The Circle Eight: Nicholas (26 page)

“Hey, how about me?” Nicholas’s scratchy voice penetrated the haze of joy.

Winnie laughed and
both of them leaned down to hug Nicholas. She finally had a family of her own, one she would hang onto with every fiber of her being no matter where they lived. They were her home.

“Can we do one thing before we leave Houston?” He squeezed her hand. “Will you marry me?”

Winnie thought she might shout with joy. “Yes, yes yes!”

With Enrico’s help, t
he preacher arrived within half an hour. Martha shyly handed her mother wilted wildflowers she’d gathered in the yard. The ceremony took less than a few minutes while the groom lay on the quilt in the yard, the bride holding his hand and his brothers surrounding them. Martha watched with wide eyes.

Winnie had never heard sweeter words then “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

The Graham men congratulated Nick with slaps on the back and her with pecks on the cheek. She thought she’d never stop smiling so great was the joy in her heart.

Martha looked at the flowers and looked up at Winnie with her solemn brown gaze. “Are we a family now?”

“Yes, sweetie, we are.” She took both their hands. “I promise to love both of you forever.”

“Good because I always wanted a mama and papa.”

“What do you mean you don’t want
any furniture?” Matt’s voice echoed across the house. The night creatures sang outside as they determined what to pack and what to leave behind.

Winnie scowled at him. “Mrs. Cassidy left the furniture for me.
If Mr. Fuller and Mr. Tuttle are going to set up a new orphanage they will need it.”

“
I suppose that makes sense. Damn foolish to give it all away, though.” Caleb had an opinion too.

“I will take all the linens and
my bedroom furniture, which belongs to me.” She was adamant, no matter how much they argued with her. Nick knew she was stubborn but this was an extra helping of it.

“You talk to her. She’s your bride, right?” Matt looked at Nick who was sprawled on the settee, a more uncomfortable a piece of furniture he hadn’t run into.

“It’s her decision, not mine.” Nick never thought he would actually say that out loud, but there it was. How he had changed in the last few months. All because of Winnie.

“What about the kitchen? Are you leaving the dishes too?” Matt flopped down in one of the chairs by the fireplace.

“I can’t cook,” she confessed to all of them. “Nicholas already knows, but I can learn. We will take some of the dishes, pots and pans. There isn’t any food to speak of.”

“I found out.” Brody rubbed his belly. “Never thought I’d miss my wife’s coffee.”

The men all chuckled, knowing Olivia and her fierce ways. Incongruous that she was a mother of two and couldn't actually make good coffee.

“
Fine, I won’t argue any more. I just want to get all this gear together so we can leave when the sun comes up.” Matt waved his hand in dismissal. “We need a wagon.”

Nick smiled. “I know where we can get one.”

Winnie chuckled and shook her head. His brothers looked at him questioningly. He just raised his brows and widened his smile.

“You’re both crazy. Good thing you picked each other to marry.” Caleb leaned against the door to the kitchen.

Small footsteps sounded from the stairs and Martha peered into the parlor. Her hair was in fresh braids, and she wore a pretty yellow dress and shiny, black shoes. Nick gestured for her to come in.

Winnie made a sound halfway between a squeal and a shout. She took Martha’s hands. “You look positively lovely.”

“Pretty as a picture,” Vaughn offered.

“Wait until Eva sees her. She won’t let that child out of her sight. Not to mention the twins.” Matt managed a genuine smile for the girl. “I have two little girls named Margaret and Meredith who will love to meet you.”

Martha was quiet but she managed a small smile. Nick knew it would take time for her to feel comfortable around the boisterous clan. It was good for her to meet the loudest straight off. All the young’uns were loud but she would have an easier time with the children.

She sidled over to Nick and perched on the edge of the settee. He told himself not to feel superior that she had chosen him over his brothers. Just as Winnie had done.
Made him want to puff out his chest like a gamecock.

“Let me start sorting what to pack. You four, come with me.” Winnie marched upstairs and his brothers and brothers-in-law followed, grumbling all the way.

He was alone with Martha, his new daughter. It was intimidating to say the least.

“We’re going to live on a ranch called the Circle Eight.” He kept his voice low, almost a whisper, and found it didn’t hurt as much to talk. “
I have seven brothers and sisters.”

Martha turned to look at him, her eyes wide. “Your parents must have loved each other lots.”

Nick smothered a chuckle. “They did but they died before you were born. My brother Matt raised us and most of us live at the ranch. Mr. Brody married my sister Olivia and they have a cotton farm not too far away. You, Miss Winnie and I will live on the Circle Eight. I’ll teach you how to ride a horse and you can run and play with all your new cousins.”

Her mouth twisted. “Horses kind of scare me.”

“We’ve got all sizes, including ones small enough for girls. My nieces ride all the time.” He was pleased when she moved closer, almost snuggling against his knees.

“I’ll try my best to learn.
” Martha said solemnly.

“I know you will. There was a lady who lived with us we called Granny Dolan. She was Matt’s wife Hannah’s grandma and a smart, strong woman. She passed on a few months ago before I met Miss Winnie.” The memory of Martha dying in his arms was still sharp. “I miss her a lot but you know what?”

“What?”

“Her first name was Martha.”

The girl gasped. “You had a granny named Martha?”

“I did.
And she would have loved you very much. I think she’s smiling down at us right now.” He had never thought himself one to believe in spirits, but believing in his adopted grandmother’s love wasn’t hard to accept.

Martha nodded sagely. “Will it take a long time to get to the ranch?”

“Two days or so. Maybe longer since we have to use a wagon. I have to ride in it.” He made a face, but knew his brothers would not budge on this particular issue. Nick simply couldn’t ride for two days on a horse. It wasn’t possible given he had almost died that day.

“I can sit with you and keep you company.”

Her offer made Nick’s heart squeeze tight. “I’d like that.”

This whole having a family thing might not be so hard. He had a feeling he would like it quite a lot. In fact, little Martha had already wormed her way into his heart.

Life would be good. Really good.

The morning arrived too early but Winnie dragged herself up out of the chair in the parlor. Her back hurt and her tongue was fuzzy with sleep, but she stretched and shook off the last vestiges of her restless slumber. After folding the blanket she used, she glanced at Nick, who was still asleep on the settee.

To her surprise Martha had insisted on sleeping in the other chair. She opened her eyes and looked at Winnie with a question in her gaze. Winnie put her finger to her lips and pointed outside. Martha stood and folded the blanket. Winnie held out her hand and to her relief, her daughter took it. Together they crept out of the room as to not disturb him.

Winnie found the Graham men had already been to Mr. Sylvester’s livery and returned with a rather sturdy looking wagon pulled by two equally sturdy horses. Her brows went up to her hairline.

Matt was busy arranging crates in the wagon bed. “Morning.”

“Good morning. I hope Mr. Sylvester gave you a good price. I will reimburse you, of course.” To Winnie’s surprise, Martha gave the horses a wide berth. Nick had to teach another female how to work with horses.

“He didn’t want to take any money. Said it was a wedding gift or some
such. Gave you the mare you’d been riding too. Caleb left forty dollars on his workbench when the old man wasn’t looking.” Matt clapped his hands together. “We need to get moving. Daylight is burning.”

Winnie didn’t point out that the sun had barely begun to rise.
“Of course. I need to say goodbye to my friend down the street. We will be back in a few minutes. Nicholas is still sleeping.”

“Lazy as always.” Caleb winked at her as he stepped onto the wagon with another crate.

Winnie couldn’t express her gratitude more to these men. Her heart overflowed with all she’d received when she accepted Nicholas into her heart. The Grahams were a wonderful family and she was so very lucky.

“Will you come with me to my friend
Consuela’s house?” she asked Martha.

“Okay.”

It was very early but Winnie had to say her goodbyes to her past and embrace her future.

They loaded the wagon with all of Winnie’s possessions and made a pallet for Nick to lie on. He made a face as he spied the crude bed even if it was lined with her best quilts. Martha sat on the wagon seat, his horse and the roan mare were tied to the back.

Winnie strode out of the house
and slipped the keys into her pocket. She clapped her hands together and smiled. “Ready?”

“Not if I have to ride in that damn wagon.”

“Don’t worry. I promise not to jostle you too much.” She climbed into the seat beside her daughter. They stared at him with identical expressions of anticipation. He couldn’t help but appreciate how much they looked alike in that moment. He could endure the ride. What awaited at the end of the journey was more than worth it.

“Fine
, but I ain’t gonna like it.” He hoisted himself into the wagon with Matt hovering behind him. “I’m fine. Let me be.”

Matt harrumphed and didn’t move. Typical pushy big brother.
When Nick stumbled, Matt steadied him. Nick was embarrassed enough not to thank him. He didn’t need to. Matt knew.

“We have one stop to make before we leave Houston.” Winnie looked at him. “We need to say goodbye to Mr. Fuller
and give him the keys to the house. All of us do.”

Nick nodded. “Let’s get going. Perhaps we can find some food and coffee along the way.”

She chuckled. “Check the basket beside you. Consuela said to tell you goodbye.”

To his delight, there was
ham, biscuits and a jar of hot coffee. He took a swig of the hot brew and groaned. When the wagon moved, he almost choked on a mouthful.

“Who taught you how to drive this?”

“Bartholomew started the process, then you taught me how to use the reins on the horse, and this morning, Caleb showed me how to drive the wagon.” She smiled in triumph. “I need to know these things to be a rancher’s wife.”

There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do if she put her mind to it. He endured the jostling
while he devoured the breakfast. He didn’t realize how hungry he was until he swallowed the first bite. His throat hurt but not enough to stop him from eating. He hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday morning.

She stopped the rig in front of Fuller’s house. “You ready to see Mr. Fuller?”

Martha looked at the house. “Is this where he lives?”

“Yes, it is. I’m sure he will be happy to see you.” Winnie managed to make her way down and held up her hands to help her daughter.

Nick grudgingly accepted Matt’s help. After swaying for a moment, Nick found his feet and joined his girls at the door.

“It’s damn early to be calling on folks
,” he whispered to Winnie.

“Your brothers insisted on leaving at dawn.” She knocked again and a young man answered the door. He had hair as black as pitch, bright green eyes and a scar that ran across his left cheek. Surprise chased across his features.

“Martha?”

“Tucker!” The girl ran into the young man’s arms with a muffled sound of pleasure.

“You two obviously know each other.” Winnie smiled. “You must be Tucker. Thank you for helping us catch the man who tried to kill my husband.”

The boy let Martha loose with a smile. He looked at Winnie and then at Nick. “You’re, ah, welcome.”

“We wanted to say goodbye to Mr. Fuller and give him the keys to the boardinghouse. We’re leaving for the Circle Eight.” Winnie didn’t make a move to pull Martha back toward her and he knew how hard it was for her. She had to give the girl time to get used to having parents.

“He’s just having his breakfast.
I’ll go let him know.” Tucker glanced down at Martha. “You want to come with me?”

Martha opened her mouth and then looked at Winnie, a question in her gaze.

“Of course you can. We’ll wait here for you.”

Martha’s smile was genuine, as bright as the sun behind them. Winnie squeezed his arm and he knew she felt the same rush of happiness at the sight. The girl was beginning to heal.

Within a few moments, the two young people returned, their faces wreathed in more smiles.

“Mr. Fuller cried when he saw Martha.” Tucker patted the girl’s shoulder. “We’re both powerful glad she’s all right.”

“Can we see him?” Winnie didn’t want to overstep but she wanted to thank the man.

“He’s not doing well.” Tucker led the way into the house, up the stairs and toward a room with an open door. The house still smelled as
though it was neglected but there was a lightness in the air. Perhaps the young man staying with Mr. Fuller was the right thing to do.

“The Grahams wanted to see you to say goodbye.” Tucker walked into the room and they followed.

The older man appeared even smaller than he had a few days earlier, but there was pleasure in his gaze. He sat in a large four-poster bed with a tray in his lap.

“We won’t keep you, Mr. Fuller.” Winnie
walked in and put the keys in the old man’s hands. “I wanted to say thank you for everything. We got Martha back from Mr. Conklin. Legally and permanently. Thanks to your brother-in-law and you. The boardinghouse will be the new Fuller’s Home.”

“I’m so very glad to hear that and to see her.” Mr. Fuller glanced at the girl with affection. “She will be happy with her new family. Mr. Tucker and my brother-in-law will help me track down some of the other children.
Mr. Layton has also promised to help. The new home will help many children.”