***
Seth could tell Ruby was embarrassed. Maybe he shouldn’t have spoken about marrying her. He also noted her hand shaking. She was frightened; which was an indication that she wasn’t used to drunk men pawing over her.
“Ruby, can you and Timmy step out there?” His tone reminded her of someone trying to tame a horse. She picked up Timmy’s belongings with her free hand and scurried out of the cell.
Seth never took the gun off the Carter brothers. “Now, you boys just hustle into the cell.” He moved the gun, pointing at the now empty cell.
The oldest brother took off his rather shabby cowboy hat. “Now, Sheriff. We didn’t mean nothing. No need for you to go putting us in jail again. “’Sides, you weren’t too happy with us last time we was in here.”
Seth almost cringed. It was true, having the Carter brothers in the jail had been miserable. Their constant bickering between themselves, which often turned into fist fights, had caused him nothing but aggravation. However, for the time being, he needed them out of the way.
“Maybe I’ll let you boys out tonight, if you don’t give me any grief.” His voice was strong and adamant. The men dropped down onto the cots. Seth waited a few moments, then turned back to Ruby.
She was standing against a wall, holding Timmy. She looked like a frightened rabbit.
“Sorry about them.” Seth took a step closer and handed her the paper wrapped package. She scooted to a chair, set Timmy on her lap and gently lifted the edges of the paper. At the site of the pre-made dress, she smiled.
“Thank you, Seth. This will be much more serviceable for me. Is there somewhere I can slip into it?”
Seth nodded. There was a small room off the back of the jailhouse.
Ruby stood up, lifted Timmy and began to walk across the room.
“I’ll hold him.” Seth’s voice sounded edgy, but he held out his arms and received the child gently. Timmy didn’t cry. He turned big eyes and stared at the stranger holding him. Ruby rushed out of the room assuring him she would hurry right back.
***
It didn’t take long to slip out of the offensive dress and put on the cool, calico. There was nowhere she could look at herself, but Ruby was pretty sure she would look much better in this dress than the one meant for a saloon. Her hand hovered over the ruby necklace. This was something she could sell and then Seth wouldn’t have to take care of her at all, but she could also send it back to her mother.
If what her mother had told her was true, Blake was going to find someone else to replace Sophia. Her mother’s hope had been that Ruby and she would dance together. But she had also said she’d been saving up money for some time. Did she need the necklace? Did Ruby?
With trepidation, she returned to the front room. Once again, the three Carter brothers began to whistle. Seth clapped his hands together once and yelled for them to be quiet.
“What do you think?” She asked Seth. She felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, but was glad when he off-handedly murmured, “Much better,” although his eyes hovered on the ruby necklace. She could have hoped for a more flattering statement; still, she knew he was unhappy about her past and about Timmy’s presence, so she couldn’t ask for anything more.
Just then Timmy noticed Ruby and held out his arms. Ruby took him from Seth.
“Since we have uninvited guests, I think we should go down to the church and have the preacher perform the ceremony away from their prying eyes.” Seth nodded in the direction of the Carter brothers. “I would’ve asked him to come here, but now that you’ve got a proper dress…” his words faded. Ruby could tell he wasn’t sure what to say. Discussing clothing with a woman wasn’t something a decent man was used to doing.
“I’m ready.” Ruby answered.
Seth stepped back and looked her over, but a frown furrowed his brow. “What about that?” he pointed at the Ruby necklace.
Her hand fluttered to her neck. “I didn’t want to take it off here.”
Seth’s eyes locked on the Carter brothers. “I can see why not.”
“Is it really too garish?” Ruby thought the necklace seemed a bit large, but it was beautiful.
“I guess not.” Seth strolled across the room and opened the jailhouse door. Ruby scooted behind him, carrying Timmy. Seth locked the door behind them and stepped off the boardwalk onto the street.
“Lucky it’s not a muddy day.” He held out a hand. “You wouldn’t be able to walk on the street.”
Ruby stepped down but didn’t take his hand. She scanned the street and was glad to see there were very few people out. Until they were married, she didn’t want Seth to have to introduce her to anyone, or explain her presence. Once they were married, they could discuss and agree on what they would tell everyone.
Ruby actually had to hurry to keep up with his long strides. She wanted to jokingly ask if he were in that great a hurry to get married, but she knew he just wanted to get through town unseen.
The church sat on the opposite end of Main Street. There was no hope they would go completely unnoticed. The owner of the trading post stepped out on the boardwalk, pretending to sweep the area. His eyes followed the couple all the way to the church. They passed a barber
