Rocky Mountain Match (20 page)

The lie was a bitter draught on her tongue as she glanced out the window to see the noonday sun shining with full force.

When she heard a tap at the door, she glanced over to see Uncle Sven poke his head into the room. His blue eyes shone through the crinkle of a wink, bolstering her heart a little. “I bring da trunks in und set dem by da door, Joseph. Mind dat you don’t trip on dem, jah?”

She forced a smile at her uncle as Joseph moved toward the doorway.

“Thanks, Sven. I’ll bring them in here when I get the chance.” He turned back to her for a moment, the glint of joy in his deep amber eyes making her heart skip a beat. “I’ll go get you a glass of water.”

Katie slid her fingers along the wood buttons trailing down the bodice of her golden wheat-colored dress as she eased herself out of the chair.

“Jah, vell…I should go den, too, Katie-did. Da day is not half over und I haf plenty of vork to do yet.” He moved toward her, sweeping off his wood-shaving dusted hat. Staring at her for a long moment, his gaze filled with worry.

The gentleness and fatherly wisdom shimmering in his eyes made her heart lurch.

“I love you like you are my own child,” he said, smoothing wisps of hair back from her face. “Und I know dat you haf many tings to tink about over dis past days. But der is someting dat is heavy on your heart, jah?”

“Yes, I do have something on my mind,” she admitted, threading her arms at her waist.

He gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “Can I help?”

Easing her hand over Uncle Sven’s, she felt the weathered touch of age and hard work. “Just pray.”

He peered at her for a moment longer when Joseph walked back in the room. “I vill pray,” he whispered as he leaned over and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “Marta…she brings by dinner tonight.”

“Please tell her that we appreciate that.” Joseph nodded and shook her uncle’s hand. “By the way, thank you for everything you’ve done in the shop. Aaron says we’re almost on schedule now with all the help we’ve had. I’m not sure how I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

Uncle Sven’s mouth pulled tight, his chin quivering ever so slightly, forcing Katie to look away for fear that she’d cry. “Just take goot care of my Katie-did.”

Joseph cleared his throat. “That I can do, sir.”

After Uncle Sven left, Joseph stood in front of her and threaded his fingers around hers. “Welcome home, darlin’.”

“Thank you, Joseph.” Her heart pulled tight inside her chest as she stared down at where he held her hand. “Thank you for everything.”

He leaned in closer to her, moving his fingers up to touch her face…her mouth. Then placed a kiss, warm and gentle, against her lips. Her cheeks. Her chin.

Katie closed her eyes, her breath caught. Stomach clenched. Her pulse thrummed at the base of her throat as he slid trembling fingertips almost reverently down her face.

His name was on her lips when he pressed another kiss to her mouth.

His touch…his tender, loving ways, left her feeling protected, treasured and loved.

When she finally opened her eyes, she found him inches away, staring at her with a steadfast gaze that belied his blindness. It was as if he was looking somewhere deep inside of her.

“Katie?” He dipped to place a chaste kiss on her lips.

She swallowed hard and drew a wad of her skirt in her grip. What would happen when he found out that she was coming to the marriage bed tainted by another man?

“Katie?” he said a second time.

“What?” she squeaked.

“I know that maybe you’re worried about, well, us sleeping in the same bed now that we’re married. I want you to know that until you’re well, we won’t do anything but sleep. All right?”

She shook her head, speechless.

“I would never do anything you weren’t ready for. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” she agreed, a yawn coming over her and insisting on her full attention.

He smoothed her freshly washed hair—a luxury she owed to her aunt—from her face. “You’re tired, darlin’.”

She was exhausted. “Well, maybe a little.”

His mouth lifted in one of those sideways grins that sent a quiver all the way down to her toes. “Why don’t you rest, then?”

Once she’d settled on the bed, she breathed deep, drawing comfort from Joseph’s lingering scent on the pillow as he stared down at her.

Would he look at her like this after she told him? The fear of seeing his visible disappointment had Katie’s insides knotted tight. Scraping together whatever courage she could find within herself, she knew that no matter what the outcome, she must tell him…tonight.

When he pulled a quilt over her from the foot of the bed, she felt herself drifting away, the agony of things left unsaid ushering her into fretful slumber.

“W
e ain’t got no leads, but we’re still lookin’.”

It wasn’t what Joseph had wanted to hear. He’d hoped that the sheriff had come over to tell him that they’d found the rogue dead. Unable to bring Katie any more harm.

The sheriff scuffed loudly across the front porch, making Joseph thankful the bedroom was located at the back of the house where Katie wouldn’t be awakened.

“I know I got ’im. Sure as shootin’.” He stomped a foot, sending Boone scurrying off the porch. “If’n he’s laid up somewhere without some kind’a medical attention, he’ll be festerin’ so bad the wolves’ll turn their noses up at ’im.”

Joseph’s jaw ticked. “Suppose he stopped at someone’s home? Got help along the way?”

“He could’a, but we been checkin’ with every livin’ soul within thirty miles a this place.”

Pulling his hands over his face, Joseph leaned back against the clapboard siding. “Ben said that someone found the Donaldsons’ horse grazing near their home just last night.”

“Yep.” Sheriff Goodwin hacked, then spat, the wad plunking against the ground. “Don’ look none worse for the wear neither. That means the scoundrel’s either dead somewhere or he’s on foot. Either way, we’re bound to run across ’im, and with everyone on the alert ’round here, he’d be a fool to try and come back. Got wanted posters all over and sent a rider to the neighborin’ towns to alert the law there.”

“Sounds like you’re doing everything you can.”

“Miss Katie ain’t been here long, but the whole town wanted to pitch in one way or t’other. She must be some special lady.” The sheriff clucked his tongue, probably sporting that self-satisfied look he’d get.

“She’s very special,” Joseph agreed.

“If’n I was to guess…” When the sheriff sucked in a long breath, Joseph imagined Goodwin hooking his thumb inside his holster the way he always did when he was about to make some kind of proclamation. “I’d say the man’s gone and died in some old shack somewhere. And Lady Luck just ain’t been on our side enough to find his sorry be-hind yet.”

Joseph tamped down his ire. “Let me know when you do.”

“You’ll be the first to know.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Well, time’s a’wastin’,” the sheriff announced, slapping his hat against his leg. “I got myself a town meetin’ this evenin’, but I’ll be over to guard the place late tonight, if’n that’s all right by you?”

Without sight, Joseph might not do the best job standing guard, but he could be prepared. He’d loaded his guns and made sure the locks on the two doors were secure. He’d even added a lock from inside the root cellar, in case
Katie needed to hide. And he could care for his wife, tend to her needs, love her the best way he knew how.

Joseph shoved his hands in his pockets. “That’ll be good.”

After the sheriff rode off toward the heart of town, Joseph strode back inside, Boone at his heals. “You and me, Boone, we’re pretty lucky, aren’t we?” he asked, bending to stroke the dog’s long thick back as he locked the door behind him.

The aroma from the food Marta had brought over not long ago drifted through the kitchen to his senses, and his stomach growled with hunger.

“You liked Katie from the beginning, didn’t you, buddy? You warmed right up to her, and she took a liking to you, too,” he said, easily moving to the front room where he opened the mantel clock and felt the position of the hands to find that it was past six o’clock.

He walked back to the kitchen with Boone meandering along beside him, his furry feet buffing the floor and his toenails ticking quietly. Kneeling, he wrapped his arms around Boone’s furry neck. “Just between you and me, I’d say I’m the luckiest man alive to have married such a beautiful lady. And you’re lucky she likes dogs—not that you’re like other dogs—but she obviously doesn’t mind sharing a house with you. In fact, I think she really likes having you around.”

When Joseph stood up again, he turned his focus to the bedroom down the hall. “Now we’ve got to get her to feel the same about me, because ever since she came to after the fever, she doesn’t seem to want me around.”

After a painfully quiet dinner where conversation came hard and moments passed with a guardedness that blared brightly, Joseph walked Katie into the front room to sit on
the sofa for a while. He wished that she’d allow him to help carry whatever it was that seemed to be burdening her.

Resting his elbows on his knees, he was unable to deny the way her voice had lacked the sparkle of life that was Katie.

She gave a shaky sigh, then inhaled as though she were about to say something. When she stopped short, Joseph could feel the heavy, tension-charged air. But what could his sweet, innocent Katie possibly have to tell him that would be so bad?

He set his hand on her arm, wishing that he could see her faint shadow, but the dim mist of day had dispelled and a black curtain had lowered once again.

Could it be that she was nervous about sharing a bed starting tonight? He’d tried to allay any fears she’d had earlier. If there was one thing he didn’t want, it was a bride who came to his bed out of some kind of obligation.

He wanted her heart, first and foremost.

“It’s a little chilly tonight,” he commented, turning toward her on the sofa.

“A little.”

He reached for the blanket he kept on the back of the sofa, then wrapped it around her shoulders, taking care not to bump the wound that was heavily bandaged beneath her dress.

Joseph eased a little closer to her. “Katie, I know that this is all sudden—the marriage and all, but I want you to know that I’m so glad you came into my life.”

She sniffled again, something he’d heard her do a dozen times over the last half hour. “That’s sweet. So sweet.”

“I just wish I could’ve given you a real wedding. In a church. With flowers and a ring and…and that kind of stuff.”

“It was perfect. Really.”

“It worked under the circumstances, but I want to make it up to you somehow. Maybe we can have a reception of some kind. Do you think your family could travel out here for that?”

She paused. “Perhaps.”

“We’ll plan that if that’s what you want, darlin’. Just as soon as you feel up to it.”

“You’re very good to me, Joseph.”

“Not good enough.”

She made a small groaning sound in the back of her throat and his attention was pulled up short. “Darlin’, what’s wrong?”

She pulled her hand away from his. Took a slow, measured breath. “Everything. Everything’s wrong.”

Joseph dragged a hand over his face as he wondered if she was in the throes of regret. Maybe she felt trapped by her whimsical, passing fancy that she’d been so free to share, thinking she was dying.

But what could they do about it now? They were married. Joseph wasn’t about to give her up. He loved her—so much that it hurt. He’d spend the rest of his life showing her, too.

“Katie, if you’re having second thoughts, I understand. But we can work through them.”

“No. It’s not that at all.” Her voice was strained with emotion.

“I want you to feel at home here. I know that it’ll take a while with everything you’ve been through and the adjustments I’m still making. But I’ll do whatever I can to make this as easy as possible for you. This is your home now.”

“And it’s a beautiful home,” she offered, her voice breaking. She sniffed. “I love it.”

“When you’re feeling up to it, I want you to make any changes you want.” He gave a broad gesture around the room. “I’ve been a bachelor for too long and I’m sure you’ll probably want to add some nice feminine touches.”

Her muffled cries broke his heart. “I wouldn’t change a thing, Joseph. Not one thing.”

He found her hand and grasped it in his. “Well, what’s wrong, darlin’?”

Silence filled the air, and so did the faintest sound of something falling behind the house followed by a low curse. He shot his focus toward the noise, every single nerve ending springing to the alert. A warning knell, sure and strong, rang through him with deafening clarity.

“Joseph, I—I have to t-tell you something,” Katie ground out. “Something awful.”

He instinctively knew that each word came with a high cost.

“You don’t know what you got yourself into marrying me.” Katie pulled in a fractured breath at the same moment he heard another rustle.

“Katie, I need you to do something for me,” he interrupted, wishing for all the world that he could’ve taken the time to bring her comfort. But there was no time for that now.

He levered himself off the sofa and grabbed a loaded gun from above the door. Angled his head toward another sound as he helped her stand, pulling her toward the kitchen.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” she asked, sniffling.

“I need you to take this gun down into the root cellar
and lock the door behind you,” he said as he held out an oil lamp for her. “Can you do that?”

“Why?” she whispered, her voice quivering. “What is it?”

“Just promise me you won’t open the door for anyone else but me. Do you understand?”

He felt her tremble beneath his touch as he held the trap door open for her. “Everything’s going to be all right.”

“But Joseph, I—”

He lowered his head and settled a kiss to her brow, breathing in Katie. He loved her beyond words and hoped he’d get to show her for years to come.

“Go now, darlin’.”

When he lowered the door and heard her lock it, he strode through the house to the back entrance. Prayed that God would help him. Pleaded that Katie would be safe as he grabbed another gun he’d loaded.

God, where’s the sheriff?
He prayed silently, suddenly remembering that the sheriff wasn’t going to be here to guard until late.
I need help here.

There was always Boone. Except that Boone usually took his nightly stroll through town about now, picking up a furry friend or two along the way. The dogs had taken to using their large brown, expressive eyes to win a scrap of meat here or a slice of bread there.

Quietly unlatching the back door, he passed through and stepped with stealthy precision around his house.

Listened. Honed in on the small grunt coming from near the side of the porch. And the heavy breaths that sliced through clenched teeth. The dry grass crunched and scratched as if the person was limping.

Joseph crept forward. Caught the fading scent of a
cigar. The same aroma that had lingered in the area where Katie had been attacked.

His pulse pounded harder, ricocheting through his head, arms, legs.

Thoughts of Katie lying soaked in fevered sweat, fighting for her life, splashed into his mind and his blood instantly boiled hot with rage. His muscles bunched, pulling taught, ready for use.

Riveting his focus on the man’s ragged breaths, uneven steps and the direction they were aimed, Joseph breathed a prayer of thanks that he still had the advantage. Apparently too engrossed in his sick quest or the pain that was hampering his movements, the man seemed unaware that Joseph was close at his heels.

Joseph was less than ten feet away now and could hear Katie’s name hissed through clenched teeth. Could smell the rank scent of infection coming from the man. He tightened his grip on the gun and narrowed in on his target.

If the man had scared up a weapon somewhere, Joseph had to be ready. He listened for the sound of clanking steel. Heard nothing and prayed to God the man wasn’t armed.

Raising the gun, he took another step forward. Another. Then another. Zeroed in on the sounds of the man’s labored breathing. The raking of his foot across the ground. The putrid scent of raw, infected flesh.

Joseph aimed the gun and fired.

He heard a
thwap
followed by an animal-like yowl.

Joseph dived forward and grabbed the man.

A vicious string of curses filled the air as the attacker tried to wrench free from Joseph’s grip.

He could feel the sharp bite of a knife pierce his thigh. Ignored the searing pain and squeezed harder.

“Drop the knife, now!” he ground out. With one quick movement, he hooked an arm underneath the man’s right bicep and jerked it up behind the man’s neck.

The villain drove the blade deeper into Joseph’s thigh.

He clenched his teeth, trying to disregard the pain as he locked an unyielding grip on the attacker’s neck.

When he heard the front door unlatch, his heart sank. “Katie, get back inside!” he yelled, jamming a fist deep into the man’s gut. “Go back in there and lock the doors!”

“Joseph, no. No!” she cried, her feet sweeping over the porch and down the steps.

“Ah, just who I wanted to see,” the man hissed on a cough.

Followed by a low, steady growl.

Boone!

Joseph could hear the dog advancing from the side, his growl deepening. When the man jerked back and let out another howl, Joseph tried to maintain his hold.

“Call your dog off!” the man spat, trying to wrench his arm free from the dog’s strong jaws.

But Boone must’ve sunk his teeth deeper, because the man suddenly released the knife and roared in pain.

When Katie moved closer, Joseph’s sense of alarm heightened. “Get inside and lock the doors!”

“No, I won’t.” She was close enough that he could hear her breath now. “I got the knife, Joseph. I got the knife.”

“Good, honey, good.” Joseph grunted as he hooked a leg in front of the man’s shins. “Now, get back, Katie! Go back inside!”

Tripping the man’s legs out from underneath him, Joseph maintained his hold as they both fell forward to the ground. He could feel warm sticky blood seeping
from the attacker’s side as he wrenched the man’s other arm up behind his neck and pulled up harder and tighter, until the man cried out in pain.

Boone didn’t miss a beat but regained his hold behind Joseph, this time sinking his teeth into the man’s calf. The scream that followed boomed like the hordes of hell.

“Hold him, Boone!” Joseph encouraged through gritted teeth.

“What in the world?” came the sheriff’s voice into the yard. “Joseph, is that you?”

“Over here, sheriff.” Katie’s voice quavered close by.

The sheriff’s booted feet clumped over the ground hard and fast. “You got ’im, Joseph. You got ’im.”