Page 544 of Conveniently Wed
A nervous horse neighed as the stranger Franklin had noticed before led him down a wide plank from the baggage car. Franklin and Harley paused to watch.
“That’s a fine horse he’s got.” Harley recognized good horseflesh, too.
“Yup.”
Before they went into the depot, they both watched as the man mounted and headed down the road toward Breckenridge. The westbound train pulled out of the station, going to the place where it would take the side rails, so the eastbound could come through.
By the time they finished with their business, Franklin held a bag of money, and the eastbound train had arrived. The cattle cars were already attached to the end of the train, and Franklin’s cowhands had loaded most all the beeves into them.
When they finished, he called the men into a huddle over to the side of the train station, away from prying eyes. He paid each man, and the extra hands rode on into Frisco. Several of his ownmen were accompanying the cattle to Chicago. Everything was under control. Gave him a good feeling.
Too bad his family life wasn’t.
He mounted Major and turned toward Breckenridge. First, he’d go to the bank, and he needed to talk to Brian before he returned to the ranch. Franklin wanted things to change, but he didn’t have a clue how that could happen. He’d made such a mess of things. He wanted help, and the only person he felt free to talk to was his pastor, since he would keep everything Franklin told him in confidence.
On the way to Breckenridge, he gave Major his head. They’d had to keep pace with the cattle, and since Franklin didn’t want to run any of the weight off before they were sold, the pace was slow. Major needed a good run, and Franklin enjoyed the dust-free air rushing around him. He slowed down when they reached the outskirts of town. The streets teemed with people. He picked his way through the crowds until he reached the bank. He tied Major’s reins to the hitching rail in front and headed inside. On the ranch, Major was trained to a ground tie, but with all the busyness, he could get spooked.
After depositing most of his money in the bank, he went to the mercantile to pay off the balance his ranch owed. Since he’d been in the saddle so many days, he decided to leave Major tied to the rail by the water trough and walk the few blocks to the parsonage.
Brian answered his knock. “Franklin, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit today?”
“I didn’t know if I’d find you home, but I’m glad I did.” He stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his denim trousers. “I wondered if you’d have time to visit with me a bit.”
“Sure. Would you like to come in? Mary can get us a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.”
Franklin glanced through the doorway, glad Mary wasn’t in sight. “I’ve got a serious problem I’d like to discuss with you.”
“All right. We can go over to the church and visit in the sanctuary, if you’d like.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Brian grabbed his hat, settled it on his head, and the two men went next door. When they stepped into the empty sanctuary, calmness settled over Franklin. Even though he had been wondering if this was the right thing to do, that peace gave him the answer. He needed help, and Brian was a good shepherd for his flock as well as a dynamic preacher.
The minister led the way to the front and took a seat on the first pew. As Franklin dropped down beside him, his eyes were drawn to the stained-glass window behind the pulpit. He’d always loved the depiction of Jesus as a shepherd. He felt as if he would have two people helping him today. He snatched his Stetson from his head and dropped it onto the pew on the side opposite the preacher. Franklin continued to study the window–the staff in one of Jesus’s hands and the lamb cradled in his other arm. The eyes seemed to see right through him. But they were gentle, not condemning.
“Let’s pray.” Brian bowed his head and petitioned heaven for wisdom and guidance.
The words whisked away Franklin’s lingering nervousness. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Time to be honest.
“What’s going on, Franklin?”
Although he expected the question, he wasn’t quite sure how to start telling his pastor. So he began at the point when he and Thomas took Mike Sullivan’s body up the mountain and met his wife. As he continued the story, Brian watched him, taking in every word.
When he got to the part about him asking Lorinda to marry him, he had a hard time forcing the words out. He watched hispastor for his reaction to the agreement they made. At least the man’s expression never condemned him.
“We actually had our first quarrel the evening before I left on the cattle drive. I didn’t know how to make it better.”
“It would be hard with your agreement holding you apart.” Brian’s wrinkled brow indicated how deep his thoughts were. “Go home. Have a private talk with her. Apologize to her for the quarrel. Tell her it was all your fault.”
Franklin dropped his gaze to the floor, wishing he could sink through the boards and disappear. “But–”
“Sometimes, it’s important for us men to take all the blame. It’ll make her feel safe with you. Know that you really don’t want to hurt her. Even show her that you’d lay your life down for her.”
Is that what married men really do?“I didn’t expect this.”
“That’s interesting.” Brian looked him straight in the eyes. “I remember the wedding kiss. That didn’t look as if it was forced. Actually, the temperature in the church went up about ten degrees.” A chuckle accompanied the last statement.
Franklin felt heat creep up his neck and into his cheeks. Since he hadn’t shaved after finishing the cattle drive, he hoped his few days growth made a dark enough beard to hide his embarrassment. “That kiss got away from me. I only meant to give a peck on her lips.”
