baked, and Laura tipped it out of the pans. There wouldn’t be time to bake more before the crowd arrived, but she put more dough to rise to bake later and set about making several dozen biscuits. They were baking as the dining room door flew open and men rushed in and took their seats, laughing and talking loudly.
Normally, Delcie would take orders, but with her still tender ankle she couldn’t move fast enough.
Laura glanced at the rowdy crowd and looked ready to be ill. “I’ll wait on them.” While she went to take orders, Delcie dished up bowls of soup, knowing they would be needed.
Ryder came from the sickroom. “I’ll lend a hand.”
Delcie flicked a glance at him. Seemed he did whatever he wanted, so she didn’t bother arguing. Laura returned and leaned against the worktable as if to catch her breath. She was pale and shaking. “They are rougher than usual.” She straightened. “But I’ll manage.” Taking up brimming soup bowls, she returned to the dining room.
A crash of a falling chair shattered the peace. Loud voices rang in anger.
“I’ll take care of it.” Ryder strode into the dining room.
Delcie moved to one side so she could see what was going on. Two burly men faced each other, both talking at once so she couldn’t make out the words. Their fists were curled. Their countenances dark from the sun and from anger. Both were big. And loud.
Sally whimpered, and Delcie drew her to her side.
Kent poked his head around the door so he could watch. It wasn’t the kind of scene she wanted him to witness, but before she could call him back her attention jerked toward the men. And Mr. Remington pushing himself in between them. Did he have a wish to be bloodied and battered? There was already a man in the only bed available. There wasn’t room to tend a second. And certainly not this man, who one minute had her thinking pleasant things like how kind he was and the next filling her with suspicion.
But he lifted his elbows and planted one on either man’s chest. “Boys, this is a decent establishment. There’ll be no fighting here. And kindly lower your voices. There are children listening to you.”
The man on his right shoved Mr. Remington’s arm aside. “He offended me.”
The man on the left laughed mockingly. “I only spoke the truth. Yer mules are troublesome. Always biting and kicking.”
Several of the men nodded but none spoke up.
Mr. Remington pushed himself even more between them and planted his palms on the opposing chests. “If you two want to argue and fight, please take it outside. In fact, take it back to the mule train. No doubt the animals are used to the way you behave.” He drew himself up taller and gave each man a hard look. “But it does not belong here. Am I clear?”
The pair kept staring at each other and ignoring Mr. Remington.
Laura slipped to Delcie’s side. “I fear he is going to be attacked,” she whispered.
“Me too. And even though I don’t trust him, I have to admit to needing his help at the moment.” And maybe for a few days with the preacher in the condition he was in.
The fighting pair leaned closer to each other, anger twisting their faces so badly Delcie shuddered. Mr. Remington was about to be crushed.
He seemed to coil himself, and then gave a mighty heave that sent the men staggering backwards. He planted his hands on his hips and glowered fiercely at them. “You’re welcome to sit down and eat but only if you can be civilized. Do I make myself clear?”
Delcie shivered at his tone. He was clearly a man who would tolerate no nonsense.
One man grabbed his hat and strode from the room, muttering under his breath.
The other returned to his chair, his scowl informing everyone he wasn’t happy about his choices.
Mr. Remington looked around the room. “And the rest of you, take off your hats.” He waited until they had done so then returned to the kitchen, his eyes cold and furious, his hands curled into fists. “They’ll behave now.” He took two bowls of soup and carried them into the dining room.
Laura took two more bowls and followed him while Delcie began to fill plates with food. She shivered at the change in Mr. Remington. So fierce. So unafraid. Yet, despite her misgivings about who this man was, she couldn’t help but admire how he’d handled the rowdy men.
But she