Straight For The Heart

by McDonough, Vickie;

  Quinn cleared his throat, and Sarah realized her mistake. She smiled. “I’m Sarah McFarland, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The new name sounded odd on her lips.

  “I’m Martha Miles, but you may call me Martha—or Grandma—whichever you’d like. And who are these fine youngsters?”

  Sarah patted Beth’s head. “This is my sister, Beth, and my brother, Ryan.”

  Martha clapped her hands together. “I’m so delighted that there will be children in this house again. Where is your luggage?”

  “I’ll get their things if you can show them to their rooms.” Quinn glanced at Sarah. “I need to tend to the horses then I’ll bring in your belongings.” A soft smile tugged at one corner of his lips.

  Was he teasing her? Surely not.

  “Come this way. We have enough bedrooms that you can each use one for now. Of course once Adam and Mariah return, things will be more crowded.” She opened a door to a room that held a double bed. Several framed drawings of cattle scenes decorated the wall. There was one chair as well as a small desk.

  “Ryan, this is Adam’s room. You may sleep in here for now.”

  Her brother’s eyes widened. “By myself?”

  Sarah wasn’t sure if he was frightened or in awe.

  Grandma Miles nodded. “When Adam and Mariah return, you will need to share a room with your sister, or maybe you’d prefer to sleep in the bunkhouse with the ranch hands.”

  Her somber brother actually smiled.

  Across the hall, they entered a small whitewashed room. A colorful quilt decorated the single bed and matching curtains hung on the lone window. A small wardrobe sat in one corner of the room and a wingback chair in the other. Sharing the small bed with Beth, who wriggled in her sleep, would be awkward, but they’d slept on far worse in the past few months. Maybe she could talk Ryan into switching rooms so she and Beth could have the larger bed, but she doubted he’d want this room, which looked as if it was decorated for a girl.

  Grandma patted the bed and gazed at Beth. “This will be your room, sweetheart. It was my granddaughter Anna’s before she married.”

  Beth’s brow crinkled. “But I want to stay with Sarah.”

  Grandma leaned over. “Sarah will be just down the hall. She’s married now and needs to sleep with her husband.”

  Sarah was certain her eyes must have widened as much as Beth’s. Her heart throbbed. Why hadn’t she considered that before? How was she going to get out of this quagmire?

  Beth leaned against Sarah, and she realized she needed to comfort the girl. “This is our home now. I’m not leaving you again. I promise.”

  Beth looked as if she wanted to remind Sarah that she’d made that promise before but hadn’t kept it.

  “Can you imagine this whole room is yours? I’ve never even had a room of my own before.” Sarah patted her sister’s head.

  Beth considered that and looked around. “Can I leave the lantern lit when I sleep?”

  “Of course you can, dear.”

  “And the door open?”

  Martha smiled. “If it makes you feel better, you certainly may. Would you like to try out the bed?”

  Beth nodded and reached for the white metal frame. Sarah grabbed her sister’s shoulder. “Perhaps it would be better to wait until she’s had a bath.”

  Grandma Miles ran her gaze over the child and pressed her lips together. “You might be right. Let me show you to your room, then I’ll have Elke—she’s our cook and helps with other things we need—heat up some water for you to bathe in.”

  Sarah followed the older woman down a short hallway and through an open door. A large bed filled one wall of the room, and Sarah swallowed. She had to force herself not to gawk at it. Curtains fluttered at the open window, drawing her attention. She nearly gasped at the view. Coal black cattle grazed peacefully throughout the wide valley. One butte looked as if someone had sliced off the slide, revealing colorful layers of orange, tan, and even black. Shadows crept along the ground, eating up the light, where the sun had started to set behind the tall buttes.

  She heard a rustling and turned back to survey the room. A sofa rested across from an unlit fireplace, and a large wardrobe all but covered one wall. A braided rug in blues, greens, and white warmed the wooden floor and gave the room a cozy touch.

  Grandma Miles picked up a housecoat and some slippers. “The room belonged to Quinn’s parents. He insisted I move in here when I first arrived, but I never liked this room. It’s far too big, and I have trouble getting into that high bed.”

  Sarah wasn’t sure where this conversation was leading so she remained silent.

  “I’ll move my things into Quinn’s room. You two will be sharing this one now.”

  ❧

  Quinn halted in the hall outside his grandmother’s room. Sarah stood looking out the window. Why was she in there? He assumed she would stay in Anna’s room or maybe Sarah and Beth could share the double bed in Adam and Mariah’s room for now. He kicked open the door to his room. Sarah could stay there, and he’d move to the bunkhouse. He set the two large bundles his wife had purchased onto his bed. Now he understood why she’d bought so much fabric. She must have planned on making her siblings some clothes. What they wore wouldn’t be good enough for piecings in one of his grandma’s quilts.

  He stopped in the hall, wondering what the two women were talking about. Beth clung to Sarah’s skirt, but Ryan was nowhere to be seen. He hoped the boy wasn’t getting into trouble. Quinn shook his head. He had some fences to mend where Ryan was concerned. The boy still hadn’t forgiven him for his initial outburst.

  “You and Quinn will be sharing this room now.”

  Quinn’s heart jolted at his grandmother’s words. Oh no! Why hadn’t he considered that?

  Of course his grandma would assume the newlyweds would room together. He ran his hand over the back of his neck. Sarah wouldn’t like this development. And neither did he.

  “I don’t want you to have to move on my accord, Martha. I can sleep with Beth for the time being.”

  “Nonsense,” Quinn said, stepping into his parents’ bedroom. “A man and wife should share a room.” He hoped he sounded sincere when he felt anything but that.

  Sarah turned and stared at him. He swallowed hard. If he insisted they not share a room, Grandma would suspect things weren’t on the up-and-up.

  “I’ll just move my things into your room.” Grandma marched toward him, carrying her robe and slippers; a twinkle he hadn’t seen since his mother’s death danced in her brown eyes. “A redhead, huh?” she whispered as she passed. She deposited her things on his bed and turned. “While your wife and the children have their baths, I’ll move your clothing into the big room.”

  Quinn nodded and started removing his clothes from the wardrobe. Grandma hurried out of the room and down the hall.

  Sarah stopped just outside his door. “Do something. We can’t share—” She looked down at Beth. “Sweetie, why don’t you go see what Ryan is doing?” Beth glanced from Sarah to Quinn and back then walked toward her brother’s room.

  “We’ll have to make the best of things, Sarah. I don’t want Grandma thinking we’re not a true married couple.”

  She leaned forward. “But we aren’t. At least that’s what you said. Have you changed your mind?”

  Crossing her arms, his wife’s eyes shot blue fire at him. Did she have any idea how pretty she was when she was angry? For a moment he almost changed his mind. He almost said he wanted a real marriage. But Sarah would leave one day—just like the siblings he’d raised. Just like the parents he’d loved so much. And he was the one who’d opened the door for her to go—once Grandma had passed. “We’ll share this room, Sarah. We are married, after all.”

  Eight

  Sarah lifted her arms and allowed the new nightgown to fall over her body. She’d never had one so soft or so pretty. Oh, how good it felt to be clean again. But even better would be sleeping in a real bed after spending so many nights on
a hard pallet. If not for the fact that Quinn expected to share that bed, things would be wonderful. But if not for her husband, they wouldn’t even be at the Rocking M Ranch.

  She spun around the big room. Never had she seen a bedroom this size. Why, it was even larger than the parlor had been at their farmhouse. Thoughts of her former home sobered her, and she dropped onto the sofa. A bear skin rug, complete with the head, lay between the fireplace and sofa. No fire burned, because the nights weren’t cold enough. She stuck her feet underneath her gown, not wanting to touch the rug, and stared at the logs sitting ready for a match. Lord, thank You for this wonderful home. Please heal Quinn’s grandmother of what ails her so that we can stay here a long time. And help me. I don’t know how to be a wife.

  A soft knock sounded at the door. Sarah jumped to her feet, raced across the room, leapt onto the bed, and crawled under the covers, her heart pounding.

  “It’s just me, dear. May I come in for a moment?” Grandma Miles pushed open the door and stuck her head in. “Oh, I didn’t expect you’d be in bed already. We can talk tomorrow.”

  “No, please come in. I just—” It wouldn’t do to explain that she was hiding from Quinn. “I was just thinking about today and all the changes it brought.” She climbed off the bed and held out her hand. “Come and sit with me.”

  “I peeked at the children. Both are out cold.” Martha smiled and ambled over to the sofa and sat down. She turned to face Sarah. “I wanted to let you know how happy I am that you’re here.”

  “Thank you.” Sarah held her quivering hands in her lap, hoping the older woman wouldn’t ask how she’d met her grandson.

  “Quinn is a good man. He’s carried the burden for this family since his father died. He helped raise his siblings, and now he’s caring for me.” She looked down at her hands a moment; then a soft smile graced her wrinkled face. “I’m glad he has someone to take care of him now.”

  Not knowing what to say, Sarah remained quiet. Her gaze darted to the partially open door, and she picked a pillow off the sofa and held it against her chest. “I’ll do my best to make Quinn happy and to help you.”

  Grandma patted her hand. “I’m sure you will. I’ll admit that I’m curious how you and my grandson came to be married. It’s obvious you aren’t the mail-order bride I sent for, but that can wait for another day.”

  Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. So she knew without being told that Sarah wasn’t the bride she’d been expecting. What else did she know?

  Grandma leaned in closer. “I do have to admit that I’m delighted to have the children here. They are such sweet things.” She patted Sarah’s hand. “Well, I’ll let you get your rest. Tomorrow, I’ll get my other things out of here. Then the room will be all yours and Quinn’s. And I believe we might have some old clothes in a trunk somewhere that may fit your brother and sister.”

  She pushed up and walked to the door. “I’m so glad you’re here, Sarah. I look forward to getting to know you better.”

  The door closed, and Sarah’s heart warmed. She felt as if she’d made a new friend. And even better, Quinn’s grandma didn’t seem ill at all. Could there be something wrong that wasn’t obvious? At least she could uphold the woman in her prayers and relieve her of some of the burden of the household chores.

  Sarah moved to the door and peeked out. So far she’d seen no sign of her husband since supper. He’d shoved away from the table after the meal, muttering something about being behind on his chores. She’d wanted Ryan to help him, but the boy wouldn’t leave her side.

  A soft light shone out from under the door of Quinn’s old room. Sarah tiptoed to Beth’s room and peeked inside. The lantern had been turned down to a gentle glow, casting dancing shadows around the room. Beth lay on her side with her hands under her cheek. Sarah leaned over and kissed her then pulled up the colorful quilt.

  She hurried to Ryan’s room at the beginning of the hall. Stopping at his door, she peered into the dark parlor. Elke had fixed a delicious dinner of bratwurst, sauerkraut, applesauce, and braided bread with flavorful seeds in it. The scent still clung to the air. Sarah hoped she hadn’t made a pig of herself by taking a second helping.

  She opened Ryan’s door and peeked in. The faint light of a half-moon illuminated his face as his soft snores filled the room. Sarah smiled and closed the door. When was the last time the children had rested so soundly—so worry free?

  The front door opened, startling Sarah. She rushed down the hall, into her room, and dove under the covers. If she pretended to be asleep, maybe her husband wouldn’t bother her tonight.

  The thud of Quinn’s boots moved closer, each step sending her pulse racing faster. She might be married, but she sure didn’t feel married. His steps stopped at the door as if he was afraid to enter. Or maybe he was disappointed to find her sleeping. She carefully opened one eye a slit and peered at him.

  He looked to be studying the floor. She hadn’t gotten the impression he was a man of indecision, but he seemed hesitant to enter. Finally, he glanced over his shoulder toward his old bedroom and sighed. He stepped across the threshold and shut the door.

  His footsteps softened as he crossed the braided rug at the end of the bed then clicked against the wooden floor next to where she lay under the covers. Her heart stampeded like a runaway horse. Could he hear it? Could he tell she was faking sleep?

  With both eyes shut, she felt him watching her. Thank goodness she’d pulled the sheet up to her neck. The longer he stood there, the more she trembled. Finally, he walked toward the sofa, leaving behind the scent of leather and dust.

  The sofa creaked as he lowered his heavy body onto it, and a boot flopped onto the floor, followed by another. She turned over and peeked out again. Quinn ran his hands through his thick hair, leaving swirls where the edges curled up. She wondered why he didn’t keep his hair cut shorter like most curly-haired men would, but she liked it longer. Would it be as soft to the touch as her own was?

  He stretched and then stood. She closed her eyes, lest he see her watching him, and heard him pad toward the chest of drawers. A soft whoosh sounded, the light faded, and darkness enveloped the room. Sarah’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Would her husband come to bed now? She was as far on her side as she could be without falling off the edge, but her husband was a big man.

  She heard a rustling near the fireplace and waited. Her ragged breathing would give her away if he was paying attention. He exhaled another sigh, and the room grew quiet.

  Sarah waited, but he didn’t come. He couldn’t be sleeping on the sofa or it would be creaking under his weight. Then he must be lying on that smelly bear rug. Something in Sarah’s stomach twisted at the unfairness of their situation. She was small. Her husband worked hard and needed his rest. Tomorrow, she’d sleep on the sofa—and hope and pray that his grandma didn’t choose to pay her another before-bed visit.

  ❧

  Quinn rested his elbows on the table and sipped his coffee as he studied his makeshift family. Beth cast him shy smiles whenever he caught her eye. She was a darling. Her dark blond hair had been plaited and hung in two braids down the front of her faded dress. Had Sarah’s dark hair been blond when she was a child?

  Ryan still glared at him, but the hardness had left his blue eyes. The boy had no idea how much the two of them had in common. Having lost his own father, Quinn knew how Ryan was suffering. He wanted to make things easier for him. But how?

  Silverware clinked against plates as the women and children finished eating their pancakes and sausage. Grandma dabbed at her lips and cleared her throat. “I think today we’ll search that trunk in your bedroom, Sarah. I’m sure there are some clothes that we could alter to fit Ryan and Beth. That would give them something else to wear until we can make some new things out of the fabric that you got at the mercantile.”

  Beth’s eyes lit up, but Ryan scowled and looked down at his shirt, as if he didn’t see anything wrong with the patched flannel.

  “Thank you. That w
ould be nice. The children are in desperate need of new clothes.” His wife’s gaze darted in his direction then away, like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower.

  She hadn’t said anything about him sleeping on the floor, but then he’d been out of the room before sunup, so there’d been little chance for them to talk. He rolled his neck, working out the kinks. He was too young for his back to hurt, but after a night on the floor, he felt like an old-timer.

  Halfway through the night, he’d seriously considered climbing out the window and finding a bed in the bunkhouse, but then the hands would wonder why he wasn’t with his new bride. He didn’t want to face the humiliation in those questions. Just their harmless teasing about being a newlywed was enough.

  “What do you plan to do today, Quinn?”

  He glanced at his grandma. Somehow the question didn’t feel as innocent as it seemed. “Work. Same thing I always do.”

  “Perhaps there is something Ryan could do. He needs to learn the ways of a ranch if he’s going to be living here.”

  Quinn caught the spark of hopefulness just before Ryan’s eyes dulled again. The boy would be more trouble than he was worth, but Quinn’s pa had taught him, and it was only fair that he teach Ryan. Quinn couldn’t very well tell his grandma that the boy wouldn’t be around all that long. “Sure. I can put him to work. That is, if it’s all right with Sarah.”

  Ryan’s head jerked toward his sister. There wasn’t a doubt that he’d rather be helping Quinn than sorting and trying on old clothes. Maybe he’d do, after all.

  “Of course, that would be fine. Ryan would love to learn to ride, and he knows some things. He did chores back at our farm.” Sarah’s eyes sparkled, nearly taking his breath away. He hadn’t seen her so happy since she’d been reunited with the children.

  “You’ll have to do what I say. There are many things that can hurt someone who’s not paying attention and doing what he’s told. If you can’t mind me, you’ll have to stay in the house with the women.”

  Ryan’s eyes narrowed. Quinn could tell the boy didn’t like being ordered around, but he also didn’t want to stay with the women all day. Finally, he nodded.