by Lilah Rivers
“Oh, really?” he asked.
“Indeed. It is rather amusing,” she giggled.
“And has anybody ever told you that you crinkle your nose when you laugh?” he asked, although he found that deeply charming rather than simply amusing.
“Everyone’s nose does that,” she retorted, waving it away.
“All right, maybe so, but that doesn’t change the fact that you do,” he said.
Clementine shook her head, clearly still humored by him. David thought the light in her eyes was stunning, showing the way she was so full of life.
Indeed, no matter what he had experienced in the past, this woman was more than enough to make him consider the future. A future in which he could be truly happy, truly settled.
Clementine Rogers was one of a kind.
“All right, where are they?” Mrs. Roberta asked, looking around, as if she hadn’t seen them despite the fact that she was standing a few feet away.
“Uh, Mrs. Roberta?” he asked.
She spun around and her eyes lit up when she saw the two of them standing there.
“Perfect, there you both are. Anyway, we ought to be heading home. Otherwise, I will never get out of here. Far too many people to talk to and catch up with, but I’m hungry,” she said, ushering them out along with Hank who had been with her.
The four enjoyed the leisurely walk back to the ranch from town. Although they typically rode the horses when they were going as individuals, David appreciated that they always walked to church together, not in a rush or in a hurry of any kind. They simply indulged in the Lord’s creation and took in the fresh air and exercise.
“Oh, do grab some of those flowers, Clementine,” Mrs. Roberta instructed. “I think they would look lovely on the table.”
Clementine did as she was told and they all continued about their way until they reached the ranch and David and Hank relaxed in the living room while the ladies got the food ready.
“I wonder what it would be like to be able to cook as well as they do,” David said.
“You know, I used to do some cooking for myself before I started working this job. It was nice enough, but mine never tasted this good. Now, of course, I don’t have the time. It’s hard to imagine being able to work in the kitchen when I’m always out there from the crack of dawn doing labor,” Hank said.
David laughed and nodded. He understood. The work that they did was tough and physically demanding. But he appreciated that they at least had a choice. The women had no other options for their roles, other than maybe teaching.
But soon, the food was brought, and he could see the pride that Clementine took in it. At least she loved doing what she did.
After lunch was over, David had a chance to rest for a little while. He went to the house out back and sat on the sofa that he had, thinking he might take a nap there instead of going to the bedroom where he would be more likely to sleep too long.
But before he could make up his mind either way, there was a knock on his door.
David got up and answered it, expecting Hank. Instead, he was surprised to see Mrs. Roberta.
“Hi, come in, come in,” he said.
“Thank you,” she replied.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Roberta, is there something that I ought to be working on?” he asked, afraid that he hadn’t finished some job or other.
“Well, no, that’s not it exactly,” she said.
David cocked his head, gesturing for her to take a seat before she explained herself and then taking a seat of his own.
“Now, I hope that you don’t think I’m out of line,” she began. “But I have noticed that you and my niece are getting along quite well.”
David felt his heart flutter a little bit in anticipation. Was she going to be upset that he had feelings for Clementine? Had he been so obvious about it that she disapproved?
“I want you to know that I can see that you might have some feelings for her,” she said.
“I-I see…” he replied.
“Am I mistaken?” Mrs. Roberta asked.
David paused for a moment, unsure how he ought to reply. He obviously couldn’t lie to her, but was this something that was right to address right away? What if Clementine didn’t like him and this was all pointless?
“Well, no, Mrs. Roberta. You aren’t mistaken, although I hope you know that I would respect anything you might wish to say to me about it,” he said, hoping that would appease her if she was unhappy with his feelings.
After all, he was employed by her. If Mrs. Roberta was concerned by his behavior—or by the fact that they lived on the same grounds—he would have to abide by any rules that she set in place.
“Mr. Brown, I’m going to speak plainly with you. I loved my husband very much. He was a good man, as good a man as there ever was. Marriage was a wonderful, beautiful thing for us,” she said.
“I am glad to hear that, Mrs. Roberta,” he said.
“I want my niece to have that same happiness. I can see that you make her happy. And while I have not spoken with her as I am now speaking with you, I do believe that she would concede to a match,” she said.
David was shocked that this was the point that was being made. Mrs. Roberta really wanted to encourage him to be with Clementine? She thought a courtship between the two would be a good idea?
“You do?” he asked.
“I do. And I would be in full support,” she said.
“I-I must confess that this is not what I had expected you to say,” David told her.
“And I must confess that I never considered the fact that my niece and a stranger would arrive on the same day and be so ideal for one another. But this is not my decision, Mr. Brown. If the good Lord orchestrates a good thing, who am I to stand in the way?” she asked.
“I suppose that’s as ideal a way to think on it,” David said.
“Yes, it is. Because it is the truth. Our Lord has opened certain doors just as he closes others. I like you, Mr. Brown. You seem to be a good man. And if you are as good a man as I believe you to be, there is no reason to stop you from making a match with my niece,” she said again.
“I hope your niece feels the same,” David said.
“Have you ever loved a woman before?” she asked, suddenly.
David didn’t like answering this question, but he nodded.
“Yes, I have. I’m afraid it did not go so well, Mrs. Roberta,” he confessed.
“I don’t want you to love my niece like you loved that woman. I want you to love her as the Scripture instructs you to. As Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” she said.
“That is the very way that I wish to love,” David said.
“Good. In that case, I will leave you to your afternoon. I just thought it was something worth addressing with you. I don’t know if you are ready to take a step like this just now, but whenever you are, know that you have my full support,” she said.
With that, Mrs. Roberta stood and left the little house.
David was on his own and his mind raced with thoughts of how he could address his feelings with Clementine. Was he ready? He still didn’t know.
But if he waited too long, what if someone else showed interest? What if it was someone that Mrs. Roberta also approved of?
David didn’t want to lose out on a woman like Clementine, but he also didn’t want to push too fast for something that deserved to be savored. Regardless of his next move, he needed a nap.
David laid his head on the couch and closed his eyes. All he could see on the other side of his lids was the vision of Clementine after church. Her eyes bright, her smile wide and laughing.
This was the woman he could love.
Chapter 15
Clementine was just cleaning up after breakfast when her Aunt placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, still holding two plates that needed to be cleaned and looked at her Aunt Roberta, curious what it was about.
“My dear, would you sit with me for a moment?” she asked.
; “Oh, of course,” Clementine said. “Let me just put these down.”
“Certainly, certainly. I’ll just be in the living room,” Aunt Roberta said.
Clementine quickly arranged the dishes that were still dirty that she would need to clean after and made her way to the living room. There was something very ominous about it all and the way that her Aunt had addressed her left Clementine anticipating some very grave news.
When she was seated, however, she saw that Aunt Roberta’s face—although formal—held a smile.
“Now, my dear, there is something I wish to speak with you about,” Aunt Roberta began.
“Is everything all right? Have I not been doing my duties well?” Clementine asked.
“Oh! It is nothing of the sort. Whatever gave you that idea?” Aunt Roberta asked.
Clementine breathed a sigh of relief.
“Good, I was just afraid that maybe I hadn’t been doing things very well,” she said.
“Nothing could be farther from the truth. No, this concerns something rather different. This concerns Mr. Brown,” Aunt Roberta said.
Clementine’s heart began to race. Had she been too forward? Her Aunt had said that she had done nothing wrong, but to know that David was being addressed like this gave her pause. Maybe she had been fine in her duties, but too familiar with her aunt’s worker.
“What of him?” she asked, clearing her throat in anticipation.
“He is a very good man, is he not?” Aunt Roberta asked.
This was not quite what she had expected.
“Well, yes. I suppose that he is,” she replied.
“Very kindhearted and decent. I know that he is new in town and I have known him only a few short weeks, but in that time, I daresay that I have been quite impressed by him,” Aunt Roberta said.
Clementine smiled ever so slightly, still anticipating something to be wrong.
“He is also quite handsome and, as you must know by now, he is unmarried and untied to any young ladies,” Aunt Roberta continued.
“Oh?” Clementine asked.
“Indeed. Is this news of any interest to you?” she asked.
Clementine realized that she had to make a choice in that moment. Honesty with her aunt or the dignity of keeping this secret.
“I confess that it is, yes,” Clementine admitted sheepishly, blushing as she did so.
“I had hoped as much,” Aunt Roberta said with a grin.
“Truly? You had wished for that answer?” Clementine asked.
“Most certainly. He is a good young man, as I said. And you are a wonderful young lady. I should be thrilled to see the two of you make a match,” Aunt Roberta said.
Clementine was entirely relieved by this and wondered what that meant for her moving forward. Having her aunt’s blessing was rather exciting, but she still didn’t know if David would have any interest at all.
“I will say, however, that you could do with looking a bit more presentable. Oh, I know that you are not royalty or any such nonsense, but your dresses don’t show just how beautiful you are,” Aunt Roberta said.
Clementine nodded, aware that it was true. Of course she wanted to look presentable and beautiful. But she really didn’t have the proper clothes for it. Most of her dresses were fairly old by now and had been worn from the travel and these days in the country.
Back in the city, she had been able to go anywhere to have them kept up. Any tailor could change the design or mend a hole or fix a hem. But out here, there was only one tailor and he was fairly busy with everyone’s clothing.
Aunt Roberta was right. She needed a new dress.
“I suppose you’re right. But I should also like to learn how to mend my clothing better so that I’m not having to spend that sort of money,” she said.
“Ha!” Aunt Roberta said with a nonchalant glance away. “This isn’t about you not taking care of your clothing. You are doing a fine job of that. I only want you to be at your very best when Mr. Brown sees you. He is a man worth charming and no one could charm him better than you.”
Again, Clementine blushed.
“Here, take this and go see Wriggley in town. He will ensure that you are outfitted in the best way possible. Not fancy enough for church, but just a little bit too good for sitting in that kitchen and doing dishes. That’s what we want,” she said.
Clementine giggled. It had been a very long time since she had gone to buy a new dress and couldn’t help being excited. The very thought of looking like she was better than her station gave her a thrill, even though she didn’t like the idea of becoming vain.
“Now, get on out of here,” Aunt Roberta said, handing her the little bag of money. “No need to rush back. I’ll take care of cooking lunch today and will have some ready by the time you get here.”
“Thank you, Aunt Roberta. Thank you ever so much!” she said, taking it and making her way out the door.
Clementine decided she would walk and enjoy her time, as her aunt had instructed.
There was certainly a skip in her step, but she was disappointed as she walked past the barn and the land and didn’t see David or Hank anywhere. It would have been nice to see David for even just a moment, even to see a distant smile.
She wondered where her aunt had gotten the idea that there could really be something between them. Had she simply observed that Clementine had noticed him? And was she just going to embarrass herself by preening in a new dress and trying to get his attention?
Clementine decided that it didn’t matter. She would try it and see what happened. No matter how confused she was about whether or not David was interested in her, she knew that she was certainly interested in him and that was enough for her to know for now. It was enough to lead her into town and make her way to Wriggley’s.
“Good afternoon,” she called, entering the shop and seeing a thin, elderly man with glasses standing there behind the bolts of fabric.
“Ah, good afternoon. I recognize you. Am I right in thinking that you are the niece of our beloved Mrs. Roberta?” he asked.
“Indeed, I am,” Clementine replied.
“I am Mr. Wriggley. What are we doing for you today?” he asked.
“Well, my aunt says I need a new dress. Something not fancy enough for church but too fancy to be cooking in the kitchen,” she said, repeating her aunt’s instructions.
“Ah, my specialty,” he laughed. “We had better get some measurements. Go ahead in there and I will send in Grace, my daughter, to take them.”
After fifteen minutes of having the tape wrapped around her undergarments to measure her, Clementine put her dress back on while Grace took the numbers out to her father.
When she came out of the little room, Clementine saw that he had already pulled out a few colors and fabrics for her to look at.
“What do you think? I am quite fond of these shades for your coloring,” he said.
Her eyes lit up at an apricot shade that he had paired with a tan trim. It was simple, but elegant. Exactly what she wanted.
