Cutty (Prairie Grooms Book 8) (14 page)

He took a sip and winced. “It’s hot.”

“Of course it’s hot. But you need it.”

He looked at her. “I need ya more.”

She smiled. “Why, Cutty, what a sweet thing to say.”

“It’s true. Being out there made me realize it. I need ya, Imogene. I want to marry ya, right here and right now. But it wouldn’t be right.”

She leaned toward him. “Then take care of the business at hand.”

“I will.”

“You’ve spent your time with Newton, now do it.”

“Consarnit, woman, I just said I would.” Now he sounded more tired than angry.

She nodded solemnly. “I’m simply being selfish. After all, I’d like to get married sooner rather than later.”

He smiled, reached over and took her hand in his. “I’ll tell him as soon as we’re done here. That is, if I can find him. I ain’t seen him since I got drug here.”

“He’s probably in his room resting. You might want to wait until tomorrow. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to rush you.”

“Nah, yer right. I need to get it done.”

“Why didn’t you do it while the two of you were together?” she asked.

Cutty shook his head wearily “Too much goin’ on …”

“You’ll have to tell me about it after you’ve rested.”

He nodded but said nothing.

They sipped tea and munched cookies in silence. By this time, Amon had gone home, as had everyone else, including the Cookes. Imogene was stuck in town for a while. At least that was something to be glad for. If Cutty had his way he’d march her straight to Preacher Jo’s house and marry her. But he still had to square things with Newton first. For now, he’d just enjoy her company.

He’d almost gotten himself killed out there, but he wasn’t about to tell her
that
. If a few more rocks had landed on him he’d be dead. He was lucky he escaped with the few injuries he had. Things wouldn’t have been so bad if that darn rooster of August’s hadn’t pecked at his foot while he was trapped between a boulder and a fallen tree. Thank heavens Amon and Newton had dug him out when they did …

“I’d like a dress,” Imogene said, breaking into his thoughts.

“Dress?”

“A wedding dress. I’ve decided I’d like one.”

“I thought ya’d already decided that,” he said in confusion. Had she? Good grief, he hoped he didn’t have some sort of head injury.

“It was mentioned,” she said, pouring herself another cup of tea. “By the way, if you go out there again, I’m going with you.”

Cutty almost choked on his tea. “Absolutely not!”

She set the teapot down. “Who’s going to stop me?”

“I won’t have to stop ya because I ain’t never going out there again!”

Imogene sobered. “My darling Cutty, what happened?”

He swallowed hard. “Trust me, ya don’t wanna know.”

“Yes, that’s why I keep asking,” she said sarcastically. “Come now, it couldn’t possibly have been that bad. I thought the Indians were friendly.”

“Oh, they’re friendly all right. Too friendly for my tastes.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “Whatever are you talking about?”

“Never ya mind, woman. Hand me another biscuit.”

“You know I’ll wheedle it out of you eventually,” she said and handed him his treat.

“Never.”

She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Not even if I kiss you?”

“Ya just did.”

“You know what I mean. A real kiss.”

He looked at her in annoyance. “Imogene Sayer, don’t do somethin’ that’ll force us to marry sooner than ya want.”

She laughed. “You silly old fool. If that were the case, I’d have kissed you a long time ago.”

He chuckled, took her hand again and double-checked that no one was eavesdropping. “And I you,” he whispered in his English accent. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Of course you do, and much more if I have my say. You’re a changed man and I’m going to see to it that everyone knows.”

“I love you, Imogene.”

She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Yes, I know.”

“What if your family doesn’t agree with you?”

She looked away and swallowed. “Then I suspect I shall not see them for a very long time.”

“Imogene,” he breathed. “They’re your family, the only ones you have in this country.”

“I made my mind up while you were gone. You’re more important to me and I’ll not let them get in the way of our marriage. If they can’t see the man you’ve become, then they’re no family of mine.”

“Imogene, no,” he pleaded. “They’re family.”

“So are you,” she said softly. “You’re my family.”

Cutty’s gaze met hers. “Well, then … let’s hope I don’t disappoint them. I don’t want you to have to choose. I’ll offer to pay them back for whatever grief I’ve caused them. Then maybe they’ll not argue with you when we wed.”

“They had some cattle stolen, but they were all returned,” she reminded him. “And that kidnapping business wasn’t your fault – you had no hand in it as I understand. If you owe anyone anything, it would be my girls.”

“Your girls?”

“Penelope, Constance, Eloise, Lena, Fina and Apple.”

Cutty gaped at her.
Oh, yes, Penelope,
he thought, and then realized what she said. “Egads! All six?”

“Come now,” she said. “You and I know perfectly well that all those gentlemen who tried to call on them met with some sort of accident. I know you don’t want to think about it, but …”

“Now wait a minute – I didn’t have a part in
all
of them!”

“Then which ones?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Cutty sighed, thought, and lowered his head. “The first one, Penelope. I’m beyond ashamed for what I did. But no one was killed. Not even the bloke that fell down the stairs – he just suffered a broken ankle. And not only did I not push him, but I paid his doctor’s bills.”

“But what of the others?”

“By the time they were of age I was already here. Cad that I was, I might have, but I was in no position to – not an ocean and a continent away. Thank God for small favors.”

Imogene stared at the table as her brow puckered in confusion. “That’s right, you
were
here. How odd.”

“But that does beg a question … if something happened to
their
suitors, that means someone else was trying to keep them from marrying. Whom?”

Imogene looked at him. “I have no idea.”

Fourteen

Cutty and Imogene spent the rest of the day together. Imogene read to him a few stories from one of the new books she’d ordered; she’d brought it along in hopes of seeing him and wasn’t disappointed. Now they were in the hotel lobby, just the two of them. Seth and Eloise had gone into the dining room to have their supper with Mrs. Upton, but Cutty and Imogene had yet to join them.

At the moment, Imogene was busy worrying about Colin, Harrison and the rest of the Cooke family. What would they say about Cutty’s true identity? Even if they accepted him for who he was, would His Grace Duncan Cooke, Duke of Stantham, agree? If he said they were a bunch of imbeciles for doing so, would they side with him, or let she and Cutty live in peace?

No matter how she looked at it, it was a gamble. She hated the thought of leaving her relatives. They were, as Cutty had pointed out, almost all she had. But she wouldn’t leave Cutty either. She loved him, wanted to marry him and would … as soon as everything was arranged.

“How’s the book comin’ along?” he asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Well enough. I need to put my heroine in dire straits, but haven’t decided how yet.”

“A few years ago I could’ve helped ya with that, but I ain’t one to think about those things no more. I’ve seen my fill.” His voice trailed off as his eyes drifted away.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

“Just tired, that’s all. Who’s comin’ to fetch ya?”

“I have no idea. I simply told Jefferson I wouldn’t be returning home with them. There was no talk of anyone coming to take me back. They probably assumed I wanted to spend the day with you.”

“And ya have.”

She smiled and sighed. “When all this is over, we could go away …”

“Go away?” he said and sat up in his chair. “Where?”

“Oregon City? We’d still be close enough to visit now and then, or the family could come to us.”

“I’d rather stay here and take whatever them Cooke brothers are gonna give me. I’m tired of bein’ a coward.”

“I know,” she said softly. “But I won’t see you suffer, either.”

He thought a moment. “They’re waitin’ for us in there.” His eyes darted to the dining room.

“Let them.”

“Imogene, I got myself into this, I hafta be the one to get myself out.”

Before she could answer, Newton came down the stairs and made his way to where they sat. “Good evening.”

“Newton, you look …” Imogene began, then winced. “What happened to you? I was so concerned about Cutty that I …”

“A few rocks fell on him too,” Cutty quickly interjected. “Ain’t that right?”

Newton fidgeted with his frock coat. “I’m afraid so.”

She noticed he had a black eye and a cut on his right cheek. He also looked as if he’d dropped weight. “Are you quite all right?”

“Famished is what I am. Shall we?” he asked, motioning to the dining room.

Imogene noted the look in his eyes. There was an emptiness she hadn’t noticed before. It was oddly familiar. Then she remembered … “Good heavens, dear, are you ill? You look much like Amon did when he was sick.”

Newton swallowed hard. “I’m fine. But hungry … very hungry.” He glanced at the hotel doors. “Let us eat.”

Cutty jumped up from his chair. “She’s right, ya don’t look so good. Maybe Mrs. Upton should fix ya a tray and take it to yer room?”

“Don’t be absurd,” he said and headed for the dining room.

They watched him stride away. “My, he’s a bit cross, isn’t he?” Imogene mused.

“Nah, it’s like he said – he’s hungry. I am too, come to think of it. Let’s eat.” Cutty paused, then added, “If’n he gets to lookin’ any worse, though, I’ll go fetch Doc Drake.”

“Agreed,” she said.

They entered the dining room and sat with the others. Mrs. Upton waved to the food laid out on the table. “Help yourselves – there’s plenty here.”

Cutty and Imogene each began to serve themselves as Newton glanced over his shoulder at the lobby. “Looks wonderful as always, Mrs. Upton,” he said absently.

“How can ya tell?” asked Cutty. “Ya ain’t lookin’ at the food. Ya expectin’ someone?”

Newton’s head snapped around. “Not at all.” He swallowed hard and stared at the food.

“I thought ya said ya was hungry.”

“Of course,” Newton mumbled and reached for a bowl of mashed potatoes.

“Seth tells me you men had quite the adventure,” said Eloise. “I almost wish I’d been there,” she added.

Newton froze and locked gazes with Seth for a moment, then relaxed a notch. “You should have been. You too, Imogene – I dare say it would be tantamount to one of your tiger hunts.”

“So you did hunt?” Imogene said. “I thought as much. Landslide indeed.”

“There was indeed a landslide,” Newton pointed out as he stabbed at the roast beef. “A large one.”

“What caused it?” Eloise asked innocently.

Newton and Cutty looked at each other. “More like whom,” Newton finally answered.

“What?” Eloise and Imogene said at once.

Cutty sighed. “I don’t think we’ll be able to keep it a secret ‘round these womenfolk,” he told Newton.

“I wish you were wrong. Sad to say, it was Amon that started it.”

“What? Amon Cotter?” Mrs. Upton gasped.

“It’s a long story. Suffice to say, it was an accident and everyone survived,” Newton reached for the gravy.

“Ryder told me bits and pieces,” Seth said. “I can’t wait to hear the rest. I’ll be helping him put the finishing touches on his house this week, so I’m sure to get an earful.”

“Just what did you do out there?” Imogene asked, unable to keep the suspicion out of her voice. “So far you men have been very vague about the whole thing.”

Newton glanced at Seth, and Imogene swore she saw his eyes flash with … something. Seth fidgeted in his chair. “We hunted with the Indians and got to watch a …”

“Ceremony,” Newton put in. “Something they considered to be … sacred.”

Imogene looked from one face to the other. “Sacred? Go on.”

“It’s hard to explain,” Cutty said. “And don’t even ask me what they called it – I couldn’t pronounce it anyway.”

“All right,” she conceded. She glanced around the table then shrugged off the men’s strange behavior. Sooner or later she’d find out what they’d been up to out on the prairie. Right now she had to concern herself with one thing only: making sure Cutty talked to his son. And survived the next few days.

* * *

The next day Amon and Nettie showed up in town. Cutty and Imogene had stayed at the hotel so she could see to Cutty’s injuries. And Newton rose early, still looking terrible and acting odder than ever.

Cutty watched Newton pace the lobby as they waited for Imogene to come down. He’d decided to have her with him when he spoke to Newton, and now that he thought about it, he didn’t mind if Nettie joined them either. Heck, he might as well invite the whole town and save time …

But in the meantime, having a wound-up Newton was no help. “Stop that confounded pacing – yer makin’ me nervous.”

Newton stopped and stared at him, eyes wide. He swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, but … I can’t seem to help it. I don’t understand what’s wrong with me. I’m so… agitated.”

Cutty shook his head in resignation. “Ya wanna go back, don’t ya?”

Newton clenched his fists. “You know I do.”

“I have something we need to take care of before ya do that,” Cutty said, and held his breath as Imogene came down the stairs with Seth and Eloise. Nettie and Amon were already in the dining room waiting for them. “Follow me, everyone,” he instructed as he led the way.

Soon everyone was seated and waiting for Mrs. Upton to bring breakfast. Cutty glanced at Imogene, who gave him a reassuring smile. His eyes darted around the table a few times before they finally settled on Newton. “I … have something to tell ya.”

“Now?” Imogene said in shock, looking around the table herself. “Cutty, are you sure about this?”

“It’s what ya want, ain’t it?”

“Yes, but …”

“What is it?” Nettie asked then looked at her brother. “Are you going to share with my brother the same thing you …”

“Yer darn tootin’ I am!” Cutty barked. “And anyone else who cares to hear it!”

“There’s no need to get upset,” Eloise said.

“Trust me, missy, you’d be upset too if’n ya went through what I’ve …” He cut himself off. “… well, ya’ll understand in a minute.”

Newton stared at him, fidgeting in his chair. “What is it?”

Cutty swallowed hard, glanced at Nettie, then back to Newton. “I … that is, me and Nettie … we had a discussion the other day …”

Nettie inclined her head toward her brother as if to say,
get on with it, will you?

Cutty groaned, looked at Seth and Eloise a moment, then nodded. “Newton,” he said and turned to face him. “I ain’t been telling folks the truth ‘round here.”

Seth and Eloise sat up in their chairs at the remark. Newton just stared at him. “And?” he said.

Cutty swallowed hard again. “The truth is I … ain’t the man I’ve made myself out to be.”

One eyebrow went up as Newton studied him. Seth’s eyebrows, on the other hand, shot to the ceiling. “What?” he said and looked at Eloise.

“Ya heard me.”

“What are you talking about?” Eloise asked.

Amon sat still as a statue, and Cutty suddenly realized that he knew what he was trying to tell Newton, that Nettie must have filled him in. He took a deep breath. “My name ain’t Cutty … not quite.”

Seth visibly relaxed. “Is that what this is all about? Any of us could have told him that.”

Cutty looked him right in the eye, and let his voice shift to normal. “My birth name,” he continued in a crisp British accent, “is Thackary Holmes.”

Seth’s face screwed up. “Who?” But the others’ reactions weren’t so innocuous. Newton froze. Imogene seemed to brace herself. Nettie and Amon held their breath.

And Eloise … “WHAT?!” she screeched. “Thackary Holmes? You’re Thackary Holmes?!”

There was a deathly silence for a moment or two, then … “Thackary Holmes?” All heads turned to see Harrison Cooke standing in the dining room doorway. “What about Thackary Holmes?”

Newton’s eyes flit from one person to the next as the realization of what Cutty had said sank in. Finally he got up, his chair falling over as he did, and made his way around the table to where Cutty sat.

“Now I know this may be a terrible shock to you,” Cutty continued as he slowly stood. “And you would be well within your rights to –”

Newton punched him right in the face.

Cutty reeled and fell to the ground. He blinked, shook his head and rubbed his jaw. “– to do that.” He didn’t get a chance to say more, as Newton yanked him to his feet and got right in his face.

“For Heaven’s sake, don’t hit him again!” Imogene cried. “He’s trying to set things right!”

“Set things right?” Harrison barked and strode across the room. “You mean to tell me that
you’re
Thackary Holmes? The blackguard who almost got us all killed?”

Cutty gulped. Well, if he was going to die, he’d rather do it speaking the truth for once. “I’m afraid so, yes.”

Harrison shoved Newton out of the way, pulled back his arm, but the distinct click of a gun being cocked, stopped him. “Don’t, Harrison. I’m warning you.”

Harrison turned his head just enough to see that Imogene had a pistol trained on him. “I dare say, cousin, but that’s a little extreme, isn’t it?”

“So is bashing a man’s face in before giving him a chance to explain himself. In mere seconds you’ve forgotten all this man has done for you.”

“Such as almost getting my wife killed.”

“No, that was the outlaws that took her,” Cutty volunteered. “That was not my doing – I can confess to many sins, but not that one.”

“He can also confess to saving your wife from a raging fire, along with Colin’s and Seth’s and several other women,” Imogene added. “And at no small cost. Now can you release him, or do I have to part your hair with this?” She waggled the pistol slightly.

Everyone went silent except for Harrison’s ragged breathing. Finally he released Cutty’s shirt collar and took a step back, and Imogene lowered the gun.

Newton continued to stare at Cutty, except for a moment when his eyes darted to the door.

Cutty saw the hesitation. “No one’s stopping you, Newton,” Cutty said. “Given the person I’ve been, I wouldn’t blame you if you never come back.”

Newton’s jaw tightened, then twitched. “But that would mean you’re my … my …?”

“Yes, Newton,” Cutty said softly and nodded. “I’m your father.”

Newton made a strangling sound. Nettie and Amon took each other’s hand. Harrison shivered.

“As I told your sister, I didn’t know about either one of you – your mother never informed me, and given the man I was, she was probably wise not to. But I am not that man anymore. And I am truly ashamed of who I was …” He slumped into a chair and looked at Harrison. “Where’s your brother?”