“They’ve grown into good men, Hank,” she said out loud. “I think you’d be proud of the lot of them, and Missy, too. I just want them all to be happy,” she continued, “but the young women of today are made of starch and vinegar. They can’t win them as easy as you won me, Hank. One dance, one look into your eyes and my heart was yours. It didn’t take you long to make me your bride.” Smiling, she began to work, her hands busy even as her eyes looked off into the distance.
“We had plenty of good times and some hard ones too,” she recalled with a touch of sadness. “But all in all, I wouldn’t change a thing,” she whispered, her voice trailing off. Then she began to hum a hymn as her nimble fingers turned the threads of ivory cotton into a beautiful pattern.
CHAPTER 2
Matthew tied his horse in front of the mercantile just as Mr. Murphy was getting ready to lock the doors.
“I’ll have three of those peppermint sticks,” he said, reaching into his pocket and laying his money on the counter.
“These for Laurie Dixon’s boys?” the old man sagely asked as he laid the candy on the counter.
“Yes sir, they are.”
“The youngest fellow, Jacob, likes the lemon sticks best,” he offered.
“Thanks, Mr. Murphy. I’ll have a lemon then.”
“And you might want to pick one up for Miss Laurie. She’s partial to a new one we got in that tastes like root beer.”
“Guess I’ll have one of those, too.” Matt dug another coin out. “How do you know all these things?”
“It’s my job to know what people want. Now that I’m getting on in age, the problem is remembering, but Miss Laurie is hard to forget,” he said with a chuckle.
“That she is,” Matthew agreed. “Thanks, Mr. Murphy. I appreciate you keeping the door open for me when you were ready to call it a day.”
“My pleasure. I never turn down a sale if I can help it. Now don’t stay too long at The Duchess,” he said knowingly.
Matt paused and turned to look at the mercantile’s owner.
“You seem to know quite a bit about people’s comings and goings.”
“Location is everything, young fella,” Mr. Murphy said, slowly following him to the door. “I’m across the street from The Duchess. I can see who’s coming in and out of the bank. From the porch I can see Miss Piersal’s millinery and The Blue Bonnet down the street. Being next door to the marshal’s office has its advantages, too. I hear plenty.”
“I guess that might be pretty useful at that.”
“Yup. As a rule, I don’t miss much of the goings on around here. I know you’re courting Laurie Dixon too.”
“Have you noticed anyone else that might have the same idea?” Matt asked thoughtfully.
Mr. Murphy chuckled.
“Can’t say for sure,” he replied. “Lots of men coming and going from The Blue Bonnet, but I hear she’s a mighty fine cook. I haven’t partaken myself, but one day I might. My wife’s failing a bit.”
“You should try it,” Matt encouraged. “I’m sure Laurie would have the boys deliver a wonderful supper to you and Mrs. Murphy any night you’d like.”
“I’ll talk to Mabel about it. Don’t want to step on her toes. I’m too old to sleep in the shed,” he admitted with a grin.
Matt laughed as he untied his horse and began to lead him toward The Duchess. He heard the doors being locked behind him. Inside The Duchess, he found Morgan behind the bar wearing a white apron tied around his waist and whistled.
“Don’t you look like a well-trained barkeep,” he drawled, sauntering up to the mahogany bar and planting his booted foot on the rail.
“Shut up. What’ll you have?”
“I can’t do both,” Matthew replied, tipping his hat back and grinning.
“Do one or the other,” Morgan ordered with a scowl.
“Beer. Where are Callie Mae and the rest of the girls, or are you the only one working?”
