The Redhead (Romancing the Ponderosa Book 2)

Chapter 6

Carrying the last bucketful of water, I pause halfway up the stairs when I hear Hoss stop hammering and shout something. I can't quite make out what he says, so with a shrug, I continue on my way up the stairs. Pouring the water into the tub I hear what sounds like Little Joe's laugh. Walking over to the window, I look out. Sure enough, it's Joe. But what in the world is he doing home?

I practically run down the stairs, the empty bucket swinging in my hand. Pa's already out the door greeting them, his voice sounding cheerful and excited. Sitting the bucket on the floor I walk past a still glaring Misty. I'm not willing to admit just how much I've missed having Joe's presence around the house, but now with Hannah's help I can get the redhead bathed properly. And I mean properly because now I won't have to be the one to sit on that box Hoss is making to put over top of the tub.

"What're you two doing home? You're supposed to be enjoying your honeymoon." I slap Joe on the arm, the smile on his face telling me he knows I'm just joshing him. "What's the matter, couldn't you survive in Virginia City for even one day?"

"No, no, my little wife here," His smile widens. If his chest swells with pride anymore the buttons are liable to pop clear off the front of his shirt, "wanted to come home so she could help the Indian girl you appeared here on the ranch."

"Oh, come on, Joe," Hannah says from where she stands next to Pa, her arms crossed over her chest and right brow raised, the perfect picture of a little sassy wife, "you want to see her just as much as I do, you just won't admit it."

"Well, maybe I do." He shrugs with a sheepish look on his face. "I guess Adam just sparked my curiosity. He wouldn't tell us anymore in the dress shop and I couldn't think of anything else."

We all laugh at him, but he just shrugs again, his genuine cocky grin slowly spreading across his face. Hoss who's been working on that box the whole time, comes walking over, the finished project on his shoulder. He sits it down at my feet. "Well, Adam, it's all done. It's sturdy, too. I jumped up and down on it and it didn't so much as let out a creak."

"Hey, that looks like the box you made when we had to give Willow a bath!" Little Joe points at it clearly confused at why we need it. "Why do you need one of those? Surely she's not anything like Willow?"

"Oh, no she's worse!" Pa puts one hand on his hip and points towards the house with the other. "That girl in there is like a wild animal! She's pitched an even worse fit for Hoss and I than Willow ever did for you."

"She must be pretty wild then." Joe crosses his arms with a sigh. "Willow did try to kill me, remember? Has this girl tried to kill any of you?"

"No, but she scratched up Adam's arm pretty badly and left him with that bruise on his cheek." Joe turns to look at me only now noticing the slight bruise on my cheek. A smile spreads across his face as he starts to laugh.

"She did that to you!" He gives into another fit of laughter, tears nearly coming out of his eyes. "You let a little gal beat you up!"

"Ha, ha, ha, like you haven't gotten your fair share of slaps from angry girls." I smirk at him. His laughter quickly stops and with an almost scared look glances over at Hannah, who clearly knows why they slapped him. But she doesn't seem angry about it, just amused. I'm sure she knows that Little Joe went around like a love sick puppy, making eyes at everything in a skirt before he met her, but it apparently doesn't bother her. "Well, there's no sense in us standing around out here chit chatting when there's a tub full of water getting cold upstairs and an angry redhead sitting tied up on the sofa who needs to get in it."

"You have her tied?" Hannah and Joe say, their voices harmonizing perfectly.

"What else is a person supposed to do? Everytime we turn our backs on her for even a second she runs off!" Pa explains as we all follow him into the house. Hoss trails behind the box in hand.

I hear Hannah take in a quick breath when she spots Misty on the sofa. Joe turns and looks at me, his brows nearly disappearing into his hair as he mouths the words, "That hair!". Stepping behind me, he hangs up his hat and taking Hannah's, lays it on the table beside the rack. Hannah moves towards the couch and lays a hand on Misty's shoulder as she walks around to face her. She sits on the table in front of her and reaching out, slowly takes the gag off of Misty's face.

"There now that's better." Hannah lays the neckcloth Pa had used for a gag on the table behind her before moving to untie her hands. I'm about to warn her not to do that when I see Misty's shoulders fall out of their stiff prideful stance and her head lower. It must be the touch of another woman that's allowed her to let her guard down because she begins to sob in big hiccuping breaths. Hannah quickly looks up at us where we stand slightly behind the sofa before pulling Misty into her arms. She gently strokes Misty's head where it rests on her shoulder. "Ssh, it's alright. Let it all out. We're all here to help you."

We're all silent while she continues to sob. Each one of her sobs goes straight to my heart and by the looks on Pa, Hoss, and Joe's faces, they feel the same. Hannah's the only one who doesn't have a miserable look on her face, she almost looks happy as she gently rocks back and forth, whispering words of comfort into Misty's hair. Misty's sobs slow down to a stop within a few minutes. Sitting up she wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. Hannah pulls a handkerchief out of her sleeve and offers it to her. After wiping her face, Misty reaches down and unties the rope from around her ankles. Hannah slowly stands up, pulling Misty along with her. "Now that that's outta the way, let's go get you in that tub before all the hot water gets cold."

Together they slowly walk across the room to the bottom of the staircase. Hannah wraps her arm around Misty's shoulders as they go up the stairs. They're about halfway up when Hannah turns and gives us a big, confident smile.

"Wait, Pa, do you think Hannah will be safe with her up there all alone?" Joe asks, turning to Pa with worried eyes as they go down the hall. "You don't think she'll try to drown Hannah, do you? Hannah is smaller and she's still weak from being in bed the past three months."

"Don't worry, Joe, she'll be perfectly fine." Pa wraps his arm around Joe's shoulder, the gesture familiar and loved by all three of us. "I don't think Misty will give us any more trouble now. All she needed was the touch of another woman, which is exactly what Hannah gave her. You've got yourself a fine wife, son."

"Trust me, Pa, I know."