Tom Boyd slapped his hand on the counter as Seth lay the garment across it. “Now, Seth. What’s going on? First you come in buying supplies for a baby, and now a woman’s dress.”
Seth almost laughed at the man’s tone. He didn’t want to have to explain himself, but the sooner he did tell someone the truth the less tongues would wag with untruths.
“I’m getting married. Miss Ruby Dawson arrived on the stage today with her baby brother. She wasn’t prepared for the simplistic dress style needed in our town, so I thought I would pick her up something before the wedding. Know where the preacher is?”
Tom’s jaw dropped open. However, he quickly covered his reaction with the action of writing down the price of the dress and adding it to Seth’s account.
“Glad to hear it, Seth.” He wrapped the calico dress in some paper, tied it with twine and handed the package to Seth. “Jo and I would love to meet her.”
Seth nodded. “Want to give her a few days to get settled in.”
“Sure, sure. I’ll send Jo over to your place in a few days, how’s that sound?”
Seth wasn’t sure how Ruby would feel about it, but there wasn’t much he could do other than accept. He strode to the door and stepped out onto the boardwalk. Some loud whistles and crude voices broke his reverie.
Seth stood frozen in horror as he watched the three Carter brothers hurrying from the saloon toward the jailhouse. He remembered what Ruby was wearing, which spurred him into action. If those men saw her in the ballgown, they would assume, as he had, that she was a saloon girl.
With the package in one hand, and his gun pulled out of its holster in the other, he rushed after the men. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to reach them before they kicked open the jailhouse door.
Chapter Six
Ruby had grown restless waiting for Seth to return. She’d placed Timmy back on the floor and closed the cell door so he could have freedom to crawl around, but she paced the office, worry causing her to continually rub her hands together until the skin actually started to feel warm.
What if the preacher refuses to perform a ceremony for us, because of how I’m dressed? I wouldn’t blame him. He’d be trying to protect his congregant and sheriff.
Ruby moved to the window and pushed back the gingham curtain, searching the street for Seth, but the town was rather quiet. Music came from the saloon across the way, but that was something she was used to hearing. The room began to feel rather stuffy, so she slipped open the door and stood in the doorway, taking in a deep breath.
The air was different in Texas and she looked forward to exploring the area, maybe finding a patch of the bluebonnets she’d seen in the paintings on the jail walls.
The music grew louder which caused Ruby to turn and look in that direction. To her dismay, her eyes met with those of three young men stumbling out of the Saloon.
One of them whistled and pointed directly at her. Too late she realized her mistake of opening the door. She slammed the door shut, turned and ran into the jail cell, picked up Timmy and slammed that door shut, too. It didn’t lock, but perhaps closed, it would give the impression of being locked, if the men she’d seen risked entering the jailhouse.
With fear in her eyes, she watched as the door was suddenly kicked open. The three young men, obviously drunk, entered the room. She wanted to move backwards, but she kept her hand on the cell door, holding it closed with all her might.
Lord, help me, please. This dress has done enough damage already.
The men searched the room and when they realized she was in the cell, they clambered across the room. The cell door stopping them.
“Hello, Lovely. What are you doing in jail?” One of the men slurred.
The next man pushed the first to the side. “Gimmee a looksee. Wow, ain’t she a beauty? You come to work at the saloon?”
Ruby shook her head, biting her lip. All the years she’d been in the apartment over the saloon while her mother danced, she’d never had to face a man so closely. She wasn’t sure what to do.
The third man stepped forward. “Where’s the key? We can let you out.” He reached out and pushed on the door. Ruby held tight, but the man’s strength was too much for her. The door popped open. Ruby moved further back into the cell.
“Please, go away.” Her voice trembled.
“Now, little lady, we’re your heroes come to rescue you.” She could actually smell the liquor on his breath all the way across the cell.
The man stepped into the cell; the others close behind. None of them seemed to notice Timmy in her arms.
“You’re a good looker. I want to be the first one to buy you a drink.” The man moved closer, reached out a hand to touch her hair. Ruby pulled back, too afraid to even scream.
Just then she heard Seth’s deep voice. “You Carter boys better get out of there.”
Ruby looked over the drunken man’s shoulder. She didn’t know Seth well, but at this moment she was ecstatic to see him.
The three of them scurried out of the cell, shaken by the Sheriff’s presence. Their eyes all riveted on the gun Seth held in his hand. It seemed to instantly sober them all. Now that Ruby wasn’t in danger, she realized the men must be brothers, they looked so much alike.
“We ain’t been doing nothing wrong, Sheriff.” The oldest brother mumbled. “Just greeting the new saloon girl.”
Seth’s words seethed through his teeth. “She’s not a saloon girl, she’s my intended.”
