Brides of Texas

by Hake, Cathy Marie

  “I’m enjoying myself.”

  “You’re wearin’ yourself to a frazzle. You dinna e’en hae time enough to tend to your flowers any longer. The garden’s a sad shadow of itself.”

  “But the children have more room to play.”

  He yanked the diaper she’d slung over her shoulder as a drool cloth. “They can do that at their own homes.”

  Carmen yanked the cloth from him. “Yes, they can. But I like them to come to my house just the same. Our town is friendly. I enjoy spending time with—”

  “The old and the sick and the lonely?”

  “They are my friends and neighbors.” Her eyes flashed.

  “That doesn’t mean you have to be responsible for other people’s children, too. Not a day goes by that you aren’t minding someone else’s bairns.”

  The passion he’d seen in her eyes just seconds ago dimmed. The spirit in her voice did, too. “I’ll never have children of my own. Why do you want to deny me the few hours I can enjoy someone else’s?”

  Before he could answer, she turned and fled up the steps. Her awkward steps made it difficult, and he could have easily caught up, but Duncan stayed behind. He tried to meet her gaze as she turned to shut her door, but she kept her head bowed. That was bad enough, but her shoulders—the way they lifted and fell wasn’t due to exertion.

  I made her cry.

  Duncan lumbered up to her door and knocked. He didn’t know what he was going to say, but he couldn’t set a woman into tears and just walk away. When she didn’t answer, he stood there and knocked again—harder and longer.

  The door opened a mere crack—just enough for him to catch sight of a tear-streaked cheek.

  Suddenly, he knew exactly what to say. He felt badly and wanted her to know he cared. “Pobrecita—”

  “I’m not a child, and I don’t want your pity.” The door clicked shut.

  “I’m a cobbler,” he said at a pitch he knew would reach her. “I’m good at making shoes, but I’m e’en better at stickin’ my feet in my mouth.” She didn’t respond. After another minute or two, Duncan went back to his shop.

  Needing to wear off his frustration, he yanked out a case of metal stamps and a hammer, then started whacking the stamps with notable force to impress a design on a strip of leather. An intricately tooled design emerged.

  It’s not half as complicated as that woman. I vowed to Da that I’d hae a son, but I didna think through all that meant. I’m going to look long and hard to find a placid woman. Someone fiery like Carmen would be the death of me.

  “She’d be here with you for about four months. Preferably five, if you don’t mind her staying a month to recover.”

  Carmen set down her coffee. “Even six months is fine.”

  “If you have any reservations at all, it’s okay.” The doctor didn’t so much as blink. “I’ve not mentioned this to a soul, so no one need e’er know if you feel ’tisna right for you.”

  “You didn’t even mention it to Mercy?”

  Dr. Gregor shook his head. “Nae. My wife honors the way a man of my profession must hold confidences. If you agree to boarding the young woman, you should know part of the usual arrangement is that she’s to help about the house with normal chores. She’s also to attend church.”

  Folding her hands in her lap, Carmen sought a polite way to ask how she was supposed to coax a soiled dove to worship. “Is she accustomed to attending church?”

  “Not as of late. But when she asked for assistance, she specified she wanted her baby to go to a good Christian home. It’s my hope that during her months here, she might turn her heart toward the Lord.”

  “That would be wonderful. How soon can I expect her?”

  “Her current situation is undesirable. The sooner, the better.”

  Carmen nodded. “I just finished my spring cleaning. Ismelda’s old bedroom is ready. I could take her today if necessary.”

  “She’s a full day away by train.”

  “Tomorrow, then.” Carmen bit her lip. “Shall I say my cousin is coming?”

  Dr. Gregor stood and leaned against the veranda railing. “Carmen, I didna seek you out because of your Mexican heritage. This lass—Jenny—I’ve been told she’s Swedish. I asked you because when Mercy discovered she was with child, your support for her never wavered. You looked past the sad circumstances and poured out Christian love and charity. If Jenny is to turn her heart toward the Lord, I’m thinkin’ you and the Gregors are goin’ to hae to drench her in His love.”

  “I’ll expect Jenny tomorrow.”

  “No!” Duncan thumped down his coffee mug, and everything on the supper table jumped from the impact. He glowered at Rob as he got to his feet. “Meet me in my workshop.” Without waiting for a response, he stomped out of the house.

  Rob sauntered into the shop a few minutes later. “You canna bellow like a wounded bull whene’er you take a mind to, Duncan. You woke Elspeth again.”

  “Dinna try to distract me. It willna work.” Duncan glowered at his little brother.

  Rob simply stood in the center of the shop and said nothing.

  “It willna work, I’m tellin’ you!”

  “It must have. You’ve forgotten why you dragged me out here.”

  “Are ye daft? Maybe you’re goin’ deaf. I told you, it willna work. You canna expect Carmen to give shelter to that woman.”

  “I met with Carmen yesterday, and we settled all of the details. She made Jenny feel right at home today.”

  “Aye, Jenny felt fine, but what of Carmen? I’m askin’—what of her?”

  “What of her?”

  “We’ve been here for a year now. I’ve ne’er once seen a single gentleman pay a call upon that fine lass. She’s married off her kid sister and put on a good face, but she’s hurting deep inside. I didna see the truth till a few days ago. She’s brokenhearted o’er the fact that she’ll ne’er marry and hae bairns of her own—and what did you go do?” Duncan stabbed an awl through the center of a choice piece of leather. “You go and rub her face in it, that’s what you’ve done.”

  “I gave her every opportunity to refuse. Instead, she expressed an enthusiasm that convinced me this was the right thing to do.”

  “And how was she to refuse? Carmen’s heart is bigger than Texas. Once she learns of someone else’s needs, she puts them ahead of herself.” He shook his head. “ ’Tis a rare day I disagree wi’ you, but that day’s come. I’ve been trying to make the woman stop playing a dangerous game.”

  “What game is that?”

  Duncan fought the temptation to tell Rob to mind his own business. But if speaking confidentially to him would spare Carmen heartache in the end, it was worth it. “The lass is forever doing something for someone—baking treats, taking a casserole somewhere, minding another woman’s children….”

  “And she’s happy as a lark.”

  “Nae, Rob. She isna. Just look into her eyes and see the sadness there. That wee little limp of hers has her convinced she’s not worthy of love, so she’s trying to fill up the aching hole by working to earn appreciation. God doesn’t care about the deeds one does—He cares about the soul. I’ve been tryin’ to get her to see that.”

  “Have you, now?”

  “And you went and ruined it all with this scheme of yours. I canna support this.”

  “It’s too late to change things now.”

  “No, ’tisna. Move that mother-to-be into one of the bedrooms in the clinic. She can join us Gregors for meals and e’en help out your wife.” Duncan nodded. “Aye, that’s the solution.”

  “It’s a foolish plan. Once people figure out that Jenny’s unwed and carrying a child, her reputation will be in tatters. Leaving her alone in the clinic is a sure invitation for disaster.”

  Duncan glowered at his brother. “So you’ve asked Carmen to protect Jenny? What man asks that of a woman?”

  “There’s a world of difference between sheltering and protecting.”

  Duncan let out a loud, deris
ive snort. “Only in your feeble mind.”

  “As I said, it’s too late to change things now. We’ll have to make the best of it.”

  “Wipe that smile off your face, Rob, before I do something rash.”

  Rob sauntered over, picked up a shoe, and pretended to be fascinated by it. “Just when,” he asked slowly, “did you appoint yourself Carmen’s guardian?”

  Chapter 6

  Someone has to look out for her. The woman doesna give a moment’s consideration to her own needs.”

  “Hmm.” Rob set the shoe down with exacting care. “And how is it you’ve paid attention to whether men have called on her?”

  “Her house is directly across the street,” Duncan snapped. “Take a look—her garden and porch are the view from where I work. I’ve not been skulking or spying on her.”

  Rob went over to the window and clasped his hands behind his back. He nodded sagely as he examined the view for himself. “Duncan?”

  “Now what?”

  “I like Carmen.”

  “You’ve an odd way of showing it, putting her in this painful predicament.”

  “Much as I like Carmen, Mercy loves her even more.”

  Duncan let out a low growl of frustration.

  Rob turned around and grinned. “We’ll be happy to have her as our sister-in-law.”

  Duncan gaped at his brother.

  Rob held up a hand to forestall any response. “Dinna deny it. You’ve feelings for the lass. Your reaction tonight shows those feelings run deep.”

  “Friendship doesna mean I’m marching down the aisle.”

  “Good thing, that. We dinna have any more of our plaid. I’m thinkin’ by the time ’tis ordered and arrived, you’ll be wanting a length to drape o’er your bride’s shoulder.”

  The image of Carmen dressed in a bridal gown with the Gregor tartan gathered over her shoulder hit Duncan so hard, he dropped down onto his bench.

  Rob grinned like a drunken jester. “You love her.”

  “I’m a rough man. Why would a fine lass like her hae anything to do wi’ me?”

  “Remember that song the sailor was singing when we were waiting for the train?”

  “About America? What does that hae to do with this?”

  “You’re in America now. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Rob snickered. “Only if you’re brave, you’ll no longer be free—you’ll be married to a fiery little woman.”

  Duncan shot his brother a dark look. “You’re far too amused by this.”

  “Aye, that I am. But what you just did is telling.”

  “What did I do?”

  “Actually, it’s more what you didna do.”

  Duncan got up and started pacing. “You’re driving me daft. Will you make up your mind whether it’s something I did or didna do?”

  “What you didna do was deny what I said. You love her. If your heart weren’t involved, you’d have challenged me.”

  Duncan folded his arms across his chest. In that moment, everything fell into place. His brother spoke the truth, and Duncan couldn’t deny it. He didn’t even want to. “I’ve made up my mind. Aye, I have.”

  “About what?”

  “I’m going to court the woman. She’s not had a swain, and I’m going to ease her into this slow and sweet. When we’re old and gray, she’ll look back and feel every last tender hope she e’er held in her heart was fulfilled.”

  “Women are romantics. If you plan to fulfill every last tender hope, you’ll be old and gray and still not be married to her yet.”

  “You’d best watch what you say. I’m still sore at you for sticking that young girl into Carmen’s care.”

  “You ought to be thanking me. Now that Carmen’s not alone, you can go over there without raising any questions of propriety.”

  “The only thing I’ll thank you to do is keep this conversation confidential.” He stared out the window. “There’s every chance Carmen might not love me back.”

  “ ’Tis a bonny day to go fishing,” Duncan announced as he crossed the road with a shovel in his big hands.

  Only a few days had passed since Carmen had blurted out the shameful fact that no man would have her and she had to resort to borrowing children. That alone left her wanting to crawl off somewhere. But Duncan had listened to that appallingly personal confession and rumbled “pobrecita” at her as if she needed his pity. Carmen decided she didn’t want to crawl off somewhere after all; she’d rather bake a special batch of empanadas for him and dust them with cayenne and chili instead of cinnamon. She wouldn’t, but just the thought brought a tiny measure of glee.

  “Aye, I’m going fishing.”

  She pretended not to hear him and stooped down to pick a weed.

  The hulking Scotsman kept coming.

  Carmen fought the urge to tell him to stop wasting time and go fishing. This is all his fault. I don’t have a hard time minding my manners with anyone else. Duncan—he’s polite and kind to everyone else. Why can’t he just leave me alone and keep his opinions to himself? The man’s an insensitive brute and needs to mind his own business instead of prying into mine. If he says anything—

  Boots stopped half a yard from her. Ordinary brown boots. Carmen hadn’t figured out yet why Duncan’s boots were so basic and plain. A cobbler could wear the finest and fanciest, yet he didn’t. She looked up to tell him so.

  “I’m going fishing,” he said again as he reached down to assist her up.

  Carmen accepted his help, then snatched her hand back and wondered why she’d let him assist her. Scrambling to find something to say, she blurted out, “Most men take a pole fishing, not a spade.”

  He chortled softly, and the fine lines crinkling from the corners of his eyes reminded her that he laughed often. “ ’Tis the truth. I’ve some method to my madness, though. This time last year, you were planting flowers. Why dinna I turn the soil for you and swipe a few worms whilst I’m at it?”

  Astonishment and relief flooded her. He was acting as if they’d never had that horribly awkward and embarrassing exchange. “That would be nice. Thank you.” And I’m going to bake you some empanadas with cinnamon, not cayenne and chili. “Duncan, I have a friend staying with me for a while.”

  “Rob told me.” His voice took on an undertone that she couldn’t interpret.

  Carmen called, “Jenny?”

  Jenny stepped out of the house. “Ja?”

  “Come meet our neighbor.” She waited until Jenny reached her side. “Jenny Sigrids, may I present you to Duncan Gregor. Duncan, my friend Jenny.”

  “ ’Tis a pleasure to meet any friend of Carmen’s. Nice to meet you, Mi—”

  Realizing the fact that Jenny was unwed would cause for awkward moments, Carmen interrupted. “Oh dear, I should have mentioned that with three Gregor men across the street, it makes for a lot of confusion if we use formal address. Duncan, I hope you don’t mind if Jenny follows my example and calls you by your Christian name.”

  “Not a-tall.”

  “And Jenny, it’s only fair that you reciprocate. There.” Carmen smiled broadly. “Duncan, since you’re turning the soil, maybe Jenny and I can go to the mercantile and choose flower seeds today.”

  “You already have a beautiful garden,” Jenny said.

  “Actually, it’s a pitiful mess right now. Isn’t it, Duncan?”

  “Shameful as ’tis to confess, I did tell you that just a few days back. Last year, the blossoms in your yard rivaled all of God’s flower-strewn fields about us.”

  “Oh my.” Jenny sighed. “I never had a garden. It will be so fun to grow something.”

  “You know,” Duncan said, stretching, “if you’d like, we could go on a walk. I’ll take a wheelbarrow, and we could transplant some of the wildflowers so you can enjoy them until your seeds sprout and blossom.”

  “What about the worms?” Jenny asked.

  “I’m sure we’ll happen across a few.” Duncan’s glance skimmed down their gowns. “You’re
both wearin’ lovely frocks. Best you go change into ones that willna be spoiled by layers of dust.”

  “Though it sounds like a delightful notion, I’m afraid Jenny and I need to do something else today.”

  “Perhaps later in the week.” Duncan didn’t ask—he told. When had he become so bossy?

  “Oh, that would be so much fun,” Jenny said.

  Carmen couldn’t dash Jenny’s enthusiasm. Though Jenny was tall and large boned, she still seemed startlingly childlike in some circumstances. So far, she and Jenny had politely limited their conversations to impersonal things. Carmen wasn’t sure how old her guest was. For now, she would indulge the girl. “We’ll be able to go in a few days. The timing would be better. By buying seeds first, we can transplant the wildflowers to places in the garden where they’ll have the best effect.”

  “Best effect?” Jenny wrinkled her nose. “I thought they were just supposed to look pretty.”

  “Me, too.” Duncan grinned at Jenny.

  He’s impossibly handsome. He’s charming her, just as he charms everyone else. He turned his steady blue gaze back onto Carmen. “Why dinna ye tell us just what kind of effect you are talkin’ about?”

  “What I meant was, we don’t want to plant whistly blue behind paintbrush or bluebonnets. They’re tall and would block out the flowers that are low to the ground.”

  He nodded. “That makes sense. Good thinking. Back home, Rob always kept an herbal garden so he’d have medicinals on hand. Each plant belonged in a specific location, but I dinna ken whether ’twas so he could tell them apart or because one might taint another if they grew too close.”

  “He didn’t put in an herb garden here.” Carmen frowned. “Why not?”

  Duncan compressed his lips for a moment and then grimaced. “Chris dug straight through it when he put in the basement. He thought the herbs were weeds. Best you not mention it to either of them unless you’re set to witness a shouting match.”

  “You Gregors don’t fight,” Carmen said.

  “They don’t?” Jenny sounded completely flummoxed. “Men always fight.”