by Morgan, Kit
“You there! Young lady! What are you doing with her? Is she dead?”
Anger ignited within Sadie. The woman actually sounded hopeful. “She most certainly is not. In fact, I suspect she shall have a full recovery!” And with that she continued on and ignored the huffing and puffing of the woman who launched herself off the porch and followed them.
They reached the Waller’s house and quickly went inside. Mrs. Dunnigan shoved her way in before Sadie could shut the door. “Why has that woman been brought here? No decent Christian would be caught dead touching such a disgusting creature!”
Sadie spun to face her. “How dare you! She’s sick and the doctor is going to treat her! No decent Christian would do anything less!”
Harrison was already following Doc Waller upstairs. He slowed at the exchange and glared at Mrs. Dunnigan just as Grandma Waller appeared at the top of the stairs and quickly motioned him up. Sadie watched as he reluctantly continued.
“I don’t know who you are young lady, but you have no idea what you’ve done bringing that woman into this house! Not to mention that Cooke boy! What’s he doing hauling her about?”
Sadie bit her tongue to stay civil. It didn’t work. “I can only conclude by your obvious disdain for my mother that you are disgusted to even be in her presence. That being the case, I strongly suggest you leave.” That wasn’t bad considering how angry she felt. She opened the door for the woman, her jaw set, chin high.
Mrs. Dunnigan’s mouth dropped open. “Yourmother? Well I might have known the way your hair is loosed like a strumpets! Like mother like daughter I always say!”
Sadie was going to hit her. By Heaven, she was! Her hand had just balled itself into a fist when Harrison rushed down the stairs. “Leaving so soon Mrs. Dunnigan? Well then, may I escort you back to the mercantile? Those outlaws are still about you know.”
Mrs. Dunnigan looked like she was going to let him have it with both barrels until the wordoutlaws escaped his lips. Her eyes widened and she quickly looked to the door. “You can come back with me and pay your Pa’s bill.” She turned to Harrison in a huff. “It’s over due. I’ll not sell you another thing until its paid in full!”
“But of course. Shall we?” Harrison motioned for her to precede him and she stomped across the front porch and into the street. He winked at Sadie as he walked passed, “I’ll return shortly.” He then stopped on the threshold and turned. “And your hair makes you look like a magical fairy princess,” he gently whispered. “Never let that wicked old witch tell you otherwise.” He smiled the same warm smile as before, gave a slight bow, then headed out the door.
* * *
Mrs. Dunnigan huffed, puffed and stomped all the way back to the mercantile. Harrison followed along, his jaw tight. She’d gone too far this time. Her hatred of anything sinful, at least in her eyes, or not to her standards got on most people’s nerves. But most people had credit at the mercantile and so appeased the woman in order to survive. Thankfully, he had some money with him. And if he was lucky, it was enough to pay his stepfather’s bill. He would have to explain to Miss Jones about Mrs. Dunnigan’s view of the world and how she was, of course, the only decent up standing citizen in it. That is if Miss Jones hadn’t figured it out already.
Mrs. Dunnigan waddled behind the counter and pulled out a cigar box. She sifted through varying bundles of receipts until she found the one she wanted. “Twenty dollars and seventeen cents and I’ll not take a penny less!”
“Has anyone ever told you how lovely your skin looks when you’re collecting money, Mrs. Dunnigan?” He shouldn’t have said it, but her treatment of Miss Jones gnawed at him to do something.
Mrs. Dunnigan’s eyes narrowed. “Was that an insult?”
“Of course not.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the money. He’d been able to sell some of the stock that week. He counted out the amount and handed it to her. Thank Heaven he had enough.
She took it, shoved it into another box, and then handed him the bundle of receipts. She never once took her eyes off him as she did so.
He took the receipts from her and turned to leave.
“You no longer have credit with me, Harrison Cooke. You and that pack of filth can pay cash from now on.”
Harrison turned back. He studied her then, genuinely curious. He’d never seen her so riled up before. “Tell me, Mrs. Dunnigan. What makes a woman like you hate the world so very, very much?”
She started at the question, truly taken aback. For a brief moment Harrison saw her eyes soften, just before she squared her shoulders. “I don’t hate the world, only the disgusting filth in it. Like that woman you toted over to Doc Waller's house. She’s better off dead. Then maybe this town can start to grow and some decent folks will settle here.”
“But there are decent folks who’ve settle here.”
“Decent? Like you I suppose? A dirty pig farmer without a penny to his name? Your thieving brothers in prison? Your mother dead not a year on account of your pa’s drinking? Decent! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Don’t tell me folks here are decent. They’re no better than you are!”
Harrison should have been angry at her rant, but all he felt for her in that moment was pity. What could have happened to make her this way? “You are of course entitled to your opinion, Mrs. Dunnigan. But your opinion is just that. It doesn’t make you right. Oh, and if I hear you speak to the young lady again as you did at Doc Waller's, you will answer to me. Good day.” Harrison tipped his hat and left.
He walked quickly back to the house. Mean spirited as she was, Mrs. Dunnigan would hold to her threat of not allowing his family to have any more store credit. He’d have to make sure he had the cash to work with when he needed supplies. Which unfortunately, would be later that morning. He’d make sure he got what he needed after he took care of Miss Jones and her mother. He wanted them to get settled before he headed back to the farm. Doc had agreed to let the two women stay for a time while Harrison got the business of contacting Miss Jones's family done and of his brother’s pardons settled.
He had to find out what was in that letter. For all he knew, they had already been pardoned, released, and were on their way home. Or, it had all been rejected. That meant finding more evidence. And Harrison had his suspicions on where to look.
He re-entered the Waller’s house, not bothering to knock. He knew they would be upstairs and entered the extra bedroom Grandma Waller had prepared. He stood quietly and took in the sight of mother and daughter as Doc Waller pulled the curtain’s shut to help keep the room warm.
Miss Jones's mother, Teresa, was propped against several pillows. She looked better already. Miss Jones sat in a rocking chair on one side of the bed, Grandma Waller on the other. She was attempting to spoon broth into the sick woman. “But it will make you feel better! You haven’t had a thing in days. It’s a miracle you haven’t starved to death!”
Teresa looked first at the spoon in front of her, then about the room. “I ... I can’t pay you,” she began, her bottom lip trembling. “I don’t have money.”
Miss Jones left the chair and sat on the bed. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. You won’t need money ever again. I’ll see to that. Just concentrate on getting well. Now have some broth. It will warm you.”
Teresa’s eyes locked with those of her daughter’s. “Who are you again?”
“I’m your daughter,” came out a whisper.
“I have a daughter?”
A single tear blazed a wet trail down Miss Jones's left cheek. It nearly tore Harrison’s heart out. “Yes, you have a daughter, and she’s me. I’m here to take care of you.”
The woman again looked around. “This sure is a fine looking room. I’m not dead am I?”
Miss Jones gently hugged her. No mama, you’re not dead.”
Teresa’s eyes widened. “You ...” she began then coughed. “You called me ‘mama’. If’n I’m your mama, then who’s your papa?”
“Horatio Jones.”
Doc Waller waved Miss Jones off the bed and began to examine Teresa. After a moment, he turned to her. “Does the mention of your father always have such an affect on women?”
Miss Jones sighed in relief. “She must have remembered.”
“Just what happened between your ma and your pa, child?” Grandma Waller asked.
“That’s what I hope to find out.”
And Harrison silently vowed to help. Especially if it meant getting to find out more about the lovely Miss Jones.
Six
Nearly two weeks later there was still no word from the Sheriff or Sadie’s mother. She’d hardly spoken to anyone since the mention of Horatio Jones. Sadie sat with her several times a day at first, but let her alone at Doc Waller’s suggestion. Her mother slept most of the time anyway, something she desperately needed. But Sadie needed to make her understand everything would be all right. That she wouldn’t have to worry about how to take care of herself ever again. She couldn’t stand the look of distrust in her mother’s eyes. But then, what did she expect?
“Give her time, she’ll come around once she feels better. Must be quite a shock to have her child suddenly turn up. And you all of eighteen now too.” Grandma took a loaf of bread out of the oven and set it on the table. “Hand me those pies, will you?”
“Sure Grandma.” Sadie had taken to calling her ‘Grandma’ like everyone else in town. She handed her the apple pies one at a time. They had been baking bread all morning. Pies took up the afternoon. It felt nice to bake and work in the kitchen with Grandma. It was even nicer to know the meal being prepared today was special.
Mr. Cooke was coming to supper. Sadie felt herself blush at the mere thought of him. He’d been over every day, twice a day, to see them but never stayed longer than was proper or stayed to eat with them. Today was a first. Sadie absently smoothed her dress. Mr. Cooke - correction -Harrison (Grandma had them on a first name basis) had brought her trunk the second day of her stay. She wanted to look nice for him and ironed her best blue calico.
“I know she must be thinking about things. A lot of things.” Sadie said to distract herself from thoughts of her soon to arrive guest.
“Of course she is, child. Good Heaven’s! That’s a lot of regret to have to wrestle with. And she’s doing it alone. Most folks don’t come out of a fight like that, but I have a feeling your mother will.”
“I know she will.”
Grandma smiled. “I suspect the good Lord is having a word or two with her. She asked for a Bible the other day so I gave her mine.”
“Yes, I noticed it on the bedside table. Thank you. In fact, thank you for everything. I promise to repay you for all your kindness. You have gone far beyond what a lot of people would do.”
“Tsk, now. Any one would do the same. Besides, there’s no hotel in town. Where else would you stay?”
They both laughed, but for only a moment. Sadie suddenly sobered. “I know of one person who wouldn’t show the same kindness.”
Grandma’s face soured. “Irene Dunnigan. Now there’s one that needs either a good dose of Christian charity or a good knock on the head!”
“Maybe we ought to let Harrison have a go at her?”
Grandma looked shocked for a moment before she burst into laughter. “I hope you haven’t brought that tree incident up again. Leave it be, child! The man has his pride after all!”
Sadie smile. She’d been teasing Harrison all week about knocking her head into a tree during her rescue. “I don’t know it might do Mrs. Dunnigan some good.”
Grandma snorted. “You can’t let things get to you. You’ve got to be strong. Especially out here in this wilderness.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I mean child is Mrs. Dunnigan let something get the best of her years ago, and now she’s a bitter woman that hates the world and hates herself.”
“What happened?”
“Most folks don’t know this and I’m not one to get wrapped up in gossip, but to hear Wilfred her husband tell it, Irene’s pa got into gambling, drinking and women. Ruined the family. Killed him in fact. Got himself shot in a poker game back in Dodge City. The mother couldn’t cope well and went and done killed herself. Drove Irene a little crazy according to Wilfred.”
Sadie poured them both a cup of coffee. “How did they end up out here?”
“Wilfred was betrothed to Irene,” Grandma began as they sat with their cups. “Married her to please his family and at her urging, came out west. She didn’t want to stay where she had so many bad memories.”
Sadie sighed. No wonder Mrs. Dunnigan was so venomous toward her mother. “She hates anyone having to do with the vices that dragged her father down and got him killed.”
“Yes. And she’s got to always have the last word. Lord knows we’ve all prayed for her. But she’s the one that has to want to change.”
“I know what ... cough ... what you mean.”
Sadie and Grandma turned to the door. Teresa was standing in it. “Is that coffee? I’d sure like some.”
“Mama,” Sadie whispered. “Of course! Come sit with us.” She got up and pulled a chair out for her mother who sat carefully, still weak.
“Look at you all up and about! But you best not stay down here long. You still need your rest.” Grandma said as she got up and busied herself at the stove. She stirred the pot of stew she made for supper, poured Teresa a cup of coffee, and then refilled the other cups. The three women sat silent for a few moments, the only sound the occasionalpop from the fire in the cook stove.
Teresa finally spoke. “I wasn’t always the kind of woman I am now.” She stared straight ahead, her cup in her hands. She took a slow sip. “I was a respectable girl. Just like you.”
She looked to Sadie who had to fight to keep quiet. She wanted to tell her mother it didn’t matter, that her old life was behind her now. She could start over.
“I was betrothed to a man I hated. He was a good thirty years older than I was. But he was rich. Oh, he was plenty rich. But I didn’t care. I refused to marry a man I cared nothing about and who repulsed me.”
Sadie closed her eyes at the words. How horrible! How could anyone do that to a child? “Did your mother and father want you to marry because he was a wealthy man?”
Teresa held her cup to her lips again, “Yes.” She took another sip. “I had to do something. But I wasn’t brave enough to run away. So I did the only thing I could think of. I found another man.”
“My father?”
“I figured if’n I was already married, my folks couldn’t make me marry someone else. But I went about it the wrong way.” She looked at Sadie, tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry ... so very sorry.”
“What did you do?” Sadie asked on a whisper.
“I had to get married quick like. If’n I got pregnant, then the man would have to marry me. But I was wrong.”
“What are you saying?” Sadie asked, though she already guessed.
“I seduced your father and my plan worked. Except the part where he was supposed to marry me. He went back to his ranch and I never saw him again.”
Sadie took the cup from her mother’s hands and held them. They were cold. Very cold. She rubbed them as she spoke. “I don’t care what happened. I’m just glad I found you. Someone sent word you were sick. Someone here in Clear Creek. I had to come.”
Teresa smiled, then coughed.
Grandma immediately got up and went around the table. She rubbed her back before she helped her out of the chair. “Best get you back to bed.”
Teresa stopped her and turned to Sadie. “Miss Bess. She must’ve done it. Before they got run out of town.” She began to cough again.
“No argument this time.” Grandma said sternly. “Back upstairs you go.”
A knock suddenly sounded at the door. Sadie got up, went to her mothe
r and hugged her. “I love you.”
Grandma let go of the woman. Her lower lip quivered as she watched mother and daughter hold onto each other at last. “I’ll just got get the door. It’s probably Harrison.”
As soon as she was gone, Teresa weakly pushed Sadie from her. “Don’t make the sort of mistakes I’ve made. Promise me you won’t. You’re the only right thing I’ve ever done.”
“I promise, mama.” Sadie said as her tears began to fall, unable to hold them back.
“Promise me you’ll marry a man who truly loves you.”
Sadie sniffed and nodded. “If I ever find one, I will.”
“One may be closer than you think. You see him, you get him.” Her coughing started again. Sadie pulled her back into her arms as Harrison and Grandma entered the kitchen.
“Ms. Mitchell. So glad to see you out of bed.” Harrison spoke above her hacking. He pulled a clean handkerchief out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. She took it gratefully and held it to her mouth.
“I was just taking her upstairs. If you’ll excuse us?” Sadie said as she guided her mother into the hall.
“By all means. I’m glad you’re feeling better Ms. Mitchell.”
Her coughing stilled, she nodded to him and let Sadie lead her up the stairs. Once in the bedroom Sadie hugged her again before helping her into bed.
“That boy down there has taken a shine to you.”
Sadie pulled a quilt over her. “Nonsense mama. He’s just ... he’s just looking out for us while we’re here.”
“Mark my words, girl. He’s got a spark for you. Trust me, I can tell the difference between a man just lusting after a gal, and one feeling something.”
Sadie tucked the quilt around her and smiled. If only her words were true. And even if they were what did it matter? It’s not as if she’d completely set her cap for him. Or had she? He was a very attractive man. Yes, that’s it. She was attracted to him. Besides, as soon as her father found them, both she and her mother would be gone. Whisked away across the Oregon territory to home.