He laughed when he thought of Mary Louise falling in the street. What a mess. He liked her. Even considered asking her to the social this weekend. But she was the prettiest woman in town, and he figured she had plenty of takers.
He’d written a letter as a mystery groom and put it in the paper. But just the other day, he saw another one. Peter had finally confessed that he was the original mystery groom and had found the woman of his dreams. Peter and Kate were getting married this spring.
Kirk walked the town and checked the doors to the shops to make sure they were locked. He wasn’t getting any younger and knew he couldn’t wait too much longer to find a wife. At thirty, he had a nice cabin and made a comfortable salary. Then again, his job was dangerous. At times, he wondered if it was right to marry a woman and possibly leave her a widow.
He knew some sheriffs that were married, others who wouldn’t, and some that had left widows. Being a lawman was the profession that Kirk had been chosen to do. He felt it in his heart, and he was good at it. More than one man had told him that a mantle of authority was over him.
Kirk stopped most criminals with his voice and reason. A few needed the gun, but they could sense the authority that Kirk believed God had given him to watch over the people of Lone Oak.
But would he be the same kind of sheriff if he were married? The question had bothered him. Then again, he’d already put his own mystery groom letter in the paper and was looking for the right woman.
She’d have to be strong and sure of herself to put up with the dangers of marrying a lawman. This week he was going to the town of Big Springs and talk to Sheriff Buckner. He was married, and Kirk wanted to get their experience before he went on with his idea to find a wife.
Time was against him. He was getting older and needed to start a family now. There were a few women in Lone Oak who had caught his eye. Mary Louise was one of them, but he was sure she caught the eye of every man in Lone Oak.
She was pretty all right. Why she wasn’t married was a puzzlement to him. She had it all. Looks, personality, a good moral woman. Yet, she was his age and unmarried. Rumor had it she followed Stephen Adams here from Tennessee, but he married Zoe Bristow, the banker’s daughter.
Hard to believe any man would choose Zoe over Mary Louise, but then Zoe and Stephen always seemed happy. That was the thing about this marriage idea. There were some married couples who always seemed happy and some that were always at each other’s throats. What made the difference?
Sometimes, it was good or bad times. Other times, he couldn’t say. But with the hardship of being the town sheriff, Kirk wanted to know what he was up against before he asked a woman to marry him.
In the post office, Kirk had put the address for the prospective brides to respond to his letter in Big Springs. He didn’t want anyone to know he was one of the mystery grooms. The other mystery groom was using an address in a town not too far from Lone Oak in Dry Springs.
Well, Kirk didn’t know who the other mystery groom could be. It wasn’t Peter. He had been the first mystery groom. Kirk just hoped no one knew he was looking. This weekend, he hoped his talk with Sheriff Bruckner would answer some questions for him.
***
Mary Louise went home from the meeting with her friends and decided she’d write her own letter.
Dear unmarried men of Lone Oak,
I am an unmarried woman who would like to have a man to love. I’m friendly and fun to be around. I’m also on the pretty side. That’s me.
Now about you. This is what I am looking for. A good man who is kind, has a steady job, and makes enough for a decent living. You don’t have to be rich, but I don’t want to starve. Handsome and nice-looking would help, and a plus if you are fun to be around.
You can mail me your answers to the address that I post at the post office at the back of Trent’s Store.
Looking for love and a family,
Mystery Bride #1
Proud of her letter, she sealed it in an envelope, dabbled a little scented water over it, and set it on the table by the door. It had been a good idea when Peter wrote the first mystery groom letter, but two can play the game. She’d have them mail their answer to her letter to Big Springs.
By next Thursday, she’d see if Diane and Adelaide had written their own letters. After all, men should be the ones to take the initiative to court the woman. She shouldn’t have to do it for them.
She readied for bed and slid between the sheets. It was a lovely night. The moon was large and yellow as it rose over the hills and shown on the lone oak on the hill. The town’s namesake seemed to bask in the moonlight.
The trees new leaves shouted spring and life and love all in one breath. Mary Louise just knew that this had to be her year for love. It had to be.
Chapter 3
Kirk planned to be gone for at least a week and left the town in the capable hands of his deputy, Clark Sands. Along the way, he’d check out the men camped in the woods to make sure they weren’t a danger to the town.
He grabbed his hat and turned to the deputy. “Make sure to check the town at night. If the gang at the woods looks bad, I’ll come back, and we’ll clear them out.”
“Got it. Don’t worry, Sheriff. I’ll take care of things.”
Kirk nodded and left the jail. He mounted his horse and rode to the backside of town, where the woods covered the land. It was rough country. Full of wild pigs, briars, and the occasional vagrants. The hogs were dangerous enough in their own right. Someday, they’d need to go in and clear them out.
Kirk followed a trail and came to a couple of crude tents strung up between the trees. “You in the camp, this is Sheriff Taylor from Lone Oak.”
A thin man in threadbare clothes wandered out of one of the makeshift tents. “I haven’t done anything.”
“Not accusing. Just want to see what’s going on back here.” Kirk stayed on his horse, his hand near his gun. “You alone?”
“No. There are three of us. We’re just hungry.” The man called over his shoulder. “Come on out.”
Another man came out of one of the tents. He was older and bald, and when he grinned, he revealed missing teeth. But it was the angry, haunted look in his eyes that Kirk didn’t like.
With a raspy voice the older man scowled. “We’re just camping out here in the woods. Not a law against it, is there?”
“No, as long as you don’t bother the folks of Lone Oak.”
The old man pointed to the woods. “We been killing hogs and feasting on them. I’m sure you don’t mind that.”
“No, don’t mind that at all. But your boy over there,” Kirk pointed to the younger man. “He stole some money left on the table for a bill, and ran out, knocking a woman over.”
The older man went to the younger man and slugged him. “I told you not to get into trouble.”
Knocked down, the younger man stood back up. “You told me we needed it.” He turned to the sheriff. “It was only a couple of dollars. We need it for my brother. He’s sick.”
Kirk stared at them and thought of Wilma Houseman. She might have been saved if someone had looked in on her before it was too late. “Tell you what,” He pointed to the younger one. “You go into town and find Dr. Lancaster. Tell him your brother is sick, and I said it was all right if he came out to look him over. I’ll cover any bills he might charge.”
Kirk reached in his pocket and took out a piece of paper and wrote a note to Doc explaining the circumstances. “Give this to the doctor, and he’ll look at your brother.”
The man took the paper from him but eyed him warily. “Now, you want me to go into town?”
“Yes, now. If your brother is sick, the sooner the doctor sees him, the better.”
The man held out his hand. “My name is Jeff Worthington. That’s my pa, George and my brother Abel is in the tent. Thanks, Sheriff. Most people don’t treat us very nice. We haven’t always been like this. We lost everything in the war.”
“I understand. Go quick. I know
Doc was there when I left.” Kirk dug in his pocket and pulled out some coins. “Stop and get yourself some food to bring back.”
Jeff nodded.
Kirk nodded at them. “I better be off. I’ll stop by on my way back. Oh, my deputy’s name is Clark Sands. Tell him I sent you into town.” Kirk wrote another quick note. “Here you go, in case he asks you any questions.”
With a nod, Kirk mounted his horse and rode away. He prayed for the men. The war had turned many good people into desperate souls who’d lost too much. He hoped Doc would be able to take care of the man’s brother.
As Kirk rode toward Big Springs, he thought about how his life could have taken a similar turn. Kirk’s family was dead, and he drifted until the war. He served under a good, godly man who led him to Christ. Since then, Kirk felt the Lord was with him. But he could easily have ended up living in the woods trying to survive and looked down on by everyone in town.
Kirk thanked the Lord and enjoyed the spring day. The sky was clear, and the air warm. It felt good to be outside. He wondered if he could find a woman who would enjoy riding out in the wilderness to camp and get a taste of the outdoors.
Or would he wind up with one who only wanted to do parties and social events? Well, he had prayed and would trust the Lord to lead him to the right woman. Not like he had a lot of time to work on it.
He rode into Big Springs and found Sheriff Buckner in his office.
The big man smiled at him. “Long time since I’ve seen you. How are things in Lone Oak?”
“Good, not much crime, but I have a family living in the woods down on their luck. One of them is sick, so I sent them to get the doctor. Another late casualty of the war.”
Bill nodded. “Wouldn’t be a father and two sons?”
“That’s them.”
“Watch them. I ran them away from my town. They stole one time too many, and I think one of them took in some buckshot. Anyway, they left.” The sheriff welcomed him to sit in one of the chairs in his office. “Sorry, the place is a mess. I’ve been busy. Suzy is about to have our first-born.”
“Congratulations, Bill. I’m happy for you.”
Bill grinned. “I’ve never been so happy, but I have to say, it’s made me think about the profession we chose.”
Kirk smiled. “We chose? I don’t know about you, but I think it was the other way around. The law found me. The war gave me the skills, but I stumbled into the job. From the moment I put that badge on, I felt at home. Like it was what I was made to do. I can’t think of anything else I’d want to do.”
Bill nodded. “You’re right there. I feel the same, but as I think of my wife and the baby we’re bringing into the world, I worry about leaving my wife a widow.”
“Nothing is certain in this world, Bill. I’ve known men from all walks of life to die and leave widows.” Kirk nodded. “Actually, that is what I was coming here to talk to you about. How do you deal with being married and being a sheriff?”
Bill stood and checked outside. “I’m sorry to bring you down. Maybe because old Charlie Benson down in Alameda was killed last month. I just got the word. It’s made me think about Suzy and the baby. Like you, I don’t know what else I’d do, but the pay doesn’t make enough to set aside any kind of savings for her.”
Kirk nodded. “That was one of my questions for you.”
Bill looked at his pocket watch. “It’s time for dinner. My deputy will be here in a minute or two, and I’ll take you home so you can ask Suzy her opinion.” He clapped Kirk on the shoulder. “As for me, I don’t regret marrying her for a minute. Once you find the right woman, grab her, and never let her go. Suzy has made my life worth living.”
“Thanks, Bill, that’s what I wanted to hear.”
Bill stood and took his hat from a peg by the door. “Do you have a woman picked out.”
“No, actually, I’m looking.” As he said the words, a picture of Mary Louise flashed in his mind. He laughed to himself. She was not the one who would want him. “There is one, but she’s a beauty. She could have her pick of any man, and I don’t think she’d settle for a lawman.”
Bill looked at him. “I don’t know. We’re not so bad. Besides, wait until you see how pretty my Suzy is now. Being with child, I’d say she’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
Kirk grinned. He could see it in his friend’s eyes. Bill loved her. That was what Kirk wanted. A woman who made his eyes light up at the thought of her. On the way to Bill’s house, Kirk told him of the mystery groom idea and how it worked.
Bill laughed. “That sounds like a great idea. At least, you’ll know which women are interested.”
The sheriff’s house was but a few streets over. Kirk saw that it was small and simple but had all the look of a home with a woman’s touch. They walked onto the porch, and Suzy met them at the door. She welcomed Kirk in and rushed to set another plate for him at the table.
Bill was right. Suzy had never looked so beautiful. Her face shone with a light of its very own, making her look angelic.
Kirk enjoyed the dinner and didn’t want to even bring up the hardships of being a sheriff’s wife.
Bill did it for him. “Kirk is thinking of getting married and wanted to know what you think about being a sheriff’s wife.”
Suzy sat down and put her hands around her coffee cup. “Oh, let me see.” She glanced at Bill. “It’s not easy. Long lonely nights when he’s out hunting down an outlaw. Fear that he’ll be hurt, or worse.” Her voice caught with emotion. “But our love levels out all the low valleys. Our path may not be an easy one, but with the Lord’s help, we make do. I am happy. Happier than I can imagine being with any other man. Do I fear losing him? Yes. But when you come down to it, the Lord is the only sure thing we have in this world. So, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Thanks. That helps me. I wanted to know if a woman would want to risk a marriage with a sheriff, and I see that you’re happy.”
“Very.” She took Bill’s hand in hers. “It’s not an easy life, but there are many who could say the same. And the love we have for each other makes it all worth it.”
“Then, I need to find a woman that will love me, and that’s the hard thing right now. How do you know?”
Bill laughed as he cut a piece of pie and put it on a dish for Kirk. “You don’t. You pray. And then one day there she is standing in front of you. I’d seen Suzy dozens of times and never thought much about her.” He turned to his wife. “Sorry, darling. But then that one day, I saw her, and it was like my heart opened, and she was the one. I knew it. We were married three weeks later.”
Kirk wanted what they had. He’d seen the same look in Peter’s eyes when he and Kate agreed to get married. All Kirk needed was one woman. He’d have to pay attention when he was in town. The woman for him could be right in front of him.
Chapter 4
Mary Louise went to Trent’s store and wandered the aisles looking at lanterns, combs, beans. Until finally, Mrs. Trent left the post office for lunch. Mary casually walked to the back, tossed her letter into the pile, and tacked up the address she wanted her letters sent to.
With a grin, she grabbed a can of beans to take to the front. Soon, their little newspaper would have a mystery bride to go with the mystery groom. She couldn’t wait for the other ladies to see her handiwork.
In fact, she couldn’t wait until the Thursday meeting to tell them. After purchasing her beans, Mary Louise went to Adelaide’s Dress Shop to tell the other two spinsters in the running about her idea. She went inside and saw the latest creation by Adelaide and made a note to inquire about it. The lilac color would go well with her hair and complexion.
No one came to the front.
Mary Louise rapped on the counter. “Adelaide, Diane. Are you here?”
Finally, the two women came out from the back. Adelaide smiled with a bit of mystery in her eyes. “Mary Louise, what are you doing here?”
“I came to tell you two of my latest groom winning ideas.”
>
They stared at her but were eager to hear.
“I wrote a letter as a mystery bride. It should be in the paper this weekend.” Mary Louise was proud of herself, but her two friends didn’t look that happy.
Finally, Adelaide put her hands on the counter. “Mary Louise, we wrote out letters too. We figured you’d be bride number 1, so I’m number 2, and Diane is number 3.”
“You didn’t?” Mary Louise couldn’t believe it. Those two were always slow to act. And that they’d done it without her knowing, well that was shocking. Of course, after further thought, Mary Louise realized she hadn’t asked them about acting on the idea either.
Diane grinned. “We did. We didn’t know where they could send the replies, so we are having them sent to Big Springs and Dry Springs.”
Mary Louise frowned. “Mine are going to Big Springs. That’s where one of the mystery grooms are sending their letters.”
Mary Louise sat down in the comfortable divan. Adelaide had bought it for tired husbands to get comfortable while their wives shopped. “That will work. Diane, you and I can pretend to have work to do. We could rent a buggy and go to both towns. Perhaps spend the night in one of the towns.”
“I would love that.” Diane was all smiles.
One look at Adelaide and Mary Louise saw that she was left out.
Mary Louise smiled and pointed at Adelaide. “We could all go. Make it a monthly outing. That way, maybe no one would get suspicious.”
Diane frowned. “But don’t we want someone to find us?”
“Well, yes. But not until we’re ready. We need three gentlemen to respond.”
Adelaide nodded. “The sheriff might be one. Perhaps one of the ranchers. Angus or Fred.”
Diane shook her head. “Fred has a woman coming from St. Louis. A mail-order bride.”
Adelaide huffed like a chicken with ruffled feathers. “Well, why didn’t he have the sense to get one of us?”
A Mystery Groom for Christmas Page 2
