Beth_Bride of Massachusetts

by Ashley Merrick

  She was surprised by how many people George seemed to know. People kept stopping by the table to say hello and to congratulate him on his recent purchase of the mill. Word certainly traveled fast. He introduced her to everyone, but after a while, the names seemed to go in one ear and out the other. When there was finally a break and they were alone for a moment, Beth said, “You seem to know so many people.”

  George smiled. “Business acquaintances, mostly. I know them well enough to say hello to, but that’s about it. There is one friend that said he and his wife were coming, I haven’t seen him here yet, though. You’ll like them.”

  “I’m sure I will.” Beth was curious to meet one of his friends. “How do you know him?”

  “Jarrod is a neighbor. I’ve known him for many years, though. We spent a summer here once when I was a young teenager and we became fast friends. We’ve stayed in touch over the years and he was one of the first people I saw when I came for my uncle’s funeral.”

  “That’s nice that you are still friends.”

  “Here he is now,” George said as a tall, blond-haired man and a woman that Beth assumed was his wife joined them at the table.

  “Beth, I’d like you to meet Jarrod and his wife, Cindy.”

  Jarrod smiled and held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

  “I understand you and George have known each other for years,” Beth said.

  “Yes. It’s nice having him around again, though he never stays long enough as far as we are concerned!”

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” his wife Cindy said with a shy smile. Beth liked her instantly. Both of them, actually. Cindy was petite, with wavy, dark blonde hair and pretty blue eyes. She was wearing a gorgeous dress, the color of a summer sky.

  The four of them chatted easily and the conversation bounced from George’s plans to restore the mill to Bob Brown and the police investigation.

  “I’m surprised that they haven’t arrested him yet,” Cindy said.

  “Or at least brought him in for questioning again,” Beth agreed.

  George and Jarrod exchanged glances.

  “I think they’d like to do both, but no one has seen Bob Brown. He seems to have disappeared. I was sure I was going to hear from him as he was so eager to strike a deal for the meal. It’s a bit odd.”

  “Phinneas Gulch seems to have disappeared as well. The police wanted to question him, but he hasn’t been seen in well over a week now. He does that, though. drifts into town for a bit and then goes off again.”

  “Why does he do that?” Beth asked.

  Jarrod chuckled. “Your guess is as good as mine. From what I’ve heard of him, though, he’s probably up to no good, off to cheat his next victim. He never does seem to get caught, though, so no one knows for sure what he has actually been up to.”

  “He sounds like someone that Bob Brown would be friends with,” Beth blurted out and then remembered that she was trying to behave more like her mother would. It just wasn’t easy, though. She took a sip of her lemonade and smiled sweetly at Cindy.

  “Your dress is so pretty,” she said.

  “Oh, thank you. I love yours, too. It’s such an unusual shade.”

  Beth glanced over at the men, who were deep in conversation about which contractors George should use for the mill restoration.

  “It is lovely, but it’s not mine. I borrowed it from one of my roommates. The pearls, too. She came to my rescue,” Beth admitted with a smile.

  “It’s rare for us to go to this kind of event as well. I have one fancy dress, and I’m wearing it. It is fun, though,” Cindy said as another server stopped by their table carrying a tray of tiny meatballs on toothpicks, in some kind of a creamy sauce. They all took one and Beth was trying to figure out what kind of sauce it was. She tasted mushrooms and maybe sour cream?

  “Stroganoff,” Cindy said as she happily accepted another meatball from a different server that came by.

  “Oh, that’s what it is. I’ve never had that before.”

  “I make it for Jarrod sometimes, for a special occasion, and serve it over egg noodles. I’d be happy to share the recipe with you.”

  “Oh, that would be wonderful, thank you.” Beth made a note to herself to pay closer attention in the kitchen. Her mother was a wonderful cook and Beth was inexperienced in that area, but she really did want to learn.

  “The band looks like they are getting ready to play soon,” Cindy commented and Beth glanced over to where she was looking. Five men were checking their instruments and settling into their seats in the far corner of the room. Within minutes, soft music floated their way and they enjoyed listening to some familiar songs as they enjoyed their drinks and the various appetizers that were offered to them. There was also a buffet table that ran along the side of the room and they all took a plate and filled it with an assortment of sliced meats and cheeses, roasted vegetables and scalloped potatoes. There was also a dessert table that overflowed with tempting pastries and cakes.

  “Have you and Jarrod been married very long?” Beth asked as she prepared to take a bite of chocolate cake. She thought that both Jarrod and Cindy looked to be maybe a few years older than she was.

  “It will be three years next month,” Cindy said. She then leaned over said very softly, “We recently found out that we are expecting our first child.”

  “Oh, how wonderful!”

  The tempo of the music changed, and as it became more lively, couples came onto the dance floor, an area right in front of the band. There were just a few at first and then as they switched to a tune that Beth recognized, even more people made their way to dance.

  “Cindy, feel like taking a spin?” Jarrod asked his wife.

  “I’d love to.” They walked off and George smiled at her.

  “Would you like to dance?” he asked.

  “All right,” Beth said a bit nervously. She loved to dance but also lacked experience doing so with a partner and feared that she might step on his toes. But she quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen with George leading her expertly around the dance floor. After a few steps, she relaxed and let herself feel the music. The band smoothly moved from one song into the next, and they kept pace for several songs until the tempo finally slowed and couples moved closer together.

  “Are you having fun?” George asked softly as they swayed to the music.

  “Yes! So much fun. Your friends are very nice.”

  “They are. I always try to see them at least once or twice whenever I am in town.”

  They fell silent for the rest of the song. Beth was surprised at how much she was enjoying herself and even more so at how she was liking the feel of being in George’s arms. The scent of him when he held her close was intoxicating. And a bit confusing.

  She hadn’t expected to feel anything like this, to have such a reaction to his touch and being close to him. She wondered if he was feeling anything, too, or if it was just her. She glanced at his face when he was looking toward the band and couldn’t begin to guess how he was feeling. He was very hard to read.

  She supposed that was part of the reason he was such a good businessman, and likely a good card player, too. She smiled at the thought. She was actually pretty good at cards, too. She and the girls often played in the apartment. Perhaps one day, she’d have to challenge him to a game.

  When the music ended, George led her back to their table. They spent the next few hours talking and dancing and by the end of the evening, Beth was physically tired but happy. It had been a wonderful night.

  They said their goodbyes to Jarrod and Cindy and promised that they would make plans to get together the next time they were going to be in Lawrence, which George anticipated would be sometime in the spring, probably April or May when the winter weather was well and truly over and the mill would be ready to open.

  When they reached Beth’s apartment building, George tied the horses to a post and then walked Beth to her door.

  “Thank you for joining me this eveni
ng.”

  “Thank you, it was a wonderful night,” Beth said happily.

  George smiled, pulled her in for a goodbye hug and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

  “Sleep tight, Beth. We look forward to seeing you and your family for Sunday dinner tomorrow.”

  “Goodnight, George.” Beth stepped inside and shut the door behind her. It was late and the apartment was quiet. Alice and Judith were sound asleep. Beth carefully removed her dress and hung it in her own closet until she could return it to Alice. She took off her pearls, climbed into her favorite, faded nightgown and slid into bed.

  Her feet were tired from dancing so much, but she didn’t mind. It had been a magical night and also a surprising one as she was beginning to see George in a new light. Her feelings both excited and scared her. She realized that the adventure ahead of her had the potential to be far more interesting than she’d anticipated. And with that thought, her eyes grew heavy and she drifted off into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “How was it? Tell us everything,” Alice asked eagerly the next morning as Beth was making coffee in their kitchen. Judith was already up as well and stirring sugar into a cup of tea. Beth poured coffee for her and Alice, and joined them at the kitchen table.

  Beth rubbed her eyes. She was still tired. “It was wonderful, truly. I really did feel like a princess at a ball. The house was so elegant and all the people dressed so beautifully. There was so much food, waiters passing appetizers, and the most delicious desserts.”

  “Was there dancing?” Judith asked.

  Beth chuckled. “I’ve never danced so much in my life. Here’s the evidence!” She lifted one of her feet to show them the red areas and tiny blisters that had formed from so much dancing.

  “Oh, my goodness. Does that hurt?” Alice asked.

  “No, just a little tender. I don’t mind, though. The dancing was so much fun. George is an excellent partner. I was worried that I might step on his toes, but that worry vanished a few steps into our first song.”

  “Oh, he’s a good dancer, then? You had a good time with him?” Alice asked with a sly smile.

  “Yes, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed his company,” she admitted.

  “Well, that’s a promising sign for your marriage,” Judith said as she added more sugar to her tea.

  “Yes, I suppose it is,” Beth said thoughtfully.

  “I’m so glad you had a good time. When are you leaving? Do you know?” Alice wondered.

  “Soon, I think. Perhaps in another week or two. George just needs to finalize the paperwork for the mill and line up the builders he is going to use.

  “He got the mill?” Alice sounded surprised.

  “Yes, he told me as we rode over to the event. The bank foreclosed on the mill and George is buying it from them.”

  “How interesting. So the mill wasn’t doing well and maybe Bob got in over his head with all those new machines?”

  “It sounds that way, yes. No one has heard from Bob, either. He seems to have vanished.”

  “Why would he do that? He has other businesses, I thought.”

  “George heard that he may have been involved with Phinneas Gulch. Maybe he had something to do with the mill fire. It sounds like he has left town, too.”

  “Phinneas Gulch, really? I once overheard Roberta talking about him. He’d been in the office meeting with Bob and when he left she asked Bob how well he knew him because she’d heard some bad things about the man.”

  “What did she hear?” Judith asked.

  “The only thing I remember is that she said something about how people don’t want to get on his bad side because those who do sometimes go missing.”

  “That would make sense. If Phinneas caught wind that the police were closing in on Bob and that he could be implicated, making Bob disappear could make that problem go away, too.”

  “I almost feel sorry for Bob,” Judith said. Both girls looked at her in surprise and she laughed.

  “I said almost…”

  “Well, I don’t feel one bit sorry for him,” Beth said. “If Phinneas did get rid of him, then he got what he deserved.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. Good riddance!” Alice said.

  “Oh, look at the time. I should run. I’m meeting India at my mother’s apartment and then we’re walking to church together.

  “Have fun,” Alice said as she went to pour herself another cup of coffee.

  Beth told her mother and India all about her evening with George as they walked to church. After the service they met the girls and George outside and rode back to his house in his buggy. Mandy greeted them when they arrived and over a delicious dinner of roast chicken and potatoes, they discussed their plans to head west.

  “I should be finalizing the paperwork for the mill early this week and meeting with contractors after that. If everything goes according to schedule, we could be ready to leave for Montana by the following Thursday. How does that sound?” he asked.

  Beth’s mother smiled and said, “It’s certainly fine by me.”

  “And me as well,” Beth confirmed, feeling a mix of sadness and excitement. She was going to miss her friends and especially her sister, India. But her excitement for this new adventure was growing.

  “We can’t wait to show you our house in Montana!” Harriet said.

  “And you can meet our horses,” Genevieve added.

  “I can’t wait to meet your horses. I bet you miss them.” Beth said.

  “Do you ride horses?” Harriet asked.

  “No, I never have. But maybe you can teach me?”

  “Could I, Uncle George?” Harriet seemed excited by the idea.

  “You want to teach Beth how to ride a horse? We’ll see. That might be a better job for me,” he said with a smile.

  Beth smiled, too, and wondered if George had as good a time as she did the night before. She expected him to be a little different, warmer and friendlier after they’d spent so much time in each other’s arms, but it was almost as if it had never happened. He was his usual distant, hard to read self which made Beth wonder if she’d imagined the closeness she’d felt the prior night. Maybe she had just been caught up in the moment and the music. That must be it.

  After they finished eating and enjoyed their coffee and tea in the living room, George drove them all home, as it was getting too windy and cold for the long walk back. He dropped India and her mother off first and then pulled up alongside her building and then walked her inside.

  “Thank you for coming to dinner today,” he said politely when they reached her door.

  “Thank you for having us.”

  “My pleasure. We’ll see you next Sunday and I’ll get our tickets to leave the following Thursday on the early morning train.”

  “I can’t believe it’s almost time to go,” Beth said.

  George smiled. “Before you know it, we’ll be in Montana. See you soon, Beth.” George turned to leave, and there was no hug good-bye and no soft kiss on her forehead. She watched him leave and let herself inside, feeling more confused than ever.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next week and a half passed quickly as Beth and her mother readied themselves to depart. When they met for dinner again the next Sunday, George confirmed that everything had gone according to plan and he had already purchased their tickets for the Thursday train. Beth’s stomach was a bundle of nerves early Thursday morning as she waited for George to arrive with the buggy. He’d explained that he was going to collect her and her mother first and leave them at the station with their luggage, then go to get the girls and their belongings. Although it was very early, both Alice and Judith were up to see her off.

  “I told myself I wasn’t going to cry, but I can’t help it. I’m happy for you, but I’m going to miss you terribly!” Alice said as she pulled Beth in for yet another hug good-bye.

  “Me, too!” Judith agreed, and added, “Both Alice and I are going to be leaving soon too, but this just makes
it seem real.”

  “I know what you mean,” Beth said. “I’m going to miss the both of you so much. We must stay in touch. You both have my new address. Please write once you are both settled so I have yours as well.”

  “I can’t wait to hear about your new life out West. What an adventure!” Alice said as she dabbed at her wet eyes with a soft handkerchief.

  Beth jumped at the sound of a knock on the door.

  “That must be George.”

  “Good morning,” he said as she opened the door. “Are you ready to go?”

  Beth took a deep breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be!”

  George grabbed the two large bags she had waiting by the door while she gave final hugs to Alice and Judith, then followed him out. They went to her mother’s home next and Beth went in with him. India was there. She’d slept over the night before to spend one last evening with her mother and her eyes were as wet as Alice’s had been. Beth immediately went to her and pulled her in for a tight hug.

  “I’m going to miss you most of all,” Beth told her sister.

  “I don’t know if I can stand it, losing both of you like this.” India sniffled, speaking softly enough so that George couldn’t overhear.

  “I know. It’s even harder than I imagined. But we’ll get through this. We’ll find a way to visit. We have to pass Indiana on the way back to Boston, so maybe we can take a detour to come see you.”

  “That would be wonderful and would give me something to look forward to.” India smiled at all of them and added, “I wish you all a safe trip. Please write to me as soon as you are settled.”

  “You may have to write to us first,” Beth reminded her. “We don’t know your address yet in Indiana.”

  “Oh, that’s right. I didn’t think of that. I’ll write as soon as I’m settled, then.”

  Beth and their mother gave India final hugs, then they finally followed George out to the buggy. A short time later, he dropped them at the station and checked their luggage in, then went to collect the girls. Beth and her mother sat on a wooden bench in the sun while they waited.