Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel

by Brendan, Maggie

  “Help! Please, somebody!” came Cora’s pitiful plea.

  “Stay put, Cora!” Greta answered. The huge bear was in clear view now, prowling by the side of the privy, making deep-throated noises as it stood on hind legs and scratched at the wood door. It dropped to its feet when it saw Greta. She could smell the stench of its breath and body from where she stood nervously holding the rifle at shoulder level. With pounding heart and adrenaline coursing through her, she took aim and squeezed the trigger. The loud boom and the force of the gun sent her sprawling in the dirt.

  She missed her mark and fired again into the darkness, but there were no more bullets loaded. Apparently the noise scared the bear, and its huge form lumbered off, disappearing into the dense trees. Thank God for the one shot!

  She struggled to untangle her feet from her flannel nightgown and stood up. “It’s all right now, Cora! You can come out,” Greta said, her hands still shaking. Peter had showed them how to use a gun, but she’d never had any reason to until now. She shook the dirt from the back of her nightgown.

  The door flung open wide, and Cora’s white face appeared. She fell into Greta’s arms. “Oh, God has mercy! Thank you for saving my life!” Cora said, then pulled away.

  In truth Greta was just as shaken, but she didn’t want Cora to know. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic! I just scared him off. You’d do the same for me,” she said, one arm around Cora and the other holding the rifle at her side. “Let’s go back inside. That bear may still be lingering around.”

  Once inside, Cora dropped into bed and crawled under the quilt, still shivering. Whether from cold or fright, Greta wasn’t sure.

  “Do you feel okay? You’ve been up several times tonight.”

  Her voice low and quivering, Cora answered, “I had a little stomach upset. I’m sorry if I disturbed you. Bears were the last thing on my mind tonight.” She had pulled the quilt up to her chin, and her eyes were as big as dinner plates.

  Greta leaned the gun in the corner by her bed, hoping she wouldn’t have need of it again. She brushed the dirt off her bare feet and hopped back into bed.

  “Thanks again, Greta,” Cora said. “I was scared to death. I never had to face anything like this in Boston.”

  “You’re welcome. Now we’d better get some sleep. It’s been a very long day.” Greta yawned. “We’ll have plenty to discuss with Zach tomorrow.”

  “Where in the world did you get off to tonight, Zach? I could’ve used your help right about closing time. I was unusually busy,” Jess said. He glanced up at the clock on the fireplace mantel when his brother stomped upstairs to their living quarters. It was after nine o’clock, and they were usually in bed early so they could be up promptly to open the store.

  “Sorry. I had a little personal business to attend to,” Zach answered as he removed his boots. He sighed as he wiggled his toes through his socks. “I’m gonna have to order new boots from that Montgomery Ward catalog. Either my feet have grown or I’ve been wearing the wrong size—not to mention my waistline is expanding!” he said, eyeing Jess.

  Jess chuckled as he looked up from his easy chair, where he’d been reading the newspaper. “It’s all those great Sunday dinners after church with Agnes Cartwright. You’ve picked up a few pounds—but I think you could stand to add a few more.”

  Zach put his boots neatly beside his bed, then began picking up Jess’s shirt and pants strewn about the room. Jess watched as Zach followed the trail to their shared bedroom, where another shirt was flung across Zach’s bed. Jess’s bed was already a mess. Zach rolled the soiled pants and shirt into a tight ball and placed them by the door. “How many times do I have to pick up your things off my bed?” he called over his shoulder.

  Jess shrugged. “Anyone ever told you that you’re starting to sound like a nagging wife?” He teased Zach but knew it was aggravating for his brother that he wasn’t tidy. Jess always swore he’d get better at it.

  Zach grinned in spite of his exasperation and poked his head through the doorway just as Jess threw the cushion at him. “Speaking of which—I have something to talk to you about.”

  Jess rose and started toward the bedroom. “Can it wait till morning? I’m going to bed now. My back is aching, and I’m not in the mood to talk about my needing a wife, if that’s what’s on your mind.” Lately it seemed that was the focus of Zach’s discussions. He slipped off his pants and shirt, leaving his long handles on, and sank into the softness of his bed, barely listening to his brother’s ramblings.

  Zach followed him. “It is on my mind. Partly. You know that I’ve been working on that small piece of land in my spare time, and one day I’ll have me a small spread. I hate to leave you in the lurch when I’m ready to go. You need help, but more importantly, you need a wife.” He pulled his shirt off, folded it, and placed it on top of the bureau for another day’s wear. “I have someone I want you to meet tomorrow right after breakfast.”

  “What . . . ?” Jess answered sleepily, closing his eyes as soon as his head hit the pillow.

  Jess sipped the strong coffee that he’d made earlier and slipped his apron on. He enjoyed the quietness of the morning hour before the town came to life. He raised the window shade and flipped the sign over, then unlocked the door. Light was just beginning to spread over the city, struggling weakly through morning clouds. Could be they’d see a brief period of rain, which normally made the day pass a little slower for him. He eased out the door and sat down on an overturned water barrel, thinking about his life thus far.

  Many of the friends he’d known since childhood had married and had a passel of kids. He was still in his twenties and was in no hurry, as his brother seemed to think. He wasn’t sure he wanted kids—but sometimes he found himself lonely when he took time to actually think about it, which was more frequently as of late. After his other brother died, Jess felt a part of himself missing. The three of them had been so tight. No wife was going to bring Bryan back.

  He took another swig from his cup and wondered if this loneliness was from losing his younger brother or from needing a woman. Preacher Harrell always said that everyone needed a “helpmeet.” But how did he know for sure?

  Well, I’d better get to writing up orders before I get a tongue-lashing from Miss Agnes when she marches in today! He smiled at the thought of her. She was really a good person, and he’d seen her shooting a glance or two at him and Zach during church or when she was shopping in the store. He hadn’t given her any indication lately that he was interested in her romantically, but that hadn’t stopped her from trying.

  He flung the last drop of his cold coffee into the street and went back inside, ready for whatever the day would hold. He enjoyed the smells that lingered in his store: leather, tobacco, liniment, and the wood-burning stove. Usually he was surrounded by a few of the old-timers jawing about the goings-on of Central City.

  This was his life and he liked it well enough, but would a woman want to share it? Central City had a lot to offer in culture and had been all but declared a metropolitan city that held more influential people than Denver. But still—it was a mining town, growing fast and furious, with a lot of rough edges.

  He strolled back inside, and his eye immediately landed on a large table with bolts of fabric all in a jumble after Agnes’s last visit. Jess shook his head. He’d meant to straighten that and the pile of boots in the corner for customers to try on before ordering. He’d do it later. He slipped behind the service counter and pulled out his tablet for ordering. Best to work on that before the day became busy.

  As he had the thought, the bell over the door jangled, and in piled his friends Silas and Annabelle Mead and their three young children, with Annabelle desperately trying to maintain control. The kids were already running in all directions at once.

  He moved to ask if he could be of help when his good friend Cole Cartwright strode through the door behind them. Jess was glad to hear Zach finally clomp down the stairs and hurry over to assist Silas.

  “Howdy,
Jess.” Cole extended his hand to give Jess a brief handshake. “Life treatin’ you fair these days?”

  “Nothing to complain about. I’m busier than ever, but that’s always a good thing, I figure,” Jess said. “How’s things out at the Circle D?”

  Cole pushed back his black Stetson, giving Jess a level gaze. “Since Pa died I’m doing my best to keep everything running on the ranch. I’ll be driving in a herd to the rail soon and need to pick up supplies. Lots to get done before snow threatens, and we know that could be just about any day now.” He fished in his vest pocket for his list of items and handed it to Jess.

  Jess took the list and glanced over it. “I’ll have this together for you in no time. Do you have something to do in the meantime?”

  Cole chuckled. “Matter of fact, I do have a couple of things to do while I’m in town.” He clapped Jess on the back. “Thanks, Jess,” he said, strolling toward the door. “Oh, by the way, Agnes said to ask you for dinner on Sunday after church.” He tipped his hat and stepped outside, causing the bell above the door to jingle loudly.

  Jess stood there for a few seconds, his mind on Agnes. What excuse could he make for not having Sunday dinner? He sure was sick of his own cooking and Zach’s wasn’t much better, but he didn’t want Agnes to get any ideas about the two of them. He knew exactly what she had on her mind—settling down. But he wasn’t ready, and he was certain it wouldn’t be with her in the first place.

  “Jess, where in tarnation did you put those new handsaws we just got in? Silas needs one and I’ve looked everywhere.” Zach slapped his thigh in exasperation, then glanced up at the big schoolhouse clock hanging above the dry-goods counter.

  “You watching the clock for some reason?” Jess squinted at his brother, but Zach didn’t answer as Annabelle walked up, holding tightly to her child’s small hand. Jess turned on his heel. “I’ll go get the saw for Silas. I think I remember where I placed the box.” Jess scooted to the back of the storage area as Zach moved to the front of the store.

  ———

  “Zach, do you think you could fit Sue with a pair of warm boots for winter? The fur-lined type?” Annabelle’s face was serious and her dark curls bobbed as she spoke. “I declare she’s growing up fast.”

  Zach leaned down to tweak Sue’s cheek affectionately. “I’m sure we can—” The shop bell clanged, and Zach straightened and smiled as his two protégés swept into the store, their looks somber. He fully expected them to ask for fare to return home.

  4

  “Annabelle, would you excuse me for a moment?” Zach asked, never taking his eyes off the two ladies who stood waiting.

  Annabelle nodded. She followed the direction of his gaze and studied the women as Silas joined her, his hands full of sundry items. Zach was about to head toward the ladies when Silas asked how his ranch plans were going.

  Just then Jess emerged from the storage area with a shiny saw in his hand and made his way to where the group stood. He set the saw on the counter. “Here ya go. Nicest saw I could pick for you.” He glanced over at the two women, who were now looking around.

  “Go on and finish your shopping and we’ll tally you up,” Jess said. “Excuse me a moment.” Silas nodded and Jess strode over to greet the women.

  “Good morning, ladies. What can I help you with this morning?”

  Zach groaned. He’d wanted to reach Greta and Cora before Jess.

  “We’re here to see Zach,” Greta said.

  Zach strode quickly from the other side of the room and walked past his brother, who stared openly at the ladies.

  “I’m here. How was breakfast?” Zach was thinking neither of them looked too friendly this morning.

  Greta took a step closer to Zach and glared at him, her fists clenched at her side. “Maybe you should be asking how our night was.” Zach stared back at her while Jess stood watching the interaction between the ladies and his brother.

  Cora piped up, “It was miserable. I was scared half out of my mind!”

  Zach dragged his eyes away from Greta. “Now, Cora, why in the world would you be scared out of your mind? That cabin is right cozy and well built.”

  Greta suddenly backed away from Zach. “What she means is we had a visit from a grizzly!”

  Sue sucked in a deep breath and hugged her mama’s leg tight, staring up at Greta with frightened eyes.

  Greta tapped her toe on the hardwood floor. “It’s a good thing there was a gun left behind by your trapper friend.”

  “I’d made a trip to the outhouse,” Cora said, her face turning pink, “and got stuck in there when I heard this weird growling sound. I knew it wasn’t a dog. Greta saved my life last night!”

  Annabelle and Silas were all ears now, and Jess pressed closer with interest.

  Greta smoothed down the front of her dress with her hands. “Well, Cora, I wouldn’t go that far, but I think I scared him away.”

  “I was too scared to open the outhouse door, I can tell you that!” Cora’s bottom lip trembled as she fidgeted with the buttons on her jacket.

  Zach reached out a hand to Cora, but Greta pushed it away. “I’m really sorry he didn’t show up while I was there, but sounds like Greta took things in hand all right.” His chuckle seemed to further irritate the two.

  “Cabin? What cabin? Zach, why don’t you enlighten me?” Jess said, wiping his hands on his apron.

  Zach’s face reddened. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him. “They’re staying over at Jeb’s cabin.”

  Jess looked sharply at him. “And just what might you have to do with these two young ladies?”

  Silas and Annabelle nodded their curiosity. He might as well go on and break the news to his brother now, while he was listening for once. Zach stood between the two ladies, draping an arm around each of their shoulders. “I want you to meet two very important women in your life, Miss Greta Olsen and Miss Cora Johnson. One of which will be your future bride.”

  Greta smacked at his hand and Cora took a step back.

  Annabelle’s eyes widened, and Silas gave his wife a warning look.

  Zach sighed. Nothing like having an audience. Jess would get him for this.

  “Oh my . . .” Sue said.

  Jess pulled back with surprise. His gaze flew from Zach to the two women, who stood waiting. “My future bride?”

  “Yep! Thanks to the US mail.”

  “Zach, what in the world are you talking about? I haven’t ordered a bride! Have you been drinking or spending too much time talking to your cattle?”

  “That’s what I tried to talk to you about last night, but you went to sleep before I could—and you know I don’t drink.”

  Jess’s face was a thundercloud waiting to burst. Looking over at the mail-order brides, he said, “My brother has brought you here under false pretenses. I’m very sorry if you’ve been inconvenienced, but he will see to it that you have fare back to where you traveled from, won’t you, Zach?”

  Greta pulled off her gloves and slammed them down on the counter. “I think you’d better explain to your brother what’s going on, Zach.” Cora opened her mouth to speak, but Greta laid a hand on her sleeve, so she pressed her lips together in a tight line.

  Zach touched his brother’s arm. “Can I have a word with you privately?”

  Silas turned to Annabelle. “Let’s go find those boots for Sue, shall we?” Before Annabelle could respond, he took hold of Sue’s hand to propel her and his wife away from the brothers.

  “There’s nothing you could say in private that you can’t say to me right here and now!” Jess’s jaw clamped tight, and Zach knew if his jaw muscle twitched, he was in no mood to reason.

  “Oh, I think there might be a few things I can say.” Zach shifted from one foot to the other.

  Greta fingered the gold locket around her neck, giving Zach a reproachful look. “Please, go ahead. Don’t stop on our account. One thing I won’t be is an intrusion on such an industrious and busy mercantile owner as yourself, Mr. Gifford.”
She looked around with obvious disdain at the cluttered store.

  Zach grinned. “Now don’t go gettin’ your petticoats in a tangle. We’ll work this out.”

  “Perhaps it would be best if we left you two alone to talk,” Cora said. “We can have a look around until you’re through.”

  “I think that would be wise.” Zach flashed a look at Jess. “What do you say, Brother?”

  Jess threw his hands up in complete exasperation. “Let’s go.” He stomped toward the back of the store.

  Once they were behind the curtain separating the store from supplies, Jess’s tension mounted. “Zach, have you taken leave of your senses? I don’t need a bride. I’m perfectly fine living alone and running the store.” Jess folded his arms across his chest.

  “No, you just think you are. You couldn’t run this place without my help and you know it. I’d much rather be out punching cattle.”

  Jess caught the seriousness of his brother’s true feelings in that moment. Had he unintentionally forced Zach to work with him?

  “I’m sorry if you’re angry with me. I tried to broach the subject last night.” Zach ran his hands through his thick, wavy hair. “What you need, Jess, is a wife, a helper—not me! Someone to help you run the place who wants to, and who can rub your back at night when you’ve been standing all day.” Zach propped his hip against the rough tabletop, letting his leg dangle. He nonchalantly picked up a knife, whacked off a hunk of cheddar cheese, and smiled at his brother, his eyes twinkling.

  “I do just fine without a wife, and if you’re so all-fired ready to start ranching, then go ahead, and don’t let the door hit you in the back as you leave! What I do or don’t do about a wife is my business, not yours.” Jess drew closer and poked Zach in the chest with his finger. “Understand?”