The night before, she’d washed out her petticoats and pressed the only other skirt she’d brought with her—a navy blue one with pleats. She added a fresh, ruffled blouse with long sleeves and a fitted bodice, then took out her mother’s cameo broach and pinned it over the top button. At least the pin would dress up her attire for Mrs. Morgan’s tea. After slipping on her long coat, she added a rust-colored scarf. She had brushed her hair back and pinned it high on her head. Instead of a hat, she added two pearl combs to her hair.
Letty grabbed her drawstring bag and headed for the door, where she found Paul leaning against the wagon.
He looked at her with bold appreciation as his blue gaze darkened with awareness.
She couldn’t help but take in the handsome rancher wearing jeans and a western shirt under his open duster. Realizing what she’d been doing, she glanced away. “Thank you for taking me into town. I don’t want to keep you from your work.”
Paul shook his head. “I have the time.” He escorted her around the wagon and helped her up. “Besides, I have things to take care of in Morgan’s Crossing. One is, I’ll check at the mining office to see if there’s an answer to your telegram.”
“Oh, thank you. That would be helpful.”
He smiled at her.
She noticed his straight white teeth and nice mouth. There was a little knick on his chin from shaving.
“My pleasure. After your rough trip to town, you deserve to enjoy yourself today.” He started the horses down the road from the house. “And there are some very nice women in Morgan’s Crossing.”
She blew out a breath and pulled her coat together against the chilly air. Most of the snow had melted in the past few days, but much was still left along the road. “Prudence Morgan was so nice to me at the store, and I was surprised when she announced the tea. I hate to put her out, especially in her…condition.” Letty was a little envious of Prudence’s circumstances: being married to a handsome man, having a home, and soon a baby. She stole another glance at Paul. She’d never known anyone like him, kind and giving. He treated a woman with respect. She shook away any thoughts of the man, knowing she had to leave soon.
They rode across the bridge and arrived at the edge of town.
Paul spoke as he drove along the dirt road. “This community is small and, for the most part, the people are friendly. Just be careful with the men in town.” He winked at her. “And don’t be surprised if you get some marriage proposals.”
She realized her mouth was agape. “That’s not true at all, is it?” She smacked his arm. “You’re pulling my leg, Mr. Slater.”
He raised his hands in the air, acting innocent. “No, I’m not.”
No doubt the man had a sense of humor. She hid a smile as they drove past the company store. There were several large tents on one side of the street, then a row of cabins on both sides of the main road.
Paul pointed toward his left. “The miners with families live in the cabins. Single men stay in the tents. There is also the boarding house, but some of the men are Chinese, and they send most of their wages back home to China for their families, so they live as cheaply as possible.”
He nodded toward the large house they’d passed yesterday, a faded two-story yellow structure with a long porch where people could sit and watch the town. “And that’s the boarding house where all the men eat because Miss Bertha is such a good cook.”
Paul smiled as the wagon continued up the hill, and a large house painted dove gray with maroon-colored trim came into view.
She sighed. “Oh, I hope I’m not too early.”
Paul stopped the horses and pulled on the brake. “Not at all. I have a feeling a dozen women are on the lookout for you.”
He walked around to her side and helped her down. “Calm yourself. Prudence has only been here less than a year. She knows what it’s like to be new in a community.” He escorted her to the steps, and together they walked up. He stopped at the wide door with glass panels on either side. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Have a good time, Letty.” He turned and left.
She fought to keep from calling him back. Since her father’s death, there hadn’t been many social events at the family home. And she’d mostly lived a cloistered life at the convent. Now she was fifteen hundred miles from Chicago in a mining town where she’d kissed a man she barely knew. She watched Paul climb into the wagon seat and wave to her as he drove off.
Suddenly, the front double doors opened and she saw Prudence.
The woman smiled. “Letty, please come inside, out of the weather.” She shivered and stepped aside to allow her into a small vestibule. “We’ve had such a long winter, I’m ready for spring.”
Her hostess took her coat and scarf. After she hung them on the coat rack, she led her through another set of glass doors into a large entry where an oil lamp burned on a small table. There was a straight staircase leading to the second floor, with a carved banister that curled into a spiral at the bottom.
Prudence gave a sweeping arm motion. “Welcome to my home.”
“It’s lovely. And thank you for being so kind and gracious and inviting me today.”
Prudence laughed. “You might not say that if you’d known me a year ago.”
Letty frowned. What did she mean by that?
“Let me just say, I wasn’t a very happy person back then. Coming here changed a lot of things. I met Michael, for one.” She touched her slightly rounded stomach, covered by a simple cotton print dress.
Blue was a nice color for her.
“And this baby is another.”
“You are truly blessed,” Letty said. “When is your baby due?”
“Not until early summer. We’re both so excited with the anticipation of this baby.”
“I’ll pray for you and your child.”
“Thank you.” Prudence nodded. “It’s taken me a while to realize, but I’m very grateful for Michael and this child. Now, come and meet some of the other women.”
Together they walked past the staircase and into the parlor where several women were gathered around.
“Ladies, this is Loretta Drennan, Johnny McCreary’s sister.”
“Please, call me, Letty.” She looked around at the many women of all ages and sizes.
Prudence began the introductions first with a short, dark-haired woman. “Letty, this is Rosa Rivera and her mother, Juanita.”
Letty greeted them.
Another woman appeared. She was medium height with a slender build. She had gorgeous auburn hair and sparkling blue eyes.
“And this is Missouri Harper,” Prudence said. “Her family owns a horse ranch outside of town.”
“So very nice to meet you, Miss Drennan.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Miss Harper.”
Prudence stepped in. “Please, everyone is on a first-name basis here. Missouri is also our veterinarian, and she is engaged to Doctor Rye Rawlins. He’s our resident doctor here in Morgan’s Crossing.”
“So your family takes care of the entire town.”
Missouri laughed. “You could say that.”
“Yes, we’re lucky to have them both,” Prudence said. “What do you do back in Chicago, Letty?”
“I’m a teacher at St. Mary’s Academy for Women.”
“How wonderful!” Prudence gasped. “A teacher. We need a teacher here in Morgan’s Crossing.”
Letty knew, if she could stay here, she would be tempted about taking the position. She could have a fresh start here in this town. “I’m afraid I’m needed back in Chicago. I came to notify my brother, Johnny, about our mother’s illness.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Prudence said. “I hope she will be on the road to recovery soon.”
“Thank you.”
Mrs. Tisdale and another heavyset woman appeared in the room, carrying trays of tiny sandwiches, and set them down on the table. “Hello, Letty,” Mrs. Tisdale said. “Are you getting to know everyone?”
Letty’s head spun. “Yes, and this is s
o lovely of Prudence. It’s so nice to meet all these nice ladies.” She found she was speaking the truth. She realized many of these women were married to miners. Not an easy profession.
Letty smiled, remembering how her father would labor right alongside his men at the meat packing plant. John Drennan used to say, ‘If you can’t do the work yourself, how can you ask your employees to do it?’
Prudence interrupted her thoughts. “Letty, this is Bertha Bucholtz. She was a friend of mine from St. Louis and has come out and become the cook at the boarding house.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Bertha. I’ve heard so much about your wonderful cooking skills.”
“Thank you.” Bertha smiled shyly. “How are you, Letty?”
“I’m finally rested after my long trip.”
“Good. I hope you stop by the boarding house soon.”
“And bring that sweet Paul Slater along,” Mrs. Tisdale said. “He’s been away too long. Now I understand what has taken up his time.”
“A blizzard held us up.” Letty blushed. “He’s been very helpful, bringing me to my brother.”
Missouri Harper leaned forward and lowered her voice. “My younger sisters have a crush on Paul. He came out to the ranch to have me treat an injury on his horse, Simon. The girls followed him around like lost puppies. He was so nice to them and asked their opinion on horses.”
Letty felt a strange tightness in her stomach as she wondered if these sisters were as pretty as Missouri. “I’m glad that Simon has recovered.”
Missouri nodded. “Yes, he’s a fine animal, and well trained. I wouldn’t mind having that bay, myself.”
Mrs. Tisdale spoke up again. “And Paul Slater is a good man. And easy on the eyes.”
Letty would have to agree, but she couldn’t think about any man, or staying here in town. Her mother needed her in Chicago, so that would be where she would go. Even though her heart was starting to want to start a life here.
CHAPTER NINE
As planned, Paul was waiting next to the wagon outside the Morgan’s home. He checked his watch. He was a little early, but he didn’t mind relaxing in the warm sun. The day had turned out to be a nice one, and he thought about Letty and her new lady friends. He knew they would treat her well.
“Hello, Paul.”
He glanced up to see the brassy redhead from the saloon coming down the street. “Hello, Marla. How are you doing today?”
She cozied up close to him.
Normally he didn’t mind, even though he wasn’t a patron of the saloon for anything other than an occasional beer.
“Business is slow at the saloon.”
“Maybe when the mine closes later, you’ll have some business.”
She looked him over boldly. “You could stop by.”
He shook his head. “Not today. I have something I need to do.”
She gave him a pouty look. “That wouldn’t have anything to do with your new lady friend?”
Just then, the front door of the Morgan house opened, and several women walked out.
“Yes, Marla, it does.” He tipped his hat. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Paul.”
He went to the porch steps and saw Letty walk out. She was smiling and talking with Bertha. Then she turned to him, but looked past him to Marla as the woman walked away from the wagon. She said a few more goodbyes and made her way down the steps.
Paul greeted several ladies and assisted them to the street. He came back for Letty. “Seems you had a good time.”
She nodded to Marla. “And it seems you too managed to occupy your time.”
“If you’re talking about Marla, she just stopped by to say hello.” Paul was a little amused that she was interested in who he kept company with. “I know she works at the saloon, but she has a good heart. I try not to judge people and their circumstances, because you never know why and how they ended up there.”
“You’re right. I need to be more charitable. You helped me through the trip here, and I truly appreciate it.”
“It was my pleasure, Letty.” He reached into his duster coat pocket and pulled out a folded paper. “I got this telegram for you. I didn’t read it.”
“I hope it’s good news.” She unfolded the paper and read the short message out loud. “Your mother is much better. No need to rush home. Maggie.”
“That’s wonderful news, isn’t it?” He saw her distress. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think this message is from Maggie.”
“It’s signed by her,” Paul countered.
“Please, take me back to the ranch. I need to pound some sense into my brother. And he’s going to listen this time.”
***
Twenty minutes later, Paul dropped her off at the house, and he took the horses to the barn.
She walked inside. “John McCreary Drennan, I need to speak to you immediately,” she called as loud as she could, then grabbed the letter off the sideboard and rushed through the house and upstairs. She walked to her bedroom, which doubled as Johnny’s office, and that was where she found him, seated at the desk.
Letty gripped the doorknob, then slam it against the wall to get his attention. “You are going to hear what I have to say. I’m tired of you ignoring me.” She tossed the envelope on the desk. “Open the damn letter, and read it. You know our father wouldn’t want us to disregard our mother.”
He leaned back in the chair and folded his arms. “And just how can I help our mother if her husband refuses us entrance into our own house?”
She placed her shaky hands on the desk and leaned forward. “First, we start by finding out what is in the letter.”
Johnny sat up. “Fine.” He took the thick envelope, opened it and drew out several papers. The top was a letter addressed to him.
Dear Johnny,
I have to start by saying, I’m so sorry for the argument we had the last time we were together. I regret it more than I can say, especially since now I see the true side of Henry and his son. He has taken over everything, including my finances and the business. Maggie is the only friend I have, and she is writing this letter, because Henry secretly had the doctor put me on medication. I’m so weak I can’t even get out of bed.
Although I have no right to ask, I need your help, son. Not so much for me, but for the business your father started and grew into the success it is today. Henry Jensen is stealing your legacy, and he has to be stopped. You and Letty are the only ones who can do this. Please look over the copy of your father’s will, and you will see.
I love you very much,
Mother
Johnny stared at his sister. “Have you read this?”
“No, the letter was addressed to you.”
He pulled out the next three pages. “This is part of our father’s will.” He looked it over, trying to recall his father’s words. ‘The business will be yours and your sister’s someday, son. And you’re to make sure it stays in the family.’
He looked over the copy of the shares of company stock. Ownership was listed a third to Elisabeth McCreary Drennan, a third to John McCreary Drennan and a third to Loretta Elisabeth Drennan. But the children couldn’t vote their share until they were twenty-five, and in Loretta’s case, twenty-five or until she wed.
“What does it say, Johnny?”
“I think I figured out what Henry Jensen is trying to do.” He leaned back in the chair. “I assure you, Mother’s health is fine, but she’s being drugged so Henry can have control of the company. He, more than likely, is stealing from us through the business.”
“I knew it,” Letty stressed. “We have to stop him.”
Johnny waved a calming hand. “First, we need to come up with a plan. If we rush back there, it will force Jensen’s hand. Besides, if Mother is incapacitated, Henry, as her husband, has control of the company. You are underage, so Mother has your voting company shares.”
“I don’t need to vote, Johnny. I just need to get that man out of her life. So you have
to go back and take over the company like Father wanted.”
“Mother would still control two thirds of the company, and that means Henry will be able to vote them.”
She paced the room. “We have to do something.”
“Well, you aren’t married, and we can’t wait four years until you’re twenty-five so you can vote your shares. I wouldn’t be surprised if Henry Jensen has plans to take all the money and run off.”
Johnny watched his sister’s eyes flare with anger. She could probably take the man out on her own.
“Then I’ll find someone. Mrs. Tisdale told me that the town is filled with eligible bachelors. Surely one will marry me, even if I have to pay him.”
Johnny stood. “No, Letty. You can’t do that. Once you’re married, your husband has control of your money. He could steal it from you.”
“I don’t care. I just want Mother safe.”
“Sorry, I won’t let you marry a stranger.”
“Then let her marry me.”
They both turned to find Paul standing in the doorway.
“I’ll marry you, Letty.”
***
Ten minutes later, Paul and Johnny were seated at the kitchen table.
“I don’t think you’ve thought this through, Paul.”
Paul glanced away. Of course, he hadn’t, but he hadn’t been able to think clearly since Letty came into his life. “Look, Johnny, we’ve been friends for a long time. You’ve helped me out of a few jams, and we’re partners. You know you can trust me. I would never steal from you.”
“Just how much did you hear of the conversation?”
He raised his hand in defense. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but when I came up the stairs, Letty began yelling about her stepfather. I was going to go to my room, but then I heard the word ‘marriage’ and couldn’t help but walk to the door.” He looked his friend in the eye. “Johnny, let me help you and Letty.”
Johnny eyed him suspiciously.
Paul knew his friend didn’t like to take favors. “I think the reason might help all of us. If you go back and take over the company, then I have a direct line to someone to buy our beef. And with the past winter we’ve had, we need help.”
Montana Sky: Slater's Bride (Kindle Worlds) Page 8