Читать книгу A Baby For Christmas - Linda Ford - Страница 10

Chapter One

December 1882

Twenty-year-old Louise Porter cupped her hands to her rounded belly. How was she to protect this baby, as well as herself and her eighteen-year-old sister-in-law? Where could she go? Where could she find help?

No answer came to mind, but she must get away from that vile man who grew bolder and bolder with his threats and advances.

She turned the corner. Without thought, she’d walked toward the church. Head down, watching her footing carefully on the rough ground, she made her way toward the spot where they’d buried her husband six months ago.

Not until she was almost there did she look up and nearly fell backward. Nate Hawkins stood at Gordie’s graveside. She’d gotten a fleeting glimpse of him last year on his annual visit to his mother, but still she stared at him, taking in his rumpled dark blond hair and his blue eyes that always made her feel as if he pinned her to the spot where she stood. He’d filled out in the three years since he left, but he was still tall and slim. His muscular body spoke of hard work and strength.

“Nate, I never expected to see you.” Too late she thought to pull her shawl closed to hide her belly.

Nate held his hat in his hand. “I had to come say goodbye to Gordie.” His gaze skittered to her stomach and away. “You married again?”

“Hardly. This is Gordie’s baby.”

“Oh.” He shifted from foot to foot. “Don’t know if I should say sorry or congratulations.”

“Don’t say anything.” She wouldn’t tell him that she struggled with similar feelings. A baby to bring up on her own presented challenges. Some she dreaded, but that didn’t mean she didn’t look forward to welcoming the little one. “I’ll leave you to say your goodbye.” She turned back the way she’d come.

“Wait. Don’t let me chase you away.”

“I can come back anytime.” She continued on her way, not slowing until she knew she was out of his sight. Then she paused to catch her breath. It was getting harder and harder to move about with her growing size. She patted her tummy as the baby kicked up a storm. “Not much longer, little one,” she murmured. She expected the baby would be born Christmas Day. A Christmas baby. Her heart swelled with anticipated joy.

Her gaze turned over her shoulder, though she wouldn’t be able to see Nate. He’d been Gordie’s best friend. Hers, too.

In the past, both she and Nate had found a warm welcome in the Porter home along with the Porter children—Gordie and Missy. Nate and Louise had had their own homes, but in her case it had been unwelcoming and Nate had been mostly alone in his, so they’d spent all their free time with the Porters.

Louise’s mother had left when she was little and her father had raised her on his own, usually in mining camps. When she turned thirteen and he noticed how the men began to stare at her, he had sent her to live with Aunt Bea here in Rocky Creek, Montana. Aunt Bea was...well, she didn’t care to make any effort on Louise’s behalf and was openly grateful that Louise spent so much time at the Porters’.

At first, Louise resented her father for sending her away, then, after she’d fallen in with Nate and the Porter family, she secretly thanked him. It was the best thing that could have happened to her. The Porters were a loving, supportive family, and Nate...well, she was more than half in love with him from the first glimpse. Puppy love only, of course.

Her idyllic life had crashed to a halt four years ago when the Porter parents were killed in a senseless accident. Their team of horses had spooked and before Mr. Porter could get the animals under control, the wagon flipped, killing them both.

Gordie was not yet eighteen and suddenly had to be the man of the house and look after Missy, his sister, only thirteen years old at the time. He resented the responsibility and the endless work. A man who hovered at the outskirts of the town’s polite populace, Vic Hector, ten years older and worldly wise, had offered Gordie easier ways to make money than carrying freight and goods around for people. Most of the ways bordered on illegal. Slowly Vic and Gordie had grown more and more uncaring about staying within the bounds of the law.

That wasn’t all that was despicable about Vic, though Louise seemed to be the only one who saw how he eyed Missy and how, when he thought no one was looking, he bothered her as if he had some claim to her.

After the Porters’ deaths, Nate had decided to move on and had tried to convince the trio to leave with him. When Gordie refused, Louise knew she, too, must stay and watch out for Missy.

Besides, Louise couldn’t leave the only place and the only people who had ever made her feel welcome. If Nate had stuck around, perhaps he could have made Gordie realize how evil Vic was, but Nate had left them to manage on their own. He’d gone on to build his own life. A carefree one, according to his mother.

Louise had put behind her any thought that Nate had cared about her.

A year and a half ago, she’d married Gordie. She loved him in her own way, perhaps because he was a Porter. But it also gave her the hope of watching over Missy and maybe changing the direction of Gordie’s life.

Oh, how she’d failed.

She waited for the tangle of anger, frustration and helplessness to unravel inside her chest. Gordie had not changed. He’d been shot to death. No one had ever been held accountable, but she suspected Vic had shot Gordie. Perhaps her husband had finally stood up to Vic and paid the ultimate price.

Since Gordie’s death, Vic had grown increasingly persistent, threatening even. She rubbed the spot on her arm where he had grabbed her and held her tight just a few hours ago.

“Soon as that baby is born, I got me a job to do.” He’d pressed his face close to hers and held her so she couldn’t back away. “After all, Gordie and I was partners. He’d expect me to take care of his wife and little sister.” As he spoke, spittle sprayed from his teeth.

She pushed aside the memory and hurried on. She had to get away. But where? Her father had already refused to have her. He said he was close to finding a rich gold strike. Besides, the tent he lived in was no place for a baby.

What was she to do?

On her way home Louise slowed her steps and recaptured her breath. Oh, to have this baby and be again able to move about as easily as she once had. A few minutes later she arrived at the Porter house—her home since marrying Gordie. If she’d hoped to again know the warmth she’d experienced there when his parents were alive, she’d soon learned it wouldn’t happen. The happy home she’d grown to expect with the Porters had died along with them. As she reached for the doorknob, she heard Missy’s voice raised in protest.

“Get away from me.”

Anger filling her with fresh energy, Louise pushed the door open.

She’d thought Missy safe because Vic was supposed to be gone for the day. But now he had Missy in a corner, his body pressed to hers as Missy tried vainly to fend him off.

“Leave her alone.” Louise grabbed the closest weapon, the broom, and beat on Vic.

He released Missy to cover his head against Louise’s blows. One hand snaked out and wrenched the broom from her.

“You will soon enough discover that you belong to me. Both of you. By the way, I’m moving in so’s I can keep an eye on my property.” Muttering under his breath, he slammed the door behind him as he left the house.

Louise stared at his belongings stacked against the wall. She’d toss them all out into the yard except it wouldn’t stop him. He wasn’t a man to take no for an answer.

Missy fell into Louise’s arms. “That man makes me feel dirty both inside and out.”

Louise rubbed Missy’s back. “I know. But don’t worry. I’ll find a way to make sure he doesn’t bother us.”

But how would she succeed in keeping her promise?

* * *

Twenty-one-year-old Nate Hawkins, known as Slim at Eden Valley Ranch where he now lived and worked, spent a few minutes at his friend’s grave. “Gordie, I’m sorry I couldn’t make it for your funeral.” To this day, he missed his friend. Things used to be so good between them. Until Gordie’s parents died and Vic entered the picture. Nate had tried to make Gordie see the foolishness of his ways, but Gordie had ignored his warnings.

After that, everything had changed.

Things always changed. His father had died when Nate was eight and Ma had moved them to Rocky Creek so she could find work to support them. She was gone long hours, so he barely saw her and had to take care of himself. He’d found a place of refuge with Gordie and his family. Louise had become part of that group when she moved in with her aunt Bea. In Nate’s mind, she’d become the sunshine of the group.

And now Gordie was gone. And Louise’s sunshine had turned from him.

Nothing lasted forever. Only land, he’d decided, was permanent. Which was why he had his heart set on owning a ranch.

“Goodbye, old friend.” He waited until he was back on the street to put his hat on. He returned home—his ma’s home, at least.

A smile curved his mouth as he thought of the home he had his eye on. A small ranch across the border in Alberta not far from Eden Valley Ranch. There he’d build a secure place of his own.

“Did you say you had a leak in your roof?” he said to Ma. He didn’t wait for her reply before he grabbed a hammer and ladder and climbed up to begin repairs.

He inserted new shingles and pounded in nails.

“Nate.”

He’d know that voice anywhere. Louise. Once they’d been close, but now that, too, had changed.

He’d moved on and had plans of his own. She’d stayed, married Gordie and now carried his child. She’d succeeded in holding on to the Porter family and name.

Slowly he turned to stare down at her. From this perspective, she seemed tiny and vulnerable. He half snorted. Louise had never been vulnerable. She’d always kept up with Gordie and Nate in whatever they’d tackled.

She tipped her head up, shielding her eyes from the glare. He knew their color without seeing them. Brown and challenging. Bold and demanding.

“I need to talk to you.”

He backed down the ladder and faced her. “What can I do for you?”

“How long are you staying to visit your mother?”

He blinked. An odd question from a gal who’d made it clear three years ago that she didn’t care if he went as far north as he could ride. He’d harbored a hope she would accompany him, but she’d quickly made him understand he would do well to pin his hopes in a different direction. And he had, though it had taken a bit of effort. But now his hopes lay in getting his own ranch. His own land.

“I’m not staying long. A few days at the most. I need to get back and take care of some business.” While out riding the herd for Eddie, owner of the Eden Valley spread, Nate had come across an empty log cabin in a pretty little valley. He’d asked about it and learned it belonged to a mountain man who had once tried ranching but found he didn’t care for it. Nate hoped to catch him when he made his regular trek to town to send Christmas presents to his grown daughter. He’d learned the man only stayed long enough to visit an old friend who ran the livery barn. Nate had left a message with Rufus at the livery barn that he wanted to speak to Mountain Man Mike about buying the little ranch he had abandoned. Rufus had warned him Mike only stayed a few days. Nate couldn’t afford to miss him.

“Take us with you. Me and Missy.” The words tumbled from Louise’s mouth. She ducked her head as if it hurt her pride to make the request, then lifted her gaze to his, and he felt her demand clear to his toes. And something more he couldn’t identify and didn’t try as his heart leaped at the possibility. Then reality pointed out the facts.

“Don’t see how that’s possible. I have one horse. You’re in the family way and I’m in a hurry. I have to be back by Christmas to see a man who has a little ranch I intend to buy.”

“We could ride the stagecoach.”

He shrugged. “Fine. Go ahead. It’s none of my business who rides it.”

“It’s not that simple. I don’t want to travel alone with Missy.”

Nate leaned into his heels. Not too many years ago he would have welcomed her request and taken her with him. There was a time he’d do almost anything she asked of him and had enjoyed pleasing her, but that time was long gone. She’d made her choice. He’d moved on, started a new life elsewhere. There was no going back.

She ducked her head again and studied her fingers.

He looked at them, too. Saw they were white from her clutching them together. She was hiding something.

“What’s going on, Louise?”

“Vic.”

That’s it? Nate had never cared for the man, but it seemed the others found him...what? Certainly not charming. He had all the appeal of a snake. Nate shook his head. He had never been able to understand why Louise had hung around the man. At least not until she and Gordie had married. Then it made sense.

He hated even thinking of Louise married to Gordie. But there was no denying she’d had special feelings for Nate’s best friend. As much as it hurt, Nate had never let his romantic feelings toward Louise stand in the way of his two friends. Good thing he’d left when he did.

“What about Vic?” he asked her.

“He’s...well, he’s getting bothersome.”

“In what way?” Surely now that Gordie was dead, the man had sought out another partner to do his bidding.

She wobbled her hands in a gesture that told him nothing. “Your mother says the lady at Eden Valley Ranch welcomes people who are in need of a place to stay. All I’m asking is you accompany us there, then I promise we won’t bother you again.”

“Louise, it’s a weeklong trip. We have to stay overnight in some very tight quarters.” He waited for her to realize what he meant and knew she did when pink stained her cheeks. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to travel together that far, that long.” He studied her heightened color. Even heavy with child and looking weary, she was a beautiful woman.

He’d like to help her, but her plan put both Louise’s and Missy’s reputation at stake. Something he wouldn’t do. “You need to think of something better than this.”

* * *

Louise should have known better than to expect Nate to help. Years ago he’d ridden from her life just when she’d needed someone.

Turning away, she did her best to hasten off, even though her bulk turned her hurry into an awkward waddle. He’d encouraged her to come up with a better plan? She’d do exactly that. He’d suggested she buy stagecoach tickets for herself and Missy, and she would. She’d find her way to Eden Valley Ranch with or without his help.

She returned to Aunt Bea’s house where she’d taken Missy once Vic had revealed his plan to move into the Porter home. When they arrived, her aunt had inquired as to the duration of their visit.

“We won’t stay long,” Louise had soothed.

Aunt Bea’s handkerchief had fluttered vigorously, a sure sign of her displeasure. “I thought when you married that young Porter you’d moved out. Into your own home,” she’d added, as if realizing how unwelcoming she sounded.

Louise had thought so, too. In fact, about all she’d ever wanted in life was a home where she could belong. But things had changed. Vic had seen to that. Now she didn’t know what she wanted. There was only one thing she was certain of. Whatever she hoped to achieve, she would have to do it on her own. No point in thinking she could count on anyone to help.

“Can I get you some tea?” Louise asked her aunt. “Or would you like me to prepare supper?”

“You’ll be staying?” Aunt Bea’s hands fell to her lap.

“We won’t be any bother.” In fact, she’d clean the house thoroughly and bake up some goodies. Aunt Bea never seemed to get around to either anymore. Not that she ever had, preferring to spend her time reading dusty old books or knitting an endless supply of blankets, scarves and thick mittens. At least Louise had never suffered from cold hands in the winter.

Aunt Bea waved toward the kitchen. “Tea would be nice.”

Louise crossed to the door. “Missy, you can help me.”

Missy rose to her feet quickly and almost plowed over Louise in her haste to escape Aunt Bea.

Louise chuckled. “She won’t bite.”

Missy leaned forward to whisper, “She scares me half to death.”

“She isn’t half as scary as Vic.”

Missy shuddered. “What are we going to do? We can’t hide here very long. Vic knows where we are.”

“I have a plan. In the meantime, let’s make Aunt Bea some tea and then we’re going to clean this mess.” How did her aunt survive amidst all the dirty dishes and the sticky floor?

Missy hustled about, filling the kettle with water, finding the teapot and tea leaves. Perhaps she was eager to put her mind to something besides where they were going to live. “So what’s your plan?” she asked.

Louise considered what to say to her sister-in-law. If she revealed too much and Vic got hold of Missy, the girl might inadvertently say more than she should. “I need to work out a few details and then I’ll tell you.”

Missy gave her a long look. “One of these days you’ll realize I’m no longer a child.”

Louise patted her back. Missy was right. She’d turned eighteen two months ago, and was now a young woman. “I already do, but you can’t blame me for wanting to take care of you.”

Missy started sorting through the soiled dishes, preparing to wash them.

Louise waited, knowing something more troubled her.

Finally, Missy grabbed a dish towel, wiped her hands and turned to face Louise. “That house is the only home I’ve ever known.”

“I know.” There seemed no value in pointing out she’d had a home longer than Louise had ever had, as well as the surety of being wanted. The young girl had experienced loss, too, and life hadn’t been easy for her, either. “But do you think we can get Vic to leave?”

Missy shook her head, sending strands of her blond hair across her cheeks. She had always been a beautiful, almost ethereal-looking child and had matured into a young woman who drew glances wherever she went. From his first look at Missy, Vic had wanted to claim her as his own.

Why he wanted Louise defied logic. Probably just to prove he could. Seemed the man always had to get what others had. Or what they said he couldn’t have.

When it was steeped, they took the tea to Aunt Bea. There wasn’t a biscuit or cookie or even a heel of bread in the house.

“Let’s surprise Aunt Bea by making her a supper she won’t forget,” Louise said. “But first, let’s clean the kitchen.”

They washed dishes until they both had prune-like fingers.

“I’ll do the floor,” Missy insisted. “You need to take it easy.”

Louise wouldn’t admit it, but her back ached and she was weary clear through. Too weary to make her way to the stagecoach office. She sighed. Her plans would have to wait until tomorrow.

“Thank you. I’ll prepare the vegetables while you do the floor.” She sat at the table to work, grateful for a chance to rest her feet. But when her gaze went to the window and she saw Vic loitering in the alley beyond the yard, her weariness vanished. Right then and there she knew what she had to do. She wouldn’t say anything about his presence for fear of alarming the others, but she’d be sure to lock the house tightly tonight and sleep with a poker beside her bed.

* * *

After breakfast the next morning, Louise announced she had business to attend to. “Missy, you stay here and keep the doors locked.”

“Why?” Missy asked. Then, as if she realized the reason, she took a step toward the window.

Louise caught her arm and stopped her. “He’s been there a while. Don’t give him the satisfaction of letting him know we know.”

“He’ll follow you.”

“I’ve thought of that. And I have a plan. Why don’t you open the back door and toss the dishwater out. He’ll be watching you and I’ll slip out the front door. He won’t even know.” Please, God, make me invisible to him.

“Be sure and lock up after I leave.” She waited until Missy opened the back door, then slipped out the front and hurried down the street toward the heart of town, going directly to the stagecoach office.

“How do I get to Eden Valley Ranch?”

The bespectacled man behind the wicket stared at her. “Guess I’d have to know where it was before I could tell you that, ma’am.”

She racked her brain. Had Mrs. Hawkins ever said the name of the nearest town when she’d spoken of the ranch on which her son worked? Yes. It came in a flash and brought a relieved sigh. “Edendale in Alberta, Canada.”

The man tipped his nose as he studied a map on the wall to the side of the wicket. Then he brought his gaze back to her. “Well, ma’am, that’s a mighty long ways off. This here stage will take you as far as Fort Macleod, but, ma’am, it’s a long journey, especially for someone in your—” He turned so red his skin must have burned, and he didn’t finish.

“In my condition. Yes. Yes. But isn’t that up to me to decide?”

The color had begun to fade on the man’s cheeks, but again intensified.

“How much will it cost?” she asked. “And when does the stage depart?”

“I can sell you a ticket to Fort Macleod. After that, you’ll have to buy another to Edendale.” He named a sum that made Louise cringe.

“The next stage leaves tomorrow. Early.” He looked at Louise as if he thought getting up early was impossible in her condition.

“Fine. Thank you.”

She left the station and headed for the bank. Within minutes she had withdrawn enough money to buy the tickets in the morning, see them both safely to their destination and perhaps even to start a new life north of here. For a moment, her heart stalled at the idea of leaving behind the only place she’d ever felt she belonged. Perhaps she should appeal to the marshal to remove Vic from the Porter house.

Even before she finished the thought, she knew her wish was futile. Vic cared nothing for what the law demanded.

She had no choice but to proceed with her plan, and she left the bank to go back to Aunt Bea’s house. She turned the corner at the end of the block and ground to a halt as Vic stepped directly into her path.

“Thought you could get away, did ya? I wasn’t born yesterday.”

Holding in her fear, she replied evenly, “I was taking care of a few chores.”

“In the stagecoach station?” He chortled. “You thinking of taking a trip?”

She refused to answer.

“You get on that stage and I’ll follow you. I’ll bring you back. You will never get away from me. Not you nor Gordie’s sweet little sister.” He smiled benignly lest anyone be watching, but his words carried enough venom to make her skin crawl.

“I’ll tell everyone we don’t want to go with you.”

“No one will listen when I tell them yer my wife.” His eyebrows waggled in mockery.

She didn’t respond. He’d do it so convincingly, everyone would believe him and see her as a rebellious wife. Some would even cheer him for coming after her. She unconsciously pressed her hands to her belly.

His gaze followed. “Seems that kid ought to be born any day now. I got plans for it.”

“Plans?” What right did he have to make plans for her baby?

“Yup. Got a friend who knows people who will pay a lot of money for a baby.”

She staggered back as if he’d hit her. Threatening her was one thing, but threatening her baby was quite another. She began to tremble.

Giving her a smile, Vic touched the brim of his hat as if he were a mannered gentleman. “Nice talking to ya.” Anyone watching would think they’d had a friendly little chat.

They would be wrong.

Her insides rolled and tossed.

She breathed deeply, determined she would not be sick in public.

How was she to get away? How was she to make sure he didn’t follow her and bring her back as his “wife”?

She could think of one thing that would stop Vic. Now all she had to do was make Nate see the reasonableness of it.

* * *

Nate remained in the alley. Vic and Louise hadn’t seen him and he didn’t want them to. Especially Vic.

His opinion of the man had never been a secret and it had been reinforced yet again. The man was a danger to all decent folk.

Nate had been close enough to see the expression on both Vic’s and Louise’s faces, and to overhear enough words to know Vic had threatened her, then threatened to sell her baby. His fists balled. This must surely be the reason for her wanting to leave. It explained why she’d used but one word to explain her fear—Vic.

Nate turned back toward his mother’s house, having completely forgotten the errand that brought him into town.

Still seething, he burst into the house. But he jerked to a stop when he saw who was there.

“Louise?” She sat at the table facing his ma. “What are you doing here?”

Ma tsked. “I’m sure you don’t mean to sound so unwelcoming. She said she wanted to talk to you.”

Louise nodded. “There’s something I want to say.”

Ma got to her feet. “I’ll leave you two to deal with whatever it is that’s bothering the both of you.” She made for the door. “It’s hard to believe that you were once eager to spend time together.” The door closed behind her, shutting out her words and her opinion.

Nate sank to the chair she’d vacated. Ma was right. There had been such a time. “Things change,” he said. He had no desire to go back.

Louise liked to cling to what had once been, but wouldn’t she soon have a baby? Didn’t that mean she had to plan for the future?

He was about to say he’d seen her with Vic, when she leaned forward and started to talk.

“I want to leave. Go to Eden Valley Ranch.”

He nodded. Would have said he thought it a good idea but she didn’t give him an opportunity.

“I obviously can’t ride a horse all that way. In my condition. I can buy us tickets on the stagecoach,” she said. “I already made inquiries.”

“Good.”

“But—” Her head jerked up and her fierce gaze left him speechless. She had something in mind and she meant to get it done. She lowered her gaze, enabling him to release his breath. She studied the top of the table. “If Missy and I try to go alone, I fear Vic will stop us.” She lifted her head, her eyes this time filled with what he could only say was a mixture of sorrow and fear. She shuddered.

He knew she had every right to be afraid of Vic. The man would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. He wished he could offer her escape, but he didn’t see how he could.

“What I need,” she continued, her voice strong and steady, “is a man to protect us.”

He knew from the look in her eyes she meant him. But they’d already had this discussion. Accompanying her would get her away from Vic, but it would ruin both the women’s reputations. Even a widow’s expecting a child.

He wished he could protect Missy and Louise. But what could he do?

“Louise, I’ve already told you I can’t—”

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. “I have the perfect solution.” She straightened in the chair and drew in a long breath. “You and I can get married.”

“Married?” No other word came to his mind.

“Marry me and take us to Eden Valley Ranch.”

“Marry?” Still he was capable of saying nothing else.

Her eyes narrowed. “This is the Porters’ grandchild. Gordie’s child. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? After all they did for us? They gave us a family when our own were too busy.”

She was right, but he needed to see Mountain Mike and buy his ranch. The thought of his land seemed to ground him and allowed him to think sanely again. “But the place I’m looking to buy has only a tiny cabin. Only big enough for a man. Not two women and a baby.” Then again, if a man and a woman loved each other, the small quarters wouldn’t be a problem. A persistent hope sprang to his mind.

“I’m only suggesting a pretend marriage until we get there. Then we can have it annulled.” She widened her eyes as tears glistened in them.

A pretend marriage? Was such a thing possible?

“Must you look so shocked? Am I so unappealing?”

He managed to shake his head. Seemed the power of speech had abandoned him again. Then, seeing how she struggled to keep the pooling tears from overflowing, he started to reach for her hands. He stopped himself because he had no right. “Marriage isn’t like buying a ticket for the stagecoach. It’s a lifetime commitment.”

Her eyes pinned him with dark fierceness. “Only real marriages are forever. You don’t love me. I don’t love you. We both know it’s not for real.”

Her words scraped through his insides. A person couldn’t be much clearer than that about their feelings. Even knowing she was only asking to use him, he considered her request. Marriage gave him the right to tell Vic to leave Louise and Missy alone. He could protect her, get her to safety.

He nodded. “Very well. Let’s get married.”

She blinked and then blinked again. “Really?”

“You heard me.”

She sprang to her feet and rushed to his side to hug him. “Thank you. Thank you. You will not regret this. I promise.”

He hoped not. But already doubts had sprung from the corners of his mind. How could he pretend to do something that, a long time ago, he’d dreamed of?