by Linda Bridey
“If you don’t take it, I’m not going,” Lacey said.
Sammi heard the undercurrent of steel in Lacey’s voice and gave up arguing. “Ok, if it will get you to leave.”
Lacey nodded. “Good. We’ll find someone for you, too, Sammi.”
“Lacey, I don’t need a man to be happy. I couldn’t move right now, anyway. I got some things I have to tie up here. Now let’s go get that check cashed so you can buy some clothes for the trip and get you out of town. Your pa will be at the store working, so he won’t even know you’re gone until it’s too late,” Sammi said.
Lacey nodded. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she said as they left Sammi’s room.
*****
Once Walhalla was several miles behind the stage coach, Lacey began to feel more relaxed. She looked down at her pretty lilac dress and smiled. She hadn’t had anything so fancy to wear in a long time. Sammi had said it was very important to look her best when she arrived in Dawson so she made a good first impression. Lacey had insisted that Sammi take half of the money Joe had sent and Sammi had finally relented. There had been tears in both women’s eyes as they hugged each other goodbye.
Lacey looked at her brand new suitcase and thought about the nice things packed inside it. She decided that she would do just what Sammi had said and give this man what he wanted in return for his generosity. She felt that it wouldn’t be hard for her to find work. There were many things at which she was skilled and there was bound to be a job available that would fit one of those skills. She fully intended to pay him back.
Although she was glad to be out of Amos’ reach, Lacey was fearful of moving to a new place. She’d never lived anywhere but Walhalla and she had no idea what to expect in Dawson. Then she remembered that Jamie would be there and it made her feel more confident. Her outgoing friend wouldn’t let her come to any harm.
Joe had said that he knew how long it took to get to Dawson from Walhalla, but maybe he wasn’t prepared for her to have left so soon. Lacey hoped that he would be there to meet her. She didn’t want to have to track him down. It would be embarrassing to have to ask people how to find him. Lacey leaned back in the seat and tried to calm her mind, but didn’t succeed.
Chapter Two
Joe arrived out at the Samuels ranch around lunch time several days later. He’d been too busy to go see Marcus before that, but had finally had some free time. He put Lance in the empty paddock and walked over to the cookhouse where there was sure to be something good to eat. Young Jack Samuels had turned into a fine cook and Joe didn’t waste an opportunity to eat some of his fare.
He opened the door and instantly smelled frying fish and his stomach rumbled.
“Hey, y’all,” he said to the group assembled inside. “I’m here, now what are your other two wishes?” he asked with a grin.
All three of Luke’s cousins sat at the table along with Seth’s wife Maddie. She held their baby boy, J.R., who was a couple of months old now.
“Hey, Joe,” Jack said. “You hungry?”
“Yes, sir. My stomach’s as empty as Seth’s head,” Joe replied.
Seth promptly threw a roll at Joe that bounced off his hat. Laughter followed.
“You better watch my hat, damn it,” Joe told Seth. “It’s a new one.”
Jack said, “Well, take it off and hang it up. No hats at the table.”
Joe did as directed and took the plate Jack handed him. He took a seat at the table by Marcus and said, “You’re a real pain in the ass, my friend.”
“Why? What’d I do?” Marcus asked around a mouthful of food.
Joe took a bite of flavorful catfish and closed his eyes in appreciation before saying, “Jack, that is some fine fish.” He turned to Marcus and said, “Your hair’s getting long, Lakota,” Joe said using the nickname Luke had picked for Marcus. “I guess you’ve gone native, huh?”
Marcus smiled. His shiny black hair was now a little past his shoulders. He figured since everyone now knew about his Lakota heritage, there was no harm in letting his hair grow out some. Claire certainly liked it.
Seth said, “That’s just so his wife can pull his hair easier.”
Joe said, “What?”
Marcus gave Seth an annoyed look and said, “Never mind about that. Answer my question. What did I do?”
Joe said, “You did your job too well. I have been swimming in a flood of letters from fine women from all over the country.”
Marcus swallowed more food and smiled. “That’s what was supposed to happen, Joe. It increased the odds of you finding the perfect wife.”
Dean grunted. “I still can’t believe you of all people want to get married.”
“C’mon now, Dean. You know it’s only for business purposes. I appreciate all of you not spreading it around town. I don’t want the old man to know anything until I slap that marriage license down in front of him and demand what’s mine,” Joe said.
“I hope you’re going to make it very clear to whomever you choose that this is only a business arrangement,” Maddie said. She smiled down at J.R. as the baby yawned.
Seth watched with an adoring expression on his face and Joe once again had a hard time reconciling this Seth with the man who had womanized, gambled, and drank so much when he was younger. Joe was happy for Seth, but he knew that he didn’t want that kind of life.
Joe smiled at Maddie. “Miss Maddie, I promise that I will be honest and straightforward with the young lady when she arrives.”
Marcus perked up at that. “When she arrives?”
Joe said, “Yes. That’s why I came here. You can pull that ad now. I have found the future Mrs. Joseph Dwyer.”
“Holy smokes, Joe!” Jack said as he sat down to eat. “Who is she?”
“Well, as I mentioned, I have received an incredible amount of mail to sift through.” Joe liked to tell stories and often made one out of something small. This was no exception. “All of the letters have been the same thing; ‘I’m a good housekeeper. I’ll bear you many children. I can cook and I’m pretty.’ Blah, blah, blah. And some of these letters were sprayed with such terrible perfume. Reminded me of polecat scent, I tell y’all.”
The group became engrossed in the story and Seth even paused in mid-chew as he listened.
“I’d just about given up hope,” Joe continued. “I thought that I was never going to find my bride and that I would be forever held in my daddy’s evil clutches. However, a few days ago, I came down to the very last letter in the stack. The very last one. Now, y’all know I don’t hold with religion very much. It just ain’t my thing. But, I prayed that it would be different from all the rest. That’s how desperate I was. I prayed. I was encouraged when this letter did not stink to high heaven.”
“So, still praying, I opened it and read it and it was the oddest letter I’ve ever received in my entire life. What this little lady said made me sit up and take notice,” Joe took a drink of water and then cleared his throat.
Seth could barely contain his curiosity. “What the hell did it say?”
Joe said, “The author of this letter is a damsel in distress who says she’s in danger and needed to get out of town fast. There was no mention of a love match or children or anything that I don’t want to be bothered with. So, I figure that we can make a nice arrangement. I’ll provide her with protection from whatever and a nice lifestyle and she can help me get my inheritance from Daddy. And then I’ll put my plan into action. I’m also confident about this woman because she’s a friend of Jamie’s. Lacey Reagan is her name. Jamie said that she’s a blue-eyed blonde. Just my type,” Joe said with a wink at Maddie.
She smiled in response. Unlike Tessa, who hated Joe, Maddie had a fondness for the womanizer. No one could figure out why Tessa disliked Joe, not even Tessa.
Marcus said, “What kind of danger?”
“She didn’t say.”
Seth said, “So you have no idea what you’re in for.”
“Nope. But you know me. I’m always up for
an adventure,” Joe said and cleaned up the last bite of catfish. “Umm, that was delicious, Jack. My compliments to the chef.”
“Thanks,” Jack said.
“Well, I hate to eat and run, but I have to see a man about a horse,” Joe said rising from the table. “Tell Luke I was sorry to miss him.”
“Keep us posted on this mysterious woman,” Marcus said.
“Will do,” Joe said as he settled his hat on his head. “Oh, I almost forgot. Here, Marcus.” Joe tossed an envelope to Marcus. “Put that in Aiyana’s college fund or something.”
Marcus opened the envelope and found a large sum of money inside. “What’s this for?”
“For helping me find my bride, my friend. If you’re gonna provide a service, you should expect to get paid,” Joe said.
“That was just a favor, Joe,” Marcus said. “I don’t want your money.”
“Well, I’m not taking it back. Like I said, use it for your baby girl or buy your wife something nice. Whatever,” Joe insisted. “You could start a side business finding brides for fellas. You’ve got good odds. Two out of two, Marcus. Like I said, I gotta get going. My lady should arrive tomorrow, I think. Bye now,” Joe said, and was gone.
Marcus looked from the envelope to the door where Joe had stood a couple of times and then put it in his jacket pocket. He was going to have to make a trip into town to deposit it.
“How much was it?” Seth asked.
“None of your business, Seth,” Dean said.
Seth gave Dean a dark look. “If he wants to tell me he can. If not, he doesn’t have to. Right, Marcus?”
“I’ll just put it this way; it’s a nice start for a college fund for Aiyana and our little one who’s going to be coming soon,” Marcus said, and went back to finishing his food.
*****
Her nerves were stretched so taut that Lacey felt like she was going to be sick as the coach pulled up to the depot. She sat very still for a few moments, taking deep breaths until the feeling passed. Gathering her courage, Lacey took her suitcase and stepped down from the coach. She stood looking around at the town. The depot was a little ways down Main Street and she could see that there was a bank on one corner and there were a few businesses that lined the street.
Jamie’s letters had said that it was a very pretty town and she’d been right, Lacey realized as she took it all in. Some of the people walking past the depot nodded and smiled and Lacey responded in kind. Suddenly a stylish two wheeled buggy quickly pulled up behind the coach and stopped. A man hopped out of it and came towards the coach.
“Hey, Beth!” he said to the driver. “How are you, you good-lookin’ thing? When are you gonna give up this coach drivin’ business and come drive for me?”
Beth laughed. She was used to Joe flirting with her. “Now why would I want to do that when I have my own business and only answer to myself?”
Joe put a hand against the coach and rested his weight on one hip. “Because I’d pay you more than you make now and the hours would be flexible.”
“Tempting as that is, I think I’ll just stick to what I’m doing,” Beth said.
“All right, but let me know if you change your mind,” Joe said. “Did you bring a woman here right now? A blonde?”
“Nope. The woman I brought is right over there,” Beth said and pointed to where Lacey stood on the corner of the depot porch.
Joe was a little perplexed as he said, “Ok. Thanks, Beth. Take care.”
He left Beth and walked towards the woman she’d pointed out to him. He looked her over carefully the way he always did women. She was probably about five foot three with a slender build. She had a pleasant shape and her lilac dress was pretty. Long, dark brown hair spilled down her back and was ruffled a little by the gentle breeze.
“Miss Reagan?” Joe said hesitantly.
Lacey heard her name and turned to see a man the likes of which she’d never seen. He wore a black Stetson hat with what looked like real silver accents. A black paisley vest and white shirt covered broad shoulders and powerful chest. He wore these with black canvas wash-maker pants that emphasized his lean waist, slim hips, and strong legs.
Lacey looked up into a stunningly handsome face that she was sure could make almost any female swoon. His nicely cut light brown hair, wide hazel eyes, and sensual mouth were the stuff of women’s dreams.
“Are you Miss Reagan?” Joe asked again.
“Yes. I’m Lacey Reagan,” she replied.
Joe frowned slightly. “You’ll have to pardon my confusion, Miss Reagan, but the description of you I was given was somewhat different.”
Lacey asked, “What description was that?”
“Blonde with blue eyes,” Joe said.
“That’s my friend Sammi,” Lacey said with a smile.
Joe said, “I see. Your letter said to ask Jamie for clarification, but Jamie is out of town at the moment, so I couldn’t ask her more about you. I apologize for that.”
“It’s ok. I can’t thank you enough for helping me,” Lacey said.
The sunlight caught her face a little more and Joe saw what looked like bruising along her right cheek. Lacey saw his eyes widen a little as he looked at her. She knew he must have seen the bruise, but she put her head down to try to hide it. Joe tipped her chin back up and looked at the bruise a little closer. There was an almost healed scrape along her forehead on that side as well.
Lacey watched as his hazel eyes turned greener and his mouth settled into a grim line of anger.
“What happened?” Joe asked her. He despised violence towards women and he recognized the signs.
“I, uh, fell,” Lacey lied.
Joe looked down into her pretty dark eyes. They were slightly exotic looking, he noted. “Miss Reagan, let’s not start off this relationship with a lie. What happened?”
Lacey looked away again as she said, “My pa is a nasty man when he drinks and he drinks every night. I was the one he took everything out on. If I had stayed, I would probably be dead by now.”
Joe swore and walked away from her a little while he got his anger under control. It was a good thing that he’d answered that letter and had sent her the money she needed to get out of Walhalla. Feeling a little calmer, he went back to Lacey and gave her a smile.
“Well, Miss Reagan, you’ve come to the right place because I will never let anyone hurt you ever again,” he assured her. “I don’t tolerate that kind of thing and once we’re married everyone will know you’re mine. Around these parts, everyone knows not to mess with me or anything that belongs to me.”
Lacey thought he sounded very gallant. She liked the timber of his voice and the way his eyes changed color in the light. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure. Do you have other bags?” Joe asked.
“No, just this one,” she said.
“Travelin’ light, huh?” Joe said as he picked up her suitcase. “Well, come with me and we’ll get you settled at the hotel.”
“Hotel?” Lacey asked.
“That’s right,” Joe said as he led her to his buggy.
Lacey was drawn to the big Standardbred stallion hitched to it. She smiled as he sniffed her hands and made low whickering sounds. Lacey ran her hands down over his neck and trailed them along his side as she made her way to the buggy.
Joe watched her with fascination. He recognized someone who liked horses. As she came to stand beside him, he asked, “So what do you think of Romeo?”
“He has beautiful lines and you can see he has a lot of power in his hindquarters,” she answered. “Is he a pacer or a trotter?”
Joe’s eyebrows rose. “The lady knows her horses, I see. He’s a trotter.”
“I adore horses,” Lacey said as he helped her into the buggy. “I had a little Standardbred mare in Walhalla. Her name is Polly. Fifteen and a half hands and pretty fast yet for being ten.”
Joe sat down beside her and said, “Sounds like a nice horse. So if you love horses so much, I guess it’s a good thin
g for you that I’m horse breeder.”
“You are not!” Lacey said, forgetting her shyness.
Joe laughed, “As surely as I’m sitting here with you, I am a horse rancher.”
“How many do you have? What breeds? When can I see them?” Lacey asked.
“Whoa, little lady. One question at a time,” he said smiling. “Right now we have about forty head but we’ve got three mares due to foal soon. They’re a little late in the season, but sometimes that happens.”
“That’s wonderful,” Lacey said. She couldn’t believe how lucky she’d gotten. Not only was the man gorgeous but he raised horses for a living.
“I’m glad you think so. We have several different breeds and a couple of mules, too. You’ll be able to see them after the wedding, but let’s talk about that once we get to the hotel,” Joe said. He whistled to Romeo and they were underway.
The horse’s powerful legs took them swiftly down the street and around the corner to the left. All too soon, they pulled up in front of the hotel. Lacey would have liked to ride some more. Joe halted Romeo and stepped down from the buggy. He tied the horse to the hitching post and came around to Lacey’s side of the buggy to help her down only to find that she’d already alighted. She was petting Romeo again.
Joe fetched her suitcase and led her into the hotel. Lacey looked around and noted the pretty gray and white striped wallpaper and wainscoting. The lobby furniture was well-made and attractive. Everything was clean and orderly. Joe rang the bell that sat on the counter.
“Jolene! Get that pretty fanny of yours out here!” he shouted.
Lacey was surprised by this.
It turned out that Jolene was a buxom woman somewhere in her fifties with beautiful white hair and blue eyes.
“Well, Joey, where have you been?” she said in a husky voice as she leaned over the counter. Her cleavage threatened to spill forth from her dress.
“Around, darlin’. Been a busy time at the ranch. So look, I need a room for Miss Reagan here and I need the utmost discretion about her being here. Can you do that for me?” Joe said with a winsome smile.
“For you? Anything,” Jolene said as she looked at Lacey who smiled shyly at her. “Well, aren’t you a pretty little thing?”