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The Christmas Bride

By Jenna Brandt

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The Trail’s End was thick with patrons as Lucy Rogers, the saloon manager, weaved her way through the crowded main room. Since Pierre Girald bought out the previous owner and placed Lucy in charge, business had increased, the clientele grew politer, and the frequent calls to the Sheriff ended. It had taken awhile for the men who frequented the establishment to get used to a woman running the place, but Lucy made it clear not to trifle with her.
“How do you do, Miss Rogers?” Tim Hickson asked as Lucy passed by his table. Gone were the days when the men of The Trail’s End could call her Lulu. The only ones allowed to call Lucy by her nickname these days were friends. She found she had to establish boundaries to have the men take her serious as the manager.
“I’m doing well, Mr. Hickson. Is Gertrude taking good care of you?”
Lucy had given Gertrude her old job back as a server. Though weathered by age, the woman was good at her job, and kept the customers content. The previous owner had removed her from serving, citing the men who came to The Trail’s End didn’t want to look at women over twenty-five. He had used and discarded the women who worked at the saloon without a second thought. Lucy was determined to treat them differently.
“She’s doing just right by me. Thanks for asking, Miss Rogers.”
Besides Gertrude, Lucy had hired two new servers and a cook after Amelie Leclaire left the spot vacant. During their short time working together at the saloon, the unlikely pair became friends. After quitting her job at The Trail’s End, Amelie married Pierre Girald, and re-opened her bakery. The couple were expecting their first baby in late spring.
After checking on security and a few tables, Lucy left the main room. She made her way down the hall and into the kitchen to check on the new cook. Louisa was standing by the stove, stirring a fresh pan of vegetables and rice when Lucy entered the room.
“How’s it going in here, Louisa?” Lucy inquired as she strolled over to the counter behind the cook and leaned against it.
“It’s going fine, Lulu.”
“Glad to hear. Inform me if you need a break, and I’ll make sure you get one. What you’re cooking right now should cover the last of the dinner crowd.”
“Sounds good. I will finish this up and then clean all the pots and pans.”
With a nod of approval, Lucy left the kitchen and walked to her office at the back of the building. She entered the room, rubbing her neck with one of her hands as she groaned. It had been a long day. She needed just a few minutes to relax before finishing up her nightly chores before closing. Lucy moved over to her desk and sat in the leather chair behind it, kicking off her sturdy boots and placing her feet on the edge as she stretched.
Lucy wouldn’t dare behave in such a way if someone were around to witness. She used to pride herself on not conforming to societal standards for women, but as a new Christian who recently became engaged to the son of the town pastor, she liked to present as a respectable woman.
Whenever she had a solitary moment, her mind drifted to Matthew McCoy, the man who stole her heart four months prior. When she met him, while visiting First Congregational Church of West Linn, she had been captivated by the rugged, good-looking sawmill worker. He had a toned body, broad shoulders, and an irresistible smile. Matched with his auburn hair, fair skin, and jade eyes, her attraction was instant. Once he poured on the charm, she fell for Matthew fully.
There was a knock at the door, jolting Lucy from her thoughts. “Who is it?” she asked as she yanked her legs off the desk, swiftly pulling her boots back on her feet.
“It’s Elaine. A regular is asking for you.”
“Thank you. I’ll be out in a minute.” She should have known she wouldn’t be able to have even a minute's peace while at The Trail’s End. There was always something needing her attention. As Lucy strode into the main room again, Buford Barnes waved her over to the bar where he was sitting on a stool.
“There you are, Lulu. I was wonderin’ where you'd gotten off to.” She could tell from the way he was slurring his words he had one too many drinks tonight. Lucy would talk with the bartender about it after closing. She had made a clear effort never to over serve any of the customers, no matter what they promised or threatened.
“Good evening, Mr. Barnes. Might I remind you, I go by Miss Rogers now. What can I do for you?”
“You don’t have to be so formal with me, gal.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Mr. Barnes, but I no longer work here in the same capacity as I did before.”
“I’ve been comin’ here long before you even worked at this place, and I remember when you first started. Straight off the stagecoach from back east and you were beggin’ for a job. Now you think you're somethin’ cuz that French fellow put you in charge. I’ll have you know I’ve got a good mind to head over to Oregon City. There’s plenty of places happy to take my money.”
Changing methods of dealing with Mr. Barnes, Lucy poured on the sugar as she addressed him. She reverted to her former ways of talking with patrons and indulged, “Sweetie, I know you are a loyal patron to The Trail’s End. I wouldn’t want you going anywhere else. Why don’t I have Louisa fix you up a special treat? I have a delicious tart in the back from the Leclaire Bakery with your name on it.”
“That sounds tempting, Lulu. Sure, you get me a piece of that tart.”
A few more of the men hollered at Lucy as she walked by them. She politely answered their questions giving them the attention they desired while maintaining the proper distance. It would be a long night before she could get another break.


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