“She took the men’s money and disappeared? Who gambles on people’s hopes and dreams like that?” She shook her head, wanting to punch something, but having nothing to punch.
“You realize what this means, don’t you?” Helen said. “We’re stranded. We have no train tickets, we have no refund—we live in Kansas now.”
“We can get jobs in town, I’m sure of it,” Rowena replied. “While we were at the Brody Hotel, I overheard one of the waitresses telling someone that they’re always hiring. We could work there, save up, and buy our own tickets. We’re only stranded for now.”
“There’s something else I need to tell you,” Wynonna said. “The doctor has put Margaret on bedrest until she delivers in November—she’s not allowed to do anything beyond basic needs, and she’s going to need help. I volunteered to stay.”
“Will she be all right?” Cora asked.
“She’ll likely be fine, but the doctor’s going to keep a close eye on her.”
“I’m glad she’ll have you,” Cora replied. “You’ll be good for her.”
“And there’s something I need to say too,” Fiona interjected. “It’s going to sound crazy, but . . . you know how this place is full of rascally, incorrigible men who have to be threatened to wash up so they can eat their dinner? Well, I happen to like these rascally men—most of them—and I want to stay. If I left, I’d be looking for another job pretty similar to this one, and I figure, why go searching when I’m already here? I thought I’d talk to Wade tomorrow and ask him if he’d hire me instead of some stranger wandering in from the newspaper ad.”
“I’m so glad,” Wynonna told her. “It will be wonderful to have you here too.”
“But that leads to the next obvious question,” Fiona said, turning to the others. “If I’m going to stay indefinitely, and Wynonna’s going to be here until after the baby comes, why don’t the rest of you stay as well? Margaret will need more than one helper—not only will she need a nurse, but someone to help take care of the house. Plus, we’ve seen that this kitchen is not a one-woman job, and what about the laundry? These men need women, and while we may not be marrying them, we could certainly work alongside them and keep them from starving to death or running out of clean stockings.”
Helen looked at Rowena and Cora. “We could try it,” she said slowly. “And if we aren’t happy, we could go into town and apply there.”
“I still have enough money for a ticket back home, but home wouldn’t be this exciting,” Cora replied. “I’m willing to give it a try.”
“So am I,” Rowena added. “Let’s see if Wade and Margaret like the idea.”
“We’d need a cabin of our own,” Wynonna said. “I feel bad that Mike gave up his place, and I think it would be more appropriate.”
“Absolutely,” Fiona said. “We could ask the men to build one once they’re done with their current project.”
“You mean the breeding?” Rowena chuckled. “I passed by the corral earlier—it was an accident, I promise—and oh, my goodness. I’ll never do that again.”
The girls all laughed. “I know it’s necessary to grow the herd, but I agree,” Fiona said. “Definitely not something I want to witness.”
The girls shut down the kitchen for the night and walked back to their cabins. As Wynonna got ready for bed, she thought about all the crazy things that had happened that day—well, the last several days, really. Under ordinary circumstances, she might have been devastated to hear the news about Miss Green, but now, she felt sorrier for the men than anything. They’d lost a good portion of money. As for herself, it was so nice to know that she had a place to be, to sense that she belonged somewhere. She hadn’t had that for a long time.
***
The next morning, Wynonna and Rowena worked together to make Wade and Margaret a nice breakfast. Helen, Cora, and Fiona came over and ate with them, and then Wynonna asked if they could have a small meeting of sorts.
“I’m not sure if that’s good or bad,” Wade said, looking at Margaret with a bit of apprehension on his face.
“I think it’s going to be good,” Margaret replied. She repositioned herself on her pillows. “Let’s hear what they have to say.”
Fiona read them the letter from the marshal and explained their situation, then asked Wade if she could have the job as cook. The other girls also expressed their interest in staying and how they intended to be of use on the ranch. Then they sat back and waited for a reply, but Wade didn’t seem ready to say anything. Wynonna wondered if they’d spoken out of turn—perhaps he wanted them to leave and they’d overstepped their boundaries.
Wade looked over at Margaret, then back at the girls. “I thought that Wynonna’s offer to stay and help out was the kindest thing I’d ever heard, but this . . . well, this keeps gettin’ better and better. I’m startin’ to think that we’ve been entertainin’ angels unawares, sweetheart.”
“I do too,” Margaret said. She wiped some tears off her cheeks, then smiled. “Are you sure you’re five mail-order brides who got stranded on our ranch and that you weren’t sent here just to take care of us?”
“Pretty sure,” Wynonna said, glancing at her friends. “We aren’t selfless by any means, just to be clear—yes, we’re helping you out, but you’re also giving us a place to start fresh.”
“Then we’ll all be good for each other,” Margaret replied. “And once the baby comes, if you’ve decided to move on, it will be with our thanks and our blessing.”
“Well, good gracious,” Fiona said, wiping her cheeks as well. “Now you’ve got me crying, and that’s very unlike me. Don’t go telling people about this.”
“Our secret,” Wade said with a chuckle. “Now, what’s our next step? We’ll talk about wages, of course—what else?”
“How would you feel about building us a cabin?” Wynonna asked.
***
Jack, Zeke, and Tenny had gotten up early and ridden out to check on some fence poles that had been working loose. Irish had reported them, but the poles were so long, it was definitely not a job for just one man, and it felt good to get that item crossed off the list.
When they rode back into the compound, they saw Wade standing on the front steps of the main house, and the other men were gathered around.
“Well, there you are,” Sully called out. “Wade here won’t tell us what this meetin’s about until we’re all here, and we thought you’d been attacked by wolves or somethin’.”
“We’re here now,” Jack replied good-naturedly as he slid off his horse.
“And a good thing, too. I thought these buzzards were going to run me right off the porch.” Wade looked around and stuck his thumbs in his belt loops. “Things are going to be a little different around here, men—well, a lot different. Maybe more different than they’ve ever been before.”
“Even more’n you taking over for Higgins?” Gallagher asked.
“Even more.”
“What about you takin’ over for Barker?” Irish asked.
“Yep, even more’n that.” Wade rocked back on his heels, looking pretty pleased about whatever he was going to say. “First off, Miss Fiona had decided that she’d like to stay on and be your cook.”
One of the men threw his hat in the air, and several of them cheered. “She’s the best cook we’ve ever had—no disrespect to Miss Ruth,” Big Mike said.
“I figured you’d take that as good news. Second, as Miss Margaret has been asked to take it easy, Miss Wynonna is going to stay and help her out for a while.”
The men seemed pleased about that announcement too. Several of them glanced at Jack for his reaction. His grin should have let them know how happy he was about it.
“And third, which you might have guessed, is that the other ladies will be stayin’ as well. They’ve taken compassion on you and your unwashed laundry and your unmended shirts, and they’re going to stick around at least until November and get us back on our feet. Miss Fiona will stay indefinitely—or until you chase he
r off with your bad table manners.”
“She’s teachin’ us to do better,” Irish called out.
“Glad to hear it. And my wife asked me to pass along the word that she’s still going to give you gentleman lessons, whatever that means.”
Jack chuckled. He’d been wondering if that was still going to happen at some point.
“Now, to accommodate these new changes, we’re gonna built a cabin just for the ladies. It’s only fair that they get a place of their own, and we can raise one pretty quickly. It won’t have a kitchen—at least, it won’t to start. We might add one later. For now, we’re just givin’ it some bedrooms and a sittin’ room. Zeke, will you sketch us out some plans? Jack, we’re gonna need some lumber and nails from town. You might take a couple of the ladies with you to pick out curtains and whatever frilly doodads they think they might need. Within budget, of course.”
“Of course,” Jack said with a grin. He might not like shopping for himself, but he’d do it all day if it meant Wynonna was staying.
“All right! Let’s get our regular chores done, and then we’ll start plannin’ out this cabin. Oh, and Miss Fiona has your lunch waitin’ in the dining room.”
Jack grinned all the way there. Yes, he was mighty disappointed that his marriage plans hadn’t gone the way he’d envisioned, and he was more than a little perturbed that his money had disappeared, but it was hard to be too upset when so many other good things were happening at the same time.
Chapter Thirteen
“Miss Wynonna?”
Wynonna looked up to see Jack walking toward her across the grassy expanse behind the barn. He looked as though he’d just bathed, and he was wearing some of the clothes that had been laundered the day before. When he didn’t smell like cows, he was a rather handsome man, she had to admit. “I think I found your herb garden,” she replied, motioning down at her feet.
“You sure did. I’ve got a little bit of almost everything here, and I’m collectin’ more all the time.” He squatted down and touched some tender green leaves that were beginning to unfurl on one of the plants. “This is spearmint. Here.” He broke off a leaf and handed it to her. “Chew it.” He broke one off for himself as well, then came to his feet again.
She chewed it, smiling as the minty flavor burst in her mouth. “What’s it used for?”
“It’s good for stomach ailments. Indigestion, nausea, that sort of thing. Plus, it tastes good. If you need someone to drink a bitter tea, you can throw in a little of this and help mellow that bitterness.”
“And maybe mellow some of my bitterness as well?” She looked up at him and smiled. “You know, every day, I see something more in you to appreciate. It makes me wonder—if I’m here until November, just how much more will I appreciate you by the end of it?”
“I’m sure you know what I’m hopin’—that by the time November comes, you’ll decide not to leave at all.”
Her heart gave a thump as he edged nearer. “We might not be from the same world, and we might not be cut from the same cloth, but I believe we have enough in common that we could make something nice together,” he said, his voice deepening. “I want to take you to Oregon, Wynonna. I want to show you the ocean. I want to be by your side as you fulfill all your dreams, and I’d like you by my side as I fulfill mine. Am I dreaming all by myself, or is this something that could really happen for us?”
She closed her eyes and inhaled the freshly soaped scent of him. “So much has happened over the last few days, I hardly know whether I’m coming or going,” she said, opening her eyes and meeting his gaze. “At the very least, I’d like to give this a chance, but how do we know if there’s something here or if we’re just deluding ourselves?”
“My grandma always said there’s one sure way to know a girl’s feelings.”
Wynonna smiled. “Well, your grandma hasn’t led us astray yet. What was her advice?”
“She told me that I should look my girl square in the eye, and then I should take a step closer.”
“You mean, like that?” Wynonna asked.
“Exactly. Then I should take her hand and give it a squeeze.”
Her heart pounded harder the closer he came. Maybe she should ask the doctor to come back—she might be having a fit of some kind.
“And then I should lean in the smallest bit—and wait.”
“Wait?” Wynonna blinked. “Wait for what?”
“To see what the young lady would do next.”
That was exasperating. “Well, what if she did this?” Wynonna grabbed his collar and pulled him toward her, planting her mouth square on his. He reacted immediately, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her close until their kiss ended.
“Grandma would say, that’s a pretty strong indication of your feelings for me. She’d like it that you didn’t beat around the bush.”
Wynonna took a step back, more than a little surprised at herself. “I’ll have you know, I’ve never in my life just grabbed someone and kissed them. I’m not the sort of person who does things like that. It . . . It must have been the spearmint. It had a strange effect on me.”
“Oh? I can get you another piece, if you want one.” He grinned.
“Now you’re teasing me.” She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “And I’m all pink.”
He reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist again. “Yes, you’re pink, and it’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. What do you say? Are we courtin’?”
She smiled, embarrassed even though she really had no reason to be. “Yes, Jack. I’d say we’re courting.”
He lowered his head and kissed her again, long and slow, just like his drawl. She curled her fingers around his collar, mostly holding on for dear life because she was so wobbly in the knees, she didn’t think she could hold herself up anymore. Then he grinned against her lips and pulled away. “What say we head into town tomorrow? Rumor has it, we’re buildin’ a cabin, and you’re to pick out the drapes.”
“Well, considering that a wagon ride is where we first got to know each other, I think that sounds wonderful.”
“Most likely need to take another gal or two along as chaperones. My grandma wouldn’t like it, the way you just attacked me with your lips and then us bein’ alone together.”
“I did not attack you with my lips! I accepted your challenge.”
“My challenge?”
“Yes! That whole thing about waiting to see what I’d do next. You were baiting me.”
He gave a knowing nod. “Maybe I was. Maybe I wasn’t. Either way, I sure enjoyed the outcome.” He grinned, then became sober again. “I sure do hope you’ll be happy on the Lazy Q, Wynonna. And that you’ll be happy with me.”
“So far, so good, I think,” she said, returning his teasing tone from earlier.
He tucked her arm through his and they continued their evening walk, the stars coming out one at a time overhead and turning their happily ever after into a fairy land.
The End
To read Wade and Margaret’s love story, click here.
For A Handyman for Helen, book two in this series, click here.
Turn to the next page for a special offer!
Get A Distant Shore for free when you join my newsletter list! Click or tap here.
About Amelia C. Adams
Amelia traces her family tree right back to the settlement of the Old West—her great-great-grandmother even drove a wagon to her new home. Amelia is a wife, a mother, and a novelist. She spends her days dreaming up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you might just see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels. She loves all things historical and enjoys learning about days gone by, but she's glad she was born in modern times because the Internet is awesome, and she's glad she doesn't have to wash her clothes by hand in a galvanized tub. She’s an eater of tacos, a taker of naps, and a dreamer of dreams.
You can reach Amelia at [email protected].
Please join Am
elia on her website to learn more about her, sign up for her newsletter, stay on top of news and upcoming releases, and follow her on Facebook. In fact, you can join her readers’ group by clicking here!
And if you’ve enjoyed any of her novels, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It’s much appreciated!
The Kansas Crossroads Series:
A New Beginning (free!)
A Free Heart
The Dark and the Dawn
A Clean Slate
A Clear Hope
The Whisper of Morning
A Careless Wind
A Narrow Road
The Bitter and the Sweet
The Calm of Night
A Begrudging Bride
A Broken Wing (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
A Twisted Fate
An Unspoken Dream
A Joyful Noise
The Echo of Music (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
The Risk and the Reward (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
A Passing Glance
A Christmas Promise
The Turn of a Wheel
The Nurses of New York series:
Sea of Strangers (free!)
Cause of Conflict
Touch of Tenderness
Heart of Hearts
Test of Time
The American Mail-Order Brides series:
Hope: Bride of New Jersey
Tabitha: Bride of Missouri
The Hearts of Nashville series:
Whiskey and Women
Records and Rebels
Sidearms and Songbirds
As part of the Brides of Beckham series by Kirsten Osbourne:
Mail Order Molly
As part of the River’s End Ranch series:
Accidental Agent
Rugged Rockclimber
Welcome Wagon
Santa’s Shopkeeper
Delivering Destiny
Lucky Lifeguard
Poinsettia Promises
Christmas Catch-Up III
A Wrangler for Wynonna Page 12
