Once Upon a Mail Order Bride

by Linda Broday

  Addie led the way, and they took the last two seats at the table for eight, greeting Dr. Mary, Jack, Clay, and the other two men. “What’s going on?”

  O’Connor grinned from ear to ear. “We’re celebrating my purchase of the Wild Rose Saloon. But most importantly”—he took Dr. Mary’s hand—“our upcoming wedding. My Margaret agreed to marry me after all these years.”

  “I had to wait until you got through sowing your wild oats, you old fool.” The doctor kissed his cheek. “And to settle down. I’m too old to follow you from pillar to post.”

  “Congratulations to you both. I’m so happy for you.” Addie found tears in her eyes. Nothing reaffirmed life better than two people in love.

  The waiter came and took their order, and Addie listened to the chatter going on, not only at their table, but around the entire café. These were the best of friends, many of whom had fought side by side to make a town from nothing.

  Though everyone shot Addie curious glances, only Jack spoke, quietly enough for only them to hear. “You seem to have tangled with a wild animal, Miss Addie. Anything you and Ridge want to tell us?”

  Ridge took her hand and told the story, after which everyone murmured that it was a good thing Ezekiel Jancy was already dead, or they’d string him up by his heels.

  Dr. Mary leaned across the table to speak to Addie. “Are you all right? Maybe I should check you out.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Doctor. I’ll be fine in a week or two.”

  “If not, you come to see me.”

  “I will.”

  “Miss Addie, I hear you used to teach school. How about taking the position of schoolmistress?” Clay asked from across the table.

  She shot Ridge a glance. “I don’t know. Can I think about it?”

  “Sure. You can get back to me.”

  The tea she’d ordered arrived, along with Ridge’s coffee. As she sipped, she realized that she’d never been happier than she was at that moment in the Blue Goose Café, with friends who cared and wonderful rays of silver light streaming in the windows.

  * * *

  Outside the café, Ridge put a hand on Addie’s waist, and they strolled toward the bank. The shades on the windows were raised, which meant Charlotte had opened for the day.

  Just then, two gunshots rent the air in the direction of the new Capital Bank and Trust.

  “Get down low, Addie!” Ridge pushed her into a doorway, drew his Colt, and raced toward danger. Jack ran from the hotel to join him and Clay wasn’t far behind.

  Breathing hard, Ridge pressed to one side of the bank door, Jack the other. Nodding to his friend, Ridge slowly turned the knob and burst into the building, keeping low and rolling. He stopped and came face-to-face with the jail escapee Pickens, lying dead on the floor.

  A thin ribbon of smoke still curled from the gun Charlotte Wintersby gripped. Her ashen face, wide brown eyes, and heaving chest told the rest of the story.

  Ridge got to his feet while Jack gently took the gun from her. Movement in the corner behind Ridge alerted him, and he swung around, his Colt pointed at a woman slowly raising her hands. She was wearing a long duster over a plain dress. She squeaked, “Don’t shoot.”

  “Who are you?” Ridge barked.

  “Texanna Starr.”

  He’d bet a shiny gold piece the name was a fake one. In fact, the only thing that was probably real about her was the color of her gray eyes. “Weren’t you the one riding on top of the stagecoach and helped Pickens and Tiny get away?”

  “Well, sort of.”

  Clay stepped over Pickens and the large pool of blood seeping from his cooling body. “Well, what is it, lady? You either were or you weren’t!”

  “I was.”

  “Why in God’s name did you help them?” Clay asked.

  “Pickens and I were married last month. He was my husband. I had to help him.”

  Clay checked her for weapons and found none, and Ridge put his Colt away.

  Jack tied her hands. “You’re under arrest.”

  “What the hell for?”

  “Helping your husband and his friend Tiny get away, for starters. Secondly, I take it you were trying to help him rob this bank, but we’ll get to that in a minute.” Jack pulled a chair over. “Sit here and don’t move.”

  A little color had returned to Charlotte’s face. “I couldn’t let them take the money.”

  “You risked your life. It’s safer to turn it over.” Ridge pulled a chair out for her, and she thanked him. “Tell us what happened.”

  “I had just opened up, and they burst through the front door. The man on the floor had a gun and told me to hand over all the money. The lady there gave me a burlap sack, and I went behind the teller’s cage. I keep a handgun there for protection.” Charlotte lifted a shaky hand to her forehead. “I pretended to fill the bag, then I came back around, pulled the gun from behind the sack, and fired. I didn’t want to miss.”

  Texanna Starr groaned. “I don’t know why I ever got mixed up with that man. He was rotten to the core. He said he’d watched the sheriff from the outdoor cell and saw the weak security. He thought robbing this green banker would be like taking candy from a two-year-old.”

  “Where’s the other one—Tiny? Did he come along?” Jack prodded.

  “He didn’t want any part of this, so we went our separate ways. Pickens and me came back for the money. I’m such a fool.” Texanna shook her head sadly. “He was going to take me to Denver and buy me pretty dresses.”

  Greed caught many a person. Ridge turned to Charlotte. “You’re something, Miss Wintersby. I don’t think we have to worry one bit about our money with you on the job.”

  “I have a spot open for a deputy, if you want it.” Jack grinned. “You have a dead aim.”

  “Thank you for trying to make me feel better, but I just killed a man. I took his life. He was breathing one minute, and the next his blood was leaking all over my floor.”

  “He would’ve killed you if you hadn’t, Charlotte.” Addie stepped from the door and went straight to her friend. “If you’re through, gentlemen, I’ll take her to the café for a cup of hot tea. Her nerves need bracing.”

  “Good idea, sweetheart.” Ridge glanced at Clay and Jack. “If we have any more questions, we can ask them later. And don’t worry, Miss Wintersby, we’ll have Pickens out of here and the mess cleaned up by the time you return.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Steele. It’s been a most trying morning.” Charlotte disappeared out the door with Addie.

  “What happens to me?” Texanna asked.

  “Good news.” Jack grinned. “You get to sit in our jail for a while and enjoy the fresh air.”

  “For how long? I said I’m sorry. You can’t put me out there in the open. A lady needs privacy.”

  “You should’ve thought about that, Mrs. Pickens.” Jack pulled her up. “Lucky for you, we have a vacancy, but don’t expect eating utensils to come with meals. You’re eating with your hands.”

  Texanna tried to jerk away. “You’re nothing but a…a…barbarian.”

  “I wonder what I’ll find when I start looking? Will I learn you’re wanted for other crimes? Let’s go.” Jack waded through the crowd that had gathered. “It’s all over, folks. Your money’s secure. Go about your business.”

  Ridge stared through the window and noticed a wagon lumbering into town, an old man and a kid on the front seat. He wondered what their story was and how they’d found their way to Hope’s Crossing. Their town was changing in tune with the world outside their doors, and if he didn’t change with it, he’d get left behind.

  “Clay, have you ever thought about hanging up your gun?” Ridge asked.

  “Almost every day. You?”

  “Me too. Do you think we’ll ever get the chance?”

  “Maybe one day far off, if we’re
lucky.”

  “Yeah.” Ridge shook himself and asked for some volunteers to cart Pickens to the cemetery. Then a couple to clean up Charlotte’s floor. He’d made a promise.

  Damn, he was tired.

  Thirty-Six

  Addie cooked breakfast with her mother the following morning and made plans for her sisters’ arrival. They’d be there in two weeks, as per the return telegram. “You’re welcome to stay here until you find something more permanent.”

  Ridge filled his coffee cup and moved to the table. “I think I might have a solution.”

  “What do you have in mind?” Addie turned the sausage.

  “Todd Denver’s place. I don’t know what the rent will be, but I’m sure Clay will keep it low.” Ridge raised his cup to his mouth. “Of course, it’s kind of small, but it has a nice loft and a little bedroom below. Denver used the loft for his book collection.”

  “That sounds perfect!” Addie beamed. “And yesterday, Martha Truman told me that Miss Quinn is looking for help in the dress shop.”

  Ingrid set the basket of fresh eggs next to the stove. “I haven’t worked for many years.”

  The change in her mother had taken everyone by surprise. With her injuries healing, her hair combed, and clean clothes, Ingrid bore little resemblance to the woman who’d sat in the wagon staring through dead eyes. She now appeared years younger, and full of dignity and hope. Addie had sat for hours, talking with her mother and rekindling their relationship, something that she’d worried had ended so horribly wrong three years ago. She forgave her for not doing more, truly understanding now how much Ingrid had been a victim too.

  “But you know how to sew, Mama. Everyone has always complimented your fine stitches.” Addie gave her a hug. “You just have to get your confidence back. No one is ever going to beat you or yell when you do something wrong. Not again.”

  “My bruises—”

  “They’re healing and fading fast. Besides, no one in this town will stare at you. I look a lot worse than you do, and I did just fine yesterday. You’re still a pretty woman, Mama.”

  Now that vibrant life had replaced the haunted, vacant look, her mother was beginning to find more self-esteem. It would just take time to complete the metamorphosis.

  “You really think so?”

  “Absolutely.” Addie removed the cooked sausages and added more to the skillet.

  “I agree with my wife.” Ridge ran his finger idly around the rim of his cup. “You’re exactly what that dress lady is looking for. You have experience, and you’ll soon have the women in this town raving about your needlework as well.”

  Ingrid allowed a small smile. “You’ve convinced me. After we clean up from breakfast, I’d like to go into town and talk to the dress-shop owner. What was her name?”

  “Miss Tara Quinn.” Addie kissed her mother’s cheek. “And while we’re there, we might look in on the house.”

  Ridge propped his elbows on the table. “Before I speak to Clay, I really do need to know if it’ll suit your needs. Like I said, it’s a little small.”

  “Thea and Tola will soon be marrying and making their own lives. That’ll just leave thirteen-year-old Remy at home.” Ingrid’s mind seemed to be whirling with all the possibilities. Addie loved seeing her mother’s excitement build, like a child’s at Christmas.

  Ridge chuckled softly. “If your other daughters are as pretty and as capable as Addie, I can vouch that the men in this town will beat a path to your door, Mrs. Jancy.”

  “Please, just call me Ingrid.”

  “All right, Ingrid. If Denver’s old house doesn’t work, I’ll build one. That’ll take a while longer, of course.” He stood and took her hand. “We’re family now. It’s really good having you here, and I’ll help get you settled any way I can.”

  Tears filled Ingrid’s brown eyes. She squeezed Ridge’s fingers and whispered, “I had forgotten there are good men left. I’m very happy Adeline found you.”

  Addie swallowed the lump in her throat. “Me too, Mama.”

  With that settled, Addie turned her thoughts to the other telegram they’d sent—the one to Ben Halsey. They’d gotten no reply yesterday, but perhaps one had come this morning.

  The screen opened and Bodie strode in. “Breakfast smells good.” He went straight to the coffee. “Is it about ready? I’m starving.”

  Addie watched a grin spread on Ridge’s face. The bond between him and Bodie grew stronger each day, and they were more like a real father and son than either knew.

  “You’re always as ravenous as a bear after hibernation, son.” Ridge’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Pour me another cup while you’re at it.”

  “Yes, sir.” Bodie brought the pot to the table, along with his cup, and sat down. “I got up early and did the chores. Do you need anything else done? Sawyer and Henry want me to go fishing.”

  The respect Bodie always showed Ridge never failed to warm Addie’s heart. She turned back to her cooking, a mist in her eyes. Through watching these two men form a relationship, the trust grow between them, she’d learned to trust as well. She’d opened her heart and let love inside. Addie had kept it locked for so long. Self-preservation made a person do strange things.

  “You go and have fun,” Ridge urged. “I can’t think of anything else I need doing. You’ll have to ride three miles over to the Washita River to find water deep enough to sink a hook.”

  “I reckon so.”

  “I’ve always wanted to dig out the little creek that runs through our land, widen and deepen it, but haven’t found time.”

  Interest showed in Bodie’s eyes. “Let’s do it—you and me. Maybe Sawyer and Henry would help too.”

  Addie couldn’t miss the excitement in the kid’s eyes. He asked for so little.

  “I ’spect we could. We’ll tackle that once we’re through with the work in town.” Ridge caught Addie’s stare and winked.

  Warmth stole over her, and she came near to dropping an egg. He made her feel like a schoolgirl making eyes at the teacher. She hurried to finish breakfast. She had two hungry men waiting, and she loved them both with every fiber of her being.

  * * *

  Hope’s Crossing had never looked more welcoming when Addie rode in, sitting between Ridge and her mother. The sun’s rays cast a golden glow over the town she’d grown to love.

  She glanced toward the back entrance where only a few large boulders remained. “Ridge, I didn’t notice how much you’d gotten done yesterday. I guess the excitement over the bank holdup took my attention.”

  “We should finish today.” He parked the wagon in front of his land office. “Then we’ll begin to clear a road.”

  “It makes such a big difference. Amazing.” Her glance fell on the outdoor strap-iron jail. Texanna Starr stood at the locked door, gripping the bars and staring. Addie felt a little sorry for her, although Texanna had gotten what she deserved. “Ridge, what is Jack going to do with that woman? She looks so forlorn.”

  “He’ll take her to Mobeetie as soon as he’s able.” He lifted her down from the seat and went around to help Ingrid. “She deserves to pay for the poor choices she made.”

  “I know, but it just seems a little harsh to put her outside where everyone can jeer at her.”

  “I love your soft heart. We can’t lose our compassion for one another. That’s what separates us from wild animals.” He kissed her temple. “I’ll get the key to Denver’s vacant house.”

  In short order, they walked over to the church. The building also served as a school, the schoolmaster’s house tucked in behind. Addie had never seen it before this, but she was impressed with how nice Denver had kept his yard, planting flowers and saplings. The care he’d taken spoke of the kind of man he’d been. She was sorry to have missed making his acquaintance.

  “What do you think, Mama? You’re awfully quiet.” Addi
e took Ingrid’s arm, not surprised at the hopeful smile. Ingrid was coming alive again, experiencing happiness that she’d had too little of in her life.

  “It’s so pretty. I can see myself living here, being in charge of my own affairs for once. The girls will love it. Let’s go inside.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ridge unlocked the door. “After you, ladies.”

  The rooms were small, like Ridge had said, but the walls were freshly painted, and the whole house was clean. Addie climbed the ladder to the loft. “There’s room for two beds up here. It’s very spacious.”

  “Oh good,” her mother said. “I like the space down here too. More than enough for my meager belongings.” Ingrid turned in a circle as though picturing in her mind where everything would go. “Yes, this will be perfect for our needs.”

  Clay strolled through the door. “Glad you like it, Mrs. Jancy. Now, here’s the deal. The house is yours free for as long as you want it, but there’s a catch.” His gaze shifted to Addie. “Not a catch, so much as a trade-off. Addie has to teach school. I built this place for the schoolteacher, and if I have to hire someone from outside, the house will be theirs.”

  Addie laughed, and she shook her finger. “You’re full of tricks and hoodwinking.”

  “Will you teach?” Clay asked.

  That was what she’d loved doing and had dreamed of going back to, except she hadn’t seen a way. Teaching kids to read, write, and cipher gave her so much joy.

  Ridge put an arm around her. “Take it. That’s what fulfilled you before.”

  She looked up into the urging in his eyes. “Yes. Yes, I will take it.”

  “Excellent!” Clay handed her mother the keys to the house. “Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Jancy.”

  “You don’t know what this means.” Ingrid wiped away a tear. “Thank you so much. Me and my girls will be very happy here.”

  “I’m counting on that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to meet my wife.” Clay turned and went out the door.

  Addie kissed Ingrid’s cheek. “See what I mean about this town? No one looks down on you here or whispers behind your back. And the best part is that there’s no whipping post. We’re free.”