“I’m sure Kaitlyn will have the coffee pot on and expect a report of the evening’s work.” Was that enough hint that they wouldn’t be alone? Nolan was listening to their conversation, and Holly wanted it to be clear to him as well as to Ki.
Laughter by the front door greeted them as they walked toward the lobby where they had left their wraps. Couples were kissing as they left the hotel because a kissing ball hung right above the entrance.
“Looks like I’ll have to kiss you before we can leave, Holly,” Ki grinned at her, and then threw a quick glance at Nolan, who had followed her and Ki out of the kitchen. Nolan’s jaw moved side to side, but he didn’t say anything. Would Ki kiss her in front of Nolan? It was all in fun, but Nolan was the only man she’d ever kissed.
“Well let’s show them the proper way to kiss, Nolan,” Mary moved in front of Nolan, raised her arms around his neck and pulled his head down, kissing him full on the lips before Nolan had time to react.
“Mary,” Nolan pulled Mary’s arms off his neck and stepped back. “We weren’t under the kissing ball, so you shouldn’t have kissed me.”
“We used to kiss a lot of places without needing a kissing ball, Nolan.” Mary smiled while glancing at her and Ki. Holly’s face probably matched the red ribbon used to hang the ball from the ceiling.
Why did she think she had a chance with Nolan? Mary was still in the picture, and Nolan would come to his senses, courting—and marrying—Mary instead of her.
“Holly? Ready to go?” Ki’s words were sharp. He looked ready to bite someone’s head off instead of kiss it.
“Yes.” Ki held her cape out for Holly and then waited for her to button the front and pull on her gloves before opening the door.
“Good evening,” Ki called back while quickly ushering Holly out the door, not stopping like the others to kiss under the ball. Apparently, he didn’t want to kiss her. How could she be relieved and sad at the same time?
They were halfway down the block before Ki slowed his pace. “Sorry, for my abrupt exit, but I couldn’t stand Mary boldly kissing Nolan.”
That surprised Holly. “Why?”
“Because I’d like to be kissing Mary, but she’d be repulsed being kissed by an Indian.”
Holly was shocked Ki had feelings for Mary. She’d never have guessed it, but she knew what he was feeling. Even though Nolan said Mary shouldn’t have kissed him, they had.
“So you asked to escort me tonight because people expected us to be together, or to make Mary jealous?”
“I’m not sure Mary knows I exist, so I just as well court someone of my own kind.”
Ki had a point. People wouldn’t accept Mary with Kiowa, any better than her with Nolan. But she and Nolan had shared a kiss, and Holly hoped it meant a future for her with him.
“Ki, I’ve sometimes felt less than worthy of…anything. Do you feel that way, too?”
“At times, like when I’d love to kiss Mary under the kissing ball, in front of everyone to stake my claim on her, so to speak. Some people in town would consider hanging me for such an offense to a white woman,” Ki snorted in disgust.
“My grandparents spoke of the days when the tribes were free to roam the plains. Can you imagine how different our life would be now if we still lived that way?” Ki looked up at the sky, possibly searching for answers.
“Yes, life would be simpler. But I’m fond of being able to buy food in stores instead of hunting it and having a warm stove—in a warm room—to cook the food on.”
Ki laughed. “I’d say you’re one spoiled Indian maiden.”
“Probably. But I grew up in the white’s world, never experiencing my mother’s Cheyenne culture.”
“I vaguely remember the days before the Civil War. I was only six when our world started to change. But I remember the buffalo herds stretching for miles,” Ki stretched his free hand wide to explain their distance.
“I lived on Fort Harker until I was eight. My mother was so excited when there would be a herd close to the fort. We’d sneak out of the fort, get as close as we could to the herd, watching from the rock formations above the river valley where they’d be resting or drinking from the river.”
“When’s the last time you ate buffalo meat?” Ki asked.
“Oh years ago, while we still lived at Fort Harker. Soldiers would hunt when a herd was close to supplement our meat supply.
“How about you, Ki?”
“When I was young, too. Before the railroad was built and it became sport to shoot buffalo from the train.”
They had reached the parsonage, but Ki hesitated at the door before opening it. “I won’t be coming in, so you’ll have to tell Kaitlyn about the evening. Thank you for allowing me to escort you this evening. We do have a lot in common, but…”
“I’m not Mary?” Holly sadly asked.
“And I’m not Nolan. Maybe we could be friends—and cousins—due to our heritage?”
“Yes, I’ll definitely need a male cousin at times, so I’d like that.”
Ki tipped his hat and pushed the door open for Holly. “I saw Kaitlyn peeking out the front room window, so you better go inside.”
“Thank you, Kiowa. I appreciated you taking me tonight. Maybe I’ll see you in church on Sunday?”
“Only if you happen to look outside. I’ll be listening for your violin’s music. Good night, Holly.”
Holly watched Ki walk back to the street before closing the door. She didn’t know his life story, but she’d like to hear it someday. Would Ki eventually share with Mary how he felt about her? Would it help Mary look his way instead of Nolan’s? If so, she wished Ki would hurry up and speak to Mary. She was getting tired of seeing Mary flirt with Nolan.
Holly saw Kiowa when he peeked around the corner looking for Mary in church. She played her violin with the men’s quartet again today, so she had a view of the back of the church. Holly had to look up at the ceiling a few seconds to keep from smiling when Ki winked at her. But when she looked back, he was scowling, obviously seeing Mary sitting with Nolan and his grandparents again. But Nolan had greeted Mary and her children warmly when they sat in their pew, letting Mary’s son push past his knees to sit with Dan. And it was good for little Nolan to have a grandfather figure in his life. Holly wished she would have been so lucky.
Now the service was over, and Holly was working her way through groups of people to talk to Edna. Kaitlyn had asked the Clancys to eat at the parsonage today, but Kaitlyn stayed home from church with a cold, so Holly needed to cancel the invitation with Edna.
“Yes, we’ve talked about living arrangements after Nolan marries. Nolan asked if we wanted them to live with us, or if we’d prefer a smaller home all on one floor.” Holly stopped to listen when Edna mentioned Nolan marrying. Was Nolan going to propose to her soon?
“Well, what does Mary want? You have to think of her wishes, and what would be best for her children, too.” Holly was stunned by what another woman in the group asked.
Mary? Nolan had told his grandparents he was marrying Mary?
“Dan suggested we add another room or two on the back of the house so we can have our own bedroom. We’ll need to retreat now and then to give the newlyweds time to themselves.” Edna chuckled.
Red-faced from embarrassment, Holly turned and fled. She couldn’t talk to Edna now.
“Holly? Holly?” Holly didn’t stop when she heard Nolan calling her name. How could she after what she’d overheard? Nolan kissed her the other day, but he was still going to marry Mary!
“Holly! Wait up, will you?” Nolan touched her arm, and she tried not to flinch.
She didn’t look up, knowing he’d see tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong? I was ready to escort my grandparents over to the parsonage and saw you run out of the church.”
“Um, I need to fix dinner for the Reagan’s. You know Kaitlyn’s sick, so you better not bring your family over today.”
“Oh, good point. I’d hate for either of them to com
e down with something. I’ll make them a quick lunch and be over to join you later,” Nolan suggested.
“No, please stay away, too.” Holly quickly cut him off, not wanting to see Nolan again anytime soon.
“I’m healthy, so I’ll be fine.”
“No, Nolan.” She took a deep breath to continue. “I’ll see you at the open house on Thursday. I need to go over to the hotel early, so I don’t need your escort to the event.”
Nolan didn’t say anything for a long minute.
“What’s wrong, Holly? You won’t look at me, and I know you’re trying to hold back tears. Did someone say something about you playing in church today?”
“No. Maybe I’m getting Kaitlyn’s cold, so I need to go. Goodbye, Nolan.”
Holly took off at a quick pace, wondering if he would follow her, or if he’d go back to the church…to talk to Mary, the woman he apparently decided to marry, instead of her, the half-breed.
Holly heard Nolan turn and his footsteps fade away as he walked back to the church. So, that was her answer. Her dreams of marrying Nolan someday were just shattered.
Chapter 17
“So, I hear congratulations are in order.” Cullen sidled up to Nolan, who was watching Holly set another glass tray of decorated cookies on the food table. Holly had brushed him off when he tried to talk to her, three times, this afternoon. The hotel was full with community members, so he wasn’t at a loss for someone to talk to, but the person he wanted to spend time with was constantly finding something to do, even if it was just to add an inch of punch to the refreshment bowl.
“Congratulations for what?” Nolan finally realized Cullen was talking to him.
“For your upcoming nuptials...”
“I hadn’t asked her yet,” Nolan watched Holly fidget with the arrangement of cookies on one of the plates. She knew he was watching her, but she avoided eye contact. What was that about?
“Oh. I heard a conversation in the post office about you building on to your grandparent’s house.”
“I’ve talked to my grandparents about it. If we do build on, it won't happen until decent weather and when Mack can fit us into his work schedule.”
“Well, you can imagine all the conversations I hear from behind the counter while working in the post office.”
“That’s the place lots of gossip is passed around.” Nolan watched Holly disappear into the kitchen again. She had on a pretty garnet red dress with delicate white lace on the collar and cuffs, and her head was topped with a cascade of dark ringlets. He guessed the Paulson girls had a hand in her dressing for the open house. But that didn’t matter, Holly sure looked pretty, and Nolan wished he could corner her under a kissing ball—or two—yet today.
“When you going to propose and marry then?”
“I plan to ask tomorrow, on an afternoon drive, if the weather cooperates.”
“Well, she’s been waiting a long time for you to pop the question. I’m sure Da will look forward to performing your wedding.” Cullen slapped Nolan’s shoulder and walked away.
Waiting for a long time? He and Holly had known each other less than a month.
“Nolan, the children’s program is about to start. Your grandfather has saved seats for us,” Mary placed her hands on his forearm, indicating they should go to the hospitality room. A small stage was set up at one end of the room for the children to stand on, and chairs were lined up in front of the stage for seating.
Nolan looked back to the kitchen door, but he couldn’t see Holly. Just as well enjoy the program then if she continued to ignore him.
“Then we better be seated.” Nolan dropped his arm, so Mary didn’t cling to it, but she moved her hand to hold onto his elbow instead. Thank goodness Holly was in the kitchen or else she’d think Mary was plotting to kiss him again.
“Congratulations to both of you,” Mrs. Taylor called out as they passed by her.
“Congratulations on what?” Nolan turned to Mary to ask.
“Oh, I assume people are just ‘assuming.’ There’s your grandparents. Hurry up, the children are lining up for their first number.”
Nolan trailed behind Mary, as she whispered excuses as she stepped in front of seated people to get to their saved seats. He did the same, although he had a nagging feeling he should have searched for Holly for a private talk instead. The refreshment table didn’t need watching while everyone was being entertained by the children.
Nolan glanced back often, hoping to see Holly enjoying the program from the back of the room, but he could never find her.
“Did you see me?” The room echoed with the same question from several children as they ran to their parents after the program was over.
“Did you see me, Poppa?” Nolan didn’t give the question a thought until Burdette was tugging on his coat sleeve.
Poppa? Mary’s daughter had never called him by that name before.
“Yes, I did see you, Burdette. But I’m not your father, Burdette. Why did you call me by that name?”
“Because Momma said you soon would be our poppa, and we’d be living with our grandparents.” Burdette looked serious when she said it. Oh, no. All the congratulations and gossip he’d heard just made sense.
“Mary, we need to have a talk, now. Grandma, could you watch Burdette and Nolan for a few minutes?”
“Of course, Nolan. Take your time,” his grandmother smiled and winked, guessing he was about to propose to his future wife.
“I don’t think the Paulson’s will mind us using their office to talk privately,” Nolan told Mary as he ushered her to the door behind the hotel lobby desk.
Just as he opened the door to the office, Holly rushed into the lobby from the dining room, heading for the front door.
“Holly! Wait for me!” Kiowa rushed from the dining room while struggling to put on his coat.
Holly turned for Kiowa’s words, but then saw Nolan and Mary standing ready to enter the office. Tears were streaming down her stricken face.
Kiowa stopped by Holly, and then followed her gaze. Kiowa shook his head as if in disgust. “Come on, Holly. I’ll walk you home.”
Nolan watched Kiowa open and slam the door behind him and Holly before ushering Mary in the office. He shut the door for their private conversation because there were some words he didn’t want to ever repeat again.
He took a deep breath while waiting for Mary to sit down.
“Did you happen to hint to anyone that we were going to wed, Mary?”
“No.”
“Did you correct anyone if they mentioned the rumor to you?”
“No.”
“Then how do you think this rumor started?”
“You asked your grandparents about their choice of living arrangements once you marry.”
Nolan wiped his hand over his face. Mary was right. He had never told his grandparents he planned to ask Holly to marry him. And now everyone—including Holly—thought Nolan was going to wed Mary.
No wonder Holly looked devastated as she left the hotel. Nolan had kissed her, hinted about a future together, and then she heard he was marrying another woman.
All the self-confidence Holly acquired since moving to Clear Creek was probably gone. She’d be back to believing she was worthless again.
Nolan leaned against the desk and crossed his arms before speaking. He didn’t want to hurt Mary’s feelings, but he needed to be clear so no future rumors would continue to circulate.
“Mary, you were my first love, and I always thought we’d marry and grow old together. But you married another.”
“Yes, but I’m a widow now and free to marry again.” She looked up expectantly at Nolan, but her hands were clinched tightly in her lap as if she was worried about what he was about to say.
“Yes you are available, and we have so much in common, but...”
“You love Holly,” Mary quietly finished his sentence.
“Yes. I love everything about Holly, besides wanting to protect and cherish her. Whenever I
think of saying the wedding vows to a woman, she’s the one I want to make my promises to.”
“You know it will be hard, for you both and your children, because of her background.”
“And the wedding vows say ‘in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.’ I know it will be trying at times, but I deeply believe the good will outweigh the negative.”
Mary stood up, a faint, resigned smile on her face. “Then Holly is a very lucky woman because you will always keep your vows to her.
“I’m sorry if I caused Holly any pain because she is a nice and deserving woman. I will try my best to become a good friend to her, as you’ve always been to me.”
Mary walked to the door and opened it.
“Talk to your grandparents to make it clear who you are marrying. They might object at first, but they will come around. Holly will treat them with respect, even if she doesn’t always get it in return. She’s just that kind of woman.”
Mary turned back, looking a little melancholy but otherwise okay with his decision.
“Congratulations, Nolan. I hope you and Holly have a wonderful life together.”
Nolan felt both sad and relieved their conversation was over. He and Mary could have made a marriage work between them, but the spark wasn’t there like when he touched Holly. And it happened the first day he and Holly met.
Nolan walked out of the office to search for his grandparents. They needed to go home for a long talk. How would they react with Nolan’s news that he wanted to ask Holly to be his wife instead of Mary? It might be a lively discussion, but it was his decision. He might have a harder time trying to convince Holly instead.
“Merry Christmas, Kiowa,” Nolan held out his hand waiting for the man to shake it. After a second Kiowa grabbed Nolan’s hand for the return greeting.
“Same to you. I have the markers ready. Need to borrow a pick ax and shovel, too?”
“Yes, please. I don’t know how frozen the ground will be, so I’d appreciate it.”
“Wagon outside?”
“Yes. I’m ready to load up, then I’ll go over to the parsonage, and try to convince Holly to take a ride with me.”
Nolan's Vow (Grooms with Honor Book 8) Page 18
