by Jenna Brandt
“What are your plans for today, ladies?” Charlie inquired.
“I have a book I would like to finish, and then perhaps go for a ride,” Abigail replied.
“Neither of those activities are very ladylike,” Ada stated with a disapproving look. “You'd do better to prepare for your upcoming wedding.”
“My wedding?” Abigail squeaked out as her hand shook, causing her teacup to come clattering down on the saucer. What on earth was her sister-in-law prattling about? Had the summer heat gotten to her and caused her to not be thinking right?
“Ada, I didn’t discuss the matter with Abigail yet,” Bradford admonished with a steely gaze directed at the young woman. “But I suppose now is as good a time as any.” Turning his attention to his daughter, he continued, “I've arranged a marriage for you. I knew once you returned home, it would be in your best interest. You're to wed Andy Wilson.”
Abigail’s brows came together in a furrow. “Isn’t he already married?”
Bradford shook his head. “He became widowed this past year and is ready and able to take on a new wife. Since his ranch neighbors ours on the east side, the union will be beneficial.”
“You want me to marry a man I barely know because our lands are next to each other?”
“It'll help expand the family’s reach in the region, not to mention Andy Wilson has the means to take care of you in the fashion you are accustomed.”
Abigail balked at the idea, remembering the rumors about the widowed rancher and his foul temper. “Father, what if we are ill-matched? What if I’m not to his liking, or he isn’t a man with whom I can live?”
“You'll make sure you are to his liking, and you'll learn to live with him.” Bradford gestured to Ada as he added, “Look at your new sister-in-law for example. She left her life in Woody to take on the role as your brother’s wife. She's adjusted admirably to her position here, and you would do well to do the same once you marry Andy Wilson.”
Abigail's father didn’t care two figs about Ada herself. He simply valued that her father’s ranch shared the boundary line on the west side of the Larsen property, expanding his grazing land and influence. It seemed he wanted to use Abigail to gain even more.
“Can we at least court before you make a formal engagement between us?” Abigail negotiated. “Perhaps giving me time to get to know him would be in everyone’s best interest. After all, I—”
Bradford’s fists slammed onto the table as his face flushed with anger. “That’s enough. My word is final, and once we have reached an agreement on the details of the contract and can arrange everything for your wedding, you will marry Andy Wilson. There won't be anything said to the contrary.”
Abigail remained quiet, knowing arguing with her father would prove fruitless. She forced back the tears that threatened to fall and sent up a silent prayer to God. Never would she have thought her return home would spawn an arranged marriage to a treacherous man several years her senior. What was she going to do?
Three
Levi gauged Bradford Larsen as he stood in front of him inside the cattle baron’s large study. The room was ostentatious and spoke volumes about the man who sat behind the massive mahogany desk. Though Mr. Larsen wore rancher clothes from his boots to his vest and shirt, what set his appearance apart were the expensive fabric choices along with each piece being perfectly tailored.
It was an important aspect of Levi’s job as a bounty hunter to gauge what made a person tick. It was clear from the few minutes Levi had spent with the other man, two things caused Bradford Larsen to get out of bed in the morning: power and money. Levi was certain that everything in the man’s life revolved around his need to gain more of both.
“I often leave the hiring of new workers to the senior hand, Billy Dalton, but he has been sick the past three days. It sounds as if you know what you are doing, so I will take a chance on you, Mr. Emerson. Don’t disappoint me.”
“I plan to do my best work for you, Mr. Larsen. I’ll prove my mettle.”
“Are you staying in town?”
Levi nodded. “I’ve a room at the new hotel.”
“They overprice that place,” Mr. Larsen explained with a frown. “The owner is trying to make his money back far quicker than he should, and at the expense of his patrons. Why didn’t you rent a room above the saloon?”
“Saloons weren’t much to my taste before I became a Christian, and now that I am, I downright avoid the places.”
With a shrug, Mr. Larsen stated, “You might as well gather your belongings and bring them over to the bunkhouse. I can have one of the other workers show you around once you get back.”
“Thank You, Mr. Larsen, for givin' me this job.” Levi said, before turning to head out the door.
Abigail had overheard the servants talking about the new cowboy that showed up for an interview with her father. Though Bradford Larsen was a fair boss, the position had a high turnover rate. Men often tried their hand at the job and found they couldn't adjust to the life. Long hours in inclement weather mixed with taxing work, not to mention danger lurking from predators and thieves alike, were more than most men could handle. It took a special breed to survive a cowboy’s life.
As Abigail looked out her window at the man in the duster coat, handkerchief, and boots, he appeared well suited to the task. He carried himself in a manner that showed he was self-assured and confident, and even from a distance, he was ruggedly handsome too.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Abigail turned from the window and picked up a notepad and pen to brainstorm ideas. She needed to focus on figuring out a way to get free from the engagement her father had planned for her. Stoking an interest in a stranger wouldn’t help in that endeavor.
Four
Abigail stood outside her father’s study and braced herself to knock on the mahogany door. Even though it was Sunday, Bradford would be inside reading business documents. The rest of her family was not religious, and therefore didn't attend church. She remembered while growing up that the townsfolk found it peculiar since most Texans spent Sunday mornings in a church pew.
Bradford Larsen was not bashful about letting everyone know he viewed religion as nonsense and a waste of time. Even when it closed the door on business deals and negotiations, her father refused to attend church to keep up appearances. He often told Abigail and Charlie he considered God a crutch that weak people used, and he wanted to teach them to make it on their own merit.
Her father’s attitude towards God was why she hesitated outside the door. She dreaded telling him that she planned to go to church this morning. While at finishing school, Abigail not only attended secret women suffrage meetings, but she also went with the other girls to church on Sundays. She often wondered which change her father would hate more.
Abigail took in a deep breath to steady herself and sent up a silent prayer for help before raising her hand to knock.
“Come in,” a voice rumbled from the other room.
She opened the door and reluctantly stepped inside the study. Why did she feel like she was marching to her own execution as she approached his desk?
As he lifted his eyes to meet hers, she was grateful he was in a pleasant mood; well, as pleasant a mood as Bradford Larsen ever presented. He was a stoic man by nature and she rarely remembered him smiling or laughing.
“Good morning, Father.”
“Good morning, Abigail. What has brought you here this morning?”
“I wanted to ask permission to go into town. I was hoping to attend church.”
Slowly, Bradford lowered the papers to the desk as his eyes narrowed. “I’ve noticed a change in you since you have returned home. I couldn’t put my finger on it before, but now it’s clear, you’ve become weak. I assumed by sending you to finishing school it would be the opposite, but you've picked up some bad habits while away.”
“Father, it would do me good to catch up with a few old friends. All of them will be at church.”
Her father appeared to be
contemplating the idea, then a sly smile crossed his face. “I will send word to Andy Wilson you will be at church. It would be advantageous for him to see how fetching you have become while we are still negotiating the marriage contract.”
She disliked being sent into town like a prize on display, but if it meant she could go to church, she would push the distasteful feelings aside. “Thank you, Father, for agreeing. I will go finish getting ready so I won’t be late.”
As she headed towards the exit, Bradford ordered, “Put on your best dress to make a lasting impression.”
Over her shoulder, Abigail replied, “Yes, Father,” before slipping out the door.
As Abigail walked through the doors of the Rockwood Springs Church, a sense of peace washed over her. She recognized several people from around town including Rebecca Bolton and Judy Lambert.
Both women's eyes grew round, first with surprise, then happiness as they saw Abigail enter. They hurried towards her and gathered around with excitement.
“Welcome home, Abigail,” Rebecca said with a warm smile that made her blue eyes sparkle.
“We’re so glad you’re finally back,” the willowy, brown-haired Judy stated with an ear-to-ear grin.
“I’m grateful to be back,” Abigail greeted in return. “Although I learned a lot at finishing school—most importantly that I wanted a relationship with God—there’s nothing like being back home in Rockwood Springs.” Glancing around, she inquired, “I've heard there's been many changes since I left. Care to fill me in?”
“The town has grown with the additions of a post office, jail, and hotel,” Rebecca informed Abigail. “I’m married to Jake Bolton now, the deputy sheriff assigned to work this area.”
“How did you meet?” Abigail inquired with curiosity.
“While Jake headed to Woody for a case, his horse was injured during a storm, and he stopped by the livery to obtain a new one while his mended. There were no horses available, so he had to stay in town over the weekend. It was during the town’s anniversary celebration.”
“And let me guess, you both spent time together, and you realized there was something there?”
“It was a little more complicated than that,” Rebecca answered with a shrug, causing her blonde curls to bounce as she moved, “but that’s the bulk of it.”
“Don’t let her fool you, Abigail, about what happened,” Judy corrected. “Jake saved both our lives and rescued Rebecca from the infamous Grimes brothers when they tried to rob the general store.”
“Oh, my,” Abigail reacted with shock. “You were both lucky he was there.”
“You shouldn’t forget to mention that your own fiancé, Paul Breecher, helped in stopping those men,” Rebecca pointed out. “He’s just as much a hero as Jake.”
“It’s funny how you perceive someone in a certain way, but in an instant, your view of them can change. Until that day, I never saw Paul as more than the general store owner. But after he stood up to those outlaws and protected us, I knew he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
“That is so romantic,” Abigail sighed. “I wish I could marry someone like that.”
“You will,” Rebecca assured her. “God will bring the right man into your life soon enough.”
Tears pillowed at the corner of Abigail’s eyes as she shook her head. “That won't be the case.”
Both women reached out and placed their hands on Abigail’s back in support.
“Whatever is the matter?” Judy inquired.
“My father informed me the reason he brought me home was because he's arranging my marriage.”
“Well, maybe it’s not as bad as you believe—” Rebecca started, but before she finished her words, Andy Wilson, a tall, brawny man with brown hair and grey eyes appeared by their sides.
“Good morning, ladies. You're looking lovely this morning,” Mr. Wilson greeted with a far-too-familiar tone. “Especially you, Abigail Larsen.”
All three women went rigid as they turned their attention to the unwanted interloper. Thick tension replaced the merriment from a few moments earlier.
“What do you want, Mr. Wilson,” Rebecca inquired with an irritated voice.
“Abigail’s father sent word that she would be in attendance at church today. I thought it might prove worth it to make my way into town—” Giving Abigail a lecherous stare, he added, “so we could get reacquainted.”
“What do you mean her father sent word to you?” Judy asked with confusion. “Why would he do that?”
“Because we are working out the details for a marriage contract between Abigail and myself.”
Both of the other women gasped as a mixture of shock and disgust crossed their faces. Abigail’s eyes dropped to the floor in mortification.
She wanted to be the one to tell her friends; not have the news come out in such a way. Judy and Rebecca had always looked up to her while they were growing up. Being a couple of years older, Abigail had been tasked to help them with their studies while they all attended school. Out of a simple assignment from their teacher, a true friendship developed between the girls.
“I was hoping we could step outside to have a few minutes alone,” Andy Wilson stated, as he grabbed Abigail by the arm and ushered her towards the exit.
Rebecca reached out and pulled Abigail back in the opposite direction. “Service is about to start. Miss Larsen won’t want to miss the beginning.”
Mr. Wilson narrowed his eyes into hateful slits as he spat out, “You should stay out of this, Mrs. Bolton. You forwent the right to comment on my doings when you married that outsider, Jake Bolton.”
“Did I overhear my name?” a deep voice thundered from the double church doors behind the group.
Abigail felt Andy Wilson become rigid as a look of what appeared to be fear crossed his face.
A handsome dark-haired man came to stand next to Rebecca. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Sorry I’m late, but I had to check on the men who got drunk at the saloon last evening and had to spend the night in the jail. I released them before heading over for service.” Jake turned his attention to Mr. Wilson, giving him a withering stare. “It doesn’t seem like my wife’s friend much cares for your company, Mr. Wilson. You should let her go and move on.”
“Stay out of my affairs, Bolton. This is none of your concern.”
“Deputy Bolton, I might remind you, Mr. Wilson. Guarding the welfare of all Rockwood Springs’ citizens is my job which means you should do what I say before it becomes a problem.”
Slowly, Andy Wilson released his grip on Abigail, but not before he whispered against her ear, “You better hope I don’t tell your father about this, or let it change my mind about taking you as my wife. The only person who has a far worse temper than me is Bradford Larsen.” Then as he moved towards the door, he added loud enough for everyone else to hear, “I’ll be seeing you soon, Miss Larsen. I’m due out at your ranch to complete the marriage contract between us. Until then, enjoy your freedom while you have it.”
Once he left the church, Judy turned to Abigail and inquired, “How are you doing?”
Abigail nodded. “I’m fine.” At least, she was physically, but if Andy Wilson told her father like he threatened, she would receive the blunt end of her father’s wrath.
“What a horrible man. I can’t fathom why your father would want you to marry him,” Rebecca stated with contempt. “Is he aware of Mr. Wilson's reputation?”
Abigail nodded. “Everyone knows that Andy Wilson has a vile temper.”
With a shake of her head, Rebecca corrected, “No, not about that. I can’t understand why your father would dismiss the rumors about what happened to his first wife.”
“What are you talking about?” Abigail inquired, her eyebrows coming together in confusion.
“Accusations have surfaced that Andy mistreated his first wife…” Judy started, then taking a breath, concluded, “… and it’s possible he might even have been responsible for her death.�
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The room swirled and Abigail’s stomach knotted in apprehension. Was her father so ambitious that he would trade her safety to acquire more power? Her heart sunk to the floor as she realized the truth. Power was the only true god Bradford Larsen believed in. He would do whatever it took to gain as much of it as he could, no matter the cost.
Five
“What do you make of Bradford Larsen? People say he can be a real tough one.” Clyde inquired in a low voice as he pushed a beer across the bar towards Levi. The senior bounty hunter had secured a job as a barkeep at the Long Reach Saloon in Rockwood Springs. The man who peddled the local liquor was in a prime position to hear all the most helpful information that floated from patrons’ lips when inebriated.
Clyde glanced from the drink to Levi and shook his head with irritation, making it clear he was displeased that Levi wasn’t drinking the beer. It didn’t matter that Levi had given up alcohol after he accepted Jesus as his Savior, Clyde was of the mindset that beer was akin to water.
Levi let the drink sit in front of him untouched as he replied, “Bradford Larsen’s the sort of man that handles his own business. I don’t think he would take kindly to us lookin’ for a traitor at his ranch. We need to be extra vigilant ‘round here to not draw attention to what we’re doin’. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had eyes and ears everywhere.”
Clyde scanned side-to-side before nodding in agreement. “Most of the men that come in to the saloon work for Bradford Larsen or are connected to him. The three largest properties in the area are the Larsen, Wilson, and Lambert Ranches. They all have ties to Larsen though.”
With a confused furrow of his brows, Levi observed, “You say that like the men from the other ranches report to Bradford Larsen rather than their own bosses.”
“In due time, they might. One of the workers from the Wilson Ranch mentioned a marriage between Larsen’s daughter and Andy Wilson is being negotiated. If that goes through, Bradford’s power will triple after the influence already gained from his son’s marriage last year. He'll be the most powerful cattle baron in all of Taylor County.”