Mail Order Ruby Read online

  The girl seemed to sense his scrutiny, because she met his eyes with her own. He watched as she sighed.

  “I’m sorry. I should have sent the ticket and the money back to you. Things became impossible and they were my only escape. I’m sure you don’t want to marry me now, but I can’t even pay you back right away. I’ll have to sell my necklace, and then I’ll be able to pay you.” Her voice faded in a tone of despair, then she added, “I know I said I’d leave on the next stagecoach, but… Well, are there any jobs in town? I have nowhere else to go.”

  “I’m sure you could work at the saloon, but I’m doing everything I can to close it down.” Seth’s words revealed his sorrow at the situation.

  “I’m not a saloon girl. I would never work in a place like that!” Her voice rose in an adamant tone. He wanted to believe her words but her clothes spoke a different story.

  “Well, you’re obviously not the girl I hoped was coming to be my wife. I want to become mayor of the town, how can I explain a wife who arrived in town dressed as a hussy, with a child? For all I know, Ruby Dawson isn’t even your real name.”

  Just then Timmy started crying. Ruby stepped out of the cell and picked up his traveling case. She opened it, then frowned. “I’m out of milk. Timmy eats baby food but I only have one jar of that left.” She grabbed the jar and a small spoon, then moved back into the cell. She pulled Timmy onto her lap and began to feed him.

  Seth sucked in a breath, watching the boy eat. Memories of his own son flashed through his mind. He stood up and began to pace around the office.

  “I can’t go through that again. I just can’t!” He stomped to the door and flung it open. Before Ruby could ask him what he meant, he slammed the door closed, leaving her and Timmy completely alone. Ruby finished feeding Timmy then placed him on the floor again. He sat, looking up at her. Then with a large grin he uttered, “Mama.”

  A flood of tears began to flush down her cheeks. She bent over, picked him up and kissed his cheek. She wasn’t about to tell him she wasn’t his Mama, after all the times she’d been there to feed him, hold him, love him. His own mother had never done that.

  Ruby squeezed him against her and whispered, “Yes, Timmy. Mama is here.”

  Chapter Four

  Seth made his way across the street then down the boardwalk to the trading post. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do about the woman, or the child, but for now he wasn’t going to let the child suffer. He stepped into the trading post, grabbed a few cans of powdered milk. His own son had been raised on bottles of it mixed with cow’s milk.

  At the checkout, the owner of the store gave him an unusual stare. “You okay, Seth?”

  “Yep.”

  “You sure this is what you want?” Tom Boyd, the owner of the trading post asked.

  “Yep.” Seth didn’t feel like explaining things to the man, although they’d been friends for a while. In fact, his wife was one of the original lady sheriffs. Her name was Jo.

  “Just put it on my bill.” He grabbed the cans and stomped out of the store.

  Seth hadn’t noticed Abigail Crane in the store. She was the town’s biggest gossip. She rushed up to the counter.

  “Mr. Boyd, was that the sheriff buying canned milk?”

  The man hesitated. “Yes.”

  “The type he used to buy for his boy?” She cocked her head in interest.

  Tom Boyd swallowed. He knew the woman too well. He wasn’t going to be able to keep her from finding out anything she wanted to know. “Yep. But, lots of reasons a man would want canned milk.” He offered, unconvincingly.

  She placed a hand on her hip and frowned. “Hmm, we’ll just see about that.” She set down the items she’d been gathering and scurried out the door looking both ways. When she saw Seth making his way toward the jail house, she hurried to follow him.

  Seth had just stepped into the building and held the canned milk out. He felt a bit surprised at Ruby’s smile.

  Before he could speak, the door opened. “Sheriff, Mr. Boyd might not have asked what you wanted with that milk, but I’m not afraid to ask.” Abigail Crane’s voice screeched across the jail. She moved further into the room.

  Seth turned. “Mrs. Crane. What is the meaning of this intrusion?” Seth took a step toward the woman. She glanced behind him.

  “Who is that woman? Why, she’s, she’s a… well, she’s not a lady.” Mrs. Crane stood up straight.

  Seth moved closer to her, grasped her arm and flipped her around. “Mrs. Crane, I’ll have to ask you to leave. This is none of your business.” He pressed the woman out the door gently, but with determination. Mrs. Crane turned to face him.

  “I’m the mayor’s wife! I have the right to know what the sheriff of our town is doing with this woman. She isn’t the kind of woman we want more of in this town.”

  Seth actually guffawed. “Excuse me, Ma’am, but you know nothing about this woman. Besides, have you looked at the saloon your husband allows to remain open in this town? It welcomes the type of women you are accusing this one of being.”

  Mrs. Crane’s stunned expression spoke volumes. Seth realized too late; the woman had no idea her husband had a hand in the saloon. Her cheeks turned pink and her lips pressed together in a grim line. She stared for a long moment at Ruby, then spun on her heels and left.

  Seth hoped her expression meant she would deal with her husband; however, to keep her place in society, she might go back to turning a blind eye to her husband’s business.

  Seth ran a hand through his hair, then sat down behind the desk. He and Ruby stared at one another.

  “Thank you for the milk. How did you know what I’d need?” Ruby’s words broke the silence.

  “I had a son.” Seth’s voice dripped with pain.

  He met her eyes again. It wasn’t pity he saw in her eyes, just a deep understanding.

  ***

  Ruby prepared a bottle for Timmy. She placed him on the cot in the cell with his blanket all around him. Timmy wasn’t one to roll over, so she felt he was safe enough. As she held the bottle to his mouth, she allowed her shoulders to relax. Aside from his earlier behavior; dragging her to the jail, Seth Miller had been rather kind. He owed her nothing, especially after finding out about Timmy.

  Even though she knew her clothes didn’t mean she was a saloon girl, she could very well see how he would interpret her arrival; and now finding he’d lost a child, the addition of Timmy must have been rather devastating to him.

  Ruby sat quietly as she fed Timmy. Her eyes scanned the inside of the building. It had very unusual décor for what one would have thought of a jail house. There were blue and white gingham curtains on the window, a cabinet with blue willow plates and tea cups. The wooden table was covered with a matching gingham table cloth and on the walls were several lovely framed paintings of hills covered in blue flowers.

  Timmy drifted to sleep and Ruby stood up, stretching her aching limbs. She left the cell and moved around the room, looking more closely at the paintings.

  “These are lovely flowers. What are they called?”

  “Bluebonnets.”

  “Hmm, I’ve never seen any before.”

  “They only grow in Texas.”

  Ruby realized from his short answers, Seth Miller was not very interested in talking to her, but she pressed on anyway.

  “This room is decorated… differently than how I would expect a jail to be decorated.” She tilted her head, questioning.

  “Well it would seem we both are not seeing things that meet our expectations.” Ruby blushed. Seth narrowed his eyes at her, then sighed. “But, you’re right. It’s a long story, but the jail is decorated like this because we’ve had four women sheriffs in this town. I’ve only been sheriff for a short time, and haven’t felt like taking down their pretty things. They give the place a nice atmosphere.”

  Ruby was very interested in hearing more about women sheriffs, but she knew there were other things Seth Miller and her needed to discuss.

/>   She turned a chair away from the table and faced the desk, then primly sat down.

  “Mr. Miller, I’m completely aware of what you must think, me showing up here several weeks late, dressed like this,” her hands swished up and down in front of herself, “and with a child.”

  She watched his face. A muscle twitched in his cheek but otherwise he didn’t move except to say, “Call me, Seth.”

  “Umm, Seth. If you will let me explain…” She cringed when he began to shake his head back and forth. “Please, hear me out. I’m not asking for anything more from you, but I do want you to know the truth.”

  The man sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. A sure sign he was not open to this conversation, but still she plunged in.

  “My name is Ruby Dawson. I just found out I was named for this necklace I’m wearing, but that comes later in the story. I do not, have not and never have worked at a saloon. However, my mother has worked in the Golden Dawn Saloon my whole life.”

  His frown deepened.

  “My mother, although not very loving, allowed me to go to school, so I am educated and I never had much to do with the saloon except that we lived above it. However, she recently informed me that on my eighteenth birthday, she expected me to join her as a dancer in the saloon. She loves that lifestyle and I suppose in her own way she thought she was doing the right thing by wanting me to join her. That was not to my liking so I started to search for an alternative.”

  “My ad was your alternative?” Seth whistled low and long. He’d wasn’t sure what to expect from a mail order bride, but finding out he was a little better than life as a saloon girl didn’t set well with him. Seth’s eyes looked around the girl and settled on the boy. Questions flashing through his mind.

  “Timmy is my little brother. He too was not being loved and I wasn’t sure if leaving him behind was the right thing to do. That issue was decided when my mother informed me, she’d decided to place Timmy in an orphanage. I couldn’t allow that, so I brought him with me.” She lifted her chin slightly, almost daring him to tell her she’d done wrong.

  Seth sat back and looked up; wondering why God had allowed this situation. This was worse than he could imagine.

  “You do realize you’re a kidnapper? If your mother comes looking for the child, you could be put in jail.”

  Seth watched the color drain from her face, but she shook her head back and forth.

  “She won’t come looking for me. She doesn’t care about me or Timmy.” She reached up and touched the necklace. “But she might want this. I could sell it, but I’d rather send it back to my mother so she won’t come looking for it.”

  Seth sat up straight and cupped his knees with his hands. “What do you think I should do?” He asked.

  The girl tilted her head in thought. “Could you help me find a job?”

  Seth shook his head. “Nothing in this town for a woman to do. We already have a diner run by a woman and she handles it all on her own, It’s Called Dan’s Place; Dan was another one of the lady sheriffs. The trading post is owned by Tom Boyd and his wife, Jo; another of the lady sheriffs. Otherwise, there isn’t anywhere you could get a job. We had a boarding house for a short time, but the owner moved on so we have a place where you can live.”

  He watched her bottom lip quiver. “I’m sorry for all the problems. I had hoped I would make a good wife. I’m a good cook; I sew and I’m good with growing vegetables.” Her words tore at his soul. The girl might not be what he’d hoped for, but she shouldn’t have to list off her qualities like an advertisement in a catalogue.

  “There is only one option I can think of.” Seth stated and stood up.

  She stood as well, expecting him to show her to the door and tell her to leave. Instead, he stepped closer and lifted her hand in his. She looked at him, questions in her eyes.

  “I guess I’ll have to marry you.”

  Chapter Five

  Ruby was sure she’d heard what she wanted to hear, but not what he said. She stood there, allowing her hand to rest in his, with her mouth slightly opened in surprise.

  “Marry me?” She repeated his words.

  “Yep. Can’t think what else to do. You did come to get married, didn’t you?”

  She stuttered, “Y…es, but, now that you know why I came and the lifestyle my mother lived, well I don’t expect you want to marry me and…” she turned and pointed at the boy bundled on the cot in the cell, “there’s Timmy.”

  Ruby saw a flash of anger in his eyes. “I can’t say I’m happy about any of this. I wanted… I’m not sure what I wanted, but a child was definitely not part of it.”

  Ruby pulled her hand away. “I’m sorry, I can’t marry you then. If you won’t take Timmy.”

  Seth began to pace back and forth. “I didn’t say I won’t take him. It’s just not what I wanted.”

  “I understand.” Ruby’s voice was low. “Mother didn’t love Timmy and he knew it. I don’t want him to ever have to experience that kind of treatment again. I can’t expect you to love a child who isn’t yours, but I could only marry you if you felt you could at least be kind to Timmy, provide a home and schooling. I’ll love him enough to make up for whatever he doesn’t get from you.”

  Seth sighed. “What about you? Do you need to be loved?” He searched her face, for the first time appreciating her evident beauty. Her long brunette hair tied with a soft ribbon was lovely. She wore no paint on her face or lips. The only thing he didn’t like was her dress.

  A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “I never expected that. I’d like what I ask for Timmy as well; kind treatment and a home. Timmy will love me.” Ruby moved a few steps away from the desk and picked up a sugar bowl on the table. She set it closer to the middle. Whenever she was nervous, rearranging things calmed her.

  What she’d said was true, she did want a home and kindness for both herself and Timmy, but did she want to marry a man who obviously could not and did not want to love her? As the questions flooded her mind, she heard a small whimper come from Timmy and it set her resolve. Timmy needed a home; she could go without love.

  Ruby stood still and looked straight at Seth. “I won’t ask for anything more thank kindness for both Timmy and me. I will be a good wife and do whatever it takes to help you civilize the town.” Her words were brave, but inside, she felt as if a door to a room once filled with hope had suddenly been slammed shut.

  Seth stopped pacing. “I think it’s best I go and get the preacher. Then I’ll take you and Timmy to my house.”

  Ruby nodded. She understood he didn’t want anyone else in town to see her as she was dressed, but clothes were still going to be a problem.

  “I don’t have anything else to wear. There are two other dresses in my case, no better than this.” She spun slowly; her cheeks red with shame.

  “I’ll get you something from the trading post. Can you sew?”

  “Yes, I’ve always made my own clothes. I can try to make over some of the dresses I brought.”

  Seth held up a hand. “No! I never want to see those dresses.”

  Ruby felt as if she’d been slapped. She clamped her lips together.

  “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” Seth left the building.

  Rudy’s shoulders sagged. This was not the wedding day she’d dreamed of since her childhood. She was pleased that Seth had agreed to go through with it, because she would at least be settled and safe and have a home for Timmy, but would she or Seth ever be happy? Was this what God wanted for them?

  Timmy began to stir again, so she rushed across the room, scooped him up and held him close. “Oh, Timmy. We’re going to have a home.” She whispered into his ear. Even if things hadn’t started out as she wished, this was her one chance to not have to live the life of a saloon dancer.

  Timmy looked up at her and gave her a large grin. For the moment they were both safe and happy.

  ***

  Once more, Seth found himself in the trading post. This time he was looking for a dres
s that Ruby could wear once they were married. Then, before he took her to his home, she could come over and pick out material for more clothes. Right now, he didn’t want anyone else in town to see her dressed as she was.

  Still, he thought, she was rather startling and beautiful in the saloon ballgown and the necklace she wore against her white skin reflected the red in her lips. He’d never given much thought to what his mail order bride would look like. All he wanted was someone with upstanding moral character to help him clean up the town. This girl spoke as if she were that person, but doubt still niggled in the back of his mind.

  Seth moved through the store, trying not to raise any attention. Glad that Abigail Crane wasn’t in the store, he found a few pre-made dresses. Jo had just recently added the dresses to the inventory. Most women still made their own clothes. Seth was glad to see these simple frocks. Although there was little choice, he felt the one pink calico might work. He held It up and eyed it critically, hoping he was making a correct judgment on the size.

  Finally, happy with his choice, he headed to the front.

  Tom Boyd slapped his hand on the counter as Seth lay the garment across it. “Now, Seth. What’s going on? First you come in buying supplies for a baby, and now a woman’s dress.”

  Seth almost laughed at the man’s tone. He didn’t want to have to explain himself, but the sooner he did tell someone the truth the less tongues would wag with untruths.

  “I’m getting married. Miss Ruby Dawson arrived on the stage today with her baby brother. She wasn’t prepared for the simplistic dress style needed in our town, so I thought I would pick her up something before the wedding. Know where the preacher is?”

  Tom’s jaw dropped open. However, he quickly covered his reaction with the action of writing down the price of the dress and adding it to Seth’s account.

  “Glad to hear it, Seth.” He wrapped the calico dress in some paper, tied it with twine and handed the package to Seth. “Jo and I would love to meet her.”

  Seth nodded. “Want to give her a few days to get settled in.”