Twenty-one

Over breakfast the next morning, Dr. Mary leaned back in her chair. The butt of a cigar rested beside her plate. She absently fingered her bullet necklace. “I have something to speak to you about.”

Houston forked a bite of flapjack dripping with molasses into his mouth. “Shoot.”

She told them about a young couple in Chimney Rock whose kin, every last one, had all been stolen by cholera. “Nick and Caroline Vincent are young newlyweds, no more than kids. He gets a kick out of telling everyone he got an older woman because she’s a year older. They live in a rickety wagon around the bend.” Dr. Mary propped her elbows on the table. “This is no place for them. Would you consider taking them with you to Kansas to Nick’s distant uncle outside of Dodge?”

“I’ll be glad to talk to them. Won’t make any promises, though.” Houston laid his fork on his empty plate and wiped his mouth. He didn’t want Nick to wind up in a grave along with Zeb, but he couldn’t offer them safety either, and he’d make that clear right off. They might be exchanging one place rife with trouble for another.

Lara stood and gathered the plates. “I’ll go with you, Houston. Gracie needs to take a nap before we head out anyway.”

A half hour later, they walked the short distance to the old wagon that sat in the shadow of a tall mountain that was bare of vegetation. A trickle of water running from large rocks at the base sparkled like diamonds in the early morning sun. Houston took in the shape of two horses nibbling at some wild rye, approaching to get a better look. Surprisingly, he found both in excellent condition. On the other hand, Dr. Mary had been right about the poor shape of the wagon. One of the wheels leaned at an angle, just barely attached, and the rigorous rocking by the occupants inside made the planks groan and threaten to collapse.

Houston tried to hide a grin. Lara sent him a questioning glance from the cold fire, and he averted his gaze. Damn, he hated to interrupt.

Finally, he cleared his throat and hollered, “Hello the wagon.”

The rocking immediately ceased. He heard a flurry of activity and loud whispers.

A male voice finally mumbled, “Be right there.”

“Are they fighting?” Lara asked low.

Far from it. He chuckled and put his mouth next to her ear. “Starting a family.”

Color flooded her cheeks. “Oh.” She turned and picked at a loose thread of her shawl.

A head finally poked from the canvas covering the wagon and a lanky, barefoot man climbed out. His shirt was askew with the buttons in the wrong holes. He struggled to stuff it into his pants then gave up in defeat, leaving the fabric half-in and half-out. His dark hair stuck up in all directions. “It’s a little early for callers. You lost, mister?”

“Nope. Sorry to bother you.” Houston introduced himself and Lara, explaining that Dr. Mary had sent them. “We’ll let you ride along and feed you in exchange for some work.”

A hefty young woman squealed and jumped from the back of the wagon. “You’re a godsend, Mr. Legend.”

“Now, Caroline honey, I told you this old wagon won’t make the trip,” Nick scolded. “Besides, the husband is supposed to do the talkin’.”

Caroline put her hands on her rounded hips. “Says who? I’ll not bite my tongue when I have things to say.” She paused then added in a tone that dripped sugar, “Sweetheart.”

The young couple’s wedded bliss appeared to be a work in progress. Houston glanced at Lara out of the corner of his eye. She inched toward Caroline, evidently taking the girl’s side.

“I got all excited at the prospect of finding your uncle, sweetheart.” Caroline pouted, running her hand along Nick’s arm, then down his back, before resting at his waist. She was a beauty, with golden hair that sparkled in the early sun and curled around her shoulders. She turned to Houston. “We have land waiting up north. We’ll make a home in Kansas for us and the children we’ll have.” Caroline sent her husband a stubborn glance even as she kept touching him.

Nick couldn’t keep his hands off her either. He caressed her hair, her shoulders, down his wife’s back. No telling what would happen if Houston and Lara weren’t there.

“My Caroline likes to think she’s the boss, but I know how to handle older women,” Nick said with a big grin.

“I do declare, Nick Vincent, stop saying that.” Caroline playfully slapped his arm. “I’m only one year older than you, so don’t make me out to be your mother’s age. And you have another think coming if you think you’re gonna boss me around.”

Houston quickly covered his laughter with a cough. Caroline was bound and determined to have the final word. If young Nick thought to make her biddable, he’d best reconsider.

“Then we’ll get you to that home you want,” Lara said, putting her arm around the girl. “Won’t we, Houston?”

No use hesitating. He knew he’d give in anyway, no matter how much a better wagon would cost. “Certainly, dear.”

Caroline beamed, ignoring Nick’s scowl.

“I can’t let you go into this blindly,” Houston added. “There’s something you ought to know first. The trip won’t be without danger.” He told the couple about Yuma Blackstone and his men, then ended with, “I can’t guarantee your safety.”

The lanky new husband stood up straight, crossed his arms, and spoke in a strong, quiet tone. “Mr. Legend, Caroline and I found out early that life never comes with any promises. Both our folks died a month ago and there’s no future for us here in Chimney Rock. At least we have hope in Kansas. I heard it’s good land up there. We’ll go with you and I’ll kill anyone who tries to harm Caroline.”

The boy’s firm convictions and way of speaking touched Houston. Though lacking in years and experience, Nick looked to be a man in the ways that counted.

“Pack your things.” Lara patted Caroline’s shoulder. “We’ll buy another wagon and be back. You can help me do the cooking on the trail. It’ll be nice having a woman to talk to.”

Nick sighed in defeat and shrugged his shoulders helplessly. “Go see the blacksmith. Heard he had one to sell.”

“Thanks.” Houston stepped to Lara.

“Wait,” Nick called. “Make sure you get one with sturdy springs, Mr. Legend. Caroline and I… Well, we… Never mind.” Red splotches crept up his neck as he seemed to decide he’d said too much.

Houston put his arm around Lara and they walked back to Dr. Mary’s. Apparently Caroline’s chatty bug had bitten his wife because she talked the whole way, like she’d found long lost relatives. Houston didn’t mind. He just loved listening to her voice.

All too soon he left her with Dr. Mary and strode to the blacksmith. He found a good used wagon and hitched Lara’s little mare and his Appaloosa to it for now. He’d switch them out later with the young couple’s horses.

The telegraph office caught his attention. He pulled up next to it and sent a telegram to Stoker, telling him about Yuma Blackstone. Houston wasn’t sure why he felt the need—there was nothing Stoker or his brothers could do to help. This fight was his. Some of the weight lifted from his shoulders just the same.

In no time, he returned to Dr. Mary’s to fetch Lara and Gracie, said their good-byes, then rolled to collect the newlyweds. They heard the racket before they rounded the last bend in the road. The rickety wagon seemed to be getting another workout. Whatever differences Nick and Caroline had sure didn’t pertain to lovemaking.

This time Houston pulled to a stop and jumped down, pretending to check the harnesses. He didn’t have the heart to interrupt them a second time. According to Dr. Mary, they hadn’t been married but two weeks. Even so, at this rate, he’d have to give them plenty to do or they’d be so slow on the road they’d never make it to Kansas.

Lara’s laughter surprised him. He fought back laughter of his own and climbed up onto the seat with her. While they waited, they spent the time talking about their life together.

“Do you realize we haven’t discussed where we’re going to live when we return from this trip?” Houston asked. “Where do you want to live? Tell me and I’ll make it so.”

“The Lone Star is your home. I want it to be my home too.” She met his glance unflinching. “Except not in the house you built for Becky. Even though she never lived there, I feel strange, like I’m filling a dead woman’s shoes.”

“Then I’ll build one just for you. Truth is, I don’t like living there either.” He lifted her hand. “I own a section of the ranch away from everyone. I’ll build a castle if you say the word.”

“No, nothing grand. Just a comfortable house where we can raise Gracie. I’ve never put on airs. I’m a simple woman with simple tastes.”

He begged to differ on that. Lara Legend was anything but common or simple.

“I want to set aside a certain time each day, even if it’s no more than fifteen minutes, to talk,” Houston said. “We’ll only have one rule—not to mention the past during this golden time.”

“I’d like that. I want to know the man I married.” She brushed his jaw with her fingertips and warmth spread over him.

“I propose we set this time for after you put some grub in the men’s hungry bellies. We can get someone to watch Gracie for a bit and you won’t have to worry about her until bedtime.” He’d paid attention to Lara’s routine and seen her begin feeding the little angel bits of table food at suppertime, reserving her milk until she rocked the babe to sleep.

“That will work. I’m glad you had this idea.”

Houston chuckled. “You’d be surprised at the things I think about.” But the look she gave him said she wasn’t surprised in the least.

“I daresay you would find my thoughts surprising as well.” Lara smiled.

“That right?” His voice turned teasing. What was she trying to tell him? “Care to elaborate?”

“The men are starting to talk about why we don’t sleep together, Houston.” She gave him a sidelong glance.

That was news to him. He hadn’t heard a whisper of this. The thought crossed his mind that she was using the drovers as an excuse. “Go on. What do you propose we do about this vexing problem?”

“I want you to sleep beside me at night.” She chewed her bottom lip. “On top of the covers for now. Can you do that?”

Excitement and hope flooded over him. That she felt strong enough to take the next step was beyond his wildest dreams.

“Your wish is my command. From now on, I’ll lie beside you at night…fully clothed. I promise nothing will happen unless you want it.”

Lara stared deep into his eyes. “I just don’t want to cause any talk.”

Houston brought her palm to his lips and pressed a kiss on the smooth flesh. He had to work hard to hide his grin. “No, me either. I don’t deserve you. I hope you never regret hitching up with me.”

This stolen time couldn’t come soon enough. And tonight he’d get to unfasten one more button on her dress.

Another button toward making her his.

And then he’d lie next to her—the one place he wanted to be.