“Don’t worry yourself. Nicolai and I love family. My sister, her husband, and baby son just left after visiting for a week.”
“Cinnia’s right. Wherever you decide is best for your group, we’ll make the situation work.” Nicolai glanced between Petya and Fantine. “Do you still intend to go all the way south to Virginia City?”
“That’s the plan.” Pete said the words with as much conviction as he could muster. Still, guilt bit at his conscience because he had a vital task to complete before he could fulfill his promise to Fantine about the children.
****
The next day, they packed up the two wagons, gathered the animals, and traveled less than an hour to reach Valerik’s ranch. With no way to send advance notice, Fantine was on pins and needles worrying about yet another long explanation. Not that she would have made a different decision, but the addition of their second wagon made the group more conspicuous. So much so that by the time she pulled back on the team’s reins near the house, a tall man and a shorter woman, both blondes, stood side by side on the front porch.
Pete dismounted and bounded up the stairs, engulfing the taller man in a sideways-rocking embrace.
Suddenly feeling the lack of her family, Fantine sighed. She took a moment to gaze around at the structure of bare lumber with an unfinished second story. The barn looked to be of new construction, as well. A strange-looking black and gold wagon stood next to the barn. Was that another traveler’s wagon like Nicolai mentioned?
“Where are we?”
“Who’s that?”
“Why doesn’t this house have a roof?”
Fantine plastered on a smile and climbed down from the wagon. “Let’s follow Mister Pete and find out.” The thumb on her left hand rubbed the underside of the wire ring.
After the introductions were handled, everyone got to work unloading the essential items, preparing food for the mid-day meal, and then the men and older boys drifted away to do chores.
Hours later, in the late afternoon, the adults sat on the porch as the children played in the yard. Garth and Kerr sat on the top rail of the corral.
Fantine looked between Pete and his brother and saw the similarities in their strong physiques and confident manners. One was dark haired and the other light, but their eyes, although different shades of blue, held the same intensity when their gazes connected.
“What will you do with the children?” Dorrie turned to look at the new arrivals.
“When I left Missoula, I had a plan.” Fantine didn’t know what else to say. That time seemed so long ago, and her whole circumstance had changed.
“Then I came along.” Pete grinned.
“And that’s when her troubles started.” Valerik slapped a hand on his brother’s shoulder, and both men laughed.
Dorrie sat straighter. “I was being serious. Do you want us to contact other ranchers in the area? See if they can take on workers?” She shrugged. “I grew up on a farm in Illinois and saw that arrangement happen enough times at other places around ours.”
“No!” Pain stabbed Fantine’s heart at the idea. Her hands gripped the arms of the chair. “Sorry for my shout.” How could she think of not seeing their dear faces every day? But placing a child in a family somewhere was always the goal of the people who ran an orphanage.
“Nothing has to be decided tonight.” Pete reached over and squeezed her hand then pulled it away. “We’re still working on a plan.”
After two days, the group settled into a rhythm. Garth, Kerr, and Ander kept busy as assistants supplying boards and nails while Pete and Valerik finished building the second floor and roof of the ranch house. Fantine and Dorrie worked in the garden during the day and finished converting the adult Hakons’ clothing into shirts and dresses for the children in the evening. The older children practiced their reading aloud, or they all joined in singing a few well-known songs.
Not far away at the kitchen table, Pete whittled a fourth or fifth flute. She’d lost track of how many he’d made for the children. Valerik etched designs into bone and dyed them with black ink in a way Fantine had never witnessed before. The setting and camaraderie felt good, similar to her childhood nights. Firelight flashed off her thin ring of silver, reminding her that their stay here wasn’t permanent.
Soon, Dorrie and Valerik said goodnight and lead the way upstairs.
Fantine hurried to get the children settled, because Pete had asked her to come back downstairs. Thankfully, so much outdoor play had tired them, and they fell asleep quickly. A few minutes later, she rounded the newel post of the staircase and saw him sprawled in a chair, staring at the dying fire.
He sat up and leaned his elbows on his knees. “I’m leaving early tomorrow. I have business in Sweetwater Springs. Valerik tells me on horseback, the ride is fifteen or sixteen hours, pushing hard. I’m counting on two days.”
Leave? “What business?” Her heartrate kicked up. “I don’t understand.”
“Shh, I don’t want to cause a problem.” His eyes narrowed, and he pointed toward the ceiling. He stood, stomped to the far side of the big room, and then returned. “Don’t you see? Me being here puts you and the children in danger. I’m obligated to inform local law enforcement about my whereabouts. Besides, I won’t rest easy until I’ve talked with the sheriff about that rider.”
“And tell the sheriff what?” She hated how her voice squeaked and forced herself to suck in a slow breath. “You don’t have a name or a description. You aren’t even sure that person was following us.” He spoke with a tone she’d never heard before. One that knotted her stomach. What wasn’t he saying? What meaning should she discern but couldn’t? All she could think was that he was leaving her.
Pete stepped close but held his hands at his sides. “This is something I have to do. Trust me, Fantine.”
Nodding, she swallowed hard. “You have my trust.” And my love. Before the threatening tears could fall, she hurried upstairs to the room she shared with the girls. If the Andrushas thought the arrangement was strange, neither spoke a word. Probably, Pete had given his brother the details of their arrangement.
The next morning, the sound of muffled footsteps down the hallway jerked Fantine from her restless dozing. True to his word, Pete was out the door before dawn. Stars still winked in the inky sky. Fantine moved to the window and watched a tall, familiar form walk into the barn. Not satisfied with how they’d left matters the night before, she tossed on clothes and shoved her feet into her moccasins. When she drew close, she spotted Blaze waiting and Pete stood facing away, securing the doors.
“Pete.” She scratched her fingers on Blaze’s warm muzzle.
He turned but the hat shadowed his face. “Didn’t think you’d be up.”
“I hardly slept.” Fantine stepped close and grabbed the lapels of his coat. A thick one of denim and lined with flannel—one she hadn’t seen before. “I couldn’t let you leave without wishing you safe travels.”
With a quick move, he swept off his hat and hooked it on the pommel. Then he cupped her cheeks and took her mouth in a hard, possessive kiss.
His lips nibbled at hers, sending tingles throughout her body. She ran a hand around his neck and into the back of his wavy hair. Her pulse raced. When he pulled back, she gulped in needed air and gazed into his eyes. “Pete, I l—”
“Don’t, yagodka.” He shook his head, his lips drawn into a tight line. “Not yet.”
Little feet pounded on the porch. Kittie ran across the yard, crying, “No, no.” She wrapped her arms around his legs.
Pete glanced at Fantine and wrinkled his brow. “Another bad dream?”
“Don’t go.” She turned her tear-stained face upward. “Don’t go away.”
“No, I suspect this is a new one.” Still stung by his abrupt manner, Fantine stepped back to let him deal with the distraught little girl.
Murmuring soothing words, Pete leaned over and pried loose her hands. “You’ll be fine.”
“Come here, Kittie. Mister Pe
te has to go.” Fantine scooped up the child and held her close.
“No, I want him to stay.” She buried her face into Fantine’s neck and sobbed.
Exactly how I feel, sweetie. She rubbed soothing circles on the little girl’s back. “Sometimes, we don’t get what we want in life.”
That night, before she went to bed, Kittie stood on the front porch, blew three toots on her flute, and waited.
Fantine went outside, glad for the use of Dorrie’s shawl on a hook near the door. “Kittie, the air’s cold. Come inside.” She held out her hand toward the little girl. “Why did you do that?”
Shoulders slumped, Kittie turned and trudged over the threshold. “Maybe he’s lost like we were. I have to help him find us.”
Biting back her sudden tears, Fantine choked out, “That’s being a good friend. He’ll appreciate your help, sweetie.”
The next night, all seven children lined up on the porch and repeated the ritual, Garth and Kerr standing a couple feet away from the others.
At the front window, Dorrie stood next to Fantine with her hand to her throat. “That is just the most precious thing I’ve ever seen. I hope he lives up to their trust.”
Fantine swallowed hard, her chest tight and barely letting her breathe. “He will.”
The days of Pete’s absence were almost worse than the days after the fire. She’d become so used to turning to him and sharing special moments whenever they happened. Now performing the chores without him or seeing one of the children display a new skill made her heart ache. Dorrie and Valerik were more than gracious about welcoming what she contributed to the household. Fantine couldn’t deny that having the goats settled had increased their milk production. With the supply of plenty of hay and grain, their milk sweetened again. To keep the girls busy, she had them help her make lotions.
One afternoon, those who wanted to go to town piled into one of the wagons for the excursion. Not surprisingly, the three older boys stayed on the ranch, riding horses to help Valerik with the cattle. After watching Ander carefully the first day, Fantine was amazed how well he managed a horse, even with the stirrups on the shortest adjustment.
At the mercantile in Morgan’s Crossing, a petite woman with black hair greeted them upon entry. “I’m Jessamine, and I can answer any questions you might have.”
“Good afternoon.” Fantine turned to the children and whispered, “Remember what I said. Be on your best behavior. Don’t touch, and you may get a treat.” When she stepped up to the counter, she saw the clerk wore trousers and hoped only a mild surprise showed on her face. “I have items I’m hoping to sell. The finest quality cheese made from goat’s milk, both plain and herbed, and scented lotions.” Thankfully, Dorrie had a supply of jars from putting up the produce from her garden and insisted on sharing.
The woman lifted the three cheese balls individually to her nose and sniffed. “These smell wonderful. Are the lotions the same scent?”
“Nope.” Erin stood on tip-toe to point. “This pinkish one is paintbrush and the yellowish one is buttercup and that is gentian. I helped.”
Jessamine smiled. “That’s good.” She scratched numbers on a pad and then turned it towards Fantine. “This sum is what I’m offering for the cheeses and this total is for the lotions.”
Fantine’s eyes shot wide. “I’m pleased to accept. From the total, subtract the cost of seven peppermint sticks, please.”
A cheer went up from the children.
After the transaction concluded, Jessamine handed over a small paper sack. “Depending on the response, I’m guessing I could handle the same amount of cheese every week and the lotions maybe twice a month.”
“I’m not sure how long we’ll be visiting Morgan’s Crossing, but thank you. I will keep your generous offer in mind.”
On the fifth day after Pete’s departure, Fantine started watching the horizon. As she went about the day’s chores, she made sure to look out each window she passed. Her patience with the children’s questions and demands grew thin, because she couldn’t fight the dread that something bad had happened to keep him away. She vowed if he wasn’t home by sunset, she’d add herself at the end of the lineup on the porch.
Supper of ham and white bean stew, greens, and cornbread had just been served when a warning bark sounded from Maks.
Valerik stood and went to the back door. “Here, boy.” He reached back inside to light a lantern before he looked up and made eye contact with Fantine. “Set another place.”
Fantine took a full breath for the first time all day. Before she could move away from the table, she heard the door open again.
“Change of plans.” Valerik extended the lantern. “Meet him in the barn for a private conversation.”
She grabbed the metal bail and dashed across the yard like she was a dozen years younger. As soon as she stepped inside the structure that smelled like hay and horses, she was swept up into a tight hug. As best she could, she returned the embrace. “You’re back.”
Pete nuzzled his cool nose at the side of her neck. “Back for good, yagodka.” He kissed her cheek and then her nose, finally reaching her lips.
Fantine reveled in the desire that passed between them before he loosened his hold and hung the lantern on a nail in the wall. Seeing him made her so happy, she giggled. “Do I want to know the name you’ve given me?”
“An endearment that means berry, that reminds me of you thinking every plant you find can be eaten.”
“Most can.” All she wanted to do was look at his beloved face but he kept disappearing behind Blaze as he tended to him after the long ride. She leaned against the closest stall. “Now tell me the truth. I’ve had lots of time to think, and I know you didn’t report on a person you’d never even seen. What was so important you had to be gone this long?”
He gazed at her for a long moment over Blaze’s back and then he withdrew an envelope from one of his saddlebags. “I went to get this. I thought my business could be taken care of in Sweetwater Springs, but I had to take the train to Crenshaw, which added a day.” He stopped opposite her, lifted her left hand, and set the envelope atop it.
One look told her it came from a lawyer’s office. That kicked up her pulse. She held the ivory-colored envelope with both hands like an offering. “What is it?”
“Read it for yourself.” He moved back to Blaze and loosened the girth strap.
With shaky fingers, she broke the seal and pulled out two thick pieces of vellum. As soon as she saw the word “Will” at the top of the typewritten text, she gasped. “You had a will made?” She hurried over to his side. “Why?”
“Because I wanted my promise to take care of you to be real and forever. Hearing about the rider who might have been following us shook me to the core. Being tracked down because of my past as a bounty hunter is a possibility that I can’t control.”
“But—”
He put a finger across her lips. “Let me finish. I needed to do this. I haven’t always made the smartest choices--I’m sure you’ll hear stories from Nicolai and Valerik. But since meeting you and agreeing to be your guide, I feel like my life has meaning. Corny, huh?” He drew a hand over his jaw. “The whole time I was gone, I wondered what the kids were doing and how they were adjusting. If anyone had bad dreams. If Garth and Kerr were drawing closer to the group, or if my absence drove them away. I missed you all so much.” He gathered her into his arms and just held her.
Standing on tip-toe, she whispered into his ear, telling him about the children’s flute call each night and held him tight as he drew in several shuddering breaths.
“Well, I will thank each one when I see them.” He eased back and reached a hand into an inside pocket. “My decision about making our marriage real is made, but I need to know how you feel.” Between his thumb and forefinger he held a wedding ring. “Are you ready to trade in the baling wire promise for a solid gold one?”
Epilogue
Fantine and Petya had to wait two weeks for Reverend Norton to m
ake his monthly visit to Morgan’s Crossing for a Sunday service. In the interim, debates were held almost nightly between buying land and building a house in Morgan’s Crossing before winter set in or returning to the Hakon farm.
One night, the couple sought privacy in the barn to finally open the box holding the orphanage records. By rights, the documents not pertaining to the five children in their care should be in the hands of the Virginia City orphanage.
“I can’t do it.” Fantine fidgeted with the buttons on her waistband. “You look through them.”
“Why can’t you look? You’re the one who can verify all the records are here.”
She took in a deep breath. “I never told you the real reason I was at that orphanage.” Only her parents had known her true reason. “My younger sister was headstrong and left home with a handsome stranger. She had a baby that she left on a church pew because she’d been deserted.” Fantine sucked in a deep breath. “Then she suffered complications, and only reached out to Père and Mère for help when the end was near. Luckily, she wasn’t too far away, and I reached her within a short time. I promised her on her deathbed that I would do what I could to find the little girl and ensure she was happy.” She waved a hand toward the box. “I have every reason to believe her name is on the birth certificate for one of those children.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He ran a hand over the surface of the scratched box. “What’s your sister’s name?”
“Aubine Pomeroy. She never told me the name of the father or even if they were married.” Fantine paced, glancing at Pete with each pass along the stalls. Her thoughts warred—in one moment she wanted to know the child’s identity, and in another, she knew it didn’t matter because she had come to love them all with equal measure. What did matter was to ease Père’s and Mère’s minds about the fate of their grandchild.
He unfolded each document and put them into one of two stacks atop the wooden box where he sat. “I’ve finished. Do you want to know what I learned?”
Montana Sky_Baling Wire Promises Page 11
