She didn’t know a thing about good men or kind men. She thought Max really liked her. She had felt a closeness with him. He made her feel safe and a little bit loved. Too bad it had all been an illusion. He did love Bridey, of that she was positive.
She shook her head as tears fell. A bet, she was just some stupid, insulting bet. She’d heard about it before, but it hadn’t sunk in until Sondra went on and on about it. Max kept saying how lucky he was. Yes, he got a new house and a daughter. If only he hadn’t given her hope for good marriage. She was used to being a thing people used without thought.
It was though her dreams had come true, and then someone woke her up calling her a fool. Oh, she’d get over it. She always did and then she’d just cook and clean and be a wife and mother. Bridey loved her, and she’d just hold on to that.
The door opened, and she stiffened. He’d be mad at her. She kept her gaze fixed on her hands, afraid to see how Max really felt about her.
“I brought you some willow bark tea. It’s for the pain.” He sat on the bed and handed it to her.
“Thank you.”
“I know you’re upset, and yes I wanted the house, so I advertised for a bride. But I’m glad I ended up with a woman I can be friends with and a daughter as sweet as Bridey.”
She lifted her eyes and studied his face and he looked sincere. “I’ve never been friends with a man. I didn’t know men would even consider a woman for a friend.”
“I’d like to think we’re friends. We get along and I enjoy having you here. You’re a kind woman and I like you. I like knowing you’re here when I come home. Both you and Bridey.”
“It is a very nice house. I’m just sorry you got stuck with a woman who is full of shame. You must know I’m not good enough for you. No matter where we go, people will be whispering about me. I know you said you didn’t care but how can you not?” She sipped her tea.
At least that’s how Sondra had made her feel, that she wasn’t good enough, that Max deserved better. Oh, maybe she hadn’t meant to be mean, but the woman sure had judged and found Veronica lacking.
“You’ve done nothing to be ashamed of, and I don’t care what others say. I care about us getting along. If you answered someone else’s ad who knows who you would have ended up with. I could have gotten unlucky and ended up with a shrew. We both took a gamble, and I think we both won.”
She wanted to grab onto his nice words but she was frightened. “You don’t have to be nice to me. I have nowhere else to go. I won’t be leaving.”
His eyes opened wide. “Oh, honey, that’s goods, because I don’t want you to leave.”
“I know, because of Bridey.”
His brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”
“You are quite taken with her. I see the joy on your face when you hold her.”
“She does have me wrapped around her finger, but I’m taken with you too.”
The conversation was going nowhere. She wanted to believe him, but something held her back. Was it just her own fear? She sighed. Why couldn’t she trust?
“I wouldn’t have changed the fact that I can nurse Bridey because of what happened to me, but as for the rest I wish I had come to you clean and pure. All I know is that doing my wifely duty will hurt and I’ll end up with my soul squashed.” Her voice shook, and she drew a ragged breath in an attempt to steady herself. “You need a woman who would welcome you with open arms. I’m afraid that woman will never be me.”
Sadness settled over his features. “Veronica, part of me wants to yell at you and tell you just how wrong you are and another part of me wants to hold you and kiss you until the fear goes away. One thing for sure, I refuse to allow you to be afraid of me. I’ll sleep in the other room from now on.”
“See?” Her stomach dropped. “Now I’ve chased you away. You are my husband, and I want you here with me. I will try my best to be accommodating.”
He stood and this time his eyes flashed with anger. “Accommodating? I need to get some fresh air before I say something I’ll regret. Do you need anything before I go?”
Watching him was too much for her, and she turned her head away. “I’m fine. Please don’t sleep in the other room.” She hated how desperate she sounded. Her sense of dignity had been shredded a long time ago.
“I didn’t mean to say that,” he admitted. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but beside you. Now before you tell me I’m wrong, I’ll get that air.”
When she turned her head back, he was gone. This was all her fault. She had let herself get hurt over a stupid bet. She should have kept her mouth shut and her feelings close. When would she ever learn? She needed to practice self-preservation or she’d end up either homeless or dead.
* * *
Max walked to the corral and put one foot up on the first wooden slat of the fence. Taking off his hat he slapped it against his thigh. He’d just jammed it back on his head when Sandler came and stood next to him.
“Sandler, if I was a swearing man I would string all the words together and have at it.”
“I take it you’re mad.” Sandler smiled.
Max took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “No matter what I say, it comes out wrong. Not wrong exactly, but my words are taken the wrong way. If anyone ever mentions the bet again, I’m going to have to slug him.”
Sandler snorted. “Problems with the missus? Maybe losing was a good thing for me.”
“You know, we went through a lot fighting those Yankees. We saw things that still give me nightmares, but we came out of it reasonably fine. Veronica wasn’t even close to any fighting, but she’s more scarred on the inside then most soldiers.” Emotions welled in his chest. “Her family life was bad. I’d say they were all pure evil. Hitting and beating woman was a daily thing, and the women had nowhere else to go. How did things ever get to be so bad? When did people become so evil?” Max looked up to the sky. Lord help me.
“I think there has always been evil, Max. But the good outnumbers the bad. Veronica unfortunately encountered too much evil. Was her family church going people?”
Max shrugged and glanced at his friend. “I don’t see how they could have been, but I think everyone has known a person who is only Christian in church but not out of it. I’ll ask her. It might heal her heart to go to church. Not this week though. She has broken ribs.”
Sandler frowned. “From the other night? I didn’t know she’d gotten hurt so badly.”
“Neither did I until morning. She grew up having to work the fields no matter how much they beat her. She’s afraid of men.” He shook his head as a wave of sadness swamped him. “I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
“Max, what do you do when a horse has been beaten and is skittish?” asked Sandler, one eyebrow raised in query.
Max shrugged, not understanding what the other man was getting at.
“You have to have patience and make sure the horse knows you’ll never hurt it. Go slow with her. You’ll have a lifetime together, and the time you take now to allay her fears will be worth it.” He made it sound so simple.
“You’re right. I’ve been doing just that. Thought we were making progress. But Sondra and Green mentioned the bet and it set her off. She thinks she’s undeserving of love.”
Sandler nodded. “Then she ended up with the right man. You might not know this but you have a tender spot in you.” He chuckled. “Not that you’re not one tough soldier.”
Max smiled. He turned and was surprised to see Georgie headed their way carrying flowers.
“She’s upset, isn’t she?”
Max nodded. “How did you know?”
“Sondra told me, and then I saw you out here hitting yourself with your hat. She cares for you. You have to remember that. I thought if you brought her some flowers it’d be nice. She’s like a horse that’s been beaten.”
Sandler laughed. “I already gave him that speech.”
“See? It’s good advice.” Georgie handed him the bouquet of flowers. “Go. I
don’t want her lifting the baby again.”
Max took the flowers and kissed Georgie on the cheek. “Thank you both.”
He looked up at the sky and whispered, “Thank you.” He’d gotten his help. With a much lighter heart he went back home.
Chapter Nine
Veronica couldn’t help but smile. She sat on the sofa with her feet up, and her flowers were on a table right next to her. She’d never had flowers from a man before. She touched the petals of the roses and smelled them. Once in a while, she’d rearrange them. Her fear of losing Max was gone.
He’d slept in their bed last night, and very slowly he had taken her hand. His palm was as calloused as hers, but his hand was much bigger with a sprinkling of hair on the back. He’d rubbed his thumb over her knuckles ever so gently, soothing her. She had drifted to sleep and awakened calmer than she had felt in a very long time.
“You don’t need to babysit me all day,” she said, coming back to the present and the man sitting across from her. “I’m fine.”
Max smiled. “I’m babysitting my daughter. You’re not allowed to lift her.”
His smile warmed her.
“Did your family ever go to church?” he asked.
“We sat in the second pew until my parents died. I never did understand how they could smile and say all those ‘amens’ and then slap us across the face an hour later. My ma said it was the way they were raised. I don’t know if I believe that. I have never had the urge to hit Bridey.”
“Bridey is perfect, that’s why.” His face grew serious. “I’m glad you’re able to start over with me. We don’t believe in hitting women around here. You’ll get more comfortable with me by observing what I don’t do. I’m letting you know, I plan to court you until feel undying love for me or like me.”
She chuckled. “I think liking you will be easy enough. Thank you again for the flowers. They are so beautiful. I never knew flowers could make me so happy.”
He grinned at her. “I’d like to think it was the giver of the flowers that made you happy.”
Her face heated and Bridey cried just in time.
Max went into the bedroom and came back with a freshly changed Bridey. Boy, Max had the magic touch. Bridey just cooed and smiled at him.
“Is it just Bridey and me who succumb to your charms, or is it all women?”
Max cocked his left brow. “So you think I’m charming. I’m off to a good start.” His smile went all the way to her toes. He settled Bridey in her arms and went to put supper on to cook.
The cook stove still fascinated her. They could make it so the heat was low enough to cook both the meat and vegetables without charring one or the other. It was absolutely amazing. She couldn’t wait to experiment with it. She switched Bridey to the other side.
“Max, I’m sorry about being so upset with you. It was just a stupid bet, and you didn’t even know me. You must think me the type of women who jumps to conclusions and finds trouble where there isn’t any.” She spoke loudly.
There was no answer, and her shoulders sagged. She was out of her element. She didn’t even know how to apologize the right way.
She held Bridey up against her shoulder and patted her back until she burped.
“Wow, she could measure up to the men in the bunkhouse with that loud burp,” Max teased as he joined them.
Veronica couldn’t help but laugh. “This little one is going to take on the world when she’s grown.”
He sat on the table next to the roses and gazed into Veronica’s eyes. “You were right about one thing; it was a stupid bet, and I didn’t know you. But you aren’t the type that looks for trouble. In fact, you avoid conflict from what I’ve seen. My hope is someday you’ll speak your mind without thinking you’ll be punished for it.” He grasped her hand and kissed it. Then he took Bridey. “She must hurt your ribs.”
“It’s worth it for her to feed. I never knew what love was until Bridey. She has brought me more smiles in her short life than I’d ever had my entire life. Now I have you, and you make me smile too.” Her face heated at her confession.
Max bent and kissed her lips. It was the sweetest, most tender kiss she’d ever known.
“Well, Miss Bridey, what shall we do today? Your mama needs to rest. Horses? Why yes I can show you the horses. I happen to know a lot about them.”
Bridey cooed.
“What was that? No you can’t ride until you’re a mite bigger. Maybe next month.”
Veronica opened her mouth to protest and Max laughed.
“I’m only kidding. It’ll be at least two more months. I’ll get her blanket in case she needs it. We won’t be long but honey, please try to rest.”
“I will if you can bring my sewing basket to me.”
“It’s a deal.”
Max got the sewing basket for her and the blanket for Bridey and off they went. She was still smiling after they left and that hadn’t happened in her life. Max was a good man. She was glad she’d cut out the pattern pieces earlier. She’d get the dress done in no time. Then she planned more gowns for Bridey and a new shirt for Max. She’d ask Georgie about the yard goods for the shirt. All she had was dress lengths with flowers on them.
She pulled out the buttons and lace. She’d look like a fine lady, and could only hope she wouldn’t feel like a fraud wearing it.
* * *
Max spent a long while with Bridey in the barn, wanting to give Veronica plenty of time to rest. He snuck back into the house, and when he saw her sleeping on the sofa, her sewing basket with a neatly folded project resting on the floor next to her, he backed up and carried Bridey over to Parker’s house.
Georgie welcomed them and took Bridey from him. “Parker was on his way to talk to you. Don’t worry about Bridey. You two go talk.”
Max furrowed his brow. What was going on?
“Max, I was on my way to see you,” Parker said as he walked down the stairs. “Let’s go out on the porch. I don’t want you to scare the kids when you start yelling.”
Max’s stomach dropped. Whatever it was it sounded bad. He glanced at Georgie, who looked concerned, and then followed Parker outside.
They didn’t bother to sit. Parker looked at Max for a minute. “I was in town today. Have you ever heard of a man named Amis Reacher? He didn’t know your name but he knows your wife. Says she stole his kid. He said his son, so I don’t know what this guy is doing. He has it in for Veronica and he intends to drag her home by her hair.”
Max stiffened. “You saw him?”
Parker shook his head. “I heard it from Jamie Butcher, our neighbor to the east. This Amis fellow was spouting off at the Sink Hole last night. Jamie was playing poker, and he said the more Amis drank the worse his threats were. But no one said a word. They told him they’d never heard of her or the boy.”
“How do you mistake Bridey for a boy?” Max took off his hat and slapped it against his thigh a few times. “That son of a…” He rubbed the back of his neck.
Then he sighed. Nothing for it but to tell Parker her story.
“Veronica doesn’t want people to know, but you need to be apprised of the situation. Amis was married to Veronica’s sister, Hester. Hester was with child and turned Amis away from their bed. Amis had his way with—well he forced—Veronica. She ended up carrying his baby too. He still beat Veronica despite her condition. Veronica’s son was born dead after Amis beat her and Hester gave birth about the same time. Amis was busy drinking or something. Hester died, but her baby did not. Bridey lived.” Max took a deep breath and let it out. “It was the doctor’s idea to switch the babies.”
Parker blew out a long breath. “Poor Veronica. No wonder she hates to be touched. We need to make sure this Amis doesn’t know they’re here. I’m not sure if that’s going to be possible with the number of men in a rage because I hired freedmen.”
Max stared at Parker. “You knew she didn’t like to be touched?”
“She flinched at the wedding when I offered my congratulations
, and she gritted her teeth as others offered theirs. Unless you’ve been taught to observe everything, it wouldn’t be obvious. I doubt any others noticed.” He shook his head. “She’s certainly had a bad time of it.”
“We need a plan,” Max said.
“The corral is close enough to your place for you to keep an eye on her. From what Georgie said, Veronica should stay in bed for a few days.”
“I shouldn’t have left her alone to come here.” Max turned to go back to get Bridey.
“Wait. Green is watching your house. There’s no one better for the job.”
Max relaxed his shoulders. “Green is a first rate soldier. Maybe I should take Veronica and Bridey away for a while.” He stared at his house. Was Veronica resting still?
“Sandler and Willis will become regulars at the Sink Hole starting tonight. Amis sounds like a big mouth who tells everyone his business. Veronica knows how to use a rifle I imagine.”
“Her parents were sharecroppers. They probably made her go and hunt for dinner. She’s had a hard life and she doesn’t think she’s good enough for me.”
Parker smiled. “You grinned at her, didn’t you?”
“Why?”
“Women can’t resist your boyish smile.”
Max shook his head. “Did you just say boyish smile?”
“Those aren’t my words. The belles from town have been known to have said it a time or two. I was glad no one brought one of those snobs back here to marry.”
Max put his hat back on. “I can’t keep this from Veronica. She needs to know the danger she’s in.”
“That would be for the best. Meanwhile, when you’re working with the horses, Green will watch the house. Or if you want you can stay home for a few days.”
“Thanks, Parker, but I have a feeling Veronica will insist I go. I can’t leave her for too long, though. She’s not supposed to lift Bridey.”
Shattered Trust: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Two Page 9
