by Danni Roan
“Thank you,” Jacks said. “Now how about we go home? Daylights a-wastin' as it is.”
“Mr. Cassidy,” Prim said walking to the big man and laying a hand on his arm. “I can’t thank you enough for your care of my sister. Won’t you please join us for dinner this Friday, so we can say thank you?”
“That’s not necessary ma’am,” the big man drawled. “I’d have done it for anyone.”
“I’m sure you would have,” Prim said her blue eyes searching his. “But this is my sister, and I’m eternally grateful for your service. I insist you join us,” she finished turning and taking Anderson’s arm as together the group walked out to the waiting buggy in the cool light of a new day.
The whole ride home, Peri remembered Bear's warm arms and ice green eyes. She didn’t know what would have happened to her if the man hadn’t come along.
“Peri, from now on if the weather gets bad, I’m going to stay with Olive and Orville at the Hampton house,” she said.
“You mean you still plan on continuing to work there after this?” Prim said.
“I do,” Peri said lifting her chin. “I like that place, and I feel like I’m needed there. I don’t know why, but for now I want to keep working.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Andersons said looking back over his shoulder at Prim and Peri where they sat in the simple buggy. “Aren’t you afraid something like this could happen again?”
“Something could happen no matter what I’m doing,” Peri said. “I could slip on the stairs of your big fancy house tomorrow and break my neck, or catch my skirt on fire standing too close to the stove. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, that’s no reason not to live today.”
Anderson raised a dark brow but didn’t argue. “If you’re sure,” he said, “but I still want Jacks to ride to town with you each morning.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Peri said settling back into the leather upholstery of the buggy feeling pleased with herself. She had determined back in Rockington that she wasn’t going to have to depend on anyone, and keeping the job at the bustling Hampton House meant that she could continue to add to the catch of money she had found in Tennessee. No one would control her life but her from now on.
Chapter 14
“Periwinkle Perkins,” Mrs. Hampton gushed the next day as Peri walked into the kitchen at the Hampton House and donned an apron. “We were worried sick when Jacks rode in and told us what had happened to you. Are you sure you’re ready to work?”
“I’m fine,” Peri said impulsively hugging Olive. “It did take me a bit of time to calm Mama though. I think she understands more than we realize,” the younger woman said. “I didn’t mean to frighten anyone,” she added. “I hope things weren’t too hard on you yesterday.”
“It was busier than I expected,” Olive agreed, “Several of the men, had no work due to the storm and sat around eating pie and drinking coffee the whole day. Are you sure you’re fit to work?”
“Aside from a headache, I’m fit as a fiddle,” Peri grinned. “How did you manage without me?” Peri asked tying the apron snug around her middle.
“Oh, Daliah came over and helped. She used to board with us back east,” Olive said. “She’s always happy to help out when she can. I think she enjoyed the change of pace. Chad went off to the Scripts place for schoolin’, and we had a high old time baking things together in the quiet spells. It was like old times before all that fuss at the bank back home.”
Peri smiled. “That’s why I’m so happy to work for you,” she said. “It’s nice to work for someone you like and consider a friend.”
Olive giggled waving Peri away with a dishtowel. “You’re sweet,” she said. “Now how about you get some breakfast out to the two men who just walked in. I’m cooking today as Rosa is having a little extra sleep this morning.”
Peri hurried into the dining room with cups and a pot of coffee, smiling at the two dark men who had taken a seat in the far corner of the room. “Coffee?” she asked politely, lifting the pot.
“Yes, ma’am,” one stranger said, his deep brown eyes glinting in the light from the window. “Is this the only eatery in town,” he continued with a nod.
“I believe the saloon down the road serves sandwiches,” Peri said, “but they don’t do breakfast at all.”
“Two breakfasts,” the other man said smoothing his dark handlebar mustache. The two strangers looked astonishingly alike and Peri surmised that they must be brothers.
“I’ll be back in a jiffy,” she said offering a smile. “We even have hotcakes with sausage and eggs this morning. Would you like maple syrup or sorghum?”
“Syrup will be fine,” the clean-shaven man said his dark eyes hard and serious as Peri hurried back to the kitchen.
“Those two look like hard men,” Peri said. “I think they’re brothers,” she added watching as Olive flipped a stack of hotcakes onto two plates.
“We don’t judge around here,” Olive said. “Maybe they’re just passing through, or maybe they have kin in the area. Either way, we feed ‘em,” she added with a smile.
Peri smiled. “You’re right, it’s none of my business who they are, or what they’re doing in Needful. We have enough to take care of on our own, like getting brides for some of the hardworking men in town,” she added with a bright smile.
“That’s what we’ve been trying to do,” Olive said pressing the sausage into the hot pan then flipping the eggs. “It hasn’t worked so well so far though.”
Peri giggled. “I might have a few ideas on that,” she admitted. “I’ll serve these then we’ll talk.”
“You have many Mexicans about these parts?” the man with the handlebar mustache asked as Peri placed the plates before the men.
“I don’t know,” Peri said, “a few I think, but I haven’t been here that long. Perhaps you should check with the sheriff,” she finished with a smile.
Both men nodded turning their attention to their food as Peri slipped back into the kitchen.
“So what are you thinking,” Olive asked frying more sausage in the heavy iron pan. “I’m convinced that this town is in need of more good, loving, and God-fearing women,” she finished a twinkle in her bright eyes.
“It’s simple,” Peri said. “You should start a mail-order bride business.”
Olive gaped at the girl wondering why she hadn’t thought of that. Trying to find a match for Dan hadn’t worked yet, but she knew other men in town wanted a wife of their own. Although many of them were unkempt and often unwashed, they longed for a home and family of their own just the same. There was no reason the miners, wranglers, and sawmill workers couldn’t settle down.
“How would we do that?” Olive asked, her mind racing.
“First don’t burn the sausage,” Peri giggled peeking back into the dining room to see if they had more guests.
Olive yelped, turning back to her work and turning the sausage in the nick of time.
“Next, you put up a sign and see if you have men who want to find a wife. Based on the number of proposals Prim and I get each day, I think there are at least a few.”
“But where do we get brides?” Olive asked as a drove of miners traipsed into the dining room.
“We’ll figure it out,” Peri said heading back to work, the heavy coffee pot clutched in her hands.
Chapter 15
By the time the lunch rush was over, Olive and Peri had a plan for contacting an agency back east that young women often used when looking for suitable husbands.
“It might take a while before we can get it all together, but we can start taking orders in a few weeks as long as the men understand it probably won’t be until spring before any of the women can arrive.”
“Yes,” Olive agreed tapping her chin, “I wouldn’t want any of the girls to have to travel in winter, and rumor has it we’ll have a railway coming through sometime in early ’70. Perhaps our first brides will be able to ride the rails all the way to Needful.”
> Peri smiled pleased with her idea, then scowled wondering if Mr. Cassidy would be among the men who would order a bride. Something dark squirmed inside her at the thought, but she couldn’t understand why. Mr. Cassidy seemed to confuse her at every turn.
***
Rosa walked into the kitchen as quiet settled over the house. “It is very quiet,” she said placing Christina on the floor and letting her play with her toys. “I will cook the supper,” she said offering a wan smile.
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Olive asked kindly.
“Yes, I just needed sleep. I am being selfish missing Raul. He is trying to make my life better, and I should not fight with him.”
Olive patted the tiny woman on the shoulder. “I know it’s hard,” she said. “Perhaps keeping busy will be good for you.”
Peri’s heart went out to the young Mexican woman as she remembered the question the two hard-looking men had asked that morning.
“Rosa, are there many Mexicans living in Needful?” she asked, puzzlement marring her brow.
“Some,” Rosa said. “Raul and I, we were some of the first, but as new jobs opened up others came. Why do you ask?”
“There were two men in here this morning, rough-looking men, and they asked if there were many Mexicans in the area.”
“Do you think they were outlaws?” Rosa asked her dark eyes worried.
“I don’t know,” Peri admitted, “It was just odd. Anyway, they’re gone now, so I guess it doesn’t matter.”
Rosa smiled. “If they have moved on it does not concern us,” she agreed, tying her apron and getting to work.
***
“Miss Peri,” Bear Cassidy’s voice made Peri spin with a smile before the dinner rush began.
“Mr. Cassidy,” she beamed. “Are you here for supper?”
The big man shook his shaggy head but smiled at her in response. “No, I brought these for you,” he said opening his hand and revealing her hairpins. “I thought you might need them,” he added looking at her well-coifed hair.
“Thank you,” Peri said taking the pins and slipping them into her apron pocket. “We’re having pan-fried steak in gravy, with mashed potatoes, carrots and peas,” she said hoping he would stay.
“That does sound mighty good,” the big man said. “Perhaps I will stay.”
Peri smiled, her heart skipping a beat. “Take a seat, and I’ll bring you some coffee,” she said spinning on her heel and hurrying back to the kitchen.
“The bear is here again?” Rosa said looking shocked. “It is very strange.”
Peri smiled explaining the man’s purpose and that he would be staying to eat. “I will make something extra special,” Rosa said. “Anyone who was so kind as to save you should have the best.”
Chapter 16
Bartholomew Cassidy gazed around him at the Hampton House. The place was well built and useful as a boarding house and restaurant. The town had needed someplace decent for men to stay as they sought work or grubbed for minerals in the dirt of the back hills.
On one hand, it saddened him to see the town grow and change, yet he recognized the need for a place where others could make a home.
Perhaps in time, he would be ready to join society again, but for now, he was content to enjoy the quiet of his cabin and the serenity of the woods.
Looking up, he saw Miss Perkins bringing him a cup of coffee, and her bright smile and sparkling eyes made him respond in kind. She was a lovely and lively thing, who seemed to have a laugh or sharp quip for everything. It was a nice change from his brooding past.
“Thank you,” he said as the young woman placed the coffee before him.
“I’ll be right back with your dinner,” Peri said swishing her skirts as she spun and walked back to the kitchen.
It was only a few minutes later that the young woman returned carrying a heavy tray in her hands. The smell of fried steak and brown gravy hit Bear’s nostrils and hummed with delight.
“It tastes even better than it smells,” Peri said placing the plate before him with a flourish. “The mashed potatoes are made with lots of butter, and the green beans are some of Olive’s best canning,” she added with a grin.
“You should write that into a menu,” Bear laughed. “You might get more customers.”
Peri gazed around the room nodding when Mr. Tippert raised a hand. “We don’t seem to have a shortage of customers,” she said noting the already crowded room. “Besides most of these men can’t even read,” she finished, missing the scowl that rolled over Bartholomew’s handsome face.
“Well I guess you should get back to work,” he said lifting his knife and fork. The food smelled tantalizing and not even Peri’s careless words could take away his appreciation of the fine fare.
***
“Hello Mr. Tippert,” Peri said walking to the preacher's table. “I haven’t seen you around much lately, and that’s surprising since you live here and all,” her giggle made the man smile though he could see a flash of something in her eyes that belied the joy.
“It’s very nice to see you again,” Mr. Tippert said. “I hope you and your mother are well?”
“We are,” Peri assured. “Mama seems to love the new home with Prim and Anderson. Did you know he even bought Mama a rocking chair?”
“I didn’t know that,” Bradon Tippert replied. “I’m very happy for her.”
Peri grinned, “Mr. Cassidy made it,” she said turning and pointing at Bear. “It a beautiful piece of furniture.”
“Mr. Cassidy is it?” the preacher said with a smile. “I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting the man. I’ve been out traveling through the community and meeting our neighbors, or supervising the building of the new church. I seem only to get back to the Hampton House in time for a quick bite and to sleep,” he finished.
“The church is looking wonderful,” Peri said. “I can’t believe how fast it’s coming together.”
“It is coming along very well. The whole town contributed, some rather reluctantly,” he added as a group of cowboys whooped it out of town along the street outside.
“You should come to the house one day,” Peri said. “I’m sure Mama would be happy to see you, and you can have a talk with Anderson about the behavior of a few of his cowhands as well.”
“I’ve been meaning to visit,” Mr. Tippet said. “Perhaps you could check with your sister on a good time and leave word with Mrs. Hampton for me.”
“That’s a good plan,” Peri said grinning. “I’ll do that.”
“Wonderful,” the preacher said. “Now if I might place an order for whatever your friend seems to be enjoying so much.”
“Sure thing,” Peri said, “I’ll bring it right out.”
“You’re good advertising yourself,” Peri said as she passed Bears table. “Everyone can see how much you are enjoying the meal and they want it too,” she finished with a grin.
“I thought it was the only thing on the menu,” Bear called after her shaking his head as she sashayed back into the kitchen only to return with a large tray stacked with steaming dinners for the patrons.
By the time Peri finished serving the other tables, Bear Cassidy was gone and for some reason, she felt her energy ebb. She had enjoyed the interaction with the man. He was easy to talk to, and he never teased her about spending the night in his cabin.
Though quiet and reclusive, Peri was sure that the man had a good heart, and she couldn’t help but wonder what his story was. Why had he come to Needful? Why did he keep to himself so much when he was obviously well liked and respected? The man was a puzzle, and the way she felt in his presence even more so. Peri had never known a man like Bear. Even his nickname seemed to speak of mystery and shadows.
“Can I get some coffee over here?” a surly miner asked thumping his cup on the table.
“I’m gettin’ it,” Peri said turning and scowling at the man. “You’ve only had three cups already are you afraid we’ll run out?” she sassed.
The oth
er men in the dining hall laughed and the miner shook his head. “One of these days your sass is gonna get you in deep water little missy,” the crotchety man said with a grin.
Chapter 17
Bear walked through the forest along the stream that flowed past Needful as a cool wind blew down his collar.
He’d checked three traps so far, and all of them had been empty, but one had signs of blood on the ground, and the large paw print pressed into the soft earth confirmed his suspicions that a mountain lion was on the prowl. However, even this new evidence couldn’t seem to keep his mind from turning back to the young woman who had served him a delicious dinner the night before.