Mail Order Ruby Read online

  “Sure, sure. I’ll send Jo over to your place in a few days, how’s that sound?”

  Seth wasn’t sure how Ruby would feel about it, but there wasn’t much he could do other than accept. He strode to the door and stepped out onto the boardwalk. Some loud whistles and crude voices broke his reverie.

  Seth stood frozen in horror as he watched the three Carter brothers hurrying from the saloon toward the jailhouse. He remembered what Ruby was wearing, which spurred him into action. If those men saw her in the ballgown, they would assume, as he had, that she was a saloon girl.

  With the package in one hand, and his gun pulled out of its holster in the other, he rushed after the men. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to reach them before they kicked open the jailhouse door.

  Chapter Six

  Ruby had grown restless waiting for Seth to return. She’d placed Timmy back on the floor and closed the cell door so he could have freedom to crawl around, but she paced the office, worry causing her to continually rub her hands together until the skin actually started to feel warm.

  What if the preacher refuses to perform a ceremony for us, because of how I’m dressed? I wouldn’t blame him. He’d be trying to protect his congregant and sheriff.

  Ruby moved to the window and pushed back the gingham curtain, searching the street for Seth, but the town was rather quiet. Music came from the saloon across the way, but that was something she was used to hearing. The room began to feel rather stuffy, so she slipped open the door and stood in the doorway, taking in a deep breath.

  The air was different in Texas and she looked forward to exploring the area, maybe finding a patch of the bluebonnets she’d seen in the paintings on the jail walls.

  The music grew louder which caused Ruby to turn and look in that direction. To her dismay, her eyes met with those of three young men stumbling out of the Saloon.

  One of them whistled and pointed directly at her. Too late she realized her mistake of opening the door. She slammed the door shut, turned and ran into the jail cell, picked up Timmy and slammed that door shut, too. It didn’t lock, but perhaps closed, it would give the impression of being locked, if the men she’d seen risked entering the jailhouse.

  With fear in her eyes, she watched as the door was suddenly kicked open. The three young men, obviously drunk, entered the room. She wanted to move backwards, but she kept her hand on the cell door, holding it closed with all her might.

  Lord, help me, please. This dress has done enough damage already.

  The men searched the room and when they realized she was in the cell, they clambered across the room. The cell door stopping them.

  “Hello, Lovely. What are you doing in jail?” One of the men slurred.

  The next man pushed the first to the side. “Gimmee a looksee. Wow, ain’t she a beauty? You come to work at the saloon?”

  Ruby shook her head, biting her lip. All the years she’d been in the apartment over the saloon while her mother danced, she’d never had to face a man so closely. She wasn’t sure what to do.

  The third man stepped forward. “Where’s the key? We can let you out.” He reached out and pushed on the door. Ruby held tight, but the man’s strength was too much for her. The door popped open. Ruby moved further back into the cell.

  “Please, go away.” Her voice trembled.

  “Now, little lady, we’re your heroes come to rescue you.” She could actually smell the liquor on his breath all the way across the cell.

  The man stepped into the cell; the others close behind. None of them seemed to notice Timmy in her arms.

  “You’re a good looker. I want to be the first one to buy you a drink.” The man moved closer, reached out a hand to touch her hair. Ruby pulled back, too afraid to even scream.

  Just then she heard Seth’s deep voice. “You Carter boys better get out of there.”

  Ruby looked over the drunken man’s shoulder. She didn’t know Seth well, but at this moment she was ecstatic to see him.

  The three of them scurried out of the cell, shaken by the Sheriff’s presence. Their eyes all riveted on the gun Seth held in his hand. It seemed to instantly sober them all. Now that Ruby wasn’t in danger, she realized the men must be brothers, they looked so much alike.

  “We ain’t been doing nothing wrong, Sheriff.” The oldest brother mumbled. “Just greeting the new saloon girl.”

  Seth’s words seethed through his teeth. “She’s not a saloon girl, she’s my intended.”

  The men’s eyes raised in unison. They were all aware of the sheriff’s desire to get rid of the saloon. All together, they turned their heads and stared at Ruby. She felt the heat trail up her neck and onto her cheeks. She expected that her cheeks were a deep crimson red.

  ***

  Seth could tell Ruby was embarrassed. Maybe he shouldn’t have spoken about marrying her. He also noted her hand shaking. She was frightened; which was an indication that she wasn’t used to drunk men pawing over her.

  “Ruby, can you and Timmy step out there?” His tone reminded her of someone trying to tame a horse. She picked up Timmy’s belongings with her free hand and scurried out of the cell.

  Seth never took the gun off the Carter brothers. “Now, you boys just hustle into the cell.” He moved the gun, pointing at the now empty cell.

  The oldest brother took off his rather shabby cowboy hat. “Now, Sheriff. We didn’t mean nothing. No need for you to go putting us in jail again. “’Sides, you weren’t too happy with us last time we was in here.”

  Seth almost cringed. It was true, having the Carter brothers in the jail had been miserable. Their constant bickering between themselves, which often turned into fist fights, had caused him nothing but aggravation. However, for the time being, he needed them out of the way.

  “Maybe I’ll let you boys out tonight, if you don’t give me any grief.” His voice was strong and adamant. The men dropped down onto the cots. Seth waited a few moments, then turned back to Ruby.

  She was standing against a wall, holding Timmy. She looked like a frightened rabbit.

  “Sorry about them.” Seth took a step closer and handed her the paper wrapped package. She scooted to a chair, set Timmy on her lap and gently lifted the edges of the paper. At the site of the pre-made dress, she smiled.

  “Thank you, Seth. This will be much more serviceable for me. Is there somewhere I can slip into it?”

  Seth nodded. There was a small room off the back of the jailhouse.

  Ruby stood up, lifted Timmy and began to walk across the room.

  “I’ll hold him.” Seth’s voice sounded edgy, but he held out his arms and received the child gently. Timmy didn’t cry. He turned big eyes and stared at the stranger holding him. Ruby rushed out of the room assuring him she would hurry right back.

  ***

  It didn’t take long to slip out of the offensive dress and put on the cool, calico. There was nowhere she could look at herself, but Ruby was pretty sure she would look much better in this dress than the one meant for a saloon. Her hand hovered over the ruby necklace. This was something she could sell and then Seth wouldn’t have to take care of her at all, but she could also send it back to her mother.

  If what her mother had told her was true, Blake was going to find someone else to replace Sophia. Her mother’s hope had been that Ruby and she would dance together. But she had also said she’d been saving up money for some time. Did she need the necklace? Did Ruby?

  With trepidation, she returned to the front room. Once again, the three Carter brothers began to whistle. Seth clapped his hands together once and yelled for them to be quiet.

  “What do you think?” She asked Seth. She felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, but was glad when he off-handedly murmured, “Much better,” although his eyes hovered on the ruby necklace. She could have hoped for a more flattering statement; still, she knew he was unhappy about her past and about Timmy’s presence, so she couldn’t ask for anything more.

  Just then Timmy noticed Ruby and he
ld out his arms. Ruby took him from Seth.

  “Since we have uninvited guests, I think we should go down to the church and have the preacher perform the ceremony away from their prying eyes.” Seth nodded in the direction of the Carter brothers. “I would’ve asked him to come here, but now that you’ve got a proper dress…” his words faded. Ruby could tell he wasn’t sure what to say. Discussing clothing with a woman wasn’t something a decent man was used to doing.

  “I’m ready.” Ruby answered.

  Seth stepped back and looked her over, but a frown furrowed his brow. “What about that?” he pointed at the Ruby necklace.

  Her hand fluttered to her neck. “I didn’t want to take it off here.”

  Seth’s eyes locked on the Carter brothers. “I can see why not.”

  “Is it really too garish?” Ruby thought the necklace seemed a bit large, but it was beautiful.

  “I guess not.” Seth strolled across the room and opened the jailhouse door. Ruby scooted behind him, carrying Timmy. Seth locked the door behind them and stepped off the boardwalk onto the street.

  “Lucky it’s not a muddy day.” He held out a hand. “You wouldn’t be able to walk on the street.”

  Ruby stepped down but didn’t take his hand. She scanned the street and was glad to see there were very few people out. Until they were married, she didn’t want Seth to have to introduce her to anyone, or explain her presence. Once they were married, they could discuss and agree on what they would tell everyone.

  Ruby actually had to hurry to keep up with his long strides. She wanted to jokingly ask if he were in that great a hurry to get married, but she knew he just wanted to get through town unseen.

  The church sat on the opposite end of Main Street. There was no hope they would go completely unnoticed. The owner of the trading post stepped out on the boardwalk, pretending to sweep the area. His eyes followed the couple all the way to the church. They passed a barber shop and a black smith, a small diner with a hand painted sign which read ‘Dan’s Place’ above it. There was a bank and a doctor’s office and a newspaper building.

  Seth was moving so quickly; Ruby couldn’t really see everything. At the end of the street was the small church and further out to the right was a large field in which sat a small, school house. It seemed almost barren.

  “Isn’t there a teacher in this town?” Ruby asked.

  “Not anymore. She left at the end of the last term. So far, we haven’t been able to convince anyone of good moral character to take her place.”

  Ruby thought he emphasized the words “good moral character” a bit too much, reminding her he still didn’t know if he could believe the things she’d told him about herself.

  “The main reason no woman will come teach is because there isn’t a place for a woman to live. The last teacher could afford a small home outside of town, not because of her teaching salary, but because she had a husband so the town never did anything about it. Since they won’t add living quarters to the back of the school house, the only teacher we would be able to get has to be married and none of the married women in town want to teach. If one of our eligible bachelors would get themselves a wife who could teach, we’d be all set.”

  Ruby glanced back at the forlorn building. She had no desire to be a teacher, but she felt sorrow for the children of Waterhole. Education had been so important to her.

  Seth finally stopped in front of the small church. “Pastor Joshua will perform our ceremony.”

  “What will he think of me, coming to town to marry someone I don’t even know?”

  Seth ran a hand through his hair, remembering he hadn’t taken time to go the barber.

  “Joshua is married to another one of our town’s women sheriffs. The story of the four sister sheriffs is notorious. I doubt anything would surprise the pastor.”

  Ruby clasped her bottom lip between her teeth. Someday she was going to get Seth to tell her all about those four lady sheriffs.

  Seth held out his arm and Ruby lay her hand on it. They walked slowly up the path to the big front door. Just as they stepped inside Ruby crashed into a woman coming out of the building. It was Abigail Crane. The woman actually blocked their way, her hands on her hips.

  “You needn’t go in there, sheriff. I’ve already had a talk with the pastor. Told him all about that floosy.”

  Ruby stepped back as if she’d been slapped.

  The woman glared at her.

  “Hmph, you think a different dress can change my opinion of you?”

  Ruby straightened up. “Well, the dress I was wearing earlier made you form an opinion about me, so yes, I assume, a different dress can change your mind. That’s the problem with small minded people; they make judgments on others before they know anything about them at all.”

  Abigail Crane’s mouth opened and closed. Finally, she ground out the words, “How dare you!”

  Ruby took a step closer to the woman. “How dare you make a rash judgement about me, when you know nothing about me at all.”

  Just then Timmy pulled his thumb out of his mouth and pointed at Abigail Crane and said just one word. “Bad!”

  Mrs. Crane shrieked in anger and stomped away from the church.

  Ruby pressed Timmy closer and hesitantly met Seth’s eyes. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I can get very angry.”

  “I see that.” Seth answered, then burst out laughing.

  “I believe that is the first time anyone in this town beside my wife and her sisters have dared to put Mrs. Abigail Crane in her place.” A voice came from behind her. Ruby turned around. Her cheeks flushed red.

  “Please, excuse me Pastor. I’m so ashamed.”

  Pastor Joshua began to laugh. “No, my dear, I can assure you, that is one thing you are not.”

  Chapter Seven

  “I do.” Ruby’s words trembled from her lips. It was impossible to make this ceremony seem real; standing in a pink calico dress, beside a man she didn’t know at all, promising to love, cherish and obey him for the rest of her life.

  Lord, how can I make such a promise? But, for Timmy’s sake, I must.

  “You may now kiss the bride.” Pastor Joshua’s words pulled her out of her thoughts. Her head tilted up so she could look at Seth. Would he actually kiss her?

  Seth took a step forward, leaned over and pressed his lips on to hers for the shortest second, she could ever have imagined. She would not even consider it a real kiss. Seth turned and shook the Pastor’s hand, while Ruby fanned her burning cheeks.

  Was she to be ever embarrassed around Seth? She’d blushed more in the last few hours than in her entire lifetime. Timmy had been sitting on the floor playing with a few rattles the pastor kept in the church to help keep babies contented through his sermons. Timmy, who’d had little joys in his life was very happy. When Ruby sat on the pew beside him, he smiled and held up a rattle. “Mama, pwetty.”

  Tears threatened to press from her eyes. Timmy was never going to know his real Mama and at this point she wasn’t sure he’d ever be loved by his new father. She didn’t doubt Seth would care for them. He’d proved himself already by how he acted toward the Carter brothers.

  But that’s not love. Oh God, is it wrong to hope for more?

  “It was nice to meet you, Ruby.” Pastor Joshua stood beside Seth, a genuine smile on his face. “I know my wife, Dan, is going to be happy to meet you. Our town has a few women, but not many. She’ll be glad you’re here.”

  “We can stop at Dan’s restaurant to eat before we head out to my house if you’d like?” Seth seemed uncertain as he asked it.

  Ruby considered it, but shook her head. “Timmy is tired and needs a place to rest.” She tried to judge Seth’s reaction to her words, but he simply nodded.

  “I’ve got a wagon at the house, but we can rent one at the blacksmith for today.” Seth explained.

  Ruby shrunk inside. “How far is it? We could walk.”

  “My place is only a mile outside of town, but that’s too far to walk with
a tired baby, today.” Seth seemed to take command on the issue which gave Ruby some relief.

  “I don’t want to be a burden.” She whispered, so the pastor wouldn’t hear.

  Seth reached over, took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “That’s not the way I feel about you. Remember, I had the choice to marry you or not. You’re my wife now and I don’t plan to make my wife walk that far.”

  Ruby giggled. “I appreciate that, Seth. A mile isn’t far though. I walked at least a mile or more every day of my childhood to get to school.”

  “Well, today has been long enough for everyone, including Timmy. Today we will ride in a wagon.” Seth stated. “Stay here with the pastor.” He left the building.

  Ruby wasn’t sure what to do or say. The pastor must have already formed an opinion of her and she wasn’t sure how to act.

  “I’m sorry you won’t be able to meet my wife. You won’t be here long before she’ll have a welcoming committee visit you.”

  Ruby eyes opened wide. “How will Seth feel about that?” she blurted out.

  The pastor tilted his head slightly. “Seth? There shouldn’t be any problem.” The man stared at her a moment. “How well do you know him?”

  She nibbled her lip. She wasn’t sure whether Seth had told this man about her from her letters.

  “Seth will be only too happy for you to have visitors. He knows every woman in town. Most of them have helped him from time to time with his son…” The pastor’s voice faded. He met her eyes. “I shouldn’t have said anything about that.”

  “I know he had a son.”

  The pastor nodded.

  “I’ll wait for Seth to tell me all about him.”

  Pastor Joshua took her hand in his and patted it. “I think that’s best. When Seth is ready to talk about him, he’ll need someone sympathetic to hear.”

  Just then they heard the sound of a wagon outside the door. Pastor Joshua walked beside her and opened the door. Seth was sitting on the buckboard seat, her travel bags in the back of the wagon. When Seth saw the church door open, he jumped off the wagon and came around to help her up on the other side.