Rena's Cowboy

by Agnes Alexander

  “Yes, but…”

  “Mrs. Haywood, I know it sounds strange to you, but this is really what I want. I’ve been saving myself for a man like Gideon. He’s the only one who ever told me that he’d marry me just to take me to bed.”

  “Are you saying you’ve never slept with another man?”

  “Yes. I’m a virgin, but I don’t know if I can stay one and keep working in the saloon. I’m new there and the men keep pestering me. I don’t know if I can keep fighting them off and I don’t want to find out.”

  Rena wondered why Belle was staying there. Her curiosity got the better of her and she asked, “Why are you working at the Silver Slipper, Belle?”

  “My daddy was killed two months ago. Mama died two years ago. A month after Daddy died, the bank came and threw me out of the house and took our farm. I tried to find a job. I went to every business in town, but the only person who would give me work was Nolan at the Silver Slipper. Like I said, this was my fourth night.”

  Rena didn’t know what to say. The woman had a hard choice. Work in a saloon or marry a stranger. Finally she said, “But you’re so young and Finn is in his late thirties.”

  “I was eighteen last winter. I think I’m old enough to know what I want.”

  Rena knew that in her century eighteen was still too young to marry, but in this time period, many women married earlier and often to older men. She didn’t know any other argument to use. “Are you sure this is what you want, Belle?”

  “I’m positive, Mrs. Haywood.”

  * * * *

  After the women walked away Jake looked at Finn. “What the hell are you thinking, man?”

  “I’m thinking I’m going to marry that little gal and we’re going to go to bed then we’re going to build us a cabin and move in and have babies and live a long life together.”

  Jake shook his head. “Finn, you’ve known the woman what—a couple of hours?”

  “Didn’t take me but one look at Belle and I knew exactly what I wanted.”

  “But you’ve said you’d never get married.”

  “I hadn’t met Belle then. I changed my mind the minute she walked in front of my eyes.”

  “This is the stupidest things I’ve ever heard.”

  “Why so, Jake?” Finn looked at him and twisted his long mustache. “You took one look at Rena and you knew right then you had to have her.”

  “That was different.”

  “How the hell was it different?”

  Jake was flustered. “I don’t know. It just was.”

  “You think you’re the only man who can fall in love in a minute?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Then don’t give me any more of your lip. We can’t find no preacher ’cause they say there’s not one in town and I don’t want to go all the way back to the ranch to get Abernathy to marry us. The Justice of the Peace lives here and we’re going to get him to hitch us up. I intend to sleep with that little gal tonight.”

  “Finn, she’s a saloon girl. You don’t have to marry her to sleep with her.”

  Finn’s eyes darkened. “If I didn’t know you mean well, I’d bust you one for that, Jake. My Belle is no regular saloon girl. She only gets men to buy drinks. She ain’t been doing that but a few days and I’m going to take her away from all of that.”

  Jake changed his tactic. “All right, Finn. Say you and Belle get married. Where the hell are you going to live? You can’t keep her in the bunkhouse after our help leaves and we only have two bedrooms in the house. Do you plan for your bride to spend her nights in a tent?”

  “Of course not. I’ve figured that out. You know that old line shack on the back of the ranch that we don’t use no more?” Jake nodded and Finn went on. “Well, I plan to fix it up after the roundup. It’ll be a nice little cabin when I’m through and Belle and me will be happy there.”

  Jake looked at Owen who had stood quietly by. “Looks like he’s determined to do this.”

  “Looks like it.” Owen nodded.

  Jake glanced at Rena and kind of shrugged. She smiled and whispered something to Belle then the two women came back to join the men.

  “I can’t talk Finn out of this.” Jake still looked frustrated.

  “Belle is determined to go through with it, too.”

  Finn grinned. “I sure would be pleased if you’d bring Belle to me Jake. We’ll do it just like the way I brought Rena to you.”

  “And you can be my maid of honor, Mrs. Haywood.” Belle’s eyes actually glowed.

  “Owen, my friend,” Finn said. “I guess that makes you my best man.”

  The conversation ended when a surprised justice of the peace opened the door. “May I help you folks?” Will Raynor asked.

  “You shore can. Me and this little lady want to get hitched and we want you to do it right out here under that big oak tree in your yard,” Finn said.

  “Then please come inside and sign the papers and we’ll proceed with the ceremony,” Raynor said, after only a moment’s hesitation.

  “When we get back out here, you can come off the porch with my bride like I did with yours,” Finn said to Jake as they headed in the door.

  After the legalities were taken care of, Finn, Raynor and Owen stood under the tree. Rena took her place and Jake followed with a radiant Belle on his arm.

  The ceremony lasted only a few minutes. Mr. Raynor congratulated them, took the money Finn handed him with a smile, and went back inside.

  “Now, I guess congratulations are in order,” Owen said.

  An uncomfortable Jake nodded. “What’s your plan now, Finn?”

  “We’ll go back to the Silver Slipper, get a bite to eat, then go to Belle’s room.”

  Rena spoke quickly. “That’ll never do.”

  Finn frowned. “Why not, Rena?”

  “It’s not fitting for you to spend your wedding night in a saloon. You’ll come back to the hotel with us. You can rent a room for the night and we’ll celebrate your marriage with a nice wedding supper there. Belle has no reason to go back to the Silver Slipper.”

  “I have to go get my things,” Belle said in a soft voice.

  “Owen, will you go to the saloon and have someone pack Belle’s things, then put them in the wagon for her?”

  “I’d be happy to do that.” Owen grinned.

  “Thank you.” Rena smiled at him. “When you finish you can come back to the hotel, have your dinner then get a room at the hotel, too. It doesn’t look like anyone will be going back to the ranch tonight.”

  “I’ll get Mrs. Finn’s belongings, but I won’t come back to the hotel, ma’am.”

  “Why not?” Rena asked.

  “The wagon is packed for the ranch. I don’t expect anyone to bother it tonight, but to be sure I’m going to sleep there.”

  “I think Owen has the right idea, honey. We don’t want to lose what he has bought for the men.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Rena looped her arm in Jake’s. “Let’s go to the hotel and treat the newlyweds to dinner.”

  Chapter 21

  It was approaching noon the next day when Rena and Belle were in the Mercantile picking out more cloth. The men were gathering the supplies Adela wanted and loading the wagon from the back of the store. “I like to sew,” Belle said. “I’ll help make you lots of dresses.”

  “That’s fine, Belle, but I want you to get some material to make a dress for yourself. You can’t wear the ones you wore in the saloon.”

  “I have this one.” She looked down at the plain brown dress that Finn had found in her belongings. “Gideon said the one I had on yesterday was pretty, but it wouldn’t do to wear at the ranch.”

  “The one you have on is fine, but you need more than one dress.”

  “I had a few others, but when I got the job at the Silver Slipper, they threw them all away. I guess they would’ve got rid of this one if I hadn’t been wearing it.”

  “Then you need more. How do you like this?” Rena held up a neat green che
cked material.

  Belle smiled. “It’s nice, but I think I like this violet flowered one.”

  Rena put down the one in her hand and picked up the violet bolt. “I think you’re right. This would look lovely on you.”

  “Well, ladies I see you found what you want.” Rachel came up to them. “I’m sorry I had to go in the back to get some of the things your men needed.”

  “That’s fine, Rachel.” Rena smiled at her. “Have you met Belle Finn? She married Gideon Finn last evening.”

  “Aren’t you the young lady who came in here asking me for a job a few days ago?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t hire you.” Rachel smiled. “Congratulations on your marriage. I guess that means you don’t need a job any longer.”

  “That’s right.”

  Rachel turned to Rena. “I sure hope you get back into town soon.”

  “It may be a little while. The men are getting ready to drive the cattle to market and I’m sure Jake will want me to stay with Adela.”

  “He probably will.” Rachel had a mischievous look in her eye and said, “I have to tell you something before you leave.”

  “Should I go out of the store?”

  “No, Mrs. Finn. I don’t mind telling her in front of you.” She looked at Rena. “Mirabel Jefferson came in here yesterday to buy that black and white material. When she couldn’t find it she accused me of putting it back for myself. When I told her I sold it, she demanded to know to who. It gave me great pleasure to tell her it was you.”

  Rena shook her head. “Rachel, you’re incorrigible.”

  “Now why would you say that?”

  “Because it’s the truth.” Rena grinned. “What did Mirabel say?”

  “She huffed around a little then said she was glad such lovely material was going to make a dress for you. I then told her you said it was for your sister-in-law. It made her so mad she almost had steam coming out of her ears. And do you know what the funny part was?”

  “No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.”

  “She said she’d get the pink one with the darker pink flowers. I cleared my throat and told her you did buy that one for yourself because you said Jake thought you looked pretty in pink.”

  “I said no such thing. I don’t know what color Jake thinks looks pretty on me.”

  “Well, you probably thought it when you bought it. Anyway, Mirabel left without buying any cloth.” Rachel giggled. “I do know she’s been eying this violet flowered one. When she comes back and it’s gone, maybe it’ll teach her to buy what she wants when she sees it.”

  Another customer came in and Rena said, “Make sure Jake puts this in the wagon with the rest, Rachel. Belle and I are going to Mrs. Dunnel’s and have a cup of coffee while we wait. Would you tell them to come there for lunch before we head for the ranch?”

  “I’ll be glad to, and I’ll wrap this bolt up just like the others so it won’t get soiled.”

  Sophie was at the door of the restaurant when Rena and Belle stepped inside. “Hello, Rena.”

  “Hi, Sophie. This is Belle Finn. We came for coffee.”

  “Where would you like to sit?”

  “You’re so busy, how about that small table near the back so we won’t tie up a big one? We’ll move to a larger one when our husbands join us.”

  Sophie led them to the table. “Would you like to order now?”

  “I think we’ll have coffee now and wait for the men.”

  “We had some good apple turnovers for breakfast. Would you be interested?”

  Belle’s eyes lit up and Rena knew the woman had a sweet tooth. “I don’t see any reason we shouldn’t have dessert first. We’ll each have one of those with our coffee. Is that okay with you, Belle?”

  Belle nodded.

  Sophie brought the food and left to wait on a couple who came in behind them.

  Belle confided that she and Finn had drunk too much whiskey last night. “I don’t really like the stuff, but they insisted we drink at the Silver Slipper. Of course they watered it down.”

  “Well, all of that’s behind you now, Belle. You’re going to be a ranch wife and I have a feeling you and Finn are going to be happy.”

  “I’m happy already, Mrs. Haywood.”

  “Belle, please call me Rena.”

  “I will.” She smiled. “When I told Gideon I hadn’t been with a man, he was very kind. I know I’m going to be happy with him.”

  “A husband who shows gentleness is a blessing.”

  “I kind of enjoyed last night,” Belle said shyly, then quickly added, “I know I shouldn’t have, but I did.”

  Rena smiled. “Belle, there’s no reason in the world why a woman shouldn’t enjoy being with her man. That’s what God intended.”

  Belle’s eyes got big. “Mama always said sleeping with a man was something a woman had to endure if she wanted babies.”

  “Times have changed since your mama’s day, Belle.” If you only knew how much. She kept this thought to herself and added, “There’s nothing any better than when you go to bed and fall asleep in the arms of the man you love and who loves you.”

  “Gideon says he loves me already and I think I love him, too. Do you think that’s possible?”

  “Yes, Belle, I do.” Rena frowned.

  “Is there something wrong with me thinking that way?”

  “Not at all.” Rena lowered her voice to a whisper. “I think I heard those men at that table over there say something about the Haywoods.”

  “What did they say?”

  “I’m not sure. Let’s try to listen to them.”

  Most of what the men said was garbled or drowned out by the noise in the room, but Rena was able to decipher a few scraps.

  “If they knew they owned all that…”

  “He only has a lease and it’s already up…”

  “He’s determined to get his hands on the rest of the land…”

  “He’s going to be mad as hell when he hears Jake paid off…”

  “Stuart rode out to tell him early this morning…”

  “You know he hired the rustlers…”

  “What do you think will happen when he hears Jake married the one he…”

  There was some laughter, then she clearly heard, “He’ll kill them all. All but her, and I bet she’ll wish she was dead by the time he gets her in the bedroom and does…”

  Jake, Finn and Owen entered the café and the voices went silent.

  Chapter 22

  There was a problem with the wheel on Owen’s wagon when they went to pick it up. The smithy told them it would take an hour to fix. Finn was going to drive it and Belle was riding with him. Jake insisted that Owen ride Spider along with Finn and Bell in case there was more trouble on the road.

  “Rena and I will go ahead, so if we have anything happen you can come to our aid on the way.”

  “Don’t expect anything to happen, do you?”

  “I’m not sure, Owen. After what Rena said about that conversation she overheard, and now this wheel problem, I’m beginning to wonder what’s going on.”

  “It does seem strange, Boss.” Owen shook his head. “I still can’t figure out how anybody got to this wagon with me sleeping here.”

  “Must have happened during the wedding.”

  “Must have.” He walked with Jake to the livery stable door. “You and the missus be careful. I know you’re trying not to make a big deal about it, but I could tell she was upset about what those men said.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll keep a sharp look-out. You may even catch up to us if I decide to…well, never mind. We’ll see you back at the ranch.” He plastered on a grin and headed to the wagon where Rena was waiting.

  They were out of town when Rena asked, “Why did you tell Owen that he might catch up with us?”

  “No reason. I thought we might drive slower than them.”

  “I don’t believe that for a minute, Jake Haywood.”

  “
Don’t tell me you’re going to be able to tell when I’m lying.”

  “You darn tootin’ I will, so you better watch what you say.”

  “What an expression. I never heard it before.”

  “I’m sorry. I keep slipping up and saying things I know you aren’t familiar with.”

  “I don’t care. I like the funny things you say.” He slid his arm around her shoulder. “Did you enjoy your first trip to town?”

  “I did. Especially the time I spent with my husband in the hotel.”

  “Is it better in a hotel?”

  “It would be great with you on a rock, in a cabbage patch or on a bed of nails. Doesn’t matter to me where it takes place as long as I’m the only one you’re with.”

  “You know from the day I found you in my bed wearing those funny clothes, there hasn’t been anybody but you.” He leaned down and quickly kissed her. “And there never will be anyone else in the future.”

  “Not even if you have to ascend to the throne in Spain?”

  He laughed out loud. “What the hell are you talking about now?”

  Rena laughed, too. “I meant to tell you about this last night, but we got tied up with Finn and Belle. Then I overheard those men. When we got to our room, I don’t think either of us wanted to do much talking.”

  “That’s for sure.” He squeezed her to him. “And I want you to get those men off your mind. I’ve been watching for anything unusual.”

  “So have I, Jake.”

  He held her tighter. “Do you want to tell me now what went on at McGregor’s?”

  “Rachel McGregor was making tea and I was looking at material. Mirabel Jefferson came in and was fuming and fussing because an underling like me had the nerve to call her husband by his given name. I was hidden in the cloth aisle and was about to step out and confront her, but Rachel started telling her this tale and I stayed hidden and listened.”

  Rena continued until she’d related all that Rachel said about the both of them being from royal families.

  Jake chuckled when she finished. “And Mirabel Jefferson swallowed that?”

  “She sure did. It was all I could do to keep from laughing out loud while the woman was in the store.”