A Contest for Christmas

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  Claire shook her head. “No, she is causing problems with many. I’m not sure what we can do. Perhaps a talk with Preacher Cannon might be beneficial.”

  Adelaide chuckled in her stark way. “For us or Jennifer?”

  Claire grinned. “Both. The woman has been through a horrible ordeal at the hands of those outlaws.”

  Diane opened the door to the café and held it for the other ladies. A quick glance inside showed that Kate and Mary Louise were already at a table near the back. “To the back, ladies. Kate has a table for us.”

  Once they were all seated and had ordered tea and coffee, they stared at one another for a brief moment. No one acted as if they wanted to start the conversation. Diane sure didn’t. She was most uneasy about questioning Jennifer and her motives.

  Kate tapped the table with her fingers. “So, what do we want to discuss?”

  Adelaide cleared her throat. “What to do about Jennifer Grant and her seductive ways.”

  Mary Louise tapped her cup on the table. “But Jennifer has gone through such a hard time. How can—”

  “I saw her with Kirk the other day. In his office.” Adelaide folded her arms as if she’d delivered the final blow.

  Mary Louise blushed, proving she hadn’t known. “I’m sure they had business to discuss.”

  “Didn’t look like business. Your wedding isn’t until Christmas. I’d keep a watch over your man. That woman is after a husband.” Adelaide looked sternly around the table.

  Diane shrugged. “I’ve seen her with most of the single men and some of the married ones too. Someone needs to set Jennifer down and tell her the facts.” She stared at Claire.

  Claire looked at them one at a time. “Ladies, we need to go about this in a Christian way. Jennifer is a woman just like you and me. She has needs and wants. A desire to be loved. We can all understand that.”

  Mary Louise frowned. “We understand that. It’s just that she does go out of her way to make the men notice her and not in a friendly way. I agree with Diane. Claire, you’re the wise one here. And you don’t have a man to be stolen away from you. Perhaps you can talk to Jennifer and tell her how it makes us feel.”

  Claire looked at them. “I don’t know. She might think nothing of it other than she’s just being friendly. Mary Louise, you’re a very friendly and pretty woman. I think some women were threatened by you. What could anyone have said that would have changed the way you behaved?”

  Mary Louise blushed. “I want to be angry, but I know you’re right. Men do like to look at me, and I know it. I’ve used that before too. But not once did I ever want to take another woman’s man away from her. Oh, maybe Stephen because I thought he loved me, but no other.”

  Kate folded her arms. “You did intimidate me, Mary Louise. Until we got to be friends, I didn’t like you because I thought you could have your pick of any man.”

  Mary Louise shook her head. “You should have seen that wasn’t true as I wasn’t married or even courted. But I understand. I thought it was different between Jennifer and me. Are you telling me I was like Jennifer?”

  Diane shook her head. “No, I see a difference. Mary Louise was just pretty and friendly. With Jennifer, I don’t see friendliness. I see a lioness on the prowl. Not that she cares for the man in her sights, just a challenge to see if she can get him.”

  Kate pointed at her. “Well said, Diane. That is exactly the picture I get from Jennifer. She’s not out for anyone’s good.”

  Adelaide nodded. “Yes, I agree. It’s what I sense, too. She wants to stir trouble between people.”

  Claire put her hands on the table. “I’ll talk to her, but I see a troubled woman. I do ask that the rest of you pray for her. In fact, I think we should pray for her now before she comes.”

  Diane bowed her head and took Adelaide’s hand in hers and then Mary Louise’s hand. “Dear Heavenly Father forgive us where our hearts are hardened. Let us see Jennifer with Your eyes and want good for her. Help us to trust You and the men that You have picked out for us. Give us wisdom in how to deal with this situation and walk in Your ways. Amen.”

  After a round of amens, Claire smiled. “Perfect. Now, let's talk about fun things, like your wedding, Diane.”

  “Saturday. I can hardly wait.” Diane smiled, thinking of Jeff and how they’d be together. That finally, she’d be married and to the one man who she’d loved years ago.

  Mary Louise put a hand on hers. “Diane, have you seen his father or brother?”

  “No. Jeff is worried about them.” Diane finished the last of her tea.

  “Kirk said they weren’t back in the woods. I’m not sure I would like it if they were in town.” Mary Louise frowned. “Life is difficult, isn’t it?”

  Claire rose. “I have to get to the boarding house and serve dinner. Roast chicken tonight. If you need me, ladies, I’ll be happy to help. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have hungry boarders to feed.”

  Chapter 11

  Adelaide had just finished her coffee when Jennifer walked in the door. Their eyes met like a couple of gunfighters ready for a fight. Adelaide put her cup down and cleared her throat. “Here she comes, brace yourselves.”

  Diane turned around and then looked at Adelaide. “Don’t tell her I told you she was eating with Angus.”

  “Don’t worry, Diane. I’m sure she’ll tell me you were there.” Adelaide stood. “Jennifer, you’re right on time.”

  Jennifer sashayed her way to their table, taking with her half the stares of all the men in the room. She sat in the chair between Mary Louise and Diane. “Well, it looks like you were all early. How convenient. If I was the suspicious kind, I’d think it was planned.”

  Kate looked at Adelaide and nodded. “It was Jennifer. We had a meeting about you.”

  With a mocking grin, Jennifer put her hand to her chest. “I’m touched, ladies. What was the meeting about?”

  Mary Louise shook her head. “Stop it, Jennifer. You know what you’re up to. You can’t walk in a room without taking every man’s attention with you. Even now, they’re watching you.”

  “And that’s my fault?”

  Diane frowned. “The way you walk and swing your hips, I’d have to say it is.”

  “So, you regret saving me from those outlaws?”

  Mary Louise shook her head. “No, I don’t. We just want you to know that we don’t want you trying to take our men from us.”

  Putting a hand to her head and sweeping back a handful of her hair, Jennifer smiled. “I promise not to steal any of your men. Honest.”

  Adelaide wanted to slap the woman silly. She was making fun of them and right to their faces. “Somehow, I don’t believe you. We’ve tried to befriend you.”

  Jennifer put her hands on the table. “I’ve seen the way you look at me. The way you talk behind my back and have meetings about me when I’m not here. Yes, you helped me escape from Dry Springs. Thank you. And Mary Louise, you gave me some clothes. Thank you for that. But not one of you has given me real friendship.”

  Diane set her cup down harder than reasonable and made some coffee slosh out. “That is not true. I have tried. You make fun of me. I might not be the smartest woman at this table, but even I can tell when I’m being made fun of.”

  Jennifer stared at her. “Sorry that you think that. I don’t mean to.”

  “And you did run away with the carriage. Yes, you came back, but probably because you didn’t know the way to town.” Diane glared at her, and her chin quivered as she was near tears.

  Kate nodded to the waitress. “Let’s order. It’s getting late.”

  After they had all ordered, Jennifer seemed less antagonistic, and Adelaide thought she could reason with her. “All we want is for you to know how it hurts us if you tempt the men that we are either married to or about to be married to.”

  Jennifer had a half-grin on her lips. “And you, Adelaide, who do you have?”

  Stung by the meanness, Adelaide couldn’t talk because she might very well cry
. Yes, besides Jennifer, she was the only one without a man. How cruel of Jennifer to point that out.

  Diane tapped her knife against her cup. “That was uncalled for, Jennifer. Adelaide is my friend, and I will have you know that Angus is interested in her. As if you didn’t already know that.”

  Jennifer batted her eyelashes at her. “Is that so? Well, Angus didn’t say a thing about that to me. I got the idea he liked having dinner with me.” She put her hands over her mouth. “Oh, perhaps I shouldn’t have let that cat out of the bag.”

  Adelaide wanted to scratch the woman’s eyes out. “We’ll see tomorrow at the dance, won’t we?”

  “Yes, we will.” Jennifer let her gaze travel around the table to each one of the women. A siren’s warning that she wasn’t through with any of them. Jennifer turned her gaze to Kate. “I had a lovely chat with Peter. Such a learned man. He’s going to help me with some legal matters.”

  Kate bristled. “Would that be to keep you out of jail?”

  With a hollow laugh, Jennifer nodded to the waitress as she placed the steak in front of her. “No, my dear. It isn’t. Um, steak looks delicious. Rare, just how I like it.”

  Adelaide dug into her stew and put a spoonful in her mouth to keep from saying the awful words that begged to be turned loose on Jennifer. The hussy.

  Ten minutes of silence ensued while everyone ate their meal. Jennifer set her fork down and looked around the table. “Well, ladies. I can say the meal was good. As it’s getting late, I’m going to go. I have to be in early at Trent’s for work. But I’m sure I’ll see you all at the social tomorrow night.” She threw her napkin on the table and left the café.

  Adelaide set her napkin on her plate. “Well, that was something.”

  Diane shook her head. “I don’t think our meeting went well. If anything, by the glare in that woman’s eyes, I’d say everyone one of us better hang onto our men tomorrow night.”

  Kate nodded. “Yes, I agree. I intend to talk to Peter about her tonight.”

  Diane’s eyes were large. “I almost want to persuade Jeff not to go to the social and elope. But even then, marriages aren’t even safe from her. What are we going to do?”

  Adelaide set her knife down. “We are going to pray and hang onto our men.”

  Mary Louise sighed. “I am so sorry I stopped for her in Dry Springs. I’ll talk to Kirk to see if there is anything he can do. Maybe she’s wanted somewhere.”

  Diane nodded. “Man stealer. But I dare say, we’d be hard-pressed to get any jury of men to pronounce her guilty.”

  Kate laughed. “Oh, look at us. We’re acting all frightful over one woman. We know our men love us. We have nothing to fear.”

  Mary Louise looked at her. “If only that were true.”

  Chapter 12

  Angus went to the barbershop and got his hair cut and his beard shaved off. He had to admit, it made his face look odd with a rugged tan forehead and cheeks and a very pale chin. But that was what it was. He’d realized that women didn’t want a bearded face, and he wanted to please Adelaide.

  Thinking of her brought a smile to his face. She was just the woman for him. At least, he thought she might be. Tonight, at the social, he’d know for sure. Her Scottish heritage sealed the deal.

  With her dark hair and tall stature, she reminded him of aunts in his family. He was wearing his kilt tonight. He wanted to honor that heritage, and she ought to appreciate it. Yes, he knew many would laugh at him saying he was wearing a skirt, but he was man enough to take it.

  He was about to have lunch at the café when he saw Kirk talking to Jennifer. Agnus turned away as he didn’t want to mix with that little vixen again. She could turn a man inside and out with but a look.

  He hoped Kirk knew what he was doing. If Mary Louise caught him with Jennifer, well, that would be a show to watch. Mary Louise was usually smiling and fun, but she had a mean temper. That kind of woman always did.

  Not that Mary Louise was like Jennifer. Not at all. Mary Louise was pretty and knew it, but she never went after married or soon to be married men. And she was nice. Jennifer, on the other hand, was a conniving woman from the wrong side of town.

  The kind that was out for her own good without a care of how it affected anyone else. She used her womanhood like a weapon, and she was good at it. Angus had seen her alone with more men. He ought to go and warn Kirk, but he didn’t want Jennifer around him.

  Not when he was about to make his decision to court Adelaide. It had been a mistake to let the vixen eat with him in the café. At first, he thought Diane would make things worse, but actually, he thought she came to defend Adelaide and keep him from getting into more trouble. He owed Diane a bit of thanks.

  Too bad he couldn’t find someone to marry Jennifer. That would solve their problems. Trouble was, he had a kind heart, and there wasn’t anyone he would want to saddle with that woman. She’d make any man miserable.

  He checked his watch and saw that he had just enough time to pick some wildflowers from the meadow before he had to get ready for the dance. He started walking for the grassy field when Jeff called out to him.

  Angus didn’t know him well but had met him a few times. He stopped and waited for him.

  “Angus, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, Angus McDonald. What can I do for you?”

  “Jeff Worthington. You’re going to the dance tonight, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” He pointed to the meadow. “I was just going to pick some wildflowers to give to Adelaide. I’m taking her to the social.”

  Jeff grinned. “Perfect, you don’t mind if I go along and pick some too, do you? I’m going to marry Diane tomorrow. I want her to feel special.”

  Angus could see the love in the man’s eyes. “Diane is a lucky woman. I hope you’ll both be happy.”

  “Would you and Adelaide come tomorrow? Preacher Cannon said he could do it at two at the church.” Jeff pointed to some pretty, yellow flowers.

  “Sure, I’ll be there. I’m sure Adelaide will be, too. She and Diane are the best of friends. In fact, if you announce it tonight, I’m sure the town will be there to celebrate your marriage.” Angus wondered about the quickness of their marriage, but that was their business.

  Jeff picked a pink flower. “I know it seems like we only met, but I knew Diane years ago. We grew up together, and I always thought we’d be married. Then I moved away and didn’t see her until a few weeks ago. It’s like we picked up where we’d left off. My life is finally turning around for good.”

  Angus smiled and picked a few blue flowers to add to his bouquet. “I’m happy for you. I heard you bought the Ingalls’ ranch. If you need some help, let me know. I can send you a few maverick calves to help start your herd. As a wedding present.”

  “That’s kind of you, Angus. Diane and I would appreciate the help and will pay you back.”

  “Just be on the lookout to help someone else.” Angus picked a white flower to add to the others. “Well, I think I have enough. Hopefully, I can get them in water, and they’ll last until the dance tonight.”

  Jeff held his bouquet of flowers out and admired them. “I think Diane will like them. Thanks for the idea. See you tonight, and don’t forget about tomorrow.”

  Angus waved to him. “We’ll be there.” He hoped Adelaide would have him. He couldn’t wait to have his own wedding. His ranch house was getting lonelier each night.

  He went to the hotel, put the flowers in water, and changed into his kilt attire. Looking in the mirror, he had to admit he was one handsome man, and Adelaide was getting quite the catch. He grabbed his pocket watch and saw he had just enough time to walk to the boarding house and get Adelaide before the dance. He hoped she’d like the flowers.

  Grabbing the vase, he walked out of his room and down the stairs. Whistles and mocking jokes greeted him. There were times he missed the old country where men honored the traditional dress.

  But he knew he was a manly man, and it didn’t bother him. He did hope it wouldn
’t bother Adelaide.

  He walked to the boarding house and up the steps to the porch. He was about to knock when Jennifer opened the door.

  “How lovely.” Her voice was deep and sultry. The kind of sound that set a man on fire.

  Angus shook his head. “Yes, I think Adelaide will like them. Don’t you?”

  Jennifer’s eyes went icy cold. “I suppose.”

  Claire came to the door. “Oh, Angus. Come on in. Adelaide will be down in a minute.” She took his arm and ushered him past Jennifer.

  Angus detected a bit of irritation on Claire’s part aimed at Jennifer. He looked back to see Jennifer glowering at them. Angus grinned at Claire. “I think you made her mad.”

  “She deserved it.” Claire pointed at the vase of flowers. “Adelaide will be thrilled with the flowers.

  The door slammed behind them, and Jennifer followed them. “The dance ought to be fun tonight. Are you going, Claire?”

  “Yes, I am.” Claire said it more like a statement for Jennifer’s benefit.

  Angus turned as Adelaide walked down the steps. “Angus, I’m sorry if I’m late.”

  “You weren’t. I wanted to bring you these.” He held out the vase.

  Jennifer stepped up and put her hand on the vase. “Aren’t they beautiful.” She turned and smiled at him.

  Angus was glad Adelaide had reached the bottom step and was with him. “Thank you, Angus. They are wonderful.” She took the vase from him.

  Claire nodded at her. “Would you like me to take them to your room for you? You two run along to the dance, and I’ll be there in a moment.”

  Adelaide handed her the vase. “Thank you, Claire. See you at the dance.” She took Angus's arm. “You look wonderful. One of my uncles used to wear his kilt for special occasions. I always thought he looked so handsome when he did.”

  “I’m glad you can appreciate them.” He gazed at Adelaide. Yes, she was tall and somewhat austere, but she was beautiful. Prettier than he’d ever seen her. “You’re beautiful, Addy.” He looked down. “I hope you don’t mind the nickname. But it befits you.”