California Romance

by Colleen L. Reece

  “Querida. Dios be praised. You are home.” Solita folded Dori into a tight embrace.

  The familiar endearment changed Dori into a small girl, safe and secure in Solita’s arms. Worn and weary from life in Boston followed by the fearsome experience of being trapped in the blizzard, she laid her head on the diminutive housekeeper’s shoulder and let her tears fall.

  Solita patted her shoulder and crooned, “Don’t cry, little one. You are home and safe. Now you must meet Senorita Sarah, who has waited for your coming.”

  “Welcome home, sister,” a musical voice said.

  Dori freed herself from Solita’s embrace and turned. A smiling replica of Seth stood with both hands outstretched. The shy appeal in the young woman’s wistful blue eyes showed the same anxiety Dori had felt about meeting Sarah. All Dori’s preconceived notions vanished. Unless badly mistaken, she’d been as wrong about Sarah as about Seth.

  Dori managed a shaky laugh and clasped Sarah’s hands. “I’m so glad to meet you.” It was true. The identical feeling she’d experienced when meeting Seth flowed through her. What is it about the Andersons that calls to something deep inside me? Dori wondered. The goodness that Matt raved about? She sighed. She was just too tired to figure it out.

  The evening passed in a blur. Dori’s mental turnaround concerning Seth and Sarah had left her feeling bewildered. Yet certainty that her brother was in no danger from either of them filled Dori with relief. She sank into her soft bed and murmured, “Thank You, God, for bringing me safely home.” She burrowed farther down under the covers. “Please don’t let anyone find out until after the honeymoon that I won’t be going back to Boston.” A few moments later, she fell into the soundest sleep she’d known since she left the Diamond S. Except for the Andersons’ presence, it seemed like nothing had changed, after all.

  The few days before Christmas fled like shadows before the rising sun. On Christmas morning Dori awoke to the shrill whinny of a horse. She ran to her window and looked outside. Curly, Bud, and Slim were standing by the prettiest pinto mare Dori had ever seen. Seth was in the saddle, patting the horse’s neck. Curly’s voice floated up to Dori.

  “You are one lucky cuss, Seth. Miss Dori’s gonna hug your neck when she sees Splotches.”

  Bud and Slim guffawed.

  Dori felt herself turn scarlet. What did Curly mean? Had Seth Anderson bought her a horse? She thrilled to the idea even while knowing it was impossible and watched Seth slide to the ground. How would he answer Curly?

  Seth just laughed. “Naw. It’s her brother who’s gonna get hugged. I just broke the mare.” Splotches nosed him. “Hope she likes you, girl. If she doesn’t, she’s a mighty poor judge of horseflesh.”

  Like the pinto? Dori already loved her. She scrambled into her old riding clothes and pelted down the stairs and out to the corral, where Matt had joined the others. “Is she for me?” she burst out.

  Matt raised one eyebrow. “What makes you think that? Do you deserve her?”

  Dori’s joy fled. She shifted uneasily but didn’t flinch from Matt’s probing gaze. Honesty forced her to admit, “No, but I love Splotches.”

  The cowboys went into spasms of laughter.

  Matt took the reins from Seth and held them out to Dori. “Good enough. Merry Christmas, sister.”

  Excitement filled Dori. “A brand-new horse!” She threw her arms around Matt, then around the mare’s neck. Splotches whickered and stamped one foot. Dori took the reins and swung into the saddle. “Thank you. She’s gorgeous.”

  “She’s also gentle. Seth broke her for you,” Bud put in.

  “Thank you, Seth.”

  Slim added before Seth could reply. “Aw, ’twasn’t nothin’. Seth said Splotches was the easiest horse he ever broke. Say, ain’t you gonna try her out?”

  “You bet I am.” Dori touched the pinto’s sides with her boot heels and called over her shoulder, “I hope I can still ride western.”

  Splotches took off like a startled jackrabbit, followed by Curly’s bellow, “Can she still ride? I’ll tell the world she can.” A chorus of approving cowboy yells warmed Dori through and through.

  She didn’t head for home until the sun was high in the sky and her growling stomach clamored for the breakfast she had skipped. “Fine thing, running off on Christmas morning,” she told her new horse. “But it was worth it.” She reached the ranch and burst into the kitchen. “I’m starving.”

  Solita stopped tossing tortillas and smiled at Sarah, who was seated at the table with a cup of delicious-smelling Mexican cocoa that made Dori’s mouth water. “You haven’t changed.”

  Sarah laughed. “I don’t wonder that you’re hungry. You’ve been gone for hours.”

  “I lost track of time.”

  “I don’t blame you. When I’m on a horse, I forget everything else. Riding gives me a sense of freedom.” She stood. “Speaking of freedom, I’ll still be a free woman tomorrow if I don’t hustle. If you’ll excuse me, I have to do some packing. After all, I’m marrying the most wonderful man in the world just a few hours from now.”

  If Dori hadn’t already been won over by Sarah’s integrity, the bride-tobe’s expression would have settled all doubts. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

  “Feed that mountain lion raging inside you,” Sarah advised. Her eyes twinkled. “One other thing. I like your riding outfit, but you might want to change for the wedding.” A trill of laughter floated back as she ran out of the kitchen.

  Dori had barely finished eating when Matt burst in. “Where’s my girl—I mean, my other girl?” he wanted to know.

  “Getting ready to become your wife,” Dori told him.

  “Yes.” A poignant light came into his blue eyes. “Little sister, this is the happiest day of my life. I just pray that one day you will feel the way I do right now. Sarah completes my life.”

  As I once did.

  Dori felt a twinge of regret for days that were gone forever, but it soon passed. No one in her right mind could be jealous of Sarah. Even in the few days Dori had been home she’d observed the way Matt and Sarah fit together like two blades on a fine pair of scissors. They would have a good life.

  Dori swallowed hard. Would Matt’s prayer for her be answered? Would she one day be readying herself to marry someone who would make her life complete? Someone as fine as her brother—someone she considered the most wonderful man in the world?

  Dori wasn’t the only one thinking about a life companion. While Seth waited to walk Sarah down the aisle of the Madera church, a pang of envy knocked at his heart’s door. God, do You have a girl like Sarah picked out for me? He put aside the thought. Christmas and the wedding were making him soft. If God had someone in mind, He wasn’t telling…and wouldn’t until the time was right.

  Seth grinned to himself and told Sarah, “You don’t want to keep Matt waiting.”

  She nudged him and sent a pointed glance toward Dori, seated in the front row with Solita. “Just remember: Your turn’s coming.”

  Seth felt his pulse quicken. He took revenge by whispering, “Naw. She’s too Bostonish for a poor, lonesome cowpoke,” and tried to ignore his poor, lonesome cowpoke’s heartbeat that had changed from a slow walk to a full gallop.

  Chapter 11

  For the next few days, Dori reveled in her freedom. Despite Solita’s protests, she rode Splotches when and where she chose. She teased Brett Owen until the foreman told her she was wilder than an unbroken mustang. Dori just laughed, pulled his Stetson down over his eyes, and danced away. Yet beneath her enjoyment, the guilty secret she carried stabbed at her conscience. Matt and Sarah would be home from their San Francisco honeymoon soon. What would they say when they learned Dori wasn’t going back to Boston?

  The morning of their scheduled return, Dori followed the tantalizing tang of good food down the staircase and through the open hall door into the sunny Diamond S kitchen. “What smells so good? I’m starved.” She plunked down at the table.

  “Huevos ran
cheros.” Solita set a plateful of steaming fried eggs with chili sauce in front of Dori and added warm tortillas. Her white teeth gleamed in a broad smile. “The Brookside Finishing School for Young Ladies did not serve such food, no?”

  Dori grinned. “Hardly. It was mush, mush, mush for breakfast. If I never see another bowl of porridge it will be too soon.” She lifted a forkful of the mixture, blew on it to cool it down, and put it in her mouth. “Mmm. Better than I remember.”

  Solita beamed. “In a few months, you will be here in our casa for good. I promise you will never have to eat mush again.”

  The huevos rancheros suddenly lost all their taste. Before nightfall, Dori would have to confess she was already home for good. A letter from Miss Brookings lay on the desk in Matt’s office. Dori’s fingers itched to burn it before he and Sarah came, but knew she couldn’t. She was already in enough trouble.

  Dori sighed. She hated to spoil her brother’s homecoming, but she just had to tell him before he saw the letter. She couldn’t afford to have Matt read the Babbling Brook’s recital of the events leading to her dismissal before he heard Dori’s side of the story.

  “I thought you were starving.”

  Solita’s reminder yanked Dori back into the present. “I’m waiting for it to cool.” She glanced at the counters laden with flour, sugar, spices, and a dozen large bowls and baking pans. “Are you planning to feed an army instead of Matt and Sarah, or are you going to open a bakery?”

  Solita shook her head and her dark eyes glistened. “There must be pies and cakes and cookies for the shivaree. Senor Mateo and Senora Sarah escaped being troubled on their wedding night by staying at the Yosemite Hotel.” She rolled her expressive eyes. “Even the most daring vaqueros would not dare holler and beat on pans outside the hotel until invited in for treats.” She shrugged. “Tonight they will come here so we must be prepared.”

  Dori’s heart sank. Shivarees were always fun, but being invaded by a horde of well-wishers on this particular night meant she would have no chance to confess. It was more than she could stand. She looked into Solita’s kindly face and blurted out, “Solita, I’m in terrible trouble.”

  The housekeeper stared at her. “Senorita, how can this be? Dios be praised. He brought you safely home to us.”

  Dori drew in a great breath. “He did, Solita, but I’m not going back to school.”

  An icy voice spoke from the doorway leading into the great hall. “Begging your pardon, Miss Sterling, but you are going back. Haven’t you caused your brother enough trouble without kicking up a fuss and refusing to finish the course you insisted on taking?”

  Dori spun out of her chair so quickly it crashed to the floor. Her unflinching gaze bored into Seth’s blazing blue eyes. She tried twice before she could hurl words at the glowering cowboy. “This is a private conversation, Mr. Eavesdropper. It doesn’t concern you in the least.”

  “That’s what you think,” Seth shot back. “Sarah is my sister. She has a right to be happy. Anything that disturbs Matt affects her.” He shook a finger in Dori’s face. “Nothing is going to spoil their lives, get that? You’re going to be on that train the day after tomorrow as scheduled.” He paused and added, “You’re going if I have to tie you on Splotches and wait at the station until I see the train leave.”

  Seth’s words spoil their lives did what no amount or ranting or raving could do. Dori threw herself into Solita’s arms and wailed, “I can’t go back. I’ve been expelled.”

  An ominous silence pervaded the kitchen, broken only by Solita’s gasp and Dori’s hard breathing. Then Seth demanded, “What did you do this time?”

  The scorn in his voice helped Dori gather her wits. “Nothing.” She jerked free from Solita’s embrace and glared at Seth. “I didn’t do anything. How would you like being called a shameless hussy and accused of coquetting with the headmistress’s nephew in a brazen attempt to weasel your way into society?” Memory heightened Dori’s fury.

  “What would you do if you were insulted and humiliated? An insufferable Englishman named Stancel Worthington III announced that he was going to civilize and marry me. His aunt said it would be over her dead body.”

  Seth’s lips twitched. “Never having been a young lady, I can’t really say. I’d sure be put out at being called names, but…” To Dori’s amazement Seth threw his head back and roared. “If I were a girl—a young lady—and anyone with the moniker ‘Stancel Worthington III’ tried to lasso me, I’d tell him adios in a hurry.”

  The blood that had been furiously rushing through Dori’s veins slowed, and she simmered down. “I did, but not before giving it to the Babbling Brook and ‘dear Stancel’ with both barrels.” She felt her lips tilt in a grin.

  “So she kicked you out of her precious school.”

  “Yes.” Dori drooped. “She told me to never darken the door of her ladies’ academy again. I skedaddled out of there as quick as I could.” Dori spread her hands wide and she choked back tears. “I don’t want to spoil Matt and Sarah’s life, but I can’t go back. Miss Brookings was so furious that all the gold in California during the gold rush can’t buy my way back into the school.”

  “Matt doesn’t know.” The quiet finality of Seth’s comment sent misery flooding through Dori.

  “No. I couldn’t say anything before the wedding and ruin the happiest day of his life.”

  Solita stood as if frozen. Seth took a deep breath, expelled it in a long sigh, and advised, “Don’t tell Matt and Sarah today. Tomorrow will be time enough.”

  It suddenly seemed tremendously important for Dori to know what Seth was thinking. She took a step nearer and implored, “You don’t believe I was wrong, do you?”

  His face went blank, as if he’d pulled down a shade and turned an OPEN sign to Closed. “Not this time, Miss Sterling.” He stalked out, leaving Dori smarting from his subtle references to her past behavior.

  She crossed to the table and sank back in a chair. “Well, just when I thought Mr. Know-It-All was beginning to thaw, he closes up like an oyster. Doesn’t he like girls, or is it just me?” The thought hurt.

  Solita’s round brown eyes opened wide. “Senor Seth likes senoritas, but not as much as they like him.”

  “I’ll bet they do,” Dori muttered.

  “Sí. He could court many of them if he had time.” She smiled and looked wise. “Especially Senorita Sheridan.”

  An unreasonable pang of jealousy flowed through Dori. “You mean Sarah’s friend Abby, from the Yosemite Hotel?” Why should you care? a little voice whispered. He is nothing to you. Why then, did she hold her breath and wait for the reply?

  Solita nodded. “When she comes to visit, her dark eyes look at Seth, and she blushes.”

  Dori clenched her hands under the table. “What does he do?”

  Solita reached for a large bowl and measured flour into it. “Senor Seth teases her, the same as Curly, Bud, and Slim do. They are all glad when she comes.”

  That explains it, Dori thought. No wonder Seth has no use for me. Abby is probably the perfect little lady who would never dream of doing the things I do. Much as Dori wanted to deny it, ever since she’d met Seth at the station, she’d hoped to find favor with the tall cowboy. Brief encounters during the last few days had whetted her desire to get to know him better, but in vain. Until today, anywhere she was he usually wasn’t.

  The imp of mischief that lurked on Dori’s shoulder, poised and ready to take off, sprang to life. She would make Seth Anderson like her. She would show him that she was more than an irresponsible nuisance.

  How? Seth’s curt “not this time” clearly showed his sympathy for her present plight wasn’t enough to tip the scales in her favor. If only I could do something worthwhile, something noble and selfless and grown-up. I can start by giving up this morning’s ride and help Solita with the baking. It isn’t much, and Seth probably won’t even notice, but maybe I can think of something else while I work.

  “It feels good to be in the kitchen,”
Dori told Solita while they chattered away and filled the kitchen with rows and rows of baked goods. “Finishing schools don’t train young ladies to cook. Just to be young ladies.” She bit into a warm cookie and mumbled, “I suppose you and Sarah spend a lot of time here.”

  “Sí.” Solita deftly trimmed excess pie crust off an apple pie and cut designs in the top with a sharp knife. “We also teach the Mexican children to speak English.” A ripple of laughter set her shoulders shaking. “The senoras, too.”

  A tingle started at Dori’s toes and moved upward. Such a worthwhile undertaking might make Seth sit up and take notice. “Do you think I can help?”

  The skepticism on Solita’s face wasn’t very flattering. Neither were her raised eyebrows, but she only said, “We shall see.” She rolled out another pie crust. “If you begin, you must come each time and not disappoint the students.”

  “I will.” If it kills me. Dori felt a twinge for what would mean lost riding time. Was such a commitment really worth it, just to impress Seth? She smiled to herself. Right now, she wanted his approval so much she would do just about anything to get it. Besides, working with Solita and Sarah would give her time to get better acquainted with her new sister-in-law—and through her, learn what made Seth Anderson tick.

  Dori and Solita had barely finished the baking and gotten supper underway when a laughing Matt and Sarah arrived. As Dori feared, there was no time for confessions. At supper, the newlyweds bubbled over with tales of San Francisco: the trip across San Francisco Bay, with icy waves attacking the ferry. The multitude of tall buildings. The salty smell from the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean. The hustle and bustle of carriages and horse-drawn carts. The steep hills and cable cars. The Chinese theater.

  “Showing Sarah the wonders of San Francisco was like seeing it through new eyes,” Matt told them with a sly look at his bride.