Her Prairie Knight

by Kit Morgan

  Jefferson turned his horse and cantered across the meadow to the trail leading up out of the canyon. No one cared if he came or went. No one would say anything. His name was marred. Marred by those worthless boys of Honoria’s. Jack and Sam should be the ones being cheered on by the townsfolk. Be the ones hosting the picnic. But they’d been tricked. Robbed of their birthright and locked away. It should be Jack and Sam that had the women too. For all Jefferson knew, one of his boys had Sadie sparking for them, before that whelp Harrison came along and stole her for himself. And the Dunnigan girl, one of his boys could have her sweet on him in less than a day, could maybe marry her. If he hadn’t been locked away that is. But no, Colin had staked claim. He’d heard Harrison and Duncan talking about it only yesterday. Jefferson figured Mrs. Dunnigan would have taken care of Colin by now and wanted to watch him suffer as she cut him to pieces with that sharp tongue of hers. But not even Mrs. Dunnigan was a match for the luck those boys seemed to have.

  Jefferson reached the top of the trail and looked over the teams, wagons, and the few horses left there. Including Romeo, Duncan’s magnificent black stallion which he’d hobbled a short distance away from the other horses and wagons. Sam wanted the horse when he was a colt, but Duncan earned the money doing extra work in town and bought him before Sam had the chance. Jefferson’s entire body tensed with the memory.

  He snarled and reached up to rub his throbbing temple. Rubbing it gingerly, he took one last look behind him, and then walked his horse past the waiting wagons. He didn’t care if Mulligans was closed or not. He needed a drink.

  * * *

  Belle had her arm hooked around Colin’s as he drove them back to town. Most of the towns folk had already left. Colin offered to take her back at the same time but Belle wanted to stay behind to help Sadie put things in order and clean up. Besides, it gave Colin a chance to ride to the ranch and get into some dry clothes.

  It was dusk before they got done with everything, the setting sun casting a golden light on the trail as they made the climb out of the small canyon to the wagons. It was a beautiful sight and Belle stopped at one point to take it all in. Colin smiled as he waited for her, took her hand when she had her fill, and continued the climb.

  At the top she said goodbye to Sadie and watched as Harrison and Duncan loaded the table Harrison brought into his wagon. She sighed as she watched him kiss Sadie before helping her up onto the wagon and suddenly realized how much she wanted what Sadie had. Namely, a husband. Now she was going back to town with a man she’d fallen in love with that very afternoon. A man she hoped and prayed felt the same way about her.

  She glanced at Colin who sat with a smile on his face. Dare she rest her head on his shoulder? The rocking back and forth of the wagon was making her sleepy and the thought of resting against him warmed her very soul. But Duncan was following along behind on his horse Romeo. What would he think? Would he even care?

  As if sensing her thoughts, Colin pulled his arm from her own and put it around her shoulders. He looked at her then, letting her know it was all right to get closer and do exactly what she was thinking.

  And she did. All the way back to town.

  * * *

  “Irene, be reasonable.” Wilfred began, then promptly ducked. The vase barely missed him as it flew over his head and crashed against the parlor wall.

  “Reasonable! You left her there with those Cookes! What have you done? She’ll come back ruined! Ruined I tell you! No decent man will want her then!”

  Wilfred looked to the shattered pieces of china now scattered on the floor. He’d have to take care of that. Or maybe he should leave and let Irene do it. He obviously was getting nowhere with her. Maybe he should talk with Doc about her ravings. She was beyond even his control at this point. Even prayer didn’t seem to work anymore.

  Wilfred was just going to have to face it. His wife was going crazy again. Just as she did so many years ago before they left to come out west. “Irene, you can’t go on like this. Neither can I, or Belle for that matter. Now calm down and lets have some tea before bed.”

  “Tea! How can you think of drinking tea at a time like this!”

  Wilfred’s shoulders slumped in defeat as he sighed. “Have it your way, I’m leaving.”

  His wife immediately blocked his path. “Where are you going?” She demanded.

  “Out. I need to make sense of all this. Because at this point, you sure ain’t making any.”

  “You’ll not leave this house! You’ll stay right here!”

  “I’ll do what ever I please, now move woman!”

  Her mouth dropped open in shock. He’d never spoken to her in such a fashion. Her entire face scrunched up as her eyes narrowed to slits. For a brief moment Wilfred was glad her hatchet was hanging on the wall downstairs and not upstairs with them.

  She planted one hand on her hip and wagged a finger at him with the other. “Wilfred!” She screeched. “If you set foot outside that door you’ll regret it!”

  He sighed. “I regret it already.” And with that, he gently pushed her out of his way and left.

  She stood there a moment in shock before stomping over to the broken vase. She began to pick up the pieces, mumbling to herself the entire time before she suddenly stopped. She turned, her face full of rage, threw the broken pieces of the vase to the floor and stormed out the door.

  Once downstairs she stomped through the mercantile, across the porch, and into the street. Just in time to see Wilfred go into Mulligans' Saloon.

  * * *

  Colin guided the team past the livery stable and down the street to the mercantile. Duncan went as far as Mulligans and stopped. He wanted to check on Jefferson. Their guess was Jefferson had come to town to wait for Mr. Mulligan to get back and open up the saloon. Horses were tethered outside, including Jefferson’s. He and Duncan had guessed right. But who else was in the saloon? Everyone from the picnic had gone home as far as they knew. Maybe some of the wagon train had stayed behind and Jefferson had managed to find a game after all. If so, he’d better go help Duncan talk their stepfather into coming home with them. And Colin had a feeling he might not go without a fight.

  Reluctantly he pulled the wagon up in front of the mercantile. He hated to part with Belle; she’d been snuggled against him not long after they’d reached the main road leading to town. He’d purposely taken his time getting back, Duncan occasionally riding along side the wagon. But once he saw Belle had her eyes closed, her head resting against Colin, he let Romeo plod along behind at a distance to give them a little privacy. And for that, Colin would be forever grateful. For in that silent yet blissful wagon ride back to town, Colin Cooke made up his mind to ask Belle Dunnigan to marry him.

  Oh not right away. Women needed courting, to be wooed, won over if you will. And though this wasn’t the height of the season in London, things were still done a certain way. He smiled as he looked down at his slumbering angel. Her breathing was even but he knew she’d not fallen into a deep sleep and would waken easily enough. But he didn’t want to wake her just yet. He was happy just to admire her pretty face which was tilted up ever so slightly. Just enough to take in her features in the dim light.

  A lighted lamp suddenly appeared in the window of the Dunnigans' parlor. A reminder it was growing late and he needed to get Belle inside. He leaned his face down and before he spoke, kissed her ever so tenderly on her forehead. His lips lingered longer than they should and he had to force himself to pull them away from her. “We’re back, sweetie,” he whispered into her hair. “Wake up, angel...”

  Her eyes blinked a few times and she took a deep breath then yawned. “So soon?”

  “I’m afraid so.” He kissed the top of her head. “Would you like me to walk you in?”

  She pushed herself away from him and stretched. “All the way across the porch? I think I can manage. But you can help me out of the wagon.”

  He turned and studied her. He wanted to remember the sleepy look in her eyes; how her hair was co
ming loose from the chignon she wore. Tendrils already framed her face from the day's festivities and all the work she and Sadie had done to clean things up. She was beautiful. And she was his.

  “What’s that big smile for? You look almost guilty of something.”

  His smiled broadened. “I have my secrets, and I won’t tell you what they are. Yet.”

  Now it was Belle’s turn to smile. “You Cooke men always seem to have something up your sleeve. Should I be worried?”

  He chuckled. “Maybe. Just a little.” He cupped her face with one hand as his arm came around her and drew her a few inches closer. He stared into her eyes, silent, still. Neither one of them spoke. Their eyes were communication enough. They sat that way for a few moments before Colin gently kissed her on the forehead, hugged her, then helped her off the wagon, and walked her to the door.

  * * *

  Belle entered the parlor quietly. There was no sign of her aunt or her uncle. Perhaps they were in their room. After Aunt Irene’s theatrics that afternoon, maybe she was too embarrassed to face her. She went to the small kitchen. Uncle Wilfred liked a snack before he went to bed. She stopped up short when she found the room empty. Curious she went to their room and knocked. “Uncle Wilfred? Auntie? I’m home.”

  “All right, dear.” came her aunt’s voice.

  “Are you both in bed? I can put out the parlor lamp if you are.”

  “No, leave it on. I’ll get it later.”

  Belle thought it odd her aunt sounded so calm. But then, Uncle Wilfred no doubt gave her a good tongue lashing for what she did. Poor Aunt Irene was probably sitting in there with her tail between her legs and being served up a huge piece of humble pie by her uncle.

  Belle shook her head. The poor thing. She could just picture Uncle Wilfred sitting in his chair by the window, eyeing her disapprovingly. Perhaps now Aunt Irene would be bearable and they could all look forward to more peaceful days ahead.

  “I’m going to turn in then. I stayed behind with Sadie to clean up. All that work has tired me out.”

  “You do that, dear.”

  “Good night.” Belle said as she smiled, then went to her room to get ready for bed.

  Once in her room she put on her nightclothes, brushed and braided her hair, closed the window then crawled under her quilt and snuggled into the mattress. She was exhausted but not so exhausted that she couldn’t stop thinking about Colin’s gentle kisses or his tender endearments as they parted. If she thought she was in love before, now she really knew. Knew she could spend the rest of her life with Colin Cooke. If only he’d ask her.

  She envisioned him going down on one knee several times before sleep blissfully carried her away.

  But sleep did not come so easily for everyone in the Dunnigan house. For down the hall in her room, Aunt Irene sat, her hatchet and a bag of nails in her hands. And waited.

  Fourteen

  Wilfred studied the board a second time. He’d already won two out of four games. If he could win the third, he’d win the night. Men had gathered around the small table where they played. Their competitive game of checkers was garnishing more attention than any poker game had in months. The checker rivalry between Wilfred Dunnigan and Sheriff Harlan Hughes was legendary in Clear Creek and this was the last game of the week. Who ever won the night, won the week! Wilfred had not won a week of checkers for nearly a month. In fact, he hadn’t bested the Sheriff at the usual rate since Belle arrived in town. He’d been too distracted trying to keep the men away.

  Speaking of which, Colin leaned over his shoulder and studied the board. Duncan stood behind the Sheriff. Even their stepfather had pulled up a chair, having abandoned his poker game to come watch with the other men. Wilfred felt himself begin to sweat.

  “Go on, Wilfred! Make your move! I haven’t got all night.” The Sheriff said, annoyed.

  “Yeah, we wanna get back to playing poker, but can’t until you beat the Sheriff!” Someone called from across the saloon. Men laughed and slapped each other on the back.

  “Don’t rush me! Let me figure this out!” Wilfred grumbled. He raised a hand above the board, his fingers poised over a piece. The Sheriff pulled out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his brow. They were playing in the saloon because the light was better but the men gathered around them in such a tight circle caused the air to heat up something awful.

  Wilfred suddenly picked up his piece and in one brilliant move took out six of Sheriff Hughes. “Ha!” Wilfred exclaimed. “See if you can top that!”

  The Sheriff’s mouth dropped open. How did he not see it? The picnic must have really worn him out! “No! It can’t be! I lost?”

  Wilfred let out a whoop of triumph. “Yep, you sure did! I believe I’ve out played you this week, Harlan, which makes me the winner!”

  Sheriff Hughes sat back in his chair and groaned. The men gathered around laughed again as a few slapped Wilfred on the back to congratulate him before they dispersed to their tables. Even Jefferson snickered, then turned and headed to the game he’d left.

  Duncan grabbed his arm and stopped him. “We’re heading back to the ranch. You’ll come with us won’t you?”

  Jefferson wrenched his arm from him. “I’m not a child you can order about, boy. Get on home and leave me alone.”

  Colin came around the table where Wilfred and the Sheriff were setting up another game. “You’ve had enough whiskey and poker for one night. Now come home before these chaps take you for everything you’ve got.”

  Jefferson looked to the men sitting at the corner table where he usually played. They were the same wagon train scouts he’d played with before. They’d left for a few days, but were already back. “I’m fine, and I prefer their company to yours. Now leave me be. I can make it home on my own.”

  Duncan rubbed his face with one hand before he spoke. “We know you’ve been out of sorts these last months, but it’s time to stop all this. Come home, let’s talk about things.”

  Jefferson spun on him. “Talk about things? What things? Like how you boys cheated Jack and Sam out of everything they had?”

  Several men at the table froze and watched what Jefferson would do next.

  “Get out of my sight and leave me alone!”

  Colin and Duncan looked at each other, then at their stepfather. Every thing went silent. Jefferson looked his stepsons in the eyes, spit, then went to the table and sat down. Colin pulled at Duncan’s sleeve. “This is getting us no where. Let’s go.”

  They turned to leave. The brothers could wait at the edge of town. Jefferson would have to come home eventually. But he’d been drinking and they wanted to make sure he made it home in one piece before they sobered him up to talk with him.

  Colin stopped at the table where Wilfred and Sheriff Hughes were engrossed in another game. “I need to speak with you tomorrow, Wilfred. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

  Wilfred looked up at him. “This wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with Belle would it?”

  Colin smiled. “Yes sir, it would.”

  Wilfred began to chuckle. “Come by the mercantile in the morning then, son.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  Colin and Duncan left. Jefferson watched them go. He’d heard what Colin said and began to seethe at his words. That sorry excuse for a stepson was going to ask Wilfred for his niece’s hand no doubt. Jefferson slugged back another drink. The worthless whelp certainly didn’t waste any time! If Jack or Sam were there they’d show her what a real man was like. In fact, she wouldn’t give either of Honoria’s brats a second thought if his sons were there to court her. He poured himself another drink, his jaw tight, hands shaking.

  Jack would show her what for. He wouldn’t ask her to marry him, he’d tell her! And Sam. He’d just take her! Take her the way a man ought to, and make her like it! Yep, that’s what his boys would do!

  “Are you gonna play poker or sit there and stare at the wall? What’s the matter with you anyway?”

  Jeffer
son snarled at the man who spoke. He didn’t even know his name and didn’t care. He slugged back his drink, grabbed the whiskey bottle and stood. “I’m leaving. Play without me.”

  “But we just dealt you in!”

  “Too bad your gonna have to deal me out.” Jefferson said, then hands still shaking, turned and left the saloon.

  * * *

  Belle awoke to an odd banging. She thought at first she was hearing things, but no. There it was again. What was that? She slowly sat up. Was someone hammering something? She sat still, waited, and in a moment, there it was again coming from the parlor down the hall.

  “What in the world?” She said to herself as she got out of bed. She went to her closed door and listened one more time. Silence.

  Belle put on her robe then she stepped out into the hall. She took several steps forward before she stopped. “Uncle Wilfred?” She took a few more steps. “Auntie?” She finally stepped into the parlor and couldn’t believe her eyes.

  Aunt Irene stood near the door that led from the parlor to the outside landing and staircase. She had her dreaded hatchet in her hand and was holding a few nails in her teeth as she looked at her handiwork.

  Aunt Irene had nailed a board across the door.

  “What have you done?” Belle gasped.

  Her aunt spit the nails out and put one hand on her hip as she waved the hatchet about with the other. “Your no good uncle has gone to the saloon! I’ll not sleep with a man who takes to gambling and drinking let alone allow him in my house! He can sleep in the livery stable for all I care!”

  Belle’s mouth dropped open in shock. Aunt Irene had made sure Uncle Wilfred wouldn’t be able to get through the door all right. The board had enough nails in it to hold back an elephant. “Auntie! You ought to be ashamed!”

  “I’m not the one who ought to be ashamed! You! You’re the one coming home after dark alone with a man! Get out of my sight you ... you...”