Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
D read pooled in Sampson’s gut as he stepped across the threshold, following Jedidiah’s short, wiry frame into his hotel room.
Yet, he would have to talk to this man. Spend time with him. Willingly submit himself to whatever Jedidiah wanted to discuss or do.
No. Not willingly . That was never how it worked with this man.
No one disobeyed Jedidiah’s orders without risking life or limb. Sampson couldn’t put Miss Hampton’s safety in jeopardy, even if she was the scoundrel's daughter. Nor could he break Jedidiah’s trust, which he’d worked so hard to build. His family’s mine and ranch depended on staying in this man’s good graces.
He’d never thought the cost would be as high as marrying a woman he didn’t even know and taking on a child that wasn’t his—or hers, come to think of it. But he’d pay whatever price he had to pay to fix his mistakes.
Since he had no choice but to play along, he might as well find a pleasant expression.
A small part of him wondered if Jedidiah really thought he'd done something to compromise his daughter. Probably not. More likely, forcing the marriage simply suited the man’s plans. He’d done far worse to get what he wanted.
And not once had Sampson seen even a hint of remorse on his face. Only a ruthless pursuit of his own interests.
The older man crossed to the window, casting his features into shadow as he turned back to Sampson. "Did you bring all the powder?"
Of course that would be his first concern. Not the daughter he apparently hadn’t seen in some time. Sampson kept his voice steady. "It's safe in the wagon, stored at the livery."
Jedidiah's gaze narrowed. "We don't want to leave it there for long. It'd be a shame if it blew and wasted the whole supply."
Sampson only nodded, doing his best not to think of the kind livery owner who lived in a room in the back. And all those horses. And the goat Miss Hampton needed for little Ruby's food.
"We should be ready to set out in a couple days." Jedidiah's voice cut through his thoughts. The older man fixed him with a penetrating stare. "That will give you time to get your new wife settled so we can focus on work."
Again, Sampson could only nod. Clearly, he had no choice but to go through with the marriage. At least he could make sure Miss Hampton and Ruby got to a place safe from all this trouble. "Do you want to be there for the ceremony?"
A glint of something akin to amusement flashed in Jedidiah's eyes. "Of course. It’s my right to give my only daughter away." His bushy gray brows rose. "I only hope you’ll be the husband she deserves."
Sampson clenched his jaw, forcing a grin to play along. "I'll do my best by her."
"We'll see about that." Jedidiah turned back to the window. "Go on now. Find that deputy for the vows. I'll be along soon enough."
“Yes, sir.” He slipped from the room, careful not to show how badly he wanted to get away from the man.
In the hallway, he paused outside Miss Hampton’s door. He needed to speak with her. He’d rather not have her father listening in, though. He was pretty sure the man must have heard them talking earlier, which was why he’d not been surprised at the sight of his daughter.
Sampson kept his knock quiet, and the door swung open a moment later. Miss Hampton’s wide gaze met his, then dropped to the babe she was feeding.
Ruby nestled in one of her arms, eyes closed as she drank from the bottle. So tiny. So innocent. That urge to protect them both crept through him once more.
He lifted his focus to Miss Hampton. Were her eyes rimmed in red? She’d been crying, probably because of this marriage her father was forcing on her.
The weight on his chest pressed a little harder. He was part of this debacle that brought her pain. He couldn’t stop it, but he could do his best to help her see this would be a benefit for her and Ruby.
He kept his voice quiet. “Would you like to go downstairs?” He nodded over his shoulder toward Jedidiah's door across the hall.
Seeing to understand his meaning, she nodded and stepped out of her room. He followed her down the stairs, and when they reached the foyer, she turned to him.
He raised his brows. “Are you hungry? There’s a cafe down the street.” She hadn't brought her coat. Ruby would need a warmer blanket too. “I can run up and grab your wrap, and maybe a heavier cover for Ruby.”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.” Her expression looked miserable.
He motioned to the parlor across from the clerk’s desk. The closed door would give them some privacy.
She followed him inside.
After closing the door, he motioned to the sofa. “Do you want to sit?” Ruby might be getting heavy in her arms.
But she shook her head, facing him again. She took a deep breath and met his gaze squarely. “Upstairs, you asked me to marry you. You did that because my father insisted, but I need you to know, you don’t have to go along with it. I don’t need anything from him. Or you. Ruby and I can just leave. Set out on our own.”
He inhaled. At least she hadn’t outright refused. She was probably just trying to give him the option to take it back.
He didn’t need that, and he wouldn’t take it either. How could he explain?
Lord, give me the right words.
How much did she know about her father? It seemed almost impossible to believe she wouldn’t be aware of the kind of man he was. Yet, Miss Hampton had an innocence, a gentleness that made him think she might be na?ve to the extent of her father’s crimes.
He might as well ask. “How well do you know your father?”
Her brows pulled together, and she glanced back toward the stairs. Was she worried about Jedidiah overhearing? Or did she think Sampson might tell him what she said?
She returned her gaze to Sampson. “He runs a mining business. It’s a lot of work and can be dangerous. He came to visit Mama and me every month.”
So, not often enough to truly know the ugly side of the man. Jedidiah showed only what he wanted others to see. “Did you ever live with him?”
She shook her head. “Mama and I always lived in our house in the valley while he lived at the mine.”
The babe reached the end of the milk in her bottle, and Grace pulled it away. She shifted Ruby up to her shoulder and rubbed her back.
He reached for the bottle to free her hands.
“Thank you.” Miss Hampton murmured the words as she focused on the babe.
Ruby opened one eye as she lay against Miss Hampton, and her brown hair stuck out in several directions. That adorable innocent expression… Something warm tightened in his chest. He’d never thought a tiny baby could be so cute. So… He didn’t have words to express how much she’d taken hold of him.
If he and Miss Hampton married, he would be Ruby’s father. The thought struck like a bolt of lightning.
He wouldn’t really be, though. He had offered her a marriage with no strings. She could be on her own, safe and provided for. He would never try to control her like her father did.
And on that point, how much should he tell her about her father? It seemed cruel to dash the image she carried of him. But she needed to know why it was important to go along with Jedidiah’s wishes if they could make it work.
Lord, give me wisdom.
He took a breath. "I’ve worked for your father a few months now."
She looked up from Ruby, though she kept patting the babe’s back. Her gaze held his, but she didn't speak.
"Your father has a lot of power in McPharland's business. McPharland doesn't care much about how things get done as long as they do. Your father uses whatever means necessary to make sure that happens. He doesn't think twice about having men beaten or even killed to make sure things go his way."
Her face paled, and she swayed slightly.
Had he said too much? He reached out to steady her, but she shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m not that delicate.”
Wasn’t she, though?
He dropped his hand, and when she lifted her chin a little, he dared go on. “I’d feel better if you and Ruby weren’t at the mercy of your father. I’d rather give you my name and make sure you have a nice place to live—a safe place. I’ll make sure you want for nothing.” She studied him with furrowed brow. He let his eyes plead with her as he said this last part. “Please consider it. For Ruby's sake, if nothing else."
Her expression didn’t change, she simply…stared at him. What thoughts churned in that mind of hers? Did she believe him?
Or did she think he was on her father’s side, trying to manipulate her into giving him control?
Show her the truth, Lord.
At last, her mouth parted as she prepared to speak. Her voice came out hesitant. “Would you expect to…live with us? Like a real husband?”
He shook his head, fighting off the burn in his cheeks at what she really asked. “You can live wherever you like. My family has a ranch a day's ride from here. You're welcome to move in there. Or if you want to be on your own, near a town, we'll find a place you like.” He forced himself to meet her gaze again. They had to be honest with each, and he couldn’t let embarrassment get in the way of anything she needed to ask. “I won’t expect anything from you. Nothing like in a usual marriage.”
Her shoulders sagged a little, as if in relief. But a small furrow remained between her brows. "Why are you doing this? Why would you willingly burden yourself with us?"
He let himself consider her question. Why did he want her to say yes so much? He didn’t owe her anything. She was the daughter of his enemy—kin to the man who stole a year's worth of sapphires from his family.
But this woman was different. Nothing like Jedidiah. And for some reason, he craved to keep her safe. To protect her from the evil who’d sired her. She didn't deserve to be at that man's mercy. Nor did the sweet child.
Sampson could help her so easily. Not only did he have money from his share of the sapphires, which he’d saved for years, he also had his pay from McPharland.
He swallowed as he tried to put all this into words. “I can help you.” His voice graveled with how much he wanted to do that. And then he let himself say the real truth. “And maybe in helping you, I can make up for my own mistakes.”
Seconds stretched as she searched his face. Something in her eyes seemed to say she understood him. Maybe too much.
At last, she gave a slow nod. "All right. I'll marry you, Mr. Coulter." Her arms tightened around Ruby. "To keep her safe, I'll do whatever I have to."
Relief washed through him, though it was tempered by the knowledge of what lay ahead. Marrying her was the easy part. Figuring out how to extricate her and Ruby from her father's clutches and put an end to the man's crimes for good—that would be far more difficult. And exceedingly dangerous.
One step at a time. He had to secure her safety first. The rest would come.
He allowed a smile. “I’m glad.” Then he tipped his head toward the door. "I'll go find the deputy and see if he can meet us here in an hour. Is that enough time for you to get ready?"
She nodded. "I don't need long." Of course she didn't. She’d not had weeks to plan an elaborate ceremony. This was probably nothing like the wedding a young woman might dream of. His chest squeezed at the thought how disappointed she must be.
He reached for the door but paused, looking back to meet her eyes once more. "It will be all right, Miss Hampton. I promise."
Her lips trembled, but after a moment, she nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Coulter. Truly."
The earnestness in her voice, despite the circumstances, undid him. He struggled to clear the tightness in his throat. “You’re welcome to call me Sampson.” His brothers called him Sam sometimes, but he’d never liked that nickname.
The shadows in her eyes eased a little. “You can call me Grace.”
Grace. He let his mouth shape the word. “I like that name. It suits you.” Her beauty outshone any sapphire, that was for certain.
He allowed himself a final look at the woman and child who would soon be his family. He would be a lucky man, even if the marriage didn’t come in the usual way or with the typical advantages.
Then he slipped out. Time to set the next step in motion.
The sooner they wed, the sooner he could spirit her and Ruby away from here. To safety.