by Linda Ford
She knew it meant he’d given in and forced herself to not smile.
“Nothing fancy, mind you. Just roping a post.”
She shrugged. “It’s all I had in mind.” Though if the boy got it in his head to try something more, she was prepared to turn a blind eye.
“I suppose you have something in mind for Allie with those fancy gloves.”
She chuckled at his suspicion. “I thought it would be cute if she and I did trick riding together.”
He jerked as if she’d shot him through the heart. “It would not! I warned you—”
She cut him off with a laugh and a playful punch to his shoulder. “You are so gullible. That’s what comes of being so suspicious all the time.” Not waiting for him to find his voice, she headed back to the picnic site.
“I am not suspicious,” he called.
“You most certainly are,” she flung over her shoulder. She reached the children, folded the blanket and stuffed everything into the sack. “Come on, you two. We’ve got roping to do.”
Like a merry parade they returned to the clearing.
He went directly to his horse and fiddled with the harness while casting suspicion-filled glances in her direction.
She led the children to the corral. Allie sat by the fence while Mercy showed Ladd how to twirl the rope over his head.
Abel continued to delay his departure.
Mercy glanced at the sky. “The light is wasting.” She directed her words at him.
He turned his back to her and left.
She brought her attention back to Ladd. But somehow teaching him to toss a loop had lost some of its joy.
*
Abel helped the children prepare to attend the Sunday service at the ranch. He would have skipped it except he didn’t want the children to think missing church was acceptable. No, he’d face Mercy and never once let her guess how she managed to keep him dancing from one extreme to the other. First, he hugged her, then he was upset with her. What had he been thinking hugging her in the first place? Relief. That was all. He’d prayed for their safety and he’d been overcome by gratitude to see them safe and sound.
How did that indicate suspicion, as Mercy had said? It didn’t. Of course, he knew she hadn’t referred to that when she called him suspicious. She meant the way he always jumped to the protection of his children. And he always would. It was his job.
“Are you both ready?”
The twins nodded. Both of them looked eager for the visit to the ranch. For their sakes he would try to enjoy the day.
As they approached the ranch, he forced himself to be honest. He would enjoy the day for his sake, too. Seeing Mercy in a different situation filled his mind with possibilities. Perhaps they would take a long walk together.
He lifted the twins down from the horse and threw the reins around the hitching post, then headed for the cookhouse.
Allie grabbed his hand. “There she is.” She pointed toward the big house, where Mercy stepped out the door with Linette and Grady.
He didn’t need either of the children to point her out. He’d seen her the moment the door opened. Wearing an emerald-green dress, her hair coiled at the back of her head, she had donned a fetching straw-colored bonnet. At the sight of her, his lungs sucked flat. She made the perfect picture of a lady.
The children waved and called her name.
Mercy lifted a gloved hand in response.
Abel’s arm came up of its own accord. This Mercy caused his heart to beat faster.
“Let’s wait for her,” Allie said, tugging at his hand to slow his advance toward the cookhouse.
He allowed Allie to hold him back though she might have noticed it took little effort. Then both she and Ladd broke away and ran toward Mercy.
She laughed as they approached and bent to hug and kiss them. They clung to her hands as they came to join him.
“Good morning,” Linette said as she passed them.
“’Morning, ma’am.” He yanked his hat off and then Mercy stood before him, her eyes shining with good humor, her mouth curved in an inviting smile.
He swallowed hard.
“Good morning, Abel. Isn’t it a lovely day?”
He managed to find his voice. “It is a fine day. Shall we?” He tipped his elbow toward her, inviting her to put her arm through his.
With a little nod, she did so. The twins marched behind them.
Knowing what to expect from Cookie, he braced himself as the woman hugged him and patted his back hard enough to cleanse his lungs. He held Mercy tight to his side, thinking she needed protection, but she laughed and returned Cookie’s hug.
Cookie leaned over to confront the twins.
Abel feared she might break Allie if she hugged the child but instead she straightened and opened her arms to them both. They went to her ample body and let themselves be pressed to her sides.
He sat next to Mercy as Cookie led the little group in singing. It felt good and right to be singing songs of faith with Mercy at his side.
Bertie rose to speak. “I know you ladies were hoping the men would be back by now.”
They murmured agreement. Four young wives missing their mates. From what Abel knew, another young woman and her sister lived nearby and her husband was also on the roundup.
Bertie continued. “I could tell you all to be patient, to trust God to take care of your men, but I figure nothing I say will make you more patient for their return so I’m not going to bother. Instead, I’m going to tell you how I met Cookie. Eliza, as I knew her then.”
Cookie waved a hand in protest. “Oh, Bertie. They don’t want to know that.”
Bertie grinned at his wife. “I think they might enjoy it. Would you?” he asked the audience.
Even Abel nodded.
“There you go.” He leaned back, a distant look on his face. “As most of you know, I wandered far from God. But He found me and brought me back. I had a long way to come and it took some time. One Saturday found me in a little town in western Montana. Everyone I knew had gone to the saloon. I no longer had any desire for that kind of life. But what was I supposed to do on a Saturday night? I remember looking up and down the street. Lots of noise and action both inside and outside the saloon. The general store was still open and a few people went in and out. Across the street the door of the hotel opened and closed. Through the windows of the main floor I could see straight into the dining room. Maybe I could find entertainment of a decent sort there. I dusted my clothes off as best I could and strode inside and found a vacant table. I’d barely sat down when this beautiful woman appeared at my side and handed me a menu. Well, I never did get a look at the menu. My Eliza commanded my full attention.” He beamed at Cookie, who ducked her head.
“To this day I can’t tell you what I ate. Only that it took until closing to finish it. I sat there as she cleaned up. Finally she came to me and said I’d have to leave. I asked her where a man could worship on a Sunday. She told me of the church she attended. I told her I hadn’t been in church much in the past few years but I meant to change all that.”
Cookie nodded. “You surely did, too.”
Bertie and Cookie gave each other such warm looks that Abel felt he intruded into something very personal.
Then Bertie returned to his story. “She invited me to accompany her the next day. Which I did. We spent the afternoon together and learned about each other. And I’m proud to say we have spent the past thirty years together.” He faced his wife. “I’m looking forward to the next thirty.”
Cookie grinned. “Me, too, my love.”
Bertie turned his attention back to his audience. “You might wonder why I’m telling you this. It’s because no matter where I wandered or how far I got from God, He had plans for me. He led me to the right town, on the right day to meet Eliza. His love never fails.”
Abel nodded as Bertie finished. Hadn’t he found the same thing? God had blessed him with the twins and led him here, where he could build a safe and secure life fo
r them all. Thank you, God. Help me to honor what You have given me.
They again gathered around the table to share coffee and cinnamon rolls, but he sensed a restlessness in the others. The children finished and moved away to play.
Linette wandered to the window to look out. “It’s snowing up higher. I can see it from here.”
Sybil went to her side. “I’m sure they’re all safe.”
Her voice was so strained he wondered if she believed it herself.
“There are so many dangers out there,” Linette said. “Snowstorms, wolves, bad men—”
Sybil laughed a little. “And young women accidently shooting innocent cowboys.”
Abel turned to stare at Mercy. “Who’d you shoot?”
The others chuckled as Mercy bristled. “I didn’t shoot anyone.” Her eyes narrowed. “At least not yet, though I’ve been sorely tempted.”
The laughter increased.
Jayne let out a long sigh. “It was me. I wanted to learn to shoot a gun.”
Mercy shook her head. “You were supposed to keep your eyes open.” She turned back to Abel. “That’s how she met Seth. Poor man.”
Jayne’s expression grew fierce. She looked at Bertie. “I can verify what you say. The circumstances weren’t good, but God used them to bring us together. I will never cease to thank Him.”
“Me, too,” Sybil said. She faced Abel to explain. “Brand rode in to break horses for Eddie. He was aloof and mysterious because his father and brother were part of the Duggan gang and he didn’t want anything to do with them.” She shuddered. “But God spared him and the Duggan gang was conquered.”
Linette withdrew from the window. “I can also say that God turned an unfortunate situation into a blessing. I arrived here thinking Eddie had offered me a marriage of convenience. But he expected his former fiancée to come in answer to his letter.” She looked past them, a smile wreathing her face. “He didn’t think I was at all suitable but over the winter we learned we were perfect for each other.” She drew in a long breath. “God is good to us all.”
“Don’t leave me out,” Cassie said. “Look what God’s done in my life. I planned to be independent, but I soon found it was nothing compared to being mother to four lovely children.” She nodded toward her family playing across the room. “And a loving husband. But I do miss him. I wish they would ride in this moment.” The four ladies crowded to the window looking west, where they hoped to see their men.
“I hope they’re safe,” Linette said as the cold wind blowing down the valley whistled past the cookhouse.
Mercy snorted softly. “You all talk about how God guided you and then you fret and worry because the men haven’t returned.”
Linette turned and drew the other women with her. “Mercy is absolutely right. God will protect our loved ones.”
Mercy waved her hands. “Enough of this. You’ll soon be in tears if you keep it up. Makes me glad I don’t have a husband to worry about. Now let’s plan something fun.”
The women crowded around her, pushing Abel closer to her side.
“What do you have in mind?”
Seems they were all eager for something to divert them.
She lifted her hands. “Nothing specific.”
“I know.” Linette grew eager. “Let’s plan a party for when the men return.” Her suggestion was greeted with a chorus of approval and they all began to talk at once.
Before he knew it, Abel had agreed to attend and to add something to the program. “What will I do?”
The women studied him.
Mercy jabbed his ribs. “Now don’t you wish you knew some roping tricks?”
“Not really.” An idea had formed but he decided to keep it a secret. “I’ll think of something.”
They turned back to the others and their plans. The talk continued as they climbed the hill to the big house and all throughout dinner. Abel felt a little out of place after the meal. The women washed the dishes, while the children played in the front room. He didn’t feel like dragging the twins away yet. Didn’t want to return to the tiny cabin and his lonely thoughts.
“I could check on things around the place if you like,” he offered to Linette.
“I’d truly appreciate that. Mercy, you go with him.”
“Me?”
Did she have to act as if it was an insult? He was about to say he didn’t need her company when Jayne shoved her forward.
“You know you’re dying to get out of this hot kitchen.”
Mercy laughed. “I am, indeed.” She grabbed her shawl and hurried from the room.
“Don’t shoot him,” Jayne called.
“Or rope him like a calf.” Sybil giggled.
“Girls, don’t tease her,” Linette interjected calmly.
Cassie followed them down the hall. “No fighting either. Half the time the two of you look ready to bite the other’s head off.” She sighed dramatically. “The rest of the time you look like you wish the rest of us would disappear.”
Mercy glowered at her. “Can you guess what I’m wishing right now?”
Cassie laughed.
“I think it’s time to leave.” Abel pulled Mercy’s arm though his and walked them to the door. “Let’s have a look around and make sure everything is as it should be.” The door closed behind them. “Do any of them know about the man in the woods?”
“I’ve not said anything.”
“No need to worry them,” he replied, “but let’s take a look around.”
And so they circled the place, checking for tracks or signs of the man. They reached the hill they had visited the Sunday before and paused to peruse the area.
“It’s gotten cold,” Mercy said, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Still she shivered.
He put an arm about her and pulled her to the shelter of his body. “Like Linette said, there is snow up higher.”
“I hope it doesn’t get down this far.” She looked up at him. “What will you do if winter sets in before you’re ready?”
He studied her upturned face, gratified to see she cared. “I can keep working unless the snow gets heavy, and I wouldn’t expect that this time of year.”
“I’d help you if I could.”
“You are helping. Having you with the children allows me to be out in the woods.”
“I meant I’d like to help you in the woods.”
He tightened his arm about her shoulders. “I prefer to think of you at the cabin with the children.”
She quirked her eyebrows. “Are you saying you don’t think I could handle the work?”
He tipped his head to touch hers. “If I said that it would spur you to prove otherwise, wouldn’t it?”
“Of course not. But I could do it.”
“Be glad you don’t have to.”
She squirmed. “Glad?”
“Mercy, why do you have to take objection to everything I say? I’m trying to be friendly and nice here.”
She softened and leaned into him a bit more. “And here I thought you were trying to turn me into your usual type of woman.”
“My usual type of woman was a saloon girl. It’s not something I wish to repeat.”
She pressed her head to his. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you.” She shifted to stare out at the landscape. “Tell me about your parents. Do you have siblings?” She drew in a sharp breath. “Look. Something’s moving in the bushes.”
He squinted at the spot she meant. Indeed, a shadow shifted and a four point buck slipped into the sunlight.
She chuckled. “I’m getting so I see danger in every little shadow.” She told how she’d gotten all nervous at a rabbit. “It’s your fault. You’re so worried about that man in the woods.”
“A person can never be too careful.” He drew her to a grassy spot and they sat down. He thought she might withdraw but she shivered and pressed closer. For the time being, he didn’t mind the cold weather.
“I have two brothers,” he began. “One three years
older and the other two years younger. They are both working with my father in a shipbuilding business back in Nova Scotia.”
She twisted to look into his face. “Shipbuilding? I’d have never suspected.”
“Why not?” Her surprise was a little off-putting.
“I don’t know. Shipbuilding seems like the ultimate adventure. Didn’t you want to get on one of those ships and sail around the world?”
“Shipbuilders aren’t necessarily sailors. Besides—” He shrugged, at a loss for words. He’d had big ideas but not of sailing away. He couldn’t put his finger on the reason he’d been so restless. Nothing he could think of made sense now.
“What?” When he didn’t answer right away, she nudged him gently. “Tell me.”
“I guess I longed for adventure but I went after it the wrong way. I threw out the rules with the pursuit of excitement.”
She studied him a long moment. “You believe you can’t have one without the other? It’s either rules or excitement?”
“Isn’t it?”
“I don’t think so. I don’t have to enter a wayward way of living in order to enjoy my life.”
He squeezed her shoulders, not wanting to argue yet uncomfortable with the direction she meant to take her life. “Frank is my older brother. He’s very rigid. Everything by the book. I used to resent him for that but now I understand why he was like that. It was because in the shipbuilding business you can’t afford to make mistakes.”
“And your younger brother?”
“John.” He knew his smile filled the word. “We used to have a lot of fun together.” He didn’t go on.
“What happened?”
“My father took me into the business and he and Frank made it clear there was no room for fun.”
She tsked. “I can understand why you left.”
“I was wrong. I needed to grow up and accept responsibility.” He sighed. “But I did miss playing with John. We used to play tag, toss a ball back and forth and go on great adventures.”
She sat up, allowing his arm to fall to his side. “I remember playing with Butler…that’s my brother.” She turned and stared at him. “I couldn’t remember before now. I always wondered if we did. But we did. We played chase. I suppose it was a form of tag. I remember giggling so hard I couldn’t run anymore. I’d fall down on the ground and he would lie beside me and we’d stare at the sky.” She looked up as if trying to recapture the feeling. The light caught on her cheeks, revealing silvery tracks of her tears.
