“That’d work.” He put on his hat and left.
First stop—the livery. He didn’t see any horses worth buying so he rented a bay gelding. The horse didn’t have all that good of conformation but he looked like he had heart. Ford mounted the gelding and rode to the stage stop, where he picked up his valise and made arrangements for his trunk to be delivered to the boardinghouse. He briefly considered having it sent ahead to the ranch, but decided he wanted to arrive at the ranch complete with bride, trunk, and anything she might bring.
All he had to do was convince Polly to go with him. He wouldn’t force her to stay at the ranch, although if he were in a room full of women, he’d have picked her first go. But he did need for her to present herself to his grandpa as his wife. Once the deed was signed over, then she could do as she wished.
He hoped she would wish to stay with him, but she didn’t send him any sign of interest whatsoever.
Not even one flirty glance.
Mockingbird Flats Boardinghouse was only a block from Main Street and not far from the livery, but Ford rode there anyway because he wanted to see if the rental horse had a decent gait. The boardinghouse loomed large, even on a spacious lot. His first impression was a positive one—the building’s white trim accented the fresh yellow paint, and the sign with a carving of a mockingbird welcomed one and all.
The interior wasn’t fancy but well-kept. He strode to the registration desk, where a pretty lady clerk with light brown hair and a ready smile met him. She was quite tall and dressed well for a clerk. Ford decided Mockingbird Flats had a good share of the beautiful women in Texas.
“How may I help you, sir?”
“Looking for a room, please.”
“We have a one-week minimum stay.”
“That’s fine.
“I’m afraid the only room we have available is a suite on the third floor.”
“How much?”
She told him, and the price was a bit stiff for him since he still had to live on his education stipend his grandpa had given him until he established his business, but he didn’t have much choice.
“You have a wash room, a sitting room, and two bedrooms. You’ll have to fetch your own water. We serve two full meals a day except Sunday. If you’re not here at mealtime, you’ll have to fend for yourself. Sheets are changed once a week.” She handed him a key.
“Thank you, miss.”
Two kids nearly tripped him on the stairs—a squealing little girl was chasing a slightly older boy up one more flight of stairs and into the room opposite his. Looked as if they were having a good time.
That’s what childhood was for.
Ford entered the suite, surprised at how spacious and homey it was. The couch in the sitting room looked comfortable, as did the overstuffed chair. In the corner was a secretary and chair, along with an empty bookshelf.
He shrugged off his jacket, brushed the dust from it and his hat, then hung them on hooks beside the armoire. The rest of his settling in would have to wait on account of his stomach growled for food—the taffy had been tasty but he hadn’t eaten a decent meal since he’d left Ithaca, New York. A big beef steak and a pile of mashed potatoes floating in gravy would hit the spot.
A man shouldn’t get married on an empty stomach.
Someone knocked on the door and he answered it. The woman who’d rented the room to him stood there holding a bucket of water and a wicker basket.
“I thought you might like some wash water to freshen up. We don’t normally bring water but bein’s this is your first day and since I was coming up anyway to bring you some food—”
“Food?” That got his attention. He took the bucket from her and poured it into the ewer on the nightstand. “I was just regretting that I’d checked in after mealtime.”
“I brought some roast beef, bread and butter, and a bowl of potatoes and gravy.”
“I swear, you must’ve come straight from heaven, for I’m famished.” He took the basket and put it on the trunk. “I’ll bring the dishes down directly.”
“Thanks, I’ll leave you be. I hope the children haven’t disturbed you.”
“Not at all.” He studied her features. The youngsters didn’t resemble her at all. “Are they yours?”
“No, they’re my sister’s. They live in the suite across the hall, but I’m watching them today and they were supposed to stay downstairs.”
“Aw, you know how kids are.” He knew how he’d been—tearing around the countryside with Bea and his other friends, always finding some trouble to get into and sometimes even out of.
“I’ll fetch them and they won’t bother you.”
Ford would’ve protested but that roast beef smelled mighty good. “Much obliged, but they aren’t bothering me.”
“All the same.” She bobbed her head sort of like an old-fashioned curtsy. “I’ll be going now.”
Ford shut the door and went straight to the food basket. It’d been a crazy day, but a little food ought to help.
* * *
After making arrangements with the reverend, Polly hurried home to tell her sister the news. Normally, a wedding would be good news, but in this case it was just plain news. But she’d do anything, including marrying a complete stranger, to keep her children—not just for their sakes, but because she’d come to love them.
She went in the back way, pulled Merry into her suite, and shut the door to avert prying ears.
“What’s got you in such a state?” Merry asked, rubbing her arm.
Polly felt a mite sorrowful for gripping her sister’s arm so tightly. “I have an answer to my problem—I’m getting married today.”
“Married? Who?” Merry tilted her head and her gaze nearly bore a hole through Polly. “Reggie Norris?”
Reggie was the town’s blacksmith who’d courted Polly on occasion. She liked him well enough but certainly didn’t love him and had turned down his offer of marriage a few months back.
“No, it’s no one you know. He’s a veterinarian named Ford Daily and he’s in need of a wife. I’m in need of a husband so it seemed fortuitous that we met at Bea’s Confectionery.”
“Polly, you simply can’t pick the first man you see and marry him.”
“But it will help us both. I say again—he needs to have a wife right away and I need a husband.”
“So you’re leaving? Where does he live?”
“Not leaving. He’ll go to his ranch and show the marriage papers, and then his grandfather will sign over the deed. I’ll get the Children’s Society satisfied and after both those things are taken care of, we’ll get an annulment.”
“But Polly, what if he wants to keep you?”
“That won’t happen because he knows I’m staying here with the children and he’ll be riding out of town to his grandpa’s ranch—he has to, for he has a herd on the way.”
“You’re not making any sense at all. Why does he have to be there for a herd to get there?”
“Because his grandpa won’t let him move the herd there until he’s married.”
“Stop and think about this. Mr. Ecclestone could be here an entire week. What if your new husband rides out of town before then? Sounds like he very well might if he’s in such a big hurry to be married.”
“We haven’t discussed this, but it’s better than doing nothing.” Polly held up two fingers squeezed together. “You’re this close to losing your children, too. Do you have a better way to avert the disaster?”
“I’m thinking on it.”
“Well, I’m doing something about it.”
“Polly, you can’t! What if he beats you, or robs you blind? You have no idea what kind of man he is.”
“Bea grew up with him and she vouched for him. Anyway, it really doesn’t matter—he has business to take care of so he’ll be on his way out of town directly. After the ceremony, I’ll have no association with him whatsoever. He’s already agreed to an annulment.”
Whether Merry agreed or not, Polly saw marrying Ford
Daily as the only way to keep her children, and nothing mattered more.
Chapter Four
The stage company delivered Ford’s trunk to his third floor room. Glad he hadn’t had to lug it up three flights of stairs, he unpacked his clothes and firearms. He stowed the latter high in the armoire so the youngsters couldn’t get to them, although he doubted they’d come into his rooms. Then he tested the bed and woke up an hour later. It’d take a while for him to catch up on his sleep after the grueling train trip, but the nap helped.
Next thing he had to do was get married. But he had no idea how to contact his future bride. He headed back to the confectionery hoping that Bea would know.
“Hi, Ford,” Bea called from behind the counter. She made one last swipe with a towel and tossed it onto her shoulder. “Have a seat. We don’t have any customers and my feet are killing me so I’ll fetch us both a cup of coffee.”
He sat at a table by the window in order to see if Miss Polly walked by. “Coffee sounds good.”
In no more than a wink, Bea set two mugs on the table. “Sugar and cream?”
He stood and pulled out a chair for her. “Nope, this is fine. Take a load off your feet.”
“We just made a batch of toffee. Want some?”
“Sounds good but I just ate. They serve great food at the boardinghouse.”
She sank onto the chair. “I’ve heard that.”
“Has Miss Polly been by?” Ford returned to his own seat. “She didn’t ever say where we should meet.”
“Sounds like you’re all-fired anxious to get married.”
He let out a deep breath. “My stomach doesn’t much like the proposition even though I have to say that Miss Polly is easy on the eyes.”
“She certainly is pretty, and I bet you’re a mite on the anxious side, but knowing you, you’re bound and determined to satisfy your grandpa.”
That’s what this mess was all about—his grandpa Moses Austin Daily. “Whatever the family patriarch wants, I’ll do my level best to acquire, for even though he’s being stubborn about the whole deal, the purebred Angus herd I bought will be the seed stock to ensure the future of the Rocking MAD. He doesn’t seem to understand that I am working to continue his legacy.”
People walked by the confectionery and peeked through the windows longingly. Ford almost felt guilty for not eating another piece of candy, but the fine roast beef dinner would be hard to top, even with sweets. And his stomach had enough to deal with.
Bea picked up her coffee mug with both hands, blew the steam off, and took a sip. “I bet his contrariness gets you hot under the collar.”
“Naw. Grandpa Mo’s set in his ways all right, but I can’t be too irritated with him because his heart’s in the right place.”
Bea reached over the table and patted Ford’s hand. “I’m sorry about your folks. Must’ve been hard being in New York when they passed.”
Bea couldn’t know the half of it. He’d wanted to be home to take care of his family when they were in need, and he’d felt guilty for carrying on with his studies at Cornell, but that’s what his grandpa had wanted.
“Have you seen Miss Polly?”
“No, but I expect she’ll be by directly. When Polly makes up her mind to do something, we all just stand back and watch.” Bea grinned. “That woman is a force.”
“A good force, I hope.”
Bea’s grin reflected the mischievous glint in her eye. “I expect you’ll find out soon enough.”
He spotted Miss Polly, pretty as spring’s first bluebonnet, clutching her reticule in one hand and holding a parasol in the other, walking briskly toward Bea’s candy store. “I expect you’re right, as usual.” He stood and opened the door for his bride. “Good afternoon, Miss Polly.”
“I’m glad you’re here—saves me from having to look for you.” Miss Polly closed her parasol and hooked it over her arm, then entered the candy store. “I have all the particulars.”
“Good.” He pulled out a chair next to Bea. “Have a seat and you can tell me all about it.”
She sat, and he went back to where he’d sat before.
“I talked to the reverend,” she announced. “He’s available at four o’clock. He’d like us to chat with him for a few minutes before he performs the ceremony.”
“Sounds reasonable.”
“You’ve changed clothes.” She blushed, for he suspected she considered the remark inappropriate.
“Got ready for the wedding early. The roast beef dinner at the boardinghouse didn’t hurt, either—really hit the spot.”
“You ate at the boardinghouse?”
“Yes, a nice lady runs it. I checked in just after mealtime so she brought the food to my room.”
She laughed. “One nice lady and one crabby lady.”
“Crabby? I guess I didn’t meet that one.”
She pointed at herself. “Meet Polly Friday Bird, half-owner of Mockingbird Flats Boardinghouse. You chose a nice place to stay.”
He was a mite taken aback, but on second thought, Miss Polly showed an enterprising nature. “The only place, according to Bea.”
Bea blushed. “Well, there’s another boardinghouse on the other side of town, but...”
“Not to worry,” Miss Polly said to Bea. “We appreciate your referrals.” She turned to Ford. “We’ll be married in the church at four o’clock if you’re still of a mind.”
Ford took a long sip of his coffee. “I am.”
“You sound as if you have reservations. Well, so do I. What we’re about to do is neither sensible nor prudent, but it will solve huge problems for both of us.”
Bea stood and picked up her cup. “Is your sister able to go?”
“No, Merry’s watching the children. If you have the time, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d stand up with me.”
“My pleasure.”
“I have to go home and get ready, so I’ll meet you at the church.”
“We’ll close early—I already told Steve we’d likely be needed sometime today. And since we’ll be walking right by your place, we’ll stop and pick you up at the boardinghouse in half an hour, give or take ten minutes.”
“That would be fine.” Miss Polly stood. “I’ll see you then,” she said as she went through the door.
Ford didn’t understand the need. “I’m staying at the boardinghouse—I’ll escort my bride.”
“No, you won’t,” Bea said as she tidied the table. “It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride’s wedding dress. It’s bad enough you’ve seen her already today. You’ll stay here and Steve will take you to the church.” She headed to the kitchen.
But he hadn’t even met Miss Polly before today. Their marriage would definitely have a wobbly beginning.
* * *
Polly rushed home to change clothes as quickly as possible. The boardinghouse cook, Elvira Koch, met her at the door.
“My goodness, you’re in a hurry,” she said to Polly.
“I’m solving problems. If the Children’s Society wants me to be married, then I’ll get married.” She didn’t hear any familiar giggles from the youngsters. “Where are the children?”
“Merry took them out to play. I think they met some other children and your sister wanted to get them acquainted before school started.”
“Thank you for telling me.” At least Polly didn’t have to worry about Noah and Evie. “I’m going upstairs to dress and then I’ll be on my way to the church. If my sister comes back soon, please let her know where I am, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for the children to be there.”
As Polly climbed the stairs, she was glad she didn’t have to explain things to Evie and Noah, for she had no idea how they’d react. They might be excited about the prospect of having a father even though they weren’t actually getting one, and then they’d be disappointed. Or they might think of Ford as an intruder into their family even though she had no intention of him becoming the head of household, but she felt confident Ford would never poke his
nose in where he wasn’t wanted. Her children only needed to know that she would do anything and everything in her power to make sure they were safe and loved.
Since Merry was gone, Polly didn’t have anyone to help her dress. Washing up didn’t take any time at all since the ewer already had water in it. Luckily, she was used to lacing her own corset, which she did, giving it an extra tug. The problem came with hairstyling at which Polly was hopelessly inept, but her sister could manage quite well. So Polly ran a brush through her hair and pinned it up as best she could, making sure no stray locks escaped.
After staring at her gowns, all of which were relatively new, she decided to wear her newest dress—a fairy tale pink long-tail bodice over a cream skirt. The bodice had front darts that emphasized her assets and the seamed back flared out with plenty of material to cover her bustle and still trail clear to the floor. It had little trimming and was the most daring of all her dresses. Besides, she hadn’t worn it before.
Merry had talked her into purchasing a pink bonnet to match, for which Polly was grateful. Even though it wouldn’t be a real marriage in God’s eyes, it certainly was a legal one and she didn’t want to look like a dowd.
And if the mirror didn’t lie, she’d achieved her goal—all except for her pathetic hairdo, but the bonnet would cover most of it.
While she looked put-together on the outside, her innards were as mixed up as the cream she used to churn for hours on end to make butter. At least something good came out of all that cream, and she sincerely hoped her marriage to Ford would benefit both of them and her children.
“Are you ready, Polly?” Elvira called through the door. “Bea’s here!”
Polly was dressed in her finest, but did that mean she was ready? She’d never be ready, but she had to soldier on for the children’s sake. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
Polly gave her skirts one last tug, pinned on her bonnet, and checked the mirror to make sure she was presentable, then opened the door.
Bea looked quite pretty in her green Sunday dress. “Well, Polly, you certainly got ready in a hurry and you look absolutely ravishing. Ford’s eyes will pop plumb out the sockets when he sees his beautiful bride.”
Orphan Train Brides Page 12
