Cowboy Seeks a Bride

Nate had beamed at his bride’s praise as he’d nudged Rand’s arm. “Go ahead, brother. Rita can pack a basket while you get old Sam hitched up to the buggy. You can drive into town and surprise Marybeth. Ladies like to be surprised, don’t they, sweetheart?”

Susanna had batted her eyelashes at Nate as if they were still courting. Rand admitted to himself that he’d like to have Marybeth look at him that way. Seated across the table, Tolley had just groaned.

“Sí, Senor Rand.” Rita, the family cook, had a little courting going on herself with one of the cowhands. “I’ll have everything ready in fifteen minutes.”

“Well,” Rand had drawled, still uncertain. “I did promise Marybeth a hike in the mountains.” He’d stirred a bite of griddlecake into a puddle of syrup on his plate. “I also promised we’d have a chaperone.”

All eyes had turned toward Tolley, who’d shoved back from the table, shaking his head. “No, sir. Not me. I’ve got all those chores to do, yours and mine. Got cows to milk, stalls to muck out, mustangs to break, fences to check and a whole bunch of other stuff.” He’d stood and started toward the door like a scared rabbit. “Helping with her trunk was one thing, but I refuse to play duenna while you two make eyes at each other. Find somebody else.”

“But you’d look so purty in a lace mantilla,” Nate had quipped.

Rita had giggled and Susanna had laughed. Tolley’s response was to slam the back door on his way out.

Bouncing Lizzy on her lap, Susanna had said, “Why not stop by Maisie and John’s and invite them along?”

So now Rand drove old Sam toward town with a large, well-packed picnic basket secured to the back of the buggy and a prayer in his heart that Doc and Maisie would be free today. If they weren’t, maybe Mrs. Foster would go. Of course that would mean they couldn’t go hiking because it would be too hard on the older lady, but they could go up to a meadow by the river. He couldn’t decide which chaperone he preferred. Having either one hear his every word would only add to his nervousness as he tried to become better acquainted with Marybeth.

As if that wasn’t enough indecision for a man to have, he also had to figure out what to tell her about Hardison. While Nate had advised him not to worry her with the gunslinger’s threats, Tolley thought she ought to know what the man had said in regard to her. Rand usually took his cautious older brother’s advice, and yet he couldn’t entirely dismiss the idea that she should be on the lookout for danger. As peaceful as the Esperanza community was, as caring the folks were about one another, there was always a chance of getting bit by a sneaky snake in the grass.

At the Henshaws’ two-story house several blocks from Mrs. Foster’s, he found three waiting patients seated in the front hallway. He greeted them with concern over their health even as his heart took a dip. Obviously his friends wouldn’t be able to get away for a picnic. Before he could leave, Doc came out of the surgery.

“You’re just in time, Rand. You can give me a hand.” Doc took him out the side door to a wagon, from which they unloaded a leather-topped oak examining table and carried it into the surgery.

With the new furniture in place, Doc eyed Rand up and down. “Now, what can I do for you? I should have asked you that before I put you to work.”

“Say—” Maisie came in the room before Rand could answer “—shouldn’t you be over at Mrs. Foster’s house courting that pretty little bride of yours?” She punctuated her question with a wink, a rowdy laugh and a slap on his arm.

“Uh, yeah. That’s where I’m headed.” Why had he thought inviting them would be a good idea? Maisie had a good heart, and he loved her like a sister, but she also had a loose tongue. He wouldn’t even waste time asking for sure if she’d told Marybeth about his past.

“But—” Doc said.

Not giving Doc a chance to finish, Rand made his escape, dashing back to the buggy and heading toward Mrs. Foster’s house.

Pretty piano music came through the open front window and Rand paused to listen to the end of the song. If that was Marybeth, she wasn’t bad, but not quite as good as Mrs. Foster. Of course she’d said she needed to practice, so he mustn’t be too quick to judge.

When Mrs. Foster admitted him, however, he saw that Laurie Eberly was just finishing her piano lesson. At fourteen years of age, Maisie’s next-to-youngest sister had a bit more musical talent than her four sisters, and she liked to sing. That was, when she wasn’t batting her eyes at Tolley like all the other younger girls. No wonder his brother was skittish about courting with every young girl in the territory making eyes at him, and him not even ready to court. Rand had suffered through that same phase several years ago.

“Make yourself comfortable, Rand.” Mrs. Foster waved him toward the settee as she started up the staircase. “I’ll fetch Marybeth. I’m sure Laurie won’t mind an audience, will you, dear?”

“No, ma’am. I’d love it.” Laurie glanced over Rand’s shoulder as if looking for somebody and then gave him a sisterly smile. “What’s Tolley doing today? Busy at the ranch, I suppose.”

“Oh, he’s real busy.” Rand had his own romance problems, so he sure didn’t want to stir up anything that would annoy his younger brother. He sat, hat in hand, and realized his palms were sweaty. Who would have guessed courting could be so difficult?

“Maybe I’ll ride out there after my lesson and visit Susanna.” Laurie set her fingers on the keys and began to play a song Rand wasn’t familiar with.

He couldn’t figure out a way to discourage her from going out to the ranch and pestering Tolley, especially since Susanna probably would appreciate a visit. Like all of the Eberly sisters, Laurie would be a big help with the sick baby.

“Hello, Rand.” Marybeth entered the parlor looking refreshed from her travels. Beautiful, in fact, with her pretty auburn hair piled high on her head and her eyes more blue than hazel today because of that blue dress. As he stood to greet her, his heart leaped into his throat. “I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow. Is everything all right?”

He had to clear his throat before he could talk. “Hello.” Was that dismay or worry in her eyes?

“Now, Marybeth.” Mrs. Foster stood by her with an arm around her waist. Their already comfortable relationship would encourage him if he weren’t so nervous. “Can’t a young man come calling unannounced?”

“Oh, yes. Of course.” Marybeth seemed to force a smile. “How are you today, Rand?”

“I’m well, thank you.” He felt the strain in his own smile. “And you?”

“Well, thank you.”

They stared at each other for a moment until Marybeth looked down at her hands.

About now was the time when Maisie would slap his arm and tell him to speak up. Fortunately her little sister didn’t seem so inclined. Laurie still sat at the piano, and even though she wasn’t playing she didn’t appear to be eavesdropping.

“I was wondering,” he said, “if you would accompany me on a picnic—you and Mrs. Foster? We can go down by the river, enjoy the scenery and see what our housekeeper fixed for us. She’s a great cook.” He glanced at Mrs. Foster. “Of course, not as good as you, ma’am.”

“Thank you, dear boy.” Her beaming face showed how much she appreciated his words. How she must miss hearing her husband praise her cooking. “Rita is quite young, but she’ll improve with a bit more experience.” She looked between the two of them. “Thank you for inviting me to chaperone your outing. Unfortunately, on Saturdays, my teaching schedule and my organ practice for tomorrow’s service keep me from accepting.”

Was that relief he saw on Marybeth’s face? Dismay wound through Rand’s chest. Was she all that set against being with him? So much for Susanna’s brilliant idea about courting.

* * *

Marybeth tried to hide her relief over Mrs. Foster’s refusal. The last thing she wanted was to have the older lady present when she asked Rand how serious he was about helping her find Jimmy. Bless her kind heart, the lady was a gossip, as their late talk last night had revealed. She wasn’t in the least malicious, but stated outright that folks had a right to know what was going on in their community. While Marybeth couldn’t disagree, she didn’t want her private business spread all over town and who knew where else. She must be the one who told Jimmy about Mam and Da being dead, an important piece of news she now wished she hadn’t told Mrs. Foster. Yet how could she have kept it from her?

She scrambled around in her mind to think of a public place to go with Rand, a place where she’d feel safe or could walk away if need be. Perhaps that park she’d seen across from the church—

“If you need a chaperone, I’ll go with you.” Laurie lowered the fallboard over the piano keys and stood. “Before Maisie and Doc got married, I always tagged along to keep things proper.” She gathered her music and put it in a leather satchel. “Since Tolley’s busy and all, I can go fishing and see if the trout are biting.” She gave Rand a look Marybeth couldn’t quite discern. “Sort of planned to do that anyway.”

Relief and amazement struck Marybeth at the same time. The Lord was still guiding her life in His mysterious way. While Laurie fished, she and Rand could talk privately.

“That’s real nice, Laurie.” Rand gave Marybeth a doubtful look. “Of course, if you had plans...”

“Not at all.” She must have sounded too eager, because Rand’s sad expression turned upside down. Gracious, he was handsome when he smiled. Handsome when he frowned, too, but of course smiles were much better. “Just let me change into something more suitable.”

It didn’t take her five minutes to slip out of her plain blue gingham and into her brown traveling skirt and white shirtwaist. Mrs. Foster offered her the use of a broad-brimmed straw hat to protect her complexion from the sun, and she carried her parasol for extra shade and a shawl in case a breeze came up. In a short time, they were on their way north toward the Rio Grande.

Marybeth sat next to Rand in his buggy, with Laurie riding her horse alongside them. Each time they went over a bump, Marybeth’s shoulder jolted against his upper arm, and she could feel the solid muscles beneath the blue plaid sleeve. How pleasant that might have been if they were truly courting. Or if he weren’t wearing that gun strapped to his right leg. Did he always wear it, even to church? She’d find out tomorrow.

The road smoothed out north of Esperanza and they picked up speed. Marybeth gazed east across the wide, flat valley toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. On the left, the San Juan range appeared nearer. Was Jimmy someplace up there? Or was she on a fool’s errand?

“Thinking about your brother?” Rand offered that lopsided grin that made her silly heart skip. Or maybe it was his insightful question that moved her.

“Yes.” She looked away from him toward the east again and brushed at sudden tears, hoping he hadn’t seen them. “After all these years, I can’t believe I’m this close. At least close to where his letter came from. Is Del Norte far? That’s where he mailed it.”

“Not far.” For some reason he gave a little shudder at the mention of the next town over. “It’s a long day’s trip there and back.”

“You go there often?”

His jaw tightened. “Haven’t been there in three years.”

Her question had bothered him, but why? Did it have something to do with his killing a man? Should she press the issue or let it go? With Laurie now riding twenty yards ahead, her long red hair swaying with the movement of her horse, she wouldn’t hear their conversation. Perhaps the time had come for Marybeth to tell him what Maisie had said. His response would reveal a great deal about his character.

* * *

Rand knew God was pushing him to tell her about killing Cole Lyndon. He’d planned to do so today, but had hoped for a more comfortable setting, like after they both had full stomachs.

“Three years. That’s a long time for such a close town.” Marybeth spoke simply, with no apparent meaning behind her words. “Especially since Mrs. Foster tells me Del Norte has more places to shop than Esperanza.”

Had Mrs. Foster told her anything else? He’d better hurry or everyone in the area would blurt out their own version of the story about the worst day of his life.

“I don’t go over there because I used to gamble, and I don’t want to be tempted.” Those were the words of a coward sneaking in the back door.

Marybeth eyed him with surprise and maybe a bit of worry. “Gambling? You used to gamble?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He gave a little shrug, bumping her slender shoulder without meaning to. It made his arm buzz pleasantly, but how did she feel about it? From her frown, he guessed she was thinking about the gambling and hadn’t even noticed. “I had a real bad experience the last time I played poker and decided it wasn’t the best way to spend my time.”

“Tell me what happened.”

Still frowning, she narrowed her eyes and now he could tell for certain she already knew the answer.

He pulled in a deep breath and exhaled long and slow. This was so hard. Should he explain that the man he’d killed had bragged about robbing and beating Susanna’s father and leaving him for dead? That the gold lying on the table between them had come from selling the old man’s horses? That the man and his partner had already cheated at that very card game? That Rand and his pal Seamus were about to quit anyway? Excuses, all of them. If he’d had a lick of sense, he’d have just walked away from the table that day and found the sheriff. A sick feeling rose up in his gullet.

“I killed a man.”

She barely blinked, just looked away from him toward the river ahead. “I see.”

“Maisie told you, didn’t she?”

Marybeth nodded, still not looking his way. “She said you’re a hero because the man was a horse thief who’d done his own share of killing.”

He shrugged again, this time taking care not to touch her. “That still doesn’t excuse it. Instead of losing my temper, I should have let the law handle him.”

She looked his way, tears rimming her eyes. “So you regret it.” Not a question, a statement. Maybe she understood.

“I do. Deeply.”

She set her long, gloved fingers on his forearm. This time her touch imparted an odd sort of reassurance. “Have you asked God for forgiveness?”

A grim laugh escaped him. “Every day.”

“Then you must believe He has forgiven you.”

* * *

Marybeth enjoyed the sweet smile that blossomed across Rand’s handsome face. This had been an important moment for them because so far they hadn’t had a chance to discuss their faith. Yet nagging at the back of her mind was the memory of Mam always forgiving Da, but Da never changing. Had Rand truly changed, or did he still have the kind of quick temper that would make him draw a gun and kill a man...or who knew what else? She would wait and see.

“Thank you.” Rand squeezed her hand.

“For what?”

“For reminding me of God’s forgiveness.” He tugged the reins to the left to direct the horse down the path Laurie had taken. “Mother wrote that you’re a woman of faith, and it’s good to hear you speak of it.” His gaze lingered briefly on her lips. To her relief, he made no move to kiss her.

They arrived at a small meadow beside the slow-moving river, so Marybeth would have to postpone asking Rand questions about his faith. She didn’t think she’d done much to help him, but her words had obviously encouraged him. At the very least, it was an opening she could refer to later.

He jumped down from the buggy and loosely secured the reins around a slender young pine tree so his horse could help himself to the abundance of grass at his feet. Laurie had already dismounted and found a branch to use for a fishing pole.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Rand called out to her.

“Sure am.” Laurie continued to work with her pole. “I just wanted to get a line out in the water to see what’s swimming by today.”

“Suit yourself.” Rand gave Marybeth a hand in stepping down from the buggy.

“What a lovely place.” She breathed in the fresh, cool air of the shady meadow. Closer to the river she spied some wildflowers but didn’t recognize what kind they were. Peace settled over her and she made up her mind to enjoy the day.

“Yep. It’s real nice here. ’Course we have fish in the streams near our ranch, but the best trout come from the Rio Grande. That’s why I like it.” He walked to the back of the rig, untied the picnic basket and pulled a blanket from beneath it. Then he searched for a good spot to lay it out.

Marybeth hurried to his side. “I’ll help you.”

“No, ma’am. You’re my guest today.” Finding a shady spot, he moved a few rocks and branches out of the way. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Nonetheless, Marybeth reached for the blanket and helped him spread it out. She started to follow him back to fetch the basket, but he stopped and gently gripped her upper arms. “You don’t mind very well, do you? Now go sit down and let me manage the rest.”

Despite his crooked grin and teasing tone, a shiver went through her. No. She would not feel this way. He was just being nice, just taking care of her, as any gentleman would. She tried to return a playful grin, but it felt too wobbly to be convincing. Turning from him, she did as he said and made herself comfortable on the old woolen blanket. Or as comfortable as one could be on the rough ground. She reached beneath the blanket and pulled out a few more rocks.

He returned with the basket just as she threw aside a large sharp stone. Instead of the charming grin she expected, his expression twisted into something she couldn’t even describe. Fear? Anger? Because she’d moved a rock instead of waiting for him?

He slowly set down the basket, slowly pulled his gun from his holster and slowly pointed it straight at her. “Don’t move, Marybeth. Don’t move an inch.”

* * *

The rattler was just pulling itself up into a coil not three feet from Marybeth’s hand. Yet the fear written across her pretty face wasn’t from the danger she hadn’t even noticed. She was afraid of him. In spite of his confession, she still didn’t trust him. But this was no time to sort it all out. She had minded his order and sat like a statue on the blanket, her widened eyes squarely focused on his gun.

Dear God, don’t let her move. Let me kill the rattler without hurting her.

Gunfire exploded several yards to his left. Snake parts flew in all directions. Rand’s knees threatened to buckle. He glanced at Laurie, whose rifle bore a telltale curl of smoke around its barrel.

Now he was just downright annoyed. Saving Marybeth’s life would have made him a real hero in her eyes. Yet honesty demanded that he hand the honors to a fourteen-year-old girl.

“Good aim, Laurie.” He needed to downplay the situation, make it sound like an everyday occurrence to calm Marybeth’s fears.

“Looked to me like Marybeth was in your way.” Laurie shrugged as she returned her rifle to the leather holster on her horse’s saddle. “I had a better shot from over here.”

Rand nodded his agreement. “Let’s see now. Shall we move the blanket to a nicer spot closer to the river?” Someplace far away from the dead snake. “I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m as hungry as a bear coming out of hibernation.”

He grinned at Marybeth about one second before she fell over on the blanket in a heap.

Chapter Four

Marybeth had never fainted in her life. She’d always refused to surrender to the frailties of the silly society girls she’d known at the academy. But now she found herself looking at the world sideways and trying desperately to reclaim reality. The first thing to register in her mind was Mrs. Foster’s scratchy straw hat, one side now crushed between her face and the hard ground. Her eyes couldn’t quite focus on two round brown objects in front of her: Rand’s bent knees? Laurie’s voice reached her through a dull roar inside her head. Or was the roar from the nearby river?

“I dunno, Rand. You sure you want to marry a gal who can’t handle a little incident with a snake?”

“Hush. Don’t be rude.” He tugged on the ribbons holding the hat in place and moved it back from her head. “Marybeth?” His work-roughened hands felt gentle on her cheek. “Are you all right?”

Air. She desperately needed air. Dragging in the life-giving oxygen so scarce at this high altitude, she whimpered with relief as her lungs expanded. Oh, mercy. What a baby she was. This was far from the most frightening thing ever to happen to her.

“’M fine.” She tried to infuse the words with confidence, but they came out on a strangled whisper. This really must stop. She pushed herself up on one elbow, with Rand’s support under her arm providing the strength she lacked. After another gulp of air, she expelled an awkward laugh. “Gracious.” No other words came to mind, so she just looked up at Rand and gave him a tremulous smile.

He shoved his hat back from his forehead and returned the same, his relief obvious in his eyes. “Would you like a sandwich?”

His playful smirk sent a giddy feeling shivering through her. In spite of Laurie’s impertinent question concerning her apparent lack of fortitude, his gaze bore no censure.

“Yes. Thank you.” No, not at all. Not with her stomach twisting inside her at the memory of the gory snake remains.

Dismissing the dreadful sight from her mind, she placed a hand in his offered one and they stood as one. Once again she had to draw from his strength, this time to gain her footing, and now she couldn’t look away from him. For untold seconds they stared at each other as she tried to read his soul, as her minister used to say. Unlike Da’s darting, half-penitent looks, Rand’s gaze held no deception, nor did any manipulation or anger emanate from his eyes’ green depths. Only kindness and concern and sweet gentleness. Cautious trust welled up inside her accompanied by a sincere liking for this cowboy, this good, decent man. Surely he would help her find Jimmy. And while she had a lot more to learn about him, she might just think more about their marriage bargain. She quickly shoved aside that hasty, dangerous thought, replacing it with another. At least now she understood why Rand carried a gun. She might even get one herself if snakes were a constant danger.

Through the fog of her musings, she became aware of Laurie’s soft giggle.

“Guess I’ll move the blanket.” The girl grabbed an edge and tugged, forcing Marybeth and Rand to break their visual connection and hop off onto the grass.

While Laurie gave the blanket a shake and dragged it to a shady spot several yards closer to the river, Rand stepped away from Marybeth to pick up the basket and offered her an arm.

“Miss O’Brien, would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a picnic?” He winked and waggled his eyebrows, probably trying to cheer her.

With a giggle of her own, or maybe it was a laugh of relief, Marybeth set her hand on his arm. She would show young Miss Laurie Eberly and Rand just how brave she could be by making as little of the snake incident as possible. “Why, Mr. Northam, I would be delighted.”

* * *

At Marybeth’s sassy response, Rand almost fell over in relief. Thank You, Lord. She might have fainted, but she got right back on her feet. More than that, as they’d stared into each other’s eyes for those brief seconds, he could see her determination to overcome the incident. Was he flattering himself to think he’d helped in some way? Not that it mattered. This little city gal had spunk, and it made him all the more resolute to keep on courting her. Even if they didn’t end up getting married, he wanted to be her friend.

Yet as he held her hand to help her kneel back down on the blanket, he remembered her real purpose in coming to Colorado was to search for her brother. Had she deliberately lied to his parents so they would pay her traveling expenses? He mustn’t let her pretty face and nice manners hide a lying heart, something he refused to bring into his family.