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The army welcomed them with open arms and made sure the two attackers, who were still alive, were treated and locked up. Sergeant Matthews send two of his men to Elko to send off the telegram, Joy had written to her uncle. David’s injury was treated by the army doctor.
When Joy asked when the next stagecoach was scheduled to pass through the area, she was told it would be three days later.
Alice and the girls were doing all right, beside the bruises and shock they all had suffered. Ahote and Sam came into the army camp whenever possible, and Joy appreciated their friendship and distraction.
Joy and Alice had one of the army tents to themselves.
The evening before the next stagecoach was supposed to arrive, and while Alice was getting her girls ready for bed, they heard several soldiers call out that someone was approaching the camp.
Joy held her breath, wondering if more attackers had come after them, but how would they know where to find them? And would they be foolish enough to attack a camp full of soldiers?
Suddenly, the opening of the tent was pulled aside, causing Joy to jump to her feet surprised, but both she and her sister gasped when they recognized the person entering.
“Matt? What on earth are you doing here?” Joy’s eyes were wide with shock, her pulse was racing. He smiled at her.
“The army sent a telegram to Auburn to let us know what had happened, but that you were safe. Mom was worried out of her mind, so I came as fast as I could.”
“And you can just take off? I mean, you have a town to look after.”
His expression was serious when he stepped closer. “Your safety is more important right now. I’ll be joining you for the rest of your journey.”
“No, you won’t. Dave is with us and that is all we need currently.”
“Obviously it isn’t enough. I should have insisted on coming with you. I knew this would be too dangerous for you alone.”
Joy looked at him with irritation. “We aren’t alone, Matt. David is quite capable of taking care of attackers.”
Matt scoffed. “Having a second man around is not a bad thing.”
“You can’t come with us. You shouldn’t have followed us. You are not responsible for our safety, but need to look after your mom and the town. As the sheriff of Auburn, you have to take care of the people of your town.”
“I resigned as the sheriff, and Mom is coming by stagecoach.”
“What? Why would you do that? David barely made you the new sheriff.”
“There is nothing that ties us to Auburn, now that John and you guys are gone. Mom wants to rebuild her café, but she can do that anywhere.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Joy couldn’t believe her ears and exchanged a glance with her sister, who appeared to be just as stunned.
“Our mind is set up, but there is something I need to speak to you about, in private.” He took Joy’s hand and pulled her with him out of the tent and to a corner nearby. When he stopped next to a fallen tree, he encouraged Joy to sit down. Confused about his behavior, she lowered herself on the tree trunk and waited for him to speak again. He cleared his throat.
“I didn’t just follow you because we were worried. I wanted to come with you right from the beginning, but you blocked it. When I asked you about marrying me so you could stay in Auburn, it wasn’t for convenience. I am in love with you, Joy, and have been for the past two years.”
“What?” She was completely speechless now. “But you never said anything.”
“I’ve tried a few times, but you waved me off before I could even get it out. It was as if you purposely pushed me away.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“How do you feel about me?”
She sighed. “I like you a lot, but I am not in love with you. For as long as I’ve known you, I’ve seen you as an older brother.”
“Ouch.”
“I can’t sugarcoat this, Matt. I am not going to lead you on, and I certainly can’t promise you that my feelings will change.” She watched him eagerly, and saw him nodding. Joy stood. “If that’s all, I believe it is best if we return to my sister.”
As she was about to walk past him, he suddenly grabbed her, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. His lips pressed against hers with a demanding fierceness, it took her breath away. She tried to shove him away from her, but he only cinched her closer.
His rough stubble scratched her chin and cheek, and lightheadedness made her feel dizzy. She did not like this and knew she had to put a stop to it.
Joy started hitting him with her fists and attempted several times to shove him away, but Matt’s kiss was now full of desire and heat. He seemed to savor her lips, while his hands held on to her mercilessly.
It was clear he wasn’t going to end this, pushing the boundaries far beyond appropriate. She was seething now and bit his lip before pressing her hands into his chest, pushing herself away from him. Her breathing was uneven, as she tried to catch her breath. Matt just stared at her. He looked like he was in a daze.
“What has gotten into you?” she finally gasped, and kept her hands firmly in their place so he couldn’t come closer again. “You are losing control.”
His gaze was still on her lips, his expression serious.
“Matt!” Joy shouted. She was still lightheaded, the tension pressing on her chest. She called his name even louder, and this time he reacted.
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I guess I got a bit carried away, huh?”
“You think?” She shook her head. “This was uncalled-for and definitely not appropriate.”
“But you kissed me back.”
Joy gasped. “No, I didn’t. I tried to get away from you and certainly wasn’t returning the kiss.”
“Yes, you were. You are just playing hard to get.”
“You are insane. I am not the type of person who plays hard to get, and I told you earlier I don’t see you that way. I am not in love with you.”
“How can you say that? I know you felt it too.”
She shook her head angrily. “I felt nothing except wanting to rip your head off. There is no chemistry between us, and I think you are purposely mixing up desire and lust with love. Real love is very different from what you are claiming to feel for me. I don’t want to start a relationship with someone who thinks a heated moment means love.”
He scoffed. His expression turned to offense and even frustration. “I don’t get you, Joy. I believe I just proved to you that I am a good catch, yet you keep pushing me away and keep denying it.”
“You forced that kiss on me, Matt. You never asked me if I was okay with it and when I tried to stop you, your kiss got even more demanding.”
He shook his head. “I know you felt something, so stop making up lame excuses. You are just scared to admit your true feelings. Not once have I had a girl complain about my kissing. I know what girls want and like.”
Joy stared at him. That was a side of Matt she had never seen before, and she didn’t like it. Was he perhaps like his brother after all? It seemed as if he was now trying to guilt-trip her. She squinted her eyes, her expression was fierce now.
“Yeah, well, you don’t know what I like and want. As I said before, I did not consent to this, and I would appreciate it if you would stop putting words in my mouth. You have absolutely no idea how I feel. I never desired to kiss you.” Her eyes were spitting fire now. It was no secret that she was outraged.
“I didn’t realize you were such a prude,” he remarked, his voice rising, making his hurt feelings evident. “I’ve had plenty of relationships and I know my kissing benefitted the success.”
Joy heard pride in his voice and was not amused. She disliked men who prided themselves as irresistible. She took a deep breath, not wanting things to escalate, but it was obvious to her, that a woman had never put him in his place before.
“Yet, your relationships didn’t last, did they?” she stated matter-of-factly, and the snarky undertone was no secret. “Physical attraction alone will not keep a relationship alive and strong. You need more than satisfying intimacy.”
“What makes you the expert?” he snapped, his fist was clenched. “You’ve never even been in a relationship, and this was probably your first kiss.”
Joy swallowed hard. That last comment stung, but she was not going to show him that. “Yes, it was. Which is why I am so angry with you. You took away something that wasn’t yours to take. You ruined something that was supposed to be romantic.” She shook her head, taking in a deep breath.
“Besides, what good does a relationship do for us if we are not looking for something that will last? I might not have experience in the physical sense, but I had great teachers. My parents were the perfect example of what a relationship should be like. It is something I want and desire. They taught us the importance of love and what it truly means to love someone.”
Despite her effort to help him see reason, he was still seething. Joy closed her eyes for a moment. She wanted to find the right words.
“It is unfortunate that we don’t see eye to eye on this, but it only proves my point. We would never work as a couple. We want two very different things and to be honest, it doesn’t sound like you are even ready for a serious commitment. Perhaps that’s why your past relationships didn’t last. The girls were looking to the future, but you couldn’t look past the present.”
“I came after you, Joy. I showed you how much you mean to me, and that’s how you repay me?”
“Repay you?” she snapped and anyone close by could see he had ignited the volcano and there was no more holding back. “How dare you say those words to me? You came after me because you wanted to, not because I gave you any indication that I had feelings for you. Is that how you feel about women? You show them how you feel by forcing yourself on them, and they are obligated to return the same feelings? Who do you think you are? I don’t have to love you back. And this tedious reaction and attitude will certainly never win me over.”
She was about to turn around and storm off, when he grabbed her harshly by her arms, turning her to face him again.
“Let me go, you are hurting my arms,” she called out loudly, but before he had the chance to reply, David appeared out of nowhere as well as several soldiers.
“Let her go, Matt,” David growled, his expression fierce. “If you ever touch her like this again or force yourself on her, I promise I’ll have you pay for it.”
Joy watched as Matt dropped her arms. It was clear he would have fought with David if it had just been him, but with all the soldiers around, he obviously knew it would be foolish to do. Not even trying to respond, he turned and hurried away. Joy was still stunned. How had she never seen that side of him before?
Matt was gone the following morning. Alice and Joy had talked long into the night, since Alice had heard the conversation between her sister and brother-in-law. She told Joy that John had started out like that as well, which only troubled Joy more. Alice second Joy’s thoughts that no other woman had ever told Matt off, and that the girls in Matt’s life had always just ended it when it was getting nowhere.
Joy was still confounded about everything she had found out about the Haven family. Matt’s visit and behavior had only been the tip of the iceberg. It saddened her, that this experience would always overshadow the kiss by a man who truly meant it.
Had she seriously been so naïve regarding Matt and his family? How had she missed their true colors?
The two women packed their belongings and one of the soldiers took them to White Horse on a wagon. David rode beside them. The stagecoach was scheduled to arrive in White Horse in the early afternoon, and they made it just in time.
Annie was over the moon when she noticed that her grandmother was in the stagecoach and wouldn’t let her out of her side out of fear of her disappearing again.
Maureen asked about Matt, but neither Alice nor Joy felt like talking about it. They only mentioned that Matt had kissed Joy against her will and had left after her turning him down.
Maureen shook her head. “I was afraid, something like that would happen. It is unfortunate that Joy had to be the one.” She sighed. “I hope he can get over himself and eventually get past it. I never thought Joy and Matt would end up together, but I had hoped a young lady would at one point capture his heart. Hopefully, this situation can be a lesson to him so he will be open to love when the time has come.”
The rest of their journey was uneventful, and they reached Deer Lodge three days later. Joy’s aunt and uncle waved at them when the stagecoach drove into town. They stopped in front of the saloon, and Eliza and Gerald pulled them tight into their arms as soon as they climbed down the few steps. It was the first time Alice showed some emotions since the discussion with her sister.
Alice introduced her mother-in-law and she too was welcomed with open arms. Maureen’s brother and sister-in-law happened to live in a settlement at Goldcreek. They had moved there shortly after gold had been found and would take her in, until her new café could be build.
Goldcreek was over two hours from Deer Lodge, which gave Alice peace. She didn’t want to live close to Maureen and did not want Matt to come for a visit for Joy’s sake. But she also knew she couldn’t keep the girls from seeing their grandmother if she didn’t want her mother-in-law and brother-in-law take them away from her.
David had applied for the sheriff position before traveling to Montana and had been hired. The sheriff was old and wanted to retire, and his deputy wasn’t confident enough to take on the duties of the sheriff.
The old sheriff had made arrangements and was already living with his son’s family outside of town. The prison building had an office space opposite of the prison cells and a large furnished room in the back where the sheriff lived. As a single male, it was all David needed, and he moved in right away.
Aunt Eliza, took Alice under her wings the moment they arrived at their small home. The six children of their cousin surrounded them at once and greeted them happily.
Joy’s heart hurt. Seeing so much happiness going on, seeing her aunt and uncle lovingly interacting with Alice and her girls as well as their daughter and grandchildren, only reminded her of what she didn’t have anymore. She quietly retreated and left the house.
An enclosure with horses was near the building, and she rushed over to them, trying her hardest to keep the tears at bay.
Joy watched the animals running around, while fighting the sobs that wanted to escape. She had to stay strong. If she allowed the tears to flow, she would not be able to stop herself any longer. She had kept her head up to be the strong shoulder for her sister, but she was close to breaking too.
Joy almost jumped out of her skin when someone stepped next to her. She had not heard him approach. She quickly closed her eyes, swallowing hard. Looking at her uncle would only break her.
He must have felt how she fought against the strong emotions inside because he simply took her hand and pulled her against his chest.
“Joy, let it out. I know you’ve kept most of your feelings inside ever since it all happened, but you can’t keep it at bay forever. Your sister and nieces are in good hands, and it is okay for you to not carry that burden alone any longer.” His warm, gentle voice reached her heart and she immediately burst into tears, crying into his shirt. He just held her, not rushing her in any way.
When her crying stopped, he led her to a bench behind the house with a small pond next to it. Gerald lifted her chin, so he could look into her eyes.
“You were trying to be strong for Alice and the girls, am I right?”
She nodded. “Alice had just lost her husband. She is a widow with two little children. With my parents gone too, I knew she needed someone she could lean on.”
He sighed and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. “Just like your Pa. He was just like you, always strong, always the one making sure everyone else was okay. What happened to the men who attacked you on your way here?”
“The army took care of them, and they were sent to Sacramento. Pa’s attorney wishes to personally see them in court, and the stagecoach company will also hold them accountable.”
“I spoke to David earlier, and he told me you took down two of the attackers?” He watched her with a serious expression, and she nodded.
“I couldn’t let them hurt or kill Alice and the girls.”
Her uncle sighed again. “I wish I could have come and picked you up. You should have never had to deal with all that on your own.”
Joy squeezed his hand. “Cousin Bridget and her children needed you here. It would have been too much to make that long trip twice. David was our protector and kept us as safe as possible. He would never allow anyone to harm us. We’re fine and made it. Nothing else matters now.”
A sad smile appeared around his lips, and he gently caressed her face. “Again, I can’t believe how much you are like your Pa. He was a fighter too and never gave up, no matter what was thrown in his path.”
Tears glistened in her eyes again, and she gave her uncle a weak smile. He kissed her head.
“Are you sure it is okay for us to stay with you? I know it is crowded with your daughter and grandchildren being there too.”
“We are happy to have you, but you are right, it will be a tight squeeze. I made arrangements for you to stay with a family we are close friends with. We just don’t have room for everyone. Alice and her girls will take over one of the bedrooms and your cousin will share a room with her daughters, the boys will stay in the living room.”
Joy cringed for a split second. She hadn’t even thought about how small the farmhouse really was. Now she would be a burden to someone she didn’t even know.
Her uncle had watched her and squeezed her hand. “I know this is not ideal. I wish we could have you stay with us too, but I have to build another bedroom first before we can all be together. I am really sorry.”
“It’s okay, Uncle Gerald. Nothing is ideal right now. You and Aunt Eliza are empty-nesters, so it wouldn’t make sense to add to the house when it is only for a short time. I’ll try to find a job as soon as possible and once I have access to Pa’s money I can rent an apartment or small house for my sister and me.”
“Don’t worry about a job. I am quite certain your father’s savings will allow you to not having to worry about money. And I wouldn’t want for you two to live all on your own. I am quite certain your father wouldn’t want that either, especially since you are the target of someone evil. The family you’ll be staying with is the richest family in the state, and they have plenty of room.”
“But they wouldn’t want a stranger permanently staying with them. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone. It’s bad enough that we are now a burden to you and your family.”
He shook his head. “You are not a burden, Joy. You and Alice are family and we love you. I also can assure you that you won’t be a burden to the Harrison’s. Brigham Harrison himself was the one who suggested you could live with them. He and his wife were visiting when I received the telegram, and Darlene and Brigham didn’t even hesitate to open their house to you.”
Joy looked at her uncle, shaking her head, but before she could say anything else, he continued.
“You’ll meet them this afternoon. It is time for the annual End of Summer Fest, and families from all around town will be coming. I think Maureen said earlier that her brother and sister-in-law were planning on attending and then take her home with them afterward. If Alice feels up to it, she should come too. We have many young folks in town.”
Alice had perked up after just a few hours with her aunt and cousin. Bridget’s children were so sweet with Alice’s girls, and it warmed Joy’s heart to see her sister smile again. She appeared to be livelier than all those weeks before. It was comforting to Joy and took a lot of pressure off her chest.
The End of Summer Fest was a fun event which ended with a dance that night. As the mayor of Deer Lodge, their uncle welcomed Joy and Alice to the community, before everyone spread out to enjoy different foods, games and mingling.
Joy was standing next to her aunt and Maureen Haven, when her uncle approached her, followed by a couple about the same age as her aunt and uncle.
“These are Darlene and Brigham Harrison, Joy.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison.” Her smile never faded, but she felt a little shy suddenly. The couple greeted her with enthusiasm and kindness.
“Oh, please call us, Darlene and Brigham. You will be living with us, and we shall be great friends.”
“Yes, about that,” Joy interjected nervously, “I am truly grateful for your kindness in opening your home to me, but I promise it won’t be for long. I’ll make other arrangements as soon as I can.”
“Oh, tosh. None of that, Joy. We won’t allow you to leave again. Unless, of course, you find a nice fellow and marry him.” Darlene spoke to her as if they’d known each other for years. Joy was surprised, yet it helped her be more at ease.
Before Joy had the chance to say something in return, Maureen stepped next to her. “Why don’t you and I rent a place together and Alice and the girls can come live with us too.”
Joy made eye contact with her sister before she responded. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Why not? It would solve all our problems.”
Joy shook her head.
“We made arrangements with our aunt and uncle. Uncle Gerald is our legal guardian, and Pa wanted us to live with his brother if something were to happen to him and Ma.”
“But you are not even going to live with them.”
“For the time being, yes.”
“I think this is ridiculous,” Maureen snapped, her expression changing to anger. Anyone could see that both Joy and Alice were getting quite uncomfortable. David Baker stepped closer, ready to interfere, but Joy was determined to fight this through alone.
“Our plans are set, Maureen. You were never supposed to move here. If you don’t wish to live with your brother and sister-in-law, I suggest you return to Auburn and arrange something with Matt.”
“You have no right or authority to tell me where to live. I, however, have the right to be near my grandbabies.”
“Near them, yes, living with them no.” Joy’s expression was firm. She saw the worry in her sister’s eyes and was not willing to let Alice’s mother-in-law intimidate her, especially now that she knew the truth about her.
Maureen scoffed. “You just try to avoid Matt, Joy Collins. You embarrassed yourself by turning him down, and now you’re hiding from him.”
“I turned him down because I don’t have feelings for him. I suggest you stop causing a scene, and we talk about this some other time.” Joy had noticed the curious onlookers and did not want this argument to get ugly, but Maureen did not seem to care.
“I am not the one causing a scene,” the older woman nearly shouted now. “You made my son think he had a chance with you and when he came after you, you had nothing better to do but to blow him off. You led him on.”
“Matt forced himself on me,” Joy snapped through gritted teeth. She was close to losing it too. “He kissed me without my consent and, when I tried to free myself, became more demanding and forceful. Now, can you just drop it, please?”
“I will not stop. I am glad my son learned his lesson about you and knows who you truly are. You don’t deserve him.”
Joy had enough and was about to walk away when Maureen called her out again.
“I have to say, Joy, you managed to hide your selfishness well. We would probably still be clueless about you if your parents hadn’t died. I wouldn’t be so smug if I were you. I am quite certain John only died because your father had to stick his arrogant nose in someone’s legal business and brought the danger to us. My café was destroyed because of him.”
David had enough and stepped next to them. “That is enough, Maureen. You are way out of line.”
“I don’t think so. Joy should know that her father is to blame for everything that has happened over the past few weeks. Maybe he was involved in something criminal. As a judge, he must have assumed to be safe and untouchable. He was not a saint. I heard plenty of stories how he treated his wife. He beat her whenever the girls weren’t around. He was addicted to alcohol and was a drunk.”
Loud gasping echoed through the small crowd, but Joy had reached the explosion point. The volcano was about to erupt.
“Are you sure you are talking about my Pa and not your son and yourself? My father never touched the devil’s liquid. He despised alcohol and what it did to people. He was a good man and never hurt my mother. Your son, however, tortured my sister and—”
“You can’t even let the dead rest in peace with your evil accusations, can you?” Maureen interrupted, offense on her face. “John never hurt a fly.”
“I can’t let the dead rest in peace? You just accused my father of terrible things, things he never did. Your son was only on the surface a good man. Behind closed doors he was a tyrant, a friend of getting drunk with whiskey and hurting my sister.”
“Don’t you dare—”
“I know the truth now, and if you say anything else about it or claim it wasn’t the truth, I’ll get in touch with Doc Perkins. He saw the bruises on my sister before we left Auburn.”
Maureen gasped with outrage. “Your sister is lying. My son never laid hands on her. You are just trying to smear a good man.” For the first time since the discussion had turned to an argument, Maureen trembled a little, the words were a bit slurred. Everyone else probably didn’t notice anything unusual, but with the knowledge Joy had now, she wasn’t going to stay silent.
“My sister doesn’t lie, but I am quite certain you do, especially after drinking some of that devil’s liquid yourself.” Joy saw the shock that spread across everyone’s face. Maureen’s expression changed to hate.
“You don’t stop trying to destroy people, do you? I’ve never had alcohol in my life.”
“Is that so?” Joy challenged and before Maureen had the chance to stop her, reached for the older woman’s purse and pulled out a small flask. “You carry water in this?”
Maureen tried to grab it, but stumbled a little, which proved Joy’s point. An elderly couple approached the group, and the look in their eyes testified that they were deeply embarrassed.
“Maureen,” the man said, and Joy saw the resemblance the two shared. He was obviously the brother and appeared to be a reverend. “I can see that you’ve not changed. Please follow Harriet to our carriage, we’ll be leaving right away.”
It was no secret that Maureen wanted to argue, but her brother’s expression was fierce. Without saying another word, she turned and followed her sister-in-law. Her brother pulled Joy a little off to the side.
“I apologize for my sister’s awful and unhinged behavior. I am afraid it has only gotten worse since the last time I saw her.”
“I didn’t even know she was like this until we traveled to Deer Lodge. How long has she had a problem with alcohol?” Joy glanced at him with understanding. She was also grateful he had stepped in and made it clear his sister was the problem, not Joy.
He sighed. “Ever since she married her late husband. He was a vile man and a terrible influence.”
Joy’s expression was puzzled. “I know nothing about him.”
“For a good reason,” the reverend said now. “He’s been a criminal all his life and eloped with my sister when she was only 18 years old. Of course, nobody knew about his criminal activities until he was involved in several bank robberies and stole gold from clients. When they tried to stop him from leaving, he shot and killed five men and was locked up in prison. It was your father who was the judge and the one who sentenced him to death through firing squad.”
Joy gasped. “I don’t recall this at all. Shouldn’t it have been in the newspapers?”
“It should have been, but his family was influential, since his father was a high-profile politician and wealthy. He paid great money, so the newspapers would keep this quiet.”
Joy looked at him in shock. Was the Haven family behind her father’s death? But why would they pretend all these years they were good friends and John even married Alice? None of that made any sense.
Maureen’s brother must have noticed her reaction and realized she needed time to process it all. He tugged at his hat and followed his wife and sister. Joy didn’t know what to think anymore.