Page 5 of The Drifter's Bride
“You wouldn’t have a problem raising someone else’s children?”
He couldn’t help but think of Peter’s reaction to finding out he was going to be a father. Excitement, of course, but even now there was pure terror behind his brother’s eyes.
Both women held intrigue, but he also knew a widow would be less likely to judge him for his past. Lukas thought about Joseph Moore, who married a woman that her wagon train had abandoned after her husband died.
Regina was living in a ramshackle cabin by the river with her two children when Joe Moore, a local trapper, found them in the middle of winter. Without Joe rescuing them, they would have frozen to death before spring. Joe married Regina and came to love her children as his own. No one would question who their Pa rightfully was.
Lukas didn’t think he’d have a problem raising another man’s child if the man was deceased.
“No ma’am. I don’t think I would.”
“But you hesitated. It is alright to have doubts.”
“I was just thinking of Joe and Regina.”
“A wonderful couple. It was a blessing that he found her and the children when he did.” Marmee leaned over and patted his arm, her dark curls bouncing beneath her leather hat. “Excellent talk, Lukas. I have some thinking to do. Children need stability and surety after all.”
“Whatever you think is best, ma’am. Did you need help in the garden as well, or that was just your clever way of taking us from sight?”
“Actually, I have one other thing to discuss with you.” She smiled and he could see why the men respected her, but occasionally spoke with concern about her sharp intellect. “Weston and I have discussed it. We would like to offer you one of the line shacks that sit on the border of our lands. I know that you have just finished the renovations at your brother’s home, however, I know full well that even when you don’t work, you still bed down in the fields. This will allow you to have a space of your own, especially if you are getting a wife. Women don’t always agree on decorating and such things.”
“I don’t accept charity.” His chin tipped upward slightly.
“Of course not, but you work enough on our land that I feel it’s necessary to provide you a place to stay, as I do with all our hands.”
Weston Chapman’s voice startled him, and it took everything Lukas had as he tried not to flinch. Where had he come from?
“I don’t work for you.” Lukas spoke evenly, turning to look at the man.
“And I do not work for you. However, we share the load and I feel that putting you directly between both pastures benefits each of us. One of my hands passed away and his cabin is solid. It just needs to be cleaned up. His daughter married the stable master. We can take a ride over there and look at it. It will also give me a chance to talk to you about the cattle sale in a few weeks.”
Lukas suddenly felt like a bug stuck in a spider web. The Chapmans were a good couple. They had outsmarted him. He needed Marmee’s help, and he respected Weston too much to disrespect him. Even if it would be unintentional.
Lukas scratched his cheek as he looked at the pair. “If you think that’s best, I’d be happy to put your mind at ease, and perhaps discuss purchasing the shack from you for permanence’s sake.” He would not take it for free. There would be some way to repay this kindness.
“Let me get my horse saddled and we’ll ride over there. If it works out, you can move in the next time you aren’t working.”
Weston extended his hand, and Lukas had no other choice but to shake it.
Chapter Three
Late May, Boston
Addison knocked on the doorframe of her father’s study and waited for him to acknowledge her. She couldn’t stand the tension any longer. Papa had been hiding in his study and Mama had taken to her bedroom with the vapors. She hadn’t come from her room since the day Addison insisted she would not marry Carlton Kendrick. Addison tried to stay out of everyone’s way.
Her brothers had left, and Addison tried not to let it bring her down. They were off on a fabulous adventure, and she was still stuck in Boston, avoiding Carlton who insisted on coming every Sunday after church to call. Addison was running out of excuses.
She simply couldn’t be married off to such a man. Whereas the ladies in town might swoon over his wet lips and limp handshake, she just shuddered at the thought of Carlton ever touching her.
It was more than just being sold off as a business investment to secure her and Mama’s future. Addison wanted to marry for love. She wanted to marry someone like the men she read about in the penny novels. A robust man who wasn’t afraid to stand up for what was right. Someone who would protect the woman he loved.
Addison snorted lightly. She couldn’t imagine Carlton protecting anything but his snuffbox, and the strange little dog that reminded Addison more of a rodent than a true canine.
“I heard you, Addy.” Papa’s voice boomed from his study.
“May I come in?” Addison didn’t wait. Papa had acknowledged her presence, and that was good enough for her. She walked across the floor, her footsteps muffled by the plush carpet. Papa’s head was still lowered, looking at whatever papers lay on his desk. She silently slid into the chair across from him and settled down, crossing her ankles before tucking them out of sight.
“Come in.” He looked up. “Oh, I see you are here already.”
