Since Theresa was at the mercantile, filling in for Hattie, Katie was responsible for watching Dorothy and Carter’s children while they were out of town. As Hattie worked her way through her endless tasks, she would occasionally run into her nephews in the hallway. She smiled at them, and they hugged her, excited to see their Aunt Hattie.
Hattie worked steadily throughout the day. As dinner approached, Cletus came home from work early. “I have a surprise!” Cletus announced.
Hattie barely looked up in interest. She was sweeping the floor in the entryway. But Katie came bounding toward the front door with the boys. “What kind of surprise?”
Cletus winked, a strange grin spreading across his face. “It’s a secret! Everyone, be dressed and ready to go by six o’clock. I stopped at the mercantile, and Theresa’s going to be coming with Lewis and Ruby.”
Hattie looked up. Despite her mood, she was intrigued. “Am I allowed to come, too?”
Cletus’s eyes shined with compassion. “Of course, Hattie darling.”
The rest of the work went quickly once Hattie had something to look forward to. She was so curious what Cletus was planning. Once her chores were finished, Hattie helped Katie dress the boys and get them ready for a trip by wagon. Edna Petunia said she didn’t know where they were going either, but Hattie had a feeling that she knew exactly where they were going.
It sounded like the entire Sanders family was coming, which was a rarity. The only place all the Sanders were ever together was at church—or, of course, a Sanders family wedding. But only Hattie, Theresa, and Katie were left—and none of them had any prospects of marriage any time soon.
As Hattie thought of marriage, it reminded her of Will’s proposal. Tonight was probably his first night performing in another town. She wondered if they’d gone east or west and if the rodeo would ever return to Bagley. Hattie’s mind drifted off as she buttoned one of her nephew’s shirts.
“Hattie! What are you thinking of?” Katie giggled. “You seem lost in your thoughts!”
“I’m sorry,” Hattie apologized. “I’m a bit distracted.”
“Oh, Hattie. Is it that cowboy?” Katie whispered.
Hattie smiled and shrugged. “It’s not going to happen. I need to get over it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Katie squeezed her sister’s hand.
Downstairs, Edna Petunia surveyed her brood. “You bastards clean up nicely.”
“What’s a bastard?” Dorothy and Carter’s youngest son asked.
“That’s a word you’ll learn when you’re older,” Hattie quickly interjected.
Edna Petunia patted her grandson on the head. “All in time, little grandbastard.”
Hattie smiled despite her sadness. Some things never changed. If she had run away with the rodeo, she wouldn’t get to see Edna Petunia very often or hear the outrageous things she often said. She would have missed the old woman deeply.
Cletus loaded the family into the wagon and set off for his mysterious destination. On the way there, Katie and Hattie took turns guessing where he was taking them and who else would be there, but Cletus’s lips were sealed.
Suddenly, Hattie recognized some farmland they were passing. “We’re in Bagley!” Hattie said excitedly.
“Are we going to see Penny and Tom?” Katie guessed.
“I won’t answer your question, but Penny and Tom will be there,” Cletus said.
Hattie and Katie exchanged smiles. They were definitely going to Penny and Tom’s ranch. Hattie was looking forward to seeing the McClains and their growing family, but she felt a twinge of disappointment. She didn’t know where she had hoped they were going, but Penny and Tom’s ranch seemed a little familiar and not as exciting as a mysterious destination.
To Hattie’s surprise, Cletus passed the road they normally took to get to the McClain property. Instead, he drove onward for a few more miles and parked the wagon outside of the fairgrounds. Hattie saw each one of her sisters and their families standing outside the entrance!
Hattie and Katie looked at Cletus in confusion.
“Surprise!” Edna Petunia shrieked with laughter as she saw Hattie and Katie’s faces.
Still baffled, the girls climbed out of the wagon and helped their nephews climb out, too. Dorothy scooped up her boys. “Thank you for keeping them safe.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be visiting Carter’s family?” Hattie asked.
Dorothy looked at Carter and shared a secret smile. “We had a slight change of plans.”
Then, Hattie noticed something else that was very odd. The Wild West show sign had been taken down, and she had assumed that the group had moved on to the next town. But instead of being abandoned, the fairground was buzzing with activity. Hattie heard the clop of hooves against dirt, heard music playing, and heard laughter coming from the pavilion.
The place wasn’t nearly as crowded as the last few times she had visited, but Hattie saw rows of wagons lined up at the entrance with the Wild West Show emblazoned on the carriages. What is going on? Hattie thought to herself.
Cletus and Edna Petunia each put a hand on Hattie’s shoulders.
“Hattie, we owe you an apology,” Cletus began. “We didn’t mean to jump to conclusions about Will.”
“We just didn’t want to lose you. You’re one of our fifteen favorite bastards!” Edna Petunia grinned.
Hattie nodded. “I understand.”
“To try to make it up to you, I spoke with the man who runs this rodeo and convinced him to stay in town an extra night. The rodeo’s going to do a private show just for our family,” Cletus announced.
“This way, you can say goodbye to your cowboy!” Edna Petunia pointed out.
Hattie’s eyes filled with tears again, but this time, they were happy, overwhelmed tears. “Thank you.” She looked around at her entire family. She was so lucky to have each and every one of them.
“Well—what are you waiting for? Let’s go!” Edna Petunia cried. She began running toward the pavilion along with several of her grandchildren. Hattie was continually amazed at how spry her adoptive mother was.
Inside the pavilion, Hattie’s sisters excitedly chattered about the Wild West show. Only she, Katie, and Theresa had seen it. She couldn’t wait to hear what they thought.
The announcer came out. “Tonight, we’re doing something a little different! As you can see, the seats have not been filled. That’s because we have the honor of conducting a private show for a distinguished family of the nearby town of No-How!”
Edna Petunia stood up and hollered. “No-where!” Her shouts were drowned out by the stampede of hooves as the performers rushed onto the stage. A hush fell over the Sanders family as they watched the cowboys’ speed and agility. Hattie felt a special rush in her stomach as Will lassoed a steer.
“Welcome to the Sanders family!” The announcer’s voice thundered around the pavilion. The Sanders family whooped and hollered. Hattie laughed. It had been very fun to see the rodeo as part of a larger crowd, not once, but three times. Now she realized that seeing a private show for only her family members was even better.
It was no surprise that the entire family was captivated by Will Hart in particular. They were thrilled as he lassoed, shot, and danced on horseback. When he disappeared midway throughout the show, one of Hattie’s brothers-in-law actually shouted for his swift return.
Backstage, Will raced toward Mr. Ingalls.
“Sir, I have a proposition for you,” Will said seriously.
Mr. Ingalls looked distracted. “I need to go out to announce the next act.”
“Just a minute, sir. Please.” Mr. Ingalls knew Will never asked for something unless it was important. He nodded.
A few minutes later, confusion settled in over the Sanders family.
“Is this part of the show?” Pastor Micah Barton, married to Hattie’s sister Sarah Jane, asked.
“I’m not sure,” Sarah Jane replied.
“I want that cowboy with one arm to come back
!” Jed yelled.
“Sh!” Gertrude, Jed’s librarian wife, smiled.
To everyone’s surprise, Jed’s wish was promptly fulfilled. Will Hart raced to center stage. “I apologize for the interruption,” Will began in a loud voice that carried throughout the pavilion. He easily dismounted his horse.
Hattie felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach, but she wasn’t sure why. This trick had not been a part of the previous shows he’d seen. Was it new?
“You see, I love being a part of the rodeo. I’ve loved horses my entire life. It was my dream to work with them when I was old enough. Just as I became a man, I was in a bad accident. I lost something that night . . . but what was it?” Will paused to scratch his head with his left arm, and the Sanders family laughed and cheered. It was strange, but they were eating up every one of Will’s words.
“In all seriousness,” Will continued. “That was one of the most devastating nights of my life. I was sure there was no way I would get to realize my dream of working with the animals I love. But each day, I would practice getting onto a horse. It was hard at first—it was awful, actually—but every time, I got a little bit better. Soon I could climb on and off horses. I had always been good at stunts, and I saw a Wild West show. I made it my goal to be part of the rodeo.”
“I liked it better when he was doing the stunts,” Edna Petunia whispered to Cletus.
“I think the man may be building to something,” Cletus said. He glanced at Hattie, who was hanging onto each word.
Edna Petunia shrugged and took a sip from her flask.
“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’m talking about this now. And maybe wondering why I don’t just get back on my horse—” Will said.
“Hear, hear!” Edna Petunia whispered loudly.
Will continued. “The thing is, I do love being a part of the rodeo. But unfortunately, tonight is my last show.”
A hush fell over the family. Backstage, performers began to talk and argue. No one could believe what they were hearing.
“In the last few days, I’ve realized there’s a dream that I have that’s more important than anything. It’s even more important than my old dream.” Will paused, looked up at the Sanders family, and looked straight at Hattie. “I’ve found a woman I want to marry, and as of tonight, I’m retiring from the rodeo. Hattie Sanders, I love you more than anything. You are what makes my life worth living. I know that I still have to prove to your family that I am worth your love, but I know I can do it. Hattie Sanders, will you marry me?”
Hattie’s heart began to leap inside her chest. She felt all her family’s heads swivel and look at her. She couldn’t believe what was happening, and she felt like she was moving as slow as molasses.
Hattie looked at Edna Petunia and Cletus.
Cletus smiled. “My concern was that my daughter would run off with a rodeo cowboy. If he’s leaving the rodeo, that means he’ll be able to provide a decent home for you. No objections.”
Edna Petunia winked. “No objections here. I’m thrilled when my bastards marry!”
“Go on down there!” Jed hollered. Gertrude shook her head, but she was smiling.
Hattie made her way to the front row of the pavilion, and Will rushed to meet her. He helped her step onto the stage, and the Sanders family began to applaud.
Will repeated his question. “Hattie, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Hattie cried happily. She was in shock. The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles.
“Kiss her!” someone yelled. Hattie figured it was probably Jed.
Will obliged, using his left arm to encircle Hattie’s waist and dip her backwards. He kissed her so long and so hard that by the time he came up for air, Hattie’s knees were shaking and her head was spinning. She couldn’t believe that this was what she would be able to do for the rest of her life.
That gave Hattie an idea. She paused and turned around, looking at the crowd. Hattie whispered her plan into Will’s ear. She hesitated, wondering if she’d just suggested something foolish that he wouldn’t care for.
Will’s face broke out into a huge smile. “That’s an incredible idea!” He grabbed her with his arm and scooped her up off her feet. Hattie giggled.
Will turned back to the audience. “We have one final act for you tonight. Hattie’s going to assist me. I need someone named Micah Barton to come down here, too.”
Micah looked at his wife, terrified. “Are they going to ask me to lasso? I’m not very good at that.”
Sarah Jane patted Micah on the back. “I’m sure they’ll only make you help with what you’re comfortable with, dear. I think you should follow Will’s instructions.”
Micah nodded grimly and followed the same path Hattie had taken to get to the stage. Once he was there, Will went to meet him and discussed some matters quietly while Hattie rushed backstage.
As soon as Hattie was off stage, she saw a familiar and friendly face—Jessie. “Will said you might be able to help me.” She quickly explained the plan.
Jessie’s eyes lit up. “I have just the thing!”
Twenty minutes later, the Sanders family, especially the grandchildren, were getting restless. “How long is this going to take?” Carter whispered.
Edna Petunia pulled peppermint sticks out of her bosom. “Anyone want some peppermint candy?”
One of Penny’s sons reached out for it, but Penny took his hand and gently guided it back. “Not now, sweetheart.”
Edna Petunia shrugged and took one for herself, stuffing the rest of them back into her chest. “They’re delicious!”
Finally, Micah Barton took center stage. He looked stunned. “Today, I will join Will Hart and Hattie Sanders in matrimony.”
Whistles, applause, and laughter filled the pavilion. Hattie could hear it from backstage, where she waited with Jessie. She slowly walked out, and the crowd was shocked into silence.
Hattie had been transformed. She wore a white, full hoop skirt along with a fringed white jacket. Flowers had been woven through her hair, and someone had even dusted her cheeks with a bit of rouge. She looked practically unrecognizable from the sweet, simple girl who had arrived at the rodeo.
Will clasped his chest as he saw his bride-to-be. She was truly breathtaking. Hattie approached Will and Micah, holding a small bunch of flowers Jessie had picked for her. She couldn’t believe how quickly the older woman had worked.
Micah smiled as Hattie walked up to the men. He began to recite the vows of matrimony, and soon, there wasn’t a dry eye in the pavilion.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Micah declared to thunderous applause.
Afterward, everyone enjoyed a white almond cake at a long picnic table outside the fairgrounds. Despite the thunderstorm the day before, the weather was perfect for an outdoor picnic. It reminded Hattie of the night Will had come to the Sanders’ house.
“Where did the cake come from?” Hattie asked in amazement.
Dorothy smiled. “After we saw how taken you were with Will, Carter and I decided there was no way we could go to visit his relatives with you feeling so bad. We talked to Edna Petunia and Cletus, and they had the idea for this private rodeo show.”
Carter continued, “When Cletus suggested inviting the entire family, Dorothy and I spent the day going around to each of your sisters and their families. When we stopped to see Hope, she and Dorothy baked this cake together because we thought we’d be hungry after the show!”
“We had no idea it would be a wedding cake!” Dorothy laughed.
“That was quite the surprise,” Cletus admitted.
Will smiled ruefully. “I saw an opportunity, and I took it.”
“And I’m very glad you did!” Hattie put in.
She stared around at her family. Everyone was talking, laughing, and joking with Will, as if he’d been part of the family for years, not minutes. She knew that everything had worked out exactly the way it was supposed to. She had Will, she had her family, and she had Nowhere—what else
could she possibly want?
Epilogue
Seven Months Later
Hattie carried a casserole to the picnic tables outside of the Nowhere church. The family was having a luncheon to celebrate one of the newest grandchildren.
“Ouch!” Hattie cried, nearly dropping the dish. Theresa rushed up to her and took the casserole from her.
“Are you okay, Hattie?” Theresa asked anxiously.
Hattie rubbed her swollen belly. “Thank you, Theresa. This baby sometimes seems like he or she is going to kick right out of my stomach!”
Hattie searched around for her husband. They had been so thrilled when Will had been able to use the money he’d earned in the rodeo to buy a parcel of land in Nowhere. She spotted him talking to Jed. Will and Jed had become fast friends. Now that Hattie and Will were expecting their first child, she knew that Jed and Gertrude would be very helpful to them. “Will!” Hattie called.
Will rushed up to his wife. He noticed how pale she looked and took her arm. “Are you all right?”
Hattie nodded. “I’ll be fine. But this baby is definitely your child. I think he or she is doing flips right now!”
Will chuckled and rubbed Hattie’s stomach. “Start ’em young, that’s what I like to say.”
Hattie pretended to make a face. “We’ll just have to see about that!”
Will smiled and kissed her cheek, and Hattie felt a sense of calm spread over her. No matter how much pain this baby might bring her, she knew the child would also bring her joy and an everlasting connection to the man she loved.
As she looked out across the beautiful Nowhere day, Hattie sighed. Everything was just as it should be.
About the Author
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Also by Kirsten Osbourne
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