Mail Order Brides: A Bride for the Banker (Bozeman Brides Book 1) (4 page)

The afternoon was spent with light chatter, tea, scones and a variety of treats. As the clock neared dinner, Margie expressed her desire to see what Jackson had been up to for the day. At best, he would have stayed at the hotel all day sleeping. At worst…well, she didn’t want to consider it. Now that she knew rough men existed in this town, she worried that they would draw Jackson like a magnet.

“Shall I collect your brother for dinner?” Theo offered. “He might have forgotten the time.”

Margie regarded Theo carefully. There was nothing wrong in his asking, but she’d sensed a change in him that had started since they’d encountered the rough men outside the saloon. However, she’d been expecting Jackson for the past hour and was worried about him. As much as she hated to inconvenience Theo, she had to know what was going on. Margie bit her lip and thought it might be better if she were to go.

“Why don’t you go together?” Robert suggested. “Make a walk out of it and burn off all the rich food that we’re likely to consume at dinner.”

They smiled and agreed. It would also give them more time alone, something they both apparently wanted.

“I really enjoyed this morning,” Margie relayed as they walked. “Your preacher is not only knowledgeable, but also very personable. He was able to make the words of the Bible seem very applicable in today’s world.”

She felt, rather than saw, Theo’s look of admiration. Although she was glad that he found her pleasing, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something from her. Possibly more than one thing.

“I agree completely. He’s been here for a number of years and everyone in town is grateful that he hasn’t moved on to a bigger place.” She saw him hesitate before steering her in a different direction than the path they’d used to come home after church even though the hotel was very near the house of worship. “You haven’t seen this part of town yet,” he stated as they went down a different street. “It’s mostly houses, but we can walk along the river.”

They walked a bit further before she opened her mouth again. “Theo,” she began. “I know we just met yesterday, but through our letters, I feel I know you. It seemed that you put a lot of yourself into each one and the way you wrote about Ruth and Robert really touched me. You obviously hold them in very high regard. Won’t you tell me about how you came to know them?” She sensed that he was reluctant to talk about his past, but perhaps this would be a stepping stone to understanding a bit more about him.

He was silent for a moment, but then apparently decided the topic was safe and told her a story about a young man coming to town with nothing and being taken in through Christian charity by a childless couple.

“I thought of myself as a man, being the age seventeen, but now looking back, I see I was still a child in so many ways. I hadn’t had a lot of good influences in my life. When my parents abandoned me, I stayed with relatives for many years, but they didn’t discipline me. In fact, I think they barely noticed that I was there. My cousin was a shiftless man and his wife worked hard to make ends meet. I was a burden more than anything, so I left.”

Margie watched as his lips pressed together, refusing to let any more details out. She knew that there must be more to the story, but that was enough for today.

“Our stories have some similarities. However, my parents died and my relatives were good and kind, but too elderly to be a strong influence on our lives. Their own children had long grown up and moved away, so they didn’t quite know how to handle a wilful child.”

“I can’t imagine you as being a wilful child,” he remarked with a smile. “I’ll bet you were docile and a joy to them both.”

She rolled her eyes a bit. “Well, that might be an exaggeration, but I was referring to Jackson. I just wish that we had come here sooner.” A note of defeat crept into her voice.

They stopped near the edge of the river and she watched the current rush over the rocks. That’s how she felt about Jackson. He was moving so fast, so out of her control that she couldn’t do anything to stop it.

“Margie,” Theo said softly, taking her hands in his. “I have an idea about Jackson, but you need to listen with an open mind. It won’t please you, but it might be the best thing for him.”

The warm touch of his hands on hers distracted her from what he was saying. Her own hands seemed so small in comparison, almost like those of a child. His large frame towered over her, but his gentle manner drew her to him and she involuntarily took a step forward, her eyes fixed on his.

She watched as he blinked twice, his eyes reflecting mild surprise and something else that she thought could be identified as longing. He opened his mouth slightly and drew in a sharp breath.

“How can you look at me like that?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Like what?” she murmured back, her eyes going from his mouth to his eyes and back again.

“So trustingly,” he replied, pulling her a bit closer. “You barely know me.”

“I know you,” she answered. “I know enough that you are the one God led me to. It feels so right to be here with you. I feel like I can tell you anything.”

She watched him swallow slowly and then lower his head toward her. Without meaning to, she stretched up to meet him and the instant their lips touched, she felt a jolt run through her. Her hands moved up to his shoulders and she clung to him. His arms wound around her briefly before he broke off the kiss.

“What’s the matter?” she asked in confusion. “We’re to be married soon.”

He took a step back, sunk his hands into his pockets as though to prevent them from reaching for her and then looked out at the mountains. “There’s so much you don’t know. I didn’t think I would ever have to tell anyone, but now…”

“If you tell me, then I’ll know and we can move forward,” she replied sensibly. Her heart had started to resume its natural rhythm and her hazy vision cleared. The moment of passion was over and they were back to being rational.

“I don’t know where to start…” he looked at her and she saw the worry cloud his eyes. Still, she said nothing. Instead, she took a step towards him and laid one hand on his arm and another on his face. Her touch was tender and compassionate. It was clear that he was upset, but couldn’t bear to talk.

“Okay,” she began. “You don’t have to say anything in this moment. Whatever it is, take your time. I won’t judge you.”

He seemed to consider that briefly and then took her hand and linked it through his arm again. Wordlessly, they navigated the rocky terrain next to the river and took in the view of the setting sun.

“Let’s go find your brother,” he said quietly as they left the riverside and moved back towards town. “If I can get him to trust me and like me, there’s a better chance he might listen to what I want to suggest to him.”

Margie longed to ask him about the plans, but knew that he needed more time. She kept quiet and walked along the path back to the town and silently prayed for this complex man that God had given her. In her heart, she strongly believe that they were meant to be together and would be as soon as he laid his past to rest and put the future straight for her brother.

Please God, would both of those things become a reality and not just a fantasy of her own imagining.

***

As Margie and Theo walked along the river, Jackson investigated the town. He quickly found the saloon and entered it without hesitation. He’d managed to pilfer a few coins from his sister’s purse after she went to bed last night, and he figured he had enough for a drink and one game of cards. Hopefully, he would be able to win enough to leave this horrible little town.

“What’ll be?” the barman asked roughly.

“A pint,” he replied in a deep voice, hoping that the men in here would think him older and not try to intimidate him. He slowly drank the beer as he scouted out the other patrons. Most of them were drinking and talking, but a few were playing cards. The stakes didn’t look too high at one table, so he wandered over.

“Room for one more?” he asked casually of the three men seated there.

Two looked up and shook their heads, but he waited for the third man’s reply. It was easy to see that he was the leader of the group and the other two were merely his flunkies. After standing there for a full minute, he finally gained the attention of the older man who merely nodded to the empty seat.

They played a few rounds of poker and he won a small amount, but not enough to buy his freedom. As he looked in their faces, a trickle of fear raced through him. He got the sense that these men were more likely playing with him than actually losing. His cards hadn’t been that good and he wondered what they were about. He decided to try for some conversation.

“Any action going on in this town?” he asked disinterestedly. He knew that being eager was the wrong move. They’d make a meal out of him if he appeared to be some young pup seeking the attention of an older crowd.

“Can’t say. Only been here a few hours,” the leader said evasively, but the other two shared a look.

“Well,” Jackson stated with some confidence. “I just got here myself, but I’m looking to move on. Can’t do that without enough money. Is there a real game we can play, for real stakes?”

Now the leader sneered slightly. “You’re gutsy, kid. You come in here and sit down at a table with men ya don’t know and try to hustle us. Now you want a piece of our action?”

The previous fear worked returned. He could see that now that these men were not his usual crowd. They were older, more jaded. They weren’t small-time hustlers, but hardened criminals.

“Uh, no. That is, I guess I was just looking for something exciting to do. Anyway, no harm done, right? And I’m no hustler. Just a little lucky. Anyway, if you think that way, just take your money back.”

He rose and made to leave, but the leader reached across and grabbed his arm. “Nah, it’s your money fair and square, boy. Don’t let no one ever say that Austin Davis cheated a man out of his winnings.” The leader took the coins and poured them into Jackson’s hand. “But now you owe me a favor. Come back here around ten and then we’ll talk about some real action.”

Jackson was trembling slightly as he left. What had he gotten himself into?

Dinner was a tense affair. Although Margie could sense that Jackson was on edge about something, Theo was oblivious and kept trying to pull him into the conversation. They’d managed to find him wandering around the streets and he didn’t look any worse for wear. Margie smelled alcohol and tobacco on him, but he wasn’t drunk.

She watched as Theo continued to talk to her brother. He asked him a lot about New York, school, work and even sports, but Jackson’s answers were monosyllabic at best. Theo then changed tactics and told Jackson a bit about his own upbringing. The details were mostly similar to what he’d relayed to Margie that afternoon, but when he mentioned older siblings he saw that she was intrigued.

“I didn’t have the benefit of a good family,” Theo began quietly. “That is, until I came out here. I was born into a poor community and left with older cousins when I was a child. I had an older brother who would stop by from time to time, but he only wanted money and it was clear that he wasn’t employed in honest labor. He always looked like someone was after him.” A frown crossed his features and Theo looked uncomfortable for a moment. Then, he changed the direction of his monologue. “I wish I’d had an older sister like Margie who cared enough about me to move across the country for my sake.”

Jackson’s head snapped up and he stared at Theo. In frustration, he spun his head over to Margie He looked in disgust from Theo to Margie and then stood up abruptly. “I’m tired. I’m going back to the hotel.” As he began to stride out of the room, Margie cleared her throat loudly and he turned back. “Thanks for dinner,” he said in a tone that was clearly anything but thankful.

“You’re very welcome, Jackson,” Ruth replied pleasantly. “Please come again.”

He grunted, but nodded and then left.

“How can you do that?” Margie asked of her in wonder. “He’s so rude, but you’re so wonderful to him.”

“Should I be rude back, my dear?” she asked mildly. “What would that accomplish? No, it’s better to be kind in all circumstances. That’s the way to win someone over rather than sinking to their level.” She smiled gently and placed a hand over Margie’s. “One day, perhaps he’ll look back and regret his actions. On that day, he may let Jesus into his life and then it would all be worth it and more. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Slightly embarrassed at this gentle reprimand, Margie nodded. Dessert was served, and then the older couple took their leave. Margie and Theo wandered into the living room for coffee and had only been seated for a few moments when Theo began to talk in eager tones.

“Margie, I’m ready to share my idea with you. I only ask that you hear me out completely and then think before answering.”

She balanced her saucer on her knee and looked at him expectantly.

“I think Jackson needs to join the Texas Rangers. I know someone who would be willing to take him on and train him. It would be rough, but being out in the wild, keeping the peace and chasing after criminals, would instill a sense of righteousness in him. He has a real chance at making a change.”

Margie carefully set down the saucer on the nearby table. Lips pressed together in a thin line, she stood stiffly and walked quickly out of the room before Theo had an opportunity to react. As he watched her leave wordlessly, he wondered if he’d been wrong. Was it possible that this wasn’t God’s idea but his own? Was he trying to get rid of Jackson like she certainly suspected? Some words that the preacher had said this morning about discipline, training and obeying the law had triggered his mind to think about his friend Jacob Roland who was head of one of the units that was visiting nearby and the two ideas had collided in his brain just as he was praying for guidance. He couldn’t believe that the thought was a mere coincidence.

However, perhaps he’d approached it wrong. Running into his brother had thrown him off. He hadn’t time to think about it properly, but he was sure that Austin’s presence in Bozeman would bode ill for him. What could he possibly want? Was he here for money? Probably, but Theo didn’t have that much, and once he started to give it to him, he would only ask for more.

Alone in the parlor, Theo realized that the only way he would know for sure was to ask. His mouth set in a line of grim determination, he left the house and set off in the direction of the one place he was sure to find his brother.

***

“So, ya came to see me, didja?” Austin asked scornfully when Theo entered the saloon and sat down at his table. “I suppose you’ll talk to me now that your little woman is out of sight. And what about those two other people? Are they supposed to be your new mama and papa?”

The men with Austin laughed, but Theo could tell at a glance their hearts weren’t in it. He knew both Shorty and Rex from his younger days and didn’t feel threatened by them in the least.

“Why are you here?” he asked in a low voice, attempting to infuse his voice with as much authority as he could muster.

“Well, it’s a free country, ain’t it? I just came to pay my little brother a visit.” Theo’s eyes darted about to see if anyone had heard. When there was no sign of that in the crowded, noisy place, he returned his gaze to his oldest brother. “I heard tell you’re getting married and I wanted to say congratulations.”

“Is that right?” He didn’t believe it for a moment. He leveled a steely look at Austin. “Well, now you’ve done it so I guess you’ll be off first thing in the morning, or better yet, tonight?”

“Ah, no can do. You see, I’ve been looking for you all over, little brother. I heard a rumor that you’re working in a bank and I think we can help each other out.” Thankfully Austin had lowered his own voice and Theo strained to hear him. “After you help me lighten the safe, I light out of your life.” He grinned at his own play on words.

“No possible way,” Theo replied evenly, grinding out each word individually. “What made you think that I would help you rob from the people that have come to mean more to me than any so-called family ever did?”

Austin laughed as though this was the funniest thing he’d ever heard, but his eyes remained mirthless. “Ah, I thought you’d say that. Well, you wouldn’t want your friends, nor that lovely young girl to come to any harm now, wouldja? You see, accidents happen every day, and no one is to blame, but if you could, say, prevent an accident from happening, you’d do that, wouldn’t ya?” He’d stopped laughing. Theo felt pure evil radiate from his brother. How could he be related to this man?

Fury roiled inside Theo’s stomach and before he quite knew what he was doing, he had leapt to his feet and had his hands around his brother’s neck. He was so overtaken with anger he didn’t hear someone come up behind him.  With full force, a bottle came crashing down on the back of his head.  He sat there dazed for a moment before he let go of his brother and fell to the floor.

“Don’t go getting any ideas,” Austin growled menacingly in a low voice. “These two might be old, but there’s still three of us and only one of you. This, my brother, is one of my best plans and you won’t mess it up. I’m getting old too, so I plan to retire on this here hold-up. Don’t get in my way, or I will take away everything that you love.”

The trio left the saloon, heading over to the brothel located only a few steps away. Theo pushed himself off the floor and looked around. Most of the men in the saloon were not exactly strangers to him, not people with whom he’d cross paths, but they knew him and would likely wonder what had happened here. He had no time to worry about them. He had to ensure the safety of those he cared about and then deal with his brother in such a way that he’d never be a threat again.

***

Jackson watched the three men leave the saloon and wander down the street. They’d apparently forgotten that he was supposed to meet them here. Relief poured through him and he started to head back to the hotel when the saloon door swung open and Theo stumbled out. Jackson pressed himself against the side of the building and watched the big man lumber down the street. Was he drunk? Why had the supposedly righteous man been inside the notorious place?

Theo had gained Jackson’s grudging respect, especially after he realized that the man still wanted to marry his sister despite knowing why she’d come West.  Unfortunately, he’d lost his one hold over Margie, the hold that was supposed to get him enough money in six months time to get back to New York, but he had to admire a man who would keep his word despite finding out he’d been tricked.

Jackson watched as Theo staggered over to the hotel. What was he thinking, going there so late at night? It was rather indecent to visit a woman at this hour unless…A wave of anger washed over him as he followed the big man. He had treated his sister badly since he’d found out her plan, but no way was some man from a two-bit town going to take advantage of her.

He crept along the street and even followed him into the hotel where he heard Theo exchange a few words with the hotel clerk. The employee nodded at Theo who then made his way up the stairs, pulling himself up every step. Then the clerk swung his gaze over to where Jackson was standing.

“You’d better get up there,” the skinny man hissed. “You and your sister are in trouble!”

Startled, Jackson did as the man commanded. He raced up the stairs and collided with Theo at the top. When he got there, he noticed the older man was bleeding profusely from the back of the head, something he hadn’t seen in the dark street.

“Theo! What happened?”

“Jackson,” he returned with a dazed look. “Get inside. I need to talk to both of you.”

After he opened the door, Jackson called out to his sister. “Margie, are you decent? Come out here.”

Margie appeared quickly. She hadn’t yet began to change, but rushed to Theo’s side when she saw the gash in the back of his head. “Jackson, grab a towel,” she instructed calmly. “Theo, sit here and don’t move.”

“Margie,” Theo began urgently. “You and Jackson need to get out of here. You’re in danger.”

“What? What are you talking about?” she asked distractedly as she tried to stop the flow of blood with the towel. “I think this might need a few stitches. Is there a doctor nearby? Never mind, I can do it. Jackson, fetch my sewing kit.”

“What’s going on?” Jackson asked in bewilderment. Clearly, Theo hadn’t come to seduce his sister and neither was he drunk. The only thing he knew for sure, was that he was in trouble. Maybe they all were.

***

Theo winced in pain as Margie worked on the back of his head. He kept trying to put her off so that he could explain, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, she interrogated him relentlessly.

“What have you done to get yourself in this position? I hope you aren’t some hot-headed man who’ll get into fights every time we have a disagreement.”

He looked at her uncomprehendingly. What was she talking about? Then he remembered how she’d stalked out of the house earlier after he’d suggested Jackson join the Texas Rangers.

“No, that’s…that’s not important now. Margie, remember how I said there were things in my past that I didn’t want to talk about? Well, one of those was my brother. He’s the leader of a gang of men, a very small gang now, but he’s planning to rob the bank and he wants to use me to do it. He’s threatening to hurt you, Ruth and Robert if I don’t.” His words didn’t sound right. They sounded as though they were coming out of someone else’s mouth. Theo touched the back of his head gingerly and then grimaced in pain. Dizziness threatened to overwhelm him.

“Is that the man we saw this morning?” Margie asked, her face a mask of worry.

“His name is Austin and he has two sidekicks. They’re getting old, but they’re still strong. I think it was Shorty who did this to me,” he muttered, not noticing that Jackson hadn’t said a word and that his face had gone deathly pale.

“I need to get Ruth and Robert to safety,” Theo muttered. He was starting to lose consciousness and struggled to speak. “They’re in danger.” That was the last thing he said before he passed out into oblivion.