Trying to be quiet, Fiona slipped off her dress and dropped her nightgown over her head. As gently as she could, she eased down on the mattress beside Rose.
“I’m not asleep, Fiona. You don’t have to be so careful.” Rose’s voice was soft and calm. “I’ve been listening to you all outside.”
“I’m sorry. Did we wake you? I told Joey not to yell”
“You didn’t wake me. I haven’t been asleep.”
“Oh.”
There was a slight pause, then Rose said, “If you’re uncomfortable with Joey sleeping in the tent with Clint, there’s plenty of room for him in here.”
“Clint assured me he would guard Joey with his life.”
Rose chuckled. “He will, Fiona. When Clint makes a promise, he keeps it.”
“I thought he might.”
“Ouch,” Rose said as she turned sideways.
Fiona darted up. “Are you all right?”
“Calm down, Fiona. I’m fine. The baby decided to give me a good swift kick. He seems to want to get active at night and that’s the reason I’ve been unable to sleep.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “There he goes again.”
“Could I feel him, Rose?” Fiona didn’t know why she asked, but for some reason she was desperate to know this baby was alive and well.
“Of course.” Rose took hold of her hand and placed it on her stomach. “Be patient. He won’t let you down.”
In only seconds there was a sharp thump against Fiona’s hand. “I felt it.” The baby kicked again. “Oh, Rose, how wonderful. Does he do this often?”
“He does it a lot.” Rose laughed. “I’m glad. It shows he’s growing strong and healthy, but it does get tiring at night.”
“I’m sure Clint wants it to be a boy.”
“I don’t think he really cares. Like me, he wants it to be healthy.”
They were quiet a minute, then Rose surprised her when she said, “I’ve been watching you with Joey. You’re a wonderful mother.”
Fiona wanted to tell her she’d never been a mother, but she only muttered, “Thank you.”
“Promise me something, Fiona.”
“What?”
“Don’t leave us until after the baby is born.”
Fiona was shocked. Did Rose think she would desert them? “I don’t intend to leave you, Rose. What in the world would Joey and I do without you and Clint?”
“I’m glad you need us, too.” Rose turned over on her side. “I think the baby’s calming down now. I’m going to try to go to sleep. You should, too. Clint said we have to get up at four to start breakfast so we can be on the trail by six.”
“I see. Good night, Rose.”
Soon Rose was breathing evenly in a peaceful sleep. It was much longer before Fiona was able to drift from reality.
* * * *
Though Joey went to sleep as soon as he got over his excitement and became still, Clint was having as much trouble dozing off as Fiona. He could hear the soft voices of the women and he couldn’t help wondering what they were talking about. He almost hoped Rose was telling Fiona about their marriage. If she knew, maybe she wouldn’t avoid him like she was doing. Maybe he could spend a little more time with her and get to know her better.
Damn, man, he thought. Quit thinking foolish thoughts. You can’t do that to Rose. You made a promise. You have to keep it. The best thing you can do is spend less time with Fiona, not more. You know Rose said she thought Fiona was getting skittish and might decide to stop at one of the forts or towns on the way to Oregon. The last thing you want to do is scare her off. You’re going to need her when the baby comes. You know nothing about babies.
Clint turned over and tried to think of something besides the beautiful blond sleeping in the wagon beside his wife. He had to get his head straight. Not only did he have to see that the crazy farmer from Kentucky didn’t get his hands on Joey and Fiona, he had to worry about Wade learning he and Rose had joined this wagon train.
“Hell,” he muttered under his breath. “When Rose sent for me I should have turned a deaf ear and stayed in Texas.”
This wasn’t the first time he’d told himself this. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help Rose or Fiona. He’d known Rose since their childhood in Baltimore. She’d been his best friend there. She was the one to help him when his options were running out in his hometown. He owed Rose and now since she’d been so much help, he owed Fiona, too. But he shouldn’t have to give up his whole life for them. He’d always wanted to be a rancher and he was living his dream on his little ranch in Texas. He worked with horses, he rode roundups, he played poker with his friends, and there was never a shortage of women when he felt the need of one. There he hadn’t been responsible for anyone except himself. The last thing he’d envisioned for his near future was a wife and a baby and another woman and a young boy who might or might not be her son, but there was no way around it. Here he was with them and he had to see it through.
But seeing it through would be so much easier if the beautiful Fiona Webb hadn’t been thrown in his path. Why couldn’t she have been a dried up old prune instead of the beautiful shapely woman she was? Why did she have to be the exact replica of the kind of woman he’d dreamed about almost as often as he dreamed of someday making his ranch one of the largest and most prosperous in Texas?
Clint pounded his pillow. It didn’t help. He still couldn’t get the woman off his mind. It was very late when he finally drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 7
Two mornings later, Luther Markin walked out of Annabella’s Saloon. He squinted at the sunlight beating down on the dusty street. He flexed his shoulders and stretched his full six feet. It had been a good two days and he didn’t regret a minute of it. Sure, he’d have to travel some miles to catch up with the wagon train, but that would be no problem. His horse was strong and so was he. Ask any whore in this place. I’ve had them all in the last two days. They’ll tell anyone what a man I am, he thought as he put his hat on his head. And when I catch up with her, Fiona Webb is going to say the same thing.
Luther stepped off the plank sidewalk and headed for the hotel where he’d met Larson and his wife earlier. The food on their plate had looked awfully good and he needed to get a good breakfast under his belt. The grub at the saloon was good enough at the time, but now he needed a substantial meal. He had an important job to do and it wouldn’t be easy unless he had a sharp and clear mind.
He planned to eat then go to the general store and lay in some supplies. He might have to fix a few meals before he got hold of Fiona. Then she could do the cooking. He grinned as he thought of the scrawny kid. He decided it might be fun to watch him stirring beans while he cuddled nearby with the aunt. His thought changed. Wonder if she’ll fight me like her sister-in-law did. Probably not. I bet she’s gonna like it. I know I will. Too bad I had to kill Marian. She’d had a right fancy little body and I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t up to Fiona’s.
Pushing the thoughts away, he entered the hotel dining room. It wasn’t crowded and Luther found a seat at a small table near the door. The service was fast. In a few minutes he was eating eggs, steak, potatoes, and biscuits and drinking big mugs of coffee. He was so into his meal when two men who came in and sat at the table next to him. It was only after they ordered their food and began a conversation in their eastern accent that Luther bothered to listen in.
“Why are you dragging your feet, Wade Fillmore? We need to get sweet little Rose back. I can’t stand the thoughts of him putting his hands on her. She deserves a good man who loves her.”
“I know she does. I intend to get her back and find her the right husband, but I don’t want to go off in the wrong direction. We need to be sure of which way they ran then we’ll know we’re on the right track.”
“The desk clerk said she and Larson stayed here for several days and ate here all the time. What more information do you need?”
Luther glanced at the pair and
saw the last speaker was a heavyset man with tight checked pants, a yellow silk shirt, and brocade vest which his ample stomach hung out from under. His pudgy hand was reaching for a biscuit. Luther almost laughed at the man’s appearance, but thought better of it.
“Don’t worry, Leo. We’ll find them. You don’t think I’ll let a nobody like Larson get away with what he’s done, do you?” This man was taller, more slender, and had a neat salt and pepper beard which matched his salt and pepper hair. He was dressed in a dark brown suit.
“Do you really think he’s got her pregnant, Wade?”
“That’s what she said in her last letter. I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“Wade Fillmore, do you want your first grandson to be sired by the likes of Clint Larson?”
“Of course not, Leo, but before I can do anything about it, I have to find them and see if Rose is all right.”
“I think the hotel clerk is right about them leaving with the wagon train.”
“It seems like that might be a case, but I can’t help hoping the fool wouldn’t take Rose on a wagon train, especially if she’s pregnant.”
“If he did, how are we going to get her back?”
Before the man called Wade Fillmore could answer, Luther pushed back his empty plate and said, “Excuse me, gentlemen.”
“How can we help you?” Wade eyed the big burly man.
“I couldn’t help hearing you say something about Clint Larson.”
“So, what’s it to you?” the fat man said.
“It’s more than you think.” Luther picked up his coffee mug and eyed the men. “I have a score to settle with Clint Larson myself.”
“Oh,” Fillmore said as both men gave Luther an interested look.
“Damn right, I do.” Luther stood and whirled his chair around to join the two men without being invited. “Names Luther Markin,” he said as way of introduction, “and Larson stole something from me.”
“I’m Wade Fillmore and this is my business partner, Leo Carver.” He took Luther’s offered hand. “What did Larson take of yours, Mr. Markin?”
“He’s hiding some people who belong with me.”
Fillmore raised an eyebrow. “It so happens, he’s hiding my daughter from me.”
“She’s a real pretty little thing. Black silky hair and lovely green eyes. She’s much too refined for the likes of him.” Leo Carver stuck out his chest, but didn’t offer his hand. “She’s more our kind of people.”
“Is she related to you?”
“No, Mr. Markin, but she’s as close as if she were my own daughter and I want to see her happily back in Baltimore where she will be with her own kind. Not with some roughneck cowboy who has taken advantage of her purity.”
Luther looked at the fat man and wondered how long the girl would keep her purity around him. There was no mistaking the lust in his eyes. Her father might not know it, but this man wanted the woman back for his own purposes, not to reunite her with her family. Though it would be easy to expose this to the girl’s father, Luther chose not to. After all, it was none of his business what the man did with Fillmore’s daughter. He was interested in Fiona Webb and her nephew, not some snooty Baltimore business man’s offspring.
He took a deep breath. “I saw Larson and a pretty little black headed woman having a meal in this very dining room a few days ago. He told me she was his wife. Was he lying?”
“My daughter tells me they’re married, but I didn’t attend the nuptials so I’m not sure how legal it is.”
“Well, for your sake I hope they’re married because she’s sure about to make you a grandpa.”
“So she is pregnant!” Leo gasped.
“I told you she said they were going to have a baby, Leo,” Wade said to him then turned back to Luther. “Did my daughter look all right? Was she sickly or anything?”
“Nah. She looked healthy as any woman with a belly full of baby looks.”
“For heavens sake, you don’t have to be so crude.” Leo wiped his mouth delicately with the napkin.
“Don’t insult the man, Leo. Mr. Markin may know where Larson took Rose.”
“I sure do. They headed out with the wagon train three days ago.”
“The fool!” Wade lost his temper. “He should’ve known better than to take a pregnant woman on such a trip. This town is primitive enough. I can’t believe he’d subject Rose to the rigors of a wagon train.”
“We’ve got to get her back, Wade. Shouldn’t we call the sheriff to go after her?” Leo was twiddling his hands.
“Wouldn’t do you any good.” They looked at Luther and he went on, saying, “Your daughter’s a married woman. You don’t think the sheriff’s going to ride after the wagon train and demand she leave her husband, do you?”
“Why not?” Leo blurted.
“Be sensible, Leo. The man’s right. We have to go after the train ourselves and convince her to come back home.”
“From the way she was looking at Larson that day, I’d say it’s going to take a lot of convincing.” Luther had a sneer on his face.
“She must be made to see reason,” Wade said. “Her mother and sisters are beside themselves with grief. They miss her so. She’s the not the kind of woman to live in the wilderness like this. She needs the security and love only her family can give her.”
Luther lifted an eyebrow. “So, she has a sister?”
“Yes. She has two of them.”
“If I’m not being too forward, what are their names?”
“Why do you need to know?” Leo eyed him.
“Because there’s a woman they call Sarah who’s traveling with them. She claims to be your daughter’s sister.”
“I don’t know who this woman could be, but let me assure you it’s not either of my daughters. Susanne and Edith are both safe at home in Baltimore.”
Luther nodded. “That’s what I thought. I’m sure the woman with them is the woman I’m looking for.”
“Then, Mr. Markin, I think you’re right. We have a common problem. Let’s have another cup of coffee and discuss what we can do about it.”
“I know what I’m going to do about it.” Leo pushed his chair back. “I’m going to rent a buggy and go after Rose. I don’t intend to let her get any further away with that swine.”
Luther snorted. “That swine, as you call him, is six-foot tall and carries a six-shooter on his hip he could stop a buffalo with. You’d better know what you’re doing before you go running after him. It wouldn’t do your friend’s daughter any good if the man blows your head off.”
“He’s right, Leo. Sit down.” The waitress brought a pot of coffee to them and he paused until she walked away. “Let’s hear what Mr. Markin has to say. I want to make this as easy on Rose as I can, but rest assured, I intend to get her back home as soon as possible.”
* * * *
The wagon train stopped by a creek for their evening camp. Fiona hung the cooking kettle over the fire pit Clint built. He and Joey went into the woods in search of more firewood. Wood was still available in this area, but Clint told them they would soon be cooking over buffalo chips.
When Rose turned up her nose, he explained the dried buffalo dung made a good fire over which many settlers before them had cooked. She sighed and took a seat on the upturned bucket Fiona sat down for her.
“I should be helping you,” Rose muttered. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a complainer today.”
“There’s not much to do. I’ll make some cornbread to go with the stew. Besides, you haven’t complained much at all. Lord knows if I was in your condition, I’d probably be a mess.”
Rose smiled. “You’re an understanding woman, Fiona. I guess you know how it is to be big and pregnant.”
Fiona ducked her head and said nothing. Rose went on almost in a whisper. “Joey isn’t your son, is he Fiona?”
Fiona dropped the pot she had in her hand. “What makes you think that?”
“First of all, Joey slips up every once in a while and
starts to call you something besides Ma. Second, you always try to cover his mistakes and it shows in your eyes you’re scared someone will figure out the real relationship between you and Joey.”
“Rose, let me assure you...”
“You can trust me, Fiona. You’ve kept my secret. I’ll keep yours. I’ll not say a word to anyone, but it might make it easier if I knew the real reason you’re so hell bent on getting away with Joey.”
Fiona was about to tell Rose the truth when Mattie Watkins walked up. “Hello, ladies.”
They both nodded to Mattie. “What’s going on with you and your family, Mattie?” Fiona smiled at her.
“The girls are cooking supper so I thought I’d mosey over here and check on you two. How are you feeling, Rose?”
“I’m doing all right. My back is hurting a little, but I figure the wagon hits about every hole on the Oregon Trail. I’m sure yours is sore, too.”
“Got to admit, it ain’t like sleeping on a feather bed, but I’m making it better than anybody thought I would. I’m a tough old bird.”
“You sure are.” Fiona smiled at her. “You’re good at driving those mules, too. Rufus told me you could handle them as well as he can.”
“I saw you and Rufus walking along in a deep conversation today.” She chuckled. “Got to warn you, Fiona. He ain’t worth trying to take away from me. No other woman in the world would take the junk I do off of him.”
Fiona laughed. “I don’t think any woman in the world could take him away from you, Mattie. Rufus is in love with his wife.”
She frowned. “What’s he been lying about now?”
“I’m sure it wasn’t a lie. He told me about this beautiful Savannah socialite who defied her parents and ran away with, as he put it, a no good cowboy. Said the woman had never complained about the rough life and had given him two beautiful daughters and had even learned to talk like a farmer’s wife.”
Mattie almost blushed. “My family wasn’t so social. Turned out my poppa made most of his money swindling his bank depositors. I was glad Rufus and me had already moved away and settled in Louisiana when it all came out.” She grinned. “My husband might not be the richest man in the world, but he is close to the most honest. He’d never swindle anybody.”
Fiona's Journey Page 7
