Kari (Walker Creek Brides Book 1)

by Miriam Minger

  Caleb wore a dark, expertly tailored three-piece suit, the man not dressed at all like Seth or any of the ranch hands she’d seen upon her arrival at Walker Creek Ranch, the contrast between the two men a stark one. Yet she couldn’t deny she preferred the appearance of a cowboy, her face flushing at how handsome Seth had looked to her, so tall and lean and strong.

  Seth. She had thought of him the moment she awoke, and wondered what duties he must be attending to as foreman. Branding cattle? Checking barbed wire fences? Perhaps thinking about her, too?

  Kari sharply drew in her breath to have considered such a thing, but Caleb hadn’t seemed to notice as he rose and pulled a gold pocket watch from his vest pocket to check the time.

  “Ten o’clock. I made an appointment for you with the best seamstress in town for ten thirty. Have you ever ridden in a phaeton?”

  Kari shook her head and rose, and Caleb at once placed his hand at her elbow to steer her from the dining room.

  “It’s fast and light and should get us there on time. Imported all the way from England where they know how to make the finest carriages. Sarah! Kari needs her bonnet and that parasol you picked up for her earlier this morning.”

  Caleb’s impatient demand echoing in the high-ceilinged foyer, Kari was astounded at how quickly servants came running, Maria hurrying down the carpeted staircase with bonnet in hand while Sarah came from the back of the house with the frilliest yellow parasol Kari had ever seen.

  “You already went into town?” she asked the housekeeper, Sarah’s cheeks bright red from exertion as she bobbed her head.

  “Yes, to the mercantile first thing, Miss Hagen—”

  “My daughter’s to be called Miss Walker under my roof,” Caleb cut her off, his expression grown ominously dark as he escorted Kari toward the front door. “Make sure all the servants have been informed of my wishes. Am I understood, Miss Murphy?”

  The housekeeper glanced from him to Kari, raising a dark brow as if to say “I told you so,” and dropped a brief curtsey to her employer. “Of course, Mr. Walker.”

  At once Kari thought to protest, but a quick shaking of Sarah’s head seemed to caution her to remain silent. In truth, she didn’t wish any of the servants to bear the brunt of Caleb’s anger on her account, though she didn’t appreciate him altering her name.

  She’d borne the surname Hagen her entire life and she had no intention of changing it, well, unless of course, she married one day.

  Yet here she’d made another concession to Caleb Walker and it wasn’t even noon!

  Chapter 5

  “There, I believe we’re finished for now,” announced the seamstress, an energetic older woman named Mrs. McMaster. “You’ve a lovely figure, Miss Walker. Your new wardrobe will look splendid on you, truly splendid!”

  Still dazed by the multicolored array of fine fabrics she’d encountered, silks, satins, and the finest laces and ribbons and bows, Kari murmured her thanks, Caleb’s observation earlier that day that she needed new dresses a complete understatement. She’d thought he had meant two or three, not nearly two dozen!

  Even for her wealthiest clientele back home, she’d never seen such extravagance as if money was no object at all. It made her dizzy to think of the cost and the time that would be involved in constructing such a wardrobe, not just dresses but lacey undergarments, too, unlike anything she’d ever worn before. As if reading her mind, Mrs. McMaster squeezed her arm reassuringly.

  “Ah, now, don’t you fret about a thing. Mr. Walker said no expense was to be spared to make you one of the most fashionable young ladies in Texas. I’ve asked a host of women in town to help me so it shouldn’t take us long at all! Why, I’ll have the first dresses ready in two days—hmm, it’s Wednesday, so yes, on Friday, you must return for a fitting. Shall we say ten thirty, just like today?”

  Kari nodded and re-pinned her bonnet atop her head, while Mrs. McMaster fetched the frilly parasol that looked so woefully incongruous with her simple green dress.

  Once again the kindly seamstress seemed to guess her thoughts. With a flourish, she pulled out of a drawer a silk shawl patterned with delicate yellow flowers on a green background and draped the garment over Kari’s shoulders.

  “There, it’s very close to the shade of your dress and adds a lovely touch, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Kari murmured, never having been one to concern herself with such things before because she’d never owned such a fancy parasol.

  She had felt so self-conscious riding in that black four-wheeled phaeton with Caleb at the reins, and him shouting greetings right and left as they drove into Walker Creek.

  Her parasol had thankfully shielded her from the sun but shone as bright as a beacon, making Kari wonder if he’d ordered Sarah to choose one that would draw attention to them.

  His flurry of introductions as he’d slowed the open, two-seated carriage along the main street had made her head spin: Sheriff Joshua Logan, widowed a year ago and with two young children, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Levinson, both proprietors of the mercantile as stout as pickle barrels, a snowy-haired Reverend James Thomas and his kindly-looking wife, Mildred, on and on—oh dear, she couldn’t remember all the names!

  Yet she doubted they would forget hers. Caleb had announced with a booming voice to one and all that his daughter, Miss Kari Walker, had at last come to Texas for a visit and hopefully, to stay.

  Who could say how many townspeople already knew the truth behind her unexpected arrival? To Kari, it had appeared the welcoming smiles were genuine though she’d seen more than a few speculative glances and women putting their heads together as she and Caleb rumbled by. From the way Sarah had shared with Caleb, and probably the rest of the household, everything Kari had told her, she hadn’t been surprised at all to see such public gossiping.

  Kari sighed and glanced out the paned shop window, wondering when Caleb would arrive to fetch her. He had said he would return at half past noon, but Mrs. McMaster’s ornate clock high atop a shelf had already chimed one o’clock.

  Should she venture out by herself for a stroll to become more acquainted with the town? She had no one to accompany her, though, and she wasn’t sure it would be considered proper. Everyone knew her in Faribault and Kari hadn’t hesitated to walk alone, but she surely didn’t want to see another startling altercation as between Seth and that rough-looking man named Dirk—

  “Are you ready to leave, Miss Hagen?”

  “Seth!” Astonished to see him standing halfway inside the door, Kari blushed to her roots that she had called him by his first name. “F-forgive me, I meant Mr. Davis—”

  “Seth’s fine with me. A good day to you, Mrs. McMaster.” Tipping his hat, he grinned at the seamstress, who smiled back at him fondly. “Uncle Caleb got caught up with some business at the Red Dog so he sent a message that I pick up the phaeton and fetch his daughter.”

  “Thought as much. Go on with you, then. It’s been a pleasure, Miss…”

  “Kari’s fine, Mrs. McMaster, and thank you again. I’ll see you on Friday.”

  Kari accepted Seth’s proffered arm and ducked out the door with him before another word could be said, Mrs. McMaster staring curiously after them as Seth led her straight to the phaeton. Tied to the back of the carriage was the same big bay she’d seen yesterday, the lathered horse nickering and bobbing his head.

  “That’s Henry. I rode as fast as I could when I heard from Uncle Caleb. He owns most of Walker Creek, including the Frederick Hotel and the Red Dog Saloon, so there’s always some issue to be dealt with—”

  “Most of the town?”

  Seth nodded and took Kari’s hand to assist her into the carriage, making her blush anew at the warm pressure of his fingers. Any astonishment she’d felt over this news about Caleb was swept away by a strange breathlessness as Seth climbed in beside her, the phaeton shifting under his weight.

  “Pretty shawl,” he murmured, flashing a smile at her that made her heart jump. “I’d be truly hono
red if you’d allow me to call you Kari. May I?”

  “Yes—yes, of course.”

  “Good.”

  He looked so pleased by her response, smiling broadly, that Kari fumbled awkwardly with her parasol, gasping when the thing popped open above her head.

  Oh, dear, she was acting all foolish and tongue-tied again, but she’d never seen him smile before. How could any man be so unbelievably handsome? A low chuckle from Seth made her feel all the more ridiculous as he urged the matched pair of roan mares into a walk with a flick of the reins.

  “I like your bonnet, too—in fact, I’m pretty much taken with everything about you. I’d like to court you, Kari Hagen, if you’ll agree to it, of course.”

  Court her? Had she heard Seth correctly? She met his gaze, so astonished by his unexpected request that she didn’t answer—and at once, his expression sobered.

  “I’m quite serious, actually, don’t know why I’ve been grinning like an idiot. Just looking at you makes me feel good, I guess. Make me feel even better, will you? Say yes—”

  “I thought I was the one being ridiculous,” she broke in, finding her voice at last. “Are you sure? We’ve only just met, why, you hardly even know me!”

  “That’s what courting is all about…getting to know each other better. Of course, I’m no authority on the matter. I’ve never courted anyone before.”

  “Truly? You?”

  Now he looked almost crushed, as if she hadn’t believed him, which wasn’t the case at all.

  “Oh, dear, forgive me. It’s just you’re so…so…” Kari fumbled for the words, not wanting to sound too bold. “I can’t imagine there aren’t lots of girls that might be interested—in being courted by you, I mean.”

  “Couldn’t say. I’m always busy at the ranch and it’s never crossed my mind until now. I’ve been waiting, you see.”

  Kari swallowed hard at the intensity in his gaze, her heartbeat suddenly pounding in her ears. “Waiting?”

  He nodded, leaning just a tiny bit closer. “Uh-huh. For just the right moment, just the right woman. You.”

  He spoke so low, his voice grown so tender, that Kari could but nod, too, never having felt such butterflies in her stomach before.

  “Is that a yes, finally?”

  He sounded as if he might be teasing, but his expression was dead serious, his eyes darkening to a deeper blue. A blue she couldn’t seem to look away from as she murmured, “Yes, Seth. Yes.”

  “Good. That means you’ll be staying in Walker Creek for a while—”

  “Actually, Caleb asked me this morning if I might stay so we could get better acquainted and I agreed. I think my mother would have wanted me to… Seth?”

  His gut clenched, Seth felt suddenly as if the moment he’d rehearsed in his mind since last night had been shattered by his uncle.

  Keen disappointment gripped him that Kari hadn’t decided to remain in Walker Creek just because of him, but Seth did his best to tamp it down. Doggone it, the moment would be ruined only if he allowed it to be! Kari had accepted his offer to court her, hadn’t she? He had thought he wouldn’t have a chance to talk to her until later that day, and then word had come for him to fetch her from town, an unexpected boon. She stared at him anxiously as if sensing something was wrong, which made him once again lean closer to her.

  “I don’t know what all was in that letter, but she did send you all this way to meet your real father. Stands to right that you’d stay a while…though I hope I’ll have something to do with you wanting to stay even longer.”

  The rosy blush touching her fair cheeks told him that Kari understood exactly what he’d meant, but it was far too soon to be talking about marriage. He had to speak to his uncle, too, about his intentions, which Seth doubted would go as smoothly as broaching the matter with Kari. In fact, he could already hear the man raising the roof with his objections. That’s why it was time to set in motion the second part of his plan, and the sooner the better.

  “If you’re not in a rush to get back to the ranch, I’d like to introduce you to someone,” he said, finding it hard to focus on driving the phaeton with Kari looking so pretty beneath the shade of her yellow parasol. “My mother, Molly, well, and my father, too, especially now that we’re courting.”

  “Yes, of course, I’d love to meet them.”

  Her ready response warming him as much as her soft smile, Seth steered the carriage toward a side street though he regretted they had to pass by the Red Dog Saloon on the corner. He imagined his uncle was occupied with Beatrice Dubois, the flame-haired madam of the brothel upstairs, any allusion to business a well-worn pretense that most everyone in town understood.

  When Uncle Caleb wasn’t at the ranch, he could be found at the Red Dog, drinking, gambling, and engaging in more decadent pursuits, but there was no sense in revealing the sordid side of her father’s existence to Kari right now. Seth held his breath as they passed by the imposing structure with an ornate balcony that ran the full length of the second floor, several brightly dressed women leaning over the banister.

  “Why, Seth Davis, you’re looking mighty handsome today!” called out one, causing Kari to draw in her breath beside him.

  “When are you going to fall off your righteous high horse and pay us a visit?” added another, both women laughing as Seth tipped his hat to them.

  “Ladies, a good day to you.”

  He could feel that Kari stiffened beside him, but to his surprise she wound her arm through his and twirled her parasol as if not bothered one bit by the exchange. Only when they were past the building did she start to withdraw her arm, but he caught her hand and met her eyes.

  “I’m not a man to frequent saloons, Kari, never have been and never will. My uncle’s the owner, not me. I’ve lived here my whole life so it’s no surprise they know me by name—”

  “I’m sorry, it’s just that you tipped your hat…” Flushed with embarrassment, Kari tried again to pull her arm from Seth’s, but he held onto her. What must he think for her to have grabbed his arm so possessively? It had happened so fast, her one thought to show those women that she and Seth were together…why, he was courting her, after all!

  She saw it then, understanding dawning on Seth’s face, his low chuckle making her shake her head at herself and give a small laugh, too.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m quite pleased by your reaction, Miss Hagen. Quite pleased.”

  His voice held teasing, but he drew her arm against him as if possessively, too, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering and dancing again. She couldn’t deny that things were progressing between them more swiftly than she could have ever imagined, Seth greeting more passersby as the phaeton rumbled past a row of neat, white clapboard houses.

  Just as he’d said, everyone seemed to know him, but of course that made perfect sense. He was Caleb’s nephew, after all—oh, no!

  She must have sucked in her breath for Seth glanced at her with concern.

  “Kari?”

  Tears had jumped to her eyes, the butterflies scattering as quickly as they had returned as she blurted, “How can you possibly court me? We’re first cousins—not by blood, I know, but surely that’s how everyone will look at us!”

  “Most folks around these parts know I’m adopted and won’t think twice about it, and least of all the ones that matter most. Look, there’s my mother now.”

  Chapter 6

  Kari did look, blinking away any tears and smiling as a striking woman with honeyed hair so much like hers waved to them from the porch of a house larger than the others they had passed. It appeared an office of some sort adjoined the main structure, and then Kari saw the sign that read “Charles Davis, Physician.”

  “Is this the young lady the whole town is buzzing about?” Molly Davis called out, rushing down the front steps as Seth nodded and helped Kari from the carriage.

  He kept hold of her hand, too, squeezing her fingers as if to reassure her though she didn’t feel nervous at all to see s
uch a friendly smile. Molly hastened toward them to envelop Kari in a warm embrace, her hazel eyes alight.

  “A niece, my very own niece! I’m so happy to meet you!”

  “Ma, this is Kari.”

  “Such a lovely name, come in, come in!”

  It seemed within the blink of an eye Kari found herself ushered inside the comfortable home where she wasn’t seated in the parlor, but propelled by Molly into a bright kitchen smelling of cinnamon and cloves.

  “I just baked an apple cobbler and left it on the front porch to cool. Have you eaten lunch, Kari? Seth?”

  When they both shook their heads, at once Molly gestured toward the table and then slipped an apron over her head, briskly tying it around her waist. Kari didn’t know what to make of the surprising sight, Molly’s blue silk dress a fine one with a small bustle at the back, but the apron a simple white homespun. Seth’s mother bore a flour smudge on her cheek, too, and a dusting in her upswept hair as if she’d pushed some strands out of her face while baking.

  Kari couldn’t help smiling, never before having been made to feel so welcome so quickly. It seemed in no time at all the table where she and Seth had obligingly sat down was laden with fresh wedges of cornbread, thick-sliced ham, and pickled green beans, the appearance of each item punctuated by lively questions.

  “Such a long trip from Minnesota to Texas! How did you manage all by yourself?”

  “I kept to myself mostly, though sometimes I dined with mothers traveling with their children.”

  “But where did you sleep?”

  “In my seat. The conductors were very kind, too, and saw to it that I sat near other women or families.”

  “How could they not be kind to such a charming young woman?” Molly exclaimed, glancing from Seth back to Kari. “Oh, my, it must have been such a shock for you to discover that my older brother is your father, but of course, I don’t know all the details. You must forgive us, Kari. Such startling news travels like lightning, it would anywhere.”