The Brides of Chance Collection Part 20

"Yeah, we promishhh."

"Well, you should be ashamed. Miriam sent you to town in good faith that you'd behave yourselves. How do you think she'll feel when she finds out you've been hanging out at the Nugget? And you've upset Miss Worthington."

"Aw, Missshhhh W...wor...Misshhh, please accept my apolozhyyy." Bryce bent at the waist, trying to be gallant, and pitched forward. He caught himself just before falling into her lap-which t.i.tus knew from experience was a wondrous thing. Still, he didn't want the boy, or any other man, for that matter, knowing it firsthand.

"You two go on to the wagon. I'll be there soon."

The boys staggered back across the room and left the diner, banging the door behind them.

Rarely did t.i.tus feel nervous, but there was no denying the trembling in his gut as he dared to meet Miss Worthington's gaze. She arched a brow. t.i.tus recognized the challenge. She'd let him explain but wasn't promising to believe a word he said.

"All right. Logan and Bryce are the youngest of us six brothers."

"I thought you said you were a G.o.d-fearing family." Miss Worthington's voice remained soft and calm. Again, t.i.tus felt optimism rise.

"They got a little rowdy last year until our older brother Gideon threatened to tan their hides if he ever caught them at it again." He glanced in the direction his younger brothers had gone, then looked back to Miss Worthington. "I don't know what's gotten into them to end up at the Nugget again after such a long time."

"The Nugget?"

t.i.tus cringed. "The saloon."

"Do you really need help for your sister-in-law, or were you only trying to keep me from being humiliated in front of your girl?"

t.i.tus started. "First of all, yes. Miriam needs help, and I'd be obliged if you'd consider coming to work on the ranch. Second, Prissy White is not my girl. Not really."

"Not really?"

"Well, I asked her to marry me, but she was considering a few other proposals at the time. I guess my pockets weren't deep enough for her."

"All right, Mr. Chance. I do need a job, and I'm used to large numbers to feed and care for. So I suppose I will accept your offer."

t.i.tus nodded, aware of the curious stares coming from everyone in the room. "Will you consider the boys as proper chaperones? The ranch is an hour's ride east of here. No one in these parts would consider you compromised. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I'll make other arrangements for you."

Again her expression revealed her conflicting emotions. No doubt she realized she had no place to sleep but weighed that reality against the fact that night had fallen in earnest and she would be forced to ride with three strange men, two of whom were inebriated.

Gathering a shaky breath, she nodded. "I suppose they'll have to do."

Relief rushed over him like an ocean wave.

"I'm in your debt."

"No, Mr. Chance." She spoke so softly, he had to strain to hear.

t.i.tus's heart leapt to his throat. "No?"

She kept her gaze steady on his. "We are both well aware that the debt owed is mine. Not yours."

Despite her nervousness, Alisa couldn't help but gather a deep breath and drink in the fresh smell of pine wafting from the trees lining each side of the well-worn path. Nighttime usually frightened her, but out here the black sky shaded with rolling gray clouds appeared like a painting created by a master. The fragrance of the coming rain hung in the air.

Calm slowly replaced her jitters. She cut her gaze to Mr. Chance. He stared ahead, watching the road. Her stomach turned a flip just observing his profile. Black stubble formed a pattern across his jaw. To Alisa, the unshaven roughness only added to his good looks. As though unaware of the effect he was having on her, Mr. Chance absently hummed "Shall We Gather at the River," his rich baritone adding to the pleasure of being in his company.

He turned his head as though aware of her perusal. A smile curved his full lips, and Alisa had trouble looking away. "Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yes." Cheeks burning, she forced herself to stare ahead into the darkness.

He jerked his thumb toward the back of the wagon. "Listen to those two."

The two lanky boys snored happily. She knew they wouldn't be so happy when they awoke, and she took satisfaction from it. "Perhaps their condition in the morning will discourage them from indulging in spirits." Her cheeks burned as she realized she'd spoken her musings aloud. What would he think of her even knowing about headaches and sick stomachs-consequences of too much alcohol?

"I hope so. Only the Lord can deliver a person from a hankering for the temporary pleasures of sin."

Impressed with his astute observation and obvious love for the Lord, Alisa began to feel much more at ease. "How is your head feeling, Mr. Chance?"

"Well, let's just say I probably won't be in any better shape than those two in the morning, but at least I got mine honestly."

Alisa gave a soft laugh, then sobered as she remembered that Mr. Chance had been robbed. "Will you go to the sheriff?"

He nodded. "Mr. Wayne will also inform the marshal in San Francisco."

"I hope you get your horse back."

His smile nearly stole her breath. "That's sweet of you, Alisa."

Alisa started at his use of her given name.

"Do you object to being called that? I won't do it if you feel it's inappropriate."

"Nano, of course you may use my name. I will be a servant in your house, after all."

Without speaking, he tugged the reins, and the horses stopped. He turned to give her his full attention. "Look at me," he ordered.

Alisa did as he commanded, meeting his stern gaze. "I want you to get that notion out of your head right now."

"Nanotion? I thought I would be working for you."

"Well..." He hesitated, then scowled deeply. "You'll be helping Miriam and will be compensated for it, but that doesn't make you a servant."

"It doesn't?"

"No," he growled.

"Then what does it make me?" Alisa fought the giggle rising in her at his discomfiture.

"Part of the family."

"You marryin' her, t.i.tus?"

"Shut up and go back to sleep, Logan," Mr. Chance growled. "I'm trying to explain to Miss Worthington that she isn't a servant."

" 'K," he mumbled and resumed snoring.

"Alisa...Miss Worthington..."

Alisa decided to quell his discomfort. She placed her palm on his arm, then lifted it off again when his muscle twitched. "I know what you mean. I appreciate your generosity. Please do call me Alisa, as it will be much easier if we are to see each other often."

"We'll most definitely be seeing each other." His eyes searched hers, and he smiled, once again revealing straight, healthy teeth. "Every breakfast, lunch, and supper." His lazy, husky voice created pleasing word pictures. Warmth slithered across her belly at the thought. "During family devotions, long walks by the creek, Sunday meetings."

"Picnicsshhh. I like picnicsshhh."

He glared over the seat. "Mind your own business, Bryce."

Still tingling from the moment that had just pa.s.sed between them, Alisa released the laughter bubbling up, grateful for the opportunity to ease the tension.

"Well, I suppose we should get moving, anyway."

Alisa nodded. Pins of nervous energy p.r.i.c.ked at her spine. Would the rest of the family welcome her? If not, where would she go? She'd be right back in the same situation she was in before Mr. Chance came into her life. Only this time...this time she wouldn't have a champion.

Chapter 5.

Alisa tilted her head to one side like a curious puppy and stared at the group of buildings in front of her as t.i.tus pulled the reins, and the wagon halted. "It's like a small town," she said in amazement.

t.i.tus's low, throaty chuckle pulled her attention from the view.

"How many brothers did you say you have?"

"We're a close bunch." He pointed toward the structures. "On the left is the main cabin. Gideon and Miriam live there, and that's also where we share our meals. Next is my cabin. We built it for Miriam, but when she and Giddy married, I took over. Next to that, those two knuckleheads in back bunk together. My brother Paul has the next cabin. I used to bunk with him. And up there on the far right is my brother Daniel's cabin. He's the one with the two little girls."

"It's wonderful you have such a large, close family."

He c.o.c.ked his head and gave her a lazy grin. "It's not always wonderful. But usually it is. We don't want to split up the land, but we knew we'd need our privacy as each of us marries. Besides, Daniel keeps us in logs."

"One man cut down the trees to build all of this?"

"Pretty much. After his wife died, he needed something to occupy him so that he didn't go crazy. Felling the trees seemed to be his way of working things out."

Pity warmed Alisa's heart. "I understand."

t.i.tus looked at her sharply. "My brothers are going to be curious about a woman traveling alone with no extra money or even a change of clothes. Do you feel like you want to tell me your story?"

"I...don't think I can just yet."

Not until she was certain he would believe her and not send her back to San Francisco to be arrested for her grandmother's murder.

Her grandmother.

"I understand." He climbed down and headed to the back of the wagon. "Hey, knuckleheads. Wake up."

Alisa's mind moved past the grumblings and mumblings of the drunken young men. For at least the thousandth time in the past two days, she shook her head to rekindle the memory of her dear grandmother's words. She truly wasn't alone. Or she wouldn't have been if Robert Worthington had been the sort of father a girl could be proud of. Growing up, she'd always thought if one had money, that person must be truly above all others in manners and grace. After all, would G.o.d reward someone who was truly wicked? But her father had certainly proven her wrong.

She shuddered at the memory of his steely, hate-ridden glare as he accused her. Despite his wonderful mother, somehow cords of evil had slithered around his heart and squeezed the decency from him. For the first time, Alisa understood that the love of money could, indeed, be a root of all evil. She'd almost rather have no father than to have one who was wicked. But that hadn't been her choice, and now because her dream of finding a family had been granted, she had to run to escape the injustice of being falsely accused.

Before she could succ.u.mb to ready tears, Alisa noticed that t.i.tus was at her side of the wagon, holding his hand out to help her down.

t.i.tus swallowed hard as he approached the door. Alisa's warm hand tucked in the crook of his arm made it difficult for him to think, let alone formulate a logical reason that he hired a girl to help Miriam without a family vote. He could imagine the backlash.

Alisa released a shaky breath, the first sign she'd displayed that she was less than confident. t.i.tus covered her hand. "Don't worry. Miriam will love you."

With a barely perceptible nod, she squeezed his arm. "I'll be all right."

"Let's go in." He knocked on the door of the main cabin. Miriam appeared in short order. She smiled broadly when she saw him. "t.i.tus, I'm so glad you made it back." Then she seemed to notice Alisa. Rather than asking questions, she opened the door wider. "Come in, please. Your guest looks worn to a frazzle."

Alisa's lips curved into a weary smile. "Thank you."

Gideon stood when Alisa entered-manners compliments of his new wife-and offered her his chair at the table. "Please, have a seat." He held her chair and stared at t.i.tus over her head. His expression clearly spoke his disapproval and his curiosity.

t.i.tus cleared his throat, suddenly aware of the silence in the room. Silence he was expected to fill. "I'd like you both to meet Alisa Worthington. Alisa, this is my brother Gideon and his wife, Miriam." So that took care of the names.

"And where did you meet t.i.tus, Miss Worthington?" Miriam's pleasant voice broke through the silence.

G.o.d bless Miriam.

"On the stage from San Francisco."

t.i.tus inwardly cringed in antic.i.p.ation of the next obvious question.

"Oh? And what brings you to Reliable?"

Alisa's gaze faltered, and a pretty blush crept to her cheeks. "I...well..."

"I hired her to help Miriam."

"What?"

"How thoughtful!"

Gideon and Miriam spoke as one, then looked at each other. Alisa glanced from one to the other, then to t.i.tus. He nodded, hoping to rea.s.sure her, but from the crestfallen expression clouding her face, he knew he'd fallen abysmally short of accomplishing his goal.

"Miss Worthington, you must be dead on your feet," Miriam said. "Have you eaten supper?"

Alisa nodded. "At the station in Reliable."