Prim (Biides 0f Needful Texas Book 2) Page 6

  Having the funds to hire more hands had meant that the Double B had grown faster than if he’d been on his own, but it was still out stripped by the Bar D that Gaines had built.

  Slipping out of his trousers and hanging them over a bed post, Anderson began unbuttoning his shirt. He couldn’t fault Gaines as a cattleman. The other man had worked hard, building his herd from nothing along with a few dedicated hands.

  Anderson had learned to rope, ride, and round up fast and knew that he’d never have made it work without the taciturn Jacks at his side. He had met Jacks on the riverboat that plied the waters near the coast, and the old wrangler, though somewhat dower had been a perfect partner for the Englishman’s dreams.

  Jacks had plied Anderson with stories of the good grassland, plentiful water, and large herds of wild cattle in the area that was quickly become Needful. The older man had convinced Anderson that if he were starting a ranch, this was the place to do it. The fact that Dan Gaines had an almost two year head start had only made Anderson more determined to build the best. Tossing his shirt over the end of the bed Anderson wondered when he had lost that vision.

  Money was the key factor to Anderson’s potential success, with nearly twenty riders at his beck and call, Anderson determined to turn his attention back to building what he knew could be one of the greatest ranches in the country. He would turn the everyday workings of the place over to Jacks and concentrate on what would be a crowning glory that even his father would be proud of. Anderson looked around him with new determination. Tomorrow would begin the rest of his life.

  Chapter 11

  Prim woke gazing around her at the unfamiliar and unadorned log walls, feeling disoriented and confused. As her mind put the pieces of her recent life back together, Prim sat up ordering her attentions for the day. “Lord it’s a new day,” she said swinging her feet to the floor. “Let it be a good one.”

  As the daughter of a moonshiner and invalid mother, Prim was used to having little around her, and the simplicity of her surroundings gave her a sense of clarity. Thinking of the tasks of the day, Primrose brushed out her hair then dressed before pinning her hair up.

  A thin gray line was only beginning to appear along the horizon as she peered through a hole in the thin hide covering her window. It was time to face her new life. Time to begin a new job, in a new place, far from all she knew, and despite the rough start, she felt up to the task.

  Walking down the stairs Primrose was pleased to see that a fire was still smoldering in the cook stove, and soon she was shuffling through the kitchen putting together the makings for a pot of coffee as the fire came back to life.

  Rummaging further through the storage boxes and bins, Prim found the makings for bacon and eggs and got to work. The familiar activity of cooking washed over her like an old friend, and soon she was happily humming as she fried bacon to a perfect crispness.

  “Good-morning,” a soft voice called as Rosa entered the kitchen. “I did not expect you to be here.”

  “I’m sorry,” Prim spoke cracking eggs into the already hot bacon fat. “I’m used to doing for myself. Can I make you some eggs?”

  Rosa smiled, her face brightening with the gesture. “I would love some,” she admitted. “I cook and cook and cook. It is so nice to have someone else who likes to do this.”

  Prim chuckled. “Today you sit down, and I’ll bring you some breakfast before anyone else arrives. I’m sure we’ll be busy in no time at all.”

  As if on cue the sound of heavy boots on the front porch made both women shrug.

  With a laugh, Prim cracked two more eggs into the pan, and in only a matter of minutes, she and Rosa had finished their meal before opening the front door and letting a few bedraggled looking cowboys in for breakfast.

  “Is it always like this?” Prim asked as she and Rosa hustled from table to table serving bacon, eggs and bread, then collecting the money left behind by the men.

  “Yes, all the time. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, always men coming to eat. Some do not like their own cooking; others do not like what is prepared for them. Now I think others will come to look at you.”

  “Me,” Prim protested. “Why would they come to look at me?”

  “You are not married, you are pretty, you are here,” Rosa said ticking each item off on her fingers. “These men they are lonely, some want a home, a family. They will see you as the option.”

  Prim felt her cheeks heat and shook her head. Did this mean that she could have her pick of the men from the area? If she were asked, would she actually marry or would she rather stay on at the Hampton House? It was too early to say yet, but even as she thought of it, the image of Anderson Bowlings came to her mind. The fine Englishman had been so kind, but she knew she would never be in his league.

  “I don’t think I wish to marry,” she finally said. “I don’t know any of these men and only yesterday I thought that I was here to marry Mr. Gaines,” Prim protested.

  Rosa shook her head. “Mrs. Hampton thinks she can find wives for the men of this town,” she said. “She has this idea that they all need a wife then this town will be,” she paused tapping her lips for a few seconds. “Civilized,” she finished with a smile.

  Prim grinned; did the older woman fancy herself a matchmaker of some sort? How did she plan on getting wives for the men of Needful? “I do have a sister,” she finally said with a laugh watching as Rosa’s smile grew into a full blown chuckle.

  The sound of Rosa’s laughter brought tears to Prim’s eyes as she suddenly felt the absence of her Peri. Over the years of caring for her mother, and tending the needs of their meager home, she and Peri had grown closer than many sisters ever did.

  “Oh dear,” Rosa said walking to Prim and placing an arm around her. “I did not mean to make you sad.”

  “You didn’t,” Prim sniffed, “I’m just missing my sister. She has such big dreams for the future and was so excited when she thought I was coming here to marry Mr. Gaines. She’ll be terribly disappointed that I haven’t fallen in to the world’s greatest romance.”

  Rosa shook her head clicking her tongue in disapproval. “This great romance she thinks of, it is not what she believes,” the petite woman said. “Love comes slowly sometimes, or unexpectedly. Some days love is a harsh word, other days it is the brush of an angel’s wing. Do not think that you will not have love; just know that for each person it is different.”

  Prim smiled at the other woman amazed at her wisdom for one so young. “You’d better go check on Christina,” she said. “Later today I will write to my sister and see if we can get her and my mother to Needful. Perhaps she will fall madly in love with her perfect match,” she added with a titter as she walked back into the kitchen and started yet another meal.

  Rosa huffed. “Your sister may be in for a surprise,” she said turning and heading back to her bedroom and the little girl she loved so much. “No one knows what the future holds.”

  Prim turned back to the stove, slicing more bacon into the pan. She missed her sister, and for a moment, she wondered if a love like Peri dreamed of even existed. If so, would Prim recognize it if she found it?

  With a shake of her head Primrose pushed the thoughts away focusing on the task at hand. Right now there were hungry men waiting on a hearty breakfast and the older couple who had taken her in needed her help. Tomorrow would be soon enough to worry about everything else.

  Chapter 12

  Prim stepped out onto the dusty street heading toward the general mercantile as she’d been instructed. After three days at the Hampton House she was feeling steadier, settled, so she welcomed the simple excursion.

  The night before she had been introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Scripts the store owners, but having seen little of the town earlier, she was unfamiliar with the store itself.

  Looking both ways along the street Prim pulled the list from her pocket and headed in the direction she had been told to go. From everything she had heard, the place wouldn’t be hard to spot, and she v
aguely remembered a place with boards over what were meant to be windows.

  There weren’t many things on the list Olive had given her, but Prim was looking forward to a breath of fresh air and a minute to stretch her legs outside the dining room.

  The Hampton House had been a run of busy, slow, busy, slow, all day and she knew that dinner that night could well be plumb crazy. For the moment she would enjoy the sun on her face and fresh air.

  Gazing around her Prim noted the various buildings along the street. There were still several tents as well as shops that were in various stages of construction. It wasn’t much of a town, but it had potential. With people like Olive and Orville about, it would surely grow.

  Unlike Rockington, a tiny town, but one that was well established, Needful seemed a ramshackle collection of various structures, dives, and odd establishments.

  A cowboy ambled his horse along the dusty street past the jail, his hat tucked low over his eyes and in the distance a dog yipped in protest to the heat of the day as Prim walked along the partial boardwalk through the middle of town. Spotting the sign for the store she quickened her step as her goal would soon be realized.

  A hard whistle caught Prim’s attention as she stepped past a grungy looking tent into the dust where the boardwalk ended again.

  “Where have you been my whole life beautiful,” a slurred voice drawled.

  Prim squealed stepping further out into the street just as a group of cowboys rode by.

  “Wait,” the voice said again as a half dressed man pushed his way out from under the tent flap, grabbing her arm with a beefy hand.

  “Help!” Prim cried trying to back away. “Let go of me,” she continued as the large man with a gray beard loomed over her.

  “I ain’t gonna hurt you,” the man’s voice, tainted with the scent of beer rolled over her.

  “Let go of me,” Prim cried as she continued to struggle with the man. “You’re hurting me.”

  “I just want to get a good look at you.”

  “Help!” Prim cried again still struggling.

  “Rack, turn loose of that girl,” a craggy voice snapped.

  “What?” the older man said turning bleary eyes toward the voice.

  “Let Miss Perkins go,” the voice repeated.

  “What’d I do Spence?” the man asked releasing Prim.

  “Rack you can’t just grab a girl on the street,” Spencer Gaines said.

  “But she’s pretty, Spence,” the big man said shaking his head in confusion, while Prim dodged behind the man with the badge.

  “I know Rack; you maybe had a little too much to drink last night though. Maybe you should put that bottle away and go back to bed.”

  “I’m sorry,” the big man said looking at Prim whose heart rate began to slow to a normal rhythm under the protection of Mr. Gaines.

  “Miss Perkins,” Spencer Gaines said as the big man slipped back into his tent. “If you’ll tell me where you’re headed, I’d be happy to escort you.”

  “Thank you Mr. Gaines,” Prim said. “I’m afraid I didn’t expect to be accosted on the street,” she said falling into step with the town’s sheriff.

  “I’m afraid that things are a little out of hand here in Needful right now.”

  “That’s what Rosa said earlier today.”

  “Don’t fret too much over old Rack,” Spencer said kindly. “He’s harmless, though he gets a little confused when he drinks.”

  Prim shook her head calming down a bit more with each step. “Is it always like this around here?”

  “Some days are better than others,” Spencer said. “Dan keeps a handle on most of his wranglers, though come payday, a few of them end up sleeping it off in my little jail house.”

  Prim smiled understanding. Her father had dealt with many like that. “I understand,” Prim said. “I think it will take a bit of time to adjust to life in Needful.”

  Spencer’s low chuckle made Prim look up and smile. “Has it been a big adjustment to you?”

  Spencer’s smile caught Prim by surprise. “You could say that,” he intoned. “When I headed here from Smithfield, my only aim was to be near my brother and give my son a place where he could grow tall and strong. Now I’m married, I’m the only law this town knows, and my wife is the primary doctor of Needful. I knew the town was only beginning, but I didn’t know I’d be a founding like member.”

  Together Prim and Spencer arrived at the door of the Mercantile and the onetime trail boss pushed it open for her, letting her enter the dark interior first.

  “You don’t need to escort me back,” Prim said stepping through the door. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. Now that I know what to expect, I think I can manage.”

  Spencer eyed the young woman assessing her competence and ability. “If you’re sure.” He said tipping his hat and moving on down the street. “You just holler if you need me though.”

  Prim took a deep breath walking into the new building on a floor of fresh sawn lumber and dry goods, smiling as she looked up into the bright dark eyes of Mrs. Scripts who stood behind a bleached wooden counter top.

  “I’m here for Mrs. Hampton,” Prim said noting the woman’s welcoming grin. “I have a list.”

  “Come in, come in,” Mrs. Scripts said beckoning. “I’m sure we’ll get you whatever you might need. Why, William is heading out tomorrow again with our boy Trey to fetch more supplies. If all goes well, we’ll have the train close by next year, and it will be easier to get supplies. The state government has been jawin’ on the idea long enough I hope it comes true.”

  Prim walked toward the other woman trying to understand just how far from normal towns and cities she really was.

  “Where do you get your supplies?”

  “William has to travel two days to get to the riverboat for supplies,” Mrs. Scripts replied. “It’s a long haul, but so much is needed here it’s worth the work. While he and Trey are gone, I manage on my own.”

  Prim blinked a moment as things filtered into her brain. “You mean I could have traveled by boat?” Prim asked.

  Mrs. Scripts laughed softly. “I take it you were not a fan of the stage.”

  Prim shook her head. “It was rather uncomfortable,” she admitted. “It might have been a little better though if they had actually dropped me here in Needful instead of in the middle of the prairie.”

  Mrs. Script raised dark brows as a new notion entered her brain. “A stage stop,” she whispered drawing Prim closer with the quiet words. “That’d bring new business to Needful and new folks alike.”

  Prim nodded seeing the value in the idea. It would have been nice if the nearby town had been an actual stage stop. Then again, perhaps she wouldn’t have met Mr. Bowlings.

  Smiling she leaned on the corner and spent a happy half hour chatting with Alice as she filled the order for the Hampton House.

  Chapter 13

  “Boss, you sure you want a place this big?” Jacks asked as Anderson paced out the lot for his house under a bright sun.

  “It’s time to get this place put together,” Anderson said, stopping to look around the ranch. That morning he’d had a meeting with his hands and determined several jobs he wanted done, soon his place would rival Gaines’ spread if he had anything to say about it. “When my father sent me out here, he expected me to make something. The cattle side of things is well underway, but now we need to get the buildings in order. This place will be grand.”

  Jacks turned on the spot his dark eyes scanning the range. As a tall man, he could see far and as his mind filtered through the half-finished buildings, and stumpy looking cabin and he had to agree that work was needed.

  “You should see old Mr. Hampton at the mill,” the old ramrod said. “He can get you connected up with what lumber you might want for a real house. He has a good crew working with him, and they’ll make fast work of what we need.”

  Anderson looked into his foreman’s dark eyes and nodded. He was glad he’d met the old cowhand on his trek al
ong the rivers. Old Jacks had seen a few things in his time and was willing to share his wisdom and experience with his inexperienced and outsider boss.

  “I think you might have something there,” Anderson said. “I may even look into hiring a few more men to build for me. Do you think Orville would know how to get that organized?”

  Jacks nodded his head, his shaggy salt and pepper locks flopping in time. “I’m sure he’ll have some ideas. It’s a good plan, Boss,” he said turning and striding toward the corral to catch up two horses.

  ***

  Prim looked up smiling as Mr. Bowlings stepped into the Hampton

  House that evening followed by a tall rather dower looking man. She hadn’t seen the English rancher since the day she had arrived in Needful, and the returned smile on his face made her happier than she expected.

  “Good morning,” Prim greeted walking toward Anderson. “Are you here for breakfast?”

  “No,” Anderson drawled. “I’m here to see Orville if he’s about. I looked for him at the sawmill, but the men there said he wasn’t in yet.” Anderson’s tone was friendly but distracted as his friend wondered to a nearby table.