The Convenient Mail Order Bride Page 7

  Either way, it didn’t matter. Abe would be putting her on the next stagecoach, and she’d be heading back to Ohio soon enough. Retrieving his pitchfork, he returned to the animals.

  ***

  “Phoebe, remember that nice young man who brought us here?” Phoebe’s mother called out from the other side of the bedroom door.

  Phoebe rolled over in the bed and called out, “Eric Johnson?”

  “That’s the one. He came here to talk to you.”

  Phoebe debated telling her mother to send him away. The last thing she felt like doing was talking to anyone. But then she thought about all the things Abe had told her about how things were for him. Perhaps Eric wanted to hear her side of the story, to find out whether or not Abe had defended her. It was possible Enoch and Benny had crafted some story to hurt him. That being the case, someone had to stand up and tell the truth, even if she was now a tainted woman from her association with him.

  Clearing her throat, she sat up. “Tell him I’ll be right there.”

  “Will do, dear,” her mother replied.

  From the other side of the closed door, her mother was talking to Eric in low, soothing tones, allowing Phoebe time to make herself presentable. She took a moment to wash the tears from her face. She knew she’d been sheltered most of her life, but it hadn’t occurred to her just how protected she’d been until she came here.

  Once she could trust herself to be calm, she went to the door and opened it. Eric was sitting in a chair, a cup of coffee in hand.

  “There’s really not much that happens in town,” Eric was telling her mother who sat across from him. “Usually, the worst thing I have to worry about is breaking up a brawl at the saloon.”

  “It’s nice there’s not a lot of danger to worry about,” her mother replied. “We heard all sorts of stories while we were coming here.”

  “I’m sure you did. There are elements of the West that are undesirable, but if you have the right people in positions of influence, things work themselves out nicely.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re the sheriff then.” She glanced over at Phoebe and gestured to her. “Did you want to speak to my daughter alone?”

  “It depends on what makes your daughter more comfortable.” Eric rose to his feet. “Phoebe?”

  “My mother can stay,” Phoebe decided. She had, after all, already told her mother what happened in town. And if anything, her mother would support her story. She sat on the couch and waited for Eric to sit back in the chair before she asked, “How can I help you, Eric?”

  “I wanted you to know I found out what happened with Enoch,” Eric began, “and I know Benny didn’t do anything to stop it.”

  Surprised, she glanced at her mother then back at him. “So, you know Abe came to my aid?”

  “Yes, I know.”

  His soft voice settled her nerves. “I was afraid you’d think Abe did something wrong.”

  “I know Abe, and I know he wouldn’t do anything to hurt anyone unless they deserved it. When I heard what happened, I knew Enoch and Benny were in the wrong. I just came by to tell you they’re in jail. I told Abe, in the future, he should bring this kind of thing to my attention. I realize how things used to be for him, but it won’t be that way anymore. He’ll get fair treatment from me.”

  After all the things she’d gone through that day, this was so unexpected she had trouble believing her ears. But when her mother let out a cheer and thanked Eric, Phoebe realized she’d heard right.

  “If Abe doesn’t come to me, you can,” Eric told Phoebe. “Either way, I’ll do right by all of you.”

  “Thank you,” Phoebe said. Then, after a moment of considering her words, she added, “Is it true that the people in town treat Abe poorly?”

  “Yes, it is,” Eric replied. “It’s not something anyone talks about, but he doesn’t get a fair shake. That’s why I wanted to take care of things. Abe is reluctant to believe he has anyone to back him up. If you and I don’t work together to make things better, things will stay as they’ve been. I can only do my part. I can’t be everywhere at once. There’s bound to be some things I’ll miss. But change won’t happen unless someone stands up to make things better.”

  Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe being here wasn’t going to be as awful as she’d feared. Maybe there was a chance to work things out, to live in contentment, to have the husband and children she’d always wanted. And it would be even better if she didn’t have to make her mother go back to Ohio. Though her mother hadn’t said anything, Phoebe could tell her mother liked the cabin and mountains. It was a quiet and beautiful area. And Phoebe liked it, too. So if she could do her part to make things better, she would.

  “I understand,” Phoebe told Eric. “Thank you for being a man of honor, Sheriff.”

  “I’m happy to do what I can.” With a smile, Eric rose to his feet. “Next time you come into town, you can come and get me. I’ll make sure no one harms you ever again.”

  Phoebe saw Eric to the door and closed it after he left. Then, unable to hide her curiosity, she looked out the window and watched as Abe left the barn to talk to him. Eric did most of the talking, only once gesturing to the cabin—probably because he was telling Abe what he’d told Phoebe. By the look on Abe’s face, he didn’t seem convinced the matter with Benny and Enoch was truly settled, but he nodded to Eric. Eric, in turn, got on his horse and left.

  Abe’s gaze went to Phoebe, and she almost turned from the window, embarrassed he’d caught her staring at him. But something in Abe’s expression stopped her. She couldn’t tell what it was, exactly. He had such a serious look on his face, and if she was right, he would do whatever it took to protect her.

  Honestly, she wasn’t sure what to make of it. There was nothing the least bit romantic about the silent exchange between them, but she felt a slight flutter in her stomach all the same. He really was a good looking man. Maybe there was a bit of darkness in his skin, but he still seemed more white than Indian. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Even so, she had the sudden inclination to touch it, to see if it was as soft as it appeared. He had a nice, solid build, too. Broad shoulders. Strong and tall, but not overpowering. And though the day’s events had scared her, there was no denying he had protected her. He just might make a good husband after all.

  He looked away from her, and she blinked, as if coming out of a daydream. Clearing her throat, she forced her attention to her mother, just now realizing she was saying something about what a nice sheriff they had in town.

  “The world needs more people like him,” her mother said as she headed for the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?”

  “Maybe some water,” Phoebe replied, almost absentmindedly.

  “I’ll bring it right out. Why don’t you sit down?”

  With a nod, Phoebe went to the chair and settled into it, wondering how things might proceed from here.

  Chapter Nine

  Abe came in later than usual that evening. He’d purposely delayed doing the chores, mostly because he wasn’t sure how to act around Phoebe or her mother after the day’s events. After Eric talked to them, he figured it’d help put their minds at ease, but the fact remained, if Eric hadn’t taken the move to put Enoch and Benny in jail, nothing would have been done.

  Abe stared out the doorway of the barn, wondering if he should stay out here tonight. Who knew if someone would feel the need to retaliate because Eric chose to stand up for a half-breed?

  The night would be the easiest time for someone to make their attack. If Abe was in the house, he might not hear the items he’d set out to jingle if they crossed the property line. He tapped his foot on the barn floor, giving a careful scan of the trees. There were far too many places a man could hide. But he’d been careful to make the string high enough to make them trip. If he stayed out here, would it frighten the women? Or would they feel safer?

  With a heavy sigh, Abe rubbed his eyes. When he was alone, he didn’t have this kind of pressure to
deal with. If someone hurt him or his animals, no one else suffered for it. But now, someone could come after Phoebe or her mother. Too bad Eric had already promised himself to his mail-order bride. No one would dare harm Phoebe if she was meant for Eric.

  He opened his eyes, this time his gaze going to the cabin. The front door opened, and he saw Phoebe step onto the porch. She glanced around until their eyes met. To his surprise, she closed the door behind her and headed toward him.

  He made another scan of the area. He didn’t think anyone was lurking out there. At least, he didn’t see anyone. But just because he didn’t see anyone, it didn’t mean there wasn’t someone there. It was on the tip of his tongue to warn her to go back to the cabin, but she ran over to him before he could get the words out.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked, keeping her voice low as she reached him.

  “Yes, there’s something wrong. You’re not in the cabin,” he said.

  “I came out to see if you’re alright. We worried about you when you didn’t come in after the chores were done.”

  She rubbed her arms and gave a slight shiver. Not only had she come out in the dark, but she hadn’t even brought something to keep her warm. “I saw you standing in the doorway and thought there might be something I could do to help.”

  “I was just standing here,” he shrugged, “and thinking.”

  “About what?”

  After the day they’d shared, she had to ask him that? He noticed her shiver again, so he started unbuttoning his shirt.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  Noting the uncertainty in her tone, he said, “I’m only giving you my shirt so you can put it on.” When she furrowed her eyebrows, he added, “To warm you up.”

  “Oh.” In the light of the lantern, which hung on a hook nearby, he thought he detected a slight pink in her cheeks. “Thank you.”

  He slipped the shirt off and handed it to her, leaving on his undershirt. “I wasn’t going to take off everything.” Unable to refrain from the joke, he inserted, “I wasn’t going to scare you.”

  She laughed as she put the shirt on. “I wouldn’t be scared if you took everything off.” Her eyes grew wide, and she gasped. “I don’t mean I expect you to take your clothes off. I-I…I, um, I know you weren’t going to do it. Take everything off, I mean.”

  His lips curled up into a smile. She was rather adorable when she was stammering. “Don’t worry. I know what you meant.”

  Relaxing, she chuckled, and the mood between them grew lighter.

  “Look,” he began, giving the area another good look, “I want to make sure you and your mother are safe. You should go back in.”

  “Why? Eric said Enoch and Benny are in jail.”

  How much should he tell her? He didn’t want to frighten her, but it wasn’t wise for her to be out in the open where anyone could find her.

  “I’m going to sleep out here tonight,” he finally said. “You and your mother don’t have to worry about me.”

  “Where are you going to sleep?”

  “Up there.” He gestured to the loft. “I have everything I need in the trunk. You don’t have to worry about me. Go on in and get some sleep. It’s been a long day.”

  She glanced back at the cabin. “I’m not tired. I’d like to talk to someone.”

  “You can talk to your mother.”

  “She’s already asleep. Can I stay out here for a while and talk to you?”

  He glanced around the property again, and not sensing any danger, he nodded. “Alright, but we can’t stay out here.” He waved her into the barn.

  She took a step in and paused. Just as he was about to ask if she’d changed her mind, she chuckled again. “I forgot how potent the smell is in here.”

  “Is it?” He saw the two cows and two horses. “I’m so used to it I don’t even notice it anymore. But you’re right. It smells like a…” The joke his uncle had often told him fell short of completion.

  “It smells like what?” she asked, her expression indicating she wanted him to finish the joke.

  “Nothing.” There was no way he was going to say it smelled like a white man. While it was funny to him and his uncle, he doubted she’d find humor in it. “You want to sit?”

  “Sure.” She studied the area. “Where do you sit when you’re in here?”

  “When I’m not milking the cow,” he glanced at the stool he used, “I sit over at that table. But there’s only one chair, and the table isn’t sturdy enough to hold you, even if you don’t weigh much. I think the best place would be in the loft.” He gestured to the ladder that would take them up to it. “I’m not sure you want to go there, though.”

  “Why not?”

  He studied her expression, and sure enough, she was as naïve as the question was, which was surprising considering what she’d just been through in town earlier that day. But maybe it was a compliment. Maybe, just maybe, the question really meant she trusted him, that she knew he’d never hurt her. And that being the case, it was the nicest thing a white woman had ever done for him.

  “Alright,” he finally said. “I’ll go first.”

  “I thought women usually went first and men followed,” she replied as he went to the ladder.

  “If I followed you, it’d give me a good view up your dress,” he said.

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “I know. But I did, and that’s why I’m going up first.”

  He climbed the ladder and hurried to get out a blanket and pillow from his trunk. By the time she reached the top, he held his hand out to help her up.

  Once she was sitting next to him, she asked, “How can you sleep here? It’s not very comfortable.”

  “You get used to it,” he replied. “Besides, I got more blankets in the trunk.”

  She nodded and wrapped his shirt more comfortably around her shoulders.

  There was no denying it was cooler. Even he felt the slight chill. He retrieved one of the blankets. “Would you mind sharing this with me?”

  “No.”

  He brought it around both of them, realizing too late this meant they would be touching each other. This wasn’t exactly the image he had in mind when he suggested the blanket. It was on the tip of his tongue to apologize, but then she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

  “Thank you,” she said, her voice soft.

  “It’s just a blanket,” he replied. “I’ve had it for years.”

  “No, that’s not why I’m thanking you. With everything that happened today, I forgot to thank you for saving me from Enoch. I might not know much about what happens with a man and woman, but I know whatever he had in mind, it was going to hurt.”

  “I don’t think it’s supposed to hurt if the woman wants it.”

  At least, his mother never seemed to mind it when his father paid her visits. Even though he was as untried as Phoebe in the bedroom, it didn’t take much of an imagination to know when the woman wanted it, it was something she enjoyed. He let out a long sigh. He didn’t want to think about that. All his father had done was use her. Quite frankly, all the enjoyment she got out of it was quickly driven out by the tears she’d cry when he was gone.

  “Enoch is a sorry excuse for a man,” Abe said, pushing the past from his mind. “If I’d known Benny wasn’t going to protect you, I wouldn’t have left you alone. I thought Benny was one of the few who could be trusted.” He shook his head. “Even knowing everything I do, I can be gullible.”

  “But you still came and stopped things before they went too far,” she replied. “I was too hard on you. You did everything you knew to do. The way Benny talked about you and talked about me, I came to understand why you see things the way you do.”

  He stiffened. Benny talking about him was one thing, but him talking about her was another. “How did Benny talk about you?”

  “I thought you’d be more curious about what he said about you than me. But since you asked, Benny said I was a distraction. He
seems to think Carl brought me here so you’d stop the dispute over the land with the stream on it.”

  Benny was probably right. Carl would do anything to get him to stop claiming what was rightfully his. “Carl wants that property because he’s convinced there’s gold there.”

  “Is there?”

  “No. Well, if there is, it’s not much. I want that stream because I could use the water. White men worry about money too much. They’ll force everyone off the land if they think there’s a hint of gold or silver on it.” In a lower voice, he added, “My people have been forced off their land for it.”

  “I never would have come out here if I’d known Carl was using me like that.”

  “I know. Carl used you for his gain. Just as his father used my mother for his,” he grimaced, “pleasure. And that’s how I became a bastard.” Whether it was money or lust, it made little difference. “I’m sorry about what happened with Enoch and Benny today. I didn’t realize Eric would have listened to me. Until the stagecoach arrives and I can get you and your mother safely on it so you can go back home, I won’t let anyone harm you.”

  “I know you won’t,” she said. “I don’t want to go back. Mother doesn’t either. We want to stay here.”

  “After what happened today?”

  “Yes. I had time to think about it, and I can’t think of anyone else who’d be better for me and Mother than you.” When he shook his head, she added, “Abe, you stood up to those men in town today, even though you thought it’d mean your life. You think I don’t know why you set out that string and pots around the property? I bet you’re sleeping out here because you want to make sure if anyone does come, you’ll be ready for them. But more than that, you took us in when we needed a safe place to stay, and you’ve been a gentleman the whole time. I know I’m safe up here with you in this loft, too. I have a lot to learn about the world, but one thing I know is when someone honorable and kind comes along, that’s the person you want to be with.”