Chapter 1
The afternoon sun cascaded along the Montana country side, warming up the sleeping earth. It left in its path it’s by-product of fresh new leaves and grass. It had been a hard winter in Montana and nothing had been more anticipated than the coming spring.
Alexandra Root stared longingly out at the waves of fields that passed by the moving coach. Her head resting in her hand, she began to wonder what her future held in store for her. She once thought that she had it all figured out. “It’s like they say,” she said to herself. “The best laid plans....”
Alexandra was glad to have the stage to herself. She had spent most of the ride from Kansas City with a young gentleman that felt the need to talk constantly. Alexandra had been polite and engaged in as much conversation as she could put up with, but the fellow never stopped.
Several times during the endless trip from Kansas to Wyoming, Alexandra had pretended to be sleeping, just to keep the gentleman quiet. But now, she was alone. Left with only her thoughts of starting a new life.
The stage passed by a small farm. Alexandra watched as a young boy ran to the fence and waved frantically. She smiled and returned the wave, marveling at his youthful innocence. Watching who she assumed to be the boy’s father work his dry brittle field, Alexandra admired his ability to continue on such a hard chosen path in life.
Farmers were poor and worked so hard for their money. “It’s sad that some people are born into luxury while others only squalor,” she thought to herself as she nestled back into the seat. Turning her attention toward the sky, Alexandra marveled at how much bigger it seemed as compared to that over Kansas City. But Kansas City seemed so far away now.
“Curtis Wells,” she said to herself, rolling the name over in her mind. She liked the sound of it. ‘It rolls off your tongue,’ she thought as she said it again, enunciating each letter of the words.
Alexandra had never been farther West than Kansas City before. But with the relentless pursuit of James Handly and her brother’s wonderful letters of life in Montana, she decided that she had to go. She could no longer stay in a place where she was alone. Jim had turned vehement after she had refused his marriage proposal for the fourth time.
“Such fragile egos,” she said under breath as she lost herself in the high gray clouds that littered the spring sky. It hadn’t been that Jim was a bad person. In fact, he was quite caring. But Alexandra knew that she wasn’t ready to be a wife. She was young, ambitious and full of life. She knew that there was a huge world just waiting for her to take a step into it and explore.
She knew she would have plenty of time for marriage. “But only when the time is right.” She stretched her hands out in front of her, yawning as she did. She was tired of the stage and tired of sitting.
“I can’t wait to see Luther,” she said to herself, clapping her hands together in front of her. It had been ten years since she had seen her brother. Not since the day he left Missouri in search of adventure. When Luther had set out West, Alexandra had made him promise to spend her a letter every week so that she could always know how he was and where he was at. Since the day he left, he had always kept that promise to her.
Luther had been in Curtis Wells for only a few months, but from his letters, Alexandra could tell that he was growing fond of the small town. She was glad to see it too. He had traveled so much, visiting places all over the West, but his travels had kept him alone. Alexandra knew that sooner or later, Luther would want to settle down.
When she had told Luther about the problems that she had been having with James, he immediately asked her to move to Montana with him. He had even offered to come and get her because he didn’t want her traveling by herself.
Alexandra smiled as her heart filled with love. Luther was the only family that she had left. Their parents had died when she was 13 and Luther had taken care of her ever since. But Luther grew restless and she could see it. Alex didn’t want to be responsible for allowing her brother the freedom to grow with the growing county.
Instead, she choose to live with their parent’s ranch hand and his wife whom had been around their family for a great many years. The McCray’s were wonderful people, despite their many years in age. She had been well cared for, but there was a distance in them that Alex longed to fill. They were old and didn’t know how to relate to a charasmatic budding young woman.
Closing her eyes, she allowed the soft sound of the turning wagon wheels and the creaking of the stage lull her into sleep. Although her excitement was immense, the stage ride was taking its toll. She knew that she would be in Curtis Wells soon and her new life could begin.
“Luther, what’s a matter with you?” Newt Call asked as he stood on the board walk, watching the stage driver pace back and forth like a caged animal. “I ain’t never seen you like this before. You look worried. What is it?”
Luther stopped his pacing and stared fixedly at the end of town. “Did you hear that?”
Call looked curiously at what Luther was looking at. “Did I hear what?”
Luther turned his head toward to opposite end of town, a look of worry burrowing his forehead. Bringing both hands together, he began to wring them as he cracked his knuckles. Seeming to remember that Call was standing beside him, he looked at the bounty hunter with a questioning gaze. “What?”
Call laughed as he shook his head. “Never mind. I’ll leave you alone.” Call turned and started to head down the boardwalk.
“Where the hell is it?” Luther said, bringing his hands to rest on his gunbelt. He turned back to the end of town that he knew she would be coming in from. Frustrated, he pulled his pocket watch out: 11:45 am. “Damn,” he said as he crammed it back into his vest pocket.
“You waiting on the stage er somethin’?” Call asked as he leaned back against the wooden frame of the stage office. Keeping his eyes fixed on his friend, “You gotta take a coach out today?” He felt like he was pulling teeth and again Luther ignored him.
“My sister,” Luther said just as Call was again about to give up.
“You have a sister?” Call asked in disbelief. He didn’t know why it seemed like an absurd idea. But for some reason, it did. Luther was a fellow that liked to have a good time. He was care-free and easy going. The Luther that stood before Call now was a far cry from his usual friendly nature.
Luther turned to Call and smiled. A playful expression of hurt resting on the large man’s face. “Why’s that so hard to believe?”
Call returned a rare smile to the coach driver. “I thought you was raised by wolves or somethin’.”
Both men laughed heartily as the sun continued to rise in the sky. The town of Curtis Wells was busily going about its day. Townsfolk went in and out of the different shops, conducting their usual daily business. A few of the entertainment establishments had yet to open their doors.
“So when is she coming in?” Call asked, trying to get his friend’s mind off of whatever was worrying him.
“The stage was supposed to be here an hour ago,” Luther said as he walked to the edge of the boardwalk, hoping that a more clear path would let him see what he was looking for.
“Come on Luther. You should know better than anyone that them stages are always late. Where is she coming from?” Call asked casually as he popped a piece of straw in his mouth.
“Kansas City. Call, she’s my baby sister. She rode that far by herself. I didn’t like it, but she insisted that I not come for her. Now, she ain’t here. Call, what if something happened to her?” Luther said, a panic expression crossing his dark features.
“Now Luther......” he started to say as the faintest sounds of a stage coach were coming into ear shot. Luther turned on his heels and ran down the boardwalk, intent on meet the stage as it came into town. “Never mind,” Call said to himself, having lost who his message was intended for.
Luther stopped in the middle of the street as the stage made its way into town. A young woman stuck her head out the stage window and squealed with delight at the sight of the stage driver. “Luther,” she cried as she reached for the stage door.
Luther ran up to greet the stage as it stopped in front of the hotel. Practically ripping the stage door off of its hinges, Luther opened his arms as a young woman jumped into them. Joyous laughter rang through the quiet morning as the two hugged one another.
“What’s that all about?” Amanda said motioning to Luther as she strolled up beside the bounty hunter.
“His sister,” Call said as he headed off for the gun shop.
“Sister? Luther’s got kin?” Amanda asked, mulling the idea over in her head. “Hell, I thought he was raised by wolves or somethin’.” Call’s eyes widened in surprise as he turned quickly on the hotel owner. “What?” she asked defensively. “You can’t tell me that it didn’t surprise you too?”
Call said nothing. Instead, he turned back to the reunion in front of him, casually chewing his straw. He hadn’t seen Luther that happy in a long time. “And what a pretty young thing she is,” Amanda said, eyeing the two as they stood talking. “Now this should be interesting.”
Chapter 2
“How was your stage ride?” Luther asked as he pulled down her bags one by one.
“Uneventful really,” Alex said as she took in the small town. “Oh there was this one guy,” she said as she turned back to her brother, a mischievous smile spreading across her soft features. “You remember One Tooth Willie?”
Luther laughed at the mention of the long forgotten name. “Hell Alex, ‘course I remember him. That boy wouldn’t stop talking for nothing.” Resting his hands on his hips, “Why? What about him?”
Laughing herself, “I swear there was a gentleman on the stage with me until Wyoming that would have beat One Tooth Willie hands down.”
Luther jumped down from the stage platform. “No way,” he said smiling as he stood before the small woman. Luther and Alex exchanged glances as the smile slipped from his face. “I can’t tell ya how happy it makes me to have ya here Alexandra.”
Alex looked lovingly at her older brother. Smiling, she threw her arms around the big, burly man. “Oh Luther, it is so good to see you. I didn’t realize just how much I had missed ya until I saw you standing in the street.” Pulling back, Alex put her hands on her hips. “And aren’t you just a handsome devil. I bet you break all the ladies’ hearts, don’t ya?” she said playfully as she lightly punched him in the arm.
Luther blushed as he looked down at the ground. “Come on Alex. I ain’t neither.” As if an afterthought, Luther looked back at the young woman smiling. “What about you?” My God Alex, you sure have grown up to be a pretty lady,” he said as he took her hand in his and raised it up as if to get a better look at her.
Alex put her arm around Luther’s waist. “Come now dear brother and show me around your town. I want to see everything,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
Francis Clay Mosby stood at the window of the Ambrosia Club, sipping on a shot of his finest whiskey. He looked out at the small town, a town that he held full control of. ‘Not much, but it’s mine,’ he thought to himself as he started back to the bar. Just as he was about to walk away from the window, something caught his eye.
“Or rather someone,” he said in that smooth southern drawl. Walking through the center of town was Luther, the local stage driver and a beautiful young woman. From the way that Luther kept pointing to buildings, Clay could tell that he was showing the lady around.
Mosby took in every detail of the raving beauty as she continued on through town, her arm linked with Luther’s. Silken strands of jet black hair surrounded the young woman’s soft features. Her brilliant smile lit up her face as she laughed casually while Luther spoke. Her frame was small, but she held herself in such a way as to command respect with her mere presence. Mosby felt breathless.
He stood at the window, frozen to his spot until the couple was completely out of sight. It wasn’t until the door to the club opened and Austin entered that Mosby was able to move. He stepped quickly from the window as if he had done something wrong by watching the raven haired beauty.
“We found the man that killed that whore,” Austin said as he made his way over to the bar. Grabbing the bottle of whiskey that sat on the counter, he poured himself a shot and downed it. Setting the glass back on the bar, Austin bared his teeth to the awful taste the whiskey left in his mouth.
Mosby gazed gingerly out the window, his thoughts running back to the women he had just seen. “Mosby?” Clay turned abruptly at the sheriff’s inquisition.
“I’m sorry Austin. What did you say?” Clay asked as he made his way over to the bar. Pouring another shot, he turned his attention back to the sheriff. Austin stared at the usually controlling man with a questioning look.
“Somethin’ on your mind Mosby?” he asked as he took in the distracted look that plagued Clay Mosby.
“Um no,” he said, clearing the woman from his mind. “You said you had the murderer in custody. I heard you. Get Josiah to schedule the trial for tomorrow. Anyone see him kill the whore?” Mosby asked, almost as an afterthought.
“Yeah. Killed her right in the doorway of Twila’s. Twila herself was standing there when he did it. She tried to stop him and got a black eye for it,” Austin said as he threw back another shot. He sucked in air as the whiskey burned its way down into his stomach, warming it nicely.
“Good,” Mosby said as he started to pull down the over-turned chairs from their resting places on the tables. “Let Twila know that she needs to be there.” Austin nodded his understanding and headed for the door.
“Austin?” Mosby called as he stood with his hands resting on his hips. Austin turned to face his boss. “Have you seen Luther today?”
Austin looked quizitively at the southerner. Shaking his head, “no, can’t say that I have. Why?”
“No reason,” Clay said as he returned to the task of setting up the chairs.
Chapter 3
Idle chatter filled the air as Alex and Luther made their way to an empty table by the door. The Lonesome Dove was always busy in the afternoons. It was the most respectable restuarant in the small town of Curtis Wells, much to the pleasure of one Amanda Carpenter, the proprietor of the elegant hotel and restuarant.
“Afternoon Luther,” Amanda said as she approached the small table. “And who is this with you?” Amanda eyed the stranger with great interest.
“Amanda, I want ya to meet my little sister. This is Alexandra. She just got into town today,” Luther said, pride bursting through every seam.
Alexandra smiled. ‘Oh how she had missed her brother,’ she thought to herself as she turned her attention to the lovely woman that stood before her. “Pleased to meet you Amanda. Luther has spoke of you often. Seems you made quite an impression on this small town upon your arrival.”
Hearty laughter filled the air. “You don’t know the half of it,” Amanda said as she brushed a loose hair off of her forehead. “Well honey, don’t believe everything you hear.” Turning her attention to Luther, “What can I get for you two?”
“Who is that remarkable beauty sitting with Luther?” Doctor Cleese asked, directing his question to the equally captivated Mosby, yet never taking his eyes off the woman.
“I’m not sure yet,” Mosby uttered casually as he watched the exchange between the three. ‘But you can bet I intend to find out,’ he thought to himself. He had probed several of the residents of Curtis Wells for information, but had come up empty handed. Whomever she was, she certainly had not been to Curtis Wells before. ‘So what’s she doing here now?’ Mosby wondered. ‘And why is a woman like that with Luther?”
“As I was saying, about those supplies.....” Doc Cleese said, trying to return the conversation back to it’s original topic.
“Yes,” Mosby replied, irritated with the persistant nagging that he dealt with when it came to the eccentric young doctor. But Mosby knew he didn’t have much choice. Doctor Cleese was all the town had. Whatever Doc Cleese needed, Mosby was willing to oblige. Besides the town’s desparate need for Cleese’s services, he was quite good at his job. “I’ll make sure that they are here the day after tomorrow. Is that sufficient?” Mosby asked, turning a stern expression on the doctor.
Doc Cleese drew slightly back. He feared Mosby as most everyone in town did, with the exception of Newt Call. But Mosby was a reasonable man. Ephriam just had to remember not to press his luck. “Thank you Clay,” Doc said as he glanced back at the stranger before pushing away from the table. “Now, if you will excuse me. I have business to attend to.”
“Why don’t you turn in early Alex,” concern nipping at Luther’s voice. Alexandra smiled through a stifled yawn. She didn’t want to be tired, but she felt exhausted. The stage ride, on top of the excitement of seeing Curtis Wells and some of its residents, had taken their toll on the young woman. “I’m gonna walk you to back to the Dove, then grab a quick drink before I head out. I got to meet some fellows in Sweetwater,” Luther said as he ran his fingers through his long black hair. “You gonna be okay? Maybe I better not go, seeing as it’s your first night in town.” He wrung his hands, a mental struggle playing itself out in his mind.
Alex took her brother’s hard callussed hands in hers. “Luther, I will be fine. You go. Do what you have to. Just be back by morning okay?” she said playfully, taking on a motherly tone. Luther cocked one eyebrow as he eyed her. Laughing, she stood on her tip toes. Kissing the giant of a man on the cheek, she pulled back slightly and looked directly into her eyes. “Please be careful.”
He looked at her long and hard, images of the child he had left behind buried in the face of the blossoming woman before him. He placed a loving kiss on her forehead. “I’ll see ya in the morning,” he said with a wink.
Alexandra strolled along the dusty boardwalk. The afternoon sun was making it’s final decent, cascading light across the small town. The air was fresh and clean and Alex inhaled deeply.
“Not always a pleasant odor out here,” came the smooth southern drawl up from behind.
Alexandra jumped, her hand clutching at her chest. She turned to see a charming gentleman standing before her, a brilliant smile covering his handsome features. Waves of brown hair framed his face as gentle eyes stared back at her. Laughing comfortably, “You nearly scared me half to death, Mr........,”
“Mosby. Clay Mosby,” he stammered, extending a hand to the mysterious woman. “And you are?”
“Alexandra Root. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Luther has told me a great deal about you Mr. Mosby,” she said as she folded her arms over her chest. The setting sun was rising a cool evening breeze.
“Please, call me Clay.” Mosby stuffed his hands into the pockets of the 3/4 coat that he wore. “Root? What exactly is your relationship to Mr. Root? That is, if you don't mind me asking?” Mosby asked, eagar to learn her connection to the rowdy stage driver.
Alex laughed. “Actually Mr. Mosb.....I mean Clay.” She smiled sheepishly at the handsome man. “Luther is my brother.”
“Ahhhh,” Mosby replied, relief flooding his mind. “I see. And to what does Curtis Wells owe the pleasure of your visit? That is, if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Not at all Clay. Actually I just arrived in your fair town today. Looking to start over,” she said as she shifted her eyes to the ground in front of her. A cool breeze blew past the two, rousing Mosby’s coat tails. Alexandra pushed at the hair that intruded her line of vision. Drawing her arms tightly to her chest, she shivered at the coolness that nipped in the evening air.
“Forgive me,” Mosby said as he removed his coat. “Where are my manners.” He placed the fine jacket around Alex’s shoulders. “Is that better?” he asked as he pulled the lapel close together. Clay allowed his hands to linger at the young woman’s neck as he stared deeply into her emerald green eyes.
Alex looked up into the southerner’s ruggedly handsome features. “Thank you Clay. That is much better.” Pink tinged her cheeks as the depth of Mosby’s gaze began to embarass the youthful beauty.
Mosby was in awe of Alexandra. She was soft and fresh. Her eyes had a sparkle that lit Clay’s heart. Her smile fell into gentle dimples and he could smell jasmine in the air around her. Noticing the blush that crept across her face, Clay realized the position he was putting her in. “Forgive me Ms. Root. You are a striking woman. I feel as if I have become a morading fool,” he said smiling as he took as step back, his hand grasping the boardwalk railing.
“Please Clay, call me Alex,” she said, again retaining the confident air about her. “Luther tells me that you own the Ambrosia Club. Says he spends a great deal of time in your establishment.” She looked up at the charming, yet dubious man that claimed rights to the small Montana town.
Mosby laughed, tilting his head slightly to the left as he considered her statement. “Well, Luther has been known to frequent my establishment on occasion. Please forgive me for saying so, but you and Luther seem like the least two people to be related to one another. May I be so bold as to ask what has attributed to such a drastic difference.”
Alex laughed heartily. “I guess we do seem like an unlikely duo.” She turned her head to take in the last traces of the setting sun. The wind blew gently, causing her raven locks to dance lightly across her shoulders. There was something so peaceful in her face, something that made Clay feel weak with want. She turned back to Clay with a dreamy eyed look.
“I only read about the adventures of the West from my secure boarding school. Luther actually lived,” she said thoughtfully. Although her statement was simple, it spoke volumes to Francis Clay Mosby.
The peasceful conversation that was being carried on between the two sophisticates was rudely interrupted by a wail of cat calls. “Hey baby......come over her and I will give it to ya like a man,” came the verbous howl of a drunken miner as he rode by. Several companions decided to get in on the same action. “Now that is better than a thick steak. Come here baby. Let’s us have a good time.” Fits of loud, drunken laughter cut through the pleasant spring evening.
Alex jumped at the abrupt intrusion. Turning to see the miscreants that were speaking to her, she pulled the jacket resting on her shoulders tighter to her chest. Mosby looked from the appalling men back at the new resident to Curtis Wells. He could see the uneasiness that showed itself in her green eyes. His heart felt of the young woman. She had so much still to learn.
Mosby rested his hand on the Colt that hung low on his hip. “You all keep moving. There isn’t anyone here interested in what you have to say.” The men looked at Mosby, one ready to challenge him when one not so drunk stopped the foolish man, whispering something into his ear. The drunken miner looked from his riding partner back to Clay. He narrowed his gaze on the well dressed business man. “Sorry Mr. Mosby. Didn’t mean to disturb ya.” Shifting his gaze to Alex, “sorry ma’am,” he said before he turned back to the street in front of him. Kicking his horse, the man took the horse through town at a trot.
Mosby looked back at the still shaken woman, a comforting smile on his face. “Rest easy my dear. They won’t cause you any harm.” Alex looked deeply into the deep green eyes of the man before her. She began to relax. Something in the way that Mosby held himself told her that she indeed was not going to be bothered by those or any other men in town. There was so much mystery in the charming southerner.
“Would you care to have some coffee Alexandra?” Mosby asked as he extended his arm to her. Smiling, Alex took the arm offered to her and allowed Clay to lead her down the boardwalk. Looking out at the rolling mountains that surrounded the small Montana town, she felt comfort. Alexandra Root had a feeling she was going to like Curtis Wells and it was only her first day in town.
TBC.........
Let the author know what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
