Through the window, Amelia spied Gerard walking past, his shoulders straight, eyes forward.
Chapter 2
“He is the most peculiar person,” Sarah agreed when Amelia told her of what had occurred with Gerard and then at the apothecary. “I can’t imagine him ever smiling, much less laughing.”
“Not that you could see a smile through all that hair,” Amelia responded, shaking her head. “To think he was once married.”
They drank some of the peppermint tea Amelia had purchased. It was quite delicious and she’d bought plenty so that when the time came, hopefully Harriett would be kind enough to keep a pot of it on the stove.
Her friend, Sarah, had come from the east after answering a mail order bride ad placed by her cousin. Now the couple lived on the edge of town in a beautiful house. Amelia loved visiting and had spent countless hours helping Sarah make curtains and other items to decorate the home. Since she’d never have a home of her own, this was the next best thing.
“...have much in common.”
Whatever Sarah was saying, Amelia only caught the end. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?” She wasn’t about to admit she’d allowed her mind to wander while Sarah spoke. Instead, she adopted a teasing tone.
“Well, it’s true. Both of you have suffered tragic loss. I’m sure if you spoke to him and befriended the man, you would find that, perhaps, you and he share commonalities in your ways of thinking. I mean you both certainly have decided to keep from planning a future with anyone.”
Her mouth fell open and Amelia could only stare at her friend. “I sincerely doubt we have anything at all in common. For goodness’ sake, Sarah. Not everyone is meant to have what you do.”
Sarah’s brows joined as she looked over the rim of the cup at Amelia. “Of course they are. I believe everyone is meant for someone else. You, my dear friend, should fall in love again.”
Amelia’s lips curved. “You’re lucky in that you’ve fallen in love with my cousin and will be happy forever. I lost my chance at marriage when Anthony died. For whatever reason, God took him. Now, I have to live with the loss and accept it.”
“I’m sorry about it, Amelia, I really am. I don’t mean any disrespect to your departed fiancé, but I am willing to wager he would not have wanted you to remain alone for the rest of your life.”
How to explain to someone the lack of desire to even try? “I am not alone. I have you and Robert. I have Uncle Bernard and Aunt Camilla. Oh, and of course Harriett and Eudora,” she said, referring to the housekeeper and a woman who owned a small eatery.
“Fine, we won’t continue to speak of it. For now.”
In the months since Sarah’s arrival, they had grown to be very close. Amelia was sure Sarah would not let the subject drop.
Amelia gave Sarah a pointed look. “How about you promise not to say anything to anyone about this notion of yours?”
“Notion? It’s not just that, it’s a good observation. Now tell me, why was the bible study really cancelled?”
Amelia chuckled at noticing Sarah didn’t make the promise. She decided to let it go for the moment. “They are still meeting at Olive Withers’ house. Aunt Camilla acts as if it was cancelled due to the pastor not allowing it to be held at the church when, in actuality, they are meeting at the Withers’ until repairs are done. She and Olive had a falling out of sorts.”
“Oh no. That’s too bad. I know how much my mother-in-law looks forward to it.”
“It happened before. They will eventually make amends and Camilla will return to bible study.”
Sarah laughed. “So, for the time being, everyone else gets to speak.”
In truth, not going to bible study was hard for Amelia as well since she declined to attend without her aunt. The group wasn’t exactly something she looked forward to, however, it was a distraction from idleness. And she missed the banter and conversations, as the bible study was mostly a way for the women to come together and discuss the goings-on about town.
They prayed at the beginning and at the end. The in-between was filled with discussion about upcoming events, social activities and the townspeople. Granted, they often planned things beneficial to others.
Everyone in the group was at least twenty-five years older than Amelia and settled into whatever their life had become. Admittedly, she didn’t have much in common with them other than living in Ranchester.
“Let me show you the fabric I got. I want to make a new dress for church.” Sarah and Amelia went to the front room. Through the window, Gerard came in to view. He rode to the front of his house and dismounted.
With her back to the window, Sarah couldn’t see, which was good. Amelia decided to stand in front of her so that there was no reason to turn to look outside. The last thing she needed was Sarah deciding to play matchmaker.
“It’s a beautiful fabric...”
Gerard tethered his horse and then ran his hand over its back. It seemed as if he spoke to the horse.
“I do believe you should see about getting white ribbon to use on the sleeves,” Sarah continued.
The man now had his back to her and was stretching. His wide back seemed to expand.
Amelia looked to Sarah. “What about gathered cuffs?”
Finally, he pulled the packages out of the saddlebags and walked toward the front door. But instead of walking in, he turned and sat on the top step and began to remove his boots.
“Amelia?” Sarah turned to look out the window. “Oh. What is he doing?” She went to the window. “Why is he taking his boots off outside?”
One boot off, Gerard tugged the second one and then lifted his feet and wiggled his toes.
“Maybe they’re too tight.” Amelia tugged her friend’s arm. “Do you want to start cutting the dress out?”
Sarah waved her away. “No, not now.” She continued looking out the window. “Do you think he can see us?”
“Of course he can. That is why we need to move away from the window and get back to what we were doing.”
“I should invite him for supper. You already promised to stay and eat. It would be a wonderful opportunity to see if you do, in fact, have things in common.”
Oh no, now she’d have to come up with an excuse to leave. Amelia had absolutely no desire to be matched up. Her aunt had given up after years of trying. Now, she had to contend with Sarah.
“I won’t stay if you invite him. It would be embarrassingly obvious what you’re trying to do.”
“Hmm,” Sarah gave one last look out the window. “Very well. However, I had been planning to invite him. It’s what neighbors do.”
Chapter 3
Gerard had decided to spend the rest of the day doing things he’d put off for days now. The house needed tidying up.
Hopefully, taking his mare to graze would help with the tall grasses around his house. The weather was nice enough that he’d leave it there until the next day when he’d go back to the stables and his shop.
He’d just come from the cobbler’s shop with new boots and they pinched his feet. It was bothersome breaking in new shoes.
Thomas, the man who ran the stables, would look after his other horse and blacksmith shop. If there was an emergency of some type, Gerard would be sent for but, other than that, it would be a long, needed day of rest.
The walk about town to gather sundries and such had been good for his business. Almost each place he’d stopped by had garnered him a job or two. Not that he worried about much. His expenses were low, just food, clothes and caring for his horses.
In stocking feet, he walked into the house and studied the front room. After a few moments, he gathered a broom, a mop and some rags. Gerard opened all the windows and began cleaning. All the while, he kept his mind on the task ahead, refusing to consider how much easier his life would be if he had a wife.
There were certain things that had not changed over the years since his wife, Brenda, died. Other than cleaning, he never entered the dining room. The only rooms he used on
the first floor of his house were the front room and kitchen. On the second story, he used just one. His bedroom.
The larger bedroom he’d once shared with his wife was empty. The bed and all the furnishings he had long since given away.
Clean up took only a few hours and, soon, his rumbling stomach announced it was time to eat.
Just as he was about to walk out the back door to empty the dirty mop water, someone rapped at the front door.
If it was someone needing his horse shod, he’d be starving by the time the job was done. Gerard let out a long breath and stalked to the door.
Sarah Fields, his neighbor from across the street, stood with a basket in hand. She smiled up at him. “Hello, Gerard. I brought you a meal and an invitation to join us for supper on Saturday. It’s Robert’s birthday and we’d love to have you.”
The smell of food made him salivate. “Thank you. It’s perfect timing. I was just about to make something to eat. And I will be there on Saturday.”
“Just leave the basket by the front door sometime or bring it on Saturday.” She gave him a curious look, smiled and hurried back toward her house.
After placing the basket on the kitchen table, he hurried to pour the dirty water out. Not wanting to allow the food to get cold, Gerard washed his hands and sat to eat. It was the best meal he’d had in a very long time.
Just as he was about to finish, Gerard paused with the fork halfway to his mouth. Had he agreed to going to the Fields’ for supper? Whatever had possessed him to do that?
The aggravating thought didn’t stop him from enjoying the rest of the meal. Somehow, he’d come up with an excuse not to attend supper that Saturday.
A picture of Amelia Fields’ startled face earlier outside the mercantile came to mind. Although the woman did her best to look plain, it was impossible not to notice her beauty. From what he’d heard at the stables from men, she was as unapproachable as they came. Something in her past had made her untrusting. Although he wasn’t sure of her age, he figured her to be in her late twenties.
By her plain dresses and simple hairstyle, she tried to remain unnoticeable. He shrugged, not caring to spend so much time thinking about a woman. Although he had to admit, if there was a woman to think about, Amelia was the safest as it was obvious she planned to remain a spinster, never to marry.
Chapter 4
The rumble of the coach pulled by a team of six horses rolling down Main Street took everyone’s notice. Amelia stood on the front porch of her aunt’s home, just as it raced past.
There was already a group of people gathered in front of the hotel. Thankfully, she’d not have to go further than the front yard to see who had arrived. Her aunt emerged from the house. “What is all the commotion?”
“A fancy coach just arrived at the hotel,” Amelia replied as she continued looking toward the establishment. “Must be someone important by the looks of it. The horses are beautiful.”
Her aunt pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “Let’s get a closer look. If it’s someone important, we don't want to have to depend on word of mouth to tell us about it.”
It proved quite a feat to keep up with her aunt as Camilla rushed to the front of the crowd. “Who is it?” she asked no one in particular.
“I think it could be a traveling rodeo,” a woman whispered, her keen eyes taking in the rather large trunks being unloaded. “Or a dignitary.”
Finally, the coach door swung open. A shiny-booted foot emerged followed by a long leg. A thin man of medium height wearing a dark gray suit climbed out. He was the most distinguished man Amelia had ever seen. Every inch of him was impeccable. From the dust-free, open hat to his well-fitted vest and shiny boots, he exuded wealth.
A scowl formed as he scanned the crowd, his mustached upper lip lifted just enough in a snarl of distaste. Surely this man was used to attracting attention. When his steely dark eyes met hers, Amelia’s rounded but she could not look away. Annoyance in its purest form emanated from the narrowed eyes as his gaze swept over her.
Dismissing her, he turned to the coach and held out a hand. A vision of colorful ruffles along with the scent of floral fragrance appeared. The woman, whose age was hard to pinpoint past the rouge and kohl-lined eyes climbed down. Unlike the man, her lips were slightly curved into a polite smile. With flaming red hair setting off her alabaster skin, she was beautiful. The woman kept her gaze down seeming not to like the attention they’d attracted.
Within seconds, they were swept into the hotel and the doors firmly shut behind them.
A brave person approached the coachman and a pin dropping could’ve been heard as everyone leaned in to hear who the couple was.
There was gasp, followed by a second one and the sounds of conversation grew louder at the announcement.
The couple was not a couple at all, but the owner and the madam of a soon to be opened brothel and saloon on the far edge of town.
Circled by astonished women, Camilla spurred into action. “We shall first speak to the pastor and secondly to the sheriff,” she announced. “They shouldn’t be allowed to stay at the hotel. Why, I can’t believe this. The Blooms should be ashamed of themselves,” she said, referring to the hotel owners.
Words of agreement continued as the group of women and a couple of men headed to the chapel.
Amelia let out a sigh. No matter what her aunt and those women did, the brothel would open. Almost every town had such an establishment. It was actually surprising that Ranchester did not yet. She supposed the men would be glad for it. Wives and mothers, not so much.
“Aren’t you joining the army of annoyed women?” A deep voice made Amelia whirl around.
Gerard’s flat gaze met hers. “The souls of men are at risk,” he continued.
“I seriously doubt men of good faith will go to a brothel.” She glanced toward the hotel. “How do you feel about it, Mr. Cullen?”
His wide shoulders lifted and fell. “I don’t care one way or the other. You seem noncommittal yourself as you didn’t go with your aunt.”
Was she really having a conversation with a single man in the street? No one seemed to take notice. Then again, with the current situation, it was understandable.
The length of his hair took her attention. It went to his shoulders in waves of chestnut, most unlike the local men, who kept their hair short. Finally, realizing she’d stared at him too long, Amelia cleared her throat.
“It’s probably better to plan other distractions so men are not so tempted. Dinners, dances, the like.”
Gerard nodded. “I see. Good day Miss Fields.” He touched the brim of his hat and went to the coachman. Clearly, he was there about the horses as he pointed to where the stables were and then mounted his horse and led them to the edge of town.
“Most curious,” Amelia said out loud.
“That he is,” Eudora Wilkes said as she came to stand next to Amelia. The older black woman owned the most popular eating establishment in town. No one cooked better than Eudora Wilkes. Her meals kept most of the single men from going without a good meal.
It was a well-known fact, Cornelia Bloom, hotel owner’s wife, often complained about people preferring to go to Eudora’s place instead of eating at the hotel. Being that Cornelia had a sour disposition and often turned away people based on her mood, it was a wonder they had any customers at all.
Amelia hooked her arm through Eudora’s and they walked back across the street. “Mrs. Wilkes, what do you think about a brothel in town?”
The woman shook her head. “Nothin’ good comes from it, Amelia. Women are abused in those places and men are taken advantage of. The only one who comes out ahead is the owner. That man will become rich off desperation and sin.”
“You have such a way of describing things,” Amelia said. “But what can we do?”
“Not much as the buildin’ is almost completed.” Eudora chuckled. “And here we were, all worried for the Sullivans thinkin’ it was goin’ to be a new, larger mercantile.�
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They walked in silence for a bit and then Eudora tugged at Amelia’s arm. “You and Gerard Cullen have a lot in common. I’m surprised you haven’t formed a strong friendship yet.”
It was the second time someone thought she and Gerard should be closer. “I don’t believe tragedy is a good foundation for a friendship.”
Eudora sighed. “True. But overcomin’ tragedy is.”
Upon separating, as Mrs. Wilkes headed to visit Olive Withers, Amelia walked into the empty house and was enveloped by the silence of it. She walked directly to the kitchen, past it and into the back garden. Seeking company, she searched out the cat, which stretched lazily upon seeing her.
“Ah there you are. I should name you, I think.” Amelia crouched down and ran her fingers through the thick fur. “How about Sunny? You do have a rather happy disposition. Not a worry in the world it seems.”
The sound of children running past reached her. Their loud laughter seemed to mingle with a fresh breeze. Amelia’s lips curved. Soon, autumn would arrive with the usual changes of color. There would be baking contests, town fairs and the anticipation of the holidays. People always gathered more in the fall, as they knew winter would make traveling harder.
A friendship. The words repeated in her head. If she were to form a friendship with Gerard Cullen, it would only bring to the forefront that the only thing they had in common was tragedy.
He’d lost his wife and she had lost her fiancé and parents. That was not exactly a foundation for any kind of romance in her opinion.
An ache formed inside her at thinking of Anthony. He’d died suddenly without any sign of illness. Amelia had not been at all prepared to face another tragedy so soon after her parents’ deaths.
Early in the morning, a messenger had arrived at her home in Boston. She was still reeling from losing her father, who’d died, just a year after her mother lost her life to pneumonia. The news had sent her into a state of shock.
Anthony had died in his sleep. It was presumed his heart had just stopped. Amelia had refused to accept it, instead locking herself in the townhouse for weeks refusing to leave or speak to anyone.
Amelia, An Autumn Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 7) Page 2
