Chapter 25

25

F ranklin was riding ahead of the point man when the herd rounded the last mountain and headed toward Frisco's train station. The empty cattle cars waited on a side track beside a large fenced pen.

People were still stepping from the passenger cars of the westbound train. A tall man wearing a Stetson and carrying saddlebags over his shoulder caught Franklin's eye. The man made his way to the baggage car where he started talking to the conductor. Something about the man intrigued him, but he couldn't figure out what. Strangers often came to Summit County by train. Maybe it was the confidence he exhibited.

Harley Smith ambled out of the depot just as Franklin rode up and dismounted. "You're right on time, Franklin, as always."

The man thrust out his hand, and Franklin shook it. He liked a man with a strong grip and level eyes that stared him straight on, eye to eye.

"Good to see you again." Franklin nodded toward the herd. "We've got 350 head. I'm sure you'll want to inspect them."

Harley nodded, and the two men walked over to the wooden fence and leaned their arms on the top, each with a booted foot resting on the bottom rail.

"I can get a good look at them as they enter the pen."

The cowboys had no trouble urging the cows through the gate, because feeding stations lined two sides of the enclosure. Franklin was proud of his men. All were real professionals that knew how to handle themselves and the beeves.

Harley stood up and walked along the fence, his gaze roving over each animal. The man really knew about quality in a herd.

"Looks like top-notch cattle again." Harley came back to where Franklin still stood. "They'll bring top dollar."

"Always glad to hear that."

Harley started toward the open door to the depot with Franklin by his side. "The station master has a pot of coffee on. We can take care of our business at a table in the corner while we enjoy a cup."

A nervous horse neighed as the stranger Franklin had noticed before led him down a wide plank from the baggage car. Franklin and Harley paused to watch.

"That's a fine horse he's got." Harley recognized good horseflesh, too.

"Yup."

Before they went into the depot, they both watched as the man mounted and headed down the road toward Breckenridge. The westbound train pulled out of the station, going to the place where it would take the side rails, so the eastbound could come through.

By the time they finished with their business, Franklin held a bag of money, and the eastbound train had arrived. The cattle cars were already attached to the end of the train, and Franklin's cowhands had loaded most all the beeves into them.

When they finished, he called the men into a huddle over to the side of the train station, away from prying eyes. He paid each man, and the extra hands rode on into Frisco. Several of his own men were accompanying the cattle to Chicago. Everything was under control. Gave him a good feeling.

Too bad his family life wasn't.

He mounted Major and turned toward Breckenridge. First, he'd go to the bank, and he needed to talk to Brian before he returned to the ranch. Franklin wanted things to change, but he didn't have a clue how that could happen. He'd made such a mess of things. He wanted help, and the only person he felt free to talk to was his pastor, since he would keep everything Franklin told him in confidence.

On the way to Breckenridge, he gave Major his head. They'd had to keep pace with the cattle, and since Franklin didn't want to run any of the weight off before they were sold, the pace was slow. Major needed a good run, and Franklin enjoyed the dust-free air rushing around him. He slowed down when they reached the outskirts of town. The streets teemed with people. He picked his way through the crowds until he reached the bank. He tied Major's reins to the hitching rail in front and headed inside. On the ranch, Major was trained to a ground tie, but with all the busyness, he could get spooked.

After depositing most of his money in the bank, he went to the mercantile to pay off the balance his ranch owed. Since he'd been in the saddle so many days, he decided to leave Major tied to the rail by the water trough and walk the few blocks to the parsonage.

Brian answered his knock. "Franklin, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit today?"

"I didn't know if I'd find you home, but I'm glad I did." He stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his denim trousers. "I wondered if you'd have time to visit with me a bit."

"Sure. Would you like to come in? Mary can get us a cup of coffee and a slice of cake."

Franklin glanced through the doorway, glad Mary wasn't in sight. "I've got a serious problem I'd like to discuss with you."

"All right. We can go over to the church and visit in the sanctuary, if you'd like."

"Sounds good to me."

Brian grabbed his hat, settled it on his head, and the two men went next door. When they stepped into the empty sanctuary, calmness settled over Franklin. Even though he had been wondering if this was the right thing to do, that peace gave him the answer. He needed help, and Brian was a good shepherd for his flock as well as a dynamic preacher.

The minister led the way to the front and took a seat on the first pew. As Franklin dropped down beside him, his eyes were drawn to the stained-glass window behind the pulpit. He'd always loved the depiction of Jesus as a shepherd. He felt as if he would have two people helping him today. He snatched his Stetson from his head and dropped it onto the pew on the side opposite the preacher. Franklin continued to study the window–the staff in one of Jesus's hands and the lamb cradled in his other arm. The eyes seemed to see right through him. But they were gentle, not condemning.

"Let's pray." Brian bowed his head and petitioned heaven for wisdom and guidance.

The words whisked away Franklin's lingering nervousness. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Time to be honest.

"What's going on, Franklin?"

Although he expected the question, he wasn't quite sure how to start telling his pastor. So he began at the point when he and Thomas took Mike Sullivan's body up the mountain and met his wife. As he continued the story, Brian watched him, taking in every word.

When he got to the part about him asking Lorinda to marry him, he had a hard time forcing the words out. He watched his pastor for his reaction to the agreement they made. At least the man's expression never condemned him.

"We actually had our first quarrel the evening before I left on the cattle drive. I didn't know how to make it better."

"It would be hard with your agreement holding you apart." Brian's wrinkled brow indicated how deep his thoughts were. "Go home. Have a private talk with her. Apologize to her for the quarrel. Tell her it was all your fault."

Franklin dropped his gaze to the floor, wishing he could sink through the boards and disappear. "But–"

"Sometimes, it's important for us men to take all the blame. It'll make her feel safe with you. Know that you really don't want to hurt her. Even show her that you'd lay your life down for her."

Is that what married men really do? "I didn't expect this."

"That's interesting." Brian looked him straight in the eyes. "I remember the wedding kiss. That didn't look as if it was forced. Actually, the temperature in the church went up about ten degrees." A chuckle accompanied the last statement.

Franklin felt heat creep up his neck and into his cheeks. Since he hadn't shaved after finishing the cattle drive, he hoped his few days growth made a dark enough beard to hide his embarrassment. "That kiss got away from me. I only meant to give a peck on her lips."

A laugh burst forth from Brian. "That was a mighty long, deep peck."

"Don't I know it. I can't get the kiss out of my thoughts. Every time I see Lorinda, I want to repeat it. But...we made this agreement..."

"Has Lorinda given any indication of how the kiss affected her?"

"Not really...sometimes, I do catch her staring at me with a bemused expression, but other than when we pass Michael from one to the other, we haven't touched again." That wasn't exactly the truth.

On their wedding night and the next day, there was some touching, accidental or not. But he didn't want to explore the feelings those quick touches brought to him. If he did, he might just break down and grab Lorinda for another kiss. And scare her completely away.

"I haven't noticed anything about your relationship that would indicate what you've told me. Maybe Lorinda feels the same way you do. If so, what would you do about it?"

Franklin hadn't expected this question. What did he want to do? Make their marriage real in every sense of the word. Just thinking the thought sent heat rushing throughout his body. He needed to keep control over his emotions.

"I can tell from watching your face that you want the marriage to be real, don't you?"

All Franklin could do was nod.

"It's a good thing you don't play poker." Brian laughed. "You'd never win."

Franklin had to join him in his merriment. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Are you willing to risk your heart again? That's the only way. Open up to her. Nothing about your relationship has been normal. One thing you could do is try to woo your wife. Court her the way every woman wants to be courted."

That hadn't worked with Miriam. If it had, Marvin wouldn't have been able to snatch her right out from under Franklin's nose. But now, he realized she wasn't the woman for him..

"How?" Did he really ask that stupid question? He was in worse shape than he realized.

"Women glow, and grow, when they are loved. Compliment her. Take her a gift for no reason. Defer to her desires about things. The time will come when you can talk to her about how you feel. Can you wait for that?"

He'd waited this long. Of course, he could wait for her feelings for him to take hold. Just the thought of that coming to fruition made his heartbeat a few notches faster.

After Brian prayed with him again, asking God to reveal His plans to both Franklin and Lorinda, the men headed back toward the parsonage.

"Would you like to come in for coffee and cake now?" Brian's eyebrows lifted with the end of the question.

"Thanks, but I want to get back home as soon as I can."

Franklin thrust out his hand for their goodbye handshake. Then he headed toward the mercantile again. This time, he went to the part of the store where all kinds of doodads and things for women were displayed. He hadn't spent much time there before. The vast array surprised him. That department occupied several aisles.

He ambled along one of them waiting for something to catch his eye. Just before he headed toward another aisle, he noticed a music box shaped like a grand piano. With gilded trim, the ceramic top and sides had a pastoral scene painted on each panel. He picked it up and twisted the key. Tinkling notes trilled as the key turned. He looked closely at the label on the bottom. "Für Elise." He wondered if Lorinda would like this. He'd buy it anyway. If she didn't, he could always give it to Mrs. Oleson.

On the way to the counter to pay, he passed a case displaying jewelry. A pair of eardrops caught his attention. The blue stones in them would match the wedding ring he'd bought for Lorinda. They sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the front window of the store. He'd get them, too. That way, he'd have another gift for her before he had to come back to town for more.

Franklin whistled as he carefully placed the daintily wrapped items into his saddlebags. For the first time in days, he felt hopeful for the future of his marriage.

Now he must find a way to convince Lorinda to love and desire him .