Page 41 of Her Gentle Protector
“What do you mean?”
“Why don’t you ask him? The person who purchased the land is coming up the road.”
Midge looked over her shoulder to see Baxter enter the yard riding Knickers.
Baxter?Baxter Hartman had purchased her home and land.
Midge’s chest tightened as she stood in the dusty yard, her fists clenched at her sides. She stared blankly at the rundown ranch house, a sinking feeling of despair settling in her stomach. It wasn’t much, but it was her home.
“Midge. Peter,” he said, stopping next to them. He slid off the horse and dropped Knickers’ lead. “Are you ready?”
“Can you explain this?” She lifted the paper in her hand and waved it.
“I don’t know what that is,” Baxter replied coolly.
“You stole this house from underneath us,” Peter accused him.
Baxter looked around the clearing. “Is that what you think?”
Midge waved the letter again. “It’s all right here. My father wanted to secure his debts with the ranch and work to pay them off. You took that away from him by buying the house and land. You just wanted this property.”
Baxter scoffed. “Yes. I wanted this property because it is so valuable. Look at it, Midge. The house is falling. You can’t grow anything in the field but weeds and poison ivy. The only value are the precious people inside.”
“So, you’re going to kick us out? Right before winter?”
Baxter rubbed his chin. “Did I say that?”
“Well, it is your house. I can’t afford to pay rent.”
“You really think so little of me?”
“I want you to leave, Baxter.”
“I would really like you to come and see...”
Midge inhaled deeply. “You need to go. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
Baxter stood in front of Midge and Peter; his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He studied them both for a moment, then gave a solemn nod. “If that’s what you truly want.”
Midge felt her heart constrict as she met Baxter’s gaze. She couldn’t bear the thought of him leaving, but she knew it was for the best. “It’s what I really want.”
“I don’t think you really mean it, Midge,” Baxter said softly. “But I’ll honor your wishes. I’ll go.” He turned to leave, giving one last glance over his shoulder. “It will be up to you to find me if you change your mind.”
Midge watched him mount his horse and gallop down the dirt road, tears streaming down her face. Peter placed a hand on Midge’s shoulder, his own eyes welling up with emotion. “I’m glad he’s gone,” he whispered. “We don’t need him, Midge. Things will go back to the way they were.”
She crumpled up the paper and threw it at him. “You’re wrong, Peter. We need him. I need him. And things will never be the way they were.”
Chapter Eleven
As Midge lay in bed, she couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt gnawing at her. She didn’t want to get up and face the day, but the children were depending on her. The older children could take care of themselves for a few hours, maybe even a day, but Abilene and Olive counted on her.
She rolled over; her pillow was still damp from her tears. It had been three weeks since the harvest dance, which also meant it had been three weeks since Baxter shattered her heart. He owned their home. Gasping for air, she flopped on her back and decided if she was going to get up or just lay there, praying for the ground to open and claim her. If this was what being in love felt like, she wanted no part of it.
She knew they were trespassing on private property, but she also couldn’t bring herself to leave. Part of her wanted the marshal to come and kick them out, while another part hoped he never showed up. She was torn between obeying the law and following her heart. Her heart wanted to find Baxter and beg him to leave them be.Or kiss her senseless once again and tell her everything would be all right.
Midge started crying again. Large sobs racked her body. She placed her pillow over her head, hoping that it would muffle the sound from her siblings. The sound of a gentle knock and the door creaking open dashed her hopes of being left alone.
“Mo mamay.” The pillow muffled the words.
