I must get at the preparations. Ma, would you like me to escort you home?”
“I’m ready.”
Aunt Bea gathered up the dishes Ma had brought and held them while Ma pulled on her woolen shawl and winter gloves.
Vic ducked out of sight around the end of the block as Nate stepped from the house. He would confront the man later.
Behind him, the key turned in the lock. Good. Louise hadn’t forgotten to take precautions.
At home he packed his few belongings. In truth, he had little preparation to do. In the morning, he’d take Missy and Louise with him to the depot. He’d ride his horse beside the stage when they left. But despite having made all the arrangements he could for now, he was in no hurry to return to Louise and their pretend marriage.
And he had one necessary thing to do. He left the house and crossed to Aunt Bea’s house, suspecting he’d find Vic lingering nearby.
The man must have seen him approach, for he ducked behind a building. Nate strode in that direction.
Vic pressed against the wall of a back shed, but at Nate’s approach he straightened, jammed his hand to his hips and gave Nate one of his dark scowls.
Nate paid the scowl no mind. He stopped a few feet from Vic. “Thought you’d like to know that Louise and I got married this afternoon.”
Vic’s expression didn’t change one iota. The man was an expert at hiding his feelings. “That baby ain’t yours.”
“That’s not what the law says.” He knew that the wife’s husband was the legal father to any of her children, even though Louise had been clear about this being Gordie’s baby, lest he get the idea he should care about the little one.
Vic’s scowl turned to a leer. “How about that sweet little Missy?”
Nate narrowed his eyes. Other than that, he would not give the man the satisfaction of seeing how his question riled him. “She’s now my sister-in-law.” It wasn’t accurate, but close enough. “And I will protect her, just as I will protect my wife and her child.”
Vic gave a mirthless laugh. “My, ain’t you all righteous and noble? But you ain’t got no claim to Missy. I been waiting a long time for her. Someday she’ll be mine.”
“When the sun falls from the sky and lands at your feet, maybe.” He widened his stance, leaned back on his heels and crossed his arms as if he was in complete control of the situation. He could only hope and pray he was. But would God listen to the prayers of a man who made vows invoking God’s name with no intention of fulfilling those vows?
“Be careful.” Nate’s voice was low, but he made sure every syllable carried a warning. “You bother them again and you won’t be facing two helpless women.” Not that they were entirely helpless, but what chance did they stand before a ruthless man like Vic?
Vic snorted. “You think I’m ascared of you?”
“I suggest you should be.” He stalked away without waiting for the man to answer. If Vic should threaten Louise or Missy in any way, Nate would make sure he regretted it to the depths of his heart.
It was dark before he went back to Aunt Bea’s house and knocked. The key turned and Louise pulled the door open.
“I wondered if you’d left without us.”
“Nope. What kind of groom would leave his bride on their wedding night?” He didn’t succeed in keeping the teasing from his voice.
“A pretend one.” She stepped back to let him enter, then locked the door behind him.
“If I didn’t mean to take you with me, why would I bother with a pretend marriage that involved vows made before God and man?” It still bothered him to swear falsely.
“It plagues my conscience, too, you know. But Vic threatened to sell my baby.” Her arms cradled her stomach, protecting the unborn one. “I don’t doubt he would.”
Nate took his time about hanging his hat and coat. Done, his insides somewhat calmed, he turned to Louise and rested his hands on her shoulders. At the trembling beneath his palms, he pulled her closer, till only an inch separated them. He bowed his head over her hair. “I will protect you and your baby. I will see you get safely to Eden Valley Ranch where you will be given shelter for as long as you need it.”
“That is so good to know.” She stepped back and went to the sitting room, waving her hand for him to follow.
He wished he knew if she meant it was good to know he would protect her or good to know she would be welcome at the ranch.
A pile of blankets rested on a chair, reminding them both that the future would be different from anything they’d known.
He shifted his gaze from the blankets to Louise. She chewed on her bottom lip. “You still worried about Vic? Don’t be.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “I’ll stop worrying when we reach the ranch. Maybe.”
He wouldn’t mention his conversation with Vic earlier, nor the man’s insistence about wanting Missy. She’d be safe at Eden Valley Ranch. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had come after a woman there and ended up facing more than he figured on. The whole crew would protect Missy and Louise. He’d not say that now, though. It would only give Louise reason to think she couldn’t outrun Vic.
“We’ll be on our way tomorrow.” And he’d be keeping a sharp eye out for any trouble Vic might present.
“You hungry?” she asked. “I am. I couldn’t eat after the wedding.”
“Me neither. Do you suppose that piece of cake is still there?”
She smiled. “You mean the one that indicated we would have a long marriage?”
It was good to see her relax, and he chuckled. “And many children.”
She laughed softly.
“Where’re Aunt Bea and Missy?”
“They thought we might like some privacy, so they went to bed early.” She dipped her head, then lifted her eyes. “Seems we’re the only ones who remember this.” She patted her rounded stomach. While he tried to think of an answer, she said, “I’m going to find that cake. Come on.” He followed her into the kitchen.
A piece of cake and a handful of little sandwiches were on a plate under a glass dome. She poured a glass of milk for each of them and placed the plate of food on the table.
They sat kitty-corner from each other, eating the cheese sandwiches. When they were gone, she cut the cake and they each had a piece.
She grinned at him. “Aunt Bea was really into the wedding stuff. Do you know she has my grandmother’s wedding dress in a trunk in her bedroom? I think she’s still hoping to wear it.”
“Your aunt Bea? That’s a surprise.”
“I know. But she and Pastor Manly seem to have an interest in each other.”
