her breathing, willing her heart rate to follow.

  Nothing stood out, though. Just familiar horse noises from her mount. Once she was sure no one had followed her onto this new path, she forged ahead and willed the old memories to stay at bay.

  “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” She uttered the verse beneath her breath. And then she felt strong emotion welling within her, a hot arc of anger that someone dared follow her, that they even dared to make her afraid.

  This was her home. Josie might be leaving soon, but until tomorrow, she was Mary’s responsibility and she would keep her safe. Who knew where that stranger had gone who looked for her, but she would not allow him to trespass on her property. If he so much as tried to get in her front door, well…she wouldn’t hesitate to use her derringer.

  Her jaw set and she lengthened her stride. When she was certain she wasn’t being followed anymore, she took a more direct route to the ranch. By the time she reached her home, the sun had dropped to the horizon and a cool breeze scooped and swirled around her.

  Josie sat outside the house with her mother, weaving a basket.

  Mary rode past, took care of the horse in the stable, then walked home. Josie looked up with a toothy smile. Rose’s smile was in her eyes.

  “You’ve been busy,” Mary said, grabbing a rocking chair and pulling it near where Josie sat on the porch floor so she could reach and touch the little girl’s hair, which glinted in th
e fading sunlight.

  “I have many baskets to sell,” Rose answered. Her hands moved steadily.

  “You do not have to work anymore.”

  Her mother’s eyes flickered before she looked down at her work. “It is something I’ve done since I was a small girl at my mother’s side. I will pay my way.”

  Mary wanted to tell her mother that she didn’t owe her anything. This home was free. But Josie watched them with bright eyes, and the subject was much too personal to air in front of little ears.

  Instead, she shrugged. “My trip to town was fruitful. There are a few store areas that look as though they’d fit my needs.” She’d discussed the ranch sale with her mother last night.

  “And the cost?”

  “I didn’t find out yet.” She shifted uncomfortably. Though she’d saved quite a bit in the past years, she wasn’t sure it would be enough to open a new business, let alone rent a space for a baker. If she was going to own a business, it would be for something she loved to do. Something she knew she could excel at but would also fill a need in the town.

  “Building a business often requires money,” her mother said.

  “I know.” Mary sighed and smoothed the top of Josie’s hair. “What did you two do today?”

  “We made bunches of baskets. I found a little squirrel and almost caught it.” Josie beamed up at her and Mary grinned.

  “Excuse me…” Lou’s deep drawl interrupted them.

  She looked up and felt that odd catch in her stomach again. His hair had grown too long since the shooting. It gave him a wild, untamed look. The scruff on his jaw only lent to the dangerous edge he exuded and deepened the blue of his eyes.

  “Yes?” She tried to swallow the dryness from her throat. Nerves prickled.

  He didn’t look at her mother or Josie but focused his gaze upon her, increasing the flame of anxiety that flickered through her body. “Just wanted to verify you’ll give me my shave and trim after supper.”