Brazos Bride (16 page)

Tilting her head to one side, she asked, “How does a man
sort of
court a young lady?”

“
Now you mention it, maybe she doesn’t know I’m courting her.” He smiled and winked. “Reckon I’ll step up the process once I’ve finished here.”

“
I appreciate that you and Joel and your aunts have stopped your lives to help Micah and me. Well, I suppose it’s mostly for me now.”

“
Don’t give it a second thought. Micah would do the same for us. He shared that cash you gave him, and shared a third of the cattle now at my place and Joel’s third and Micah’s are now drinking at the river, thanks to you.”

They settled into companionable silence. Zach tried to appear relaxed, but how could he let down his guard? Micah counted on him to keep Hope safe. Much as Zach hated this lolly gagging when he longed to hunt rustlers and killers, he liked his new sister and wanted her protected.

He’d read the same damn page at least ten times and still didn’t have any idea what it said. Every bird or leaf stirred by a breeze outside caught his attention. Hope slammed her book.

“
Whew.” He fought against jumping to his feet at the sudden sound.

Her gaze met his. “The story is a good one, but it cannot hold my interest. I long to rise and do something, anything, to battle this awful killer.”

Zach closed his book also. “Must be hard, but your fight is to regain your strength. Let the rest of us combat whoever’s been attacking your family.”

“
I know you are right, but waiting is difficult.” She patted her stomach and grinned. “I suspect the aunts’ good cooking and my appetite will result in me gaining all the weight I have lost...and more.”

“
Our aunts will pamper you, that’s for sure, but you can stand to put a little meat on your bones.” Damn! Leave it to him to put his foot in his mouth. “Not that there’s anything wrong with the way you look now.” He’d prefer seeing her plump with Micah’s child, but wondered at the likelihood of that ever happening.

“
Zach, do not worry about your words. I know I am too thin.” She held up her wedding ring and showed him how large it was. “Micah believes this ring will fit one day. His faith means more than I can tell you.”

Maria appeared. “Señora Hope, the ladies, they say you must rest now until lunch. I will help you to your room.”

Zach leaped up. “I’ll help as well, little sister. While you rest, I’ll be in Micah’s room or nearby. You just call out if you need anything. If I can’t figure it out, I’ll fetch Maria.” He carried his book as they climbed the stairs. When they passed the foyer clock, he was surprised to see he’d been in the library only two hours.

Been too long since he’d spent hours on watch. Already surveillance created an ache behind his eyes. Danged if ranching hadn’t turned him soft. Sure, he could still work a sixteen-hour day, but not and remain constantly on guard.

While Hope rested, Zach took off his boots so she wouldn’t hear him patrolling back and forth. He went out on the balcony of Micah’s room, which ran to the end of the home in each direction. The house’s red tile roof would make climbing from the one-story wings almost impossible. He judged the distance to the closest trees. Mighty dangerous jump even if the villain was a circus performer.

Zach leaned on the sturdy rail and peered down. A tiled terrace jutted out at least twenty feet beyond the house. Deadly if someone fell from the balcony. Beyond the terrace, he spied a vegetable plot and a large flower garden. In the distance, he spotted the orchards. This ranch was definitely well planned and prosperous.

He and Joel had talked about this paper marriage of Micah’s and both scorned the fix Micah was in. He hated to see his little brother hurt, and he’d never forgive Hope if she didn’t see reason. All he could do is pray Hope changed her mind and wanted to make the union permanent.

He retraced his steps and listened at the open doorway to Hope’s room. Did Micah go to Hope’s room or she to his? Mama wouldn’t have slept anywhere but with Pa unless she was off taking care of sick folks. Odd that from the start this house was designed to drive a wedge between husband and wife. Wonder what made rich folks so peculiar?

Chapter Seventeen

When Maria told her lunch was served, Hope hurried downstairs. Her cares dissipated with the assurance of good food and a protector. At least, here inside her home, safety cocooned her.

After lunch and another rest, Hope’s time with Zach passed as it had that morning, except that he kept her laughing at antics he and his brothers had gotten into when they were growing up. She suspected he embroidered the tales to entertain her. How she envied their life, even though they’d had little cash and worked hard. They had the things she’d been denied--love, siblings, affectionate parents, happiness. At least for a while, she was part of that lucky family and she planned to soak up enough memories to last her forever.

Micah and Joel didn’t return until evening. Her heartbeat increased when Micah entered the room. Now, now, don’t forget your goal.

Dust and sweat covered the two men and mud clung to their boots. Both appeared weary.

Tired he might be, but Micah was all smiles. “The cattle are at the river, and we started rebuilding the fence along the new property lines.”

Joel plopped down on a kitchen chair. “Don’t know as the fence is a priority,” he sent Zach a knowing gaze, “but the cattle are soaking up that water.”

Maggie thumped a wooden spoon against Joel’s head. “You know better than to bring all that dirt in here with you. It’s clear you boys have been on your own too long and need some civilizing.”

Lizzie laughed while she basted a ham. “We’re just the ladies who can remind them of their manners, aren’t we, Hope?”

Hope smiled, wondering how to answer.

Joel and Micah headed for the wash room. Zach laughed at their retreat.

As Lizzie slid the ham into the holding oven, Tomasina grabbed a broom and her face lit with excitement. “Before the food we set out, I will sweep the mud and dirt out of the way so no one tracks it through the house.”

Hope marveled at the transformation in the little maid. Already Tomasina had changed from painfully shy to easy camaraderie with the aunts. Perhaps she’d been afraid of Annunciata. Did the two older aunts have a positive affect on everyone?

Consuela and Maria bustled in. The housekeeper asked, “What may we do to help you?”

Lizzie said, “You just sit a spell. I know you’re really in charge of the household, Consuela, so don’t think I’m giving you orders.”

“
Sister and I indulged in a nap,” Maggie said “A
siesta
, I believe it’s called.”

Zach gaped at them. “You two took a nap? Never knew you to slow down long enough.”

“
Consuela told us it’s a custom here.” Maggie gazed at her sister for confirmation.

“
It’s a lovely practice.” Lizzie said. “Perked me right up.”

“
Because of the heat in Mexico, it is necessary to rest in the afternoon,” Consuela explained.

Hope nodded. “It was the only indulgence my father made for our staff.” Too late she realized what she’d said. Her face heated and she slid her hands to her cheeks. “I mean, it was a custom he continued.”

Micah came back in, brushing his fingers through his wet hair. “You don’t have to apologize, Hope. We all understand.”

She started to deny an apology, but fell silent. Why bother? Everyone knew her father was a hard man.

Micah smiled at her. “You look more rested. Are you hungry?”

She returned his grin. How she longed to touch the dimple that appeared whenever he smiled. “Ravenous. The smells in this room are wonderful.”

Lizzie slid the ham on to a platter. “That’s what cooks like to hear. Wait until you taste what Maggie made for dessert.”

Zach sniffed. “Smells like apple dumplings.”

Lizzie motioned to them. “Go on into the dining room. Maggie and I will take turns serving.” She raised her eyebrows and nodded toward the food.

Either Maggie or Lizzie remained in the kitchen while another brought food. Happy chatter filled the room, and Hope savored it--another memory to store.

Micah leaned near and spoke low. “You’re very quiet. Tired or have I put my foot in it again?”

“
Merely enjoying the food, the conversation, and the company.”

He beamed at her. “That’s all right then. Did you rest today?”

“
When Zach was not telling me about you three growing up.” She raised an eyebrow at him.

His eyes widened. “Oh no, has he been filling your head with nonsense yarns?”

“
I do not think they were tall tales. Each sounded like a bunch of boys involved in mischief to me.”

Micah reached over and poked Zach. “Hey, you been tattling on me to my wife?”

“
Just telling it like it is--or was.”

Micah shot him a glare. “Like what?”

“
Remember when we crawled through that cave and you got stuck?”

Joel laughed. “And Papa had to come pull you out. Now that was scary for a while.”

“
Still is. I sometimes have nightmares about it.” Micah brushed a hand across his face, as if wiping away a memory.

Zach said, “Sorry, didn’t know it haunted you or I wouldn’t have told it.”

Hope leaned forward. “I liked the one about you finding the rattlesnake in your boot. I am sorry, Micah, it must have been frightening to a boy, but the way Zach told it was very funny.”

“
Well,
now
I see the humor, since nobody got bitten. But then it liked to have made me pe...jump out of my pants. That snake was six feet long and mad.”

Joel said, “Micah, it was two feet long. A six foot rattler couldn’t fit in a kid’s boot.”

Micah shook his head. “So
you
say. Sure looked six feet long when it shimmied out. Nothing worse than a rattler.”

Everyone laughed.

Micah joined in. “Reminds me of that time when we were camped out down by the border, and that rattler tried to crawl into Joel’s bedroll. Never knew big brother could move that fast.”

Hope listened to the brothers trying to top one another’s stories. She couldn’t remember when she’d laughed so much, but the effort cost her. In spite of her interest in the conversation, she yawned.

Micah paused and peered at her. “We’ve tired you. I’ll help you to your room.”

Hope rang the bell beside her plate. “No need. Maria will help.”

Maria appeared. “Ah, Señora Hope. I see you are ready for your rest.”

Hope looked over her shoulder as she left the room, loath to miss out on more of the conversation. She could almost believe the aunts and brothers were her family. Don’t lose sight of your goal, she warned herself. They’re here only until the killer is caught, then you won’t need them.

Right, she would then be free. Would she not?

Chapter Eighteen

Micah watched Hope carefully. After a week, he’d given into her pleas for a ride on a spirited roan she called Bella. Not a good idea, he realized, but he sympathized with her. He’d be stir crazy if he were in her place.

Some of her color had returned but she still tired easily. Months of poison took its toll, and she hadn’t yet thrown off all the effects. At least the sparkle had returned to her beautiful sherry-colored eyes.

“
What a wonderful day.” Hope sat her saddle as if born there. She sent him a beaming smile.

Damn, one look from her and he was a sappy schoolboy. “Remember, no galloping, and only half an hour today.”

“
Come, I’ll show you my favorite hideaway.” She turned Bella and quickly led the way trotting toward a grove of trees.

“
Slow down, Hope!” He should have known that hardheaded woman would do as she pleased in spite of his warnings. He nudged his own horse so he could catch up with his wife. Wife-in-name-only, Stone, and don’t forget it.

As if I could
.

Micah followed Hope to an outcropping of rocks surrounded by a mix of live oaks, cottonwoods, and bois d’arc trees. Sunlight from a brilliant blue sky filtered through the leaves overhead and a small creek burbled nearby. Wildflowers dotted sunny spots between trees--Indian blanket, Mexican hat, and many others he couldn’t name. Did she come here alone, he wondered? If not, who came with her?

She slid from the saddle and opened her saddlebag. “Your aunts sent us a picnic.” Hope sat on a large boulder and spread out a cloth before unpacking sandwiches, pickles, boiled eggs, and fruit. “We have tin cups, but we will have to drink water from the stream.”

“
Guess you used to come here a lot.” Jealousy ate at him.

“
Oh, yes, it is pretty is it not? I came here to escape Papa.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, my, I should not have said that. I sound ungrateful, but sometimes I needed to be where no one judged me or expected me to be perfect. Ramona came with me once in a while, but most of the time I came by myself.”