Deserted in Dodge

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  He grinned. Not that he was arrogant, but he’d seen himself in the mirror, and he wasn’t bad looking. When he walked past the saloon, he’d seen more than one of the ladies look his way. They weren’t what he wanted, but that gave him confidence that women should find him appealing.

  Today, in town, he’d begin his search. Harrison walked around the wagon and stopped to pet Peaches and Cream. They were the team of cream-colored horses he used to pull the wagon and plow. Strong, big animals, they also had the sweetest dispositions. Something he also wanted in the woman he would marry.

  No sir, he didn’t want any woman that considered herself the boss of the plains. He laughed when he remembered Bill Tomlinson and the woman he married. Although as he came to think about them, Bill had never been a prosperous man until Margaret married him. Yes, she was bossy, but all of a sudden, Bill got his crops in on time and harvested. And they always seemed happy together.

  Well, Harrison wasn’t going to worry. He figured God had the right woman for him somewhere. Today, he’d make a point to be aware of the single ladies in town and begin his search.

  Right now, he needed to get into town. He climbed into the wagon and tapped the big horses to be on their way. Dodge City had quieted down since it’s wild times. It had lost a lot of people, too, as the town was no longer necessary for the route on the Santa Fe Trail.

  Yes, the railroads had brought business and the wild Texas drovers, and then in the same breath had taken away the pioneers and freighters going west. But at least it was becoming a decent town where a man could think about raising a family.

  After the two-hour trip to town, he stopped the wagon in front of Daily’s General Market, set the brake, and dropped the anchor to the reins to keep Peaches and Cream from wandering. Inside the store, he waved to Jared Daily. “I’ve got some prime cabbage for you.”

  “That’s wonderful. You’re the first in. So, I can take all you have.” Jared followed Harrison to the wagon. Holding up a large, heavy head of cabbage, Jared smiled. “Excellent. It’s been a good year for spring crops.”

  “I’ll have some asparagus later in the week.”

  “As I said, I’ll take it all. I can have your wagon unloaded in a couple of hours.”

  “Fine, I’ll go to the café and have some breakfast.” Harrison went to the Sunshine Cup and ordered breakfast. He enjoyed not having to cook for himself. Another reason he liked the idea of finding a wife.

  Kyle Torrance came in after him. “Mind if I join you?”

  Harrison nodded to the blacksmith. “Not at all. It’s nice to have company.”

  Kyle nodded. “Yes, it is. I get tired of talking to my four-legged friends.” He ordered and then looked across the table. “Harrison, have you thought about getting a wife?”

  “I was just considering it today. In fact, I’m going to look around and see who is available.”

  With a pointed jab, Kyle grinned. “Great idea. I was thinking the same thing. I was also thinking we need a social to gather people together. I was going to talk to Deputy Howard and some of the others.”

  “Count me in, Kyle. A dance would be just what we need to help us pick out the right women. I don’t even know who all lives in or around town.”

  Kyle leaned forward and whispered. “I hear there are several spinster-aged women at Mora’s Boarding House. Not real old ones, but those that would be past the silly girl stage and probably willing to take a man as a husband without too much haggling.”

  Harrison grinned. “You mean some that were desperate.”

  Kyle nodded. “Hate to admit it, but yes. It’s not like we have had a lot of women falling at our feet.”

  “Well, it sounds good to me. We might get the preacher in on it. He’d know which women were interested in getting married.”

  The door opened, and a tall man entered.

  Harrison waved. “Come on and sit with us, Tom. We were just talking about something that might interest you.”

  “What would that be?”

  Before they could answer, Deputy Howard Cravats entered the café and sat with them. “Tom, Kyle, Harrison. I’m hungrier than a bear that missed dinner in the fall.”

  Soon, Kyle filled the two men in on their plans.

  Tom was the quietest. Finally, he spoke up. “I’ve been watching my herd grow and getting kind of sad that it’s still just me at the ranch house. Where do we find women that we can trust? I don’t want any of those saloon gals.”

  Harrison understood, still he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the bar gals. But he knew Tom. As a rancher that dealt in bloodlines for his horses and cattle, he’d want a woman that would have a clear title.

  Howie shoveled in some pancakes. “I was thinking about the dance idea. We could have it on Saturday night so that the ranchers and farmers could come in and spend the weekend in town. I can get the marshal to put out fliers. His wife knows most of the women in town.”

  Kyle nudged Howie. “So, you in on this, too? You think you’re ready to settle down?”

  After pouring syrup on another pile of pancakes, Howie nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ve slept in the jail more times than most outlaws. There’s a little house up on Ridge Street. Perfect for a couple starting out, and I put down on it just the other day. Mr. Russet at the bank said I’d have it paid for in five years.”

  Harrison nodded. “That’s great, Howie. A woman will want a nice place to live. What else will they expect us to have?”

  Tom stroked his chin as if he thought he still had a beard. He’d shaved it off just last month. “They want us to be neat and clean.” He looked around. “If you notice, I shaved off my beard. We also need to wear clean clothes in town. Stay away from the saloon and gambling tables. Go to church.”

  Kyle groaned. “Whoa, I think you’re in over my head already. I guess I got a lot of work to do before I set about getting me a woman.”

  “You’ll be all right, Kyle.” Harrison grinned. “Everybody knows you got a pile of money in that anvil.”

  Kyle laughed. “That I do. I opened it the other day and poured more gold into it. I guess it’s time I started spending it. I want a wife, too. The nights get lonely and cold in the winter.”

  Harrison nodded. “I hear the whippoorwills calling at night, and it makes me kind of sad that I have no one to talk to.”

  A collective groan went around the table.

  Finally, Howie pulled off his napkin and threw it on the table. “Well, I say we get this thing going. We have a dance to plan and then weddings. I’m sure there’s not a one of us at this table that will be unmarried by fall.”

  Harrison nodded. “Howie, you get the dance started. I’ll work on the preacher and get a picnic planned.”

  Tom stood. “Make that a BBQ, and I’ll donate the steer.”

  Harrison stood, too. “I’ll bring the vegetables. Bet we can get some women to make potato salad and pies.”

  Kyle nodded. “I’ll ask Sarah here at the Sunshine Cup to bake the pies. Hers are the best. Too bad she’s closer to seventy than thirty, or I’d grab her and ask her to marry me today.”

  The men laughed and then went on their way. Harrison checked his pocket watch and went back to Daily’s Market to see if the cabbage had been unloaded.

  Chapter 4

  Emma went outside and walked down the street. It was such a lovely spring day. She had her husband list with her and was looking around town to see if she could add more men. She recalled the advice. Find an eligible man and go after him.

  So far, she hadn’t seen any men that caught her eye lest her fancy. She would not go after a man who she would have to take care of. There were plenty of those. They were lazy and had little ambition, but if she stayed away from the saloons, she shouldn’t have to worry.

  Well, there were the pool halls, too. And the porch sitters. She saw a couple of them. Some were about her age, but if they were sitting there doing nothing, they were not men who would provide for her. Off the list, they went.

/>   So far, she had the names that the women had come up with. She’d added three and then saw them sitting around and struck them from the list. It gave her great satisfaction even if those men never knew what hit them. Or their name.

  If only she could find Ben Johnson, the horrid man who had taken her dowry and deserted her. She would enjoy telling him he was not eligible. Just like that. Well, she hoped he never came back because he would be the last man she would marry.

  She walked to Daily’s Market. Mora had said they were getting in a new shipment of material, and Emma had thought about sewing a new dress. She saw a wagon sitting outside the store and Daily’s boy unloading it.

  She peeked in the wagon. “That looks like good cabbage.”

  The boy smiled. “It is. Harrison Gordon always brings us the best vegetables.” He showed her one.

  She held it. “Nice and heavy. It would be wonderful to make some coleslaw. Or fried cabbage. I’ll have to tell Mora about them. Did you get in the new bolts of material?”

  “Sure did. They’re in the back of the store.”

  “Thank you, Charlie.” She went inside and looked around on her way to the back. She stopped and picked up a comb. She could use a new brush and comb set. It had been ages sent she’d bought anything for herself.

  Holding the items and walking, she was so intent on looking at the tortoiseshell comb that she ran into someone. “Oh, pardon me. I should have been looking where I was going.”

  Harrison Gordon tipped his hat. “As should I. Are you all right?” He had reached out to steady her and held her arm.

  Warmth flooded her where he touched her. Not an alarming feeling at all. Rather his hand felt nice on her, and its warmth was exciting. Finally, she managed to nod. “I’m fine.”

  He removed his hand and pointed to the brush and comb. “Those are pretty.” His tanned cheeks blushed slightly.

  “Yes, I think so. I haven’t bought anything for myself in so long, so I picked these.”

  He smiled at her. A pleasant smile. And his eyes brightened as he looked at her.

  “Well, I better pay for these. Oh, and I’m getting one of your cabbages. They look lovely.”

  Harrison smiled. “I’m proud of them. My crops have come in nicely this year. Though it does get lonely on the farm.”

  “I’ve never worked a farm although I did help my grandmother in her garden. I am sure running a farm involves lots of hard labor.”

  He nodded. “But it’s all worth it when you see the plants sprout, grow, and then produce.” Harrison paused and looked at her. “Maybe you’d like to come and see my farm someday. It’s beautiful this time of year.”

  Emma felt her blush go from her head to her toes and figured if he could see her feet, they’d be a bright red. She swallowed and tried to collect her thoughts, especially after realizing he was on the list. Finally, she nodded. “Yes, I’d like that.”

  Harrison stepped back from her. “Good. We’ll arrange a day. Maybe after church.”

  “That sounds lovely.” Emma’s mind raced to what she would wear. Then decided she better get to the back of the store where Mr. Daily kept his bolts of material and pick out something she could make.

  “I better go. Charlie is through unloading my wagon.” Harrison tipped his hat to her and went to the front counter to talk to Mr. Daily.

  Emma went to the back of the store and picked out a pretty blue and yellow material for a new skirt. She’d make a blue blouse to go with it. She also picked out some lace to put around the collar and edges to make it something special.

  She was about to pay when the Lord pricked her heart to buy material for Sally Mae. Goodness, the girl needed another dress that didn’t look like the other four. She picked out a lovely fabric in a light shade of green that would look good on Sally Mae and bring out the blond in her hair.

  She went up to the front to pay and noticed that Harrison was already gone. With a sigh, she paid and waited for Mrs. Daily to package the items. Emma had enjoyed talking with Harrison. He definitely belonged on her list. Was he the one she should go after?

  She put away her thoughts about chasing him. After all, she hadn’t even looked at the other three men on her list. But Harrison was one she would consider having as a husband.

  “Do you need a pattern?”

  “Oh, no. I believe Mora has several patterns to choose from. Thank you, though.” In fact, she had noticed Miss S and Jenny sewing new dresses. The Lovelorn’s advice seemed to have given them all the idea of finding a husband.

  Emma came out of the store and nearly ran into Sally Mae. She was looking at something across the street and hadn’t even noticed her. After a quick glance, Emma realized that Sally Mae was watching the deputy.

  Deputy Howard Cravats was talking to a man who had apparently had too much to drink and was causing a ruckus with the barber, Joe Gifford. It seems Miss S had crossed Gifford’s name from the list for some reason.

  Now, Emma was glad. She didn’t want anything to do with a man who drank too much. That Ben Johnson. How her Father could have matched her up with a man who had treated her so badly, she couldn’t understand. Ugh, Ben Johnson still made her furious.

  Emma watched the deputy. Howie was a nice man, but she wasn’t really attracted to him. Then she looked at Sally Mae and saw that the woman was still looking across the street.

  “Sally Mae, do you like the deputy?”

  Startled and turning to face Emma, Sally Mae nodded. “I do. Oh, since he’s on your list, you can have the first choice at him if you want to chase him.”

  “If you are interested in him, why don’t you chase him yourself?”

  Sally Mae blushed. “I couldn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because that was your letter, and the advice was for you.” Sally stole a look across the street.

  “Sally Mae, I want you to chase that deputy. If he is the man that makes your heart beat faster and your cheeks blush, go after him. What do you have to lose?”

  “I wouldn’t want to lose you as a friend.”

  Emma put a hand on her arm. “Sally Mae, I bought you the material for a new dress. Later today, I’ll help you choose a pattern, and we can sew our dresses.”

  Sally Mae grinned. “Really? Oh, Emma. You’re so kind. How can I thank you?”

  “By going after the man that you like. I only need one. There are four on my list. That way, I won’t feel so alone while I’m chasing after the one that I pick.”

  “I don’t think I could.” Sally Mae grinned. “How are we going to chase them?”

  Emma took in a deep breath. She hadn’t thought about that. “I guess we will follow them. Watch to see if they go into the café, and then go in with them and try to sit at their table. Sit by them in church. Things like that.”

  Sally Mae nodded. “All right. Should I start right now?”

  Emma glanced across the street and saw Howard handcuff the rowdy man who had apparently hit Joe in the nose. “No, he looks busy with his work. We shouldn’t interfere with their job.”

  Sally Mae nodded. “I think you’re right.”

  Emma took Sally Mae’s arm. “Let’s go and sew our dresses.”

  Chapter 5

  Harrison drove back to his farm and finished off the chores he had left. The farm kept him busy all right, but he was getting tired of the nights alone. Tired of watching sunsets and no one to share the beauty with.

  He thought back to the meeting with Emma. She’d come to Dodge City as a match for Ben Johnson. The man had been a scoundrel. Ben had bragged and talked her up real big, but when Emma had arrived, he’d taken one look at her and said he wouldn’t marry her.

  Why, he’d not said. But Harrison had been in Joe’s barbershop getting his haircut when Ben had come in and made his announcement. At the moment, Harrison had felt sorry for the woman, but relieved for her at the same time. Ben Johnson was not a man for any woman to marry.

  Time went on, and Ben didn’t tell her. He p
retended to court her and ate with her a time or two at the café. Then one day, he lit out and rode off. Ben had stopped at his farm for some supplies, told Harrison not to say that he’d seen him, and then rode north.

  Well, Harrison figured that Emma was better off without Ben. Now, that Harrison was thinking about a wife, Emma was looking good to him, but he figured he should stop at Mora’s Boarding House to check out the other women.

  The place had the reputation of caring for unwed women. He had a load of vegetables that he needed to take to the store, and he could drop by Mora’s the same day. Saturday would be the day unless he got them together sooner.

  Thinking of Kyle and Howie and Tom and how they were all talking about getting a wife made him decide to pick the crops earlier and get to town by Friday. Funny that they had all decided it was time to get a wife.

  Then he looked out across the lush land and how green things were. It was spring. What man’s fancy didn’t turn to women in the springtime. No wonder Kyle and Howie were working so hard on the dance idea.

  He and Tom, with work outside of Dodge, were at a disadvantage. Well, he wasn’t going to let them take the pick of the women. So far, Harrison liked Emma. Then again, he didn’t know her well. He didn’t know any of them well.

  The more he thought about it, the more restless he became. Hurriedly, he went and picked the asparagus and some lettuce. A dash to the chicken pen yielded a couple dozen eggs, and he had enough goods to make the trip to town.

  After a bath and shave, Harrison hitched up the team and drove his wagon back into town. Mr. Daily would be surprised to see him twice in one week. But desperate men did desperate things.

  Once in town, he delivered the groceries but kept out a box for Mora. He was about to go to the boarding house when he saw Howie with a bouquet of flowers. Kicking himself, Harrison was mad that he’d not thought about picking any. He’d passed all sorts of wildflowers on the way into town.