Canceled-Order Bride (Sons Of A Gun Book 1)

by Brenda Sinclair

  “Your nearly obsessive interest in my wardrobe makes sense now,” Lily observed, chuckling. While unpacking the trunk and boxes, Amanda had inspected every garment and commented on the excellent craftsmanship of each piece. Now Lily couldn’t wait until Amanda laid eyes on her lovely ball gowns. Lily’s mother had insisted they patronize a local dressmaker’s shop, ordering custom clothing for herself and her daughter for years. Lily could never bring herself to part with even one item until frayed and ragged, and her vast collection of clothing had Amanda close to drooling.

  “I endeavor to stock my shop with pieces of equal quality to yours,” Amanda said, as if she’d read her friend’s mind.

  “I’ll be your first customer,” Lily promised.

  Amanda laughed. “Thank you, but let me open the shop doors first.”

  “I understand the need for wise budgeting. You never know what’s ahead in the future.” Lily met Amanda’s eyes. “After Mother became so terribly ill and realized there wasn’t any hope, she told me where she’d been secretly squirreling away funds for years.”

  Amanda gasped. “Secret money? My mother did the same for me, giving me a substantial sum before she passed. Cash she’d been saving from gifts or extra money Papa gave her that she hadn’t spent. Two Christmases ago after I returned home from attending school in Boston, Papa bought me the sewing machine I’d endlessly begged for, and I’ve been purchasing material and sewing several samples ever since.”

  “Samples?” Lily paused in her table setting. She prayed she was doing it correctly, attempting to recall her training with Cook who’d instructed her where everything should be properly placed. She hoped Amanda didn’t notice her ineptness from having been raised in a home of privilege. Recently, Lily had endeavored to learn things Amanda would consider everyday chores.

  “Dresses and skirts. Nightdresses, silky unmentionables, and all manner of children’s clothing also,” Amanda explained, carving thick slices of the leftover ham to warm up. “I soon realized to ensure this enterprise succeeded, I needed to sew clothing for more folks than just ladies, so I made sample work shirts and trousers for gentlemen as well.”

  “This sounds very exciting.” Lily resumed her work. “When will your store open?”

  Amanda frowned. “That’s a good question. Wish I had an answer for you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I found the perfect building to rent. Downstairs would work wonderfully for the business and there are two bedrooms upstairs in the living quarters with a tiny kitchen and sitting room, and a small bath.” Amanda stabbed a potato with a fork and returned the top to the pot. “I could use one bedroom for myself and use the other for extra storage, if necessary.”

  “Or rent it out to another lady for extra income.”

  “I hadn’t considered that.” Amanda smiled. “Good idea.”

  “So what’s the problem? Settle on a suitable sum for rent and get busy.” Lily stood back and realized she’d forgotten the salt and pepper shakers.

  Amanda sighed. “Oh, Lily, if only it were that simple.”

  Lily stood, taken aback. “Isn’t it?”

  “What will Papa and my brothers do without me?”

  “Well, I… I don’t know,” Lily admitted. And then she smiled. “Hire a housekeeper.”

  Amanda burst into laughter. “Just like that.”

  Lily reached for her friend’s hand. “Ask your father if he’d pay a woman to come in and work for the family. I don’t doubt he could afford her pay.”

  “Of course, he could. But would he be in agreement?” Amanda tilted her head. “If Papa would hire a housekeeper that would solve all my problems. Or at least, most of them.”

  Lily placed two sets of salt and pepper shakers on the table and then stood back admiring her handiwork which looked perfect now. “What else is preventing you from opening your shop?”

  “The fellow who owns the property requires two months’ rent up front.” Amanda’s shoulders slumped. “I have the funds to purchase more material and sundries like thread and bows and lace and whatnot. But it will be ages before I can save up the money for the rent and a load of wood to warm the place.”

  “How much cash would you need?”

  Amanda named a sum and Lily felt the smile creep across her face again. “I have a question.”

  “Ask me anything.”

  “Would you consider taking on a partner?”

  Amanda’s jaw dropped. “Well… I don’t know… it would depend on who it was.”

  Lily crossed her fingers behind her back. Could this be the opportunity she’d hoped for, especially after having her bridal plans turned into a canceled order? Teaming up with a wonderful young lady like Amanda could be the answer to her problems. “What about me?” she whispered, holding her breath.

  “You?” Amanda exclaimed, smiling. “In a heartbeat.”

  Even paying her way to Montana, Lily still had more than enough funds left over from her mother’s bequest. The cash was stashed away in a hollowed-out book in her room upstairs, and she would gladly contribute the funds to the new enterprise. She explained her plans to pay for the rent and wood, leaving Amanda’s money available for bolts of cloth and sundries. And Lily would still have a tidy sum of cash left over for an emergency should something arise.

  “With the two bedrooms above the premises, we could both live in town and operate the business together,” Lily concluded.

  Amanda had listened intently while Lily presented her case for their partnership, nodding often.

  “We should have partnership papers drawn up by an attorney in town,” Lily suggested. “I noticed the DAVIES LAW OFFICE sign when I rode into town on the stagecoach.”

  “This is a wonderful idea.” Amanda hugged Lily tightly. “And we’ll have papers drawn up to benefit and protect both of us.”

  “Sounds perfect. And we’ll insist the rental agreement for our business property is prepared by the lawyer also.” Lily clasped her hands together. “I can’t wait to get started.”

  “But what about this housekeeper? What if Papa refuses to hire someone?” Amanda’s expression fell. “What will we do then?”

  “Let’s hire a housekeeper ourselves,” Lily whispered. “Once the woman has started working here and we’ve moved to town, AJ will have no choice but to keep her on.”

  Amanda burst into laughter. “That’s so devious.”

  “True. But desperate times and all that.”

  Amanda shook her head. “No, I couldn’t do it to Papa. He should have a say in who is hired.”

  “You’re right. The housekeeper will be his employee living in his home,” Lily conceded, feeling her face redden. “I’m ashamed to admit my enthusiasm got the better of me.”

  “Is supper ready?” Daniel demanded, charging into the kitchen.

  Jackson and the other brothers traipsed in behind him.

  “Almost. Wash up and take a seat at the table,” Amanda instructed, winking at Lily.

  Lily glanced at her set table. She couldn’t contain her mirth, knowing it would be several minutes before their supper would be served.

  AJ wandered into the kitchen, a slight hitch in his step.

  Amanda halted midway to the woodstove. “What happened, Papa?”

  “Dang heifer kicked me,” AJ complained, washing his hands at the washstand. “Don’t fret now, girl. Lawrence doctored me up.”

  “Who is Lawrence?” Lily inquired, fetching the sugar bowl and cream jug. Would she ever get this table setting thing perfect the first try?

  “Lawrence Clarke, our ranch foreman. Been with us for years. Started working here during roundup back in the mid-1860s. He’s a good man,” AJ explained as he hobbled his way to his seat at the table.

  Amanda rolled her eyes, stepping closer to her new friend and business partner. “Lawrence fancies me, Lily,” she whispered. “Another reason I’m leaving the ranch and moving into Milestone. Now that I’m almost eighteen, I’m worried Lawrence might as
k Papa for my hand.”

  Lily did the cyphering in her head and whispered, “If he came here as a young man, this Lawrence fellow must be nearing forty years of age.” Amanda would be facing a similar fate Lily had just escaped.

  “I think he’s thirty-six. Not that age would matter to me if he were the right man. But I have no interest in Lawrence whatsoever,” Amanda insisted. “He’s like… a favorite uncle.”

  “Then let’s hope your father agrees to our plans for hiring the housekeeper and starting our business venture together.” Lily hugged Amanda.

  “Let’s start with the housekeeper idea first.”

  “Yes. Everything hinges on that.”

  “Supper’s ready now. After we do the dishes, Lily and I would like a word with you, Papa,” Amanda requested, setting the first of the platters on the table.

  AJ’s eyebrows rose. “Would you now? I suppose that would be all right.” He coughed and heaved a sigh. “Dang rain today. Seemed I got a chill out there as well as a kick in the shins.”

  “I’ll make you some tea, Papa,” Amanda suggested.

  “Best be wary, Pa. I don’t like the sound of two women intending to team up against a fellow,” Daniel warned, a broad grin on his face.

  “Are you always so skeptical, Daniel?” Lily blurted before thinking.

  Amanda burst into laughter and set the kettle on the woodstove to boil.

  Lily felt herself warm, and her face must be crimson. “My goodness, I cannot believe I said that. I’m so very sorry, Daniel.”

  Daniel waved off the apology. “Didn’t mean any disrespect, ma’am.”

  “But you’re worried why your sister and I requested time to talk to your father?” Lily met Daniel’s eyes.

  “Pa’s able to look after himself,” Jackson interjected.

  Daniel glanced at AJ. “You’re right. Can’t see two young ladies getting the better of Pa,” he added, grinning.

  “Thank you for saying that, boys. But I will be outnumbered,” AJ replied, laughing. And then another coughing spell silenced him.

  “I’ll sit down with you also, Pa,” Jackson offered.

  “Me, too,” Daniel added.

  “There won’t be any wool pulled over Papa’s eyes,” Amanda scoffed, glaring at her brothers. “You needn’t worry about this.”

  “Your daughter would never do anything to shame your family or go against your wishes. Which is precisely why we need to talk to you, AJ.” Lily smiled at the man who might have been her husband had he not employed sensible thought and ended the engagement. His nasty cough worried her though. When living on a ranch, how did one go about summoning a doctor should someone take ill? She should ask Amanda discreetly after supper.

  “And so you shall,” AJ said, having recovered his voice. “Amanda will say grace tonight.”

  Following the blessing, the meal proceeded with companionable conversation and jovial teasing among the brothers and Amanda. Lily loved being involved, but experienced a moment of sadness that she’d grown up an only child and missed out on the fun of being part of a large family.

  With the meal completed, AJ rose from his chair. His cough seemed to have subsided during the meal; perhaps the hot tea had done its job. “Well, ladies, soon as you finish clearing the dishes, come see me in my study and we’ll discuss whatever has you both so excited.”

  “Papa, what makes you think we’re excited about this?”

  “Amanda, you haven’t stopped smiling since you asked to talk with me.”

  Lily touched her new friend’s arm. “He’s right. You’ve been smiling ear to ear all through supper.”

  Amanda glanced at her father. “I’m hoping you’ll be as enthusiastic about this as we are.”

  AJ headed for the door and called, “Then I’ll see you ladies in a few minutes.”

  Lily and Amanda cleared the table and washed the dishes in record time, each lost in their own thoughts. Lily’s stomach knotted and she met her friend’s eyes. “Are you ready for this?”

  Amanda’s hand flew to her heart and she whispered, “My word, I hope so. My entire future depends on what happens in Papa’s study in the next half hour.”

  “Our futures,” Lily reminded her, and hugged Amanda tightly.

  “Let’s go.” Amanda smiled at her. “We can do this.”

  Chapter 6

  Lily followed Amanda into the McLennon family study, the room AJ utilized as the ranch office and where he apparently conducted all business dealings. Lily gazed around the masculine room, decorated with sturdy upholstered furniture and an old mahogany desk with a wheeled, leather chair behind it. Built-in floor to ceiling jade-colored bookcases lined three walls, and the far wall featured a stone- and tile-fronted fireplace with an intricately carved mahogany mantel. She glimpsed the last remnants of daylight through one of the lace-covered windows framed with heavy burgundy paneled draperies.

  “Should I light a fire?” AJ inquired, glancing at his daughter.

  Amanda met Lily’s eyes.

  “It’s quite comfortable in the room,” Lily answered her friend’s unspoken question.

  “I agree, Papa. A fire isn’t necessary. Unless you require one. You took a nasty chill out there today.”

  “I don’t require any fussing over, Amanda. Take a seat, girls.” AJ waved off his daughter’s concern and settled into his leather chair behind the desk.

  Lily sat on the chair in front of the desk while Amanda dragged a side chair over beside hers and then straightened her skirts and seated herself.

  “Now, before I hear your thoughts, let me report what I learned in town this afternoon.” AJ folded his arms across his chest. “Fortunately, Sheriff Robertson hasn’t heard of anyone looking for someone named Lily Watson. But now that he’s aware of your situation, he’ll be on the lookout for any strangers in town making inquiries. Or any wanted posters, or any telegraphs from other lawmen looking for you.”

  “Wanted posters!” Lily exclaimed. “I promise you I am not wanted by the law.”

  AJ waved off her outburst. “Perhaps I misspoke. But just know Sheriff Robertson will keep an eye out. That puts my mind at ease, and it should lessen your worries as well.”

  “It does.” Lily nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, ladies, tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Amanda took a deep breath. “Please hear us out, Papa, before you decide our ideas hold no merit.”

  “All right. What ideas are these?”

  “I would like you to hire a housekeeper…” Amanda paused.

  AJ opened his mouth to comment then closed it. He remembered the request to hear them out and remained silent.

  “Don’t misunderstand. I enjoyed keeping house and cooking for everyone after Mama passed, but the time has come for me to pursue my own dreams.”

  AJ shifted forward in the chair. “What dreams?”

  “Papa, you promised to hear me out.”

  AJ held up his hand. “That I did. Please continue.”

  “Mama taught me needlework and sewing and I’ve always dreamed of opening a dress shop in town.”

  Lily watched AJ’s jaw drop; his daughter had shocked him with her confession.

  “But I realized that in order to make a go of my business in a small town like Milestone, I should provide clothing for a wider range of customers,” Amanda continued. “So besides ladies’ dresses, I’ll also be sewing clothes for children, babies, and even gentlemen, if required.”

  “Sir, just to be truthful and upfront,” Lily chimed in. “Personally, I couldn’t sew on a button if my life depended on it. This is totally Amanda’s project.”

  “Then why are—”

  “Papa, I’m getting to that,” Amanda interrupted him.

  AJ sat back in his chair.

  “With the money Mama left me and the monies you’ve paid me for my personal sundries, I’ve accumulated sufficient funds to purchase bolts of material, thread, buttons and lace.” Amanda
glanced at Lily. “But I require funds for a place of business.”

  Lily shifted forward on her chair. “Amanda has found the perfect property in Milestone. But she requires monies for rent, wood for heating, and oil and lamps for light on cloudy or wintery days. I have funds to offer your daughter as her business partner, enabling her to realize this dream right now. And I’ll serve customers and provide whatever other assistance possible.”

  Amanda scooted her chair closer to the desk and leaned her arms on the top. “Papa, the building I looked at is the brick one next door to the bank. The one Ray Cochrane owns. Lily has agreed to live with me in town. The business would operate on the lower level and we would reside in the two-bedroom living quarters upstairs.”

  “But in order for Amanda to move to town and do this, she wants someone here to cook and clean for you and her brothers. Otherwise, left on your own, she’ll worry about all of you.”

  Amanda met her father’s eyes. “Papa, there must be someone you can hire as your housekeeper. Perhaps an older widow from Milestone.”

  “Or place an advertisement in a newspaper as far away as Butte,” Lily suggested. “Someone suitable must be looking for employment. Had this opportunity with Amanda not crossed my path, I would have been interested in something similar.”

  Amanda burst into laughter. “Lily, have you ever done laundry in your life? Or cooked an entire meal?”

  Lily felt her face redden. “Well, no to the laundry. But I could have learned. Just observing Cook back home, I can set a table now. And peel potatoes. And she taught me a few dishes…”

  AJ’s face creased in a wide grin and his shoulders shook.

  Lily slumped in her chair. “You’re laughing at me.”

  AJ sobered and he glanced at his daughter then met Lily’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m assuming you were raised with a housekeeper and a cook.”

  Lily nodded. “Father co-owns several prosperous businesses. He provided well for Mother and me.”

  “Well, am I permitted to offer my opinion now?” AJ looked at Amanda.

  “Yes, Papa, please do.”

  “Absolutely not! No daughter of mine is moving to town, running a business, and living by herself before marriage.” AJ stood and moved toward the door, as if the matter was settled.