Laura smiled wanly and nodded, her eyes fixed on Eli. She'd seen that look on Eli's face before. It was usually there when he was about to try and cause mischief. "It's great news. We'll need to go and see her, now that she's better. I'm sure she's desperate to know how I'm settling down to married life," she said.
Eli's eyes narrowed and his lips became a sharp, thin line. "Married life, eh? So how are things on the McKenzie ranch?"
Laura saw Joshua frown and take a step closer to Eli. "Maybe you've had enough to drink, Eli. Looks like you need to sit down and take some of that weight off your feet," he told her brother.
Eli stiffened and peered at Joshua. "What do you mean? I just came over to talk to my here sister," he said pointing at Laura. She glanced around at the nearby couples, who'd suddenly decided to put some space between themselves and the two men.
"I'm sure Laura's pleased to see you and to hear that mama's on the mend," Joshua said glancing with concern at Laura.
Joshua tried to steer Eli's arm in the direction of a nearby seat but Eli loosened Joshua's grip with sharp movement. "I'm perfectly fine where I am. I don't need a seat for what I have to say to you both," he said.
Laura frowned and stood, moving to her brother's side. "What's on your mind, Eli?" she asked.
Eli squinted at Laura. "You really want to know?"
Laura spoke quietly and nodded. "Sure."
Eli sighed and looked at Joshua. "Have you thought about what we talked about before your wedding?"
Joshua shifted and took Eli's elbow once again. "We can talk about that someplace else," he said. Laura saw the concern written over Joshua's face.
"But I have to know, if you still need my offer?" Eli insisted.
Laura frowned. "What offer?"
Joshua waved a hand. "It's nothing. Eli and I had a little talk. Before your mother suggested the wedding. But that's all behind us now. Isn't it Eli?"
Laura squinted at Joshua. "What are you talking about? What offer?"
Eli glanced at Laura. There was that look. It almost looked like triumph.
"What are you talking about Eli? What did you say to Joshua before the wedding?"
Eli grinned and flashed a look toward Joshua. "You want me to tell her?" he asked Joshua.
Joshua's brows furrowed. He cocked his head and took a step back. "I suppose you have to. Now that you've brought it up," he admitted.
Laura suddenly felt a hard lump of worry settle in her stomach.
Eli looked at Laura. His eyes rolled and when he spoke it was almost casually, as if what he was about to say was the most natural thing in the world. "When you got back from your little escapade in Helena, I said to Joshua that, since he was having money troubles on the ranch, and since you were obviously looking so hard for a way to leave our ranch, it might make sense that he took you off my hands," Eli said.
Laura felt her face pale. Her heart started to thud noisily. The music in the hall was suddenly louder, more insistent. She peered over at Joshua. His eyes were fixed on her, intent and serious.
"What do you mean, take me off your hands?" Laura demanded, her voice starting to rise.
Eli's head lolled to one side. "You never wanted to stay on our ranch Laura. Don't deny it. That's why you ran off. You wanted a new life. In the town, with Lord only knows who," he stated firmly.
Laura's eyes locked on Eli's. "So you suggested what to Joshua?" Laura shot another, sharper look at Joshua. It was just as well that the music was so loud. No-one should hear any part of this conversation.
"I told Joshua that if he married you, I'd take care of his money troubles. He'd get to keep his precious ranch and I'd get you off my hands," Eli stated with a simple and awful sounding finality.
Laura stood motionless for a moment. The room started to spin. Her legs felt weak and she could tell that her face must have changed a few shades in color. Joshua took a step toward her, but halted immediately he saw the look she drew him.
"Let me get this straight. You asked Joshua to marry me for money?"
Eli's mouth turned down in an emphatic scowl. "I guess you could put it that way," he answered.
Laura's mouth fell open.
"But your mother..."Joshua started to say.
"Did you agree to this, Joshua?" she demanded interrupting him.
"Your brother here thought it was a good idea..."
"Did you agree to it?" she demanded stepping up to her husband. His sideways glances told her that, right now, he wished no-one else could be witness to what was turning out to be a family feud.
"I did not," Joshua stated flatly. "Because your mother made it plain that she was already in favor of the marriage."
"It didn't look that way to me when I made you the offer," Eli said.
Laura whirled on her brother and, before she knew what she was doing, in spite of all the family loyalty she knew she should have felt, she swung her open hand and landed a resounding and noisy slap across her brother's drink flushed cheek. The sound of the harsh contact was drowned in the cacophony of the music. Her palm and fingers stung but Laura felt a deep satisfaction. A few nearby townsfolk looked on in shock.
"Laura!" Eli yelled stepping back and rubbing his face. "What'd you go and do that for?"
"It's the least you deserve, Eli," she said.
Joshua stepped forward. "Laura. Don't. Not here," he said reaching for her.
Laura waved her husband's hand away. How could Joshua have even considered such an offer. As if Laura was some chattel to be traded in exchange for debts. Why hadn't he mentioned this to her? And what kind of money trouble was he in? He hadn't spoken to her about any of this. Didn't he trust her? Had everything they'd been through these past few days been for nothing?
The music stopped and there was a sudden, awkward silence between all three of them. People milled about the hall, moving on and off the dance floor, preparing themselves for the next jig.
Joshua looked as if he was struggling to find a way explain any of this to Laura. She didn't want to hear any explanation from him. Not here. Not now. Especially not in front of Eli.
"Laura let me explain. You don't know the whole story," Joshua started to say but Laura shook her head rapidly, her lips tight, her eyes fixed firmly on the wooden floor at her feet.
"Oh I think I know," she said. "Looks like you both got what you wanted." She looked at Joshua, her eyes moistening. "How could you even think of such a thing, Joshua?" she pleaded. Joshua's face was locked in a rictus of distress. His eyes peered into Laura's, imploring her to stop.
"You don't understand, Laura. That's not what really happened."
"Oh. I know my mother probably saved your skin that day by asking me to be your wife," she said. "But you still even considered this. At his suggestion!" she said scowling at her brother.
Joshua tried to take her arm but she shook it roughly aside.
"Your mother knows the real truth Laura. If you really want to know what happened that day, you'll have to ask her," Joshua said.
Eli's voice cut in. "Oh. I'm sure mama will make it better," he taunted.
Joshua drew Eli a harsh look. "Enough of that, Eli. Haven't you done enough?" Joshua asked.
Joshua leaned in close to Laura. "Let's go."
"Where?" she demanded answering his look with a defiant one of her own.
"To your mother's ranch," Joshua said.
Eli bristled at Joshua's choice of words. "Don't you mean my ranch?" he demanded.
Joshua looked at him. "No. I don't. That ranch belongs to your mother, no matter what you think, Eli?" Joshua bent over Eli, looking fiercely down on the smaller man. "She's the one in charge there. She always has been. And she always will be, until the day finally comes when it will be yours. But it won't be your ranch until that day. You understand?" Joshua concluded with a firm, emphatic tone.
Eli's face paled. Laura knew that what Joshua was saying was the truth. And Eli knew it. But, Laura knew that Joshua had questions of his own he had to answer.<
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Joshua tugged on Laura's arm. "Let's get going," he said with a dismissive look at Eli. As they started to make their way out of the hall Laura glanced over at the townsfolk of Great Falls, jealousy rising in her at all the fun they were continuing to have. She suddenly wanted to be on the dance floor, in the arms of her husband as if nothing had happened, nothing had been said. But, she knew that wasn't possible. Not until she had gone back to her old home, with Joshua and gotten some straight answers to some difficult questions from the only person who could tell her the truth.
Her mother.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"Mama. Where are you?" Laura called as she entered the hallway of the Thorne ranch house.
"Laura? Is that you?" she heard her mother's voice call from the direction of the parlor.
"It's me, mama. Joshua and I came to see you," she said heading into the parlor with Joshua close behind, a look of deep concern written on his face.
Laura entered the parlor, and saw her mother seated on her favorite chair, by the fireplace, with some knitting laid out over her lap. Belinda went to put down her needles and stand, but Laura gestured to her to stay seated.
"Don't get up, mama. You stay right where you are," Laura said.
Laura took a seat on the sofa and, with a look up at Joshua, patted the place next to her. Joshua sat down, placing his hat by his side.
Belinda's eyes shone with pleasure. "What a lovely surprise. I didn't expect you both to come and see me," she said.
"We were at the social in town," Laura explained.
"The social? And you came all the way out here, instead of staying there and having a good time? Why?"
Laura looked at Joshua. His brows were furrowed, his eyes blinking faster than usual. There was no time like the present, she thought.
"We came because I need to ask you a few questions," Laura said.
Belinda's eyes widened. "Questions? About what?"
"We met Eli at the social this afternoon?"
"What's he doing there? He doesn't usually go to things like that," Belinda said.
"He told me something that, frankly, shocked me, mama," Laura said.
Belinda frowned. "Really? What nonsense is that boy spouting now?" she asked.
"He said that Eli asked Joshua to marry me," Laura said.
Belinda looked toward Joshua. "Is that true?"
Joshua's head leaned to one side. "It's kinda true. But only in part," he tried to say, but Laura interrupted him.
"Eli said that he suggested to Joshua that he marry me in exchange for getting some kind of debt paid off," Laura said.
Belinda sighed. "That boy does sure talk some nonsense," she said.
Laura frowned. "So it's not true?"
Belinda shrugged her shoulders. "It might be. I don't rightly know what Eli gets up to half the time," she admitted.
Laura was puzzled. Surely her mother must have known about all of this. Why else would Joshua have suggested they come and speak to her?
"Are you telling me that Eli might have made that suggestion?" Laura asked Belinda.
"He might have. Did he, Joshua?" Belinda asked turning to him.
Joshua shifted on the sofa, his jaw working, his tongue eventually licking dry lips. "He did suggest something like that," Joshua said, his voice soft and clear. "And I gave him my answer, in no uncertain terms. I told him that was no basis for marrying anyone, let alone someone as precious as Laura."
Laura frowned. What was Joshua talking about? His sweet words clashed with the lump of anxiety that throbbed inside her.
Joshua continued: "Eli didn't like what I said at the time. But that's not the whole story is it, Belinda?"
Laura flashed a look over at her mother. Belinda's face was calm, and her eyes were fixed on her daughter. "No. I guess you're right Joshua. It's not the whole story."
"Mama. What on earth are you talking about?" Laura asked.
Belinda took her knitting and placed it gently on the side table. "The day you ran away was a dark day, Laura."
Laura felt her throat tighten. Belinda's eyes were suddenly filled with shadow at the memory of that terrible day.
"I thought I'd never see you again. I understand you were unhappy. I'd known for a long time that life here on this ranch, with me and your brother, wasn't what you wanted for yourself. I knew you wanted to have something better. Wanted to start a new kind of life. Anything that would make you happy."
Laura felt the tears moisten her eyes, but she just about managed to hold them in check.
"But when you ran off, and I thought I'd never see you again. Well, it was the worst day of my life, next to the day your father passed on."
"But there was more to that day than you just running off, Laura," Joshua said slowly.
Laura turned. "More? How?"
Belinda sighed. "The day you ran off was the day that Joshua came to our ranch to make a very important request."
Laura frowned. "Request? What do you mean?"
Belinda smiled at Joshua. "He came to ask for my permission to court you, with a view to eventually making you his wife," Belinda announced calmly and slowly, a soft smile spreading across her face.
Laura's mouth dropped open. The turning of her head to look at Joshua seemed to take an eternity. She felt her hands start to shake. Her heart raced and her mouth was suddenly dry. Joshua's eyes were fixed on Laura, hesitation and trepidation there, all at the same time.
Joshua had come that day to ask her mother if he could have Laura's hand?
"What!" Laura ejaculated turning back to look at her mother.
"Joshua had already decided he wanted you to be his wife, Laura. It didn't matter what Eli suggested. Joshua had already made his mind up. Of course I was more than happy to agree to Joshua's request. Your impetuous actions in running off to Helena had taken us all by surprise, so there was no-one more suited to finding you, and bringing you home than our dear, sweet, Joshua," she extended a hand to him. "Given the circumstances it seemed like the most natural thing in the world," she concluded.
Laura turned to Joshua. "Is this true, Joshua. You came that day to ask my mother if you could...court me? Marry me?" The words seemed to catch in her throat.
Joshua nodded slowly, with a calm decisiveness. His gaze didn't shift from Laura for a moment. "I'd already made up my mind that there was no-one else for me but you," he said. His voice was soft, persuasive, firm.
"But why did you make me believe that it was only your wish, mama?"
"I thought that you might not take too kindly to Joshua's proposal so soon after your disappointment in Helena," Belinda explained. "It was probably better coming from me. Don't you think?" her mother said with a twinkle in her eye.
Laura shook her head in disbelief. Joshua reached over and took her hand. "It's turned out for the best. Hasn't it, Laura?"
Laura let her hand remain in his. In that moment there was no suggestion that she remove her hand from his tender hold. Joshua's fingers curled and entwined themselves in her own. His eyes peered into Laura's, searching for an answer. Any response.
Laura looked over at her mother, whose eyes were fixed on the couple's hands. There was a gleam of satisfaction there that melted Laura's heart. Her mother had always done what was best for her. In all the years of growing up, her mother had never failed her, never let her down, had always tried to make sure that her only beloved daughter would be happy, safe, content. And, it seemed that even in the matter of her marriage, nothing had changed. Even if the way her mother had gone about it hadn't been exactly up front and obvious.
But then there was one thing Laura McKenzie knew. That what her mother wanted, her mother invariable got.
"But what about Eli? The money that Joshua owes."
Belinda smiled. "We're one family now. If you need something I will ensure, as much as I can, that it's all taken care of," Belinda said.
Joshua frowned. "You can't, Belinda. I wouldn't dream of allowing you to take care of my money trouble
s," he objected.
Belinda crossed her hands and fixed Joshua with a fearsome look that Laura knew all too well. "Are you refusing to let me help you and my beloved daughter?"
Joshua cleared his throat, looking across at his mother-in-law with what could only be described as ill disguised fear. "Of course not, Belinda."
Joshua looked at Laura. "We'd be very grateful for any help you'd give us. Wouldn't we, Laura?"
Laura rolled her eyes. "Provided you let us do the same, if and when it's needed," she said to her mother.
Belinda nodded. "Of course. Now. Why don't we have some tea. Or did both have enough to eat and drink at the social."
Laura frowned. "We would have had more if Eli hadn't interrupted us. He didn't seem too happy with things."
Belinda lifted a small bell from the side table and rang it. "I wouldn't worry about Eli anymore. He and I had a little chat earlier today. I left him in no doubt about whose ranch this is, and who is really in charge," she said.
Laura looked at Joshua and smiled. Mrs. Cole came into the room.
Belinda looked up. "Can we have some tea, Mrs. Cole. I think my daughter and her husband could do with some. They've had quite a busy day," she said.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Joshua and Laura left the Thorne ranch a short while later. As he steered the buggy along the trail back to the McKenzie ranch, Joshua gazed around at the beautiful landscape. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. Glancing down at Laura who was resting against him, her head laid against his shoulder, he shook his head imperceptibly, amazed at his good fortune. Things had turned out well, after all. They couldn't have worked out any better. Here he was, riding home in the twilight, his beautiful wife by his side, heading back to their home. It was like a dream come true. The truth was, he had cherished this dream for a long time, ever since he'd started to have feelings for Laura, just a few years back. In all the years they'd known each other he never would have guessed that they'd end up like this together.
Back at the Thorne ranch, Belinda had shared some wonderful memories about Laura when she'd been small. Laura had tried to stop her mother sharing some of the more embarrassing moments from a wild and spirited childhood. But, Belinda couldn't be stopped. Laura's mother was so obviously filled with pride about Laura having grown up into a beautiful young woman. Joshua had to share that opinion. After all, she was his wife. And she always would be.
Joshua's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) Page 10
