Lucas was starting to like her, she thought. In time, if she really tried not to be so bossy and act as though she knew what everyone else should be doing and if she was able to prove that she could do just fine in the wilderness, maybe then liking would turn into loving. She'd told him she was miserable, and now all she wanted in the world was for her husband to be miserable, too.
She was just drifting off to sleep when Lucas rolled to the side and covered the two of them with the blanket. He pulled her back into his arms and closed his eyes.
"Taylor?"
"Yes?"
"We aren't going to raise our son and our daughters the way you were raised. They're never going to be afraid to tell us anything. They aren't going to be ashamed or embarrassed by their bodies, and by God, if anyone ever tries to touch them, they'll know how to scream."
Chapter 18
He that will have a cake out of wheat must tarry the grinding.
—William Shakespeare,
Loving Lucas was easy. Getting along with the impossible man was another matter altogether. Taylor hadn't realized how stubborn he could be until he refused to back down and listen to reason. The issue of where they were going to live was under discussion, though in truth she was the only one doing any discussing. Lucas had told her they were moving to a large city and refused to hear her argument against the plan. She was just as determined to stay where she was.
Time was on her side, however. Victoria was exhausted from their journey and needed to rest before she went anywhere. Her dear friend had just climbed out of the wagon when she heard Taylor tell Lucas she was ailing. She immediately jumped back inside and took to her bed.
Hunter was getting his things together with the intent of taking off for the mountains. As soon as he heard Victoria was sick, he came up with one reason after another why he couldn't leave.
Roily and three other men from town came marching into the clearing and inadvertently stopped the argument.
"We aren't finished with this discussion," Taylor whispered to her husband before turning to smile at the visitors.
"We aren't having a discussion," Lucas told her. "As soon as Victoria's feeling better, we're leaving."
Georgie and Allie were both demanding his attention. He squatted down to find out what they wanted.
Hunter was putting out the fire he'd started to cook their breakfast. Daniel was helping him.
"Ross, Hunter," Roily called out, nodding after he shouted each name. He stopped in front of Taylor and bowed to her. "Morning, Mrs. Ross. Since you went and got yourself a house, me and the boys thought we'd go along and see to a few repairs. We'll make sure the place is clear of critters, so you won't have to worry about the youngsters stepping on something mean."
Lucas had stood up during Rolly's explanation. Allie hid behind his leg and stared up at the giant, but Georgie was bolder. She walked right up to Roily and tugged on his pant leg until he looked down at her.
The child lost her balance staring up at Roily and staggered backward. Then she put her arms up and waited.
Roily looked at Taylor. "What's she wanting?" he asked nervously.
Georgie answered before Taylor could. "Up," she demanded.
Roily looked thunderstruck. "I ain't never held me a baby. Guess I could give it a try if you're agreeable, Mrs. Ross."
"Certainly, Mr. Roily," Taylor replied.
"It's just Roily," he instructed her. He bent over and gently lifted Georgie up. He held her up in the air at arm's length. "She don't weigh more than a feather."
"Taylor, what's Roily talking about?" Lucas asked. He'd held onto his patience long enough. He wanted an immediate answer.
Roily stepped forward. "She got herself a house. Can I put her down now? I don't want to damage her none."
Taylor reached up and took Georgie into her arms. The men smiled at the little girl, then followed their leader as Roily turned and started back across the clearing.
"We'll be ready to help you move in by early afternoon, Mrs. Ross," Roily called out.
Taylor put Georgie down and told her and her sister to go help Hunter. Then she turned to her husband. "I purchased a house yesterday. That's why I went to see Lewis," she said. Her words were hurried together when she added, "I haven't seen it yet, but I'm sure it's going to be fine. It has wood floors and glass windows."
There was only one house in Redemption with glass windows. Lucas let out a loud expletive.
"Callaghan's place," he whispered. "Lewis sold you that crazy old mountain man's house?"
He wasn't shouting, but he was close to it. Taylor hurried to soothe him. "It isn't his house. Even if we do leave soon, we still need somewhere to stay tonight."
"No."
"Lucas, be reasonable about this."
He took a step closer to her. "I am being reasonable. He's crazy, Taylor. You'll wake up and find him sitting at the table wanting breakfast. His smell will knock you over backward. I don't think he's had a bath in twenty years. He won't leave until he's good and ready," he added with a nod. "And then he'll take half of what you've unpacked with him."
Taylor hid her alarm. "Is he dangerous?" she asked.
Lucas wanted to lie, then decided on the truth. "No," he admitted. "He won't hurt you, but you'll want to kill him after being in his company for ten minute's. It's out of the question. We're staying in the meadow."
Victoria heard the argument and was peeking out the back of the wagon so she could watch the couple. She was ready to conclude that Lucas was going to win the argument. Then Taylor nudged the scales in her favor.
"My dear friend is sick," she announced. "She needs a proper bed. Are you willing to take all of us to your brothers' place and let us stay there until she's feeling better?"
He would have loved to do just that but knew it wasn't a good idea. "The ranch is a hard day's ride on a horse. With wagons and finding trails, it could take as long as four days."
"Lewis told me Callaghan doesn't usually come down from the mountain until the middle of summer."
"We'll be living in the city by then," Lucas told her.
"Then surely it will be all right if we stay in the house just one night."
Lucas finally gave in. He assured her it was only because of Victoria's health and only for one night.
He had the last word. "If she's better, we're leaving tomorrow."
The house was as wonderful as a palace in Taylor's estimation. There was a large glass window on either side of the entrance and one above on the second floor. The living area was quite spacious. To the right was a long wooden table with benches on each side that would surely seat eight or ten good-sized adults. Against the wall behind the table was a black iron kettle stove, and there was a little alcove with shelves and a long counter.
A small stone fireplace faced the front door. On the left side of the room was a bed and mattress Roily assured her had already been aired out. And in the far corner of the room was a door that opened up into another bedroom. There was a bed against the wall, a crate next to it, and yet another glass window.
The steps leading up to the loft was on the other side of the fireplace. Taylor took the children up to look at their sleeping quarters. Her only worry was that one of the twins might try to climb over the railing, but Hunter assured her the girls had more sense than that. While he was defending them, Georgie got her head stuck between two of the banister spindles. Lucas had carried Victoria inside, for Hunter refused to get near her, and when Georgie started wailing, he put Victoria down on one of the benches and went up to free his daughter.
Taylor and Lucas both insisted Victoria take the back bedroom. She immediately became teary eyed over their thoughtfulness.