The Bride’s Secret_A Western Romance Story

by Elliee Atkinson

  The girl leaned forward, grasping her elbows with her hands. “Pa said he would be coming in before the rodeo leaves. They’re here for the week, right?”

  Sam nodded. “A week, yes. Saturday to Friday.”

  “They might stay for an extra day for an encore presentation,” Allan said. “If the crowd is good enough. I heard people were coming from Louisville to see it.”

  Elizabeth looked at her brother. “They didn’t stop at Louisville? But that’s a bigger town than ours. I’m really surprised they didn’t stop there.”

  Allan nodded at her. “Yeah, they didn’t go there. I’m glad they chose Wickenburg, though. This will be a first for us. I don’t know why they decided on our little town.”

  “I’m glad they did, too.” Elizabeth said, sitting back.

  Sue, who was sitting next to Chris, leaned forward and said to Riley, “Rachel is going to have a baby!”

  “Oh, Rachel!” Riley said with a smile. “That’s fantastic news. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” Rachel leaned forward to give her and Chris a smile.

  Before they knew it, the performers were coming out. An announcer began introducing them. Each time their name was called, the person would raise his hand and wave at the crowd, walking around in a big circle so he or she could wave at everyone.

  When Emily and Ryan were announced, both came through the opening in the stands with big smiles on their faces.

  Emily walked in front of Ryan, looking through the crowd of people. Each stand was filled almost completely. She figured the entire town must have shown up for the opening day. It pleased her. The applause when her name was called filled her with an excited adrenaline rush that made it easier for her to perform. She wanted to do her best for these people and she would, even if she was tiring of the rodeo life.

  Her eye caught a man sitting in the stands and she almost stopped in her tracks. Her heart jumped in her chest and she had to force herself to go on. However, she let her eyes stay on him for a prolonged period of time and he didn’t look away either.

  When she had to turn to the left and go past the stands, she continued to picture him in her mind. She hoped he would come and find her after the show. He looked like an Irishman. A tall, large Irishman. As soon as she saw him, she realized she had another reason to want to leave the show. If he came, found her, and talked to her… she would be more tempted than she’d ever been.

  She looked behind her at Ryan. He would never allow it. He would do anything he could to stop her from meeting a man. She was aware that he’d done it before. When she mentioned that she’d never been propositioned by a man in any way, politely or rudely, she noted that he didn’t confess to having driven anyone who was interested away. Hearing it second-hand, Emily couldn’t be sure if it was true.

  So she stayed quiet. However, she was fully aware that Ryan wasn’t going to let her leave the rodeo. There was too much at stake.

  When the cowgirl raised her hand and caught his eye, Sam felt like he’d been hit by an arrow. He waved back to her, making her smile wider, making small laugh lines appear at the corners of her eyes. Sam was suddenly happier than ever that they took a bench that was only two rows back. He could see her features so well. Her blond hair was shiny and waved down her back. It was held down by a cowgirl hat. She was dressed in a leather dress with Indian feathers around the waist. He thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d seen in all of his life.

  Rachel noticed Emily staring at Sam. She jostled her husband to get his attention. He looked at her and she gestured with her head and her eyes for him to see what was going on. He turned his head to look at Emily and then at Sam. When he turned back to Rachel, he was wearing a sly grin. He nodded. She nodded back.

  “You should probably go meet that girl after the show, Sam.” Daryl said. Sam looked sharply at him.

  “What girl?” he asked. Daryl just laughed.

  “It was so obvious that woman right there was looking at you, Sam. Hard. Never seen a woman stare at a man like that. She’s interested in meeting you. I bet she’s thinking about it right now!”

  Sam shook his head. “You’re crazy. She’s a performer. She’s supposed to be like that. I’m sure she’s friendly with everyone.”

  Daryl laughed again. “Yeah, I’m sure. Friendly to everyone. But not staring at everyone like she’s looking into their soul.”

  Sam looked at Daryl again. “That sounds creepy. She’s not the devil, friend.”

  Daryl lifted his head and continued laughing. “Oh, Sam. Just go see her after the show. Her name is Emily, right?” He looked at Rachel for confirmation. She was grinning from ear to ear, looking at her brother. She moved her eyes to him and she nodded.

  “Emily Whittaker,” she said. “And you should definitely seek her out after the show, Sam. She was looking at you and I know what that look is. I’m a woman. You need to go talk to her.”

  Sam pushed away his irritation and let himself feel positive and excited. “Do you really think she was staring right at me?”

  “You were looking back, weren’t you?” Daryl asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, didn’t it look like she was looking at you?”

  “You never know.”

  Daryl shook his head. “You’re hopeless, my friend. Please go and talk to her after the show. For my sake. For your sister’s sake. We’re dying for you to meet someone.”

  Sam looked at him, pulling his eyebrows together but smiling at the same time. “Why are you two so interested in matching me up with someone? I’m not that old, am I?”

  “You are pushing it, Sam,” Daryl said, slapping the man on the back. “You gotta admit it.”

  Sam sighed heavily. “I suppose I am getting up there. I better find a woman soon. All my friends have grown children. She probably won’t be interested in me because I’m so old.”

  “Stop that,” Rachel leaned forward and shook her finger at her brother. “You aren’t that old. And that didn’t stop her from staring you down.”

  Sam didn’t say anything more. He looked out over the performance area to where she was. She was about to go back through the opening. It wasn’t her turn yet to perform. He was looking forward to seeing what she could do. She had two silver pistols in holsters on either side of her waist. The handles looked like white marble. He sat back, watching the other performers and waiting to see her come out.

  After the show was over, Sam and the group left the site, talking excitedly about what they’d just seen. The sun was high up in the sky, indicating lunchtime. The way their stomachs grumbled, they knew it was time to get to the restaurant or back to the hotel.

  Elizabeth and Tom started a lively debate as to whether it was wiser to go to the restaurant and get something there or go back to the hotel and make something for everyone.

  “I’m not sure I want to make food for everyone right now.” Elizabeth said.

  “I’ll help,” Rachel said. The other women in the group followed suit.

  Elizabeth laughed. “All right. Hotel it is. We’ll make some good food, go back, and see the second show. Are there different performers or is it the same ones?”

  The others in the group shook their heads.

  Sam took hold of his sister’s arm and pulled her to the side as the others went forward. He leaned close and said, “I’m gonna go find that woman, Emily, and see if she will talk to me.”

  Rachel smiled wide. “Oh, I’m so glad. Good luck, honey.”

  Sam gave her a half smile, skeptical that anything would come out of this. “I’m gonna need it. Don’t see why any woman would want to be with me. I’m a big lug.”

  “You’re not a big lug!” Rachel laughed. “You are a wonderful big man who gives the best hugs this side of Texas.”

  Sam blushed. “Aw now Rachel, you’re making me blush.”

  “Don’t you be embarrassed. You’re a great guy and she’ll like you. Go on now. I’ll see you later. We’re going to the hotel.”
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  He nodded. “I know. I’ll see you there.”

  As he walked away, Daryl came up behind his wife. “Is he going to do what I think he’s going to do?”

  Rachel looked up and over her shoulder at her husband standing behind her. “He is. He sure is.”

  “Why, that’s fantastic. I’m so hopeful for him.”

  “I think it’s going to be a grand adventure for him. Maybe he will end up married with a bunch of children. Maybe Emily will get pregnant right away and she’ll have her baby around the same time I do.”

  “There would be a few months between them,” Daryl said, placing one hand on her shoulder. She put her hand on his, enjoying the warm sensation of love that passed through her whenever her husband touched her. “But they would be so close. It would be a wonderful thing. For everyone.”

  “I agree.” They stood for a few more moments watching Sam leave before Rachel turned around and moved to catch up with the group. When they did catch up, Elizabeth looked at Rachel.

  “So is Sam going to find that woman that was staring at him at the beginning of the show and through most of her routine?”

  Everyone in the group laughed.

  Rachel nodded. “Yes, he is.”

  “Well, I wish him the best of luck. I don’t think he’s going to have to do much to catch her heart,” Elizabeth said.

  “Oh? Why?” Rachel tilted her head to the side.

  Elizabeth shrugged. “He’s a big strong man who owns his own business, he’s one of the friendliest men in town and she obviously thinks he’s extremely attractive. I think she might have almost dropped a gun one time when she got distracted by his handsome face.” Elizabeth giggled. “But she hit every target she aimed at, didn’t she?”

  Rachel nodded. “A regular Annie Oakley.”

  “I think he has every chance in the world of ending up in love with this little Miss Oakley,” Daryl said, to the amusement of those around him. “And when she does fall in love with him and they marry and all that stuff, we are going to call her Miss Oakley and Annie every chance we get.”

  “She might not like that, Daryl,” Elizabeth pointed out. “We don’t know what she’s like. Just because she has a pretty face and skill with a gun and a rope doesn’t mean she’s a good person inside. I hope she is, but I would be cautious about getting your hopes up.” She turned her eyes to Rachel. “Although she looked like she wanted to jump into the stands, grab his hand and run out of the site.”

  The group laughed. “She did look like that!” Tom exclaimed.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  THE FACE OF FEAR

  THE FACE OF FEAR

  Sam nervously walked through the gathering of trailers, looking to the left and the right. There was no way he could possibly know which one was hers. He didn’t want to knock on each and every one to find her. That would look desperate and make him look like a fool.

  He wandered around for a few minutes, looking at the trailers. There were people walking around. Some of them looked at him strangely. Finally, one of the performers came over to him.

  “Hello! You aren’t part of our team. Are you looking for someone?”

  The man’s smile was friendly and Sam smiled back. “I am. I was looking for Emily Whittaker.”

  The look on the man’s face made it seem like Sam had just told him he was giving out one hundred dollar bills.

  “She’s in that trailer there.” He pointed. “I think she’s in there now. Her brother is working with the horses.”

  Sam nodded. “I thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome. Oh, and her mother should be in there, too. Just letting you know.”

  Sam raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Is she… a nice woman?”

  The man laughed. “They both are, my friend. Name’s Theodore, Ted, for short. You saw the show today?”

  Sam nodded. “I did. Sam O’Connell. It was fantastic. You are all amazing performers.”

  “Thanks!” Ted stuck out his hand and Sam shook it. “We’ll be here all week. I hope we see you again.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  Sam waved to the man as he walked toward Emily’s trailer. He grew more nervous as he approached but kept going. He was determined. His sister and the others had convinced him that she was really looking at him. He’d noticed but wouldn’t let himself believe it.

  He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at the door. Swallowing hard and gathering his courage, he went up the stairs and knocked on the door. It was only a moment before it swung open. He stepped back so that the door wouldn’t hit his large frame.

  Emily stood before him, looking up with surprise on her face. She seemed to be speechless for a moment before she said, “Hello.”

  He smiled. “Hello.” As he feared, every thought left his mind and he had no idea what to say.

  When she grinned, he felt a calm wave pass through him. He held out his hand. “I’m Sam O’Connell. I saw your show today. I wanted to tell you how great I thought it was. You are a very fine shooter. Your work with the ropes was amazing. I don’t know how you do it.”

  “You aren’t a cowboy?” She looked him up and down. “You look like a cowboy.”

  “I run the saloon in town.”

  She giggled. “You do?”

  “I do. Would you like to take a walk with me? I know this area like the back of my hand. I’d be glad to show you around.”

  Emily appeared to be thinking about it, looking down for a moment. She turned and said, “Momma, I’m going for a walk.”

  Sam heard her mother respond from inside the trailer. “All right, dear, be careful.”

  “I will, Momma. I’ll be back soon.”

  “Be sure you are. The next show starts in a few hours.”

  “Yes, Momma.”

  Emily stepped out and Sam went back down the stairs so she wouldn’t run into him. She closed the door behind her and came down the steps lightly. She had changed into casual clothes but still had her boots on her feet.

  “Where shall we go?” she asked looking up at him. He was so much taller than her. She hadn’t realized how tall he was when she saw him in the stands. He loomed over her like a bear. She was thrilled with it. To her, it meant she could find protection in him, should they ever be a couple. She admired his green eyes as he turned them to the nearby wooded area.

  “We can walk along the tree line or we can go into town and I can show you what we have there. If you’re hungry, we can go to the restaurant or the hotel to eat. I have food in the saloon but I don’t think you would want to go there. Though it is a comfortable place, there are generally more men there.”

  “That’s typical for this side of the country. And not just in the saloons. You can’t imagine the places I’ve been. Some of them have nothing but men. No women at all. Those men…” she giggled. “They are starving for attention. Ryan has had to run several of them off. There were a few that I would have liked to talk to but I was never allowed.”

  “I take it your brother will object to me talking to you, then.”

  Emily thought about it for a moment, figuring out how she wanted to put this to her new friend.

  “Well, to be honest with you, Sam, I am tired of the rodeo life. I’m looking forward to settling down somewhere. This is a nice little town you have here. It might be in my future to settle here. I don’t know. He may object, yes, to answer your question but…” She looked up at him again. “I think you can protect yourself against him.”

  “Even if he has a gun?”

  Emily chuckled. “He’s not going to shoot you. He’s not like that. He would have a lot to say and he might come up against you, but again, I think you can protect yourself. He would be intimidated by you. I… I would like to get to know you. I think you are a very handsome man.”

  Sam was taken aback. He’d never had a woman tell him that, other than his mother and sister.

  “You look surprised,” she said, smiling again. “You are a handsome man. You know that, do
n’t you?”

  He laughed. “I don’t think I would say that but if you think so, that’s wonderful. I’d like to get to know you, too. My sister and brother-in-law and my friends told me I should go ahead and seek you out.”

  Emily grunted humorously. “They saw me being distracted by you.”

  “They sure did.”

  “Did you?”

  “I saw. But I didn’t think it was what I thought it was. I’m glad that you say it. Now I can believe it.”

  They walked side by side down the field toward the wooded area. They came across a wagon path and Sam turned to walk along it, going toward town.

  “This is a great little town,” he said. “It has many established residents and every one of them are fine people. I think anyone would enjoy living here. We have our struggles though like everywhere else. Sometimes there is a drought. When that happens, everyone bands together to do what they can to conserve water.”

  “That can’t be good for crops.”

  “It’s not. Fortunately, we haven’t had a drought in years. But it’s happened.”

  “Can’t blame the town for the weather,” Emily reasoned. Sam looked down at her. He admired her take on the situation.

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back as an indicator that he would keep his hands to himself. “So you are ready to leave the rodeo? Why is that? Don’t you enjoy what you are doing?”

  “I really do,” Emily admitted. “But I’ve been with this rodeo since I was fifteen. I’m almost thirty. I need to settle down. Soon, I will have difficulty conceiving and I want to have a child or two before I can’t anymore.”

  “Why haven’t you left it yet? Surely you can leave whenever you want.”

  Emily bit her lip, hesitating before she answered. She couldn’t tell Sam that she had to stay with the rodeo or her family would lose everything. It was so much more than just leaving. So much more than just losing their livelihood. She wanted to explain it to Sam, but she had known him less than an hour. She felt comfortable with him but not comfortable enough to tell him the true situation. “I haven’t found a good reason to leave.” She looked up at him.