Frontier Gift of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 5) Read online

  “Give me a minute more.” The woman’s experienced hands roamed her abdomen pressing and feeling, first high on both sides and then lower.

  When she finished, Catherine placed a protective hand across her belly. “Please tell me my child is all right.” Tears spawned by fear filled her eyes. She couldn’t lose this baby too. It would kill her. And Sam.

  “Indeed, ‘tis big and healthy.”

  “Then what is causing my pain? Is it because I’m going to have this child early?”

  “No, my dear. It is not.”

  Chapter 3

  Two days earlier, Boonesborough, Kentucky, Saturday, 17 December, 1799

  Bear MacKay frowned at Daniel Breedhead, the lanky owner of the town’s large general store. “I canna believe ye do na have a sporran. With all the Scots in these colonies ye would think I could find one.”

  “Sir, my apologies. I have always meant to order some because I do get the occasional request for one.”

  “Could ye get one before Christmas?”

  “No, I’m afraid I’ve already received my Christmas stock. But Mister MacKay, you’ve been a great friend to me, saving me from those robbers last fall, and you and your wife are good customers too. Tell you what I’ll do. I’ll write to a shopkeeper I know well in Lexington. He has an even larger store than mine. If he has one, I’ll have it shipped here.”

  “I would be grateful. I want a good one, mind ye, like this one.” He moved his big knife aside and lifted his own sporran up for the man to see. “’Tis for a special young lad.”

  Bear thought Little John could use the sporran for collecting rocks and such. And he would tell the boy that it was a way for him to always remember his big Scots uncle.

  “I’ll be sure to include that in my letter. But it’s doubtful it will be here before Christmas.”

  “Aye, I expected that. I’ll just give it to Little John later or pay ye to ship it to him.”

  “What else are you shopping for today, Sir?”

  Bear glanced around him. He needed to find at least two other presents for Little John and several gifts for Stephen’s two lasses as well. And a doll for William’s wee lassie. Perhaps he would let Artis pick out the girls’ presents before they left for Sam’s. She would enjoy that and it might make her feel even more a part of his family. “I need Christmas gifts for a little boy.”

  “I have just what you need.”

  Bear followed the thin apron-wearing man through the store to the area where he displayed a nice assortment of toys for children. The shopkeeper picked up a flat of toy soldiers and handed it to him.

  “Those little soldiers are made in Germany, stamped, and painted in the colors of our victorious Continental Army. And I have trays of the enemy too, their coats painted red, of course. They are sold by the pound and are quite inexpensive.”

  Bear noticed the tag attached to the flat. At that price, he could amass an impressive force of troops to give the boy. “Aye, these are perfect. Sam would enjoy playin’ with Little John with these too.”

  He spotted several rocking horses as well. One of those would be just right for Stephen’s toddler Samuel. He picked the one that looked the most like Stephen’s prized horse.

  “And I have a nice set of draughts here,” Breedhead pointed out.

  “Oh aye, Little John could play checkers with me durin’ our visit. I’ll take four trays, two of each color, of the wee toy soldiers, this horse, and the draughts. What books do ye have for children?” He loved to read himself and believed in encouraging children to read books.

  “I have several titles over here,” Breedhead said, as he strode toward the book section. “The History of Little Jack; Original Stories from Real Life; Adventures of a Pincushion; and Keeper’s Travels in Search of His Master.” Breedhead put each in Bear’s hands as he located them.

  “I’ll take them all,” he declared. “I believe wee children need to read as well as play.”

  “Will you be needing any gifts for your lovely new wife?”

  “Aye, she is beautiful,” Bear agreed, letting her sweet face and shapely body fill his mind. The delightful image brought a warmth to his chest and made a smile turn up his lips.

  “It’s only been a few weeks since your wedding. Are you enjoying married life?”

  “I admit, I’ve fallen in love again every day since we married. I am love-struck, smitten, infatuated, head-over-heels, in love with the lass.”

  “You are indeed a lucky man. I’ve never seen a bride as stunning.”

  “I know I must sound like a besotted young fool, and I guess I am,” Bear chuckled, “besotted, I mean. I expect ye think I’ve misplaced me wits.”

  “No, it’s plain to see that you’re just deliriously happy.”

  “I’m na likely to disagree with ye.”

  “I’m glad I could come to your wedding at your new splendid home.”

  “Aye, I am richly blessed.”

  “By the way,” Breedhead said after he finished wrapping the gifts, “I met those friends of yours from back in New Hampshire yesterday.”

  Bear’s brows creased. “What friends?”

  “Three men. They said they were friends of your family and that your brother Edward told them that Captain Sam, Stephen, William, and you had all moved to Kentucky. They came in here and wanted to know where Sam lived now.”

  “What else did they say?”

  “They asked me not to tell anyone they were looking for Sam. They wanted to surprise the Captain with a visit. I figured I’d tell you or William anyway the next time I saw either one of you. After all, that wouldn’t spoil their surprise. By then, they would likely already be there. ”

  “Did they have families? Do ye remember their names?”

  “No, I watched them leave and I saw no families. It was just the three men. Yes, I think I still have their names. I wrote their names down on their orders—they each bought mostly coffee, bacon, and powder and ball. And one bought ink, quill, and paper too. While I filled their orders, they went to the tavern and were well in their cups by the time they came back to collect their purchases. One of the three, the rowdy one, was so soused he could barely stay atop his mount. Let me see, I think I have those orders here somewhere on my desk.”

  While Breedhead rummaged through his disorderly array of paperwork, Bear pondered what this might mean. Why would three men travel without families all the way from New Hampshire to talk to Sam? He didn’t remember three single men who were friends of Sam. At least not friends close enough to have come this far. Since the war, Sam pretty much kept to himself. When he wanted company, it was with family. What aroused Bear’s misgivings the most was that they’d ask Breedhead not to tell anyone. He raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Something about this didn’t add up. In fact, he suspected it would likely only add up to trouble.

  “Here it is!” Breedhead declared holding the paper up.

  No longer in the mood for gift buying, he told Breedhead he would stop by another time to find Artis a gift and paid him for the toys. Then he wrote down the names of the strangers, grabbed his packages, and headed straight for his brother William’s office, towing his horse Camel behind him through the busy street.

  A multitude of shops had sprung up to furnish arriving settlers with necessities and desired services. On the main road—thronged with men, horses, and mules—incessant hammering and banging rang out from a half-dozen blacksmiths' sheds, where wagon wheels and axles were being repaired, and horses and oxen shod. A train of emigrants’ wagons passed by him as he walked. Bear waved to the multitude of dirty but healthy children’s faces peeking out in wonder from under the wagons’ covers. After maneuvering his way around wagons loaded with freight of all kinds he passed through the fort’s gates.

  As Boonesborough’s sheriff, William’s office and the jail were located in the northwest blockhouse at the fort.

  “William, I must speak with ye,” he announced as he threw open the door.

  William looked
up and stood. The reflected light from the hearth fire glimmered over his brother’s handsome face and blond hair. “Can it wait a few minutes Bear? I’m almost through interviewing this gentleman for our deputy position. Bill Wallace, may I present my brother Bear MacKay.”

  Wallace stood and Bear shook the tall man’s firm hand. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir.”

  “And ‘tis glad I am to meet ye, Mr. Wallace.” Bear glanced back at William. “Aye, it can wait. I’ll be at the eatery when ye have finished.”

  “No, there’s no need to leave. Have a seat over there at Deputy Mit…” William stopped himself. “At the deputy’s desk. I’m almost through here.” Grief briefly touched his brother’s crystal blue eyes.

  Bear took a seat and remembered seeing Deputy Mitchell sitting right here many a time. He shook his head at the sorrowful memory of the fine young man.

  “Well, Mr. Wallace, your credentials are impressive and you come highly recommended by men I respect. When are you available to start?”

  “Does that mean I have the job?” Wallace asked hopefully.

  “Indeed it does,” William told him, smiling. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you, Sir. I promise to serve you and this town to the very best of my ability. Although I have both military and civil experience, I know I will learn a great deal working with you and Judge Webb.”

  The new deputy’s words impressed Bear. He was glad his brother would finally have help with his long list of duties. And it would provide someone to watch over the town while they traveled to Cumberland Falls for Christmas.

  “Your new quarters are here in the blockhouse, upstairs,” William told Wallace, pointing to the stairs behind him. “Why don’t you get settled in while I speak with my brother? After lunch, I’ll start your training.”

  “Thank you Sheriff Wyllie. I appreciate this,” Wallace said as he shook William’s hand. He turned toward Bear. “Very nice to have met you Mr. MacKay. I take it Mr. Wyllie is your half-brother since you have a different last name?”

  “Nay, William’s parents adopted me when I was a young lad. But we are brothers, to be sure. I lost both me Mum and me Da to illness on our voyage to the colonies. That’s why William’s parents adopted me and how I gained five brothers, includin’ this ugly one,” he said smiling and nodding at William. He enjoyed teasing William about his looks since everyone acknowledged that William was the most handsome of all the brothers.

  Bear rose and shook the man’s strong rough hand. Bear liked what he saw. Like William, the man carried himself with an air of self-confidence. That would give him a distinct advantage when dealing with lawbreakers. The beginnings of age lines around his mouth and eyes gave him the look of experience, despite appearing to be around thirty years of age. His dark curling hair, a stark contrast to William’s straighter blond hair, was cut short and his face clean shaven.

  Wallace went outside to retrieve the bags on his horse and Bear took the seat in front of William. He related everything Breedhead told him about the three strangers headed for Sam’s place. “If they’re na there already, they will be shortly,” he told William.

  “It is strange, indeed,” William said. “But we have no reason to believe there is anything sinister to worry about.”

  “Aye, we do. They told Breedhead na to tell anyone they were here, claimin’ they wanted to surprise Sam. That does na make sense. No one here would race ahead of them to tell Sam they heard he was havin’ visitors.”

  “Agreed.”

  “And, as ye well know, Sam did na have many close friends. Unlike you, he’s always been a bit of a loner. Here’s the list of the men’s names that Breedhead gave me.”

  William studied the names for a moment. “I don’t recognize any of these names.”

  “Nor did I. William, we should leave for Cumberland Falls as soon as we can.”

  “I agree. This all seems rather odd. It may be nothing, but we can’t count on that. If those men are bringing trouble, we might be needed.”

  “Aye. Ye’re right. Either ye or I should leave at once,” Bear suggested.

  “I can’t leave because I have to train Wallace for at least a couple of days and introduce him around before I’d feel comfortable leaving the town in his hands.”

  “Aye. I’ll gladly go,” Bear said. “Artis can travel with ye, Kelly, and her father.” He hated the idea of being separated from his new wife for even a day, but Sam, Catherine, and Little John might have trouble on their hands. And if they did, he wanted to get there as soon as he could. He’d always been protective of his brothers. He did not intend to stop now.

  “That sounds like a sound plan.” William stood and studied the calendar hanging on his office wall. “It’s Saturday, December 17. You can leave right away. I’ll train Wallace and then leave Tuesday the 20th. We’ll spend the night at Fort Logan. That should get us to Sam’s place by late in the day on Wednesday, the 21st, four days before Christmas.”

  “‘Tis settled then. I’ll leave as soon as possible. Promise me ye’ll check on Artis every mornin’ and each evenin’ on yer way to and from town. It should take ye only a few minutes since it is right on yer way.”

  “It would be my pleasure to do so,” William said. “But perhaps she’d rather come stay with Kelly and me. After what she went through last month, she might be reluctant to stay at your place alone.”

  “Perhaps yer right. I’ll suggest that to her.”

  “I’ll stop by on my way home to see what Artis decided.”

  “My thanks. I just bought these Christmas presents for Little John,” he said pointing to the packages sitting by the door. “Would ye mind takin’ them home with ye and then bring them in yer wagon when ye leave for Sam’s? Perhaps Kelly could help Artis pick out presents for Stephen’s girls and yer little Nicole. Or if they can na, could ye?”

  “Sure. I always wanted to play Father Christmas.”

  “Father Christmas is a merry ol’ man. Yer merry without a doubt and I do see a wee bit of gray there around yer big ears, but yer still far from lookin’ like an old man.”

  “Then we’ll just have to ask Sam to do it,” William suggested, laughing.

  Bear chuckled. “For yer sake, I will na tell him ye said that. By the way, yer new deputy seems impressive.”

  “Thank God he came to me looking for a position. I was beginning to run myself ragged trying to keep up with all my duties here in town and at home. Kelly keeps both her father and me busy. There’s nary a spare moment for amusement anymore.”

  “Nonetheless, ye would na trade yer life with Kelly at Whispering Hills for anythin’ would ye?”

  “Nope. I’ve never been so content.”

  “I feel the same.” Bear stood to leave. “Do na forget to introduce Wallace to Lucky McGintey. He might need the old man’s sage advice. No one knows Boonesborough as well as Lucky.” Both Bear and William considered the aging hunter and long-time companion of Daniel Boone to be a good friend. More than once, Lucky’s luck had rubbed off on them.

  “That’s an excellent suggestion,” William said.

  “Before I leave for home, I’ll find Lucky and ask him to keep an eye on both our places and feed the stock for us while we’re gone. I do na think he’ll mind.”

  “We can show our appreciation with a nice bottle of brandy when we get back,” William suggested.

  “Aye, the old boy would like that.”

  “Bear, promise me you’ll stay safe on your journey.” From his sun-toughened face, William leveled concerned eyes on Bear.

  “Aye. That I will do. Ye do the same.”

  Chapter 4

  Wyllie Cattle Farm, Kentucky, Friday, 16 December, 1799

  Stephen Wyllie’ s chest swelled with pride as he surveyed his herd of cattle. When they left New Hampshire more than two years ago, he brought an outstanding young bull and his two best heifers with him. The bull had bred both twice since then, and between them, the cows delivered a bull and three heifers. Now,
as they huddled near him, their middles appeared swollen with a calf once again. He had also bought several dozen more cows at a good price from a man who decided to leave Kentucky in a hurry and move to the Ohio territory. Although not as good as the stock that Stephen brought to Kentucky, the new cows all dropped nice calves as well.

  Why anyone would want to move further north eluded him. It was cold enough in Kentucky. He buttoned his coat and tied his woolen scarf more snugly around his neck. But the weather here was far better than New Hampshire, where each winter many of his cows froze to death or nearly starved.

  He would have to acquire more heifers soon to grow his herd as quickly as he wanted to. Moments ago, Colonel Logan, accompanied by four men from the fort, purchased ten young bulls from him—intending to use the best one for breeding and the other nine to supply winter beef for Fort Logan.

  “I have to get back to the fort,” Logan told him. “These men will bring the bulls back.”

  “Thank you, Colonel Logan,” Stephen said, looking up at the man, grateful for his first significant sale of cattle.

  As Logan rode away, the four men said their goodbyes and then herded the bulls toward the trail to the fort. Stephen wished the bulls had been born heifers, because then he could have kept them. But a herd this size only needed one good bull. And Boone, named in honor of Kentucky’s most valiant man, already proved his worth by keeping all of Stephen’s cows bred.

  Growing tired of waiting on Stephen to feed them, the highest ranking cows—the two he’d brought from his meager farm in New Hampshire—started mooing and bellowing loudly. They had long since become like pets and he reached out and scratched the wiry hair on their foreheads. “Hungry ladies? I know, it’s not easy finding grass under this snow.”

  After he fed grain to all his stock and farm animals, and oats to his prize horse George, the offspring of Stephen’s last stallion of the same name and Jane’s mare, he headed toward the house. The snow crunched beneath Stephen’s worn boots until he stopped at the wood pile to the right of the porch and loaded his arms with firewood. After he entered the large cabin he tugged off the muddy wet boots, leaving them by the door, and sat the logs down by the stone hearth. The brightly blazing fire, along with the kitchen hearth, provided the home’s only warmth and he made sure to keep both well supplied with good-sized logs. He didn’t want to risk either Jane or his daughters getting sick from a chill.