by Danni Roan
Anderson rode out to pick up Prim and her family one crisp autumn afternoon and take them to see the house, his heart bursting with hope and pride.
Walking inside Prim gaped at the work that had been done to complete the home. Hard wood floors graced each room, and Anderson babbled on about how they would order carpets for each room and runners for the stairs.
A few rolls of wallpaper had arrived with Mr. Scripts earlier, and the formal parlor and dining room looked amazing in their merry wrapping.
“I can’t believe this,” Peri said stepping into the house. “You never cared nothin’ for fancy houses, pretty stuff and look at this house,” she said placing her hands on her hips.
Prim blushed prettily and Anderson fell in love with her all over again. Perhaps the fact that Prim had come from so little had inspired him to trust her. She didn’t seem bothered by what she had or how pretty her clothes were. She wanted to help others and earn an honest living for herself, yet she was willing to love him.
“If you’ll take your mother upstairs,” Anderson said looking at Peri expectantly you can find a room that is comfortable for her and choose one for yourself.”
Peri grinned taking her mother’s arm and helping her toward the stairs. “A room all your own Mama,” she said as they started the slow climb.
Anderson turned to Prim, pulling her into his arms as her family disappeared above. “Do you really like the house?” he asked his voice rumbling in his chest next to her ear.
“I never thought I’d ever live in such a beautiful place,” she said. “It has always been Peri’s dream to marry well and have the nicest things in life, by Bowlingsyoungest to me,” she said pulling back and looking up into his eyes. “All I want is to have someone to care for, and I know you’re the man for me.”
Prim studied Anderson face willing him to believe her. She didn’t want a fancy home, or all of the trimmings. Her heart was full with the thoughts of spending her life with this man.
Anderson’s smile was bright as he gazed into her pale blue eyes. “I think that is one of the reasons I love you,” he said dropping his lips to hers for a quick kiss.
“Anderson Bowlings,” a sharp voice broke the gentle scene and Prim jumped back smoothing her skirt in embarrassment.
“Mother?” Anderson gulped turning to look at the two people stepping into the still unfurnished room.
Prim looked up at Anderson with a soft gasp. Anderson hadn’t said anything about his parents coming to visit.
Prim studied the tall handsomely dressed woman as she made her way across the room. Mrs. Bowlings’ hair was dark like her son’s but streaked with gray, behind her a stocky man with light brown eyes that twinkled in the light approached.
“Who is this woman?” Mrs. Bowlings demanded. “Why is she in your house unaccompanied? She’s probably some gold digger trying to get her fingers into the best cattle ranch in Texas.”
Prim gaped at the woman whose hard eyes studied her unkindly.
“First of all Mother,” Anderson began, “This is Miss Primrose Perkins, and we are not unaccompanied. Her mother and sister are upstairs as we speak.”
The older woman gave a haughty sniff and Anderson shook his head. “Also, Miss Perkins has agreed to marry me.”
“Marry!” the other woman screeched. “No son of mine is marrying a common little chit like this.”
Prim felt the tears spring to her eyes. She knew she didn’t belong in Anderson’s world, and now his parents had come to see to it that she would never be allowed to love him as she should. Taking a step back, she prepared to flee through the kitchen, but Anderson’s arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close and holding her in place.
“I’m afraid that isn’t your decision to make,” Anderson said his voice soft but firm. “I love Primrose and I intend to marry her, in time, when you get to know her you’ll feel the same.”
“I’ll cut you off,” Mrs. Bowlings said her eyes glinting like agate. “You’ll be penniless."
Anderson raised an eyebrow meeting his mother’s harsh gaze. He had always taken after his mother in appearance but his father in temperament and taste. Shifting his gaze to his father he lifted his chin and smiled.
“Cut me off if you wish,” he said flatly. “I’ve learned enough about cattle and ranching that I’ll start again on my own. I can work for a neighboring ranch, and Prim can keep her job at the Hampton House hotel and eatery until we get ahead.”
Mrs. Bowlings gaped Bowlings youngest son in disbelief. “You can’t be serious?”
“I am,” Anderson affirmed. “Prim is used to a simple life, and I know she loves me for who I am not what I have. Don’t you?” he finished looking into Prim’s clear bright eyes.
Prim smiled up at Anderson her heart overflowing. It didn’t matter to him that she came from nothing. He wanted her for who she was, and she didn’t care what they had. Together they could find a way.
“I don’t care if we live in an old shack,” Prim said. “As long as we’re together, I’ll be happy.”
Anderson turned back to his mother a smug grin sliding across his face. “Mother I’d like to introduce you to your future daughter-in-law,” he said his eyes twinkling at the smile his father was trying to suppress.
Mrs. Bowlings stared at her son in disbelief. Anderson had always been a difficult child; more prone to following his heart than his head, but for him to actually tell her no was a shock. “Arden, tell him to do as I say,” she said turning to her husband for help.
“Not this time Prudence,” the older man said. “It’s obvious that Anderson knows his mind, and more importantly his heart, so I suggest you get used to the idea of a new daughter-in-law very soon.”
“But Arden,” Prudence protested.
“No but. Now I’d like very much to see this ranch we’ve invested a good chunk of our son’s inheritance into. Anderson if you wouldn’t mind.”
Anderson nodded releasing his grip on Prim, but taking her hand in his as he led the way out of the house.
“Prim,” Peri called sticking her head out an upper window opening and making everyone cringe, “I think I want this room.”
Anderson threw back his head and laughed at the exuberance of his future sister-in-law, but led the way back to the wagon as he prepared for a short tour of the Double BB ranch.
Chapter 26
Everything was in place. Needful had a preacher, and though the church wasn’t finished, Olive had offered the Hampton House for the wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Bowlings had finally come to terms with Anderson marrying Prim, and once Prudence had met Peri and understood their mother’s situation, she had warmed to them both with uncharacteristic sympathy. So why was Prim so nervous?
“You look very pretty,” Rosa said examining the dress Prim wore. Mrs. Bowlings had been determined that her new daughter-in-law have several new dresses making the days and weeks leading up to the wedding a flurry of activity, fittings, and sewing.
“Thank you,” Prim said. “I’m just so nervous,” she admitted.
“This is normal,” Rosa said placing a squirming Christina on the floor and taking the brush from Prim’s hand. “You sit, I will help you.”
Prim took her chair with a sigh of relief. She knew that Olive had everyone under control out in the main part of the building, but here in her little room, she couldn’t stop the nervous tingles in her hands.
“Peri is looking after your mother,” Rosa continued. “When she is ready, she will come here for you.” The petite raven haired woman smiled as she ran the brush through Prim’s hair. “On my wedding day, I was sick,” she said. “I had rattlesnakes in my belly. Raul, he is a good man, but his brother is not so good, and we were afraid he would keep us apart. When I stepped into the church and saw my Raul, I knew everything would be fine.”
Prim smiled feeling the weight of Rosa’s words settle over her, bringing her a sense peace. Women had managed to get through weddings for ages past; surely, she could do it too.
<
br /> “Sometimes you must have a little faith that everything will be fine. Not easy perhaps, but fine,” Rosa said.
Prim waited until the final pin was placed in her dark locks then turned hugging Rosa tightly. “Thank you so much Rosa. You have been a wonderful friend, and if you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Rosa squeezed Prim back then stepped away as a soft knock fell on the door. “I will leave you now,” the Mexican woman said picking up her daughter and opening the door to let Peri in.
“You look beautiful,” Peri said motioning for Prim to turn around. “The dress came out perfect.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Prim said. “You’ve always had a neater stitch than me.”
Periwinkle waved her away. “I can’t believe you’re getting married and to a man with the biggest house I’ve ever seen,” she added. “I guess I’ll just have to find a fellow with a bigger place is all. Maybe that Mr. Gaines is in the market for a wife after all,” she finished teasing.
Together the girl’s laughed and the sound filled the room with joy and light.
“I’m truly happy for you Prim,” Peri said hugging her older sister tight. “Things certainly didn’t turn out the way we expected, but I’m still happy.”
“I don’t know what I would have done if you and Mama hadn’t been able to be here today,” Prim said. “I probably would’ve cried my way through the whole day.”
“You would have muddled through on your own,” Peri replied. “Now stop dawdling and let’s get you married.”
***
Anderson stood at the front of Olive and Orville’s parlor with Jacks at his side waiting impatiently for his new bride.
The preacher stood quiet and sedate, his lips twitching as his eyes roved over the people assembled. It was a small group attending the wedding, but he knew that the wedding supper afterward was bound to be a big affair and the dining hall was already decorated.
There was no music, but as Prim stepped into the room on her sister’s arm, then paused to let Peri hurry forward first, Anderson felt his heart fill like a hot-air balloon and try to fly right out of his chest.
Prim was lovely in a pale pink dress, and she had done something simple yet elegant with the dark tresses he was accustomed to seeing pinned tightly at the nape of her neck. It didn’t seem possible that he had traveled so far to meet the only woman who he could love.
Here in the wilds of Texas, in the midst of this burgeoning town he had found the better half of his heart and couldn’t wait to start their life together.
His mother could have the fancy dinner at the end of this day, but all he ever wanted stood in the doorway with a bright smile on her lips.
Epilogue
Prim stood in the middle of the big kitchen her eyes misting with tears the day after her wedding. The entire house had been furnished at her new mother-in-laws insistence, but Prim hadn’t seen any of it.
The night before, after the wedding supper had ended, she and Anderson had returned to the big house on the Double B for a few days alone before her mother and sister would join them, making the house a home.
Rising early as always and creeping quietly from her bed Prim had walked down stairs to start the coffee, wanting to prepare a special breakfast for her loving groom, but now stood frozen in place as she stared at the cook stove and the beautiful bent wood rocking chair at its side.
“Do you like it?” Anderson’s sleepy voice in her ear made her jump even as the tears rolled down her cheeks faster. “It’s for your mother.”
“Oh Anderson,” Prim wailed turning into his warm embrace and feeling his strong arms engulf her. “It’s perfect. I can’t believe you knew.”
Anderson chuckled liking the feel of Prim tucked in close to his bare chest. “I’ve noticed your Ma trying to rock in every chair at the Hampton House,” he said. “I thought this would sooth her.”
Prim nodded reluctantly breaking the embrace. “Mama loves to rock,” she sniffled. “Peri couldn’t bring much from home and certainly not a rocking chair. This is so beautiful,” she sniffed.
Anderson took Prim’s hand in his and led her to the chair. “Try it out and see how it feels. I found a man who lives out in the hills who makes them. Perhaps one day your ma will be rocking our babies here.”
Prim blushed prettily thinking of their wedding night once more as she slipped into the smooth staves of the lovely chair that molded around her perfectly and gave it a push with one bare foot.
“I think I’d like that,” she said still feeling the heat in her cheeks. “The chair is perfect Anderson, thank you. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you.”
Anderson Bowlings squatted in the middle of his kitchen in nothing but his trousers and looked into the face of the woman he loved. “I’m looking forward to filling this house with love and laughter and little ones with you,” he said. “I love you Primrose. I know now that God brought you to Needful for me.”
Prim leaned forward placing her hands on either side of Anderson’s handsome face. “I had no idea that day when I stepped off the stage what coming to Needful would mean,” she said. “Meeting you at the moment that I thought my life might end changed everything. From the second I peeked out from under that old bag, I could feel something drawing me to you. I came to Needful to marry a stranger, but as soon as I looked into your eyes my heart was yours.”
Anderson lifted his face waiting for Prim to lean in and kiss him, and when she did, he could see the rest of his life laid out before him with her at his side. He had come to Needful to start a cattle ranch and had discovered the woman he needed to make it all worthwhile.
The End
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Other Books by this Author:
From the Cattleman’s Daughters
Katie Isabella
FionaAlexis
Meg Mae
Cattleman’s Daughters Companions
Cathleen
The Redemption of Rachel
Sean’s Secret Heart
Mel
Sweet Annie
Joan
Tales from Biders Clump
Christmas Kringle
Quil’s Careful Cowboy
Bruno’s Belligerent Beauty
Tywyn’sTroubles
A Teaching Touch
Prissy’s Predicament
Lucinda’s Luck
Ferd’s Fair Favor
The Travels of Titus
Winter’s Worth
Strong Hearts: Open Spirits
Maggie’s ValleySadina’s Stocking
Celestre’s Song Beloved Beulah
Whispers in Wyoming
Love Letters & Home
Counting Kadence
Mercy’s Light
Falling Forward
Racing Destiny
Baby be Mine
The Ornamental Match Maker
Carousel Horse Christmas
Loose Goose Christmas
Pineapple Persuasion
July’s Jubilant Christmas Jumble
Shutter Shock Christmas in July
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Dear Reader,
Thank you for choosing to read my book. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. If you enjoyed the story, please feel free to leave a review wherever you purchased the book. Leaving a review will help me and prospective readers to know what you liked about this book. It is an opportunity for your voice to be heard and for you to tell others why the story is worth a read.
About the Auth
or
Danni Roan, a native of western Pennsylvania, spent her childhood roaming the lush green mountains on horseback. She has always loved westerns and specifically western romance and is thrilled to be part of this exciting genre. She has lived and worked overseas with her husband and tries to incorporate the unique quality of the people she has met throughout the years into her books. Although Danni is a relatively new author on the scene, she has been a story teller for her entire life, even causing her mother to remark that as a child “If she told a story, she had to tell the whole story.” Danni is truly excited about this new adventure in writing and hopes that you will enjoy reading her stories as much as she enjoys writing them.
