Perfect Timing (Cutter's Creek Book 17)

by Annie Boone

  “Thank you,” she whispered softly and patted the corners of her eyes. “I’m sorry about this mess. I’m honestly more composed now. I don’t know what came over me, thinking I could go to college. Or be a lawyer. Or do anything besides run a household.”

  Shaking his head, he pulled her hands into his. “June, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to run a home. Just like there’s nothing wrong with wanting to get an education. In the city, I saw women do all sorts of things. Ride bicycles, beat men at poker, own stores, and even go to college. I’ve seen it and I know it’s possible. And you would take Chicago by storm, I know that. Don’t you listen to anyone who says otherwise.”

  He didn’t mean to get so heated, but the way her eyes crinkled up at him with that hope, he’d move the world to make sure she never cried again.

  Her watery smile was enough for now as she shrugged. “That’s mighty nice of you to say those things. I wish others felt that way. I love my uncle, you know—he’s a good man. Very smart. He helps a lot of people. But he didn’t even give me a chance. I can read and write and study those cases. I understand them, too. I want to help people like that, only he wouldn’t even listen to a word I said. I don’t understand why.”

  The girl looked so close to tears again, he just wanted to wrap her in his arms. But decency restrained him, a reminder that even just the two of them in the shop alone could be misconstrued if they weren’t careful. Yet he couldn’t let go of her hands. Shaking his head, Zeke gave her a firm look. “The world is changing and responsibilities are, too. Times are changing even in Montana, June Pershing. He’ll eventually understand this. I promise.”

  Sighing, she sniffled one last time and now looked at him through clearer eyes. “Father would say that things are good the way they are, but I think you’re right. Even the trappers sometimes have stories. I’ve heard that they tell stories about how different things are becoming when they step into the cities to sell their goods. Do you really think someday, it could be normal for a woman to get more education?”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised one bit,” he told her firmly.

  She smiled, brightening his heart, but he could still see the pain behind the eyes. He couldn’t imagine losing support from your family. While he’d only had his mother during college, if he had lost her in any way, then certainly he would have given it all up.

  Zeke ransacked his mind to say something else more comforting, but nothing was coming to him. Maybe he’d need to try and talk to her uncle sometime, see about changing his mind. A grin slipped on his face, and he changed the subject in the hopes of making her laugh about something else.

  “You know, I had to work through school to keep paying for books and other expenses. It was a shop very much like this one, but you wouldn’t believe the disarray it was in when I first started there.”

  “What do you mean?” She hesitated, fiddling with the handkerchief.

  He grinned. “I mean that we’d have customers coming back saying they’d get home and find the wrong ties in their packages or they’d be missing a shirt. Can you believe that? And just around inside the shop, why, there was no organization. The owner had just thrown everything he had on a shelf and called it a store.”

  She shook her head. “Impossible.” But he saw the smile she was suppressing.

  “I mean it,” Zeke told her earnestly. “The counter was all the way in the back, for starters, and we kept all of the shoes behind it. Behind it! Customers would come back there sometimes, and then we would be trapped in the corner. Then when we finally purchased some mannequins to show off our merchandise, why, they didn’t have clothes on them for nearly on a month.”

  June gasped. “No!”

  Nodding sagely, Zeke shrugged. “Just sitting in the window, nothing on. But they had glass doors as well, you see, and so we’d just watch everyone stare. It was scandalous but quite amusing. We didn’t end up putting clothes on them until there were fifty complaints against us.”

  “Fifty!” Her tearful frustration was long past as he shared his ridiculous stories of bad management, strange co-workers, and fabric mishaps. They talked eagerly, leaning towards each other against the counter. To Zeke’s relief, by the time June left the shop, her eyes were bright with laughter and the tear-soaked handkerchief was now dry.

  Zeke waved farewell, watching her walk away. His heart beat loudly in his chest while he stepped back inside, happy he had time to replay the last few hours with June in his mind.

  He was taken with her beauty, but more than that, he loved her spirit and desire to follow her dreams.

  Chapter 28

  In all his years, he hadn’t imagined that this would happen. Most folks weren’t lucky enough to find love once in their lifetime, much less find it twice. While love and romance made sense to many men, it made his heart hammer with uneasy determination. But as John Prater started fixing his tie, the door opened and his eyes widened.

  Adele Miller stood there in all her glory, dressed in her green dress with her hair pinned up to keep that pretty face nice and clear. He couldn’t help the sheepish grin as she looked at him and came over to straighten his tie. He’d been doing it for years on his own, but tonight felt different. And as he looked into her eyes, he knew she felt the same way.

  “Are you ready?” she finally spoke, hands on his arms. Taking a deep breath, John nodded and climbed to his feet. The lovely woman kissed his cheek before offering him the crutch and leading him out the door. “The Eastons are bringing Nancy, and I told Zeke to meet us there. I wasn’t certain if you wanted anyone else, but I know the Eastons and the pastor would love to be there. Do you mind?”

  Shaking his head, he closed the door behind him and he hobbled to the wagon beside her. He was able to climb up onto the wagon board by himself and was sad he couldn’t help Adele up. But one day soon he would be well and he’d be the gallant man she needed.

  As John took the reins, he glanced at the little house he had built so many years ago. Part of him couldn’t possibly imagine leaving this place, the one his hands had worked so hard to build to provide for his precious little family. But Adele Miller’s place was a little bigger, and though they hadn’t discussed it, soon he and his daughter would be moving in with her.

  He stole a kiss before she nudged the horses forward, and they made their way into town. Everything felt so perfect, and he wondered if life would always feel like this now that he’d finally won the woman over.

  It was a betrothal party at the Silver Dollar, and Nancy was dancing on her feet when they finally arrived. Most of the folks there had heard the news, since news traveled fast in a small town, so everyone cheered as they entered. Proudly, John wrapped an arm around her as Adele blushed deeply, waving as they went to their table.

  After his daughter had hugged and kissed them on their cheeks, they sat down at the large table. Sure enough, they had a few guests and John was glad for the company. Even, he noticed, Zeke sat there on his betrothed’s other side and looked content.

  “A toast to the happy couple!” The pastor stood up and straightened his shoulders, holding out his glass. Everyone copied. “You are proud examples in our society of strength, joy, and charity. May you find the same in one another, and love that carries onward. To John and Adele!”

  “To John and Adele!” Everyone chorused, and there was the loud clinking of glasses and then Nancy giggling when she spilled some of her milk.

  As she wiped her dress, John cleared his throat, and decided now might be the time to do this. He motioned to Adele, who nodded. They’d discussed this in detail more than the agreement to marry, but John cared to do this right.

  With that, Adele stood up and went over to Nancy, leaving John an opportunity to talk with Zeke. Clearing his throat again, he nudged the young man who had finished a conversation with Mr. Easton about horses and was eating the last of his supper.

  John felt a moment of hesitation. They’d been on the rocks, but he had seen that lately Zeke was more pat
ient and less discourteous. John worried it was just because of his injury but prayed it had been a true and sincere change of heart. He wanted to have a good relationship with the man who would soon be his step-son.

  He’d even asked Zeke two days before about it. Adele Miller was a widow without any family besides her son, and her son was important to John. He knew there could be no happy marriage if he caused a rift between mother and son. Further than that, he didn’t want to cause problems for Adele. He loved her. He was also coming to love Zeke.

  Even though Adele told him not to worry about Zeke, John insisted on speaking with him tonight. The young man looked only mildly surprised, for he must have known this conversation had to come eventually. Zeke took John’s hand and clapped him on the back in congratulations. He said he was happy for his mother and for John. It was obvious that some of it was forced, but John could accept that this might be a difficult step for a son.

  Eventually, Zeke looked at John and half smiled. “I approve of your marriage to my mother. She’ll be well taken care of, and most importantly, she’s happy again. How can I argue with that?”

  The two silently agreed to an unspoken truce, or at least that’s how John perceived it.

  “Speaking of changes,” John decided to jump right in as he looked directly into Zeke’s eyes. “I’m looking for a partner at the haberdashery. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. You’ve been putting in a lot of work, more than I could have ever asked for. As I told you before, this doesn’t have anything to do with your mother. Zeke Miller, I trust you and respect you as a man in your own right. I’d like you to become my partner. What do you say?” He tried not to sound too prepared with the proposal as he didn’t want Zeke to know he’d been rehearsing this for a while.

  It was hard to see what was going on inside Zeke’s mind. He looked surprised and didn’t say anything at first. But John could already tell he was giving this a lot of thought. His eyes were focused, and his jaw worked as he stared down thoughtfully.

  Then suddenly it was over and Zeke managed a strained laugh. “Why, I’d be honored, sir.” There was a hint of uncertainty, but then he thrust out a hand for a handshake.

  But that wasn’t enough for John. He hobbled up to his feet, yanked the young man up, and pulled him into a hug. In the depths of his heart, he knew this had to be hard for the young man and hoped time would help.

  Even Nancy was worried at first about her father in a relationship, but the girl had already had plenty of time to come to love Adele. But now, John hoped, they could become a family.

  “The Prater Haberdashery has a brand-new partner!” he announced jubilantly once he pulled away, hoisting Zeke’s arm in the air. The young man grinned sheepishly as everyone applauded.

  Adele stood as well, returning to her seat to kiss both of the men on their cheeks. “How wonderful,” she cried out, tears glistening. She gave John her hand and squeezed it tightly. “John, thank you. You’re such a good man and I’m a very lucky woman. And Zeke, why, you’re just a natural in that shop. I’ve seen you in there and I know you’ll work wonders!”

  At that, John could sense tension ebbing from Zeke suddenly and gave him a quick look. Adele Miller still had no idea her son had worked through school to make ends meet, and it made Zeke nervous. The young man’s eyes were watching him, as though waiting for John to spill the beans. But he gave a short shake of the head, for he’d made a promise. The look, he hoped, told Zeke that he would never tell a soul.

  Zeke visibly relaxed and kissed his mother on the cheek again. Sitting down, they sat surrounded by people they loved and enjoyed their dessert as they talked cheerfully about the future. John could hardly remember when his heart had ever been so full before and joyfully drank in every second.

  Chapter 29

  “I’m happy for you,” Zeke told his mother earnestly as they stood in the kitchen after they were home from the dinner. “I really am. John is, well, he’s a good man,” he admitted. The two of them were a good match, and everyone knew it. Now Zeke could admit it, too.

  Even in the dim candlelight, he could feel her beaming. She put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. It was a simple gesture, but it was one he knew well and had missed for several years. “Thank you, Zeke. I’m very glad you approve. I loved your father, you know, more than anything. But John is a good man, good for me. You’ll know what I mean when you meet someone.”

  She was turning away, but he found himself blurting it out. “I think I have.” He swallowed hard and raised the candle higher, desperate to see her face. His mother, after all, had raised him to be the man he was. He couldn’t be anything less and only prayed that she would understand. “I have for sure, actually. I asked June Pershing to the spring social.”

  The woman’s smile slipped as she looked at him with her furrowed brow. “The mayor’s daughter? I thought we talked about that, Zeke.”

  Nodding, Zeke forced himself to press on. “She’s bright, Mother, and funny. She makes me laugh and she’s very nice. June’s patient, and you can’t tell at first, but she’s smart and ambitious.”

  His mother snorted and hurriedly put a hand over her mouth. “I know exactly how ambitious those Pershing girls are. Zeke, that’s not the kind of girl for you.”

  Straightening up, Zeke shook his head and grabbed his mother’s hand. “I haven’t ever met anyone like her. She’s brilliant, and she wants to learn. She cares about people, about being a good person. I like her because she’s a woman who wants to be more than just a wife and someday a mother. She’s her own person. She’s not a frivolous husband-seeker like people think she is.”

  For a minute, Adele didn’t say a word. Zeke was afraid her expression meant she would never approve. He was hoping she had realized that he was a man now. A man of his own making. He hoped they had developed a new sense of respect for one another.

  “If you like her,” she finally said in a soft tone, “then I’m certain I shall, as well.” And that was all she said after he explained.

  The two of them had gone to their own rooms for the rest of the evening, though it took hours for Zeke to sleep as he thought about all that was happening in his life. A job that was turning into his life’s work. A man who was slowly becoming a father-figure had patiently won him over. And June.

  He had no doubt that she was the one for him. It was early for them, still, but he wasn’t going to give up on her. He wanted to help her reach her goals. He wasn’t sure exactly how he’d do that, but he was going to find a way.

  He’d been apprehensive about coming back to Cutter’s Creek to live. If he was honest, Chicago had changed his opinion about whether a city was better than his Montana hometown. Now that he was here, his opinion had changed again. At least for now.

  He had no idea what the future would hold, but he wanted to grab it with June by his side. A supporting family was a bonus he hadn’t expected, but he was thankful for it just the same.

  Chapter 30

  And just like that, it was the day of the spring social.

  It hadn’t been his focus as a young man to attend these events, so he had often run off with a friend or two to ride horses or play other games elsewhere. As for college, he’d rarely had the time for anything besides his studies and his job.

  The spring social was hosted on the grounds of the church and the whole place was decorated with streamers and ribbons. The warmer days and sunlight in the last few weeks had melted the few remaining mounds of snow. The cheery weather and the lack of snowdrifts went a long way to bolster the moods of the revelers.

  There was a stand for the band, and then a wide board for the dancing. Games to the left and food to the right with tables and chairs in the middle.

  Zeke walked into the crowd with June on his arm. She looked as pretty as a summer bouquet in her red dress with white ribbons. The young lady had been standing on her porch when he came for her, even though he’d been early. Together, they’d talked the whole way and had only had tim
e to cover her book reading progress. He sensed that a few subjects were being avoided.

  Just as he was pondering if he should ask about it, the answer appeared. As Zeke and June waved to the pastor, Mayor Pershing climbed up onto the bandstand and waved his hands around to get the attention of the crowd. There was some scattered applause, which only drove him on, and the crowd slowly drew close as he beckoned them.

  “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome once again to our spring social here in the most wonderful town in the West, Cutter’s Creek. It’s wonderful to see all these familiar faces. Thank you to everyone that has helped out with today’s event—it truly is spectacular. You have outdone yourselves again. To tell you the truth, I’m surprised every year that you all keep making it better and better. How can that be?”

  The crowd laughed politely and applauded as the organizers were introduced.

  As he talked, Zeke glanced over at June who looked like she was a million miles away. She seemed to be muttering to herself when he paid closer attention. As he watched, he realized that she was mouthing along to what her father was saying. She realized he was watching her and looked at him in embarrassment. “It’s the same speech every year,” she whispered in his ear. “And he was practicing all day. He’s not the natural humorous speaker he wants everyone to think he is.”

  He grinned. “It would be grander if you were the one giving the speech.”

  June smiled. “But then I wouldn’t be standing here with you.” He loved how her eyes danced before she offered a small laugh and turned politely back to her father’s speech.

  “We have such a good town, and I do love being mayor with the change of serving each of you folks. It’s very important, you see, to be a good citizen and to support the community. No matter how big, or how small,” the mayor’s eyes came to rest on Zeke, drilling a hole into his skull, “it’s important that we each have our places to stand in, and that we stay right in them. Yes, we all have a role.”