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

by Brendan, Maggie

  “I’m not so sure being a Christian had anything to do with it.” Zach scratched his beard absentmindedly while the ladies walked on either side of him.

  “What do you mean?” Cora appeared shocked. “Don’t you have a relationship with the Lord?”

  Zach quirked an eyebrow. “I’m more interested in a relationship with Greta at the moment,” he answered with a wink at Greta. “It’s just Jess has a soft spot for young folks. Comes naturally after . . . ” Zach’s voice trailed off. “Anyway, he’ll teach Caleb a thing or two or my name’s not Zach Gifford.”

  “Jess has a soft spot for young folks?” Greta asked, thinking he might tell them more, but he didn’t seem inclined to share for whatever reason.

  It took little more than twenty minutes to retrieve their bags and return to the hotel. Greta and Cora carried their carpetbags while Zach carried their luggage in either hand. Though they trudged back uphill to the hotel, he never broke a sweat. Greta watched his broad back muscles stretch the fabric of his coat and noticed his strong forearms as he climbed the stairs and placed the luggage in front of their hotel room.

  “I’ll just grab my key and you can set those inside,” Cora instructed him.

  When the door swung open, Greta was pleasantly surprised at the nicely furnished room and the warmth of the dark wood used for the twin beds and dresser. To her delight, her feet sank into plush carpet, and a light fragrance of lemon and beeswax polish indicated that the room had been freshly cleaned. Cora walked over and lowered the shade against the darkness, and Zach placed their luggage next to their beds.

  “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.” Zach moved toward the door.

  Cora lifted her suitcase to her bed, and Greta walked him to the door. “Zach, thanks for hoisting our luggage for us,” she said, standing in the doorway. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course. Anything.”

  Greta cast a glance over her shoulder to see if Cora was listening, then stepped into the hallway, pulling the door to. He stood close, and the scent of his aftershave tickled her nose, making her very aware of his manly physique. He was strongly built like Bryan and was about as tall as Bryan had been, but more muscular and a couple years older, perhaps. She fixed her eyes on his and said, “I wondered why Jess appears to be so sad sometimes when he doesn’t suspect anyone’s watching. Is it because you brought us here? If so, then maybe I should leave . . .”

  Zach reached out and took her hands in his. “Oh no. It’s nothing like that at all. Jess . . . well . . . he’s had his heart broken twice. Once by Agnes Cartwright, whom he courted for a while, but who stopped seeing him when a wealthy entrepreneur came to town.”

  “Oh. The way she acted around him, I thought she was sweet on Jess.”

  “She may have had a change of heart, but it’s too late where Jess is concerned. I’m sure of that. He’s no fool, so he’s cautious.”

  “What was the other time?”

  “I guess it’s twofold, Greta. We lost our younger brother and then a couple months later, our parents.” He paused, staring down at her hands in his with a distant look in his eyes, and she thought he might cry. “It’s hard to lose your parents, but Jess took it really hard when our little brother died.”

  “I’m so sorry, Zach . . . I didn’t mean to pry or make you relive old hurts.” Greta gave his hand a squeeze.

  He closed the gap between them. “You didn’t, Greta.” To her complete surprise, with a gentle tug he pulled her close, touching her mouth with his in a warm kiss. His lips felt soft, lingering for a moment until he released her. She hadn’t been kissed since the day Bryan had left for Fort Bridger, and she suddenly felt an odd betrayal of sorts.

  She wasn’t sure what to say other than, “Good night, Zach.”

  His lips tilted upward in a lopsided smile, and his brown eyes twinkled. “Good night, pretty lady.” He turned and headed down the stairs with a wave of his hand, and she waved back. Goodness! Two kisses in one day. Neither of them unpleasant, she thought as she closed the door, leaning back on it with a smile.

  Cora was already in her nightgown, brushing her hair in front of the oval mirror that hung over the washstand. Greta admired Cora’s beautiful, thick tresses, so different from her own fine and flyaway hair.

  “Were you having a tête-à-tête with Zach?” She stopped her brushing in midair. “Seems as though you are both getting along very well.”

  Did Cora have eyes in the back of her head? Surely she didn’t see the kiss. “We were just talking about Jess.”

  “Oh?” She smiled and went back to her brush strokes, backing up to the bed to take a seat. She’d pulled the coverlets back on both beds, and Greta thought hers looked mighty inviting.

  Greta pulled off her shoes and began unbuttoning the front of her bodice. “Yes. I asked Zach why Jess seemed sad sometimes.”

  Cora gave Greta her undivided attention and laid aside her hairbrush. Tucking her feet up under her nightgown, she wrapped her arms around her knees and leaned against the headboard. “What did he say?”

  It was only fair to tell her, but she wondered why Cora hadn’t asked Jess herself. Quickly Greta told Cora about the loss of their brother and parents. “I guess that’s enough to make one melancholy,” Greta said with a catch in her voice that seemed to surprise Cora.

  “Come sit down, Greta.” She patted the bed. “Is something bothering you?”

  Greta sat down and faced her with a deep sigh. “It shows?”

  “Only occasionally I see a faraway look in your eyes,” Cora answered gently.

  Greta clasped the locket around her neck. “I was engaged to be married . . . then my fiancé, Bryan, was killed in an Indian ambush.”

  Cora sucked in her breath, then reached over and touched Greta’s knee. “Oh, Greta! How awful! I’m truly sorry. How long has it been?”

  “It was a year ago.”

  Cora nodded toward the chain in Greta’s fingers. “Is that a locket he gave you?”

  “Yes. It was for my eighteenth birthday. We were so in love.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. This wasn’t like her. She was used to always staying in control.

  “So that’s why you left Cheyenne.”

  Greta nodded. Cora reached into her purse, found a handkerchief, and handed it to Greta. “Here. It’s clean—wipe your tears.”

  “It’s been a long time since I cried. I’m sorry.” Greta took the hanky and dabbed her eyes. “I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Sometimes when you hear someone else say they’ve lost a loved one, it’s like your loss is fresh again,” Cora said sympathetically.

  Greta blew her nose. “I suppose so. At least now you know what drives Jess.”

  “It makes sense to me now why he has a soft spot for Caleb. Not many men would do that.”

  “I believe you were instrumental in getting him to give Caleb a chance, but I have my doubts about his rehabilitation.”

  “I’m convinced everyone deserves a second chance in this world. With God’s help, Caleb can change. It happened to me, though the Lord is still working things out. That’s why I seem a bit helpless sometimes and at a loss for direction. I know I complained a lot about everything when we arrived—the cabin, being duped by Zach, and even walking instead of being driven in a carriage.”

  Greta laughed. “You certainly did.”

  Cora gave her a pouty look but continued. “As I said, I’m a work in progress. My father is a banker and all my needs were met. I wanted for nothing, but neither did I do anything but exist, allowing others to wait on me. It’s what I knew. Not that it’s a bad thing in and of itself, it’s just that I had no purpose in life once I graduated from high school.”

  “What happened to make you change?”

  “One evening a friend invited me to go hear a circuit preacher passing through Boston. It was the best thing that ever happened to me, Greta. I knew that my parents loved me, though they never told me. But that night, I heard the three litt
le words that I long to hear—I love you. God spoke right then to my heart that night. I found out that all the desires of my heart were His plans for me too, but what I was looking for all along was really Him.”

  Greta’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful, Cora. But why did you leave home to become a mail-order bride? Surely there were eligible men of high standards whom your father knew.”

  “My parents disapproved of my new faith. When I began to give away my allowance to others in need and started doing charity work for the church, we argued. They wouldn’t allow any of the changes that I wanted in my life.” Cora’s bottom lip trembled. “When I wouldn’t renounce my belief in Christ, they made it so hard for me to live under their roof that I decided to answer the ad Zach placed so I could leave. It was an easy way out, I suppose.” Cora looked down at the quilt and traced the pattern with her finger absentmindedly.

  “Gracious! Cora, what a story. We must pray for your family to come around. It can happen, you know. Nothing is impossible with God—except maybe pitting two brides against one unsuspecting bachelor,” she teased. Cora laughed with her. It was good to finally be able to talk about the situation with someone.

  “I believe that God has placed me here for a purpose, Greta. I think He wanted you and me to be friends, despite the crazy situation we found ourselves in. Don’t you?”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more. Now, to just figure out what to do about it.” Greta stood and handed Cora the soiled handkerchief. “But for now, let’s get to bed. At least we won’t have prowling bears to worry about.” Greta grinned. Cora threw a pillow at her but she dodged it, sending them into fits of laughter like two schoolgirls.

  Zach whistled as he walked back to the mercantile in the soft evening light, giving a nod here and there to people on the street. It had been a strange day to say the least, but it had ended well as far as he was concerned. He hoped Caleb would be a help and not a hindrance to them. But if anyone could help him, it would be Jess, and possibly Cora with the true concern she exhibited for him.

  The last few moments with Greta had been especially nice. Though she hadn’t kissed him back, neither had she pulled away, and he smiled with the thought of her soft lips pressed to his. What a turn of events. This was turning out better than he ever imagined. Two beautiful, educated women.

  With the way Agnes had treated Jess, he could do far worse than Cora. Zach hadn’t had marriage on his own mind when he wrote those letters pretending to be Jess. But tonight he was beginning to think Greta might be someone he could enjoy coming home to. When he had his own place to come home to . . .

  13

  Jess woke early to the sound of rain and wind rattling the window next to his bed. He rolled onto his side and glanced over at Zach, who was still asleep, then to the kitchen area only a few feet away, where Caleb lay sleeping with his arm slung across his tanned face. The boy didn’t trust him, and he felt likewise.

  Jess sat up, pushing the curtain aside just as the sun peeked over the mountain, its spreading light casting hues in purple, orange, and gold as it kissed the top of Bald Mountain. Sunrise or sunset, this was a beautiful sight he never tired of, and it was a constant reminder of God’s presence. Good thing too, ’cause he was going to need it. He might have bitten off more than he could chew with this unruly whippersnapper. But there was something about Caleb that reminded Jess of his younger brother. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the fearless adventure mirrored in Caleb’s eyes.

  Tears stung his eyes, but he quickly blinked them away. He slid his pants on over his long handles to ward off the morning chill and pulled on his boots as he hoofed it to the outhouse. He’d make a pot of coffee when he returned, and hopefully the others would be awake by then.

  The biting rain pelted him as he hurried across the yard, his boots sinking in the soggy grass. The air carried the fresh scent of pine needles that the wind and rain had strewn about. Later, snow would blanket Central City and the townsfolk would hunker down for the oncoming winter. If Zach had his way, he would be sharing his bed with Greta before winter, but Jess wasn’t too sure about Cora. It would be nice to have a wife to snuggle up with and make love to, but presently he had no feelings to deal with where Cora was concerned . . . at least not yet. He wasn’t sure he ever would after Agnes broke his heart. He sighed and shoved the thought as far back into his mind as he could. He knew Agnes wanted another chance, but that wouldn’t happen again. No sirree!

  When he returned, neither man had budged, even when he swung open the door. Sometimes the rain could lull him back to sleep too, but not today. He filled the coffeepot with water, added coffee grounds in the top of the drip pot, shoved wood into the firebox, then set the pot to boil, figuring the sounds would wake the other two.

  Looking about the large room, he knew it was no place for a wife. There simply wasn’t any privacy. Of course, Zach would move out if he did marry Greta, but the place wasn’t much to look at, and his side of the room was always a mess. From what he could already tell about Cora, she was a refined lady and wouldn’t want to live above his store. He really couldn’t blame her, which made him wonder why she’d answered the ad for a bride. It was as plain as the nose on his face that she was used to a higher class of living—yet she seemed to have a tender heart and showed kindness toward others. It was a very admirable trait to have, and she would surely make a good wife and mother.

  A noise from the corner of the kitchen proved to be Caleb yawning and stretching as he struggled to his feet. He seemed unsure as to where he was for a moment, then stumbled to where Jess stood at the stove.

  “Mornin’. Do you drink coffee, son?”

  “There’s other things I prefer, but I’ll take a cup,” Caleb said, running his hand through shaggy hair that could use a good trimming.

  “There’s a fresh towel and soap on the rack by the stove. The outhouse is just down the stairs and outside to the left. Help yourself while I cook us up some bacon. It’s raining, so take my slicker hanging on that hook there,” Jess said, motioning to the back of the door.

  “You mean you care if I get wet? How do you know I won’t take off?”

  Jess hooked his thumbs in his pockets and stared at him. “I don’t know that you won’t, but I don’t want you dripping on my floor. And if you want some warm food in your belly and a chance to do something with your life, you’ll stay. Up to you.” He shrugged and turned away, watching the boy from the corner of his eye.

  Caleb’s mouth went slack with surprise, then he reached for the slicker and stomped down the stairs. Jess scratched his head, watching him leave. Maybe he could get through to him and learn more about his background, but Caleb held his cards close to his chest, that was for sure.

  Jess took bacon from the pantry, sliced off thick chunks, and placed them in a skillet before lighting a fire under it. Soon the bacon was sizzling and the coffee boiling, waking Zach with the sounds and smells just as Caleb returned.

  “Bacon sure smells good,” Caleb commented, hanging the slicker back on the hook.

  “Gonna be a wet, nasty day, I think,” Jess said, turning the bacon over. “I see you finally woke up, Zach.” He glanced over at his brother.

  Zach pulled on his pants and shuffled over to pour himself a cup of coffee. “How’d you figure I could sleep with all that racket you’re makin’?”

  “That’s the point—you’re not supposed to.” Jess took a plate and lifted the bacon slices onto it. “Caleb, reach in that basket on the table there and hand me some eggs, and I’ll scramble some up for us.”

  Caleb handed him the eggs and watched as Jess deftly cracked a half dozen into a bowl, then beat them swiftly with a fork. “Gotta whip ’em good, then they’ll be light and fluffy, you know.” Jess could tell by the blank look on Caleb’s face that he couldn’t care less as long as he got to eat, but could be he’d learn something while he was standing there.

  Zach returned from his morning ablutions, washed his hands, and grabbed the plates. He plunk
ed them on the table while Caleb filled the coffee cups. “There’s a half loaf of bread in the pantry there, Caleb, if you’ll get it.”

  After scraping the eggs onto their plates, Jess set the skillet back on the stove, and they all took a seat at the worn table. He gave thanks for the meal, but before he finished, Caleb dug his fork into the eggs.

  “Whoa, son. At this table we always wait to eat until after grace is said.” Jess tapped him on the arm with his fork.

  “Uh, sorry.” Caleb put his fork down.

  Jess humphed. “You can go ahead now. I’ve finished. But just remember next time to mind your manners while you’re here.” Jess motioned for him to eat.

  The men ate in silence with the sounds of wagons rumbling past, the puppy barking downstairs, and the driving rain hitting the windows in the background. “We’re gonna have to feed that little puppy some table scraps when we’re through.” Jess watched the young man wolf down the breakfast, saying little.

  Zach devoured his breakfast and took a swig of coffee. “Caleb, we have a freight order that should arrive this morning. You can come with me and help me unload it from the train to our wagon.” He glanced at Jess. “If that works for you, Jess.”

  Caleb nodded, scraping up the last of his eggs.

  “Good idea. Then he can help uncrate the supplies. What’s on this shipment?” Jess should know, but sometimes he forgot what he’d ordered from week to week. He hated details, and it seemed that Zach hadn’t minded handling much of the ordering or working for the store . . . until he’d admitted the truth after Greta and Cora arrived.

  “Let’s see . . . lard, salt, flour, coffee, rice, sugar, molasses, vinegar, kerosene, and engine oil, mostly. I think Greta mentioned she’d like to add a couple of items on the next order.”

  “Is that so? I’m not surprised. Maybe I should let her do inventory next time. She’d be better at keeping track of everything and seems to like taking charge. She’ll make you a good wife, Zach.” Jess swallowed the last sip of coffee, trying hard to mean what he’d just said.