The Rancher's Wife. Lynda Trent

didn’t intend to come calling,” Elizabeth said awkwardly. “I was hunting game and found your ranch by accident.”

      Celia wrinkled her nose. “You hunt?”

      Brice said firmly, “I knew you would be glad to meet our neighbors. You see? We aren’t as isolated as you would think.”

      His wife gave him a dismissing glance. “I apologize for the state of my house. Brice had it furnished before I ever laid eyes on it, and you know what peculiar tastes men have.”

      Elizabeth watched the exchange of veiled animosity and wasn’t sure how to reply. She settled for a silent smile. Eager to find a neutral subject, she said, “I see you’re expecting a child. Is this your first?”

      Celia nodded vehemently. “It’s my only one. Do you have children?”

      “No. We have no children.” She still felt guilty for not having borne a child after seven years of marriage. The years ahead would be so lonely without children in them.

      “I’ll have Consuela gather some provisions for you,” Brice said. “You’re welcome to stay and visit for as long and as often as you like, Mrs. Parkins.”

      “Thank you,” Elizabeth replied.

      When he was gone, Celia leaned forward to say, “It’s so nice to have a woman to talk with. I detest this place. It’s so lonely!”

      Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, it is. This is nothing like I expected.”

      “Nor I!” Celia looked gratified to hear someone agree with her. “Brice thinks it’s wonderful here but I would rather move back home. Wouldn’t you?”

      “I don’t have much to go home to. There’s only my father, and he wouldn’t welcome me. You see, Robert and I eloped and he never forgave me.”

      “He may have changed his mind and be unable to let you know. We get almost no mail in this awful place. Once this baby is delivered and I can travel again, I’ll go back home. Brice can follow or not, as he wishes.”

      “I’ve often wanted to do just that! It’s amazing how alike we are.”

      “I would say we have little in common. Brice thinks I’m terrible for wanting to leave. He’s keeping me here entirely against my wishes.” She glanced toward the door.

      “Is he cruel to you?” Elizabeth whispered.

      Celia rolled her expressive blue eyes. “I couldn’t begin to say what my life is like. I never knew a man could be so cruel. Mother was right when she warned me against him.” She sighed with dramatic misery. “How I’ve wished I could change the past and be a carefree girl again.”

      “It’s as bad as that?” Elizabeth was too familiar with Robert’s rages and abuse to take such a statement lightly. “Would your father not come after you if he knew you were so unhappy?”

      “Of course he would. Father is the dearest of men. But I can’t travel like this.” She opened her shawl slightly to indicate her pregnancy. “No, I can’t escape until the baby is born and I regain my strength.” She shuddered. “I tremble to think what Brice will say or do when he knows I’m leaving.” She paused dramatically.

      “How terrible! To look at him, you’d never guess he’s mean tempered.”

      “I know. That’s how he duped me into marrying him. I’m sadder but wiser now.”

      

      “When will the baby arrive?”

      “Soon, I hope.”

      “Please send for me when it’s time. I live in Mr. Snodgrass’s hut.” Elizabeth hesitated at the look Celia gave her. She no longer appeared quite as friendly. “But I don’t know anything about birthings.”

      “Consuela will do all that. I suppose I should have someone else with me when the time comes.”

      “Of course. I’ll come as soon as I hear from you.” Elizabeth was determined to befriend this woman. She looked at the mantel clock. “I have to be going now. It’s later than I thought.”

      “Must you?” Celia asked petulantly. “We’ve only begun to talk and I’m so lonely here.”

      “I might lose my way if I wait until nightfall. I’m not too familiar with the Territory.”

      “Very well. It wouldn’t do for you to lose your way.”

      They stood and Elizabeth pressed Celia’s hand in friendship. She smelled of talcum and rose water. Elizabeth was again aware of her faded and patched dress. It had been so long since she had been able to dress like a lady and indulge in handwork that was pretty rather than utilitarian. It was a shame such a fine lady was trapped in an abusive marriage. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.” She left Celia behind in the parlor. It was obvious that walking or even standing was uncomfortable for her.

      Brice heard Elizabeth in the hall and came to her. He held two gunnysacks tied together. “You have enough supplies here to last several days. I put in some lamp oil as well.”

      “Thank you.” Elizabeth felt awkward around him now that she knew he was cruel to his wife.

      

      “Is something wrong? Did Celia say something to upset you?”

      “No, no! I mean, nothing is wrong.” He was so handsome, she thought, and his dark eyes looked so kind. One could never tell by looking that he was so terrible.

      “It’s nice to know the nearest neighbor is less than an hour away,” he was saying as he walked her out the door.

      “I’m that close? I mean, I’ve ridden for hours.”

      “The quickest way home is to head for the rocks shaped like sheep, then turn past them and go toward the mountain with the gap in it. I only saw Old Zeb a few times, but I know the way to his hut.” He gazed thoughtfully at her. “I had no idea someone was living there now.”

      “Robert won the place in a poker game. We’ve been there several months.”

      “You’ve had time to improve it, then.” He laughed. “Old Zeb was content if he had rocks to scratch in for gold and a shed over his head. He was always convinced there was gold in that hill somewhere. It didn’t matter to him that no one has ever found any around here.”

      He seemed so friendly, so pleasant. It would be easy for a girl such as Celia to be swept away by him. “The place was a letdown, I’ll admit. Robert believed he had found a bird’s nest on the ground.” She heard the exasperation in her voice and blushed. A wife wasn’t supposed to speak ill of her husband, certainly not to a man she had met less than an hour before. “The mine will make a good root cellar,” she added brightly. She neglected telling him that she had been unable to get even potatoes to grow in the poor, rocky soil.

      “Are you certain that you don’t want me to send a man to look for your husband?”

      

      “No, that’s not necessary. Robert is the sort to stay gone for as long as it pleases him. Not that I fault him for that,” she added quickly. “He will come back any day now. He may even be there now for all I know. I’ll pay back the provisions when he arrive.”

      “No. Please. We grow most of the food ourselves and lamp oil is cheap. I want you to accept these things as a welcoming gift. I’m only sorry it’s been delayed”

      Elizabeth tried not to show the reluctance she was feeling at having to leave. At least she knew now how to find Celia and the ranch. But how could she visit? Robert wouldn’t want her away from home for hours. There was always so much work to do there.

      Brice put the bags over the mule’s back and balanced them so they would ride well. “You ride bareback,” he commented.

      “We only have