A Walk in Heaven (6 page)

Chapter Three

When Matthew had mentioned he and his brother were as different as night and day, Careen just thought it was in appearance. Now she knew what Matthew meant. Where her husband had been kind and tender, Joshua was rough around the edges...and extremely rude!

His upbringing couldn’t have been the same as Matthew’s. Her husband had been a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Yet Joshua must have been raised with their cows. Obviously, he didn’t care about other people’s feelings. His answers had been shockingly discourteous, but his tone of voice was even more despicable. Then the accusations he flung at her…

Battling a montage of bitter emotions, she held herself from saying anything. She wanted to defend herself, but in reality, he had rights to his own opinion. At the train station, she’d spotted Joshua immediately. A man so eye-catching and muscular was difficult to miss. Unfortunately, Joshua’s rotten attitude made him considerably less handsome in her opinion. She prayed the rest of his family were more polite, because she didn’t think she could stay with people who didn’t like her.

Although, it took her a few minutes, she reasoned Joshua probably acted this way because of his brother’s death. At least she hoped that’s why he came across as if he hated her.

She feared her stay at Virginia City would not be very long. Yet, returning to Iowa was out of the question. Aunt Charlotte would certainly blame her for Luther’s arrest. Careen’s aunt had always sided with her evil son.

Until she received the money from her inheritance, she had no other place to go but back to Iowa. Being stranded and nearly penniless might be better than imposing on strangers.

As her anger subsided, she finally noticed Montana’s striking scenery. Never in her life had she seen so many rolling hills covered in green, so many colorful purple and yellow flowers in the acres of meadows, and such large trees. Off in a distance, large mountains covered in snow dominated the skyline. Of course, it was early spring, so snow was to be expected up this far north. Today the sky was so blue it mirrored in the small river running beside the trail.
 
Near the water, black and yellow birds perched on the wooden fence chirping a beautiful tune. High on a tall tree, another bird sat proudly, eyeing the group of travelers closely. She couldn’t be certain, but she thought it might be a golden eagle.

The wooden fence seemed to lead the way, and Joshua turned the buckboard toward a side road. Fields as far as the eye could see stretched before her, scattered with hefty cattle. Soon, the dots on the horizon became log cabins littering the land. One very large house stood majestically in the center of a cluster of smaller cabins. The stable was easily recognized with all the wagons beside it.

As they neared the main house, voices rang through the air. “They’re here!”

Careen sat a little straighter, hoping to give a good first impression to the rest of the family since she’d failed to do so with Joshua.

An older woman with a thick waist ushered two small girls out of the house and down the porch stairs. A small wind blew her brown hair with silver stripes around her face, and she tucked the loose strands behind an ear. The girls beside her both wore pink dresses and had matching ribbons that held back their blonde hair in a ponytail.

Two men ran from the field. They were probably close to Careen’s age. A middle-aged man followed, but not as fast. Joshua looked a lot like the older man, and the younger men resembled Matthew quite a bit.

A lump formed in Careen’s throat, not expecting to feel such sorrow when seeing Matthew’s family for the first time. Perhaps coming here had been a mistake. It would be hard to see these people every day and not think of Matthew; the little time they’d spent together had meant so much. It would be even harder to tell them Luther had been responsible for killing their son, and brother.

Joshua stopped the wagon and hopped off, then reached his hands up to help her down. Hesitantly, she slipped her gloved hands onto his shoulders, trying not to meet his eyes as he lifted her from the buckboard. When she did glance at his face, his eyes were on her but quickly moved away.

“Ma,” Joshua began moving away, “this is Careen.”

The older woman stepped toward her with outstretched arms. Tears glistened in Mrs. Grayson’s eyes and her smile quivered.

“Oh, my goodness,” the older woman exclaimed. “You’re more adorable than a baby chick.”

Before Careen could reply or even chuckle, Mrs. Grayson wrapped her arms around her and gave her a welcoming hug. The scent of homemade bread and – Careen breathed deeply – soap enveloped her as she returned the embrace.

Tears sprang to Careen’s eyes. What could this woman be thinking right now? Her son had just died, and here she stood, showing affection to the mail-order bride he’d secretly married the same day of his death. Careen’s heart twisted. And to think this woman had a heart condition! Matthew’s mother must be a very understanding and forgiving woman. This alone, gave Careen hope that the
Graysons
wouldn’t hate her when she told them about Luther.

Mrs. Grayson pulled away and wiped her moist eyes. “Forgive me for being such a sap, but I’m very excited to meet you.”

“As am I, Mrs. Grayson.” Careen released a small laugh and dried her eyes as well.

The older woman flipped a dismissing hand through the air.
“None of that, now.
Around here, just call me Elizabeth.”

Careen nodded.

The older man walked up and stopped beside Elizabeth. Mrs. Grayson tapped the man’s arm. “This is my husband, William.”

Careen put forth her right hand in greeting, but just like his wife had done, he took her in a strong hug. So far, most of the Grayson family was a friendly bunch.

William’s dark hair and eyes resembled Joshua’s. Thank heavens the father wore a genuine smile whereas Joshua didn’t.

When William stepped away, he motioned to the other men who appeared to be about Careen’s age. “My dear, these are Matthew’s younger brothers; Peter and Gage.”

“Nice to meet you,” Careen said with a smile.

They didn’t give her a hug like their parents had but shook her hand. The one named Peter resembled Matthew quite a bit with his wavy blond hair and hazel eyes. Even the crooked tilt to his nose was like Matthew’s. Careen knew it would be hard to look at him without thinking of her husband. Gage was stuck in the middle, resembling his father’s rugged features, yet with a lighter color of hair, and his eyes mirrored his mother’s perfectly.

“And these two adorable girls,” Elizabeth continued, touching each one on the head, “are Joshua’s daughters.
Frances and Jessica.”

Careen bent to their level. “It’s nice to meet you.”

They both smiled, their blue eyes twinkling. Careen could see they had their father’s eyes – even though she didn’t think Joshua’s would ever twinkle like that. They also had his slightly pointy nose.

The one named Frances tugged on Careen’s dress. “Can I call you Aunt Careen?”

Tears sprang to her eyes again. “I would love that.”

Silence crept over the group. Their solemn gazes were pinned to the wagon behind Careen. She peered over her shoulder as Joshua, his father and brothers stood at the back of the wagon, staring at the casket. Tears filled their eyes, and not a word broke the silence as they eased the casket out – two men on each side – and hefted it to their shoulders. Taking calculated steps, they carried Matthew’s body to the stable.

Mrs. Grayson cried softly in her handkerchief as her granddaughters clung to her dress. Careen eyes misted as well, and her lips trembled as she held back from sobbing aloud. Once the men had disappeared inside the stable, Mrs. Grayson cleared her throat.

“All right, let’s adjourn into the house. Lunch is ready, and I’m certain Careen is famished.”

Careen didn’t dare tell her mother-in-law how right she was. During the train ride, Careen had been so nervous about meeting Matthew’s family that she hadn’t eaten much. A bird probably ate more. Now her stomach growled to be fed.

The older woman finally met Careen’s gaze. “Peter and Gage will help Joshua bring in your trunks.”

Careen’s servant walked up to her, but kept quiet. “Elizabeth, this is my maid, Betsy.”

With quivering lips, Matthew’s mother smiled as she shook Betsy’s hand. “I’m glad you came with Careen. I’m sure she was grateful for your company.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”
Betsy bobbed in a small curtsey.

Instead of being shown directly to her bedroom, Careen followed the older woman to the kitchen. Careen’s stomach grumbled at the buffet of food spread across the table, rolls, fried chicken, and an assortment of vegetables.

Elizabeth showed her where the washbasin was, and Careen was more than grateful to scrub away the dust off her face and hands. Betsy washed after Careen was finished, then they both stepped to the table. Elizabeth told them where to sit. Within seconds, the Grayson men clomping their way in, filing to their chairs with efficiency born of habit. Each man’s eyes were red and puffy as somber expressions claimed their face.

Uncomfortable glances from Matthew’s brothers were being tossed her way, and she received the impression something was out of place. Dread sank inside her and she wondered if she’d been placed in Matthew’s old chair. Once William sat, everyone folded their arms and bowed their heads. Although Careen had been raised a Christian, she hadn’t prayed over her food since going to live with her aunt in Iowa. Careen’s heart softened knowing her new family worshipped God.

“Dear Lord,” William began, “we thank Thee for this nutritious food that has been lovingly prepared, and for the many blessings we have been given. We are especially grateful at this time for Matthew’s wife, Careen, for her company and her love. Please, Lord let us feel
Your
presence during our time of sorrow, so that we may be able to get through this trial. Amen.”

Careen mumbled
Amen
as gratitude – and guilt – choked her throat. How sweet of Matthew’s father to pray for her, yet her conscience nagged that they only did this because they didn’t know about Luther.

Finally Elizabeth lifted her head and met Careen’s eyes. “My dear, how was your train ride?”

“Long, but fine, thank you.” Careen placed the linen napkin on her lap. “The porters and conductor were very accommodating, I must say. They treated me with respect.”

“The last train ride I took,” William added, “I noticed how very polite the porters were, as well.”

She smiled and nodded, realizing this conversation was almost as uncomfortable as talking about the weather to strangers. Then again, that’s what she was to them.

“I must compliment your beautiful ranch. Granted, I’ve never set foot in one before, but truly, your land is amazing, and so very beautiful. Literally, seeing it for the first time took my breath away.”

William and his sons puffed their chests, resembling proud peacocks, and rightly so since they had done an exemplary job keeping their ranch in tip-top condition.

“So
Careen
,” Peter spoke. “What part of the south are you from?”

“Charleston, South Carolina, born and raised, in fact.”