Promise Me Texas (A Whispering Mountain Novel) (28 page)

“Of course.”

Andrew stood waiting, feeling more alone than he had in his entire life. He wanted to tell her he loved her somewhere romantic, not in front of her house because she’d forced him to make a choice. How could she not know how he felt about her after last night? How could she be so stubborn?

When she came back, he tossed the journal into the wagon and grabbed one of the bedrolls always left under the seat. “Walk with me,” he ordered, more than asked.

She hesitated, stuffing something in her pocket to buy time. But Father Benjamin stepped out to watch them and she must have decided not to make a scene.

“Where are we going?” she whispered as soon as they were away from the house.

“We’re going to climb the mountain and sleep on the summit.”

“But it’ll be dark in a few hours, and I’ve told you what happens up there. The dreams my family have had there have not always been good.”

“I don’t care. We’ll build a fire and sleep there. Then, in the morning, we’ll know where this is heading between me and you.”

“But your leg?”

“I’ll make the climb fine. What I will not be able to do is sleep alone without you. Stay with me one more night, Beth. One more night on the summit and we’ll know our future.”

She shook her head, but he kept pulling her to the path leading up the mountain.

When they reached the lookout point where the McMurrays always climbed to survey their land, both were out of breath.

Andrew stopped to rest. He turned her hand loose as they sat on the huge rocks. If she broke and ran back down now, he didn’t have the energy to chase her.

“This won’t work, Andrew.” She finally gulped out words between breaths. “I’m not a true McMurray. I told you my mother married Teagan McMurray when I was a baby. I won’t have the dream.”

He almost told her he didn’t believe in the legend anyway, but he’d started this crazy quest and he planned to finish it. “We’re not climbing off this mountain until sunrise. I’ve got things to say to you and I’ll say them before we climb down.”

She looked at him at that moment as if she hated him, but she didn’t say a word. She stood and started the climb. Now there was no trail to follow and only one direction to go . . . up.

His leg burned, but he didn’t slow. Sometimes she waited for him to catch up. Sometimes he pulled her along, but they didn’t stop until they reached the flat summit.

Without talking, they gathered enough firewood to last the night. While he built the fire, she spread out the bedroll and sat down, hugging her knees for warmth. The sun sank, setting the western horizon on fire, and then darkness settled in around them.

“I don’t suppose you brought any food?” she asked.

“Nope. I’d take that piece of cake you offered me after the wedding. It would taste real good about now.”

“I’d go for a glass of wine and some of the cheese. My mom always makes the best little sandwiches for gatherings. I should have put them in my pockets just in case my crazy husband wanted to go for a walk later.”

He smiled, hoping she was teasing him again. She was right. He’d gone completely mad since he’d met her.

“It was a nice wedding,” Andrew said, just to break the silence. “I’m glad Colby got a room at the hotel. Madie looked tired. He said he’d bring her back here tomorrow before he headed to his place.”

She cuddled a little closer to him. “Colby tried to leave money for Madie’s keep, saying that she was his responsibility now. I finally took the money, thinking I’d give it to her to buy what she’d need for the baby. By the time Colby gets back, she’ll have a wagonload to move.”

Andrew sat beside Beth on the bedroll and offered his arm as her backrest. “They’re so young. You think they have a chance? They hardly know each other.”

“As much as anyone.” She giggled. “Better than I knew you when we married.”

“You didn’t know me at all. You thought I was a train robber.” He knew they weren’t talking about what needed to be said between them, but he thought it best to give them both time to relax.

As the night aged, they talked about their adventure, and he saw all the color she’d brought to his world. Piece by piece he figured out just how much she’d changed his life. In the dark, when he couldn’t see her beauty at all, he still couldn’t turn away.

When the wind whipped up, they cuddled into the bedroll and fell asleep listening to the other breathe.

“Beth.” He whispered what he’d been wanting to say. “I don’t have to dream tonight. I already know I’m in love with you. I think I always have been from the moment I saw you on the train. If it’s fatal, then I die. If it’s not, I’ll live the rest of my days by your side.”

She didn’t answer, but he smiled. He’d said the words he thought he’d never be able to say again. When he repeated them in the morning, it wouldn’t be so hard.

CHAPTER 36

B
ETH WOKE AS THE SUN SPARKLED ALONG THE TREETOPS
. Andrew was against her side, his arm folded over her, warming her, protecting her. She thought of the one page she’d torn from his journal last night. One line he’d written on the back page as if hiding his feelings away.
If beauty had a voice it would whisper Beth.

His words warmed her heart. The one line had been the reason she’d climbed the mountain with Andrew. He might not tell her how he felt, but he’d written it.

The sun reminded her it was late. She’d slept later than she could ever remember sleeping, and, even on the ground, she’d slept solid in his arms.

She tried to remember what she’d dreamed, but it was too late, she couldn’t catch it.

They’d wasted their time. She’d ruined her best dress climbing the mountain. Her mother was probably worried sick about her and all for nothing. She’d have no dream to take down from the mountain.

As she listened to Andrew snoring softly, she thought of all the lies she’d told and wondered if one more would matter. Maybe if she told Andrew that she’d dreamed of a big wedding with him as the groom, he’d decide that it would be all right for them to marry. Or maybe if she told him she’d dreamed of them with gray hair, rocking on a porch together, he’d stop worrying about her dying on him.

Slowly, she realized that at some point the lies had to stop. He’d put up with them all, but he’d never lied to her and she couldn’t lie to him. She’d told him she loved him and meant it. He was the kindest man she’d ever met. She couldn’t lie to him, not even to keep him.

When she tossed more wood on the fire, he opened one eye. “Up early again, I see.”

“I didn’t dream,” she pouted, “or at least I don’t remember it, and now there is no coffee or breakfast.”

“It’s good to see you didn’t lose your spoiled ways. I thought a night sleeping on the ground might change you and I’d have to take a new woman back down.” He winked at her. “By the way, I did dream.”

Before he could say more, her papa’s voice came bellowing out from the trees. “Step back, Bethie, while I shoot that lying, no-account of a man with you.”

Beth turned in time to see Teagan McMurray storm out of the trees with the priest and both of his brothers trailing behind him. They looked like a hunting party and she was standing between them and the prey.

“On second thought,” he yelled, “I think I’ll kill him slow with my bare hands. The priest told me he dragged you up here against your will, so you can watch.”

Beth stood and faced the papa she’d loved since her first memories. “Don’t you dare kill my husband, Papa.”

Andrew had the good sense to look frightened, but to his credit, he didn’t run. He stood his ground beside her.

Teagan slowed and his brothers closed rank. Both her uncles were frowning, looking like they planned to watch Teagan beat Andrew to death as long as it was a fair fight. It didn’t seem to matter that Teagan outweighed Andrew by fifty pounds and had lived his life outdoors. The man who wrote children’s stories seemed like fair game to them.

“Back away, Mr. McMurray,” Andrew said almost calmly. “How about telling us what you’re so upset about?”

Teagan didn’t look like he planned to explain anything, but he asked, “Are you or are you not married to my daughter, because if you’re not—”

“Save the threats. I get the picture.” Andrew stepped in front of Beth. “Who told you I wasn’t married to her?”

Travis, always the lawyer, jumped in. “The boy, Levi, told Father Benjamin that he heard you two talking about a make-believe marriage back when you were living together in Fort Worth.”

Teagan butted in. “The priest told me that you two slept together night before last”—he glanced at the bedroll—“and obviously last night. No one sleeps with a woman he’s not married to, right?”

Beth didn’t miss that both her uncles looked away.

“Right!” Her papa answered his own question. “So, I’m asking one more time, while you still have teeth, are you married to my daughter?”

“No,” Andrew answered. “But I would be if she’d have me. I’d marry her anytime, anywhere.”

For a moment her strong father looked confused, then angry. He turned to her. “You won’t marry him, Beth? Why’d you bring him home and tell us you already were?”

“I will marry him, Papa. I promise I will. Things just happened so fast and we thought we’d just pretend to be married, but I fell in love with him and then he had to think about it and then we decided to sleep on it.”

“I do not want to hear about that part.” Teagan glared at them both. “Let me get this straight. You want to marry her.” He pointed to Andrew. “And you want to marry him.” He pointed at his daughter. “You’ve got the rings and you’ve already had the honeymoon. Appears all we need is a preacher.”

“Or a priest,” Uncle Travis chimed in with a smile. He almost lifted Father Benjamin off the ground as he moved the man from behind Teagan to stand in front of everyone.

“Not Father Benjamin.” Andrew shook his head.

“Why not?” Teagan slapped his future son-in-law on the shoulder so hard Andrew stumbled forward. “We can fix this problem right now before your mother finds out about it, Bethie. It would break her heart if she thought you two weren’t hitched. She tells me she loves having a writer in the family, and you know for a fact that if my Jessie wants something I’m going to damn well make it happen, so marry the man.”

Beth nodded, but saw Andrew glare at the priest.

Father Benjamin was nudged forward by both the uncles.

“Go ahead,” Teagan said removing his hat. “I figure this is about as near to heaven as any church.”

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join—”

“Isn’t the service supposed to be in Latin?” Andrew asked, still looking like he was thinking of killing the priest.

“It is, my son, but I thought I’d translate as I went along. Now where was I? Dearly beloved, we are gathered—”

“Wait,” Andrew interrupted again. “Beth, don’t you want a wedding in a church like we saw yesterday with your papa to walk you down the aisle? A white dress? Wedding cake? All the trimmings?”

“No, thank you, dear. This will do just fine.”

Teagan locked Andrew’s arm in an iron grip. “Stop interrupting the priest or you won’t remember the ceremony.”

“I’ve already been to that service,” Andrew mumbled.

Teagan shook him like a rag doll. When he stopped, he mumbled to his future son-in-law, “Pay attention.”

With all watching, Andrew leaned forward almost politely in a bow, caught Teagan by the leg, and flipped the big man into the dirt. Then, before Beth’s uncles could come to the rescue, Andrew barred Teagan’s arms at his sides with the rifle and clamped his hand on Teagan’s throat.

“I’ll marry your daughter, sir, but not by force. If you want to be conscious to give the bride away, you might think twice before trying to bully me into doing anything.”

Teagan struggled but couldn’t move.

No one in the history of his life had ever knocked Teagan off his feet. All the McMurrays including Beth stood frozen, waiting to see what he would do.

Nothing. Her big powerful papa did nothing.

Andrew released Teagan’s throat and offered his hand.

Teagan took it. “Where did you learn to fight like that?”

“The streets of Berlin,” Andrew answered. “I’ll show you the move once I’m in the family, and, Mr. McMurray, let me say that I’m honored to have a great man like you as a father-in-law.”

Teagan never took compliments well. “The jury is still out on you, son, but it’s good to know you can protect my baby girl.”

“With my life, sir.”

Teagan nodded. “I’d expect nothing less.” He dusted off as he told the priest to continue.

Beth expected him to be angry or even embarrassed, but, in the oddest way, her papa seemed proud.

The priest cleared his throat. “Take your places and we’ll begin again. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to join . . .”

She didn’t remember all the words he said. All Beth remembered was that she was truly married on the summit of Whispering Mountain and no one, not even her father, had forced Andrew into anything.

CHAPTER 37

A
N HOUR LATER WHEN THEY ALL CLIMBED DOWN
from the mountain, no one, not even Teagan, mentioned what had happened.

They all ate a late breakfast in the dining room, now crowded and noisy.

Travis filled them in on what was happening in Austin. Lamont LaCroix had told a grand story about thinking he was saving his fiancée only to find out that she’d secretly married another. He did such a fine job of acting that the judge released him on his own recognizance until the trial.

“The bad news,” Travis boomed over the others, “is that we all have to go to LaCroix’s trial to testify. I asked for a few days to ensure Andrew’s full recovery, but I’m afraid if we don’t show up, the man will get away with shooting one of us.”

Beth couldn’t hide her grin. Andrew had become one of them.

As the family always did, they planned. Jessie and Tobin would stay at the ranch with the boys and Madie since none of them were in the room during the shooting, so couldn’t testify.

Everyone but Andrew seemed happy that the little priest offered to stay with them as well. Teagan, Travis, Andrew, and Beth would take the train in two days. Travis said he’d send a wire to the judge to set the trial so that they would be in Austin for as short a time as possible.

Everything around her was the same, but Beth felt different. She’d heard her mother say once about a couple living together that marriage wasn’t a game you could play at. Maybe she was right. Something had settled in Beth. For better or worse. In sickness and in health.

She looked at Andrew listening to everyone talk, taking it all in, probably already thinking of how he’d get each feeling, each story, each emotion down on paper.

He’d married her. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

Finally, the subject turned to the newlyweds. Travis spoke first. “Bethie, now you’re married, I’m guessing you’ll want a house somewhere on the property. Em and Lewt took the hunting cabin way up in the north pasture, and Rose and Duncan are still having too much fun traveling to settle down.” He looked at Andrew. “Drum and I talked when I stopped by the sheriff’s office in town, and he says you can have the cabin for a while, but soon as the boys are grown, he wants it back.”

“We could build them a house or let them have the little place in town,” Jessie suggested.

Andrew finally spoke. “We’ll be going back to Fort Worth. I have a place there.”

Teagan nodded. “Strange place. A row of two-story homes built stuck together. He’s so surrounded by houses he can’t see the sunrise or the sunset.”

Everyone at the table shook their heads, except Andrew and Beth. The thought of spending time alone in Andrew’s funny house didn’t seem such a bad idea to her.

As usual, Teagan offered his opinion. “We’ll talk about it in the spring. By then Madie will be moving to her new home and the boys’ father will probably be coming to pick them up. I told the rangers to put out a notice that we’re looking for him.”

Everyone seemed to agree. Beth looked at Andrew and shrugged as if to say she was sorry. Somehow their lives had been taken over by committee vote.

He reached for her hand. “It’s all right. I can write here for the time being. I’ll sleep anywhere as long as you’re in my bed.”

She knew he was still thinking that Chesty Peterson might be coming to get them, but with each day the chances seemed smaller.

When the talk turned to the outlaw, Andrew explained to everyone about the map and how Peterson might try to reach him, even in Austin.

Tobin suggested Andrew carry a gun, but the writer refused.

The priest asked to see the map. When Andrew pulled the pouch from his inside coat pocket, Father Benjamin spread it out on the table, studied it a minute, then seemed to lose interest.

As the morning aged, everyone scattered except Andrew. The McMurrays had work to do, the boys had lessons, and the women were all quilting on a huge frame set up in the great room that he’d thought had no purpose.

Beth watched her new husband wander into the study, looking over the shelves of books. He didn’t belong on a ranch. She could almost feel his restlessness to walk the streets of a town. Half the time, when the family talked of ranching problems, she wasn’t even sure he understood. Their adventures were outdoors, fighting the weather and taming the land, but his were in his mind. Slowly, as she watched him, she realized what a lonely career he’d chosen. He had his imagination, but no one to share the adventures he created in his thoughts.

“I’m going to pack up supplies. I thought I’d cook dinner at the cabin tonight,” she said, feeling like what they had between them was suddenly newborn.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t mind coming in.”

She touched his arm. “Want to tell me about your dream now?”

He shook his head. “Later. I think I’ll go back to the cabin and work awhile.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No. I’ll go alone.” He walked to the hallway and reached for his hat. “You stay here and visit with the women. I’ve read that quilting bees can be great fun.”

“They are nice. We talk and laugh. I grew up taking my nap beneath quilting frames.”

He turned and smiled at her as if seeing the little girl everyone called Bethie in the woman.

“When Colby brings Madie back, we’ll stop for lunch and all give her advice. She’s an old married lady now.”

He watched her, and for the first time she saw the love in his eyes. It frightened her a little. Andrew was a man who loved deeply, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d be able to return that kind of love.

Not caring who was watching, she walked up to him and kissed his mouth lightly.

Before she could think of anything to say, he was gone. When they’d been almost married he couldn’t keep his hands off her; now he didn’t even say good-bye. Only she had no doubt he’d be back before dark.

Madie would build her hope chest while waiting for the baby. For years Beth had had hers packed full of all the things she’d made, but now that she was married, she didn’t feel like she had a home to take them to. Andrew’s place in Fort Worth wasn’t a real home, and neither was the little cabin that belonged to her aunt and uncle.

What if he wanted to move to New York or Boston? She’d never lived anywhere but here. She hadn’t seriously considered marrying Lamont until he’d said that they’d be living in Austin. In the back of her mind she knew they’d have to go to Washington, D.C., part of every year if he was elected a senator again, but that would just be a visit. Her home would be in Texas.

Beth sat at the study window and watched Andrew drive away in the wagon. He didn’t even want her to cook supper, so she guessed asking him to talk about where they’d build a house was probably out of the question.

She’d married a man who had no roots. A stranger. And this time the marriage was for real.