“Oh no, I didn’t notice anything. I just wondered.” Mary blushed. She couldn’t believe Katie thought she had just criticized Daniel.
“Relax, Mary. I know you didn’t mean anything bad. Is Davy the same?”
“Well, I am not pregnant, so I guess not.” The two women laughed. With Katie looking at her intently, Mary knew she had to say something. “Sometimes Davy can get a little out of sorts. Like if a man says good morning or something like that. They don’t mean to be anything other than mannerly. But Davy, well...” Guilt made Mary stop. Katie may be her friend but Davy was her husband.
“Davy gets jealous. All men are a bit like that especially with a new wife in a town full of single men. He is probably worrying you might run off with someone rich and handsome.
“My Davy is handsome.” Mary’s hand flew to her mouth as her cheeks burned.
Katie grinned. “Yes, he is. You’re quite taken with your new husband. I am so glad. I was a little worried after he turned up smelling so bad.”
Mary smiled. “He smells okay now.” She burned up at the teasing glance Katie gave her. “I do like him, Katie, but he seems to, well it’s almost as if he really doesn’t trust me. I can’t talk to anyone without him asking me lots of questions about what we were talking about. The other day he seemed annoyed when I laughed at a joke Henry made. It makes me uneasy.”
“Have you tried speaking to Davy?”
“No, what do I say? I can’t exactly ask him if he’s jealous.”
“No, not outright, but you can make an effort to make him feel more comfortable about you two.”
“You think he might feel a bit strange?”
“You may be married but, really, you are both still strangers. You need to get to know one another and with time, love and trust will grow.”
“You’re probably right.” Mary didn’t want to discuss it anymore. “How are you feeling? Is the baby kicking yet?”
“Oh yes especially at night. I think it will be a boy. He never seems to want to sit still.” Katie smiled, her face lit up with a serene glow. “Coming to Clover Springs was the best decision I ever made. It will be the same for you Mary. Just give it time.”
Mary walked back toward the livery stables to meet Davy. She was so caught up in thinking about her husband she didn’t see the man in front of her until it was too late. They collided and Mary would have fallen over if the man hadn’t grabbed her arm. He held onto her for a few seconds before the two of them sprung apart.
“Excuse me Ma’am. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you alright?” The man took his hat off and held it in his hands, his concerned eyes looking down at her.
Mary nodded although she felt rather faint. “It was my fault. I wasn’t paying attention. I am sorry Mr.…” She couldn’t remember his name. He didn’t look familiar but she had met so many new people in the last few days, that didn’t mean a lot.
“Mary, what’s wrong. Is this man annoying you?”
Mary’s heart fell at the irate sound of her husband’s voice. How long had he been standing there? Why did she feel guilty? It was an accident. “Davy, this man saved me from falling onto the street. I was away with the fairies and walked straight into him.”
“No, ma’am, the fault was mine. I should have been paying closer attention.” At Davy’s cough, the man turned redder and started walking faster. “Good day, Ma’am.”
Mary rounded on Davy. “What are you glaring at?”
“Why should I be upset?” His sarcastic tone didn’t help Mary get control of her temper. “A strange man had his hands on my wife and she seems to think I’m the one with the problem.”
“You are.” She was glad her words struck home, if the surprised look on his face was anything to go by. “The gentleman held me so I didn’t fall. If he hadn’t put his hand on me, I would be sitting in the street. Perhaps you would have preferred that.”
Chapter 29
Mary stormed off down the street. She couldn’t bear to look at Davy now and given her temper, she might say something she would live to forget. Honestly, what did the man think she was going to do? If he couldn’t trust her to walk down the main street in town, how could he expect her to live out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by ranch hands? She tried to calm down but every time she thought of the way he had looked at her, her temper rose again. She had walked about a mile before she heard the wagon behind her.
“Do you intend walking the whole way home?”
Mary ignored Davy and kept walking.
“Mary, I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was trying to help. When I saw him with his hands on you…”
“You decided I was wanton.”
“Not you, Mary.”
Mary rounded on him, her hands on her hips and her eyes blazing. “Who then? Who else are you married to? I have never been so embarrassed in all my life. I know we are strangers but you implied I would behave in a less than respectable manner with someone I just met. In the middle of a street. Whatever got into you, Davy Sullivan?”
He jumped down from the wagon and stood in front of her. Her temper cooled at the look in his eyes but she couldn’t let this go.
“I apologize. I behaved badly.”
“Yes, you did.”
“It’s only because I care.”
“Funny way of showing it. If someone saw the way you reacted, my reputation would be mud in this town. Isn’t it bad enough they all know I was desperate without you making out I am wanton, too.” She brushed the tears away angrily. She always cried when she was angry.
He reached out using the tip of his finger to wipe away the tears. Her breath shuddered as she tried to breath deeper. His closeness was having an effect on her, making it difficult to concentrate. “Please don’t cry. I said I was sorry.”
“Davy, what makes you behave like this? I am your wife. For better or worse.” He put his hands in his pockets, looking at the dirt road. She let the silence go on for a few moments. “Davy, you have to trust me. I don’t know why you act the way you do. Someday I hope you will tell me.” She waited for a reply but none was forthcoming. She sighed. Katie had said she would need patience. She held out her hand. “We can’t stand around all day. There’s work to be done. Can you help me into the wagon, please? I want to go home.”
“With me?”
“Of course with you. I may still be real annoyed with you but I’m stuck with you. You’re my husband.”
Davy gave her a tentative smile before helping her into the wagon. He sat up beside her. They rode along in silence for a while. Mary stole a few glances at her husband but his face was inscrutable. She wondered what he was thinking about but now was not the time to ask.
Chapter 30
Davy knew Mary was looking at him, trying to work out what was the matter. He couldn’t tell her. He had missed her when she visited with Katie. It was only a couple of hours but it felt like days. It was hard to believe that the woman had only been a part of his life for a week. He was behaving like a love struck boy. Love! Where had that come from? He didn’t love her. He barely knew her. She had a real fiery temper though. His body hardened at the thought of her passionate nature. He shifted uncomfortably in the wagon seat. Think of the cold creek.
He should have thought of a cold swim when he had come out of the livery to see a man with his hand on Mary’s arm. Instead, he had let the redness descend and behaved badly. He didn’t blame his wife for being sore with him. He deserved it. She was right. He had made a scene and put both their reputations at risk. All the man had done was save Mary from a potentially nasty fall.
He had to get this jealousy under control or he would lose everything. He stole a glance at his wife. She was so different to Tilly. She didn’t look like her physically but it wasn’t just that. She was more circumspect around people. Tilly had been a young girl who had too much freedom. Her father and uncle hadn’t given her any real teaching on how to deal with society and its expectations.
He cleared his thr
oat desperate to break the silence that had built up between them. He didn’t know what to say. He could apologize again but how often did he need to say he was sorry. He could promise not to react like that again but that wasn’t one he was likely to be able to keep. Maybe he could speak to Reverend Tim about his demons.
“Is this all your land?” Mary asked looking around her.
Surprised at her question, Davy replied. “It’s our land.” Pleased by the smile she gave him and relieved she seemed to have forgiven him, he pointed out different landmarks to her as they drove home. His wife may not have much ranching experience but she was intelligent. Her questions were thoughtful. The rest of the journey passed pleasantly and soon they were in sight of the house. He stopped the wagon and turned to face her. Taking her hands in his, he said, “I’m sorry for what happened in town. I have a lot to learn about being married.”
“We will learn together.”
He leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek but she moved at the last minute. His lips met hers. Groaning, he pulled her closer toward him as the kiss deepened. Her lips were pliant beneath his, her innocence intoxicating. Then he heard the barn door bang. Someone was letting them know they were being watched. Regretfully he released his wife, her eyes still shut, her face red from passion. He kissed the tip for her nose. “Best get back to the house.”
She nodded but didn’t move away from his side. Keeping one arm around her, he clicked the reigns and the wagon moved forward. When they reached the barn, he jumped down and walked round to help Mary. Putting his hands around her tiny waist, he swung her down not releasing her immediately. He liked the feel of her body close to his. He bent to graze his lips across her forehead.
Mary was glad he held her close. She didn’t trust her legs to move properly. The kiss had been so fine; her body still reeled from the sensations that had flooded her. He must care for her but then kisses meant different things to men. Didn’t they? He let her go, moving around the back of the wagon to unload the supplies they had brought home. Mrs. Higgins came out of the door just at that moment preventing any further intimacy.
“Are you feeling alright, Miss Mary? Your cheeks are rather flushed.”
Mary blushed even more as she heard Davy try to smother a laugh behind her.
Chapter 31
Mary sat in the kitchen sewing as Mrs. H baked some cakes. Davy came in briefly and stole some cookies on his way out.
“I can’t believe it’s his twenty fifth birthday next month. It only seems like yesterday he was a boy following his Pa everywhere.”
“It’s Davy’s birthday? Which day?” Mary asked feeling more than a little embarrassed. She didn’t know her own husband’s birthday.
“Tuesday the 20th. Now take that look off your face. You got plenty of time to make him something nice. A new shirt would come in useful. I think he feeds his to the animals. There’s that many holes in them, something must be chewing on it.”
“I’d like to get him something special. He’s been so good to me buying me lots of new things. Maybe I could buy him something just for himself?”
“I don’t expect he shares his shirts with the ranch hands.”
“It’s not very romantic though, is it? I can sew him a shirt anytime.”
Mrs. Higgins looked her up and down. “Would you be trying to court your husband, Miss Mary?” She grinned as the redness spread up Mary’s neck and cheeks.
“Oh it’s been so long since I felt like that. I remember when my Tom took me to see our first home. We’d been living with his folks until then. Right old battleax his mother was. You mark my words. I thought I had gone to heaven when he carried me through the door of our little cabin. Only had one room really but to me it was a palace.”
“I can’t get him a cabin, Mrs. H, but there must be something.”
“What about a new saddle?”
“I’m not sure I can afford one of those. Aren’t they expensive.”
“Yes they are but it so happens that one of the ranch hands won a saddle in a poker game. He won a few different things including the other man’s gun. Anyhow, he has a saddle so was griping the other day he would prefer hard cash. You might be able to do a deal with him.
“Could you do it, Mrs. H? Please. I don’t feel too comfortable around the men. Davy …” Mary stopped, afraid she had said too much.
“Davy doesn’t like you spending too much time with them. Understandable, I guess, given what happened.”
“What do you mean?” Mary’s curiosity was peaked but a guarded look came over Mrs. Higgins face.
“Land sakes, girl. What do you mean what happened? You got married, remember. Davy, being the boss, doesn’t want the men being familiar with his wife. They are good boys really but they don’t get to mix too much with the opposite sex. Makes them a bit rough around the edges. Davy must be worried they might say something to upset you. Not on purpose like but because they just don’t know better.” Mrs. Higgins paused for breath. “How did I get to lollygagging? Oh yes, the saddle. I’ll have a word with Mick. He’ll be glad to get rid of it, I reckon.”
“Thanks, Mrs. H, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Chapter 32
Davy held the door of the store open for a customer. He had called to collect Mary who was visiting with Katie. He couldn’t see his wife but there were quite a few customers in the store. Daniel was behind the counter.
“Yes, he married an Irish girl, too. Another one of those so-called mail order brides. Why would any decent girl come out west to marry a stranger?”
“Maybe they didn’t have a choice?”
“More like they had reason to leave Boston. There are decent men out East too, aren’t there? No, you mark my words, no respectable woman is going to travel miles out west. And without a chaperone too? I am surprised at Martha Sullivan. I thought she would have higher standards.”
“Well, I guess there weren’t any suitable single ladies in Clover Springs.” Mrs. Shaw examined a piece of cloth putting it back with a sigh of regret. Everyone knew her husband drank more than he earned but she tried her best to keep up appearances. Unfortunately she hung on every word Mrs. Grey said, perhaps in the hope that having rich friends kept her respectable.
“The town has one or two well refined young ladies. A couple are due back from school shortly.”
“Like your niece, Mrs. Grey?”
“Oh, Mr. Sullivan, I didn’t see you there.” Mrs. Grey looked Davy up and down, not hiding her disdain at his dirty clothes.
“Obviously.” Davy clenched his fists discretely as he tried to get his temper under control. He wouldn’t do the Sullivan name any good by losing his temper with this cantankerous old biddy.
“Mrs. Grey was just telling me all about your wedding. My congratulations.” Mrs. Shaw nodded to Davy, her ears pink with embarrassment. She made a show of looking at the clock. “Oh, is that the time? I must go. Mr. Shaw will want his dinner. Goodbye, Mrs. Grey, Mr. Sullivan.” Davy watched as the older woman almost tripped over her own feet in her haste to get out the store door. He saw Daniel raise his eyebrow but instead turned his attention to Mrs. Grey. The old bat didn’t even have the grace to look embarrassed. She sniffed before turning her attention back to Daniel. “Please see that my list is filled and sent out to the house. I don’t have time to wait any longer.”
Davy watched open mouthed as the woman didn’t wait for Daniel to answer but marched out the store door. “I will swing for that woman one day.” He said to his brother through clenched teeth.
“I think you might have to get in line. That woman has a way of getting everyone’s backs up. She only has to look at someone to upset them.” Daniel served another customer who nodded their agreement. Davy waited till the store had quieted down. “How’s Katie doing?”
A worried look came into Daniel’s eyes. “Ma and Mary are with her. She keeps having pains but the doctor says it’s too early. Ma insisted she rest more. Mary is up there reading to her. Katie
finds it difficult to sit still for very long.”
Davy nodded knowing just how much his sister in law liked to keep busy. It wasn’t in her nature to sit around letting others do her chores. He hoped she would listen to reason. Having a baby was the most natural thing in the world but it was still a dangerous time. There was more than one man in Clover Springs who had lost his wife in childbirth. Thinking like that didn’t help anyone. “What can I do to help? There must be something you need?”
“Thanks, big brother, but there is nothing. Mary brought some food from Mrs. H. She baked fresh biscuits earlier. Ma and Ellen saw to the rest of the chores. The only job I have to do is deliver these items to Mrs. Grey. “
“I can take them.” Davy didn’t realize he was speaking until the words were out.
Daniel looked down at the list in front of him before grinning up at his brother. “No offense but you are the last person I would send on this job.”
“Happens you’re right. That woman makes me mad.”
“You don’t say.” The two brothers burst out laughing causing a smile to appear on their Ma’s face as she walked in from the back.
“You two feeling alright out here?”
“Yes, Ma. How’s my wife?” Daniel asked, giving his Ma a kiss on the cheek.
She reached up to hold his face in her hands before kissing him lightly on the cheek. “She is doing well, son. You keep out of her way and let her rest. She needs her strength.”
“Yes, Ma.”
“Davy, thank goodness you are here. I need some help with the festival.”
“Sorry, Ma, but I got…”
“David Sullivan, I haven’t got time to listen to excuses. There’s work to be done. Reverend Timmons is depending on us. Katie made a list of things she wants us to do. Come on. The tables aren’t going to set up themselves.”
Mary: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides 2 Page 8
