by Kit Morgan
The sheriff had taken the crates and placed them around the house and porch so people could use them as chairs. Daniel had also brought chairs down from some of the bedrooms. Everyone sat and visited, and when the notion took them, got up and went into the kitchen for chicken and biscuits.
It was noisy, it was loud and Nellie Davis’ occasional gasp of shock was the only interruption to the cacophony of laughter, shouting, backslapping, children crying and the clinking of dishes. Good heavens, Ebba thought at one point. What was the actual wedding supper going to be like? She certainly hoped it didn’t rain! She couldn’t imagine trying to stuff any more people into the house.
“We’re going to have to get up mighty early to get that cake done, girls,” Leona declared as she stepped onto the front porch with Ma and Betsy.
“So long as we all pitch in, we’ll have it baked up right quick, Leona,” Betsy said. “You don’t have to worry. I’d be more concerned about that pig getting done in time.”
Nellie Davis must have the hearing of an elephant, Ebba thought. In a flash she appeared in the doorway. “Don’t you worry none about that pig. My husband will have it roasted to perfection by the time we’re ready to eat.”
“As long as it’s done, that’s all that matters,” Ma said, then turned to Ebba. “And by the way, I moved the dress from the sewing room to your room, child.”
“Thank you, Ma,” Ebba said with a smile.
Nellie eyed her fellow matrons and raised an eyebrow. “Well?”
“Deep subject,” Harlan muttered. Daniel suppressed a snort.
“Well what?” Betsy asked, ignoring the men.
“Aren’t you going to show it to us?” Nellie asked, as if accusing someone of hiding something.
“The dress?” Ma said. “Ebba, do you mind?”
“No, I don’t mind.”
“Then why don’t you take her upstairs and show it to her? In fact, I’m sure Charlotte would love to see it as well.”
“If’n you can find Charlotte,” Daniel said with a smile. “I ain’t seen her for a while. Matthew wandered out here a few minutes ago, though.”
“Never mind about Matthew,” Nellie said with a roll of her eyes. “Why would he be interested in seeing a wedding dress?”
“Dunno,” Daniel said with a laugh. “But seein’ as how it’s my bride, I cain’t wait!”
Ebba blushed as she got up from her chair, passed the baby to Daniel and headed into the house. Nellie followed her up the stairs without a word. It made Ebba nervous and she quickened her step. “It’s in here,” she said as she opened the door. Ma had hung it on the armoire, freshly ironed and looking beautiful. In fact, every time Ebba saw it, a thrill of excitement went up her spine. It was too bad she’d only get to wear it once.
“Well, will you look at that,” Nellie said. “I must say, Miss Knudsen, I didn’t expect someone like you to have a dress like this. Did you make it yourself?”
Ebba’s eyebrows rose in curiosity. What did she mean, someone like you? “No, I didn’t. It was given to me.”
“A hand-me-down, I take it?”
Ebba briefly pressed her lips together before she spoke. “A gift.”
“How nice. From your … employer, perhaps?
“Employer? No, from Mrs. Pettigrew at the bridal agency.”
“Well, your Mrs. Pettigrew is quite generous. I can’t imagine giving such a frock away, even if it is … used.” She fingered the fabric, then looked at Ebba. “And you didn’t have to give Mrs. Pettigrew anything in return?”
“One usually doesn’t when it’s a gift.”
Nellie looked her up and down. “That wasn’t what I meant, but that’s none of your concern.”
Why was this woman acting so strangely? “Is there something wrong, Mrs. Davis?”
She turned away from the dress and crossed the room to the window. “You know I must commend you, Miss Knudsen. Never in my life have I known a girl to be so … shall we say, bold in your intentions toward your husband?”
“Bold?” Ebba echoed. “And he won’t become my husband until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Of course,” Nellie agreed. “All the same, you’re not one to mince words.”
Ebba blinked at her in confusion. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.”
Nellie smirked. “Of course not. Well, it’s a lovely dress, Miss Knudsen, and I’m sure you’ll be very lovely in it.”
The woman wasn’t being forthright with her and Ebba knew it. “Is there something else you want to say to me?”
“Well,” Nellie said as she went to the door. “Even though the family you’re marrying into isn’t the most refined and certainly not the brightest, they’re still a part of Nowhere. And I must inform you that the people of Nowhere do not tolerate brazen women.”
Ebba’s eyes popped. “Brazen?!”
Nellie looked her up and down again. “Daniel Weaver is going to make an honest woman of you tomorrow – at least I hope he is. Try to be the wife he deserves.” She marched out of the room.
Ebba stood in shock. Where had that come from? What did she mean, brazen woman? And what was that about Daniel making an honest woman out of her? Good heavens, it was as if she thought Ebba was some sort of a … well, she wasn’t sure what exactly. She couldn’t possibly be comparing her to a woman of ill repute, could she? And if so, why would she?
Ebba wrung her hands as she went to the door and puzzled over Nellie’s words. “Who does that woman think she is?”
Then a thought struck. The odd looks she got in town before coming to the farm … not just the women gave her those looks, but the men too. Only the men looked at her differently: up and down, with more than a friendly gleam in their eyes …
“Brazen …” she mouthed to herself.
But why? Why would the townspeople of Nowhere assume she was a lady of the night? Had Daniel said something that led them to believe that? Perhaps she should ask him.
Then again, maybe it was just Nellie Davis. She’d heard stories from Summer and Elle earlier that day about Charlotte before she married Matthew Quinn, about the trouble she and her mother Nellie had caused them, not to mention Clayton and Spencer. But Charlotte had more than redeemed herself according to the Rileys. Perhaps her mother hadn’t, though. And Sheriff Hughes had said she always had “something in her craw” …
Well, whatever was going on, she needed to find out before it went any farther. Ebba blew out a breath, squared her shoulders and went back downstairs into the chaos.
* * *
Clayton Riley hadn’t been to the Weaver farm in years. He was amazed at the size of the orchards the family had grown and cultivated in their little valley. “I’ve got to hand it to you, Arlan,” he said as they strolled into the nearest one. “You and your family have done right fine for yourselves since your pa died.”
“It wasn’t easy at times,” Arlan said, “but we’ve managed.”
“I can see that.” Clayton’s eyes slowly drifted to the setting sun. “May I ask you something?”
“Of course,” Arlan turned to watch the sunset. “What’s on yer mind?”
“I don’t want this to sound wrong, or offend you, but … some of the folks in town have been talking about Daniel’s bride.”
Arlan’s head slowly rotated toward him. “Have they now? And just what are they sayin’?”
“Well, I myself overheard several women in the mercantile wonder about her past, that it might not be something one would expect in a bride.”
Arlan’s brow furrowed. “Expect? Or want?”
“The latter, actually. I’m not saying this to upset you or your family. I’m saying it so Daniel can have a chance to speak with her before they get hitched tomorrow. That way when they venture into town, folks giving them funny looks won’t come as no surprise.”
“What do ya mean? Just what are folks sayin’ about her? Be specific, Clayton. We’ve known each other for too long for ya to go around in circles.”
“I’m not going in circles, I’m just giving you what little I know. But it’s enough to make me think your brother should know too.”
“Then what’re ya doin’ standin’ here talkin’ to me when ya should be talkin’ to Daniel?”
“Because I think he’d take it better if it came from you.”
Arlan put his hands on his hips. “So what yer tellin’ me is folks in town are sayin’ my brother’s future bride is damaged goods?”
“That’s what’s being said, or something along those lines.” Clayton took off his hat and slapped it against his leg. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry, Arlan.”
“Nah, if folks are talkin’, then they had to’ve heard somethin’. That means someone started flappin’ their gums about her. How else could they hear anythin’?”
Clayton nodded. “I’ll give you two guesses. First one don’t count.”
“Nellie Davis,” Arlan groaned.
“But without any proof, who’s to say? I did ask a few folks, but they didn’t seem too eager to tell me.”
“Of course not, Clayton. Yer not a woman.” Arlan turned back to the sunset. “What are the men saying?”
“Not what the women are. But they’re not telling me much either. A couple of them were sitting at a corner table in Hank’s the other day, saying how lucky they thought Daniel was.”
“Lucky? How’s marrying a woman with loose morals, if that’s what they’re insinuatin’, lucky?”
“I’d like to know why Nellie started such a rumor in the first place,” Clayton mused. “I thought she’d gotten past that sort of thing. The only thing I can think of is because Ebba’s new in town. But that’s no reason. Nellie wouldn’t do something like that just because she was bored.”
“Ya sure of that?”
Clayton looked at Arlan for a moment before reluctantly replying, “Not entirely.”
Arlan offered Clayton his hand. “Regardless, I’m much obliged ya told me.”
Clayton gave it a shake. “It’s been on my mind, Arlan. I just figured you ought to know so you can tell your brother before he makes any trips to town with her.”
Arlan nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell him. The rest will be up to him.”
* * *
“And if Benjamin and Charity don’t want to build their own house,” Daniel said, “Ebba and I can build one on the back acres near the creek.”
Harlan and Mr. Davis listened intently to Daniel’s plans. “I would think that your brother Benjamin would want to build a house,” said Mr. Davis. “After all, he and his wife already have children. They obviously need the room more than you do.”
“True enough, Mr. Davis, and they might just do that,” Daniel glanced at the sheriff. “‘Course, a lot depends on how many folks’ll be livin’ in the main house.”
Harlan cleared his throat and shifted his weight. “That old house has had a lot of people come through it lately.”
Daniel grinned. “Sure enough has, Sheriff. This here’s a mighty fine place to work and live. And, for folks like my brothers and me, a great place to raise younguns. ‘Course, it’s also a nice place for a gentleman of yer … maturity to settle.”
“Are you referring to our age, Danny boy?” Mr. Davis said with a laugh. “A fine thing when all you young men are doing the work.”
“Yeah, we’re doin’ the work, but there’s other work to be done too. Take Ma, for example …”
The sheriff cleared his throat again and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Your mama is one of the hardest-working women I’ve ever met.”
“That’s just it,” Daniel said. “It’d be great if she had someone around to help her out.”
“She has all of you boys,” Mr. Davis pointed out. “And your wives.”
“I mean someone to keep her company. Make sure no lowdown snake comes sneakin’ into the house to do her harm. Someone she can go to town with and who’ll look after her.” Both he and Mr. Davis looked at the sheriff.
Harlan glanced between the two. “All right! If you must know, yes, I asked your ma to marry me!”
“Ya don’t hafta tell me, Sheriff,” Daniel said. “Anyone with half the brain of a squirrel coulda figgered that out.”
The sheriff blanched. “How did you know …?”
“‘Cause Ma was actin’ funny around ya come supper time. Me and my brothers figgered if’n she was tryin’ to avoid ya, she must really like ya!
Mr. Davis slapped the sheriff on the back. “Congratulations, Harlan!”
“Don’t congratulate me yet,” he said.
“Why not?” Daniel and Mr. Davies asked at once.
“Because she hasn’t said yes. And for all I know, she never will.”
Chapter 14
Ebba tossed and turned all night. She’d barely drifted off when Charity knocked on her door, opened it and poked her head inside. “Best get up. We have a lot to do before we get you into that dress.”
Ebba sat up and stretched. This would be a long day. She knew more people were arriving, but couldn’t remember who. Was it more relatives? Probably, but whom did they belong to – the Quinns, the Weavers or the Rileys? And she still didn’t know what Nellie Davis had been nattering on about. Brazen? She was about as brazen as a nun!
Well, no hope for it. She’d just have to get up, get ready and face the day. She’d find out when she found out.
She went to the washstand and started her morning routine. After she dressed and braided her hair, she wrapped the braids around her head and pinned them in place, then studied herself in the washstand’s small mirror. “Ebba Knudson, by tonight you’ll be Ebba Weaver.”
A sudden commotion downstairs caught her attention. It sounded like a herd of buffalo was coming up the stairs. Bella and Calvin must have arrived.
Ebba looked back at her reflection. “Lord have mercy on me,” she said just as Bella’s younger siblings ran into her room, some of them colliding into each other in the doorway and falling in instead.
Gabby climbed over Arturo and Leonardo, then ran to her. “I want to see your dress, I want to see your dress!”
Ebba pointed to where it hung from the armoire. “It’s right there.”
The children turned and gawked at it. “It’s so pretty,” Mel said in awe. She looked at Ebba. “Bella could make one just like it. She’s very good at it. I hope I’m as good at sewing as my sister one day.”
Rufi burst into the room, clearly out of breath. “I’m … sorry, Ebba … but they got away from me.”
The boys cringed and backed up a step. Ebba caught the action and eyed them. “What did they do?”
“They tied Rufi to a tree!” Gabby squealed and laughed.
Ebba gasped. “That’s terrible!” She immediately looked at Rufi to confirm the accusation.
Rufi rolled her eyes and halfheartedly threw her hands in the air. “At least they don’t know how to tie good knots.”
Ebba spun on the boys. “That was an awful thing to do!”
“We didn’t mean to do it,” Leo said in their defense.
“Oh yes, you did,” Gabby countered.
Lucia, the one sibling of Bella’s Ebba hadn’t spoken with yet, smiled shyly before making a face at her brothers.
Ebba folded her arms in front of her. “You can’t accidentally tie someone to a tree. So … what do you have to say for yourselves?”
“We just wanted to see how fast Rufi could get loose,” Alfonso said, winked at Lucia.
“He’s lying,” Mel said flatly. “They thought Nonna made cinnamon bread this morning because it’s your wedding day and wanted to get to it before it was all gone.”
“Yeah,” Gabby agreed. “They knew Rufi would make us wait until all the grown-ups had theirs first.”
“But we weren’t sure there’d be any left!” Arturo whined. “Nonna’s cinnamon bread is so wonderful, it practically melts in your mouth! We love it!”
“So you thought that if you tied your sister to a tree, you
’d get some before anyone else?” Ebba asked, trying to keep her scowl in place.
The younger children nodded and giggled.
The older ones looked at Rufi – and realized she’d blocked their only escape route. She was standing in the doorway, feet apart and hands on her hips. “Well, what do you have to say for yourselves? You know you shouldn’t be pulling these sorts of pranks on Ebba’s wedding day!”
“We’re sorry, Rufi,” Arturo said, his head hung low. “We won’t do it again.”
“That’s right you won’t,” she said. “Because I’m telling Nonna.”
The look of terror on the boys’ faces emboldened Ebba. “And so am I. I’m also telling her you ran into a woman’s room without knocking.”
“No! No!” Alfonso begged. “We’ll be good the rest of the day! We promise!”
“You better,” Rufi warned. “Today is not the day for childish pranks.”
Ebba felt a sudden tugging of her skirt. She bent down and looked at Gabby. “What is it?”
“Don’t worry, Ebba, we won’t tie you to a tree,” Gabby said innocently before kissing her on the cheek. “If we did, you couldn’t marry Daniel.”
Ebba laughed despite herself. “I’m relieved to know that. And don’t tie Daniel to a tree either, or there still won’t be a wedding.”
“Does that mean you won’t tell Nonna on us?” Leo asked hopefully.
Ebba pursed her lips as she starightened. “Maybe.”
“All right, downstairs, all of you facinorosi!” Rufi began to wave the children toward the door. “Get some breakfast. Then I’m sure Nonna will have some work for you … I hope.”
Ebba watched the children file out the door, but stopped Rufi before she followed. “Did they really tie you to a tree?”
“It’s not the first time. And I am telling Nonna, because I’m tired of it, especially on a day like this. Besides, they’re starting to get good at it.”
Ebba’s eyes widened. “Oh my goodness!’ she said with a laugh. “Well, I’ll back you up, don’t worry.”
Rufi shook her head. “They get more mischievous by the day. I would hope the older ones would have grown out of it by now, but Zii Benjamin and Calvin teach them things.”
