Boaz's Wager Read online

  “I did but I have no idea what happened to it.”

  “You’ll need a new one then. And I’m sure you’ll need other things. We’ll get it figured out. I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

  “Thank you.”

  He shifted from one foot to another then cleared his throat. “If there’s anything you need, just ask.”

  Understanding that would be the end of their conversation for the night, she nodded and followed him back to the room she would sleep in. After he collected his night clothes and a blanket, she closed the bedroom door. She needed a bath and to wash her clothes more than anything else. But she’d do that tomorrow.

  She started to unbutton her shirtwaist but then decided she’d be better off staying fully clothed tonight. Besides, it wasn’t like she hadn’t been sleeping in these clothes anyway. What was one more night?

  She pulled back the blanket and settled on the bed. Sleep eluded her for the longest time, something that surprised her since she hadn’t slept well ever since she and Rachel were abducted. At least tonight she had a bed and a full stomach. With a sigh, she folded her hands over her waist and stared at the ceiling.

  Every so often, she’d glance at the door to make sure Boaz hadn’t changed his mind and decided to insist she fulfill her wifely duty. The sound of him snoring from the other room came as a relief. Good. Now she could fully relax. She closed her eyes and in time, she finally fell asleep.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Eva woke up early so she could make Boaz some breakfast. She thought to ask him what he wanted to eat but since he was still asleep, she opted to pick the meal herself. And maybe it was better that way. Even if she was married to him, she hadn’t asked for it. He bid on her and won. That hardly made this a true marriage, though now she was bound to him for the rest of her life.

  Maybe it was wrong, but a part of her was still a little upset about the whole thing. Her choice had really been taken from her. If Boaz hadn’t won the bid, someone else would have and she’d be married anyway. Once those men stole her and Rachel from the stagecoach, their futures were already decided.

  Releasing her breath, she reminded herself to think of the children. They had no more choice over where they lived than she did, but she would treat them as if they were her own. She had no idea what their situation was right now or even if they were happy, but she could do her part to give them the same happy childhood she’d enjoyed. And thankfully, she had years of teaching youngsters so she was equipped to care for them.

  All of these thoughts went through her mind as she made scrambled eggs, blueberry muffins, and bacon. By the time Boaz came into the kitchen, he had trimmed around his goatee and had a clean plaid shirt and denims on. He wasn’t a bad looking man. Certainly, he was better looking when he was cleaned up, so maybe that was a good sign. Since he cared enough to dress nicely, then he’d probably be a decent husband.

  “Whatever you’re cooking, it smells wonderful,” he said, offering a hesitant smile.

  Realizing he was nervous, she relaxed. It was nice to know she wasn’t the only one who wasn’t sure what this new change of events meant for her life. “Scrambled eggs, bacon, and muffins. I can make you something else tomorrow if you want.”

  “I’ll eat anything you make. I’m not a hard man to please.”

  “Alright,” she replied then set the eggs and bacon on their plates before carrying them to the table. When she saw he was still standing by the doorway, she chuckled and motioned to the seat across from where she planned to sit. “You’ll have an easier time eating over here.”

  Letting out an uneasy laugh, he went over to the chair, but before he sat down, he asked, “Is there anything you need? I don’t mind lending a helping hand.”

  “No. I’m fine.” Then as an afterthought, she added, “Thank you for asking.” Because it was nice that he offered and she wanted him to know that she appreciated it.

  “Well, anytime you need help, let me know.”

  She nodded and resumed her task of setting the table. Once everything was ready, they started their meal. She took a sip of the coffee then ventured, “What will you be doing today?”

  “I’ll be spending most of the day training horses, but I’ll be home around three so we can go to my brother’s place.”

  “Your brother’s?”

  “Mitch. He and his wife Heather have been taking care of my kids.”

  She slowly gathered her eggs on her fork. “I’m guessing your brother and his wife are in for a shock when they see me showing up with you.”

  “Probably, but only because I’ve been trying to find a wife for a while now and haven’t had any success at it. I didn’t think it’d be so hard.”

  “I take it you had an easy time finding a wife the first time then.”

  “I met her when we were children. She almost married Mitch instead but she ended up picking me.”

  How Eva wished her life had been so simple, but none of the young men she grew up with even asked to court. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask how his first wife died, but she didn’t feel close enough to him yet to get so personal.

  “I won’t be here for lunch,” he said, saving her from having to think of something to say in order to continue their conversation. “I rarely am. Usually, I get a meal from one of the rancher’s wives or I bring something.”

  “Oh.” She set her fork down and glanced at the pantry. “Should I make you something to take with you?”

  “Not today. I’ll be at Conner’s ranch and his wife loves to cook for people. Says the more, the merrier. The poor woman would grow restless if she didn’t have anyone to cook for.”

  Noting his sense of humor, she smiled. “I might as well warn you that my great love isn’t cooking. It’s reading.”

  He swallowed the rest of his bacon and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “You mentioned needing spectacles. We’ll go by the doctor on our way to my brother’s this afternoon. His office will still be open.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “They have a couple of books at the mercantile. What kind do you read?”

  “Anything that isn’t a dime novel.”

  “I believe you can find a couple there.” He set his napkin down. “I have to go. Greg Wilson wants to get started first thing with his stallion.” He stood up and drank the rest of his coffee. “Thanks for making breakfast, Eva. It tasted real good.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “If you need anything from the mercantile, even if it’s a book, just credit the purchase to my account.”

  “Alright.”

  As he left the house, she breathed a sigh of relief. Boaz seemed like a good man. This marriage just might suit her after all.

  ***

  Eva knocked on Rachel’s door. She figured ten wasn’t too early, and after getting up at six to make breakfast for Boaz, she was eager to do something.

  She waited for a minute but there was no answer so she knocked on the door again and was relieved when Rachel finally answered it. She didn’t relish the idea of going to the post office and mercantile alone, especially since she was new in town. “Good morning, Rachel,” she greeted, noting the radiant glow on Rachel’s face. “Did you want to go to the post office with me so we can send a letter to our parents?”

  “I’d love to. I was just getting ready to go to your house to see if you wanted to do that, too.”

  “Great minds think alike,” Eva replied.

  Rachel laughed. “I won’t argue with that. I think our parents will be shocked when they learn what happened to us.”

  “Especially mine. I wasn’t on my way to get married.”

  “Oh, forgive me. I forgot my manners.” Rachel waved her in. “I just need to put on my boots and bonnet and I’ll be ready.”

  Eva stepped into the house and scanned the parlor. Then her gaze went to the hallway that led to a kitchen and bedroom. “Your house is smaller than mine.”

  “Herb said in a c
ouple years we’ll need a bigger place. You know,” she blushed, “when we have a child or two.”

  She bit her lower lip and studied the wide smile on Rachel’s face. “Are you really happy with him? I mean, truly happy?”

  “Yes, I am.” She slipped her boots on and chuckled. “I know it’s silly, given the way we got married and all, but my parents knew right away that they were meant to be together and I think the same is true with Herb and me. He’s so wonderful. He even gave me a gold pocket watch he has so I can sell it in order to buy some things to wear.”

  “That was nice of him.”

  “It was. I can’t believe how lucky I got that he won the bid. Do you mind if we stop by the mercantile? There’s nothing suitable to eat in this house.”

  “That will be fine.”

  “Do you have something you can use to buy things from the mercantile?”

  “Boaz told me I could credit the account to his name and he’ll pay the bill when he gets paid.”

  Once Rachel was ready, they left the house and headed down the dusty road that would take them to the heart of town.

  “Did you and Boaz not have a good night?” Rachel asked.

  “As good as can be expected, I suppose. He offered to sleep in the parlor and I was relieved. I’m not like you, Rachel. I can’t jump into bed with a complete stranger right away. Even if he is my husband.”

  “I understand, Eva. You shouldn’t do anything you’re not comfortable with.” After a moment, she asked, “Did Boaz try to talk you into being with him last night?”

  “No. Thankfully, he accepted it and slept on the couch in the parlor.” Eva glanced around and motioned to the street where several businesses were located. “Did Herb recommend a place to sell the watch?”

  “The mercantile.”

  “Well, at least the town is small enough where we won’t get lost.”

  “That’s true. It’s a lot smaller than Omaha.”

  They found the mercantile and Eva couldn’t help but be curious about the books. While Rachel went to the counter to talk to the owner, Eva went over to the small shelf to see if there were any interesting books on it but by the texture of the binding she knew they were dime novels.

  With a sigh, she went over to the counter and waited until the owner purchased Herb’s pocket watch before she spoke up. “Excuse me, sir. Do you have any books?”

  He gestured to the shelf she’d just been at. “The dime novels over there are popular.”

  “I already saw them. Do you have anything else besides those?”

  “Actually, there are some in the back I’ve been unable to sell. Wait here.”

  Curious, she watched him as he went to the back room.

  “Dime novels aren’t so bad,” Rachel whispered.

  Noting the teasing tone in her voice, Eva grinned at her. “I know everyone—including you—like them, but I don’t understand the appeal.”

  “It’s alright, Eva. You don’t have to read them just because they’re popular.” She stared at her for a moment then asked, “Can you read without your spectacles?”

  “No. Boaz is taking me to the doctor’s to order a pair. Usually, I’d wait until I had them to ask for books, but I’m afraid if I wait, then when I come back, they’ll be gone.”

  The owner returned with a small box and placed it on the counter. “I have five books I hope you’re interested in.”

  Taking out one of the books, she dusted the front cover off.

  “I believe your fear was unfounded,” Rachel said with a laugh. “It doesn’t look like anyone else is interested in them.”

  “No, they aren’t. I hope you’ll take those off my hands,” the owner told Eva. “As you can see, they were doing me no good, what with all that dust and all.”

  Excited since they looked like real literature by the solid binding, Eva squinted until she could make out the title. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. “Marvelous!” Encouraged, she picked up the others. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, and a collection of plays by William Shakespeare. She looked at the owner in shock. “Surely, you can’t be telling me the truth when you say that no one wants these books.”

  “I’m afraid I am. It’s why I haven’t accepted any other books like those.”

  “I’ll take all of them. You can charge my husband’s account. He’s Boaz Grady.” Then as an afterthought, she added, “And please order more like these. I’d love to read them.”

  “I’m more than happy to oblige you, Mrs. Grady,” he replied. “So you’re one of the ladies who was auctioned yesterday?”

  Eva grimaced at the reminder. She should have known that in a small town like this, everyone heard about it. “Yes, and this is the other lady.”

  “I’m Mrs. Herb Allen,” Rachel said, her voice brimming with pride.

  “It’s nice to meet you both. Course, when you came in, I knew you were both new. I didn’t want to assume what brought you here, just in case I was wrong. We get the occasional new lady from time to time.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too,” Rachel replied.

  “Everyone calls me Bull because I once stayed on one for a couple minutes. It’s my only claim to fame, besides this store.”

  Eva hid her surprise. She wouldn’t have known it to look at him that he could manage such a feat since he was a scrawny thing, but she’d take his word for it.

  “I better pick up some things for the kitchen,” Rachel said. “My husband’s kitchen is in a sorry state. Do you need anything for your kitchen, Eva?”

  Boaz’s kitchen wasn’t well stocked, but it certainly had been just right for what she needed to do that morning. Even so, it would be best to have more food, especially with children who would soon be living with them. “Yes, I better pick up some things, too.”

  When they were done, the owner made arrangements to have their things delivered to their homes later that day so they could go to the post office.

  As they wrote their letters, Rachel commented, “At least we get to tell them we’re happy.”

  Though Eva couldn’t argue with her, she had a feeling that Rachel was a lot happier than she was by the turn of events. In addition to the letter she wrote her parents, Eva also wrote to the mayor of Circle and notified him that she couldn’t be the teacher and explained why.

  From this moment on, her life was set in Lewistown. The only question was, just what kind of life would it be?

  Chapter Six

  That afternoon on their way to Mitch’s ranch, Boaz kept his word and took Eva to the doctor’s first. She was thrilled to learn she’d be getting spectacles in a week or so. Soon, she’d be able to read the wonderful books she’d gotten at the mercantile. And who knew what other books the owner would bring her in the future?

  “You seem excited about those spectacles,” Boaz commented on their way out of town.

  “Oh, I am. I got some of the most marvelous books today. I had no idea a small town like this could have such treasures like Jane Eyre or Les Misérables. And there were even more than that. Do you read?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t have time.”

  “That’s silly. Everyone has time to read if they make the time. Even if it’s only fifteen or thirty minutes. Maybe even before bedtime. I find it’s a good way to settle down after a long day. I like to read for an hour.”

  “When I get home, I just want to eat and go to bed. But now that we’re getting Leroy and Hannah, I’ll want to come home earlier so I can spend time with them. I haven’t really been there for them like I should have been. I want to do everything I can to redeem the time.”

  “That’s a wonderful testament to your love for them,” she remarked, touched.

  Granted, he had married her to get his children, but it was such a lovely thing that he wanted to actually spend time with them. Her own father had been the same way, and she knew not all men were so invested in their children to do such a thing. It was nice to see that side of him.

&nbs
p; “I don’t know if you’d be so impressed if you knew that I spent most of the past three years so drunk I wasn’t able to take care of them.”

  Surprised he’d volunteer such information, she shifted on the seat so she could get a better look at his profile. There was no denying the regret in his voice, of course, but the way he winced said far more than his words ever could. But even so, she had to know if he was still likely to drink too much alcohol. “Do you still get drunk?”

  “No. I haven’t touched any liquor in over a year. I never go to the saloon or any other place with liquor. The best way to avoid the stuff is to not go near it.”

  She relaxed. A year was a good amount of time to not be drunk, but she really hoped he wouldn’t be tempted to ever go back to it. She’d hate to think she’d have to spend the rest of her life with a man who let liquor control him.

  After a couple minutes of silence, he spoke up. “I hope I didn’t scare you. I learned my lesson from drinking. It’s not worth giving up those you love.”

  “I believe you,” she assured him. “I’ve never known anyone who was used to drinking in excess, but I gather it took a lot of courage and determination to overcome your dependence on it.”

  He smiled. “Thank you.”

  Sensing his gratitude that she hadn’t judged him, she returned his smile. “You’re welcome.”

  They spent the rest of the ride in a comfortable silence. When they reached his brother’s house, she caught sight of a young expectant woman who was sewing a blanket in a rocking chair on the porch while two children played in the yard.

  “How old are your children again?” she asked.

  “Leroy is four and Hannah is three.”

  “I’m guessing those are Leroy and Hannah then?”

  “Yes. Heather is expecting her first child in February.”

  He pulled the wagon to a stop by the front of the house and set the brake.

  “Pa, Pa!” the boy called out as Boaz got out of the buggy.