Page 14 of Conveniently Wed
She bristled. “I don’t make a practice of telling untruths.”
She could sense that he didn’t believe her. Before she could protest or explain, he changed the subject. “You know how to cook?”
“Not much. But I’m willing to learn.” Fran knew her new husband didn’t believe a word she said.
She didn’t guess she blamed him.
She would do everything she could to make up for the trouble she had caused, even if she was only on his ranch for a few days. She would never be able to repay him for the protection that taking his name had offered both her and Emma.
“Know how to gather eggs out of the chicken coop?”
“No.”
“Know how to butcher a hog?”
She shook her head.
“How about planting a vegetable garden? Riding a horse? Driving a wagon?”
“None of the above.”
“So you’re a city girl?”
“Through and through.” And she could only hope that Mr. Underhill would never think she would take Emma west to a small town like Bear Creek.
And if her new husband hoped to scare her off with a list of chores, he’d better try harder. She would do anything to protect her sister, even work like a dog.
“Emma and I will pull our own weight. We won’t be a burden to you and your family.”
He only harrumphed in response.
The setting sun finally slipped over the horizon, and the night air quickly cooled around them.
“Emma, put your shawl on. And mine too.”
She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Emma complied. Her sister’s silence was unnatural and another niggle of worry slid through her calm facade.
Had something more happened with Mr. Underhill that Fran hadn’t been aware of? Something that had damaged her sister?
The two threadbare garments were the only things the Children’s Help Association had seen fit to give them, other than the dresses and shoes. Although Fran supposed it was almost summer and perhaps they wouldn’t need warmer garments. For now, though, she would hate for her sister to take a chill. Right at this moment, it was the only thing she could do for Emma.
For herself, she simply crossed her arms to ward off the wind that had kicked up.
She refused to ask the man beside her how much longer their ride would be. The question might be seen as a complaint, and she was determined not to cause even that much trouble.
She hoped that if she could hide out for a few days and make a plan for her and Emma, maybe their troubles with Mr. Underhill would be over. His obsession with Emmahadto end now, didn’t it? Even if he found them, they had a place now.
There were still the accusations against her. If Daniel were here, she’d be able to ask her attorney brother how they could be disputed. Of course, if Daniel were here, they wouldn’t be in this mess.
Even with her new husband, the fear that had shaken her in Lincoln wasn’t letting up yet. Especially because the man beside her didn’t really want a wife.
“Here we are.”
The wagon topped a crest and she saw the shadows of several buildings. In the dim moonlight, she thought the sprawling, low cabin must be the main house and the larger buildings across the yard must be the barn and bunkhouse.
Edgar seemed to be waiting for her response, almost as if he expected her to demand he return her to town. It was true the home was certainly more rustic than what she was accustomed to in Memphis, at least from the outside.
But there was no going back for her and Emma.
