Clementine had a big yard and he was certain she wouldn’t mind if he made a makeshift workshop there for the time being, however, he could not go there since that would completely ruin the surprise. He did not want Pauline to see. Children were prone to sensing the truth, so Alexander did not want to take any chances.
Garry, he had a sudden moment of inspiration. He would certainly help him, especially once Alexander explained what he was planning to do. Collecting all his tools and materials, he went to the store. For some reason, he felt quite light on his feet, and he realized he was excited to start this project.
Garry smiled as he entered, eyeing Alexander’s equipment with mild interest. “Are you trying a new career path? I will tell you now, I could use a handyman. Osmond is useless with hammers,” the owner of the store jested.
“No,” Alexander went straight to the point. “I want to make something for Pauline, a toy.”
“How nice of you.” He wasn’t teasing anymore.
“Yes well, I wanted to ask you if you know I place I could rent. I need a workplace, you see.”
“And I presume you want to keep it a secret?”
Alexander nodded, pleased the other man was understanding him completely.
“Actually, I know a perfect place for you,” he announced much to Alexander’s delight.
“Where?”
“Here. There’s a small backyard that would be perfect for your needs. And the best part, you could lock the door and keep a very curious little girl out.”
“That sounds perfect. Just show me the way.”
“Go through this hall and you’ll see a door at the end. You can’t miss it,” Garry pointed over his shoulder, throwing a small key to him afterward.
Alexander caught it and saluted to Garry. “Thank you.”
“Shout if you need any help.”
“Will do.”
Without wasting any more time Alexander went to the yard and went to work, thinking once again how Garry was a decent human being, and that he was proud to call him a friend.
He was so focused on making the toy for Pauline, he hadn’t even realized when the sun went down. One minute he was fully immersed in work, in the next he was squinting barely seeing his hands let alone tools. The only reason he stopped, was because it was proven to be too dangerous to continue working in the dark.
Who knew? he joked.
Returning inside, he made sure to lock the door behind him before going to the bar to sit on the stool. He started banging with his fists against the hardwood.
“I am parched, my dear barkeep. I require something to drink,” he demanded, his tone light.
“You are in good mood, and unusually impatient,” Clementine observed with a smile. She eyed his dirty, sweat-stained clothed as well but did not comment.
“Good day,” he greeted her, wiping the sweat from his face, wishing he could have made himself more presentable before coming here. He was certain Clementine saw much worse. Nevertheless, the impulse was still there and strong.
“I haven’t seen you all day. I think Garry is too lenient with you, however, I might reconsider that seeing the state of your clothes,” she joked.
“I’m lenient with you as well,” Garry decided to play along.
Clementine rolled her eyes at that. “That is different,” she replied refocusing on Alexander. “Well? What have you been up to?” she asked with interest.
Alexander hesitated, not even sure why.
“He is working on a secret project,” Garry provided. Instantly, Alexander started looking about in mild panic. He feared Pauline heard that.
“Secret project? That sounds intriguing,” Clementine said at the same time as Garry reassured him. “Do not worry my friend, she is sleeping upstairs.”
Clementine looked at Garry then back at Alexander. It was clear she was not understanding Garry’s words and was trying to come up with an explanation.
“I am making something for Pauline, a toy,” Alexander explained, deciding to end her misery.
“Really? That is mighty kind of you, thank you,” Clementine replied genuinely touched.
Alexander shrugged, looking away as though it was no big deal, and he felt a bit self-conscious she was making it so. “You haven’t seen it, so don’t thank me yet.”
“Can I see it?” Clementine asked hopefully.
“No,” Alexander said instantly.
She made a face hearing him say that and pouted. That did a rather peculiar thing to him. She looked absolutely adorable.
“It is not finished yet,” he stammered, trying to soften his previous denial.
‘“All right, I can wait,” she replied proving she did not take offense, and he was relieved.
Checking the time Alexander realized her shift ended half an hour ago. Did she stay longer in hopes to see him? He pondered until he realized she probably did not want to wake Pauline up if she was sleeping. “Let me freshen up and I’ll help you carry Pauline home,” he offered already moving toward the small washing room upstairs that Garry let him use.
“Thank you. Oh, Alexander?” She called out for him, stopping him in his tracks.
“Yes?”
She fidgeted for a bit before speaking. “I’ve been meaning to ask you if you would care to join me to a friend’s wedding this Sunday?”
He was sure his heart stopped beating for a moment upon hearing her say those words. Alexander felt like asking her to repeat that.
“Of course, I am taking Pauline as well,” she corrected herself since he did not reply immediately.
“Of course, I will go with you. It would be my honor.”
The receiving smile was something he hoped to see on her face every day. “I will be right back,” he heard himself say before dashing to do a quick washing routine before rejoining her downstairs.
“Ready to leave?’ he inquired.
“Yes.”
Pauline was already in her arms still asleep and Alexander accepted the small girl from her. She stirred and did not awake.
While Alexander held that sleeping girl in his arms as Clementine walked next to him, softly chatting so to not wake her up, Alexander was immensely happy. It was just too easy to pretend this was actually his family, a family he longed to have.
Should he dare to hope, to pray a sinner like him could get a chance for a miracle like that one day?
A chance to have a family with Clementine.
Chapter Thirteen
“Are you sure I should wear this?” Alexander asked doubtfully, looking at himself in the mirror. He was back in the store, buying yet another shirt and possibly a new bolo tie as well. The way he was acting of late, purchasing new clothes, trying to look his best for Clementine, he was going to have an impressive collection of things. And what was he going to do with them later on, when the time came for him to move on? A chest full of clothes could not fit on a horse. That thought made his heart hurt. He did not want to think about the departure.
He did not want to leave, period.
“Yes Sir, and you look quite dashing if I might add,” the salesman reassured him.
Alexander did not need another shirt. He was aware of that. It was just that Alexander was very happy when Clementine asked him if he wanted to accompany her and Pauline to her friend’s wedding. He did not know Miss Jemma Townsend or her husband to be Martin Gaiman, however, he was grateful he would be a part of their celebration and wished them a happy union and even happier marriage.
“All right, I’ll take it,” Alexander heard himself say, much to clerk’s delight. Alexander could only shake his head; the way he was behaving, he barely recognized himself anymore. That was not necessarily a bad thing.
Stepping out of the shop, Alexander ran into none other than that idiot he had had the fortune of removing from Clementine’s presence. Although that idiot was the reason he got a chance to meet Clementine, so perhaps he should thank the fool for that. He blocked his way, and Alexander sighed. Some men were too stubb
orn for their own good. Luckily, Alexander was in a good mood.
“If we continue to meet like this, I will start to think you fancy me, Howard.”
The other men jerked as though Alexander slapped him. “My name is Herbert,” he snapped, incredulously.
“I really don’t care one way or the other,” Alexander replied, setting him straight.
Herbert’s eyes were filled with furry and Alexander really hoped that did not mean he was about to do something stupid.
“You think you’re mighty special,” he spat.
Actually, Alexander did, but he was not prone to rub that fact in other people’s noses. All though, for this pest, he might make an exception. “Do you require anything?” he asked instead.
“She was mine before you came along,” Herbert sounded like a spoiled child.
Alexander seriously doubted the truthfulness of his words knowing Clementine and was rather proud of himself for not breaking Herbert’s nose anew. Suggesting Clementine was any man’s property was preposterous.
“Herbert, just quick friendly advice,” Alexander leaned into the other man’s face. He was a bit taller so he had to adjust his posture so the other man could see his eyes. “Let it go.”
It was apparent Herbert did not expect that from him. By the way he was clenching his fists, he expected a fight again. As he mentioned before, Alexander was in a too good of a mood to bother.
“Don’t bother me or Clementine again. You’ll live longer,” he finished with a threat, for good measure. Hoping this time around the idiot would actually listen.
“Now I have to go. I do not want to be late for the wedding.” With that Alexander turned around, leaving the other man behind without hearing what he had to say in return. That was of no concern to him at any rate. That kind of gibberish talk from a sad, delusional man needed to be ignored.
Washing and changing into freshly bought clothes Alexander left his hotel room and went to Clementine’s house to collect her and Pauline so he could escort them to the church like a proper gentleman.
“Lovely girls, are you ready?” he said while knocking on the front door. He could hear Pauline giggling on the other side and that made him smile.
Clementine opened the door and she looked so beautiful, she took his breath away. She left her curly blond hair down. Its waves flew around her face, down her shoulders and all the way to the small of her back. His fingers itched to touch it. He refrained from doing something like that.
Her yellow dress was simple, tied up with a blue ribbon around the waist, yet lovely. It captured her natural beauty and accentuated her green eyes.
Alexander chuckled, noticing Pauline had a matching dress on. “Auntie made it for me,” she informed him with sheer happiness that could be expressed only by children.
“I see. I am not worthy to be your escort; you look absolutely beautiful,” he informed them taking a little bow. He pulled some wildflowers from behind his back, giving each of his ladies a flower.
The little girl giggled. “I know.” she replied in her small, adorable voice which only made his laugh even more.
“Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes, we are,” Clementine replied.
Pauline offered him her hand and he took it, quite humbled by the gesture. “Do we have time for a quick stop?” he inquired.
Clementine thought about it. “Mrs. Townsend told me the ceremony starts at noon. Of course, we need to go inside a bit earlier, but I do believe we have some time to spare. Why?”
“Excellent,” he said instead, ushering them in a different direction.
“Where are we going?” Clementine asked him.
Alexander scratched the back of his neck while replying. “I promised Miss Pauline I would take her to Mr. Jonnah’s shop.”
“To the baker’s shop?”
“Yes. He makes the most delicious sweet pastries, or so I’ve been told,” he looked at his little friend and she giggled.
All of a sudden, Alexander felt very welcomed and comfortable in Courtfield, so much so that he learned all the shop owners’ names and they always greeted him on the street, asked about his wellbeing as though they were friends. He liked that very much.
“I see,” Clementine replied with a small smile. She was amused. “She guilted you into taking her there, didn’t she?” She teased.
“Of course not,” Alexander defended.
Pauline ran off to get to the shop first.
“You are spoiling her rotten,” she chastised. There was no real heat behind her words. Probably because she was doing the same thing.
“Maybe a little,” he allowed.
Once Pauline got her sweet delight, with a great deal of sugar, which was a bad idea in hindsight, since she had extra energy to run about, they set out for the church.
Friends and most of the family of the bride and groom were already there when they arrived. Clementine greeted some of her friends, introducing Alexander to them.
Alexander did not particularly care for small talk, however, they were all there to celebrate this joyous event so that was their common ground and that made all the difference. Once it was time, they all went inside. The church was full of people, as expected.
The bride was lovely, in a dress that was peach in color, he heard some lady comment. He would call it orange. And Pauline informed him that her Auntie was the one who fixed the dress. Clementine shushed the girl before anybody heard her and Alexander sensed that was not information that should be shared with anybody. Understandably, this was the bride’s special day and because of that, it all had to be perfect.
Thinking about that Alexander’s thoughts took a strange turn and he couldn’t help think about Clementine’s wedding. Did she wear her hair up or down? What was the color of her dress? Was she happy?
Naturally, he started thinking about her husband next, and that filled him with instant rage. He detested any man who thought women should be treated with anything other than the utmost respect. And as far as he could tell her late husband was not a kind, loving man.
Clementine did not talk much about him, yet Alexander could guess she did not have a happy marital life. That saddened and enraged him at the same time. He did not care if this made him a bad person, he was glad that the darn man was dead. Clementine deserved only happiness in her life.
“Alexander?” Clementine called out for him in a hushed voice.
“Yes?”
“Are you all right?” she asked with concern.
He started to ask why would she suspect differently when she continued.
“You are clenching your jaw. Is your hand bothering you?”
No, just the fact you were wed before and to a man who did not deserve you, bothers me. “I am fine, don’t worry,” he replied mastering a smile and refocusing on the ceremony.
Luckily, she accepted his words.
The wedding ceremony was touching yet short, much to everybody’s delight. Afterword they all went to Mr. Townsend’s house to celebrate. Newlyweds would depart earlier to go to their new home which was Mr. Gaiman’s ranch, located two towns away.
A large meal was prepared, and many games provided for the guest’s entertainment.
Some of the games were specially made for the bride and groom or best man and maid of honor. The only thing that interest Alexander was the shooting competition. Even with his left hand doing all the work, Alexander was quite a shot. Clementine nudged him to participate, and he did. A part of him wanted to impress her, at any rate, even if that meant being at the center of attention.
All the men, and a few ladies, gathered together, wanting to measure their strength and skill. Without ceremony they started shooting some bottles that were placed on the fence. The bride was the official.
Those who managed to knock theirs with a single shot advanced to the next round, shooting cans. Over time the object grew smaller and the distance longer.
In the end, in the final round only he and Martin, the groom, remained.
When it was his turn to shoot, Alexander intentionally missed his mark, and he lost.
Martin came to shake hands with him, as the crowd cheered the winner. “You have a fine set of skills,” he complimented.
“You too,” Alexander replied. “And congratulations, again.”
Overall it was a fine Sunday afternoon for everybody, and Alexander could not remember when was the last time he had one of those. Since he met Clementine, it appeared as though every day was a good day, filled with excitement and long-forgotten feelings. Needless to say, he was grateful for every second of it.
A Courageous Bride to Bring Him Hope: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 13
