Page 12

E ight

“I’ll go back to the ranch house in time for supper, but not right now. I can’t stand it. And your sister-in-law isn’t helping.” Tilda had stormed out of the house and was halfway to the dormitory when Josh caught up with her.

Josh shrugged one shoulder. “Michelle’s been known to step into the middle of things she’d be better to stay out of. No question.”

“I’m not going with him.” Tilda grabbed Josh’s arm. “Where would he take me? To some house I’ve never been to before? To live with people I’ve only just met?”

Josh didn’t say the obvious. That’s what she was doing now. He didn’t mention it because he didn’t want her to go anywhere. It was shocking how badly he didn’t want her to go anywhere.

The doctor’s office was just ahead. Inspiration struck. He caught her wrist and brought her along as if he were a tugboat and she a frigate in the United States Navy.

With everyone knowing that Brody was gone, he knew no one was here, barring any unforeseen patients arriving.

He could tell Tilda was addled when she didn’t protest. All she said was, “What am I going to do?”

He got them inside and closed the door, then said quietly, “You’re going to marry me.

And do it fast. I’ll arrange for someone to take care of staying with the children for both of us, and we’ll slip away to town tonight.

Then things are settled. You’re a married woman—of course you’d stay with your husband. ”

The addled look faded, replaced by stunned surprise. “M-marry you?”

Josh had just reacted. All he could think was he had to keep her here.

He’d opened his mouth to say just that but instead the most reckless proposal imaginable had popped out.

Now, surprised by the words, he decided he really liked the idea.

He was determined that she accept him. He tried to be a little calmer and sound less like a headlong fool.

“It’s sudden, I know, but we’ve been ... um, drawn to each other from the first, haven’t we?”

Tilda stared at him. Was she surprised, or was she thinking of how drawn they’d been to each other the few times they were alone together? Truth was, they’d been interested when they weren’t alone, too.

“I’ll admit I didn’t think it was time yet.” Josh struggled to be honest. It was a bit much to give a declaration of love. But he’d had ... hopes in that direction. “We need more time to get to know each other better, but we were going to end up married eventually, don’t you think?”

She blinked as if her eyes weren’t fully focused. “ Don’t you think is the wrong thing to say to me right now. Thinking is beyond me.”

“Then let me do the thinking. In fact, let’s have that as a rule for the rest of our lives. That’s how marriages are supposed to be.” He was sure of it. His big brother Zane and his overly brainy wife, Michelle, notwithstanding.

Although, now he considered it, Josh had to admit that his ma had done her share of the thinking. Probably. Still, the man being in charge was in the Bible. He couldn’t remember the chapter and verse, but he was sure it was in there.

Tilda’s hand came up to rub her forehead. Maybe she was coming around, her thoughts clearing. He wasn’t sure that was for the best.

“Josh, I—”

“The look on Ben’s face, well, he seemed mighty determined.” Josh rested his hands on her shoulders. “He thinks he knows what’s best for you. Married or not, I won’t let him take you from here. But if we were married, he’d never be able to run off with you. Would he?”

“More questions, seriously?”

“If we were married, I could guard you more easily in the night.”

She went back to rubbing her forehead as if she had a raging headache.

Then Josh got a notion of what might help. He gently but firmly pulled her hand away from her head and eased her into his arms.

And kissed her.

She froze ... and then she thawed. Her arms came around his neck. She tilted her head. It was the finest moment of Josh’s life.

Josh knew the antics sailors were said to get up to with women in faraway ports, but that had never been for him.

He was raised to believe intimacies between men and women belonged within marriage.

And there were other sailors on those ships who thought as he did.

He’d explored distant lands with good friends who shared his faith, while others tossed away their pay on whiskey and women and gambling.

This moment, right here and now, was the closest he’d ever been to a woman. And he was stunned to realize just how much he’d like to get even closer.

It took every ounce of his will for Josh to lift his head enough to see her. He looked down at her closed eyes. Her slightly swollen lips. No, she wasn’t going anywhere.

Resting both hands on her pretty face, he said quietly, “Say you’ll marry me, Tilda.”

Her eyes fluttered open. She paid rapt attention to him.

“Right now. Let’s arrange for someone to tend to the children, and we’ll slip away to town.

By morning we’ll be man and wife, and Ben will have to accept that your home is here.

If you want to meet your father, we’ll go to New York City together, or he can come out here.

But whatever ends up happening, it’ll happen with me at your side. ”

Tilda reached up and placed her fingertips on his lips. “That was my first kiss. I had no idea a kiss could make me feel so much.”

“Mine too.”

A smile curved her lips. “You know it would be madness to get married on so short an acquaintance. But you’re right. I have been interested in you. But, Josh, I’m nobody. I haven’t got a penny to my name. Michelle brought so much to Zane. And Ellie is part owner of this ranch. I’m a—”

Josh kissed her again, softly. “You’ve been interested, huh?”

“Oh yes. But I’d have never dared hope such a fine, successful man would be interested in a penniless orphan. I mean—”

He quick gave her another kiss and made her quit talking since she was making no sense anyway.

Then he pulled back. “Are you saying yes? And not just yes, but yes to tonight, to our running off to town? To marrying me before another day passes? I don’t want to lose you, Tilda. I want to do whatever I can think of to keep you here with me.”

Tilda’s eyes focused. Her head seemed to be clearing. Those eyes then sharpened. “I think I have a better idea than running off.”

A wicked pang cut through Josh’s heart. She was going to say no.

“How about we tell them? We just announce we intend to marry. That’s a very good reason not to go back with Ben.

I’d like for my brother to hear my intentions clearly, that I want this ranch .

.. and you ... to be my home. I agree that Ben looked almost furious, even dangerous.

I doubt he’d resort to force, but how can we be sure? ”

“That’s the whole point, isn’t it? That you don’t know him? Which is why you aren’t willing to jump on a train and vanish across the country with him.”

“Yes, Josh, I will marry you. But not now. Not so suddenly. I wouldn’t say yes if I didn’t think we could make a good marriage, but we’re the next thing to strangers.

I want to know you better, let our feelings grow into something deeper than an attraction.

” She swallowed. “A powerful attraction, I’ll admit. ”

Josh smiled at that.

“I’d be so honored to join my life with yours, Josh. But let’s do it at a time and place of our choosing, not a time and place forced by this shocking appearance of my brother. Instead of getting married, let’s go in there and tell him we’re engaged, and my home is here and that’s final.”

“Your brother will kick up a fuss.”

Tilda nodded. “He might at that.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just present yourself to him as a married woman, with no doubt as to whether you’ll leave?”

“Whether or not he likes it, he’s going to have to accept it.” Tilda sounded sassy.

Josh rewarded her with a kiss. “When the time comes, let’s ask the parson to skip that part of the wedding about anyone objecting. Why give him a chance to cause a ruckus?”

“Shall we tell them tonight at supper? Or does that give them too much time to stage a kidnapping?”

Josh drew in a slow breath. “Do you think he might try it? He seemed determined, but how determined?”

Tilda shrugged.

“Let’s break the news at breakfast instead. The chances of him running off with you in broad daylight are unlikely.” And with that all settled, Josh pulled her close and kissed her some more.

Finally, he turned his head aside. “We need to get out of here. It’s not at all proper for us to be alone like this.”

“You are absolutely right about that.”

“Let’s go over to the school and see if anyone needs help with their studies.

I’m staying right by your side until I shut your door for the night.

And I want you to lock yourself in. The more I think about it, the less I like leaving you alone for the night.

I might sleep on the floor outside the door of the girls’ side of the dormitory. ”

“But who will watch those unruly boys?”

Josh laughed. “I’ll figure something out. Our foreman, Shad, is usually willing to help. And I’ve got other cowhands who can step in if needed.”

Tilda slipped out of his arms and reached for his hand. He took it firmly and led her out of the doctor’s office before someone came to the door and asked him to perform some kind of surgery or deliver their baby.

“Um, what was that you said about the husband doing all the thinking?”

* * * *

“You’re awake!”

Ellie’s voice pulled Brody out of a dark place. He felt as if he’d been gone for days.

His eyes focused on Ellie. “We’re married.”

Ellie rested both her hands on his face and smiled. A rather sad smile. “Yes, we are. And you’ve been asleep for three days, husband. You scared me to death.”

“Three days?”

“Yes, the doctor’s been here.” Her brows arched. “He suggested we bleed you.”

“What? That’s not an acceptable form of treatment anymore. They stopped most of that in the 1850s.” At least that had fully awakened him.

Ellie patted him on one of his cheeks. “He was old, and Mr. Westbrook is set in his ways. I put a stop to it, though. No leech touched your body, no veins were opened. Or whatever way they bleed someone. I was a bit afraid to ask.”

“What happened?”

“We don’t know. But that bruise on your chest is a black circle about six inches in diameter. I suppose something inside you is injured.” Her smile shrank, and her voice wobbled. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”

A single tear rolled down her cheek. She swiped it away with the back of her wrist and sniffled.

Brody laid his hand over his chest. “It’s not as swollen as it was. Still tender.” He pressed here and there on his chest and flinched. “My ribs still hurt, but not as bad as before. It’s settled down to a throbbing ache when before it felt like someone was beating my chest with a club.”

“I’m going to send for Cord and his grandfather. They’ve been very anxious about you.” Ellie leaned close. “I think Cord might have genuinely been concerned for your health, but Mr. Westbrook seemed more worried about his missing treasure ... the old coot.”

She rose. Brody caught her wrist and pulled her back. “Don’t leave.”

She smiled so sweetly it made Brody’s chest ache in a way that had nothing to do with bullets.

“There’s a footman right outside the door. He’s been stationed there day and night.”

Dropping his voice to a whisper, Brody asked, “Is he there in case we need help, or is he worried we’ll make an escape attempt?”

Ellie shrugged, kissed the hand he had wrapped around her wrist, and slipped free.

“I won’t even step outside the room. And I’m not going to tell the Westbrooks to come charging in to cross-examine you.

That can wait until morning. I’m just going to tell them you’re awake.

” Her voice broke. She sniffled again. “Awake and going to be fine.”

“What day is it? What’s the time?”

“Um, I’ve kind of lost track. I think I remember Cord saying he was going to church yesterday?

Or maybe that was the day before yesterday.

I didn’t want to leave you, so I stayed home.

And we’ve had the evening meal, so it’s getting late.

” She gestured to a table beside his bed that had plates and utensils on it.

“I’ve been taking my meals in here with you. ”

Leaning over him, she kissed him swiftly, then hurried to the door. Brody didn’t take his eyes off her. And why would he? She was easily the most interesting thing in the world.

She swung the door open, spoke quietly to someone, then closed the door again and came back to his side and sat. She took one of his hands firmly in hers.

Brody felt the weight of being so sick, so weak.

“Impossible as it sounds after sleeping for days, I’m exhausted.

Have you been sleeping at my side at night?

” He glanced to the side of the bed, away from where she sat, and saw the bed mussed, a tidy little dent in the lone pillow not under his head.

“I have been. I asked the footman to pass on word that we will be ready to talk tomorrow. For tonight, I’m going to insist on quiet and that you rest. Now, you need food and water before you go back to sleep.”

And he did need food and water. He couldn’t say he was hungry, but the water felt like it barely wet his throat. His dry mouth soaked it in before it could get to his stomach.

The broth was just more to drink, so he swallowed every bit of that.

“Can I have more water, please?”

Ellie smiled as if he’d offered her a bouquet of flowers. He drank another cup of water, then a wave of exhaustion washed over him.

“So you’ve been sleeping in here with me, in this bed?” His need to have her close swept over him with more force than the exhaustion.

“Yes.” She set the water glass aside.

“I don’t want to fall asleep if I can’t hold you.”

He wanted to be a married man, but right now just holding her was all he had strength for.

Ellie nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m not going anywhere. Let me get my nightgown on.”

Brody had to fight to keep sleep at bay while he waited for his wife to join him. She slipped into bed and rested her hand on his heart and her head on his shoulder. “Go to sleep, Brody. I’ll lie awake for a few minutes and thank God that you’re going to be fine.”

He reveled in the feel of her, close and strong and so sweet. Then a thought niggled into his head to worry him. “You don’t think I’ll fall asleep and not wake up again for another three days, do you?”

Ellie’s hand slid carefully around his waist, below his bruise, and she hugged him, gently but solid as a stone. “No, Brody. I think this time, you’re back with me. I have plenty to be thankful for tonight.” She hugged him again. “And every night.”