Mail Order Bride - Westward Sunrise: Historical Cowboy Romance (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 9) (10 page)

              Tessa let out a joyous sound and hugged him so hard that he couldn’t breathe for a moment.

              “I can’t believe it!  I feel as if I’m dreaming,” she said. “It’s going to be wonderful.  There’s so much to see and do in New York.  Oh, I can’t wait.  You are the most handsome, spectacular man alive.”

              Dean laughed.  “You’re gonna make my head swell.”

              “I don’t care.  Let it swell.  Let’s go tell everyone!” she said, and tugged on his hand.

              Dean went willingly.  His chest filled with pride and love for his wife.  He loved her more every day and seeing her so happy gave him great pleasure.  As the news was spread around, Dean enjoyed watching Tessa’s beaming face.  Every now and then she would kiss Dean, which amused everyone.  There was a party atmosphere on the ranch that day.

              Elliot and Abby once again returned to the orchard.  It had become their special place.  They ate cold chicken sandwiches, potato salad, and spice cake.  Elliot pronounced the meal delicious.  After eating, they let their food settle for a while.

              Elliot took something from his pocket and held it out to Abby.  It was a key.

              “I have a key to your cottage, so it’s only right that you have a key to my house,” he said.

              Abby took it and smiled. “So it’s okay if I use it some nights after work?”

              “I was hoping you would,” he said with a smile.

              He kissed her and stood up.  “C’mon, Abby.  We’re going to see your surprise now,” he said as he held out a hand.

              Abby took it and he pulled her up.  They cleaned up their picnic things and stowed the basket behind a tree.  They would pick it up on their way back.  She followed Elliot down through the orchard.  Elliot veered left and entered the woods.  Abby followed him.

              “Where are we going?” she asked.

              “You’ll see.  Watch out for fallen branches,” Elliot told her.

              “Okay, Mr. Mysterious,” she said.

              They ran for what she judged as three miles.  She was just starting to tire when Elliot let out a whistle.  It was answered and they kept moving.

              “We’re going to the Lakota camp!” she said excitedly.

              “That’s right,” Elliot said.  “Here we are.”
              Abby looked around at the tipi city and felt a wave of nostalgia for her Sioux friends in Minnesota.  The familiar sights and sounds of the camp brought back memories of all the good times she’d had with Wolf Song and her husband Falcon. 

              Elliot took her hand and led her through the camp.  He knew some of the Lakota and spoke to a few of them.  He introduced Abby and smiled when she surprised them by speaking Lakota.

              As they arrived at He Who Runs’ tipi, the brave smiled at Elliot.

              “Hello, brother,” he said.

              Elliot responded in kind and they grasped arms.  Abby did a curious thing.  She dropped and sat cross-legged in front of He Who Runs.  The Indian’s eyebrows rose and he looked at Elliot.

              “Abby, what are you doing?” Elliot asked.

              Abby didn’t answer.  She sat with her head bowed until He Who Runs tapped her shoulder twice and said, “Rise, sister.”  He said to Elliot, “That is the proper etiquette for a female when first meeting a man.”

              As Abby stood, He Who Runs asked her, “How is it that you know such things?”

              In Lakota she replied, “I come from Wabasha, Minnesota, and I am friends with the Sioux there.”

              He Who Runs smiled.  “I am impressed.  Your Lakota is very good, as are your manners.”

              “Thank you,” she said with a smile.

              Elliot noticed that although she gave He Who Runs brief glances, she never looked at him for a long period of time.  He assumed it was another Lakota protocol. 

              “Abby, this is He Who Runs, Reckless’ father.  This is Abby Porter.”

              “It is very nice to meet you, Abby,” He Who Runs said.

              “Thank you, and the same to you,” Abby said.

              “I showed Abby how to get here so she can come to visit.  Is that okay?” Elliot asked.

              “Yes.”

              “Thank you,” Abby said.  “I’ve been missing my Lakota friends and I would like to make some more new ones.”

              “We would be happy to have you,” He Who Runs said.

              A tall woman approached the tipi and He Who Runs introduced her as Eagle Woman, his wife.  She smiled and offered them something to drink.  They accepted and sat down at their campfire.  As they did, Reckless came by and sat down with them.

              “Hello, my fearless protector,” Abby said.  She spoke in English so Elliot wasn’t left out.

              “Hello, Abby,” Reckless said.  “You are working tonight?”

              “Yes.”

              “Are you done at the same time?”

              “That’s right,” Abby said.

              “Is our son doing a good job?” He Who Runs asked.

              “Oh, yes.  He’s very cautious and I feel very safe with him,” Abby said as she patted Reckless’ arm.

              He Who Runs smiled.  “Good.  It’s funny that he is cautious when his name is Reckless.”

              Reckless sent an annoyed glance his father’s way. 

              “Why is his name ‘Reckless’?” Elliot asked.

              “You will understand once you know him for a while,” He Who Runs said.

              Abby and Elliot looked at the young brave.  He just smiled enigmatically and left as other braves around his age beckoned him.

              Every so often Saturday night at the Watering Hole became wilder than normal.  That night was one of them.  Ben was in his glory as he ousted the rowdiest offenders in not so gentle ways.  It was rare that Jake had to get involved in keeping the peace, but he did that night.  Ben didn’t use a gun, but Jake did and he wasn’t afraid to pull it if necessary.  After Ben threw out the sixth idiot to challenge him, Jake had had enough.  He told Abby to stay behind the bar and serve drinks as he took up his revolver and entered the barroom.  Without any warning, he shot a round into the wooden floor. 

              Silence ensued after the loud gun report. 

              “One more problem, just one more, and we’re closing.  Understand?  I don’t care what bets you have going, I don’t care what conversation you’re having, one more time and that’s it!” he yelled, and went back to the bar.  He grumbled to himself about having to plug another hole in the floor.

              He kept Abby with him until he made sure things remained quieter and then let her go out into the barroom again.  She wasn’t bothered by the ruckus because she felt confident in Ben and Jake’s ability to restore a more orderly atmosphere.  As she moved through the room, Ben shadowed her in an unobvious way that seemed random to anyone else watching.  However, he was constantly aware of where she was and what was going on around her.

              No one thought much of him roaming around because he did it all the time.  There was nothing to worry about from him if you behaved reasonably well, but step over that line and there was hell to pay.  Ben missed Sammi hanging out, but he knew that she only came on Monday nights now because of just this situation. 

              He grinned as he imagined what her and Mitch’s kid would turn out to be like when he or she was older.  Certainly, they wouldn’t be someone to mess with.  The Sheriff and his wife were not the sort of people to trifle with and Ben couldn’t imagine that any offspring they produced would be any different.

              “What are you smiling about?” Abby asked as she walked by him.

              Ben told her his thoughts as she gathered up some empties and she laughed.  “I feel cheated that I never got to see her in action, but I’m so happy for them.”

              He put a few on the tray for her and said, “Me, too.  They’re already great parents to their adopted children, so it’ll be the same with this one.  I’d pity anyone who tried to harm any of those kids, that’s for certain.  Pregnant or not, Sammi wouldn’t hesitate to shoot or stab them.”

              Abby shuddered a little.  “I don’t think I could do that.  I’m not the kind of person who can hurt other people.  I can’t even hurt their feelings unless I get really angry.  Do you get angry at these people, or is it just your job, or both?  I mean, because you hit them really hard and do those head squeeze things and act like you like it.  Were you taught that way growing up or was it something you learned later on?”

              Ben laughed as he tried to follow her questions.  Most of the time he gave up and just answered the ones that stuck in his mind.  “Slow down, sugar.  Um, sometimes I get angry, but mostly I just like hurting people who don’t know when to behave themselves.”

              “But isn’t hurting people misbehaving?” Abby said.

              Ben thought about that a moment. “Depends on how you look at it.  Now, let’s say I wouldn’t have intervened this evening in any of the incidents that arose that required it.  More people than just one or two would have been hurt.”

              Abby smiled as he followed her out to the bar.  “You’re talking about the greater good.”

              “Precisely,” Ben said while she swapped trays with Jake.  “So isn’t it better for the least amount of people to get hurt while minimizing the danger to the rest of those around the threats?”

              “I suppose so, but sometimes those who think they’re doing that end up causing more harm than good,” Abby said.

              Ben laughed.  “Only if they don’t know what they’re doing.  I know what I’m doing.  That’s why Jake hired me.”

              “Oh, yes, I’m aware of that.  I was just speaking in general terms,” Abby said, and moved off to take orders.

              Ben smiled as he began circulating again.  He didn’t feel the need to follow her closely now, but he kept his eye on her.  There was a lot more to Abby than met the eye.  Behind her sometimes seemingly endless chatter and questions was a mind that was constantly working at things.  It always made for interesting conversation.  Ben admitted that most of the time she outsmarted him. 

              Elliot smiled as he heard Abby before he saw her as she neared his house.  He sat on the front porch as she and Reckless came into view.  Reckless saw someone on Elliot’s porch and immediately moved in front of his charge.

              “It’s just me, Reckless,” he said.

              Reckless relaxed and smiled.  “You’re up late.”

              “I don’t have to be up early,” Elliot said as Abby ran up onto the porch and kissed his cheek.

              “Thanks, Reckless.  See you on Tuesday,” Abby called softly. 

              “Okay.  Goodnight,” Reckless said, and disappeared around the corner of Elliot’s house.

              No sooner was he gone when Abby said, “Jake had to shoot the floor tonight.”

              Elliot said, “What?”

              “I guess he does that when things get too wild.  Then he kept complaining about another hole in the floor.  It was pretty funny,” Abby said.

              “Where was Ben?” Elliot asked.  This was not something he liked hearing.

              “Doing what he does best.  Hurting people.  They kept him busy.  Jake had enough and made everyone settle down,” Abby said calmly. 

              Elliot wished that he could feel as calm about it as Abby did.  He knew she loved her job, but he worried about her safety despite Jake and Ben’s presences.  While he was glad that Jake had security again, Elliot wished that it was anyone but Ben.  He did not trust the man at all where Abby was concerned.

              She saw the worried expression on Elliot’s face and said, “Elliot, don’t worry about me.  Everything was fine and Jake says that it doesn’t get like that very often.”

              He smiled then so he didn’t upset her, but he was going to ask someone about just how often it did get that wild at the bar.  “Okay.  I’ll try.  Let’s go in.”

              “You weren’t supposed to be waiting up for me,” Abby said as he moved to open the door for her.

              “Why not?”

              “I didn’t get to use my key,” Abby complained good-naturedly.

              He laughed and said, “Sorry about that, but there’ll be other opportunities.”
              “Yes, there will.  I’m hungry, are you?  I worked up an appetite and I also made more tips tonight than any other night, I think.  I have to count it on Monday when I pick it up.  Jake’s keeping it for me until then because I didn’t want to walk home with it all; even with Reckless with me, I didn’t feel it was a good idea to bring it along.  Jake’s a great boss…”

              Elliot laughed softly as he followed her to the kitchen.  He kept track of each topic she rattled off, knowing that she would be expecting him to address each one.

              Elliot wrapped Tessa in a hard embrace and lifted her off the floor of his office Monday morning.  “That’s fantastic!” he said after she’d told him about her book being accepted for publication.   He sat her down and laughed.  “Wow!  I’m so happy for you I don’t even know what to say!”

              Tessa laughed.  “I thought I was seeing things when I first read the letter.  Dean and I are going to New York to take care of the business and to have a honeymoon.”

              Elliot grinned.  “You deserve all of it; the book and the honeymoon.  I think it’s a great idea.  How long will you be gone?”

              “I’m not sure exactly, but we’ll be able to take trains for much of the way since they’ve opened up more lines recently,” Tessa said.  “That will greatly cut traveling time.”

              “Definitely,” Elliot said.  “I think I’m mad at you, though.”

              Tessa frowned.  “Why?”

              “Why is it I haven’t heard your news until now?” Elliot said.

              “I haven’t been in town this week and I wouldn’t let anyone else tell you.  Plus, only the people closest to me know,” Tessa said.

              Elliot smiled again.  “Okay, I guess I’m mollified by that.  So when are you leaving?”

              “Friday.  There are some things to tie up at the ranch and so forth, but then we’ll be off to New York!” Tessa said.

              “I’m going to miss you.  In fact, I missed you this week.  We didn’t have our usual coffee date,” Elliot said.

              Tessa said, “I’m sorry about that, but I promise that when we get back, we will resume our dates and I’ll have so much to tell you.”

              “I’m going to hold you to that,” Elliot said.

              Tessa smiled and said, “I’m giving you editing credits, you know.”

              “What?  Why?” Elliot said.  He was very surprised.

              “Elliot, you know why.  You helped me hone my work and make it good enough for publication.  Of course you should get credit.  Every good writer needs a great editor and you are mine.  I can’t thank you enough,” Tessa said.

              “Well, thank you, but it’s not necessary to do that,” Elliot said.

              “Do not argue with me, Elliot.  You will be given credit and that’s that.  Now, I hate to rush off, but I must.  I will say goodbye before we leave, though,” Tessa said.

              “Do you promise?” Elliot asked as he arched an eyebrow at her.

              “Yes,” Tessa said solemnly.

              “Okay.  Good.”

              He walked Tessa out and then jumped as Reckless appeared beside him.  Elliot hated that he startled easily sometimes.  “Hi, Reckless.  How are you doing?”

              “I’m good.  You’re jumpy,” Reckless said with a laugh.

              “Shut up,” Elliot said. 

              “Do you talk to all your customers like that?” Reckless asked as he followed Elliot to the register counter.  Rachel was filling candy there.

              “No, just the ones with smart mouths,” Elliot said.

              He saw Raven sneaking up on Reckless but didn’t give notice. 

              “Are you actually here to buy something, or just to bug me?” Elliot asked.

              Just as Raven was about to strike, Reckless kicked out backwards, catching Raven in the stomach and knocking his cousin over backwards.  Raven grunted as he hit the floor and then started laughing.  Reckless wasn’t done with him, however.  He held up a finger to Elliot and then grasped Raven by the hair and pulled him up while speaking angrily to the boy.  He walked Raven from the store and then came back in. 

              “I’ve told him not to do that when we are in stores, but he doesn’t listen,” Reckless said.  “Sorry about that.”

              “It’s okay,” Elliot said.

              Reckless looked at Rachel and said, “I need to buy some candy for my uncle.  He has a big sweet tooth.”

              Rachel smiled at the handsome young brave.  “You must be talking about Owl.  He’s always buying candy.”

              “Yes,” Reckless said.  He liked Rachel’s smile and the color of her hair.  He gave her his candy order and then asked, “Do you work here all the time?”

              Rachel gave him a curious look and then said, “Yeah.  Why?”

              He gave her a smile that captivated her and said, “Good.  I’ll be back to see you.”

              Reckless took the bag of candy and went along his way.

              Rachel looked at Elliot, who laughed.  “It seems as though you have an admirer, Rachel,” he said.

              She blushed and said, “I guess so.  Wow.  He took me by surprise.”

              Elliot grinned and said, “It’s a nice surprise, though.”

              “I don’t know what to think,” Rachel said.  “What do I say when he comes in?”

              “Let him start the conversation and go from there,” Elliot said.

              “Okay.  Can you watch the register?  I have a few shelves I want to dust,” Rachel said.

              Elliot said, “Sure thing.”

              Rachel walked away in a slight daze and Elliot smiled. 
This might be just the thing she needs to get over
Jack
, he thought. 

              Elliot and Abby sat on their ridge the next morning.  Abby loved watching how the first rays of the sun lit the field below with various shades of gold and brown.  Elliot watched Abby as she gazed at the beautiful sunrise and felt his love for her grow even more.  Turning towards her, he took her hand and kissed it.