His lips slowly curved into a smile, and his eyes sparkled like sun on water. “Don’t mind if I do.”
He shifted her body around until she faced him. Strong arms wrapped around her, cocooning her with them and the blanket.
His face leaned toward hers at the same time hers raised upward. Lips soft, yet firm, took hold of hers in the gentlest way.
Being wrapped in his arms felt right and good.
After what seemed like forever, he raised his head.
“Somethin’ wrong?”
“No. Nothing’s wrong.” He smiled and his voice sounded breathless and croaky. “It’s stopped raining. We’d better head for home.”
She wasn’t ready to leave, though. “What about the lunch you packed? I’m mighty hungry.”
“I am, too,” he whispered, his eyes swirled with emotion. “Let’s eat, first.”
Could it be that Michael was falling in love with her? For the first time since she got here, she had hope for just that. And that hope set her stomach and heart to fluttering as much as it did when Michael kissed her. Lord, have my prayers been answered?
Chapter Thirteen
The next day, Selina went to check on Rainee. Afterward, she went home, changed from her dress into some trousers, grabbed her rifle, placed the sling around her neck and went for a long walk through the trees.
She took in a deep breath, enjoying every little aroma that mid-September in the Idaho Territory brought her way—moist leaves, pine, forest dirt and a hint of rain.
Stems of light filtered down through the trees from the bright afternoon sun. She walked higher and higher up the mountain. She stopped between two cedar trees and slowly followed their trunks upward with her eyes. Those giants sure made a person feel small. They were so tall that it looked like they could reach up with their branches and touch the few clouds speckling the sky.
“God, You sure outdone Yourself with these. They’re mighty pretty to behold. Thank You, Lord, for allowin’ me to be a part of somethin’ so wonderful. I just love it here, Lord. And Lord, iffen there’s any way, could You help me and Michael to become a real family someday? I’d sure be beholden to You. Thank You kindly, Lord.”
She continued walking. Every once in a while, she stopped to smell and to feel the softness of the wild pink rose petals, to admire the brown center in wild daisies, the fine bright yellow color of buttercup flowers and the different kinds of bush berries. Some berries she hadn’t seen before. She wondered if they were something she could eat. But not knowing for sure, it was best to leave them alone.
She walked through fields of grass that almost reached her waist. Her eyes took in the green-and-gold rolling hills of Paradise Haven. A name most fitting.
Birds entertained her with their happy songs as she continued to take in the area Michael had called the Palouse.
Snuggled against a hillside with dirt patches, grass and bushes stood an old broken-down house and a barn. Curiosity got the best of her.
She headed toward the buildings, running her hands over the top of the tall grass blades and enjoying the soft yet stiff feel of them against her fingertips.
Off to the right of the house stood a large cottonwood tree and on its left a grove of green bushes.
No glass filled the windows or doors. Part of the roof had caved in and the chimney was in mighty poor shape, broken into all kinds of pieces.
She stepped up to the door and peeked inside. A broken drop-leaf table lay on the floor along with a heap of broken boards.
She strained to see everything from the doorway but couldn’t, so she placed one foot on the wooden floor to make sure it was safe before she placed the other one, too. The planked floor was solid as a rock, so she took a look around, imagining what the place had been like before being deserted.
In one bedroom sat a rusty bed frame and an old broken-down dresser with only one drawer that hung as if it were fixing to fall at any minute.
She looked at the staircase, wondering what was up there. Should she go see? Was it safe? She tested the first step. It creaked under her weight but felt pretty solid to her.
Careful not to get in too big a rush, she tested each step as she made her way up.
At the third step from the top she could see what was in the open space. Besides busted-up chimney bricks and broken boards, the only other thing here was a wooden box in the corner. From what she could tell, it looked like it wasn’t in too bad of shape. She wondered what might be in it.
The boards groaned as she slowly made her way toward it.
Holding her rifle back out of the way with one hand, she leaned over and raised the lid.
A mouse darted out from behind it, startling her.
Selina screamed and jumped back.
The crunching sound of splintering wood echoed loudly in the empty space.
The floor disappeared under Selina’s feet, dropping her through it hard and fast.
Her legs buckled when they hit a pile of broken boards below, and her head slammed against the iron bed frame.
Then everything went black.
Dragging from exhaustion, Michael lugged his body up the darkened steps to his house. No lights shone through the windows and no food aromas greeted him. “That’s strange.” His words floated into the black pitch of night. The only sounds he heard were the squeaks of the screen door and front door as he stepped inside.
No food waited on the stove or the table. No lit lanterns. And no Selina in sight. “Selina!” he hollered.
Silence.
“Now where could she be?” He searched the house, checking each room, including the pantry and cellar, calling her name as he did. By the time he reached the last room, he was starting to panic.
His attention trailed to where her rifle usually rested, but it wasn’t there. He quickly lit a lantern and flew outside, yelling her name and listening for a response.
Coyotes yapped in the distance.
Crickets chirped.
He rounded the house, searching for her. When he couldn’t find her, he hurried to his brother’s house and knocked on the door. He hated to bother Haydon, having a new baby and all, but Jesse and his family were having dinner with some of the neighbors.
The door swung open. “Michael? What’s the matter?” Haydon asked as Rainee walked over.
“I can’t find Selina.” Michael stepped inside. “Did she come by and see you today, Rainee?”
“Yes, she did. But that was hours ago.” Wrinkles lined her forehead.
“She’s not home and I can’t find her anywhere. Did she say where she was going after she left here?”
“She said it was such a lovely day that she wanted to go for a walk and explore the ranch. You think she got lost?” Rainee turned fearful eyes on him and then up at Haydon.
Haydon slipped his arm around Rainee and pulled her to his side. “I’m sure she’s fine, darling.” He smiled, but even Michael could tell it was forced.
“I’m going looking for her.” Michael whirled around.
“Wait. I’ll go with you.” Haydon looked behind him at their maid, Esther. “Esther, will you throw together some food and water in case we’re gone all night?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll go saddle up the horses. Will you run and get Smokey?” Michael asked. “If anyone can find her, he can.”
“That’s right. He found Rainee.” Haydon lovingly looked down at Rainee and gave her a quick kiss.
He sure had. Their family would be lost without the man who was more like a father to them than a long time friend and employee.
“Meet you at the barn,” Michael said.
“Be careful,” he heard Rainee say to Haydon, and his gut twisted.
“I will.” Haydon sprinted toward Smokey’s small cabin, and Michael ran to the barn, the lantern swinging in front of him.
Worry had now escalated into panic.
In the short six weeks Selina had been there, he realized only now how much she had come to mean to h
im. He admired her free spirit. How she took the time to enjoy the little things in life. How she helped anyone who had need and asked for nothing in return. He admired her spunk and her love for animals. Well, except when she brought them into the house. So far, he’d come home to a cat, a wolf and a pig, and during wheat harvest, a raccoon, a bird and a squirrel, which he immediately shooed out despite Selina’s protests.
He stepped inside the barn. His shadow danced against the wall as he lit another lantern and hung them on the hooks on the wall.
Michael finished saddling the last horse, then tied a couple of rolled blankets onto each one. Smokey stepped inside the barn with his bloodhound, Skeeter, a gift from Haydon. Haydon had brought Skeeter back from his trip to Rainee’s place in Little Rock, Arkansas. Said it was the perfect gift for the man who eleven years ago had used his tracking skills to help find Rainee when she’d fled into the woods to escape her evil brother’s plans to sell her to a murderer.
“Thanks for coming, Smokey.”
Gray completely covered his head and more wrinkles lined his tanned, leathery face, but the man could just about outdo all of them when it came to working. “Anytime, boss.”
“How many times have we told you to stop calling us boss? You’re family, remember?”
“No, he doesn’t,” Haydon said, stepping into the barn. He had three canteens in one hand and an overstuffed sack of food in the other. Michael’s brother handed each of them a canteen, then tied the bag of food onto his horse’s saddle. Haydon’s horse, Rebel, danced, ready to go. So was Michael.
“Thanks, Smokey. Haydon.” Michael eyed each one. “Let’s go.”
They blew out the lanterns and led their horses from the barn.
“You have anything of Selina’s with you for Skeeter to track?” Smokey asked.
“No. But I need to stop at the house and get a jacket. I’ll grab something then.”
Smokey gave a quick nod. “A hairbrush or anything will do.”
They mounted their horses and headed to his house. Michael ran inside and up the stairs. His attention fell to Selina’s hairbrush. What was left of the old thing, anyway. Instantly he felt horrible. Why hadn’t he made sure all of her needs were met? As he ran down the stairs he wondered what else she needed that he didn’t know about. He made a mental note to find out.
Michael grabbed his jacket, shoved a few candles and a box of matches in his pockets and raced out the door.
Smokey and his dog stood next to his horse. The older man stepped forward and took the brush from Michael and placed it under Skeeter’s nose. “Find her, Skeeter.”
The bloodhound bayed and headed into the trees. Michael and Smokey quickly mounted and took off after Skeeter and Haydon, who was right behind the dog.
An hour later they topped a hill and saw McCreedy’s abandoned house. Skeeter bayed, ran down the hill and disappeared inside the house.
“Heeya!” Michael tucked his legs tight into Bobcat’s sides. He leaned back as the horse jarred his way down the hill.
The hound continued to bay.
Michael reached the house first. Before his horse even stopped, Michael dismounted and rushed inside the broken-down house. “Selina!” He followed Skeeter’s bark. It was only when he got closer that he noticed a small form lying on the floor on a heap of splintered wood. “Selina.” He rushed to her side and dropped to his knees.
“Don’t move her, Michael.” Smokey’s silhouette filled the doorway. “Let me check her over first,” he cautioned as he headed toward Michael.
Michael nodded, even though he knew Smokey couldn’t possibly see him. He reached in his pocket, pulled out the candles and matches and lit them. Candlelight flickered across his wife’s pale face. He wanted to pull her into his arms and cradle her, to make everything okay.
Haydon stepped up next to them, holding a canteen. He took one of the candles from Michael. “Is—is she all right?” His words were rough and broken and mingled with fear.
Michael looked at Smokey, praying about what the next words would be.
Smokey didn’t answer. Instead, he took the opened canteen from Haydon, raised Selina’s head, put the canteen to her lips and tilted it. Water ran down Selina’s chin and neck.
She didn’t stir.
Michael struggled to remain calm, but panic was taking over. “Smokey?”
The elderly man cleared his throat. “Doesn’t seem to be any broken bones or anything.” His eyes slowly trailed upward at the gaping hole in the ceiling. “She’s one lucky woman to be alive.”
Michael drew in a long breath of relief.
After a moment of pause, Smokey tried to give Selina another drink.
She still didn’t stir. His friend stood.
“Smokey?” Michael looked up at him from his squatting position. “Why isn’t she responding?”
Smokey shook his head. “She has a huge knot on her head.”
“I’m taking her to Doc Berg’s.” Michael scooped her up into his arms and stood.
“That’s a good idea.” Haydon’s voice sounded off-pitch and strained and his eyes had a blank stare. Instantly, Michael knew why.
He wanted to comfort his brother, to ease the memories, but before he had a chance to say anything, Haydon spun on his heel and headed outside.
Smokey and Michael exchanged a knowing look. “He’ll be all right, boss.” Smokey’s words were full of assurance, and Michael knew he was right. Haydon was a survivor. His brother would deal with his feelings and move on like he always did. Still, his heart hurt for the pain his brother had suffered. But nothing could be done about that now. Besides, Selina needed his undivided attention.
They stepped outside the old house and strode up to their horses.
“Give her to me,” Haydon said.
Michael looked over at him with questioning eyes.
“I know what you’re thinking, Michael, and yes, it’s hard seeing her like this. But you have a chance to help Selina. I didn’t with Melanie. Hand her to me until you can get on your horse. Then go. Take care of your wife.”
His brother was right. He did have a chance to help Selina. With a heavy heart, Michael handed his wife over to Haydon, then swung into the saddle. His brother placed Selina’s limp form into his arms and gave him the reins.
“Thanks for helping me, Haydon. I’m really sorry you had to see this.” He glanced down at his wife and then back at Haydon.
“I’ll be fine,” Haydon assured him with sad yet sturdy eyes. “Now go on.”
Michael gave a quick nod to his brother, then to Smokey. He reined his horse toward town. All the way there, he prayed, holding her close, willing her to stay alive and thanking God they had even found her.
Voices. Selina heard voices. But they sounded far away. Where was she and why couldn’t she open her eyes?
“Selina? Can you hear me?”
Michael? She struggled to open her eyes. Finally, she could see through a small slit.
Michael’s face blurred and pitched and swayed before her.
She concentrated on opening her eyes wider. Michael’s face was no longer fuzzy or drifting.
Words tried to leave her mouth, but they never did. It was as if they were stuck in her throat.
“Here.” A cool hard surface touched her lips. “Drink this?”
The liquid pooled into her mouth. She coughed, then swallowed. More liquid. “What happened?” she asked like a croaking frog.
“You fell and hit your head, love.”
Love? Did he just call her love? She must have hit her head a lot harder than she thought. Now her mind was playing tricks on her. She tried to sit up, but pain shot through the back of her head. She reached toward that spot, but Michael’s calloused hand clutched hers.
“Don’t. You have a bump the size of an egg back there.”
Another round of pain sliced through her head like the sharp blade of a hunting knife.
“How’s our patient doing?”
Selina’s attentio
n wobbled over to the door. Doc Berg came walking toward her.
“Hi, Doc.”
“How you feeling, Miss?”
“Like someone took a moonshine jug and smashed it against the back of my head.”
Michael moved so the doctor could sit in the chair he’d been sitting in.
“You’re one lucky young lady. From what Michael here tells me, you fell through the upstairs floor. You’ll be sore for some time, but I didn’t find any broken bones, only a few scrapes and bruises. You would have ended up with a whole lot more if you hadn’t been wearing those pants.”
She looked over at Michael and gave him a look that said, see, pants ain’t always a bad thing.
He offered her a half grin.
“I’m going to keep you here overnight so I can keep an eye on you and make sure that bump doesn’t get any bigger and that you don’t get a fever.”
“I can do that,” Michael said, shocking Selina plumb down to her toes.
“I thought everyone at your place was busy harvesting the wheat.”
“No, we’re all done with that.”
Doc Berg stood and faced Michael. “I’ll be honest with you. I don’t like the looks of that bump on her head, Michael. Someone needs to stay with her around the clock for at least a couple of days.”
“I can.”
“How can you do that and get your chores done, too, Michael?” Selina asked. “Haydon will probably stay home a couple more days with Rainee. So that leaves Jesse, Smokey and your hired hands to do the rest. I can’t do that to them. So I think Doc’s right. It’s best iffen I just stay here.”
“I’d feel a whole lot better if she stayed here, too, Michael. Me and the missus can take turns keeping an eye on her. We know what to look for, where you wouldn’t.”
Michael didn’t say a word, but finally he nodded. “Okay. Well, I’m going to head on home, then. I’ll be by sometime tomorrow to check on you.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “Do what Doc says and don’t be giving him a hard time, okay?”
“Me? I never do stuff like that.”
Michael narrowed one eye and hiked a brow before turning to the doctor. “You have to watch her, Doc. She’s a feisty one who doesn’t take kindly to being told what to do.”
The Unlikely Wife Page 18
