by Danni Roan
“Mama,” Prim’s voice stuck in her throat as she hugged her mother who hummed happily in her ear. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Prim whispered not able to release her mother for several moments.
“Don’t just stand there,” Olive said with a smile, as she gestured for everyone to come inside with her dangerous looking stick. “Come in and we’ll get you fed up and comfortable.”
A lean man in a dusty suit stepped out of the stage next gazing around him with interest at the place. “So this is Needful,” he breathed in a raspy voice. “I do declare.”
Prim led her mother and sister into the building, clinging to her mother’s hand as they headed for a table.
Behind her the driver tossed down a bundle of bags and a heavy canvas tote stamped U.S. Mail.
***
Prim was in a tizzy as she settled her mother and sister at a table while the usual patrons looked on with interest.
“Prim, why are all of these men staring at me?” Peri asked as they set their mother into a chair where she swayed back and forth while still humming.
“There are very few single women in this town,” Prim whispered back in reply. “When I first got here, I was completely overwhelmed by them.”
Peri looked around her and shivered at the dirty men gazing back at her. “I don’t think this is the kind of attention I was hoping for.”
Prim smiled. She had grown accustomed to the men watching her every move, or vying for her attention. Until she had explained that she and Mr. Bowlings were now officially engaged, she had suffered at least three proposals a day.
“I’ll get you both some coffee and something to eat,” Prim said kissing her mother’s cheek before hurrying to the kitchen where Rosa was busy preparing plates.
“It is your family, yes?” Rosa said with delight.
“Yes,” Prim said her voice quivering with excitement. “I can’t believe they are here.”
Rosa reached over squeezing Prim’s hand. “I am happy for you.”
Prim carried the meals out to her family then returned for coffee, leaving Peri to help her mother grasp a fork while she laid plates before their other guest.
“Thank you miss,” the lean man from the stage said cheerfully as he pushed his dark brown curls from his forehead. “This is quite the establishment,” he finished gazing around the room.
“Yes sir,” Prim agreed. “We also have rooms to rent if you are planning on staying longer than the stage stops.”
“I believe I will be staying a while yet,” the man agreed lifting a long fingered hand to take his cup.
“Prim you go visit with your kin now,” Olive said hurrying to the table. “I’ll take over here. You have much to tell your sister and mother I believe,” she added with a grin.
Prim returned to the kitchen filling a cup and taking a plate for herself as she headed back to the table where Prim was pressing a cup of coffee into her mother’s hand.
“I don’t understand how you came to be here,” Prim said. “I haven’t had a chance to send you any money at all.”
“I found Pa’s stash,” Peri said leaning across the table and speaking in a hushed whisper. “I gave some to Aunt Betsy then decided to come along before the weather got too bad.”
Prim gazed, wide eyed at her sister, in disbelief. They had scoured the mountain the day their father had died, but found no sign of the money they knew he had horded over the years. “I can’t believe it,” she gasped.
“I spent two whole days up on the mountain,” Peri said. “Someone had come along and taken Pa’s still, but everything else was just the way we left it. I hunted and hunted all over the place and finally found it buried behind the privy.”
Prim smiled pleased at her sister’s tenaciousness.
“By the time I left it looked like some mad gofer had been digging all around the house, but I found it.”
Prim reached across the table and squeezed Peri’s hand then lifted a napkin to dab at her mother’s chin. Although she could still feed herself her mother hand wasn’t always steady, and she needed some assistance.
“Now what’s the news with you?” Peri asked her eyes full of excitement. “The last I knew, you hadn’t married the man you came here to meet.”
Chapter 24
“Married!” Peri gasped. “But you’ve only been here four months, how can you be getting married? Did that man finally decide he wanted you?”
“Shh,” Prim hissed as she leaned across the table, her mother’s humming had changed between bites of food and sounded something like a wedding march to Prim’s ears. “I met Mr. Bowlings that first day,” she said. “Remember I wrote about how he saved me from that miserable old bull.”
“Oh, how romantic,” Peri gushed clapping her hands together in front of her as her mother spluttered and she turned to help Mama sip her coffee.
“More like embarrassing,” Prim laughed. “But since then I’ve come to know the man a little better.”
As Prim sat chatting with her sister Olive watched the man in the gray suit sipping his coffee. He hadn’t said much, but he watched everything happening around him with interest.
The new patron didn’t appear to be a salesman as the two bags with him were soft sided and slumped as if not overly full.
Noting that the man’s coffee cup was nearly empty Olive hurried to his table with the heavy enameled pot and a smile.
“How was your meal?” she asked, filling his mug once more.
“Delicious,” the man said, his voice soft and cultured. “Might I enquire about a room for the night?” he asked his gray eyes meeting hers.
“We have plenty,” Olive replied. “I’ll get Prim to put things together for you as soon as she has her family situated.”
“Did I hear correctly earlier?” the man continued his eyes drifting to the table where the Perkins family sat, “Will there be a wedding soon?”
Olive turned smiling at Prim with joy. “You heard right,” she said. “Primrose got engaged to Mr. Anderson Bowlings the other day.”
“Perhaps I might be of some service then,” the man said. “I’m Brandon Tippert a recently ordained preacher.”
Olive almost skipped with delight at the man’s words. “A preacher!” she exclaimed. “Just what Needful has been pining for and in the nick of time too.”
Olive slipped into the chair across from her guest determined to let him just how much he would be needed in their little Texas town.
***
Prim led Peri and her mother to the room she used upstairs in the Hampton House filling them in on the activities of the town and explaining to expect such things as gun shots, galloping horses, and loud cowboys whooping it out of town.
She still couldn’t believe that they were there and so wanted them to meet Anderson and her other friends, but she knew they were weary and tomorrow would be soon enough for everything.
As they entered the room Prim looked around at the bare walls and almost empty pegs on the wall. She had so little and yet her heart was so full.
“Perhaps this evening Anderson will join us for dinner,” she said. “I have no way of sending word, but he stops by as often as he can.”
A knock on the door surprised her and Prim opened it to find Mr. Hampton carrying a single rope and wood framed cot.
“I brought you an extra bed,” he said with a grin nodding at her sister and mother. “Thought if you girls were to share the bigger one, your Ma could have this.”
“Thank you,” Prim said touched by Orville’s thoughtfulness. “I’ll get a tick, and Peri and I can fill it.”
“That new fella that came on the stage will be staying a while too,” Orville said. “Seems like Needful is gettin’ a preacher and just in time too.”
Prim blushed, but her heart fluttered at the thought. With a preacher in town and her family here, she was sure that as soon as Anderson had the house ready they could wed.
“The Lord knew just what we needed,” she said smiling.
>
Orville grinned catching a glimpse of Mrs. Perkins as she rocked gently on the edge of the bed next to her younger daughter.
“Life has a way of surprising ya,” he agreed.
By dinner time Prim was a bundle of nerves as she waited to see if Anderson would call. On one hand, she believed that the Englishman loved her, but she still felt inadequate and inferior. She couldn’t help but wonder if he would meet Peri and Mama only to reject them both.
Trying to get herself under control she focused on stuffing the bed tick with dry grasses and other plants from the prairie with her sister.
“You seem nervous,” Peri said picking up on her attitude.
“Anderson is English,” Prim blurted.
“So what, I don’t care where he comes from and you shouldn’t either.”
“No, but he’s used to a different life,” Prim said. “What if he realizes I’m not good enough for him?”
Peri reached out grabbing her sister’s arms and staring her straight in the eye. “Primrose Perkins you’re as good as any person anywhere and even if you aren’t as educated or well mannered as some of these fancy folks, you have nothing to be ashamed of. If this man is worth his salt, you have nothing to fret over.”
Prim nodded hoping Peri was right. It was hard enough starting a new life in a new place, but with Mama’s frailties and their backwoods ways, she didn’t want to shame Anderson in any way.
“I don’t know why it bothers me so she admitted. We’re both made in God’s image and that’s good enough. Still some days I just feel like I’m not good enough for him.”
“Maybe that’s because you’re the best thing for a man like that,” Peri said wisely. “Sometimes people what had too much need someone that had too little, so they can appreciate this wonderful world.”
Prim smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek and she reached out embracing her sister. “I’ve missed you little sister,” she said hugging Peri tight. “I needed you.”
***
Anderson fidgeted by the door of the Hampton’s living quarters. Daliah had come in to help Rosa with the restaurant but he had been invited to dinner at the Hampton’s private table to meet Prim’s mother and sister. He didn’t know what to expect. He wasn’t sure what to do when he met them and wasn’t sure if he should speak to her mother or simply Periwinkle.
Straightening his string tie he knocked on the door and smiled with relief when Orville answered.
“Anderson, glad you could make it,” the old man said. “Before you come in, I think you should know a few things.”
Anderson nodded as Orville closed the door stepping out onto the back yard.
“First,” the old man began, “Prim’s mighty pleased to have her kin with her. Second, and it’s only my thinkin’ but I suspect her ma understands most everything happening she just don’t have any way of communicating. She hums and the mtune changes regular like, so if you speak to her and she changes her hummin’, I think she’s answerin’ in her own way.”
Anderson blew out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and nodded with relief. He could speak to his intended’s mother even if they couldn’t communicate properly.
“Peri’s a spritely thing as well,” Orville continued. “She’ll look you up and down proper, but I think she’s happy for Prim over all.”
Anderson nodded understanding. He couldn’t blame Prim’s sister for being concerned, but if he was going to provide a home for Prim’s family, he needed to know they could all get along.
“Thanks Orville,” Anderson said feeling the hard tension in his broad shoulders ease. “I think I’m ready now.”
Mr. Hampton opened the door and ushered the smartly dressed Englishman into his home with a smile. Life certainly wasn’t dull in Needful, and if his Olive had anything to do with the situation, it would only get more interesting as time went by.
Anderson smiled as his eyes met Prim’s, and she hurried to him, taking his hand and leading him into the small parlor where a girl who looked much like her sat next to an older woman in a faded dress who rocked slightly back and forth on a hard chair.
“Mr. Bowlings,” Prim said formally, “I’d like you to meet my mother Verity, and my sister Periwinkle,” she said her voice shaking slightly.
Anderson squeezed Prim’s hand for a moment then reached out and took the older woman’s hand in his lifting it too his lips and placing a genteel kiss on the care worn hand.
A soft humming greeted his ears and he smiled as the tune seemed to change to something that sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place. Releasing the older woman’s hand he turned to Peri who reached out a slim hand and shook his heartily, making him smile.
“I’m very pleased to meet both of you,” Anderson finally managed slipping an arm around Prim and pulling her close for moral support. “I want you to know that I care very much for Primrose and am looking forward to marrying her soon,” he finished with a smile.
“Nicely said,” Mrs. Hampton piped up clapping her hands together in front of her with a smile. “Now why don’t you all come to the table, and we’ll eat.”
Prim slipped from his embrace and reached for her mother while Peri did the same and between the two of them they got Mrs. Perkins to her feet and shuffling toward the table.
Anderson’s heart softened at the woman’s plight as he fell in behind them. Prim had said that her mother could manage with help, but he hadn’t been fully prepared for her condition. Even though so obviously incapacitated he recognized something in the older woman that spoke of strength and determination.
The meal flew by with a bevy of questions and explanations. He recounted the story of how he had found Prim on the prairie about to be charged by an old range bull and the telling made everyone laugh.
Dinner was a scrumptious delight of roasted meats, well prepared vegetables, and even cake for dessert.
Anderson spent a pleasant evening with Prim and her family which he realized suddenly included Orville and Olive who had adopted her in their own way.
“I’ll walk you out,” Prim offered as the evening came to a close, and Anderson knew it was time to head home.
Anderson placing his hat back on his head and turning for the door, the lovely Prim hanging on his arm.
“Thank you for being so kind to my mother,” Prim said almost as soon as they were outside. “So many people never even speak to her.”
Anderson smiled turning and leaning in to kiss her sweetly. “Orville had a talk with me before I got inside,” he admitted. “He gave me good advice on speaking to and dealing with your mother. She seems to understand at least some of what going on around her.”
Prim felt tears spring to her eyes and her heart seemed to swell. “I don’t know what Mama understands,” she said, “but me and Peri always try to include her. She’s still our mother,” she ended her voice breaking.
Anderson pulled Prim into his arms holding her close and wanting only to protect her. When her arms wrapped around his waist, he knew he would never be the same man again. With Prim beside him, he could see a future with a purpose, and he vowed then and there, if God would let him, to see it all through.
Chapter 25
Over the next three weeks Needful took a turn in a direction many were pleased with as Mr. Tippert made the rounds of the town getting to know folks.
The preacher was quiet, yet friendly, and soon set many at ease with his slow talk, and kind demeanor. Before October was miended, the man had met with the town founders and they had devised a plan for building a church. A few rowdy cowhands and hard-bitten miners kicked up a fuss about the do-gooders taking over the town, but they were voted down.
Mr. Scripts returned from the river with four wagons loaded with supplies and the glass windows that had been ordered and delivered on river boats. Overall the town was taking on a more finished look and excitement stirred as Thanksgiving and the eminent wedding of Prim and Anderson loomed.
Anderson found himself in town almost as
much as he was at the ranch. And with Prim’s help, he had the new house almost completely ready for his new bride and her family. He had never seen himself moving in two extra family members with a new bride, but he felt comfortable with Prim’s mother and sister.
Peri seemed always to be saying something outrageous that made everyone laugh, and though Mrs. Perkins’ constant rocking motion could be distracting, he knew it was just her way.
The wedding date was set for the day before the Thanksgiving holiday, and everyone was a stir with the promise of the festivities.
