Most of the people on the street seemed friendly enough, the men tipping their hats at her and the women smiling. Surprisingly, she wasn’t the least bit afraid. She belonged in Kentucky. Here, she would be a landowner once again.
“Miss,” she heard a man say from behind her.
Artis turned. A well-dressed, handsome, and tall blonde fellow smiled back at her.
“Can I help you find something, Miss? I’ve never seen you in Boonesborough before, so I assume you are newly arrived here.”
“Aye, I am. Just a few minutes ago. But I already received directions to my destination. I thank ye just the same,” she said.
“Are you from Scotland?” he asked.
“Aye, from the Highlands, though I have lived in Virginia these past seven years.”
“My adopted brother is from the Highlands, so I recognized your charming accent. I’m William Wyllie, Sheriff of Boonesborough, at your service.”
“I am pleased to make yer acquaintance sheriff. My name is Artis MacKay.”
“That’s a strange coincidence; my adopted brother is Daniel MacKee.”
“’Tis the same clan, but a different sept—one from across the Loch.”
“If I can help you in any way, Miss MacKay, my office is just inside the fort, on the right side of the enclosure.”
“I thank ye for yer kind offer, Sir,” she said. “I may need help securin’ a horse and a weapon later. Perhaps ye could advise me as to the best place to purchase both.”
“Indeed I would be delighted to do so. And my lovely wife, Kelly can offer suggestions for where to purchase clothing or other items you may need.”
“Do you think I look like I need new clothes?” she said, irked at his comment. She smoothed her dusty skirt with her free hand.
“I didn’t mean to imply that at all,” the sheriff insisted. “I just wanted you to know that I have a wife about your age who could be of assistance to you.”
“Do ye have an inn here in Boonesborough?” she asked. She felt tired and achy from the long journey on rough roads in the bumpy wagon and it seemed to be making her irritable. She would need to rest soon. Perhaps she just needed to eat something.
“Indeed we do, but it is small and always kept full. I’ll be glad when someone builds this town another.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Well where do new arrivals stay?”
“Anywhere and everywhere. Some camp by the fort in oilcloth tents, as you no doubt noticed on your way into town. But most camp on the outskirts in their own wagons. That’s what my family did when we first arrived here two years ago. But I would not advise that if you are alone. Are you?”
“Aye, I am. I traveled with some settlers to get here, but they all have large families and have too many mouths to feed as it is. They continued on through Boonesborough to find a place to camp.”
“Where are you headed now?”
“To the Land Office. I have a deed to register. In fact, I must be goin’.”
“Miss MacKay, I would be happy to escort you to see Commissioner Simmons,” Sheriff Wyllie offered.
“Ye are most kind, but I can find it myself. I’m told it is just down the street on the left.”
“That’s correct. When you’re through, come see me and either my deputy or I will help you find a horse and assist with locating your land.”
“Do ye do that for other settlers?” she asked, curious as to why he was being so helpful.
“Only the single women who have no one else to help them. I will not allow young ladies to come to harm in my town. It’s my sworn duty to protect you and anyone else who needs protection.”
The sheriff’s words seemed particularly adamant and Artis wondered if there could be a deeper reason for his resolute insistence on protecting women. Perhaps his wife had once been threatened.
“Well, my thanks for yer kindness, Sir. I must be on my way. Good day,” Artis said, and turned away.
Bear left for Fort Boonesborough on his own, having no desire to travel with a large noisy group, especially one that included six chattering women. The men and women from St. Elspeth’s who were travelling to the party hosted by the Governor and his wife would follow the next day.
With his stops to let Camel rest and water, it took him all day to cover the roughly forty-five mile distance from Fort Logan to Fort Boonesborough.
He spent the majority of the morning wondering if he was doing the right thing by agreeing to serve as a delegate. Well, at least he’d have a chance to see William, Kelly, and the new bairn again. The thought of wrapping them all in his arms made him smile. He’d seen their new daughter Nicole only once when William brought them to visit last spring. The bairn was a bonnie wee thing, bound to be a stunning beauty with the fine-looking parents she had.
As he rode into town, he caught sight of William, a short ways off. His brother stood talking to a woman—a tall stunning beauty herself. As quick as he could manage, he wove his way around wagons, other riders, and people milling about. “William,” he called out.
William turned and his face lit up like a brand new sun. “Bear!”
Bear quickly dismounted and tied Camel’s reins to a nearby rail. “Come over here and let me give ye a Bear hug,” he told his brother with outstretched arms.
The two embraced for a moment and then William asked how Sam, Catherine and Little John were. Unexpected visits on the frontier often meant the delivery of bad tidings. After hurriedly assuring his brother that the three were well, Bear stepped back and looked in the direction the woman took as she had walked away from William.
“And how are you Bear?”
“As fine as frog’s hair, but please tell me brother who was that lass ye were just talkin’ to?”
“She’s a newly arrived settler. I just met her. Her name’s Artis MacKay.”
“MacKay!” Was it possible she was one of his kinsman? If so, he hoped the family ties were not too close. “Did the lass say where she was from?”
“Indeed, from the Highlands. I didn’t ask what village.”
“I couldn’t quite see her face as she spoke with ye, but from the back she appeared to be a bonnie lookin’ lass. Is she as pretty as she appeared from a distance?”
“She was quite lovely,” William agreed.
“Where did she go? She was just here. Is she alone?” Bear sincerely wished she was.”
“Yes, I believe the young lady is alone. She traveled here with several families, but they are no relation to her. She went to the Land Office to see the Commissioner about a deed in her possession.”
“I wonder how she came to acquire land.”
“It appears she has somehow. I invited her to come to my office when she concluded her business to help her find a horse and locate her land. She also mentioned needing to buy a weapon.”
“Perhaps I could assist the lass as well.”
William chuckled. “Could it be that I see a spark of romantic interest in your eyes?”
Bear felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment, but decided he needed to tell William the truth. “Aye, that’s the main reason I’m here. I’ve decided it is time for me to find a bride.” He looked in the direction of the Land Office, hoping to spot her.
“All I can say is, it’s about time,” William said. “You don’t know what you’ve been missing.”
“Aye, but I hope to find out.” Seeing the amusement in William’s eyes, he laughed and then added, “I’m also here on official business for Colonel Logan.” He filled William in on the details of Logan’s request and the upcoming ball.
“Yes, I’m well aware of the meeting,” William said. “In fact, I am the delegate for Boonesborough, appointed by Judge Webb.”
Bear leaned forward and lowered his voice. “We can discuss all that later. What else did ye learn about Miss MacKay? I did na get a good look at her face. What color are her eyes? Did she seem nice or a nag? Did she sound like she had a head on her shoulders or would she na know ‘sic ’em’ from ‘come
’?” Bear realized he was ticking off all the things he wanted in a woman and his thoughts were racing dangerously. He had only just begun looking for a wife. He needed to slow down.
Williams’s eyes grew openly amused. “Whoa, one question at a time,” he said, grinning.
“My apologies, William. I guess I’ve spent so much time alone, now that I’ve decided I want somethin’ else for my life, I canna seem to get it done quick enough.”
“Let’s go back to my office and wait for her. Or would you rather get an ale first?”
“No, let’s just go to yer office. I do na want to risk missin’ her. This is one lass I plan to meet. Now tell me all about Kelly and yer wee one. How is Nicole?”
William’s face brightened at just the mention of his wife and daughter’s names and while they walked, he happily updated Bear on everything going on at his cabin.
Bear half listened, his mind elsewhere. Leading Camel, he walked through town beside his brother. His feet seemed to be drifting along on their own, as he thought about a tall lass named MacKay.
Chapter 5
Artis opened the door and stepped inside the land commissioner’s office. She let out the breath she’d been holding as she looked around.
Specks of dust danced in the rays of light streaming in through the window. A thick-necked, pot-bellied man glanced up from his map covered desk. Even more maps hung from nails on the log walls. On a narrow table, a long row of ledger books lined one wall.
“Hello Miss, how may I help you today?” He extended his hand. “I’m Commissioner Simmons.”
“Artis MacKay,” she said as she shook his outstretched hand.
“Are you here to file a land claim?”
“Nay, I have a deed I want to register.”
“I see. How did you come by this deed?” he asked.
“My former employer gave it to me at the end of my indenture—my freedom dues. He urged me to see ye just as soon as I arrived.”
“I see,” Simmons said again. “Please have a seat. May I see your deed?”
Artis sat and then reached down and pulled the deed from inside her stocking. She handed the wrinkled document to Simmons who examined it for some time. As she anxiously watched him, she pressed her lips shut so no sound would burst out.
“I remember this parcel. No one has ever lived on this land, but Mister Roberts of Virginia is the owner of record. This deed appears to bear his signature. Just let me be sure it matches the signature I have on record.”
Artis held her breath, praying this would go smoothly. Roberts did not seem to be the kind of man who would cheat her and she hoped that her instincts were right.
Simmons stood and pulled one of the ledgers off the table and moved it to his desk. After an agonizingly long minute, he located the correct page and compared the two documents. “Everything seems to be in order, Miss MacKay. Welcome to Kentucky. You are now a landowner.”
A small cry of relief broke from her lips.
Commissioner Simmons peeked up and smiled kindly.
As she realized she was in fact a landowner, a warm feeling flowed through her. She finally had a home of her own again. After Steller’s flames consumed her mother and her home, and the Countess shipped her away, the painful awareness of her losses never left her, even for a day. It felt as though her life had been first trounced upon and then stolen away completely. Her work at the plantation had only camouflaged the deep despair and extreme loneliness she felt. But now, a layer of that despair lifted for the first time.
“And the size of my parcel? Is it fifty acres as promised?”
“Indeed, it is. Would you like me to show you where it is?”
“Aye, I would.”
Simmons stood and motioned her over to one of the maps nailed to the wall. “Your property is located north and west of Boonesborough but a short ways—my estimation is that it is about a twenty minute ride by horse at a canter.”
Artis studied the map, noting the location of the trail that led northwest. “We are here, and the road is there,” she said, pointing with her finger.
“That’s correct. Your place is just past a half-circle bend in the road. See it there?”
“Aye.”
“It starts here and goes all the way to where this creek runs.”
“Mister Roberts said it had good water. Is that stream the source of water?”
“Yes it is. Although you will probably want to have a cistern built to hold rainwater for you during dry spells.”
“Aye. That sounds wise.”
“Your property is located a few miles closer to Boonesborough than Sheriff Wyllie’s place—Whispering Hills.” He sat down again, made several notes in the ledger and the deed, and then handed the deed back to her. “Here you go. I believe all is in order now.”
“I met the sheriff on my way to yer office. He offered to help me locate a horse.”
“Oh, there’s no need to bother the sheriff. He’s a busy man. I can help you with that.”
“Ye can?”
“Just down the street a little further, a horse trader has a sizeable livery stable. His name is James Burdette. He’s a short fellow with a big honest heart and a good reputation. Tell him I sent you and you’ll get a fair price.”
“My thanks to ye Commissioner Simmons. Ye have been most helpful.”
“I would advise you to also purchase a weapon if your funds will permit you to do so. These woods are fairly tame now that Sheriff Wyllie has strictly enforced the law for the last two years and put law breakers behind bars. But occasionally we get a dishonest fellow or two passing through. And, of course, you’ll see your share of wolves and such. A weapon is a necessity here.”
“And where would the best place to purchase a weapon be and what should I expect to pay for one?
Simmons gave Artis the information she needed and she stood to leave, astonished at the sense of fulfillment she felt.
“I wish you happiness in Boonesborough Miss MacKay.”
Happiness. The same thing both her dear old Uncle Donald and Morgan Roberts had said she would find. She hoped they were all correct. It had been an exceedingly long time since she’d known what happiness felt like.
“Of course you’ll stay with us while you’re in Boonesborough,” William said. “You can bunk with Kelly’s father. We built him a nice cozy cabin next to ours. It has two beds. I made one extra-long to accommodate you when you visit.”
“My thanks, little brother,” Bear said. “How is Mister McGuffin?”
“He’s ornery at times, but still sober, and an immense help. I feel much better with him there to help guard Kelly and the baby when I’m away.”
“Aye. That has to be a great comfort to ye.”
“It is. Did you bring appropriate attire for the Governor’s ball?”
“Nay, I need to find me some. Unless ye think these buckskins will do after a good cleanin’.”
“We need to get you to the tailor right away. The ball is in three days. He’ll need time to get something made for you. Kelly ordered her gown a week ago and I’ll need to pick it up while we’re there.”
“Nay, ye said that Miss MacKay may come by.”
“Yes, I said, she might. Bear, we can’t sit here all day waiting for her.”
Bear crossed his arms in front of him and gave William a slight smile of defiance. He wasn’t going anywhere.
Deputy Mitchell strode in and greeted Bear.
“Tis good to see ye again, deputy. Are ye keeping the sheriff in line?”
“Only Mrs. Wyllie can do that!” Mitchell said, grinning.
“Deputy, will you stay here and if a young lady named Miss MacKay should happen to come by, make her wait and you come and get us. We’ll be at the tailor’s shop,” William said. “And then the barber’s.”
“But…” Bear started.
“No buts. You’re going. For a man with such an eagle eye, I would think you would notice that you’re starting to look as shaggy as a real bear.
I won’t have a brother of mine meeting the Governor, and his wife, looking like he just stepped out of the woods after a year.”
“Actually, almost two years. But there’s na sense in havin’ ye keep blatherin’ on about it, I’ll go.” Reluctantly, he stood. William was right. If he was going to favorably impress Miss MacKay or any other young woman he happened to meet, he definitely needed some sprucing up.
The two slowly made their way to the tailor as many of the townspeople stopped the two to greet them warmly. In the few months that Bear had lived in Boonesborough, before moving with Sam and Catherine to Cumberland Falls, he and his brothers had developed a reputation for bravery and gallantry, making them all favorites of the town’s inhabitants. Even the tailor seemed glad to see him.
“Bear! Hé! L'ami!”
Bear returned the greeting. “Hello, my friend.”
“You’re looking well. How is Sam? Is he still wearing buckskins too? And dear Catherine, Kentucky’s most beautiful woman?” the Frenchman asked. “I hope you’re here to let me make you presentable.” The man rattled on, in his heavy French accent, not giving Bear time to answer any of his questions.
“I think a dark green fabric would complement your red hair coloring, mon ami. Take a look at this.”
Bear began examining the fine fabric but the tailor pulled it away and said, “Yes, that is the perfect color for you. The only question is do I have enough fabric for a man of your amazing stature?”
Bear peered over at William, who just rolled his eyes. His brother, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, seemed to be overly enjoying Bear’s discomfort.
Then William stepped forward and joined in. “Monsieur Beaulieu.”
“Oui?”
“Can you make a cravat big enough for Bear’s neck?”
“Oui, Monsieur!”
“I think he needs one made from some of your finest French lace.” William held up a frilly bolt of something Bear didn’t recognize and then his brother eyed Beaulieu. “Agree?”
“Oh oui! I will make it just so.”
The Frenchman seemed far too delighted at the idea and Bear could tell William was just getting started.
Frontier Highlander Vow of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 4) Page 4