by Danni Roan
Anderson looked up studying the hills as his horse came to a stop in the middle of the beaten path. It didn’t seem right that Gaines should have the best of the land, and the prettiest girl in town too. Sitting back in the saddle, the onetime toast of Edinburgh wheeled his horse galloping back the way he had just come. Perhaps Gaines had ordered a bride, but that didn’t mean a bit of friendly competition wouldn’t be good for the man.
Anderson knew he was probably a fool, and there was no way he was going to get roped into marriage, but it would be a bit of fun tweaking Dan and making him work for the girl or giving him a run for his money. A bit of friendly competition never hurt anyone after all.
***
Prim stood in the middle of the large room as one man after another tried to talk to her. She had never felt so pressed in or trapped before in her life. No sooner would she fill one bowl than another man would be calling to her, trying to capture her attention long enough to introduce himself and ask her name.
The men smelled of cattle, horses, and unwashed clothing, as well as the dust and dander of the trail, or long undisturbed waste of the mines. Overall, the whole situation was overwhelming, and she felt she might scream.
“I’m sorry,” she said to the third man who had plucked at her sleeve, I have to see about other guests.”
“Now, don’t you hurry off darlin’” the dirty cowpoke drawled. “You just got to town, and I’d like to get to know you a bit. Maybe we can come to an arrangement. I ain’t got much yet, but one day I’ll have my own place, and I’d like a wife and such.”
“I’m sorry,” Prim said trying to get away. “I have to help others.”
“Don’t hurry off,” the man said. “Stop and stay a spell.”
Prim looked toward the kitchen, but hadn’t seen any sign of Mrs. Hampton in the last five minutes, but hoped she’d arrive soon and do something. Never in her life had Primrose Perkins wanted to drop everything and run from a room as much as she did right now.
The sound of galloping horses made Prim cringe as she imagined a drove of cowboys, miners, or farmers rushing in to the Hampton House to chivy her even more.
***
Dan Gaines turned his horse for the Hampton House hurrying to meet his brother. Spence had sent word to meet him for dinner, and he hoped that one of his hired hands hadn’t landed in the hoosegow again. He’d already bailed out three of the younger men and hoped that they’d soon grow up enough to stop getting into trouble, or he’d have to send them packing. He was running a cattle ranch not a home for wayward boys.
As the reluctant Mayor of Needful Dan Gaines felt a responsibility to the people who looked up to him, and those duties, combined with his work on the ranch, left little time for nonsense.
Kicking his horse into a gallop, he made his way toward town hoping that the evening would go smoothly and looking forward to one of Rosa’s delicious and interesting meals. That little woman could flat out cook and made things he’d never tasted in his entire slow arc toward Texas as a younger man.
Making the turn into town Dan noticed a trail of dust along the main street, and he leaned over his saddle urging his horse to greater speed as he recognized Anderson Bowlings’ gray horse. The Englishman was a newcomer to Needful and though he was tough and hard working, his ambitious and somewhat haughty attitude rankled a bit. After only seven months in Needful, Anderson had become Dan’s biggest competitor in the growing cattle industry. The man had financial backing, which meant he could hire more hands as well as invest more capital up front, while Dan’s entire model was based on sweat equity, and the ability of his crew to wrangle half-wild cattle from the sagebrush and valleys of this beautiful land.
Fanning his mount toward the Hampton House, Dan leaned low over his pommel, determined to beat the other man to the hitching post.
In a cloud of dust and rolling gravel Dan and Anderson dragged their horses to a halt in front of the boarding house and eatery at the same time, each casting hard glances at the other. Perhaps in another time or place Dan and Anderson could have been friends, but for now peaceful rivals would have to do.
Anderson glared at Dan taking in man’s dark hair and unshaven jaw, as he stepped down from the saddle of his boxy bay horse. He wasn’t a bad looking man, but he looked somewhat the worse for wear, and as Mayor, it seemed he could at least try to look like more than a common cowpoke.
“Gaines,” Anderson drawled his clipped tones sharp.
“Anderson,” Dan said with a curt nod. “You in to pick up another one of those rowdy riders from the jail you seem to hire?” Dan asked breathing in the smell of spicy food permeating the street.
“Not that I know of,” Anderson said giving Dan a hard look. “I wanted to check in and see that your new bride was settling in alright.”
“Bride?” Dan spluttered, staring at the other man as if he had two heads. “I don’t have a bride.”
“That’s not what she told me when I found her out on the prairie; alone,” Anderson said. “She told me she was coming to Needful as your mail-order bride.” He added enjoying the horror on the other rancher’s face.
“But I didn’t send for a mail-order bride!” Dan growled. “I’m too busy with the ranch, the town, and being mayor.”
“Then why did this girl think she was coming here for you?” Anderson asked his temper rising. Not only had Miss Perkins been left to manage alone in the middle of a vast prairie, now Gaines was telling him he didn’t even want her.
“I don’t know anything about it,” Dan stated loudly, feeling defensive as his hands curled into fists.
“If you’re playing that girl false, Gaines,” Anderson growled threateningly, “I’ll consider it a bad turn.” His eyes flashed in anger as he faced the other man.
“I don’t know anything about a woman coming here to marry me,” Dan practically shouted heading toward the front door and grabbing the handle before Anderson had a chance. “I’m here for supper and to meet my brother.”
Anderson stepped up to the front door his dark eyes assessing the other man as he tried to determine if Gaines was telling the truth.
Dan shook his head wondering what Anderson was on about. He was tired, dusty, and hungry. All he wanted was to sit with his brother and enjoy the small family who had joined him last fall. Before the other man had spoken Dan had no notation of a young woman coming to Needful, let alone a mail-order bride.
Shoulder to shoulder Dan and Anderson pushed their way through the front door only to see the dining hall packed with wranglers, farmers, and lignite miners all vying for the attention of a dark-haired young woman in a faded dress, who looked harried beyond standing.
Chapter 7
Anderson gaped at the crowd of men pressed into the Hampton House, all of whom were calling to the pretty young woman holding a stew pot and looking chagrined.
“You men give Miss Perkins a bit of space,” Anderson said stepping into the open room just as Mrs. Hampton moved from the kitchen. “You won’t get food faster by crowding around the newest addition to Needful.” His voice rang with a familiar authority as he stepped closer to Prim.
Prim looked up at the two handsome men that had entered the dining hall. She recognized Mr. Bowlings, but the other man, though equally good looking was a stranger. When Mr. Bowlings’ strong voice pushed the other men away, relief washed over her more profoundly than it had when he’d saved her from the bull.
Smiling at the Englishman Prim nodded as the other customers reluctantly drifted back to their own tables. “It’s nice to see you again Mr. Bowlings,” Prim stated. “I thought you were going home.”
“It seemed prudent to stop for a meal,” Anderson said. “I also thought you’d like to meet Mr. Daniel Gaines,” he finished indicating the man in the off white duster one step behind.
Prim looked up her breath catching in her chest as her eyes met the man she had believed to be her intended groom. Several days’ worth of beard covered his jaw, and his brown hair was a tad to
o long. His blue eyes were kind though even if he looked rather confused. He was a nice looking man, but she felt nothing for him upon meeting.
“Ma’am,” Dan said his ears pricking to the sound of pots and pans clattering in the kitchen tucked behind the back wall. “I’m afraid there’s been some confusion.”
Prim stood in the room feeling awkward at best. This was the man she had hinged her future on only to discover that it had been an illusion. She probably should have been upset with Mrs. Hampton for her deception, but instead could only feel pity for the bewildered man before her.
“Mr. Gaines,” she said not sure what else to say.
Dan tipped his hat at the young woman wondering how she’d come to be in his town, and why she had said she was there to marry him. She wasn’t an unattractive woman, but he wasn’t interested in a wife. There was simply too much that needed to be done in Needful before he would be ready for that. He barely had time to sleep as it was let alone court or woo a woman.
“Mayor Dan,” a voice made him turn catching a glimpse of William Scripts stepping into the hall. “I didn’t know you was gonna be here tonight.”
Dan shrugged his shoulders turning his back on the young woman as Anderson stepped toward her.
***
“Miss Perkins,” Anderson said, “is there anything I can do for you?”
Prim smiled at the man in the black hat. “I believe you’ve done enough already,” she spoke glancing at the other men in the building who had returned to various tables, waiting patiently as Mrs. Hampton poured more coffee.
“You appeared to be in some distress,” Anderson said reluctant to let the young woman return to her work and the other men who had been ogling her only seconds ago.
“I’m not sure what happened,” Prim admitted. “One minute I was serving dinner to all of the clients, and the next, I was pressed on all sides. I’m sure no one meant any harm, but it was rather disturbing.”
“There is a serious shortage of eligible young women in the town of Needful,” Anderson said. “I believe you may receive a great deal of unwanted attention in the near future. Of course the good thing about that is that you will have you pick instead of having to marry Gaines.”
Prim looked up from under long lashes startled at the idea. She had come to Needful to be a bride to the man across the room only to land in a town where there seemed to be far more eligible men that she might wish to choose from. At the moment she was simply grateful that the Hampton’s had taken her in. Having a job and a place to stay gave her options she never had before. Perhaps in time she might fall in love, but for now, she was happy she didn’t have to marry a stranger.
“I’m not sure I’m prepared to deal with this circumstance,” Prim finally admitted. “I’m only a simple girl from Tennessee who needed a place where my father’s line of work would not taint my prospects. I thought I would be content to marry, but I think now I’m relieved I have a choice.”
“You’re father’s work?” Anderson asked. “What did your father do?”
Prim felt her face flush realizing that she may well have ruined her chances at a respectable life in Needful, but she had started and only the truth would do now.
“My father was a moonshiner,” she answered with a deep blush of shame. “Back home neither my sister nor I could find any work at all.”
“You don’t say?” Anderson said leaning forward with interest. “Do people really do such things in this country? I’ve heard tell of such, but never thought I would meet someone with intimate knowledge of the endeavor.”
Prim blinked at the handsome Englishman, unsure what he was going on about. Didn’t he understand that her father’s illegal activity had tainted both of his daughters? It wasn’t respectable or legal to sell moonshine for profit even as a means to feed one's family, and now that the law had ended her father’s life so suddenly that she, Peri, and her mother were very much on their own.
“How fascinating,” Anderson added looking at Daliah.
“Olive, I keep telling you this was a bad idea.” Daliah hissed, brushing her blonde hair from her eyes. “You can’t go around advertising for brides for men who aren’t looking,” Daliah said as she watched five-year-old Chad trot toward his father and uncle.
“Daliah, I’m an old woman and I see things,” Olive said. “Look around this room,” she continued lifting her chin and gazing at the tables full of single ranch hands, farmers, and miners. “This town needs more women in it; women who will bring skills, sensibilities, and stability. Men want to be able to provide for their families. To build something they can pass along to their children. They’re protective of the women they love, and when we all pull together, society becomes more peaceful.”
“I know you mean well Olive, but it isn’t fair to ambush Dan like this,” the blonde woman said. “He isn’t looking for a wife.”
“Well, he doesn’t seem smitten in any case,” Olive confessed, looking disappointed as she watched while Prim continued serving the spicy stew to their patrons. “I had rather hoped that when they met, they’d go all goo-goo eyed and such.”
Outside gunfire and the sound of racing horses made everyone start, and in seconds, Dan and Spencer were skidding through the front door once more.
Daliah shook her head as her husband and brother-in-law responded to the call of duty. The event was too common an occurrence in Needful. Perhaps Olive was right, even if Daliah didn’t believe she was going about it in the right way.
***
“Miss Perkins, Miss Perkins,” the rich baritone strains of Anderson Bowlings voice filled the dining hall, making everyone turn in his direction. “Are you injured Miss Perkins?”
“Good heavens!” Olive expostulated, hurrying to where Anderson knelt beside the prostrate Prim patting her hand as he tried to revive her.
“She doesn’t seem to be injured,” Anderson said looking up as Daliah, in a swish of skirts, brushed Olive away and began examining the young woman.
“I think she’s fainted,” Daliah said. “I’m sure all of this has been terribly trying for her.” she continued, shooting Olive a hard look. “If you could help me get her to Olive and Orville’s quarters,” Daliah continued hoping that some of the men would carry the unconscious girl to quieter quarters.
Anderson slipped his hands beneath the young woman, feeling the softness of her faded dress as he lifted her in his arms effortlessly and pushed himself upright. “Lead the way,” he said feeling and an odd protectiveness form in his chest. In his mind, Miss Perkins had been hard used and he meant to set that straight.
Chapter 8
Prim opened her eyes to the dim light of a darkened room focusing them on the handsome face and strong features of the man standing over her.
“What happened?” she asked as another form came into view pushing Mr. Bowlings from the room, but not before she caught his reassuring smile as he disappeared through the door.
“You fainted,” a woman’s voice said almost in her other ear.
“I don’t faint,” Prim said, trying to push herself upright.
“Well ya did,” Mrs. Hampton spoke. “Seems them cowboys shootin’ up the town was too much for your system to take after the excitement of the day.”
“Shooting!” Prim said finally sitting up. “Oh dear, was anyone hurt?”
“No, no,” Olive said, “just some drunken cowboys tearing up the town. It happens most every night and needs to stop.”
“Spencer already went after them,” Daliah said lifting Prim’s wrist. “I’m Daliah Gaines,” she offered with a smile. “I’m as close to a doctor as they come here in Needful. My husband, Spencer, is the Sheriff in town.”
“I’m sorry to be such trouble,” Prim said her head still swimming with all of the information. “I feel fine,” she finished.
“I think you’re overly tired,” Daliah spoke brushing a strand of blonde hair from her face. “From what Olive told me, you’ve had a rather adventure-some day.”
Prim shook her head thinking back several hours to the moment she had stepped off the stage. “I can’t disagree,” she stated in defeat. “It has been a long day and a long journey.”
“Well, you just go on out and sit with Daliah and have some supper while me and Rosa and Orville finish with our guests. A good feed and a little sit down will do you good,” Olive insisted.
“When did you eat last?” Daliah asked, taking in the poor conditions of Prim’s dress. If the girl had only arrived on the stage that afternoon, she must be truly exhausted.
“I don’t remember,” Prim said. “We stopped last night at a road house, but this morning raced off without more than a bite of bread.”
Daliah reached out taking Prim’s hand in hers. “Then I declare you need a good dinner and a sound night’s sleep.”
Primrose smiled at the other young woman. She could tell already that they were going to be good friends. “Is that your prescription as a doctor?” she asked with a chuckle.
***
The scrape of rough made chairs on the plank floor greeted Prim and Daliah as they stepped back into the dining room.
Prim’s eyes sought out Anderson’s and she smiled, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment. The man had been on hand each time she had been in a tight spot that day. She was sure he must think her a silly, weak woman, and the thought pained her for some reason she couldn’t explain.
Several of the men in the hall peered at Prim, with concern but Olive shooed them away. “You men get back to your dinners,” Olive said. “Miss Perkins is simply worn out from her long journey. She only arrived today on the stage, and it don’t even come into town.”
Anderson watched as Daliah and Olive escorted Prim to the table where Chad sat waiting for the adults to return. The precocious boy had already finished a glass of milk and all of the bread Rosa had served only minutes earlier.
