Grace's Dream

by Agnes Alexander

  “Why hasn’t he been here long?”

  “When Jed gave up being a bounty hunter, the two of them came here and bought the Lawson ranch. Then Wainwright married Amelia Donahue and when her papa died, they inherited that ranch. The two men have combined the ranches and now it’s the huge Circle 2. They’re the richest men in the area, if not the richest in Wyoming. Their wives will never want for anything.”

  Juliette looked as if she was becoming interested. “If he’s so wonderful, I don’t understand why one of the needy women in town hasn’t latched onto him.”

  “Maybe it’s meant for you to meet and like him regardless….” Her voice trailed off.

  Juliette frowned. “What do you mean by saying regardless?”

  Marjorie pulled a lace handkerchief out of her pocket and dabbed her mouth. Finally she said, “They say he was shot when he was a United States Marshall and…”

  “I knew it. He’s all scarred and looks hideous. How could you want to match me up with somebody like him, Mama?”

  “No, sweetheart. He’s not scarred. He was hit in the leg, and he has a slight limp.”

  Juliette threw her head back and laughed, but before she could reply her father walked in.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Oh, Daddy. Can you believe Mama is trying to match me up with a crippled man?”

  He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  Marjorie interjected. “I was merely telling her she might want to concentrate on trying to catch the eye of somebody other than Lance Gentry. I suggested Curt Allison.”

  “Curt Allison would be a good catch. He’s rich and…”

  “But he’s crippled. Mama said so.”

  “He limps a little, but….”

  “Then why doesn’t that silly Grace Hunter match up with this Allison fellow? They sound perfect for each other.”

  Juliette fiddled with her ribbon. “He’s not the kind of man I need. Lance Gentry is fit and walks like a man should.”

  “Lance is a nice fellow, but he’s not the man for you.” Hal looked at his daughter. “Now take that hat off. You’re not going anywhere.”

  “But, Daddy. I need to get out. I’m so bored just sitting in this house.”

  “Well, that’s what you’re going to do for a little while longer.” He turned to his wife. “While I was at the meeting I heard there were four more cases of the measles in town.”

  “Oh, no. Do you know who?”

  “One was the preacher’s mother. I didn’t know the others.”

  “Do you think she got the measles from someone who went to church last Sunday?”

  “I suppose so, but the mayor told me Preacher Ellsworth decided to call off services until this sickness is gone.”

  “That’s good. I just hope their baby girl doesn’t come down with it.”

  “Me, too, but you know they let any kind of riff-raff in that church. It’s not proper.”

  “Hal, at a time like this, we don’t need to be concentrating on what’s proper.”

  “You and Mama can fight the preacher’s problem out among yourselves.” Juliette headed toward the door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me for a little while, I’ll…”

  “Juliette!” Her father’s voice wasn’t calm. “Get back in here and take off that bonnet. You’re not going anywhere.”

  She puckered her lip at him. “Now, Daddy, you don’t want to make me cry, do you?”

  “No, I don’t want you to cry, but if it saves your life, let the tears flow.” His voice didn’t soften.

  She stared at him. “You don’t usually talk to me like that.”

  “Well, maybe it’s time I did. Especially if it’s the only way I can protect you.”

  “I can’t believe you’d be so mean to me.” Juliette turned and ran up the stairs without looking back.

  Marjorie was sure she was crying, but she’d go comfort her later. She turned to her husband. “Hal, why are you being so harsh with her? Would it really hurt for her to slip by to visit the sheriff for a few minutes?”

  “To save her life, I’ll do what I have to do, Marjorie. These are harsh times and we all have to be strict. We don’t know where someone can pick up these measles. Miss Purdy’s aunt died with them this morning and everybody knows that woman seldom left the house.”

  “Oh, poor Miss Purdy. Her aunt was all she had left.”

  “I know.” He looked at his wife. “Now, do you understand why it’s so important to keep Juliette in the house? We have to be careful. This awful disease can hit anyone and nobody knows when or where it’ll strike.”

  Marjorie dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. “Yes, dear. You’ve made it very clear to me, and I do understand how important it is that we all stay inside. I’ll make sure Juliette doesn’t go anywhere.”

  “Good.” He reached out and patted his wife’s shoulder. “All I want to do is protect my family.”

  Chapter 5

  “Frank!” Henrietta’s scream echoed down the hall into the kitchen.

  Grace almost dropped the baking powder she was putting in the cabinet and Effie whirled around from the table where she was mixing bread dough. Frank jumped up from the chair at the table where he was munching on a cookie Effie had made earlier and ran toward his daughter’s room.

  “I’m coming, too, Dad.” Teddy stood.

  When Teddy felt better this morning and fussed about being in bed, his father let him come to the kitchen.

  Grace nodded to Effie. “Maybe we should all go.”

  She returned the nod and the two of them followed Frank and Teddy.

  Henrietta still called Frank’s name as they reached Sophie’s bedroom door.

  “I’m here, Henrietta. What’s wrong?” He rushed in and leaned toward his wife who was seated in a chair beside Sophie’s bed.

  “Look.” She was crying.

  Grace’s heart beat wildly and she bit her lip. Had Sophie died? Was it something else? By instinct she reached out and grabbed Teddy’s shoulder. She couldn’t let him rush in if his sister was dead or dying. “Wait here, Teddy.”

  “But I want…”

  “No. Not yet. Wait here with Effie and me.”

  “Oh, Henrietta, I can’t believe this.” Tears began to flow down Frank’s cheeks. “When did it happen?”

  “Just a minute ago.”

  Teddy broke away from Grace and ran toward his father. “Is Sophie dead?”

  Frank held his arm out and gathered Teddy to his side. “No, son. Your sister isn’t dead. She just opened her eyes and smiled at us.”

  “But they’re closed.”

  “She went back to sleep, son.” His mother reached out and took his hand. “Her fever broke and she’s coming around. It will take a while, but she’s going to be fine. I just know it.”

  Grace sighed in relief and she couldn’t keep the tears of happiness from forming in her eyes. “That’s wonderful.”

  “It sure is,” Effie whispered.

  “Come on in, Grace. You, too, Effie.” Henrietta smiled at her. “You’re both part of this family.”

  After a few minutes of celebration with the family, Grace and Effie hurried back to the kitchen to finish cooking.”

  “Praise the Lord,” Effie wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron.

  “You’re right, Effie. It’s something we need to thank God for.” She noticed the basket on the table. “Is this for the prisoners?”

  “Yes, but if you want me to, I’ll take it to the jail.”

  “I appreciate that, Effie, but Frank wants me to go tell the doctor to come by and check Sophie. I’ll drop it at the jail on my way.” She removed her apron and hung it on a peg. “I shouldn’t be gone long.”

  “Don’t rush. I got nothing to do till I start somethin’ for supper. I don’t need no help with that unless you insist on helping me.”

  “Then I’ll be back later.” Grace picked up the basket and went out the back door.

  Leaving the bas
ket at the jail, she promised Lance she’d stop back by after seeing the doctor.

  * * * *

  The bell jangled when she entered Doctor Wagner’s office. There were several people in the waiting room. She walked up to the desk where the doctor’s new wife sat. “Hello, Esther.”

  “Hello, Grace. Are you here to see the doctor?”

  “I’m here to tell him about Sophie Olsen.”

  “Don’t tell me that sweet girl…”

  “Oh, no, Esther. Sophie’s fever broke and she seems to be waking up. Mr. Olsen wanted to let Sheldon know.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful news, Grace.” She looked at the people in the waiting room. “Did you hear that folks. Sophie Olsen is getting better. She’s going to live.”

  Several people smiled and others said things like, ‘that’s wonderful’ and ‘I’m glad somebody won over this disease’ and other comments Grace couldn’t understand.

  Leaving the office, knowing she’d given some of the sick people hope, Grace headed back to the jail with a happy heart. Inwardly, she knew part of her joyful heart was because Lance had insisted she stop back by. She knew she was going to have to fight the growing feelings she had for her friend’s brother eventually, but for now she was enjoying the attention he was giving her. She decided she would continue to enjoy it as long as it lasted and she figured that would be when the scare of measles was over. Then he’d start spending his time with other women and forget about her except maybe when he came to the dining room to eat or if his sister, Nelda wrote and asked him to give her a message.

  As she stepped up to the boardwalk in front of the jail a horse came racing down the street. Since there had been a short spring thunderstorm early in the morning, the horse’s hooves were throwing mud in all directions. Grace knew the mud would be gone later this afternoon, but she didn’t want to get splattered with what was here so she hurried.

  When she was safely on the walk she turned to see the rider reining the horse up near her. He tipped his hat. “Remember me, pretty lady?”

  Though she recognized him as the young man who was in jail for shooting up the town, she shook her head.

  “Oh come on. You brought me all that good food while I was unlawfully held in this very jail.” He dismounted and threw the reins around the hitching post. “I’ve been anxious to get back in town and check up on you.”

  “Why would you want to check on me?”

  He walked up to her. “Why, indeed? Don’t you know what a pretty young lady you are, honey? Any man with eyes in his head would want to get to know all about you.”

  She only stared at him and he added, “Now that I’m not behind bars it gives us a good chance to get to know each other. We can go to the saloon and have a nice long talk and whatever happens after that is up to you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re much too young for me so please excuse me.” She turned toward the jail door.

  He reached out and took hold of her elbow. “Wait just a minute. You’re wrong about me being too young. I’m man enough to sneak off and came all the way into town just to see you. I can’t let you go without even finding out your name.”

  Grace knew he was just another young cowboy like the ones who liked to grab her in the hotel dining room to impress their friends. “You don’t need to know my name. Please let me go.”

  He pulled her toward him. “Ah, don’t fight it, sweetheart. Let’s go to the saloon and have a drink so we can get better acquainted. You’ll like me when you get to know me. I can show you a real good time. A much better time than that old stuffy sheriff can.”

  “Let me go.”

  “Don’t be that way. I’m not gonna hurt you. I’m a nice fellow, and I’ll prove it if you’ll let me.”

  “Take your hands off her, Parnell.” Lance’s angry voice commanded.

  “Well, well. It’s the almighty sheriff.”

  Lance let his right hand fall to the butt of his gun, though he didn’t take it out of the holster. “You’ve got to the count of three.”

  “Fine.” Shawn let go of Grace’s arm, looked down at her and winked. “I guess you and I can’t get together this time, but I’ll see you again soon. Next time we won’t have this old grouch interfering.”

  “Come here, Grace.” Lance held his left hand toward her. She hurried to his side and he put his arm around her shoulders.

  “Looks like you win this time, Sheriff, but you won’t always be around. I’ve taken a likin’ to this pretty young thing and I intend to make her like me more than she cares about an old man like you.”

  “She has no interest in you, Parnell. And if you ever bother her again, you’re going to answer to me.”

  Shawn grinned at Grace. “Don’t worry, honey. He can’t keep us apart forever.” He then turned to his horse and grabbed the reins. Without another word, he mounted and rode the animal the short distance to the saloon and dismounted again.

  Lance looked down at Grace. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine, but I admit, I’m glad you came outside when you did.”

  He gave her shoulder a little squeeze. “I’m glad, too. Now, let me get you back to the hotel safely.”

  “I’ll be fine going back by myself.”

  “I know you will, but Bryce showed up a while ago, so I’m taking the afternoon off. I thought I’d go see the Olsens.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you.”

  “I know they’re excited to know Sophie is going to recover when so many are not.” He took his arm from around her shoulder and added, “I’ll get the basket, and I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”

  “I’ll stay right here.”

  He was back in a few seconds. He had the basket in his right hand. She was surprised when he took her arm and tucked it in the crook of his free one. She started to protest, but changed her mind. It felt nice to be escorted by Lance right out in plain sight were everybody could see.

  * * * *

  “Well looka who’s coming here.” Shawn Parnell turned when he saw Lance Gentry’s reflection in the big mirror behind the long mahogany bar as the sheriff came through the swinging doors of the Wildcat Saloon. “I bet you followed me to tell me to stay away from that pretty little waitress you’re sweet on.”

  “I came to tell you to stay away from all the decent young ladies in Settlers Ridge who don’t want you bothering them.”

  Shawn laughed. “I don’t believe you, and you don’t need to lie about it. It’s the waitress you want to keep away from me.” Lance didn’t say anything and Shawn went on. “You might as well give up. She don’t want you. I saw in her pretty eyes that it’s me she’s interested in.”

  “Yeah, she’s interested all right. I guess that’s why she was trying her best to pull away from you when I walked up.”

  “Ah, Sheriff. You know how women are. They act like they don’t want you to touch them, but all the time they’re telling you with their eyes they like to be touched.”

  “You’re a fool, Parnell.”

  He laughed. “I don’t think so. Now, come on and have a drink; let’s be friends. I’m sure the gal will still be friends with you after she’s been taught about the way to love a man by me.”

  Lance moved across the floor in three steps. He grabbed Shawn’s shirt collar and practically lifted him off the floor. “Listen, you randy young fool, if you ever so much as look at Miss Hunter with those thoughts in your mind again, I may not bother throwing you in jail. Miss Hunter is well thought of around here, and I’m sure there’re a lot of fellows in town who’ll help me hang you by your neck from the tallest tree in the area if you ever bother her again. People don’t hold with men or boys who think they’re grown enough to molest their women.”

  The bartender stopped arranging glasses and moved down the bar. He glanced at Lance. “Are you saying this fool has been bothering Miss Grace?”

  “He had the nerve to accost her on the street, Ned.”

  “Then count me in on the hang
ing. I’ll even bring the rope.”

  Shawn’s eyes got big. “Wait a minute…”

  “No, you wait a minute.” Lance tightened his hand around the shirt collar. “Are you going to listen to me or do I have to teach you a lesson the hard way?”

  “All right, all right, if she means that much to you, I’ll look elsewhere.”

  Though Lance knew he was lying, he let him go and Shawn almost fell to the floor. “See that you do.”

  Ned leaned on the bar. “You better listen to him. Miss Grace is well thought of around here and ain’t none of us gonna let somebody like you hurt her.”

  Shawn didn’t answer and Ned turned back to the sheriff. “How’s everything in town, Lance?”

  “There are still some people breaking out with the measles, but I guess you heard the Olsen girl is going to recover.”

  “At least that’s good news.” He shook his head. “This mess sure has been hard on business. As you can see, smart mouth there is my only customer since I opened up at noon, but I’m sure it’ll pick up this evening. It usually does.”

  “Things are going to get better soon, but for the time being it’s a good thing that folks are staying home.”

  Shawn seemed to be getting his swagger back. “What’s going on in this place anyway? I’ve never seen such a dead town.”

  “You’re closer to the truth than you think.” Lance looked at him. “We have a measles outbreak and if you don’t want to catch them, you might consider staying out at that ranch you were bragging about.”

  Shawn laughed. “I ain’t afraid of the measles.”

  “Maybe you aren’t smart enough to be afraid, but I’ve got sense enough to be. I don’t go out of the office any more than I have to.”

  “Like waking that pretty little waitress back to the hotel.” Shawn picked up his unfinished beer and took a swallow.

  Ned shook his head. “If his big mouth doesn’t get him killed, maybe he’ll live to grow some sense someday.”

  “Couldn’t have said it any better myself.” Lance pulled his hat down. “If he gives you any trouble, let me know. I’ve got plenty of space since the jail happens to be empty right now. Of course, I’m sure Kemp will be there tonight. It is Friday.”