He’d be plenty busy with them the next few days. Thanks to her, he was already behind schedule. Not that he said that. He was far too polite to do something like that, but she knew he was behind on the ranch because she’d gotten sick.
Something else she was learning about him. Regardless of how frustrated he might be with her, he didn’t show it. Didn’t put her down like Father often did when he got angry with her.
It was a pleasant change.
The small, dusty town was busy when they arrived. She imagined it probably always was. Blinking against the bright sun, she viewed the hard-packed dirt main street with raised boardwalks on each side. Wooden buildings stood tall and proud on both sides of the road—livery stable, feed store, barber shop, bank, saloon, hotel—some painted, some not. The sign proclaiming a mercantile seemed to be the largest building, but the nearby saloon came in a close second. After what happened with her father, she’d never be thrilled with the thought of saloons. Sadly, each town they’d passed through on their way west from St. Louis had proudly touted one. Some had more than one.
Luke interrupted her thoughts. “After Doc clears you, we will go to the mercantile first and give Swede the list of supplies we need. Between Kat and the aunts, it is pretty long. I will make sure the notions Aunt Mary wanted added are on it before I hand it over to Swede. The buckboard will probably be full on the way home. If you want, you can look around the mercantile for a while. I need to go over to the livery to pay a bill I thought about on our way into town and fetch some feed, but I will not be too long. Doc stressed you were not to get too tired.
“I would like to visit with my brother Matthew for a few minutes if he is around town. You will like him. He is a big bear of a man, but has a heart of gold.
“Then we can go have lunch at the hotel restaurant if you feel up to it. I do not want to tire you out, but that way the aunts will not have to worry about cookin’ when we get home. Although they love helpin’, they ain’t spring chickens and I do not want them to over extend themselves. And I would like you to rest at least one more day before you get started on learnin’ the chores. Comin’ into town today will probably be taxin’ enough on you.
“Kat said she’d be over early in the mornin’ to show you how to make bread. Hopefully that will not take too much out of you.”
He stopped the wagon in front of a small white, two-story clapboard house with a sign on the front proclaiming it Doctor Turner’s office.
The overhead sun was brilliant in a cornflower blue sky. It was warm on her shoulders.
After hopping down from the wagon, Luke quickly rounded it and reached up to help her down. His hands on her waist were strong, firm. He lifted her down as if it were no trouble at all. Father always made a big to-do about her weight. Although she’d never been overweight, he harped like she was. Kept saying he wondered why she couldn’t have taken after her dear departed mother who had the shape and disposition of an angel. He’d repeatedly tried to shame Madelyn, which usually tended to do the opposite and made her rebel.
Why couldn’t he have just loved her as she was instead of wanting to make her over into someone else? Or more like Elizabeth Boyle who he considered the epitome of perfection—tall, slender, and always perfectly groomed. There had been times when Madelyn almost hated the woman—even though she was her dearest friend. Father had a way of pushing her like that. Making her do something she didn’t want to do or feel.
Oh, if only once she could know what it felt like to be cherished.
The doctor’s sister bustled about as Madelyn and Luke waited for the physician to end his examination. “I am delighted to meet you, my dear. I know how worried Brother has been since you took ill.”
“Well, I am happy to say she seems to be doing just fine today. Looks a little tired though.” The white-haired man waggled a finger in her face. “Do not overdo it now, young lady. I do not want you to relapse.” And to Luke, “You keep taking good care of this young woman. I am right pleased you came home with a wife—although you certainly caught all of us by surprise that you did.” His smile seemed genuine and encouraging.
Madelyn realized she liked the man immensely. His doctoring techniques seemed much more laid back than her father’s had been. Maybe there was more than one way to run a practice. She’d always felt her father was often too stern. Especially with the children. They always seemed terrified of him, although adults had liked him. She couldn’t imagine anyone being terrified of the kindly Doctor Turner.
If they lived closer to town, she would have liked the opportunity to work with the man. Her dream had always been to be a physician. That of course would never happen since few women were allowed into medical school, but she was determined to help people despite that obstacle.
And being out here in the middle of nowhere wouldn’t change that goal.
Yet, despite all the recent changes in her life and the hard work it would entail, she found herself thriving in her new life, with the people that had been thrust into it. She looked forward to getting up every day and learning something new—projects she would have considered beneath her back in Atlanta. Never once had it actually crossed her mind that someone had to do such jobs to make the big, wide world spin on an even keel every day. She’d taken such things for granted.
Although she hadn’t done much yet since she’d been so sick, out here, new vistas were being introduced to her own personal horizon, and for the most part she found she quite liked them.
What would Aunt Agatha think of her now? She’d probably have a fit of the vapors at the first words of her niece doing menial labor.
She chuckled, drawing the captain’s eyes to her.
Moving the wagon to the front of the mercantile so it would be closer when they started loading supplies, Luke set the brake and once again jumped down then reached up to help her down. This time he held her waist just a bit longer than he had in front of the doctor’s office. Her eyes rose to his once her feet were standing on the ground and saw him smiling down at her. How she enjoyed seeing that smile. Especially when it was directed at her after she’d tried—and succeeded—at something she’d never done before. Which for her was pretty much everything.
She quickly whirled and brushed the trail dust off her skirt.
He placed her hand on his arm as they crossed the short distance to the door. “Come with me. I want to introduce you to the owner.” Opening the mercantile door, causing the merchant bell to ring over the door, he placed his hand at the small of her back as he eased her inside. He headed to the counter at the front of the store, passing two women who were exiting. He touched a finger to his hat brim in greeting. “How do, Mrs. Wallace. Mrs. Simpson. Good to see you today.”
“Luke Guylenhall! Good to see you, too,” one said.
“Welcome home, boy,” said the other. “Sorry about your pa.”
He dipped his head in acknowledgement. Two sets of eyes swerved to watch the woman at his side.
Then he waited while the tall, blond shop-keep finished helping the person checking out. When the elderly customer finished, he bid Luke a pleasant afternoon and tipped his hat to Madelyn. “Ma’am.” His eyes widened a bit, but he made no other outward acknowledgement of her as he headed out the store.
Luke stepped forward and clasped the merchant’s hand in a warm shake that bespoke their years of friendship. “Swede, I’d like to introduce you to my wife. Swede, this here is…M-Maddie Guylenhall. Maddie, this is Sven Ericksson, but everyone just calls him Swede. He and his wife Birgit own and run this mercantile. If they don’t have what you need in stock, he is generally able to order supplies for us from other towns. Sometimes from as far away as New York City.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” The man dipped his head in greeting. “My Birgit may come downstairs before you finish. She has been looking forward to meeting you. Sorry to hear you have been ill.”
Madelyn’s head jerked up. “How did you know—”
The large man gave a hea
rty laugh, his blue eyes twinkling with merriment. “This is a small town, ma’am. Not much escapes anyone. Either Doc or his sister might have mentioned it to someone—and that is all it took. The entire town knows—as well as most folks livin’ on the outskirts.”
“I see.” She flashed him a sheepish smile. “Well, it is very nice meeting you, too.”
“I have to run to the livery, Swede. Just for a few minutes. I plumb forgot I need to see if the ranch has an outstanding balance. Jes’ thought of it on the way here. With Pa gone and me finally home, there will be a lot of things I need to catch up on.” Luke quickly added Aunt Mary’s notes, then handed over a piece of paper. “Can you fill this order while I am gone?”
Swede glanced at the list and smiled. “Ja, ja, shore can.”
“Maddie is gonna stay here and look around the shop. I will be right back.”
As the captain walked out the front door, the tiny bell again tinkling as the door opened, Madelyn glanced around the crowded store. There wasn’t a bit of wasted space. Almost every inch was crammed with something. It seemed to hold everything a person could possibly want. Shelf upon shelf rose from the floor all the way up the walls almost to the ceiling. A ladder was situated against one wall—clearly to reach the higher items. A few feet from one of the walls a small stock of ready-made clothes hung from a rack. Good to know I might not have to make everything!
The man the captain had called Swede had her husband’s list in his hand and efficiently moved from one area in the store to another, grabbing items from the list and placing them on the counter he’d stood behind during introductions.
While nothing like the refined shops she’d frequented back in Atlanta, this store had both fresh and canned foodstuffs, items men used on their ranches that she had no idea what they were, implements similar to those Old Bob had used in the garden back home, plates and cups—blue speckled tin ones, not the elegant china she was used to—and a section definitely just for women stocked with bolts and bolts of colorful material. Madelyn headed straight to that department.
She hoped she could find buttons and the thread Aunt Mary said she should get. She also hoped to find a bit of lovely eyelet cotton that might be used for collars or sleeves. She might have to dress her clothes down, but she had no intention of looking dowdy. There were limits after all. Surely the cow in question during Aunt Mary’s lengthy speech this morning wouldn’t care if she wore a bit of decoration on her clothes!
She chuckled at the thought.
Moving toward the material, she fingered the bolts of cloth on the table.
Several people were in the store and eyes widened as they took in Madelyn’s dress. She’d been afraid of this. What she had on was much fancier than any of the other women wore. And it was only one of the dresses she’d worn when she helped Father at his office. She never would have worn it while actually visiting a friend or acquaintance. It was a decent day dress functional for staying home or working in a medical office.
Some of the women gathered in groups, whispering to each other and snickering. She didn’t have to ask to know they were laughing at her. She was discomfited being the center of attention. The poor captain. Would he always have to put up with his friends’ feelings with her around? She eyed their dresses, while trying not to be obvious. They were similar to what Kat wore, plain homespun material. One lady wore a light brown dress with full-length sleeves down to white cuffs with one button on them. No other embellishments. Her simple bonnet matched the material the dress was made out of. The younger of the two women wore a similar dress out of light blue cotton. Hers had white cotton cuffs and a white rounded collar to match. No lace was on either dress, although Madelyn’s was currently covered with it.
Did people out here have to look so…dowdy? Not that she’d ever say it aloud, of course. She would never hurt Kat or the aunts’ feelings.
Thankfully Kat and the aunts—as the captain and Kat called them—had said they would help Madelyn remake some of her dresses. Could she make any of them look like what the women of this town wore? She didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. Didn’t want to be an embarrassment to the captain. He’d been so kind to her since her father foisted her off on him.
Swede turned in her direction and nodded and Madelyn went back to look at the material, trying to ignore the women’s stares. Why didn’t they just get what they wanted and depart the store?
A middle aged blonde walked out from the back of the store. She spoke to the elderly women and beamed at something they said. Soon she noticed Madelyn. After a glance at her husband, he bent his head and whispered something to her. She smiled and headed toward Madelyn.
She extended her hand. “Welcome, Mrs. Guylenhall. My husband just told me who you are. I am sorry I was not in the store when your husband introduced you. I look forward to seeing him again. It has been a long time. I am Swede’s wife, Birgit.”
“It is lovely to meet you.”
“You have need of some of our material? I would be happy to help you choose some.”
Madelyn looked down at her dress. “I fear my clothes are not quite right for life out West. What I used to wear in Atlanta is a bit too…shall we say festive?”
“Perhaps, but it is a lovely dress. Do you wish to make something new or adapt ones you already have?”
“I am hoping Luke’s sister and aunts can help me alter some of my dresses. I would hate to waste money needlessly on material when I already have plenty of clothes. Aunt Mary said I will need thread and I believe some new buttons. One of the main things we will somehow need to change is to move the buttons from the backs of the dresses to the front so I can reach them myself.”
Birgit brightened. “You will do just fine. Kat, Mary, and Lola are all excellent seamstresses. If they said they will help, it should not take you any time at all to redo some of your clothes. We just got in a new shipment of notions. Come with me. I will show them to you. They are right over here.” She motioned to the side of the material department, then placed her hand on her lower back as she walked.
She showed Madelyn several button packets. “Are they not beautiful?” She held up one packet and held it to her breast. “How I would love to have a dress with these on it. But I cannot justify the money. I need to save everything for the baby.”
Madelyn looked at the woman’s swollen belly. No wonder her back hurt. “When is the babe due?”
The woman straightened and glanced quickly around the room before answering softly. “In a few weeks.”
“Is this your first, or have you other children?”
The woman looked like she might cry. “This will be my first. I lost three other babies. They all…died—one early on and two during childbirth.”
“I am sorry to hear that.” Madelyn put a hand on the woman’s shoulder to comfort her. “Is this baby still active?”
The woman frowned.
Madelyn tried to clarify. “Is he still moving around a lot?”
Birgit nodded, but again glanced around the room toward the gossiping women, looking decidedly uncomfortable.
“Good. Good. That is very good. I will bet everything will be just fine then.”
Luke was beside her in three long steps. “Maddie, we need to leave. Now.” He told the store owner, “Swede, my wife and I are gonna have dinner at the restaurant. Then I will come back and load the supplies.”
The man’s good humor had disappeared. He moved quickly toward his wife Birgit, placing his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer, but nodded. “Ja, that will be fine. Your order will be ready.”
Luke placed his mouth close to Madelyn’s ear. “Move, Maddie.” A frown covered his face and he directed a warning look at her. “Do not say another word. Just head out the door.” He placed his hand at her lower back and urged her forward.
Outside, she stayed on the boardwalk while he stepped down onto the dirt street. She whirled and glared eyeball to eyeball at him. “Exactly what was that about? Why did you push
me out of that store? Birgit was helping me with my button selections. I’d chosen several, but now I do not know if they will be with our order or not. I cannot make the changes Kat and Aunt Mary want without them.”
She threw her hands up in the air, displaying her total disgust at his actions. “Is that why you were so rude? Should I not have set aside more than one packet? Can we not afford them? All you had to do was simply say that, Captain.”
His neck and shoulders bristled with tension. “Dagnabbit, woman, I assure you I am not without financial resources. I can afford your buttons—even though a man does not discuss his monetary matters with townspeople in the middle of a store. What you should not have done was tell Birgit that all would be well with her baby.”
She took a step back, surprised at his answer. She lifted her chin in stubborn rebellion as she stepped off the boardwalk into the road. “Whyever not? She was nervous, and I wanted to make her feel better.” A swirl of emotions churned in her belly. How could her husband treat her like this in public? He’d been so kind and thoughtful—till now. Involuntarily her chest tightened and her stomach knotted. Was this to be like her father after all?
“Of course she is nervous. She is getting close to her time, and she lost her last three babies. But ladies do not stand in mercantiles—or anywhere else for that matter—talking about if a baby is moving.”
Madelyn stiffened. “Why not? I did it often in Father’s practice. It was a simple question, and told me exactly what I needed to know. If the babe still moves, which she said it is, all should be well. Had it already stopped, something would be wrong and she would need to see Doc immediately.”
With a long-suffering sigh, he said, “Maddie, you are not a doctor. Leave things like that to Doc Turner. He has helped her with her last births and was not able to save the babies. I understand you may be used to discussing personal things with your father while in his office, but out here”—he swept his arm to encompass the town—“people do not discuss such things with each other. It is not proper.”
The Rancher's Southern Belle Page 9
