Page 17 of The Drifter's Bride
“I think it threw a shoe, but I’m not sure. I didn’t have time to really examine her.” When they got to the barn, Lukas handed the horse over to one of the stable boys. “Have Oliver look her over and check out her right front foot. I think she may have bruised her leg. It’s swollen in the hock area.”
Once the boy moved the horse to a stall, Lukas turned back to face Weston, who was leaning against a pole with his arms folded over his broad chest. Lukas couldn’t help but think that he looked formidable, and was glad that his conscience was clear.
“I need you to be very careful in the words that you choose while you tell me what happened.” His words were as cool as the water running in the creek.
“I found her with her foot stuck in a rabbit hole about a quarter mile from my shack. The horse was lame, and she couldn’t ride it.” Weston nodded for him to continue. “She had been stuck for a bit. She tore her dress on the bushes, and her foot is bruised. I was bringing her home when the sky opened. I thought you’d prefer I give her shelter than try to get her here and risk her getting pneumonia.”
“I know Ingrid wouldn’t want to explain to her brother that his only daughter became ill within a week of arriving here.”
Lukas scrubbed his jaw. “No, sir. I’m sure she wouldn’t.”
Weston nodded once and then raised an eyebrow. “I am fairly sure you were off last night.”
Lukas laughed. “How often do you find me in the fields on my nights off? I was restless thinking about this morning. I wanted to be under the stars. Then I was restless because of the storm. I thought I had heard something while I was out there. Turns out it was a good thing I headed back home instead of sticking it out.”
“It is that. Addison is here until October and then will be returning to Boston. Best to stay away from her, son. Her father is very clear that she will return.”
“Seems to me she’s an adult and can make her own decisions.” Lukas couldn’t decide if Weston was worried about someone taking advantage of her while she was visiting, or if he was just being overprotective. Although if Peter and Elizabet had a daughter, Lukas would be extremely protective of his nieces, so he could understand the man’s feelings. “I’ll stay clear. I’m going to meet the stage with Marmee this morning. My prospective bride is supposed to arrive on it.”
Weston visibly relaxed. “Ingrid fancies herself something of a matchmaker now. I suggest if she has found you a match, that you don’t let any grass grow under your feet. If you delay, you might find out you won’t have an intended for very long.”
“How so?”
“Son, there is an entire group of men anxiously waiting, or dreading, Ingrid finding them a match as well. If you don’t jump on marrying the woman that arrives today, some other man will snatch her up, guaranteed.”
Aunt Ingrid had just finished filling the soaker tub for Addison’s bath. Addison couldn’t believe that they had hot water running into the house.We aren’t heathens, Aunt Ingrid explained.
Hot running water was still a scarcity in Boston, with many houses not even having indoor water. It seemed Uncle Weston subscribed to newspapers from all over the United States, and there was an article that mentioned coils running behind an iron stove that used the heat from the stove to warm the water. It saved Aunt Ingrid hours of warming up water on the stove in pots.
What a superb novelty, Addison thought. The water still had to be carried to locations in the house, but having the water preheated certainly made the task easier.
“When you are done, turn this knob and the water will drain out that pipe into the vegetable garden.”
“Really?” Addison hobbled over to the tub and peered at a pipe jutting from the bottom of the tub and disappearing through the wall. “How marvelous.”
“Here’s your soap, towels, and a dressing gown. When you are done, I want you to go directly to bed. I must get to town. There is a stagecoach arriving and they don’t wait for anyone. I’ll stop and see Doc and have him come by to check on you.”
Addison was sure that her aunt hadn’t taken a breath since her return. “Honestly, Auntie…”
“Nonsense, child. I must make sure you are alright. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Aunt Ingrid.” Addison dipped her fingers into the warm water and swirled them around. “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Lukas mentioned something about going to meet a woman on the stage.”
Marmee blinked several times. She reminded Addison of her father when he was trying to avoid a question.
“Lukas? That’s very familiar.”
“I should say Mr. Arkin.”
“Yes, you should. And don’t worry about him. It was fortunate he found you. I advise you to stay away from Mr. Arkin and all the cowboys on this ranch.” Aunt Ingrid picked up the torn gown from the floor. “I’ll wash this and use it for scraps or something. It is a shame to waste this lovely fabric.”
“Why are you meeting the stagecoach? Does this have something to do with your matchmaking business?”
Her aunt paused at the door and turned to look at Addison. “Who mentioned that?”
