Levi (Prairie Grooms, Book Five)

by Morgan, Kit

  “I hope so. I'd like to have something for dinner.”

  “Even if I burn it?”

  “How burned are we talking, here?”

  “It could be bad,” she said, then pressed her lips firmly together.

  “As in, I'm going to have to bury my dinner in a shallow, un-marked grave behind the barn?”

  “Well, I hope it's not that bad, but you never know.”

  “Fina!”

  Fina and Levi looked up to see Apple coming out of the mercantile. “Well, look who's here,” Levi said with a smile.

  Apple hurried down the mercantile steps to the wagon. “What are you two doing in town?”

  “We've come to get a few things,” said Levi as he jumped down. “Is Harrison or Colin with you?”

  “Harrison,” said Apple. “He's over at Doc Waller's talking with that Cutty chap.” She looked at Fina. “Belle is trying to teach me how to sew, and let me come into town to pick out some fabric for a dress.”

  “I commend you,” said Fina. “Or, should I say, Belle. She should get a medal.”

  Apple rolled her eyes at her sister. “You can practice, too; then we won't be so embarrassed when we attend the ladies’ sewing circle.”

  Levi reached up and helped Fina out of the wagon. “Sewing circle,” she mused. “I'd quite forgotten about it. Did you find a fabric you liked?”

  “You ladies have a nice visit. I'm going to look up Harrison. If you need me, Fella, I'll be down at Doc Waller's.”

  Fina smiled at him, not bothering to comment on his use of the nickname. She decided to give up and just let the man call her what he would. Besides, given enough time, she was sure to come up with a really interesting one for him. She stifled a laugh and followed Apple up the mercantile steps. At the door she turned to him. “I'll see you later, then?”

  He smiled at her. “You can count on it,” he winked at her, before he turned and headed across the street.

  “He's so handsome,” sighed Apple.

  “He’s also quite annoying.”

  “Annoying? How can a man who looks like that be annoying?”

  “Trust me, when I say, that he can be. Now, show me what you found.” They entered the mercantile and went straight to a table stacked with bolts of fabric. “These are lovely, Apple. How is one ever to make up her mind?”

  “I like this blue calico,” Apple told her. “But look at this lovely lilac color,” she added and picked up the bolt of cloth.

  Fina admired it and sighed. “If only there was a dressmaker in town. It would make our lives so much easier.”

  Mrs. Dunnigan snorted behind the counter. “No such thing around here. You might as well get used to it! Besides, that's what the ladies’ sewing circle is for. You can get a dress made a lot quicker with a dozen women working on it.”

  “A dozen?” Fina asked in surprise. “Are there really that many women in the area?”

  “Don't listen to Irene,” said Wilfred as he came out from behind the curtain that separated the front and back of the mercantile. “It's hard enough to get six or eight of the women together for the circle, let alone a dozen.”

  “You stay out of this!” Mrs. Dunnigan growled. “You're always off playing checkers with Harlan, while we meet, anyway.”

  “Not always,” he said and winked at the girls.

  Apple giggled and took the bolt of lilac-colored calico to the front counter. “I like this one.”

  Mrs. Dunnigan fingered the cloth. “I like it, too. You made a good choice.” She began to measure out what Apple would need then looked at Fina. “What about you? Are you going to sew a dress, too?”

  Fina shook her head. “Heavens no! I'm cooking for the first time tonight. I'm sure I'll be a wreck after that!”

  Wilfred laughed. “Don't you worry none. You'll get plenty of practice in, and then, over time, be just as good a cook as anyone.”

  “Anyone?” asked Mrs. Dunnigan as she scrunched her face up at him.

  Wilfred cleared his throat. “Er… except you, dear.”

  Fina and Apple tried not to laugh as they both turned back to the fabric table. “You should try to sew a dress,” suggested Apple. “Lena said she was going to try and, since you live so close to each other, you could practice together.”

  “You have a point,” said Fina. “But today I'm not going to worry about fabric or sewing. I have something else in mind to buy.”

  “Like what?”

  Fina felt a tingle of excitement go up her spine. “I'm getting some paint and brushes today.”

  Apple smiled and gave a little clap of her hands. “That's wonderful! What are you going to paint first?”

  “I haven't the foggiest idea, but it will be grand!”

  “I hear Harvey Brown needs his barn painted,” suggested Wilfred.

  Fina giggled. “It's not that kind of painting. I mean to paint something on a canvas.”

  “Ahhh, I see,” he said. “How big a canvas ya got?”

  Fina stilled. Good heavens: she hadn’t thought about obtaining a canvas. “I'm afraid I don't.”

  “Well ya gotta have somethin’ to paint on, don't ya?”

  “You're quite right, sir. I do. Do you carry such a thing?”

  “Nope.”

  Fina closed her eyes and let out a tiny sigh. “Then why did you bring it up?”

  “Because if you had a canvas, I was gonna ask where ya got it.”

  Fina fought against a groan and smiled instead. “I'm afraid I haven't anything of the kind. Since you haven't a canvas, do you have paint or brushes?”

  “We got a few of those, but not much. I can order some from Oregon City, if ya like.”

  “You have some brushes and paint, don't you, sister?” asked Apple.

  “Yes, but it's not enough to last me for long. I'll need more.”

  Wilfred went behind the counter, reached under it, and took out a catalog. “I've seen paint and brushes in here. What might ya be needin’?”

  Fina went to the counter and stared at the catalog. “What does it have in there?”

  Wilfred thumbed through the pages until he found what he was looking for. He turned the catalog around, so she could see it better, and pointed at a small section with art supplies. “Will these do?”

  Fina studied the page. “Oh, my; yes! Could you order them today?”

  “Yep. As soon as Willy gets here with the stage, I’ll send the order out with him.”

  “That would be wonderful,” she told him. “In the meantime, I can just use what I have.”

  “I've got some paint in the back I can sell ya,” offered Wilfred with a smile.

  “What colors?”

  “Red.”

  “That's it? You only have one color?”

  “Take it or leave it; that's all I got.”

  “I'll take it. I can mix it with what I have.”

  “But, Fina,” began Apple, “you don't have any canvas. What are you going to paint on?”

  Fina looked at her sister and smiled. “Whatever I can find.”

  Eight

  Levi knocked on the door of Doc’s patient room and entered. Harrison stood next to Cutty’s bed, while Fina's cousin, Imogene, sat in a chair on the other side, a book in her hand. “Howdy, Harrison,” he said.

  “Why, Levi, what brings you to town? I thought you and your new bride would remain ensconced at your place for several days, at least, considering you just got married.”

  “Trust me, I would love to be ensconced, as you say, but I needed a few things in town. May I speak with you?”

  “Of course. What about?”

  “In addition to your generous wedding present, I'd like to purchase some additional stock.”

  “I'd be happy to oblige you,” said Harrison. “Please, let's step into the parlor and you can tell me what you have in mind.”

  “Good,” said Imogene. “I can get back to reading.”

  “Yes,” rasped Cutty. “I want to know what happens next!”

/>   “What are you reading today?” asked Levi.

  “One of Honoria’s penny dreadfuls,” said Imogene. “I always thought her a silly thing for reading them, but now I have to admit I rather like the horrible things.”

  “Like them?” coughed Cutty in shock. “You belong on the stage!”

  Imogene blushed. “Well, they’re much better when read with a bit of flair.”

  Levi and Harrison laughed, and then left the room. Once they reached the parlor, Levi turned to him. “If I didn't know any better, I'd say your cousin has a spark in her eye for Cutty.”

  “I'm inclined to agree with you,” said Harrison. “Cutty does much better when she comes to visit him. He'll be back to his old self in no time.”

  “Is it just me, or did Cutty have his few remaining hairs combed?”

  “Not only was his hair combed, but I do believe the man actually bathed.”

  “No kidding?” Levi let out a low whistle. “Love really is in the air.”

  “Yes, I believe you’re right; though he still needs a good shave.”

  “Well, well,” mused Levi. “Who would have ever thought?”

  “And how is the air in your sphere of being?” Harrison asked.

  “It's coming along. One can’t expect it to bloom overnight. Especially when the flower is, as we say, closed up.”

  “I trust her petals will not be closed for long,” Harrison told him with a wink.

  “Not if I can help it. Now, to business…”

  * * *

  “The dread pirate then tied her to the ship's mast and put his knife to her throat!” cried Imogene.

  Cutty coughed as she read to him the final chapter of the penny dreadful. Ever since the woman first showed up at his bedside, he felt annoyed at her presence. But his fear of boredom won out over any irritation the woman caused. Besides, listening to her read Honoria Cooke’s old adventure novels kept boredom at bay quite nicely.

  “Now, Miss Pennie Winkle, will you marry me?” Imogene recited with a dramatic wave of her hand. “Or do I make you walk the plank?” She turned the page of the small book, looked at it in horror, and gasped.

  “What? What happens next?” demanded Cutty. “Don't just stare at the dang blasted page! Tell me!”

  “Well, I would if I could, but the next few pages are missing.”

  Now it was Cutty’s turn to look horrified. “No!”

  “Yes!”

  “Tell me it isn't so!”

  She flipped the book over so he could see the missing pages. “It's a horrible travesty to be sure, a disaster beyond compare!”

  Cutty’s expression fell into disappointment as he stared at the torn pages. “But I gotta

  know what happens to Miss Pennie Winkle!”

  Imogene closed the book and set it on her lap with a heavy sigh. “I'm afraid, dear sir, that we shall never know.”

  “Dagnabbit! I gotta know!”

  “Well, if you really insist, I could always make up an ending.”

  He stared at her in disbelief. “You could?”

  “My dear sir, while in India, we wiled away many an hour telling such stories. The only difference is that the stories we told were true.”

  Cutty sneered. “You’re joshin’ me.”

  “I most certainly am not!”

  Cutty sat up a little straighter in the bed and glared at her. “I don't believe ya.”

  “Which would you rather hear? Stories from these made up penny dreadfuls, or the real thing?” she asked in an ominous tone.

  He snorted. “Well, if you can top what happens to Miss Pennie Winkle, I'll give ya a whole dollar.”

  “An entire dollar? My, my, that’s a very rich offer, I must say. Tell me,” she said as she leaned toward him in her chair. “Would you like to hear the story of how I bagged a tiger?”

  “Bagged a tiger?” he sputtered.

  “Oh, Cousin,” a voice groaned from the doorway, “not the tiger story.”

  They looked up to find Fina standing on the threshold. “Felicina, my dear, do come in,” said Imogene.

  “Before she tells you anything,” Fina said to Cutty. “She really did bag the tiger, but my sisters and I have heard several different versions of how it happened.”

  “Don't spoil it for the man,” scolded Imogene. “Besides, aren’t there four different gospels? He'll get the truth and nothing but the truth! If Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John can all share the same story in their own way, then why can’t my story be told like that?”

  “I'm sure he’ll appreciate listening to it, no matter which version you choose, Cousin.

  By the way, have you seen my husband?”

  “I believe he and Harrison went into the parlor to discuss some business.”

  “Really? I didn't see them when I came into the house. I came to see what Levi wanted from the mercantile.”

  “I’m afraid I can't help you. You'll just have to go look for him.”

  Fina shrugged and turned toward the door. “Apple is down at the hotel, visiting Eloise. She told me to tell you.”

  “Thank you. As soon as I'm done making a believer out of this fine gentleman, I shall join her for tea.”

  “You calling me a gentleman?” asked Cutty in disbelief, and then suddenly sobered. “Wait a minute, believe what?”

  Imogene ignored him. “Of course, only a true gentleman would sit and listen to such a tale as I'm about to tell.”

  Fina rolled her eyes, shook her head, and left poor Cutty in the hands of Cousin Imogene. She was heading to the front door just as Grandma Waller came down the stairs. “Oh, excuse me,” said Fina. “But have you seen my husband and Harrison?”

  “I think they went down to the livery. How are you doing this morning, child? Did you… have a nice night?”

  Fina blushed. “As well as can be expected,” she said, not knowing what else to say.

  “Well , now,” said Grandma with a smile. “Isn't that nice? Have you thought about what you're going to cook that man for supper?”

  Her eyes widened in panic. “I'm afraid not.”

  “Well, well,” said Grandma with a grin. “Let's step into the kitchen and I’ll give you a few pointers, while your husband tends to his business.”

  Fina sighed in relief. “Oh, Grandma Waller, would you?”

  Grandma laughed. “You wouldn't be the first bride I’ve helped out. Come on, I'll show you one of the easiest things to make for dinner.”

  Fina stifled a giggle and followed Grandma into the kitchen. She'd been so focused on, and excited about, ordering art supplies that she'd forgotten all about having to cook dinner that night. If only Grandma could come to her rescue every night, life would be so much easier. But life on the prairie was anything but easy.

  * * *

  Levi was kind enough to stay in town longer than planned and let Fina have tea with her sister and cousins, while he and Harrison discussed livestock. All too soon, however, their tea came to an end, and it was time for her to go.

  “I do hope you'll be able to come to town again soon,” said Apple as she hugged her. “Better yet, come to the ranch and we can spend all day together.”

  “Maybe you could come to my house and visit with Lena and me,” suggested Fina.

  “That would be wonderful!” Apple said brightly. “Then I can see what it's like to be married!”

  “Oh, dear,” said Fina. “I don't know much about that. Unless you consider poorly done laundry, burnt biscuits, and who knows what other disasters I can accomplish, a good representation of married life.”

  Apple giggled. “Oh, Fina; stop being so silly.”

  “I'm not silly. On the contrary; I'm being realistic.”

  Apple giggled again, ignoring her statement, and watched as Levi came around the side of the Triple C’s wagon. After they’d finished their tea, Apple and Fina came outside to enjoy the fresh air until it was time to leave. It wasn't long before Levi and Harrison emerged from the livery stable. “Are you ready, ladies?�
�� asked Levi.

  “Yes, of course,” said Fina.

  “Come along then, Apple,” said Harrison. “We'd best get home and see what trouble the rest of the family has gotten into.”

  Apple hugged Fina one last time. “I’m going to miss you, sister, oh so terribly.”

  Fina gazed at her with concern. “Are you lonely out at the Triple C?”

  Apple swallowed and shook her head. “Me? Lonely? Of course not.”

  Fina studied her. “Liar.”

  “I would never tell a lie,” Apple stated in all seriousness.

  “Then I shall believe you, and leave you in the good hands of our cousin.”

  Apple smiled, nodded, and then turned to Harrison. He helped her up onto the wagon seat, and then jumped up himself. “It’s too late now, but if I can spare one of the men tomorrow, I’ll have him bring those steers to you,” he called down. “If not, I’ll bring them myself.”

  “That would be fine,” Levi told him. He turned to Fina. “Ready, beautiful?”

  Fina heard Apple gasp at the endearment, then giggle. She looked up at her sister's smiling face then back at Levi. “Yes, I'm ready.”

  “Then, shall we?” he asked as he motioned to their wagon behind the Triple C's.

  “Of course,” she said as she took one last look at Apple. Harrison tipped his hat to her, gave his horses a slap of the reins, and they were off. A sudden pang of loneliness dropped into her heart, and Fina wished Apple was going home with her, rather than back to the Triple C. At least she knew that Apple was well taken care of, and that plenty of people were around to keep her company. “Wait a minute,” she muttered to herself.

  “Something wrong?” asked Levi.

  “Only Apple left with Harrison. What about Cousin Imogene?”

  Levi looked at the hotel, then back to his wife. “You're right. Didn't they come to town together?”

  “I assume so.” She, too, looked at the hotel. “You don't suppose my cousin is staying in town because of that man, do you?”

  Levi shrugged. “What if she is?”

  “Imogene? Stay in town because of a … man?”

  “Don’t sound so shocked. I'm certain it wouldn’t be the first time a woman went to such lengths to be near a man.”