Her Wyoming Man (16 page)

She’d never allowed herself to feel before coming to this place and meeting this man and getting to know his community. She’d felt a slim attachment to a few people, including her mother and her tutor, but because they weren’t committed to her, she had to keep feelings locked away. She’d learned the hard way that emotion made a person vulnerable. She had no experience with that kind of exposure.

Nathan had been brave enough to make himself vulnerable. Perhaps it was time she stopped holding herself apart and let herself feel.

“All right.” She took off her hat, enjoying the look of surprise and pleasure that came over his features.

After asking Rowena Templeton to look out for the children, he did as promised and snagged a gunnysack, leading her away from the festivities. He coached her slowly until they could run without tripping each other, and then they made their way to the course for the next race and waited their turn.

Finally, they took their places at the starting line.

“Nathan,” she said softly.

He glanced down at her expectantly. “Don’t be nervous.”

“I love you.”

Chapter Nineteen

N
athan’s world tilted crazily, and in the midst of all the commotion, his focus narrowed down to Ella’s dear face and the words she’d uttered.

She looked at him with such tender openness, he wanted to kiss her and take her in his arms right there. Her timing stank. The most exquisite woman he’d ever laid eyes on, who was also kind and generous and appreciative of every last thing, this woman who’d taken his heart, loved him in return. Her love was the dearest gift he’d ever been given.

“Five!” the starter called. “Four.”

He remembered the promise he’d made her that morning. “Tonight, Mrs. Lantry.” She smiled.

“Two! One!” The pistol fired into the air, and they turned their attention to their feet and legs, keeping their stride and balance even.

Nathan held her firmly against his side. If she did lose her footing, he could carry her until she regained her balance. He was delighted to note that as couples stumbled and fell, they took the lead and finished ahead of the remaining competitors.

Gasping for air, Ella laughed and hugged him around the waist. “What did we win?”

The judge declared them the winners and pointed toward a rows of tables. “Pick your prize.”

The prizes were golden-crusted pies and delicately frosted cakes. Ella’s eyes lit up.

“What’s your favorite?” Nathan asked.

“I’m not sure.” She studied the arrangement as though she was selecting a diamond ring. “I’ve never tasted peach pie. It looks awfully good.”

“They’re warm from the sun,” he told her, picking it up and carrying it on his open palm. “Let’s go share our prize.”

They gathered the children and ate the delectably sweet slices without plates or forks, which the children found hilarious. Ella even had a second piece.

“So what do you think of peach pie?” Nathan asked.

Her face was flushed, and he located her hat and plopped it on her head. She gave him a sweet smile. “I can only think of one thing better.”

“I love you, Ella.”

“And I love you, Nathan.”

The words spoken in her deep sultry voice rocked him. Images of the coming night flashed into his head, and his insides melted. There would be fireworks and dancing first, but after that… He couldn’t wait to get her home. How had he been so fortunate as to acquire a wife like Ella?

By sundown, the children were exhausted, but fidgety and talkative in anticipation of the fireworks. After a day of activity in the sun, they trudged home to bathe and dress in fresh clothing. Robby fell asleep after his quick bath, and Nathan dressed him while he slept. Ella buttoned Grace into a blue dress with a white pinafore.

Christopher dressed himself and Nathan combed his hair. Robby slept on his father’s shoulder as they walked toward the field where the fireworks would be displayed. Christopher and Ella carried soft old blankets that they spread out once they got there. Robby revived as soon as Nathan laid him down. He looked around and sat up with an expectant expression. One side of his hair stood up where it had dried while he slept with his head against Nathan’s collar. Ella leaned over and attempted to smooth it down.

Nathan asked Grace and Christopher to lie down for a little quiet time before the fireworks display, and they obediently rested on the blankets.

He took Ella’s hand. “I can’t recall a day I’ve enjoyed as much as this one, and it’s because you’re here.”

She loved the feel of his strong hard fingers. The look of devotion in his eyes spoke to her soul and flooded her with regret. She prayed he would feel the same way about her once she’d told him about her past, but she had to be prepared for the worst. “I’ve never spent a day like this,” she told him. “I’ve never before had a family.” She glanced at the children. “Thank you for letting me be part of today.”

“You’re my wife now,” he told her. “You’re an important part of everything.” He hugged her against his side and kissed the top of her head. His deep voice resonated through his chest when he said gruffly, “I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

She rested her hand against the front of his shirt.

“Maybe by this time next year, we’ll have another little Lantry joining us,” he whispered against her ear.

The thought terrified and thrilled her at the same time.

They rested like that while the stars popped out in the heavens and townspeople gathered on their separate squares until the hillside looked like a patchwork quilt under the bright moon.

Ella had watched sporadic fireworks from the balcony at the parlor house on July Fourth evenings, but the only reason she knew the night was a holiday was because the house was so quiet. A few regulars came in during the late hours, but Ansel Murdock had never visited her. He’d been with his family, attending a celebration similar to this one, she suspected.

That whole part of her life seemed so distant now, she could hardly relate it with her time in Sweetwater. If only Gabrielle had never existed and that time had never happened. If only she’d had an upbringing like the people here…like these children. Safe and protected from unpleasantness and crudity. At the time she’d been growing up and living in the parlor house, she hadn’t known anything different. That life had seemed normal. It hadn’t been until later, when she heard the other girls talk of families and plans to leave and start new, until she’d become aware that other young women could shop and walk through town without scorn that the reality of her sordid existence came into focus.

Colorful bursts lit the night sky to the appreciative exclamations of all, including Ella, who watched with wonder and fascination. She turned to observe Nathan’s strong handsome profile tilted upward. She was going to do the right thing and tell him the truth.

If he truly loved her the way she hoped he loved her, her past would make no difference. They would spend their years together, raising children and attending Independence Day celebrations until they were old.

Eventually, the last explosion lit the sky, the embers fading as they fell toward earth. She tucked away the memory of this day like a precious keepsake.

Tents had been erected around a square consisting of several wooden platforms assembled for dancing and the bands. “The tents are for sleeping children,” Nathan told her. “The women take turns sitting with them.”

“I’ll take a turn,” she offered quickly.

He directed her to Sarah Pickering, who sat at the opening to a tent. Ella’s assignment was the first time slot, so she and Nathan settled Grace and Robby down on their blankets and she took her turn. She had a baby in her charge, and he fussed until she awkwardly picked him up and rocked him in her arms.

The little fellow was surprisingly heavy, but soft and warm and smelled like milk and talcum powder. She’d never held a baby before and hoped she didn’t do something wrong, but his eyelids closed and he drifted into peaceful sleep. The feel of his plump little body lying against her breast brought untested mothering instincts to life. He had tiny features, a wet rosebud mouth and a soft tuft of hair atop his head. He was the sweetest thing she’d ever held. Thoughts of holding a baby of her own were only natural.

Maybe by this time next year, we’ll have another little Lantry joining us,
Nathan had said. It was her dearest wish, next to remaining with the Lantrys in Sweetwater.

On the hour, a young woman who introduced herself as Donetta Jones and the baby’s mother arrived to relieve her. Ella grudgingly handed her the baby and went back out into the night to find Nathan and Christopher. They were seated on planks that ran alongside the dance floors.

“Here she is,” Nathan said with a smile.

“I held a baby,” she said softly.

Nathan gave her a smile. “How was it?”

“Nice,” she replied.

“May I have this dance?” Christopher asked as though he’d been coached.

She took his hand and they found an opening among the couples moving to the music. Eventually, Nathan took Christopher to the tent to join his sister and brother for sleep and returned to Ella.

He took her elbow and led her to the dance floor, where they fell into step. Ella hummed along with “Sweet Genevieve.”

“We could take your phonograph down by the stream and dance under the stars later tonight,” Nathan said.

She leaned back and stared up at him. “What a romantic idea!”

“I have a lot of romantic ideas in my head right now,” he told her.

Heart swelling, she rested her head against his shoulder. After another song, the tempo changed, and a rousing rendition of “Little Brown Jug” ensued. “I wonder what the ladies are thinking of this song,” Ella said to Nathan with a laugh. “I’m sure it’s highly improper.”

She followed Nathan’s gaze to the sidelines where Tom Bradbury sat on the planks with a few other men. This was the first time she’d seen him all day, and his presence at the evening festivities surprised her.

Nathan drew a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his forehead. “There’s beer in a tent behind the bandstand,” he said. “I think I’ll head back there for a mug. Do you want anything?”

“You go ahead. I’ll join the ladies for lemonade.”

Nathan walked around the deserted bandstand, away from the noise of the dancers and the music.

“I’ve been wondering where you were.”

He turned at the voice and squinted into the darkness.

Lena Bradbury strolled toward him. He hadn’t seen her all day or evening, so her appearance now surprised him. “If you’re looking for Tom, he’s back there by the dancers.”

“I was looking for you.”

“What for?”

She walked right in front of him, blocking his path and stood uncomfortably close. “A
diversion,
I guess you could say.”

Nathan took a step back, but she took a step forward. He glanced around. Anyone could be coming this way and see them.

She reached out and laid her hand on the front of his shirt in a flirtatious gesture. “Nervous about something?”

He took her wrist and removed her hand. “This is inappropriate, Mrs. Bradbury.”

“No one has to know,” she said. “What do you say we slip a little farther away from the crowd and…get to know each other better?”

“You’re my friend’s wife, and even if you weren’t, I’m a married man.” He detached himself from her hold again and moved away.

“Well, aren’t you the pious one?” She twirled a tress of hair around her index finger and glared at him in the light from the moon and the lanterns strung along the path. “Think you’re too good for me, do you?”

“Of course not. But Tom’s a good man. He can make you happy if you give him a chance.”

She laughed derisively. “There are too damned many good men in this town if you ask me. The bad boys are a whole lot more fun.”

“Why did you marry him if you weren’t going to try to make your marriage work?” he asked. “Why’d you come here at all if you didn’t want to settle down and be a wife?” He changed his mind about the beer and turned back toward the festivities. “Excuse me. My wife is waiting.”

“Oh my, yes, you’re such a gentleman,” she said. “Hurry back to your delicate flower before she wilts.” And then she called a little louder as he walked away, “Or until she turns her attentions on some
richer
man.” She followed him. “She likes the rich ones, she does. Oh, yes. Only the best for Gabrielle.”

Nathan had reached the clearing where the dance floor and the band was, and the musicians paused between songs, so Lena’s next words rang out from behind him.

“All of you think you’re so much better than I am. You and your fancy houses and your carriages and your clothes and your ridiculous parties.”

In front of him, people turned to see who was shouting.

He paused at the corner of the dance floor.

Murmurs carried through the crowd.

Nathan turned his head and found Tom, who was now slowly rising from the bench. The man had already been forced to suffer enough indignities. What was wrong with that woman?

“Lena,” a woman said in a kind tone. “Why don’t you come with me, and we’ll go somewhere and talk?”

He recognized Rita Thomas, one of the other women who’d come West with the group of brides. She’d married the liveryman.

“What are we going to talk about?” Lena asked. “Old times?”

Rita paused in front of her.

Nathan searched for Ella, finding his wife standing not far from where he’d left her, her hands clasped in front of her, wearing a look of distress.

“Maybe if you gave your friends a chance,” Nathan said. “You’d see that they want to help you.”

“Friends?” she asked, her voice shrill. “Those—
women
—are not my friends. They were the competition where we came from, and they’re the competition here. Nothing changed—except the men in our beds.” Someone gasped.

Rita reached for Lena, attempting to comfort or silence her, he wasn’t sure which, and Lena jerked away from her touch. “Get your hands off me! You’re no better than
her.
” Lena jerked her head in the direction where Ella stood. “You all think you’re better than me. All of you. Well, you’re
not!”

She stood in a circle of light from a nearby lantern, her posture stiff with anger. She turned her rage on Nathan. “
You,
Mr. High and Mighty city attorney. You’re just like every other man who ever set eyes on that woman. You’re blinded by her French perfume and that sensuous voice she has perfected.” Lena closed the distance that separated her from Nathan and glared up at him. “You’re drawn to that silken pale hair and her soft delicate skin. Do you have any idea how much it costs to make a woman look like that? Nothing was ever spared on her, because she was special.”

“That’s enough, Lena.” Celeste Adams had left her husband’s side and come to urge Lena away from Nathan and into silence. “Come with me.”

“This
one,” Lena said, shaking her finger at Celeste, “never escaped a Friday night without a black eye, so she’s pleased as punch to be here, hobnobbing with the likes of you.”

“Lena,
shut up,
” Celeste said in earnest, her glare a warning.