“Says you,” she snapped sarcastically.
“Yes, dammit, says me,” he growled back, losing his temper all over again. “Own it if you want to, but get a man to run it for you,” he ordered, planting his hands on his hips. “It’s not a job for a woman alone.”
“We’ll just see about that, won’t we,” she said curtly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going inside and locking the door. I’d like to thank you for a lovely evening, but that would be too big of a lie, even for someone of my low moral character.”
“Now just a damn minute,” he said walking toward her. “No one said anything about your moral character and it’s unfair of you to take it to that level. I’m just trying to reason…”
“Yes, I’ve seen how you reason. Please thank your mother for a lovely supper, and if I never see you again, it’ll be too soon!” she yelled before slipping inside and slamming the doors.
*
“Oh my God, are you alright?” Fancy asked Callie Mae as the girls hovered around.
“I’m fine,” Callie Mae answered, leaning against the locked door.
“I wish there was something we could have done to help,” Jane said.
“There will be next time something like this happens. The next time some big man comes in here throwing his weight and his opinions around, we’ll be ready for him,” Callie Mae insisted with a groan.
“How?” Marilee asked, patting Callie Mae on the shoulder.
“I’m going to teach you all how to use a gun. Annalise, will you bring me some ice, I’m going to bed.”
Annalise hurried to do what Callie Mae asked while the other girls looked at each other in shock.
Finally Fancy smiled. “I think it’s a good idea,” she said. “We should have a way to defend ourselves.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Marilee sighed. “I just never figured it was something I’d need to learn.”
“Me neither,” Jane added as they moved about the room, blowing out the lamps.
*
“Well, that didn’t go as planned,” Morgan sighed, picking up his hat and slamming it on his head.
“You went too easy on her,” Mead replied, unfolding himself from his position against a shadowed wall.
“What do you mean too easy? She was crying her eyes out,” Morgan demanded.
“Yes, but out of anger and frustration. There wasn’t a lick of remorse in her. I told you to keep on until the apologies started. If you stop before then, you’re doomed to repeat the same lesson over and over. Next time, take her somewhere private and spank her bare bottom until you’ve done a good job. And do it where there’s light so you can judge how hard you’re spanking and if her tears are genuine.”
“I though her tears were genuine,” Morgan said, climbing onto the wagon seat.
“They were, just not for the right reasons. You have a lot to learn, big brother,” Mead said over his shoulder as he led his horse down the street to the livery.
Matthew climbed up beside Morgan on the seat. “Women sure are hard to understand, aren’t they, Morgan? If Pa had given me a lickin’ like that, I’d have been breaking my neck to please him for the next week, but with Callie Mae, it just made her behave worse. I sure don’t get it.”
“I’m beginning to wonder if I get it, Matt. Let’s go home and see if there’s any of Ma’s pie left.”
“Sounds good to me,” Matthew replied.
They’d gone several miles before Matthew spoke. “So what are you going to do, Morg? It doesn’t seem as if Callie Mae and the girls are inclined to listen to reason.”
“I don’t know; any suggestions?”
“Well, I do go to town several nights a week. I could sort of keep an eye on things if you want me too,” Matt offered.
Morgan laughed. “One of those girls catch your eye?” he asked, grinning.
“No, of course not; my heart belongs to Miss Laurie Dixon. I told you that.”
“So you didn’t think they were pretty?” Morgan teased.
“Sure they’re pretty. Even Annalise would be pretty if she put on something that didn’t make her look like she was in mourning and fixed up her hair. I bet she’d be the prettiest of the lot.”
“So is that why you’re offering to keep an eye on things, because they’re pretty?”
“Cut it out, Morg. I’m just trying to help you out. It’s Laurie I want.”
“What happens if she doesn’t want you?”
“That’s just it, Morgan. I think she does. Sometimes I catch her looking at me and her eyes are all sort of soft and dreamy. Then when I say something she gets all businesslike, treating me like the hired help or something when I’m doing her a favor. I figure old Floyd didn’t treat her very well. She seems kind of scared, skittish even. You’d think a woman who’d been married and has three youngins wouldn’t be afraid of a man getting too close.”
“Maybe that’s why she acts that way,” Morgan suggested. “It stands to reason if she had one lousy husband, she wouldn’t be looking for another. And maybe other men have been treating her the same way, or being disrespectful, thinking she was easy pickings because she’s already been with a man.”
“I suppose that could be it, but I hadn’t better find any man being disrespectful to Laurie, or I’ll beat the tar out of him,” he stated angrily. “She’s a good woman and I won’t stand for that. Maybe I need to approach this from a different angle. Treat Laurie like I would any other young girl I was wanting to court. You know, take her flowers and candy, things like that. Pick up some treats for the little ones. I know she needs help, but she’s so all fired stubborn about such things. I’ve seen her crying when she thought no one was looking, but when I try to comfort her, she shoves me away and says, ‘go find some pretty young thing to hang all over, I’m done with all that’. You’d think she was a hundred the way she acts, like her life is over and all that’s left is working her fingers to the bone and raisin’ those kids.”
“It sounds like you have a plan,” Morgan said, turning onto the track to the house. “What if that doesn’t work?”
“Well then, I’m going to do to Laurie what you did to Callie Mae tonight, ‘cept I’m gonna do a better job,” Matthew laughed, jumping down from the wagon. “If you hurry getting the team unhitched, I might save you a piece of pie.”
Chapter Ten
Morgan rode into town early Tuesday morning and stopped at the Marshal’s office, tying his horse to the rail. He’d never met Marshal Riley, but from what he could gather, they’d been quite good friends at one time.
“Morgan,” Hank Riley said, getting up from his desk when Morgan entered his office. “I was wondering when you’d get around to stopping in,” he continued, shaking Morgan’s hand enthusiastically. “It’s good to see you, Morg. Is this a social call or is something on you mind?”
“It’s good to see you too, Hank, and I guess it’s a little bit of both.”
“Well I was just about to go get some breakfast. Have you eaten?”
Morgan laughed. “Are you kidding? You think Ma would let me leave the house without a meal?”
“I guess not,” Hank replied. “I miss those days, going fishing or hunting and stopping at your ma’s. She sure does know how to put on the feed bag and that’s a fact. Sorry about your pa, though. He was a good man. Walk down to the Blue Bonnet with me and I’ll buy you a cup of coffee. You can tell me what brought you to town on the way.”
“Sounds good,” Morgan answered as he followed the big man outside. They were similar in build, although Hank had him by a few pounds. He had an easy, long-legged gait, that matched his personality, but he could be tough when he needed to be. Matthew said he was deadly with a gun and never drew his weapon unless there was no other choice. Morgan figured he was a good man to have on his side, if push came to shove.
“So, what’s on your mind?” Hank asked.
“It’s that damn saloon of Callie Mae’s.”
“Jesus, Morgan, not you too. I’ve
heard nothing but complaints for the last three months,” Hank sighed as they crossed the street.
“I just don’t like it, Hank.”
“Yeah, you and most of the other red-blooded men in town, and I’m not even going to go into what the women are saying. I’ll tell you the same thing I’ve told everyone else: there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.”
“But it’s dangerous, and I…”
“Hell, don’t you think I know that? I’ve tried to talk to her and it goes in one ear and out the other. Now she’s gone and brought in some saloon girls. I don’t know what’s going to come of that.”
“Hank, they’re not saloon girls. They’re eighteen-year-old orphans fresh out of an orphanage in St. Louis.”
Hank stopped dead in the middle of the boardwalk and stared at him, his green eyes narrowed in disbelief. “She did what?” he bellowed.
“You heard me, pure as the driven snow, every one of them,” Morgan replied irritably as Hank stomped toward the café.
“Let me get a meal in my belly and then we’ll go have a word with Miss Callie Mae Walker. Not that there’s much I can do about it,” he said, opening the door. “Mornin’, Laurie, I’ll have the usual and bring an extra cup of coffee for Morgan here.”
Sitting down at a table, Morgan watched a pretty blonde woman scurry into the kitchen. A few minutes later she was back, setting down a huge plate of pan fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, and thick sliced ham in front of Hank.
“Thank you, honey. It sure looks good,” Hank said, smiling as she poured out two cups of coffee. Tucking into his meal, he moaned in satisfaction.
“Are you sure you don’t want something more?” she asked Morgan as she gripped the hot coffee pot with her apron.
“No, this is fine, thank you. It’s a real nice place you have here Mrs. Dixon. I was sorry to hear about Floyd.”
“Thank you, Morgan, and please, call me Laurie. I think we were on a first name basis before you went away,” she replied. Morgan could clearly see why Matthew was so taken with her. She couldn’t have been much over five feet tall but despite her sparkling blue eyes, there was an air of weariness about her that made Morgan want to get up and make her sit down.
“Alright, Laurie, and if there’s anything you need help with while I’m in town, I’ll be glad to give you a hand.”
“You’ve been talking to Matthew, haven’t you?” she sighed.
“Well, we do talk. He is my brother,” Morgan grinned.
“I just don’t want him telling folks that I can’t get along on my own, me and the children, I mean,” she said, tilting her chin up. “He seems to think I need him coming around and pestering me.”
“Is he pestering you, Laurie? I can speak with him,” Morgan offered, watching her closely as a blush crept up her cheeks.
“No, not exactly. He makes himself useful, chopping wood and doing some of the heavier chores, and he’s good with the boys. I just don’t want the men in this town to go getting any ideas about me. I’m not looking for a man,” she insisted.
Hank smiled. “Laurie, you’re a mighty pretty woman,” he said, taking a sip of his coffee, “and you’re a good cook to boot. I don’t think the men in this town need any help from Matthew. I can name a few right off the top of my head that already have ideas about you and are just waiting for a suitable amount of time to pass before they say anything. When will your year of mourning be up anyway?”
“Another month or so, but if anyone comes around here with foolish notions in their head, there might be another grave in the cemetery,” she said with plenty of sass as she wiped her hand across her brow.
“I’ll pass that along,” Hank said, trying to hide his smile.
“Will there be anything else?”
“No, just put this on my tab and I’ll settle up at the end of the month.”
Morgan and Hank watched her walk away with a swish of her blue gingham skirts. A long shiny strand of golden hair hung down the middle of her back, having escaped her bun. In less than ten minutes, the plate in front of Hank was clean as a whistle.
“Matt sweet on her?” Hank asked thoughtfully after he wiped his mouth and patted his stomach.
“He sure is.”
“Better tell him to be careful,” Hank laughed as he rose to his feet. “I have a feeling she’s not bluffing. I think there’s a hellion inside that sweet little package. Come on, let’s go see what the town troublemaker is up to.”
*
Callie Mae met them at the door.
“We’re closed,” she snapped, holding it open just enough for them to talk and eyeing both men warily.
“This isn’t a social call, and we don’t want a drink,” Morgan said, planting his hands on his hips. “Just open the damn door; we want to talk to you.”
“Now, Morgan, let me handle this,” Hank said, removing his hat. “Miss Walker, I’d like to speak with you for a few moments if I may.”
“Regarding what?”
“As you know, the town has certain ordinances, and I want to be sure you’re aware of the rules before things get out of hand around here.”
“I’m well aware of the town’s ordinances,” Callie Mae said sweetly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do,” she continued as she began to close the door.”
“Now see here, Callie Mae…”
“Morgan, I told you to let me handle this. Miss Walker, I just need a few moments of your time to make sure you truly understand…”
“Oh, I understand all right. Tell me, Marshal Riley, are you going around to all the businesses in town, or is it only certain establishments you’re concerned about? I must say I’m flattered that The Duchess is drawing so much attention when we’ve barely opened.”
“Well now, there’s more than one kind of attention, Miss Walker, and it seems to me that the hornets’ nest you’ve stirred up is far from flattering,” Hank said, beginning to lose his patience. “It’s my duty to see that everyone is held to the same standard of proper behavior. Now, I’d like to discuss a few things, and we can do it in private or right here in full view of anyone who cares to listen.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t care to listen to what I consider to be harassment,” Callie Mae drawled. “Good day, gentlemen.”
Morgan took one look at Hank’s tightlipped expression and came to a decision. He was done pussyfooting around. Before she could get the door closed he was through it, smoothly bending to toss her over his shoulder. Striding to the bar, he swatted her bottom and plopped her down none too gently.
“Close the door, Hank,” Morgan growled, keeping Callie Mae firmly in place with a hand on each hip as she attempted to jump down. “You’re gonna sit right there until we’re done talking and that’s the end of it,” Morgan informed her with narrowed eyes. “I have about had enough of your nonsense.”
“Marshal Riley, did you see that? This man just assaulted my person and I want him arrested,” Callie Mae yelled at Hank’s back as he turned to lock the door.
“I imagine you do,” Hank sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t hold with manhandling the weaker sex, but in some cases, you ladies don’t leave us much choice. Now Morgan here doesn’t seem to have the same high standards,” he continued, not bothering to hide his grin. “I have quite a bit of paperwork back in my office, so if you’ll excuse me, seeing’s how you don’t want to talk, I’ll get back to it and leave you in Morgan’s capable hands.”
Callie Mae watched the marshal settle his hat back on his head. She felt the strength of Morgan’s hands, saw the fire in his eyes, and had a feeling he was ready to pick up where he’d left off Sunday night. While she was no longer sore, she had no desire to repeat such a humiliating and painful experience.
“Wait,” she called, reaching her hand toward the marshal. “Please, Hank, I’m sorry. If you have something to say, I’m ready to listen,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Well now, Miss Walker, I’m right gratified to hear that,” Hank replied, tu
rning back to her and removing his hat once again. “Morgan, how about you lift the little lady down and we make ourselves a bit more comfortable?” he suggested.
“You’d better behave,” Morgan whispered in Callie Mae’s ear as he plucked her from the bar and gently set her on her feet.
Callie Mae twisted out of his hands with a glare and walked away. Pulling out a chair, she sat down and folded her hands demurely on top of the table. “What was it you wanted to talk about, Marshal Riley?”
“I understand you’ve brought some young ladies in from St. Louis.”
“Why, yes I have. I wasn’t aware of any town ordinances against it,” Callie Mae said sweetly as the knuckles on her hands turned white. “Perhaps you’d care to enlighten me on why this concerns you or anyone else in town,” she continued, shooting Morgan a glare.
“I’m not concerned you’ve brought four young women to town, but I am concerned for them. I understand that these girls are only eighteen years old and fresh out of an orphanage in St. Louis.”
“Yes, that’s correct, although it escapes me how this could be any cause for alarm. All my girls are respectable young ladies and I’m sure they have no intention of causing problems.”
“I’m sure they don’t, but as a peace officer, I can tell you that better than ninety percent of problems are caused by people who had no intentions of doing just that. If I may, I’d like to meet these young ladies and have a little chat with them.”
“I’m sorry, Marshal, all of my girls are indisposed at the moment. I’m afraid if you want to ogle them, I mean talk to them, you’ll have to come back during regular business hours.”
“See here, Miss Walker, I’m in no mood to listen to that kind of talk,” Hank said, finally beginning to get angry. “It’s my job to ensure that all the citizens of this town stay safe, and I want to know just how you intend to see to that. In my mind, a bunch of liquored up drovers are not fit company for young ladies, and frankly you must have been plum out of your mind to bring them here. I’m sure they have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into, and I want some reassurance you have a plan for their safety. And it better be a reasonable plan and not some cockamamie, ridiculous notion of doing it yourself.”
Callie Mae and the Marine Page 9