[2016] Widow Finds Love

by Christian Michael

  “’Course not,” Raymond said, honesty in his gaze. He considered the man’s words, wondering what could have brought a woman out to these parts, but he didn’t want to press his luck with the storekeeper.

  Instead, he purchased his supplies to pick up later than made his way toward the hotel. Maybe he’d get a meal before he left.

  Chapter 2

  “Don’t forget my coffee, darlin’,” the man said. Dora tried to ignore the gleam in his eye and shuffled away from his table as quickly as possible.

  She had only worked in the hotel restaurant a little over a week but already she was exhausted by the work and tired of fending off marriage proposals at nearly every turn. These men couldn’t get it through their thick heads that she wasn’t interested. At least not in them.

  Pouring a cup of black coffee, she picked up two plates of pie and made her way back to the table. She left the coffee and moved on to drop off the pie before the charmer could ask her for more than coffee.

  Another man grabbed for her writs as she walked by but she yanked it away, glaring at him before saying she’d be back with his meal soon. Only when she was in the relatively safety of the kitchen did she stop for a moment. She just needed a moment.

  The other woman who worked there, Lulu, was older than Dora and had been around men like this for a long time. She wouldn’t tolerate their snide remarks or grabbing hands, but instead told them off like little boys stealing candy out of a jar. If only Dora could be like that.

  But she’d grown up in a house of girls and had worked in the factories full of other women for so long she hardly knew how to handle herself in this situation. She needed thicker skin. A fiercer attitude. Gumption.

  Pulling in a deep breath she picked up the next plates and charged through the door nearly running into a man.

  “Goodness,” she said, catching the plates in time to keep them from spilling.

  The man spun around, arums out and a startled look on his face. “I’m so sorry.”

  Looking up into his eyes she frowned. Where had she seen—oh! She remembered that he had run into her as she’d come out of the general store.

  “You make a habit of running into people?” she asked, surprising herself.

  “Only if they are as pretty as you,” he said with a grin.

  Not another one, she thought. “Excuse me,” she said, frowning and slipping past him.

  “Wait,” he called out after her but she was already moving forward.

  When she turned around she groaned, seeing he sat at one of the tables she was supposed to wait on. Could she ask Lulu to take that table? One glance at the older woman told her that she had enough on her hands without taking some of Dora’s work.

  Instead, she forced herself to remember what she’d decided in the kitchen. She needed to be tough.

  “What can I get you?” she said, stepping up to the man’s table. She took a quick inventory of the clumsy man. His shaggy, light brown hair looked like it had spent a lot of time under a cowboy hat, likely the one with the sweat stained rim sitting opposite him. His hands were rough, she remembered that much from his steadying touch, and clasped lightly on the table before him. His eyes—

  They were light blue and flecked with gold…and staring right at her. It wasn’t an uncomfortable stare—one that asked too much of her—but rather one filled with genuine kindness.

  “I’d love some supper if you wouldn’t mind. And maybe a cup of coffee?”

  Instead of standing there with his piercing gaze locked on her, she turned to go but felt his hand on her arm. Looking down he removed it immediately, grimacing.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to—” he broke his gaze for a moment, “I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn’t mean to run into you and…well, I'm not sorry for calling you pretty—even though it’s true—I didn’t mean for it to sound rude.”

  She opened her mouth then closed it, unsure of what to say. It was the kindest she’d been treated in…more than a week. Suddenly, tears filled her eyes and she blinked several times before turning and running out the backdoor of the hotel.

  ***

  Raymond had never had an apology go worse in his memory. As he watched the pretty woman run from the room he felt like he’d been punched in the gut. What had he said that set her off?

  Feeling a compulsion he couldn't shake, he picked up his hat, shoved it on his head, and went to find her.

  The brightness of the sun blinded him for a moment but his eyes soon adjusted enough to see her bent over crying on a bench sitting in the shade of a large tree. Taking in a slow breath to calm his beating heart, Raymond walked toward her.

  “Miss?” he said.

  She jerked her head up, startled.

  He took a step back, raising his hands up. “I don’t mean you any harm, I just wanted to see if you were all right.”’

  Wiping stray tears from under her eyes she sniffed and said, “I’m—I’ll be fine.”

  He frowned in concern. “You don’t look fine.”

  She gave a mirthless laugh, shaking her head.

  “No, I mean,” he rubbed the back of his neck, “I just mean that you look like something’s wrong and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t from something I’d said. I really was just trying to apologize. “

  “No, it’s all right,” she said, dropping her gaze. “I’m not having a very good week.”

  “Mind if I sit?” he asked, indicating the other side of the bench.

  She scooted over, though there was plenty of room for him, and he sat. Directing his gaze at her, he studied the soft planes of her face. She looked to be a few years younger than he was but there was a weight—a heaviness—to the set of her shoulders. Working in the hotel of this rough and tumble town, she had likely needed to fight off the attentions of men more often than not.

  “First off,” he said, feeling the need to clarify this, “I mean you no harm. Anytime you’d liked me to leave, I will.”

  He noticed some of the tension leave her. “Thank you.”

  “But, secondly, it looks like you could use a friend. Someone to talk to maybe?”

  Her surprised expression turned on him and she blushed when their eyes met.

  “Want to tell me why it was such a bad week?” Raymond wasn’t sure why he was pressing her for information. It wasn’t like him. He was a lone cowboy—the man without a home—but for some reason sitting here beside this woman made him want to slow down.

  “I…” she started then stopped, her eyes drilling into her hands clenched on her lap. “I came out West to be married.” The words married slammed into him but she continued, “But I found out that the man I came to marry is dead.”

  “I'm sorry to hear that.”

  “I didn’t know him well, only through letters.”

  Realization dawned. “You were a mail order bride?”

  She nodded. “I don’t have enough money to buy a train ticket back East—not that I really want to go back—so I started working at the hotel. It’s just…not an easy job.”

  He nodded slowly. His earlier thoughts proving true. “I can imagine.”

  “Then you were just so nice to me and…” she sniffed again and he resisted the urge to rest a hand on her shoulder in comfort.

  “Well, ma’am, my name’s Raymond Ellis and I’m pleased to meet you and to be your friend.”

  She laughed, wiping the tears away. “I’m Dora Sullivan and it’s nice to meet you too—friend.”

  They awkwardly shook hands, hers resting in his for a moment longer than necessary. Then she stood. “I’m sorry. I really should get back.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  At her worried look he grinned, “I still need my meal.”

  Chapter 3

  Dora felt Raymond walking behind her, his height towering over her creating a secure feeling. She had just unburdened her heart to him and, though she had felt foolish at first, she relished the lightness of how she felt now.

  Once inside,
she ran to the kitchen and began to catch up on the orders she’d neglected.

  “Where you been at?” Lulu said. Then, noticing the tears in Dora’s eyes, she softened her tone. “I covered for you. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Thank you Lulu,” she said, picking up four plates and balancing them on her arms.

  Thankful for the woman’s help, she caught up and was able to bring Raymond his meal. He didn’t ask her to stay or to talk more, but he offered a kind smile. He was so different from the other men she served. He didn’t require anything from her other than friendship, or so he said. And she trusted that what he said was the truth. When she looked into his blue eyes she felt as if her trust was deserved.

  Bustling about the room, she filled cups of coffee and water, picked up used plates, and took orders, but her gaze kept traveling back to where Raymond sat. He’d pulled out what looked like a little book and was reading.

  She shook her head. A cowboy who read? What kind of man was Raymond Ellis?

  But, as she was getting ready to stop by his table to talk to him one last time her heart dropped seeing his chair empty. He was gone. Just like that, the only man she had felt moderately comfortable with was gone.

  Of course he was though, this was a restaurant and men came and went as they pleased. But she’d be lying if the fact that he hadn’t said good-bye didn’t affect her. Because it did.

  Rather than focus on that, she poured herself into her other duties. She even stepped in to wash dishes when the supper crowd dwindled down and there was less waitressing to be done. Cook looked happy for the help, as did the young boy they employed.

  Taking in a deep breath, she allowed her mind to focus on the task at hand and not the future. She knew in her heart she couldn’t stay here in the hotel working forever. Though Cook and Lulu were nice, the constant barrage of men was too much to handle day-in and day-out. She had to come up with a plan, as well as finances for that plan.

  A dish slid between her fingers and she barely managed to catch it in the soapy waters, bringing her thoughts back to the present. God had kept her safe this far. He had provided this position for her and he had given her a friend to talk to—even if that friend was now long gone.

  She had much to be thankful about. With her focus on her herself she could easily be discouraged but thinking of all that she did have always helped to put things in perspective. God had a plan—she knew it.

  Lord, show me what to do next.

  It was the only prayer she could think to lift up, but she knew it would be enough.

  ***

  Raymond hated himself for leaving without saying anything to Dora. He’d felt a moment of sheer terror at how forward he’d been and nearly ran out of the place. Sure, he’d just told her they were friends—which was true—but his wildly beating heart indicated to him that he wanted more than that.

  And that was the crazy thing. This was all new to him. Interest in a woman, thoughts of settling down, none of it made sense to him. It all seemed so sudden. So foolish of him.

  Yet, when he saw her tears he was overcome with a sense of protection. When he heard the men cajoling her, he had to fight not to step in. When he saw her walk through the double doors of the kitchen his heart leapt and his pulse raced.

  Shaking his head, he made a beeline for the blacksmiths shop to settle up. When he had his horse, he stood in front of the shop, considering his next move.

  He’d heard word of another rancher that hired hands regularly. It was a few days ride ahead and if he left right now—

  The thought of leaving left an unsettled feeling in his chest. He didn’t want to go. And the ridiculous part was that it was because of Dora—the woman he’d just met. What was going on with him?

  The hotel sat a few buildings down with the stables out back and reasonable rates. Why not take a chance on staying one night in the hotel with hopes of talking to Dora one more time? It was fool’s errand, wanting something that he knew would only hurt him more when he had to leave, but he’d never indulged in a comfy bed in a nice hotel. It wasn’t that he had a lot of money, but he did have enough for this one night and he’d still be able to get his supplies.

  With determination in his steps, he walked his horse across and down the street, making his way down the alleyway toward the hotel stables. His spirits soared now that he’d made the decision and he was almost to the stables when he heard a sharp cry.

  “I said stop it!”

  “Come on now,” a low, husky voice said, “Just one kiss pretty lady.”

  “Let. Go!”

  Raymond’s heart leap into his throat. That was Dora’s voice!

  Dropping the reins, he ran around the corner. The sight in front of him made his blood boil and his vision blur in rage. A tall man had Dora pinned against the back wall of the hotel, his dirt stained face inches away from hers. She was struggling with all of her might but her small frame was no match for the burly man.

  “Get away from her!” Raymond’s voice thundered.

  The man jerked back but didn’t release his hold on Dora. “Who are you?”

  “I told you to get away.” Raymond bunched his fists as he walked toward the man. Raymond wasn’t quite as tall, but he’d dealt with his fair share of bulky, angry men, and he knew how to put this man down if it came to that.

  The guy backed away, his gaze narrowing at Raymond. “This your girl.”

  “Doesn’t matter. If she’s not your girl and she’s telling you to leave her alone—you do it.”

  The other man scoffed. “We was just having a bit of fun.”

  “I don’t think the lady would agree.” Raymond’s gaze never left the man’s and soon he tossed up a hand and turned around.

  “Whatever,” he said, over his shoulder.

  When he was gone, Dora burst into tears and Raymond stepped toward her, but not too close. He didn’t want her to feel threatened again.

  “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

  She shook her head and then, surprising him, she ran forward and buried her head against his chest. At first he stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do, but slowly he melted, his hands dropping around to her shoulders.

  “You’re all right,” he said, rubbing soft circles on her back to comfort her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” As he said the words, he knew they were true. He’d do anything he had to in order to protect her.

  Chapter 4

  Dora clutched the basket in front of her, her knuckles turning white on the handle. She was nervous, and yet this was her doing. After Raymond had rescued her from the intoxicated scoundrel who had assaulted her, she’d finally dried her tears enough to thank him. He’s looked so sheepish and yet so pleased at her praise.

  In that moment, rational thought had left her and she’d invited him on a picnic. He’d been too stunned to reply and she’d nearly taken her offer back as foolishness, but then he’d said yes.

  Thankfully, today she had only needed to work in the morning and now she was free to go with Raymond. But worry snuck up quickly. It was unwise of her to go picnicking with a man alone—one that she wasn’t courting, at least—but she trusted Raymond. If she hadn’t before, she did so now after he had rescued her.

  She waited out by the stables and soon saw him walk around the corner, his broad shoulders and straight posture making an impressive vision. He was so handsome! Dora dropped her gaze, looking down at the ground to make the flush in her cheeks disappear.

  “Afternoon,” Raymond said, standing before her with his hands in his pockets.

  “Good afternoon,” she said. “Thank you for joining me.”

  “Thanks for inviting me.” He grinned then pointed to the basket. “Can I carry that for you?”

  Polite and chivalrous? Could he be any more perfect?

  “Why yes, thank you.”

  “My pleasure.”

  They turned and walked on the path that led to the river and he told her a story about a cattle drive he’d been
on years ago. By the time they reached the river she was laughing so much her sides hurt.

  “How about there?” He indicated a spot under a tree that looked out over the gentle moving river below.

  “That looks nice.” She laid out the blanket and Raymond sat down, his back against the tree as she pulled out the things she’d packed.

  “Tell me something,” he said, as she worked. “What made a pretty girl like you look for a husband all the way out here?”

  Dora kept her gaze down on the pretense of fixing the meal, but in reality it was to hide the blush on her cheeks. He’d called her pretty! She needed to get a hold of herself.

  “Well,” she finally said, meeting his gaze, “I worked in a factory back in Massachusetts and had no time for suitors—not that there were any. I was tired of the work and the conditions weren’t good, so I decided to do something about it.”

  “To seize the opportunity, huh?”

  “In a manner of speaking, yes.” She ran her finger along a seam of her dress. “Hank’s was the only advertisement that I came across that sounded…appealing.” She flushed again but forced herself to meet Raymond’s gaze. “I knew I would never love him, but he would be kind to me.”

  Raymond frowned. “That’s no way to live.”

  “What?” she was surprised. “I didn’t take you for the romantic type, Mr. Ellis.”

  He grinned. “Then you don’t know me too well.”

  She bit her lip. She didn’t, but she wanted to. That was the whole purpose of this picnic, but at the same time she sensed that there was something holding him back. Was it her? Was she not pretty enough? Not interesting enough? Or was it something else?

  “No,” she finally said, “I suppose I don’t.”

  ***

  Raymond realized the truth of his words too late. She didn’t know him well, but he could tell she wanted to. It was flattering and exhilarating all at once, but more than anything it was terrifying. He had no idea where he would be the next week, let alone the next day. How could he even consider a relationship with a woman? And a woman such as Dora? It was almost too good to be true. She was beautiful and intelligent and kind and…