Murphy: Cowboy Deceived: The Kavanagh Brothers Book 6

by Ball, Kathleen

  “Brooke…” he breathed, struggling against the emotions choking him. “I grieved too, and I didn’t know about my son. You were the one thing that kept me going through the last years of the war. It was nothing but drudgery and killing, watching friends die… day in and day out. It took me well over a month to walk here just to find out you weren’t here anymore. Your father didn’t offer to let me stay. When I offered to help him, he told me to go. Heck, he seemed to begrudge the water I drank. I wanted to go into the house and touch our bed, but he wouldn’t let me. I thought maybe I’d feel you in the bedroom. Stupid, I know.”

  Thunder crashed, and the entire house rattled. Brooke screamed, but Murphy put his lips over hers to quiet her. As soon as she calmed, he stopped kissing her. “I’m sorry about that. I just didn’t want you to wake MJ. Is he afraid of storms too?”

  She put her fingers to her lips, her eyes wide. “No, he’s not. In fact, everyone thought it's funny that I am, especially him and my father. I couldn’t act as though I wasn’t afraid, so I usually sat in that corner over there with the quilt over my head shaking.” She sighed loudly. “You haven’t even asked if he is yours.”

  “I would never insult you that way. I have far too much respect for you. I know what we had; I know the love we shared. Plus, there’s the fact he’s the spitting image of me. A very handsome boy.” He pulled her tight against him and kissed her forehead. “Why would you think I would ask?”

  “There weren’t many people who actually saw you. We got married here on the ranch, and I don’t think you were ever in town. I didn’t know anyone thought that way until I heard one prostitute, Bette, talking to another who worked at the saloon—I think her name is Adora. They laughed and thought it was convenient I had a ring on my finger since I was obviously pregnant.” She snuggled against the shoulder. “I didn’t go into town much after that. I’ve never been a social butterfly, so I missed nothing. Besides, if I needed anything Pa would always get it.”

  He rubbed his arm up and down her back. He’d longed for years to have her in his arms again. “What about church? They treated you with respect there, didn’t they?”

  There was a lengthy pause before Brooke said anything. “I haven’t been to church since MJ was born. I just couldn’t take it. I did nothing that I have any shame about, but there were always whispers and I didn’t think it fair to subject my child to their lies. I had really thought I could rely on those women to help me when it was time for the baby to be born. I know there was a war on, and people didn’t have much, but no one came with food. I always brought food to the other families when necessary. I knitted garments for their babies. I got nothing. The reverend never defended me, and he married us!”

  Sadness filled him. He hadn’t thought of how hard things must have been for her. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

  “I don’t need your pity, I don’t need anyone’s pity,” she snapped. “I am stronger than I ever was, and my relationship with God is deeper than ever before. There was one woman, Nelly, who drove out at the end of the war to tell me that my supposed husband was not on any of the death lists. I think she was looking for some type of reaction from me, but I just stared at her until she left.” A shudder rippled through her. “I thought — I thought if you weren’t on a death list then surely you were on your way back to me.”

  “I’m here now, and this will be an end to the gossip. My wife and child deserve to be treated with respect. I know you think little of me, but we spoke our vows before God, and to me those vows are binding.” He squared his shoulders. “I think — I know we will have to make some sort arrangements for us both to live here. But I’m not leaving.”

  It had stopped storming, and Brooke pushed him away. “Well I’m not leaving either. Maybe we should build you a house of your own. Our maybe you can add a room to the barn. I’ll leave that up to you. There will be one rule, and that rule is whatever I say to or about MJ is to stay that way. I don’t want you getting in the middle if I need to send him to his room give him extra chores.”

  Murphy rolled out of bed and nodded. “It will take me a few days to scout out a spot for a house. I won’t interfere with MJ, but I do want him to know his father.”

  She stiffened. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. What if you leave? I don’t want you to break that little boy’s heart.” Tears filled her eyes.

  “I’m not—” Frustration filled him, and he clenched his jaw. There was nothing he could do or say that would change her mind. All he could do was to show her in action and words that he still loved her. He bent over and tucked the quilt around Brooke before he grabbed his boots. Then he walked to the door and turned. “I’ll hold off. I promise you I will not hurt that child, my son.” He quietly walked out the door and then drew it closed.

  * * *

  The sun was almost too bright, and it gave her a headache. She’d have to ask MJ to gather the eggs later. Somehow, she must’ve hit her head; it hurt. And according to Murphy, she had lost an entire day. She rubbed her temple, glad she didn’t have to face Murphy yet. Allowing him into her bed and letting him hold her was embarrassing. She never should’ve let it happen. It wasn’t as though she was doing anything improper; after all, he was her husband. It was just the fact she’d been so mad at him for so long. Her feelings would not change overnight.

  She went to the kitchen and cooked pancakes and bacon. She brewed plenty of coffee, knowing how Murphy liked coffee.

  Her mind drifted, and she wondered what would have happened if Murphy had only come back to her at the end of the war…

  They probably would have had more children. She’d always felt blessed she had MJ, but she also had a sense of bitterness because he was her only child.

  Had her pa really sent Murphy away? It made no sense. What could he have been thinking? He knew how much she had loved Murphy. He knew MJ needed a father. He also knew how she had suffered with worry while the war had been going on. It was all too much to consider. True, her father had not been entirely honest about Murphy being dead, but he had confessed the truth later, that Murphy had just not come back for her. Her pa had wanted to spare her the heartbreak of feeling rejected and abandoned.

  Part of her wanted to scream for Murphy to leave. To go back to his rich family and his big ranch. Forget her like he had before. But plain and simple, she could not work the farm alone. She was a hard worker and could do anything that needed done, but even her pa’d had hired help during their good years. As things stood, if it was just her working the land, they wouldn’t have much of a crop. After flipping the last pancakes and allowing them to cook, she put them all in a big pile on a plate. She set the pancakes and bacon in the middle of the table. Then she stepped into the pantry and got one of her few jars of berry preserves. She placed that on the table too.

  She sat and put her elbows on the table and then rested her face in her hands, keeping her eyes closed as the light gave her a headache. It had never seemed too bright in the kitchen before, but today it was for her. After a few minutes, she sat up straight and ran her fingers over her head. There, behind her left ear, she found a lump.

  “Are you all right?” asked Murphy upon entering the house. “Maybe you should still be in bed.”

  She squinted at him. He was better looking than any man had a right to be. Even unshaven he was handsome. “I don’t know, the light hurts my eyes. I found a lump behind my ear. I must have hit something when I fell.”

  Murphy walked to her and she lifted her hair so he could feel the lump.

  “It’s a good-sized one,” he said, stepping back with a frown. “I’m surprised I missed it. I think it’s back to bed for you.”

  “I kindly ask you not to tell me what to do. We will have breakfast, I will clean up the kitchen, and then I’ll probably go back to bed. Head injuries aren’t usually things to ignore.” She watched him for his reaction, but he didn’t show one. Instead he helped himself to a cup of coffee and sat down at the table across from her. />
  MJ knocked on the door and Murphy hurried to open it. “Give me some of those.” When they both turned, she could see that they each had more than enough eggs.

  “Oh my, the hens certainly were laying. I’m surprised you managed to get them all back here. You did a splendid job, MJ.”

  MJ smiled. “I’m the man of the house since Grandpa died.”

  Brooke wasn’t sure what to say, so she nodded and instructed them to put the eggs on the counter. “Breakfast is ready. Why don’t we take our seats and say grace?”

  “I want to say it this morning,” MJ insisted.

  That was just fine until he had trouble saying it. Murphy tried to help. MJ told him he could do it himself. Brooke frowned. Did her son not like Murphy? Did he think Murphy was stepping in his way? Maybe that was it. MJ was probably just marking his territory. It would work itself out. Besides, who really knew how long Murphy would stay?

  For a few minutes, the clinking of silverware on plates filled the silence.

  “Brooke, why aren’t you eating?” Murphy asked after he swallowed a mouthful of pancakes. “I know your eyes hurt, but are you feeling all right other than that? You still look slightly pale. Can I get you something else to eat?”

  She shook her head, then cringed; the pain was back. She closed them, hoping for the pain to ebb. MJ was out of his chair in a flash and stood by her side.

  “Ma, Murphy is right you don’t look good.” He hastened to add, “Not that you look ugly or anything. It’s more of a not-so-good look. I can do the dishes.”

  Brooke’s eyes filled with tears. “You are the sweetest boy.” She took his hand, held it and closed her eyes again. The scraping sound of the chair moving didn’t surprise her. Murphy would want to have his say.

  He scooped her up and she let go of MJ’s hand. Whatever happened to asking a person if she wanted to go to her room right then? She been running her own life for a very long time, although she did once have her father’s help. But now, decisions she made for herself and MJ were her decisions. Murphy set her onto the bed so she was sitting. He even plumped up her pillows and put them behind her back.

  “Is there anything I can bring you?” he asked.

  MJ bounded into the room, a bundle of energy. “Ma, I’ll bring you a cup of water and your sewing. I can also find a book for you to read. Is there anything else you need?”

  “All of that sounds wonderful to me, MJ, thank you.” She waited for MJ to leave and then she looked up at Murphy. “I’m not sure why, but I think MJ is trying to compete with you. You need to figure out a way for him to still have the responsibility of keeping me safe while you’re here. My father told him many times ‘no matter what, make sure your ma is safe.’”

  Murphy’s brows rose. Then he nodded as if he’d found the answer to a long hard puzzle. “I was wondering. Don’t worry, things will be set to rights. I can see the bond you two have. I can’t deny that I’m jealous of your relationship, but I have all the patience in the world. I don’t want you to worry about it.” He put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze before he moved away from the bed.

  MJ’s arms were full as he joined them. Brooke took the water from him and smiled.

  “I got your sewing. Looks like you’re trying to patch another pair of my pants.” He put the basket and the pants on the bed, and then he took the Bible out of the basket and set it in her lap. “I know this is your favorite book.”

  Her heart swelled to near bursting. “I don’t know what I would do without you, MJ. You know everything I like and everything I need. Now I need some time alone as my eyes hurt. I just want to lie here with them closed and perhaps I might be a lady of leisure and take a nap.” She opened her arms and waited for him to step into them and then gave him an enormous hug.

  He pulled away with a grin, then walked to the bedroom door. “Come on, Murphy, we have chores to do. There’s no lollygagging on this farm. If you want to eat, you need to work.” MJ walked out of the room as though he expected Murphy to follow right behind.

  Murphy smiled, and then he bent down and kissed her cheek. “You rest. I’ll do enough work for both of us so we can all eat tonight.”

  She couldn’t help herself, she chuckled as she watched him leave. Yes, his shoulders were wider, but she didn’t have time to think about that now her head really hurt.

  Chapter Six

  Murphy enjoyed himself while allowing MJ to order him around. His son sure did know a lot about farming. The sun had been out for half the day, and now it was pouring once again. They were in the barn and he heard a horse approaching. He stepped out into the rain and it was a woman riding on a paint. He quickly lifted her down, almost knocking off the ridiculous hat she wore. He was never one for feathers and other froufrous on hats.

  The woman’s eyes widened as she stared at Murphy. “I don’t know where Brooke found you, but I hope there’s more.” She laughed. “Come on, MJ, let’s get out of this rain.” She swiftly walked across the yard and went into the house. Murphy shook his head. Who was that?

  Her horse was soaking wet, so he took him in and got him settled. As soon as he was done, he made a run for it back to the house. He immediately took off his boots and was surprised to see MJ and the woman playing checkers.

  She stood and offered a smile. “I’m Robin Macy. The Malerys and I have been friends forever. And you are?”

  Murphy gave her a nod as he put his wet hat on the table next to the door. “It’s very nice to meet you, Miss Macy. I’m Murphy Kavanagh.” He could tell she wanted to ask him a lot of questions, but he walked into the kitchen, taking away her opportunity. “Can I get you some coffee or tea?” he called from the kitchen.

  “Thank you,” Miss Macy answered. “Some tea would be lovely.”

  Tea, huh? He could make tea. How hard could it be? He’d had tea before. He looked all over the kitchen and finally found a jar with tea leaves. He threw a couple handfuls into the bottom of his clean coffee pot and topped it off with water. All he needed to do now is let it boil for a while until it was done. He got down one of the two teacups with saucers and set it on a tray. Were there any cookies to put with it? He didn’t spot any. What did one put on the tray when there weren’t cookies? She’d just have to make do with tea. He waited and waited until it boiled a good long time. He poured the tea into the cup and carried the tray into the other room.

  “The tea took me a bit longer to make and I apologize for the delay. I don’t make tea often, but when I do people seem to like it.” He took the saucer with the cup of tea and set it on the table in front of Miss Macy. “There’s nothing like a good warm drink on such a rainy day.”

  He watched her and waited, but she hadn’t sipped her tea. Maybe she was letting it cool off. “So what brings you to the farm?”

  “I came to make sure that Brooke was being properly taken care of. I’m not happy that the light gives her such a headache.”

  Murphy was stunned. “How did you know?”

  MJ jumped up and down next to his chair. “Robin always knows when someone needs some doctorin’.”

  Miss Macy stared at the cup of tea and took a sip. She set the cup back down on the saucer and gave Murphy an amused smile. “I do appreciate the effort you made on my behalf, Mr. Kavanagh but I’m afraid you boiled bay leaves instead of tea.” Her lips twitched and she put her hand in front of her mouth as if trying to hide a smile.

  “So, I shouldn’t pour a cup for Brooke?” He offered a simple grin.

  “Oh dear, no. But if you let me into the kitchen, I brought my own blend of tea that should help.”

  Murphy quickly stood. “The kitchen is that way.” He pointed, hoping she would hurry and make the tea for Brooke.

  “Yes, I know where the kitchen is, but thank you. MJ, why don’t you give me a hand while Murphy goes upstairs and lets Brooke know I’m here.”

  MJ hurried into the kitchen; he must like Miss Macy. Murphy went up the stairs and peeked into Brooke’s room. She sat
there on the bed with her eyes closed, a look of pain on her face, and he hoped Miss Macy and her tea would help.

  He walked in and waited near the door. He didn’t want to disturb Brooke, but he wasn’t sure that she was actually sleeping.

  “Why aren’t you wearing your boots?”

  Well, there was his answer. Murphy took a couple steps closer to her. “They’re wet and muddy so I left them by the front door. You have a visitor. She’s making you some tea right now.”

  Brooke smiled. “I was hoping she would come. I need to keep more of her teas and herbs in the house. She’s wonderful, isn’t she? She seems to know and always comes when needed. I don’t know how she does it, but I’m glad she does. Is MJ with her? He loves to watch her, and he asks her all kinds of questions. She has so much patience she answers them all.”

  “Did you want me to carry you downstairs or did you want to stay here?”

  “Staying here would probably be best. I can’t wait to drink her tea and have my head stop pounding. How did you and MJ get on?”

  Murphy gave her smile. “He’s a born leader. He knew what needed to be done and how to do it. You have every reason to be proud of that boy. Plus, I was told I was an outstanding worker. Made my day.”

  Brooke started to laugh, then winced. “That hurts.” She touched her head.