Sagebrush Bride

chapter TWENTY TWO





There wasn’t a muscle in his body that wasn’t tightly coiled with fury as Cutter leaned forward upon the fence, clutching it wrathfully, yet he hoped he managed to look casual as he gazed out into the endless fields. Wheat, he thought. Acres and acres of it. He squeezed the wood until it made raw imprints in his palm. The sun was just beginning to set, and the grasses swayed gently with the breeze, the golden-brown tips blending against the golden light of the sky... The scene was as quietly seductive as she was.

Hell, he should have seen it coming.

So why hadn’t he? He shook his head in self-disgust.

“Get yourself in trouble with the little missus?”

Hearing Elias’ voice, Cutter stiffened abruptly, the tiny hairs upon the back of his neck standing on end. Willing the tension out of his body, he straightened and turned his back to the fence to find Elias Bass sauntering toward him, grinning knowingly. He leaned back and crossed his ankles, assuming a negligent stance, glancing briefly at the house, then back. “You might say that,” he conceded ruefully.

Elias chuckled and halted before him, crossing his arms.

Again Cutter broke eye contact—long enough to tuck his volcanic emotions away—and then returned it. He couldn’t afford for Elias to see his anger—Elizabeth couldn’t afford it, he corrected himself. Since when had he taken a personal stake in this? “I believe she’s afraid we made a poor first impression,” he said.

“And you?” Elias prompted.

Cutter shrugged. “I think she’s already half in love with your granddaughter,” he said bluntly. “And she’s scared to death you’re gonna change your mind—that you’re gonna disapprove of us for some odd reason.” He watched Elias’ expression meticulously, taking in the guilty color that immediately suffused the man’s face, and swore silently.

Elias nodded. “You’re real direct, McKenzie, aren’t ya?” He glanced down at his boots abruptly and kicked the ground, then again met Cutter’s gaze. “Well, I like that,” he announced.

Cutter only nodded. Sure he did... He liked it—but! Damn, he could almost feel the word as though it were suspended between them. A tangible thing. He braced himself for the sound of it.

“About that odd reason, McKenzie... I’m glad you came down.” Elias turned his back to the fence and dragged himself atop it, settling down upon the top slat next to Cutter and hooking the heel of his boots over the bottom rung. He sighed heavily, looking weary. “There’s something we need to talk about.”

Once again the hair at the back of Cutter’s neck bristled. At his right side, his hand curled into a fist. There it was—he could sense it coming. It was all in the tone of Elias’ voice, and he swore again; at himself for believing it could be otherwise, at Elias Bass for proving Elizabeth right—and at Elizabeth for walking into his damned life to begin with! His gaze shifted abruptly to Elias, his eyes narrowing, his heart hammering, his gut twisting violently. Elias was watching him studiously. Checking himself, Cutter took a moment to shut away his emotions, and then asked quietly, “You got a problem with that reason, Bass?”

Again there was silence as both men stared, measuring each other.

“No,” Elias replied after a somber moment. His brows rose in question. “Have you got a problem with it, McKenzie? Now, hold on a moment before you go off half-cocked!” he added when Cutter’s brows collided fiercely. He held a hand out between them. “I believe I’ve got a right to that answer! Katie’s my only granddaughter! Honest to God, McKenzie, I ain’t got no argument with you—don’t care what you are!”

Cutter straightened abruptly to his full height. “What I am-”

“Just allow me to finish! What you are does affect my granddaughter, and we both know it. I care too much about her not to take this up with you! Seems to me you’re a decent man. I ain’t blind—I know what I saw between you and Elizabeth upstairs, and that’s good. It says a lot! But I just need to know that you ain’t got a chip on your shoulder—that you know what you’re getting yourselves into—what you’re getting my granddaughter into!”

Just needed to know? No buts? Shutting out the tiny jolt of elation he felt at what he wasn’t hearing, Cutter forced himself to settle back against the fence and cross his arms. He could hear the plea in the old man’s voice. Never releasing Elias’ gaze, his jaw remaining taut, he was afraid that he was mistaking Elias’ meaning.

Elias shook his head gravely, choosing his words cautiously. “I gotta know she’s gonna be all right, McKenzie—that you’re gonna take care of her... that you ain’t gonna let them get to her.”

There was no need to clarify who them was. Both knew. Still Cutter didn’t reply. A muscle ticked at his jaw, though he wasn’t certain it wasn’t out of simple giddy relief. No buts.

“You see, I know,” Elias began carefully, meeting Cutter’s gaze unflinchingly. “I know how vicious folks can be.”

Cutter relented with a nod, acknowledging Elias’ right to be concerned. He glanced at the house and disclosed quietly, “It’s been a long time, Bass, since anyone’s done any name calling...” His gaze returned to Elias. “To my face or otherwise. Still, I can’t promise you how other folks are gonna be. Though I can assure you I will handle it. And... ”He glanced away abruptly, unable to look Elias in the eye as he spoke the rest. “She’ll have a good and loving home.” It was the truth, he knew—with or without him in the picture.

“Well,” Elias replied, “I-”

“Granpapa! Granpapa—wait for me! I gotta tell you somethin’!”

The front door slammed discordantly in the distance. Both Cutter’s and Elias’ gazes jerked toward the sound of Katie’s exuberant voice. Each watched her enthusiastic approach with an odd mixture of relief and frustration.

Cutter was the first to tear his gaze from her. He shook his head, suddenly recalling her earlier interruption. “She always have such rotten timing?” he asked bluntly, though his lips were on the verge of a smile.

His face broke into a wide, lip-splitting grin as he turned to face Cutter, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “Always,” he swore emphatically.

Just then, Katie reached them. She glanced up at them, scrunching her nose in disgust. “Aunt Lizabeth’s gotta get a bath!” she exclaimed in disgust. “Why does Miss Mimi always wanna give everyone a bath? Me—Shifless!” she enumerated. “Now Aunt Lizabeth!”

Elizabeth was taking a bath.

An involuntary shudder coursed through Cutter at the declaration, and his gaze was drawn at once to the house.

What he wouldn’t give...

“And we haven’t even played yet!” Katie exclaimed.

Cutter shook free of his carnal thoughts, and despite himself, he chuckled at Katie’s disgruntled expression. He stooped to her eye level and ruffled her hair. Still chuckling, he asked, “Whattaya say, partner? Think we oughta go find ourselves a hidey-hole before Miss Mimi comes out scrubbing for us, too?”

Katie giggled and nodded vigorously.



The bath Miss Mimi had promised was wonderfully soothing, and for the first time in over a week, Elizabeth felt refreshed. In spite of the fact that the house boasted more luxuries than Elizabeth had ever known could exist under one roof, the ritual of bathing was carried on little differently than it was in her own small three-room home—in the kitchen, with water heated from the stove. Only, if the truth be known, her own tub was much nicer, and much more comfortable.

The tub she found herself scrunched into just now was little bigger than the small basin she used to launder her clothing at home. Still, it was a bath, with clean, warm water, and Elizabeth would never think to complain. It was amazing how quickly one became immune to the aches and pains of the trail—as a matter of necessity—and how quickly they returned at the end of the journey. Truthfully, she was afraid to look, but she could swear that her bottom was bruised until it was blue. And the back of her thighs? She grimaced inwardly. If they weren’t, as well, then it would be a miracle.

Miss Mimi, bless her soul, remained to wash her hair, knowing that it would be an impossible task to do herself in the body-squashing bowl she was sitting in.

“I just can’t get over how much you resemble Katherine!” Miss Mimi swore as she scrubbed.

Elizabeth winced as Miss Mimi’s nails raked over her scalp so vigorously. “It’s strange to hear you say so,” she admitted, grimacing. “Because I’ve never thought so. Katherine was always so beautiful.”

“Yes, she was,” Miss Mimi agreed soberly. “But have you ever looked in a mirror, Elizabeth? You’re certainly nothing to scoff at yourself! Why, I bet every man in Sioux Falls cried the day you were wed!”

Elizabeth smiled at the ridiculous statement, overlooking the reminder of her lie. “I’m afraid not,” she admitted, hating to disappoint Miss Mimi. “But then, I never felt too badly over it,” she rationalized, “because I never really knew many men who weren’t already married. Sioux Falls isn’t exactly swarming with people these days.”

“What a shame,” Miss Mimi said lamentably. “But it turned out all right for you, didn’t it, dear?” Finished with the scrubbing of Elizabeth’s scalp, she dipped a ewer into the tub. “Close your eyes,” she demanded, and Elizabeth immediately complied, bracing herself for the downpour. “That man of yours is really something to look at,” Miss Mimi remarked casually, dipping the ewer once more. “I can certainly see why you settled on him. Why,” she declared, with a girlish giggle, “if I weren’t already—” She blinked, and continued in another vein, a little more soberly. “Well, if I weren’t so darned old, and he weren’t already your husband...”

Elizabeth stiffened guiltily as Miss Mimi poured water over her head—this time without warning Elizabeth to close her eyes... and her mouth, which was hanging agape.

Elizabeth sputtered, spewing water.

With a last strangled cough, she composed herself. Certainly she couldn’t continue to feel so ill at ease every time Cutter was mentioned... or the word husband. There wasn’t a more certain way to lose Katie.

Still, she had to admit that Miss Mimi was right. Cutter was as handsome a devil as they came. He was certainly the most fascinating man she had ever met.

Recalling the way that he’d spoken to her only hours before, she couldn’t contain the breathy sigh that rushed past her lips. What was he doing just now? she wondered. And then she recalled the irate look he’d given her before leaving their room, and her brow furrowed. How long did he intend to stay angry with her this time?

“... Anyhow, I do hope you don’t make that same mistake in your marriage,” Miss Mimi was saying.

Realizing that her thoughts had drifted while Miss Mimi had chattered on, and that she’d missed the last of what had been said, Elizabeth nodded absently, trying to ascertain what it was that they were speaking of.

“No! Tell me you don’t!” Miss Mimi rebuked, seeing her nod. “Oh, Elizabeth! Forgive me for speaking so plainly, but it pains me to see such a lovely couple lose so much in their relationship for the sake of modesty!” She sighed portentously. “But... as I said, Katherine was that way, too.” Frowning, she came around the front of the tub, dragging a stool. She settled it before the tub. “You, at least, have an excuse—though not after today, you won’t!”

Her expression grave, Miss Mimi sat facing Elizabeth. “Now,” she began. “I realize that your father would never have said such things to you, but I do not have such a disinclination. Frank speech bothers me not at all.”

Elizabeth nodded dumbly, having absolutely no idea whatsoever what it was that had gotten Miss Mimi so riled. She stared blankly, trying not to look as confused as she felt.

“That poor sister of yours had the mistaken impression—and I won’t say who it was that gave it, though I’m certain you know... Anyway, it’s just not true that you should just lie back and simply do your duty.”

Elizabeth was more confused than ever; her brow furrowed more deeply, and then suddenly her eyes widened and she sank into the tub in humiliation. To her dismay, she was beginning to grasp the topic finally. Appalled, she averted her eyes.

Apparently seeing her guilty reaction, Miss Mimi sounded all the more riled. “Where such a ridiculous notion began, I’ll never know! But that, my dear—and you know what I mean by that, I’m certain—is just as special to a woman as it is to a man. And that’s God’s truth—I do swear!”

Too disconcerted to respond, Elizabeth simply stared at the dispersing soap bubbles, watching them burst, one by one, wishing she were anywhere at all but in this tub, in this kitchen—listening to Miss Mimi. Never had anyone spoken to her of such things, and she wasn’t certain how to respond. Obviously she’d mistaken Miss Mimi’s look of shock earlier. Nothing could shock the woman! Elizabeth was certain.

“Now take Miss Katherine,” Miss Mimi continued somberly, “I know she loved her John very much, but that poor child believed everything your mother told her—every last little bit of drivel! And I’ll tell you now precisely what I told her then. There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving your man. It’s the most natural thing in the world to want him back—and don’t think that carrying a baby changes any of that either. Don’t you dare be ashamed if you happen to want to lie with him even more during that time. That’s the way it’s supposed to be! You’ll see,” she promised, waving a finger in reproach. “I know what I see in that man of yours’ eyes—he’s a lusty one. Just don’t you fight it. Promise me that much.”

Her cheeks staining crimson, Elizabeth sank lower into the tub.

“Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

Forcing herself to look up into Miss Mimi’s knowing face, Elizabeth nodded quickly, her face flaming.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake, Elizabeth, you stop that blushing this minute!” Miss Mimi rebuked. “There’s absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. We’re both grown women, aren’t we?”

Elizabeth nodded again, the stain on her cheek darkening considerably, and Miss Mimi smiled down benignly at her. Then suddenly she slapped at her knees. “Well that’s all I have to say over the matter. Honestly, I just didn’t want you to feel guilty... and then make your man guilty over something God intended just as surely as He made rain!” To Elizabeth’s immense relief, Miss Mimi rose, lifting a towel from the table and handing it to her. “Now, come on out of there,” she asserted. “Elias is sure to have put your husband to work—he’s been so long without his son. There’s so much he can’t do on his own anymore,” she lamented with a sigh. “It really bothers him, you know? Anyhow, they’re sure to return famished—so out! Out!”

Throughout dinner, Elizabeth could hold no one’s gaze for very long. If Miss Mimi smiled at her, she’d recall their discussion of earlier in the day, and would die of humiliation. Even now, her face warmed as she poked at her stewed carrots.

When Cutter so much as glanced at her, she blushed all the way to her roots, mortified to look at Miss Mimi for fear that she might be watching them watch each other.

When Elias Bass looked her way a moment too long, she felt guilty to her toes over the lie. Thank goodness it appeared Cutter was right about the two of them, because for the most part, Elias and Miss Mimi seemed too preoccupied with each other to give her much notice.

The only safe haven seemed to be Katie. Katie had been out with Cutter and her grandfather during Elizabeth’s bath, watching them work, and seemed to have really taken to Cutter. Her eyes never strayed from him long.

When conversation shifted to talk of Petersburg, Katie suddenly scraped her chair backward, slipping off quickly to the floor.

“Katie?” Elias admonished.

She froze with only one foot on the floor. “Oh!” she replied with a frown. “I forgot. Can I may I please be ‘scused? I wanna go feed Shifless,” she explained, her eyes cheerless.

Elias settled his fork on the table, adjusting it as he cast a glance at Elizabeth. “All right,” he allowed finally, his gaze reverting to Katie. He coughed discreetly. “Go on.”

Katie immediately snatched her plate from the table and turned to flee.

“Katie.” She stopped abruptly, turning again to face her grandfather.

“Take this, too.”

Katie made her way around to where Elias sat, smiling when he placed a large pork bone in her plate.

“Shifless’ll like that one!” she informed everyone, her cheer returning. Her gaze was drawn to Elizabeth as she explained. “ ‘Cause he likes the big ones.” And then she turned abruptly and scurried from the room, clutching her plate of bones and scraps protectively.

Elias sighed wearily. “Doesn’t seem to like to hear about her father,” he said with sorrow in his voice.

For the first time since their arrival, Elizabeth met Elias’ gaze without wavering. “Sometimes it’s too painful,” she disclosed. “When my mother left, neither my father nor I would speak of it... not ever.” Her eyes were distant a moment, before focusing again on Elias. She shrugged. “It just hurt much too much, I suppose.”

Elias gave a nod of agreement, glancing automatically at the door through which Katie had vanished.

“Katherine and John were good to her, you know. The best. It’s been real hard for her without them. For a long time she wouldn’t let them go... especially her ma.”

Elizabeth nodded, understanding perfectly. “Katherine... she died of childbed fever, didn’t she?” Her eyes turned sad, wistful, as she wondered whether there might not have been something she could have done to prevent it.

Miss Mimi nodded, her eyes melancholy. “Yes, she did. I was with her, you know. Actually, it was in those last moments that she spoke of you raising her daughter. I think she knew—” She glanced at Elias for rescue. “Well... ”

Elias cleared his throat. “You see... well, she knew that Miss Mimi and I... well, we’re getting on in years... and it ain’t so easy to... well, jeez—don’t really know how to say this...”

“Don’t have to,” Cutter broke in. “We understand, don’t we, Elizabeth?” He peered across the table at her.

Elizabeth stopped chewing and nodded hastily.



Cutter’s scrutiny shifted to Elias, his dark eyes definitive. “Liz here and I’ll take real good care of your granddaughter, Mr. Bass. She’s a good kid.” To Cutter’s surprise, he found that he meant every word. He glanced at Elizabeth to find that she appeared as shocked by the intensity of his declaration as he felt. Their gazes held, neither of them able to break away.

“I know you will,” Elias replied after a moment of silence. “If I’d had any doubts before... I don’t now. I can see you two love each other very much, and it takes a helluva load off my shoulders.”

Again, Elizabeth’s and Cutter’s gazes were drawn to each other.

“You finished?” Elias asked Cutter.

Cutter didn’t respond. He was still staring at Elizabeth, his eyes searching.

“McKenzie?”

Raising his brows, Cutter sat back finally, taking in a deep breath as he tore his gaze away from Elizabeth to acknowledge Elias. He nodded, clearing his throat.

Elias rose abruptly, scraping his seat backward. “Good,” he replied. “Thought we might just go butt heads awhile.”

Cutter rose, as well, tossing down his napkin. He winked at Elizabeth, chuckling when she blushed, letting her know that he was no longer angry, but amused. “Lead the way,” he told Elias.

As though sensing her sparkling smile, Elizabeth let her gaze skip to Miss Mimi. When Cutter turned his back to the table, Miss Mimi waved a spoon, her smile deepening, as though to say, I told you so, dear.