“There never was anyone else, Travis,” she told him, and he saw the truth in her eyes.
He kissed her gently.
“You’re not sorry I came in here?” she asked quietly.
Travis couldn’t keep himself from smiling.
“No,” he told her, laughter filling his voice. “I’m not sorry.” He kissed her and held her again, and it wasn’t long before the events of the day began to exhaust her. She wondered if she was supposed to move back to her own room, but the bed was so soft, and her husband’s shoulder was so warm. Sleep came to claim her before she could decide. When she woke the next morning, Travis was already gone.
Rebecca took a sip of her coffee, her eyes on the snow-covered hills. She’d just spent some time with her father, but now she was alone in the kitchen, trying to sort through the events of the last 24 hours. Rebecca sighed and took another drink. She wanted more than anything to tell Travis that she loved him, but something was stopping her. Was it normal for husbands and wives to share that sentiment, or was she to continue keeping her feelings to herself?
Maybe if I told Travis I loved him, he would say it to me. But the moment the thought formed, she dashed it away. She had to say it because she felt it with all her heart, not because she wanted him to say the words back to her. The longer she thought on it, the more convinced she was to keep still. She believed she loved Travis, but they both needed more time. Rebecca picked up her coffee again, her heart already feeling lighter. She couldn’t expect to know exactly how to act at this stage, and neither could Travis. I do love Travis, Rebecca decided with sudden conviction.
“The coffee still hot?” Lavena asked as she came into the room.
“Yes. You make it nice and strong, Lavena. Just the way I like it.”
“How did your aunt make it?”
“She didn’t. We always had tea.”
Lavena snorted. “And I suppose it was having tea in the parlor that always has me carrying a heavy tray of coffee all the way to the living room.”
Rebecca smiled. “Your life is so hard, Lavena.”
The old woman’s mouth swung open as she stared at Rebecca, who was still smiling. “I never said that. What foolishness!”
Rebecca had to laugh. It seemed as if Lavena didn’t even listen to herself. No wonder her father hadn’t been hurting for company over the years. The sudden thought of him sobered her very swiftly.
I’ve been a good daughter, she told God. I’ve obeyed my Papa. Please let him live. Please let him be all right. Rebecca prayed on with only a small measure of guilt. She rarely had time for God when things were going well. But He’s God, she thought with a touch of anger. He’s supposed to heal and comfort. The thought calmed as swiftly as it had flared, but she continued to pray for some minutes. She’d have been very surprised to learn that her father was awake upstairs trying to have conversation in the same way.
I know why this happened. I promised You I’d go to church if You brought Reba to me and I haven’t gone, but this time I mean it. Just let me get out of this bed and back on my feet and I’ll go. I’ll put a new roof on the building or whatever they need, if You let me get up again. I’ll even read the Bible. I don’t know where mine is right now, but I’ll find it. And I’ll see that Travis and Reba go to church too. Lavena too, if You want her. We’ll all go, God—just let me make it this time.
In a matter of sentences Andrew managed to exhaust himself. He wanted to sob like a baby. His eyes were closed, but a single tear slipped out the corner of his eye. A few minutes later he was once again asleep. When Rebecca checked on him some 30 minutes later, the tear had dried and she took no notice.
That night Travis and Rebecca ate dinner in Andrew’s room. His color was good and his face was animated as he questioned Travis about the stock and hands.
“Biscuit impaled his hand,” Travis told him at one point, careful to omit the details.
“Lavena mentioned it. Was he able to cook tonight?”
“I think he was, but he still talked Woody into helping out.”
“Woody? Can Woody cook?”
Travis grinned. “He can but says he hates it.”
“You could ask Lavena to help out,” Andrew said with a small smile.
“Shall I also tell her it was your idea?”
Andrew’s smile turned into a full-blown grin. “If you wait until I’m out of the territory.”
“Oh, come now,” Rebecca put in. “She’d help if you asked her.”
“True,” her husband told her, “but none of us would ever hear the end of it.”
When Lavena had cleared the dishes away and they had their coffee, Rebecca and Travis sat on the small settee so that Andrew could ask more questions.
Rebecca knew that Travis, who seemed to love ranching, was interested in sharing his day, but more than one time she felt his eyes on her. At one point she looked up and smiled at him, and her heart melted a little when he reached for her hand. The coffee perked her up for a time, but she had spent the day dealing with her emotions, and it wasn’t long before she told the men good night.
Andrew had additional questions for Travis, who was more than happy to answer, but he also had news for Travis.
“Paul West was out here today.”
“Do I know him?”
“Probably not. He’s a lawyer. Got a small practice in town. I’d say he and the wife are nearly starving on what he takes in, but I had business for him today.”
Travis waited.
“I’ve changed my will.”
Travis shook his head. “You’re not going to die. In fact, I think you’ll be out of that bed this week.”
“Well, I plan to be, but just in case …”
Travis shook his head. “Don’t talk like that.”
“I have to, and I want you to listen!”
It was the last thing Travis wanted to do, but Andrew looked agitated, so he made himself sit quietly.
“I’ve left it all to you, Travis,” he said softly. “To you and Reba. This marriage may not seem like a match from heaven, but I know you’ll take care of my girl.”
Travis frowned. He would take care of Rebecca, no matter what, but he didn’t care for people thinking he’d used his wife to get the ranch.
“I don’t care what people think,” Andrew went on as if he’d read his thoughts. “Rebecca needs you, and that’s all there is to it. I have your word, don’t I, Travis? Before God, you will take care of her, won’t you?”
“Yes, sir, I will. I’m confident that you’ll be here to see it all happen, but no matter what, Rebecca is my wife and I’ll take care of her.”
Andrew nodded, his head falling back on the pillow.
“Can I do something for you, sir?”
“No, no. Lavena will be up to settle me. I just want to sit here awhile.”
“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow, sir.”
“Good night, Travis.”
“Good night, sir.”
Travis walked calmly from the older man’s room, but his step livened perceptibly when he hit the hall. He smiled in anticipation as he opened his door, but his face fell when he found the room empty. His disappointment that Rebecca was not waiting for him knew no bounds. He sat on the edge of the bed and took his boots off, all the while contemplating his next move. It didn’t take long to decide. Although he’d already washed for dinner, he again removed his shirt, scrubbed his face, neck, and arms over the washbowl, dried off, and put on a clean cotton shirt. Leaving his boots in his room, he exited and started toward his wife’s door.
Rebecca had been pulling her hair back with a ribbon before going to bed for as many years as she could remember. Tonight was no different. When the knock sounded on the door, she was already in bed, sitting up against the headboard, hair in a blue ribbon, a lace-trimmed nightgown on her frame, and a book in her hand. When she heard the knock, she assumed it to be Lavena as Travis had the night before.
“Come in,” she called, not raising her eyes
from the page. It took a moment for her to realize it wasn’t the housekeeper. She wasn’t startled or upset, just curious. However, Travis spoke before she could ask a single question.
“I was pretty disappointed not to find you waiting in my room.”
Rebecca’s brow lowered. “Why? Was I supposed to come to your room?”
Travis should not have been surprised by the question. Rebecca had learned the previous night that he was capable of great tenderness, but she had not learned about passion. He came to the bed and sat down, his back against the footboard.
“I won’t stay if you don’t want me to, Reba.”
She loved it when he called her that and said softly, “You can stay if you want to, Travis. I don’t mind.”
Travis smiled at her. His hand waved toward her high neckline. “I think I like this outfit even better than the dress you had on yesterday.”
Rebecca’s hand went self-consciously to the lace, but she smiled with pleasure. Travis leaned forward very slowly and took the book from her lap. Rebecca made no protest. He set it on the nightstand and then moved to kiss her. It crossed Travis’ mind that their relationship was unlike anything he’d ever known. Rebecca was still trying to figure out why she should have come to his room, until she lost herself in his kiss and thought to herself that she’d married the most handsome man in the territory.
The next morning Andrew shocked everyone in the household by coming down to the breakfast table. They all stared at him, but he looked wonderful.
“A fool,” Lavena said. “That’s what you are, a fool.” She served him anyway and hovered around him until he sent her away.
“I’m going to ride for a time today, Travis,” he told his foreman. “I won’t go far, but I need to get out.”
“Can’t that wait, Papa? It’s still so cold,” Rebecca put in softly, but Andrew ignored her. Her eyes went to her husband’s, but a small shake of his head told her he’d keep an eye on things.
Andrew was so anxious to be off that he left half of his meal in the process. This gave Travis and Rebecca a few minutes alone. Travis went to her side of the table and pulled her out of her chair. He captured her jaw in his hand and kissed her.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he promised, his face still close. The new bride’s eyes turned dreamy.
“Shall I come to your room?”
Travis’ smile was loving and intimate. “No. Just climb into that lacy gown again, and I’ll come to you.”
He gave her a quick kiss and reluctantly let her go. Following him all the way to the door, Rebecca watched his long, jean-clad legs carry him to the barn. She had known a moment’s worry that her father had purchased a husband for her, but it wasn’t true. Rebecca knew Travis loved her, even though he never said so. And the wave he turned to give her before disappearing inside the huge stable stayed with her the rest of the day.
10
There wasn’t a hand on the Double Star Ranch who didn’t know that Travis Buchanan had married the owner’s daughter on Wednesday of that week. And to a man, while they envied him his bride and position as the owner’s son-in-law, they secretly wished him well, though no one offered a word of congratulation. Lucky had been rather quiet on the job the day before, but not angry. Travis had been watchful, but today he could tell it would be more difficult for his own heart than for Lucky. All he wanted to do was think of Rebecca.
Now as the men mounted up to head out for the day, he had to force himself to the task at hand, making sure his father-in-law did not collapse off his horse. The older man was in high spirits, laughing with the hands, but Travis could still picture Andrew’s pale face on the pillow just days before.
They moved out as a group and rode together for some time. When they split off to ride the range and check the herds, Andrew, Travis, Lucky, and Race Paulson were together. Normally Travis and Andrew would have split up, but today Travis wouldn’t have left his boss even if he’d been ordered to.
The day was warmer than earlier in the week, but by midday, when they stopped to build a fire and warm up, the steaming coffee was very welcome. Talk around the fire was all business, but when Travis saw Andrew surreptitiously rubbing the middle of his chest, he sent Lucky and Race off on their own. Andrew and Travis rode over several more acres, but Travis managed to steer his father-in-law back to the ranch house while salvaging the older man’s dignity. Andrew was still in high spirits as they moved into the house, and since the ride back was as cold as the open range, Lavena’s fresh coffee, better than Lucky’s by a long shot, was more than welcome. Rebecca had cookies waiting for them as well, and her father felt so good that he teased her.
“These are better than the last ones, Reba. You’re improving.”
She smiled at him, but Travis looked confused.
“She can’t cook, you know.” His voice was jovial. “I didn’t want you to know that ahead of the vows, but Reba can’t cook.” Andrew laughed at his own joke.
Travis’ brows shot into the air as he looked at his wife, but he laughed too, especially when he saw her red face. However, the lightness of the moment didn’t last long. Andrew was saying something else, but Travis did not attend. In so many ways he’d married a stranger. It didn’t matter to him what she could do, but the reminder of how little they knew about each other was sobering.
Rebecca read his look all wrong. The change in Travis’ expression crushed her. After a time, Lavena and Andrew went their separate ways, leaving husband and wife alone in the kitchen. Try as she might, Rebecca was not able to keep the hurt from her voice. Travis didn’t notice at first.
“It’s cold out there today, but it could be worse,” he offered.
“Oh, really?” Her back was to him and had been since the others left.
“I look forward to spring.”
“Yes.”
It was on that word that Travis noticed her stiff posture. He moved up behind her and spoke.
“Is something wrong?”
Rebecca turned hurt eyes to him. “I never meant to keep my lack of cooking skills from you. It just didn’t come up.”
Travis blinked. “I don’t care whether you can cook or not, Reba,” he told her sincerely.
“That’s not true,” Rebecca argued with him. “I saw your face.”
Travis shook his head. “My mind was a thousand miles away. The cooking doesn’t matter to me.”
Rebecca searched his face, and then her small hands rose to pull on the front of his dark leather vest. Travis began to lower his head but hesitated.
“I smell like a horse.”
“I don’t care,” his wife whispered, and Travis gladly kissed her. They heard Lavena’s steps returning so they broke apart, but it was the start of a wonderful evening—first eating dinner and laughing the evening away with her father, and then turning in together. She hadn’t felt so warm and loved for a long time.
Travis wanted to grab Lavena and shake her. She was standing in the kitchen, her face pale, and telling him that Andrew Wagner was dead. Travis knew it couldn’t be true. Why would Lavena say such a cruel thing? It simply couldn’t be true.
“He’s not.” Travis’ voice was flat.
Lavena’s eyes fixed on a distant spot out the window. “I only went to check on him.” There was a note of amazement in her voice. “He’s still in bed. It must have happened in the night.”
Travis’ hands fisted at his side. No, his mind screamed at God, You can’t do this. He was fine yesterday, and last night, better than ever. How could You?
The thoughts halted when he remembered his wife. How in the world would he tell her? He’d left her sleeping like a child, and now he must wake her and destroy her world. If that wasn’t enough to make Travis writhe in pain, the next thought made his heart clench in agony. He cared for his wife beyond all description, but …
Everyone will think I married Rebecca for the ranch.
“No one had better say that around me.” Lavena spat the words, and Travis stared at her. H
e hadn’t meant to speak outloud.
“It’s not true,” Lavena went on, her bony chest heaving with indignation. “It doesn’t matter what people say. Rebecca knows otherwise, and that’s all that matters.”
“Does she?” Travis suddenly doubted. “Does she know?”
Lavena shook her head. “That’s your grief talking, Travis. You know she knows it.”
“Lavena!”
The housekeeper’s name was screamed from above them. Travis bolted for the stairs. He wouldn’t have to tell Rebecca the news; she’d clearly found out on her own.
Feeling cold and alone, Rebecca sat in her bedroom later that day. Travis had been the one to go to town and make arrangements for the burial, but in his own grief his manner had been curt. She wanted to cry in his arms, but she felt so frozen that she could not reach out to him. Her father was gone. It was too impossible to be true, but she’d seen the evidence with her own eyes. Andrew Wagner was dead. She hadn’t even been home six months, and her father was now gone from her forever. He had warned her that this was the reason she should marry Travis, but Rebecca had believed that the very act alone would keep him alive.
In the next few seconds grief overtook Rebecca’s good sense. What if Travis didn’t take care of her? What if Travis decided to send her away and keep the ranch for himself? Rebecca had spent the previous evening in a happy cloud, sure that nothing could touch her secure world, but now she was alone—more so than when she had been halfway between Pennsylvania and Colorado Territory with no choice but to push on. Panic clawed at her throat, but it didn’t last. Moments later, she was angry. Hannah Ellenbolt had done this. Hannah had kept her from her father, and now he was dead.
With movements that were almost vicious, Rebecca found paper and quill. The day was cloudy, so she lit a lantern, set it on her writing table, and began with a vengeance.
My eyes were so blinded, Hannah, but no longer. I can see now what you really are. The lies I believed about my father now make me sick to my stomach. He’s gone, and you’re to blame! I’ll never forgive you. I married a stranger! I was forced to marry my father’s foreman, and all because you’re a selfish, sick old woman! It’s all your fault that I’m alone.