Chapter 9
Catherine had calmed down and become almost pleasant for a few days, but after a week of travel, even Miriam was starting to complain.
“How much longer?”
Leanne patted her hand. “About two more days. Don’t fret. It’s almost over. Just think about something pleasant, like the new life we are about to begin.”
As the words left her lips, she shuddered. Her new life. What would it be like? Would her new husband really be kind, with a good chance of healing physically? Or would healing elude him, leaving him bitter and mean, like so many other men she had seen?
Miriam drew her attention. “I can’t wait to resume corresponding with my beau. We were just getting to know each other a bit.” She giggled. “I’m probably moving really close to him. That’s the first thing I’ll tell him.”
Max was sitting across the aisle of the train from them and cringed when he heard. He hated to tell the girls that they wouldn’t be corresponding with anyone for possibly a long while. Maybe one of the Pinkertons would break that news to them. He had been the bad guy long enough.
“Mr. Porter?” Catherine broke through his thoughts with a friendly voice.
He looked at her cautiously, never knowing when she was going to fly hot about something.
“Yes?”
“Will we be on the train the rest of the trip? Or do we have another horrid stagecoach ride ahead of us?”
He straightened in his seat and smiled weakly. “Most of it will be by train. Once we get to Bozeman, we will have about half a day on the stage.”
She smoothed her hair and looked at Leanne, shrugging her shoulders dramatically. “Well, there goes any chance of looking decent when we arrive. I do hope Mr. Durham has indoor plumbing and will allow us a chance to bathe before offering introductions to everyone.”
Leanne looked at Max for answers.
“Yes, Jer…, Mr. Durham has indoor plumbing. But exactly who is everyone you speak of?”
Catherine’s eyes went wide. “Our potential beaus, of course.”
Max tried to stifle a laugh, but burst out against his better judgement, which started a flame in Catherine’s eyes and reddened her face.
After a minute, he composed himself. “I’m sorry. I just can’t imagine Jerry’s peaceful ranch filled with…umm… noise, and so many people. I hadn’t thought about potential husbands coming to court.” He shook his head and laughed again, quietly.
Leanne tried to get some answers of her own while hopefully calming Catherine. “Can you tell us about the ranch? I thought it was big and self-sustaining, with lots of men working there.”
“Well, yes, you’re right. But most of the men are nowhere near the house. I mean, you’ll see them out in the pastures, coming in and out of the barn, and if you stroll past the barn, you’ll see some at the corral, but for the most part, it’s just Jerry, Walt and Mrs. Cooper in the house. That’s about to change.”
“Will there be enough room for all of us?”
He nodded. “Definitely. They were already making preparations before I left. I think each of you will have your own room, well, with you sharing one with Jerry.”
Leanne gasped and covered her mouth. “From the very beginning? No chance to get to know each other?”
The look of terror on her face upset Max. He suddenly felt sorry for Leanne and Jerry. They were being thrown together out of necessity. Two strangers. They were already tied to each other, without knowing anything about the other. Would they be able to make it work, or would Leanne crush Jerry’s heart like Fiona did?
“Look, Leanne. Jerry is a true gentleman. He won’t do anything to make you uncomfortable. Hasn’t he already proven himself a bit by bringing your friends along?”
She looked away and took a few deep breaths. “Yes, I suppose he has. I’m just nervous. With everything happening so fast, I haven’t really had time to think about the fear of meeting him and beginning a life together.”
“Leanne,” he spoke softly. “You have married the best man in the territory. I know everything will work out fine.”
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“Jerry! Mrs. Cooper!” Walt ran in the door, sliding to a halt as Mrs. Cooper came out of the kitchen. He rushed her toward the parlor where Jerry was waiting anxiously.
Walt waved a telegram over his head. “They’ll be here tomorrow! Max says they’re in Bozeman right now and will be on the morning stage coming here! Should be in town by three, and here in plenty of time to freshen up and have supper.”
Jerry’s face glowed with excitement. He looked from Mrs. Cooper to Walt. “Is everything ready? Will it pass four women’s inspection? Do I need a haircut? Is my suit ready?”
“My!” Mrs. Cooper clucked. “Men sure do get all excited when young women come around. Yes, everything is ready. Don’t fret yourself. If I were you, I’d enjoy this last bit of peace and quiet. I have the feeling it will be a long time before that ever happens again…if ever.”
Jerry winked at her. “This place has been quiet too long. I look forward to it. Besides, it won’t be long before it’s quiet again. Those women will find husbands in no time.”
She pinched his cheeks. “And about the time the last one leaves, the house will be filling up with little Jerry’s and Leanne’s, or have you forgotten that’s what happens?”
Jerry blushed and looked away. “No, but I guess I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
She turned back toward the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “It’s not that far in the future.”
Walt knew Jerry’s torment this very minute. Would Leanne reject him? Would he ever be able to father a child? The doctor wasn’t much help answering that question, only saying time would tell. Would Leanne’s arms ache so badly to hold her own child that he couldn’t give her, until she found another man? Jerry had discussed these same fears with him before Fiona walked out on him. He needed a distraction.
“Jerry, you need to practice standing some tonight and again tomorrow. You do want to be standing when you meet her, don’t you?”
He nodded and came back to the present. “I’m up to a little over a minute now, but you have to hold my arm when I start to give out.”
“I’ll stand beside you and hold on to the back of your belt. She won’t even notice. You may even have time to kiss her hand before you sit down.”
Jerry looked at him warily. “What kind of life am I plaguing her with? Walt, this isn’t fair to her.”
“You listen to me. She knew the facts and made her choice. I happen to know what a good man you are, and she’s getting the better end of the deal.”
Jerry turned away from him. “She should at least be given a chance to back out once she sees with her own eyes what a cripple I am.”
“I just don’t understand you. This is supposed to be a joyous occasion for you. Why can’t you just enjoy it?”
Jerry looked at him sternly. “Because I know how it is to get my hopes up and have them shattered.”
Walt huffed. “I’ve got horses to tend. I’ve heard enough. Enjoy your pity party, because when I get back, I’m going to exercise you until you really have something to complain about!” He stormed out the door.
Jerry snorted in contempt. He pulled the blanket off his legs and felt like screaming. Then a calm washed over him, leaving him ashamed for taking it out on Walt again, and thankful that at least he had his legs.
He had seen such horrific injuries during battles and found there were things worse than death. He should be thankful, but sometimes he couldn’t swallow the bitterness. Now, he felt guilty for sharing the impending bitterness with Leanne. There was no getting around it; if he didn’t regain the use of his legs, she would grow to despise him. He wondered if she would last as long as Fiona had…two months.
********************
Mrs. Cooper was in a flurry getting a celebratory supper underway, while Walt worked with Jerry and then helped him bathe and dress.
“It’s one o’clock. Don’t you need to get on toward town in case they’re early?”
Walt chuckled. “Since when has a stage ever been early?”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Who will be driving the second buggy for you?”
“Dex will take it to town for me, then he’ll come on back. Max can drive it out here for me. Figured the ladies will feel more comfortable with him around since they’ve got to know him a bit.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
Walt helped Jerry get settled back in his chair just as he heard someone ride up in the yard. He went to the front door and then turned back with a look of apprehension.
“The vultures are circling. It’s your cousin, Fred. He doesn’t look too happy.”
Walt opened the door for Fred and motioned him in. Fred walked past him dismissively.
“Jerry, how are you?”
“Fine, Fred. And you?”
Fred looked around, even stepping toward the kitchen, wishing the door was opened where he could see in.
“To be quite honest, I’m suspicious. I heard you and Fiona broke off your engagement. I was shocked to hear you had replaced her so quickly, so I came to see for myself.”
Walt walked to the desk and pulled out the marriage certificate and handed it to Jerry.
Jerry kept the paper folded, refusing to give his cousin the satisfaction of thinking he could be intimidated.
“My wife isn’t here at the moment.”
Fred sneered, “Does she even exist, is my real question.”
“Get out of here, Fred. Get off my property and don’t come back.”
“Well, dear cousin, I’m not convinced it is your property. As of five days ago, it may have become my property. The burden of proof is on you.”
“Then sit down and make yourself comfortable. My wife is meeting some of her friends coming in on the afternoon stage. They will be staying with us for a while.”
Smugly, Fred took a seat. “I think that’s a fine idea. We can chat while we wait. I need to know how to run this place anyway.”
“Walt, would you tell Mrs. Cooper to bring something in here to stuff in his mouth?”
Fred laughed. “If that’s an invitation to lunch, I accept.”
Walt was only gone for a minute. There had been contention between Jerry and Fred ever since they were kids. He sure hated to leave Jerry here with him for a minute, and Mrs. Cooper was too busy to babysit the two cousins. He thought about getting one of the men to come in and watch over things in his absence, but that would offend Jerry and give Fred more ways to upset him.
If Jerry hadn’t been so adamant about Walt being there to greet the women instead of sending one of the men, he wouldn’t have to worry. Maybe he could delicately suggest it.
Jerry looked at the clock as he and Fred went to the table. “Walt, it’s about time for you to get Leanne and her friends.”
“Tucker said he needed to pick up some fencing supplies. I could stick around here and let him do double duty.”
Jerry looked at him awkwardly. “I promise I won’t kill him while you’re gone. You know Leanne doesn’t feel comfortable with the hands yet, especially with her unmarried friends coming to visit.”
Walt sighed. At least he tried.
“You can explain our visitor before you bring her home. Tell her to wrap in her shawl before entering the house. The atmosphere in here is freezing.”
“Yeah, well, I hope the stage isn’t late so we can get on back here.”
Jerry nodded and motioned him on. He saw Walt leave in the buggy, followed by Dex in the other. A minute later he saw Tucker step up on the porch and disappear past the door, probably sitting in one of the chairs. Walt was a good friend.
Fred didn’t know that he was actually keeping Jerry’s nerves from jangling. Keeping his mind on the contention in the room, anticipating the surprised look that Fred would have when the ladies arrived, kept his mind off being nervous.
He watched Fred eat, declining the offer to join him. The man ate like a pig, talked with his mouth full, chewed with his mouth open, and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.
“I will dine with my lovely wife and her friends, thank you, but please, do enjoy yourself.”
“You’re not fooling me, you know. But I promise, I’ll give you time to find some place of your own.”
Jerry just ignored him and watched the clock.