by Jenna Brandt
“Well, all right, then, that’s more like it,” Tyson said with a toothless grin. “That’s the old Daniel we’re used to seeing.”
The three veteran ranch hands made their way into town, along with a couple of the other newly hired men, ready for a good time.
They entered the Sweetwater Saloon and made their way over to the bar. “First round is on me, in honor of good old Daniel here, not letting a woman be the boss of him,” Mark declared. “Here’s to your liberation from the tyrannical thumb of Mrs. Hillman.”
“She’s not like that,” Daniel defended June, not liking the other man making unbiased, rude comments about her for sport. “She’s a good woman; far better than any of the likes of us deserve.”
“Oh, Sugar, don’t you be worrying about any other woman while Georgia is here,” a painted-up blonde said as she came up draping her arm around Daniel. “Let me show you a good time and take your mind right off of everything else.”
Daniel wanted to yank away from the woman and get free of her overly perfumed presence. It was one thing to come in here and have a drink, it was a whole other to be bombarded with the likes of her.
“You should listen to her, Daniel. Georgia is a real peach, and you won’t regret going upstairs with her,” Mark coaxed. “She’ll do every little thing your shrew of a woman, Mrs. Hillman, would turn her nose up at.”
“He’s got that right, Sugar,” she said, patting his nose with the tip of her finger. “Anything you want.”
In that moment, as Daniel stared at the woman who was quite willing to give him what most men wanted, he realized that wasn’t him anymore. He’d changed since June came back into his life. He wanted a good woman to love, a family to raise, and an honorable name. He couldn’t get any of those things inside this saloon.
He pulled free from Georgia, saying, “I have to go. This was a mistake.”
“Let me guess, you’re afraid of what Mrs. Hillman is going to say once she finds out you were spending time in here,” Mark teased snidely. “She sure does have you right where she wants you.”
“Yes, it matters what she would say, but more importantly, it matters what I think about being here. That’s just it, I think it was a stupid idea, one that I’m fully ready to correct by leaving. This isn’t the life for me anymore. I want a new one.”
Without waiting for a response, Daniel charged out of the saloon, and headed straight over to June’s place.
The apothecary was already closed for the day, so he knocked on the door and waited for an answer.
The door swung open to reveal June on the other side. “Good evening, Daniel. What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to spend the evening with Ben and you,” Daniel stated bluntly.
She glanced outside, then back behind her. “Mr. Partridge came by earlier for my interview.”
“Did it go well?”
“That’s just it, Daniel, it did, up until the point when he started questioning me about you and what’s going on between us. Believe me, I want to let you in, but he pointed out the fact it’s not appropriate for you to be in my home without a chaperone.”
“But this is a business,” Daniel countered, but even as he said it, he knew it didn’t negate what she was saying.
“Not during the night, it isn’t, and that’s when you’ve been coming over here the most. For the sake of my reputation and to keep Ben from being bullied because of it, I can’t have you coming over in the evenings anymore.”
“I understand,” Daniel stated with disappointment. Then remembering there were other ways to spend time together, he quickly added, “But it doesn’t mean I have to leave you alone. Why don’t you and Ben come with me to the Belle Cafe for dinner? Surely no one can object to that.”
June bit her lip as she thought about his invitation. A moment later she relented. “I suppose you’re right. We can do that. Let me get Ben and my bag and we’ll be right out.”
She shut the door firmly, leaving Daniel to wait on the porch alone. A couple of townspeople passed by, eyeing him with disapproval as they did. Daniel realized, June wasn’t mistaken. People were indeed paying attention to what they were doing together, and it seemed they didn’t like it. Well, from this point forward, he was going to do everything right for June.
“We’re ready,” she said, stepping outside with Ben right beside her.
“Hello, Daniel, Ma says you’re taking us out to dinner at the cafe.”
“She’s right. I hope you like the food there, though nothing is as good as your mother’s cooking.”
“We haven’t ever been. Ma says it costs too much money, and we have to watch every penny,” Ben stated bluntly.
Daniel glanced over at June, whose cheeks were red with embarrassment.
How bad was their financial situation? Daniel had assumed she had limited resources, but not to that degree. He added it to the list of things he needed to make right for June, knowing she deserved to have everything her heart could desire.
“Well, tonight, you get to order whatever you want. I’m treating, and I insist.”
“Yippee,” Ben shouted, dancing down the steps with June and Daniel following behind.
They made their way down Main Street until they reached Belle Cafe. When they entered, several heads turned towards them, curious about their arrival. They quickly turned back and started talking in hushed voices.
“I think they’re talking about us,” June said in a concerned tone, her face taut with apprehension. “Should we just go?”
“No, we came here to eat, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Who cares what anyone else thinks? Let them talk. All I care about is having a nice time with Ben and you tonight.”
June seemed to relax a bit just as Marianne Shields, who owned and ran the cafe with her husband, Joseph, came up to them. “Can I get you all a table?”
“You sure can,” Daniel replied with a friendly grin.
Marianne led them over to a table towards the back, then rattled off the menu. Both Daniel and Ben ordered the chicken with rice while June ordered the chicken with potato salad.
They talked about church, Daniel’s work, and the apothecary. After the adults dominated the conversation for several minutes, Ben interrupted, demanding to talk. “I want to say something, right now!”
“Ben, that isn’t very nice to yell at us like that,” June corrected kindly.
“It must be important,” Daniel said with a wink at Ben. “What is it?”
“I want to know if you’re going to the Fourth of July celebration with us. I need a partner for the three-legged race and you have to be it.”
Daniel looked over at June who gave him a teasing smile. “You heard the young man, he demands to know.”
“I should warn you, I’m not so good at races,” Daniel warned Ben, “but if you want me to be your partner, I’m more than willing to oblige.”
“Good, then that’s that. You’re going with us to the picnic,” Ben declared with inflexibility.
“And so it is,” Daniel said with a chuckle, realizing he liked the idea of spending the holiday with them.
The food came and everyone ate in contentment, until a sudden ruckus drew their attention to the front of the cafe. The men from Mr. Turnpike’s ranch were staggering into the cafe, clearly drunk from the way they were carrying on with each other by yelling and stumbling around.
“You can’t come in here like that,” Marianne chastised. “This is a respectable establishment. Go back to the saloon where that type of behavior belongs.”
“We’re hungry, and we have money to spend. You can’t turn us away,” Tanner argued, slamming a fist full of money down on the counter by the cash register.
“You’re mistaken,” Joseph stated firmly, coming up to stand next to his wife. “You’re not welcome here in your condition.”
“What are you going to do, make me leave?” Tanner growled out, moving towards Joseph in a menacing way. “You can’t really make all of us lea
ve, now can you?”
Daniel noticed Tanner had brought with him Tyson and one of the new guys. There was no way Joseph would be able to defend himself against all of them. Daniel stood to his feet and rushed over to help his friend.
“You need to listen to Mr. Shields, Tanner,” Daniel said, trying to persuade his co-worker to back off. “You shouldn’t be here behaving like this. Our boss won’t like it.”
“What are you going to do, tattle-tell on me?” Looking past Daniel towards June and Ben, Mark added, “I see spending time with a child has worn off on you. I still can’t believe you left the saloon tonight to go be with them.”
“They’re significantly better company than you, Mark. I wouldn’t trade one minute with them for a year with the likes of you.”
“How dare you,” Tanner shrieked out, pulling his hand back and swinging at Daniel’s face.
In his drunken-state, it was easy to avoid Tanner’s attack. Daniel dodged it, grabbing his arm and pulling it behind his back to restrain him. “Stop this right now, Tanner, or I’m going to have Mrs. Shields go get the sheriff. You’ll lose your job if you end up in the jail again.”
Tanner immediately went limp in Daniel’s arms, sagging against him. “Please don’t, Danny, I can’t lose my job. It’s all I got.”
“Then I suggest you leave and take your friends with you,” Daniel suggested.
“You got it; anything you say,” Tanner said as Daniel released him.
The men scurried from the cafe, allowing everyone in the place time calm down.
“Thank you for intervening,” Joseph said, patting Daniel on the back. “Glad to have a friend like you nearby when I need him.”
“Of course, you shouldn’t have to put up with them behaving like that in your place of business.”
“Well, dinner is on me,” Joseph insisted. “It’s the least I can do to thank you.”
Daniel nodded, then headed back over to June and Ben to join them at the table.
“You were at the saloon earlier tonight?” June asked, tilting her head to the side as her brows came together in confusion. “Why would you go there?”
“Old habits, but I realized very quickly, I don’t want to anymore. I would much rather spend my time with Ben and you. It’s why I came over when I did. I can’t believe I’m saying this June, but I want to officially court you. I don’t want to rush you, and I know you’ll need time to adjust to the idea—”
“Yes, my answer is yes, Daniel. I want you to court me,” June said, reaching out and letting her hand grab his with a squeeze.
“You have no idea how happy that makes me,” Daniel beamed.
“Me too!” Ben said, his mouth full of chicken.
They continued to eat their meal, enjoying each other’s company. Marianne brought out a cake to celebrate the start of their official courtship. By the end of their time at the cafe, everyone was happy. However, Ben was nearly falling asleep in his chair.
Daniel picked him up and let his head rest against his shoulder. “You can go to sleep if you want, Ben.”
The little boy didn’t need any further prompting. His head dropped to Daniel’s shoulder like a rock and, within a few seconds, his little body was rising and falling with even breathing.
They walked the short distance back to June’s home where Daniel carried Ben into his room and gently laid him on his bed. His eyes flickered open and he whispered, “Don’t go, Daniel. Can you read me a bedtime story? My Pa used to do it. Ma tries, but it’s just not the same.”
Daniel picked up the book about trains from the nightstand and sat down on the bed. He let Ben curl up against him as he opened the book to read.
It only took a few minutes before Ben was back to sleep, but in that time, Daniel realized that holding the boy and reading to him might be his favorite thing to do. Well, besides kissing June. Kissing June was the best.
What was happening to him? He never imagined himself being a man that wanted a family, but here he was, ready to commit his life to the both of them.
He exited Ben’s room and padded down the hall. June was sitting on the couch, reading a book. She must have heard Daniel approach, because her eyes moved up from the book and settled on him.
“I heard you reading to him. He hasn’t wanted anyone to do that since his Pa passed.” She set the book down on the table and clasped her hands together in her lap. “You better be serious about this, Daniel, about us. I can’t have you running off on us like you did to me the last time. I would find a way to handle it, but it would break Ben’s heart. He’s my priority. I have to protect him, so I need to know you’re not making an impulse decision you’ll regret later.”
“Never,” Daniel swore, rushing forward and sitting down next to her. He grabbed her hands, adding, “I’m all yours, June. Yours and Ben’s, and nothing is going to change that, I promise. I’d marry you tonight if I thought you were ready, but I want to give you and Ben time to get used to the idea of it. It’s been just the two of you for nearly a year, and I don’t want to push you into anything.”
June nodded. “I understand. Part of me wants to take you up on your offer to marry tonight; however, I know you’re right. We should do this the right way and take our time.”
“For now, I’ll take my leave,” Daniel said, leaning over and placing a quick peck on her lips. “I can’t kiss you longer than that for fear I won’t be able to leave your side.”
As Daniel exited June’s home, he realized he was finally right where he was supposed to be.
Chapter Nine
June, Daniel, and Ben arrived mid-morning at the area for Belle’s Independence Day celebration. Daniel offered to watch Ben so June could help her friends get everything ready for the day.
“I thought I got here in time to help. It looks like you don’t need much after all,” June joked as she came to stand next to Becky. “Should I just head home and rest?”
“Considering how busy your apothecary has been keeping you lately, you probably need it,” Becky joshed back. “But there’s no way you’re taking off when I have a chance to quiz you about what’s going on with you and Daniel.”
“Yes, do tell us,” June heard Lucy Mae say as she came up beside them. “I want to know all the details. When did you two decide to get back together? When are you getting married? What does your son think of all this?”
June shouldn’t have been shocked by Lucy Mae’s interruption, and the long list of questions that spilled from the woman’s mouth. Lucy Mae was known for sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Even so, it still made June feel awkward, and she didn’t want to answer the woman’s personal inquiries.
“If I didn’t know any better, Lucy Mae, I would think you were working for Mr. Partridge at the paper,” Becky remarked snidely. “That’s a rather long and personal list of questions to ask someone you’re not friendly enough with to possibly expect an answer.”
June gave a grateful look to Becky. Her friend must have been able to tell she didn’t want to engage with Lucy Mae, and had intervened on her behalf.
“She’s right, Lucy Mae,” Carrie Elizabeth chastised, coming over and defending June as well. “You shouldn’t pry like that.”
“Why are all of you treating me like this? I’m not some stranger,” Lucy Mae protested.
“No, you’re just the opposite. You like getting in everyone’s business,” Kate pointed out to the other woman. “Even if it makes someone uncomfortable, like it clearly does June.”
“Well, I can see I’m not welcome amongst you ladies right now. I will just go and see if I can help someone else then,” Lucy Mae said in a huff, storming off towards the other side of the hill by the pond.
“Well, leave it to Lucy Mae to ruin all the romance of a story,” Becky said with a roll of her eyes. “You can tell me all about your time with Daniel later, once the awkwardness from that inquisition passes.”
June nodded, then changing the subject asked, “What can I help with?”
&
nbsp; “Why don’t you make sure the tables are set up for the potluck and the pie eating contest,” Carrie Elizabeth suggested.
June headed over to the tables and got to work. She put out the red and white gingham tablecloths, then added the freshly picked flowers in vases to each one.
“That looks great. You’ve got a real eye for splendor,” Jason Shepherd stated coming up beside June.
She turned her attention to him and replied, “Thank you. I’ve always liked decorating.”
“Maybe you should have been a baker and made wedding cakes then. You could have made your own, considering I heard wedding bells might be in your near future. I have to admit; I was disappointed that it meant I wouldn’t get a chance to get to know you better.”
June bit her bottom lip and shrugged. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but as it stands, you’re right to assume my relationship with Daniel is headed in that direction.”
“In other words, she’s spoken for,” Daniel clarified, coming up beside them, and putting his arm around June’s waist.
“Point taken,” Jason said, backing up and turning around. Over his shoulder, he added as he walked away, “Enjoy the festivities.”
“He sure is persistent,” June observed.
“Well, why wouldn’t he be, when he’s going after you. You’re worth the effort.” Daniel said, pulling June towards him and planting a kiss on her forehead. “I’d kiss you on the mouth, but I know that would embarrass you since we’re not married yet.”
“Soon, Daniel, I promise. It’s just been so crazy getting the new counters and cases installed for the apothecary, and then helping the auxiliary plan this has been a more daunting set of tasks than I expected.”
“You don’t have to explain. Take as much time as you need. I will say, a less secure man might think you’re finding reasons not to get married.”
“That’s not at all the case,” June protested adamantly. “I want to marry you, Daniel. We just need to wait a bit longer.”
“You’re the boss,” Daniel teased, twirling her away with a chuckle. “I should let you get back to work. Anyway, I need to go check on Ben, and make sure he isn’t getting into trouble.”