The Reluctant Bride Read online

  “Good morning,” she said when Ethel and the others came to a stop in a semicircle around her. “Is something wrong?”

  “I hope not,” Ethel said, “but Betty Hicks has made a very serious accusation against you. We’re here in hopes you can prove she’s mistaken.”

  “I’m not mistaken,” Betty said, her lips formed in a false smile, her eyes gleaming in anticipation. “I knew I’d seen her somewhere the moment I laid eyes on her. It just took me a while to remember.”

  “What did you remember?” Tanzy asked.

  “I remembered that we worked at the same gambling hall in St. Louis. That’s what I remembered.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I don’t remember seeing you in St. Louis,” Tanzy said to Betty.

  “I quit about the time you started. I remember you because one of the girls said you’d be getting all the trade ’cause you was younger and prettier than the rest of us”

  Tanzy had gotten far more attention than she’d wanted.

  “Are you denying you worked in a gambling hall?” Ethel asked.

  “Nobody’s asked me where I worked or what I did before I came here.”

  “I’m asking now,” Ethel said, her lips firmly compressed in a disapproving frown.

  “I lived in my father’s house until he and my brothers were killed. I went to St. Louis looking for a job. I discovered the only Jobs for young women with no skills and no references were in places like gambling halls, so I took what was offered. I worked in the River Queen for six months. I left when I came as a mail-order bride to marry Russ Tibbolt.”

  “Why would you do that?” Ethel asked.

  “A friend of mine had come west as a mail-order bride and wrote to tell me how happy she was. I had hoped that marrying Mr. Tibbolt would prove to be just as wonderful for me. As you know, I decided not to accept his offer.”

  “We can’t have a woman who worked in a gambling hall teaching our children,” Mrs. Bridger said.

  “Why not?” Tanzy asked. “I didn’t lose my virtue.”

  “We don’t know that,” Betty said.

  “We don’t know that you didn’t, either,” Tanzy said, turning on Betty, “but I didn’t come making accusations against you. I didn’t attempt to ruin your reputation.”

  “It wouldn’t have mattered,” the other woman said. “Everybody knows she’s a fallen woman.”

  “We can’t let you remain as the teacher,” Ethel said. “Soon everybody in town will know about your past.”

  “You can’t expect that one to keep her mouth shut,” Mrs. Bridger said, giving Betty a nasty look, “when she thinks she’s got a piece of juicy gossip.”

  “I was just doing my civic duty,” Betty said.

  “If you was doing that, you’d leave town,” Mrs. Bridger shot back. “But Ethel is right,” she said, turning back to Tanzy. “I don’t want you teaching my Jem. No telling what kind of ideas you might put in his head.”

  “There’s nothing I can do but relieve you of your Position,” Ethel said. “Immediately.”

  “No! You can’t do that! She’s the best teacher we ever had.”

  Tanzy turned to see Tardy bound down the schoolhouse steps and run toward them. Several students had their noses to the Windows.

  “Richard Benton,” his Aunt Ethel intoned, “you know you’re not allowed to speak to your elders like that.”

  “You can’t fire Miss Gallant,” he repeated, looking from one face to another. “Nobody cares where she worked.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not true,” Ethel said.

  “I bet she lied,” Tardy said, pointing to Betty. “Everybody knows she’d do anything to get Mr. Tibbolt to marry her.”

  “She didn’t lie,” Tanzy said. “I did work in a gambling hall.”

  That doesn’t make you bad.”

  “No, but your aunt and probably most of the town believe that makes me an unsuitable person to be teaching young children. They’re afraid it might Signal their approval of such things.”

  “What things?”

  “That’s none of your business,” Ethel said.

  “Activities associated with gambling,” Tanzy said.

  “You didn’t do any of those activities, did you?”

  “No, but that doesn’t seem to matter.”

  “It ought to.”

  “I agree, but I’m not the one making the decision.”

  “I’ll talk to everybody,” Tardy said defiantly to his aunt. “They’ll want her to stay. You’ll see.”

  “I don’t want to be at the center of a senseless commotion,” Tanzy said. “I’ve seen what happened to Mr. Tibbolt and I don’t want it to happen to me.” She turned to Ethel. “Since you’ve seen fit to relieve me of my position immediately, one of you will have to take over for the rest of the day.”

  “None of us is a teacher,” Ethel said.

  “You should have thought of that before you fired me with a schoolhouse full of children. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to my room.”

  “The town will cease to pay for your board,” Ethel said.

  “I’ll see to my own expenses.”

  “I hate you, Aunt Ethel,” Tanzy heard Tardy said. “I hate all of you.”

  “Be quiet, Richard Benton, and get back into that schoolhouse,” his aunt said.

  “I’m never going back there and you can’t make me,” Tardy shouted and ran past Tanzy toward town.

  “Tanzy felt like running away, too, but she had nowhere to go.

  “I heard about what happened at the schoolhouse today,” Stocker said to Tanzy. He’d found her in the restaurant and sat down at her table without asking permission. “It’s a shame some people are so prejudiced, but there’s not much we can do about it.”

  Tanzy didn’t know how he expected her to respond. No one had been more responsible in perpetuating prejudice than he.

  “I’ve discovered people are often eager to put their own weaknesses off on others.”

  Stocker eyed her silently for a moment. “You’re a very direct woman. I didn’t see that at first.”

  “Why not?”

  “All women have to do is lay eyes on Russ and they do anything he wants.”

  “I don’t see how you can say that. Except for Betty, every woman in town seems to dislike him very much.”

  “Because I’ve made sure they do.”

  “Do you think that’s fair?”

  “He’s a killer, a liar, and a thief. I want everybody to know it.”

  They do. Did you have a reason for sitting down with me?”

  “I came to offer you a job.”

  “Why should I take the kind of job that just got me fired?”

  “Because you need a job, and I’ll pay you twice what they paid you to teach school.”

  That was indeed a temptation. She could pay Russ back and save money to leave town in half the time. It hardly mattered now if she worked in a saloon.

  “I still want a husband and family. I don’t see how working in your saloon will get that for me.”

  “You’ll meet lots of men.”

  “Not necessarily the kind who will make good husbands.”

  “Why haven’t you run any of those stolen cows into Tibbolt’s valley?” Stocker asked Chick.

  “I can’t get in there with him guarding that pass day and night”

  “I don’t know how much longer I can keep the ranchers from taking a look for themselves. You know what’s going to happen when they don’t find any stolen cows, don’t you? They’re going to come looking for you.”

  Chick chuckled inwardly with the knowledge that nobody could catch him with rustled cows. He’d already sold every one.

  “I’ll keep trying,” Chick said, “but it looks like we’ll have to try something different.”

  “I don’t care what you do. Just get those cows in there.”

  First he had to steal some more cows. It amused him to know he intended to steal them from Stocker. He might e
ven keep one or two back to sneak into Russ’s Valley. If he could find a way to get them in without getting killed.

  Tanzy watched as Tardy stacked the last of her luggage on the boardwalk, surprised at the sadness she felt at leaving Boulder Gap. She ought to be relieved to be going. And she might have been if she had any idea where she was headed. She could no longer stay in Boulder Gap. Betty’s accusation and the school committee’s reaction had ruined her chances of getting respectable work, but she hadn’t left St. Louis to give up so easily. Somewhere, somehow, she’d prove she was just as respectable as anyone else.

  That’s the last one,” Tardy said.

  He was more upset than Tanzy about her leaving. She’d tried to convince him that he had the necessary talent and strength of character to succeed on his own, but he seemed to believe he would go back to being the butt of everyone’s jokes. She wondered how Russ had survived much more brutal treatment with his self-confidence intact. She handed Tardy a coin, but he refused it.

  “You’ll need it more than I will,” he said. His eyes were red. She wondered if he’d been crying. “Why can’t you stay here?”

  “What would I do? Work in Mr. Pullet’s saloon? That would just confirm everyone’s opinion of me.”

  “I hate Aunt Ethel,” Tardy said. “She’s mean and—”

  “Don’t blame your aunt. She did what she thinks is right. Besides, the rest of the town agrees with her.”

  “I hate them, too. I hate all of them. As soon as I’m big enough, I’m getting out of here.”

  Tanzy didn’t tell him sixteen was already big enough. She’d been told that was Russ’s age when he went to Texas. She’d only been two years older when she ran away to St. Louis.

  “Don’t let yourself hate anybody,” Tanzy said. “It’ll eat you up from the inside out.” She reached out to put her hand on his Shoulder. “Don’t neglect your studies. You can become a very successful man.”

  “How? What can I do?”

  “Why don’t you ask Mr. Tibbolt? Maybe he’ll have some ideas.”

  “I can’t go out to his ranch. I don’t even know where it is.”

  “Then find out. Don’t ever let lack of knowledge stop you from doing something you want to do.”

  “What is all your baggage doing on the street?”

  Tanzy turned to see Stocker Pullet approaching. Didn’t the man ever stay on his ranch? No wonder rustlers were taking his cows.

  “I’m waiting for the stage,” Tanzy said.

  “Why?”

  “I don’t have a job.”

  “I’ll give you a job. You can Start right now.”

  “I appreciate your offer. I don’t think working in a saloon is a disreputable job, but it seems everybody else in town does.”

  “That’s nonsense,” Stocker said. “Tell me who said that and I’ll see that they change their minds right now. You’re a fine, honorable woman, and I’ll make sure everybody knows it.”

  Stocker’s influence might be able to force the townspeople to show outward acceptance, but he couldn’t change their hearts and minds.

  “Can you make her be the schoolteacher again?” Tardy asked. “She’s the best teacher we’ve ever had.”

  “I’m thankful for your belief in me,” Tanzy said to Tardy, “and your willingness to attempt to force the town to accept me,” she said to Stocker, “but I don’t want tö remain where people don’t want me.”

  “I want you,” Tardy said. “All the kids do.”

  “I want you, too,” Stocker said.

  “I’ve already told you I won’t work in a saloon.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the saloon. I was thinking of something more personal.”

  “What do you mean?” Tardy asked.

  Tanzy wasn’t eager to hear Stocker’s response.

  “You’re a fine young woman,” Stocker said, “very pretty and full of spirit. I like spirit in women. It keeps them from being boring.”

  “Miss Gallant is never boring,” Tardy said. “She even made school interesting.”

  “Quite an achievement,” Stocker said. “Which just goes to back up what I said.”

  “What are you saying?” Tardy asked. He seemed to be one step ahead of her.

  “I like you,” Stocker said to Tanzy. “I’d like to get to know you better.”

  “You mean you want to marry her?” Tardy asked.

  “That’s premature, but I find her a fascinating young woman.”

  “You’re old enough to be her pa,” Tardy said.

  “I’m old enough to know what a woman wants and young enough to be able to deliver it,” Stocker said.

  Tardy’s snort was more descriptive than any words Tanzy could have chosen.

  “I’m flattered by your interest,” Tanzy said, “but I can’t afford to remain here when I have no money.”

  “I can give you all you need,” Stocker said.

  Tanzy didn’t need Tardy’s look of shock to know how the townspeople would react once they learned of that arrangement. “Thank you, but that would be far worse than working in any saloon.”

  “No one would say a disrespectful word about you,” Stocker said. “I’d see to that.”

  Russ Tibbolt’s unexpected arrival in a buckboard saved Tanzy from having to explain to Stocker that while he might be able to control what people said in public, he couldn’t control what they thought or what they said in private.

  Russ pulled his buckboard, which was loaded with flour, sugar, coffee, bacon, and other staples, to a stop before her. Russ looked for a moment at the luggage stacked behind Tanzy—his gaze lingered longer on Stocker—before turning to her.

  “You can’t leave,” he said.

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her all day,” Tardy said.

  “Just what interest do you have in Miss Gallant’s actions?” Stocker asked.

  “She owes me money,” Russ said.

  “I’ll send you the rest as soon as I’m able,” Tanzy said.

  “I don’t think much of that kind of security,” Russ said.

  “Speak more respectfully to Miss Gallant,” Stocker said.

  “I meant no disrespect to her,” Russ said without taking his eyes off Tanzy. “I just don’t think she’ll be able to find the kind of job that will enable her to pay me back.”

  “Damn the money,” Stocker said. “I’ll pay you. How much is it?”

  “You can’t pay it!” Tardy exclaimed.

  “You don’t think I can afford it?” Stocker asked, insulted.

  “I think what the young man is trying to say is that it wouldn’t reflect very well on Miss Gallant’s reputation to have you pay her debts,” Russ explained.

  “Why not? I’m so rich I won’t even miss the money.”

  “Now, I appreciate everyone’s interest in my wellbeing, but I have to leave. The stagecoach will be here any minute.”

  “You can’t leave,” Russ repeated.

  “What do you suggest I do,” Tanzy asked him, “stay here and take a job in Stocker’s saloon?”

  “You could come out to the ranch and work for us until you’ve paid your debt.”

  “No decent woman would let herself be lured into that nest of criminals,” Stocker declared. “I won’t permit it.”

  “We’re not neat and we’re terrible cooks,” Russ said to Tanzy, “so we’d appreciate it if you’d agree to take care of us.”

  “This is ridiculous,” Stocker said to Russ. “Get out of town before I have the sheriff lock you up.”

  “What charges are you going to invent this time?” Russ demanded, suddenly turning on Stocker. “Not even a hand-picked jury could put me in jail for driving my buckboard down the street.”

  “You’re assaulting an innocent young woman,” Stocker said.

  “He ain’t!” Tardy explained. “He never would. He likes—”

  “He’s doing nothing of the sort,” Tanzy said before Tardy’s impetuous tongue could make matters worse. “He’s mere
ly offering me employment. I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline.”

  “Why? The townspeople can’t think worse of you than they do already.”

  Tanzy thought he was probably right, but she couldn’t like him for saying it.

  “They’d think she was a whore if she went out to your place,” Stocker exclaimed.

  “They wouldn’t,” Tardy said.

  “They think that already,” Stocker said. “Well, don’t look so surprised. You came out here planning to marry Russ, didn’t you? The only woman who’ll speak to him is Betty Hicks, and you know what everybody thinks of her.”

  “Is that what you think of me?” Tanzy asked Stocker.

  “Of course not. I—”

  “If Betty’s only sin is working in a saloon, how could you think anything else?”

  “I’m afraid Betty’s got more sins on her slate,” Russ said. “I’m probably the worst one, but Stocker’s not blameless either.”

  “You can’t believe a word he says,” Stocker said. “He was a lying hell-raiser even before he became a killer and a thief.”

  “One of these days I’m going to make you eat those words,” Russ said. “But right now I’ve got to convince Miss Gallant she should pay off her remaining debt by working for me.”

  “Miss Gallant isn’t setting one foot on your ranch,” Stocker said. “And if you try to force her, I’ll stop you myself.”

  “You’ve tried that before and not succeeded,” Russ said, his tone and stance becoming more threatening.

  “Before you two get into another senseless fight, let me remind you that I’m the one who’ll make this decision,” Tanzy said.

  “I think you ought to go with Russ,” Tardy said.

  “Your aunt always said you were stupid,” Stocker said to Tardy.

  Tardy flushed at Stocker’s cruel words, which made Tanzy angry.

  “Tardy is very intelligent, very responsible when he wants to be, and just about the nicest person in this town.”

  Tardy blushed. Russ looked vaguely surprised. Stocker scoffed. “I suppose trying to see the best in everybody is what made you a good teacher.”

  “I can also see the worst,” Tanzy said, “and there’s plenty of that around here. The stage is Coming. If you will—”