Brides of Bannack Box Set: Mail Order Bride

by Natalie Dean

  As he stared into the fire, there was something else at the back of his mind trying to come through to the forefront. It was a glimmer, a flash, something so fleeting that he kept pushing it back. To a casual onlooker, the children would pass as Sarah's children. He had noticed it before. Sarah had the same look that Jane would give from time to time. Even Billy's mannerism of one raised eyebrow was a look he had seen in Sarah that day he had shouted at her. But it had disappeared quickly when she became upset. She had come from New York. But Sarah was too young to be the children's mother. Anyway, the nuns said the mother had died in childbirth, and the father couldn't cope. But why couldn't he shift the feeling that the children were connected to Sarah in some way?

  Chapter Seven

  "I don't mean to alarm you, but Lance has gotten word that the bandits who killed Maggie may be headed back this way. They left a trail of destruction and Maggie wasn't the only victim. I don't understand why they'd come back. I'm only telling you this in case Carson acts up in any way. It's not you, it's him and his grief and guilt. It eats him up that he took Lola with him and left Maggie, in his mind, undefended. But I reckon they'd have just killed the dog too," Cecilia warned Sarah as she brought her to the homestead.

  "Will the Sheriff tell Carson?" Sarah asked, but Cecilia shook her head.

  "Only if he feels it necessary but people talk. Other farmers may cross paths with Carson and tell him. How are things anyway? You were quiet last night. Mrs. Lavery said she tried to wake you for dinner but couldn't."

  "I worked hard as a maid, and that house had three floors. So I’m not sure why I’m so tired. I guess it's the heat plus the children. I never knew they required so much energy." Cecilia laughed, becoming a mother had indeed been a shock to her system.

  "I thought the children would fit into my schedule. Lots of theory and no practice, now I've lots of practice but no theories! Perhaps someday you'll have your own children," Cecilia frowned when she saw the look of sadness on Sarah's face. "What did I say?"

  "It's not my plan to have children. My mother and sister both died in childbirth. The whole idea frightens me."

  "I'm sorry to hear that. That's quite a fear to carry but look at those little faces waiting for your arrival. That's love, Sarah."

  As Sarah stood up on the wagon, Carson came around to lift her off. She felt her stomach jump as he lifted her into the air. Sarah felt his hold linger as she looked into his face. It was the face of a man who had her heart, but she knew he could never love her, not after the loss of his beloved Maggie.

  "Ahem," Cecilia said, and they jumped apart, "I'll be back later this evening. Lance has to ride out, and with the children being sick, I don't want to bring them out in the wagon."

  "It's okay Cecilia. If Sarah doesn't mind, I'll take her back to the hotel. We've taken enough of your time, and it's time I did my share," Carson said, walking away. With that, Cecilia raised her eyebrows at Sarah. It was a good sign, Cecilia thought. He's taken with her. Cecilia couldn’t wait to get back to town to tell Lottie.

  "The children are fed, Sarah. I'm going to teach you how to ride. I don't want to be presumptuous, but there's no harm in trying it out," Carson said with a smile. Sarah wasn't sure. Being on a wagon was one thing but on a horse. Would she remember how to ride?

  "My father had a horse, so I did ride as a child, but it's been so long. I do remember I wasn't a natural at it."

  "It'll come back to you. It's quicker to ride than hitch a wagon in case of emergencies. I've saddled Tulip for you. She was Maggie's horse, so she's gentle and used to a woman handling her. I'll give you a leg up." Before Sarah could say anything, Carson had her on the horse. Billy and Jane looked at each other but said nothing.

  She gently nudged Tulip who responded to her. Sarah was controlling the horse. Carson was right, it was coming back to her, and it felt good. It was better than she remembered.

  "Walk her out that way and then circle back," Carson directed, and Sarah moved out. Sarah could hear Billy saying something to her, and she looked back to smile and wave at the children. But Sarah's inexperience meant she didn't notice Tulip's twitching ears. Something was spooking the horse, and she reared up and galloped off with Sarah still on her back.

  "Billy, Jane, stay here," Carson said as he jumped onto his horse in pursuit of Sarah. Please, Lord, don't let anything happen to her. Not again, please don't deprive the children of another mother, he prayed. "Hang on, Sarah," he called out, but he knew there was no way Sarah could hear him. He could only watch as Tulip went to jump one of the fences he had created and this time, Sarah was thrown.

  Carson screamed out as he watched Sarah land like one of Jane's rag-dolls when she threw it on the floor. He couldn't believe it when he saw blood coming from Sarah's head. What was wrong with this place? He ran to Sarah's side and cradled her head in his lap. But she wasn't dead. She was alive but unconscious. He felt relieved that at least she was breathing. Carson carried Sarah to his horse and rode back to the cabin. Tulip would find her way back home. He had to get the wound cleaned up.

  "Papa, you found Mama Sarah," Jane sang with glee but then she noticed Sarah's eyes were closed. "I don't want her to be dead like Mama!" Jane said as she began to wail.

  "Jane, she's sleeping. Help Papa take care of her."

  Jane ran ahead of Carson into the home as Carson lay Sarah on his bed. Jane came running into the room with her dolls and propped them beside Sarah. If he weren't so concerned about Sarah, Carson would have cried. Putting the handmade dolls beside Sarah was what Maggie used to do when Jane was sick or upset. As he returned to clean the wound, Jane was rubbing Sarah's forehead. "Gently now, Jane. Sarah's head is sore. Lola, off the bed," he said but the dog refused to leave, and Carson relented.

  Billy, meanwhile, was on the look-out for Tulip's return.

  Sarah was still unconscious. She looked so pale and fragile. Carson wanted to get Doc, but it would mean leaving Sarah by herself. He was torn. He couldn't leave her in case she took a turn for the worse. He sat by her side as Jane lay beside Sarah. Carson could hear Billy talking. He assumed Tulip had come back. Then he heard footsteps coming into the cabin. It was Sheriff Lance.

  "Billy said Sarah fell off Tulip. I'll get Doc," Lance said as he rushed back out and rode off towards Bannack. He prayed that history wasn't about to repeat itself. It wouldn't be fair to the children or Carson.

  Doc could do no more for Sarah than Carson had done. Head injuries were unpredictable, he said. We had to give her time and the next twenty-four hours would be critical. When she woke, she may not remember much or her memory could be intact. No one could say what was going to happen until she woke up. She had to stay with the Edwards until she regained consciousness. Lottie arrived to help Carson care for Sarah, as someone would need to be with her at all times.

  "I'll take the first watch, Carson. You get some rest," Lottie said after she waved her husband goodbye. Cecilia was caring for Lottie's children.

  "No, I'll sit with her, Lottie. I feel responsible. I thought Tulip would be a gentle horse for her. It must have been a snake," Carson said as he kept watching Sarah. He looked haggard from the day's ordeal. Lottie made soup, and only Billy came to the table as Jane stayed beside Sarah, and Carson continued his vigil.

  Lottie had fallen asleep in the rocking chair with Billy on her lap. The fire had died out, and the place was cold. The house was quiet and peaceful, but Carson was troubled. He took Sarah's hand in his. "Please come back to us, Sarah. We need you. Don't leave us. Don't leave me," he whispered, and his body began to shake as he cried. He rested his head on the bed.

  Sarah opened her eyes. For a moment, she was disorientated. Why was this man holding her hand and crying? Then it came back to her. She pulled her hand away from him and rested it on his head. Sarah could feel an arm around her, and she looked to the other side and the little head that nestled beside her. As she moved, Lola jumped up and wagged her tail, trying to nuzzle Sarah.

  Carson looked
up, "You're awake! Do you remember what happened, Sarah?" His face was eager with anticipation as he tried to push Lola away. "Lottie," he called out, "she's awake." Billy and Lottie jumped up and came running into the bedroom. Sarah looked at the faces, waiting for her to speak. They all looked worried, and their worry was for her. She became emotional and started to sob. The realization that they were all there for her was overwhelming, and this pain in her head wasn't making it any better.

  "Why don't you leave her with me? Get some air. You too children. Go with your papa. I'll help Sarah freshen up," Lottie directed, and reluctantly Carson carried the children out of the bedroom.

  "Do you remember where you are, Sarah?" Lottie asked. Doc had told her not to overwhelm Sarah with information or questions when she regained consciousness.

  "I'm in Bannack, and you're Lottie. That was Carson and Billy and Jane. I remember, Lottie. It's been so long since anyone cared for me. You've only known me a few days, the same with the family."

  Lottie sat by Sarah's side. "Time moves very quickly in these parts. It has to. But I tell you, Carson sat by your side all night. He wouldn't let me take over. While we brought you here for the children, you have found a place in Carson's heart."

  Sarah nodded. It seemed odd to her that emotions could develop so quickly and deeply, but she felt that connection to the children from the moment she had met them.

  "Let's get you freshened up. You'll have a sore head for a few days, but otherwise, you're all right." Lottie began to clean the wound. She had brought a change of clothes for Sarah too. The children came running back in.

  "I couldn't keep them out any longer," Carson apologized. "I'm glad to see you well, Sarah." She smiled shyly at him as the children tugged at her to pick them up.

  Sarah decided to stay on the farm for another while. She didn't fancy being on the wagon just yet. Lottie left them alone. Cecilia was right. Sarah would stay in Bannack, but the strangest thought crossed Lottie’s mind. The children could pass as Sarah's. Cecilia had told her about Sarah's mother and sister dying in childbirth, but the Edwards had arrived with the children. It must be my imagination, trying to make Sarah fit with the family, she told herself.

  Chapter Eight

  Sarah happily sat and watched as Carson and the children attended to her. Jane brushed her hair while Billy tried to teach Lola new tricks to make Sarah laugh. To the casual observer, they looked like a happy family and not like people brought together in the last few days.

  As the children rested, Carson sat beside Sarah on the porch. He asked her about her past life. Why she had left Ireland and why she was alone.

  "It was fine while I lived with my sister, Katie and her husband. But when she died giving birth, I was sent to work in service."

  "What happened to the baby?" he asked curiously.

  "She had twins, a boy, and a girl. Her husband couldn't cope, and the priest decided it was best to take the children. I was too young to care for them myself. I put my mother's locket with the baby girl. I hope it's something that was given to her new parents. They'd be almost four by now. It sounds silly, but every day I pray that someday I'll be reunited with them. I know they have their own family now. You know I went to the orphanage to inquire about them and was told a couple from Buffalo had adopted them. I hope they're happy," Sarah gave a sad smile as she looked over the horizon.

  A cold sweat enveloped Carson. It couldn't be, could it? Had many couples from Buffalo adopted twins at the same time? It was highly unlikely. He was fidgety and didn't know what to say or do. Were his children Sarah's niece and nephew?

  He felt relieved to hear Jane call out. He needed to go to the barn. She wanted Mama Sarah. He was piecing together that the children were possibly related to Sarah and the familiarities now were starting to make sense. He wanted to check the old tea chest that stored remnants of their past life. When they had adopted the children, Maggie had been given a locket that belonged to the children's mother. It was her plan to give it to Jane when she was older although they had no plans to tell the children they were adopted. Sarah's mention of the locket was the proof he needed. He was looking at the locket and didn't notice the man creep up behind him and bash him on the head, grabbing the locket from Carson's hand.

  Sarah was softly singing to the children when she heard the scuff of boots on the floor. It didn't sound like Carson and Lola growled. Sarah froze momentarily. She turned around to see a dirty man towering over them, as he spat tobacco on her clean floor. She wanted to run at him, but she had to consider the children. He kicked Lola out of his way, and the dog was now lying on the ground. Billy wanted to run to Lola, but Sarah held him. She had to keep the children close to her.

  "Well, looky 'ere, Mad Dog. We've got a pretty little thing to play with," the man turned his head to the door but kept an eye on Sarah. Another shadow loomed at the doorway and agreed that Sarah would be excellent entertainment.

  "My husband will be back any minute," Sarah warned.

  "If it's the man in the barn, he's been taken care of," the man at the door chuckled and smiled to reveal a mouthful of rotten teeth. Billy called out for his father, but the man said, "It ain't no use boy."

  The man grabbed the children by their collars, but Billy and Jane weren't easy to maneuver as they both kicked and screamed at the man. Sarah was trying to remember if there were any weapons she could use. She saw the pot of boiling water on the stove top.

  "Don't hurt the children. Let me fix them their lunch, and I'll go with you," Sarah said.

  "I'm hungry, Mad Dog. Let her fix us some food," the man said.

  "Yer right, Felix, it's been a long time since we've had a home-cooked meal. Fix us somethin' good," Mad Dog said. Sarah tried to figure out a way to get them together. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lola move. She felt relieved that the dog was alive. She couldn't think about Carson. All she could do was focus on how to get rid of the men before they hurt her or the children. She looked at the children, and she could see Billy watching Lola. Afraid that he'd alert the men to the dog, she pretended to fall over.

  "I need Billy to help me," she said, and the men agreed. Billy went to Sarah's side, and she whispered in his ear. The child nodded. He was a very bright and intelligent child. Sarah knew he'd understand. As she put her hands on the pot of boiling water, she nodded at Billy. Sarah threw the water on the man, Felix, as he was closest to her and he screamed out in pain. At the same time, Billy yelled at Lola to attack the other man. Lola sunk her teeth into the man's leg and with fury coursing through Sarah's veins, she banged the empty pot of water over the other man's head. He fell into a heap on the ground.

  "Run outside quickly children," Sarah yelled as she rushed to the barn, not quite convinced that Carson was that easy to take down without shooting him first. She was right. Carson was trying to stand, and he looked up to see Sarah and the children coming towards him. He reached to his holster, but his gun was gone. The man who knocked him out must have taken it. But Carson had another gun in the tea chest. He rushed back, grabbed it and as he was running out of the barn, he told Sarah to stay inside. No one was going to attack his family again. Rage took over, and Sarah feared for Carson.

  Sarah heard two gunshots. The children clung to her, afraid their papa was dead. She watched as the barn door opened and Carson came back unharmed. He hitched the wagon to the horses without saying a word. Sarah was sure that Carson wasn't a killer, but if he suspected these were the men who had killed his wife, anything was possible.

  She and the children followed Carson and the wagon from the barn. Sarah thanked the Lord for their safety. Carson had the men tied up.

  "You take the children to Bannack, I'll follow along with these two. Tell Sheriff Dexter to meet me."

  Sarah nodded, and she and children made their way to Bannack. She hadn't driven a wagon before but being a quick study, she had remembered what Cecilia would do. "Mama didn't do it that way," Billy said raising an eyebrow as Jane chastised him for being me
an to Mama Sarah.

  They finally made it into town unscathed. With the alarm raised, Sarah could only wait for Carson to come to them. She prayed for his safety. Cecilia and Lottie watched as Sarah stood at the doorway, waiting to see Carson.

  "Did you see the way her eyes lit up as she spoke about him?" Cecilia said, and Lottie nodded.

  "She reminds me of you, Cec. Billy said she threw the pot of boiling water on one of the men. She's not leaving Bannack now. How could anyone return to life in the city after going through all of this?"

  "They're coming in now," Sarah said as she ran out to meet Carson. "Is Lola alright? There wasn't time to see to her."

  "She's fine. Glad to get her revenge. I saw what you did to these two. And I've something for you," Carson handed the locket to Sarah. She held it in her hands, never believing she would see it again. "It’s yours, isn't it?" he asked her, hoping he hadn't misjudged the situation. Sarah looked at him as her eyes filled with tears. "You mean Jane and Billy are Katie's?"

  Carson nodded, "We adopted the twins before moving here. No one knew. But seeing you with them, you looked like you belonged together," Carson said as he drew Sarah into his arms. She looked up at him. After all this time, she was reunited with the babies. The Lord had answered her prayers. Carson leaned down towards Sarah and kissed her gently on the lips.

  Two days later Sarah stood at the hotel entrance and looked at the stage coach that was heading back to the city. She looked the other direction to where the Church stood at the far end of Bannack.