Chapter 10
Walt felt excitement run up his spine when the stagecoach turned the corner and started toward the depot. He waved to Max, who was riding a horse alongside two other men.
The men shook hands and backslapped as Max dismounted and motioned toward the stage.
Max opened the door and introduced each lady to Walt as they stepped down. He couldn’t believe that all of the ladies, and even Walt, seemed to have lost their voices.
The ladies stepped up on the boardwalk and began to dust themselves and each other, while Catherine kept a close eye on the men moving their luggage to the buggy.
Satisfied they had moved everything, she turned and looked at the town. “What kind of place have you brought us to, Leanne?”
“I think it’s wonderful!” Miriam exclaimed.
Leanne smiled at Miriam before addressing Catherine. “It looks homey to me. What don’t you like?”
Catherine shrugged. “I don’t know, it just seems small and empty.”
“Yes, and I like that.”
“Maybe for now, but don’t you think you’ll get bored? No entertainment, or anything?”
“Catherine!” she chided. “We have been destitute with lack of entertainment for quite some time. I would think safety and peace of mind would count for something. What’s got into you lately?”
She shrugged and didn’t speak.
Leanne noticed Max and Walt having a serious discussion for a few moments, before walking back to them.
“Ladies, seems we have one more hurdle to jump.” Max twisted his hat in his hands and began telling them about Jerry’s cousin.
“Leanne, all of the others can act pretty normal about just arriving, but you need to act like you already know Jerry and greet him as such.”
He dug in his pocket. “Maybe you should put this ring on now.”
“Max, our marriage is legal. I don’t understand.”
He held his hand up. “Yes, it is. But Fred likes to cause trouble for Jerry any time he can. He really can’t do anything about the wedding, but he will look at it as an opportunity to stir up trouble. Maybe this will make him go away without a bunch of questions.”
She nodded. “I suppose I should be good at acting by now. I actually had Franklin convinced. But I still don’t like it.”
Leanne turned to her friends. “Okay everyone, one last hurdle. We can do it. Let’s get going.”
Catherine murmured, “I’m so tired of riding. I swear when we get there, I won’t leave the house, maybe not even my room, for days.”
She climbed in the front seat of one buggy while Leanne climbed in the other. She rolled her eyes and huffed when Max climbed in beside her.
“How much longer?” she snipped.
Max was about fed up with her attitude, and now with Fred waiting at the ranch, he was ready to snap back at her. The buggy had barely made it to the edge of town when he pulled to a stop and turned to her.
“You mean how long until we go in the house? For everyone else, hmm, about twenty minutes. For you, it may be hours.”
She glared at him. “Exactly what is that supposed to mean?”
“Look Missy. I don’t know what your problem is. If you didn’t want to come, you could have stayed and taken your chances with Staley. A little kindness would be appreciated, not for me, but for Jerry. I don’t know any man who would have paid to bring four strangers out here.
“Until you think you can be nice, you aren’t going in. I won’t let you hurt him. I’ll walk the hatefulness out of you if it takes all night, through every pasture on the ranch, until you are begging to be nice.
“How you ended up being friends with the rest of these ladies, is beyond me. They must feel sorry for you, because they certainly couldn’t like you.”
He left her speechless as he turned and popped the reins. The woman had been nothing but a thorn in his side since he met her. Maybe she was tired, confused, fearful, but weren’t the others too? No, there was no excuse he could think of for her behavior.
Not ready to leave it alone, he griped. “I would like to concentrate on the wonderful event about to happen, when Jerry and Leanne meet. He’s going to be one happy man.” He smiled for a moment before his scowl returned.
“But you seem set on ruining it. I refuse to let you do that. I have worked on this for two months, traveled four thousand miles, and actually put myself in danger, all for this moment.” He shook his head.
“I figure Rusty will be somewhere near the front gate. I’ll just turn you over to him. I’ll check on you after supper.”
Catherine looked at him like a scolded child, with tears running down her face. “I’m sorry, and I mean it. All of this has overwhelmed me, but you’re right, it’s no excuse. I promise I will change my attitude immediately. If I do feel contrary again, I will bite my tongue until I can excuse myself to be alone. You can trust me to be charming.”
“And grateful?”
“Yes.”
“And convincingly happy?”
She huffed, “Yes.”
Rounding a curve, they saw the first buggy sitting in the road, with Walt and Leanne standing. Walt was pointing and moving his arm as he spoke, a look of pride beaming from his face.
“Let’s get a move on, Walt!” Max shouted playfully.
“Now, you just hold on. Mrs. Durham happens to be enjoying her first look at the ranch.”
“It’s lovely!” Leanne squealed with delight. “And so big!”
Max grinned and waited patiently. He sure hoped she was good to Jerry. Everything about her so far, led him to believe she would be.
A man rode toward them and stopped for introductions. When he made it to the second wagon, Max grinned mischievously at Catherine.
“Hey Rusty! This is Catherine and Natalie. Ladies, this is Rusty.”
They nodded in greeting before Max went on. “Rusty, could you stick close to the house? Catherine here is wanting to take a walk around the ranch. If we can find time tonight, I’ll walk out on the porch with her, and if you don’t mind, maybe you could take her and show her around?”
“My pleasure. I’ll keep watch.”
As they drove away, Catherine pouted. “I told you I would behave.”
Max chuckled sarcastically. “I like having guarantees.”
********************
Jerry heard the commotion outside and immediately started sweating. He needed to stay calm around Fred and appear excited yet in control to Leanne.
A moment later, the house was invaded with lively chatter as four women hurried through the door. One made a straight line toward him, smiling radiantly.
She fell to her knees beside his chair and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him on the cheek.
“Thank you, my darling husband, for letting my friends visit. It means so much to me.” She continued to squeeze his neck and kissed his cheek again.
As she loosened her grip, he looked in her face and whispered, “You…you’re beautiful!”
“Thank you,” she replied as she blushed. She stood behind his chair and kept her arms around his neck with her hands crossed over his chest.
“Darling, let me introduce Catherine, Natalie, and Miriam.” They curtsied as Jerry nodded.
He cleared his throat and scrambled to say something. His mind was whirling. Leanne had been in his life for one minute and already took his breath away.
“Umm, it’s umm, nice to meet you all.”
He noticed Fred standing behind them. “Darling,” he put his hand on hers. “This is my cousin, Fred. He dropped in for a visit, unannounced.”
Fred stepped forward. “Forgive my rudeness. I wanted to check on Jerry and meet his new wife. I must say, it’s been a most interesting and surprising pleasure to meet you, Leanne.”
Walt walked through in time to see the menacing look Leanne gave Fred. He liked this girl better all the time. She had spirit and determination, not to mention she seemed sweet so far, and she was beautiful.
“Nice to meet you, but tonight isn’t really a good night for visiting. My friends are exhausted from their trip and I need to be attentive to them. If you will excuse us, please?”
Without waiting for so much as a nod from Fred, she leaned down to Jerry and squeezed his neck, with her cheek against his. “I’ll be back in just a little while.”
His eyes sparkled as he turned and watched her leave the room, following down behind Walt and the women.
After a moment, he turned back to Fred. “You’re still here? We have a lot to attend to tonight with so many guests. You can see yourself out.”
Max stepped in with his arms full of luggage.
“Here!” Jerry moved toward him. “Load my lap and let me help. You can see Fred out, if you don’t mind.”
“Gladly,” Max glared at Fred and unloaded his arms. “Let’s go.”
Jerry made his way down the hallway, following the sound of chatter. Stopping in front of the doorway, he called, “I have more.”
Leanne blushed and walked toward him. “Is he gone?” she whispered.
“Yes, Max is seeing to it.”
The women came and retrieved the luggage he was holding, then Leanne took his hand.
“I’m Leanne. I’m sorry I was so bold to come in like that, but I wanted to be convincing. Do you think it worked?”
“It certainly convinced me.” A warm smile took over his face. He felt tingly all the way to his toes.
“Jerry, I promise you, I have never thrown myself at a man, and until my recent circumstances required it, I have never been the least bit close to a man. I hope you understand.”
“Does this mean no more hugs or kisses on the cheek?”
His teasing brought a giggle in response.
“Maybe I should have Fred come back, because I sure enjoyed it.”
She squeezed his hand. “There is a lot more to come, if you keep that dreadful man away.”
“My dear, you have yourself a deal.”
She leaned and kissed his cheek again. “We have so much to talk about and I can’t wait to get to know you. But if you would allow us some time to get settled, I would really appreciate it.”
“Not a problem. I’m anxious for us to begin our life together, but I’m a patient man. I think I can wait until, oh, let’s see, umm, after supper.” He laughed. “I’m teasing. You’re here and that’s all that matters.”
Walt huffed and puffed as he moved the trunks and satchels from one room to another, waiting for the ladies to decide who wanted what room.
Jerry laughed and offered his help. “Load me up, Walt. Ladies, there’s plenty of hot water for you if you would like to indulge in a bath before supper. The sooner you decide on your room, the sooner you can get to it.”
Within minutes, the ladies were settled in their rooms, busy with hanging clothes and readying for a nice hot bath…except for Leanne. She stood in the hallway looking perplexed.
“Is something wrong, Leanne?” Jerry questioned as he rolled himself toward her.
“No, not at all. I’m just counting my blessings and feeling a bit overwhelmed.” She took his hand. “You gave me my own room? That speaks volumes about you, and you have no idea how grateful I am, for that, and everything you’ve done.
“Max told me what a good man you were, but now, seeing it for myself, I’m really moved.”
Walt quietly made himself scarce, leaving the two alone for now. He prayed a prayer of thanks to the Lord, knowing this was going to work out good for both his friend and Leanne.
“Leanne, sweetheart.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “I want you to feel comfortable and safe. As much as I would love to have you share my bed, I wouldn’t pressure you to do so. Even though we are legally married, I think we need time to get to know each other.”
He winked at her. “There will come a time you won’t be able to escape me. Now, go get yourself rested until supper. The next few days are for you and your friends to get settled in. We will all do some talking and planning, but I would like for us to have some time alone also.”
“Certainly.” She bent and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”