by Reina Torres
“You have no worry about losing us. We don’t have to live in the same place to be your friend.” Tillie smiled at her before her eyes dipped down to look at the Christening gown on Virginia’s lap. “After all,” she leaned forward and whispered as if they were sharing a secret or a treasured joke, “we know a few men that deliver mail. I’m sure we could keep in contact with each other.”
“Could the same be said for your young man, Virginia?”
When she heard the words, Virginia turned to look at Delia and found the other woman looking at her intently. And under her curious gaze, Virginia struggled to keep her composure.
“I can’t say that he’s my young man.”
“Oh,” Anna leaned forward again, allowing too much slack into the yarn, “are you talking about Ellis?”
Virginia lost hold of the fabric and had to make a quick grab at it before it fell to the floor. “Why would you ask about-”
“Ellis?” Anna giggled. “Anyone with eyes could tell. All they have to do is see the two of you anywhere near each other. He gets this big grin on his face and his shoulders get tight and when he thinks no one is looking he stares at you and smiles like he’s seen his first palomino pony.”
Olivia cleared her throat. “Anna, dear-”
“And you, Virginia,” Anna gave her a pert side-eyed look, “you smile at everyone, but when you see him… you look like you’ve seen a whole herd of ponies.”
Her mother sighed. “Anna, perhaps we should find some other topic of conversation?”
Virginia was ecstatic at the idea. “The weather,” she blurted out, “the weather is lovely today.”
The room went silent as all the other women looked at each other while Virginia worked at the long row of stitches to hold the pin tuck in place.
When she looked up from her work, she was as red as a berry. “Well, it is… isn’t it?”
The women dissolved into laughter and Virginia was forced to use her sleeve to wipe at the tears of laughter spilling over her cheeks.
After a while, Olivia herded Anna into the kitchen to prepare the evening meal for the family and the Express Riders. Virginia continued to work on the Christening gown, even as her eyes started to blur. The stitches were like second nature to her. During her years she had made hundreds of gowns for children, girls, and women. She had made formal dress for weddings and gowns for expectant mothers, and yet, the one item she liked making most in her whole experience were Christening gowns.
They were pure and perfect. A true beginning in every sense of the word. And there was nothing that gave her so much joy as seeing a beautiful little baby swathed in white, cradled in its mother’s arms. The whole moment, the ceremony was always filled with so much hope and joy.
Joy that she was hoping to feel some day.
But until that day, she had the chance to enjoy some of that joy and hope by contributing to the happiness of others.
Blinking her eyes to clear the blur, she continued to sew.
“Virginia?”
It took one more time to pull her attention from the gown and to Delia’s face.
“I’m sorry, I was…”
“You looked lost in thought, I didn’t want to bother you, but you look like you’re about to fall asleep as well.”
Blushing lightly, Virginia nodded. “I think it’s because I sit down so much when I sew. I’ve tried to walk while I sew smaller items, but the stitches become slightly uneven.
“It’s not so bad if it’s a hem which is only the whip stitch here and there, but detailed work deserves a strong and steady base. I am so happy that you allowed me to make a Christening gown for your baby, Delia.” She fought back the tears that gathered on her lashes. “I feel like I’m giving something to my new community.”
“May I see it?” Delia held her hands out and Virginia set the unfinished garment in her hands.
“It is not anywhere near done, but I believe you’ll like the handiwork.”
And then as she watched, Delia brought the fabric closer to her face, tilting the fabric toward the window. She trailed her fingers over the delicate little pin-tucks. “Oh, Virginia, it’s precious.” When Delia lifted her gaze from the fabric her eyes were glistening. “I can’t wait to see it finished.”
“Me too,” Virginia smiled. “I know that Olivia mentioned that you were due soon, but I didn’t ask her for many specifics.”
Delia continued to trace her fingertips over the pin-tucks again and again. “I believe I have a few more weeks before I have to really worry.”
“Worry?” Virginia placed her hand over her heart.
“Oh no,” Delia gently returned the fabric into Virginia’s hands. “Nothing like that. It’s mostly nerves for me. Giving birth to a baby sounds like a lovely idea, but so many women, so many babies, don’t survive the labor.” Delia’s voice softened. “Three Rivers doesn’t have a doctor like you might have had in some of the towns that you have lived in. We have an undertaker who helps when the miners have accidents.”
“I can see how that might not make him someone who you might feel comfortable going to for help.”
Delia nodded. “I’m glad that I will have Olivia’s help when my time comes. And Tillie said she would be there for me as well.” The two looked over at Tillie, fast asleep on the settee, curled up with her arms around a pillow. “It will be comforting to have them both there.”
“If you’d like me to be there with you, Delia. I don’t know what comfort I could offer you, but if I could do anything to help. I would gladly do it.”
“Would you?”
Virginia held out her hand and Delia took it in hers. “I want to help. Even if it’s just pressing a cloth to your brow or telling you inane jokes to distract you from… whatever is happening.” A sobering thought stunned Virginia. “I have no idea what it really entails anyway, but I’m sure Olivia can give me my marching orders.”
Delia’s smile widened. “I dare say she would. That’s why I was more than happy to move into town with Ransom. If I had gone into labor at the waystation with my father, brother and Ransom to help?”
Her eyes widening, Virginia stared back in shock. “Three men?”
Laughing, Delia agreed and gave Virginia’s hand a squeeze. “It sounds quite daunting, just thinking about it, but here in Three Rivers, I’m not alone,” she sighed. “And neither are you, Virginia. Now that you’re here, you’re one of us.”
Virginia felt a weight roll off of her shoulders.
A soft knock sounded at the front door and the two women turned to look.
Virginia felt the slight tremor in Delia’s hand as she rose to her feet. Virginia remained at her side, rising to help her with her free hand reaching for Delia’s elbow. “Let me help you up.”
Delia’s laughter warmed Virginia’s heart as they crossed to the door. Turning the lock on the door. Virginia pushed it out and the man standing outside took the door and pulled it all the way open with one hand and held out the other hand to Delia.
Delia stepped out onto the porch and the man tucked her into his side. With a look of complete adoration on her face, Delia touched her hand to his chest. “Virginia, this is my husband, Ransom.”
He pressed a kiss to his wife’s head. “We’ve met, sweetheart.”
Delia’s face, already glowing with joy, blossomed with a becoming blush. “How lovely.”
Ransom looked over at Virginia with a curious glance. “How are you, Miss Halston?”
Virginia gave him a smile and a nod. “Fine, thank you. I’ve had the most wonderful time getting to know Delia today.”
His austere expression softened as he looked at his wife. “She is a treasure.”
Feeling tears prick the backs of her eyes, Virginia grinned back. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“Oh!” Delia’s hand settled on her husband’s arm. “Virginia is making us a Christening gown for the baby. The stitches are so delicate, it looks like a dream.”
When a man like Ransom
McCain sets his gaze on someone, they feel the full weight of his regard. When Virginia saw the grateful look in his eyes, she felt her heart warm. She was so grateful for the kindnesses and gentle emotions that the people of Three Rivers had given her in the short time that she’d been one of them.
“Thank you, Miss Halston. You are giving us a truly generous gift.”
Delia leaned her head against his chest and Virginia swore she could almost hear him breathe her in.
The screen door was closed, and Virginia stepped back into the entryway, content to watch the two for a moment longer.
Ransom stopped at the top of the stairs and turned to look at her. “Miss Halston?”
“Yes, Mr. McCain?”
“I trust that Mr. Cooper has behaved as a gentleman in your presence?”
“Truly, Mr. McCain. Ellis,” she made a gentle statement with her use of his Christian name, “has been most kind and gentlemanly in his attentions. Thank you for looking out for me.”
“My pleasure, Miss. Take care now.”
And then they were gone.
Chapter 8
A young woman raised in the prairie states would have been expected to have some kind of exposure to a horse and saddle. Those that could afford such a precious animal usually knew the proper care and use of it. Virginia’s education was sorely lacking, but once Ellis had decided on a method of teaching her, things moved along with surprising speed. It had all started with an innocuous conversation after a rather frustrating lesson.
With every muscle in his back screaming in protest, Ellis was rubbing down Anna’s little mare in her stall. He could see Virginia hovering nearby, her hands worrying at the fabric of her skirt.
“Miss Halston, are you feelin’ ill?”
She shook her head and rushed on to explain. “I’m just so… so sorry.”
“It’s fine, really.” Ellis forced a smile on his face and leaned over to rub the brush into the mare’s shoulder and the horse took a sidestep and clipped the side of his boot. “Ouch.”
“Oh no,” wringing her hands she stepped closer, “what happened?”
“I think she’s a little unsettled after your lesson today.” He really tried his best not to upset Virginia any more than she was at that moment. “Take a breath, a long slow breath and calm your nerves.”
She did as he asked twice and then her shoulders slumped. “I’m hopeless. Maybe this is why Papa didn’t teach me earlier? Maybe,” she wondered aloud, “maybe he tried, and I was an utter failure!”
“You’re not a failure,” It hurt to hear her say such things about herself. Still, he didn’t think it was appropriate to tell her exactly what he thought of her. Not when he was sure her father would skin him alive for even thinking such tender thoughts about his daughter. “Your skill with a needle even amazes Mrs. Hawkins and she is known for her sewing. I can manage to sew on a button. If there’s a pulled thread along a seam, I’m fairly sure I’d make decent work of it. Anything more than that,” he sighed in defeat, “I am terribly confused. Still, I’ll admit that part of the issue is my lack of desire to learn. My legs would fall asleep and turn to roots before I learned the proper use of a needle and thread.”
“If you’re trying to make me feel better, I guess it’s working.” She offered him a little smile and he could feel the tension falling from her shoulders. She wasn’t the only one. The mare between them relaxed against his brush and she stood while he worked on her coat.
Renewing his brisk rub down, Ellis couldn’t help but look over the mare’s back at the young woman who he was quickly becoming much too attached to for his own good.
She laid one forearm on the top of the stall and leaned her cheek against that arm and watched the mare with a wistful smile. “The problem is… while you don’t really need to do much sewing, I would like to learn to ride.”
Ellis ducked his head a little as he leaned down to stroke the mare’s underbelly. “I’m sorry, Miss. I wasn’t trying to discourage you.”
“Oh,” her laugh was soft and short-lived, “I’m sure you weren’t. If there’s one thing I know about you, Mr. Cooper, you’ve a good and kind heart.”
He felt his cheeks flush with pleasure at her assessment of his character. “Would you mind, miss,” he cleared his throat, “if I were to ask you some questions about your sewing, would that be all right?”
“That would be fine with me,” she smiled at him as he continued to brush the mare’s coat, “I still have some time before I need to get back and start on supper.”
He nodded and changed hands to work on the horse’s long neck on the other side. “When you learned to sew, who taught you?”
He looked up into the immediate silence following his question. Rather than finding a queer or peevish look he found her lost in a smiling thought.
“It was my mother at first,” she explained, “she set me to the simple tasks, but the first few times I tried something new she would sit beside me, and I would watch her hands as she talked through the steps.
“It became a bit of a ritual. Most of what I can manage in the kitchen was learned the same way. Side by side at the table or the stove. What I could not understand in spoken instructions, I could,” she stopped and he slowed his own motions as he watched her face, her very expressive face, as she sorted through the issue, “I could almost feel the action through my limbs. It truly felt as if I were working in tandem with her.”
He nodded slowly. “And when you learned from others you used the same method?”
“It drove Mrs. Mathers to distraction, but once she saw what I could do with a little bit of her time, she considered it well worth it. Most of my skill in altering a pattern came from her patient tutelage.”
He knew the moment she saw him staring openly at her. Her eyes grew wide and her cheeks warmed an instant before she cast her gaze down into the hay under the mare’s hooves.
“Goodness, you must think I’m prattling on.”
“Miss Halston,” he smiled and hoped the sound of his voice conveyed his emotion, “I asked you the question to see where I had gone wrong.”
She nodded and lifted her gaze to his. Her cheeks bore just the barest hint of color. “And did you find it,” she inquired, “this puzzle you’re trying to solve?”
His grin was irrepressible, especially when he felt her heart lighten a bit, and that relief fed his joy. “I know I have.”
He leaned into the strokes on the mare’s shoulder and continued until he felt her poke at his back. “Yes?” He turned to look at her over his shoulder.
“What is it?” she prompted him. “The solution?”
“Some folks,” he touched his free hand to the center of his chest, “we like to see things and copy the motions. It feels right when I do it, like I’m teaching my muscles what to do and when I learn something this way, I rarely forget it.”
He saw the smile in her eyes outshone the sunshine outside the barn, and some measure of that warmth took hold of the heart inside of his chest. “If you’ve a mind to try again,” he prompted her, “Then I’d like to try this with both of us riding side by side.”
“So rather than you calling out instructions-”
“I would continue to talk you through the actions, but this way I can save myself from the threat of an early grave. If the mare tries any of her tricks again,” he assured her, “I will be close enough to grab the reins, so I won’t have to chase you at a full run.”
Her expression started to fall again. “I never wanted any of that to happen, I am so-”
“Please stop apologizing, it was entirely my fault.”
“But you can’t-”
“Miss Halston, I have not known such fear before. I’m only glad that the mare stopped when she did.”
“Although, I may owe Mrs. Hawkins a great deal after I tell her about the branch that the horse picked clean.”
He laughed at the sympathetic look on her face. “I hope she’ll forgive me, someday.”
Virgi
nia waved off his concern. “You? Of course, how could anyone stay mad at you?”
He grimaced. “I try not to give anyone a reason to, but sometimes it’s hard to avoid it.”
“But now, that you’re actually riding for the express, are the others treating you better?” She barely met his curious gaze. “I know you told me the ride went well, but Anna told me how happy her father was with not only how you handled yourself, but also for how you took care of your mount.”
“He said that?” He couldn’t help the hopeful tone in his voice. It was nice to hear Levi was pleased, but he was also happy that Virginia sounded pleased as well. “Good to know.” He let his eyes roam over her face for a moment, enjoying the pleasure he saw in her gaze.
“And now,” she gave a little shrug, “does that mean that you’ll have less time for our lessons? If so, that’s quite all right,” she rushed on, “surely you’ll want to have some free time to yourself.”
“Well, if it is my free time,” he waited for her to nod in acknowledgement, “then I have my time to give. And I promised you that you’d learn how to ride.”
She shook her head. “So now you’re honor bound to teach me? That might be even worse than taking up your time.”
“It would be,” he grinned, “if that’s all it was.” He moved around the mare and managed to fit himself between the horse’s wide belly and the wall, placing himself just a few inches away from her arm. “I like spending my time with you, Miss Halston, and I hope that you like spending some time with me.”
Her eyes lowered but she soon lifted them again. “I do.”
“Then you’ll let me continue to work with you?”
“Well,” she grinned at him, “I did ask you to help me.”
“And I want to see it through, if only to see the smile on your face as you gallop by on horseback. It would be like a gift to me. A memory, a friendship, that I could hold on to if you’re of a mind.”
