Minding Benji (Sweethearts of Jubilee Springs Book 5) Read online

“So I will be leaving tomorrow?” Prudence asked, in disbelief, wringing the material of the skirt on her lap.

  “It would appear so. You’re very fortunate considering the circumstance.” Mrs. Millard smiled.

  “I agree. This is wonderful news.” Prudence heart leaped with love for a man she’d never met. A kind, considerate, and generous man. Even though he’d said he didn’t want children, he was still prepared to offer her and Benji a home.

  Chapter 7

  For three long days, he’d been on the trail for home and Austin was tired. But his bride-to-be would be waiting for him at Jeffrey’s, and it wouldn’t be gentlemanly of him to go home and sleep when they would all be expecting him for dinner.

  Also he couldn’t deny he was a little excited to see the woman Mrs. Millard insisted was a perfect match for him, according to the science. If the science got it right she’d be a beautiful redhead, tall, round in all the right places, quietly spoken, although he didn’t see them doing much talking. He chuckled to himself, his men turned around to look at him. He waved them on.

  Thinking about it, the old man might have been on to something. With a warm woman in his bed at night to come home to, he wouldn’t have to spend his money on saloon women. Once he was married, all that would have to stop anyhow. He was a lot of things, but a philanderer wasn’t one of them. Marriage was sacred, and he would honor that commitment. It was the one thing he shared in common with his brother.

  When he got home, Austin washed and changed, looked at his reflection in the mirror, then sighed. He didn’t have time to shave, the three-day growth would have to stay. She’d better get used to it anyway. This was him, his life. He went away on business often, and he would most likely look this way more often than not.

  He scratched at the stubble on his chin, fingering his scar. It was more noticeable when his whiskers came through. His secret weapon against Jeffrey, which he used sparingly. His brother hadn’t meant to hurt him, it had been an accident, which haunted Jeffrey every time he saw it.

  Well, he’d be getting a bird’s eye view of it tonight as there was nothing Austin could do about it now. He adjusted his vest and boot lace tie. Then putting on his long-tailed jacket and hat, Austin left the house and mounted the fresh horse one of his ranch hands had left out front for him. It was only a half hour’s ride to his brother’s house on Church Street, across the way from his church.

  Austin let himself in and followed the voices to the living room. He heard a laugh. It was palatable enough. What he didn’t expect was the effect that sound had on his insides. It was stomach churning and his palms felt sweaty. He wiped them along the side of his pants and swallowed.

  Licking his lips, he edged closer to the open living room door and caught her reflection in the mirror on the wall. He could only see her head. Her looks were moderate, not the raving beauty he’d envisioned, and her hair definitely wasn’t red, more of a muddy brown, with skin like buttermilk. It was her eyes which struck him the most, a murky green, shielded by long, thick lashes.

  He froze as those eyes met his in the mirror and she smiled, taking his breath away. Maybe she wasn’t so moderate after all. His heart skipped a beat as he removed his hat and clenched it between his fingers. Unable to remain where he was any longer, and having been seen, he stepped forward, his gaze taking in the rest of her as he moved in closer.

  Nerves were getting the best of him; his legs didn’t feel as steady as they had when he’d entered the house.

  “Austin, good to see you. We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever show up.” Jeffrey rose and grabbed his brother’s arm, slapping him on the back and pulling him forward to stand in front of Prudence.

  With his eyes peeled, he soaked her up like a biscuit in gravy. He swam in her gaze, and without looking at Jeffrey, he said, in an almost apologetic tone, “I almost didn’t. It was a long road and not enough rest on the way. But here I am.” He gestured by flicking his hat toward Prudence.

  “Well, the important thing is, you’re here now,” Jeffrey said.

  Austin looked at his brother and jerked his head twice in Prudence’s direction. What in tarnation had happened to Jeffrey’s manners, leaving him hanging? He must know Austin was waiting for a formal introduction, otherwise he couldn’t speak to her directly, not in his brother’s house anyway.

  Jeffrey was still talking, he always talked nonstop when he was nervous, but what did Jeffrey have to be nervous about? Austin rolled his eyes, then furrowed his brow and made his jerking head movement more apparent.

  Austin was saved when Minna rose and said, “Jeffrey, do stop talking.” She came and stood by her husband. “We waited dinner for you,” she said, stroking his arm. Then she nudged him closer to his bride. “This is Prudence Fairchild, your intended.”

  Austin smiled and kissed his sister-in-law’s cheek. He held a hand out to Prudence and she took it, smiling up at him. His heart banged in his chest as he lowered his head to kiss the back if it. “Good evening, ma’am. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to greet you myself. I trust my brother and his wife are taking good care of you.”

  He knew he was rambling, but he couldn’t seem to stop. This situation was new for him and in a week’s time he would be marrying this woman.

  A woman he knew nothing about, other than she had a winsome smile and beautiful green eyes in a shade he’d never seen before. The closest he’d come to it were those weeds floating about at the bottom of a clear stream.

  She would do. She stirred something inside him and he could see no problem waking up to her each morning for the rest of his life. Mrs. Millard had done well.

  Austin’s attention shifted when he heard noises coming from the couch. It took him a while to register what the sound was. Minna shook her head at Prudence who had started to rise.

  “I’ll take care of him,” Minna said, walking over to the couch.

  “Is that a baby?” Austin asked, pulling in his brow. “I know I’m not good on my arithmetic, but doesn’t it take nine months to have a baby? Minna, you didn’t even look pregnant. Call me dumb for not guessing, but what happened in the three days I was away?” He moved closer to the couch to have a look at the little one in Minna’s arms. “Is this one of Jeffrey’s little miracles? Seems to me if you pray hard enough, you don’t even have to put in the work.”

  Austin laughed and stuck out his hand. The baby immediately clasped his little finger. “He’s a strong little man, I give you that. Where did you get him?” He turned to his brother.

  “He’s mine,” Prudence said, getting to her feet.

  Austin’s head snapped to attention. “He’s what now?” Austin shook his head, then tilted it, his face scrunched up, and his eyes turned to slits he could barely see out of. He took two steps in the same place as his hands found his hips.

  “Do you want to say that again, please?” He chuckled, a cold, hoarse sound that even scared him. “For a second there I thought you said he was yours. You’re mistaken, right?”

  “That’s exactly what I said. Benji is mine.”

  The gaze she gave defied him to challenge her further. Normally he’d have found what sparked between them arousing, he loved a challenge; but he wasn’t biting, not today and not about this.

  Austin could feel his face stiffening as he sucked in his bottom lip, shifting from one foot to the other. They glared at one another, and she managed to out stare him. He turned venomous eyes at Jeffrey. This was his doing. He could feel it in every fiber of his being.

  “Jeffrey, can I have a word outside?” He put on his hat. He wasn’t staying in this house a second longer than need be. “Minna, I apologize, but I won’t be staying for dinner. You’d better go on and eat without me. Ma’am.” He tipped his hat at Prudence as he stalked past. “Jeffrey, with me now!”

  Austin couldn’t control the fire raging through him. She’d been perfect, now this... He’d have to start all over, look again. He didn’t want any children, not his
own or anyone else’s. Hadn’t he made his feelings clear? He wasn’t fit to be a father. How could he care for a child when he couldn’t care for himself?

  Austin’s legs wouldn’t stop moving until he was out in the night air. He leaned forward, placed his hands on his knees and breathed in deeply.

  “Well, that was rude,” he heard from behind him.

  He straightened and turned to face his brother. “I’ll tell you what’s rude, you and Minna plotting behind my back to saddle me to a woman and her baby when you know I don’t want that responsibility. I hardly want the responsibility of a wife, let alone a child as well. I’m not ready to be a father and I don’t want to be. I will never be ready for that stage in my life. Got it?”

  Jeffrey lay a hand on Austin’s shoulder. Austin shook him off.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  “You’re being unreasonable.”

  “Am I, big brother? Tell me this, did you know she was coming with a baby?”

  “Yes…yes I did,” Jeffrey said, jutting out his chin and placing his hands on his hips.

  “And you received her anyway, knowing how I feel on the matter of children. What? Did you think I would be beguiled enough by her charms to overlook the fact she has another little person with her? Well think again.” Austin ran his hand over his face.

  “What do you suggest I do with her?” Jeffrey asked, so matter-of-fact, it made Austin want to choke him with his bare hands.

  “I don’t care; send her back where she came from. Just get rid of them.”

  “I’m sorry, little brother, I can’t do that. This woman has traveled a long way to find a husband and if you don’t want her, I'm sure there are plenty of men around here who would gladly take her off your hands.”

  “Oh what, so now you have single men lined up under that pulpit of yours for her, do you? Or maybe you can go look for a few good men in your wife’s little trunk full of random people? Go on then, brother, do your worst.” Austin mounted his horse and turned it toward home.

  “Yes, as a matter-of-fact I do. I’ll ask around in the morning. Sleep well, Austin, if your conscience allows.”

  “I’ll sleep just fine.” He clicked his tongue and dug his knees into the horse’s side and galloped away.

  He’d sleep just fine, he was physically tired and especially tired of Jeffrey trying to ruin his life.

  Chapter 8

  “Well, that didn’t go very well.” Prudence sighed, and returned to her seat.

  “Trust me, it went better than expected. Austin can be a lot more vocal when displeased, than he was. It’s a good sign. Means he likes you,” Minna said, laying Benji who’d gone back to sleep on his blanket next to her on the couch.

  “I saw no signs of that. Besides, I can’t marry him if he doesn’t accept Benji. I won’t put him in an orphanage.”

  “Believe me, dear, you won’t have to. Jeffrey’s probably out there explaining everything to Austin now. He’ll see it’s not a permanent arrangement and come to his senses. You’ll see. They’ll come back in together, and we can have a good laugh about the misunderstanding. Mark my words.”

  Jeffrey came stomping into the room his hands flying this way and that as he kicked into the air. “What a jackass! He's as stubborn as a mule and twice as pigheaded. I give up on him, I really do. There’s simply no talking to the ingrate. No matter what you do for him, it’s never enough. He’ll always want more. Well, I’m done, done I tell you.” He waved his hands above his head some more. Then seeming to realize where he was, he straightened his tie and said, “Good night, ladies.”

  With that, Jeffrey left the room still as fired up as when he’d entered, his voice trailing off as he muttered and moaned his way into another part of the house.

  “All right then.” Minna cleared her throat. “I take it back. It didn’t go well at all. I haven’t seen Jeffrey this riled in years. Austin is the only man alive to get Jeffrey so worked up. If you can excuse me for a moment, I’ll be right back,” Minna said, moving toward the door.

  “Please don’t mind me, take as long as you like. I’m a little tired. I’ll just take myself and Benji to bed if you don’t mind.”

  “As you wish. I’ll see you in the morning. Ooh, dear.” Minna sighed and went chasing out the door in pursuit of her husband before Prudence even had a chance to stand.

  “Well, little man, it’s just you and me. Let’s get some sleep. We’ll need it if we have to get the train in the morning. It's a real shame. He seemed so nice to begin with.” Really handsome too. “I knew our luck couldn’t hold out. But if he wants me, he has to take you too, we’re a team,” she said, picking Benji up off the couch and wrapping the blanket around him.

  Benji blew a few bubbles as his eyes opened and closed, as though she was boring him and he was too tired to care. His head flopped to her shoulder and his palm pressed against the side of her neck.

  “All right, I’ll stop talking. This situation doesn’t bother you anyway. As long as you’re warm and fed, its good enough. Isn’t that right, young man?” She pressed her lips to his forehead. Benji answered by chuckling in his sleep. Prudence giggled too. “You really couldn’t care less, could you? Oh, how I wish I was blessed with your innocence.”

  But she couldn’t go backward. She’d been drawn to Austin Alwin the moment their eyes met in the mirror. Something warm had moved inside her and she knew he was the one—the one she needed to change her life. The eyes that held her captive in his gaze had spoken to her. Told her to expect the unexpected of an exciting and happy life, with him at her side. They’d promised her his devotion as soon as they were married, and so much more.

  How could all of that just disappear in an instant? Those eyes had been like an invisible hand caressing her, making love to her, long before he’d even stepped into the room. She’d felt the connection between them. A magnetic force telling her they were meant to be together. She wanted more of that for herself, his strength, his arms, his love.

  His presence had made her feel protected, safe, desired, vulnerable, and angry. So many different feelings had eaten her up, traveling through her for the length of time he’d stood in the room with them; and vanished as soon as he had. If she was being honest, Austin was the kind of man she would have chosen for herself had she met him under different circumstances.

  He was ruggedly alluring. She’d struggled to breathe at his nearness, he’d smelled so good. His gaze was so magnetic she’d fought to stay seated when he stared into her eyes, drawing her into their depth, pulling her forward. The spell was only broken by Benji’s fidgeting.

  The way he looked at her after he found out Benji was with her had chilled her to the marrow. He’d blown as cold as he had hot. The blue washed from his eyes, turning them to steel. What she wouldn’t give to see that broodingly handsome face smiling at her once more. She wanted to marry him, and she’d find a way to do it too. There was no way she’d be lucky enough to find another man as good as this one was.

  Her prayers had to make it happen.

  Rhythmically she put Benji to bed, changed into her night things, and fell to her knees by the foot of her bed. Hands clasped tight, she asked God to forgive her wanton ways. If he could see his way clear to making Austin Alwin change his mind about accepting Benji, she would be forever his humble servant—not that she wasn’t already. But if she found a gap in her devotion, she’d be sure to fill it.

  Prudence slid under the sheets with Austin’s image inside her head and the memory of how she’d longed to run her fingers down his cheek and across his jaw. She’d wanted to trace along his scar and feel if the hair on his chin was bristly, or as soft as the hair on Benji’s head. She yawned and closed her eyes. Tomorrow was another day. She’d think some more on her problem then.

  Sunlight beamed through the window and scorched Prudence’s cheek. Her eyes flickered open, to find the cradle the pastor and his wife had loaned her empty. Panic clutched at her heart and dipped into her stomach as it contracted. />
  Prudence leaped out of bed, a hand flying to her forehead as she spun in place and stared around the room in confusion. She threw on a dressing gown over her nightdress, fastened the front of it, and gripping the collar tightly together, she left the room.

  Maybe Mrs. Alwin took him so she could get some sleep. But why? She’d never taken him from the room before. Prudence heard voices outside, and went to the window in the hall to peek out. Pastor Jeffrey was outside talking to a man by a wagon full of furniture.

  Goodness, they didn’t mean to take Benji away from her and give him to those people, did they? And if they did, what could she do about it? Tears filled Prudence’s eyes at the thought. She raced down the stairs, through to the breakfast parlor, and stopped dead in her tracks and squinted.

  “Winnie? What are you doing here?”

  The woman who had wet nursed Benji while they had stayed with Mrs. Millard in Denver, was sitting at the table with a towel across her shoulder, Benji’s head underneath as she fed him.

  “Morning, Miss Fairchild. Me and Jacob decided to come to Jubilee Springs as he needs work and my bosoms are so full, with no child to care for. I asked Jacob if we could come, so I could continue to feed little Benji, here. Mrs. Millard gave me the address where you were staying, so here we are. I hope I’m not overstepping, ma’am. But I really do need this, Miss Fairchild. This little man right here is going to help me heal.” She stared at Benji with love in her eyes, rocking back and forth as she spoke.

  “You’re not overstepping, Winnie, I’m sure Benji’s as glad as I am that you’re here. I don’t think he likes the formula all that much. Where are you staying?”

  “Well, Pastor Jeffrey says we can stay here for a couple of nights if need be, and he’d speak to his brother about getting Jacob work. Jacob’s real good with his hands. If Jacob gets work with Mr. Alwin, then I can take care of feeding Benji and everyone will be happy. Don’t you think so, Miss Fairchild?”

  Prudence didn’t know what to think. She was pleased to see Winnie, as Benji hadn’t taken to the bottle very well. Minna had said if the feeding continued to not go well, she’d see if they could find a wet nurse nearby.