by Linda Ford
Luke eased forward, his gun in his hand.
She would gladly have stayed right where they were, motionless, silent, for as long as it took for Garcia to forget all about her. Fear had rendered her motionless.
Luke squatted by a still form, looked over his shoulder. “It’s safe. Garcia is dead.”
The air left her lungs in such a rush that she clung to the nearest tree for support. Dead. He could no longer threaten her. As soon as her legs would cooperate, she inched forward.
Luke had moved, allowing her to see the still form of Garcia. She hovered at the tree line, watching and waiting, fearing it was a trick intended to draw them into a trap.
A dark stain covered the left side of his shirt and soaked into the ground beside him. Still, she kept her eyes on his chest to see if it rose even a little.
It did not move. Slowly, still half fearful, she pulled her gaze from the still form.
Luke bent over another figure. Gil. She rushed forward. “Is he—?”
“I’m alive.” His voice cracked. “He nicked my shoulder.” Gil sat up. “It’s just a flesh wound. I wanted to let him think it was more until I was sure he wasn’t going to shoot me again. How are you, ma’am?”
“Glad to be free. Thank you for your part.” She untied the baby and handed her to Luke.
Elena wakened and found Luke’s face. The baby was too young to smile, but Donna Grace fancied she relaxed when she saw Luke.
“I’ll clean your wound.” Donna Grace tore the shirt to reveal a gouge. She dampened a bit of material from her rapidly disappearing petticoat and sponged the blood from Gil’s arm. “It’s not serious unless it gets infection. I have some ointment at the wagon that will help it heal.”
Finished with the task, she sat on the ground, pulled her knees up, pressed her face to her up-drawn knees and burst into tears. Sobs clawed up her throat despite her best efforts to still them.
“I’ll get your horse.” Gil hurried away. Either her crying bothered him, or he thought she and Luke needed a few minutes alone.
Luke shifted Elena to one arm, sat beside Donna Grace and pulled her to his chest.
She wrapped her fingers in the fabric of his shirt, and buried her face against him as fear and regret and a dozen other emotions washed from her.
He rubbed slow circles on her back and hummed.
Her tears were spent and she relaxed against him. “Rosa was my best friend,” she said after a bit. “Grandfather made them leave. He destroyed Garcia’s business.”
“He made himself an enemy and it became a threat to you.” Luke pressed his face to her hair. “I’m grateful you are safe and sound.” His arm tightened about her. “I—”
Gil returned with Luke’s horse. “Best we take care of this body and get back to the wagons.”
“Let me take Donna Grace and the baby someplace where they don’t have to watch.” Luke pulled Donna Grace to her feet and led her around the corner of the stream. “Stay here until we are done. You can hear us. We can hear you if you call out.”
She sank to a grassy spot and took Elena, burying her face against the sweet baby’s neck.
“Phew.” The sweet baby wasn’t so sweet. “She needs clean dry clothes.”
“We all need hot coffee and a wash.” Luke soon had a fire going and a pot of water heating. He left to join Gil… or so she thought. Minutes later, he returned with a small bundle. “Mary Mae sent things for the baby.”
Gratitude threatened to bring a fresh flood of tears.
Luke brushed his knuckles along Donna Grace’s cheek. “You’re safe now.”
She nodded. So long as Luke was there.
After he left, she spread a baby blanket on the ground, and dampened a cloth with the warm water, and gave the baby a thorough washing before she put on the clean dry clothes. “There you go, little one. That has to feel better.”
Donna Grace washed her own face and grimaced when she saw how dirty it made the cloth. She rinsed it in the stream and wiped it over her hair. What she truly longed for was to sink into a tub of warm, scented water and wash away every memory of the past twenty hours. Instead, she settled for finger combing her hair and braiding it.
She fed the baby then lay back beside her, staring into the sky. Now that the initial shock of her rescue had passed, she felt a strange peace, mingled with an unfamiliar restlessness as if an itch needed scratching, but she couldn’t locate the spot.
The clatter of boots and horses made her sit up. Luke and Gil brought in the four horses.
Gil brought his saddle bag and set coffee to boil.
Luke sat beside her. “We took the liberty of going through Garcia’s things. We found this.” He handed Donna Grace an envelope. “You might want to read the letter.”
She pulled out the single sheet of paper and unfolded it.
Dear Papa,
I am writing to inform you that I am married. I had hoped you would come to the wedding. I hope it’s because you didn’t get my previous letter in time and not because you prefer to be angry. Please, let your anger go. I fear it is going to destroy you. You are welcome to visit any time. Papa, I long to see you.
Your loving daughter,
Rosa.
There followed an address in Missouri.
“Rosa!” Donna Grace looked at the address. “She was not far from me. And now her papa is dead.” She didn’t realize she cried until Luke wrapped an arm about her and dabbed at her tears.
Donna Grace returned the sheet of paper to the envelope. “May I keep this? I’d like to write a letter to Rosa. I’ll have to tell her about her father, but I can also tell her about Elena Rose.”
“It’s yours. There are a few things that Rosa might like to have.” He indicated a bundle slightly larger than a water bucket. Not much to show for a man’s life.
“I’ll send them as well.”
The coffee boiled and Gil poured them each a cup and passed around biscuits, cold bacon and cookies. “Judith wanted us to eat well.”
They ate in silence. Donna Grace couldn’t say for the others, but she needed time to process all that had happened and try and come to grips with her wayward emotions.
Though she supposed it was natural, under the circumstances, she wanted to cling to Luke and make him vow to never leave her.
They had promised each other a pretend marriage, but right now she wanted more.
They were soon riding toward the wagon train, hoping to catch up to it before nightfall.
Luke’s heart fairly burst with things he wanted to say to Donna Grace, but he understood how fragile she was at the moment. She needed to be back in the safety of their company, surrounded by friends and family for a few days before he could say anything to her.
Best for him to wait until things settled down.
They stopped twice on the trip back. Donna Grace needed the break, and the baby needed to be fed.
Although Gil would never admit it, Luke suspected he didn’t mind a break from having his arm jarred for a short time.
Late in the afternoon, they spied the wagons, drawn into a circle, fires burning.
“Buck must have called an early stop,” Gil said.
“Because it’s Sunday?” Donna Grace’s voice suggested she hoped this was the case.
“Maybe. Or maybe to give us a chance to catch up.”
“He wouldn’t stop because of me, would he?” Luke didn’t know if Gil would hear the note of regret in her voice, but he did.
“I expect he would. Of course, he might also be thinking of me and Luke.” The droll tone of Gil’s voice made Donna Grace blink and then she laughed.
“I suppose he might not want to lose his scout.”
“It’s nice to be thought of as important.”
Donna Grace didn’t answer.
Luke wished he could say something that would make her see she was as important as Gil. Especially to him.
He reached over and caught her hand. “Gil’s a good man and I surely do appreci
ate all the things he does, but I hope no one asks me to choose between him and you.”
Gil laughed uproariously and rode his horse a little faster, leaving Luke and Donna Grace alone.
Luke saw the heightened color in her cheeks and smiled, pleased that his words had touched her.
She glanced at him from beneath her thick lashes and her cheeks grew rosier.
He would have spoken what was on his mind right then and there, but remembered the promise to himself to wait for her to recover from her ordeal.
The company had been watching for them and the women trotted toward them.
As soon as they were close enough, Donna Grace reined in and dropped to the ground. She was immediately engulfed by three pairs of arms. Mary Mae cried.
Warren, the reverend and Buck strode toward Gil and Luke and demanded details. Buck held the two horses Garcia had taken.
“I’ll return these to Garcia’s friend and tell him what happened.”
The rest of them made their way to the campfire where they were supplied with food.
Luke kept a close eye on Donna Grace thinking she’d had about enough excitement and fear and other emotions to exhaust her. She ate little, as if food had lost its appeal, and instead of eating, stared into the distance.
Mary Mae glanced at Luke and they silently shared their concern. Then Mary Mae touched Donna Grace’s hand, gaining her attention.
“You look tired. Would you like help getting ready for bed?”
Donna Grace rumbled her lips. “What I’d like more than anything else is a bath.”
“We can surely do that. Unless—?” Mary Mae gave Luke a questioning look and he shook his head. If she meant did he want to be in charge, the answer was certainly no. Donna Grace would not be comfortable with that. Nor would he. What none of them realized was the temporary, half-truth of their marriage.
What would Donna Grace say if he said he regretted that agreement?
Judith pulled a tub off the side of the wagon.
Luke sprang to his feet, grabbed the buckets with ungraceful haste. He trotted to the stream, brought water and set it to heat.
Meanwhile the ladies fashioned a barrier with blankets and rope.
The tub was set in the privacy provided by the hastily erected walls and the women kept guard while Donna Grace went into the enclosure.
Warren grabbed Luke’s arm. “I think you have time to come with me and check on our wagons.”
Luke might have had the rest of his life, but the last thing he wanted to do was leave Donna Grace alone… well, except for three females guarding her and the reverend sitting nearby. Even Elena was taken care of, resting contentedly in Mrs. Shepton’s arms.
His insides taut with so many things, he allowed Warren to lead him away.
He saw Garcia’s friend. “I need to speak to the man.” He shifted direction. “What’s your name?”
“Manuel.”
“Manuel, I’m sorry about your friend.” He offered his hand and they shook.
“Sí. I tried to tell him.”
They continued on their way, speaking to the drivers and checking their wagons. Everything seemed in order, but Luke knew he could have overlooked any number of problems. His thoughts were back with Donna Grace.
Would he still want to say the same things to her, once the emotions of the day had settled into the far corner of his heart?
Or would fear, at some point, remind him of the risks of caring for someone?
Donna Grace let the hot water soak away the dirt of the last two days. If only her mind could so easily be soothed. A thousand emotions marched through her head. None of them stopping long enough for her to examine and decide where it belonged. Remnants of fear, amazement that God had answered her prayer. Sorrow over Rosa’s loss of her father. Hope that she could reconnect with Rosa. And bigger than all of that, the wonder of her changing feelings toward Luke. How was she to explain it? Even to herself?
Too weary to sort things out, she gave herself over to enjoying her bath.
“Do you want me to wash your hair?” Mary Mae called from beyond the fabric walls.
“That would be nice.” She leaned forward and let her sister scrub the dirt from her hair.
A bit later, Donna Grace sat by the fire, in a loose gown, wrapped in a warm blanket as Mary Mae brushed her hair to dry it. Luke returned and sat nearby. She grew uncomfortably warm, and it wasn’t because of the hot flames. No, she felt his eyes upon her. Although she knew he couldn’t read her mind, she felt raw and exposed.
He watched her a moment then set up the tent.
“I’ll sleep with Mary Mae tonight.” She did not want to be alone in the back of the wagon.
They retired shortly after that, Donna Grace’s hair in a long braid. She nursed the baby, then fell into a sleep filled with shadowy images that tried to capture her. She must have cried out and wakened herself.
From outside the tent where Luke lay under the wagon, his voice came to her. “You’re safe now, Donna Grace. God is watching over you even in your sleep. There’s a Bible verse that says, ‘He that keepeth thee will not slumber.’” Softly, he repeated the Twenty-Third Psalm.
She closed her eyes and slept.
The next morning, her limbs reminded her how many hours she’d spent riding a horse. She gratefully accepted Luke’s help up to the wagon seat.
He chuckled. “A little sore this morning, I expect.”
She groaned. “That’s a large under estimation.”
He handed Elena to her, then took his place beside her. He squeezed her hand and kissed the top of Elena’s head. “This is where you belong.”
“Thank you for rescuing us.” She’d earlier thanked Gil and asked about his arm. He assured her it was nothing.
Luke wrapped a hand about hers, his strength steadying. “You know I would find you, no matter how far Garcia took you.”
She turned her hand into his and their fingers twined together. “I hoped you would. I asked God to guide you, and I believe He did.”
“I do, too.” He told her how he and Gil had come to the end of their resources and prayed for guidance and had received it. “That night I chose to trust God. My faith wavered, but He proved faithful. I am determined to follow Him more closely from now on.”
“It seems you and I have learned the same lesson.” She told him of being shut into the dark dugout of a building. “I couldn’t see anything. But things Mama had taught me came back. I remembered the verse that said the darkness and light were the same to Him. I decided I would trust Him no matter what.” She let that sit for a moment, wondering if he realized she had been afraid she would not survive her ordeal.
He squeezed her hand. “I’m so grateful He chose to allow us to rescue you.”
“Me too. Poor little Elena. I had wanted so much to bring her into a world of safety and security, and instead she was kidnapped. I’m so grateful she wasn’t hurt in all of that and isn’t old enough to remember it.”
Luke pulled a piece of paper from his breast pocket and handed it to her. The page was worn on each fold and frayed on the edges. “Read it.”
“Okay.” She unfolded it carefully, mindful of its fragile condition and read aloud, “There is land here a plenty. Great for cattle. You couldn’t find a better place to start ranching, if you’re still interested.” She refolded the letter and handed it back to Luke.
His gaze met hers, full of depth and openness. She felt herself being drawn into his thoughts.
“I’ve decided I want to follow my dream and get a ranch.”
She tore from his gaze and looked straight ahead. “I’m glad for you.” She would go to Santa Fe and start a new life. He would go to California and start his own new life. She expected no different. Their agreement came to an end. “Do you mind if I walk a bit? I think it will do my legs good.”
“Donna Grace— Forget it.” He pulled the wagon to a halt and helped her down.
Mary Mae joined her.
As Mar
y Mae talked about how worried she was when Donna Grace was missing, Donna Grace’s thoughts circled like a crow over a morsel of food. She was happy for Luke. Of course she was.
Then why did his news sit like a sour drink in her stomach?
17
Luke banged his fist to his knee. He wasn’t handling things well at all. He had so much he wanted to say to Donna Grace. Instead, he’d simply announced he meant to go ranching and she had scurried away.
She walked until they stopped for the noon meal.
“You look tired,” he commented, as he returned from taking care of the animals, hoping she would choose to ride beside him. This time he would make certain to say what was on his heart.
“I guess I am. Perhaps I’ll ride in the back of the wagon for a bit and rest.”
He helped her into the back and she lay down, with the baby at her side. He watched her for a minute as she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. Perhaps it was for the best.
He spent the afternoon turning his thoughts over and over. They had an agreement. Would she be willing to adjust it a bit? He’d never find out if he didn’t ask.
He waited until after they stopped for the night and they’d had their meal. He waited until Mary Mae took Elena. “Donna Grace, would you walk with me?”
She looked about to refuse.
“Please.”
“Very well. Mary Mae, do you mind keeping Elena?”
Mary Mae laughed. “You don’t have to ask, do you?”
Donna Grace chuckled, but her smile left her eyes as she joined Luke. It didn’t bode well for what he hoped to accomplish.
They walked around the outside of the circled wagons. Two of the freighters did a little jig to the music from the harmonica and Luke and Donna Grace paused a moment to watch and listen before they moved on.
Wanting a few quiet moments alone with her, Luke led them toward the stream. “Let’s sit.” He indicated a nearby fallen tree and they perched on it. Throughout the long afternoon, he’d rehearsed various ways of introducing this subject, but every one of them had fled.
