Want Ad Wedding

by Cheryl St. John

  “Get back inside!” Buck motioned for everyone to hurry back in, and the women complied.

  Hoofbeats sounded and James Johnson galloped toward the gathering of men in front of the church. “Is everyone all right?”

  “Yes. What’s happening?” Daniel asked.

  “One of the sentries was knocked out. Another rode in and let Quincy know the Murdochs were headed for town. We caught up to them before they could get out of town, but we couldn’t outrun them. I think one of them is shot. Go home and get your guns. We’re going after them.”

  “We need to get the women to their homes safely and quickly.” Will opened the door and barked instructions. “Everyone go home as quickly as possible. Stay inside.”

  Leah grabbed on to Daniel’s hand and people hurried past them. They were some of the last to leave the church building. They had walked that morning. “Are you feeling well enough to walk home?”

  They headed for Eden Street. “Yes, I’m good.”

  “I’ll buy you a new ring,” he promised.

  “I know.”

  He took her hand like he’d wanted to in church and raised her fingers to his lips, kissing them as they walked. He didn’t want to hurry her, but she kept a good pace. They arrived home and he made a quick change of clothes, strapping on his holster and loading his rifle. Leah filled his canteen and handed it to him as they stood on the front walk. Worry lines etched her brow. He took her upper arms and leaned down to kiss her forehead. Standing straight, he gazed into her eyes and read her concern.

  “Daniel.” Her voice trembled.

  “It’s going to be all right, Leah.”

  Swallowing hard, she whispered, “Please be safe.”

  “I will.”

  “Promise me.”

  “I promise I will be cautious.” He released her shoulders and she pressed her clasped fingers to her mouth in a prayerful manner. “Please don’t worry, Leah.” His admonition was spoken in a thick voice, betraying his own concern. “It’s not good for you.”

  She shook her head as if to agree she wouldn’t worry, but she didn’t allow herself to speak. Her eyes said it all. Large and blue and luminous, they petitioned him to come back. She’d lost her family, lived through nightmares equal to his, survived by sheer grit and the grace of God, and had finally found this oasis of safety.

  “Nothing is going to happen to me, Leah,” he assured her, and then decided she needed to know something so she didn’t live in constant fear of displacement. “If anything ever did happen to me—no, I just have to say this to set your mind at ease—everything is yours. The house, money, property. You’re taken care of.”

  Nostrils flaring, she narrowed her eyes. “Daniel Gardner, don’t you even speak of it!”

  “I should have told you a couple of weeks ago when I had the legal papers drawn up. This wasn’t the best time, but you needed to know.”

  She looked away, her gaze traveling toward the nearly completed school, and she sighed. “All right then.”

  “Get some rest.” He backed away, grabbed his hat and settled it on his head. After he picked up his rifle, he turned and loped toward the livery.

  Leah watched him go, her breath catching in her throat, her heart an ache in her chest. She was angry with him for telling her he’d left everything to her, as though there may be a chance he wouldn’t return, but she was grateful he wanted to set her mind at ease as a precautionary measure. That’s why he’d told her, of course. He had a heart as big as the wide-open state of Kansas.

  Thirty minutes passed, and in that time all she saw was the revealing expression on his beloved face when he’d looked at her before he left. He didn’t know all of her circumstances, didn’t know who she was inside. She was weak and selfish, and he was strength and warmth and goodness. Daniel’s honesty scared her. She was so fragile, she would break if he knew who she really was. She wanted to cry when he looked at her the way he had, because she was so hungry for his concern and compassion. She could not wait here alone, so she closed up the house and walked to the Godwin’s, where she climbed the outside stairs and knocked on the door. A moment later, Opal opened it. They spoke at the same time.

  “I couldn’t sit at home.”

  “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Opal smiled. “Come in. I’ll make tea.”

  The Godwins had comfortably furnished the rooms over their boot shop. “This is so nice,” Leah said, looking around the kitchen.

  “We have a sitting room, two bedrooms, plus storage under the eaves. The stairs are getting to be a bit much, however.”

  “Does the climb cause you any pain?”

  Opal shook her head. “Not pain, no. I just feel so tired and my body aches.”

  “Are you sleeping?”

  “I can’t seem to find a comfortable position, but I sleep a few hours at a time.”

  “Most of the things you describe are fairly common,” Leah explained, “but you haven’t gained weight, which concerns me. Rest, eat and drink water is my advice.”

  “So you’ve said.”

  “I have. And I’m following my own advice.” Leah smiled. “I will make the tea,” she offered. “You sit.” She boiled water and poured it over the tea in Opal’s china pot, then seated herself.

  “I’m so thankful you’re here.” Opal looked up from her cup. “Not just right now, though I am thankful you came, but that you came to Cowboy Creek. Having you here has made a big difference. Amos is more assured about leaving me during the day because you set his mind at ease, and I feel better knowing I could call on you if I needed you.”

  “Yes, any time.”

  “Well. Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. I came because I was desperate for a fresh start and needed a home for my baby. Thank the men who sent for the bride train.”

  “That must have been terrifying for you, to lose your husband knowing you were going to have a baby and having nowhere to go.”

  “My family home is gone,” Leah agreed. Along with the homes of a lot of others. She’d never felt safe or secure with her first husband. When she’d learned she was pregnant the second time after losing a baby while living on an outpost, she’d insisted she go back to Pennsylvania. That hadn’t worked out well either, because their desperate escape from the rebels had taken its toll on her body, and she’d lost that baby soon after her mother and cousin died. She’d eventually had no choice but to make her way back to Charles. He’d been no comfort. She couldn’t tell Opal about the other babies. Perhaps one day she would, after Opal’s baby was born strong and healthy.

  She sipped her tea. “How bold was it of those outlaws to come right up to the church and disrupt the service?”

  “No doubt they knew the men would be unarmed. It was a heartless deed, taking our wedding rings besides the cash.” Opal looked at her hand with its bare ring finger.

  Leah absently curled the fingers of her left hand and rested the other hand over it. “It’s not easy to tell ourselves not to set up our treasures on earth when those treasures are symbols of wedding vows.”

  “And love,” Opal added, her tone wistful, and then looked at Leah apologetically. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

  “No offense taken. Daniel and I have a partnership. You and I may have different circumstances, but each of us had something important taken from us, and now our husbands are out there risking their lives to hunt down those thieves.”

  Leah had a thought and glanced around. They must do everything in their power. She prayed for Daniel’s safety, but there was power in numbers and the men needed all the prayers they could offer. “How many people do you think we could sit in here?”

  “I don’t know. A dozen maybe? Why?”

  “I don’t want you traveling those stairs again, but what if I go find a messenger
and send him to gather the other ladies and bring them here for an impromptu prayer meeting?”

  “I doubt anyone has eaten yet,” Opal answered.

  “I’ll let the messenger know the women can bring along something to share for a meal.”

  Opal smiled. “Let’s do it.”

  * * *

  Thunder rumbled, and the first fat drops of rain spattered on Daniel’s shirt. The late afternoon had grown increasingly dark, and black clouds rolled across the Kansas sky. He took his slicker from his saddlebag and pulled it over his head, covering the holster that held his rifle and noting Will and Buck had done the same. The tracks had split hours ago, and they’d been following what seemed to be a wild goose chase ever since. The men they were chasing were crafty and had plenty of experience outsmarting posses.

  “No chance of finding their trail now,” Will said as rain pelted the ground.

  “Might as well head back to where we split up,” Buck agreed. “I have a feeling they’re long gone.”

  By the time they met up with the others, the ground was becoming soft. Rain drizzled from the brim of Daniel’s hat. A blinding flash of light and a resounding clash startled the horses. Walter Frye’s horse reared up and Walter slid from the saddle, landing on the ground with a hard thud. Daniel rode up close and leaned out to grab the bay’s reins and lead it away from the man on the ground. Walter wasn’t getting up.

  Will and Amos jumped to the ground and ran to kneel beside him.

  “You all right?” Will asked.

  “My arm’s busted,” Walter gritted out between clenched teeth. He sat upright and Amos gingerly helped him to his feet. He released a shout of anger. “I didn’t need this! I got a business t’ run.”

  “We’ll get you fixed up,” Remmy said.

  Buck grabbed what looked like a shirt from his saddlebag, lifted Walter’s slicker, and firmly tied the fabric so it secured his arm against his body. Walter sucked in air through his teeth and blew it out in a curse. Buck held the stirrup while Daniel kept the rein in hand and the horse still so Walter could get back onto the saddle one-handed. Daniel gave him the reins.

  A couple of hours later, night had fallen, rain still pelting the streets, and Walter sat in Doc Fletcher’s office, letting a plaster cast dry. “Will and I will take care of the livery tonight,” Daniel told him. “You should probably stay here and let that cast harden. Get some rest. I’ll bring you clothes in the morning.”

  “You’ll get a fine breakfast,” Doc said. “Aunt Mae always sends over meals for my patients when she knows they’re here. Almost worth a busted arm, it is.”

  “I doubt that, but looks like I don’t have no choice. Thank you, Daniel.”

  “Least I can do.”

  “The drovers’ horses are stabled, besides the regulars. Theo’s and Johnson’s. They’ll need let out into the corral in the morning if the rain lets up.”

  “I’ve got it, Walter.”

  He found Will across the street at the sheriff’s office, along with half a dozen other men.

  “We need to lift the gun ban until this is figured out.” D.B. Burrows sat on one of the two chairs, his feet on the desk, fingers laced over his belly.

  “It’s a law for a reason,” Will disagreed. “We go changing the law, we lose control. Our goal is peace and quiet.”

  “We’ve got no control,” D.B. argued. “We’re sitting ducks here. It’ll be real quiet once half the town is either shot or packs up and moves out.”

  Daniel raked a hand through his hair and stretched his neck and shoulders hoping to release kinks of tension. “Quincy shot one of them. They found out they can’t just ride in to make trouble and get away without a fight.”

  “The sentries worked,” Will said. “They alerted the sheriff.”

  “Those men could’ve barged into the church shooting.” D.B. lowered his feet and stood. “I don’t call that protection.”

  “We’ll double the sentries,” Will insisted.

  D.B. headed for the door. “Have Owen build some coffins. You’re gonna need ’em.” He exited and slammed the door behind him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Daniel entered the foyer, and Leah met him before he reached the doorway to the sitting room. “Daniel!”

  He caught her as she threw herself into his arms. “I’m wet and muddy.”

  “I don’t care,” she said, burrowing her face against his shirt. “You’re safe.”

  “I’m sorry you had to wait so long.”

  She leaned back and looked at him. “Did you catch them?”

  “No, they’re long gone. They had their escape planned.”

  “Do you think they’ll be back?”

  “Hard to say. This didn’t turn out as well as they’d hoped, so they may be discouraged.” He tightened his arms around her and held her close. “One of them was shot. Hopefully they’ve moved on.”

  “I went to Opal’s and we gathered the women to pray.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You were supposed to stay in.”

  “We were inside when we were at Opal’s. I’ve already heated water,” she said, pulling away and gesturing for him to follow her to the kitchen. “If you bring in the tub, I’ll fill it.”

  “I’ll fill it. You’ll watch.”

  “Very well.” She sat on a kitchen chair and observed as he carried in the copper tub and used all the kettles of water she’d kept warm on the stove to fill it half full. She’d set out towels, soap and clean clothing. “I knew you’d be wet and tired.”

  “That’s thoughtful of you, Leah.”

  She stood and headed toward the hall. “I kept something warm for you to eat, as well. It was a long day. Let me know when you’ve finished.”

  He washed in the warm water. Only a few months ago he’d had no one to come home to. This was an entirely different life coming home to someone who’d been waiting for him. Someone who cared about his welfare. Leah did care, he was sure. They had entered this arrangement as a convenience, but he admitted to himself he’d hoped for more all along. He was all she had, he reminded himself. She might care, but he wasn’t the one she’d fallen in love with or the one she’d chosen to marry.

  A short time later, after he’d eaten the casserole she’d kept hot, she served him a slice of apple pie and poured coffee. “You cooked, too?”

  “No, the ladies shared a meal at Opal’s, and I brought home a plate for you. Apparently this is Aunt Mae’s award-winning pie. Seems she enters it in the county fair and has won every year.”

  “Not to take away from Aunt Mae’s accomplishment, but we’ve only had two fairs so far and there aren’t that many women to enter pies,” he said with a grin. He ate a few bites of the pie and drank the coffee. “This is all new for me, Leah.”

  “What’s that?” She’d seated herself in the nearest chair.

  “Someone waiting at home. Someone concerned.”

  She folded her hands on top of the table. Her gentle gaze moved over his features. What did she see when she looked at him? What went on inside her head and heart that she didn’t speak aloud?

  “I suppose you’ve already done more than your share of waiting at home.”

  “I suppose I have.”

  He pushed away the plate. “I’m sorry about the way I told you I made a will.”

  She lifted her chin. “That scared me a little.”

  He reached and lifted her hand. It felt small and delicate in his, her skin soft and smooth. His own were rough and clumsy. He used one finger to trace the spot on her finger where her ring had been that morning.

  She lifted her bright blue gaze. “None of this is your fault.”

  “I’m responsible for these people. Will and I, we set up this whole town, advertised for shop owners, tradesmen, got the town
council to agree to send for brides.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “We promised to bring cattle through, finance businesses, build homes, provide a prosperous community.”

  “And you have.”

  “And now we can’t protect them,” he bit out.

  She sat straighter. “Don’t count these people short,” she told him. “The women got together and prayed. We’re all strong. The men are resourceful and determined. The Murdochs couldn’t have been expecting to be confronted as soon as they left the church. They’ve seen that the people here are peace-loving, but that we will defend ourselves. Hopefully, we’ve seen the last of them.”

  “I pray you’re right.”

  She turned her hand to grasp his. “I trust the decisions you’re making.”

  He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her soft skin. “Thank you, Leah.”

  She got up and moved to hold his head against her midriff. He wrapped his arms around her, and she threaded her fingers through his damp hair. He remembered the baby growing under her apron and leaned back to lay his palm flat against the fabric. Of course there was nothing to feel yet, but he marveled that a life was nestled safely beneath his hand. “I haven’t been around many babies,” he said hoarsely. “I admit I’m a little intimidated by the whole thing. By this. By the fact that a newborn will be with us soon.”

  “I’ve helped quite a few women bring their babies into the world,” she said. “The babies themselves aren’t so frightening. They just need to be held and fed. But to tell you the truth, all I’ve ever felt for myself is inadequacy. And fear.”

  “Even the first time?”

  “Yes. I was stranded on that outpost and I didn’t know a thing about what to do or what was going to happen. After the baby didn’t make it, I was still alone. And heartbroken.”

  “Your husband was in the field?”

  “Yes.”

  He looked up at her. “I have so much to be thankful for. We have a good life ahead of us. I understand you’ve already lost a lot, Leah. Too much. I won’t be leaving you.”

  Cupping his head, she smiled down at him and stroked his cheeks with her thumbs. “We have a lot of living to do,” she agreed.