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

by Brendan, Maggie

  “Doesn’t look too complicated to me,” Greta commented. “Do you decide where supplies must go, or are you up to a bit of change around here?”

  Zach came over to stand next to the ladies. “You can see where sundry items go and farming implements are stored,” he said with a sweep of his hand. “I’d be tickled to death if you two decide the most appropriate way to handle the clothing area, and maybe come up with a better way to display some of our supplies to their best advantage, if you know what I mean. I’m not good in that department, and you can tell we need some suggestions.”

  “I believe we can handle that, don’t you, Cora?”

  Cora sighed, glancing around the store. “No offense, Zach, but anything has got to be a little better than this.”

  Zach tapped the counter. “Good! No offense taken. Have at it, ladies.”

  Greta stood with her hands on her hips, making a tsking noise while she and Cora stared at the crates of supplies yet to be opened. They were haphazardly stacked in front of a sagging wood table laden with fabric bolts in total disarray.

  “Whew! Where on earth do we start, Greta?” Cora shook her head. “I’ve never seen a store stocked this way, but they seem to do a very brisk business, don’t they?”

  Greta took a deep breath. “They do, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make things a little easier to find when a customer inquires.” She moved toward the stack of crates. “First we need to move these, but let’s not open them until we can make sense of this table and then see where the new supplies can go,” she said. With Cora’s help she was able to shove some of the crates to the side in order to get to the table of fabric. “Let’s put the big bolts all to one side and the remnants at the other end.”

  Cora did as Greta suggested. “Wonder why they keep the scraps of material in the first place? Seems to me that they just take up valuable space.”

  Greta paused and propped her elbows on the bolts of fabric, staring at Cora. “Don’t you know that remnants are used especially for making quilts, among other things?”

  Cora flushed. “I guess I did know that, but I’m afraid I’m not very acquainted with the art of sewing.”

  “Oh?” Greta waited for her to continue while she smoothed the wrinkled fabric and wrapped it around a bolt of blue calico.

  “My mother never sewed or cooked that I can remember. We had servants to do that. About the only thing I learned was how to quilt, thanks to my church social.”

  “I don’t mean to pry, but why would you want to be a mail-order bride? I mean,” Greta hurried to explain, “domestic skills are one of the requirements.” Greta watched Cora’s face to see if her expression would be enlightening. Was Cora from a wealthy family? Greta had the distinct feeling there was more to Cora than met the eye. Perhaps after they knew each other better, she would open up a little.

  Cora smoothed the fabric, then placed it on the pile with the others. “It’s simple. I was ready to be on my own.” Her tightly pursed lips and serious face made it evident that she had nothing more to add, and she kept her eyes averted from Greta.

  Well, if she didn’t want to talk further, Greta wouldn’t press her. Instead she said, “You know, Jess might be able to let us have a few remnants that we could use in the cabin, as long as we’re staying there temporarily. I’ll have to ask.” Looking around the store, she started thinking ahead. “After we get this place in better order, no telling what we’ll uncover.” She pushed a lock of hair from her brow and wiped her hands on her apron.

  Cora put her hands on her hips and nodded. “You’re right about that. I know it’s a general store, but it could use a woman’s touch.”

  Greta snapped her fingers. “That’s it! A little sprucing up and there’d be even more customers, especially if products are displayed in a more appealing way.”

  Cora agreed. “Especially with the ladies.” She smiled broadly.

  “You could influence Jess to purchase fashionable items that would interest the females.”

  Cora flashed Greta a questioning look. “Me? I hardly think he would take my advice.”

  “I’m not so sure . . .” Greta looked at Cora’s pretty face with her dark, sultry eyes, then at her day dress, which was definitely high quality. “Your dress is the height of fashion. You know more about that sort of thing than I do.”

  A look of pleasure swept over Cora’s face. “Well . . . maybe.”

  “You’re being modest.” Greta grabbed Cora by the hand. “Come on, my friend! Let’s open up those crates. We have much to do before Jess returns.”

  An hour later, Zach tossed them a funny look as he stood behind the receiving counter, but they sailed right on past him, each laden with a stack of clothing they carried to tackle the clothing area. Soon they returned, and Greta approached Zach, who was unpacking a box of harnesses. He looked up. “You need something?”

  “You could put it that way, I suppose.” Greta glanced at Cora, who gave her a slight nod. “Cora and I decided that since we are not betrothed to either you or Jess and we’ll be working alongside you, a salary should be in order.”

  Zach’s hands stilled, and he gave them a frank stare. “That would be fair. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.” He picked up a pencil and did some figuring on a tablet, then turned the paper around with an amount written down. “How about this?”

  Cora and Greta peered at the tablet. Fifteen dollars for each of them per week. Greta was happy with that and nodded to Cora her agreement.

  “I believe that will be agreeable,” Cora replied for both of them.

  “Good. I’ll let Jess know. It’s only fair after how hard you two are working. I really do appreciate it, and eventually Jess will too.”

  Greta laughed. “We’re not so sure about that, but unless he stops us, we’ll keep at it.” Zach nodded, and Greta and Cora turned back to the clothing area.

  “Granny, that’s the best rhubarb pie I’ve had in ages,” Jess said, pushing his empty plate aside and downing the hot coffee.

  Granny snickered. “You mean that’s the only rhubarb pie you’ve had since the last time you were here.” She stared at him over the rim of her china cup, taking a sip. “I hear tell you’ve got yourself in quite a predicament!” Her blue eyes twinkled.

  Jess straightened in the ladder-back chair, and it protested under his weight. “Now how did you hear about that?”

  “News travels fast where the towns are like bookends, you know.” Granny pulled her shawl together, waiting for his response.

  “That fool grandson of yours conspired behind my back and took it upon himself to decide what’s best for me. He had no right.”

  Granny reached across the table and patted his hand. “Now, Jess, you know he had what’s best for you in mind. Might not be so bad to have another woman in the family . . . or perhaps children.”

  “Children? Don’t go having the great-grandkids before I’ve even picked the bride!” Jess huffed.

  Granny sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Let me tell you a secret, young man. The only way you’re gonna know which of the gals is the right one for you is to steal a kiss!”

  Jess almost dumped his hot coffee in his lap. “I mean no disrespect, but you must have lost your mind somehow during the night, Granny.”

  Granny chuckled. “Maybe so . . . but when it comes to women, I know what they’re thinking. They want to be held, kissed, and told that there’s no one like them on earth. Makes ’em feel real special. If your toes start to tingle,” she said, cocking her head at him for emphasis, “then I’ll guarantee she’s the one!”

  Jess snorted. “Whoever heard of such a rule to verify love except you, Granny? Well, don’t hold your breath. It’s not likely that’ll happen soon, leastways not until I decide to court one of them.”

  “You must have a feeling toward one of them one way or the other. I heard that they’re both striking beauties.”

  Jess swallowed hard, not meeting her gaze. “Why don’t you come see for
yourself this week? You can give me your opinion, ’cause I know you will anyway. Might as well get it over with,” he said, shoulders sagging.

  Giving him a wink, Granny shoved her chair back, picked up the cups and saucers, and carried them to the sink. “I just might do that, my boy.” She walked over and gave his shoulders a hard squeeze, leaning her gray head against his. She wasn’t much taller than his shoulder with him in a sitting position, and the scent of her lavender soap lingered. It reminded him of the time when he was little and she’d held him on her lap after he’d scratched his knee. Remembering that now, he felt comforted knowing that she loved him with all her heart.

  “Don’t look like it’s the end of the world just because you have two interested women,” Granny said. “Could be it’s just a new beginning for a bright future. There’s a whole lot of men who would love to be in your shoes, I’ll wager!”

  By the time Jess had returned from his time away from the store, Greta was feeling pleased with all she and Cora had accomplished. Once they’d straightened and moved things and swept the hardwood floor under the watchful eyes of Zach, the general store had taken on an entirely new look. Fresh and orderly!

  Greta laughed when she saw Cora’s smudged face and the hair slipping from the knot at the back of her head.

  “What’s that for?” Cora laughed. “You’re a sight yourself!” She drew Greta over to the cheval glass between the racks of apparel so she could see for herself, and they both giggled. Greta wiped her dirty hands on her soiled apron. Her long blonde braids that had been wound tightly around her head this morning had long since slipped from the hairpins, and strands of her hair were sticking out. Somehow she’d torn her dress at the shoulder. Probably from lifting some of the wooden crates that held various supplies.

  The bell clanged over the store door. Zach followed a customer to the sidewalk just as Jess returned. Greta and Cora paused in their chattering, watching as Jess stopped dead in his tracks at the front, surveying his store with wide eyes.

  “What happened here?” he boomed.

  Both women started to speak at once until he held up his hand. “One at a time, please.”

  Cora nudged Greta forward. Greta could see that instead of him being pleased, Jess’s face looked like a thundercloud. Had she taken too many liberties too soon?

  “We . . . uh . . .” Greta licked her lips and spoke with trepidation. “I thought we’d tidy up a bit, so we moved a few things around here and there, and now you have more walking space to get around the store.” She gave him a timid smile and waited for his response. Surely he would be pleased.

  Jess stood with his hands on his hips, his face reddening. “I don’t remember telling you to do that. Now I won’t be able to find anything!” He flung his arms open wide.

  Cora’s dark brown eyes flew open in surprise or fear—Greta wasn’t sure which. Greta looked at Jess’s handsome face and saw his jaw muscle twitching. “On the contrary, Jess. We restacked the material by type of fabric and color and moved the clothing apparel to one spot by size and gender, so—”

  Jess interrupted her. “Confound it all! I don’t care if you painted the counters red, you may as well move it all back! NOW!”

  Cora shrunk back with fear, but Greta stood her ground. Her hands felt damp, so she pressed her palms against her apron. With a little convincing, he’d relent. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t want to improve the appearance and functionality of your store so it could possibly bring you more customers! Why can’t you give—”

  “I said now!” Jess’s brown eyes snapped. They were a warm chestnut color much like Bryan’s had been. Greta shoved the memory aside.

  Jess stalked past them toward the back of the store, then stomped up the back stairs to the living quarters without a backward glance. His muddy boots left a trail across the freshly swept floor.

  Greta gritted her teeth. “Ach! I just cleaned the floor.” She clenched her fists against her side, and Cora seemed dumbfounded. Greta was thankful no customer was in the store to witness the outburst.

  “What an ungrateful human being!” Cora exclaimed to Greta.

  Zach returned, the smile fading from his face with one look at them. “What’s wrong with you two? You look as if you’ve just seen a ghost.”

  “You mean monster, don’t you?”

  “Huh? What are you talking about?” Zach’s forehead wrinkled.

  “We’ve just been tongue-lashed, that’s what!” Cora answered, her lips tight and arms folded.

  Zach scratched his scraggly beard. “What did you say? By Jess? He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.”

  “Unless he’s crossed,” Greta retorted. “After working ourselves to death in this slipshod store, your brother informed us that every bit of the merchandise must be put back exactly as it was!”

  Zach’s booming laughter startled her. “You must be kidding. What you’ve done here is an improvement, to be sure. How could he not like this?” he asked with a sweep of his hand. “I do.”

  Cora sniffed. “Then you’d better ask him. Guess we’ll put everything back, Greta.”

  “No, don’t do that. I’ll go talk to him. You ladies can call it a day. It’s getting late. Go grab some supper at Mabel’s and come back in the morning. Is there anything that you need from the store before you go back to the cabin? Soap? Towels?”

  Cora shook her curly brown hair, then removed her apron. “I’m not sure I’m coming back. It seems that Jess is not at all happy we’re here and working for him.”

  Zach stepped closer to Cora, lifting her hand. “Don’t give up yet. This is only the first day. It’ll take some getting used to—having two women take over, I mean.”

  “Is that how you think of it, Zach?” Greta noticed how he stroked Cora’s hand.

  “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded,” he said, dropping Cora’s hand and turning to face her. He was just as handsome as his brother, but in a more rugged sort of way, and his movements were quicker, as if he was always in a hurry or had something more important to attend to. “Neither of us is used to having a woman around, telling us how to do things, much less two women. Be patient, he’ll come around.”

  Greta hung her apron beside Cora’s and lifted her wrap off the hook behind the counter. “I wasn’t trying to tell him what to do, just trying to help with the overall appearance of the store. That’s all. You must admit it was untidy.”

  “And I for one appreciate that. This was exactly what I was hoping for—someone to whip this place into shape. You two have done more in one day than I could have in a week even if I had the time, which I don’t,” he said, guiding them toward the door.

  Greta paused and stared into brown eyes framed with thick lashes . . . eyes that looked so familiar somehow. “Are you telling me that the real reason you brought us here in the first place was to help run the store? Funny, yesterday you said Jess needed a wife. Which is it, Zach?” She poked a finger in his chest in agitation. “Maybe I should’ve stayed in Cheyenne.”

  Zach opened the door and nearly shoved them onto the sidewalk. “I’ve already told you. He needs a wife. A helpmeet, just like the Bible says. Anything else you can do around here to help out is mightily appreciated,” he said, his lips in a hard line. “I’ll see you two in the morning, and I’ll straighten everything out. All right?”

  “We have little choice at this point as I see it, but he’d better have a change in his disposition by morning or you’ll be buying me a train ticket back home. Is that clear?” Greta folded her arms across her chest, trying to keep from saying something she shouldn’t.

  “Me too!” Cora chirped.

  Zach clamped his mouth shut and nodded in agreement. “Oh, don’t forget—keep the gun loaded tonight.” His face was serious as he hurried back inside, letting the door clatter shut.

  Greta was almost certain her entire plan had been a huge mistake. Why in the world had she believed answering an ad could work for her just because it had for Catharine? Especi
ally after Zach had written letters to two brides. She was furious with herself for falling for this mail-order-bride ad. She flounced off toward Mabel’s as Cora fell into step beside her.

  7

  Jess poured himself a cup of coffee, glad that Zach always kept some on the stove for when they could catch a break, then sat down in his easy chair, which held a view of Main Street below. The rest of the afternoon and evening had been a flurry of activity, and though Zach caught his eye several times, he didn’t mention a word of what had transpired between him and the two women. It was just as well because he had no intention of talking about it further.

  How dare those two decide how he wanted things placed! Even now he felt hot under the collar. He was happy with things just as they were. He felt sure the rearranging had all been Greta’s idea. There was no need for that when he knew down to the last nail where supplies were. Zach . . . well . . . that was another thing. He could never find a thing without asking Jess of its whereabouts.

  He’d caught sight of the tops of Greta’s and Cora’s shiny heads beneath his window as they’d stood talking with Zach. Whatever was said, neither of them looked pleased. Then he watched as Greta strutted down the walk fast and furious when Zach went back inside. Good! He didn’t care if Greta was angry. It was his store. But he couldn’t help noticing the sway of her hips beneath her serviceable work dress and how proudly she held her shoulders. Her braids had all but fallen down her slender back. He wondered how they didn’t give her a headache when bound tightly against her scalp.

  Women! Who could begin to understand them? He wasn’t going to waste any more time contemplating them. Yet he’d continued to watch until she and Cora crossed over to Eureka Street, disappearing into the folks on their way home as the sun began to slide behind Bald Mountain. Now a sudden weariness overcame him, and he leaned back to rest his eyes.