Deserted in Dodge

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  Hobbling down the steps with help from Sally Mae, Emma could only wonder how her plans had gone so awry. Here she was trying to follow the advice sent to her, and all the women were taking the men that she’d listed.

  “Here we are.” Sally Mae pointed to the blacksmith’s shop. Fortunately, the blacksmith was on the other side of the street and only down a few stores from Mora’s, and the jail was more or less behind the blacksmith shop.

  “Don’t get in any trouble, Sally Mae.”

  “Oh, I won’t. I think Howie likes me.” Sally Mae smiled at her. “He did bring me those flowers.”

  Stolen flowers, but she was right. She was the first of the women to get a present. Emma didn’t think Kyle knew she was alive. This ought to be interesting going into the blacksmith shop without a horse to shoe.

  “Just what am I supposed to do with Kyle? I don’t have a horse.” Emma was beginning to dislike the idea.

  “Oh, just talk to him. Tell him you were out for a walk and stopped by.”

  “That’s not true.” Emma hated to lie even the littlest bit.

  “Well, it’s a little true. You’re walking with me.”

  “And how am I going to get back to the boarding house without you to help me?”

  Sally Mae put a finger to her chin. “Well, I can tell Howie that you need help.”

  “I think we are getting in over our heads. The dance is tomorrow. We should have just waited until then.” Her foot began to ache so that she could hardly put weight on it.

  “Remember what The Lovelorn said, pursue. You need to chase that man down, Emma.”

  “I don’t even know if he is the one, I want.” The whole thing was falling into the ridiculous category.

  Sally Mae walked her to the bench on the outside of the blacksmith shop. “Sit here. I’ll just go back to the jail and see Howie and then come back to get you.”

  Emma groaned at the pain in her ankle. “All right. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She waited. Soon, Kyle came outside and saw her.

  He looked up and down the street and then at her. “You waiting for someone?”

  How could she tell him the truth? Instead, she shook her head. “I’m afraid I hurt my ankle and needed to rest.”

  “How did you do that?” He gazed at her with blue-gray eyes that looked her over with interest.

  Do not tell him. That small voice told her to keep quiet. But Emma, the ever truthful one, couldn’t hold her tongue. “I fell down the hill with Harrison. He tripped, and I tripped and down we went.”

  Kyle nodded at her, the interest in his eyes dulling. “I see. Well, it’s fine if you sit here. If you need help getting back to the boarding house, I’ll hitch up a buggy.”

  “Thank you. I think if I rest, I will be able to walk back.” She looked across the street and down the block. It wasn’t far, but by the way her ankle felt, it might as well have been a hundred miles.

  So, that was Kyle. Yes, she’d seen him before but never knew the color of his eyes. He was a handsome man. Sweaty though. His muscles barely remained in his shirt, they bulged so. He was a strong man that was for sure.

  After more than an hour, Sally Mae came strolling around the corner. “Well, did you talk to Kyle?”

  “Briefly. And you, how was Howard?”

  “He was define.” Sally Mae looked heavenward and smiled.

  Emma sighed. “I think you mean divine. I’m glad you had fun. I’m ready to try and get back to the house, but my ankle is really hurting.”

  “Oh, dear. Maybe Kyle can carry you home.” Without asking, Sally Mae bolted into the stable.

  How this could get any more embarrassing, Emma wasn’t sure. But she was sure she was about to find out when Sally Mae came out with Kyle in tow.

  Pointing at Emma, Sally Mae nodded. “I don’t think she can walk.”

  The muscular blacksmith brushed his hand against his black hair. “All right. I’ll be back.”

  Emma relaxed. He had said he’d hitch up a buggy. After the thought had reassured her. Then she nearly fainted when he came out leading a horse.

  “I don’t have time to get a buggy.” He went to Emma and picked her up as if she were a small bag of sugar and tossed her up on the horse. “Hang on, and I’ll walk him to the boarding house.”

  Kyle and Sally Mae walked together, talking and laughing.

  Emma saw Howie come around the corner, but Sally Mae didn’t notice. The deputy glanced at Sally Mae and Kyle and abruptly turned and went back. Well, Sally Mae might have made him mad.

  So far, Emma had struck out with her man. Kyle didn’t look at all interested in her. He barely spoke to her and walking back to the house, he’d spent all his time talking to Sally Mae.

  This pursuing of a man to get them to marry you was not easy. Sally Mae was doing well. She now had two men looking at her. Well, tomorrow should be interesting. Emma just hoped that they would all remain friends, and everyone would have someone to dance with.

  Although she wouldn’t be dancing with anyone. More than likely, she would be sitting and watching her friends dance with the men on her list. Emma sighed. It was possible that she’d have to write another letter to The Lovelorn.

  Chapter 8

  It was the night of the dance, and everyone was excited. Emma, not so much. She’d be sitting and watching the world and the men on her list go by. Still, she changed into her new dress and had Mora come in and help her with her hair. Finally, she felt presentable. Of course, all four of the ladies from the boarding house looked beautiful.

  And her ankle was still too sore to dance on. Emma could hobble around with her crutch and just the walk to the livery seemed too much. Fortunately, Mora took pity on her and said she’d hitch the buggy and drive them all to the dance.

  Finally, the hour had come. Emma took Mora aside and encouraged her to come. “There will be older men at the dance. The entire town is coming.”

  “Well, I guess I could put something nice on.” Mora hugged her and vanished to her room. After a few moments, she came out in a new dress made of material with big bright flowers.

  “You look wonderful, Mora.” Emma did like the dress and the hat that the matron had bought to go with it. And here all this time, Emma and her friends had thought Mora wasn’t going.

  Mora clapped her hands. “All right, ladies. Let’s pile into the buggy. Sally Mae, don’t forget the cookies I made.”

  Sally Mae dashed to the kitchen.

  Emma was so happy that Sally Mae was wearing the dress they’d worked on. It took some doing, but Emma convinced her not to put ribbon around her neck and instead put some fancy lace.

  Miss S was especially lovely in a lavender skirt and blouse. The usually stern woman was even smiling.

  Emma wondered if they would ever know her first name. Then she saw Jenny come running out of the house. She looked beautiful as her dark hair shone in the light of the retreating sun. All in all, they were a lovely looking bunch of women that any men should be happy to entertain.

  Sally Mae adjusted her skirt. “I hope the men clean up. Most of the time, they are sweaty and dirty.”

  Emma laughed. “I’m sure they will. They seemed excited to have the dance.”

  Miss S cleared her throat. “Are we all sure about who we are chasing?”

  Sally Mae held onto her hat. “I am. Howie is the one I am after.”

  Miss S nodded. “I will go after Harrison. Jenny, you have Tom, and that leaves Kyle for Emma.”

  Emma sighed. How did she always get left with the leftovers? That’s one thing her father had said about her when he sent her to Dodge for Ben Johnson. “Daughter, you wait too long, and everything gets picked over, leaving you nothing but the leftovers.” He was so right.

  Someday, she was going to have to stop that and go after the one that she picked out. Then again, she really hadn’t picked anyone. She knew Harrison the best. But she really hadn’t given the other men a chance.

  Reassured that this was h
er plan, she went to the dance with the idea of looking at all the men before choosing who she would chase. And if the other women had a problem, then they would have to compete against her for the lucky man’s attention.

  She glanced at Miss S. The woman sat tall and unmoving, stiff and rigid like always. Suddenly, Emma felt for her and prayed that Miss S would indeed find the man of her dreams. And if it was Harrison, then that would be alright. Emma could find another.

  Tonight, she would talk to Kyle and see what he was like. See if he could be the man of her dreams. Then again, at the ripe old age of twenty-seven, Emma wasn’t sure she would have the luxury of getting the man of her dreams. She might just have to settle for the man she could get.

  Mora pulled up to the big barn. Bright colored lanterns decorated the outside while fiddlers were tuning up their instruments inside. People were all around laughing and talking. The whole place had an atmosphere of joy.

  Sally Mae helped Emma down from the buggy and walked beside her into the barn. “Oh, look. It’s so nicely decorated. This will be such a fun night.”

  Emma grinned and agreed with Sally Mae. She pointed to the far wall. “There are chairs by the wall. I can sit and watch everyone dance.”

  “I’m so sorry that you can’t dance. The next time, you’ll be able to.” Sally Mae walked her to the far wall, stopping to say hello along the way.

  Emma wondered why Sally Mae had never married. She was the social butterfly and knew just about everyone in town.

  “I’ll get you a drink and some cookies.” And Sally Mae was gone.

  Emma sat and rubbed her still aching foot. No one sat near her. And she didn’t even see any of the four men that they’d chosen. Soon, Sally Mae had a glass in one hand and cookies in the other, but she stopped and talked to everyone around her.

  Finally, Miss S came and sat beside Emma. “Well, I don’t see any of our men. You don’t think they know what we’re up to and have backed out?”

  “No, how could they? We’ve hardly begun our chasing tactics. After this dance, we’ll have to have a meeting and decide how to go about the hunt.”

  Miss S smiled. “Good idea. I, for one, am at a loss as to what to do. We’re all spinsters, so it’s not like any of us know how to get a man.” Miss S looked up and nudged Emma with her elbow. “Except Mora. And look who she is talking to. The widower Mr. Barton who runs the hotel. They look to be having a nice conversation. Doesn’t Mora look pretty? And she never let on that she was making a new dress.”

  Emma nodded. “No, she didn’t. I feel bad that we didn’t let her in on our plan.”

  Miss S straightened. “Here they come, and they are all together walking into the barn as if they’re having a showdown.”

  Emma looked toward the barn door, and Miss S was right. Harrison looked nice in a suit and jacket. He was clean-shaven and smiling and looking right at her. He waved slightly. Emma waved back and then noticed that Miss S had also waved.

  With a sagging heart, Emma figured Harrison had been waving to Miss S.

  Abruptly, Miss S stood and went to him. She cut him out of the four easier than a cowboy cutting out a steer. Well, Emma figured she should cut him off her list. She eyed the rest of the men. Tom, the rancher, was also in a suit but looked more like a rancher. He was tall and handsome.

  Just as Emma’s interest piqued, Jenny ran to him, laughing, of course, and grabbed his arm to look at the refreshments.

  There were two left, but that quickly became one when Sally Mae swooped down on Howie. Kyle stood, looking as awkward as she felt. If her foot had allowed it, she would have walked over to him to make him feel better.

  Kyle glanced her way and then walked to the refreshment table.

  Feeling thirsty herself, Emma wondered where her glass of punch was and then saw Sally Mae with Howie. She was holding the glass of punch and laughing with her man. The way she hung onto him, Emma didn’t think there was any way that one of the other ladies had a chance of stealing Howie.

  So far, Emma didn’t feel strongly enough about any of the men that she’d put up a fight for them. Kyle didn’t seem interested and took his time eating cookies. Lots of cookies, and she wondered if any would be left for her.

  Not that she needed them. One of the past times at Mora’s was eating cookies. The size of her skirt told her she’d had too many already. She’d have to work on that. She’d always enjoyed gardening back in Vermont.

  Perhaps, she’d ask Mora if they could plant a garden this summer. It would give them all something to do and a way to help Mora with expenses. Emma tried to push that problem out of her mind. Her dowry was about gone.

  If that wretched Ben Johnson hadn’t taken half of it, she’d not have to worry for another year. Her anger threatened to ruin the festive evening.

  Father had instructed her to think good of Ben and pray for him. That it was the Christian way to think. Emma knew that, but like so many things, it was easier said than done. Emma tried to quiet her anger. After all, she did have some good friends now. In Vermont, she didn’t. All the women her age were married and had children.

  She was better off here in Dodge City. At least, she didn’t have to listen to her father moan about his spinster daughter and have her sisters parade their children in front of her. Before she left Vermont, the sister a year older than her had asked if she would want to be the official spinster of the family and take care of her home and children.

  Yes, Emma figured she was much better off in Dodge City with her friends. And she did have a plan to find a man to marry. The idea just needed some work. Feeling hopeful, and realizing there was no way back, only the way forward, Emma looked about for Kyle.

  He would be the one she would learn about tonight. She’d ask him questions and get to know him. Whether he was the one for her or not, it didn’t matter. She could be friendly. She looked around for him but didn’t see him.

  At first. Then she saw Kyle talking to Jenny and Tom. They were all laughing and having a good time. That figures. Jenny loved to laugh.

  “Emma, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be so long. I hope you weren’t unconceived.”

  Taking the drink and cookie from Sally Mae, Emma nodded. “I think you meant inconvenienced. Thank you for the drink and cookie.”

  Sally Mae smiled and ran off to grab Howie from Jenny and pulled him away from the group. Kyle and Tom seemed to be trying to chase Jenny. Well, Emma thought, nothing else is new. Here she sat all by herself.

  The fiddlers began playing, and soon, Sally Mae had Howie wrapped up and on the floor. Jenny grabbed Tom and pulled him to the dance area. Then she saw Harrison and Miss S walking to the middle of the barn.

  Kyle stood on the dance floor alone, a slight scowl on his face as he watched Jenny and Tom. Finally, he shook his head and walked to the wall opposite her. He sat down and stared right at her.

  Almost looking embarrassed, he got up and walked toward Emma. “I guess you can’t dance with your sore ankle.” It wasn’t a question, but more a statement filled with relief. He sat beside her.

  “No, I can’t dance. Hopefully, by the next dance we have, I can.” Emma saw the disappointment in Kyle’s eyes, but they weren’t focused on her. She turned and saw that his gaze was fixed on Jenny.

  Chapter 9

  Harrison danced with Miss S. He’d decided to just call her S until she revealed her name. He thought it silly that she kept it secret. She wouldn’t even say if it started with S or not. She was a nice woman, but he knew she wasn’t the one for him.

  But how to tell her. S seemed to be convinced that they were a couple, and he belonged with her. Harrison was just as determined that would not be the case. Still, his mother had raised him to be the gentleman. So, for now, he’d dance with her.

  They waltzed around the dance floor. S looked at him with desperate eyes. They were a hazel color not being brown or green but something in between.

  “I said it is a lovely night.” S smiled at him. She was as tall as he
was. And by the grip she had hold of his hand, strong too.

  “Yes, it’s a nice evening.”

  “I’m glad the church got together to put this social on. We need more of these. It’s so hard to meet people.” S abruptly stopped talking as if his silence scared her.

  “I agree. I spend all my time working. Now that the farm is doing well, I have time to come to town for a dance. Or a picnic.” Harrison thought back to the day he’d tumbled down the hill with Emma.

  Thinking of Emma, he looked around the room for her. She was sitting along the wall. Kyle was with her but didn’t look none too happy about it. Harrison felt sorry for them both. And then glanced at S and felt sorry for her too.

  So many lonely people, and for some reason, even though they were together, they still looked lonely. While S was a handsome woman, she wasn’t the one for him. There just wasn’t a spark between them.

  Once Harrison had two plow horses. A matched pair of bays. But they no more got along than butter and a heatwave. They pulled different directions, one would stop, and the other would want to go forward. They got along all right, but they weren’t a team.

  Harrison smiled at S. While he liked her and could see that she’d be a good companion, she wasn’t his teammate. They’d be together but pulling in opposite directions. How he knew, he wasn’t sure. But he felt it to be the truth. They weren’t a matched pair.

  “Where are you from, S?”

  Startled that he’d talked to her, S cleared her throat. “I was born in Virginia.” She sighed, but her face relaxed as she remembered something pleasant. “It was beautiful country. Green and lush. Thoroughbred horses. My papa raised them. We had such plans for the place.” She looked at him. “And me.”

  “The war destroyed things, didn’t it?”

  “Yes, oh, I was but a child even by the time it ended. But our farm went on for a time until the carpetbaggers took it from us. I still remember leaving our home and that nasty man sneering as we walked down the path leaving everything I’d ever known.”