Caleb's Rain Lily Bride (Texas Frontier Brides Book 1) Page 14
“Well, good. And, uh, well…there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk about to you. . .with you, I mean.”
Maggie stared at his face. He didn’t need to think he owed her any sort of explanation. Still, it was better to do this his way. “All right. What is it?”
Caleb’s cheeks reddened again and he stared at his boots. “I didn’t mean today. I meant, you know, sometime later. Maybe even Saturday.”
To make the dance more special, she guessed. Probably announce it to the whole town. Well, that would be better than just getting her alone with him to tell her. It would be easier to look happy in a crowd. She was an expert at biting her lip and smiling.
“Whenever you think it’s the best time,” she agreed.
He stood and almost tipped the rocker over backwards, catching it at the last moment. “Sorry about that. I, uh, guess I’d better let you get some rest. See you tomorrow, maybe.”
She nodded. “Thank you for coming by. And Caleb?”
He stopped and turned back to her.
She forced herself to look at his face. “Thank you for yesterday. For coming after me.”
An uneasy expression crossed his face. “About that, Maggie. We didn’t really know you were there until we got there. We were looking for Allen.”
She laughed. “I guess it doesn’t matter. It worked out and that’s what I’m thankful for.”
“Me, too. More thankful than you know.”
***
Despite all of her rest the day before, Maggie managed to sleep past dawn. A wagon load of lumber clanking down Main Street woke her from a dreamless sleep. At the window, she stared down to the already bustling town. Why had Gram let her slumber so long?
She dressed quickly and left her hair in the long braid, not bothering to put it up. At the bottom of the stairs, she stopped and listened. Her muscles relaxed as she heard familiar sounds coming from the kitchen. Gram was frying bacon and doing her usual morning routine.
She stopped again as the sound of laughter reached her ears. Caleb was there, having his breakfast. She reached back and felt of her hair. Maybe she should go back upstairs and pin it up. But no, he had seen her hair down before.
She stepped inside and they both looked toward her.
“You should still be resting,” Gram scolded, picking up an empty cup and pouring coffee. “You just come right over here and sit down,” she instructed, following with the cup of hot liquid.
“I guess this is sort of like being in the army, taking orders from a bossy sergeant,” Maggie teased and glanced at Caleb.
“I’ll guarantee you the food is nothing like the army’s,” he grinned. His expression sobered. “So how do you feel this morning?”
Maggie gave an exasperated sigh and set her coffee on the table. “I wish you both would stop asking me. A little bump on my head from when I fell. That’s all it is. I wasn’t hurt. And you,” she pointed at Gram, “shouldn’t have let me sleep so long!”
Caleb stood and pushed his chair under the table. “I better be getting down to the office. A couple of Texas Rangers ought to be here sometime before noon. They’ll be taking the Doones back to Austin. They answered my telegram and it indicated that there were already U. S. Marshals on their way to Austin to pick them up and deliver them to Fort Smith. I hope Judge Parker does a good job taking care of these two.”
Maggie watched him leave and finally turned to Gram when the front door shut. “If you had wakened me sooner, I’d have done the breakfast, Gram.” She had never seen such a stricken look on her grandmother’s face as she had seen last night when Caleb brought her home. Maggie had really intended for the woman to rest all day.
Reba waved away her comments and set a plate of eggs on the table. Taking a seat herself, she passed the plate to Maggie. “I can handle breakfast myself. There is something I need you to help me with in an hour or so, though.”
“Of course,” Maggie smiled, taking her first bite of egg.
***
“Well, what do you think of it?”
“It’s beautiful.” The most beautiful dress she’d ever seen. Barely cream colored with a lacy collar and covered buttons on the bodice. Maggie touched the fine lace collar and gave an appreciative glance at Reba. “Did you tat this?”
Reba shook her head and ran her fingers over the same piece. “It came from a dress belonging to Nancy’s mother. I think maybe her wedding dress. Most of the fabric was ruined, but this collar was still good.”
“Nancy? Nancy Rollins?”
Reba nodded and pulled a pin from the cushion on her wrist, inserting it in the collar. “As a matter of fact, it is.”
Maggie tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry. It’s a…a wedding dress, isn’t it?”
“That’s right,” Reba said, checking the tightness of one of the buttons.
“She’ll be lovely,” she managed to say. A lump the size of an egg had grown in her throat in the past few moments.
“That is the idea,” Reba laughed. “Can I get you to try it on for me?”
Maggie’s heart plunged, as numbness crept through her. To think that she had to try on the dress that Caleb’s bride would wear was almost too much to bear. Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
“I don’t have this bodice just right. And now, she’s wanting it sooner. By Saturday, she said. By the way, I don’t think she wants anyone to know about this, alright?”
Maggie felt a rush of annoyance. “Well of course I wouldn’t do that, Gram.” Why spread Caleb’s good news around before he did it himself?
“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to seem so harsh. It’s just that Nancy is a little bit cautious after that first marriage of hers. I think she’s. . .she’s nervous.”
“Well, we know he’s a much better man than Herb Rollins,” Maggie said, her eyes still on the dress.
“Let’s hope.” Reba began to remove the dress from the form.
“But Gram. . .how can you say that?”
Reba shrugged. “Time will tell. Now go upstairs and put on that corset you keep tucked away, and let’s get this on you so I can start making some adjustments.”
***
Maggie pulled off her shirt and held up her arms as Gram dropped the dress over her head. Pulling it down and straightening the fabric, she broke her promise to herself. She looked in the mirror. Gram began fastening the buttons on the back. It fit her perfectly. As if it was made for her.
Reba’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper. “Oh my, Maggie.”
“Maggie laughed. “You sound amazed, Grammy.”
Reba shook her head, keeping her eyes on Maggie’s reflection. “Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen you in such a fancy dress in so long. You need to change that, granddaughter.”
“I know.” Gram was right. It was time to put away the trousers, except for heavy work or riding. She was getting tired of trying to walk in Ian’s boots.
“Well it’s about time I heard you say that,” Reba smiled. “Now looks like I need to take it in a bit in the waist and maybe a pinch in the shoulders.”
Maggie let Reba talk, listening, but not really hearing her words. The woman liked to talk to herself when she worked, said it made her remember the alterations better.
“There now, I think that’s everything. Let’s get this off of you.”
Good. She was tired of standing in for Caleb’s bride. Back in her own clothes, she helped Gram arrange the dress by the machine in the front room.
“Thank you, dear. If you go out, and see Nancy, tell her I think I can have it ready for her.”
“Of course.” Maggie wiped her moist palms on her trousers. “Guess I’d better go see if we have any eggs out in the coop. I was thinking about making a spice cake after while.” For Caleb. Because he loved her spice cake. She ought to give the recipe to Nancy. She was the one that would be making them for him, pretty soon.
“Caleb will appreciate it. All men like to be spoiled,” Reba smiled, her eyes twinkling.
She closed her eyes and tried to force all thoughts from her mind. But that was impossible. Caleb had worked his way into her heart before she could stop the way she felt about him. He would be embarrassed to know her feelings, especially now that he was engaged. She would have to do her best to never let them show. This town needed Caleb Hatcher. It would be unforgivable if she let her feelings drive him away.
Chapter 28
“These should go down to the livery, too,” Reba said, setting a stack of linens among the cups, plates, and silverware already in numerous stacks on the table.
Maggie laughed and peeked in the oven at the newest batch of cakes. “Why don’t we just take the house down there, Gram?”
“Now you hush,” Reba laughed. “We always want to make sure we have plenty of food and table linens. This is the nicest event most folks get to go to every year.”
Maggie nodded and folded a towel to remove the two cakes. Putting them on the board counter, she slid in the last two tins of batter and shut the door. They would make six. She still had to sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon, but the baking was mostly done. And about time, considering the load of other things Gram was gathering for her to haul to the livery barn.
Maggie plunged the dirty tins into the pan of warm water, just as a knock sounded at the door. Then another. Gram must be upstairs. Drying her hands on a towel, she headed to the front room. The door opened, and Nancy Rollins’ smiling face greeted her.
“Good morning!” Nancy said.
Maggie forced a smile to her lips. “Good morning to you. Come in, Nancy.”
Nancy’s hair was shiny and smooth, her dress starched and wrinkle-free. Maggie’s fingers felt behind her back to the long braid, now limp and damp from the hot kitchen. She must look a fright.
“I’ve come for the dress. If it’s finished.”
Maggie closed the door and nodded. “I don’t know if Gram has it off the form yet, or not.” Nancy followed behind her to the back room.
“What do you think of it, Maggie?” Nancy asked, her fingers caressing the gathered skirt.
Maggie folded her arms. “I can honestly say that it is the prettiest dress I’ve ever seen. You’ll be beautiful in it, Nancy.”
Nancy’s face lit up and her fingers went round Maggie’s elbow. She squeezed tight. “Oh, thank you, Maggie. That means a lot to me.” She took a deep breath. “I’m just so nervous about everything.”
Maggie smiled and patted her hand. “I don’t think you need to be nervous. Just enjoy all the excitement.” Nancy really was a sweet woman and she deserved some happiness after her first marriage. How she had ever chosen to marry a man like Herb Rollins was beyond comprehension. But marrying Caleb would more than make up for the past, she was sure.
Nancy let go of her and cleared her throat. “There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you, Maggie.”
“Of course. What is it?” Maggie asked, as she began to unbutton the back of the dress. Gram would probably be down in a moment, but she could start taking it off of the dress form.
“I was wondering…well, it’s just that we’ve decided to be married here, before we leave for Colorado, and–”
“You’re leaving?” Maggie’s fingers stilled as she interrupted. How could Caleb leave now, after he’d taken the job? What would the town do without him?
Nancy nodded. “Yes. He’s just purchased a ranch in Colorado. There’s a nice house and everything is set up. We’re both excited about it.”
Maggie focused her eyes on the dress, not daring to look at the other woman. “I think that’s really nice. For both of you.”
Nancy nodded. “What I was wanting to ask you is, if you would be willing to stand with me in the wedding? Be one of the witnesses?”
Maggie bit down hard on her lip before she answered. “Yes. Yes, I’d be honored to do that, Nancy.” It would be the last nice thing she could do for Caleb. It would be wrong to miss out on his happy day.
“Well, what do you think of it, now that it’s finished?” Reba asked, coming into the room.
Maggie breathed a sigh of relief and blinked back the sting of tears. “I’d better go check on those cakes,” she excused herself, as the two women began to discuss the lovely gown. Making her way to the kitchen, she checked on the two cakes in the oven and then began sprinkling the cooled layers with cinnamon and sugar. When the other two were done, she would start delivering Gram’s things to the livery barn. By then, it would be time to wash her hair and start getting ready. There would be plenty to do to keep her mind from Caleb’s wedding.
***
“Here’s what I’ve been working on while you were busy finding shot up cowboys and getting yourself kidnapped,” Reba said, spreading the pretty green calico dress on Maggie’s bed. “I picked the color especially, because it goes with your mother’s paisley shawl.”
Maggie stared as hot tears began to form behind her eyelids. “Oh, Gram. It’s beautiful!” She gathered her grandmother in her arms. “Thank you!”
She had been so busy feeling sorry for herself that she’d failed to see how much she was loved. Thank you so much for her, Lord. And help me have a good attitude tonight at the dance. I want to be the woman that You want me to be, not one that I fashioned for myself. I’ve tried it for too many years now, and it hasn’t worked a bit.
Her grandmother’s voice was cheery and sweet. “Now there, don’t carry on so much. It’s just a dress, sweetheart. You’ll be the prettiest one there.”
Maggie laughed and let go of her grandmother. “I hardly think so, but at least I will be one of the best dressed!”
“I can already see you in Caleb’s arms dancing across that floor. And he’s never seen you in a dress,” Reba reminded her.
Maggie stared at her for a moment. “Gram. . .I don’t think–”
A knock sounded at the door below.
“I’ll go get it.”
Maggie stared after her grandmother. Had Reba had hopes that Caleb would pick Maggie instead of Nancy? Her last words seemed so, but surely she didn’t expect Maggie to still have hopes.
Maggie shook her head and blew away those thoughts. Tonight would be a special night for Caleb and Nancy. She would do nothing to destroy their joy.
Chapter 29
Maggie arranged the cakes on the third table. There were so many desserts and other pastries, that they’d been forced to get more boards and saw horses from the hardware store to have a place to put all of them. The scent of all the pies made from dried apples, cinnamon, and raisins had her stomach growling. She would have to be careful how much she sampled tonight, lest she be up all night with a stomach ache.
The next dance would be at Christmas, and there were bound to be plenty of her favorite pumpkin pies and cookies to enjoy. The December dance had always been her favorite of the year, but with so much changed in town, tonight promised to be the best dance, yet.
At the first table inside the doorway, Reba was busy squeezing lemons while Mrs. Beecham, a teller at the bank, mixed sugar and water in the large glass bowls. Wally Stoner had ordered a special delivery of lemons and donated them, along with ten pounds of sugar, to the dance refreshments.
It had been a generous move for him. Wally was a loner, usually not very social. She wished he would find someone to love. He was a nice man. He had been married once, but his wife had died on the trip to Texas. He had never shown interest in anyone else.
Maggie sighed. She knew the pain he felt. And if not for Caleb’s appearance, she would still feel it. Now, she suffered from another sort of hurt, but it was one she could get over, given a little time.
Maggie smiled as she listened to the laughter across the room. With the Sayers gone, people were starting to relax and enjoy themselves, let go of the fear they had been
living with for so long.
Even though it was early, several wagonloads of folks had arrived from the countryside, and some of the town residents were beginning to drift inside, as well.
She checked the room again and confirmed that neither Caleb, nor Nancy had shown themselves, as yet. But she would be ready with a welcoming smile when they did. Caleb was happy and that was what was important.
“Well, don’t you look beautiful.” Caleb’s warm voice spoke behind her.
She whirled to see him standing close, a lopsided smile on his lips. He was wearing a white, starched shirt, along with a dark coat, and string tie. His brown hat had been cleaned and shaped. “Why. . .thank you.” She stared into his blue eyes, willing herself to pull her glance away, but nothing within her obeyed.
He smiled again. “I hope you’ll give me more than a few dances tonight.”
She took an unsteady breath and tried not to think of herself in his arms, his warmth as he pulled her close to him. “Of course.”
He laughed. “I just wanted to get my request in early. I figure there will be a long line.”
Heat worked up her neck and warmed her cheeks. “That’s very kind of you to say.”
His eyebrows arched. “Kind? I don’t think that’s the right word, Maggie Price.” He grinned again. “I figure–”
“Sheriff, will you come over here a minute?” Joe Sikes called from across the barn.
Caleb nodded and then tipped his hat to Maggie. “See you after while, Maggie.”