White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  Papa Jack kissed her cheek and placed her hand in Rafe’s, then went to sit down.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony…”

  Tuck turned to Rafe and found his waiting eyes filled with love. Her Rafe. Her darling best friend.

  White River Sunrise

  Dedication

  I dedicate this book to Eldon and Angie Shivers who helped me find my love for Silver Dollar City. Thank you for taking me there at Christmastime and for all the fun times thereafter. To Torey Shivers, another SDC buddy, thanks for sharing your family fun days with me. And to all of you who love not only Silver Dollar City, but the scenery, the atmosphere, and the soul of the area, I hope I’ve captured just a tiny bit of the wonder of it all. May God bless you with many more years of enjoyment at Silver Dollar City.

  Prologue

  Branson, Missouri, May 1, 1960

  She stood on the bottom step of the train for a moment and looked at the old depot. Nostalgia rushed over her. Hard to believe it had been fifty-five years since the first train had pulled into this station.

  Ignoring Paul’s hand, Addy stepped down from the train unassisted onto Branson’s busy platform. Her grandson had offered to fly her here, but at seventy-nine, she didn’t welcome new adventures. Her stomach jumped. Except for this one. This was one adventure she would not miss.

  Paul’s hand cupped her elbow. “Grams, they’re waiting.”

  A long, black limousine stood at the curb. Tomas, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, stood by the door attempting to hide a grin.

  Why everyone thought it was amusing for her to be here was beyond her comprehension.

  “Hello, Tomas. How is your arthritis these days?” There. That should take him down a peg or two.

  Instead his grin widened. “I think it’s some better, ma’am.” He opened the door with a flourish, and she slid onto the deep leather seat.

  She tried not to gawk as the car slid smoothly and noiselessly down the street, past building after unfamiliar building. Was nothing the same? Her heart fluttered at the sign that said MERCANTILE. She shook her head at her foolishness. Of course it wasn’t the same one. Why had she imagined it would be?

  They stopped at a light, and Addy stared at a building under construction. A sign said SKAGGS HOSPITAL. “I thought Skaggs Hospital had been here awhile.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Tomas’s hat bobbed. “They’re adding on to it. Going to be a fine medical facility when it’s all done.”

  “Are we going to the hotel first?” She had freshened up on the train and was eager to see the downtown area.

  “No, ma’am. Not enough time,” Tomas said. “They told me to bring you right on over. They don’t want you to miss the grand opening.”

  She pushed down a tinge of disappointment. She hadn’t been back since her beloved sister Abby passed away back in ’51. The familiar tug of grief tightened her chest, and she took a deep breath. Abby wouldn’t want her to be sad today.

  Even in the fifties, there had been changes. A lot of them. Ah well, she could see the town later. And maybe visit the old farm.

  Addy perked up as they turned onto a familiar dirt road. The way to Marble Cave. Or Marvel Cave as they called it now. Excitement stabbed at her. Of course she couldn’t miss the opening. A new craft park. But more than a park. Or so they’d told her. Built on the land where the old mining town of Marmoros used to stand, just above Marble Cave. And her husband would be waiting to escort her through the frontier-style town. Silver Dollar City they called it, although she had no idea why. She chuckled. There was about as much chance of finding silver here as there’d been of finding marble in the cave. Still, it was a nice name.

  “What’s so funny, Grams?” Paul smiled and laid his hand on hers.

  Her heart squeezed. She loved this boy so much. Just twenty. Youngest son of her eldest son, Jack, who they’d named after her pa. That is, her second pa. How sad she seldom thought of the first one. “I was thinking how some things change so much and others are always the same.”

  “Look. There’s Grandpa and Dad and Uncle Rafe.” He leaned forward, eager as always to join the men of the family. “Oh, Great-Aunt Betty’s standing right behind them.”

  She squinted against the brightness of the sun until she made out the form of her husband. The car pulled up in front of the big wooden gate. He stepped forward and opened the door. They reached for each other at the same moment, and their hands touched. His eyes crinkled, and creases deepened in his wrinkled face. Wrinkled, but still handsome after all these years.

  As she stepped out of the car, he leaned over and brushed a kiss across her lips. He whispered in her ear, “You’re going to love it, sweetheart. And I have a surprise for you.”

  A jolt of excitement thrilled her. Her darling knew how she loved surprises.

  Betty shoved her way in and threw her arms around Addy. “I’m so glad you’re here, sister. It’s been too long.”

  Addy laughed. Her younger sister had just visited them at Christmas. “Yes, it has been. And I’m glad I’m here, too.”

  Her husband placed a protective arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the gate.

  “Hello, Mom.” Jack planted a kiss on her cheek and smiled. “How was your train ride?”

  “Fun. It was fun.” She grinned. “I still love trains.”

  “Hi, Addy.”

  Tears filled her eyes as she hugged her brother-in-law, Rafe. The sight of him brought back a vision of her twin sister.

  “Tuck would have loved this,” he said.

  Addy nodded and turned away. Rafe was right. Abby should be walking by her side, her head thrown back in joyous laughter. The thought was almost more than Addy could bear.

  She glanced around. Oak trees stood on all sides, just like they had when Marmoros still stood. Addy could almost imagine the charred smell of the burned-out town. But of course, that was silly. She shivered, and her husband pulled her closer as they walked through the gate.

  Chapter 1

  Branson Town, May 1905

  Sam Thornton! I see you back there. Turn loose of Amanda’s hair right now.” Addy Sullivan frowned at the nine-year-old culprit who dropped the braid and tried to look innocent. Another few seconds and the blond strands would have been saturated with ink.

  Amanda’s screech reverberated through the room, piercing Addy’s temples. The girl glared at Sam. “You leave me alone.”

  “Aw, I wasn’t really gonna do it.” Sam’s face flamed as giggles and guffaws burst out across the room.

  “Children, that’s enough.” Addy walked to Amanda’s desk and examined the long, neat braid just to make sure damage hadn’t already been done. She patted the girl on the shoulder and then returned to her own desk.

  Lifting the small filigreed watch that hung from a black ribbon around her neck, she breathed a sigh of relief. Ten more minutes and it would be time to ring the bell. “Children, make sure you have copied all the homework assignments that are on the blackboard. And don’t forget, your essays are due on Monday.”

  A corporate groan rolled across the room, and Addy hid a smile. Smug expressions on several faces revealed the ones who had not procrastinated. The others would have to scurry to get them done over the weekend.

  A memory popped into her mind, the picture of her sister Abby, her face pale, hand stretched out, waiting for a ruler to descend. The sound of the ruler slapping against her sister’s tender palm remained with Addy to this day. After that incident, Addy had always made sure her sister’s assignments were on time, even if she had to do them herself.

  “On second thought, I’m going to extend the date to Wednesday. I expect every essay to be complete at that time.”

  Probably not fair to the ones who’d done their work on schedule and maybe it sent the wrong message to those who hadn’t. She took a deep breath. Everyone needed a little mercy now and then.

  She rang the bell, and the students
filed quietly out. Seconds later, hoots of joy sailed back through the door. Addy grinned as she straightened the room and gathered her things together. She couldn’t say she loved teaching, but the children made her heart sing when they weren’t making her head pound. She locked the door behind her and went outside.

  Twelve-year-old Bobby had just arrived from the livery stable with her horse and buggy. He petted the dappled mare, a gift from Rafe and Abby when she’d started teaching.

  “Thank you, Bobby.” She took the reins and gave him a coin.

  “It warn’t nothin’, Miss Addy.” He tossed the coin up and caught it then headed back toward the livery.

  Addy bit her lip as Bobby walked away. He’d been faithful and eager to attend school last year and made wonderful progress but hadn’t come back when school started. The child had to help his mother keep food on the table. Everyone knew his father had deserted the family over the summer. She blinked back angry tears. How could anyone walk out on a family?

  Longing washed over her. She’d been lonely when Abby got married and left home. A part of her was missing, and she had no idea what to do about it.

  Ma, sensing her discontent, had suggested she get her teaching certificate and be ready to accept a teaching position when one came available. This past year she’d been fairly content. But lately, whenever her eyes would rest on Abby’s twin toddler boys, David and Dawson, the old empty feeling returned.

  The sound of footsteps drew her attention. A tall man walked briskly toward the schoolyard from the direction of the stable. A lock of dark hair fell across his forehead, and gold-flecked brown eyes sparkled when his glance fell upon her. He stopped a few steps before he reached her and gave her a slow smile.

  She gasped, then with a toss of her head, turned her back on him and climbed into her buggy. When she looked up, he gave her a puzzled look, tipped his hat, and walked away toward the new Branson Hotel.

  Her heart pounded as she urged her horse toward home. The very idea. What impudence from a total stranger. If she hadn’t turned away, he would doubtless have spoken to her. She really should talk to the school board about fencing the schoolyard, so people wouldn’t use it as a shortcut to the main part of town.

  But the man’s handsome face—and there was no denying he was handsome—remained with her as she turned onto the lane leading to the Sullivan farm. A niggling worry pinched at her. Now that she thought about it, that face seemed rather familiar. Oh dear, what if he was one of Papa’s acquaintances? Or perhaps he was connected with the new school board in some way. Now that Branson had an official school district, things weren’t as casual as they had been when she was hired for the teaching position. She racked her brain for a clue to his identity. She must be mistaken. There were so many new men in town connected with the railroad. She’d probably seen him around town. That must be it.

  She drove to the barn, and after she’d unhitched the horse, she went to the house. The smell of fried chicken permeated the air. Her stomach growled in anticipation as she headed to the kitchen.

  “Addy, Addy.” Her three-year-old sister grabbed her around the legs and hugged.

  She bent down and kissed the plump cheek.

  Betty’s blue eyes twinkled, and she whispered, “Mama made fried chicken.”

  “Oh I know. My tummy is rumbling just from the smell.” She grinned. She’d enjoyed that fried chicken since Ma Lexie and Papa Jack had adopted her and Abby when they were eight years old.

  Betty giggled and skipped off.

  Ma was placing a pan of biscuits in the oven. She straightened and turned. “Addy, you’re home. How was your day?”

  “Tiring. How was yours, Ma?” She gave Ma a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll go change and set the table.”

  “All right. Don’t forget to set extras. Abigail and Rafe and the twins are coming for supper, remember?” A dreamy look crossed her face, as it always did when she spoke of her grandsons.

  Addy could understand that. Every time she saw her little nephews she wanted to squeeze them tightly.

  “Oh by the way, did you happen to run into Jim Castle today? He’s back in town, you know.”

  Addy stopped short on her way to her room. Her mouth flew open. Jim Castle? No wonder he’d looked familiar. He must either think she was a total idiot or very ill mannered. Embarrassment washed over her. How could she not have recognized her brother-in-law’s good friend and best man?

  Addy Sullivan! Still as beautiful as ever, and no ring that Jim could see. Of course, he could have missed it, during the short minute before she turned her back on him. He could kick himself for gawking. No wonder she took off so fast. Still, he’d have thought she’d at least have said hello. After all, he and Rafe were good friends.

  He sat in the conference room of the Branson Hotel and let his thoughts wander as Charles Fullbright, the representative for Branson Town Company, discussed the benefits of the new hotel with potential future businessmen.

  Tourism in the area was already starting to flourish, with Marble Cave and the float trips every summer. Now with plans for the Maine Exhibition Building from the World’s Fair to be moved here and reconstructed as a hunting and fishing lodge, adventure-seeking men would flock to the area. And this new luxury hotel would draw their families.

  Jim predicted that once the White River Line began passenger service next month, tourism would triple. He calculated Fullbright would need his services here in Branson Town for at least a year. Twelve months to get better acquainted with a certain blond beauty. Maybe he could finagle a meeting at Rafe’s house.

  He grinned. As much as the girls looked alike, when he’d first seen them that day at Marble Cave more than three years ago, he’d been instantly drawn to Addy rather than her outgoing twin. But for some reason, he and Rafe had gotten their wires crossed, Jim thinking Rafe was in love with Addy while Rafe thought Jim was interested in Abby. When they’d finally figured it out, they both felt foolish but mostly relieved that they wouldn’t be competing for the same girl’s affections.

  Well, Rafe got his girl. They’d been happily married for three years and were the proud parents of eighteen-month-old boys. Jim heaved a deep breath. Rafe was a local farmer and doing well. He’d built a home on land his pa had given him. Steady and reliable, that was Rafe.

  Jim, on the other hand, was never in one place for long. How could he ask a woman to share his life? What woman in her right mind would agree to travel all over the country? Not Addy, he was sure, as close as she was to her twin. Not even if, by some miracle, she fell in love with him.

  A burst of laughter invaded his thoughts, and one of the prospective hunting lodge owners boomed out. “At least we don’t have to do business in a town called Lucia.”

  One of his partners laughed. “I would never have opened a hunting lodge in Lucia.”

  Fullbright smiled. “Well then, men, it’s a good thing that Branson Town Company managed to purchase the Lucia post office and land and choose the name we preferred for the town.”

  “And what the people of the area preferred from what I hear,” another booming voice input.

  Irritation bit at Jim. “That’s right, they did. But the original owner was a good man. I’m sure he had his reasons for choosing the name of Lucia and for not wanting to sell. After his death, his sons honored his wishes as long as they could.”

  The room quieted, and some of the men threw curious looks his way.

  “Well, gentlemen”—Fullbright stood—“I believe we’ve covered everything on the agenda for the present. Castle and I will be available for consultation if any problems or concerns should occur to you.”

  The men filed out, leaving Jim and Charles Fullbright in the room. Fullbright peered at him through narrowed eyes. “What was that all about?’

  Jim shrugged. “Nothing really. Thomas Berry was a veteran and a good man. He and his entire family were hard workers. I guess I’d just like him remembered that way.”

  “So you knew him personally?�
�� Fullbright peered at him, his eyes scanning his face.

  “No, but his neighbors thought a lot of him. They got a little edgy when he balked about selling the post office to the railroad, but they didn’t seem to lose their respect for the man. I guess they figured he had a right to do what he liked with his own property.” Jim put his hat on and nodded. “Guess I’ll be on my way if you don’t need me.”

  “No, no, that’s fine. But Castle, don’t be riling up these businessmen. We plan to start selling off lots to the locals for businesses in the next few months. That’s how Branson Town will be built up, you know.”

  “I know. I’ll keep that in mind. Don’t worry, I won’t upset the applecart.” He nodded again and left then stood outside the hotel.

  A boardwalk lined the dusty street. Not much, but an improvement over three years ago. Two saloons stood opposite each other as though squaring off for a duel. And a small hotel stood around the corner, overrun with the railroad workers who had been pouring in. Plenty of business for both hotels. And as more and more workers filled the town, it wouldn’t be long before the Branson Hotel would be full as well, even though its prices were higher.

  He envisioned a town with respectable businesses lining the street. Businesses that could service not only the tourists that flocked to see the sights but also the many families moving to the area. Cafés, barber shops, maybe a ladies’ boutique or two, and a hardware store.

  He shook his head. Why should it matter to him what sort of town grew from this small beginning? Rafe and Abby mattered of course, but as long as the tourism drew people, there would be revenue for the railroad, and it would also benefit the locals. It always did.

  A vision of Addy’s thick blond curls hit him like a locomotive. She’d marry and have a family some day. Who would the lucky man be? For a moment he entertained a picture of Addy by his side as they walked hand in hand down a street of neat businesses and homes with picket fences encasing neat lawns and shrubs standing like sentinels in front of wide porches.