A Courageous Bride to Bring Him Hope: A Historical Western Romance Book

by Cassidy Hanton

  “No, thank you,” Alexander declined and by John’s expression, the other man knew he would.

  “I promised one special little girl a surprise, and I must keep my promise.”

  John placed a hand on his shoulder. “You did change, a great deal, my friend. And I am happy for you.”

  Alexander was happy for himself as well.

  “Let’s get you to bed, old man. I promise to tuck you in, however, forget about the bedtime story, I am exhausted,” he joked, trying to mask feelings that arose thanks to John’s words.

  “The bedtime story is the best part of going to bed.”

  They continued to laugh all the way to the hotel room. And while John snored his dreams away Alexander thought about Clementine. She was the source of all this change, yet the question still remained.

  Is that enough?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Clementine was woken by a hard rocking. Her first thought coming to be was that they were experiencing an earthquake. They had those from time to time.

  Opening her eyes, preparing to take Pauline to the safer part of the house, Clementine discovered it was actually her niece who caused all that shaking. She was jumping up and down on the bed, clearly full of energy and impatience for them to start their day.

  Clementine knew why was that the case. It was because of Alexander’s promise of a surprise. She felt like scolding him anew. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there.

  “Good morning, Auntie,” she sing-songed in her small voice. “Sorry to bother you, but it is morning,” she informed her.

  Clementine smiled. She couldn’t even get mad at this little girl, she was just too precious. “Good morning, my little mischief-maker,” Clementine replied in the same manner, and at the same time grabbed the girl, smothering her with kisses and hugs, much to her delight.

  Once again something squeezed inside Clementine’s heart and she wondered if she would ever be blessed enough to have a baby girl of her own. She adored Pauline to no end, yet to have a child of her own was her biggest desire.

  “Is it time for us to go to work?” Pauline asked while giggling, snapping Clementine from her reverie.

  Instantly, Clementine thought of Alexander, their day together, and that one perfect kiss. Her pulse quickened. Pauline was not the only one eager to go to work. Clementine could not wait to see him again.

  “Not yet sugarplum,” she informed the little girl, and Pauline made a face, disappointed.

  It was rather hard not to laugh. Clementine managed somehow. “Breakfast first.”

  Hearing that cheered her up. “Can I help?”

  “Of course,” Clementine allowed, getting out of bed. “What are you in the mood for?” she asked even though she already knew the answer.

  “Can we make hotcakes, please?” Pauline instantly replied.

  “Let us go then,” she reached for the girl and Pauline gave her a hand. Together they went to the kitchen.

  Clementine was usually in such a hurry in the morning. Trying to do all her chores before going to work, that she forgot how much she enjoyed cooking. Pauline reminded her of that.

  After they finished preparing breakfast and ate a whole stack of hotcakes with syrup, Pauline looked as though Clementine dipped her in a bag of flour. She looked quite adorable and Clementine was impressed by her sharp mind and willingness to learn. Pretty soon, she was going to prepare breakfast for her Mamma all on her own.

  Clementine wished there was some way she could preserve this moment for Viola. Unfortunately, Clementine’s words when she sent her friend a letter would have to suffice. On the other hand, Viola would probably chastise them both for creating such a mess in the first place.

  Clementine could plainly see it was on the tip of Pauline’s tongue she going to ask again about their departure, so Clementine beat her to the punch.

  “Let’s clean this up, shall we. And then clean ourselves up, your hair is full of flower.”

  Pauline took a strand of her hair as though she just noticed that for the first time, and then smiled. “I am an old woman now,” she joked, and Clementine laughed.

  “A very beautiful old woman. And rather short.”

  Pauline giggled.

  After they cleaned the kitchen, Clementine decided to draw Pauline a bath. That was the quickest way to get her completely cleaned up.

  “There, now you are squeaky clean,” Clementine joked much to Pauline’s delight who started making all these strange noises, presumably of squeaking.

  “Let’s get you dressed before you catch a cold,” Clementine warned.

  “And then we go to work?” Pauline prompted.

  Checking the time, Clementine realized they had a long way the go before the beginning of her shift at the store. And there were two reasons she did not want to take Pauline there earlier. The first was obvious. Clementine didn’t want Pauline to spend much time at the store. And the second reason involved Alexander. If they went early and he was not there Pauline would be greatly disappointed. Clementine could not allow that, so she wrecked her brain for any kind of distraction, something that could occupy Pauline’s mind until it was truly time to go.

  If Alexander was in front of her at the moment, she would chastise him again for reveling such a thing to Pauline in advance. Pauline was a really good girl, however, even good girls could be beyond curious and excited, eager to discover what the whole fuss was about. And then she had an idea.

  “I must visit Mrs. Dawson before work,” she informed the little girl, who pondered about her words.

  Clementine hoped Mrs. Dawson could help Clementine find some extra work. She did in the past since she was involved in many groups and her husband owned the biggest ranch in the area and was the current government official.

  “Is Hannah going to be there?” Pauline asked eventually.

  Hannah was Mrs. Dawson’s only daughter. She was two years older than Pauline, and Pauline absolutely adored the other girl. The feeling was mutual. They could play for hours without any complaints, and Clementine was hoping that would be the case again. If Mrs. Dawson was available to receive them in the first place.

  “Of course.”

  “Let’s go,” Pauline prompted, and Clementine burst out laughing.

  “How about you dress first.”

  Pauline realized she was still standing in her undershirt and that made her laugh, Clementine had to join in. Her niece was such a hoot to be around. Once they settled, Pauline quickly dressed and they were on their way.

  Mrs. Dawson was pleasantly surprised to see them and confessed Clementine how Hannah was constantly asking about Pauline and begged for a playdate. Mrs. Dawson was about to send words to Viola asking if she was available to come with her daughter. She did not know Viola was out of town.

  Regardless, Clementine was pleased for that happy coincidence. While the children played, two women had a conversation where Clementine asked Mrs. Dawson for her help. She needed money to give to Mr. Brewer and this was the best way she knew how to get more work. The other woman always knew when someone was hiring. That was not to suggest she was a gossip; she was simply well connected.

  Unfortunately, Mrs. Dawson could not help Clementine. She did promise she would be on the lookout and contact Clementine as soon as she learned anything useful, heard of a job vacancy Clementine would be fit to fill.

  Like Mrs. Townsend, Mrs. Dawson did not care Clementine had a certain reputation in their town because she worked at a store that sold alcohol and did not remarry after her husband died. She always treated Clementine with the utmost respect and even employed her in the past when her own maids were away. Clementine could not ask for more.

  Pauline had the most wonderful time playing with Hannah and she almost asked Clementine to stay. Until she remembered Alexander prepared a surprise for her. That changed everything and then she was more than eager for them to get going.

  “Auntie, what do you think it is?” Pauline asked her in all seriousness on their way to th
e store.

  “I do not have the faintest idea,” Clementine replied honestly. And not from the lack of trying. Clementine tried everything she could think of to make Alexander talk yet he remained a tough nut to crack until the end, refusing to divulge the big secret.

  A part of her was glad he remained adamant. It was certainly more fun this way, even though the not knowing bugged her to no end. Stepping into the store, Clementine instantly spotted Alexander.

  All this fussing about finding other employment, and making sure Pauline was occupied made her forget she needed to prepare herself for this encounter.

  He instantly turned as though he could sense her as well. Clementine’s heart jumped into her throat. This was the first time they would interact after that kiss and Clementine felt at a loss. She did not know how to react. What should she say? She wondered in exasperation. Would he pretend as though nothing happened between them? Clementine did not care for that last thought one bit.

  All her worries vanished when he smiled at them. “Finally. The ladies have arrived,” Alexander announced theatrically.

  “I almost started without you,” he crouched to be at Pauline’s eye level.

  “Without me?” The little girl frowned, looking at Clementine.

  “I got bored waiting,” Alexander said in all seriousness.

  “He is teasing you,” Clementine explained, and Pauline giggled.

  Even some of the customers wanted to join in on the fun. Clementine was relieved all attention was on the Pauline since that gave her much-needed chance to compose herself.

  “Are you ready?” Alexander prompted.

  Pauline nodded vigorously. “Yes, please.”

  “Close your eyes then,” Alexander instructed, and Pauline obliged immediately.

  “No peeking.”

  Pauline laughed. “Cross my heart.”

  Satisfied with her reaction, Alexander dashed behind the bar where he obviously hid the present. He returned, placing it in front of the little girl.

  “All right Pauline, you can open your eyes now.”

  Once again, Pauline did as was told and then screamed.

  Diablo could not believe his luck while strolling down the Main Street of Courtfield. He managed to get here, after all.

  He was looking for something to eat and drink. He had a substantial amount of coin. The first thing he did after escaping prison was finding his buried treasure so, for now, he was settled.

  He started looking for a saloon where he could drink something stronger than beer. He almost licked his lips in anticipation. Who knew, perhaps he could even find some entertainment to go with his drinks. God knew it had been years since he had been with a woman.

  Not all saloons provided female companions, but he hoped someone at this alcohol store could point him in the right direction. Getting to the door, he glanced across the street and froze in his tracks. It can’t be.

  He felt like rubbing his good eye even though there was nothing wrong with his vision. It was him, even though he looked older now and there was something seriously wrong with his right arm. It was definitely him; Diablo was sure of it. He could never forget that face even if he wanted to.

  Instantly, his furry levels almost made him barge inside and do what he did best. Kill. Diablo resisted, for now. With his right hand he reached for his revolver and then cursed. He did not have a gun anymore. It was lost somewhere in the desert many days ago.

  His blood continued to boil as he watched his enemy having a good time inside the store across the road. He was playing with a small girl as a very beautiful woman stood close by. He could not believe his nemesis was here, in Courtfield, and that he had a family. That man apparently had everything while Diablo spent his time, wasted his years in a jail cell.

  Diablo moved away from the door before the other man spotted him. He was sure that bastard would recognize him as well, so Diablo wanted to keep his presence here a secret for as long as possible. Or until he was ready to make his move.

  As he walked away from the saloon in search of a gunsmith, one word continued to repeat itself inside his head over and over.

  Revenge.

  Diablo would finally have his revenge and this time around nobody was going to stop him from killing Alexander Carson.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Pauline screamed in delight again, jumping up and down while clapping with her hands. Clementine had never seen her this happy in her entire life. And that left a bitter-sweet feeling inside of her.

  “It’s a dollhouse,” Pauline shouted as though she needed to explain what everybody could see.

  Clementine was touched by Alexander’s gesture. He made her niece a dollhouse, something she wished to have yet neither Viola nor Clementine could afford to buy. He must have heard Pauline talking about her dream house, and then simply acted. He apparently made it all by himself, and it was a pretty detailed one at that. Alexander really put in an extra effort to make it as perfect as possible. Pauline’s doll June could fit into it flawlessly. He really thought of everything, all to make Pauline happy.

  As though Clementine needed another reason to love him. “You made one girl rather happy today,” Clementine told him, overcome with emotions. “Thank you.” Once again she was grateful he came into their lives.

  He looked at her all wide-eyed, startled. “Just one? I should really work harder than, to please the other one as well.”

  At first, Clementine worried, seeing his reaction. However, his tone was light, and he was obviously teasing her. Clementine’s heart started to race anew. There was something in his eyes, a glint, and a small crooked smile danced on his lips, that suggested he was thinking about their kiss. Which made her think about it as well.

  She really should say something back to him, a witty reply, unfortunately, her mind felt blank.

  “Auntie, did you see it?” Pauline asked her, breaking the spell. Clementine felt grateful beyond measure. She did not want to embarrass herself, even further. For a moment there she felt like spontaneously combusting. That gaze was deadly as far as she was concerned.

  “I did, it is marvelous. Did you say thank you to Mr. Carson for making it for you?”

  “Thank you kindly. I will cherish it forever,” she recited politely, and Alexander was all smiles in return.

  “How about I carry it upstairs for you, to your room, so you can start playing with it?” Alexander offered and Pauline nodded. “Yes, please,” clearly eager to start playing with her new toy.

  Alexander moved quickly, and in one swift move picked the dollhouse with one hand. Then he approached Pauline, picked her up with the other and started climbing upstairs as Pauline laughed waving at Clementine.

  Clementine waved back, putting her apron on. That man was simply marvelous.

  “Did I miss something?” Garry asked, suddenly.

  “What? Why would you ask something like that?” Clementine rambled. She started to panic concluding she must have said that last thought out loud.

  Garry simply shrugged, wearing that half-smile on his face that suggested he already knew the answer to his question and was simply messing with her head. Mission accomplished.

  When he was not looking, Clementine checked her cheeks and was relieved they were not ablaze. Even if they were, she would complain about a fever. That would be a perfect excuse to dash back home. Not that she would ever do something like that. She was not running away home simply because Alexander was here and looking at her as though he was hoping he would get a chance to kiss her again.

  That was a good thing, that he wished something like that, right? If she was completely honest with herself, she wished for that as well. She started working simply to busy herself and not because Garry expected that from her even though he was paying her to be of service.

  Unfortunately, her mind worked just fine, stressing about Alexander as she cleaned, took orders and carried food from the shelves to the customers. It was really hard work, she thought sarcastically, but only
to her feet, so her brain continued to torment her.

  That made her quite cross at herself. It felt like she was borrowing problems when she had so many other things to worry about, that were more pressing and dire. Like Mr. Brewer and the debt toward him. That change of perspective somewhat helped.

  Clementine couldn’t help glancing upstairs with impressive frequency, waiting for Alexander to come back down again. What if he was not coming back down again, too busy entertaining Pauline? What if he was avoiding her? And she was right back where she started, stressing over nothing. Although she was proud of herself for lasting this long.