Lightning and Lawmen

by Shanna Hatfield

  Maggie grinned and quoted her a price.

  “I’ll take it!” Delilah said without a moment of hesitation. “It truly is a lovely gown.”

  “I’m so glad you like it. Do you need gloves, stockings, or anything else today?”

  “The gown will be all for today, but you might coerce me into ordering a matching hat.” Delilah gave Maggie a sly grin.

  “I’d be happy to talk you into it. Do you have a style in mind?”

  Delilah and Maggie spent the next quarter hour discussing hat styles and trim options before Delilah decided what she wanted. After she paid for the gown, Maggie promised to have it delivered to the boardinghouse that afternoon.

  “I’m so glad you stopped in, Delilah,” Maggie said, giving her an impetuous hug. “And not because you purchased a gown. It’s been wonderful to meet you.”

  Delilah returned her hug then pulled back with a smile. “I’m glad I stopped in, too. I found a beautiful gown and a new friend. I very much look forward to enjoying dinner with you and Mr. MacGregor Monday evening.”

  “I hope we’ll see you at church Sunday. Services begin at ten-thirty.” Maggie walked her to the door.

  “Edwin and Hattie already invited us, but I assume you all attend the same church.”

  Maggie smiled and opened the door. “We do. If I don’t see you before then, we’ll see you Sunday. You’re welcome to sit with us.”

  “Thank you. We might just take you up on that. Have a pleasant day, Maggie.”

  “You as well, Delilah.” Maggie waved as she stepped out onto the boardwalk and into the bright morning sunshine.

  She snapped open her parasol and breathed in the clean, fresh air. The scent of pine blended with the aroma of something sweet wafting from the bakery down a side street. If she hadn’t remained stuffed from her large breakfast, she might have gone to the bakery just to see what tempting treats it offered.

  Delilah wandered into the Crystal Palace and perused the selections of dishes and household goods. She left without making a purchase, but was satisfied the store would provide more than adequate quality if any of their dishes, platters, pitchers or bowls were broken in transit.

  She stopped at a furniture store where the owner never stopped talking the entire time she was there. In spite of his nonstop blathering, she found several pieces of excellent quality furnishings that would work in their new house, if her father decided not to ship all of their furniture.

  After nodding politely to a few women and following them into the stationery store, Delilah made her way to Mr. Miller’s Mercantile. A colorful display of quilts filled one window while another boasted an assortment of garden tools, seed packets, and spring flowers made of crepe paper.

  As she stepped inside, the smell of brewing coffee mingled with spices, leather, and tobacco. The large, well-stocked store appeared to be quite popular with shoppers, even on a weekday morning.

  Delilah picked up a sturdy woven basket and began perusing the merchandise aisle by aisle. She added tooth powder, lotion, and a box of hairpins to several pieces of muslin toweling. Lingering a few minutes over the bedding options, she looked over the assortment of books and found a one by Frances Hodgson Burnett she’d heard about but not yet read. The book joined the other items in her basket, not because she had an abundance of time to read, but because she looked forward to a quiet summer day when she could rest on the back porch and read to her heart’s content.

  Several people smiled at her and a few women offered greetings and introductions. She’d just stepped up to the front counter behind a young, unusually tall couple when the golden-haired woman turned and smiled at her.

  “That gown is gorgeous,” the woman said. “I’m Allie Amick, by the way. This is my husband, Ben.”

  A handsome curly-haired cowboy turned and offered her a welcoming nod as he doffed his hat. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  “It’s Miss Delilah Robbins and it’s my pleasure to meet both of you.” Delilah noticed the lace on the woman’s gown and reached out to finger the edge along the sleeve. “I just bought a dress at Mrs. MacGregor’s shop with lace similar to this. The lace maker does amazing work.”

  Ben beamed and wrapped a hand around his wife’s waist, pulling her close to his side. “My Allie has a talent for lace making.”

  Delilah gaped at the fresh-faced young woman. “You made this lace? The lace in Maggie’s shop?”

  Allie nodded, seeming embarrassed. “The women in my family have always made bobbin lace. It’s something I enjoy creating.”

  “It’s among the finest I’ve ever seen, Mrs. Amick. Truly, you possess a rare gift.” Delilah assured her.

  “Please, call me Allie. You must be new in town. Have you been here long or are you passing through.”

  “My father took over the meteorological station. We arrived Monday.”

  Ben nodded his head and grinned. “Then you two had your work cut out for you mucking out the messes Sutler left behind.”

  “We’ve been busy, for certain. Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield from the boardinghouse have been most helpful, too. We’re staying with them until the house is fit to be inhabited by humans.”

  “Oh, you know Edwin and Hattie,” Allie said with a smile. “They took me in when I first came to town, too. Then I married this cowboy and fell in love.”

  Delilah held back the urge to correct Allie. Surely she meant she met Ben, fell in love, and then wed.

  “I’m glad you married me, even if you didn’t know me from Adam’s off ox,” Ben said, kissing Allie’s cheek. He noticed Delilah’s confused expression and grinned at her again. “Allie came to be a mail-order bride but the dunderheaded fool who sent for her isn’t fit to climb through slime on his yella’ belly let alone marry a fine girl like my sugar. So I was more than happy to come to the rescue and settle my brand on her.”

  Allie blushed and gave Ben a private look before she turned back to Delilah. “What he means is that I came as a mail-order bride but the man who sent for me was unsuitable as a husband. When the man tried to force me to wed, the sheriff locked him up long enough for me to marry Ben. He just happened to come by the boardinghouse to deliver a load of pies from Jemma Jordan at the moment I most needed his help. Now, Jemma’s my sister-in-law, and we’re about as happy as anyone can be out on the ranch, especially with a new addition arriving soon.”

  Still partially baffled by the circumstances of Ben and Allie’s wedding, Delilah assumed she’d eventually figure it all out, especially how Jemma Jordan was related to them. Maggie had mentioned that name as had Hattie and Edwin. If Delilah kept the stories she’d heard straight, then Jemma must be married to Thane, who was friends with Maggie and Tully, and a brother to… Ah, that was the tie. Thane and Ben were brothers.

  “You and Thane Jordan are brothers?” Delilah asked.

  Ben grinned and nodded as two youngsters raced down the aisle toward them. A curly-haired little girl who greatly resembled Ben launched herself into his arms when he opened them to her.

  “Lilypad and Jackeroo, are you two about ready to go?” Ben asked the children.

  “Yep, we are,” the boy said, smiling at Delilah. “I’m Jack Jordan, son of Jemma and Thane Jordan. How do you do?” the boy asked, tipping his head courteously.

  “I do quite well, Master Jordan,” Delilah said, tamping down her urge to laugh at the boy’s strange accent. It was a blending of western twang and British tones. “Miss Robbins is my name.”

  “Miss Robbins?” the little girl asked from her perch on Ben’s arm. “Like the pretty birdies with the red tummies?”

  “Exactly like that,” Delilah said, grinning at the impish child. “Did I hear your name is Lily?”

  “Yes, Lillian Jane Jordan.” The little girl executed a move that might have been a curtsy had she not been held in her uncle’s arms. “My mama is gonna get me a baby sister soon.”

  “Or brother, Lil. If I get an equal vote, I want a brother. I don’t think we can handle two
girls like you,” Jack said, dodging back when Lily reached out to smack him.

  “Hey, enough of that,” Ben said, handing Lily to Allie while he paid for their purchases and hefted a heavy box full of supplies. With a wink he handed Jack a paper sack full of penny candy then turned back to Delilah. “It was nice to meet you, Miss Robbins. We’d be pleased if you and your father came out to the ranch for a visit sometime. Just head south of town and you can’t miss us. It’s about an hour’s ride to the ranch.”

  “We may just take you up on that invitation, once we get settled into our house.” Delilah smiled at the children then at Allie. “Have a lovely drive home.”

  “Thank you, Miss Robbins. We will,” Allie said, moving toward the door. Jack pulled it open and held it. Allie glanced back at her. “Enjoy your new gown from Maggie’s shop.”

  “Oh, I fully intend to, and please, call me Delilah.”

  Allie nodded once before she carried Lily outside followed by Ben and Jack.

  “Did I hear you say your father is Ross Robbins, the new meteorologist?” the man behind the counter asked as Delilah set the basket on the counter.

  “That is correct, sir. Are you Mr. Miller?” she inquired, glancing at a display of assorted candies behind a glass-fronted case.

  “Frank Miller at your service,” he said, tipping his head to her. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Robbins. Your father has been in a few times to purchase supplies.”

  “Yes, he mentioned that he’d met you. I’ve heard nothing but praises for your store. After browsing your selections, I can see why everyone says it is the place to shop in town.” Delilah watched the middle-aged man’s chest puff out with pride.

  “Thank you, Miss Robbins. I try to run a clean, well-stocked store with fair prices. If there is something you want I don’t carry, I can order it and have it shipped here, generally within a week.”

  “Gracious! That is prompt service. I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”

  Frank rang up her purchases. “Is there anything else I can help you with today?”

  Delilah nodded and tapped on the glass case. “I’d like a penny’s worth of peppermint drops and another of sassafras sticks.”

  Frank filled sacks with the candy and set them inside the basket. “Did you want to purchase the basket or would you prefer a box?”

  “I’d like to keep the basket.”

  He nodded and gave her the total.

  She handed him the appropriate funds then picked up the basket. “Thank you, Mr. Miller. I’m sure my father or I will be in soon.”

  “Give Ross my greetings, and come in anytime, Miss Robbins.”

  “I will, sir. Thank you.”

  She turned to leave and smacked into a solid chest. A shiny badge nearly brushed against her nose. Delilah leaned back, looking up into an all-too-handsome face and eyes the color of a deep, bright blue crystal she’d once seen at a museum in Washington, D.C. The hue, so vibrant and intense, almost didn’t seem real.

  “Howdy, Miss Robbins. How does this day find you?” Deputy Seth Harter asked with an engaging grin that showed off his perfect teeth.

  “It finds me quite well, Deputy Harter. My apologies for bumping into you. It was quite unintentional, I assure you.”

  Seth chuckled. “I reckoned that already. Are you heading back to the boardinghouse?” he asked as she moved toward the door. He pushed it open and held it for her.

  She brushed against his chest as she made her way past him outside. The proximity to it, to muscles she knew were solid and strong from colliding with them a moment ago, left her unsettled.

  The manner of these western men, relaxed and carefree, was nothing like what she expected. Accustomed to men who abided by every one of society’s many rules, with the exception of her father, the men of Baker City had been courteous and kind, yet she sensed a restless wildness in them that she’d never before witnessed among the cultured set from home.

  Perhaps it was just something in the deputies and men like Ben Amick.

  Delilah glanced up at Seth as he escorted her down the boardwalk. “I didn’t mean to interrupt whatever you were doing, Deputy Harter. Please don’t feel the need to accompany me if you have pressing matters of which you must attend.”

  He grinned again and took a step closer to her. “I can’t think of a thing more important than strolling down the boardwalk with a pretty girl on a spring day.”

  Flattered by his comment, she shifted her basket from her right hand to her left and meandered along the boardwalk with the deputy.

  “Are you settling in okay?” Seth asked as they stood at the corner and waited for a wagon to pass before they crossed the street.

  “We just finished cleaning the house yesterday. Papa thinks it’s best to wait until Monday to move in so the paint fumes have time to dissipate and the wax on the floor has time to dry.”

  “That’s a sound plan,” Seth said, cupping her elbow and steering her around a pile of road apples in the middle of the street. He released her as soon as they reached the boardwalk on the other side. “You know, Miss Robbins, it would please me to no end if you’d accompany me to see the Macbeth play next week. Would you consider it?”

  “I would consider it, Deputy Harter. In fact, I’m quite honored by the invitation. If you are sure you’d like to attend, I’d be happy to accompany you.” Delilah loved theatrical performances and assumed it might be a while before another similar event came to town. Her father had mentioned getting tickets, but she knew he’d rather do anything than spend an hour or two watching a play or attending the opera.

  “Well, that’s great news, Miss Robbins. If you don’t object to the idea, I’d like to take you to dinner at the hotel before the play.”

  “That sounds quite lovely, Deputy Harter. Thank you. I would be agreeable to your invitation.”

  The deputy looked inordinately pleased as he smiled at her. “Good. That’s good, Miss Robbins. I wonder if you…”

  A shout down the street and the sight of two miners engaged in fisticuffs drew a sigh from Seth. “I better go bust up their fun before someone gets hurt. Will you be fine walking back to the boardinghouse?”

  “I certainly will, Deputy Harter. Thank you.”

  Seth tipped his hat to her then raced down the street, hollering at the men to break up their fight before he tossed them in the hoosegow.

  Delilah watched him run with ease toward the fighting men, admiring his muscular form. An evening with the good-looking deputy should prove interesting.

  Chapter Five

  Dugan lifted a foot and rested it on the edge of the water trough located outside the depot office as he waited for the afternoon train to arrive. He and Seth had flipped a coin to see who would go to the depot to meet the sheriff and drive his family home. Pleased he’d won, Dugan looked forward to seeing Tully, Brianna, and Sammy.

  With the three of them gone, the town seemed a little too quiet.

  Dugan took out his watch and glanced at the time before tucking it back into his vest pocket. He removed a piece of Adams’ Tutti Frutti gum from his pocket and popped it in his mouth, then returned to waiting. Only a minute or two had passed when he heard the train chugging down the tracks.

  The big locomotive belched steam into the air as it ground to a halt amid much screeching and creaking. It rocked to a stop with a final blast of steam and a long sigh.

  Dugan straightened and watched as the porter stepped onto the platform and began helping women down the steps. A broad grin filled his face as Sammy Barrett leaped off the steps and raced his way.

  “Dugan!” she called, launching herself into his arms.

  He swung her around in the air and kissed her rosy cheek before setting her on her feet and watching as her adoptive parents stepped off the train. Brianna looked as lovely as ever and Tully appeared happy and relaxed as he settled a hand around his wife’s waist and guided her toward Dugan.

  “It appears the trip was a success,” Dugan said, shaking Tully’s hand
then kissing Brianna’s cheek.

  “We had such fun,” Brianna said, brushing a hand over Sammy’s head. “Tully and Sammy built a huge sandcastle.”

  “Until the tide came in and washed it away,” Sammy said with a slight pout. Almost immediately, she brightened. “We saw whales, Dugan, and I got to feed a seal, and we ate, um…” She looked to Tully, and held both hands so they looked like pincers. “What were they called, Dad?”

  “Lobsters, Sam. We had lobsters.” Tully grinned at his daughter.

  “And they were so good. And we played in the waves and cooked on the beach over an open fire and ate salt water taffy.” Sammy thrust her hand into the pocket of her dress. She pulled it out and handed Dugan a piece of candy wrapped in paper. “Here, I saved one for you.”

  “Thank you, Sammy.” Dugan tucked the candy into his pocket to enjoy later and turned to where the luggage was being unloaded. “How many trunks did you come home with?”

  “Only one more than we took,” Brianna said, giving Tully a warning glare.

  The sheriff shrugged and squeezed Brianna’s waist. “I kept her too busy to do much shopping.”

  Sammy snorted. “That’s for sure. When we weren’t off seeing whales and exploring the beach, Dad kept smooching all over Mama.”

  Brianna’s face turned pink then a brighter shade of red as she scowled first at Tully and then Sammy.

  Dugan placed a hand over his mouth in an attempt to hide his smile.

  Tully chuckled and slapped him on the back. “Let’s go get those trunks. I’m ready to head home and relax in my favorite chair.”

  “I borrowed Edwin’s wagon and Hattie sent along a basket full of food for your supper,” Dugan said as Tully hefted one trunk and pointed to the others that belonged to Brianna.

  Dugan picked one up and led the way to where he’d parked the Greenfield’s wagon. After loading the trunks, Tully lifted Brianna up to the wagon seat then swung Sammy into the back. Dugan climbed up and took the reins in his hands. Once Tully settled on the other side of Brianna, Dugan released the brake, snapped the reins, and guided the team away from the depot.