by Danni Roan
“You should be sleeping,” Darwin’s voice rolled through the night, a soothing balm to her soul. “You’ve had a long day.”
“I know,” Ruth agreed rolling over and resting her head on his chest. “I don’t know why I can’t get to sleep. I feel like I’ve been on some wild ride and though my body is weary, my mind won’t rest.”
Darwin slipped an arm around her shoulders dropping a kiss to her hair. “Are you afraid?”
“No,” Ruth shook her head slightly. “I feel safer than I ever have in my life.”
“Tell me about your home?” Darwin’s question was soft, but still more a command than a suggestion. He was beginning to understand more about Ruth than he ever had before.
Slowly, Ruth explained about her life in Philadelphia, how she had longed to grow up get married and have a home and family of her own only to be told by her mother that she would not make a good wife and that she would need to stay with them for the rest of her years. “It broke my heart,” Ruth admitted. “I watched my friends, my brothers, my cousins all marry and start out on their own. I don’t know if I expected some great love to come and sweep me off of my feet or not, but the longer I stayed in my parent’s home, the more I feared that I would fade into obscurity. I wanted to live. I wanted to see things and do things and have a chance at love. I don’t know why they believed I was too weak, too unworthy to wed, but they never even gave me a chance.”
“So you ran away and became a Needful bride,” Darwin chuckled.
“Yes,” Ruth could feel her cheeks heating as she admitted it. “Perhaps I should have stood up to my parents, but I didn’t know how.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” Darwin squeezed her shoulders. “If you had, you may never have come to Needful, and I would have remained a very lonely man. Darlin’ I haven’t told you everything about me either, and I think it’s time I did. You’ve bared your soul to me, and now you need to know exactly what kind of man you married.”
Ruth twisted in the bed turning so she could see his face in the splash of cool moonlight streaming through the open window.
“You know I left home when I was only twelve. I took whatever jobs I could get. At first mostly farm work then a little factory work, but I was discontent no matter where I landed, and eventually I would move on. When the war started, I was in North Carolina and joined the first regiment that offered me decent pay. I didn’t care about the cause, but I was willing to fight for the money it would provide. War is a sickening thing, a disease that should be treated quickly and finished soon.”
Ruth nodded remembering the long hours of worry and dread that had filled their home when the War Between the States had started. Her father’s business had boomed during the event, but so many young men were lost daily as the years dragged by.
“When the war ended, I moved on again, further west this time and soon took a job with a group of bounty hunters. I’m not proud of the work I did then, but I was good at it. I’d learned to use a gun. I got good with it, and the posters said dead or alive, so I didn’t much care which way I brought men back. The work paid well, but took its toll on my heart and soul. I didn’t recognize it at the time, but I grew weary and left that as well. I wandered for a long time before coming to Needful. I’d heard that there was ranch work and other jobs to be had, and that if a man was willing to put in the time, he could one day hope to have a spread of his own.”
“I’m glad you found your way to Needful,” Ruth said softly.
“For a while I tried to bury my old pains in a bottle. I spent nights at the saloon and days doing odd jobs. I helped Orville build the stable, care for the horses, and set up the sawmill, but I couldn’t fill the void in my heart.”
Ruth felt a tug at her heart, a deep sorrow for Darwin even as she listened. His life, though full of adventure and danger had been as empty as hers.
“When Olive and Peri decided to start running a bride agency out of the Hampton House, I thought that would be the answer. I could have a wife, settle down, build a home, and I would find contentment.”
Ruth grinned, wasn’t that exactly what they had done together?
“One night.” Darwin shook his head. “One night I had too much to drink. It was raining like crazy, but young Beth, the preacher’s wife, had just arrived in Needful, and I traipsed up to the Hampton House blustering and demanding Olive give her to me as a wife.”
Ruth’s soft gasp made Darwin cringe, but he continued. “I made a fool of myself, but the preacher who was still living here at the Inn come along and took me home. He poured coffee down me until I saw the error of my ways, but instead of telling me what a fool I was, he told me about how God loved me so much that he gave his only son, Jesus, to save me. I couldn’t hardly get my head around it. Someone loved me that much. I’m not ashamed to admit that I plumb fell apart. Cried like a child that night, but everything changed in the morning.”
Ruth hugged him tight. This man she had married was so much more than a simple hostler who hoped to raise his own horses one day. He was a man of deep faith and great love.
“When those outlaws took you, I felt like something inside me would break if I didn’t find you. I’m sorry you had to see me like that, but I would have done anything to get you back.”
“Darwin, you did exactly what you needed to, and I think if you hadn’t been there things might have gone very different.”
Darwin grinned. “Ruth I love you, and I want to make this life with you the best it can be. I’m never going to be able to give you a big fancy house or fine parties, but I promise one thing, I will always love you.”
Ruth felt the tears in the corner of her eye, but smiled as her heart filled with joy. “I’ll always love you too,” she said as his lips fell on hers once more.
Chapter 27
“Darwin, can I speak with you?” Spencer Gaines made his way into the livery stable the next morning his blue eyes serious.
“Something wrong?” Darwin asked stopping and leaning on his pitch fork.
Spencer Gaines lifted his hat running a hand through his dark brown hair. “I’m afraid Mr. Warthan is still causing a fuss about you marrying Ruth.”
“He can kick up a fuss if he wants too,” Darwin said one dark brow raised, “but Ruth is my wife, all legal and such, so it don’t matter. Besides,” he grinned. “Ruth picked me.”
Spencer chuckled remembering his own trials when he had fallen in love with Daliah and how they had led to him being elected sheriff of Needful.
“I wish you two would make peace somehow then,” the lawman said. “There must be something you can do.”
Darwin shook his head not sure what to say. “I’ll think on it.”
Spencer Gaines scuffed his boot in the straw of the stall studying his toe for a long second then looked up at Darwin again. “You were mighty handy yesterday,” he said “I haven’t seen that kind of gun play in well just about ever.”
Darwin felt his face flush but shrugged. “I haven’t always been a hostler,” he finally spoke.
“You always stay on the right side of the law?”
Spencer blinked when Darwin tossed back his head and laughed. “Yes, though it’s a narrow line,” he added. “I did some bounty work once upon a time. I’m not proud of it, but it’s kept me alive a time or two.”
“How would you feel about doing some part-time deputy work?” The sheriff’s blue eyes held his gray ones as Darwin thought it over. “The town is quieter now, but the town is growing, and I could use the help.”
“I’d have to talk to Ruth,” Darwin said. “She’s my first concern now.”
Spencer nodded a smile breaking across his face. “I understand that. I didn’t want this position what with me and Daliah just married and Chad a handful on the best of days.”
“You’ve done a right good job,” Darwin grinned. “I’ll let you know.”
“Know what?” Ruth stepped through the wide barn doors lifting the hem of her pretty green skirt as she entered
the barn.
“Spence is offering me a job,” Darwin grinned. “He wants me to be a tin star hero.”
Ruth looked between the two men then noted the twinkle in Darwin’s eye. “I guess we’ll have to discuss it,” she said with a grin.
“Sheriff we’re just about to go in for lunch if you’d like to join us,” Ruth offered.
“No, Daliah will be expecting me. I sent a rider off this morning to Dallas to get word to the Marshalls about Rivera and his gang, but until they’re safely in a state prison, I’m staying close to home.”
As Spencer left, tipping his hat politely to Ruth on the way out. Darwin hung his pitch fork on a hook and headed for the water trough to wash up.
“Spencer stopped to tell me your pa is still making a fuss about our marriage,” he said casually as he passed Ruth. “Perhaps we should do something about it.”
Ruth watched as Darwin stripped off his shirt and washed his face, arms and torso before heading toward their house for a towel and a clean shirt.
“I don’t know what else to do,” she admitted hurrying after him. “I already told him I’m not going back, and I’m not.”
“What if you show him that you are capable of taking care of yourself and a home? When you came here you didn’t know how to cook, clean, or even make a bed.” Darwin grinned laughing lightly at Ruth’s scowl. “You know you didn’t darlin’, but you learned. Why if you wanted to, you could cook a fine meal all on your own.”
Ruth stopped in her tracks as Darwin’s hand landed on the latch of the front door. “You’re right!” she expostulated. “What a wonderful idea.”
“Idea? What idea?”
“I’ll have Gordon and Father over for dinner tonight.” Ruth’s grin was bright and he could see the light of determination in her eyes. “You go on in to lunch and invite them while I get what I’ll need.”
“Ruth?” Darwin tipped his head looking at his wife. “Where are you going?”
“I’m off to the store and then I’ll see if I can get a fresh hank of beef,” Ruth tittered. “This is going to be amazing!”
Before Darwin could protest, she had spun on her heel and traipsed to the main street headed toward the Scripts’ store. As much as he wanted to follow her, he realized he had to let her do this. She needed to feel safe on her own once more in Needful.
***
Ruth looked around her home with a critical eye. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was clean, neat, and hers. Darwin had helped her pull her small trunk further into the room placing it in a space where four people could sit around it.
Ruth straightened one of the chairs she had borrowed from the Hampton House and hurried to smooth a wrinkle on the bed by the far wall.
She had planned her meal carefully taking everything into the kitchen of the Inn to cook and was surprised to find Rosa back at the big stove.
“Your husband told me what you are doing,” Rosa said hurrying to embrace Ruth. “I will help in any way I can.”
“Thank you,” Ruth said brushing a tear from her eye. “I have to do this on my own though,” she asserted. “I wouldn’t mind you being here though. Just in case.”
Rosa laughed clearing a burner for Ruth to use. “We will cook side by side,” the beautiful black-haired woman said.
It hadn’t taken long to get everything started. Ruth had browned the seasoned beef as Rosa had taught her, but this time had used only salt and pepper instead of the special spices Rosa often used, and soon the roast was in the oven with onions, carrots, and potatoes.
“I’ll need to make biscuits,” Ruth said wringing her hands. “Father always has bread with his meal.” She looked up at Rosa nervously. Biscuits, at least good ones were not her strong suit.
“Call Shi,” Rosa said. “She makes the best biscuits.”
Ruth nodded racing to find the strawberry blonde who had married Olive’s oldest son.
Now Ruth stood in her house checking every detail. In a few minutes she would welcome her brother and father into her home and serve them a meal. She only hoped it would be enough to convince her father to let well enough alone.
“You about ready?” Darwin stuck his head in the door. He had taken himself to a nearby creek and washed thoroughly returning dressed in his Sunday best, his black hair slicked back and shimmering in the rays of the sinking sun.
“Yes,” Ruth stated with and an excited grin. Not only would this be the first meal she had prepared on her own, it would be the first time she and Darwin had eaten a meal in their own home. “I’ll bring the roast if you’ll fetch my father and Gordon.”
Darwin took two strides into the house pulling Ruth in to his arms and kissing her soundly. “You’re something else Ruth Rivers,” he grinned leaving her breathless as he hurried back out the door.
With a giggle and a spring in her step Ruth hurried to the kitchen of the Hampton House and carefully lifted the roast she had been watching all afternoon. It was perfect, and she was sure it would make her father understand her desire to live her own life.
Chapter 28
Ruth placed the platter on the table as her father walked through the door, his critical eye taking in the one room house as Darwin took his hat.
“Welcome,” Ruth offered nervously. “Please come in and have a seat.”
Mr. Warthan moved to the small trunk that was being used as a table with a scowl but took a seat.
“You cooked this all on your own?” Gordon asked, his hazel eyes sweeping the meal.
“I did,” Ruth said. “Rosa has been teaching me to cook over the past few weeks, and I’ve also learned to clean, do laundry, and even mix herbs.”
“But you don’t have to,” Mr. Warthan barked. “You can come home and live comfortably. Why your room back home is as large as this whole place.”
Ruth’s eyes darted to Darwin and she saw his face heat, but shook her head. “Please be seated,” she said gesturing at the chairs. “We don’t want our dinner to be cold.”
The two men took seats, Gordon flipping the tails of his long black coat with a flourish, and Ruth couldn’t help but grin. Her brothers had always been allowed some measure of freedom while she had languished at home, but they had also been very kind to her often bringing her presents or sweet treats.
Darwin carved the roast serving each member present and winked at Ruth when her father took the first bite. The shock and pleasant surprise was evident on his face even if he didn’t say anything about it.
The meal went well as far as Ruth could tell, and Gordon went as far as to compliment her on her cooking though her father cast doubts on if she had truly created the dinner herself.
Ruth felt the old emotions of worthlessness creeping in on her, but when she met Darwin’s eyes, her confidence was restored.
“I know it isn’t what you are used to,” she said, “but it is one of my favorite meals. Darwin provides well for me, and I have friends here in Needful. I’m,” she paused looking at her father then her brother and back again. “I’m useful here.”
“You will still return with Gordon and me to Philadelphia. Your mother wants you home. As for your marriage I have my doubts that it is even legal.”
The scrape of a chair being pushed back as Darwin stood to his feet, looming over the table made everyone jump and his hard gray eyes had Gordon shrinking toward the cold hearth. “You would disgrace your own daughter by saying such a thing?” Darwin snapped his face red. “You would cast doubt on her reputation, her very honesty by speaking such words? Perhaps I’m just a simple hostler in a tiny town in Texas,” he continued glaring at both men, “but I have more manners than that. We were legally wed in a church by a pastor in the sight of God and man, and if you have a problem with that, I’ll thank you to get out of my home.”
Ruth bit her lip trying not to cheer. Darwin was standing up for her. After all these years she had someone who knew the longing of her heart and stood with her.
Mr. Warthan tossed his napkin on the table and beckoned
to his son with a jerk of his head as he strode out the door. “We’ll see about that.”
“Thanks for dinner Ruth,” Gordon whispered, squeezing her arm, as he hurried to follow his father out the door. “It was fun.”
Ruth stood her heart sinking at the dramatic exit. “I guess that didn’t work,” she said.
Darwin wrapped an arm around her kissing her on the top of her head. “Well we’re done trying,” he said. “Your father’s problems are just that, his. You’re my wife, and as long as you chose to stay that’s the end of it.”
Ruth snuggled into Darwin’s neck feeling the scratch of his beard on her cheek as a giggle escaped. “I guess that’s that then,” she laughed shocked at the lack of dread her father had imbued. Darwin’s soft chuckle rolled through her in a wave and soon they were both laughing.
“It really was a delicious meal,” Darwin said. “I’m very proud of you Ruth. You are exactly the wife I needed.” He kissed her lightly again then pulled back with a grin. “And if you ever need to know how to do anything, you can just ask. I’ll teach you whatever you want to know.”
“You know they say that practice makes perfect in life don’t you?” Ruth asked, her eyes sparkling behind her spectacles.
“So I’ve heard,” Darwin agreed with a nod.
“Then why don’t you kiss me and see if I’m getting better at that,” the woman laughed throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly.
Perhaps she wasn’t the perfect wife, the best housekeeper, or even the best cook, but she loved him. She loved Darwin, and he loved her and that was enough. Tomorrow they would tackle a new day together, and whatever her father and family threw at them, they would deal with it. She was right where she belonged and wasn’t going anywhere.
***
It was three whole days before Ruth saw her father again. He looked tired and the lines around his eyes and mouth seemed to have deepened.
