Missouri Challenge: Daisy (Finding Home Series #3) Page 3

  Both Daisy and Tim watched Jensen ride away. After he was gone, Daisy turned her wrath on Tim. "That was pure foolishness. That man's pa owns most of the land around here. He can make life miserable."

  Tim shot back, "Oh, so you don't think the way you've been living is miserable."

  Daisy's mouth gaped, but she didn't retort. She simply turned and strode inside the house. June was now screaming.

  Chapter 6: Unexpected News

  Over the next week, Tim continued making much needed repairs to the barn and house, worked in the corn field, and mulled over Daisy's situation. He often found himself watching her when she wasn't looking—weeding her garden, washing clothes, beating rugs, collecting eggs, and other necessary chores. How she had managed to keep her farm going for as long as she had without help was beyond Tim's understanding.

  By the end of the second week, the place was looking pretty fine and the crop healthy. They ate a lot of beans and cornbread, and although Tim was sick of the same food every day, he never complained. He'd already decided to make a trip to town to stock up on supplies. He knew Daisy would pitch a fit when he returned with a wagonload of necessities bought with his own money, but that was just too bad. Other than reinforcing the fact in his mind that he was simply helping a young mother and her babe, he didn't ponder his motivation.

  As for moving on, he'd decided to stay another week to make sure things were running smooth. After that, he planned to leave enough money for Daisy to hire help at harvest time, and then continue southward.

  When he'd said goodbye to his family in Oregon, it had been with the intent of visiting his childhood home before riding to Texas to visit his Aunt Lilah and Uncle Rush at their ranch on the Nueces River.

  The first time he'd met his Aunt, other than when he was a babe and didn't remember, was five years previous when Rush Garrett, his stepfather's friend, had located her in New Orleans and escorted her to Oregon. Tim's ma and pa had hired Rush to find her because his ma hadn't seen her sister since they were young women. After the death of their parents, the sisters had been forced to sell their farm or lose it. The proceeds had been split and the women pursued different life-journeys. Tim had often heard his mother speak of how much she missed her sister, and when his stepfather suggested they hire Rush to find her, she'd readily agreed.

  After Rush had located his Aunt Lilah and convinced her to return to Oregon with him, their train had been held up and Lilah kidnapped. Almost dead by the time Rush rescued her, he had nursed her back to health before continuing onward to Oregon and encountering more adventure than one could expect in a lifetime. Eventually, however, the sisters had been reunited.

  Tim smiled when he thought about the happy outcome of his aunt and uncle's misadventures—not only had the sisters been reunited, but Rush and Lilah had fallen in love and returned to Rush's ancestral home in south Texas.

  Over the next four years, railroad expansion had exploded and they again traveled to Oregon with their adopted son, Chad, and three year old daughter, Ivy, for a month long visit. That had been only a year previous.

  Tim halted Amigo on a rise which gave him an excellent view of the farm his father and mother had built and his heart swelled with pride. He had loved his pa deeply and dreamed of one day returning to this home, if only to put to rest that part of him that had never left. Maybe he could do so now.

  During his aunt and uncle's visit, his uncle must have perceived his restless spirit, because he'd offered Tim a job working his ranch. He'd said there was nothing better than hard work and open range for airing out a man's head.

  Over the winter months Tim had been thinking a lot about his future, and when spring arrived, he decided to take his Uncle Rush up on his offer. That is, after paying a visit to Missouri. And now he was entwined with Daisy Smithson's problems.

  In the distance, Tim saw two riders galloping toward Daisy's farm. He urged Amigo forward.

  * * *

  Daisy sat in a rocker on the front porch playing with June on her lap. Her baby smiled and the sight always stole her breath. She spoke to her child. "Looks like Tim has this farm in shipshape condition. I think everything is going to turn out just fine. We'll make a profit on our harvest, pay the final farm payment to the bank, and then be free and clear of owing anyone anything. And best of all, we'll have each other."

  Daisy knew she was being overly optimistic, but since it was such a beautiful day, she allowed herself that one comfort. Approaching horsemen caught her attention and her optimism disappeared like a magician's rabbit when she recognized one of the riders. Mr. Elijah Logan sat tall and haughty in his saddle. He was probably close to sixty, and other than some extra pounds, most folks would consider him handsome. Jensen was a younger version of his father. Daisy now knew their looks and genial attitudes to be deceiving. They were conniving, selfish men, and she wanted nothing to do with them. She figured the rider behind Mr. Logan was one of the hired hands that always accompanied him. Since the man had never ridden onto her property before, she could only surmise he had found out about his granddaughter.

  Daisy's heart pounded and she quickly took June inside to hide under the bed and retrieve her shotgun. Stepping back onto the porch, she glanced around for Tim. She'd seen him ride out earlier. He hadn't said where he was going so he probably wasn't far away. He seemed to like riding her land and she figured he was revisiting old memories.

  The two riders paused about twenty feet out from her porch. She raised her gun and Mr. Logan lifted gloved hands into the air. He wore a pained expression, something Daisy had never seen on his face. He said, "May I walk up to the porch?"

  Daisy lowered her gun slightly. "Just say what you got to say from where you are."

  Another rider galloped into the yard and Daisy sighed with relief when she saw it was Tim. He trotted his horse to the porch, dismounted, and faced Mr. Logan alongside her.

  Daisy said, "You can talk in front of him. He's a family friend."

  Mr. Logan stated without emotion. "Jensen is dead."

  Daisy lowered her gun a little more. "Say again?"

  "My son is dead. He was shot in a poker game."

  A poker game he was cheating at, Daisy thought, and then felt bad for jumping to such a conclusion about a dead man.

  "I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Logan. I know he was your only child."

  Something flickered across the man's face and then he said, "Before Jensen died, he confessed to fathering your child." The man's hard stare bore into Daisy. "That means I have a granddaughter."

  Blood rushed to Daisy's ears and her heart pounded. "Just where is this conversation headed, sir?"

  "I think you know. I want to meet my granddaughter. If I'd known my boy was the father, he would have married you the day I found out." He made a waving motion toward the cabin. "I can offer my granddaughter a better life than this pitiful farm. I want you and the babe to come live on my ranch. You'll never want for anything."

  Daisy lowered the barrel of her rifle until it touched the ground and took a step forward, fire dancing in her eyes. "This pitiful farm as you call it, just happens to be my home. The home I love and have no intention of leaving. Now you, Mr. Logan, can leave my home. I want nothin' to do with you or yours. I'm sorry about Jensen, but he was a mean man and I imagine instrumental in his own death." Lifting her head proudly, she said, "Good day, sir."

  Mr. Logan was not to be deterred. "I got somethin' I want to show you." Slowly, he reached toward his vest pocket and Tim stepped between Daisy and the rancher. Daisy's patience had reached the breaking point and although she appreciated Tim's protective gesture, she said, "Move out of the way, Tim. I got my rifle."

  Tim's words floated back to her. "And I've got my colt 45. Just stay where you are, Daisy."

  Mr. Logan lifted a paper from his pocket. With eyes like flint, he said, "I thought you might be difficult so I did a little digging in county records. Seems your ma and pa took out a loan on this land a few years back and a payment comes du
e every year. You're late and the bank is looking the other way until after harvest. That seems to be a might unfair to the rest of us hard-working folk who have to pay our debts on time, so I took it upon myself to have a little talk with Mr. Fletcher at the bank. He realized the error of his ways and sent me here as his representative to collect payment. You have until noon, three days hence, to pay or lose your land. Of course, if you and the babe were to come to my ranch, I could pay your debt and keep the land in the family."

  The audacity of the man stunned Daisy and for a second she didn't react, but when she did, she stepped around Tim, lifted her gun, and shouted, "You lily-livered, piss-poor excuse for a man. If you don't get off my property this minute I'll shoot your ass into the next county. I'll–"

  Tim jerked the rifle from Daisy's hands. The cowboy accompanying Mr. Logan now had his revolver unholstered and pointed at them.

  Tim said, "Tell him to holster his gun. They'll be no showdown here. There's a babe inside." He ordered without looking at Daisy. "Go inside, Daisy!"

  Daisy sputtered. "If he thinks that I'm going to–"

  Tim repeated forcefully, "Go inside the house, Daisy!"

  The howl of the baby startled everyone and Daisy felt some of her fire leave her. Without another word, she turned and entered the house.

  * * *

  Tim watched Mr. Logan make a motion and his companion holstered his gun. Still holding Daisy's rifle, he said tightly, "Leave this property and don't ever return."

  The older man touched the brim of his hat. "In three days the property's mine. I'll have access to my own flesh and blood, come hell or high water, and that little spitfire won't stop me. Have I made myself clear?"

  Tim repeated, "I suggest you leave because you're trespassing. I'd love to shoot you into the next county just like Daisy said."

  Mr. Logan motioned to his companion and they swiftly turned and galloped away. Tim hung his head. That gal's temper was sure to get her in deep trouble. He turned to enter the cabin, but Daisy rushed out the door with the baby held over her shoulder. June was squalling up a storm.

  Daisy was none to happy herself. She spat, "I'll not have you fighting my battles, Timmy Wells."

  Tim shook his head. "It's Tim, not Timmy. We're not eight years old anymore."

  Daisy was not to be denied her say. The baby screamed louder and she said over the top of her cries, "Regardless, you're interfering where you've not been invited."

  Suddenly, Tim smiled, which stopped Daisy's tirade. "Daisy Smithson, you are one Missouri Challenge, that's for sure. Go in the house and comfort June while I think this through."

  Grabbing Amigo's reins he led him to the barn while listening to Daisy's sputters, which made him smile even more.

  Chapter 7: Plan A

  Tim spent the rest of the afternoon considering ways around Daisy's dilemma. By the time dusk blanketed the land, he had a plan. Daisy was going to hit the roof when she heard it, but she didn't have much choice. He left the barn and knocked on the cabin door.

  Daisy yanked the door open. "It's about time you showed up. I was just about to come get you. Supper's getting cold."

  Tim attempted a joke. "But your temper's not, right?"

  "Not what?"

  "Getting cold."

  Daisy smoothed her hands down her skirt, closed her eyes, opened them again, and said, "I don't know what's gotten into you, but maybe it's time you were on your way. You've done more than enough and I'm truly grateful, but I–"

  "–can take care of yourself, right?" Tim interrupted.

  Daisy stood a little taller. "Yes. That's right."

  Tim walked past her and sat at the table. He stirred the beans in his bowl. He was sick of beans and wondered if Daisy could cook anything else.

  Gingerly, she sat across from him.

  Tim finished his meal in a few bites, pushed away from the table, and walked to the stove. Lifting the coffee pot with a cloth, he warmed his cup and then Daisy's before sitting back down. Leaning forward, he said, "I believe I have a solution to your dilemma."

  Daisy narrowed her eyes.

  "But I'm warning you, you're not going to like it."

  By now she was practically squinting.

  Inhaling a breath, he blurted, "We get married and I pay your debt to the bank."

  Daisy shot out of her chair. "What!"

  In a calm voice, he said, "Sit down Daisy while I explain."

  "I'm not marrying anyone. I've had my fill of lies from men. I'll roast in hell before–"

  "Sit down, Daisy, and hear me out." His calm voice turned commanding and broke through her tirade. Warily, she perched at the edge of her chair.

  Tim continued, "We both love this land. My pa and ma built the farm and yours expanded it. It would be a shame to lose it to the likes of Mr. Logan, which will probably happen unless something is done. After meeting the man, I'm sure his reach into the community and even the county is as powerful as you warned. Of course, I'll talk to the bank president to verify what he's saying is true about the note on your land, but I have a feeling he's not lying. Am I right?"

  Daisy stared mutely at him.

  "Anyway, hear me out," he repeated. "Marriage is not necessarily forever, and the reason I know this is because my stepfather got a divorce from his first wife. It's not often done, but it is possible."

  Daisy's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak.

  Tim lifted his hand to keep her quiet. "By marrying me, two problems are solved. Mr. Logan cannot lay claim to the land or June. She'll have a legal father and the land will be yours free and clear because I'll not put my name on the title. After a few months, when this mess blows over, we'll talk about a divorce," he paused, "if we still want one." He leaned back in his chair, stretched his legs out, and waited for Daisy's response.

  * * *

  Daisy rarely felt at a loss for words, but this was one of those times. She simply stared at Tim with her jaw slack. Finally, she whispered, "That's got to be the craziest idea I've ever heard."

  His tiny smile sent her heart racing and she remembered her dream of marrying him.

  He said softly, "I didn't say it wasn't crazy."

  Daisy recovered her composure. "No. No. Absolutely not."

  Tim shrugged. "Have it your way and lose your land, because I come with the money to pay off the debt. I'll not pay the bank and then leave you and June to the likes of Mr. Logan. And you know as well as I, he'll not leave off his claim against the child after losing his only son. He's the kind of man who has to prove himself the victor in everything. Whoever he squashes along the way makes little difference to him."

  Tim stood, drained his coffee cup, and said as he turned to leave. "If you won't think of your own wellbeing, at least think of June's."

  Before Daisy could retort, he was gone.

  All night, Daisy tossed and turned, dreaming of her baby being ripped from her arms. By morning she was more exhausted than when she had gone to bed. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she comforted her cranky baby. She smoothed a hand down June's silky cheek. She would do anything to protect her child. The lump in Daisy's throat seemed to be there perpetually.

  With a sigh of resolve, she knew she had no other option than the one Tim proposed. She had no money to pay the bank. She was living on borrowed time. Last year Mr. Fletcher had let her slide a few months until after harvest, but with Elijah Logan riding his tail, it was hopeless. The bank would repossess her land if she didn't pay within three days.

  With a heavy heart, Daisy wondered if her life was meant to be one ordeal after another. What had happened to that carefree and happy childhood that had once been hers?

  Chapter 8: Surprise

  Two days later, Daisy watched Tim reach into his pocket for the ring he'd purchased at the general store in the next county. He smiled reassuringly and placed it on her finger. The witness standing beside Daisy in the judge's chamber in that same county, a rotund middle-aged woman named Myrtle Beckenworth, held June while
the ceremony took place. The judge said a few more words that she didn't pay attention to because her head was dizzy from the enormity of what she was doing.

  With a voice ripe with censor because there was already a child, the judge proclaimed, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mr. Wells, you may kiss Mrs. Wells."

  When Daisy couldn't bring herself to look at Tim, he gently placed his hands on either side of her face and tilted her head upward. Her eyes widened as his face descended—just like in her dream. He lightly kissed her lips and moved his mouth to her ear. Softly, he said, "It'll be okay, Daisy."

  The witness holding June cooed at the baby and June laughed. Immediately, Daisy's attention was riveted on her child. She said with excitement, "Did you hear that? That's her first outright laugh?"

  The kindly witness said, "She's happy her pa and ma have tied the knot. Here you go, sir. Here's your baby girl." She handed the baby to Tim and he grinned when June smiled up at him and laughed again.

  Daisy blinked back tears and did not correct the woman's assumption that June was Tim's child. He held her baby as if it were an often occurrence, cradling her in one arm. He glanced at Daisy. "My ma had two children after me and made me help in their care." He winked. "She even made me change diapers."

  Tim's joking lightened the weight Daisy was feeling. She replied, "So I can count on you to change even the worst of diapers when we get home."

  Tim's gaze held hers. "You sure can, darlin'."

  Daisy's heart thumped at the intensity of his stare and she quickly looked away. Mrs. Beckenworth grinned broadly and even the judge's expression softened. He said, "Congratulations! Now we just need to sign a couple of documents and you newlyweds can be on your way."

  Tim kissed June's forehead and handed her to Daisy. He said, "After we sign the papers we should celebrate before leaving town."