Seemed to like him. He certainly hoped so anyhow.
As the morning progressed, he checked the sun. Overhead, the vast blue sky stretched endlessly toward a limitless horizon. Purple prairie coneflowers waved in the wind in the distance.
He called out, “If you are gonna change into what you showed me yesterday, you had best get back in the house soon. People should start arrivin’ in about an hour. Folks like a good outin’, and we don’t have a lot of reasons to have one. So everyone takes advantage when we do. Imagine some of them will be here the entire day.”
Maddie gulped and rushed inside. He could only imagine how nervous she was. This wasn’t only a celebration for the entire town, it was the town’s chance to see how the Southern Reb had adapted to life in the West. Some would be pleased with her transformation. Others could care less and would never like her. There was nothing he could do about that. Those that were accepting of her had done it long ago. Others, like the meddlesome Mrs. Peabody, would go to her grave with a grudge.
Oh well, it was her loss, not Maddie’s.
He sent a deep prayer heavenward to protect all those that would attend the party today.
An hour later he walked inside to freshen up himself. He didn’t want to look filthy when the guests arrived, and all the preparations had been dirty work.
He cleaned up best he could with the bowl of water at the kitchen sink, then headed to their bedroom to change his shirt and put on a clean vest Maddie had recently mended.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he opened the door.
His wife was a vision of loveliness. She’d piled her long dark hair up in artful twists, with some ringlets framing her face. Since she’d told everyone it was a ‘dress up event’ if they wanted to, she wore one of her original dresses. The sight of her was so exquisite that a fist caught at his throat and threatened to choke him. She’d chosen an outfit in understated tones rather than the bright dresses she’d worn when she first came here—crème he think he’d heard her call it—but there was absolutely nothing understated about it. A simple strand of pearls graced her neck and pearl earbobs complemented each ear, while a few smaller pearls had been woven throughout her tresses. The upper portion of the dress hugged her body like a soft glove, yet the bottom half draped in gentle folds and was loose enough to allow dancing later if she wanted to join in the festivities.
He’d have to remember to keep his jealousy in check and not ruin the party for Maddie. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that every man present today—from his ranch hands to every man from town, save the preacher of course—would be staring at his wife. No, now that he thought about it, he imagined the preacher wouldn’t be immune either.
“I just have to adjust my hat and I am ready.” She reached up to fasten her royal blue wisp of a hat at a jauntier angle. It had a small peacock feather sticking out the side.
“That is not gonna stay in place, Maddie. It is too hot out there already and with all the runnin’ around I know you will do greetin’ people, it won’t take long for it to shift.”
“Nonsense. It will be just fine. The hat pin will hold it in place.” She pinched her cheeks to make them rosy. As if she needs anything to make her look better.
He shook his head. Maybe he wouldn’t tell her ‘I told you so’ after she gave up and removed that wisp of a hat.
Then again, maybe he would. He did love teasing her.
Kat and her family were the first to arrive, followed closely by Pastor Willett and his wife Sandy.
Matt drove the aunts out soon after, his bay fastened to the back of the wagon. After helping the elderly women down, they all headed over to Luke and Maddie.
While the two women gushed over her dress, Matt stared at her gape-mouthed.
Luke glared. “Close your mouth, Brother, before you start catching flies. Although it would serve you right if you choked on one.”
Matt faced Luke. “How the blazes did you get so durned lucky?”
A frown furrowed Luke’s brows. “About what?”
Matt hiked a thumb toward Maddie. “Her. Great day in the morning, man. I always knew your wife was a looker, but…she is gorgeous. Is that what she looked like when you married her? All citified and elegant?”
Luke faced Maddie. “Yes, actually it is. The first night I saw her—sittin’ in a restaurant eatin’ with her father—I wanted nothin’ more than to have her spend the rest of the evenin’ with me at Sam’s weddin’ reception. I wanted to dance the night away with her.” He inhaled and released a deep breath. “Turned me down cold.”
Around them, children scampered about with tireless energy. Luke watched their antics and smiled.
Matt continued to stare. “You are one lucky dog.”
“Just remember she is already taken. I would hate to have to beat my own brother senseless.” He moved a step closer to Matt. “And don’t think for a minute that I would not do it.”
Matt nodded in acknowledgement. “I know, Brother. And I’d not blame you a bit. Be assured I won’t be forgetting. But it does make a body think about getting hitched.”
Luke barked with laughter. “Don’t say that too loud. Kat already has some ridiculous notion you need to send off for a mail order bride.”
Matt’s eyes widened in shock. “Don’t even suggest it!!! Dang, I just might have to kill my own sister. Aaron would not be pleased with me.”
As more guests arrived, their yard filled with people and the tables groaned under the food.
To Maddie’s surprise and delight, a rickety wagon pulled up beside those already parked. Granny Mac and her two grandchildren dismounted. Maddie rushed to her.
“Granny, you came!”
“Well you invited me. Practically insisted I come. Said you could not possibly serve your guests without my biscuits.” She grumbled the words, but her eyes were lit with an emotion Maddie had never seen there before—happiness.
Granny looked around and grumbled mutinously. “Now see. It is a fancy occasion.” She glanced down at her own worn dress. “Mebbe I’d best jes’ leave these here biscuits and head on out. Don’t want to embarrass anyone.”
“Nonsense! You look just fine.”
Granny cocked a brow. Deep lines etched her face. “I weren’t born yesterday, child.”
Flustered, Maddie was determined to keep Granny there. She didn’t know when she’d get an opportunity like this again. “Granny, come with me. I know just the thing!”
After rushing inside the house with Granny following outside at a more sedate pace, she reached atop her wardrobe and brought down a hat box. Reaching inside, she pulled out the hat she’d just finished sewing, then rushed back outside. She handed it to Granny.
“Here! Wear this.” She pointed to the hat. “Look at the colors in it. It goes perfectly with the dress you are wearing. This is the perfect complement for it.”
“Complement? You shore talk funny, gal. And you know I do not take charity!” Granny looked longingly at the hat, but refused to take it and chose to walk away.
Maddie was right by her side, her hand on Granny’s thin arm. “It is not charity. I would never embarrass you like that.”
Granny squinted. “Then what fancy word would you use?”
“Payment.”
That stopped Granny cold and her eyes narrowed in thought. “Payment? Fer what?”
Maddie swallowed. “You promised to help me learn how to make your biscuits. You showed me once, but who knows how many sessions it will take for me to get it right. I am certainly not the best cook around.” She lowered her gaze to the hat in her hands. “This old hat is my payment to you for helping me learn how to make your biscuits so I can make them for Luke.”
“Payment, huh?”
Maddie nodded.
“This old hat, huh?”
Maddie made sure to not look at Luke who stood on the steps watching her every move. His look of disbelief was almost her undoing, but she had to do this. Had to do it for Granny.
“
Yep.” She gave a definitive nod.
Granny pursed her lips in thought. “Well then, I expect you at my place early Tuesday mornin’ fer yer second lesson. Do not be late.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Eight o’clock sharp.”
Maddie smiled as Granny placed the bonnet on her head and tied the straps under her neck. Maddie stepped forward and adjusted the bow to the side.
Granny’s eyes misted over as she met Maddie’s gaze. “Thank you fer this old hat, young lady. You won’t regret yer cookin’ lessons. Slap me silly, but I might even show you how to make my blueberry cobbler. The grand young’uns love that. I’ll make sure to have them fetch plenty of blueberries from my bushes.”
Luke joined her as soon as Granny walked away to make sure her grandchildren had placed the biscuits on the food laden tables.
“What did you just do? You just made that hat! You gave it to a woman that never goes anywhere?” Disbelief showed in his eyes.
Maddie fought to stay her tears. “She came here today, didn’t she? If she never wears it again, it was worth it to me to make her happy for one day. From what I have seen, I doubt she has had many things to smile about in her adult life. I am glad I was able to make one small contribution.”
He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I do not think I’ll ever understand you, Maddie Guylenhall. But I am awful proud of you right now.”
He watched Granny walk slowly toward the tables.
“And you can be sure I’ll be buying you more of that material to make yourself another hat.”
“That is not necessary,” she protested.
“Which is exactly why I am goin’ to do it. Because you do not think it’s necessary.”
Misty soon came running over to Maddie. “You really gave Granny that new hat?”
“It’s not n—”
“Miz Maddie, I may be poor and don’t have much schoolin’, but I know a new hat when I see one.” She threw her arms around Maddie’s shoulders and squeezed. “Thank you so much fer makin’ Granny happy. She’s fair to beamin’.”
Maddie pulled out of her arms. “Want me to fix your hair like I did the last time I was at your house?”
Misty’s face wreathed with joy. “Oh, I’d rightly love that, Miz Maddie. I have tried to do it myself since you showed me, but jes’ cannot get the hang of it.”
She took Misty’s hand and led her to the porch. “You sit here and I will go get my brush. Be right back.” Inside, she reached into her ribbon box and pulled out two ribbons to match the color of Misty’s faded dress. She’d weave them through the girl’s long braid.
She’d seen a picture of the hairstyle in some magazine before she’d left Atlanta. A French braid it had been called, although it hadn’t actually originated in France.
After she was finished, she held up a small mirror she’d brought outside so Misty could see the final result. “Well, what do you think?”
Misty held the mirror and peered at herself. Maddie ran a fresh moist cloth over Misty’s face to clean off dirt residue that hadn’t been caught earlier by the young girl’s ablutions. “Oh, Miz Maddie, I love it! And do I get to keep the ribbons?”
“You certainly do.”
“But I cain’t take—”
“Charity. I know.” She looked around for Granny. Found her sitting across the yard on a blanket under the shade of a large oak tree. “But merely fixing your hair in a pretty style has nothing to do with charity.”
Misty looked hopeful. “But the ribbons.”
“Are merely a part of that hairstyle. Nothing more, nothing less.”
After another quick hug, Misty returned the mirror and bounded off toward her grandmother like an exuberant puppy. Maddie couldn’t help but chuckle.
Luke headed up the stairs beside her. He’d been mingling with the guests while she’d fixed Misty’s hair. “Another project completed, I see.” He shook his head in resignation. “Who is the next person gonna be? If I do not miss my guess, the dress Kat is wearin’ is the latest one you gave her to fix over. And Birgit was beamin’ about the dress you gave her to redo. Said she had never had one finer.” He reached out and squeezed Maddie’s hand. “You knew she would never spend money on herself with the new baby around. What am I goin’ to do with you, woman? You cannot give away everythin’ you own.”
She tilted her head to the side in exasperation. “Luke, how many trunks do I still have out in the shed with dresses in them that I have not touched? If I can help people, I want to do it.”
“Preacher Willett’s wife said you offered one to her, too. Said she thanked you profusely, but she already had a dress that was fancy enough for the occasion.” His lips curved in a smile. “I reckon I married a hopeless, incurable romantic.”
Maddie blushed. She knew she did, because she could feel heat rushing up her cheeks.
“Do you mind?”
“Not in the least. But I repeat, who is your next project?”
The rattle of wagon wheels approaching drew his attention. “Never mind. I just got my answer.” His smile disappeared.
Jeffrey and Rosemary Bonner approached, a baby cradled in each of her arms.
Maddie rushed to them as Jeffrey moved his wagon into one of the few remaining spaces set aside for the occasion.
He jumped down and reached up to take first one baby, then the other from Rosemary’s arms. Maddie eagerly took them from him so he could help Rosemary down.
“Look how they have grown!” Maddie gushed.
Rosemary’s whole face lit in a smile while Jeffrey stood beside her and beamed.
He pulled a blanket from the wagon. “I want to get my family situated. Then I will come back and fetch the food for the tables.” He leaned his head closer to Maddie’s. “Thank you for the invite. I am sure Luke was not pleased.”
She didn’t answer nor deny the claim.
He motioned to a large tree that had a shaded area beneath it. “I see a spot that has not been claimed yet. I’ll go set the blanket down there. I do not want the babies in the sun.”
Rosemary nodded agreement while she looked around at the large crowd anxiously. “I am still not sure this was a good idea, but when I mentioned it to Jeff he insisted we come.”
Maddie handed one of the babies to Rosemary and linked her arm through Rosemary’s empty arm. “I am glad he did. And Birgit’s already here. Wait until you see how Lars has grown.”
“Do you really think—”
“Yes, I do. Today is the beginning of a fresh start for both of you. Make sure you smile and talk to people while you mingle around. Catch them off-guard. I don’t care. Make them interact with you.” She glanced across the grounds and smiled. “You might want to steer clear of the likes of Mrs. Peabody though.” She giggled. “Considering how the woman feels about me, I cannot believe she actually came! Probably just did it for show. Or her husband made her.”
“Yes, Martha has always been like that. Her entire family is. Always think they are better than everyone else.” Conspiratorially she added, “Even though everyone knows better!”
Birgit walked over with baby Lars in her arms. She smiled at Maddie, then at Rosemary, shifting the baby and lightly bouncing Lars on her hip. “I am soooo glad you came today. I cannot wait to see your babies. Maddie keeps telling me how beautiful they are.”
Rosemary looked surprised, but didn’t miss a beat in answering. “Thank you. And I am thrilled to finally meet Lars. Maddie talks to me about him all the time, too.” She leaned forward. “Oh, how adorable. He is a miniature version of Swede.”
Birgit’s lips lifted in a smile. “Ja, he is. My Sven is quite pleased with that.” She took in the baby in Rosemary’s arms. “And this is the little Samantha I have heard so much about. Oh, she looks just like you. And look at that head of hair. She has her father’s hair coloring. My Lars is bald as can be. Who does your son look like?”
Rosemary pursed her lips. “Just like Samantha, I think he takes after both of us. Jef
f thinks Neal is the spitting image of him, though, so I hate disabusing him of that thought while he is so happy.”
Birgit arched a brow. “Ja, I have noticed a difference in him when he comes into the mercantile. Even Sven commented on it. Your husband actually seems happy for a change. That is a side of him I do not believe I have seen since we moved here.” She clasped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, I am sorry. I should not have said that. That was too personal.”
Rosemary reached out to place her hand on Birgit’s arm. “Do not apologize. You are quite right.” She glanced toward her husband. “I hope his newfound peace lasts.”
Granny Mac’s granddaughter Misty wandered around the grounds.
“If I can get Misty to agree to watch the twins, would you allow her to do that? I think she would like something to keep her busy. She does not really know many people here.”
“Misty?” Rosemary’s brows furrowed in thought as she tried to place the name. “I do not believe I know her.”
“Granny Mac’s granddaughter.”
“Mercy, is she old enough to watch children already. I have not seen her since she was a small girl. Now they stay cloistered out in the hills.”
Maddie motioned toward the young girl and Rosemary’s eyes widened. “That is Misty? She has grown into a lovely young woman.” She hesitated and briefly glanced toward her husband, then straightened her shoulders and told Maddie, “Yes, if she agrees, I would love to have her watch the babies. She can keep them on the blanket Jeff placed on the ground.” Her eyes met Maddie’s. “That will give us a chance to…as you say…circulate.”
“Perfect!” She moved toward Misty then stopped and told Rosemary, “And it will get easier with time. I feel certain of it.”
A hesitant smile lit Rosemary’s face. “I hope so, Maddie. I truly hope so.”
Fury, anguish, and the ever-present tug of war inside him at what had happened in the past threatened to come to the fore as Jeffrey Bonner approached him. The man was the last person Luke wanted to talk to, but he’d promised Maddie he would try to be pleasant today for her sake.
The Rancher's Southern Belle Page 20
