Finally, he cleared his throat. “I suppose for the same reason many people are unwed. I have yet to meet the one person I can’t live without.” Grant gave her a warning glance, tempered with a teasing smile. “If you repeat this to anyone else, I’ll deny it to my dying day, but I guess I’m too much of a romantic at heart to marry for any other reason but love. When I find the girl who loves me just for me — not my money or house or the bank or position in society — I’ll make her my own. Until that day arrives, I get by quite well.”
Lacy kept her gaze down and remained quiet as they turned down the street toward Ilsa’s store. Distracted by Grant’s reply, she didn’t even think about needing to take Star to Tony and Ilsa’s for the night until Grant reined Drew to a stop in front of the dress shop.
“Oh, I need to take Star to the Tony’s barn.” Lacy started to guide Star back into the street, but Grant reached out and put a hand on her reins. “I’ll take her. It’s not far out of my way. Let me walk you around back.”
Grant stepped out of the saddle and followed Lacy as she walked down the side of the building and around to the back door.
After she unlocked it, she flicked on the light and turned to Grant. “Thank you for seeing me home.”
“Thank you for keeping me company.” Grant’s enticing mouth slowly lifted into a grin. “I realize a gentleman never asks, but how old are you, Lacy?”
“You’re correct, a gentleman shouldn’t ask, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m twenty-three. To save you the trouble of asking why I’m not married with babies of my own, I’m waiting to find a man who will love me unconditionally and won’t mind me being me.”
Grant took a step forward and rested his hand on her cheek. “He’s going to be a very fortunate man.”
Lacy turned her face to Grant’s open palm and pressed a kiss there. “Good night, Grant.”
Without a backward glance, she closed the door, turned off the lights, and raced upstairs. She’d wanted, so badly, to tell Grant she loved him, that she loved him for who he was, not what he possessed, but she couldn’t. No matter how much she wanted Grant, he was the one man she could never have.
Chapter Nine
“Grandmother?” Lacy tapped once and opened the door to her grandmother’s humble cabin. The woman lived very simply although she could have afforded a bigger home with more conveniences.
“Come in, child. What brings you out here so early in the day?” Rebecca Williams turned away from the stove where she stirred a pot of oatmeal. Quickly setting down the spoon in her hand, she opened her arms to her granddaughter and gave her a tender hug. “It’s so good to see you, Lacy.”
“It’s good to see you, Grandmother. If you don’t have other plans, I’d very much like to accompany you to church this morning.” Lacy kissed her grandmother’s weathered cheek.
“I’d like that.” Rebecca studied Lacy for a moment then picked up her spoon and stirred the cereal. “Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you, but I’m surprised you rode out here just to go to church with me this morning. Is something else on your mind?”
Lacy took bowls down from a shelf and set them on the table, along with a bowl of sugar and pitcher of fresh milk. “I miss seeing Ruth and the babies. I hoped to visit them this afternoon, if Father will allow it.”
Rebecca lifted Lacy’s chin in her hand and stared into her eyes, her own sharp and clear. “Oh, child, I know you feel pulled in two different directions and struggle to recognize the best path to take. Your father is a good man, but he’s lost his way. Give him time and he’ll find it again.”
Lacy blinked back her tears. “It’s just so hard, Grandmother. Walker said he forbid them to even speak my name.”
Filled with sympathy for her granddaughter, Rebecca released her chin and gave the oatmeal a final stir before spooning it into two bowls. She settled herself at the table and poured milk in her bowl followed by a heaping spoon of sugar.
Lacy sweetened her cereal then bowed her head as her grandmother offered thanks for the meal. She took a bite then added another spoon of sugar.
Rebecca chuckled. “You always did like things sweet. Maybe that’s why you’re such a sweet girl.”
Grinning, Lacy took another bite of her cereal. As they ate, Rebecca shared news she’d heard of Lacy’s friends and family on the reservation. Lacy told her about her cousins coming to visit and bringing her clothes.
“Your Uncle Charlie has got his hands full and then some,” Rebecca mused. She poured water into a dishpan and shaved in a sliver of soap to wash the dishes. Lacy nudged her aside and scrubbed the dishes, handing them to her grandmother to dry.
“It’s a shame Father can’t be more open to change like Uncle Charlie.”
Reflective, Rebecca dried the bowl in her hand. “Charlie has always looked over the next horizon instead of at what fell behind him. Perhaps it was the way they were raised, but your mother was like that, too. She kept your father from getting so mired down in what used to be that he missed out on what might come.”
“I miss her.” Lacy sniffled as she finished scrubbing the spoons and handed them to her grandmother. She rinsed out the dishpan and hung it on a hook on the wall.
“We all miss her, but none as much as your father. Her heart would break to see how he wrestles with himself.”
Lacy hugged her grandmother and took a cleansing breath. “Do you want me to hitch up the pony cart or do you want to ride to church?”
“We will ride this morning. You can visit your sister after church then stop by here on your way back to town. I want to know if your father let you in the door. If he doesn’t, you tell him his mother will have a word or two with him.”
Unable to hide her humor, Lacy offered Rebecca a saucy grin. “No matter how old he is, Father will always be your little boy, won’t he?”
“Yes. And as such, I’m not above punishing him if he can’t behave himself.”
Lacy smiled broadly. “Now that would be something to see.”
After giving her a playful shove toward the door, Rebecca planted her hands on her ample hips. “Go catch my horse or we’ll be late for church.”
Almost an hour later, Lacy and Rebecca rode into the clearing where a large Presbyterian church stood in contrast to the stark surrounding landscape. Arched windows gave the building an austere appearance while the tipi set up a few hundred yards away drove home the reminder that the church was located on the reservation.
The two women dismounted and looped the reins to their horses around a post in a line of other horses waiting for their riders.
Most of the women in attendance wore dark calico dresses with colorful wool blankets wrapped around them like shawls. All the women wore their hair in braids with scarves over their heads. Lacy pulled a scarf from her pocket and tied it over her head before she and her grandmother joined the rest of the congregation inside the church.
After the service, the minister, an outgoing man of slight stature and a balding head, greeted Lacy with a friendly smile while his wife pulled her into a warm hug. “Oh, we’ve missed seeing your lovely face on Sunday mornings, Lacy. How do you like living in town?”
“I enjoy it, Mrs. James. I accompany some friends there to church. Pastor and Mrs. Whitting have been very kind.” Lacy had liked Reverend James and his wife since they moved to the reservation and took over direction of the mission several years ago.
“I’m so glad, dear, but don’t be a stranger. Come visit us when you can.”
Lacy smiled and worked her way outside. She visited with friends she’d known all her life as well as many of her cousins while she waited for Ruth, Tom, and Walker to exit the church.
A hand on her shoulder caused her to turn and look into the smiling face of her brother.
“Walker! I think you’ve grown an inch since I saw you a few weeks ago.” Lacy would have hugged him, but she didn’t want to draw any undue attention to herself. Everyone already seemed interested in why she’d joined them at church that morn
ing.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to ride into town to visit. I’ve been working for one of the ranchers and haven’t had much time of my own.”
Lacy tipped her head and studied him. Something in his eyes gave her a moment of pause. “Do they treat you well at this ranch?”
“Not particularly, but the pay’s good and we need the money. It’s only for a few more weeks then I’ll be out of work again. I sure wish Father would let me leave for college or at least find a job in town.”
“I’m su…” Little arms wrapped around her legs and interrupted her mid-sentence. Lacy lifted Mary in her arms and kissed the child’s cheeks. “Oh, my sweet little love, it’s so good to see you.”
“Aunt Wacy, I miss you.” Mary clung to her neck. Lacy reached out and put a hand on Daniel’s shoulder, giving it a tender squeeze. “How’s my favorite nephew?”
The boy grinned at her, showing a missing front tooth. “I’m your only nephew, Aunt Lacy. You always say that.”
“So I do.” Lacy bent over to admire the spot where the tooth used to be then turned as Ruth and Tom approached with baby Anna.
Ruth lifted the covering so Lacy could peek at the sleeping baby’s face.
“She’s grown so much, Ruth. I can’t believe how big she’s getting.”
“She’ll be chasing Mary before we know it.” Tom smiled at Lacy. “Welcome home, sister.”
Lacy nodded at her brother-in-law then glanced over as Rebecca approached their little group.
“Grandmother, will you join us for lunch?” Ruth asked as the old woman held out her arms to take Anna and cuddle her a moment. “Tom shot an elk the other day, so we have plenty of meat.”
“That’s good. Is your father home?” Rebecca rubbed a gnarled finger across the baby’s smooth cheek.
“No. He left early this morning and didn’t say where he was going, but he headed toward the river,” Walker said, giving Lacy a hopeful glance. “It sure would be nice if you both came for lunch.”
Rebecca handed Anna back to her mother and looked at Lacy. “We will come. It is good for family to break bread together.”
“Would you like to ride with us, Grandmother?” Tom motioned to the wagon they’d driven to church. “We’ve plenty of room.”
“That would be good.” Rebecca turned to young Daniel. “Would you ride my horse for me?”
The little boy’s face lit with joy and he enthusiastically nodded his head, causing his carefully combed hair to fall into a tousled mess.
Walker helped Daniel onto Rebecca’s horse. “Want me to ride with you?”
“No, Uncle Walker. I can handle it.” Daniel took the reins in his small hands and patted the horse’s neck.
Walker swallowed down a chuckle at his nephew’s can-do attitude. “I’m sure you can. If you have a problem on the way home, make sure you speak up.”
“I will.” Impatient to go for a ride, Daniel glanced over to where Lacy mounted Star.
Mary noticed her brother riding and stuck out her lip in a pout. Walker took pity on the toddler and carried her over to Lacy.
“Want to ride with me, sweetheart?” Lacy took the child from her brother.
Mary eagerly went into her aunt’s arms and settled in front of Lacy in the saddle. Lacy draped a blanket around their legs and smiled at Daniel. “Do you think we can beat the wagon back to the house?”
“Yep!” Daniel clicked his tongue and the horse moved forward. Lacy urged Star to fall into step beside him. Mary jabbered excitedly on the ride back to the house while Daniel remained quiet, focused on riding the big horse.
When they stopped outside the cabin, Walker jumped out of the wagon. He started to help Daniel dismount, but the little boy swung his leg over the saddle and jumped to the ground. The beaming smile on his face made the adults smile in return.
Lacy handed Walker the reins to Star then slid down with Mary in her arms. The little girl squealed, wanting down. When Lacy set her on the ground, she ran over to where the dog wagged his tail by the door, glad to see his people arrive home.
“I wode the horsey. I wode the horsey wif Aunt Wacy,” Mary chanted, giving the old dog an exuberant hug around his furry neck. Lacy picked up the child before she inadvertently strangled the dog and carried her inside the house, washing her hands at the pump sink.
The women worked together to finish meal preparations and set the table. Walker and Tom kept the children entertained, playing a guessing game.
After a meal of elk roast and potatoes with cornbread and greens, Ruth put the children down for naps. The rest of them went outside to soak up the warm spring sunshine.
They all laughed over a story Walker shared as a lone rider approached the cabin.
“Oh, no.” Walker cast a glance at Lacy before standing. His sister looked like a caged rabbit as her eyes darted from side to side, searching for a means of escape.
“Be nice,” Ruth whispered, grabbing Lacy’s hand to keep her from bolting to her feet and racing away.
Phillip Redhawk dismounted and raised a hand in greeting. Tom stepped forward and greeted him with a jovial smile before inviting him to join them.
The man turned to Rebecca and nodded to her, showing respect to his elders before tipping his head to Ruth. She motioned for him to sit on a bench Walker had built. When he took a seat, Walker sat beside him.
“What brings you out today, Phillip?” Walker asked. Everyone knew he’d come to see Lacy without Phillip offering any explanation.
“I heard you had a visitor at church this morning.” Phillip stared at Lacy as he spoke.
Determined not to let him intimidate or upset her, she boldly met his gaze. Handsome and regal in bearing, Phillip was the son of a respected chief and planned to hold that title someday. He’d been groomed from the time he was born to lead his people, yet he clung to the old ways just as stubbornly as Lacy’s father.
While most of the residents of the reservation had moved into houses or cabins, a few, like Phillip, refused. He lived in a tipi near the house his father had built.
Lacy shuddered as she thought about the miserable winter they’d endured. The only thing worse than being under her father’s domineering control would be to place herself under Phillip’s.
Although they’d been friends as children, Phillip made it known from an early age he intended for Lacy to be his bride. In fact, he’d made it clear she’d be his first bride. He fully intended to take more than one, but wanted her as his first.
Phillip remained single since she continually refused to marry him much less become one of a harem. At least that’s how Walker referred to the collection of wives a few of the men on the reservation had in their keeping.
Lacy hoped he’d finally take her refusal to heart and pursue someone else, someone much more suited to him and the way of life he wanted to live.
She loved her family and friends, she loved the old stories and traditions and enjoyed the ceremonies of the tribes, but her future didn’t lie in the past.
Despite what her father wanted, she fully intended to embrace the white man’s world and do her best to prosper in it. If she had any say about it, Walker would do the same.
With an effort, Lacy turned her thoughts back to Phillip. He continued staring at her. The cold, hard look in his eyes made her uncomfortable.
“Will you go for a walk with me, Lacy?” Phillip stood and moved a step closer to her, holding out his hand.
Lacy kept her fingers clasped against the sides of her skirt and shook her head. “I’d rather not, Phillip. It’s such a lovely day and I haven’t seen my family in such a long while, I’d prefer to stay here.”
The air Phillip sucked in whistled softly against his teeth. He grabbed Lacy’s arm and jerked her to her feet. “I’m tired of waiting for you. Your father promised we would be married and we will. Stop acting like a child and accept the responsibilities placed upon you.”
Lacy yanked her arm from Phillip’s grasp, somewhat frightened by the
dark, cold gleam in his eyes. If he treated her that roughly when he was trying to convince her to marry him, she could only imagine what he’d do if he were her husband. “I don’t know how to say it so you understand, Phillip, but I won’t marry you. Regardless of what my father said or promised, I won’t marry you.”
Phillip clenched his jaw then spoke to her in the old language, asking her to reconsider.
“No.” Lacy ran into the cabin and shut the door. Phillip started to follow her but Walker and Tom blocked his path.
“I think it is best for you to leave now, Phillip. Thank you for coming to visit today and please give our regards to your parents.” Tom extended a hand to Phillip, hoping to part on good terms.
Phillip glared at the outstretched hand and sneered. He swung onto his horse and raced away.
Walker let out the breath he held then opened the cabin door. “It’s safe to come out now.”
Lacy walked down the steps, relieved Phillip had gone. Walker settled his arm around her shoulders and gave her an encouraging squeeze.
Ruth studied her a moment with an unreadable look on her face before she spoke. “There are worse things that could happen than marrying Phillip. His family would make sure you are taken care of properly.”
Shocked by her words, they all turned and stared at her. A grin worked up the corners of her mouth. “They’d have to with that crazy Indian as your husband. Is it true he plans to make you the first of four or five wives?”
Walker and Tom chuckled while Lacy sat next to her sister and playfully slapped her leg. “He mentioned that a few times, but I wasn’t sure if he was serious or teasing. At any rate, I don’t intend to find out.”
Rebecca smiled and pointed a gnarled finger at Lacy. “He might be fine to look at and a brave warrior, but he’s got a few rocks rattling loose in his noggin.”
“That he does, Grandmother.” Lacy grinned at Rebecca. “That he most certainly does.”
Ruth wrapped her arms around her, giving her a rare hug. “We’re all so proud of you, Lacy. Don’t worry about Father. He’ll come around. Keep on doing what you’ve been doing, carving out a life for yourself. Your dreams don’t have to be the same as ours.”
Lacy: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Pendleton Petticoats Book 5) Page 12
