Lucas stood. He gazed down into her expectant eyes. Cupping her face between his hands, he smiled tentatively. “There’s some news you need to hear,” he said slowly.
“News of what?” Her forehead wrinkled.
Lucas ran a hand over his lower jaw. His heart rate increased. Why was he so damned nervous about telling her?
Because you’re afraid of how she’ll react that you’ve kept this from her all night. She had a right to know.
“I should have told you yesterday, but you surprised me with wanting to get married so quickly, and I just couldn’t think straight anymore after that.”
Tori tilted her head, that irresistible smile back on her face. “You have regrets about marrying me already?”
Lucas laughed, and pulled her to him, wrapping a firm arm around her waist. “Hell, no. I’ll never regret marrying you.”
“Then what is it that you’re not thinking straight about this time?” Her eyes shimmered with laughter. “I thought marriage was supposed to cure you of that problem.”
Lucas laughed. Yeah, he’d been the biggest fool for making such a comment. His brother had been correct. There was no cure for his affliction. He swatted her on the rear, then bent and kissed her while his hand lingered on her backside. “I’m beginning to think that, where you’re concerned, I’ll never regain my senses.”
Tori leaned into him. She wrapped her arms around his middle, hooking her hands behind his shoulders. Her eyes sparkled, the smile on her face making her entire face glow. “I love you, Lucas. I’ve never been happier in my life, and it’s all because of you. I never imagined that I could feel so . . . free. You’ve made me realize that I don’t have to keep running. That everything’s going to be all right.”
Lucas smiled. Her words sent a ripple of warmth through him. The love that surged in his heart for her nearly knocked the wind from his lungs. His hands moved slowly up and down her back.
“Yeah, everything sure is gonna be all right, Tori. Remember when I asked you yesterday if you’d want to go home to St. Louis and live with your mother if you were free of the murder charges?”
She nodded slowly, her forehead scrunched in confusion.
“You’re free, Tori.” He smiled brightly. “The charges against you were dropped. You’re not wanted for killing anyone.”
Tori tensed. Her entire body went rigid. Rather than relief or joy on her face, there was only confusion, and a hint of fear.
“How . . . do you know this?” Her voice cracked. “Who told you?” She tried to back out of his embrace. Lucas held her tight. He wrapped his arms more firmly around her, and pulled her up close. She began to tremble.
If news that she was no longer a fugitive upset her, how would she react to her mother’s presence? Lucas cleared his throat. Surely his next surprise would please her.
“That’s where the biggest surprise comes in. I met your mother, Tori. She’s here, on this expedition. She’s been trying to find you.”
Tori’s eyes widened, flooding with trepidation and disbelief. Tears filled her eyes. “My mother is here?”
The insecure tone to her voice tore at his heart. A moment ago, she’d radiated happiness. Now, the apprehension in her eyes was worse than ever. Lucas swallowed his own uneasiness.
“Yeah, and she told me that the man who accused you in the first place changed his story. That Timothy died because of an accident.”
“What?” Tori braced her arms against his chest, and he reluctantly released her. She turned her back to him.
“That can’t be possible,” she whispered, as if to herself. She twisted back around and stared straight into his eyes. “Timothy didn’t die from that fall from the hayloft.” Her voice was uncharacteristically loud. “He was murdered.”
Lucas reached for her arm. She didn’t resist, and he stepped closer, enveloping her in his embrace. He held her head against his chest, stroking her damp hair. Anger surged through him at the man who had put such fear in her. If he ever met the bastard, there would be hell to pay. He vowed silently that he would do whatever was in his power to erase the last four years of Tori’s life from her mind. He’d show her a different side to living; teach her the beauty of the mountains and the freedom to be found in them. She was no longer confined to the old cabin, hiding her identity and her beauty from the world.
Tori slumped against him, every muscle in her body trembling. He could handle it if she’d reacted in anger toward him. She acted as if, instead of seeing her mother, she would be heading to her execution and facing the noose after all. How was he going to convince her that she had nothing left to fear?
“He must have had a change of heart,” Lucas said quietly, and kissed the top of her head. “Whether he lied to cover his own hide, at least he cleared you.”
Tori lifted her head. She looked so small, so vulnerable, and another surge of protectiveness crashed through him. He cursed silently. This certainly wasn’t the reaction he had expected to his news.
“Your mother is looking forward to seeing you.” Lucas smiled down at her in encouragement. If she saw her mother, her fears could be laid to rest. Tori nodded slowly.
“Yes, please take me to my mother. I’m anxious to see her, too.”
* * * * *
Tori rode in silence behind Lucas, her damp palms gripping the reins until her knuckles turned white. The smell of wood smoke drifted through the air, and her heart rate increased with a jolt. All morning and into the early afternoon, she’d remained quiet, even when Lucas tried to coax her to speak, but for the most part he’d left her alone with her thoughts.
After the happiest day of her life, how could she feel so apprehensive? She would get to see Mama very soon. Her mother, the woman who had adamantly refused to travel into the wilderness with her husband, had come all this way with a group of strangers to find her? To tell her she no longer needed to remain in hiding.
You’ll have your life back.
She was free from the worries that had haunted her for four long years that someone would recognize her one day and turn her in. Why did this not make her happy?
Because something isn’t right.
Why would Paul lie again and tell the authorities that Timothy’s death had been an accident? Timothy had been alive when she ran from the barn, she was absolutely sure of it. Self-doubt surged through her. What if his death had been an accident? Had he injured himself when he fell from the loft, perhaps hit his head, and died from the injury? She shook her head. No. He was murdered.
If I can’t have you, no one else will have you, either.
Paul’s words rang in her ears as if he stood in front of her this very moment. His warning couldn’t have been any clearer. He would kill any man who tried to win her affection. When he told her he could save her from hanging if she married him, his words had also taken on a new meaning. If he couldn’t have her, she would die. There was no other way to interpret his words.
Tori stared at Lucas’ broad back. His life was now in danger because of her. If her mother could find her, what would stop Paul from coming here to seek her out?
It’s been four years, Tori. He’s most likely forgotten about you. Perhaps she wasn’t considering this correctly. Paul had been young, just as she and Timothy had been. His words had been spoken out of jealously and anger. He came from a rich family who indulged him in everything, and he was used to having his way. What if he had changed? He probably barely even remembered her. Why would he have been interested in her in the first place? She’d been nothing but a poor farm girl. He probably had a wife and family by now.
“Looks like the camp is just ahead.” Lucas broke the silence between them. He glanced over his shoulder at her. Tori gave him a quick smile. He didn’t need to know the turmoil inside her. She’d see Mama again after four long years, and all her fears would be laid to rest, no doubt.
Lucas slowed his horse and waited for her to catch up. “Once we ride into camp, I can’t stay, Tori. I have to get back to Captain
Raynolds, but I’d like you to remain with this group, so you can be with your mother.”
Tori’s eyes widened. A cold wave of dread washed over her. After three months apart, she was now married to him, yet they had to part ways after only one night of happiness. She nodded quietly, and forced a smile. “When will they meet up again?”
“I’d suspect by tomorrow, this camp will have caught up. It’s no more than half a day’s ride to where Raynolds is camped. I’ll make sure of it.”
He moved his horse closer to hers, and reached for her hand. “When we get home, I’m taking you to the cabin by the lake so I can have you all to myself.” He leaned forward, and kissed her. “Right after my mother makes a big fuss over the fact that we’re married.” He grinned at her.
“I’ll have to tell Mama that I won’t be going back to St. Louis with her,” Tori said quietly. She couldn’t picture her quiet mother wanting to remain here in these remote mountains. Coming on this expedition must have been the hardest thing she’d ever done.
“I already told her I was gonna marry you once this expedition was over, so I think she’s aware that you won’t be going home with her.”
Tori’s eyebrows rose. “You told my mother we were getting married? But I hadn’t even said yes, yet.”
Lucas grinned. “There was never a doubt in my mind that you would. What I didn’t count on was that you jumped the gun and asked me instead.” He winked at her.
“Lucas Walker, someone needs to take you down a notch or two.” Tori couldn’t help but smile at her husband.
“Somehow I’m thinking you’ll enjoy doing just that.” He chuckled.
Several white tents and wagons came into view several hundred yards ahead, and Lucas reined his horse to a stop.
“I’m gonna be riding hard to make it back to Raynolds’ camp before nightfall. I’ll take you into camp, but then I have to be on my way.”
“I’ll miss you,” Tori said, and squeezed his hand. “I wish you didn’t have to leave.”
Lucas dismounted his horse, and pulled her from the saddle. “After tomorrow, we’ll have a lifetime together.”
Tori threw her arms around his neck, and he held her close, then kissed her long and deep.
“You’re making it near impossible to ride away, you know that?” he rasped against her cheek, his breath hot and ragged. He cupped her face between his hands, and gazed into her eyes. “Are you nervous about meeting your mother?”
Tori nodded. She avoided eye contact with him. “It’s been a long time. I can’t believe she’s here.”
“She’s missed you . . . and your pa.”
Tori nodded. Reluctantly, she eased herself out of Lucas’ embrace, and hand in hand, they walked into camp, leading the horses behind them. It looked to be mostly deserted.
“The camp’ll get busier come evening. The naturalist and the other men of science are often gone most of the day, doing their studies and surveys. It’ll give you some quiet time with your mother,” Lucas whispered to her.
Several of the soldiers shot him puzzled looks, while others held up their hands in greeting. Lucas raised his arm to return the gesture. Tori’s heart pounded. Other than at the homestead, and the soldier camp yesterday, this was the closest she’d come to white civilization in four years.
Cooking fires burned in front of a few tents. The white flap of one of the tents lifted, and a woman emerged. She glanced up, and her hand shot to her mouth. The older woman dropped something, picked up her skirt and ran toward Tori and Lucas.
“Mama,” Tori whispered under her breath, and her vision blurred.
Chapter 27
Tori sobbed in her mother’s embrace, both women shaking uncontrollably. The anguish and hardships she’d endured over the last four years came crashing down on her. Four years of missed time with her mother, living a normal life free from looking over her shoulder. Four years of her father missing his wife, sacrificing his marriage for her. A new understanding of all that her father had given up for her, leaving his wife with the knowledge of probably never seeing her again, passed through Tori. She’d been apart from Lucas for three months, and now that they were married, just the thought of separating from him for even one day was difficult enough.
Molly Williams pulled away, and cupped Tori’s face between her hands. Tears of joy streamed down her face. “Look at you,” she said, her voice filled with pride and love. “You’ve grown up into such a beautiful woman.” Her eyes traveled over Tori’s buckskins and the loose cotton shirt she wore. “I’m so proud of you, Victoria.” She swiped a hasty hand across her face, then laughed. “You’d have every man’s head turning in St. Louis . . . in the proper clothing.”
A fleeting surge of annoyance passed through Tori. There was only one man’s head she was interested in turning, and he stood right behind her. And he didn’t care that she wasn’t dressed in ‘proper’ clothing. No doubt her mother hadn’t meant the comment in a rude way.
“I’ve missed you so much, Mama,” she said, sniffling. “You look well.”
“I’m much better, now that I’ve finally found you.” Her mother wrapped her in another tight embrace. “I just wish . . . your father were still alive.”
Tori hugged her mother close. “Not a day went by that he didn’t talk about you, Mama. He loved you, and missed you.”
Lucas cleared his throat. Reluctantly, Tori eased away from her mother. “You’ve met Lucas Walker, I take it.”
“Yes.” Molly smiled brightly at him. “I counted my lucky stars when I found out that he knew you.”
“He’s my husband, Mama. Lucas and I were married yesterday.”
The look of surprise that passed through her mother’s eyes was quickly replaced with one of joy. She smiled at both of them.
“He said he was going to marry you.”
“My life is here, Mama, with him.” It was best to clear that up right away, so her mother wouldn’t get any false notions that Tori would be returning back east with her.
“You’ve always had too much of your father in you, Victoria. He was never happy on a farm, either. He needed to be in these mountains, and I see this is where your future lies, too.”
“I’m gonna have to leave you ladies to your reunion,” Lucas said from behind her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and Tori turned.
She flung her arms around his neck, pulling his head down toward her. “I wish you could stay,” she whispered against his lips. She bit back the tears that stung her eyes. Lucas had a job to do, and even though her heart ached to keep him near her, she wouldn’t trouble him by being a clingy female.
“Soon,” he said quietly, and wrapped her fully into his arms. He broke their kiss much too quickly. Halfheartedly, Tori stepped away from him, wiping at the tears on her cheeks.
“You’ve given me the most amazing gift, Tori. I love you, and after tomorrow, you’ll wish you had more time away from me.” Lucas grinned, kissed her again, and mounted his horse. He nodded to Molly, then turned his gelding, and rode from camp.
“I love you,” Tori called after him. She waved, even if he couldn’t see her. She wrapped her other arm tightly around her waist. They’d be apart for only one day, but she already missed him.
“That man loves you with all his heart,” her mother said, wrapping her arm around Tori’s shoulder. “It’s as plain as day to see.”
Tori stared after Lucas, his image fading into a blur. Only when he was completely out of sight did she turn to face her mother. Smiling softly, she wiped at her eyes. Molly handed her a rag.
“Wipe your nose, Victoria. No sense letting other people see that you’ve been crying,” she said with a short laugh. “Would you like me to make you a cup of tea? Then we can talk.” Her eyes widened in a hopeful glance.
Tori nodded. With her arm still draped over her shoulder, Molly coaxed her toward the tent from where she’d come. Tori glanced over her shoulder one last time in the direction Lucas had disappeared. She sighed, resisting the ur
ge to mount up on her horse to ride after the man she loved. Smiling at her mother, she followed the older woman, leading her horse behind her.
“How have you been, Mama?” Tori asked. “How’ve you been getting on?”
“I’ve managed,” Molly said with a smile. “Your Uncle William and his wife help out on the farm. I had to sell some of the land, but it’s better this way. It was getting to be too much for me.”
Tori nodded quietly. Guilt consumed her. These past four years couldn’t have been easy for her mother, managing the farm all by herself. At least her aunt and uncle lived close by, and the neighbors had always helped out when needed. What about the circumstances of her husband’s disappearance with her daughter? How had her mother handled it? Surely there must have been talk and gossip.
“What made you decide to come to the wilderness, Mama, after all this time?” Tori asked the question that she wanted answered the most.
“Isn’t it obvious?” the woman chuckled. “I missed your father, and you. I hadn’t heard from either of you in four years, since the night you disappeared. No one else knew where you had gone off to. I had to see if I could find you. Not knowing whether you were alive or not was killing me.”
Tori tethered her mare to a tree near the tent while her mother added water to the kettle over the fire.
“Papa saved my life that day. He sacrificed everything for me.”
“I know why he did what he did.” Molly wiped her hands on her skirt. “And I love him for it. He couldn’t have known that you wouldn’t be hanged.” She reached for Tori’s hand.
That rush of dread she’d experienced earlier crept through Tori again. She faced her mother. “What happened on the day of the hanging? After I was gone?”
“After you were found missing, Paul Holden convinced the sheriff that you were innocent. He tried to organize a search posse to try and find you and Jasper to bring you home. The sheriff refused, saying he wasn’t going to waste his time chasing someone who was no longer considered a criminal.”
Teton Romance Trilogy Bundle: Includes Yellowstone Proposal (Short Story) Page 73
