Brides Along the Chisholm Trail Boxset

by Maxine Douglas

  Logan’s laugh was deep and rumbling, “That is a bet I’ll take Mrs. Granger.”

  Rose blushed, a rush of heat surging through her cheeks. She lowered her lashes and looked away walking over to the rows of bolted cloth. She touched several, yearning to grab them up as well. The cloth would be a luxury she wasn’t sure Logan could manage on credit. Besides, she had a perfectly good dress she could wear as long as it didn’t get too dirty, and there was a sewing box in the house for mending. Logan slid in from behind, his hand smoothing over her digits caressed the cotton calico material.

  “I think this blue color will look good on you,” he whispered in her ear, sending waves of heat through her inner core. “Toby, add at least five bolts of cloth to my bill, whichever Rose would like.”

  Rose continued inspecting the cloth, choosing a soft paisley for both her and Lilly, a small bolt of satin to use for frills, some colored ribbons for trim, and finally, the bolt of blue calico Logan fancied. She also purchased several items of dry and canned goods she’d written down. She chanced a glance at Logan as he talked with Toby about horses, the cattle coming into town, and the latest rumblings about the Indian Wars.

  For the first time in twenty-four hours, Rose was finally getting a good look at her husband. Logan Granger stood about six foot with dark, thick hair. His eyes, always kind and friendly, with a touch of sadness. A set of dimples appeared whether he smiled or laughed. His voice had an easy drawl to it she couldn’t quite define. He carried the conversation with Toby effortlessly and in a manner that was easy. It was the way he carried himself which made Rose wonder why he’d come to Dodge City and not stayed near his family after his wife passed away. There was so much they needed to discuss if they were going to get on with each other. Maybe eventually she’d be able to tell him who she truly was, and why she ran away.

  Today was not the day to play the game of truths though. She wanted to know how much she could trust him not to send her on the first train back, or worse, turn her in to the marshal.

  The door swept open, chasing the indoor shadows into corners. “Granger, I thought I might find you here since Etta told me you brought your family to town,” Deputy Marshal Hawkins stood in the door, his large frame blocking the morning light. “Can you come over to the office? There’s something I need to speak to you about. Marshal Jones rode out on personal business this morning.”

  “Sure thing, Deputy.” Logan glanced over at Rose, his face suddenly sullen. “Rose, I’ll meet you back at Etta May’s when you and Lilly are finished. Make sure you both get some ice cream while you are there as well.”

  Rose watched as Logan ambled out of Collar’s on the heels of Deputy Marshal Hawkins.

  “Miss Rose?” Lilly’s tiny voice held a slight tremble.

  Rose looked down at Lilly as her new daughter stared at her father walking out the door with the deputy marshal. When Lilly turned her scared gaze to Rose, worry flashed in the pair of innocent overly bright brown eyes.

  “You worried about your daddy?” Rose knelt down next to Lilly, taking her tiny hand in hers.

  “Yes…ma’am.” The words came out in quick bursts of breaths. Lilly’s normal angelic glow now a pale gray.

  “There’s nothing to be concerned about, Lilly. He’s with Deputy Marshal Hawkins. Besides, I have a feelin’ your daddy can take care of himself.” Rose smiled, chasing away her fear as well as hoping she did the same for Lilly. If only she’d believe her own words, maybe Lilly would as well. It wasn’t every day that a man of the law came in asking your husband to follow him to the jailhouse. At least not as far as Rose was concerned, this being her first encounter with the situation and a husband. And her being well—she knew what she was. Had the marshal heard of her flight from justice?

  “What if he leaves like Momma did?” Lilly’s bottom lip quivered, and she wiped a hand across her eyes.

  Rose reached out to take Lilly in her arms, but she drew away. Rose’s heart ached for the little girl. “He’s going to meet us at Etta May’s after we’ve gotten all the provisions to stock the pantry. And he suggested that we get some ice cream while we wait. Would you like that?”

  Lilly’s eyes brightened, and she nodded her head with enthusiasm. “Can I help?”

  “Of course you may help. I’d very much appreciate it.” Rose smiled warmly, feeling the rush of a small acceptance from the girl. Even if it was the thought of ice cream that chased Lilly’s fear away, Rose was thankful for the offer.

  Lilly wandered over to the bags of potatoes and flour giving them the once over when the door swung open. Looking up, she rushed into the skirts of a woman. “Miss Montana! Daddy had to go with Deputy Marshal Hawkins.”

  Rose’s heart fell to the floor, its final beats of life fading away. The woman was as close to beautiful as Rose would admit. Her shiny, rich brown hair piled on her head in a neat and orderly fashion, with earbobs dangling from the lobes. The yellow satin and lace gown made Rose’s travel-worn calico shabby in contrast. The satin waist cinched in to the perfect hourglass shape. Rose absently ran her hands over her own waistline in comparison.

  So this is the woman who loves Logan. He could do worse, I suppose. Rose stood there a moment gathering her wits about her. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves she walked over to Montana Sue, extending her hand. “Hello, I’ve heard so much about you from Lilly, I feel I already know you.”

  Montana Sue held her hand steadily against Lilly’s back as if she were protecting her from harm. “I can’t say the same of you.”

  Rose withdrew her hand and smoothed her old faded peach calico skirt. So that’s how it’s going to be then. “I’m so sorry, I should introduce myself. I’m Abigail Johnson, well, Mrs. Logan Granger now. But please, call me Rose, it’s my middle name.”

  Montana Sue’s eyebrow arched as her inspection of Rose started at the worn toes of her shoes to the top of her freely-hanging blond hair. A small laughing smile emerged, and she patted Lilly on the back, sending her off.

  “So, you are the woman Logan sent away for.” Montana Sue swayed into the room, her satin skirts rustling just above the dusty wooden floors of the store. “I’d heard something about why he hadn’t been to work last night at the Lady Gay. I wouldn’t believe he was fool enough to send away for a mail-order bride, and someone from outside of Dodge City at that.”

  The Lady Gay? That’s where Logan said Bat Masterson was riding to this morning. Logan works there? As what? She felt like a fool being caught off guard this way. He’d made her think he was a prosperous businessman. She endeavored to hide her shock not wanting to give Montana Sue any more ammunition to use against her.

  She raised a brow refusing to rise to the bait even though they echoed her sentiments when Abby mentioned the idea. “Yes, he’s married a woman outside of Dodge City. In fact, I’m from Wisconsin where I helped manage a rather large household,” Rose said with pride, defending herself for whatever reasons were unknown to her. What did she have to prove to this woman in the first place? That she was more worthy of being Logan’s wife and Lilly’s mother than Montana Sue?

  Montana Sue continued to saunter around Collar’s touching a few female trinkets, sniffing bottles of perfume here and there. “Yes, well, be that as it may. It must be difficult to marry a man who doesn’t know you. For that matter, who in fact doesn’t even love you. I mean, how could he? He doesn’t have a notion who you are. I know I couldn’t do it, no matter the reasons or the temptations.”

  Rose caught herself tapping a booted toe in frustration, then immediately quit. She wasn’t sure if she should ignore the unpleasant underhanded accusations, or have a shootout with the impetuous woman. Oh, this woman was starting to get under her skin, and she hardly knew her. What was it her mother said about women? Oh yes, keep your friends close but your rivals closer—or something like that. Well, Montana Sue definitely fell into the rival category.

  Rose approached the counter where Toby had all but plastered himself against the shelves.
“Toby, I think Lilly and I have completed our shopping for today. Can you please have these things ready for when Logan and I return home in an hour or so?”

  Toby swallowed hard, noting the items on the credit slip. His previously neat writing was no more than scribbling now. “Yes, ma’am. They’ll be ready when Mr. Granger comes for them.”

  “Thank you Toby, and please call me Rose.” Rose smiled, then gathered her faded skirt in her hand. “Lilly, are you ready for that ice cream?”

  Lilly ran over to Montana Sue hugging her skirts once more, then she scurried out the door ahead of Rose. Rose turned to Montana Sue, giving her the best smile she could. “Good day, and it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we become fast friends.”

  Rose turned and followed in Lilly’s wake, every muscle in her body feeling like rubber.

  “What’s this all about, Gabe?” Logan asked feeling he left Lilly at the opening of an angry bee’s hive. He’d noticed Montana Sue making her way up the walk, her head held high and a snap in her step. “Hope it doesn’t take too long. Montana Sue is headed for Collar’s.” I hope Rose can hold her own against Montana when she’s got that look about her.

  “Sorry to drag you away from the missus, Logan. I know you’ve got your hands full with your new wife and Montana, but if it wasn’t important, I’d have left you there for the boxing match.” Gabe Hawkins chuckled, his hands loose and level with the pearl handles of his six-shooters hanging from his hip. “Some brand altering information came into the office I think you might want to look over.”

  “The Double K, again?” Logan had been close more times than he cared to admit in the past few months in catching the rustlers of the Kennedy cattle. Each drive, old Cyrus Kennedy reported he’d lost at least another dozen or so head by the time they got to Dodge. Only Marshal Jones and Deputy Marshal Hawkins were privy as to what Logan’s main purpose in town was, and it wasn’t only to be the barkeep at the Lady Gay. It was to gather as much information as possible and then put the rustlers in jail for good.

  Once this assignment was done, he’d sell the house and furniture, pack up his family, and head straight back to Chicago where there was a bit of civilization and good schools for Lilly. Now with Rose in the picture, she’d be closer to her family as well. Maybe they’d make a trip up to Helena and see his ma and pa before heading back to the city if the season were right. Winters in Montana could be brutal for anyone traveling by stage or wagon. Many froze to death after the animals did.

  “Cyrus Kennedy sent a telegram saying he was riding along with the next herd. Hear tell, he’s got a hired gun riding with his drovers now.” Gabe pushed open the door, then strolled over to the coffee pot sitting on the cook stove. “I think it’s a fool thing for the man to do, but it’s his cattle.”

  Logan followed Gabe into the marshal’s office and took a seat near to the door. He wanted to keep an eye on Collar’s in case a hissy fight broke out, and he needed to throw some water on a couple of wild cats. If that didn’t work, then he’d have the deputy marshal throw them both in jail to cool their heels for the night. He’d deal with the aftermath of it in the morning.

  “No thanks, I’ll pass for now,” Logan waved off the cup offered to him. “I don’t need the jitters from that stuff. When did Kennedy say the herd was leaving?”

  “In a few days, and with both the marshal and Ed out of town—well, I thought it best I gave you the information seeing as how you’re a Pinkerton.” Gabe slammed down the coffee, his face grimacing as it slid down his throat. “Damnable stuff. I need someone who can make a good pot of this sludge.”

  “Maybe you ought to get yourself a mail-order bride, Gabe,” Logan suggested, knowing full well that was the last thing Gabe Hawkins would do seein’ as how he liked being free and easy. Just because Logan was more than pleased with the one he’d married last night, he doubted Gabe would find him a bride as fine as Rose.

  As far as Logan was concerned, he’d gotten the best hand dealt out in the mail-order bride deal. He pondered his luck. While Rose would definitely be passingly pretty to some, she was beautiful in his eyes. Her golden hair drawn back and falling free around her shoulders and back. Even her faded calico dress looked every bit as fetching as she did. She had an easy way with Lilly, and while Rose was proper in a leisurely way, it suited him just fine. Yep, he’d won the high stakes in that card game.

  In less than twenty-four hours Abigail Rose Johnson Granger had gotten under his skin.

  “I don’t know how you could do it with a job like yours. But I know you’ve got Lilly to think about, and raisin’ her right. Workin’ as a Pinkerton is as dangerous as being marshal, I suspect.” Gabe pulled up a chair across from Logan, a smirk across his weather-lined face. “That new wife of yours sure is mighty pretty, that much I’ll give you. And suspicious. She would hardly have a conversation with me on the train on the way down from Topeka. I almost split a gut when she told me in her snooty manner that she was going to Dodge City to marry the prosperous Mr. Granger!”

  Logan looked across the street and grimaced. “I was pretty vague in my letters, only that I needed someone to care for Lilly and the house. I surely didn’t expect Rose though.”

  Gabe sat back in his chair, his silence anything but comforting. “Now that we know Kennedy is with his herd, keep your ears perked. If one of those drunken cowpokes in town says anything, let me handle it. You’ve got a wife and a child to look after.”

  Logan smiled seeing Rose and Lilly walk out of Collars in one piece. “Thanks for the information, Gabe. I think I’m going to go have some dessert with my daughter and new wife.”

  Logan headed out the door, Gabe’s deep rumbling laughter following him.

  5

  The sweet aroma of fresh baking apples filled the kitchen. Rose watched as her family ate the meager dinner she’d prepared with vigor. Lilly’s tongue snaked out snatching a bit of sauce from the baked beans settled in the corner of her mouth. Logan sopped up his bean juice with the cornbread she and Lilly made earlier.

  “Almighty, Rose, if you keep cooking like this I won’t be able to walk again.” Logan sat back, rubbing his hands over his stomach. “Best darn meal I’ve had in years.”

  Rose snorted, turning away so Logan didn’t see her amusement. This simple fare was nothing compared to the meals her former employer ate, but it was the best she could come up with on the spur of the moment. “If beans, potatoes, and cornbread are the best you’ve eaten then I wonder what you’ve been eating all this time.”

  “I ain’t never had ’tatoes like these before.” Lilly mumbled her compliment over a last mouthful of potatoes. “Miss Montana’s not gonna believe this, Daddy.”

  Rose’s soaring heart took a nosedive straight into the pot she set on the cook stove. Time, Rose, give it time to erase those thoughts of being with Montana Sue from Lilly’s mind. Besides, nasty as the woman acted toward you she still filled a need for this child and you can’t begrudge her that. It will take time to earn Lilly’s affection. You’ve only been here for a day for pity-sake. She grabbed a towel, opened the stove then lifted the Bird’s-nest Pudding out. She poured some cream into a pot and set it next to the pudding too warm from the stove’s heat.

  Rose went to the window and stared across the yard, watching the sun set on the western horizon, forcing herself to relax. As wild as this place was, it could still be beautiful. She mustn’t let a little girl’s simple comments upset her so much. She was here to do a job, not pout because a six-year-old darling who’d lost her momma at a young age slighted her. Lilly’s apparent affection for the woman who had watched over her until Rose arrived was deep, and that was nothing to scoff at; she could be a bitter little girl instead of one filled with warmth and longing. Swiping at her eyes, Rose turned and put on her best smile. “There’s pudding and warm cream if you’ve saved room for it.”

  “I’ll have some, but only if you’ll sit with me by the fire.” Logan smiled up at her with a longing in his eyes she couldn
’t define. It wasn’t the type of a man newly married would have for his wife, it was something else she couldn’t define, maybe loneliness. “Lilly can sit right where she is, and when she’s done I think it’s time for her to get ready for bed.”

  “Daddy, it’s still light outside,” Lilly’s voice squealed across the room in protest. “I don’t wanna go to bed, it’s too early.”

  “No, it is getting dark and much later than you realize, Lilly. I have a few things to discuss with Rose tonight.” Logan insisted, gathering their soiled plates and stacking them next to the sink. “I’ll go out and get some water for washing these.” He didn’t look at either of them, just grabbed the bucket and walked out the back door.

  Something weighed heavily on his mind. Did it have anything to do with the deputy marshal today? Was this the very last meal she’d ever cook for him and Lilly—her family? Pouring a bit of warm cream over a cup of the pudding, Rose shook the thoughts from her mind. Setting the cup in front of Lilly, she plopped down next to her.

  “Lilly, may I ask you something?” Rose ran her hands over the old flour sack apron she’d found hanging from a peg in the pantry.

  “Sure,” Lilly slid a spoonful of the sweetness into her mouth, her eyes and face lighting up. “Gee, this is the best I’ve ever tasted, Miss Rose. Even better than Etta May’s or Montana Sue’s. Where’d you learn to make it?”