Homespun Bride

“He’s all right?”
    “Has his wits about him, if that’s what you mean—” The door thudding open against the wall broke off her words. Thad’s boots rang on the wood floor. “Noelle, make a list, and I’ll take care of your students when I’m back with the doc.”
    The door slammed shut before she could answer. He was gone, leaving her wrestling for control of her heart as she hurried upstairs.
    * * *
    After he’d alerted the doc, Thad had pressed Sunny into a brisk pace and nosed him toward home. The long ride and the quiet time in the barn as he rubbed down his horse gave him plenty of time to mull things over. By the time Aiden found him, he pretty nearly had things puzzled out.
    “You’re home.” Aiden stopped in the aisle to give him a grim look. “Didn’t see you ride in or I would have come to help you.”
    “No need. Almost done here.” Thad released Sunny’s rear hoof and stood. “Just need to fetch him a little water.”
    “I’ll get it.” Gruff, Aiden strode away and said nothing more.
    Thad scratched the back of his neck. His brother wasn’t in the best of moods and probably for good reason. He patted Sunny on the flank before stepping over the gate bar. When he caught sight of Aiden at the back pump, he headed his brother’s way.
    “Don’t blame you for being mad at me,” he said by way of an apology.
    Aiden turned from the pump and shrugged one big shoulder. “Not mad. I’m concerned.”
    “Concerned?” That threw him like a wild horse. Thad took the bucket. “Robert woke up this morning. He’ll recover from his other injuries.”
    “Good to know, but that wasn’t what I meant.” Aiden cleared his throat and pushed the barn door closed once they were through. “You’re going to get sweet on that Kramer girl again, and that’ll be a mistake.”
    “No one knows that more than I do.” Thad made his way back to Sunny’s stall. “I’m helping out is all.”
    “Fine. Christian duty and all that.” Aiden fisted his hands. “How about I take over at the Worthingtons. You hold down the fort here.”
    “You? At the Worthingtons?” That was almost laughable. “You know there’s nothing but women over there? A cook, a maid, those daughters and Mrs. Worthgton?”
    “And that Kramer girl.” Aiden quirked one eyebrow as if to give those words special emphasis. “I’m unafcted by her. By any woman. I’d best take over in your stead for a couple of days, at most. I suppose more family are coming to help?”
    “Don’t know.” Thad smiled at Sunny’s nicker and poured a quarter of the bucket into the trough. Sunny took a look at that and shook his head in argument. Thad rubbed his nose. “More later, buddy. I’ll come back with some warmed mash for you. Is that acceptle?”
    Sunny seemed to consider it and dipped his muzzle into the cool, fresh water.
    Satisfied his horse was cared for, Thad left the bucket on the aisle floor and turned to face his brother’s displeasure. “I’m not going to make old mistakes.”
    “I’m not so sure.”
    “Doesn’t matter.” Thad grabbed his saddle pack from the rail he’d slung it on and hefted it onto his shoulder. “I’ve got a duty, is all, Aiden. Surely you understand duty.”
    “What I understand is that look in your eye.”
    “What look?” Thad shouldered open the side door and barreled out into the harsh weather. He didn’t have any look in his eyes. What he had was conviction. He would always do right by Noelle. It was as simple as that.
    “Why, Thad!” The lean-to door swung open and there was Ma clutching her shawl closed at her throat and standing in the cold. “You came back. Just when I was starting to worry why we hadn’t heard from you.”
    “Couldn’t keep away from the prettiest ma in all of Montana Territory.”
    She sparkled, despite her worrying paleness. “It’s good to have you home, son.”
    “It’s good to be home.” He kissed his mother’s cheek and followed her into the lean-to.
    “I’ve got a hot pot of coffee on,” Ma said as she slipped through the kitchen door, where it was warm and snug. “I’ve got some cinnamon rolls from yestery’s baking. I’ll warm those for you boys, too.”
    “Thanks, Ma,” Thad said.
    Aiden, who stepped in behind him, said the same. Not wanting to pick up the conversation they’d been having in the barn, Thad kept his back to his brother and stepped around the morning’s supply of stacked wood to fit his boots on the bootjack.