Caleb Page 14

“No thank you. I will get a cup of tea at the hotel while I wait for the train.” She swiveled on the trunk and regarded him. “I assume besides buying me a ticket you will provide me with enough funds to purchase food?”

  “Lily.” He shook his head. “Look, this just won’t work.”

  She spun back around, giving him her back. “I’m ready to leave any time you are.”

  Foregoing the coffee, he headed to the bedroom with a pitcher of water from the sink. After cleaning his teeth and washing, he dressed and joined her in the main room. Side-by-side, without touching, they walked to the stable where he harnessed the horses and helped her into the wagon. He guided the wagon to the front of his house where he stopped and jumped down.

  After fetching her trunk from the house and loading it onto the wagon, they drove away, passing the main house and out the ranch gates. Lily never turned around, but stared straight ahead.

  The ride into town was long and quiet. Sitting as still as a statue, Lily never moved a muscle the entire trip. Hundreds of thoughts raced through his mind as they traveled. He couldn’t stay married to Lily. Each time he looked at her, he imagined another man’s hands on her and it drove him crazy.

  He wasn’t wrong. Every man wanted an untouched wife, and knew there were two types of women. Those you bedded for fun, and those you married. There was no in between.

  The town was busy as usual when they arrived. Caleb stopped in front of the Union Pacific train station window. “When is the next train to . . .just a minute.” He hurried back to the wagon. “What’s the name of your town?”

  “North Grove, Illinois,” she answered through tight lips.

  He strode back to the window. “North Grove, Illinois,” he repeated to the clerk.

  “Ain’t no train to North Grove, son. Got a train to Chicago. The young lady can catch a stagecoach from there.”

  “I guess that will have to do. When’s the next train to Chicago?”

  “Two days from now.”

  “Two days?”

  “Ain’t that what I just said?”

  Caleb slid his money over. “Okay, I’ll take a ticket for the Chicago train.” He stuffed the ticket into his shirt pocket and returned to the wagon. He rested his arm across the back of the seat and thumbed the brim of his hat back. “No train for two days.”

  Lily shrugged.

  He picked up the reins and slapped the horses. “I’ll get you a room at the hotel.” If he didn’t get Lily away from him he would do something stupid like ask her to stay. He couldn’t do that. He couldn’t be married to a woman who made him think of Lucy and the misery she had caused his brother.

  But right about now with Lily sitting next to him, so stiff and fragile, he felt like the lowest man on earth. He tried to tell himself she would be better off. She had friends back in whatever Grove. She’d lived there her whole life, she’d said. Why would she want to be stuck on a ranch in the middle of Colorado?

  He escorted her to the front desk of the hotel and secured a room. “How long will you be staying, Mrs. Fraser?” The desk clerk handed her the key

  “Two days,” she whispered. She backed up and stepped on Caleb’s foot. “Sorry.”

  “I’ll see you up to your room.” He hoisted the trunk on his shoulder and led her to the stairs. “What is the room number?”

  Lily checked the key. “Thirty-seven.”

  She slipped the key into the lock and opened the door. Caleb placed the trunk in the middle of the floor and looked around. It seemed safe enough. He tried especially hard to not notice the bed smack in the middle of the space.

  He rested his hands on her shoulders. “I . . . I hope you do well. I mean, I hope . . . well, I want you to know . . . that is, I’ll see about an annulment or divorce or something.”

  She nodded. “If it’s all the same with you, I think I would like to rest. I have a very bad headache.”

  “Sure.” He turned to leave and then snapped his fingers. “Here’s some money to get you home and to rent a place until you can find a job, or . . .”

  She stared at his hand. When she didn’t take the bills, he laid he money on the dresser.

  He removed his hat, ran his fingers through his hair and placed the hat back on his head. “Well, I guess I better be going.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her gently on her lips. “Goodbye, Lily. I’m real sorry it didn’t work out.”

  He practically ran from the room, down the stairs, and to the wagon. He jumped in, and slapped the reins. After about two blocks, he pulled into the livery and flung the straps at the stable hand. “I’ll be back later.”

  As if being chased by devils, he strode across the street, refusing to look back at the hotel. He entered the Any Way You Want It Saloon and did something he’d never done in his entire life.

  Proceeded to get roaring drunk before breakfast.

  Lily listened to the sound of Caleb’s footsteps walking down the corridor and then the steps. She sat on the edge of the bed and refused to cry. She’d cried enough tears to last a lifetime. Caleb Fraser was the latest in a string of men to desert her.

  Except this man she loved. Damn his hide, she loved him.

  Should she have told him about her indiscretion before he discovered it for himself? Why was it such a big deal to begin with? Caleb certainly did his share of womanizing. Why was it expected that a woman remain pure until her wedding night?

  Whether it was right or wrong, that was the way of things, and after Sydney she knew she would one day have to explain it to a husband. Of course, she had always expected, or at least hoped, her husband would love her, and it wouldn’t matter.

  She was weary after having tossed and turned the night before. She took off her shoes, coat and bonnet and climbed into the bed fully clothed. The room was too bright. She got back up and pulled the shades.

  Whatever would she do when she got off the stage coach in North Grove? Make a quick stop at the library and beg for her job back? Meet Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dillon in church each Sunday and pretend to everyone in town that she and Karen were the best of friends?

  Perhaps she should trade in her ticket at the train station tomorrow for a different destination. Somewhere she knew no one. She hadn’t counted the money Caleb had left her, but he said it was enough to rent a place to live until she could find work. That place didn’t have to be North Grove.

  She closed her eyes, remembering how Caleb stared at her with passion in his eyes right before he slid into her body Then, the surprised look on his face when he realized she was no virgin. Groaning, she turned over and prayed for sleep.

  A loud banging woke her. Disoriented, she sat up and glanced around, for a minute forgetting where she was. The banging persisted. “Just a minute.” Still fuzzy from sleep, she fumbled for a match to light the lamp next to her bed, since darkness had arrived while she’d slept.

  “Who’s there?” Had Caleb undergone a change of heart? Had he returned for her?

  “Open up, Lily. It’s Gideon.”

  She tried unsuccessfully to re-arrange her messy hair into some type of order, but giving up, she opened the door. “Gideon, what are you doing here?”

  He stood, feet apart, his hands on his hips. “I’ve come to bring you to my house, Lily. Despite my asinine brother, you’re not going anywhere.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Before she could form an answer, Gideon was in the room. “Put your coat and hat on. I’ll bring your trunk downstairs. I have my buggy with me.”

  “Wait a minute.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s simple. My brother is a stubborn ass.”

  She tied the bonnet ribbons under her chin. “Are preachers allowed to say ass?”

  He hefted the trunk. “Yes. It’s in the Bible. Let’s go.” He nodded toward the door.

  Aside from her wedding day, and the brief time she’d spent with Gideon and Ruby at the dance, she hadn’t thought much about this preacher brother of Caleb’s. He was another handsome man�
��of course not as handsome as Caleb—but he smiled a lot and seemed kind. But then, wouldn’t you have to be kind to be a preacher?

  “What will Ruby say about this?”

  “Ruby is a very sweet lady and is thrilled to have you stay with us for a while. She needs a friendly face.”

  She followed him down the stairs, out the door, and to the buggy parked in front of the hotel. “Oh, just a minute.” She took the key from her reticule and returned it to the man at the front desk. “It seems I won’t need a room after all.”

  Her spirits lifted tremendously. For once she felt as though she wasn’t alone in the world. She had family. A man who cared enough about her to make room for her in his home. And she was anxious to see Ruby again. Talk to her about the coming baby. Yes, she was not alone. Someone cared.

  “Lily, I’m so happy you’ll be staying with us.” Ruby hugged her, as close as possible with the baby between them. She placed her hands on Lily’s shoulders, and stared into her eyes, growing serious. “I’m so sorry for your trouble, but it will all work out. I’m sure.”

  Ruby rested her hands on her protruding stomach. “Come have a cup of tea. I made some lovely cinnamon buns this morning, and there are a few of them left.”

  The women settled themselves at the kitchen table with a pot of fragrant tea and the warm buns. “Goodness, after us spending so much time together on our journey here, I haven’t seen you hardly at all since the weddings.” Ruby poured tea in both cups and handed Lily the small blue flowered china milk pitcher.

  “I’m guessing everyone was settling into their new roles. I’m excited about your baby. And quite surprised, also.” Lily blew on the hot tea.

  “Yes, I know it was a surprise. But I’m very happy and Gideon has been wonderful about it.”

  “You’re fortunate he’s been so understanding.” She blinked rapidly, thinking of Caleb’s callous remarks to her about her indiscretion. To have the nerve to ask her how many men! He was certainly very different from his brother.

  Ruby pushed her cup aside and placed her hand over Lily’s. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Lily drew out her handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “Years ago, when I was only seventeen years old, I had a beau. We . . . um, we . . .” She sighed and looked at the ceiling “We did things we should not have done.” She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. “And it was terrible. Painful and embarrassing. But I was stupid enough to allow him liberties a couple of more times. He said it didn’t matter because we would be married anyway.”

  “What happened?”

  “I was late with my monthlies and I panicked. I told Sydney that we would have to marry right away because I thought I was pregnant.” She twisted the handkerchief in her hand. “He said, yes, he would make arrangements. Then he disappeared. No note, no nothing.”

  Ruby covered her mouth with shaky fingers. “How awful for you.”

  “Yes. But thankfully it was a false alarm.” She eyed Ruby. “I’m sorry. I know you’re happy about your baby. I didn’t mean to insinuate that your situation was . . .”

  “It’s all right. I’m afraid my story is just as sad. A man who I thought I loved, and whom I thought cared for me, led me down a sinful path.” She turned and looked out the window, her cheeks growing red. “But it turned out that by him getting me into his bed he won a bet.”

  “Oh, no!”

  Ruby lifted her chin. “I wish I could say I was sorry, and of course I am unhappy that I couldn’t come to Gideon as a virgin bride, but as you said, I’m pleased about my baby.” She rubbed her hand on her belly. “And I thank God every day that Gideon is willing to accept him or her.”

  “I can’t help but wish Caleb was as accepting of my mistake.”

  “We’re a pair, aren’t we?” Ruby attempted a smile. “How does your indiscretion figure into Gideon bringing you here from the hotel?”

  Lily recanted her tale from Caleb discovering her disgrace to Gideon coming for her.

  “Well that’s terrible. Why would he assume you’ve been with many men?”

  “Because my idiot brother has only ever associated with those kind of women, so he assumes they’re all the same.” Gideon entered the room and dragged out a chair. Sitting down, he asked, “Is there tea left?”

  “Yes. I’ll get you a cup.” Ruby rose and took a delicate cup and saucer from the small china closet.

  “Lily, you must understand how Caleb thinks. My brother is basically a good man, but his ideas about women are distorted. I’m afraid our sister-in-law, Lucy, only confirmed his thinking. Aside from being lazy, she always had her eye on Caleb. I don’t know what, if anything, happened between them, but he went from general dislike to downright loathing of the woman. It got so bad that he would even leave the room if she entered it.”

  Lily sighed and sat back. “That doesn’t change the fact that he doesn’t trust me, doesn’t care about me, and wants me gone from his life.”

  Gideon patted her hand. “Don’t give up. That’s why I don’t want you using that train ticket. He needs time to cool off and realize what a gem he has in you.”

  “Ha. I don’t think so. He never wanted to get married, never liked me, and is only too glad to see me leave.” Once more she touched her handkerchief to the corners of her eyes.

  It was wonderful of Gideon to take her under his wing, and lovely of Ruby to be so happy to see her, but Caleb wasn’t going to change his mind. She’d always been concerned that he would send her back after bedding her for the first time. If only she’d been able to hold off a little bit longer until he actually liked her. Or if only he’d wanted a wife in the first place. Then he might have been more forgiving.

  Damn, the man had just enjoyed being single too much.

  “Lily, we have extra bedrooms here at the Rectory. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. Or, if you prefer, I can bring you out to the main house to stay with Mama.”

  “No!” She hoped she hadn’t insulted Gideon at how quickly she’d nixed that idea, but she still wasn’t comfortable with Mrs. Fraser.

  She turned to her sister-in-law. “Ruby, what can I do to help you while I’m here?”

  “Ruby needs to stay off her feet more than she does,” Gideon said. “The doctor ordered bed rest. Maybe you can take over her chores?”

  “Yes. I would like that.” Keeping busy would help stave the panic thoughts away. Thoughts of where she would go and what she would do when it became obvious to Gideon that her stubborn husband was not going to change his mind. How long could she accept their hospitality before she became the guest who didn’t know when to go home?

  Caleb groaned and rolled over at the sunlight blinding him through the window. His mouth felt as if Lee’s Army had marched through it.

  Twice.

  He raised his head, then moaning, dropped it back on the pillow, clutching his stomach that wanted desperately to rid itself of all the whiskey he’d sloshed down. He cooperated by leaning over the bed and emptying its contents. Luckily most of it made it into the chamber pot. The effort only had his head pounding so hard he squeaked like a little girl.

  What the hell had he done? He’d never been his hung over in his life. His brain was so fuzzy he could not remember anything except Gideon dumping him on his bed. Giving in to the blackness, he succumbed once again to sleep.

  It was dusk the next time he awoke. He was covered with sweat and he and his room smelled like a barroom on Saturday night. His head didn’t hurt as much as before, and instead of queasiness, his stomach assaulted him with hunger pangs. He gingerly sat up and rubbed his face.

  Then it all came back to him. Lily.

  His sweet Lily, who had presented herself as a virginal librarian—who had him avoiding sex with her for the entire month of their marriage—was no virgin. He didn’t goddamn care if she was a librarian or not, but he sure as hell cared that she wasn’t a virgin.

  With a rush that almost had him doubling over, he remembered dropp
ing her off at the hotel, the tears standing in her eyes as he turned and left her there. Then he barreled into the nearest saloon, demanding a bottle of whiskey. He began pouring shots and downing them. The next thing he knew he was being doused over the head with a pitcher of cold water, and when he came up sputtering, he looked into the eyes of his sanctimonious younger brother.

  If he had his wits about him, he would have flattened the man, but instead he swung and missed, and landed on the floor. Two men dragged him into Gideon’s buggy where the preacher lectured him all the way home.

  After dumping him on the bed, he left with the threat, “There’s no point in talking to you now. I’ll be back later today when you’ve sobered up.”

  Caleb held his head in his hands, wishing he had the energy to make his way to the front door and lock it. Except it had no lock, and he didn’t have the strength to push a piece of furniture in front of the door to keep his annoying brother out.

  Almost as if thinking about the man conjured him up, Gideon stood in his bedroom doorway, his hands on his hips. “I see you’re awake.”

  Caleb rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hands. “I have to give it to you. Nothing gets by you, brother.”

  “I’m putting a pot of coffee on. Join me in the kitchen after you clean yourself up.”

  Damn, how he hated these lectures Gideon was so anxious to give. How the hell did he end up with a preacher for a brother, anyway? Maybe Gideon had been adopted and Mama had kept it a secret all these years. If he were stupid enough to adopt Gideon, he’d keep it a secret, too.

  He crawled out of bed and washed his face, taking in his bleary eyes and hair standing up on end. He looked like shit. What did it matter? Lily was gone, so who cared how he looked? There were no ladies around for him to impress. Never would be, either. The only lady he wanted was the one he’d dropped off at the hotel.

  Then go get her.

  No. It wouldn’t work. He would always wonder if she was planning on stepping out on him, like Lucy had done to Jamie. Knowing his brother had no intention of leaving until he had his say, he ambled to the kitchen where Gideon looked like an avenging angel. Ignoring him, he went to the sink, pumped the handle and stuck his head underneath the gushing water.