How Miss West Was Won

by Diane Darcy

  Gabe halted his horse at the edge of the crowd. “What is going on here?”

  A cowboy moved forward. “We think the poker game was rigged!”

  “Really?” Gabe didn’t sound impressed. “Then why didn’t I win?”

  “Who did win anyway? Sawyer?” Luke wanted to know.

  “Angel.” One of the men shouted the name in disgust.

  “Huh.” In a low tone he said, “That should make you happy.”

  Grace bit back a smile. Since the tournament had proved unstoppable, she was at least glad Angel had won. The money would give him and his sweetheart a start in life.

  “Well, fortunately, I have some good news.” Gabe waited until the crowd quieted. “We’ve caught the yellow-bellied snake who killed the girl over at the saloon.”

  At that, everyone went silent.

  “Who did it?”

  “Where is he?”

  “Did you string him up?”

  “I’ve got him hogtied in the carriage,” Gabe announced. “We’ll be taking him over to the jail to await trial.”

  “What are you waiting for? Let’s just string him up, right here and now!”

  “I second that! Let’s get a look at him.”

  “He killed that girl! I say we kill him!”

  “While the women and children of this town finish up their picnic in the background?” Luke’s tone was disgusted. “What’s the matter with you?”

  There was some grumbling, then one of the younger men spoke up. “Fine, then. What about those kisses, Miss Grace? You honoring your word?”

  “Not going to happen,” Luke said.

  Grace played with the material of her skirt. “Luke,” she said, her tone chiding. “I’ve got to honor my word, don’t I?”

  He didn’t even look at her. “Miss Grace Carmichael has just agreed to marry me. There is no one here kissing her but me.”

  “That hardly seems fair,” said a cowboy.

  “Seems like there’s more than one way to cheat in this town!”

  “You want to kiss my girl? You’re going to have to go through me to do it.”

  One of the men started forward. “I believe I’ll take you up on that.”

  Luke jumped down from the carriage.

  As the cowboy and Luke started toward each other, Grace found that she’d had enough. She stood and yelled out, “That is it! I’ve had it with fighting and I’ve about had enough of men for one day. Matt Taylor, and Garth Hardison, that includes the two of you.” She called out to the two men headed Luke’s way. “If you ever want me to read to you again, and if you want to know how Treasure Island ends, you’re going to stop this fighting right now!”

  “You’re going to stop reading just because of a little scrap with the mayor?” Garth sounded incredulous.

  “If I have my way, you will never find out how the story ends. And no more of your favorite apple pie either.”

  Matt took of his hat and pointed it at her, “Now you’re just being mean.”

  Maybe she was, but she was glad to see that he and his friend backed down.

  “And as for you, Mr. Mayor, I’m sorry to inform you that I will be honoring that kiss. We made too much money on the fundraiser to give it back.”

  A few men cheered.

  Luke turned a thunderous look on her. “Now, Grace.”

  Gabe threw him a disgusted look. “While you fight this out, I’m going to take my prisoner to the jail and lock him up.”

  Gabe turned to gaze upon their interested audience. “And as for those of you following along with Treasure Island, you’ll be very interested to know we’ve got ourselves a pirate.”

  “What? Did he say pirate?”

  Grace finally dared to look at Luke. He was steaming mad, and part of her didn’t blame him. She certainly didn’t want him going around kissing other girls. But what was she supposed to do? Go back on her word?

  Gabe helped her down from the carriage so he could take her place, and Grace, exhausted, truly not in the mood for more fighting, headed back toward the picnic.

  Grace marched back to the park to find the other girls who’d agreed to sell a kiss.

  Luke paced right behind her.

  The men who bought raffle tickets hurried to keep up.

  She approached Elizabeth and Margaret. “Who has the raffle tickets?”

  Elizabeth looked from her, to the men behind her, and smiled. She jostled Margaret’s arm. “Is it time?”

  Grace’s stomach fluttered with nerves. “It is.”

  Luke grabbed her by the elbow and tugged. “I can promise you, this is not going to happen.”

  “I have to keep my word, don’t I?”

  She could see storm clouds gathering on his face, and yanked her arm away. “Come on girls, let’s get this over with.”

  The three of them went to find Mrs. Braxton, and Luke followed behind. “You might think I’m going to stand by and watch this happen, but I won’t. I don’t care if every man in this town thinks you’re a double-crossing liar, you’re not going through with this.”

  Margaret and Elizabeth looked back at him and giggled.

  “Did you purchase a raffle ticket, Mr. Mayor?” Margaret wanted to know.

  Luke scowled at her. “No, I didn’t … but, I suppose I could buy a bunch. If I bought enough, perhaps I’d get kisses from all three of you girls.”

  Grace stopped and turned around. “What are you doing, Luke?”

  As they glared at each other, the two girls beside them giggled again.

  “What do you think I’m doing? Supporting the town. I could hardly expect you to be the only one who makes sacrifices, now could I?”

  She glared at him. “Sacrifices? Are you saying it would be a sacrifice to kiss me?”

  At that, Luke grinned, and she wanted to smack the smile right off of his face. Instead, she swirled around and went in search of Mrs. Braxton.

  She saw Mrs. Simpson first, headed for her and, as always, her friend wasn’t far away. She stopped short when she reached them. “Do you have the raffle tickets?”

  Mrs. Braxton looked from her to Luke and back again. “Of course, is it time to hold the raffle?”

  “It is.”

  “Grace …” Luke growled her name one more time.

  Mrs. Simpson smiled and held up the bowl in her hand. “Here they are, I’ve been guarding them and Mrs. Braxton has collected the money. How much have we made so far?”

  As the two women discussed money, Grace looked into the bowl of raffle tickets and swallowed.

  Was she really going to go through with this? She could see Elizabeth and Margaret flirting with Luke, and the thought of either of them kissing Luke made her feel slightly ill.

  Did he feel the same about her kissing another man?

  The thought went a little way toward soothing the worry that had built in her ever since she’d agreed to marry him.

  It was her he wanted, wasn’t it? Not Penny Carmichael, not the Carmichael name, but her, Grace West.

  When she told him the truth, would it make a difference?

  She wanted to convince herself it wouldn’t, but the part of her that felt inferior since her father had lost everything—since their family situation had so drastically changed, and overnight they’d gone into service—that part of her didn’t believe it.

  He thought she was Penny Carmichael.

  He wanted Penny Carmichael.

  Her lips trembled and she pressed them tightly together. Suddenly she wanted to punish Luke for the insecurity she felt. She knew it wasn’t fair, and resisted the impulse. She was about to cry peace with him when Luke pulled out his wallet.

  “I believe I will buy a few tickets.”

  She turned to look at him, and he was staring right at her. If he did this … if he dared …

  “As Mayor of this town, I have an obligation to support its fundraising efforts, don’t I?”

  Pain shot through her at the thought that he might kiss either Margaret or Eliz
abeth. That he wanted to. That she was interchangeable with another woman.

  The crowd of mostly men gathered around them and seemed to quiet as they waited to see what would happen next.

  Luke lifted his wallet in the air. “Boys, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m going to buy back every raffle ticket that’s been sold today, as there’s no way these ladies are kissing anyone without my permission.”

  A collective groan went through their audience.

  But Grace’s heart suddenly lightened.

  Luke was looking directly at her, to see how she was taking this. She reached out and grabbed his hand.

  “Well, I suppose that would be all right.” As always, Mrs. Braxton seemed immune to the men protesting. “I mean, if you girls are all right with this, then I suppose I am too. As long as the mayor is willing to replace the money lost, it would probably be for the best. I mean, girls kissing strange men in our town! What were we thinking, anyway?”

  “All right, gentlemen. You heard the ruling. If you bring your raffle ticket forward, the money will be refunded.”

  Mrs. Simpson piped up. “Of course, if you would simply like us to keep the money for future town projects, that would be all right too. And very much appreciated.”

  The men were grumbling, but most seemed to take it with civility.

  Luke took her hand and gently pulled her away. “Just let me know how much I owe you, ladies, and I’ll make sure you are compensated.”

  “That is acceptable,” Mrs. Braxton agreed.

  Grace let Luke gently tuck her under his arm and lead her away. The thought that he didn’t want another man kissing her, and that he’d gone to such lengths to keep it from happening, tugged at her heart. Maybe it was her that he wanted. Maybe this could all work out after all.

  “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank me. I did it for purely selfish reasons. I didn’t want to go to jail.”

  “Jail?”

  “Yes, when I beat the man who kissed you to a bloody pulp.”

  She smiled. “Well, thank you, all the same.”

  Luke led her away, and she followed. He led her around the side of the lake, and to the private gazebo. Surprisingly, it was deserted. Luke sat back on one of the railings, and pulled her into his arms and kissed her again.

  Exhausted, she melted into him. And after a few minutes, he pulled away.

  “Grace, we’re going to need to write to your family, inform Mrs. Braxton, and set a date.”

  This would be perfect moment to inform him that her family consisted of a mother who was in service to an elderly lady in New York, and a sister who worked for a clothing factory in Massachusetts.

  She knew she should tell him, but fear stole her voice, and she just couldn’t get herself to say the words. Not yet.

  He smiled down at her and tucked her closer. “What if we told the widow first?”

  She gripped the front of his shirt. She was so tired. “Maybe … perhaps we should just take a few days and enjoy being engaged.”

  He was already shaking his head. “The sooner we get started, the sooner we let everyone know, and the sooner we make decisions, the sooner you’ll be mine.

  She swallowed, and tried to think of a good reason to put him off. But nothing came to mind.

  “All right?” He hugged her tight before releasing her. “Let’s go find her.”

  Chapter 33

  Having had enough of picnics and disgruntled men, Helen and Nancy took their ill-gotten gains—most of the men grumbled, but many let them keep the kissing money for future civic projects—and adjourned to her front porch to sip tea and gossip.

  Helen turned to Nancy, who waved a fan in front of her face to try to combat the late-afternoon heat. “Oh, that’s a good idea.” Helen searched for her own fan in the bag at her feet, now filled with the leftover raffle tickets and a tin-box of dollars. She found the ivory handle and flipped open the delicate lace. “Young people can be so exhausting, can’t they?”

  “So true,” Nancy agreed. “If they’re not trying to make money, they are enmeshed in a dramatic romance, or yearning for adventure. Their emotions can be so draining.” Nancy giggled. “And so fun to watch.”

  Helen laughed. “So true. We’ll get the mayor and his little band of miscreants to the altar yet. They may have youth and vigor on their side, but we have wisdom and experience.”

  “Don’t forget ruthlessness.” Nancy added dryly.

  Helen grinned. “I never do.”

  Nancy leaned forward in her seat. “Oh, my goodness. Would you look at that!”

  Helen copied her friend and leaned forward to see Luke, Grace seated on his lap, riding up the road. Within a few minutes he stopped in front of the house.

  Nancy’s brows rose. “Will you look at that?” She whispered. “That man is as brazen as the day is long.”

  Helen hid her amusement. “He certainly is.”

  “And so determined. Look at his face. I suspect he’s got something on his mind. What on earth do you think that could be?” Nancy’s innocent tone didn’t fool her. Helen deliberately did not look at her friend when she responded, afraid if she laughed, she wouldn’t stop. “Whatever it is, the answer is going to be no.”

  Nancy took a sip of tea and giggled into her cup. “But if you say no, it will only make him all the more determined.”

  Helen had to bite her lip to keep from giggling. “Exactly.”

  Luke dismounted, and helped Grace down.

  The two of them approached the porch and stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Luke vibrated determination, Grace with nerves and fear. Well, well. This should certainly be entertaining.

  “Mrs. Braxton. Mrs. Simpson.” Luke took off his hat and nodded.

  “Mayor Carrington.” Helen kept her tone cool. “I see you’re returning Grace home. Perhaps next time you could simply walk with her rather than have her across your lap for all to see.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He raised his chin. “But next time, I don’t believe it will matter so much. We’re here to tell you that we’re getting married.”

  Mrs. Simpson cried out in excitement and clapped her hands. “Oh, my dears!”

  Helen frowned, deliberately. “No, I don’t think so.”

  Grace raised a hand to cover her throat. “But, we love each other.”

  Luke’s gaze dropped to Grace when she said that. He swallowed, and nodded.

  “I’m sure that you think you do, my dear. But I just can’t help but think that a man who would host a gambling tournament is not a man your parents would wish you to marry. Never forget, I am acting in their stead in their absence. Now come inside, and we’ll put all this behind us.”

  Luke was glaring now, and Helen was even harder pressed to smother her smile.

  “You can’t stop us from getting married.”

  “Well, of course, I can’t. But I’m sure that Grace, being the upstanding young woman that she is, will want to honor my wishes.”

  Grace was shaking her head, and looking tearful. “No ma’am. I mean, yes ma’am. I do want to marry Luke.”

  “You’d go against my wishes?”

  Grace hesitated a moment, looked at Luke, and when he gripped her hands, she nodded. “I love him, and I intend to marry him.” Her voice was firmer that time, and Helen was proud of her.

  “Well, I never.” Helen placed a hand to her chest. “After all I’ve done for you, I should toss you out into the street.”

  Luke didn’t like that at all. “Now, listen here. I’m not going to have you talk to Grace that way.”

  “She lives in my house. I can talk to her however I like.”

  Luke’s shoulders bunched, and in a moment he was walking Grace back to his horse. He swung her back up into the saddle. In the next moment, he climbed up behind her. “If she’s not living with you, then I suppose you can’t have any say in the matter.”

  Helen stood and gripped a curlicue post on the end of the porch. “Grace Carmichael, you come ba
ck here, right now!”

  But Luke was already urging his horse down the road.

  Nancy came to stand next to her. “Do you think that a quick marriage will keep Mr. Carmichael from taking Grace back to New York City?”

  “I think there’s a good chance of it.”

  Both women smiled as they watched the love-struck couple, so perfect for each other, ride slowly into their future.

  Grace’s thoughts tumbled about as they rode to Luke’s house. She couldn’t believe the widow had reacted the way she had. She knew the woman had a problem with Luke all along, but to forbid them to marry? She’d thought the woman wanted Grace to marry Luke.

  Now what was she going to do? Where would she live? All of her clothing was at Mrs. Braxton’s house. Would she be allowed to retrieve her things?

  She could feel the anger emanating off of Luke. His body was stiff, unyielding, and she wondered if he was having second thoughts.

  “Perhaps if we give Mrs. Braxton a chance to come to terms with the fact that we’re in love, she may change her mind.”

  “What we are going to do, sweetheart, is defy Mrs. Braxton. She doesn’t always get everything her own way, even though she thinks she does. We’ll get married tomorrow.”

  Grace couldn’t catch her breath. She raised a hand to her throat. “Tomorrow?” Her mind felt foggy, and panic rose in her chest as her heart started to pound. If she married under false pretenses …

  They reached his house and he dismounted, carefully lifting her from the horse. He gripped her hands in his once more and looked into her face. “Grace, marry me. You are everything I want in a wife. Tell me what it is you’re worried about, and I’ll fix it. Is it your father?”

  Her father. If only it were that simple. How would Luke feel about the fact that she was poor? Maybe she could ask him, in a round-about way. “If my father isn’t pleased with me over this wedding, he will cut me out of his will.”

  Luke laughed. “I can take care of my own wife and children, thank you very much.”

  It was exactly what she wanted to hear, but did he mean it? Luke no doubt knew that any father would be proud to have him as a son-in-law, so he probably wasn’t too worried about her being cast off. If he found that she was a liar, that she wasn’t even a Carmichael, how would he take it then?