Katie: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Book 1

by Rachel Wesson

  “Daniel, it’s him.”

  “What? Who?”

  “One of the men who robbed the train. That’s why I asked your mother to go for the sheriff. But he got away.”

  “Are you telling me you were going to marry a murderer?”

  “No. I was going to marry his brother.” She didn’t want to see the look on his face. She was sure it would mirror the disgust she felt for herself.

  “How do you know it was him? They were wearing masks.”

  “Yes, I know, but one of them had an unusual birthmark on his lower right arm. Today, at the church, he swung his hat forward in his hand and his jacket sleeve rose up, revealing the same birthmark. It’s him, I tell you. The one who collected the bags and told Billy they would swing for the robbery. I thought his voice sounded familiar, but I wasn’t sure until I saw the mark.”

  “Did he recognize you?”

  Katie shook her head. “I don’t think so, but I delayed the ceremony so long I think he got a little suspicious. He got away in the confusion caused when the sheriff burst in. They have Montis Cassidy, but he’s claiming he wasn’t involved.” She shuddered; she hadn’t stopped to consider he might know her, too. What if he came after them? She could have brought trouble right to Daniel’s door. Her hand flew to her mouth. Just what had she got the Sullivan’s involved in?

  “Where is Ma?”

  “She went to get the sheriff with Ellen. I assume she took her back to the boarding house. She was wonderful.” Katie saw the determined look on Daniel’s face. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going with the sheriff. He will need more men, but first I am taking you back to the boarding house.”

  Before Katie could say anything, he lifted her on top of his horse before swinging up behind her. Even suffering from shock, her body was fully conscious of his frame. Although he smelled of horses and manure, the temptation to lean closer to him was overwhelming. They were at the boarding house all too quickly. He dismounted before taking her gently in his arms. He held her close for a few minutes. Did his lips just kiss my hair? She looked up into his eyes, but his expression was unreadable.

  “Stay here. Lock the door behind me and don’t open it again until I come back. You promise?”

  Katie nodded. She held her hands together in a bid to stop shaking. Now wasn’t the time for weakness. She needed to be calm.

  “It will be all right.” Daniel leant forward to tenderly rub her cheek, his eyes full of concern and something else. He hesitated as if he wanted to say something, but he thought better of it. And then he was gone.

  Her face tingled from his touch. Praying for his safety, she walked slowly into the boarding house where she found Mrs. Sullivan trying her best to calm a hysterical Ellen.

  Daniel pushed his horse harder than any of the other men. The sheriff believed the group was heading toward the mountains. They had to get ahead of them before they lost them in the many trails up there. The nerve of the outlaws to come into town. Then again, they probably didn’t expect to meet anyone from the train. Good thing Katie recognized one of the men before she went ahead with the wedding. Maybe she still intended to marry the man if he turned out to be telling the truth and wasn’t part of his brother’s gang. Anger flooded Daniel. How could he be innocent? Even if he was, he wasn’t the man for Katie. She was his. His whole body tightened with the need to get on with the job in hand so he could return to Clover Springs and claim Katie as his bride. His wife.

  Chapter 30

  On Sunday, Mrs. Sullivan insisted Katie accompanied her family to service and afterwards to Davy’s ranch for supper. Reverend Timmons spoke for some time, although Katie had to admit he could have been speaking Dutch for all the notice she took. She was too busy worrying about whether the townspeople knew about her or not.

  She was relieved Mrs. Sullivan didn’t wait to socialize with the other churchgoers, but excused herself, saying loudly that Davy was waiting for them back at his ranch. They took the buggy with Mrs. Sullivan driving. Ellen chatted as they drove out to the ranch, but Katie stayed silent. She pretended she was engrossed in the passing scenery.

  Katie looked around her as they drew up to the house. The ranch seemed to go on forever. It would take a few days to cover the entire area on horseback. Her attention shifted back to the house. Mrs. Sullivan had told her stories about coming to Colorado all those years ago. It had been more difficult then. A lot fewer settlers than today, but the neighbors had been kind and helped them settle in. The local Indians had been friendly, too. At least until the Army started forcing them into reservations. Katie had wept at the stories of the massacres that took place in Sand Creek. She was furious that Colonel Chivington hadn’t been called to account for his actions.

  There was prejudice the world over. No matter where you travelled, there always seemed to be one group of people who were victimized by others simply for their race, color or religious beliefs.

  Mrs. Sullivan smiled at Katie, but her eyes were concerned. “Are you feeling all right? You aren’t poorly, are you? I knew you worked too hard when I was ill.”

  Katie shook her head. “I am fine, thank you. I was just thinking of all the stories you told me about this place. It’s beautiful. I love the house. It looks like something you would see in a picture.”

  “It’s homely all right, but it lacks a woman’s touch. You will see what I mean when you go inside. Mrs. Higgins is a saint living out here amongst all these men. I keep telling Davy that he needs to find a wife. He needs company. Being alone is not good for any man, but my Davy is sensitive. I want more grandchildren, too, and Mrs. Higgins could do with some help. At her age, it is too much to cope with, but don’t tell her I said that. At least not until she’s given me the pies she always bakes for us when we visit. I want to eat them, not wear them.”

  Katie laughed. Mrs. Sullivan was very entertaining. She was fond of the woman beside her and dreaded leaving her.

  “Hi, Ma, how are you feeling?” Davy didn’t hide his concern too well.

  “I’m fine, Davy, don’t start fussing. I have had enough of that from Elizabeth and Daniel. This is Katie and Ellen O’Callaghan. They are from Galway, but had lived in Boston for about a year before deciding to come west.” Mrs. Sullivan stepped down from the buggy with her son’s assistance and headed toward the house. Davy waited to help Ellen and Katie.

  “Pleased to meet you ladies.” A smile creased his face, but he still looked tired. He explained he hadn’t made it into town for Sunday Service due to a cow calving. “It was a bit tricky, but we got there in the end.”

  “Oh, can I go see her? I love newborns.” Ellen clapped her hands in excitement.

  “Sure thing, Miss Ellen. Just let me show your sister into the house, unless she wants to come, too.”

  Katie smiled as she shook her head. “You two go ahead. I will follow Mrs. Sullivan in.”

  Katie stood and watched as Davy and Ellen headed toward the barn, chatting away. Davy had a nice face. She immediately felt she could trust him. He wasn’t as good looking as Daniel, but you could see the family resemblance. Daniel. Where was he now? She hoped he was safe.

  She walked into the house. Hearing the ladies talking, she followed their voices into the kitchen just in time to hear Mrs. Higgins comment on how worried Mrs. Sullivan must be.

  “I am really sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t come to Clover Springs, none of this would have happened.”

  Mrs. Sullivan took Katie in her arms and gave her a hug. “Stop saying it’s your fault. You didn’t do anything. Those men are evil and our men have to stand up to them. Clover Springs is a nice place to live and we want it to stay that way. Daniel will be fine. His Pa trained him how to shoot when he was little. He can hold his own. Now let’s have a coffee before Elizabeth arrives. Then we can all sit down to dinner. Mrs. Higgins here is an amazing cook. A full stomach will help us all feel better.”

  “You did well, girl, looking after Martha. I keep telling her
she needs more help in that boarding house, but she don’t listen to me. Nobody listens.”

  “We do listen. I hope to persuade Katie and her sister to live with me. Katie can get work as a seamstress. You should see what she can do with a needle. Ellen can go to school and help me with some chores. It will be perfect for everyone.”

  Mrs. Higgins stopped stirring the pot to stare at Mrs. Sullivan. “Are you matchmaking again, Martha? Who’s the lucky man this time?”

  Katie watched the redness spread up from Mrs. Sullivan’s neck over her face. “I might think that two young people are a good match, but I won’t interfere. I am not that type of mother.”

  Mrs. Higgins obviously didn’t agree if the humph of her reply was anything to go by.

  Katie busied herself by looking around the large kitchen. She didn’t want to think about romantic involvements. Friday’s disaster was too painful and now Daniel was goodness knows where.

  Davy and Ellen came in, her younger sister full of delight over the young calves. Not long afterwards, Elizabeth arrived with her family. Dinner took place in the dining room around a big table that could have sat another ten people comfortably. The conversation flowed. The family had lots to catch up on. Mrs. Sullivan gave them a brief outline of the events that had happened on Friday.

  “So Daniel is off with the sheriff? Do they know where the varmints were headed?” Davy asked his Ma as he handed her the serving dish full of potatoes.

  “No, but Sandy Scott was with them. If he can’t pick up their trail, nobody can.” Mrs. Sullivan turned to Katie. “Sandy is part Indian and used to scout for the army. He is getting on a bit now, but there’s still no one better at picking up a trail.”

  Katie nodded, keeping her eyes on her plate. She didn’t want to look up and see censure in the faces of Daniel’s siblings. Mrs. Sullivan may not blame her, but that didn’t mean Davy and Elizabeth would agree.

  “How did you come to be a mail order bride, Miss O’Callaghan?” Elizabeth asked just as Katie took a bite of the roast beef. She chewed quickly not wanting to answer with her mouth full.

  “I answered an ad I saw in Boston. We were staying with family and it was best I make my own way.”

  “What Katie means is our uncle and aunt were horrid. I don’t ever want to go back to Boston. They were really mean to us.”

  “Ellen, shush.”

  “Sounds like the child was just speaking the truth. I’ve heard jobs are hard to come by in Boston.”

  “That’s true, Mr. Sullivan. There are so many immigrants and not enough positions.”

  “So what are your plans now? Are you going to stay in Clover Springs?”

  Katie crossed her fingers under the tablecloth. “I hope so. Your mother thinks I may be able to secure enough work. I’m a seamstress. Ellen would be able to return to school.”

  “Aw, I want to keep working. I hate school.”

  “I think you could do both, little lady, couldn’t you? Go to school and then do chores when you come home. My mother could sure use some help.”

  Katie hid a smile at the look of adoration her sister gave Davy. He had certainly won her heart.

  “That’s a fine idea, Davy. Thank you”

  Katie coughed. It was exactly the same idea she and Mrs. Sullivan had tried to get Ellen to accept and now here she was pretending it was the first she heard of it. Ellen O’Callaghan, I will have to keep an eye on you. Sure you will be breaking hearts in no time.

  After dinner, Davy showed Ellen and Katie around the ranch. Katie loved the horses. Davy showed her how to gain their trust. They met a couple of the ranch hands, but didn’t stop to chat. There was work to be done and they were shorthanded due to a couple of them having gone with the sheriff.

  “How long do you think they will be gone, Mr. Sullivan?”

  “A couple of days or so, I would think. Someone said the Texas Rangers were coming. I guess the sheriff will prefer the non-lawmen get back to their families. It’s a busy time of year and most are behind with their chores. The weather was against us for so long, although it seems to have settled this past week.”

  “You have a beautiful place out here. You can see the sky for miles. I missed that when we were in Boston.”

  “Did you live out in the prairies in Ireland?”

  Katie laughed, but then tried to smother it. She didn’t want him thinking she was making fun of him, but the whole of Ireland would probably fit into this prairie. She had found that Americans seemed to forget Ireland was a tiny place. “We lived on a small farm, but the nearest city was about two days’ walk away. We had clear skies like these, although it was often raining.”

  “Could do with more rain over here. The crops need it, but then I guess we are never thankful for what we got. I always seem to be asking for more than giving thanks for what I have. Maybe Ma is right. I should give more attention to going to church.”

  “Mrs. Sullivan means well. She knows you have a lot of work to do. She is quite concerned about you being here alone.” Katie went bright red. How could she have betrayed Mrs. Sullivan’s confidence like that? “What I mean is…”

  “Oh, don’t worry none. Ma isn’t very discrete. She tells everyone who will listen I need a wife. She thinks it’s time I moved on. Happens she is right. It’s been a long time since Tilly… Sorry, Miss O’Callaghan, we best collect Ellen and get back to the others. They will be wondering where we are.”

  Katie followed Davy in silence. She sensed he needed time to regain his composure. The poor man. She wondered who Tilly was. Mrs. Sullivan hadn’t mentioned her.

  Chapter 31

  Monday morning, Katie slipped out of the boarding house intent on going to the mercantile. She wanted to see if Mr. Brook would be interested in employing her. She thanked God she knew how to sew. She had to repay Mr. Cassidy. The thought of keeping any of his blood stained funds was too abhorrent.

  She was so lost in thought, she nearly walked past the mercantile, but Mr. Brook happened to come out just at that moment.

  “Why, hello again, Miss. Come to drop some more pennies?” He teased her, smiling. Katie tried to smile back, but her face was too tight. His smile turned to a questioning look as he stood holding the door open. Katie nodded and went inside, trying to find her voice. If she didn’t say something soon, she would lose her nerve about asking for a job.

  “I would have thought you would have been long gone by now.”

  Katie’s nerve crumbled as she looked into the spiteful face of Mrs. Grey. Why did she have to bump into her?

  “I have no idea what you are talking about. Please excuse me.” Katie did her best to walk past the other woman, but Mrs. Grey moved in front of her, blocking Katie’s escape.

  “I think it’s a big coincidence that you were on that train. You know the one that was robbed by your in-laws.”

  “They are not my in-laws,” Katie protested, but Mrs. Grey continued nonetheless.

  “I wonder if the sheriff is aware. Perhaps someone ought to enlighten him.”

  Katie saw the redness descend, but even if she had wanted to curb her tongue, it was too late. “Listen to me, Mrs. Grey, I didn’t have anything to do with the train robbery. I was a victim just like all the other passengers.”

  “Humph. I think you will find most people will believe my version of events, young lady. We don’t need your sort here in Clover Springs.” Katie took a step back as the other woman came closer. She looked around the store for an alternative escape route.

  “Begging your pardon, Mrs. Grey, but I believe you are mistaken. I think Miss O’Callaghan and her sister are a welcome addition to this town. We don’t have enough real ladies here.”

  Mr. Brook talked as he walked over and stood between the two women, sheltering Katie behind him.

  “Well of all the things to say, Mr. Brook.” Mrs. Grey huffed and puffed so much, Katie had to turn her head to hide the giggle wanting to escape. She turned back in time to watch Mr. Brook stride over to the store door,
holding it open for Mrs. Grey as she stalked out of the shop.

  “That old biddy is one person I won’t be missing,” Mr. Brook said, winking at Katie.

  “Thank you very much for your kind words, Mr. Brook. I am sure Mrs. Grey is only putting into words what other people will be thinking.”

  Mr. Brook stood silent for a couple of seconds as if he was trying to think of something to say. “I guess you are partly correct. There will be some who will believe anything and everything Mrs. Grey has to say. She could tell them the next shower would be full of gold and they would have their buckets ready to catch it.”

  Katie laughed at the image, and then fell silent. It wasn’t really a laughing matter. All she had was her reputation, and that was currently in shreds.

  “Thankfully, there are good folk in Clover Springs who will dismiss Mrs. Grey’s stories as gossip. They will wait to make your acquaintance before making up their minds. I am sure they will find you just as charming as I do. It isn’t fair what happened to you, child, but I rather sense that you are used to life being unfair. You can handle the gossip –we have seen evidence of that today. Now, would you join me in a coffee? My throat is awful parched.”

  Before Katie could decline, he continued. “Then you can tell me what brought you to see me.”

  Katie enjoyed the coffee and slice of cake Mr. Brook insisted she have. It salved her soul, especially after the trauma of Friday. They discussed the market for her sewing and agreed on a more than generous percentage. Katie would give Mr. Brook 10% of the profits. She had offered more, but as he had pointed out, she would help sales by using materials from the store. He had shown her a work area she could use and had even uncovered an old and rather dusty sewing basket his wife had used. On impulse, Katie had kissed the old man on the cheek when she was leaving. He blushed in response.