by Danni Roan
“You feelin’ okay?” the boy asked the pretty young woman. “If not, Ma’ll fix you up for sure,” he finished looking at Daliah with affection. “She makes everyone better here in Needful.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Prim assured. “Your ma said I’m to eat something and should be right as rain after that.”
“She’s pretty smart,” the boy continued, his open nature making him chatty. “She ain’t been my ma long, but I kinda like her, and she makes the best sweet things. She even makes brown sugar dumplings for me sometimes when I’m good.”
“You don’t say?” Prim responded a twinkle in her eye.
Daliah ruffled the boy’s hair affectionately. “Why don’t you go get Christina and bring her from the kitchen, so her mother can get some work done?” Daliah asked the boy. “She can eat dinner with us while we wait on you Pa and Uncle to return.”
“Do I have to” Chad whined, his shoulders slumping.
“Yes, I think you do,” the young woman said. “You know she looks up to you,” she added.
The boy, his blue eyes bright, climbed down from his chair and headed toward the kitchen just as Rosa arrived with a fresh pot of stew and biscuits for the table.
“I hope that you are feeling better,” the petite woman said her midnight eyes full of concern. “It is very difficult to be a woman on her own here in Needful, but the Hamptons and Daliah are wonderful friends,” she finished true affection in her tone.
Prim smiled at Rosa. “Thank you,” she said, picking up her fork and taking her first bite of real food in nearly twenty-four hours. Despite the confusion, fuss, and fatigue, she felt that she had landed among good people and that sooner or later everything would work out.
***
Anderson Bowlings watched the dark-haired young woman sitting with Daliah Gaines, as he took a bite of his own food not even noticing the heat from the chilies that tingled on his tongue.
He wondered if Miss Primrose was getting to know her future sister-in-law while Gaines and his brother Spencer were busy hunting down the miscreants who had frightened the young woman so thoroughly. If he found out that any of them were his men, he would fire them immediately. It was high time things settled down in Needful. What if a stray bullet had entered the building and Primrose had been injured? He thought with a shiver.
Perhaps Miss Perkins was spoken for already, but by the way Dan had raced from the building after she had collapsed the man didn’t seem to have any real feelings for the girl. Anyone who could leave her behind, uncertain of her fate, didn’t deserve her anyway.
Anderson grinned at nothing in particular, thinking of the Gaines brothers out chasing some drunken cowboys. A bit of competition would do old Gaines some good, he concluded, as his eyes roamed over Miss Perkins soft features and warm skin.
Miss Perkins may have been promised to the other rancher, but it could prove to be fun, making the man work for every moment he had with the pretty, young thing, and Anderson was sure he was up to the task. The joy of irritating his biggest rival would be enough payment for the effort.
***
Prim sipped the coffee that had been placed before her and gazed across the large room. There were so many men, sitting quietly over their meals, or talking softly about their day. They looked lonely, unkempt, and tired. Some were arguing wearily with their companions, while others simple ate what was placed before them by the Hamptons or Rosa.
Was this how a new town was born? Did men begin the work then bring their women to join them? The War Between the States had left devastation everywhere, and the southern realm had lost so many of their boys in gray that droves of destitute and desperate women were vying for every job available, or struggling on next to nothing to keep fatherless families fed.
Mrs. Hampton was right; women were needed in this town of hard-working, lonely men. She could understand why the older woman had placed the ad, and couldn’t find it in her heart to censor the action. Olive was following her own belief as she saw the needfulness of her own home.
If Prim brought her sister to Needful, perhaps Peri could find that rich husband who would spoil her with frippery, finery, and affection. Sweet Periwinkle had such dreams of love and romance, but Prim wanted something that seemed more elusive still; security. She didn’t think she needed spoiled, or even a deep undying love, she would be content with an arrangement that left her unafraid of loss. She was only a moonshiner’s daughter, but she could work and provide for herself if she tried.
“Are you feeling better?” Daliah asked from across the table with a smile as Chad carried a little girl in a white baby dress to her. The child had black hair, olive skin, and the biggest brown eyes Prim had ever seen on a babe of a little more than a year old.
“This is Christina,” Daliah said. “She’s Rosa’s daughter.”
“Ma saved her life,” Chad piped up, handing the baby to his mother, climbing back into his chair and resuming his dinner. “Ma’s good at fixin’ people.”
Daliah smiled affectionately at her adopted son. She loved the boy desperately, even if he had been known to cause more trouble than someone his size should be able to. Since she had married Spencer, after so much trouble, her life was finally peaceful, at least most of the time. When it wasn’t, you could usually find Chad at the end of the mayhem, but that didn’t change the love in her heart.
“Why did Pa and Uncle Dan run off so fast?” Chad asked looking between the two women. “Is Pa goin’ to bring back those men who was shootin’ things up?”
“I think he will,” Daliah said, somehow at peace with her husband’s new job. After so much loss in her own life, she had expected that the job would panic her, but she was calm about it. Spencer had been elected the town’s sheriff after helping the Marshal in Smithfield clear Daliah from an unfair accusation. After so much loss in her young life, she should have been terrified about her husband becoming a lawman, but it had come together so perfectly that Daliah knew it was meant to be, and placed her trust in God for the future He had in store.
“I see you have Christina,” Rosa said making her way to the table. “She is tired of my working all the time,” the beautiful Mexican woman said. “Do you mind?”
“I’m happy to see her looking so well,” Daliah said. “I’m sure it is very hard for you keeping up with the cooking here at the Hampton House and watching her. You know you can bring her to me if you ever need to. I love babies and with Chad at school with Mr. Ben my days are relatively quiet,” she added with a laugh.
Rosa smiled, her dark eyes sparkling in the dim light of lanterns hung about the place. “Si, I know,” she agreed, “but I like to have her near. Her father is away so much with the cattle that I do not like to be alone.”
“How is Raul?” Daliah asked. “Is he still trying to get the farm going again or is he bringing more cattle from further south?”
“He will go again this week,” Rosa said with a sigh. “I know that he is very important to the ranches here,” she continued. “He has his foot in both Texas and Mexico, this means he can help negotiate on both sides of the border, but I wish he were home more.”
Prim smiled at the lovely woman. She had never met a Mexican woman before Rosa and didn’t know what to expect. To Prim, the woman’s glossy black hair, sparkling midnight eyes, and warm caramel skin was stunning. She knew how hard it had been to leave her family and felt that it must be a strain to see your husband ride away so often.
“Don’t you worry,” Prim spoke, “now that I’m here, I’ll be able to help out. We’ll keep this place running all day and all night if need-be.”
Rosa laughed softly, turning to watch Dan and Spencer step back through the door. “It looks like we will be very busy, I think,” she said. “Always there is someone else to be fed.”
The women laughed as the men traipsed wearily across the room, coming to rest by Bowlings “Anything left to eat?” Dan asked looking down at tiny Rosa with a half smile.
“For you Mr.
Dan, there is always food.” Rosa laughed. “I will bring it.”
Spencer slipped wearily into a chair next to Daliah draping an arm over the back of her chair and tossed his hat on a peg sticking out of the wall.
“Are you all right now?” he asked Prim. “I’m sorry you were frightened, but despite my best efforts these things keep happening.”
“I’m fine,” Prim replied. “Embarrassed that those gunshots startled me so, she finished remembering the last shots she had heard had taken her father.
Dan slipped into the chair next to Prim then looked up scowling as Anderson made his way to the table.
“Gaines,” Anderson drawled looking at the two men. “Did you catch the miscreants who scared our newest member of Needful so?”
Spencer shook his head. “No, I’m afraid they had too much of a head start. We did pick up their trail outside of town though,” he added significantly looking at the Englishman. “They were headed south.”
Anderson raised a brow. “As in toward my spread?” he queried.
“That’s what I figured,” Spencer agreed.
“Sheriff, are you trying to say something?”
“I think I might be,” Spencer spoke. “You’ve had a fair few of your riders in my cells, Anderson. Perhaps it’s time you start reining in the rowdies on your range.”
Anderson turned the black Stetson in his hands eyeing the sheriff. It was true that more of his men seemed to get arrested for drunk and disorderly than others, but the west was wild and young men were often foolish in their free time.
“What about your brother’s men?” Anderson asked. “I’m sure my riders aren’t the only ones to cut loose.”
“I’ve bailed out a few,” Dan said bristling, “and carried them home with a flea in their ear. I don’t need riders getting into trouble here in Needful. We want this town to be a respectable place.”
“What about the ones that busted up the Mercantile?” Anderson asked. “Did you put a flea in their ear too?”
“No, as a matter of fact, I fired them outright and took the cost for damaged goods from their wages. A man should be able to run a place of business without it being busted up every few days. As it is William already extends credit to those in need.”
“I’ll speak to my men again Sheriff,” Anderson said his eyes drifting back to the soft features of Miss Perkins. “I hope that you are feeling fully recovered now,” he offered with a smile, “and if I can be of any assistance please let me know,” the tall man offered cutting his eyes back to Dan in silent challenge.
Dan Gaines looked between Anderson and Miss Perkins seeing something he didn’t quite recognize blossom into life. Although he wasn’t interested in the young woman, and had no intentions of marrying anytime soon, he felt the hackles on his neck rise as his biggest competitor smiled at the woman who had come to town ostensibly to marry him.
“Miss Perkins seems to be fine now,” Dan said, his voice rough and defensive. “I’m sure if she needs anything she can count on me for assistance. Although I still don’t understand the confusion with the mail-order bride business, I’ll do my best to help her make her way.”
Prim looked between the two men for a few moments feeling as if she was watching two tom cats trying to stare each other down along a narrow fence. Around her, the air seemed ripe with tension, and she wouldn’t have been surprised to hear a growl from either of them at any moment.
“Thank you both,” Prim finally spoke, breaking the tension. “I appreciate your offer, but I do believe I’ll be fine here at the Hampton House,” she finished with a smile. “I’m sorry for any inconvenience to either of you,” she continued looking them both square in the face. “Since I now understand that there was a miscommunication, I’m quite content to manage on my own.”
Anderson placed his hat back on his head of unruly locks and nodded to the table. “I’ll bid you all goodnight then,” he said his voice lilting across the dining hall easily. “Until we meet again,” he said his words directed at Prim. “Riders, let’s mount up,” he barked as he headed for the door.
Prim watched as half of the men in the eatery rose to their feet, dropping a few coins on the table before following the Englishman outside. It was obvious that Mr. Bowlings had a large ranch and commanded some respect as he slipped into the darkness and out of her world.
Chapter 9
Prim collapsed into the rope and timber bed with the grass tick mattress in an upstairs room of the Hampton House that night feeling weary to her bones.
Every joint and muscle seemed to ache, and her head swam with the sheer number of people she had met in her new home.
The day had flown by in a flurry of excitement, disappointment, worry, and shock. Despite the protests of Olive and Rosa, Prim had helped with the dishes before heading to her room and preparing for bed.
Outside she could still hear the soft strains of a lively tune being picked out on a piano down the street in what must have been the town’s saloon, and the occasional whoop of a cowhand, or whinny of a horse broke the still coolness of the night.
Closing her eyes as she settled onto the bed, Prim breathed deeply of the dry grass that filled her mattress, the smells of sage, prairie grass, and something floral soothing her senses as she closed her eyes.
“Lord,” she whispered into the night before a yawn overtook her, “I don’t know what comes next, but I thank you that I’m safe, fed, and have a roof over my head. Perhaps Mr. Gaines is not the man I had hoped him to be, and since he doesn’t seem to inclined to be married any time soon, I’ll trust that you brought me here to work for Mr. and Mrs. Hampton. It seems like a pair of strong hands is just what they need now with so much work to be done. I pray you’ll watch over Peri and Ma so far away in Tennessee and allow us to come together again soon.” Prim paused feeling sleep creeping on her like a stalking beast and welcomed it. “Amen,” she finally whispered pulling the quilt to her chin and drifting off to sleep.
***
Laughter spilled from the half finished bunkhouse as Anderson rode toward his own home. He’d been in the area of Needful for most of a year, and though he had determined to build up his place before winter came, he hadn’t gotten as far as he would have liked. Shelter was adequate and there didn’t seem to be a need for more.
Riding past the log structure, the Englishman scowled at the scattered logs, and building materials about the yard. It was high time he stopped chasing cows himself and started seeing to it that The Double B was the best ranch in the area. He had the money and resources needed to make his ranch the best in the area if he chose to.
Tomorrow he planned to make a few changes around the place, and if anyone didn’t like it, they could pack their gear and leave. He was Bowlings and his place should reflect the status he had come from. In time, perhaps his father would visit, and he wanted him to be proud of what Anderson had accomplished.
“See you tomorrow boss,” a few of the men trailing him called as they broke away toward the corral. They hadn’t even started a barn yet and though his cook kept the men fed both on and off the trail, Anderson was starting to suspect that the Hampton House food and company was more appealing. Thinking of Miss Perkins, he didn’t think he would be able to argue that point.
Riding up to his own small cabin and looking at his home with new eyes Anderson made up his mind.
“Jacks!” Anderson called out pulling his horse to a stop. “I want you to gather the men in the morning for a meeting,” he said. “There are going to be a few changes here at the Double B very soon.”
The man called Jacks nodded slowly, his serious eyes, and long dower face inspiring anything but confidence below his shaggy head of salt and pepper hair.
“Al’ight, boss,” the older man said. “See ya at sun up,” he finished taking Anderson’s mount and turning away.
Anderson shook his head. The Wild West had been a dream of his for years even before he’d gotten into that minor scrape with a devious Duchess. He had dre
amed of seeing the states that he had read so much about. With potential ruin on his heels, Anderson’s father had happily funded this mad desire to own a cattle ranch.
Looking around him now, at the wide-open prairie and stumpy looking buildings, Anderson had to accept that he had only been playing at cattle baron so far. The reality was his new home had great potential if he was brave enough to tackle it.
Tomorrow things were going to change on the Double B and he was determined that his spread would be the best anywhere around Needful or possibly even Texas. It would be a place where he could set down roots and build something worthy of his name.
Walking into his dark cabin, Miss. Perkin’s face rose in his mind’s eye, and he shook the image away. In time he might like a wife, but for now he would be content to see if he could keep Dan Gaines dancing to win the pretty woman’s heart.
Stumbling to the small table in his living quarters Anderson struck a match on his boot and lit the lamp, his mind still full of the day’s events. As he saw it, something was wrong with the whole situation surrounding the young woman. Miss Perkins had said she was there to marry Dan Gaines, but Gaines himself had hardly given her the time of day.
Shaking his head, the Englishman picked up his light and headed toward the bed on the far side of the room. Tomorrow would be soon enough to get his head around that mess, he knew nothing of this mail-order bride business, other than the fact that a woman must be desperate to go along with it. For now he had plans to make. It was time to get his big ideas underway, and he was sure that as long as Miss Perkins was with Olive and Orville, she would be all right.
Sitting on the bed, Anderson began to remove his boots thinking back to when he had first arrived in the burgeoning no-name town. Anderson had ridden into town with Jacks at his side, visions of a large house, big barn, and neat outbuildings dancing in his head as he surveyed the available land. He had believed that he would have accrued a large herd, and plenty of acreage in short order, but the harsh reality was long days in the saddle chasing mean cows and meaner bulls from the heavy brush, gullies and streambeds of northern Texas.
