He laughed, his nervousness receding. “As soon as I get a client. I am taking over the Burketts’ shop. I’ve arranged a wagon to take her to San Antonio.”
Puzzled, Amelia picked at a loose string on her skirt, but failed to thwart her curiosity. “What happened to Mr. Burkett?”
Wills scratched the back of his head causing his hat to tilt forward. “He had to leave on business. I agreed to help her get a wagon and driver to take her and their goods back home to her parents. He’ll join them later.”
“Oh.” She’d not known the Burketts that well. Mrs. Burkett always seemed afraid when she came into the store and never stopped to talk. She’d overheard her father say that Mr. Burkett lived for the liquor at the saloons.
“That was kind of you to look out for her. She should be home by Christmas, that’s a wonderful gift.”
Wills nodded. “Yes, Christmas. I’d forgotten it was so close.”
Amelia thought of cookies, warm cider with cinnamon, and peach cobbler. Christmas at the Clarks’ had always been a family affair of food and warmth. Used to be anyway. The war had taken that away, too.
Since Doug and Adam’s deaths, Christmas had turned into just another ordinary day. Mother grieved for her sons, father grieved for her mother, and she watched them deal with the pain. They never seemed to notice that losing her brothers had hurt her, too.
Amelia looked up to see Sally come from the boarding house. Halfway to the oak, she stopped. Shock paled her face, and like a scared fawn, she stood. Not going forward or backward.
Embarrassment heated Amelia’s cheeks. Surely, Sally didn’t think Wills was interested in her? Then again, why would the girl care?
###
Sally couldn’t believe Wills was talking to Amelia. After he told her that he came to marry her, and the very next day, she sees him with another woman. Her fear morphed to anger. Gritting her teeth, she marched to stand before him.
She fished in her pocket, pulled out his letters, and threw them at him. “Here’s what I think about your proposal.”
Amelia stood. “Sally. We were only talking.”
“And I suppose that’s your jacket you’re wearing?”
Amelia’s eyes flashed. “I forgot my wrap and, being a gentleman, he leant me his. I assure you there is nothing untoward happening. And while we are talking, why were you in a carriage with Justin?”
Sally gasped. “He was taking me to Nettie’s for lunch. I don’t suppose you bothered to see, but Mr. Burkett sat in the back of the carriage. In handcuffs. Hardly a social call at all.”
Amelia’s lips pursed together, and she turned toward Will who was still picking up his letters. “I thought you said Mr. Burkett was away on business? Are you in the habit of lying? Perhaps, Mr. Shakespeare was correct when he wrote, kill all the lawyers.”
After collecting his letters, Wills stood. “Ladies, you misunderstand. Yes, Sally, everything I wrote in these letters is true. I came to marry you. Court you in the hopes you’ll say yes.”
He faced Amelia. “I didn’t want to portray Mr. Burkett in a bad light for Mrs. Burkett’s sake.”
Sally eyed him suspiciously. “I’m not sure if I should believe you or not.”
Amelia shrugged his jacket from her and handed it to him. “Thank you. I think you may have some chivalrous qualities. Sally, you would be wise to take him seriously.”
Her insides bristled at Amelia’s suggestion. “It’s my life.”
The young woman sighed. “Sorry, I’m afraid I am sounding like my mother. I only meant well. He is a very likable man.”
Sally nodded, but Amelia’s words triggered the question that had plagued her all night. Why would he want her?
Amelia glanced at her store. “I guess I should get back to work. With the town growing so much, it’s hard to keep up with the orders. It was nice visiting with you, Wills. Forgive me, Sally. I hope you find happiness.”
Wills watched her leave. “She’s a sweet young woman.”
“Perhaps, she is the one you should court.” Sally brushed past him.
He caught her arm. “Sally, I came for you.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she held them back. “Why? That’s the one question that I can’t figure out. Why me? You know what I am. I read it in Nettie’s letter. Oh, she worded it nicely, but I was a prostitute and used by men, too many to count. Why would you want me?”
The muscle on his neck beat while his eyes took on a pained sad look. “I answered the ad, and I meant every word in those letters.”
She twisted her arm from his grasp. “Well, I don’t believe you. There is something you’re not telling me. The last man I felt that way about was Harold Rayburn, the owner of The Cattlemen’s Saloon, and letting him fool me cost me the most valuable thing a woman has. So don’t tell me to trust you. I don’t believe you.”
“Sally, I came here for you. I’m not Harold Rayburn. I don’t own a saloon. I just want to take care of you and provide a good life for you.”
Closing her eyes, Sally almost gave in to his calm, gentle voice, but he’d left out one word. “I didn’t hear you say that you would love me.”
He stepped back as if slapped. “That will come. That’s why I want to court you in a proper manner.”
She stared at him. He seemed so sincere, and she needed a husband so desperately. Mya couldn’t let her stay indefinitely, and then she’d be on the streets and wind up back in the saloon.
Swallowing her pride, questions, and fear, she nodded. “All right, I’ll agree to your idea of courting. But I will not promise to marry you unless I feel that you truly want and love me.”
He tilted his head and gave her a look of such kindness that she wanted to throw herself in his arms. Then, she remembered Harold and the awful reality of what he’d expected of her. She wasn’t going to fall for that again. She had to be sure Wills would treat her right.
After straightening the letters, he handed them to her. “Read them again. I meant every word. I won’t do anything to hurt you. I never will.”
She held them as if they contained her future and a better life. If only it could be true. “I will read them.” Sally wanted to say more. She could see he wanted her to say more, but there were no words left in her for him.
After an awkward silence, he tipped his hat. “I need to go and see about my new office. Would you like to come? See what I envision for my practice and our life together if you accept my proposal?”
Everything in her shouted yes. Instead, she held back. Not until she knew why he had chosen her would she give in to him, give in to her feelings, or even acknowledge the hope that was dying to be recognized. “No, perhaps another time. I believe Mya needs my help.”
Disappointment replaced the sparkle in his eyes. “Another time. Can I call on you later today? Say for dinner?”
Fear stabbed at her. She wasn’t ready to be courted, but she had no reason to deny him. “Tonight?”
“At the hotel, they have great food. You can trust me, Sally.”
The kind light in his eyes won her over. She could trust him for one dinner. She would be sure to tell Mya so that the matron would watch and make sure he brought her home at a proper time.
“All right, I can be ready at five.”
Wills grinned. “Great. Thank you, Sally. You won’t be sorry. I promise.”
Despite her attempts to stop it, a smile played on her lips. Worse, by the heat creeping up her neck, she feared she must be blushing. Yet, somehow, she didn’t really care. “I better get back to the boarding house. Tonight, then.”
She forced herself to stop looking at him and turn, and then she had to force herself not to look back. Could he really want her? It still bothered her, but she so desperately needed to believe that someone saw worth in her, that she was beginning to believe it might be possible that Wills truly liked her.
Chapter 10
Justin sat back down and tried not to be angry, but failed. Amelia. She had him in a flurry of doubt an
d jealousy. He’d looked out the window and there she was sitting with Wills. Worse, she had his jacket around her shoulders.
She wouldn’t sneak away to see him anymore, yet apparently it was all right to be seen with that attorney in front of everyone. And what had Yancy meant about asking her father why he wouldn’t want her to marry a sheriff?
Women. Hardly seemed that they were worth the trouble they caused. But he knew that was a lie. His heart wouldn’t survive without Amelia. Surely, she knew that. How to make her parents understand was another matter.
Maybe Yancy was right. He’d have a talk with Mr. Clark about his daughter’s hand in marriage. Somehow. The few times he’d tried to talk to her parents, he spent more time looking at a shut door than either one of them.
The jail door flew open and slammed against the wall.
“Justin. … Sheriff, he’s here.”
Putting his gun down, Justin shook his head. “Slow down, Spence. What’s wrong and who’s here?”
“The new owner of the Box X. He rode in like he owned the town.”
“Well, guess we better go introduce ourselves and see what we can find out about him. You know where he is?”
Spence grinned as if he’d stolen one of the McGruder sisters’ peach pies. “He’s at The Cattlemen’s Saloon.”
After checking the cartridges in his gun, Justin stood. “Let’s go.”
“Think there’ll be trouble?” Spence fumbled with his own pistol.
“Take it easy. We’re just going to introduce ourselves and meet the man, not arrest him.” Justin grabbed his hat and opened the door.
Outside, the weather had cooled. A few riders passed by. Mrs. Clark was arranging the stand they kept outside. Cornie stopped to talk to her, or more than likely spill gossip.
Justin measured his pace. Just because Amelia had him in a snit, didn’t mean he should take it out on the new owner of the Box X. That the man already had half of Texas riled against him was enough.
Spence slowed down and came back to his side. “He’s riding a fancy blood bay that’s as tall as an oak.”
“Must be a thoroughbred. Though we already know the man’s not poor. Might be good for Texas.”
“Huh, I don’t see how anyone from England can be good for us.”
Scolding his own self for prejudging the man, Justin pointed at his horse. “Let’s see what he’s like before we make him an enemy.”
“All right. But I don’t like him.”
Shaking his head, Justin prepared for more trouble in Bluebonnet. Spence wouldn’t be the only one with his back up. He stepped onto the boardwalk and walked into the saloon.
A few men were at the bar. He swept his gaze to the tables and had to laugh. A blind man could have spotted him.
Sitting with Harold, the Box X owner was dressed in a suit. He was of medium build with blond hair sticking out from his derby hat. Justin walked over to the table.
“Harold, like to introduce me to your friend here?”
The new man stood. “Sheriff, I’m pleased that you dropped by. Saves me a trip.” He held out a soft looking hand. “I’m Darrel Ryker.”
Justin shook his hand, surprised that although soft, the grip was strong. “Sheriff Justin Wellesley and my deputy, Spencer Gray.”
“Pleased to meet you. Mr. Rayburn here has been telling me that I have caused quite a stir by letting all the hands go from the prior owner and bringing in my own. I assure you, my men are handpicked, good, and law abiding. Because of the previous owner’s legal matters, I thought it best.”
Justin couldn’t fault him there. Even he had wondered how many of the judge’s men had been involved in the rustling. “You might be right. I’ve let as many as I could know that they’d answer to me if they started anything.”
“Good, good.”
Justin couldn’t quite peg his accent, but he wasn’t from England. “Where are you from, Mr. Ryker?”
“New York. New York City, to be exact. I have to say, Texas is a big and rather dusty state. Coming through Fort Worth, I wondered if I needed an army. Never have I seen such wild and unruly men.”
Justin laughed. “I agree with you there.”
Ryker pointed to a couple of chairs. “Won’t you sit down with us? I don’t think Mr. Rayburn would mind.”
Harold shook his head. “Fine with me. Always a pleasure to meet with you, Sheriff.”
Justin sat but withheld showing his distaste for Harold. “Why would you want to come to Texas and buy a ranch?”
Ryker grinned. “One word—steaks. New York is teeming with business and people but few steaks to feed them all. Most of the cows around the state are milk cows. Texas is teeming with cattle. I would like to raise beef cattle to sell to my friends in New York City. I think I can help a lot of ranchers.”
The man seemed legitimate. “We don’t even have a direct train to Fort Worth. How do you plan to ship the cattle north?”
“I plan to find sturdy men, of which Texas has plenty, and drive them north. There are trains in Kansas City. I have studied the routes, and I believe it can be done.”
“That’s an enterprising idea. You, or the men you hired, know anything about cattle? Texas cattle?”
“I don’t. Not sure about the men I hired. They served under me during the war. I promised to look out for them if they needed my help. Most had family, but those that were free and wanting to go with me signed on. I will need some local help, too.”
Justin couldn’t help but like the man. “Might be able to help you there. Not sure you’re aware of it, but the previous owner’s son is still around. He could cause trouble. If he does, I’d appreciate it if you’d let me handle it.”
“Sure. I know of loss. The one big reason for my leaving New York was the death of my wife and daughter. The fever took them not two weeks before the war ended. I couldn’t bear to stay in the empty house.”
“Sorry.”
“Accepted, and I will let you deal with the son. What is his name?”
“Yancy Wallace. He’s staying with Reed Andrews. He was the last sheriff of Bluebonnet.”
“Well, I am headed to my new house. I hope vandals haven’t ruined it or burned it to the ground. My men are already there so I best leave.”
Justin stood with him. “You know the way?”
“Yes, I have a map.”
Not wanting to be reminded of Amelia’s time with Wills, Justin looked at Spence. “I’m going to ride with Mr. Ryker to his ranch. Keep an eye on things and I’ll be back before night.”
Spence eagerly nodded.
“That all right with you, Mr. Ryker?”
“More than all right, I will enjoy your company.”
Justin went outside with him. Ryker was sure to cause trouble, but he thought him to be a good man. “Go on to the main road and head north. I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.”
Spence walked by and Justin caught him. “I want you to stay in the office. If anything happens, send a rider to fetch me.”
With a sheepish grin, Spence nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“And by the way, I thought you said he was from England?”
“Yeah, that’s what I heard. Guess I was wrong. Maybe they said New England.”
Justin concentrated on not rolling his eyes. Spence was a good deputy, but sometimes he didn’t get things right, and he was all too eager to be sheriff for a day. “Remember, you stay in the office until I get back.”
With a disappointed nod, Spence headed back to the jail.
Justin went to the livery. “Need my horse, Ben.”
The wiry man went inside the barn, and then came outside to the corral. When he came back without a horse, Justin groaned. “Not again?”
Ben shrugged. “Somebody took him. Not even sure when. Sorry Sheriff.”
“Well, what do you have I can ride?”
“Most of my horses are out or needing a rest. I do have one left. She’s a good little horse.”
Justin reined in his an
ger. Someone was going to a lot of trouble to make him mad. He wondered about Charley Hunt, but doubted he’d be stupid enough to take off with his horse again.
Ben came out of the barn leading a blue roan barely horse size.
“Are my feet going to drag on the ground?”
“She’s bigger than she looks and sturdy as they come. Her name’s Blue.”
Justin took her from him, mounted, and with relief saw that his feet were far enough off the ground they wouldn’t drag in the dust. “Thanks Ben, I’ll bring her back this evening. See if you can’t find my horse, but don’t tell Spence until I get back.”
Ben nodded. “She’s a good horse, Sheriff. Strong and sturdy.”
Justin nodded and left after Ryker. He just hoped the man wouldn’t laugh too hard when he saw him come on little Blue.
###
Amelia glanced out the store window. Justin was walking down the street with Spencer. Her heart melted just watching him. Why her parents were being so stubborn was beyond her. She loved them dearly, but she loved Justin more and in the way that a woman loves a man.
She was no longer a little girl.
“Amelia, what are you looking at?” Mother eyed her suspiciously.
“I was watching the man I love walk down the street.” There, she’d spoken it just to upset her mother.
Red colored her mother’s cheeks while hurt creased her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you, but I love Justin. Why can’t you see that?”
Putting a hanky to her eyes, her mother shook her head and ran for the backroom.
Feeling as if she’d knifed her best friend, Amelia followed her, reeling in her own sadness at hurting her mother.
“Amelia, I don’t want you talking to your mother like that anymore.”
Startled, she realized Father had seen and heard the entire exchange. She started to ask him, but the hardness in his eyes told her not to try. He always took up for her mother. “Yes, sir.”
A Bluebonnet Misfit Christmas: Sweet Historical Christian Western Romance (Mail Order Brides of Misfit Ranch Bluebonnet, Texas Book 2) Page 8
