“Nothing’s ever black and white, darling. We’ve learnt that the hard way.”
Mary stared up at her husband’s profile. She loved him more with every passing day. He had given her everything she wanted, and not just material things, which were lovely. More importantly, he gave her a family of her own. He loved her and trusted her completely. He had made huge efforts to control his jealousy and, for the most part, he’d been successful. She’d fallen deeper in love with him when he’d brought Ben to live in Clover Springs, and now they were parents to Cathy, too. Their lives couldn’t get much better.
Mrs. H. In all the drama surrounding Laura’s arrival, she’d forgotten their housekeeper had troubles. How could she have done that?
“Davy, we have to find a way of keeping Aaron and Samuel in Clover Springs.”
“What can we do? You know I don’t hold with telling other people how to live their lives, darling.”
“Yes, but if they leave, Mrs. H will be brokenhearted. She said she’s too old to go with them. Can we not try to find a way to keep them here?”
Davy glanced down at her before switching his attention back to the horses. “What did you have in mind? They said they want to go mining for gold. Not much chance of finding gold in Clover Springs.”
“I don’t think they are that keen on going mining. Not after Harry’s chat with them the other night.”
“Did you have something to do with that, Mary?”
Mary smiled up at him. “I may have had a chat with Elizabeth.”
Davy grunted.
“Lizzie said her blood still rushes to her head if she thinks about the risks Harry took working in the mines.”
Harry, Davy’s brother-in-law, had spent three years in the mines high up in the mountains before marrying his sister Elizabeth. Mary had told Lizzie about Mrs. Higgins being upset, so Lizzie asked him to speak to the boys.
“I don’t remember his stories being quite so gory before.”
“Lizzie may have asked him to labor that point a little. Don’t look at me like that, Davy. Mrs. H has been so kind to me and to our family. I can’t bear the thought of her being brokenhearted. Mining is dangerous. You hear about accidents in the coal mines every day.”
“The boys aren’t interested in coal mining.”
Davy held his hand up at the look she gave him. “Okay, I get your point. So do you have any ideas on how to get the boys to stay here?”
“I thought you and Lawrence might be able to help them file a claim under the Homestead Act.” She eyed Davy’s thoughtful expression. “I don’t know much about it, except you have to live on the land for five years, you have to build a house, and probably a hundred other things.”
“It’s not that bad. The boys would have to go to Denver and file a claim with the Land Office. That costs ten dollars, plus there is a commission of two dollars on top.”
“That’s not too bad, is it? Would the boys have that type of money?”
“They need more than that, Mary. What are they going to use the land for? If they are going to farm it, they will need money for crops and tools, not to mention the cost of building a small house. They are experienced ranch hands; they may want to raise cattle.”
“But you could give them some of ours. We have loads.”
Davy laughed before giving her a squeeze. “I love how generous you are, but the boys might not feel the same way. Charity is a hard thing to swallow.”
“It’s not charity.” As Davy arched his eyebrows, Mary continued quickly. “We could make it a wedding present.”
“So you are going to turn the boys into homesteaders and husbands all in one go?”
Mary’s cheeks flamed at the teasing tone.
“Have you found the boys wives already, or do they get to pick those themselves?”
“I thought about writing to Mrs. Gantley.”
“Who?”
“Mrs. Gantley. She’s the lady who helped Katie get here.”
“The woman who matched her to a train robber.”
“Davy.” Mary playfully punched her husband. “You know she didn’t do that on purpose, and if Katie hadn’t been on the train…”
“Okay, so you want to send for wives for the Higgins boys. Without telling them?”
Mary couldn’t return his look, but found something of interest on the horizon. “I thought it best not to. They would only insist on going to California.”
“I don’t like it, Mary. It’s one thing trying to talk them out of going mining by making Harry tell his stories. But getting them wives? What about the women who come here hoping to find love and happiness? Not really fair to them either, is it?”
Disappointed and a little ashamed, Mary slumped back in the wagon seat. She hadn’t thought it through.
“What about asking the boys? They may agree to writing to the bride woman.”
“Doubt it. They will say they can’t afford to support a wife and family. Mrs. H said the reason they were going to California was because they want to build something of their own.” Mary swallowed hard. She didn’t want to push her husband too far, but at the same time she felt she owed it to Mrs. H to try her best. “I thought you might encourage the boys to talk to Lawrence. With the mining boom there is a demand for beef, or if they prefer farming, for food.”
Davy nodded but didn’t say anything. Mary waited a couple of seconds, but her lack of patience got the better of her.
“Would you talk to them, Davy? They’d listen to you.”
Davy remained silent. Mary knew he was considering the idea, but he would think about it for a while. He wasn’t one for making quick decisions, which was something she had learnt to be more patient about.
“Think about it, that’s all I am asking.” Mary kissed her husband’s cheek as they arrived at the store. “There’s Katie. Don’t worry about collecting me. I will walk home. Might help me shift some of this baby fat.”
She squealed as Davy put his arms around her, bringing her up against his chest. “I like your curves, Mrs. Sullivan.” He kissed her thoroughly, leaving her breathless and red-faced. “Enjoy your visit. Don’t do anything about Mrs. Gantley and the wives just yet. You hear?”
Mary nodded. She couldn’t speak as she tried to get her breath back after his embrace.
“Poor Laura, no wonder she’s looked so miserable. If I got my hands on that man, I would shoot him,” Emer said angrily.
“I told Laura you would.” Mary smiled at Emer.
“I’m glad Father Molloy sent her here to us. The sheriff will know what to do. Do you want me to come with you, Mary?”
“No, but thanks, Katie. I don’t want the man thinking he is being besieged.”
The women laughed. The sheriff was a self-proclaimed bachelor. He often said he didn’t have time for emotional women. The last thing he’d want would be a group of them turning up at the jailhouse tomorrow.
Laura was pacing the floor when Mary returned home.
“Did you see the sheriff? What did he say?” she asked, wringing her hands together.
“Calm down, Laura.”
Laura allowed Mary to lead her to the rocking chairs set out on the porch. “Sit down and take a deep breath. I didn’t see the sheriff. I went into town to speak to Katie and the others. They agreed with me. You need to let the sheriff know trouble may come to Clover Springs. It is not just for your own protection. These friends of your husband may hurt someone in town. You can’t take that risk.”
Laura stared into Mary’s face. She wasn’t sure she was brave enough to tell a stranger her story.
“Laura, trust me. It’s for the best. Katie and Emer agree with me. You have to do this.”
Laura took a deep breath. Mary was right. She had to do this, if only to help protect her friends should Coleman decide to pursue her.
“Yes, Mary. I’ll go tomorrow. But…could you come with me please?”
“Of course I will.” Mary hugged her close. “Just try and stop me.”
Chapter 22
>
Laura’s head hurt. She hadn’t been able to sleep. She lost count of how many times she wished she’d never told Mary the full truth. She should have known her friend would seek help from the law. She didn’t bother trying to eat anything for breakfast. The smells wafting up from the kitchen were enough for her stomach to roil. She ran back to her room and splashed cold water on her face. Stop being a coward. You have to do this.
She walked down the stairs slowly. Mary stood waiting, her concern evident by the look on her face. She smiled but Laura was unable to smile back. Her face was frozen.
“I know you are scared but you can do this. You have survived worse. I am so proud of you, Laura Murphy.”
Mary squeezed her hand as she spoke. While grateful for the sentiment, Laura didn’t feel brave. She wanted to run away, to go somewhere nobody knew her. But it was too late for that now.
Davy drove the wagon into town with Mary and Laura sitting beside him. Mrs. H had agreed to look after Cathy. They tied the wagon outside the store. Davy had business in town. He offered to accompany Mary and Laura, but they declined. Holding hands, they walked through town.
The jailhouse wasn’t busy. Laura found herself concentrating on the wanted posters while Mary filled the sheriff in on why they were here. She was so glad Mary was here with her. Her stomach churned as she waited to hear what the lawman thought.
“You orphans sure like to keep me busy, Miss Mary.”
“I told you I should leave town, Mary.” Laura took a step toward the door, but the sheriff moved to stand in front of her.
“You should stay in Clover Springs, young lady. Pretty thing like you shouldn’t be alone. I am glad you had the sense to call yourself by your old name. Less likely your husband’s friends will find you.” The sheriff paused as if to spit out the tobacco he’d been chewing. Looking at the two women, he pushed it to the side of his mouth. “You have good friends here in town. Misses Emer, Sorcha, Katie and Miss Mary here are some of the best people to ever land in Colorado State.”
“But Sheriff, you said we bring trouble. That certainly could be the case with me. Mr. Coleman made some threats. I have no idea whether Johnny has other enemies who will want to track me down.”
“I didn’t say the trouble you orphans bring isn’t welcome. It helps keep life interesting. Miss Emer couldn’t help the fact the Bainstreet Gang came here. The same goes for you. You are not responsible for your husband’s actions, Miss Murphy. Plain and simple.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.”
“Now, you may not be thanking me in a minute. You best get married as soon as you can, Miss Murphy. You don’t want to be found alone by the type of men your husband was involved with.”
At Laura’s gasp, the sheriff added, “this Coleman has a bad reputation; I’ve heard of him. He is not a gentleman, and I wouldn’t trust him with a full grown rattlesnake, never mind a pretty lady like you.” The sheriff put his hands in his suspenders. “Nope. A single woman needs protection.”
"But wouldn’t getting married put my husband at risk? I should go away," Laura said, but her reluctance to leave was obvious in her tone.
"Getting married means you could stay in Clover Springs. Nobody needs to know about your previous connections. You came from Boston just like the other mail order brides."
"Listen to the sheriff. He's been doing this job a long time. He knows how men like them operate."
"Less of the doing the job a long time, Miss Mary. Anyone would think you thought I was old."
The three of them laughed. Laura guessed that was the sheriff’s intention. He seemed like a kind man, tough but fair. Emer had told her about how he had released her into the custody of the town doctor when trouble had followed her to Clover Springs last year.
She knew she was frowning again. She didn’t want to get married. She couldn’t bear the thought of being intimate with anyone. She shivered with revulsion. Johnny had seemed so kind and thoughtful at first. Look how wrong she had been about him.
“I’ll think about what you said, Sheriff. Come on, Mary, let’s go see Katie.”
“Don’t spend too long thinking, Miss Murphy. Trouble has a way of not waiting for any man. Or woman.” The sheriff sat back down behind his desk, stroking his tobacco stained beard. Laura didn’t say anything but left with Mary following behind her.
“Good morning, Miss Murphy, Mrs. Sullivan.”
The last man Laura wanted to see now was standing in front of them. Paul smiled, but his smile dropped when they stared. “Are you ladies in trouble? Couldn’t help but notice you coming out of the jailhouse. Miss Emer isn’t locked up again, is she?”
His attempt at a joke also fell flat. Laura could see Mary looking from her to Paul and back again. Her friend was waiting for her to say something, but she didn’t know what. Oh yes, Paul, we were just telling the sheriff how it’s all my fault my husband was murdered.
“Laura has to get married and was just asking the sheriff to give her away.”
Both Paul and Laura stared at Mary, who colored prettily as she fidgeted with a thread on her skirt.
“Married, you? You’re getting hitched. Already? To who?” Paul seemed to realize he was firing words at her. He pulled at the collar of his shirt. “Excuse my manners. What I meant to ask was, who is the lucky man?”
Laura opened her mouth, but no words came out. Mary rushed to the rescue once more. “She hasn’t decided yet.”
Laura could have groaned out loud. The look of confusion, and even hope on Paul’s face, would have been amusing had it been any other time. Now she was simply mortified. She sounded like a harlot. A desperate woman who’d settle for any man. Well, aren’t you?
“What Mary is trying to say, Mr. Kelley, is, well, it’s a little embarrassing. I don’t know quite how to explain.”
“Laura came to Clover Springs to get married. She knew we were mail order brides, and she assumed we would be able to find her a groom. And we would, wouldn’t we, Mr. Kelley?”
This time Laura did groan. Aloud. The poor man. He must think I planned this from the start. Mary has just about asked him to take my hand in marriage.
“Please excuse us, Mr. Kelley. Mary was up late with the baby and she isn’t thinking straight. Her mouth always did move faster than her brain. Isn’t that right, Mary?”
When Mary failed to answer, Laura gave her a slight kick. Mary recovered quickly. “Cathy, darling as she is, must be teething. I’m worn out. Good day, Mr. Kelley. I hope we see you soon.”
Mary had to shout the last bit as Laura pulled her down the street, leaving Paul Kelley standing in the middle of the road staring after them
So she had come to Clover Springs to get married and she wasn’t courting anyone yet. If he had understood Mrs. Sullivan, there was a good chance she saw him as a potential groom. Paul had to restrain himself from dancing down the street. Miss Murphy might agree to marry him. Ma won’t like it. Ma can go to…
“What’s put that silly grin on your face?”
Paul looked up to see Davy Sullivan smiling down at him, his expression slightly wary. He probably thinks I’m drunk.
“Your wife.” At the glare Davy sent his direction, he gave himself a quick kick. “What I meant was Miss Mary just about told me to start courting Miss Murphy. Isn’t she the finest woman you ever laid eyes on?”
“Are you talking about Miss Murphy or my wife, Kelley?”
“Miss Murphy, of course.”
“I think the sun has got to you, Kelley. You need a cold shower. Maybe a chat with your ma. She’s never going to agree to you marrying an orphan.”
Paul didn’t care about his ma. He wanted to confirm he had understood the conversation. He walked quickly to the doctor’s office, relieved to find Emer alone. He didn’t relish explaining to Mrs. Grey he wasn’t sure if the lady he liked, loved even, wanted to get married.
“Is it true, Miss Emer? Did Miss Murphy come here to find a husband?”
Emer stared at him for such a lon
g time, he thought he had made a total fool of himself. “I’m sorry, Miss Emer. I just met Miss Murphy coming out of the sheriff’s office. Mrs. Sullivan was with her and she said something about needing to get married. Miss Murphy, not Mrs. Sullivan. Oh, I am making a mess of this.”
“Sit down, Paul. When Laura came here, we thought she wanted to get married. Now, well, I don’t know what to tell you. It’s not my story to tell, but Miss Murphy has her reasons for wanting to stay single.”
“Was it because she was shot? You know I would never hurt a lady, Miss Emer.”
“I know, Paul, but it isn’t me who needs convincing. Laura has been through a lot these past years. Some wounds take longer to heal than others. You will have to be patient.” Emer bit her lip before asking him, “Do you know why they went to the sheriff?”
“Not really, Miss Emer, but thank you.”
“Me? For what?”
“I am going to go courting Miss Murphy and be patient, just as you said.”
Chapter 23
“Afternoon, Mrs. Higgins. Would it be possible to speak to Miss Murphy, please?” Paul fought to stop his voice from squeaking. Mrs. Higgins gave him an appraising look, but he thought she went off with a smile on her face.
Paul had rehearsed his speech over and over. He didn’t want to get all tongue tied in front of Miss Murphy. Even thinking of her had him breaking out in a sweat. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Why would she look twice at a man like him? She might prefer Aaron or Samuel, but they were thinking of going to California and he guessed Miss Murphy would prefer to stay with her friends.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Kelley.”
Paul tried his best to speak, but his tongue was stuck to the top of his mouth. He swallowed, but it didn’t work. He saw amusement in her eyes as he stood there staring at her.
“Miss Murphy, you look very pretty today.”
She smiled in response but didn’t say anything. He moved from one foot to the other. Just ask her.
“I was wondering if you would like to come on a picnic. Davy will lend us his wagon. You can see a bit of the countryside. It’s right pretty down by the creek.”
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