CHAPTER7
Martin and Jakob stood with all the other single men on the street waiting for the stage. They had been waiting about half an hour and expected it any time.
Aunt Grace glanced at the watch pinned to her dress. “The stage normally arrives at two p.m., but it could be late today.”
A grumble rumbled amongst the men. Though it was Saturday, most of them worked six days a week in the mine. Today, the mine had let everyone off. The owner, Martin’s brother, stood at the front of the group, waiting as well.
The Sanders family owned most of the town’s stores. But they were good and fair people, and Jakob really liked them. He just wished that Martin’s parents had lived longer.
Martin stood off to the side, his arms crossed, his hat pulled down over his face. The man wasn’t mingling amongst the other men and talking. He stood off by himself almost like he was asleep, but Jakob knew better.
This was his attempt to show disinterest. They would be lucky to have a woman interested in them if this was how he acted.
The woman was not for Jakob so much as she was for Martin. The man needed the comfort of a woman’s arms. Several years ago, life had dealt him a serious blow. One that he had yet to get over. And there was nothing he could have done to prevent the accident. Nothing.
But he refused to see that he was not to blame.
Jakob had been there; he’d witnessed the event and gone in search of Martin. Another five minutes deeper in the mine and he would not have gotten out alive. No one in the depths of the mine survived.
He gazed around at the men waiting. It was a strange group. Some miners, the banker, the mercantile owner, the mine owner, several ranchers, and even the blacksmith in town. So many single men.
Did they even have a chance of finding a wife?
He glanced around at the small town of Treasure Falls and knew he enjoyed living here. It was so different from living in Charleston. He wondered if he would know any of the women getting off the stage.
That would be strange if he knew one of them.
Doubtful. He hadn’t been home in almost eight years. And when he’d left, his name was not one most people wanted anything to do with. Yet the urge to return home and see his family was strong.
He missed them.
The desire to ride back into town a wealthy man, the prodigal son returning, rode him hard. But it was clear across the country and how would the people accept him? After all, he’d fought a duel with the son of a wealthy man in town. Thank goodness he’d not killed him, but dueling was outlawed. And the law came looking for him.
A hot-headed teenager, he thought he was protecting a his sister’s reputation. Only after the duel, his mother kicked him out.
At this point, he was even tired of the whores who took his money, did the deed, and then pointed to the door. So cold and classless.
No, his wife would have to be the perfect example of comportment. A true lady, through and through, who obeyed her husband and was an example to their children.
“Stage is coming,” someone shouted.
Aunt Grace jumped up and down. “The women are arriving. Get ready men. Be on your best behavior and don’t act forward. Anyone who does will have to answer to me.”
He laughed. The woman was tough and she didn’t mess around. He’d seen her throw a man out of her home because he’d been rude. No one messed with Aunt Grace.
The stage came around the corner.
“Men, line up, the women will walk down and you’ll get a chance to meet all of them. Remember first impressions are very important.”
There were two stages arriving and some of the women were hanging out the window. A beautiful auburn hair woman sat at the window, gazing out at the men. She leaned forward a little and he almost groaned. She was gorgeous. All that silken auburn air flowing down past her shoulders.
But was she a lady?
Martin walked up beside him.
“Best behavior, Martin,” he said.
“I heard,” the man replied. “The question is whether or not we’re going to find a woman you’ll consider.”
A grin spread across his face. While Martin thought he was doing this for him, it was really for Martin. The man needed a wife. He needed a woman to help comfort him and ease his pain.
“Do you see anyone you’re interested in?” Jakob asked, his eye on the auburn-haired woman.
Martin half laughed. “Hell, it’s been so long since I’ve been with a woman, any of them look mighty nice. But that red-haired woman. Damn, she’s beautiful.”
Jakob felt his heart slam into his chest. Maybe this was going to work out after all. Maybe he could find a wife that Martin was attracted to and met his own criteria, and then he would have no reason to go home.
His home would be here.