Mother put a hand to her hip. “Amelia.”
Nodding, she continued. “Justin met me. All we did was eat lunch together.” Mostly.
Mother’s face was angry and red. Her father’s face paled and looked almost fearful. Mother jabbed him in the ribs.
He nodded and looked at her sternly. “Amelia, we have forbidden you to see Justin. He is not the man for you. I can’t believe you have gone behind our backs. From now on—”
“I love him, Papa. How can you expect me to deny my feelings?”
He stared at her then turned to her mother.
Mother folded her arms. “We know what is best for you. We had thought Yancy would be a good match, but he is no longer a reasonable choice. I ran into Mrs. Burkett, and she mentioned a nice young man was in town and going to buy her store. He’s an attorney. Perhaps you will find him to your liking.”
“Why don’t you like Justin?”
Wiping a tear from her eyes, Mother straightened. “It is not that we don’t like him. He’s a sheriff and has a dangerous job. Your father and I agree that we don’t want you hurt in any way. Being married to a sheriff is not in your best interest.”
Anger riled her heart. “I am old enough to choose who—”
“Not until you are twenty-one. Until then, you will need our permission.” Mother moved to stand by her father. The two of them together nodded their unity against her wishes.
Amelia straightened and held her head up. “That’s only six months away. I hope you will learn to like Justin. I love him.”
Father stepped in front of her mother. “What do you know of love, child? Trust us. But for now, you will not see Justin again. Understood?”
Rarely had Father spoken to her with such a sharp edge to his voice. Worse, it matched the fire in his eye and hardness on his face.
Feeling helpless, she nodded.
“I want to hear you say it, Amelia.”
“Yes sir, I will not see Justin alone. Can I go to my room, now?”
Mother nodded.
Amelia ran to her room. How could they be so cruel? What was she going to do? Nothing was going to change her mind, but she couldn’t go against her parents. Not again, at least not anytime soon.
She peered out her window.
Justin was walking down the street. He stopped in front of Mya’s and tipped his hat. Amelia craned her neck to see Sally Jones. Why was Justin talking to her? Of course, Justin, being sheriff, had to be nice to everyone in Bluebonnet.
She sat in the chair and rested her chin on her arms as she continued to watch out the window. Her heart melted as she remembered his kiss.
He walked up onto the porch and sat next to Sally on the swing. In an instant, the warmth of the memory left her. What was he doing? He didn’t have to be that nice. Not with Sally who had been a, well, a not so nice lady. Or with any woman.
Perhaps her parents were right. Maybe sheriffs didn’t make good husbands. After all, he could be out on the trail of dangerous outlaws, stopping fights in the saloons, and sitting next to soiled doves on boarding house porches.
The tears that she had held back erupted. Crying and sobbing, she wondered why life had to be so unfair. Not feeling any better, she quit crying. She was going to march over there and have a talk with Sally Jones. Or maybe she’d find that new man in town. The attorney her mother thought might be a good match.
More tears slipped down her cheeks. How sad to lose her first real love on the day of her first kiss. Why did Justin have to break her heart?
###
Sally scooted to the far side of the swing. Why didn’t Justin leave her alone? The dark clouds from the north advanced, cooling the air, causing her to wrap her shawl tight around her. “I already told you. Just let it drop. I’m fine.”
“I stopped in at the Cattlemen’s today. Harold has all the makings of a man hiding something.”
“No. Now leave me alone, Sheriff.”
“I know the man is bad business, but I can’t protect the town if no one will testify against him.”
She kept her gaze on the oak in the center of town. “I don’t know anything about Harold Rayburn. He treated me fair. Paid the doctor.” She hated the man. Hated what he’d made her become. Hated herself for letting him, but he’d not beaten her. And there was no way she would tell the sheriff about her father. Even if he’d disowned her, she couldn’t bear to see him arrested.
Justin stood. “If you change your mind, let me or Spence know.”
She nodded, but kept her gaze from him.
Even after he left, she sat as if frozen. She tried not to think of that night. The beating. The smell of alcohol on his breath. The hate and anger in his voice. She’d never tell. Never.
To Harold’s credit, he’d not told either.
She was about to go in when a stranger rode by the boarding house. Not that it was unusual to see someone she didn’t know, but for some reason he caught her attention. Maybe it was the nice way he handled his horse, or the fact that he didn’t have a gun attached to his side.
Men and guns, why they couldn’t just leave them at home and let the sheriff keep the peace, she didn’t know. But the stranger didn’t have one that she could see. Mr. Clark never carried one. The preacher. A few other storeowners, but the rest of the men in Texas all seemed to have pistols.
Justin was a nice man, but he was a sheriff and that was one reason she wasn’t attracted to him. He might not have a long life ahead of him. She chuckled mockingly at herself. What was she even thinking? Not like any man would consider marrying her.
She’d lost that hope at The Cattlemen’s Saloon.
The door creaked. “There you are, dear.”
Mya came outside and sat beside her. “Was the sheriff here earlier?”
Sally nodded.
“It’s getting chilly. That norther is finally moving in. Oh, it’s cold, but it makes it feel more like the Christmas season.” Mya held out the end of a blanket to her.
Pulling the wool cover over her lap, Sally considered how little Christmas meant to her. She’d grown up with her father spending the day in town while she’d tried to stay warm in whatever drafty shack they were living in at the time.
Mya patted her hand. “I grew up in Ohio in a big family. I loved Christmas. We never had much, but there was plenty of love to go around. Papa would get the big Bible down from the mantle and read the Christmas story. I never tired of it.”
Sally turned to look at Mya. She’d never heard of a story save a few remarks about a baby born on a cold night in a stable. Not wanting pity, she kept her lack of Christmas memories to herself.
Mya pulled the wrap up close to her neck. “I’m praying for you, honey. I hope that soon the fear in your eyes will be changed into love for a good man.”
“Oh, Mya. That is not going to happen. How many times do I have to tell you? I’m happy helping you. That’s all I need. I have a wonderful room. I have food to eat. And most importantly, I have a wonderful friend.”
After she finished saying the words, Cornie’s threats filled her mind. What if she were causing harm to Mya? She should leave. No one would care or miss her. Not for long anyway. She started when Mya put her warm hands to her face and turned her head to look into her eyes.
“Sally, you are a blessing. Soon enough, a nice young man is going to see what I see. You have a sweet, gentle heart, dear. Trust in the Lord. He has a plan.”
So far, God’s plan hadn’t been so good where she was concerned. When Sally was only eight, her mother had died. Life had gone downhill from there. No, if she was going to survive, she’d have to make her own plans.
Mya sat back and looked at her with pity. “Well, I need to start supper. Thought we’d have potato soup tonight. Bread is already cooking in the oven. Want to help peel potatoes?”
Sally pulled her thoughts from her past. “I’d love to. Mya, you will let me know if I’m hurting your business, won’t you?”
Mya hugged her and kissed the to
p of her head. “Sweet girl, who put such a thought into your head? Oh, let me guess. That sounds just like something Cornie would say. You ignore that woman. She sows her anger and poison into whoever will listen.”
Tears blurred Sally’s eyes. “Thank you. But promise you’ll let me know.”
“Trust me. You are a blessing and that is that. Now, let’s make sure we have a good, hearty soup for our women on what could be a very cold night.”
Sally followed her inside. The warmth and smell of fresh bread washed away her harsh memories.
Most of them.
Chapter 5
By the time Wills rode back to Bluebonnet, it was still an hour or so before suppertime. He passed by the boarding house and thought about stopping to see if Sally might be available, but Nettie seemed to think it best if she introduced them.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a pretty woman sitting on the porch. He didn’t get a good look, but for some reason, she’d piqued his interest.
No. He’d come to marry Sally Jones. Sadness pricked his heart. He didn’t deserve to choose a woman of good standing. He’d made a promise to marry Sally, and he was going to keep it.
After seeing that Sundance was taken care of at the livery, Wills walked to the hotel. He’d just paid for his room when the manager handed him a message. The Burketts were ready to sign the papers and turn the buildings over to him. They requested him to meet at the hotel for a late supper at eight.
Wills smiled. He’d have a place to work and a home above. He figured to sell the little house they’d started and after he became successful, build a grand house for Sally.
Nettie had written that she was a wonderful young woman. He wondered what she looked like. If she even wanted to marry. If she would like him. He could only hope that he could make her happy. He owed her that.
He glanced at the big grandfather clock in the foyer. He had an hour to clean up and work on the papers. Flipping the key into the air, he caught it and raced upstairs. Everything was going to work out.
He paused at his room. He hoped he could be a good husband to Sally. Hoped the lead weight in his gut would leave. Hoped he was doing the right thing by her.
Wills shook his head. “Too late to worry.”
Cleaned and refreshed, he jaunted down the stairs two at a time. He nodded to the clerk, walked into the dining room, and immediately recognized Mrs. Burkett. He waved and went to the table.
“Glad you decided to sell. I’ve got the papers and money.” He set his case on the table.
Mr. Burkett held out his hand. “I thought we’d eat first. Pleasure before business, I always say.”
Wills shook the man’s soft hand. Even from across the table, the smell of alcohol on Mr. Burkett’s breath angered Wills until he looked into the frightened face of the man’s wife. She was terrified. Did he beat her? Threaten her?
Swallowing his ire, Wills sat across from Mrs. Burkett and smiled. “Do you have family in San Antonio?”
Relief cut through her furrowed brows as she gave him a weak smile. “Yes. My parents are there. They can help. I’m with child and wanted to be near my mother. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just so happy to be going home.”
Tapping his glass lightly on the table, Mr. Burkett frowned. “We had a home here. Wasn’t good enough for her.”
Wills caught the waiter’s attention. “Let’s order, and then we’ll talk business.”
Supper went well enough especially after he made it clear he was buying. Mr. Burkett had no trouble ordering the most expensive meal and a drink to go with it. Mrs. Burkett spent the evening looking down and wiping her cheeks from time to time.
Wills hurt for the woman. Even for the man. The devil’s brew could take a mighty chunk from a man’s soul. For all he knew, Mr. Burkett couldn’t find work. Justin had told him times were hard, and if Burkett had been in the war, there was no telling what ghosts haunted him, driving him to drink.
Deciding to shelve his judgment of Burkett, Wills did his best to keep the talk light. Finally, they finished eating and the waiter cleared the table.
Mr. Burkett licked his lips. “How much are you willing to pay?”
Seeing the greed on the man’s face, Wills figured he’d buy the building for less than it was worth. Greed for a quick dollar often resulted in the seller asking a low number. That’s what his pa used to say. “I’ll let you throw out the first offer.”
“I paid over two hundred. My wife has made the place nice. I think three hundred is fair.”
His wife gasped but quickly quieted and looked down.
Wills had more than enough. He should dicker but the woman looked so beat down, he just nodded, wrote the amount on the paper, paused and added a couple of lines before turning it around for Mr. Burkett to sign.
“Sounds like a good deal to me. After meeting your wife, I’m sure it will be perfect.” Wills counted out the money and handed it to the man.
Burkett counted it with hungry eyes. “Thank you, Mr. Williams. This should get us a good start in San Antonio.”
Wills nodded. “Mrs. Burkett, if you wouldn’t mind excusing us for a few minutes while we go outside and seal the deal with a cigar.”
“Not at all. I’ll wait in the foyer.”
After she left, Wills pulled out a cigar and gave it to her husband. He struck a match and held it while Burkett puffed.
“I wanted Mrs. Burkett to leave because I have something to say to you.”
Blowing a ring of smoke, Burkett looked at him smugly. “Yeah, what?”
Wills rose from his chair and grabbed the man by his shirt. “You take that money and start a business in San Antonio. If I hear you spent a cent on liquor, I’ll sue you to kingdom come.”
Shock drained the color from his face. “You can’t do that.”
“I’m an attorney. I added an addendum that says I can. So, if you know what’s good for you, take care of your wife. And you better not hit her. If I hear you don’t treat her like the lady she is, I’ll—”
“Yeah, I got the idea. You’ll sue me.” He stuffed his cigar into his glass of whiskey. “I’ll be walking my wife back to our place. We’ll be out by this weekend. That soon enough?”
“Yeah, that’s soon enough, and I’ll be watching. Mrs. Burkett better be smiling when I see her.”
Burkett stood. After a moment, he held out his hand. “I can’t decide whether to fight you or thank you. But I promise, I’ll be kind to my wife. She deserves it. Guess I’ve been taking the hate I have for myself out on her. You’re a slick lawyer, Williams. I’ll remember you if I ever need one.”
Wills gave him a wry grin and shook his hand. “Look at it as a new start.”
As Burkett left, Wills wondered if the man wasn’t walking a little taller. He hoped so. After all, Wills knew only too well what whiskey could do to a soul. Wasn’t that why he was in Bluebonnet? A new start?
He straightened the papers and walked to the foyer. He smiled when he saw the Burketts leaving. They walked maybe a little closer together, and she had her head on his shoulder.
Wills fished the key out of his pocket, flipped it in the air, and caught it. Taking the stairs two at a time, he went to his room. He’d sleep well tonight. He put his things on the desk and looked out the window.
The saloons below beckoned to the unsuspecting. He’d walked that path. Felt whiskey’s tug on his soul as it carved the hollow place where his heart had been. The good feeling he had disappeared.
A gust of cold wind rattled the window.
Wills dropped the curtain to shut out the scene below. If only he could stop the memories.
###
Yancy flicked open an eye. About time morning got here. He threw off his blanket, held his breath, and turned. The paint was still standing. He got up and went to the horse.
The paint nickered to him.
“Hey, boy. Looks like you ate all your food.” Good, meant all was well inside the horse. He rubbed a hand gently
over the wound. The horse flinched. It would still be a few days before he could ride the paint.
Yancy gazed across the grassland. The skies were gray but it wasn’t as cold as he’d thought it would be. Apparently, the storm had stalled. A stiff south wind chasing the chills with warm air explained why.
He’d heard that the new owner of the ranch he’d been born on was soon taking over. He kicked at a rock. Taxes. Because of land grabbing carpetbaggers, he’d lost his home and father.
“There’ll be a time I get my revenge. I’ll see to it.”
Hoof beats diverted his rant. He turned to see Reed, leading another horse. Yancy slammed a fist against his palm. That was another thing. To work free for a full year ate at his insides. Guess Reed didn’t mind taking advantage of him all in the name of doing it for his father.
Reed stopped, dismounted, and walked over to him. “The horse looks good. Think he can get back to the ranch?”
“Maybe, if I take it slow. He ate all his grain so his stomach’s not hurting him.” Yancy shoved his anger down. Someday, it’d come out. Reed treated him fair, and sometimes Yancy even wanted to like the man, but he couldn’t.
“I brought Socrates for you to ride. Want me to stick around with you?”
“No. I’ll make it back to the ranch. Unless you don’t trust me?” He challenged Reed with a hard stare.
Disappointment crossed Reed’s face. He fumbled in his pack and threw a sack to him. “Here’s some food. Nettie thought you might be hungry.”
She would. That was one thing Yancy wasn’t sorry for. Nettie treated him like one of the family. Cared for him. For her, he’d keep his anger locked up.
After an awkward silence, Reed nodded and reined his horse to go back to the ranch.
Yancy watched him go. Sorry he couldn’t talk to the man. Reed had stopped trying. His words getting shorter. His voice more clipped. Didn’t matter anyway. As soon as his time was up, Yancy was heading out.
There was only one thing holding him in Bluebonnet. Amelia. He needed to see her. Talk to her. Since the rustling charges against he and his father, she’d had nothing to do with him.
A Bluebonnet Misfit Christmas: Sweet Historical Christian Western Romance (Mail Order Brides of Misfit Ranch Bluebonnet, Texas Book 2) Page 4