Mail Order Marshal

by George H. McVey

  Alex stood to his full height and looked down on the outlaw. “Ain’t looking fer no trouble. Jest looking fer a place up in them there mountains where a man can live free.”

  The gambler stared just a while longer as if he didn’t quite believe him. “Then we shouldn’t have a problem, should we?”

  Alexzander used every bit of discipline in him not to let this man see the trouble Alexzander was going to become for him. “Nope, reckon not.”

  “Good.”

  Alexzander watched as Little walked away harassing any man who looked like he might be able to stand up to him. He had no clue that Alexzander was here to marry Miss Pike and arrest him, but he seemed to have some idea that someone would be getting off that train sometime soon to mess up his plans. That thought made Alex smile as he led Jumper down the ramp and out into their new home.

  Betsy sat at the table taking tea. Her face had never been this red for as long as she could remember. Mrs. Fannie Pearl Edmondson and a couple of the older wives in town had come by just before tea to help her get ready for her wedding and to inform her of her duties to her mail order husband. She had questions about the things they’d said but was too embarrassed to ask them. What they said seemed so contradictory; some seemed to indicate that the act was an obligation to be endured and others had seemed to indicate that there was a pleasure to be found in the act.

  Which was right? Again, she wished her own mother was still alive so that she could ask her these private questions.

  Fannie Pearl must have realized her dilemma because she cleared her throat and looked at the women sitting around the parlor. “Ladies, I need to spend time alone with our Betsy. Would you ladies please go check in with Reverend Bates and make sure the church is ready when Betsy’s husband arrives. Remember to keep the gossip quiet on the street. We don’t want that no-good Charles Little to get wind of what’s going on.”

  The women all nodded and did as Fannie asked. Once they had all left, Fannie Pearl looked over at her. “Now don’t let those women get ya all worked up, Betsy, my dear. Most of them are only repeating what their own mothers told them the morning of their weddings. I’ve always thought that most mothers do a disservice waiting until the day of the wedding to explain the joys of marital relations. I understand not wanting a young woman to anticipate her vows, but it seems cruel to not give a better talk than he has the right; lay there and let him get it over with.”

  Betsy blushed from the top of her head to the tips of her toes to hear the mother of their church speak of such things. Fannie Pearl took in the look on her face and laughed. “It’s alright, Betsy. Someone needs to have this talk with you and it falls on me to do it right. So, set aside your embarrassment and let’s talk.”

  Betsy settled as the older woman talked to her and, in the end, she asked her questions and got her answers. She felt a little better about fulfilling her duty to her husband and was glad that Fannie Pearl had come to see her. She just wished she hadn’t brought the other wives with her.

  Just as Fannie Pearl stood to leave, there was a knock on the front door. The two women went together to see who it was. Betsy was shocked to see a tall man in the buckskins of a trapper standing in front of her.

  “Excuse me, ladies. I was told that I could find Miss Betsy Pike here.”

  Betsy took in the man in front of her. He stood almost a head taller than she and had eyes a shade of blue that seemed to be too lovely to be real. While dressed like a trapper in buckskin and moccasins with a coonskin hat on his head, he was surprisingly handsome in a rugged way. Besides the expressive blue eyes, he had black hair that hung in a loose tail down to his wide shoulders tied in place with several strips of rawhide. He also had a full beard and mustache. These weren’t wild like the trappers she knew, but instead were well groomed. It was obvious from the soot that was smeared across his upper cheek and forehead he’d been on the train.

  “What do you want with Miss Pike, young man?” Fannie Pearl asked her hands on her hips.

  The handsome mountain man turned his eyes from Betsy to the older woman. “I have a delivery for her from my friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Tandy.”

  Betsy sucked in a breath and quickly looked to see if anyone was watching them. “Come inside, please.” She stepped back pulling the man inside and Fannie Pearl closed the door behind them.

  “I’m Betsy Pike. You said you have a delivery for me from Elizabeth? How do you know Mrs. Tandy?”

  The man smiled, and Betsy felt her heart begin to race at the proximity of this man’s man. Was it too much to hope this was the groom she was waiting for? The man reached into the buckskin bag hanging on his side and pulled out a letter. “Her husband and I are friends and I’ve spent many an evening at their home, miss. Are you Betsy Pike? I have a letter of introduction if you are.”

  He held out the envelope in his hand and Betsy nodded. She found that she couldn’t quite find her voice now that those eyes had found hers. She reached out a shaky hand and took the letter. She opened it, pulled the single piece of stationary out, and read the note.

  Betsy,

  The man who brought you this letter is Alexzander Sewell, a friend of my husband's and a lawman in our town of Beckham. He was looking for a place where there were mountains and wide-open spaces when your letter arrived. I think that he is exactly what you asked me for. He is a good policeman and an even better man. A bit wild at times, but I’m sure you will soon tame him. Just don’t tame him too much. Know Bernard and I will be praying for you and the situation. Please write to me after your wedding and let me know how things are working out between you two.

  Elizabeth Tandy.

  Betsy looked up, swallowed, and smiled at the rugged mountaineer in front of her. “I’m Betsy Pike, Mr. Sewell. I’m your bride.”

  The smile that lit up his face almost turned Betsy’s knees into water. The man before her was nothing like Ike and yet he was more than she’d ever hoped or dared to dream Elizabeth would find for her.

  Five

  Alexzander couldn’t take his eyes off the woman in front of him. This was the woman who sent for a groom? How was it she wasn’t surrounded by suitors? These men in the west must be blind or ignorant. Her long honey-blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, lips as red as strawberries ripe and plump, and her eyes as blue as the mountain lake he grew up fishing. Her voice when she’d told him she was his bride was like warm water flowing across his skin after a week in the woods. Refreshing and almost divine. He couldn’t stop the smile that overtook his face making him feel like an addlebrained idiot in front of this beauty. She was tall for a woman but just the perfect height for his overly tall form.

  Betsy, his soon-to-be bride.

  That thought snapped him out of his trance. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss. I would like to ask you a couple of questions if I might.”

  She smiled at him and the older woman whom he’d all but forgotten was there laughed. “Look at you two. Come on then, Mr. Sewell, let’s all go into the parlor where you can ask your questions and hopefully we can get you your answers.”

  She led them into the seating area, taking an armchair and indicating that he and Betsy should be seated on the settee together.

  Alexzander waited till Betsy was seated and then sat beside her and turned to look at her. He couldn’t get enough of her delicate features. She was looking at him, as well, and blushed when his eyes stayed locked on her lips. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and devour them. Yet he knew such an action wasn’t proper even if they were getting married later today. He wondered if her dead fiancé had stolen kisses from her. Had she allowed such liberties to the man she loved? He didn't want to think of her in the arms of some cowboy, but he knew she sent for him because her love had died at the hands of the man he’d met moments after stepping off the train.

  “My first question is: when is the wedding?”

  Betsy pinked up beside him before she smiled. “We asked Reverend Bates to be at the church at tw
o. Is that alright with you?”

  He smiled and nodded, “That’s fine. It gives me enough time to get cleaned up and into proper attire. Now, where is the church?”

  Fannie Pearl spoke up at that question. “It’s just down the way; if you follow the street in front of us you should find it easy enough.”

  “Thank you. I wouldn’t want to be late to my own wedding because I didn’t know where the church is. Now, Miss Pike, these next few questions are more personal, and I apologize if they embarrass or upset you in any way. The first is once we are married where will we be living?”

  Betsy thought about that and was ashamed that she’d not even given the matter much thought. When she was going to marry Ike, she’d known they’d be living in the little house the city gave him behind the jail, but she knew that Mr. Little was staying there, using Ike’s things, and she wasn’t sure she could move in with her new husband while any remnant of her love’s presence was there.

  “I hadn’t actually thought of that. There is a house that comes with the job of Marshal, but it hasn’t been cleaned out since Ike’s death and that outlaw is staying there now. I guess we could stay here with my father for a while.”

  “You’re sure he wouldn’t mind?”

  “I don’t see why he would; it is a big house and only he and I and the servants live here.”

  "All right then. Miss Pike, I realize that you sent for a husband and a lawman, but I get the feeling you’re more interested in the lawman than the husband. Are you sure you want to have the wedding right now? I mean, I’d be willing to wait and court you a bit before you choose me as your husband. I’d still take the job even if you wanted to not marry me and deal with that polecat that killed your love and took over the town.”

  Betsy’s heart swelled with desire that this man, this stranger who came to help out Silverpines and marry her was so kind and considerate. He wasn’t demanding she forget about Ike; instead, he was offering her an escape from a marriage of obligation and a chance to get to know him better to see if he would suit her as a husband. She reached out and placed a hand on top of his arm. “Mr. Sewell, that is very kind of you. I think we should go ahead and marry today. It guarantees me at least the safety of not having to be open to Mr. Little's advances anymore. But thank you for being willing to wait.”

  Alexzander smiled at her and lifted one hand to stroke her cheek. “I know we are strangers and I promise to be a good husband. I would, however, like to take some time after our wedding to get to know you better before moving into the more private parts of being married.”

  Betsy blushed even harder knowing that he was speaking of the very topic she and Fannie Pearl had been discussing before he knocked. “I appreciate that, Mr. Sewell.”

  “Alexzander, please. We are to be married in a little over two hours; couldn’t we call each other Alexzander and Betsy?”

  She smiled, “I’d like that. Thank you, Alexzander, and thank you for being such a gentleman.”

  He shook his head, "Not so much a gentleman, Betsy, not really. If you knew what I was thinking right now, you wouldn’t think that much of me at all.”

  She saw something in his eyes she’d not seen from anyone before, not even Ike. There was a depth of emotion she’d never seen on any man who looked at her. Not desire; she’d seen that look many times, but something more. She couldn’t help but feel her heart race at the thought of what that more was, and what Alexzander thought that he would consider less than gentlemanly.

  “What are you thinking, Alexzander?” Her eyes locked onto his mouth and she bit her bottom lip at the desire for him to kiss her. He groaned deep in his throat and lifted her chin to look him in the eyes.

  “I’m thinking I’d very much like to kiss you, Betsy.”

  “You would?”

  He nodded, “Very much.”

  She licked her lips and leaned into him. “Okay.”

  He stroked his thumb across her bottom lip. “Are you sure, Betsy?”

  Her breathing seemed to be stuck like she was trying but couldn’t get the oxygen she needed. She looked into his eyes and was again consumed by that look. She couldn’t tear her eyes away, but she whispered in a half breath, “Yes, please.”

  Alexzander needed no further encouragement and leaned the rest of the way in letting his lips close over hers. Heat shot from her lips and seared its way into her very soul. She’d been kissed before, but no kiss, not even Ike's, had been like this. Had made her feel like this. She was falling and flying at the same time. Everything around her disappeared and all that was left was the overwhelming sensation of Alexzander’s lips moving over hers and hers responding to his touch.

  Fannie Pearl coughed and everything rushed back into focus. Alexzander slowly, almost reluctantly, pulled back until there was space between them. Betsy felt hollow like she’d lost something without the contact of his mouth. Before she knew what was happening, her arms went around his neck and she was pulling his head back into hers. Their lips crushing into each other, the same feeling as moments before.

  Betsy had the feeling of rightness being where she belonged in this man’s arms.

  “What is this, then?” came a roar from the doorway jerking them apart. As she looked up she saw Charles Little standing in the doorway, a look of rage on his face.

  “Mr. Little, what are you doing in my home?”

  Alexzander stood and placed himself between her and the man who killed Ike.

  “What are you doing? Kissing another man, when I’ve been giving you time to grieve your last love before we marry?”

  Alexzander looked the man right in the eye and reached into the pouch that hung at his side. “Sorry to inform you but there won’t be a wedding for you. Betsy and I marry today.”

  Alexzander watched as Little’s eyes narrowed, and his hand started moving toward the holster at his hip. Alexzander’s hand came out of the varmint bag holding a Colt policeman special in his hand. “I wouldn’t try for that revolver, Mr. Little. I promise you that won’t end well for you.”

  “That’s Marshal Little and you’re under arrest.”

  Alexzander laughed. “Marshal Little? Really? When were you appointed Marshal of Silverpines? From what I heard, you killed the duly-appointed Marshal and assumed the job. You’re not the law around here; you're just a killer. Now me, I have a letter asking me to assume the duties of Town Marshal, so I’ll take that badge and place you under arrest.” Alexzander walked over and took the badge off the outlaw's vest, pinned it on his chest, and took the man’s revolver from his holster. “Betsy, would you come and hold Mr. Little’s Colt for me?”

  “Of course.” His bride-to-be walked up and took the gun in her hand.

  “Keep it pointed at him and if he moves, shoot him.”

  Betsy took the revolver and cocked the hammer. The look on her face said she hoped he moved. “Don’t shoot him unless you have to, Betsy. I know you want him dead but let a jury try him and the judge will see him hang.”

  Alexzander noticed the bulge in a vest pocket and pulled out a small derringer and dropped it in his varmint bag. He pulled out three pieces of rawhide, about a foot long each, quickly braided them into a three-cord string, and used it to tie Charles's hands together. Once the outlaw was secure, Alexzander reached in to his bag, pulled out the star and put it on. “Where’s the jail?”

  “Down Adams Street toward the depot across the tracks; it's right there on the corner of Adams Street and Second Avenue.”

  Alexzander reached out, took the Colt from Betsy, and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. “I’ll go get this outlaw behind bars and see you at two for our wedding.”

  Betsy smiled as tears slipped down her face. “Thank you, Alexzander. You’ve already done more than anyone since Ike was killed.”

  Alexzander smiled. “It’s why you and the town sent for me, Betsy. We just got lucky the vulture couldn’t stay away from you.”

  He took the rawhide in his hands and dragged the outlaw out of the
Pike’s home,toward the jail. Betsy stood and watched him leave; her heart fuller than it had been since Mayor Jaxsom told her Ike had been shot. All of it due to the handsome mountain man walking away from her now. Without realizing it, Betsy’s fingers went back to her lips where she could still feel and taste her soon-to-be husband. Fannie Pearl smiled a knowing smile and then directed Betsy inside. “Come, child, we now have less than two hours to get you ready for your wedding. You want to get a bath and be pretty for that handsomely rugged groom of yours, don’t you?”

  Together they went inside to primp and pretty the bride for her ceremony.

  Alexzander led Charles Little down to the jail. People stopped and stared as they passed by. He knew that he was growing a small following, people who were wondering what was going on. Alexzander didn’t stop until he was at the jail. He entered the building and two men who both looked shifty as the man he had tied up, stood with deputy badges on their chests.

  “Boss, what’s going on?” They looked from Charles to Alexzander and back to Charles. “Mister, why do you have the Marshal tied up?”

  Alexzander turned so that his prisoner was between him and the men. “If you mean this outlaw who killed the duly appointed marshal and took his place without the vote of the city council, then I’m arresting him for murder and extortion to start with.”

  The one to his left let his hand move toward his pistol and Alexzander pointed his revolver at him. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Name's Alexzander Sewell and the city council sent for me to take over as Town Marshal. Reckon that makes me the law. Who are you?”

  “Deputy Smith.”

  “How long you been a deputy?”

  “What’s that matter?”

  Alexzander allowed a bit of steel flow into his voice and face. “It matters because I’m trying to find out who your loyalties lie with, the town or Little here.”