Caleb Read online

  Jamie stood there, his eyes wild. He grabbed her hand and tugged her outside.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “One of our horses went wild and kicked Caleb in the chest. He’s unconscious at your house, and you need to stay with him while I fetch Mama.”

  There apparently was no reason to ask Jamie how he knew she was here, but just the panic in his face and voice was enough to have her pick up her skirts and race to the house.

  A few men crowded the main room. Lily hurried to the bedroom where Caleb lay, his face as pale as new milk, his shirt soaked with blood. She let out a squeal and covered her mouth with her hands. He looked dead.

  “Get some wet cloths to clean him up, I’m going to fetch Mama,” Jamie snapped in her direction as he strode from the bedroom. “And get his shirt off, but be careful, I don’t know how much damage the horse did.”

  After several deep breaths to get herself under control, Lily searched through drawers in the bedroom dresser. All she could find besides clothes were handkerchiefs and bandanas. She grabbed a bunch of them and filled a bucket with warm water from the sink reservoir.

  By the time Mrs. Fraser hurried into the room with Jamie on her tail, Lily had Caleb’s shirt off and had cleaned away the blood. He already had a large purple and blue bruise on his side, as well as a gash on his chest. He still had not awoken and remained unmoving and pale.

  Lily’s muscles tightened as Mama Fraser leaned over Caleb and lightly touched the bruise, moving her fingers over the discoloration, palpating gently. “He hasn’t broken any ribs. Just bruised, but he’s certainly banged up.” She turned to Lily. “I’m going to have to sew up the gash. I’ll need your help. Are you gonna pass out on me?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Good. Fetch me a pan of water, and the basket I left in the main room. And while you’re at it, clear out all those cowboys. They need to get to work.” She turned to Jamie. “That goes for you too, son. I’ll take care of your brother.”

  “Is he gonna be all right?” Jamie twirled the brim of his hat in his hand.

  “He’ll be just fine. Give the boy some time to wake up. But don’t you go counting on him working for a while. Those ribs of his are gonna be mighty sore for some time to come.” She glanced at Lily. “But I’m sure Lillian will take good care of him.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Lily left the room to gather what Mrs. Fraser had asked for. She let Jamie clear out the men who still loitered around the main room. After her brother-in-law assured them his mother said Caleb would be all right, they followed him out the door.

  Once Lily returned with the items Mrs. Fraser had requested—she couldn’t think of the woman as Mama Fraser since she still miffed with her—she stood by silently as she dealt with Caleb’s injuries.

  Besides the bruised ribs, he’d suffered a gash on his chest. Mrs. Fraser kept up a running stream of comments as she worked, for which Lily was thankful since she was uncomfortable in the woman’s presence.

  With efficiency, no doubt born of years of practice, she sewed up the gash and then had Lily help her tightly wrap Caleb’s ribs. “This is gonna keep him down for more than a few days. If I know my boy, that ain’t gonna make him happy. Of all my sons, Caleb was always the restless one. Couldn’t sit still for five minutes.”

  Seeing an opportunity to learn more about this man she’d married—against his wishes—she asked, “What was he like as a child?” All she knew so far of this husband of hers was that he hadn’t wanted her, had females swooning at his feet left and right, kept a house away from his family so he could entertain the ladies, and had a woman in his bed the night before their wedding. It would be nice to hear something good about the man.

  Mrs. Fraser straightened up and rubbed the lower muscles of her back. “Caleb was the son who I felt never quite fit in. Growing up, he adored Jamie, and followed him everywhere. But no matter how hard Caleb tried, I know he felt as if he never measured up to his older brother.

  “Gideon was always quiet and none of us were surprised when he decided to become a preacher. I sometimes think Caleb took up his rather wild antics as a way to separate himself from Jamie, who Caleb felt he wasn’t good enough for, and his younger brother who chose goodness as a way of life.”

  She smiled down at her son. “Caleb didn’t do well in school—I think he was too restless to sit still long enough to tend to his lessons. The minute that school bell rang, he was out the door and off on some adventure.”

  With a flick of her hand she drew the covers up over his bandaged chest and brushed back the hair on his forehead. “Caleb is a fine man. He will be a very good husband, and eventually a good father.” She looked Lily directly in her eyes. “He needs a woman to love him as he is, and let him know he is good enough.”

  Lily flushed, wondering if the interfering woman knew they were already having problems. Rather than provoke an argument with her husband lying unconscious, she merely dipped her head in acknowledgement.

  “I’ve seen these injuries before. Mr. Fraser was kicked in the head once by a stallion he got too close to.” She picked up her basket of supplies and took out a small sack. “Make some tea from this and give it to him at least twice a day. It will help with the pain and will make him sleep, which he needs to heal. I know he’s going to give you trouble over this, but keep him in bed for a least a couple of days.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Mrs. Fraser stepped from the bed to leave, then turned back. “Even couples who have courted and known each other for a while have problems adjusting to marriage.” She cupped Lily’s chin. “You are a good match for my son. Give it time.”

  Good Lord, was the woman not only interfering, but a mind reader as well?

  Lily walked her to the door. “How long will he be out?”

  “It’s hard to say. He doesn’t appear to have a head injury. If he’s not awake in another hour or so, come for me, and I’ll have someone fetch Dr. Miller from town.”

  Lily closed the door and headed to the kitchen. She might as well heat water for the tea Caleb was supposed to drink. Since she hadn’t eaten anything either, she scrambled a couple of eggs that she ate, wishing for some bread. If she was stuck back here now, she would bake some and fix a couple of pies.

  After checking the cold closet she selected a roast and cut it into pieces, tossing it in a pot with water and a touch of vinegar, to simmer. The broth would be good to build up Caleb’s strength, and the stew she would make with the meat would be their dinner.

  She confirmed Caleb was still out, then gathered the ingredients for bread and a dried apple pie. Her mind busy as she worked, she went over what Mrs. Fraser had told her about Caleb. He didn’t feel good enough. She pounded the bread dough and snorted. She held the record on not feeling good enough. Two men had skipped out on her, and the third only married her to keep his mother happy.

  Just once it would be nice to feel wanted. Loved. Cherished. Cared for. Not having a husband who thought she should be grateful he’d married her. Or not having a husband who was flagged down in the street by former girlfriends.

  “Lily?” Caleb’s scratchy voice broke into her self-pity reverie. She wiped her hands on a towel and entered the bedroom. He was still flat on his back, only his head turned toward the doorway.

  “You’re awake.”

  “What happened? I feel like hell.”

  In deference to his injuries she passed on commenting on his language. She walked to the bed and sat on the chair next to him. “You were kicked by a horse. Do you not remember?”

  “I recollect helping Jamie with one of the new horses. I guess that’s the one.”

  “Jamie said the horse reared up when the two of you lassoed him, dragging you down. Apparently you rolled, but the horse caught you, anyway.

  “Your mama was here. She sewed up a gash on your chest and she and I wrapped your ribs.”

  “Damn, I hurt.”

  “She gave me something to brew a tea for you. She said i
t would help with the pain.” Why was it even lying in bed, injured, his chest wrapped with bandages, his eyes glazed over with pain, he still had the ability to make her stomach flutter when his eyes met hers? She didn’t want to be affected by him. She refused to be just another woman in his long list of conquests.

  Caleb studied Lily from underneath his shuttered eyelids. Most likely Jamie or one of the men had fetched her from the cottage. Since Jamie already let him know he’d spotted her yesterday leaving the old place that was no surprise. He reached out and touched her hand. “Thank you for coming back.”

  She glanced away. “Nothing has changed. Your mama assumed I would be here to take care of you, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.”

  Truth be known, his mother could be quite formidable, but from the little he’d seen of his wife, she could be just as determined. Perhaps it was his ego, but he’d bet Lily hadn’t had to be coerced into giving up her rebellion and return home. Living alone in that dilapidated shack had to be hard on a lady. He shifted slightly and winced. “Can you fix that tea for me now?”

  Lily jumped up. “Oh, of course. I’m sorry, just give me a minute.”

  He grabbed her hand to stop her movement. “For whatever reason, I’m glad you’re here.” Since he needed her help for the next day or so, it wouldn’t hurt to grovel a bit. The ladies loved it when they thought they had the upper hand. Nothing they enjoyed more than seeing a man on his knees. Or flat on his back.

  The softening of her face proved him right. “While the water is heating, I have to finish my bread.”

  He nodded and closed his eyes. Damn! His ribs hurt like the devil. This would keep him away from work for a couple of days.

  Plans to seduce Lily anytime soon had just vanished, too. Would he ever get her into his bed? That thought perked him up. He was lying in the only bed in the house. She would have to either sleep right alongside him, or take to the floor. He might not be able to finish anything he started with his ribs in such poor shape, but there was nothing wrong with his hands and mouth.

  “Here’s your tea.” Lily entered the room holding a mug. “The water was still hot from my breakfast.”

  Pain shot through him as he attempted to sit up.

  “No. You shouldn’t move. Stay there and I’ll hold your head up, then bring the mug to your lips so you can drink.” Lily placed her palm behind his head and eased it up. The tea was warm, and tasted as dreadful as he remembered from his youth. But he also knew it would do its job.

  Once she placed the cup on the dresser, Caleb said, “Stay for a minute and talk to me.”

  “I can’t. I have to put the bread in the oven, and finish the pies.”

  He reached his hand out toward her. “I’ve had this tea before, and I will be asleep in less than twenty minutes.” He gave her his best sorrowful look.

  It worked. Lily sighed and sat back on the chair. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “You.”

  She licked her lips and for a moment, he swore she looked nervous. “What do you want to know?”

  “I want you to tell me all your deep, dark secrets.” He cast her his most appealing grin. The one that had many a woman anxious to remove her clothes. Didn’t work on his wife, though.

  She drew herself up, clutching her throat as if he had asked her to remove her clothes. “I have no deep, dark secrets.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “None?”

  A knock at the front door gave his wife the excuse she needed to jump up and hurry from the room like her skirt was on fire. “I’ll see who it is, and then tend to the bread. It’s been rising too long,” she called over her shoulder.

  Damn, I hate virgins. And her bread isn’t the only thing rising.

  Jamie followed Ethan into the bedroom. “Man, I’m sorry, Caleb,” Jamie said as he settled into the chair next to the bed. “I never should have asked your help. I knew that mare was spooked.”

  Caleb dismissed his confession with a flick of his hand. “No one’s fault. How many times have we gone through that routine with success? I just lost my grip on the rope.”

  “I’m glad the children weren’t at the corral. Olivia had planned to bring them out there after Jake’s lessons.”

  “Damn right,” Ethan said. “Jake would have been over the fence to see what happened and likely stomped too.”

  “And Cat would have followed Jake. That would have meant big trouble,” Caleb added.

  Jamie narrowed his eyes. “You sound like my wife. Do you think Jake and Cat are brats?”

  Caleb’s eyes sparked. “Hell, yes! Papa would never have let us get away with half the stuff those little hellions do. You need to crack down on them.”

  Ethan hooked his thumbs in his pants “They’re out of control, big brother. You’d better get those two in hand before they’re older or you’ll be in real trouble and so will they.”

  Jamie reared back as if he’d been slapped. “Damn, that’s what Olivia says. They’re good kids. I figured children that age needed time to be kids and later I’d crack down on them.”

  Caleb leveled a glance at him. “They can be real sweet and I love them. However, most times everyone but you thinks they’re spoiled rotten. Glad I don’t live in the same house with them. Bad enough at Sunday dinner with them running around and shouting as if they were outdoors.”

  Ethan leaned against the wall. “While I don’t live in the house, we come there for meals and Beth is there part of the day. Being around Jake and Cat is usually unpleasant. And don’t forget Cat’s disobedience likely would have gotten her killed if it hadn’t been for Beth.”

  “Damn, damn, damn. Guess I should have paid more attention to Mama. She’s been warning me but I didn’t believe her.” Jamie scrubbed a hand down his face. “I consider my children a precious gift. I had no idea they annoyed everyone else.”

  Caleb tried to rise but fell back with a groan. “They’re a treasure, Jamie, but they need discipline and training. Glad Olivia is taking them—and you—in hand.”

  Lily appeared in the doorway. “Can I ask you both to come back another time? I just gave Caleb his tea, and he needs his rest.”

  His brothers left with promises to annoy him each day with a visit until he was up and about. Enough motivation to get himself healed quickly.

  Once Ethan and Jamie left, Lily went about getting the stew for dinner finished. The house smelled of apple pie and fresh bread, making her stomach rumble. She peeled carrots and potatoes and tossed them into the pot with the meat just as another knock sounded at the door.

  She wiped her hands on her apron and headed to the door, hoping it wasn’t another Fraser come to visit. She smoothed her hair down and grabbed the doorknob.

  A pretty young woman, her blonde curls escaping her loosely fashioned bun stood there with a basket over her arm. Her deep blue eyes twinkled, matching her bright smile. “I came to see Caleb. I understand the poor man’s been injured.” She held up the basket. “I brought him some food.”

  Chapter Nine

  Miss Alice Witsun, as she introduced herself, became the first in a stream of young ladies all coming to see Caleb over the next couple of days because they heard the ‘poor man’ had been injured. With each visit Lily grew more incensed and Caleb appeared more uncomfortable.

  Years of good manners kept Lily from slamming the door in each lady’s face, but she was getting close to answering the door with a gun drawn. Earlier she’d caught Miss Rita Spencer actually sitting on his bed, chatting away! When young, pretty, Widow Maude Davis departed, leaving behind a lopsided cake, Lily stomped to the bedroom and glared at Caleb, her hands on her hips.

  “Now, darlin’ before you say anything, I know this has been taxing for you, entertaining all these people.”

  Lily bared her teeth, feeling much like a wild animal about to attack. “I have not been entertaining people. I have been watching an onslaught of women visit you, bringing food—as if I can’t feed you—and sitting here chatting with a marr
ied man, in his bed, while his wife stands by.”

  The man had the gall to grin and shrug his shoulders. “You can’t blame me, I didn’t invite them.”

  “You invited them by announcing to the strumpet who flagged you down in the street that you never wanted to marry me. I’m assuming they figure you’ll send me on my way soon and they can form a queue outside your door to be the next Mrs. Caleb Fraser!”

  To his credit, the man did actually look shocked at her words. “Come here, Lily.” He extended his hand toward her. What she wanted to do more than anything was to cross the room and smack him in the face. But with tears forming behind her eyes, any righteous anger on her part would be lost by blubbering all over him. Instead she raised her chin and blinked furiously to erase the tears, not moving from her spot. “What?”

  He’d gone from lying flat on his back to a sitting up position. His wince every once in a while told her he still had a lot of pain. His arm remained extended. “Please?”

  Oh, she knew his tricks. He had certainly mastered them over the years. Each drooling woman who paraded through her house left with shining eyes and flushed cheeks. Caleb Fraser sure knew how to make a woman feel special.

  Except his wife.

  She shuffled over to the bed, feeling like a small child about to be punished for stealing a cookie. “What?” she repeated.

  He took her hand and tugged, so she stumbled and landed practically on his lap. He grunted and his face paled, but he quickly wrapped his arms around her to keep her from escaping. “I never said I didn’t want to marry you. I just agreed with Miss Sanger when we met her in town that my marriage was a surprise.”

  Lily stiffened. “Don’t you realize that saying your marriage was a surprise is the same thing?”

  “You know, I’ll never understand women.”

  She snorted. “It seems to me, Mr. Fraser, that you have quite an understanding of women. The line of females anxious to comfort you in your misery is legendary.”