Want Ad Wedding

by Cheryl St. John

  “Daniel and the veterinarian investigated yesterday and they determined that the cattle have been poisoned.” Leah explained their findings.

  “So they think the Murdochs did it?” Pippa asked. “They’re robbers. What is the benefit to killing cows?”

  Leah shrugged and Valentine shook her head. Everyone was puzzled.

  “Let’s pray,” Hannah suggested. “For the men responsible to be exposed and caught and for the safety of all the men. Even the drovers who are still in town are taking watches and putting themselves in danger.”

  The congregation was gathered that Saturday for the spring cleaning of the churchyard. There weren’t that many graves yet, but it was a tradition many of them had carried from their previous homes, and it gave them peace of mind at a time when so many situations were outside their control. Once the ground was raked and the markers cleaned, the men would work on building a fence, and the women would plant flowers. Valentine and Owen had dug three elm saplings from along Mud Creek to plant.

  Leah and Opal had stern instructions from their husbands to rest on the blanket Daniel had spread. By now news had spread that Leah was expecting a baby, so she accepted good wishes from their neighbors. All the women gathered near the blanket, and Opal motioned for a woman Leah had never seen to join them.

  “This is Aideen O’Neill. She and her family just arrived and are homesteading to the east.”

  The women welcomed her.

  “A pleasure, i’tis to meet you,” Aideen said, in a thick Irish brogue. She wore a plain homespun dress and a clean white apron.

  “Aideen has two children,” Opal explained.

  “Aye, my Owen and little Janet there.”

  The children she spoke of stood beside a burly redheaded man in work clothes, where he stood speaking to the reverend.

  Hannah led a prayer for the town’s safety. Others joined in, and their soft voices petitioning the Lord for the safety of their friends and this fledgling town touched Leah.

  Afterward, the ladies gathered their tools and set about their tasks. Valentine offered to help Aideen introduce her children to the others, and Leah and Opal settled themselves on the blanket. Hannah joined them, sitting in the center of her riotously ruffled dress. She’d done such beautiful work on Leah’s wedding dress, and Leah had seen a few of her other projects. All were elegant and lovely, yet she dressed herself in almost outlandish dark-colored frills and ruffles, with drapes and enormous collars. She wasn’t a tiny woman to start with, plainspoken and unassuming, so her choice of clothing seemed at odds with everything else Leah knew about her.

  “Are you feeling any better?” Leah asked.

  “Not really. I’m drinking fluids like you suggested, but I’m tired and achy.”

  “Well, you just rest, dear,” Opal said. “We’re happy for your companionship. Goodness knows I’m tired of my own company. I’ve never rested so much in my life.”

  “It’s going to be worth it when you have a healthy baby,” Leah said with a smile.

  “Amos is such a worrywart,” Opal lamented. “He fusses about and refuses to let me even look at the books. He’s doing all the work I used to do.”

  “You’re both fortunate to have husbands who are concerned for your welfare,” Hannah reminded her.

  She was so right. Leah counted her blessings every day. Daniel was kind and thoughtful, always putting her well-being first. “You’ll have a husband soon, too,” Leah told her. “Has anyone caught your eye? I’m sure you’re dodging offers daily.”

  Hannah blushed. “I’ve had a few invitations, but I truly haven’t felt up to the courting rituals just yet. Perhaps very soon.”

  “Have you visited Doc Fletcher?” Opal asked.

  Hannah glanced away. “Yes. I’m fine, really.”

  Leah and Opal exchanged a worried glance.

  Opal nodded toward a small gathering of men and one short curvy woman, all tidying the same grave. “The Widow Haywood is certainly enjoying her popularity.”

  “Yes,” Leah said. “Prudence is not lacking in admirers.” The young woman wore an apron over a dark blue dress, and even from here Leah made out the cameo brooch on her collar.

  “It’s encouraging to see the children, isn’t it?” Opal remarked. Two of the nearby homesteaders had come for the morning’s work, and several children were busily helping their parents rake and pull weeds.

  “And soon they’ll have a school. Daniel oversees the progress every day, and the roof just went on. I can see it from our porch and from all the south-facing windows.”

  “Our children will get a good education,” Opal said.

  Leah gave a satisfied nod. “Yes, they will.”

  “You will both be wonderful mothers,” Hannah said. “Your children are blessed to have you. My mother was beautiful and kind, as well. I miss her every day.”

  Leah offered the preacher’s daughter a gentle smile. “Thank you, Hannah.” She gazed across the cemetery. “I miss my mama, too.”

  “Cowboy Creek is a new beginning for all of us, isn’t it?” Opal said. “Our nation is rebuilding and recovering, and here we are in a brand new town with fresh starts.”

  “It’s important we remember that,” Hannah added. “The Bible tells us there will be tribulation in this world, and we’ve seen that aplenty. Even here, with these threats to the cattle and all the schemes those outlaws are coming up with. But Jesus said He came that He might overcome the world. We have to trust Him.”

  She turned her gray eyes from the landscape to implore Opal and Leah.

  “You’re right, of course,” Leah agreed. “We’ll keep praying.”

  She was thankful to the young girl for her encouragement. She’d been caught up in her concern for this marriage, for her child, for the turmoil and danger threatening this town, but it was always helpful to step back and remember she wasn’t alone. She could face what lay ahead, because none of it could be as bad as what was behind.

  This was a new day. Tomorrow was another new day. Her future was filled with new days. And she had a lot to make up for and much to appreciate and to be thankful for.

  * * *

  The following morning, Daniel sat beside his new bride as Richard Mosely played the organ and Reverend Taggart led the congregation in a few songs. Thank goodness the reverend sang in a deep, pleasant baritone. Not all ministers had the gift of preaching and the gift of song, so he figured they were doubly fortunate.

  He glanced at Leah beside him, and she gave him a becoming smile that made his morning even brighter. She looked so young and pretty in a blue dress, her pale gold hair swept up with a few errant curls on her neck and at her temples. After they’d seated themselves, and while the reverend spoke, Daniel wanted to reach over a scant few inches and grasp the hand she’d rested on the open page of her Bible. Her shiny gold wedding band drew his attention. The warm sun coming through the windows matched his mood, creating a golden moment in time he wanted to remember forever, clear and poignant. This felt so good, so right, so normal. He’d prayed often for a moment like this.

  Reverend Taggart finished his message to the hearty amens of the congregation, and the offering baskets were passed. The baskets reached the rear row just as a commotion sounded outside, and the doors to the church were flung open so hard they stretched to the limits of their hinges and sprang back a ways.

  All heads turned to see who had caused the ruckus.

  Revolvers drawn, two dusty, whiskered men in hats stepped inside the building, their boots and spurs loud on the wood floor. Another clamber alerted them to another two men who had entered from the back entrance and now stood behind Reverend Taggart. The tallest one trained his gun on the crowd, and the other pointed his weapon directly at the reverend’s back.

  Daniel’s blood surged and his heart hammered in his chest.
He got to his feet, as did several others, including Will, Owen and Walter Frye. Men on horseback had somehow escaped the notice of the sentries and gotten all the way to the church unnoticed? Nearly every local man, woman and child was gathered in this building, each one vulnerable to whatever the Murdochs had planned. He did a quick calculation of who wasn’t present. Neither Quincy or Tim Watson. Only a couple of the drovers ever attended services. He thought he’d seen Buck when he’d come in.

  The two tall, thin young men with dirty blond hair and unkempt beards met the descriptions of Zeb and Xavier Murdoch. Four of the gang were accounted for right here, meaning there could be more outside, with the horses most likely.

  “How can I help you? What did you gentlemen come seeking?” Reverend Taggart asked.

  The one who appeared the older of the two Murdoch brothers gave a barking laugh and swung the barrel of his revolver in an arc that encompassed half the room. “Why, we came seekin’ fame and fortune, don’t you know? This here’s a pretty little town. Appears the town folk are flush, don’t it? Thought maybe we’d drop in and avail ourselves to some of your Christian charity.”

  “Why don’t we go outside, away from the women and children and see what we can do,” Will said calmly, taking a step into the aisle.

  A shot rang out, provoking a shrill scream and several exclamations of surprise. “Stay right where you are, Mr. Fancypants.”

  “Shoot ’im, Zeb,” the shorter of the brothers said.

  “Let’s all just stay calm.” Daniel raised his hands and turned to fully face the leader, inching his way into the aisle. “Nobody wants to see anyone get hurt.”

  “I don’t much care who gets hurt,” Zeb scoffed. “Who are you?”

  “Daniel Gardner. That’s Will Canfield.”

  “Enough talk, Gardner. I want that pretty little lady right there...” With the barrel of his revolver, he indicated Pippa, who’d been seated in the front row on the aisle. “To come get these here money baskets and put all the money in here.” He took a canvas sack from his waistband and tossed it on the floor.

  Chapter Twelve

  Daniel met Will’s dark, somber eyes for a mere second. Perhaps he could convince the outlaw to let one of them collect the money instead. Will nodded as though interpreting Daniel’s look. Pippa Neely was pretty and young, and he had a bad feeling about Zeb Murdoch singling her out. Before anything else could happen, Pippa popped up from her seat and sashayed toward those men as though she dealt with thieves and crooks every day of her life and they didn’t trouble her a whit. She snapped up the bag.

  “Why you can’t just collect your own ill-gotten plunder is the questionable factor here.” Her voice was a squeaky octave higher than she’d ever spoken, and she darted forward so quickly the seemingly undauntable Zeb Murdoch started and took a step to the side to avoid her, clumsily bumping into his brother. “Land sakes, you’d think you’d all been raised in a barn, the way you come tromping into the Lord’s house with dirt on your boots and your hats on! Is this the way your mama raised you?” She tsked. “I’d be willing to bet that if your mama could see you now she’d box your filthy ears and thrash you a good one. Shamin’ your mama, that’s what you’re doin’.”

  Daniel couldn’t believe his ears or his eyes. Pippa had claimed all along to be an actress, but this brash performance beat everything.

  Yapping all the while, the spunky young lady took both offering baskets and dumped their contents into the bag, then shoved them at Zeb and stepped back, fists on hips. “You boys should be ashamed of yourselves, that’s what. There’s enough pain and heartache in this world to go around. What you should be doing is contributing something positive, instead of robbing and bullying people.”

  “Enough, woman!” Xavier surprised them all by stepping forward. His brother might have been intimidated by the tiny little spitfire, but he’d apparently had enough. He extended his arm and beckoned for Zeb to give him the bag. “Put those earrings in here and shut your trap.”

  Pippa gave a sharp laugh and reached for the bobs dangling from her ears. “These are paste. You won’t get enough for a penny candy. ‘Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.’”

  Xavier turned to his brother with an evil sneer. “What did she say? Is she actually preaching at us?”

  “It means get honest work.” She arched an eyebrow, and even though she was probably a foot and a half shorter and a hundred pounds lighter, she managed to look down her nose at the pair of them.

  “Pass all your jewelry to the aisle and toss it out here,” Xavier barked at the parishioners.

  Leah grabbed the back of Daniel’s jacket. He turned, grasping her hand, and looked down into her frightened face. He raised his gaze to all the citizens looking to him and to Will. His gaze passed over Amos and Valentine, noted the frightened looks on the faces of their new German neighbors. What an impression this was for their first Sunday morning church service. He clenched his jaw in helpless anger. A movement caught his eye, and he distractedly noticed Miss Haywood with her fingers over the brooch at her throat. Nothing was worth risking these people’s lives. He gave a nod. “Pass your jewelry to the person on the aisle. Saving it is not worth someone getting hurt.”

  Clothing rustled as people removed their rings and necklaces. A couple of the women sniffed. Leah stared at the gold ring on her left hand, the one he’d admired only minutes ago. “It’s okay,” he said softly.

  She slid it from her finger and handed it to him, along with the watches and earrings being passed to her. As others were doing, he made a pile on the polished wood floor.

  “Gather ’em up,” Xavier ordered Pippa.

  Without meeting anyone’s eyes she made quick work of sliding all the jewelry into the bag and stuffed it into Zeb’s face. He snatched it and took a step back, putting distance between himself and the intrepid little gal.

  Zeb’s spurs jangled as he walked backward, gesturing behind him for his accomplices to back out the open doors. “If anyone opens these doors before we’re out of town—or the rear door—they’ll be shot. Don’t do anything stupid.”

  No one said a word as the thieves backed out and banged the doors shut. As soon as the doors were closed, people murmured. Daniel, Will, Owen and a few other men gathered at the rear near the doors.

  “We should have guns,” Old Horace said.

  “So there coulda been a shootout in the middle of the church?” Gus groused and poked Old Horace in the chest with a long finger. “You old fool.”

  The only lawman present was Buck Hanley, and he was dressed like all the others that morning, his badge hidden beneath his Sunday suit jacket. “I got a good look at all of ’em,” Buck said. “It’s the Murdoch brothers for sure. We don’t know how many more are out there.”

  Remmy Hagermann had recently started another mercantile on First and Lincoln. “What do you think we should do?”

  “Wait until they’ve cleared town,” Buck answered. “Then I’ll go fetch Sheriff Davis. He’ll likely want to form more than one posse to figure out where they’ve gone.”

  “We have fresh tracks now,” Will said.

  “And someone out there saw them leaving and knows which way they headed,” Daniel added.

  “Those thieves got my father’s watch,” Abram Booker said indignantly. “They need to be caught!”

  “Prudence’s brooch is gone,” Dora nearly shouted, bringing attention to the face of the young woman standing on the edge of the crowd. Dora urged her forward. “She’s never without that. Was it your mother’s, dear?”

  Prudence touched her collar nervously and nodded. She didn’t lift her gaze.

  Leah put her arm around Prudence’s shoulders. “I’m sorry. Hopefully you’ll get your brooch back, but
the important thing is no one was hurt.”

  The young woman said nothing, but she glanced at D.B. The newspaperman had nothing to say for once. He just shook his head.

  Aunt Mae nodded toward Pippa. “Miss Neely’s quick thinking confounded them, that’s for certain. I don’t think they could wait to get out of here.”

  Opal laughed at that and others joined her.

  “I was concerned for you when Zeb singled you out,” Daniel admitted to Pippa. “But you proved your worth as an actress today.”

  “Nobody likes a harpy,” she said with a grin. “I figured if I bullied them with my sharp tongue they’d be glad to be rid of me.”

  Aunt Mae pulled Pippa into her cushioned embrace and the diminutive woman nearly disappeared.

  Gus cackled. “I bet they think twice about comin’ back.”

  “I don’t know,” Amos said. “They got a pretty good haul today, considering the offering—watches, wedding rings and Miss Haywood’s brooch.”

  “My earrings are rubies,” Pippa regretfully admitted, extracting herself from Aunt Mae. “I lied, hoping to discourage them.”

  The gathering sobered. The thieves had intimidated them and stolen quite a lot.

  Daniel glanced at Leah, keeping a calm demeanor when she was probably shaken. “These things can be replaced,” he said. “Everyone is safe.”

  “Prudence’s brooch can’t be replaced.” D.B. spoke up finally, not bothering to hide his displeasure. “None of us came to Cowboy Creek to get robbed.” He made his way through the milling congregation to stand at the door. “May I leave now? Of course we have no way of knowing how much time has passed.”

  Daniel conferred with Will and Buck. The deputy reached for the door handles. “Go home and get your guns, men. We’ll meet in front of the marshal’s office in fifteen minutes. Quincy will direct us from there.”

  Just as the doors pushed open, the sound of gunfire erupted. Shots volleyed from the west, rather than from the center of town, which meant the Murdochs had headed that direction and run into either opposition or victims.