by Jillian Hart
“It’s only until the wedding, of course.” Janet Briggs chuckled, patting down her unruly tangle of hair. “How exciting. Our handsome sheriff bringing you here as his bride. Everyone is talking about it. I’ll have my husband come help you move. What’s a good time? Say before noon? That way you can get your little girl settled before she has her lunch.”
“But Mrs. Briggs, I’m not going to marry Mr. Braddock.”
“What? Well, of course it’s the last thing you can think about with your little girl so injured. Heard tell she almost died, poor thing. No, that Just shows you’re a woman of good sense, waiting to talk of wedding plans after the child is strong.”
Mrs. Briggs patted her hand. “Now, there’ll be no more talk of Cooper. What’s important is your girl. She’ll be comfortable at my hotel, I can tell you.”
Anna hoped no one else in this town thought she was Cooper’s bride.
Mr. Briggs cradled Mandy in his big brawny arms as he stepped out into the sunshine. “I hope the trouble with Corinthos doesn’t shadow your opinion of our town. Flint Creek is a nice little place to live.”
“It’s certainly very friendly here.” Anna thought of the doctor and his wife, providing a change of clothes and meals and concern. Of Janet making room for her in their hotel. And now Mr. Briggs was carrying her daughter down the boardwalk, careful not to jostle her, as if she were spun glass.
“It’s the sheriff. He’s done more for this town than anyone in the past year.” Mr. Briggs waited for a horse and wagon to pass before crossing the dusty street. “Braddock has really helped clean up this town. Chased away all kinds of trouble bothering our families and our businesses. He’s a good man, that Cooper Braddock.”
“Briggs, are you spreading rumors about me again?” Cooper’s voice, low and rumbling, shivered down her spine.
Anna looked up at that dimpled, lopsided grin. Today Cooper wore a blue shirt that made his eyes even darker and tan trousers that hugged his muscular thighs. Her breath caught, and she had to act unaffected. “I’m afraid Mr. Briggs has been telling me terrible things about you.”
“Terrible things?” Those dimples deepened.
“Very bad things.”
“The worst of which is how he rescued this little girl.” Briggs stepped through a doorway and into a dark-wooded lobby. “No one around here thinks he’s a hero.”
“Neither do I,” Anna teased.
Cooper shook his head, swept off his hat. “A man can’t get any respect around here.”
“Respect is one thing you have plenty of, Sheriff.” Briggs stopped his joking. “Mrs. Bauer, I’m going to take your little one straight up to her room. You stay here and talk with your groom, if you need to.”
“My groom?” Anna felt her jaw slacken. “But I told Mrs. Briggs I’m not going to marry—”
The man was already out of earshot, climbing the polished stairs, a sleeping Mandy lax in his strong hold.
Embarrassed, Anna tried to face Cooper but couldn’t quite look him in the eye. “I tried to make it clear when Janet stopped by the clinic this morning.”
She couldn’t let him think she was helping perpetuate such inappropriate rumors.
“I know. Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Janet and clear everything up.” He towered over her, a solid presence. No blame sounded in his voice or shone in eyes as deep as dreams. “I just wanted to make sure you were safely settled in. Is there anything I can do?”
“You’ve already done it. I want you to know I won’t be dependent on your help for very long. As soon as Mandy’s a bit stronger, I intend to find work.”
“I don’t doubt your integrity, Anna.” He always sounded as if he wished he could. “You’ve proven yourself an honest woman. Besides, my girls like you. I keep hoping you’ll inspire Katie to take up a needle and thread. I have something for you.”
It was only then that she noticed the satchel in his hand. His big, well-shaped fingers curled around the leather grip. He handed it to her. “What is it?”
“I meant to give it to you the other day, when you came to my house for cookies. But you left so suddenly I didn’t have the chance. My sister found some things to give you. Since you’d lost everything in the wreck.”
How kind his voice, how big his heart. Anna ached inside. He made her feel so much. That wasn’t a good thing. Not at all.
“When I get time, I want to thank her for these clothes. I can’t believe how kind everyone has been to me.”
“I’ll tell her.” Cooper leaned close enough so that she could see the glimmer of warmth in his eyes, feel the solid presence of him. “Take care of yourself, Anna. I’ll be watching over you and your daughter. You’re safe.”
“I never doubted it.” And she didn’t. Even when he strode away, through the etched glass doors and from her sight, she felt safe. Protected. She’d never known such a feeling before.
Chapter Seven
Anna pushed open the door and couldn’t believe her eyes. Why, the room was cozy from the ceiling all the way to the braided rugs. A fire blazed in a small stone hearth. She set the satchel on the floor.
Mandy lay in the dark wood four-poster bed, plumped up by pillows. Mr. Briggs fetched an extra blanket from the matching wardrobe against the far wall.
“Just thought I’d get her settled, ma’am.” He gave the wool blanket a flick, and it landed neatly over Mandy’s sleeping form. “With Janet and me having nine children of our own, and now with twelve grandchildren, why I’m a mite experienced with tucking in wee ones.”
Warmth filled her. She should have known Cooper would have picked a good place for them to live, looked after by such caring innkeepers. “I owe you, Mr. Briggs.”
“Ah, pshaw, it ain’t nothin’ at all.” Briggs sighed just looking at Mandy sleeping. “I can’t tell you how much I miss having little ones around. The problem with children is that they grow up and leave you. But you just can’t stop missing them.”
She thought a tear glimmered in his eye. “Well, let me hurry down and check with the missus. Janet wanted to send up a good hearty dinner right away. The little one needs to eat if she’s going to be up and running about.”
“Thank you, Mr. Briggs.”
He waved goodbye, hiding his face as he left. Like a home. That’s what this place was. The small touches—a crocheted scarf on the carved bureau and matching doilies on the nightstand and beneath the kerosene lamps. The handmade rugs on the floor, the samplers and framed quilt blocks brightening the walls. Fond of needlework, Anna vowed to examine them after she’d checked on Mandy.
But when she knelt down by the bed, her daughter was sleeping soundly, not disturbed by the move and the change in surroundings. So Anna hesitated from brushing stray curls from Mandy’s face.
A light knock sounded on the door. Mr. Briggs with the promised meal, no doubt. She crossed the room. But when she turned the knob and pulled, she was surprised to see a woman she didn’t know standing in the hallway.
“You must be Anna.” Her voice was warm with friendship. Her dark eyes sparkled in such a familiar way, Anna felt as if she knew the woman at once. “I’m Laura Braddock, Cooper’s sister.”
“Laura.” Anna stepped back, but kept her voice low. “Please come in. I want to thank you for sending the satchel of clothes. I haven’t even gotten a chance to open it yet.”
“Well, maybe now can be a good time.” Laura swept into the room with a swish of fine skirts. Only then did she notice someone attached to the back of Laura’s dress. A little face gazed up at her.
“Hello there, Maisie.”
The child blushed at the attention. She released her hold on Laura’s skirt and hugged her pink bunny hard with her freed hand. “We come to see your hurt little girl.”
“She’s sleeping right now.” Anna couldn’t help the way she felt for Cooper’s girls, for little Maisie especially. She’d treasured those letters about the little girl she had hoped would be her stepdaughter and Mandy’s bigger sister. Lost hopes
now, but she could not turn off her heart. “Did you want to come sit down?”
Maisie nodded, a serious bob of her head. Anna held out her hand. She led the child to the rocking chair by the fire, close to the bed. Maisie held her bunny tight as she crawled up onto the cushioned seat.
“I love Harry Bunny,” she whispered. “Katie says it makes me a baby, but she ain’t always right.”
“Every girl needs a bunny to hold on to,” Anna agreed, wishing Mandy’s bear hadn’t been left behind in the wrecked stage.
“I sure hope these things fit.” Laura kept her voice to a whisper, but a friendly whisper.
Anna turned to see that she’d already opened the satchel and was unfolding a beautiful cotton dress. Folds of sky-blue fluttered when Laura shook it, chasing out a few wrinkles. Lace edged the collar, a bow decorated the waist, and more lace trimmed the hem. “It’s simply beautiful,” she breathed.
“It was always a little small in the bodice and I hate wearing a tight corset just to fit into it.” Laura blushed. “I’ve gained a little weight. Larry keeps taking me out to eat. I think it’s Janet’s huckleberry torte. I tell you, she cooks the best cake in this town.”
Anna couldn’t believe it when Laura reached down into the satchel and withdrew an equally nice dress. This one was lemon-yellow with flecks of leaves, and pink and blue rosebuds. There was a pink gingham with a matching straw bonnet. And a blue calico, sprigged with darker blue flowers, accented with buttons and satin. “Laura, I can’t possibly accept these. Why, they are like new.”
“And all a little too tight, believe me.” Those friendly eyes sparkled with kindness. “I have plenty. It isn’t right that you’ve lost nearly everything. You need help, and since we’re going to be sisters-in-law, then it’s the least I can do. Welcome to the family, Anna.”
Laura wrapped her in the warmest, sweetest hug. Tears burned in Anna’s eyes, ached in her throat. Hugging Laura reminded her of how much she missed her own sister. How she worried about her, about them all.
“There, now that we’re properly acquainted, you let me look after your little one so you can take a break.”
“I really can’t.” How horrible she felt. Laura was so nice and had extended her such a welcome. “We aren’t going to be sisters-in-law.”
“It’s not the time to think of such things with your little girl hurt.” Laura touched Anna’s hand. “I can’t imagine how afraid for her you must have been.”
“It’s better now that she’s healing.” Anna looked down. This was what she’d missed, sisterly understanding. She had to be careful or she would be thinking of Laura as a sister too, when in fact there would never be that kind of bond.
Laura’s touch was light, but infinitely caring. “You look exhausted. You’ve been with her for a while now? You get outside, take a walk, do a little shopping. There must be something you and Mandy need, something I didn’t think of. Oh, a hairbrush. I should have thought of personal effects. My mind has been all a-jumble ever since I started planning this wedding.”
“When are you getting married?”
“Soon as I can.” Laura radiated happiness. “I’ll tell you all about that later. Right now, do what you need to do. I’ll stay right here until you return.”
“I couldn’t impose. Truly, Laura. Cooper and I are not going to marry.”
“Of course not.” Laura’s eyes glittered with humor. “Now, I swear to care for Mandy as if she were one of my own beloved nieces. You go talk to Janet and take care of what business you need to. Go on. Take some time for yourself. Taking care of a child is hard work.”
Anna’s throat tightened. “Well, I do need to run to the store.”
A rustle of sheets interrupted. Mandy was awake, her big blue gaze focused on Maisie in the nearby chair.
Maisie hopped down from the rocker, bunny tight in both arms. “You got hurt, huh?”
A solemn nod.
“I fell outta my tree once and got a great big splint on my arm.” Maisie held up her left wrist. “It was this one. It done hurt lots.”
Mandy nodded again. “I done hurt, too.”
“But you don’t gotta bunny.” Maisie’s brow wrinkled with honest concern.
“I dunno where my bear is.” Mandy’s eyes teared up, but she didn’t cry. “I lost him.”
“Then you’d better take Harry Bunny.” Maisie thrust the worn stuffed animal into Mandy’s chest. “Cuz you got lots of hurts.”
Two little arms, one wearing a splint, one without, wrapped around that bunny and held on. “I’m lots better now.”
Anna couldn’t speak. With her unselfish act, Maisie had made their world a more hopeful place.
Mr. Briggs returned with a dinner tray, enough for Laura and Maisie, too. While Mandy napped, Anna tried on the dresses. It was determined they were three inches too long and an inch too large around the middle. Laura practically pushed her out of the room to go pick up some needles and thread.
Anna felt the first drops of rain as she crossed the street. They felt wonderful, refreshing. Droplets plopped to the earth and she didn’t hurry. It was nice to be outside. Nice to stretch her legs, work the kinks out of her back. She hated leaving Mandy, but she did need a break. Just a few moments to herself. How thoughtful of Laura to give her what she needed. How on earth could she ever repay the Braddock family for their kindness?
The stove in the Flint Creek Mercantile had been lit to chase away the dampness in the air. Fire crackled as Anna closed the heavy glass door behind her.
A pleasant-faced woman looked up from the nearby counter. “That’s a cold rain out there, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Anna realized her hair was wet. She should have thought and grabbed her bonnet.
“You must be the young widow new to town.” The lady stepped out from behind the counter. “Goodness, I heard all about your little one. She must be doing better.”
“Yes, thank heavens. I’m surprised you would even know about it.”
“News travels fast in this small town, I tell you. What are you looking for, dear? I’d be happy to help.”
“I was hoping you would let me set up an account.” Anna prepared herself for a rejection, but she had to ask. “I was robbed up on the mountain pass—”
“I heard. Sorry thing, that.” The store owner clucked. “Happens all the time in these parts. Of course I’ll start an account for you. Your name is as good as gold. You just tell me what you want.”
“I am looking for a new hairbrush and a few ribbons.”
“For your little girl?”
Anna nodded.
“Right this way. I keep a nice selection, not like the general store over on the other side of Main. No, I think a customer deserves a selection.” The woman breezed to a stop in front of neat shelves. “Right here. If you need anything else, just holler. My name’s Leslie McDonald.”
Anna picked out two small hairbrushes, a few ribbons for Mandy, and then began looking around. She found toothbrushes and toothpowder, then went in search of needles and thread. When she found the sewing section, she came to a complete stop. Colorful calicos and sensible ginghams and bolts of every color beckoned her closer. Such a nice selection.
Then it came to her. A handmade gift would only be a small token of thanks when weighed against all the Braddock family had done for her. But it was something she could do. Anna began planning which colors to use, her heart almost happy.
“Met your pretty new bride today, Cooper.” Leslie McDonald greeted from behind her counter.
“She’s not my bride, Mrs. McDonald.”
“Of course not.” The clerk clucked at him. “Well, Mrs. Bauer is as nice as can be. No wonder Katie was so excited about her when she came in here today to check the mail.”
“My daughter was here?” Suddenly Cooper realized exactly how Katie had managed to place an advertisement for a mother and collect all that correspondence. “I have something to send out.”
“Another advertisement?” Leslie
clucked, obviously gathering up gossip. “I don’t blame you for not sending this one with Katie. Don’t you know she’d pretend to lose it. Are you looking for another housekeeper?”
“I take it you heard about Mrs. Potts.”
“Mabel Potts told everyone. A pony eating from the table.” Leslie’s face sparkled with mirth. “I’ll post that letter for you right away, sheriff. The stage comes through this afternoon.”
“I know. Thanks, Mrs. McDonald.” He tipped his hat, not wanting to say more.
Maybe someone nice would answer his advertisement this time. But not someone looking for a husband.
He stepped back out in the rain.
“That’s yummy, Mama.” Mandy opened her mouth for another bite of Janet’s huckleberry torte.
Anna cut another small bite with the fork, then fed it to her child. Mandy chewed happily. Her appetite was stronger this evening. A very good sign.
She read from Katie’s storybook until Mandy was asleep. And then she brought out her purchases and spread the cloth out on the small table. She would start her quilt block from the center. She chose the light tan calico, made a sketch on an old newspaper Janet Briggs had given her. When she was pleased with the pattern, she placed it over the fabric, pinned it, then cut. Hours slid away as she worked.
Mandy slept safe and sound, recovering well from her injuries. A fire snapped in the hearth, rain tapped at the window, a clock ticked on the mantel. They were snug here in this comfortable room.
Yes, there was much to be thankful for.
The night was a miserable one. Rain thundered from the sky, falling like angry gray bullets. Cooper was soaked clear through to his skin, but at least they’d seen the stage safe to the top of the pass, where his jurisdiction as sheriff ended. There had been no sign of Corinthos or his gang tonight.
