by Natalie Dean
"I'm not an educated man, Cecilia. I have worked hard all my life," John said as he looked across the table.
Cecilia sighed with relief. For the first time in her life, a man had seen through her beauty. It didn't matter here what she looked like, it was what she could do that mattered. John was kind. He had even slept in the barn on their wedding night, not wishing to push Cecilia into any situation which made her uncomfortable. To Cecilia, it meant he was more of a man than she had ever known. And despite knowing him only a few days, she felt love in her heart already for him. But something was bothering her. She could hear him coughing in fits, and it concerned her.
He didn't want her pity, and instead, she focused on making his cabin a home. Cecilia didn't need lessons on how to clean and John complimented her on her good work. Receiving praise for her effort in something so domestic, Cecilia felt her chest swell with pride. It certainly was a new world out here. She had only received compliments on her looks, but looks didn't do anything.
However, Cecilia didn't realize how much she needed his protection until three weeks later when a Pinkerton detective arrived looking for Cecilia at her father's behest. Cecilia was sweeping out the cabin, the smell of cornbread baking when she heard the sound of horses’ hooves. John was in the barn.
She rushed out expecting it to be her cousin, Doc but instead a stern looking gentleman dismounted.
"Are you Miss Cecilia Sanders?"
Cecilia nodded.
"Miss Sanders, I am Detective Tovey, and I am here to escort you back to your home. Please gather what you need."
The man's authoritativeness angered Cecilia. For the last few days, she had been treated with respect. Her husband and Doc talked to her as if she were their equal. There was no ordering or demanding.
"I'm not going back," Cecilia said as John came from the barn.
"What is it Cecilia?" he asked.
"This man expects me to pack up and go back to the city. I won't, John. This is my home now."
"Indeed, it is," the usually meek John said as he raised his shotgun at the detective. “You have a wasted visit here. This is my wife, and she is staying here with me. Her father has no claim on her."
But the detective was insistent, even offering John money to pretend the marriage hadn't taken place. Cecilia knew everyone had their price but not John, he was confident and self-assured as he spoke. The only malice was the way he held his gun, but his voice and demeanor were of a man who knew he was in the right. The detective left and Cecilia ran into his arms.
She had never felt so protected in her life. She mattered, as a person, not as a commodity.
It transpired that Jenkins had overheard the maids talking about Elsie from next door helping the young mistress to escape. Elsie had given up the details. William Sanders couldn't be bothered to come to get her. He had sent someone. For the first time, she felt valued as a woman. John had protected her.
She thanked the Lord for creating the circumstances that brought her here. Cecilia was home.
But her joy was short-lived when John died six weeks later. Cecilia was a widow.
Chapter 3
She was alone again. Her gentle husband had passed on. Not all the men treated women with respect, but Cecilia had developed into a strong, confident woman. The night of John's death, as Cecilia roamed their small holding, she found the fences had been knocked down.
"I know it's Palmer," she said to herself and rode back towards her cabin when shots were fired at her. As an inexperienced rider, Cecilia fell from her horse and could only watch as it galloped off. In the dwindling daylight, she wasn't sure where to hide. But she heard a man gasp, and then a horse galloping off.
She prayed that the Lord would keep her safe. John had wanted to teach her how to shoot, but Cecilia didn't think it was a skill she needed. Now she regretted not letting him teach her.
Cecilia looked around. Her horse was gone but was it safe for to move from behind the rock she had found?
"Missy John, Missy John," she heard a man's voice. She was a sitting duck, and with nothing to protect her, there was no point in pretending she wasn't there.
"Who's there?" she asked.
"Missy John, are you hurt? I shot at the man, and he’s gone now." The voice was getting closer to her. Next thing Cecilia knew was that the Indian man was standing beside her. He had come from nowhere.
"Missy John, are you hurt?" he asked again, and Cecilia replied that she was unharmed but who was he?
"I will help you home. Mr. John very good to my father. He lets us live on the land when we are in Bannack. I am Johnny Eagle."
Johnny Eagle picked up Cecilia before she could reply. He was very strong and carried her home. She didn't say anything until they reached the cabin and the Doc was waiting for her.
"What happened? Is she hurt, Johnny?" the Doc came running to them.
"Hamish, I'm quite capable of talking for myself. Mr. Eagle has helped me. Someone shot at me. I think it must have just been a warning, if he wanted to kill me, he could have. Thank you," she said to Johnny.
"Hamish, do you think it's Palmer?" she asked, as she was thinking about what happened to her fences.
"Probably but you'll never be able to prove it. The Anderson place got burnt down last week. I hear they're moving on today with what they could salvage. They were lucky to get out alive," the Doc said.
"I'll go and talk to him," Cecilia said, "he can buy the place. What's the point in me staying on? I don't know what I'm doing. But I don't see why Palmer should get the land for free."
"Apparently, he had offered to buy the Andersons out, but they refused. Let me broker a deal. It ain't right that you should do it, Cecilia," the Doc was protective of his cousin. But he and Palmer didn't get along.
"No, Hamish. This is my battle. You mean well but I've no husband to protect me, and I need to learn how to sort these things out for myself." Cecilia was determined that life would run her way and she wasn't going to be dictated by a man. She had plans. Bannack was growing, and she had become very friendly with Mrs. Lavery. With more families moving into the town, it was starting to thrive. Decent folk needed a place to remind them of the finer things in life and Cecilia had plans to open a tea shop.
"Palmer can pay for my land, and he can have it. John had no family. He told me I could do whatever I wished. I'm only bothered by what will happen to Johnny Eagle and his family."
"Cecilia, Johnny Eagle and his people are nomads. They move on in search of the buffalo. He will understand, and Palmer can't police the whole territory. You have to do what's right for you."
"Why don't we go now before I change my mind? You can come but let me do the talking."
Cecilia and Doc rode towards the Palmer Ranch. His men were at the entrance and escorted them to the house where Palmer stood chewing tobacco. His handlebar mustache twirled at the ends. Cecilia had never met the man but already disliked him.
"What can I do for you Lil' lady?" he asked as he spat tobacco towards her. She wanted to shout at him, but she needed to hold her anger back.
"I got your message about my land," she said as she watched Palmer nod at all but one of his men to leave them alone.
"Come inside, Mrs. Aikens. Let's be civilized," he stood back to allow Cecilia through the door. As Doc went to follow her, Palmer's man blocked his entrance. Hamish couldn't follow, and he hoped Cecilia was going to be alright by herself.
"Maria, bring us refreshments," Palmer directed as he pulled out a chair for Cecilia. She chose to sit in a different chair other than the one he offered.
"As you wish, my dear," he said smugly. It annoyed Cecilia. She had played into his hand. He knew she would react the way she did and now she was sitting beside him rather than opposite him at the table.
"Reports of your beauty weren't exaggerations. You are used to the finer things in life." Palmer was talking at her rather than with her.
As tea was served, Cecilia looked around the room. It was very well fu
rnished. The contents of the house would look comfortable in any city dwelling. Palmer had good taste.
"You approve of my decor?" he asked, and Cecilia nodded.
"I am looking for someone to share this with me. You are available. I am a very generous man."
"Mr. Palmer, I buried my husband this morning, and now you are proposing marriage," Cecilia was disgusted by his disregard for proper decorum.
"Now, now, Cecilia. There is no need to be like that. We must be practical. You have come to sell your land to me. I will buy it and at a fair price despite what the good folk of Bannack say. But you're too smart for a place like this. You'll never accomplish anything unless you have a man with vision by your side. You plan to open some little store in town. You'll never survive. Without my help, you will have to return to the city. I'm sure your father is still seeking a reward for you."
Cecilia's green eyes flashed at Palmer. Why was he threatening her into marriage? She knew he was a collector. And that's all she'd ever be, a trophy.
"My father has no control over me or what I do. No man will tell me what to do. If you were the last man alive and the future of the earth depended on us being together, I would rather die than be with you. John Aikens was a good and kind man. He saw past these looks. But you, you are no different to any other man I've met. You want to own me. Pay me for my land, and it's yours but don't expect me to fawn at your feet."
Palmer grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. She set his pulse on fire with the way she spoke to him.
"I'll enjoy taming you!" he declared before he cried out in pain as Cecilia brought the fork down on his hand.
"Don't you ever speak to me like that again. You are correct in my estimation that I am smart. Don't make an enemy of me, Palmer or I'll make it my business to destroy you. Now give me my money, and I'll bid you good day. You can take possession of the land tomorrow."
Cecilia stood up. Her heart was beating so fast. She felt so powerful. Palmer was like any bully; he backed down when challenged. She was lucky none of his men were around.
He wrapped a handkerchief around his hand as he left her in the drawing room. He returned, his face was pale, and Cecilia noted how he didn't even look at her as he counted out the money and she signed over her farm to him.
"You should get Hamish to take a look at that," she said as she walked out the door. She looked calm on the outside, but inside she wanted to collapse. Her legs were shaking as she made her way to Hamish who was standing with the horses.
"What happened?" he asked.
"We need to go now," she said as he helped her up on the horse.
They galloped away and didn't stop until they knew no one was following them. Cecilia told Hamish what happened.
"Cec, how many men have you injured?" the Doc burst out laughing.
"Do you think he'll have me killed?" she asked. She knew men like him didn't like losing.
"No, I think you're safe. I don't think he'll be bothering you ever again. I must say, Cec, you are a fiery little thing. You look like an angel and yet you can protect yourself."
Hamish was right. Palmer never bothered Cecilia again. She lived at the Lavery Hotel while her tea shop and home were built. She would live above the shop once it was complete. Cecilia felt she’d had enough of men. Each night she prayed to the Lord to keep her safe. The Lord had shown her how a woman should be treated, but a man like John Aikens was rare. While their time together was short, she had loved him. Although she wasn't sure she was capable of love. Strong men exerted control, and weaker men were no match for Cecilia. Except for John who, while he looked weak, had been the most courageous man she had ever known. John had given her this wonderful life. Who could compete with a dead man?
Cecilia admired Mrs. Lavery. She was a widow with a grown son and managed to run her hotel just fine. There were no defined roles here in Bannack. Cecilia could be a business woman too if she wanted. She didn’t need a man for that.
Cecilia's tea shop was a success. It was a meeting place for the young wives and mothers who lived in the area. It was isolating living on a farm. Cecilia had noticed that from her brief stint on John's land. The ladies needed a place they could come and socialize with each other.
In her tea shop, there was always some sound of lively chatter. The environment was harsh, and for many of the women who had worked in service and were now mail order brides, the dust was soul destroying. Cecilia had made a refuge, and it made her happy, but each night when she closed the door, she felt sad at retiring to her little home. There was no one to whom she could say goodnight.
She was missing female company. She and Moll had been inseparable. Cecilia had plenty of aquaintances here, but they were all married women. She wanted a true friend. While she was grateful for all she had, she prayed that the Lord would send someone her way.
The Lord replied with the arrival of a new mail order bride, Lottie Cahill. Lottie brought excitement to Bannack when it transpired that her husband to be had been murdered. It had been an adventure in figuring out who had murdered him. It was made better still when Lottie married Hamish.
So much had happened in Bannack in the last few months. Cecilia and Lottie were sitting at her tea shop talking about all of the recent events when a man rode up. There was something about him that drew their attention, and they walked out as he stopped outside the jail house.
"It must be the new Sheriff," Lottie said excitedly. She was gauging Cecilia's reaction.
"Howdy ladies," he said as he tipped his hat at them and Lottie giggled. He was very handsome. He was tying his horse to the post as Lottie nudged Cecilia to talk to him.
"Are you our new Sheriff?” Cecilia asked coyly.
“Yes Mam,” answered the sheriff.
“I'm Cecilia Aikens, and this is Mrs. Lottie McLennon, the doctor's wife."
"Pleasure, ladies. I’m Sheriff Lance Dexter. Lottie…why does that name sound familiar?" Lance scratched his head as he opened the jailhouse door.
"Oh, Lottie figured out who killed her husband. Our last Sheriff had no interest in such things. He was too busy running a gang," Cecilia said dismissively. She had to admit that the new Sheriff was very attractive.
"That's right. Leave the law to the lawmen, Mrs. McLennon. You could have got yourself killed. Women ain't equipped to deal with bandits and the like."
Cecilia was horrified by what she heard.
"So what is a woman equipped to do?" she snapped at him. What did he know of her and Lottie to make such assumptions?
"Well, a woman should make a home comfortable for her husband. Too many independent women nowadays. I see it all over. None seem content to raise a family."
"How dare…" Cecilia was about to blow when Lottie pulled her away.
"It was very nice to meet you, Sheriff. We'll see you later tonight at the Lavery Hotel. There's a little get together to welcome you," Lottie said as she pulled Cecilia away.
"Why did you do that? How could you listen to that nonsense?" Cecilia fumed. Lottie was sure she saw smoke coming out her friend's ears she was so riled up.
"Simmer down, Cecilia. He's new in town and is telling us how it is. We know the truth and besides, isn't it time you started looking for a husband. He's very handsome."
"I don't need a man, Lottie. You were lucky with Hamish, and I was lucky with John. That is it. I am very comfortable on my own but to think I'd be interested in someone like him." Cecilia was looking at the new sheriff.
"Cecilia, I don't think he meant anything by it. Won't it be wonderful having a dance tonight." Lottie continued to chatter about the evening's planned events.
Cecilia couldn't stop thinking about Sheriff Lance and his comments. She didn't know why it bothered her so much.
"Cec, you're not listening to me at all. Is Daniel Langton your beau for this evening?"
"Yes, well he is staying in the hotel. It's been quite nice to be with a civilized man. He lacks the roughness of the men here, but yet his refinement doesn't m
ake him like the city men either."
Daniel was another newer man in town who Cecilia had been chatting with quite a bit.
"Do you think he will propose?" Lottie was so in love with her husband and wanted the world to be in love too.
"No, I don't think so. Daniel moves around so much, and I am not prepared to follow any man, but he has been a very pleasant distraction. I have to say it has been rather nice to have a mature conversation with a man."
"But doesn't it bother you how he gambles?" Lottie asked. What life could Cecilia have with a man who didn't work for a living?
"He has business interests, but I understand what you are saying. I don't envision a life with a man who gambles. Mrs. Lavery doesn't approve at all. I think she hoped at one stage I'd marry poor Horace," Cecilia giggled as she spoke and Lottie scolded her. However, despite her best efforts, Lottie laughed too. Horace was too much under his mother's thumb to ever stand up to her.
"A girl needs to know her man has got her back," Cecilia said as she gave Lottie a slice of cake. Something caught her attention and Cecilia looked out the window. Sheriff Lance was pinning his badge to his vest. He seemed proud of it.
"Admiring the new arrival?" Lottie teased.
"Mrs. McLennon, Mrs. Aikens." It was Daniel Langton walking up to them. Cecilia's cheeks flushed as she was caught unaware. Lottie couldn't help but notice it. She knew Cecilia was just in denial that she didn't care about finding love, and she was going to make sure her friend found true happiness.
"Mr. Langton, good day. I shall see you both later," Lottie said as she made herself scarce. She could see the sheriff standing outside the jailhouse. Was Cecilia watching the sheriff as Daniel sat down beside her? The evening was going to be very interesting.
"I hope Mrs. McLennon didn't leave on my account," Daniel said as he took Cecilia's hand and kissed it. "However, I'm certainly not complaining about being alone in your company."
