Carter took pity. He understood her motivation for running away and could see how she must have arrived at the conclusion that it was the right thing to do for the sake of Grover and her daughter. It was also clear to him that she had no real understanding of what it meant to be married to a man who would rather die than see harm come to his wife.
Carter believed it was a man's duty to protect his wife from physical danger, not the other way around, and he knew his friend felt the same way. By running, she hadn't allowed her husband to protect her. If Grover made it back alive, she would be meeting a very different side of her husband—the hard, fearsome lawman who made grown men shake in their boots, the marshal who delivered justice without leniency to those deserving of punishment.
When they arrived at the slim trail and were each mounted on their respective horses, they walked them at a quick clip to the main path before dark befell them. Once on the larger path, they trotted east toward Carter's ranch.
"We'll hope for the best, Missy, but you should know something. If Grover loses his life at Nathan's hand, he'll have died doing something an honorable man is always willing to do, and that's to die protecting his family. You'd best learn that about your husband. He'd much rather die than suffer his wife's demise."
Missy looked down at the pommel of the saddle. "This is exactly what I didn't want to happen. I didn't want Grover in any kind of danger. It's why I ran."
"You've got to let your husband decide what danger to put himself in to protect you. Especially someone like Grover. It's what he's good at, protecting people. That's why he's marshal. I think you had all the best intentions in running away like you did, but you have a skewed way of thinking on marriage. Your duty as his wife is to stand by him, not make decisions without him. He's mighty displeased with you, my dear."
Missy looked into the distance ahead. "I understand, Carter. I just hope I'm lucky enough to face Grover's wrath. I won't be able to endure the other possibility. I couldn't bear it if the last memory Grover had of his wife before dying was that she abandoned him." She choked on the last part of her sentence.
"The last memory would be that you cared enough to do something so foolish, honey. He would die knowing you loved him as desperately as he loved you."
Missy turned her moist eyes to him. "Thank you for saying that, Carter. You're a kind man."
"I have my moments, but please don't go around repeating that, Missy. I have a headstrong wife, three rambunctious children, and thirteen rowdy ranch hands to keep in line. It's better that they all think me unbearably strict."
His words drew a small smile from her, but it didn't stay on her face for long. "Carter! Look up ahead."
The light from the full moon allowed them to see the body of a horse on the trail. When they reached it, they both dismounted. Carter crouched down beside the mare's head and held the back of his hand in front of her nostrils, which didn't blow air. He shook his head sadly. "Poor beast," he muttered, noting its overall abused condition.
"That's Nathan's horse," Missy said, her eyes wide in disbelief.
Carter frowned. "Can't be. Grover and I saw him on a much larger mount, a draft horse of some kind. This here is a bangtail that's been broke."
"I'm certain this is his horse. That's his saddle too."
Carter ran his hand over his face. "I don't know what went on here, but let's not waste time trying to figure it out. We still have a spell of riding before we get to the ranch."
They resumed their journey, and Carter came up with a theory as they rode. "Nathan's mount must have dragged out on him, so he stole the larger horse Grover and I saw him on."
Moments later, they came upon Henry's rounded figure in the middle of the path. Again they dismounted and again Carter confirmed a death. "I guess we know where Nathan got his horse. Hate to say it out loud, but doesn't Henry's murder solve the biggest of your problems?"
Missy nodded. "It's strange. Very strange. I reckon shooting that man is the only favor Nathan's ever done for me." She stared at Henry's body for some time. "Carter, will you think less of me if I search him for something?"
Carter frowned. "What do you think he has that you want?"
"I gave him my mother's brooch as a bribe not to involve Grover in my troubles. I wonder if it might be on his person."
Carter took off his hat and slapped it on his thigh to rid it of some dust. "I'll search him." Carter pressed his hat back on his head and crouched beside the body. He patted Henry's shirt pockets. When he searched the pockets of his vest, he located the brooch. "That sure is pretty," he said, handing it to her. "Looks like a picture of a bird about to fly away."
The two weary travelers reached the Barnes' ranch after what seemed like days. Anna ran from the cabin in her nightdress as they neared. Carter dismounted and she threw herself into his arms.
"I'm so glad you're back," she said. "I felt so scared."
The couple kissed and hugged while Missy stood by awkwardly, feeling ashamed as she realized that she'd put this woman's husband in danger by running off. She felt no doubt that the woman would dislike her, and Missy didn't blame her. That's why she was more than a little surprised when she suddenly felt herself being hugged by Carter's strapping wife.
"You must be Missy," she exclaimed. "It's good to meet you. Your daughter is a dream baby. She was squalling like mad when Grover handed her over, but after I fed her, she just watched me the rest of the day with those big blue peepers and cooed like an angel while my creepmouse screamed like the dickens and my other two ran around like devils."
"Thank you ever so much for caring for her." Missy's heart ached upon hearing Anna's description of her sweet girl, and her eyes filled with tears knowing she was about to see her.
"Where's Grover?" Anna asked, sobering.
Carter explained the circumstances of their separation, and the mood turned somber. While Carter walked to the barn to tend to the horses, Anna and Missy walked to the cabin. Missy held Hannah Lou close for a long while, crying quietly as she did.
Later that evening, while the rest of the household slept, Missy sat on the porch bench with a quilt wrapped around her. She stared at the top of the hill where the path that curved away from the Barnes' cabin disappeared. She agonized over every second that the moon lit nothing but the hill's waves of grass. It was the longest, most torturous night of her life. At the earliest dawn of morning light, Missy heard stirring inside the cabin. She heard the sounds of children waking with a fuss on their lips and Anna and Carter responding with chiding and mollifying. Missy remained seated the bench and stared at the path.
Chapter 11 - Missy Meets the Marshal
As the sun rose over the hills, Missy spotted a figure on horseback. She couldn't make out his features. With the sun at his back, he appeared only as a faceless black shadow. As he neared, however, she recognized the outline of his shoulders and hat. Missy stumbled off the porch and sprinted toward him. Grover dismounted and met her embrace with his. He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her off the ground, and buried his face in her neck and hair. He didn't say a word as he held her, his arms around her tight. When he bent and placed her on her feet after some time, she tilted her head up.
"I'm so sorry, Grover."
He stared into her eyes for a long while. When he spoke, she realized just how angry he was with her. His tone had an edge to it as sharp as a blade. "What are you sorry for, Missy? For abandoning your husband and daughter, for putting your life at risk, for taking my horse, for thinking it appropriate to keep your plans a secret from me, for not trusting me to find a way to solve our problems? I'm not clear on what it is you're apologizing for. Is it for one of those things, or something else I'm unaware of as of yet?"
Missy's mouth hung open. She stammered her answer. "For all of those things, Grover. I'm sorry for everything."
"I don't forgive you." He stepped around her and walked toward the barn, leading the horse by the reins.
She walked by his side. "Please ca
n we talk, Grover?"
"Not right now. Go tell Carter and Anna I'm alive while I tend to this poor horse."
Missy grasped the sleeve of his shirt. Grover stopped and scowled at her with fury flashing in his eyes.
Missy took a step back upon seeing his face. "Will you ever forgive me, Grover?" she asked meekly.
His scowl deepened. "Yes, I imagine I will, but I'd like the small luxury of being angry with you for a minute or two. I think I've earned that. Don't you?"
"Yes, Grover. I can bear your anger as long as I have a guarantee you'll forgive me eventually."
"I'm so happy to oblige," he responded sarcastically. "It must be nice to have a guarantee that your husband will honor his marriage vows, such as the vow to forgive. Perhaps one day I'll know what it's like to have such a spouse."
"I honor my vows," Missy argued, hurt by his words. "I try to be a good wife to you."
Grover scoffed and continued his walk to the barn. "I seem to recall a line in there about not parting 'til death," he said with a raised voice over his shoulder. "Am I misremembering, or did you ignore that bit and bolt away from our troubles like a nervous, half-witted rabbit?"
Missy's temper flared. "I wouldn't have even met you if I'd kept that vow to my first husband," she shouted at his retreating back.
Grover stopped. He turned slowly. A dark cloud descended over his face, and his voice lowered to a dangerous level. "You dare compare our marriage to your marriage with that scum?"
"Vows aren't always meant to be kept, Grover. That's all I'm saying."
"You're saying bosh! Damn it, Missy. Don't make that comparison again. I reckon Nathan broke every vow within a week of your wedding, leaving you under no obligation to keep yours. I, however, have done you no such a dishonor, and I expect to be treated in kind."
Missy looked down. "You're right, I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry."
"I'll add it to your list of errors and misdeeds!" he bellowed. "Which, just so you know, you'll be reciting with your nose to the ground and your ass in the air. Do you have anything else to fling at me, or would you mind very much honoring your vow to obey? I asked you to go tell our friends I'm alive, yet here you still stand like your boots are made of lead."
"I'm sure they can hear you bellowing at me, but fine, I'll go tell them." She stormed toward the house and walked a few strides before she heard his voice again.
"Missy."
The way he said her name stopped her in her tracks. He said so much in that word, just by his tone. It was the voice that told her he was in control and in charge, that he loved her, and that he would take care of her. It was the voice that could send her to tears in an instant, as it did then. She turned and met his gaze.
"Missy," he repeated in the same gentle, stern tone. "Throughout my years, I've been in many dangerous situations and felt afraid more times than I can count facing the hollow end of a gun, but not one time compares to the fear I felt facing the words in your letter. And nothing compares to the relief I felt when I saw you running toward me just now."
Grover paused and looked in the distance for a moment before returning his gaze to her face. "The thing is, Missy, my feelings don't matter when it comes to whether we can have a future together. I need to know, do you want to be my wife? Do you wish to stay with me and trust me to protect you as much as I want to be your husband and ensure your safety?"
"Yes, Grover, more than anything. Please know I love you more than my own life. I didn't want to leave you, and I know I made a horrible mistake." She moved toward him but he held up his hand to stop her.
"It was more than a mistake, Missy. A mistake is forgetting to cinch your saddle or burning supper. What you did was willful disregard. You acted in secret because you knew I wouldn't approve of your choices. We're supposed to be husband and wife and act together, not keep secrets."
Missy looked down at her hands. "I know what I did was wrong, Grover, and I deeply regret it, but I left because I love you and didn't want you hurt on my behalf."
"By running, you increased my odds of getting hurt. I made it clear that I would rather die than watch you suffer death or go to prison."
"I know, but can't you understand? I feel the same way."
"I suppose I could understand if I were in the same danger as you, but that isn't the case, Missy. Even my post as marshal hasn't come into question yet. If it did, I'd rather lose my job than you. And if I were in danger of going to prison for helping you, I'd come up with a new plan, one that involves the two of us."
"I'm sorry, Grover. It seems so clear to me now that it was wrong, but at the time it seemed like the right choice to make."
"That leaving me and your daughter ever seemed right to you disturbs me. Your first instinct upon meeting trouble was to run, and that's not good for a marriage."
Tears tracked her cheeks. "I've been running for years setting up camp different places with Nathan and his gang. Then I ran away from him. Even when I was a child, my ma and I could never stay in the same place for long. Running is how I've gotten used to living. It's how I've always avoided trouble and solved problems, but I swear I won't run again, Grover. Please don't give up on me. I want to stay with you always."
"I don't intend to give up on you. I intend to make sure you never do something so foolish again. You must understand something, Missy. I'm your husband, and I love you and will always show you mercy. But I'm also a marshal. I have this post because of the type of person I am, and that's someone who believes in justice and consequences for poor choices. Are you willing to face punishment so that we can move on from this with the assurance it won't happen again?"
She wiped her eyes. "Yes, Grover. I know I deserve punishment, and I know you would only punish me because you care."
"You're right about that, honey." He sighed deeply. "Go tell our friends of my arrival and ask to borrow one of Anna's wooden spoons, then meet me in the barn. Let's not delay what needs to happen."
"Okay, Grover." She resumed her walk to the cabin.
Missy could feel the fear and tension leave the room when she relayed to Anna and Carter that Grover had arrived safely and was tending to his horse. Carter leaned back in his armchair with a sigh. He picked up his paper and opened it in front of him. Anna gave her a long hug, after which Missy blushed furiously and said with tears in her eyes, "Anna, might I borrow one of your wooden spoons?"
Anna's eyes widened and she blushed as well. "Uh, sure, Missy." She opened a drawer, picked out the smallest one, and handed it to her. As she did, she said quietly, "I'm sorry. They all sting, but that one might sting a bit less."
"Give her two in case one breaks," Carter's voice boomed suddenly from the other side of the room. They looked at him with surprise, and he frowned at them. "And quit your crying, Missy. You earned every lick you have coming. You'll soon have a very good reason to cry if that man knows how to correct a wayward wife properly."
"Carter!" Anna exclaimed, her cheeks quickly becoming the color of a tomato.
"Don't Carter me, young lady. I've a mind to turn you over my knee and give you a good dose of the spoon myself. I heard you conspiring about how to lessen Missy's well-earned punishment. Give her two of the sturdiest and get a move on."
Anna rushed to obey and gave Missy an apologetic look as she handed her another spoon. Missy glanced at Carter's stern face, hardly believing it was the same person who had treated her so kindly the day before, until he said in a tone not so stern, "Just remember, Missy. That's a man who wants to protect you. That includes disciplining you when you put yourself in danger. Any husband worth his salt would do the same."
"Yes, Carter. I know." Missy trudged to the barn to meet her fate.
She didn't know exactly what to expect. The other two times Grover punished her weren't especially harsh. Sure, the spankings stung, but she hadn't caused him any great fear or grief then. The first time he spanked her, he wanted to know the truth and to let her know he cared about her. The second spanking
ended rather quickly because of the marriage proposal. Missy knew as she walked to the barn that this time would be different.
She entered to find Grover still grooming the horse. He looked up from his task briefly when he noticed her. "Go sit on the bench and wait for me to finish."
She did as she was told and watched him tend to the tired animal. After pitching hay into the stall, he washed his hands in a pail. He approached Missy. Taking her hand, he pulled her to a standing position and sat where she'd been sitting. He bracketed her legs with his knees and took the wooden spoons from her hand.
"Why did you bring two?
"Carter wanted me to, in case one broke." Her trembling voice gave away how worried she felt about the punishment.
"I see. Are you nervous?"
Missy looked down and nodded.
Grover's voice grew stern. "I'll have no more silent responses from you. You'll respond with 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir' from now until this punishment is over. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Now as far as you feeling nervous, that's appropriate. I'm not going to be lenient. I plan to punish you for each misdeed until we get through them all. However, I hope you know I'd never cause you lasting harm or pain. What I want to last is the memory so that your actions aren't repeated in the future. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir." Missy looked into Grover's eyes hoping to see love there along with sternness.
As if reading her mind, he said, "And throughout this, you must remember that I love you and can't bear the thought of losing you. That's the whole point. Is that understood as well?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then pull down your drawers, lift your skirts, and lay yourself over my lap."
Missy's hands shook as she complied. She untied the ribbon around the waist of her bloomers and let them fall to her ankles, then lifted her dress and petticoat as she bent over his legs. Grover arranged the material over her back. She felt the flat surface of one of the wooden spoons rest on her left cheek.
Missy Meets the Marshal (Lone Star Love Book 2) Page 9
