by Kit Morgan
Millie stared at them all, trying to remember everyone’s names. The Dalton and Blues together made up quite a tribe. “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to keep everyone straight,” she confessed.
“Don’t feel bad,” said Lillian, Benedict’s wife, who most of the family simply called Lilly. “Most of the brides that come through here can’t.”
“You likely won’t be here long enough to worry about it anyway,” Gwen pointed out.
“Did you want to come to town with us tomorrow?” Lilly asked.
“I’ve thought about it. I … I don’t have a wedding dress, and …”
“Oh don’t worry about that,” said Gwen with a wave of her hand. “We’ve got a spare. Several, in fact.”
Millie stared at her. “You do?”
“Yes,” Bonnie said. “We get so many brides through here, we thought we’d sew up a few for all the ones who didn’t bring one with them. We have the brides try them on, see which one fits, then bring it to Wiggieville with them to wear for their wedding.”
“Those that get married there, at any rate,” Libby added. “A lot of brides are sent from here to their husbands, but lately we’ve had grooms come fetch their brides, such as Mr. Brown is doing. Then they go to town to get married.”
“You’ll actually be the first to be married right here in Dalton,” Gwen said with pride.
“My, I feel rather special.” Though, truth be told, Millie didn’t feel all that special. In fact, she was beginning to wonder more and more if she was making a mistake. Would her parents ever speak to her again? Shouldn’t her out-of-place attraction to Justin Weaver be a warning that she wasn’t ready to get married? Maybe her heart wasn’t as set on the idea as she first thought.
“That reminds me,” Maggie said. “We still have to make you a bouquet.”
“You don’t have to go through all that trouble,” Millie said.
“But we want to,” said Lilly. “Besides, it’s fun!”
“Adele said she wanted to make this one,” Bonnie chimed in. “Speaking of Adele, where is she?”
“She said she wasn’t feeling well this morning,” Lilly announced with a lopsided grin. “That’s why Jack and his wife went to check on her.”
“You don’t think …?” Maggie said with a gasp.
“I do,” said Gwen as she set a plate of cookies on the dining table. “Jack and Dell are like a couple of mother hens. I hope they don’t drive poor Adele and Percy crazy.”
“They won’t,” Bonnie assured. “They’ve been wonderful with everyone, and will give them all sorts of advice on how to raise children.”
“They’re experienced grandparents – of course they’re going to do that.”
Millie sighed as she took it all in. The women were close and watched out for each other. She hoped she could find the same sort of camaraderie when she got to California. A sour feeling of worry in her stomach again made her wonder if she’d made a huge mistake.
“Is something wrong?” Libby asked.
Millie looked up. “No, not at all.” Oh great, now she was lying? She closed her eyes a moment. “Well, maybe something is.”
“What?” Gwen asked. “What’s wrong?”
Millie glanced around the table. “I’m not sure I should be getting married.”
“What?!” several of the women said at once.
“Then what are you doing here?” Bonnie asked. “Your groom is going to be here this week!”
“You’re probably just getting cold feet,” Lilly suggested. “It happens, you know.”
“No, nothing like that …”
Libby watched her a moment. “There isn’t someone else, is there? Someone back in Beckham …?”
“No,” Millie said quickly. “I’m just not sure I’m doing the right thing. I … didn’t exactly leave Beckham on good terms with my family. In fact …”
Gwen, Maggie and Lilly leaned forward while the others stared at her, eyes wide.
“… my parents don’t even know where I am.”
Gwen, Bonnie and Libby all relaxed. “Oh, is that all?” Gwen said. “Well, that’s a relief.”
“What do you mean, that’s a relief? I left without even saying goodbye!”
“So did we,” Gwen said with a shrug.
Millie thought a moment. Didn’t Libby tell her as much earlier? Yes, she did mention something about the Blue sisters’ hasty departure while they were getting ready to come up to the main ranch house. “Oh yes. Then you would know.”
“And it all worked out for us,” Libby added. “Our whole family is here now.”
Millie sighed. “Somehow I can’t picture my parents packing everything up and moving to Texas.”
“Ours did,” Bonnie stated.
“But I’m going to California. They wouldn’t travel that far unless they absolutely had to.”
“Wire them as soon as you’re married,” Libby suggested. “Let them know where you’re going, that you’re all right and not to worry. Oh, and that you wish them the very best.”
Millie could only stare. “They’re going to be so upset with me.”
“Well, you don’t have to tell them where you’re going,” Gwen stated. “You can wait until they’ve calmed down, then tell them.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Millie agreed. “At least I’m not alone. It’s comforting to know that you went through this too.”
“Different circumstances perhaps,” Bonnie said as she bounced Ruth on her knee. “Or maybe not so different.”
Everyone looked at Millie and she felt her cheeks grow hot. “I became a mail-order bride to keep from having to marry someone else,” she said in a rush.
“Like I said, so did we,” Gwen announced.
“No woman should be forced to marry someone she doesn’t want to,” Libby said. “It’s just not right.”
“True,” Maggie said with a sigh. “Now, let’s help Millie get ready for her wedding.”
Millie sat back in her chair and quietly watched the other women make suggestions for her nuptials. But all things aside, did she really want them? Maybe if she sat and listened to the others long enough, she would.
* * *
That evening after supper, Millie went for a stroll. The main ranch house sat at its center on a small rise, like a lighthouse. Other homes branched off of it and Millie realized the buildings were in a large circle, the main house in the middle like the hub of a giant wheel.
She’d met all of the family that day except Adele, who everyone guessed was either very ill or very pregnant, or both. Her husband Percy was beside himself, running to his sister Bonnie’s house for any medicine she might have to help. But all he got was a sympathetic hug. Of the three Blue brothers, Percy was the worrywart, Libby explained. At this point everyone hoped she was with child, or they might have a very sick woman on their hands …
“Howdy,” a voice said quietly.
Millie turned, wondering if the person meant to say anything at all. “Oh, it’s you. Hello.”
Justin got up off the porch steps he’d been sitting on. “Out for a walk? Fine evenin’ for it.”
“Yes – yes, it is,” she agreed as she gazed up at the sky. “I’m waiting for the stars to come out.”
“Might have a bit of a wait, then. It’s still early yet.”
“This is a big place. By the time I finish exploring it, they’ll be out.”
“Mr. Dalton might have something to say about that. In fact, I’m surprised he let ya out here by yourself.”
“He doesn’t know I left the house.”
“What?” he said, closing the distance. “Don’t ya know it ain’t safe?”
“What do you mean? With all these other people here, how can it not be safe?”
“Didn’t any of them tell ya about the trouble we had a few months back?”
“No …”
“Well, some men came, caused a ruckus and took … well, never mind. Anyway, there was quite a few of us around then and t
hey still managed to get the jump on us.”
Millie’s eyes widened. “No one told me any such thing.”
“And rightly so, so’s not to scare ya. I’m sorry if’n I just did.”
“No, not at all. Besides, you’re here with me now. What could happen?”
He swallowed hard as he gazed into her eyes. “Plenty,” he mumbled, before returning his voice to normal. “I think it’s best if’n you head back to Nate and Libby’s place. Nate’ll be wonderin’ where you got off to.”
She sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” She noticed how their gazes had locked and tried to pull away, but couldn’t. How strange …
“I’d best be headin’ out. Gotta get to work.” He looked as if he was unable to tear his gaze away too. But finally, he turned and hurried to the barn. She watched him go and had to fight the urge to follow him. What was this? Why couldn’t she find the will to stay away from this man? Not that it mattered – she’d be married before the week was out.
She looked back to the darkening sky. “Mrs. Walter Brown,” she said, noting the lack of enthusiasm in her voice. “Oh Millie, what have you gotten yourself into?”
She took one last look at the sky, then headed back to the house. Whatever sort of trouble that happened months ago had clearly upset Justi … Mr. Weaver. “Oh for heaven’s sake, who cares what I call him in my own head?!”
She closed her eyes to calm herself. Why was she suddenly so upset? She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and let it out slowly. By now Libby and Nate would have noticed she wasn’t on the front porch. She’d told them she wanted to step out and get some air, but never said anything about going for a walk. And now that she’d had a brief encounter with Justin, her insides felt all fluttery, and she found she wanted to meander over to the barn to see what he was up to …
“This is ridiculous!” she said, stomping her foot. “I’ve got to get a hold of myself!” She gasped. What if she was somehow prone to wanton behavior? Didn’t women with those tendencies become attracted to men who weren’t their betrothed or husband? Now, how could that be? She’d never given such a thing a thought before. She hadn’t an impure bone in her body. Or did she? Didn’t a person’s true character come out under duress?
But what pressure was she under, other than getting married to someone she’d never met? And of course, running off without telling her parents? And there was good old Hubert Toilet Tissue … she’d given up on his real last name. At least it would never be hers!
With determined steps she started back. She had to remember why she was here, what she was about, the freedom it would bring. To drive it home, she decided that tomorrow she’d definitely accompany Benedict and Lilly to Wiggieville. Maybe a wire from her future husband would set her to rights and help her keep her head!
The sound of hoofbeats caught her attention and she spun toward the barn. Justin cantered his horse to about midway between them, stopped and stared at her. She stared back, her mouth half-open like an idiot’s. With a tip of his hat, he finally turned his horse and galloped away between the buildings and the open prairie.
She breathed a sigh of relief, turned – and ran right into Nate Dalton.
Seven
“You mind telling me what you’re doing out here alone?” Nate asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
The action made her feel like a child about to be scolded by a parent. “I went for a stroll,” she said and peeked past him to the house not fifty yards away. “I saw no harm in it.” Now she did, but that was after Justin’s warning …
“Well, there is harm in it, Miss Porter, and I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know the next time you decide to ‘go for a stroll.’ You never know what might be lurking in the shadows out here.”
She gulped and nodded. What could have happened months ago? Maybe she’d ask Lilly about it on the ride to Wiggieville tomorrow. “I understand. I’ll be sure to inform you if there’s a next time.”
“You do that,” he said and glanced around. “Were you talking to anyone out here?”
“Only Mr. Weaver. He told me good evening before he set out.” She decided to leave out that he’d scolded her as well – though much more nicely.
“Did he now?” Nate drawled. He shook his head as if in resignation, and Millie wondered if there was a problem with her talking with the ranch hand. Maybe it was considered improper for her to do so when out alone, even if she was, technically, surrounded by other people. All one of them had to do was look out their window and they’d be able to see them. It wasn’t that dark yet.
She swallowed again and peered past him. “If you don’t mind, I think I’d like to sit on the porch.”
“That’s what I thought you were doing.”
“Now that I know better, I’ll be sure to tell you where I’m going from now on.”
“Thank you,” he said, sweeping his hand toward the house. “Shall we?”
She followed him back, deposited herself on the porch and waited until the man went inside. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief and contemplate the tears that threatened. But she wouldn’t give into them – this wasn’t Beckham, and Nate Dalton was not her father. She was her own woman now and needed to start acting like it!
But could she help it if she’d never been away from home before, or that the thought of getting married within days to a man she’d never met scared her half to death? She leaned back in her chair. Another sat next to it, empty. She imagined Nate and Libby sitting outside each evening, enjoying each other’s company after putting Hattie to bed. A part of her yearned for the same thing, but she was still terrified.
Another thought formed, one much different, a comforting thought … Justin in the chair next to her, two small boys playing nearby ….
“No! I can’t!” she hissed at herself. She closed her eyes. Dear Lord, she prayed, please let me know I did the right thing in coming here. And keep Justin Weaver out of my head! I’m getting married after all! Amen. Done with her prayer, she got out of her chair, went to the edge of the porch and looked up at the night sky. Stars twinkled high above, and she marveled at the sight for the next hour.
* * *
Justin rode hard to the herds and should have cared more, but didn’t. Thankfully he knew this part of the Dalton spread well and didn’t have to worry about injuring his horse. The moon was bright enough to see any prairie dog holes it might stumble into.
The real danger was his heart. The dang-blasted thing refused to let go of one Millie Porter, and if he wasn’t careful it would cost him his job. He’d been warned once, and though Nate and his family were fair, they didn’t hold to disobedience in a worker. Heck, Justin didn’t hold to it either – and yet here he was, the guilty party.
He slowed his horse to a trot when the cattle came into view. Gideon would be waiting for Justin to relieve him, but first they had to find each other. He let his horse do the work and didn’t protest when the animal stopped, raised his head and pricked up his ears. A soft nicker indicated Gideon’s horse was nearby. Sure enough, the other cowboy came riding straight for him. “Evening, Justin.”
“Evenin’.”
Gideon studied him in the bright moonlight. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Does it show that bad?”
“Something does. What is it?”
“Ah, I went and let myself do something … stupid.”
“That doesn’t sound good. What happened?”
Justin gazed at the stars. “I … let myself take a fancy to one of the mail-order brides.”
“You did what?”
“I know, I know, you don’t have to tell me …”
“That it was stupid? No, I don’t, but I’m gonna. That was stupid!”
Justin sighed but said nothing.
“That Miss Porter you and Nate done fetched the other day?” Gideon asked.
“That’s the one.”
“Abel says she’s mighty pretty. I haven’t seen her yet. Figured I wouldn�
�t before she left. Always another that comes along.” He studied Justin a moment. “You fixin’ on getting yourself hitched soon?”
“No. I’d lose my job for one.”
“Yeah, that’s a problem. Not many cowboys with wives. Womenfolk don’t take kindly to all the travel.”
“We don’t do that much of it ‘cept a few drives during the year,” Justin pointed out. “Still, none of the other hands are married.” He looked at Gideon. “Do you think about marryin’?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes. But like you say, it ain’t practical for men like us. You’d best forget about that little gal quick-like. Besides, she’ll be gone in a few days anyway.”
“Yer right. I need to get her out of my head and concentrate on the job. Don’t need no wife to complicate things.”
“But who said anything about marryin’ her? She’s already taken. I’m talkin’ about keepin’ your job. Which is more important?”
Justin’s eyes opened, his heart conflicted. “Can I get back to ya on that?”
Gideon shook his head and rode off. Justin didn’t blame him one bit.
* * *
After breakfast the next morning, Benedict and Lilly fetched Millie and headed off for Wiggieville. It didn’t take near as long to get there as it would to Weatherford, only an hour. But Millie was wiping her palms on the skirt of her dress as Benedict turned the wagon onto Main Street.
“There are some wonderful fabrics at the mercantile,” Lilly said. “Maybe we could get some for you to take to California.”
“You’re too generous,” Millie replied and wiped her palms again.
“Are you nervous?” she asked.
“Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Maybe because you’re gonna wear a hole in your skirt the way you keep rubbing your hands on it,” Benedict said with a grin.
Millie quickly clasped her hands together and set them in her lap.
Lilly giggled. “I was nervous when I got married. I remember what it was like.”
“Yes, but I’m not in town today to get married, only to find out when Mr. Brown will arrive. Though what if it’s tomorrow?”
