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Chapter 17
Lucy knelt down on the floor next to the stove and lifted a fluffy kitten from a basket.
Vin crouched down next to her, noticing when she looked down at the tiny animal her eyes warmed with the light they used to have, before Eli Joe extinguished it.
Lucy looked back up at him and held the kitten up for him to examine. Vin tried to shove aside thoughts of Eli Joe and what he had done to Lucy aside.
"He's awful cute, Luce," Vin said.
Lucy gave him a tiny smile and looked back down at her kitten.
"You got a name for him?" Vin asked.
Lucy's smile dimmed and she shook her head. She carefully put the kitten back in the basket.
Before Vin could ask her why she wasn't naming her pet, Lucy stood and went to the sink to wash her hands.
"I can make some biscuits quick if you want with your supper," she said, not looking at him.
Vin looked down at the black furball in the basket one last time before he stood. "Nah, what you have is plenty good. More than good."
Lucy went to the woodbox to stoke the stove and Vin took over that task. With a quiet thank you, Lucy set about putting the roast with potatoes and carrots in the oven.
She was just finishing setting the table when Chris came through the door. Vin didn't miss how she doubled her pace and hurried to get the meal from the oven to the table.
Chris crossed towards the sink without comment, but stopped by the stove and crouched down to run a hand over the kitten in the basket. "He's looking good," he said to Lucy.
Vin noticed Lucy's quick glance toward Chris and the hesitant smile that barely moved her lips before she turned her attention back to getting the last of the dishes on the table.
They sat at the table and Vin was relieved to see Lucy took a seat and didn't seem as on edge as she had been when they last ate together in the saloon. She didn't offer anything to the conversation between Chris and Vin, but she didn't cower. Vin figured that was good enough progress for now.
When the meal was over, Vin stopped Lucy before she
"I got the information I needed on my trek out of town," Vin said, careful to avoid mentioning Eli Joe by name, not wanting to shatter this fragile peace Lucy seemed to be finding.
Lucy looked at him, lines forming between her brows, but she didn't say anything, pressing her lips together, waiting for him to continue.
"There's no threat…" he didn't know how to word it, but Lucy steeled herself and he spoke plainly, trying to keep his words from terrifying her. "You don't have nothin' to worry about for at least a few days, but more likely a week or better."
Lucy's lips parted. "Really?" she asked.
Vin nodded.
Lucy closed her eyes and it was then Vin realized how on edge she really was when the strain of the past weeks left, the news of a one week reprieve easing some of the tension.
"Was thinkin' since it's safe, you'd come back into town with me," Vin said. "Spend a few days there. Ezra has your room up above the saloon available."
He had expected Lucy to jump at the opportunity to come back with him, but she was silent. She looked toward Chris, then down at her hands.
It was Chris who broke the silence. "You should go. Be good for you. Spend time with Vin."
Lucy still hesitated.
"I promise you'll be safe there for the next few days," Vin assured her. "I wouldn't let anything happen to ya." Not again. Never again.
Lucy glanced over toward her kitten.
"You can bring your cat with," Vin assured her.
"And Gal?" Lucy asked. She glanced at Chris again.
"Yeah, we'll get her set up real nice in the livery," Vin promised. "And bring her back out here with you when you come back."
Lucy finally nodded and for the first time since Lucy had arrived in town on the runaway stagecoach, he felt like something was going right. He could bring Lucy into town to be near him. He could watch over her like he was supposed to, not have to pass his duty off to someone else. Even if it was Chris, and there was no one he'd trust more, Vin wanted to make up to Lucy everything she had been through because of him.
"I'll just take care of the dishes," she said.
"Leave 'em," Chris said. "You go get your things you need."
Lucy looked torn, clearly worried about shirking her duty or disobeying Chris.
"Go on, Lucy," Vin said gently. "I'll get started on the dishes. We can get headed back to town before dark."
Lucy nodded then and pushed back her chair. But she still looked worried as she looked at the table full of dishes. Vin rolled up his sleeves and gave her an easy smile, trying to assure her it wasn't a problem.
He wasn't sure he'd ever get back the sister he had lost to Eli Joe, but he was going to do whatever it took to make it up to her.
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Lucy had her spare dress and her comb and brush in her carpet bag. Vin tied it on behind his saddle and mounted. Lucy swung up into the saddle of the gelding Chris had saddled for her. She looked over at Gal with concern. Vin had a lead rope around her neck again and she shied and pulled nervously.
Chris handed Lucy the basket with the kitten in it.
She met his eyes briefly, a wall blocking any emotion there.
She looked around the ranch yard, at the house and barn that had become familiar, the rose bushes in full bloom, and back to the silent man.
"You have a good visit with Vin," he said, stepping back once he was sure she had a solid hold on the kitten basket.
Lucy nodded. She wasn't sure why she felt homesick. She didn't have a home right now. She was on the run from her murdering husband—or whatever Eli Joe was.
She turned her attention forward and nudge the horse into a quick walk, ignoring the uncomfortable pressure in her chest at returning to town and leaving the ranch behind. She made sure not to think at all about the quiet green eyed man she was also leaving behind.
Vin didn't push her for conversation as they made the ride toward town. She tried her best to summon a smile for him when he glanced her way. She was more relieved than she realized at his return. Hearing he was going to go track down Eli Joe had twisted her stomach in knots. She hadn't slept well while he was gone. Lying awake in her bed, she could hear Chris in the room next to hers tossing and turning. She wondered what kept him from sleep.
Shaking her head slightly, she forced her thoughts back to her brother and the unexpected stay in town.
"You're sure Ezra won't mind me staying there?" Lucy said. "Maybe I could work for him, pay him for the room for the week?"
Vin shook his head. "Room's empty anyway, Ez won't mind."
Lucy nodded, thankful her spontaneous offer to work in the saloon wasn't going to be accepted. She wasn't sure how she would face drunken men crowded up to the bar. She wasn't even sure how she would face the townspeople after the solitude of the ranch.
Without meaning to, her fingers tightened around the reins and her horse gave a shake of his head. Lucy loosened her grip and relaxed her posture, and the horse responded by settling back into an easy walk.
"Mary's lookin' forward to seein' you," Vin said.
Lucy looked at him in question.
"She told me before I left to bring you by," Vin explained. "Said she wants to have you for dinner some night."
Lucy nodded. She liked the newspaper editor. Mary was gentle. She reminded her of Vin in that way. She glanced her brother.
"I'm glad I'll get this time with you," she said.
Vin gave her a smile that told her she had said just the right thing.
She knew Vin was carrying a heavy load on his shoulders with Eli Joe hunting for him, and now trying to make sure she was protected. She vowed to herself not to do anything that would make his burden any harder.
The sun had just set when they rode into town. Lucy tried not to tremble at the sound of men's voices carrying out of the saloon, mixing with tinny piano music. Thankfully, she didn't have to go there yet, Vin leading them toward the livery first.
Vin turned Gal into an empty stall. As soon as the rope was slipped from her head, it was a repeat of the performance in Chris' paddock. She backed wildly into the stall, hitting her haunches against the back wall and jolting herself forward, her hooves making a resounding thud when she kicked at the wood panels.
Lucy stayed near her, keeping the stall door between them, but everything in her wanting to comfort the terrified horse. She had seen the treatment from Eli Joe that had changed her gentle mare into a terrified, quivering mess of nerves and fear. She had experienced the same treatment herself.
Mindful of the horse's hard hooves and quick movements, Lucy got her fresh water and some grain, staying near until Gal at least stopped kicking at the sides of the stall. Her head was still high, her eyes wide, but at least the abused mare was less frantic.
"I'll come down here and check on her during the night," Vin said.
Lucy startled at his voice behind her and bumped against the stall door, causing Gal to shy away and hit the wall again. She had been so focused on her horse, she had forgotten about Vin.
"Th—thanks," she said, wishing her voice didn't tremble.
Vin had taken care of their two mounts and had her carpetbag and basket in his hands.
Lucy gave Gal one last look, wishing she could do something to ease the mare's terror, and went with Vin.
As they approached the saloon, Vin frowned. "Wish there was another way upstairs. Sorry 'bout the crowd," he said.
Lucy tried to reassure him with a smile, but she couldn't quite dredge one up.
"Here," Vin said, handing her the basket with her kitten. Lucy wrapped her arms around it, holding against herself, feeling like she had something of a shield.
Vin moved to put an arm around her, tuck her against his side before they went into the noisy establishment, but at Lucy's flinch, he stopped himself.
"Sorry," Lucy whispered, not sure if he heard her over the sound from inside.
Vin stayed near her, opening the door and taking a steady pace toward the staircase at the back.
Lucy kept her head down, thankful for Vin's presence at her side, even as she wished she did have his arm around her, shielding her further from the strangers.
"Hey, look who's back!" came a jovial shout.
Lucy kept her head down, recognizing Buck's voice.
Thankfully Vin didn't stop to greet his friends, giving them nothing more than a nod as he escorted Lucy to the stairs, then up them.
When he got to the room she had previously occupied, he opened the door. "I'll get the key from Inez and bring it up."
Lucy nodded. She went inside and waited while Vin set her carpetbag on the bed. She still held her basket, the kitten inside mewling pitifully. Lucy knew how he felt.
Vin looked around the sparse room. "If you'd rather, you can sleep in my wagon. I can sleep under it."
Lucy quickly shook her head. The thought of nothing more than canvas between her and anyone who may be on the street was nothing short of terrifying.
Vin nodded in understanding. He took off his hat and ran a hand over his hair. "I'm real sorry, Luce."
Lucy could feel her brows knit as she looked at him. What could Vin possibly have to be sorry for? She was the one who hadn't managed to hold Eli Joe to his word to leave Vin be if she married him. She was the one who was complicating everything for Vin.
"I wish I had never left you behind. That I had somethin' better for you here."
Lucy shook her head quickly. "Just being with you again is more than I could have hoped for," she said honestly.
One side of Vin's mouth lifted in a smile. "Yeah. Me too," he said.
Lucy managed a smile for him before looking down at the crying kitten. "I think I'll turn in now. It's been a long day." And it had been. It had been a long time since she had spent so much time in the saddle. Already the feel of the sunshine on her shoulders, and the rare quiet comments from Chris while they rode the fence line today felt miles away with the muted sounds of bawdy laughter and the clink of glasses coming from below her.
Vin didn't push her for more and Lucy nodded when he said he'd see her in the morning. She closed the door behind him and set the lock in place with a click.
She moved to the bed and perched on the edge, lifting the kitten from his basket. She ran her hand gently over the silky fur, trying to block out the noises from downstairs, instead imagining she could hear the thump of Chris' boots when he came into the kitchen after finishing the evening chores. The sound of him washing up with the warm water she would leave out for him after she retired for the night. And then the sound of him shutting the door to his room and the knowledge that he was in the room next to hers easing some of the tension from her shoulders. She focused on the memory of those sounds until the trembling in her hands eased.
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Chris growled out a curse as he dropped the plate in the sink and it cracked. Nothing had gone right today. It had started with a restless night, tossing and turning, thoughts and memories of Sarah and Adam mixing with worry about Lucy in town. He knew Vin wouldn't let anything happen to her, but he also knew how skittish she could be and had spent the night trying to get some sleep instead of wondering how she was faring with all the commotion that came with being in town.
He had got up in the gray predawn light, giving up on any more attempt of sleep, and saddled his stallion. He would finish riding the fence line since he could do it without worry of having to leave Lucy back at the house. It had been an onerous chore. What he had once enjoyed doing, the solitude and the simplicity of the task, had felt like a tedious burden doing it on his own today.
He had come into the house, not bothering to wash up, not taking the time to heat the last of the roast Lucy had left for tonight's supper. He had eaten quickly, too aware of how silent the house was. He found himself looking toward the stove for the basket that held the kitten.
And now he had managed to break one of his few dishes while trying to clean up.
Chris cleaned up the mess he had made with jerky movements. He glanced at the clock. It was still early. The entire evening stretched out before him. And after that, an entire week with nothing to fill it.
He paced out onto the porch and looked at his herd, content in the pasture.
This was ridiculous.
He didn't have anything holding him on the ranch. Any time he got to feeling like this in the past, there was nothing stopping him from going into town, finding a card game, sharing a bottle with Buck or Nathan, reclining back in a chair outside the jail with Josiah or Vin.
Decision made, he headed down to the barn to turn the horses that were in stalls out to pasture. He still had some of his things in his room above the saloon. He had been keeping things there and at his ranch ever since he had built the place. He was, after all, still being paid a dollar a month to protect the town. He had every reason to head into town. And none of it had anything to do with Lucy.
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