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  “Will is engaged,” Daniel pointed out from beside her.

  Leah pulled back and glanced from one man to the other. “Oh, my goodness! Engaged?” She gave Will a delighted smile. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Her name is Dora Edison,” he explained. “She’s the daughter of the owners of the feed and grain store.”

  “Why, that’s wonderful. Have you set a date?”

  “We were waiting for a preacher,” he replied.

  “I want to hear all about her. And I want to learn everything about the two of you since we last saw each other. I’m curious how you both came to be in Kansas.”

  “We’ll have plenty of time for that.” Daniel’s familiar mellow baritone calmed Leah’s nerves. “Now that everyone’s together, we’ll continue to move the celebration along. We’re heading over to Eden Street for a welcome gathering. Meanwhile, your bags and trunks will be delivered to the boardinghouse.”

  Leah tucked her hand into the crook of Daniel’s arm and they made their way into town. Walking beside him was like a dream come true. She’d been so utterly alone these past months. Feeling at times like a piece of driftwood afloat at sea, she’d known all the while she had to find some way to ground herself and make a new home and a new beginning. As difficult things went, coming to an unknown place didn’t rate at the top, but it hadn’t been easy to get on that train with strangers. The unknown was always frightening. Now she’d found two of her dearest friends. She lifted her gaze and caught Daniel looking at her.

  His courteous smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Couldn’t have been more surprised to see you among our brides.”

  “I can’t say I ever imagined myself in Kansas,” she answered. “I dare say I’m more fortunate than many, just to be alive and have an opportunity to start over.”

  Daniel glanced away. “We’ve all started over.”

  “And you, Daniel. Are you married—or engaged like Will?”

  “No.” He shook his head and once again met her gaze. “No. Will and I came here to join our friend Noah. He got injured and homesteaded here before the war ended. When we got out of the army, we came to see how he was doing and we liked what we saw. Back then it was land as far as the eye could see, and the Union Pacific hadn’t come this far. We staked claims, bought up sections and we were here when the railroad decided this was the best place for a terminus.” He took a breath then went on. “We saw the future of this as a cattle town and grabbed on to it. After that, men looking for new starts poured in. There aren’t many women yet.”

  “But now there are four more.”

  He nodded. “This was a trial to see how brides would be accepted. We’re seeing now how much excitement there is at the prospect. So we wait and see what happens.”

  “As the women find husbands.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, it looks as though there are plenty of men to choose from.”

  A muscle in his jaw worked. He looked decidedly uncomfortable about that. “Looks like it.”

  “I was hoping to put my experience as a midwife to use.” The wind gusted around them. A strand of her fair hair fell to her shoulder, and his gaze followed as she tried to tuck it back in place. “I want to be useful.”

  “You’ll want to meet Mrs. Godwin then,” he said. “Amos and Opal are a young couple who have started a boot shop just up the street and across from the boardinghouse. They’re going to have a baby, so Opal will appreciate a visit from another woman, especially a midwife. We have a doctor, but I think Doc Fletcher’s more suited to fixing up cuts and broken bones.”

  “I’ll be sure to go see Mrs. Godwin.”

  “This welcome won’t take long, and then you can get settled and rest. Is there anything you need?”

  She looked up at him. Security. Safety. A place to raise a family. “Not that I can think of.”

  “Well, you only have to ask. You’ll find the boardinghouse comfortable and the proprietress a good cook. If you need something, give Aunt Mae’s lad a message and he will find me.”

  “Thank you, Daniel.” Daniel Gardner. It couldn’t be chance that she’d ended up in a town where both Daniel and Will were living. Perhaps this was how her prayers had been answered. Her clothing still hid the mound of the new life growing inside her, but she had no intentions of keeping her baby a secret. She wanted this baby more than anything, and she’d been willing to make this trip to find a new and better life for his sake. She needed a husband, but whomever she married would have to accept her child as his own.

  Chapter Two

  A platform had been constructed smack dab in the center of an intersection. On the four corners sat the Cattleman Hotel, a bank, the Cowboy Café and what looked like another hotel called Drover’s Place. All the buildings were wood structures, some had wood awnings and most boasted glass windows with gold lettering. Men of all sizes and dress filled the boardwalks and gathered in the streets. It appeared the entire town and its outlying residents had shown up for this momentous event.

  A cowboy band played “Sweet Nightingale” with dulcimers and fiddles as the four women and Reverend Taggart were escorted to the platform. The song reminded Leah so much of home, of afternoons and evenings in the company of her family, that her throat grew thick with tears. Her gaze met Daniel’s, and he signaled the band. The strains of that song faded away, and they played “Lincoln and Liberty.” Men’s voices joined the instruments and swelled until the singers drowned out the musicians.

  “Hurrah for the choice of the nation!

  Our chieftain so brave and so true;

  We’ll go for the great Reformation—

  For Lincoln and Liberty, too!”

  The song ended and the crowd cheered.

  Will moved to the front of the platform. Leah searched the gathering of men, easily spotting a pretty dark-haired young woman watching with rapt interest. Was she Will’s fiancée?

  “Our newest residents have had a long trip,” Will began. “So we’re going to get them settled in their rooms at the boardinghouse. Their belongings should have been delivered by now.” He turned back to their guests. “Welcome to Cowboy Creek, ladies and Reverend. We hope you’ll find your accommodations comfortable. Our town is safe for women and families. We enforce a no-gun law in town, so if any of you are carrying a weapon, you will have to check it with Sheriff Davis.”

  A rumble of male laughter rolled through the crowd at Will’s announcement. A broad-shouldered, lean-hipped fellow with a huge mustache gave a mock salute from the corner of the platform.

  “That’s our sheriff, Quincy Davis,” Will continued.

  Willowy little Pippa Neely made a show out of patting her pockets and checking the roll of reddish-gold hair on the back of her head as though searching for weapons. She peered into the beaded reticule that dangled from her elbow, then shrugged and shook her head. Even traveling by train she’d managed to make her hair and clothing look lovely. Leah had felt rumpled and dirty since the second day out of Chicago.

  The men in the crowd loved Pippa’s pantomime and laughed uproariously. The vivacious young woman had been great fun on the trip west. Always cheerful and often playful, she made the best out of every situation and had bolstered the spirits of the other passengers when the trip grew long and tiresome. Reverend Taggart just shook his head and grinned at her antics. He’d grown accustomed to Pippa’s mischievous showmanship.

  “How about you, Reverend?” someone called from the crowd. “Are you packin’ a gun?”

  The reverend raised both hands in the air as if prepared for a search.

  Daniel stepped forward. “We figured you’d be tired after the long journey, so the Cowboy Café will bring a meal to each of your rooms. After today, Aunt Mae will be planning on your eating at the boardinghouse, unless you tell her differently. Let’s go get you settl
ed.”

  The crowd applauded as the newest residents made their way down the stairs onto the boardwalk and headed to the next block. Eden Street boasted several businesses. On the right was a telegraph, a barber and a doctor’s office. They passed the sheriff’s office and a newspaper office before reaching Aunt Mae’s boardinghouse. It wasn’t a fancy structure, but it was two stories with an abundance of windows and two sets of stairs, one leading to a balcony that covered the front of the whole upstairs and the set on the side leading to a second floor entrance. The building was freshly painted and someone had planted fledgling rose bushes on either side of the entrance.

  The short stocky woman who greeted them was every bit of sixty, with a square face. Her gray hair held a few remaining streaks of reddish brown. She wore a green dress with a white collar and white trim. When she smiled her cheeks folded into wrinkled pleats to match her lined forehead.

  “Welcome! Welcome to Cowboy Creek. Oh, just look at the lot of you. You’re as welcome here as a rain on an August day. Tell me now, who is who? You’re the reverend, of course.”

  “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Shoosh now, not ma’am. Just Aunt Mae.”

  The women introduced themselves and Aunt Mae greeted them as though they were family, exclaiming over their dresses and hair.

  “You’ll meet my permanent boarders soon enough. Gus and Old Horace spend their days sitting on benches in front of the mercantile, but they never miss a meal.” She explained about meal times and continued, “There’s a bathing room beside the kitchen. You can heat water on the kitchen stove. I have a lad who brings in wood and empties the tub. I figured you’d all want baths today, so I have water ready and will keep the kettles full.”

  Aunt Mae gave them their room assignments. “Mrs. Swann, you’re on the south corner in front. Miss Hannah, you’re right beside her. The fellows carried up your trunks. There’s soap and toweling ready. If you need anything else, just let me know.”

  Hannah, looking especially tired, thanked their hostess and trudged up the stairs.

  “I’ll help you settle in, dear.” Aunt Mae gathered the hem of her skirts and followed. Pippa thanked everyone and climbed the stairs behind them.

  Leah met Daniel’s piercing green eyes. Looking at his tanned face and chestnut hair bleached gold from the sun, she noticed a few lines that hadn’t been there last time she’d seen him. He was broader and more muscled than Will, his strength unrestrained by the fabric of his neatly pressed shirt, but his features were harder, leaner than she remembered. The war had seasoned his still-handsome face, but it was now a man’s face. No doubt they’d both lived a lifetime in the years that had separated them.

  Overshadowing her relief at seeing his familiar face was a rush of regret and loss. As youngsters the three of them had been close until Will had declared his feelings for her. He had seemed a good choice for a husband. His family were merchants, and he had a head for business and figures. Daniel had been the adventurous one, the one talking about heading west and starting a ranch. Back then thoughts of the unknown seemed reckless and frightening. She’d sought only security and familiarity.

  She’d had no idea what was coming. None of them had.

  When the two friends had joined the army, she had implied that she would wait for Will. Time and distance had quickly come between them, and through sporadic letters they’d agreed to end their courtship. That’s when Leah met and married an academy graduate. At the time a future in the east, living the life of an officer’s wife, had seemed safe, protected—glamorous even. However, Charles had turned out to be shallow and self-centered. His assignments had taken them to truly uncivilized parts of the country.

  She’d been terrified. In the ensuing years, she’d had plenty of time to regret her choices. She’d come here to make a fresh start, but how could she plan for the future or hold on to a shred of dignity when she had to face both men who’d known her when she’d still had hopes and dreams? That had been a lifetime ago. Everything was different now—everything except the fact that she was still looking for security, but this time for two.

  Daniel gave her an awkward nod. “Send for me if you need anything.”

  “I will.” She wanted to bury herself in his strong embrace and seek comfort and safety, but she had no right. They’d once been the best of friends, but now they were estranged friends with years between them. She was going to have to move on as planned.

  He exited the boardinghouse, and she felt as though a light had gone out. Turning, she made her way up the stairs.

  Aunt Mae had shown Hannah to her room and now opened the door for Leah to enter hers. “It’s freshly cleaned and gets morning sun.”

  “It’s perfect, thank you.”

  Leah was strong and determined. She would find work. She would select a kind and thoughtful husband. Feelings were too complicated, and she couldn’t trust them. She was here to rest and take care of herself. Because this baby was going to live. She would take no risks. No more travel. Cowboy Creek was her new home, and she was going to make the best of it.

  * * *

  Daniel entered the Cattleman Hotel and glanced into the restaurant. Will sat at a table with Reverend Taggart, so he joined them. The reverend stood and shook his hand. “That was quite a welcome, Mr. Gardner.”

  “Call me Daniel, please. And we’re honored you and your daughter chose our town. How is your room at the boardinghouse?”

  “It’s more than adequate, thank you.”

  “Will and I want to show you the church. We’ve been meeting on Sunday mornings, and those willing to take turns have led services. It will be good to have a real preacher. Your house is being finished and should be ready to move in to by the end of the week. Maybe you or Hannah would like to pick out the furniture.”

  “I’m a simple man, and my daughter won’t be staying with me for long once she finds a suitable partner. I don’t need much, but if it makes your job easier, I’d be happy to select a few items.”

  “There’s an adequate furniture store at the corner of First and Grant,” Daniel said. “Select what you need and put it on my account. Irving will know you’re coming.”

  “That’s mighty generous.”

  “It’s our job to take care of the man God has called to our town. We appreciate your willingness to come.”

  “When we saw the advertisement for brides, Hannah and I felt we should write you. I didn’t want to send her off alone, and she was determined to come. It felt right.”

  “Did you have a church in Chicago?” Daniel queried.

  “Indiana, actually. Lafayette.”

  “Wasn’t that where a man set out in an air balloon to try to make it to New York City with mail several years back?” Will’s eyes lit with interest.

  “Yes, indeed. That was quite an event. Due to weather, the fellow landed in Crawfordsville, however, and the mail was delivered the rest of the way by train.”

  “Have to give him credit for trying,” Daniel added. “Would it work for you if I show you the church and your house tomorrow morning?”

  “That sounds good. I’ll meet you outside the boardinghouse?” The reverend stood and extended a hand.

  Daniel nodded and both he and Will stood to shake his hand. The reverend left the restaurant.

  “He seems like a good choice,” Will commented.

  “He does.” A stocky young man poured Daniel coffee and took his order. As soon as he’d walked away, Daniel looked at his childhood friend. “What are we going to do?”

  “About what?”

  “About Leah, of course. Her lieutenant husband died and she’s a widow.” He shook his head, still stunned by her arrival. “Leah’s a widow. Her folks are gone, too. It pains me to think of her being alone and feeling so desperate that she answered our ad.”

  “A
ll of the women who answered the ad were desperate,” Will replied with perfect logic. “We have to figure that much. Most places have very few men of marriageable age left.”

  “I know. The women all have their reasons. But this is Leah.”

  Will tilted his head in concession. “You’re right. It may not have worked out for the two of us, but she’s the closest thing either of us has to family.”

  And family was the most important, yet rarest commodity these days. “Like you said, it’s safe here,” Daniel said.

  “The streets are not dangerous for a woman,” Will agreed.

  “But we don’t know every last man. You can bet those gals will be buried under invitations to dinners and invited for rides and asked to picnics and all manner of social things. It will probably be confusing to have so many different men as husband prospects.”

  Will raised his eyebrows. “We can’t choose for any of them.”

  “I know. But maybe we could give Leah our guidance.” They sat in silence until Daniel’s meal arrived. He picked up his fork. “We need to talk to Noah. I wish he’d come today.”

  “You knew he wouldn’t. He didn’t want any part of it. He only comes to town when he has to.”

  “After I eat, I’m going to see him. Come with me.”

  Will took a sip of his coffee and grimaced. “Cold. All right. I’ll go change and head for the livery.”

  Will had Daniel’s brown-and-white skewbald gelding saddled when he arrived. They headed west. A few miles away from town, they encountered a small herd of buffalo. Interrupted from their grazing, the beasts lumbered away. Daniel and Will sat astride their horses and watched. As they stayed there without moving, several turkeys strutted out of the long grass and pecked at the ground. Daniel patted his horse’s neck, then slowly drew his rifle from its scabbard on the back of his saddle, aimed and fired. The horse beneath him didn’t flinch. One of the birds flopped on the ground and the others scattered.