Page 32 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“I’m Jayce Addington. Going to a job at the Bar B Bar.” The statement hung with a question at the end.
Della understood that Andy was reluctant to give much information. But he had to be civil.
“I’m Andy. And this is my wife. We’re headed home.”
“Ma’am.” Jayce considered them a long silent moment. “Mean you no bother.”
Andy inhaled slowly and released his breath in a whoosh. “I apologize. We’ve had a bit of trouble and it’s made us cautious.”
“I can ride on ahead if it would make you feel better.”
Andy glanced at Della before he answered. He must have seen an answer she didn’t give. “No, it might make us more comfortable to know there was another person in our midst. I’m from the Shannon ranch which is south of the Bar B Bar. Welcome to the area.”
“You mind telling me what kind of trouble you’re meaning? Just so I know to be prepared.”
Della bit her lip. There were things she didn’t want anyone else to know—her stupidity in believing Mr. Hartman’s letters, how she’d hidden in Andy’s wagon, the threats Mr. Hartman had made.
She nudged Andy slightly, hoping it would communicate her thoughts to him.
He pressed his elbow to her. She hoped that meant he understood. “We were in Dundare and encountered a man who took a fancy to my wife. He made it clear that if I was dead, he would claim her.” Andy touched his throat. “Tried to choke me. Some cowboys corralled him and have him in custody.”
Della shivered at the raw memory.
“I’m sorry to hear that. This scoundrel got a name?”
“Mr. Hartman.”
“I’ll know better than to have any dealings with the man.”
They rode on in silence for a spell. It was comforting to have someone else along in case they were followed. She glanced back. No rider approached. She put the axe on the floor where she could easily reach it. It felt safer with Mr. Addington riding beside them, even if he was a stranger and as such, should be treated with caution.
She ducked her head to hide a smile. Despite their short acquaintance, Andy was no longer a stranger. In fact—she sat up straight—he was her husband. What an odd thing.
Thankfully no one asked her what was going through her head. Instead, the men talked about the country. Andy told Mr. Addington about the fire and the scattered cows. The men commiserated about the dry conditions and discussed the fate of the cattle industry if the conditions continued.
They reached a stream and stopped to rest the horses and eat a cold lunch. Andy offered to share their provisions with Mr. Addington, but he said he had his own supplies.
Mr. Addington sat apart from Andy and Della. Nevertheless, she made sure to keep Andy between her and the other man.
They had traveled an hour after their break when Andy pointed to the right. “You go that direction over the hill, it’s the shortest way to the Bar B Bar.”
“Thank you kindly.” The man waved goodbye and rode away.
Despite knowing that he was added protection, Della sagged like she’d been holding her breath for a long time.
Andy chuckled. “I get the feeling you aren’t sorry to see him go.”
“I—well.” She sighed. “It just felt awkward.”
“I think I’ll take that as a compliment.”
She laughed at the way he waggled his eyebrows. “Take it any way you like.” She wasn’t about to admit that she felt safe with him and studied the landscape more intensely than she had since they left town. “It sure is dry. Doesn’t it ever rain?”
“We had some good soakers during the summer. In fact, Riley and his wife, Olivia, were caught out in the open in a rainstorm.” He grinned. “It appeared to do them good.”
“Riley’s married?” Somehow, the way he’d talked about his brothers, she expected they’d all be single. Living in a bunkhouse like those she’d read about inMen of the Weststories.
“All my brothers are. Matt married Gwen mostly to get a mother for little Lindy. Then Luke, not to be outdone by his twin brother, sent for a mail-order bride by the name of Honor. That looked like it would be a disaster when he learned she wasn’t what he’d expected, but it turned out all right. Riley didn’t like being left out and having to make his own meals, so he sent for a mail-order bride too. Only a substitute came. He did not like that one bit. But Olivia turned out to be exactly what he needed. I’ve hired Mrs. Bennet to cook and keep house for me so I don’t need a wife.”
