by Kari Trumbo
“Are you going to stay? I understand you don’t normally, but with the weather…I thought, maybe?” She paused in their walk, hoping to keep him to herself for a few more moments.
“I have to stay. The weather snuck up on me, but also my sister seems to have embroiled herself with the new lawyer she brought with her from Maine. Pa isn’t well enough to keep a good eye on her. I hate to be a chaperone, but if anyone needs one, it’s May.” He drew his arm around Ruby briefly to get them moving again.
“Is that what brought you to the social tonight? Your sister?” They were almost to her door and she wished, just this once, she lived further away.
“That was one of the reasons. I’d been on the lookout for someone and was hoping to see them there.”
Ruby stopped at the stairway leading up to her apartment. “Did you find them?” She held her breath, strangely hoping he’d been looking for her. His hat hid his face from her. Without thinking, she reached up and took it off, revealing his face.
“Yes, I did.” He took the hat from her but didn’t put it on. “Did you have a good time?”
He was so confident and quiet, subtle and thoughtful. Everything her husband hadn’t been and everything she suddenly wanted.
She stepped close to him and perched on her toes, kissing his rough, stubbly cheek. “I did. Good night, Mr. Rockford.” She dashed up the stairs, leaving Beau and his lopsided grin behind.
***
Beau touched his cheek and couldn’t keep the grin from his face any more than he could keep his blood from pumping. The town around him was cloaked in darkness, not that it mattered. Most everyone was at the river ice skating, including his sister and Mr. Caruso. Mr. Caruso had started coming to dinner every evening, Beau had begun to wonder about the nature of the relationship between May and the lawyer. Now he knew. His sister had as much as told him to leave them be, that she hated society soirees and was happy to have Mr. Caruso’s attention without such events. Yet, she’d gone to the social with him.
Beau slapped his hat back on and slowly walked toward home. He’d used the occasion of the social to watch Ruby in plain sight. He’d always been able to fade into a crowd; it was probably one of his better talents. Ruby had laughed and chatted with Carol all evening, and he hadn’t wanted to talk to her while in the presence of that overbearing woman. And Ruby hadn’t danced a single dance with anyone at the social, which had made him want to fix that as soon as they were alone. He’d approached her when most of the people had left so they wouldn’t be noticed.
Ruby… How well she’d fit in his arms, and when she’d leaned up and kissed his cheek…his heart had beaten so loud in his ears, it was as if he were on another night delivery with Josiah. Still, minutes after Ruby left him, he could feel the whisper softness of her lips on his skin and her warm breath fan over his ear.
Now, he had to decide. Would he stick around and see where things might lead with Ruby, or move on as he always did to avoid the disappointment. Women never wanted to roam like he did and they always misunderstood him. They wanted to have houses and start families. He’d never seen much value in that particular Biblical edict. Multiply. He’d always left that up to his friends. So, which was more important, his freedom to roam the wilds or his heart soaring in his chest?
Then there were the secrets. Ruby was certainly hiding something. Why would a kidnapped woman not be welcomed back into her family? It made no sense. Her family should be worried about her and she should want to go back to them. She couldn’t be more than twenty. He’d known women to live at home longer than that, in fact, Lily, the woman Ruby lived with, was twenty-two and had just moved out of her parent’s home.
He had to find out more about Ruby without doing anything to hurt her. She didn’t want to talk about it, that was plain enough. But if he could get back to Yellow Medicine between snows, he might be able to find someone who knew something of her family. If she was wrong and they wanted to see her, their reunion would make a fine Christmas present.
He strode into his Pa’s house and stomped his feet by the door.
“Hey boy, come on over and stoke up the fire a bit. Are you staying for the next few days?” His father held out his hands and rubbed them in front of the glowing fire. He was sitting close to the flames but also covered in a thick wool blanket.
Beau squatted in front of the fireplace and prodded the coals with the metal poker, sending up a flurry of sparks. He put in two more logs and then warmed his hands.
“I think I’ll be heading back to Yellow Medicine soon.” He didn’t bother to turn to Pa, in a few minutes, he wouldn’t remember what Beau had said anyway.
“You doing another delivery with Josiah?” Pa’s voice cracked.
Beau turned to see his father’s eyes clearer than they’d been in a long time. “I haven’t worked with Josiah in over a month. He doesn’t have much work in the winter, so I’m working whatever jobs are available in Yellow Medicine.”
“What’s so special there? There are jobs available here, and a warm bed for you. You could work with the railroad or at Cahill Lumber. Not to mention you could help me keep an eye on May. I certainly can’t. Caruso seems genuine enough, if a little shifty. I don’t know that he plans to stay in Cutter’s Creek and I don’t know for sure what his intentions are with May. She starts working for him soon, once he gets his office set up. I don’t like that she’ll be there working with him when his apartment’s right above the office.”
Beau had the very same concern, so did he stay because his father asked him to, or go to find out more about Ruby? This was why he’d always wanted to light out of town, no responsibilities but those he signed on for.
“You asking me to stay?” He turned back to the fire and used the small bellows to stoke it.
“I’m asking you to find out what Caruso’s up to. If nothing, then go on to Yellow Medicine and whatever keeps you there that’s more important than family.”
Beau let the fire heat his face until it hurt. Pa was always good at using words like a scythe. Heavy, sharp, and capable of slicing to the bone.
7
“Ruby, I’m surprised you aren’t married and having little ones of your own. You’re so good with little Malcom. He’s really taken with you.” Maddie lay draped across her settee with her feet up, the picture of the contented lady of the house.
Ruby felt heat rise to her face. She’d never known how to deal with a compliment. “I don’t think there’s much to it. I just sit here and play with him. He’s an easy baby to get along with.”
“On the contrary. Many women would find what you’re doing boring or a waste of time. I, however, am so blessed by the time you’re able to spend with us. Dr. Pierce tells me I should try to avoid having more children because of the strain it would put on me. Heath is quite disappointed, as he came from a large family, but at least we have a boy to pass on the family name.”
Ruby smiled and slowly waved a wooden rattle in front of Malcom. “I came from a big family, too. I have seven sisters. You’d think that’d make me want to have a big family, but I’m satisfied alone.” How hollow the words sounded to her ears.
“Only eight of you?” She laughed. “Heath’s parents adopted six children, then had six more of their own. Heath was the first son they had together which is, of course, why he’s a junior.”
Ruby closed her eyes. “And did they have enough to provide for all those little ones? Sometimes I wish I’d never been born so at least my sisters would have had more.” A knot formed in her throat. The ache for her sisters was like a hole in her heart.
“Heaths parents didn’t spoil their children, but they were provided for, yes. I’m sorry that wasn’t the case with you, Ruby. You’re already forging a life separate from your parents. You obviously have a calling with children, and you’re following the Lord’s lead and helping to raise my little Malcom.”
Ruby opened her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t have a calling. Only special people get a call. Lily just
told me you needed help and I needed the work.”
“Oh, that isn’t true, Ruby. Some people get many calls, not just one. When I was younger, before I married, I was called to write letters of encouragement to people without ever telling them who I was. Later, I’d hear that a mystery note had brightened someone’s day.”
“So, why does being married stop you from doing it if the Lord said you should?” Ruby flinched at the accusation in her voice. She’d only been curious.
Maddie’s face crumpled. “Well, I don’t know what my husband would say, and after having Malcom, I just don’t have the energy anymore. Maybe those are just excuses. I should talk to Heath about it.”
Ruby changed Malcom’s nappy and laid him down for his nap, signaling the end of her work day. The cook took care of making the meals and a maid cleaned for them. Ruby was no doctor, but she was sure Maddie wasn’t sick or frail at all, just bored with everyone doing everything for her. She was neither pale nor wane. She never seemed to flag when she had to get up to do things if no one was around to do them for her.
Ruby tossed her wool coat over her shoulders to head for home. She’d gotten it when she’d lived with Penny’s parents. It had been one of Penny’s old ones. All of Ruby’s new clothes were Penny’s cast-offs. She’d never made enough to pay for more than her share of the rent and her portion of food, so new clothes were a luxury she couldn’t afford. Penny had never asked for them back, so Ruby continued to use them.
She rushed up the stairs to the small apartment she called home. It only had a pot-bellied stove, which was difficult to cook on. There also wasn’t much room to store food with two women living in the small space that was really little more than the upstairs bedroom of James Cahill’s aunt’s house.
The close quarters brought to mind the tiny room she’d shared with her seven sisters. They had played and worked together, gathering food and firewood, cooking, farming, anything to keep Pa happy. When she cared to think about it, she couldn’t figure why her father had given her to such a horrible man. Father’d always loved her, or so she’d thought.
That cabin with Arnold outside of Yellow Medicine had been another time when she’d had to suffer through tight living quarters and lack of privacy.
The wedding her pa had performed never seemed quite right to her, so she’d never considered it binding. But now she was stuck. She’d given Arnold’s name to Josiah when he’d found her by the river a few months back, mainly because she didn’t rightly know who she was anymore. Ruby Gresham or Ruby Arnsby – did it really matter? Once Beau found out she’d been married or had been living with a man, he wouldn’t want her at all. Men wanted pure women, not whatever it was people would call her. Certainly, not pure.
The room closed in around her; it felt like she could reach out and touch each wall if she spread her arms wide. Oh, to have space! She’d never dreamed of being rich, but to have enough room to breathe, that would make her wealthy. Her father’d said she’d have done best as an Indian, in the wide-open spaces. Maybe he was right.
The bell just inside the door rang and she crept to the window to see who’d like to come up. It was usually one of Lily’s friends. Beau stood there in the snow. He turned up his collar against the wind and glanced up to her window, kicking the snow off his boots as he waited. She ducked out of view then shook her head at her foolishness. Beau was as good an excuse as any to get some fresh air. She yanked on her coat and dashed through the door and down the stairs.
Beau stared at her, his expression blank but eyes warm with appreciation. “Good afternoon, Ruby. Care to join me at the Silver Dollar for a little supper?” He held out his arm for her.
She clasped it and he covered her hand with his warm one, returning the slight squeeze.
They fell into step together for the short distance to the inn. Ruby glanced over at him, quickly wondering what his intentions were. He led her into the inn dining room, then pulled out a chair from a small table in the corner and sat across from her, his eyes never leaving a table across the room.
“Beau, did you have anything you’d like to talk about?” She moved her head to block his line of sight.
Beau laughed. “I’m sorry, Ruby. I’m here watching my sister, but didn’t want Mr. Caruso to get suspicious about it. If they come over to the table before they leave, I’ll introduce you.”
“Oh.” Her heart sank. He hadn’t really wanted to spend the dinner hour with her as she’d hoped. She was merely serving as a convenient cover for his spying. “I see.”
Beau glanced down at the day’s offerings on the small menu card in front of him then up at her. There was a distance to him that hadn’t been there before, a coolness in his look that gave her pause.
“I’ll probably be going back to Yellow Medicine in the next few days or so, but I hope to make it back to Cutter’s Creek before Christmas. If not, I don’t want you worrying or anything.”
Worry? Why would she worry? Did he think she cared? Did he care?
Lord, I can’t make hide nor hair out of my feelings for this man…
“I’ll try not to worry.” She ran her finger down the few options printed on the menu card. The Silver Dollar Inn was usually a little more expensive than she was willing to spend. She frowned at the least expensive option: squirrel. After Arnold’s death, she vowed she wouldn’t eat it again. It was the easiest thing to get out there by the secluded cabin, so she’d eaten a lot of it in her short life.
Beau pointed at the most expensive offering, a cut of beef served over potatoes with a brown gravy. Just the description made her mouth water. But Beau wasn’t courting her, he shouldn’t have to spend that much.
Beau pointed to the beef on her card. “I really like this option. Do you mind if I just order one for each of us? Easier that way.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought…” She felt the heat rise up her face. Asking about a man’s money was rude, even she knew that.
He reached across the table and lay his hand on top of hers. Warmth spread through her at the contact. “Don’t worry, Ruby. I asked you here with the intention of treating you. I know it isn’t a fine restaurant, but it’s the best Cutter’s Creek has to offer, and I might not see you for a while.”
She couldn’t quite make herself look away from his eyes. “I suppose a few weeks isn’t all that long. I do have my job to keep me busy.”
Caroline Tufts strode up to the table and poured them each a cup of coffee, then set the carafe in front of Ruby. “What can I get for you two tonight?” She smiled planting her hands on her hips and glanced back and forth between them.
“We’ll take two of the beef plates; please and thank you for the coffee.” Beau tucked the little menu cards to the side.
“Ah, going to make the lawyer pay for the most expensive dish?” She laughed.
Beau’s eyebrows bunched and he glanced over Ruby’s shoulder for a moment. “I don’t know what you mean.” Ruby turned to see the lawyer sitting with May a few tables away. He had slightly fleshy cheeks and an expensive suit. He waved at them and laughed.
“Did you want to add some wine to the bill, too?” Caroline snickered.
Ruby shook her head without thinking. She had no intention of drinking anything stronger than the coffee.
Beau cocked his head, an annoyed yet resigned grimace on his face. “Are you sure, Ruby? If he wants to buy us dinner, we should enjoy it.”
“I had a few sips at the social, but I don’t usually even do that. You go ahead, if you’d like.” She frowned and laid her napkin in her lap, using it as an excuse to avoid meeting his gaze. Oh, how she hated drunks!
“Ruby, if my having a drink bothers you, I won’t.”
Caroline shook her head and turned from the table. “Two moo’s, coming right up.” She hustled away, stopping at a few tables as she went.
Beau tapped the table with his fingertips. “Ruby, can you tell me a bit more about your family? I know you didn’t want to talk about them before, but I have a hard time b
elieving they wouldn’t want to see you. I searched for the Gresham’s when I was in Yellow Medicine and I couldn’t find them. How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”
Ruby sighed. She wanted to enjoy her dinner with Beau, not relive those terrible last moments with her family. Her sisters might miss her, but her father surely wouldn’t, so why bother searching? But maybe if Beau found them, she could at least see her sisters. Seeing them again would be wonderful. That was seven reasons to tell Beau the truth. The Good Book said she should tell the truth anyway, that’s what her Ma had said.
“You didn’t find any Greshams in Yellow Medicine because there aren’t any…anymore. The man my father forced me to marry, Mr. Arnold Gresham, was the last one.”
Beau’s eyes widened and he pushed his chair away from the table. “Marry?” He clenched his fist as he slid it slowly back to him and under the table.
Ruby glanced around at the eyes all around her now staring at them. “He’s dead, Beau. I’m a widow…at least, I think I am.”
“Just what’s that supposed to mean?” He tensed and sat ram rod straight in his chair, then shook his head, throwing his hands up. “No, no I don’t want to know. What was your name before…you were married?” His voice was low and tinged with wariness.
Ruby hunched her shoulders and dipped her head as she’d done all her life to fade away from the watchful eyes around her. She should’ve known Beau wouldn’t understand. She wasn’t as pure and perfect as the snow outside. “Arnsby,” she whispered.
Recognition flashed in his eyes. “I recognize that name. Big family of girls a few miles outside of town.”
Ruby nodded. “Yes, eight of us.”
Caroline returned with two plates, heaping with food. Then she refilled their mugs with coffee. “Anything else I can get you two love-birds?”
Ruby flinched and Beau frowned, grating a, “No,” through clenched teeth.
He folded his hands and prayed for the meal then began to eat in silence. If he didn’t want to know about her marriage, what more could she say? Maybe he wouldn’t bother coming back to Cutter’s Creek? It was probably for the better. She had to take care of Malcom and help Maddie, that job would only get more difficult as he grew and she couldn’t do a good job if she was distracted with Beau.
