His question was met with shaking heads.
“I’m not surprised someone in town was watching over Reed’s investment. My concern is not the partner or the new saloon. I expected someone would open it, but what will we do with the women? Alberta Willoughby will surely stir up trouble.” Judge Magarey downed his whiskey and held out his glass for a refill.
Pastor Reynolds had been listening and offered a suggestion, “Why not let Willoughby speak to his wife. After your admonishment during the trial, she may listen to him.”
“You have a point,” the Judge agreed.
The sounds of Joy to the World playing on the piano brought Giles to his feet. “I promised my wife we’d only take thirty minutes away from the group. I think the music is our cue to join the ladies.”
Molly began playing O Holy Night as the gentlemen joined the ladies and their voices. Molly continued to play for nearly an hour and finished with Silent Night when Lucy announced, “The taffy is cool enough for pulling.”
“Taffy?” All the men answered together.
“Yes, and I have enough for two couples to pull. Who wants to have some fun?”
Sarah pushed Molly gently forward, “Molly told me she loves pulling taffy. Ben, you should join her.” Ben grimaced.
Molly reached out her hand to Della. “Come on; you never have fun dealing with students all day.”
Della shook her head and whispered, “None of the men want to pull taffy. They all look panic stricken.”
Molly giggled. “Come on; there must be one brave gentleman here who’ll pull taffy with Della.”
Ben shoved Joseph, “If I have to do this, my part-time deputy can do it.”
The men laughed, and the ladies clapped their hands.
Joseph shrugged and said, “I’ll try.”
Lucy carried a tray into the dining room with two mounds of molasses taffy. “Come butter your hands and start pulling.”
Molly picked up one mound of taffy and told Ben to take one side and pull. He did and then she walked closer to fold the taffy over and pull again. The second time she did he stole a quick kiss. Molly blushed and smiled when she saw all the guests watching. After several pulls, Ben asked, “Is it supposed to get harder to pull?”
Molly laughed, “Yes, that means it’s cooling, and we can cut it into small pieces soon.”
Ben groaned, “Not soon enough.”
The laughter coming from the other side of the room let Molly know Della and Joseph were also having fun.”
“It’s getting difficult to pull,” Della said. “You’ll need to pull harder while I try and hold it.”
“I can do that,” Joseph said pulling with more strength than he planned.
Della let out a small squeal when she stepped forward, lost her balance, and her chest collided with Joseph’s chest. She tried to pull away when the distinct sound of fabric tearing was heard by all.
“Was that my dress or your shirt,” Della stammered.
Joseph shrugged, “I’m not sure.”
Sarah rushed over to the couple. “Let me check your dress, Della. Oh, dear, your bodice tore. If you move back, it’ll tear more, but I’m sure I can fix it.”
“Fix it,” Della asked. “How can you fix it when I’m stuck to Joseph? The taffy is crushed into my dress and his shirt.” She gazed into Joseph’s eyes, and his broad smile warmed her, but she felt embarrassment flush her body. How were they going to get unstuck?
“Sarah,” Della pleaded. “Think of something. We’re stuck.”
Joseph couldn’t hide the laughter in his eyes, and Della wanted to hide her face, but the last thing she wanted was taffy in her hair.
“Don’t move,” Sarah suggested.
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Della answered.
Molly and Ben dropped their taffy back on the tray and went to wash their greasy hands while Sarah considered the situation.
Sarah walked around the couple and said, “If you move back, Della, I’m afraid the front of your bodice might rip off completely. I think Joseph needs to disentangle his hands from the taffy and remove his shirt.”
“What?” Della exclaimed. “He can’t take his shirt off; we’re connected.”
“I can’t,” Joseph added. “the taffy is stuck to the buttons.”
“Don’t move,” Sarah called as she hurried from the room. She returned a moment later with a pair of scissors. “Giles dear, take these scissors and cut off Joseph’s shirt. Once you remove his shirt, I can take Della into the guest room and help get the taffy off her dress.”
Della groaned. Joseph smiled. Giles laughed. All the ladies left to wait in the parlor and the men waited to see the outcome of the taffy fiasco.
Sarah slipped her arm around Della’s shoulder and said, “Just close your eyes. I’ll stand here with you. As soon as Joseph’s shirt is off and he leaves the room, I’ll take you to the guest room. Don’t move. I’m not sure how well Giles handles a pair of scissors.”
Della’s face turned bright red as she heard the scissors cut away the fabric of Joseph’s shirt. She never stood as close to a man as she did when she became glued to his chest and now she would be that close to a shirtless man. It didn’t matter that they were not alone and had more chaperones than needed. Was it proper to be here in the middle of the dining room with a shirtless man? A man she liked. No, she felt more than that for Joseph. Could this get any worse?
Ben stood watching from the kitchen doorway when Molly walked up beside him. “What in the world is going on?” Ben spun her around to send her back into the kitchen but not before her words startled Della, and she opened her eyes. Oh my, Joseph stood there with half of his shirt cut away. He looked better than she imagined and he still smiled at her. She slammed her eyes closed, scrunched up her face, said a prayer for strength, and blushed furiously.
“All done,” Giles announced sending Joseph into his den.
Della sighed and glanced down at her gown. She was no longer dressed only in her lovely pale green dress, but she had a generous amount of taffy hanging from her bodice along with a large section of Joseph’s shirt. Sarah guided her to the guestroom.
Fifteen minutes later, a mortified Della returned wearing one of Sarah’s prettiest dresses and a still smiling Joseph wore one of Giles shirts. It was a bit too small, and Della noticed every muscle. Oh my, what a night.
“Next party no taffy pulling,” Giles suggested.
Ben took Molly’s hand and walked into the parlor. “I wish I’d thought of that first, Joseph.”
“I didn’t do that intentionally. It was an accident,” Joseph stammered.
“A lucky accident, I’d say.” The rest of the gentlemen agreed and the ladies scowled at them.
Giles shrugged. “No one will ever accuse Sarah and me of throwing boring parties.”
“That’s true,” Sarah said leaning against her husband. “I’m sorry. I thought it’d be fun.”
“I had a great time,” Ben said.
“Truth be told, I did, too,” Joseph admitted.
“Anyone ready for dessert,” Lucy asked.
Chapter 17
The guests moved back into the dining room. Fresh candlelight glinted off the crystal goblets and china plates placed on a clean white lace tablecloth. Lucy offered them their choice of dried apple, pumpkin, or cherry pie. Laughter filled the room as everyone tried to speak at once. When everyone had their fill of pie—the men eating two slices each, the guests thanked their host and hostess and made their way home.
Nell, Cal, Molly, Ben, Lucy, and Rose remained at the gathering, and once the others left, Lucy and Rose cleared the table and began doing the dishes. Sarah urged her friends to take seats in the parlor.
“Make yourselves comfortable. I think it’s time we discuss more wedding plans,” Sarah said settling into a large burgundy chair near the fireplace.
Ben offered, “I spoke to Pastor Reynolds, and he has no problem performing the wedding right after services the Sunday after Christmas
. He said most of the town would want to be there and if it’s cold, they won’t have to make two trips. Since I’m new to town, I didn’t know the neighbors opened their homes to those who live further away so everyone can attend Christmas services and many will remain to see the wedding.”
“The entire town,” Molly muttered. “I can’t walk down the aisle and stand in front of the whole town.”
Ben reached out and took her hand. “Of course, you can. I’ll be there waiting for you at the front of the church.”
“I’ll walk you down the aisle,” Giles offered.
Molly smiled. “You are all so kind.”
“We’re friends,” Sarah insisted. “I thought we’d hold the reception here, but I think there will be too many people. Cal offered to help cook, and we’ll hold your reception at the hotel. Their dining room is large, and people can spill into the lobby if they get crowded. Nell is baking the wedding cake.”
“Chocolate?” Molly asked licking her lips.
“What else?” Nell answered. “I know it’s your favorite.”
Ben stood, “We have a wedding date, guests, food, cake, and Louis helped me order a new suit. I think we’re ready.” He held his hand out to Molly. “Let me escort you home.”
Molly stood and took his hand.
“You may think we’re done, but there are more details than you can imagine. Molly and I will work on them tomorrow at the shop,” Sarah said.
Cal asked, “I brought the wagon. I don’t want Nell walking out in the cold. Can we offer you a ride?”
Nell sighed. “He is getting worse the further along I am. I may never survive this.”
Ben laughed, “Thank you, but I’d like to walk with Molly.”
Sarah sighed, “I can’t imagine how Giles would act in this situation.”
Giles slid his arm over Sarah’s shoulders, “Wife, we would not have this situation. You will remain in the house preferably safe in bed when we have a child.”
Sarah hid her smile behind her hand. “We’ll see, dear.”
A cloudless sky made the walk back to the seamstress shop easier. The moonlight lit Ben and Molly’s path, but he held her close to keep her safe and warm and because it felt right for her to be at his side. He pulled her close and stopped. He turned her toward him and kissed her soundly until she gently pushed him away.
“Not here in the middle of the street, please,” Molly whispered.
“Look around. All the windows are dark. People are sleeping or busy with their own lives. No one is watching.”
“Except our chaperones.”
“Chaperones?”
“Look behind you.”
Ben spun on his heel and saw Lucy and Rose about a half block away. Rose waved at him. He groaned and pulled Molly to his chest. “I need to kiss you again. When I walk you home, I need a cup of coffee to warm up. Will you make one for me?”
Molly bit back a smile. “Of course, I will.”
He slipped her arm in his and turned their stroll into a stride. When Molly unlocked the door, he hurried her inside.
“No, wait,” Molly said. “I have to let Lucy and Rose inside.”
Ben groaned again.
Lucy walked in smiling broadly. Rose followed her and looked at Molly. “We’re going upstairs to chaperone. Talk occasionally so we can hear you.” She turned and hurried toward the stairs.
Ben followed Molly into the workroom, and Molly lifted the coffee pot. “Do you still want coffee?”
He shook his head and pulled her close. Before he could kiss her again, she murmured. “We need to talk.”
He raised his hands allowing her to walk to a chair and sit.
“Talk? We’re finally alone, and you want to talk?”
“Yes, I’m not sure we can get married in a few days.” She sat still and folded her hands in her lap.
Ben sat in a chair next to her and leaned toward her. “Why? I thought we settled all the problems.”
“I love you, Ben, but we don’t have a place to live. Sarah might let us live upstairs, but Lucy and Rose are living there. It’ll be too crowded, and I refuse to sleep in the jail.” She leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Is that all? It’s not a problem, but you spoiled my surprise.”
“What surprise?”
“Have you noticed the small house at the edge of town?”
“The one that looks as if it were just dropped into the overgrown field?”
Ben nodded. “It’s owned by a man named Pearson. He owned a large farm, but no matter what he tried his hand at, it didn’t work. He decided to raise goats and sell their milk.”
“He sold goat milk in the middle of an area full of dairy cow farms?” Molly giggled.
“He tried. He gave up and sold all his land except for the five acres with the house on it to Mr. Ramfeld. Then he tried to sell eggs from fancy chickens he ordered from somewhere back east while his wife took in laundry. All the chickens died last winter, and as soon as spring arrived, his wife packed up and boarded the train to live with their daughter. He followed her on the next train leaving the house as is. It’s furnished right down to curtains, dishes, and cookware. All it needs is a happily married couple.”
He grinned at Molly nearly melting her heart, but she was serious about needing a place to live. How would they afford a house?
“I understand the house would be perfect, but it must be expensive. We can’t start out married life owning the bank a large sum of money.”
“We won’t. I have enough money to pay for the house.”
“What.” Her eyes flew open wide. “I didn’t think sheriffs made a lot of money.”
“We don’t, but we make enough to support a wife and children. I promise you that.”
“All right, but what about the house?”
Ben leaned back in his chair. “No one knows my past, but you’ll be my wife and should know. I told you about my parents dying.”
Molly nodded.
Ben tried to smile and continued, “I told you I had a second brother two years older than me. Charlie left home when I was fifteen, but somehow kept track of the family. He came back to town a month after Ma died. He wanted to send me to an aunt back east, but I refused. I had a little money I inherited from my grandfather and thought I’d be fine on my own. I was barely seventeen. Charlie said I could ride with him. He was a bounty hunter.”
Molly’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “You worked with him.” She pressed her lips together to keep from saying anything more. She knew better than anyone how circumstance can change a person’s life.
“I did for two years. Charlie liked to drink and gamble. I didn’t. He spent most of his money, and I saved mine to buy a ranch one day. Five years ago, we tracked a trio of murderers to a canyon. They ambushed us. Charlie got a shot off and killed one of them, but one of the others shot Charlie.”
“Did he die?” Molly blinked back the tears.
Ben nodded. “I was able to shoot the other two. Molly, I killed them both, and I was glad about it. They killed my brother, and I hated them. I threw their bodies over their horses and headed for the nearest town. The bounty was large, and I put every penny in the bank. I struck up a conversation with the local sheriff, and he offered me a job as a deputy. Losing my brother soured me on the bounty hunting. I didn’t want to go out hunting for men knowing most were wanted dead or alive. I killed two of them, and I never wanted to do that again unless it was self-defense. I felt restless and left that small town and joined the Marshall’s. Another three years and taking a bullet in the arm convinced me to go back to life in a small town. Here I am.”
Molly rushed over to Ben and threw her arms around his neck. “I feel terrible for what you’ve been through. You shouldn’t feel bad about what you did. It was your job, and they killed your brother.”
He pulled her onto his lap. “I know, but I had never killed anyone before. I needed a change, and I couldn’t go on working without Charlie. I remained in town as
a deputy until the local judge let me know that Gentle Falls needed a sheriff and I wrote to Judge Magarey. Here I am, and I never made a better decision.” He kissed her and crushed her to his chest. When he loosened his hold, she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Now you see I can afford the house and support you. If we live and love in that house and raise a lot of babies to be good people, I feel as if Charlie’s life mattered.”
“His life did matter. He was your brother. You loved him. Your parents loved you both. I’d be happy to raise children with you in that house.”
Ben kissed her again. “I have the key. We’ll look at it tomorrow, and if you like it, I’ll see Mr. Willoughby about buying it.”
Molly kissed Ben, and she lost track of time until Rose’s voice drifted down the stairs. “I don’t hear any talking. Maybe I should come down.”
“We’re all right,” Molly called out.
They heard Rose laugh and Ben kissed her again.
“I think you should leave before Rose does come down here.”
“Does she believe she is chaperoning us?”
“I think so. I need to set a good example.”
“Molly, she isn’t a child. You are the same age.”
“I know, but she’ll be off as a mail-order bride soon, and I don’t want her to think it’s all right to sit in a dark room with a man.”
Ben laughed out loud. “We’re getting married. By the time Rose gets to Montana or wherever she decides to go, she’ll be ready to marry the man. I don’t think sitting in the dark for a while will compromise either of you.”
Molly pushed away and stood. “Good night, Ben. You should leave. You still need to make your rounds, and I need to sleep. Sarah and I will start working a bit early tomorrow, and I should take the time to see the house. If I don’t approve, you’ll need to find somewhere else.”
“You’ll approve. If you don’t like the furniture, we can ask Joseph to make new pieces. You will need to stock the pantry. I assume it’s bare since the house has been empty for several months. We don’t have a lot of time, and since you’re working at the shop, I’ll hire a couple of ladies to clean the house for us.”
Molly's Heart Page 11
