Nate shook the offered hand, sat in a chair across from the desk, and explained the situation.
“Hmm,” Judge Evans said as he leaned back in his chair. “That is a despicable situation, but unfortunately, Caldwell has the legal right to sell Miss Brassel’s contract; however, Rex would be in the wrong to force her into the life of a soiled dove, but that would be difficult to prove—it would be her word against his.”
“What can I do to help her? You’ve met her at the hotel. She’s a sweet young woman. She’s had a hard life and doesn’t deserve what Rex has in store for her,” Nate answered.
“None of the women working for Rex deserve the lives they are living, but most would tell you they are happy as they fear the saloon owners who run their places with an iron fist, and many have brutal associates,” the judge explained. “Amalie needs a legal way to exit Caldwell’s employ, and the only one I can think of is marriage.”
“Marriage?” Nate exclaimed. “How can we find someone to marry her?”
“I would suggest you marry her, but I’m afraid that between Caldwell and Rex, you might turn up in the river.”
Nate nodded. “I wouldn’t doubt that.”
“No, we need someone whom no one would dare go up against. How about your brother? I can arrange for a proxy marriage. The marriage can be annulled after a short time, but it would at least give Amalie a legal and safe way to leave town, and no one would dare question your brother or injure his wife,” the judge explained.
“Deke?” Nate stammered. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. He might not agree.”
“Only one way to find out—send him a telegram and ask him.”
~ * ~
Nate hurried to the telegraph office, knowing he only had a few days to do what he could to help Amalie. He stood there for several minutes before picking up the pencil to write his message:
Deacon Sperling
Prairieville Wyoming Territory STOP
Need help STOP
Female friend in danger STOP
Must hide her immediately STOP
Judge suggests proxy marriage STOP
Will you agree to marry her STOP
Can I send her to you STOP
Nate
Caldwell Hotel
St. Louis Missouri STOP
Nate walked back to the hotel, wondering what he might say to Amalie. He’d promised that he’d help her and told her not to worry. Could he keep his promise?
Nate was surprised to find Amalie sitting in the kitchen, sipping a cup of tea.
“I thought you’d be hiding in your room,” Nate said.
Amalie shrugged. “He gave me a week. I might as well enjoy my freedom until then. I refuse to work for Rex, so this might be my last week of life. I’ll die before I do what Rex or Caldwell expects.”
“Don’t worry. I spoke to the judge. He said you could get married and legally break the contract.”
Amalie smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “How am I supposed to do that? No one would marry me even if they wanted to. They’d be too afraid of Rex.”
“Not as afraid as Rex would be of my brother. I sent him a telegram, and if he agrees, Judge Evans can marry you in a proxy marriage, and the Sperling name will protect you.”
“I don’t understand,” Amalie said. “How is a name enough to protect me?”
“Umm…my brother has a reputation for fighting for what’s right. He’s a powerful man, and no one would dare injure his wife.”
Amalie bit her lip and stared at Nate. “What, exactly, does your brother do for a living if people fear him?”
“He’s a rancher, and only men who walk on the wrong side of the law fear him,” Nate explained.
“A rancher? What else? Is he a lawman?”
“He was. Now he assists the law whenever he can.”
“I see.” She paused. “Are you sure this will work?”
“I hope to find out as soon as he responds to my telegram.”
As if on cue, a freckled-faced young man entered the kitchen and said, “The desk clerk said I could come back here to give this to you, Nate.”
Nate gave him a coin, thanked him, and said that if he had a response, he’d walk down to the telegraph office himself, not wanting anyone to hear his plans.
Nate read the telegram and smiled.
Nate Sperling
Caldwell Hotel
St. Louis Missouri STOP
Agree to marriage as protection STOP
Use my name as leverage for protection STOP
Contact a judge for legalities STOP
Judge here will complete paperwork STOP
One condition STOP
You bring her home STOP
Deke
Prairieville Wyoming Territory STOP
Nate stared at the yellow paper in his hand. There was no way to disregard the meaning of his brother’s words. Deke wanted him to come home, and no matter how much he tried to ignore Deke’s request, he knew it was the only way to help Amalie, although going home was not part of his plan.
He looked at Amalie and said, “My brother agreed. Pack your things. We’ll see the judge in the morning and leave on the noon train.”
“Where are we going?” Amalie asked, not sure if the situation would truly help her.
“Wyoming,” Nate answered.
“I’ve never been out of St. Louis. Is the West as wild as I’ve heard?”
“No,” Nate assured her. “Well, parts of it can be, but our ranch is safe, and you’ll like the town and the people.”
“Then why are you here?” Amalie inquired. “You make it sound good, but you left. If you were unhappy, why do you think I should go besides the fact that I wouldn’t have to work for Rex.”
“Not working for Rex is enough of a reason, but that doesn’t explain about me. It’s because of my leg. I thought
