A Groom for Claire

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  Ben frowned. “Our protection.”

  “Do you have any skills? Or have you just been drifting from town to town?”

  Al stood. “Look, we’re down on our luck right now, but we have plans. You have no right to judge us.”

  Claire came from the kitchen and put a plate of bread and butter on the table. “Help yourselves. We have plenty.”

  Ethan stepped toward Claire and got between her and Ben. “Eat up. I’ll help you in the kitchen, dear.” He took her arm and practically pushed her back into the kitchen. Leah was making a pie, and Tom had come back in and was peeling potatoes.

  Tom looked worried. “You think they’re trouble, don’t you?”

  Ethan nodded. “Yes, I do. I want you all to stay in here. Go ahead and make dinner. But stay in here and don’t get between them and me or Alex. Stay out of arm’s reach. If you have something to set on the table, give it to me.”

  Still holding the rifle in his hands, Ethan handed it to Tom. “Guard the door. Don’t let either of them come in here. If you hear any trouble, I want you to take your sister and Mother outside and hide. Understand?” He gazed at the three of them.

  Tom stood. “I will. You can count on me.”

  “Go ahead and make them a good warm supper. The best thing might be to fill their bellies, and they’ll be on their way.”

  Ethan turned to go back into the den when Tom stopped him. “Thanks for trusting me with the rifle.”

  “You’re a man, now, Tom. That’s how I’m going to treat you. I didn’t come to take away from you. I hope you’ll understand that.”

  “I do now. Thanks, Ethan.” Tom stood by the door.

  Ethan went back out and saw that Alex was seated in the chair to watch both men.

  Ben stuffed a piece of buttered bread into his mouth, leaving streaks of butter on his reddish beard. “Thanks for the food. I was about starved.”

  Al nodded. “My stomach was shaking hands with my backbone. Your woman makes good bread.”

  “She’ll have dinner ready soon enough. Tonight, I’ll give you blankets, and you can sleep in the barn.” Ethan rounded up a couple of blankets and put them by the door.

  “That’s kind of you.” Al pointed at the picture over the fireplace mantle. “I don’t see you in the picture. How long have you been here?”

  Ethan leaned against the wall by the door. “Long enough.”

  “You one of those grooms come to marry a blizzard bride?”

  Alex shoved his foot at the man’s chair, nearly unseating him. “I don’t think we invited you in to discuss family matters. Eat up, because when you’re done, you’re going outside.”

  Ben shook his head. “It sure is cold out there. Those clouds might be signaling more snow. Surely, a nice friendly couple like you wouldn’t throw us outside.”

  “Don’t push me, or I’ll send you away snow or not. I don’t trust you and your friend. We’ll feed you and offer you shelter, and tomorrow you’ll be on your way.” Ethan stared Ben down to let him know this was the way it would be.

  Though Ethan had little experience with troublemakers. After all, few ever frequented the library, but his feelings for Claire and the children bolstered his courage, and he knew he was there to protect them.

  Al buttered another piece of bread. “Relax, Ethan, is it? We’re only here for shelter and food. We’ll leave as soon as we’re able. After all, there might be some lonely widow who needs our help. Right, Ben?”

  “That’s right. Besides, looks like you found your widow.” Ben looked at him and gave him a menacing grin. “Don’t you worry. We’re just cold and hungry.”

  Ethan understood them. They were like wolves and not to be trusted. He’d not sleep tonight.

  Claire came to the door. By the look on her face, Ethan felt like he was in more trouble than the strangers. The woman didn’t like to be told what to do, but she waited for him to retrieve the dish.

  She’d made a quick chicken pot pie with the chicken she’d had left over from the party. There wasn’t enough for the family, but the two men should get their fill.

  Ethan took the plate to the men and dished out the food on their plates. “I’ll get you some water.”

  Ben looked up. “You don’t have anything stronger, do you?”

  “Alcohol makes you colder, and no, we don’t. Water it is. I’ll see that she makes some coffee.”

  “I made coffee.” Claire stood at the door. The look on her face told Ethan that she’d heard, and her opinion had now changed, and she had no intention of going near the men.

  Ethan took the pot and cups from her. “Hot coffee on a cold night will do you good.” He poured them each a cup and then set the coffee pot in front of them. “Eat up. My wife is a good cook.”

  “That she is Mr.? What is your name? I don’t think you gave it to me. We saw this is the Braden Farm, but I doubt you’re Mr. Braden.”

  Ethan stood back by the door. “No need for you to know. Eat up before I lose my hospitality.”

  Al grinned at him with that wolfish grin. “Now, now. No need to be hasty. I’m just now thawing out.” He stretched around toward the kitchen door. “Hey, boy. I think the stove needs some more wood.”

  “Stay in there, Tom. I’ll take care of it.” Ethan went to the wood box and threw in a couple of pieces of wood.

  Al looked around. “I haven’t seen many trees around here. Where do you get the wood?”

  Ethan didn’t have any idea.

  Alex cleared his throat. “We ride out to the woodlands and chop it down. So, get that straight, you’re using up the wood that we chopped down for this family. Don’t push us, or we’ll run you out now.”

  Raising his hands, Al laughed. “Whew, you two are touchy. We aren’t wanting trouble, and we thank you kindly for the food and promise of a warm night. Tomorrow, we’ll be on our way.”

  Ethan nodded. Yes, they would be on their way. His gut feelings had been right. These two were no good. He’d tried to think if any men in town could protect the women from these wolves. He’d get with Alex and figure out what to do.

  Finally, the two were scraping their plates, and the food was gone. Ben looked up. “The little woman have any more bread we could take out to the barn with us. It might make the night feel warmer if we had food to eat.”

  “I’ll check.” Ethan went to the kitchen.

  Claire met him at the door. “It’s all I have. I’m sorry I doubted your word. You were right to be wary of those two. I don’t like them. Please be careful.”

  Ethan took the bread and then pulled her close to him and kissed her. “You stay in here. We’ll get them into the barn, and then we’ll guard the house. I won’t let any harm come to you or the children.”

  Tom went to them. “I’ll do whatever you tell me.”

  “I want you all to sleep in the same room tonight. Tom, you keep that rifle and watch the window.”

  Claire took his hand. “I have a gun in my room in the bedstand. I’ll get it before I go to bed.” She smiled. “We are a pioneer family.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  She smiled. “And you are, too. Thank you for coming, Ethan. Be careful.”

  Chapter 15

  Claire heard the front door open and close. She was about to look out when Ethan came into the kitchen.

  “Let’s get you settled in the bedroom.”

  “Leah’s only has one window. That will be the easiest to guard.” Claire ushered the children into the living room and to Leah’s bedroom. She turned to Ethan. “I need to get pillows and blankets from my room. I’ll get my gun too.”

  Tom settled in the chair by the door. “I can watch the door and the window from here.”

  “Good man.” Ethan helped settle Leah in bed and closed the curtain to her window.

  “Ethan, I like to look at the moon.” Leah squeaked from under the blankets in a small, scared voice.

  “It will be all right, just this once. Don’t you worry. Tom will guard you, and Alex
and I will be outside watching the house. You’ll be safe.”

  The child smiled and turned over.

  Claire put a blanket over her. Then she faced Ethan. “I think those two will try something.”

  “They might. Alex hid their guns. At least the ones we could see. Are there any other rifles in the barn?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  Tom sat up. “An old one. Pa had it to hunt deer. He said it was an old buffalo gun that he won off someone.”

  “Where is it?”

  “We keep it by the barn door.”

  “Is it loaded?”

  Tom nodded. “Pa always said an unloaded gun wasn’t going to help us.”

  “All right, I’ll try and get it. Don’t let anyone in this door. When I leave, push the drawer in front of it.”

  Tom nodded.

  Claire got on one end of the drawer. “We’ll be all right, children. Tom, help me move this.”

  Ethan went outside and closed the door.

  Claire pushed with all her might to move the heavy piece of furniture. Finally, they had it in front of the door. She dusted her hands off and nodded at Tom. “We’ll be fine.”

  Her son stared at her. “Is that your knowing thing, or do you just want me to feel good?”

  She had to grin at him. “Well, it’s just me wanting to feel good about things. But I think Alex and Ethan can handle those two. They knew right off the men were no good.”

  Tom grinned. “I did too. When I saw them, I saw meanness in their eyes. I’ll protect you and Leah.”

  “I know you will. I’m not worried. Not at all.”

  A loud blast echoed in the night.

  Claire stared at Tom.

  Her son gulped. “That sounded like the buffalo gun.”

  Quiet settled over the farm and the small room. So silent that Claire was sure Tom could hear her heart racing like a locomotive. What if Ethan had been hurt. Or Alex.

  “It only holds one bullet. Ethan will be all right. It had a hair-trigger.” Tom sat down in his chair and picked up the rifle. “Go ahead and lay down with Leah. I’ll watch the room.”

  Claire saw that Leah was sleeping and chose to sit in the other chair by the window. She peeked out the curtain but couldn’t see that anything was going on. Ethan must have made the gun go off by mistake.

  Minutes ticked off on the clock in the den. Finally, her heart stopped racing, and she began to relax. She’d almost fallen asleep when she heard the front door to the house open. She always knew when Thomas came in late because of the loud creak it made. Thomas always said how he meant to sand down the hinges and stop the noise, but he’d never gotten around to it.

  She tried to still her breaths to listen. If it had been Ethan, he’d have called out. Besides, she always knew he was in the house because of the way he clomped on the wooden floor. She’d scolded him about it, but he told her he liked the sound, and he had no reason to tiptoe about.

  Whoever had come in was being quiet. She imagined she heard heavy breathing on the other side of the door. For once, Claire wished she’d brought Rustler inside. He’d have helped them watch over the children. She looked at Tom.

  Then she heard a whispered voice. “Mrs. Braden, Ethan got shot and needs your help. Where are you?”

  Tom looked at her and shook his head.

  She kept quiet.

  “Mrs. Braden come on out. I won’t hurt you. I just came to get you because Ethan accidently got shot.”

  Claire thought it sounded like the one named Ben, the leader of the two. She remained quiet and heard him walking around her home. She shivered and felt violated that an unwelcome stranger would come into her house.

  She put a hand to her head. What had happened to Ethan? Had he been shot? Where was he?”

  Ben pushed on Leah’s door. “You all in there? You better come out. Like I said, Ethan needs you.”

  Claire wanted to call out, but she couldn’t. She held the pistol in her lap. Only one other time had she had to get her gun and that was when Indians had attacked them. She checked the cylinder and saw it was loaded.

  Her thought ricocheted to that day. Thomas had them on the floor in the house as he fired his rifle. Her duty had been to reload the gun as quickly as she could. The pistol, he told her to keep it as a last resort. She knew what that had meant. A bullet for each of them. Better to die with dignity than in torture and disgrace, he’d told her.

  Today, she’d use that gun on Ben or Al if she had to. She wasn’t letting them hurt her children. She didn’t relish the idea of hurting another soul, but to protect her family, she’d do what she had to.

  The window beside her rattled. This time it was Al’s voice. “Open up, lady. The men can’t help you now.” He chuckled. “A little warm companionship is all we want.”

  Tom raised his rifle. “Get away from the window, Ma. Get Leah and go to the other side of the bed on the floor.”

  Claire did as her son told her. She put a blanket down and set Leah on the floor and knelt beside her. Claire kept the pistol raised and ready to fire if either of the strangers came inside the room.

  Someone shoved on the bedroom door, and the drawer scratched at the floor. Tom put his back against the dresser and pushed it back.

  Claire’s heart was in her throat.

  A bang on the window and then shattering glass coincided with a gunshot outside as men’s angry voices filled the air along with the sounds of a fight.

  Chapter 16

  Ethan held his arm to stop the bleeding. Ben had a derringer and as soon as they walked into the barn, shot him in the arm. Alex charged him, but Al had hit him with a shovel, and he was just now coming to.

  “Alex, quick. We have to go after the men. Claire—”

  Holding his head, Alex stumbled up. “I know. We’ll go.” He stared at Ethan. “You’re bleeding. Let me fix that first. I don’t think they’ll find their guns.”

  Alex tore off a piece of his shirt and wrapped it around Ethan’s arm. “I don’t think it’s as bad as it looks. The bullet went clear through.” He finished tying the ends of the bandage and sat back, rubbing his head.

  Ethan stood to his feet and held onto the wall of the barn. “I can’t let them hurt Claire or the children.”

  “They won’t. Give me a minute, I’m a little dizzy.” Alex shakily stood to his feet. After a few minutes, he nodded. “Let’s go.”

  Ethan grabbed him. “We need a plan.”

  “No, we need to rush those two before they get in the house.”

  Ethan shook his head. “You go around the back. I’ll run behind the wagon and then to the porch and get the guns.”

  “All right. Just don’t shoot me.” Alex grinned and, running low to the ground, he skirted the side of the barn to the back of the house.

  Ethan ran to the wagon, he saw the front door was open. Rustler came up to him, looking for a treat.

  “Rustler, Good boy.”

  Ethan hoped the dog wouldn’t be hurt, but he could offer the distraction he needed to get the guns out of the bench. In the cover of darkness, Ethan ran to the edge of the porch and climbed over the wooden rails.

  He opened the bench and took one of the guns, and then stuffed the other one in his belt. Hastily he looked to make sure the one in his hand was loaded, and then he went to the open front door. Somewhere in the back, he heard glass break.

  Ethan charged inside the house and ran to the cabinet. He couldn’t see anyone. Then he heard a noise down the hall. He held his gun out and walked toward Leah’s room.

  In the darkness, he prayed for his family. That the Lord would protect them and Alex. He stopped at the start of the hallway. “Stop, or I’ll shoot.”

  Someone charged into Leah’s door, wood snapped, Ethan heard Leah scream. Running down the hall, he slid into one of the strangers and slammed the man’s head against the door frame.

  Then he put the gun to the man’s ribs. “Drop your weapon, or I’ll shoot.”

  The derrin
ger fell to the floor.

  “Tom, is everyone all right?”

  “They’re trying to come in the window.” Claire’s voice was calm and steady. “I’ve got my gun aimed at them if they do.”

  “Good.” With his good arm, Ethan grabbed Ben by the shirt and slammed him to the floor. “Don’t move. Tom, do you have anything to tie one of them up?”

  Tom came through the door with a cloth belt from Leah’s robe. “This will work.” He grabbed the man’s hands and tied them, and then looped an end around one of Ben’s feet. “There just like a calf ready for the branding.”

  Ethan nodded. “Good work. I’m going to help Alex. Keep your rifle on him and shoot if he gets loose.”

  Ben groaned. “Come on, let me loose. I won’t go anywhere.”

  Ethan grinned. “No, I don’t suppose you will.” With a nod toward Tom, Ethan ran outside toward the back.

  He heard a scuffle and came around the corner just as Alex took down Al and pounded him in the nose.

  Ethan walked to him. “I think you got him. Here’s a gun.” He handed the pistol to Alex. “I’ll get a rope to tie him up.”

  Going back to the barn, Ethan found a lead rope and then went back to Alex. After tying Al’s hands behind his back, Alex helped him up, and they marched him to the front of the house.

  Alex sat down on the steps to the porch. “It will be light in a few hours. I can take them to Last Chance.” He looked at Ethan. You need to get that arm looked at.”

  Claire walked out of the house and ran to Ethan. “Are you all right. So much blood.”

  “It will be fine.”

  “It will after I tend to it. Alex, have you got control of this one?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Why don’t you have Tom bring that other one out, and I’ll tie them up in the wagon.”

  Claire nodded and called for Tom to bring the other man outside. After he did, Leah came and ran to Ethan. She cried and held onto him. “You saved us. Those bad men were going to hurt us.”

  Ethan knelt and held the little girl to him. “It’s all right. Your big brother and Mama protected you, too.”

  She looked into his eyes and laid her head on his shoulder. “I love you, Ethan.”