by Rye Hart
Ellie has been with my family for years and an excellent housekeeper.
I am twenty-seven years old, never married, and very interested in your proposal. I have to leave our home in ninety days so I do hope you can reply with an answer before then. Enclosed is photograph of me taken last year. I hope you find it to your liking.
Sincerely, Drusilla Montgomery.
The following morning Silla entered the kitchen as Ellie was making cookies.
“Is there something I can do for you Miss Silla?” Ellie asked.
“I was wondering could you teach me how to bake Ellie?”
Ellie looked at Silla curiously. In all the years she’s been with the family she’s never known Silla to be interested in baking.
“If you’d like to I can teach you some basic cookie recipes Miss Silla. Just what is going on in the little mind of yours?”
“Well Ellie there is this position that calls for a housekeeper and-”
“Miss Silla you can’t learn housekeeping and cooking in a few days,” Ellie told her. “It takes a lot of know-how to run a household.”
Silla looked at the girl and her hopes began to fade. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t do anything that the job called for. Ellie looked at her with pity.
“But I suppose we could start somewhere. I’ll get you an apron and we’ll get started,” she offered.
The afternoon went by with a few batches of burned cookies and the promise that she would not back down.
Chapter Two
The Broken Spur was one of the finest and biggest cattle ranches in Cheyenne. It had been owned and operated by the Boardman family for four generations. James Boardman came to Wyoming with a dream to start a cattle ranch, but little money to make it happen. At the same time, another man named Eli Keesler had the same dream and the funds needed to see it through. All he needed now was a son to carry on the legacy after he was gone. The two men met in the general store one day and history was written. Eli had two daughters and James was without a wife, so Eli decided to make him an offer. A marriage was arranged between his eldest daughter Nancy and James. As a wedding gift, the young couple was given two hundred acres of land to start James’ dream. Old Eli also put a clause in the deed that there would always be a Boardman on the land, a direct decedent from James. James was happy to comply with that clause and with Nancy, he had three sons. Their oldest son Travis inherited the ranch and he passed it down to his son Travis Jr. Travis Jr. had a boy, Lance, who one day would inherit the Broken Spur.
Travis Jr. had been patiently waiting for his son to take the reins now that he could no longer do it himself. Lance, on the other hand, had other ideas and marriage was not one of them. But his father knew that the only way Lance would get the ranch is if he was married.
It was the letter that came from Georgia that afternoon that brought a smile to Travis Jr.’s face. A young woman seemed to be interested in his advertisement; of course she was the only one who answered so far. This young woman’s letter was a plea for help. As he was reading Silla’s response, his foreman Ben Jones had come into the study. Ben and Travis had been friends since childhood and when Travis inherited the ranch he could think of no one better than Ben to be his foreman; he trusted no one on this earth more than Ben.
“You sent for me boss?”
“Yes. Ben I’d like you to go into town and send a wire to the Pinkerton Agency closet to Georgia and have them to check on a Miss Drusilla Montgomery. She’s interested in applying for the job as Lance’s wife and I’d like to check on her story.”
“Travis what makes you think that Lance would be interested in this young lady?”
“Well when I find out about her I’ll see if she’s worth the trouble,” Travis stated.
“Alright Travis, but I hope you know what you’re doing.”
It was branding time and Lance was out on the range busy getting the calves ready.. He sat in the saddle of his chestnut stallion, his tall frame and broad shoulders making quite the regal silhouette against the blue sky. With dark hair that fell just across his steel gray eyes, he was a fine looking man who did not show all thirty-three years of his age. He knew that to inherit that ranch he had to abide by the clause in the deed, but he was not ready to settle down, no matter how often his father reminded him that he should. He was still trying to work out a way around that particular glitch, but so far, no loophole had presented itself.
Each day Silla waited for a letter from Wyoming. She was eager to find a way to build a better life for her and Jake and her prospects here in Atlanta were nil. Each day’s cooking lesson was getting better; at least Jake was agreeing to eat the food now. She knew she had to think of her brother and what was best for both of them as well as Ellie. Silla would look at the advertisement each night before going to sleep and pray that the next day would bring the answer she needed. But as the ninety day deadline moved closer, Silla began to worry.
Back in Cheyenne, two Pinkerton men arrived at the train station and asked at the livery for directions to the Broken Spur Ranch. It was Ben who met them at the front door as they drove up. Ben knew immediately who they were as no one around here wore suits like they were dressed in.
“Can I help you gents?” Ben asked.
“We’re here to speak with Mr. Travis Boardman, are you Mr. Boardman?” one of the men asked.
“No, but I can lead you to him. I’m Ben Jones, his foreman. Follow me.”
The men exited the carriage and followed Ben into the house and toward the back where Travis was in his study. He walked into the room followed by the two men.
“Boss, these gentlemen are here to see you.”
The taller one stepped up to the desk. “Mr. Boardman, I’m Nathan Michaels and this is my associate Duncan Ross. We have the information you requested.”
Travis nodded and offered them a seat.
“Please gentlemen sit down. Can I offer you some refreshments, a cigar?”
“No thank you Mr. Boardman. Here is the file you requested.”
Michaels handed a large envelope to Travis and he began to look through it. Everything the young girl had said appeared to be true. The photograph they have is a different one, but still the same woman. She had worked with her father in his private office assisting him in his medical practice. She was twenty-seven, unmarried, and her brother Jacobs’s guardian. Her father’s gambling put the family into debt and upon his passing, all of their assets were claimed by his creditors.
“Pretty young lady,” Travis commented.
He looked up at the gentlemen and smiled.
“Gentlemen you have done a fine job. I am adding a bonus for your excellent work. Have you made accommodations? You are more than welcomed to stay here at the ranch and start for home tomorrow afternoon.”
“We don’t want to impose on you Mr. Boardman,” Nathan said.
“No imposition, Ben get the gentlemens’ bags and take them to the two rooms to the left.”
He smiled again at the men.
“Supper is at seven sharp gentlemen, I’ll see you then. Should you need anything, Ben will see to your needs.”
As they left the study Travis called out to Ben. “Ben I’ll need you back here when you’re done.”
Ben nodded and led the investigators to their rooms. Travis took another look at the photograph in the file and smiled.
“Miss Montgomery, you’ll do just fine for my Lance.”
A week later Silla, was making arrangements for the trip to Wyoming. Travis had sent word that she could bring Jake, and included the funds to help them get there. He had made no mention of Ellie but Silla was determined not to leave her behind. She would just have to find a way to make it work..
“Miss Silla, you can’t take me to Wyoming with you. You know married folks like privacy and with Jake with you already-”
Before she could finish Silla jumped in,
“That’s why I need you; to take care of Jake while I’m with my husband, learning how to be a r
ancher’s wife.”
“But Miss Silla-” Ellie protested.
“Not another word Ellie, I will not leave you behind,” Silla said firmly
Ellie knew it was no use talking to Silla once she’d made up her mind. By that afternoon, plans were all set. The train tickets were purchased, they started packing their bags, and in one weeks’ time, they would board the train to Wyoming. Calvin Lockwood was at the train station to see them off
“I wish you would reconsider Miss Silla. If you had just waited a bit longer I’m sure something would have come up,” he said.
“Mr. Lockwood we both know I’ve looked everywhere, there is just no other way. Besides Wyoming may be a good place for Jake to grow up.”
With the sound of the train whistle not too far off. Silla smiled at the lawyer.
“Don’t worry Mr. Lockwood we’ll be fine.”
He gave her a faint smile. He had wished there was a way to keep her and Jake in Georgia. For the first time, Calvin Lockwood felt he had let down his friend.
“If you need anything once you’re there be sure to wire me, promise?”
Silla smiled at him, “I promise Mr. Lockwood, and thank you for everything.”
He helped her board the train then helped Ellie and Jake. Jake turned and smiled
“Bye Uncle Cal.”
“You take care of your sister and Miss Ellie. You’re the man of the family you know.”
“I will Uncle Cal, I promise.”
With that the train started to move and Silla quickly found three seats for the journey. Her emotions were conflicted as she left the only home she’d ever known. She closed her eyes and tried to conjure up an image of Wyoming in her mind; maybe this would be her greatest adventure.
Lance Boardman sat at the breakfast table as his father told him of the plan he had.
“Now pa, I thought we had this all settled,” he said angrily. “I told you I would get serious about settling down in a few years.”
“Lance, you are not getting any younger and I cannot run this ranch effectually in my condition,” Travis told him.
“That’s what you have me and Ben for! Sometimes pa I think you’ve gotten a bit soft over the past few years. Please just wire this woman in Atlanta and tell her you’ve changed your mind,” he practically begs as he digs his fork into his dinner.
“I’ll do no such thing. Miss Montgomery will be here in five days and you will show her respect and kindness like you were taught by your mother.”
“But pa-”
“No ‘but pa’s’ Lance. This is my final say on the situation,” Travis said firmly.
He picked up his fork and continued eating as Lance stormed out of the room.
Lance headed toward the barn not stopping to say a word to Ben as he passed by him. No need to tell Ben what the problem was, he figured Travis had already clued him in Lance needed to clear his head and the best way do that was to ride. He saddled his stallion and took off out of the barn like a shot. On his way past Ben, Lance heard his father call out.
“Ben get in here!” Travis yelled.
Great, they’re putting their heads together to manage my life again, Lance thought as he rode away from the house.
Ben walked into the house and found a brooding Travis in the kitchen, his dinner barely touched.
“Travis I warned you what would happen if Lance found out,” Ben said.
“You know he’d never settle down on his own and this is the only way. This gal is the right gal for him,” Travis said stubbornly.
Ben sat down and poured himself cup of coffee.
“So what do you want me to do?” Ben asked, knowing from their many years of friendship that it was no use arguing with Travis when his mind was made up.
“Miss Montgomery and her brother will be arriving in five days by train. She is set to arrive at 3:00 PM. I want you to meet that train and set up rooms for her and her brother at the hotel.”
“When do you plan on having Miss Montgomery and he brother come to the ranch?”
“Well I feel let’s get her settled here first and see how it goes.”
Ben looked at his boss,“ Lance was steaming from his ears when I saw him just now,” he said.
“He’ll get over it. He knows what will happen if he doesn’t agree.”
Chapter Three
Lance looked across the land that made up the Broken Spur. He deserved all this land he had worked for, but he wasn’t going to let his father dictate who he would marry to gain what was his. Marry a woman he never saw before? Who ever heard of a Southern belle still unmarred at twenty-seven years old? There had to be something wrong with her. As Lance sat atop his horse deep in thought, Ben rode up and slowly make his way behind him.
“Shame on you Lance, I thought I taught you better than to let someone sneak up on you,” Ben admonished.
Without turning Lance smiled and answered, “Well I knew it was you Ben, those dang spurs of yours were a dead giveaway.”
“Tell me Ben, do you think it’s right what my father has done? What do you even know about this woman? Is she homely?”
Ben smiled and looked at him.“ I can assure you she is not homely.”
“You’ve seen her?”
“Just a photograph, but yes, she is pretty.”
Lance looked at Ben. Never in his life had Ben lied to him
“Well Ben I’ll hold you to your word that she’s pretty.”
Ben smiled and they headed back to the ranch.
Lance was finished up his lunch when Travis called for him to come to the office. He walked into his father’s study.
“You wanted to see me pa?”
“Yes Lance have a seat. Lance, my boy, today a young lady is arriving at the train station. Now I’ll only ask that you meet this woman and be civil to her.”
“But pa I told you I-”
Travis put up his hand and gave Lance a picture of Silla.
“This is the young lady. Her name is Drusilla Montgomery and she’ll be staying in town for the first few days. I think I’d like her to see the town and get a feel for it first before bringing her here.”
Lance looked at his father, then the picture of Silla. She was not some old maid at all, but a beautiful woman. Travis smiled as he watched his son stare at the photograph.
“I thought you’d change your mind once you’d seen her. She is rather lovely don’t you think?”
Lance just stared at the photo. Oh she is beautiful, he thought to himself.
“So what’s her story pa? I mean a beautiful young woman needs to come out here to find someone to marry her?”
“All you need to do is thank your lucky stars she’s willing to come out here and try to put up with you,” Travis said with a smile.
Lance looked down at the picture again and an idea began to form. An idea that might get both of them what they wanted.
Chapter Four
The sunrise of another day found Silla looking out the window of the last box car. They were almost to Cheyenne. It had been a trying trip for all three of them, but more so for Jake who was as restless as he watched the landscape go by. Silla knew what once they got to the ranch and he saw all the open land he’d have to roam, he’d be just fine. Ellie came to sit by her.
“Miss Silla, I’m a bit worried. I know you’re doing this all for us but what about you? Forced into a marriage to someone you don’t even know? That’s not something your father or mother would have wanted for you. It’s not too late to go back home. I have some money saved we’ll go back to where we belong. If we stick together, I know we can make it.”
Silla looked at Ellie, trying not to let her unease show. No, she was determined that she would do this. She would marry Lance Boardman and make sure that Jake and Ellie were properly provided for. It was the least she could do.
“Don’t worry Ellie things will work out,” she said, with more conviction than she felt.
At precisely 3:00 PM, the train pulled into the station. Ben
was waiting on the platform to greet them. As the train came to a stop and the passengers were getting off, Ben searched for Silla in the crowd. Spotting her, he walked over to where he stood and removed his hat.
“Miss Montgomery?” he said.
Silla turned and smiled at him. “Yes, I’m Drusilla Montgomery,” she said.
“Miss Montgomery, I’m Ben Jones. I work for Mr. Boardman and he sent me to meet you when you got into town.”
Standing near her were both Ellie and Jake. Silla smiled again and extended her hand to Ben.
“I’m pleased to meet you Mr. Jones, this is my housekeeper Miss Ellie Adams and my bother Jacob.”
Ben smiled at Jake, “Tell me do you like to be called Jacob or Jake?”
“Jake,” he answered shyly.
“Then Jake it is,” Ben said, extending his hand toward the boy to help him feel at ease.
He then turned to Ellie, “Welcome to Cheyenne, Miss Adams.”
Ellie smiled broadly and for a moment, it was as if Emma were smiling at him. Ben was stunned by the resemblance and could hardly say a word.
“Is there something wrong Mr. Jones?” she asked, worried that she had somehow offended him.
“No, no you just reminded me someone I knew a long time ago,” he said, recovering his wits.
Ben retrieved the bags and escorted the group to the waiting carriage.
“I was told to set you up at the hotel in town and this way you all can get freshened up. I’ll be back in a few hours to take you to the ranch for dinner.”
“That sounds agreeable Mr. Jones,” Silla said warmly. She was secretly relieved that she would have a few hours to make herself presentable to her future husband after a long, hot journey.
