“To be honest, I am not surprised,” Ginny said finally. “He was… reckless. You will tell us what happened?”
I nodded. “Later.”
Most of the eagerness had bled from all three of us, but Tom was able to pick up the thread of conversation. “I’m glad we’re here then.” He squeezed Ginny’s shoulder. “We talked and decided a fresh start would be good. I am a lawyer and hopefully can hang my shingle in the area. Someplace new.” He looked about, as if Travis Point was a possibility. “But not Butte. It didn’t seem all that appealing.”
Georgia vehemently shook her head. I knew how much she hated city life, much more content in the country and the quiet it offered.
“But the stage driver spoke of Bridgewater,” Tom added.
I stared at him for a moment, then started to laugh. Turning, I looked up at Jonah. He found Tom’s words to be equally amusing. “I am Jonah, Tennessee’s husband.” He leaned forward, shook Tom’s hand and tipped his head to both Ginny and Georgia.
Georgia gasped, grinned and eyed Jonah with keen interest. “Tennie, your manners are terrible! I can’t believe you didn’t say something sooner. A brother I’ve never had.”
“I thought that was me,” Tom replied, his words laced with amusement.
“I can have more than one,” she countered, setting a hand on her hip.
Yes, and if she settled in Bridgewater, she could have more than one husband.
“Speaking of more than one,” I replied, then looked to Jonah, who nodded. “I have much to tell you.”
“Let’s collect our horses and a wagon for your things,” Jonah said, and I realized standing on the boardwalk in Travis Point wasn’t the place to share. He herded us all in the direction of the livery. “You will stay at my ranch until you are sorted. I am sure you are tired after your long journey and wish to be settled.”
It wasn’t long before we were heading out of town. Ginny and Georgia sat on either side of Tom on the wagon’s high seat. They peppered me with so many questions—about school, Father, Abigail, whom I’d written about in letters, how I met Jonah—I hadn’t had the opportunity to tell them about James. That I was married to two men. Jonah rode beside me and didn’t push, for which I was thankful. I wasn’t ashamed of James or Jonah, but telling someone who wasn’t used to the concept of two men marrying one woman, wasn’t an easy task.
Perhaps that was why the Bridgewater families didn’t do so frequently.
I doubted Ginny or Georgia would judge, but it would take an adjustment to think of their sister with two men. I was just getting used to the idea of them being here, let alone having to explain something so… different. I was thankful Jonah was allowing me to share in my own time.
Tom was asking Jonah questions regarding crops and cattle, weather and if there were lawyers already in the area as a rider approached.
Abel. He was in the same clothes from this morning, but hi
s face was shielded from the sun in a wide-brimmed hat the same as Jonah’s.
Worry twisted in my belly as he came up on us and brought his horse to a stop. He hadn’t said two words to me, and I knew of his unhappiness toward his father about our marriage. Abel tipped his hat. “Ladies.”
“My son, Abel,” Jonah shared, then introduced my sisters and Tom.
“I saw you in the distance and wanted to get to you right away,” he began, then looked to me, nodded. He didn’t look angry. He looked… concerned. “You need to go to the Carr ranch right away. Someone came earlier for you both. There is something wrong with James. The doctor’s been called.”
Panic filled me. “Jonah,” I murmured, then bit my lip as I reached out toward him.
His jaw clenched and he swore under his breath as he moved close enough to take my hand. Squeezed. “His heart.”
Everything within me stilled. I didn’t hear the wind, the birds, Abel’s horse snorting after it’s dash across the prairie. “What’s wrong with his heart?” I whispered, not able to get the words any louder.
Jonah’s eyes were serious as he met mine. “He’s sick, Kitten.”
Sick? Oh god. He’d been fine this morning, eager to have me home so he could do naughty things to me. I remembered his smile. His kiss. His last words. Hurry home, wife. I have plans for you.
“I’ll see to your sisters,” Abel said, breaking me from my thoughts. “Go.”
“Tennie, who is James?” Georgia asked.
I glanced at Jonah, and swallowed hard. I would not cry. Now was not the time to fall apart. James needed me to be strong. I looked to my sister.
“My other husband.”