by Danni Roan
Beth cast a look over her shoulder as the older woman rushed her from the room, still wondering if she had heard correctly when Mrs. Hampton called her kind helper ‘preacher’.
“You poor thing,” the woman said as she pushed open a door dragging Beth with her, “whatever happened to your face?”
Beth felt her cheeks flame again as she stumbled into the simple room forcing her mind back to her situation and her hostess.
“I was being too curious,” Beth stammered. “I put my head out of the stage coach at precisely the wrong moment,” she shrugged.
Olive Hampton shook her head but smiled brightly. “I can’t say as I blame you,” she half laughed. “We’ll fetch you some hot water, and you can wash up and have a rest, “I should have guessed you’d turn up on a miserable day like this.”
Beth smiled, feeling the mud on her face crack and flake off. If nothing else her arrival in Needful was rather exciting.
“I’m Olive Hampton,” the older woman finally said. “I’m the one you and your mother were writing to, I’m very sorry to hear of her passing.”
“Thank you,” Beth replied, forcing thoughts of her mother away. “I’m pleased to finally meet you,” Beth said turning to look at herself in a tiny mirror on the wall and gasping in horror at the dark smattering across forehead, nose and cheeks.
“Don’t you worry about the mud,” Olive was saying. “One of my boys will bring you your trunk and then when you’re ready you come on down, and we’ll introduce you to the family. You take as long as you need,” she added kindly.
Beth sighed with relief. She would love nothing more than a good wash and a change of clothes. “Are you sure I can’t help with dinner?” Beth asked.
“No, no,” Olive said, not meeting her eyes. “I’m afraid since we made arrangements things have changed a bit here, and I have enough help at the Hampton House.”
Beth blinked letting the woman’s words sink in. “Does that mean you need me to marry right away?” she asked fear gripping her stomach in an icy hold as she clenched her hands into fists.
“No, no,” Olive hurried to assure stepping up and taking Beth’s hands. “You can stay here as long as you like, and when you’re ready, we’ll find the perfect match for you. Don’t you worry your pretty little head with that.”
Beth didn’t know if she should be happy or concerned at the woman’s words. Hadn’t Mrs. Hampton found a match for her? The letters they had exchanged had assured her that the town of Needful was booming and that there were dozens of men looking for a bride. Surely she must have someone in mind.
“I told you when you wrote last that there was no rush, but no lack of willing men as well,” Olive said wringing her hands. “You just clean up and have a rest then we’ll sort this whole thing out.”
Beth nodded. She was tired and still covered in mud. She would love nothing better than to lay down in the simple looking bed until the world stopped jiggling.
“Ma?” a man’s voice echoed through the door and Beth jumped slightly. “I’ve got that girl’s trunk.”
“Bring it in,” Olive called hurrying passed Beth to open the door and allow a young man with dark hair to carry her trunk inside.
“Ma’am,” he offered with a polite nod.
“Beth this is my son Jubal,” Olive spoke patting the young man’s arm. “He and his brothers arrived this winter with their families, and they’re helping out around here and at the saw mill. You’ll meet them all later,” she added shooing her son back out the door. “Now you have a rest and don’t come down stairs until you’re ready,” she finished, snapping the door closed behind her.
***
Beth collapsed into the rope and feather tick bed with a sigh, closing her eyes and trying to still the feeling of movement that engulfed her. The trek from New York had been long and tedious, but somewhere deep within, a well of excitement bubbled making her anxious to hurry down stairs and meet the people she hoped soon to call friends.
For a moment she wondered what her mother would have thought of her situation. She had arrived in the town they had talked about so often as her mother’s health had failed. Although Beth’s mother had been a homebody, content to keep her home in order as she waited for her wayward husband to return, she had a spark of adventure in her heart that only Beth had ever seen.
“Well Mama,” Beth said opening her eyes and studying the ceiling, “I’m here now, so I guess I might as well get started.”
A soft knock on the door made Beth stir hurrying to open it as a petite black haired woman stepped in with a bucket of hot water in her hands. “You wash,” the other woman said her dark eyes hard and her accent sharp. “Olive will see you later,” she finished turning and walking back out the door in a swish of black skirts and clattering heels.
Chapter 4
Brandon looked up and smiled when the pretty young woman from the stage coach walked into the dining room, gazing around curiously.
She had washed her face and changed out of her travel clothes, only enhancing her fresh attractiveness. As she stepped into the dining room, the sound of men standing to their feet surprised the preacher, and he watched while each man turned toward the newcomer.
Brandon scowled, wondering what the commotion was about as the girl crept further into the eatery blinking at the patrons who all stared at her in return.
“Sit with me,” a man in a mud stained shirt called pointing at his table.
“No you come sit here darlin’,” a tattered cowboy called trying to polish a boot on a muddy pant leg.
“I got room at my table,” a sawdust covered fellow called as invitations bounced about the room making the young woman gape.
“Gentleman,” Brandon said standing to his feet, his deep resonant voice rolling over them all in a practiced tone. “I believe that you should sit down to your meals before they grow cold and give Miss,” he paused realizing he had forgotten the woman’s name.
“Beechen,” Beth said as he pulled a chair out for her. If he truly were a preacher, she figured he would count as an appropriate dinner partner, and hurried to take the seat as a black haired beauty walked into the room, a tray covered in plates on one arm. “Are you really a preacher?” Beth asked feeling the eyes of the other men follow her to his table.
“I am,” Brandon grinned, holding a chair for her. “Don’t I fit the bill?”
Beth smiled, feeling more at ease in his company as the server arrived, a placid expression on her classically beautiful face.
“You must be Beth,” the tall woman with raven wing hair and blue eyes said. “I’m Olive’s daughter-in-law Arabella. What can I get you?”
“Whatever the preacher is having looks good,” Beth said practically. She was hungry and at the moment didn’t care what she ate. She just needed to get things sorted out in her mind, and with all the activity and attention of a moment ago, she desperately wanted something else to hold her attention.
“Back in a jiffy,” the woman called Arabella said, a thin smile gracing her bright red lips, as she turned, gliding away.
“Good call Miss Beechen,” Brandon said. “I’m not sure who’s cooking today, but you can’t go wrong here at the Hampton House.”
Beth smiled, studying the man with the mop of brown curls and kindly dark eyes. “That’s good to know,” she offered looking around to see that the men at the other tables were still gazing at her.
“Why are all of these men looking at us?” she asked leaning forward slightly and softening her words.
“You’re new,” Brandon said. “I’d say they are curious.”
Beth gazed around her, offering a slight smile, then turned back to the preacher.
“Have you been in Needful long?” she asked, wondering about the small town. She knew from Mrs. Hampton’s letters that the town boasted several ranches, a sawmill and a handful of prosperous mines.
“You could say I’m one of the newer members of Needful,” the preacher agreed. “I only arrived thi
s fall in time to conduct a wedding or two.”
Beth smiled, wondering why the news tickled her. “And is there a Mrs. Preacher?” she asked, grinning when he laughed.
“No, there is no Mrs. Tippert,” Brandon grinned. “I’ve only been in town long enough to get a church built and chivy a few people into the congregation. Needful is still growing and there are more cowboys, miners, and sawyers about than families.”
Outside a cowboy let out a whoop as his horse galloped through the mud and Beth jumped only to feel Mr. Tippert grasp her hand in reassurance.
“Don’t worry, that happens all the time, you’ll get used to it,” he said his voice soothing. “I’m afraid we still have some growing pains to get through,” he added releasing her hand.
“I think I have a great deal to adjust to,” Beth agreed. “I’m from New York, and though my hometown was small, it was well established.”
“We’re working on Needful,” Brandon nodded, lifting his eyes toward a dark man who had just stepped through the door with a lovely blonde woman on his arm and trailed by a boy of about six.
“You have a Sheriff?” Beth breathed, following his eyes and noting the shiny badge on the newcomers vest. She was relieved to know that the western town had some form of law.
“That’s Spencer Gaines, his wife Daliah, and son Chad,” Brandon offered. “He was elected sheriff last year after settling a bit of trouble that was bothering his wife.”
Beth turned green eyes on the man, questioningly wondering what the story was, but content that she would learn more about the couple as the days went by.
“Spencer’s brother Dan is the Mayor of Needful,” the preacher chuckled, “though rather reluctantly, I’d have to say.”
“Needful seems to be a very interesting town,” Beth agreed as Arabella set a plate before her along with a cup of piping hot tea.
Chapter 5
Brandon rose reluctantly when he had finished his dinner, smiling when Olive walked into the dining room looking for her newest ward.
“I’m afraid I have an appointment,” the lean preacher said quietly taking Beth’s hand in his and covering it with his other one. “I made a promise I can’t back out of, but I’ll be leaving you in good hands,” he nodded toward Olive who was bustling their way. “Perhaps I’ll see you in church tomorrow,” the thin dark-haired preacher-man smiled.
“Thank you for letting me share your table,” Beth said turning and bidding the man goodbye even as Olive slipped into his now vacant seat.
“Thank you for keeping Beth, company,” Olive said as Brandon put on his hat and headed out the door. “I’m sorry dear,” the older woman shook her head turning back to the young woman. “I’m afraid this rain has everyone feeling restless, and we’ve been busier than usual. I’m glad Brandon was able to keep you company a bit.”
“You seem to have quite the establishment here,” Beth looked around her noting another handsome cowboy enter the room and join the sheriff and his family at their table. “It has been rather an eventful day though.”
“Well don’t you worry about a thing,” Olive said. “We’re just glad you got here, and I’m sure in no time you’ll be all settled in a home of your own.”
Beth chewed her bottom lip not sure if that was what she wanted or not. “You seem to have plenty of servers,” she said looking up to see two more woman clearing tables.
“Those are my daughters-in-law,” Olive said with a smile. “I’m glad to have them here, but don’t you worry, you can work too until we find the right fella for you.” The old woman’s eyes fell on the dark-haired man who was talking to the sheriff. “That’s Dan Gaines over there,” the older woman nodded. “He’s the town’s mayor and owns the biggest ranch in the area. He’s why Orville and I came here with Daliah in the first place.”
Beth studied the handsome man who was laughing softly with a boy of about six. “He doesn’t have a family of his own?” Beth asked missing the glint in Olive’s eyes.
“No, Dan’s single,” the older woman grinned imagining the dark-haired man escorting the pale blonde about town. “He’s a good man though,” Olive continued. “Big ranch, hard worker, does his best for the town and the people here,” she added.
“I’m glad Needful has people like that then,” Beth sipped her tea, watching as several men stood tipping their hats or smiling at her as they paid their bill and exited the building.
Needful seemed in need of many things, Beth thought, looking at the dirty men and muddy boots, chief among them being a good laundry service.
“Dan’s a very handsome man don’t you think?” Olive asked as one of her three daughters-in-law placed a cup of hot coffee before her.
“Yes, of course,” Beth said wondering where the preacher had to hurry off to. He seemed like an intelligent and cheerful man, and his kindness had done much to put her at ease.
“Why don’t you let me introduce you?” Olive said, picking up her cup and taking Beth’s hand tugging her toward the table where the Gaines family sat. “You can meet our Daliah at the same time,” the older woman added. “She came all the way from Smithfield with us in that first wagon train,” she grinned. “Used to be a boarder with me and Orville,” she nodded. “I sure am glad she came along with us last year on the wagon train. Just look how happy she is now.”
Beth stifled a laugh as she hurried to keep up with the older woman. She was obviously pleased that Daliah had joined them in Needful.
“Daliah and Spence met on the wagon train south,” Olive continued. “That’s his son Chad with them, and he loves Daliah like she was his own mother,” she gushed, stopping to introduce Beth to everyone at the table, watching Dan carefully for any reaction or hint of interest in the newest bride she had brought to Needful. The one thing Olive Hampton was sure of, if nothing else, Daniel Gaines needed a wife.
***
Beth nodded and smiled as she was introduced to the people at the table closest to the kitchen. The men greeted her politely, and Daliah smiled, assuring her that they would be the best of friends. The young woman was quiet and glowed softly with a gentle light of love and contentment, putting Beth at ease immediately.
Chad made the whole table laugh as he greeted Beth telling her she looked like a Viking lady, a people group he had been learning about in his classes at the school that was now meeting in the church building.
It was nice to meet new people and though her heart still ached at the loss of her own family, Beth was sure that she would eventually fit in here at Needful.
Chapter 6
“I’m comin’, I’m comin’!” Olive Hampton called as she hurried to her door at the back of the darkened Hampton House in the dead of night.
Outside she could still hear a drizzling rain tapping at the windows, and she shivered, pulling a night wrap around her before yanking the door open.
“I’m here to claim my bride,” a dark figure slurred thrusting a handful of tattered flowers at Olive.
“Darwin Rivers, you’re drunk,” Olive snapped. “You go on home and let decent people sleep.”
“I ordered a bride,” the dark man shook his head sending a spray of water from the brim of his hat. “I ordered a bride, and you got a new one here. She looks fine to me, so I’ll take her.”
“That is not how this works,” Olive grumbled as Orville stepped up behind her. “That girl just got here, and I need to sort out who she’s best suited for.”
“Darwin, you go on home before I fetch the sheriff,” Orville growled, giving their uninvited guest a hard look. “When Olive has the right girl for you, you’ll be the first to know.”
“But that girl is pretty,” the other man argued. “I don’t mind the way she looks.”
“Looks ain’t everything,” Orville said. “You need a wife that likes ya, and you can get along with,” he grinned. “You don’t want ta be fighting all the time do ya?”
The other man shook his head slowly. “I don’t think I’d like a fightin’ woman,”
he agreed. “But you’ll get me a wife won’t ya Olive?” he asked his pale gray eyes imploring.
“I will Darwin, now you go home and sleep off your drunk,” the old woman offered kindly.
“Maybe I’ll go listen to the preacher play some more of them pretty songs at the saloon,” Darwin said turning and staggering out into the dark rain once more.
“What’d he mean about listening to the preacher play music?” Olive asked turning to look at Orville and closing the door with a snap, “It’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Orville shrugged lifting his hands and indicating he didn’t know anything about it. “I haven’t seen Brandon since after supper.”
Olive shook her head taking her husband’s arm and heading back toward their rooms at the end of the hall. “Well maybe we’ll understand in the morning when we all go to church,”
***
Beth lay perfectly still in her bed in an upper room of the Hampton House. She had been able to hear the drunken man outside, and her heart pounded in dread at the thought of marrying someone like that.
She had come to Needful hoping to find a new home, a place to belong, and above all else, love. Beth didn’t want to be alone in this world, and though she felt welcome in the boardinghouse and eatery, the place was already occupied by a family that wasn’t her own.
“Mama,” she whispered opening her eyes on the surrounding darkness. “If only you could have waited a little longer,” she sighed, tears springing to her eyes. “I don’t want to be alone, but I don’t want to marry a man who would come home drunk either.”
Rolling over, the young woman buried her face in her feather pillow and willed herself back to sleep. If she continued to be useful to Olive, perhaps she could delay a match for as long as possible.
Chapter 7
Olive pushed the pot of stew onto the back burner then shoved a heavy crockery bowl into the oven as her family walked into the dining area along with the few boarders that lived full time at the Hampton House.