A Lesson in Patience (4 page)

Sitting in front of the fire, Ginny still hadn't said a word. Tim sat next to her and offered her his canteen. Smiling, she took the offering and drank deeply.

“Colby just needs to get used to ya. He's been without a woman for a while,” Tim offered.

“You make a lot of excuses for your friend, you know that, Tim?”

“Nah, it just ain't like that, ya know. He's a good guy. He pays us well and he's good to everyone. Even the Indians. His housekeeper is Navajo, ya know.”

Ginny smirked. After spending over a year in Regency England, as part of the upper class, she was used to such ridiculous and flagrant racism.
Oh, he's a really good gardener... too bad he's Irish
. “No, I didn't know that. Good for him.” Ginny came pretty damn close to not sounding sarcastic that time. She really did.

“Now, Ginny, don't be like that,” Tim obviously translated her last trenchant statement. “He's a really good guy. I think once you two find some common ground, y'all get along like two peas in a pod.”

There just wasn't any way to stay mad at Tim. He was a genuinely nice guy who wanted everyone to be happy. Maybe it had something to do with his new wife or his soon to be daddy status, but whatever the reason, she couldn't stay angry.

Smiling warmly Ginny nodded then bumped into him with her shoulder. Tim smiled in return and bumped her back. “Maybe you should get some sleep Ginny. We've got another long day tomorrow.”

“Alright then, good night, Tim. Thanks for making this trip bearable.”

“I never could refuse a pretty girl, ya know.”

Ginny climbed into her bedroll again leery of creepy crawlies. Once settled, she stared at the fire until she fell asleep. It took a little more time tonight, since Ginny could feel her worn muscles relaxing slowly. She would probably be sore in the morning. Her last thought before falling asleep was wondering if she would ever know who she was and if it would end up being “the” problem.

Colby rode into the town just as the nightlife started. He had already figured that most of the stores he would need to get supplies from would be long since closed for the evening. It wasn't his primary focus anyway. After passing several saloons and burlesque shows, he found himself in front of Ma Belle's.

Ma Belle, the original owner and operator, died a few years back. In her will, a will drawn up by Colby himself, she left the place to her favorite girl, Naomi. Wanting to profit from Ma Belle's reputation for fairness and cleanliness, Naomi kept the name and continued to operate the business in the same fashion. Colby was always welcome and even given a discount due to their business relationship.

After hitching his horse, Colby walked to the front door and knocked. Naomi herself answered the door with a smile. When she saw who it was she smiled genuinely.

“Well, do my eyes deceive me? Or could it be the one and only Colby Miller.” Naomi, although well into her forties, still had the perfect girl next door face. She had big, brown eyes and reddish brown hair not yet marred by gray. Although her figure had filled out in the past few years since not actively working the brothel, she was still a stunner.

“Hi, Naomi. How's business?” Colby already felt himself relaxing. He realized that just being away from his “wife” was enough to help him unwind. He knew his problems weren't Ginny's fault, but she was the personification of those problems. It occurred to him that maybe he would never be able to have a friendly relationship with her.

“Good, good. But, you didn't come all this way to ask me that, did you?” Naomi had a soothing voice which had added to her popularity when she was a working girl.

“No. I was wondering if you were busy tonight?” Colby had always had a sweet spot for Naomi. Although much older, she never rushed him to finish the job and move onto the next. Besides, she didn't take too many clients anymore, so a guy didn't have to feel like he was just another lay.

Smiling seductively, she gave him her full attention. “Well, now darling, you know I don't really work that side of the business anymore. But for you, I will definitely make an exception.”

Calling to another girl to watch the door for the evening, Naomi brought Colby up to her rooms. She kept a large room on the third floor for her private use. Not many men had ever ventured beyond its door, and Colby couldn't help but feel honored.

“Have a seat, darling. Can I get you a drink?” she asked, walking to a sidebar and holding up a whiskey bottle.

“Thank you, Naomi.” Colby took a seat in a small sitting area on the side of the room. The bed, a big, four poster, was located on the other side of the room, behind a curtain that was currently open. First thing Colby did was remove his boots and hat. Propping his feet up on a small ottoman, he felt himself relax for the first time in days.

Handing him his drink, Naomi began to massage his shoulders. “Oh my Colby, you have a lot of tension in your shoulders. What have you been up to that is causing you to be so uptight?” The other thing about Naomi, she sounded like she cared.

Taking a long sip from his glass, Colby answered. “Got myself a wife.”

The massage ended, and Naomi came around and sat in the chair opposite him. Concern marred her eyes, showing off the crow's feet. “Maybe we should talk first.”

“Nothing to talk about really. I needed someone to take care of my brothers, and so I traveled all the way to Denver to buy a wife.” Colby took another sip of the whiskey and continued to regard her. A stray thought occurred to him that this woman should be someone's mother. He quickly quashed the thought as it would have destroyed his purpose for being there.

Bending her head to the side, she stared at him for another moment before responding. “And this woman... she's not pretty?”

Colby could see she was trying to sort out why he would be here and not with her. Smiling, he said, “No, she's real pretty.”

“Are you afraid you might hurt her because it's been awhile?” Naomi looked even more perplexed now.

“No. I just don't like her, is all.” Now, he could feel himself chuckling. Colby could be sour, but after some whiskey, he loosened up a bit.

“Colby Miller, what a thing to say! If she's pretty, then what difference does it make to you what she has to say.” Naomi had been around the block more than once, and she knew men. They were interested in few things. Top of the list was sex. Didn't matter what the girl looked like if she was willing to fulfill that top item on the list.

Colby proceeded to explain the tale of his new wife. Naomi listened with rapt attention through the tale, not stopping to ask any questions, although it was obvious that she had many. When Colby was done, she took his glass and refilled it and filled one for herself. Handing him his glass, she sat across from him once again and appeared pensive. Colby wasn't fooled.

“Seems like it wasn't her fault... this mess you're in. Maybe you should be a little nicer to her.”

“I know that, Naomi.” Colby looked down to hide his shame. “I know that she didn't ask for any of this. But I just can't help thinking that she's deceiving me. I just got this gut feeling that she's gonna be more trouble than she's worth.”

“Darling, I haven't met a man yet who didn't think a woman was more trouble than she's worth. It's why Ma Belle was in business for so long.” Arching her eyebrow, she knew she'd made her point.

“Very well. I'll try to be nicer to her.” Colby answered more to his glass of whiskey, than to his companion.

Naomi put her glass on the floor and knelt in front of him. Catching his eye, he was forced to give her his attention. First, she removed the half drank glass from his hands. Then, she slowly unbuttoned his shirt. “I don't have any answers for you darling, but I think I can take your mind off your problems for a while.” Her mouth turned into a sweet smile, seductive and alluring.

Smiling in return, Colby relished the feel of her hands on his chest. Closing his eyes, he pictured his wife's face and that was all he needed to prepare himself for his night out.

Early the next morning, Ginny surprised herself by being the first one awake. The sun was just cracking over the horizon and the morning smelled of fresh dew and flowers. After stretching her sore muscles, she looked over at the men. Tim, once again, laid on top of his bedroll, with his hat over his eyes, snoring. Colby was on his side, facing away from the fire. Staring at her husband for a moment, she wondered if his position was caused by guilt over already stepping on their wedding vows. Before the giggles could beset her again, she wandered over to the wagon to look for a towel to wash up at the stream.

She was in luck, finding not only a towel, but a bar of soap and a metal pan to hold some water. The stream was a few hundred yards from their campsite and seemed isolated. There was still a chill to the air this early, but Ginny didn't think her chances of washing up would wait until it warmed up. So she removed as much clothing as possible without revealing all her charms, filled the basin with water, and began to wash the more crucial areas of her body.

She started with her feet, which were not only dirty, but smelled of sweat. Working her way up her body, she was happy to remove the grit that had accumulated under her breasts and in her armpits. The face and neck were next. When her body was as clean as it would get without an actual bathtub or shower, she bent over the stream and got her hair wet.

Few things in life creeped Ginny out more than dirty, stringy hair. As she scrubbed the hard soap enough to get a lather, she thought back to her first adventure. After being kidnapped by the dirty lowlanders, she could still picture the filth, the hair so dirty it looked like dreadlocks. The smell of so many unwashed bodies that one could hardly draw breath. Although she admitted that sometimes she missed the warmth of Ian's body, she definitely did not miss the poverty and desperation.

After rinsing the soap off, Ginny got out her brush, which was one of the few items in her bag, along with a change of undergarments and one other skirt and shirt. Ginny had every intention of wearing the new clothing today, in order to appear somewhat clean when she met Colby's family.

With the rhythmic brushing of her long locks, Ginny began thinking about Colin. Her previous husband, in Regency England, was still a bit of a sore point. No, she hadn't fallen in love with him yet, but she knew she was close. He was a very good match for her personality, although her temperament was ill-suited for the time period. Regardless of the level of society she got to enjoy, being a second class citizen would have worn thin after a while.

Still, they had just reached an understanding in their relationship that would have led to happiness for them both. Sighing quietly, she stared at the running stream, wondering “what if.” As is often the case, “what if” always led to a sense of depression, which, although she had no control, Ginny felt that she could have done something more or different.

She lost track of time sitting there, watching the stream. So deep in her thoughts, she didn't hear her husband walk up beside her.

*******

Colby woke with a start. It took him a moment to realize that it was Tim's snoring that startled him awake. Moving to lie on his back, putting his arm behind his head, he stared for a moment at the lightening sky. He was surprised that he woke so early, since he'd only returned to the campsite a few hours earlier.

He and Naomi had spent a few hours together, before she told him that she really did have work to do. It was nice, but Colby had to admit that he was picturing his wife's face most of the time. After leaving Ma Belle's he rode his horse through town for another couple of hours. He used the time to analyze the strange feelings he was having.

Colby couldn't be feeling guilty. After all, he hadn't truly married Ginny. Not to mention, they had made a bargain to keep things professional and not get tangled up together. So, what was it? He could be feeling guilty about being selfish and leaving her and Tim alone for the evening. He quickly squashed that idea. It had been months since he was with a woman and denying his needs would have made him even more ornery.

He thought about his conversation with Naomi. She had suggested that he be nicer to his “wife.” Although he knew he should, he wondered how long before she said or did something to irritate him again. He was never the most understanding person. His mother used to tease him about his self-righteousness, always reminding him to walk a few steps in the another man's shoes.

Colby got himself up, not resolving anything except his need to empty his bladder. Once standing, he realized that Ginny wasn't in her bed roll. Scrunching his eyes together in confusion, he wondered if she had taken off. They were only a few miles from a city that she could effectively hide in. Walking over to the cart, he noticed that her bag was gone. Cursing softly, he wandered to the trees to pee. Then he would saddle his horse and go off looking for her.

Dammit
, he thought to himself at the trouble she was putting him through. Didn't he just say to Naomi how she would be more trouble than she was worth. He might have just let her go, but he was five dollars poorer because of her, and he wasn't about to let that go. As he walked quickly to the stream to get a drink and wash up, he saw her sitting by the shore running her brush through her hair, but not paying it any attention. She was staring at the water looking so lost in thought that he wondered if she would even hear him approach.

He was practically standing on top of her, and she still didn't notice him.
What could she be thinking about?
, he wondered. She claimed to know nothing about herself, a victim of some amnesia. And yet, she was clearly working through something in her head.

Then, Colby noticed her expression. She looked so sad, so lost, that it nearly broke his heart. Her face looked like a small child, despairing over some loss. He was about to ask her what was wrong when he noticed that she was only wearing her slip, and it was practically see-through. Even after spending the evening with a beautiful and experienced woman, he felt himself harden at the sight of her full, plump breasts pushing against the taut fabric.

He stooped quickly next to her, alerting her finally to his presence. She didn't realize her state of undress, because she turned toward him, giving him a better view of her breasts. Raised to be a gentleman, he turned his head and stared at the stream.

“You're up pretty early, Ginny,” he said, continuing his stare anywhere but her chest.

“I wanted to get cleaned up. Tim said we should be able to reach the ranch today. I didn't want to look filthy.” Ginny's voice was robotic and flat. After so much introspection, she didn't have it in her to spar with him.

Colby considered admitting that he thought she had taken off on him, but decided against it. He was vulnerable enough around her without calling attention to it. Coughing against his discomfort, he said, “Well, we should get going soon. I was just going to clean up a bit myself then start loading the cart. We still have to stop in Cheyenne for supplies, then we'll be on our way. I don't expect to reach the ranch until after nightfall, so you may not meet my family 'til tomorrow.” Colby forced himself to stop babbling.

Ginny noticed his discomfort and dismissed it. As far as she was concerned, it meant little. She stood up, grabbed her things and walked toward the woods to change. She turned and caught him staring at her as she departed. Perplexed, she entered the woods with her supplies and pulled out her clean clothing. As she began to change, she noticed her near nakedness. A smile crossed her face as she realized why he was uncomfortable. It wasn't because he had slept with a whore last night, but because he noticed her. She began laughing, finally breaking her from her funk. As silly as it was, it was exactly what she needed to keep going.

*******

Returning to camp, Ginny saw that Tim was up and making a pot of what looked like oatmeal. Colby was busy preparing the horses and wouldn't look in her direction. Smiling, she said her good mornings to Tim.

“Good morning to you too, Ginny, “ Tim smiled and continued his cooking. After packing her bag on the cart, Ginny went about rolling up the bed rolls and filling the canteens.

After breakfast, they were off once again for a seemingly never-ending ride. Ginny just didn't have the patience for this kind of slow going. Living in the 21
st
century spoiled a person. She liked that she could get anywhere in the world within a day. She could drive across the valley in an hour (obviously not during rush hour). She liked that she could go to one of the seven grocery stores within five miles of her house and get anything she wanted for dinner. Spoiled.

They picked up their supplies, and now Ginny was crammed into the back of the cart with crates of tools, fabrics, and household goods. At least she could sit on one of the crates, which was just slightly more comfortable than sitting on the floor of the wagon.

Morning turned into afternoon, and Colby once again kept his thoughts to himself. Tim would point out landmarks and views of interest to Ginny, trying to keep her from falling asleep sitting up and falling over the side of the wagon. They stopped only a handful of times for bathroom breaks and to eat lunch. Each time, Colby would disappear into the woods and not return until it was time to move on.

As the sun was setting, Tim and Colby discussed whether they should push on or camp one more night.

“We made great time from Denver to Cheyenne. Nobody would expect us home tonight anyway,” Colby said.

Tim looked uncomfortable. “Colby, nobody knows the pass like you do. We could press on and make it tonight. I miss Eloise something fierce.”

“We have a loaded cart. It could be dangerous in the dark,” Colby was hedging. He knew he could make it, but didn't want to get home yet. With something close to embarrassment, he didn't want to admit that he wasn't ready to show his family the real reason he left them several days earlier. Only Tim and Eloise knew that he had planned on buying a wife.

“Please, Colby. With Eloise expecting, I just want to get home as soon as possible.” Tim's face was forlorn and Colby didn't want to cause him more pain.

“Alright Tim, we'll press on. But if I think it's too unsafe, we stop. Agreed?”

“Agreed. What do you think, Ginny?” Tim turned in the seat at the front of the cart and looked at her.

“I'm fine either way, guys. I wouldn't mind getting out of this cart, but am willing to put up with it for a little while longer in the hopes of more comfortable accommodations tonight.” Ginny smiled when she said it, but since Colby wouldn't turn around, he missed it.

“What makes you think your accommodations at my home will be so much more comfortable?” he asked, sounding surly.

Tim immediately came to the rescue. “I don't think that's what Ginny meant, Colby. I don't think she expects a palace or anything.” Tim chuckled, trying valiantly to stop the coming storm that he saw on his friend's face.

Ginny remained quiet. She was interested in how this would play out. Colby was ready to fight and after sitting in the back of the cart all day, so was she.

Colby stirred the pot a little more by saying, “How do you know what she expects, Tim. You know her as well as I do.”

“How do you expect to know anything about me when you act like a child and refuse to talk to me?” Ginny kept her voice even, but it was obvious that she had every intention of shaking the bee hive.

Colby stopped the cart and turned fully in his seat to look at her. His face showed fury, pent up and boiling over. Apparently, he had been seething all day and this was just the type of conversation to let his anger loose on. “How would I get to know you? According to you, you don't even know yourself. Why would I waste my time talking to you when you couldn't answer a damn question anyway?”

Ginny's eyes narrowed, and she responded through clenched teeth. “I know enough to answer any question your simple mind could come up with. No, I don't remember my past, but I do remember how to treat people and act like a civilized person. I also remember telling you that I didn't expect anything from you except a fair chance to pay back my debt and get the hell away from you!” Ginny couldn't believe how upset she was getting. How could she get so caught up in these lives every time? Why couldn't she just lay back and enjoy the ride?

The look on Colby's face spoke of physical violence. Ginny flinched, as much as she hated herself for doing so. Colby noticed and was suddenly appalled with his behavior. He may be a simple rancher, but he was also a gentleman. He would never hit a woman out of anger or for any reason for that matter. Embarrassed, he got out the wagon and walked ahead a few dozen yards. He let his anger dissipate and waited a few minutes until he could trust himself again. He could hear Tim apologizing for him, again. After a few minutes, he walked back, climbed into the cart and drove off without another word. Even Tim was smart enough to keep his thoughts to himself, allowing Colby his time to settle down and get them all home.

It won't be too bad
, Tim thought to himself.
After a couple of months,
they'll get along just fine.
Tim hoped he was right, or he was probably going to be stuck in the middle until Ginny either left or killed Colby.