An Unexpected Love (The Colorado Brides Series Book 5) (14 page)

“You were wonderful,” I whispered.

“So are you, sweet Jane.”

Chapter Fourteen

Feeling jubilant after the service, we gathered outside the church to talk, and, to my surprise, several members of the congregation approached Ryan, offering to shake his hand.

Nathan, who had been standing next to Hannah, strolled over. “That went pretty well.”

“Yes, it did.”

“I’ll bring him to the saloon later in the week. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been half seas over. My old drinkin’ mates are wonderin’ what happened to me.” His smile was lopsided. “Yes, ma’am. Domestic bliss has taken its toll.”

I grinned. “I can see it’ll be a hardship for you.”

“Certainly. One of those bar stools had my name on it back in my bachelor days.”

“I’ve heard Hannah mention it. You’ve certainly changed your ways.”

“The love of a good woman will do that.”

“Thank you for all you’ve done.”

“I didn’t do anything. That boy will find the acceptance he’s looking for. I get a feelin’ he’s plannin’ on staying in Denver City.” His expression softened. “I wonder what that’s all about? There’s only one reason a man would want to give up the life of freedom and coffin varnish.”

“Coffin varnish?”

“Whiskey.” He patted his belly. “Oh, yeah. Those were the good ol’ days.”

“You’re incorrigible, Nathan,” I laughed.

He tipped his hat. “I’ve been called worse.”

“I’m sure you have.”

Pastor Bailey chatted with the mayor, who had brought his wife. There had been a rather odd assemblage of parishioners, including miners and several “soiled doves”, although they had dressed modestly. Even the notorious madam, Ruby Wallace, was present, wearing a broad black hat with feathers. She was in the company of two men, but they had already taken their leave.

Before we were on our way, I sat with Fanny in the wagon, while the other members of the Hoffman family took to theirs. We would meet at Paulina’s house for the weekly brunch.

Fanny grasped my hand. “I say, things will be looking up for Mr. Hartsock now. He has a quiet manner when speaking, but I think he’ll eventually overcome some of that shyness. I imagine being singled out wherever he goes hasn’t helped. Life must’ve been trying for him looking the way he does. Once people know he’s no different than they are, they’ll accept him.”

“I hope so.”

“Go on, Sally Anne,” called Jack. “Go on, girl.”

We followed Hannah and Nathan’s wagon, while Louisa and Paulina were behind us. Ryan sat with Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, as they had room to spare in their conveyance. Once we arrived at Paulina’s house, she enlisted the help of the men to erect two tables in the backyard, while the children brought out chairs. The trees they had planted a few years ago were still rather small, but one offered a little more shade than the others. Food was arranged in various bowls and ceramic tureens, with biscuits under cloth to keep the flies at bay. They occasionally roasted a pig in the ground, as they had done today, beginning the process the night before.

“I forgot the lemonade,” said Mrs. Hoffman. “It’s on the kitchen table.”

“That pig’s about to come out soon, fellas,” said Samuel. “I’ll need help then.”

Jack removed his coat, draping it over a chair. Then he rolled up his sleeves. “I’m ready for duty. Nothing tastes as good at your roasted pigs, Samuel.”

He grinned. “We certainly enjoy them.”

The younger children ran around, while the older ones practiced their horseshoe tosses and played with marbles, but we had to keep the glass balls away from the toddlers, as they liked to eat them. Paulina brought out a rocking horse for the little ones.

A hand at my elbow had me glancing over my shoulder. “Your poor face,” I said, smiling sympathetically at Ryan. I longed to reach out to touch him, but there were people watching.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I know I look pretty darn hideous like this.”

“Well, at least half of you is handsome.”

He tilted his head. “You think I’m handsome?”

Something flipped over in my belly. “Yes.”

“Even with a purple eye?”

I nodded, as bashfulness suddenly left me without a response.

He led me away from the table, murmuring, “I’ve been thinking a lot. A lot about you.”

“This…sounds serious.”

“I’m frustrated that our evening was ruined. I wanted to dance with you. Those drunken idiots ruined what should’ve been a very nice time.”

“We’ll have other opportunities to dance. They hold them every week you know.”

“Then will you accompany me next Friday?”

“Yes.”

“I…” he seemed hesitant, his posture stiffening. “I want to do more than dance with you.” The implications of his words were shocking. He shook his head, realizing his error. “I mean, not that! I mean I want us to go to church together and have dinner together and things of
that
nature.” His smile was sheepish. “I’ve gone and stepped in it now. I’m not all that good at making small talk, especially with women.”

“I want those things too.” Movement near the kitchen door held my attention, as a man appeared, dressed in trousers and a vest and coat. He’d combed his hair back; his appearance was of youthful success, his expression earnest. He scanned the backyard, searching for something. “Oh, my God.”

“What?”

A trap door had opened beneath me; the feeling was like a sudden drop. “It’s Wesley.”

Ryan glanced over his shoulder. “The elusive beau has returned. It looks like he stopped by the Men’s Emporium before he came here.”

It was then that Wesley’s eyes widened. “Jane!” He bounded down the steps, racing towards me.

Everyone had stopped to stare, even Jack and Nathan, who worked with Samuel to remove the pig from the ground. As Wesley approached, I mustered the biggest smile I was able and prepared myself for what might come.

“Wesley! I wondered if you’d ever return.”

“I sent letters, but the last few didn’t make it. I was told a supply wagon was ambushed by Indians.” He glanced at Ryan, stiffening. “What on earth?”

“This is Ryan Hartsock. He works for Nathan and Hannah.”

Ryan had extended a hand in greeting, but Wesley ignored it, leading me away instead. “I’m grateful to be home, Jane. I hurried as much as I could. I worried about you the entire time. How have you been?”

“We’ve had our challenges this summer.” I searched for Ryan, spotting him with Nathan and Jack, standing over the pit.

“I’ve saved enough money to build a house now.” He grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “I’ve chosen a prime spot of land. It’s south of here, but only by an hour or two.”

That was alarming. “An hour or two is quite a distance. All my family is here.”

“They can visit as often as they like.”

“You’re taking a great deal for granted, aren’t you? I don’t recall an offer of marriage.”

“I know, I know. It’s always been implied.” He lifted his chin, while his look remained relaxed, complacent. “We’ve known each other long enough, Jane. Marriage was a given, no matter how you look at it. Now, about the property, it’s truly lovely. It’s what took me so long to get here. I’ve made a deal with some land barons. The final price was less than half what they were asking for. It’s prime acreage with a little creek and a small forest. It’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, besides you, of course.”

“That all sounds wonderful, Wesley.”

“I’ve been luckier than most prospecting. I found a creek loaded with the stuff, but I’ve had to keep it quiet.” He glanced around warily. “There’s not much left, but I plan to return to sift out the dregs.”

“I see.”

“You may have the house of your dreams very soon, my dear.” He glanced at Paulina’s two-story structure with it second floor dormer windows. “Even better than this place.”

He was offering me the world, but I felt strangely detached from the process, which was perplexing. “It’s what I’ve always wanted.” Those words sounded hollow. “I’m glad you found success. I’m happy you returned prosperous and healthy.”

He grinned. “How about lemonade? Whatever’s cooking sure smells good.”

“Thank you.” I watched him stroll to the table, pouring fluid into two glasses.

Hannah neared. “Well, he’s back.” Her look was inquisitive. “You don’t seem overly happy.”

“I’m…” I searched for Ryan, finding him standing near where Charles was on the wooden horse, rocking back and forth. “Excuse me.” I felt compelled to go to him, my feet carrying me swiftly. When I approached, his solemn expression broke my heart. “He’s offering me the world,” I blurted. “He wants to marry me. He wants to build a house.”

“I figured.”

Tears were in my eyes. “What am I going to do?”

“What do you want?”

“All those things, but…they won’t be enough. They can’t replace…love.”

“That’s the only thing I have to offer.” His smile was bittersweet. “And a tipi.”

Panic hit, as I saw Wesley striding over. “Are you saying you love me?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, Ryan.”

“Here we are, my dear.” Wesley gave me the glass of lemonade.

“Th-thank you.”

He eyed Ryan. “Looks like you met up with some trouble, sir. That shiner is…rather large.”

“It is.”

“I was overly eager to talk to my girl. I apologize for not greeting you properly earlier.” He held out his hand. “I’m Wesley Hornsby.”

“Ryan Hartsock.” They shook hands.

“You don’t even have an accent. That’s astounding.”

“An accent?”

“One of them Indian accents.”

“No, I’ve never spoken my mother’s language. She left when I was young.”

“I see.” He took a sip of his drink. “Well, Jane, we should find a place to sit. I’m dying to hear all the news. Someone said something about a grasshopper plague. What was that about?”

Feeling obligated to accompany him, I let him draw me away, as we sat in chairs near the table. I endeavored to speak with him about things, but it was a struggle. My mind churned with confusion, my heart breaking, wanting to be with Ryan, but now wasn’t the time to have this talk with Wesley. There were too many people around, chatting, laughing, and, after the pig had been brought up, eating. It wasn’t until the brunch had concluded that I found a moment to myself, standing in the parlor of Paulina’s house.

“We would like to talk to you,” said Louisa. “Can you come with me?”

“Yes.”

She took to the stairs. “Hannah and Paulina are waiting in the bedroom. It’s the only place to have any privacy.”

I joined her, wondering what this was about. In the room, Hannah sat on the bed, while Fanny was in a chair. “Have I done something wrong?”

“Close the door,” said Paulina. “No, you haven’t done anything wrong, but you look like you’re about to cry.”

Just the mention of tears brought them out, as several slid down my cheeks. The emotions I had held in check burst wide open, like a broken dam. I fell to the bed, hiding my face in the coverlet.

“It’s as I thought,” said Fanny. “For someone reunited with her beloved, you’re not exactly behaving—happy?”

“She’s in love with him,” said Hannah. “I could see it from the start.”

“Oh, no doubt,” murmured Fanny. “What’s she going to do, though?”

“You don’t like Ryan,” I accused. “You wanted me to stay away from him.” I glared at Hannah. “You lectured me on this topic, if you remember. You wanted me to wait until Wesley’s return. Well, he’s returned, and I still feel the same way. I won’t accept his hand, if he offers it. I won’t.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to. I just wanted you to explain these things to him in person. His sole purpose in mining was to earn enough money to provide for you. He’s a good, sturdy man. I know he’s not the one for you, but he’s not aware of that.”

“I’ll tell him it’s over. I can’t do it now, because I want to do it in private. I don’t want to humiliate him like that.”

“We’re just worried about you,” said Louisa. “We want the best for you, and, if you think Ryan is the one, then that’s your choice.”

“Has he asked you to marry him?” asked Paulina.

“Who?”

“Ryan?”

“No, not yet. He said he loved me.”

“Well,” said Hannah. “That’s a promising start.”

“But what does Ryan do?” Fanny seemed confused and worried. “He’s a ranch hand, but can he provide for a woman? A family? Does he even want those responsibilities?”

“I haven’t been able to ask him,” I said. “No one lets us be alone. You’ve done nothing but watch me like a hawk. I have to sneak off to see him.”

Fanny’s brows had risen. “What?”

“She was here the other morning,” said Hannah. “She spoke with him then. Nathan found her…with him.”

“Good lord!” Was that the horse ride you said you were on? You came to Hannah’s by yourself?”

“It’s the only way I could talk to him. You’ve done nothing but get in the way.”

“All right,” interjected Paulina. “We’re making more out of this than need be. It’s obvious she’s in love with him. He’s in love with her. Once these things are explained to Wesley, he’ll go away and find another woman to care for. He’ll survive just fine. There are lots of ladies who need husbands. Then,” she grinned, “we can plan a wedding.”

“But he hasn’t asked me to marry him.” I sat up, wiping tears away with the back of my hand.

“He will,” said Hannah. “Nathan spoke to him last night. They were in the parlor, and I heard every word. He’s worried that you’ll reject him because he’s part Indian. He doesn't want you to be treated ill by strangers for being connected to him. He also mentioned struggling with money.”

This was astonishing. “What else? Did you hear anything else?”

“He’s waiting for you to break the ties with Wesley. That’s all.”

“Do you think he’ll offer for me then?”

“Jane,” laughed Fanny. “Yes, you silly girl. You hold all the cards. He’s entirely devoted to you.”

“Both men are,” murmured Louisa. “What a problem to have.”

I was now anxious to break the unfortunate news to Wesley, but I dreaded having to do so. “I have to speak to Mr. Hornsby. The sooner, the better.”