White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  “That must have been frightening.”

  “It was. When we saw he was alive but unconscious, we figured they might take us to an orphanage, so we pretended Jack was our Pa. Boy did that lie cause a lot of trouble for everyone.” She still felt guilt over that every now and then.

  “So your parents met here by Marble Cave,” he said with an odd look on his face.

  “Well, so to speak. They actually saw each other once before in Forsyth.”

  “You and I met here, too, you know,” he said. “I think you’ve forgotten.”

  “Here?” She searched her memories. “No, Jim. We met at Abby and Rafe’s wedding, remember?”

  “Think back, Addy. Remember the day Abby came to apply for the temporary job for her band? Because the Lynch girls were going away on vacation?”

  Suddenly light broke through the darkness. She remembered following Abby into the little office. Rafe had been there and…Jim! He was the one who took Abby’s application. “Yes, I do remember now. I was in such a hurry to get away from the place, I couldn’t think of anything else. I just knew Abby would try to talk me into entering the cave.”

  “You were wearing a blue dress with lace on the sleeves and collar,” he said. “And you had a blue ribbon in your hair.”

  “Fancy you remembering that.” How could he have carried around such a momentary memory for all this time? Even to remembering what she was wearing?

  “It was easy for me to remember, Addy. You were and still are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

  Jim watched as varying emotions washed over Addy’s face. Had he said too much? Would she think he was foolish? Or worse still, could he have been wrong to think she was beginning to return his feelings? That would make him as pathetic as the doctor.

  He held his breath as a blush washed over her cheeks. She didn’t appear to be angry or disgusted. If anything, she looked pleased. He took a deep breath as relief surged through him.

  She cleared her throat. “Thank you. That’s a very nice thing to say, although I’m sure you’re only teasing me.”

  “My dear”—he took her hands, and she lowered her eyes—“I mean every word of it.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered then gently removed her hands from his. “But perhaps we should go now.”

  “Of course.” He led her down the steep pathway toward the cave, where the wedding party was ascending from the enormous Cathedral Room below. He hoped the stairs had been replaced with something a little more fitting for formal clothing.

  The bride and groom stood to one side shaking hands with their guests. Apparently they had no plans to run away from the crowd, at least not for the present.

  Addy had paused, and when Jim looked at her, her eyes were focused on the bride. Her hand resting on his arm trembled. She darted a look up at him, and when she realized he was watching her, she blushed once more.

  He helped her into the buggy and started down the road toward her home. Wanting to put her at ease, he smiled. “If you have no objection and no other plans, I’d like to take you to dinner at the Branson Hotel next week. After all, I’ve accepted your family’s hospitality several times.”

  Suddenly she looked straight into his eyes. “I have no objections at all.”

  He grinned at her sudden transformation from shyness to honesty. “In that case, will you marry me?”

  “Oh, you. Don’t be silly.” She cast a captivating smile his way. “Don’t get too sure of yourself. I’ve only agreed to dinner. I haven’t said I’d marry you.”

  “Are you by any chance telling me to slow down?” He felt giddy as a girl from her new attitude toward him.

  “Yes, indeed, Mr. Jim Castle.” Suddenly the laughter slid from her face. “I would love to be your friend. Rafe and Abby have been best friends nearly all their lives. I believe friendship is very important in any relationship. Don’t you agree?”

  “I do agree. And since we’re now discussing Rafe and Abby, does that mean you might marry me after all?”

  “Oh! There you go teasing me.” She pressed her lips together in an unsuccessful attempt to hide the smile that was teasing her lips. “Let’s talk about something else.”

  “Very well. Your wish is my wish. What would you like to talk about?”

  “I don’t know.” She was silent for a moment. “Oh, yes I do. Tell me about the new hunting lodge.”

  This girl never ceased to surprise him. “What do you want to know about it?”

  “What sort of staff will they need? And will they be hiring local people?”

  “Partly. They’ll bring a management team from St. Louis. But they’ll be hiring locals for bellboys and other serving and cleaning staff.”

  “Will they hire any women?”

  “I’m sure they’ll hire women for housekeeping.”

  “But not for the desk or serving?” Disappointment filled her eyes. Now what had she been thinking?

  “Very unlikely. Since this will be a gentleman’s lodge, they’ll hire mostly male staff.” He cut a glance at her, curious about the types of questions she was asking. “Why? Do you know someone who needs employment?”

  “Oh, no, no. I was just curious, that’s all.” She frowned and looked away. “My, the honeysuckle does smell sweet.”

  Back to flowers again. “Yes, they do. Quite a heady smell, I’d say.”

  When they arrived at the farm, the family was sitting down to supper. Lexie insisted that Jim join them for ham sandwiches and potato salad left over from dinner.

  Betty kept up a continuous round of questions directed at Jim, until finally her Pa told her that was quite enough and to stop being rude. With a pout, she said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Jim.”

  “That’s quite all right, Miss Betty. I always enjoy the conversation of beautiful young ladies.” He threw her a grin and a wink, and she giggled.

  When he’d taken his last delicious bite of blackberry cobbler, Jim asked Jack if he could speak to him in private.

  With a knowing look, Jack agreed, and they went onto the front porch.

  As Jim drove toward town later, he couldn’t help laughing at himself. He’d been as nervous as a gangling boy as he asked Jack for permission to court his daughter. And the nervousness didn’t end there. Jack had shot question after question at Jim for at least a half hour.

  The hard question he’d saved for last. “What are your plans for the future?”

  “Sir, I wish I could say we’d settle down here, but you know my job takes me all over the country. Sometimes out of the country.”

  “Does Addy know you intend to stay with your present job?”

  Jim shook his head. “We haven’t actually discussed that yet. But I promise I’ll speak to her about it soon.”

  Jack nodded. “Make it very soon. Before you talk to her about courting. I won’t have you courting her under false pretenses.”

  “I’m leaving for Kansas City tomorrow, but I promise I’ll talk to her as soon as I get back. In fact, we’re having dinner together next Sunday.” He hastened to add, “Just as friends of course.”

  Finally Jack offered his hand and said he had no objection at all as long as Addy was agreeable as well.

  As Jim rode into town, worry and a niggling doubt wormed their way into his thoughts. He’d finally settled it for himself that things could work out well, even if he was on the road a lot. She could travel with him most of the time.

  But now he wasn’t so sure. What if she wasn’t willing? Maybe he shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to talk to Jack.

  Chapter 12

  Addy couldn’t believe how much she missed seeing Jim around town. When she drove in each morning, her eyes automatically wandered to the Branson Hotel, although she knew he wouldn’t be back until later in the week. When she left school in the afternoon, her vision roamed the area, searching for a sight of his tall form and broad shoulders.

  He’d said good-bye Sunday night and told her he’d be gone most of the week but would try to b
e back in time for the children’s program on Friday.

  She wondered what he’d spoken to Pa about after dinner Sunday night. Could he have been asking to court her? But then, wouldn’t he have said something? Or wouldn’t Pa have? Unless Pa said no, but that wasn’t likely. After all, this wasn’t the Dark Ages, and a girl had a right to choose her own beau these days. If Pa had disapproved for some reason, he’d have still left the choice to her.

  “Miss Sullivan, Johnny pulled my hair!” A screech from across the room drew Addy’s attention back to her class.

  She focused her gaze on the small culprit. “Johnny, go sit on the stool in the corner.”

  “Aw, Miss Sullivan, I’m sorry.”

  “I certainly hope you are sorry. Perhaps while you’re in the corner you will consider how it feels to have someone yank on your hair. Then perhaps you will be truly sorry and can honestly apologize to Alice.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Johnny trudged to the punishing corner and perched on the stool, his back to the classroom.

  “All right, class.” She motioned to the class project hanging on the front wall. “Our project looks wonderful, and it’s very informative. All the individual pictures and essays will go on the wall tomorrow. We only have today and tomorrow to practice for our program. Friday, we’ll have to get the classroom ready. No homework tonight. Is everybody happy?”

  A chorus of “uh huhs” and “yes, ma’ams” thundered across the room.

  Addy grinned and lifted her hand. “All right. Put your things away and line up.”

  “What about me?” Johnny wailed from his stool.

  “You, too, Johnny. But I’d like for you to apologize to Alice for pulling her hair. And I’m not sure you’ve learned your lesson in ten minutes. So you will have to clean the blackboard the rest of this week.”

  Ten minutes later, she dismissed the children and gathered her own things together. She locked the door behind her and stood on the step for a moment, glancing toward the business section of town, finally resting her eyes on the luxury hotel down the street. Her heart raced, and she pictured herself seated across a cloth-covered table in a corner of the room. The lights would be turned down low.

  Oh stop it, Addy. You’ll be dining on Sunday afternoon in broad daylight.

  With a shake of her head, she stepped into the dusty street. She spoke a few words to Bobby before handing him his coin then climbed into her buggy.

  She sat for a moment, undecided about whether to ride over to see Aunt Kate or go straight home. Finally she drove to the Rayton farm and spent time with her great-aunt. She was pleased and relieved to see some color back in Aunt Kate’s face.

  “Mercy, child, don’t you be worrying about me. I’m taking things slow just like the doctor said, and I’m feeling a lot better.” Aunt Kate rocked back and forth slowly in her chair. “See? I’m even rocking slowly.”

  Addy laughed as she drove away an hour later. Restless and on a sudden whim, she took the river road and drove to the family’s favorite picnic spot. She got out and sat on a low bank, her feet almost touching the water.

  Her thoughts went back to gliding past here on the deck of the Julia Dawn. She could almost hear the tinkling laughter of her and her sister as they ran and played above and below deck.

  And good old Pap with his fiddle and his wild stories. It was true she’d never heard about the pirates from him, but she could remember shivering with fright as she and Abby huddled together on one of their bunks after a ghost story told on deck as the moon drifted behind the clouds. Of course Papa Jack never knew about it. He’d have raked Pap over the coals, but the girls would beg, and finally Pap would give in. She could still get goose bumps thinking about some of those old stories.

  Her favorite times on the Julia Dawn were those mornings when they were allowed to get up early and watch the sun rise, its colorful rays peeping through the trees and reflecting on the water. The most beautiful sight she’d ever seen.

  Someday she was going to board a steamboat and go down the river again. Of course, they were few and far between these days, and now that the White River Line was almost completed, they might disappear altogether. Anyway, it wouldn’t be the same without Abby.

  She scampered to her feet and climbed into the buggy. She was being silly. After all, she was a grown woman. It was time to put away childish thoughts of adventure.

  She arrived home just in time to help Ma get supper on the table.

  “How many days until the school program, sister?” Betty asked her this every day. The little girl was beside herself with excitement.

  Addy smiled. “Just three more, Bets.”

  Betty jumped up and down, and Addy grabbed the plate her sister was carrying just as it slipped from her hands. “Oh, Sorry, Addy. I’m so excited. I can’t wait.”

  Addy laughed, “Me either. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and you’ll hear about adventures galore.”

  She looked fondly at her little sister’s glowing face. Thank goodness Betty had years before she’d have to put aside her dreams of adventure.

  Jim opened the oversized menu with the star on the front. He’d had two invitations to dinner tonight but didn’t feel like being around a lot of people. All he wanted to do was brood over Addy.

  Dinner invitations weren’t the only things he’d bowed out of. He’d turned down two more job offers this week. One group needed him next month, so that one had been easy to say no to, but the other, an exclusive New Orleans restaurant that had been losing its clientele, offered to wait until September in order to obtain his services. Jim knew he’d be finished here in Branson by then, but he didn’t know if his situation with Addy would be settled. Would she be willing to leave Branson? He’d refused the offer. He could kick himself for not getting it settled before he’d left for Kansas City. He was afraid. That was the problem.

  Maybe he should look around in Kansas City or St. Louis for a job. There wasn’t any rule that said he had to keep doing what he was doing. Then they’d be close enough to visit Addy’s family often. Not traveling all over the country. What had he been thinking? What kind of life was that for a woman?

  The waiter came and took his order.

  Jim took a long drink from his glass of ice water. Could he do it? Give up the career he’d built up over the past couple of years?

  His steak arrived, but he’d lost his appetite. The porterhouse tasted like a slab of sawdust. Maybe it would have been better if he’d never taken the job in Branson.

  Addy breathed in the scent of the early summer afternoon as she drove her buggy up the lane toward Abby and Rafe’s place. The kids had been high-strung today. She couldn’t really blame them. They’d had a couple of accidents while gluing last-minute pictures on construction paper. But all ended well, and the walls of the room told the history of their hometown.

  The children had been proud as they walked around the perimeter of the room and saw what they had accomplished. She hoped the parents would appreciate the labor of love they’d put into this project.

  The final program practice had been a little rough, but she was sure the performance would go well. They knew their lines, and some of them were very good little actors and actresses.

  In spite of all the busyness and excitement of the day, Addy had been restless. And for some reason, she had a strong urge to see Abby. She hoped her sister wasn’t busy, but if she was, Addy would just pitch in and help her with whatever she was doing. They’d always worked well together.

  Addy enjoyed the tomato canning season when she and Abby and Ma went to Aunt Kate’s house and worked together to get tomatoes put up for the families and get others ready to sell to the tomato factory. It was always the highlight of the summer for Addy, in spite of the hard work.

  But that was at least a month away. For now, she simply needed to see her sister’s face and spend some time talking.

  After three years, she should be used to Abby being gone, and she supposed it was easier than it used to be. But so
metimes, like now, she missed her sister so much she simply needed that contact. She wondered if Abby felt the same. Probably not. After all, she had Rafe and their twin sons.

  The farmhouse came into view, and Addy pulled up in front of the house, tying her horse loosely to the rail. She wouldn’t be here that long, so no sense in unhitching him.

  She tapped on the screen door and went on in. The aromas of fried pork chops and cooked apples tantalized her nostrils. “Abby?” she called out.

  Abby’s voice came from the kitchen. “I’m back here, sis.”

  Addy stepped into the kitchen and was greeted by four little arms encircling her legs.

  “Aunt D, Aunt D.” Their version of Aunt Addy.

  She knelt down beside her nephews and gave them hugs, receiving sticky kisses in exchange.

  “Uh oh. You boys have been scraping the apple bowl, haven’t you?”

  Abby laughed. “I always leave a little in there when I put them in to bake. For one thing, it keeps them occupied for a few minutes so I can get something done.”

  “You’re very blessed, you know.” Addy knew she sounded wistful and only hoped she didn’t sound downright jealous.

  Abby poured a cup of coffee and set it on the table. “Here, you look like you need this. And yes, I know I’m blessed.”

  Addy sat at the table while her sister washed the boys’ faces and hands and then set them in the corner with their toys. Abby then sat across the table from Addy. “I’m glad you stopped by. Everything’s okay, isn’t it?” Abby scrutinized her twin’s face.

  “Yes, I just wanted to see you.” Addy’s eyes roamed to the boys again.

  Abby reached over and placed a hand on Addy’s. “You’ll have children of your own one day, sis.”

  Addy nodded. “I hope so. I really do.” She turned and looked at her twin. “Do you ever miss your old life? When you were with the band? And even before when we used to go with Papa Jack on the Julia Dawn?”

  “Sure.” Abby frowned a little. “I miss those things sometimes. But I wouldn’t give up my life with Rafe and my boys for anything.”