Angel In The Saloon (Brides of Glory Gulch)

by Jeanne Marie Leach

  “Good morning, Mrs. Conner. I’m feeling just fine. And you?”

  “I’m not doing too badly today. Of course, it’s been so hot these days. The heat gives me such a terrible rash, but what’s a person to do? One just has to take what comes their way. I sure do hope and pray for rain soon, though. There’s the danger of fire whenever it gets this dry in these parts, you know.”

  And thus, Amelia was initiated at Conner’s Mercantile. She allowed Mrs. Conner to just ramble on as she fingered the many interesting goods they’d stocked. There were books and jewelry and dry goods. Home canned foods, sealed safely in their glass jars lined several shelves. Amelia particularly liked to touch the porcelain dolls, feeling their faces to try to distinguish what they looked like, marveling at the softness of their gowns. All in all, she decided it was a pretty standard emporium.

  One item particularly caught her attention, though. It felt like a figurine of a woman, apparently made of fine, smoothly glazed porcelain. The lady stood about five inches tall on a round, wooden base. Amelia spent extra time trying to observe every tiny detail of the miniature dress, the lady’s facial features, and how her hair was pulled back upon her head.

  Several other customers milled about the Mercantile, so when she heard the footsteps of a gentleman come up behind her and stop, she gave no particular thought to it.

  “It’s musical,” Mrs. Conner said as she walked over to her. “Here, let me wind it up for you. There’s a key on the bottom.” The woman gingerly took the figurine from Amelia, and as she turned the key hidden on the bottom the mechanism clicked. When she stopped winding it, she placed it on the shelf and put Amelia’s hands on it. “And she twirls as the music plays.”

  Amelia smiled with pleasure as she carefully held her hands around the skirt of the tiny lady who slowly and gently raised and twirled to the music.

  “Her dress is pink.” Paul Strupel announced from his position directly behind her.

  She jumped at the sudden sound of his voice. “Paul.”

  “I hope I didn’t startle you. I was just enjoying myself by watching you enjoy yourself.” He chuckled. “Does that make any sense?”

  “It makes perfect sense---I think.”

  “Forgive me, Mr. Strupel. Is there something I could help you with today?” Mrs. Conner gushed over Paul.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Conner. I was distracted by the town’s newest member. Yes, I need my usual order of unlined, white paper. And I thought I’d check to see if that sash saw blade has come in yet.”

  “No. I’m sorry, it hasn’t I am surprised, too. Usually that company is much more efficient than this. I’ll get your paper right away.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Paul replied. “As often as that thing has broken down this past year and a half, I should just automatically stock a couple extra blades. I just pray that the one I have doesn’t get caught on a knothole or something. If you please, I would appreciate knowing immediately when it comes in.”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you this morning,” Paul said as he turned back to Amelia. “Whenever I get to spend a little time with you in the morning, the rest of my day seems to go so much smoother.” He paused a moment. “In fact, several things have gone wrong today. You know what, Amelia? I think you’re a good luck charm.”

  “Indeed?” She smiled at him.

  “Are you enjoying your shopping?”

  “Well, I’m not shopping. I’m just finger shopping.”

  “Finger shopping?” He smiled at her. “You never seemed to run out of things that intrigued me.”

  “Yes. You see, sometimes, when I feel nosy and want to find out if I’m missing anything, I just put my fingers on everything in the shop, and my snoopiness is satisfied.”

  Paul laughed enthusiastically. Everything about her mesmerized him, the way the light danced off her silky hair, her sweet smile, her sense of humor, the tasteful clothes she wore, her bearing.

  “I have your paper, Mr. Strupel. Will there be anything else I could get for you?”

  “Yes, now that you mention it, I could use a bottle of indigo ink.” He took Amelia’s arm and gently escorted her down the aisle toward the cash register.

  “I’ll get that for you,” the merchant answered.

  While she went to fetch the ink, he once again turned his attention toward Amelia.

  “Tell me Amelia, do you like horses?”

  “Horses? Well, I’m shy around horses. They’re just so big. And, of course, I can’t just take off on a gallop. I suppose I don’t care much to be led around while riding alone either. It’s just too . . . Oh, what’s the word I’m looking for here? Terrifying.” She laughed at herself, reminiscing about the last time Molly and she went riding. She remembered screaming something awful, and the horse was only walking. “I do enjoy riding double, though.”

  “This afternoon,” Paul said, “I have to take some contracts up to the logging camp and I wondered if you’d like to ride along with me. There’s something I’d like to show you along the way.”

  Before she could answer him, Mrs. Conner interrupted to conclude her business dealings with Paul. He paid his bill, took up his parcels and escorted Amelia out of the shop.

  “I hope you were finished with your finger shopping. I guess I just assumed you were.”

  “Yes, quite finished.” Amelia hoped the music box would still be there when she could return to actually spend some money there.

  “You didn’t answer me about the ride this afternoon.”

  The thought of seeing Jeremiah Cowan thrilled Amelia. Should she be using Paul’s sincere offer to see him, though? He was a sweet and genuine person. She might be blind, but she could tell that both men were attracted to her. Would her being in the same place at the same time with both of them cause friction between them?

  “I detect some hesitation. We could do this another time, if you prefer.”

  “No.” Amelia decided quickly and smiled confidently. “I think I would like to go, but first, I’d like to ask Aunt Corrin what she thinks about it. If she trusts you to keep me safe, I’ll accept your offer, Paul,” Amelia smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.

  Corrin Dannon, having put her complete trust in Paul Strupel for years gave an overwhelming approval on the proposed excursion.

  “I’ll come by for you at three o’clock. If Corrin won’t allow you to go, there will always be another time.” He paused a moment and then added, “Amelia? I was wondering if when we return to town this evening, would you care to join me for supper tonight at Sarah Jane’s?”

  “I would enjoy the pleasure of your company at dinner tonight. Thank you for the invitation.”

  “Splendid!”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Amelia sat on the porch when he arrived on horseback that afternoon. His heart skipped a beat and he held his breath for a moment as he drank in her dazzling beauty. He couldn’t keep himself from feeling this way, almost like a schoolboy with a first-time crush on a girl, and it made him feel self-conscious.

  She had changed into a stylish, riding habit, the obvious indication of the grace, gentleness, and beauty displayed by a lady of gentility. A green, hip length waistcoat with an open collar and darker green lapels was fitted snugly over a white hunting shirt with a black tie gracing the collar around her delicate neck. He caught himself scrutinizing the curves of her figure and his heart fluttered with excitement. If she could see the expressions on his face, he probably would scared her off with the intensity of his gaze

  He rode up to the boardwalk and tied his horse to the hitching post. “Hello, Amelia. Corrin must have given her approval. Are you ready?”

  She nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.” She gave him her hand and he led her to the horse.

  “Amelia, this is Colorado.” Having sensed her apprehension, Paul thought it best to take his time with the introductions. “I named him that because he was born on the same day Colorado became a state
five years ago. He’s a fine paint horse. That means it looks like he’s got splotches of paint splattered all over him.” He took her hand and held it up for the horse to sniff, and then placed it on Colorado’s head, making long strokes down his face.

  “Colorado, this is Amelia. She’s a nice lady who can’t see you, so you have to be extra careful with her. She’s not a painted lady, though.”

  Amelia flung the back of her hand at him, hitting him in the ribs.

  “Ow!” He laughed, as if her gentle tap could actually do him some harm.

  “Well, you asked for it, you know.”

  “Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.” He took her around to the horse’s side and let her touch his mane and run her hand down his neck and shoulders and finally rub his chest. He was a proud, but gentle horse and seemed to understand that he must be on his best behavior with this particular rider.

  Corrin must have been keeping her eyes out for her niece, for she appeared in the doorway. “Are you getting ready to go?”

  “Yes, Aunt Corrin. Thank you for allowing me to do this.”

  She waved her hand. “Pishaw. I’ve known Paul for over twenty years. He’ll take good care of you.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he said, smiling.

  She wagged a finger in front of him. “Besides, you know I know a lot of burly men in this town, who could knock you out with just one punch. So I know you’re going to be careful with her.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She grinned at him and then touched Amelia on the arm. “Have fun, dear.”

  Amelia placed her hand over her aunt’s and smiled. “I will.”

  Corrin returned to the saloon.

  Paul helped Amelia into the saddle as gently as if she were a precious piece of his mother’s fine porcelain that must be handled with the utmost care. He hoisted himself up and sat directly behind her. He reached his long arms around her and took up the reigns. They engulfed her, and he delighted in being so close to her. Her hair smelled like the gentle perfume of the soon-to-bloom lilac bush in his backyard.

  They rode out of town and shortly began to ascend a mighty mountain. Noticing how Amelia was gripping the saddle tightly, Paul made sure to choose the gentlest path he could follow to make the trip less frightening for her. After about thirty minutes of continuous climbing, the terrain finally leveled.

  “Do you want to gallop here in the meadow? We’d make good time that way,” he teased.

  “No! Thank you!”

  Paul laughed and looked around her shoulder into her face. She was smiling and he thought it very pretty.

  Another ten minutes of easy riding found the two talking about the sounds Amelia heard, the types of trees they passed, how fresh and crisp the air was, and how much cooler it was the higher up into the mountains they rode. Paul couldn’t help himself. He had to smile. He was sure she was enjoying his company.

  “Here it is,” he announced. “This is what I wanted to show you.” Paul drew Colorado to a halt and sprang from the horse. With the same agility he used to put Amelia on the horse, he helped her down, wrapping one arm around her waist and using his other as a brace for her hand. Once on the ground, he continued to hold her in his arms to give her a moment to steady herself. Anyway, that’s what he told her.

  He escorted her about twenty paces, then let go of her and stepped away, leaving Amelia standing all alone in an unfamiliar place. Without her cane, he was sure this kind of solitude would probably have frightened her, but she didn’t seem bothered much.

  “Now,” he said. “Tell me where you are.”

  Amelia relaxed, and he could tell she allowed her senses to take over. “The air is flowing differently here. We aren’t closed in by the mountains like we were earlier.”

  “That’s right. We’re in a meadow. What else do you sense?”

  “I smell flowers. There must be hundreds of them for their fragrance to be so strong.”

  “Try thousands. This is the only field like this for a hundred miles. There’s just about every kind of mountain wildflower imaginable growing here within about a square mile of meadow. Nobody knows why or how they all got here, but they just keep on blooming all summer long, every year.”

  Bending over and reaching toward the ground about knee-high, Amelia felt for the silky flowers all around her. She impulsively laid down on her back and inhaled deeply as a smile of delight lit up her face. Not even the busy buzzing of bees and constant chattering of humming birds seemed to bother her.

  “I thought you’d like it here.” Paul sat down beside her.

  “Oh, I do! I do!” She sat up. “Paul, do you know the names of these flowers? Would you please show them to me?”

  “Sure.” He picked a small flower and placed it into the palm of her hand. “This is a purple bachelor’s button. This one is a yellow lady’s slipper. This one is an anemone, and here is some hawkweed.”

  He continued one by one to pick the flowers and place them in her hand for her to touch and sniff and familiarized herself with them.

  Somehow, watching her delight in the simple beauty of the flowers gave him deep pleasure. He wondered if God felt that way about him sometimes. Ever since Paul had opened his eyes and his heart and accepted that God existed, he often felt as if the heavenly Father smiled down on him in pleasure. The more he learned about God, the bigger, yet more personal God became to him.

  Bringing Amelia here turned out to be the best thing he’d done in a long time.

  › › ›

  It amazed Amelia that Paul knew the names of so many of these flowers. He identified wild lilies, butterfly weed, Indian paintbrush, wild columbines, creeping phlox, bluebells, larkspur and shooting star. By the time he finished, her lap was blanketed with a quilt of sweet scented wildflowers.

  She had never been in such an enchanting place as this and wished she could savor this luscious bouquet forever. This place was exhilarating to the point that she could hardly contain herself. In a moment of spontaneous, youthful whimsy, she sprang to her feet and ran through the field. Paul had said this was a meadow so she wasn’t concerned about the terrain. It would be flat. It had been so long since she and Molly had run across the spacious lawns of the Dodson plantation, and she wasn’t about to let anything stop her from her jubilation.

  She heard Paul’s heavy footsteps quickly catching up with her, and as quick as she could take a breath, Amelia turned and ran in another direction. She felt him grab hold of her arm, but she was able to slip through his fingers. Paul chased her to and fro, and every time he thought he had her, she eluded him as skillfully as a sighted person. Finally, he caught her and they both tumbled to the ground, laughing and out of breath. They lay in the flowers until their respiration quieted and returned to normal.

  “Amelia Jackson, you never cease to amaze me.” He sat up and she could almost feel his gaze on her.

  “Paul, would you mind if I felt your face to see what you look like?”

  “I’ve never heard of such a thing, but I guess it makes sense. Go ahead.”

  She sat up, moved very close to him, and reached upward toward his face. He caught her hands and gently guided them to his cheeks. Amelia slowly touched her way around every inch of Paul’s face to gain a sense of what he looked like.

  The delicate whisper of her fingers traced his wide-set eyes, moved about his forehead, then along his cheekbones. She could feel his breath upon her palms. Her fingers continued to follow the contour of his face, across his nose, and then brushed over his lips. His breathing intensified, and by the time she ran her fingers through his long, wavy hair, he was nearly holding his breath.

  “You have a very nice face.” Amelia dropped her hands to her lap and smiled. “What color are your eyes?”

  “They’re brown.”

  “And your hair?”

  “It’s dark brown.”

  They sat in silence for a few moments, and then he suddenly reached out and gently glided his fingers along the c
ontour of her cheek down to her chin. He cupped both hands around her face and drew her toward him, kissing her slowly and tenderly on her mouth.

  Amelia’s breathing nearly stopped and she believed she might faint. She withdrew abruptly, stood to her feet, turned, and walked away from him. She felt dizzy. Putting her hand to her forehead, she had to have a moment to herself to catch her breath and to think. Her emotions were all muddled and going wild. Until a short time ago, her major concern had been whether she looked presentable for visiting a logging camp and Jeremiah Cowan. Now, it seemed as if she would suffocate under the weight of having apparently won the affections of two gentlemen at the same time.

  “Amelia! Amelia, please wait.” Paul followed her. “Please, stop. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.”

  “You didn’t offend me,” Amelia said as she continued pacing forward.

  “Then what is it? Please, tell me.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and drew her back to immobilize her.

  She turned around and pointed her head toward the ground. “You took me by surprise. I’ve... never been kissed like that before. I had no idea you felt that way about me.” She paused a moment before continuing in a near whisper. “And you took my breath away.”

  Paul lifted her chin. “I’ve felt this way about you from the moment you first entered the saloon with Mr. Johnston on Monday afternoon.”

  “You were one of the two men who were there that day? You carried my trunk up to my room?”

  “Yes. And you were wearing a pretty, pink skirt and a white shirt with lace ruffles around your neck. I thought I was gazing into the face of an angel.”

  Amelia breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind, still wanting additional time to think about what had just happened.

  “Paul, what time were you supposed to meet Jeremiah?”

  “Four o’clock.”

  “And what time is it now?”

  She heard the click of his watch latch. “It’s four-ten. It’s time to leave.”

  He escorted her back to the horse, helped her up, mounted behind her, and they rode off in silence, Amelia secretly holding the memories of the enchanting wildflower meadow in her wildly beating heart.