Deborah Camp (38 page)

“Last time I saw her—when I went and got Adam—she begged me to take her with us.” He shook his head slowly, sadly. “I told her I couldn’t, that I was married and it wouldn’t be seemly. I said she should go into town and someone there would help her.”

“Good advice, I’d say,” Mr. Lancaster interjected.

“Was it?” Blade bowed his head. “I don’t know. Maybe I should have done more for her.”

“Blade, she wasn’t your responsibility,” Elise reminded him. “And you’re right; she could have found help in town. Dixie would have taken her in. You couldn’t have foreseen what she would do—that she could murder.”

“He must have pushed her too far,” Blade said. “She must have snapped like a twig underfoot.”

“She was badly beaten,” the solicitor said. “Black-and-blue marks were all over her body.”

“How horrible!” Elise shuddered.

“The farm will no doubt be put up for sale. I hope you get better neighbors this time,” Mr. Lancaster said.

“Maybe we can buy the land,” Elise suggested, but Blade shook his head.

“That’s too much to farm. We have all we need here.”

She smiled, thinking that she couldn’t agree more.

“It was carnage,” Blade said, running a hand down his face as if trying in vain to erase an image. “They were upstairs in their bedroom. The judge was on the floor in a pool of blood, a big hole in his chest. Harriet was on the bed. She’d put a gun in her mouth and pulled the trigger.”

“Oh, God, no.” Elise shut her eyes and willed away the horror. “Why didn’t someone go into town and report it? If the house servants saw them …?”

“They were frightened, I suppose,” Mr. Lancaster said, then slanted a look at Blade. “Mrs. Mott appeared to be a much younger woman.”

“Younger than the judge, you mean,” Blade said. “Yes, she was, and he treated her like dirt under his feet. Same as he treated everyone.”

“That man was a monster,” Elise declared, and
the two men nodded in ready agreement. “I’m so glad you got Adam away from him. No telling what would have happened to him if you hadn’t.” She squeezed Blade’s arm and smiled into his eyes. “I’ll always be grateful to you for that, Blade Lonewolf.”

“So I’m back in your good graces? You won’t fly at me with your fists any time soon?” he teased.

“I promise,” she vowed solemnly. “I’m not usually so crazy-acting, Mr. Lancaster.” She stood and went to the water bucket for a drink. “But I’ve been cooped up here all day, thinking that Blade might be forfeiting this farm instead of saving it for us.”

“Your worries were unfounded,” Mr. Lancaster said. “The farm is his—free and clear, I assume.”

“You assume?” Elise turned to face them again. “I want more than an assumption!”

“Sometimes, depending on the provisions of the contract, survivors can collect on outstanding loans,” he explained. “But the judge is thought to have no survivors, and the document he drew up, and which Mr. Lonewolf signed, provides for no transfer of papers and such. Therefore, in my legal opinion, the debt died with Judge Mott.”

Rolling that information around in her head for a few moments, Elise grasped his meaning. “So the farm is Blade’s again? Free and clear? No more debt?”

“That is what I just said,” the solicitor agreed.

“And what about the adoption?”

“Well, now, that is a bit hazier. However, since you are Adam’s sister and can provide for him now that you are married to Mr. Lonewolf, and since his grandparents have surrendered all rights to him as guardians, I see no reason why you shouldn’t
automatically become his legal guardian, Mrs. Lonewolf.”

Elise tried to follow his circuitous answer and looked at Blade for direction.

“No one’s the wiser, so he’s ours now,” Blade confirmed.

“Thank heavens!” She glanced upward in gratitude. “It’s over.”

“Yes. The sheriff is at the Mott farm now. Terrible business, but it does clear up some legal obstacles. I’ve deposited the money in a bank account for you in town, Mrs. Lonewolf. I hope that meets with your approval.”

“The money.” She blinked away the fog that floated in her brain. “The money! Oh, yes. That’s fine … uh … I have the letter.” She removed it from her apron pocket and handed it to the solicitor. “Go ahead and read it. If you want me to change anything, I will.”

“That’s very agreeable of you, I’m sure.” He smiled and unfolded the letter. “Now, let’s see here …” After fishing his glasses from his vest pocket, he slipped them on. He read, his eyes moving from side to side, he smiled and then he laughed. “How delightful! You’re quite talented, young lady. Quite talented.”

Blade peered at the letter. “What’s so funny?”

Mr. Lancaster raised his brows above his spectacles. “May I?”

Elise nodded.

“Your wife is clever, Mr. Lonewolf. Very clever, as this letter proves.” He cleared his throat importantly before he began reading Elise’s carefully chosen words. “It reads: ‘Dear Mr. Editor-in-Chief, this letter is meant to correct some unfortunate misunderstandings concerning my current status and that
of my brother, Adam, and sister, Penny.

“ ‘We left Baltimore and struck out for Crossroads, Missouri, where we are living exciting and fruitful lives. I have married a gentleman farmer by the exotic name of Blade Lonewolf.’ ” Mr. Lancaster paused to glance at Blade, who was beginning to smile.

Elise looked at Blade through her lowered lashes and was pleased to see that he was taking this well. She hadn’t been sure that he’d find her version of events amusing.

“ ‘My husband inherited his land from his family. He can trace a branch of his family back to the landing of the
Mayflower
.’ ”

Blade let out a chuckle. “The
Mayflower
!”

“I have no doubt that your ancestors were on the shore to greet the
Mayflower
passengers,” Elise said with an impish grin. “No doubt whatsoever.”

“To continue,” Mr. Lancaster said, letter still in hand. “ ‘We live on sixty acres of choice farm property near a small town called Crossroads. I live in a cozy house with my husband, my sister and my brother. We are a happy family, delighted with the open air, the beautiful countryside, our collection of animals, our wonderful friends and the many blessings that have been bestowed on us.’”

Mr. Lancaster paused, looking at Blade for a speaking moment before he went on. “ ‘I am blissfully happy to be married to a man of courage, honor and intelligence. I have made a match for myself here that would have been impossible in Baltimore, and for that I shall be eternally grateful. Missouri is the exquisite place where my lonely warrior prince awaited me. We have made this our kingdom on earth, and wish everyone could know the happiness we have found. Please sign me
proudly and passionately, Mrs. Blade Lonewolf, formerly Miss Elise St. John.’ ” Mr. Lancaster folded the letter with a smile of satisfaction. “Quite well put, Mrs. Lonewolf. I shall deliver this in person to the editor of the newspaper.”

Elise shared a long look with Blade. He smiled and his eyes shone with what she prayed was love.

The sound of thundering hooves broke the moment of sweet understanding. Blade pushed aside the fluttering curtain to peer outside.

“It’s Airy and Dixie. Bet they heard about the judge.”

“I bet everyone in town has heard by now,” Elise predicted, rising to greet her unexpected guests, even though she desperately longed to be alone with her husband.

Airy strode in with Dixie on her heels. The women’s faces said it all. They were both flushed and breathless, their eyes wide with excitement. Airy lifted a jug of her home brew high over her head.

“Get out your best glasses and let’s pop this here cork,” she stated with a grin. “The devil done collected Judge Mott and we got celebratin’ to do!”

Hours later, Mr. Lancaster drank the last drops of the home brew.

Elise had insisted that everyone stay for supper. She and Airy had fired up the stove and thrown together a feast of fried chicken and all the fixings. They’d even invited the buggy driver inside to share the meal.

After supper, Elise had allowed Penny and Adam to stay up a while before insisting that they go to bed. Adam couldn’t hide his relief when he’d learned of the judge’s demise. Even Penny had let out a squeal of happiness, understanding that her
brother would never have to go back to the judge’s again. Elise had kissed them good night and joined the others, who had moved the celebration onto the porch, where a cool breeze blew in from the north.

Blade reached for her hand and pulled her down to sit beside him on the top porch step. She leaned against him and he draped his arm across the front of her, his fingers curving around her shoulder in an embrace that was nothing if not possessive.

She sensed the tension in him, which mirrored her own. Now that dinner was over and the brew had been finished off, she yearned to be behind closed doors with her husband. She had so much to tell him, so much to confess to him. She wanted him to understand how much he meant to her, how much she loved him. She shifted her hips against his fly. The hardness there was unmistakable. He wanted her, too. He tightened his embrace and she felt a sheen of perspiration form on his arms. Turning her head, she pressed her ear against his chest. His heart boomed rapidly. Oh, yes, he wanted her!

“I suppose I should be getting back to the hotel,” Mr. Lancaster admitted. He covered a yawn with his hand. “I beg your pardon for staying so long, Mrs. Lonewolf.”

Elise grabbed at the chance Mr. Lancaster offered. “We’re glad to have you, but it is getting awfully late.”

“The hotel?” Dixie Shoemaker said. She sat in the rocker Blade had brought out to the porch, and Airy and Mr. Lancaster sat in kitchen chairs. “Why are you staying there when I’ve got a vacant room at my boardinghouse? Don’t you like home-cooked meals and soft feather beds and good company, Giles Lancaster?”

“I didn’t know about your boardinghouse, Mrs. Shoemaker, but it sounds charming.”

“Then you can just move yourself over to that empty room I’ve got,” Dixie announced. “No use in you staying at the stuffy old hotel when you can rest easy in my establishment.”

“That’s kind of you, I’m sure,” Mr. Lancaster said with obvious pleasure.

Elise suspected that he had drunk enough of the moonshine to agree to almost anything.

“Dixie, I was thinking,” Airy pronounced. “We should pool what money we’ve got saved, sell that boardinghouse and buy back your house.”

“What house?” Dixie asked.

“The old family place, of course,” Airy explained, pointing in the direction of Judge Mott’s farm. “It belongs in our family. That old goat bought it when our backs were turned.”

“Yes, but Airy, running a farm is hard work. I’m not sure I want to pick cotton anymore.”

Airy considered this response with a frown, then grinned. “Reckon you’re right. We’re too old to bust soil and pick weevils off cotton bolls. I was forgetting that we’re not spring lambs anymore.”

“Someone young will buy it,” Dixie said. “I got all I can do to keep the boardinghouse going.”

“Yeah, and I got my still to operate.” Airy gave a sly wink. “That there is a sight more profitable than growing cotton!”

They all shared a laugh from the truth of that.

“Young, strong bodies are needed to farm,” Dixie said. “If Judge Mott had relied on his own muscle, he would have grown dead sticks and stones.”

“But this seems to be a good, clean life,” Mr.
Lancaster noted. “It appears to be a plentiful, satisfying existence.”

“Oh, it is,” Elise agreed quickly. “I’ve found such peace here … and much more.” She smiled when Blade’s arm tightened around her. His breath warmed the side of her face as he bent closer to whisper right against her ear.

“If I don’t have you soon, I’m going to bust.”

She felt a tide of warmth infuse her cheeks and neck. A smile of satisfaction and pleasure curved her lips.

“I must say that this area is far prettier than I’d imagined it would be,” Mr. Lancaster confessed. “I noticed that there is only one attorney in Crossroads.”

“Yeah, and we could use another one,” Airy said with a wink. “We need one with a funny accent. That’s what we need.”

Laughter floated across the porch. Blade’s deep chuckle rumbled against Elise’s back and she cuddled closer, pressing the base of her spine in the vee of his legs. She felt him stir and his heart kick in his chest. He blew hot breath on her nape. Elise shivered and closed her eyes as a weak, spiraling sensation erupted in her stomach.

Airy stood and stretched her arms above her head. “I should be taking this old body home, and that buggy driver probably would like to see
his
home before morning.”

“True, true.” Giles Lancaster sprang to his feet and straightened his vest and suit coat. “Driver, you’ve been inordinately kind and considerate. I shall pay you handsomely for it, too. I must be off. Mrs. Shoemaker, we shall follow you into town and I will transfer my belongings to your establishment.”

“Good. That gladdens my heart.” Dixie pushed herself up from the rocker and accepted Mr. Lancaster’s helping hand to descend the porch steps. “ ’Night, everyone! It was an evening to remember!”

Blade and Elise stood on the porch and waved good-bye to their guests. As the buggies rumbled down the road, Blade slipped an arm around Elise’s waist. They watched until the night swallowed the vehicles; then Elise went inside while Blade carried in the rocker and chairs.

When he closed the door on the rest of the world, Elise was content to share a long, unguarded look with him. But that moment passed, and in the next she was in his arms. He molded his mouth to hers. She unbuttoned his shirt and sent her fingers sliding over his bare chest.

“Oh, Blade, I want you so much!”

“I know, I know,” he almost panted, his fingers working feverishly with the buttons at the back of her dress. At last he freed the final one and pushed the material off her shoulders. He kissed her skin above the chemise, then slipped a hand beneath to fondle her breast.

Her knees turned to liquid, but he saved her from falling to a heap on the floor by catching her in his arms and striding to their bedroom. He closed the door behind them, but kept her cradled in his arms. His eyes bored into hers.