Molly glanced toward Underwood, and he grinned at her. It’s over. In a moment, the Judge will set Underwood free and have Ben arrest me or maybe the Judge will sentence me right here and now since he has enough evidence. Molly inhaled refusing to give in to her fear. If the judge sentences me, I will not give this town the chance to see me cry. When Molly felt Sarah grip her hand, her resolve failed, and a lone tear slid down her cheek.
Judge Magarey addressed the assembled townspeople, “Mr. Underwood decided to act as his lawyer without any outside council. That is his right, and his testimony must be considered; however, I also have the written testimony of Leroy Willis to consider. In most cases, the two would contradict each other, and neither would be considered. The trial would end here.”
Underwood’s grin broadened, and Molly’s fear increased.
“That being said,” the Judge continued. “Mr. Underwood failed to remember an incident in the jail where he and Mr. Willis argued about their incarceration. In front of Sheriff Clay and myself, Mr. Underwood explained why he felt he had the right to the women in question. He believed he owned them and they could be forced to work for him. He felt no remorse for hiring Mr. Smith and Mr. Willis. He confessed to his crime in front of two witnesses, both town officials. Therefore, it is the decision of this court that Mr. Underwood is found guilty and sentenced to twenty years at the state prison in Waupun. Sheriff Clay will escort you to the prison on the next available train.” He banged the gavel, stood, smiled at Molly, and walked toward the small door leading to the rear exit of the church building.
Molly’s hands flew to her face, and she let her tears fall. The judge didn’t believe Underwood. He didn’t have me arrested.
Sarah hugged her. “It’s over. I know you were scared, but I couldn’t see why the judge would believe that ridiculous story Underwood concocted.”
Nell, Lucy, Rose, Henrietta, and Eloise hurried to Molly’s side followed by Rachel Reynolds, Minnie Masters, and Miranda Greiner. Several more of the town’s ladies waited to tell Molly they were happy the judge believed her story and how brave she was to stand up to Underwood.
Molly didn’t feel brave. She felt blessed that Underwood had made the mistake of bragging in front of Ben and the judge. All she wanted was to go home and talk to Ben before he left to escort Underwood to prison.
Nell spoke up, “Come along Ladies; Cal didn’t come to court this morning because he is preparing lunch at the restaurant. Today we’re serving chicken stew or ham steak and fried potatoes. I think we all need a good lunch.” She headed for the doors followed by most of the ladies. Sarah, Lucy, and Rose held back to walk slowly with Molly. Her knees still shook, and she did her best to calm her breathing. Giles offered to hurry ahead and make sure they had a good table before the mob of women took over the restaurant.
Chapter 15
Molly and her friends settled at the table Giles saved for them, and Nell hurried into the kitchen to help Cal with the lunch orders. After placing orders for soup and tea, the four ladies began to speak at once about their morning.
Sarah said, “Molly, you should tell us how you feel first. Are you all right now. You were pale during court. I worried you might faint.”
“I’m doing better. I did feel faint, but I refused to collapse and give Underwood the satisfaction that he upset me. He’s an evil man. I was afraid Judge Magarey might believe him and arrest me. Prison is a good place for him.”
“I agree,” Rose added. “If he were found innocent, he would try and take Lucy and me again. I know he would. My dreams of a life and husband in Montana would be over. My life would be over.” She dropped her head and stirred sugar into her teacup.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Lucy insisted. “He’s gone, and I am sure that young man will be happy to have you come to Montana.”
Molly nodded. “I think Lucy is right. You are free now to do whatever you want.”
Nell brought them bowls of hot soup and warm bread with butter and jam. “If you need anything else, let me know. We’re busier than usual with all the people from the court hearing wanting lunch. Cal is a bit stressed.” She smiled and hurried back toward the kitchen.
The ladies began eating in silence until Molly noticed Ben enter the restaurant. He strode up to their table. “I don’t have long Molly, but I want you to know Underwood and I will leave on the next train. It’s a short few hours to the prison. I telegraphed the warden, and he is expecting us. I’ll arrive back tomorrow or on the early train Friday morning. I’ll be here to escort you to the Bowen’s party Friday night.” He smiled, tipped his hat, and left.
“A man of few words,” Sarah commented and looked at Molly. “Is he a man of few actions, too?”
Molly blushed. “He’s a kind man.”
Sarah laughed. “You need a new dress. We finished that lovely gold dress. With a bit more lace trim, it’ll be perfect for the party.”
“It’ll be a lovely party,” Lucy said. “Mr. Bowen said he would bring steaks for me to cook and enough for Rose and me to have one. Rose is going to help me serve. Sarah, you have a wonderful husband. He asked for my opinion to make the party special. He loves you.”
It was Sarah’s turn to blush. “He does, and he spoils me. We’ll have a grand time.”
~ * ~
Molly kept busy helping Sarah sew her wedding dress. She felt disappointed when the late train departed Thursday evening, and Ben wasn’t on it. She dropped down on her bed late in the evening tired from sewing, planning her wedding, and helping customers all day. Molly drifted off to sleep praying Ben was safe and would return soon. She chided herself for that tiny niggle of worry that played at the back of her mind. He said he loved her; she had to stop worrying. Sleep overtook her, and she woke when she heard the early train whistle. She peered through her curtains toward the train station. When she saw Ben walking down the boardwalk, she leaped from the bed and dressed quickly.
She raced down the stairs hoping he was on his way to the shop. She crept through the dark workroom out into the shop and stopped near the door. When she saw Ben walk up and press his hands on the window trying to peek inside, she knocked on the window. Ben jumped back and reached for his gun. When he saw Molly, he smiled. She threw the door open, and he rushed in gathering her in his arms.
“I missed you,” was all he managed to say before kissing her until she needed to push away to breathe.
“I missed you, too,” she whispered.
“I told you I’d be back in time to take you to the party. What time should I pick you up?” Ben stepped back half a step but kept his arms around her.
“Lucy and Rose are going to Sarah’s this morning to start baking and cooking. Sarah said we'd close early and Giles will drive us to her house. You should be there at five. Sarah wants us to sing carols before dinner.”
His smile drooped, “I hoped to walk you there. We need a bit of time alone.”
“You can walk me home if you’re still speaking to me,” she smiled.
“Why wouldn’t I be talking to you?”
“Sarah decided we would have a taffy pull after dinner to have couples partner up.” She laid her head on his chest.
“A taffy pull. I can see where that might get some couples frustrated as they try to keep the taffy from hardening. A man could pull hard enough to knock a woman off her feet, but not us. No matter what, we’ll have fun. Nothing can make me upset with you, darlin’.” He kissed her again.
Molly sighed against his chest, and they stood there in the dark. He murmured into her hair, “I need to get to the jail and relieve whoever is watching over it for me. I let Luke and Joseph decide on their own time.”
“Sarah invited Joseph to the party. I hope you can both come. Would Luke watch the jail?”
“If we don’t have any prisoners, I don’t need anyone to watch the jail. I only need to write on the board out front where I am so if there’s trouble, someone can fetch me.” He drew her tight against him and kissed th
e top of her head. “I’ll see you tonight.” He released her and stepped back.
Molly watched him leave and locked the door behind him. The faint aroma of coffee wafted on the air. She knew either Lucy or Rose were awake. It was time to start the day, and Molly loved starting the day with Ben’s kisses. Marriage would be that way. Kisses every morning. She hummed on her way upstairs.
Sarah and Molly only had one customer all day which gave them the time to get a great deal of work done on the gowns ordered for the Christmas Eve dance. They took some time to cut out the pattern for Molly’s wedding gown. Molly still insisted it was too much to spend on a dress for her wedding and Sarah assured her that when Henrietta paid for the dress that Sarah would charge her only for the cost of the fabric.
“Honestly, Molly,” Sarah explained. “The cost of fabric and lace is not as much as one might expect when ordered directly from the supplier. Since it arrived in a shipment of other fabric, the shipping fee was minimal. I’m not adding the cost of sewing, and you certainly won’t ask Henrietta to pay for adding lace to your own dress.”
Molly giggled, “No, that would be terrible.”
“Then, don’t worry. The dress won’t cost much more than if we sold a ready-made one of inferior quality fabric.”
Molly sighed and agreed. “Look at the time, Sarah. We said we would close at three. It’s nearly that now.”
Sarah and Molly put the lovely wedding fabric away and straightened up the workshop. Giles arrived at three to pick up Sarah. She reminded Molly that Giles would return with the carriage in an hour to pick her up. Molly locked the door behind Sarah, turned the open sign to closed, and hurried upstairs to dress.
The golden color of her dress brought out the softness in Molly’s dark blonde hair. She pulled her hair up and tied it with a ribbon to match her dress. Tonight, she’d let her hair fall loosely down her back. She walked back down to the shop to check her reflection in the large mirror they used for customers. She spun around watching the skirt of her dress flow out around her. She doubted there would be dancing since Sarah invited quite a few people. It didn’t matter, she felt like a princess. Giles’ knock on the front door broke into her thoughts. She slipped her coat on and walked out to the carriage. He helped her in, and they drove to his home.
Giles opened the front door of his house, and the delicious aroma of fresh bread, fruit, and cinnamon greeted her.
“I think Lucy’s been baking all day,” Molly commented as Giles took her coat and hung it in the closet.
“It’s making me hungry,” he laughed.
Molly looked around the large parlor and thought there might be room for dancing. She walked over to the piano and ran her hand over the keys. For the past few years, playing the piano was one of her only joys. Sarah rushed into the room--a vision in green silk. She hugged Molly. “We have time before the guests arrive. Would you like to try the piano? Giles said it is tuned properly, but I want to know if you’ll be happy playing it.”
“Yes, I would. Thank you.” Molly sat and began to play I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen. The piano sounded beautiful, and Molly became lost in the song humming along. She turned to Sarah when she finished, “I missed playing. It was one of the favorites at Underwood’s, and I received many requests. It was one of the sweet songs the men requested. There were others, but I won’t play them.” She smiled at Sarah.
“Do you know any Christmas Carols? I thought we’d sing along with you. I believe Giles has sheet music here if you need it.”
“Yes, I know quite a few. Even men in saloons like to hear Christmas music. It was nice to play songs that I enjoyed. There were many bawdy tunes I had to play that I didn’t like. Tonight will be fun.” Molly played Silent Night while Sarah quietly sang along.
A knock at the front door interrupted Molly’s playing. Sarah said, “Someone’s early.”
Giles opened the door and invited Ben inside.
“It’s Ben,” Molly said rising from the piano bench.
Sarah laid her hand on Molly’s shoulder. “Sit back down and play. A lady never rushes to see a gentleman. Let him come to you.” She smiled and winked.
Molly resumed playing until she heard Giles and Ben enter the room. She turned and smiled at Ben. He took her hands in his marveling how small and delicate they were. He looked into her blue eyes and uttered, “Molly Sullivan, you are more beautiful than any woman I’ve known. You take my breath away.” He pulled her to her feet and kissed her deeply in front of Sarah and Giles. She pushed him away gently as her face flushed.
“We’re being watched, Ben.”
Ben glanced over his shoulder and asked Sarah and Giles, “Do you mind if I kiss Molly?”
Giles shook his head no, and Sarah smiled. They turned and left the room headed for the kitchen and Ben kissed Molly again.
“Ben Clay, you chased Sarah and Giles from their own parlor. You must stop kissing me.”
“All right, but only for now. I intend to kiss you again when I walk you home.”
“It is too cold outside for kissing,” Molly insisted blushing deeply.
“It’s never too cold for a kiss. I will keep you warm. I promise.” Mischief danced in his dark brown eyes, and Molly knew he meant what he said. She looked forward to the party, but part of her wished it was over and she could kiss Ben again.
Molly took Ben’s hand. “Come on, let’s find Sarah and Giles and tell them it’s safe to come back into the parlor. I think they might be in the kitchen.”
Ben smiled and followed Molly his mind on kissing her thoroughly as soon as they were alone again.
Chapter 16
A loud knock and voices coming from the front door brought Giles and Sarah from the kitchen back toward the parlor. Sarah’s face couldn’t hide her feelings when she looked at Molly. Ben’s broad grin added to Molly’s embarrassment. How she loved kissing Ben, but they should be more discreet. Next thing he’ll kiss her right on Main Street. Her heart skipped a beat when he slipped her hand in his and squeezed. Just standing next to him was more than she ever expected. Their upcoming marriage was a blessing she thanked God for each day.
Nell, Cal, Miranda, Roy, Minnie, and Louis all rushed in out of the cold. Giles hung up coats while Lucy brought out a large tray of tea cups and a pot of tea. “I have coffee, too,” Lucy informed the guests.
“Please everyone take a seat and get warm,” Sarah urged. “Have something warm to drink. We’ll eat when everyone gets here.”
Samuel, Rachel, and Della arrived a few minutes later followed by Henrietta and Eloise. Lively chatter filled the parlor. Ben stayed in the background watching everyone. He knew he needed to mingle, but it was hard to give up his lawman training. In large groups, he was always aware of his surroundings and those around him. He loosened up a bit when Judge Magarey and Joseph arrived.
A few minutes later, Lucy entered the parlor and announced dinner was ready. Molly walked into the dining room still amazed at the size of the dining room table. She knew Giles had his furniture shipped to Gentle Falls before he married Sarah, but Molly couldn’t imagine he owned another home as large as the one he and Sarah now owned. How lovely to live in a home you call your own. Panic gripped her heart. She and Ben couldn’t marry. Ben didn’t have a house. She lived over the shop she worked at with two other women. She didn’t own the building. Would she and Ben live in the jail? She shuddered.
Ben, noticing Molly’s scowl, whispered in her ear. “Are you all right? Here sit down.” He pulled out a chair for her and sat in the chair next to her.
“I'm all right,” she whispered back and smiled, but her mind was in a whirl. She had to speak with Ben as soon as possible.
The table was laden with platters of steaks, boiled and fried potatoes, green beans, glazed carrots, and biscuits, but Molly’s stomach flipped at the sight of food. Had Ben thought about where they’d live? Did it matter to him? Did he think she’d live anywhere since she was raised in a saloon? She needed to stop worrying until
she spoke with Ben. She took a deep breath and drank a few sips of water. The love in Ben’s eyes eased her fears temporarily, and she did her best to enjoy the meal.
The men pushed away from the table complaining they ate too much to sing carols at the moment much less participate in a taffy pull. Giles suggested they retire to his study for a while and relax a bit.
Sarah took his hand and whispered, “Thirty minutes, please. I’d like everyone to enjoy our first party.”
“Thirty minutes,” Giles kissed her cheek.
Giles offered the men cigars and a glass of whiskey. They all declined the cigars except for Judge Magarey. He also accepted a glass of whiskey as did Louis and Roy. When the men settled into chairs, Judge Magarey spoke. “I have some interesting news. Morton Willoughby stopped in my office this morning. It seems Underwood had a partner by the name of Malcolm Reed. Willoughby said Reed telegraphed him inquiring about the saloon shortly after the trial. He plans on rebuilding. He sent funds on the morning train to hire a crew to clean up the rubble. Reed will be in town before the end of the year to survey the property and make plans for rebuilding in the spring.”
Ben leaned forward and said, “If this Reed fellow telegraphed Willoughby right after the trial, he must have someone in town giving him information. How else would he know Underwood is gone?”
Roy shook his head. “I wonder why Underwood never said a word and who would let this Reed person know what’s going on. You don’t suppose the women are still in danger?”
“I’ll look into Reed and see if I can find out who in town might have telegraphed him. Do you know where the telegram originated?”
“Willoughby said Prairieville,” the Judge answered.
“That’s only a few hours ride from here and much shorter by train. I’ll check the livery and the train station. I doubt Reed will try and abduct the women. It would be too obvious. Easier to find a few women elsewhere and bring them to town. Anyone know when Miss Beth is expected back? She may know who Reed is,” Ben added.
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