Once Upon a Mail Order Bride

by Linda Broday

  “I did. It’s Number 204.”

  “I’ll collect your trunk and bring it up.” Ridge kissed Addie’s cheek. “I’ll be right back.”

  Addie nodded and went upstairs with Charlotte. “I’m giving a dinner for you at our house tomorrow night. Nothing real fancy, as we’re not fancy people, but I think you’ll enjoy meeting some of us in a private setting. We’ll introduce you to the town founders.”

  “That sounds like fun.” Charlotte unlocked her door.

  “I think you’ll be happy here. Everyone is so friendly. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived to marry Ridge, but they made me feel really glad I came.” Addie appraised the room and found it similar to the one she’d almost stayed in that first night. “One thing you’ll discover is that we all have a past we’re not that proud of and that it doesn’t matter.”

  Charlotte turned, an odd expression on her face. “Then I should fit right in.”

  Addie didn’t know how to reply. It sounded like Charlotte carried some sort of baggage, but she wasn’t about to ask any questions. An awkward silence filled the room.

  “The town is only about three years old, but we have almost everything you could want, and being on a stage route helps the isolation. Let’s make ourselves comfortable.” Addie motioned toward a seating area, and they sat down. “I’m sure you’ll miss all the shops of a big city. We’re going to have a harvest dance as soon as we can and introduce you to everyone.”

  “I don’t know. I’m not much of a dancer.” Charlotte laughed. “I have too many feet and can’t keep any out of the way.”

  “I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

  “Believe me, it is. What did you mean about having the dance as soon as you can?”

  Addie told her about the damage the tornado did. “We were very lucky.”

  “It does appear so,” Charlotte admitted. “I hope to escape all of those.”

  Ridge returned with the trunk, and once Charlotte was settled, the three headed toward the café for supper. Just as they neared the establishment, Addie spied Angus O’Connor entering Dr. Mary’s hospital. A figure stood in the doorway, waiting. Then he was hugging…whom exactly? Addie strained for a better look. Dr. Mary? Their Dr. Mary? All too soon the door closed, blocking her view.

  Stunned, Addie was set back on her heels. The good doctor appeared to have a secret of her own.

  “Coming, love?” Ridge asked.

  “I just saw something rather…odd.” Or maybe her eyes, or the twilight, played tricks. Still thinking about the turn of events and the mystery man who’d come to town, she followed Ridge and Charlotte into the eatery spilling with scrumptious smells.

  Twenty-Five

  The dinner party went off without a hitch, despite being Addie’s first, and Ridge found the new banker very knowledgeable about a variety of subjects. Clearly, she’d been well educated—at least by their standards. Ridge thought they’d done well in getting her. The young woman had thankfully left her horrendous red bow at the hotel this time and had tidied her hair. She still wore all brown though, and this dress was the color of mud. First impressions aside, she was quick on her feet, her replies witty, and answered all their questions without stumble or pause.

  “Why did you choose Hope’s Crossing?” Clay asked. “Surely you had better opportunities.”

  Charlotte met Addie’s gaze. “I always wanted to see the real West. When I was a little girl, I was fascinated with”—she glanced around the table—“outlaws. Men who weren’t afraid to deliver justice themselves, who didn’t back down from a fight, men like you who’ve seen the best and worst of times. I think I shall enjoy living here.”

  She ended with a wobbly smile, and Ridge led the clapping. He raised his glass. “To a long and fruitful stay, Miss Wintersby.”

  “Please, just Charlotte. I’ve found it good business to dispense with formality.”

  The woman sure seemed to want to fit in and was saying everything right, but what about matching those words with actions? That would be the true test.

  Later, as Ridge and Addie stood at the door saying good night to their guests, Clay took him aside. “What do you think of her?”

  Ridge considered it for a second. “She’s holding something back, but frankly, that’s her business. We all have a few things we’d rather not divulge. I think she’ll be good for Hope’s Crossing. Are you worried?”

  “No, far from it. She’s young, but I like her attitude.” He glanced at the doorway where Tally was waving him over. “Sorry, we need to get back to the kids. Can we talk more tomorrow?”

  “Sure.”

  Clay kissed Addie’s cheek on the way out and congratulated her on the party’s success. That was the mark of a true friend, and the moment he took to compliment Addie warmed Ridge’s heart.

  He came up behind his wife and kissed her bare shoulder. “You worried for nothing. I told you they’d love the meal you prepared.”

  Addie half turned and laid her hand along the side of his jaw. “I was a bundle of nerves.”

  “You were a very gracious hostess, and I’m not the only one who thinks so.” He swept her up in his arms. The wagons trundled away outside, but the noise didn’t distract him from the lovemaking on his mind.

  “Where are you taking me? Put me down. I have a kitchen to clean.”

  “I’ll help you in the morning. Right now, I plan to strip that dress off my wife and make her squeal with delight.”

  “In that case…” She sighed and slid a hand into his hair. “Take me to paradise, cowboy.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He nuzzled the sensitive flesh behind her ear.

  Halfway up the stairs, a knock sounded on the door. Maybe one of their guests had left something. Though part of him knew it wasn’t likely. On the other hand, the men hunting him and Addie wouldn’t knock.

  Ridge met the alarm in Addie’s eyes. “I’m sure it’s nothing. A slight delay.”

  The knock sounded again, this time more insistent. He set her down and drew a Colt from his holster, glad he’d worn one to dinner. But then, he rarely went without these days.

  “Who is it?” he called.

  He could barely hear the mumbled reply. Pistol raised, Ridge jerked the door open.

  Startled, the woman on the porch stepped back. A dark scarf partially hiding her face made it difficult to make out any detail in the night.

  “I apologize for scaring you, ma’am.” Ridge lowered his pistol but didn’t holster it. “Can I help you? Are you lost?”

  “I’m looking for Ridge Steele, and I came a long way to find him.”

  “Who are you?”

  The strange woman glanced down. “Shiloh.”

  The name was vaguely familiar, but not enough to help him understand. Who the hell was she? Why couldn’t he place her? Something whispered he should.

  Addie edged around him in the doorway and took the caller’s hand. “Won’t you come in?”

  “One moment, ma’am.” Ridge moved Addie back into the house and kept his voice low. “Don’t invite her in without first knowing what she wants.”

  “We will be civil and charitable to anyone who comes to our door,” she whispered furiously. “It’s the polite thing to do. She appears to have come a long way to talk, dear.”

  “Not if you’re a wanted man—sweetheart,” he grated back.

  “Don’t you think if she came to kill you, she’d have done so when you opened the door? Let her in, and let’s discuss whatever she came for.”

  “Fine.” He ignored the tempting urge to strangle his lovely but naive wife. Ridge strode back to Shiloh. “Please come in, ma’am, where we can talk in private.”

  Before the woman could take another step, she fainted dead away on the stoop. Ridge reached for her but was too late.

  Addie scrambled outside and knelt beside her. “No
fever. Ridge, carry her to the parlor, and I’ll get the smelling salts.”

  While he did that, Addie hurried to the kitchen. By the time he laid Shiloh on the sofa and removed her scarf, Addie had returned. Most of the woman’s face lay in shadows where the lamp didn’t reach, but Ridge thought she seemed rather pale. He could see that she had coal-black hair, and no silver threaded through the strands. He guessed her to be young.

  Addie waved the smelling salts under Shiloh’s nose, and her eyes fluttered open.

  Shiloh startled awake. “I’m sorry,” she gasped.

  When she tried to sit, Addie stopped her. “Give yourself a moment to recover. I’ll get a glass of water.”

  The woman’s piercing dark gaze swept to Ridge as Addie left the room. Her eyes were the key, jostling his memory. They’d looked the same on that night long ago when his faith in God and humanity was driven out of him.

  “I know you. That’s why you didn’t give your last name.”

  “Duke. I’m Shiloh Duke.” She sat up. “I was afraid if you knew, you wouldn’t let me in.”

  He knew that family name all too well. Bitterness enveloped Ridge, and his voice turned to ice. “You’re damn right. You and your lies ruined my life. Put a bounty on my head. Set the Calders on my tail.”

  Addie returned with the water and handed it to Shiloh. She stood silently, her earlier warmth gone.

  Shiloh drained the glass and glanced down. “I wanted to find you and apologize. What I did was despicable, but believe me, I had no choice. My father would’ve killed me as soon as we got home if I’d gone against him. He was a mean drunk, and he’d already shot my mother.”

  “So you decided to frame an innocent man instead. How can I believe you?” Although her story smacked of the truth, Ridge was in no mood to let bygones be bygones just like that. She’d have to give him some proof of her sincerity first. “How can I trust anything you say now?”

  Shiloh pulled herself to her feet with considerable effort, her faded cotton dress hanging limp on her scrawny form. “I... You… This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come.”

  “Damn right,” Ridge managed through stiff lips. Her arrival had brought back all the painful memories he’d tried his best to lock away for years.

  Addie stopped Shiloh before she took two shaky steps. “I can’t let you go. You’re obviously not well.”

  “Leave her be, Addie!” Ridge barked.

  “I will not.” Addie stuck out a mulish chin, determined to pick a fight, and of all times to do it. She would persist in trying to fix things that couldn’t be fixed. “No matter what she’s done, she’s sick and needs our help. Settling the past can wait until morning. Meantime, I’m going to do whatever I can to make her better. It’s what we do in this house.”

  “Fine.” He stormed to the door and spoke with his back to her. “I’m going for a ride. Don’t wait up.”

  “Ridge, please—”

  He didn’t wait to hear her plea. He needed air. What had brought that woman here? Now? If she could find him, Tom Calder was likely not too far behind.

  Bodie woke while Ridge was saddling Cob and stuck his head out from his little room. “What’s going on? Where are you going?”

  “Just need to take a ride. Go back to bed, son.”

  Ridge led the horse from the barn, mounted, and rode toward town. He needed a stiff drink or three. But then, he doubted anything less than a full bottle would wash the sour taste from his mouth.

  The stage driver, George Finch, was sitting at a table in the half-empty saloon and waved him over.

  A stop by the barkeep for a bottle delayed Ridge’s progress. Well-armed to stay awhile, he sat across from George. “I didn’t realize this was your layover night.” Was it already Friday again? Ridge opened the whiskey and poured a liberal amount into a glass, threw it back, and let the alcohol burn a path to his gut.

  It felt damn good. Maybe it would burn away the pain and shame.

  “These weeks go fast to some, but for me they drag.” Judging from George’s slurry voice, he’d been here awhile. “This is the only time I can unwind and think of anything but my job, the horses, the passengers, and the like. I sure get tired of being hollered at.”

  “I can imagine. What else do you know how to do?”

  “I’m pretty much a jack-of-all-trades, but I used to be a gunsmith.” George paused. “Before I fell in with the Ellis Gang and got sent to the penitentiary.”

  Damn, George Finch had a sadder story than his.

  “How long have you been out?” Ridge tipped his glass and drained it.

  “Three years. Lost everything I had, including a wife and son. I was so damned foolish.”

  “Aren’t we all?” Ridge thought of Addie at home, possibly alone, wondering where he was right now. He oughta have his rear kicked.

  George fixed his bleary eyes on him. “Say, don’t you have a pretty, young wife?”

  “That’s correct.” Maybe not too much longer, if he didn’t apologize for walking out. In the heat of the moment, it’d seemed she was taking sides against him.

  Amid the noise of the saloon, he thought about what Shiloh had said. It could be she was telling the truth. Her father had been a surly, mean-looking cuss, jerking her around by the hair. Her life couldn’t have been pleasant. And she had been the one to come looking for him and apologize. It had seemed important that she got things off her chest.

  Whoa, slow down. What if she was like the woman who’d helped Tiny and Pickens to escape? Maybe she was helping Tom Calder. He took off his hat and rubbed his face. He didn’t know what to think.

  In the next second, Addie’s extension of hospitality crossed his mind. Of all people, she shouldn’t have trusted Shiloh. But she had, and others as well. Maybe she should be his bellwether. Addie read people far better than he did.

  And he’d left her at home to deal with their sudden guest.

  Ridge slid his bottle over to George. “Enjoy. I’ve got a place I need to be.”

  “Thanks, Steele.”

  Standing, Ridge grabbed his hat and headed for the door.

  Back at home, he noticed light in the windows. Addie was still up. Unsaddling and putting Cob in his stall, Ridge stepped into the kitchen to see Addie and Shiloh sitting at the table. Addie’s bright, forgiving smile at the sight of him swept away wrongs and lies.

  She rose to kiss him, and he pulled her close, savoring the softness that he’d found too little of in his life.

  Addie moved back, breathless, her cheeks pink. “Would you like something to eat, dear? Shiloh hadn’t eaten for three days, which is why she fainted, so I fixed her some eggs and pork.”

  “I’m fine.” He removed his hat and hung it on the nail by the door. “I’m sorry for losing my temper.”

  Shiloh lifted her face. Under the light, he saw her greenish black eye and the dark bruises along her jaw.

  When she spoke, her words came out quiet and raspy. “You don’t need to apologize, preacher. It’s me who owes you. I shouldn’t have come without word, especially not at this late hour, but I needed to talk to you. I wanted to tell you that I wish I could go back to that night and set things right. My life was already ruined, but I didn’t need to let them ruin yours too.”

  Ridge pulled out a chair. “I see you haven’t had it any easier than me. Who hit you?”

  “My pa, but it was the last time I’ll take a beating from him.” She blinked hard. “A week ago, I killed him. I’m used to fists, but when he reached for the gun, I knew he was going to kill me this time. So I grabbed it. We struggled, and it went off. I took what money he had and ran.”

  Good riddance. Ridge doubted anyone would mourn the man.

  Addie patted her hand. “We do whatever we must to survive.”

  “That night you came upon us, he’d given me to Beau Calder and his rowdy fr
iends to pay off a gambling debt. You killing Beau was a pure accident, but Pa said I’d not live to see morning if I didn’t say you struck Beau then attacked me.”

  “Why? I had no clear notion of what was happening. I could’ve ridden on.” Only he’d made the mistake of getting off his horse.

  “No, preacher. They wouldn’t have let you. No matter what you did or didn’t see, they knew that you being a man of God, you’d’ve brought the law down on them. It was looking out for their own necks that made them accuse you.” Shiloh finished her glass of milk. “This food is mighty good, ma’am. There’s been little of that where I came from.”

  “I’m happy I could feed you. Would you like more?” Addie asked.

  “No, ma’am. I’ve put you out enough. I’ll just be going now that I’ve done what I came for.”

  Addie put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Wait. I wonder if you’d do something for us.”

  “Anything I can.”

  “Would you be willing to write down everything you just told us and sign it? Maybe Ridge can get those charges dropped. You’d really help us out a great deal.”

  That Addie would think to do this before Shiloh disappeared into the wind amazed Ridge, but she was dead right. The girl’s own words might get him a clear slate. Except he’d killed Tom Calder’s son Wes. Still, Wes had come hunting him down, and returning fire was self-defense, long as the law saw it that way.

  Shiloh smiled for the first time since she’d arrived. “I’ll be more than happy to do whatever you need, if that will fix the wrong.”

  “It might and it might not, but it really will give me hope, Miss Duke. I have a friend who’s studying to be a lawyer, and he’ll know exactly what to do.” Ridge stuck out his hand to her, and she shook it. “Thank you for coming. This means more than you know. Now, you’re welcome to stay the night with us.”

  “I couldn’t. I’ve been enough bother. I’ll just make camp close by.”

  Addie put an arm around Ridge. “We have a perfectly good spare room that’s never been slept in. We insist.”

  Shiloh stood for a moment, weighing everything. “How can I refuse? Thank you both.”