Joe's Wife (18 page)

This misunderstanding was the buffer she needed to keep things safe. As long as he was angry at her and thinking she was ashamed of him, she didn't have to deal with her feelings. And right now she was too confused to deal with anything but the tasks at hand.

Meg finished her mending and took the clothes from the line so she could help Gus with the next meal.

By the time roundup ended, Tye was as grateful as everyone else for life to get back to normal. With their return to the house came the problem of their forced intimacy at night, and so, though it made her angry, his staying in town until late was a blessing. He returned home so exhausted that he fell into immediate slumber and slept like a rock.

A town social was planned for the first Saturday night after roundup to celebrate Founder's Day. For the ranchers, their wives and families and the reps, this was a much anticipated yearly event.

This year especially, the first year of normalcy after the war's end, Tye overheard dozens of conversations in which the festivity was mentioned with expectancy.

The event also coincided with something toward which Tye'd been working. As of that week, he had enough money saved to buy back Meg's ring. Declining Jed's appeals to stay on at the Pair-A-Dice, he took his final pay and made a beeline for the pawnbroker's on Friday.

Tye waited his turn while a perfumed woman in a jaunty hat perused the watches and rings and O'Roarden quoted her prices. Finally, she made a purchase and left.

O'Roarden took his time lighting a cigar, shifted it to the corner of his mouth and spoke around it. "What'll you have?"

"My wife's ring. I spoke with you and you told me how much she owed to get it back."

"Yeah." The man opened a ledger, flipped a few pages and quoted Tye the price.

Tye placed the bills on the counter.

"You got the receipt?"

"The receipt?"

"Can't sell it to ya without the receipt."

Tye met the man's eyes directly, wondering if this rule was for everyone or just for him. "I'll be back."

He stuffed the money in his pocket and stormed out the door. He'd wanted it to be a surprise. All this time he hadn't shared his plan with Meg; he didn't want to spoil it now. The only way he could get the ring without her knowing was to find the receipt. That shouldn't be too difficult; it was a small house. But he'd wanted to give it to her the following night, and that didn't leave him any time.

Returning to the ranch, he found Gus sitting in the dooryard peeling potatoes. Eve was playing with Major a few feet away.

"Watch, Tye!" she called. She threw a stick and the dog bounded after it.

Tye smiled and watched indulgently for several minutes.

"Where's Meg?" he asked.

Gus dug eyes from a potato with the end of his knife. "Rode out to check on those new calves."

"I'll be right back, Eve. When I come back, would you like to ride into town with me?"

She stopped in her tussle to get the slobbery stick away from Major. "Yes! Can I ride a horse?"

"You can help me hitch the team, how's that?"

"Aw-right!"

Tye entered the house and opened a few cupboards, finding nothing but dishes and foodstuffs. In the other room, he glanced through Meg's china cabinet, even peeking inside the sugar bowl. He made his way into the dim bedroom, feeling like a thief but still wanting to surprise Meg with the ring.

The tin on her bureau held ribbons and buttons and hairpins. He opened the top drawer, and the scent of violets drifted to his nose. He peeked beneath chemises and lace collars. The remainder of the drawers held only clothing.

Perhaps she kept it in her reticule, but he'd never seen where she kept the bag. He turned, noting the trunk at the foot of the bed, and raised the lid. Several items sat in a shallow tray-type liner. An open box held a few slips of paper, and he lifted it out, quickly finding the receipt signed by Ben O'Roarden. Tye smiled and slipped it into his shirt pocket.

As he reached to replace the box, the other contents of the trunk caught his attention. A man's hairbrush, razor and shaving mug. A stack of letters tied with a faded ribbon. A grievous feeling ate at him.

He picked them up, turning the top one so he could read the lettering. He flipped through the pile. It was plain they'd all been written by Joe.

Beneath the letters was a white dress shirt, neatly starched and pressed, and a black string tie. Coiled in the corner sat a tooled leather belt. Tye's heart constricted painfully and his breath caught in his chest.

Joe's things.

He didn't care. He shouldn't care. She had her right to her memories. Tye hadn't meant to invade her privacy, but now that he'd seen these things, shame filled him. Tye dropped the letters on the clothing and replaced the box. He lifted the liner out, cautious of what he'd see beneath, but found only a crocheted blanket and a stack of what looked like tablecloths.

He replaced the tray and closed the trunk quietly, hating the bereft feelings that swamped him. Unerringly, his gaze moved to the spot where the pair of black boots had stood when he'd first seen this room. They were gone and, he realized, had been for some time, but he hadn't given the empty spot notice until now.

Increasing heaviness weighed on his chest. He could have lived quite well without seeing all her keepsakes, the things of Joe's she clung to.

It didn't matter, though. Giving the trunk a last look and studying the bed for a moment, he left the room. Joe was alive in her heart; that's where the threat to Tye's chance of ever winning Meg existed. He may have possessed Meg's body, but Joe still held her heart.

He grabbed Eve's bonnet and left the house.

Tye patted the inside pocket of his coat, the ring resting snugly in its flannel drawstring bag. In buying the heirloom back, he'd done his part to pay the banknote. He could consider the pawned ring a loan of sorts, and now he had paid Meg back. He would love to see Niles Kestler eat his words about delivering the foreclosure notice, but having the note paid and knowing they had two more months of security left was satisfaction enough.

"Let's go find something for
you
now." Tye held Eve's hand securely, and she walked alongside him on the boardwalk. "I have a few coins left."

"Licorice?" she asked, her impish smile delighting him.

"If you like."

"Oh, I like licorice."

Ahead a bell tinkled. Trussed in an ebony dress and sporting a wing-brimmed black hat with a curling black feather, Edwina Telford emerged from the mercantile. Her fair-haired daughter-in-law appeared just behind her.

Edwina drew up, watching Tye and Eve approach. She took on an expression of combined puzzlement and disapproval. "Whatever are you doing with that child, Mr. Hatcher?"

"I'm takin' her for a licorice whip, Mrs. Telford. And how are you this fine day?"

"Where are the child's parents?"

"Well now, I guess that would be Meg and me, since Eve lives with us. I'm right here and Meg is probably at the ranch fixing our supper. You'll have to excuse us so we can do our shopping and get back. I hate to miss Meg's cooking."

He strode past where she stood, an affronted expression straining her features and puffing her chest.

"Want we should save you a piece?" Eve asked Edwina on the way past.

The woman gathered her skirts and huffed away. Her daughter-in-law gave an apologetic little smile and followed.

"Don't she like licorice, Tye?"

Tye patted Eve's hand. "I think she just got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."

"Oh." Eve tried to look back over her shoulder, but Tye led her into the store.

Emery Parks gave Tye his usual blistering glare, then, since there were no other customers, moved to the counter where Tye waited. He noticed Eve and his eyebrows climbed his forehead. He obviously recognized her from former visits with her mother, or perhaps she'd been in with
Rosa
.

"Hello, Mr. Parks," came Eve's polite greeting from Tye's side.

Emery ignored her and eyeballed Tye. "What do you want?"

Tye leaned down to Eve. "Stand right here for just a second, sweetie," he whispered. She nodded demurely.

He then lowered his face as close to Emery Parks's as possible without climbing over the counter and standing on his shirtfront. "A touch of courtesy for the child would be a good place to start."

The man's eyes widened.

"Eve said hello, Mr. Parks." Tye's low voice held a barely veiled threat. "I'd answer her if I were you."

Emery's mottled skin and the tips of his ears turned bright pink. His pale blue eyes showed his concern for what Tye might do. He cleared his throat.

Tye straightened and took Eve's hand once again.

"H-hello," Emery said to her.

Tye accepted that greeting with a curt nod. "We'll take six licorice whips, please."

The mercantile owner wrapped their candy in a scrap of paper and accepted the pennies Tye handed him.

"Thank you," Eve said.

Emery's gaze skittered to Tye but immediately returned to the child. "You're welcome."

"I'd also like a couple of work shirts," Tye added.

Emery led him to a counter where he made a selection and paid.

"Nice doin' business with ya," Tye said, touching the brim of his hat. They strolled from the store, and Tye rationed them each a piece of the savory candy.

"You like licorice, too, Tye?"

"It's my favorite."

She chewed her treat and rewarded him with a radiant smile.

All the way home, she slept. His arm ached from holding her for so long, but he didn't care. Her pleasure in the trip had been worth the small discomfort.

He stood from the wagon seat and slid carefully to the ground. Purdy met him, offering to rub down and water the team. Tye thanked him and carried Eve to the house.

Meg and Gus were putting the finishing touches on the evening meal when Tye entered the kitchen, Eve draped in his arms. Meg acknowledged him with a smile and scooped hot whipped potatoes into a crockery bowl. "Didn't know if you were going to make it in time for supper."

"I'm learning not to miss your suppers."

His words brought Meg's head around. He held the child with a smile, but he'd been serious. He'd filled out since he'd been there; his chest and arms were fuller. And he'd been eating larger portions.

Wiping her hands on her apron and stepping closer, she noted the black ring around Eve's lips. "Spoiled her meal, did you?"

He grinned and the sight caught at her heart. "It was worth it. She loves licorice."

"I see that." She reached high and took his hat from his head. It was warm from the sun and smelled like his hair. She remembered his accusing words about her feverish attraction for him and busied herself hanging his hat.

Tye cast her a questioning look.

Eve roused in his arms, and Meg gave her a smile. "Hi. I missed you."

"Oh, Meg! We took the wagon to town and we shopped. Tye bought me licorice."

"What an adventure. Looks like the trip wore you out."

"Only a little. What do I smell?"

"Gus's fried chicken."

Eve licked her stained lips. "Yummy."

"Let's go clean you up."

Tye placed Eve on her feet, and she followed Meg to the sink. He washed after they were finished, and within minutes Purdy and the Eaton brothers arrived.

They all sat and ate together, the meal delicious, the atmosphere comfortable. Once they'd finished and Gus took over the cleanup, Tye stepped close and whispered, "Let's go outside. I need to talk to you."

Chapter Eleven

«
^
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S
he
followed him hesitantly, feigning indifference. She didn't want him analyzing her feelings or her actions again. Major found his new friend, and giggling, Eve chased him around a tree stump.

"Edwina and your sister-in-law—"

"Gwynn?"

He nodded. "Saw us in town today. And I think Emery Parks recognized Eve."

The topic of his concern relaxed her. "She isn't a secret, Tye. Everyone is going to know sooner or later."

"I know." He watched the child playing with the dog. "I thought you might want to be prepared. For tomorrow night."

Meg didn't want to believe that people would be judgmental about Eve, but she already knew better from the way they'd reacted to her marriage to Tye.

"Remember when you told me you didn't care what anyone said about you marrying me?" he asked.

Still watching Eve, she nodded.

"You said you didn't need the town's approval to do what you think is right."

"I remember."

"It wasn't as easy as you thought it would be. And this won't be, either."

She turned to face him. "If anyone says anything hurtful in front of her, they'll have to deal with me."

He seemed pleased by her words. "I…"

"What?"

"It just makes me so mad to think of anybody treating her—treating her the way I know they can."

"Like they've treated you."

"Yes."

And he thought she was ashamed of him. There was no way to explain the truth without revealing more than she could cope with. She'd seen how cruel people had been to Tye. She didn't want the same for Eve. "Tye, can we adopt her? Legally?"

"You'd want to?"

"Yes, of course."

His concerned expression softened. "Lottie had the attorney draw up some papers before she died, making me Eve's guardian. All we'd have to do is see the judge."

"Let's do it, then."

He grinned.

She wasn't used to his smile, and a funny feeling slid through her chest. "Thank you, Meg."

Her heart skipped a beat at his use of her name. She was falling apart again. She forced her gaze away from his dark eyes and studied Eve.

She thought he would say something more then, but he didn't. He joined Eve in finding a suitable stick and throwing it as far as he could for Major to retrieve. They played the game until Tye told Eve he had something to do.

He disappeared for half an hour, then showed up driving the wagon full of lumber toward the house. Eve and Meg followed him around to the front, where he parked the wagon and climbed down to open the tailgate. He stacked lumber at the corner of the house.

"What are you doing?" Meg asked, watching in curiosity.

"He's buildin' a porch," Eve piped up. "We bought the boards today."

Meg couldn't have been more surprised. "A porch?" she asked, staring.

"A porch," Tye confirmed, and continued to move wood from the wagon.

By the time he had it all unloaded and the horses back to the corral, the sun had waned and a chill gripped the evening air.

Tye built a fire in the fireplace, and Eve brought her stack of books. "Will you read to me, Tye?"

"What would you like to hear tonight?"

"We haven't read this one yet. It has pictures."

Tye accepted the small leather volume.
"Songs of Innocence.
William Blake." He opened it and scanned a page. "It's poetry."

Eve climbed into his lap and settled herself comfortably, obviously secure in his affections.

"
Alice
in Wonderland
and that one there belongs to Meg's niece, but these other ones was Meg's when she was a little girl."

"You read this when you were little?" he asked, glancing at Meg.

"My father read it to me until I was at least eight," she said with a shy shrug.

"Tell me about your father. I remember his building on
Rose Street
. And I remember seeing him bringing you and your sisters to school. He had a beard."

Meg nodded, her eyes suddenly misting at the recollection of her father. "In the winter. Mama always made him shave it off, come spring. I don't know why."

Tye's deep blue eyes were full of sincere interest. A half smile softened his always sad expression. "And he read to you?"

"He read to all of us. He ordered us books from the East as soon as he learned of English translations. We had a whole shelf of books in our house."

"That was your daddy, Meg?" Eve asked, her attention captured. "Did he live with you?"

"Yes. We all lived together in town. The Pratts own the house now. It has a window seat along the east windows in the dining room, and another up in the bedroom my sisters and I shared. Father used to read to us in the parlor every evening. And on Sunday he took one of us for a buggy ride. I remember how I looked forward to the Sundays when it was my turn to go."

"Why only one of you?" Eve asked.

"Well, I guess with so many children, he wanted to take a little special time with each one."

"Did you sit on his lap when he read?" Eve asked.

"When I was small, I did." Both Tye and Eve listened with wistful expressions, their hair the same dark sheen against the blazing fire. Neither had known a father's love or attention the way she had.

Several minutes passed in companionable silence before Tye opened the book and began reading. His deep, velvety voice caressed the words and phrases and brought them to life.

Eve snuggled against him, engrossed. She was only five. Tye would make up for her years without a father, Meg was certain. But no one could ever make up those years for him or fill the place of a parent in his heart.

If only people knew the Tye she knew. If only they saw the inherent goodness and the love he had to share, they wouldn't think less of him for something he couldn't help. What made people so judgmental and cruel?

After their story time, Meg got Eve ready for bed and tucked her into her cozy pile of blankets. "Give me kisses, Tye," she demanded.

He knelt and covered her cheeks with kisses. She giggled and hugged him around the neck. Meg watched their play with a pang of envy.

"Where's Major?" Eve asked.

Meg opened the door, but she didn't have to whistle. The dog bounded in and crossed the room to lick Eve's face.

"He just licked off all my kisses," Tye teased.

"No, he didn't. He's giving me more." She wrapped an arm around the animal's neck and he settled down beside her.

Within a few minutes child and dog slept. Eve liked the dog better than she did her, Meg thought.

She straightened out her sewing basket and made a list of items she needed from the mercantile. She glanced over to where Tye sat in the overstuffed chair. He'd closed his eyes and rested with his head against the chair back and palms on his thighs.

"Aren't you going into town?" she asked.

"Nope."

Meg got out her few remaining pieces of stationery and her bottle of ink, and prepared to write a letter to her mother. Her gaze was drawn back to Tye. "Is there any particular reason you've decided to stay home tonight?"

He didn't reply.

"Tye?"

He'd fallen asleep. She smiled to herself. Nobody could keep going at the pace he had for the past month. It was a wonder he hadn't fallen asleep and toppled from his horse during the day.

She had neglected writing her mother before roundup, not wanting to explain her hasty marriage, but now she wanted to tell her mother about Tye and Eve. Mother would remember Tye. What would she think? What would she say when she wrote back? During the war and after Joe's reported death, Mother had repeatedly invited Meg to come stay with her and her husband, Charles, in
Denver
. Meg's mother had loved her first husband, had raised her family in Aspen Grove, but after Meg's father had died and her brothers and sisters were married and gone, she had been happy to remarry and move to a less provincial locale.

Perhaps she'd understand Meg's desire to keep the ranch. Or perhaps she'd consider Meg foolish for not coming to the city to mend her heart and eventually find a new husband.

Meg labored to keep the tone of her letter light, to keep her confusing emotions a secret. She signed and folded the letter, then blew out the lantern.

"Tye?" She touched his shoulder.

"Hmm?" He peered at her through slitted lids.

"It's late. You should lie down."

He rubbed a hand down his face and got up, moving into the bedroom. By the time Meg checked Eve and the fire, he lay beneath the quilt, snoring lightly.

She washed quietly, changed clothing and slipped into bed. Her letter had made it all sound so simple, as simple as she'd planned it. From the words she'd written, her mother would never guess the turmoil that dogged her thinking night and day. From the beginning she'd believed Joe would have wanted her to go through with this plan. But would she have wanted it the other way around?

What if Joe had immediately remarried? What if he'd invited some other woman to their bed and she'd set him on fire?

Meg squeezed her eyes shut and turned to her side, curling up as far away from Tye as she could without falling off the edge of the mattress. Joe's letters were filled with his sincere pledges of undying love and faithfulness. He wouldn't have allowed her memory to vanish or have taken another woman to his bed and his heart so easily.

With increasing self-reproach, she tried to remember his face, the color of his hair in the firelight. His smell.

The faint scent of tobacco drifted on the night air, a scent that combined with the sun-dried linens and the smoke from the candle she'd extinguished to drive home the fact that everything was different now.

This might be the same house and the same room and even the same bed, but nothing was the same.

Joe's death had changed her world.

And Tye had set it on fire.

Meg hadn't worn her yellow linen dress for more than a year. She had aired and pressed it and, after finding matching hair ribbons and her cream-colored silk shawl with fringe, she stood before her mirror, fussing with her upswept hair.

"You look beautiful, Meg."

She smiled at Eve. "So do you. You'll be the prettiest girl there."

"Really?"

"Really. I've never seen hair as beautiful as yours."

"Mama said my hair is shiny as a raven's wing. I never saw a raven, so I don't know if it's so."

"It's so. I'll show you a raven."

"Are you two lovely ladies ready?"

Tye stood in the doorway, tall and handsome in his white shirt, bolo tie and elk-hide vest, his boots polished to a shine. At his hip he wore the ever present .45 and holster.

"We're ready," Eve piped, and ran to wrap her arms around his legs. "Carry me, Tye!"

He picked her up effortlessly and smoothed her skirt. "Don't want to wrinkle this pretty dress."

"What about your shirt?" She touched his collar.

"Nobody's gonna look under my vest."

"Maybe you'll take it off."

"If I do, people will just have to see wrinkles."

Eve grinned. "C'mon, Meg."

"Right behind you. I have a couple more pies to pack." She followed them moments later.

"There are blankets in the back for the ride home, in case it's cool," Tye said, assisting her up to the seat.