Rachel (Bride Brigade Book 5)

by Caroline Clemmons

  “Rachel, promise me you won’t accept another man’s proposal while I’m gone. Please, give me a chance to court you.” Damn, he sounded pathetic.

  Her gorgeous smile wiped away his embarrassment. “I promise if you’ll promise me you’ll be extra careful on your trip?”

  “I will. Now that I’ve found you, I have a powerful reason to remain alive.” When her eyes widened, he added, “Rachel, we never take risks, and my gunmen are exceptional. And, I’m hardly defenseless.”

  She grasped his forearms. “Hauling freight is taking a chance, but I realize someone has to bring in supplies. We’d be in trouble if we only had things the stage can carry.”

  “Most of the businesses would shut down. Even the doctor occasionally has me bring in supplies and medicines.”

  She smiled at him. “As I see things, I’m bookkeeper for the most important man in town.”

  Damn, but with her in his arms he felt like the most important man in the world. All resistance fled and he gathered her into his embrace and pressed his lips to hers, gently at first. When she leaned into him, he deepened his kiss. Her arms slid under his jacket and around his waist. Elation almost felled him.

  When he broke away from her lips, he rained more kisses across her forehead, her eyes, and her cheeks.

  She held on as if she might fall. “That was very different from the few pecks on the cheek I’ve experienced. My knees went a little wobbly.”

  Her admission was balm to his soul, not only because he affected her but that meant he was her first relationship. He pressed his forehead against hers. “Mine, too. I enjoyed the sensation tremendously.”

  She pulled away but a slight tilt of her lips let him know she had also. “I-I… take care of yourself. I’ll keep things going until you return. Thank you for the wonderful dance. I’ll never forget how romantic and considerate you are.” She hurried from the office.

  He exhaled. Peering around the front office, he realized she’d improved his life already. None of the additions would contribute to his business one iota, but the office sure was a nicer place to work. He chuckled at the thought of Buchanan and the sheriff acting as delivery men for her. Damn, Buchanan even hung the clock and paintings.

  Another change she’d made—he’d never minded leaving town with the wagons. Now, he wanted to stick by her side to fend off any other suitors. Not because of other men who might court her, but he wanted to be with her all the time. She’d promised to wait for his return. He’d have to trust her.

  At dawn the following morning, he climbed onto the seat of the front drayage wagon. At his signal, the second wagon and the four riders set in motion. As they passed by the Harrison house, he glanced that way.

  He couldn’t see features on the face at the parlor window, only that a woman stood with curtains parted to watch them. He waved at the image. Who else would get up at dawn to see him off but Rachel?

  Knowledge she’d done so warmed his insides. He believed she’d keep her promise.

  ***

  Rachel watched the men ride out of town. They matched the painting except the breaking sunrise painted the sky around them. Hands clasped at her chest, she prayed they’d have a safe trip.

  When they were out of sight, she turned and went back to her room. She attempted to go back to sleep, but her effort was futile. Rising again, she washed and dressed for the day.

  With Zane and his men gone, there was little to occupy her day. She cleaned both sides of the windows until they sparkled. Good heavens, how was she to fill eight days?

  She was sweeping the office when Sheriff Adam Penders came in. He smiled and tapped the front brim of his hat, which she’d learned was the western equivalent of tipping a hat.

  “Morning. Everything going well?”

  She leaned the broom against the wall. “Yes, but thank you for checking, Sheriff. I appreciate your concern.”

  He shrugged. “Part of my job. I like being sheriff and talking to folks.”

  “Just the same, you’re kind to stop by here.”

  He scanned the room. “Windows have been shined. You take your job seriously. Evans was smart to hire you.”

  His comment was like a warm blanket on a frosty morning. “I feel as if I’m being paid for doing nothing. I have to be busy so I’m giving the office a thorough cleaning.”

  He glanced out the window. “Are you okay out here alone?”

  “Yes.” She sighed. “My concern is how I’m going to keep busy for eight days with Mr. Evans out of town.”

  He chuckled and opened the door. “I’m sure you’ll think of something. If you have any trouble, let me know. Evans said he left you a revolver. If I hear a gunshot, I’ll hurry to investigate.”

  She realized the sheriff genuinely cared about her safety. “No wonder everyone thinks so highly of you and the job you do. Thank you again.”

  With another tap to his hat brim, he smiled and closed the door behind him.

  After that she finished sweeping then dusted both rooms. With a clean piece of flannel, she applied beeswax to her desk. The effect was so pleasing, she set to work on the other wooden furniture, including Zane’s desk. She was polishing the file cabinet when a new visitor arrived.

  “Morning, Miss Ross.” Mr. Pettigrew owned the newspaper but he also did printing jobs for others. “Evans had me print up this sign for the door or window for when you go home each day.”

  He turned the card so she could read the words.

  Evans Freight and Warehouse

  Hours 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

  If no one is here during those hours

  Contact Miss Ross at the Harrison home

  “That looks very nice, Mr. Pettigrew. I’ll hang it in the window.”

  He assessed the windows. “They look newly shined. You’re keeping busy.”

  “Trying. I’m giving the office a thorough cleaning today.”

  He held up his hands as if warding off an attack. “I’ll leave before you use that beeswax on me.”

  She smiled. “Thanks for delivering the sign.”

  He tapped his hat brim and closed the door behind him. She placed the card in the window beside the door. It wouldn’t stay, so she looked for something to hold it in place. Nothing in sight fit her needs, so she poked around Zane’s office.

  In what had served as his kitchen while he was living here, she found what she wanted. A large piece of petrified wood set on a shelf. Hoping it had no special sentimental value, she carried it to the windowsill. Thankfully, the rock was perfect as a wedge against the cardstock sign.

  She returned and surveyed Zane’s office, noting the water pump and a stove with two places for cooking. A kettle and coffee pot sat on a shelf along with a few cups and plates. She counted them, pleased to find twelve of each. In a wooden tray on the shelf, she discovered cutlery. Not fine china and silver, but good enough for the tea she had planned.

  Perhaps the mercantile had a tea set and tea at a reasonable price. Guilt revised her opinion that the store’s goods cost too much. Now she realized Mr. Buchanan had to pay extra freight costs.

  By the time she left at noon, she defied anyone to find a speck of dust in the office. She proceeded to Lydia’s with a feeling of having accomplished a great deal. Once in her room, she washed up then counted out her pay.

  What was she to do? Zane had given her twice as much as they’d agreed. She’d have to return half of it, but for now she put the excess amount in her bureau drawer until Zane returned.

  From the amount she’d expected, she put away the five dollars she owed Mr. Boyd and counted out the remainder. Whew, that left her a few dollars. She had enough to buy a cake from the café. She hoped nothing major came up before next payday.

  Mrs. Murphy’s baking was delicious, but Rachel had no intention of imposing on Lydia’s cook. Mrs. Granger would welcome the transaction. Rachel would need to purchase milk and sugar. This was going to be a grand afternoon.

  After dinner, she sought a private word wit
h Lorraine. “Remember I told you that the wife of one of Mr. Evan’s employees loves gardening? I thought perhaps I’d invite the five wives to tea tomorrow afternoon. If they’re willing, will you be available to attend then?”

  “You know how much I love talking about plants. I’d love an afternoon tea.”

  “I thought two o’clock would be a good time.”

  Lorraine clapped her hands together. “Perfect. I’ll divide my seeds and get my books together.”

  “I’ll go talk to the wives. I’ll let you know if they’re coming when I return.”

  Rachel told Lydia her plans and got directions to the Hill home. She strolled while following Lydia’s instructions. The home was a small blue cottage with white trim. Varicolored flowers along the front walk waved their heads in the breeze.

  Rachel knocked on the door and was pleased to recognize the woman who answered as someone she’d seen at church. “I’m Rachel Ross, Mrs. Hill.”

  “Please come in. You must call me Zillah.” She gestured to the parlor.

  “And you should call me Rachel.” She sat on the red velvet couch. “Since your husband and I both work for Mr. Evans, you and I should be acquainted. Of course, your husband’s work is much more important than mine, dangerous even.”

  “I’m happy to meet you. I saw you ladies in church, but didn’t have a chance to introduce myself. You’re kind to call.”

  “I want to invite you to tea tomorrow afternoon, two o’clock at the office. I hope you can attend.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it. Are you inviting the others whose husbands work for Zane?”

  “Yes, and my friend Lorraine wants to come. She loves gardening. I noticed you have lovely flowers. You’ll have something in common.”

  “Didamia loves vegetable gardening and is successful at growing enough for her and Vic plus enough to share.”

  “Vic told me. I haven’t met her or the other three yet, but I’ll call on them this afternoon.”

  “Everyone in town is happy to have you young women here. Ken and I have grown children, but they moved away. Our son is in Doyle and our daughter and her husband live near Calgondo.”

  “Is that close enough to visit?”

  “Doyle is about twenty miles northwest and Calgondo about twenty a little east of that. Not impossible, but too far to drive there and back in a day.”

  “If I may say so, you don’t look old enough to have grown children. I suppose I’m getting a late start by comparison.”

  Zillah shook her head. “Ken was sixteen and I was fourteen when we wed. Marrying that young was a struggle and we had to have help from his parents for a while. We were just kids who didn’t know what we were getting into, but we’ve been happy. Happier since Ken has steady work with Zane.”

  “Zillah, I’m pleased to meet you. I must go so I can speak to the others. I’ll look forward to chatting more tomorrow.”

  “Thank you for the invitation. Since I live in town, I know more people than the other women do. They feel they wouldn’t be accepted among the others in town. That’s true for a few snobbish souls—especially of Ruby—but most would welcome them.”

  Rachel said goodbye to Zillah and strode purposefully toward the four homes near the warehouse. She mulled over her conversation with Zillah. At fourteen, Rachel had been in school and visiting with friends.

  She couldn’t imagine being married at such a young age. She would have missed going to Worthington Institute and everything she learned there. Not only academics, for she learned how to work in harmony with others.

  Of course, no one trained her for Howard Forsythe. She’d walked right into his trap. She didn’t believe anyone could have prepared her for the treachery she’d experienced at his hands.

  Sighing, she pushed away those unpleasant memories and chose the last of the four workers’ houses and knocked on the door.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The tallest woman Rachel had ever seen opened the door and stood without uttering a word.

  She cleared her throat. “Hello, I’m Rachel Ross and I’m now bookkeeper for Mr. Evans. Are you Didamia Marshall?”

  A smile bloomed on the woman’s face. “I’m Didamia. Come in. Vic said you were working for Zane now.” She gestured to a couch. “Have a seat.”

  “He told me you love gardening.”

  “Next to him, growing things are my favorite. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  “No, thank you. I had a large dinner.” She smoothed her skirt. “I wanted to meet you and the other wives. I’m hosting a tea tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock at the office. Mr. Evans knows and doesn’t mind.”

  The woman’s face fell and she twisted her hands. “A tea? I-I don’t know.”

  Rachel leaned forward. “Oh, please say you’ll come. My friend Lorraine loves gardening and she’ll be there. She brought seeds and gardening books with her from Virginia.”

  A spark of interest flickered in the woman’s eyes. “She one of the Bride Brigade, too?”

  Rachel laughed. “Isn’t that an odd thing to call us? Yes, she’s one of the women Lydia brought to Tarnation. Lorraine was a librarian in Virginia. Her two loves are reading and gardening.”

  “She sounds interesting. I-I guess since this tea is at the freight office and all I’ll come.”

  “Wonderful. Zillah Hill will be there and I hope the other three wives will attend.”

  “You’ll have some a hard time convincing Ruby and Lupe to attend.” She chuckled. “Since you convinced me, I reckon you can maneuver around them, too.”

  “Thank you, Didamia. I’ll see you tomorrow at two.”

  Rachel thought she’d won a battle. The next house had a few flowers blooming near the door, which was opened by a cheerful red-head. “Come in, won’t you?”

  Rachel followed her hostess to the small parlor and sat on the couch. “I’m Rachel Ross, the new bookkeeper for Mr. Evans.”

  “I’m Mary Margaret McCartney, wife of Buck. You should call me Mary Margaret.”

  “Yours is a lovely name. Mr. Evans gave me permission to host a tea at the office and I set it for tomorrow at two o’clock. I hope you’ll attend.”

  Mary Margaret slapped her thighs. “Me invited to a tea? Lands sakes, I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “I’m so glad. Zillah Hill and Didamia Marshall agreed to come. My friend Lorraine Stuart is coming also. She loves to garden and I thought she and Didamia would enjoy exchanging growing tips.”

  “Didamia could make a stick grow and flourish. Never saw the likes of that woman’s skill with plants.”

  “I gather Lorraine is the same. She’s looking forward to meeting Didamia and you all.”

  “I’ll be there. You let me know if you need anything, though.”

  Rachel rose. “I will. We can get better acquainted tomorrow.”

  “See you then.”

  The next house had cactus plants artfully scattered on the graveled front yard. Rachel had never seen most of the varieties. She rapped on the door.

  A small woman with beautiful features opened the door. “Sí?”

  “I’m Rachel Ross, the new bookkeeper for Mr. Evans.”

  The woman stepped back to allow her access. “Come in and sit. I am Guadalupe, but you should call me Lupe.”

  Rachel chose a woven chair with a bright cushion. “I wanted to meet you and invite you to come to the office tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Por que? I don’t understand.”

  “Mr. Evans gave me permission to host a tea there so we could all get acquainted. I’ve chosen tomorrow at two o’clock. My friend Lorraine will also be there, as well as Zillah Hill, Didamia Marshall, and Mary Margaret McCartney. I haven’t spoken to Ruby Cooper yet but I will as soon as I leave here.”

  Lupe mulled over the invitation. “Didamia says she will come to this tea?”

  “Yes, she did. The event will give us a chance to talk to one another.”

  Still looking wary, the other woman asked, “No one else from town is
coming?”

  “Just Zillah and my friend Lorraine.”

  “This friend, she knows we are invited?”

  “Oh, yes, and she’s looking forward to meeting each of you. She’d find your cactus garden as enchanting as I have.”

  Lupe tilted her head and a hint of a smile flitted across her lips. “You like my cactus?”

  “I had no idea there were so many kinds. I have some tiny cacti in a bowl on my desk. Mr. Ramirez planted them for me. He’s a wonder with plants.”

  “Sí, I know this man.” She narrowed her eyes and stared at Rachel. “You’re sure about this tea thing? Zane says it’s all right?”

  “He did, I give you my word. I hope you’ll come, Lupe. We’ll have a nice afternoon talking to one another.”

  Lupe crossed her arms. “I have no fancy clothes to wear.”

  “No need for anything different than what you’re wearing now. I love the colors in your skirt.”

  The other woman considered for a full minute. “I will come. If someone is rude to me, I will leave.”

  “Good heavens, if anyone is rude, I’d expect you to do nothing less. I know Lorraine and I won’t be rude. You know the other women better than I do.”

  She nodded. “I will be there at two.”

  “Thank you, Lupe. I look forward to seeing you then.”

  Whew, a tough sell. Rachel walked to the next house, wondering if Ruby would be harder to convince than Lupe. She hoped not.

  Rather than plants, this yard had been swept smooth. Stones created a walk to the small porch. The orange door offered a sunny welcome.

  An elegant black woman answered the knock. “You’re that woman who works for Zane now?”

  “My name is Rachel Ross, but I hope you’ll call me Rachel.”

  “Come on inside. Call me Ruby. Nice of you to come calling.”

  “I wanted to meet each of the women whose husbands work for Mr. Evans.”

  “He’s a good man.” She gestured around the spotless room. “Sure like my house and having Mick doing something all legal.”

  Rachel tucked away that admission. “Mr. Evans gave me permission to have a tea at the office for you and the other wives. I chose tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock. I hope you’ll attend.”