Dorie glanced at her brother and when he eagerly nodded, she smiled. “That would be wonderful.”
Helene took hold her hand and squeezed. “You give it some real good thought, dear. We’ll abide by your decision, whatever it may be.”
“Thank you,” she said. “For everything.”
“You’re entirely welcome.”
With that, they left her homestead leaving Dorie with some serious thinking to do.
Shane had been hard pressed to allow his herd to graze on Barkley’s land. The coldhearted threats Barkley had issued, as well as the unkind, callous words he’d spoken about Dorie, hadn’t set right with him. He hated that he needed Barkley’s money and grazing land, but he did.
For now though, he made due with making his small herd stay within his own property lines, not wanting to give Barkley the satisfaction. He’d informed the Boyd brothers to keep the herd contained on the Bar G only, for the time being.
Shane brought Sassy up to a trot as he rode back in after a long day on the range. He’d been working long hours, keeping his mind busy and his body exhausted, trying to forget about Dorie, but it hadn’t been easy.
Thoughts of her filtered in at the oddest of times. Seemed he couldn’t look at the newest baby calf on his property without thinking of a mud-stained Dorie, working alongside of him, helping him pull the baby from its mama. Or every time he cooked beef stew, or ate a biscuit, he’d think of her. Lord, Dorie and her stone biscuits! Or every time he smelled a flower, or saw a wildflower growing in his yard, he’d remember her light flowery scent.
And at night when he closed his eyes, her image appeared and he wished he would turn to find her there, beside him in bed.
Shane shoved those thoughts away time and again. But they kept returning with powerful force. He’d even sent up a prayer to the Almighty to help him recover from the feelings that kept him from true peace.
He reined his horse in and after bedding her down with a good rubdown and brushing, he brushed himself off as well, removing range dust and earth from his pants before entering his house. The walls screamed of loneliness and he’d begun to hate the quiet that surrounded him.
He splashed water on his face, ate a quick meal of cold chicken and vegetables then headed outside to sit on a chair on his front porch. Stretching out, he lit a cheroot, a rare ritual that he seldom indulged in any more. Taking a puff, he leaned back in his seat and watched the late afternoon sun descend.
When a rider approached, Shane straightened and squinted his eyes to get a better look. With the setting sun’s glare obstructing his vision, it wasn’t until the rider had entered his front gate before he recognized him.
Tobias Barkley.
Shane reached for his gun then dropped his hand. He’d taken it off inside the house.
“What do you want?” he called out, before the heavy-set man dismounted from his horse.
“That’s no way to speak to your future kin, boy.”
“I’ll speak to you any way I want,” he said, drawing from his cheroot, “as long as you’re on my land.”
Barkley barreled over to stand just beyond the steps of his house. “You’ll be happy to know that you’ll be debt-free soon. This land you call yours will be just that.”
Shane narrowed his eyes. Barkley was being just a little bit too amiable. “Yeah, and why’s that?”
Barkley grinned from ear to ear. “Marilee has come home.”
Shane tossed the cheroot to the ground. He stood and stomped out the flame, all the while watching Barkley’s smug face. “You mean you dragged her back home?”
He shrugged. “No sense quibbling over words. She’s home now. She’s not running away again. I’ll make sure of it this time. And you’re to be married day after tomorrow.”
Shane braced his hands on the porch railing and looked past Barkley, toward the setting sun. “I’ll need to speak with her first.”
“You come by anytime you want. She’ll see you. Oh, and don’t even try to take her off my land. She’s to stay home until the nuptials.”
“You’re holding your own daughter hostage?”
Barkley removed his hat and scratched his bald head. “Now I don’t see it that way. The girl’s been through enough. She needs her rest. In a few days, she’ll be your headache. Oh, and don’t you try any funny business or I’ll call in those loans and put up fences faster than you can blink your eyes.”
Shane spoke through tight lips. “Tell Marilee I’ll come by tomorrow morning to speak with her. She still has to agree to this marriage. I won’t force her into anything.”
Barkley nodded. “She’ll agree. Get your wedding suit ready, boy.” He strode over to his horse and mounted, then tipped his hat. “Day after tomorrow, we’ll be family. Don’t you forget that.”
Shane swore an oath the minute the man turned his horse around. He watched him leave then kicked the porch rail so hard his toes felt the jolt clear through his boot.
An hour later the barkeep at the Silver Shadows Saloon asked, “What’ll it be?”
Shane leaned against the bar. “A bottle of your best.” He needed a drink and the drops left in his own liquor stash at home meant for “medicinal” purposes just wouldn’t do. Barkley’s appearance on his ranch today had galled him, but nothing was worse than the desperate pain shooting through his gut right now, thinking of his upcoming marriage. For some odd reason he hadn’t thought this day would ever really come. He knew that it would, but in his heart he’d held out hope that he’d never have to go through with the marriage.
The barkeep set a bottle of whiskey in front of him. “My best.”
Shane glanced at the amber liquor and his mind flashed an image of Dorie tripping onto the bed, spilling whiskey on him. He recalled her wide-eyed expression when he’d asked her in no uncertain terms to clean it up, and how she managed to knock him to his knees with her unabashed passion. They’d played whiskey games the rest of the night and, in turn, Shane had stolen her innocence, but he’d been the one truly robbed.
Dorie had stolen his heart.
And now he faced a marriage he couldn’t abide to a nice enough woman whom he didn’t love.
Shane shoved the bottle away. He wouldn’t drink a drop of that whiskey. Dorie had ruined him from craving that particular alcohol again, not without her by his side. “I changed my mind. Bring me a beer.”
The barkeep shot him a puzzled look but did his bidding. Half an hour later, Shane strode out the doors of the saloon and right smack into the Parkers.
At first Shane thought he was seeing things. Hell, he’d only had one tall beer, not enough to make him hallucinate.
“Mr. Graham,” Oliver said, once each of them had recognized the other’s presence. “It’s good to see you again.”
Shane’s mind muddied up. He didn’t know what to say. He’d never expected them to show up in Silver Hills. What were they doing here?
When Shane hesitated for long moments without responding, like a fox caught in the henhouse, Mrs. Parker intervened. “It’s all right, Shane. We know the truth. We’ve already been to see Dorie and Jeremiah. Our grandson told us everything.”
Shane swallowed hard. “Everything?”
“I think we know it all now,” Oliver said clearly. “We’ve had a good talk with Dorie about it.”
“Have you?”
“Yes, and we’ve come to an understanding.”
“That’s…good.” Shane still wasn’t sure what truths Jeremiah told, so he had to be careful with what he said.
His puzzled expression must have been obvious, so Helene clarified. She placed her hand on his arm. “We know you two aren’t married. We know where Dorie lives and how she manages. We know you may have to marry another.”
Shane put his head down. “Yeah, I guess you do know everything.” And when he looked up again, he saw genuine sincerity in their eyes. “Listen, you’re nice people. We didn’t like lying. None of us did, but I suppose Dorie explained her reasons for it all.”
“She did,” Helene said.
“I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
Oliver glanced at his wife. “We’ve forgiven Dorie and Jeremiah. I think we can forgive you, too.”
“You must care an awful lot about her to have gone along with her plan,” Helene said. “Oliver and I know you’re an honorable man, someone who has watched out for Dorie and Jeremiah since their mama died.”
Shane sucked in a breath. “Dorie didn’t always make it easy, but she’s…a good woman.”
“Yes,” Helene said with expectant eyes, “she’s worth the trouble.”
Shane shot her a look and realized that the Parkers may know even more than they’d let on.
“You two appeared well suited,” Helene continued, “like you were really in love.”
“You certainly fooled us,” Oliver added.
Shane rubbed his temples. “I’m destined to marry Marilee Barkley. If you know the circumstances, then you know that Barkley won’t take no for an answer.”
“Yes, but we understand that Marilee ran off.”
Shane pursed his lips. “Yep, she did. But Barkley found her and she’s back home. The marriage is set for day after tomorrow.”
“Oh, dear,” Helene gasped, her hand flying up to her mouth. “Does Dorie know?”
“No.” Shane frowned. “I’m going over there tomorrow, just as soon as I speak with Marilee. I’ll tell Dorie myself.”
Helene glanced at Oliver. The Parkers’ expressions fell at the same time. “Be careful with her, Shane. The news is bound to hurt her.”
Shane nodded and spoke from the heart. “I never meant to hurt her. I lo…never mind,” he said, heaving a sigh. “It’s too late now to change things.”
There wasn’t anything more to say. Shane shook Oliver’s hand and the older man patted him on the back with true affection. Helene hugged him tight and Shane felt he didn’t deserve any of their kindness.
He rode off, heading back to the Bar G, with only one thought in his head.
Dorie.
“It appears that you are stuck with me,” Marilee said to Shane. “Father won’t have it any other way. I’m to be married to you tomorrow.”
She handed him a glass of lemonade as he sat facing her in the Barkleys’ elegantly furnished parlor. A carved walnut clock chimed the hour in one corner, while in the other, a pianoforte angled out. Fresh flowers filled the room in abundance with too strong a fragrance for Shane’s liking.
In truth, he’d rather be anywhere but here at the moment, but it wasn’t Marilee’s fault. He couldn’t blame her for any of this. No, this was all her father’s doing.
Shane smiled with regret. “I’m afraid you’re the one stuck…with me. Why did you run away? Was it because you thought I’d backed out of the wedding?”
Marilee took her time in answering. Her eyes closed briefly and then she looked away. “No. Father thinks I was humiliated, but I wasn’t. I saw it as a chance for me to leave town.” She laid a hand on her stomach and lifted her lips with a sad expression. “I was to meet up with the real father of my child. Father made it impossible for him to stay on at the ranch so we had a plan to meet south of here in a small town called Angel Springs. He has family living there. But, as you know, father caught up with me and now, here I am.”
“Your father’s got a man guarding the house, doesn’t he?”
Marilee pursed her lips and spoke with scorn. “Men, Shane. I’ve noticed at least three of them. I’m not allowed off the property until the wedding.”
“Can’t you reason with your father?” Shane asked, yet he knew Barkley to be a tough businessman. He’d only hoped the man would go easier on his only daughter.
“I’ve tried, Shane. Father has a plan in mind for me. And now that I’m carrying the heir to the ranch, he won’t hear of me going off with whom he believes is a drifter. He wants me here, married to you, so that he can keep an eye on things. I know he loves me in his own way, but he doesn’t think I know what I’m doing. Oh, Shane, I’m really sorry to put you through this. I’m sure you’d rather not marry me. If I can take a guess, I’d say you’re in love with someone else, too.”
Shane lifted his brows. “Why would you say that?”
Marilee smiled quickly. “Father tends to rant a great deal. I’ve heard Dorie McCabe’s name associated with yours on a number of occasions. And she did drag you away from the church the first time.”
Shane studied his boots. He pursed his lips. And when he spoke, he chose his words carefully. Though it pained him terribly, he kept his emotions at bay. “Dorie has nothing to do with us. If you’ll still have me, we’ll marry tomorrow. I’ll be a faithful husband and a good father to your child. But…it has to be what you want, Marilee.”
“What I want doesn’t seem to matter, Shane. Sorry if this is hurtful. It’s just that Father has made some veiled threats…and I’m afraid of what he might do to Johnny if I don’t marry you. With his wealth and power he can ruin a man if he sets his mind to it. And I know father is holding something over your head, as well. I can’t abide any of that. So, yes, we’ll marry tomorrow.”
Shane rose then and helped Marilee from her seat. They stood facing each other, her eyes pitifully sad. “Thank you, Shane. I’ll try to be a good wife.”
Shane nodded, the realization setting in. Tomorrow, he would marry and take a wife. And the hardest part in all this was that he’d have to ride over to the McCabe homestead and tell Dorie.
“Any chance the baby’s father will come back?” Shane had to ask, the thought niggling him all morning. He couldn’t imagine a man abandoning the woman who carried his child.
Marilee shook her head. “I made him promise not to. If he sets foot on my father’s land again…there’d be no telling what would happen. I’m afraid when I didn’t show up to meet him this time that he lost all hope.”
Shane understood. A man’s pride was at stake. So now, his fate was sealed. He’d be a married man by this time tomorrow. Shane tried to smile warmly, but didn’t know if he succeeded. “Then I’ll see you in church tomorrow, Marilee.”
She rose up to kiss his cheek. “Thank you,” she said.
And Shane rode off thinking there was something entirely wrong with a woman who would kiss a man on the cheek in gratitude for marrying her.
Chapter Seventeen
Dorie dug her fingers into the earth and pulled up a giant-sized weed. She tossed it into a bucket along with the others she’d yanked up and wiped her brow. She’d been at it all morning, clearing the dry soil readying it for her garden. With a straw hat on her head protecting her from late morning sun she looked about her homestead with honest eyes.
It wasn’t much.
But it was hers…and Jeremiah’s.
She’d managed all these years with little help. She and Jeremiah had food enough and clothes and a roof that didn’t leak…too badly. They’d been happy in Silver Hills for the most part, but Dorie couldn’t help wondering what life would be like for her brother living in New York with the Parkers. He’d have so much more than they had now. They wouldn’t have to worry about an especially bad winter or whether Mrs. Miniver’s ladies would tire of her creations.
Jeremiah had years to go before he’d be able to make a decent living working a ranch or lumberyard. And just maybe, he’d want better for himself. Just maybe, he would love to be schooled in other things. He could become a doctor or an attorney, or go into some other fine profession.
But as Dorie gazed down at the soil she’d just tended and smoothed readying for planting, she realized she wanted to see the garden grow. She wanted to anticipate the carrots coming up and the corn lifting to the sun. She wanted to witness her flowers blooming in spring. She wanted to make her life here. And Jeremiah did, too. She’d already spoken to him about it.
She’d told the Parkers she would think about their kind offer, so she had…all night long. Yet, she couldn’t imagine leaving the only town she’d ever known or the man she
loved so desperately that her heart ached to see him once again.
Dorie planted her seedlings, covering them carefully and when she heard footsteps coming around from the front of the house, she said with newfound hope, “Jeremiah, lookee here, we’re going have vegetables in a few months.”
“It’s not Jeremiah.”
Dorie snapped her head up and her heart warmed immediately. “Shane!” She rose up and lost all rational thought, seeing him looking so handsome, just a few yards away. She ran into his arms, her hat flying off her head. He welcomed her, wrapping his arms around her, tucking her head under his chin. “I knew you’d come back. I knew it, Shane. Oh, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you something terrible.”
She lifted her head and pressed a kiss to his mouth. He resisted for a moment which caused her a measure of uncertainty, but then he kissed her back passionately, his lips locked to hers with dire yearning.
He pulled away all too quickly. “Dorie,” he spoke quietly, his hands coming to her face, his thumbs wiping soil from her cheeks. He held her that way, his eyes searching hers. “I came with news.”
“I know the news, Shane. I know the Parkers are in town. They came for a visit. We spoke for a time and we’ve come to an understanding. I think… I think they’ve forgiven me.”
“That’s good, honey.”
“Oh, Shane. It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” he said, his tone serious.
“I must look a mess.” She wiped soil from her apron, ran a hand down her hair, trying to tidy up a bit.
Shane took both of her hands in his. “No, you don’t look a mess. You’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, Dorie.”
Dorie smiled wide, her insides melting. “Thank you.”
“Let’s talk.” He led her over to the shade of the barn, his hand holding hers tightly.
It felt so good, so right being with him. She couldn’t think past that. She hadn’t known if she’d ever see him again, and here he was just four days later seemingly unable to stay away. Oh, she’d prayed for this.
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