Bride of the Wild (12 page)

“He was rude.”

I didn’t need to turn around to know Micah had spoken. “Can I have a minute?”

“You’re upset, and you should be.”

“Go away.”

“He’s a fool to treat you so poorly.”

Angry at that statement, I glanced at him. “He’s not a fool. You don’t know anything about it. He’s warm and kind and giving. He’s just … otherwise occupied at the moment.”

“Does his family even like you?”

“Of course they do,” I said, my back stiffening with indignation, but he had verbalized a fear.

“It didn’t look like it. They’re citified blue bloods and snobbish to boot.”

“They have certain standards they wish to uphold, even in the wilderness, but that doesn’t make them mean-spirited or whatever else you might think.”

“I beg to differ. I know people. Been around ‘em long enough. Those folks are full of themselves. You’d not fit in at all, and you know it.”

My mouth fell open. “I don’t care for you opinion, Mr. Blaylock. Not one bit.”

His lips thinned. “It’s Mr. Blaylock now, is it? You’ll always hear the truth from me. I’d never outright lie to your face.” Frustrated and angry, I brushed past him, but he caught my arm. “He doesn’t deserve you, Saffron.”

“I don’t think you should work on our farm.”

Pa appeared then, smiling. “Work on the farm?” He patted Micah on the back. “Who’s farm are you working on?”

“Yours,” he said. “If you hire me.”

Chapter Thirteen

“You’re more than welcome to the job, Micah. All you have to do is ask. I’ve hired another man just recently, but I need more. Harvest is hard on my heels, and I need workers. It’s room and board. Amelia’s a great cook.” He glanced at me. “Are you all right, my dear? You look like you might cry.”

“I wanted to dine with Silas, but he’s made other plans.”

He looked thoughtful. “I’ve been invited to Mrs. Harris’s for supper. I’m sure she’d extend the invitation to you and Micah.”

“Mrs. Harris?” She had lost her husband a few years ago, but why on earth would pa have supper with this woman?

“You might as well know. I’ve been spending time with Maggie. We’re in similar circumstances … and … ” he looked sheepish, “we’ve formed a bond.”

Micah grinned knowingly. “I’d love to join you for supper.”

“Maggie Harris.” I reeled from this revelation, stunned that my father would find another woman so soon after mother had passed away. “Y-you’re
seeing
this woman? When did this happen?”

He sighed. “We’re friends, Saffron. We enjoy each other’s company. I know this comes as a bit of a shock to you, but I’m not over the hill enough to sit back in the daisies and watch life go by. I got a lot of living left to do, honey.”

“Mother isn’t even cold in her grave,” I whispered, miserably. “You want me to eat with her?”

His good-humor evaporated. “You can judge me all you want, but it won’t change a thing. Life goes on. People gotta find whatever happiness they can. Your mother would’ve wanted me to have a companion. It’s not healthy to be alone all the time.” He waited for me to say something. “Saffron?”

“I need to take a walk.” I couldn’t process the shock at that moment.

“We’re eating in a half an hour. You know where she lives. You’re more than welcome to come.”

I had already turned away, heading towards the livery, where I planned to go around the building towards the school. I perceived someone behind me, knowing Micah followed. “I don't require an escort, Mr. Blaylock.”

“It’s dangerous in town, Saffron. They’re drunkards and thieves and God knows what else.”

The deserted schoolyard came into view, as class had been dismissed several hours ago. A sun-bleached bench sat beneath an aspen tree, which I took, glancing gloomily at the dirt beneath my feet. “I want to be alone.”

He sat next to me, stretching his boots out before him. “Uh-huh.”

“You’re impossibly annoying.”

The hint of a grin lingered around his mouth. “You should go to dinner with your pa. Mrs. Harris sounds like a nice woman.”

“Really? Do you know her?” A brittle edge laced my tone.

“Nope.”

“Then how can you make that assertion? You’ve never met her.”

“If your pa likes her, she must be nice.”

I closed my eyes, rubbing my forehead with the tips of my fingers. “I really don’t know much about her. She’s been widowed for a while. Her husband was a miner or something. I don’t know. Amelia will be shocked when she hears. I can’t believe this has been going on. I wonder how long they’ve been … cavorting?”

“Does it really matter?”

“It’s unseemly, Micah. He should be mourning for my mother, not chasing after women.”

“It’s been more than a year. Most widowed men remarry after a short period of time.”

“And most widowed women remain so indefinitely. What does that say about men? Are they so helpless they can’t get along without a woman?” I added bitterly, “Even the ones with wives still go to the brothel. It’s shameful. Your sex should be ashamed.” I glanced at Micah to assess his reaction, because I had just spoken bluntly, and I knew it.

“Don’t lump us all in together. All men are not cut from the same cloth.”

“The more I see of the world, the more I know I’m right. Perhaps, I won’t marry at all. I’d never wish to share my husband with some toothless prostitute or a lonely widow.”

“You’re angry with Silas. You’re upset with your pa. These emotions shall pass. You shouldn’t judge people you don’t know. Even if you know them, you shouldn’t judge. Mrs. Harris makes your father happy. So let him be happy. Life’s too short to be miserable.”

He had hit on the crux of the matter. I wasn’t happy. I stared glumly into the distance, seeing a vast prairie that stretched towards jagged, desolate mountains. His arm rested on the bench behind me, his hand touching my shoulder.

“Saffron?”

“Just because you saved me from death doesn’t mean you can force your way into my life. What I do and think and feel is my business.”

“That’s true.”

“I owe you a debt of gratitude, but I don’t need to be lectured on issues that have nothing to do with you.” I got to my feet feeling irritated all over again.

“You’re very stubborn.” He grinned slightly.

“You’re nosy.”

“I think you’re beautiful.”

My mouth fell open, and I stared at him.

“Let’s go to dinner.” He got to his feet, holding out a hand. “Don’t be a joykill.”

“Ouf!” I stalked away, but he followed one step behind. “This doesn’t mean I agree with you.” My arms swung at my sides.

“All right.”

“I’ll have supper with this woman, but don’t think I’ll give pa my blessing.”

“I see.”

“I can’t wait to tell Amelia about this. She’ll be so mad. She’ll want to scratch her eyes out.”

“The Fossett women are rather bloodthirsty.”

I stifled a laugh, not wanting to admit he had gotten the better of me. He seemed to understand my moods rather well, and somewhere, deep in my consciousness, I knew he was right about everything. I had only known him for a week, and yet, he had become a fast friend in many regards. Something about him appealed to me, but I would never admit it openly.

“Do you know where she lives?”

“I do.”

“Is that where we’re heading?”

We approached the livery. “Yes.”

“I’m glad you changed your mind.”

“Well, I’ve some time to pass, and this is one way to do it.” Reaching the boardwalk, several people turned to glance our way. The shops had begun to close, the owners pulling down the shades in the windows. “What else is there to do? My beau’s having supper with his family. They have a dining room that seats a hundred, but they can’t spare a chair for me, so…” I shrugged, “it looks like I’ll be dining with you and pa and some woman he’s taken up with.”

“I’m sorry, Saffron.”

“Oh, no you’re not. You’re pleased as punch. You’ve made it rather clear you’d like to court me. You think I’ll change my mind about Silas, don’t you?”

“I … that would be nice.”

“And then court you?”

“That would be even nicer.” A boyish, roguish grin split his face.

I stopped walking. “I want to be clear about this, Mr. Blaylock. I’m not interested in wasting my time with someone who only wants to seduce me. That’s the last thing I want. I’m looking for a husband. I want a home and children and some sense of security. What exactly do you have to offer a woman?”

That had taken him by surprise. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”

“Like you said, life’s too short.”

“I want what you want. I may not have the means to buy a town, but I can provide for a woman or die trying. Our house might be on the small side for a while, until I can build something bigger, but I can give you a house. I can give you children.” He grinned. “As many as you want.”

Although we stood in a public place and people strode by, some casting interested glances our way, it seemed like we were entirely alone. I stared into his eyes, drowning in the warmth of his smile. It felt like I had swallowed warm honey, laced with whiskey, my insides tingling pleasurably. Someone’s shouting drew me out of the trance, and I lowered my head guiltily.

“We should go.”

He fell into step beside me. “Lead the way.”

Mrs. Harris lived in a small house on the end of Main Street, where a series of square-shaped lots had been strung together, connected by wooden fences and tiny yards. Pa sat on the front porch, waving to us, as we approached. He seemed utterly at ease here, and I sensed he had spent a great deal of time with Mrs. Harris, although I had only just discovered the truth. This explained why he went to town so often and why he occasionally skipped having meals with us.

“You came,” he said.

“Yes, Micah convinced me. I’m still shocked by it all, and it certainly explains a few things.”

He got to his feet, sliding his hands into his pockets. “You would’ve found out sooner or later. I’m sorry about the surprise. I’ve been meaning to tell you and your sister. I just didn’t know how to broach the subject.”

Mrs. Harris appeared then, wearing a gray calico dress and a white apron. “Hello, Saffron,” she said with a smile. “Eli said you might come to supper. I’ve plenty of food. It’s such a pleasure to cook again.” She glanced at Micah. “And you too, sir. I’ve extra chairs for everyone.”

I had never spoken with Mrs. Harris before, but I had seen her at church and social functions often enough. She had always been a friendly, pleasing type of woman, but I had never given her more thought than that. Even mother hadn’t known her well, when she had been alive. Paying close attention for the first time, I had to admit she was handsome, with a slightly wrinkled, yet appealing face and shining, warm eyes. I could see why pa would find her attractive. Tall and slender, she carried herself with grace.

I felt Micah’s hand touch my back, propelling me forward gently. “She won’t bite,” he whispered near my ear.

“No, of course not.” Now I felt badly for thinking ill of her and for my sour mood in general, but Micah had guessed the source of my unhappiness. My beau had cast me aside this evening, and his relations had found me lacking. It had been a bitter pill to swallow, and I had done it tactlessly. “I’m sorry for being so rude to you.”

“It’s already forgotten.”

I took to the steps, facing pa and Mrs. Harris. “Thank you for inviting us on such short notice.”

“I’m glad Eli finally said something. I’ve been wanting to speak to you for a while now. And your sister and brother.”

“I didn’t know.”

She held open the door, and the aroma of something savory lingered in the air. “Come on in. I’ve pot roast with potatoes and greens. It’s far too much for me to eat alone.”

A simply furnished parlor greeted us with an upholstered sofa and chair. A small dining table in the kitchen held four place settings. Tidy and clean, she had set the table with matching dishes and a small arrangement of wildflowers in a metal canister in the center. Never having been in this house before, I glanced around, noting a sampler on the wall and a framed piece of art, which depicted a pastoral scene.

Micah held out a chair for me. “Thank you.”

“Would you care for something to drink? I’ve ice tea and whiskey and wine.” She placed several glasses on the table. “Or coffee, but I was going to make it with dessert.”

Pa grinned, sitting across from me. “Poor Saffron looks flummoxed. I’ve shocked her rather profoundly today. I hadn’t meant to tell you my secret just yet. Now you’re gonna have supper with your pa and his woman, eh?”

His woman …
“I didn’t suspect a thing. You men are crafty. Have you always lived a double life?” I heard Micah sigh beside me, and I refused to look at him.

“I met Maggie a few months ago. I’ve nothing to hide.” There was an edge to his tone, his humor having vanished.

“I can understand your suspicion,” said Mrs. Harris, placing a bowl of mashed potatoes in the center of the table. “I’m sorry you lost your mother, Saffron. I attended her funeral. I’d always admired her from afar. I never had the pleasure of knowing her. I certainly don’t want to replace her. I could never do that, but your father and I are … happy together. It was time to let people know.”

“It’s just a shock,” I muttered. “It was the last thing I was expecting today.”

“Ice tea? Wine? Would you care for something to drink?”

“Whiskey sounds nice,” said Micah. “I’d love a splash of it, if you please.”

“Certainly.”

“I’ll have the ice tea,” said pa. He watched her move to and fro, his eyes glowing in a contented light. It was odd, but I felt a twinge of jealously at that moment. I glanced at Micah, who had been observing me.

“Well, I … is there anything else you’d like to tell me?”

Maggie gave pa his ice tea, while pouring whisky into a glass for Micah. “You, dear? What would you like?”

“I’ll have wine, thank you.”

“Certainly.”

Pa sat back, his smile resolute. “I’ve asked Maggie to marry me. So, yes, there’s more you need to know. Might as well put all my cards on the table.”