“Well, then.” She sighed again. “Let’s pray about the matter. When you come back from the raspberry picking, we’ll talk more about it.”
With that settled, Laurie busied herself preparing for the coming excursion. Grace had assigned her the task of baking bread, biscuits, cakes and cookies. She also packed enough eggs in a box of straw for two breakfasts for twenty people.
On Monday morning, she left Mrs. Foster and the boardinghouse in Effie Bean’s capable hands. Micah and Grace arrived with a large box wagon and helped Laurie load the food and her own carpetbag filled with clothes and other necessities. Along with camping gear, others had packed empty buckets and boxes to fill with berries.
Laurie climbed up behind the driver’s bench to join her sister Georgia, Effie’s daughter May, and Anna Means in finding somewhat comfortable seating on the rolled canvas tents and blankets. Riding Thor, Tolley led the way out of town toward the northwest hills. He looked so strong and capable, and her heart performed tiny somersaults as she watched him. Behind them, other members of the party squeezed into a three-bench covered surrey, while five cowboys on horseback brought up the rear.
With the weather sunny and mild, everyone was in high spirits, singing jolly songs and laughing often. Wes, one of the Four Stones Ranch cowboys, taught them a new song, “My Darling Clementine.” While the lyrics were sad, the melody lent itself to many boisterous hoots and howls. Laurie’s favorite old song, “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” gave the travelers a chance to blend their voices in beautiful harmonies. What a fine choir they’d make for the church. A few of the best basses and tenors among the cowboys didn’t attend services, so maybe an opportunity to sing would entice them to come.
Why was she thinking of starting a choir? Was the Lord revealing one more reason for her to stay in Esperanza?
When the sun reached its zenith, Micah ordered a stop for dinner. Sandwiches and potato salad served off the lowered back of the box wagon provided sufficient nourishment for the rest of the journey. By early evening, they reached Greenie Mountain and descended into Raspberry Gulch. Even with the sunlight fading over the mountain summits, Laurie could see the bright red raspberries sparkling like rubies on the fields of bushes.
While the men tended the horses, set up the two tents and laid out bedrolls, the ladies placed cast-iron Dutch ovens over the campfire to reheat stew they’d prepared the night before. With everything settled, Laurie waited at the back of the food line. She looked for Tolley but couldn’t find him among those serving themselves. Maybe he was fetching water from the creek. Whatever way he occupied himself, he hadn’t sought her out today. Had she done something to annoy him?
She sat on a log at the edge of the crowd and began to nibble at her supper. In spite of the jolly mood of the other campers, melancholy crept into her. She’d soon be leaving these dear people for good, exchanging wilderness adventures with friends for elegant dinner parties with members of Denver’s elite society. Did she really want to do that?
On the other side of the fire, Grace and Micah leaned their heads close together. Like Ma and Pa, they shared an intimate emotional bond only married couples could enjoy. Someday, maybe soon, Laurie wanted a marriage like that. Ever since last Saturday evening, when Tolley said the two of them made a good team, she’d thought he would ask to court her again. Instead, he’d walked out of the room. Maybe he’d never repeat his offer. Yet she could see how their mutual affection had deepened since that day, not to mention the wonderful feelings their Independence Day kiss had stirred within her heart. Couldn’t he?
Later, as she curled up in her bedroll in the ladies’ tent, Grace lay down beside her.
“Whooeee, what a day.” Grace reached over and punched Laurie’s shoulder. “You having fun?”
Instead of answering with a partial truth, Laurie said, “I’m more concerned about you and your baby. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“We’re doing fine.” Grace snickered. “Don’t think I didn’t notice what you did there.” She tugged her blanket up over her shoulders. “You and Tolley have a falling-out?”
“No.” She’d answered too quickly. In the dim lantern light, she could see Grace’s skeptical look. “In fact, the other day, we agreed...” She pulled up on one elbow and noticed two of the other single ladies watching her, at least one of whom had shown interest in Tolley. She didn’t need them to gossip and misquote her words when Tolley heard them. “We agreed Mrs. Foster’s new bathroom was a very worthwhile project. You should get Micah to install one in the parsonage. Sure would help once your baby comes.” She lifted her chin toward the other women.
Grace nodded her understanding. “Good idea. Now baby and I need some sleep.” She sat up. “Girls, I’m a light sleeper, so don’t any of you get the idea to go out picking raspberries in the middle of the night.”
They all giggled, including Laurie, knowing exactly what this minister’s wife meant. No secretly meeting up with their beaux. Grace truly had found her place. Laurie wondered when she’d find her own place and whether it would be here among the warmhearted people of Esperanza or in the colder society of Denver.
* * *
Nervous excitement filled Tolley’s chest as he sat on a log beside Reverend Thomas for the first watch of the night. Once he could hear all the other fellas snoring in the men’s tent, he told the minister his plans.
“I got this at Mrs. Winsted’s.” He took the small box from his pocket and opened it. The diamond-and-ruby ring sparkled in the fading firelight. “Tomorrow I’m going to ask Laurie to marry me.”
Reverend Thomas nodded as though he wasn’t surprised. “So you already have George’s permission to court her?”
“Um. Well...” He should’ve expected the question. This man had endured that very ordeal with George Eberly last Christmas so he could marry Grace. But what father would say no to a fine man of God like Reverend Thomas?
The minister shook his head. “You know it’s always wise to get permission from the lady’s father before you propose.”
“I suppose so.” How could Tolley tell him George warned him to stay away from Laurie? He closed the ring box and returned it to his pocket. “What would you think if I asked her, and if she says yes, I’ll go to George? I mean, if she says no, I don’t have to face him.”
Reverend Thomas chuckled. “He scares you that much, huh?”
“No.” Tolley shrugged. “Yes.”
He laughed again. “I won’t stop you, Tolley. But after our talk about your father, I hope you’ve thought this through. Are you proposing to Laurie to please the Colonel?”
“No.” He didn’t think that was still the reason, but the minister’s question gave him pause.
“And you love her enough to spend your life taking care of her, even through the hard times?”
Tolley nodded, even though he hadn’t thought much beyond marrying Laurie to the life they’d live together. He only knew he deeply valued her friendship and wanted it to go on forever.
They sat in silence for a while until Wes and Joe came out of the tent to take up the watch.
“No grizzlies?” Wes said, checking his Winchester for ammunition.
“Nope.” The minister stood and stretched. “No mountain lions, either.”
“We’d best build up the fire to keep ’em away.” The two men added a chunk of a dead log to the flames, sending thousands of red sparks into the night air.
Before Tolley entered the tent, Reverend Thomas put a hand on his shoulder. “I won’t say you can’t propose to Laurie,” he whispered. “In fact, I’d be proud to be your brother-in-law. But I still think you should get George’s approval.”
Tolley nodded, but he heard exactly what he wanted to hear. Reverend Micah Thomas would be proud to call him brother.
* * *
“Georgia, don’t eat so many.”
All morning, Laurie managed to discipline herself to only an occasional bite of the sweet, juicy raspberries. “Leave some to make preserves.”
“I know.” Georgia laughed as she brushed away a stray drop of red juice from her chin. “This is my last one. I promise.” She popped another berry into her mouth.
“Time to set up dinner, ladies.” Grace made her way down the hillside through the tangle of bushes, agile in spite of her condition. “Don’t know about you gals, but I’m hungry.”
While the men continued their picking, the women carried their buckets to the campsite and stored them in the nearby stream. Using eggs, corn oil and vinegar, Grace whipped up some fresh mayonnaise for potato salad. Others sliced bread and ham for sandwiches. Still others kept close watch on the food to prevent bears...and hungry cowboys...from devouring everything in one meal.
Before she’d gone to sleep last night, Laurie had decided not to search for Tolley today. Yet this morning, her gaze often strayed across the vast raspberry patch in his direction. To her disappointment, he hadn’t looked her way, at least not that she’d noticed, so she busied herself with the tasks at hand. To her surprise, he brought his dinner plate and joined her on a fallen tree fifteen yards from the cold campfire.
“Having fun?” He gave her the grin that never failed to stir her heart.
“Yes. And you?” Now that he’d joined her, she was enjoying herself.
Inhaling a deep breath, he gazed up at the sky, around at the tall pine trees and then at her. “I’m having the best time of my life.” His gaze turned intense.
A giddy feeling stirred inside of her. “Glad to hear it.”
He forked up a mouthful of potato salad. “This is your ma’s recipe, isn’t it?”
So much for good feelings. “Yes,” she snapped. “My sisters and I always make it the same way.”
“I like it. Tried-and-true.” He did that funny waggle of his eyebrows, which for some reason irritated her further. “Like us.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yep. That’s us. Tried-and-true pals.”
“Say, would you take a walk with me after we finish eating?” He tilted his head down the hill toward the creek.
Leaning away, she gave him a long look. “You know the rules. No unmarried couples going off together.” Why on earth would he ask such a question?
“Ah, yes.” Grinning, he scratched his cheek, as if he’d expected her answer. “Then how about a walk up the hill where everyone can see us?”
Something about his demeanor tickled her, and she giggled. “Why not?”
“Good. Hurry up and eat.” He set the example by taking a big bite of his ham sandwich.
Once they finished their dinner, they carried their plates to the creek, where the girls on dish-washing duty would scrub them clean for supper.
“Let’s go.” Tolley took Laurie’s hand. At his touch, a pleasant buzzing rolled up her arm and swept over her neck. He tugged her up the hill from the creek and through the campsite, determination filling his expression.
“Tolley?” Micah called out from near the wagon.
Tolley waved at him. “We’ll be right back.”
Laurie gave her brother-in-law a questioning glance, but Tolley reclaimed her attention before Micah could respond.
* * *
Over the past month, Tolley had gotten used to the high altitude again after living at sea level for two years. But for some reason, he had difficulty breathing as he and Laurie reached the top of the hill. He’d carefully thought through his plan, but Reverend Thomas had almost ruined it by calling out to him.
“Here we are.” He took hold of Laurie’s upper arms and aimed her toward the summit of Greenie Mountain, pointing over her shoulder. “What a beautiful sight.”
While she stared in that direction, he pulled the small box from his pocket and opened it. Going down on one knee, he held the ring out to her.
“Tolley, I don’t see—” She turned as she spoke and then froze in place, her big blue eyes as round as saucers. “What are you doing?” With a nervous, uncertain laugh, she put one hand over her lips and bunched the other at her waist.
She was so beautiful. All of his planned declarations of devotion and promises to care for her faded from his thoughts, and he blurted out, “Laurie Eberly, will you marry me?”
Her jaw dropped. She blinked, and tears flooded her eyes. She didn’t look at the ring at all, only at him. Which must be the reason his heart welled up and felt ready to pop right out of his chest. Was that love? He couldn’t take time to examine his feelings. “Well? Will you?”
She nodded briskly, and some of those tears splashed in Tolley’s direction. In the distance, he thought he heard a hubbub going on down at the campsite, but he’d look into that later.
“Go on. T-take the ring.” Had he forgotten how to talk?
“No, silly.” She held out her left hand. “You put it on me.”
Shaking more violently than he ever had, he took the ring from the box and gently shoved it onto her long, slender finger. She shook, too, so he stood and pulled her into his arms. She lifted her lovely face to him, an expectant look beaming from her eyes. Noisy hoots and hollering sounded closer and closer, like a stampede coming up the hill, but he wouldn’t for the world break this wonderful moment to look. Again his heart swelled with emotion.
“I’d like very much to kiss you, Laurie, but I think we’ve caused enough of a stir as it is.”
She grabbed his face and planted a kiss right on his lips. “There. That’ll stir ’em up a whole heap more.” Her proper grammar dropped away just as her proper manners had. Tolley didn’t mind at all.
Within seconds, they were surrounded by the entire party. Tolley tried to hold on to Laurie, but the fellas pulled him away and pumped his hand while the gals squealed and giggled, admiring Laurie’s ring and giving her hugs and female kinds of congratulations.
Even Grace was in the thick of it, a big-sister smile on her pretty face. “I knew it. I just knew it.”
Only Reverend Thomas stood back, not exactly frowning, but not joining in the celebration with the others. Tolley knew the minister would come around eventually. Hadn’t he given his approval of Tolley last night, though not of this proposal? Besides, once the Colonel knew about the engagement, Tolley would be a great deal closer to getting his approval, which was far more important.
* * *
Seated behind Grace and Micah in the box wagon as the party wended its way down the mountain, Laurie snuggled under Tolley’s arm. His proposal yesterday had shocked her, but the moment she saw him kneeling before her on the hilltop, ring in hand, she knew it was what she’d wanted all along. Knew she loved him more than words could express. She’d never been so happy.
She gazed up at his handsome face. Like all of the men on the campout, a two-day stubble covered his well-formed cheeks and strong chin. She reached up to touch the prickly dark hairs.
“Maybe I should let it grow.” He grinned and tugged her closer.
“Go right ahead.” She moved away a couple of inches from him. “Just don’t expect me to kiss you if you do.”
He tugged her close again. “You didn’t seem to have a problem yesterday.”
Her face warmed at the memory. She wasn’t embarrassed for kissing him, however impulsive it had been. “That’s when I learned I don’t want to be married to a bearded man.”
Watching only a few feet away, May and Georgia giggled, while Grace’s chortle wafted back from the driver’s bench. Even Thor, tied to the back of the wagon, whickered, probably in response to the human laughter. On the other hand, Micah gave her a sad smile over his shoulder.
Of all the twenty or so people on the excursion, only her brother-in-law hadn’t congratulated them on their engagement. Why wasn’t Micah happy for them? After he and Tolley spent tim
e together and their talk appeared to help Tolley over some of his difficulties, she thought the two men would become good friends. Never mind. Soon they’d be brothers-in-law, and in time Micah would get over whatever bothered him. He was the most loving, forgiving person she’d ever met.
The journey home took most of the day. The campers arrived at the parsonage at suppertime and ate the last of the food they’d carried on the trip. Micah and Grace dispensed the buckets and boxes of raspberries, sending a good portion to those who’d paid others to do their picking and the rest to the needy. While Tolley took Thor to the livery stable, Laurie and May Bean carried their buckets of berries to the boardinghouse. They found Effie Bean and Mrs. Foster in the kitchen.
“Welcome home.” Effie gave her daughter a hug. “My, look at those raspberries. We’ll have to stay up late tonight making preserves so they don’t spoil.”
After Laurie and Mrs. Foster thanked her for helping out, she and May said their goodbyes and left.
“I’m so glad you’re back.” Mrs. Foster wore a worried look.
“Is something wrong?” Surely she hadn’t heard about Laurie and Tolley’s engagement. Even if she had, surely she’d approve.
Mrs. Foster clicked her tongue. “I do hate to complain, but...” She pointed to the ceiling over the kitchen sink, where water marks stained the white plaster. “Seems our new plumbing has sprung a leak.”
Chapter Sixteen
“What happened?” Tolley’s excitement over coming home to Laurie diminished when he saw the water stain.
“We don’t know.” Mrs. Foster rubbed her cast. “We stopped using the facilities so it wouldn’t get any worse.”
“That’s good.” Now he wouldn’t need to solve the problem tonight. He sat at the kitchen table and patted Mrs. Foster’s hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll get the plumbers over here to fix it tomorrow.” He’d have to tear up the beautiful mosaic tiles and the boards underneath to find the problem, but he was too tired to worry about it now. “Did Laurie tell you our good news?”
Cowboy Homecoming Page 20
