by Sarah Banks
David was the first to pull away from their embrace. “You’re back.”
“I am.”
“For a little while?”
David didn’t miss the brief look Leander cast over his shoulder at the table where Kate was still laughing with Lee. “For good.”
∞∞∞
After supper he and Leander went out onto the porch to smoke cheroots. David had been mostly quiet throughout the meal as he listened to Leander tell them about his exploits west. Lee’s attention had been rapt. And Leander had also asked Kate a number of questions about herself and David had learned more about her than even he had in their correspondence. About her life before her parents had died, her employment as a seamstress, where she had lived. They were things he only knew a little bit about himself, things she had only touched on in her letters. He should have been the one to ask more about her. He wanted to know these things. He found it didn’t matter if she was going to be his wife or not, he wanted to know everything about her.
He had watched Kate throughout the meal, short of outright staring. She had been enamored with Leander’s tales and his interest in her as well. David found himself full after only a few bites. While he had been starving earlier, he now felt as if there was a large rock sitting in his stomach. When his aunt cleared away his plate she noticed that he hadn’t finished, probably for the first time ever.
“You feeling okay David?” She asked him with concern and he knew she was probably fighting the motherly urge to put her hand against his forehead to check his temperature.
He noticed Kate’s concerned look as she too helped collect plates. David nodded and pushed back his chair. “I’m fine,” he assured them.
“Where ya going?” Lee asked as Leander put on his hat and jacket.
“Out for a smoke,” Leander replied.
“Can I smoke too?” Lee asked, his eyes wide with interest.
“When you’re older,” Leander replied, affectionately ruffling Lee’s hair and giving him a gentle push back toward the table. “I dare not share for at least a couple more years lest Aunt Susan toss both of us over her knee.”
“Got that right,” Aunt Susan called from the kitchen.
Leander chuckled. “We’ll be back in a few minutes. Save me a piece of pie,” he told Lee before going out onto the front porch.
David followed and felt a flash of something…jealousy? He wasn’t sure. Leander had such a natural, easy manner with the kid that he himself didn’t have. And even though he’d spent some time with the boy on the day of his ma’s funeral, Lee didn’t have that look of hero worship for him that he clearly had for Leander. Just another reason David wouldn’t have made a good father to Lee and Leander would, but that was the last thing he wanted to think about right now.
Leander pulled him from his thoughts by offering him a cheroot from his inside coat pocket followed by a match. David didn’t smoke often. Now that he thought about it, the last time he had, had been with Leander, so nearly three years ago now. It was something they did in the evenings on the weekends, usually after Leander came to supper at his aunt’s or when David tagged along to one of Leander’s sisters’ houses.
They settled against the house and smoked in silence. After a few minutes of them both watching the empty street he realized Leander was now staring at him.
David glanced back at him. “What?” He asked.
“What indeed?”
David gave him a confused look.
“I can see I’m going to have to pry the details out of you.”
David felt a sense of dread. He sighed. He had a feeling he knew what Leander was referring to and it was something he really didn’t want to talk about. Not even with his best friend. He looked away but Leander was persistent.
“I thought based on your last letter I’d come back and find you married. What happened?”
David blew out a mouthful of smoke and answered, “I just changed my mind.”
“You did?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Am I correct in assuming Kate was your intended bride?”
“Yes,” he replied reluctantly.
Then there was silence. It stretched for so long that David finally turned to look at Leander who had a shocked look on his face. “And now’s she’s living with your aunt and you’re no longer planning on marrying her? Why? True I’ve only known her a short time, but she seems like a fine woman who would make an even finer wife.”
There was no doubt in David’s mind about that.
“She arrived with Lee and Olive, freshly orphaned, resolved to raise them herself. I didn’t want to raise someone else’s children and she didn’t want to give them up. Simple as that.”
“Oh.” Leander took some time to digest that bit of information before saying, “Well, I can’t say I completely understand but if that’s what felt right to you, then you did what you had to.”
Desperate to shift the focus off of himself he asked Leander, “What about you? You’ve been gone nearly three years now chasing after a girl. I thought you’d convince her to marry you by now, have a kid or two.”
Leander gave a harsh laugh that made David straighten in concern. Leander had always been a lighthearted person, a contrast to David’s more serious personality. David had always thought the differences in their character were due to their upbringing. While David’s parents had died when he was young and he had been raised by his widowed aunt, Leander had a big family, both of his parents were still alive and he had a passel of sisters, all married with children.
“She is married,” Leander informed him. “Just not to me. And she has a second child on the way.”
“I’m sorry.”
Leander shrugged.
David didn’t know what else to say. It seemed like a sensitive subject and even though Leander was his best friend, he didn’t want to pry. If Leander wanted to talk about it further, he would.
“Well, I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me too.”
They finished their cheroots in silence and David was glad that part of the conversation was over. He didn’t know the worst was yet to come.
“So you plan on marrying someone else then?”
David felt himself mentally rear back at the question and his mind immediately screamed – No! He couldn’t envision marrying anyone other than Kate, he realized. Then it was his turn for the harsh laugh. If that was indeed the case, he’d probably spend the rest of his life alone. Even if he changed his mind about the children now, he had already rejected her twice. He couldn’t see her taking him as her husband now, and it was no less than he deserved. She, on the other hand, deserved better.
Leander didn’t seem to notice David’s internal struggle and continued, “I mean, you spent the past two years building that big house for your bride. It’s all you could talk about in your letters.”
And because David didn’t want to talk about this for another second he lied and said, “I’m going to advertise for another bride.”
He felt Leander study him for a moment before finally nodding and the subject seemed to be closed, for the moment anyway. Thank God!
“Pie’s on the table,” Kate’s voice softly floated out onto the porch. David whipped his head in the direction of the door he hadn’t heard open. Kate stood in the doorway, bright light from inside the house shining behind her and filtering out onto the dark porch. He wasn’t sure how much of their conversation she had heard, if any.
His eyes searched her face and even in the shadows he saw the flash of hurt in her eyes before she was able to mask it. He knew that she had overheard at least part of their conversation. God, would he ever stop hurting her?
Leander didn’t seem to notice anything amiss and she held the door wide as he passed through. She looked at David expectantly. “Are you coming David?” The corners of her mouth, her beautiful mouth that she had pressed against his just last week seemed to wobble before tightening. He didn’t want to come in for pie, instead he wanted
to pull her out onto the porch with him in the darkness of the night and just hold her in his arms. God, what he wouldn’t give just to hold her.
He didn’t end up staying for pie no matter how much he wanted to even though it wasn’t because he was hungry. He wanted to stay and spend time with Kate and guard her against Leander which didn’t make any sense, Leander was his best friend. But he forced himself to make excuses, thanked his aunt for supper and said his goodbyes. He wondered as he hauled himself into his saddle and rode away why it always seemed like he was running in the opposite direction from what he really wanted.
Chapter Seven
Kate sat on a bench next to a long table that two hours ago had held so much food it groaned, but now was completely picked over. She thought she was attending a birthday party for one of Leander’s sisters with what seemed like the entire population of Noah. Turned out Leander had a total of six sisters, all older than him, who shared his good looks and clearly doted on their baby brother. And the birthday celebration turned out not to be just for his one sister, but for anyone in his extended family sharing the same birthday month. Kate thought it was a lovely tradition and couldn’t help but be a little envious of his large, close knit family.
A few of the women were now clearing the table in preparation for serving dessert. There weren’t many leftovers, mostly endless dishes to wash. Kate had offered to help, instead they had settled a sleeping baby with the chubbiest cheeks in her arms while they cleared away the dishes, chattering nonstop and took them inside to wash.
She was as exhausted as the baby in her arms. But she couldn’t leave yet, neither Aunt Susan or the children seemed ready to leave. Aunt Susan, as Kate had taken to calling her now, was visiting with a few women close to her own age in a grouping of chairs near the music. Even from here, Kate could see the older woman tapping her foot along with the sound of a fiddle. The sight of Aunt Susan so clearly enjoying herself made Kate smile. She occasionally saw Lee and Olive streak past, playing with a passel of towheaded children, all Leander’s nieces and nephews she supposed.
When they arrived several hours ago Kate had brought the two pies Aunt Susan had made into the kitchen of their hostess, adding them to the dozens already there. It was an eyepopping amount of dessert and she almost went to find Lee to show him. She knew they wouldn’t be leaving until after Lee had at least a couple slices of pie.
Kate had been dancing since the moment she set her fork down. She had barely finished her food before she was asked to dance, again and again. She must have danced with nearly every single man in town once, and a few of the married ones too. It was nice to sit down now and rest her aching feet. She had never really danced much before and it turned out you didn’t really have to know how. She had some natural rhythm and pairing that with an enthusiastic dance partner, soon she was whipping around the makeshift dance floor, skirts twirling, hair escaping her pins and her head thrown back in laughter.
The dance floor consisted of a large square of packed dirt. On one end were rotating musicians. Turned out the town of Noah had quite a few men talented with stringed instruments and harmonicas. On the opposite side sat the long table full of food everyone attending had contributed. And on either side of the dance floor sat dozens and dozens of smaller tables, benches, chairs and even haybales. Aunt Susan said if the weather wasn’t cooperating they still had their monthly bash, except inside the large barn that sat in the distance. Kate would love to see that. To think, they had a get-together like this each month. She smiled. It would definitely be something to look forward to. It would be wonderful to be apart of such a large, loving family.
She was done dancing for the night and now sat off to the side, away from the bright light of the torches illuminating the area for dancing. Hidden in the shadows where she hopefully wouldn’t be noticed and have to see the disappointed face of a prospective partner when she turned down another offer to dance. There was only one other person she wanted to dance with despite her aching feet, the only one who hadn’t asked her or even looked at her since he arrived just after the food was served.
She tried not to stare at David who stood more than two dozen feet away talking with Leander and another man. Kate had danced with Leander three times although she probably should have turned down the third invitation. She didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. Aunt Susan was convinced he’d be the perfect husband but…
A young woman carefully sat down next to Kate and sighed in relief. Kate glanced over and smiled as she recognized Leander’s youngest sister Brandy whom she had been briefly introduced to when she first arrived. Brandy was heavily pregnant and every time Kate had glimpsed her tonight, the woman had been smiling. She was probably the sister who most closely resembled Leander, down to the wide smile and dimples in their cheeks.
“Do you mind holding him for a few minutes longer?” Brandy asked, reaching over and rubbing a gentle thumb across the bottom of his foot. The baby smiled in his sleep but didn’t wake up.
“He’s yours?” Kate asked, thinking the baby belonged to one of the women clearing the table who had placed the baby in her arms, but she guessed not.
Brandy nodded and patted her stomach, replying, “This one’ll be my second.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Brandy replied, blowing out a deep breath that ruffled her bangs.
“Are you all right?”
Brandy nodded and shifted her weight. “Oh, I’ll be alright.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, when are you expecting your newest addition?”
Brandy sucked in a breath and reached over, grasping Kate’s hand and squeezing so tightly that she almost added her own whimper alongside Brandy’s.
“I’m thinking a few hours from now,” Brandy said on a long exhale when she could finally speak again. She let go of Kate’s hand. “Sorry.”
“It’s quite alright,” Kate replied quickly standing, readjusting the baby in her arms. “Shall I find your sisters? Your husband?”
Brandy reached for her again but instead of squeezing her hand, pulled her back down on the seat next to her. “Yes, eventually, but not quite yet. If Patty learns labor has started, he’ll clear the area in record time. And I’m going based on my first delivery and the dozen or so I’ve seen with my sisters, I’ve got some time still. I’d rather be enjoying myself instead of being confined to bed.”
“Patty?”
“My husband, Patrick,” she explained, nodding to the group Kate had been pretending not to stare at earlier when Brandy sat down next to her. “He’s the redhead talking with Leander and David.”
Kate’s heart squeezed as she saw the love in Brandy’s eyes as she looked at her husband. And as if Patrick sensed his wife’s gaze, he looked over. Brandy gave him a little wave and a smile. He returned the smile and tossed her a wink before turning back to the two men.
Brandy breathed out again. “Phew, I don’t think he noticed. If he did, I think he’d be halfway across the dance floor right now. He can usually see right through me,” Brandy said, tossing her a mischievous smile. “I must be getting better at schooling my expressions.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to get him?” Kate asked as Brandy shifted again, pain briefly flickering across her features.
“Not yet. I’m fine right now. I’ll tell you when, I promise. Pie’ll be served soon. I’ll be fine through that at least. It’ll give everyone a little bit more time to visit. Last month our February birthday celebration wasn’t quite so large due to the late snow. It’s nice to have so many people here this month celebrating.”
Kate nodded. She supposed the woman knew better than she did. Kate had never been present for a birthing and apparently Brandy with all of her sisters had seen quite a few. Kate’s eyes went back to the trio of men and after a moment of staring, she forced herself to look away again and when her eyes made it back to Brandy’s, Brandy was smiling knowingly.
“You like my brother,” she stated with a
slow grin.
Kate shifted the sleeping baby in her arms, her left arm starting to go numb. “I do like Leander. He’s handsome, funny, kind, he’s great with children…but my heart lies elsewhere,” she said softly, her eyes flickering from Leander to David. She was pretty sure Leander’s heart also belonged to another, despite the flirting that seemed to come natural to him.
David looked her way for the briefest of moments, the first time she had noticed him doing so all evening, and Kate felt the air seize in her lungs. He looked away before she even had a chance to smile in his direction. She bit her lip.
“Oh, I see.”
Kate glanced back at her.
“You’re interested in good-looking, hardworking, stubborn men,” she said with a grin.
Kate looked down and shrugged. When she looked back up, her eyes meeting Brandy’s, the woman’s lips twitched and they both burst out laughing.
The baby woke and fussed. Kate stood and was trying to rock him back to sleep when Brandy gripped her arm tightly.
“I think maybe you should go get Patrick now,” her voice uneven. “Looks like I’m not going to make it to the pie after all.” Brandy stood. “My water just broke.”
∞∞∞
Brandy was right, Patrick made it across the dance floor in seconds, sweeping his pregnant wife into his arms and carrying her toward the house followed by all of her sisters that appeared out of nowhere. The party broke up quickly after that.
They arrived with two pies and somehow left with three, much to Lee’s delight who insisted on carrying one the whole way home.
“If I see so much as a single blueberry missing from that pie Mister, they’ll be no pie for you when we get home,” Aunt Susan warned Lee who swore up and down he wouldn’t stick a finger in the pie.
