by Danni Roan
“No thank you,” Prim said watching as Mrs. Script was whirled around the dance space by her husband. She looked so happy, and Prim couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s joy.
On the other side of the dance area Spencer was dancing with Daliah while Mr. and Mrs. Hampton danced on the edge of the more lively couples.
Around the clearing dozens of wranglers, cowboys, miners, and other workmen waited for a dance with any of the women who might be willing to give them a turn.
Prim laughed when two spindly legged cowpokes stepped out into the reel together with a good-natured laugh.
“It’s a lively night,” Anderson commented. “Are you feeling up to dancing again?”
Prim sipped her tea hiding her grin. Her feet were still tired, but it wasn’t often you had the chance of dancing in a small town, or with a man who was quickly winning your heart.
Placing her cup on the end of the bench she nodded. “I believe I am,” she said as Anderson took her hand and stepped into the familiar pattern of the dance.
“You know you look a mess?” Prim said gently, feeling that the man deserved the bruises he had acquired at the hands of Mr. Gaines. “You’re ears looks a bit like a tomato.”
“I’m sure I do,” Anderson admitted with a half grin, “though you look lovely enough for both of us,” he finished smiling at the warm blush that graced his partner’s cheeks. “I’m truly sorry for being such a dolt,” he continued as they danced to the music.
Prim smiled, finding it in her heart to forgive the man. There was no point arguing the fact that she liked Anderson Bowlings, so she wouldn’t.
“Mrs. Hampton told me to leave you be today,” Anderson started again as they made the turn with other couples and a few rowdy cowhands, “I hope you’ll think about what I asked earlier though. I know I was dense, but I like you, and I hope you’ll at least give me a chance. If I don’t suit, you could give a few of these other poor fellows a chance.” Anderson looked at the numerous men lining the dance floor and watching the dancers with an expression of envy.
“I’m new to so much of what this country has to offer,” Anderson continued. “I have a great deal to learn, but I’d like very much if you would help me.”
Chapter 21
The weekend flew by in a flurry of activity and the big house took shape with the majority of the work coming together all at once.
On Sunday an impromptu worship service was held on the site as the workers that could stay finished off the last of the prepared food and outside work.
“Needful has come here and worked together, despite some differences,” Orville intoned cutting his eyes between Dan and Anderson who stood side by side like old friends. “Mankind was not made to live in isolation, and the more we work together, encourage one another, and encourage industry, the better off we all are.”
A few ‘Amens’ echoed over the quiet prairie as men nodded toward each other, as a sense of pride in a job well done filling them with weary joy.
“The Good Lord said that man cannot live by bread alone,” Orville continued, “we’ll we sure didn’t eat bread alone,” he chuckled garnering laughs from everyone. “But we need the word, and the word will set us on the right path. We can’t always see where we’re going, but God has a plan if we’ll let him have our heart.”
A hush fell over the crowd as the gathering bowed their head in prayers.
“I want to thank each of you for coming and helping me,” Anderson called out as Orville finished his quiet prayer. “When I came to Texas to start a ranch on my father’s behalf, I never expected to care so much for the land, or to find such friends,” he said. “I’m truly blessed to know each of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope to see you all at the big barn raising at Dan’s place in a few weeks,” he added slapping Dan Gaines’ on the back with a loud clap.
Friends, families, and one time rivals said good bye as they gathered their tools, loaded up their wagons and headed home. The fun and excitement of the house raising was over, and it was time to return to farms, jobs, and the everyday grind that kept body and soul together.
Anderson walked over to Orville’s wagon shaking hands with the old man and smiling at Prim politely. After greeting the others in the party he walked to Prim and offered her his arm for a short stroll.
“It might be awhile before I can get into town,” he said liking the feel of her hand on his arm. “I’ll be working hard to get the house completed over the next few weeks, but I’d like to call on you as soon as possible.”
Prim ducked her head shyly still uncertain about Mr. Bowlings’ attention. There was no denying her attraction for the man, but she still felt unworthy of his affection.
“I think I’d like that,” she finally replied. “We can see what God has in store for us next.”
Anderson patted her hand; happy to receive the answer he wanted, but not sure if God had so much to do with it. Still after his mess up with Gaines he felt he should agree, and with the Orville’s words still echoing in his head he believed he could perhaps give the Good Lord some of the credit.
“I’ll see you as soon as possible,” Anderson agreed walking her back to the wagon and kissing her hand softly, before helping her up beside Olive.
***
Nearly two weeks passed before Anderson was able to get away from the ranch. He’d had what crew he could spare from working cattle working on the house with him. As men who had plastered, framed, or laid flooring before worked Anderson worked with them learning and growing to appreciate, further, the ability to work with one's hands.
Growing up as a minor land holder in England he hadn’t truly understood the nature of work. He had squandered many years and resources as a younger man and only realized the error of his ways when a conniving woman had laid a trap that would have ended in misery for both of them. Perhaps his escape from that trouble had truly been a divine intervention.
Stepping out of his nearly finished home, Anderson breathed deeply of the crisp cold air that permeated the prairie. He’d come to love this vast land and not only for the potential prosperity it could bring.
The people, the country, the prairie itself were industrious and optimistic. It didn’t matter where a man came from to those he had met in Needful, what mattered is the man you were right then and there. If you were willing to lend a hand to your neighbor, work hard to make a living, and treat your fellow man fairly you were accepted.
Heading to the corral, Anderson grabbed up his gray, saddled it and turned toward the road leading to town. He’d made mistakes in the past. Lived a life that he was no longer proud of, and had brought shame to his father, but here in the hill country of Texas he had been given a second chance, and he realized that the second chance included a gamble on love. “God, maybe you have been pushing in this direction for a long time. I don’t know that I ever noticed it before, but I’ll give you who I am. I’m not much account by some standards, but what I have is yours from here on in.”
Smiling as a sense of joy filled his heart Anderson kicked his big gray into a trot, heading toward the Hampton House and a chance to see Miss Perkins. Primrose was such a simple soul, so honest and transparent that he couldn’t help but care for her. It had taken him by surprise to discover that he not only found her attractive, but felt a tugging in his heart when she was around. Divine intervention? He didn’t know. He only wanted it to be a forever feeling.
Smiling, he thought back to the day they had met and was once more impressed with Prim’s pluck and bravery.
For the past several years Anderson’s family had been hoping that he would settle down and marry. He wondered what his family would think of Miss Perkins then suddenly realized it didn't matter what they thought. Primrose was the type of woman who would stand with a man through thick or thin. She wouldn’t be influenced by wealth, property, or ambition. She was exactly the type of woman he needed, but could never find in the social circles he had kept back home.
With
a bright smile, Anderson kicked his horse into a smooth canter eating up the distance between him and the girl he was rapidly falling in love with, if he wasn’t already.
***
Prim laid a plate full of bacon, eggs, and toast on the table before one of the men she had danced with at the house raising then returned to the kitchen for the coffee pot. The Hampton House wasn’t as busy as usual as many had been pressed to get back into the everyday life they lived.
Rosa had been sad and surly since Raul had headed back out on the trail that week, and Prim’s heart went out to her friend. Perhaps the man’s job was important, but didn’t he realize how it affected his family? It must be difficult having a husband who was gone more than he was home.
Lifting the coffee pot quietly, she headed back out into the dining room to fill cups, cringing at the sound of sniffles by the stove, but she knew that no words would help Rosa, so she only lifted a prayer.
Prim stopped dead in her tracks as she stepped through the kitchen door into the dining room and caught a glimpse of Anderson Bowlings standing at the entrance of the Hampton House looking about hopefully, as her heart did a little flip in her chest.
The man looked handsome in his black suit and wide-brimmed hat. His boots had been polished and something went all funny in her stomach at the thought that he would bother to shine his boots before coming to see her. She knew she was only a simple girl from the mountains, but felt for just a moment, as if she might be important in some small way.
Stepping fully into the eating area, Prim smiled as Anderson’s eyes fell on her, and he smiled in return. Hurrying forward she felt a sudden shyness engulf her and could barely greet the man. “Won’t you take a seat?” she managed. “I’ll bring you some coffee.”
Anderson looked down at the coffee pot that Prim still held in her hands and chuckled. “I’d like that,” he said nodding at the pot.
Prim felt her cheeks heat but laughed as Andersons grin helped to dispel her embarrassment.
“Follow me,” she finally managed turning and leading him to a small table in the corner of the room and pouring coffee into the cup that sat waiting on the oiled cloth. “I’ll be right back,” she added hurrying to the other patrons and refilling their cups as well.
***
Olive Hampton bounced little Christina on her knee with a grin, missing her own children and grandchildren. She loved Needful and didn’t regret being there, but she wished her family was closer. She knew her three sons had thought them both crazy when she and Orville had decided to leave Smithfield and join the wagon train to Texas.
She didn’t regret the move, in fact, she thought the milder winters, and bustling growth was good for her and her husband, but she still missed her own children. Even with the homesickness for those she loved, Olive felt that she had a purpose again and that she could do things to help others in Needful.
Looking up from the little girl on her knee she turned her thought troubled thoughts to Christina and Rosa, who were alone too much, and headed for the dining room. It wasn’t the busiest time of day, but it was a good time to check in and see if the girls needed anything.
Never having had daughters of her own, Olive felt an attachment to the young women of Needful that she hadn’t expected, claiming Daliah, Primrose, and even tiny Rosa as added daughters of her heart just as she had with her own daughters-in-law.
Heading for the eatery, Olive saw Prim escorting Anderson to a table and grinned. Anderson hadn’t been the man she had picked for Prim, but if they suited, who was she to argue. Sooner or later she would find the perfect match for Dan Gaines, perhaps even Primrose’s sister Periwinkle when she arrived.
Taking Christina to the kitchen and placing her in the little area they had fenced off for her to play in, Olive reached out and gave Rosa’s shoulders an affectionate squeeze. “I’m gonna spell Prim for a bit,” she said. “Seems, Mr. Bowlings made it to town today, so I’ll do the serving if you do the cooking.”
Chapter 22
Prim looked down at her faded dress and once more felt the sense of inadequacy that seemed to dog her. She certainly wasn’t dressed for receiving a caller, and when Mrs. Hampton had come into the dining hall insisting that she and Anderson sit and eat together, then go for a walk, she felt even more out of place.
Anderson looked over at Prim, sensing that something was bothering her, but not sure what it was. They had shared a lovely breakfast together served by Mrs. Hampton herself, and were now walking along the dusty street, and partially complete boardwalk of the town.
“Is something wrong?” Anderson asked, not sure what else to do. In the past he had always had a smooth tongue when trying to charm women, but with Prim, he wasn’t at all sure of himself.
“No,” Prim lied not wanting him to know that she felt like a faded flower next to his well cut suit.
Anderson walked a little further down the street taking in the Sherriff’s office and jail, as well as the new general store that still had boards over the spaces designed for windows.
“The town is really growing since and the wagon train arrived last fall,” he commented. “Orville’s sawmill is making it easier for everyone to put up permanent structures.”
“Yes,” Prim agreed. “I think Orville has done a great deal for the town. He sees new orders for lumber all the time, and he has actually employed several of the men who were trying to make a go of it in mining but failed. They now live in the front rooms of the Hampton House as part of their pay.”
Anderson smiled, please with the young woman’s quick mind. “I’ve nearly finished my house,” he said trying to think of a way to broachthe subject of their courting.
“I hope it hasn’t been too difficult,” Prim said. “It’s a very large and fancy home.”
“It’s not so large,” Anderson said absently. “The house I grew up in was much larger with two separate wings and a formal dining room, as well as a ballroom. My mother thought that it was rather small in comparison to her own family home.”
Prim felt her heart flutter in her chest. The house that Anderson was building was one of the biggest structures she had ever seen in her life other than glimpses of places she had seen from the train on her journey south.
The devastation of the southern states after the war had been significant, but many old manors and tall city structures still remained.
“Mother came from the upper crust you know,” Anderson continued, his softly accented voice rolling from his tongue. “She always hoped I might settle down and find a way to secure more property.”
“But you have,” Prim started. “Doesn’t the ranch count? You have the second largest cattle spread in the area from all I’ve heard.”
Anderson chuckled. “I’m not sure that means much to my mother. She had plans for me, plans I didn’t live up to I’m afraid.”
Prim looked at Anderson expectantly, but the sound of gunfire cut off any words as Anderson swung her into an ally pressing her against the wall of a building and shielding her with his body.
Prim felt the breath in her chest freeze as the Englishman held her close to the wall, his broad chest, and handsome face only inches from hers. A sudden wave of heat seemed to course through her at Anderson’s nearness and she finally understood all of the romantic jabbering of her sister.
“Are you all right?” Anderson said looking down into her face as his strong arm braced him against the wall.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Prim admitted breathlessly. “This sort of thing happens every day. I’ve gotten used to it.”
Anderson smiled down at the woman before him, breathing in her scent of soap and some wild flower he knew grew nearby. She looked sweet and vulnerable and oh so kissable. Leaning in he brushed his lips to hers soaking in the taste of them and pulling back reluctantly when she kissed him in return.
“I’m sorry,” he said thinking of all the reasons he wasn’t. “I shouldn’t have done that. It was forward of me.”
Prim opened her eyes
as Anderson pulled away from her. She had liked the kiss and would like more of them, but they weren’t even engaged. It was nice to know that Anderson respected her enough to apologize, even if she didn’t want him to.
“It’s alright,” she said smoothing her skirts as he stepped back out of the alley leading her with him.
“Miss Perkins, I do believe I have true feelings for you,” Anderson admitted stepping back up on the boardwalk. “I hope you might have some feeling for me as well.” Anderson knew he was rushing things but he couldn’t help himself. Now that he knew how he felt about Primrose, he wanted her to agree to marry him and move into his big house where he could spoil her with the best of everything.
Prim lifted her head looking at Anderson as he avoided her eyes. It was obvious that this man of wealth and privilege didn’t think he had the right to care for her. It was strange, and oddly empowering to think that she, a simple girl from Tennessee had made him feel this way. She was the one unworthy of his affection, but the fact that he felt the same with her gave her a confidence she had never felt before.