Just five years ago, “Ol’ Sarge” had tried to marry her off to Bud McCoy, but she refused because she didn’t want to marry a man who was living such a violent life. Of course, Bud was killed by “Devil Anse” Hatfield just a few months later. Consequently, her daddy also tried to marry her off to Devil Anse’s son, Cap, at one point in time.
Ol’ Sarge had her best interests at heart, and wanted her to marry into an affluent family like the Hatfield’s, but Sarah Anne simply could not see herself marrying into a family that had done murder—even if they had gotten away with it. So instead, she waited.
It was not common for an eastern Kentucky woman to be in her twenties and still not be married with children, but Sarah Anne could not bear the thought of marrying into the blood feud that has engulfed Pike and Mingo counties for the last decade… so she didn’t.
And then one day, she found a copy of the San Antonio Star, and began to flip through the various features. There were stories detailing the lives of various folks in the cities and towns out on the frontier, ads looking to buy or sell cattle, horses, or ranch equipment. There were big write ups about the various outlaws that occasionally rode across the border from the badlands in the New Mexico territory into the state, and the various gunfighters who did what they could to curb their influence.
Sarah Anne especially enjoyed reading about Sherriff Elfego Baca, who once out gunned 80 cowboys—by himself… after they blew up the small house he had taken refuge in. She found herself fantasizing about moving out to Texas one day, as the romanticized accounts of the cowboys, outlaws, and gunslingers made her feel that she could carve a place out for herself in that wild country. Eventually, she found herself looking through the wanted ads in the magazine, and one in particular caught her eye. It read:
Six foot one inch tall, hard wearing cowboy of 25-years is looking for a beautiful maiden to fill the emptiness in life. I am requesting a mature, attractive lady or widow of 18-25 years to join adventures on frontier. To respond, please send letter and picture addressed to C. Darby, Coleman Co. Texas.
This seemed to be the opportunity that she had been looking for. At twenty-two years old, she fits into “C. Darby’s” requested age, and the young men in the Pike County all seemed to think that she was attractive. With flowing auburn locks of hair, vivid green eyes, and a lithe body, with ample natural curves, all of which complements her pale skin, Sarah Anne began wondering what life would be like on the frontier in Texas. Would she fit in? Would “C. Darby” think she was attractive enough? Finding a picture of herself that a travelling photographer had taken in the spring of 1886, Sarah Anne responded to the ad.
Seven weeks passed, when she heard back from C. Darby, in the form of a letter dated exactly two weeks previously.
“Dearest Sarah Anne,
I received your letter and picture one week ago today, and have not been capable of taking my eyes off of your beautiful face since then; your beauty is such that I have never before seen. It is my hope that this letter finds you well, and that you are still willing to join me in Coleman Co., as my life would not be complete if I had to live out my days without waking each morning to your pretty face.
Enclosed with this letter is a one way train ticket from the Elkhorn City Station, which will bring you to my side two months from today, along with the most recent picture of myself, so that you might know who I am when you arrive.
Each day between the time of this writing feels like an eternity, and I would rather die a thousand deaths than to never see you with my own eyes, and to join with you as my wife, in due time.
Until You Arrive, I am Yours Truly,
Coleman S. Darby
True to his words, Coleman S. Darby had included a picture of himself. He was definitely not unattractive, as he was well groomed, and kept his facial hair neat and tidy, in a handle-bar style.
In the photograph, Coleman was wearing a double breasted vest with a pocket watch chain in one pocket, over a white long sleeved button-down shirt. He was sitting in a chair, with his left leg crossed over his right knee, showing that he was not wearing slack style dress pants, but rather heavy canvas pants and boots with shining silver spurs gleaming even in the black and white daguerreotype. He was holding a rifle in his right hand, with the stock of the weapon resting on the floor, the barrel in his hand. In his left hand, he held a revolver. On his head was a velvet top hat, and a bandana was around his neck, almost like a tie. Also, gleaming on his right breast was a silver star, signifying that Coleman S. Darby was more than just a cowboy, he was a lawman.
Sarah Anne was overcome with emotion at the thought that her dreams might come true in just a month and a half’s time. She scribbled a letter back to Coleman, saying that she was greatly looking forward to seeing him soon, and began to make preparations for her journey to Texas.
And that was how Sarah Anne Tarter found herself riding the midnight train, looking out over the lonely rails that were her only company for this journey. Ol’ Sarge had not liked the fact that his only daughter—and youngest child—was moving so far away from him. He gave his blessing, however, because he figured it would be better for her to go with his blessing than without it and she had made it plain that her intentions were to go to Texas, with or without his blessing.
Sarah Anne settles into a fitful sleep, the rocking of the train car cutting a path across northern Mississippi helping her ease into dreams of Coleman S. Darby, and the life they would have together.
Chapter 2
The Gunman
While Sarah Anne Tarter finally drifted off into a restless sleep, Coleman S. “Dandy” Darby was playing poker in the local saloon in Atoka, Texas: The Hanged Man. The Hanged Man Saloon got its name because it stood on the same plot of land as the tree where a Comanche Indian warrior was lynched following the alleged rape of Yvette Willis-Brown in 1858. Mrs. Willis-Brown was the wife of an officer at the nearby Camp Colorado, in the eastern part of the county.
Coleman’s daddy, Elroy Darby, had been stationed at Camp Colorado and simply chose to never leave Texas after the evacuation of Union troops in February of 1861. He married the local gal he had been courting in November of 1861, and she had given birth seven months later choosing to name his son after Robert M. Coleman, the same man for whom the county was named. Apparently, the allure of the county kept Elroy’s brother, David, in the area following Elroy’s marriage to Coleman’s mother. The family originally hailed from the panhandle of Florida.
Then, the year after little Coleman’s birth, a group of Confederate guerrilla fighters from Missouri came through the county, heading for McCulloch County. One of the men in the unit, one Frank James, talked Coleman’s Uncle David into accompanying him back north to Missouri. They did not stay long, and Dave had to ride south to McCulloch County to meet back up with them. They then travelled north to a town on the Red River known as Sherman, where Frank’s commander, Fletch Taylor killed a Confederate conscription officer.
When they arrived in Missouri, David had become close friends with Frank James, and was quickly drawn to his younger brother, Jesse as well. After the war, “Dangerous Dave” as he had become known, rode with the James-Younger Gang, one of the most notorious outlaw gangs in the west, until 1875.
When Dave finally returned home in 1875 to serve as a deputy sheriff, he found that his nephew (who was only a baby when he’d left) had grown into a tall, lean young man of thirteen years, who thoroughly enjoyed listening to his uncle’s tales of “Jesse and the boys,” and hearing all the mischief his uncle had been involved in.
At that time, Coleman Darby realized that he wanted to be as feared a gunman as Jesse James, Billy the Kid, John Wesley Hardin, and John “King” Fisher. So Coleman spent much time with “Dangerous Dave,” honing his skills with the revolver, rifle, and shotgun in turn. By now, he has become dangerous with all three, able to knock the dust off your boots at fifty paces with a six-shooter… a hundred paces with a rifle.
The picture of Coleman th
at Sarah Anne received is a few years old, and he no longer serves as a lawman in any capacity. The picture—which is the most recent one Coleman has had done—was taken when he was serving as the youngest special deputy Texas Ranger to go after the outlaw cattle rustler, Willis Arrington.
The posse was formed over six years ago, making Coleman the youngest man in the group at only 19. He proved his worth as a shot as a deputy ranger, as well, firing a shot that took Arrington’s right hand man off of his horse, killing the cattle thief immediately.
Now, however, the twenty-five year old Coleman has gone back to being a simple citizen of the county he shares a name with. Many folks still come to Coleman to break up fights at the Hanged Man, or to settle disputes over animal ownership rights. If anybody owes another county citizen any money, Dandy is the man they turn to, because he is better at getting their money than the sheriff.
If anybody from out of town comes in trying to start any mess, he’s always the one to meet him in the street, explaining why he should leave. Most folks find him to be very persuasive… especially considering his formidable frame. The twin .45 caliber Colt SAA civilian “peacemakers” that he kept with him at all times didn’t encourage the hell-raisers to try him very often either.
And so, knowing that he is the most feared gunman in Coleman County, Texas, Coleman “Dandy” Darby feels that he is living his dream. Men who come to his county looking to stir trouble simply didn’t know what they were getting into… they would be staring down the barrels of his peacemakers before they could say “draw” if they thought they were going to act like a fool and get away with it.
There is one thing, however, that has bothered Coleman for some time. Despite his local renown as a fearsome gunslinger, and one who is still young enough to run the outlaws and rustlers from the county with relative ease, for some reason, the county citizens have chosen twice to keep him from becoming sheriff. He had fared well enough in both elections, but he remained a civilian.
After losing the first election, the then twenty year old had gone to the man who had defeated him in the election to ask for a job, and been turned down almost before he could get the words out.
So now, Coleman has been working as a cowboy for several years. He is fresh off the trail, having returned home a few weeks previously. He had no way to know what he was going to do for a job come time for the next drive season… his main boss, Junior Parker, has run off with some girl from South Carolina, selling his entire property.
With a yawn, Coleman throws his hand on the table, displaying a full house containing the aces of clubs and spades, and the eights of spades, clubs, and hearts. Collecting his pot, Dandy bids goodnight to each of his opponents, and uses his winnings to purchase a bottle of whiskey to take to his room. There is a working girl upstairs waiting for him, so he opens the bottle, and takes a drink before heading upstairs to enjoy the pleasures that she offers.
Chapter 3
The Matchmaker
As she combs through the stack of magazines, she begins to think that there is no way that she’ll ever be caught, and that she is doing everyone a service. Junior told Big Dave that while he didn’t know who had set him up with Ruth, he wasn’t sorry that he had been.
The one thing that she must do to make sure that she was not detected in these unions is to not act too surprised by the turns of events. If she spent too much time down-talking “the matchmaker,” then she would become a suspect. At the same time, though, she could not be an apologist for what she is doing either. By voicing support for the matchmaker, the other women in Coleman County would begin to suspect her all the quicker. Already she is being vilified for taking the most eligible bachelor in the county off the market.
No, she needs to continue her work of uniting two people who would stand no chance of meeting otherwise together, but do so without raising suspicions of the good, Christian folks in Coleman.
By starting with the bachelors in Atoka, she plans to keep those who would find out the matchmaker’s identity off of her trail. Today, for example, Sarah Anne should be arriving at the train station in Coleman, planning to meet Coleman Darby. It had exhausted the entirety of her cunning to obtain Dandy’s deputy ranger photograph, and even more of her wiles to answer Sarah Anne’s response to the ad.
Placing the ad in the San Antonio Star had been the easiest part of the operation. All she had done was accompany her brother to San Antonio when he rode down to get his new saddle. While he was in the shop, she had gone across the street to the Star’s offices, and placed the ad.
She had not expected an answer so quickly, but with her position in the mail chain in Coleman County, there was no problem in finding all mail addressed to “C. Darby”…the boy didn’t get much mail. Some of the others that she planned to match were going to be harder, simply because they received a lot of mail each day.
In the meantime, however, she would have to work hard to keep her hand hidden from the residents of Coleman County. She has no idea how long she will continue to match up local bachelors with young beauties from back east, but she knows that she does not want to be found out. That would ruin the entire enterprise.
Taking a quick look at the clock, she realizes that Sarah Anne would be arriving to the platform at Coleman station in less than two hours. The question, now, is how to get Dandy away from his trollop at the Hanged Man?
Chapter 4
Big Dave
The matchmaker’s concerns are completely justified. Dandy Darby is as womanizing as he is dangerous with a gun. He is currently laying in the bed with—not just one, but—two women. Coleman is convinced that he is not the “marrying type,” and so instead of leading any women on, he often chooses to obtain his pleasures and satisfy his sexual appetite with the local prostitutes.
His personal favorite, Sally, is a former slave girl who stays near the Hanged Man when he is in Atoka, because he is her most frequent and highest paying customer. She is one of the women currently occupying the bed with him.
While the women in Atoka know that he has no plans to marry, and that a sexual tryst with Coleman will only be of the “one-night-stand” variety—or that he will only occasionally call on them afterwards—they still throw themselves at his feet, hoping to be the dame who could tame the young, wild gunslinger. It is one of these young, local beauties who currently make up the other half of the pair of women Coleman slept with last night. Even though the virginal young woman was only fifteen, Coleman willingly took her into his bed—along with Sally—and deflowered her.
BANG!
Suddenly, there is a loud knocking on the door, causing Dandy to instantly wake up, grabbing his pistol as he rises from the bed. “Who is it?” Coleman calls to the person who causes the disturbance.
“It’s me! Dave! From Voss!”
Glancing at the still naked women occupying his bed, Coleman strides over to the door, and wrenches it open. “What the hell, Big Dave! You know damn well what I’m doing if I’ve taken a room at the Hanged Man! What’s going on?” He asks, still irritated, but inviting Big Dave into the room anyway.
“Dandy,” Big Dave begins, “there is some trouble down on my ranch. Some rus’lers has taken about fifty head of my cows, and another twen’y five of my steers!” Glancing over to the bed, Big Dave sees an unashamed Sally sitting on the edge of the bed, her large chocolate breasts uncovered as she lights a cigarette. The young, no-longer-virginal woman is doing everything she can to hide herself from Dave’s hungry, prying eyes.
“Okay?” Coleman answers, drawing Dave’s eyes from the bed onto himself.
“I need your help. The sheriff says that he can’t make it down to Voss today, and those rus’lers took out two of my guys last night. I found them dead by their campfire…holes in both of their backs, the horses still tied to the live oak they were campin’ next to. These damn thieves done stopped by thrice in the last four nights, and if I lose any more cattle, I won’t have ‘nough to drive to market nex’ spring.”
/> Realizing what exactly Big Dave is saying, Coleman rapidly begins to get dressed. He occasionally drives for Dave, and doesn’t want to lose another source of income. With Junior gone from the county, Big Dave is the next most likely to need a drover. “Okay, Dave, I’ll be down in a few. Gotta get these girls outta my room, and pay my rent, and I’ll be down.” Dave nods his understanding, and turns to exit the room. Coleman listens closely to the sound of Dave’s retreating footsteps, and turns back to the women. Locking eyes with Sally, they both begin to laugh.
“Well, suga’” Sally says to the trembling pile of woman and blankets next to her, “that certainly was a close one, now wasn’t it?”
“Too close!” the young lady squeals.
“Now don’t y’all worry ‘bout your Uncle Dave, darlin’” Coleman says. “He ain’t got no way of knowing that it was his brother’s dear, sweet Emily in my bed. Now, does he?”
“Well, no,” young Emily answers, “but…”
“But nothing little lady,” he interrupts. “As far as I’m concerned, I don’t want him to know what you were doing in Atoka any more than you do. I’m not gonna say nothin’, Sally here ain’t gonna say nothin’, and you ain’t gonna say nothin’, are you?”
ROMANCE: Badass Boss (Billionaire Alpha Bad Boy Romance) (Western Mail Order Bride Calendar Contemporary) Page 52
