White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  He figured after that everything would sort of work itself out. Pa’d already promised to deed enough land to him for a house and a little acreage. They’d need room for a garden and space for kids to run and play. Hope rose in him as his thoughts progressed.

  He propped the ax upright on the ground and grinned, hardly noticing the flakes that pummeled him from all sides. He’d bet his and Tuck’s kids would be a sight. He hoped they all had shocks of wild blond hair like Tuck. He picked up the ax and swung. Of course, he’d have to wait until after the winter to build, but they could live here with Ma and Pa until then. Tuck was already like one of their own.

  Yep, he had it all figured out. The only problem was he couldn’t leave the farm. Pa was down with flu, and Rafe had to take care of all the night chores as well as preparing the house and animals for a possible blizzard. The milking and feeding were already done, but by the time supper was over, it would be too late to go calling on anyone, even if the storm slacked up.

  In the meantime, with Tuck thinking he was going to marry Carrie Sue, there was no telling what could go wrong. He’d just have to get over there first thing in the morning if the storm had died down and the snow wasn’t too deep. Tuck’d be madder than an old wet hen when she found out he’d been teasing her, but she’d calm down after a bit. Just so she didn’t run into Carrie Sue or one of her friends before Rafe could talk to her.

  “Rafe!” He turned at his ma’s call. She stood in the doorway, a shawl pulled tightly around her head and shoulders, her apron flapping in the wind. “You’re scattering wood all over the yard. You’d best get it picked up and stacked on the woodpile before the snowstorm gets any worse. Supper’ll be ready by the time you get it done.”

  “All right, Ma. I can taste those beans and fried potatoes now.” He flashed her a smile.

  At his words, her face brightened. “I’ve got biscuits in the oven, too. Your pa had a hankering for them.” She smiled and slipped back inside.

  Rafe’s stomach rumbled. Some folks liked corn bread best, but Rafe didn’t think anything was better with pinto beans than hot buttered biscuits. The tantalizing smell of beans simmering and potatoes frying in the old iron skillet lingered even with the door closed.

  He wondered if Tuck made good biscuits. He was pretty sure she did. After all, Lexie was one of the best cooks around Branson, and she would have taught the girls.

  His thoughts went to Addy. How would she feel about Tuck getting married and leaving home? For that matter, how would Tuck handle being away from her twin? They’d never been apart. Not even for one whole day and night. Rafe frowned. Well, if they got to missing each other too much, Addy could come live with her sister and him.

  He chuckled as he placed the fresh split wood on the woodpile. He already had their lives worked out, and Tuck still thought he was marrying Carrie Sue.

  After supper, Rafe looked in on his pa. He was sitting up in bed drinking a cup of coffee. Pa didn’t drink much of the bitter liquid, but he had to have his hot, black coffee at breakfast and another right after the supper meal.

  “Got the cows in the barn, son?” Pa wasn’t used to being still, and Rafe had a feeling Ma wouldn’t be able to keep him down for long.

  “Yes, sir. Milking’s done, all the stock’s fed, and the chickens are shut up in the shed.”

  Pa nodded. “Good. Sorry you had it all to do by yourself.”

  Rafe shrugged. “No problem. How are you feeling?”

  “Fit as a fiddle. I’ll be up and about tomorrow.” He peered at Rafe. “You got something on your mind, son?”

  Rafe grinned. “I was wondering, as soon as you’re up to it, if we could go check out my land. I thought maybe you could help me decide on the best spot for a house and barn.”

  “I reckon so. Any special reason you’re in such a hurry?”

  Rafe nodded. “I plan to ask Tuck to marry me.”

  “Is that right? Well that don’t surprise me. I’ve always sort of expected it. Then that doctor showed up.” He shook his head. “Guess she’s over that.”

  “She was only infatuated. Nothing serious. Maybe it took something like that to wake me up to my true feelings,” Rafe said. “You think it’ll be all right for Tuck and me to move in here until I get a house built next spring?”

  “Fine with me. But your ma’s going to have a fit if you don’t give her time to fix things up for your bride.” He grinned. “You seem pretty all-fired sure Tuck’s going to say yes.”

  Rafe stared at his pa. His mouth went dry and he licked his lips. Pa was right. He’d been living in a dream world for the past few hours, making all these plans, never once thinking Tuck might say no. And even if she said yes, she’d want time to make plans.

  His expectancy deflated. What had he been thinking? He hadn’t even asked to court her yet. He’d just taken it for granted because she acted a little jealous that she felt the same way he did. Maybe she was jealous because she didn’t want to share his friendship. Carrie Sue’s thinking Tuck was in love with him didn’t make it so. Neither did his own wishful thinking.

  He sighed. Maybe he’d better hold off on his plans for a while. He’d feel an awful fool if she laughed in his face.

  Chapter 21

  Abby, the dough is kneaded more than enough.”

  Tuck frowned at her sister and pounded her fist into the pillowy mass twice more. “Fine. You finish.”

  “Abby, come back here.”

  Ignoring Addy’s imploring voice, Tuck headed to the parlor and looked out the window again. Would it ever stop? Drifts piled up high on the porch, and a vast carpet of snow stretched out as far as her eye could see. Four days of almost continuous snow was bad enough, but the howling wind made it impossible to even think clearly.

  Pa made the arduous trip to the barn twice a day to tend to the animals, and Ma paced the floor each time until he was safely back inside. Tuck had pleaded with him to let her help, but he wouldn’t hear of it.

  At least the enforced confinement had calmed her temper down. She wasn’t sure what kind of scene she’d have thrown if she’d seen Rafe anytime soon after hearing about his little joke on her. She still inwardly seethed over it, but at least she didn’t want to tear his hair out by the roots.

  She’d made Addy repeat Carrie Sue’s words over and over until she had them memorized. If the girl was correct and Rafe truly was in love with Tuck, then he may have been trying to find out her feelings for him, and she could easily forgive him. Although, she might let him suffer a little bit, as he deserved. But—and this was very possible—if Carrie was mistaken, then Rafe had just been making mischief. Tuck would have to be careful. Otherwise, she could make a fool of herself and perhaps ruin their friendship, and she didn’t think she could bear that.

  She sighed. If only the snow would let up soon. Otherwise, the Christmas dance would be canceled, and there would go her dreams. Dreams of dancing, lightly and romantically, across the dance floor, in Rafe’s arms, her dress billowing like a cloud and his eyes staring into hers adoringly.

  She gave a chuckle. This confinement must be doing things to her mind. She returned to the kitchen to see Addy making loaves and placing them in the pans to rise again. They needed to get them all baked before Ma woke up from her nap. Otherwise she’d insist on doing it herself, and she tired so easily nowadays.

  Addy gave her a sideways glance, and Tuck grinned. “Sorry. Guess I’m a little fidgety.”

  “I’ll say,” Addy said. “I don’t blame you though. I’m getting cabin fever myself.”

  “I hope we won’t have a bad winter. I don’t think I could stand months of this.” They’d had winters they’d been cooped up for weeks on end, with maybe a day here or there when they could escape the confines of the house.

  “Remember the year we were snowed in with Great-Aunt Kate for a whole week?” Addy rolled her eyes and made a face.

  Tuck chuckled. They’d been nine at the time and still getting used to being part of the Sullivan and Ray
ton families. “How could I forget? Uncle Will threatened to tan our hides, and Ma told him if there was any hide tanning to be done Papa Jack was more than capable of doing it.”

  “Yes, then Aunt Sarah got all over Ma for daring to be so mean.” Addy giggled. “Those two boys of theirs are worse than we ever were.”

  “Hmm. I’m not sure of that. We were pretty ornery.”

  Addy nodded. “So, what would you rather have? A little sister or brother?”

  “I’m not sure if it matters. All babies look like little toads for the first few months anyway.” At least all of them she’d ever seen.

  “Abby. That’s terrible.” Addy’s mouth twisted, and a laugh exploded from her mouth. “They do look funny at first. But they’re sweet. I plan to have at least three someday.”

  “You do?” She’d never thought of Addy as a mother. She picked up the dishrag and started wiping the table down.

  “Of course. Don’t you?” Addy raised an eyebrow in her direction. She opened the oven door and placed a pan of bread inside, then reached for another.

  Tuck stood and stared at her sister. “I’ve never thought about it.”

  “Really? I think about it all the time.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “Do you think four loaves will be enough?”

  “Huh? Oh. Yes.” She eyed her sister. “Who do you think of as the father?”

  “Well, when we were in eighth grade, I used to think about marrying Joe Smith, but then he moved away. Since then, no one. I just think about my children.” She gazed at Tuck. “You should think about it, Abby.”

  “I don’t know if I’d be a good mother.”

  “Sure you will.” Addy grinned. “And Rafe’ll be a wonderful father.”

  Heat washed over Tuck’s head and ran all the way down to her toes. “What if I don’t marry Rafe?”

  Addy’s eyes held hers, and she smiled. “You will. You know you will.”

  She thought she would. Yes, she knew she would. Or was it just wishful thinking?

  Rafe dug the long-handled shovel down into the drifted snow and scooped the last of the piled-up snow to the side of the path. The heavy winds had lasted for nearly three days. Snow had fallen steadily for four, finally dwindling down to next to nothing this morning. He’d breathed a sigh of relief and wasted no time clearing a path from the side porch to the barn. He’d been trudging through the cold, wet depths every day to take care of the animals. Pa was up and around now and couldn’t wait to get busy again.

  Rafe stepped inside and looked around at the contented animals. Must be nice. He chuckled at the ridiculous thought. They’d all been fed earlier and the cows milked. His sight drifted up to the rafters and rested on the pair of sleigh runners. He and Pa had repaired and oiled them at the end of winter last year. They never knew when they’d have to use them to get around. Either that or wait until the snow melted to get needed supplies.

  However, Rafe had another purpose in mind. He’d removed the buggy wheels a couple of days ago. Now all he’d have to do is attach the runners. He climbed up in the loft and reached for the sharp runners, lifting them down carefully, one by one.

  He had them fitted on the buggy, when the door opened and Pa stepped in, bundled up from head to feet. Ma’s doing, more than likely. “I figured that’s what you were up to out here,” Pa cackled, his voice still a little hoarse. “So this is the big day I take it?”

  Rafe nodded. “If I can get Tuck to go with me for a ride, I intend to ask her, Pa.”

  Pa squeezed Rafe’s shoulder. “God go with you, son. I’ll be praying. If Tuck loves you, she’ll say yes.”

  Rafe swallowed past the lump that had suddenly formed. “And if she doesn’t?”

  “Then it’s best you find out now, so you can quit pining and wait for the right one.” He turned. “You’d best get some blankets to take along. Don’t want the girl to freeze while you’re popping the question.”

  “No, that wouldn’t be good.” Rafe laughed then sobered. “Thank you for your prayers, Pa. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you, but knowing you and Ma pray for me has always given me comfort.”

  “You haven’t told me, but I knew. I had a praying ma myself. No telling where I’d be today if it wasn’t for her prayers.” He reached a hand up and wiped at his eyes. “Guess I got something in my eye.”

  Soon Rafe was gliding across the rolling farmland. His mouth was dry and his face numb. From the cold? Or the uncertainty of what was to come?

  He stopped the horses alongside the front porch, and before he was out of the transformed buggy, the door was flung open and Jack stepped outside, holding the door open for him. Good sign. At least Jack was still friendly.

  A moment later, he stood in the parlor greeting Lexie and the girls. Addy grinned and said hello.

  After looking at everything in the room but him, Tuck finally looked him in the eye. “Hi, Rafe.”

  “Abigail, why don’t you get Rafe something hot to drink? He looks half frozen.” Lexie sat in a rocker with a blanket over her lap. She pursed her lips and smiled.

  “No thank you, ma’am. I don’t want anything to drink. I really came to see if Tuck wants to go for a sleigh ride.”

  “Oh, but it’s terribly cold out there.” Lexie frowned and glanced at Tuck.

  “I didn’t get cold at all, ma’am. There are plenty of blankets, and Ma sent hot water bottles for our feet…” He darted a glance at Tuck. “That is, if she wants to.”

  Her eyes widened as she stared at him. Then she jumped up. “I’d like to go for a sleigh ride. That is, if you won’t worry, Ma. I’ll be fine.”

  Lexie reluctantly agreed, and soon Rafe drove down the lane, with Tuck swaddled in coats and blankets and her small feet placed on the hot water bottles.

  “Thanks for coming with me, Tuck. I really need to talk to you about something.” How to begin?

  “Uh-huh. It wouldn’t by any chance have something to do with Carrie Sue, would it?”

  “Err…sort of. That is…I was teasing about her.” He cleared his throat. “She’s a nice girl, but not for me.”

  “Yes, so I discovered.” She turned and glared at him.

  His stomach roiled. She knew. How? Who could have gotten to her in this weather and blabbed before he had a chance to talk to her? “I’m sorry, Tuck. I don’t know what got into me.” Pure orneriness? And a little bit of revenge?

  “I felt like a fool when I found out the truth. I was going to offer to help her plan the wedding.” Her teeth chattered. “What if I had? It’s a good thing Addy saw her in town that day.”

  “You were going to help her plan the wedding? When you thought she was marrying me?”

  “It was all I could think of to do for you, Rafe.” Her face was like stone. “For all I knew, Carrie wouldn’t want us to be friends anymore. I thought if I became her friend, too, she wouldn’t mind.”

  His heart sank. “So you want things to go on like they’ve always been between us?”

  She turned her head and looked away. Her breath rose and fell in gasps.

  “Tuck? Is that what you want?”

  “It’s what you want, isn’t it?” The sob in her voice was unmistakable.

  Why couldn’t he breathe? He took a deep, slow breath. “Look at me, Tuck.”

  She shook her head, and her shoulders shook.

  He put his hand on her shoulder and turned her around. Her eyes swam with tears, and he took one finger and wiped them away. “No.” He could barely get the words out. “It’s not what I want.”

  The hope in her eyes met the hope in his heart. “What do you want, Rafe?” she whispered.

  “I want you to be my wife,” he croaked out.

  She let out a whoosh of air and glared. “Just like that? I don’t get to be courted first? Even Carrie gets to be courted. You almost courted her yourself.”

  “Tuck, calm down. Of course I’ll come courting. We can’t possibly get married before spring anyways. Our mas wouldn’t hear of it. Do you always have
to argue about everything?”

  She turned her face up and looked him full in the face, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Not always.”

  His breath caught, and then he laughed. “I’m so glad.”

  He lowered his head and met her waiting lips.

  Epilogue

  May 10, 1902

  Tuck stood in the small Sunday school room at the front of the church.

  Ma adjusted Tuck’s lacy veil and tucked in a straying lock of hair. A baby cried in the sanctuary. Ma smiled and kissed Tuck on the cheek. “I love you, Abigail.”

  Tuck grinned. “I love you, too, Ma, but I think you’d better go take care of my baby sister.”

  Ma laughed, a bubbling, joy-filled laugh, and headed for the door. “I think you’re right. Princess Elizabeth calls.”

  Finally, Tuck was alone with Addy, whose face was joyful and forlorn all at once.

  The piano signaled it was time for Addy to precede Tuck down the aisle. Addy smiled. “That’s for me. The next time we speak, you’ll be Mrs. Rafe Collins.”

  Tuck leaned forward and gave her a hug, then turned her around. She slipped a gold chain around Addy’s neck and fastened the clasp, letting the locket drop down across the bodice of her soft blue dress. “This is yours, sis. It’s always been yours. I just borrowed it for a while.”

  Addy gasped and clutched the locket. “Oh, Abby. Are you sure?”

  “Very sure. Remember? We agreed. Grandfather’s violin was mine and mother’s locket was yours. I’ve always loved my fiddle more.”

  “But it’s the only picture we have of our mother.”

  “I can still see it, silly. We’ll always be close together.”

  A moment later, her twin stepped from the room and walked down the aisle.

  Mrs. Jenkins struck a chord. Tuck breathed deeply then stepped out and took Papa Jack’s arm.

  Her heart raced as she took the first step then calmed as she focused on Rafe standing next to Jim, his best man. As she walked toward him, he smiled and his eyes adored her, just as they did in the dream. They weren’t dancing this time, but she wore a beautiful dress that billowed like a cloud.