Love on the Plains

by Knight, Ciara

  He refused to respond.

  She gave him her most fierce frown. “Well, aren’t you going to say something?”

  “You assume too much.”

  She wanted to smack him across his smug face. “Life can’t be this cruel. Haven’t I suffered enough?”

  He directed the horse over a creek and continued until only the faint sound of a piano echoed across the prairie. Dinah longed to return to the cheerful sounds drifting away from her, and not to continue forward with this…man. But for now, she was stuck. She could still see the town, so certainly she could walk back when her ankle was better, so long as they didn’t continue to ride for much longer. In Sioux City, she could find a man more suitable to be her husband.

  The sound of a dog barking and children laughing lay ahead. At least she wouldn’t be out here alone. If he was as wealthy as the mail-order service indicated, certainly he had servants and workers running his place. That’s why his home wasn’t in town; it had to be large and beautiful. Her mood perked up at the thought. She imagined a grand veranda that she’d sit on with her sisters sipping a Mint Julep while entertaining company. The thought of her old life made her smile.

  The man behind her was strong and underneath the bushy beard, perhaps even a little handsome. Maybe with a shave and some grooming, he’d be more acceptable. Once she tamed him into submission, that is. Mother had always said a pretty smile and soft words could soothe any man.

  They exited a small area of trees, crested a hill, and all she saw was tall prairie grass that went on forever. This landscape was nothing like the thick green forest back home. Yet, it was a different kind of beauty. The kind that made her feel free and open to the world instead of hiding away from it. They followed a path through the tall prairie grass, so tall it nearly reached her knees even on top of the horse.

  They closed the distance to a small white home with a white fence around it. Her heart sunk, realizing her vision of a grand and beautiful home had been dashed. Oh well, trying to tidy up a man such as Mr. Hardin would have proven to be an impossible task, anyway. A barn and open grass lands with animals surrounded the main building near the creek. She set her jaw. This place wasn’t a mansion, but it wasn’t burned and falling. It was a good temporary stop for now.

  Three children ran and played around the field until they spotted them on horseback. The eldest girl gathered the younger boy and little girl to her sides, and waited for them to pass. The little one looked frightened and the boy scowled.

  Dinah waved to them, and the little one raised her tiny hand and opened her fingers with a half-smile.

  “I think they’re scared of you,” she commented to the beast who sat behind her.

  He only grunted a response.

  She watched the home draw closer and eyed the kids sneaking behind them, hiding in the prairie grass. With their grimy faces and raggedy clothes, the children must belong to one of Mr. Hardin’s field hands. “Whose kids, are they, anyway?”

  “Yours.”

  Chapter Three

  The afternoon had slipped away, frustrating Colt. He should’ve already hunted, checked traps, and returned to town for drinks by now. The day had been wasted, too late to even make it out to the wilderness where he belonged. Besides, he needed to settle that beautiful yet arrogant woman, Miss Dinah McKinnie. He doubted she would be able to manage with the kids and the house, though. She obviously had expected to be taken care of, rather than care for others. He suspected she’d never cared for anyone but herself, anyway.

  He unsaddled the horse and guided him into the barn. Anna followed, stomping inside with all the attitude of a thirteen-year-old girl—or was she twelve?

  “You need to fetch water, so Miss McKinnie can bathe,” Anna demanded.

  Loyal neighed as if to warn him to remain silent, so Colt ignored the demand and attended to the chores.

  “So, are you going to fetch water?” Anna growled more than spoke. “Miss McKinnie is covered in mud, and I’m guessing because of your appalling treatment.”

  The way the girl fisted her hands at her side and held strength in her tone was a flash of his own dear sister. “She can bathe in the creek, like the rest of us,” he stated.

  Anna huffed and about-faced, her long, blond braid whipping like a lion’s tail. She had the attitude of her mother, for sure. Colt remembered when Margaret had given him a tongue-lashing in front of the entire school for being late and tracking dirty water onto the schoolhouse floor, from when he went frogging.

  He finished tending to Loyal and fed the hogs. Samuel, his main trapper and closest thing to a friend, had tended to the livestock well while he was away. Of course, he always had. Colt headed back to the house. Three little heads bopped along the fence line, each carrying a pail of water from the creek to the house. Anna shot him a sideways glare, James didn’t look at him, and Emma was dragging her smaller bucket along in the grass. Guilt shot through him. Now why would Anna go and convince her siblings to fetch water for their new guest? Was it to make him feel guilty? He swiped his brow. Those three always had a way of tugging at his dead heart. He wasn’t going to let Miss McKinnie manipulate those children. This wasn’t what he’d hoped for when he’d posted the advertisement. Most men complained that their woman, while a hard worker, was homely and not much to look at. Colt never thought he’d be the one who ended up with a useless beauty.

  But he needed to convince Dinah McKinnie to marry him and stay to watch the kids. That conversation would have to wait until tomorrow, though. Tempers were too high for now.

  Anna opened the front door, and after the kids trooped into the house, Emma slammed it behind them. The kids had made their point, and he didn’t want any of them getting hurt trying to carry such heavy buckets. He reached the fence line by the time the door opened again.

  “Creek water not good enough for our princess?” he called out as his sister’s kids tumbled out the door.

  James contorted his face into the best gunslinger snarl he could manage and Emma huffed, but not Anna. Anna opened her mouth and let him have it.

  “Since you, sir, are no gentleman, you wouldn’t understand. She is a lady. A beautiful lady who should not be exposed out here at the creek for any possible passer-by to see. Father never made Mother bathe in the creek. He would always fetch the water, have me heat it on the stove, and he would pour it into the tub for her. You’re nothing like our father, so we will have to be the man of the house. Right, James?” She looked down at her younger brother who remained silent.

  In fact, James hadn’t spoken in two years, not since the accident.

  James nodded, then Emma huffed again.

  “Bucket.” Colt held out his hand and Anna passed it to him.

  “I’m glad to see you do have some shred of decency. I still can’t believe you were related to our fine mother, though. She’d be ashamed of you,” Anna said.

  Decency? Never. And he wasn’t going to spend the next few days coddling a woman who only wanted him for his money. Money, he had. Patience, he didn’t. He marched to the creek, dunked the bucket, and returned to the house.

  Anna remained with a look of accomplishment on her face, which little Emma copied the best she could. James hadn’t removed his snarl. Colt marched into the home, past the stove, into the bedroom where his sister and her husband once slept, and before Miss Dinah McKinnie could turn around in the bathtub to notice who’d entered, he dumped the freezing water over the woman’s head.

  She squealed and screamed. Anna ran inside and pummeled his chest with her small fists. “Get out!”

  He stormed out the door and returned to his chores. If that didn’t put Miss Southern Snob in her place, he’d have to get tougher. Otherwise, this wouldn’t work, and he’d have to try to convince Mrs. McDaniel to take the kids on again until he could find a replacement. He’d have to send for another wife, but he couldn’t be left alone with those children. Not when he was what children had nightmares about.

  He’d get it right
next time. He’d make sure to include “strong” and “humble” in his next advertisement.

  Chapter Four

  Warm yet diffused sun poured into the room, heating Dinah’s already warm face. She shot up and looked around, only to find herself lying in an unfamiliar bed, clothed in an unfamiliar night shirt, in an unfamiliar room. A dog barked beyond the window, and birds chirped. She wiped the dampness from her brow with a thin white sleeve and sat up on the side of the bed.

  The door creaked open and the young girl, Anna, poked her head through. “I didn’t think you’d ever wake up. You must be exhausted after your travels.” She pushed the door open farther and placed a covered plate and cup on the dresser. “Made you some lunch.”

  “Lunch? Is it that late?”

  “Later than that. It’s almost supper time. You’ve been asleep more than a day.” Anna pointed to the chair in the corner. “I put some of Ma’s things out for you to wear. I think you’re about the same size she was.”

  “Was?” That man outside had probably driven her away.

  “Yeah, Ma died a couple of years ago.” Anna’s lips tightened, and her gaze dropped to the floor.

  Dinah’s chest tightened at the thought of these kids without a mother, but she wasn’t staying. Not for anyone.

  Anna backed up. “You remind me of her. Pretty and strong.”

  “I’m not going to be a replacement for your mother, despite anything your father says.” Dinah had to make that a point. There was no reason for those kids to get attached to her if she wasn’t staying. And she was not staying.

  Anna laughed, a full-blown laugh. Dinah sucked in a breath. Had the child gone insane from the loss of her mother and the horrid treatment of her father?

  “Pa died, too. We only got Uncle Colt left.” Anna lifted one hand. “Don’t worry, he won’t barge in again. He’s out working. Been out since daybreak.”

  Now Dinah really hated herself for not wanting to stay. But she couldn’t marry a man like Colt Hardin. She’d been manipulated by the man. He was no successful businessman, the way his advertisement had claimed. That being said, she could find a new husband and convince him to hire someone to care for the children. Right after she begged him to bring the rest of her sisters to Sioux city.

  Dinah stood, but her ankle was sore. Not sore enough to keep her inside, though. She hobbled to the dresser and took a sip of lukewarm milk. It wasn’t her favorite, but she didn’t want to hurt the girl’s feelings. “Thank you for the food.”

  “You’re welcome. I best be getting back to fixin’ supper. I hope you like stew.”

  Dinah nodded. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious.” She picked up the bland colored skirt made of rough material. The door clicked closed, and Dinah wanted to fall back into bed and stay there the rest of the day. How would she land a new husband in these clothes? She needed to get to town and buy some real garments, but with no money, she’d have to get Mr. Hardin to pay for them. That wouldn’t be an easy task, but it’s the least the man could do for bringing her all the way to Sioux City under false pretenses. Colt Hardin owed her.

  After a few bites of the sandwich with salty meat in it, Dinah dressed in the depressing clothing and found a brush on the dresser. Thank goodness, she’d managed to extract the dried mud-crusted pins from her hair yesterday before stepping into the bath. A blush heated her cheeks recalling how Mr. Hardin had broken into her sanctuary while she was in no state for company. It took a hundred strokes or so, but her long hair was glistening once again.

  She retrieved the plate and cup and followed the narrow hall to the large main room with the kitchen on one side and living space on the other. A green sofa faced a stone fireplace and two chairs sat at either side in front of it. Several windows with sheer curtains let light into the kitchen which was good since the front and back doors both were solid wood.

  The aroma of hearty stew made her stomach growl, despite the half sandwich she’d eaten. “It smells delicious. Did your mother teach you to cook?” she asked Anna.

  “Yes, and Mrs. McDaniel. She was the woman we were living with until yesterday, when Uncle Colt returned again.”

  Dinah set her plate in the wash bucket and sat down at the table. “Did you live with her long?”

  “For almost a year. We lived here for a while after our parents died, but Uncle Colt didn’t stick around much. When he was here, he didn’t sleep in the house, and he only spoke to us when necessary. It wasn’t bad, though. He brought us everything we needed.”

  “That’s horrible. How old were you?” Dinah couldn’t believe the man could abandon small children after the death of their mother and father.

  “I was almost eleven. James is strong for his age, but Uncle Colt always did the wood chopping and worked with the animals.”

  Dinah shook her head. “That’s not enough. You are his kin; your mother would be upset with his treatment of her children.”

  Anna dropped some more carrots into the soup pot. “I don’t know. I overheard Ma telling Pa once that her brother was broken. I didn’t know what that meant until he arrived here.”

  “Broken? From what?” Dinah asked, even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

  Anna shook her head, her braid dancing along her back. She reminded Dinah of Elizabeth as a little girl. Beth had been more of a boy than a girl at this age, climbing trees and besting the boys at any game. Dinah’s heart ached at how she’d left things with Elizabeth. A beat passed before she realized Anna was still speaking.

  “Don’t know,” Anna mused. “Ma told me I was too young to understand the complexities of war.”

  “He served? Which side?” Dinah couldn’t help but have a twinge of anger toward the man. If he was a former Union soldier, she wasn’t sure she could handle another second near him.

  “Don’t know.”

  The door flew open, and Mr. Hardin entered, breathing heavy and stomping his dirty boots across the floor. “Fetch the others,” he demanded of Anna. To Dinah, he said, “Stay inside.”

  He retrieved a shotgun from over the fireplace and loaded it. Without another word, he exited the front door, leaving behind the smell of sweat and fear.

  Anna sprinted through the house to the back, flung the door open, and raced down the back steps. Dinah watched through the front window as two men rode up on horseback.

  The kids rushed inside, and Anna sat them at the table before she lowered the wooden boards to secure the front and back doors.

  “Who are they?” Dinah asked, keeping her eyes on the men.

  Anna joined her at the window. “I think they work for Uncle Colt.”

  Emma whimpered at the table, and it took Dinah back to the sounds Josephine made when the Civil War first reached Georgia. She would sit on her bed and cry for her brothers, who were either fighting or dead already. Dinah couldn’t deny the pull to comfort the child even if only for a few minutes. She settled at Emma’s side and wrapped her arm around the little one. “It’s okay, honey. Your uncle can take care of us. I’d say he is a strong man who can handle himself.”

  Emma swiped her uncombed hair from her eyes. “He’s scary, too.”

  James shot up and paced the floor. He didn’t say anything, but Dinah could see the anger and fear in his eyes.

  Desperate to take the children’s mind off whatever danger lay outside, she brightly said, “I can’t wait for dinner. It smells scrumptious.” She beamed at James and Emma. “You two are lucky to have such a good cook for a sister.”

  “She is a good cook, even if she makes us eat green beans. Yuck.” Emma’s precious voice tugged at Dinah’s heartstrings. Their mother was a blessed woman, but being a mother to these young ones wasn’t her fate. Dinah could not live out here on a farm. She’d never make a good mother without servants and staff to help. She was her mother’s child, after all. And the paucity in which this family lived, brought back too many memories of the horrors of war. She pressed her hands to her eyes, trying to forget.

  Anna
turned to face them. “They’re leaving.” She removed the board, and before she could even settle it in its spot the door flew open.

  “It’s safe, but stay inside tonight,” Colt ordered. “There’s something I have to do. I’ll be back by morning.”

  Dinah’s heart pounded in her chest. She shot up and rounded the table. “You’re going to leave us here?”

  He ignored her and put the shotgun back on top of the fireplace before he checked the smaller gun on his belt. Then he grabbed a piece of bread from under a cloth.

  She followed him outside to the bottom of the steps, but he turned, and she ran into his chest.

  “Inside,” he ordered.

  Dinah wasn’t having any more of his attitude. “No. I have no shoes and no clothes. And this shall not become my home. My ankle is too sore for me to walk to town, but it shouldn’t take you long to drive me there. We’ll take the children with us so that they are safe.”

  “You’re staying here.”

  “You, sir, misrepresented yourself in your advertisement. I’m not going to tolerate your attitude one more minute.”

  He growled, a deep sound resonating up his throat, but it didn’t stop her. She jabbed her finger into his chest. “And another thing. I am not those children’s mother, and I will never be their mother. They are not ‘mine.’ I am not meant to work a farm and raise children on my own while the man runs off to go rob banks, or whatever it is you’re about to do.”

  His dark eyebrow rose, disappearing under his hat. “Banks?”

  “Whatever mischievous activities you have planned, I want no part. You hook up the wagon I see over by the barn and drive me into town right now. Or, I’ll…”

  He abandoned her mid-sentence and headed to the barn. She chased after him into the musty building. “Mr. Hardin, you will do as I tell you and take me to town. I’ll find a way to stay at the hotel and I’ll make it on my own. I don’t need you and I don’t want you.”