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A little while later, Sarah carried Emma down the hall. It was interesting how no one had made the decision, but after Helen’s attack, everyone continued eating in the kitchen instead of using the dining room across from the parlor.
She entered the kitchen. Thorn sat at the table, talking to Drew and Helen.
Sarah’s heart beat a little faster.
Emma clapped her hands. “Dada. Dada.”
“I got in while you were gone.” Thorn took the little girl and kissed her on the cheek. “Planned on being back last night, but had trouble with a wheel.”
Sarah touched his shoulder. “I’m glad you made it in time to eat with us.”
Everyone sat, and Judith placed roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans in the center of the table. Helen offered a prayer of thanksgiving, then Judith pulled the hot rolls from the oven. As they filled their plates, banging sounded at the front door.
Sarah set the gravy boat on its saucer. “Who could that be?”
Judith left the kitchen and headed down the hall. There was silence in the room as everyone waited to see who had interrupted Sunday dinner.
Moments later, Stanley, his face flushed and his eyes narrowed, pushed his way into the kitchen. “Sarah, I need to speak with you.”
“Stanley, as you can see, we have just sat down to eat. If you wish, you may join us. When we’re done, we can talk.”
“I need to speak with you now.” He stressed the last word and paused for a moment. “If we don’t speak, you‘ll regret it.”
Thorn stood, dropping his napkin on the table. He took a couple of steps closer to the red-faced man. “I’m sure you didn’t mean for that to sound like a threat, right, Snodgrass?”
Stanley’s lips twisted into a terrible sneer. “I’m not threatening anyone, but I will speak to Sarah.”
Warmth filled Sarah’s heart at Thorn’s protective stance. She stood and placed her hand on Thorn’s arm. He had no idea how treacherous it could be to cross Stanley unless one had prepared beforehand. “Let me get this unpleasantness over with so we can enjoy our meal.”
Thorn clenched his jaw as he glared at her.
She patted his arm and smiled. “Thorn, would you please join us in the parlor?”
“What I have to say is to you. We don’t need him interfering.” Stanley stood like a puffy toad, his fists resting on his hips.
“This is my home, Stanley. You’re welcome to leave whenever you wish. Feel free to set up an appointment at my lawyer’s office for some time later this week.” Sarah tightened her grip on Thorn’s arm. She had to win this small battle, to let Stanley know he had no hold over her.
Stanley blustered for a moment or two, then agreed. “As you wish.” He turned and stomped into the parlor.
While Sarah sat on the sofa, Stanley paced. Once she and Thorn were settled, he dropped onto the chair across from her.
“What have you heard from your grandfather?”
“Nothing, nor have I ever expected to. We both know he sent me out here to get rid of me. Since he couldn’t control me or my inheritance, he had no use for me.”
Stanley took out his handkerchief and wiped his brow. “Sarah, I’m sorry to tell you he had a stroke.”
Sarah nodded and waited to see what else Stanley had to say.
He stood and paced. “It’s even worse. Through some investments that went bad, he has had a reversal in fortunes. We need to discuss what we are going to do about things. With what you got from Alfred, you could help set things to rights and be in control of your grandfather’s entire empire.”
Thorn’s fingers rested on her shoulder, massaging, reassuring her of his presence.
She drew in a deep breath. “I’ve no desire to have control of anything like that, so there’s nothing to discuss. And before you try to use guilt to get me to do what you want, I’ve already taken care of Grandfather’s needs.”
“How?” Stanley stopped and stared at her. “When did you learn of this?”
“A couple of weeks back. It seems my lawyers and spies are better than yours.”
“So what are you going to do about his banks, his other businesses in Boston and here?”
“Nothing. As far as I know there is nothing left of his business interests in Boston. And it is my understanding some kind of corporation took over his interest here in Central City.”
Stanley’s face grew redder. “I knew something was wrong when I didn’t hear anything from your grandfather.” His eyes narrowed. “But what of your brother?”
“You don’t need to worry about me.” Drew stepped into the parlor, an envelope in his hand. “I’d planned to leave this on your desk, just so you would be officially notified. But I can do it today.”
Stanley stepped back and stared at the envelope. “What is it?”
“My resignation. I’ve a better offer.” Drew smiled at his sister.
“You can’t do this. We need to go back to Boston and work with the men there to re-establish your grandfather’s empire.”
Sarah shook her head. “No, that’s all gone. You have the office here in Central City that you can work in, where you can take care of your sister. But let me warn you, I’ve been told that there are auditors coming in to examine the records. Don’t even think you can disappear with the money people have invested in the businesses you and Grandfather planned. If you do, I’ll personally put a reward on your head so large, everyone in the country will be hunting you down.” Sarah stood. “After what you did to me in Boston, don’t think I won’t do it.”
Stanley’s face grew whiter than his shirt. “You will regret this.” He turned on his heel and slammed out of the house, uttering curses all the way.
Sarah gave them her brightest smile. “Shall we return to dinner? Suddenly, I feel very hungry.”
***
Mac was sure he enjoyed the meal, but his mind was on Rose and what had just happened. He loved the way she stood up to Snodgrass. He loved...no, he couldn’t love her, but the feeling kept rolling through his chest.
All the time he ate apple pie with rich cream oozing down it, he kept seeing Rose on the ranch with his aunts and Granny doing whatever women did when they got together. He could see her dressed in a simpler style as she sat down for supper in his house with their family around the table—him, her, and the children.
Suddenly the pie turned to bitter ash. He struggled to get the last bite down. Something broke in his heart, and the blood seeped out, leaving a cold spot in his chest. What if he never found Hank? How long could he keep looking? Could Sarah Rose be happy at the ranch? Would she welcome three more girls into her life?
***
Later that evening, Sarah swallowed down a laugh. Thorn held Emma’s hand while she walked around the nursery, giggling, jabbering, and showing off. The little girl had wrapped the big man right around her thumb. They had come upstairs to put Emma to bed for the night. But she wouldn’t stay down, and Thorn couldn’t bear to hear her cry. She wondered what his girls were like. Were they with his grandparents or his wife’s? Did he ever see them?
Thorn jiggled Emma’s hand, and she laughed. “I’m not sure this little one is going to sleep tonight.”
“Why don’t you try rocking her? It might help.” Sarah nodded to the rocking chair she had used quite often for that very purpose.
He lifted the girl and sat. The chair moved back and forth on the large rug. Sarah leaned against the back of the sofa. The soft creaking of the rocker, the gentle tapping of Thorn’s boots as his knees moved up and down, and Emma’s sleepy baby sounds filled the dimness the single lamp shed in the room.
Peace joined the other sounds. Peace and contentment. Contentment? Yes, Sarah let out a small sigh. Peace and contentment. That was what she felt. She was free of Grandfather and Stanley. Her daughter was growing and healthy. Drew and Helen were finding a new way of life.
“What put that look on your face?” Thorn’s lowered voice floated to her while he laid the sleeping baby in her crib. Before Sarah could answer, he sat down beside her on the sofa.
“I was just thinking about Drew and Helen.”
Thorn rubbed his hand down his pant leg, then looked at her through lowered eyelids. “I think they’re good for each other. You aren’t thinking about coming between them, are you?”
Stillness settled over Sarah, cold yet fiery. Why would he think something like that? She loved her brother. She loved the friend Helen had become. She wouldn’t hurt either one of them. “Why are you trying to make problems where there aren’t any?”
Thorn ran his fingers through his hair. “Not trying to make trouble, maybe trying to head it off.”
“What do you mean?” she whispered as her fingers tapped on the sofa.
He dropped his hand over her fingers. “From what you’ve told me about what happened to you, I figured you didn’t have a very high opinion of marriage. And I’m pretty sure that’s where those two are headed.”
Sarah stood and paced. “I’m pretty sure they are, too. And I’m happy for them, if that’s what happens. Just because Grandfather forced me into a bad marriage doesn’t mean that I hate the idea of marriage. My parents loved each other and had a good, strong marriage. Melody and her husband are the same. I’m not so blind I can’t see that.”
She stopped and looked at him. “How could you even think that of me, think I could be so cruel?” Her voice hissed out in a whisper, mindful of Emma even in her hurt.
He reached her before she could blink. His hands rested on her shoulders. “I don’t think you are cruel or bad or anything like that. You’re a woman who loves her brother and wants what you feel best for him. When I first met you, you seemed to want to control everything, but you’ve changed. I count your brother and Helen as close friends. And, like you, I want to see them happy.”
Sarah couldn’t stop the tears that filled her eyes. One leaked out and rolled down her cheek.
Thorn groaned and pulled her to this chest. He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back with his large hands. “Don’t cry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never would.”
She lifted her head and gazed into his face. She believed him. More than that she trusted him. She had changed. When she had come here, she couldn’t stand for anyone to touch her and now she wanted Thorn’s arms around her. Suddenly she was staring at his lips. Lips that had brought her such wonderful feelings.
His arms tightened around her and his lips came closer. She closed her eyes as those lips covered hers. The feelings were back. The sweet, wonderful feelings.
How long they stood there in each other’s arms, she wasn’t sure. Time didn’t matter. But when he pulled back, they both gulped in deep breaths.
He stroked her face with his fingertips, gave her a short, gentle kiss, then pulled farther away. “Think it would be a good idea if we sat for a bit. There’s something I want to talk to you about before I leave in the morning.”
Did he want to talk about them getting closer, about not ending the marriage? After the last few minutes, it was something she would like to talk about. She loved being with him, sharing these moments of excitement. She didn’t have to live in a cold world of fear. She was moving past that. And she had him to thank for it.
They settled on the sofa, and Thorn took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the back of it. Sweet tingling spread up Sarah’s arm.
“Sarah, while I’m gone, I don’t want you to go out by yourself. You’ll need to always take someone with you. Not just Helen or Judith, but someone who can protect you if Snodgrass tries something.” He smiled at her. “I know a couple of young men that I trust. They can help out around here and go with you whenever you need to leave.”
Coldness replaced the tingling. Memories of Alfred’s control rolled over the trust she had felt for Thorn just minutes before like a broken dam flooding a town below, choking, drowning, wiping out all that got in its way. Oh, Alfred was willing for her to go out in public, be seen, have her little trips, but only if she was shackled to a man of his choice. She tried to push the flood back, tried to build back the dam, but she couldn’t.
She jerked her hand away and stood.
Thorn let a deep, harsh sigh. “Clearly I’m not saying this right.”
“What part of having your men watch my every move, only going out when I’m permitted if they decide, of being held prisoner in my own house, don’t I understand?”
When he stood, she turned toward her room. She had to get away. The dreams that had been so beautiful just a few moments before lay shattered on the rug.
Thorn encircled her wrist with his hand. With a slight tug, he turned her toward him. “I only meant to warn you about Stanley and offer some protection for you. You are nobody’s prisoner. I believe the man is dangerous. You see him defeated, powerless without your grandfather’s backing. But he’s like a cornered snake with nothing to lose. He’s lost what he held most dear. What do you think he will do? How far do you think he will go? What happens to Emma if Snodgrass comes after you?”
She tried to focus on his words, to believe he had her best interest at heart. But all she could see was Alfred’s face. All she could hear was Alfred’s threatening voice. She couldn’t think. She had to get away from Thorn. “Let go of my arm. You’re hurting me.”
“My hand’s loose on your wrist. I’d never harm you. You should know that by now. You don’t have to lump me with your cur of a husband.” He dropped her hand and walked to the door, then looked over his shoulder at her. “All you had to do was say no and tell me how you planned to protect yourself. I would have listened. Stay safe. I’ll be back in a week or so.”