Unconventional Series Collection (20 page)

Luke returned to the house mid morning. "I
could smell that pie as soon as I stepped on the porch." He hovered over
the pies cooling on the table.

"They're still hot, but would you like me
to cut you a slice anyway?"

Angel received her answer by the grin on his
face. Even though she was still plagued by melancholia from memories, she
grinned back and lifted a plate from the cupboard. Cutting Luke a slice, she
held her breath while he took his first bite. He didn't say anything at
first—just made joyful munching sounds.

With his second bite and his mouth still full,
he said, "Angel, this pie is delicious. I'm telling the truth when I say
it's the best I've ever eaten. Your bakery is going to have customers lined out
the door."

Delightedly, she responded, "Thank
you."

He took another bite. "I'm riding to my
parents' place to check on my pa and see what needs to be done. Would you like
to come with me?"

"Yes, very much so. I'll bring the other
pie to your family."

Luke laughed, "My brothers are going to
fall even more in love with you."

Swiftly leaving the kitchen so she didn't have
to answer, Angel returned to her bedroom for her bonnet.

The ride was peaceful and Angel lifted her face
to a lovely breeze. She said, "I understand why you wanted to build your
home here. You have an amazing family and your land is lovely. I wish…"
Angel clamped her mouth shut. What was she thinking? She didn't want to reveal
too much about herself and her sordid background.

"You wish what?" Luke prodded gently.

Turning her head aside, she said, "Nothing.
Just thinking out loud."

Unexpectedly, Luke reached and covered her hands
in her lap with his big one. "If you ever need to talk, I'm a good
listener. After my mother died I went through a bad time and I understand the
feeling of being lost."

Angel knew she should avoid physical contact
with Luke, but she couldn't make her body respond. His presence was comforting
and she sniffed back a tear. Her mouth moved of its own accord. "My father
died when I was thirteen. Up until that time, I had an idyllic childhood. My
father and mother were madly in love and showered affection on each other and
me. My mother taught me to bake." Luke squeezed her hand, encouraging her
to continue when she faltered. "My father wanted to move west and went to
scout out a home for us. He never returned. We got word from the sheriff of a
Colorado town that he was killed by a stray bullet from some drunken cowboys
shooting up the saloon." She paused again, drawing a deep breath. "My
mother was never the same after that. Eventually, she remarried because we were
destitute. The man had a small farm and worked us unmercifully. He was cruel
and my mother died when I was sixteen. No matter what the doctor said, I know
she died of a broken heart. After her death, my stepfather sold me in marriage
to a neighboring farmer thirty years my senior. He was also cruel." Angel
could say no more and turned completely away from Luke, staring at the trees. She
felt him pull on the horses' reins.

"Whoa!" he called.

The deep timbre of his voice said close to her
ear. "Angel, look at me."

Placing her hand over her mouth, she shook her
head and whispered, "I can't."

She felt Luke set the brake and jump down. He
walked around to her side and smiled up at her. Tears brimmed and she rapidly
blinked as she gazed down at him. Without a word, he reached and lifted her to
the ground. Taking her hand, he gently tugged her away from the wagon. "I
want to show you something."

Angel allowed him to pull her up a rise. When
they crested it, her breath caught. From their vantage point, they could see
both Luke's and his parents' homes separated by trees and meadows.

Still holding her hand, he raised their
interlocked fingers and gestured. "There's a shorter route, but I thought
you might enjoy this view."

Angel momentarily forgot her sorrow. "It's
so beautiful."

"Whenever I need a new perspective, I come
here. From below, I can't see beyond my own ranch, but from up here, I can see
for miles. Look over there."

Angel looked to where he pointed.

"That's the MacGregor ranch. Now look in
the opposite direction. You can't make out the town, but you can see where the
trees fall away."

For a moment they stood silent before Luke
continued. "In the valley, the perspective is from the floor of the
valley. Up here, the perspective is from the mountain top. Much sorrow abides
in the valley. I lost my ma and my baby brother. Marylou lost one of her
brothers a year back. Charlie lost his whole family, wife and five children to
fever. Everywhere you look in the valley you find sorrow and heartache. But
from up here, just for awhile, the view changes and all you see is
beauty."

A sob wretched itself from Angel as she scanned
the valley overflowing with sorrow, but realized she was far above it, if but
for a moment. Gently, Luke circled her neck with his palm and pulled her cheek
against his chest. Unable to resist, she rested her head against his solidity,
but continued to gaze at the valley.

With quiet sobs, she confided, "I was only
sixteen and he stole my innocence. I tried to run away once, but he found me
and hurt me. I hated him and wanted him dead. And then he died when I was
twenty-one and I was glad. What does that say about me as a person?"

"Angel, it says you're human with
limitations. It also says you're strong and admirable for having endured so
much and yet still worry about what kind of person you are."

For a long time they stood gazing below and
Angel allowed Luke to caress her hair and back.

Over the next week, life settled into a routine
for Luke. Daily, he visited his parents and helped out at their ranch. He also
hired another ranch hand to help the ones already working for his father. Since
the day Angel had confided in him, she had not returned to visit his family and
he made excuses for her. She seemed content to spend most of her time in his
kitchen baking culinary delights. Often he would deliver baked goods to his
family and listen to them rave over her creations. He dreaded the day he would
have to tell the truth about his marriage. Abby and his father and brothers
talked incessantly about how happy they were that he had married. Abby wanted
to hold a wedding reception at the church to celebrate the newlyweds and
introduce Angel to the community.

As for his father's recovery, it was slow, and
Doc Henry warned Brant about the dangers of doing too much, too soon. One day,
Luke stepped into the cabin to hear Abby chastising his father for trying to
sit on the side of the bed, and then he watched her kneel and kiss him
passionately. He heard his father say, "Abby, if you kiss me like that
every time I do something you don't like, I'm going to try your patience often.
As soon as I'm out of these damn splints, we're going to spend all day making
love." Quietly, Luke backed out of the cabin to allow his parents privacy.

During his return horseback ride to his own
ranch, he pondered Abby and his father's relationship. It became stronger each
year. After his mother's death, he hadn't wanted his father to remarry because
he had believed it would make him unfaithful to his mother. Of course, he had
been a teenager and full of himself at the time. Now, seeing how happy Abby
made his father, Luke wanted the same happiness for himself when he married the
woman he loved. After he delivered Angel to her destination and ended their
marriage of convenience, maybe he would begin searching in earnest for the
woman he wanted to spend his life with.

Turning his horse suddenly in the opposite
direction of his ranch, he galloped to the old oak where his mother and brother
were buried. Dismounting, he removed his hat and sat at the base of the tree.
Often, he had come to this place to sit and contemplate his life. Somehow
speaking his thoughts aloud to loved ones long dead helped him gain insight
into whatever beset him.

"Hello, Ma and Ty." Shifting his eyes
to the small cross closer to the tree, he grinned. "And hello, Wally, old
pooch. It's been a long time since I was here. I was waiting to visit during
the yearly tradition, but I felt the need today. I've married a woman to help
her out. I'm escorting her to San Francisco, but she's staying at my place for
awhile. I've never met anyone like Angel. She's been hurt real bad and I don't
think she's told me everything. I hate seeing her hurting, but I don't know how
to help her. Maybe I should bring her here on the yearly visit with the family.
Pa won't be able to come because he's had an accident, but I don't think that
will stop Abby and the boys. Yeah, Ma and Ty and Wally, I think I'll bring
Angel so you can meet her."

Two days later, on his mother's birthday, Luke
pulled the buckboard to the front of his family's cabin. James and Rusty rushed
through the door to greet them with Abby right behind. "Hello son; hello
daughter. Your pa is feeling the best since the accident and keeps telling me
how bored he is. I know he'll be thrilled to see you and hear about what's
happening on your ranch. He's unhappy about missing Molly's birthday and told
me he's going to tell you what to say. The boys and I will be ready in a
minute."

Angel gave Luke a questioning look. He responded
to Abby, "Ma, give me a minute to explain to Angel and then we'll come in
the house." Pointedly, he looked at his brothers.

James said, "Hey, Rusty. I think we best
make sure the horses got enough hay this morning."

"I know they did, 'cause I–"

"Come on Rusty, can't you take a
hint." James reached for his brother's arm and dragged him toward the
barn.

When Abby walked back into the house, Luke
turned to Angel. They were still sitting on the wagon. "My family has a
tradition every year on my birth mother's birthday. We walk to her and my baby
brother's graves and just talk a little bit about what's happening in our lives."

Luke watched Angel's eyes round and hastened to
continue. "I know it sounds strange and probably ridiculous, but it's
helped all of us in dealing with our grief. I can't explain why it helps, but
it does."

"I can't intrude on your family's
tradition!"

"Honey, you're not intruding. How could you
even think that?"

"I'm not part of this family."

"You are as long as you're married to me. I
want you to come." Luke didn't add that he thought it might help her deal
with her own grief. Before she could voice another protest, he jumped off the
buckboard and circled it to help her down. Staring into her emerald eyes, he
said, "Trust me, Angel."

Abby stepped back through the door. "Luke,
your father is getting impatient. Said he wants to talk to you before we
go."

Holding Angel's hand, he guided her toward the
door and into the cabin. Going to his father's bedside, he said, "Are you
being ornery, Pa?"

"Who? Me?" His father glanced at Abby
and she rolled her eyes.

Luke laughed.

His pa reached his good hand out to Angel.
"Hello, daughter, it's good to see you again. I'm happy you're joining us
in our tradition."

Angel grasped his hand and smiled. Luke was
thankful she didn't protest in front of his father.

His father glanced at Abby. "Did you get
the letter Jenny sent for you to read?"

"Honey, I've got it."

Brant turned back to Luke. "Son, here's
what I want you to say."

Angel interrupted, "Would you like me to
leave?"

Brant looked at Angel. "Nope. You can relay
anything that Luke forgets." He turned his attention back to Luke.
"Of course, tell Molly and Ty how much I love them and then tell them that
for a minute I thought I was joining them." He laughed and looked at Abby.

She squinted. "That's not funny,
Brant."

"Sorry, darlin'. Anyway, tell them I'm
right proud of my children—Angel included. Tell them about Rusty's and James'
maturity after my accident, Jennie's tenacity in her artwork, and your ranch's
completion. Tell them I'm over-the-moon about your marriage to this sweet young
gal." He smiled at Angel.

Luke glanced at his wife, not knowing what to
expect in her expression. He was relieved when she only radiated warmth toward
his father.

His father finished with, "Guess that's
about it." He sniffed and his eyes glistened.

Luke said softly, "You'll be there next
year, Pa."

His father nodded and Abby bent to kiss him,
whispering something private in his ear.

Luke suggested, "Let's go round up my
brothers, Angel."

* * *

Angel walked with Luke, Abby, Rusty, and James
along a narrow path leading to the top of a hill. She wanted to turn and run
away, but Luke's plea that she trust him had lodged in her heart. For some
reason, she sensed this was important to him and after all he had done for her,
she couldn't disappoint him. Of course, the idea of talking to dead people didn't
make sense, so she decided to just stand off to the side while they carried on
their tradition. A knot twisted her stomach and she clenched her hands. She
could play along, couldn't she?

At the top of the rise, Abby led the way to a
gnarled oak and two graves with stone markers and another with a simple wooden
cross. One of the stones was engraved with, "Beloved Mother and
Wife," the other with, "Beloved Baby Boy." The wooden cross had
"Wally, Best Dog Ever" painted in neat printing. Angel lifted a hand
to her mouth to quench a sob.

With everyone gathered around the graves, Abby
glanced around and said, "Rusty, you go first."

Rusty shuffled his feet, kicked some dirt, and
said, "Hello brother and Molly. Things are 'bout the same as last year.
Except that I got a new horse. I named her Frizz 'cause she's got a frizzy
mane. And Wally, you'll be happy to know we're gettin' a puppy from the
MacGregors. She's still really young so we can't bring her home yet. She
already had a name—Wanda—and it suits her. And she even looks a little like
you. Oh, and we're all happy Luke got married to a really nice lady. She's
outstanding pretty, too." He sent a quick glance at Angel, turned red,
shuffled his feet again, and said, "I'm done, Ma."

Abby nodded. "James, your turn."

James said solemnly, "Miz Molly and Ty and
Wally, like Rusty said, things are pretty much the same for me, too. But not
for Pa. He got hurt real bad and we're all pitching in to help run the ranch.
We was all surprised when Luke came back with a wife. And, like Rusty said,
she's mighty pretty. But better'n that, she's nice and cooks great! Also, I
can't wait to play with Wanda like we did with you, Wally." He looked at
his mother.

Abby smiled. "I wholeheartedly agree."

James said, "I guess that's all, Ma."

Abby lifted a paper. "Molly and Ty and
faithful Wally, this is a letter from Jenny."

Hello Ma. Hello Ty. Hello Wally.

I'm writing a letter because I'm in New York
City. It's an amazing experience, but also scary. I've never seen so many
people in one place. I'm attending Jake Ryder's Academy of Art. He's a famous Wild
West painter with a sad story. His art hangs all over the world, but five years
ago he was in an accident and lost his painting arm. One of my teachers said
he's become pretty much of a recluse, so I'll probably never meet him. But I'm
still honored to have been accepted into his academy. I'm learning so much
about mixing colors and how the rendering of light distinguishes a mediocre
painting from a great one.

Although it's exciting being here and meeting
new folks, I miss my family and friends something fierce. I hope to be home
next year for our yearly visit. I love you.

—
Jenny

Abby folded the letter, tucked it in her pocket,
and nodded toward Luke.

Drawing Angel away from the tree and next to his
side, he said, "Ma and Ty and Wally, Pa wanted me to convey his love, but
also frustration at not being able to come this year. He gave us all a scare
when he got hurt, but he's on the mend and Ma Abby has her hands full trying to
keep him down. He wanted me to tell you he's right proud of his children; Rusty
and James for helping out so well after his accident, Jenny for her discipline
in learning her craft, and me for getting my ranch going and…marrying." Luke
squeezed Angel's shoulders. "As for me, I've had a full year. Soon I'll be
raising my own herd. Pa's getting me started with a few head and loaning me his
prize bull. I hope to have the ranch in operation in another year."
Glancing down at Angel, he said, "Like I said, I got married. And like
Rusty and James said, she's beautiful and as sweet as the pies she bakes."
After another squeeze of Angel's shoulders, he glanced at Abby. "I'm
finished."

Abby stepped to Molly's grave. "Molly,
although Brant's accident alarmed us all, it served to reaffirm how precious
our time together is and draw us closer. Like Luke said, he's on the road to
recovery. I love him more than words can convey and I want us to grow old
together." Bending over, she touched the stone. "Often, I see him
glancing at your picture on our mantle and smiling. I smile, too, knowing the
happiness you gave him. As I always say, 'I will do everything in my power to
make him as happy as you did.' As for Jenny, like her letter stated, she's
studying art in New York City. Her paintings are the most beautiful I have ever
seen. We're all convinced that someday she will be a famous artist. Before she
left, she told me she has no intention of marrying because her art is more
important. But perhaps the right man just hasn't come along. She's grown into a
beautiful young woman who knows her own mind. We're very proud of her, as we
are of all our children and our new daughter, Angel. We love her and welcome
her into our family."

Angel wanted to cry out in guilt.
I'm not who
you think I am! I don't deserve your love.
Instead, she kept her eyes
riveted on Abby's back as she straightened and walked the few steps to kneel
beside Ty's grave.

Abby said, "Ty, my sweet baby, you would be
thirteen now. I often envision you. It's not difficult because you looked so
much like your father. In my mind, I see you playing in the yard with your
brothers or riding a horse or collecting eggs with me." Abby stopped
talking and bowed her head. Angel watched her shoulders shake and heard her
sob, "Oh, my baby, I miss you so much."

Unable to bear Abby's words or sorrow, Angel
jerked away from Luke and turned to run from the finality of death. Wrenching
cries escaped as she ran.

"Angel, wait!" She heard footsteps
behind her as she turned toward a thick patch of trees. Without regard for her
person, she increased her speed, but Luke caught up with her and grasped her
shoulders.