Page 495 of Conveniently Wed
Was this baby a blessing? Lorinda hadn’t even thought about anything like that.Yes.She would consider the child she and Mike had created to be a very special blessing.
If only the rest of her life weren’t such a mess.
Franklin paced across the great room of the ranch house. He’d told Mrs. Oleson he wanted to talk to her after she’d taken care of the Sullivan woman. Maybe his housekeeper would have an idea about some place they could take her.
Even though it had been over three hours since they arrived at the house, he still missed the feel of Mrs. Sullivan cradled in his arms. A feeling he couldn’t afford to enjoy. Not if he wasgoing to protect his heart. The sooner the woman was out of his house, the better. He’d get back to his settled lifestyle and forget her. At least, he hoped he could.
Footsteps approached from the hallway that led to the two bedrooms on this floor.Finally.Now he could get this taken care of and return to ranching. Running a spread the size of his took all his concentration.
“There you are, Franklin.” His housekeeper stopped in the doorway. “I’m assuming you want to check on our guest.”
“Of course.” He waved her inside and dropped down on the long sofa covered in cowhide.
Mrs. Oleson sat in one of the two wingback chairs. “She has eaten a bit of breakfast, and she’s fast asleep.”
He nodded. “That’s good.” Maybe now he could forget she was here. And get some work done. “I’ve been trying to figure out the best way we can help the woman.”
The more he said her name, the more she seemed like a good friend. So he’d see how long he could get by without calling her by name.
“I know that what we’re doing right now is helping her a lot.” Mrs. Oleson kept her eyes trained on his face.
He hoped he wouldn’t give away his inner thoughts. But Mrs. Oleson had been with him long enough that she often discerned his thoughts before he spoke them. He got up and went toward the front window. Crossing his arms over his chest, he kept his attention on the great outdoors.
“I wish she had some family, but she indicated she didn’t. I’d be glad to pay her way to wherever she wants to go.” He heard Mrs. Oleson shift behind him.Might as well get it all out in the open. “She can’t stay here.”
The older woman cleared her throat.
He knew she was not going to agree with him, so he turned to face her. “Do you have something you want to say?” He hoped his question would remind her who ran this ranch.
She stood. “Maybe the good Lord had us rescue her for a reason. We mustn’t be too hasty to send her away. Besides the poor dear just lost everything. I think we should help her face the difficulties.”
“We have helped her...a lot.” His statement sounded lame even to his own ears.
Her frown indicated she thought so, too. “I know she’s thankful you saved her life, but this young woman will need a lot of tender care.”
He wanted to sayit’s not our problem, but the glint in Mrs. Oleson’s eyes alerted him that might not be a good idea. “I can talk to her and try to find out where we can send her.”
The frown on his housekeeper’s face deepened. “You’re the boss, Mr. Vine, but there are other factors to consider.”
When she called him boss and Mr. Vine, he knew how strongly she disagreed with him. “What factors?” He tried to smile to soften his words, but it felt more like a grimace.
“She’s been through a lot in the last few months, and this latest thing is really affecting her.” Mrs. Oleson walked over to stand in front of him. “When I took her breakfast tray in, I had heard her cry out for her husband before I got to her door. And she sounded terrified. I think the poor dear was having a nightmare.”
That put a new face on their dilemma. He didn’t have the heart to add to the young woman’s bad fortune. But helping her more would place him in a troubling situation. He was strong, so he could guard his heart and help her a bit.
“If possible, we should offer her shelter for as long as she needs it.” Mrs. Oleson tucked her chin against her chest and waited for him to comment.
She knew he liked to think things through, and evidently, she was giving him time without staring at him.
He turned back to the window. The mountains on the other side of the valley, where his ranch nestled, stood tall. Covered with snow that glistened in the mid-day sunlight, they looked like a fortress protecting his holdings from the rest of the world. How could he not offer protection for a helpless woman and child? The Bible said a lot about taking care of widows and orphans. He knew without a doubt that he needed to help Mrs. Sullivan and her child. But it would take all his strength to keep himself aloof from her. And that was essential to his peace of mind.
Lord, give me strength.
6
Anticipating a visit to five other ranches spread over the valleys in Summit County, Franklin ate an early breakfast and was on his horse Major before first light seeped over the mountain peaks. He’d witnessed the foaling of his red chestnut stallion and had helped train him. He’d trusted his steed with his life on more than one occasion. Often, when he was currying the horse, he’d filled Major’s ears with a problem he was dealing with. Too bad Major couldn’t talk back and tell him what he should do about Mrs. Sullivan. The hard day of riding would give him plenty of time to think about the situation at home. He hoped to come up with some kind of solution before he returned to the Rocking V.
Yesterday, Mrs. Oleson hadn’t been as helpful as he’d hoped she would. Instead of coming up with somewhere to send their unexpected guest, she’d convinced him she needed to coddle the woman. Even called her by her first name.Lorinda.
