White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  It would be nice to spend the day with the whole family and would give her a chance for that talk with Abby. They hadn’t had an outing by the river in quite a while.

  Suddenly she gasped. Oh no. She’d promised to go on a picnic with the doctor. She bit her lip. “Ma, would it be all right if Dr. Stephens joined us?”

  Surprise filled Ma’s eyes, and creases appeared between her brows, but she quickly smiled. “Of course.”

  Addy frowned. She knew that look. “Now Ma, don’t get any ideas. He invited me to go on a picnic with him, and before I could think up an excuse, he presumed the answer was yes.”

  “Why, I had no ideas at all. You have a perfect right to have friends. Even gentlemen friends.”

  Pa cleared his throat. “Do I have a right to an opinion?”

  Addy stared at her pa, half hoping he’d forbid her to see the doctor.

  “Dr. Stephens is a fine man. You could do worse.”

  “Trying to marry me off, Pa?” Addy was only half joking. After all, she wasn’t getting any younger. Maybe her parents were tired of having her around. The familiar pang of loneliness ran through her, and she caught her breath.

  “Nope. I’d keep all my daughters single at home forever if it was up to me.” Pa shook his head. “Of course Abby had other ideas, and I’m sure you will, too, someday.”

  Betty’s sweet voice rang out. “I’ll never get married and leave you, Pa.”

  “That’s my girl.” Pa lifted her onto his lap and kissed her cheek.

  Addy smiled. She had to stop imagining things. Pa and Ma loved her, and she’d be welcome here as long as she wanted to stay. “Maybe I’ll stay home, too. You and I can be old maids together, Betty girl.”

  A little frown crossed Betty’s face. “I thought I’d be a teacher like you. I don’t want to be a maid.”

  Addy laughed. “Me either.” Unless she could be one at the new lodge. Oh. There she went again. She must get these ideas out of her head.

  After the table was cleared and the dishes washed and put away, Addy joined her family on the wide front porch. She leaned back in her chair and shut her eyes for a moment. She loved the sound of night birds and didn’t even mind the chirping of insects.

  Mosquitoes buzzed and flitted. Her eyes shot open, and she slapped one away from her ear. Mosquitoes she could do without.

  “Is Aunt Kate coming to the picnic? I noticed she wasn’t at church last Sunday.” Addy loved Ma’s Aunt Kate. In spite of her strict ideas, she was gentle and loving. Always had been with Addy and Abby.

  “I don’t think so, dear.” Worry shadowed Ma’s eyes. “She’s not feeling well lately. You and Abby really need to visit her more often. She misses you.”

  Guilt pricked her. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop by Uncle Will’s after school on Monday.”

  “That would be nice.” Ma leaned back on the swing, resting her head against Pa’s shoulder.

  Addy gave them a wistful glance. Even after all these years, they were still sweethearts. Jim’s face flashed across her mind, and exasperated, she jumped up. “I think I’ll go inside and work on an assignment for Monday since we’ll be busy tomorrow.”

  Betty clapped her hands, and her eyes danced. “I can’t wait for the picnic tomorrow.”

  Ma smiled at her youngest. “It’ll be so much fun, won’t it?”

  Addy bid good night to all. She usually looked forward to family get-togethers, but knowing the doctor would be there spoiled it for her. Why hadn’t she simply made an excuse and told him no?

  Addy couldn’t help being amused at the look of disappointment that crossed the doctor’s countenance. For a moment she’d thought he would protest the new arrangement.

  “But…but…I’d hoped…” Slowly resignation crossed his face, and his shoulders drooped. “Of course, if your family is also having a picnic, we’ll join them. Yes, that’s only right.”

  “Thank you for understanding, doctor.” She smiled as he took the basket full of food from her then helped her into the buggy.

  As they led the way to the picnic site near the river, he turned to her and smiled. “We’ll have a nice day in spite of…That is, we’ll have a nice day I’m sure with your family.”

  “Yes, doctor, we will.”

  He cleared his throat. “Miss Sullivan, I was wondering if you would mind calling me Gregory.”

  Panic gripped Addy, and her chest tightened. How to get out of this one? If she agreed to call him by his Christian name, he’d be sure to take it as a sign that she wanted him to court her. Which she most certainly did not.

  “Well, Dr. Stephens, don’t you think that would be a little premature? After all, we haven’t known each other very long.”

  “No, no, of course you’re right,” he said. “Please forgive me for making the suggestion.”

  “That’s quite all right. No offense taken, I assure you.” Addy breathed a sigh of relief to have gotten out of it so easily. “Look, there’s the picnic spot.”

  The doctor turned the horses into the clearing and stopped beneath a towering oak tree. Abby and Rafe’s wagon was already there, and Rafe had thrown together some boards for makeshift tables.

  David and Dawson sat on a quilt in the sunshine, tumbling over each other in an attempt to reach the tall blades of grass.

  Abby threw her hands up in the air. “Yay! You’re here. Betty, will you please watch your nephews and keep them from getting too far from the quilt?”

  Betty giggled, and a smile creased her face. “Sure, Aunt Tuck.” She ran for the boys, who let out screams of rapture when they saw her.

  Ma shook her head. “Abby, I wish you would discourage her calling you Aunt Tuck.”

  “Aw, Ma. She hears Rafe call me Tuck, and I don’t mind. I think it’s kind of cute.”

  Addy laughed and nodded at the three children tumbling about on the blanket. “I think we’ve got a three-member mutual admiration society.”

  “I know. Isn’t it adorable?” Abby nodded at the doctor. “I’m glad you could join us, Dr. Stephens.” But the look she threw Addy warned that a question-and-answer session between them was coming up soon.

  The chance came a few minutes later, when the doctor reluctantly followed Pa and Rafe to the river to fish.

  While Ma was occupied taking food out of one of the baskets, Abby sidled up to Addy as she set out silver on another table. “Okay, what’s going on with the doc, sister dear?”

  Addy shook her head. “Not a thing on my part. I think he’s got his heart set on marrying me.”

  Abby laughed. “Well, don’t you think bringing him to a picnic might encourage that idea just a little bit?”

  “Well, I guess. I think I got snookered into it. One minute he was asking, and the next he was telling me when he’d pick me up.” Addy frowned. “I didn’t know how to get out of it.”

  Abby snorted. “You always were too nice.”

  “Yes, well, don’t forget your own experience with a certain doctor.”

  “Eww, you’re right. Sometimes we get ourselves in a pickle jar with no way to reach the top.”

  “Well, this is one pickle that’s floating to the top. I’m going to tell him later that I’m not a bit interested.” Addy gave an emphatic nod.

  “Too bad he’s here. Jim Castle will be here any second. And I don’t think he’s coming to spend time with Rafe and me.”

  Addy couldn’t stop the gasp from escaping. “Oh, Abby. Did you invite him?”

  “He sort of invited himself. I think he’s falling hard for you, sis.”

  Addy’s heart raced. “You’re imagining things, Abby. Stop teasing.”

  “Okay, suit yourself.” At the sound of wheels and horses’ hooves, Abby grinned. “Here he is now.”

  Sure enough, Jim’s buggy pulled into the clearing. He jumped down and threw his reins over a branch. He doffed his hat and flashed that devastating, mind-numbing smile of his. “Good afternoon, ladies. I hope I haven’t missed the picnic.”

  Abby la
ughed, and glee shone all over her face. “Not at all, Jim. We’re just now setting things out. The men are fishing if you’d like to join them.”

  “Maybe later.” He turned to Addy, and his eyes seemed to blaze into hers. “I’m sorry I missed you at the depot yesterday. I was unavoidably detained for a moment, and then you had disappeared.”

  “Oh, did you wish to speak with me about something, Mr. Castle?”

  “I thought we’d dispensed with formalities, Addy.”

  Heat washed over her face. Oh dear. He was right. That had probably been a mistake made in a moment of romantic foolishness. Anyway, what would the doctor think if she called Jim by his given name after refusing to do the same for him? Oh, so what? She didn’t care what the doctor thought. Jim had been a friend of Rafe’s for a long time, and that made the difference.

  “Yes, I believe we did. Jim, then.” She smiled.

  “Oh, look who’s coming.” Abby chortled. “Why I do believe it’s your date, Addy.”

  Jim scowled as the doctor came into sight, followed by Rafe and Jack Sullivan.

  The doctor’s glance went to Jim then to Addy.

  Jim watched in surprise as Dr. Stephens stepped over to Addy and put his hand on her arm. That was overly familiar unless there was an understanding between them.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” Dr. Stephens asked.

  Addy frowned and moved away from the doctor’s hand. “No, I think we have everything under control.”

  Jim glanced from Addy to the doctor and narrowed his eyes. Was she interested in the man or not? If so, he’d bow out. But the look in her eyes when she’d spotted Jim yesterday and then again today told him she had feelings not for the doctor but for him. And he wasn’t giving up until he knew for sure.

  Suddenly she stepped over to him. “Jim, have you met Dr. Stephens? Doctor, this is Jim Castle.”

  The doctor looked as though he might choke.

  Jim almost laughed. Had Addy made a statement by calling him Jim? Maybe he was making too much of that, but it was something to grab ahold of anyway.

  Mrs. Sullivan cast a startled glance at Addy and both men. She stepped over to her husband and laid her hand on his. “Everything is ready, Jack. Will you ask the blessing, please?”

  They bowed their heads.

  “Dear gracious heavenly Father,” Jack said, “we thank You for this food You’ve supplied from Your bounty. Please bless it, bless those who prepared it and all who’ve come together to partake of it.”

  As Jack continued praying, Jim sent up a special request of his own. God, this woman is mine. Please see that she knows that.

  Hmm. Maybe that prayer wasn’t exactly reverent. He’d have to talk to the Lord about it later.

  Chapter 6

  Dr. Stephens stood with his plate and Addy’s in hand and nodded toward a spot beneath an apple tree, some distance from the rest of their group. “That apple tree is a nice place for us.”

  Addy frowned. “Oh, but don’t you think that would be rather impolite? I think I’d prefer to sit near my family.”

  A grimace passed over the doctor’s face. “Really, Adeline. How will we ever plan our future if we’re never alone?”

  Addy’s jaw dropped, and she snapped it firmly shut. Her nostrils flared, and her throat constricted while drawing in a deep breath. This had gone on long enough. “Dr. Stephens, I don’t know where you got the idea you and I have a future. I’m sure I haven’t encouraged that thought in any way.”

  He gave her an astonished look. “But I told you that you were my choice for a wife.”

  She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Yes, you did hint at that possibility, but did I at any time indicate I was interested in marrying you?”

  He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, letting it seep out while throwing her a look he’d give a child. “I can see I’ve been too hasty, rushing you like this. Please forgive me. I’ll take things more slowly.”

  “You will not take things any way at all concerning me. I’m more than happy to be your friend, but I can assure you that is all we shall ever be.”

  His face flamed red. “Then perhaps I’d better leave.” He placed both dishes on the table.

  “Nonsense. You are quite welcome to stay and enjoy the picnic with us.” Not exactly true, but it would be the height of rudeness to tell him what she really thought.

  “I don’t think so. Of course, I will be happy to drive you home if you wish to leave now.” He gave her a look that was almost comical in its hopefulness.

  “No, I don’t wish to leave. I’m very sorry for the misunderstanding, doctor. I hope we can remain friends.”

  He gave a short nod and stalked off to his buggy.

  The tightness in Addy’s neck and jaw eased as the doctor departed. But a surge of guilt mixed in with the relief as he drove away. She could have avoided the incident if she’d had the wisdom and courage to tell him how she felt from the beginning.

  “The good doctor had to leave?” She spun around at the sound of Jim’s voice.

  “Yes, I suppose he did.”

  He raised his eyebrow, but she didn’t speak, so he turned to the table and glanced at the two filled plates. “I assume one of these is yours.”

  She smiled and picked up the doctor’s plate, raking the food back into the serving dishes. She then picked up her own plate and smiled at Jim. “Let’s join the family. We’re missing all the fun.”

  Jim placed his hand beneath her elbow, but she gently moved her arm. She wasn’t giving him ideas either. As much as she liked him and enjoyed his company, there were obstacles to any type of relationship between them other than friendship. The main one being that his job would take him away before long.

  “You two slowpokes hurry, or we’ll eat without you.” Rafe winked. “Don’t worry, Jim. Addy didn’t fry the chicken.”

  “Be careful”—Addy threw a mock frown at her brother-in-law—“or I might not let you have any of my chocolate cake that you like so much.”

  The meal and banter went on for nearly an hour before the men headed back to the river to fish while the women put the children down for naps. With that accomplished, they sat on the ground beneath a wide spreading oak.

  “What was that with the doctor, Adeline?” Ma waved a mosquito away from Betty then glanced at her daughter.

  “What do you mean, Ma?” Addy blushed. She knew very well what her mother spoke of.

  “He left rather suddenly. Did he have medical duties to attend?”

  “No, I don’t think so.” Addy bit her lip. She may as well tell Ma the truth. “He somehow imagined that I was willing to enter into a long-term relationship with him.”

  “He wanted to marry you?” No beating around the bush with Ma.

  “Yes, ma’am. When I told him we could only be friends, he decided to leave.”

  “I see.” Ma nodded, and Addy held her breath waiting for what her mother would have to say next. “Well dear, I don’t think he quite suited you. I hope you told him kindly.”

  “Well, perhaps I might have been a little more gentle.” At the thought of the doctor’s presumption, her teeth clenched. “But he made me so mad. He rather took things for granted.”

  “Besides, she has a hankering for someone else.” Abby laughed and slapped her overalled knee. Addy’s twin took any chance that came along to wear her favorite clothing.

  “Behave yourself, Abby. I do not.”

  “Oh no? I think you do. I think you’re falling hard for Jim. But that’s okay. He’s already fallen for you.” Her blue eyes sparkled.

  Addy blushed. “I guess I am rather falling for him, as you say. But it can’t go anywhere.”

  “Why not? Jim’s a great fellow.” Abby frowned.

  “Do you want me to move away?” Addy gave her sister an intent look.

  Abby gasped. “No, of course not. Oh sister, I hadn’t thought ahead that far. Well, Jim will just have to stay in Branson. Plenty of jobs
. Mr. Fullbright will have to find something for him to do around here.”

  A glimmer of hope shimmered inside Addy. Would Jim even consider staying in Branson? With all the new businesses and the tourism, there should be work for him here, shouldn’t there? But why should he? He wasn’t that interested in her. A bee buzzed by her face, and she swatted it away then laughed. “Don’t be silly, Abby. And stop imagining things. Jim Castle and I are only friends.

  Jim couldn’t believe his luck. He’d offered to take Addy home, fully expecting a resounding no after the lambasting she’d given the doctor.

  Instead, she’d lowered those beautiful blue eyes for a moment then lifted them and murmured a soft, “Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”

  Now as the horse trotted down the road toward the Sullivan farm, the sway of the buggy created a lazy rocking-chair effect. Jim glanced toward Addy on the seat next to him. Her eyelashes rested on her cheek, and a half smile tilted one corner of her mouth.

  “Oh!” She sat up, a startled expression on her face. “I almost fell asleep. Please excuse my lack of manners.”

  Jim grinned. “Not at all. I came close to nodding off myself.”

  She smiled. “It’s been a lovely day.”

  “It has. Too bad it has to end.” Perhaps he could stretch it out a little longer.

  She slipped her hand into her pocket and retrieved a lacy handkerchief. Fanning it in front of her face, she said, “I hope it cools off a little soon. Rain would be nice.”

  Okay, small talk was fine, but they’d be at her home in a few minutes, and he’d like to talk about something besides the weather. “Did your class enjoy their outing to see the train come in?” There, that was better than the weather.

  Animation brightened her face. “Oh yes. They were so excited. We’re doing a class project on the historical event with pictures and stories. We may also have a play of sorts. It will be a nice end-of-school program for the parents, don’t you think?”

  “I should think so, yes,” he said.

  “I can hardly believe the change in Branson Town. The new hotels and other buildings make it seem like a completely different place.” Suddenly she turned toward him, her eyes bright with excitement. “Speaking of historical events, would you mind telling me about the new hunting lodge?”