Brides of Grasshopper Creek

by Faith-Ann Smith

  The guests had offered bouts of praise and congratulations, much to Rose’s chagrin. In keeping with the plan, she smiled and accepted their gracious words, but within her heart, she felt like a fraud. The sensation grew and still hadn’t died by morning.

  Rose dismissed her memories and turned to the rays of the sun streaming through the gossamer curtains. Cheerful warmth filled the room decorated in peaches and cream with white-painted furnishings. Beyond the windows, a bright morning blossomed with endless possibilities. No sense in staying in bed.

  She hurried to wash up before breakfast and chose a simple frock to wear. She wondered what new ideas Joseph had in mind, but vowed to do her best to help him succeed. He had promised to come in the morning for an early start.

  With one eye on the clock, she finished styling her hair. Nothing more than a simple bun twisted at the nape, and a dab or two of rose water. When a bleak expression stared back from the gilded mirror, Rose arranged her face with a pleasant smile. She didn’t intend to mope around for one month and make her life miserable.

  Her feet skimmed the polished floor as she raced downstairs to the breakfast room. A steaming pot of tea, a plate of fresh biscuits and a bowl of scrambled eggs stood waiting. After thanking the cook for her kindness and generosity, Rose ate her breakfast in amiable silence.

  She had just finished her second cup of tea when Joseph strolled in with a frown. “Still eating? We need to get a move on. Strike while the iron is hot, you know?”

  Rose tried to stay calm over the pitter-patter in her heart. She groped for something witty to say, but the thoughts fizzled and died under the onslaught of Joseph’s scented soap. As usual, his attire fell in impeccable lines. She should have taken more time with her clothing.

  “There’s no need to glare, Miss Barrington. I was just making idle conversation, nothing more.”

  Rose started, unaware of the glower on her face. She had no reason to get upset with him, and felt ashamed to have displayed such negative emotions. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to glare.”

  He stepped forward and consulted his pocket watch. “Shall we go now? I cannot waste the day on your dawdling.”

  Rose gasped at this coarse command; this was not how she wanted their relationship to start.

  “Mr. Wallace, I am sure you are eager to get started. But did you know a good breakfast gives you strength?”

  On a more conciliatory note, she added, “Have you had your breakfast yet?”

  He appeared nonplussed at her mild response, and muttered, “A cup of coffee was good enough for me.”

  Rose pointed to the opposite chair with a soft smile. “That will not do. You need a proper breakfast. Please sit, and I will serve you.”

  When his jaw hardened and his eyes cooled, she wagged her finger. “Now, now… don’t do that. You need your strength, and I’m just doing what any good neighbor would do. I do not think you will get very far in the restaurant business if you don’t take care of your health. Agreed?”

  He toyed with the idea for a moment, then he nodded. “Yes, you may be right. I should’ve thought of that.”

  Elated at her small victory, Rose hurried to serve him before the breakfast got cold. She hoped his hesitant smile would last the entire day.

  Chapter 4

  It didn’t even last an hour. Rose decided Joseph had lost his senses. Either that or he had lost the art of what it meant to be reasonable or kind. He barked orders at the laborers and increased his demands by the minute.

  Rose likened him to a monstrous officer on a naval ship with a crew of roughneck sailors at his command. He brooked no disagreements and refused any suggestions that clashed with his ideals. She didn’t understand why Joseph acted in such a manner, but she wanted none of his bad behavior.

  When they had left the house to drive to the restaurant, it had taken twenty minutes to navigate the populated part of town and find a good place to tie the buggy. The restaurant building stood in the heart of town near the largest bank, a well-stocked mercantile store and a luxury inn. The building itself resembled little more than a plain structure made of wood with wide front windows.

  Inside the darkened interior, gathered around a makeshift table and two creaking chairs, Joseph laid out the plans. The drawings revealed the details of the tables and chairs, the hanging lamps, and the kitchen. Rose noted the proximity of the tables and chairs to the kitchen and thought there should be more space between them.

  Before she voiced her idea on the matter, a tall, lanky laborer with a shock of red hair and a sweat-filled face approached. He cast a wary glance at Joseph’s irritated face and said, “Uh… sir. Me and the boys were thinking you ought to put a little distance between them tables and the kitchen door. Might make it easier for when you want to serve them hot meals.”

  At Joseph’s thunderous glare, Rose rushed to add, “What a good idea. I was thinking about the same thing. How wise of you to point it out.”

  The laborer gawked at Rose and bowed. “Uh… thank you, ma’am. Yes, thank you for listening.”

  When he scurried away with a gap-toothed grin, Joseph whirled on Rose. He lowered his voice to a furious whisper—mindful of the workers—and demanded, “Who gave you the right to do that?”

  Rose did not hesitate in her response. “God did. I have the freedom to speak my mind, Joseph Wallace, and no man can take what the good Lord has given me. Not even you.”

  Her calm response checked his fury, and his eyes widened. When he struggled to come up with a suitable answer, Rose placed her hand over his own and spoke in low, calm tones. “Joseph, you are a fine man, and I know you’ve worked hard on this. Everyone here wants to help, and so do I, but you must let us speak our thoughts, even if we don’t always agree.”

  He rolled the sheets of paper and tucked them into this jacket pocket with a grimace. “I guess you are right. Let’s grab a bite to eat and come back later. I need a drink.”

  At her worried glance, he amended his comment: “Not like you’re thinking. Just something to wet my throat.”

  Rose allowed him to lead her out of the restaurant. Just before she departed, she turned to the men and flashed a bright smile. When they smiled back, she gathered the strings of her bonnet and secured it. Joseph was right. There were lots of things to do and a short time to get them done. She only hoped one month was long enough. Please God, help me bring a little joy into his life.

  Chapter 5

  Two weeks later, Rose sensed that Joseph was turning over a new leaf. He still had bouts of anger, but he had tempered them to a large extent. Even the laborers commented on his change. Rose couldn’t help feelings of pride on the part she’d played to help him. And she never stopped praying that Joseph could find the happiness he deserved.

  That evening, he’d promised to come over to discuss the menu together. Rose felt content to share in this work with him, even if she longed to become a more permanent part of his life. The end of the month fast approached; she knew she’d have to leave him behind, but she wanted to savor the time left.

  When he rushed into his parents’ home with his tie askew, she clapped her hands. At his dumbfounded expression, she pointed to his neck. “This is the first time I have seen you, shall we say, less than suitably dressed.”

  He glanced at the offending material and brushed it aside with a quick grin. “No time for that now. I want you to see the menu. I’ve been going over it today with Mrs. Brown, the cook I have in mind, and she tells me she’s not good at newfangled cooking. I think she hated it. Can you think of some way to improve this?”

  Rose waved him over to the low-lying table in the drawing room and bent over the menu. She reviewed the items he’d listed in meticulous order and understood why Mrs. Brown had difficulties with his ideas…

  Entrees

  Artichokes a la Bretonne, Aubergine sur la grille, Absinthe creme, Aggysinas fanchonettes

  Meats

  Beef piece, au pain perdu, beef a la gelee, ou a la royale, beef r
oasted sirloin, aloyau a la broche, duck canetons de Rouen sauce a la orange

  Biscuits

  Biscuits a la Italienne, biscuits manqués a la fleur d’orange, biscuit de niauffes

  Fish

  Carp au blue ou au court bouillon, Carp fricandeau, Carp roes in jelly, aspic de laitances, Cod in dauphin

  Dessert

  Cheesecake, gateau au fromage, cherries en chemise, carrot cake a la Orleans, Charlotte de poms aux confitures—

  Rose stopped reading. Some of the dishes were familiar, but many were strange—even to her. “Is this your menu? Do you plan to serve these meals?”

  “Goodness no.”

  Rose’s sigh of relief soon vanished at his boisterous reply.

  “That is only the beginning. I have a longer list than this one. Just thought I’d show you the basics first.”

  Rose examined the list again, thinking how to reply. Joseph might lose clientele before he even got started. She gentled her tone and smiled to soften the blow. “Joseph, I admire your wish to be different and stand out, but many of your clients will be lost with these dishes.”

  “What do you mean?”

  His befuddled expression touched her heart, and Rose thought of the best way to explain. “Tell me this: what would you prefer to eat? A nice serving of Aunt Sally’s sweet pudding, or a giant bite of cold calf’s tongue ou a la royale?”

  He made a face. “Aunt Sally’s pudding is my bet.”

  Rose smiled. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  The point she tried to convey dawned on him, and he ran restless hands thought his hair. “Never thought of it like that.”

  Rose agreed with him. For all of his brilliance, he could be obtuse. “I know. But you are serving miners and their families. After a hard day’s work, they would prefer to understand what they are eating instead of having someone tell them what it means.”

  He snapped is fingers at her logical comment and his eyes brightened. “You’re right. Will you help me put together a better menu? Let’s do it tomorrow. I’ll pick you up bright and early. Deal?”

  His heartfelt request filled her with delight, and Rose melted. She’d go to the ends of the earth to see his smile. “Yes, it’s a deal.”

  Chapter 6

  The next morning, Rose awoke eager to get started on Joseph’s new menu. She rushed to eat her breakfast with one eye on the time and the other eye on the window.

  When she heard the telltale wheels of the buggy roll up to the drive, she raced outside with a bright smile. When a laborer with a somber face appeared instead of Joseph’s familiar form, she frowned. Where was he? Had there been an accident? Maybe he fell through the floor or a beam struck him on the head. Fear clogged her heart as she moved toward him.

  “Is Joseph doing well? Did something happen to him?”

  The laborer, called Ben, held his weathered hat in his hands and lowered his shaggy head. “No, ma’am. He was coming to get ya, but a strange woman dropped by. He was for sure shocked to see ‘er and he sent me to get ya instead.”

  A strange woman. Rose held her breath. Who might that be?

  The drive to the restaurant seemed twice as long as the days before, but she struggled to stay calm. She held no claim on Joseph’s affections, no matter how much she hoped for the contrary.

  When they arrived, Rose rushed inside the door. The pungent scent of an expensive French perfume assailed her and stopped her in her tracks. The cloying smell filled the room and circled a vision draped in white.

  Surprised at her poise and elegance, Rose watched the woman gush over Joseph with a sense of familiarity. The finest French gown clung to her willowy frame, and a white bonnet with white feathers adorned her shapely head. Tinkling laughter bubbled out of perfect lips and high cheeks shone in delight. Joseph appeared enraptured, if his stunned expression was any sign, and Rose staggered under the virulent sting of envy.

  She was planning to slip away when Joseph spied her and motioned her over to his side. When he introduced the vision as Lacey Walker, Rose hovered like a fifth wheel on a rusted wagon. Miss Walker had no such inhibitions.

  “Well, my stars, how do you do? It sure is nice to meet you. Joseph tells me you’re from Maine and came all this way to marry him. How delightful.”

  Rose winced. The woman’s way of saying delightful lacked a complimentary tone. “It is nice to meet you too, Miss Walker.”

  Lacey’s smile widened, and she tapped Rose on the elbow with her frilly fan. “Oh, please, call me Lacey. Did Joseph tell you how well we knew—I should say know—each other?”

  No, he didn’t mention that pertinent piece of information. Rose did not understand why the woman spoke in such a spiteful way, but she answered on a polite note, “No, I am afraid he did not. He has been very busy with the restaurant.”

  She hoped her tone might end the conversation, but the woman’s sharp glance caught the hurt buried in her eyes.

  “Oh, darling. Don’t worry over little old me. I’m just passing through on my way to Texas. Lots of holes out there need fancy places to eat.”

  Rose turned to Joseph at Lacey’s subtle hint. His eyes had frozen into wintergreen spikes, and deep furrows lined his cheeks.

  As Lacey continued her reminiscence into the past, Rose rushed to jump in and hoped Joseph wouldn’t flay her on the spot. “Miss Walker, I don’t mean to interrupt, but we have a lot of work to do. The opening of the restaurant is just over a week away. Maybe Joseph can visit with you later?”

  The younger woman hissed and her eyes narrowed. “You don’t say.” Her tone brimmed with contempt and she screeched, “Joseph, are you letting this helper of yours run me out of town?”

  Joseph brushed off Lacey’s fury and turned to Rose with a grateful glance. His eyes gleamed and he offered a sharp reply. “Yep, got lots to do. Run along, Lacey, and find another fool to waste his time.”

  Lacey stamped her foot and flounced away in a whirl of satin and silk. When she left, Rose heaved a deep sigh of relief, unaware that Joseph watched her.

  “Don’t worry Rose. She left me hanging at the altar a couple years ago, and I’d never want to tangle with that viper again.”

  Rose’s mouth fell open, and she snapped it shut with a flush. “That’s the woman that broke your heart?”

  He winced. “Well, when you put it that way…yes, it felt like it for a long time. But seeing her again made me realize it was just a fancy. Nothing real or with substance. Now, is my menu up to snuff or what?”

  Rose’s smile widened at his brusque change of subject. Oh, Joseph, I’m so glad I haven’t lost you.

  Chapter 7

  The rest of the days passed by in a blur, and soon, opening night arrived. Rose calmed her jitters and took special care with her appearance.

  She wore a soft pink and cream evening dress that hugged the gentle curve of her waist and fell in silken folds. The V-shaped neckline with encrusted pearls and ruffled capped sleeves had been a gift from her sister. It was the finest garment she owned. At the last minute, she let her hair flow free and didn’t notice how much it enhanced her ethereal glow.

  When she arrived, Rose found a bright blue ribbon barred the way. A crowd had gathered, and soon the silken banner lay in two pieces after Joseph did the honors. A brief speech followed rounds of toasting and greetings, and the crowd gravitated inside.

  The restaurant glowed with freshly painted shutters in forest green trimmed in red. A sign with the name The Golden River hung in shimmering letters over a bright stained glass door.

  Rose stepped over the threshold and held her breath. A polished mahogany floor with tasteful oriental rugs lay under three-tiered chandeliers. Etched glass covered the side walls, and curved oak tables with matching chairs stood in neat circles. The upholstered chairs matched the shutters for a more uniform look, and long curtains hung over tall windows with gold braiding.

  Rose noted the floral arrangements with candles in the centers of the tables and gasped in deligh
t. It had been her idea to place scented flowers with a perfumed candle as an added touch, but she thought Joseph hadn’t cared for the idea. How wrong she had been.

  Her eyes sought his elegant form. She found him among the Wallace clan, and marveled at their well-dressed appearance. Her reserved seat waited, and she sat in anticipation. The first dish came and Rose cheered just like everyone else. She felt proud of how well things had turned out.

  Joseph ambled over to her table an hour later and collapsed beside her with a wide grin. “Enjoyed your meal?”

  Rose placed an impulsive kiss on his cheek. She ignored the flash of surprise in his eyes and said, “How wonderful everything is tonight. I loved every bite, and the cheesecake was exquisite. Tell Mrs. Brooks she can cook for me any day.”

  He nodded and glanced at the kitchen door. “I will do that. Before I forget, I just wanted to thank you for your help. I couldn’t have done it without you, and that’s the truth.”

  Rose’s heart wallowed in bliss. She longed to share her love with Joseph, but she didn’t want to speak out of turn. He still hadn’t told her his feelings, but she hoped he had changed his mind about their marriage.

  “Rose, I have something for you.”

  When his eyes darkened and he lowered his voice, Rose leaned forward. She watched him reach into this jacket and her spirit soared on the wings of hope. At last, he would propose and ask her to be his bride. Excitement pounded through her veins, and she placed her hands against her chest to calm the thundering beats. Thoughts of a happy life together and the children to come filled her with delight. She wanted to be a part of his family and tell him how much he meant to—