Mid-October , 1882, Oklahoma (Indian) Territory
Diana and Caroline Lynch left Lytell’s store with their packages in hand. Mart had been heading into town this morning and was happy to escort them. At the moment he had gone to pick up the post, with the plan to meet the girls in front of Lytell’s, where he had left the buckboard.
The girls stood on the front steps of Lytell’s, when the hair on the back of Diana’s neck rose. She turned to see Stodge, the man who had harassed her before, standing there with a leer.
“Well, if it ain’t Miss Pretty,” he sneered.
Caroline stepped behind her taller sister, violet eyes wide.
“And you got a kid sister. This town is awfully lucky to have two of you.”
“Excuse me sir, but we are waiting for our ride,” Diana said coolly, making sure she had her sister blocked from him.
“Such fancy talk,” his eyes roamed over her as his tongue ran over his rotted teeth. “Bet you ain’t so fancy in the bedroom. I bet you’re one of the cold girls, and need to be warmed up.”
Diana gasped at his language as he grinned menacingly.
Then Mart was there, shoving the man back. Stodge lunged at the young man but Mart was ready and swung hard, sending Stodge crashing through the glass window of Lytell’s store.
Diana shrieked in fear. “Mart! Mart, stop!”
Her beau froze, then stood up straight. Lytell was in the doorway, demanding an explanation. Passersby were staring.
“If you ever speak to her that way again, and you’ll pay!” Mart snapped. “You learn some respect when you to talk to one our ladies!”
“Belden, what’s going on?” Mr. Lytell demanded.
“That’s third or fourth time he’s harassed Diana. The Marshal has already thrown him in jail but this time he was right up in her face!”
“Mart, I’m okay,” she whispered.
“All right, what’s this about?” Deputy Marshal Hardy had arrived, taking in the scene. “Stodge, were you harrassing her again?”
“She struck up the conversation,” Stodge growled.
“Liar!” Caroline Lynch peeked around from behind her sister. “That man said something mean about my sister involving a bedroom!”
There was a gasp from several ladies nearby who had gathered behind Diana. “Filthy pig!” one hissed. “Deputy, what do you plan to do about this?” demanded another. “I saw him bothering her last week too,” said a male voice.
Deputy Marshal Hardy held up his hands. “Quiet, everyone. Stodge, get up, I’m taking you in. Miss Lynch, please come by later to talk to me. Anyone who witnessed this or last week’s incident, I want you at the jail in five minutes. Lytell, we’ll get your store straightened out, I’m sure there will be reparations made.”
Mart nodded and turned to the elderly man. “Mr. Lytell, I apologize, I wasn’t thinking. I was just so furious to see him bothering Diana again!”
Mr. Lytell nodded. “Well, defending your betrothed’s honor is serious business son, but I do expect this window to be paid for.”
“It will be,” Diana said quickly. “Don’t worry about that Mr. Lytell.”
“You’d best get them girls home,” the older man told them.
***
Trixie wasn’t surprised to find Dan at the creek. He was sitting on a large rock, tossing pebbles into the stream and staring blankly.
“Dan?” she asked softly.
His dark eyes came into focus and he smiled at her. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. I was hoping you’d come.”
“I’ve been worried about you,” she blurted out. “So has Jim.”
Jim had left several messages at the jail for him over the last two days, Dan knew, he just hadn’t been up to talking to his family. When not on duty, he had found himself out here at the creek, lost in thoughts and fuzzy memories.
From his perch, he held out one hand to her and she moved forward eagerly, taking the offered hand. He slid from the rock and drew her to him, into a tight hug, resting his chin on her head.
“No need to worry, I’m all right,” he murmured.
“Jim hasn’t heard from you for a couple of a days,” she said softly. “And Regan is afraid to go by the jail for fear of upsetting you even further.”
“I’m not upset,” he answered, looking down into her eyes. “I just needed some time and space.”
Trixie nodded and closed her eyes as he lowered his head to hers for a long, sweet kiss that her left breathless.
Dazed, she stared up at him, noting he hadn’t shaved for a couple of days and his eyes were tired.
“I missed you,” he said softly.
She nodded. “Me too.”
“Thank you for waiting for me.” And not running straight into my brother’s arms, he added silently.
“Of course,” she said softly. “Your whole world just got turned upside down, it’s not an easy adjustment.” She didn’t add that Helen had done quite a bit of talking to keep her daughter from hunting Dan down sooner, and Mart had threatened to tie her down to a chair. Or that she had barely slept the last two nights, worried about him and where he was. As the person who knew Dan best, Jim had agreed Dan needed to be left alone, knowing his brother would return after he sorted out his head.
“I just don’t know what to think,” he sighed, hugging her again. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” she murmured.
“It’s weird,” he sighed. “The Fraynes are my family, and have been for so long now, and all of sudden I have an uncle, someone who actually can remember my mother, and knew her as a child. She looked a lot like him, but more delicate features.” Trixie nodded, she had seen the tintype photograph in the Frayne’s living room.
“I always thought it odd the way he looked at me, but apparently I look enough like my Da that it was bothering him. I just thought he was odd.”
Trixie let him talk, enjoying the feel of his arms around her as she laid her head against his shoulder.
“All these years I thought my uncle just didn’t care or didn’t know about me,” he murmured. “Yet he was looking the whole time. I have all this anger towards him, and it’s completely unjustified. But I’ve had it so long, I don’t know what to do with it now.”
“You didn’t know,” she said softly. “It was natural to be angry, thinking he didn’t care.”
“I always felt guilty for feeling angry,” he sighed. “I had the most wonderful family a boy could hope for after they died, yet I was angry that my own uncle never came for me and Father couldn’t find him. I had opportunities as a Frayne that most boys didn’t, but I still held onto that little boy who was mad his blood relative didn’t want him.”
Trixie hugged him, and he kissed the top of her head, then tilted her head back.
“I’m awfully glad I have you,” he murmured.
She smiled at him. “I am too.”
He was kissing her then, sending the now familiar heat wave through her body as his hand buried in her blonde curls, a new level of intensity rising between them as he sought comfort in her embrace, his lips leaving hers for her neck, then the curve of it, and she was floating blissfully. Hesitantly, she pressed her lips against his neck, and he instantly let go of her and pushed her away.
“Dan, what-”
Shaking his head, he walked several feet away from her. She realized the first button of her blouse was undone, and suddenly, she was embarrassed. Hastily, she re-buttoned it, trying to smooth her curls down.
“Do you have any idea how dangerous you are to me?” he demanded, turning and walking back towards hers. His dark eyes were unreadable, his body taut with tension.
“Dangerous?” she repeated blankly.
“I can’t stop with you,” he said. “Trixie, do you have any idea where we were headed just now? Do you have any concept the sort of trouble we’d be in if it went any further? Do you know what it means when you tell a man ‘don’t stop’, the way you did the other day?”
“You’re shouting,” she whispered.
He paced in agitation, the last two days of exhaustion, confusion, anger and bewilderment were too much, now, to have her encouraging him... “Trixie, I shouldn’t be touching you like that. It’s not right, you’re not my wife. You’re not a saloon girl that-” he stopped, afraid he had gone too far.
Her eyes widened as she realized what he had said.
“You have been with them,” she breathed.
“Not since I moved out here,” he said quickly. “We-”
“We? Jim too?” she demanded.
Dan cursed loudly. “Not since we met you. Either of us. Trixie, things are different in the bigger cities.”
“Oh, I’m sure I can figure that out,” she flared. “I’m not just some dumb country girl you can take advantage of!”
Dan’s eyes bulged. “I’m not taking advantage of you! Why the hell do you think I keep stopping us? My God, if we someone saw us just now-your father would have shotgun on me in seconds!”
“And there’s the rub,” she said softly. “You would be trapped.”
Dan realized his mistake too late. “No, that’s not what I meant. Trix, don’t twist my words!”
“You’re very concerned with people seeing us,” she said softly. “It’s bad enough Trixie Belden has two beaus, but to be publicly seen in an embrace-”
“Will earn you a reputation that I refuse to allow you to have,” he snapped. “Wake up Trixie! This isn’t about me feeling trapped, this making sure that my girl doesn’t have a tarnished reputation because in a small town, you can’t live it down!”
“Whose reputation are you really worried about, Dan?” Trixie asked quietly.
Dan’s jaw dropped. “You can’t seriously think-”
“I don’t know what to think. Other than Jim said he loves me, and you haven’t.”
The blow struck Dan to the gut. They had had an agreement to talk about this before confessing feelings to her. Why had Jim violated it?
“He said that.” Dan said flatly.
“The other night,” she said quietly. “I was concerned about you and he said my capacity to care and my fierce loyalty were two of the reasons he loved me.”
Dan’s brain reeled.
“This is too much,” he muttered. “My uncle, my brother, now my girl- are you trying to make me crazy?” he demanded.
Trixie flinched. “I came here to help you, but obviously I’m just making things worse!”
Dan ran his hands through his thick hair. “You’re not making things worse, Trix. I shouldn’t have kissed you, but I didn’t realize my brother had already moved onto declarations of feelings.”
Trixie studied him. He wasn’t making any declaration of his own, she noted. Had she been correct in thinking that Daniel Mangan wasn’t going to settle down, and this was just a brotherly competition?
“I came to see if I could help you with your situation with your uncle, not for any declaration,” she said coolly. “I need to get back to the farm, before I’m missed.”
Dan recognized the dismissal. “I wouldn’t want to interfere with your duties,” he said stiffly.
“Likewise,” she snapped, turning on her heel.
“Trixie.”
“Yes?” She turned back.
Dan hesitated. “Never mind.”
Trixie continued on her way, hellbound determined not to let him see her cry.
***
Hallie Belden returned to Crabapple Farm smiling. Regan was more than willing to help her with her riding skills, which she pretended were horrible, and that was right in line with her plan. A little act of vulnerability went a long way with him, she realized, and he could see the way he looked at her. Men always ended up looking at her with a lustful gleam. It wouldn’t take long.
***
The hampers were guarded carefully by Suzanne and Caroline Lynch, who lounged around, trying to peek in baskets and not be caught. The women of the town were setting up the tables with dishes, and the local band played merry tunes. The hamper auction would be the final event of the day, after the races and contests.
The ceremonies had been opened with a band, and the current mayor announcing the new town name, Sleepyside. It was chosen in the hopes that more people would continue to be drawn out west, to a quiet little town, and continue to grow the town.
Sleepyside won the name contest, and the sign for the town was being commissioned. As the cheers died down, Mayor Dade cleared his throat.
“And I know a few of you have been waiting quite anxiously to learn who your new mayor is,” he said with a smile. “And I have the results of the voting!”
Trixie was almost bouncing with excitement. Her beaus flanked her on each side, though Dan hadn’t said much today. She could feel the awkward tension between them, but didn’t know how to address it, or if she should. But the fact he was here, and standing next to her, was enough for now.
Her eyes went to Mr. Lytell, who was rubbing his dry, withered hands together almost gleefully. She didn’t like the look in his eyes and fervently wished he was not the new mayor.
“It was a pretty close race, I must admit, but our new mayor, is a fine upstanding citizen and old friend of mine.”
Thomas Lytell preened, Peter Belden kept his expression pleasant but non committal. Trixie still wasn’t sure who the third man was.
“I’m very pleased to announce to that our little Sleepyside’s new mayor, is Peter Belden!”
Trixie squealed happily, jumping up and down with Diana. The applause was almost deafening as Peter Belden smiled, and Mayor Dade motioned him up to the podium. Friends and neighbors slapped him on the back and shook his hand.
Peter joined Mayor Dade and held up his hands to quiet the crowd.
“I want to thank you all. This is quite a surprise, even more so than being nominated. I’m honored and humbled that you’ve chosen me and I only hope to fulfill your expectations!”
The crowd applauded as Peter shook hands with Mayor Dade. He’d be sworn in the following week.
The celebration continued on. Jim had tried to get Dan in the wood chopping competition but Dan laughed and refused. He was on duty and would be patrolling throughout the day. Jim decided it was a good thing his brother didn’t join, all of the men stripped off their shirts and Jim didn’t want Trixie staring at Dan shirtless. He knew there was a bit of a riff between his brother and their girl, but he also knew better than to pry.
Terry and Larry won the three legged race, and Bobby’s frog beat the others in the distance jumping contest. Katje’s apple pie won first place, as did Helen’s fresh bread. Mrs. Vanderpoel’s windmill cookies won first place as they did every year. Dan did participate in the bullseye target shooting and won, edging his brother’s shot out by a fraction. Mart’s pig took first prize in the judging contest, and Regan’s prize roan Strawberry won a blue ribbon.
It was a tired group that came together in the late afternoon, dropping onto the blankets Trixie and Madeleine spread out. The three families sat together, and Trixie had to laugh at the brothers on each side of her. Dan had been in and around throughout the day, checking on the town along with his deputies.
He joined them now for supper, enjoying the site of Trixie flushed and laughing from the heat. His uncle sat a few feet away with his cousin Madeleine. That was bizarre, he thought, but his cousin wasn’t by blood. He and Regan had slowly been attempting to build a relationship, Regan could tell him more about his mother, though he knew virtually nothing of Tim Mangan.
It had been awkward, seeing Trixie after their argument the other day but she greeted him politely, and allowed him to sit with her and Jim. The fact they were in public meant both he and Jim had to keep a physical distance, but Dan longed to sneak her off behind the schoolhouse and confess his feelings.
The auction began for the hampers, with all funds going to the schoolhouse for ordering new books.
Diana hadn’t submitted a hamper, but several young men bid on Madeleine, outbidding a visibly dismayed Nick Roberts. Trixie felt a twinge of satisfaction when Jane Morgan’s hamper almost didn’t sell, until someone bid low on it. She immediately felt ashamed when she realized that she herself had two beaus and was incredibly lucky.
Noting her basket picked up, Trixie swallowed, wondering if the brothers were planning to bid against each other.
“And for this basket with the fetching blue gingham bow, let me take a peek here. Ah yes, I see some apple preserves, and roasted duck with stuffing – that just whets my appetite! Do I hear two bits?”
“Two bits!” Jim called.
“Two bits to Mr. Frayne, do I hear seventy five cents?”
“Seventy five cents,” Dan affirmed.
“Ah, methinks I can tell who this basket belongs to!” Mart gave a big wink, eliciting chuckles from the audience.
The brothers friendly wagering kept mounting to several dollars as Trixie felt her face growing redder.
“Ten dollars!” a new voice entered the betting, and people turned.
The speaker was a tall, slender man with golden hair, bright blue eyes, and an expensive gray suit. He strode through the crowd easily, a gleaming gold chain from his pocket watch.
“Uh, very good sir,” Mart was clearly startled.
“I must admit, to see two gentlemen arguing over a basket must mean there’s something quite delectable inside, though I did hear roast duck, I believe?” he asked smoothly.
“Yes sir, roast duck, stuffing, locally grown apple preserves,” Mart was back on his feet, “and being bid upon by two of our fine citizens.”
While this exchange was happening, Madeleine had gasped.
“What is it?” Dan asked, leaning forward, trying to place where he had seen this newcomer.
“My cousin, Ben Riker!” Madeleine said hoarsely. “Every lawman in New York knows him, federal attorneys tried to get him for murder last year but he was acquitted!”
Trixie and Jim glanced at Dan, who had gone rigid, his dark eyes steely.
“I remember the case,” Dan said tightly. “Three police men died. There was solid evidence and that bastard walked free.”
“Did you go to the trial?” Trixie asked.
“Heavens, no,” Madeleine answered. “Father wouldn’t let me anywhere near it. He’s my cousin through Mother’s side but we’ve had no contact with him since. Father is going to be furious.”
Sure enough, Matthew Wheeler’s face had turned red with fury. Win was talking to him in a low voice.
“Well, we’ll resume the bidding,” Mart said cheerfully. “I have ten dollars here from, sorry sir, your name?”
“Riker,” he smiled, but Trixie thought it was more a self-assured, rather smug sneer. “Benjamin Riker.”
“Ten dollars from Mr. Benjamin Riker, do I hear any others?”
“Eleven,” Dan said tersely.
“Ele-”
“Marshal! Come quick!” It was one of the girls from Flanagan’s. “We need you at the saloon!”
Dan leaned over to Jim. “Don’t you dare let him win that hamper.”
Jim nodded as Dan go to his feet.
“I’ll cover my brother’s wager and raise it to twelve,” Jim told Mart. Mart nodded.
“Fifteen,” Benjamin Riker replied.
“Twenty,” Jim didn’t need details. Jim didn’t question his brother when Dan went authoritative.
Whispers were running through crowd now, glances being sent towards Trixie and Jim.
“Well, it appears as if my competition really wants that hamper. I must acquiesce to his desire, and bid no further,” Riker’s smile wasn’t genuine and Trixie found herself shivering.
Ben Riker was bad news, she knew it.
***
The night ended with dancing, Dan was able to return to claim a couple with Trixie, Madeleine and Diana. Jim had warned Mart about Ben Riker, and they kept the girls close, in case Riker decided to approach. Regan stuck close to Grace and Julianna.
Dancing with Trixie was awkward, Dan thought in dismay, they hadn’t really talked since the other day, and he knew she had spent more time with Jim since. Usually when they danced, they moved in perfect time, eyes on each other. Tonight it was stiff and uncomfortable. He was going to lose her, he could feel it. And he knew what he needed to do, and soon.
But would she take his words as empty now? Would she realize he was completely serious? And the biggest question of all he had to answer to himself, was he completely serious?
After the auction, Jim had joined Win as Matt and Regan went to chat with Riker. Jim didn’t know what was said but both men were furious and red faced when they returned.
While dancing with Jim, Trixie saw Dan with Regan, Matt and Win.
“What’s going on with you all?” she asked her redheaded beau.
“Nothing for you to concern yourself with,” he replied with a fond smile. She frowned.
“That’s not fair.”
“Yes, it is. You heard what Madeleine said earlier. Dan and I don’t want you anywhere near that Riker fellow.”
“I’m not going to go near him!” she protested.
“May I cut in?”
It was Riker, with that same, self assured sneer of a smile.
“No,” Jim said impolitely, and whisked Trixie away.
“Jim Frayne, I’ve never seen you be so rude!” Trixie exclaimed.
“It’s been known to happen,” he admitted with a chuckle.
“You’re just trying to keep me from knowing what you men are talking about!” she accused him.
“That, plus I get to dance longer with you,” he said cheerfully.
Trixie laughed and they danced on, not seeing Dan being summoned from the party again.
***
Dan stared at the blood crusted knife that had been removed from the back of Curtis Stodge.
“Why so squeamish Amos?” Dan asked. “Surely you’ve seen a bloody knife before.”
“Yes sir, Marshal, but uh, it’s that particular knife that’s got me wound up,” Amos replied.
“Why? It’s pretty. In fact, it’s kind of familiar-” Dan paused, picking it up to clean it off. The ivory handle didn’t wipe clean but enough showed through to make Dan’s heart pause.
“I was at Lytell’s when the owner picked it up a few weeks back,” Amos replied quietly.
The initials MAB on the ornate hilt were clear as day.
 
Author Notes
- a huge yee-haa! to Julie, my ever patient and helpful editor! All mistakes are mine.
-Word count 3,798
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