“No, shit! Well, guess I’ll be making my way to Courthouse Rock then.” Willie turned to walk away.
Charles called after him. “Wait! I got a Widow Wagon leaving in five days if you want to ride along. At least you’d be able to talk with someone.”
“Nah. Thanks, Charles. I’ll be leaving tomorrow. I’ve wasted enough time trying to find her. I can’t afford to wait for five more days. Appreciate it though.”
“God speed. Hey, I never asked. What’s your name?”
“Willie. Willie Gibson.” He waved from the doorway. “Thanks again, Charles.”
Chapter 6
The closer they were to Courthouse Rock, the more Daisy found her stomach flipping. Walking kept her body occupied, but not her mind. The deeply-rutted path had become dusty with the lack of rain. The dry summer earth made walking less muddy, but it was harder on the feet.
Her mind went back to Noah again. She’d been looking forward to this day for months — the day she’d meet her new husband. But concern over what Angus would say to this man she’d never met added to her worry. She wanted to make an impression on her own. She knew — if given time — she’d get herself into trouble all by herself. She didn’t need to have Angus telling her new husband about the problems she’d caused during their travels thus far.
She kept reminding herself that this was a marriage of convenience — not one of love. He needed help with his ranch, and she needed someone to care for her. It would be strange to marry and sleep with a complete stranger, but it was what happened with mail-order brides. She knew very little about Noah. He had a ranch, and horses, and he needed a wife to maintain the house, keep the books — and have their children. He never mentioned love, but she hadn’t either in her letter back to him. As an immigrant from Denmark, he’d more than likely have an accent, and customs she wouldn’t be used to.
Convenience, Daisy. This marriage is only for convenience.
As they pulled into Courthouse Rock, the town folk stood on the streets and sidewalks, perusing the women closely. Daisy just knew that Noah had to be somewhere in that crowd. Even now, at that very moment, his eyes could be on her, evaluating her — perhaps even liking what he saw. She wondered if Noah was handsome or plain. Then chided herself, because it didn’t matter.
Her heart beat in her ears and she looked over at a heavy man with a scraggily beard and beady eyes. Lord, she hoped that wasn’t Noah. She averted her eyes when he turned his gaze to her. Further down the walk was a young man who appeared younger than Noah’s thirty years. He had beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. He even had a suit on. Perhaps an attorney or doctor? At that moment though, a pretty woman with strawberry blonde hair came up to him, placing a hand onto the crook of his arm.
Nope, not Noah.
The wagon finally stopped and Angus stepped down from the bench. “You women stay by the wagon. Don’t talk to anyone.” He then leveled a glare at Daisy. “Especially you. I’ll go look for your man. When I’m done talking to him, I’ll come fetch you. But you stay here, and for God’s sake, stay out of trouble!”
Her face automatically went into a pout. He spoke to her so roughly; and it made her want to disobey all the more. It rankled her when someone expected the worst from her. If people expected her to misbehave, why not give them what they wanted?
“Why are you talking to only me?” She shouted it louder than she’d planned.
In response, Angus pushed his hat higher up on his forehead. “Watch your tongue, girl! You must not be sore enough from your whippin’ yesterday. Should I rewarm your backside?”
The men who’d gathered near the wagon started elbowing each other, laughing.
She snapped a fierce look their way, and some of them had the decency to straighten their faces and hide their smiles behind their hands.
She angrily turned her countenance back to Angus. “No! I don’t want my backside rewarmed. It’s sore enough as it is.”
The men all burst out in laughter again, louder this time, and Angus joined in with them. “Well, that’s good to hear. It ought to keep you out of trouble then — at least a few minutes.” He pointed his finger at her. “Behave!”
Daisy angrily sat on the edge of the sidewalk, ignoring the teasing of the men. They were the least of her concerns. Now she had to worry about Noah, and whether he’d decide to leave her standing there after Angus was done regaling him with tales of her antics during the journey to Nebraska.
The day was crisp and clear. The beauty of the white-capped mountains in the distance only slightly improved her mood. The climate and scenery were completely different than that of Missouri — and utterly alien compared to Boston. She missed the ocean, and the fresh seafood and fish from Boston. And she missed the bustling city life in Independence, Missouri, with all the shops to spend your money in a girl could want.
She definitely didn’t miss the sweltering heat and humidity in Missouri though. Coming from Boston, where summers were cool, and some days chilly enough to require a sweater, it had been quite a shock. She also wouldn’t miss the war and being called “Yankee” or “Carpet Bagger.”
Yes, she thought she’d like living in Nebraska — assuming, that is, that Noah would still want her following Angus’ run-down of her poor behavior. She held a hand up to shield her eyes, scanning the street in either direction, trying to see if the stern wagon master was anywhere in sight.
About a half hour later, Angus finally came around the corner — alone.
“Where is he?” Daisy couldn’t help but blurt out, wringing her hands in worry.
“As much as part of me would like to watch you worry a bit longer — it might improve your behavior — I just ain’t got the heart to do it,” Angus said as he reached the wagon. “He doesn’t live in Courthouse Rock. Noah Jensen lives in Chimney Rock. It’s not far, but we’ll have to camp here tonight. You’ll meet him tomorrow. They’re sending a Western Union to Chimney Rock because he’s waiting for you there. So, he’ll be expecting you.”
Angus pulled Daisy in for a hug. “You looked mighty afraid for a moment, Miss Daisy.” He pulled her away, looking her in the eye. “I ain’t going to scare him off, I promise. Just going to recommend a firm, consistent hand with you. You’re a good girl. If he applies his hand or paddle to your backside often, the good girl inside of you will rise to the surface, I’m thinking.” He chuckled and hugged her once more. “You’ll have to spend the rest of the night worrying again. Sorry.”
* * *
True to his word, Angus got them to Chimney Rock the next afternoon. And, again, Daisy looked over at the throng of men gathered around the wagon, wondering which one was Noah.
She didn’t have to wonder long.
A tall, blond man stepped out of the crowd, walking up to the wagon. He had to be the tallest man Daisy had ever met, more than likely a full head taller than her. He had long hair so fair it shone almost white in the bright sunshine, and his eyes matched the sky on this bright Nebraska day. He wore a black duster, which made the broad plane of his shoulder seem endless. Daisy stood next to Angus and when Noah approached them, he smiled at her, addressing Angus.
“Hallo, I am Noah. Noah Jensen.”
The s in Jensen sounded almost like a z as he spoke it.
“Is this the woman with raven hair? Miss Daisy?”
“Yes. This is Daisy.” Angus put a hand in the small of her back and pushed her forward a bit. “Say hello, Miss Daisy.”
“Hello, Noah.…” was all she could muster, her eyes still taking him in.
His unusual and attractive Danish accent made her stomach flip just listening to it. He spoke clearly and beautifully for someone who’d only been in America for five years. She seemed to have lost her tongue and stood there like a silly teenager, staring at this huge, gorgeous man who apparently had bewitchingly charmed away her ability to speak.
Angus smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. “You apparently have made an impression already, Mr. Jensen. She’s not usually this
... reserved. If you don’t mind, Noah, I’d like to have a word with you — alone. There are… some things we need to talk about. Man-to-man.”
“Angus, we can talk in front of my future wife, yes? It has to do with her — or with me — so we will talk openly.” Noah turned, looking at her, his eyes narrowing, a visible twitch at the corner of his jaw. She suddenly felt chastised by him — and for a change she actually felt repentant, rather than rebellious.
Angus cleared his throat. “Okay. Choice is yours. Your little woman here, tends to be a bit impulsive — er, doesn’t think, before she does or says something. She does what she wants to do — even when she’s been warned. And sometimes even when she’s already been punished, she’ll still disobey.”
Noah’s blonde eyebrows rose. “She’s been punished? By who? For what?”
Angus adjusted his stance. “Well, the first day—”
“The first day!” Noah put his hands on his hips, directing his angry glare at her. “In trouble the first day?”
“Well, they made me mad!” Daisy’s voice becoming shrill. “And I needed my bag and—”
“Uh-uh. Do not raise your voice. You call me ‘Sir,’ yes? I believe you will stand quietly while I hear Angus tells me how naughty you have been on Widow Wagon. We discuss consequences later. I will know better what you need when Mr. Angus recites your misbehaviors.”
Daisy crossed her arms over her chest but this giant of a man appeared to be someone she might not want to tangle with. “Yes... Sir.”
Angus’ mouth gaped open. “Wow. I haven’t gotten a ‘yes, sir’ until her backside is red.” He cleared his throat. “She’d been told to not bring more than one bag onto the Widow Wagon — as were all the women. But, the first morning, she brought an extra bag. It was quite a fight and struggle, but I won. At least, I thought I had won.” Angus sighed loudly. “Not far into the journey, one of the other women had discovered that she’d brought the bag anyway. We take our weight restrictions seriously, as you can understand, since you own horses and all.”
“Yes, I do understand.” Noah nodded in agreement with Angus, shooting a harsh glance at Daisy. “A journey needs a good wagon master or trail guide, and the animals pulling the wagon. If the oxen or horses are overburdened, it can ruin the journey.”
“Exactly! Your woman had no understanding — or a give a damn — about that. But I think my buggy whip convinced her pretty well.” Angus sighed again, his lips pursed in disapproval as he looked at Daisy. “I thought she had been convinced -- until yesterday. Yesterday is when I found out that the damn bag was still in my wagon.”
Noah frowned, tilting his head toward Daisy, his blue eyes cold as ice as he stared at her. He blinked quickly for an instant. “You defied him not one time, but two? For only a bag? After a whipping? Are you like a mule?”
Daisy straightened her shoulders with a courage she wasn’t feeling. “I have something important in that bag”—her voice broke and she looked down, tears sliding down her cheeks—”something from my dead husband. I couldn’t just get rid of it.” She looked up at Noah, her vision blurred from the tears welling in her eyes. “I just couldn’t.”
“Now, I get that, min kære. Surely, Angus—”
Angus put his hands up in defense. “Now, hold on. I didn’t whip her yesterday for that. Once I found out that she had something from her husband... uhm, her dead husband… well, I let it slide. Besides, she had emptied the bag except for that precious keepsake.”
“So, she didn’t get a whipping for that. What was she punished for the second time?” Noah shook his head, sighing. Daisy watched him closely. Would he want to leave her at the station? Would she be forced to find another mail-order husband? None of these possibilities set well with her, not one bit. She hoped he wouldn’t give up on her.
“Yesterday, Clara’s little girls, Nellie and Rose — who are just tiny little girls — had gone into the wagon and Nellie showed Rose the ring in the bag. Daisy threw a conniption and said she’d switch them — even though their Ma was right outside the wagon.”
Noah interrupted, turning his head slowly toward her, his eyes narrowed. “You threatened to switch little children? They are not yours. What gives you the right?”
Daisy felt her anger drain away, giving way to shame, to fear. Now, he sided with Angus! He’d be leaving to go home without her, and she decided she might as well just say what she wanted. It didn’t matter anymore, at that point.
She marched up to him, barely coming up to his shoulder. God, the man was huge! But Daisy had never been afraid of anyone —and she refused to treat him any differently. “I’ll tell you what gives me the right! Those damn hellions being in my bag, touchin’ my things.” Her voice kept rising as her anger retuned, quickly boiling over. “They haven’t been trained on proper etiquette, and if their Ma can’t teach them, I sure as shootin’ could whip some sense into them.”
Noah grabbed her by the arm, pulling her to him and growling in her ear. “I already told you that you aren’t allowed to shout at me, and I ordered you to call me ‘Sir’ when you address me. You’re going to learn these two rules over my lap before this day is done. “
He pulled away then, speaking loudly so that the women, Angus, and the passersby that had assembled could hear. “Now, you get your fræk bund up — damn, how you say it in English?” Noah paused, his face red with either embarrassment or anger. Daisy couldn’t determine which. “Bottom. You get your naughty bottom into my buggy. It’s right in front of the Widow Wagon.” He pointed toward his small two-wheeled trap, the reins nicely folded on the seat, waiting.
Daisy’s heart beat in her throat so hard it was difficult to breathe. “But I thought—”
“Så er det nok! Damn! That’s enough! I don’t want to hear another word. In. The. Buggy!” Noah pointed once again to the waiting trap.
“Yes, Sir.” Daisy didn’t waste any time talking, quickly running to the buggy as ordered. As she ran, she could hear the laughing and jeers from the men who had gathered along the street’s boardwalk for the show. Her neck flushed hot, the blush rising to her face, only adding to her humiliation. Lifting her skirts, she climbed up into the buggy and sat staring at her hands in her lap. However, sitting this close to the Widow Wagon meant she could still hear Angus retelling the events that occurred yesterday.
Noah’s deep, rumbling voice could be easily heard talking to Angus. “Angus, thank you for telling the naughty girl behavior of my wife. I promise, I will take care of it.”
Angus chuckled. “I believe that, Noah. I just wanted to warn you that she seems to be a good girl, but she needs a firm hand — and it looks like it’ll need to be applied often and consistently. After a good spankin’, she seems to become very sweet. She’s a good woman — just lacks discipline.”
“Well, that works. Because I am no stranger to discipline. I know how to make a woman mind, and I will not have a badly behaved woman — especially one that has my name.”
Chapter 7
Daisy shifted on the bench. Noah sounded so determined. What had she gotten herself into? This wasn’t a man that she could just order about. What did he mean by, ‘I know how to make a woman mind’?
She’d hoped that her future husband would be mild mannered, genteel, even refined. Now it looked like she had some Danish giant who believed in rules and spankings. This might be more of a challenge than she had ever imagined.
“Let’s get married,” Noah said, jumping into the wagon, his voice pulling her away from her musings. He picked up the buggy whip, urging the horses to move. She couldn’t help but shiver as she thought about what he might do with it, her bottom tingling as she looked at the wicked implement gripped in his large, callused hand.
“What? You mean now? We’re getting married now?” Daisy looked into those large, sky-blue eyes, marveling at how handsome he was. He had worn a black suit with a matching black duster and hat. His broad shoulders filled out the breadth of the suit coat. There wasn’t any part
of that man that wasn’t just… huge. He had to be the biggest male she’d ever met.
The buggy continued down the dusty, well-traveled dirt street. “Yes, now. I cannot bring a woman to my house unless we are married. And I cannot paddle your bottom until we are married. Those are both happening today, so we need to be married now.”
“You still… want me? I thought after you heard Angus, you would be sending me back to Independence, Missouri.” She fiddled with pleats on her dress, afraid of his answer, trying not to think about what else he said they’d be doing today.
“Why would I not keep you? You are to be my wife. I promised. I keep my word.” He looked at her, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. “Do you?”
“Well, yes. I do keep my word. It’s just— after what Angus said… I wasn’t...” She shut up, not wanting to give him any more ideas.
They turned a corner from the main street, the buggy bouncing along a narrow, currently untraveled, route. At the end of the narrow road, a small, white church came into view. He nodded, knitting his eyebrows. “I like a woman with spit and spirit. You’ll do well on a horse farm with that spirit. But I want a woman who minds and listens to her husband. We will work on you until you obey daily, yes?”
“‘Work on me?’ What does that mean? Does that mean you’ll beat me like a stubborn mule until I am the quiet, mousy wife?” Her voice rose as she continued, regardless of the fact that Noah had abruptly stopped the carriage and kicked the brake into place, saying something in Danish to the horse.
He put the reins on the floor and quickly pulled Daisy over his lap, right there in the middle of the day on this quiet road.
In front of the church they were to be married in.
“What in holy blazes are you doing?” Daisy hit his legs and pushed to get up, but that beast of a man had no problem holding her small body against his long, hard thighs. She found herself looking at his feet and swore she’d never seen shoes that large. His foot was the length of her shin!
More Than She Bargained For (The Widow Wagon Book 2) Page 6