Deserted in Dodge (Yours Truly: The Lovelorn Book 7)

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  “Howie, what are you doing?”

  The deputy stared at him and put the flowers behind his back. “Nothing. You in town again?”

  “Yes, it’s spring, and the vegetables are growing fast.”

  Howie grinned. “The cattle must be too. Tom is in town again, and it’s not even the weekend.”

  “Did you and Kyle set up the dance?”

  “Sure did. It’s this Saturday. I was going to send word to you and Tom.”

  Harrison grinned but growled inside. Figures. They wouldn’t tell him or Tom in time to get a new shirt for the dance. Or even clean up properly. “I better pick up some flowers. Where’d you find those?”

  Howie blushed. “Mrs. Shaker’s garden. I would have asked her, but she wasn’t home. Think she’ll notice?”

  “By the look of the bundle, she’ll notice all right. I expect you’ll get a visit from her asking you to find the kids that stole her flowers. You know how fussy that woman can be.”

  Howie frowned. “I think you’re right. Look what wanting a woman has done to me. I’m an outlaw now.”

  Harrison laughed. “I don’t think it’s a hanging offense. You might as well take them and give them to the lady of your choice. By the way, who is that?”

  Howie looked embarrassed. “Right now, I’m kind of taken by Sally Mae.”

  Good. Harrison was relieved that he wasn’t interested in Emma. “I bet she’ll like the flowers.”

  The men walked together a few feet until Harrison remembered the wagon. He ran back and led Peaches and Cream to the boarding house. Already, Howie was on the porch talking to Mora, but he kept the flowers behind his back until Mora shut the door. With a shrug, Howie left and walked down the porch steps.

  Harrison stopped him. “What did she say?”

  “The women are out somewhere. She wouldn’t tell me where.”

  Harrison’s heart dropped. He wanted to see Emma again. Now, he wouldn’t. “Well, I can sell Mora my vegetables. She likes me. Maybe she’ll tell me where they are.” He walked up the steps and soon carried in the box of vegetables for Mora.

  She was quite delighted.

  Seeing he had her confidence, Harrison asked, “Where is Emma?”

  Mora studied him for a minute. “The women all went out for a picnic today. It’s such a lovely day.”

  “I see.” He tried to hide his disappointment.

  Mora must have noticed. “You know, Mr. Gordon, you might find them at Dutch Field.”

  He grinned. “Thank you.” Harrison couldn’t leave Mora fast enough and went outside.

  Howie was leaning against the wagon picking at one of the flowers. “Did she tell you where they were?”

  “Yes, she did. She said Dutch Field.”

  “Let’s go surprise them.”

  Harrison nodded. “Might as well, I came out all this way.”

  ***

  Emma placed the blanket on the grass. “This was such a good idea. I thought today, we could figure out how to chase down our men. I know Sally Mae is interested in Howie, so I am crossing him off the list.”

  Miss S looked at Sally Mae. “Is that so? I kind of liked him, but I won’t hurt our friendship, and I’ll leave him alone.”

  Jenny, who amazingly didn’t laugh, looked troubled. “There are only four men on the list and four of us. What if we pick the same ones?”

  Emma nodded. “I thought of that. We will just have to make sure that we don’t.”

  Sally Mae grinned. “Thank you for giving me Howie.”

  Miss S shook her head. “You’re going to have to pursue the man yourself.”

  Jenny frowned. “What if he wants someone else?”

  Emma sighed. “Well, there are four of us and four of them. Somehow, it could work out. We need to make a pact that we will all stick together and not fight amongst ourselves.” She held out her hand.

  Slowly, Sally Mae put her hand on top of Emma’s.

  Miss S and Jenny followed.

  Emma looked at the women. “Friends to the end.”

  They all repeated the words.

  “There, now we’ll not let this endeavor ruin our friendship.” Emma pulled out her list. “So, Sally Mae wants Howie.” She looked around. “Does anyone else have a preference?”

  Miss S raised her hand. “I’d like Harrison.”

  Jenny laughed. “I’ll pick Tom.”

  Emma nodded, feeling a bit let down as Harrison would have been her choice, but then she didn’t know any of them that well either. “That leaves Kyle for me.” We all have our targets. I suggest that we pursue our man for at least a week, and then we’ll meet and compare notes. It could be that one or more of us might want to change men.”

  Sally Mae raised her hand. “But The Lovelorn said to go after them until we catch them.”

  Emma nodded. “My granny had a saying. ‘Sometimes the wanting is better than the having.’ So, if you find that you aren’t that happy with the one you are chasing, don’t feel bad, and we’ll see if anyone wants to change. Or we can find you another man. Just because we only have four on the list doesn’t mean there won’t be more men for us to chase.”

  Miss S nodded. “Very well, I’m ready to go after mine. I think I’ll ride out to his farm today and chase him around the cabbage.”

  Emma stared at the usually dignified, if not loud woman. “Miss S, that surprises me, but it is a good idea.”

  Sally Mae stood. “Someone’s coming.”

  Emma turned and saw a wagon coming toward them, but they were driving away from the sun, and their faces were in shadow, leaving her to wonder who they could be and why.

  Chapter 6

  Harrison saw the women on the blanket close to Dutch Creek. It was such an idyllic day, and his heart beat fast at the idea of meeting with Emma.

  Howie nudged him in the ribs. “Four of them. All from Mora’s boarding house. I’m going after Sally Mae.”

  Harrison nodded. “I like Emma, but I’m not sure yet. Are you that sure about Sally Mae?”

  “Well, I thought I was. But really, they’re all kind of pretty in their own way. Like a field of wildflowers.”

  Harrison pointed to the bouquet. “Or garden flowers. Nice thought, though. Who are you going to give your flowers to?”

  Howie stared at him. “Oh, I hadn’t thought about having to choose when they were all together. But I did pick them for Sally Mae. I’ll give them to her.”

  “Good choice. Wish, I’d picked some.”

  The men stepped down from the wagon and walked to the blanket. Harrison smiled. “It’s a wonderful day for a picnic. We thought we’d come down and go fishing, didn’t we Howie?”

  Howie stared at him. “Yes, we did.” He stood there with the flowers in front of him.

  Sally Mae jumped up, went to him, and took the flowers. “These are beautiful.” She smelled them and then frowned. “These look an awful lot like the flowers in Mrs. Shaker’s garden.”

  Howie blushed red. “Well, I picked them for you. No sense in letting the flowers go to waste.”

  Sally Mae shoved them back at him. “I don’t think it’s right to take stolen property.”

  Miss S stood and surveyed the men. “Where are your poles?”

  “Our what?” Harrison looked around, feeling totally embarrassed.

  “Your fishing poles.”

  Thinking quickly, Harrison looked at Howie. “Did you put them in the wagon?”

  Slowly, Howie caught on. “I thought you did.”

  With a slow grin, Harrison shook his head. “I guess we forgot them. It’s such a nice day, we can just sit by the creek and watch the fish. Find the places they like, so when we come back with our poles, we know where to cast our bait.”

  Emma laughed. She’d never heard anything so lame, and the two of them looked as if they’d been caught stealing cookies. Well, right now, neither of them was the man she was to pursue.

  Emma nudged Miss S. “Go get your man.”

  Stiffly, the t
all woman walked to Harrison. “It’s a lovely day. Would you mind escorting me for a short walk?”

  Harrison nodded. He sent a look to Emma, but she didn’t seem interested. Well, Miss Salisbury wasn’t bad to look at even if she was almost the same height as he was. He offered her his arm, and together they walked to the creek.

  In Dodge City, the creeks usually dried up in the summer, but during the spring, they were full, and the trees and grass plentiful. Some flower was putting off a fragrant aroma that had Harrison’s head spinning with thoughts of love.

  Miss Salisbury was quiet and quite rigid.

  Harrison looked at her. “What is your name? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you called anything but Miss Salisbury.”

  The woman looked away. “I don’t like my name. I don’t share it.”

  “I can understand. Harrison is a mouthful. Once, someone called me Harry, but I liked that even less.” He smiled at her hoping to encourage her to reveal the name she was hiding.

  “Well, I never liked my name, so I’ve not told a soul what it is.”

  “It can’t be that bad.”

  She nodded. “It is. If you would like, you can call me Miss S. That’s what I have the girls in the boarding house call me.”

  “That sounds so formal.” He stared at the woman. That she wasn’t used to social occasions, he could see. Still, she was nice. He’d heard stories about her and how she gave food to families having a rough time, and occasionally, she helped the doc with her nursing skills.

  Harrison pointed at a large boulder. “Want to sit by the creek?”

  She nodded. “Yes, it is lovely.”

  He watched her. Her brown eyes were gentle, much like that of a deer. The woman was tall and rather awkward. He wondered if she’d been made fun of as a child. Kids could be cruel and make fun of just about anything about a person. In fact, he knew adults that did the same. Like chickens, they pecked at others to make themselves seem important.

  “You have lovely eyes. Sweet and gentle like a deer.”

  The woman stared at the water. “Thank you. I know it’s hard to find things about me to like. All my life, people made fun of how tall I was. And my name. When I was old enough, I left the small town I was from for that very reason. I’ve never told another my name.”

  Harrison felt for her. He looked at her and then looked around. A small flower near his foot caught his eye. Bright pink, but small. He picked it and handed it to her. “A pretty flower for a pretty woman.”

  Miss S took it from him. “Thank you. But I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. It is a pretty little flower.”

  Harrison smiled. “It reminds me of you. Beautiful but hiding away from the others. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not worthy or beautiful.” He wanted to stroke her hand but saw that she was as skittish as a newborn filly.

  Miss S blushed and held the flower to her.

  Harrison took it from her and put it in her hair by her ear. “There. Two beauties.”

  Uncomfortable, she looked down. “I think we should go. I don’t want my friends to worry.”

  Harrison nodded. Even though the other women were just up the hill. He stood and held his hand out for her.

  Gingerly, Miss S took hold of his hand, stood, and then quickly released it. “I don’t want them to worry.”

  He wondered why they would worry and then wondered what they thought about him. Surely, they didn’t think that he’d do anything untoward. Well, no telling what a flock of women might think when they were all together.

  “Let’s go back.” He had just topped the hill when he saw disaster about to befall the women.

  He held Miss S back. “Go to my wagon and be quiet.”

  She was about to argue when he pointed. She paled and did as he said.

  Harrison walked slowly, almost crouching to the ladies. “Emma, let me help you up.” He caught Howie’s attention and pointed to the tree.

  The man leaped into action and scrambled to get to the other two women. Quickly, he grabbed Sally Mae and Jenny and ushered them back to the wagon.

  Harrison took Emma’s hand and pulled her to him. His footing slipped at her sudden rise, and he tumbled backward, taking her down with him as they rolled to the bottom of the hill.

  “Are you all right?” Breathless, he struggled to sit and move her from atop of him.

  “Ah, oh, what—”

  “He pointed to the hill and the tree above where they’d been sitting. A swarm of bees had flown to the top of the tree and were beginning to stir.

  “Oh, my. Bees. I can’t believe I didn’t hear them.”

  “The creek is running over the rocks. I didn’t hear them when we came up to you. Could be they just flew in. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  She brushed grass from her skirt. “No, I’m fine.” She laughed. “I have to say, I’ve never rolled down a hill before.”

  He laughed. “It was kind of fun.” He had to admit, having her in his arms had felt good. She was lively compared to Miss S. Her hair was almost blond, and her eyes were a bright blue. While not the prettiest woman he’d ever seen, Emma was nice to look at.

  She stood and started to walk but limped and sat down. “I must have twisted my ankle.”

  “Let me see.”

  He started to check her foot, but she grabbed the hem of her skirt and held it down, pushing his hand away.

  “I’ll be fine. Just let me hold onto your shoulder.” She struggled to her feet and held onto him.

  They’d taken maybe three steps when she fell against him. Harrison picked her up and carried her up the hill to the wagon. “I think you better rest your foot. Maybe have Doc Morgan look at it.”

  Blushing, she nodded.

  He set her in the wagon, and Miss S went to sit beside Emma.

  Harrison looked around and saw Sally Mae with Howie. They had edged near the swarm and were looking up.

  “Get away from the bees. We better leave.” Harrison got in the wagon and made sure the other three ladies were seated.

  Suddenly, Sally Mae yelled. Howie grabbed her and ran for the wagon, waving for him to turn the horses.

  Harrison saw the swarm had been agitated, and some bees were coming after them. He put a whip to the horses and hoped Sally Mae and Howie could catch up. A jolt in the back of the wagon told him they were in, and they took off toward town.

  After reaching the road, he slowed the horses and then stopped. “Is everyone all right?”

  Howie nodded. “Sally Mae got stung on the elbow. I got one on my head. We got out of there just in time.”

  Harrison looked at Emma. “I’ll drop the others off and take you to the doctor’s office.” He didn’t wait for an answer but drove the horses into town and stopped by the boarding house.

  Howie helped the women down and then walked with Sally Mae to the porch.

  Harrison made sure Emma was comfortable and drove her to Doc Morgan’s office. He helped her from the wagon and into the office. “I hope you’re not in too much pain.”

  She looked at him. Smiling. “No, not at all.”

  Harrison lost himself in her blue eyes.

  Chapter 7

  By the time Emma went back to the boarding house, the sun was setting. She had to admit Harrison was the man she wanted to pursue. This was, after all, her letter from The Lovelorn, and her advice. She’d shared it with the other women, but that didn’t mean she had to share the man she wanted.

  Still, as she limped into the boarding house, she felt as guilty as the deputy had looked with Mrs. Shaker’s flowers.

  Miss S stared at her. “You were with the one I picked.”

  “It was a mistake. He grabbed me, I knocked him down, and we rolled down the hill.” She laughed. “It must have looked a sight.”

  Sally Mae grinned. “It was a sight. And Howie told us something that you don’t know. There’s going to be a dance Saturday at the livery barn, and we’re all invited.”

  “That will be fun.” Then Em
ma tried to walk and nearly fell. “Oh, dear. I won’t be able to dance at all. Doc Morgan said I was to rest my ankle for a week.”

  Miss S helped her sit on the divan. “You can still come and sit and visit. Maybe Kyle will be there.”

  With a sigh, Emma nodded. “Yes, I suppose so.” How was she going to tell Miss S that she wanted Harrison? Even with as little as Emma knew about men, she believed he was taken with her, too.

  As Miss S helped her to the divan, she whispered, “Remember, Harrison is mine.”

  Emma could only nod. It wasn’t like they were picking puppies. Well, she’d give Kyle a try at the dance. It wasn’t like she knew Harrison any better than she knew the blacksmith.

  Sally Mae came to her. “My dress is finished. I love it and can’t wait to wear it tomorrow.”

  Emma stared at her. “Tomorrow? I thought the dance was Saturday.”

  “Tomorrow is Saturday.” Sally Mae laughed. “You must have your head in the clouds.”

  Emma nodded. The truth was, she did. And all because of Harrison and that roll down the hill.

  Miss S smiled. “I can’t wait to see Harrison again.”

  Jenny came into the room. “For women who are supposed to be pursuing, it doesn’t look like we are doing a very good job.”

  Sally Mae grinned. “You’re right. I think I’ll go chase me down a deputy.” She looked at Emma. “Can you walk? You could go after Kyle. You other two ladies are after men who don’t live in town. That won’t be as easy. Good thing we’re having the dance.”

  Miss S nodded. “Yes, it is.”

  “Come on, Emma. You can use the crutch Doc Morgan sent for you.”

  Not to disappoint Sally Mae, Emma stood and tested walking with the crutch. I guess I can hobble to the blacksmith shop.”

  “I’ll walk with you. It’s close to the jail.” Sally Mae put a hand to her mouth. “I have never been to jail before. It will be exciting.”

  Miss S shook her head. “For goodness sake, Sally Mae. You don’t have to get arrested.”