“But, Daddy…”
“Hush, now, child.” He smiled down at her as if she were six years old and they were discussing her playing with fire, not a woman who would be nineteen on her next birthday. “I’ve made the decision and set everything in motion, so you might as well get used to it. Tomorrow I’m going to wire your mother to come home because she has a wedding to plan.”
Amelia wanted to scream, but she knew there was no use to argue with him any longer. Without another word, she got up and stomped back to her room. Though the storm still raged outside, it couldn’t compare to the storm raging inside her.
Since that night, they fought every day about the coming wedding, but it was as if her father was deaf to her objections. He was determined to marry her off to Vince Callahan before he went abroad, no matter how much she objected.
Since Amelia found out what her father had mapped out for the rest of her life, she continually thought of ways to change his mind. Though she hadn’t come up with anything that worked, she was still determined to find a way to foil his plan.
Today, as she sat atop Rambler and looked out on the ranch she loved, she knew, in spite of her father’s hard-headed decision, she couldn’t and wouldn’t marry Vince. She’d as soon marry one of the cowboys who dropped by the ranch now and then asking for work. At least they weren’t as old and as disgusting as her father’s foreman.
Vince had been the foreman of the Double D ever since Grandpa Downey fell sick four years ago. Grandpa hadn’t liked or trusted the man, but Rafe insisted he was the person for the job. Amelia agreed with her grandfather. Ever since, she’d tried to steer clear of Callahan. She didn’t think he’d attack her, but she was sure he’d try to talk her into something she didn’t want to do. But her father was blind to all the man’s faults. It was if he’d somehow found the son he’d always wanted, though Vince Callahan was only five years younger than Rafe.
Why couldn’t her father understand this wedding could never take place? Didn’t he know she had a mind of her own? She didn’t need him or any man to arrange her life, even if he did think he was doing it for her own good. If she only knew who she could ask to marry her before she was caught in her father’s web. There had to be somebody. Somebody her father wouldn’t be able to scare off.
A thought flitted across her mind and interrupted her musing. The hint of a smile crept across her full lips. Removing her hat, she felt the long braid tucked up inside fall down her back. She wiped her brow with the back of her sleeve as the thought began to seep in, take root and begin to solidify.
It was the perfect plan and he was the perfect man, if she could just pull it off. Her father would never demand she get a divorce or an annulment and Vince wouldn’t think of trying to take her away from him. Everyone in town thought he was a man to be reckoned with. If she could only find him, and if she could make it happen in time, and if she could get her hands on enough money, she wouldn’t have to marry Vince Callahan or anyone else her father picked out. She would marry the man of her choice even if she’d never met him. Then things would be as they should be in her world again, but she knew she had to move fast to get these “ifs” out of the way. It might take a little while to put this bold plot in action and time was running out. But if everything fell into place, she was sure she could make it work.
* * * *
Former US Marshall and now bounty hunter, Jed Wainwright, walked out of the jail in the small town of Settlers Ridge, Wyoming where he’d turned over his prisoners to Sheriff Lance Gentry and his deputy, Bryce Langston. He told them he’d come back to the office in a day or two and collect the reward because he didn’t want to bother with the paperwork at the moment. After all, the gang had to wait to go on trial when the territorial judge came through again. He’d have to stick around here to testify against them when the judge arrived, which Lance said would be in three weeks. Jed didn’t mind. He needed a little rest.
It had been a rough capture and at age thirty, he felt it was time to think about giving up this work and following his plan of becoming a ranch owner. This case had only served to make him sure of what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. It had taken three hard months to find and capture the four members of the McBride gang and bring them here to face trial. He’d slept in the rain, fought off rattlesnakes, eaten dust, lived on hardtack and jerky and at times went without coffee because building a campfire would give away his position. But in a year or so, with a few more good paying captures, he’d hang up his hat as a bounty hunter, and settle on a ranch somewhere in Arizona or Wyoming Territory with his friend, Curt Allison.
Once he closed the jailhouse door, Jed stretched his full six feet and four inches as he looked down the dusty street which dissected the town. Of course, he couldn’t see the side streets, but everything he could see from this point was familiar. Besides the only stone structure, the two-cell jail, there were Brown’s Mercantile, The Wildcat Saloon, which was connected to a house of pleasure, a livery stable, a feed and seed store, a blacksmith shop, a restaurant, Miss Purdy’s Dress Making and Hat Shop, a funeral parlor, a trading post, Olsen’s Hotel, Settlers Ridge Bank, a telegraph office, a barber, and a few businesses he couldn’t see or read the signs on. On the edge of town was a school house, a boarding house and under construction was what looked like a church. Other than the new building, the town hadn’t changed much since he’d come through six months ago. Of course, places like Settlers Ridge seldom changed unless the railroad was rumored to come through.
Shifting his saddlebags to his left shoulder, Jed wiped his forehead on his dirty shirt sleeve. He removed his black Stetson, ran his fingers through his hair, replaced his hat and headed toward the hotel where he knew his friend, Frank Olson, would have a room ready, and his wife, Henrietta would see that he had a good supper. The only other things he needed now were a good hot bath, a shave, a glass of good whiskey and a soft bed for the night. Though he hadn’t had the satisfaction of a woman in three months and the lack of female companionship created a smoldering burn, he could control it for now. But soon he knew it would burst into a wildfire that would have to be put out. If he felt refreshed after his bath, maybe he’d stroll over to the Wildcat Saloon and check out the offerings. He kind of remembered a long-legged redhead, but right now food and a hot bath seemed to be the most important things in his immediate future. He was thinking about relaxing in a tub when he noticed a fancy black buggy in front of the hotel. He lifted an eyebrow as a small pretty woman dressed in a powder blue traveling suit was helped down by the driver. The young man followed her inside, carrying her valise. She turned to smile at the fellow and Jed saw beautiful golden hair peeking from under the matching blue hat topped with darker blue flowers.
“Wouldn’t mind having her in my bed tonight,” he mumbled as he drew closer. He then laughed at himself. “You’re an idiot, Wainwright. She’s a lady and you haven’t had a lady in your bed since your wife died ten years ago.”
He was so engrossed in his thoughts he didn’t see the tiny older woman who stepped out of the ladies millinery and dress making shop until he almost knocked her down.
To break her fall, he grabbed her by the shoulders. “Ma’am, I beg your pardon.”
She pulled away and looked up at him. There was a glint in her eyes. “Well, mercy sakes alive, you should be more careful, young man. If a fellow as big as you fell on an old woman my size you’d kill her for sure.”
Jed grinned and tipped his hat to her. “I should’ve been watching where I was going. I’m really sorry.”
“You should be, and I appreciate the apology.” She smiled at him. “I guess I’m not used to cowboys yet, though I’ve got to admit, you’re the biggest one I’ve met so far.”
“Oh?”
“I arrived about a month ago from Savannah to live with my son and his wife, Eli and Margo. They came here last fall so he could be the new preacher. When the sister I lived with in Savannah up and died, my son insisted I come out here to live with th
em.”
“I see.” Jed wondered why this little woman was talking to him. Few decent women did, but she didn’t seem to mind his appearance.
“By the way, my name is Gertrude Ellsworth.”
“And I’m Jed Wainwright.”
“I assume your full name is Jedidiah Wainwright.”
“Yes, ma’am, but I’d appreciate it if you called me Jed.”
“No, thank you. I’ll call you Jedidiah. I bet your mother liked the name and I like it, too. It’s a good old Bible name and you should be proud of it.”
“As you wish, Mrs. Ellsworth.” Jed figured it didn’t matter what the woman called him. He’d probably never see her again. At the moment he was ready to move on toward the hotel and his bath. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to rent a room and get myself cleaned up.”
“Then I assume you’re on your way to the hotel, Jedidiah?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Here.” She handed him a hat box. “You can carry this for me. I’m going there, too. Margo and I are meeting Eli for supper in the hotel dining room.”
The door to the shop opened again and a pretty auburn-haired woman, obviously big with child, stepped out. “Mother Ellsworth, why did you leave the store without me?”
“I figured if I didn’t get out of there you and that Miss Purdy were going to talk all evening. I’m getting hungry and I want to go eat.”
“Well, shall we head to the hotel?” The woman glanced at Jed, but said nothing.
“I’m on my way. I asked Jedidiah to carry my new hat for me.” She looked at Jed. “This is my daughter-in-law, Margo Ellsworth. Margo, this is my new friend, Jedidiah Wainwright.”
“Ma’am.” Jed tipped his hat.
The woman nodded and reached for the hat box. “I’ll carry this.” She then took her mother-in-law by the elbow. “We should hurry. I’m sure Eli is waiting.”
“Don’t push me so hard. He won’t mind waiting a little longer, Margo.”
Jed suppressed a smile as he handed over the hat box and watched the two women head down the boarded sidewalk. He wasn’t upset by Margo’s reaction to him. He was used to it. Most ladies avoided rough-looking men. Especially if their Indian blood was as obvious as his. He followed them at a few paces behind.
In the lobby of Settlers Ridge Hotel, Jed said goodbye to Mrs. Ellsworth and again nodded at her daughter-in-law, who still didn’t seem too happy the older woman insisted on befriending him.
“We sure would like for you come visit the church this Sunday,” Mrs. Ellsworth said before Margo could lead her away. “Wouldn’t we, Margo?”
“Of course.” Margo didn’t sound enthusiastic.
“I appreciate the invitation, but I’ll probably leave town before Sunday.” He tipped his hat again. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Gertrude Ellsworth.”
As Margo was ushering the older woman toward the dining room, Mrs. Ellsworth was saying, “And I enjoyed meeting you, Mr. Jedidiah Wainwright.”
When the two women were out of sight, Frank Olsen, the man behind the counter, said, “Got an admirer haven’t you, Jed?”
“Yeah, Frank. Old ladies like me.” He picked up the pen. “How about room four? Is it vacant?”
“Sorry, it’s not. Wasn’t expecting you tonight and rented it a short time ago. How about room three? It’s across the hall and looks about the same.”
“Fine.” Jed wrote his name. “Think I could get a bath brought up along with some food and a good bottle of whisky?”
“Not going to the saloon after your bath, like you usually do?”
“Don’t think so. I’ll head there after I get some rest under my belt.”
“Must have been some tough outlaws this time.”
“They sure were. Chased them through the Colorado Mountains then back to Wyoming. They ran me ragged for the last three weeks. I’m glad to get them behind bars.”
“I see. I’m glad I have an easier job.” Frank chuckled. “By the way, a friend of yours dropped by the other day and left a message for you.”
Jed became alert. In his business you never knew who might be looking for you. “Do you know who it was?”
“He didn’t say. Left this.” Frank reached under the desk and pulled out a letter.
“Thanks.” Jed stuck the missive in his pocket and took out some money, but as he always did, Frank shook his head and handed him a key. “You know your money’s no good here. If you stay in this hotel every time you’re in town for the rest of your life I’ll not be able to repay you for what you did for me and my family.”
Without argument, Jed grinned and picked up his saddle bags. “Thanks, Frank.”
Nothing was said about why Frank was indebted to Jed. It had happened two years earlier when Jed had brought prisoners to drop off at the jail. As usual he rented a room in the hotel. It was about three in the morning when there was a sound outside his window. Getting up, he saw two drunken miners who had a young girl cornered on the street below. He couldn’t tell who the girl was, but she was young and wearing a nightgown. He knew the men were dragging her away from the hotel for a no good purpose. Jed didn’t stop to ask questions. He jerked on his pants and jumped from the second story window. Though the men fought with him, he managed to subdue the drunks with a few blows.
After getting the two men in jail, Jed learned later that they’d snuck in a window on the lower floor of the hotel where the Olsen family had their quarters and snatched Frank’s thirteen-year-old daughter from her bed. Though Sophie was traumatized at the time, she recovered. The family hadn’t quit thanking Jed for his intervention. Frank always gave him a room and anything else he wanted when he was in town. His wife, Henrietta, insisted Jed get the best food the kitchen provided and Sophie called him Uncle Jed and considered him her knight in shining armor. Even Teddy Olsen, Sophie’s little brother looked to Jed as a hero.
Though he didn’t think he’d done anything to merit it, Jed always tried to accept their offerings of gratitude without protest.
With a quick good-night to Frank, he headed up the stairs. He was going to read the letter from his friend then get out of his dirty clothes, shave, take his bath and get a good night’s rest.
Chapter 2
After her revelation of what she needed to do to avoid the marriage to Vince, it took Amelia two days to work out her plan. First she told her daddy she’d thought it over and had decided marriage to Vince wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen to her. Though she knew it wouldn’t be easy, she hoped she could keep her father fooled. To help convince him, she invited Vince to have supper with the two of them one night. Rafe seemed to be a little suspicious, but was pleased she was making an effort.
At the table, Rafe cut the big beef roast the cook served and said, “I knew you’d change your mind when you came to your senses, my dear. I’ve always known my daughter had respect for my opinion. Coming to this decision proves she has a good head on her shoulders as well.”
“I’ve always valued your opinion, Daddy,” she managed to say. Inside, she was seething because Vince had sat down beside her to eat.
“I’m happy you see how good this is going to be for both of us, Amelia.” Vince held his plate for the meat Rafe was offering.
She forced herself to smile at him then quickly looked away when she saw the look in his eyes. She’d seen the look before and she didn’t like it.
Though the meal was hard for her to get through without giving herself away, it got better when Rafe and Vince began talking about the upcoming cattle drive. She only said a few words now and then and hoped this evening wouldn’t be a long one.
Finally the meal was over, and though it was hard, as he was leaving for the bunkhouse, she let Vince kiss her on the cheek.
“I’m really glad you came to your senses, daughter.” Rafe put his arm around her shoulders as she started toward the stairs.
She sighed. “You’re usually right, Daddy.”
“I know I am.” He leaned
down and kissed her forehead. “Now go get a good night’s sleep and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When she reached her room, Amelia washed her cheek where Vince had kissed her. “Probably doesn’t do any good, but at least I know I’ve washed it away,” she said with a smirk as she prepared for bed.
The next day, she knew her father had swallowed her pretense of acceptance of the marriage when she convinced him she needed to go into Settlers Ridge for a few days so she could spend time with Miss Purdy in her shop. She assured him that it would be better for her to stay in town than to run back and forth from the ranch to have a wedding dress made. Fittings took time and she wanted her dress to be special for the nuptials. She told him she also needed some essentials for the honeymoon.
“I can’t let you go alone, Amelia. I’m too busy to go with you and I can’t spare Vince because of the roundup and branding for the cattle drive. I need him here in case we find out who is rustling the herds on the outer edges of the ranch.”
“I’ll be fine, Daddy. I’m a big girl.”
“No, Amelia. I won’t let you go alone.”
“Then why not let Richard Malone, the stable boy, accompany me?”
He nodded. “How long will it take to get the kind of wedding dress you want made?”
“At least three or four days. Five at the most.”
The next morning she dressed in her blue traveling outfit, saddled Rambler, hitched him to the back of her mother’s buggy and let the teenage boy escort her to town. At first Rafe didn’t want her to take her horse, but she insisted she rode Rambler every day and she wanted to board him in the livery stable so she could still go on her morning rides. To convince him she added, “If I get through at Miss Purdy’s early, I’ll be able to come home.”
Her father looked as if he would refuse, but in the end he permitted her to take the horse. She knew it was because he thought she had completely accepted his marriage plans for her.
When they reached Settlers Ridge, they dropped Rambler at the livery stable and headed for the hotel. After she checked in and Richard helped carry her luggage to her room, she sent him back to the ranch. Up to this point her plan had worked perfectly.
Amelia's Marriage Page 2
