ROMANCE: Badass Boss (Billionaire Alpha Bad Boy Romance) (Western Mail Order Bride Calendar Contemporary) (39 page)

Chapter 3

Pine Bluff’s Welcome

Lena took the wagon to town to stock up on needed items, and brought a few of the newer horses in for shoe sizing. She hoped Otto would not be too busy so he could size the horses and made the shoes while she was there. Being her father’s best friend, he was always very kind and accommodating to her.

She pulled up to the Blacksmith shop and walked in. She had known Otto all of her life and thought greatly of him. But the man hammering in the shop today was not Otto.

“Where is Otto?” Lena asked.

The man stopped his hammering and looked at her. He looked to be about her age, in his early twenties. He was tall with large muscles in his arms, probably from all the work of hammering. His full head of hair peeked out from under his hat.

“Hello, I am Otto’s nephew, Jack. I’m helping him out when he doesn’t feel too well. May I help you?”

Lena felt her face burn. “I’m sorry to be so rude, Jack. I was just surprised, and a little worried when I didn’t see him. Otto has been like a second father to me when mine…  well, never mind.” She tried to regroup from an awkward start. “What I mean is, my name is Lena Hollenbeck. It’s nice to meet you, and welcome to Pine Bluffs.”

Jack smiled and Lena’s heart melted. She could see from his response that he was a kind and generous man, just like his uncle.

“You have work that needs to be done?” Jack asked.

His presence distracted her so much, she almost forgot!

“Oh yes, I have two horses who need to be sized and shoed. Any chance you could do that while I’m in town so I can take them home with me in a few hours?”

She watched Jack look around at the other projects waiting to be done.

“I apologize. That was presumptuous of me. If you could size the horse’s hooves today, I’ll come back when you are ready to attach them.”

“Thank you for understanding. My uncle got a little behind on filling orders due to his health. But I will get caught up and get to your horseshoes as soon as possible.”

Lena didn’t mind. It would give a reason to see him again anyway. She wanted to stay and visit with him, but he obviously had work to do and she needed to go.

“Will you be attending church tomorrow with Otto? I’d love to see you there,” Lena said.

Jack raised his eyebrows and looked into her eyes. “Yes, I am planning on it. Now I’m looking forward to it.” He smiled.

Lena smiled back and turned to leave. She felt her heart beat fast with anticipation.

She started to cross the street to the general store when she heard Raymond Denner call out to her.

“Hey, horse trader’s daughter! Lookin’ for me?” Raymond got off his horse and tied her to the post outside the saloon.

“No, actually, I was going to the store. Please excuse me,” Lena said firmly.

He stood in her way. “I don’t think I will excuse you.”

Bert and Chester giggled in support of Raymond as they watched.

Lena tried to walk around him, but he stepped to the side to stop her. She tried the other way, but he did the same thing.

“Mr. Denner, let me by,” Lena insisted.

“Only after I buy you a drink.” Raymond smiled, revealing his rotting teethe and bad breath.

“I don’t drink, and I have no interest in you,” Lena spouted. Her amount of worry was overwhelmed by outrage at his rude behavior.

Jack approached Raymond, holding the ax he was working on. It was still fiery red at the tip.

“I believe the lady asked you nicely to let her by. Do you need some extra encouragement to abide by her request?” Jack pointed the ax toward him.

Raymond held up his hands and backed up. “Not at all. She was just in my way.”

Lena looked at Jack and then again at Raymond. She walked around Raymond and straight into the store, then she quickly peeked out the window to see what was happening.

“Now you’re in my way, Smithy. Get that hot ax out of my face!”

“I’ll take my ax with me, but if I see you bothering Miss Hollenbeck again, I’ll get even closer.”

Raymond scowled and huffed. “Nobody threatens me and gets away with it, Smithy. You watch your back.”

Jack continuing staring at Raymond for a few seconds. Raymond motioned to his posse to follow him and he walked into the saloon.

Lena backed away from the window and pretended to be shopping when Jack walked in.

“You alright?” he asked her.

She put on a brave face. “Yes, thank you for your help. Men like him don’t understand the word ‘no.’”

“I noticed. We had our share of men like him in Tennessee too. Well, if you need me, you know where to find me.”

Lena smiled. “Yes, thank you again, Jack. See you tomorrow.”

Jack touched the brim of his hat and walked out of the store.

Lena felt her chest grow warm. He was a rare find in Wyoming. Most decent men who arrived in Pine Bluffs were already married. Jack seemed to be just the kind of man she was waiting for. 

Chapter 4

“Blessed Be The Ties That Bind”

Lena woke on Sunday morning and walked straight out to the barn. She knew her father had been keeping watch at night for Raymond’s gang, but she also suspected he was letting whiskey keep him company.

“Papa?” she called out. “Are you comin’ to church this morning?”

She heard him stomping around in the loft. “Oh, uh, yeah, I’ll be ready in a minute.”

Lena hitched up a team of horses to the wagon and waited for him. He stumbled out of the barn and sat with her.

“I thought we could stop by Mama’s grave on the way to church this morning.”

Albert took his daughter’s hand and held it. “We lost her twenty years ago today.”

Lena blinked. “I know, Papa. I know how much you miss her.”

“Your mother would have loved raising you, Lena. She adored you from the moment you kicked inside her belly.”

Lena laughed. “I would have liked to have known her.”

They pulled up to the gravesite on the top of this hill on their property. Laura Lynn Hollenbeck was the only grave there so far. They stood silently together and bowed their heads. Lena walked back to the wagon when she saw her father start to get emotional. She gave him a little time alone with his memory.

As much as Lena wanted to get married and have her own children someday, she wondered if she would ever be able to leave her father. He was so distraught after losing her mother, he relied on her to care for the horses and manage the household. She wasn’t sure he could make it without her.

They arrived at church as others were mingling. Lena was greeted by several women who also doted over her father. She left them to continue doting and walked toward Jack who was standing all alone.

“Otto wasn’t able to join you today?”

“He wasn’t feeling up to it,” Jack answered.

“I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m glad you are here.”

As the service began, thirty, or so, members of Pine Bluff’s Community Church sat on the short pews facing the Reverend. Lena invited Jack to sit with her and her father.

Reverend Whitley looked toward Jack. “I see we have a new face here today.”

Lena stood up and jerked on his arm until he stood up next to her. “This is Jack Nolan, Otto’s nephew. He is also a blacksmith and is here helping Otto with his business.”

The church members nodded and verbally responded with acceptance.

“Ah, we’re happy to have you with us, Jack. We pray for your uncle as well.”

Jack nodded. “Thank you. He sends his best to you all.”

The members sang a few hymns. Lena was captivated by Jack’s baritone voice and his passion for singing. She grew more fondly of him every minute.

The reverend shared a sermon, though Lena hardly heard a word since she could not stop thinking about how nice it was to have Jack sitting next to her.

After the service, Lena invited Jack to stay for the picnic lunch.

“I wasn’t aware I was supposed to bring food,” Jack said.

“You weren’t. You are a guest. I brought enough for you to share with my father and me,” Lena said.

“I’m honored.”

The adults sat on blankets on the grass surrounding the church while the children played games. Sunday was a time to build strong relationships and take a rest from hard work. Lena had never enjoyed it more than this day with Jack.

“Lena and Jack,” Reverend Whitley said as he approached them. “Would you like to join in the three-legged race? We could use more contestants.”

Jack looked at Lena. “Sure! I’m up for it if you are.”

Lena smiled. “Let’s do it!”

Jack helped her up. They stood side by side and tied cloths around their two legs next to each other.

Jack looked at the other racers, all much younger than they. “We can take these kids.”

Lena laughed. “I hope so, or we’ll never hear the end of it. Now, start with the inside leg so we stay together, okay?”

“Got it.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “Hold on tight!”

She felt tingles at his touch. She wrapped her arm around his back.

The reverend raised his hand. “On your mark, get set, go!” He lowered his hand.

The racers took off. Some fell right away. Jack and Lena worked well together. A couple of twelve year olds were gaining on them.

“Come on, Lena, big strides, you can do it!” Jack coached.

Lena started laughing as she took as wide of strides as she could. “Remember you are a lot taller than I am.”

“Almost there!” Jack yelled.

Lena started to trip, but she felt Jack lift her up ‘til her feet were solid again. They crossed the finish line in victory. The reverend proclaimed them as the winners.

“Whoo-hoo!” Jack hollered, He hugged Lena and she hugged him back.

For a moment, Lena felt as though the world stopped turning. She was caught up in his embrace, his touch, his smell, his protective arms around her. It felt so right.

They started walking again, and tripped right over their own tied up legs. They both fell to the ground and started laughing. As they lay on their backs, Jack lifted his leg, which also lifted hers and he untied the cloth.

“There. Now we can walk without falling,” Jack announced.

Lena kept laughing and rolled over on her stomach. Something caught her eye. She stopped laughing immediately.

“Jack, is that smoke coming from the Blacksmith shop?”

Chapter 5

Pay Back

Jack ran toward the Blacksmith shop and Lena followed him.

“Jack, is that a fire?” the reverend yelled out.

Jack couldn’t stop. All he could think of was Uncle Otto. He yelled back while he continued running. “I don’t know!”

Jack arrived at the shop and saw that the shop was on fire. He turned to see the whole church congregation on their way to help, and Lena was right behind him.

“Tell them to get water and pails. I’m going upstairs to get Otto,” Jack said to Lena. She nodded and he heard her give directions to the people as they arrived.

The fire had not yet reached the stairs. Jack put a bandana around his mouth and nose to protect him from breathing in too much smoke, and he ran up the stairs.

He saw Otto lying on the bed. He tried to wake him.

“Uncle Otto!” There was no response. Jack shook him and slapped his face. There was still no response, though he could see that he was breathing.

Jack lifted Otto until he was in a seated position. Then he lifted him like he would a wounded lamb. He placed Otto’s arms over his shoulder and lifted. His legs drooped down Jack’s torso and counterbalanced with his arms dangling down Jack’s back. Jack balanced him the best he could and made his way to the stairs. The stairs were now on fire. He went back through the apartment to the balcony overlooking the street. He called out until several men gathered beneath him, then he lowered Otto down to them as far as he could and then dropped him. Then men caught him.

Jack yelled out, “He needs a doctor.”

Then men nodded.

Albert offered his wagon. The men waited with Otto until Jack arrived, then they loaded him in the wagon. “I’ll take him to Doc’s, Jack. Don’t worry!”

Jack waved at Albert. When everyone was a safe distance away, he jumped off of the balcony and rolled on the ground beneath him.

“Jack! Are you alright?” Lena ran to his side.

“Yes.” He limped over to the water trough, filled a pail and joined the others in trying to squelch the fire.

After thirty terrifying minutes of the town crowd drenching the shop with water, their work finally killed the fire.

Jack thanked everyone as they left. He and Lena sat down on the wooden planks in front of the shop.

“I’ll go with you to Doc’s so you can see your uncle,” Lena said.

Jack hung his head. “In a minute. I just want to catch my breath.”

He held Lena’s hand. Just having her next to him was a great comfort and gave him hope and motivation to move forward.

“I haven’t the heart to go look at the damage quite yet.”

Lena squeezed his hand. “When you are ready, we’ll look together.”

Jack looked at Lena. Her curly blonde hair that was so perfectly groomed this morning at church was now covered in ash and flat. Yet, she still looked profoundly beautiful.

Lena sat quietly with him for a few minutes. “My father and your uncle were friends in the war. Did you know that?”

“No, I had no idea.”

Lena nodded. “They were in the same platoon from Tennessee. When the war was over, my father married my mother and convinced Otto to move west with them, and they ended up here in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. My mother died giving birth to me five years later.”

“So your father raised you all alone?”

Lena shrugged. “He tried. He bought our place just south of town about ten years ago. It is a nice, two-story house with several pastures and a ten-stall barn. A former military captain built it just after the war, but died before he could really enjoy it.”

“Sounds like a nice home. I’d like to see it some time.”

“I’d like that, too. Anyway, my father has never gotten over my mother’s death. Your uncle helped me a lot, especially whenever my father tried to drown his sorrows in whiskey – usually right around this time of year near her birthday. Otto would check in on me when he knew I was alone at the house.”

“You turned into a beautiful, proper lady despite your challenges,” Jack said.

“The ladies at the church helped with that. They have been my family.”

“They seem like great people.” He looked around. “They saved the shop from burning to the ground.”

“You ready to take a look inside?” Lena asked.

Jack breathed in deeply. “Yeah, let’s do it.” He got up and noticed Raymond, Bert and Chester watching him from across the street in the saloon. Raymond caught his eye and lifted his drink to him and laughed before he drank it. Jack scowled. He’d deal with him later. He turned his attention back to Lena and helped her up.

They walked inside. The walls were charred and the floor was saturated. The stairs were crumbling but the support beam was still intact. The ceiling showed some weak areas with bowing, but it had not fallen down.

Jack breathed out. “This will take some work, but I think I can repair it without starting all over.”

“Your new church family will help you, Jack.”

Jack put his arms around Lena and held her close. “With you by my side, I think I can handle anything.”

Lena buried her head in his chest. “Do you think Raymond did this because you defended me yesterday?”

Jack gently stroked her back. “Yes, I think so. But don’t worry, he’ll get what’s coming to him somehow and someday.”

“I hope so,” Lena said.

Jack and Lena held each other for several minutes. He didn’t want to let go. He already knew she was the woman meant for him.