Where The Four Winds Collide, Page 4

  The fact that Heath tended to talk in circles didn't normally bother Jackson, but today he was tired and more disturbed than he should be after holding the woman close for so long. He wanted to take Heath by the shoulders and shake him. "Why the heck would I come to meet the stagecoach?"

  Before he could reply, Judge Maphis approached and shook Jackson's hand, pumping his entire arm with surprising strength. "Well, congratulations, Jackson. It's about time you got settled and started a family." The bearded judge lifted bushy eyebrows and studied the woman who was still passed out on the couch. "I hope you didn't get you a sickly one. No matter how pretty, a woman in poor health won't last long out here." The man slapped him on the shoulder. "Well, congratulations anyway, son. She's a lovely woman, your new wife."

  Realization finally dawned, and Jackson swung around to gawk at the woman just as she began to stir.

  He looked to the judge while his brother chuckled. "What did you say?"

  Chapter Five

  The smell of burning wood and pine lingering in the air were the first things Adeline became aware of as she fought her way through the fogginess of slumber. Without thought, she pushed aside heavy blankets and brushed damp hair away from her sweaty face. The heat quickly dissipated and helped her heavy eyelids open.

  Where the heck was she? It was a very rustic bedroom. Immense logs stacked to make up the tall walls of the room. She lay in the middle of an enormous bed made of knotty pine. A stone fireplace flanked the wall opposite the bed; its well-made structure housed a cheery fire, filling the room with a warm glow. Over the fire, a blackened pot hung on a hook, probably used for heating water for bathing.

  The fire crackled and Adeline wondered where the other travelers were. It was eerily quiet. If this was the hotel that she was to stay in, where were the other women she'd traveled with? Surely everyone didn't get married and taken off by their new husbands so soon?

  A soft snore startled her. Her attention snapped to the only other person in the room.

  A man.

  He sat in a chair facing the fireplace with his broad back to her. The man appeared to be asleep by the unnatural way his head hung to the side. He was a large man with blonde hair just past his shirt collar. His crumpled shirt was half untucked, and a hat lay on the floor next to the chair. At his hip, a gun was holstered.

  A lawman.

  Maybe the man was assigned to guard her after she'd fainted. Thinking back, she remembered a tall blond man she'd tried to talk to before blackness overtook her. Then later, when she'd awakened in the hotel lobby, he'd been there, too. She'd spoken to someone, an older man, but she didn't remember what about. Other than those fuzzy memories, the only other recollection was one of a continuous rocking motion. As if she rode on a horse.

  A horse!

  Adeline sat straight up and scanned the room. It looked to be part of a cabin, not a hotel. She leaned forward and peered past a doorway into a kitchen. In the center of the room a wood table with four large chairs. Where was she?

  At the lawman's light snore, Adeline grabbed the edge of the blankets and drew them to her chin. She studied him with interest.

  Why would she be alone in a cabin with a man she didn't know? Was it possible her father had somehow found out where she'd gone and sent a telegram to Four Winds? Did he accuse her of breaking the law? Could it be this man would hold her prisoner until her father and Billy arrived for her?

  A sharp inhale escaped her and she covered her mouth, hoping the man did not hear it.

  He stirred, and she held her breath when his head came up and he turned to look at her. Piercing blue eyes held her captive and she gasped again. A slight crinkle formed between his brows, but he didn't speak. With deliberate motions, he stood and stretched.

  The man was massive, with broad shoulders and thick muscular arms and legs. By his slender waist and lack of gut, she figured him to be a hard worker. When her eyes finally returned up to his face, he studied her with mirrored curiosity.

  "How do you feel, Adeline?" His deep voice was edged with the hoarseness of just waking.

  A warm flush swept across her face. She inwardly cursed her inability to stop the reddening reaction to his question. No doubt, he'd noticed her studying him and must think her forward, perhaps even a woman of loose morals.

  "How do you know my name? Why am I here alone with you, sir?" Adeline was further mortified at how breathless her voice sounded. Perhaps they weren't alone. Maybe his wife and children went out for some air. She turned and looked out the kitchen window. It was almost dark.

  Or maybe they were alone.

  An eyebrow rose at her question, and he followed the direction of her gaze toward the window. Seeming to be at a loss for words, he raked his fingers through his hair and asked her a question instead. "Would you like some coffee?"

  Jackson had considered leaving Adeline in the hotel to rest while he and Heath came to the ranch to investigate the cattle situation, but Heath convinced him a new bride would not be happy to wake up alone to fend for herself so soon after marrying.

  Now he wondered if perhaps having established her at the hotel with money to spend for food and other necessities wouldn't have been the better option. Especially now, if she didn't remember him or their marriage taking place.

  With the blankets pulled up to her chin, her wide-eyed gaze followed him as he approached. She was lovely, with long burnished hair that fell past her shoulders almost to her waist. When standing, she reached his shoulder, which suited him perfectly, as he'd never been attracted to short women. He attempted a friendly smile, but as soon as his lips curved, her eyes widened further and she shrunk deeper into the bedding.

  "My name is Jackson Hewitt. I won't harm you. If you'd like to have coffee and perhaps some cornbread, we can talk. I can warm up some chili. It's quite good -- my friend's wife, Peggy Ann Folks, made it for us."

  Jackson moved toward the door to give her some distance and paused at the doorway. "You're fully dressed, except for your shoes. Peggy Ann took those off so you could rest."

  He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Come on out when you're ready. I'll warm up the chili."

  Jackson had pondered over what he'd say to his wife when she woke. When she'd come to in the hotel lobby earlier, she'd barely spoken, only nodding when the judge asked her if she understood she was married. She'd concentrated on the motions and signed the necessary papers. Jackson picked up the wedding license they'd both signed earlier from the table and grunted. Placing it on the sideboard he went to heat up some coffee.

  The trip from Virginia was an arduous one; it had taken its toll on all the travelers. He'd noticed all of the other women in the hotel lobby had dark circles under their eyes and barely had the energy to stand through the ceremony. They'd informed him Adeline had a harder time of it, having spent a night at a way station due to illness.

  Not sure if she'd join him, Jackson set out two bowls full of steaming chili. The cornbread was already on the table wrapped in the red linen Peggy Ann had brought it in. Jackson poured a cup of coffee and sat, only to stand back up when Adeline entered. She'd pulled her hair away from her face; it was wrapped in a loose knot at the nape of her neck. Her beautiful green eyes scanned the room before catching sight of the bowl of chili.

  Jackson went around the table and drew the chair back for her before he sat opposite her. She sat and closed her eyes to pray over the meal. When she opened them, her eyes were glued to the chili and he began eating his without speaking so she'd do the same. Once she started eating she lowered her shoulders and relaxed.

  They ate in silence for a few minutes, as Jackson waited for her to speak first. He figured she'd have a lot of questions. But her first question was unexpected.

  "Am I your prisoner?" Adeline asked him barely above a whisper, with her eyes downcast.

  "Why would you think that?"

  She leaned and pointed to his hip. "You're armed -- are you a lawman?"

  Why would she think herself
a prisoner? Jackson decided it was best to answer her question instead of asking her some in return. "Most men in Texas are armed for protection. My brother, Heath is the sheriff at Four Winds. Although I'm a deputy, I'm mostly a rancher. You are not my prisoner, you're..."

  "Oh, thank goodness," she interrupted him. "Is this your home?" Her gaze scanned the room. "Am I to tutor your children?"

  Jackson didn't reply. He tried to remember what Heath told him he'd written in the ad. If the rascal had listed him as a widower with children to get sympathy, he'd skin him. What if the reason Adeline had agreed to marry him was because she felt bad about the children? He cleared his throat. "There are no children here right now."

  "Oh," she said her brows drawn. "Well then, sir, why am I here?"

  "This is your home now Adeline," Jackson told her, watching her closely for a reaction. "We were married earlier this afternoon. You are my wife."

  The color drained from her face and she froze, her spoon halfway to her mouth. He feared she'd faint again so he jumped up and went to her. The action startled the woman, who yelped and leaned away from him, only to topple over. Both she and the chair landed on their sides on the floor.

  When Jackson tried to help her up, she scrambled to her feet and moved away from his reach.

  "Married?" The shock in her voice made him wonder if the woman was mad. Surely she remembered signing the documents before the judge?

  "Yes, Adeline, the judge explained it all to you before you signed the papers at the hotel. Do you not remember?"

  "I..." her widened eyes met his and he fought the urge to reach out to reassure her. "I thought it was a dream."

  The sun was setting and Jackson needed to go see what Heath had found out. He'd have to deal with Adeline when he returned.

  "Adeline, I have to go out. My brother is here looking into a matter about some missing cattle. Will you be all right by yourself for a short while?"

  She frowned, but nodded.

  "I'll return in a few hours. There's hot water in the next room, so you can bathe if you wish. Your bag is also in there, on the trunk at the foot of the bed. I'll be gone for several hours, don't wait up."

  His new wife blinked as if holding back tears and bit her bottom lip. This time he didn't refrain from reaching out to her. He patted her shoulder. "Relax, Adeline, it's been a long few days. Why don't you finish eating and bathe. If you want to lie down, do so. We can talk in the morning. I'll sleep on the floor by the fire."

  He picked the chair up and held it out for her. Once she sat, he took another drink from his coffee cup and went to get his hat from the bedroom.

  Adeline was eating again when he went to leave. Uncertainty lingered in the green depths of her eyes when she met his gaze. "Be careful."

  His heart thumped at her words -- the words a wife should say to her husband when he leaves home.

  Chapter Six

  Adeline ate until the bowl was clean and then ate what was left of Jackson's. She'd not eaten more than a bite or two of hard bread and a little water the entire week. Her stomach finally full, she went to the door and opened it. The clean smell of pine and earth greeted her, and she took a deep breath before stepping out onto the wide porch. Overcome by all that had transpired, she took in the beauty of the land before her and attempted to form a coherent thought.

  What had she gotten herself into?

  The setting sun made the shadows of the evergreens stretch long across the grass-covered earth. Green hills rolled over one after the other, with sprinkles of blue wildflowers as far as she could see. To her right a large well maintained stable, attached to it a corral where several plump horses grazed while swishing their tails. She spied a pen with a pair of pigs under a large oak on the opposite side of the stable.

  It was beautiful yet overwhelmingly silent. Did this man enjoy the solitude?

  In the distance, perhaps a couple of miles away, she spotted smoke. The closest dwelling was barely visible from where she stood. The ranch house and stable looked to be a similar size to Jackson's yet from there it was hard to make out much more.

  Several hours. He'd said he would be gone for several hours. How far could she get in such a short time? In the dark, it would be impossible to get far before either taking a tumble or being stalked by a coyote.

  A pounding sound startled her; she turned to see a large dog lying on the porch. At her perusal, his tail wagged faster, hitting the floorboards with loud thumps. The black and white dog's eyes followed her every movement.

  She recognized the breed -- a Border collie, a herding dog. "Hey, boy." She extended her hand, palm down, as she called him to her. The dog cocked his head. Its intelligent eyes watched her hand, as if waiting for the proper command.

  Her father kept dogs around the ranch, most only kept for guarding the place. She hesitated, not wanting to give a wrong command. "Come."

  The dog stood and walked toward her, then sat before her and once again cocked his head. Adeline smiled at him. "I don't know if you're here to protect me or guard me. I did consider leaving, but after thinking it over, it's not a good idea for me to go right now."

  She went inside, deciding that when Jackson returned, she could explain to him how she'd come to Texas in search of a teaching job. Hopefully there was something they could do to annul the marriage. But then what?

  Maybe she'd go back to Four Winds. Once there, she could inquire at the mercantile about room and board and work. Her plans ended upon arriving in Texas. She'd not considered how she'd survive if there were no jobs available for her limited skills.

  Although Mae and Miss Lady had been gracious enough to give her a few dollars and pay for her stagecoach fare, which she would repay, she couldn't afford more than a night or two at the hotel. According to the women in the stagecoach, all the jobs in the West revolved around ranching, and cattle hands were always needed. Although she'd asked, Adeline had not heard anything else about possible employment. Exhausted and weak, she'd finally given up and allowed the tiredness, hunger, and thirst to take their toll, and she'd fallen asleep.

  She'd asked Jackson about children, hoping he'd have some and would hire her as a nanny or caregiver, but he'd said there were no children there. Her options were meager, and the way she saw it, there two reasonable choices. She could stay and be Jackson Pruitt's wife, or there was the option to put off consummating the marriage and return back to town at the first possible moment.

  Her spirits low, Adeline washed both bowls and the cups. Then she wiped the table and hung the cleaning rag to dry on a hook next to the washbowl. She leaned on the counter and examined the room.

  The light of a hurricane lamp in the middle of the table gave enough light so she could make out everything in the room. The kitchen was neat and clean. The floors were swept and other than the pot he'd warmed the chili in, the rest of the pots and pans hung on hooks. She ran her hand absently across the shelf closest to her. Plates and bowls were stacked neatly next to a couple of glasses. Cups hung below the shelf on small perfectly-spaced nails.

  For some unexplainable reason, she wouldn't mind staying there and being a rancher's wife. Jackson Pruitt was a handsome man, and she could learn to care for him. Plus, he'd been a gentleman so far.

  Unfortunately, it was impossible. No decent man would ever want her after learning she wasn't a virgin and had given herself to another. Even if he did accept her, life would be hard, as the humiliation would hang over her head daily. She couldn't bear the thought of being married to a man who would look at her with disfavor because of her indiscretion. No, it was best she put him off, act the part of a terrified virgin, and bide some time. Then when the timing was right, she'd escape, run away, and make it as far as she could.

  Since Pruitt would be gone for several hours, she had time to wash up. Heading to the bedroom, Adeline decided to bathe away the grit from the long days of travel.

  Refreshed after her bath, Adeline emptied the tub and tipped it up beside the fireplace to dry. Wrapped
in an oversized cloth Jackson had obviously left for drying up, Adeline went to the foot of the bed to find clean clothes. Mae had given her some of her own clothes, and tears threatened at seeing the beautiful skirts and blouses that Mae and Miss Lady had packed in the new carpetbag Mae had insisted she take. Both women had escorted her to catch the stagecoach, hovering over her and fussing the entire time, giving her instructions on staying safe and not wandering too far at the stops along the way. In those few days at their house, she'd felt more cared for than in all the time she spent with her father after her mother's death. How she hoped God would repay them both for their kindness.

  Adeline folded the blankets back on the bed to inspect the bedding and ensure she'd not dirtied the sheets too badly. Tonight when Jackson returned, she would sleep on the pallet she'd made by the fireplace. This was his house, and he should sleep in his bed. It wouldn't be fair for her to displace him, especially since she planned to leave at her first chance.

  When she lifted a pillow to fluff it, she caught a masculine scent, his scent, and she put the pillow up to her face and inhaled. What would it be like to sleep next to a man like Jackson Pruitt for an entire night? No doubt, he was a caring man. Just the way he'd assured her he'd not removed her boots, but that a married woman had come and cared for her, told a great deal about his character.

  Even when she relented and gave in to Billy, she'd not lain with him. He'd pulled her behind the barn and yanked her skirts up, not wanting to give her a chance to change her mind. Mortification at the memory of what happened that day made her turn away from the bed. The one time with Billy had not only been painful, it filled her with shame. His kisses were hurried and without tenderness, and he told her to keep quiet so as not to attract attention. Their joining had been awkward, and without sentiment as he hurried to finish. Afterwards, he held her against him while he panted in her ear until regaining his normal breathing. Never once did he ask how she felt. The worst part was later, when he'd straightened. It was then she'd seen the truth. She had made the biggest mistake of her life. There had been disdain in his gaze, a triumphant air of ownership, and a total lack of regard for her feelings.