The Brides of Chance Collection (85 page)

Logan kept his trap shut and thought about it. Of all his brothers, Bryce understood him the best and bothered him the least. He’d be fairly quiet, and besides, he usually went along with whatever Logan decided anyway. Plus, it was a six-day trip, and he could use some company on the way. Sounded good to him.

“We’d feel more comfortable with two of you going,” Alisa encouraged Bryce.

“I’ll send off the letter tomorrow making arrangements,” Lovejoy determined. “There’s not a moment to lose!”

“Time for an official vote.” Gideon called them to order. “All in favor of Bryce and Logan visiting Salt Lick Holler for the summer after the calving season, put up your hands.”

Logan watched everyone vote for his adventure and gave Bryce an apologetic smile as he followed suit. It was settled. They’d both go.

“Wait, Hattie!” Hattie turned to see Nate Rucker rushing up to her.

“Was thar sommat else I should know ’bout the babe, Mr. Rucker?” Hattie’s smile fled. Abigail Rucker was due any week now, and Hattie had taken to checking up on the woman almost every day. She seemed fine when Hattie left her just moments ago.

“Nah. Abigail and I are beholden to you for yore care. Yore a fine healer.” He put his hands on his knees to catch his breath. “It’s jist that thar’s a letter for you and Widow Hendrick. I plumb fergot about it on account of the babe.”

He handed her a slightly smudged envelope. Hattie recognized the fancy paper and loopy print as being from Lovejoy.

“Thankee for yore quick memory, Mr. Rucker.”

“Welcome. I’ve gotta go, but I’ll be seein’ ya afore long.” He gave a jaunty wave and turned back, leaving Hattie to her thoughts.

It was Nate and his wife’s first babe, scarcely a year into their marriage. They’d moved into Hattie’s old home when she went to live with Miz Willow. Now the place would have the child she’d never been able to bear. It would be a real home. Such bittersweet thoughts, but at least she’d have a hand in bringing the babe into the world. That was something to make her give thanks.

“How’s Abigail Rucker doin’ this fine spring day?” Miz Willow asked as soon as Hattie stepped inside.

“Restless as a raccoon in a river, but farin’ well.” Hattie smiled and brought out the envelope. “I’ve got sommat for you!”

A grin broke across the widow’s face, deepening the lines given to her by years of honest living and laughter. “How nice. How ’bout you read it to me? It’d be good practice.”

Hattie slid a finger beneath the corner of the delicate paper and lifted open the glued flap of the envelope. She pulled out the sheet of paper, unfolded it, and carefully shaped the words with her mouth as she read it aloud:

Dear Miz Willomena and Hattie
,

Praise be that th’ whooping cough has ended. I keep you in my prayers ev’ry day. Thankee for the valerian root you sent. Little Polly says it holped with ’er head poundin’s. Yore so good to us
.

Night past, we was talkin’ ’bout how much Salt Lick Holler has sent down to
Reliable, and we come ta the truth that we ain’t returned the favor. Important as it is to keep strong ties with yore kin, we wish to rectify our negligence. (Lookie thar—
Delilah learned me that word. Means we ain’t been watchin’ out like we should.)

Hattie stumbled over the bigger words and sounded out the new one. “Well, live and learn. That thar’s a fancy phrase.”

The widow was obviously pleased with both her students—Lovejoy for making good use of her lessons, and Hattie for learning them.

“You want I should keep on?” Hattie wondered if Miz Willow would like to read the letter herself, seeing as how it was a real link between her and her friend. Letters were special, something to touch and still almost hear a voice, too.

“Please do.”

Tempy an’ Lois are expectin’ again, so’s none of us cain come down. ’Sides, we don’t know what good could come a leavin’ all the young’uns with Obie, Hezzie
,
and Mike. So’s the best we cain send you is our love
.

But Logan and Bryce Chance (Dan’s least brothers) are fine young lads with
God in thar hearts and adventure in thar eyes
.

Hattie paused as she saw the next line, then kept on.

Iff ’n yore agreeable, they’d like to visit come end of spring thru summer. Bryce charms anything with fur or feathers, and Logan does better with folks with two legs. I was thinkin’ they could sleep in yore barn, and in return for their keep
,
they’d be happy to holp any way they could—huntin’, fishin’, buildin’, choppin’
,
an’ such
.

Pray on it. You both have to be fine with it. I know Hattie’s still a bonnie young lassie, so’s it may be awkwart ta have them around her. They’re right respectful bucks, but none of ourn want to impose. All our love regardless of yore decision
.

Forever yores
,
Lovejoy Chance

“Well, I’ll be.” Miz Willow just rocked in her chair, looking thoughtful.

Hattie didn’t venture much of an opinion but pointed out, “That’s jist a few weeks from now, I’d imagine.”

“True, true. We’d hafta git ready mighty quick.” The widow caught her gaze. “Iff ’n you say it’s fine by you.”

Rather than just agree as the widow obviously wanted, Hattie thought about it for a minute. She’d gone through so much change in the last two years and finally settled here. She had everything she could want and praised God for it. Did she really want two young men stepping into their lives and setting the whole holler aflutter?

It wasn’t her first choice, but then again, it wasn’t her decision. It was Miz Willow’s. Besides, there was plenty to keep her busy and out of their way.

“No skin off my nose, Miz Willow. I cain think on a few gals who’d be mighty pleased to hear ’bout two new fellas comin’ for a visit.”

Widow Hendrick nodded. “And I know Silk Trevor will want ta know the type of folks who’ve taken her nieces into their family. Come to think on it, so do I.” She rocked a bit more and reached for a pencil and paper. “So do I.”

The barbed wire bit through the tough leather the moment Logan looked away. He tugged the glove off with his teeth and sucked on his finger ’til the bleeding stopped, then kept right on mending the fence.

Served him right for daydreaming on the job. He’d been wondering what the mountains were like, whether the train would feel as quick as a fast gallop, if all the folks in Salt Lick Holler would sound like Lovejoy—gentle and kind of musical. What did the men do to pass the time? How did everyone make a living?

He’d know the answers soon enough, but for now he needed to keep his thoughts on the work at hand. Otherwise he’d end up like Paul—everyone knew back in his courting days that he’d fallen off his horse and broken his arm because he was busy thinking about Delilah.
Well, at least I’m not being distracted over a woman
.

He heard Bryce coming before he saw the horse and winced. They’d started in the middle, and both were supposed to reinforce two miles’ worth of the safeguard. Logan blamed his slow pace on his oft-pricked fingers.

Bryce swung out of the saddle and came over to help him finish up. They worked side by side until the job was done. Not a word passed between them. After they finished, they sat and guzzled some lukewarm water from their canteens.

“How long you gonna be mad at me for something I had no control over?” Logan decided it was time to clear the air. Bryce had been even quieter than usual the past month—ever since the Chance clan had decided they’d both go to Salt Lick Holler if the Widow Hendrick and Hattie Thales let them.

Bryce blinked, then drew his bandanna across his forehead. “I’m not mad at you, Logan.”

“Then why’ve you been so all-fired quiet lately?”

“I’ve never been much of a talker. You know that.”

“But you always talked to me.” Logan grumbled this, not wanting to sound too whiny.

“What’s done is done, little brother.” Bryce slugged him on the shoulder. “It’s not what either of us thought it’d be, but I won’t be the hitch in your plans.”

“Thanks.” Logan’s voice went gruff as he thought about how his brother was willing to take this trip for him, even though Bryce would always be happy to stay at home— well, in the barn, anyway. “I’m glad that’s settled.” He got up and dusted off his seat.

“Who says it’s settled?” Bryce grinned as they went back for their horses. “Maybe they won’t want us.”

“Now why would you say something that crazy?” Logan grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “Who wouldn’t want us?”

Chapter 4

Dear Lovejoy and Chance Family
,

Sorry bout my writin—I’m new at it but Miz Willow says I don’t git nough times to practice, so here goes
.

We’re glad the valerian roots holped Miss Polly’s head and have sent more along with some rusty rye. Already used some of this batch last year on one of

Silk Trevor’s daughters—Katherine. She’s delivered of a healthy son an she says to make shore I tole you to tell Obadiah MacPherson she’s named her chile after him. She says Hezzie and Mike ’re next since she’s done run outta names from her man’s kin
.

Everyone’s all aflutter here bouts since we tole em how Logan and Bryce’ll be comin. We figgur iff ’n y’all write back rite quick we’ll know they’re comin bout a week afore they git here in the end of May. Sowry we cain’t offer nuthin better’n a barn for ’em, but I’ll clean out the loft and make it as nice as I cain. Miz Willow reckons a barn were good nuff for Jesus Hisself so it’ll do jist fine
.

We cain’t hardly wait to meet you boys! Everyone’s excited. The mensfolk plan on takin you hunting and the women want to have a doin’s to celebrate yore arrival, but Widow Hendrick tole em they’d hafta wait til yore a bit more settled
.

God be with you all
.

Truly Yores
,
Hattie Thales and Willomena Hendrick

Logan gave a whoop as Lovejoy finished reading the news, then reached for the letter. He reread it quickly and gave a silent prayer of thanksgiving.

Lord, it wasn’t easy coming to this decision, much less convincing the others to support it. You’ve warned that the road we are to follow is narrow and hard, not simple. But now my journey begins, and I ask for Your continued guidance so that I follow Your will. I pray I’ll be of use to the folks in Salt Lick Holler so this journey is fruitful. Amen
.

“Perfect. This is going to be so much fun.” He slapped Bryce on the back. “They even want to throw us a shindig.”

“Now you
know
they haven’t met us.” Bryce’s grin belied the words.

“They will soon enough.”

Hattie eyed the lopsided old ladder with misgiving. The rest of the barn had been kept up well, but the loft hadn’t been used in a coon’s age. She’d been working at the building steadily since they’d received Lovejoy’s letter. She’d swept, scrubbed, laid fresh hay, and was running out of other things to tackle.