by Starla Kaye
Adam moved next to her, concern now etching his features. “Maybe I should go locate Doc. He’s probably down at his office, too early to be hanging out at the Tumbleweed.”
Annabelle shook her head and gave them both a narrow–eyed look. “You two need to stop fretting so much about me. I ain’t going to keel over dead any second now, like you seem to think.”
Faith saw Adam pull in a breath of frustration. She knew he and his brothers were fond of the woman for the kindness she gave them all. She also knew he had an even softer spot for her. She knew some of his secrets, some of the pain he carried inside him. Pain that Faith wished he would share with her.
“How about I bring in one of those chairs outside my shop? You can at least sit down while you teach Faith what she needs to know about running your store.” He was already almost to the door, eager to help in some small way.
“You don’t need to bother with that. I just…”
But he went on with his mission and she rolled her eyes at Faith. “That man never listens.” Still, her eyes gleamed with warmth and pleasure. She truly liked the too–often gruff Adam.
Now that Annabelle appeared to look better and color had returned to her cheeks, Faith felt some of her worry drain away. She would watch her friend, though. And she couldn’t keep from smiling a little when Adam sped back inside the store with one of the two straight–backed chairs usually sitting in front of his barbershop.
He carried it behind the center showcase and plunked it down. “Come on over here, Annabelle. Sit yourself down.”
Even though his tone was a bit on the bossy side, Faith heard the worry there as well.
So did Annabelle. She resisted a second and then ambled in his direction. He didn’t move an inch until she’d sat down. “Satisfied?” she asked, giving him a pointed look.
“Yes, ma’am, I am.” He caught the heavy bootsteps on the boardwalk heading next door at the same time Faith did. “Looks like I’ve got a customer, so I’d better go.” He focused on Faith. “You come get me if––”
“Will you get on out of here!” Annabelle said in annoyance and cut him off.
He strode to the doorway, stopped, and grouched, “I mean it, Faith. Keep a good eye on her today.”
His deep concern warmed Faith’s heart instead of irritating her like his order probably should have done. She bobbed her head in agreement and he walked out.
The instant he was out of hearing, Annabelle said, “Now, you tell me about this latest foolishness between the two of you.”
Faith avoided meeting the woman’s eyes. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I think we need to talk about what you announced the other day, about you becoming a spinster. And I think we need to talk about you giving up on winning that rascal of a man. He doesn’t need giving up on.”
“It’s what he wants,” Faith said quietly, hurt pinching her heart. “He’s rejected my attentions one too many times.”
“The man doesn’t know what he wants. He’s wallowed in grief far too long.” Annabelle held her gaze. “He needs you.”
Faith blinked back tears and shook her head. She walked over to the corner behind the cases and grabbed the broom. “I don’t need him. I don’t want him. I’m done with him…and every other man.” Truth was, she wished she didn’t need Adam, didn’t want him. But she was tired of him shoving her away. And no other man would ever draw her the way he did. So she would find a way to live without a man. Other women did. All right, most of them were widows. Still….
* * *
Adam walked into his barbershop and found two of his barber chairs taken. Daniel sat in one, looking impatient with a frown pinching his forehead. Ben sat in the other chair, looking every bit as frustrated. He wasn’t up to another verbal attack about his apparent sour attitude of late. “Don’t bother starting in on me because I’m not interested.”
Daniel’s frown deepened. “For once you’re not at the top of our complaint list. We’re here to discuss Caleb.”
Relief crept through him, though he wondered what their preacher brother had done to earn his brothers’ concern. Ben looked annoyed. “So what has he done?” Adam asked, focusing on Ben.
Blowing out a breath and shaking his head, Ben said, “It’s more like what he hasn’t done, at least in Daniel’s opinion. I’m not quite as concerned.”
“He needs a wife.” Daniel made the statement, clearly considering there would be no objection.
Adam strolled over to a stool at the end of the long, narrow shop so he could study his brothers. It felt good to have them focusing on one of their other brothers for a change. Daniel, Ben and Caleb spent far too much time giving him grief about moving on with his life, about getting married again. Apparently now that Daniel was happily married, he believed the rest of them needed to be, too. They didn’t talk about Seth, though, but they worried about him all alone out in California. Lately he’d been wondering if one of them ought to head out that way and track Seth down. And that “one of them” should be him, since the other three were pretty tied down right now. Daniel being the sheriff had duties here. Ben ran the family’s big ranch. And Caleb was busy preaching here in Dry Fork and over in Camden as well. Adam’s barbershop could easily close for a while.
He sat down, deciding to ponder the idea later. Maybe getting away from here would help settle his issues with Faith. With him gone, she could concentrate on finding a husband without being sidetracked by his presence. The thought didn’t sit well, though. She just might choose the wrong man. Maybe he needed to hang around and help in this courting situation. He could…
“Well?” Daniel prodded. “Don’t you agree with me? Caleb needs a wife. He needs a good woman at his side, especially now that he’s settled into being a preacher man.”
Ben shifted in his chair, the leather creaking. “It’s probably true enough, but I don’t like seeing him pushed into something.”
“He’s been courting some, but he’s damn picky. Too picky, if you ask me.” Daniel’s glower settled on Ben. “It wouldn’t hurt if you found someone to settle down with either.”
Adam watched Ben’s face tighten, his chest puff out in anger. He didn’t want to see his brother settle down with Angelica, same as Daniel, but he wanted Ben to be happy. Whatever their relationship was, she seemed to please him. “Back it down a notch, Daniel. Let’s keep the focus here on Caleb.”
“Don’t be telling me––” Daniel snapped.
Soft footsteps sounded on the boardwalk just outside the open door and drew all of their attention. Jennie stepped into the shop and looked directly at her husband. “Daniel Braddock, what are you up to now?”
To Adam’s surprise, Daniel’s face reddened and he shifted uncomfortably. “I’m just talking to my brothers.”
She inched further inside, her hands resting on her shapely hips. “About?”
Now he avoided looking directly at her. “Caleb.”
Ben eased back, the mad fading right out of him as he, like Adam, enjoyed seeing their older brother squirm at his wife’s disapproving look. “Big brother thinks Caleb needs a wife.”
She rolled her eyes and then shook her head. “Didn’t we talk about this last night, Daniel? Didn’t we decide to stay out of his life?” She glanced from Ben to Adam and back to Daniel. “Didn’t we decide to stay out of all of your brothers’ lives?”
He shrugged and then jutted out his chin. “The deciding part was mostly on your side. And I’ve changed my mind.”
She opened her mouth, eyes flashing, clearly ready to lambast him, but then she heaved a put–upon sigh. “I give up. The two of you,” she again looked from Ben to Adam, “will have to stand your own ground against your impossible, but well–meaning brother. Caleb…well, I guess he’ll have to dig in his heels on the matter of your interference into his life on his own.”
With that, she turned to leave, but stopped to capture Adam’s attention once more. “Did you apologize to Faith?”
“There’s
nothing to apologize for.” He flinched at the narrowed look she sent him.
“You Braddock men are all impossible.” She marched out the door, calling back, “I’ll be in the mercantile, husband.”
Daniel relaxed. His wife had taken him to task and yet he sat there grinning like a fool. Love did crazy things to a man, Adam decided. Good thing he was never having any of that nonsense again.
Even Ben had calmed down now. “So what do you think we should do about Caleb? Not that I’m for messing in his life.”
“Send for a mail–order bride.” Daniel announced his idea and perked up at his plan. “Fact is, I’ve sent off a letter to a place I heard about back in Boston.”
Adam watched Ben’s eyes widen in surprise. He thought about how annoyed Caleb would be when he found out and got some pleasure out of the notion. He laughed. “You didn’t tell Jennie about what you did, did you?”
“God, no. I’d never hear the end of it.” Daniel climbed out of the chair. “I’d best go make my rounds.”
Ben stayed put. “I’m needing a haircut, so I’m not leaving just yet.”
As Daniel moved toward the door, Adam had an uncomfortable thought. “You didn’t send for a bride for me, did you?”
Daniel pinned him with a hard look. “Didn’t need to. One of these days you’ll come to your senses about Faith.”
He walked out before Adam could lay into him, before he could remind both of his brothers that he had no intention of getting married again. Certainly not to Faith.
* * *
A week passed and Faith looked forward to working at the mercantile more every day. She liked having something more important to do than sitting around the house working on a needlework project or helping with the cooking. At least her father no longer scowled at her each morning when she left the house. Each evening at dinner, he did, however, bring up the matter of her needing to get back to courting. She was getting quite tired of the discussion. Neither of them would give an inch on the subject. But it was her life; he needed to accept that at some point.
She strolled down the dirt road, lifted her long skirt to step onto the boardwalk in front the Tumbleweed Saloon, and, as usual, waved a greeting at Harmon Dogwood sweeping off the boardwalk in front of the hotel. She hadn’t spoken to Angelica in a few days and missed her. Jennie managed to stop into the store every couple of days and Faith was pleased that her friend seemed to be happy in her marriage.
To her surprise and delight, Angelica stepped through the saloon’s batwing doors. “Good morning, Faith.”
Before Faith could return the greeting they both heard Jennie screech from inside the mercantile, “He what?”
Heart racing in concern, Faith hurried into the store, Angelica followed right behind her.
Faith found Annabelle sitting on the chair behind the counter that she’d begun resting on all too often the last few days. She had a sheepish look and glanced at Faith and Angelica. “I told Jennie something I probably shouldn’t have.”
“What?” Faith asked, walking behind the glass case and next to Annabelle. Jennie paced the far side of the store. “Are you all right?”
Jennie stopped, blew out a breath that seemed to have come up from her toes. “That husband of mine.” She pinched her lips tight and fisted her hands. Then she looked out the window at the sheriff’s office. “We talked about him interfering in his brothers’ lives. He just wants them all to be happy, like he is.”
She blushed for a second, then went back to her tirade. “He means well, I know it. Still. He was supposed to stay out of their business.”
Angelica moved next to the case filled with boxes of buttons, threads, and other sewing notions. She asked cautiously, “So what has he done?”
When Jennie just stood there fuming, Annabelle explained, “He sent off for a mail–order bride, for Caleb.”
Faith blinked, shocked. Daniel could be very head–strong and he worried about his younger brothers. But sending for a bride? Then she had a disagreeable notion. “Did he send for one for Adam, too?” She immediately realized what she’d said and quickly added, “Not that I care.”
“No,” Annabelle said firmly. “Like everyone else around here, Daniel knows that you are Adam’s woman.”
Faith felt a fluttering in her stomach, her heart pinched. “No, I’m not. He has made that quite clear.” She thought she’d started to accept his decision, evidently not.
“Because he’s an idiot,” Angelica inserted, sounding disgusted.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Jennie confirmed.
Faith shook her head in disagreement at the same time the subject of the moment strode into the doorway. His forehead was furrowed.
“What’s going on in here? I heard Jennie call out and heard you ladies chattering. I thought I should see if something was wrong.” His gaze shifted to Faith and then he quickly looked away again, frowning.
He’d barely spoken a dozen kind words to her during the last week. He managed to come in a couple of times a day to check on Annabelle, but he steered well clear of Faith. Of course, she’d steered clear of him as well. But when he’d glanced at her just now and then purposely away, she felt hurt all over again. And angry, at herself…and him.
“We were discussing what your brother did,” Faith stated in annoyance and drew his reluctant attention. “About the mail–order bride he sent for.”
Jennie bristled and stormed across the store, shoving him out of her way. “I’m going to have a few words with Daniel.”
“Oh dear,” Annabelle said in concern. “I don’t know why I even told her what you shared with me yesterday. I didn’t mean to upset her.”
Adam, like the rest of them, watched Jennie heading across the road in full fury. He chuckled. “Big brother is in for some serious ear burning. Deserves it, too.”
He faced Angelica and Annabelle. “I want you to know Ben and I had nothing to do with that. A man should be allowed to handle his personal business.” Then he pointedly looked at Faith. “A man shouldn’t be pestered about when he chooses to get married…or if he chooses not to get married.”
Her stomach roiled and she wished she hadn’t bothered to come here this morning, except that Annabelle needed her help. If she hadn’t seen the paleness to her friend’s complexion, she would walk right back out the door and go home. But her father would like that and she would have a difficult time with him. So she would stay here. She would not put up with more hurtful comments from Adam Braddock, though.
“The same goes for a woman, Mr. Braddock.” She started to head for the back room to change into her customary britches and shirt, but suddenly had a thought…something that would possibly hurt him the way he constantly did her, which was petty of her.
She pasted a determined smile on her face. “Perhaps Daniel had a good idea after all. This mail–order business, I mean. Perhaps I should write off for a mail–order groom.”
Angelica immediately grinned in amusement. “Oh this so much better than your being a spinster idea!”
Annabelle gave her a puzzled look, yet there was a hint of amusement in her eyes as well.
“The hell you will!” Adam barked.
She would do no such thing, of course, but he didn’t need to know that. She focused on Angelica. “Will you help me with the wording later?”
“She certainly will not!” His growl was even louder this time. “That’s the most foolish idea you’ve come up with yet.”
“I most certainly will,” Angelica countered and looked smugly at him.
Adam’s shoulders stiffened, his face tightened. He spun on his heel and stomped out of the store, into his shop, and slammed his door so hard they all heard it.
“Well, that was great fun.” Angelica laughed. “But you have no intention of doing such a thing, do you?”
Faith shook her head. “No, but I couldn’t resist teasing him. He’s hurt me so much lately.” She continued toward the back room. “Forget I said that. I’m done with wanting him
, really I am.”
Annabelle snorted. “The handsome scoundrel deserves to suffer a bit. But you’ve not given up on him; you’re just hurting, like you said.” She grew serious. “I’m thinking about going to visit my sister in Virginia.”
“You’re what?” Faith turned back, heart pounding as she looked at the older woman. She noticed how Angelica, too, was studying the shopkeeper. Was she sicker than Faith thought? Oh God.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not going to keel over any second now. I just have a need to see my family.” Annabelle straightened on the chair. “You’ve become quite capable of running this store. You know how to handle the customers, how to stock the shelves, and how to order from the catalogue. Fact is, you could manage this store perfectly fine without me.”
Panic threaded through Faith. “But I’m only your helper. I…I…”
Annabelle looked her squarely in the eye. “Settle down now. I need to go see the last of my family. Soon. Will you run the mercantile for me while I’m away or not?”
Could she do it? Certainly she liked working here, had even discovered that she was good at being a businesswoman. Her father would surely have heart failure at the notion of her running the store alone. But maybe she could find someone to help her. Maybe Aaron would come back if she talked to him.
“You can do it,” Angelica stated firmly, drawing her from her harried thoughts. “I can help you. The saloon doesn’t need me during the daytime and you’re closed at night.”
Faith noted how Annabelle blinked in surprise at Angelica’s offer and then nodded in approval. She could only imagine what her father would say about her running the store and doing it alongside the saloon owner. And Adam…he would no doubt have a lot to say about the idea, none of it good. That did it.
“I can try.” She smiled tentatively at the pretty saloon owner, wondering what the townspeople would think of this arrangement. Truthfully she didn’t care. If they wanted something from the only general store in these parts, they would deal with it. “With Angelica’s help.”
