Chapter Fifteen
Rachel stood with Heath next to the appaloosa, searching for words to tell him what the day had meant to her and how much she loved his company. Her hand hanging loosely at her side found his. “Thank you for such a fun time. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed anything more.”
He brushed her cheek with a light fingertip. “I’m glad I could give that to you.”
Heat rose to her face and she stumbled for a reply but found none so changed the subject. “I’ve been thinking about that strongbox. I’d like you to accompany me when I take it back but where would that be?”
He kept his voice low. “Clarendon is the closest with a stage office. It’ll take ten days by wagon so you need to wait for Eden to get a little bigger.”
“Most certainly.” A second passed. “We really are isolated, aren’t we? No wonder my father thought he was safe. He was.” She sighed. “Guess it doesn’t matter when I take it.”
“Nope. It’ll be a little while before you can rest easy, little mama.”
Prickles of happiness swept through her when he called her that. She lightly squeezed his fingers. “Then I think it’s safe enough for now and I won’t worry about it. It would be so much easier if Estacado had a telegraph office.”
“Yes, it would.”
He looked as if he wanted to kiss her.
“You look a little tired,” he said. “Try to rest a bit.” He chuckled. “Thanks to Sally, Zeb did all the chores for probably the entire month.”
A peal of laughter rose before Rachel could stop it. “Yes, Sally is a one-woman wonder. All I’ll have to do from now on is threaten to send for her. I’m just going to slice off some ham, fry a pan of potatoes and onions, and call it good.”
She bade him and Sally goodbye and went into the house, holding the door for Jax.
Uncle Zeb was asleep in the chair but jerked awake with a start. “Is she gone?”
“Yes, she left with Heath so you’re safe.” Rachel noticed a package on the table wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. It was just like the ones that Heath had toted from the mercantile in Estacado. She started to grab it up and run to catch him when she spied the note on top.
Dearest Rachel, don’t make a fuss. I got these with your bull money. Picking them out gave me such pleasure. Thanks for spending the day with me.
It was signed Heath.
Bull money her foot! He’d use that explanation until he wore it out.
But how could she deny herself? She untied the string and pushed the paper aside. There was the length of flannel for Eden that she’d so admired, yards of calico that would make a pretty dress for her as well as buttons and lace, some fine white muslin for a nightgown and underthings, and a comb, brush, and mirror. They were all things she’d sorely needed.
Then she recalled what he said about it being just as important to accept as it was to give.
Heath wanted her to have these and gave them from the goodness of his heart.
She lifted the calico and buried her face in it, reveling in the soft cottony feel. Yes, just this once she’d keep them. Only because she truly had little choice, which Heath had known full well. Even though it was the reality of the situation, it rankled to have him know just how desperately she needed each item.
She put it all in the bedroom then grabbed a knife and started peeling potatoes. It wasn’t long before she had a quick meal ready and called Uncle Zeb.
He ambled to the table. “I hope you don’t plan to be gone again anytime soon.”
“I don’t have anywhere else to go right now. Why?”
“That Sally is a slavedriver.” He filled his plate. “She nearly killed me. I haven’t ever had a broom taken to my backside until today.” He squinted, looking at her out of one eye. “I think she took pleasure in swatting me.”
“Well, you have to admit you haven’t done much to help out while you’ve been here.” Rachel took a bite of ham. “I have a question and I want a straight answer. Why are you digging the holes around the house? What are you looking for?”
He stopped chewing and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down with his swallow. “I’m letting the ground breathe. I heard that you have to turn the soil over on occasion to help it grow things better.”
“You’re letting the ground breathe?” That was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard.
His nod resembled a cork on a fishing line. “That’s right. My contribution to this plot of earth.”
“Well, stop. We don’t need any more holes.”
“Sure thing. Consider it done.”
“I saw your three friends today coming out of the tent saloon and they were mighty drunk.”
“Friends?” He stared at her blankly.
“The strangers asking for directions. Remember?”
“No, you misunderstand. They’re no friends of mine.”
Without proof, it was best not to accuse. “Then, I don’t want to see them around here again or I’ll think you’re in cahoots with them. I don’t like their looks and I have Eden to protect.”
“Oh sure.” He resumed eating but kept looking at her when he thought she didn’t notice.
The following day, Rachel awoke full of energy. She fed Eden and put her back in her crib, then went out to do her chores and feed the animals. Uncle Zeb had already done most of it.
The minute Uncle Zeb Thacker swallowed his last bite he scooted back from the table and announced he was going fishing.
“I guess you’ve earned it. This place has never looked so good.”
He rubbed his grizzled chin and squinted. “The fish bite best in early morning.” Uncle Zeb avoided her gaze. “I thought I’d take a notion and ride over to Estacado way this afternoon.”
“Stay clear of that saloon.” Rachel gave him a stern look. “If you come back drunk, you’d best keep on riding because you won’t be welcome here.”
“I hear you.” The man stumbled over his own feet in his haste to get out the door.
Once the breakfast dishes were washed and done up, she took out the new length of flannel and set about cutting out a gown for Eden. It was a beautiful fall day. Rachel carried Eden’s crib outdoors and placed it beneath the cottonwood tree. Then she gathered her sewing notions and made herself comfortable. Jax lay at her feet.
It was a near to perfect day with the brilliant blue sky overhead, the gentle cooling breeze sighing through the large cottonwood tree, and contentment filling Rachel’s heart.
She had much to be grateful for. Her gaze fell on the babe sleeping peacefully with not a care in the world. She loved this baby with every fiber of her being.
The infant was slowly filling the hole her family had left. Tears filled her eyes.
Just then Jax sprang to his feet. The hair on his neck bristled. His threatening growl made her glad that she was friend and not foe for it was fearsome. Before she could quiet him, he raced around the house toward the barn.
Rachel put down the little gown she was stitching and went to see what all the ruckus was about. By then Jax’s bark was farther away, somewhere deep in the canyon. She called and whistled but the dog didn’t come. Not wanting to leave Eden for long, she hurried back.
As she rounded the corner of the house, she spied a young woman bending over her daughter’s crib. Alarm bells sounded.
“Hello,” Rachel called. “Can I help you?”
The stranger jerked and quickly moved away from the crib. She was unkempt, her mousy brown hair tangled and dirty. She looked to be around fifteen or so. Tears ran down her face.
When the young woman didn’t reply, Rachel asked again, “May I help you?”
Again, no reply, just a shake of her head.
“Do you live nearby? What is your name?”
“Becca,” the girl mumbled, looking around like a cornered animal.
“Hello, Becca. It’s nice to meet you. I don’t get many visitors.” Panic swept through Rachel. Her breath catching, she stayed where she was, afraid the girl would bolt if she moved closer. Or worse do something to Eden. “Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
“No.”
The clopping sounds of a horse coming down the path into the canyon distracted Rachel. When she glanced back at the spot where Becca had been, the girl had vanished.
For a moment, Rachel wondered if she’d been nothing more than a figment of her imagination. Then she spied a blue ribbon in the crib next to Eden. The woman had been real all right.
The horse and rider she’d heard trotted into the yard and Heath reined to a stop beside Rachel and swung down.
“Hey, little mama.” His wide grin stole her breath. “You look worried.”
“Did you see a girl about fifteen years old when you rode in?” she asked.
“No, why?”
She told him about Becca and the strange way she’d acted. “Do you know her?”
“No. Sorry.”
“What was so odd…Jax didn’t bark at her.”
“Which meant he must’ve known her. Becca, you said?”
“Yes, and she was crying. So disheveled. Hair uncombed.” Tears filled her eyes and she gripped Heath’s vest with trembling fingers. “I’m so scared she’ll do something. You should’ve seen the way she stared at Eden, almost like she knew her or wanted to snatch her.”
His arms folded around her, enclosing her in a protective circle. “I’m sure she meant nothing by it. You said she was very young?”
“About fifteen or so. Just a girl. I’ve been terrified someone will try to take Eden from me.” She forced a laugh and loosened her hold on his vest. “I’m overreacting, aren’t I?”
“It’s understandable with all you’ve been through.” He smoothed her hair. “I haven’t seen anyone like that around.” His gaze lit on the unfinished gown. “I see you’re sewing. Mind some company?”
“I’ll make a pot of coffee if you’ll find Jax.” As she told him how the dog just suddenly bolted his face grew as dark as a thundercloud.
“It’s time I found out what’s going on. I don’t suppose Thacker is around?”
“I haven’t seen him since morning.”
Heath gave a short laugh. “No surprise there. Be back soon.”
He mounted up and pointed the horse toward the thick wooded area to the right. Relief swept through Rachel. At least now they might get some answers.
The wind turned stronger and began to swirl down into the canyon in earnest. Taking Eden into the house, she gently laid her in the basket that she’d arrived in, setting it on the table. It might be crazy, but she didn’t want the child out of her sight. Putting some coffee on, Rachel sat down at the kitchen table with her sewing.
Her thoughts turned to the girl named Becca. Why had she been crying? Was Becca Eden’s mother?
Rachel sucked in a breath and her blood ran cold. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing her precious baby. Not now. Not after she’d come to think of Eden as her own daughter.
Please, God, don’t let anyone take her from me.
With a start, Rachel realized that this was the first time she’d prayed since burying her family. Why she couldn’t say. Maybe her anger was lessening as her deep grief was beginning to become somewhat bearable.
Maybe Heath was right in saying that God promised never to leave or forsake her. And there was a reason why she was left behind. Didn’t Eden prove that?
But why give only to take away? She sucked in a deep breath. Why take just like before?
Flinging the small gown aside, she put down the needle, too upset to sew. What was keeping Heath?
The wind battered against the front of the house, pushing on the door. Then over the roar of the wind she heard barking and hurried to the door. It was Heath with Jax lying across his lap.
“Thank goodness,” she whispered and hurried out holding onto her skirt against the wind. “Where did you find him?”
Jax licked her face and whimpered as she lowered him to the ground.
Heath slid from the saddle. “Found him tuckered out about a mile from here. He was lathered up from running.”
“What do you make of it?”
“Chasing someone is my guess.” Heath put an arm around her shoulders. “Saw plenty of tracks, but no sign of anyone.”
Rachel loved the weight of his arm around her and the scent of leather and wild sage on his clothes.
“Come on in and get out of this wind. I have the coffee ready.”
“Sounds good.”
But the minute they went through the door with Jax, he turned. “I’ll give you my full attention in a minute after I see the little princess.”
She hid the persistent smile. Sometimes she wondered if he only came to see the baby. Eden wasn’t even a month old, and she already had the tall cowboy wrapped around her finger.
By the time Rachel took down two cups, he sat with Eden tucked in the crook of his arm.
“Heath, she was asleep,” Rachel protested softly. “You can’t come waltzing in and snatch her up whenever you take a notion.”
Though she grumbled, the sight of Heath with the tiny baby created a warmth deep in her heart. But it wouldn’t do to let him know that. Or how his nearness set her blood pumping.
“I swear I didn’t wake her up. Her eyes were already open.”
Yeah, and Rachel was a flying squirrel.
As soon as she set the coffee in front of him, he took a swig.
Jax lay on a rag rug she’d made and glanced up. She petted the dog and got back to the strange occurrences. “What do you think is happening?”
Heath’s smokey gaze met hers. “I don’t want to frighten you, but you have reason to be scared. You had trespassers. I’m almost sure Jax tried to bite them.”
Shivers slid down her spine. “So you think there were more than one?”
“I found several different sets of tracks.”
“What can I do?” she whispered.
“Stay close to the house and keep Jax nearby.” He kissed Eden’s cheek. “I’ll tie him up before I leave if you want.”
Rachel nodded. “If we don’t, I’m afraid they’ll kill him.”
And whoever it was might not stop with the dog.
“I’ll leave my rifle.” He spoke as though he’d read her thoughts. “Do you know how to shoot?”
“My brother taught me. It was a way to pass the time since we weren’t allowed to have friends. But it made my father mad enough to spit.” The memory brought a tiny smile. Isaac Malloy had had certain ideas of how his daughter should while away her time and shooting weapons wasn’t one of those.
“Aiming at targets is far different from putting a bullet in a man.”
Her jaw clenched. “I can and will do whatever it takes to protect my daughter.”
“I know you will, little mama. So will I.”
“What about you? You’ll need a rifle as well.”
“Don’t worry, I have more than one.”
Eden whimpered. He murmured quietly to her and put her on his shoulder. “Now, let’s talk about something pleasant. I noticed you’re making Eden a gown from that flannel you so admired.”
“I am.” She leveled a frown at him. “Thank you for the gifts but you and I both know that wasn’t bull-renting money.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “You’ve gotten to be an expert on the worth of bulls now, is it?”
“No, but that’s beside the point.”
Heath set his jaw stubbornly. “The fact is you need a few things. I fail to see a problem.”
“I need to learn how to be self-sufficient because you won’t always be around.” Her heart ached to consider that possibility. But she’d learned the hard way that people often left, not always by their own choosing. And if she didn’t learn to fend for herself she’d be in dire straits.
His large hand supported the baby’s head and back as he leaned forward to gently touch Rachel’s cheek. “Who says?”
“Well…I mean…”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said softly. “Get that straight right now.”
“But, you’re bound to get tired of waiting for me.”
“Rachel, I don’t care how long I have to wait. One year, two, or fifty. I’m a patient man.”
Sliding a hand behind her neck, he tugged her closer and gently kissed her.
“I’m not going away,” he repeated firmly.
Her stomach fluttered. This man was a special breed. She would marry him in a heartbeat if only she didn’t have so much standing between them.
The corded muscles in his arms spoke of his strength as he held the baby girl they both loved so much. But even greater than the power in his arms was his immense strength of spirit.
His love of God, the land, and the animals told her she could do far worse than plighting her troth with this man who had a heart bigger than the state of Texas.
Her stomach twisted and her mouth went dry. She yearned to trust him. But… Getting to her feet, she went to look out the window.
The chair scooted as he rose and followed. “Rachel, I feel there’s something standing between us. Something that’s keeping you from following your heart.” He took her hand. “Tell me about Alice,” he said softly.
The request from the blue sent her into a spiraling panic. She licked her dry lips. “I’ve told you all about her. I don’t…” She tried to swallow past the lie lodging in her throat. He knew. Despite her efforts to hide the truth, he’d figured it out. “I don’t know what more I can add.”