Sarah interjected, “Give the men some time. Luke is busy checking on Skinner’s background. A man like that must have committed a crime somewhere. Besides, Skinner may be a changed man soon. Pastor Reynolds went to the jail first thing this morning and is planning to read from the Bible and give every sermon he can remember until Skinner is a new man.”
Molly giggled. “If that man didn’t make my skin crawl, I’d like to witness that.”
Lucy took Molly’s hand. “Time to dress and fix your hair. We need to take you to Callahan’s. We promised Nell we’d let her and everyone else know when Ben found you. The entire town looked for you. People left the wedding reception to go home and search their barns and outbuildings.”
Molly groaned and sank on her bed. “I never meant to cause so much trouble.”
“Get dressed, and we’ll have lunch. People love you, Molly. They all understand how badly Skinner frightened you. He frightened every woman in the church. A man like that shouldn’t be allowed near women.”
When Molly’s hair dried, Rose twisted it up into a pretty style and helped her dress. They put their coats on and headed to Callahan’s to eat with Joseph as their escort. Molly shuffled her feet in no hurry to face whoever was in the restaurant.
Lucy pulled the door open; Rose entered pulling Molly along. Nell spotted them and called out, “Molly,” as she ran up to her. Cal came out of the kitchen and every head in the restaurant turned to look at her.
“Come with me,” Nell said and led the small group to the private dining area. “You’ll have more privacy in here. Where’s Ben? Didn’t he bring you home?”
“No, he’s on his way back from Prairieville,” Molly said.
“Prairieville? Mercy, that man loves you to travel there and back. Please listen to him when he gets home. We have chicken and dumplings. Hungry?” Then she bent closer to Molly and whispered. “Why is Joseph here?”
Molly rolled her eyes, “Ben has me in custody until he returns.”
Nell threw her hand over her mouth and giggled, “I told you he loves you.”
“Being in custody is love?”
“Of course, you aren’t in jail are you,” Nell said and winked.
Word traveled around town quickly and before they were served lunch, Henrietta, Eloise, Della, and Minnie were at the table. Rachel arrived a few minutes later explaining she had to take lunch to the jail for Skinner and her husband who was in the middle of one of his hell and brimstone sermons.
Molly laughed, “Maybe it will do Skinner some good.”
Between answering questions and eating, Molly spent nearly two hours in Callahan’s before heading back to the shop. Joseph followed, but he gave the ladies a bit of privacy to talk. Once back inside, he took up his post protecting Molly. Joseph picked up the book he carried with him when he went to the train station that morning; he continued to read. He knew it would be a long day.
Molly was tired from telling her story over and over and laid down to take a nap. At the same time, Ben rode as fast as was safe considering the weather and that he was bringing Shadow with him. A few times, he wished he’d arranged to have Shadow brought back on the train, but Shadow was a good horse and followed well. Ben knew he’d make it back around suppertime. He thought about what he’d say to Molly. He needed her to stay, but if she wanted to leave he couldn’t force her to stay. If he did, he wasn’t any better than Skinner.
~ * ~
It was late when Ben arrived back in town. He could have stayed in one of the lumberjack cabins a couple hours outside of town, but the moon was full, and he rode slow. He expected Molly was asleep and he’d need to wait until morning to speak with her. Part of him wanted to demand an answer tonight, but he’d wait. Part of him wanted to toss her over his shoulder and walk to Pastor Reynolds’ and wake him up to perform a wedding ceremony, but he needed to talk to Molly first. Ben tapped lightly on the dress shop door. Joseph opened it, and Ben told him to go home. He’d watch over Molly. Joseph explained about the pastor’s activity that day and Luke was now watching over Skinner. Ben thanked Joseph and smiled thinking about hours of Pastor Reynold’s sermons. He locked the door and sat on the comfortable chair in Sarah’s back room. He closed his eyes and fell deeply asleep.
“Ben, Ben wake up. Why are you here?” Molly’s voice drifted over him. “Ben it’s nearly morning.”
Ben opened his eyes and smiled. “You’re safe.”
“Yes, I am. Why did you follow me? I can’t marry you. Skinner will kill you. The only way to keep you safe is for me to disappear.” She sank into the chair next to him.
“Do you love me, Molly?”
She looked in his direction, but could barely see him in the darkness. “Yes, I love you more than anything. I want to be your wife and live here and raise our children, but I can’t. He will always be out there. Ben, he’s crazy. I saw him a few times in the saloon where my Mama worked. The women there dealt with all sorts of men, but all were afraid of Skinner. My Mama was sick with fever the night he claims he bought me. She didn’t know who I was much less him. All she knew is she had money for the doctor. I screamed and cried for her to keep him away from me. I ran as soon as I could after Mama died. He would’ve killed me at some point. He’s a bad man, Ben.” She dropped her head and sobbed.
“Molly, I can keep you safe. I’ll protect you. I promise. He won’t hurt you.” He reached out and took her hand.
“I’m not afraid for me, Ben. If he tries to hurt me, I’ll kill him. God forgive me, but I will. I’m afraid for you. He will shoot you in the back. He won’t care.”
“Then tell me where you’ll feel safe, and we’ll go. I’ll take you anywhere, just don’t leave me again, Molly. I love you. I never knew how much until you left me.”
“Your home is here. I can’t ask you to go anywhere.”
“My home is where you are. I haven’t’ lived here that long. We can go anywhere. I’ll sell the house, and we’ll pick a new place. Anywhere.”
“I don’t know what to do. I love you, Ben. I do with all my heart.”
The sound of someone pounding on the front door broke into their conversation.
“Who could that be?” Molly stammered. “Oh, no, Skinner must have escaped. Hide Ben,”
Ben peeked around the corner of the drape that led to the front room of the shop. “It’s Luke. Wait here.”
Molly heard Ben and Luke speaking and the door close and lock again. Ben returned. Ben said, “It’s all right, Molly. Light a lamp, please.”
Molly lit one next to the chair she sat in, and Ben took his seat again.
Ben held up a telegram. “This just came in. Luke brought it down.”
“Who sends a telegram at this hour?”
“The law. While I went to look for you, Luke and Joseph went through our wanted posters and sent out a few inquiries. Luke received this telegram just a few minutes ago. Zeddicus Skinner is wanted for murder. He killed a woman at a saloon a hundred miles south of here a little over a year ago.”
Molly’s hands flew to her mouth. “Do you know her name?”
Ben nodded, “Harriet Young.”
Molly’s head dropped, and her shoulders shook with her sobs.
“Sweetheart, what is it?”
Molly looked at Ben, “It’s my fault. Harriet was Mama’s best friend. She helped me escape getting me the men’s clothing and promised to lie to Skinner and send him in the wrong direction. He killed her, oh my Lord, Ben. What do we do? He’ll kill you.”
“No, he won’t. There are two marshals on their way to pick him up. He’ll be in prison for the rest of his life. He will never be free again. You’re safe, honey.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, here read this.” He handed her the telegram.
She cried again when she saw Harriet’s name, but knew Skinner would be gone soon and never coming back.
“Now, will you marry me.”
“Yes,” she threw her arms around his neck.
“Good. Please don’t run again. I need to go to the office and take care of this paperwork. I will stop by, and we’ll have lunch together to discuss how quickly we can have another wedding.”
“I’ll be here, I promise.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and deep before releasing her. “Lock up behind me and get some more sleep. I’ll be back later.”
Chapter 28
Molly did her best to sleep after hearing about Harriet’s death. Harriet did her best to watch over Molly when her Mama was busy. If not for Harriet’s kindness, Molly was certain Skinner would be wanted for her murder. She shuddered and said a prayer for Harriet’s family. Tears prickled at her eyes again, but fatigue won out, and she drifted back to sleep.
Lucy enjoyed singing when she was happy. This morning she must feel joyous Molly thought as the lively tune and aroma of bacon woke Molly. Rose soon joined Lucy and their voices carried through Molly’s closed door as if they were standing next to her bed.
“I’m awake,” Molly mumbled as she shuffled into the kitchen greeted by the two smiling faces of her friends.
“Good,” Lucy answered. “You need a good breakfast after your wild journey. I am sure many customers will come in to see you are well. You need strength for that especially if that Mrs. Willoughby shows up.”
“Why would Mrs. Willoughby show up?”
Lucy shrugged. “She was the only person that seemed happy when you disappeared. I think she’ll come to see if you’re home. You might need the strength not to throw her out.”
“Or toss her out the window,” Rose mused.
Molly ate the large breakfast Lucy sat in front of her while she shared Ben’s news about Skinner with her friends. Both were quiet, but Molly could see tears in their eyes. They knew the dangers women face in saloons and brothels, and each silently thanked God for saving them from that life.
When they finished breakfast, Rose picked up Molly’s plate. “I’ll do the dishes. Lucy needs to do some work at Sarah’s house, and you should get dressed, Molly. We all have a busy day.”
Molly wasn’t sure if the day would be busy since most of the ladies in town recently purchased dresses for the Christmas Eve dance or had their dresses altered for the Christmas festivities. She smiled at Rose and said, “Thank you.”
Molly was correct. The shop was quiet, and Sarah spent the early morning hours rearranging the fabric shelves, Rose swept and dusted, and Molly unpacked the latest shipment of fabrics, laces, ribbon, and patterns.
Their quiet ended as the door flew open and Minnie Masters ran in holding a letter in her hand. Her broad grin let them know she had news to share or a letter to deliver. Minnie caught her breath and asked, “Anyone here named Rose Fleming waiting for a letter from the Montana Territory. Let’s see; it’s from a Cole Deason.” She waved the letter in the air.
Rose murmured, “Cole Deason. He wrote back. Oh, my goodness.”
Minnie handed her the letter. “You should sit down and read it. You’re a bit pale.”
Rose took the letter and carefully opened it. The more she read, the wider her eyes opened. When she finished, she dropped the letter on her lap. “It’s too good to be true. He says he enjoyed reading my letter and my honesty. He writes that he understands life can be hard and working at the saloon playing the piano and singing is nothing he considers as wanton behavior. He wants me to write again and tell him everything about me and says Lucy is welcome. There may not be a job in town for her, but she is welcome to live at his home.” She looked up at her friends. “The rest is a bit private.”
“Go upstairs and answer him back now. Write him everything you can think of, and if he is half as good as he seems, he’ll send you tickets. He sounds like a good man.”
Rose nodded and rushed up the stairs to write her letter. Sarah slipped on her coat. “I’m going to see Giles and have him check on this man the way he did with Celia’s husband. After my experience with Harold, I want Rose to be as sure as she can that Cole Deason is as good as he appears.”
Minnie sat in a chair near Molly. “Now that you’re back, when is the wedding?”
“I don’t know. Ben is taking me to lunch, and we’ll discuss it. Did you hear the news about Skinner? He will never be able to hurt Ben, and that is why I left. I was afraid.”
“We all understand. Half the men in church wanted to haul him to someone’s barn and teach him a lesson after he claimed he owned you.”
“People here are very kind.”
“Yes, they are. We have some, how can I put this, unique people in Gentle Falls, but they’re all good people. I better get back. I told Louis I would be gone for a few minutes, but he knows me.”
When Minnie left, Molly leaned back and closed her eyes. The shop was quiet and peaceful. Molly felt safe and happy. She wasn’t sure how long she sat lost in her thoughts until she heard the bell above the door jingle and Ben’s voice call out. “Anyone here?”
Molly popped off the chair, “Back here, Ben. I was sitting and thinking.”
“About me, I hope,” he said and pushed through the curtained entrance. “You look lovely in that blue dress. Joseph told me you looked good dressed as a boy, but I think I like you better as a girl.” He drew her to him and kissed her. “Ready for lunch.”
She touched his cheek and stepped back. “Yes, I only need my coat and hat. I’m sorry I ran. We could be married now. Thank you for still wanting me.”
Ben gripped Molly’s shoulders and turned her toward him. “Never doubt my love for you and please don’t thank me for wanting you. I will want you for as long as I draw breath. Let’s go; I’m hungry.”
Ben guided Molly across the street and up the step to the boardwalk. A few feet from Callahan’s a man hurried out pulling his coat tighter against the slight wind that picked up.
Molly murmured, “Reed” under her breath. It was not quiet enough for Ben to miss and he shot her a quick look before sizing up the man dressed in the expensive suit in front of him.
“Sheriff,” the man said holding out his hand. “I meant to drop in your office today and introduce myself. Malcolm Reed. I’m the owner of the saloon and plan to run it in Underwood’s absence.”
“Sheriff Ben Clay. Underwood received twenty years in the state prison. You plan to live here that long?” Ben narrowed his eyes watching the man watch Molly.
“I might if all the people in town are as kind as the ones I met in the restaurant and as lovely as your companion. Have we met?”
Molly shook her head.
“This is my bride to be, Miss Molly Sullivan.”
Malcolm Reed bowed slightly, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Sullivan. Do you have a brother?”
“No, sir, I’m an only child.”
“Cousin who lives in Prairieville perhaps?” He stared directly into her eyes.
Ben felt Molly stiffen. “No, I don’t know anyone there.”
“You certainly look like a young man I met there. Dang good Poker player. Have a good day, Miss Sullivan, Sheriff.” He tipped his hat and winked at Molly.
Oh, Lord, he knows. Please help me, Molly prayed.
Ben gripped her elbow a bit tighter and guided her into Callahan’s and to a back table.
Before he could say anything, Nell was there asking about their order. “We have beef soup and biscuits or fried ham and potatoes.”
Molly said, “I had a large breakfast. Please bring me a bowl of soup and tea.”
Nell looked at Ben. “The ham and coffee.”
“All right, I’ll be right back.”
Ben turned to Molly. “Malcolm Reed is a professional gambler.”
“I know, I saw him play cards in the saloon where my Mama worked,” Molly whispered.
“It appears you played cards with him in Prairieville or is there another person that looks exactly like you running around.”
“I didn’t have a choice. A man yanked me into the saloon to play Poker. Dressed as a man, I couldn’t complain and say I don
’t go into saloons any longer.”
Ben scowled, but his eyes smiled. “He said you were dang good at Poker. I never knew you could play.”
“I can hold my own. I beat him at his own game three times,” Molly couldn’t hide her smile.
Nell set their food in front of them before they could continue their conversation. After they had eaten, Ben leaned closer to Molly. “I don’t like the idea of you playing Poker with men like him, and there’s only one thing to do about it.”
Molly’s eyes grew big in alarm.
“I spoke to Pastor Reynolds this morning. We’re getting married at five o’clock. I think that gives you time to get ready. I told Minnie just before I came to get you. She’ll spread the word. Giles will pick you up again. Don’t be late.” He leaned back in his chair, laid his hands on his stomach, and smiled.
Ben walked Molly back to the seamstress shop and told her, “I’ll see you at five.” No kiss, no flirting, just a bit of commanding nature in his voice. He raised his eyebrows, turned and walked off.
Molly pulled open the shop door and called out, “Sarah, Rose, Lucy, anyone here. I need your help. I’m getting married at five o’clock.”
Sarah hurried out from the back. “We know. We’re all here, and we’ll get you ready in time.”
“What will I wear. I ruined the dress. Sarah, I am sorry I tore the beautiful gown you made me.”
“You hardly damaged it. Rose sewed the buttons back on you pulled off. There were a few tiny tears from where you must have yanked the dress off since I know you couldn’t unbutton it yourself. I mended them and added small lace bows down the back to hide any of the mending. It’s still beautiful, and Ben will still have to unbutton all those buttons.” She turned and pulled Molly’s dress from the closet. “It’s freshly ironed and good as new. Now tie for you to get ready. Five o’clock will be here before you know it.”
In moments Molly found herself in the bathtub again believing she was going to wash her skin off if she took one more bath before getting the least bit dirty, but she used the three soaps again to make sure she would remind Ben of a field of wildflowers.
Rose brushed her hair dry while Lucy insisted she drink more tea to ward off any chill. Shortly after four, Molly was ready to get dressed. Lucy and Rose disappeared into their room to change into their dresses, and Sarah used Molly’s room.
Molly's Heart Page 18
