by Bella Bowen
Caroline burst into laughter. “You don’t mean to back to that ranch, do you? The bride factory? You don’t want some mud hen for a wife, surely. And besides, Mrs. Buxton told me you’ve already chosen someone to marry right here in Boston. She was shocked when you didn’t show up at the mayor’s ball with your mystery woman. She said her husband had been told by you that you would show her to the world.”
She went on grumbling over hearing about his mystery woman at her luncheon, which made her look like a perfect fool.
“Buxton was trying to foist his eldest onto me, Caroline. I had to make up an excuse.”
“Mmm.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Rather salacious for just an excuse, don’t you think? And now you’ve boxed yourself into a corner. If you don’t produce this mystery woman, I’ll be left to explain why.” Her bottom lip trembled right on cue. “You really don’t mean to leave me here to the wolves, do you?”
Jake raised a brow. “All right, sister. Would you care to move out west with me?”
Her eyes bulged. The very look he’d been expecting.
“Heavens, how could you suggest it?”
He gave her a pointed look. “Wolves?”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head rapidly. “Don’t be ridiculous. I only meant that you cannot leave me. And you really must choose a bride right away. They will be merciless if you don’t.”
Jake rolled his eyes and decided to ignore her dramatics along with the subject.
“I’ve doubled your allowance until you marry again. If you marry again. I’ve left capable men in charge of the company. If it fails in my absence, you’ll still have your allowance, though I urge you to marry quickly if that happens.”
“You aren’t joking with me?”
“I am not joking with you.”
She jumped to her feet. “Jacob. Brother. See reason. You cannot want to marry that mud hen from the…the saloon!”
He shut the last drawer firmly and leaned forward. “She was not a mud hen,” he said through clenched teeth. “And I have no doubt she is no longer available in any case.” He prayed for patience. He didn’t want Caroline’s memory of him to include a set down. He was just frustrated. In a few days, he’d be headed to Denver, but his plans afterward were unclear. If Mrs. Carnegie answered his letter promptly, he should have word before it was time to leave. If she dawdled…
“May I ask why you suddenly want to walk away from your prestigious life here in Boston? Is it something I’ve done?”
He gave her a kind smile, recognizing just a glimpse of his humble sister dabbing the corners of her eyes.
“It’s nothing you’ve done, Caroline. And prestige has never been enough to make me content. I think it’s time I found my own version of happiness. With the expansion of the railroads, I can’t help but feel like someone is knocking on the door at my back. Maybe it’s Elizabeth Tanner, or someone like her. Maybe it’s just the adventure of going west. But I want to answer that door.”
He stood and led his sister out.
“Will you come home with me at least?”
He shook his head. “I have more business that must be done before the end of the day, but I will escort you to your carriage.
She gave him a look then that was so sincere, so resembling a farewell, that he nearly reconsidered.
After he had settled back behind his desk, he heard a commotion in the hall.
Porter hurried inside with an envelope. “From Wyoming, sir.”
He took the letter and waved the man away but didn’t remember hearing him leave. The wax seal had a bell on it. A wedding bell.
The script was lavish. She must have wasted a good hour embellishing the letters!
Dear Mr. Montgomery,
I admit I am surprised to hear from you. However, after discovering the reason for your enquiry, I shouldn’t have been surprised at all.
Alas, as I cautioned you before, Miss Elizabeth Tanner is not among the brides presented at this time. If you are still interested in meeting the available ladies of Diamond Springs Ranch, please see my solicitor in Boston at the enclosed address.
The roar of disappointment that came from Jake’s very bones shook the hundred-year-old rafters above his head. Proctor was smart enough to ignore it.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Lizzy climbed up to the buckboard and sat next to Fontaine. They’d become friends now that Lizzy was living in Tucker House with the rest of the staff.
Mrs. Carnegie had been sorry to see her unable to complete the program and qualify to become a Diamond Springs Bride, but she’d been more than happy to keep Lizzy on her staff. She’d taken over half of the cooking classes, and she was a good enough shot to stand in for a guard every now and then—but only when it didn’t require her to stand alone in the darkness where her imagination might run a little wild.
Mrs. Carnegie hadn’t completely given up hope, though. She was letting Lizzy go into town to help with the regular dance that night so she could see what kind of husband material she was missing. The woman thought Lizzy’s stomach might toughen up if she got a glimpse of what was in store for her, even if it was just the chance to do some dancing.
Until graduating, however, dancing was forbidden, as was having any interaction with the prospective grooms.
Lizzy had been given a new revolver which was strapped to her right thigh within easy reach through a slit in her dark skirt. She would help protect the brides when she wasn’t serving punch, though the men allowed into Carnegie Hall shouldn’t be a danger to anyone. They’d already been scrutinized and deemed worthy. The only trouble that might be expected was from men outside the dance, but the townspeople kept their own eye on the place, Fontaine had told her. They had just as much a stake in the ranch’s success as Mrs. Carnegie, and they weren’t about to let anyone make trouble if they could help it.
With two guards riding ahead and two behind, the open carriage, buggy and wagon rode into Sage River through the south entrance. As soon as they turned to the left, Lizzy realized Fontaine hadn’t been exaggerating. Folks were lined up three deep in some places like they’d been expecting a parade.
Children waved at the brides in their pretty dresses. The brides waved back. And no one looked like they wanted trouble.
The parade progressed up the street toward the west end of town with children falling in behind. Then they turned right and drove around the outside of the town hall before stopping at the front doors. At least half a dozen men stood to either side of the entrance. They hurried forward to hand the brides down looking freshly bathed and newly shaved. Apparently the ranch also meant good business to any bathhouse in town.
Fontaine handed the reins to Lizzy and went to make sure everyone got inside safe and sound. After the rest of the staff jumped out of the wagon, Lizzy set the brake and followed. She was a little unnerved, like she was being watched. Fontaine held the door open for her and Lizzy took the opportunity to turn sideways and look behind her.
The smiling crowd stared back...along with the frowning face of a man in a flat brimmed hat. She couldn’t get a better look because the door closed.
She looked at Fontaine, wanting so badly to say what she'd just seen. But she was afraid she was imagining things. Many men wore flat-brimmed hats. Especially from back east. It could have been anyone. After all, men came from across the country to see what all the fuss was about. However, the men who travelled the greatest distance to be there...were already inside the hall, waiting for a chance to dance. Weren't they?
She shook off her nerves, berated herself for imagining Jacob Montgomery might have come back for her, and went about her duties. Mrs. Kennedy from the hotel had already sent the punch and refreshments over. Lizzy filled the cups with lemonade and water. There was no chance anyone was going to get drunk while dancing with Mrs. Carnegie's brides.
The brides themselves took seats along one side of the room. The men stood along the other waiting for permission to move. A man wiped his uncovered hea
d. Then wiped it again. The women, while trying to look calm and confident, stirred the air through the entire room with their vigorous fanning.
Mrs. Carnegie turned back from speaking with the musicians and clapped her hands. “You all know the rules, ladies and gentlemen. Please, take your time. Try to speak with as many others as possible. Don't single anyone out too quickly.” She nodded to the musicians, and the room filled with a moderately paced tune. A female fiddle player climbed onto a box and hollered for the men to pick a partner for a square dance.
The entire line of men moved forward looking intently at the pretty blond named Martha. A short man hurried around the end of the line and reached her first. His shorter legs took two or three steps to everyone else's, so no one begrudged him the victory.
He invited her to dance. She blushed and stood. Neither one of them seemed to notice how far down she had to look to find him, or how far back he had to tilt his head to see her. The rest of the men fanned out and bowed to the first girl available.
Lizzy didn't know exactly what Mrs. Carnegie had in mind by bringing her, but she was definitely not motivated to kill a small animal in order to dance with these men.
Of course, she might have been setting the standard a little high. Over six feet high, to be precise. She just couldn’t seem to imagine herself marrying someone the size of the happy man dancing with Martha. Not when she’d been held and kissed by Jacob Montgomery.
Damn him.
Fontaine stood up from her chair next to the door and opened it a few inches. She shook her head, then nodded. She soon closed the door and walked to Mrs. Carnegie to whisper something in her ear.
Maybe there was trouble.
Lizzy stepped back to the door behind the refreshment table. It opened onto the east side of the building. If trouble came through it, it would be her job to stop it.
She reached through the hole in her skirt and put her hand on the revolver, then pressed her ear to the door. It was impossible to hear what might be going on outside with the music and stomping going on. But she was prepared, nonetheless.
She looked for Fontaine and found her back in her seat, staring in her direction. She looked worried.
Lizzy raised her brows, hoping Fontaine could tell her, somehow, what the trouble was. But the young woman shook her head and shrugged. Mrs. Carnegie made her way to the front door and disappeared through it.
Fontaine painted a smile on her face and watched the dancers. She didn’t look at Lizzy again, but she wasn’t fooled. Something was wrong.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mrs. Carnegie stepped gracefully into the sheriff's office considering her slight limp and an umbrella to lean on. She closed the door behind her as if she feared others might come inside to listen. She didn't even glance Zollinger's way before stepping up to Jake. But he had no doubt she was aware of the other man. The estranged pair seemed to be breathing in unison.
“I thought this might be a private place to talk,” Jake said.
“Didn't you receive my reply, Mr. Montgomery?” Her hands went to her hips.
“Yes. I did get your letter. Thank you. But what you failed to tell me was that Elizabeth Tanner was still at your ranch.”
“That is none of your concern.”
He smiled at her and thought quickly. The woman was definitely defensive about Elizabeth. He would never get near the girl if Mrs. Carnegie didn't let down her guard.
“I assure you, ma’am, I am not interested in Miss Tanner. I mean to apply for a bride and I worried that, if she were still around, it might be awkward for her when I chose another. I wouldn’t want to hurt the child’s feelings.”
The woman watched him in silence for a minute or more before she nodded. “Fine. You're not interested in Elizabeth. Then why are you here, in this office? Why did you need to meet me now, and not, say, tomorrow?”
“I've gone to a lot of trouble to arrive in time for one of your Wednesday night dances and I don't plan to wait around another week before meeting the brides.” He took his packet of papers from the desk behind him and offered them to her. “You'll find a sealed letter from your Boston solicitor, and all the documentation he thought you would want to see.”
She looked at the package, seemed intrigued by its size, but didn’t touch it. “I don't have time for this right now. I have two dozen people to keep in line.”
“Plus one, ma’am. Please, just read the solicitor's note.” He opened the flap and pulled out the letter from the top.
She gave a sigh of surrender and took it from him. She broke the seal and read it quickly. He knew just when realization dawned. Her eyes widened the smallest bit, then she looked up at him.
“You're that Montgomery?”
“Part of that Montgomery. Just like you are part of that Carnegie. It doesn't mean much when it comes to a person's credibility, but at least you'll know where to look for me if you ever need to hunt me down.”
“Oh? It says here you're headed west with part of your fortune.”
“Yes. With the right bride. And I don't want to lose another week if it's unnecessary.”
She narrowed her eyes at him briefly. Then her face bloomed into a hospitable smile. “You win, Mr. Montgomery. I need someone to lean on anyway. My foot, you remember.”
~ ~ ~
Mrs. Carnegie stepped back into the hall and Lizzy blew out a relieved breath. She'd worried that what she'd imagined hadn't been her imagination after all. But worse than that, she’d had the crazy notion that Mrs. Carnegie might have gone looking for the man, to make sure he went away for good! But she was back, and so Lizzy's imagination could rest. She'd just make Fontaine tell her later what the trouble had been.
She went back to filling cups. Mrs. Carnegie started socializing around the room. Everything was the way it should be, or so she thought, until Mrs. Carnegie suddenly stopped chatting and made a bee line for the refreshment table.
Lizzy hoped she was just thirsty, but her imagination woke up again. Was the woman coming to the rear of the hall just to speak with her? Was Jacob Montgomery really was out there somewhere on the streets of Sage River?
“Elizabeth,” the woman said, coming around the table to stand next to her. “You should be warned.”
Oh, no!
“That Mr. Montgomery is back. He's been approved by my Boston staff, and he's here to find a bride. He wanted to make sure your feelings weren't hurt when he chooses someone else from Diamond Ranch.”
Lizzy blinked a few times.
He was in town. My heart might burst from excitement.
He was worried her feelings would be hurt. How terribly sweet.
He was here to choose a bride. Of course he was!
But he planned to choose someone else.
Her entire body went numb. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t think.
Mrs. Carnegie was watching her suspiciously.
“Oh,” Lizzy said finally. “He still thinks of me as a child. So of course he'd assume my feelings would be hurt.” She suddenly ran out of breath, but what she'd said seemed to have satisfied Mrs. Carnegie.
“Well, silly him, then.” She put her hands on both Lizzy's shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. “I'm going to allow him to join the dance, then. I've told him he cannot speak to you, nor can he ask you to dance. He has agreed. Just try not to be rude to him, won't you?”
Lizzy nodded. She still had no air for breathing, let alone speaking.
Go away, go away. If the woman would just leave her alone, she'd be fine.
Unknowingly, Mrs. Carnegie obliged. After a nod to Fontaine, she limped around the room, chatting with couples, patting the arms of those who stood apart, consoling as she went.
The flash of darkening sky caught Lizzy's attention and she looked toward the front of the hall. Fontaine allowed the tall man inside, then closed the door behind him. She threw Lizzy and anxious look, which was uncalled for. It wasn't as if she'd told the girl much about what had gone on between herself and Mr. Montgo
mery.
Jacob Montgomery.
She felt every step he took.
Breathe, Lizzy.
She tried. Little breaths. Warm air. The bite of lemonade still on her tongue.
Would he ever stand close enough again that she might be able to smell him?
He hung his hat with the others. A flat-brimmed, black hat. A string dangled from it, swung back and forth, then stopped.
The song came to an end. The dancers gasped for air, then moved apart. A handful headed toward her for a drink. She didn't have to look up to know the tall man was making his way along the far wall, searching faces, nodding, moving on.
One of the men handed a cup of lemonade to a bride, and tried to include Lizzy in their conversation, but she was too distracted to listen closely. The bride corrected him, told him Lizzy wasn't allowed to interact. Lizzy looked up and thanked her with a smile but found the woman's attention had turned toward Mr. Montgomery. All attention, it seemed, had turned his way.
Mrs. Carnegie introduced him as a late-comer and asked everyone to be kind to him. Lizzy had the feeling she was primarily addressing the men because all of them were frowning his way. And no wonder. All the brides left their sides and were converging on Mr. Montgomery like wolves on a fallen deer.
But this time, instead of pitying the poor creature who was about to die unnecessarily, she hoped he got what he'd asked for.
And she fled.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The outside air was refreshing. Summer in Wyoming cooled more quickly than Ohio when the sun went down.
Or maybe it was her broken heart that chilled her so. A nice warm arm around her shoulders would be just the fix, but the arm she had in mind was probably wrapped around another woman's waist at the moment while Montgomery waltzed her around the room.
Strains of The Blue Danube started up inside the town hall just to mock her, made their way through the walls, and followed her down the dark street. The faint glow of stars lit the way, but it was a moonless night.
