“I have never shot you, Marshal, and I think it’s time for you to leave my office unless you have proof.”
“Oh, I’ll leave and return with proof. I’m just curious if you’ll try to shoot me again before then. Would save the judge a lot of trouble if you did try again.”
Henry slid over to the door, opened it, and backed out. Then he spun to put his back to the wall outside the jail while he pulled the door closed behind him. He looked up and down the street making sure there were plenty of people in sight and then turned and keeping one eye alert for movement behind him, made his way over to the Golden Nugget. He’d see if he could meet this Gus Reed and check out the sheriff’s story before Ketchem had a chance to arrange an alibi with another of Anders’ employees.
Eleven
Hannah followed Toria into the back room. She knew the first question the sweet shopkeeper was going to ask her, and smiled when she did. “Okay spill, how did you land the Marshal for a husband? I didn’t even know the two of you knew each other.”
“Henry and I go way back. I knew him when we lived in New York City. His parents ran the shop my mother loved to shop in the most. So you could say I’ve known him most of my life.”
The shopkeeper’s brown eyes flashed with irritation. “That’s not what I’m asking and you know it. How did you and he end up on the way to the altar?”
While she was speaking, she’d been looking through the items stored in the back room.
Hannah didn’t know why but she told Toria the whole story about being awakened New Year’s Eve by a woman at the foot of her bed, going with the woman to rescue Henry, seeing the angel of death, and learning the woman was her guardian angel and the deceased grandmother of a friend of hers. She told her about Bob, the attack rooster, and everything that had happened the past seven days.
When she was finished she almost passed out when Toria hugged her and said. “Welcome to the club. Several of us ladies have gotten together and realized that there seems to be some spiritual power helping us find our true loves. For me it was Mortimer’s first wife. She thought I’d be perfect for her husband and son, and be the help and healing they needed. She also thought they’d be perfect for me. I must say I agree with her. So I’ll pray your angel is as successful as mine has been. Oh, and I want to meet this attack chicken; he sounds like a real character.”
Hannah smiled. “He is. You should have seen him today when Reverend Theodore got all judgmental and preachy. He went after him and afterwards wouldn’t let him move a muscle. When he tried to insist Henry and I not be married today, Bob ran him right back to his buggy.”
Both women were laughing at that. Toria held up a beautiful deep crimson gown made from strips of material, creating a layered-look gown that was beautiful. It matched the exact shade of Hannah’s wool coat, too. “Oh, this is perfect.”
“I thought it would be. Hurry, go behind the screen there and try it on. Let’s see if it’s going to fit you like I think it will.”
Hannah took the dress, put it on, and came out to show Mrs. Jackson. “Hannah, it’s like it was made for you.”
Hannah nodded. “I shouldn’t get it, but Henry was pretty adamant about me buying a dress for the wedding, wasn’t he?”
Tori smiled. “He was, and honestly Hannah, I think Viv made it for you. She didn’t know she was making it for you, but it’s the perfect size and coloring for you. Maybe your angel inspired her to make it so you’d have the perfect gown for your speedy wedding.”
Hannah slipped behind the screen again and changed back into her day dress and nurses apron. She handed it to Toria. “I’ll take it. Would you wrap it so Henry doesn’t see it till I put it on for the wedding?”
The shopkeeper nodded. “Listen, before we go back and get your supplies I wanted to ask you if you have any questions about your wedding night? I know a lot of women have never been told what to expect.”
Hannah blushed. “I’m a nurse and a midwife, Toria. I know what to expect, and I’ve worked with the saloon girls enough to know it isn’t all unpleasant either.”
Her last statement caused the shopkeeper to blush as well. “That’s um… good then. Let’s go get the other supplies you need and I’ll wrap this dress for you.”
They went back and Hannah began gathering the things she would need once she moved to Henry’s. She didn’t know what pans or dishes he’d have so she got a Dutch oven, a skillet, a stew pot, a set of plates, and cutlery. She got a cutting board, a serving platter, fork and carving knife, as well as a paring knife. She also got a set of six enamel mugs so they’d have two upstairs; Henry could take the rest down to the jail if he needed them. Then she stocked up on things like flour, salt, sugar, cornmeal, coffee, beans, several tins of peaches, some dried apples, and any other staples she thought they’d need. She knew she’d need to see what Henry had and how they were laid out in Topaz before she ordered anything else. “I don’t know what else to get so I’ll stop there for now and come back my first day working at the clinic.”
“What do you mean your first day? I thought you and Doctor Thomas were already working together. I know several people were already speculating on when the two of you would be getting married. Won’t they all be surprised.”
Hannah smiled. “Well, Henry and I had a talk about where we would live and work. After all, his office is set up in Topaz and he has an apartment there above the jail. I was renting a line shack from the Morgan’s and working for Doctor Thomas. Henry and I agreed he had the better place to live, but he was worried about my traveling such a distance alone twice a day, every day. I agreed to arrange with Doctor Thomas to come into the office once a week to do the ladies’ appointments he needs me to do. I’ll be able to visit my pregnant women at their homes, and we will talk to Mr. Jameson about telegraphs in case of emergencies like babies coming, or if one of the women at the saloons needs my help.”
“Well, I hope you won’t be a stranger living over in Topaz. We’d miss you around here.”
Hannah nodded. “No, there aren’t as many shops in Topaz so I’m sure we’ll be here a lot. And like I said, I’ll be at the clinic one day a week so I’ll shop on those days.”
Just then the door opened and Henry came in. When he saw the amount of stuff she’d bought, he smiled. “We might not be able to haul all this in your buggy, Hannah.”
She frowned. “Oh, I hadn’t thought about that. We might need to rent a wagon from the livery.”
Toria looked at them. “Are you planning to ride to Topaz tonight after the wedding?”
Henry shook his head. “No, going to spend tonight at Hannah’s cabin. I thought we’d wait till tomorrow to head for Topaz.”
“Well, if you don’t mind paying, I could have Tom and Willie deliver this stuff there tomorrow afternoon.”
Henry looked at Hannah who nodded. “There are a few things I got to replenish the line shack, but the rest could go to Topaz.”
“Well then, get what goes to the cabin and I’ll load it, and then we’ll head up to Bachelor and get married.”
Hannah quickly pointed to the things she wanted at the cabin, and Henry wasted no time in loading them in the buggy. Hannah took the package with her dress and a surprise she’d bought for her wedding night tonight, and Toria congratulated them just as Mortimer was coming into the store. When he heard of their wedding he offered his congratulations, too. “Here I’d been thinking about carrying Miss Elizabeth’s matrimonial times paper, but seems like the good men of Creede are doing well enough without a mail order bride. Well except me, and I’m very pleased with my mail order bride.” He hugged Toria who blushed and laughed. “Behave Mortimer, or I won’t make you those cookies you love for dessert tonight.”
“Now there’s no reason to be cruel, Toria my dear.”
Hannah and Henry left laughing at the two of them. Henry helped her up onto the buggy and quickly climbed in and turned them toward Bachelor. As they passed the jail his hand rested on his left hand pistol causing
Hannah to wonder about his meeting with the sheriff. But soon enough they were headed up the trail to Reverend Bing’s church, and all she could think about was that she was about to become Mrs. Henry Wheeler.”
Henry helped Hannah out of the buggy with Bob following behind them. He didn’t know how Reverend Bing would feel about having a rooster in the house of God, but if he looked upset, Henry would just toss Bob outside. As they got close to the church and the parsonage behind it, Millie stuck her head out the parsonage door and motioned for them to come that way. So Henry and Hannah changed directions and soon arrived at the parsonage where Millie opened the door. “I didn’t want to overstep my place here, but I thought you might wish a bath before you say your vows.”
Hannah blushed. “That sounds heavenly, Millie. I haven’t been able to clean up much with my patient in my home.”
Millie nodded, “I thought so. I’ve got water heated in the kitchen and had Callum pull in the tub earlier. So let’s get you all cleaned up and ready for your wedding.”
She and Hannah went through to the kitchen and shut the door, leaving Henry standing in the entranceway. Callum and Doctor Thomas approached him and shook his hand. The doctor once again had a look of disappointment or something on his face. “Have I done something to you, Doctor, that has you upset with me?”
The Doc’s face registered a moment of shock. “What?? Oh, no, of course not, Marshal Wheeler. It was nothing. I just had kind of built it up in my head that maybe Miss Coppersmith and I would marry. You know, having the medical profession in common and her working alongside me.”
Henry felt an unaccustomed moment of jealousy. “Are you telling me that you and Hannah were courting, Doc? Because if so, I’ll step back. Nothing happened between us, and I wouldn’t want to overstep an agreement you two had.”
The Doctor waved his hand. “No, Marshal, there was nothing like that. No formal or even implied commitment between us. It was just something that I’d been thinking on for a few weeks. There is no reason for you to step aside. Especially when it is obvious the two of you are in love.”
Henry stilled; his feelings were obvious? He didn’t see how; he’d not done anything in front of the men to indicate that anything more than the nurse taking care of her patient had even remotely happened. “I don’t know that I’d say that. We get along well enough, and I didn’t want her to face ridicule, or more of what Eugene put her through today.”
Thomas smiled. “You don’t even realize it, do you? You can’t be near her without touching her, Wheeler, and when she’s out of your reach your eyes never leave her.”
Callum laughed and agreed with the doctor. “Aye, lad, you’ve got it bad; that’s for certain. Almost as bad as Hugh had it for our Julianne. He couldn’t see it, but the rest of us could. Well, except for Eugene, and honestly I think he saw it too, just couldn’t accept the blow to his pride that she didn’t want him.”
Henry thought about that but didn’t say anything about how he felt for Hannah. “You know, I should have bought some new clothes when we were in the mercantile. Here Hannah’s going to be all fresh and dressed for our wedding, and I’m in my blood-stained torn shirt and britches.”
James Thomas cleared his throat. “I um… hope you aren’t offended, but I did notice the condition of your clothes when I examined your wound this morning. I also noticed we looked to be around the same size. If it wouldn’t offend you, I did bring a set of my dress clothes with me. I thought you might wish for something better for your wedding.”
Henry smiled and clasped the man on the shoulder. “Thank you, Doc, that’s right nice of you. I believe I’ll take you up on your kind offer.” The doctor nodded and went to get the clothes out of his buggy. Henry looked at Reverend Bing. “Do you think Fontaine has the bathhouse open in back of his saloon? I know he’s trying to close the saloon, but a good bath wouldn’t hurt me neither.”
“I believe he has it open still. The saloon, too, though he is trying to sell that. I heard Anders may make him an offer.”
“Well, if the bath is open, I’ll collect them duds from Doctor Thomas and surprise my wife with a clean and dressed groom.”
Henry turned and fairly ran out of the house. He grabbed the clothes that the doctor was bringing him and headed down the road to the saloon. Sure enough, when he told Hugh what was happening the man gave him a towel and bar of soap. “Help yourself, Henry. If you set your boots outside the door, I’ll give them a quick clean and polish while you get yourself cleaned up. There’s a razor and scissors in the cabinet behind the mirror if you want to shave or trim up.”
Henry sat a silver dollar on the bar, took the towel and soap Hugh handed him, and quickly went into the first bathing room in back. He sat his boots outside, hurriedly filled the tub with hot water and cooled it to just a touch over warm and climbed in, washing off the blood, mud and stink of the past week. He climbed out and looked in the mirror and realized his facial hair had grown while he’d been recovering. He opened the cabinet, filled the washbasin, and used the scissors to trim his beard and mustache back to the two-day scruff he preferred. Not clean shaven making him look like a greenhorn, but not the face of a miner or mountain man either.
Once he was done, he slipped into his borrowed clothes and was surprised at how well they fit. While not a suit, it was a pair of dress pants and a white go-to-meeting shirt. The doctor had even included a narrow string bowtie. Henry quickly got the tie tied and opened the door to see his boots clean and shined. He hurried out and thanked Hugh before hurrying down to the church. The Doc was standing outside at the steps up to the church. “Everyone is ready if you are.”
“Thanks again, Doc, I appreciate the loan.”
“You’re welcome; just have Hannah bring them when she comes in to the office next. She talked with me about your arrangement and I agree with you; that ride is too dangerous for her to make alone several times a week. We agreed she’d come to the office on Wednesdays to meet with women who need female medicine. If you can’t bring her or if you can’t be with her to go to the saloon for the women there, just send me a telegram and I’ll come ride with her. We’ll keep her safe and doing the work she loves.”
Henry shook the man’s hand. “Thank you, Doc. I appreciate that.”
“You head up to the front and I’ll go inform your bride you are ready. Callum is up front already.”
Henry walked to the front and waited. He kept looking toward the doors at the back of the church waiting for his first glimpse of Hannah in the dress she’d bought for their wedding. When the door opened and she walked in on the arm of Doctor Thomas, Henry couldn’t believe the vision of beauty and desire that came toward him. Her gown was a deep crimson that highlighted the sunset colors of her hair, which was done in those two simple braids she wore so often. He almost lost it when he realized that instead of a bouquet of flowers or some pine boughs, Hannah was carrying Bob. The silly protector was laying in her arm, limp like he was dead, but Henry knew the chicken was alive and Hannah had used him as a bouquet just so she could smuggle him into their wedding. Well, why not? Bob had chaperoned their courtship, as unusual as it was, and he deserved to be in the wedding and see his charge married and his job get handed over to Henry. Then they were beside him and the rooster looked at him with one eye and clucked softly once as if to say he was giving her to Henry.
Reverend Callum saw the rooster and raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything else. Then he started to speak and Henry tore his attention from Hannah and her rooster companion to the vow he was about to pledge, intent on living up to every single word of them.
Twelve
Hannah was lost in the feelings of her heart as the wedding took place. She was sure she must have said all the right things because the ceremony had gone on, and then before she even could sort out how full her heart was, Reverend Bing looked at Henry and said. “You can kiss your bride, Marshal.”
Henry had carefully leaned down with one hand on her cheek and the other la
ying over top of Bob in her arms. Then he’d kissed her sweetly. Even though it was less passionate than the one they’d shared that morning in bed, it hit her harder. This was her first kiss as Mrs. Henry Wheeler. The first kiss of her dream come true. Then Henry let her go and stepped back. When he stepped back, Bob rose up and hopped out of her arms. He turned and looked back at Henry and Hannah, and then puffed up his chest and crowed out a loud, and Hannah thought, joyous, COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO! Hannah felt like he was giving them his approval; as if to prove she was right, he turned and strutted down the aisle and right out the door.
Millie laughed. “Well, I must say that was certainly the most unusual ending to a wedding.”
“I’m just thankful he decided not to peck me for kissing Hannah. That’s what he usually does.”
Reverend Bing chuckled. “Aye, lad, but you said he was Hannah’s protector and chaperone. What did ya think he’d be a doin’? He was keeping the lass safe from the likes of you.”
Henry nodded. “Callum, I know Bob is just a rooster, but sometimes I feel as if he’s more than just some old ornery bird. Sometimes it almost seems he understands what’s being said and done.”
The minister slapped Henry on the shoulder. “Well, I would agree with you, lad. I donna think Bob is an ordinary rooster. I don’t rightly ken what he is, but he’s something special, that’s certain-sure.”
Hannah fought not to tell them all about Bob and the angel who had brought her and Henry together. She wasn’t sure they’d believe her, and she didn’t want them all to think she wasn’t right in the head. She didn’t know why but she knew that Penny wasn’t gone yet, and there was something more she had come to do. Something having to do with her and Henry. Because the woman had told her if she needed her to just call out to her. That must mean there would be a reason to call out to her.
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