Charity (Brides of the Rio Grande Book 4)

by Peggy McKenzie

  "Tell me about it, Aggie. I'd really like to know about your home in Tennessee." Charity pulled Aggie's chubby hand into hers. "Tell me all about it." She urged Aggie to share the parts of her life she and her sisters knew nothing about.

  "Some of it is still too painful to talk about, but I do have so many fond memories of Meadowlark."

  "Is that the name of your home? It had a name?" Charity said amazed. The orphanage she lived in had a name she supposed, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember what it was.

  "Oh, yes. It was a grand place. Fifty four hundred acres of prime land. Tobacco. Cotton. Pure-bred horses. It was the finest place in a dozen counties or more."

  Charity and her sisters had sensed that Aggie had come from the south. Her accent was muted, but some things could be picked up on as southern. Her manners. Her hospitality. Her poise. She had been born to great wealth it seems. "Fifty four hundred acres? I can't imagine what that must have been like to see."

  "My cousin and I used to spend every summer there. We would ride our ponies and play with my dollhouse in my room. Momma and Papa would read wonderful stories to us at night on the veranda. It was a perfect life."

  "The cousin you speak of, was that Cousin Rosie that we girls know?"

  "Yes, she was my mother's sister's daughter."

  "And Rosie grew up on this place called Meadowlark too?"

  "She spent her summers there."

  "So, how did she go from a place called Meadowlark to owning a saloon in Kansas City?" Charity wondered.

  "In a word? The war. It changed everything for so many people. Some good changes. Some not so good." Aggie's look of melancholy returned.

  Charity felt bad. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

  "There were good memories too." Aggie said. "Meadowlark is where I met my husband."

  "How did you know he was the right one for you?"

  "I knew the moment I laid eyes on him. It was, indeed, love at first sight." Aggie's gaze was dreamy and distant and Charity remained quiet to let her relive those happy moments. “It was such a glorious time in. my life.”

  "And what was Hiram doing in Tennessee?"

  "Oh, Hiram wasn't my husband then. I was married to Michael before Hiram came along and rescued me."

  "Rescued you? From what?" Charity was all ears.

  "That part of the story isn't important, but to answer your question about how I knew my husband was right for me, Michael was my first love. He was the love of my life before the war. And then everything changed and along came Hiram, who is the heart of my soul.

  “Now just to be clear, Hiram and I didn’t fall in love at first sight, but love comes in all shapes and sizes, and once I was ready to let go of Michael and the tragedy surrounding the death of our family, then my heart was open to Hiram and as you can see, it was the perfect match. I couldn't imagine my life without him."

  "What do you think would have happened if Michael hadn't died? Would you still be married to Michael?" Charity wanted to know.

  "That is a question I shall never have the answer to because there is just no way to know. Now, enough about me. Let’s talk about why you think you've frightened your sheriff away from our door?"

  Charity took a deep breath and began. "I took matters into my own hands again. Instead of letting the deputy know about a stranger who was sneaking around the jailhouse, I followed him myself."

  "Charity, didn't you learn anything in finishing school?" Aggie sighed.

  "I did, but it seemed like a good idea at the time." Charity hesitate before she rushed on, "just like the kiss I gave Mr. Carter when Miles was looking."

  Aggie's blue eyes rounded in surprise. "Charity, why would you do such a thing? I thought the whole reason you agreed to go to finishing school was so you could prove to Miles Grayson that you a changed woman. And that you are no longer irresponsible, impulsive, or impossible."

  "It was, but I guess I'm having a hard time convincing him that I’m a changed woman…and I panicked. It seems he's formed an attachment to that Selina Watson woman at the bakery. If only there was something I could do to get his attention."

  "Charity. I saw the way he looked at you at your coming home party. And I saw the way he deposited Selina with her aunt and then left without a word to her. If it hadn't been for bad timing on her arrival, I'm convinced he would have monopolized your time without a backward glance at Selina.

  Aggie sat back on the settee and wrinkled her face in thought. “Let me think on this for a moment,” Only a minute or so had passed when she turned to Charity grinning like the famous Cheshire Cat in one of the novels she had read in school.

  "How about you invite Mr. Carter over tomorrow night for dinner."

  "What good will that do?" Charity was confused.

  Aggie smiled and patted her hand. “You invite Mr. Carter and then make yourself spectacular. Everything else you leave to me.”

  Miles was bone tired and the thought of going over to Selina’s aunt’s house for dinner was like looking forward to a trip to a dentist. He’d only been to one once when he was around eighteen. It had been a painful experience he cared not to repeat. But, he had promised Selina he would. Plus, he wanted to remind her that he was never going to get married…to her or anyone else.

  He stepped up on Mrs. Watson’s porch and Selina meet him at the door. “Good evening, Miles. I’m glad you could make it,” she opened the screen door and ushered him inside.

  “Selina. I hope you didn’t go to a lot of trouble tonight. Like I told you earlier, I’m beat and I could use a bath and a bed.”

  “We have both of those things right here in this house, you know?”

  He searched her face to see if she was joking or not. It didn’t appear she was.

  “I don’t think that would be appropriate, Selina. And I think you know that. Besides, your aunt would not approve of me in your bath or your bed.”

  “What Aunt Hattie doesn’t know…” Selina’s words drifted off when she caught sight of her aunt coming through the kitchen door.

  “Good evening, Sheriff Grayson.”

  He took his hat off and nodded hello. “Good evening, Mrs. Watson.”

  Selina’s aunt placed some dishes on the table, and then disappeared back into the kitchen leaving Selina and him alone.

  “Why don’t we sit out on the front porch until dinner,” Selina suggested.

  Miles wasn’t thrilled about the idea. The Watson house was just one block off Main Street and anyone could walk by and see them sitting on the porch. It would be easy for anyone…someone…to get the wrong idea about why he was here tonight and his experience .

  “I’d rather sit inside, if you don’t mind? And, I don’t have a lot of time this evening, so—”

  “I know and my aunt knows that. She said she would have dinner ready at five thirty sharp. That gives us a whole half hour to just sit and talk.”

  “Alright.” It was all he could think of to say.

  “Perfect. Come sit on the sofa with me.”

  Miles held his hat in his hand and followed Selina over to the sofa and sat. He tried to set his hat between them, but Selina was much quicker than he remembered last time he was here. She took his hat and placed on the other side of her and scooted closer to him. Too close.

  “Miles, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something and I thought tonight might be the perfect time to bring the matter up.”

  Miles hoped he was wrong, but he had a sneakin’ suspicion he knew what it was she wanted to talk about and she was not going to like his part of the conversation. “I’m listening.”

  “You and I have been attending social events now for almost a year, and I was thinking that since we get along so well, that it might be time for us to think about—”

  “Selina, everything you’ve said up to this point is true, but let me stop you there. I have been painfully frank and honest with you over the last year. If you are working your way up to hinting that it is t
ime I ask you to marry you, you are going to be disappointed. I’ve already told you that I’m not the marrying kind, but I’ll say it again if it makes my position more clear to you.”

  Selina smiled and pulled his hand into hers. “Miles, why must you be so frightened of commitment? I think we get along wonderfully, don’t you?” She squeezed his fingers in hers.

  “We get along just fine, but we are not going to move past this stage we are in right now. Ever. I am honored to accompany you to a dance here and there, but I will not get married. I’m not the marrying kind, Selina. I’ve told you that before and I’m gonna keep tellin’ you that because it’s true. I am not husband material and if you think you can convince me otherwise, you are wasting your time.”

  Selina smiled and kept holding his hand. “Miles, I know you truly believe that what you are saying is true. And I respect you for trying to be honest with me. But I see you differently than you see yourself. I see you as a dedicated lawman and I think you would also be a dedicated husband and father if you would just give yourself a chance to discover that side of you.”

  “Selina…” He was having a hard time hiding his frustration. The woman simply refused to listen to him. He had no reservations or doubts that he was not family material and she could ignore his warnings all she wanted to, he was never going to ask her to marry him.

  “It’s alright, Miles. We don’t have to talk about it anymore tonight. But know that I am going to work doubly hard to convince you that I am right and you are wrong.”

  “Is anyone ready for some homemade chicken and dumplings and fresh-baked apple pie?” Selina’s aunt carried out the dishes and set them on the table. It was a welcome interruption for sure. Besides, he was hungry and right now he just wanted to eat, get a bath and get some sleep and stop talking about getting married. It was starting to make his head hurt.

  Selina guided him to the table and sat him next to her. Miles was happy that Hattie Watson kept the conversation moving away from the subject of marriage and toward the current town gossip. The woman was a master at finding out who was in a family way, with or without the benefit of matrimony. That conversation pleased Selina much more than it did him.

  He ate in silence, content to let the women talk about whatever it was they wanted to talk about since it didn’t affect him one way or the other. Finally, he finished his piece of apple pie and stayed long enough to be gracious without it looking like he was just there to eat and run.

  Bone tired, he finally stood, thanked Mrs. Watson for the lovely meal, grabbed his hat to go.

  “I’ll walk you out, Miles,” Selina offered.

  He didn’t argue with her because he knew it would do no good. He opened the screen door to the front porch and followed her out. “Well, that was a wonderful meal, Selina. I appreciate the invite, but I need to get on home and get some sleep.” He moved to leave but she placed her hand on his arm to stop him.

  “I know you think you aren’t marriageable material, Miles. But I want you to know I think you are wrong and although you aren’t ready to consider marriage as an option now, I’m hoping you will allow me the opportunity to convince you otherwise. Every man is the marrying kind, Miles. It all depends on meeting the right woman,” she tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek and then stepped back to allow him to leave.

  She stood and smiled at him as if she knew something he didn’t, but he had made his point clear and whether she chose to believe him or not was entirely up to her.

  “Good night, Selina,” he stepped off the porch and walked down the street toward the boardinghouse. He would have to be on guard for the little bread maker who was showing signs of being much more determined than he had ever anticipated.

  13

  The next evening, Charity sat at her vanity making sure her hair was perfect. She pinched her cheeks and dabbed her special brand of perfume behind her ear.

  She wasn't certain what Aggie had in mind, and she was nervous as hell.

  A knock sounded on her bedroom door. "I came to check on you." Aggie swept into the room in a grand dress and now that Charity knew a bit more about her life in Tennessee, she could picture Aggie in a similar dress sitting on the veranda of a huge mansion waiting on her sweetheart to arrive. Strange. She had never even considered Aggie had a life before Hiram.

  "I'm almost ready. I just wish I knew what you were up to."

  "Are you sure Mr. Carter will be here?” Aggie questioned her.

  “Yes, he said he would and he seemed eager enough,” she assured Aggie and finished with her hair.

  “Good. So will Selina and Miles." Aggie clapped her hands like a child on Christmas morning.

  Charity whirled around in shock and faced Aggie. "What? You invited Selina? Why?" Charity couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I thought you were going to play matchmaker."

  Aggie smiled and came to stand next to Charity. "Turn around. Let me clasp your necklace and I'll explain."

  Charity was extremely doubtful, but she turned and faced the mirror handing Aggie her necklace.

  "You see, it is hard to compare two things unless they are side-by-side. And that is especially true of women. When Miles is with Selina, she's the picture perfect type of woman he might desire in a wife. Sweet. Proper. Docile."

  "Boring." Charity offered.

  "Yes, boring. That's where you come in. When he sees you, he's blinded by your stunning beauty and your passionate personality. But I sense he has some lingering doubts from when the old Charity chased him around town and he's trying to reconcile the old Charity with the shiny new one.

  “I want him to see you, Charity. Not just your dazzling beauty. I want him to see your charm and intelligence, your warm and caring nature. And, I want him to see all of that brilliance beside plain, boring, predictable Miss Selina Watson. I want to give him another perspective of you, and while we are doing that, I want to keep this new version of you just out of his reach."

  "Ah, so dazzle him with my new manners and tease him with Mr. Carter."

  "Exactly. Now, hurry and finish being beautiful. Mr. Carter is already downstairs and Selina should be here at any moment."

  “Selina? Isn’t she and Miles coming together?” Charity hated the thought of Miles spending time with the woman, but she had no control over that. Yet.

  “No. I knew Miles wouldn’t agree to this little dinner party and Hiram wanted to talk about our near mishap yesterday with the sheriff. I also asked my husband his opinion on how he would suggest I strategize the situation. I’m thrilled to say the greatest legal mind in the country has agreed to champion our cause.”

  “Hiram is willing to play matchmaker?” Charity couldn’t believe her ears.

  “Let’s just say he sees the merit in our efforts. Miles Grayson doesn’t have a clue what he’s in for." Aggie grinned at her and left to see to the guests until she was ready to make her grand entrance.

  Charity stared at the empty doorway. "Well, well, well. It seems our southern belle has a few tricks up her sleeves as well.” Charity grinned at herself in the mirror. "This is going to be a night to remember."

  Twenty minutes later, Aggie came to tell her that Selina had arrived. “Mr. Carter and Selina are chatting as if they've known each other for years. Wouldn't that be a hoot if they took an instant liking to each other?"

  Charity laughed at Aggie’s joy. “Yeah, a real hoot. Shall we go?" Charity linked arms with Aggie and together they descended the staircase and into the parlor to greet their guests.

  “Hello, Mr. Carter. So nice to see you again.” Charity was surprised to see Selina and Mr. Carter already so cozy.

  Mr. Carter turned to her and bowed. “Oh, Mr. Carter. What on earth happened to your eye?” Charity studied the man’s face. He looked like he had been in a fight.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. I had a run in with a stubborn pack horse, that’s all. It’ll be right as rain in no time.”

  “I see,” but Charity wasn’t sure she did see. Why would a fancy dressed da
ndy like Mr. Carter be messing with a pack horse? “I saw you two visiting when I came in. I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

  “Oh, we don’t. Not really. We’ve seen each other around town, but that’s about the extent of it.” Mr. Carter assured her.

  “I see.” Charity frowned. She wasn’t jealous of Mr. Carter. That much was certain, but what was it about the plain little bread baker that caught every man’s attention?

  “I’m not certain why I’m here, Miss Montgomery.” Selina asked. Okay, so the woman was plain spoken too. And she didn’t have an answer to that question. At least not one she could share.

  Aggie swooshed into the room and saved her from having to answer the awkward question. “Good evening, everyone. I hope you are all hungry. We are waiting on another guest and then we’ll proceed to the dinner table. Sarah has outdone herself this time.”

  A knock at the door alerted everyone to the last guest. They heard Hiram’s voice and then he and the expected guest joined them in the parlor too.

  “Doc Howard?” Charity turned more in question than in greeting. Then she did her best to cover up her surprise. “Doctor Howard, so nice of you to join us this evening.” She raised eyebrows to Aggie and the woman just smiled. “Hiram, darling, would you please make the introductions.”

  Charity had no idea whatsoever what the woman had in mind.

  “Of course. Doctor Howard, may I present Selina Watson. She and her aunt run the bakery in town. Selina, I’m sure you’ve seen Doc Howard around town.”

  Doc Howard, always pleasant, even if a bit mysterious, bowed and greeted them. “Miss Watson. It’s good to see you again. Yes, Selina and I have spoken often over a counter full of fresh baked bread and those delicious cinnamon rolls she makes.”

  Charity wanted to roll her eyes. Did everyone in this part of the country know about the woman’s cooking skills?

  Selina curtsied and smiled. “Yes, it’s good to see you, Doctor Howard.”