A Mystery Groom for Christmas

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  Adelaide waved at her. “I know, don’t you worry. Diane and I will take care of Jennifer. You take care of your sheriff.” Adelaide grinned and then shooed Diane and Jennifer toward Claire’s.

  Kirk opened the door, and they walked in.

  Doc Lancaster, sitting at his desk, frowned and then got up. “You don’t look so good. What did you do?”

  “He got shot, Doc. I cleaned it best I could.” Mary Louise helped Kirk to the examining room.

  Kirk took off his shirt, and Mary Louise ran for the door. She hadn’t been prepared for his bare chest. “I’ll wait outside.”

  Her cheeks were hot, and she figured flaming red. How embarrassing. Worse, she heard Doc and Kirk laugh. Well, they should have warned her. Although she’d had a peek at his chest last night, it had only been by the light of the lantern.

  Now, she didn’t know what to do. Stay and wait or go to her little house and clean up. After all, the social was tonight. She hoped Kirk would be able to go. Then again, she hoped he didn’t have to run out to that horrid town and clean it up.

  The door to the exam room opened, and Doc came out. “You did a good job cleaning that wound. He’ll be good as new in a couple of days.” Doc grinned at her. “And he should be able to dance the night away tonight if he has a certain young lady to dance with.”

  Again, Mary Louise felt her cheeks warm. “I’m glad. Is he—”

  Kirk exited the room with shirt buttoned and looking strong. He came to her and took her arm. “How about breakfast?”

  “I’d love it.” She smiled at Doc and caught the older man’s wink to Kirk.

  He escorted her up the street to Heart’s Café and found them a table. Kirk smiled at her. “Thanks again for taking care of me. Doc said you saved me some time down on my back by cleaning the wound so well last night.”

  She set her cup of coffee down. “What are you going to do about that town?”

  “After breakfast, I’ll send telegrams to the town’s around here and then one to the U. S. Marshal’s office. I’ll need to talk to Jennifer before I do. See what she has to say about it. What did she tell you?”

  Mary Louise told her what the woman had explained to them. “I hope the outlaws don’t come here.”

  “Well, don’t you worry. My deputy and I can handle the town. If things get too bad, or if Jennifer says other women are being held prisoner, I’ll get up a posse and some Texas Rangers if I can find them and go after the town.”

  “I feel better knowing you’ll be watching out for us.”

  Kirk nodded. “I don’t want you women driving around anywhere by yourselves. Not until that town is cleaned up.”

  “Yes, sir. I don’t think you have to worry. Not one of us is going to want to venture out after this ordeal.” Mary Louise had said the right words, but in her spirit, there was a resounding no.

  They finished eating, and Kirk walked her to her house. “Thank you again. Remember to save the dances for me.”

  “Don’t worry. They are all yours.” Now that she could agree to wholeheartedly. She entered her house and gently shut the door.

  ***

  Mary Louise rested for a while. She thought about Kirk and how she suddenly knew he was the one for her. Somewhere between remembering how she’d leaned against him by the tree and the ride back to Lone Oak, she fell asleep.

  With a start, she awoke to see the sun flashing between the curtains in her west window. She scrambled out of bed and checked the time. She had just enough to clean up and get dressed. She’d have to survive on cookies and punch at the social.

  “Not a problem, cookies are good.” She encouraged herself as she got her bath water ready. After a long soak and in a bath of lavender water, she dried off and dressed. It didn’t take her long, and she was ready for the evening.

  She put on her new lilac dress she’d gotten from Adelaide, and after a look in the mirror and smiling to make sure she looked pretty. Mary Louise Kemp was ready.

  Tonight, there was only one man that she wanted to smile for. Sheriff Kirk Taylor. Here he’d been in front of her all along, and she’d hardly paid him any mind until recently. Walking by the table by the door, she stopped to look at the mystery groom letters.

  She wondered if he was one of them. If not, she’d have to make it clear that she was no longer in the running as a mystery bride. She hoped that whoever the other mystery groom was, he’d choose Adelaide or Diane.

  Still, that made her sad to think one of them might be left alone. None of them had wanted to become spinsters. Mary Louise made her way down the street and could already hear the music.

  She wasn’t late. They must be playing to remind others of the fun tonight. She was almost to the barn when a familiar voice caused her to stop.

  Mary Louise turned and smiled. It was it Kirk.

  “May I escort you to the ball?”

  She curtseyed. “Yes, as a matter of fact, you may.” She held out her arm.

  Kirk walked beside her and, like a gentleman, took her arm in his.

  “How is your shoulder?”

  He patted her hand. “What shoulder?” Staring at her, he smiled. “I see you and can feel nothing but my heart beating like a drum.”

  She laughed. “Why, Kirk, you do say such romantic things.”

  “Only to you, Mary Louise. Only to you.”

  “Thank you for that. Because I hardly want to dance all my dances with a man who acted the romantic knight to other ladies as well.”

  He took her shawl from her and handed it to Marissa Sue, the baker’s daughter. “I only came for you, Mary Louise.” His voice had changed from the fun, playful tone to a serious, deep one of tender caring.

  Mary Louise nodded. “And I thank you, as I only came to dance with you.”

  They stared at one another for a moment. Their gazes locked. Their feelings mutual.

  “Mary Louise. There you are.” Adelaide waved to her from the door. Behind her, Diane and Jennifer followed.

  “Adelaide, Diane, and Jennifer. I’m so glad you came.” Mary Louise did note that Jennifer had on one of her best dresses.

  Diane twirled around. “I can’t wait to dance. I hope that mystery groom is here.”

  Jennifer attempted a smile, but she was clearly uneasy. “I didn’t want to come, but they persuaded me to. Thank you for the clothes. This is a lovely dress.”

  Mary Louise smiled. “It looks good on you.”

  Kirk nodded. “Ladies, it’s a pleasure to see you again and under more pleasant circumstances.”

  Adelaide grabbed a cookie from the table behind her. “We didn’t even eat dinner.” She looked around. “Let me know if you see the mystery groom.”

  Jennifer took a cookie and glass of punch. “I’m going to sit down. I’m tired and in no mood to meet men.”

  Diane nibbled on a cookie. “Poor thing. She’s been through so much. I’m hungry, but I did come here to meet men. Are there any unmarried men here yet?”

  Mary Louise hung onto Kirk’s arm a little harder as she looked around. “I see Angus, and he’s wearing a red shirt. Peter and Kate just walked in. I’m not sure if any of the other men are married or not.”

  Diane took another cookie. “Oh, there’s Fred and his mail-order bride.”

  Mary Louise turned to look. She was right. Fred stood in the doorway, beaming with pride. His bride, Rebecca, if Mary Louise recalled her name correctly, was standing beside him with the same happy smile on her face as her groom.

  Adelaide stared. “She’s not the most beautiful, but she is pretty. Her face is beaming.”

  Mary Louise led Kirk to the couple. “Fred and Rebecca, I’m so glad you came.”

  Fred nodded. “I told Rebecca about the social, and she thought it would be a good way to meet everyone.” He gestured toward her. “May I introduce Rebecca Donley soon to be Rebecca Pollins.”

  After a flurry of introductions, Mary Louise wanted to talk to Rebecca and see how she’d fallen in love with Fred over the mail.
Yet, since all that had happened on her trip, she really didn’t care because she knew how she felt about Kirk.

  Adelaide shook Rebecca’s hand. “I admire your bravery to come all the way out here to marry a man you don’t even know.”

  “Oh, I know him. We wrote several letters to one another. And after each one, I knew more about him. Until finally, he was in my heart.” Rebecca squeezed Fred’s hand.

  Fred hugged her. “Well, we’re going to go and get a place to sit and meet a few more people.” And the new couple was gone.

  Mary Louise looked at Adelaide and Diane.

  Kirk pointed across the room. “I’m going to go and talk to my deputy for a bit. You ladies enjoy yourselves. Mary Louise, I’ll find you before the first dance.”

  Adelaide waited until he was gone. “Well, what do you think about that. Her nose was rather big.”

  “She wears glasses,” Diane remarked after nibbling on yet another cookie.

  Mary Louise shrugged. “You can see that Fred loves her, and she loves Fred. It is clear that looks don’t play the most important part in finding a man.” She looked at her friends and was thankful she’d stopped herself. She’d been going to say that she was pretty and had just now found her man. Mary Louise couldn’t understand why women who were far less attractive than she was, would always have a man while she stood alone watching the world go by.

  But she had Kirk now. Their coming together had happened so suddenly that Mary Louise, at times, had to wonder if it was real. Her gaze followed him across the room.

  Adelaide tugged on her arm. “What do you think?”

  She turned to them. “I think Fred and Rebecca make a lovely couple.”

  Diane glanced at Adelaide. “Oh. Yes. That too.”

  Mary Louise stared at her friends. Apparently, they’d been saying something else, and both looked a little perturbed that she hadn’t gone along with them. Well, everyone deserved to be loved. She looked at the door and saw Angus McDonald walk by the cookie table.

  “There’s Angus. By the looks of that red shirt, he is one of the mystery grooms.”

  As one, Adelaide and Diane walked toward Angus.

  Mary Louise wanted to stay and watch, but she couldn’t bear the thought of one of her friends being pushed aside. Instead, she went and found Kirk.

  He smiled. “I think they are about to start the dance. You came just in time. Excuse me, Clark.” Kirk reached for her and grimaced as he’d extended his sore shoulder.

  Mary Louise frowned and gently patted him. “Are you sure you’re up to dancing?”

  Kirk grinned. “Nothing is going to stop me. Not today or ever.” He took her, put his arm around her, and pulled her to the dance floor.

  Soon, a slow waltz started the dance.

  Mary Louise stared into his eyes. It felt so good to be in his arms, floating across the floor together as one.

  “Mary, I want you to know how much you mean to me. I’d like to court you.”

  Her knees felt weak. “Yes. I’d like that, Kirk. I have to confess, I was one of the mystery brides in the newspaper, but I’m not submitting any more letters and may put one in to withdraw.”

  He laughed. “I was one of the mystery grooms. There won’t be any more letters from me either. I’ve found the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

  He twirled her and then brought her back close to him. “If that’s all right with you?”

  “Very much so. I’ve been looking and looking, and here you were right in front of me all the time. I’m so happy.”

  Kirk grew serious. “It won’t bother you that I’m the sheriff. I know you talked to Suzy about what it’s like to be married to a lawman.”

  “I’ll be honest. Whenever you are gone, I’ll be praying and worrying, but I know you are the one I want. And I wouldn’t have you any other way than the way you are called to be. You’re all wrapped up in one package. I can’t pull out the part I’m happy with and the part that scares me, because it’s all you.”

  “I’m glad you understand that. I had thought maybe I could be a rancher, but I was meant to be a lawman. It’s what I was made to do and be. I never dreamed I’d find a woman that could understand that.”

  “I do. I admit I will have times when I worry. But it is you that I love.” She squeezed his hand. “Let’s not worry about it and live for the day. And right now, we have tonight.”

  He whisked her around and smiled. “I think I picked a wise woman. I love you, Mary Louise.”

  “Mary. Just Mary works fine.” She smiled at him and let him lead her around the room. She wanted the night to go on and on and was sad when it came to an end. She’d hardly talked to anyone else and didn’t even know what Adelaide and Diane were doing.

  Finally, the last dance ended.

  Kirk took her to the front door and brought her shawl to her. “I’m going to be busy tomorrow. I’m taking Clark and few other men to Dry Springs and see what we can dig up. Bill is coming with his deputy, too.”

  “You expect trouble?”

  He nodded and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “Don’t you worry. I’ll come back to you.”

  She took his hand and kissed his calloused fingers. “I know you will. You have to.”

  Chapter 13

  Kirk didn’t get to sleep because his Mary kept running through his mind. He’d pray she’d be kept safe. That he and his men would be safe. Finding her now made leaving harder. Before, he would rise to the challenge without thinking of what might happen. To uphold the law, his only thought.

  Finally, morning came, and he forced himself up. He couldn’t let his mind get jumbled in regrets and fear. He had a job to do and people to protect. Besides, if Jennifer hadn’t come running out when she had, no one would know that she was being kept. He had to make sure there weren’t others.

  He’d tried to ask Jennifer, but she hadn’t wanted to talk about Dry Springs. So, he rounded up his men, and they rode out just as the sun peeked over the eastern hills. There were ten of them in all.

  He had Clark with him, plus Peter Gabriel, Angus McDonald, Fred, and Jeff. They were to meet Bill and three other men from Big Springs at the crossroads.

  Kirk’s shoulder ached and reminded him of the danger he was running into. More than likely, he’d meet up with the men he’d already fought once. But when a town was taken over by lawless men, it was up to the law to set it straight, or the whole region would be in jeopardy.

  Lawless men were a danger to all. He’d seen more than one town sink into the mire of dangerous men who had lost their moral compass. Rudderless, they roamed about the countryside taking what they wanted and answering to no one.

  Until they were taken care of. Some of the men would come to their senses, others were too far gone and were either dispatched to prison or God. But until they were taken care of, all those around the lawless area were in danger.

  Kirk wasn’t going to let that happen to his town, and he knew Bill wouldn’t allow it for Big Springs either.

  There was little talk among the men on the way. Each man knew the danger and risk. But for the good people of Lone Oak and Big Springs, it was necessary.

  Finally, they reached the outskirts of Dry Springs. Kirk nodded to Bill. “How do you want to play it?”

  “One building at a time. I’ll take the north side. You take the south. That way, they can’t get us in a crossfire.” Bill dismounted. “Yokum. You stay here and guard the horses.”

  Kirk dismounted and gestured for the others to do the same. “Peter, you and Angus go with Bill.”

  Then they started. Kicking in the doors, they routed out the men they found, took their guns, and asked them questions. Kirk only found two. They were drunk and only wanted to be left alone. He took them outside and met with Bill.

  He’d found three.

  Kirk pointed to the building he’d come out of. “Put them in there. Jeff, you guard these men. No one leaves this building.”

  “Got it.” Jeff nodded at
him.

  Kirk was glad to see the change in the young man. Working for Fred had been good for him.

  He went to the next building. A two-story and kicked in the door. “Sheriff Taylor here. Come out with your hands up.”

  Soon there were three more men to join the others in the building Jeff was guarding. So far, none of the men had posed a serious danger. Most seemed to be those down on their luck. He asked one of them about women being held as prisoners.

  “Up the street at the saloon and hotel. The outlaws are a rough bunch. We stay out of their way. If I had a horse to get away, I’d ride out.”

  “Maybe after we clean this town up, you can start a new one.”

  With bloodshot but hopeful eyes, the man nodded. “You won’t get no trouble out of me or any of those you caught so far. If you have extra guns, we can help.”

  Kirk glanced at Bill. “What do you think?”

  “We could take a couple.”

  Kirk picked out two of the most sober men and handed them pistols. “What happened to your sheriff?”

  “He got run out of town six months ago. That’s when the gang took over. I’m Howard Baker. I used to own a shop in this town until they cleaned me out. Like Jones back there, I would have left if I had a horse.”

  “Glad you didn’t, Howard. Let’s take over some more buildings.” Kirk could see that word had gone out as to what was happening. Up the street, men were running from the saloon and taking up position.

  Howard walked with him. “The sheriff was a friend of mine. I’m sure they killed him. He was just gone one day. Our town died soon after. The first thing they did was tear down the telegraph wires. Telegraph office is the next building.”

  “Let’s go. Be ready, boys.” Kirk kicked in the door, but there was no one in the trashed-out building. They’d torn out the wires but left the equipment. “Who ran the telegraph?”

  Howard looked back. “Smitty. Get in here.”