Marnie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 4)

by Shanna Hatfield

  No one sat in the big parlor, so Lars led Marnie down the hall to the kitchen where Aundy washed dishes at the big sink. Tony and Garrett sat at the table drinking coffee.

  Aundy glanced over her shoulder and grinned when they stepped into the kitchen. “Good morning! Have you eaten? There’s plenty left.” She motioned to a basket with muffins.

  “I believe we’ve both eaten, but I won’t turn down one of your muffins or a cup of coffee,” Lars said, holding out a chair for Marnie.

  She quietly took a seat, feeling out of place.

  “Would you like a cup of tea, Marnie?” Aundy offered, wiping her hands on a dishtowel then pouring Lars a cup of coffee. She handed it to him and set the muffins back on the table along with a plate, knife, and some butter.

  “No, thank you.” Marnie forced herself to meet Aundy’s gaze. All she saw there was welcome acceptance, not the ridicule she often received from the so-called proper women of Pendleton.

  “Are you sure? The water’s hot and it wouldn’t be any trouble at all,” Aundy said, making a cup to prove her point.

  “I’m fine, but I do thank you for the offer.” Marnie looked around the spacious, airy kitchen. Although Ilsa didn’t cook, she had a well-appointed kitchen with every tool and modern convenience available.

  Aundy seemed to detect her discomfort and decided to make her feel more at home. “Lars, you should have left her things at the hall tree. She’ll want to take off her hat and gloves before she settles in for a visit.”

  “Sorry. Didn’t think about it,” he said, swallowing a bite of muffin so he could speak.

  “I’m sure you didn’t.” Aundy tapped him on the arm before turning another smile on Marnie. “Would you like to see the baby?”

  “Honestly, I just asked Lars to bring this gift, but he insisted I deliver it in person. I’m sure Ilsa is worn out and I don’t want to disturb her.” Marnie looked from Lars to his sister.

  “She would want you to say hello,” Tony reassured her. “Ilsa will be thrilled you came to see her and Laila. Go on up with Aundy.”

  “I… I really don’t mean to intrude.” Marnie could beat Lars with her reticule for making her barge in on what was obviously family time. She didn’t belong here any more than one of his prisoners.

  “No intrusion.” Tony smiled at her kindly. “Go on up and visit for a minute or two.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Aundy said, leading the way down the hall to the front door where Aundy insisted Marnie leave her hat, gloves and reticule. Together, they walked up the grand staircase to the second floor and down the hallway to Ilsa’s bedroom door. Aundy cracked it open and looked inside, then pushed the door back toward the wall. “A visitor is here to see you, Ilsa.”

  “As long as they don’t mind me looking like I’ve been dragged backwards through a knothole, come on in,” Ilsa said. Her small smile turned into a broad grin when she saw who joined Aundy in the doorway. “Marnie! I’m so happy you came.”

  As she walked across the soft carpeting, Marnie thought Ilsa looked like a beautiful doll sitting in the big bed propped up on a pile of pillows covered in crisp white linens embroidered with yellow roses.

  Marnie accepted the hand her friend held out to her and glanced down at the baby cradled in Ilsa’s other arm.

  “Oh, she’s beautiful,” Marnie whispered. She held out the gift she carried, afraid if she set it down she’d give in to the temptation to touch the baby. The last baby she could remember holding had been her infant brother right before he died of a fever when she was eight.

  “We all think so, but then we may be biased,” Ilsa said, smiling first at Marnie then Aundy.

  Aundy took the gift from Marnie’s hands then Ilsa handed her the baby.

  “You can cuddle Laila while I open this lovely gift.”

  “But Ilsa, I really…” Marnie fell immediately in love with the adorable bundle in her arms. The protest she began to utter died before she gave it voice as she gazed down at the newborn. She lifted the baby closer to her face and breathed in the fragrance of heaven. Determined to savor every moment of holding a baby close to her heart, she closed her eyes and took another deep breath.

  Aundy and Ilsa gave each other a knowing glance then Ilsa returned her attention to the gift on her lap. Removing the pink ribbon, she set it on the table next to the bed then folded back the material.

  Both she and Aundy gasped in surprise and delight as they lifted out a baby gown every bit as beautiful as anything Ilsa could create. The same pale shade of pink as the gown Marnie wore, the gown had tiny little rosebuds embroidered across the yoke with pintucks along the front. Delicate lace that looked like Marnie had somehow spun air into a floral design bordered the sleeves and hem.

  “That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.” Ilsa held it up to be able to see it better.

  “It’s exquisite, Marnie.” Aundy reached out and ran a finger across the neck of the gown. “You must have spent hours making this.”

  Marnie ducked her head and felt warmth fill her cheeks. Not much made her blush, but hearing two women she greatly admired praise her efforts pleased her greatly, although she felt unworthy of their kind words.

  “I’m glad you like it.” Marnie spoke quietly as she rocked the baby from side to side in a motion most women knew instinctively when it came to soothing and comforting little ones.

  “Oh! Look at this!” Ilsa held up the white fabric that wrapped the baby’s gift. It wasn’t just a piece of material, but a beautiful shawl embroidered with the same roses as the baby’s gown. “Marnie, this is too much, but I love it. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Marnie lifted her gaze to Ilsa’s and saw her genuine pleasure in the gift. “I just wanted to do something to say thank you for your friendship. It’s something I treasure.”

  “We both treasure yours, as well,” Ilsa said, glancing at Aundy, who nodded in agreement. The two sisters had chatted about Marnie that very morning, wondering if she would pay a visit. The town gossips would wag their tongues that they not only befriended one of the soiled doves, but also welcomed her into their homes and allowed her to hold baby Laila. However, Ilsa and Aundy didn’t care.

  The look of love on Marnie’s face as she held the baby, confirmed Ilsa and Aundy had done the right thing by opening their homes and hearts to the woman. She needed their friendship as much as they appreciated hers.

  “You ladies are going to love all the sweetness right off my little angel,” Lars said from the doorway, startling the baby and making her cry.

  “Keep your voice down,” Ilsa and Aundy both cautioned, giving him dark looks. Prepared to take the baby back since she’d started fussing, Ilsa tried to hide her surprise as Marnie murmured softly and continued rocking Laila in her arms. In no time at all, the baby fell asleep.

  “Sorry,” Lars whispered, walking behind Marnie so he could look over her shoulder at his niece. “She’s sure a pretty little thing.”

  “That is an indisputable fact, Mr. Thorsen.” Marnie lifted her gaze to his and the look in her eyes set his heart pounding at an accelerated pace.

  The shutters to those blue eyes were wide open and he could see the longing and love she kept hidden deep in her heart. She needed to be a mother and a wife, to live a normal life.

  As much as he wanted that for her, he wouldn’t and couldn’t be the man to give it to her. Not when his entire world revolved around his work as a U.S. Marshal.

  Without a doubt, though, Marnie didn’t belong at Miss Clementine’s place. She belonged in a home of her own with a husband and babies to love.

  He smiled at Ilsa as she held out Marnie’s gifts for his inspection.

  “You made these, sweet thing?” he asked, holding Laila’s little gown in his big, rough hands. The pale, delicate fabric contrasted sharply to the tan of his skin as he brushed a finger over the rosebuds.

  “Yes, I did. Ilsa taught me any number of her tips and tricks for stitching.” Marnie returned her gaze to the
baby. The sight of Lars, all rugged man, holding that tiny little gown did crazy things to her heart. She thought it might pool at her feet in a moment if he kept rubbing his fingers so tenderly across the yoke. She could picture him holding his own child with even more tender loving care.

  Voices from downstairs floated into the room and Marnie looked over her shoulder in a panic. She dropped a kiss on top of the baby’s head, handed her back to Ilsa then focused a narrowed gaze on Lars.

  Desperate to escape unseen by Ilsa’s company, she begged for his help, even though she’d not uttered a word.

  Gently taking her hand in his, he kissed Ilsa’s cheek and nodded to Aundy. “I better escort Miss Marnie back to her place and then get to work.”

  “Thank you for coming, Marnie.” Ilsa smiled at her friend. “Please come anytime. I love having you here and I want you to see Laila all you like.”

  “I appreciate the invitation, Ilsa, but we’ll see.” Marnie followed Lars into the hall and down the back stairs to the kitchen.

  Garrett was gone and voices from the front hall confirmed Tony welcomed the first of many guests who would appear throughout the day.

  Lars opened the back door and Marnie put a hand to her head, remembering her hat. She placed a hand on Lars’ arm to stop him and glanced in the direction of the hallway.

  “Aundy left my hat and things on the hall tree. Would it be okay to leave them and have someone bring them to me later?” Marnie asked in a whisper.

  “Just wait here,” Lars said, striding down the hall. Marnie waited to hear his deep voice but he remained silent and soon appeared in the kitchen carrying her hat along with her gloves and reticule.

  After she fastened the hat on her head, she jammed her fingers in her gloves. In her haste to leave, she ended up with her thumb and index finger shoved into the thumb of the glove and yanked it back off.

  “Take a deep breath.” Lars put a calming hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. “Whoever came is upstairs with Ilsa. No one saw me pick up your things and no one will see us leave.”

  “Good,” Marnie said, righting her glove and picking up her reticule. “I knew this was a bad idea.”

  “No it wasn’t. Ilsa was thrilled to see you and I know you enjoyed meeting Laila.” Lars motioned for her to walk ahead of him. He took his time shutting the door and following her down the steps to the driveway that ran down to the street from the barn. Lingering behind her, he gave himself ample opportunity to watch that little sway she put in her walk. In light of the brisk pace she set, he was certain she had no idea she even did it, making it infinitely more appealing.

  Lengthening his stride, he easily caught up to her and placed her hand on his arm.

  “What’s the hurry?”

  “You need to get to work. I didn’t realize this little jaunt was keeping you.” Marnie barely stopped to wait for a wagon to pass before rushing across the street. The honking of a horn made them both turn and wave at Doc Reed as he drove in the direction of Tony and Ilsa’s house in his bright red automobile.

  “This jaunt, as you so put it, isn’t keeping me from work and I’m glad you went with me. What do you think of our baby?”

  “Our baby? You had some involvement in her arrival, did you?” A smile kicked up the corners of her mouth despite the turmoil churning inside her.

  “I kept Tony company for a while until Ilsa begged him to stay with her. Does that count?”

  “I suppose you’ve earned a slight modicum of credit for your efforts.”

  Lars glanced down at Marnie with a cocky grin. “Full of big words this morning, aren’t you?”

  “At least I’m not full of hot air and hogwash.”

  Amused by her teasing, Lars walked her up the stairs to the back door of Miss Clementine’s.

  “Have a good day, sweet thing.” He hated to tell her goodbye, but knew he needed to get back to his job of hunting down the Bowman Gang. Fingering a curl that fell over her shoulder, he savored the feel of the soft, silky tresses between his fingers. “I’m glad you’re speaking to me again.”

  “Me, too. Enjoy your day, Lars.” Marnie hurried inside and closed the door behind her before he could give her another kiss and throw her world completely out of balance.

  Chapter Eleven

  From his hiding spot in the trees across the road, Lars stared through a pair of field glasses toward the Webster cabin. He wondered if Chad Webster had abandoned both his farm and his children.

  In the weeks he’d been watching the place, he had yet to see the outlaw there. Sadie claimed he was keeping an eye on them, but Lars was convinced Webster hadn’t put in an appearance in quite a while.

  Finally concluding the two Webster kids were still on their own, he rode back around the trees to the road, so it would look like he approached from town.

  Between the kids, Marnie, and his newly found family, he was turning into a sappy, sentimental fool. Instead of a singular focus set on bringing in the gang, thoughts of a harlot who shouldn’t be, two children without a visible parent, and his sisters filled his head.

  As he swung down from Viking, Noah burst out of the cabin, running to Lars and throwing his thin arms around one of his muscular legs.

  “Hello, little man. What’s wrong?” Lars swung the boy up in one arm while looping Viking’s reins around a hitching rail.

  “Sadie’s sick. I don’t want her to die, Lars!” Noah wailed, burying his face against the front of Lars’ vest. He’d removed his jacket earlier and tied it behind his saddle. As the day warmed, he wished he could remove his vest and unbutton his shirt, but didn’t want to discard all propriety.

  “She’s not going to die. Now, let’s go see what’s wrong with her.” Lars carried Noah inside the cabin.

  Sadie’s moans followed by the sound of her retching reached Lars’ ears and everything in him wanted to turn around and ride back down the road. His training encompassed any number of things, but handling vomiting children was not on the list.

  “How long has she been like this?”

  “Not too long after we had lunch.” Noah looked at Lars expectantly, convinced he could make Sadie well.

  Since it was mid-afternoon, Lars surmised she’d been sick for an hour or two. After removing his hat and vest, he left them on a kitchen chair and rolled up his shirt sleeves. He dreaded what he’d find when he stepped into the cabin’s one bedroom, but he needed to tend to the little girl.

  Swiftly pumping a glass full of water, he glanced at Noah. “What did you eat for lunch?”

  “Sadie fried us a couple eggs and the last piece of that ham you brung last time you was here. She tried to make me drink some milk but it smelled funny, so I had a glass of water.” Noah anxiously hopped off one foot to the other.

  “The milk smelled funny? Like it was sour?” Lars asked as he walked to the bedroom door and braced himself for whatever waited inside.

  “Yep. Told Sadie not to drink it but she’s so stubborn she glugged it down like Pa does with his special bottles I’m not s’posed to drink from.”

  “Is that right?” Lars walked inside the room. Sadie half hung off the bed with her pale face over a tin pail.

  She glanced at them, frowning at her brother and the giant standing beside him. “I done told him I’d be fine. I ain’t gonna die on you, Noah.”

  “Lars will fix you right up, won’t you?” Noah turned to look at the towering man with a mixture of awe and admiration.

  “I don’t think there’s much I can do to help Miss Sadie, Noah, until nature runs its course.” Lars stepped next to the narrow cot where she rested and handed her the glass of water. She took a sip, handed it back then moaned again as she rested against a thin little pillow.

  Although he’d briefly been in the room before, Lars took his time looking around. A large bed with fluffy pillows caught his attention, along with another tiny little cot against the far wall that served as Noah’s bed.

  “First thing we’re going to do is make you comfortabl
e, Miss Sadie,” Lars said, turning back the covers on the big bed and finding them clean.

  “No, sir. I ain’t sleeping in that bed. Pa would whip me into next week.” Sadie looked aghast at the very idea of climbing into her father’s bed. No doubt, Webster clearly warned her to stay out of it with no exceptions to his rule.

  Lars didn’t care what Chad Webster had told his daughter. The girl was sick and the pathetic little cot she was on wouldn’t do at all. How the two kids managed to sleep on the skimpy mattresses and nearly nonexistent pillows, he didn’t know.

  He took a step closer to pick up the girl, but she lurched over the side of the bed and buried her head in the pail. Lars had to turn away and gather his composure. He’d never been good around anyone who was sick. With a hard swallow, he looked at Noah.

  “Run outside and find another bucket, Noah.”

  “Yes, sir!” Noah’s footsteps thudded as he raced through the cabin to the door.

  Lars handed Sadie the glass of water again and she took another sip then handed it back to him. A light sheen of perspiration covered her forehead and she stared at him as she tried to get comfortable. He could see relief and gratitude in her eyes, even if she’d never admit she was glad he was there.

  After setting the glass on a dresser near the door, he returned to the kitchen and found a clean rag. Beneath the pump at the sink, he soaked it with cool water before wringing it out. Returning to Sadie, he bent over and brushed it across her face.

  “How’s that feel?” He wiped it along her neck and swiped it over her hands. Panicked, she pushed against him and reared up, turning to the pail.

  When she finished, he handed her the water and she drained the glass.

  “Don’t know why I bother drinking anything. It just comes right back up.”

  “You don’t want to get dehydrated.” He took the glass from her and set it on the dresser.

  “What’s dehydrated?”