Page 109 of Conveniently Wed
He stared at the cattle, willing a different answer to show itself to him.
Now that the cattle were in Cheyenne, it shouldn’t have been too difficult to find another buyer, but it could take days to see a deal through.
He’d been planning to hand over the duties to Ricky. His brother was of age, was business-minded enough to handle the transaction.
And now, he was gone.
Which left the duty to Edgar.
He’d promised his pa he would take care of it.
And he’d promised Fran he would take care of her.
“D’you think Fran will wait for me back at the homestead for a couple of days?” he asked Seb.
His brother shrugged. “Don’t see why not. Unless that brother of hers talks her into movin’ on.”
That was a real worry. Daniel didn’t seem to harbor much respect for Edgar, and he could well understand why not. Edgar was sore at himself for putting both girls in danger, and couldn’t forgive himself for letting Fran get hurt.
Would she understand if he asked her not to make any decisions until after he got the cattle sold and got back to the homestead? He hadn’t made the best of showings as a husband and would like her to see him in his familiar surroundings, where he might be able to impress her with his work.
“If I was you, the thing I’d regret most was not asking her,” Seb said.
He slapped his brother on the back. “You are wise beyond your years.”
Seb just grinned. “I know. Don’t tell Ma.”
18
Three days later, finally home, Edgar snuck behind the bunkhouse and eyed the main cabin. Waiting, hoping for a glimpse of Fran.
The early morning light reflected off the kitchen window where his ma usually spent the morning washing up. He couldn’t detect any movement there at all.
Another two weeks and Ma and Pa would be home. Would he have a wife to show off to them?
It had taken a couple days to work out the issues with the cattle buyer. They’d been blessed to find a new buyer when the other backed out.
In the meantime, Fran had agreed to come home to Jonas’s place, her brother and sister tagging along.
Edgar had arrived late the previous evening, and although he’d seen Fran briefly, he hadn’t had a chance to really talk to her. She’d had some leftovers that she warmed on the stove for him and Seb and Matty.
While they’d been settling the cattle deal, it was obvious she’d charmed Davy in their absence. He was all smiles in the bunkhouse the night before, until Edgar had had to tell him about Ricky.
Now that Edgar was home, he was unaccountably nervous.
What if she really couldn’t forgive him for letting Underhill take her, and for his momentary doubt of her trustworthiness?
If she walked away, he would deserve it.
And with her brother there, probably encouraging her to do so, what chance did he really have?
But he wasn’t a kid anymore. When his ma had left him at that orphanage, he hadn’t been able to do anything to stop her.
With Fran, he could try. He could proclaim his love, or at least let her know how he felt and let her make the decision from there.
He had to try.
He looked down at the piece of mirror and straight razor in his hand. Might as well give the best showing he could. Fran had cut his hair, but it was past time that the beard went away.
