Yesterday she’d obviously dressed to impress his father. He’d wanted to rip from her hands that ridiculous parasol with all that lace and ribbon dangling and break it over his knee and stomp the pieces. A woman actually using the thing would be blinded and bump into walls or, if she tried to cross the street, walk in front of a moving carriage.
Today, even in her plain work clothes, her beauty shone through. He expected she’d only play at working, but she’d learned everything he’d asked of her. Her beautiful penmanship and quickly-totaled, neat columns assured him she knew what she was doing.
He couldn’t help questioning why she’d become a mail-order bride. All this time, he’d been under the impression that all those women must be dimwits and plain as the side of a barn or downright ugly, He figured they couldn’t get a man any other way and were desperate. That definitely wasn’t the case with Patience.
Why would an attractive woman her age agree to marry a man Dad’s age if not for money? Once again, he admitted women baffled him. And Dad was too old to start a new family. The idea of a brother or sister so much younger than him unnerved Stone.
He had to grin at her calling him “Sonny”, even though she did so to annoy him and he’d been angry at the time. But then, that’s the reason he’d continued to call her “Miss Eaton” instead of Patience. Obviously, she was not a shrinking violet who cowered at confrontation.
He hadn’t spoken much during lunch or needed to do so. Dad had kept a lively dialogue going and Stone had simply half tuned out the stories he’d heard so many times he could quote them verbatim. Patience commented sensibly at intervals. At least she didn’t chatter all the time or have a silly giggle. That would have been intolerable.
Back at work, Dad said, “I almost forgot to mention the Apple Blossom Festival is Saturday. I hope you’ll accompany me, Patience.”
She hung her hat on the coat tree. “I’d love to. What does the festival involve?”
“It’s like a small fair. There’ll be carnival rides, booths where locals sell apple products, pie contests, cotton candy, crowning the Apple Blossom Queen, all the usual sorts of events you’d imagine at a county fair.” Dad turned toward him. “I hope you’ll go with us, son. You don’t get out enough.”
Halting on the way to his office, Stone stuffed his hands in his pockets. “No thanks, I’m not the third-wheel type.”
“Nonsense.” His dad laid a hand on his shoulder. “You’re well aware I’m always one of the judges. I can’t abandon Patience while I sort through the baked and canned goods. You can escort her around the rides and booths so she isn’t bored half to death. I don’t do well on the rides anyway.”
He caught Patience’s gaze. Was she hopeful? Before he could consider his response, he said, “All right, I’ll go with you.”
What was he thinking? Since Lottie Ames had ruined his good name, he’d avoided events where he was open to confrontation and gossip. He must be losing his mind. As if working with Patience wasn’t enough to upset his equilibrium, he’d agreed to escort her part of the day. Why not just bang his head against the wall?
He hurried into his office and immersed himself in his tasks.
***
Saturday brought sun and a sense of excitement as Patience dressed for the festival. The other boarders had assured her that women wore church-type clothes so she was wearing her second best dress. Everyone at home complimented her on how flattering the dress was for her coloring and figure.
She was proud of having sewn this garment of thin brown, green, gray, and bronze stripes over a bronze skirt with a wide ruffle at the hem. She had matched the stripes carefully to form a V design in front and back of the bodice that flattered her figure. On the side panels, the stripes were horizontal.
In back, the V of stripes continued in soft folds to cascade halfway to the hem. In front, bronze buttons ended at the pointed waist. The sleeves were only the tiniest bit puffy at the shoulder and the stripes straight to her wrist.
On her head, she set a brown hat trimmed in flowers she’d created from leftover fabric. Her cream gloves and a cream parasol made her feel well-dressed in spite of the ensemble’s age.
As she went into the parlor, Agnes exclaimed, “That is the most striking dress I’ve ever seen.”
Harriett walked over to her. “Don’t you wonder how the dressmaker managed to match the stripes so well?”
Patience said, “I’m the dressmaker and I had difficulty on the back flounces.” She turned so the other women could see the entire garment. “I’ll admit I had to buy extra fabric to make the effect possible.”
Harriett grasped the material between her fingers. “What lovely twill and the skirt harmonizes perfectly. I’m so envious of your ability. I have to stay with simple patterns.”
“You’re kind to say so. I enjoy a bit of a challenge when I sew.” Patience noted that Jenny hadn’t mentioned her clothing.
Instead, Jenny said, “I suppose you’re going with Andrew Kincaid?”
“Actually, both Andrew and Stone are escorting me. Andrew will be judging the food.”
Jenny sniffed. “He always has to lord over the festival. You’d think he invented apples.”
Agnes appeared horrified. “Jenny, don’t be petty. You know Kincaid Orchards are one of the largest orchards around Destiny and probably in this part of the state.”
“Ha, you’d be less lenient if you’d had to give up your room for his fiancée.”
Patience walked over to Jenny. “What do you mean, give up your room for me?”
Harriett rushed over. “It’s nothing, Patience. Don’t be upset, but Jenny had your room. When we learned you’d be staying here, Jenny moved into my room to share for a month.”
Patience plopped onto a chair. “I had no idea. I do apologize for your inconvenience.”
Agnes patted Patience’s hand. “Don’t concern yourself. Mr. Kincaid owns the boarding house, you see. Mrs. Shaw wanted to please him so she asked Jenny to switch for the month until your wedding.”
“Andrew owns this boarding house? I thought Mrs. Shaw was the owner.”
Agnes shook her head. “She’d like everyone to think that, but she only leases the building. Her lease is up in two months and she feared that turning you away would prevent his renewing her lease. I don’t think so from what I’ve seen of his business dealings, but a woman in business has so little power.”
“I’m horrified you’ve been uprooted on my account, Jenny. Please accept my apology. And poor Mrs. Shaw believes herself in a difficult position. What a terrible situation.”
Jenny appeared mollified. “I see I was wrong about you. I thought you knew and approved. I don’t suppose Mr. Kincaid is aware I was moved out of my home.”
“I’ll make other arrangements today.”
Jenny shook her head. “No, there are no places for you to stay. The other boarding house is mostly men and not at all suitable for a lady. Besides, it’s only for three more weeks.”
Patience’s distress increased. Only three weeks until her wedding to a man she barely knew. Right now she wanted to hurry to the rail station and board the next train that would take her to Mercy.
Agnes stood. “Come on, we should get going. Mrs. Shaw has already left to enter her apple cake in the contest.”
The other two joined Agnes and they called “Goodbye” before leaving.
“Goodbye,” Patience responded, but she hardly registered their departure. Andrew owned this house. No surprise then that Mrs. Shaw was so agreeable about her violating a couple of rules. The poor woman was terrified.
When she heard a buggy stop out front, she rose and walked outside. Stone had started up the walk to call for her. She closed the door behind her and walked to meet him.
“You look as if you’re in a daze. Feeling all right?”
“What? Oh, yes, I just had a bit of a shock. Did you know your father owns this house?”
“Of course. I thought you knew we own several buildings in D
estiny. We can’t have all our eggs in one basket. Or, should that be all our apples in one crate?” He helped her into the buggy then climbed in beside her.
Andrew smiled at her. “You’re looking lovely today, my dear.”
“Thank you. Andrew, why didn’t you tell me you own the boarding house?”
Looking puzzled, he said, “I had no idea you’d care. Mrs. Shaw prefers everyone to think she owns the place. She pays her rent on time so I see no reason not to humor her.”
“Perhaps you weren’t aware that she didn’t have a room available for me so she asked one of her permanent boarders to move out of the best room so I could stay there. The woman is temporarily sharing a room with another in the boarding house, a coworker.”
“I’m shocked. Surely she doesn’t think I’d cancel her lease if she had to turn you away? I have friends with whom you could have stayed for a month. As far as that goes, there’s plenty of room at my house and I could have asked a respected lady to move in as chaperone.”
“I’m relieved you didn’t know the situation. When I found out this morning, I was astonished.”
“Then I’m glad you asked and we cleared up the matter.” He clicked the reins to urge the horse into a trot.
They parked near a crow of other buggies and buckboards. Horses were contained in a roped off paddock.
Andrew called to a boy of about fifteen. “Howard, will you water my horse and watch after him and the buggy?”
The boy’s face split into a wide grin. “Yes, sir, Mr. Kincaid.”
He passed the boy two quarters. “You’ll still have time to spend this when we return.”
They reached the edge of the festival grounds. The tread of so many people stirred dust from the grounds. Patience covered her mouth and blinked several times. Others laughed and talked as they hurried toward the attractions.
Patience took in the other people and her excitement grew. “It is like a fair. I’m trying to be sedate but I feel as if I were ten.”
Stone muttered, “You’re not much over that, are you?”
She leaned toward him. “That would make you fifteen, Mr. Curmudgeon.”
“I’m insulted you’d call me names.” He pretended to be offended at her name-calling, but the twinkle in his blue eyes gave him away.
Andrew said, “I see the tables just inside the food tent and need to get over there. I hope Mrs. Gates hasn’t entered this year. Her pie crust is tough as leather and gives me indigestion. You two have fun while I get on with my duties.” He hurried toward a group that must be the other judges.
Stone offered his arm. “Don’t let him fool you. He loves being a judge and would be heartbroken if he weren’t asked.”
They strolled in the direction of the displays. “I thought he appeared eager. Is he a judge every year?”
“He’s one of the organizers and, yes, he’s always a judge. Anything special you’d like to see?”
“Hmm, Mrs. Shaw entered a cake. I’d love to see it and offer my good wishes. Are there contests besides food?”
“Quilts, paintings, that sort of thing.” He exhaled. “You going to make me take you to see those? Wouldn’t you rather go to the greased pig race?”
She refused to let his lack of enthusiasm diminish hers. “I want the full tour.”
“Then let’s go this way.” Stone indicated the direction with a wave of his hand.
Several young boys raced through the crowd, nearly knocking her down.
Stone grabbed her arm to prevent her fall then cupped her elbow and ushered her away from the food judging area. “That large tent over there is where the exhibits are displayed.”
Inside, Patience was swept away by the beautiful quilts. “Destiny has some women that are skilled with needle and thread. I love that one with appliquéd apple blossoms. Look at the tiny stitches and how even they are.”
He stood with his hands in his pockets and tilted his head to stare where she’d indicated. “Are tiny stitches good?”
In her high spirits she’d forgotten a man like him would neither know nor care about sewing. “Of course they are. I wish I could look at the back to see how elaborate the pattern is on the plain side.”
Hands in his pockets, he frowned at her. “If it’s the plain side, how can it have an elaborate pattern?”
“A skilled quilter will place the stitches so that as they bind the back and front together, they form a pattern.” She leaned closer to the display. “I’d guess this one has a series of large apple blossom on the reverse side. Sort of an optical illusion.”
“Like your dress?” His brows knit in a frown.
She smoothed her hand down her bodice.. “You don’t like what I’m wearing?”
“Those crossing and sloping stripes make see double and my eyes hurt.” As if to prove his point, he crossed his eyes at her and then rubbed at them.
“Phffft. I doubt that. But you should have seen mine when I was constructing this dress. I was practically crying when I was matching the stripes. But I’m very proud of the end result. I’ve received a lot of compliments on the design.”
He moved his hands away from his face and stared at her. “Are you serious? You made that?”
She smoothed a hand over the waist. “I come from a family with limited income. My father is a teacher. Even though he’s the head teacher for the school, he doesn’t make much.”
“He has a talented daughter. That’s probably important to him. That and the fact you left home and he doesn’t have to put up with you now.”
She attempted to glare at him. “You’re funny, Sonny. Really funny.”
Instead of getting mad, he laughed.
They moved on to other quilts and then to oil paintings and watercolors. People they passed glared and whispered as they walked by but Patience had no idea why. By the tightness of Stone’s jaw, she knew he saw them and it bothered him.
Sympathy surged through her for the man with whom she’d spent so much time lately, Patience sought to distract him from the condemning looks. She stopped in front of the most beautiful painting she’d ever seen and gasped. “Look at that. The sunrise over an orchard with the snowy peaks in the background is glorious. Did you ever see anything so beautiful?”
He said softly, “Every morning.”
She leaned closer to look at the signature then straightened to face him. “You painted this? My stars, but you’re talented. I saw he crate label you designed, but I had no idea you could paint with such talent too.”
He shrugged as if his ability was unimportant. “Just a hobby. By the way, I didn’t enter my work, Dad did. I gave him the painting this year for his birthday to hang in his office. He’s aware I’d never put it in a contest.”
“Why not? You shouldn’t hide your talent under a basket—or an apple crate in your case.”
His expression was inscrutable and his eyes hooded. “My reasons are my own. For one thing, I don’t like to call attention to myself. You may have noticed by the scowls and whispers that I’m not popular around here.” He glanced at a couple who still glared at him.
She nodded and took his arm. “I almost heard rumors, but wouldn’t listen. You want to explain?”
Stone tugged at his ear. “No, but I suppose I’d better give my version before you hear others’.” He steered her to a bench at one side and they were seated. He took a deep breath and exhaled. “There was this woman named Lottie Ames. I had been seeing her several weeks, but quit because she…um, shared her favors. I hadn’t been out with her for over a year when she came to me one day and told me she was carrying my baby. I knew that was a lie and refused to marry her.”
“I should hope so.”
He leaned back and stared at the tent’s ceiling. “But she told others in town that I was the father and that I refused to stand by her and do my duty.”
“How awful for you and how devious of her. What did you do?”
He shrugged. “Deny the charge, of course, but no one listened. They remembered
I’d spent time with her and had no way of knowing I’d broken off the relationship over a year before. Then, she left a note saying that she couldn’t face raising a baby alone and she leapt from the bridge, killing herself and the unborn child.”
She brought her hand to her throat. “Oh, no. And you were blamed. I’m so sorry, Stone. Life must have changed drastically for you.”
His face grim, moisture welled in his eyes. “In days I went from happy with plenty of friends to being a person barely tolerated. A couple of my long-time male friends, Ralph Larsen and Tom Mercer, believed me innocent but no decent woman in town would speak to me after that. People always believe the worst.” He shrugged again. “Since then, I’ve avoided contact with people in town. Life is easier that way.”
No wonder he preferred working in the office to joining friends for a drink. “Thank you for even coming today. I’m sorry if you’re reminded of a bad situation over which you had no control.”
He shook his head and rested his arms on his thighs. “To this day, I can’t think why she’d say those things. If she’d just told the truth and asked me for help, I’d have given her money to go somewhere until the baby came, maybe found a job for her afterward somewhere else.”
“She probably wanted to hurt the father for abandoning her by making him think he had competition. Although she hurt you, she probably had in mind causing him pain. Obviously she wasn’t sane by then.”
He straightened. “I never considered that. Not that it repairs my reputation, but you’ve given me a possible explanation and that helps.”
She tugged on his arm and pulled him to his feet. “Let’s not talk of sad things. Take me to the rides and games and let’s be happy. I want to go on the carousel.”
Reluctantly, he let her coerce him. “As good a way to get nowhere as any.”
After two rides on the carousel, they walked down the rows of games and vendors. Stone was exceptionally good at the games. Not surprisingly, she wasn’t. Patience washed her hands at a fountain and dried them with her handkerchief.
Patience: Bride of Washington (American Mail Order Bride 42) Page 6
