Chapter 2

Jonathan Wilder tugged on the reins and stopped his buggy in front of The General Store, hopping out before helping his sister do the same.

Abigail slowly scanned Front Street, taking in the sights of her new home. It was quite a bit smaller than Wichita, where she had lived her entire 22 years up until last week. But at first glance it seemed to have all the essentials—a post office and bank, a doctor, some shops, a decent looking restaurant. The street was quiet and nobody was shooting. Dodge City had quite a reputation, but maybe it wasn't as bad as she had heard.

Jonathan tied up his horse and stood proudly next to Abigail. "What do you think so far?" he asked.

"Oh, it seems just fine," she said, trying to sound convincing. "Why don't you show me around?"

"I'd love to," he said. "There are some people I want you to meet. Folks here are real nice."

Jonathan had moved to Dodge just over a year ago, after his maternal grandfather had left him a thriving cattle ranch in his will. It was the life he had always wanted as a boy, but the ranching business in his home town had collapsed after the quarantine line for Texas cattle was redrawn south of Wichita. He had resigned himself to a career at his father's livery until poor health had forced his father's early retirement. Jonathan struggled to run the business alone amid growing competition, eventually taking on a second job as a barkeep to make ends meet for his small family.

A new life in Dodge would mean leaving his widowed father solely in the care of Abigail, his younger sister and only sibling. His father was stubborn and refused to move from the only home he had ever known. Jonathan didn't want to leave them, but Abigail had insisted. She was not going to let the brother she adored give up his dream if she could help it.

So despite his hesitation, Jonathan sold what was left of the livery business and quit his meager job to head west. He sent money home each month while Abigail took in sewing jobs to help with expenses. It was a burden for a single young woman, but at least she could sleep well at night knowing she was doing the right thing. Her mother had died when she was six, and her father had worked hard to provide for her and Jonathan all those years. She hadn't thought twice about where she should be when her father developed a heart condition and needed constant care.

Tall and slender, with long chestnut hair and eyes to match, Abigail was the kind of woman who turned heads anywhere she went. Dodge City appeared to be no exception as she and Jonathan strolled through town.

Matt Dillon and Chester Goode were sitting on the porch in front of the jail, trying to catch a breeze on a warm summer day. Both men stood when they saw Jonathan Wilder approaching with this unfamiliar beauty.

"'Mornin'," Chester said cheerfully to the pair, though his eyes were fixed squarely upon Abigail. She was wearing an azure print dress that accented both her curves and her creamy skin tone. Matt tipped his hat. "Hello Jonathan, Ma'am."

"Good morning Chester, Marshal," Jonathan replied, gesturing toward the lovely lady. "I'd like you to meet my sister Abigail from Wichita. She's going to be staying with Sarah and me for a while."

Jonathan had met Sarah Pearson his second week in Dodge at a barn dance, and they quickly became an item. They had married eight months ago and were expecting their first child in a few weeks. Hardworking and outgoing, Jonathan and Sarah had many friends and were among the town's most respected couples.

"Well, ain't that nice," Chester said, grinning broadly. He could smell the sweet scent of Abigail's perfume, reminiscent of wild sunflowers.

"I was just showing Abigail around town and thought she should meet two of its finest citizens," Jonathan said amiably.

"Happy to meetcha—is it Miss Wilder?" Chester asked, removing his hat.

"Yes," she said, smiling shyly.

"Abigail has been taking care of our ill father in Wichita by herself since I moved here," Jonathan explained. "He died recently, so she came here to be with family for a while."

"Aw, now, that's just an awful shame," Chester said sympathetically. "I'm real sorry about your pa."

"Thank you," she replied with a grateful nod.

"Welcome to Dodge, Miss Wilder," Matt said politely. "Let us know if you need anything while you're here."

"I appreciate that, Marshal," she replied sincerely. "Actually, I'm hoping to find a job, so if you hear of anyone needing help I'd be much obliged."

"I keep telling her that isn't necessary," Jonathan said, sounding somewhat exasperated. "She's going to be helping Sarah with the baby, and that'll be plenty of work."

"Helping with my niece or nephew is not work," Abigail insisted. "Just because you're older than me doesn't mean you have to take care of me. I'm going to earn my keep."

Jonathan shook his head and smiled. "I suppose I could argue, but I would lose. She takes after our father. I doubt you have ever met a woman as stubborn as this one," he said good-naturedly.

Matt couldn't help but chuckle at the comment, though he had definitely not been in a laughing mood lately.

"Oh, I don't know about that," he replied, thinking of a certain redhead who could out-stubborn a mule.

Job opportunities for women in Dodge were limited. Of course there enough saloons to keep a lot of girls busy, and she was certainly pretty enough for that kind of work. But having spent all of three minutes with Abigail Wilder, Matt knew she wasn't the type.

He did have one suggestion, however, and passed it along. "You know, a new dress shop is opening down the street," he offered. "I don't know if that's the kind of work you're looking for, but I heard they might be needing some help."

"Oh, that is exactly the kind of work I'm looking for," Abigail replied. "I enjoy being around people, and I can sew too. Thank you kindly."

"You're welcome," he returned.

"Well, I guess we'd best be on our way," Jonathan said. "We're going to grab a late breakfast before I show Abigail the rest of the town. It was nice to see you both."

Matt and Chester nodded as the two continued their way down Front Street. Chester watched Abigail walk away for a good thirty seconds, enjoying the view with a grin still plastered on his face.

"Would you like a pair of binoculars so you can see better?" Matt teased his friend.

"Oh, Mister Dillon," Chester laughed awkwardly. "She just seems like a real nice lady is all."

Chester put his hat back on as he and Matt took their chairs on the porch.

"Sure is a mystery," Chester said a few seconds later, almost to himself but well aware that Matt could hear him.

"What's a mystery?" Matt asked.

"Oh, well," Chester started, now that he was obliged to explain, "it's just kinda hard to imagine that a woman like Miss Wilder's not spoken for, ain't it? A place as big as Wichita, you'd think the fellas'd be lined up and down the street to ask for her hand. She's gotta be in her 20's, wouldn't you say? I mean, how many women that purty and nice ain't been snatched up by some lucky man by now?" Chester could beat a subject until it begged for mercy.

He looked over at Matt, expecting an answer or at least a comment, instead finding himself on the receiving end of an irritated glare. The number of men a beautiful woman might attract was clearly not Matt Dillon's favorite subject at the moment.

TBC