Chapter 3
GRANT
It seems like it only takes moments to get to town once I let Rebel have his head, but I know it was closer to an hour.
Throwing my leg over the saddle, I grab his reins, hooking them on the hitching post in front of the general store.
I look up, only to find Old Man Harvey in the process of locking up for the evening.
When he notices me standing behind him through the window of the door, he jumps.
“Lord Grant, you startled me. What brings you back to town this late in the evening? Did the little lady not make it?”
“She is well considering the circumstances, but she needs things that I do not have available at the cabin.”
“Yeah, Oren is a bastard sending her off like that. The child surely had more than the rags that were on her body. Beatrice may have a pre-made dress available next door but let me go with you. She is not the easiest to deal with, especially this late in the evening.”
I nod, thankful for his help. Following him down the walkway, we stop at a small shop, the door so narrow my shoulders barely clear it.
Standing awkwardly, I look around at the many bolts of fabric and the dainty hats lining the shelves while half-finished dresses hang on mannequins toward the back of the room.
“Beatrice, where are you old girl?”
“Harvey, you call me old again and I will sew your trousers together.”
An older, dark-haired lady, all of five-foot nothing, walks out of the back room. She doesn’t flinch when she sees me standing by the door, and that is odd in itself.
“Beatrice, this is Grant. He has just acquired a new wife and she is in need of a few necessities.”
“You’re the one who acquired the Lieber girl?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, you might be monstrous in size, but at least you have some manners. I would like to say that I have her sizes on file, but that bastard never once brought the girl in here for any of her needs. I watched her go from a smiling, youthful girl to a haunted, shallow woman because of him. Men like that should be forced to know what it feels like to be knocked around with no way of defending themselves.”
“I agree ma’am and I plan on paying him a visit here shortly.”
“Best thing I’ve heard all day! How much are you planning on spending so that I don’t get ahead of myself?”
“She’s in need of everything, and money is not an issue.”
“Hmmm, money is always an issue dear, but I understand what you are saying.” She walks over to me and looking up from her small height, I feel like a youngster. I know she is trying to figure out if I am worthy of her time or not.
“You stink and could use a good brush and trimming yourself. Go on and take care of your business, and I will have a few dresses, a nightgown, and some necessities ready for when you come back. Does she need shoes as well?”
“Yes ma’am, I have her boots in my saddlebags.
” Reaching into my worn pants pocket, I pull out two five-dollar bills and hand them to her.
“She has nothing, and I don’t know what all a woman requires.
I would appreciate it if you could gather more than just clothing for her.
She is now my wife, and her comfort is a top priority for me. ”
Old man Harvey speaks up, “I will retrieve the boots from your gear, but where is your pistol, Grant?”
“Figured I’d take a piece of out his hide, flesh to flesh if you catch my meaning.”
“Boy, you might be the largest man in this valley, but flesh won’t stop a bullet, and cowards like Oren don’t fight fair. If he beats something as small as your new wife, he would easily shoot you in the back.”
“I will take your words into account and won’t underestimate him. I left my pistol at home with Lauren. I didn’t want her to feel unsafe out there all alone.”
“You go on then. I’m sure you’d like to get back to her as soon as possible.”
“Which home is it?”
Harvey knows precisely what I am asking.
“Leiber works for the lumber mill, so lodging is part of their pay. It’s the last house in the back row.” Just as I start to open the door, he grabs my arm.
“Don’t make that girl a widow, Grant. Oren is dangerous and right now, he thinks what he’s done makes him look more like a man.
But when he wakes up to no breakfast and a cold bed, he’ll realize what he’s done.
Don’t be shocked if you see him show up unannounced with the marshal, trying to take her back. ”
“No one touches what’s mine!” I nod my head, “ma’am,” and walk out, my steps sure and steady as I make my way behind the lumber mill. Watchful eyes trace my footsteps as I stroll down the muddy road, my destination clear for all to see. Strolling up onto the narrow porch, I pound on the door.
I hear him cussing from the other side a second before it opens. Oren’s eyes get large when he first sees me there and he quickly goes to shut the door in my face. When I put a foot inside the doorway to stop him, he roars, “You’d better not be here thinking I’ll take her back!”
“I want her belongings.”
“She has nothing.”
“Well, let’s take a look together and just see.
” Pushing my way through the door, I grab him by the back of the neck, holding him off the floor.
My eyes glance around the small, clean home.
Tightening my grip, I throw him across the room and he lands in a heap, holding his hands up in front of him.
“I don’t want no trouble from you, Beast.”
“Good, now let’s have this conversation again. Where are her things?”
He points toward the room right behind him.
When I turn that way, he scrambles onto his feet, hurrying in front of me.
The light smell of lavender lingers in the room and on the bed, a pillow and crocheted blanket lie tucked neatly around the worn frame.
Even though Lauren was abused, it’s obvious she did her best to take care of him and make this a home.
Picking up a small hair comb off a dresser, I see a few strands of golden blonde hair hanging off the edges. He is instantly in front of me. “Nothing here belongs to that worthless whore. Give that back, it might be worth something.”
My hard fist connects with his jaw before he can say another word, his body flying back to hit the wall with force.
I barely hold myself back from leaning down and beating the last breath out of him.
I start going through the drawers and the chest in the room, throwing anything that looks even slightly feminine into a pile.
Picking up the bed, I tilt it against the wall only to find a small travel bag stuffed into the back corner, against the wall.
Instantly, I know it’s hers. Grabbing it, I let the bed fall back down, the once straight covers now balled up on the floor.
Gathering the hand-made blanket and few pieces of clothing I’ve found, I start stuffing them inside her case. Then, I stroll through the house looking to see if there is anything else she might want.
“You have no right coming into my house and taking things that don’t belong to you. Leave here with that stuff, and I’ll send the marshal after you for theft.”
Before he can say another word, I have him slammed against the wall, gasping for breath, kicking wildly as he claws at my arm.
“How does it feel … the helplessness … knowing no matter how hard you struggle, you can’t win this fight?
” I push a little harder, just enough to let him know I mean business.
“If you see MY WIFE on the street, you’d better turn the other way.
If I ever hear her name on your lips or even the slightest rumor that you have been talking about her, I will come back and finish this.
Please … PLEASE make me come back! In the backcountry, bodies come up missing all the time, and no one will even look for your worthless hide.
Fair warning, if you ever lure another little miss into your clutches, and I see a single mark on her, that will be the day you meet your Maker! ”
Headbutting him, I drop him on the floor, unconscious.
Glancing around, a small chest sitting on the mantel catches my attention.
Lifting the lid, I find a few coins and a small locket in a velvet bag.
Opening the clasp, there’s a miniature portrait of a couple kissing inside.
The woman’s profile seems to have the same features as Lauren, so I place it in the bag too.
Oren starts groaning in the corner, and because I simply can’t help myself, I walk over and kick him in the ribs. His screams make me smile. Shutting the door behind me, I whistle as I make my way back to the little shop.
Finding Beatrice at the counter wrapping several packages in twine, she looks down at the small bag in my hand and shakes her head sadly. “Harvey will be back shortly. He went over to the cobbler to see how quickly he could get her a pair of boots. Do you know if she can sew?”
“We have not had time to converse much.”
“Well, any woman worth her salt should be able to at least take care of her own clothing. Besides a small sewing kit, I’ve managed to gather up a warm flannel nightgown, three sets of undergarments and stockings, along with two shirts, a skirt with an adjustable waistline, and an apron.
In this bag is a mirrored comb set, along with some hairpins and a bonnet.
Thankfully, I had an extra jar of face cream in the back because us women must protect our skin.
Now of course, she’ll need more than this.
Let me think … Yes, at least one nice dress for Sundays, as well as pants she can wear under her skirts in the winter months.
I’m sure a heavy coat would be welcomed as well.
I will start on a day dress for her tomorrow.
The rest should be ready by the end of the week and you can pick them up then.
Hold on a minute, she’s going to need a shawl for these cool spring mornings.
I’ll run to the back and grab one after I get these tied up. ”