Claire's Escape (Mail-Order Brides Of Prairie Meadow 4)

by Maggie McCloud

  “You’re back early,” she said surprised. “How was your trip?”

  “Just fine. Claire was not feeling too well last evening so we thought we would come home a day early,” Thomas explained, shaking his head slightly to let Mrs. Gregson know there had been a problem.

  “Oh that’s a shame, Claire. How are you now?” she asked.

  “Better thank you, but I’m still feeling kind of tired.”

  Well, I won’t keep you then,” Mrs. Gregson replied. “If you’re up to it tomorrow evening, I’d like to have you over for supper. We’ll eat in my quarters so it will be just the three of us.”

  “That sounds wonderful. We’ll look forward to it.”

  Chapter 10

  Married life agreed with both of them. They made a good team working together in the mercantile and then spending their evenings fixing up the rooms above the mercantile. Thomas had apologized for the condition of the living space, but as a bachelor he had little interest in how things looked and it showed.

  Claire didn’t mind. It gave her an excuse to fix up the rooms the way she thought they should be, although she always made sure to ask for Thomas’ opinion first. For his part, he was content to let Claire make the decisions when it came to their home.

  The events of that last evening in King City became a distant memory. Except for the occasional nightmare and restless night, Claire seemed to have put it behind her.

  As Claire got more comfortable handling the selling in the store, Thomas was able to devote more of his attention to finding new products to add to their stock, as well as keeping the books up to date and in order.

  One day as Claire was sweeping the walk in front of the mercantile, she noticed the stagecoach arriving in town. As always, it brought back memories of the day of the accident. This day only one passenger got out of the coach. He waited impatiently until the driver threw down his bag.

  “It’s about time,” he shouted. “Now you’ve made me late.”

  The driver ignored him and went into the depot office to wait for his next passengers.

  Claire watched as the man stalked across the street and headed straight for the saloon way down the block. The hair stood up on the back of her neck and she shivered without noticing. Rubbing her neck absently, she hurried back inside the mercantile, thinking how happy she was not to have to face that unpleasant man. She quickly put him out of her mind when Thomas greeted her with a cup of coffee and a kiss.

  “What was that for?” she smiled.

  “Something and nothing I guess. I was just wondering if you minded holding down the fort for a couple of hours this afternoon. Simon has asked me to give him a hand hanging a couple of cabinets in Nell’s kitchen.”

  “Uh huh, I knew you had an ulterior motive,” she smiled. “Of course, go ahead and help Simon. I’ll be just fine here on my own.”

  Claire was busy rearranging the dish display on the back wall, when the bell rang letting her know that she had a customer. She sighed when she saw that it was that miserable old Mrs. Colton. She patiently waited on her, all the while listening to her litany of complaints about seemingly everybody she knew.

  ‘How can one person be so spiteful,’ she thought, mentally shaking her head.

  Mrs. Colton was followed by a steady stream of other customers. They all seemed to want to chat with Thomas’ new bride. Most of the men were of the opinion that Thomas was a lucky man. The women seemed glad that Thomas had finally found a good woman to share his life with, since he’d been so lonely.

  Finally with Thomas due back at any minute, Claire went to put the kettle on for a cup of tea. She sighed as she heard the bell ring yet again and hurried back out front.

  The man from the stagecoach was standing near a rack of pens and paper. He had his back to her, only turning when she called out.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting. How can I assist you?”

  He narrowed his eyes and made his way up to the counter. He looked her up and down before taking off his hat and laughing nastily.

  Claire glanced at the door, suddenly uncomfortable and wishing that Thomas would get back.

  “Well, well, if it isn’t little Miss Claire Adamson,” he said in a dangerous voice. “I’ve been looking for you for a very long time.”

  “I’m afraid you are mistaken sir. I don’t know you,” said Claire trying hard not to show her fear.

  “Oh come on, Miss Adamson. Playing dumb doesn’t become you at all. Bet you thought you were pretty smart when you stole that money and ran out on me. Yup, I guess you thought you were home free, didn’t you?”

  He reached across the counter and grabbed Claire’s arm.

  “You’ve caused me a lot of trouble and now you’re going to pay.”

  Maybe it was the sound of Gorman’s voice or maybe it was the way he reached out to grab her, but suddenly Claire’s eye widened in recognition.

  “I knew your memory would come back with a little encouragement,” he said threateningly, squeezing even harder.

  Claire winced. “Let go of me,” she said, struggling to free herself from his iron grip.

  Just then, the bell on the door rang as Nell appeared.

  “Hello Claire. Thought I’d stop in to give you a progress report,” Nell said walking towards the counter.

  The smile left her face as she saw the look on Claire’s. The man who had been standing at the counter, leaned over and whispered to Claire, “This isn’t over. I’ll be back.”

  He pushed past Nell and hurried out the door, leaving her staring after him.

  “Are you all right, Claire? Who was that awful man?” she asked.

  Claire was shaking like a leaf. She leaned back against the wall behind the counter and sank to the floor. Her hands were clenched in her lap and she slowly shook her head from side to side muttering, “No it can’t be.”

  Nell took one look at Claire and called out to a boy who was walking past the mercantile.

  “Johnny, go and fetch Thomas quick as you can! He’s over at the church helping Simon.”

  Then she rushed over to Claire’s side, crouching down in front of her and taking hold of her hands.

  “Claire, I’ve sent for Thomas. He’ll be here soon. Claire, can you hear me?” Nell asked frantically. “Claire!”

  Claire just stared off into the distance, seemingly unaware of anyone or anything else. It was only Thomas running in and calling out to her that broke the spell. She reached out to him with relief, tears brimming. He held her until she had calmed down and then carefully picked her up and carried her straight upstairs.

  “Nell, can you please make some tea?”

  Nell hurried off to do as he requested. By the time she brought the tea, Claire was sitting in the settee, bundled with blankets, clutching Thomas’ hand.

  “I’ll leave you to it, then,” Nell said after putting the tea within easy reach of Claire.

  “No, please stay,” Claire said. “I’d like you to hear this too.”

  Her hands were shaking so much she was unable to pick up the cup. Thomas gently guided it to her lips.

  Taking a deep breath, Claire looked down in her lap as she told her story. She was almost afraid to look at Thomas. She was sure that he wouldn’t have wanted to marry a girl who had worked in a saloon, if he had known.

  Both Thomas and Nell were silent after she finished. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Nell wiping her eyes with her hanky and watching Claire sympathetically.

  She still couldn’t make herself look at Thomas, so instead she said, “I’m sorry to have deceived you about who I was Thomas. I want you to know that I honestly did not remember.”

  Closing her eyes to squeeze back the tears, she added, “I’ll leave Prairie Meadow if you wish. I wouldn’t blame you.”

  Thomas reached over and took Claire’s chin in his hand. He gently lifted it so that she was looking at him. “Why ever would you think I’d want that? Nothing you have said changes the way I feel about you. If anything, it mak
es me love you all the more.”

  Standing up he started to pace, “Sounds to me like you were tricked into working in that saloon anyway.”

  Nell agreed. “What a despicable man to prey on young women like that!”

  “He’s not going to get away with how he treated you,” Thomas said, anger building even more now that he’d heard the whole story. “Wait until I get my hands on him!”

  “No, please Thomas. You don’t know what he’s like. He’ll come after you too, and, and I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you,” she sobbed.

  “She’s right, Thomas,” said Nell. “There’s no telling what a man like that might do. There must be a better way.”

  Reluctantly Thomas agreed. “But he better stay away from you!”

  Nell left soon after, promising to fill Simon in. I’ll be by first thing tomorrow to see how you’re doing, Claire.”

  Thomas walked down with Nell, locking up after she went. He spent a long time looking out the window before going back upstairs to Claire.

  Thomas insisted that Claire take it easy the next day, refusing to let her help out in the store. When Nell came to check up on her, Thomas sent her upstairs to visit and keep Claire occupied.

  The next morning Claire was ready to get back into the routine.

  “Thomas, honestly, I’ll feel better if I can keep busy.”

  Reluctantly, Thomas agreed. He knew that Gorman was still around and would be back. He intended to confront him when he did. Even though he’d promised Claire he wouldn’t do anything to Gorman, he hadn’t promised not to tell what he thought of him.

  By mid-afternoon Thomas was starting to relax. He had hoped that Gorman wouldn’t make an appearance anytime soon. Even though Claire said she was fine, Thomas had seen the tension in her shoulders and the way she frequently glanced out the window throughout the morning. Now she seemed calmer and he wanted her to stay that way.

  But it wasn’t to be. When the bell jingled and the door slammed into the wall, both Thomas and Claire looked up. Claire hurried to go and stand near Thomas.

  Gorman didn’t waste any time. He looked angrily at Claire and said, “I want my money, you thief!”

  Thomas stepped in front of Claire, “Don’t talk to my wife like that!” he said furiously.

  Puffing on a cigar, Gorman looked Thomas up and down disdainfully. “Well, you sure picked a doozy. But that’s your affair. I just want my money and I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.”

  “My wife does not owe you anything. From what I understand, you tried to cheat her out of her just wages,” Thomas said flatly. “So get out and don’t come back.”

  Looking at Claire, Gorman smiled nastily. “Not so brave now I see. I’m not surprised. You were always more trouble than you were worth.”

  “I said to get out …now!” Thomas roared.

  Gorman tossed his cigar butt on the floor and said, “I’m going, but mark my words, I will be back for my money.” He pointed at Claire and shouted, “You owe me!”

  Gorman stalked out, leaving the door wide open behind him. Thomas followed him out and watched as he made his way over to the saloon.

  “That figures,” he muttered to himself.

  “Where did he go,” asked Claire in a frightened voice.

  “To the saloon. At least now we know where he is,” replied Thomas.

  “Maybe I should just give him back that money,” said Claire in a resigned voice.

  “No, Claire, I won’t let you do that. You earned that money fair and square. I won’t let him intimidate you into giving back what belongs to you.”

  “But what are we going to do? I can’t stand this looking over my shoulder. Who knows when he may come back? And what if you’re not here when he does?”

  “Don’t worry, Claire. I will be here,” Thomas replied. “But you’re right, we can’t let him hold us hostage like this. I think it’s time I paid the sheriff a visit.”

  Chapter 11

  The next afternoon, Claire and Thomas walked over to the jail.

  When they went inside, they were surprised to see Gorman already sitting in the sheriff’s office.

  Sheriff Boone was waiting for them in the outer office.

  “He showed up just a little while ago, to file a complaint against Claire here.” Sheriff Boone said easily. “So, I thought we might as well all get together and talk about it since I knew you were comin’ over too. Come on in.”

  Gorman had a smirk on his face when he saw Claire. Sitting behind him with her head down was a woman. When the woman raised her head, Claire recognized her as Mary, her friend from the saloon. Mary was sporting a fresh bruise on her cheek that even heavy makeup couldn’t hide and she looked frightened. Before Claire could speak, Mary shook her head in warning.

  Once everyone was seated, Sheriff Boone said warningly, “I plan on giving everyone a chance to have their say, and I won’t put up with any nonsense. So let’s get started.”

  Smiling at Claire, he said, “Ladies first. Let’s hear your version of the story.”

  Claire hesitated. Thomas gave her hand a squeeze. “Just go ahead and tell the sheriff what you told me and Nell the other day.”

  As Claire talked, Gorman shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

  “Are you going to let her talk about me like that? I’m a well-respected businessman, Sheriff,” he interrupted.

  “Sit still and keep your mouth shut,” the sheriff responded. “You’ll get your turn when she’s all done.”

  Finally Claire finished. The sheriff asked a few questions to clarify what she’d said.

  “Thank you ma’am,” Sheriff Boone said. Nodding at Gorman he said, “Your turn Mr. Gorman.”

  Gorman’s account of what occurred was markedly different from Claire’s. When Thomas muttered something under his breath, the sheriff looked warningly at him.

  “Well, it sounds like two different events from what I’ve heard today,” said Sheriff Boone. “It’s your word against hers, Mr. Gorman and frankly I don’t know you at all.”

  “Now wait a minute, Sheriff. I thought you might side with her, so I brought along a witness.”

  Half turning in his chair, he said harshly, “Get over here, Mary. Tell the sheriff what happened that night.”

  “Let’s get that chair pulled up here,” said the sheriff.

  “Much obliged Sheriff,” Mary said shyly.

  Mary looked from face to face.

  “Well, get on with it, woman! What are you waiting for,” demanded Gorman.

  Mary jumped in her chair.

  “Easy ma’am,” said the sheriff. “Just take your time and tell us what you saw.”

  “Well, Sheriff,” Mary started. “To be honest, I didn’t see nothin’ that night. I wasn’t even there.”

  “What!” Gorman shouted. “Liar!”

  Mary squared her shoulders and looked defiantly at him.

  “I’m no liar and I’m tired of sitting back and letting you get away with everything.”

  Gorman was red faced and angry. He looked at her threateningly. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, shrugging dismissively.

  “Oh, I know plenty,” Mary said. “For instance, I know that you had my sister killed.”

  Gorman leaped to his feet, “That’s a lie!”

  Sheriff Boone grabbed Gorman and shoved him back down onto his chair.

  “You’re the one asked her to talk, so now we’re all gonna listen to what she has to say.”

  Turning to Mary, he said, “Please continue. This is mighty interesting.”

  “I heard you talking to Ben in your office a couple of weeks ago. I’d come back there to tell you there was a Jed Stewart in the saloon who wanted to talk to you.”

  Gorman paled as he listened.

  “I heard you say that you was waiting for Stewart to get here. You said he was gonna take care of Missy for you, just like he had my, my sister,” she said choking on the words. “I waited until you and Ben sta
rted talking about something else before I knocked on your door.”

  “I know you’ve been cheatin’ all the girls that work for you too. Molly, that’s the bookkeeper, she said that as soon as my sister complained about the money you owed her, she had an accident. Pretty convenient if you ask me.”

  “Sheriff, surely you aren’t going to believe some two bit girl who is obviously holding a grudge against me,” said Gorman irately.

  “Well, she sounded pretty convincing to me,” said Sheriff Boone mildly.

  As Gorman started to object, Boone said, “Keep your hat on, Gorman. I didn’t say I was going to take her word over yours. But I am going to contact the sheriff over in King City and have him check into what Mary is claiming.”

  “Fine, you do what you have to, Sheriff,” Gorman said, getting up and starting towards the door.

  “Just a minute there, Mr. Gorman. First, stay in town. Second, stay away from these two ladies. If I find out that you’ve broken either of these instructions, I’ll throw you in jail. Am I clear?”

  “Crystal clear, Sheriff. You can find me at the saloon if you need me.”

  Later the same night, Sheriff Boone and his men were waiting. He figured that Gorman would make a run for it rather than risk hearing what the sheriff from King City might say. Sure enough, well after midnight, they spotted movement on the roof of the saloon. Quietly they moved to intercept the figure as he slid down the drainpipe, where he ended up right in the waiting hands of the lawmen.

  “Going somewhere, Gorman?” asked the sheriff, as they put handcuffs on him.

  “Take your hands off of me,” said Gorman struggling to free himself. “I was just trying to get out of that room without being seen.”

  “Uh huh, so what’s this saddled horse doing tied up here in the middle of the night?” Sheriff Boone asked. “I warned you about trying to leave town, Gorman. Take him away and lock him up boys.”

  When the sheriff from King City got back to Sheriff Boone with the information he’d requested about Gorman, it was just as Mary had said. In fact, they had been in the process of investigating the deaths of an inordinate number of women that had worked in the Golden Bell Saloon. Gorman had left town quickly and no one seemed to know where he had gone.