Anna's Heart (Wilderness Brides Book 2) (4 page)

Anna’s forehead scrunched. “What does that have to do with Ethan and his current demeanor?”

“Ethan blames himself for his parents’ death. He had an argument with his father the day they were killed. Ethan wanted to go hunting, but his father told him to stay with the family. They exchanged heated words, and Ethan left. His father decided to make camp and wait for Ethan’s return.” She paused, smiling weakly, before she continued. “That’s when they were attacked by river pirates. By the time Ethan came back, his father, mother, and little sister were murdered, and their wagon plundered. They took the mules and everything of value. Nathaniel hid in the bushes with the twins, as he’d been told to do. He told me Ethan hasn’t been the same since.”

Anna stared at her friend across the table. She recounted the words in her head, picturing the gruesome scene. What would have gone through Ethan’s mind at returning to find his family slaughtered? He’d had a falling out with his father, and because of it, they had camped and been attacked.

“Nathaniel dealt differently with what happened,” Anna whispered. Cora nodded.

“I guess Ethan felt more responsible because he’s the oldest and was the one who went off after his father told him not to, and they left on bad terms.” She laughed softly. “He used to be reckless like Travis.”

Anna stared across the table. Nathaniel had often said that Travis put the
wild
in their last name. “I can’t see that in Ethan.”

“He feels he carries all the responsibility for his younger brothers, and then they taunt him about it,” Cora continued. “Whether he’s bitter or simply built a wall around himself, who can tell? I’ve been trying to get him to act less surly, and sometimes I see a hint of warmth in his eyes. I bet he’s a very nice man under that cold exterior.”

Anna shook her head. “You should have seen the way he looked at me when I tossed that water at him. I thought he was going to kill me.”

Cora laughed again. “I’m sure he was startled by what you did. Can’t blame him for that, but maybe that’s just what he needed to wake up and see how his harsh demeanor affects others. He’s fighting being part of a larger family. Maybe what you perceive as gruffness is actually fear.”

“Fear?” Anna whispered. She understood fear, but Ethan didn’t seem the type of man who feared much of anything.

“Does what I told you give you a little understanding why he might be such a closed-off man?” Cora’s soft words barely reached her. Anna glanced up and nodded. Sympathy grew stronger for the man she’d considered to be nothing but callous. Perhaps she had misjudged him all this time.

It had never been like her to draw false conclusions about someone without first getting to know them. With Ethan Wilder, she’d kept her distance from the moment they’d met. Everything about his demeanor, his words, and his actions, had said to stay away. She’d never given him a chance. She’d already decided when she’d arrived in the valley that she didn’t want to stay here, and she’d used Ethan’s sour disposition as an added excuse.

You’re no better than he is, Anna. You’re afraid to form new attachments, too.

Memories filled her mind of why she’d agreed to make the trip west with Cora and her family. She hadn’t wanted to remain behind, alone with her own loss and grief.

“Come to the main cabin and have supper with us, Anna. You’ll like meeting the Osbornes.”

Anna smiled at Cora. “Give me a minute to freshen up. My face must look a mess.”

“Nothing a cool washcloth against the eyes for a few minutes won’t fix.” Cora stood. “I’ll let everyone know you’ll be there shortly.” She moved around the table and gave Anna’s shoulder a squeeze, then left the cabin.

Anna sat, staring at her hands in front of her. Cora’s tale about Ethan might explain a lot about the eldest of the Wilder brothers, but it didn’t diminish her desire to leave. Ethan Wilder’s behavior was not really her concern. She had her own ghosts from her past to overcome. And the best way to deal with them was to leave, and find a place of her own where she could truly feel at home. Only then could she perhaps forget what she’d lost.

T
revor carried
chairs from inside the cabin and set them around the makeshift table they had erected in the yard in order to accommodate everyone for supper. Nathaniel and Travis each carried an end of a long bench to add to the chairs. A large table had already been set up using crates and wooden boards. While the main cabin at the homestead could accommodate everyone for meals, it was more comfortable eating outside now that the weather was getting warmer, and especially since there were two more people present.

“Yessir, Nathaniel’s got hisself a fine wife now.” Harley chortled, holding up his tin cup steaming with coffee and, no doubt, laced with a shot of whiskey. He looked in Nathaniel’s direction as he approached, then turned his attention back to Daniel Osborne.

Ethan stood with them by the woodpile in the yard, a large ax in one hand. He eyed the dwindling pile of firewood stacked along the cabin. Travis clearly hadn’t done the chore earlier.

“Never woulda guessed that Nate would be the first to get hisself hitched,” the old man droned on. “But then, with Ethan bein’ so disagreeable, it ain’t no wonder. Always thought the oldest oughta get hisself a wife first.”

Ethan shot Harley a dark glare. He should know better than to let the old coot goad him about the subject of marriage. They’d discussed it – or rather, Harley had discussed it – plenty of times over the last few years. Ethan wasn’t going to get tugged into the same old argument again.

“Why, Nate even brung Cora’s sisters. Nice buncha gals. Sure brightened up the old homestead this winter, even if someone ain’t too happy they’re here.”

Ethan scoffed. Both Harley’s and Daniel’s eyes fell on him. Harley wore an amused expression while Daniel searched his face with a penetrating stare. Ethan shifted weight. He’d known Daniel Osborne for years, and the way the man could look at a person made it seem almost as if he could read someone’s mind.

Luckily, his wife Aimee emerged from inside the cabin at that moment, carrying a large basket. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.

“This valley isn’t the place for women raised in polite society, Harley, and you know it,” Ethan said, cursing silently for his quick outburst.

Daniel’s impassive facial expression lit up in a smile. Aimee walked past her husband at that moment and gave a quick laugh. The two of them looked at each other with knowing glances.

“And why would you say that?” Harley glared at Ethan. “I brung you and yer brothers out here when you was as green as a blade of spring grass.” He swept an arm in front of him. “And look at you now.”

“That’s different,” Ethan grumbled. His grip tightened around the ax handle. He shouldn’t have opened his mouth.

“Different? How so?”

Ethan frowned. They’d had this argument countless times before, so why had he let himself get into another debate about the women with Harley, and in front of their guests no less?

“They’re women,” he defended even as Harley snorted. “We’re men.”

Harley took a long drink from his cup. “You was boys, wet-nosed boys who couldn’t tell the difference atween a badger and a skunk. I taught ya all how to survive. These gals can learn just the same. So can Patrick.”

Josie, the youngest of the Hudson sisters came from inside the cabin carrying a Dutch oven. Her eyes darted to the old man, then shifted to Ethan and Daniel. She quickly averted her eyes. Harley waved a hand in her direction.

“Why, li’l Josie can shoot as good as Travis a’ready.”

Travis, who stood by the table, scoffed for all to hear. He scowled and shot a challenging glare at the young girl. Josie set the oven on the table, and rushed back into the cabin. Daniel’s lips twitched while Aimee giggled. She came up beside her husband and wrapped both her arms around one of his.

“Daniel used to think the same thing about me, Ethan.” Her smile widened. “He was adamant to get me out of the mountains when we first met, isn’t that right, Daniel?” She gazed up at her husband.

Daniel smiled and nodded dutifully before his eyes went to Ethan.

“My wife proved to me she was strong enough to live a life away from civilization. The greater the pull of attraction became, the more I tried to deny it and tell myself that she needed to go.” His face took on a serious expression. “My stubborn attitude nearly cost me my life, and the woman I love.”

Ethan smirked. He shook his head. There was no ‘pull of attraction’ for any of these women. All they’d done was disrupt his quiet existence.

“Cora’s sisters might not mind living in this valley, but Anna Porter sure doesn’t want to be here. She’s already made that plain as day.”

“And here I figgered you didn’t pay no attention to what the women was sayin’,” Harley chuckled. “If ya warn’t so surly all the time, scarin’ that young lady half ta death every time ya cross her path, she might not wanna up an’ leave.”

A twinge of guilt passed through him. To ward off the feeling, he bent and grabbed for a large piece of wood, which he set on the chopping block. Swinging the ax over his head, he brought it down with more force than necessary to split the piece in half. The two pieces bounced off the block and landed several feet away. Harley chuckled. Ethan gritted his teeth and reached for another piece of wood.

“Supper’s ready,” Cora called. She set a large platter in the center of the table with several roasted pheasants on it.

“About time,” Travis chimed. “I’m starvin’.”

“You’re always starving, Travis Wilder,” Cora said with a laugh. She swatted his hand away when he reached for a slice of bread. “Don’t you dare start until everyone’s at the table.”

“We been eatin’ like kings since the women come to the valley,” Harley said to Daniel, smacking his lips. He patted his old friend on the back and nudged him toward the table. “Cora an’ her sisters shore know how ta cook a good meal, but there ain’t no one who can make biscuits like Miss Anna Porter.”

Ethan scanned the yard. Caroline emerged from the cabin carrying a steaming bowl. Where was Anna? Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen her since he’d walked away from the cabin with mud on his face.

The look of fear in her eyes when he’d towered over her in his anger sent another dose of guilt through him. She’d covered up that fear with annoyance and had stood her ground, something she’d never done before, at least not with him.

She’d mostly avoided him, especially after the one time he’d chased her away from his bunk in the cabin when she was collecting dirty laundry. She’d had no business going through his personal things, and she’d stayed away ever since he’d told her so. His brothers and Harley might be agreeable to having a woman do their laundry, but he wanted no part in it. Keeping his distance from the woman was for the best. Except for quick greetings or general questions, she probably hadn’t spoken more than five words to him in all the time she’d been here, until today when she’d told him he was rude.

Ethan looked toward the cabin door again. He shrugged. What difference did it make if Anna Porter was present? When had he wasted even a moment thinking about her? He straightened. There
had
been times when he’d caught himself thinking about her, even watching her from afar. He shook his head. He had no business thinking of Anna Porter or any other woman.

No. Every time his thoughts had drifted to her, it had been to think about how nice and orderly his life had been before she’d come to the valley. Or at least as orderly as it could be with his brothers always up to no good.

Absently, he shaved kindling from the piece of wood he still held in his hand. After supper, he’d tan Travis’ hide for not getting the wood chopped. A flutter coming from the women’s cabin caught his eye.

Anna Porter emerged from the cabin, her skirts swishing around her legs in the breeze. She raised her hand to her head to hold on to the thing covering her dark hair. His eyes fixed on her as if he’d never seen her before. There was something different about her that he couldn’t put his finger on. He’d never noticed how she walked with her back straight and her head held high, or how the swaying of her hips made her dress rustle around her legs as if enticing him.

His eyes followed her as she approached the gathering in the yard. Ethan slid the ax down the block of wood, his focus lost on what he was doing. Faster than he could blink an eye, the sharp blade snagged on a knot in the wood, then slipped and sliced into his hand. Ethan cursed loud enough for all to hear.

He dropped the ax to grab his wrist as blood gushed from a deep cut in his palm. He gritted his teeth and cursed again. Of all the fool-headed things he’d done, he’d never cut himself with an ax blade before. His eyes shot again to Anna Porter, who’d reached the table at that moment. Her eyes, along with everyone else’s, were directed at him.

Caroline gasped when she saw the hand he held up. Aimee Osborne jumped from her seat in a fluid movement that belied her age. She rushed to his side, grabbing for his wrist.

“Sit, Ethan,” she commanded. Without thinking twice about it, he did as he was told, sitting on the old chopping block. She raised his hand higher over his head.

“Daniel, grab my medical pouch,” she called over her shoulder. “I left it on the table in Nathaniel’s cabin.” Turning back to look at the injured hand, she said, “Maybe you should lie on the ground. That’s quite a bleeder.”

“What in tarnation did ya do that fer?” Harley called, walking over and staring down at him. He pointed at Ethan’s bleeding hand. Blood continued to run down his arm, soaking the sleeve of his shirt.

“He’s just looking for attention,” Travis called from the table. “While the rest of us are starving.”

Cora shushed him while Nathaniel reached across the table and cuffed his younger brother across the head. Travis ducked, hitting his chin against his plate and splattering greens and meat onto his lap. He jumped to his feet, knocking the chair out from under him. Travis shot Ethan a scalding look as if it was his fault that he’d dumped his food. Ethan returned his brother’s scowl. Served him right.

Aimee tore a fringe of hide from Trevor’s shirt, who’d come up beside her. She tied it around Ethan’s wrist, making his hand pulse.

“Trevor, I need sugar.” The older woman shot a quick glance at Ethan’s brother. “Unless you know where to find a large amount of spider webs.”

“Spider webs?” Caroline gaped at Aimee.

“They help stop bleeding, but I think I’d rather have sugar. It’s cleaner in this case, and I don’t think we’d find enough in a short amount of time.”

Ethan’s eyes volleyed between the two. What in tarnation were they talking about?

“I’ll get the sugar,” Caroline offered, and rushed into the cabin. She returned a few moments later, carrying a pewter crock.

“Hold out your hand, Ethan.” Aimee Osborne didn’t wait for Ethan to do as she asked. She grabbed his hand and held it palm-up, then poured some of the contents of the crock onto it. The white crystals quickly turned crimson.

“Who has a clean cloth?”

“I do. It’s freshly laundered.” Anna Porter stepped forward and held out a white handkerchief. It was embroidered at the corners with neat stitches resembling flowers. Ethan glanced up, meeting her gaze for a split-second before she averted her eyes. Aimee wrapped the cloth around his hand.

“I’ll have to see how deep this cut is once it stops bleeding,” she said, looking at him. “Then I can sew it up. For now, keep your hand above your head.”

Daniel returned at that moment, carrying a leather pouch. Aimee rummaged through it, pulling out a smaller pouch. She unrolled a brown-tinted bottle wrapped in thick leather.

“There’s hot water simmering over the hearth,” Cora offered. “Do you need some of that?”

Aimee nodded. “Has it been boiling?”

“Yes, for quite a while earlier.”

“Can you bring me a pitcher with some of the boiled water and a cup, and drop my needle and some thread in it. And if Harley has any whiskey in the house, bring some of that, too.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Cora took the pouch Aimee handed her. The healer returned her attention to Ethan. “I can give you some laudanum for pain when I stich up the hand.”

Ethan looked at her. He shook his head. “No need,” he grumbled, perfectly aware that everyone’s eyes were on him. If he showed any weakness by asking for something to dull the searing pain, he’d never live it down with his brothers. His eyes involuntarily drifted to Anna, who stood the furthest away. The muscles along his shoulders stiffened. If it hadn’t been for her coming out of the cabin when she did and caught his eye, he wouldn’t have sliced his hand open.

“Suit yourself.” Aimee shook her head and threw him an indulgent smile, as if she’d received the same answer countless times before. She leaned forward, and whispered so only he could hear, “No need to prove anything to anyone here, Ethan. You won’t lose the respect of your family if you choose not to be in pain.”

“I’ll be fine,” he said between gritted teeth. Aimee nodded and straightened, no doubt knowing that his answer wouldn’t change.

She inspected his wound, unwrapping the blood-soaked handkerchief from his hand. The sugar had dissolved into a runny, red substance, and dripped from his hand to the ground, revealing a gaping slice in his palm. Cora returned with a tin cup, a bowl, and a pitcher steaming with hot water, and a bottle of Harley’s whiskey. Aimee poured some of the alcohol into the cup, then raised it to Ethan’s hand.

“This is going to sting,” she said. Before he could react, she poured the contents over his palm.

Ethan hissed, trying to pull his hand back, but Aimee held tight. She smiled. “Told you it would sting. Just trying to get it clean before I sew it up.” She brought his hand closer to her face, inspecting the wound. “I can’t tell, but it doesn’t look like you sliced through any tendons. Can you stretch and bend your fingers?”

Ethan tentatively moved his fingers to fully open his palm. The pain intensified, as if hot needles stabbed at him repeatedly. He clenched his jaw. Aimee nodded in satisfaction.

“You may not want laudanum for when I sew you up, but you will drink some willow bark tea. It’ll help with any pain later.” Her stern look dared him to decline, so he simply nodded.