“You had best get word to the aunts then, because they were coming out today for a visit. I do not think you want them to see how stubborn you are being.”

That stopped him in his tracks. He was back to her in two strides and grabbed her arm. “Me stubborn? What about you bein’ the most disobedient, disrespectful wife I have ever met?”

His cruel words stung. How could he? Her chin raised a notch. “Because I saved a woman’s life?”

He removed his hat and slapped it against his leg. “Of course not. Do not twist my words on me.”

“Then what are we talking about?”

“You cannot go off on your own out here, Maddie. Especially with a man the likes of that low-life scum. Life in the West is much harsher than life as you knew it.”

“But I was not alone!” The retort was out of her mouth before she could recall it.

His jaw clenched before he spoke. “Do not remind me. You were with Jeffrey Bonner. Alone.”

“Why do you hate him so much?”

“None of your business.” He drew himself up straight.

Maddie saw red. “Excuse me? It is none of my business? You are sulking around our house like a spoiled child and I have no idea why and you tell me it is none of my business?”

She threw her metal cup into the wooden sink and he released her arm.

“I was not alone to be with him. I went to his house because he said there was a problem with his wife’s delivery. And he was right. Not only did Rosemary have twins, she had major problems. She and the babies could have died if someone had not been there. As it is, she will never be able to have more children.”

She gasped and covered her mouth.

“I should not have told you that.” She sank back into her chair at the kitchen table. “I never tell things about my patients. Father drilled that into me.” The strain of the last day was getting to her.

Luke sat too, but didn’t speak. He seemed to be trying to come up with the right words.

“Maddie, I was terrified yesterday. I did not see your note for hours. It really was not in the middle of the table like you said. It must have blown off the table, so I had no idea what happened to you. There are a lot of bad varmints in these here parts. Any of them could have stopped here and kidnapped you. What if the likes of the James gang had slunk through our territory, ready to rob our bank or the stagecoach as it neared town? Or if some renegade Indians had been in the area? I was ready to fetch Matthew and have a search party sent out for you. There is no such thing as being too careful.”

He drew in a shuddering breath, drew some shapes on the wooden table with his index finger. “By the time I finally found your note on the floor, I was so worked up I guess I overreacted. I was torn between relief and aggravation. Relief that I at least knew where you were and aggravated to discover you were with Bonner of all people.”

His eyes met and locked with hers. “I should not have yelled at you like I did, and I am sorry for it. Sorry I did not hold you last night like I should have. But I cannot go through that again. Ever. I really cannot. The first thought to cross my mind when I discovered you gone was that I had lost you. That someone had kidnapped you and I would never see you again.”

He ran his hand through his hair. “I have to ask you not to go out with anyone again.”

She sat up straight. He’d gone from an apology to an edict. One she couldn’t comply with.

How was she to handle this? She wouldn’t give up and he never backed down. This time she had to make him see he was being unrealistic.

Wrong.

“As much as I would like to, I cannot promise that. If someone needs me, I have to go.” He started to protest, but she stopped him with an upraised hand. “You are the one who is so determined I reconcile with God. I am having a hard time with that. But the one thing I do know is that my healing gift has come from Him. It is a gift your God has given me. Why, I do not know. But who am I to question something He chooses me to have?” She placed her hand over Luke’s on the table.

“Please, try to understand. It is who I am. You are a rancher. How would you feel if I ordered you to never go outside and take care of your ranch, your men, your animals again? What if one of your mares was ready to deliver a foal and I told you that you could not go help?”

“That would be ridiculous. They need me.”

“Exactly. That is how I feel about what you are telling me. I am a healer. That was the word you used once. I cannot stop. You are telling me not to be me. I cannot do that. I am trying to be the wife you need. I really am. I am attempting to learn to cook. Changing my clothes so your friends will not think I am some stuck-up snob, even though that is the furthest thing from the truth anymore. But I know medicine. Father and I were never close, but that is the one thing he gave me. The ability to help others in pain and need. I have to use that gift. Please understand.”

He kept watching her. Finally he flipped his hand over on the table and held hers.

“All right. If you feel that strongly about it, you may help. But we have to come to some compromise.” He softened his voice. “If I am not here, you leave me a note on the table and put a rock on top of it so it cannot blow away. I’ll bring a small one in from outside. Keep it on the windowsill unless you are using it. If you are not in the house when I come home, I will always check there first to see if the rock is moved.

“I’ll make sure one of the men is here every day. If you have to go somewhere, go to the bunkhouse and tell whoever is there. Then he can come find me and tell me and I will come to you as quickly as I can.”

“No one is going to want to mollycoddle me. You need your men out working with you.”

“Those are my terms, Maddie. Take ‘em or leave ‘em. The West is wild. Anythin’ can happen.” He pulled her up from the table. “And the first thing that is goin’ to happen is that I am goin’ to teach you how to ride. Come on. We are goin’ to find you a horse you feel comfortable with. If we do not have one, I’ll buy you one.”

“Silly, you do not have to buy me a horse. I can ride any horse you have.”

“You can already ride?” He sounded shocked.

“Of course. Side saddle or English.”

“Don’t have either o’ those contraptions. Here we ride Western.”

“I cannot possibly ride something that bulky. I have seen the men lugging them around.”

“Sure you can. Only way it is done out here.” He thought a minute. “I have a gentle palfrey in the barn I think you might do all right on. Let’s go check it out.”

“I need to change.”

His brows dipped into a frown. “Change what?”

She looked down and motioned to her dress. “I cannot possibly ride like this. I believe I brought one of my riding habits with me.”

Luke practically choked. “Ridin’ habit? You are out West now, not at some fancy show.”

“It is an outfit women wear when—”

“I know exactly what a ridin’ habit is—and how silly they look. I saw them while I was in the army. Out here, all you need is a split skirt. If you cannot change one of your dresses, I will buy you material to make one.”

“Of all the narrow, bigoted… Sir, my woolen habit has a split skirt! You needn’t buy me anything.”

“Well, good.” A slow grin tipped up the corner of his lips. “You can wear that when you ride later then. In the meantime, yes you can ride in that dress.”

“But my ankles will—”

“Show. I know.” He gave her a wink to punctuate his words. When he smiled, perfectly straight and white teeth were revealed. “And I won’t mind seein’ them in the least!” He grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. “Come on now. Let us go have a look see. Quit lollygaggin’, woman.”

Lifting her chin, she took a bracing deep breath, straightened and marched out to the barn.

He soon came out of the barn carrying a heavy saddle over his shoulder and headed to ready the horse. Maddie stood impatiently aside while she waited for the saddle to be cinched.

After the palfrey was saddled, Maddie took time to get acquainted with the beautiful animal by patting its soft muzzle and gently stroking its neck. The horse’s ears cocked forward and back as she softly spoke to it.

Luke moved forward. “Let me give you a leg up.”

“Have you a mounting block?”

He rolled his eyes, held her around the waist, then steadied her as she put her foot in the stirrup and she threw her other leg over the horse.

She squirmed to get comfortable in the unfamiliar saddle. “It is awkward sitting in such a bulky saddle.”

“Won’t take long to get used to it.” Luke winked and chuckled. “Beautiful ankles by the way.”

 

Aunt Lola and Aunt Mary came later that afternoon. Maddie told them about their argument. “Sometimes he just takes himself and his obligations too seriously.” She hoped they could help smooth things over if there were any lingering problems.

To her dismay, they sided with Luke.

“Maddie, did you have a chaperone with you when you went places in Atlanta?” Lola reached up and smoothed away a wisp of white hair that had fallen over her eye. “That was how it was done where my late husband lived.”

“Of course I did. Father would not allow me to go anywhere unless I was with either another woman or my lady’s maid.”

“That was for your protection, right?” Lola’s voice grew thoughtful.

Maddie’s brows dipped. “Well yes, but then again it was more for protocol. It was not proper for women to be out alone.”

“Would you ever have gone somewhere alone with a man had he come to visit you?”

Maddie laughed. “Mercy! Of course not! Aunt Agatha would have had the vapors had she heard something like that about me. She trusted men no further than she could throw them. She was jilted right before she was to be wed. Hated men after that. Never gave any man another chance. Probably why she and Father clashed so much.”

“Land sakes, child. So, why is it different now? Why are you so upset with Luke for doing the same thing—wanting to protect you? He is your husband. It is what husbands do. You’ll soon learn how protective the Guylenhall men are of their women. Just ask Kat, and she is not hitched to a Guylenhall. But Aaron’s definitely just as bad.”

Aunt Mary gave Maddie’s arm a gentle squeeze and interrupted. “Lordy, but didn’t we go through the same things with our own husbands, Lola? Men don’t need no dotty reason for doing it. It is just how they are, honey.”

“But he was being unrealistic. He was bossy,” Maddie protested.

“Because you left with a man he hates—with good reason.”

“What is that reason? He won’t tell me.”

“It is not our place to tell, dear.” Aunt Mary pulled a bowl out of the cabinet to mix biscuits. “Maybe someday Luke will tell you. Then you will understand his concern.”

Maddie sighed, their words adding to her already foul mood. “I am not going to win this one, am I?”

“No, dear,” they said in unison.

“But in a way you already did. Luke did concede some. Believe it or not, that was a big concession for him,” Aunt Lola said while she gathered ingredients to hand to Mary. “His solution will affect the everyday running of the ranch. He is willing to make that allowance to allow you to keep practicing your medicine.”

She patted Maddie on the shoulder. “He would not be so concerned if he did not care so much, dear.”

Care for her? Luke? No, they were just friends. Well, good friends, but nothing beyond that.

Could he?

 

The next day Maddie and Luke headed into town to buy supplies for the bunkhouse. Not to mention a few things the aunts mentioned needing before they headed back to town that morning.

“I did not realize the Bonners were our neighbors. I guess I never thought about who lived near us before. Could we swing by and see Rosemary and the babies for just a few minutes? I want to make sure they are okay. They really had me worried the other day.”

He stiffened beside her on the wagon. “Maddie, I do not want to go over there.”

“Please, Luke. This way you will be with me and I will feel better knowing there are no issues I missed the other night. Ten minutes maximum. I promise. You do not even have to get down off the wagon if you do not want to.”

She smiled sweetly at him as he muttered a foul word and rotated the wagon in the direction of the Bonner residence.

 

Rosemary answered when Maddie knocked on the door. Her face crinkled into a wreath of smiles and she practically pulled Maddie into the house.

“Come see the babies. They are doing so well.”

“They are both eating well? No problems getting started?”

Rosemary startled.

“Yes, I am the woman that apparently asks inappropriate questions.” She shook her head in amazement. “I never had this problem back in my father’s practice, but here it seems women are afraid to talk about anything personal.”

“We have been taught it is unsuitable.”

“Nonsense. How can you tell if something is wrong?”

“We guess?” She raised a brow.

“Not good enough. I want to know things are all right. That is why I stopped by today. I wanted to ensure you and the babies are doing well.”

Rosemary laughed. “I really appreciate you coming by. I never have any visitors. But I assure you the babies are eating properly.”

“And you? Are you having any pains? Dizziness? Nausea?”

“No, I am fine, too. Just tired. Exhausted is more like it. I’ve not gotten much sleep since the babies were born. And there is not much Jeffrey can do to help. He does hold them a lot for me or rocks them in their cradles, but he certainly cannot help me feed them.” She giggled, then immediately sobered.

“Seriously, Maddie, thank you for giving me back my husband.”

Maddie started. “I do not know what you mean.”

“I am sure you heard of his reputation with women.”

Maddie hesitated to answer.

“Yes, I know all about his behavior. I would have to be a simpleton not to know. And it is why most of the people in town ignore me. They take out their feelings for Jeffrey on me. I usually try to avoid visits to town, but sometimes I get so lonely.”

She paused a moment in thought. “But since the babies were born, he has been the most attentive husband ever. I cannot say if this will last, but I pray it will. For some reason God chose to turn my Jeffrey back into the man I loved when I married him. The man who courted me—yet so much better. Kind. Loving. Focused.”

“Well, I am very happy for you.” Maddie looked around the room. “Where is he now?”

“In town at the mercantile—probably buying everything he can think of for the babies. He had a huge list when he left here. And of course, we need two of everything now.”

“We are heading there next. Maybe we will see him.”

“I doubt he will be able to get everything home in one trip. It probably won’t all fit in the wagon at one time.” She leaned forward and whispered, “He is going a bit overboard.”

“Enjoy it.” Maddie hugged her new friend. “If you are certain you are fine, I had best get back to Luke. He is probably champing at the bit to buy our own supplies.”

She headed to the door and then stopped. “Oh, I almost forgot to ask. What did you name the babies?”

A full smile spread over Rosemary’s face. “Our son is named Neal Jeffrey, and our daughter is Samantha Madelyn.”

Maddie’s eyes widened. “Madelyn? You named her after me?”

Rosemary nodded enthusiastically. “We did. I hope you do not mind. If it were not for you, none of us would be alive. I know that for a fact. I knew when I sent Jeffrey for you that something was wrong. I just had no idea how bad. Jeffrey feels the same. It was the only thing that made him cross over onto Luke’s land. I can never thank you enough, Maddie. I mean it.”

She took a few steps forward and pulled Maddie into a hug.

 

In town, Maddie ran upstairs and checked on Birgit and Lars. This must be how her father felt when he continually checked on his patients. He’d said they were like his extended family, although there was always a gruffness about him. Doc Turner probably felt the same way about people, only with a kindness never shown by her father. Doc was one of the most caring people she’d ever met. She hoped someday people thought of her that way.

It was a very good feeling.

“It is so good to see you, Maddie. I love when you get to come into town and visit. I hope you will keep coming upstairs after Lars grows a little larger.” She brushed flour off her apron.

“I will come every time I come to town if you let me. Oh, and I have to tell you how much Luke enjoyed the apple pie you sent home with us the last time I was here.”

“I am glad he enjoyed it. It is one of Sven’s favorites, too. I just finished putting an apple cobbler in the oven.” She glanced down at her clothes. “It is why I have flour all over me. I made Vaniljkakor yesterday. I would be happy to send some with you if you would like—before Sven eats them all.”

“What in heaven’s name is that?”

Birgit laughed. “Yellow cookies with a dab of jam in the center top. Sven loves them!” She reached into the pie safe. “Here, try one.”

“Mmmmm. Delicious! Oh, Birgit, you are such a good cook. You should open your own bakery. Add it on to the side of the mercantile.” She thought a minute. “Or, sell the items in the store downstairs. I bet you would be swamped with customers every morning.”

Birgit’s eyes widened at the thought. “Oh, I could not. Sven would never let… I would never… Well…maybe I could try a few things and see how they sold. Get my husband’s impression then.” She rushed forward to hug Maddie. “You are such a good friend! I cannot wait to mention this to Sven.”

She rushed back to the kitchen counter and wrapped up the cookies. “Here, take all of these. Sven will have the cobbler to keep him happy.”

When Maddie went downstairs and joined Luke, they left their list at the mercantile and went to the restaurant. It was always fun eating something she hadn’t had a hand in trying to prepare.

Halfway through their meal, Jeffrey Bonner entered the restaurant. When he saw her, he headed straight to their table and started talking. “Mrs. Guylenhall, how nice seeing you again.” He dipped his head in greeting at Luke, but didn’t smile. “Guylenhall.”

He returned his attentions to Maddie. “I came into town to buy a few things for the babies. We need so much with there being two of them. Rosemary thinks I am overdoing it, but I just cannot stop myself. You gave me a new lease on life, Maddie. I hope you do not mind my using your first name.”

Luke grumbled. “She might not, but I do!”

Bonner ignored him and continued to talk with Maddie. “I can never thank you enough for all you did. I never realized how much I had until I almost lost my Rosemary. I love her. I just have not showed her that. Probably not since the day I married her. I plan to make that up to her. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so.

“You were a bit harsh with me the other day. Dast I say rude? But your words sunk through my thick skull. Thank you for giving me back my life.” He picked up her hand and kissed it.

Luke fumed, pushed back his chair. Jealousy seemed to pour out of his ears. “We are eating, Bonner. Why don’t you just mosey along so we can get back to our food before it grows cold?”

Jeffrey looked from Luke to Maddie. A smile crossed his face. “Of course. Of course. Forgive me for interrupting your meal. Maddie, I will see you again sometime. I hope you come to our home often and visit with Rosemary. We are neighbors, after all. She would love to see you.”

With a dip of the rim of his hat, he exited the dining room. If he’d come in to eat, he hadn’t done it.

Grumbling the entire time, Luke finished his meal. Maddie finished eating leisurely. She wasn’t going to rush because her husband was suddenly in a foul mood again. It certainly didn’t take much—just being around Bonner for a few minutes.

Luke wiped his mouth and put down his checkered napkin. “Are you ready to collect our items from the mercantile and go home? I have some things I have to do around the ranch. And I need to get the items to the bunkhouse.”

Riding home, silence lingered between them.

Luke watched Maddie for a while, then finally spoke, his voice deceivingly calm. “I guess I owe you some kind of an explanation.”

Almost too aggravated to care what he said, she shot him a glare. “Yes, you do.” Irritation clipped her words. “You were positively rude to Mr. Bonner. Again.”

She took a deep breath to calm herself. The day was perfect, and she wasn’t going to let a jealous husband ruin it.

“You know the man makes moves on and sleeps with anything in a skirt.”

“Yes, his behavior was obvious when I first met him. But did you listen to anything he said today? He honestly seems to have changed. Almost losing his wife—not to mention his son and daughter—seems to have made him realize what is actually important in his life.”

“I do not trust a word out of his lying mouth.”

Her toward the sky eye roll lasted only a few seconds. She was sure of it. “So what are you finally going to tell me?”

“He made a move on Kat.”

“Did he—”

“No, to the best of my knowledge, he has never forced himself on a woman. He does not have to. They all fall willingly into his bed.”

“Then what happened?”

“She was his friend. Trusted him. And he wanted it to go much further than she was ready for.” Seeing no need for any more information, he stopped.

“And?”

“Well…and nothing. I just did not like him coming on to my kid sister.”

“That is it? That’s why you hate him so much?”

“I have my reasons, Maddie. Let it drop at that.” He heaved a sigh. “We were having a nice time today until Bonner ruined it by coming to our table. Please let us just forget it. I do not want him ruining what we have between us.”

 

 

 

~ Chapter 14 ~

 

Several weeks later, Matthew was officially elected sheriff of Kansas City. Maddie was ecstatic for him, knowing how much he enjoyed his job. Having what she thought was the perfect idea, she baked some pies and took them into town for him to ‘thank’ the people that voted for him. Luke told her he thought she was daft.

“Maddie, what am I supposed to do with a bunch of pies?” Matt said when she approached him. His voice was stern, but the twinkle in his eyes belied his tone.

“You are going to set them out in front of your office and serve them to people as they walk by. Thank them for voting for you.”

He reached up and scratched the side of his head. “They will think I am a fool. I do not do pies.” He looked up and down the street. “I thank you for thinking of this. It really was thoughtful of you, but it is not me.”

“Fine! I swear, you are as obstinate as your brother. Never open to anything new.” She swept her arm out to encompass his office and the street. “You go do your sheriffing and I will just cut these into pieces and set them out for people. I will write a note telling them to help themselves and thank them for their vote.”

She met his eyes head-on. “Surely you cannot object to that!”

A woman in a blue gingham dress walked by with her two children.

“Howdy, Mrs. Petrie.” Matt’s countenance lit in a smile. “Nice day.”

Maddie watched him closely. He was a big bear of a man, with a ready smile and a kind word for everyone. No wonder the entire town loved him.

“Look, Ma. Pies!” the small boy shouted.

Matt reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Yes, dear. I see them. They look mighty good, don’t they?”

“Thank you.” Maddie cast her eyes sideways at Matt. “Did your husband by chance happen to vote for Matthew to be the sheriff?”

“He shorely did. Best one we have had around here in a long time. We are glad he is back from the war.” She smiled up at Matthew.

Maddie reached toward the table she’d set up with planks along the boardwalk outside Matt’s office. “Then please accept this piece of pie as a thank you.”

“How thoughtful of you both to think of us.” Her eyes brightened. “No one has ever done something like that before.”

Maddie tried to stifle a grin and failed. She found some paper to place the pieces on. “Would you like two smaller pieces for the little ones, too? You may take them home for them if you like.”

The woman beamed. “Why thank you kindly. Don’t mind if I do.” She looked over everything on the table. “This shore is mighty considerate of you.” She looked to Matthew. “Thank you for thinking of us, sheriff. What a wonderful idea.”

As the woman walked off, Maddie shot Matthew a satisfied ‘I told you so’ glare.

“All right. I give in. You were right. Let’s cut all the pies and leave them here. I’ll stay here for a while, but I do have to patrol the streets soon. Folks are used to me checking in with them.”

“You stay here. I will go inside and get a sheet of paper to make the thank you sign. You do have something I can use, don’t you? Maybe the back of some ‘wanted’ poster?”

He chuckled. “As a matter of fact, I do have some old ones. Got notice they had been caught, just have not thrown them away yet. You can write on the back for your sign.”

When she came back outside, she brushed away some stray hair that had come unfastened from its pins and fastened the sign to the table. Matthew had finished cutting all the pies.

“There! That is perfect if I do say so myself.”

Matt looked up at the sky. “Time you had best be gettin’ on home. I really should take you. Hate the thought of you riding out there all by yourself. If anything happened while you were alone, Luke would kill me.” He looked up the street toward the buggy she’d come to town in. “Cain’t rightly believe Luke let you come alone—even though he did buy that contraption special for you.”

“Hardly. Luke thinks too highly of you to hurt you.” She didn’t answer the part about her being alone. “Although things have definitely been better between us since he told me why he is always so angry around Jeffrey—Mr. Bonner.”

Matt started. “Luke told you about Allie? Allie Stone? I knew he needed to, but didn’t actually think it would ever happen. As you have reiterated so many times, my brother can be one stubborn mule.”

What was Matt talking about? “Allie? He told me how Jeffrey got a mite too friendly with Kat. That he did not like him being with your kid sister.”

“Oh. That. Yeah. He wasn’t too pleased. Although it did nt really amount to anything. She and Aaron were already making calves eyes at each other. She turned Bonner down cold. They just stayed friends.”

“So who is Allie Stone?”

He shook his head, then scrubbed his hand over his cheek. “Forget I mentioned it.”

“Oh no you don’t. You do not drop important information like that on me and expect me to forget it.”

“Not my story, little sis. I have no right to tell you what happened to Allie.”

“I am due an explanation!”

“And I am not at liberty to give you one. I’ll admit you need to know, but I cain’t be the one to do so. Luke would never speak to me again—and I’d not blame him.”

He placed his hand on her back and steered her toward the small black buggy she’d driven to town. So far she’d mastered that much better than she had riding Western style. And the large buckboard was difficult for her to handle.

“Go home, Maddie. Take your time and drive carefully.”

“Matt, will you come out and have supper with us? Not tomorrow. Maybe in two nights? I’ll see if I can get Kat and her family to join us, too. Kind of an ‘okay, let us see how much the Reb has learned now’ meal.”

His answering laughter was rich and deep. “Darlin’, I do love you. I am so glad you married my brother. Despite the circumstances of you two gettin’ hitched, I think you are the best dang thing that ever happened to him.” He lifted her up to the wagon seat in one fluid motion. “And yes, I would love to join you for supper. Now drive carefully on your way home. I heard thunder rumbling earlier. Don’t want you getting caught in a storm.”

As she moved the horse forward, she left him chuckling in her wake.

“I’ll see you there,” he shouted.

 

Luke sat in one of the rockers on the wrap-around porch, waiting for Maddie to get home. The sun was slowly sinking in the sky. Inside, the mantle clock over the fireplace chimed the hour. Ma had ordered it all the way from Boston and had delighted in every chime.

He rose when her buggy approached. If she hadn’t gotten home soon, he would have headed out to look for her. His need to be near her was that strong. As was his fear for her safety.

Wouldn’t that have made Miss Independent happy? He could almost hear her harping about it like she had this morning.

‘No, I do not need someone to accompany me, Luke. You need all the men to help on the range right now. You said you had branding to do. Cattle to round up. Said you thought a few were missing. All I am going to do is ride into town, help Matthew with these pies, then head straight back. You bought me a perfectly good buggy. Now let me use it.’

He’d worried about her all day, although he certainly wouldn’t tell her that. Yes, he’d bought her the small buggy like Doc used so she could get around easily. That didn’t mean he didn’t fret when she was gone.

Why did she have to be so blasted independent? Oh, deep down he knew she needed him in her own way, but it wasn’t the same as he’d seen with Ma and Pa. And those were his role models. The woman stayed home and took care of the house and family and the man took care of all of them. It’s what a man did. Or at least was supposed to do.

He couldn’t tell her he loved her, though he’d begun to suspect it was the truth.

He helped her unhitch the horse and handed it over to one of the men to groom and feed, and then he pushed the buggy inside the barn out of the elements. He’d have to build a small shelter for it. Took up too much space in the barn.

He reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. The scent of her floral cologne—the one Birgit had told him Maddie would love—greeted him like a spring bouquet. He’d missed having her waiting for him when he got home for the day.

“Were you waiting for me?” Her smile of greeting melted his heart.

“All my life.” He was becoming too used to having her around. But that was a good thing, right? Maybe so, but he sure wasn’t ready to have his heart trampled. Once in a lifetime was more than enough. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was starting to feel far too much for this woman.

The only heart in peril was probably his own.

Stubborn to a fault, she’d slowly but surely wormed her way into his heart. He doubted she’d ever feel the same way about him. He was, after all, a Yankee. Somehow she never let him forget that. A few times she’d actually teased him about it. That had been a pleasant change from her usual solemnness on the subject. Would the dadgummed war always come between them?

But now that he had her, he wanted the whole shootin’ match. Her body, her heart, her love. He released a deep sigh as they walked in the front door.

Why wouldn’t Maddie let him take care of her like he wanted to? She had these all-fired notions of helping everyone in the world. And doing it herself.

She did have a gift for comforting people, a gift that seemed innate to her. After watching her with people of the town, he could no longer dispute that. Why he’d given in and spent money on the dadblamed buggy. She’d probably wring his neck if she knew how much it cost.

She asserted it was what God wanted her to do. A funny thing coming from a woman who kept insisting she didn’t believe in God anymore. That was definitely an area where Luke was just as stubborn as she was. He believed in God and His salvation with all his heart. And one day he would bring his Maddie back to a loving relationship with her Lord.

But he wanted her to need him in all things, too. Not just matters of the Lord—even though those were by far the most important.

The big question was did she need him? Deep down within himself, he knew she did. While she certainly didn’t need him for births or tending of people—like she often did with their ranch hands or had with old Granny Mac the other day—when she was sorely invested like she was with the birthings, she needed him afterward. Emotionally. Like he’d been there for her after Birgit had Lars. Like he hadn’t been there for her after the two Bonner children had been born.

He still regretted that. She’d needed him. He’d known it. Sensed it. And he’d been too stubborn to do anything about it. Instead he wallowed in his own jealousy and hadn’t only not held her going home, he’d turned his back on her in bed.

That had been the beginning of the distance between them, and he didn’t know what to do about breeching it. Oh, it was better, but it was still there. Forever hanging between them.

He’d hurt her.

He was the worst of fools.

 

Maddie warmed up some of the pot roast she’d made the day before. She’d patiently cut up the potatoes, carrots, onion and celery. For her own cooking, without any assistance from Kat or the aunts, Luke could tell she’d been pleased at how well the meal came out.

“Supper’s delicious again, Darlin’. You did right good with this roast last night. Wasn’t sure how it would turn out you cookin’ it in the oven and all instead of as stew in one of the pots, but I really like it this way. You need to mention it to Kat. Bet Aaron would like it, too.”

“Well, I had to try out the new stove you ordered for us. It is almost identical to the one Birgit has.” Her eyes met his. “I cannot believe you bought it for me!”

“Sven helped me order it from that huge catalog he has.”

Her smile lit her entire face. “Thank you for complimenting the meal. I have to admit I was worried about it, but I was getting tired of stew every night. I wanted to try something different. And I remembered Aggie making it this way once in a while. You and I had it like that in St. Louis once.” She drummed her nails on the table.

That told him she was nervous about something.

“How did Matt take to you bringin’ all those pies?”

She pulled a face. “About as well as I should have expected considering he is a Guylenhall. I swear, the man is as stubborn as you.”

Luke threw back his head with a mighty laugh. “Sounds like Matt all right. Let me guess. First words out of his mouth were probably, ‘What am I supposed to do with all these pies?’”

She kicked him under the table. He didn’t stop laughing.

After clearing their empty plates from the table, she reached for the handle of the coffeepot. Her hands were shaking. She’d been quieter tonight than usual and he wondered how long he’d have to wait until she told him what was wrong.

While still facing away from him, she asked softly, “Who was Allie Stone?”

 

The breath rushed from Luke’s lungs as the question penetrated his consciousness. Oh, Holy Father in Heaven, she hadn’t just asked him what he thought she had, had she? How could she possibly have heard that name?

Luke’s heart sank. He stood and walked behind her, turning her to face him. “What did you just say?” His jaw clenched involuntarily.

She watched him with wary eyes. Looked as scared as a mouse about to be attacked by a field cat.

“I said, who was Allie Stone?”

He clenched his fists and strove for control. “Where did you hear that name?” He forced himself to control the tone of his voice. Pain threatened to wash over him like waves crashing against a sea wall. To pull him under the swell and never let him resurface.

She slipped away from him, inclined her head, and sank back down at the kitchen table. “It does not matter where I heard it. But I think I would like to know the answer to my question.”

He gulped and swallowed hard against the choking tightness in his throat. Oh, he didn’t want to have this conversation. But he’d known it had been coming. Just hadn’t thought it would be this soon. Although, with his attitude about his nemesis Bonner, what had he expected?

He crossed to the kitchen window, pushed the curtain aside and looked out. Deep clouds were drifting in and the winds were picking up. Just like the turbulent winds in his soul.

He blinked away the mists of memory and faced her once again.

When he spoke again, his voice was low, filled with torment. “She was a girl I grew up with. Lived in town. As a matter of fact, her pa owned the mercantile Swede owns now.”

Maddie nodded. When he didn’t continue, she said, “And?”

What did she want from him? To lay his heart open before her? Well, if he wanted her heart, he guessed he had to be honest about his. The words lay bitter on his tongue, but he forced himself to continue.

“She was the girl I thought I was gonna marry.” He paced the room with long strides, his breath measured.

Maddie swallowed and her eyes closed. “So she is the girl you are constantly comparing me to?”

He stilled. What was she talking about? He didn’t compare her to anyone. She was just…Maddie. His wife. And he liked her just the way she was—well, most of the time.

“No! You are nothing like her.” The words tore from his throat.

“But you wish I was, right?” She averted her head, blinking furiously.

Did he? Is that what was wrong between them? He thought a moment, took his time so he could give her an honest answer. He doubted she liked his pause.

Mindlessly he picked up his tin cup and placed it in the huge bowl filled with water inside the wooden sink. He ran his fingers lightly over the wooden countertop, brushing away a speck of flour. Anything to avoid the one thing he had to do—talk. His throat tightened and his eyes stung.

“No. I really do not. I swear. She was just…just...” He plopped down in the chair across from her. A bent elbow propped his head up as he massaged his fingertips over his forehead. “Thunderation, this is not easy for me, Maddie.”

Her words came out barely above a whisper. “It is not easy for me either.”

No, he could tell it wasn’t. It was probably tearing her up as much as it was him. Her anguished whisper scored claws of grief across his heart. He rose and strolled over to the fireplace, keeping his back to her for a moment, and brushed his fingertips over the clock that had just chimed. He stared at it, then turned around to face her. His breath rang harsh in the hushed house.

Then did what he didn’t want to do. He swallowed against the lump that suddenly crowded his throat and told her about Allie.

 

“Allie and I grew up together. Saw each other in church every Sunday and in school during the week. She was the girl whose pigtails I pulled. The one I mercilessly teased. The first girl I took up into the hay barn and kissed.” His harsh laugh sounded more like a sob.

Listening with incredulity, Maddie closed her eyes, sensed his pain, his fury. Oh, God, why did I ask him? Am I really ready to hear this?

A thought struck her. He’s never taken me up in the hay barn and kissed me. Guess I’ll never be good enough to compare to the woman he loved.

She struggled at the disappointment flooding her heart.

“We did everythin’ together and soon people began to expect we would get hitched one day. I did, too. The only person that didn’t pay any credence to that was my very best friend—Jeffrey Bonner.”

Maddie’s eyes flew open. She looked at him, startled. “You and Jeffrey were friends?” She tried to keep her tone gentle.

Lost in agonizing memories, he nodded as raw anguish covered his face and gave her the briefest of nods. Sorrow and regret for all he’d lost tightened her throat and crushed her heart. Never had she expected that answer. Luke had lost so much.

But whether he wanted to admit it or not, so had Jeffrey Bonner. Still reeling from the news, she wanted to go to Luke to comfort him, but his body language told her that her touch wouldn’t be welcome.

She dropped her gaze to the hands she’d twisted in her skirts, blinked a few times and then watched him again.

“We were. Did everythin’ together as boys. With his folk’s ranch right next to ours, I was either over at his place or he was at ours. Ma thought of him as another son. It broke her heart when…I stopped speakin’ to him.”

His eyes wandered to the window above the stove, but Maddie doubted he was really looking at anything. Other than maybe the rock he’d brought in the other day.

“I thought of him as a brother. Probably closer than I was to any of my real brothers.”

Shocked and saddened, she was afraid to speak. Afraid to trust her own emotions. She pretended a calmness she didn’t feel.

 

His hands fisted as memories whirled about him like autumn leaves. Rushed back as if it was yesterday. “All of a sudden Allie started driftin’ away from me. Started spendin’ more time with Jeff. She went to a few church sociables with him. Went to his house for Sunday dinner. You saw the house. It is fancy. While our house was big and lived in, his was always special. What folks hereabouts might have strived for had they had the means to do so. Most didn’t. Ma and Pa did not want to. They liked our home just the way it was.

“Then…the next thing I knew, she was back in my life. Tryin’ to make it seem that nothin’ was different—but it was. I just did not know how different.”

He locked eyes with Maddie. “We walked down by the stream one day and Allie asked me to marry her.”

Maddie’s mouth hung open, then quickly shut.

“Yep. Proposed to me. Never heard tell of such a thing before. That is a man’s job. Caught me totally by surprise. I almost said yes, but part of me was still smartin’ that she had left me and allowed Jeff to spark her.” He brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead with shaky fingers.

“Suddenly, like a blazin’ headline in one of them there big city newspapers from back East, it hit me like an avalanche comin’ down a mountain.” He snorted an unamused laugh and shook his head in self-disgust. “I confronted her about it and she collapsed to the ground. Under normal circumstances her tears would have done me in, but I was too shocked to do much except stare at her.

“Ma had drilled into all us boys that a lady was to be revered. That we weren’t to take advantage of them.” He looked away. “While Allie and I had certainly done our share of kissin’, and even went a bit further than that at times, we never…did that. I could always hear Ma’s still small voice and I stopped before we got that far.

“Seems good old Jeff had no compunctions about finishin’ what he started. Yet when Allie showed up pregnant, he refused to marry her. Told her pa, ‘How do I even know the kid is mine. After all the time she spent with Guylenhall, it could be his whelp just as easy as it could be mine.’”

Striving for composure, he added, “Of course, I knew that was not possible. As much as I thought I had cared for her, her actions with Jeff were like a slap in the face that she would come runnin’ to me after bein’ with another man. It might not have been the Christian thing for me to do, but I could not get past it and turned her down. Knew she definitely was not the woman I wanted. When I married, I wanted someone that would love only me, not have me worryin’ that any handsome face could sway her.” He studied her, searching her face. Did he really expect to see the answer he wanted there? Hoped for? Prayed for?

She sat there numb, her eyes never swerving from him.

Struggling to compose himself, he took deep breaths and exhaled slowly. “Soon after, her pa sold the mercantile to Swede and the family moved away. I never heard from her again.”

“And you thought I would fall for Jeffrey Bonner just because he is good looking? You really were jealous? Of me?”

“Why not you? You are beautiful. Cultured. Talented. A delightful woman any man would be proud to call his wife.” He framed the delicate features of her slender face, then dropped his hands and leaned away, continuing to let the reminiscences surface.

“Most every other woman seems to fall into his bed. Only one that didn’t was Rosemary. She told him straight up that if he wanted her, he was goin’ to have to win her heart. And he would not be playin’ any hanky-panky with her before their weddin’ night. I guess it was the fact she didn’t fall over backwards for him that made him go after her.”

He raised his head and looked at Maddie again. “Didn’t realize until his great speech that he actually loved her. Yet even if he does, he has been nothin’ but a womanizer ever since they married.”

“He does love her. I could tell the day I was with them. His distraught actions were not faked. He truly cares.”

“How or why she puts up with him, I’ll never know. But like most women, she probably thinks she don’t have a choice. And she is right. It is very difficult for a single woman to support herself in the West. Other than becomin’ a…”

“Soiled dove, I believe they are called?”

He nodded.

“And you have hated him ever since?”

He nodded again. “I have.”

“You said you never…did that with Allie. Yet you certainly knew what to do the night you moved into our bedroom.”

“Yeah, well, I did some rebellin’ after what happened with Allie. Figgered if what a girl really wanted was a guy that would take them to bed rather than treat them like a lady, I would be more obligin’ in the future. Stupid, huh? I just thank God Ma never knew. It would have broken her heart to know one of her sons strayed so far from God’s word.”

She reached over and took his hand in hers. “Now that you have told me what happened, are you going to continue to hate Mr. Bonner? You have wasted an awful lot of years for two people who used to be so close. True friends are not that easy to come by. We should not throw away the ones God sends our way.”

“You want me to forget?” How could she expect that of him?

“I want you to forgive. Is that not what you are always preaching to me?”

He squeezed her hand. “I don’t know, Maddie. Some things are not so easy. I know God’s Word tells us we have to forgive, but I am afraid that is one of my weaknesses. I do not forgive easily. I tend to hold on to grudges.” He offered an abashed shrug. “Never claimed to be perfect.”

“And what about me?”

His brows knit in concentration. “What do you mean ‘what about me?’”

“Do you still think I am going to fall for Jeffrey’s charm? Are you going to get angry with me every time I talk with him?”

He stood, pulling her up beside him. “Ah, God, Maddie. I do not know what to believe. I know what I want, but it is like I am afraid to ask for it or believe it.”

“What do you want from me, Luke? What do you really want?”

He hung his head. “I want you to want me. Only me. Not Bonner.”

She smiled. “Well then, you just got your wish.”

His head jerked up and he met her gaze, but didn’t say anything.

“I really like his wife, Rosemary,” she said. “And I think almost losing her was a real awakening moment for him. While I would like to say he won’t be out gallivanting anymore, I cannot say that with certainty. I just don’t think he will. But what you have to understand is that if I spend time with Rosemary, I shall probably have to spend time with Jeffrey as well. I am willing to give him that second chance. I think everyone deserves one. I am hoping you will too.”

His brows pursed together. “How does that answer my wish?” Slowly, he released his tense fingers, running his palms over his thighs.

“Because I can tell you with all certainty that I will never want Jeffrey Bonner as anything more than a friend. Than as Rosemary’s husband. Just like I think of Swede. He is a very nice man and I like him, but he is simply Birgit’s husband. And yes, I am not going to lie. Jeffrey is handsome. I would be blind not to notice.”

Luke grimaced, yet pleased by the first part of her revelation, his shoulders relaxed.

“But looks do not make the man. And he is not the type of man I would want for a husband. Never would have been.” She reached out and pulled Luke to her. “Truth be told, I am quite happy with the one I already have. You are growing on me, Mr. Guylenhall.”

Not exactly a declaration of love, but he’d take it. Luke pulled Maddie tighter against him and lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her, marking her as his. Her warm fragrance lifted to tease his nostrils. Oh yes, his heart was much more involved than he cared to admit, no longer steeled for battle or with walls built around it. More like racing at full gallop.

Nothing for it now. He was clearly past the point of no return. Now he just had to figure out how to make his wife love him back. Something more than ‘growing on her.’ Although he’d take it over the way they’d started.

Wanting her to know he cared was suddenly very important to him.

How could he show her? Maybe he could go out and gather some wildflowers for her. She seemed to like those. Yes, that’s what he’d do.

Later.

 

The next morning Kat arrived bright and early. “Hello the house!”

“Come on in, Kat. We are in the kitchen.”

“Brought you a batch of biscuits. Thought you might like them and not have to make your own for a change.”

Luke reached for one as soon as she placed the platter on the table.

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Luke Guylenhall, you could at least wait for breakfast.”

“I am starvin’.”

Laughing, she couldn’t help it, she rolled her eyes again.

“You still coming to supper tonight, Kat?”

“Wouldn’t miss it. Glad to hear Matt’s gonna be able to join us. Even though he is only an hour away, we don’t get to see him as often as I would like. But he is a good sheriff, so I won’t begrudge him being in town.” She pursed her lips. “Honestly, I wish he would find himself a wife. Sometimes he seems lonely.”

Luke shook his head. “Do not start matchmakin’, little sister. Matt would have your head for that. And he does not seem the least bit interested in anyone in town.”

“No, but I have been thinking. Maybe he could send for one of them newfangled mail order brides.”

Luke almost choked on his coffee. “A mail order bride? Where did you get a dadblamed idea like that?”

“I saw an advertisement just the other day when Aaron brought me back a week old newspaper.” She looked between Luke and Maddie. “You two did not know each other when you got hitched and it seems to be working out well. Who knows, maybe Matt could do something similar. Only in his case, send off for a wife—instead of being marched to a church at the point of a gun.” A grin spread wide over her face.

Luke almost dropped his biscuit, then talked around a bite of it. “If you want to live to be a ripe old age, I would suggest you let Matt get his own wife and forget this mail order bride idea you have come up with.”

He shook his head and reached for another biscuit. “Women!”

 

When Matt arrived later that afternoon, Kat was there to see him too. “Aaron and the children should be here shortly. Johnny cannot wait to see you. Says he wants to hear about your latest exploits. It is beyond me where he heard a word like that.”

Both men exchanged a glance and looked pointedly at Maddie, and Kat burst out laughing. “Yep, you are probably right.”

Matt made a snide comment to Maddie. “Glad to see you made it home okay. Guessing you did not overturn the buggy or have any other mishaps.”

“Peace!” She threw her hands up in surrender. “I have already heard it all.”

He acquiesced graciously.

Laughing she asked, “Did all the pie get eaten?”

He nodded. “Oh, yeah. And some folks that heard about it but got there late were mighty disappointed not to get any. I pondered the idea of havin’ you bake more, but quickly disabused myself of that delusion.” He chuckled. “It went so fast I did not even have to delay my rounds. Could not believe how fast word spread.”

Aaron soon arrived. While he took care of the horse, Johnny charged through the door, Rebekah close on his heels. She flung herself into Matt’s arms and he swung her around in a circle.

“Arrest any horse thieves, Uncle Matt?” Johnny asked, standing beside him once he set Rebekah down.

The adults couldn’t hide their smiles.

“Not this week, bucko. Been pretty peaceable.”

Johnny looked decidedly unhappy with that answer.

When Aaron came inside, he went straight to Kat, pulled her back to his front, and wrapped his arms around her. One of his hands lingered on her stomach.

Kat cleared her throat. “Since we are all together, thought this would be the perfect time to make our announcement.” She drew in a deep breath and shifted her head to glance up at her husband.

The look they exchanged held so much love it brought a lump to Maddie’s throat.

“We are havin’ another baby!” The words burst from Kat, as if she couldn’t wait to share the news.

Maddie rushed forward to hug her, and the men slapped Aaron on the back as he moved away from Kat. Congratulations sounded throughout the room.

When the excitement ebbed, they all sat around the kitchen table. “Now we just have to tell the aunts.” Kat smiled.

Luke had slaughtered one of the hogs and Maddie had prepared a pork roast with potatoes and onions. She still had green beans from the garden, so she’d cooked those as well.

Matt sat back and rubbed his stomach. “You are turnin’ into a right fine cook, Maddie. I guess kudos go to Kat and the aunts. I will have to be sure to let them know how much I appreciate their passing on their culinary expertise as they call it.”

 

 

 

~ Chapter 15 ~

 

 

The next week Maddie once again headed out to visit Granny Mac. A hint of mildew and decay hung in the air as she neared the property. Somehow she had to stress the importance of the house and surrounding buildings being cleaned up. Granny was getting too old to do the work and her worthless grandson refused to help. Her granddaughter tried her best, but she could only do so much.

Maddie hadn’t been sure if the elderly woman would actually take the tonic she’d prepared and left for her and she was really worried about her.

When Luke found out where she was going after a young woman came to fetch her the first time, he was amazed. “Granny never lets anyone help her. She refuses to let the doc treat her. Then again, she distrusts all men. Her husband was a worthless sort, and he pretty much turned her into a hermit. She never goes to town.”

“How does she live then?”

“Once a month Swede sends supplies out to her. He pays one of the young men two bits to drive all the way out there. I have no idea how she pays him, since to the best of my knowledge she has no income. Yet she does her best raising those two grandchildren of hers. Cain’t think of their names.”

“Misty is the girl that came to get me.”

“The fact that Granny let her come—or actually sent her—is a miracle in itself. People hate that they live so secluded. They would like to do something for them, but Granny insists she don’t take no charity. Not much a body can do when the person refuses to accept the help.”

Maddie pondered the predicament. Somehow she’d have to figure a way to get around it. Misty was a delightful young woman, albeit one that needed a bit of cleaning up. But Micah seemed too wild. She doubted Granny was able to keep him under control much anymore. She hoped he didn’t get in with a bad crowd. That could too easily happen up in the hills where lawlessness reigned.

She hadn’t liked the way the young man stared at her while she’d talked with Granny. Not that she’d ever tell Luke!

The visit turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Granny had indeed taken the tonic and seemed to be much improved. “You come inside now and get a batch of my biscuits ta take home wi’ you. I’ll not be owing you fer that infernal tasting medicine you forced on me.”

Maddie couldn’t help but smile. “But it helped, didn’t it? I told you it would.”

Granny reluctantly nodded. Maddie could tell the admission cost the elderly woman. “Yeah, yeah. You harped about it enough.”

Maddie choked. “Granny! I did no such thing as harp. Ladies do not harp.”

Granny raised a brow. “Well then, despite them fancy duds you be awearin’, perhaps you ain’t always a lady.” She started walking inside. “Now come on. Don’t be dawdlin’. I ain’t got all day.”

Maddie sat and ate a biscuit slathered with apple butter. It practically melted in her mouth. What Kat had taught her to make were good, but these far surpassed those. Maddie wondered what she’d have to do to get Granny to teach her the recipe. She finally decided to just ask.

“Granny, if I came out here one day, would you teach me how to make these? I have never tasted biscuits so light and fluffy. Luke would love them. Not to mention what a treat they would be for the men in the bunkhouse if I braved making them.”

Granny scratched her head. “Nothin’ to it, child.” She narrowed her eyes as she watched Maddie. “You really want to come here? To visit with an old, worn out woman like me?”

Maddie nodded emphatically. “I do! Please say yes. I do not want to just come here while you are sick. I would love to visit with you.”

Granny looked suspicious. “Why?”

“Because I like you.”

That seemed to take the old woman by surprise. “Well I… I…” She sat a minute in silence. Then she finally said, “All right. Come back in two weeks. I’ll be gettin’ some supplies in by then.”

“I can bring—”

“I said I’ll be gettin’ in some supplies.”

Maddie couldn’t help but grin. “Yes, ma’am. Two weeks.”

She pulled the frail woman into a hug. “In the meantime, I hope you and your grandchildren will come to our ranch for our Independence Day celebration. I am really excited about it.”

“Ain’t got nothin’ to bring. Ain’t never been to no celebration. Well, ceptin’ back when I was a young’un. My ma and pa always attended the doins’ in the town where we lived back then. That stopped when I married Buck. He weren’t one fer socializin’. Ceptin’ goin’ into town hisself and gettin’ drunk.” Under her breath she added, “Then comin’ home and whoppin’ on me and the kids. Never been so glad to see someone die. I weren’t goin’ to let him hurt the grandkids like he hurt me and our young’uns.”

But Maddie heard her. Appalled, she vowed then and there that she was going to do everything she could to get Granny to once again join the world of the living.

Had Granny’s words meant she’d killed her husband? Maddie didn’t know, and she had absolutely no intention of finding out. Some things were meant to be buried. She quickly realized the double meaning of her words.

 

Preparations for the Fourth of July picnic to be held at their house were under way. Maddie barely had time to breathe. She made flyers and posted them in town, and made sure to head over to the Bonners’ house to invite them to attend.

Rosemary wasn’t certain. “I would love to come, Maddie, but I really do not think Luke would appreciate it. I do not want any problems between you and your husband because of our friendship. Not to mention people in town are not too welcoming of us.”

“Nonsense. It is my house and I want you there. Both of you. And the babies of course. Cannot pass up an opportunity to hold and hug on them.”

“I will talk to Jeffrey about it, but I won’t make any promises.”

“That is all I can ask for. Birgit and her baby will be there, too. I know she would love to see you.”

Rosemary didn’t look convinced.

 

Two nights before the celebration, Maddie sat sewing the bonnet she’d been working on for the past two weeks. Small, even stitches bound the garment together. Tonight she put final decorative stitches on the brim. Hurriedly, she bit off the final thread. When she put her needle and thread back into her sewing basket, she could hardly contain her excitement and jumped up out of her chair. Donning the hat, she spun around the parlor. “I did it! I finished the hat!!! I made it to match the blue material you bought for me in town.”

Luke eyed her like she’d lost her mind. “It’s very nice, Maddie.”

He rose from his chair, narrowed his eyes and looked closer. “You did a very good job on it. I might have thought Kat or the aunts made it for you. Actually, with the decoration you added, maybe some professional milliner.” He nodded. “Yes, you really are getting quite good at your stitching. Ready to make me a shirt yet? I could use a new one for church.”

Church! How she hated that topic. Hated sitting there every Sunday not listening. But she wasn’t going to let her evening be ruined. She’d finished a project completely by herself and was really proud of what she’d accomplished.

“Yes. The next time we are in town I will get some white muslin to make one for you. I only hope you do not regret asking me after I finish with it. The socks I attempted to knit did not turn out very well.”

“Aunt Lola said knitting is difficult to learn. Give it time. You will catch on.”

He pulled her close. “Look how far you have come since you arrived. On our trip here, did you ever think you would accomplish what you already have? Make dresses. A new hat? It is almost like you were born here.”

A ripple of laughter escaped her lips. “Hardly. And had I any idea then of exactly how much I would have to learn, I probably would have turned tail and ran back to St. Louis. I would have found the money to go to San Francisco somehow.”

Oops, maybe she shouldn’t have phrased that quite like that.

 

The morning of the picnic, the ranch buzzed with activity as everyone got up early. Luke’s perusal of the sky convinced him the weather was typical for July. The day promised to be a scorcher. The sound of pink katydids echoed from the distant plains. The rich, earthy scent of dew, damp grass, and flowering trees filled the air. Men from the bunkhouse were busy barbecuing the meat. Maddie ran here and there gathering things, and Luke was already outside helping to set up ‘tables.’ He hoped he had enough planks to serve as table tops.

He watched Maddie as she brought things out from the house and started decorating the tables he’d finished. The wind teased her hair as it cascaded down her back. Never in a million years had he thought she’d actually adapt to living on a ranch. But after a rough beginning between them, she was adjusting admirably and seemed to like life here.

Seemed to like him. He certainly hoped so anyhow.

As the morning progressed, he checked the sun. Overhead, the vast blue sky stretched endlessly toward a limitless horizon. Purple prairie coneflowers waved in the wind in the distance.

He called out, “If you are gonna change into what you showed me yesterday, you had best get back in the house soon. People should start arrivin’ in about an hour. Folks like a good outin’, and we don’t have a lot of reasons to have one. So everyone takes advantage when we do. Imagine some of them will be here the entire day.”

Maddie gulped and rushed inside. He could only imagine how nervous she was. This wasn’t only a celebration for the entire town, it was the town’s chance to see how the Southern Reb had adapted to life in the West. Some would be pleased with her transformation. Others could care less and would never like her. There was nothing he could do about that. Those that were accepting of her had done it long ago. Others, like the meddlesome Mrs. Peabody, would go to her grave with a grudge.

Oh well, it was her loss, not Maddie’s.

He sent a deep prayer heavenward to protect all those that would attend the party today.

An hour later he walked inside to freshen up himself. He didn’t want to look filthy when the guests arrived, and all the preparations had been dirty work.

He cleaned up best he could with the bowl of water at the kitchen sink, then headed to their bedroom to change his shirt and put on a clean vest Maddie had recently mended.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he opened the door.

His wife was a vision of loveliness. She’d piled her long dark hair up in artful twists, with some ringlets framing her face. Since she’d told everyone it was a ‘dress up event’ if they wanted to, she wore one of her original dresses. The sight of her was so exquisite that a fist caught at his throat and threatened to choke him. She’d chosen an outfit in understated tones rather than the bright dresses she’d worn when she first came here—crème he think he’d heard her call it—but there was absolutely nothing understated about it. A simple strand of pearls graced her neck and pearl earbobs complemented each ear, while a few smaller pearls had been woven throughout her tresses. The upper portion of the dress hugged her body like a soft glove, yet the bottom half draped in gentle folds and was loose enough to allow dancing later if she wanted to join in the festivities.

He’d have to remember to keep his jealousy in check and not ruin the party for Maddie. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that every man present today—from his ranch hands to every man from town, save the preacher of course—would be staring at his wife. No, now that he thought about it, he imagined the preacher wouldn’t be immune either.

“I just have to adjust my hat and I am ready.” She reached up to fasten her royal blue wisp of a hat at a jauntier angle. It had a small peacock feather sticking out the side.

“That is not gonna stay in place, Maddie. It is too hot out there already and with all the runnin’ around I know you will do greetin’ people, it won’t take long for it to shift.”

“Nonsense. It will be just fine. The hat pin will hold it in place.” She pinched her cheeks to make them rosy. As if she needs anything to make her look better.

He shook his head. Maybe he wouldn’t tell her ‘I told you so’ after she gave up and removed that wisp of a hat.

Then again, maybe he would. He did love teasing her.

 

Kat and her family were the first to arrive, followed closely by Pastor Willett and his wife Sandy.

Matt drove the aunts out soon after, his bay fastened to the back of the wagon. After helping the elderly women down, they all headed over to Luke and Maddie.

While the two women gushed over her dress, Matt stared at her gape-mouthed.

Luke glared. “Close your mouth, Brother, before you start catching flies. Although it would serve you right if you choked on one.”

Matt faced Luke. “How the blazes did you get so durned lucky?”

A frown furrowed Luke’s brows. “About what?”

Matt hiked a thumb toward Maddie. “Her. Great day in the morning, man. I always knew your wife was a looker, but…she is gorgeous. Is that what she looked like when you married her? All citified and elegant?”

Luke faced Maddie. “Yes, actually it is. The first night I saw her—sittin’ in a restaurant eatin’ with her father—I wanted nothin’ more than to have her spend the rest of the evenin’ with me at Sam’s weddin’ reception. I wanted to dance the night away with her.” He inhaled and released a deep breath. “Turned me down cold.”

Around them, children scampered about with tireless energy. Luke watched their antics and smiled.

Matt continued to stare. “You are one lucky dog.”

“Just remember she is already taken. I would hate to have to beat my own brother senseless.” He moved a step closer to Matt. “And don’t think for a minute that I would not do it.”

Matt nodded in acknowledgement. “I know, Brother. And I’d not blame you a bit. Be assured I won’t be forgetting. But it does make a body think about getting hitched.”

Luke barked with laughter. “Don’t say that too loud. Kat already has some ridiculous notion you need to send off for a mail order bride.”

Matt’s eyes widened in shock. “Don’t even suggest it!!! Dang, I just might have to kill my own sister. Aaron would not be pleased with me.”

 

As more guests arrived, their yard filled with people and the tables groaned under the food.

To Maddie’s surprise and delight, a rickety wagon pulled up beside those already parked. Granny Mac and her two grandchildren dismounted. Maddie rushed to her.

“Granny, you came!”

“Well you invited me. Practically insisted I come. Said you could not possibly serve your guests without my biscuits.” She grumbled the words, but her eyes were lit with an emotion Maddie had never seen there before—happiness.

Granny looked around and grumbled mutinously. “Now see. It is a fancy occasion.” She glanced down at her own worn dress. “Mebbe I’d best jes’ leave these here biscuits and head on out. Don’t want to embarrass anyone.”

“Nonsense! You look just fine.”

Granny cocked a brow. Deep lines etched her face. “I weren’t born yesterday, child.”

Flustered, Maddie was determined to keep Granny there. She didn’t know when she’d get an opportunity like this again. “Granny, come with me. I know just the thing!”

After rushing inside the house with Granny following outside at a more sedate pace, she reached atop her wardrobe and brought down a hat box. Reaching inside, she pulled out the hat she’d just finished sewing, then rushed back outside. She handed it to Granny.

“Here! Wear this.” She pointed to the hat. “Look at the colors in it. It goes perfectly with the dress you are wearing. This is the perfect complement for it.”

“Complement? You shore talk funny, gal. And you know I do not take charity!” Granny looked longingly at the hat, but refused to take it and chose to walk away.

Maddie was right by her side, her hand on Granny’s thin arm. “It is not charity. I would never embarrass you like that.”

Granny squinted. “Then what fancy word would you use?”

“Payment.”

That stopped Granny cold and her eyes narrowed in thought. “Payment? Fer what?”

Maddie swallowed. “You promised to help me learn how to make your biscuits. You showed me once, but who knows how many sessions it will take for me to get it right. I am certainly not the best cook around.” She lowered her gaze to the hat in her hands. “This old hat is my payment to you for helping me learn how to make your biscuits so I can make them for Luke.”

“Payment, huh?”

Maddie nodded.

“This old hat, huh?”

Maddie made sure to not look at Luke who stood on the steps watching her every move. His look of disbelief was almost her undoing, but she had to do this. Had to do it for Granny.

“Yep.” She gave a definitive nod.

Granny pursed her lips in thought. “Well then, I expect you at my place early Tuesday mornin’ fer yer second lesson. Do not be late.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Eight o’clock sharp.”

Maddie smiled as Granny placed the bonnet on her head and tied the straps under her neck. Maddie stepped forward and adjusted the bow to the side.

Granny’s eyes misted over as she met Maddie’s gaze. “Thank you fer this old hat, young lady. You won’t regret yer cookin’ lessons. Slap me silly, but I might even show you how to make my blueberry cobbler. The grand young’uns love that. I’ll make sure to have them fetch plenty of blueberries from my bushes.”

Luke joined her as soon as Granny walked away to make sure her grandchildren had placed the biscuits on the food laden tables.

“What did you just do? You just made that hat! You gave it to a woman that never goes anywhere?” Disbelief showed in his eyes.

Maddie fought to stay her tears. “She came here today, didn’t she? If she never wears it again, it was worth it to me to make her happy for one day. From what I have seen, I doubt she has had many things to smile about in her adult life. I am glad I was able to make one small contribution.”

He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I do not think I’ll ever understand you, Maddie Guylenhall. But I am awful proud of you right now.”

He watched Granny walk slowly toward the tables.

“And you can be sure I’ll be buying you more of that material to make yourself another hat.”

“That is not necessary,” she protested.

“Which is exactly why I am goin’ to do it. Because you do not think it’s necessary.”

Misty soon came running over to Maddie. “You really gave Granny that new hat?”

“It’s not n—”

“Miz Maddie, I may be poor and don’t have much schoolin’, but I know a new hat when I see one.” She threw her arms around Maddie’s shoulders and squeezed. “Thank you so much fer makin’ Granny happy. She’s fair to beamin’.”

Maddie pulled out of her arms. “Want me to fix your hair like I did the last time I was at your house?”

Misty’s face wreathed with joy. “Oh, I’d rightly love that, Miz Maddie. I have tried to do it myself since you showed me, but jes’ cannot get the hang of it.”

She took Misty’s hand and led her to the porch. “You sit here and I will go get my brush. Be right back.” Inside, she reached into her ribbon box and pulled out two ribbons to match the color of Misty’s faded dress. She’d weave them through the girl’s long braid.

She’d seen a picture of the hairstyle in some magazine before she’d left Atlanta. A French braid it had been called, although it hadn’t actually originated in France.

After she was finished, she held up a small mirror she’d brought outside so Misty could see the final result. “Well, what do you think?”

Misty held the mirror and peered at herself. Maddie ran a fresh moist cloth over Misty’s face to clean off dirt residue that hadn’t been caught earlier by the young girl’s ablutions. “Oh, Miz Maddie, I love it! And do I get to keep the ribbons?”

“You certainly do.”

“But I cain’t take—”

“Charity. I know.” She looked around for Granny. Found her sitting across the yard on a blanket under the shade of a large oak tree. “But merely fixing your hair in a pretty style has nothing to do with charity.”

Misty looked hopeful. “But the ribbons.”

“Are merely a part of that hairstyle. Nothing more, nothing less.”

After another quick hug, Misty returned the mirror and bounded off toward her grandmother like an exuberant puppy. Maddie couldn’t help but chuckle.

Luke headed up the stairs beside her. He’d been mingling with the guests while she’d fixed Misty’s hair. “Another project completed, I see.” He shook his head in resignation. “Who is the next person gonna be? If I do not miss my guess, the dress Kat is wearin’ is the latest one you gave her to fix over. And Birgit was beamin’ about the dress you gave her to redo. Said she had never had one finer.” He reached out and squeezed Maddie’s hand. “You knew she would never spend money on herself with the new baby around. What am I goin’ to do with you, woman? You cannot give away everythin’ you own.”

She tilted her head to the side in exasperation. “Luke, how many trunks do I still have out in the shed with dresses in them that I have not touched? If I can help people, I want to do it.”

“Preacher Willett’s wife said you offered one to her, too. Said she thanked you profusely, but she already had a dress that was fancy enough for the occasion.” His lips curved in a smile. “I reckon I married a hopeless, incurable romantic.”

Maddie blushed. She knew she did, because she could feel heat rushing up her cheeks.

“Do you mind?”

“Not in the least. But I repeat, who is your next project?”

The rattle of wagon wheels approaching drew his attention. “Never mind. I just got my answer.” His smile disappeared.

Jeffrey and Rosemary Bonner approached, a baby cradled in each of her arms.

 

Maddie rushed to them as Jeffrey moved his wagon into one of the few remaining spaces set aside for the occasion.

He jumped down and reached up to take first one baby, then the other from Rosemary’s arms. Maddie eagerly took them from him so he could help Rosemary down.

“Look how they have grown!” Maddie gushed.

Rosemary’s whole face lit in a smile while Jeffrey stood beside her and beamed.

He pulled a blanket from the wagon. “I want to get my family situated. Then I will come back and fetch the food for the tables.” He leaned his head closer to Maddie’s. “Thank you for the invite. I am sure Luke was not pleased.”

She didn’t answer nor deny the claim.

He motioned to a large tree that had a shaded area beneath it. “I see a spot that has not been claimed yet. I’ll go set the blanket down there. I do not want the babies in the sun.”

Rosemary nodded agreement while she looked around at the large crowd anxiously. “I am still not sure this was a good idea, but when I mentioned it to Jeff he insisted we come.”

Maddie handed one of the babies to Rosemary and linked her arm through Rosemary’s empty arm. “I am glad he did. And Birgit’s already here. Wait until you see how Lars has grown.”

“Do you really think—”

“Yes, I do. Today is the beginning of a fresh start for both of you. Make sure you smile and talk to people while you mingle around. Catch them off-guard. I don’t care. Make them interact with you.” She glanced across the grounds and smiled. “You might want to steer clear of the likes of Mrs. Peabody though.” She giggled. “Considering how the woman feels about me, I cannot believe she actually came! Probably just did it for show. Or her husband made her.”

“Yes, Martha has always been like that. Her entire family is. Always think they are better than everyone else.” Conspiratorially she added, “Even though everyone knows better!”

Birgit walked over with baby Lars in her arms. She smiled at Maddie, then at Rosemary, shifting the baby and lightly bouncing Lars on her hip. “I am soooo glad you came today. I cannot wait to see your babies. Maddie keeps telling me how beautiful they are.”

Rosemary looked surprised, but didn’t miss a beat in answering. “Thank you. And I am thrilled to finally meet Lars. Maddie talks to me about him all the time, too.” She leaned forward. “Oh, how adorable. He is a miniature version of Swede.”

Birgit’s lips lifted in a smile. “Ja, he is. My Sven is quite pleased with that.” She took in the baby in Rosemary’s arms. “And this is the little Samantha I have heard so much about. Oh, she looks just like you. And look at that head of hair. She has her father’s hair coloring. My Lars is bald as can be. Who does your son look like?”

Rosemary pursed her lips. “Just like Samantha, I think he takes after both of us. Jeff thinks Neal is the spitting image of him, though, so I hate disabusing him of that thought while he is so happy.”

Birgit arched a brow. “Ja, I have noticed a difference in him when he comes into the mercantile. Even Sven commented on it. Your husband actually seems happy for a change. That is a side of him I do not believe I have seen since we moved here.” She clasped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, I am sorry. I should not have said that. That was too personal.”

Rosemary reached out to place her hand on Birgit’s arm. “Do not apologize. You are quite right.” She glanced toward her husband. “I hope his newfound peace lasts.”

Granny Mac’s granddaughter Misty wandered around the grounds.

“If I can get Misty to agree to watch the twins, would you allow her to do that? I think she would like something to keep her busy. She does not really know many people here.”

“Misty?” Rosemary’s brows furrowed in thought as she tried to place the name. “I do not believe I know her.”

“Granny Mac’s granddaughter.”

“Mercy, is she old enough to watch children already. I have not seen her since she was a small girl. Now they stay cloistered out in the hills.”

Maddie motioned toward the young girl and Rosemary’s eyes widened. “That is Misty? She has grown into a lovely young woman.” She hesitated and briefly glanced toward her husband, then straightened her shoulders and told Maddie, “Yes, if she agrees, I would love to have her watch the babies. She can keep them on the blanket Jeff placed on the ground.” Her eyes met Maddie’s. “That will give us a chance to…as you say…circulate.”

“Perfect!” She moved toward Misty then stopped and told Rosemary, “And it will get easier with time. I feel certain of it.”

A hesitant smile lit Rosemary’s face. “I hope so, Maddie. I truly hope so.”

 

Fury, anguish, and the ever-present tug of war inside him at what had happened in the past threatened to come to the fore as Jeffrey Bonner approached him. The man was the last person Luke wanted to talk to, but he’d promised Maddie he would try to be pleasant today for her sake.

“Guylenhall.” Jeff nodded briefly.

Luke just stared, anger simmering in his veins. What he really wanted to do was silence the man with his fists.

“I know you do not want to talk to me today, but I am going to get this said. It is time.” He glanced away. “Past time.”

“Why don’t you just slither away like the snake you are?”

Bonner removed his hat, fidgeted with it. “I know you would like me to rot in hell.”

“Hell is not good enough for you!”

Bonner released a soulful sigh. “I am sorry about what I did all those years ago, Luke. You lost a girl, but I lost my very best friend over my stupidity.” He glanced across to where Maddie stood talking to his wife. “I know you did not want Maddie at my house. I have to admit I am glad you were not home when I came to beg her to come. You probably would have forbid her to do so. And I would have lost the woman I love and the children I have craved for so long.”

He pursed his lips to the side and bit his lower lip. “Bet she did not tell you I begged her, did she? She was as reluctant to come as you would have been to allow it after my one and only interaction with her when she first came to town.”

Obvious embarrassment was followed by a shrug. “She did not hold back on her words while we were driving to my house either. Pretty much told me what she thought of me. Other than my Rosemary, I never had a woman talk to me like that before.” He stopped, clearly searching for words. “Between almost losing Rosemary—and probably both of my babies—and your woman’s candid speech, something clicked in me that night.”

He turned away for a moment, unable to continue. “I have been such a blasted fool. Cannot undo anything I have done, but I can make sure I am never that thoughtless again. Contrary to what anyone believes, I do love my wife. Now I have to do everything in my power to make her believe that again. And pray she loves me.

“I do not know if you and I can ever mend fences, but if you ever find it in your heart to try, I would be pleased to do that. I have missed you, friend. More than you will ever know.”

Bonner moved to join his wife, then stopped. He hooked his thumb over his shoulder toward where Maddie stood. Then, heaping salt on a wound already open and raw, he added, “But just in case you have not figured it out yet, you have a far better woman as your wife than Allie ever would have been.” He gave a mirthless chuckle. “Only you would have a wife that would be the one to make me realize what a fool I have been and how much I actually love my own wife.”

With that he spun on his heel and left.

Luke watched the man as he joined his wife and placed her hand on his arm to stroll around the grounds. Once they’d been best friends. Despite Bonner’s heartfelt words, Luke doubted bridges could be mended. Today’s words needed to have been said a long time ago—not that he would have listened. Bitterness had clouded his judgment for a long time.

 

It wouldn’t be easy, but Maddie was proud of Bonner for wanting to try to mend fences with the people of the town. They—and particularly Rosemary—had been snubbed far too long. Maddie was determined it would stop.

She was pleased to see several people actually reciprocate conversations with them when they lingered to talk.

“You are doing a good thing with that young woman, Maddie.” Birgit nodded toward Rosemary. “I think she has suffered long enough. I regret to say I do not really know her since she rarely ventures to town. After today, I hope that will change.” She stepped away. “Now I must find my Sven. Knowing him, he is starved by now with all this delicious looking food on the tables.”

 

Maddie had only gone a short distance when a young woman approached and placed a hand on Maddie’s arm to stop her.

“May I speak with you a moment, Mrs. Guylenhall?”

She’d seen the woman before, but couldn’t place where. More than likely the restaurant or the mercantile.

Instantly it hit her. This woman had been with the obnoxious Mrs. Peabody. Her daughter.

A sad smile crossed the woman’s face. “Yes, I see you remember me.” Her voice was soft and heavy with regret.

Maddie started to speak, but the woman cut her off. “My name is Sally. Sally Peabody. And yes, I was with my mother the day she did her best to humiliate you in town.” Her eyes shifted away, then returned to Maddie. “I should have stood up for you, but I fear I am much of a coward when it comes to Mother. Most people are. She can prove quite intimidating.”

Her eyes widened in animation as she continued talking. “But you weren’t. Oh, I knew she had hurt you, but you did not show it, did not back down from her. Believe it or not, in that moment I wanted to be just like you.”

Her words shocked Maddie.

“Father made Mother come today, even though she did not want to. I fear you will never hear an apology out of her mouth, but I would like to do just that. Please forgive me for just standing there. It was wrong of me to do so. Whether Mother likes it or not, I would be honored if you would allow us to be friends.”

She stopped talking and just stood and watched Maddie.

Maddie was absolutely shocked. “You would be honored?” The young woman nodded, causing Maddie to smile. “Well, so would I!” She glanced around looking for Mrs. Peabody. “I am sure your mother won’t like it, but I would love to be friends.”

With a bounce in her step, Maddie moved away to greet other guests.

 

 

 

~ Chapter 16 ~

 

 

A balmy breeze blew as Luke found Pastor Willett and asked him to bless the meal. “…For what we are about to receive, may we be truly thankful.”

After that there was utter pandemonium and people converged on the tables.

Afternoon sunlight beat down on them as the sound of laughing and talking muted as people sat and ate.

In time, as people moved away from the food tables, a few musicians tuned their instruments and men moved the much lightened food tables to the sides of an area designated for dancing.

It didn’t take long for couples to move with the lively music. Some of them formed squares and began the intricate process of twirls of the reel. Luke glanced toward Maddie. Did she like to dance? She’d turned him down cold the night of Sam’s wedding, but had that been because she just hadn’t wanted to be with him, because her father would have protested, or did she really not dance? He wasn’t very good himself, although he could hold his own with slow dances.

His ramrod approached. “Boss, the men want to know if’n it’s all right if they ask Mrs. Guylenhall to dance. Figgered I had best ask afore any of them did something stupid and upset you.”

Luke glanced over at Maddie again. The sight of her took his breath away. Then again, it usually did. How had he ever been so lucky as to wind up with a woman like her?

Standing on the fringe of the dancers, close to Kat and Aaron, she exuded confidence. Had all day, even though some of the people present had been less than gracious to her. But hopefully that was all in the past. He was proud of her. Not just for the party today, but for all she’d accomplished since coming here. If dancing would make her happy, who was he to say no? “That’s fine, Chet. Although from time to time I’ll be claiming a dance of my own.”

The man nodded. “Thanks, Boss. I will let the men know.”

He walked away and joined a cluster of men and nodded. Luke noted with a chuckle that the ramrod was the first man to ask her to dance.

At first she declined, then glanced Luke’s way. At his nod of agreement, she smiled and was quickly whirled out onto the grass. His ramrod swung her in his strong arms and they moved down the reel, heels and toes tapping to the music. She seemed to be having fun.

One man after another asked for her hand and she turned none of them down. She seemed relieved when he claimed his own dance.

The strains of a sweeping Viennese waltz echoed across the plains. “Oh, thank goodness. A slow dance! I fear I was ready to pass out from exhaustion.”

He moved her through the slower steps. “You do not have to accept each invitation, you know.”

Her eyes widened. “And embarrass one of your men? How can I say no to one when I have said yes to others? No, I shall do my best to stay on my feet as long as any of them ask me.” She sighed. “And it has been such a long time since I have danced. I have missed it.”

She continued like that through the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening as the sun dipped toward the mountains, stopping only long enough to gulp down some fresh squeezed lemonade. Around them, lanterns scattered around the area glowed in the twilight. Some of the guests started to take their leave. Pastor Willett and his wife were the first to depart.

“Thank you for the invite to a very enjoyable party.” He clasped Maddie’s hand within his own. “It was a huge success! Sandy and I had a wonderful time, but I must get home to read through my notes for the morning’s service.” He cocked a brow at them. “I do expect to see you there.”

Luke withheld a grin. “Wouldn’t miss it. You know we will be there. Then we will head to the aunts for our midday meal afterward. I think they look forward to that as much as we do.”

Birgit and Sven were close behind. “I need to get Lars to bed soon. He is starting to get cranky.” She hugged the baby closer. “I believe he has enjoyed being the center of attention today, but now sleep calls. He will probably fall asleep the instant Sven starts driving us home.”

Luke shook Swede’s hand and Maddie hugged Birgit. “We had such a delightful time today,” Birgit said enthusiastically. “I wish the town would find more reasons to have get-togethers.”

“Thank you for coming!” Luke and Maddie both called after them.

As soon as they left, Maddie was again swept into a raucous dance. A full moon soon bathed the yard.

Luke chuckled. Her prim and proper packaging was falling apart at the seams. Some of her dark curls had come loose and her face was flushed with exertion. He wondered if he should tell her that her hat was askew. It had actually lasted much longer than he’d anticipated.

A few people headed back to the food tables, while others continued dancing.

Luke tensed when he saw the younger brother of one of his men approach Maddie and ask for a dance. Joe noticed at the same time. “I am sorry, Boss. I’ll make him leave her alone.”

Luke held up his hand. “No. Let him be. Unless Maddie motions that somethin’ is wrong.”

 

Out on the dance grounds, Petey stood before Maddie. “May I have this dance, Miz Guylenhall?” A slight frown furrowed his brows for a moment. “Did I say that right? Just like my brother Joe did?”

She nodded and he stepped toward her, then stopped.

“Is something wrong, Petey?”

He bit his lower lip and a blush crept up his cheeks. “I don’t rightly know how to dance, ma’am. Didn’t think about that. Just looked like fun.”

She thought a moment. “Well, that is certainly a problem we can remedy. Why don’t we just stay on the edge of the dancers and I will show you a few steps? Then, if you decide you do like dancing, we can go out with the others during the next dance.”

His eyes widened. “You would do that? Dance with me twice?”

“Certainly, but this one is just practice.” She took his hand and stood to the side of other dancers who whirled and twirled in time to the music. “Watch me a minute, then do exactly what I do.”

She giggled as he watched her intently. “Watch my feet, Petey. You cannot learn the steps if you are watching my face.”

His eyes immediately shot to the ground.

After showing him a few steps, she said, “Put your arms up like you see the men out there dancing. He did and she stepped toward him.

Stomping his boots loudly on the ground, the gangly youth stumbled a few times and stepped on her feet a few others, but soon was able to move without too much physical damage to her feet.

He gave her a crooked grin. “I love you.”

This time Maddie was the one that stumbled. “Wh-what did you just say?”

“I love you.” His face exuded pure happiness.

Maddie bit her lip, edged back slightly, but continued to dance. She shifted her gaze to Luke. The heat of his return scrutiny brushed over her. He was the one she wanted to hear those words from. How had she gone and fallen in love with the infernal man?

“Well, I do not believe you can do that, Petey.”

“Aw shucks, Miz Guylenhall. Why not?” He frowned. “You are beautiful, and I really do love you.”

She gave him her sweetest smile. “Thank you for the lovely compliment, Petey, but I am married to Mr. Guylenhall. Since he is my husband, I do not think he would like you being in love with me.”

Petey nodded, but his shoulders slumped and he didn’t look happy. “Oh, I see.”

“But,” Maddie continued speaking with the crestfallen young man, “you and I can certainly be friends.”

His face lit up like one of the nearby lanterns. “Really, ma’am? You would be my friend?”

“I would be honored, Petey.”

“I been watching you when you work out in the garden sometimes while I am in the bunkhouse helpin’ Cookie.”

“Do you like to garden?”

A grin split his face. “I do, ma’am. Afore my ma died, she used to work in our garden at home. She showed me the difference atween weeds and the vegetables she had planted. Said she didn’t want me pullin’ up all her hard work.”

“That was very commendable of her.” She glanced over at Luke and saw him watching her. “Tell you what. If there are some days that Cookie or your brother have not given you specific chores to do while I am working in the garden, why don’t you come outside and help me? I could certainly use someone that knows the difference between vegetables and weeds. And it is always nice to have a friend to talk with.”

He let out a whoop and left her standing in the middle of the dance to run over to where his brother stood next to Luke. “Joe! Joe! Miz Guylenhall says I cain’t love her because Mr. Guylenhall won’t like that, but she says I can be her friend! And she said I can sometimes help her out in the garden if’n it is okay with you and Cookie! Can I Joe? Huh? Can I please help her?”

 

Joe darted his eyes between his brother’s animated face to Luke’s. Then out to where Maddie stood on the dance grounds watching them.

He swiped away a stray tear as he spoke to Luke in a low voice. “Not many people are very welcoming of someone who has problems like Petey does. I know his limitations. He tries so hard to be like everyone else, but that ain’t never gonna happen. Sometimes, try as he might, he is as slow as molasses in January. I do not know why the good Lord made him as he is, but He must have His reasons. And I know God loves Petey as much as he loves me. Mebbe more. Yet you let him stay here with me even though he is often not much help with what we do. And what your woman jes’ did was selfless. Makes her a saint in my book.”

“She is no saint, Joe, but I could not be prouder of her than I am right now. She never fails to amaze me.”

He told his younger brother, “Yes, Petey. You may be friends with Mrs. Guylenhall and can help her in the garden when she agrees to that. But you have to promise not to be a pest. Can you do that?”

Petey nodded repeatedly. “I can, Joe. I promise I can.” He focused his attention on Maddie who walked toward them. “Joe said I cain’t be a pest. I promise I won’t.”

As Joe wrapped his arm around his brother to head toward the bunkhouse, Petey pulled away. “Cain’t leave right now, Joe. Miz Guylenhall promised me a second dance.”

Luke and Joe both watched Maddie. With a nod she confirmed his statement. “I did. This first one was so he could practice a few steps. The next one will be our actual dance.”

Petey beamed as he walked with Maddie. Then he glanced back over his shoulder toward his brother. “She only danced with you once.”

After the dance was over, Joe put his arm around Petey’s shoulder and moved him toward the bunkhouse. Joe shifted his gaze toward Maddie and mouthed the words, ‘Thank you.’

She dipped her head in acknowledgement and kept walking toward Luke. She picked up her skirts to keep them from dragging as she went up the steps.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His beautiful, free-spirited, unpretentious wife. His woman, as Joe had called her. How he loved her. “You don’t know how proud you just made me. Most people consider Petey a nuisance. You made him feel important. For someone who’s challenged like he is, that makes all the difference in the world.”

He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, then reached up and removed her hat and brushed away a stray lock of hair that had fallen from its pins.

Her eyes held her unspoken question and he chuckled. “It has been crooked quite a spell.”

 

When Granny Mac walked over to say goodbye, Maddie gave her a heaping container of food to carry with her.

Granny’s eyes widened.

“There is far too much food left not to give some of it away,” Maddie enthused. “I do not want it to spoil.”

Granny shook her head and glanced toward the bunkhouse as she pulled a handkerchief from the sleeve of her dress to wipe away a tear. “As if any food would spoil with all those big, strappin’ men around.” She hugged Maddie and her glowering grandson helped her up into their wagon.

Maddie frowned. Misty had been a delight all day and helped with the Bonner children. Maddie couldn’t think of much good to say about Micah. He’d sat by himself and spent much of the afternoon glaring at people.

She didn’t have a good feeling about him, but what could she do? The boy was grown and listened to nothing she said to him.

She wouldn’t tell Luke, but after she’d fixed Misty’s hair, Micah had accosted her on the porch when Luke wasn’t in sight. “You tryin’ to make my sister somethin’ she ain’t? Leave us be. We don’t need the likes o’ you comin’ round.”

Was that a threat? Maddie hoped not. She wanted to help Granny Mac. And she really did want to learn how to bake those biscuits. For once, maybe she’d have something she could share with Kat.

Soon the last wagon pulled away. Maddie and Luke stood in the yard and waved. When they were out of sight, with Luke’s strong chest at her back, his muscular arms wrapped around her, Maddie collapsed against him.

“I am absolutely exhausted! But wasn’t the party a success? Oh, I am soooo happy.” A single, happy tear rolled down her cheek.

He tightened his arm around her. “I am sure you are tired. Other than when I insisted you sit to eat, I do not think you sat for a minute the entire day.” He squeezed. “Come, let us go inside. I’ll let the men take any of the remainin’ food to the bunkhouse—unless there’s somethin’ you particularly want for us.”

“Just some of the pork they roasted so I can use it in our meals this week if that is all right with you. Oh! And Mrs. McIntire’s chicken and dumplings, I think she called them, although there probably isn’t any of that left. It was delicious. I would love to try and make that one day.”

“After I get you inside and sittin’ in your comfy rocker, I will come out and check. Then I will head over and tell the men to gather everythin’ else. They will be pleased to have Cookie prepare somethin’ other than beans all the time. I will deal with the tables when we get home from church tomorrow. I am beat, too.”

The stars twinkled like diamonds in the black sky. As they walked inside, he bent his lips to her forehead. “It was an excellent day. As flawless as those stars above us in God’s heavenly masterpiece. Thank you.”

She hoped the smile in her eyes conveyed everything was perfect.

At this moment it certainly was.

 

The next time they went to town, Stan McAfee approached Luke. “Guylenhall, my wife wants Miz Maddie to help her. It’s her time.”

“I just saw Doc a few minutes ago.” He glanced down at Maddie, then toward Doc’s two-story house.

“I know he’s around, but the wife wants Miz Maddie.”

Maddie peered at him from beneath her lace-edged bonnet.

This was the first time someone had asked for her when Doc was around. Luke wasn’t certain how that would make Doc feel. He certainly didn’t want to offend the elderly man.

“Can you give me a minute while I talk with Doc? I jes’ don’t feel right not gettin’ his blessin’.”

The man spit a stream of tobacco into the dirt and nodded. “I’ll wait right here. Doc won’t mind.”

Luke hurried to Doc’s house and explained the situation. To his surprise, Doc smiled.

“I would be thrilled for any help your beautiful lady can give me. I am not a young man anymore, you know. Sister keeps naggin’ me about slowin’ down or quitting. Not quite ready to quit helpin’ folks yet, but I would be thrilled to relax a bit. You go back over there and fetch your wife. Knowin’ her, she is already champing at the bit to go help.” He chuckled. “If you don’t get back there soon, she will probably come stormin’ in here to see what the holdup is.

“Let her and Stan both know I am pleased for the help.” He escorted Luke to the door.

They burst out laughing when they saw Maddie stalking their way, a determined look clearly written all over her face.

Once again he’d spend his day waiting on Maddie while they awaited another man’s child.

When will it be my turn, Lord? He’d never fully realized how much he did, indeed, want children. His fear was she wouldn’t want them with him.

 

“Need your help, Luke.”

Luke’s eyes darted up from mending a fence in the north pasture when Matthew rode up. Seems like he’d just been out here repairing it the week before and part of it was down again. This time it appeared it had been helped. He wasn’t pleased at the prospect.

He’d been daydreaming about Maddie. He snorted. Who was he kidding? Thoughts of her intruded on his days often.

“What’s up?”

“Five scoundrels robbed the bank this mornin’, then hightailed it out of town. Do not want them to get too far ahead before a posse heads out after them. I got Jake back in town gathering some good men to round up the polecats. Want to come? The rest of the posse’ll catch up with us.”

Luke laid down his tools. “You got it. Let’s go. I’ll come back and fetch these later. Don’t want to wait until the trail’s cold.” He removed his hat, reached up and scratched his head. “Anyone hurt?”

Matt shook his head. “Nah. Thank the good Lord for that. ‘Cept maybe one of the robbers. Jeremiah thought he might have winged one of ‘em on their way out of town.

“Folks is gonna be mighty upset if we cannot reclaim their money. Heaven only knows, what little I got is all tied up in that bank. And I have been tryin’ to save up some money to get a house.”

“Know what you mean. I always try to keep a decent sum on hand at the ranch for emergencies, but the majority of our cash flow is tied up in town. Not sure what we’d do if we lost it all.” He placed his hat back on his head and jumped up on his horse. “Need me to gather any of the men? We can dash back to the house. Maybe I should warn Maddie.”

“Not right now. Let’s see how many men Jake rounded up.”

“Okay, then let’s go. I will follow you.”

 

Maddie had just put a loaf of bread in the oven to bake when a knock sounded at the door. Five men stood outside.

She started to greet them when she recognized one of the men—Granny Mac’s grandson. The hairs on the back of her neck rose.

“May I help you?” She tried to remain calm, not liking the look in the young man’s eyes. What was it about him that always set her senses on edge?

A man stepped forward, his eyes shadowed by the brim of his cowboy hat. “Yes’m. Heard you are the closest thing hereabouts to a doctor. My brother here’s been injured and we need you to help him.”

A young dark-haired man was being held up between two of the scruffy looking men. All the men had guns at their sides.

She didn’t step back to allow them entry. The man’s tone and his men’s gun-ready stance behind him warned this situation wasn’t as it seemed. Her nerves went on alert. But the boy needed help.

“What happened?”

“We was out huntin’, ma’am, and my brother accidentally stepped in front of one of our guns.” He looked crestfallen. Was she misjudging them needlessly? “Not the brightest of moves, but it weren’t done on purpose.”

“Oh, I am sorry to hear that, but I really won’t be able to help. I never handled a gunshot wound. I would not know what to do. Have you been to town?” She pointed. “Just head straight out that road and keep going.” She wanted to add that Micah could show them the way, but she was trying her best not to make eye contact with him. “Doc Turner will be able to help.”

“No’m, we haven’t. He is losin’ a lot of blood and the closest town is an hour away from here. Not sure he would last that long.”

“How did you hear about me?” It had to have been from Micah.

The man didn’t answer, but moved forward to push his way inside. “Don’t much matter, ma’am. You are all we got—and you are the one that is goin’ to remove that there bullet.”

He called out to one of the men still at the door. “Move the horses around back and do what ya gotta do.” He cocked his head outside.

Maddie didn’t like the sound of that. Fortunately, Granny Mac’s grandson was one of the men not to come inside at that order. He made her uncomfortable.

She tried to block the men’s paths, but they were far too strong and easily moved past her. The stench of unwashed bodies assailed her. She tried not to gag.

“I really have never performed a procedure like this. I would hate to do your brother more harm than good.”

He leveled his eyes on her. “Then you had best do your very best, ma’am, because if my brother dies, you die.”

God, help me! I never should have opened the door without peeking out to see who was outside. When will I ever learn?

Luke’ll be furious when he finds out. He’s talked about keeping a gun handy at all times and teaching me how to shoot to protect myself when he’s not here. I should have let him do that.

Two men continued to hold the injured man upright. “He is gettin’ heavy,” the stockier of the two said.

The brother’s gaze bore into her. “Where do you want him? He’ll like to die if he don’t get some carin’.”

She looked around the room. “The kitchen has the best light. Lay him on the table.”

The two men obliged, and the young man groaned as his friends laid him flat on the hard surface.

Her heart tugged at the sound, but something warned their story didn’t ring true. Still, she had little choice. As she’d been so rudely informed, she either removed the bullet with success or they planned to kill her!

No! Please, Lord. Don’t let my marriage end this way. I haven’t even told Luke I love him. And I do, Lord. Why didn’t I tell him a long time ago?

It had been a long time since she’d actually spoken to God. She’d quit when she’d thought He’d failed her when He didn’t save Atlanta. Luke kept telling her that even though she didn’t understand it, it was all part of God’s future plan.

She didn’t quite see that, but right now she was willing to trust her husband’s judgment. Maybe she’d been a bit too rash to give up on God so quickly. He certainly did seem to be looking out for her since she’d married Luke. Was that because He really loved her, or because He loved Luke?

Or both?

Ignoring the prickly fingers of fear running down her back, she moved to the stove and poured what water she had in the bucket into a pot to heat. She addressed the men. “Someone needs to go outside and get more water from the well. I don’t have enough inside and I will have to ensure the area is well cleaned. Otherwise, even if I am able to remove the bullet, infection could set in.”

The brother tipped his head and one of the men grabbed the empty bucket and headed outside grumbling.

“Thank you.”

The leader nodded. “What else?”

“I need to go into one of the other rooms to get clean linens. They will need to be torn into even strips—as even as you can get them anyhow. Same as with the area by the wound, the strips need to be clean to ward off infection. You can do that after you wash your hands.” She scrunched up her nose as she appraised the young man. “What you have on there now is filthy. Depending how long that has been there, you may have already sealed his fate and there will be little I can do.”

Her ire rose. “I would certainly hate to die for something you did to him before you got here!”

His glare told her she’d best keep her comments to herself.

“I need to get my medical bag as well.”

He motioned her forward. “Lead on, little lady. I will follow to make sure you get just what you need and don’t try any stupid tricks.”

Figures.

She grabbed the cloths and reached down to get the black medical bag from where she kept it on the floor beside the wardrobe. “Is he really your brother?”

The man nodded. “He is. Why I insist you save him. I should not have let him join us. He is too young.”

She grumbled, “Well at least that part of your story is true.”

A smirk tilted up the corner of his lips. “Feisty one, aren’t you?”

She didn’t return his leer. “I have been told that before. In far less flattering terms.”

She flounced out toward the kitchen. He followed close behind.

The water was beginning to boil.

She reached inside the medical bag and took out several instruments. She handed them to the man. “Put these forceps and hemostat inside the water. I am not sure which I shall need to use, but they need to be sterilized before I can go poking inside your brother.”

She tore off a strip of the cloth and dropped it into the kettle as well.

Then she returned her attention to the patient. “His shirt and that filthy wrap need to be removed. I will let you do that. Your men can tear the strips.” She motioned to the men doing nothing. “Make yourselves useful. It is going to be a long procedure.”

The leader glared. “Thought you said you hadn’t done this before.”

“I haven’t. Did not say I didn’t observe someone else do it. With the world falling down around us during the war, many honorable men needed assistance. I watched as they screamed while bullets were removed, while arms or legs were amputated —all without benefit of morphine.”

“Did they live?”

She shrugged. “Some did. Some didn’t. It was not up to us. It was up to God. Many times He chose not to listen to all the prayers being sent His way. Either that or He just decided to ignore them.”

“A Reb, huh? Your speech gives you away.”

She returned his glare tenfold. “And proud of it. I assume the likes of you fought for the Yanks—if you even had the guts to stand up and fight. Probably turned tail and ran when the fighting got tough.”

He straightened his spine and took a threatening step toward her and slapped her across the face. “Watch your mouth, missy. Never did like Johnny Rebs—even if they do wear a skirt.”

She shot him a look. “I am not very fond of you either, nor am I afraid of you.” Liar!

“You should be. Lest you forget, I hold your life in my hands.” He pointed his pistol right at her head.

“So you have said.” Forcing herself to breathe slowly and evenly, she fought the rising panic. “But lest you forget, you need me to get this bullet out.”

He lowered the pistol.

“Just do not get any ideas to hurt him worse than he already is.”

“My aim is to heal people. Killing them is undoubtedly your profession.”

He shook his head. “Dang, you have a mouth on you.”

“Again, so I have already been told. None of your complaints will do much to rattle me. I have heard them all before.” Many of them from my own father. Nothing hurts as much as that.

When the men had both the shirt and the bandage removed, Maddie stepped forward and surveyed the wound. She tore another strip and doused it with fresh water just brought in from the well. After she had the area clean, she’d cleanse it even more with the hot cloth.

After all her preparations were complete, she used a long metal tong to reach inside the boiling water to retrieve the pointed tools she’d often seen her father and other doctors use to remove embedded bullets during the war. She’d never foreseen a day she’d be called upon to use either of them herself.

She pointed to a nearby lantern. “Light that and hold it directly over the wound. It is bright in here, but not enough. I need to be able to see exactly what I am doing.”

The leader motioned to one of the men. “Do what she says.”

When the man held it over the wound, Maddie said, “Move it a little to the right. It is glaring right where I need to see.”

He did as she instructed and she leaned forward and started to probe. The young man jerked and groaned.

Oh, God. Please! Are You really there? I cannot do this. If I ever needed You before, I need You now. Please don’t let this young man die because I foolishly walked away from You. He needs You. She uttered a guttural sigh. I need You.

She glanced to the other man standing negligently against a wall. “Hold him down. I cannot have him jerking around while I am digging inside his chest.” She glanced upward. “Please, God, let there be no major organs damaged.”

She motioned to his brother. “Find something to put between his teeth so he can bite down on it. Then pray he passes out so he does not feel what I am about to do. It won’t be pretty, but there is no help for it. He is going to suffer. I have no pain medicaments.” She shot the brother a pointed glare. “You needed Doc for that.”

She dug again, only to find no bullet. She eased the young man over to look at his back. “No exit wound. The bullet has to still be inside. Why can I not find it? Definitely deeper than I had hoped.”

A gun was pressed to her temple and the sound of a snick echoed through the room. Terror gripped her as she fought to quell the panic building inside of her.

She stepped away from the table to breathe deeply and covered her eyes with both hands. Then opened them and stepped forward again. “All right. Let’s do this.”

After a few more probes, she let out a whoop. “I found it! Now I just have to try to position this contraption around the bullet just right so it comes out whole when I try to extract it.”

In. Out. In. Out. She breathed, forcing herself to relax. Never took her eyes from the area where the bullet was lodged. “Please do not let it have shattered.” God, are You there?

The wounded man’s brother drew a quick intake of breath and moved closer to the table again. His dirty denims and weather-worn chaps brushed against her.

Maddie met his eyes. “Do not crowd me. I need room.”

“And I need to know you ain’t gonna hurt my brother!” He squeezed his hand around her throat, cutting off her air.

Through her haze of fear and pain, her bloodied hand pulled against his fingers. Overpowering fear lent her a greater strength and she was finally able to release his hand. She drew in breath after ragged breath and bent over, one hand holding her chest, the other holding her stomach.

“You are a fool! Your actions today already did that,” she said when she could speak. “Whatever you were doing, somehow I doubt you were hunting. If you were, you were illegally on peoples’ land doing so. Now back up! And don’t touch me again!”

With his eyes sending one last unspoken threat, he backed away from the table.

“And thanks to your imprudent behavior, now I have to find that blasted bullet again!”

The click of his revolver resounded through the room. At least it wasn’t pressed against her head this time. She couldn’t focus on that now. If she made one wrong move, the young man on the table might die. And though she’d made some really ill-advised moves in her life, she did not want to be responsible for someone else’s death.

She released another whoop when she retracted the instrument and the bullet remained pinched between the two sharp points.

She sagged forward against the table. “I did it. I did it. Oh, thank you, God!”

Tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t stop them. This time God had heard and answered her prayers. He was listening. Just as Luke and Kat kept saying.

She walked to the new pie safe Luke had brought home for her the week before and drew out the bread she’d made the day before. Going to the stove, she poured a bit of milk from the bucket she’d gotten from Old Bossie this morning to heat it. When she thought it warm enough, she poured it over the bread she’d torn into pieces and mixed them together.

Suddenly she rushed to the stove. “The bread!” she shouted. “I forgot about the bread I was baking.” She pulled it out and fumed, shot a glare at the leader. “It is burned. You ruined it!”

She set it aside and walked back to the bread and milk mixture.

“What are you doing?” the brother grumbled, walking close.

“Trying to keep infection from setting in. I am making a bread and milk poultice. Back off so I can work.”

She neared the pantry and prayed she still had cheese cloth. Placing some on the counter, she pushed the milk moistened bread on to the cloth and wrapped it around it before taking it over to the wounded man.

She took another strip of cloth and dunked it in the nearby water, once again cleansing the young man’s chest of blood. Her father had repeatedly stressed the importance of cleanliness. Although not all physicians agreed on the topic yet, Maddie thought her father was on to something and fully agreed.

Thankfully, the young man had passed out before she removed the bullet. Please don’t let me have nicked something vital while I dug around. She pressed the bread and milk poultice onto the wound, then grabbed hold of the remaining clean cloth and tore it into strips.

“Help me wrap these around him. I need you to lift him from the table so I can bind his chest. I need to wrap it completely around him to do that.”

Finally she finished. “There. I am done. You may take him with you now.”

The leader laughed. “I don’t think so, missy. We do not know that he is out of the woods yet.”

Granny Mac’s grandson and a fifth man entered the door. The leader watched them. “Is it done?”

They nodded. “Didn’t know what hit ‘em.”

Maddie’s eyes widened. No! The men in the bunkhouse. Please don’t let them be harmed.

And where was Luke? Please don’t let him walk in on this. Keep him safe, Lord. I love him so much.

She had no idea what time it was. Would he be in from the range soon? He’d headed right back out to work after finishing dinner. She had no idea how much time had passed.

Micah glared at her, a smirk covering his face. “Told you she could get the bullet out.”

She stared him down, refusing to cower in front of him. She’d sensed something wasn’t quite right with him. He’d been too belligerent the last two times she’d seen him. Why oh why hadn’t she said something to Luke?

Because I am too proud, that’s why. Always want to do things myself instead of asking for help. Well, look where that had gotten her.

Would Luke come home to find her dead body sprawled on the floor?

She pointed toward one of the doors. “That is a small bedroom. Now that the bleeding’s stanched, and if you are really refusing to go away, you might as well move him in there. At least he will be a bit more comfortable when he awakens. I do not have anything to give him for pain though. As I said, you needed to have gone to Doc for that.”

She pulled in her lower lip with her teeth. “I help birth babies. I don’t remove bullets.”

Micah shot her a look. “That did not stop you from meddlin’ with Granny. I told you to back off, but no, a few days later here you show up again. Expectin’ my granny to show you how to bake biscuits. Biscuits of all things! You probably cared less about those biscuits. You just wanted to meddle in our lives.”

“Meddle? Your grandmother is alive because I meddled! Not that you cared enough to come get me when she was so sick. Your sister did. At least she cares about your granny, who is one of the kindest, most thoughtful women I ever met. She sacrificed most of her life to protect and raise you. When is the last time you actually appreciated or thanked her? Not that you care about all she does for you. You just take, take, take. Can you imagine how she is going to feel when she hears what you have done here today?”

He snorted a laugh. Flat out laughed in her face, obviously enjoying her discomfort. “And how is she gonna find out? You won’t be alive to tell her.”

She quickly confronted the leader. “You said—”

He shrugged and turned his gun on her. “Guess I lied.”

Nearly overcome by fatigue and fear, her shoulders slumped. She moved to sit in her rocking chair. “There is nothing more for me to do. If you will excuse me, I would prefer to be a bit more comfortable until you decide it is time to end my life.”

 

 

 

~ Chapter 17 ~

 

 

Luke and Matt headed toward the house. “Join us for supper tonight before you head back to town. Maddie probably has it about ready.”

“Thanks,” Matt said. “Don’t mind if I do.” He kicked a stone in the dirt in front of him as he walked. “I hate we did not catch them varmints. I really thought we would find them. Couldn’t have been far behind them. But it looks like they got clean away. What am I gonna tell the people about the money? Some of them will never survive a monetary shock like this. I would hate to see people have to move away because they lost their homes.”

Luke stopped as they approached the front yard. Put his hand out to stop Matt. “Somethin’s wrong.”

Matt looked around. “What? I don’t see anything.”

“Exactly. There’s nothin’. This time of day there is always noise, some activity. No Maddie singin’ at the top of her lungs while she is cookin’. No smilin’ face peerin’ out the kitchen window watchin’ for me to come home. No one from the bunkhouse stirrin’.

“Nothin’.”

Matt immediately went on alert. He searched the ground around them. Didn’t look pleased when he stood. Lowered his voice to talk. “Area’s been swept with a branch. Someone is here—or been here recently. I don’t like it.”

Luke motioned him toward the bunkhouse. “Go see if some of the men can help. I’ll go inside like nothin’s wrong.”

“Be careful, Luke. They could be inside.”

“I know. You, too. If someone i’s here, they could be anywhere, which is exactly what I am afraid of. Right now my priority is finding Maddie.”

Matt nodded. “Your woman is strong, Luke. She is smart. Capable. Most important, she is a fighter.” Without another word, he slipped away and hugged the shadows as he edged his way to the bunkhouse.

His heart in his throat, Luke neared the house. Despite what he’d said about finding Maddie, he knew without doubt that she was in their house. He couldn’t shake the unease. How dangerous was the situation inside?

How to alert Maddie he was here? He started to whistle a tune, then called out, something he never did. “Hey, Darlin’. I’m home. Be in as soon as I get these boots off. Don’t want you takin’ off my head for gettin’ mud on your rug.” He quickly checked the chamber of his revolver. Slipped his secondary in the waistband of his jeans and pulled out his shirt. He didn’t know how long he could keep that gun hidden in case they took away his revolver, but he had to try.

With growing apprehension he opened the door, pasting a smile on his face. Inside he seethed. Some stranger stood near Maddie with a knife at her neck.

Luke’s blood boiled with an anger he’d rarely known. Not even during the war.

He raised his hands, as if in surrender. “Whoa! What is goin’ on?” His eyes met Maddie’s. “Maddie, love. Are you all right?”

She tried to nod, but stopped when the knife blade nicked her skin.

Luke saw red! If he could tear out the man’s throat right then and there, he’d do it. Calling forth all his military training, he schooled his features to calm.

“Howdy, Mr. Guylenhall. Fancy meetin’ you here.” Micah’s face creased into a sneer. The disheveled youth leaned negligently against one of the walls. Appeared he hadn’t bothered to shave in a few days. Lazy? Or trying to look older for those around him? “Didn’t think you’d be home fer a spell yet. Heard tell you were out repairing the fence line on the north range. Wouldn’t want any of them steers to escape—or be led away by rustlers.”

“Micah.” Luke dipped his head in recognition. “Thought we had been missin’ a few head over the past few weeks. You know anythin’ about that?”

The boy harrumphed. “Wouldn’t tell you if I did.”

“No, I am sure you would not.” Luke looked around the room, straightened to his full height. “Who’s in charge here?”

The man holding the knife on Maddie spoke. “That would be me.”

“Would you mind releasin’ my wife?”

The man gave a dismissive laugh. “As a matter of fact, I would. She is the perfect insurance to get us out of here safely,” he drawled sarcastically.

Luke scanned the room. “And why are you here in the first place?”

“My younger brother had the misfortune to get shot today. Your little lady here dug the bullet out of him.”

Luke quirked a brow. “She has more talent than I realized. Usually she sticks to helpin’ babies be born.”

Maddie shot him an apologetic look. At least he thought that’s what it was supposed to be. Hard to tell with a knife pressed against her throat.

She looked like she was going to try to say something. He silenced her with the tiniest shake of his head. Cold, drenching reality showered over him like ice water and he clenched a fist. With the odds five to one, there wasn’t much he could do to save his wife. But he’d die trying to do just that.

Where in blazes is Matt? If he doesn’t get in here soon with some reinforcements, I’m not sure what’s gonna happen.

He tried to reassure Maddie with his eyes. From the look of fear on her face, he wasn’t doing a very good job.

“You mind lettin’ my wife come over here and kiss me? If you plan to eliminate both of us before your departure, I’d be obliged to get one last kiss from her.” He offered a deprecating smile. It was a stalling tactic, but it was the best he could do. “Call me sentimental.”

The leader lowered the knife a fraction.

“No!” Micah shouted. “Don’t fall for that trick. Send her over to me. I’ll make good and certain Miss High-and-Mighty behaves. She interfered in my granny’s life one too many times.”

Disgust emanated from the leader’s every pore. “I told you before we got here to leave her alone. Your manhandling every woman you see has grown wearisome.”

The boy pulled out his gun, cocked the trigger, and pointed it at the leader. “Don’t you talk to me like that! Don’t ever talk to me like that again.”

“Or you will what?” The man sneered, lowering the knife from Maddie’s neck completely.

“I’ll kill you!”

The leader pushed Maddie out of the way as he faced off with Micah. She stumbled, but quickly regained her footing.

“Try it and see what happens.”

Luke didn’t need a second opportunity. He moved between her and the weapons, instinctively shielding her. He grabbed and shoved her behind him, out of the range of fire should it become necessary. He didn’t turn to look, but he thought it sounded like she stumbled to the floor.

Blast! He hadn’t meant to hurt her. He was trying to do just the opposite!

He thought she scooted under the kitchen table just as the bedroom door flew open.

The sound of shotguns being cocked caught everyone’s attention as men burst into the room. Matt stood with his rifle pointed at them while two ranch hands held up the wounded patient. Simultaneously, the front door burst open and men rushed inside with guns pointed at the bank robbers. Joe, who’d been cut across the side of his forehead, cocked the hammer on his short-barrel double-barreled shotgun. Chet was right behind him.

“Now, boys,” Matt drawled, “you’ve gone to a lot of trouble to keep this here young man from dyin’. I would suggest you throw down your guns before I lose my temper and shoot him just out of meanness.” He looked at them without a shred of compassion. “Thanks to your bank escapade this morning, it has been a long and tiring day. And at this point I am mighty grumpy.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Oh yeah, and one more thing. A promise. By hook or by crook I mean to return that money you took to its proper owners—the bank for the proud people of this town. If it is not in your saddle bags, you had best be telling me where it is quick like. You won’t like the consequences if you don’t.”

The bank robbers swore.

The injured man groaned.

One robber made move to shoot the sheriff.

“Don’t do it, boy. I am not in a generous mood.” Matt narrowed his eyes and pointed his gun directly at the man’s midsection. “Heard tell gut shots are extremely painful. If ya’ll try to shoot your way out of here, your lives won’t be worth a confederate dollar. Only two ways this can go, boys—dead or alive. Unless you cooperate, the only way you are getting out of here is in a box. I suggest you choose wisely.”

After one last glance at their leader and back to the wounded man, clearly chewing on what their next move should be, the robbers threw down their guns.

All except Granny Mac’s grandson. He glared at Matt with unbridled hatred. “That tin star don’t give you the right to shoot us down like animals.”

“When you behave like one, threaten and rob innocent people, it does.”

Like a coiled snake ready to strike, Micah swung his gun directly at Matt. The sheriff proved faster. Before Micah could pull the trigger, Matt shot.

Surprise filled Micah’s eyes before he fell to the ground.

Matt grumbled. “Now why’d you go and do something dumb like that?”

Maddie screamed. “No! Granny Mac! What will Granny Mac do?”

Luke bent to help Maddie up from the floor. “He wouldn’t have been around after today anyhow, love. He would be in the calaboose. Would have been sent away to a federal prison after the territorial marshal got here. These men”—he tipped his head toward them—“robbed the bank in town earlier today.” He nodded toward Matt. “It is why he is here. We were out with the posse searchin’ for them. Never dreamed they would be in my own house.”

 

Men sprang into action and gathered the guns from the floor. Prisoners were quickly tied and escorted outside. Two men from the bunkhouse lifted Micah and tied him over his horse so his body could be taken back for burial in the town’s local bone orchard—unless Granny Mac wanted him brought out to her property. That might actually be the best thing.