Once they left the cabin, if Olivia Dougherty was not pregnant, he’d do his best to forget her if she did not accept him, which in all probability she wouldn’t.
Although he’d still search for Laura Foster, he’d not seek any type of relationship with her either if he located the woman.
He was done.
Chapter Ten
The Cole brothers burst through the door without bothering to knock. Olivia jumped from where she sat at the table when the large males entered with a flurry of leather, spurs and cold air.
Both went directly to Bronson, and instantly he was subjected to inspections of his head and made to stand and prove he was stable enough to walk. She had no doubt they would have carried him out if not for his protests and finally punching the larger brother, Ashley, in the chest telling him to move away.
It was a comical, yet endearing, display of love between the men.
Finally, Grayson turned his attention to Olivia. The matching hue to his twin’s eyes raked over her as if assessing her. “How are you, Olivia? I’m sorry you had to be trapped here with Mr. Personality.” He pointed his thumb at his twin.
Olivia looked to Bronson, who spoke with Ashley with a scowl in place. “He scared me at first. He had a hard time coming to. But he’s recovered and shouldn’t have any ill effects.” Color flushed her face at the thought of how well Bronson had, indeed, recovered.
Grayson’s gaze slid to his brother. “All right, but I’m sure Ma will have her own opinion of how well recovered he is.”
They made their way to an enormous sleigh pulled by huge workhorses. Soon, she was bundled with thick blankets. She had to suppress a smile when the brothers insisted in wrapping Bronson as well. He shoved the blankets away when they both settled into the front bench.
“They are only following your mother’s instructions. It’s obvious your family was worried about you.” Olivia looked toward the brothers. “Why do you fight it?”
“They’re babying me. I get tired of it.”
“So you’re the youngest then?”
“By a few minutes.”
He huffed and stretched his arms across the back of their bench. She wondered if he realized how hard his actions made it for her not to snuggle against him. Olivia looked away to the expanse of land in front of them. There was still much snow everywhere. Fat droplets of water fell from the treetops as the sun melted the snow.
They would arrive in town shortly and she’d lose any opportunity to talk with Bronson. There was so much she wanted to say to him, but it was impossible without his brothers overhearing. She took a breath and looked to him. His brilliant, blue eyes narrowed at her. “In a week. Come see me.”
His lips thinned. “So soon?”
“Yes.” When Grayson turned to look at them, she quickly added. “Especially if you have any more headaches.”
Bronson’s eyes jerked to his brother who immediately turned in his seat. “You are having headaches? I’ll let Ma know about it so she makes sure he comes to see you in a week.” He looked to Olivia. When she nodded he turned back to the front.
“What did they say?” Ashley, the oldest, asked Grayson and they began to talk.
“Bronson, it’s going to be all right.” Olivia didn’t know why but she felt the urge to reassure him. “I am not sorry.”
It was hard to read his expression, but his eyes lingered on her face for so long she began to fidget. “Neither am I.”
Finally, they arrived at her home. Her mother scurried outside and stood by with barely concealed impatience, waiting for Grayson to assist her down. She didn’t look to Bronson, but kept her attention on his twin who gathered up her medical bag and carried it to the house. Her mother gave her a tight hug and invited the brothers in for coffee.
Grayson spoke for them. “We’re obliged, Mrs. Dougherty, but Ma is anxious for us to return with Bronson.”
Within minutes, the sleigh sped off. Olivia walked alongside her mother to the house. The comfort of her mother’s arm around her waist brought tears to her eyes and Olivia longed to tell her everything. She sighed instead.
Once in the kitchen, her mother placed a bowl of hearty soup and a cup of tea in front of her. “Eat up, honey. Goodness knows you must be starving. Josiah told us he didn’t keep much in the way of food there.” So Josiah came to assure her parents. The Cole’s must have sent him. They were great people.
She thought back to the hearty bean soup Bronson had made. It was the most delicious meal she’d had in a long time. But she refrained from telling her mother. “One more day and I’d have had to boil my shoe to make stew.” She forced herself to laugh. “We had beans for supper yesterday, it was sustenance enough.”
Her mother’s eyes looked her over. “Something is wrong. What are you holding back from me?”
Once her sister moved out, she and her mother had grown very close. They spent hours talking about anything and everything. Although her mother was a forward thinker, Olivia wasn’t sure how she’d react to the knowledge that Olivia had given herself freely to a man. The man she wasn’t set to marry.
“Did Bronson take advantage of the situation?” Her mother’s blunt question made Olivia’s eyes widen.
“No, of course not. He’s not that kind of man.”
Her mother huffed. “They are all ‘that kind of man’, darling.” Her hand covered Olivia’s. “Neither you nor he made eye contact when you got here.”
“We had an argument last night and barely spoke today,” she offered in way of explanation. “He’s a hard person to understand.”
Olivia let out a sigh when her mother lifted her cup and sipped. Her attention shifted toward the large paned window. “Most men are. It was interesting to me that Matt hasn’t been around as much as I would expect of someone who’s courting you.”
“It’s understandable. His father has been quite ill.” Olivia defended. “But you are correct. I do need to talk to you about him. I’ve decided to end the relationship with Matt. I don’t feel it’s progressing like it should. I don’t want to marry a man who doesn’t make an effort to get to know me. Nor is he agreeable to my pursuit of continuing in medicine.”
“Are you sure?” her mother asked. Then she exhaled when Olivia nodded. “All right, we’ll respect your decision. Make sure you let him know right away. It’s only fair.”
“I will. As soon as the snow melts, I planned to see about his father anyway.”
“What about you, dear?” Her mother watched her intently. “Does this have anything to do with Bronson Cole?”
“No. He is the most stubborn, unreasonable man. He has no idea how to express himself or be clear about what he’s thinking.” Olivia stood and picked up her empty bowl. “I’m going to take a hot bath. I sorely need it.”
Although it was obvious her mother had more questions, she stood and went to gather a pail. “I’ll help you boil water.”
Olivia looked to her mother whose lips quivered. “What are you smiling about?”
“Finally, a man who brings out a reaction in you.”
“Mother, don’t get any ideas.”
“Of course not, dear.” Her mother’s smile widened. “I will strive to be as lacking in ideas as Bronson Cole.”
“It’s not funny.”
“Not in the least.” Her mother turned away, but not before Olivia saw the twinkle of humor in her eyes.
Chapter Eleven
No sooner had Bronson entered his home than he was thrown into a hot bath, put to bed and forced to eat.
He was about to get up when the door opened and his mother once again entered the room and looked him over. “Don’t you dare get out of bed until you see Dr. Dougherty next week or maybe she can come here?”
“Ma, I am staying in bed tonight, but in the morning I’ve got to help with whatever needs done. And I’m going to town, she’s not coming here.”
His mother arched a brow. “Nothing needs to be done that’s more important than your health. Grayson said
you complained of a headache. Did Olivia not tell your brothers that headaches after a head injury were worrisome?” He nodded in defeat.
Truthfully, his head was throbbing and he’d been dizzy after arriving home. Olivia told him it was expected and that it would get better in a couple days. “She said it was normal after banging my head and passin’ out.”
“It won’t hurt for you to get rest.” She hovered over him and placed a kiss on his forehead. “That purpling at your temple is horrible.”
He huffed and she patted his head like a child. “Now rest. We’ll discuss you going to town after a couple days.”
Once she left, Bronson stared at the ceiling and watched the shadows dance on the walls caused by the flame in the lantern. He wondered if Olivia was sleeping now.
Did she even think of him? No, probably not. Other than perhaps in passing when worried about what could happen. Yes, he would go find her. And when he did, he’d again try to convince her to marry him.
What if she was expecting? The thought of her beautiful body growing round with child made his lips curve. She would be exquisite. He groaned when his thoughts went straight to their night together. Those memories would have to fade fast. Otherwise, he’d have a hard time keeping from seeking her out sooner.
Four days later, Bronson left the house to work. His mother only offered a slight protest. She was probably tired of his grumbling and was glad to let him go.
Josiah and Bronson rode toward the far side of Cole ranch lands. It was routine to check the fencing and to look for any wayward cattle. The day was sunny, only a few clouds in the blue expanse. The warm temperatures of the prior days erased any evidence of the snowstorm.
Josiah circled and came back towards him. His clear eyes scanned the horizon past Bronson. “Who lives over there?”
Bronson looked toward where the ranch hand pointed. A well-built cabin and a small barn stood in a little clearing. Two women placed clothes on a line while a child ran in circles around them. He narrowed his eyes towards the people. “The Davises. He works for the Jensen ranch just past here. I believe they are buying that small parcel from Mr. Jensen.”
They rode just a bit closer and Bronson tried to get a clear view of the women. One of them had red hair. The exact color as Laura Foster’s. The other woman stopped working and looked towards them. The woman automatically reached for her child and pulled it behind her skirts.
Bronson lifted a hand in greeting and turned to Josiah. “Let’s say hello, so they are not alarmed.”
As soon as they neared he knew his eyes rounded at seeing she was, indeed, Laura Foster.
Her mouth fell open and she whispered something to the other woman who, by the resemblance, had to be her sister.
The men dismounted and neared. Bronson spoke first. “Ladies. I’m Bronson Cole. Josiah McClintock.” He pointed to his friend who held his hat and was staring at Laura, mouth agape.
“Cole?” The other woman spoke and relaxed visibly, finally releasing the child’s arm. “You’re one of the Cole brothers then?”
Bronson nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She looked to Laura who did not remark on meeting him before. “I’m Amelia Davis. This is my sister Laura.”
Laura bobbed her head. “I’ve met Mr. Cole before, Amelia,” she told her sister. Amelia’s eyebrows lifted. “He is the man who chopped wood and helped me make it through the winter.”
“Oh.” Amelia went to him and took one of his hands with both of hers. “God bless you. Thank you so much. If it wasn’t for you, my sister would have frozen to death.”
“Don’t exaggerate, Amelia.” Laura slid her sister a long look.
Josiah had yet to speak. Bronson noticed Josiah had stepped back and remained behind him. When he looked to his friend, Josiah still kept his eyes locked on Laura.
“Is your child well?” Bronson asked Laura. She nodded eagerly.
“He is, thank you for asking.” Once again, she slid a look to Josiah. “Would you like to come in for some coffee?”
“Yes, of course,” her sister added with a smile. “Forgive my manners, please come in.”
“We’re obliged, but we better get goin’. Lots of work to do,” Bronson told the women and placed his hat on his head. “I’m glad to see you’re safe, Mrs. Foster.”
The sadness in Laura’s eyes remained when she looked to him. “Thank you, Mr. Cole.” She regarded Josiah with interest. “Have a good day.”
When Bronson turned to his friend, he was already mounting, his mouth in a firm line, and eyebrows scrunched together. They rode for a few minutes and Josiah’s expression did not change.
“What’s gotten into you?” Bronson urged his mount over a small hill. “Ever since we left the Davis’, you’ve been scowlin’.”
“I feel like I seen a ghost, that’s all,” Josiah replied as if it explained everything.
“Whose ghost would that be?”
Josiah let out a long breath and pulled his horse alongside Bronson’s. “That woman back there. The redhead. She has a shocking resemblance to my Hannah.”
“That must have been a shock.”
His friend nodded. “Yeah. It’s not a good way to end the day.” He urged his horse to a trot. “Let’s get home.”
Bronson watched the rider move ahead of him. Josiah had seen a ghost in the woman Bronson spent all winter infatuated with. Didn’t that just fit into the way his rotten luck ran?
Then there was the matter of Olivia. It was a good thing he’d sworn off women.
In the middle of this mess, he didn’t want to lose Josiah’s friendship, too.
Chapter Twelve
After seeing the Foster woman, Josiah wanted nothing more than to go to the bunkhouse and drink. After all this time, one would think the mind would forget features. But not him. Just one look at Laura Foster and ten years melted away. Hannah.
Only nineteen when she’d died. Shortly thereafter, he was dealt another blow, one too painful to even think about. Her sister, who he’d promised to look after, disappeared.
Now, here he was attempting to find a way to beg out of eating dinner with the Cole family. Unfortunately, Mrs. Cole would not hear it. The striking woman had a way about her that made men not dare to contradict her. Although he had to admit, it was nice to be accepted so easily into a family.
“Now, Josiah, you tell me the truth. Did Bronson act differently today?”
She looked to Bronson, who grunted.
“Ma, I told you I’m fine.”
When the matriarch directed her attention back to Josiah, he smiled at her. “No, ma’am. He was right as rain. Not a single complaint. We were late getting back because we stopped to speak to Mrs. Davis and her sister.”
“Oh, yes. How is Amelia?” Elizabeth Cole looked back to Bronson.
Bronson leaned toward his mother. “Not only is she well, but you wouldn’t guess who her sister is.”
“No!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “It can’t be. You found Laura Foster?”
Bronson took a healthy bite of bread. “Yep. She’s alive and well, livin’ with the Davises.”
“Oh, Bronson. Did you speak with her?”
Josiah was at once interested. “Why do you need to speak to her?”
Bronson scratched at his chin. “When I went back to find her after winter, her house and barn were burnt to the ground. Maybe she did it, but someone should tell her it happened in case she doesn’t know about it.”
Josiah did not have any desire to ever see Laura Foster again. Her resemblance to Hannah was uncanny. His mouth had gone dry at seeing her earlier, making it impossible to speak.
When they’d neared the women earlier in the day, his mind immediately went over the details of Hannah’s death, wondering if perhaps there was a possibility she’d not died. That fate had played him a cruel joke. It wasn’t until Laura had spoken and her voice was so different that he’d become convinced it was just a cruel coincidence.
“That’s a good idea. Josiah,
you should go by and let her know.” Elizabeth Cole looked to him with expectation and he wondered what he’d missed.
What? “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
Hank Cole shoved at his shoulder. “Bronson suggested you’d stop on your way to town tomorrow.”
He was going to kill Bronson. The silent threat must have been obvious on his face because Bronson found the food on his plate fascinating, as he wouldn’t look at Josiah.
“Yes, sir, I will do as told.”
“It’s not an order, honey.” Elizabeth Cole was quick to soothe him. “It’s a bit out of the way, so either you both can go or you can veer off and give her the news while Bronson goes to the doctor.”
He’d forgotten he and Bronson were going to town for a couple of days. Mitch Banks expected a large shipment at the mercantile and they’d been recruited to help unload and deliver the food supplies for the mining camps.
“It’s not a problem. I’ll do it. How should I tell her?”
Mrs. Cole poured coffee and began instructing him on the best way to deliver the news. All he could think was whether he’d even be able to speak.
As luck would have it, the woman, Laura, was alone outside when Josiah arrived the next morning. On the porch stairs, she sat with her skirts wrapped around her legs, face towards the sun’s warmth. She held an infant on her lap. The chubby baby’s arms and legs kicked and reached toward her.
She didn’t stand upon seeing him, but instead looked over her shoulder toward the door, probably considering running inside.
His heart beat harder at her familiar face and he took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm it.
Josiah dismounted and stood by his horse, not nearing, to give her time to realize he meant no harm. “Good morning, ma’am.”
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