Page 16 of The Drifter's Bride
Would you consider running away with me?
Even in his own mind, the words sounded weak.
There was no doubt Addy was a lady. She mentioned coming from Boston. That was a big city, nothing like the small towns in Nebraska. Here, people worked hard for what they had, and although they may not have a lot, they were rich in other ways.
Lukas thought about what made him rich.
He had a wonderful family.
After a misunderstanding that nearly pulled them apart, he and his brother reconciled and were close as they once were growing up.
Elizabet was the sister he never had, and he cared deeply for her.
Ranger was his best friend. He had friends to be sure of when he was traveling around, but he never had a best friend. He knew Ranger when they were just boys, but to pick up as if they never missed being apart a day in their lives was something special.
What would Ranger think of Addy?he wondered.
He knew exactly what his best friend would say. Ranger would fall off his horse laughing and tell Lukas to get his head out of the clouds.
“We are here,” Addy said softly, turning her head. Her braid flicked him in the face, its softness caressing his skin.
He was a fool. Slowing down Hickory as he approached the porch, the door slammed, and Ingrid and Weston rushed outside.
“Where have you been?” Marmee said, rushing down the steps. “I was worried sick.”
“What is this all about, Arkin?” Weston demand.
Lukas gritted his teeth. Weston only called someone by his last name when he was annoyed or angry. Looking at the rancher, he didn’t seem annoyed in the least. Dismounting his horse, he tied Hickory to the hitching post and pulled Addison from the saddle into his arms.
“I think we should discuss it inside, Weston.”
“Oh, my darling,” Marmee said, smoothing Addison’s hair as Lukas adjusted her in his arms. “Whatever happened? How shall I explain this to your father?”
“She’ll be alright, Marmee. How about I put her on the settee?” Making sure that he had her firmly in his grip, he climbed the stairs to the door and then waited for Weston to step back.
Weston looked at Addison’s torn dress and then met Lukas’s gaze with a hard stare before stepping back so they could enter. The Chapman’s house was one great room with hallways connecting all the other rooms. Lukas chuffed his boots on the mat and walked inside.
Next to the gigantic stone fireplace, there were several overstuffed chairs and a long settee. Lukas deposited his precious cargo on the settee and lifted her ankles, allowing her to stretch and be comfortable.
“Oh, Addy!” Marmee fussed as she pushed Lukas aside and kneeled next to her niece. “I was beside myself with worry when you didn’t come home, but your Uncle Weston said that we could not look for you in the storm. What happened?” She picked up Addison’s arms and turned them over, noting the scratches on her arms and hands. “Weston, get my nursing kit.”
Weston didn’t hesitate and raced to do his wife’s bidding, returning with a black leather doctoring bag. Handing it to Marmee, he gripped Lukas’ elbow and tipped his chin back towards the door. “Why don’t we go outside and let Ingrid take care of Addy?”
Lukas winced as Weston’s fingers dug into the tender flesh around his elbow. He didn’t miss the message in his friend’s eyes or words.
“Of course.” Yanking his arm free, he gave a little bow to Addison. “Miss Aland, I’m glad I could help you in your situation. I hope I might see you again under better circumstances.”
Reaching out her hand, she waited until Lukas took it, before giving his hand a quick squeeze. “I don’t know what I would have done had you not come along and rescued me. I may have perished out there all alone in that storm. Thank you for your hospitality last night and for taking care of me and my horse. I appreciate you being a perfect gentleman.”
Lukas pressed his lips on the back of her hand before releasing it. “The pleasure was mine. I’ll go take care of Butterscotch. We should leave shortly to greet the stage, Marmee.”
“The stage?” Marmee’s hand flew to her face. “Oh, the stage! I nearly forgot. Let me get Addison taken care of and I’ll be ready to go. Weston, can you get the buggy ready for me?”
“Of course, Ingrid. Come on, Lukas. Let’s go look at Butterscotch.”
Lukas followed the older man outside and down the steps. Loosening Butterscotch’s reins from Hickory’s saddle horn, Lukas began leading the mare to the barn.
“What happened to the horse?”
