Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection

by Davis, Susan Page; Dietze, Susanne; Franklin, Darlene

  Abigail slipped from Josiah’s hold. “Thank you, but you didn’t need to tell another falsehood.”

  Josiah sighed. Why wouldn’t she listen to his feelings? “You never gave me an answer about the social. Will you go with me?”

  Tears sprang to her eyes, wrenching his gut. “I can’t. It’s best we let this façade go.”

  He wanted to tell her it wasn’t a façade. That he really did want to marry her and stay in Turtle Springs. But, he held his tongue and let her leave. She’d be at the celebration. He’d get her to dance with him. Then, as the sun set over the prairie, he’d tell her how much he loved her.

  He headed back to the church to cast his vote, knowing as he did that it was futile. The saloon would win. The danger to the strong-minded, beautiful mayor would rise.

  The hardest part of knowing was the fact he couldn’t do anything to change the runaway locomotive heading straight for Turtle Springs … and the woman he loved.

  Chapter 10

  Abby did her best to avoid Josiah, but a yearning to see him drew her regularly to her office window. Every day he sat on the bench outside the jail, pretending to lounge. She now knew he watched everything that occurred up and down the street.

  Jane Ransome stopped and spoke to Josiah, the sun highlighting her dark hair. Josiah tilted back his hat and smiled. They made a beautiful couple. Jane was much more suited to the sheriff than bossy Abby.

  “Why are you so sad?” Lucy glanced up from where she filed papers. “Is it because your beau was a crook?”

  “No, sweetie. It’s not because of Mr. Nelson.” Abby sighed and turned away from the window. There were too many reasons to load onto the shoulders of a child.

  “The sheriff, then.” Lucy gave a definitive nod. “You’re sad because I want to marry him. Well, you can have him. I’d rather have Josiah as a brother-in-law than nothing at all.”

  Abby chuckled. “You are the dearest sister, but I’m afraid I’ve ruined it with him.” Her heart lurched. “You’ll find the perfect groom when you’re of marrying age.” Maybe Lucy would have more luck in matters of the heart.

  A commotion outside drew both of them back to the window. A man approached Josiah then the men raced toward the saloon, leaving Jane standing on the sidewalk. The woman shrugged and headed for the mercantile.

  “Stay here.” Abby slapped her straw hat on her head and stepped out to the sidewalk.

  Josiah pulled a board away from the saloon window and peered inside. “I don’t see anything.”

  The man, a newcomer in town, said, “I’m telling you I saw a light. Someone’s living in there or”—his eyes widened—“I’ve heard tell of whiskey flowing.”

  From a closed-up saloon? Abby stepped forward. “Perhaps Mr. Watson is up to his old tricks.”

  “Oh hello, Abigail.” Josiah shook his head. “No, the man has been a regular pillar of society since I helped him find work. If someone is selling liquor, it isn’t him.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Hang around after dark, I reckon.”

  “Then, you’d best hang out in the clearing a few yards behind the building.” The other man snapped his suspenders. “I see lights here and there. My guess is the men are hanging in the woods but they’re drinking.”

  Abby headed for the clearing.

  “What are you doing?” Josiah grabbed her arm.

  “Making sure the saloon hasn’t moved outdoors. As the mayor, this is something I cannot allow.” She pulled free. “I’ll just take a peek and then you can come back tonight and arrest the scoundrels, if there are any.”

  He made a sound deep in his throat. “Lord protect me from stubborn women. Stay behind me, Abigail.” His hand on the butt of his gun, he parted the foliage.

  Thick muscles rippling under his shirt drew her gaze. The way his hair curled right before brushing his collar. She closed her eyes, pretending for just a moment that she’d accepted his declaration of love as real. But, alas, the man was prone to tall tales, and his words were nothing more than a falsehood.

  The silly advertisement in the paper had brought her nothing but heartache. When would she learn to be still and wait for God to act?

  “It does look as if folks have been here.” Josiah motioned to sawed logs used as seats. Cigar butts littered the ground. He turned back toward the saloon. “There isn’t any liquor stored in there. I checked last week.”

  “My guess is Mr. Nelson and his friend are conducting business whether I approve their petition or not.” Abby planted her fists on her hips. “I intend to confront them immediately.”

  Josiah narrowed his eyes. “You’ll do no such thing. This is my job as the sheriff. Go back to your office and sign papers or something.”

  Her mouth fell open. She snapped it shut. What happened to the kind Josiah? This one was positively cruel. “Hmmph!” She whirled and stomped away. And to think she’d actually had second thoughts about dancing with him at the upcoming social. The man could take a turn around the dance floor with a pig for all she cared.

  “What’s wrong?” Lucy asked, the moment Abby returned.

  “Men drinking in the woods behind the saloon.” Abby plopped into a chair. “Nothing to concern yourself about.”

  “I saw two men carrying crates the other day when I was walking home from school. I heard the clanking of bottles, but didn’t think anything of it.”

  “Really? Where were they coming from?”

  “The shed behind the school.”

  Mercy. Abby dashed back to Josiah. “The liquor is being kept behind the school.”

  “I told you to let me handle this.” He took her by the arm and led her back to the sidewalk. “Abigail, I’m serious. This is dangerous business. These men want that saloon and they’ll do anything to get it. Guess who stands in their way? You.”

  “Surely they won’t harm me. The votes favored the yay side.”

  “Have you signed the petition?”

  She smiled. “No, I’m not going to either, at least, not for a very long time.”

  “Stalling will get you killed.”

  “Stalling will keep down the crime.”

  “Yeah, it’s worked well so far. I’ve two drunks in jail right now.”

  She took her bottom lip between her teeth. “So, you knew about this?”

  “I suspected, yes. I’ll check out the school as soon as you go back to your office.”

  She shook her head. “I’m coming with you.”

  “Abigail, please, let me do my job.” He turned and marched away from her.

  She quick-stepped to catch up with him. “I’m sorry, but you’re stuck with me. I’m the mayor, and I insist on accompanying you.” She’d do pretty much anything to spend time with him, even if it angered him. How pathetic was she?

  He turned to face her, his eyes darkening. He looked so long, so intensely, that she flushed. “Do I have something on my face?”

  “No. You’re driving me loco.” He took a deep breath. “I’d kiss you if I thought it would make you mad enough to go back where you belong.” His gaze settled on her lips.

  Her stomach quivered. A kiss wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Except, she shouldn’t encourage him. She’d had her say. The town now knew they weren’t engaged. In fact, she’d heard two women gossiping just yesterday that Abigail Melton was fickle and couldn’t choose between two suitors. She closed her eyes and took a step back.

  Why wasn’t she saying anything? Instead, Abigail looked like a beaten dog.

  Josiah rubbed his chin. “All right, you can come with me. There’s no reason for the long face.” He couldn’t bear for her to be unhappy.

  “I’ll do as you say. I promise.”

  “Wonderful. Now, chin up. Let’s find some liquor.” He chucked her under the chin and grinned. “You’ll need spunk to get through what’s coming.”

  “You really think I’m in danger?”

  “Yep.” He turned and led the way to the school. Nosing around with him
only increased that danger, but crazy as it was, he enjoyed her tagging along. “Where?”

  “The shed in back. I have a key.” She pulled a key ring from her pocket and fished for one to unlock a padlock. Within seconds, Josiah swung open the wood-slated door.

  Inside were piled crates of bottles filled with liquor. Josiah sighed. “Help me dump this out by the creek.”

  “Where did it come from?”

  “It’s moonshine, not fine whiskey. Someone is brewing their own.”

  “Nelson and Harper?”

  “Maybe.” He glanced around them. Where would they have built their still? Leaving Abby to follow, he hefted a crate and headed for the thick brush. “You can pour while I carry,” he told her. “Keep an eye out for two-legged predators.”

  An hour later, Josiah leaned over the creek and splashed cool water on his perspiring face.

  Abby squatted next to him and dabbed her face and neck with a handkerchief soaked in the stream. “It’s hot.”

  He choked as she dribbled water down the neckline of her blouse. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?”

  “What?” Her eyes widened.

  “That?” He pointed at the lace-trimmed handkerchief. Everything she did sent his heart racing like a thoroughbred. The way she walked, tilted her head … washed at the creek. It was as if she tried to drive him crazy on purpose.

  Before he could think and change his mind, he grabbed her close, entwined his hands in her hair, and kissed her. Not a nice, sweet little kiss, either. He put everything he felt and wanted into the kiss. When she released a moan deep in her throat, he stepped back. “Think about that when you lie down to sleep tonight, Abigail.” He tilted an invisible hat and strolled, whistling, to town.

  Footsteps pounded behind him. Abigail rushed in front of him, slapped his chest, and head held high, continued before him. “Think about that!”

  He laughed, startling a mockingbird from a nearby tree. Oh yes, Miss Melton was definitely going to lose some sleep over that kiss. He rubbed his chest where she’d smacked him. He might lose a few winks himself.

  Dusk found Josiah hunkered down near the clearing behind the saloon. Since he and Abigail had dumped the moonshine, he didn’t hold out much hope anyone would show up. Then Nelson and Harper strode into the clearing and set a lantern in the center.

  Another man barged in behind them. “It’s all gone. Every last drop. Someone saw the mayor and sheriff dumping it all out.”

  “And they didn’t think to stop them?” Harper’s eyes glittered in the light of the lamp.

  “No, sir. They didn’t want to get shot.”

  “Imbecile.” Harper kicked at a rock. “Those two cost me a fair bit of change. They’re going to pay for it, too. Once we get the treasure …”

  “Are you sure there is a treasure?” Nelson asked. “I’ve not seen any sign of it since you told me. Not even a map. What if it’s all hearsay?”

  “It isn’t.” Harper shoved him. “My pa told me about it when I was a young’un. We’ve looked all over this town. It has to be in the saloon. That’s the only business that’s boarded up. Why else would the mayor be so against reopening?”

  Because of lowlifes like you, Josiah wanted to say. He’d never heard tell of a treasure in Turtle Springs. The man was a few nails short of a bushel, and that made him very dangerous.

  Josiah shoved back and got to his feet, once he was clear of being seen. He’d searched the saloon himself after being told about a light. Nothing but cobwebs and dust. Not even a single whisky glass left on the shelf. Abigail was in danger because of a fairy tale.

  Chapter 11

  Abby smoothed the skirt of her deep-green dress and glanced at the buffet table set up in the churchyard. Her stomach rumbled. She couldn’t go over there with Josiah filling his plate. Not after the way she acted yesterday. All he’d wanted to do was help.

  If she ever hoped to win his heart, she needed to let go of some of her independence and rely on the help of another. Not all the time, mind you, but there were times it was prudent.

  Every bit in her wanted to take back that she’d said anything about a façade. Why couldn’t she keep her mouth closed long enough to let the man speak?

  She’d seen the warmth of his eyes when he looked upon her. Was it fear that kept her sharp tongue from letting him get close? She squared her shoulders. Abigail Melton was a lot of things, but coward was not one of them.

  Grinning like a loon, she took her first steps toward the man she was determined to profess her love to. A sharp object in her ribcage stopped her.

  “Don’t let on there’s a gun to your back, Miss Melton.” Nelson jabbed her ribs. “Keep smiling and come with me.”

  Abby met Josiah’s gaze across the dance floor, widened her eyes, and nodded, praying, hoping, he could see the fear in them. “What do you want with me?”

  “A serious conversation, my dear.” He led her around to the back of the church where a buggy waited. “Climb on up and let’s go.”

  This is what she got for barging ahead with a foolish plan without waiting for God to answer. Kidnapping! She pretended to have difficulty climbing into the wagon in her skirts until Nelson grabbed her wrist and dragged her up to the driver’s seat, as if she were nothing more than a sack of feed. Her shin banged against the wheel rim. Pain shot through her leg.

  “No need to be so rough.” She yanked her hand away.

  “Hold on tight, dear.” He slapped the reins against the backs of the dray horses. They bolted down Main Street, scattering pedestrians like chaff in the wind.

  Abby gripped the seat and closed her eyes, certain they’d tip and be crushed. A few minutes later, she peeled one eye open. They’d left town and were continuing at a fast pace away from Turtle Springs … and Josiah.

  “Where are we going?”

  Nelson cut her a sideways glance. “Somewhere private. Harper is waiting for us.”

  “I have no need to speak with him.” She swallowed past the dread in her throat.

  “He wants to speak to you all right. The boss is angry that you poured out all his liquor. Took us weeks to make that much.” Nelson laughed and whipped the horses again. “Got to make some distance before that sheriff comes looking. When he does, we’ll kill him. Whether we shoot you will depend on you.”

  “All because of a saloon?” She turned her head. The two men were crazy. “Why not go to another town? Turtle Springs isn’t large enough to make you rich.”

  “Harper wants this town. A town full of new men besotted with new brides. They’ll be easier to con out of their money.”

  “Ridiculous.”

  The wagon slowed then turned down a path through the trees. “Get out.” Nelson aimed his gun at her. “We walk from here.”

  If she got her hands on that gun she’d shoot him herself. Bunching her skirts in her hand, she jumped to the ground. Her dress snagged on a loose nail in the wagon bed. She ripped it free and trudged ahead, Nelson following her.

  Night was falling. Without gas lanterns lighting the way, the woods were full of shadows and strange sounds. Her stomach growled again, louder this time.

  “Just keep going straight. You’ll run into a cabin about the time you see it. If you’re good, maybe Harper will spare a bit of beans to fill the hole in your stomach.”

  She didn’t want anything from either of the crooks. There still had to be more to their lawbreaking than a simple saloon. She stopped. “You want my job.”

  “You’re a smart one, you are.” He shoved her forward.

  “Then run against me. Why go to all this trouble?”

  “I also came here to get me a wife. You’re the one I picked and you tossed me aside like a dirty rag.”

  “You kidnapped me because I won’t marry you?” She tossed a look over her shoulder. “There are plenty of women in this town. I’m not taking one more step until you tell me the truth.”

  “We want your father’s map, Miss Melton.” Harper stepped out
of the shadows. “The one with the combination to a safe that is under the floor of the saloon. Now, how is that for a truth?”

  “Unfortunately, you’ve wasted your time. There is nothing buried under the saloon. That’s a rumor from ages ago. Surely you understand that many men have searched for the so-called treasure.”

  He sighed. “Let’s get inside before we’re discovered. You’ll tell us what we want to know soon enough.”

  “I’ll show you if you take me back to town.” She planted fists on her hips. “There is no gold.” Surely her father would have said something if there was truth to the story.

  Harper’s eyes glittered in the moonlight. “Let’s head back. Only we’ll leave the wagon behind. We’ll be less likely to be seen on horseback. Once the sheriff finds this place, he’ll never think of us heading back.”

  He would if he spotted the words Abby traced in the dirt under her skirt. Taking care to step over them, she dropped her hair ribbon and walked between the two men to a pair of saddled horses.

  “She’ll ride with you, Nelson.” Harper swung into the saddle.

  “Up, Miss Melton.” Nelson kept his gun trained on her then mounted the horse behind her.

  Abby groaned inwardly. If she could have ridden behind him, sliding off and dashing into the trees would have been a simple task. Now, she was forced to have his arms around her, a bit too snugly for her taste, all the way back to town.

  Would they really shoot her once they discovered there was no gold? Her eyes widened. What if there actually was? Would they take it and leave her be?

  By the time Josiah fetched his horse from the livery, there was no sign of Abigail or Nelson. Fear choked him.

  “They took off like the hounds of Hades were on their heels,” Mrs. Bombay said. “That way. Almost knocked me right out of my shoes. My guess is they’re eloping.”

  He doubted that. “Thank you.” Josiah swung into the saddle and galloped in the direction the woman had pointed. He sent a prayer of thanksgiving heavenward for the moon and starlight. Without them, he’d be riding blind and putting not only himself at risk, but his horse.