Page 37 of Her Gentle Protector
Snarling, Tommy leaped to his feet and assumed a defensive stance. “We were here first...” Surprise flashed across his face before it was replaced with fear.
Baxter emerged from the darkness and into the light cast by the lantern hanging near the stable’s entrance.
“You need to leave now,” Baxter warned, his voice low and menacing. He turned to Petunia, who seemed dazed and confused, but otherwise unharmed. “We’re heading home, young lady.”
Tommy was about to protest, but one look at Baxter made him think otherwise.
“Mr. Hartman, let me explain.”
“I don’t want to hear anything from your mouth except goodbye. You don’t want me to go see your pa.”
Tommy shook his head. “Bye, Pet--”
“Not her. Me.” Baxter stepped forward. “Listen to me, son. Stay away from her. You don’t even think of coming near her before she turns eighteen. Understand me?”
“I hear you.” Tommy turned, and Baxter watched him race into the darkness like a jackrabbit with a coyote on his tail.
“You gonna tell Midge?” Petunia asked, climbing out of the wagon.
“I think she needs to know. If she can’t tell you about proper behavior, then Marmee or Ma can.”
“Nothing was happening. We were just talking about trapping and hunting.”
“Uh-huh.” Baxter turned and pointed a finger in her face. “Let me tell you this. He has nothing to offer you long term. He’s not going to marry you, Petunia, and he was hunting tonight. You were just the prey.”
Petunia brushed his finger aside. “He will marry me. I intend to marry Tommy Moore.”
“Well, you’ll have to wait until you’re old enough and you make your own decisions.” Baxter’s fingers dug into her elbow, steering her towards the front of the old red barn. She struggled to break free from his grasp, her feet slipping on the dusty ground.
“Let go!” she shouted, but he kept dragging her along, his grip tight and unyielding. “You ain’t my Pa.”
“You’re right, I’m not. However, I wish I could be, because then I would make sure that you and all your siblings are taken care of. We’re headed home. Gather up your brothers and sisters.”
“You’re no better than Tommy.”
Baxter paused, swinging her around so he could look at her in the light. “What do you mean?”
“You gave my sister hope and then you took it away. At least Tommy didn’t do that. You say he ain’t gonna marry me, but you ain’t no better. Look at you, giving Midge hope and then breaking her heart. You have no intention of marrying her.” She yanked her arm away and wiped the hot tears rolling down her cheeks. “You ain’t no better.” She lifted her skirt and raced into the barn.
Midge came out a few minutes later with the children. “Petunia said we were leaving.”
“It’s getting late. I’ll take you home. My wagon is over here.” Picking up Abilene, he hoisted her up so her head was resting on his shoulder. He helped the children climb into his wagon, each of them chattering excitedly about the night’s events, unaware of what had transpired between Petunia and Tommy. “Where’s Petunia?”
“She was talking to Marmee.” Midge rubbed her hands. “Bawling really. I’m almost afraid to ask what happened.”
“Found her with Tommy Moore,” Baxter grumbled, struggling to keep his emotions in check.
Midge’s eyes widened. “That poor girl. I hope he does the right thing.”
“They were kissing.”
“Kissing?” With Baxter’s help, Midge climbed into the front of the wagon before he joined her.
“Kissing.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I thought it was something serious. But she’s all right?”
“Seems to be,” he replied, his gaze drifting towards Petunia, who was walking toward the wagon. She climbed in the back and sat silently, staring at her hands. The night had taken an unexpected turn, and now all Baxter wanted was to see Midge and her family safely home.
