by Kit Morgan
“I’m sorry this happened to you, Miss Haverdash,” Fletcher said. “I remember how upset Sophie was when she showed up in town.”
“Though she showed up to a dead body,” Jace reminded him. “Miss Haverdash only showed up to a big disappointment.”
“True,” she admitted, swallowing hard.
“Still, it’s a horrible thing,” Fletcher said. “Tell you what, ma’am – why don’t you come to my house, have dinner, meet my wife?”
Jace smiled. “That’s a great idea.” In more ways than one. He didn’t want to have to worry about Miss Haverdash while he investigated who was behind this, especially not if he had to take a trip to Salem. Not that the trip would take long, but … well, he felt responsible for her, and wanted to fix this as soon as possible for her sake. Even if it was just a joke, it was a cruel one – Miss Haverdash was clearly heartbroken from disappointment.
A small part of him was disappointed too. Ever since Sophie came to town weeks ago, he’d seen how much Fletcher enjoyed having a wife, settling down and thinking about starting a family. He still missed the action and adventure of the Rangers, which is why he was intrigued with the offer to join the Knights of the Prairie. But he couldn’t help being a smidgen jealous of his friend. If he went back to the Rangers or joined the Knights, a wife and family would be out of the question. It made a man think really hard …
“Jace, are you listening?” Fletcher asked.
He jumped. “Sorry, what?”
Fetcher rolled his eyes. “I said, why don’t you escort Miss Haverdash to my place? I’ll be right behind you – I just need to wrap up a few things.”
“Actually, is there a general store nearby?” Miss Haverdash asked.
“Yes, Tindle’s. I can take you there.” Jace couldn’t believe he missed what Fletcher said earlier. This was bothering him more than he thought. He looked at Miss Haverdash. Her eyes were still red from crying, her button nose still swollen. She was lovely, petite, fragile-looking. Guilt hit him again, and his hands went to his hips. If he could hit something, he would, but again, this wasn’t his fault. He was as much a victim as she was.
“I’d like to get a few things,” she said softly.
Her steady voice soothed his nerves. “Of course. Let’s go.” He offered his arm and steered her to the door. “Thanks, Fletch. We’ll see you at the house. I’ll take care of Miss Haverdash, get her what she needs and maybe a snack. Take your time.”
Fletcher looked worried as he glanced at Miss Haverdash, then back to his work. “Thank you, I will.” He returned to sorting through papers on his desk.
Jace should have thought to ask if she needed anything from Tindle’s, but his mind was focused on the present mystery. When it came down to it, there were only three possibilities: ham-handed practical joke, secret matchmaker (mad or otherwise), or distraction by some nefarious operator. And at present, he had no evidence to tell him which was the case.
“Your friend seems nice,” Miss Haverdash commented as they left the building.
“Yes, Fletch is a good man.”
“And he married that poor mail-order bride? Did he do it out of a sense of duty, or for love?”
He looked at her a moment. She was staring straight ahead, her face a mask. But she was still holding together. “For love, I think. It just happened quickly.”
She shut her eyes, opened them, her expression unchanged. “That’s nice.”
Was she hoping he’d do the same – fall for her, get married, live happily ever after? That wasn’t likely. This was a mistake of some sort, a mystery he had to solve. He’d let her help because she might lead him to the perpetrator, and to give her something to focus on besides her disappointment. But he wasn’t planning to get involved with her, especially not if he took the post with the Knights. Of course, he needed to research them too. Sometimes you didn’t hear about secret agencies because they didn’t exist.
They reached Tindle’s General Store and went inside. Morgan Tindle’s wife Daisy was behind the counter, the second (first?) mail-order victim of the Mad Matchmaker all those years ago. Well, if he planned to start investigating, he might as well start now. Besides, Miss Haverdash looked like she’d either start crying again or slip into shock. Maybe her plight was just sinking in and she had no idea what to do now.
Ugh – more guilt. He stiffened and marched her to the counter. “Afternoon, Mrs. Tindle. Can you take a few moments to answer some questions and help the young lady here?”
Daisy smiled at them. “Certainly, Sheriff. What do you need?”
Unable to stop himself, Jace put his hand on Miss Haverdash’s shoulder. “We’d like to know about when you were a mail-order bride …”
Chapter Five
Katie realized that if Daisy Tindle was a mail-order bride, it had to have been a long time ago. She was middle-aged, with red hair interrupted by silver and crinkles around her sea-green eyes. But had things changed that much? She listened to Daisy (she’d always loved that name) and Sheriff Diamond exchange pleasantries before they got down to business. “That’s quite the question, Sheriff. Why do you ask?”
“I’m trying to find a few things out about the Mad Matchmaker.”
Daisy laughed. “My goodness, I’d forgotten all about that.”
“Were you a victim?” Katie asked, feeling she had to say something. Sheriff Diamond’s hand was still on her shoulder, large, warm and oddly comforting.
As if reading her thoughts, he removed it. “What Miss Haverdash means is, were you sent for by the Mad Matchmaker?”
Daisy sighed in relief. “No. Morgan’s mother sent for me.”
Katie’s eyebrows rose. “His mother?”
Daisy nodded. “Yes, but she didn’t tell him I was coming. For a time, there was quite a bit of that going on around here.”
“Can you tell us about it?” Sheriff Diamond asked, sounding very official and serious.
Daisy glanced between them. “Sheriff, are you going to introduce your friend?”
He took off his hat, ran his hand through his hair and sighed. “I’m sorry. Daisy Tindle, meet Miss Katie Haverdash. She’s a mail-order bride.”
Katie noted he didn’t introduce her as his bride, but couldn’t blame him. “How do you do?”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Daisy said with a smile. “My goodness, who is your betrothed?”
Katie smirked at the sheriff – he should have known this was coming. Rather than say anything, she pointed at him.
Daisy’s eyes bulged. “What? Jace Diamond, when did you send away for a mail-order bride?”
“That’s just it,” he said flatly. “I didn’t.”
“Excuse me?” Daisy said in confusion.
“I’m afraid your sheriff has been the victim of some sort of practical joke,” Katie explained. “Or worse.”
Daisy gawked at them. “You don’t think your mother …”
“No, she would never,” he said. “But someone else might have.”
“But the Mad Matchmaker hasn’t done anything for …” Daisy waved a hand in the air as her eyes roamed the ceiling. “… my goodness, I can’t remember when. Maybe since Jess Templeton?”
“Who are the Templetons?” Katie asked.
“They have a farm a few miles out of town,” Daisy said. “I still remember the day Sarah showed up. Jess had left church early on Easter Sunday – he was sick, as I recall. But …”
“What is it?” the sheriff prompted.
“I might be remembering this wrong – I don’t think he was the last person after all. And I think he sent for Sarah on purpose.”
Katie sighed. “Well, it was a long time ago. You can’t be expected to remember everything.”
Daisy paced behind the counter. “If it wasn’t Jess and Sarah, then it would have to have been Ellie and Julian Smythe.” She snapped her fingers. “Yes, I’m sure it was.”
“And before them?” Sheriff Diamond had pulled out his little black notebook and pencil and was
jotting things down.
“Well, that would be Ammy and Garrett Vander.”
“Is he related to Fletcher Vander?” Katie asked.
“His parents,” Daisy said.
Sheriff Diamond ran his hand through his hair again. “Anyone else?”
Daisy laughed. “You know as well as I do that there were quite a few couples back in the day who married because someone else sent for mail-order brides. It wasn’t just the Mad Matchmaker at work back then.”
Katie blinked a few times in confusion. “So years ago you had not only a mystery matchmaker, but other people were sending away for brides?”
“And not telling the grooms,” Daisy said with a smile. “Including my husband.”
To Katie’s surprise, Sheriff Diamond chuckled. “I would have loved to have seen the look on Morgan’s face when he first found out.”
Katie couldn’t resist. “I’m sure it wasn’t much different than yours.”
He surprised her with a smile. “We men probably all look the same when something like that happens.”
She smiled in return, then turned back to Daisy. “Was he angry?”
“Morgan? Heavens no! In fact, all the couples fell hopelessly in love, married, had children and have been living happily in town ever since. Except for Bernice Calder – now Bernice Johnson. She actually left town as a mail-order bride, went to Washington state and married an apple farmer.”
“She visits now and then,” Jace said. “In fact, is she still here?”
“No, she left a few days after the Fourth of July celebration.” Daisy smiled at Katie. “I’m sorry this happened to you. I understand how you feel.”
“Yes, but it was a family member that sent for you. No one sent for me.”
“You’re here, so someone certainly did,” Jace pointed out.
She caught the sternness in his voice and knew he was still angry about it. If their roles were reversed, she would be too, though she could hardly imagine the big man blubbering like a baby as she had. “Well, what are you going to do about it?” There – let him deal with that.
“Continue investigating. But first let’s get what you need.”
Daisy came around the counter. “Are you looking for anything specific?”
Katie shrugged. “I need a few supplies if I’m going to, um, be here for a time.”
Sheriff Diamond’s eyes widened slightly. Was he worried she planned to stay? Had he planned to get rid of her as fast as he could? But all he said was, “Get her whatever she needs. I’ll pay for it,” he stated.
“I have money,” Katie objected.
“Save it – you might need it for something else. Besides, this is the least I can do.” His eyes were full of concern and… regret?
“Thank you, that’s very kind. I’ll just get some tooth powder.”
“Seriously, get whatever you need. I don’t care what it is.”
“But …”
“When a man wants to spend money on you, don’t argue with him,” Daisy advised, then leaned toward her. “Let him make amends,” she added softly.
Well, when in Rome … “Very well. There are several things I need.”
“Good – tell me what they are and I’ll help you find them.” Daisy went behind the counter, took a can of tooth powder off a shelf and set it in front of her. “What else?”
Katie didn’t want the sheriff watching her gather personal items, so she headed to the other side of the store. In truth she didn’t know how long she’d be there – a few days, a week, a month? Dare she hope she could find a job and stay?
She’d be giving up everything. Her relationship with her parents was already damaged, but though Father could be a stubborn old goat, she loved him dearly and didn’t want to hurt him. Mother would side with Father and insist she marry Ronald. Her parents had an arranged marriage and she thought they got along fine, but that was it. Did they really love each other? Had they ever been in love?
Katie chose a book to get her mind off things, some paper and a pen, and a bag of peanuts to snack on. She returned to the front counter and set them down, but Sheriff Diamond looked at the few items accusingly. “That’s it?”
She nodded. “It’s all I need.”
He leaned against the counter and studied her a moment. “Did you come here with the intent of marrying today?”
She looked at the floor and back. “That’s usually how it’s done, isn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t know. Some do, some don’t. But if you did and were expecting your husband to take care of you after this point, I would assume you didn’t bring much.” He glanced at her carpetbag.
“Why are you so concerned about it?” She didn’t exactly snap at him, but her tone wasn’t as pleasant as it could be.
“Look, I’m doing the best I can. You tell me if you need anything, all right?” He looked at Daisy. “Open a tab for Miss Haverdash.”
“No, don’t,” she said. “You don’t have to do that, Sheriff.”
“I want to.”
Katie stared at him, her mouth half-open. He probably felt bad, that was it. “All right, if it makes you feel better.”
“My feelings have nothing to do with it. I just want to make things right.”
Katie caught the look Daisy was giving her and sighed in resignation. “Thank you.”
“It’s not charity, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said. “It’s … justice.”
“I understand.” Now Katie just wanted to be done with the matter. She forced herself to pick out a few more items – a couple of hair ribbons, a bag of dried pear slices, some corset stays (Mother always said you couldn’t have too many) and a little bottle of rosewater. Sheriff Diamond purchased her items, waited for Daisy to wrap them, then handed Katie the packages. He picked up the carpetbag and headed for the establishment’s double doors.
“Good luck,” Daisy called after them. “I hope you find the Mad Matchmaker, Sheriff.”
He stopped in the doorway and looked over his shoulder. “So do I.”
Katie followed him outside and down the few steps to the boardwalk. He stopped and looked this way and that. “Where to now?”
“The Vanders’ house. But I have to warn you, Fletcher and Sophie live with his grandparents. They’re getting on in years and are a little … odd.”
“Sheriff, this whole situation is odd. A couple of old people won’t bother me at this point.”
Sheriff Diamond smiled. “That’s good to know.” He stepped off the boardwalk.
Katie followed in confusion, wondering what a visit to the Vanders would bring to all of this.
“What? You’re here about a metal slide?”
Fletcher Vander rolled his eyes, then said loudly, “No, Gran Mercy. Sheriff Diamond has a mail-order bride.”
Katie studied the old woman before her. She was tiny and thin like a bird, with bright blue eyes and white hair. She also had a birdlike voice and was obviously very hard of hearing.
“A mail-order bride!” the woman chirped. She went to the sheriff and gave him a hug. “Jace Diamond, it’s about time.”
The sheriff groaned. “No, Mrs. Vander, she is not my mail-order bride.”
“But Fletch just said…”
“Well, she’s a mail-order bride, Gran,” Fletcher said. “And yes, she’s the Sheriff’s mail-order bride. But he didn’t send for her. We’re trying to figure out who did.”
“Oh, good heavens!” the old woman wheezed, then coughed. “Don’t tell me the Mad Matchmaker’s at it again! Land sakes, you’d think he’d have died of old age by now.”
Sheriff Diamond smiled. “But you’re still alive.”
Mrs. Vander put her hand to her chest. “Merciful heavens, I am, aren’t I?”
Fletcher laughed. “Very much so. Now I know it’s a lot to ask, but after all these years, can you tell me who the Mad Matchmaker was?”
“I couldn’t say, dear. I never wanted to know.”
“What?” Katie shook her he
ad in disbelief. “Why wouldn’t you want to know who sent away for a mail-order bride for your own son?”
“There’s no fun in that, dear,” the old woman said. “Heavens, the mystery has given my friends and I years of entertainment. Why would we spoil it by finding the answer? It’s much more fun to guess.”
Katie could only stare open-mouthed. She glanced at Sheriff Diamond, but the look on his face wasn’t much better.
“Mrs. Vander, is there anything you can tell us that would help to figure this out?”
“I’m afraid not. If the entire town couldn’t figure it out, how do you expect to?”
He scratched his head. “Good question.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong – we did try, all of us. But secretly no one really wanted to. Where’s the fun in that?”
Fletcher stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. “What I wouldn’t give to have lived back then. What fun.”
Katie and Sheriff Diamond glared at him.
“Er, what I mean is, it would be fun to solve a mystery.”
“Then why don’t you solve it?” Sheriff Diamond groused.
“What’s going on?” a woman called from the next room.
Katie and the others turned as a blonde came into the room, followed by an aging maid. The latter set a tray of glasses filled with lemonade on the table. “Help yourselves, folks.” She turned to the blonde. “Mrs. Vander, I’m going upstairs to finish the dusting.”
“Thank you, Betsy.” The woman began handing glasses of lemonade out as the maid left.
So this was Sophie, Fletcher’s mail-order bride. Knowing the woman had been through a lot made Katie feel better.
“Darling,” Fletcher said. “I’d like to introduce you to Miss Katie Haverdash.” He glanced at Sheriff Diamond. “She, uh, just arrived in town.”
Gran Mercy’s face lit up. “She’s here to marry Sheriff Diamond! She’s his mail-order bride!”
Sophie Vander’s eyes went wide. “What?” She looked at the sheriff. “Really? When did you send away for a mail-order bride?”
“He didn’t,” three of them said at once.
“Yes, he did,” Mercy said. “Why else would she be here?”
