Spring Creek Bride. Janice Thompson
I’ll die if you don’t.” An exaggerated groan followed, one meant to get the attention of others nearby.
She willed herself not to look up. Why encourage him?
“Aw, yer killin’ me.” He doubled over and fell onto the road, eliciting a roar of laughter from the other men.
Ida managed to maintain her sense of dignity and simply kept walking.
She made the turn onto Midway and peered up long enough to gauge the distance. If she could just make it beyond the Wunsche Brothers saloon, the jailhouse, the barbershop and the bank, she’d be fine. I can do this.
A minute later, she reached the overgrown lot next to the mercantile and breathed a sigh of relief. Just twenty more paces and she’d be in the store. Dinah would be waiting, as always. Probably with pursed lips, but waiting, nonetheless.
The clock above the bank sounded two piercing gongs. Why is it I can never arrive at a place on time?
Ida picked up the pace and ran head-on into one of the men. With her cheeks flaming, she looked up at the fellow, ready to give him a piece of her mind for not watching where he was going. Why were these railroad men so careless?
Words failed Ida as she took in the handsome stranger with his polished good looks. She’d certainly never seen a man like this before, with such a finely tuned air about him.
Tall and sturdy, the stranger wore a fancy suit and big-city shoes—no cowboy boots like the rest of the fellows. His expression gave the appearance of dignity and confidence, unlike so many of the railroad men. Surely this man didn’t work for the Great Northern, though he’d likely traveled in style aboard one of the nicer cars, from the looks of him. Yes, this was a man with money.
Perhaps he was a banker. Or better yet, a preacher, come to convince the wayward menfolk they were in need of repentance. Then again, he could be a socialite, headed toward the Houston area. Many well-mannered men had passed through Spring Creek on their way to other locations. Oh, if only they would stay and put down roots. They would balance out the bad with some good.
“Pardon me, miss.” The gentleman spoke with a deep, rich voice. He tipped his hat, all politeness and charm, then gave a gracious bow. “My fault entirely.”
Ida stammered in response, mumbling a few twisted-up words that amounted to little more than gibberish. He gave her a curious look and paused, likely to see if she might try again.
Ida managed, “Oh no, please don’t apologize. I take the blame solely upon myself.” She felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she spoke, noting his remarkable gray eyes. Remembering her manners, she quickly added, “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to run you down.” His sandy-colored curls drew her eye up. My, but he was a tall fellow. Stately, even.
He flashed a warm smile. “Oh, you can run me down anytime you like.”
Stifling a smile, she shifted her gaze to his tailored suit and spiffed-up shoes. In all her years, she’d never seen a man with such a handsome wardrobe. Only in catalogs had she seen such finery. Up close, it was a little intimidating.
“Pleasure to meet you.”
“And you,” she managed.
“Have a good day.” He gave her a nod then began to move in the direction of the barbershop. Ida watched as he disappeared through the crowd.
One of the railroad men shouted, startling her. “Ida, sweet pea, you’re the woman of my dreams.”
“More likely the woman of your nightmares, if you don’t back away and let me pass,” she muttered under her breath.
Shaking her head, she plowed forward. Four paces. Three. Two. One. Ida crossed over the threshold of the mercantile and let out a huge sigh of relief. Now, if she could just keep her mind off handsome strangers and on her work, all would be well.
Mick eased his hat back onto his head and continued across the street, ignoring the magnetic pull of the petite blonde. His heart had quickened at the sight of her, likely the result of her undeniable beauty. He was taken with her simple, small-town appeal, her flushed cheeks and determined expression—all things he loved in a woman.
And spunk. Yes, he could read the spunk in those flashing blue eyes, eyes whose image would linger in his mind for quite some time.
Mick quickly reminded himself of his reason for coming to Spring Creek. Not to find a woman, but to build a gambling hall. They were two very different things. Best to stay focused on the task at hand. After all, he had his investors to answer to.
Then again, he would need the help of the local women, wouldn’t he? Yes, he would surely need barmaids and dancers. However, the woman he’d just fixed in his mind looked like the sort who was more at home on a church pew than a bar stool. If all the women of Spring Creek were like the one he’d just met, he’d have to look elsewhere for employees.
But he suspected that the blue-eyed beauty who’d practically run him down was one of a kind. One of a kind indeed.
Chapter Three
Ida entered the mercantile at exactly five minutes past two. She slipped on her apron and started arranging canned goods.
“Well, it’s about time.”
Ida’s brow wrinkled in concern as she heard Dinah’s voice. She looked up, seeing the strong family resemblance in her aunt’s stern eyes. Papa and his younger sister bore the same features, without question. And they had similar temperaments, as well, despite their vast difference in age. Dinah was a mere twenty-eight, though her mannerisms often led folks to believe otherwise.
Dinah had suffered much over the past couple of years and the cares of life had aged her somehow. But since the death of Dinah’s husband, the family had grown closer than ever and Ida treasured her friendship. Papa had taken his only sister and her son under his wing, caring for their every need. No one could doubt his generous nature or his kind heart. And that very kindness had prompted him to purchase the mercantile and place it into Dinah’s capable hands last fall.
“Because I know you will do it right,” he had proclaimed. “You will make the Mueller family proud.”
And indeed she had. Nestled amid saloons and restaurants, the store remained the town’s last sensible place, where folks could come to share a good story, purchase life’s necessities and hear Dinah’s ardent presentation of God’s love. The shop stayed full from morning till night with those hungry for companionship and direction.
And Ida, always ready to lend a hand, came every day at two o’clock to spend time behind the counter so that Dinah could focus on Carter, her five-year-old son.
Only two o’clock never seemed to come at the right time, particularly not on days like today with so many chores to be done.
“I’m sorry I’m late. Really, I am.” With a gesture toward the street, Ida added, “But this time I have an excuse. I wasn’t watching where I was going and I ran right into this man. He was…It’s hard to describe. He wore the most beautiful clothes. He must have just arrived on the train. Funny—I didn’t even get his name.”
Dinah gave her an inquisitive look. “Why, Ida, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this side of you. You’re smitten.”
Dinah’s comment startled Ida. She tried to busy herself arranging jars of honey. “I would hardly call it that. I’m simply curious.” She paused to think about her aunt’s words before adding, “It’s just that he’s so different from all the other fellas. Those railroad men are…they’re impossible. This stranger was a true gentleman.” She put down the jar and looked out the window at a couple of men who’d taken to scuffling with each other in the street.
“Are they still giving you a hard time on your trip to town?” Dinah picked up a broom, as if ready to do business with anyone who dared to enter in a flirtatious state of mind.
“Yes.”