by Kit Morgan
But the Almighty had other plans that day, and sent an unlikely hero to save the women trapped in the barn, one who was able to rescue and bring them to safety. It was the Cooke brother’s hope to find the man and thank him for what he'd done.
Colin let out a heavy sigh. “It's going to take a lot of work, brother, but we’ll raise another one.”
Harrison turned and looked at Colin. “A lot of work and a lot of time. Time we don't have if we’re going to guard our stock properly.”
Logan rubbed his chin with one hand in thought. “We could have a barn raising, then you'd have it up in no time.”
Colin leaned forward and looked past Harrison to Logan. “I knew you were our foreman for a reason."
“Perhaps your superior brain can figure out a way to capture the outlaws that did this,” suggested Harrison, his voice stern.
Colin let out another heavy sigh. “The guilty will be brought to justice brother, you'll see.”
“It's been over a week, and still no word from the sheriff,” Harrison said. He looked at Colin. “I say, but if they don't return soon, I'm liable to go out there and hunt them down myself.”
“And leave your wife and child?” Colin slapped him on the back. “I feel the same way brother, but I'll not leave my wife and unborn child here unprotected, and neither will you.”
Harrison nodded solemnly, then balled his hands into fists. “I want them to hang.”
“No one was killed, Harrison,” Logan pointed out. “And I'm afraid setting fire to a barn isn't a hanging offense.”
“Locking innocent women in a tack room then setting the barn on fire should be. It’s still attempted murder, and you know it!” Harrison spun on his heel and headed back to the ranch house to leave Colin and Logan to stare after him.
“I'm afraid Harrison won't rest until those outlaws are captured and brought to justice,” said Colin. He looked at Logan. “And neither will I.” He then turned and followed Harrison to the house. No sooner had he reached it, a sound caught his ear. He turned with one boot clad foot hovered over the first step, as the stage came over the rise and began its descent to the ranch house. “What the devil is Willie doing here?”
Logan joined him at the porch. “I don't know, but it must be important for him to drive the stage all the way out here.”
“Quick, go inside and fetch Harrison.” Colin ordered. Logan did as he asked, taking the steps two at a time, and ran into the house. Before the stage could reach the house, Harrison was on the porch with Colin. “I say, but were you expecting company?” Colin asked.
“Hardly,” said Harrison. “What do you suppose Willie wants?”
“I haven't the foggiest,” said Colin. “But I can't wait to find out. Perhaps he has news of the outlaws.”
“We can only hope,” said Harrison, as the stage pulled up to the house.
Willie brought the stage to a stop in a cloud of swirling dust. “Howdy Colin, Harrison, I got somethin’ for ya!”
Colin and Harrison glanced at each other, then watched Willie climbed down. “Were you expecting a package?” Colin asked Harrison.
“No, were you?”
Colin shook his head, and then looked at Willie. “What's this about?”
Willie grinned. “All I can say is, you've got some mighty persuasive relatives.”
Once again, Colin and Harrison glanced at one another, then the stage. “Good Lord!” said Colin. “It couldn't possibly be…”
“Oh yes it could,” said Harrison.
“But, but…” stammered Colin.
“But what?” snapped a stunning woman in her mid-forties as Willie helped her from the stage.
Colin and Harrison gawked at her. “Who the devil are you?” asked Colin.
“I'd ask the same of you,” she said. “If it weren’t for your eyes and your speech.”
“My eyes?” asked Colin.
“That goes the same for you,” she said as she looked at Harrison.
“Who are you?” Harrison asked, his own eyes narrowed in suspicion.
The woman returned his look as her eyes narrowed even further.
“Cousin Imogene! Is that you?” he asked.
“Good Lord!" Exclaimed Colin. “We didn't expect to see you here!”
“Surprises are one of life's delicacies, don't you think?” she asked.
By this time Willie had helped the rest of the passengers disembark from the stage. Three beautiful young women lined up front of the brothers, and curtsied. “Colin and Harrison,” said Imogene. “May I introduce you to your cousins?”
“Uncle John's daughters?” asked Colin.
“You were expecting someone else?” Imogene quipped.
“Well, no, but…” said Colin. “It’s just that you’ve caught us at the bad time.”
“Bad time?” she asked, one eyebrow arched inquisitively.
Collin said nothing, and pointed to the sad remains of the barn instead.
Imogene turned, as did the others, and gasped. “Good heavens! What happened here?”
“I would think it’s quite obvious,” stated Colin.
“If you're referring to the fact that the pile of rubble before me was once your barn, then yes, it is quite obvious.” she said, her voice terse. “How, is what I want to know.”
Harrison stepped forward. “Ladies, I think we'd better step inside. I'm sure you must be very tired from your journey. I'll have Sadie prepare us some tea.”
“You’ve a maid? Oh how lovely!” said Apphina. “It’s been weeks since we've had tea, let alone have a maid serve it.”
“Apphina!” Imogene snapped. “For heaven sakes girl, remember your manners.”
Harrison gave them all a stern look. “Sadie… is my wife.”
“Do forgive me,” said Apphina, her head down. “But the part about the tea is true. We really haven’t had any for weeks.”
One of the girls stared at Colin and Harrison. “I had no idea our cousins would be so handsome.”
Imogene glared at her. “Felicina, no more speaking out of turn, if you please.”
The two girls gave her a small curtsy, bowed their heads, and stared at the ground without another word.
“That's better,” Imogene said, her voice terse.
Colin and Harrison looked each of them over carefully, each coming to the same conclusion. Amongst the aftermath of the chaos that engulfed their ranch over a week ago, they were now saddled with three more mail-order brides.
* * *
Morelina sat, her hands folded primly in her lap, as she listened along with her sisters to the terrifying tale of the outlaws that attacked the ranch and almost killed Colin and Harrison’s wives, not to mention uncle Leonard's three daughters. She couldn't begin to imagine the horror the women had suffered and knew she’d never get to sleep.
Felicina fidgeted in her chair beside her, and wrung her hands under the table. Morelina kicked her. “Cease your incessant worry. It's bad enough I won't sleep a wink tonight without you not sleeping as well,” she hissed out the corner of her mouth.
“How can anyone sleep after listening to this?” asked her sister. “Good Lord, Lena, our poor cousins were almost killed!” she hissed back.
Lena sat and reveled in the sound of her nickname. It was a well-known fact (in at least three counties) that Morelina, Felicina, and Apphina, had the most abhorring names imaginable, and that they hated them with a passion.
Imogene, on the other hand, insisted they use their given names throughout the entire journey, and the sisters were quite at their wits end as to how to use them as little as possible. Better known as Lena, Fina, and Apple, amongst the gentry and the ton alike, the three had dreaded the news that their long-lost cousin Imogene was to escort them across the sea to their new home in America. Cousin Imogene didn't settle for anything less than perfection… in everything. Including the use of one’s given name.
However, now was not the time to lament about their parent’s eccentrics in naming their child
ren. Nor was it the time for light conversation as they became reacquainted with Colin and Harrison, neither of which they’d seen since childhood.
“Your loss has been great,” said Imogene as she looked at the two couples sitting across the dining room table. Colin and Harrison's wives nodded their agreement. “I'm so terribly sorry you had to endure such a horrible ordeal,” she then added with sincerity.
Belle leaned against Colin and rested her head on his shoulder. “It's over now,” she said. “And unless I have to talk about it, I'd rather not.”
“Understandable, my dear,” said Imogene. “We'll try not to bring it up, will we ladies?” She turned to Lena and her sisters.
Lena looked at Belle, her eyes full of sadness. “We've seen and heard many things while journeying here,” she said. “But what we've heard today is truly a miracle.”
Sadie smiled. “None of us can argue with you about that,” she said. “But I'm afraid I have to agree with Belle. We've been made to talk about it for days, and we both need a rest. Especially Belle.”
Imogene, Lena, and the others looked at Belle with curiosity. Colin smiled. “We’re having a baby,” he said with a half smile.
Lena and her sisters looked at each other, and smiled at him in return. “That's wonderful!” said Apple. “When are you expecting?”
“About January I'd say,” said Belle.
“Leave it to my wife to have our child in the dead of winter,” said Colin playfully.
“Everything will be fine,” said Belle. “You'll see.”
He leaned his head on hers as he reached over and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “I know it will,” he said softly.
Lena watched the tender exchange and felt a pinch of envy. Such displays of affection wouldn’t be tolerated in London, or anywhere in England for that matter. Least of all, among the ton. Maybe not even the gentry. But then she and her sisters had seen quite a few things that would not be tolerated in England. “The Duke told us you have a daughter,” she said to Harrison.
“Indeed we do,” he said. “You may see her later. Honoria is napping right now.”
“We'd love to,” said Lena.
“Was it hard to find a nanny?” asked Fina.
“Nanny?” said Harrison with a laugh. “I'm afraid there are no nannies around here, dear cousin.”
“No nanny?” said Imogene, aghast. “How ever do you manage?”
Sadie laughed. “We manage just fine with the two of us,” she told her. “As do the rest of the women in Clear Creek.”
Imogene’s face paled. “The more I see of this country, the more barbaric it becomes. Even India has nannies." she said stiffly.
“You must remind yourself of that fact daily, eh cousin?” asked Colin.
Imogene’s back stiffened. “You are correct on that score,” she said.
Lena watched as Colin’s eyes flashed with amusement. He was a mischief-maker if ever she saw one, and she had the sudden realization that she might end up married to a man just like him. After all, look what living in this country had done to them! Of course, their brother the duke had lived here for many years, but he seemed so much more refined and civilized, one born to the dukedom. Where as his brothers seem to lack that same refinement. What then, would the man she came to marry be like?
“Oh, Apple,” inquired Harrison.
“You shall address her by her given name,” snapped Imogene. “Apphina will answer to nothing else."
“Oh, yes I will!” blurted Apple.
“Apphina!” admonished Imogene.
“Why can't we use our nicknames here?” asked Fina. “No one knows us and I'd rather they use our nicknames than our given names because we must face facts…”
“Don't say it!” commanded Imogene.
“I'm afraid you'll have to get used to their new sense of freedom, cousin Imogene,” said Harrison. “Around here lots of people go by a nickname. Why shouldn't they?”
“Because their nicknames are not refined, nor are they proper,” huffed Imogene. “Therefore, they will use their given names at all times.”
Harrison winked at the three girls. “Personally, I'm going to stick with their nicknames. It's what I've known them by their entire lives.” He looked at Colin. “What say you, brother?”
“I totally agree,” he said with a huge grin.
“I will not tolerate such disrespect!” snapped Imogene.
Colin tried not to laugh, and failed miserably. “Things are very different here, dear cousin. You'd best get used to it.”
“He's right you know,” added Harrison. “And it's not only nicknames you'll have to get used to. There are lots of things here you’re not familiar with,” he said as his voice trailed off. “Death roams the prairie just like any other predator.”
Imogene stared at him a moment, then looked at Sadie and Belle, knowing full well what he meant. She returned her attention to Harrison and Colin. “I meant no disrespect, dear ones, especially in light of what you've endured.”
“Let us talk no more of it,” said Harrison. “Instead, let us speak of why you’re here.”
Imogene turned in her chair, and looked at Lena, Fina, and Apple. “Yes, let's.”
Two
Lena, Fina, and Apple watched in fascination as Sadie peeled potatoes, cut them into quarters, and threw them into a pot of boiling water atop an enormous cook stove. Sadie was small, no more than Apple's height, a few inches above five feet. But she was fiery and brave, two attributes Lena and her sisters had never afforded anyone, including themselves. “I say, you’re quite good at that,” said Lena.
Sadie looked up from her work. “You'll get just as good at it.”
Lena wasn't sure if her words were a threat or a promise, and hoped for the latter as she turned and studied Belle who was taking a pan of roasted chickens out of the oven. Lena’s mouth began to water, it had been a long time since any of them had eaten, and their brief tea hadn't been enough to tide her over. Sheer hunger drove her to ask the impossible. “Do you need any help with that?”
Belle stood up and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. “You’ve just arrived and I know you're exhausted. I remember how tired Penelope, Constance, and Eloise were on their first day. But don't worry, I'll take you up on your offer tomorrow.”
“Where are our other cousins?” asked Fina. “Why aren’t they here?”
“They’re in Clear Creek at the hotel,” said Sadie. “Their husbands are with the posse, and we didn't have enough room. Jefferson and Edith have been staying in Duncan's old room so that we could take turns watching over him. He’s much better now, so the room is yours.”
“Of course, Aunt Honoria’s husband," said Lena to herself.
“He's now Edith's husband,” said Belle. “And I must inform you that they love each other very much.”
Lena looked at her. “You will have to excuse me,” she said. “It might take us awhile to learn everyone's names and who is with whom.”
“We understand,” said Sadie as she threw more potatoes in the pot. “But Harrison and Colin’s mother has been gone for some time, years in fact. And during those years Jefferson had a hard time of it. We would appreciate if you thought of him and Edith as a whole.”
Apple went the table and sat. “I would like to see Penelope, Constance, and Eloise soon,” she said, changing the subject.
“We can take you to see them tomorrow,” said Belle, as she sat next to her.
“Yes,” agreed Sadie. “I need to go to the mercantile and get a few things. I wasn't expecting you this early. I thought I'd have a few more weeks to prepare for your arrival.”
“What are our husbands like?” asked Fina out of the blue.
Sadie and Belle looked at each of the three women as they stared back at them, waiting for an answer. Sadie spoke first. “I’m afraid your future husbands are out with the posse.”
Apple’s shoulders slumped, then just as quickly, she perked up. ”What are their names?”
Sadie smiled. “You'll find out soon enough. Right now, we need to get supper finished and on the table. You must be half-starved.”
“Starvation is the least of our worries it seems,” muttered Lena. Belle and Sadie didn’t hear her, or surely they would have addressed the remark. She watched as the two women hurried to prepare dinner, and marveled at their efficiency in the kitchen. Lena and her sisters, on the other hand, had never so much as lifted a finger in a kitchen their entire lives. She shuddered at the thought and prayed she’d become as efficient as the two women working in front of her. Having been on the ship for most of their travels, they'd not witnessed the hard work women had to endure in this country. They'd stayed in a boarding house in Oregon City, and then took the stage across Oregon to reach Clear Creek. The stage stops were crude to be sure, but they'd been in their rooms and hadn’t watched meals prepared, only served. Lena looked at her hands and wondered how long it would take for their ruination. Months? Weeks? Days? She returned her attention to Sadie as she stirred the pot of potatoes, and cringed. It would be days to be sure.
“Where is dear Cousin Imogene,” asked Fina, interrupting her thoughts.
“I haven't the foggiest,” said Apple. “Perhaps she's upstairs with the baby?”
“Your cousin Imogene is quite the lady,” said Belle.
“She once bagged a tiger,” Apple informed her with pride.
“A tiger?” Sadie said in surprise.
“From the back of an elephant,” added Fina.
Sadie and Belle glanced at one another, unsure of whether or not to believe their story.
“It's quite true,” said Lena. “Our father told us about it often, even right up before he died.” She looked at her sisters, her face solemn. Unable to help themselves they copied the look. Stillness settled over the kitchen as Sadie and Belle watched the three sisters. It was obvious they missed their father very much. Belle and Sadie took advantage of the brief silence, and studied them.