Winter Love Part 4

The rain stopped shortly before they made their first night camp, but it remained bitterly cold. As Fletch and Daniel erected a three-sided windbreak from pine boughs and Maida built a fire that would be their fourth wall, the men glanced up at the sky often, silently praying that snow wouldn't follow the rain.

Their prayers were answered. The skies remained clear and the air dry and cold.

The three travelers had pa.s.sed into Michigan when they narrowly missed walking into a group of Chippewa Indians with war paint smeared on their faces. They barely had time to drop down in a thick patch of brush and hold their breath as they counted the braves pa.s.sing within five feet of them.

There were 23 Indians. Fletch s.h.i.+vered when the last one disappeared out of sight. He and Daniel wouldn't have had a chance in h.e.l.l trying to fight them off.

After that scare, for the next four days they holed up in the daylight hours and worked their way toward Big Pine under the cover of darkness.

One early afternoon under gray lowering skies the three finally stepped out of the forest and looked down on Big Pine. Maida was exhausted and needed a long rest. Both men had thinned down considerably, and Fletch's beard was as full as Daniel's. The surprising thing was there were streaks of blond in his mustache and facial hair.

Fletch's heart set up a wild beating as he paused to gaze down on the village. His eyes went straight to the post and the home place. No one stirred around the cabin, but the four horses tied up outside the post told him there was activity going on inside.

He looked at Daniel and Maida, the girl leaning tiredly against the big man, and said, "We'll drop in at the post first so you can meet my pa. While you gab with him a bit I'll look in on Laura." A flash of white teeth stirred his beard. "I'd like to see her alone at first."

"I don't blame you, friend." Daniel nodded. "You've got a lot offence mendin' to do there."

A hush fell over the big room when Fletch pushed open the door of the post and stepped inside, Daniel and Maida behind him. None of the five men there recognized the bearded man at first, and suspicion flared in their eyes. Strangers weren't overly welcome in Big Pine.

"Hey, you wild timber wolves, it's me, Fletch," he laughed, his eyes going to the counter expecting to see his father standing there. Elisha Imus stood there instead, an uncertain smile on his weathered face.

Laughing and swearing good-naturedly, the men gathered round Fletch, slapping him on the back and shaking his hand. "We'd just about given up on seein' you make it in before bad weather," a trapper friend said. "How did you like Canadian land? Did you get them fellers settled in all right?"

Fletch's face grew sober. "I did. It's a long story, though, that I'll tell you about later. In the meantime I want you to meet my friends, Daniel and Maida. They came out with me to visit Reverend Stiles. They want to get married, and there aren't any preachers in the wild country where Daniel traps."

The men shook hands with Daniel and nodded to Maida. Then the door opened and Milly Howard came rus.h.i.+ng in. She ran over to Fletch, crying, "I knew I recognized that big body of yours come in here." Grasping his arm, she smiled up at Fletch and said softly, "I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you so much."

Snorts of low-toned laughter said that Milly had been too busy with other men to miss Fletch Thomas. Every man there with the exception of old Elisha had slept with Milly while Fletch was gone.

Fletch gave his own amused laugh at the phony claim. He shook off her hands and asked, "Where's Pa?"

When no one answered, concern etched Fletch's face. "He's all right, isn't he? Nothing has happened to him while I was gone?"

After several moments in the suddenly tense room, Elisha said evasively, "I take it you ain't been home yet."

"No, I haven't. We just got in. I figured to say h.e.l.lo to Pa before going up to the cabin."

"You're gonna have a big surprise when you get home," Milly spoke up slyly.

"Oh? What's that?" Fletch frowned at Milly, her tone telling him that he wouldn't like hearing her answer.

"You've got yourself a new mama."

"The h.e.l.l you say?" Fletch laughed his surprise. "You don't mean to tell me that Pa finally got up the nerve to marry-"

"Laura," Milly said, finis.h.i.+ng his sentence. "They got married shortly after you left for Canada."

While Fletcher stared at the smirking Milly, she added, "You'll get another surprise when you get home. You've got a new baby sister."

Their shoulders touching, Daniel felt Fletch stiffen, so he said from the corners of his lips, "Steady, friend. Don't let your hurt show."

Fletch forced the rigidness out of his body, but as he fought to control his features, to pretend that he accepted the unacceptable, a black anger was coursing through his blood. How long had his father had his eye on Laura? Or had it been the other way around? How long had she planned on marrying the old fool? Did she hope to secure a permanent home for herself, to one day be a well-off widow?

Well, he thought with a rage that defied reason, his sire had slipped up. He should have taken the little b.i.t.c.h to bed a long time ago instead of treating her like a little princess, waiting until they spoke their wedding vows. His son had taken her virginity.

Fletch got another jolt when Milly volunteered, "We don't think the baby is Taylor's. It's fair and very blond... like Adam Beltran."

His fingers clenched into fists. She had put the horns on Pa right away. He hadn't been able to satisfy her, and she had turned to Beltran, the one she had always seemed to favor among the men who came courting her.

He turned his back to Milly. He didn't want to hear any more from her. He didn't think he could bear hearing one more word about Pa and his wife. His tortured mind became aware that Daniel still stood beside him. What was he to do with him and Maida? It was out of the question to take them to the Thomas cabin as he had planned. It was his intention never to set foot in his old home again. He wished that he'd never have to lay eyes on the pair again. Maybe he would return to Canada with Daniel and Maida.

After thinking a minute, he looked at Elisha and asked, "Is that old place of Sam Crock's still empty?"

Elisha scratched his gray head. "I think so. It was last week. Why do you want to know?"

"Me and Daniel and his woman need a place to live for a few days. And well need some grub. When you get it together, send some kid over with it."

"What do you want, Fletch? Just regular staples?"

"Right," Fletch said, hurrying Daniel and Maida toward the door. If Pa should enter the store now he might hit him.

The sun had a couple hours left before setting as a brisk ten-minute walk took Fletch and his friends to the old forlorn cabin sitting in a clearing of about three acres. It had been vacant for over four years, ever since old man Crock had died from the flu one winter.

Weeds had taken over the place, even choking out the path that led to the st.u.r.dy building. Fletch ran a swift glance over the cabin. Its shutters were in fair condition, although one hung by one hinge and the second one had fallen off and lay on the ground. He noticed that some of the c.h.i.n.king between the logs needed to be replaced, but other than that the place was sound.

A good place for a man to live, he thought. A place for a man such as you, his inner voice suggested, making him ask why he should leave the community he'd lived in for 16 years, leave behind friends he'd known since he was a teenager. He had done nothing to be ashamed of, and d.a.m.ned if he would run away.

When Fletch pushed open the door, hung with leather hinges, there came the scampering of tiny feet as he stepped inside and field mice scattered in all directions. "Well, Maida, what do you think?" he asked as they stood amid an acc.u.mulation of four years' rubble.

She became ecstatic when she discovered there were two other rooms that led off the combination kitchen and family room. To one who had spent her entire life in a one-room cabin, first with her parents and then with Daniel, this cabin seemed like a palace, and she wished she could stay here forever.

When she walked back into the living quarters, she exclaimed in awe, "They have regular beds and chests in the bedrooms."

Daniel grinned at her enthusiasm and hugged her. Then Fletch asked with a crooked smile, "Do you think I could use one of the bedrooms? Or would I be in your and Daniel's way?"

"Oh, Fletch, do you need to ask?" Maida scolded. "Me and Daniel wouldn't have it any other way."

With a rumbling laugh and a slap on Fletch's back that almost brought him to his knees, Daniel said, "Our castle is your castle, friend."

"Well, let's get busy and get this castle cleaned up," Maida said.

While Daniel made a fire in the rusty stove, and Maida grabbed up the broom leaning in a corner and began sweeping down cobwebs, starting with the ceiling corners, Fletch picked up a dented pail and walked to the back of the cabin where he knew there was a springhouse.

When the sun was about to set, and a curious youth had delivered their provisions, the kitchen and family room had been scrubbed clean. And though Maida looked ready to drop in her tracks, she hummed a little song as she bustled about preparing supper.

That night, early, all three completely worn out, they spread their bedrolls on the clean floor before the fireplace and fell asleep as soon as their heads. .h.i.t their pillows.

Chapter Five.

Laura had just bathed Jolie, dressed her, and laid her back in the cradle when she glanced out the window and saw Taylor hurrying toward the cabin. I wonder what he's forgotten this time? she thought, smiling to herself Pa was always forgetting something.

"What did you forget this-" she said, starting to tease when Taylor stepped inside, then stopping at the look of bewilderment on the handsome middle-aged man's face. "What's wrong, Pa?" she asked with concern. "You look upset."

"I am upset." Taylor pulled a chair away from the table and sat down heavily. "Elisha just told me that Fletch came back to Big Pine yesterday afternoon. He had a man and woman with him, and instead of bringing them here, the three of them moved into that old cabin of Sam Crock's. He said that, although Fletch didn't say anything, he could tell that he was upset at the news of me and you getting married."

At first the news that Fletch had returned was all that stuck in Laura's mind. Then her pulse settled down and she could take in the rest of what Taylor had said. She wasn't too surprised at Fletch's reaction. Not that she thought he would be all that angry with Taylor, but she had figured all along that he would be incensed at her for marrying his father after letting him make love to her.

She sat down across from Taylor. "It was a big shock to him, Pa. Give him time to get used to the idea and he'll come around," she said, not believing a word she spoke. Fletch would never come home as long as she was here.

"Do you think so, Laura?" Taylor looked anxiously at her. "Me and Fletch have never had any harsh words all these years."

Laura reached across the table and gripped his hands in silent sympathy, heartsick that she had caused the rift between him and his son.

After a moment Taylor stood up. "I'm going over there to explain the whole thing to Fletch." He looked at Laura earnestly. "Don't be afraid that he'll tell anyone what I say to him."

Laura nodded. "I know that, Pa, but I still think you should give him a couple days to think things over." Taylor shook his head. "I couldn't stand the suspense of not knowing how he feels."

Laura went to the window to watch him strike off toward the old Crock place. After Pa told Fletch everything, would he suspect that Jolie was his, or would he believe, like everyone else, that she was no Thomas? Would he, too, think that Adam Beltran was her father?

Laura moved away from the window thinking that at least Fletch would feel better knowing that she and Pa didn't sleep together.

Taylor heard the ring of axes as he neared the old cabin and knew what it meant. Fletch and the man from Canada were cutting firewood. If they had an extra ax he'd give them a hand. When he was a few yards away from the sweating men, he called out, "Howdy. Laying in a wood supply, I see."

From the corners of his eyes he saw the stranger stop and lean his ax against a tree stump. But Fletch, after one glance at him, continued to swing his ax, sending wood chips flying. When it was evident that he had no intention of stopping and introducing his companion, Taylor walked up to the big man and with a friendly smile held out his hand.

"I'm Taylor Thomas. Fletch's pa."

Daniel looked at the weathered, open face, the warm glint in the eyes, and liked what he saw. Here was a good and honorable man. He grasped the offered hand and said as he shook it, "I'm right glad to meet you, Taylor Thomas. Fletch has spoke of you often. Call me Daniel." Taylor looked at his son, who still refused to look at him. "I don't suppose he's said anything good about me recently, has he?"

"Well, come to think about it, he ain't said anything, good or bad." Daniel grinned. "We've been busy cleanin' out the place a little. Although me and my Maida are only gonna be here long enough to get married, she wants the place shaped up a tad."

"Yes, women are like that." Taylor grinned. "They're great ones for neatin' things." He hesitated a couple seconds, then asked, "Is my son planning on going back to Canada with you?"

"Not that I know of."

"Daniel, I'd like a few words alone with Fletch."

Daniel nodded his understanding, then called to Fletch, "I'm gonna take a break and have a cup of coffee."

When Fletch continued to send the ax blade into a felled tree, Taylor walked up to him and grasped his wrist before he could raise the tool for another heavy whack at the birch timber.

"We've got to talk," he said when Fletch turned impatient eyes on him. "I know it must have been a shock to you, learning that me and Laura are married. But there was a good reason for us to wed. You see, I wanted to-"

"You wanted to bed her," Fletch said callously, angrily. He looked at Taylor with contemptous eyes. "Wasn't b.u.t.terfly woman enough for you, you randy old goat?"

The blood drained from Taylor's face. He couldn't believe that his son had spoken so coa.r.s.ely to him, thought so poorly of him. While he debated whether or not to go ahead and try to make Fletch listen to him, Fletch spoke again.

"I guess you know the little b.i.t.c.h cuckolded you into a laughingstock right off birthing a fair white-haired baby."

Taylor stared at his son who had become an ugly stranger. He did not know this man, did not want to know him. After a moment he said with icy control, "If that's what you want to think, so be it." He turned and walked away, almost b.u.mping into Daniel who was bringing him a cup of coffee.

"You were pretty hard on him, friend," Daniel said quietly. "He probably had no idea that you wanted the girl for yours elf" He shoved the cup of coffee at Fletch. "Here, drink his coffee."

Fletch knew Daniel spoke the truth. He had never, by word or action, let anyone know how he felt about Laura. h.e.l.l, she hadn't even known until that night in the barn, and even then he hadn't told her that he loved her. He had acted like an a.s.s by going off and leaving her, giving her time to know her own mind.

"He's still too d.a.m.ned old for her," was the only reb.u.t.tal he could come up with. "Look what she's done to him already, making his friends snicker behind his back."

Daniel nodded. "So it would seem. But if you had listened to Taylor you might have got a different story. The true one, I believe."

"I don't want to talk about it," Fletch growled and swung the ax into the log as though it were an enemy he was intent on killing. However, he was more angry at himself now. He was also ashamed of how he had struck out at the kindly man with such hurtful words.

But he hadn't wanted to hear that Taylor and Laura loved each other. There was no telling what he might have done. He might have struck Pa, and that would have been unforgivable.

Fletch continued to swing the ax for close to an hour, split logs piling up all around him. Daniel kept pace with him, wondering when Fletch was going to work the anger and bitterness from his mind.

When Fletch at last stopped to wipe the sweat off his face, Daniel leaned on his ax handle and asked, "You feelin' better now?"

"A little." Fletch shrugged and brought his ax down to bury its blade in one of the new halfdozen tree stumps. "I guess we ought to cord awhile," he said, clearly sending a message that he didn't want to discuss his run-in with his father any further. He bent over and started lining up the cut pieces of wood, separating the short stove pieces from the longer, larger pieces meant for the fireplace.

Daniel pitched in, and they had almost a cord finished when a feminine voice called, "My, but you fellows have been busy."

Both men turned around to look at Milly Howard coming toward them. Daniel's eyes narrowed on the overblown figure; the ripe b.r.e.a.s.t.s that bobbled as she walked, the wide hips that swung with each step she took. He knew women, and this one was man-crazy. It was almost embarra.s.sing the way her eyes licked over Fletch, fastening on his crotch. He knew that she had known Fletch in the biblical sense and would like to again.

He looked at his friend to see if he was responding to the scarcely hidden invitation in the pale brown eyes. If Fletch wanted to, he could take the b.i.t.c.h behind a tree and hump her right now.

To Daniel's surprise, but satisfaction, Fletch didn't seem to be in the least interested in what Milly was offering. That was good. He didn't want his friend to become involved with this one.

Daniel didn't know that Fletch knew women even better than he did. Fletch was very much aware that he could take Milly right under the big man's nose if he had a mind to. But he had no desire to do so.

However, an idea struck him. He could use Milly to hit back at Pa and Laura. Pa had no use for the village tramp and had been upset last year when rumor had it that his son was thinking of marrying the woman who had known so many men. Fletch hadn't bothered to squelch the gossip, for he was using the older woman to hide his attraction for the younger one.

And Laura and Milly didn't like each other, so if he pretended to take up with Milly again, Laura wouldn't like that one bit. She'd be afraid he might marry her enemy and move her into the Thomas cabin.

He made himself Smile at the woman clinging to his arm and say, "How've you been, Milly? Have you missed me?"