by Zina Abbott
Hank shook his head. “The sooner the better, especially if you are going to go back to calling me Mr. Cauley. Will that give you enough time to prepare? I thought women needed months just for their wedding gowns.”
“Hank, I have more than one lovely gown I have never worn in Wildcat Ridge. I will choose one for our wedding. As for everything else, Elmira told me to give her a week’s warning. If I go over there now, she will have nine days. Although—with Thanksgiving between now and then, that could make a difference to her.”
“Elmira is such a wonder in the kitchen, I believe she will take both Thanksgiving and a wedding reception within nine days in stride. As for the dining room, after our holiday dinner with her family plus your two renters, we’ll leave the tables up and keep the store closed except for the hour or so I’ll handle the mail that Saturday. I’ll put the notices up so the word will get around. You, my love, visit your attorney, and then we’ll buy whatever food you need for the reception.” Hank’s fingers softly brushed Diantha’s cheeks as her eyes glistened with unshed tears and her quivering lips widened into a smile he recognized as one of happiness.
“Oh, Hank. This Thanksgiving week will truly be one of gratitude for me.”
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Chapter 28
~o0o~
Wildcat Ridge, Utah –November 29, 1884
U pon hearing the knock on the door between her private sitting room and the kitchen, Diantha allowed Elmira to enter. “Food’s ready. Hilaina and me ain’t setting up no tables until Hank clean clears them that come for their mail out and shuts the door. Susannah brung the big cake. I’d of baked one for you, but just as well. Rest of the cooking done kept me and Hilaina right busy.”
“Thank you, Elmira. You have no idea how much I appreciate you and Hilaina for helping me.”
“Hank looks right smart, though he ain’t wearing no coat yet. Says he’s afeard of the dirt from working the mail. He’s fixing to put it on right afore the wedding. Obliged you done asked Hilaina to stand up with you.”
“Your daughter had been a lifesaver and a wonderful friend, as have you. I’m pleased she agreed to do it.” At the knock on the back door, Diantha rushed through her bedroom. Once she peeked through her curtains and saw Garnet from the Crystal Café with her niece and nephew beside her, she opened the door and welcomed them inside. She smiled as Garnet offered her a questioning look.
“The children are all ready for the wedding, Diantha, but are you sure you wish Hyacinth to toss pine needles on the floor for you? It really is a shame we can’t get flower petals.”
“Yes, they should be all right. As people step on them, it will release their fragrance. I do love the scent of evergreen.”
She smiled at the young girl holding a basket half full of pine needles before she turned to the boy. “Joey, did Mr. Cauley already talk to you about the ring?”
Joey nodded, but Diantha turned to Garnet, who answered. “I think he is going to give Joey the ring to hold after you join him and Judge Vaile. While everyone is watching you and Hank, I will be keeping an eye on a certain somebody to make sure the ring does not escape out of his hands.”
Diantha laughed as she and her neighbor escorted the two children into the sitting area where Hilaina had joined her mother. Diantha noticed Hilaina had taken off her apron. Her hair and face showed no sign of the hours she had worked to help prepare the refreshments for the reception. “Are you ready for this, Hilaina?”
“Reckon so. Figure when you speak your vows, I’ll listen real close to them promises I done made to Buck. Ain’t sure I caught them all when we was married, being so nervous and all.”
“Today is my day to be nervous. Happy, but I’m anxious for it to be over.” Diantha turned her head to listen as strains of the song she had chosen to walk to filtered through the door. She knew George Tweedie stood on the other side and played his violin. She turned to see the eyes of the others in the room focused on her. She took a deep breath in an effort to settle her nerves. “It sounds like it is time. Garnet, I’ll let you guide the children out first, then Hilaina goes next. I’ll be last.” She leaned down as Hyacinth tugged on her skirt.
“Mrs. Ames, I don’t see your pa. Who’s giving you away?”
Diantha felt her smile waver then she regained her composure. “My father is dead, along with the rest of my family. Since I’ve been married before, I’m giving myself away.”
As the others filed out the room, Diantha turned when Elmira approached holding a Bible with a black leather cover and a white handkerchief. “Since there ain’t no flowers for a bouquet, I’d be right pleased if you’d carry my Bible and hanky. Hilaina done carried them when she was wed.”
As she accepted them, Diantha smiled and thanked Elmira. “I believe it is time for us to join the others.”
Diantha stepped through the door that Elmira closed behind her. She gazed around her hotel lobby, packed with her friends from Wildcat Ridge plus a few from the surrounding ranches. She noted even Braxton and Priscilla made the journey down from Angel Hot Springs. Hank and Owen Vaile stood in front of the closed double doors leading to Hank’s store where the reception would be held. Hilaina stood off to the side. Diantha glanced at the mostly young people who had claimed seating on the stairs, so they could see the wedding without adults blocking their view. She next focused on Hank, the man who would shortly be her husband, and walked towards him in time to the sweet strains played on the violin.
Feeling overwhelmed with the excitement of the occasion, Diantha found it difficult to focus on all Owen Vaile said. However, once she heard the words, “Henry Cauley, do you take Diantha Ames to be your lawfully wedded wife…” she turned to study the side of Hank’s face. These were his vows, the ones he needed to agree to. What overcame her was the realization that, although she had always been an Ames, both before and after her marriage to Eugene, at the end of the ceremony, she would be known by a different name. However, more than a surname and legal status would tie her to Hank. Her marriage to Eugene had been amiable, but Hank possessed her heart. She loved him as she had never loved before, and she knew he loved her. He was the love of her life.
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Epilogue
~o0o~
Wildcat Ridge, Utah –mid-July, 1885
D Diantha stretched her back and released the infant gown she had been stitching on. As it fell in her lap, she pressed her palm against the side of her abdomen.
“Baby done kicked you? Mine about beats me to death. Favors moving around come night. Surely wish Buck was here to feel it. Ma figures it’s a boy.”
Diantha smiled at Hilaina, who was a month further along with her pregnancy than she was. She next turned to Elmira with a raised eyebrow. “Is there really a way to tell?”
Never taking her eyes off the receiving blanket she hemmed for Hilaina, the older woman shrugged. “Ain’t nothing certain. Done guessed right more times than not.”
“Oh. Well, I’m not sure I want to know if you think my child will be a boy or a girl. I’m thrilled to finally carry one this long, and I’m afraid to tempt fate. I’ll be overjoyed if this child is born full term and healthy.”
“You look to be right fine to me. I’ll allow, it ain’t going to be no picnic during the birthing pains, but that young’un ain’t going to give you no trouble.”
“That’s what Doc Spense says. He assures me this is a normal pregnancy and he does not anticipate complications. However, I am beginning to wonder what the next two months hold in store for me as this baby gets bigger. Hilaina, are you doing okay?”
Hilaina shrugged. “Reckon so. Missing Buck, is all. It’s right nice he done went back to Colorado to help his old boss teach them new boys he took on when Buck come here. Been over two months, though, and I’m looking for him to come home. Don’t favor having this baby with him gone.”
“Didn’t you receive a teleg
ram from Hal saying they put him on the train?”
“Yes, but it’s taking too long.”
The door slowly creaked open. Diantha looked up and smiled as Hank stuck his head in.
“Good, Hilaina, you’re still here. The mail is here. I have a special delivery for you. Came in on the stage.”
“Special delivery? I ain’t looking for no mail.”
“Good, because you’re not getting any. You know I can’t write.”
Diantha laughed as Hank opened the door all the way to reveal a grinning Buck dressed for travel with saddlebags tossed over his shoulder.
Hilaina rose and, with arms spread, ran to her husband. “Buckley John Kramer. It’s really you.”
Diantha forgot about her discomfort as she watched Buck squeeze Hilaina tight against him and bury his face against her neck.
“In the flesh, Hilaina Kramer.”
After several seconds, Hilaina pulled away from him and, with tears falling, shook her finger as she scolded him. “Buck, I don’t much care if Mr. Walsh needs help on his ranch. You ain’t going there no more. I miss you too much.”
“I missed you, too, Hilaina. Those boys know what they’re doing well enough now. I don’t plan to go again.” He held her out at arm’s length and studied her girth. “You’ve gotten big, Hilaina. Before I left, I could hardly tell you had our baby inside you.”
“Ma says that happens with the first baby. Ain’t going to be long, Buck. Ma figures you got me in the family way on our wedding night, or right quick after.”
Buck leaned forward until his face was level with hers. “Hilaina, Boss found my brother. After I left last summer, he wrote to someone he knows in the Rocky Mountain Detective Agency. They usually just chase down men with a price on their heads. Since his friend was looking for my uncle, he agreed to look for Teddy, too.”
“Where is he?”
“Up in Montana running cattle. Hal wrote a letter to Teddy, and he wrote back. I’ll let you read it when we get to our room. You’ll help me write another letter to him, won’t you?”
“You know I will. Best we go home so I can see this letter.”
Before the pair turned to leave, Hank once again entered the room. Only then did Diantha realize he had stepped away after guiding Buck to Hilaina. She smiled knowingly as Hank showed them a small, light blue paperback book.
“I need to get back to my mail customers, you two, but this came in to the store last week. I held it aside without saying anything until Buck returned. I wanted to give it to both of you together.”
Excited, Hilaina snatched the book from Hank. “Look, Buck. This here is a whole book Hank done wrote about us. See at the top where it reads, ‘A Whistleman and Manytalks Tale?’ Down here it says, ‘Escaping the Ute Hunters.’ Ain’t that something?”
Buck turned to Hank with a toothy grin. “You got that wrote and printed up already?”
“Yes. They get these dime novels published faster than longer novels. The first book I wrote I’m still waiting to see in print, although I did send the corrected galleys back to the publisher a couple of weeks ago.”
“Buck, let’s hurry back to our bedroom. I want to read your letter from your brother and read this here book to you.”
“Hilaina, I’ll go anywhere with you as long as I can get you alone for a while.”
The room quieted with the departure of Hank, Hilaina, and Buck.
Diantha turned to face Elmira who grunted as she tucked the lightweight blanket she had been working on into a small tote bag. She rose from her chair and stretched her back.
Elmira nodded towards Diantha. “Obliged for the company.”
“Thank you for coming. I’ve enjoyed visiting with you.”
“Hilaina done all the talking.” The older woman stared at the closed door and shook her head. “Them two ain’t getting no reading done, not for a long spell, once Buck gets Hilaina to hisself. Good I got me my own sitting room the other end of the porch. Would’ve favored hearing about the ranch, but it’ll keep until them two turn up looking for vittles. Best go start supper.”
As Diantha returned to sewing her infant gown, she reflected on all the changes that had come into her life since the mine disaster. It was a little over a year ago she met Hilaina and Elmira—two friends who now felt like family to her. Another month and a half would mark the anniversary of Hank coming into her life. She rejoiced over all the love and joy he brought with him. She knew he joined her in being thrilled that, in the coming autumn, they anticipated the arrival of their first child. Knowing her history, Hank turned into the most attentive and careful husband she had ever heard of. He allowed her to walk up and down the stairs once per day with him by her side, so she could perform the light cleaning in the rooms and hallways. However, he insisted he would make the additional trips to fill the water pitchers and empty the chamber pots.
As if thinking about him conjured him up, Diantha smiled as Hank entered the room now empty except for her. He sat down beside her on the sofa and slid his arm around her shoulders.
“The others go home?”
After Diantha nodded, Hank grinned as he shook his head.
“I sure like Buck and Hilaina, but after they leave a room, it feels like I just escaped a whirlwind. They seemed to be happy about the book, didn’t they?”
“Yes. I’m sure they will read it eventually. Right now, my guess is they are catching up with each other in private after being apart so long.”
Diantha smiled as Hank leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“I believe you. That’s what I would want to do in their place. Then again, the better idea for us is we never be apart, if we can help it.”
Diantha laughed and questioned him while she kept her eyes focused on her needlework. “You did write that book the way Buck asked you to, didn’t you? I know he wanted to give the impression he accidentally cut wood too close to the reservation when the Utes found them. Although there is very little chance the Indian agent will read your book, I know Buck worried that if he did and figured out the three men had gone miles off the reservation looking for game, it might cause trouble.”
“Yes, I did. You know, those little inexpensive books are not what most well-educated people consider good literature, but they sure are popular. Did you know they’re usually sold in newsstands and railroad depots instead of in book stores? Even though I hide behind a pen name for the dime novels, I wouldn’t be surprised if I don’t make more money off that book than I will from the longer novel I’m still waiting to see in print.”
“Do you plan to write more dime novels?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve already started on the second Whistleman and Manytalks book. In this one, I’ll combine the story of how Hilaina drove Mortimer Crane away with the stick of firewood with the time we chased him off when he claimed Buck stole his cabin.” Hank pulled Diantha’s head towards him so it rested on his shoulder. “I love you, Diantha. These stories may be about the experiences of others, but you are my true inspiration.”
Barely able to contain her joy, Diantha snuggled into her husband’s side. “It thrills me your writing makes you happy, Hank. I’m just so grateful you made peace with your father and convinced him to set his brickmaking business up to go to your nephew. I’m excited we’re expecting our child soon. Mostly, Hank, I’m so happy you agreed to accept a poorly paying postmaster job here in Wildcat Ridge in the middle of the Uinta Mountains. I love you, Hank. Thank you for coming here and being who you are. Thank you for loving me.”
~o0o0o~
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Thank you for reading
Diantha
Each book of my books is a sweet Western Historical Romance. You may find all my books on my Amazon Zina Abbott Author Page on Amazon.com
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If you enjoyed reading Diantha, you will also enjoy my companion novel in the series,
The Widows of Wildcat Ridge,
Nissa, Book 3
Although these two are written as stand-alone novels, they may also be read as a duet—a series within a series.
Here is Chapter 1:
Wildcat Ridge, Utah
May, 1884
N
issa straightened from bending over the wringer hooked to the tub of cold water she used for the final rinse of the sheets and arched her back. She picked up the clean sheets now piled in a basket ready for hanging and set it on the floor of the wide covered porch of the laundry building. She yanked the felt slouch hat that had once belonged to her late husband, James Stillwell, from her head and used the back of her other hand to sweep aside the stray locks of her auburn hair. Damp with perspiration, they remained plastered to her forehead after working with the first rinse which involved boiling water to kill any nits and flea eggs hotel guests might have inadvertently left on the sheets and towels.
Even though her hands were damp, she tucked the loose ends into the neckerchief she wore under the hat to hold her hair out of her face she knew bore evidence of her Scottish ancestry. Not long after she started her laundry business, her pale freckles once again darkened to resemble those which had graced her childhood face. She sighed with relief at the prospect of being almost finished with the sheets and towels for the Ridge Hotel once they were hung and dried.
Nissa fanned her face with the hat. The brim was wider than the derby hats her husband favored once he caught the mine owner’s notice and began to rise in prominence at the mine. Those hats she refused to keep, if for no other reason than what they represented. As much as she had wished to offer them, and her late husband’s good clothes to the mercantile to resell with her share of the proceeds to go against her bill there, she had left them in the house. They were part of his “estate,” such as it was. She knew her husband owed money to the bank for the fancy furniture he had purchased for the parlor and dining room.
