Page 32 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
Luke spoke to Riley over his shoulder. “We’re getting to be a large bunch headed for church.”
Riley explained to Olivia. “Since Ma died, we’ve mostly gone on horseback. The six of us.”
“Five after Pa died.” A moment of silence followed Luke’s words. He shook himself. “Pa would be pleased to see us getting married.” He smiled down at Honor. “He’d be pleased with Kit as a grandson.”
Honor nodded. “And Lindy as a granddaughter.”
Olivia kept a bright smile on her lips even though she ached clear through to have what she’d come for—a husband and the future possibility of children.
Riley must have noticed her withdrawal. He covered her clasped hands with his own. “I hope you aren’t worrying about attending church in Crow Crossing.”
“I wasn’t but now I am. Is there a reason I should be concerned?”
Luke glanced back at Riley. Olivia guessed he meant to reveal nothing, but she saw otherwise.
Olivia sat up straight as a poker. “I think someone ought to tell me what’s going on.”
Honor shook her head. “You pay them no mind. You’ll do jest fine.”
Although the words were meant to reassure Olivia, they failed to do so. She quickly reviewed every minute of her short time in town. How Riley had abandoned her on the train platform. Had there been witnesses? She hadn’t paid any attention, but the station master and the porters had been there. There could have been more. Then she’d gone to the livery station and hired two men to bring her and Alfred out. They all knew more about her business than she cared for. She puffed her breath out. “I take it all of you think I will have been the subject of speculation.”
The three of them nodded.
Gossip. The very thing she had run from. “Can I never escape it?”
Honor turned to pat her hands. “Liv, people here aren’t unkind, but they are curious. And that leads to stories.”
“Stories?” She sat back, the brightness of the day stolen. This was all Riley’s fault. He was supposed to marry her before they left town. Instead, he’d rejected her and abandoned her. She had half a mind to board the next train. Only not to go back east. She’d find a place where she was wanted and needed. Except how would she survive? She’d have to wire Uncle Harris for more money. He’d given her only enough for train fare and food and little else. His reasoning was she was safer without carrying a bulging purse with her. And besides, wouldn’t her future husband take care of her?
Riley touched the back of her hand, but she jerked away and kept her gaze on the passing landscape.
“Olivia?” He spoke softly, pleadingly, but her entire body quivered with dread that she would again endure malicious talk and being shunned by many whom she would have previously called friends. Nor did she want to bring shame and embarrassment to the Shannon family.
8
Beneath his palm, Riley felt Olivia’s shoulder tense. Her jaw was set in a hard line. He’d heard her speak about how hurt she’d been by the unkind talk back at Kellom, but her reaction made him believe it was worse than he’d imagined. A spurt of anger flooded his veins. He realized he’d leaned closer to her in an unconscious effort to comfort her. Or was it to shield her? He took a deep, calming breath before he voiced his thoughts.
“Olivia, it won’t be like that. I promise. People won’t say cruel things.” If he so much as caught a whiff of anything unkind, he would deal with the speaker personally and make it clear he wouldn’t tolerate such. His desire to protect Olivia warred with his vow to never again make the mistake of letting himself care for a gal who didn’t belong on a ranch. Out of concern for Olivia, he dismissed the latter for the time being.
The first buildings of town came into sight and shivers ran up and down her arm. A few minutes later, they arrived at the street where the church stood. She sucked in air like she’d forgotten to breathe but her trembling did not end.
“Stop,” Riley said.
Luke pulled the wagon to a halt and looked around, no doubt expecting a reason for Riley’s order.
“Olivia and I will walk the rest of the way.” He jumped down and reached up for her.
She stared at him without moving, as surprised by his announcement as the others.
Before she was able to gather her wits and demand why they should walk, he lifted her to the ground and waited until the crew from the ranch passed by.
He faced her. “I need to reassure you that you have nothing to fear.”
Her gaze swept over his face and came to rest on his eyes. “Why should I believe you? You don’t want me to stay. Wouldn’t gossip accomplish what you want and drive me away?”
“I said I didn’t think youwouldstay.” She’d done very well the first few days at the ranch. But it was less than one week. And a relatively calm one. What would happen when things got more challenging? And they would. He knew the answer. She’d be frightened, shocked, and disenchanted with the adventure she thought ranch life would be.
Or worse, her actions would put herself and others in danger.
