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Sleep fled when something moved up and down Sarah’s arm.
“You need to wake up and get dressed. The men’ll be ready to leave in a few minutes.”
Sarah opened her eyes.
Melody stood by the bed. “Mac said to let you sleep as long as you could. He said you weren’t used to traveling on a hard wagon seat all day.” She rested her fist on her hip. “I know what he means. On the few times we’ve gotten to go to Denver, I couldn’t wait to get there. All that bouncing.” She walked back to the door. “I’ll have breakfast ready when you get dressed, but you need to hurry.”
By the time the freighters pulled out thirty minutes later, Sarah felt she had been through a whirlwind. Hurrying to get dressed, rushing through breakfast, hugs and kisses and promises to come visiting again. Yet all the time, something kept nagging at the back of her mind, something just out of reach.
The mules plodded along the dirt road. The sun blazed down on them. She snuck peeks at Thorn, but he didn’t notice. If the look on his face were any indication, he was caught in some dark thoughts. Fortunately, Tair kept sticking his big head with those sorrowful eyes between her and Thorn, begging for attention.
So she talked to Tair, teased him, and ruffled the fur between his floppy ears, all the time keeping an eye on Thorn. He spoke once when he pointed out the stage stop a few miles from Melody’s place. Sarah still had vague memories of stopping there on the way to Central City several months before. After that, he lapsed back into silence. But bit by bit, the man seemed to work through whatever was bothering him, and by noontime he was in a more talkative mood.
After they ate and let the mules rest a while, they started out again.
“We should get into Denver close to suppertime. Maybe have time for a bath and clean clothes. I’ve got a place I’d like to take you to eat. Think you’ll like it. I always eat there.” Thorn snapped the reins.
“Oh, Thorn, I just had an idea. If we have time, I’d like to stop by a bakery or two, maybe a small café, and talk to the owners. See what it costs to get a place up and running.”
“You thinking of Helen?”
Excitement bubbled up in Sarah’s heart. For a few weeks, she had forgotten her promise to help Helen get a business of her own. But after watching the freighters devour those cinnamon rolls and praise the cook, she knew she needed to do something to help make that dream come true.
While they traveled, Sarah thought about the questions she wanted to ask, then pulled out her pencil and paper to write them down. When the sun drew closer to the tops of the mountains in the west, she realized Thorn hadn’t said anything in a long time. She put her pencil and paper back in her reticule and chanced a glance at him.
He wore the same quiet, almost troubled look he’d had when they had started out. Even Tair seemed to sense his distress and rested his head against Thorn’s shoulder.
He had helped her out so many times when she was worried or upset. Could she help him now? “Thorn, is something the matter? You look...I don’t know exactly what...upset, worried, something.”
His grip on the reins tightened, then he let out a deep breath. “I wasn’t sure if I should bring it up.” He glanced sideways at her. “I was just wondering if you have those nightmares real often. It’s been a while since your husband died and all.” He turned his head back so he could watch the road.
Where there had been excitement filling her moments before, the bristles came out. How dare he think that what she had endured could be glossed over in a few months? He had no idea what she had gone through. She gripped the wooden seat, ready to tell him to mind his own business.
“The reason I ask is that I knew a woman who’d been hurt really bad.” The muscles of Thorn’s throat shifted as if he had trouble swallowing. “She was a strong woman. But she didn’t want to live after that. There were people who loved her, but that didn’t matter.” He shrugged as if it didn’t matter, but judging from the waves of agony flowing from him, it mattered a great deal. “I’m just trying to understand why she did what she did. We—we found her hanging in the barn.”
The bristles melted into a puddle of mush. Tears Sarah wouldn’t let fall rolled down inside her. Her lips moved but no words came out. She clenched and unclenched her fists, then wiped her hands on her skirt. This was hard, so hard, to talk to someone about, but for the other woman, for the brutality she had to endure, Sarah had to speak.
“I was only sixteen when I was sold into marriage. I had only seen the stranger once before the day my grandfather told me I had to marry the man.” The memory of her fear, her pain, rolled over her. “If I didn’t, Grandfather said he would send Drew out on a merchant ship as a crew member, a cabin boy. Drew was only ten, a boy, still reeling from the sudden loss of our parents and being ripped from the only home he had ever known. Grandfather told me not all the crew survived, and those who did survive always joined their crew members at brothels and bars when they got shore leave.”
She struck her right fist against her left palm. “Silly, naïve fool that I was then, I believed him. After all, he was my grandfather, even if he treated me horribly. Also, I didn’t know that he wanted someone to carry on his name and the banking empire he’d built. All as a monument to the great man that he thought he was. I know now he would never, ever have carried out that threat, but at the time I didn’t...” She shrugged. “All I knew was that I couldn’t let my little brother face that kind of life.”
Even to her own ears, her voice had grown harsh and hate-filled. She pulled away when Thorn’s hand rested on hers.
“Rose, ye needn’t go on if it’s too painful.”
She stared at the only man other than Drew who had shown her any kindness in more years than she could remember. For that, for him, she would do what she could to help. And in some way, it was helping her. Some of the stone around her heart chipped away with the words. The tomb where her heart lay, shriveled and cold—at least as far as men were concerned—didn’t seem so black anymore.
With a twist of her hand, her palm nestled against his. She gave his hand a short squeeze, then withdrew it and shifted on the seat.
He nodded and gripped the reins with both hands.
“What I was trying to say is that I was young, ignorant of the world, and had been protected by my parents until their deaths. Suddenly I found myself married to a rich man who wanted a young woman, a brood mare, to give him a son to replace the rebellious one he had.”
A bitter laugh burst from her lips. “The irony was that my husband also was a drunkard and abusive when he drank. And in those drunken rages, he killed my three unborn children.”
She realized she’d leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her middle, as if she were trying to roll up into a ball. Pulling her shoulders back, she sat straighter. “What I am trying to tell you is that I wasn’t strong like the woman you knew. I—I lost all hope. I didn’t die, even after his beatings. I didn’t die, so I survived. I just survived for years and years until the day an angry woman fed poisoned eggs to my husband for forcing himself on her innocent daughter, then denouncing her and their child.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek, but she blinked time and again to keep the rest at bay. “So you see, I don’t know if I can help you understand how a strong woman couldn’t deal with a brutal attack. I wasn’t strong. I just survived. For thirteen years, I barely survived.”
Thorn sat silent for long minutes. His jaw grew tighter and tighter. At last, he took a deep, deep breath and let it out in a gust. “Sarah Rose, you are the strongest woman I’ve ever met. And for as long as we’re married, I’m proud to call you my wife. I’m proud of the woman you are.”
Now she couldn’t stop the tears. She shifted so Thorn couldn’t see her wipe them from her eyes. Since she was sixteen, the men in her life had called her vile and demeaning names, had used and abused her, had counted her as having less worth than the cur dogs that nobody wanted.
Nobody had ever said they were proud of her. The tomb where her heart lay opened to the light of his words.
***
Mac couldn’t think of anything else to say to his Rose. He hadn’t realized her torment had gone on for so long. How had she survived it and come out as loving as she was? He had seen her with Emma, how protective she was of Drew, how kindly she dealt with Helen.
He didn’t know where his search for his brother-in-law would lead him, but he would always be thankful he had met Rose.
Sarah Rose fell asleep against his shoulder like she had the day before, and the rest of the trip passed in relative silence. And for that he was thankful. His mind was full of things he couldn’t talk about to her.
Two years ago, he thought he had everything a man could want. A loving wife, three beautiful daughters, family nearby, the ranch they all worked, a faith in God. And now he had nothing but a scrap of paper hanging around his neck and a hunt for a man he might never find.
Was it all worth it? Couldn’t he go back home and take care of his girls, work the ranch? He could watch everything that he did so he wouldn’t cause the problems, whatever they were between him and Lizzie. Maybe that way, they wouldn’t come between him and his daughters?
He shook his head. A disgusted sigh burst from his lips. That wouldn’t work. He had tried that for the first six months after they buried Lizzie. The girls grew scared of the way he acted when the anger over Lizzie’s choice got the better of him. They started asking if they could stay with Grandda and Granny. That’s when he knew he had to find Hank.
The weight of Rose’s head against his shoulder felt good. What was the difference between Lizzie and Rose that one would live and one chose to die?
The only thing he was sure of was that he would protect this woman beside him from all dangers, Waller, Snodgrass, or himself. No matter what else happened, he would protect her.
When they entered the outskirts of Denver, Mac wiggled his arm to wake her. She sat up and yawned, then worked the wrinkles out of her dress.
“We haven’t talked about where we’re staying tonight.” Mac glanced down at her. “I usually stay with my cousins. Is that all right with you?”
Sarah Rose stopped straightening her clothes. “I thought we’d be spending the night at a hotel. There was a very nice one Drew and I stayed at when we came from Boston.”
“In the last few months since you’ve been in Central City, Denver has grown. Hundreds of settlers and men who’ve left their families behind have moved in. The place where my cousin lives is on the edge of town.” He smiled at her. “I always stay in the barn. You’ll be able to share a room with Duncan’s two daughters. That’s what my sister does when she comes. They’re used to family coming all the time. Remember the eighty-one cousins.”
Sarah Rose relaxed. “Thank you. That’ll be fine.”
The next morning, Mac turned in the order to his supplier so that it would be ready early the next day, then left his wagon and rented a buggy. He’d been surprised that Sarah Rose agreed with his suggestion that he go with her to the lawyer’s office.
While they rode through the streets of Denver, Mac couldn’t help but notice how straight and stiff Sarah sat, like someone had slipped his granny’s wooden ironing board down her dress. Or how she kept twisting her gloved fingers together in her lap. Was she ashamed of the way they looked, a lady and a freighter?
He couldn’t help but notice how the businessmen were dressed. He didn’t have to look down at himself to know what he looked like in his work clothes instead of a suit. There wasn’t time to get one before they got to the law office, even though he had the money for it, thanks more to the ranch than the freighting business. But none of that mattered now. They didn’t have time to go shopping before the appointment.
When they pulled up in front of the law office, Mac glanced at his dusty pants, then turned to her. “If you would rather have me stay out here with the buggy, I understand.”
Her hands stopped fidgeting. “Don’t you want to go with me?”
“If that’s what you want, but I didn’t come dressed for a business appointment.” He pointed to his clothes.
“Oh, pash. That doesn’t matter.”
“You seem unsettled. I thought maybe...my clothes—”
“I’m just nervous about what could be so important that he would need to see me here.”
Mac covered her fists with his hand. “Relax. What’s the worst your lawyer could tell you?”
Sarah Rose’s face grew tighter and paler. “I fear it’s something concerning my grandfather. And if it is, it could be worse than anything you could imagine in five lifetimes. That man is pure evil. All he lives for is money and his legacy. People don’t matter. They are to be used and thrown away.”
***
When they entered Mr. Williams’ law office, Sarah introduced Thorn as her husband.
Mr. William, elderly and portly, shook hands with Thorn, then smiled, at least as much as the lawyer ever did. “Good. Mrs. Greer...Excuse me, Mrs. MacPherson will need someone strong by her side, especially now.”
Sarah tightened her grip on her reticule. Her spine snapped a little straighter. “Mr. Williams, I don’t need—”
The lawyer held up his hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect. Please have a seat. Let me explain what happened.”
Sarah wanted to stay strong, but a horrible dread settled on her. Something bad was coming, and she wouldn’t be able to stop it. She needed to hold onto something, something that would help her stay grounded against the bad news.
Thorn folded his arms, and she twisted her own fingers together to keep from grabbing his hand and clinging like some weak female.
And then her hands were covered by rough warmth as Thorn’s hand slid over hers. She couldn’t look at him, but she gave a tiny nod of thanks. His fingers tightened for a moment, then loosened and remained resting on hers.
“Mrs. MacPherson, I have sources in your grandfather’s household and also around Central City, like you requested.”
Sarah sensed rather than saw Thorn glance at her. Would he understand just how much she still needed to protect herself?
Mr. Williams must have seen Thorn’s reaction for he paused and looked from her to Thorn and back. Seeming satisfied with what he saw, he started again. “Mr. Carlyle reports there is nothing new in Central City now that Pete Waller seems to have left town.”
He cleared his throat. “But things have changed in Boston, according to this report from your lawyer there. It seems your grandfather invested heavily in some schemes that didn’t work out. He lost a great deal of money. In order to pay off those debts, he had to borrow some funds. Word got out, and rumors, mostly exaggerated, spread like chaff in the wind. Soon there were runs on the banks he owned.”
Mr. Williams mopped his brow with a handkerchief. He gave her a steady gaze. “He probably could have survived all that on the strength and fear of his reputation alone, if not for the stroke.”
Sarah gripped Thorn’s hand and held tight. “Is he dead?”
The lawyer shook his head. “The doctor said he’ll survive, although he seems paralyzed on one side and is bedridden, at least for now. Also, your Boston lawyer informs me that they are about to foreclose on his house.”
Sarah stood and paced the floor. Thoughts and memories flooded her mind. She tried to sort them out, the good from the bad. Although she had not lived in that house very long, she associated her grandmother and father with it. And even with her house in Central City, the place she thought of as home was that large house in Boston. She knew she would never set foot in it again, but it was the family home, and it held some of the family treasures she would love to have—her grandmother’s portrait and personal possessions, the family Bible that listed all the generations before her, and several portraits of her father. If the price of getting those things meant helping Grandfather, so be it.
She stopped in front of Mr. Williams’ desk. “Please send word by Pony Express to my lawyer in Boston and have him purchase the house with all its contents. In years to come, I may want to sell it, but for now I’ll keep it in the family. Grandfather may continue to live there. I’ll pay for the upkeep and three servants. I’ll send you a list of family things, like my grandmother’s portrait and the family Bible, that are in the house. I’d like to have those things shipped to Central City. Good day.”
She needed to get out of the office. Too many thoughts buzzed through her head. Emotions she didn’t want to feel tugged at her head, her heart, her stomach. A crack started somewhere deep inside of her, and she didn’t like it. It wasn’t that she wanted her grandfather dead. She just wanted him out of her and her brother’s lives. She wanted to be free of his control. She wanted Drew free of him. But she never wanted him dead.
Thorn stood as she turned to leave.
“Wait a moment, Mrs. MacPherson.” The lawyer hurried across the room. “There is another matter I need to discuss with you. This one concerns your life in Central City.”
Sarah paused and looked over her shoulder. “What else?”
“Please, have a seat. It won’t take long.” Mr. Williams gestured toward the chair.
She took her seat once more. This time Thorn stood behind her, his hand on her shoulder.
Mr. Williams looked a bit uncomfortable as he fiddled with the collar of his jacket. “Ah, that is, Mr. Carlyle’s sources report to him that it seems Mr. Snodgrass has been heard to say he plans to force you to”—He glanced at Thorn, then returned his attention to her—“marry him one day soon.”
Sarah couldn’t hold back a small, unladylike snort. “I’m already married. And even if I weren’t, I’d never marry that man. Next to Grandfather, he is the most evil man I’ve ever known.”
“Be that as it may, remember your grandfather is now penniless, his fortune gone.” Mr. Williams tapped the papers in front of him on the desk. “I doubt anyone has had time to express the news concerning your grandfather’s reverse in fortune to Mr. Snodgrass. When he does learn of it, please, be careful around him.” He lifted his gaze to her husband. “As should you.”
He held Thorn’s gaze a moment longer, then looked at her. “Snodgrass may be more determined than ever to get his hands on your fortune, through fair means or foul.” He cleared his throat. “I’m just trying to prepare you.”
“Do you have any idea how quickly he might be notified?” Sarah slipped the straps of her reticle over her wrist. When the lawyer shook his head, she stood. “Will that be all?”
Mr. Williams rose and came around the desk. “I wish I had better news for you, Mrs. MacPherson, but I’m glad to know that you have Thorn by your side. He’s a good man with a fine reputation.”
Sarah wasn’t sure which shocked her more, that Mr. Williams already knew her husband or that he called him by his given name as if they’d known each other for years. She glanced from one man to the other. “I didn’t know you knew each other.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve known Thorn and his family since they moved to the area several years ago. Haven’t done business with him though, since one of his cousins, Duncan MacPherson, is a lawyer here in town and he handles all their legal matters.”
“Oh!” She looked at Thorn, who stood still as a statue, expressionless. She turned back to Mr. Williams. “I’ve met Duncan and his family. As a matter of fact, we are staying with them.”
“Good, good. Well, if you need anything of me, just send word. As always, I am at your service.” Mr. Williams tipped his head and shook hands with Thorn.
With this talk of protection, an idea popped into Sarah’s thoughts. “Oh, wait, one more thing. The business situation in Central City will affect my brother’s reputation. Using my funds, could you do whatever is needed to protect the people Stanley might try and swindle in my grandfather’s name, without using my name, of course?”
A rare grin slid across Mr. Williams’ face. “I’ll handle it right away, very discreetly.”
Sarah smiled in return. The lawyer understood her need for protection through control. Would that be enough protection against Stanley? If not, the weight of the gun in her reticule reassured her that she had other protection, if she needed it.