How Miss West Was Won Read online

  They watched Mrs. Hamilton and her daughter Julia exit the mercantile across the street. The younger lady saw the three of them, flashed a smile, and, after a sharp exclamation from her mama, hurried after.

  All three of them gazed over the peaceful town. It was quiet, but there were signs of life here and there; people going about their day-to-day activities. Clem Levy loaded ice to make his rounds, Vincent Frost smoked outside the bakery, and in the distance Mrs. Tennison escorted her three rowdy boys to the park, no doubt to work off some excess energy early in the day.

  Stores and homes lined the streets on both sides of Main and dotted the landscape on the outskirts of town. The church, which doubled as the schoolhouse, stood resolute in the distance, surrounded by orchards on both sides. It was a good place, full of mostly good people. Luke had grown up here, and it had developed a bit since then, but they still needed to expand Orchard City if they wanted to prosper. If they ever wanted the rail to come all the way in. That’s just the way it was—growth, or stagnation. “This town could use a little shaking up. That’s the way I see it, anyway.”

  Sawyer shook his head. “You would see it that way. It’s you who needs some shaking up. Admit it.”

  Luke shot him a dirty look.

  “Hey, now.” As usual, Gabe had his back. “That’s not fair. Luke is right. Bringing attention to this backwater town will be good for growth.”

  Luke didn’t like the sounds of that. “I wouldn’t exactly call it a backwater. I think we get folks to come out, let them know it’s here, and word will spread. It’ll invite more interest in this town.”

  Sawyer’s expression said he wasn’t buying it. “Plus you love poker.”

  Luke laughed. “And you don’t?”

  Sawyer grinned. “I never said that. I was just pointing out that you can sugarcoat it as much as you want, but I know your real motivation.”

  Luke tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Two birds with one stone and all that.”

  Gabe frowned. “Well, don’t leave me out of this completely.”

  Luke failed to bite back his grin. “We’re not leaving you out. It’s just that even a kid could beat you at poker, Sheriff.”

  Kildare’s face went red. “Now, I wouldn’t go that far.”

  “Um.” Sawyer scratched his neck. “Didn’t Josiah Janson kick your butt in draw poker last week?”

  “That doesn’t count. The kid’s like a prodigy or something,” he scowled.

  “You’re the one who taught him to play,” Sawyer pointed out.

  “Exactly. If I can teach a kid to play that well, obviously I’ve got some sort of gambling genius locked inside me.”

  Sawyer shrugged and glanced at Luke, brows raised.

  Luke lifted his hands in the air. “Leave me out of this. As of now, I have no opinion.”

  “Anyway.” Sawyer drew out the word and changed the subject. “When I said you need shaking up, I wasn’t talking about gambling. I was talking about your life.”

  “I know what you were talking about. But if you like your face the way it is, I suggest you keep your speculations to yourself. And if you don’t like the way I’m running things, you can be the mayor next time,” Luke snapped.

  Sawyer snorted. “Pass.”

  When Luke’s wife had died in childbirth, it had taken him a while to get over it. It wasn’t something he wanted to talk about. He recognized he’d been down for a while, and admitted it was time to do something about it. He needed to resume living. He was doing that, but did he need to talk about it too?

  Coming up with this tournament idea had pulled him out of his inertia and given him something to look forward to. “At least I married. You two drifters haven’t even been able to talk any girls into climbing the church stairs.”

  Gabe snorted. “I’m not the marrying kind.”

  Sawyer shrugged. “I like the ladies. I just haven’t ever met one I’d consider tying myself to for the rest of my life.”

  “Do you suppose the widow knows yet?” Gabe asked. “About the tournament, I mean?”

  “Not yet. Elmer’s still on duty, so I doubt he’s had a chance to tell any tales,” Luke replied.

  Gabe shifted uncomfortably. “You sure about that?”

  “Pretty sure. Why?”

  “Because she’s headed this way right now and she looks none too happy.” Gabe pulled his hat brim down, as if he could hide. “I’m out of here.”

  Luke’s head jerked up to see the widow Braxton walking toward him and he swore. “Gabe, if you take one step away, I’ll shoot you dead in the street, and there won’t be anyone to arrest me.”

  Sawyer appeared amused, but at least he didn’t move. He simply widened his stance and crossed his arms. “You afraid of her, Sheriff?”

  “You’re not?” Gabe asked.

  Sawyer didn’t admit to anything, but he didn’t disagree, either.

  They watched the woman approach, and Luke felt like he was twelve years old again, getting caught kissing Mary Beth Jenkins behind a wagon at the dance. He’d purposely hidden the fact he’d arranged this tournament. The good folk of Orchard City might need shaking up, but they’d fight him tooth and nail over any kind of change in their town. Hence his go-behind-their-backs policy. Better to ask forgiveness than permission.

  Still, he didn’t doubt he was about to receive a tongue lashing, which was fine. He’d known it was coming and he’d take it like a man.

  And then he’d do what he wanted.

  After all, he always did.

  Chapter 2

  Mrs. Helen Braxton’s shoes crunched over dirt and pebbles in a satisfying way as she marched with Nancy, her lifelong best friend, toward the men gathered on the boardwalk on the opposite side of the street. She cursed the arthritis in her right hip. Now was not the time to limp. She needed to appear strong and capable. Justice was on her side.

  “I’ll bet you they won’t back down.”

  “Really, Nancy. What a poor time to make a bet.”

  “Do you think so?” Nancy asked archly. “I’d have said it was the perfect time.”

  Helen bit back a smile by tightening her lips into a grim expression. “Now is not an occasion to make me laugh,” she said sternly.

  Nancy chuckled as they headed toward the Mayor, the Sheriff, and the Rancher. That’s what they called them these days. They’d been known as “the three troublemakers” their entire lives—and, admittedly, both she and Nancy had a soft spot for the boys—but when they had come home from the gold fields as men and accepted responsible jobs, she’d hoped bestowing the new titles would engender a sense of responsibility.

  Apparently not.

  “Just look at them, Nancy. Standing there all brash, arrogant, and devil-may-care. I don’t appreciate their attitude in the slightest.”

  Nancy snickered. “Who do you think you’re talking to? That’s just the way we like our men, and you know it.”

  Helen couldn’t help it. She laughed, but tried to cover it by dipping her wide-brimmed hat and coughing. Her friendship with Nancy could be a trial at times. Still, Helen spared a thought toward her dear Henry, may he rest in peace. If her own choice in husbands was any indication, then yes, she did like her men a bit domineering and high-handed. Nothing like a good fight followed by—enough of that! She needed to focus! “Be that as it may, I do not approve of gambling in Orchard City.” She shot her friend a quelling glare. “We do not approve.”

  Nancy sighed. “I suppose you’re right. It’s just, think of all the fun we could have, watching all the new men coming and going about town.”

  “I should tell your husband you said that.”

  Nancy laughed outright. “You think I won’t?”

  “Shh. We’re almost there. They’ll hear you.”

  They reached the men and joined them on the boardwalk. “Boys.”

  “Ladies.” The Mayor, cocky as ever, tipped his hat, a slight smirk upon his face.

  Cheeky brat. Helen straightened to her f
ull height. “We have just heard the most appalling news.”

  Gabe’s head lifted as he eyed the buildings from one side of town to the other before leveling his sky-blue eyes upon her. “You hear that news from Elmer?” He nodded at the other two men. “He must have slipped around the back way. He’s gettin’ sneaky.”

  Helen puffed out her massive chest. “Who I heard it from makes no never mind to you. I want to know if it’s true. Are we having a gambling tournament in this town?”

  Luke’s dark-eyed gaze met hers. “Yes, ma’am, we are.”

  “This is completely unacceptable.”

  Nancy nodded. “She’s right, boys. Unacceptable.”

  Say what she might in private, Nancy was loyal to the bone in public.

  “Now, ladies.” Sawyer’s green eyes sparkled with mischief. “You have to see it from our perspective.”

  “I don’t have to do any such thing. My husband founded this town and—”

  “And would he want to see it die?” Luke interrupted.

  “Die?” Helen raised an imperious brow. At least she hoped it was imperious. She probably couldn’t outdo her grandmother—may she rest in peace—but it never stopped her from trying. “What are you talking about?”

  “We’re hoping to attract new blood to this town. We’d eventually like to see the railroad come all the way down. We’re an agricultural community, and we need a better way to ship goods than taking them by wagon and traveling to the train station.”

  “Our system has worked for years.”

  “We want better. Change is coming, whether we want it to or not. We’d like to facilitate it.”

  “You want gamblers? Women of ill repute? That’s what you’re asking for. We don’t need those types in my dear Henry’s town.”

  “She’s right,” Nancy concurred.

  “The three of you are setting a poor example for the single men hereabouts. You want change? Get married! Start a family!”

  “I tried that,” Luke grated.

  Helen’s eyelashes fluttered as sympathy swelled within her. Luke had gotten a raw deal; there was no denying it. But she wasn’t going to soften her stance because she felt sorry for the man. “A new family,” she said in a calmer tone. “Now, I’ll be the first to admit you haven’t had an easy time of it, Luke. When your wife and child died—”

  “Mind your own business.”

  His voice was hard, dangerous even, but she was used to men like that, and didn’t back down a jot. “Fine.” She straightened her spine. “All I’m saying is we have to move on sometimes. We all do. My Henry is gone now, and my daughter is married to a ship’s captain, of all things, and settled in San Francisco. Don’t be in such a hurry for change to come about, boy, it will happen soon enough.”

  “Maybe your daughter and husband would settle here if the town was thriving.”

  “It is thriving! Besides, there is not a lot of call around these parts for ship’s captains. Also, my son-in-law has expressed a preference to have some distance between us,” she added, ignoring the stab of hurt saying that out loud engendered. “So I don’t think that would be likely to happen.” She tried a more moderate tone. “I understand you boys feel the need for progression in your lives. My dear Henry was cut from the same cloth. Since none of the girls around here seem to appeal to you, I might have come up with a solution for your unmarried status.”

  The men glanced uncomfortably at each other, and none of them appeared terribly impressed.

  Luke, lips tightening, shook his head. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

  Gabe actually took a step backward, with a slight panicked expression. “Count me out. Ma’am,” he added.

  Sawyer simply looked amused. “I think not.”

  “I still have a lot of friends back east. Some with marriageable daughters. As a matter of fact—”

  “You can’t just marry us away from this idea. We’re having this tournament.” Luke’s voice was cold and hard. “Get used to the idea.”

  “Never.” Hers was colder and harder.

  “You’ll have to. There is no stopping it now.”

  “Explain yourself, young man.”

  “The notices have gone nationwide. But don’t worry. We have a plan to keep undesirables to a minimum. It’s costly to enter the tournament, so it won’t be every man Jack participating. We’re trying to attract men who have a history of success.”

  “At gambling,” Helen stated flatly.

  Luke shrugged. “And other pursuits, I’ve no doubt. I’m hoping we can find a doctor who wants to settle here.”

  “I forbid it,” Helen replied imperiously. “Send another notice canceling the tournament immediately.”

  “I won’t. Prepare yourself. It’s happening.”

  She drew herself up as far as her diminutive height would allow. “You prepare yourself, as well. I will put a stop to this—just see if I don’t. Come, Nancy. We must call an emergency meeting.”

  With Nancy at her side, they spun and strode away. Her threat would have been much more satisfying if the men hadn’t been smothering laughs.

  Cheeky brats.

  A few days later, Grace arrived in California, switched trains, and headed south to the end of the line. There she caught a crowded stagecoach and, seven long hours later, was the last passenger dropped off when they finally arrived in Orchard City.

  “It looks like we made excellent time, Miss Carmichael. Hope your trip was a good one.” Billy, the young driver, hauled her trunk off the back of the coach and deposited it next to her on the patch of grass beside the mercantile. A young couple with an infant and toddler stood from a bench, waiting to board.

  “Thank you, Billy.” She opened her smaller traveling bag and gave him a generous gratuity. “In all honesty, I believe I am slightly frayed about the edges. But I’m certainly glad to have arrived at my destination. I appreciate you getting me here safely.”

  The young man grinned, blushed, and tipped his slightly tattered cowboy hat. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am. You got anyone to greet you? You want me to round someone up?”

  Grace glanced about the town. While there were people performing a variety of tasks and chores, no one came forward to welcome her. She smiled brightly and shook off her unease. “As you said, we arrived early. My hostess will no doubt be along at the appointed time. I don’t mind waiting.” She’d certainly done plenty of that in her lifetime.

  “Suit yourself.”

  Billy helped his newest customers load their baggage and settle in before jumping up, urging the horses forward, and tipping his hat to Grace as he maneuvered the stage around on the wide road.

  She waved, then glanced around the town once more. The place was incredibly small compared to New York, of course, but it was pretty, charming, and appealing. The main street stretched wide, homes and businesses on either side. Large trees grew here and there with summer blossoms adding touches of lavender, white, and pink. She could hear chirping, and noticed birds flying about, no doubt feeding their young, or preparing for the arrival of new chicks.

  A grove of trees at the edge of town was most likely a park and, beyond that, a church surrounded by orchards stood well into the distance.

  Orchard City, indeed.

  She realized she knew next to nothing about this place. She’d been so wrapped up in Penny’s situation, the Carmichael’s fear, and the worry over the dangerous man who had crashed into their lives, that she hadn’t given a thought to what she would do once she arrived at this safe haven.

  She sank onto the recently vacated bench to wait. Over the next few minutes, several people walked by as they went about their business. All spared her a glance, no doubt wondering at her identity and questioning why she sat on a bench alone in their town.

  Very amusing. If this were New York, with all its hustle and bustle, she wouldn’t have garnered a second glance. Of course, if this were New York, she’d have to worry about an insane man hiding in the crowd, waiting to jump out and take Pen
ny. At a guess, she’d say that madmen and murderers would be easier to spot in this little town. Or so she hoped.

  Twenty minutes later, feeling conspicuous, she shifted on the bench again and noticed a well-dressed man walk out of a building, notice her, and stop. She bent her head and allowed the brim of her bonnet to hide her face. She was starting to feel like an unclaimed package. When she heard boots striking against the boardwalk heading in her direction, her cheeks heated.

  “Excuse me, Miss. May I help you?”

  She glanced up and caught sight of the dark-haired, dark-eyed man built like Adonis towering above her. She’d once read one of Murry’s handbooks for travelers, which in turn had led her to take the girls on a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they’d seen entirely too much of Adonis. She’d hurried the girls away, but could remember glancing back over her shoulder. The thought of comparing the statue to this man—she blushed and, feeling a fool, cleared her throat.

  “Oh. I just … I’m just …” Oh, for goodness sakes. Yes, the man was attractive, but did she have to embarrass herself? She inhaled and forced a smile. If this was how they grew them out west, it was a closely held secret and word certainly hadn’t traveled back east. She would know. As many giggling girls as she’d had the charge of, as many tittering conversations as she’d overheard, surely she’d have known.

  Her heart beat a bit faster and she actually felt flushed. What a ninny she was—worse than some of the girls in her care. She straightened her shoulders and inhaled again, determined to correct the situation. “I am newly arrived from New York, sir. I am simply waiting for my hostess to appear, but thank you for your concern.”

  Now that she’d said her piece in a relatively matter-of-fact fashion, she wanted to look down, but couldn’t seem to. It was as if he’d enchanted her with his gaze. His warm expression belied the darkness of his eyes. His tanned face, broad cheeks, and stubbled jaw line were so overtly masculine that Grace found herself breathless again.

  “Perhaps I might be of some assistance?” His tone and gaze seemed genuinely friendly and she relaxed and smiled back at him.