Marni's Measure (Brides 0f Pelican Rapids Book 4)

by Danni Roan

  “I suppose that’s true,” she said, letting Sam move her through the familiar steps, but the longer they graced the dance floor, the less she enjoyed it. Somewhere between the ride from the train station and the mishap in the lane, or the ill-fated dinner party, she had come to care for Braden Prater. There was something about him that drew her, and she didn’t like the way Lorna Lie was clutching him so close.

  Braden was a nice looking man with his dark blonde locks, and clear blue eyes, but there was more to it than that. Marni had never been overly impressed with looks, but what Braden had was different. He was hard working, dedicated, and humble, to the point of self doubt.

  She had watched him with his parents earlier that day, and liked his polite respectful attitude toward the older Praters, and the fact that he wasn’t ashamed of his parents’ foreign beginnings. No Braden was a real man, someone who would stick through hard times and good times alike.

  “Hey!” Sam blustered, coming to a stop and glaring after Braden and Lorna Lie. “What’d she go and do that for?”

  Marni looked up in time to see Lorna planting a sweet kiss on Braden’s cheek and noticing the bright blush that covered the other man’s face even as Sam’s hands curled into fists.

  “Mrs. Simms,” Sam said, his eyes flashing, “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ve just discovered that I don’t like Lorna Lie kissin’ anyone else but me.”

  Marni gasped reaching out after Sam as he pushed his way through the crowd headed straight toward Braden. “Oh my!” Marni yelped lifting her skirts and following. She hoped this sudden comprehension on Sam’s part wouldn’t lead to violence.

  “Braden,” Sam growled as he stepped up and tapped Braden on the shoulder. “I’d be obliged if you would step away from my girl.”

  “Excuse me?” Braden asked looking bewildered.

  “Lorna Lie is my girl,” Sam said, rather loudly making several other dancers stare. “I’d like to dance with her now.”

  Braden looked up in time to see Marni hurrying toward them and smiled as he caught her eye. “Hm?” he asked again distracted.

  “I said Lorna’s my girl,” Sam practically shouted his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists.

  “I am?” Lorna Lie squealed her blue eyes sparking to light like a bon fire.

  “Well ya!” Sam said, turning angry eyes on the girl.

  “Oh Sam,” Lorna gasped throwing herself into his arms. “I thought you’d never figure it out.”

  Sam wrapped his arms around Lorna Lie pulling her into him possessively. “Well maybe I didn’t realize it until just now,” he said, giving Braden a hard look. “But you’re my girl Lorna Lie, and I don’t want you dancing with anyone else, not even Braden.”

  Marni stepped up to Braden tugging at his sleeve with a barely suppressed giggle. She wasn’t sure yet, but she suspected that Miss Ella had just arranged a match at this Fall Festival, even if it wasn’t her own.

  “Mrs. Simms,” Braden said, still not sure what had just happened. Lorna Lie had come to him earlier telling him that Miss Ella had asked her to dance with him to make it an even set. Now he was losing one partner and hopefully gaining a new one. The one he had wanted the whole time.

  “Mr. Prater,” Marni said, with a grin.

  “That was rather odd, wasn’t it?”

  “A bit, yes.”

  Braden shook his head taking Marni’s arm and escorting her from the floor as the dance ended. “I think it’s about time that Sam made up his mind about Lorna Lie,” he said, walking toward the punch table. “It’s only been like that for years.”

  “Perhaps sometimes people need to believe that something is their idea before they’re able to accept the truth,” Marni said.

  “Maybe,” Braden mused taking a cup of punch and handing it to Marni.

  “Why only maybe?” Marni asked sipping from the delicate cup.

  “Not everyone is able to respond the way they may want,” he said. “Sam, well Sam will inherit his father’s business and be set for life. He can give Lorna Lie everything she’ll ever want. It will be a good match for both families. Mr. Tomlins already has a good farm and can afford to pay men to work for him. He wants to improve the place and make it profitable, but he doesn’t need it.”

  “A good match,” Marni whispered turning to look at Sam and Lorna Lie speaking excitedly with her parents. “But what about love?”

  “Love doesn’t feed a family,” Braden said practically. “Love, real love, means being willing to give up what you want because it isn’t the best thing for someone else.”

  Marni turned wide dark eyes on Braden, shocked by his words. “I don’t agree,” she said, feeling the pain in her heart. “I believe that love is needed before anything else is possible. If two people love each other, they’ll be willing to work together to win their dreams.”

  “Dreams don’t always come true,” Braden insisted. “They’re only dreams. The real world is something else.”

  Marni felt tears sting her eyes for the second time that day, and turned her back on Braden to hide her feelings. “I think that is very sad,” she said, staring toward the river that was now ablaze with the setting sun. “If you truly love someone, you’ll do whatever it takes to make them happy; even if that means swallowing you own pride. It took me years to give up on Jordan. I was sure he was coming back, but when I realized he was truly gone, I knew that he wouldn’t want me to live my life always waiting. I needed to try to start over.”

  “I’m truly sorry for your loss,” Braden said, his heart pinching in his chest as he realized the pain Mrs. Simms had suffered. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and pull her into his arms, but it wasn’t his place. She deserved a man who could give her everything she could ever desire, someone like Sam, or the man Miss Ella would choose. All he knew for sure was that he would never get to be that man.

  “I think I’d like to go home now,” Marni said, realizing that no matter how long she argued with Braden he wouldn’t hear her. His mind was set and she couldn’t change that.

  “I’ll find Josiah for you,” Braden said, reluctantly stepping past her and off into the crowd.

  Chapter 22

  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks in God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17

  Braden put his back into hefting hay into the barn, his skin itched from the sweat and dust trickling down his spine, and he cringed as the sharp strands of grass prickled his arms, but it wasn’t the familiar discomfort of hay season that bothered him.

  No matter how certain he was that he had done the right thing telling Marni that a man needed to know he could provide for someone they loved, he couldn’t get the beautiful woman out of his mind.

  He had grown to care for the girl from Tennessee. She was smart, clever, hard-working, and tough. No one could have come through what she had and not been tough. Still, it wouldn’t be fair to ask her to take on the life of a farmer. If Braden were ever to marry, he would choose a woman who had spent her life on a farm, working and living on little. Marni deserved more than that.

  Braden shoveled the last of the hay into the barn, hopping down from the wagon and unhitching Millie-Bell and the mule he’d borrowed from old Mr. Walker, turning them both into the corral before heading to the house.

  “Braden,” his mother’s words drew him into the house on the smell of cinnamon and sugar.

  “Mama,” he said, “what do you need?”

  “I want you to take me to see Miss Ella, I have made nut bread, and she must have some. I also need to discuss something very important with her.”

  Braden wanted to refuse, but he could never tell his mother no. She asked so little of him and worked so hard to keep their home nice.

  “I’ll hitch the horse to the wagon,” he said reluctantly, dreading the moment he would see Marni again, probably with a suitor in tow. Though it had only been a week since the Fall Festival, he knew Miss Ella wouldn’t keep Marni w
aiting long.

  “Yes,” Mrs. Prater said with a smile. “Then you come and wash. No one wants to be around you when you smell like sweat and hay.”

  Braden chuckled, shaking his head as he hurried back to the corral leading a disgruntled mare from her pile of hay. “Sorry Milly-Bell,” he said, “but Mama gets what Mama wants and that means both of us have to leave the comfort of home.”

  “It is a nice day,” Mrs. Prater said a short time later as Braden helped her into the wagon. “A nice day to go for a drive,” she added with a smile.

  Braden grinned pleased that his mother was enjoying her outing as between them two loaves of bread, neatly wrapped in a dishtowel and settled into a pretty box wafted delicious smells upward.

  “You should have asked Papa to bring you,” Braden mused. “He always enjoys taking you for a drive.”

  “No, he is busy,” Adalissa said. “He has much to do.”

  Braden raised a brow but didn’t say anything. His father hadn’t told him of any new projects around the house, but he filed it away then concentrated on driving.

  The drive to the Milton Farm took all too short a time and sooner than he would have liked Braden was pulling Milly-Bell to a stop in front of the lovely Victorian-style house.

  “Put the horse away and come in,” Mrs. Prater said, climbing down before Braden could help her and heading up the stairs to knock on the door. “Do not stay all day in the barn with Josiah,” she added turning to give him a hard look.

  Marni looked out the window of the parlor and gasped as Braden Prater pulled up to the house with his mother.

  Had he changed his mind? Was he ready to admit that he too had feelings for her?

  Marni’s heart stuttered in her chest with both hope and dread. She wanted to see Braden, yet worried about why he was there. Had he only come to escort his mother to Miss Ella’s home? Nervously smoothing her simple gray day dress, she gazed around her looking for Miss Ella or Minnie to let their guests in.

  Watching as Braden moved the horse further along the path, Marni thought of all the things she wanted to say to the young man. If given the chance could she convince him that love truly was enough? Would Miss Ella agree that it was a good match or insist that Marni was making a mistake? Closing her eyes Marni whispered a prayer for strength and obedience.

  Marni heard the door open, and Mrs. Prater was escorted into the parlor by Minnie who was busy oohing and aahing over the loaf of bread Mrs. Prater had handed her.

  “Adalissa, you know I just love your nut bread. It’s the best I ever did have. One of these days I’m gonna get your recipe out of you, one of these days.”

  “I’ll share if you share your cake recipe,” Mrs. Prater teased, her blue eyes so like her sons.

  “I’ll slice one of these up, and fetch Miss Ella from the library,” Minnie said. “You two sit and have a little chat, the kettles always on ‘round here.”

  “It is very nice to see you again Marni,” Mrs. Prater said, making herself comfortable on the settee. “You are such a pretty girl,” she added patting the seat next to her. “My Braden, he is a stubborn man,” she finished shocking Marni who moved to sit beside the older woman.

  “Adalissa,” Miss Ella gushed, smiling as she walked in greeting the other woman. “What a treat to have you here. I haven’t seen you since the Fall Festival. I hope you’re keeping well.”

  “I brought nut bread to you,” Adalissa said. “Braden will be in shortly, he drove me today,” she finished with a grin.

  Miss Ella grinned, her blue eyes sparkling. “Only if he doesn’t meet up with Josiah first,” she teased. “Those two always have so much to talk about.”

  “Yes, they have much in common,” Adalissa said, “but Braden, he is too serious, always.”

  “Now isn’t this nice,” Miss Minnie said, walking back into the room with a tray laden with cups, saucers, and a teapot next to a basket full of still-warm slices of nut bread. “I brought tea for you ladies and coffee for the men, if they ever come inside.”

  Braden trudged up the stairs to Miss Ella’s home hesitating at the door. He knew he would see Marni inside, and his rebellious heart urged him to hurry, while his mind told him to run the other way. Perhaps if Marni wasn’t destined for her perfect match, and he had more to offer, he would ask Miss Ella if he might court Marni. He already knew how he felt about her, but that didn’t solve his problem.

  Placing his hand on the door he turned the knob and stepped into the foyer before turning and heading into the parlor to join the ladies.

  Marni looked up, her dark eyes meeting Braden’s and despite the twinge in her heart, she smiled. It was nice to see him again even if she had no idea how to convince him he was wrong. His eyes looked tired, and she wondered if he had been working too hard.

  “Mr. Braden you sit down and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee,” Minnie said, nodding toward the settee.

  “Thank you,” Braden said, moving to the only seat available as he settled onto the settee beside Marni.

  Marni sat up straighter, her shoulder brushing Braden’s as he took the seat next to her, a hundred thoughts running through her mind. Was there any way that she could convince him he was wrong and that love was enough? Would it make any difference if she announced in front of everyone that she wanted Miss Ella to match her to this man? What would Braden do if she shared her feelings? Would he leave breaking her heart completely or would he stay and find the faith to love her in return?

  Minnie passed plates, in a primrose pattern, to each guest offering a slice of the still-warm bread slathered with butter around and filling the room with the heady smell of cinnamon and walnuts.

  “One of these days I’m gonna get this recipe,” Minnie said again as she took a bite of bread, enjoying the casual visit with the group in the room. “I know you have a secret, but can’t figure it out.”

  Mrs. Prater smiled, but only took a bite of bread while Ella poured the tea. “One day I will have a new daughter-in-law,” Adalissa said. “Then I will give her the recipe, ya?”

  The women all smiled at Mrs. Prater, nodding enthusiastically, but Braden scowled looking down in the delicate cup of dark coffee, his thoughts equally dark.

  “Braden what are you doing today?” Ella asked, snapping him out of his brooding. “I know this is a busy time of year for all farmers. Josiah has barely been in the house all week, but he’s nearly finished with the hay crop.”

  Braden shifted the delicate cup in his hands and glanced at his mother. “Mama insisted that I bring her to visit you, Miss Ella,” the young man said. “She said she had something important to discuss with you.”

  “That is da truth,” Mrs. Prater said, her blue eyes dancing. “You see Ella I have decided that Braden needs a wife.”

  The hush that fell over the room was like a lead balloon as all eyes turned to Braden who sat gaping at his mother, his face turning a bright puce.

  “Oh, that’s wonderful!” Ella gushed as Braden tried to speak. “I know just the match for him,” she said with delight.

  “You do?” Braden choked, placing his cup on the small coffee table with trembling hands.

  “Yes, I do,” Ella said, turning to look at her client. “Marni Simms would suit you to a tee.”

  Braden blinked several times as his brain tried to keep up with what was happening around him. First, his mother had completely taken him by surprise with her request then Ella had blown him away with her words.

  Turning slowing he looked into the dark eyes of Marni Simms. Her creamy skin seemed to glow in the soft autumn light filtering through the curtains, and her lips twitched at one corner as if she wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or scream.

  “I’m not looking for a wife,” Braden’s long slow sentence came out flat.

  “No, but that doesn’t mean you do not need one, my son,” his mother said. “You work all this time and that time. You never go out with friends or meet anyone, and you think you must have someone who is not ashamed
of me and Papa,” she finished.

  “Mama, I am not ashamed of you or Papa,” Braden said, his eyes going wide with shock as he turned to face his mother.

  “Then why do you not find a wife and bring her home?”

  Braden turned to Miss Ella for help, but found none there so he turned back to Marni.

  “Mrs. Simms,” he said, stopping and licking his lips as he tried to make his tongue work. “It isn’t that you aren’t someone I would be interested in,” he stammered, “but we only have a small farm and a young woman like you is used to finer things than a log cabin at the edge of the woods.”

  Marni gazed into Braden’s eyes as a million and one thoughts tumbled through her brain. In the Vale she had been pursued to distraction by men who were only interested in her because she owned the grist mill, now she was confronted by a man who was afraid to court her because he felt that she was too good for him.

  “Miss Ella,” Marni began turning to look at the matchmaker, “would you permit Mr. Prater and I to go for a walk?”

  “Of course,” Ella said. “Why don’t you take a turn around the property? It’s a beautiful day for a stroll and a serious talk.”

  Braden wiped sweaty hands on his trousers looking about him in a daze. He didn’t know what this woman could have to say to him in private that she couldn’t say now. Perhaps she wanted to speak to him alone, so he wouldn’t feel like less of a man when she let him down, even if it had been his mother and Miss Ella who had created the situation.

  Standing Braden offered the dark-haired beauty his arm and together they headed to the front door where he helped her into her coat.

  A moment later they were stepping into the crisp air of a fall day and headed down the stairs arm in arm.

  Chapter 23

  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:33

  Marni’s heart pounded as she placed her hand on Braden’s strong arm. After so long alone and lonely could she really have been handed this opportunity? She wanted to pinch herself to be sure she wasn’t dreaming. Since the day she had met Braden Prater, she had known there was something about him that she liked, and now she understood better what it was.