“What train did you travel with?”
“Captain John Marshall’s, sir.”
“Yes, I know him. He went on to Washington Territory for some new adventures. I can check with the land office. When did you claim the land?”
“My daddy did at the beginning of September of this year.”
The sheriff nodded. “Finn, when did you file your claim?”
“Eighteen days ago.”
“We’re getting married and joining our land,” she burst out. Her eyes widened she hadn’t intended to say that.
The sheriff cocked his head sideways. “I’m leaning toward believing you. Who in their right mind wouldn’t have changed their name with a price on their head? Plus this little gal seems honest enough. I’m going to the land office and check a few things out.” He walked out the open door.
“What are you doing here?” Finn asked, annoyed that she’d put herself in danger.
“Rescuing you. Don’t you dare lecture me. I had to ride Contrary all the way here. I thought I’d be fine but the pain in my shoulder is almost too much to bear. And don’t you dare make me cry!”
Her hands held on to the bars and he stepped forward wrapping his hands around hers. “I didn’t mean to yell. I just don’t want you to go down with me. Take my cabin. You can nail the canvas from my wagon over it for now as a type of roof. Use anything you need from my wagon. I don’t want my things to end up seized when they ship me off. There is money enough buried under the right corner of the cabin, the front corner, to hire someone to finish the cabin.”
A lone tear trailed down her face. “You aren’t going anywhere. We both are from County Cork. Our families settled in Dustin, a small town outside St. Louis. Both our parents were struggling farmers. We’d decided to make a new start and we are getting married. That’s the story.”
He stared into her eyes. She had so much inner strength. Her plan just might work. “You don’t want to marry me.”
“Finn, I’ve found in life there are a great many things we do because it’s for the best. Don’t worry about it, really.”
He swallowed hard. It wouldn’t be fair to saddle her with his problems. “I don’t think I want to marry you.”
The sheriff returned with a short man dressed in black, carrying a bible. “Good news! The preacher is in town. You two can get married now.”
Dang! Maureen wouldn’t even glance in his direction. He wasn’t going to get a chance to tell her the reason he didn’t want to marry her.
“Yes, yes I’m very pleased to be able to do such a service. Will the young man have to stay behind bars?” the preacher asked.
Drawing the key out of his pocket, the sheriff opened the cell door. “That’s the deal. You join the couple and they can join their land and hopefully I won’t have a reason to have them in my office again.”
Finn walked out of the open door. He stared at Maureen but she still refused to look at him.
“Now, I need you two to stand side by side.” The preacher waited for them to do as instructed. He opened his bible. “Dearly Beloved…”
Finn couldn’t keep his attention on what the man was saying. Why did he say that to Maureen? It didn’t bode well for a new life for them. Heck, she thought he didn’t want her. Perhaps he could explain…
There was silence, and he swallowed hard. He was supposed to repeat after the preacher. Finn recited his vows and listened as Maureen unhappily whispered hers. He didn’t have a ring but he did have a bit of lace he kept to remember his mother by. Reaching into his pocket, he drew it out.
“I wish I had a ring, Maureen. All I have is this bit of Irish lace of my mother’s. I carry it with me always. I’d be honored if you’d do the same.”
She glanced at him and he could see the tears swimming in her eyes. She nodded and took the piece of lace. “I suppose we should go home now.”
He smiled at her. “After I go to the land office and enter our claim.”
“Of course.” She walked out the door before him. “I’ll wait here with Contrary.”
“I’ll be as quick as I can.” He touched her hand and was surprised how cold it was. At least she didn’t pull away.
Finn whistled a tune as he came out of the land office. He looked like a very happy man indeed. Maureen held the reins to her mule and waited for him to join her. “You’re certainly happy.” Her voice had an edge to it but she couldn’t help it.
“We are the proud owners of 1280 acres of land, my dear.”
“How did you manage that? I didn’t think they’d give you more. I thought they’d just join our land.”
“Mrs. Cleary owned 640 acres and poor Finn only owned 320 acres. But I’m now a married man so I get 640 acres too.” He looked entirely too pleased with himself.
“You cheated, didn’t you?”
“Not entirely. I just didn’t tell the clerk that Mrs. Langley and Mrs. Cleary was the same person. I didn’t want to ask the rules in case it didn’t go my way.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I wonder if you’re a man to be trusted. Do you often bend the rules to your benefit?”
Finn took the reins from her and then he took her hand in his. “I need to get Justice. He’s at the livery. I do admit I’ve had to live by the seat of my pants a good deal of the time, but I want to settle down, with you, a ghrá.”
“Don’t be using sweet Irish on me. I’m not your love.” She sighed. “Let’s get back home. I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
They rode side by side to their land. Their land, oh dear Lord, she was a married woman now. What did Finn expect from her? She frowned. She hardly knew him. How was she supposed to lay with him? She groaned out loud.
“Are you all right?”
“No for various reasons, but right now it’s my shoulder. It’s not easy to guide Contrary.”
Finn drew a bit closer to the mule and plucked Maureen right out of the saddle. His hands felt strong and before she knew it, she was seated in front of him.
“Lean back against me, a ghrá. I’m sorry I forgot about your shoulder. I’ll take good care of you, Maureen.” He released a sigh. “Imagine me married to such a beautiful colleen as you.”
She was about to take him to task for calling her his love again, but she didn’t have the energy. It probably wouldn’t do much good.
“Imagine all the land you now own.” She sighed heavily.
He chuckled. “The land is just a bonus. I have my freedom, and that is dearer than all the land in the world. I’m sure you of all people can understand that.”
She leaned back against his hard, muscled chest. “I do understand all too well. I’ve changed my name enough times now; I hope I can no longer be tracked down. It’s awful having to look over your shoulder all the time. With each stranger I meet I’m wary they are there to take me back.”
“You’ve a husband now. I’ll protect you with my life if necessary.”
“Things aren’t that way in America.”
“Why would you think that?”
She shrugged. “Just an observation. Women only seem to be valued for the amount of work they do. And the number of children they have, especially boys.”
He kissed the side of her neck, causing her to shiver. “Sometimes people get married out of necessity. Maybe they don’t feel the need to show love. Maybe they have no love to give. I’m sorry for them. A heart full of love is a grand thing indeed.”
“You sound as though you speak from experience. Did you have a girl you had to leave behind in Ireland?” Her body stiffened. She really didn’t want to know.
“Look, we’re just about home. Now the new piece of land is mostly timber. I know there are plenty of trees in this part of Oregon. I say we don’t touch the trees. With new towns being built, the timber will be worth a lot of money someday. Wouldn’t it be something if we build this land up enough to be able to leave a legacy to our children?”
Nodding, she was relieved he changed the subject, but she’d gotten
her answer all the same. Who was the girl? Was she pretty? Did they grow up together? Was he pining for her? She’d probably never know. A future of their own, a future without starvation and Manor Lords a future of freedom for their children would be the greatest gift.
At least she and Finn seemed to get along so far. That was a wonderful first step. As they rode toward Finn’s cabin, her heart beat faster. Finn’s things were strewn all around the area. Shifting in the saddle, Finn quickly drew his sidearm.
“Stay on Justice. I’m going to have a look around.” Finn carefully dismounted and handed her the reins. “If there’s trouble, ride off toward town.”
Her words caught in her throat. She nodded and watched him cautiously walk toward his wagon. In short order, though, he came back for her. He held his arms up and she slid into them. His nearness did strange things to her stomach.
“It looks like a bear was here. I found bear prints, and the meat I had is gone. I’m just glad the wagon is still standing.” He took a step back from her and his expression grew serious. “Don’t go far without your rifle. Next time we’re in town, I’ll buy you a gun. Bears are nothing to fool around with.”
“I’ve never seen one close up. I’ve seen bear heads mounted on walls and of course bear rugs. I’ll be careful.” She looked around to be sure the bear wasn’t anywhere near. “I have left over stew I can heat up for supper.” She crossed the stream and when she got to her wagon her heart sank. Her canvas had holes caused by claw marks. Her pot of stew was on the ground and when she picked it up, she could see it had been licked clean. Her sack of sugar lay open and spilled onto the ground with half of it covered in ants.
“He was here too!” she yelled.
Finn was at her side immediately. “Must be a younger bear. There would have been more damage if the bear had been full-grown. The prints weren’t the largest I’ve seen.”
“I’m not going to feel safe sleeping here,” she said and then immediately wished she could take her words back. “I’m not suggesting we sleep together. I…”
Luckily, Finn didn’t laugh at her. She was ready to push him away if he had. “We can share my wagon without actually having—”
“Don’t say it. I’m a good Christian woman, and I don’t want to talk about it.” Her face heated. “Well I’d best get this cleaned up so the rest of the bears don’t feel like they’ve been invited to supper.”
Finn tilted his head. “How’d you get your wagon here in the first place?”
She got down on her hands and knees and began to scoop any clean sugar into a pot. “I had two oxen that pulled it here, and then I sold them. I didn’t think I’d need them. Perhaps I should have kept them. It would have made hauling logs easier.”
Finn nodded. “I sold my oxen too. I already had Justice. Do you need help or would you rather I start supper?”
“I’m starving.” She frowned.
“What’s wrong? I can cook.”
“I was thinking of the people back in Ireland. Compared to them, I’ve never starved here in America. I’ve had to go a day here and there without food but nothing like how I lived there. Sometimes I feel guilty living so well while they’re languishing.”
Finn knelt and put his arm around her. “We’ll soon make enough money for you to send to your family. Plus they have one less mouth to feed without you there.”
“I don’t even know where they are anymore.” Tears filled her eyes.
“You can write to one of your old neighbors that didn’t get burned out. People tend to keep track of others.”
She tried to give him a smile. “You’re so right. Go make me some food. I’ll finish up here.”
Finn stood and went to his side of the stream. Though really, there wasn’t a his or her side anymore, she supposed. It was all theirs. For just a moment, a finger of longing stabbed her heart, and she wondered what it would have been like had he married her because he shared her feelings. But her problems were nothing compared to those of others and she needed to remember to have a grateful heart.
Chapter Four
Finn sat by the fire longer than he’d have liked. Had he given her enough time to get settled into bed? He’d moved most of his things into her wagon for now so they’d have plenty of room to sleep together in his. They weren’t going to have a wedding night but for some reason he was starting to sweat. She did expect him to stay on his side of the wagon, didn’t she?
He was as nervous as a lad still in knickers. After a few more minutes, he stood and climbed into the wagon. Maureen was lying with the covers pulled up tightly to her chin, and she watched his every move with her eyes wide. She reminded him of a scared spinster. He quelled the impulse to laugh. Her beautiful red hair was in a single braid. For a moment, he pictured himself letting her hair fall loose around her head and shoulders.
“I’d thought you’d be sleeping. I waited so you wouldn’t have to worry.” He took off his boots and noticed how much dirt he’d tracked in. “I guess I should take these off outside from now on.” He glanced in her direction. Her face was pale, and she was biting her bottom lip. Were her knuckles so white from holding onto the quilt too tight?
He waited until she finally gazed at him. “I don’t expect a wedding night. I want us to get to know each other better first.”
She cocked her brow. “What if you don’t like me once you get to know me?”
A smile tugged his lips. “I already like you. I want you to feel comfortable. You look as frightened as a calf that lost its mother. Frightened but brave at the same time. It’s a lovely combination on you.”
“I’m sorry. I’m—”
“Hold on. There is nothing to be sorry about. I’m going to get undressed now. You can turn your back if you like.” She turned so fast he wanted to laugh loud and hard, but he just smiled instead. He finally got comfortable under his quilt. “I’m all set. Good night.”
It took a few minutes but she lay on her back and peeked at him. Her eyes widened. “You’re not wearing pajamas?”
“I have pants on.” He couldn’t hold it in anymore, and he laughed and laughed. The more he laughed the madder she looked. “I’m sorry. I’m just nervous. Good night a ghrá.” He waited for her to tell him she wasn’t his love, but she closed her eyes instead.
The next morning Finn put his arm out and realized Maureen wasn’t there. She sure was an early bird. He sat up and stretched his arms above his head and looked out the back of the wagon. Maureen stood there staring at him and then she abruptly turned her back. His lips twitched. It wouldn’t be healthy for him to laugh again. His shirt lay at his feet, and he put it on before he climbed out of the wagon. He then grabbed his boots and put them on.
“It’s getting colder and colder,” Maureen commented as she made hoe cakes. She’d mentioned she had some syrup she’d been saving to go on them.
“I guess I’ll have to work faster to get the cabin done.” He squatted down and grabbed the coffee pot. “Do you need a refill?”
“I’m fine, thank you. It should go quickly with the two of us working on it. I think bears are a good incentive to work faster.”
He stood with his cup in his hand. “Very true. I saw that you have a cook stove in your wagon. How’d you get it over the mountains?”
“I didn’t. It was by the side of the trail not too far from town. I had my husband put it in my wagon. He was a nice enough man, but too broken by the loss of his wife.”
He sat and stared out into the distance. Was it wrong to be happy that man had been too far into his grief to want Maureen? As Maureen handed Finn his plate of hoe cakes with syrup, he smiled. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
She sat and took a bite. Her eyelids fluttered down for just a moment. “Oh yes, this was worth saving.”
“Thank you for breakfast. I’m going to start on the cabin.”
“I’ll join you as soon as I clean up here.”
Finn nodded, stood, and went to his pile of logs. He needed to notch
some more before he could continue building. He worked until he felt the sun on his shoulders. Where was Maureen? He furrowed his brow. She’d been gone a long while.
Worried, he went to her wagon, and discovered the dirty dishes were gone. He walked down the stream and he didn’t see her there. He walked a bit farther along the water and finally spotted the clean dishes but not Maureen. Fear clutched at his heart. Where was she?
He called her name a few times, but she never called out in return. Panic raced through him as he searched the grounds for clues. He found her footprints and some small bear track. Cubs! Dang, there must be an angry mama bear around.
As he tilted his head back to look up to the skies, he spotted Maureen high up in a tree to his right. Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly. His relief was momentary as his anger took over. “Didn’t you hear me calling? Didn’t you see me searching?” His voice was intentionally gruff.
“I didn’t want the bear to come back.” It was a lame excuse.
“I was standing right here with a rifle and my sidearm. Come on down.”
He watched as she climbed down with great agility. He lifted his arms to her, but she ignored him and fell to the ground. She got to her feet before he could help her, but his sharp hearing caught her slight moan.
“Why wouldn’t you let me help you down? You hurt your shoulder again didn’t you?”
Her jaw dropped as she put her hands on her hips. Her eyes flashed in anger. “I could have been eaten alive, and you have the nerve to be upset with me? Don’t you think I was scared?”
“Scared witless, yes.” He shook his head.
She bent down, grabbed her dishes and the pot and marched off without a word. Finn stood there, taking a few deep breaths and trying to calm himself. She didn’t have the proper respect for nature, and she surely had no respect for him. He knew what his father would do, and his father had told him it was the man’s duty to teach a wife the way of things.
Finn's Fortune Page 4
