by Barbara Goss
When Emma sat down to breakfast, Prudence and Logan were already eating. Prudence was telling Logan about the barn dance.
“Now, aren’t you sorry you didn’t go?” Prudence asked.
“Not one bit,” Logan said. He stood to pull out a chair for his wife. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
“Good morning to you both,” Emma said.
“I was just telling Logan about our wonderful evening. Alan outdid himself, showing us a good time.” Prudence sighed. “If I weren’t married and a few years younger, I’d set my bonnet on Alan Hershel.”
“I agree,” Emma said. “He really is an exceptional young man.”
Emma noticed Logan’s eyebrows raise when she'd said that. Was he surprised that she and Prudence had sung Alan’s praises?
Logan cleared his throat, pushed his plate away, and turned to Emma. “We need to visit Mrs. Grant today. She’s the town’s best seamstress, and I’ve commissioned her to make your outfit for the auction. Then, we’ll go to the general store and order a pair of fancy boots from Kansas City. They have a catalog there, and if we order today, we should have them by auction day.”
“All right. What time are we leaving?”
“In an hour. We can ride our horses rather than taking the buggy. Agree?”
“Agree.” Emma turned to Prudence. “What will you do today?”
Prudence yawned. “I’m still tired from all the dancing last night. I think I’ll sit on the porch and relax with a good book.”
“I’ll saddle our horses,” Logan said as he left the table.
Mrs. Grant was a thin woman with nimble fingers. She had Emma measured in a matter of seconds. “What color would you like for the riding suit?”
Emma looked up at Logan.
Logan studied Emma before shrugging. “With her coloring, I think she’d look good in any color. What do you suggest, Mrs. Grant?”
“Green or blue with cream-colored cuffs and collar,” she answered.
Logan turned to Emma. “Green or blue?”
“Green’s my favorite color.”
“Make it green, Mrs. Grant.”
Logan and Emma paged through the catalog at the general store. “See anything you like?” he asked.
“I see a lot I like,” she said with a chuckle, “but the prices are ridiculously high.”
“Don’t worry about the prices—our auctions do very well.” He pointed to a rhinestone-studded pair. “I like these.”
“They’re beautiful. I've always wanted white boots.”
“I’ll order them,” he said, signaling the clerk. “We’ll take these.”
Emma and Logan mounted their horses and had pointed them toward home when Logan stopped abruptly and squinted at a couple coming down the wooden walkway, their backs to them.
Emma saw Dallas walking with a woman. The woman turned and waved at Logan while Dallas gave Emma a sneer.
Emma urged her horse forward. She needed to get as far away from Dallas as she could. She heard Logan following close behind her.
“What’s your hurry?” he yelled.
Emma tried to think up a reason why she needed to get home as soon as possible. She slowed her horse to let him catch up with her. “I’m feeling poorly,” she replied.
“Let’s get you home quickly, then,” Logan said.
Prudence was sitting on the porch with her nose in a book when they arrived. Logan helped Emma down from her horse and put his arm around her to guide her up the steps.
“Emma’s not feeling well, Pru.”
Prudence set her book down and stood. “I’ll take her upstairs. I’m sure she’ll be fine. It’s warm today, and it’s probably too much sun.” Prudence took Emma from Logan and escorted her into the house and up to the master bedroom.
Her well-meaning sister-in-law pushed her onto Logan’s large, double bed. She fluffed up the pillows. “You rest, and I’ll get you a cup of tea.”
Emma couldn’t tell Prudence it wasn’t her bed. No harm done—she’d recover quickly and leave Logan’s bed.
Prudence returned with a tea tray. “Feeling any better?”
Emma nodded. “Much better.”
“I think I know what your ailment is.” Prudence winked. “Am I going to be an aunt soon?”
Confused, Emma asked, “An aunt?”
Prudence smiled knowingly. “I know the signs. You’re increasing.”
“I don’t think so. It’s too soon,” Emma told her.
“Nonsense. I knew the first month with Billy.”
“I've just had too much sun.”
“Take my word for it: you’re with child, dear.” Prudence winked and left the room.
It wasn’t long before Logan came storming into the room. Emma could tell that he was angry. He stood facing her and demanded, “Who’s responsible?”
Emma sat up. “For what? I don’t understand.”
“Prudence just congratulated me. She said you were with child. I want to know who, when, and where. This could blow our whole scheme apart.”
Emma closed her eyes and shook her head.
“I demand to know…now!” Logan shouted.
“There is no child. I’m not increasing.”
“Why did my sister tell me you were with child, then?”
“Because I came home ill today, and she jumped to conclusions. I am definitely not with child—I can promise you that.”
Logan let out the breath he’d been holding. “Why didn’t you tell Prudence that?”
“I did, but she wouldn’t listen.”
Emma swung her legs over the side of the bed. “I hope I didn’t mess up your bed. I couldn’t tell Prudence I slept in the other room.”
“It’s just a wrinkled quilt. It’s fine.”
“I’d appreciate it if you would convince your sister I’m not increasing.”
“I’ll try, but once she gets something into her head, there’s no changing it.”
Emma bent and smoothed the quilt. “I feel better. If I’m excused, I’d like to go to the stables to brush Lady.”
It had been the first time she’d seen Logan’s anger, and it was unsettling. Even if she had been with child, it was no way to treat a lady. Then again, he thought she was a saloon woman and not a lady.
Alan rode up while Emma was walking to the stables. He slid off his horse and greeted her.
“Did you enjoy the dance last night?” he asked.
“It was fabulous. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss that experience.”
Alan walked with Emma into the stables.
“Several of my male friends chided me for having two beautiful women all to myself while they had none,” he laughed.
Emma laughed with him.
“Am I missing something?” Logan asked from the doorway of the stables. “What’s so funny?”
Alan smiled at Emma. “It’s a private joke, Logan. You wouldn’t think it was funny.”
Emma smiled back at Alan, and they both stifled some giggles.
Logan asked Alan brusquely, “Did you come to see me or Emma?”
“You, of course,” Alan replied.
“Then let’s go into my office. Did you bring your matchsticks?”
Two weeks from the day she arrived, Prudence announced she would be leaving in the morning. “I’ve enjoyed my visit, but I miss Billy,” she said after church.
“We enjoyed having you,” Emma said. “Next time, bring little Billy. We’d love to see him.”
“I shall. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, and I can rest assured that my brother has done well for himself. You’re the perfect wife for him.”
Chapter Eight
Alan and Logan walked through the stables to supervise preparations for the auction. One worker was polishing a saddle, and two others were grooming horses.
Logan led Alan to the side door which led to the arena. “I need your advice," Logan began. "Emma’s coming out so we can practice her moves, and another opinion would help. Owen usually rides the hors
es, but I think Emma will add something to the show. She’s attractive and sits a horse beautifully. She’ll give the show some class.”
“I haven’t been to many horse auctions,” Alan said, “so I’m not sure how helpful my input will be, but I think Emma will be great.”
“You and Emma have been spending a lot of time together lately. I hope you haven’t become too fond of my wife, Alan.”
“I like Emma. She's more than a pretty face. She’s smart and poised, and I enjoy her company. You, my friend, should try it sometime.”
“She’s a saloon woman.”
“So is Trixie, and you never minded spending time with her.”
“That’s different. I was never seen with her in public.”
“So what? No one except me knows Emma’s a saloon woman. Besides, she may have been in a desperate situation, and that was the only option left to her.”
“I’m afraid to get too friendly with her.”
“Why?” Alan asked.
“She’s attractive. I don’t want to be tempted to consummate the marriage. If we do, we can’t annul it. Since I married, I've had to give Trixie up, and I’m lonely for female attention. She might tempt me if we became too close.”
“Maybe if you gave her a chance—”
“Shh,” Logan said, elbowing Alan. “Here she comes.”
“Wow!” Alan remarked. “She looks sensational.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t publicly ogle my wife. People might talk.”
Alan frowned and shook his head.
Emma joined them, wearing her new riding outfit. “How do you like it?” She twirled around and the short skirt flared out around her. The tunic-style top came to her knees, and she wore long, loose-fitting black pants beneath the skirt. From the neck to the waist, the outfit looked like a business suit, complete with a starched, white shirt and tie. The gem-studded boots completed the look.
“It’s perfect,” Logan said, trying not to eye her too obviously. “We’ll go through the moves you’re to make while showing the horses.” Logan removed a black horse from a nearby stall. “This is one of the horses we’ll be showing.”
Logan threw a saddle over the horse, and Emma mounted with his help. He couldn’t help but stare at her upon the animal. Her back was straight as a board, and she looked majestic.
“I know you’ve been riding since you were a child, but how did you get so good at it?” Logan asked her.
Emma shrugged. “I’ve always loved horses, and I rode daily. My father encouraged me, and we often raced. In public, I had to ride side-saddle, which I hated, and I would ride astride at home. I’m glad most of the women here, in Kansas, ride astride. It’s much more comfortable.”
“I’d almost forgotten you were reared in a genteel home.” Logan stroked the horse’s mane. “Well, let’s go out into the arena, shall we?”
Alan followed them and took a seat on one of the spectators' benches.
Logan showed Emma how to trot around the area, stop in front of the spectators, and turn in a circle so the viewers could see the horse from all angles. Then, he had her gallop around the arena to show the viewers how well the horse handled and how healthy it was.
Emma rode around the corral, and Logan couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked fantastic; he felt proud of her.
“What do you think, Alan?” Logan asked.
“I think you’ll sell a lot of horses.” Alan turned to Emma. “Well done.”
“So, are you both ready for tomorrow?” Logan asked.
“I’m ready,” Emma said. “This will be so much fun.”
Alan stood. “I’ll stop by an hour before the people are to arrive in case you need some help.”
Logan clapped Alan’s back. “Thank you, my friend.”
Owen greeted the arrivals and escorted them to the spectators' benches set up in the large corral. It had rained all morning, and the ranch hands had their hands full, drying all the benches and throwing straw in the corral to soak up the mud.
Logan and Alan conferred with the auctioneer and Howard Mason, the town's banker, who would be in charge of the finances. The ranch hands saddled the horses that would be up for sale.
“I can’t believe you’re selling that palomino,” Alan said, as they walked back into the stables.
“That one is trouble,” Logan said. “He’s forever fighting with the other horses. I think he’ll bring in a good price, though, because of his beauty.”
“Has Emma ever ridden him?”
“No. She rides Lady.”
“I hope she can handle him.”
Logan laughed. “She can handle any horse in this stable.”
“You’ve drawn a good crowd. The benches are full.”
“Most of them come to every auction, but I see a few strangers. I put an ad in the newspaper, posted it in town, and sent letters to my regular customers.”
“Where’s Emma?” Alan asked
“I’ll send Owen to get her. I didn’t want her to come out until all the guests had been seated.”
~~~**~~~
Emma walked out to the stables. Logan handed her up on the first horse and gave her a few last-minute suggestions. Emma nodded at each of them, and he led her horse to the corral doorway. It surprised Emma to see so many men waiting for the first horse for bidding. The auctioneer stood near the benches with a megaphone, and the banker sat at a table near the benches of eager bidders.
Logan gave her horse a gentle slap, and Emma trotted out into the corral, feeling more excited than nervous. She brought the horse to stand before the benches, turned the animal around a few times, and put the horse to a gallop before stopping in the middle of the corral to watch the bidding.
As the men bid on the horse, she scanned the crowd. She felt sick when she noticed a familiar face in the sea of people: Dallas!
Emma was nervous. She hoped she could continue with the auction despite his presence. Emma shook off her fear. Why should she be afraid? Logan and Alan wouldn’t let him hurt her. She sat up straighter and kept her chin up. She was safe.
The bidding ended, and the winner walked over to the banker’s table which was her signal to bring the horse back to the stable. As instructed, she rode to the judge’s table, and he gave her a tag. She rode the horse into the stables and gave the tag to Logan who tied it to the horse’s bridle so they'd know who had bought the horse.
Emma rode eleven more horses before the auction was over. She wanted to get away from the stables and Dallas. She needed to ask Logan if she could leave and go into the house, but he was busy with the banker, and Alan was delivering the horses to their new owners.
She shrugged and left the stables. There was no reason for her to stay. Emma had done her part. She’d gotten halfway to the house when someone grabbed her wrist. She swung around to face Dallas.
“Let go or I’ll scream,” she said.
“Does your new husband know you’re a saloon woman?”
“Yes, he does. Now, let me go." She tried to pull away, but he held her firmly.
“No one kicks or rejects Dallas and gets away with it.”
“You followed me all the way to Hunter’s Grove to get revenge for a kick you deserved?”
“I had nothing better to do, so I figured I'd follow you and settle the score. I’m not from Colorado. I was just passing through when we met. Topeka Kansas is my home.”
“I’m under my husband’s protection, so if I were you, I’d leave before he sees you.”
He squeezed her wrist so hard she gasped. “If you don’t give me what I want—and you know what that is—I’ll shoot your husband.”
Emma stared at him. Dallas didn’t know she wasn’t in love with Logan, but she couldn’t allow Dallas to kill Logan, either. She wanted to scream for her husband, but then she’d have to explain who the man was.
Dallas looked around. The buyers had all left, there was no one around to help her, and he knew it.
He pulled her into the nearby bus
hes and tried to kiss her.
She pulled away, knowing she had no choice but to scream.
“Shut up you fool.” Dallas let go of her wrist when she screamed. He made another grab for her, but she squirmed away. She dashed forward, but he yanked the back of her skirt, and she fell to the ground on her face. He pounced on top of her and put his hand over her mouth.
~~~**~~~
Logan heard the scream, and he ran through the stables toward the front door, with Alan just ahead of him. They rushed out and scanned the area, looking for the source of the scream. Alan pointed toward the woods, and Logan saw the sparkle of Emma’s boots as she kicked her legs in an effort to free herself. Both men ran to her.
Alan pointed his gun at the man, while Logan pulled Dallas off Emma. “Get your hands off my wife!”
Dallas held his hands up.
“Keep him covered, Alan.” Logan grabbed Dallas’s collar with his left hand and brought his right fist back to punch him.
“Wait!” Dallas yelled. “Hear me out first.”
Emma stood and brushed off her riding outfit. She moved to stand close to Alan who put his arm loosely around her shoulders.
Logan released the man. “Speak fast, you scoundrel, because when I get through with you, there’ll be nothing left.”
Dallas cleared his throat. “I’ve been nosing around town, and I know your secret. If you pay me a thousand dollars, I’ll keep quiet.”
“I have no secrets,” Logan said through his teeth.
Dallas said, “Then, I suppose everyone in town knows you married a saloon woman?”
“No one knows because it’s none of anyone’s business,” Logan said. “Including yours.”
“I’ll spread the word, then.”
“You slimy snake. Blackmail is illegal. I’ll report you to the sheriff.”
“Do it, and I’ll spread it all over town. Oh, and make sure you don’t cross her—she has a nasty kick.”
Logan shook his head. “I need time to think.”
“I’m staying at the hotel. I’ll need your answer by sundown tomorrow.” Dallas tipped his hat, walked to his horse, mounted, and rode away.
