An involuntary shiver ran up Nora’s spine. She remembered seeing him the day after he arrived in Splendor, emaciated and weak, his scraggly beard obscuring his handsome face.
“And I have to disagree about him having no interest in you. He may not talk a great deal, but the way he couldn’t take his eyes off you at the wedding said a lot.”
Nora remembered feeling his gaze following her after their dance. She hoped he’d ask her again. Instead, he’d kept his distance, talking to Gabe, the Coulters, the Pelletiers, and just about anyone except her.
Stepping into the house, Nora turned to her friend. “I know you mean well, Rosemary, but truly, I’m well beyond the age most men would show an interest. I’ve accepted it. I wish you would, too.”
Blinking a couple times, Rosemary tilted her head to the side. “Accept what?”
Letting out a breath, Nora straightened her back, her features resigned. “I’m twenty-nine, never had a beau, and am well past the age men consider eligible for marriage.”
“You’ve never been courted? Not ever?”
Nora refused to accept pity. She’d long ago accepted the fact her life would be spent alone, the same as she’d been alone ever since her mother died when she was fourteen.
“No, not ever. It’s one reason I asked my father to send me out here. The few friends I had were married, having children, and busy with social obligations. Watching them, I realized the time had come to create my own future, one that didn’t include marriage.” She took Rosemary’s hands in hers, squeezing them lightly. “I’m asking you to please not push Wyatt toward me. He’s much more suited to one of the mail order brides living at the boardinghouse. In fact, I’d hoped you would help me pick one for him. My sister-in-law thinks May Bacon might be a good fit.” Her brother’s wife, Lena, and a few of her friends had been instrumental in bringing the four young women to Splendor not long before Rosemary and Dirk married. Dropping her hands to her sides, her features softened. “What do you think?”
Rosemary had never been good at hiding her feelings. “I think it’s a horrible idea.”
Nora’s eyes widened. “Oh?”
“Wyatt has shown no interest at all in any of those young ladies.” Rosemary walked toward the kitchen, holding the door open for Nora. “Would you like some tea?”
Nora sat down at the small table in the kitchen, clutching her hands in her lap. “Tea would be lovely.”
Adding water to the kettle already on the stove, Rosemary pulled the teapot and two cups out of the cupboard. “I don’t know why Lena and Allie sent for them. Seems to me the men around here have found women without any trouble.” She opened the tea canister, placing enough leaves in the pot for four cups, pouring hot water over them before setting the lid on top. Settling her hands on her waist, she turned toward Nora. “And you are not too old to marry.”
Biting her lip at the change in subject, Nora shook her head. Not only did she consider herself beyond the normal age to marry, she also suspected Wyatt was several years younger than her.
“We’re no longer talking about me. We’re deciding which of the mail order brides is suitable for Wyatt.”
“You two aren’t trying to meddle in Wyatt’s life, are you?” Rachel, Dax’s wife, walked into the kitchen, holding her youngest son, James. Only a couple months old, he’d already taken control of the house.
Taking another cup out of the cupboard, Rosemary grinned. “Of course not. Although I already know who would be the perfect woman for him.”
Rachel glanced at Nora, seeing her face blush. “I think it’s best Wyatt figures it out for himself. Don’t you, Nora?”
Relief washed over her as she nodded. “I certainly do. Although Lena believes May Bacon would be perfect for him.”
Sitting down, Rachel rocked James in her arms. “Well, she is pretty with her curly blonde hair and light blue eyes. She’s awfully quiet, though.”
“And young,” Rosemary added. Pouring tea into each of the cups, she set them in front of the women.
Rachel’s brows drew together. “I heard she’s twenty-two, which is older than you.”
Placing sugar and cream on the table, Rosemary sat down. “I mean, she might be too young for Wyatt.”
“How old do you think he is?” Nora focused on the cup in front of her, trying not to let her interest in him show.
“He must be at least thirty. Don’t you think so, Rachel?”
“I believe Allie told me he’s twenty-six. That’s certainly not too old for May Bacon.”
“What about Deborah Chestro?” Nora asked, any hope she had of capturing his attention fading when she learned his age. Three years wasn’t much when the man was older. It never seemed to be viewed in the same way when the man was younger. “No one would ever describe her as quiet.”
Rosemary shook her head, chuckling. “I think it will take a very special man to get along with Miss Chestro.”
Nora nodded. “She does have her opinions.”
“Tabitha Beekman is very nice and quite pretty. Lena invited me to have dinner with the two of them at the boardinghouse last week.” Rachel continued to rock James as he drifted off to sleep. “Then again, we’ve decided not to meddle in Wyatt’s life. Right?”
“Well…” Rosemary shrugged.
“Did we intrude in your life when you and Dirk were trying to sort things out, Rosemary?”
“Not really.”
“And everything worked out just fine. When Wyatt finds the right woman, I’m sure he’ll figure out what he wants to do about it without any interference from us.” Rachel added sugar to her tea, taking a sip. “Lena told me May Bacon is working in the kitchen at the St. James Hotel, Sylvia Lucero has a job at Petermann’s general store, and Tabitha is helping Suzanne at the boardinghouse.”
“That leaves Deborah.” Nora tapped a finger against her lips. “I wonder if Noah would want some help at his shop now that Toby is thinking of leaving Splendor.”
Rosemary sat up straighter. “Toby’s leaving? Did Noah tell you that?”
Nora shook her head. “My brother. You know Noah and Gabe are like brothers. Some merchant in Big Pine offered Toby a job, and according to Noah, the boy’s thinking about it. Lena had thought Sylvia Lucero would be perfect for him.”
Rosemary nodded. “They would make a very handsome couple. Have they even met?”
“At your wedding.” Rachel finished her tea, shifting in the seat. “Lena introduced them, and they spent considerable time together. I doubt Toby could afford a wife and family on what he makes at Noah’s tack shop, though.”
“Maybe that’s why he’s thinking of leaving.” Rosemary stood, picking up the empty cups. “I’d better get back to preparing supper. Wyatt is going to join us tonight, Rachel. I hope that’s all right.”
“Of course it is. Let me put James down and check on Patrick, then I’ll be down to help.” Rachel looked at Nora. “You are spending the night with us, aren’t you?”
“I am, but only if you’ll let me help with supper.”
“We never turn down any help. Do we, Rosemary?” Standing, Rachel cradled James in her arms as she turned toward the hall.
Shaking her head, Rosemary cleared the table, taking everything over to the sink. “Not that I’ve ever seen.”
Joining Rosemary, Nora rolled up her sleeves and grabbed an apron. “I’m ready. Just tell me what you want done.”
Grateful for the chance to help, she listened as Rosemary listed what still had to be done, her mind not at all on the food preparation. Instead, her thoughts went to a certain tall, well-muscled man with dark hair, stormy gray eyes, and close-trimmed beard. Even if she could never have Wyatt, she could have her fantasies. It was the one thing life couldn’t take away from her.
Chapter Two
Splendor, Montana Territory
“Did you enjoy your time with the Pelletiers?” Lena Evans, Nora’s sister-in-law, folded and stacked clean clothes, holding one shirt in the air. “I can’t beli
eve how fast Jack is growing. Seems Gabe and I buy him new clothes, and within weeks he’s grown out of them.”
Nora loved listening to Lena speak of her eight-year-old son, Jackson, the boy Gabe adopted when they married. It had taken her only a few minutes around them to see how much her brother loved Jack. He’d built them a house close to town, which was where Nora had lived since arriving in Splendor.
“It won’t be long before Jack is as tall as Gabe.” Standing, Nora reached out. “Here. Let me take them upstairs while you finish down here.”
Placing the stack of clothes in Nora’s arms, Lena rested her hip against the table, crossing her arms. “You didn’t answer my question about your time at the Pelletiers.”
She stopped on her way to the stairs, turning back. “Any time spent at their ranch is wonderful, and it was good to visit with Rosemary. She and Dirk are very happy.”
“Who would’ve thought the two of them would ever get together. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more unlikely pair.”
Nora smiled, remembering the way the two of them held hands after supper the night before. “They’re staying in a house Luke built a couple miles from the ranch on Wildfire Creek. She and Dirk ride in each morning.”
“I’ve been there. Bull designed it, and several of the ranch hands helped build it. As I recall, Luke had just left Pinkerton’s agency, deciding to work with his brother on the ranch.”
“It was left to both of them, wasn’t it, Lena?”
“It was. Luke took one last assignment for the agency before deciding to stay at the ranch for good. Dax had a more difficult time settling into ranching than his brother. After the war, Dax just wanted to get away, leave the responsibilities to someone else. He and Luke were Texas Rangers for a time before a fellow Ranger died, leaving them the ranch.” Lena shook her head, smiling. “Luke had to talk Dax into staying.”
Nora brushed a strand of hair from her face, her eyes narrowing in confusion. “Gabe told me he stayed because of Rachel.”
Lena chuckled. “I believe she played a big part in his decision.”
They turned at the sound of the door opening, boots sounding on the wood floor. “Gabe. I didn’t expect you home so soon.” Lena walked to her husband, put her arms around his neck, and gave him a welcoming kiss.
Nora watched the scene, feeling a deep sense of melancholy, knowing she’d never experience the type of love they shared. Without a word, she walked up the stairs, her mind settling on Wyatt. He’d sat across from her at supper, a shiver running through her each time she caught him staring. She’d done her best to ignore him, focusing instead on which of the mail order brides might suit him, deciding Tabitha would be the best choice.
Putting Jack’s clothes away, she wondered how a meeting of the two could be planned. Making a mental note to speak to Lena about it, she walked downstairs, hearing Gabe’s deep voice and Lena’s soft laugh. Stepping close to the parlor door, she listened for a moment.
“I don’t know how he got my name or found out I’m in Splendor.” Gabe sounded frustrated and confused.
“Your father, of course. You say the man is a baron?”
“Do you mind if I join you?” Nora took a step into the room, waiting until Gabe motioned to a nearby chair.
“I was telling Lena about a telegram I received from a man back east.” He lifted the telegram from where he’d left it on a table. “Baron Ernst Wolfgang Klaussner.”
Nora quirked a brow. “Baron?”
“He’s originally from Germany. Lives in New York now.”
“Why did he send you a telegram, Gabe? Surely he isn’t thinking of visiting Splendor.”
Gabe held the telegram out to her. “Read it yourself, although details are meager.”
Nora read it over, her eyes widening. “He means to move out here and buy a ranch?”
Lena straightened in her chair. “The way I read it, he’s on his way, and he may have already bought the property.”
Gabe pinched the bridge of his nose, then snapped his fingers. “Otis Ivie at the land office told me someone from back east bought acreage south of town. I’d forgotten all about it. He didn’t give me a name, but said the owner plans to build a large house and run cattle. Guess it’s time I go back and speak with Otis.”
“The telegram says he wants to meet with you when he arrives on the stage.” Nora handed the telegram back to Gabe. “Why would he contact you?”
“Lena thinks he must know my father.” He shook his head. “Sorry. I mean, our father.”
Nora waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “It’s all right. Even though I’ve known about you and your brothers for a while, I still have a hard time believing the man I think of as my father had a second family. His true family.”
Gabe leaned forward, searching her face. “You’re my sister, Nora. No matter how it happened, you’re my family as much as my brothers.”
Biting her lip, she blinked to stop the moisture from forming in her eyes. After a brief period of disbelief followed her surprise arrival in Splendor, Gabe had accepted her without reservation. He’d insisted she stay with him, Lena, and Jack, introduced her to their friends, and made sure she had whatever she needed.
“Thank you, Gabe. Your words mean a lot to me.” Standing, she walked to the coat rack, lifted her hat off a hook, and settled it on her head. “If you don’t mind, I’ll accompany you back to town. Allie asked me to come by her shop.”
Gabe nodded. “I’ll saddle your horse. Meet me in front when you’re ready.”
Lena stood, kissing Gabe. “Will you be here for supper?”
Nodding, he kissed her again. “I plan to.”
She watched him leave, then turned back to Nora. “Did you think about what we talked about?”
Nora let out a breath, unable to pretend she didn’t know what Lena referred to. “A little. I spoke with Rachel and Rosemary about the brides. Rachel believes we should stay completely out of it and let the men make their own choices.”
Clasping her hands in front of her, Lena nodded. “After thinking about it more myself, I think she’s right. Trying to match men to the brides won’t work.”
Her words comforted Nora. “Then we let the men and women sort it all out themselves.”
Lena smirked. “Not exactly.”
“Oh no. I don’t like the sound of that.”
Smiling, Lena opened the front door. “You go on to town with Gabe. We’ll discuss it over supper tonight.”
Nora cocked her head to the side. “In front of Gabe?”
Lena touched her arm. “Don’t worry. What I’m going to propose is something I’m certain he’ll support.”
Nora ran a hand over the newest length of fabric in Allie’s shop, appreciating the fine weave and colors. She knew her friend would design a spectacular dress with the material. For a moment, Nora wondered who would be fortunate enough to own it.
The town had grown considerably since Allie moved to Splendor, opening her seamstress and millinery shop next door to the bank. After a bumpy start, she and Cash had given themselves a chance to work through their relationship, marrying a few months before Nora arrived.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Allie walked toward her.
“Who ordered it?”
“I did. It’s from one of the stores back east. We have an arrangement. I send her some of my designs, and she pays me by sending fabric to my shop. She sent a few others, equally as beautiful.”
“I’m certain it won’t take you long to sell them to the ladies in town.”
Allie walked toward a couple chairs, motioning for Nora to sit down. “That’s the reason I wanted to talk to you. So many new people have moved to Splendor since I arrived that I can’t keep up with the orders. I’ve been working over ten hours most days with only Sunday off, and I still can’t keep up. Cash suggested I hire someone to help.” Her mouth curved into a smile. “I thought you might be interested.”
Nora’s brows furrowed. “I’m not sure how
I can help. My sewing skills aren’t anywhere close to yours. All I’ve ever done is teach at a girl’s school.”
“Is teaching what you want to do?”
Nora shook her head. “Not really. I taught in Pennsylvania because it was one of the only respectable jobs available for a single woman. Besides, Splendor already has a teacher.”
Allie sat forward in her chair, her eyes bright. “You won’t need sewing skills for what I have in mind. Are you interested in hearing what it is?”
“Yes, please.”
“I need someone with class and style to work with the customers. Someone who knows about fine fabrics and can work with women who have lots of money and those who have little. I cater to all of them. I’ve become disorganized with all the new business, and the books haven’t been done in weeks. Cash offered to help, but even with the new deputies Gabe hired, he has little time for anything outside of his job.”
Nora nodded. “I hear a different story every night about some new scoundrel who’s arrived in town. Seems for every three decent people, we attract at least one who isn’t afraid to break the law.”
Allie smiled. “That’s why they’re expanding the jail. Anyway, I truly do need help, and if you’re interested, I’d love to have you work for me.”
Nora glanced around the shop, her gaze moving from the fabrics to finished dresses and hats. She’d always admired Allie and her determination to make her business a success.
“You don’t have to work every day, unless you want to. Three days a week would be wonderful.”
She’d love to say yes, but wanted to discuss it with Lena and Gabe first. The days Lena worked late at the St. James Hotel or the Dixie saloon, they depended on her to help with Jack. Oftentimes, Gabe also worked late.
“I will say it’s an appealing idea. May I think about it overnight and give you an answer tomorrow?”
Forsaken Falls Page 2
