"How will your family feel about you bringing home a strange woman?" Bronnah asked nervously chewing on her bottom lip. They are about an hour from the station, and it hits her for the first time that this will be her new home.
“They will know that I have exquisite taste.” He squeezes her hand to reassure her and presses a kiss to her knuckles.
“I sent a message to my father to ready our cabin. He will have shared the good news with my family.”
“Oh, that’s good, then.” Glancing out the window, she murmurs, “I wonder if my family would feel the same.”
“What are they like?” he asked as they sit at a table in the dining car. After ordering biscuits and tea, he watches her closely as she speaks of them.
"They are… amazing, hard-working farmers with a strong love for each other. My brother is a mess. You must understand that living the way we did, it hardens a person. I was lucky to be chosen for an education, but Patrick is a wee bit cheeky." Chase grins and leans forward.
“What does that mean?”
“Naughty. He has had an interesting education in the workhouses.” She said primly sipping her tea.
“Oh, you mean like how to break out of handcuffs, that sort of education?” He teases her gently. Her blush blooms and he chuckles.
“Yes, husband. That sort of education and more I’m afraid…” her voice fades with her smile as she glanced out the window. “I miss them. I haven’t had time to think on it, until now.”
“I’m sure they will be thrilled to receive your letter and find out you are well. We will send a care package as soon as we’re settled.” Bronnah smiles at him softly.
"Thank you." Outside the window, Wyoming is passing, and she stares in awe. It's hard to believe she will be living in such a lush landscape.
“Once we arrive at the station, we will go straight to the Sheriff’s office to give our statements. I will need to check us in at the local hotel. It is a two-day ride on horseback to the ranch, and we will be taking supplies with us. If we're lucky, we will beat the snow,"
“What snow?” Bronnah asked looking out at white clouds with blue sky peeking through.
“Those are snow clouds, and I mean to be locked in our cabin with you for a few days before I have to go.” She smiles softly and tries to hide her worry.
“I’d love that.”
Chapter 34
“Welcome home, Chase.” Sheriff Cleveland Howe greets him when he enters the office with Bronnah.
“Sheriff, I’d like you to meet my bride, Bronnah Rivers.” Chase grins when the Sheriff glances at her.
“Bride, well, congratulations to you both. Won’t you come on into my office.”
“Thank you, Cleve. We’d like to get our statements taken quickly. I’m eager to get home.”
"I'm sure you are. Your message was short, Chase. Tell me what you need, and I'm happy to help." The Sheriff sits at his desk and faces them as they take seats.
An hour later, Chase is through giving his statement, and he looked to Bronnah. "Your turn."
“I’ll get some tea, and we will get Mrs. Rivers statement next.” Cleveland leaves to talk to his secretary and tells her to go ahead and take lunch.
“Bronnah, would you mind if I go to the general store and load up the wagon with supplies? That way we can head out today and not have to stay overnight.”
“Of course not. Do what you think is best.” Bronnah glanced nervously up at the Sheriff when he returns with a tray of biscuits and tea. He sets it on the desk and steps back when Chase stands up.
“Sheriff, I’m going to run over to the general store and get our wagon loaded with supplies, then grab our suitcases from the station. I’ll leave my wife in your capable hands.”
“Absolutely, we will need about an hour. Same as your statement.” Chase smiles at Bronnah and hurries from the office.
"Well now, let's have some tea and biscuits before we get started. You must be famished." Bronnah shakes her head no.
“Thank you, Sheriff, but I’m too nervous to eat.”
"I understand." He moves behind his desk and twists the tip of his black handlebar mustache. Bronnah watches Chase through the window as he rides off in a gallop to the train station to collect the wagon. "I can't believe he made it this easy for me."
Bronnah stares across the desk at him in confusion, until she hears the gun cock beneath the desk. “No,” she gasps.
"I know, I'm shocked too." His smile fades, and his eyes grow deadly serious. "Get up and move to the window." Bronnah stands up, and he raises his pistol tracking her every move. "Look across the street and tell me what you see, Mrs. Rivers,” he sneers.
Bronnah stares at the strip of wooden buildings lining the well-developed town, and for the first time, she notices them. Two Asian men in the shadows of the blacksmith's shop. "The Chen want a word with you." Before she can move, he shoves the pistol in her side and grabs her arm.
“Before you do anything rash, Mrs. Rivers, you should know that they are waiting for any sign of trouble from you and his family will be taken out. You see only what I want you to see. Right now, the River’s ranch is surrounded by more Chen than you could ever wish to meet. Will he forgive you if you are the reason his family is slaughtered?” Bronnah begins to tremble with rage and horror. “You two have
