Hearing noises, she had turned to find Frank standing on the shore. She had seen the look on his face. Keeping his eyes on hers, he had jumped into the river to join her.
They had swum around for a while before he took her in his arms and kissed her. She moved out of his embrace, her fingertips tracing her lips. She had never been kissed like that before. She liked it.
Nandita opened her eyes. That first kiss had been months ago, not long after Sorcha had first arrived in Clover Springs. Although she believed she was divorced, Sleeping Bear had been barrier stopping her from getting involved with Frank.
Sleeping Bear was dead now. They could be together. Just like they wanted. Only it wasn’t that easy. Stay here with Frank and lose her Indian family or go with them and lose the man she loved.
As she watched Frank work, she wondered what life on a reservation would be like. She had heard Montana had more snow and less sun but she hadn't met anyone who lived there. So that might not be true.
What was true was she would have to say goodbye to her brother, Sorcha and their girls. She would miss them and her friends in Clover Springs. She couldn't imagine not being able to go anywhere she wished. She didn't know if one could get permission to leave the reservation.
Frank had already changed his whole life. He had left his home in the South to move to Colorado. She could understand him not wanting to move again. He had a good business here with Brian. Her brother, while skilled, didn't share Frank's expertise when it came to blacksmithing. He could shoe a horse but he preferred to concentrate on healing and training the animals.
She took a deep breath as he moved closer to the fire. She didn’t want to distract him. His job was dangerous enough. Using his tongs, he removed a piece of red hot metal from the flames. He placed it on his anvil before bringing the hammer down to mold the piece into the shape he needed. Frank cared deeply for the horses he tended and every shoe fit as perfectly as he could make it.
Her thoughts wandered as he worked. The hissing of the water on the metal startled her.
"You going to stand there all day?"
Nandita gulped. How long had he known she was watching him?
"I, um—Sorcha wondered if you were staying for dinner?"
"You going?"
Nandita flushed as he waited for an answer. His deep brown eyes held hers.
"Yes."
"Good. After dinner, we will take a walk. Just the two of us."
Nandita nodded. He didn’t smile. Instead, his chocolate eyes glowed as they raked her from head to foot.
"Please ask Sorcha if she needs anything mended. She can leave it here." He pointed to the shelf. "I will see you later."
He turned back to his work, leaving her with no option but to walk back to the house. She was torn between being excited at the thought of spending some time alone with him and the fact that this could be one of the last times they saw one another.
Chapter 12
Clover Springs
Dinner was a lively affair. The girls fought over who would sit beside Nandita so she settled herself between the two of them.
“Did you know Ben is having a baby?” Meggie asked Nandita.
“Mary is having the baby, silly. Boys don’t have babies.”
“Jenny, don’t call your sister silly,” Sorcha admonished her stepdaughter. “It’s wonderful news. Mary is so excited although Davy is annoying her. He keeps insisting she stay home and rest.”
Nandita put a smile on her face as she pretended to be surprised at the news. She had guessed some time ago. It wasn’t hard, given Mary had been sick every morning.
She was happy for Mary, who had been a good friend to her and her children. But it was impossible to feel happy when her own life was about to be torn apart.
Sorcha had prepared a wonderful meal but it might as well have been rocks for all Nandita tasted. She could feel Frank's eyes on her but when she caught his gaze, he looked away. What was he thinking?
Surely, he knew how she felt about him. She couldn't tell him. Well, not in plain language, yet all her little hints seem to have been wasted. What did you expect? He isn't Indian so he isn't familiar with the ways of your people. She picked at her food. Sorcha glanced at her a couple of times, a question in her eyes, but Nandita ignored her.
She couldn't help thinking her life as she knew it was over. It was time she made a decision. Standing, she excused herself. "Thank you for the lovely meal, Sorcha. I will speak to you tomorrow." She risked a last look at Frank but he was staring at his plate. Putting a hand to her mouth, she ran from the house.
"Brian, I need to speak with you." Frank held his hands by his side, his back straight. “Can we go outside? Sorcha, thank you for the lovely meal and thank you, girls, for your beautiful company.”
Meggie and Jenny giggled in response to Frank’s teasing. Frank glanced at Sorcha. She had a secretive smile on her face but she didn’t say a word.
He walked back and forth outside the barn. It seemed to take Brian an hour to follow him, when in reality it was only seconds.
"What's up with you? I would say you were pale with fright but that's a bit difficult given your coloring."
Frank didn't laugh although he would usually have done. He admired Brian so much, not just for his skill with horses but for the unquestioning friendship he had extended. He wasn’t a man to judge someone by how they looked, hence his jokes about his skin weren’t offensive.
His silence was giving Brian cause for concern but he couldn’t speak until his knees stopped trembling. He hoped his friend and boss couldn't see just how nervous he was.
"I want to marry Nandita."
"I know that."
Frank's head shot up. "You know? How could you? I haven't told anyone."
Brian laughed softly. "You didn't have to say anything. Your eyes and actions told everyone."
"You mean... what do you mean everyone?" Frank swallowed hard. "Does she know?"
"If, by she, you mean my sister, I assume she does, although we have never discussed it. Why don’t you ask her?"
"I would but I wasn't sure how. Don't I have to go to speak to the chief or do I speak to you? I would speak to her father but..." Frank wiped his hands on his trousers. "Help me, Brian. It is not something I am used to doing."
"I should hope not. I know the Indian way is to take many wives but my sister is half white."
"Do you think I am not good enough for her?"
"What? No, of course not." Brian laughed at Frank's scowl. "Sorry, that came out wrong. Of course you are good enough. I can't think of anyone I would rather have as a brother-in-law."
Frank let his shoulders relax. Brian wasn't good with words and it wasn’t unusual for his boss to say something the wrong way.
"What I meant, Frank, was my sister deserves to be the only wife. You never mentioned your family. I assume you haven't been married."
"No. I ain't had the time to go courting. But I've been saving hard and have my own place now. It's not as big as this but you know that. I have good skills and business is expanding all the time."
"So why haven't you asked her?"
Frank looked away. He hated having to admit he was scared. He thought it was bad when he'd run away from his master during the war but this was worse. Facing Nandita, telling her how he felt about her, it was just about the hardest thing he ever had to do.
"Frank, I would be honored to have you as a member of our family. Go speak to my sister before you lose your nerve again." Brian clapped Frank so hard on the back, he nearly stumbled.
Chapter 13
He walked slowly in the direction of the creek where Nandita was waiting.
He knew she heard him approach, despite him being careful not to step on any twigs. You couldn't surprise an Indian. They had been too well trained in learning about their environment from an early age. Nandita stared into the water, her waist-length black hair glistening in the moonlight.
"Nan, I'm sorry I kept you waiting."
She did
n’t respond.
"I didn’t follow you as I wanted to speak to Brian."
"So speaking to my brother is more interesting than going for a walk with me?" She turned to him, her face twisted into a fierce expression. He reached for her but she moved out of his range.
"Nan, don't be angry. I have something to say."
"To me or would you like me to bring my brother?"
"Nandita, you listen to me now. I have had enough of your tantrums. Be a good wife and listen."
"Wife? I am not your wife."
"Not yet. But I would like you to be. Heck, Nandita, this isn't the way it should be." Frank moved closer to her, relieved she stood still. He didn’t rate his chances of catching her should she decide to run.
He pushed a strand of her silky hair back from her face. Still she didn’t react but stood like a statue, her eyes glued to his. Putting his hands on either side of her face, he took the last step to close the distance between them. "Nandita, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
He didn’t give her a chance to say anything but dipped his head to leave a fleeting kiss on her lips.
Moving fully into his arms, she raised her face for another one.
"Is that a ..."
Her kiss stopped him from finishing his question. Their lips moved slowly at first before deepening into a tender embrace. Her legs felt weak but in a good way. She liked how her blood raced to different parts of her body.
She leaned against him, not wanting to break this moment. After a couple of minutes, he groaned as he pushed her aside. She tried to move back closer to him but he stopped her.
"Nandita, I can't. I won't be able to stop."
She didn’t care. She tried to bring his face closer for another kiss but he kept her at arm’s length.
"Nandita, stop. Please." He kissed her lightly on the forehead before pulling her close to him. "You didn't answer the question."
“Yes, I want to marry you,” she whispered, “but I can’t.”
His obvious delight at her first words disappeared. “Why? Sleeping Bear is dead. You are free. Aren’t you?”
Nandita moved away from him, wrapping her arms around her body. “I have no husband, true, but what of my family? If I marry you, I will lose them.”
He moved to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. When she didn’t pull away, he pulled her gently into his arms. “You cannot go live on the reservation. You will be like a caged bird. Your heart will break and you will die.” At her sob, he pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head. “Stay here, be my wife. You will be free.”
“You don’t understand.”
Her words cut him to the bone. Pushing her away, he walked to the water’s edge, trying to stop the memories her words had unleashed from flooding his brain. “I do not understand? How could you say that to me? I know what it is like not to be free. To see your father and mother auctioned off like cattle. To watch your family moved from place to place in ankle irons.”
He whirled back to face her.
“Never tell me again I do not understand what it is to be a captive. But the difference is, I chose to be free. You are free yet you are choosing to be a slave.”
Frank marched away. He knew he hadn’t been totally fair. But he couldn’t deal with anyone now. He knew tonight the nightmares would be worse than usual. Tears flowed unchecked down his cheeks as he made his way via the river bed to the place he called home.
Nandita stared after Frank, her fingernails pinching the palms of her hands. Of course he understood what it was like not to be free. How could she have hurt the man she loved so badly? She’d seen the scars caused by his childhood, not just the physical ones on his back but the ones that kept him awake at night. She fell to her knees as her emotions overcame her. She cried until there were no tears left. Lying by the river, she stared into the water. Great Spirit, help me. Please, help me.
Brian waited for Nandita and Frank to come back but neither arrived.
“Sorcha, if something happened, they would have come back to tell us.”
“Maybe they wanted some time alone. It’s so romantic. Finally, they are going to get married. I mean, they have been in love for ages.”
Brian smiled at the woman in his arms. He had nearly lost her through fear. She was right. He had to trust the feelings his sister and friend had for one another. But it didn’t stop the ice forming in the pit of this stomach. He couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong. Sorcha reached up to pull him toward her. One kiss and everything else was forgotten.
Chapter 14
Boston 1884
Lawrence stifled a grin. It had been a while since his mother had been in such a flap.
“Yes, dear,” his father said over the top of his newspaper.
“Don’t ‘yes, dear’ me. It’s all your fault. You were the one who said we were opening a branch in Denver.”
Lawrence’s father threw his eyes up to heaven behind cover of the newspaper. Lawrence held his napkin over his mouth to hide his grin. Only when fully composed did he address his mother.
“Mother, whatever is the matter?”
“You can stop pretending innocence. You know what happened. Your father invited Father Molloy and one of his, his…”
“Parishioners, dear.”
His mother threw a killer look at his father, who was once more hidden behind his newspaper.
“Father Molloy and one of his young charges, a girl, to accompany us on our trip to Denver. They will share our car.” His mother stopped talking to take a bite of her buttered roll. “Why couldn’t you just buy them the train tickets, Roland?”
“Our trip?” Lawrence nearly choked on his coffee. “You said Mitchell was coming but I didn’t know you intended on traveling, too, Mother.”
“Of course I am coming. I am not about to let the two of you manage social events surrounding the opening of the branch. Neither of you are exactly socially aware.”
Lawrence tried hard to control his temper. His mother seemed to think he was a child, and an incapable one at that. “Mother, I think both of us are quite capable of attending a dinner after the grand opening. It seems silly to drag you all the way out West.”
“I am going, Lawrence, and that is the end of the matter.” His mother’s frosty tone could have chilled champagne.
Lawrence exchanged another look with his father but neither said anything. His mother’s moods were legendary but this latest seemed to be worse than all the previous ones combined.
“I will invite Father Molloy for afternoon tea tomorrow. Lawrence, you will be busy at the office, as will you, Roland.”
Lawrence hid behind his napkin again. His mother didn’t want an audience. He couldn’t wait to meet the girl who had put his mother on edge.
Emer tried to quell her panic as the cab drove through the gated entrance and up the long circular driveway. Looking out the window, she saw the grandest house she had ever seen. Minnie’s mansion was small in comparison. The cab stopped in front of the wide steps in the middle of two thick white columns. She stepped down from the cab carefully while Father Molloy paid the driver.
“Father, please, let me leave now. I don’t belong here.”
“Emer, we’ve discussed this. Mrs. Shipley invited us for afternoon tea. Now, hold your head up high and take my arm. We are going in.”
Emer took his arm and promptly tripped over her skirt. She would have fallen if the old priest hadn’t helped her. The manservant opened the front door. Emer stared as they walked into the wide hallway, her shoes making loud noises on the marble floors. Up ahead, she saw a large curved staircase. Wonder what the upstairs looks like?
The butler showed them into a spacious room, advising them Mrs. Shipley would be right with them. Emer walked over to the patterned walls. The room was so pretty. Heavy curtains were tied at the sides of the large windows, allowing light to flood the room. The door opened again to admit a tall, striking woman. She watched as their host greeted Father Molloy warm
ly.
“Sit down, please, Father Molloy. Tea will be served in a few minutes.”
Father Molloy shook the lady’s hand before turning to Emer. “My dear Mrs. Shipley, let me present Miss Emer Matthews.”
Emer bobbed, keeping her hands behind her back. The lady nodded but Emer didn’t miss the cold stare raking her over. The chills raced down her spine as she was obviously found wanting.
“I am so glad you decided to take Roland up on his offer. Traveling can be such a tedious affair, don’t you think?”
“It’s been a long time since I traveled further than the parish boundaries. I am rather excited.” The priest’s joy was obvious.
“What takes you to Colorado? Surely the Church isn’t moving you there after all these years?”
The butler arrived with the tea, interrupting the flow of conversation. Emer caught the servant looking at her with the same disdainful glance his mistress had used. Making sure Father Molloy wasn’t watching, she stuck her tongue out at the butler as he was leaving the room.
“Not at all. This is a vacation. I wish to visit with some of the girls who left us a few years back. They have settled in a small town in Colorado. Clover Springs.”
“Don’t think I have been there, Father.”
Doesn’t look like you would like to go, either.
“Ah, Lawrence, thank you for joining us. I thought you would be too busy.”
Emer stifled a giggle as the woman’s tone suggested she was chastising a school boy rather than a grown man. What you mean was you wanted him to stay away. She was curious to meet the son of this old witch. She looked up to find laughing green eyes staring back at her. How long had he been standing there? Did he see me stick out my tongue at the butler? She sat straighter, instinctively drawn to the young man. He was everything his mother wasn’t. His smile was genuine. It didn’t hurt he was attractive. Not classically good looking but what was the word? Distinguished. You mean rich.
Emer: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Page 4
