by Barbara Goss
Logan escorted her to church, but she could tell he wasn’t thrilled about it. He wore the same suit he’d worn the day she'd arrived. The barn was full when they arrived, and finding two seats together seemed impossible until a man, seeing their dilemma, brought another chair over. Logan kept tugging at his shirt collar. He wasn’t comfortable, but he didn’t complain.
Mr. McGregor gave the sermon. He wasn’t the greatest speaker, but he got his point across. The message was the "Parable of the Prodigal Son". Emma could feel the tension in Logan’s body, and she wondered why he was so overwrought.
On the way home, she said, “You seemed unsettled in church. Was it so bad?”
“I guess I’m not a church person.”
“It was a good service. I've always loved the story of the prodigal son.”
“Can we talk about something else, please?” Logan said sharply.
“All right,” she said. “Did you see Prudence today? Is she feeling better?”
“No. She took breakfast upstairs.”
“Do you think her problem with Hugh is more serious than she’s letting on?”
Logan shook his head, frowning. “I hope not. I want her to go back home.”
“Why?”
“The longer she stays the harder it will be to hide our true relationship.”
“I suppose,” Emma agreed.
“When I took her breakfast up this morning, she asked me all the questions you and I went over. She wanted to know where we'd met, how long ago, and more. Since she married Hugh, she’s never visited for longer than a single night, but now, she wants to stay for two weeks.”
“Maybe she’ll confide in me if I can get close enough to her,” Emma said. “Does she ride?”
Logan let out a quick, short laugh. “Like she was born in a saddle.”
“I’ll invite her to ride with me, and maybe she’d like to go shopping.”
“She isn’t an easy person to fool or befriend.”
When they pulled up to the house, Prudence was sitting on the porch, drinking a glass of lemonade.
“I’ll start on it now,” Emma said.
Chapter Six
When Emma came down to breakfast the next morning, Prudence was sitting at the table, eating. “Good morning, Prudence," Emma said. "How did you sleep?”
“I slept well, thank you. Where’s Logan?”
Emma didn’t know where Logan was, but she was afraid to tell Prudence for fear she’d suspect they'd slept separately. Wouldn’t a wife know where her husband was if they'd woken up together?
Logan’s sudden appearance saved her from answering. “Good morning,” Logan said cheerfully. He surprised Emma by kissing her on the forehead before he sat down. Logan smiled at his wife. “You know, darling, I was thinking about what we talked about this morning, and I think it’s an excellent idea.”
Stunned, Emma said, “You do?”
“Yes. I think you’d be an excellent addition to the horse auction. I’ll get you a riding outfit and sparkling boots.”
Emma thought he was doing an excellent job of acting. “It will be fun.”
Prudence stared at them. “What, pray tell, will Emma do at the horse auction?”
“Why, she’ll be riding the horses for the buyers, you know, modeling them. She could show each horse in a trot or a cantor, and show how well-behaved they are.”
Prudence raised an eyebrow. “Father always let Owen or Bart to that.”
“I think Emma will give the show some class.”
“Goodness, Logan,” Prudence said, “the clients come to buy horses not to see a show.”
Logan winked at Emma. “We’ll try it just the same. I want to involve my wife in the business.” He stood abruptly. “Speaking of business, I have to run. I have a man coming in a few minutes to buy a stallion.” Once again, he surprised Emma by kissing her cheek. “I’ll be back for lunch, sweetheart.”
After he’d gone, Prudence said, “You’ve certainly changed my brother. I can’t believe he’s married.”
“I wondered if you’d like to accompany me into town to buy a few things,” Emma said.
“I’ve never turned down an invitation to shop. I heard the general store is under new management and has added an addition to the building as well as carrying new merchandise. I’d love to see it.”
“Good,” Emma said, feeling relieved. She hadn’t expected Prudence to agree so readily. “Is eleven o’clock a good time for you?”
“It’s perfect. I’ll see you then.” Prudence pushed away from the table and went upstairs.
Emma hadn’t driven a buggy in months, but she got them to town without Prudence realizing it. They shopped at the general store and had lunch at Carl’s, a quaint little place that served hot meals, afterward.
While they waited for their lunch, Prudence asked, “So, how do you like married life?”
Determined not to tell a lie, Emma said, “It’s different, but it’s been interesting so far.”
“Do you love Logan, or did you marry him for his money?”
Emma thought Prudence bold for asking such a question. She certainly didn’t beat around the bush. “I knew he was well-to-do, but that wasn’t what led me to marry him.”
Carl’s wife set their plates down, and Emma told her to put the lunch on Logan’s account.
“All right," the woman said. "Now, you ladies enjoy your lunch.”
Emma ate her soup and worried about what this bold woman would ask her next. After several minutes, Prudence said, “It surprised me when I heard that Logan had married so quickly and timely. In another week he’d have lost his inheritance.”
Emma didn’t respond.
“So, as a dutiful sister, I had to come here to see how things were for myself.
“I knew about the will, but it didn’t worry me because Logan could have married anyone to keep his inheritance. A handsome, wealthy man never has to search long for a wife,” Emma said.
“I’m glad you're confident about Logan’s affections. I worry about him, you know, him being my younger brother and all.”
Emma couldn’t bite her tongue any longer. “Logan thinks you wanted the inheritance and came to confirm our marriage.”
“I never doubted the marriage—the lawyer would surely have verified it—and I didn’t want the inheritance. My home is in Hays, and Hugh has a successful business. How would I run the ranch from Hays?”
“Why did you come, then?”
“I wanted to be certain he hadn't married a fortune-hunter and that he was happy.”
“Really?” Emma felt relieved, but she wasn’t sure if she could believe Prudence.
“Our shopping trip today convinced me. If you were a fortune-hunter, you would have spent his money extravagantly in the store, yet all you bought was material to make curtains. I was the one who did all the spending.
“I also checked your wardrobe one night while you dined with Logan. You have four dresses and a few plain house dresses, hardly the clothes of a fortune-hunter. I expected you to buy the dresses you seemed to like in the general store today, but you passed them by.”
Emma felt guilty for her deception. If Prudence was truly looking out for her brother’s happiness, then she was wrong in deceiving her. She hadn’t yet lied, but she was deceiving nonetheless.
After lunch, they walked along the dusty, wooden walkway to the buggy. By the time they reached the buggy, the hems of their skirts were dirty. Emma stood by the buggy, trying to shake some of the dust off. A hand gripped her elbow, and she swung around and gasped. “Dallas! What are you doing here?”
“May I?” he asked nodding at the buggy seat. Emma allowed him to help her up so as not to cause a scene in front of her sister-in-law.
“Thank you.”
Dallas gave her a fear-provoking glare, tipped his hat, turned, and walked into the Slippery Saddle Saloon.
Prudence was already sitting in the driver’s seat. “You might have introduced me, Emma.”
“I would have,” Emma said, “but I don’t know his full name. I hardly know him.”
“Is he a friend of Logan’s?”
“No, just someone I met briefly and don’t really care for; he’s creepy.”
Prudence started the buggy and said no more, much to Emma’s relief. She wasn't, however, one bit relieved about having seen Dallas in Hunter’s Grove. Had he followed her to carry out revenge? She shivered.
Emma was pleased to see that Logan had invited Alan to dinner. The two men talked about the upcoming auction for most of the meal.
“Logan,” Prudence finally said, “could you talk about something that might interest us all?”
“I’m sorry,” Logan said to the women. “I need to get used to having women at the dinner table.”
“I have a subject that might interest everyone,” Alan said. “There’s a barn dance tomorrow night at Judge O’Malley’s place. Anyone interested in going?”
Logan rolled his eyes. “You said it might interest everyone. I couldn’t care less about a barn dance.”
“I’d love to go,” Prudence said. “What about you, Emma?”
Emma looked at Logan, waiting for him to give her a hint as to what to say. When he didn’t even look her way, she shrugged. “It might be fun. You don’t mind, do you, Logan?”
“Not as long as you don’t expect me to escort you. Why, Alan, since it was your bright idea, you can escort both ladies to the dance.”
“I’d love to. Ladies, I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven.”
Emma had a difficult time sleeping that night. The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. Why was Dallas in Hunter’s Grove? How had he found her? One of the saloon women in Boulder must have found out and told him. What if he told everyone she was a saloon woman? What if he started trouble? Perhaps she should tell Logan and ask for his protection. No, he’d only think Dallas one of her saloon lovers. Could she confide in Alan? She wasn’t sure—he might tell Logan. She worried herself into a fitful sleep.
~~~**~~~
Dallas strode to the bar and ordered a whiskey. He turned to face the room with the drink in his hand. He smiled at the first saloon woman he saw, and she smiled and joined him.
“Can I buy you a drink, fair lady?”
“You sure can, handsome,” she said, blinking her lashes rapidly.
Dallas signaled the barman who brought them two drinks.
“So, what do they call you?” he asked.
“My name’s Trixie. How about you, sugar?” She tossed her blonde curls over her shoulder.
“They call me Dallas.”
“My, but that’s a strange name. Were you born there?”
“No, I’m from Kansas, but according to my mother, I was conceived in Dallas.”
Trixie giggled. “So, if I conceive in this town I’d have to name my son Hunter?”
“That’s not bad—unless it turned out to be a girl.”
Trixie laughed. “I’ve never seen you around here, Dallas. Are you here on business?”
“You might say that. Do you know anyone here named Emma?”
“No, I sure don’t. Are you looking for your wife or girlfriend?”
Dallas bit his bottom lip before replying, “My sister, actually.”
“Working here in the saloon, I don’t see too many of the town’s women. Most of them shy away from women of the night—that’s what some call us.”
He pinched her cheek lightly. “They don’t know what they’re missing.”
“I like you, Dallas, but I have to keep moving. The boss wants us girls to circulate—you know, make all the men happy. I hope I see you again, though.”
“What time do you quit for the night?”
“That depends, but usually about three in the morning.”
Dallas gave her his best seductive smile. “How about I meet you then, and we take a walk or something?”
“I’d like that,” Trixie said. “You can meet me right in front of the saloon.”
Dallas tipped his hat, winked, and left.
~~~**~~~
Emma stood staring at her meager wardrobe, wondering which dress would be most appropriate for a barn dance, as she’d never been to one before. “Come in,” she called in response to a knock on her door.
Prudence came in to join her at the wardrobe. She slid each dress along the wardrobe's steel rod. “This is it?”
“I’m afraid so. My friends told me to travel light for the wagon train.”
“I’d gladly lend you something of mine, but I’m taller and a bit stouter. I haven’t lost the weight after giving birth to Billy yet.”
“You look fine,” Emma said. She'd meant it. Prudence was a full-figured woman, but she carried it well and still looked attractive. If only she wore her auburn hair at bit looser, she would still be an attractive woman, but that tight bun did nothing for her. Emma didn’t see much resemblance between Prudence and Logan except for the color of their hair, though Prudence’s hair had slightly more red highlights than Logan’s.
Prudence examined the dresses more carefully. “I think the peach-colored one will do. I have a ribbon that color I could give you for your hair.” Prudence circled Emma and asked, “What will you do with your hair?”
Emma glanced at herself in the mirror. She'd always worn her hair in a loose bun on the top of her head, letting the loose strands fall down in front of her ears. “What’s wrong with my hair the way it is?” Emma asked.
“Nothing. It’s becoming, but I don’t know where to put the pretty ribbon.”
“I don’t know,” Emma answered.
“I’ve got it! I’ll tie it around your neck.”
“My neck?” That shocked Emma. She’d never worn anything around her neck before.
“It’ll be fine. It’s the latest rage in France. It’s called a choker.”
“I bet it is,” Emma replied. “All right. Let’s do it then, it’s nearly six-thirty.”
Emma and Prudence greeted Alan when he came for them. He put his arms around each of theirs and walked them out to his buggy. Before they could get into the buggy, Logan came out of the stables.
“Emma, darling, could I speak to you for a second?”
“Certainly,” she answered. She walked to the stables and looked up at him expectantly. She hoped he’d say something pleasant that wouldn't spoil her whole evening. She wondered if he really was all right with her going with Alan and Prudence since he didn’t look happy.
He whispered softly, but sternly. “Don’t forget to act like a lady. I want no one to suspect I married a saloon woman. Follow Prudence’s lead—she’s a good role model for you. Please, don’t embarrass me.”
He’d stunned her, and she couldn’t think of a response.
Chapter Seven
Logan’s words echoed in Emma’s mind: "Don’t forget to act like a lady. I want no one to suspect I married a saloon woman. Follow Prudence’s lead—she’s a good role model for you. Please, don’t embarrass me."
She fumed inside but took a few moments to compose herself and think carefully about her words. Emma could tell him she wasn’t really a saloon woman, but then she’d risk his wanting to consummate the marriage. She could tell him that she was as much a lady as his sister, but she thought about the cute, little cottage and kept silent. Still, she couldn’t let him get away with speaking to her like that without it being brought to his attention.
“Yes, master,” she said, and she turned to walk back to the buggy. Before the buggy sped away, she saw the bewildered look on Logan’s face, and she smiled.
The barn dance turned out to be a memorable experience. She’d never seen anything like it. Emma had been to a few dances in Springfield, but this was different. The dances to which she'd gone were in someone’s home or at a social club, but the barn dance was fitting for the Kansas town, and she loved it.
They had decorated the large, red barn with fancy lanterns, and the floor was strewn with straw. The large, barn doors open
ed wide to allow for more dancing on the straw-strewn yard. Dancers swirled around inside and outside of the barn. The lanterns shone on the dancers, making the scene spellbinding. The women’s colorful dresses sparkled under the lights, and the men’s boots and belts glittered.
Then there was the music. Never had Emma heard music like that. Two men stood inside the barn on a platform, one playing a fiddle and the other a banjo. The tunes were lively, giving one’s feet the impulse to tap along with it, which Emma’s did, all evening.
She watched the dancers before getting up the nerve to get out there herself and try some steps. Prudence danced with several men, and Emma was itching to try it. Finally, Alan dragged her outside for a jig. He showed her the steps and before long she had caught on and no longer had to follow Alan’s steps. The music accompanying the jig sounded Scottish. Emma loved doing the jig and after it, several men asked her to dance. The next dance she learned was one Alan had called square-dancing. The man who played the banjo stood up on a table as he called out the steps and moves. Everyone laughed when someone made a mistake, and there was no embarrassment.
Then, they played a waltz. Emma had waltzed in Springfield at a social dance, so she was pleased when Alan rushed over to claim her as his partner. He swung her around, and she thought she’d died and gone to heaven. The music, the lights—it was all so beautiful.
Afterward, the excitement of the evening kept Emma from falling asleep right away. She kept seeing the swirling dancers under the bright lamps and hearing the upbeat music. Emma liked Alan. Why couldn’t Logan be as outgoing and fun to be with? At first, she didn’t think Alan was good-looking, but the more she got to know him, the handsomer he became. He seemed smart, too. She wondered how two such different personalities had been best friends for years.
Despite the amazing evening, she still cringed at the thought of Dallas in Hunter’s Grove. She prayed it was a coincidence, but she doubted it. He meant to get even for the kick she’d given him and for rejecting him.
