by Cherie Shaw
“I see the young Lieutenant has spotted our women in the stage. Well, he doesn’t need to be bothering them.” Logan growled.
“I’m sure he means no harm, only being friendly.” Claude ventured, as he chuckled inwardly.
Logan continued scowling, until he noticed that the shotgun rider, Wolf, had quickly dropped to the ground, from his seat on the stage, and was rapidly approaching the young Lieutenant, his working rifle in hand pointed dangerously at the young officer. He waved the weapon from the officer, pointing it in the direction of the military troop, motioning him in no uncertain terms to return to his group.
The young red-faced Lieutenant nodded at the ladies in the stage, then walked hurriedly, posture straight as a board, to his troop, and Logan then grinned, as he noted the Colonel talking in no uncertain terms, to the young officer.
Once seated back in the stage, Logan heard Olivia say to Amelia, as she batted her long eyelashes, “My, that was a nice-looking young officer, wasn’t he, Auntie dear? So polite and respectful.” Logan scowled again and kept the expression during the remainder of the ride to the town of Nowhere.
In the still of a cool and somewhat wet autumn evening, the tired team pulled the creaking stage to a rumbling halt in front of the small two-story ‘Nowhere’ hotel, with its faded sign, and rough siding.
The travelers remembered that, though the exterior of the establishment had not been in the most presentable condition, the rooms had been clean and, in the restaurant, the waitress had made a pot of tea and brought beef sandwiches to them. With a little luck, maybe they would now have the same fare. Leaving early in the morning, and not taking the train as it would be going out of their way, they would be heading north on a different stage route. The journey would be long and Olivia, at times, wondered why she hadn’t just stayed on at the ‘Triple-B’. She missed Maria terribly and needed her companionship and wise advice as never before. Well, she would see her again in the spring, and, of course, her dear Amelia was with her.
Logan had assured them that winter would soon cover the whole of Wyoming with a thickness of white snow as far as the eye could see, and there would be no travel to return to the ranch until the spring thaw. Olivia was suddenly ashamed of herself. What was she thinking of? Her uncle seemed to be enjoying himself, and Logan had been away from his home for many years. She needed to get hold of herself. Well, that young blonde officer would be here in town, maybe eat at the restaurant, while they were there. She hadn’t gotten his name and Logan hadn’t seemed to take a liking to the cavalry officer, and, for some reason, had even frowned at the poor young man though he hadn’t even met him. Interesting!
‘Perhaps,’ Olivia thought to herself, as she entered the hotel, on the arm of her uncle, ‘if I could get the officer’s name, then introduce him to Logan, maybe the two men would at least be friendly to one another. Well, then again, maybe not.’ She hesitated a moment, then thought again to herself, ‘I wonder if the Cavalry will be traveling the same way we will be going in the morning.’
Wolf, without a word, wearing his usual sour expression, had already disappeared through the bat-wing doors of the nearest saloon, so Logan helped carry the luggage into the hotel as Claude walked in with his wife and niece to arrange for rooms. He had wired ahead so accommodations should have been ready.
As Logan stepped onto the board walk, loaded down with bags, he noted the two well-armed men from the rear seat in the stage. They hadn’t said much on the trip and had only nodded and waved as they walked away, toting saddlebags and two saddles they had lifted from atop of the stage. The two were now walking towards the Sheriff’s small building at the far end of the road.
Logan would bet the two were Texas Rangers, hell-bent on a mission. He’d seen enough Rangers in the past to know one or two when he saw them. Each toted a Winchester rifle and a six-gun in a worn holster with plenty of ammo in their belts. He figured each had a silver star in his vest pocket. At times they worked undercover, as did Logan’s friend, Jake Welby. Watching the two as they entered the Sheriff’s office brought back old memories for Logan. His thoughts then turned to Olivia, and he wondered why her attitude towards him had, once again, changed. He’d never really understood women and probably never would.
As Logan managed to open the door to the hotel, he heard the sound of pounding hooves in the road, and, looking back, he noted the Cavalry troop entering town at a gallop with the young blonde Lieutenant now in the lead, eager eyes front, back straight. Logan began scowling again. “Well, you dashing young ladies’ man,” he mumbled, “let’s see you figure out her haughty ways. She’ll stomp on your pretty face, and make you like it.” Logan let the door of the hotel lobby slam shut behind him as he dropped the bags onto the floor, making enough noise to wake all inhabitants of ‘Boot Hill.’
Walking briskly past Olivia, not looking at her even though her head turned slightly his way, Logan approached the hotel desk as Claude was walking away holding three keys. He handed a key to Logan, saying, “Here you are, son, this is for your room. First one at the head of the stairs.
“Sir, you didn’t have to do that. I would have gotten my own room.” Logan frowned.
“Nonsense, Logan, don’t be so proud. You can pay for my dinner then, if you feel the need. Believe me; you have more than helped me, you and Ricardo both, when you got my ranch back for me. I doubt if I could have done that without your help.” Claude stated firmly.
“Ricardo and I were glad to help you in any way we could, sir. You should know that, and, as for dinner, it’s a deal. I’d be pleased.” Logan answered as he turned and walked toward the stairs, though on second thought he strode over to retrieve the carpetbags and one small trunk he had abandoned just inside the door. “I’ll haul these up the stairs.” He said offhand to Claude, who had started to protest, but Logan was already halfway up the stairs before he could get the words out.
Claude shook his head, and chuckled as he took Amelia’s arm in his, Olivia on the other arm, then strode toward the stairway. “That young man really has it bad.” He leaned and whispered into his wife’s ear.
“I can’t hear a word you are saying, you old fool. Speak louder so we all can hear.” Amelia retorted loudly, then giggled.
Olivia pulled away from her uncle’s grasp, and, clutching the front of her skirt with both hands, began hurriedly climbing the stairway to the second floor. As she reached the top, Logan was setting the bags on the floor in front of her room and she gave a very briskly grudging, “Thank you!” Sticking her nose in the air, she shoved past him, then on into her room, without her luggage, slamming the door hard behind her.
Logan hesitated, then gave a light tap on her door. “Who is it?” She questioned sweetly. However, Claude had walked over, and said, “I’ll take the bags in, Logan my boy, and thanks for your help.” Then as Logan nodded and walked away, Claude turned and called out, “This is your Uncle Claude, Ollie, open the door and I’ll bring in your luggage.”
“Oh!” Olivia sheepishly opened the door to admit her uncle, feeling rather foolish and ashamed of the way she was acting. Maybe she was just tired and needed a good meal. After leaving her bags with her, Claude left to go to his and Amelia’s room, after making arrangements to escort his niece to the dining room in one hour.
Olivia wondered again if the young Lieutenant would be in the dining room at dinner time. She’d seen the Cavalry soldiers riding into town, and thought again how attractive the young officer was, but then in her mind, she quietly compared his looks to Logan’s darkly handsome features and realized at once that had been a mistake. She knew in her heart that there could never be another to compare to the cowboy.
‘Oh he can be so frustrating at times.’ She inwardly stormed, as she prepared to change for dinner, wishing that somehow she could avoid going to the dining room, but she knew there was no chance of that. She was also very hungry. Wishing she could make amends for her actions, she also knew that she would be forever doomed to apologizing ever
y time she lost her temper, if she gave in even once. Uncle Claude always accepted her independence, so why couldn’t Logan? Even her brother, Garth, thought her temperament very acceptable and, at times, downright entertaining.
One hour later, Olivia, accompanied by her uncle and Amelia, descended the stairs. They noticed the young blonde Lieutenant standing in the lobby. When he spotted Olivia, he rapidly approached, speaking to her uncle after flashing her a gleaming white, and obviously well-practiced, smile.
“How are you, sir?” He spoke, reaching out a hand. “My name is Lieutenant Augustus Harrigan, recent graduate of West Point Military Academy, and presently assigned to Colonel Winters’ Cavalry Troop, whom you met on the trail.”
“How do you do, Lieutenant.” Ignoring the outstretched hand, Claude continued to hold onto his wife’s arm, and Olivia’s, as he continued, “I am Lord Claude Beckford, of London, England, and may I present my wife, Lady Amelia Beckford, and my niece, the Duchess of Beckford Manor, Olivia Worthington. We are pleased to meet a member of the American Military.”
Claude’s expression was bland, and bored, as he immensely enjoyed watching the effect of his statement, on the young Lieutenant’s face, just as he had planned. The officer’s pained expression was enhanced with bitter frustration as he stuttered, not knowing whether to salute, shake hands, bow, or run for the nearest saloon. He chose the latter, as he backed towards the door, and said, “Oh, I…..wasn’t aware. It’s a pleasure, sir, and uh…..ladies.” However, with a return of bravery, he moved forward again, then began a much rehearsed speech, “I was wondering if you would allow me to escort your lovely daughter…..that is…your niece, to the dining room, to have dinner with me?” His voice became high-pitched, making it a question, rather than a statement, as he had planned.
Olivia suddenly wanted to snicker at the officer’s discomfort, but withheld the temptation. How could she have thought this young man to be even slightly appealing? Heavens, she actually wished that Logan would show up to rescue her, though she needn’t have worried, as her Uncle Claude was doing just fine on his own.
She almost laughed out loud, when Lord Beckford spoke in a rather stiffly, though elegant, manner. “I am extremely sorry, young chap. I presume you misunderstand my niece’s status. We are meeting the Duchess Worthington’s betrothed, in the dining room. Lord Wakefield has reserved a table for us, and we are late, so if you will excuse us. It was a pleasure meeting you.” He gave a most dignified, reserved nod to Amelia and Olivia, moving them towards the entrance to the dining room.
Lieutenant Augustus Harrigan, having been trained in the strictest discipline, saluted then turning on his heel and walked out the door. After leaving the building, he rigidly moved, as if in a trance, down the board walk and through the town of Nowhere, stopping only at the Livery Stable to retrieve his horse, then on to the military camp in the desert outside of town. Upon his return to camp he spoke to no one.
“Uncle Claude,” Olivia said, as they entered the dining room, “that wasn’t very nice, but thank you for saving me, though you did tell a fib. And, Lord Wakefield? Indeed!”
“Oh just a slight fib, Ollie.” Claude’s blue eyes twinkled, as he added, “Logan actually is waiting in the dining room, with a table reserved. He is going to buy our dinner, so I merely stretched the truth a bit. Why can’t you allow your old Uncle Claude a bit of enjoyment, child. It isn’t often I get to have so much fun.”
Amelia laughed out loud, as Olivia said, “You are not old, Uncle Claude. Oh well,” she heaved a deep sigh, “Let us find that reserved table, and ‘Lord’ Wakefield, and go eat.”
Once in the dining room, they approached a large, white linen-covered table, where Logan was waiting. Setting his coffee cup down, he arose to pull out a chair for Olivia. Claude seated Amelia.
The waitress had gone all out to prepare a nice setting, as Logan had requested. Two candles were lit and the table setting could now compare with any fancy restaurant in any large city in the world.
Logan was dressed in a black western style suit, with a white shirt, and a bolo tie that had been braided from leather strips. His shoulder-length, thick ebony hair had been tied at the nape of his neck, giving him a dashing appearance. If it hadn’t been for the black flat-crowned cowboy hat, hanging on a hook behind his chair, she would have sworn him to be a pirate, lacking only the colorful scarf around his head. Olivia caught her breath as she sat down, glad that she was wearing her nicest dinner gown of light blue, matching her eyes, with the antique lace trim about the neck and sleeves. Her blonde hair had been brushed until it shone, then styled atop her head to perfection.
Amelia spoke, “My! Logan Wakefield, you must have bribed that waitress to fix up such a nice table setting, complete with a white lace tablecloth too.”
“Not really.” He grinned. “I only gave her a long story of how we have such a long journey ahead and it would be so nice to dine in style before the long trek across mountains, desert, and prairie. I told her that we were camped outside of town in a covered wagon, actually a prairie schooner, and that you ladies will be cooking wild meat over a campfire, from now on, and we had just barely enough supplies to get us to where we will homestead.” His green eyes glittered with mischief, as he spoke so innocently.
“Oh, Logan, really.” Olivia laughed, and it felt good.
“I don’t believe a word of that story, young man.” Amelia stated firmly, as her husband chuckled.
“Actually,” Logan grinned, as he looked at Olivia, “I told her that I would like a nice setting to go with an apology I would be giving to a lovely lady, for something I must have said wrong, but haven’t the slightest idea just what it was. I’m sorry, Olivia. For whatever it was, I apologize.” His smile, though genuine, was designed to penetrate the strongest of feminine resistance.
“Oh, my…..I….I guess, well of course, Logan, I accept your apology. I honestly can’t remember just what it was either, so it must not have been all that important. I apologize also, though I don’t know why I……well, anyway….” The waitress walked up to take their orders, saving Olivia from further explaining. She had never in her life, apologized to any man, what in the world was wrong with her? She couldn’t even remember what she had been so upset about. Oh, she missed Maria. Her Spanish friend had such a way with words. She even missed the hot Mexican fare she whipped up in the kitchen.
After the waitress had gone from the room, Olivia looked over at Logan, and asked, “By the way, just what is a covered wagon?”
He looked her right in the eye, and answered with a straight face, “It’s a Prairie Schooner, usually anyway.” Though, after he stopped laughing, he knew by her expression, that he’d better explain, and by the time he finished seriously telling her all about the pioneers, who were migrating to the west, the waitress had returned carrying trays of steaming hot food, which was a welcome improvement over the last time they’d been there, and had been offered hash or hash and eggs, or hash, eggs, and gravy. This was a different waitress. According to the menu, there must be a new cook in the kitchen also.
The food had been well prepared, roast chicken, gravy, string beans, potatoes, and the most delicious apple pie. As usual, Logan Wakefield had made a lasting impression on the middle-aged waitress, and as he was still living up to his reputation of leaving a string of broken hearts along the western trails, the town of Nowhere would be no exception. He left more than a sufficient tip, and, with a devilish grin, left the waitress blushing and offering a very acceptable breakfast for the next morning. Olivia and Amelia both groaned, as they left the dining room, when they heard the waitress give a deep sigh.
Olivia looked over at Logan, as he held the door for them, and said, “Thank you, ‘Lord’ Wakefield, and thank you for the dinner also; it was wonderful.”
He smiled, then, after entering the lobby, Logan asked of Claude, “Now, just what was that ‘Lord Wakefield’ business all about?”
Claude chuckled, then retorted, “I’ll explai
n later, Logan my boy. It has to do with a certain young Cavalry officer, whom, by the way, you probably will not see around the town of ‘Nowhere’ after tonight.
They were back on the trail the next morning, traveling north, in a different stage with a fresh team of horses pulling at the bit. As Logan and Claude had chosen to ride horseback alongside the stage, and were giving their mounts a good workout keeping up with the fresh team, they noted the small cavalry troop, led by Colonel Winters, riding a short distance behind the stage. However, as the vehicle gained distance, the soldiers soon fell behind and out of sight.
Inside the stage Olivia and Amelia had leaned back enjoying the fresh morning air, and, as the stage was fairly crowded, they both kept silent, eventually reading to pass the time. Olivia hoped that, at some point, she would be able to visit with Logan during the long trip to Wyoming. She owed him some kindness, as he had been so good to them.
Olivia thought back to the night before, as she had bid her Uncle Claude goodnight. He had informed her that he’d learned that a ‘slowly reforming’ Henry Jefferson Adams had boarded the train two days before, cuffed to a U.S. Marshal, who was returning to the east coast anyway, and would see to the safe embarkment of old Henry on the first ship sailing for England, from the New York Harbor. The ship’s captain would be given papers explaining that Henry would not be allowed anywhere on United States territory again. The news would spread and he would not officially be allowed passage again.
