Grooms with Honor Series, Books 1-3

by Linda K. Hubalek

  “When I get back to Denver and report this ordeal—in detail—to the Denver Post, I will be mentioning the Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad will be compensating the devastated families of the murdered railroad crews too.” She paused and stared to make the man squirm. “Correct, Mr. Murfitt?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  Daisy turned her attention to the sheriff. “I’m here to help Mr. Reagan walk over to the doctor’s office for treatment next. It’s been a very long ordeal out in the Colorado wilds without food, sleep, and medical attention. We’ll be back over tomorrow to talk to you more about the robbery if we think of anything else to add.”

  What could Angus do but stand up and limp to the door?

  Daisy put her shoulder under his, as though she was going to have to carry half his weight for him to take a step. She turned though before opening the door.

  “I heard you firing Mr. Reagan, which I think was unfair due to all he did to try to prevent the robbery and then save as many passengers as he could. I don’t know how many robbers there were, but it was only one man against many. You should have posted more guards on the train, so it’s more the railroad’s fault this happened instead of putting the blame all on him.

  “Mr. Murfitt, I assume Mr. Reagan’s treatment and recovery will be paid by the railroad also?”

  The man stared at Angus before glancing to Daisy.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Thank you. I will charge all our bills for medical attention, food, clothing, and hotel, and our return on the next train to Denver, to your railroad company, as per your agreement.”

  Having finished saying her piece she opened the door, ushered him out onto the boardwalk and closed the office door with another ear-splitting slam.

  “I can walk, Daisy.”

  “Humor me. That insufferable man is going to pay through his pocketbook for his arrogance and lack of compassion. Limp for all you’re worth. I’m sure he’s watching out the window.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Where did you get all this spunk, Daisy?”

  “Keeping up with my brother and the Reagan boys when I was a tomboy in Kansas,” she smiled up at him. “Now limp across the street. I’m hungry enough to eat a pot of Clancy Stew all by myself.”

  It had been an interesting three days with Daisy. Most women would have hidden while their face healed, but not Daisy, at least while in Bailey.

  When they left the sheriff’s office the first day, she asked what size clothing he wore as they walked over to the doctor’s office.

  While the doctor checked his injuries, Daisy proceeded to shop in the general store, in her grimy blue suit, telling the storekeeper what had happened to them, what they needed, and who to charge it all to.

  When Angus limped over to the hotel, with a jar of liniment for his pulled muscles, the hotel manager said his packages had already been delivered to his room. Daisy had bought everything from clothes, toiletries, to a new carpet bag to put everything in. She’d even guessed on his size of hat and boots, of which the latter he had to exchange. He felt guilty accepting them, but he only had the torn and dirty clothes he had on at that time.

  After changing clothes and enjoying a large meal in the hotel’s dining room, they parted ways to sleep in their rooms as long as they needed to recuperate. Angus didn’t see Daisy for almost a day before she surfaced for another meal.

  It was hard to sit and eat across the table from Daisy, trying to make conversation when she looked so bad, but Angus didn’t mention her bruises. She couldn’t help it and accepted it as it was until it healed.

  If someone came into the dining room and stared at her, she promptly told them about the train robbery and her walk to Bailey, gaining sympathy and praise for her bravery.

  He on the other hand, wanted to shrink into the carpet. Angus hated he’d failed protecting the crew and payroll, and had problems sleeping without nightmares. But his dreams weren’t of the men shot and lifeless on the hillside, but of Daisy, her face covered with blood, out cold in the train car’s washroom. Why, he didn’t know, because she was safe now, but the image still haunted him.

  “Any luck getting your job back?” Daisy asked as he sank down beside her on the bench inside the depot. They’d be boarding the train heading to Denver within the hour. Angus had stopped in the sheriff’s office to tell him where he’d be if the sheriff needed to contact him about the case. Then he stopped into the railroad office to talk to Murfitt, to see if there had been any word on the robbers or recovery of the payroll.

  Angus snorted. “Besides no job, I don’t think I’ll ever see my last month’s pay. And Murfitt assured me he’d make sure I never work for any railroad company again.”

  “So what are you going to do, Angus?”

  “Now, or in the future?” Angus hated to admit the future scared him. He’d always had a plan and now it was gone.

  “I meant now, after we arrive in Denver. Will you stay there to look for another job, or travel with me to Clear Creek?”

  All he could do was shrug his shoulders. Angus had never felt this...worthless and lost. He’d always been in control and in charge, be it with his brothers or his jobs.

  Daisy bumped his shoulder to get his attention. “Why don’t you travel home with me? I bet it’s been a long time since you’ve spent more than a few days with your family.”

  True...but it felt like he would be going home as a failure.

  “Think how good it would be to ride the range with Seth and Tully again.”

  Angus had missed riding horses. All he’d done the past few years was sit on a train and watch people.

  “I’m sure Mack would love your help hauling lumber, swinging a hammer to frame a building, setting in windows.”

  Angus bumped Daisy’s shoulder now, knowing she was trying to think up ways to burn his energy.

  “Or watch Cullen put mail in people’s mail slots at the post office.”

  “Yeah, it would be watching because he doesn’t talk much.”

  Daisy shrugged her shoulders. “But you could still spend time with your brothers. And you know your folks would enjoy having you home for an extended visit.”

  Yes, he dearly loved his parents, but it felt wrong to move back in with them, even if it was for a short period.

  “Think of the good food and gossip you’d get to enjoy.”

  “Oh, and I could listen to my father read his sermons to Ma, and listen to her critiques, which he ignores.” Angus crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. And he’d be back to cleaning the church like when he was young too.

  “You haven’t mentioned Fergus yet.” Angus bumped Daisy’s shoulder again.

  “I’m not sure where he’s at these days. Do you know?”

  “Ma’s last letter said he was taking photographs of people’s homesteads somewhere up in Nebraska. I’m not sure when he was last home.”

  But Angus did want to connect up with Fergus again. Maybe he would travel with him for a while if he could find him.

  “Do you have a home in Denver or elsewhere? I didn’t think to ask and you haven’t said.”

  “Nope. Just been living out of my carpet bag, staying in hotels when I had a chance to get off the train overnight.”

  “So you can travel on with me then,” Daisy answered with a pleased look on her face, if that was possible with her swollen features.

  But Daisy’s face would always be beautiful to Angus, flawless, bruised or aged decades from now. Was it time to settle down and think about a future, a family, possibly with Daisy?

  “You talked me into it, Daisy. Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 5

  “Oh my word, Daisy Clancy...what happened to your face?”

  If she was asked that one more time, the person’s face was going to look worse than hers. Especially since the gossip had made its way around town since she and Angus arrived home yesterday.

  At least the swelling had gone down so she could see and breathe better. The bruises were start
ing to lose their bright purple color and fade to yellow.

  “I was in a train robbery in Colorado...hadn’t you heard about it, Mrs. Taylor?”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry but no. I’ve been in Kansas City and just arrived home this morning. My latest grandbaby was born last week so I went to help my daughter, Ruth, for a while.”

  Well, then Daisy could forgive the shopkeepers remark. “Well, congratulations on the newest member of your family.”

  “Thank you! Did you travel home to recuperate?”

  “No, I’ve come home to stay.”

  “Will you be helping Nolan and Holly in the café?”

  So, Mrs. Taylor had missed some other gossip about her. Daisy was surprised the word hadn’t spread about her opening a pharmacy. Hadn’t the town council, or Mack, talked about it?

  “Yes, when they need help.”

  “Well then, what can I help you with today?” Mrs. Taylor was back to business now.

  Taylor’s Mercantile hadn’t changed much since she was a child, offering a little bit of everything from groceries to fabric. What they didn’t have in stock they could order. Daisy knew opening a pharmacy would affect the mercantile to a certain extent, but now she’d find out how much.

  Daisy took a deep breath to work up her courage. “I need to order furniture for my new home and business. And material for curtains too,” she added in haste so Mrs. Taylor knew she needed items from her store.

  “Your business?” Mrs. Taylor’s question was raised just like her right eyebrow.

  “Hadn’t you heard I’m opening a pharmacy in the new block of businesses?” Daisy held her breath for the older woman’s answer, while she reminded herself she was an adult now, not a child being reprimanded for touching something she shouldn’t in the mercantile.

  “A pharmacy?” Daisy watched Mrs. Taylor glance at their shelf of medicines to the right of her.

  “Yes, I’ve been working with a pharmacist in Denver studying the trade. Now that my new building is ready I’m here to furnish the upstairs for my home and start my business.”

  “I see. So, Clear Creek will have another new business in town that will affect our store.”

  “Another?” Who else was opening a store?

  “Mary Shepard, or I suppose I should say Widow Jenkins has opened a dress shop.”

  “Oh yes, I walked by Mary’s store but haven’t had a chance to visit with her yet.” Mary and her brother, Gabe, moved to town when the girls were twelve. Mary, the same age as Daisy, had always had a crush on her brother, Nolan, but had married an older man and moved out of town. And Nolan joined the cavalry in the Montana Territories shortly after that.

  Mary’s husband died, so she and her two young children moved back to town last year. Her grandparents assumed her brother and Mary would marry when Nolan moved back to town, but Holly had captured his heart, and the two wed last December.

  “Well, I hate to say it, but change is good for the town. It means more people coming to shop, and we’ll adjust accordingly.” Mrs. Taylor was looking at her shelf of medicine supplies again.

  Now it gave Daisy pause, doubting her idea of opening a pharmacy. Would there be enough trade to sustain the business and make a living for herself?

  “But with you taking over the drug needs of customers, I could clean off that shelf and expand my merchandise to include some other items I haven’t had room for.” Mrs. Taylor cocked her head and looked at Daisy with a hint of smile.

  “Don’t worry, Daisy. Competition is always good, and if you need any help or advice about running your business, please come to me.”

  Daisy couldn’t help but let out her pent up breath.

  “Now, you need to order furniture? Luckily I’m the only store in town—at the moment—who can help you with that. Here’s the catalog for you to go through.”

  A table and a set of chairs would be her first purchase. Should she order a bed now, or sleep on the floor until income started coming in? She had to save a portion of her money for her store inventory but she could buy basics to begin with.

  Daisy didn’t look up when the bell on the store door clanged.

  “Angus Reagan, I haven’t seen you in ages! You home to visit your folks?” Daisy looked back over her shoulder to see Mrs. Taylor walk from behind the counter and down the crowded aisle to meet Angus.

  “Hey, Mrs. Taylor, good to see you,” Angus greeting the woman while giving her a big hug. He nodded to Daisy before turning his attention back to the storekeeper.

  “Yes I’m home for a while...uh, between jobs, so I’m catching up with the folks and my brothers.”

  “And I bet your mother has already told you that Harvey Daniels, the depot agent, wants to retire and is looking for his replacement.”

  “Uh, so far we’ve just been catching up with family news.” Angus deflected Mrs. Taylor’s hint.

  Daisy’s eyes darted back to see Angus’ reaction. Would he consider staying in Clear Creek for the job? Mr. Daniels always liked Angus, giving him jobs to do around the depot when he was younger, like delivering telegraphs or unloading the baggage car.

  “I heard about that but haven’t talked to Mr. Daniels. I’ve always traveled on my jobs and not sure if I’m ready to settle down yet.”

  Daisy closed her eyes instead of giving in to look back at Angus or Mrs. Taylor. She would love for Angus to stay and work in town, or at least a nearby ranch. At least she’d see him at church on Sunday and maybe have a chance to? What? Be courted by Angus?

  Daisy jumped when Angus put his hand on her shoulder. “Oops, sorry to scare you. Looking for furnishings for your new place?”

  “Uh, yes. Thought I better get a few things ordered so I can move in. I hate to stay with my family longer than I have to.”

  “Why? I bet they love your company.”

  “Yes, but it’s crowded already. My grandparents are using the dining room as their bedroom and I feel out of place with Nolan and Holly there too. I’ll help take care of my grandparents, but I need my own space, after being on my own for so long. Do you know what I mean?”

  “Listen, I’m back in my old bedroom at the parsonage, so I do know what you mean.”

  “We’re adults until we move back home, right? Then we’re children again.” Daisy smiled up at Angus knowing he knew what she meant.

  “Yes, and Ma is all excited to be cooking for a son again. Da is already grumbling about the cost of the grocery bill under his breath.”

  “But I bet he’s pleased you’re home for a while though?”

  “Yes, we had a good talk last night. I admit I didn’t realize how much I had missed them until now. It feels good to be back home with family.”

  “I bet your ma has a big dinner planned for Sunday after church?”

  “Is that a hint you want to be invited?” Angus teased her, knowing how many meals she and Nolan had eaten with the Reagan family while growing up together.

  “Well it would be a good way to see everyone at once. I doubt Seth and Tully come into town except for church these days.”

  “True, and they’d love to see their honorary sister,” Angus carefully touched her nose a second after he said it.

  Sister? Oh no. Is that how Angus saw her too?

  “Anyway, I tracked you down to see if you want to ride out with me to the Straight Arrow?”

  “When?”

  “After lunch. And I’m saying riding, not driving. I’m ready to get my seat into a saddle again.”

  “Gosh, it’s been...eight years since I rode horseback. How is it possible it’s been that long?”

  “Living and working in the city, like me,” Angus shrugged his shoulders.

  “You bet I want to ride along. Using horses from the livery?”

  “That’s about our only choice at the moment.”

  “I’ll need to borrow a split skirt.”

  “Have some in stock. If you start riding all the time you’ll want your own,” Mrs. Taylor moved to a stack of folded items
on a shelf.

  “Not going to tell me I need to be riding sidesaddle?” Daisy teased the older woman.

  “I think you’d qualify under the ‘ranch women’ category like the Hamner and Wilerson women, Daisy. Seems like you wore your brother’s trousers as often as a dress when you were young and riding with the Reagan ‘gang’.” Mrs. Taylor then laughed, probably thinking of a stunt she and Angus were likely a part of growing up here.

  “Okay, I’ll come by with a horse for you at one o’clock. That give you enough time to fix a meal for your grandparents?”

  “That will be fine. Just be sure Mr. Boyer doesn’t saddle an old nag for me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Angus winked, tipped his hat to her and Mrs. Taylor, and wandered out the door.

  Daisy turned back to the catalog, determined to get her mind back to furniture, not Angus’ fine figure as he left the store.

  “Angus has turned into a fine young man. Better keep him close or someone else will talk him into rides, Daisy.”

  Daisy whirled around to stare at Mrs. Taylor.

  “Mrs. Taylor, what are you implying?” Did her blushed face, around the bruises, give away her feelings for Angus though?

  “You two rode side by side until Angus, then you, left town. I’m just saying that if you want to make it a permanent partnership, don’t be shy, because other women won’t be.”

  Good advice, if she wanted to marry. Daisy had suitors in the past eight years, but none of the men ever measured up to Angus, she now realized. Most men preferred a submissive wife to keep them happy, keep the house clean and keep adding children to the family.

  Was it because she grew up in a café helping her grandparents? She and Nolan didn’t have a normal life where the father worked outside the home, while the mother took care of the home and family. Yes, she’d missed out, but her grandparents still did their best for her and Nolan. And it’s probably why she needed to start her own business, needing to be independent instead of relying on others.

  ***

  Daisy riding beside him just felt right. They could talk about anything under the clear fall sky, or feel comfortable not saying a word. Angus couldn’t believe eight years had passed since they’d ridden together, but in other ways it seemed a lifetime ago.