RICKY: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Mail-Order Brides Club Book 5) (11 page)

T
he next two
weeks were both quiet and busy at the same time. Quiet because Ricky wasn't around much. He was gone several days each week and when he was there, he was distracted and in his own world and spent most of his time in the library. Sarah stayed away then, as she didn't want to bother him by using the sewing machine while he was trying to concentrate.

But the day of the next charity event, a Saturday, Sarah was up early, had her coffee and toast and then settled into the library to work on one of her sewing projects while Andrew played outside.

She was so lost in her work that she almost didn't hear Ricky walk into the room and sit down at his desk. When she looked up and saw him there, she offered to leave that so he could have his privacy.

"No, thank you. It's fine. I don't mind if you stay. I just have some reading to do and some writing."

Sarah hesitated for a moment. "All right then," she agreed and turned her attention back to her sewing.

Ricky threw a log on the fire and then they both settled into their work and spent the next few hours in comfortable silence, focusing on their respective projects. Sarah's shoulders started aching after a while and she decided it was a good time to take a break and have lunch as well. 

"I'm going to stop for a bit. Shall I make you a sandwich?" she offered.

Ricky looked up, startled out of his thinking and nodded. "Yes, that would be nice. Thank you."

Sarah made them all sandwiches, and brought one in to Ricky, who ate at his desk while she sat with Andrew in the kitchen. When he went off to play again, she returned to the library and resumed her sewing.

Ricky glanced her way when she entered the room, smiled and then they spent the next few hours lost in their own worlds again. Eventually, it was time to start thinking about getting ready for the evening ahead and Sarah put her sewing down and went to check on Andrew. They were going to be dropping him at Ricky's brother's house again for the night.

Instead of making a brand new dress, Sarah made another overlay for her purple one, a gorgeous, lacy cream confection that was beautiful against the vivid purple. She hadn't worn the purple dress yet, but since people had seen it at the fair, she wanted to do something to make it look new.

Buttoning on the cream overlay transformed it perfectly. She took care, gathering her hair into a flattering twist style, pinning it all up securely and leaving just a few wispy pieces to frame her face. By the time she was ready and came down the stairs, Ricky was waiting for her and looked so handsome in his black suit that it took her break away.

She'd always thought he was an attractive man, but he'd grown even more so over these recent weeks when she'd gotten to know him better and seen different sides of him. She knew that he was still hurting, but she was hopeful that the old Ricky would emerge soon. There were occasional glimpses of him, mischievous glances, and happy grins that always took her by surprise when they appeared. 

Sarah wasn't as nervous this time as she was for the last event. She was feeling more relaxed in general and more confident. At least a half-dozen women had contacted her since the fair to inquire about having dresses made, and all were so warm and friendly to her. She was starting to feel accepted and part of the community and it was a good feeling. 

T
hey dropped
Andrew off and drove back into town. This event was being held at the Opera House. It was a gorgeous building with soaring, high ceilings and luxurious decor. The food was catered and from a new restaurant that had recently opened in town, The Bristol, that had everyone buzzing and was giving the dining room at the Bozeman Hotel a bit of competition.

Most of the Donovan clan was there when they arrived, and Sarah went over to say hello while Ricky went to the bar to get cocktails for them. He found them a few minutes later and handed a glass of wine to Sarah. 

"Both Emily and Lynn are here and, if I'm not mistaken, I believe they are both wearing dresses that you made? The overlays are a dead giveaway," Colleen said as the two women walked by.

Sarah smiled. "Yes, they are. I made sure to make very different overlays for each of them, though, so they wouldn't look too similar."

"They're both beautiful and the underlying fabric is very different as well. I wouldn't be surprised if you pick up a few new assignments after this evening after everyone sees them and you in yours." Colleen looked more closely at Sarah's dress. "That's a new overlay, too, isn't it? I really like the cream."

"Yes, thank you." Sarah smiled, happy to be out and enjoying the evening. She felt more comfortable with everyone now, as if she belonged. Ricky came toward her as the band started to play a lively tune.

"Care to dance?" he asked and she caught her breath a bit at the wicked gleam in his eye. Charming Ricky had returned, if only for the moment.

"I'd love to."

He pulled her into his arms and rested one hand on her waist, and with the other twirled her around the dance floor. When the tempo slowed, he pulled her in closer and whispered in her ear, "Are you having fun?"

She smiled back. "I'm having a wonderful time."

"I'm glad. I love seeing you smile and I'm sorry I've been such a grump lately."

"You had the best of reasons."

"I know. But I feel like I'm starting to come out of the fog now. Thank you for being so patient with me."

Sarah smiled up at him, and he leaned closer and said softly, "If we weren't in public, I'd kiss you right now. I'm dying to, just so you know."

He leaned back and grinned as Sarah gasped at the unexpected comment.  The music picked up then, and he dipped and twirled her around the dance floor. They were both a bit breathless when the music stopped. The next song was a favorite of both of them, so they started dancing again and soon the dance floor was packed.

The rest of the evening was like a dream to Sarah. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had so much fun. There were no overheard nasty comments, no disdainful glances. It seemed as though people were, if not outright approving of her as a potential mayor's wife, at least accepting.

From what she could see, anyway. She knew that there were still many townspeople who didn't frequent events like this and who might have very different ideas about her suitability for Ricky. But, there was nothing she could do about that, so she tried not to worry too much about it.

H
er bubble was burst
, however, when they left at the end of the evening. She and Ricky had said their goodbyes to everyone and were about to climb into their buggy when a slurred voice called over to them.

"Still don't know why you bothered to marry her. Could have just gone upstairs like all the others probably did. You'll never be mayor now. Who would vote for you with a saloon girl for a wife?"

It was the vile man, Ronnie, that Sarah had run into so many weeks ago at the mercantile, when Lynn was ahead of them in line. He was evidently still bitter that she had refused his offer to 'go upstairs.'

"I never..." Sarah started to say as hot tears appeared.

"I know." Ricky's voice was frightening as he stepped toward the drunk man.

A small crowd had gathered around him as he continued to taunt Ricky and Sarah. "Trash is what she is, I tell you!"

“Ronnie, you know that none of what you just said is the truth? You're just mad because Sarah turned down your advances."

"What?" the man sputtered, surprised that Ricky had caught his lie.

"Sarah told me everything. I also know that you've been banned from the saloon for harassing the girls. It's not that kind of place. Never has been. Now, why don't you go on your way and stop bothering people."

Ronnie was silent, swaying and fuming.

"Oh, and I think you owe my wife an apology."

"I'm not going to apologize to the likes of her!"

Ricky stepped forward, towering over the other man by almost a foot. He stared down at him and lowered his voice so that only Ronnie could hear. "Yes, you will, unless you want me to beat you senseless. You don't want that, do you? Because I'd be more than happy to oblige."

"Fine,” Ronnie muttered as he backed away from Ricky. He turned to Sarah and cast his eyes downward, unable to face her directly. "I'm sorry I said those things."

"And I was wrong about them," Ricky prompted.

"Yes, that too. I was mistaken," he mumbled.

"Now, go on your way." Ricky said, and the man shuffled off. 

"I'm so sorry about that," Ricky said as he climbed into the buggy next to Sarah.

"It's all right. Thank you for defending my honor."

She was glad that Ricky hadn't needed to get into a fight with the man and was happy that it was over. The small crowd that had gathered began to disperse as well as they drove off. 

"Do you think that had any effect on those people? That they might believe what he said?" Sarah was worried about that again.

"No, those are all good people. They're not going to listen to a drunk fool who doesn't know what he's talking about. Everyone knows he's been banned from several of the saloons in town. He's a menace.

Sarah smiled. "Yes, that he is."

T
he house was
quiet when they arrived home. Ricky brought the horses out to the barn for the night and then came inside, joining her in the kitchen where she was thinking about heating some water for tea.

That thought went right out of her mind, though, when Ricky came over to her and pulled her into his arms. He leaned in and kissed her thoroughly, taking her quite by surprise. A pleasant surprise, to be sure. When they finally came up for air, he grinned and said, “I’ve been dying to do that all night. I hope you don't mind?"

Sarah chucked. "Did it seem like I minded?"

"Good, so you won't mind if I do it again?"

He brought his lips to hers and kissed her slowly and tenderly this time, just barely brushing his lips over hers and then tracing a line of soft kisses along her neck and then back to her lips again. He pulled back, then, and looked her in the eyes.

"There's so much I want to say. I can't thank you enough for putting up with me. I know it hasn't always been easy. I’ve been thinking a lot about something my mother said to me shortly before she passed. She knew how I felt long before I did. She said she could see that we loved each other, that I loved you.”

He hesitated for a moment, and then continued. “I’ve never truly been in love before, so I didn't recognize it right way, but she was right.”

He grinned at her then and it was the sweet mischievous smile that she loved so much. “I love that you're the first person I see each morning and the last one I see at night. I love that we can spend hours in each other’s company without saying a word, just enjoying the comfort of being near each other. And I love that when I'm away, I can't wait to get home to see you. I miss you when I'm not here and I guess this is my long-winded way of telling you that I love you, Sarah Donovan. I just wanted you to know that."

"You do?" Sarah's heart swelled. She'd been falling deeply in love with Ricky as well and didn't dare hope that he might have similar feelings. He’d been so hard to read of late.

She felt a rush of joy that was indescribable. "I love you too, more than you'll ever know."

"My mother was right, then. She said that she saw it in your eyes. I can't tell you how happy that makes me.”

Sarah hesitated as a worrisome thought crossed her mind. "But, what if you lose the election, because of me?" 

Ricky ran a hand through her hair, smoothing it as he smiled down at her.  "What if I do? There will be other elections. If I lose this one, it just means that it's not my time. It doesn't change the way I feel about you."

"Really?" Sarah caught her breath. There was a gleam in Ricky's eye that gave her hope that this was real and true.

"Yes. I love you, Sarah. Always and forever."

"Always and forever," she repeated softly. "I like the sound of that."

"I'm glad, because you'll be hearing it a lot," He claimed her lips again and again and finally, when they took a break, he asked, "Would you consider coming upstairs with me?"

Sarah didn't hesitate. It was the right time for them.

"Yes," she said simply and held out her hand. "Lead the way, Mr. Donovan."

T
here was going
to be a party on election night, no matter which way the vote went. Everything had been arranged. Sarah handled all the details and worked with Julia and Liam to have the gathering at Donovan's Pub.

Sarah thought that she was probably more nervous about this election than Ricky was. He was as cool as a cucumber, it seemed, laughing and joking with everyone, and he continued to assure her that it didn't matter to him if he won or lost. He'd grown fond of saying, "Being married to you is a win for me. Being elected mayor would just be icing on the cake."

The polls were closing at six and the election results were expected to be tabulated by eight p.m. The town hall was just a block away from Donovan's Pub and Liam was the designated messenger to deliver the news. News that would mean either an exuberant celebration or a more reserved gathering. That had yet to be determined. All the Donovans, as well as their friends, were there to support Ricky. Donovan's Pub was bursting at the seams with well-wishers. 

As 8 p.m. drew near, everyone could feel the anticipation building. At ten of, Liam started his walk to town hall. He returned at ten past and behind him was that Ronnie, smiling from ear to ear, which immediately turned Sarah's stomach as a feeling of dread washed over her.

A hush fell over the room as they waited for Liam to speak. He stepped onto a stool so that everyone could see him as he addressed the room.

"It was very close, an unheard of margin, actually. The winner won by just one vote!"

There were several gasps throughout the room. But then Liam's poker face revealed itself as a happy grin stretched across his face.

"Ricky won! He is the next mayor of Bozeman!"  

The room erupted in cheers and cries of congratulations. When Sarah looked to her left, she took a step back as Ronnie was standing beside her. But his smile was genuine and he held out his hand to her.

"I wanted to come and apologize in person to you. I was out of line more than once with you. I can admit when I'm wrong. I voted for Ricky, too."

He walked away then and Sarah shook her head. It was amazing to her how things had turned around and to think that one vote could make such a difference.

W
hen most of
the crowd had cleared out and only the Donovan family was left in the pub, Sarah told Ricky what Ronnie had said to her and he chuckled.

"I'm not too surprised. I heard that more than one person had words with him after that altercation and each one set him straight about you. I think his biggest issue is alcohol. He's not so bad when he's sober."

"His vote may have been the one that gave you the win," Sarah said.

"I know. Every vote matters. I'm thankful for every one, even his." 

They strolled over to the large corner table where Colleen and David were sitting with Julia and Liam. The rest of the family had left and they were all planning to leave shortly as well. 

"Oh, I meant to mention this to you earlier, Julia,” Colleen said. “I received another letter from Maeve today. She's sounding desperate to leave Boston. Her situation there is only getting worse. Is there anyone we could match her with?"

Julia thought for a moment. "What about Jason? I overheard him at the bar here just last week complaining to his friend that he'd get married in a minute if only there was an attractive, single woman available." 

"Jason could be intriguing," Colleen said excitedly. 

"What is Jason like?" Sarah asked. She'd met him briefly at one of the Donovan's Sunday dinners but knew little about him, other than that he'd recently joined the sheriff's department as a deputy sheriff. He was tall, like Ricky, but very light, with blonde hair and blue eyes. From what she'd seen, he seemed more serious and quiet.

"He's close to David. They are similar personality-wise, both more reserved. He's a thinker, loves to read, and he's also a peacemaker. Jason is very good at calming people down, helping them to see both sides of a situation. I think he'll make an excellent deputy."

Colleen’s eyes clouded as she hesitated for a moment and then asked the others, "Do you think he's over losing Angela yet?"

They were quiet and David just shrugged.

"Who was Angela?" Sarah asked.

"His childhood sweetheart. Everyone knew they were going to get married and he was about to propose when she suddenly got very sick and then died. It was completely unexpected and shocked everyone. Jason took it especially hard, of course."

"That's awful. How long ago was it?" Sarah couldn't imagine how painful that must have been for him.

"A little over two years now. He hasn't shown any interest in any other women since."

"Well, from what I heard, it sounds like he may be open to the idea now," Julia said.

"I'll talk to him, if you really think this Maeve might be right for him. What is she like?" David asked.

"Maeve is beautiful and funny. She has long, blonde hair, green eyes and a wicked sense of humor. She's usually the center of attention. People like to be around her and she's never at a loss for words. Maeve is quite the storyteller. I really miss her."

David smiled. "She does sound like she could complement Jason. I'll let you know what he says."

L
ater that evening
, after everyone had left, Sarah and Ricky walked home from the pub, arm in arm. As they reached the front door, Ricky pulled her toward him for a kiss. Then he said, "This has been a magical night for me. A dream come true, made only better by having you by my side. You'll probably get sick of hearing this, but I'm saying it again, I love you Sarah Donovan, always and forever."

"Always and forever," she whispered back. And then she kissed him.