Second Chance Brides by Vickie Mcdonough

“Heeyup!”
    The wagon lurched forward, groaning and creaking. Once back on the main road, Garrett leaned his elbows on his knees, allowing the reins to dangle in his fingers. “I’ve been ruminating on some ideas.”
    Mark’s stomach clenched. What was Garrett up to now? Whatever it was, he wanted no part of it.
    “What do you think about starting up a social on Saturdays? Have some ladies fix food, have some music and dancing?”
    “Why?” Mark’s voice rose higher than intended.
    Garrett’s gaze darted in his direction. “So we can get those gals married off. That’s why.”
    Mark leaned back and crossed his arms, shaking his head. It might sound like a half-decent plan, but something was sure to go wrong. “That’s a bad idea, brother. You best leave well enough alone.”
    “Nope, I think it’s a great idea. We’ll get unmarried men to come, and sooner or later, someone’s bound to catch the eyes of them gals.”
    “Have you considered that it will cost money to hire musicians? And you can’t expect the women to come and bring food for free all the time. If you did something like that, you’d need to hire Polly to cook, most likely. Besides, there are dozens of unmarried men, and just those two gals. Doesn’t sound like much fun for either side.”
    “Hmm…” Garrett rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “You’re probably right about the food. But the single men around here are desperate. They won’t care if they only get one dance with a pretty gal, but maybe we could invite folks from other nearby towns and ranches. Maybe some of the ranchers will bring their older daughters. You’re right. We’ll need more than the two boardinghouse brides for the men to dance with.”
    “I’m warning you. This is a bad idea.”
    “Aw, stop your fretting.” Garrett glanced at him and grinned wickedly. “Don’t forget about your surprise.”
    Mark heaved a sigh, and his mind raced. He had forgotten, and from the look in his brother’s eyes, he had a feeling he wouldn’t like this surprise much.

     
    Shannon practiced walking around the parlor using a crutch the marshal had borrowed from the doctor’s office. The long branch had a nub halfway down where her hand rested, and though the V under her armpit had been wrapped with fabric, she still found it uncomfortable. But if she was going to work at the freight office, she had to get mobile.
    Her skirt snagged against the long stick, making forward progress difficult and throwing her off balance. A chuckle sounded behind her, and she took several small steps in a half circle until she was facing the other direction.
    Rachel smacked her husband on the arm. “Don’t you dare laugh at her.”
    The marshal pressed his lips together for a moment. “Sorry, but I think that crutch is too long.”
    “Well, cut it down to fit her.” Rachel glared at Luke playfully with her hands on her hips.
    He shook his head. “I can’t. It belongs to Doc Phillips.”
    “Well, I don’t see how Shannon will manage that bumpy street when she can barely get around the parlor.”
    Shannon stared at the newlywed couple. Rachel looked pretty clothed in her brown work dress with tiny yellow sunflowers on it. A fresh apron covered the garment, and her long brown braid fell down over her shoulder, hanging clear past her waist. Dressed in black pants and a medium blue shirt, Luke stood next to her, staring down at the stick that held Shannon upright.
    Truth be told, she didn’t like the crutch, but the marshal had been so nice to fetch it for her that she hated to say so. She tried again and managed three steps before she lost her balance. She reached for a nearby table and missed.
    “Oh!” Rachel squealed.
    Shannon’s hand brushed the arm of the settee, but she missed it, too, and landed on the floor. Pain clutched her ankle and hand, but it was nothing compared to when she first injured her leg. She tried to push up from the floor, but her long skirts had