Page 21 of The Rancher's Bride
He paused for a minute, then picked up another pitchfork full of straw. “No. It’s just me and Tess. Ma died.”
“I’m so sorry. Was she ill?”
“It was officially mercury poisoning, but I prefer to think she died of a broken heart after Pa died.” Ben couldn’t help but stare at Bethany as she sat on the stool twirling the grass in her fingers. The more he looked at her, the more he realized howmuch he had missed out on when she was last here. Her damp hair was drying and curling around her face. She had scrubbed her skin clean, washing away all traces of mud, revealing peach-hued cheeks and a smattering of freckles across her nose.
She pursed her lips in deep concentration as she watched the blade of grass spin between her fingers. He couldn’t help but groan inwardly at the alluring image she presented. She looked like an angel sitting in the dirty barn.
He felt a wave of guilt wash over him for not noticing her before. Now she was here, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Tell me about yourself,” Ben said softly, trying to distract himself.
Bethany tossed the grass aside and peeked at him from beneath dark lashes. “Well, there’s not much to tell.” She brushed the grass seeds from her hands. “Ma, Tommy and I came here in 1860 on a wagon train to go west. My pa was sick. He got dysentery on the ride from Independence and needed a doctor. The wagon master brought us to this town.”
“That was your pa’s brother, then, on the other side of the river?”
She shook her head, her curls bouncing around her shoulders. “Yes, and no. My real pa… well, my first one, died. The wagon train left us, taking everything we had but a sway-backed horse named Lucy. I named my current horse after her.”
Ben carefully placed the pitchfork against the barn wall and leaned against the wooden railing. His eyes intently focused on her as she wove a captivating tale. His body was still from rapt attention, his mind lost in the world of her words. “What happened to you after that?”
She gave a chuckle. “Ma found the most run down trapper’s cabin you could ever find. I mean, you could stand outside andpeer through two logs and see completely through the cabin at the landscape on the other side. It was dreadful, but she made it home. We stayed there all summer and then winter came.”
“You lived there during winter?”
“Well, for part of winter.” Bethany worked a strand of hair around a finger. “Ma found all these traps along the river. One day she went out there and discovered traps filled with fat rabbits. Since we had had nothing to eat but berries, acorns, and the occasional fish we could catch, those rabbits were the best meal we ever had.”
Ben could see where her story was going. “I bet those traps belonged to the Moore family.”
“They did. When Pa, Joe Moore, found us, we had just cleaned out the traps. Tommy was sick, and Ma was doing the best she could. He took us home with him. Tommy got better, and then Ma and Pa got married on Christmas Eve.” She looked off in the distance, her eyes soft and glossy from remembering. “That was the best Christmas ever.”
“I’m sorry you lost your pa, Beth,” he said softly.
“Me too. Funny, though, I only remember a little about him. I have these vague memories and feelings. I know I’ll see him in heaven again one day. Joe has been everything I could ever want in a pa. Now I have all these aunts, uncles and cousins I would never have had if we continued on the wagon train.” She reached out with her boot and moved the loose hay with her toe. “Do you think God has a bigger plan for us? That’s why he had Ma, Tommy and me come here?”
Ben sat quietly for a moment, contemplating her question. “I suppose I’ve never given much thought to God’s plan,” he drawled. “But hearing your story, I can’t help but think there must be more at work than just chance. Like how you came to behere, and how I was out looking for the goats.”
“Do you like Flat River, Ben?”
“I’ve not been here long enough to decide. The people seem honest and hardworking. A little too nosy for my liking,” he chuckled, “but what can you expect in a small town?”
“Most people stay here for two years and then either go back east or to the west coast. Those who stay seem to put down roots and stay forever.” She put her hands in her lap. “I hope you stay in Flat River.”
Ben felt his pulse quicken at Bethany’s words. He purchased the land because he was tired of moving, but he hadn’t thought about if he wanted to stay in Flat River permanently. Yet something in her gentle way made him want to put down roots. Clearing his throat, he said, “Well, I suppose it depends on if I can find a purpose here.”
He saw her cheeks blush, and he hoped he hadn’t offended her with his words.
“I think you could find purpose here,” she breathed. “The people are kind, and the land is good here too,” she added. “Rich soil for farming, open prairies for grazing. The streams are teeming with fish, and there is an abundance of hunting available. There are good neighbors too. You can meet everyone at the church social next month.” Pushing herself from the stool, she peeked out the half door of the barn. “If it stops raining.”
At that moment, Ben wished it would rain forever. He didn’t want to have to take Bethany home. Having her here felt right somehow. “As soon as it stops, I’ll get you home. I promise you.” Just saying the words out loud felt heavy on his heart. He clenched his jaw tightly so he wouldn’t say anything else.
She turned to look at him. “I wish I could stay here. Your house is so much quieter.” He didn’t respond. He couldn’t. “Oh,I meant to ask how old Tessa was.”
“Fifteen, why?”
“Really? I would have thought she was younger. My sister, Millie, is quite a few years younger than that, but I thought they could have been friends. Perhaps not. It won’t be long before Tessa gets married.” Bethany paused, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
He set his jaw, not wanting to entertain the thought. “I don’t think she will.”
“Why not? Don’t most little girls grow up and dream of getting married? I know I do. I want to have what Ma and Pa have.”
