The New Mrs. Jenkins
By
Joannie Kay
Copyright 2012 by Blushing Books and Joannie Kay
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2012 by Blushing Books and Joannie Kay.
All rights reserved. No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Kay, Joannie
The New Mrs. Jenkins
eBook ISBN: 978-1-60968-506-5
Cover Design: by ABCD Graphics
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Chapter One:
Sarah reminded herself that she couldn’t afford to be picky or choosy. She literally had no where to go, no one to turn to, and less than five dollars between her and starvation. The man she was to marry upon her arrival, Thaddeus Burcott, failed to meet the stage as promised. Upon inquiry at the Sheriff’s office, she learned that Mr. Burcott suddenly took ill and died a few days earlier. The Sheriff politely told her he was sorry for her loss, but offered no solution to her predicament.
Sarah did not waste time on self-pity; she couldn’t afford that luxury. She needed to find employment of some sort, and quickly. She walked the small town of Twin Creek, asking in every store, and hearing the same two words in all of them, “Not hiring.” Sarah was discouraged, but straightened her shoulders and walked through the swinging double doors of the town’s one and only saloon. Normally she wouldn’t think of setting foot inside such an establishment, but her body was used to three meals a day, and she had no choice if she was to survive long enough in this place to save enough money to take her elsewhere.
“Ma’am,” she was approached immediately by the bartender. “This establishment isn’t for ladies such as yourself. If you are looking for a meal, there is a restaurant at the hotel,” his handlebar mustache wobbled indignantly, although he was trying to be helpful. It was obvious he wanted her to leave at once.
“Sir, are you the owner?” Sarah asked politely. “I am seeking employment.”
“Ma’am, a lady such as yourself wouldn’t want to work here. The females who work here are of ill repute,” he whispered the last two words and his ears turned beet red with embarrassment.
“I am in dire straights, sir, and have exhausted all other possibilities. I was hoping for a position doing the books, or even cleaning or cooking.
“The boss does the books, ma’am, and we have a man who cleans and cooks. This is not a place for a lady. Go and ask the Sheriff if he knows of a rancher looking to hire on a woman. That would be your best bet at finding something respectable.”
Sarah nodded and politely thanked the man. It wasn’t his fault that not even the saloon would hire her. Since the Sheriff already made it quite clear he didn’t know of anyone hiring, Sarah was quite discouraged. She would retire to her room for the night, skip supper, and go to bed early. In the morning she would have to walk to the next town and hope her luck was better there. She couldn’t wallow in pity and feel sorry for herself. She was made of much sterner stuff.
********************
“I’m leaving, Warren. There is nothing you can say to change my mind!”
“Aunt Lucy, I…”
“I am not YOUR Aunt Lucy, Warren Jenkins! I was a Great-Aunt to your lovely Becky, and I told you flat out that I would help until you found a housekeeper to look after your three children, and that was five months ago! I had NO idea your children were as wild as Indians! I am much too old for their hijinks, and I insist you drive me into town tonight so I can catch the stage tomorrow morning. My mind is made up; the snake in my bed was the final straw!” retired schoolteacher Miss Lucy Garth stated with such finality that War knew she meant every word.
“I’ll hitch up the buggy, Aunt Lucy, and take you to town right away. I’ll send one of the men up to sit with the kids.” She nodded, then flounced out of the room, her slippers flapping as she walked.
War shook his head, wondering what he was going to do now. No one who knew his three kids wanted anything to do with them. Ever since Becky died, they’d acted like wildcats, and the only person they listened to was him. However, he couldn’t stop running his ranch to take care of them twenty-four hours a day. The sensible solution would be to marry again, but he hadn’t met one woman yet who even remotely stirred his passion or caught his interest. He loved Becky with all his heart, and wondered if it was possible to ever feel those same emotions for another woman? Grimly, he walked to the bunkhouse and asked Cookie if he would mind sitting up at the house while he took Aunt Lucy into town. Cookie said he didn’t mind, as long as War knew he’d take a wooden spoon to the first child who sassed at him. War grinned, knowing full well that Cookie’s bark was worse than his bite. The three kids liked Cookie and respected him.
Once he had the horse hitched to the buggy, War went to the house and carried down Aunt Lucy’s trunk. It certainly didn’t take her long to pack, and War suspected the elderly woman already had her things packed and was simply looking for a valid excuse to make her departure. While he couldn’t help but be upset that she was leaving him in the lurch, War couldn’t fault her for doing so. He was polite to her, and saw her safely inside the hotel and paid for her lodging for the night. He also insisted she take money to pay for her ticket home, and money for lodging and meals on the way.
“I must say, Warren, you are treating me admirably well in view of the circumstances,” she gave him one of her rare smiles of approval.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, Aunt Lucy,” he said sincerely. “I know that Becky would be pleased that you came to help for as long as you did. You’re always welcome in our home, and if you ever need help of any kind, please let me know. I do consider you family,” War leaned down and gave her a peck on the cheek.
To his surprise, her old eyes filled with tears. “Warren, I’m not as young as I used to be. I love those children, but I’m just too old to cope with their shenanigans. As much as I loved my little Becky, you need to move on and find those babies a new Mama to love and care for them. Until you do, they’re going to be high spirited and impossible for normal folks to handle. If you have need, do call on me. I consider you family, too,” she patted his cheek, and then took her small valise and went up to find her room.
The desk clerk was keeping Aunt Lucy’s trunk downstairs and promised War he would personally carry it to the stage for her. War thanked him, and was grateful he didn’t need to worry about his wife’s great Aunt. He turned to leave the hotel, and Wally called him back. Mr. Jenkins, it’s not my place to say anything, but I reckon I’d be doing you and Miss Prescott both a service.”
War walked back to where Wally stood at the desk. He could see the man was nervous, and he smiled to put him at his ease. “If you are telling me you know of a lady who would be willing to come out to the ranch and care for the kids, Wally, I would be interested in hearing what you have to say.”
“Fair enough, but it’ll be up to you to speak to her,” Wally nodded. He went on, “Miss Prescott came in on the stage this morning, expecting to marry Thaddeus Burcott, and of course she can’t do that because he died last week.”
War nodded, knowing from past experience that Wally would take his own sweet time in getting to the point… namely where he could find this Miss Prescott.
“She took a room, her hand shaking so bad she could barely sign the register, and then she pulled herself together and went out looking for a job. No one would hire her, mostly ‘cause she’s a woman,” he whispered. “She even went into the saloon and asked Pete for a job doing the books or cleaning or cooking, and he sent her right out of there…” He shook his head disapprovingly, and then looked War in the eye. “Miss Prescott come back feeling pretty discouraged and told me she would be checking out in the morning and walking to Dry Ridge to look for work there.”
“Walking to Dry Ridge?” War exclaimed. “Did you tell her how far that is?” War demanded of the desk clerk.
“I surely did, Mr. Jenkins. The poor little thing doesn’t have money for stage fare, and I’m pretty sure she did without supper tonight, too. I wanted to take her a tray, but figured she’d mistake my kindness for something improper,” Wally said with a red face. “I think she might be relieved to have an offer from you, Mr. Jenkins, since your Aunt is leaving and all…?”
“Wally, I appreciate your telling me. What room is Miss Prescott staying in? I’ll go and speak to her right now.”
“It’s late, Mr. Jenkins!” Wally was scandalized.
“I know, but I don’t want to miss her in the morning, and if she’s desperate, she might be lying up there crying and scared. I could put her out of her worry,” he cajoled, appealing to Wally’s sympathy.
It worked, and to War’s surprise, Wally said, “I’d best go with you, Mr. Jenkins and introduce you so she’s not scared. I take pains to keep women folk feeling safe when they stay here.”
“Good idea, Wally,” War nodded in agreement. He didn’t want to make a bad impression, or frighten the woman so badly she wouldn’t hear him out. He followed Wally up the steps to the second floor, and down the hallway to room twelve. Aunt Lucy was across the hallway in room eleven.
Wally tapped gently on the door. “Miss Prescott, it’s Wally from the front desk. May I speak to you a moment, please?” he asked politely, and War heard a murmur from the other side of the door. A few moments passed, and finally the door opened a crack.
“Yes?” the woman spoke softly, and War wondered if she’d been sleeping.
“Ma’am, I know it is very late and you most likely retired for the night, but Mr. Jenkins is here and would like to speak to you. I will vouch for his being an honorable gentleman.”
“It’s very late,” Sarah said. “I am not dressed for visitors, especially male visitors,” she stated firmly.
“Miss Prescott, I assure you that this is of extreme importance to me. Wally will stay with us, if it will make you feel better. Or, if you would prefer to dress and come down to the lobby, I will be patient and wait.”
“I would prefer to dress, Mr. Jenkins,” Sarah answered. “Might I inquire why you wish to speak to me? I do not know you at all!”
“Wally told me you are looking for employment, and I am in need of help,” War replied, hopeful that she wouldn’t dismiss him out of hand.
“Yes, Mr. Jenkins, that is correct and I am interested in speaking to you. I will dress and be downstairs within ten minutes time.”
“Thank you, Miss Prescott,” War was amazed at the sense of relief he felt. He followed Wally downstairs, and said, “Thanks, Wally.”
“I sure hope it works out, Mr. Jenkins. Miss Prescott is too young and pretty to be running around on her own without any protection.”
‘Young and pretty?’ War groaned inwardly. When Wally mentioned that the woman had come to marry Thaddeus Burcott, he’d formed a mental picture of an older spinster woman… one who wouldn’t need a chaperone to live in his home as a housekeeper and caretaker for his three youngsters.
Sarah dressed hurriedly, but did her best to look neat and presentable. Unless Mr. Jenkins was offering her a position as his mistress, she would take the work willingly and be happy to be rescued. Coming out here had been a huge mistake, even though poor Thaddeus couldn’t help dying. She should have insisted he provide her with enough money for a ticket home if they didn’t suit. Now, she was going to have to make her way and support herself. She wasn’t about to wire her Aunt Agatha and beg her for money to return home, not after Aunt Agatha called her a scarlet woman for coming west to marry a man she’d never met. Once she was dressed, Sarah took a deep breath and put a smile on her face, hoping that Mr. Jenkins was offering her the answer to her prayers. She walked down the steps, looking about for an older man, but the only one she saw besides Wally was a young cowboy looking out the lobby window.
“Mr. Jenkins,” Wally called out, and the young cowboy turned around. Sarah felt her smile fade at once. Unless the man was married, there was no way she could work for him.
“Miss Prescott, thank you for coming down to talk to me. I can see by your expression that you were expecting someone perhaps older?” he asked intuitively.
“Yes, I’m afraid I was,” Sarah answered matter-of-factly. “What kind of job are you offering?” she asked.
“I need a housekeeper and someone to look after my three kids. My wife died nearly a year ago now.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Sarah replied. “I have to ask if there are any other women in your household?”
“No, ma’am, there aren’t,” War stated honestly. “None of my hired hands are married, either, and I can’t offer you the job for that reason. When Wally explained your circumstances, I’m afraid I jumped to the assumption that you would be closer to Thaddeus Burcott’s age. It wouldn’t do at all to hire you.”
“No, it wouldn’t do a thing for my reputation,” she agreed, disappointment all over her pretty face, and worry filling her lovely green eyes. “I am sorry I kept you waiting for nothing, Mr. Jenkins.”
War had a sudden idea, and spoke quickly before he could change his mind. “I have an alternate offer, Miss Prescott, and I wouldn’t dare make it if I didn’t know that you’d come here expecting to marry Thaddeus Burcott. We could marry, and no one would find anything improper in your coming to the ranch then.” Her eyes flashed with temper, and he quickly added, “Of course, I’m sure you corresponded with Thaddeus for some time and had feelings for him, and I’m presuming too much in making such a bold suggestion. Please forgive me for overstepping my bounds. Will you at least permit me to offer you some help until you get another position? I hate to think of any lady stranded without funds.”
Sarah’s emotions did a complete somersault in the space of two seconds flat. One second she was furious with him for presuming she was easy and simply looking for a meal ticket, and in the next she wanted to cry at his kindness. His dark eyes were sincere, and Wally obviously respected him. “Are you serious about helping me, Mr. Jenkins? No strings attached?” she asked.
War’s own temper flared. “Ma’am, when I offer to help, I am a man of my word. I don’t take advantage of females. My Ma raised me better than that.” He felt like swatting her backside for her.
“In that case, I accept your offer of marriage, provided you will accept my conditions. It is not normally something I would do without considerable thought and time, but I feel as though I can trust you, and you are an honorable man.”
“What are your conditions, Miss Prescott?” War asked curiously, feeling as though he was negotiating a sale of cattle instead of asking a woman to marry him.
“Needless to say I would wish my own room for the time being, Mr. Jenkins, until we both agree that we wish to make the marriage more than in name only.”
“I agree with that,” War promptly replied. He would have made the suggestion himself.
“Thank you,” Sarah replied. “You must also agree that you will not beat me.”