Badland Bride (12 page)
"Lots of times. When we first got married. When Jessie disappeared. When I was arrested. When she told me she was pregnant.” Kid shrugged. “I'm sure there'll be plenty of more times too."
"Really?
You
were scared?” He couldn't believe it. Kid never showed fear.
"Yup, we all get scared at times.” Kid smiled, slapped his shoulder. “But the happy times are worth all the fear in the world. Come on, let's go up to the house and draw a building plan for your place."
Skeeter fell into step beside Kid, and they walked through the barn. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel towered by his older brother. It was a bit odd, but he felt equal to Kid, like they were both successful men. A grin pulled at his cheeks. As they walked out of the barn and into the warm sun, he let the smile cover his face. “Lila says she wants a compact house. One that's easy to take care of."
"Compact?"
"That's what she said. A small place that's easy to take care of."
Kid shrugged. “Good thinking, I keep telling Jessie we need to hire someone to help her, but she refuses. I'll have to once the baby comes whether she likes it or not. And though I'm glad she'll have the help, I'll miss our time alone together.” Kid flicked his eyebrows. “A small house, especially when you're newly married, is an extremely smart choice."
Skeeter caught his underlying message, and his chest grew again. This camaraderie he felt with Kid increased his happiness and pride. Lila had completely altered his world. The thought of living with her every day, and loving her every night made him giggle with glee.
He slapped Kid's shoulder. “You got a point there, big brother."
Four days later, a small caravan of covered wagons left the Quinter farm. Lila sat beside her husband on the bouncy seat. She felt like an actress from
Little House on the Prairie
. The whole family was coming with them back to the Badlands, where they would help build a house and dig the tunnel that would take her and Skeeter back to the future.
She'd told him a house wasn't necessary, but he'd insisted. Said since the rest of the family didn't know about the future, it would be best to build a house, let them all think they were getting settled. In the darkness of their room, where her mind had a hard time distinguishing between fantasy and reality, his enthusiasm had caught her hook, line, and sinker, and ultimately, she'd agreed to the adventure.
The sun was still rising, a golden globe sending long shafts of light over the horizon. The loving mist of spending the night in her husband's arms still surrounded her. A satisfying sigh escaped her lips, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.
He wrapped an arm around her. “Sorry it's so early, but it's best to get a timely start. The summer heat forces the horses to be sluggish after noon."
"I know. It's fine.” She glanced over her shoulder, through the arched openings of canvas. A dozen wagons, full of building materials, furniture, supplies, and family followed. Kid drove the second team, Jessie sat next to him with their dog, Sammy, comfortably perched on her other side. “I hope it all isn't too much for Jessie."
"Don't worry, Jessie will be fine. Kid will make sure."
She grinned. “Are all men in the eighteen eighties like you Quinter boys? Think you're so big and strong there's nothing you can't handle?"
"I suspect so. If a man doesn't take care of what he has who will?"
"In the future...” She paused, trying to find the right words. “It seems people don't take the responsibility to take care of what they have. I mean they do, when it comes to possessions, but when it comes to actions they depend on lawyers, the government, even doctors to make everything all right.” She shrugged. “It's hard to explain, but it seems like the things we depend the most on in the future, don't matter a whole lot in this time."
"I guess it doesn't rightly matter what century a person lives in, there's good and bad in all of them. I'd say all that really matters are the people you're with."
The thick, heavy gloom that settled on her every time she thought of Jessie and her baby dying was back. Along with it came the tears to burn the backs of eyes. She sniffled trying to keep them at bay. Almost wished she could tell Skeeter all she knew, things might be easier if he knew.
Skeeter squeezed her harder. “Ah, sweetheart, I didn't mean to make you cry."
"You didn't. It must just be the pregnancy. I read it makes women overly emotional."
"Do you want to know what I think?"
She nodded, her cheek rubbing against his shoulder.
"I think you worry too much. Think about it. What does it get you?” He nodded his head. “I mean look around, a person can worry about anything, but all the worry in the world, doesn't change anything. But faith, now that's something a person should have. Faith in the horse beneath you to get you where you're going, faith in the sun to light your way, faith in the people around you, to aid you along the way."
Lifting her face so she could see his, she asked, “Are you telling me not to worry?"
He reached over, ran a gentle hand through her hair. “I'm telling you to have faith in me. I won't let you down, I promise."
She leaned forward, pressed her lips to his. “I believe you. I don't know what it is about you, but I believe you.” The uneven ride of the wagon made it impossible to make the kiss as deep as she'd like. She settled for a quick brushing of lips. “I think I love you, Skeeter Quinter,” she whispered.
His lips caught hers again before he said, “I know I love you, Lila Quinter."
She giggled, his proclamation filling her with unexplainable joy.
"Promise me something?” he said as she nestled her head back on his shoulder.
"Sure, if I can, anyway."
"Promise me, you'll try to forget about the future for a bit. I don't mean the future you lived in, but the one when it'll be time for you to go back. It's going to take us a few weeks to build the house and dig out the tunnel. During that time I want you to just live. Have faith, and enjoy our time together. Don't worry about doctors and hospitals."
She sat up, glancing around. He thought she was sad about leaving. She wasn't. Though she hadn't yet asked him to return to the future with her, somehow she knew he would.
It was the fact Jessie wouldn't live through childbirth. No matter how hard she tried to educate Jessie on her condition, the girl would just shrug it off; continuously insisting Kid would take care of her. It was driving Lila batty. Both Jessie's lack of concern, and how the whole family thought Kid walked on water. He was a nice guy and all, she liked him, but it was his authority that irked her.
She hadn't meant for her behavior to make Skeeter think she wasn't happy here. The thought tugged at her heart. Fact was she was almost too happy here, which would make leaving all the more difficult. The only thing keeping her feet on the ground was the baby. She had to do what was right for the baby. And that included getting back to the future as soon as possible.
Miles of wide open space surrounded them. In places the grass grew two feet tall, swayed in the wind like water ripples. Sunflowers with their bright yellow petals and brown centers poked their heads above the grass like children playing hide and seek. Two eagles, side by side, an unusual sight, flew overhead. The birds flapped their wings, and then caught the wind current to glide elegantly through the sky.
She didn't like feeling down in the dumps, it wasn't her way. But worry about Jessie's pending death was right there in front of her every day. The whole family watched over the young girl—just as they had started to do toward her. The thought made her forehead wrinkle.
He was right, it would be some time before they could leave, and they should be enjoying this time with his family. They would have to leave soon enough, and probably never see any of them again. Maybe while the men built the house, she would have enough time to educate Jessie on all she knew about childbirth. She had read quite a bit on the internet when she first learned of her pregnancy. Surely there wouldn't be much for her or Jessie to do, and she could have the girl's undivided attention.
Her heart swelled, and a smile tugged at her lips. “I promise. I promise to not think of the future for the next few weeks.” She leaned over, hugging him with both arms. “You have to be the smartest man I've ever met."
Skeeter laughed and held her close. The way she could mold her body against his was incredible. His fingers cupped her side, caressing the soft curve of her hip beneath her dress. He'd say or do just about anything to see her smile. The last couple of days, she reminded him of a decorative oil lamp after someone blew out the flame. Though she was still pretty to look at, she didn't shine. The last four days—ever since their marriage—she'd acted like the weight of the world sat on her shoulders.
At first he wondered if it was him—their marriage. But at night, when they explored each other's delights, she came to life. And it was then, in bed, when his heart would swell three times its usual size because those sparkling green eyes showered him with love. Not only could he see it, he felt it. It was like a whole other world. Long after she fell asleep, he'd wallow in thoughts, searching for what was making her so sad.
He couldn't fathom a reason, other than the future. She was worried over having the baby, afraid she'd die in the process without the doctors she talked about. He could understand her concern; he, too, worried about her health and wished there was more he could do, more he could say to make her understand worrying about it wouldn't help. Some things were just best left in God's hands. As long as she stayed healthy, things would be just fine. And part of being healthy was being happy.
He wanted to see her smile during the day, not just during those wonderful nights. He longed for the happy-go-lucky woman he fell in love with, the one who'd traveled from the cave to his mother's talking about hot tubs, skinny-dipping, and so many odd contraptions his head spun just recalling them. He leaned down, kissed the top of her head. He loved her happy, sad, and in between, and would until the day he died. Maybe even beyond then. He enjoyed every moment of being with her. He'd get her back to the future, but it would take some time, and a lot of work. The time would go quicker if she could enjoy it too.
Maybe building the house would help. Give her something to focus on. The rest of the family was ecstatic. His younger brothers had teased him mercilessly. He took it. Loved every minute of telling them they were just jealous. The pride he felt escorting her around the small town of Nixon, showing her off to friends and acquaintances, was more powerful than dynamite. The thought made him chuckle aloud.
She glanced toward him.
"Have I told you about our land?” he asked.
"No, not much. I've been the Chatty Cathy remember?"
He tucked her head on his shoulder again. “I homesteaded a couple hundred acres, and last year I purchased a few hundred more. A mile or so from the cave there's a great piece, lots of water, trees to slow the wind, good soil for a garden. I think it'll make a great place to build our house. There's a little train side-track a dozen or so miles away, Me-lo-te Switch. There's not much there, but they do have a small mercantile."
Her head snapped up. Wide, twinkling eyes stared at him.
"What?” he asked, knowing her adorable little brain was working full force.
"In the future Me-lo-te is known as Quinter."
He frowned, this once wondering if she told the truth. “Really?"
A wide smile covered her face. “How do you think that happens?"
He shrugged. “We'll have to wait and see."
"I've never known someone who had a town named after them."
Lila had camped as a child, but it had been in a Winnebago. An only child, born to baby boomers long after they'd had their careers and gave them up to travel the seven wonders of the United States. She'd been homeschooled until the eighth grade, and her world had completely changed when they moved to Hays for her to attend middle school. Now, living with a gaggle of family, traveling by covered wagon, she realized camping in the twenty-first century was a walk in the park. Not that she was complaining. She actually enjoyed living on the trail so to speak, and had always loved nature.
A smile tugged at her lips as she recalled the impromptu dance they'd had last night. Hog could give Charlie Daniels a run for his money when it came to the fiddle, and after the evening meal he'd pulled the instrument out. She'd always loved dancing. When the second song started she'd led Skeeter to the dirt to twirl with her. As the speed of the music picked up, so had she. The rhythm had taken over, and she'd danced around the fire pit, hips swaying, feet stomping and arms thrusting in the air. After the song ended and she looked up, the entire Quinter family, mouths agape, had stared at her as if she'd been pole dancing. She'd never laughed so hard in her life. True to form, Skeeter had joined in the laughter, and soon the whole family had joined them to boogie around the fire.
A warm giggle escaped her lips as her mind returned to the task at hand. She bent to swish the last tin plate in the flowing creek water. Familiar hands wrapped around her waist. Her husband's lips brushed the back of her neck, sending warm, sensual shivers down her shoulders. “Need some help?” he asked.
"Hmm, it depends on what type of help you're offering.” She glanced at the small crop of trees running along the water. Her mind forever went in one direction when he was near.
His lips moved up to nibble on her ear. “Any type of help you need."
Leaning back against him, she said, “Well, when I first walked down here, I couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if we could...” She twisted her neck to whisper in his ear, “Go skinny-dipping."
He twirled her around, pulled her into a tight hug. “God, I love you.” His lips covered hers.
When the kiss ended, she raised her eyebrows, gave him a coy smile. “So you're willing?"
His fingers were already unbuttoning her gown. “Very."