Page 21 of A Groom for Heather
He had to admire the child’s forthrightness. Dalton stayed in the hotel two more days just to give Heather some space, but he was ready to get settled. He purchased the farm, so he had a permanent place to put down roots. Not be run out of his own house by a beautiful woman.
He spent his days wandering the town, exploring the mercantile, and talking to the other men that had arrived in search of brides. It appeared that Hollie’s Diner was where all the conversations took place. He stayed quiet and listened, learning about crops, horses, industry back east, and encounters with Indians on the plains. It appeared that having Red Cloud show up like he did caused some unrest with the new men in town.
It didn’t appear to phase the women. Perhaps they were used to Red Hawk walking through town.
Dalton was eating breakfast when he happened to see Heather just by chance. He sat at the same table as usual where he could watch the people come and go. She came walking by the café window, her nose in the air and a leather satchel in her hand, not paying attention to anything around her.
He had to admit she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. If he could just get over her sassy mouth. She certainly didn’t shy away from telling people what she thought. Today she wore a green day dress with a matching hat. So far, he had seen her in three different outfits. She must have a large closet to have so many clothes. Dalton looked down at his clothes. They were the same ones he wore on the trail. Granted they were dusty, but they were comfortable and got the job done. He had limited outfits, so he made do with what he had.
He lifted his shoulder and quickly sniffed his shirt, making a face as the dirt and sweat washed over him. Ugh! He would need to wash his clothes soon, otherwise, he’d be forced to purchase new ones. He didn’t think he would have time to change before meeting with the lawyer this morning. Mr. Cairn told him that he drafted the lease on the property and wanted Dalton to stop by and sign the papers.
Looking out the window, he saw Heather walking into the general store. That would at least buy him a little time to finish his breakfast. After shoveling eggs and bacon into his mouth, he dropped a few coins on the table. Hollie called to him as he made his way to leave.
“Tonight’s beef stew.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I’m just not sure what my plans are.”
He gave a wave to Hollie and headed out the door. Heather still hadn’t appeared from inside the mercantile. Glancing at his pocket watch, he saw they were to meet at the lawyer’s office in fifteen minutes. Maybe he would have time to change.
He returned to his hotel room and went through his clothes, sniffing them as he pulled out the few shirts he owned. Finding the one that was the least offensive, he quickly changed and headed back down to the street.
Heather was just leaving the mercantile as Dalton rounded the corner onto Main Street. He skipped over the ruts in the road, which were softening under the spring rains, and stood at the edge of the platform waiting for Heather. She was looking down and didn’t see him until she went to step off the edge of the platform.
“Oh!” she cried. When she realized it was Dalton, she wrinkled her nose. “It’s you.”
“Yes ma’am,” Dalton said pushing his hat back on his head. “’pears I’m going to be around for quite a bit.”
“It’s no business of mine.” Heather stepped down and increased her pace as she walked away from the mercantile.
Dalton caught up with her in two strides. “It’s going to be your business for the next few months.”
“We can just ignore each other then.”
“Was that your son at home?”
Heather stopped for a moment. “What?”
“I stopped by and a young boy answered the door. Told me you were avoiding someone in town.”
Heather gave a sharp laugh. “I can’t believe he said that.” She continued walking.
“He’s honest.”
“Too honest. He has no shame about telling you anything.”
“He appeared to be a sweet boy.”
“He really is. Especially with everything he has been through. His sister too.”
“I can’t imagine them losing their father. But at least they have their mother.”
Heather shook her head. “They are my children, but I didn’t give birth to them.”
“How’s that?”
“Their parents died in the blizzard. Their father when he went on the hunt. Their mother when she took her youngest child and tried to walk to the schoolhouse to get them. We found her and the baby in the park.”
“I can’t imagine.”
