The Ranger's Wife (Hero Hearts; Lawmen's Brides Book 1)

by Natalie Dean

  Hungry, tired and sweating was not how she had planned her trip. The little girl returned with some lard and bread. Lottie nodded to the mother who had sent it her way. She said a silent prayer to thank God for the food she was about to eat. The side door of the box car was open, and the air that came through was warm.

  The landscape had changed since she had fallen asleep. She took her mind back to a few days ago when she thought the world was her oyster as she set off on the start of her new life. Lottie's fiancé, Frank Ward, had promised her the best that money could buy. "Lottie, are you sure you want to leave the city?" Mary Jones asked her. "Where else can I go, Mary? He's ruined my reputation, and I'll never get work as a nurse again. Not in the city. Anyway, I'm tired of not having anything of my own. Don't cry. I wouldn't change a thing from that night. I had to save you, Mary." Mary collapsed into tears. Lottie was right. Only for her intervention, her beau would have strangled the life out of her. She owed her life to Lottie.

  But Lottie had paid a terrible price, and now she was heading to the middle of nowhere. "Maybe you'll join me at some stage, Mary. I thank you for giving me the idea of being a mail order bride. It's working out for the best. My fiancé has a farm, and for once I'll be working towards something of my own that no one will ever take away from me. He says there's a ball in Fort Benton in two months time and we're going. Imagine it, Mary. Me, at a ball. This is my new life now."

  Mary and Lottie were walking to the train station. Lottie was getting a train which would lead her from Chicago to Butte in Montana. From there a stage coach would take her to a town called Bannack. Her fiancé, Frank Ward, wired her fare to the Western Union office. Only the best for her, he had written in his letters which she kept in her girdle close to her heart.

  Mary stood back as Lottie went to the ticket office. She watched as Lottie seemed to remonstrate with the ticket seller. She could tell from Lottie's face that something was wrong. "Mary, you won't believe it. The incompetence of some people." Lottie was shaking with annoyance.

  "What is it?" Mary asked.

  "They said Mr. Ward only wired enough money to cover my fare in a boxcar. That cannot be. He promised me a comfortable passage. I do have a little bit of money, but I wanted that for when I get to my new home. Could they have made a mistake?"

  "I'm sure it's a misunderstanding. I know it's much cheaper to go in the box car. You'll be with families, but at least you'll be on your way. Is this the one?" Lottie and Mary stood beside one of the boxcars. Some families were already ensconced, and children were running around. Lottie and Mary said their goodbyes.

  "Let me help you, Miss," the man offered his arm and Lottie was yanked up into the boxcar. "Find yerself a corner, Miss."

  Was it a mistake? Or was Frank someone who pretended to have more than he really had? Lottie didn't have much expectation from life. She looked around her. While disappointed that Frank had made promises he didn't fulfill, she was used to making do.

  Her life had started in tragedy with her mother dying in childbirth. She grew up in a Catholic orphanage and knew nothing of her family. Other than her being Irish with her fiery red hair and green eyes. Lottie was feisty and couldn't abide the weak being taken advantage of. She had a tendency to step in if she felt someone was being bullied. Her skills in the infirmary and her gentleness, helped Lottie catch the eye of one of the benefactors.

  He paid for her nursing education on the condition that she nurse him. It was a taxing job. More than anything else, Mr. Peabody was lonely. Lottie knew his failing health was more to do with a broken heart and grief than any physical cause. He missed his wife who had passed on. While he was a good man, his son, Daniel, was very different. It was because of him that Lottie was leaving the city.

  One night as Lottie was taking some medicine to Mr. Peabody, she heard his son Daniel come home. He had a lady friend who was giggling. Later in the night, Lottie heard the woman scream, and she ran to her aid. Lottie picked up the fire poker and smacked Daniel Peabody with it. Her shock heightened when she discovered the woman was Mary Jones, a girl from her orphanage. The nuns had always told Mary she'd get into trouble with men. Mary had cuts and bruises. As Lottie lead Mary away, Daniel was nursing his shoulder and screamed at Lottie for interfering.

  Lottie never paid him much heed before and wasn't going to start now. As she took Mary to her room to tend to her wounds, Lottie presumed that would be the end of it. She was certain Daniel Peabody wouldn't want his father to know about his behavior. Lottie was safe while Mr. Peabody was alive.

  Unfortunately, two days later, her benefactor was dead. Now she was afraid. Daniel called her into the drawing room. It was then that she started asking questions. "But have the police investigated his death? I do not think his death was natural."

  "Then the blame will fall on you, Miss Cahill. You don't want an investigation into my father's death, I can assure you of that." His cold eyes and tone sent shivers down Lottie's spine. Could he have killed his father?

  "You are to leave this house immediately…" Daniel continued.

  "But certainly you can give me time to find a new…" Lottie had interrupted Daniel, and now he interrupted her by putting his hand up.

  "There will be no other position in this city for you. I will discretely spread my doubts about father's death. You oversaw his medicines. Don't even think about applying to any of the hospitals either. Furthermore, you will not receive any references from me. That will teach you…Lottie…not to interfere with another person's business."

  Unfortunately, Lottie didn't have much in the way of friends, so she found herself wandering the streets. Her few belongings were in the little case she held in her hand. Mary was the only person Lottie could call upon for help. So, that’s what she did. It was at this time that Mary told her about the new lives people could have out West. It was then decided, Lottie would be a mail order bride. And it had come to be. Lottie had found a farmer in need of a wife. Lottie was sure her nursing skills would come in handy out West. Every day people re-invented themselves, and now it was her turn. Only this re-invention had not started very well.

  Chapter Two

  Poor Mr. Peabody, Lottie thought, as the train trundled along. She was hot and sweaty and in need of a wash. She had to open the top buttons of her dress and wished she didn't have to wear a girdle. Her breathing labored from the tightness. In Mr. Peabody's employ, she had worn a nurse's uniform and was immaculate. She never had to think about the effects of the heat on the body. She knew her hair must look a state. The humidity was making it hard to manage.

  "It may be bad, but things will get better," she tried to tell herself. It bothered her that Daniel Peabody had gotten away with murdering his father. He had all but admitted it to her. But he was right. Any investigation would blame her, at the very least, for incompetence and at worst, for his murder. She couldn't risk it.

  Her sad train journey was coming to an end. She had to change now to a stage coach in her quest to get to Montana. The whistle blew, and the train began to slow down. Butte, she told herself. The stage coach was next. At least she'd have a seat in there.

  But Lottie was in for another shock. Yes, she had a seat, but the journey on the stage was sickening. Dehydrated and feeling ill, she was being tossed around the stage coach which seated six. Six people tightly packed did not make for a comfortable journey. She felt nauseous from the smells, the heat, and the lack of water.

  "I'm feeling sick," she said aloud. She wasn't sure why she had spoken out loud. Yet, one of the men sitting opposite banged his cane on the roof, and the driver brought the coach to a halt.

  "We can't stay stopped for long. The injuns are around, and gangs have been attacking the stages." The shotgun rider was on look out as Lottie tried to regain some composure. She gulped from the water canteen. She rolled up her sleeves and wiped her mouth.

  "How much longer?" she whispered. Lottie wasn't sure how much further she could go on. She had never endured such physical hardship.
"About an hour, Miss." That didn't seem too long compared to how long it had already been.

  At least Frank Ward would be there to meet her. She knew she'd feel better if she could get cleaned up and lie down for a little while. A holler went out that Bannack was ahead. With all the swaying and the smells that assailed her nostrils, her head began to pound. The stage came to a stop, and she jolted forward into the man sitting opposite her. She was trying to stand up when the stage door opened, and she began to fall out. A man caught her and put her standing on the sidewalk.

  Disoriented she looked around for Frank, but a grumpy old man knocked against her. He was talking to himself "shouldn't do that, shouldn't do that" she heard him muttering. "I'm sorry," she said.

  "Don't mind old Willie, Miss. He's an oddball," the post office clerk said.

  Lottie had the realization that she didn't know what Frank looked like. People were moving away from the stage. She stood outside the post office. A man was approaching her. Lottie wished she had time to freshen up. She must look a sight. She smiled at the man, who lifted his hat in greeting, but he went into the post office.

  Her head began to spin. The anxiety of the last few weeks taking its toll, Lottie collapsed to the ground. She lost consciousness.

  She opened her eyes and blinked. It was so bright, and everything was moving around her. What was happening? She was not moving at all.

  "Don't worry, Miss. I'm taking you to my surgery." The man's voice was comforting.

  She looked up at the handsome man she thought was Frank. He was carrying her, and without any effort, it would seem. Lottie was aware that she was leaning in against him. Her experience with men was nil, but this felt very nice. She felt safe. That was a strange word to come into her mind. But safe was the sensation she felt.

  He maneuvered through the door, taking care not to bang her head on the doorway. Laying her on the couch in his office, he went to his sink and made a drink for her.

  "I've seen this before. You're dehydrated. Here, drink this. It's some water with sugar and will help to revive you. I'm Doctor McLennon, everyone calls me Doc." His mouth moved, and words came out, but she wasn't quite sure she understood all he was saying.

  "I see this in the newly arrived young ladies. The travel, the heat, all get the better of you. You'll find your dress unsuitable for life out here, but I'm sure the general store will sort you out."

  His demeanor was gentle and kind. Doc leaned in towards Lottie to check out her eyes. She could feel his breath so close to hers, and she knew her cheeks were reddening. She had never felt like this before. What was she thinking? Lottie had a fiancé. Her fiancé.

  "Doctor McLennon, my fiancé was supposed to meet me. I need to get back in case he's waiting for me."

  This news startled the doctor. He wasn't sure why. Why else would a young woman travel out here alone? But there was something different about her.

  "Would you know him? His name is Frank Ward." Lottie noticed a change come over the doctor. He stepped back and began to fumble with the paper on his desk.

  "Frank. You're sure? Well, I never took him…Yes, I know of him. I haven't seen him around for a while."

  Was he hiding something from her? Her head was pounding. Was it just her imagination?

  "I'm feeling much better now, thank you, Doctor McLennon."

  "Well, I hope things work out for you," were his parting words to her. How strange she thought. The little town was small and positioned along one street. Lottie made her way back to the post office and passed a tea shop. There was a hotel and general store on the other side of the road.

  While she could see men sitting around, none had the look of waiting for someone, she told herself. Lottie went to the clerk at the post office. No, Mr. Ward hadn't been in today, the clerk told her. Perhaps she had her days mixed up. That made sense. Although the clerk continued, "everyone knows the stage only comes once a week."

  What was she to do? The jail house was on the other side. The Sheriff should know about his townsfolk. Something was wrong. The Frank Ward who had written to her was not the type of man to let a woman down.

  Chapter Three

  Lottie lifted the ends of her dress off the ground as she set about walking across the muddy road. She hopped from step to step, not wishing to muddy her boots any more than was necessary. It wasn't an ordeal she faced in the city.

  The jail house door was closed. She wondered if the Sheriff was even in. She peered through the window and jumped back as a man came into view. Recovering herself, Lottie smoothed down her dress as the Sheriff came out to see what she wanted. He was a rough looking type with a beard and looked in need of sprucing up.

  "What d'ya want?" he asked.

  "Sheriff, do you know Frank Ward?" she asked without bothering with small talk.

  "I reckon I do, what's it to ya, Miss?" The Sheriff spat his tobacco a little too close to her for her liking.

  "I think something has happened to him. He's supposed to meet me, but he’s not here. I'm his fiancée, Miss Cahill."

  The news didn't affect the Sheriff in any way. He looked her up and down.

  "Nah, reckon Frank's changed his mind. He's not the reliable sort."

  "Please Sheriff, if you could take me to him. I'm sure something untoward has happened."

  "I ain't no delivery service. I'm Sheriff Palmer. You'd be better off heading back from where you came. Men in these parts get into all sorts of trouble."

  His attitude was far from helpful. Lottie wanted to protest, but the Sheriff walked away from her before she had a chance.

  She stood there, wondering what to do next. All she wanted now was some place where she could get a bath and rest. She was worn out. Lottie wanted to look presentable when she met Frank. If his reluctance to meet her was due to second thoughts, then she needed to look her best for him.

  The hotel looked nice enough, but it meant crossing what passed for a road again. Lottie tiptoed across the road, but her boot got stuck in the mud. "Look out," someone called as a loose horse came running through the town. Lottie was in its path. She tried to pull her foot out of the boot, but the laces were too tight. Lottie looked up to see the horse barreling towards her. She closed her eyes, waiting for death to descend upon her.

  Suddenly she was catapulted out of harm's way, but she had landed face down in more mud. A hand rested on her back. It was Doctor McLennon who had come to her rescue again.

  "Let’s think of the positive side, at least you weren't trampled," the good doctor smiled at her as Lottie sat up and tried to wipe the mud from her face. It was the last straw, and she burst into tears. Her little suitcase had fallen open when she fell, and her few possessions had tumbled out.

  "Don't cry, Miss Cahill. Let's get you into Mrs. Lavery's hotel. Oh, here she is. Mrs. Lavery, you may be better suited to this." Doctor McLennon moved out of the way. He tried to wipe himself down.

  "Come along, young lady and I'll get you sorted with a nice hot bath. You arrived today?" Mrs. Lavery asked kindly, and Lottie nodded.

  Mrs. Lavery turned to Doctor McLennon, "you get yourself cleaned up Doc. I'll take care of your new arrival."

  "She's not my… I mean, she isn't here for me," the Doc spluttered.

  The commotion had brought the ladies out of the little tea shop. They overheard Mrs. Lavery's comments. They began to whisper that it was time the young doctor found himself a wife. It wasn't right for a young man like him not to have a wife.

  They had to know more, and so they followed Mrs. Lavery and the young woman into the hotel.

  "Is she the doctor's new wife? Isn't she pretty? Why didn't he tell anyone he had sent for a bride?"

  Mrs. Lavery hushed them, and Lottie looked horrified to be the center of attention.

  "Ladies, there's nothing to see here. This young woman is tired, hungry and in need of a bath. You can come back later when all three have been seen to."

  Lottie was bemused as she watched the women reluctantly leave the hotel lobby
.

  "Horace, you see that none of them linger. Fetch the young lady's bag and wash anything that's muddied and bring the rest to her room. We'll put her in room 4."

  Lottie interrupted, "But my fiancé, Frank Ward, will come to meet me. He's a little late."

  "Frank Ward. Are you sure? I know I've only met you, but you don't seem his type. Imagine that, Horace, Frank sent for one of those mail order brides." Mrs. Lavery tutted and scurried Lottie upstairs to a room that served as a bath room. There was an iron bath in the room and towels were on a shelf. There were smelling salts for men and women on another shelf.

  "You get those clothes off, and I'll have a lovely hot bath for you in a few minutes."

  Lottie disappeared behind the screen to undress. She could hear Mrs. Lavery directing Horace on the amount of water the Miss would need.

  "It's all ready for you. Your bedroom is next door, and I'll leave the key here for you. Horace has left clothes that weren't muddied on the bed, and he'll sort out the rest for you. Join me when you're ready, and we'll have something to eat."

  The room fell into silence as the door closed. Lottie peered out over the top of the screen. She was alone. A fire was blazing by the bath, and the bath itself smelled divine. She was looking forward to soaking in the suds that had formed. Lottie had never taken a bath for granted but this was exactly what she needed. She lowered herself into the water, and it enveloped her. She could finally relax. Her fingernails had been dirty, and it bothered her, but now they were clean.

  With some effort, she left the bath and dried herself off. With a towel wrapped around her, Lottie peaked out the door before running to what was now her room. It was small but perfectly situated. A comfortable looking bed and dressing table were in the room.

  Dressed in fresh clothes and smelling so sweet, Lottie made her way downstairs.