A Groom for Linda (The Blizzard Brides Book 4)

by Lynn Donovan

  “No, sweetheart. Thank you.” Linda stammered.

  “Aunt Linda?” Darcy’s brow furrowed. “You’re related to her, too?”

  “It’s my sister Hollie’s diner. Jenny was orphaned in the first storm and since she was already working for Hollie after school, and Hollie didn’t have any children of her own, she took three of the orphans home with her, including sweet Jenny.”

  Darcy shook his head with a frown. “This town has really been put through the ringer.”

  Linda stared at him. “Yes, Mister Darcy, we have.” She considered him a moment. “And maybe your Mister Taylor has, too. This town is called Last Chance, because when the wagon train came through here, it was the people’s last chance to leave the procession before it got really harsh in the Rocky Mountains. Maybe it’s a last chance for Mister Taylor to start over and live a better life. Who knows?”

  “That’s not my call, Missus Applebee. He’s a wanted criminal.”

  “Don’t you think he might deserve an opportunity to tell his side of the story? My husband would have at least listened to what the man had to say—”

  “I’m not your husband.”

  Her temper boiled in her gut. The heat pressed into her cheeks. She gritted her teeth and stared at him. “Clearly! You are not.” She stood and walked out of the diner. It wasn’t until she slammed her front door closed that she realized she hadn’t eaten. “Shoot! And it smelled so good.”

  A tap on her back door jolted her nerves. She cautiously walked toward it and saw Becca’s silhouette through the curtain. She opened the door to find her sister with a plate covered by a tea towel. “We had plenty, I thought I’d bring you some.”

  “It was you who had a surplus of fish and gave it to Tuck!”

  “Yeah, how’d you know?”

  “Because I just came from the diner, but I didn’t eat.”

  Becca entered Linda’s kitchen and put the plate on the stove to help keep it warm. “Why on earth did you not eat?”

  Linda hesitated. “Because the gentleman I was dining with made me mad.”

  Becca tipped her head back. “I see. Well, hang on to your temper, ’cause I got something else to tell you.”

  “What?” She dreaded hearing whatever her sister had to say.

  “I took your intended fishing today. And… I think he likes me.”

  “Really?” Linda did her best to suppress the smile that taunted her mouth.

  Becca squeezed her eyes and glared at Linda. “And… that doesn’t upset you? Hmmm. I’d say we do not have a problem after all.”

  Linda considered her sister’s statement. “Do you like Charlie T. Cairn?” She said his name in a mocking way.

  “Actually, I think I do.”

  “Well, good.” Linda blew out a sigh of relief. “But let’s not tell anybody yet. Pastor Collins thinks I’m being courted by Charlie, and Pastor thinks your intended is still on his way. We’ll work it all out eventually.”

  “All right, but you’re supposed to go on a picnic with Charlie tomorrow. He’s already rented the buggy.”

  Linda thought. “How about you come along as chaperone. But in truth, it’ll be me chaperoning you two.”

  Becca glared even harder. “You sure about this?”

  “I’m positive.” Linda sat at her small table and began eating the fish her sister had prepared. “Hmmm. This is so good.”

  Becca’s eyes widened. “You’re mad, you know that?”

  “No, I’m not.” Linda said around her food. “I’m practical. Besides, I have a feeling my intended is here in town, it’s just not Charlie.”

  “Oh really?” Becca said in a sing-song manner as she pulled out a chair and sat down, resting her chin on her hands. “Do, tell me more.”

  

  Becca flipped the reins on the black stallion’s back to coax him to pull the buggy out of the livery barn. Charlie stood in the livery yard fidgeting with his hat in nervous hands. “This is rather awkward, Miss Becca. Now that… well, you know.”

  “No, it’s not.” Becca hopped down from the buggy. She wore her usual split riding skirt although this one was blue whereas the one yesterday was green. He liked those skirts on her. Then again, he would probably like a flour sack on her. His heart had turned somersaults just thinking about seeing her this morning in order to pick up the buggy for his and Linda Applebee’s picnic. He was courting the wrong woman.

  “What do you mean?” Charlie stammered.

  “I’m going with you.”

  “You are? Why?”

  “Somebody’s gotta chaperone you two crazy kids!” She laughed and punched him in the arm.

  “Che-chaperone? What? I don’t think I understand.”

  “Silly. I talked to Linda last night. She is fine with this. Her heart is telling her something completely different…”

  Charlie frowned. “So… she’s not mad?

  “Well, yes, she’s mad, but not the angry kind.”

  He stared at her, trying to make sense of what she said. “So… she’s not angry?”

  Becca smiled. “Right. Come on Charlie, let’s go take your intended on a picnic.” She laughed and climbed into the trundle seat behind the passenger.

  Charlie gawked at her. She leaned around and waved her arm. “Come on.”

  He smiled, thinking maybe he understood. Climbing into the buggy he slapped the rein on the midnight black horse’s backside and steered him into the street and halted in front of the very next house. The Applebee house. He hopped out, glancing back at Becca. She gestured for him to go on. He walked to the door, lifting his fist to rap on the wood frame. Linda popped the door open before he knocked. “Did you get a basket from Tuck?”

  He nodded.

  “Great. Let’s go.” She took his arm and let him escort her to the buggy. “Morning, sister,” Linda said without making eye contact.

  “Morning.” Becca said from the trundle.

  Charlie assisted her into the buggy and climbed into the other side. He slapped the reins and guided the horse south out of town toward Chimney Rock.

  Linda waved at couples who were shopping along Stagecoach Road. Charlie waved, too. He thought maybe he was catching on. Linda and her sister wanted to make a show of their leaving town. Word traveled quickly in towns like Last Chance and they were counting on this Pastor Collins learning that Linda Applebee was being courted by Charlie. But what about Becca? How did these sisters plan to explain when Charlie began courting Becca? Perhaps this was a subject they could discuss when they stopped for their picnic.

  Chapter Nine

  Michael took a morning constitutional walk every morning, afternoon, and evening before sunset. He was familiarizing himself with the town and the people. He wanted to know who were already residents here so that when a new face appeared, he’d know it. Robert Taylor’s face was only a line drawing, but Michael was confident he would recognize the man when he saw him.

  The grooms-to-be were instructed to begin at the church. The single women, who were still expecting their intendeds to come to Last Chance, gathered there every day. It only made sense for Michael to keep an eye on the small white building.

  Just like every other town he had traveled through, there were the older gentlemen who played a board game outside of the mercantile, they and the barber knew most everybody’s business, there was always an elderly widow woman who knew more details than the barber. She could be found hanging out small loads of her wash on a daily basis, in order to find a willing ear to hear what she had to say. Michael made sure he knew who these people were and that they knew him. He was the willing ear to hear what their tongues were burning to share.

  Word got out almost immediately that he had been an attorney at law. Talk began just as quickly about him taking the sheriff’s position. In his walking about town, he had looked through the windows of the sheriff’s office and jailhouse. There were houses nearby that he could purchase for close proximity to his work, should he decide to take them up
on their offer. It wasn’t so far from his original dream of living out west. This town, Last Chance, was definitely out west. But did he want to go back into a job where he sat at a desk rather than riding the open plains?

  These people were good people. He had concerns about Otis Ignatius Graham. He always seemed to be deep in the cup. Michael noticed some nights, the man staggered down to the jailhouse and let himself in. Michael looked in to see what the man did once inside, and found Otis passed out on the cot in the cell. The door to the cell was open, but he was inside. The man seemed to arrest himself for drunk and disorderly conduct and put himself in the cell, with no fuss or bother.

  Knowing Otis had voluntarily checked himself in, Michael would rise the next morning from his hotel bed, go down to the diner and ask Tuck for a tray of whatever he could spare. Michael then took the tray down to the jail and left it on the desk. He noticed later those mornings that Otis was gone and the food was eaten. Michael smiled to himself.

  Even the criminals take care of their convictions in this town. Michael chuckled at the thought. Would arresting Robert Taylor be this easy? Somehow, he knew it would be very different with Taylor.

  Another interesting development was becoming obvious to Michael. Linda Applebee was no longer being courted by Charlie T. Cairn. Her sister, Becca, who lived at the livery now, was. Linda Applebee didn’t go to the church every day like the other single women. So, what was she up to?

  Michael didn’t want to ask. He didn’t want to draw attention to the rebellious little vixen. It was clear what the pastor of the town thought about unmarried women in town. Michael would not stir that pot. It was going to take a special sort of fellow to marry that Linda Applebee. She was bullheaded, willful, opinionated, and rather daring. Yet, he saw something that day he met her that indicated she had a vulnerable spot in her heart that not too many people were allowed to see… or touch. Her sisters, of course, and the few nieces and nephews, whether they were blood-related or the orphans her sister had taken in. Linda was a voracious protector of her family.

  He admired that about her. In fact, if he was to be perfectly honest, he liked everything about Linda Applebee. But he was here to capture and return a criminal. That was his mission and his purpose for holding up in Last Chance. Just because nearly the entire town was filled with widows and young women searching for a husband was no reason for him to get caught up in the excitement of so many couples’ courting. There were weddings right and left. Some days there were a few men who entered town and went to the church. Other days, they came in droves. Michael fell into a rhythm of watching and listening for Robert Taylor to be one of them.

  So far, that had not happened. At least, not to Michael’s knowledge. What he did know was that Pastor Collins had a growing suspicion that Linda Applebee was no longer being courted. It wasn’t any of his business. He was here to catch a criminal. Not to protect the virtues of a widowed woman who fascinated him to no end.

  

  The pews at church were filling to capacity on Sundays. Couples were doubling the population of Last Chance. Michael sat further and further toward the back to leave room for the new couples to sit toward the front. Pastor Collins’ messages were no surprise. He followed a course of bible lessons, always making three points from a passage and always reminding the people they could never live up to the standards of the Good Lord. They needed Him in order to be saved from their sins. It was the same message Michael had grown up with, and it had a comforting effect on his soul. Familiar.

  After service, the people gathered in the basement since it was too cold outside with long tables and a lot of food brought from home for a fellowship potluck dinner, mostly beef dishes. Michael coerced Tuck into allowing him to buy a pan of something that Tuck created and bringing it as Michael’s contribution. Whether he intended it or not, he was becoming a part of the community while he waited for Robert Taylor to show up for his intended.

  Had the man changed his mind? Did someone let it leak that Michael was waiting for him? No way to tell, but this husband hunt had been his best lead, and something in his gut told him it wasn’t time to give up yet. Heather Barnes could be seen in town, alone. So, Michael concluded his prey had not come to court her yet.

  “Well, I say, Missus Applebee.” Michael heard the pastor’s voice. There was an edge to the man of god’s voice that Michael had not heard before. It drew his attention and so he listened. Linda stood among some women, serving the others from the assortment of dishes. She looked frightened. Michael’s heart slammed against his ribs, and before he knew it, he marched up to the pastor to see what had Linda so afraid.

  “I believe I made it very clear, Missus Applebee, that unmarried women were nothing but trouble to a western town such as ours. If you are not being courted by a gentleman, you are a threat to the peace of our town. Now, I have been very patient with you for long enough. You need to pack your things and take the next stagecoach south to the east bound train.”

  “But Pastor Collins. I’ve not caused any problems in town. I-I have nowhere to go, I—”

  Michael’s gut roiled. How dare the pastor accost Mrs. Applebee in such a public display. Before he knew what was happening , Michael was speaking, “Linda, Darling!” He prayed what he was about to do was not the biggest mistake he’d ever made in his life. He walked up beside Linda and pulled her up next to him, giving her a firm squeeze. “Perhaps, now’s the time to let the cat out of the bag.” He chuckled.

  Linda gawked at him with her mouth open. “Wha—”

  He turned as if to nibble her neck and whispered in her ear. “Go along with me.” Turning to the pastor, Michael simply stated, “Pastor Collins, Linda and I have been keeping a secret. We’ve kept it from everybody.” He projected his voice louder so everyone present would hear him. “I have been courting Missus Applebee, quietly, discretely. We didn’t want to make a huge public thing about it. For the sake of her sisters and… well, you know how private Linda is.” He winked at Heather who stood nearby as if she were about to pounce on Michael in order to save Linda from something, she didn’t yet know what.

  Heather seemed to relax. Pastor folded his hand in front of his hips. “Well! I see. I had no idea this was taking place. You two certainly were discrete about this courtship. So discrete, Butch didn’t even know about it.” Pastor laughed. “And when a barber doesn’t know, who could possibly be aware?” He gestured with open hands.

  Michael pulled Linda tighter against his side. “Well, Pastor, I apologize for the illusion. We were waiting for the right time and place.” Michael let his eyes rove over the people who all were gaping at them by now. “But…” He turned to Linda. “Sweetheart, I guess now’s the time.” He dropped to one knee. “Linda Blanchard Applebee, will you marry me?”

  Linda’s eyes went big as saucers. She glanced at the pastor and back to Michael. Plastering on a smile, she blurted. “Yes.”

  He leapt to his feet and pulled her into his chest. “Oh, Linda. You’ve made me the happiest man in all of Nebraska, Shoot, the world!”

  The people laughed and clapped. The pastor glared at them both. Did he buy the act? “Well, how wonderful for you, Missus Applebee. Why don’t we just cut to the chase. There’s no reason to make you two obvious lovebirds wait any longer. We’ve had so many weddings here lately, I’m sure we’ve got some decorations and you’re already dressed in your Sunday best. Let’s just take this upstairs to the sanctuary and pronounce you Man and Wife.”

  Michael stared at the pastor. What? He glanced at Linda. Sheer terror filled her eyes. He shrugged. “Why not?”

  And he meant it. Push come to shove, he had to admit, he had fallen in love with this woman. While he had not actually courted her, he knew he wanted to marry her. This might not have been the way he would have gone about it, but if it saved her from being treated like an unwanted harlot, then he would marry her. Here and now. He turned to the pastor who looked smug, like he had called their bluff. “You’re right. Why wait? Li
nda and I are ready to begin our life together, let’s go back into the sanctuary and turn this fellowship potluck into a wedding feast.”

  Linda staggered at his side. He was afraid she was in shock. They walked up to the altar and the pastor joined them. Arnold and Peggy Blanchard stood on the bride’s side. Her sisters and her nieces and nephews, Michael would have to get to know better, sat with them. Tuck sat himself on the groom’s side and Michael tipped his head toward the man in gratitude. The rest of the congregation returned to their seats in the sanctuary and the Pastor cleared his throat.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and man to join these two in holy matrimony…”

  Chapter Ten

  Linda and Michael ran out of the church. Someone had hitched a horse to a carriage and had it waiting outside of the church with a large sign that read, Just Married. Shoes and tin cans were tied to thick twine and trailed behind the carriage. Without missing a beat, Linda ran toward the carriage and Michael helped her climb in. He flopped down beside her as the driver flipped the reins and the carriage lunged forward. The people cheered as they pulled away, heading east down Main Street. Where were they going?

  Linda turned to Mr. Darcy. “What now?”

  He looked completely caught up in the moment, grinning like a cat who ate the canary. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, surely you didn’t mean any of that. You were just saving me from Pastor Collin’s banishment.”

  Michael’s jovial expression sobered. “At first, I was. But I did mean what I said. Believe it or not, Missus Applebee—

  “Darcy.”

  He paused.

  “I’m Missus Darcy now.”