Shane's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas #3) (11 page)

“Oh, for Pete’s sake everything you do takes forever.” Lucy grabbed one of the dresses, folded it into a ball and threw it into the box.  Cecily just stared at her dress wondering what could make a person so mean.  She finished packing and took her things out of the bedroom.  Hopefully, Lucy would need to lie down for a while or something.  Maybe Cecily having to leave wasn’t such a tragedy after all.  She had a feeling that no matter what she did Lucy would thwart her. 

Setting the crate on the table Cecily reached in, grabbed the dress and lovingly folded it before it became a wrinkled mess.  She held it close to her trying to remember the happiness she’d felt when she first got it. 

The front door swung open, and Poor Boy ran back in, smiling from ear to ear.

“What’s got you so happy?” Poor Boy’s smile was infectious, and before she knew it she was smiling too.

“Shane sent me to the mercantile to conduct some business for him,” Poor Boy told her proudly.  “We’ll have three new mattresses and bedding to go with them.  And they are going to be delivered.  Isn’t it exciting?”

Cecily touched the young boy’s arm and rubbed it up and down.  “Yes it’s very exciting.”

“Well us men probably have more to talk about.” Poor Boy puffed out his chest.  His happiness lightened her heart, and that solved the sleeping dilemma.  Dinner was almost ready, and she sliced the bread, glad that she had both butter and preserves to serve with it.  She didn’t care if Lucy approved of her cooking or not.  In fact, if Lucy wanted to cook, Cecily was more than willing to step aside and allow her.

She had just begun to set the bowls around the table when Lucy came out of the bedroom.  “You know, you really don’t have many clothes.  And I find it curious that you don’t have any precious mementos.  Why aren’t you married?” Lucy went behind her and straightened every item she had set on the table.

“It’s a long story, and I’d rather not talk about it.” Cecily yelled into Shane’s room and told the men dinner was ready.  She would have liked for Shane to stay in bed, but she knew it would be an argument she’d lose.  Everyone sat at the table and waited while Cecily filled their bowls.

“Sure looks good,” Shane said as he grabbed up his spoon. 

His praise warmed her inside.

“Elliott, I’m sorry this is what we are serving.  I would have thought that having a guest would have meant better fare.” Lucy’s syrupy tone did nothing to ease the sting of her words.

Cecily’s appetite fled, and she stared down at her food.  She wasn’t sure what Lucy was used to eating, but this was common food in Texas.  Every time she started to feel good about herself, Lucy was right there to knock her down.

“I’m enjoying it very much.  Cecily, you are a fine cook.” Elliott smiled when she finally gazed up at him.

“Thank you,” she simply said before she bowed her head and stared at her plate again.

“I asked her to make a cobbler, but she refused.”

Enough was enough.  There was no reason in the world she had to stay here and take Lucy’s abuse.  She knew she was welcome at Cinders’ and Keegan’s ranches, and it was time to consider staying with one of them.  She shoved away from the table, the abrupt move rattling the dishes.  “If you’ll excuse me, I need some fresh air.”

****

Shane’s eyes narrowed as he studied Lucy.  She was all smiles as if she had just won some wonderful contest.  Damn, why did she have to make trouble wherever she went? He was the one doing her a favor by giving her a place to live.  Somehow, she seemed to think she was the lady of the manor.  It took a lot of time to travel from South Carolina to Texas; surely she knew the meals were not decadent.  He didn’t like the game she was playing, not one bit.  He needed to talk to Cecily alone, but the house was so crowded he wasn’t sure when he’d get a chance.

“I asked her if she was married, and she said she didn’t want to talk about it.” Lucy offered another smug smile.  “She’s lying about something.”

Elliott cleared his throat.  “Well, if she didn’t want to talk about it how did she lie to you?”

“It’s very simple.  If you’re honest, you talk about yourself.  She doesn’t want to talk about it, so she’s lying about something.” Lucy gave them a decisive nod as though to say she was right and it was the end of the discussion.  Shane couldn’t help but stare at her.  How could a woman who was lying, not just lying but lying big enough to get herself killed call another woman a liar?

“Elliott, give me a hand into my room, will you?” Shane suddenly felt bone tired.  He’d thought the house was full with Cecily and Poor Boy, but now it was truly crowded.  It wasn’t so much it was crowded; most people could deal with a bit of inconvenience, but there were too many different personalities and definitely too much drama.  He grunted in pain as he stood and put his good arm over Elliott’s shoulder.  They proceeded into his room, and by the time he was in bed he wanted to pass out.  He nodded his thanks and watched the door close behind Elliot’s exit.

He’d have to get in touch with Cinders and let them know he’d be down and out for a bit.  After all, Cinders was the one who’d hired him.  He wasn’t quite sure what to do about Lucy.  He’d be willing to help her, but he couldn’t marry her, regardless of whatever crazy romantic notions were in her head. 

Damn his father for being such a hypocrite.  Shane had watched more than once from his bedroom window as his father snuck out late at night and headed toward the slave cabins.  He’d sworn then and there he would never be like his father.  His poor mother.  He could see it in her eyes that she knew what his father was up to.  She didn’t deserve his mistreatment of her.  He took a deep breath and let it out ever so slowly.  The pain of leaving his boyhood home still ran deep inside him.

Now Elliott, he was a different creature altogether.  Shane frowned and shook his head.  He could’ve sworn Elliott had joined the Confederate Army.  Yet he made no mention of having been a soldier.  He guessed it didn’t matter much.  Everyone had something they wanted to keep private.  Well, maybe everyone but Cecily; she wasn’t hiding anything.  Everyone knew her business, she just didn’t delve into the details of her torture.  Why folks couldn’t respect that, he didn’t know.  It was absurd that people thought she should’ve killed herself.  He wondered what she had been like back in Pennsylvania on that farm of hers.  Somehow, he pictured her as carefree and smiling and perhaps she had been at one time.

The knock on the door was light enough he knew it had to be Lucy’s.  Cecily would rather have him sleep then be bothered.  He was so tempted just to close his eyes and pretend he was sleeping but she was his guest.  Before he could say come in Lucy was inside his room.

“Just who do you expect to clean the dishes?” Lucy put her hands on her hips and stared at him.  He’d never noticed how annoying she could be.  She’d always been a bit haughty and in his youth he had laughed it off.  Now, he couldn’t stand her.

“Well, seeing as this is not a hotel, I guess you could all take turns.  It would please me greatly if you did it tonight.” It was near impossible keep a straight face as Lucy’s jaw dropped open.

“Isn’t that Cecily’s job?”

“Honestly, Lucy? Whatever happened to the saying many hands make light work? Look, I’m in no condition to be bothered about housework.  I expect everyone to work for the roof over their heads.  This is Texas, and everyone works for what they want.  We don’t take kindly to freeloaders.”

Lucy gasped and put her hand to her throat.  “You, of all people should know I’ve always worked and gotten nothing in return.  Maybe it’s my turn to have people work for me.  Maybe I would like to sit on the front porch while others provide my every desire.”

“Lucy, if I could change the world I would but that’s not how things work.  There are so many unfair things, and a person has to learn to roll with the punches and get back up again.  When I hired Cecily there was just me living here.  She did not take a job where she had to cook and clean for three extra people.”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed, and she glowered at him.  “Shane, if she doesn’t want the job I’d be glad to take it.  But I would expect us to be married.  I’ll not have others thinking poorly of me.”

“Excuse me,” Cecily said as she entered the room.  “If there’s to be a wedding I guess it’s time for me to start looking for another place to live.  I had hoped to make enough to get to the next town.  Is the wedding to be soon?”

Her gaze met his and a jolt went through his body making him feel alive and full of energy.  There was something about her, and he didn’t want to lose her.

“Cecily, we will be building that farm you wanted.  I have no intentions of being married.  I have instructed Lucy here to help you around the house.  I want everyone to understand I am in charge.  And while I’m laid up, I will not put up with any arguing.” He directed a hard stare at Lucy.  “Sometimes we just all have to learn to get along.”

“Fine then I have some things to get done, and I’m sure you need to get more rest, Shane.  Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you both Shannon and Addy had their babies.  I talked to Keegan earlier, and he is one proud papa.  Shannon and Cinders had a girl with a head full of red hair, and Keegan and Addy have a little boy.  Peg is insisting on naming her little brother and guess what name she wants.” Cecily’s face lit up and humor danced in her eyes.  “Shane two, of course.” She laughed as she walked toward the bed and put her hand on his forehead.  “No fever, that’s a good sign.  Now you get some rest.”

Shane nodded.  He couldn’t keep his eyes off her.  “You have to admit Shane two is a good name.” He sighed.  “You’re right, I do need to get some rest, so ladies I will talk to you later.”

Chapter Five

Cecily stretched her arms over her head as she sat up.  Lucy might have thought she’d stolen the best bed in the house, but the new mattresses were divine.  Elliott took one of the front rooms, while she and Poor Boy placed their mattresses before the kitchen stove.  Lucy had kept her door closed all night long and it was probably pretty cold in there right now.  Luckily for Shane, Cecily knew to leave his door open.  How she wished she had some privacy to wash and dress, but she’d muddle through.  Things could be and had once been much worse.

Scooping up her blue dress, she draped the dress over the back of one of the wooden chairs and poured a basin of warm water from the pot on the stove.  Poor Boy still slept.  Quickly, she washed and dressed, praying the whole time no one would walk in.  She’d gotten lucky.  As soon as she had everything in order, she planned to make pancakes.  For some reason Shane had a whole bunch of honey in the root cellar.  She’d have to ask him about that sometime.  She also put coffee on to boil and sliced the pork into strips of bacon.

When the coffee was done, she poured a cup and carried it in to Shane.  It was no surprise he was awake, given the pain he was in.  His weary eyes smiled at her, and he seemed pleased she brought him coffee.

“Good morning, Shane.  Feeling any better today?” she asked as she set the cup down on the table next to the bed.  “I’ll have breakfast ready in no time at all.  I’ll bring it into you, I don’t want you getting out of bed this morning.”

The lines around Shane’s eyes crinkled as he smiled.  “When did you turn into my mother?”

Cecily’s mouth dropped open as she shook her head.  “I guess when you got shot.”

“Have I thanked you for all your help? If not, I am truly grateful.  I know things have been a bit hectic around here, but I’m hoping things get back to normal soon.”

“Oh, and what exactly is normal?”

Shane laughed.  “To tell you the truth I really don’t know.  I do have a cow and some chickens coming today.  I had Poor Boy buy them when he ordered the mattresses.  Will you need help with that?”

She leaned over, gently lifted his shoulders and moved his pillow so he was in a more upright position.  Handing him his coffee she smiled.  Her smile warmed him like nothing else ever had.  “Poor Boy promised to make a chicken coop for me.  I don’t think I’ve ever come across a cow that I can’t handle.  Of course, I don’t know much about Texas cows but the ones from Pennsylvania are friendly enough.”

Shane continued to chuckle.  “I guess I just assumed all cows were alike, but be careful just the same.  If anything, they’re probably more ornery here in Texas.”

His high spirits gladdened her heart.  So far, she’d had a great start to her day.  The only thing she dreaded was Lucy waking up.  It was all bound to be downhill from there and then some.  Hopefully, the cows and chickens would arrive first thing giving her an excuse to be out of the house and away from that woman.

“Enjoy your coffee, I’ll be back in a bit with your breakfast.” She turned, and when she got to the door she turned again.  “Why do you have so much honey?”

“Keegan has the best honey around, and Cinders gave me the tip to get some while I could.  Have you tasted it yet?”

“No, but it sounds intriguing.”

“We’ll talk after you taste it.”

She hastened from the room back to the kitchen.

Poor Boy was up and heading out the front door.  He must’ve heard her come out of Shane’s room, and he paused and looked over his shoulder at her.  “I’m gonna check on Jester.  Looking forward to the honey.” He grinned and slipped out the door.

She’d have to remember not to say anything she didn’t want others to hear.  She quickly made the batter, put the bacon on to fry, and set the table.  Next, she went down to the root cellar to grab some of that delicious honey.  She couldn’t help herself.  Before going back up the steps she put her finger into the honey and popped her finger into her mouth.  Shane hadn’t exaggerated one bit, the honey was heavenly.

The overhead door closed with a sudden thud, sending her into total darkness.  Puzzled, she gingerly climbed the stairs and pushed up on the door.  To her consternation, it didn’t budge.  There was only one lock on the door and that was on the inside of the root cellar.  So why couldn’t she get it open? She called out, but no one answered.  Her heart beat faster as she tried to remember if she had seen lamps and matches.  Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine where everything was kept, and to her delight she did remember oil lamps in the far right corner.  She took a deep breath.  Now if they were filled she might be set.

Slowly, she set the jar of honey on the top step and cautiously made her way down the stairs in the darkness.  She shuffled her feet on the ground so as not to trip on anything until she finally made it to the corner.  The stone wall was cold against her palm as she felt around until she brushed against a lamp.  She hoped her eyes would adjust, but it was just so pitch black she still couldn’t see.  Luckily, next to the lamps she encountered matches.

She sighed in relief and felt the lamp with her fingers to see exactly how this one worked.  Thankfully it was a simple straight up-and-down glass one.  She got it lit and found her way back to the stairs.  She stopped and listened, wondering why nobody had come when she called.  All was silent.  Frowning, she walked back up the steps and tried once more to push open the door.  To her consternation it still wouldn’t move.  What in the world? She sat on the steps and decided to wait.  Poor Boy would be back soon enough.

She held the lamp up and looked around the root cellar from where she sat.  She had a feeling that there was another entrance hidden somewhere, but for the life of her she couldn’t spot it.  She finally heard footsteps, and she knocked on the door calling out to whoever it was.  She followed the footsteps as they came to the door and walked away again.  She’d bet that was Lucy.  Why was that woman giving her so much trouble?

She heard Poor Boy’s voice and this time she pounded as hard as she could while calling out to him.  Relief rushed through her as the door lifted up.  Poor Boy stared at her with the oddest expression on his face.

“What you doing down there?” he asked.  He took the lamp from her and offered her his hand to guide her up the steps.

After closing the door, she looked around to see what had kept her from opening the door.  There, next to the opening sat the water tub filled with heavy bags of flour, beans, coffee, and a barrel of pickles.  It was no wonder she wasn’t able to lift the door.  Why? Why would Lucy go to so much trouble to make her angry? Was she trying to cause trouble hoping Shane would ask her to leave? It was a mean spiteful thing to do, but she wasn’t going to mention a word of it to Shane.  He didn’t need any more headaches.

“I was getting the honey and I got locked in, but I’m fine now.  I’d best get on with making the pancakes.  I bet everyone is hungry.” She ignored Poor Boy’s puzzled gaze as she walked by him and went into the kitchen.  She also ignored Lucy who was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee with the sugar bowl right in front of her.  How she wanted to smack the gloating smile off her face, but it just might make Lucy angrier if she ignored her.  She was obviously waiting for some type of reaction.  Too bad she was going to be disappointed.  Surprisingly, someone had cooked the bacon and taken it off the stove.

“Good morning, ladies.  It looks to be a fine day outside.” Elliott smiled at them both.

“Poor Boy, could you get Elliott a cup of coffee while I get these pancakes made?”

Poor Boy smiled, as always, eager to help, and before she knew it, she had everything cooked and ready to go.  She made up a tray for Shane.  Lucy arched an eyebrow as she stared her down, but Cecily was determined not to be intimidated by this mean-spirited woman.  Before serving the rest of them, she took the tray into Shane’s room. 

“Here you go,” she said to Shane as she placed the tray on his lap.  “Can I bring you more coffee?”

“Is something going on I should know about? I heard you knocking and yelling from the root cellar.  I called for someone to help you as I couldn’t get up myself.”

“Nothing for you to be worried about.  I’ll send Poor Boy in with more coffee.” She gave him a quick smile and left the room.  Not much got past him.

“It’s about time—”

“Lucy, I really don’t want to hear it.  The food is right there, and you could’ve helped yourself or at the very least served Elliott and Poor Boy some breakfast.  I’m not sure how you got the impression that we have an employer servant relationship, but we don’t.  My boss is Shane, and only Shane.  I know he explained to you that this is a working farm.  Which means if you want to eat, you earn your food.  Now, there are plenty of ways for you to do that, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, or helping to tend the animals.  We’re expecting a cow and some chickens today.  You could help with those if you’d like.” She turned away as Lucy gasped.  Cecily grabbed a plate, filled it and handed it to Elliott.  She did the same for Poor Boy and finally for herself.  Poor Boy’s eyes were big and round as he watched Cecily sit at the table without offering Lucy anything to eat.

Cecily shrugged her right shoulder and promptly ignored Lucy.  It surprised her how long it took for Lucy to actually get up and get her own breakfast.  Well that was too bad.  Boundaries needed to be set and they needed to be set now.  As soon Cecily was done she went into Shane’s  room with coffee pot in hand.

He still had dark shadows under his eyes but his color was looking better.  His hair was practically standing on end, and she was surprised she hadn’t noticed it before.  She crossed the room and filled his cup of coffee.  “I forgot to send Poor Boy in to pour you more.”

“Breakfast was good, thank you,” he said as he handed her the tray. 

He stared at her as though he could read her mind, and it made her decidedly uncomfortable.  If he only knew how attractive he was to her.  Her face heated.  “I’m glad you liked it.  And you were right.  Keegan’s honey is amazing.  I’ve never tasted better.  Let me put these things in the kitchen, and I’ll be right back to check your wound and make sure your fever is still gone.”

“Thank you for taking care of me.  I can’t remember a time in recent years when someone has looked out for me like you have.  Make a list of what you’d like to plant, and I’ll send Poor Boy to buy the seeds.  I’ll find someone to till the garden and get it ready for planting.”

“You don’t need to hire anyone to do anything.  I can handle it all by myself.  I did want to ask you something but think it over before you say yes.  What about putting a small crop in? We’ll have to ask around and see what grows in the Texas soil.  I plan to make the garden big enough to feed us through the winter with extra to sell.  And if we have a crop that people want we can sell that to.  I’m good at making soap and candles, so I bet I can sell those too.”

“You sure are amazing.” Shane smiled at her.

“Let me put these dishes away, and I’ll be right back.” She couldn’t help but smile back at him.  She hoped he saw her as an asset to his household.  She turned toward the door and brushed past Lucy who stood just outside the door listening to their conversation.

“I’ll check Shane for fever, and when you bring the water in I’ll wipe him down with a cool cloth.  It sounds to me like you’ll be too busy to take care of Shane.” Lucy gave Cecily a sarcastic smile and then turned that smile into one of sunshine as she entered Shane’s room.

There was no predicting that woman.  One minute she refused to help with Shane’s care, and the next minute she insisted on being the caretaker.  Whatever was to her advantage.  She didn’t seem to have a genuine bone in her body.  Cecily made fast work of the dishes and filled the basin with cool water.  Grabbing a clean cloth, she walked into Shane’s room and handed the basin to Lucy.  Giving Shane a quick smile she hurried from the room not wanting to see Lucy’s breasts pouring over the top of her fancy dress.  She’d learn soon enough that a dress like that  wasn’t practical. 

The sound of a wagon approaching and the mooing of the cow made Cecily laugh.  She snatched her bonnet from the peg, put it on, and then grabbed her shawl.  She had better things to do than think about Lucy.  Happily, she left the house. 

****

Shane gritted his teeth and turned his gaze away from Lucy and her overflowing cleavage.  He knew what she was all about, and he had no intention of playing her game.  She didn’t wring out the cloth and soon enough he was soaked as was the bedding beneath him.  It was more than likely she had never tended to another person in her life.  He closed his eyes and when she began to stroke his hair with her hand, he quick as lightning grabbed her wrist and pulled it away from his head.  He heard her gasp, but quite frankly he didn’t care.

“It’s bad enough that you’re in here without you touching my hair.  I know it hurts you to hear it, but there is nothing between us.  I’m sorry, Lucy, but you have to set your sights on some other man.” He expected to see pain on her face, but instead he saw hatred and the need for revenge.  It threw him that she could be so changeable.  He had a sudden gut feeling she could be dangerous if she wanted to be.