Western Winter Wedding Bells

by Cheryl St. John, Jenna Kernan

  “I didn’t think you’d have this much done,” Frank told him.

  “Chloe’s a harsh taskmaster,” Owen replied with a grin.

  Frank’s eyebrows rose at the joke and he gave Chloe a wide-eyed look.

  “Truthfully, she bribes us with baked goods,” Owen remarked. “And chicken salad sandwiches.”

  Chloe grinned. “Food does seem to keep them happy. I’m perfecting my dough recipe, so they’ve had rolls at least once a day this week.”

  Frank turned to the boarded-over window. “What about that window?”

  “We’re waiting to hear something on that,” Owen replied. He explained how Chloe had salvaged all the pieces and created a pattern.

  “You’re quite the inventive young lady,” Frank said. “Well, I wish you luck. Have a good Thanksgiving Day.”

  “Same to you,” Chloe said and watched him leave. As soon as he was gone, she turned to Owen. “Do you think he was simply curious?”

  Owen shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”

  “I don’t know. I’m going to prepare the noon meal now.”

  She headed home. She’d baked the chicken that morning. Sandwiches were easiest to transport and serve without dishes and silverware, so she prepared and wrapped the sandwiches, then packed a bag of apples and empty jars for drinks, filling two crates.

  “Miss Sarah?” she called up the stairs.

  Sarah appeared at the top of the landing. “Hello, Chloe.”

  “Would you consider helping me deliver lunch to the crew working at the church? I’m going to get the wagon I use for gardening from the shed and carry these crates in it. I really need someone to make sure they’re steady while I pull it.”

  Miss Sarah didn’t appear all too eager to join Chloe’s team of volunteers, but she didn’t say no right away. “How long will it take?”

  “Perhaps an hour by the time we get there, pass out the food, they eat, and we clean up and bring the wagon home.”

  “Well.” She glanced at the watch pinned to the front of her dress. “I suppose I have an hour.”

  Chloe reached for her coat and hung Sarah’s on the banister knob. What else did the woman have to do? She halted her judgmental thoughts and thanked her.

  The workers greeted the two women with appreciation. Miss Sarah looked all around at the inside of the church and her gaze touched on the workers. Chloe assigned her the task of doling out the paper-wrapped sandwiches, while she pumped a pail of fresh water from the well next door and dipped jars into it.

  The workers had to share because there weren’t enough to go around, but they didn’t seem to mind.

  “Agnes Matthews dropped off a basket while you were gone,” Owen told her.

  She located it and found it filled with fat sugar cookies. Chloe was delighted to let Miss Sarah pass them out.

  A tall fellow the others called Zeb doffed his hat and accepted the cookie she handed him. He had a lean jaw, a good smile, and crow’s feet from years of outdoor work. “Thank you, Miss Sarah. Can’t tell you how pleasin’ it is to have a pretty lady such as yourself bringing our lunch today.”

  Miss Sarah blushed to the roots of her hair, but she spared him a bashful smile.

  “His name’s Zebulon Tate,” Owen said to Sarah when she carried the basket back to where he and Chloe were sitting. “He’s a hard worker and a pleasant fellow.”

  Sarah handed Owen a cookie. “I’m sure it’s of no consequence to me what the man’s name is.”

  She set down the basket and moved away.

  Owen chuckled.

  “Were you matchmaking?” Chloe asked.

  “Hardly.” He gave her a frown, but there was no animosity behind it.

  “You were. You were matchmaking.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “I liked it,” she added. “It was sweet.”

  She turned, knowing Owen was following her gaze. Miss Sarah had busied herself opening the last few wrapped sandwiches and splitting the halves between those who wanted seconds, but every so often, she sneaked a glance at Zeb, seated on the floor.

  A half hour passed rapidly, and soon it was time for everyone to go back to their tasks. Chloe and Miss Sarah gathered the papers and jars and packed the wagon. Miss Sarah didn’t talk all the way home, and went directly to her room.

  Chloe washed the jars and packed them for next time. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, but the workers would be back on Friday.

  She returned to run errands at the church for the rest of the day, and then came home and had a quiet supper.

  She could hardly relax that night for thinking about the following day. But once she snuggled under her covers with Antoinette’s warmth at her feet, she slept soundly and woke early, refreshed and energized.

  After baking rolls, she bathed. She decided on one of the dresses she wore to church, since a day dress wasn’t fancy enough and it wasn’t an evening event. She chose one of her favorites, a jade-green silk polonaise dress. The neckline and cuffs were trimmed with ivory Brussels lace.

  The long tunic-style bodice, which was hemmed with matching fringe, gathered around her hips to tie in the back, giving the appearance of a bustle, but with a lot less bulk and structure. The style would be convenient for sitting at the dinner table, and she liked how the color looked with her fair skin and hair.

  Miss Sarah surprised Chloe in a plum-colored silk paisley visiting dress, with a ruffled hem on the bodice and the skirt, as well as a ruffle that ran up the front to the modest neckline under her chin. The back billowed out in a loose train. Chloe had never seen the dress before. But of course, it was a visiting dress and Miss Sarah never went visiting.

  “You look so pretty,” Chloe told her.

  “Thank you. How long will we stay?”

  Chloe had no idea. They’d been invited for midday dinner, and a dinner usually entailed conversation or games and a light meal in the evening. “I’m not sure. At least a few hours.”

  Miss Sarah plucked her coat from the tree. “All right then.”

  They traveled the short distance between houses, Chloe carrying the rolls, which had turned out perfectly. She reached to rap on the door, but it opened before her knuckles touched the wood.

  “Welcome!” Lillith said, and gave them each a warm hug. Miss Sarah accepted the embrace with a stiff posture and immediately backed away.

  Judd Valentine, Lillith’s oldest daughter’s husband, took their coats and whisked them away.

  Pamela hurried into the foyer and paused with a broad smile. “Chloe! How wonderful to see you.”

  She embraced her, then turned to Miss Sarah. “How do you do? I’m Pamela Rhodes, an old friend of Chloe’s.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Sarah said with a tight smile.

  Another young man showed up, and Pamela turned to beckon him forward. “This is my husband, Sully. Sully, meet Miss Chloe Hanley and…”

  “Miss Sarah Wisdom,” Chloe supplied.

  Lillith had taken the basket of rolls from Chloe, and she peeled back the toweling and sniffed them. “These smell so good. Pamela, show our neighbors into the great room while I carry these to the dining table.”

  Pamela led them into a large room with plenty of seating.

  “You remember my sister, Millie,” Pamela said. “And her husband, Judd. These are their children, Rosalie and Elias.”

  Chloe had seen the youngsters playing on the lawn during fair weather. “You have a beautiful family,” Chloe told Millie.

  JoDee got up from where she’d been seated beside Rosalie at the piano and greeted them. “Miss Chloe. Miss Sarah.”

  Another youngster burst into the room and skidded to a halt, bunching up the fringed rug. “Where’s Grandmother?”

  “This is Mattias,” Pamela said. “And Niles,” she added when another boy joined them. “That means Richard and Georgia have arrived. Grandmother is setting out plates and silverware all by herself, so I’m going to help her.”

  A slender dark-haired wom
an entered the room, followed by Richard. JoDee introduced them to their guests.

  “I understand you live right next door to Mother Reardon,” Georgia said.

  Chloe confirmed that indeed she did. Georgia had undoubtedly heard all about Chloe and the church from Richard, but if she had, she didn’t let on that she shared any animosity.

  Her sons immediately settled themselves at a small table with a checkerboard and decided who would go first.

  Owen arrived next, his familiar visage a welcome sight. Chloe couldn’t help a broad smile. Another man entered directly behind him, and Chloe looked twice, recognizing the older gentleman from the roofing crew. Zeb Tate had slicked back his dark hair and donned a suit.

  Owen introduced Zeb to his family members.

  Rosalie, who Chloe guessed to be about four, attached herself to Owen’s leg and even stepped on his shoe to get higher. He reached down in an easy motion and swung her to sit on one shoulder. She squealed and dug one fist into his hair to hang on.

  Owen made a face that indicated she had a tight hold. “Ease up a little, muffin,” he called up. “You don’t want to snatch your Uncle Owen bald, do you?”

  She giggled and relaxed her grip on his hair.

  Miss Sarah had inched closer to Chloe. When Chloe glanced aside, her face had turned pink, and she held her hands clasped together at her waist.

  As accustomed as she was to being alone, it was possible the number of people at the gathering unnerved her. Or…Chloe followed Miss Sarah’s shy gaze as it darted to Zeb and away more than once. Maybe it was the presence of one man in particular that set her on edge. How obvious of Owen to bring the man to dinner when he’d known Miss Sarah would be here. She’d kidded him about matchmaking, but now she was convinced there was some truth at the bottom of her suspicions.

  Pamela appeared wearing a bright smile. “Dinner is ready!” she called. “Come to the table.”

  Family members and guests strolled down the hallway. The aromatic smells of meat and sage reached them long before they filed through the doorway into the dining room.

  Chloe had questioned how so many would fit, but the table had been extended and extra wooden folding chairs tucked close together. White linens and sparkling silver set a festive tone, and yet when Lillith guided people to their places, the atmosphere felt informal and comfortable.

  A golden-brown roasted duck had been placed in front of Richard at the head of the table. Bowls and platters were filled with potatoes and gravy, green beans, sliced carrots, a smoked ham and so many dishes Chloe wondered how they would eat it all. Her mouth watered at the scents. She’d never seen anything like this feast.

  Chloe took the seat Sully held out for her, while Owen perched Rosalie on a chair padded with a thick dictionary beside her mother and Judd slid out a chair for Miss Sarah directly across from Chloe.

  Once he’d finished settling his niece and helping Millie get Elias into a wooden high chair, Owen took his seat directly beside Chloe.

  Chapter Seven

  Chloe glanced from face to face, noting Lillith’s extremely satisfied smile and Richard’s tight expression. Perhaps Lillith had a bit of matchmaking on her mind, too.

  Owen’s tawny gaze met Chloe’s and held. Above the hubbub of chatter and shifting of chairs, her heart beat faster.

  “Richard?” Lillith said, folding her hands over her plate.

  Everyone quieted in expectation, and even the children bowed their heads. Richard’s brief, yet eloquent prayer of thanks for the food and their health and prosperity surprised Chloe. As the oldest son, he was no doubt expected to give a blessing for their meal, but he’d done a good job of it.

  Richard sliced the fowl, placing a portion on the top plate in a towering stack. The plate passed and the task repeated until everyone had a serving. Lillith directed bowls and platters passed to the right, and before she knew it, Chloe’s plate was heaped.

  Owen held her own yeasty-smelling basket of rolls toward her.

  “There’s something I can pass on,” she said with a smile.

  “Something wrong with them?”

  “No, but I made them and I had one earlier.”

  “Well, if you made them, I’ll need to take another,” he said and rested one on the edge of his plate.

  “Chloe made the rolls,” he announced, and passed the basket to JoDee on the other side of her.

  Chloe tasted the flavorful rich duck and the sage-seasoned stuffing with appreciation.

  Across from her, Zeb had been seated beside Miss Sarah, and Sarah sat ramrod straight, her elbows tucked at her sides. She met Chloe’s eyes and managed a stiff smile. Zeb spoke, and her face turned pink, but she answered.

  Chloe took in the unfamiliar atmosphere, listening to Pamela and Millie as they spoke to their children and observing Lillith where she sat with one of Richard’s sons on either side of her. The joy on her face was unmistakable. Chloe wondered if the woman’s late husband was uppermost in her thoughts at that moment, because she caught the woman glancing around the table with tears shining in eyes the same color as Owen’s.

  The moment became overwhelmingly emotional and Chloe’s own eyes stung. Her fork stilled because she couldn’t eat and swallow past the welling feelings.

  It had been many years since she’d visited the ranch house with Pamela and eaten with the boisterous Reardons. Back then their family hadn’t been nearly this big, but she had always remembered the way they made her feel. Their big noisy family magnified her complete lack of connection to anyone in this world. While she’d loved every moment of those dinners, she’d also felt like an observer rather than a participant.

  “Something wrong?” Owen asked.

  She shook her head and blotted her lips with her napkin.

  “You sure?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. It’s just—it’s been a long time since I’ve eaten at a table with a family.”

  “They’re a little overwhelming,” he agreed.

  She shook her head. “No, not at all. I’m enjoying it.”

  She dared a look into his eyes again.

  “The rolls are good,” he said.

  She smiled. “Admit you’re matchmaking.”

  “What? No. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You know what I’m talking about.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “You invited Zebulon Tate and asked your mother to seat him beside Miss Sarah.”

  “I did no such thing.”

  She skewered him with her gaze.

  “I invited him, yes, but my mother planned the seating.”

  “And you knew where she’d place him because of the order of couples.”

  He paused a moment too long. “Maybe.”

  She wanted to laugh, but she didn’t want to draw attention to their conversation, so she gave him a satisfied grin and returned to her meal.

  “Only a few weeks until Christmas,” Lillith said, and the words stood out from all the others to Chloe’s ears.

  The children took the news with excitement, but Chloe experienced a sinking feeling.

  “Four short weeks,” Richard agreed. “And it’s getting colder. I expect we’ll see snow fly soon.” He lifted his dark gaze to Owen, who merely nodded and took another roll from the basket in front of him.

  “How’s the work on the church coming along?” Richard asked.

  Conversation stilled and concerned gazes shot to Owen and Chloe.

  “Maybe we don’t need to discuss that today, Richard,” Lillith said cautiously.

  “It’s all right,” Owen said to his mother. “The work is coming along nicely. The roof is finished except for trimming the eaves. Now when the snow comes it won’t be inside.”

  “How about that window?” Richard asked. “I’ll bet that’s proving to be a problem.”

  “I’m looking for someone who can create a new one to match the others,” Chloe told him.

  “If time runs out,” Owen added, “we’ll simply brick up the space over the
winter and go back to it in the spring. One window won’t prevent Christmas service from being held there.”

  “I was past the other day,” Judd remarked. “The outside looks a lot different with all the shrubbery cleared away.”

  If the tight line of his mouth was any indication, Richard was none too pleased at the news. Georgia gave her husband a surreptitious glance.

  “The volunteers have worked very hard,” Chloe told him. “The community has been supportive.”

  Millie changed the subject, and Chloe experienced supreme relief. The more she thought about it, especially now, being in the midst of their family, she was responsible for the friction between Richard and Owen regarding the church. No one seemed overly upset about the clash of purposes except Richard, however.

  Desserts were served, and Lillith had indeed outdone herself with pies. Millie had contributed dainty layered white cakes with fluffy frosting and a spun sugar flower on each square.

  Chloe managed to consume a sliver of each variety of pie and two of the little cakes. When Lillith brought out a pot of freshly brewed tea, she sighed with pleasure.

  Most of the men drank coffee, but the ladies enjoyed the tea so much Lillith brewed second and third pots.

  Eventually the men stood and moved to the great room, and the women picked up dishes and carried them to the kitchen. When Chloe asked for a job, Lillith put her to work washing plates and silverware.

  Pamela handed Miss Sarah a towel, and the woman seemed pleased to participate in the cleanup. Lillith took the clean plates and silverware back to the dining room. “The sideboard is set for an easy supper this evening,” she said.

  “We’ll eat the remainder of the food later,” JoDee told her.

  “I’ve never eaten so much in my life.” Chloe pressed her hand to her full stomach. “Everything was so good, and I didn’t want to miss anything.”

  “I know what you mean,” Pamela said.

  With so many of them working, the kitchen was tidy in no time, so they joined the others.

  Lillith sat in a rocker, holding Elias until he fell asleep. Judd took him from her and carried him upstairs.

  Richard’s two sons had been playing checkers again, but when their grandmother beckoned them over, they sat close to her feet. “What shall we play?” he asked.