Page 2 of The Marshal's Bride
In his reply to her, he invited her to come visit, and even mentioned that there was a matchmaker in town, if she decided she wanted to get married again. That seemed improbable, as it had only been three months since Jacob’s accident. She needed to grieve for another nine months before even entertaining the thought of anyone new. It was the minimum that was expected of her.
She quickly finished up in the privy and properly secured the pins on Hope’s cloth diaper. Helping Hope to her feet, Justine smoothed down the little skirt.
“Mama!” Hope’s finger reached out to poke at Justine’s nose and they both giggled.
“Hope!” Justine repeated the gesture, before settling her bag on her shoulder once more and letting them back out into the open.
“Quack!”
The laughter escaped Justine before she could squelch it, and heat rose in her neck as she glanced around to see if anyone would notice. No one seemed to pay any attention to the two of them.
“Stagecoach to Flat River!”
The ground trembled beneath her feet as a team of horses galloped towards the platform. Justine spied her luggage secured to the top of the coach. Scooping Hope onto her hip, she craned her neck as she watched the team stop at the end of the platform.
The stagecoach pulled to a stop. She watched as two men jumped off the top, and the doors opened to allow the passengers to board. Quickly, the porters took the luggage from the passengers waiting on the platform, and the driver looked around as if trying to spot someone.
“The stage to Flat River will leave in ten minutes!” He called out, his hands cupped around his mouth to make himself heard further away.
“Oh good! I didn’t miss it!” A breathy voice reached Justine’s ears, and she noticed a blonde woman about her age standing not too far away.
“Are you going to Flat River as well?” Justine ventured, stepping towards the other woman, who jumped at being addressed.
The woman glanced at Hope, and then her eyes met Justine’s. There was a nervousness in her gaze that pulled at Justine’s heartstrings. She gripped her bag against her, as if it were a shield, protecting her from something or someone. Licking her lips nervously, she finally nodded, her blonde curls bouncing from underneath her bonnet. “I am. Are you?”
“Yes, we are traveling to my family’s residence. I’m Justine, and this is Hope.”
“It’s nice to meet you, and I’m Helena Jefferies. Are you going to meet the matchmaker?” Helena’s grip on the bag relaxed slightly.
“I will probably meet her, but not for a match. I’m in mourning for another nine months.”
Justine ducked her head once more, when a pair of worn leather boots and clean black pants caught her eye. She couldn’t help herself as she let her eyes follow those legs up to a muscular chest, a stubborn chin and piercing blue eyes. Her mouth went dry as the man gave her a slight smile and tipped his hat, revealing a head full of thick, light brown hair.
“Ma’am,” he said in a soft Texas accent. Justine went mute as she felt a flush cover her whole body. Unable to speak, she bobbed her head in his direction as her new friend giggled.
“Quack!” Hope let out, banging excited hands on her mother’s shoulder. “Quack!”
“What is it?” Justine focused on her daughter, who thrust one round chubby fist out, yellingquackonce more as she pointed to the horses that were dancing in front of the stagecoach.
“That’s a horse, Hope, and it says neigh.”
“Quack!”
“How old is she?” Helena asked, watching Hope with interest, and Justine wondered if the other woman had any experience with children.
“Hope is two. The ducks fascinated her earlier today and apparently now she believes that is the best way to communicate.”
“And you’re taking her on the stagecoach?” The woman’s doubts about Justine’s sanity were clear.
“Yes. She behaved very well on the first part of the journey. I’m hoping this part isn’t crowded as well.”
“Then we shall just have to make the best of it together, won’t we?” Helena flounced towards the coach.
“Ma’am, the stagecoach is boarding.” The man with the sharp eyes announced, waving his hand to allow Justine to proceed him, as he followed.
She hitched Hope higher on her hip and followed Helena toward the stage.
“Justine McGuthry! Justine, you stop this instant!”
