Mail Order Bride - Westward Sunrise: Historical Cowboy Romance (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 9) (2 page)

Stan, a short man with dirty blond hair and muddy brown eyes, sauntered over to the table.  He put the cards on it and said, “Because if I don’t, someone always picks them up and takes off with them.  I’m tired of buying new ones all the time.”

“Okay, okay,” Joe said.

“Joe, I appreciate the thought, but I didn’t bring any money with me,” Elliot said.

“Luke!  Are ya’ll playin’ or what?” Joe hollered across the room.  He was getting irritated.  He’d told the people that were playing to get to the table so they could start before Elliot ran away.  They weren’t sticking to the plan.  He stood up and started yelling out their names.

“Joe, did you hear me?” Elliot said.

“Yeah, I heard you,” Joe said.  “You’re money’s no good here, Elliot.  We’re playin’ for toothpicks.”  This was something they often did because not all of their friends were fixed like Joe to play for high stakes.  The mayor flopped back down in his chair as he saw that the people he'd called on were making their way over.

Jamie Samuels, Luke’s wife, waddled her way over to the table.  Elliot got up right away to pull out a chair for her.  She sat in it and Elliot pushed her in.

“Thank you, Elliot,” Jamie said with a grateful smile at the shy man.

“You’re welcome.”  Elliot sat back down.  “It’s getting close to that time, huh?”

Jamie put a hand on her distended abdomen and said, “Yes, thank God.  I’m ready.  I keep asking Marcus and Hannah if there’s anything I can do to make he or she come sooner, but they just keep telling me to be patient.”

Elliot smiled at the striking redhead and said, “You’re not a patient person any more than Tessa.  No wonder you two get along so well.”

Jamie said, “I want you to strap a watermelon to your stomach and carry it around for five months and see if you’re ready to get rid of it after that.”

Gus McHale, one the Watering Hole regulars, pulled out a chair and sat down.  “I’d pay to see that, Elliot.  You’d have to wear a dress, though.”

“I’m not doing either of those things,” Elliot said as Ben Walker sat down. 

He put a bunch of shot glasses and a bottle of scotch on the table.  He filled them and passed a drink to everyone but Jamie.  “Elliot, I’m new here, and I really didn’t know your daddy, but I hear he was a good man and I’m sorry for your loss,” Ben said. 

Ben had come to Dawson shortly before Christmas to see his twin sister, Rebecca, who had wed Jake.  After careful consideration, he’d decided to stay in Dawson instead of going back to their home state of Georgia.  When Jake’s bouncer, Sammi, had quit, Ben had taken her position. 

Their styles of keeping peace in the bar were completely different, but equally effective.  While Sammi tended to get right in people’s faces, Ben struck silently.  It was unnerving and made those who’d been on the receiving end of Ben’s brand of justice think twice about causing trouble again.

“Thanks, Ben,” Elliot said.

“Drink up,” Ben said, and nudged Elliot’s full shot glass a little closer to him.

“Why does everyone think I need to get drunk?” Elliot asked.

Joe laughed.  “Because sometimes you just do and this is one of those times in life where you do.”

Ben jumped up again and Joe yelled, “Where ya’ll goin’?  I’m gettin’ ready to deal here!”

“Keep your rich britches on, Tex.  I was remiss and didn’t get poor Jamie something to drink,” Ben said.

He returned in a few moments with a sarsaparilla for her.  “I know it’s not what you’d like to have, but just pretend, sweetheart,” he said with a wink.  With his jet black hair and bright green eyes, Ben was an extremely handsome man.

Jamie said, “Thank you, Ben.  You’re very sweet.”

Sometimes it was hard to tell who the bigger flirt was; Joe or Ben.

Ben settled in his chair again and said, “You’re most welcome.  Ok, I’m ready.  Let’s play.”

“Finally,” Joe groused.

Three hours later, Ben walked Elliot home because they’d gotten him way past three sheets to the wind.  Alcohol sometimes made people act completely opposite of their usual personality and Elliot fit into that category.  The more he drank, the more outgoing he became and some of the outrageous stories he told about some of the townspeople kept his friends in stitches. 

The poker game had been a riot because once the store owner had drank about three shots he started mumbling to himself what cards he had in his hand.  The only problem was that everyone could make out what he was saying.  As a result, there really hadn’t been much poker played and no one minded because they were having too good a time. 

Ben helped get Elliot into bed and removed his boots and glasses just as Elliot passed out. 

“He’s gonna have one hell of a hangover in the morning,” Ben said as he left Elliot’s place.  “He might wanna rethink opening up tomorrow.”  He laughed as he closed the back door of Elliot’s house.

“Never again,” Elliot moaned as he leaned over the front counter in the store the next morning.  He could kill his friends for getting him that drunk and yet he knew they’d meant well.  His head pounded and his empty stomach still roiled from the excessive alcohol intake. 

“Hey, Elliot,” he heard Rachel Crispin say.

“Hi,” he said without raising his head.  “How are you?”

She laughed.  “Better than you, I’d say.”

“You’d be right,” he agreed, and slowly straightened up.  He gave her a weak smile.  “You’re here about the job, right?”

Her dark eyes shone with a happy light.  “Yes.  I’d really like to work for you.  I’m a hard worker and I’d be on time and everything.”

Elliot nodded and regretted doing it because it made him a little dizzy.  “All right.  I have only one condition.  You have to keep getting good grades.  Claire says you’re doing really well and that you could possibly go to college if you wanted.  I don’t want this job to interfere with that.”

Rachel said, “It won’t.  I promise.”

“All right.  Can you start after school tomorrow?  Might as well get you trained right away.  It’s not hard, so don’t worry,” Elliot said.  His stomach rolled again and Elliot knew he was going to be sick again.  “In fact, you can start right now.  Just stand here and tell people I’ll be back soon.”

Rachel watched in astonishment as Elliot ran down an aisle and into the back of the store.  She looked at the counter and then around her to see if anyone was coming up to the register.  Hesitantly she stepped behind it and looked around at everything.  She’d been coming to Bradbury’s all her life, but the store looked different somehow from this vantage point.

As she started looking over the buttons on the register, the front door opened and Jack Samuels entered.  Rachel watched the object of her heart’s desire walk down an aisle and disappear from her sight.  She put a hand to her chest and tried to slow her rapid pulse.  The good-looking young deputy made her feel warm and shaky every time she was near him, but he had no idea.  Or at least she hoped he didn’t. 

Suddenly she began to panic.  What if he came up to the counter before Elliot got back?  She had no idea how to work the register.  Jack would think she was an idiot.  The longer Elliot was gone, the worse her anxiety became.  She groaned under her breath as Jack walked up to the register.

“Hi, Rachel,” Jack said as he smiled at the pretty girl and put some spices on the counter.  Jack was an excellent cook.  “You workin’ here now?”

Rachel’s answer was slightly delayed as she got caught up looking into his crystal clear blue eyes.  “Um, well, sort of.  Elliot had to go…back there,” she said, pointing vaguely down the aisle.  “I don’t know why.  He just told me to stand here and tell people he’d be right back.  So, he'll be right back.”

Jack nodded.  “Okay.”

“But I am starting work here tomorrow.  Elliot just hired me.  But I don’t know how to do anything yet,” Rachel said, and then heard how stupid that sounded.  She felt as it her face was on fire.

Jack laughed.  “You’ll catch on quick. You’re a smart girl.  Where the hell is Elliot?  I gotta get back to the office or Mitch’ll have my head.  I’ll tell you what.  I’ll show you how to work it, okay?  Then if someone else comes in, you’ll know how to do it.”

He didn’t give her a chance to protest.  Jack came around behind the counter and explained how the machine operated, but Rachel didn’t hear too much of what he said because her heart was beating too loudly.  Being so close to Jack made her feel disoriented.

“You got it?” Jack asked her.

“Yeah, sure,” Rachel said.

“Ok.  Good.  I gotta get goin’.  Tell Elliot I said hi,” Jack said.  His long legs carried him swiftly out the door.

“Oh, sweet Jesus,” Rachel said, and leaned against the counter a little as she caught her breath.

             
Elliot was bored.  He hadn’t realized how much of his time had been consumed with taking care of his father.  Between that and running the store, Elliot hadn’t had much free time and what he did have had mainly been taken up with eating and sleeping.  Now, however, he had hours of time at night and nothing to do.  He was tired of reading, something he never thought would happen.

              The store ran smoothly, since when he’d taken over the day to day operations he’d devised a very efficient system of doing things.  As a result, Elliot was able to complete a lot of work in one day when it might have taken someone else two.  In the month since she’d been working for him, Rachel had become a big help to him, which increased his spare time even more.  Revenues were also up because Rachel was good at talking people into buying things when they were undecided.  Elliot had started giving her a small commission because she was doing such a good job.

              He went to the Watering Hole one night around the time when Rebecca Henderson would be playing piano.  Her music was beautiful and listening to it and hanging around with some of his friends was better than sitting home alone again.

              When he lamented to Jake about being bored, Jake said, “Elliot, you need a woman.  You’ll never be bored then,” the bartender said with a rakish smile.

              Elliot smiled.  “Sure.  You know any that would like a bookworm store owner who wears glasses?”

              Jake poured Elliot a beer and sat it in front of him.  “What’s your glasses got to do with anything?”

              “C’mon, Jake.  You know what I mean.  Glasses aren’t exactly…appealing,” Elliot said.

              Rebecca came out to the bar area from the office. 

              “Honey, I have a question for you,” Jake said.

              “All right.  What is it?” she asked.

              “Do you think Elliot’s glasses are unappealing?” Jake asked.

              “Jake,” Elliot protested, and turned pink.  He hadn’t expected to be put on display, especially in front of Jake’s beautiful wife.

              Rebecca turned her jade green eyes on Elliot and gave the question careful consideration.  Elliot’s chestnut hair fell attractively over his forehead.  His warm brown eyes were clearly visible through the glasses.  Elliot had boyish good looks and a nice smile. 

              “Take the glasses off, please, Elliot,” Rebecca said.

              Reluctantly Elliot did as she requested.

              Jake said, “Wow.  I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you without your glasses.  Hmm.”

              “All right.  Please put them back on,” Rebecca said, and looked at him again.

              Elliot anxiously awaited her verdict.  He’d always been a little sensitive about them because of being teased and bullied when he was a kid.

              “You are equally appealing with or without the glasses,” Rebecca said.  “And I’m being truthful with you.”

              Elliot smiled.  “Thanks, Rebecca.”

              “See?  Your glasses are not holding you back.  As far as being a bookworm, women like smart men.  Look at Marcus.  He’s always been smart and he never lacked for female company,” Jake said.

              Elliot said, “I’m not Marcus.  He can talk to anyone, anywhere without freezing up.”

              Jake acknowledged that.  “Okay, fine.  Luke is real shy around woman and he found a wife.  A very beautiful wife, I might add.  That’s it!  Elliot!  Have Marcus put an ad in the papers for you.  It’s worked for every guy he’s placed one for.”

              “I don’t know if I’m even looking for a wife, Jake,” Elliot said.

              “Do you want a family?” Jake asked.

              “I’ve never really thought about it much,” Elliot said.  “I’ve always been too busy with Pa and the store.”

              “Yeah, but you’ve dated before, right?” Jake said.

              “Uh, I don’t really want to talk about this right now,” Elliot said.

              “Why not?” Jake asked. 

              “It’s embarrassing,” Elliot said as he dropped his gaze.

              Jake said, “Aw, c’mon.  It’s just me, Elliot.”

              Elliot sighed.  “I never really dated much.  I went out with a couple of girls a few times, but that was it.  Plus, I wasn’t exactly all that attractive.  I was shy and awkward and that hasn’t changed much.”

              Joe had come up behind Elliot while he was talking and heard his remark.  He put an arm around Elliot’s shoulder, which startled Elliot.  “Elliot, my friend, you gotta get rid of this poor image you have of yourself.”  Joe clapped him on the back and said, “Stand up.”

              “What?”

              “Stand up,” Joe repeated.

              Elliot didn’t know what Joe was getting at, but did as he’d asked.  “Okay.  Now what?”
              Joe had to look up slightly to meet Elliot’s eyes.  “You’re tall.  Women like tall.”  Joe grasped Elliot’s arms.  “You see these?”

              Elliot laughed.  “Yeah.  They’re called arms.”

              “Yeah, but I’m talking about the muscles on your arms.  You’re not muscle-bound like Luke or Seth, but you’re strong.  Now, you’re also the fastest runner I know outside of the Lakota camp and I’d be willing to bet that even those boys can’t hold a candle to you,” Joe said.

              “I don’t know about that,” Elliot said.

              “I do.  I know speed when I see it.  I ought to, since I raise Thoroughbreds.  You’re smart, you’re successful, and you’ve got a big heart, Elliot,” Joe said.  “Ain’t no reason on God’s green earth that any woman out there wouldn’t want a piece of you.”

              “I told him he oughta have Marcus put a mail-order-bride ad in for him,” Jake said.  “He just told me he’s bored and has too much time on his hands.”

              “That’s a fine idea, Jake,” Joe said.  “You get married you won’t be bored and you’ll be fully occupied.”

              “Maybe I just need a hobby,” Elliot said.

              Joe scoffed at that thought.  “The only hobby you need is writing letters to the droves of women who are gonna answer your ad.  Talk to Marcus.”

              As Joe left to go sing, Elliot thought about what Jake and Joe had said to him.  He drank his beer and listened to Joe sing and started to smile.  Maybe he would talk to Marcus after all.

Special offer; Limited Time Only!  Boyishly handsome Montana general store owner seeks a lovely lady who enjoys good books and beautiful sunrises.  This 28 year old hard worker with chestnut hair and rich brown eyes stands 6’3” tall and weighs around 170 lbs.  He’s kind, respectful, and honest.  He’s looking for a woman between the ages of 23 and 30 who is family-minded.  Respond now before he goes out of stock!

              “Betty!  Betty!  I found him!”

              Betty Reynolds watched as her excitable friend Abby Porter ran into the parlor of the boarding house where they lived.  Betty smiled as Abby slapped the personal section of the newspaper down on her lap and pointed at the ad she’d circled. 

              “Read that!” Abby said.

              “All right.  Move your finger and I will,” Betty said with a laugh.

              “Okay.  Doesn’t he sound perfect?” Abby asked.

              “I haven’t read it yet,” Betty protested as she looked at Abby.

              With her lively blue eyes and short, bouncy, dark curls, Abby always reminded Betty of a pretty imp.  Short hair wasn’t in style very much, but it suited Abby well. 

              Betty read the ad and admitted that the gentleman did sound like someone who would do well for Abby.  She could almost feel the girl’s energy as she waited anxiously for Betty’s opinion.

              Abby couldn’t take it any longer and demanded, “Well?  What do you think?”

              Betty handed the paper back to Abby and said, “I think you might be right, but take it a little slow.  See how the letters go first.”

              Abby squealed and bounced up and down a little.  “Okay.  I’m going to write him right now while he’s still on sale!” she said and ran from the parlor.

              Betty laughed as she heard Abby run up the stairs.

              Abby lay on her bed trying desperately to start the letter with something interesting.  She couldn’t hold still.  Everyone told her she was hyperactive and she supposed they were right.  Aside from sleeping, Abby couldn’t stand to be sedentary.  Her agile mind required stimulation and her body tended to follow suit.  It was one of the things that made her a good employee at the button factory where she worked.

              She scribbled down several different introductions and rejected them all.  Abby leaned back on her haunches and thought for a few moments and then lay down again.  Something clicked in her mind and she chuckled as she began writing.  When she finished, Abby put the letter in the addressed envelope and sealed it.  Then she put it in her purse so she could mail it before she went to work the next day.

              Everyone at the Franklin Button Factory knew that Reggie Zimmer had his eye on Abby Porter, including her.  She liked Reggie well enough, but more as a brother than a suitor.  He just couldn’t get it through his head no matter how many times Abby told him she wasn’t interested in him.  She’d tried to tell him in a lot of different ways, but it didn’t matter.  He was still convinced that they were going to get married one day.

              Abby tried to sneak through the busy production floor to her button machine without Reggie seeing her, but when she settled into her seat, Reggie came over.

              “Hi, Abby,” Reggie said.

              Abby just wanted him to go away so she could start her work and think about the man to whom she’d sent a letter.  “Reggie, I really have to get to work, okay?  I don’t want to get in trouble.  So please just let me get to it?”

              Reggie’s dark eyes smiled down at her.  “Don’t worry.  I won’t let you get in trouble.  Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to go the book reading with me tomorrow night.”

              Abby began getting angry, something she rarely did, but Reggie’s constant badgering was getting to her.  “Reggie, I want you to listen to me.  Really listen to me, okay?”

              “Okay,” Reggie said.

              “I do not want to go to the reading with you.  I do not want to go anywhere with you.  I’ve tried to tell you this over and over.  Leave me alone,” Abby said.

              Reggie smiled. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

              Abby had enough.  She stood up on her chair and looked down at him.  “I know exactly what I’m saying!  Leave me alone!” she yelled right in his face.  “Stop bothering me!”

              The production floor went silent.  Reggie’s face turned red as he saw everyone staring at them.  He finally realized that Abby wasn’t kidding around.  Her blue eyes held an angry glint and her stance told him that she meant business.  Reggie said nothing as he turned around and walked back through the production room.

              Abby hopped nimbly down from her chair and sat in it.  She settled her nerves and started her work.  She hoped that Reggie wasn’t going to make trouble for her.  Abby felt a little bad about yelling at him, but she’d had more than enough and she was tired of being the butt of some of the jokes around the place.  Some of the people thought that she received special treatment since Reggie was an assistant supervisor, but as far as Abby knew, that wasn’t true.

              Her day went quickly enough and there were no incidents.  She hadn’t seen Reggie except in passing and he simply nodded and walked on.  Abby was glad that he’d finally gotten the hint.  When she went home, Abby did some chores around the boarding house.  Mr. and Mrs. Mickelson gave her and Betty a cut on their rent if they helped out.

              That suited her just fine since her job didn’t pay all that much.  Abby saved money any way she could and had a decent amount of money in the bank.  She would need it to travel to wherever she found a husband.  She’d been looking for one for a long time, but though she’d exchanged some letters, nothing had ever come of them.  As she settled into bed for the night, Abby hoped that this ad would be different.