The Brides of Chance Collection (81 page)

Each of the men had a bedroll tied to his saddle, but the two horses that carried supplies on the way to Fort Point now bore packs with things the men had bought in San Francisco. Imagining Lovejoy’s delight at what he’d gotten for her, Dan rode on.

When they reached the ranch, Gideon and Paul both vaulted out of their saddles and swept their wives into whirling hugs. Dan dismounted and immediately had a daughter wrapped around each leg. Lovejoy remained in the vegetable garden and simply waved at him. In the past this reception had felt empty—he’d keenly suffered Hannah’s loss. This time he didn’t mind. With the certainty of a man who’d found his mate, Dan knew the next homecoming he’d have Lovejoy in his arms.

After the men had taken long, hot baths and eaten a savory meal, the Chances remained around the table. Gideon started by handing a paper-wrapped parcel to Alisa. “Titus placed this order. Hope it’s all right.”

Alisa murmured her thanks, opened the package, and let out a cry of delight as a sand-colored, merino wool shawl spilled into her lap. “Oh, it’s so soft! Thank you!”

Miriam and Delilah both accepted dresses from their husbands with voluble delight.

Polly and Ginny Mae tore the paper off their package: a new children’s game called Snakes and Ladders. Eager to play it right away, they danced about while Titus read the instructions and Delilah arranged the pieces on the board.

While they were occupied, Daniel put a package in Lovejoy’s arms. She gave him a stunned look. He grinned. “Go on ahead. Open it.”

“It’s for me?”

“Of course it is.”

She looked bewildered. “Ain’t niver gotten a present afore.”

“Then it’s well past time.” He motioned for her to get started. The fact that she’d not experienced such simple delights bothered him. Daniel promised himself then and there that he’d make up for all the birthdays and Christmases she’d done without.

Lovejoy painstakingly unknotted the twine, wound it about her fingers, and tucked it in her pocket. “Cain use that later.” Likewise, she unfolded the paper carefully. “This here paper’s enough for letters and envelopes for months to come.”

“Hurry, Lovejoy. We wanna play our game!”

Lovejoy gasped as the burgundy leather satchel came into view.

“When I fixed the latch on your other satchel, I noticed the tapestry was getting frayed.” Daniel said the words in a low tone.

She ran her fingers over the beautifully tooled leather. Tears glistened in her eyes, turning them molten, and a beguiling pink suffused her cheeks. Looking up at him, she said, “Thankee, Dan’l. ’Tis enough to steal my breath.”

“I knew you’d be able to use it.”

She nodded. “When I go back home, it’ll remind me of you.”

When I go back home. When I go back home
. The words echoed in her mind as Lovejoy tried to fall asleep in the above-the-ground bed back in the room she shared with baby Caleb. She flipped over and stared at the rafters. Admitting to herself that lying here was useless, she dressed and went for a walk. She ended up out on her favorite bench by the bend in the creek.

“Lord, I’m in terrible trouble here. Terrible. I’m needed back home. Widow Hendricks cain’t last long, and it’s just plain wrong to leave the folks in Salt Lick without a healer. When I started learnin’ my yarbs, I pledged to Thee that I’d minister in Thy name and touch in Thy loving care. Well, far as I cain see, that sends me right back home.

“Only it don’t seem like home no more, God. That’s the problem. Well, that’s part of the problem. See, my heart’s here in Reliable. Tempy’s gonna end up in the family way and will need my holp. Mama put her in my care long ago, and now it’s not feelin’ right to leave her. And the other folk here, they need my holp, too.

“And bein’ dead-level honest, Father, somewhere along the line, I done lost my heart. Dan’l is a fine man—and I love him. I know he’s not interested in me for more than a friend; that’s a sore spot, but I reckon I cain settle for that. It’s plenty more than I ever had. His daughters are a joy, and he’s needin’ holp with ’em.

“It’s nigh unto tearin’ my heart in twain. I need to go, but I’m a-longin’ to stay. Thou knowest best, but I’m beggin’ you to ease my heart and mind so I cain do what’s right. Amen.”

“We’ve taken a vote,” Daniel announced at the breakfast table the next morning. He gulped down a bite of Delilah’s incomparable flapjacks and stared at Lovejoy. “You’re to stay here.”

“It wasn’t just the Chance men who voted, either.” Miriam held Caleb in one arm while drizzling syrup on Ginny Mae’s flapjack.

Logan groused, “Women voting. What’s the world coming to?”

“It makes sense for you to stay,” Daniel continued, ignoring his brother. “You’ve filled that loft with all sorts of stuff. Folks come here for you when they need assistance.”

“And we love having you here.” Alisa cradled Tobias close to her bosom. “You’ve made all of the difference.”

“Now hold yore horses. God makes the difference—not me. I’m nothing more than a plain, old hillbilly woman with a knack for usin’ yarbs.”

Daniel studied her from the top of her shiny, fawn-colored hair down the length of her peachy dress. “Only a blind fool would call you plain or old.”

“So it’s settled,” Bryce cut in. “You’ll stay here.”

“I’ll think on it.”

An hour later, Bryce shouldered Daniel. “She’ll think on it. I’m trying to decide whether that’s a good or a bad thing.”

“We have time. She promised to stay until Delilah has her baby. No use rushing her. I’m going to sneak into her heart one step at a time.”

“We come to fetch ourn.” Obie MacPherson’s comment rumbled through the barnyard. Eunice sat beside him on the buckboard and nodded.

“Lovejoy is settled in nicely here,” Miriam protested.

“She belongs with her kin.”

“Now, Obie,” Delilah reasoned, “we all understand she’s Tempy’s sister. You have to admit, the women of both families have been doing plenty of visiting back and forth.”

Lovejoy felt Ginny Mae and Polly clutching her skirts.

Obie turned his gaze on her. “I pledged to Mike that I’d fetch you back. Your place is with kin. Tempy’s setting up a place in the first cabin. You cain put all your healin’ stuff there. Folk’ll learn to come call for you there if ’n they’s a-needin’ holp.”

I prayed, Lord. I asked Thee to let me know Thy will. Thou art taking me away from
Daniel. Thou art taking me away from these girls. Give me grace to do this
.

She squared her shoulders. “I’ll pack up.”

Chapter 21

G
one?” Daniel roared the word in disbelief. He stomped into his daughters’ cabin and looked upward at the loft where Lovejoy kept her healing supplies.

Empty. Not a berry, scrap of bark, leaf, or vial remained. His heart felt just as empty.

“You was supposed to make her stay,” Bryce said from the doorway.

“I’m sure she’ll come visit,” Miriam soothed.

Dan didn’t bother to hide his glower. “What do those sneaky varmints think they’re doing, dragging her away from us like she’s some kind of pup and they get the pick of the litter? She’s a woman—my woman.”

“Yes, but—” Miriam began.

“I’m getting her back.”

“We’ll watch the girls for you,” Delilah volunteered.

“Nope. I’m taking them with me. She can’t resist them.”

Miriam planted herself directly in front of him. “You’re doing nothing of the kind.”

Dan lowered his voice. “Miriam, I loved your sister, and I was a good husband to her. Hannah’s passed on. It’s no insult that I’ve fallen in love again.”

A bittersweet smile lit her face. “I’ve been praying you’d find happiness, Dan. I don’t begrudge you that at all. It’s just that though Lovejoy loves Polly and Ginny Mae, you don’t want her to think you’re after a nanny. Either you go on your own, or you shouldn’t go at all.”

He gave her a quick hug. “I’ll bring her back.”

The stool teetered beneath her feet as Lovejoy reached to hang a bunch of leaves.

“Obie pounded them up there for you, hisself,” Lois said as she handed up another bunch.

“It was shore clever of him to bend them so’s they make hooks. It’s right handy.”

“Tempy tole him to put in lots.” Eunice stayed over by the stove and took out a loaf of bread. “Obie started funnin’ her, on account it’s gonna look like a dyin’, upside-down garden in here.”

“But it all smells so good.” Tempy inhaled deeply.

“That’s my cookin’, not the plants and such.”

Lovejoy forced a smile. The easy companionship and contentment at the MacPherson spread was an answer to so many of her prayers. God had graciously blessed the gals and settled them into loving marriages. In truth, that’s what Lovejoy had asked of the Lord when she set out on this trip.

I got no business, askin’ or wantin’ anything more
.

“…pintail ducks and pheasants. They had themselves a great time.”

“Hmm?” Lovejoy realized she wasn’t keeping up with the conversation.

“Chances took down as many as our men. Smokehouses are gonna be full unto bustin’.”

“That’s the last of it,” Eunice called up. “Got every last thing put away now.”

“A letter came for you, Lovejoy.” Tempy helped her big sister hop down from the stool and gave her the folded paper.

Running her fingertip over the edge of the page, Lovejoy smiled. The spidery script brought back pleasant memories of Widow Hendricks writing labels to paste on jars and vials. Wheat flour, a pinch of salt, and water mixed together made the paste for those labels, just as it sealed the carefully folded edges of the letter. No one back home used fancy stationery and envelopes like the Chance women did.

“Widow Hendricks sent all sorts of yarbs on Alisa Chance’s behalf,” Lovejoy said as she carefully coaxed open the paper. “And the Chances holped me gather and send back a whole crate in return.”

“That’s fitting,” Lois said. “What with her spinebone being so twisty, she prob’ly won’t be able to keep up on stock.”

“I know.” Lovejoy sighed. “I’m frettin’ over how thangs are back in Salt Lick.”

“You promised you’d stay for Delilah’s birthing.” Tempy gave her a startled look. “You won’t go back on your word.”

“ ’Course not. I aim to get busy and gather up sufficient for Reliable and Salt Lick, though.”