Love Inspired Historical January 2015 Box Set: Wolf Creek Father\Cowboy Seeks a Bride\Falling for the Enemy\Accidental Fiancee (49 page)

Several other wagons traveled in the same direction. Mrs. Winsted drove her supply wagon filled with children and young people who joined in the singing once they were in earshot. Among the passengers, Marybeth saw Lucy, whose contrite demeanor for the past month had gone a long way to restoring her reputation. Marybeth decided she would make friends with the girl this very evening. After all, they'd both been taken in by Mr. Hardison's charming ways. Marybeth had just seen through his façade.

The singing made the trip seem faster and soon the buggies and wagons turned down Four Stones Lane. At the house Marybeth helped unload the smaller children. With many hands available to take the food and presents inside, she carried only one item in her hands, the leather case holding the gift she'd bought for Rand at Mrs. Winsted's general store.

The presents had cost all of her savings, yet she'd enjoyed buying them. Over the past few days an abiding sense of peace had overcome her in regard to Jimmy. Winning Rand's love was more important to her now, especially since her brother might not still be in Wagon Wheel Gap or even Colorado. Besides, as long as Nolan didn't dismiss her for refusing his courtship, she could save more money for the trip. If he did discharge her, the Lord would show her what to do next.

Now, looking up at the lovely two-story house where Rand had grown up, she could no longer doubt this was where she was supposed to be. Love for her cowboy welled up inside her as she climbed the steps onto the wide front porch. But would he even want to see her after Nolan's possessive behavior last Saturday? Maybe not, because it was Nate and Tolley who welcomed the guests at the front door and sent them through the parlor to the ballroom. Rand wasn't there, either. Disappointed, Marybeth set the round leather case near the Christmas tree.

Across the room Susanna sat in an overstuffed brocade chair holding her new son. Marybeth joined the other ladies cooing over the beautiful baby boy. What a fine head of dark hair he had, just like his da. Just like his uncle Rand. Amidst the hubbub, she couldn't help but wonder how she would react when she saw him. More important, how would he react when he saw her?

* * *

“Now, you don't want to give her apoplexy.” Rand had been worried since last night trying to figure out the best way to reunite Seamus and Marybeth. “Maybe you should stay here until I can talk with her and slowly introduce the idea that we may have found you.”

Seamus, usually a calm man, paced the dining-room floor, stopping from time to time to grab a bite of beef or chicken or a cookie from the food-laden table. “This morning I had a hard time not telling Lucy about all of this. A harder time not riding over to Mrs. Foster's to find Marybeth. But I didn't want to spoil your surprise.” He chuckled and his hazel eyes shone brightly in the light from the crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the ceiling. “I sure hope the girls will be friends 'cause they're gonna be sisters.” He stroked his long red beard thoughtfully.

Rand's emotions slowed considerably at the thought of his friend's upcoming marriage. Just this morning, Seamus and Lucy had mended their fences. He had no such chance with Marybeth. He tried without success to summon up some of the joy he'd felt over being able to reunite her with her brother. Yet all he could think about was watching her dance with Nolan last week.

“Well, go on.” Seamus gave him a little shove. “See if she's in that last group of folks who just came in.”

Rand's knees shook as he approached the ballroom. There across the wide space Marybeth knelt beside Susanna, her face filled with sweet admiration for Junior. It sure would be nice to have her look at him that way. He squashed the dream. It would never happen.

He stepped down into the room just as she turned his way. To his surprise, that sweet smile broadened and she hurried through the crowd to meet him.

“Hello, Rand.” She sounded a bit breathless, exactly the way he felt. Her hazel eyes twinkled brightly. Why hadn't he ever noticed how they resembled Seamus's?

“Hello, Marybeth.” His pulse pounded in his ears. She seemed mighty glad to see him. That could only be good. Did he dare to revive his dreams about her?

“Before you say anything, I have something for you.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the Christmas tree. Lifting up a leather case with a red bow on it, she shoved it into his hands. “This is a concertina. I can teach you how to play it, and I'll play piano. We can sing together like we did that first Saturday after I arrived. That is, if you want to.”

As he took the shiny new music box from its case and examined it, understanding swept through him. This was her way of saying she wasn't engaged to Nolan. That the two of them had a chance. “A concertina? Wow.” How had she known he'd always wanted to play one but just hadn't had the time to learn? “These are pretty expensive.” Maybe as much as ten dollars with the leather case, a lot for a young lady of limited means to spend.

She shrugged. “I had some money saved up.”

“Sure. For your trip to Wagon Wheel Gap.” Yet she'd spent it on him. That made the gift all the more priceless.

Again she shrugged. “I'll save some more while we wait for spring.”

Stunned, Rand could only gaze at her for several moments. She'd postponed her most precious dream so she could give him a present. Nothing in the world could proclaim her feelings for him any better than that. Now he must give that precious dream back to her. He carefully put the concertina in its case and set it back under the tree. “What would you say if I told you there's no need to go up there?”

Her happy expression dimmed a little. “I have to go, Rand, just to find out for myself whether Jimmy's up there.” She put a hand on his arm. “You can understand, can't you?”

“I can.” He couldn't keep his news any longer. “I've found your brother.”

Just as he'd feared, she swayed toward him, her face pale. He caught her before she went down and steadied her.

“Don't worry, darlin'. He's alive and well.” Rand chuckled nervously. By now everyone in the room was watching them. “'Scuse us, folks.” He put an arm around Marybeth's waist and propelled her out to the parlor through the front hallway and into the dining room. “Marybeth, this is Seamus O'Reilly, once known as Jimmy O'Brien.”

She stared in disbelief. “But—”

“Mary, me sister dear.” Seamus put on his brogue and held out his arms. “Come give your brother a welcome kiss.”

“It is you! It is! Oh, Jimmy!” She dashed across the room and threw herself at him, bursting into choking sobs. Seamus shed a few happy tears, too.

As much as he wanted to comfort her, Rand stood back and let them have their reunion. Grateful she'd never have to see the sheriff's letter about the grave bearing her brother's name, he would let Seamus tell her what he'd been up to all these years.

* * *

“So after those miners put a price on my head, I gave all my poker winnings to the undertaker to help me fake me own death. We even put up a wooden grave marker. After that, I hightailed it out of town, took the name Seamus O'Reilly and became a cowboy.” Jimmy gave Marybeth a rueful grin, his eyes filled with shame. “You'd think after watching Da gamble away all of his money, I'd have better sense. But it took that shoot-out in Del Norte to complete the job.”

Marybeth had just about cried out all of her tears, but emotion still churned within her. “If only Mam could see you now. So tall and handsome. And with dark hair. I guess all the red sank down to that impressive beard.”

He chuckled. “It's a good thing I changed over these past few years. None of the miners ever recognize me when we happen to cross paths. O'course, not many of 'em venture this far from the mining fields. They're all so wild to strike gold or silver, I suppose Jimmy O'Brien is long forgotten.”

“But never forgotten by me. Never.” Marybeth couldn't stop a fresh flood of tears. Finally regaining her self-control, she needed to settle one last thing in her mind. “Do you still have Mam's locket?”

“I do.” Jimmy tugged at a silver chain around his neck and produced the beloved piece of jewelry. “It's been a great comfort to me over the years, making me think of Mam as it did, God rest her sweet soul.” He blinked away a tear. The news of her death had devastated him. “You can have it now. Maybe it'll do the same for you.” He managed to tangle the chain in his beard, but with her help, he undid the clasp and put the inch-and-a-half oval locket in her hands.

She turned it over and over, studying the finely etched floral design. She looked at Rand, sitting by so quietly, so patiently, through their long conversation. If she opened the locket and found the key to the treasure Mam had promised, how would it affect their relationship? Did she still wish to be wealthy and independent? To never have to marry or be under a husband's rule?

Somehow those dreams no longer mattered. Rand had proved himself to be far different from Da. Far different from every man she'd ever met. Her heart welled up with love for him and she had her answer. Randal Northam was treasure enough for her. That was, if he would still have her.

She placed the locket back in Jimmy's hand. “Mam put it in your care. You keep it.”

Jimmy blinked in surprise. “But don't you want to look inside? To see the wee picture of the four of us in happier times?”

“I do.” Rand took the locket from him. “I want to see
wee
little Marybeth before she grew up to be so sassy.” He unclasped the lock and folded out the two sides. There in a tiny framed picture sat Mam, Da, Jimmy and herself, just as they'd looked fresh off the boat from Ireland. “Aw, such a pretty baby.” He sent her a teasing grin that made her heart jump. “You've grown up to look just like your beautiful mother. Or should I say your mam?”

“And here's the best part.” Jimmy retrieved the trinket and revealed a second opening behind the picture. “Mam always said this was the key to a great treasure. After all I've been through, I know 'tis true.” He placed the locket back in Marybeth's hands.

Inside the second frame, written in delicate script, were the words “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. Psalm 56:3.”

Wonderment filled Marybeth such as she'd never known. Now at last she understood what real treasure was. Not gold. Not independence. Not even Rand's love. But rather, faith in God, her heavenly Father. Mam had trusted in Him through all the miseries, all the beatings, all the fears. And these many years, Marybeth had been just like Da, gambling on obtaining material wealth to make her happy. Despite her belief in God, she hadn't fully trusted Him for her future. Yet He had been preparing the happiest of
earthly
treasures for her: Rand.

“Jimmy, I want you to have this.” She gave the jewelry back to him. “When you find your true love, you can give it to her.” She blinked. “Oh, dear. You're this Seamus person Rand's been telling me about, so
Lucy
is your—” It was one thing to be friendly to Lucy, but could she stand to see Mam's precious locket hanging around the girl's neck? Well, if her brother loved Lucy, she supposed she could, too.

“That, she is.” Jimmy beamed and his eyes twinkled. “And I'd best be getting over to the ballroom so she and I can visit before this party's over.” He stood and pulled Marybeth up into his arms, placing a kiss on top of her head. My, he'd grown so tall and strong, no longer the slight boy Da had so cruelly abused. “Rand, if I leave my sister to your care, will you behave yourself in a proper manner?”

“You can count on me.” Rand rose and shuffled his feet in a charmingly shy way, so different from Nolan's deceitful attempts at the same.

Jimmy opened the dining-room door and the sounds of laughter and singing wafted in from the ballroom. He gave Marybeth a wink before leaving her alone with Rand.

“Marybeth, would you—?” Rand began.

“Rand, I wonder—”

They both stopped. For her part, Marybeth's entire being tingled with emotion and anticipation.

“You first.” She must give him a chance to say the words his bright green eyes were already speaking.

“Ladies first.” His grin sent her heart spinning. “I insist.”

“Oh, all right. But just know I'm not going to be one of those mousy little wives who always gives way to her husband.” That didn't come out right. Of course she would honor and obey her husband. So she added, “At least not without some discussion.”

“Well, now, Miss Sassy, exactly whose wife are you planning to be?” He stood tall, crossed his arms and gave her a long look, as though trying to appear severe. He didn't succeed.

Subduing the giggle trying to escape her, she ambled over to the side table where the desserts were laid out. “I thought maybe yours. But you have to pass a test.”

His puckered his lips as though smothering a grin. “And that is?”

She took a small plate from the provided stack and dug a triangular server into her apple pie. “You have to prove your love for me by eating an entire slice of the pie I baked.”

His smothered smile became a grimace, which he tried to hide with a cough. “Sure thing, darlin'.” He slowly, reluctantly, closed the space between them and accepted the offered plate. With a sigh and an apologetic shrug, he took a bite she could only call dainty. His eyebrows arched. His eyes widened. He blinked.

“My, my. This is the most delicious apple pie I've ever eaten, bar none.” He ate another, larger bite. When he'd practically gulped down the entire piece, understanding spread across his handsome face. “Back at Harvest Home, you knew exactly what you were doing, didn't you?”

“Sure did.” She sampled the pie. Should have put in a bit more cinnamon, but this wasn't at all bad. “Just wait until you taste my Irish stew.”

“I hope I don't have to wait much longer.” Rand set down his plate and grabbed her around the waist. He lifted her from the floor and spun her around. She squealed with delight, throwing her arms around his neck and wishing he'd never let go. When at last he set her down, he cupped her face in his hands. “Miss Marybeth O'Brien, may I kiss you?” His husky voice overflowed with emotion.