Chapter Eight
Travis heaved the hay bale onto the top of the stack, making sure that it balanced nicely. He didn’t want it to fall down again, not after he’d managed to pack it the first time. If he hadn’t lost his balance…
At least there was no one else around. That would’ve been embarrassing, especially if it had been Connor or Anna.
He thought about the previous evening and their dinner together.
It had surprised him. Travis hadn’t been expecting it, and it had thrown him a little.
Anna had shown that she didn’t want much to do with him beyond making her a married woman, but she had made an effort to have dinner made for them.
They talked, and he could see her opening up a little bit.
She wasn’t as cold as he had first thought. She was just nervous.
And given the situation, Travis could understand.
She was so close to losing her home to a cousin who didn’t seem to care about the ranch at all.
Travis had witnessed Edwin when he was meant to be working, and Anna’s cousin was certainly not interested in doing the hard work.
Although he clearly wanted to be the one giving the orders.
Anna was the opposite; she got stuck into the work just as much as anyone she employed.
She wasn’t afraid of the hard work. And nobody batted an eye; she was just there.
Travis had to admire that. Anna was tough; no doubt about it.
And there was also no doubt about her passion for the ranch.
She desperately wanted to keep it, to build it up even more than it already was.
She couldn’t see herself doing anything else.
Travis could understand why she didn’t want to give it to someone who didn’t care about it as much as she did.
He hadn’t been present when Anna broke the news to Edwin about the marriage.
She said she wanted to do it in private.
He had been working outside, but could still hear the shouting and the outrage shortly before Edwin stormed out looking like he wanted to murder someone.
Anna had looked a little put out but resolute when she appeared a few minutes later.
Travis wished that he’d been there to stand by her, but she said that she could handle her cousin alone.
He had a feeling she was used to looking after herself.
The sun was just beginning to come up as he left the barn, the air starting to warm a little.
He’d been unable to sleep, so he’d decided to get on with some chores he had to finish.
Doing it in the early hours had been grueling, especially alone, but it was soothing and gave him time to think.
It was a shame that he couldn’t get Connor’s approval, but if he was lucky, that would improve.
At least he chose to be there and wanted to work hard. Travis was glad he didn’t have to deal with Edwin's lackadaisical attitude.
Mrs. Mason was likely awake by now. Maybe he could get some breakfast and a mug of coffee to wake him up a bit more. Travis went into the house, doing his best not to shut the door too hard. Anna was an early riser, but he didn’t want to wake her up before she had to.
However, as he stood in the hallway, he heard noise coming from the kitchen. It sounded like a lot of glassware clinking against each other.
Was that Mrs. Mason?
“Travis?”
Mrs. Mason was coming down the stairs, watching him curiously. Travis looked from her to the kitchen as another loud clink came from behind the closed door. Mrs. Mason closed her eyes and groaned.
“He’s back again, is he?”
“Who?”
“Edwin. He keeps sneaking in here and takes what alcohol he can get.”
Travis frowned.
“Sneaking in?”
“Well, he actually breaks in. He used to have a key to the house until a few days ago, when Anna took it from him. She said that he shouldn’t come and go as he pleased, as he was being greedy and drinking everything in sight.
Needless to say, he called her a few choice words that would make anyone’s ears burn. ”
“And he breaks in to steal booze?” Travis was stunned at that. If Edwin was a member of the family, there wouldn’t be any need to steal. “Why doesn’t he just go into town and have a drink there? We’re practically on the doorstep of the saloon.”
“That means paying for it. Here it’s free.
” Mrs. Mason shook her head and glanced nervously at the kitchen door, a flicker of tiredness passing across her face.
“I hate dealing with him when he’s in a drunken mood.
He’s not gotten physical, but with the news he’s not inheriting the ranch anymore will likely change that. ” In that moment, Anna looked tired.
Travis could understand that. He didn’t want a violent man angry around. It was hard enough with Edwin living on the ranch and working for Anna without him getting resentful about it.
Sighing, he headed toward the kitchen and went in.
There was no sign of anyone, but there were half a dozen bottles on the table.
A clinking came from the pantry, and Edwin emerged a moment later.
He didn’t look drunk, walking without a wobble, but his face was flushed from the alcohol.
Travis wondered how much he’d had already.
“Get out of here, Edwin.”
Edwin looked up, his bloodshot eyes went wide. Then his eyes narrowed. “Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?”
“I’m your cousin’s husband, and you’re breaking into our house.”
“You mean my house!” Edwin snapped. He set down the bottles with a bang, making the whole table shake. “I’ll do whatever I want here. And, by rights, this booze belongs to me.”
His voice was getting louder, and Travis glanced up toward the ceiling. Anna was going to be awakened by this noise. He needed to get the cousin out and away before she came downstairs. She didn’t need to hear any of this.
“Just get out of here, Edwin.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes, you are. You’re drunk, and you’re starting work soon. You’re going to need to sleep off what you can. You can’t be in charge of animals when you’re drunk.”
Edwin scoffed.
“Who are you to tell me what to do? By rights, you shouldn’t be telling me what to do at all.” He moved around the table and advanced on Travis. “You ruined everything, do you know that? This ranch rightfully belongs to me, and you decided to take it from me.”
“It belongs to Anna, not me.”
“But you’re her husband. And you schemed with her to take it from me instead of accepting that she would never inherit.
” Edwin folded his arms, drawing himself up to his full height.
“I wonder what she offered you to get you to agree to marry her. No one in their right mind would marry my cousin. She’s too plain, too unladylike, and she doesn’t believe in keeping herself presentable.
I’m shocked that anyone thought she would be a good wife. ”
Travis felt the anger rising at the man’s words. He wanted to punch Edwin in the face for the way he spoke about Anna, but he restrained himself.
“You don’t need to be so disrespectful, Edwin,” he said as evenly as he could. “She was the one your uncle wanted to inherit. That’s it. You shouldn’t insult her just because you didn’t get your way.”
“It should’ve been mine!” Edwin cried.
“Do you think you’re in a position to run a ranch when you’re barely able to stand without swaying?” Travis shot back. “You’re rocking side to side on your feet right now. If you can’t stand up properly, you shouldn’t be in charge.”
He was ready for an attack, but wasn’t prepared for Edwin’s ferocity.
The man launched himself forward, swinging wildly.
One of his fists caught Travis in the mouth, the pain bright as his lips smacked against his teeth.
Staggering back, Travis managed to grab Edwin’s fists and turned him around, pushing him away.
Edwin stumbled and sprawled on the floor, letting out a moan as he tried to get up, before slumping back down.
“What on earth…?” Anna’s voice got Travis’s attention, and he turned to see her in the doorway. Her eyes widened when she saw her cousin. “Edwin! What are you doing?”
“He was trying to get into our alcohol again.” Mrs. Mason appeared over her shoulder. “Travis was just trying to get him to leave.”
“Are you going to let this stand, Anna?” Edwin had managed to get to his feet, although he was still swaying. “Your husband has just assaulted me. Aren’t you going to do something about it?”
Anna glanced at Travis, her eyes drifting over his face. Then she turned back to Edwin and straightened up.
“I think it’s time for you to leave,” she said.
Edwin blinked, his eyes widening. He looked stunned to be even being ordered out.
“What? You can’t make me leave!”
“I see blood on Travis’s face, but not on yours. You’re clearly drunk, Edwin, and I’m not about to have an argument with you as you are.” Anna’s face looked as if it were made of stone as she pointed toward the door. “Just get out.”
“But, Anna…”
“Now!” The bark made Travis jump, and Edwin fell silent. “Don’t make me ask you again. You need to sleep it off. You don’t want your wages docked yet again because of your tardiness.”
Edwin stared at her.
“I’m a Montgomery as well,” he hissed. “I should be allowed to do what I want.”
Anna waved her hand at him. “You don’t get special privileges because of who you are. If anything, you should be held to a higher standard. Now get out of here, or I’ll call for Connor to throw you out.”
That seemed to be enough to make Edwin back down, even though he was still scowling. Travis watched as Edwin snatched up two bottles from the table and backed away toward the back door. With one last scathing look at Anna, he was gone.
“Thank goodness. ” Mrs. Mason let out a sigh of relief.
“I wish he would just stay out of here. ” Anna went to the back door and closed it, leaning on it with a heavy sigh. “I didn’t want him in here after the wedding. Goodness only knows what he would do if he had free rein of the house.”
“You’re going to need to lay down the law with him, then,” Travis said.
Anna’s mouth tightened slightly. “You make it sound like I haven’t done that at all. What I would love to do is evict him completely, but Father did promise him the cottage for the rest of his life, and I can’t go against what Father promised.”
“But if he’s committing crimes and harassing you and your family, then surely you’d have every right to do something?”
“He’ll certainly make my life even more miserable.” Then her eyes widened as she caught sight of his face. “Oh, my. He caught you pretty good, didn’t he?”
“What?”
She pointed to his lip.
Travis dabbed at his throbbing lip. His fingers came away with blood on them.
“He must’ve hit me harder than I thought.”
“Sit down.” Anna pointed at a nearby chair. “Now.”
Travis was about to protest, but then he caught sight of Mrs. Mason.
She gave him a subtle shake of her head, indicating that he should go along with it, and then she began to clear the bottles away.
Anna soaked a cloth in water and brought it to Travis as he sat down.
She leaned over, and her hair fell from behind her ear, tickling his face.
It made Travis shiver, and Anna paused. Had she seen his reaction?
Probably, given that she tucked her hair behind her ear again.
Then she pressed the cloth to his mouth, and Travis flinched.
“Oh, don’t be such a baby,” she scolded gently, carefully wiping the cloth across his cut lip. “You’re going to be fine, but it’s going to be a nice bruise later.”
“That sounds about right for me,” Travis muttered.
She arched an eyebrow at him.
“Do you normally get into fights, then?”
“No, but you don’t get to be a lumberjack without getting injured somehow. People can even lose their limbs if they aren’t paying attention.”
Anna’s hand froze, the cloth just inches from his mouth. Mrs. Mason stared at him as if to say that was too much and he should tone it down. Travis swallowed dryly.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“I’m aware of what you were trying to do,” Anna said quietly, continuing to clean up his mess. “And I can’t believe you’ve managed to get through as you did without getting hurt yourself.”
“You learn quickly when you’re growing up fast.” Travis shrugged. “It’s nothing new. Getting a busted lip is definitely nothing compared to what I’ve seen.”
“I’m sure,” Anna murmured. “You’re not someone who would do that, are you? Get into fights?”
“I wouldn’t start ’em, if that’s what you mean.” Travis spread his hands. “But I have to defend myself somehow. I’m not about to stand there and take it.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. That would be cowardly or foolhardy.” Anna’s mouth twitched. “You seem perfectly capable of handling things, for the most part.”
“Is there something amusing about this?”
“No, I…” She glanced away, twisting the cloth between her fingers. “It’s awkward, that’s all.” After a moment, she added quietly, “I wish Edwin would stop looking at me as though I owe him something.”
“He’s not going to leave it alone, though, is he?”
She shook her head. Travis reached out and touched her hand, curling his fingers around hers.
“Don’t worry about him, Anna. He’s just angry that he didn’t get what he wanted. He celebrated too early, and now he’s paying the price. And, deep down, he knows that he’s the one who has to adapt to be a part of your life. You’re not the one in the wrong.”
“I know that, but… it’s easier said than done, isn’t it?” Anna straightened up, absently tugging at her hair. “I’m sorry about his behavior. Edwin shouldn’t have hit you.”
“I can handle him.” Travis paused. “I’m more worried about you.”
“Me?”
“Well, we’re married now, aren’t we? Aren’t I supposed to support you, even if it’s against your own family?” He squeezed her hand. “You don’t have to worry about anything with me around, Anna. I’m on your side.”
They stared at each other for a moment, Travis feeling something prickling across his skin. Then Anna pulled away abruptly, tossing the cloth onto the table and leaving the room. Travis watched her go, wondering what he’d said that made her react in such a way.
“Leave her be,” Mrs. Mason said, coming out of the pantry. “She’s going through a lot right now. I know it’s hard for her. She just needs to come to terms with it on her own.”
Travis didn’t answer, although he did agree. Anna was recovering from a horrible situation. He’d been there himself.
He just hoped that she would turn to him when she needed it. And that made him wonder when he started getting protective over her. Yes, she was his wife, but that was supposed to be from a marriage of convenience.
This was definitely starting to feel like something more.