Brazos Bride (14 page)

“
Is this true, do they belong to your grandmother?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Who can say?
Abuela
has used them the forty years or more she has worked here. She feels as if they are hers.”

He spoke to Consuela. “Is this true?”

The housekeeper said, “Señor, I have been here only fifteen years. I do not know what Anunciata brought with her.”

He turned to his aunts. “What do you think?”

His Aunt Lizzie’s corkscrew curls bounced as she straightened her shoulders. “These utensils belong to your wife, Micah. This woman was an employee and has no right to them even if she used them for a long time. Not unless Hope gives them to her.”

To the old cook, he said, “Señora, I’m sorry you’re upset, but whatever is here belongs here. Only my wife can give it away, and she’s resting.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out two of his recently acquired twenty-dollar gold pieces. He gave them to Ramona. “Take these and buy whatever your grandmother wants for her new kitchen.”

Looking very surprised, she said, “Thank you very much, Señor Stone, and bless you. Your generosity will help me soothe her into her new home.” Ramona led her grandmother away, the older woman muttering curses and casting evil glares over her shoulder.

Lizzie dropped onto a chair. “Lawsy, I thought that woman was going to use that rolling pin an my noggin.”

“
She would have too, if the boys hadn’t come in. My, but isn’t she strong for her age?” Maggie took another chair. “Now, if one of you will bring me that large green box, we’ll have supper. Won’t take us long to set it out.”

Zach rubbed his hands together. “I know right where it is, and my mouth is all set for some of your cooking.” He left the room.

Micah knelt in front of Lizzie. “Thanks for defending my wife’s kitchen. Thanks especially for coming to help us.” He looked at Maggie and back at Lizzie. “You can’t imagine what a relief it is to have you two here or what a burden it lifts from my shoulders.”

Lizzie leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You know we’d do anything for you boys.” She grinned. “And this is the most excitement we’ve had in weeks.”

Maggie tsked, “I expect your bride will want a tray in her room. Poor dear looked about used up. Imagine, fighting a fire when she looks like she’d float away on a puff of smoke.”

Lizzie patted Micah’s cheek. “I believe that young woman is stronger than she looks.”

“
Has to be, and smart,” Micah said and stood. “She convinced me to marry her.”

“
As if that presented a problem.” Lizzie laughed. “Pretty girl like her. I’ll bet she’d already caught your interest.”

Caught his interest? Only awake or asleep. He hoped his aunts didn’t notice the blush he felt heating his face. “You know it was her father I was accused of shooting?”

Maggie waved away his protest. “Yes, we heard it all from Hope’s uncle. Whew, that man has a lot of anger stored inside him. I’m glad he and his wife aren’t still living here.” She rose and started looking through the cupboards and into the storage pantry.

Consuela said, “Tomasina will help you, Señoras. She’s very good.”

Tomasina stepped from her hiding place and looked over her shoulder at Joel. “The big man said only you ladies will prepare the food, but I can clean and assist you. I know where everything is kept.”

“
My aunts will make certain good food is served in this house.” He looked at Consuela. “No offense against your job, ma’am.”

Consuela appeared distressed. “We are all loyal to Señora Hope. I think even Anunciata, hard as she was to get along with, meant well.”

Tomasina slowly raised her bowed her head. “Señora Hope, it was she who saved me from bad men who stole me. Evil men who would have made me pray for death. Like an avenging angel, she and her ranch hands rescued me. I owe her my life and will do anything I can to help her.”

“
This was when she was well?” Micah asked.

Eyes once more downcast, Tomasina said, “Sí, perhaps two years before her mama died.” She looked up. “Her papa was very angry with her, but she defended me and insisted here I remain.”

Lizzie patted Tomasina’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here since you sound loyal to Hope. We’ll need your help. Now, tell us how many ranch hands eat here?”

“
Oh, none, Señora. In the bunkhouse, Manuel, he cooks for them.” Tomasina gestured around the large kitchen. “Here is only for Señora’s family and those who work in
la casa
.”

“
That simplifies our job.” Lizzie Mae grabbed an apron. “You boys get out from under our feet. We’ll have supper in twenty minutes.”

Micah said, “Consuela, while our aunts set out supper, could I speak to you, Tomasina, and Maria?”

The housekeeper stepped toward him. “Of course, Señor. How may we help you?”

He gestured for the three women to be seated at the kitchen table. “I need to see how things worked here before our marriage. Before her father died, did my wife eat in the dining room with him?”

Consuela shook her head. “Usually she ate from a tray in the office while working on the books.” She looked distressed then, more quietly, said, “She avoided her papa when she could.”

Micah processed that information. Mrs. Henderson’s words yesterday were still in his mind. She’d been happy that Hope was “finally” free of her father. “His temper made her stay clear of him?”

“
Sí
.” She glanced up the stairs in the direction Hope had gone earlier. “Perhaps I should not have mentioned it.”

“
No, I need to know these things,” Micah replied.

Joel asked, “And after his death? Is that when she became ill?”

Consuela nodded. “Almost immediately. She kept to her habit of working on the books, but her uncle did not like it. He thought it was not woman’s work. And soon she was too weak.”

“
Start with when she began to show signs of illness,” Micah said. “Who prepared her tray, who took it to her?”

The three women looked at one another.

“
At one time or another each of us took her food.” Consuela said, “Oh, but usually her aunt prepared a plate for Señorita...I mean Señora Hope and set it on a tray, then one of us or Ramona took it to her.”

“
What about Jorge Montoya? Did he ever handle Hope’s food?”

“
Hmph,” the housekeeper said with distaste. “He would never serve anyone. He thought it beneath him.”

Maria spoke up at the mention of Hope’s uncle. “But his is the one who went to town and fetched the medicine from the doctor. If the doctor came here, he gave the bottles of tonic to Señor Jorge.”

“
His lost his temper soon after he came to stay.” Maria touched her cheek. “I broke a dinner plate. He slapped me so hard I fell to the floor. And he said I had to pay for the plate from my wages.”

Consuela patted Maria’s shoulder. “Maria helps support her family and they could not get along without her salary. It would have taken six months for her to pay what he insisted the plate was worth.” She smiled. “But Señora Hope gave me money and told me to give it to Maria so her family would not suffer.”

“
I see.” Micah smiled at Hope’s action, then fell silent as he considered what he’d learned. “Thank you for your help. Don’t let me detain you further.”

Micah and his brothers wandered to the parlor where he dropped into an armchair.

Joel asked, “What do you think, little brother?”

“
I have to be careful not to let my hatred of Jorge Montoya cloud my thinking. Looks like he had plenty of opportunity to slip something into Hope’s tonics.”

“
And his wife could easily have tainted Hope’s food.” Zach said. “Reckon they were in the plot together?”

Micah wasn’t satisfied with any explanation so far. “Could be. But who shot at us in the hotel? It would have been fast action on Montoya’s part if he received Hope’s letter, read it, raced to town, learned where we were, and set up on the mercantile roof. I don’t know if he had time.”

Joel frowned. “No likely. Both the Montoyas were here packing at the time of the fire. Leaves Eduardo Montoya.”

“
No, saw him ride out while I was talking to Micah.” Zach leaned forward and scrubbed a hand across his face. “Eduardo’s friends rose with him, so the shooter wasn’t one of them.”

Micah slumped back in his chair. “So, we’re no closer to an answer than before.”

“
You boys wash up,” Maggie said. “Supper’s ready.”

Zach stood and slapped Micah on the back. “We’ll figure it out. It’s in front of us and we’re maybe looking at it sideways.”

Chapter Fifteen

Exhausted, Hope lay listening for sounds of trouble downstairs. Micah must have solved whatever problem caused the ruckus. She sighed and pulled the covers to her chin, grateful for the luxury of his assistance.

She trusted Micah, at least, as much as she dared trust any man. His brothers seemed like good men too. Smiling, she thought of Joel calling her “little sister.” They couldn’t know that all her life she’d longed for siblings.

Her gaze darted to the connecting door between her parents’ rooms. She’d promised to leave the door open tonight. Would Micah trespass? After agreeing to marriage in name only, would he try to invoke his husband’s privileges?

Crossing her arms, her hands slid to her ribs’ protruding where once she’d had feminine softness. Why should she worry—who would want the bag of bones she’d become? Her mirror didn’t lie and she knew her hair had lost its luster and her skin had become a sickly gray. Yet Micah had seemed as interested in her as when she’d been healthy.

But does he hide a true distaste for me?

His opinion couldn’t matter. She couldn’t give in to her longing to feel his arms around her. She would not risk her loss of freedom, loss of independence. She had plans for her ranch, for herself.

A knock on her door interrupted her reverie.

“
Come in.”

Micah carried a tray. “I brought your supper. My aunts thought you needed to rest and should eat in bed.”

“
I am fatigued.” She scooted up in bed. “Lizzie and Maggie seem very nice.”

“
They are, and they’ve taken a shine to you.”

She considered his words. Much as she wanted to believe him, she had to remain wary...to protect herself...and remember their arrangement was temporary. Likely the aunts would think differently when they learned the marriage was not real and she and their nephew had parted.

Micah set the tray on a table and helped her to a comfortable position, plumping pillows behind her. Then he moved the tray to her bed. When he removed the cloth protecting the food, she saw there were two plates.

He smiled at her. “Thought I’d eat with you. No need you being alone while everyone else is talking a mile a minute.” He looked embarrassed. “That is, unless you’d prefer solitude.”

She would, but hated to hurt his feelings again. “Once again you are thoughtful.”

He spread a napkin across her lap. “You over being mad at me for inviting my aunts here?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I admit they are a good solution.” She met his gaze, “But you should have talked the decision over with me before you contacted your aunts. It is my life, after all, and I deserve to be consulted regarding each step of my defense.”

Micah shook his head. “Can’t do it.” He held up his hand when she would have protested. “Some things require immediate action. I can’t be running back to you for approval every minute like some kid. Either you trust me to do what you hired me for, or you should get someone else.”

She snapped, “It is a little late for that, is it not?”

“
Hope, you hired me to protect you while I find out who’s trying to poison you. You have to give me a chance to do my job.”

“
Two attempts on my life in two days. So far, you are not doing too well.” She regretted the words immediately.

He looked as if she’d slapped him and slumped into himself. “I know I let you down. That’s why my brothers and aunts are here. With all of us guarding you, we’ll beat whoever is out to hurt you.”

She stared at her hands. “I know, I know. Truly I am sorry I was so sharp before. You saved my life when you pulled me to the floor in the hotel. And the fire that cost your new barn was because you are helping me. It could have killed us all. Perhaps I should not have mentioned it but, well,” She looked up at him, and blinked to keep tears at bay. “I am so worried, Micah. Each time I relax, something horrible happens.”

He took her hand in his. “This house is built like a fortress. Either one of my brothers or I will be here at any time. My aunts will stay here. You’re not alone any more.”

She smiled at him. “And I am sure Ramona will return as soon as she gets her grandmother settled.”

He released her hand and urged her to eat. “That’s right. With all of us watching out for you, no one can get close enough to harm you.”