by Paige Powers
Lizbeth tapped her chin. "I guess you could be right. Mr. Abbott is pretty smart. Once we stay in that sweltering heat for a while, he will figure out it's time to go back home. Maybe it's a man thing. He is probably just going through some growing pains."
She shrugged nonchalantly. "All I know is that my wedding had better be at the plantation. Every wedding in the Wilkes family has been there for generations. I'm not about to break tradition at all."
Cassie nodded and returned to her book. "I understand how important tradition is to you. It makes sense."
Lizbeth huffed a bit. Cassie could be so exasperating. She did not always understand the order of things. She was a wonderful friend. She listened to everything Lizbeth said and did not interrupt. She was always there, and she was a loyal companion. Lizbeth could trust her with all of her deepest secrets. Cassie's family did not come from money like the Wilkes family and Lizbeth was happy to let Cassie share in her lifestyle with her.
She made sure Cassie had pretty dresses, parasols, handmade hats and gloves – the best of everything. After Cassie's mother fell ill and passed away, Lizbeth even made sure that Cassie moved in with her and her family. It was a huge step up for Cassie, propelling her into a world she never would have been able to truly access if Lizbeth had not done her that favor. Lizbeth did not ask for anything in return but friendship and companionship of sorts.
So far, Cassie had delivered. Lizbeth knew that at some point, Cassie would want to move on and find a life of her own. She was a pretty girl with light blonde hair, soft hazel eyes, and a dimple in her chin. Lizbeth knew that suitors were scared to call on Cassie because she was Lizbeth's lady’s maid. Truth was, Cassie was not legally indebted to her and she could leave at any time. Lizbeth just hoped Cassie would not leave just yet. She was thinking that when she and Bryan married, it would be the perfect time for Cassie to go out and find her own life.
She just hoped that Cassie was ready.
As Lizbeth stared out the window, she was not at all impressed by the scenery. It looked dusty and hot. There was not as much greenery as at home. Everything was so flat, and Texas looked like the kind of place where things ran wild. There did not seem to be much order. She wondered how people in high society, like herself, got along out here.
She had heard stories about how things were not as civilized out West. How the Americans had to fight people over the rights to land. To her, it just did not seem right. Texas was American soil and that was that. Going to war was not even necessary anymore. Now that the Great War was over, she did not want anything to do with any other infighting. That's why she could not, for the life of her, figure out why Bryan wanted to move somewhere that could be so savage.
Lizbeth shook her head to get rid of the daydream. It was what it was. She was going to humor him with this move only for a few months. If Texas was as uncomfortable as she thought it would be, none of this would last long. She was used to getting exactly what she wanted, and she was not about to stop now.
* * *
After the train pulled in to the station, relocating started to seem all too real. She had actually packed her belongings, boarded a train, and traveled all of the way to Owen's Bluff, Texas. There were more people at the station than she expected. The platform was bustling with people, getting on and getting off at the stop.
"Maybe this will turn out to be a little better than I thought," Lizbeth commented to no one in particular.
"Oh look, there is Mr. Abbott."
She turned around in the direction where Cassie pointed. Lizbeth let out a squeal, clasping her hands together.
"My love!"
She waited for Bryan to come over to her. His limp slowed him a bit, but when she saw him, she saw the man she’d fallen for all those years ago.
His arms around her felt comfortable.
"Welcome to Owen's Bluff," he said, first looking at her and then at Cassie.
He tipped his hat. "Cassie."
She nodded. "Mr. Abbott."
"I hope the ride was not too hard on you two." Bryan picked up their luggage.
"Actually, it was not the easiest ride at all. Really, I've never endured something so uncomfortable in my life. I don't even know how Cassie and I survived."
She latched her arm into his and they began walking.
"Well, I hope you two are ready for Owen's Bluff. It's a pretty nice place to live."
He turned around. "Cassie, it's so good to see you made it out here. I was not expecting you to make the move, but you are a pleasant surprise."
Cassie nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Abbott."
Lizbeth watched the interaction. Bryan had a knack for always being so polite.
"Well now, where can we go and get freshened up? I don't feel proper after such a long ride."
As they left the station, the sun became increasingly hostile. Both Lizbeth and Cassie put up their parasols.
"I can tell right now, this is not the place for me. The sun is quite brutal."
"The sun can be brutal back in South Carolina too, Liz."
She twisted her face up. "I'm not too sure. This seems ungodly."
Bryan helped Lizbeth up into the carriage and then helped Cassie.
"I have a surprise for you, dear."
Lizbeth clasped her hands together. "If we turn the corner there, we'll end up back in South Carolina?"
"Not quite, dear," he replied in a calm tone as the carriage began moving.
Lizbeth sighed. She used her kerchief to dab the sweat off of her neck. The heat was unbearable. She could not think of any way to cool down.
"Well then, what is it?"
"We have our own home."
"What?" she replied, flabbergasted.
Bryan repeated his comment. "We have our own home."
He looked at her waiting for her to reply.
She was trying not to scream. "How did we happen to do that?" When she spoke, she enunciated the word we.
"The couple I work for happened to have a house and they offered it to us to live in."
Looking around, Lizbeth tried her best not to throw a tantrum. "First of all, we are not even married. How are we going to live under the same roof? People would think that much less of me."
"Not around here. Things are different here. And I promise to keep your virtue first and foremost in my mind. I have a job and the couple – Mr. and Mrs. Bates – were both so very nice. I could not believe it when they offered us the house."
All she could do was sit quietly. Lizbeth really wanted to pass out. The truth of it was that Owen's Bluff did not seem like her kind of place and she was, in her mind, developing a million reasons why she would need to go back home. With Bryan purchasing a home for them, it was beginning to look like he had definite plans on setting up a life here in Texas. It was making it seem that he would not move them back home anytime soon. In her mind, she convinced herself that this was just a moment of Bryan trying to find himself and she would just be along for the ride.
She would never reveal it to him, but the only real reason she would not turn around and get back on the train was because her father told her that she would not even last two weeks in Texas. So it was simply the principal of the situation. She had to stay and stick it out. There was no way that she would go back home and prove her father correct.
So she was here to stay – at least for two weeks and a day.
* * *
Obviously the house was nothing like what Lizbeth thought it would be. But it would be nice enough for now. Bryan was grinning from ear to ear so Lizbeth decided that she would try and keep her comments at bay.
"This looks…quaint."
Lizbeth stepped down from the carriage.
"Well, it's home sweet home, so I hope you will be comfortable," Bryan replied.
He helped Cassie down as well and they all approached the front door. Bryan opened the door and Lizbeth sighed as she peeked inside.
Scanning the home, she thought to herself that it was really not tha
t bad. She was used to living in more luxury, but she knew her life with Bryan would not be in such opulence.
She tried to make the best of the situation. "I think you've done a great job."
A look of relief washed over Bryan's face. "Great! Cassie, I did not know that you were coming, but we do have space for you in the guest room."
Cassie nodded. "Thank you. I was not sure that I was coming either. I just wanted to make sure that Lizbeth gets settled in."
Lizbeth was walking around the house, checking out each and every inch of it. Although it was not up to her standards, she would have to make due. She just reminded herself that she had to make it through the next few weeks and then she could start to convince Bryan that he was out of his mind for moving them there.
"I'll take all of your things to both of your rooms." Bryan gathered all of their belongings and walked off to the bedrooms.
"Cassie, I just don't know how I will survive this move. I'm so glad you came here with me."
Cassie smiled. "I think we'll be just fine here. It's not that bad."
"Not that bad? There is a huge fireplace here in the middle of the great room. Why on Earth does a place this hot need a fireplace?"
Using the fan only pushed around hot air and Lizbeth was growing more and more irritated.
Cassie just shrugged. "Maybe it is a place of extremes – extreme heat and extreme cold."
"I am not planning on being here long enough to figure out how cold it gets. Bryan is just going to have to come to his senses. This is actually ridiculous. I would have never chosen a place like this to relocate to. He has got to be out of his mind to think I'm going to live here."
Lizbeth felt like she was on the verge of a tantrum. Why was no one understanding how she felt about all this?
"I can be calm. I can make the best of this situation. I guess I have to." There was no need to pitch a fit. It was not going to do her any good anyway.
"Honey, maybe I can show you around a bit. I want you to get a look at Owen's Bluff, maybe meet the sheriff and his wife. And we have to stop by my brother's home so that you can see the kids. Adam is getting so big."
"We will have plenty of time to do all of that. Right now, I would just like to take a little nap. Get some rest from all of my travels. Is that okay with you, honey?"
Bryan kissed her on the forehead. "Certainly. Get as much rest as you need. I want you to feel settled in here."
"I will see you all in a while. Hopefully I won't melt as I try and get some rest."
Lizbeth retired to her bedroom. She had the bare minimum in her room. No real décor, not an ounce of personality. At some point, this had to get better.
It most certainly could not get any worse.
* * *
"Is there anything I can help with?"
When Bryan turned around, he saw Cassie standing there.
"Not really. I was just going to make dinner."
Cassie walked over and took the pot from his hands. "I know that you aren't going to do that yourself. Let me see that."
Bryan stepped away from the stove. "I've gotten used to cooking for myself. I can rustle up something for dinner."
"Not at all. I'm here to help. I can handle this."
He watched as she began to get acclimated to the kitchen. There were only a few pots and pans and utensils but enough for the three of them to use for dinner. Luckily, Bryan had been to the market for food and supplies.
"I will back off and let you handle everything with no problem."
He stood back and watched as Cassie moved around the kitchen with ease. She hummed a song while she prepared the meat.
"I did not know you could cook," Bryan commented.
"Really, I don't think we know too much about each other, Mr. Abbott."
What she said was the truth. There was not actually a time when the two of them sat and had a casual conversation.
"That is the truth. We have not had a real conversation. By the way, you can call me Bryan."
Cassie nodded shyly. "Thank you, Mr. Abbott. I'm just here to help Ms. Wilkes get acclimated to her new surroundings. I don't expect to be here too long, but long enough to see to it that she is comfortable. And in that time, if you need anything, please let me know if I can be of assistance."
Bryan was taken aback by Cassie's formal nature. It was not as if they did not know each other at all. Cassie had been around for a while, so he was confused why she would be acting this way now.
To set the situation at ease, he tried to give her some calming words.
"Cassie, look. I know that you and I have not had a lot of encounters, but we both have something in common. We care for Lizbeth. I just want to make sure that the two of you are comfortable."
"Thank you." She fixed their plates and set Lizbeth's on the warmer. Cassie fixed their plates and led the two of them to the table.
"Wow, this looks wonderful. I appreciate a home-cooked meal. Thank you."
Cassie nodded and they began to eat. There was not much conversation, other than small talk about the train ride and how Bryan had been doing since he decided to settle in to the new town.
As they washed the dishes, Bryan thought he would offer some words of encouragement to Lizbeth.
"I know that Liz appreciates you, but I just want you to know that I think it will be great for you to be here with us. It will certainly make Liz's life easier. Having a piece of home here in Owen's Bluff with her will be just the thing she needs to get used to the idea of the relocation."
Cassie dried the last of the dishes.
"I certainly hope so, Mr. Abbott. I certainly hope so."
She excused herself from the kitchen, leaving Bryan there all alone, hoping that he had made the right decision to move and make Owen's Bluff, Texas their new home.
Chapter 3
Bryan watched as Cassie fussed over Lizbeth. Part of the reason that Bryan was attracted to Lizbeth was the same reason that she irritated him. Why was it that she needed someone to help dress her? Was she not able to primp in the mirror on her own without assistance?
Watching the entire fiasco, he began to see that Cassie did not look fulfilled in her work. He began to wonder why she even took a position as a lady's maid in the first place. He did not know much about her home life or her childhood. As a matter of fact, he did not remember her at all growing up.
She seemed to be patient and kind-hearted. Anyone dealing with his fiancée had to be patient. Lizbeth was not the easiest person to deal with at times. Lizbeth described Cassie as her best friend, but the truth was, she was her only friend.
"Thank you, Cassie. I think I'm fine from here." Lizbeth straightened up and motioned to wipe a fly away hair from her face.
"You look wonderful, my love." Bryan kissed Lizbeth on the cheek.
"I hope today is a much better day than yesterday. Much more relaxing."
"It will be. But I had plans for us to go out and see the town. I wanted to show you around."
Lizbeth took a deep breath, rolling her eyes. "Not quite what I had in mind, but it will do."
"And Cassie, I want you to come as well. Since you will be living here, it's best that you get to know the lay of the land."
Both Bryan and Cassie looked to Lizbeth for a response. "Of course, it only makes sense," she replied in her syrupy drawl.
"Well then, let's go." He was stunned that she was so agreeable. Lizbeth was stubborn and spoiled and she would go to great lengths to make sure she got her way. It was nice that she seemed to be coming around a bit to the idea of settling in.
He hitched the wagon to the horses and they were on their way.
Looking at Lizbeth try to hold it together while they rode through the dusty roads was enough to make Bryan want to burst out laughing. She was taking the entire situation too far. It really was not that bad. If only Lizbeth could take a moment to see what he saw when he looked at Owen's Bluff, she would fall in love with it as well.
It was going to be a hard s
ell, and he knew it, but until she was completely on board, he was willing to take the small steps that she made.
"We'll stop at my brother's home first. I want you to meet his lovely wife."
Brent's home was about five minutes west of Bryan's. Just as they arrived, Brent walked out onto the porch. He gave a welcoming wave as they approached.
"Good morning, brother!"
"Good morning to you as well. I see that you have brought such lovely company. To what do I owe the honor?"
Brent walked over to help the ladies out of the wagon.
"Lizbeth, you remember my brother Brent."
She nodded. "Good day."
Brent smiled. "Lizbeth."
"And this is her confidante, Miss Cassie Anderson."
"A pleasure to see you both," Brent replied as he greeted both of them by a gentle kiss on the hand.
"I was hoping they would be able to meet Lily this morning."
Brent rocked back and forth on his heels while he chewed on some tobacco.
"Oh, Lily is already gone for the morning. She took Adam off to school and the baby is gone with her to the market. I'm on my way in to the office now. How are you ladies liking our little town?"
Lizbeth rolled her eyes, but tried to plaster a smile on her face." It is much different than what I'm used to, but it will do for now."
There was a brief pause as if someone was trying to figure out how to respond to Lizbeth.
"I think you will settle in just fine," Brent replied.
"As do I," added Bryan.
"Lily and I would love to have you all over for dinner tomorrow. So please make plans accordingly. And Cassie, you certainly are welcome to come along as well."
"Thank you," Cassie replied.
Lizbeth smoothed her dress, squinting in the sun. "Bryan, I guess we are just going to have to arrange our plans to have a meal with your brother and his wife. Brent, we kindly accept your invitation. What time will you be expecting us?"
"Lily usually has dinner on the table around six. Does that work for you all?"
"It does, brother. We will be happy to come over and join you tomorrow. We are looking forward to it."
