No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Book #1): A Novel

by Brendan, Maggie

  “I hope you’re going to like it here and perhaps stay.” He squeezed her hand.

  “I haven’t decided yet.” She took a step back to create a space between them.

  When they had circled the floor a few times, he suggested they get some punch, to which Crystal readily agreed. Laughing and out of breath, they headed toward the punch table.

  Kate joined them and introduced her to Bill Alden, the minister of the local church. He was tall and thin in his dark suit, and he appeared to be in need of a few good meals. He took Crystal’s proffered hand. “Your dress nearly matches the color of your eyes,” he said. He led her into a waltz, leaving Josh holding two cups of punch with obvious disdain.

  “Thank you, Reverend. How large is your church membership?

  ” “We’re small. Around one hundred twenty-five, but attendance varies depending on the weather.” He smiled. “Do you sing?”

  “Yes, a little, but I can play piano better.”

  “Wonderful! Maybe you’d be inclined to play for us some time?”

  “I’d be happy to,” she said as they swayed to the music.

  Bill seemed delighted with this bit of news.

  Crystal feigned attention as he talked on, but she scanned the room for signs of Luke out of the corner of her eye. She saw him almost the minute he entered the barn. His tall frame embodied the litheness of a cougar, and every woman in the room stared while he strolled toward the tables. She saw that April wasted no time engaging him in conversation and hooked her arm through his elbow.

  Luke must have felt Crystal’s gaze, and he turned around to look straight at her with a hard, piercing stare. She felt confused. Was he miffed at her? She turned her attention to Bill and smiled up at the pastor, pretending rapt interest in his words.

  Crystal danced again with Kurt and Josh, then another waltz with Bill. She realized she hadn’t eaten and suggested they sit the next one out, and Bill seemed eager to please. They made their way to the heavy-laden tables, while Bill heaped his plate so high that she was afraid it would dump on his lap.

  Weaving their way through the crowd, they found chairs outside where the cool night air fanned their warm faces. They could hear giggling and voices whispering, then April’s voice came across loud and clear. “Did you see her frumpish silk dress, with her bosom almost falling out for everyone to see?” She snickered. “You’d think she was at a War Between the States ball.”

  The group of young girls stood clustered near the opening of the door, apparently unaware of Crystal just outside. The laughter continued.

  “I think she’s beautiful, and so is her dress, although a bit too elegant for a barn dance. What’s the matter, April, afraid she’ll steal your thunder?” one girl asked.

  “Not at all,” April said. “I just think she looks and acts like a floozy, and she’s throwing herself at the men!”

  “Well, I just think all of you are being a little unfair,” spoke a quieter voice.

  “Oh, Emily, grow up!” April said. “She doesn’t know the difference between a pancake and an enchilada. I’ll be glad when she’s gone.” The talking diminished as they walked out of earshot.

  Bill swallowed hard as Crystal’s face crumpled with hurt. “I’m sorry you heard that, Crystal.” In the light glow of the lamps Crystal saw his face turn scarlet. “They didn’t mean anything by that. Perhaps when they get to know you, they’ll feel differently,” he soothed.

  “They are indeed lacking in hospitality,” she said, swallowing the lump in her throat. She sounded stronger than she felt, and she could feel her eyes burning. She had lost her appetite.

  Later, Crystal stood talking with Charles and Sara Johnson, whom she liked on the spot. They were simple homesteaders, and she could sense their genuineness. Their daughters, Emily and Beth, were two rather plain-looking young girls she recognized as the ones she’d overheard earlier. Beth eyed her openly, but Emily was sweet and struck up a conversation with her. Out of the corner of her eye, Crystal watched as Luke encircled April’s waist and hugged her to his hipbone while they stood watching others dancing. Jube sauntered over to where she and Emily stood.

  “Would you care to dance, Emily?” He shifted nervously, not looking at her.

  “Well . . . I can’t dance too good.” She had a soft smile, and Crystal thought she was prettier when her smile reached her blue eyes.

  “What you don’t know, Jube can teach you,” she said. She pushed Emily in his direction and smiled inwardly. What a sweet couple they would make.

  By now, Crystal had a gnawing feeling in her stomach. She was a bit giddy with excitement from all the fun and gaiety. She supposed she should eat something, but that was soon forgotten as Luke ambled in her direction.

  “Care to dance, or have you worn yourself out?”

  “Tired? Me? I’m used to dancing,” she responded a little louder than she intended. Luke chuckled and led her to the floor. Rusty was calling a square dance, and before she knew it she was being whirled and sashayed from one partner to another until she ended back up in Luke’s strong arms, but not before she saw April place a possessive hand on his arm. Crystal looked away. Then, out of nowhere, Luke was at her side, pulling her off the dance floor.

  “Follow me!” Luke said as she tried to keep up with his long strides. He steered her to the door and outside into the cool night air.

  “I believe you need to get some fresh air.” They strolled toward the corral.

  “I feel mighty fine. I don’t need air,” Crystal said, but Luke put a protective arm around her.

  Her rib cage is so small. Why, my two hands could span her waist. He remembered how she looked as Bill whirled her around on the dance floor. The bodice had a low neckline, narrowing to her waist, where white ruffles peeked out from the pleated folds of her skirt. He thought she couldn’t have looked lovelier with her chestnut hair pinned with velvet ribbons hanging down her back. He’d felt a strange pull inside as he’d watched her giving rapt attention to the pastor.

  “I just haven’t eaten anything yet. That’s all that’s wrong with me.” She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling like diamonds as they filled with tears. “Luke, some of the girls don’t like me.” She leaned against the corral railing. “They think my dress is gaudy and the neckline too low and . . .” Her voice trailed off, and she started crying.

  Luke felt a tug at his heart and pulled the small form to him. “Shh . . . you are just imagining they think that.” He stroked her head as he would a child. Her hair smelled so sweet.

  “No, I heard them.” She pulled away, wiping her face with the back of her hand.

  “You sure do stick out like a sore thumb. But you know, that’s jealous females for you. Always comparing.” His eyes swept over her with admiration.

  “Stick out? Blast you!” Her green eyes snapped.

  “What? I didn’t mean what you think—”

  “Luke Weber, are all cowboys so thick between the ears? Don’t you ever think before you blurt things out?” she yelled. “You have the manners of a warthog!” She turned and picked up her skirts to go.

  Luke stung as though he had been slapped. What had he done? “And you, Crystal, have been reminding me ever since you arrived!”

  “Better go back inside to your darling April, who’s been milking you all night. Because she can split wood, round up horses, and fire a gun faster than lightning.” Crystal snapped her fingers for emphasis.

  It was Luke’s turn to be angry. “I think I’ll do just that, Miss Fancy Pants!” He whirled around and stalked back to the barn, leaving her alone. Blasted little piece of fluff! What did she expect, wearing a gown that only accentuates her amazing figure? Every man in the place was ogling over her!

  He walked straight to Rusty and scowled. “Rusty? Play a fast one, ol’man.” Luke knew he was barking orders at his good friend and was sorry immediately.

  “What’s nettled you?” Rusty cocked his head in Luke’s direction.

  “Nothing.”


  “It’s the little things that get tangled in your spurs that trip you up, Luke.” Rusty slapped him on his shoulder.

  Luke frowned. “Now what’s that supposed to mean?”

  Rusty just shook his head and rosined up his bow for the next set. Luke walked off in a huff and pulled April back out onto the dance floor.

  The remainder of the evening was a blur in Crystal’s memory. After Luke had stormed off, Josh had come looking for her and claimed she was the best dancer there. Crystal let him lead her back to the party. She felt Luke’s eyes on her and deliberately flirted with Josh, who seemed pleased as punch with her direct attention. He seemed to be one of the few men here with manners and breeding. Besides, she liked his kind brown eyes.

  “Crystal . . .” Josh spoke in an unabashed manner. “Would it be all right if I called on you next week?”

  “I’d like that very much, Josh.” Crystal smiled up at him, knowing full well Luke’s gaze was on her while he danced with April right next to them.

  It was well after midnight as Kate and Crystal bade their guests good night. In a flurry of good-byes and promises to have Crystal over soon, everyone waved, tired but contented to make their way home under a bright, full moon.

  6

  Autumn was a distant thought as the morning sun sent its scorching rays on the Sabbath day. It was apparent that Sunday church was always observed in Kate’s household.

  Crystal shook and fluffed out her Sunday finery. It was a rust taffeta shirtwaist with tiny tucks and a full skirt in the same rich color, trimmed in cream velvet with panels of voile inserts. She frowned. The outfit was a little worn, but on close scrutiny, one could tell it had been finely stitched and was once the height of fashion. She would have to purchase some material for a new one and mend the others that hung in her wardrobe.

  She twisted her thick hair to the top of her head and secured it with pins. With a jab of a mother-of-pearl hat pin, she placed a straight-brimmed hat on her head and raised it jauntily on one side over a bandeau of rust rosettes.

  If Crystal had been surprised at the cowhands’fresh attire at the party, she was even more astonished at their dark suits and stiff white collars on Sunday. The womenfolk rode in the buckboard, and the men followed on horseback. Kate was perspiring profusely beneath her black bombazine but seemed very pleased that her “extended family” indulged her in their church attendance.

  Crystal’s face warmed slightly when Luke’s cool gaze caught hers. It was hard to figure out what he was thinking. She felt like she’d made a complete fool of herself Friday night and had avoided his presence whenever she could by tending to chores.

  As the white steeple of the church came into view, Kate guided the horses beneath a stand of spruces alongside some other buggies in the shade. Rusty and Kurt assisted the ladies down, and they all walked toward the group of people who were milling around outside the church steps. Children ran around the adults and played hide-and-seek behind their mothers’wide skirts.

  “Yoo-hoo!” Mary Franklin called out to them as they approached.

  Crystal waved and started in her direction and was met by Emily Johnson, who smiled shyly at Jube as he was tying up the horses.

  “Ma wants to know if you can come to dinner after church. Please say you’ll come,” she said to Crystal.

  Crystal glanced at Kate, who nodded, and she turned back to Emily. “I would love to.”

  “Great. See you right after service then.” Emily turned to join her family inside the church.

  “She’s such a sweet young lady,” Mary commented to Crystal and Kate. “And I can see that she’s taken an instant liking to you, Crystal.”

  “I like her too.”

  “By the way, your shoes should be in by the middle of the week,” Mary said.

  “Good. I’ll be in to collect them.”

  “Come early and I’ll make us some fine imported tea, and you can tell me all about the South. I’ve always wanted to visit there.” Mary smiled at her.

  The sharp peal of the church bell rang out, indicating the service would soon begin. Crystal watched as April waited on the steps of the church for Luke, who took her arm and guided her to the pew where her family was seated. Taking a seat next to Kate and Rusty, Crystal kept her eyes straight ahead when Reverend Alden approached the pulpit. Kurt sat on her left with Curly and Jube behind them.

  The reverend smiled directly at her. Kurt gave her a sideways look, and she squirmed under his scrutiny and reached for a hymnal as Bill stood. He opened his hymnal and said, “Let’s all stand and sing ‘To God Be the Glory,’found on page fifty-seven in your hymnal.”

  The congregation raised their voices in unison under the reverend’s direction. His voice rang out loud and clear. Crystal was amazed that such a rich baritone emitted from his string-bean body.

  While Bill preached, Crystal looked over the congregation. The majority of the folks were hardworking homesteaders in their clean but plain clothing. Their rapt faces were lined and weathered, probably from years of outdoor labor and the harsh, dry climate.

  Her eyes fell on the aisle across from her, where Luke sat with April. He looked very dashing in his dark suit and stiff white collar fastened at the neck with a black string tie. April’s silky blonde hair fell down her back, and she wore a pale blue frock that matched her eyes, making her appear as fragile as a china doll. Crystal watched as April picked a piece of lint off Luke’s sleeve. Crystal groaned inwardly. They made a striking couple.

  But why should it matter to her? He was as stubborn as a mule, with a reputation that preceded him. Carmen had told her that half the girls in the territory were after him. But it appeared to Crystal that he had just one girl in mind.

  Her wandering mind was brought back to the present. Bill talked about loving your neighbors as yourself and putting their needs above your own. Crystal thought he was so sincere and genuine, but from the way he looked at her, she was afraid he was starting to get ideas about her. He ended by reminding them of the church bazaar, whose proceeds would go for a much-needed organ.

  Crystal followed Emily out to where her father was waiting in the wagon for Sara and Beth. Presently they loaded up, and with a wave to Kate and Rusty, Charles flicked the reins over the horse’s rump. The horses set out in a trot across a field of wildflowers, and the ride was filled with laughter with Crystal’s new friends.

  Jube stood with his hat in his hands and stared after them. Luke led the horses by the reins but stopped short, noticing Jube’s wistful look.

  “Somethin’wrong?”

  Jube’s face flushed pink. “Naw . . . Emily’s right purty, ain’t she?”

  Luke forced himself to keep from laughing, knowing how sensitive Jube was. Now he was beginning to get the picture. Quiet Jube was sweet on shy Emily.

  “She shore is. Does she know how you feel, Jube?”

  “I kinda think she might. I’m not much with words . . .”

  “Better let her know. You could lose her to that new preacher man.”

  “Aw, I don’t think so. Besides, Bill has his eye on Crystal.”

  Luke’s head swung around, eyebrows cocked, surprised at Jube’s observation. “Well, he can shore enough have her. That little spitfire spells trouble.’Course, I can’t see her making a good preacher’s wife—she’s too mouthy.”

  Crystal tried not to act surprised when Charles stopped the wagon before a crude structure, which was partially in the ground and appeared to be made out of mud. As Charles helped the womenfolk down, he explained that their home was a sod house.

  “Come on in. You’ll find this is the coolest house in the valley,” Sara commented with pride in her voice.

  To her amazement, upon entering the homey interior, Crystal found it refreshing and cool. The inside of the soddy was plastered with pink clay.

  “However in the world did you build this?” she asked as Beth took her hat and gloves.

  “We got the clay from the banks of dry streambeds, and we cut
the sod with a plow in long slabs for walls. It looks a little primitive, but it’s cool in the summer and warm in the winter,” Charles said in a heavy northern accent. He showed her into the kitchen, where Emily and Sara had already donned aprons and now proceeded to heat up their lunch, which had been prepared earlier that morning.

  Crystal turned to where Sara was busy stirring gravy in a heavy iron skillet. “Can I help do something?”

  “You are our guest. Just have a seat at the table, and we’ll have dinner ready in no time,” Sara said over her shoulder. “The preacher should be here any minute. He looked like he’s in need of some home cooking.” She laughed good-naturedly.

  Beth set the table with rose-patterned dishes that were now well-worn and chipped. Crystal was sure the frayed linen napkins once graced a beautiful table back East. The entire scene touched a cord in Crystal’s heart as she observed the family’s humble home and their pride in farming in this wild territory.

  Before too long, the rawboned preacher arrived and apologized that he had kept them waiting. Sara directed him to a chair next to Emily and said, “Emily has been keeping an eye out for you.” Sara cast a meaningful look in Charles’s direction, which the reverend ignored.

  Emily stared down at her hands in her lap. Crystal was sure that Emily’s thoughts had not been on Bill Alden.

  Lunch consisted of steak and gravy, boiled potatoes, biscuits the size of a man’s fist, and rhubarb pie for dessert. Throughout the meal, Emily quizzed Crystal about the South, and even Beth seemed to warm to Crystal’s friendliness. Crystal told them of the special lushness of the trees and its many varieties of flowers, and Georgia’s hazy mornings and high humidity.

  “Must be the reason for your creamy complexion. I declare, this dry weather is so rough on skin,” Sara commented.

  Bill Alden hardly took his eyes off Crystal the entire meal, and later, over coffee, he told her he had promised Kate to bring her home on his way back. Crystal would have sooner walked but saw no tactful way to reject his offer.