The sun edged toward the tops of the trees, signaling it would be dark in an hour. Trace saw his cabin outlined in the shadows. The builders had done a good job. He knew they wondered what he thought when he walked through, paid them, and then left. But he’d had unfinished business.
Trace had thought about stopping at Judd’s, but he wanted Lizzie and Blue to see the place before dark. “There it is.”
Lizzie held his arm. “That’s your cabin?” She reached behind her and woke Blue. “Look, baby, the cabin.”
Trace continued, “I hope you won’t be disappointed. It’s not furnished but for a couple beds and kitchen things. Table and chairs. We can buy more when you let me know what you want.”
Lizzie laughed. “Trace, this is a mansion compared to what we’ve lived in. I can’t believe it.” She looked at him. Worry furrowed her brow. “You’re not playing some kind of trick on me, are you?”
Trace grinned. “No trick.” He reined the horses to the front of the cabin and set the brake. He jumped down and went around to help Lizzie down. Grabbing her around the waist, he felt how small she was. Delicate like a flower. “I hope you like it.”
Blue had already jumped down and ran to the front porch. “Mama, is this where we’re going to stay?”
Lizzie nodded. “I think so.”
Trace picked up the packages, looked at Lizzie, and put them down. “As I remember, it’s the husband’s job to carry the bride over the threshold.”
Lizzie blushed. “Really, you don’t have to.”
He didn’t answer her, just picked her up in his arms, kicked open the door, and carried her inside. Trace set her down gently, keenly aware that he was responsible for this woman. “I’ll bring in the packages.”
Outside, he rested for a moment on the side of the wagon. He couldn’t believe that he’d married her. What would the others think? On the other hand, it wasn’t like he could go and marry a respectable woman.
She’d had a rough life, and he was happy that he could give her a place to stay. In fact, it made him feel good. He smiled as he heard Blue shouting her pleasure. Finally, it would seem that Trace Logan had done a good deed. One. Hardly enough to erase the rest of his history.
He picked up one armload of packages and brought them in the house. “There are two bedrooms. You can each have one, and I can sleep out here by the stove.”
Lizzie put her hands on Blue’s shoulders. “I thought we’d share a room. Until, or if—”
Trace nodded and came to her rescue. “We’ll take it slow. You and Lizzie take the room to the right. It’s the bigger one, and I’ll take the smaller one to the left. Want me to put your things in your room?”
“Please.” Lizzie shrugged. “I have to pinch myself. I’ve never had things to be put in a room before.”
He could see that she was on edge and afraid he’d change his mind and kick her out. Trace’s heart went out to her. He knew what it was like to be an outcast. “Lizzie, this is your cabin. I want you to treat this as your home. Tomorrow, I’ll fix the papers so that if anything happens to me, it will go to you and Blue.”
Tears moistened her eyes, and then she broke down and cried. She slumped onto the nearest chair and held her head in her hands.
Trace went to her and rubbed her back. “I mean it, Lizzie. I took those vows before God. I know me and the Almighty haven’t been on good terms for most of my life, but I meant it when I promised to look out for you, honor and provide and protect you.”
She looked up at him.
He knew what she was thinking. He’d left out the one word he didn’t know if he could do. Love. There’d been precious little of that in his life. “I’ll work on loving you. I’m afraid that is one quality I haven’t had much use for. But as beautiful and kind as you are, I’m sure it will come naturally.”
She put a hand to her chest. “My heart is beating so fast. I know what you mean about not having much experience with loving someone. Or even being loved. I know I love Blue. Even if I was a terrible mother, I loved her. Running from her was the one way I could show it.”
Blue came from the bedroom. “Mama, it has a real bed in it. I can’t wait to go to sleep.”
Wiping her eyes, Lizzie stood. “We need to make dinner first.”
Trace smiled. “I’ve got a pump in the kitchen. Save you from having to go outside to fetch water. I’ll go back to the wagon and bring the rest of the supplies.”
“Trace, thank you. I’m sure we can work things out.” Lizzie smiled at him with hope shining in her eyes.
Trace nodded and went to get the rest of the supplies. Dusk was giving way to night. Soon, he’d spend his first night in the cabin with his family. What was he doing?
***
Lizzie tried to figure out how to make biscuits. She cut some ham and cooked up beans from a can. It wasn’t much, and she was afraid it wasn’t a very good dinner. She lacked the know-how to be a good wife and mother and would have to find someone to help her learn.
She found some plates and took them to the table. “Dinner is ready.”
Blue ran from the bedroom and sat down. “Did you make this?”
Lizzie nodded. “Guilty. I need to learn how to cook.”
“I’m sure Molly or Charlie will help you.” Trace sat down.
Lizzie looked at her daughter and husband. “Should we say grace?”
Trace winced. “Pray?”
“Yes, pray. I think it’s what people do.”
Blue nodded. “Yes, Mama. I think Trace should say the prayer.”
Trace fidgeted in his seat. “All right. Of course, I don’t really know how.”
Blue held up her folded hands. “Start off doing this.”
Lizzie and Trace awkwardly folded their hands and bowed their heads.
Trace cleared his throat. “God, thank you for this food and this day. I want to say special thanks for the wife and daughter you gave me. Amen.”
He looked up and winked at Blue. “How did I do.”
The girl grinned. “I think you did well. I’ve been praying for you since you found me on the road.”
He glanced at Lizzie.
Her heart jumped. “I think it was fine. I guess we all have a lot to learn.”
Trace took a biscuit and began to butter it. He frowned.
Lizzie picked up her biscuit and took a bite. “Oh, goodness. It’s terrible. I’m sorry.”
Trace laughed. “I’ll get one of the women to help you. The beans are all right.”
“They were in a can. I don’t think even I could ruin those.” Lizzie wanted to cry. Here was her chance to be a decent woman, and she was failing.
Trace put a hand to her chin and turned her to face him. “The company is nice. You and me and Blue. I think we make a nice family. The other stuff we can learn.”
Her frown turned to a smile. “Thanks. At least I can do dishes.”
“I’ll help, Mama. The beans are good.” Blue was all grins.
Lizzie could see that her daughter was desperate to make this work. In her heart of hearts, Lizzie vowed to do her best. She had to make it work for Blue. That’s what mattered. This was their chance.
Trace got up and pointed to the door. “It’s a nice evening. How about we go and watch the stars come out. Blue, grab a blanket.” He waited and took Lizzie’s arm. “There’s a bench on the porch. I’ll have a swing made.”
Lizzie followed him. The air was cold and fresh while the black sky was twinkling with bright stars. She sat on the bench, and he sat next to her. She liked him. The nearness of him. But she wasn’t sure of her place. He said he had to get married to keep the ranch. Was that all she was to him, collateral?
Well, it really didn’t matter. Whatever life she and Blue had here with Trace was better than what she’d had before. Now, maybe she could take care of Blue as a mother ought to. Her heart stung. There was no way for her to make up for the way she’d lived. Lizzie knew better but never could see a way out.
The night air was still as if waiting to see what happened next. Was this a dream? Or going to be another nightmare? Lizzie glanced at Trace, and he seemed deep in his own thoughts.
Blue ran to her. “I’m tired, Mama. I’m going to go get in bed.”
Lizzie looked at Trace. “All right. Be sure to wash up first. I’ll be in a little later.”
Blue hugged her neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I dreamed that it would be like this someday. God must have heard my prayers. I love you, Mama.” She stepped back and looked shyly at Trace. “I love you, too.”
He looked at her and gave her a hug. “You sleep well. Those are supposed to be comfortable beds.”
Blue nodded. “Tomorrow, I can help make breakfast. I used to make eggs for Frank.”
“Sounds like a winner.” Trace grinned at her.
Lizzie did see that Trace hadn’t told Blue he loved her, but what did she expect from the man. They’d only known each other a matter of days, and those had been on the run. “She’s so happy. I hope it continues.”
Trace took her hand in his. “Your hands are cold. Remember, I promised that this place is yours. It’s paid for. I’ve got cattle and horses. We’ll get some chickens and build a pen for them. Blue ought to enjoy taking care of them.”
“Why?” Lizzie couldn’t get more words past the lump in her throat.
“I guess it was fate, or God if you want to believe in Him. You were in the right place at the right time. I know I said I needed a wife, but I meant what I said when we went before the preacher. I’ll do my best to be a good husband to you and father to Blue.”
“That still doesn’t answer why. I’m no good. Blue deserves all the breaks she can get, but me, well, I have done things I don’t even want to think about. I’m worthless. Any woman would make you a better wife. I can’t even cook biscuits.” Lizzie didn’t want to push him away, but deep inside, she couldn’t help but wonder why he would be so kind to her. She didn’t deserve it.
Trace looked at the sky. “I didn’t deserve this place, but I got it. The gambler was dying and didn’t want the rancher that borders his property to take it over. Now there are six of us bounty hunters who have a nice ranch, and none of us feel like we deserved it. Some say how God works in mysterious ways.”
“And what do you say, Trace Logan?”
He sat back. “I’m not sure. I haven’t believed in God, but I look at those stars, and deep inside me, I know they didn’t just happen. I’ve walked God’s earth, eaten of His goodness, and I’m alive when there were plenty of times when I shouldn’t have been. Makes me want to believe.” Trace stared up at the stars as if he were listening.
Lizzie nodded. “I felt something when we were in that church today. By rights, I had no reason to be in that building, and if God is real, I would have expected him to strike me dead with lightning. But what I felt in that church and from that old preacher was a kindness that swept through me. Maybe even love. You think there could be a God who can forgive us?”
Trace shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve done my share of hard things. Taken lives. Oh, they would have killed me if I hadn’t, but their blood is still on my hands. I know what you mean about being in the church today.” He looked at her and grinned. “I think it would take God to be able to forgive me for all I’ve done.”
She hugged his arm and smiled. “You and me both. Guess we’re a matched pair.”
“Maybe so. In that case, we ought to do just fine.”
Lizzie yawned. “I’m sorry. I must be tired.”
“Go ahead and go to bed. You’ve earned it the last couple of days. Don’t worry about having to get up early, either.”
“Good night, Trace.” She looked at him and then went inside the cabin.
Soon she was in bed next to an already sleeping Blue. It was the most comfortable bed Lizzie had ever been in. She looked up and said a quick thank you to the God she’d felt in the church, and then sleep came quickly.