Mail Order Bride: Westward Christmas Novel (Montana Mail Order Brides, Book 11) (18 page)

              The camel brown suit emphasized his broadening shoulders and went well with his dark brown hair and deep blue eyes.  He turned around a couple of times and laughed.

              Maddie said, “You look so handsome in that suit, Mike.  You’ve grown over the last year.  You’re filling out.  All the girls in Chicago are going to be mooning over you.”

              Mike grinned.  “Thanks, Aunt Maddie.  They can moon all they want, but Jenny’s the only girl I care about.”

              Tessa noticed again that Mike was close to Dean’s height and just about as broad in the shoulder.  The suit he’d worn for Jack and Sparrow’s wedding didn’t fit him anymore, so a new suit was in order.  She sighed and tried not to spoil everyone’s good mood by getting misty-eyed.

              “Yes.  Our son is very handsome and I’m glad to hear you say that about Jenny, since she’s agreed to wait on you,” Tessa said.

              Mike smiled.  “May will come around before we know it and I’ll be home again for the summer.”

              “It’s too bad that you can’t come home over Easter,” Sparrow said.

              “The break is too short and I wouldn’t make it back in time for class.  That’s okay.  Uncle Marcus says there are a lot of beautiful churches in Chicago.  I’m sure I’ll find one I like,” Mike said.

              Mike was the only one in the family who showed interest in going to church.  He’d started going with Jenny’s family over the summer. 

              Tessa said, “Yes, I’m sure you will.  Perhaps we should get you a couple more suits so that you don’t have to wear the same one for church each week.”

              Mike’s eyes lit up.  “Could we?  Mr. Jacobs had a really nice charcoal gray suit.  I had a hard time making up my mind which one to buy.”

              “Yes, we can.  I think you’re worth it, my smart boy,” Tessa said.  Her pride in Mike was unmistakable. 

              His grin was bashful all of a sudden.  “Aw, Mama.  You’re embarrassing me.”

              The women laughed and Mike blushed.  He shook his head and ran back upstairs to change.  Tessa blinked back tears even as she laughed over Mike’s discomfort.  Maddie put her hand over Tessa’s in a comforting gesture.

              “Being a parent at any age can be difficult, but when they’re just about ready to fly from the nest, I think it’s the most difficult time.  I felt the same way when Sadie got married and then when Jack moved out,” Tessa said.  “And now it’s time for Mike to fly and I’m a mess.  I’m trying very hard not to show it, but I don’t think I’m doing well at it.”

              “You’re doing fine,” Maddie assured her.  “I don’t know how I’ll handle it when J.R. and Kayla get to be that age.  It’s hard enough with my niece and nephews. It will be much harder with our children.”

              Tessa sighed and said, “Yes, it will.”

              Joe surprised Ben at the clinic the next day.

              “Hello, Dr. Walker.  How’s bein’ engaged agreeing with ya’ll?” he asked as he walked into the office.

              Ben grinned and said, “Wonderfully.  What can I do for you Mr. Mayor?”

              Joe dropped into Marcus’ chair and put his feet up on the desk.  “Well, I’m here to collect on our bet.  I did not gamble one little bit, and I have witnesses to prove it should you request them.”

              Smiling Ben said, “I was so sure you couldn’t hold out.  I’ve never seen anyone gamble the way you do.”

              “You mean
did
.  Our bet ended on Monday and this is…Friday and I have yet to gamble,” Joe said.

              “Really?” Ben asked.  “Well, that surprises me even further.  I figured that you’d be right back at it.”  He got out his wallet and started counting money.

              “No, no.  Put that away.  I don’t want your money,” Joe said.

              “Joe, a bet is a bet.  I’m giving you what I owe you,” Ben said.

              Joe put his feet on the floor and leaned forward.  He glanced down at Marcus’ messy desk and said, “Huh.  Looks like my office, only without a bed.”

              Ben laughed.  “There’re times when I wish we had a bed in here.”

              “Yes, but my bed is not used for sleeping,” Joe said with a wink at Ben.

              Now Ben leaned forward.  “You’re kidding.”

              “Nope.  That bed has very special significance to us,” Joe said.  “You can take that any way you’d like.  Anyway, your money isn’t what I’m after.  I want to thank you for making that bet with me because it helped me see how much of my life I was wasting on gambling.  So, thank you for that.”

              “You’re welcome, but that wasn’t my intent at all,” Ben said.

              “I know it, but all the same.  So, I have been putting my attention to more mayoral pursuits,” Joe said.  “We’ve got some strange things happening around Dawson.”

              “We do?  Such as?” Ben asked.

              Joe got up and shut the door then sat back down.  “Missing money, maps not matching up, that kind of thing.”

              Ben’s eyebrows rose.  “Do you think someone’s embezzling money?  Or that they were?”

              “I hope not.  I’ve got Geoff O’ Connor going over some things.  If anyone can figure it out it’s him.  I’d ask Claire, but she’s busy enough as it is,” Joe said.

              “I’m sure he’ll get to the bottom of it,” Ben said.  “What’s the significance of the maps?”

              “Ben, you can’t tell a single soul, not even Jake,” Joe said.  “Can I have your promise about that?”

              “Yes.  I promise,” Ben said.

              “One of those maps shows that the property where the new Watering Hole stands falls within the town limits,” Joe said.

              Ben blinked a couple of times as he understood what that could mean for Jake and Joe.  “That would put you out of business again, since Dawson is a dry town.”

              “Yes, sir, it would.  The problem is that I don’t know which map is accurate or why there’re so many different maps.  Hell, one even shows that where the Lakota camp is falls in town limits and that one disturbs me as much as the one concerning the bar.” 

              “It does?  That’s a lot of land, Joe,” Ben said.  He was as confused as the mayor.

              “I know it, Ben.”  Joe ran a hand through his hair and said, “The other part of that is I had a visit from a Calvary officer yesterday wanting to know about our tribe.  He wanted to know if they were peaceful and that kind of thing.  I assured him they were.  Somehow word got to the army about what happened in June.”

              Ben blew out a breath and leaned back in his chair.  “Damn it.”

              “Yeah.  I have to go talk to Black Fox today and that is a conversation I am dreading, Ben.  I’m telling you all of this to put you on alert in case there’s fighting and such.  Can you help out at the Watering Hole a little since Sammi quit?  We’re looking for a bouncer as fast as we can,” Joe said. 

              Ben grimaced.  “Joe, I hate to say no, but...”

              “Then don’t.  Okay, how about this; just on Saturdays.  It’s one night,” Joe said.

              “It’s the worst night,” Ben said.

              Joe rolled his eyes.  “I know.  That’s why I’m asking for that night.  Do I have to get down on my knees?  I’m that desperate that I will, Ben.”

              Ben sighed.  “All right.  Just Saturdays until you find someone else.”

              “You have saved my hide, at least where that’s concerned.  I don’t know what the hell I’m gonna do about all of this other stuff.  See why I don’t have time to gamble anymore?” Joe said with a grin.  “Oh, don’t mention the Calvary thing to Marcus, okay?  Not until tomorrow, anyway.  I’m sure he’ll have heard about it by then, but I want Black Fox to know before anyone else from the tribe.”

              Ben said, “You do realize how many secrets you are asking me to keep from people I’m close to, right?”

              “Yes, sir, but that’s the payment I’m collecting for our bet.  Your bouncer services and your discretion.  They mean more to me than any kind of money, Ben,” Joe said as he got out of the chair.  “I’ll see ya’ll tomorrow night.”

              “All right, then,” Ben said as Joe left. 

              Sasha asked Ben a question for the second time but received no answer.  Concerned, she watched his profile as they sat on her sofa.  His black brows were drawn down in an expression of displeasure.  His thoughts must be troubling, she thought.

              She put a hand on his arm.  “Ben?”

              Ben turned to her and said, “Yes?”

              “Are you okay?” she asked.  “I’ve been having a conversation with myself.”

              His expression turned contrite.  “I’m so sorry, sugar.  What did you say?”

              “What is going on in that mind of yours?” Sasha asked.

              Ben said, “I can’t tell you.  I’m sorry.”

              “You can’t tell me?  Why on earth not?” she asked.  “Is it about a patient?”

              “No.  Joe asked me to work Saturday nights as a bouncer until he finds someone, so I agreed,” Ben said.

              “That’s what has you so preoccupied?” Sasha asked with a smile.

              “No.  Other things.  Those are what I can’t talk about,” Ben said.

              “Ben, we are getting married and there are going to be many things that are of a private nature that you’ll have to deal with.  You shouldn’t have to deal with them alone.  I love you and I want to help you, but I can’t do that if you don’t trust me,” Sasha said.

              “I trust you implicitly, Sasha.  It’s just that I was asked to not say anything,” Ben said.

              “I will not say anything to anyone no matter what you tell me.  It will stay strictly between us,” Sasha said.

              Ben sighed.  It would feel good to talk to Sasha about the things disturbing him.  “You’re right.  You’re my fiancée and I should be able to tell you anything.  I know I really don’t need to, but I am asking you to not utter a word of what I’m about to tell you to anyone.”

              “Of course.”

              Ben told her everything that Joe had said to her that day.  “So, you see why you can’t tell anyone.  I know how close you are with Sparrow and all the rest of the Samuels family.  And I can’t even tell Marcus, although by now, he may already know.  As far as this business with missing money and discrepancies with the town maps, I’m not sure what all of that means, but I hope Joe can get to the bottom of it.”

              Sasha’s eyes were troubled as she looked at Ben.  “I’m glad you told me.  You shouldn’t have to hold all of that inside, Ben.”

              He caressed her cheek.  “Yes, but now you’re worried.”

              “Better that we’re worried together, Ben.  Don’t ever shut me out, no matter what,” she said.  “Promise me that, Ben.  I couldn’t bear to have that happen again.”

              Ben drew her closer and said, “I promise to not ever shut you out, Sasha.”

              She smiled and leaned against him.  Her presence was comforting to him and Ben closed his eyes, content to sit there with her and enjoy the fire.

              The Watering Hole was rowdy, but not as wild as some Saturday nights.  Ben was glad for once.  Normally he liked it when he got to let his darker nature loose and deal with undesirables.  One reason was that Sasha was there and he was able to spend time with her in between making rounds.  The other was that Reckless hadn’t come to work and he was the only bouncer on duty.

              Jake was not at all happy about Reckless not showing up.  Joe and Ben had exchanged looks when Jake complained about it, but neither enlightened the bartender about the troubles their Lakota friends were having. 

              Joe had said, “Jake, you know our very brave brave.  It must be something important to make him miss work.  Any other time he’s here no matter what.”

              Later that night, Reckless actually did come in.

              “Where the hell have you been?” Jake asked.  “It’s just a good thing that it’s been slower tonight.”

              “Yeah, well, I have troubles of my own.  You’re damn lucky I’m here at all,” Reckless snapped, and went into the barroom.

              Ben saw Reckless but didn’t approach the brave when he saw the flash of anger in his friend’s eyes.  Reckless paced around the room and seemed to be itching for a fight.  Ben understood that.  He’d been there before and knew that a little fighting could ease tension. 

Smiling, Ben went over to Reckless and said, “So you up for a little sparring?”

Reckless said, “It’s not a good night, Ben.” 

Ben saw how tense Reckless was and knew there were only two things that could help ease that kind of tension; a woman or fighting. 

“I think you could use a distraction.  You know any pretty maidens who could help you out with that?” Ben joked.

Reckless’ steady stare made Ben a little nervous.  “All right.  Forget I said that.  How about a little fight?  I promise not to stab you with a hat pin.”

Reckless smiled for the first time that night.  “I’m glad to hear that.  Okay.  You’re on.”

Ben grinned.  “Good.  Let’s go.”

Sasha saw Ben and Reckless going out to the empty dance floor and knew that a match would ensue.  She wasn’t the only one.  Joe announced the fight and Gus was elected to handle the bets.  The bouncers faced off and gave their mutual signal to start.  The first blows were struck and the audience applauded. 

Sasha had placed her bet and moved closer to the action.  If someone had told her a year ago that she would be betting and yelling for her fiancé to win a fight, she’d have thought they’d gone insane.  Before this, she’d never been interested in fighting sports, but now found it thrilling.  The two men grunted as fists and feet connected with their bodies. 

They warmed to the fight and became serious about what they were doing.  Each man knew the other’s strengths and weaknesses and adjusted their moves and countermoves accordingly.  Ben tried to stay on his feet because he knew that if Reckless got him down, it would be hard to get away from the brave.  Reckless had to watch out for Ben’s rapidly moving hands, since the doctor knew the weakest parts of muscles and joints at which to strike.

At one point, Ben backed Reckless to the edge of the dance floor and the brave jumped up on a table, spilling drinks.  While the patrons weren’t happy about it, they didn’t complain too much because it made the fight more exciting.  Ben never let up.  He went after Reckless’ legs and Reckless jumped to the next table.  It tipped, but Reckless jumped clear and rolled. 

Ben saw his opening, but thought twice about going down to the floor with Reckless.  He opted to wait until Reckless was just getting to his feet to attack.  Reckless saw him coming and rolled again, forcing Ben to either let him up or follow.  Ben surprised Reckless by grappling with him on the floor. 

Getting Reckless in a sleeper hold, Ben squeezed for all he was worth.  Reckless didn’t struggle.  He remembered the horrendous dead leg Ben had given him a couple of weeks ago and pulled the move on Ben.  The doctor groaned as Reckless slammed his fist into his thigh.

Ben laughed as he kept a hold on Reckless.  “I see you’ve been paying attention.”

Reckless was starting to feel faint, but said, “Yes.  You’re going to have one sore leg, old man.”

Ben increased the pressure he was using and Reckless’ body began relaxing as he hovered near unconsciousness.  Reckless knew his situation was very bad and called on the strength he’d developed since he’d been a boy.  His fuzzy brain was also able to call up something creative. 

It was not something Reckless would have done if he’d had any other choice, but desperation called for an unusual move.  He reached above his head and found Ben’s belt buckle and undid it so quickly that Ben didn’t realize what had happened until he felt the belt sliding from his waist.

“Hey!  What the hell are you doing?” Ben yelled.

When Reckless went for the snap, Ben released him and shoved him away.  He had no desire to be in his underwear in front of the whole bar.  Reckless took large gulps of air to clear his mind as he rose to his feet and then laughed as Ben retrieved his belt and put it back on.  He did all this without getting to his feet because he wasn’t sure he could.  Reckless’ dead leg had left his leg weak.  Glaring at Reckless, Ben got up unsteadily and gave the signal that the fight was over.  There was no way to face Reckless with his numb yet painful leg.

Reckless put his arms in the air as he claimed victory.  He and Ben shook hands.

“What the hell was that?” Ben asked Reckless with an irritated tone.

Reckless grinned.  “It’s called being creative.”

“Sneaky is more like it,” Ben said and smiled.  “I hope you’re prepared to work alone the rest of the night.  My leg’s not up to the job.”

“It’s okay.  I was just paying you back for the dead leg you gave me,” Reckless said.

Ben laughed and limped over to the table where Sasha sat.  He sat down and rubbed his leg as he smiled at her.  “I hope you didn’t lose a lot of money,” he said.

“No.  Not too much,” Sasha said.  “Are you all right?”

“Yes.  It’ll be fine after a while,” Ben said.  “He learned that from me.  I guess it only stands to reason that he would learn from me.”

Sasha laughed.  “I wasn’t expecting him to try to undress you.”

Ben scowled.  “That was a damn dirty trick.”

“But it did work,” Sasha said with amusement.

“I hope I’m not going to have to worry about him trying to do that all the time,” Ben said as he stretched out his leg and winced as the muscles objected.

Joe came over to their table.  “Ben, the one night I bet on ya’ll and ya’ll end up losing.”

“Go away, Joe,” Ben said.  “I thought you weren’t gambling anymore?”

Joe laughed.  “No need to be cranky.  I didn’t say I wouldn’t gamble at all.  I’m just cutting way back.  Fights like this are fair game.  It was a good fight as always.  I’ll let ya’ll recuperate.  Sasha, looks like you’ll have to play nurse for him.”  With a suggestive smile, Joe walked away.

Ben shook his head and Sasha laughed.  “There are times when I still don’t understand how he got elected mayor,” Ben said.

Things got quieter in the bar, so Ben and Sasha decided to go upstairs.  They said goodnight to Jake and Rebecca and headed up the inside stairs.  They talked as they climbed the stairs.  About halfway up, Ben’s sore leg gave out and he couldn’t catch himself.  He fell down the stairs heavily, landing in a heap at the bottom.

“Ben!” Sasha cried, and began descending the stairs quickly. 

Ben’s head had gotten knocked against the banister and he was dazed.  Somehow his arms had gotten twisted up under him and his left hand and forearm screamed with pain.  Sasha knelt by his side and called out for Jake.

Jake heard her and knew something was wrong.  “Take over, Gus,” he said and ran back the hallway and opened the door to the stairs.  Ben half spilled out onto the floor.

“He fell down the stairs,” Sasha said.  “I think he hit his head.”

Jake got Ben under the arms and pulled him out into the hallway so he was laying straight.  A thin red line appeared near Ben’s temple.  It was starting to bruise already. 

“Ben?  Ben?” Sasha said as she took Ben’s hand. 

The pain from her holding his injured arm cut through the fog in his brain.  He jerked his arm from her grasp and groaned as the pain increased from the movement. 

Sasha looked down at his arm and gasped.  It was beginning to get puffy.  “Oh, Ben!  I’m so sorry.  I didn’t know it was hurt.”

“Ben, can you sit up?” Jake asked as Rebecca arrived.

“What on earth happened?” she asked as she gazed at her twin.

Ben was able to answer at this point.  “My damn leg gave out and it happened so fast that I couldn’t break my fall.  I think my arm is broken.”

“Oh, no!  We need Marcus,” Sasha said.

“No, we don’t.  I just need to get to the clinic for the supplies I need,” Ben objected. 

“Ben, you need Marcus to look at it and help you with it,” Sasha insisted.  “Jake, is there someone who can go get Marcus and have him meet us at the clinic?  I’ll hitch up the buggy and take Ben in it.”

Ben wasn’t happy about bothering Marcus, but had to admit that dealing with his arm would require two hands and some expertise.  “Fine.”

Rebecca left them and found Joe.

“Ben is hurt.  Can you hitch up the buggy for Sasha so she can take him to the clinic?  It looks like he broke his arm,” she said.

Joe looked down into her green eyes and said, “I’ll do you one better.  I’ve got King and Rook already hitched up since I was heading home.  I’ll take them.  How’d that happen?  He was fine after the fight.”

“He fell down the stairs.  He must have hit it funny or something.  He hit his head, too, but he seems clear headed now,” Rebecca said.

They walked as they talked.  Joe arrived in the hallway as Jake and Sasha were getting Ben settled into a chair in Jake’s office.

“Now what’d you go and fall down the stairs for?” Joe said in a joking tone to Ben.

Ben gave him a tiny smile and said, “I guess I just have to be the center of attention.  I need something to use as a sling to I can stabilize this.  Sasha, will you please go get my medical bag?”

“Of course,” she said, and hurried off.

Upstairs, Sasha found where Ben’s linens were kept and ripped up a pillow case to make a sling.  Then she retrieved Ben’s bag and hurried downstairs.

“Here’s your bag and we can use this as a sling,” she said.

Ben smiled at her.  “I am marrying a very smart woman.  Well done, sugar.”

“Thank you,” she said.

Soon the sling was in place and Ben had instructed Jake on how to mix up a dose of laudanum.  Ben took it and grimaced at the taste.  Sasha had Ben put his right arm in his coat and then buttoned it around him as best it would go without him putting his other arm in the sleeve.

Joe had pulled his team around by the back door.  Ben was unsteady on his feet and Joe helped him out to the buggy and up into it.  Reckless came out to see them off.

“I’m sorry about your leg, Ben,” he said with regret in his eyes.

“Don’t be sorry, Reckless.  It was just a stupid accident,” Ben told him.  “It’s not your fault.”

“I feel bad,” Reckless said.

“Don’t.  I just didn’t grab the banister in time.  That has nothing to do with you,” Ben said.

Reckless nodded.  “Okay.  I’ll check on you tomorrow, okay?”

“Sounds good,” Ben said.

The brave stood back as Joe moved the team into a swift trot and pulled out onto the road.

“Reckless?” a female voice said from behind him.

He turned to see Sammi standing close to him.  Preoccupied with Ben, he hadn’t heard her approach.

“Hi, Sammi.  What are you doing here?” he asked with a smile.

Sammi didn’t return it.  “I have something for you,” she said, handing him an envelope. 

“What is it?” he asked.

“It’s from Rachel.  She left Dawson yesterday to go live in Canada with her Aunt Amelia,” Sammi answered.

Her statement made Reckless’ breath catch.  “She’s gone?”  He hadn’t been expecting that. 

Sammi nodded.  “I’m sorry about what happened between the two of you.  I didn’t see it until this past week.”

“See what?”

“How self-centered she is.  I didn’t realize that about her, but I probably should have,” Sammi said.

Reckless said, “We can’t always see the flaws of the people we love and sometimes they hide them well.”  He turned the envelope over and recognized his name on the front of it.  He’d learned how to read and write from Claire and Marcus.  His aunt and uncle had taught many of their family to read and write.  He opened the envelope and began reading by the moonlight.

Dear Reckless,

              By the time you get this, I’ll have left.  I’m sure Sammi has told you where I’m going.  I wrote this because I was too cowardly to face you after what I did.  I couldn’t handle seeing the anger and disappointment in those beautiful dark eyes of yours.  I want you to know that I do love you and that I’m sorry about my actions.  I know an apology really can’t make it up to you, but you deserve one anyway.