by Barbara Goss
“How can I ever repay you?” Joanna asked.
“By being my friend.” She smiled at Joanna, and her eyes sparkled with gaiety. “This will be so much fun.”
“Thank you,” was all Joanna could think of to say.
After Amelia had left, Joanna sat down by the window and gazed out at Hays, Kansas. Most of the businesses were on the same street as Ross’s hotel, the one she’d fled from the other night. She looked down at the buildings with their rustic signs: Kate’s Saloon, White’s Barbershop, and a feed and grain store.
A knock on the door startled Joanna. She hobbled to the door and asked, “Who is it?”
“It’s Jared.”
She opened the door and almost slammed it shut in his face. It didn’t look at bit like the Jared she remembered. As she began to shut the door, his eyes stopped her. It was Jared; he’d shaved. “I almost didn’t recognize you,” she said.
Jared rubbed his smooth-looking chin. “Amelia made me do it.”
She opened the door wider to see he wasn’t alone. The man with Jared was young, sort of homely, but well-dressed. He was also clean-shaven and he wore spectacles.
“Joanna Rodgers, I’d like you to meet your new doctor. This is Benjamin Mercer.”
Dr. Mercer entered the room, carrying a small, brown satchel. He seemed very business-like, which was very different from Doc Simpson who'd been informal and brusque.
“How do you do, Miss Rodgers. May I look at your foot, please?”
Joanna looked from the doctor to Jared who nodded and gave her a smile of assurance. She lay on the bed and pulled her skirt above the ankle of her injured foot.
The doctor gently removed the bandage Jared had so painstakingly applied. “Hmm…I think your method of pushing the wound together rather than using stitches will work, however, I could have given her a bit of chloroform had I been there yesterday. I'd stitch it if the wound were somewhere where people could see it, but a scar on the foot shouldn’t be a problem.” He looked up at Joanna. “Will it matter to you? Because if it does, I can still stitch it.”
Joanna didn’t want to go through being knocked out and stitched. She wouldn’t mind a scar on her foot one bit. It would remind her to always watch her step. “No, I’d rather not endure stitches.”
“I’ll just apply a medicine to kill any germs and wrap it back up, then. It should be good as new in a week or two. Until then, I can get you some walking sticks.”
Joanna had seen men returning from the war on walking sticks. She looked up at Jared again. He smiled to let her know it would be fine.
“My job here is done.” The doctor snapped his medical bag shut. “Jared, stop by my office to pick up the walking sticks.” He addressed Joanna, “If there are any problems, my office is next to Ellis County's Court House and Jail,” he walked to the door, “but I don’t foresee any problems. Good day.”
After he’d gone, Jared said, “I’m sorry. Now you’ll be laid up for a while. I’ll do any errands you might have. I’ll even take you for a buggy ride so you can get some air, if you'd like.”
Joanna smiled up at him. His face, filled with worry, was quite handsome without the hairy growth. “I’ve already forgiven you. There’s no need for you to feel guilty. I was trespassing.”
“I’ll fetch the walking sticks for you.”
“I think they call them crutches, now. At least, folks in Pittsburgh do.”
“You came a long way to meet your intended.”
Joanna nodded. “Now, I’ll have to repay the train fare.”
Jared jumped at her words. “Let me do that.”
“Why?”
“It'll remove some of my guilt over your being injured by my trap.”
“I think—”
A knock on the door cut of Joanna’s words.
“May I answer it?” Jared asked.
“Certainly.”
Jared opened the door and Joanna gasped—there stood Bradley McKenna, looking none too happy.
“Where’s my bride?” McKenna demanded.
“There's no one in this room that's your bride,” Jared answered.
McKenna pointed at Joanna. “She’s in your bed?”
“No, she’s in her hotel room bed. I’ve just stopped to see how she was doing.”
“With the door shut?”
“The doctor just left. He must've closed it.”
“I demand satisfaction!” McKenna yelled. “Meet me in front of the hotel, and,” he looked down at Jared’s waist, “you’d better be wearing your guns.”
Jared laughed. “Are you calling me out? You want a gun fight?”
“It's either a shoot-out or you give the girl to me right now.”
“She isn’t going anywhere.”
“Then meet me in front of the hotel in a half hour with your guns on.” McKenna turned and walked away.
Joanna sat up and stared at Jared. “No, I’ll go with him." She tried to hobble to the door, but Jared held her back by the shoulders.
“You aren’t going anywhere.” He pushed her gently back so that she was seated on the bed. “McKenna doesn’t scare me.”
Joanna’s heart was beating rapidly. “One of you will die!”
“I’ll take care of it. This isn’t my first gun fight, and I haven’t killed anyone or been killed yet.” He massaged her shoulder. “Trust me.”
He turned and left the room.
Chapter Five
Joanna sat by the window, twisting the lace handkerchief she held. What if Jared was killed? As much as she disliked McKenna, she wouldn’t want to see him die either. What could she do, if anything?
A knock on the door caused her to jump. She walked to the door and asked who was there.
“It’s me, Amelia.”
Joanna opened the door to see Amelia carrying a pile of clothes over her shoulder and boxes in her other hand. “I have your clothes.”
“Thank you. Put them on the bed. I’ll go through them later. I really need someone to talk to right now.”
Amelia laid the clothing and boxes on the bed. “What’s going on?”
“Jared just accepted an invitation to a gun fight with McKenna over me. I’m so worried. I’ll feel inconsolable if someone is killed.”
Amelia’s hands flew to her face. “Oh, dear.” She turned to the door. “I’m going to let Ross know. If he needs to talk to you, is it all right if he comes back up with me?”
“Of course.”
Joanna sat on the edge of the bed torturing her handkerchief. When someone knocked on the door, she opened it to see a tall man who somewhat resembled Jared, standing there with Amelia.
“Hello. I’m Ross. When's this gun fight going to take place?”
“As soon as Jared returns with his guns.” Joanna grabbed Ross’s arm. “You have to stop it.”
“Stop it? That would make Jared a laughing stock.” He walked into the room with Amelia. “Don’t worry. This isn’t his first gun fight. He’s actually very good at them. Where's this fight going to take place?”
“In front of the hotel. Any minute.” Joanna wiped the tears from her eyes. “It’s all my fault. I’ll marry McKenna if it'll stop the fight.”
“McKenna's a drunk. You two stay here and as soon as the gun fight's over, I’ll come back and give you a full report.” Ross left the room, and Amelia closed the door after him.
“It’ll be fine, Joanna.” She tried to sound confident, but to Joanna she sounded worried.
Jared slid off his horse in front of the hotel and walked to where McKenna was standing. He stopped about twelve feet from him and they stared at each other.
“You’re a dead man, Steele,” McKenna yelled. “Give me the woman, and we’ll forget this ever happened.”
“You can’t force someone to marry you. The woman was clear—she doesn’t want to marry you.”
“I paid for her train fare after corresponding with her for months—she’s mine.”
“You can’t buy a wife, McKenna. Are y
ou ready?”
Bradley McKenna nodded brusquely.
Both men had their hands on the butt of their gun, still cradled in their holsters. Ross stood on the walkway and yelled, “I’ll count to five and then you both fire.”
As Ross counted slowly, the two men glared at each other, standing still as statues. When Ross yelled, "Five," the men pulled out their guns. Jared was faster, and he fired first, hitting McKenna in the right hand just as the man was pulling the trigger, and McKenna's bullet hit the hotel sign with a loud ping.
McKenna’s gun hit the ground, and he grabbed his hand with a yelp of pain, cursing. “Why didn’t you just kill me?” He cursed again. “Now, you’ve shot my right hand.”
“Watch your language, McKenna. There are ladies watching.” Ross nodded at a few older women standing in front of the bank. “The doctor’s office is over the barbershop.”
McKenna spit on the ground. As he walked to the barbershop he yelled over his shoulder, “She’s mine, Steele.”
Jared holstered his gun.
Ross slapped Jared’s back. “Nice job, brother. You handled that well. I see all our practicing has paid off.”
“We’ll need to practice more. I only had him by a second at the most. I’m getting rusty.”
“Hiding in the woods doesn’t help.”
“I happen to like the woods.”
“Is this woman special to you? I could give her a better room if she is.”
“No. I just feel guilty because she stepped in my bear trap and her foot was ripped open. McKenna treated her roughly, and I won't let him near her. It’s the least I can do.”
“I see. She can stay in the room if she likes, but Amelia wants to bring her to our home. What do you think?”
“Fine with me. Just let Doc Mercer know.”
“Doc Mercer?”
“The new doctor. He lives with the Davenports. I believe he’s Joe Davenport's nephew.”
“Is that so? I’ll let him know. I might bring her to our house tomorrow, if she’ll agree—which reminds me, I’m supposed to let the women know the outcome of the fight. They’re a bundle of nerves.” Ross ducked back into the hotel.
The sound of gunshots caused both Amelia and Joanna to hug each other tearfully.
“Oh, no! Poor Jared.”
Amelia looked down at a tearful Joanna. “Are you that fond of Jared?”
“Of course. He’s a thoughtful and caring man who doesn’t deserve to die over a careless woman like me who ran wildly through the woods and ruined one of his traps.”
“Ross thinks he’ll be fine. I hope he’s right.”
“Oh, Amelia! Why doesn’t Ross return to tell us what happened? I don’t know if Jared's dead or alive.” Joanna wiped the tears from her face. “I wish I’d never seen that newspaper ad for a mail order bride.”
Amelia patted her back. “Come. Sit down on the bed. Ross will be here any minute.”
Joanna sat down. “He’s probably carrying Jared to the undertaker.” She sobbed into her wrinkled handkerchief.
“Maybe they’re carrying McKenna there instead.” Amelia continued to embrace Joanna.
When a knock sounded on the door, Amelia ran to answer it. Ross entered the room, smiling at them. “He’s fine, but McKenna’s hand is pretty bad.”
Both women sighed in relief.
“What happened?” Joanna asked.
Ross put his arm around his wife. “Jared was faster, and he shot McKenna's hand before he could get off a straight shot. He put a hole in my sign, and he’ll pay for it.”
“Oh, Ross, we can pay for it. The poor man won’t be able to work his farm with a damaged hand.”
Ross kissed his wife’s forehead. “If you insist.” He looked at Joanna. “She’s keeps me in line.”
Joanna smiled at them, and she was about to comment when another knock sounded at the door. She opened it.
Jared smiled at them. “Let’s all go to the cafe for lunch, shall we?”
The meal was pleasurable. They ate soup and sandwiches. Joanna couldn’t keep her eyes from Ross and Amelia. Anyone could tell they were madly in love.
“How long have you two been married?” she asked.
“Eight months,” Amelia said.
“Just eight months?” Ross teased. “It seems like eight years.”
Amelia punched his shoulder lightly. “Ross!”
He smiled down on her. “Actually, it feels like eight years, because I feel as though I’ve known you forever.”
Amelia blushed and smiled. She told Joanna, “My father owns the livery, so we've known each other for quite a long time.”
Joanna hoped to be as happy as Amelia someday.
“Joanna,” Ross said, “Amelia and I would like to invite you to stay at our place until you get on your feet—literally.” He laughed.
“Oh,” Joanna said with disappointment, “I couldn’t impose. The hotel's fine.” She’d have loved to accept, but she felt it would be an imposition. She’d already caused enough trouble since her arrival in Hays besides.
“We insist,” Amelia said firmly. “I’d love to have some female company.”
Joanna gazed from Amelia to Ross, checking their expressions to be sure they really wanted her and weren’t just being polite. “I’d love to, but I don’t want to cause any more problems for your family.”
Joanna didn’t know why, but she looked at Jared, who was sitting beside her, for approval. Of course, she didn’t need it, but since he'd nearly died for her, she hoped he’d voice his feelings on the matter.
Jared simply shrugged and said, “It’ll be better than the hotel room. Ross and Amelia have a beautiful home, and you’ll be safe.”
“It’s settled, then,” Amelia said, clapping her hands. “Tomorrow, you’ll move in with us.”
Joanna felt a warmth where Jared was concerned since he’d put his life on the line to protect her. No one had ever done anything kind for her in her life before. He could have been killed defending her honor.
She gazed at him as he finished his dinner. He looked up and smiled at her, and her heart seemed to flutter in her chest. She hoped she’d see more of Jared in the days to come.
Amelia put her arms around her husband’s neck as he sat on the settee reading a book. “The guestroom's ready for Joanna.”
Ross closed his book. “Come and sit with me. Flora's bringing tea.”
Amelia went over to the settee to sit beside Ross. “Heavenly.”
After Flora had set the tea tray down, she left the room quietly. “I’m still not used to having a servant wait on me, Ross.”
Ross set his book aside and put his arm around Amelia. “You’re the hotel’s bookkeeper, so you deserve some help.”
“You know, Joanna would be perfect for Jared, don’t you agree?”
“Yes, but I don’t think he’s interested, sweetheart. After what happened with Rebecca Johnson, I don’t think he’ll ever be interested in another woman for a long time.”
“Oh, that cow! Whatever happened to her?”
“The last I heard she went to live with a relative or something.”
“Who do you think was to blame, Ross?”
“It wasn’t Jared, I’m sure of that.”
“I agree, but if not him, then who?”
Ross shrugged. “All I know is that horrible woman lied about him and ruined his reputation.”
“Oh, I do hope Joanna doesn’t hear about it.”
“She won’t from me.”
“Me either.”
“I made up some story in front of Joanna about Father running for mayor. I couldn’t let her stay alone with Jared in the cabin. The rumors about him and Rebecca have calmed, and I didn’t want them to start up all over again.”
“You didn’t lie. Father is running for mayor.”
“But he’s running unopposed.”
“True.”
Chapter Six
Joanna folded the lovely dresses Amelia had brought over for her and
placed them in the box Ross had given her. She hadn't ever seen such lovely things before. She smoothed the nap on the blue velvet riding costume, hoping she’d get the chance to wear it, although she’d never ridden a horse. She’d just placed the lovely shoes and boots into their boxes when someone knocked on her door.
“Who is it?”
“Jared.”
She opened the door and smiled at him. “Hello, Jared. Come in.”
Jared entered but left the door slightly ajar. “I’ve come to help you move your things to Ross’s house. Amelia's excited.”
“It was so nice of your brother and his wife to invite me.”
“I’ve brought your crutches.” He held them out for her.
“I’ve never used crutches. You may have to show me how to walk with them.”
Jared tucked a crutch under each of her arms and told her to put her weight on them. “Now, take a step forward with your good foot.”
Joanna lost her balance and fell into Jared’s waiting arms. “It’s all right. We’ll try it again.”
His arms felt so comforting, Joanna hoped she'd lose her balance one more time. She was fond of Jared and being in his strong arms made her feel safe and secure. Being so far away from home and with the sore foot and all, she felt a bit disconnected. She was about to move into the home of two strangers, and it was all a bit unsettling.
Jared also caught her when she lost her balance the second time, and she rest her head against his chest and began to cry. As she’d hoped, he tightened his arms around her.
“Are you hurt? Is it your foot?”
Joanna kept her head pressed to his strong, hard chest. “I’m feeling a bit depressed and walking with these sticks isn’t easy.”
Jared reached down, lifted her chin up, wiped her tears with his thumbs, and smiled. “I hear they’re called crutches in Pittsburgh.”
