Pleased with how things were going, she removed her hat, dropped it to the chair beside the window and stretched across the bed. As she was congratulating herself on the way she was fooling everyone, her stomach growled. She chuckled to realize she was hungry. She’d had an early lunch with her father, but was too excited about getting away to eat much.
“I’ll have a good supper before I go to see Sheriff Lance,” she said as she sprang to her feet.
Glancing into the mirror hanging over the small dressing table, she decided to leave off the jacket to her suit. The white blouse, with its ruffled sleeves and low neckline, was flattering and she wanted to look pretty tonight. Delores, their longtime cook and housekeeper, had helped her put her long hair on top of her head in a mass of blonde curls. It was holding well. She only had to refasten a couple of pins and it looked as pretty as it did when she left home.
Heading for the door, she decided she’d have a good meal, which would probably help her relax, then she’d visit Lance and put the next step of her plan in place.
Amelia had known Lance Gentry all her life. He was eight years older than she, but his younger sister, Nelda, was her age. Though she and Nelda were still friends, it had been hard to stay in touch since Nelda followed Major Spencer Barrington to Colorado where they were married at the fort he served in the area. Since Amelia and Lance were always friendly when they met, she didn’t think there would any trouble getting the information from the sheriff about her target’s whereabouts. If all went well, she’d be ready to leave early the next day to track him down. She knew her father would either come or send someone to get her in a few days, but it would be three or four more days before he’d learn she’d left the area. If her luck held out, by the time he found her, it would be too late for the marriage to Vince. At least she thought it would be.
Heading down the hall, she met Mr. Olsen’s young son, Teddy carrying a bathtub. His sister, Sophie, followed with a bucket of steaming water in each hand. She stood aside and watched them as they paused and knocked on the room across the hall from hers. It crossed her mind that now Sophie was fifteen, she was turning into a beautiful young woman. Amelia smiled at them. Sophie returned the smile, but Teddy was too intent on his errand to respond.
Amelia turned and headed down the stairs and into the dining room. Pausing at the door, she looked around.
Grace Hunter, a pretty young woman with auburn hair up in a bun on the back of her head, and walking with a limp she’d had since a childhood accident, smiled at Amelia. “There’s a vacant table near the window if you’re interested, my friend.”
“Sounds great.” Amelia followed her. As she sat in one of the chairs at the round table, Amelia looked up at the girl she went to school with here in Settlers Ridge before her banishment to the Boston finishing school. She remembered well the day they were at recess and a violent storm arose. The teacher was gathering them to get back into the building when the fierce wind whipped a large limb from the only oak tree in the school yard. The limb was headed for the children and the teacher screamed for them to hurry. Everyone got out of the way except Grace. She stumbled and the tree limb fell across her right ankle. She almost lost her foot, but somehow the doctor was able to save it, though it left her with a permanent limp. Amelia never understood why some people shunned her because she limped.
After Amelia returned from school in Boston, she learned the Hunter’s home had burned and Grace’s mother and father both perished in the blaze. Her friend was the only one able to get outside. Because of the loss, Grace was left almost penniless and had taken a job in the hotel dining room to support herself, another reason for some people to shun her. She was a working woman, which was looked down upon if a girl was at the age she should marry. Such things didn’t bother Amelia and on her return from the finishing school, the two young women resumed their friendship as if no time had passed.
Amelia glanced at Grace holding her pencil to write down the order and decided now was a good time to start spreading the news she wanted to get out in town. She hoped Grace would unknowingly help. “Guess what, Grace. I’m going to get married. I was supposed to meet my fiancé here tonight, but he couldn’t get here in time for supper.”
“Fiancé? When did this happen?” Grace looked flabbergasted. “Tell me about it.”
“It’s kind of a secret, but I’m sure it won’t be long until everyone in town knows.”
“Who is he? Do I know him?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard of him even if you haven’t met.” In case something went wrong, Amelia wasn’t about to tell her his name.
“Please tell me who he is.”
“I can’t tell you right now, because as I said, it’s kind of a secret. I don’t want anyone to know who he is yet. If you tell anyone I’m engaged, just say you don’t know the man. Can you do that?”
“I guess I can, but why in the world would you want to keep his name a secret?”
“I can’t explain now.” Amelia smiled at her and began playing with the silverware on the table. “I will tell you this. As soon as we have everything settled, you’ll be the first person I introduce him to.”
“Then I won’t pry.” Grace gave her a smile and changed the subject. “Our special tonight is steak, potatoes, and peas, or would you prefer something else?”
“The special sounds fine.”
“It’ll be right out with the tea I know you want.”
“Thank you.” Amelia smoothed her skirt and sat back. She was pleased with herself. She knew if she had fooled Grace, she could fool anyone. She began to watch the people in the restaurant. Three people were seated at a table near her. She recognized the minister and his wife, but she didn’t know the older woman. She nodded at them and the older woman smiled at Amelia.
The preacher’s wife grinned then turned back to her husband. Though she wasn’t talking loud, Amelia could still hear when Margo said, “Eli, your mother was latched on to that rough-looking cowboy as if he were a long lost friend.”
“I was no such thing.” The older woman looked perplexed. “He was nice and I simply asked him to carry my hat box to the hotel. Of course Margo wouldn’t let him, though I didn’t see why not. He was on his way to check in and didn’t seem to mind. I was only trying to be nice.”
“It’s always good to be nice to people, Mother, but you do have to watch it. Things are different here in the west than they were in Savannah. There are a lot of rough characters in Wyoming Territory, and they don’t mind taking advantage of an innocent person like you.”
“Eli Ellsworth, I’m not the fragile old lady you think I am. I lived through the war in Savannah with the Yankees burning and killing. I think I can manage to handle a cowboy.”
“Well, at least nothing happened this time, but please be careful. Ivy would never forgive me if anything happened to you.”
“Your sister knows you’ll take care of me, son.”
“Well, Mother Ellsworth, we need to make sure. You know when our baby comes I’m going to need you.”
“And I’ll be there for you, Margo.” The little old lady shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t see my talking to him hurt a thing. Jedidiah Wainwright was a perfect gentleman. I liked him.”
“He didn’t look much like a gentleman to me,” Margo said.
“I’ve heard about him,” Eli said. “I’ve never met the man, but some people around here think he’s a hero. Others say he’s the devil’s spawn.”
Amelia caught her breath. Though she recognized the Reverend and his wife, she didn’t know his mother had come to town, but she realized the older woman meant Jed Wainwright, the bounty hunter. She’d never heard him called Jedidiah, but it had to be him. She was trying to work up her courage to speak when Grace brought her food.
Her friend didn’t have time to question her about her fiancé any more. Two people came into the dining room and she hurried away to serve them.
Amelia tried to concentrate on the conversation between the Rever
end and his family, but they began discussing the new church. She’d heard all she wanted to hear about the new church from her mother so she turned her attention to her meal and thought about what she’d heard. If Jed Wainwright was in town, it would solve one of her biggest problems. She wouldn’t have to visit the sheriff’s office to find out where she could find the bounty hunter. It must be an omen. If he’s in town, I know I’m doing the right thing.
She finished her meal quickly and hurried out of the dining room. She didn’t want to get tied up with the Ellsworths and she was glad they were so involved in warning his mother about the Wild West that they didn’t notice her leave.
In the lobby, she paused to talk with Mr. Olsen for a few minutes then hurried up the stairs.
* * * *
Jed read the letter Frank gave him and put it aside, then sat back in the tub of soapy water to relax. The missive had brought good news and he realized he was closer to his own ranch than he realized. Maybe he wouldn’t have to hunt outlaws much longer, if at all. Together they already had enough money to buy a ranch. Now they only needed money for stock. And if they could get the ranch at a good price, with the little left over and the coming reward money they could get enough stock to start ranching. Calling the McBride gang his last capture would suit him fine. He decided he’d act on what his friend, Curt, had told him tomorrow.
He was about to doze off when he realized his bath water was almost cold, the whisky bottle was down a good third, and the back of his neck was about to develop a crick because of the angle it had rested on the back of the tin tub. He straightened and flexed his shoulders, but before he could get out of the water, a light knock on his door brought him fully aware of his surroundings.
He jumped up, wrapped a towel around his waist and grabbed the pearl handled pistol from his holster. Though he figured it was the expected supper, Jed didn’t believe in taking chances. He learned early in his business the most innocent event could be deadly.
He moved to the door. “Who is it?”
The only answer was another light knock.
“State your business,” Jed demanded.
“I want to speak with you.”
Jed didn’t understand what the soft female voice said, but he knew it was a woman. He grinned. Maybe Frank sent him a surprise. He eased the door open, but kept his gun trained on the opening. “What did you say?”
“I said I want to speak with you.”
He opened the door a little wider and looked at the small blonde standing there. If he could’ve had his choice, she would’ve had long black hair and come up to at least his chin, but he didn’t let her know this. She would be fine even if she only came midway to his chest. His grin spread as he glanced down the hall. It was empty and he threw the door open. “Come on in, sweetheart. I’d love to have a talk, but I have a better idea of how to pass the time with you.”
She gasped as her right hand flew to her breast. A blush started at the scooped neck of the lavender silk dress. “You’re not dressed.” Her eyes were wide with surprise and curiosity and he knew she’d noticed all the scars on his torso, but he had no intention of explaining to her how they got there.
“It’ll be less complicated if I’m already undressed.” He looked her up and down and though she was a tiny thing, he liked what he saw up close. He remembered she was the woman he’d seen get out the carriage earlier. At the time he’d thought she was some local lady, but right now he had no objections to a pretty lady. “Come on in and let’s see how fast we can get you out of your fancy dress.”
“How dare you!” she snapped. “I came to discuss a business deal with you, not take my clothes off.”
He laughed when he saw the way her blue eyes lit up. Though he didn’t like to play games with a potential bed partner, this woman was pretty enough to get away with teasing him. He’d go along with it for a short time. “Then, come in and let’s discuss your business.”
“I’ll come in when you put some clothes on.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
“If I must.” Without closing the door, he dropped the towel.
She let out a little scream and covered her face with her hands.
He laughed out loud after seeing her reaction to his naked body. Shaking his head, he slowly turned and moved toward the bed.
He took his time stepping into the clean pair of pants he’d laid out. He was buttoning the front when he said, “I’m decent, so you can uncover your eyes.”
She dropped her hands. “Aren’t you going to put on a shirt?”
“I can talk as well without a shirt.” Jed was still sure this was a woman Frank had sent him and the fact that she seemed genuinely embarrassed intrigued him. He wasn’t sure why and it probably wouldn’t be happening if she wasn’t so damn appealing.
She didn’t answer and he walked to the door. “Well, are you going to come in to talk or are we having our discussion in the hall?”
She seemed to hesitate a few seconds then stepped quickly into the room. She still didn’t say anything.
Jed decided to wait her out. He closed the door and walked to the bed where he plopped down and patted the feather mattress beside him. She ignored his gesture and took a seat in the only chair in the room.
She swallowed a couple of times. Finally she said, “I have a proposition for you, Mr. Wainwright.”
“And what might your proposition be?” His dark eyes bored into hers. He couldn’t help wondering what she was up to.
She looked away and whispered, “I want to hire you.”
“I don’t hire my services out to women, my dear. I’m free and easy with my loving.”
“Mr. Wainwright, please control your tongue. I have no intention of hiring you for such a thing.”
“I see. You don’t want a man tonight, but you want to hire me anyway.” He cocked his head to the right. “Well, I’m not adverse to money as long as I’m getting it lawfully, but I don’t see why you’d need my services other than in bed. My regular kind of work is tracking people.”
“I know. Your reputation is why I came to you.”
He frowned. “You want me to find someone for you?”
“Not exactly.”
Jed hated to admit the pretty little woman had him confused, but he couldn’t help being curious. She was obviously nervous because she was clasping and unclasping her hands in her lap. Though he wondered what this was all about, he still wasn’t ready to make it easy for her. “Well, what exactly do you mean?”
“Do you mind if I start at the beginning?”
He stood. “If we’re going to tell a long story, I think I’ll have a drink.”
“I prefer to talk to you while you’re sober.” Her voice almost squeaked.
“I’m a long way from drunk, sweetheart.” He picked up the whisky and poured a glass about half full. Turning to her, he held up the bottle. “Would you like one? It might help you to relax.”
“No, thank you. I’m fine.”
“Suit yourself.” He sat the bottle on the dresser and moved back to the bed. He tried to keep his voice calm when he said, “I’ve had a rough couple of days, lady, and if you didn’t come here to get naked with me, I’d sure like to know what you want so I can get some rest.”
She took a big breath then blurted, “My name is Amelia Donahue and I want to hire you to marry me tonight.”
Jed almost dropped the glass of whisky. What the hell was she saying? He must have heard her wrong. There’s no way a woman would say what he thought she’d just said. He glared at her, but she wasn’t looking at him. He turned up the glass and drank the contents without stopping. Still glaring at her, he rasped, “What the hell did you say?”
She cleared her throat. “I have to get married and I have to marry a man who my daddy can’t intimidate. I want to marry you.”
Jed stared at her. This must be Rafe Donahue’s daughter. Though he’d never met the man, he knew Donahue owned the largest ranch in the area. He also knew he had a dau
ghter who the town considered reckless, but he never dreamed she was crazy. He shook his head and started to get up. “You’ve got the wrong guy, honey. Pretty as you are, I have no intention of marrying you or anyone else.”
“I’ll pay you five thousand dollars.”
“What?” Stunned, he dropped back to the bed.
“I said I’ll pay you five thousand dollars.”
“Why would a woman like you have to pay a man to marry her?”
“Because I have to get married.”
There was a short pause while they eyed each other. Finally he said, “If you’re so set on paying somebody to marry you, why don’t you pay the father?”
She wrinkled her forehead. “What father?”
“The man who got you in a family way.” He knew he was beginning to sound exasperated, but this woman, with all her appealing attributes had to be soft in the head.
“What gave you the idea I was going to have a baby?” She looked puzzled.
“You said you had to get married. That usually means a woman is going to have a baby.”
“Look, Mr. Wainwright. This had nothing to do with babies. I want to marry you so I won’t have to marry Vince Callahan.”
He frowned. “Look, honey, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but it needs to stop right now. Why don’t you let me show you to your room and we’ll forget this conversation ever took place.”
“No!”
He raised an eyebrow at the sharpness in her voice, but she went on.
“I have to marry you, Mr. Wainwright. As I said, you’re the type of man who isn’t intimidated by anyone.”
“That’s true, but I don’t think that has anything to do with marriage.”
“Please. If I don’t marry you, I’ll have to marry Vince Callahan, and he’s an awful man.” She crinkled her nose and a tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t trust him and he’s old enough to be my father, and he makes my skin crawl when he tries to hold my hand or kiss my cheek.”
Amelia's Marriage Page 3