“Yes, I’ll keep busy.” She forced herself to smile despite her sadness.
“Good, now turn around. I’ve got something for you.”
Assuming he wanted to surprise her, Josie quickly did as he told her and even put her hands over her eyes.
She got a surprise, all right. Clinton’s broad palm landed rapidly on her backside, applying several swats on each cheek before she squealed and jumped away.
“Clinton Ramsey! What was that about?”
“Well, I figured you’re bound to get in some trouble while I’m gone, so that’s a spanking to remind you to behave yourself. Lord knows what sort of shenanigans you and Millie’ll get into without Travis and me here to keep an eye on you.”
Leave it to Clinton to make her laugh and forget, if just for a moment, her sadness. She loved him more every day.
“I got you something else.” He reached into his pocket. “Turn around and close your eyes.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m not falling for that again.”
“No, trust me,” he said. “You won’t get your present if you don’t.”
“All right, but you’d better not be teasing me again, Clinton.” She put her back to him once more, half expecting additional swats on her behind.
“Lift up your hair, darlin’,” he whispered in her ear and, when she reached up to comply, he placed a kiss at the base of her ear then she felt something cold around her neck. When he finished, he moved to stand in front of her. She reached up to her throat.
“A necklace! Thank you, Clinton.” She dipped her head down to see what it was. “A star,” she said then caught his gaze.
“Yes, a star. Just like the one we’re going to have on our Christmas tree. Our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey. And don’t you forget it.”
Josie stared into his dark eyes, too choked up with love to speak.
“Hey, Clinton.” Travis poked his head around the corner. “It’s time to go.” He tipped his hat. “Morning, Josie.” Then he walked away to give them one last moment of privacy.
Clinton gazed into her eyes, patted the bandana in his pocket. “Always in my heart, Josie.”
And then he was gone.
The general store was the busiest Josie had ever seen and, though she was exhausted at the end of the day, she was glad for the distraction. She and Millie had walked back from seeing Travis and Clinton and so many others they knew off on the cattle drive. Pastor Ellis had led a prayer and blessed all the travelers, and Josie had sent up her own prayer for the safe return of her beloved Clinton. Then she and Millie had walked back to town, a little slower than they had left.
Aunt Joyce already had breakfast on the table, a kindness on her part since Millie and Josie took turns rising early and getting the family breakfast on the table so they’d all be ready to start their day in the general store. People in Juniper Junction woke with the sun and took care of business in town before the heat of the day was upon them and usually, by noon, Aunt Joyce, Uncle Carl, Josie, and Millie were worn out and ready for their dinner break.
On this day, they didn’t even get that, though they each managed to find bits of time to rush back to the kitchen to have a quick bite of biscuits and stewed apples left over from breakfast.
At suppertime, after Uncle Carl finally closed and locked the door, the four of them collapsed around the kitchen table. Between the excitement of the fair and the sadness of saying good-bye to Clinton then a long day of work in the store, Josie was worn out, physically and emotionally.
From the pantry, Millie brought out a loaf of bread. Josie gathered up cheese and fruit, and they had a cold supper before they all headed off for an early night.
Despite all that, sleep eluded Josie.
“Josie,” Millie whispered, “are you awake?”
Josie chuckled. Apparently Millie couldn’t sleep either.
“Yes,” she replied and sat up in bed. The summer sun hadn’t set yet, so they could see each other easily.
Millie propped herself up on her pillow, too. “Josie, I don’t know if this is a secret or not, but I heard something today, and I feel like I need to tell you.”
Alarmed, Josie sat up on the edge of her bed and faced Millie. “What did you hear?” A million pieces of bad news flew through her head in the time it took Millie to answer.
“A couple of the ladies who came into the store today said they’d heard Clinton signed a contract with Mr. Kent to buy a house. Do you know anything about it?”
Josie let out a relieved sigh. “Yes. Clinton told me last night. He took me there and showed me the house. It’s perfect.” Despite fatigue and an aching body, her spirits were lifted thinking about the house. The home she’d share with Clinton.
“Oh.”
Josie scowled at her cousin. “I thought you’d be happy for me, for us.”
Millie turned to sit on the edge of her bed, too. “I am happy for you, Josie. Truly I am. It’s just that...well, everyone says that Mr. Kent is a hard businessman. I heard he evicted poor Mrs. Simpson, and Lydia says he called the note on some folks on the other side of the county, and they lost their farm and everything, even the crops in the field. I’d hate for him to do the same to you and Clinton.”
Josie’s annoyance dissipated. “I’ve heard those things, too, and, between you and me, I was a bit worried when I found out who he was doing business with, but he assured me Charlie Howland read over the contract and didn’t see any problems. Besides, he didn’t actually buy it yet. He bought an option. I’d never heard of it, but he said he paid Mr. Kent money to hold onto the property and not sell it to anyone else until December 25th. He says with his winnings from yesterday and the money he’ll make on the drive, he’ll be able to buy the house free and clear. I’ve got some dress orders coming in too.”
“That’s good. It would be awful if something happened and Clinton lost the option money and the house, too.”
“I know,” Josie said. “But, Clinton doesn’t just go rushing into things, so I have to trust that he’ll make it all work out. Besides, you know how hard houses are going to be to find when the railroad comes through next year. This way, we’ll have a place before the prices go up.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Millie said, though Josie suspected she still had some worries about Mr. Kent. Josie did, too.
She changed the subject. “Did Travis have anything interesting to say this morning?”
Millie blushed and grinned. “Josie, he kissed me! I know it’s scandalous since we aren’t even engaged, and, if Mama finds out, she’ll have my hide, but oh, it was heavenly.”
Josie thought about all of the kisses she and Clinton had shared, though none was as special as their very first kiss, and she remembered that sweet moment fondly. Plus, she was happy for her cousin.
“Oh, Millie. How exciting. But you’re right, your mama will have a fit if she finds out. Did anyone see?”
“I don’t think so. We were standing next to his horse, so that should have blocked people’s view. I don’t think Travis would have taken the chance of anyone seeing. He’s rather proper, you know.”
“I guess you’ve made him feel a little improper,” Josie teased, and the two girls giggled, releasing some of the stress of the day.
“I notice you’re wearing a new necklace.”
Josie touched the silver star around her neck. “Yes. Clinton said it’s to remind me of the star we’ll put on our Christmas tree after we get married.”
“Ohhh,” Millie sighed. “That is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
Chapter 3
“Josie, how do you make such beautiful stitches?” Mrs. Campbell spoke from the other side of the quilt around which the ladies of Juniper Junction were seated, working diligently and solving the problems of the world. Or at least their little corner of it.
“Thank you, Mrs. Campbell. I have always enjoyed sewing.” Josie smiled at the lady who had complimented her.
“That reminds m
e, Josie,” Lydia Carter said. “Will you have time to make a dress for me? I heard Mr. Connor is going to throw a big party when the men get back from the cattle drive, and I mean to put my best foot forward when Rafe returns.”
“I’ve seen the way that boy looks at you.” Aunt Joyce joined the conversation. “You could wear a flour sack, and he wouldn’t care.”
The others laughed and then Aunt Joyce added, “Though if anyone can make even a flour sack fashionable, it’s Josie.”
Josie blushed at all the compliments. She was proud of her skills as a seamstress and enjoyed the extra money she made working on dresses and other projects when she wasn’t too busy helping at the general store.
“I’d be happy to make you up a dress, Lydia. We just got some new fabric in at the general store in a pretty shade of green I think will bring out the color of your eyes.”
“That sounds perfect,” Lydia responded. “I can stop in later in the week to talk about it.”
“Oh, and we just got in some new magazines from New York with the latest fashions,” Millie added.
“By the time the magazines get here, they are hardly the ‘latest,’” Mrs. Campbell lamented, and there was general laughter around the quilt.
“That’s true,” Aunt Joyce said. “But it’s all news to us, so what do we care?” There were murmurs and nods of agreement. Though life was difficult in Wyoming, these ladies all took pride in their ability to make a good home for themselves and their families, or, in the case of the younger ladies, the families they hoped to have.
“Once the train starts running, we’ll be able to get things from the East much faster,” Lydia said.
“Ah, modern conveniences. It’ll just bring problems, mark my words,” Miss Ryan spoke for the first time. Stone-faced and sour-pussed, she was Juniper Junction’s resident spinster. She had arrived and set to work, barely acknowledging any of the women around her. Josie admired her work ethic, but she also knew the ladies of Juniper Junction were hungry for conversation and comradery as well.
“Well,” Aunt Joyce tried to smooth over Miss Ryan’s brusque manner, “modern conveniences or no, I think there’s nothing nicer than a good old-fashioned quilt. And this one is going to look beautiful on your bed once you’re married, Josie.”
“What?” Startled, Josie dropped her needle and gaped. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, you’re the next to get married, though I have a feeling once the young men return from the cattle drive there will be a heap of proposals. Man out on the range alone with nothing but cows and cowboys starts to appreciate the girl he’s got back home a bit more,” Mrs. Campbell pointed out.
“Amen to that,” Millie responded and a couple of the other young ladies nodded. One or two blushed, but the meaning was clear.
“They’ve been gone three weeks already,” Lydia lamented. As though she was the only one who had paid attention to the calendar.
“That’s why it’s important to keep busy. Helps the time go by faster,” Mrs. Campbell advised. “Besides, if we’re expecting more engagements, we’ll need to hurry up our quilt production.”
“I still can’t believe you all are working so hard on this quilt and want to give it to me. And to Clinton. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled when he finds out.” Gratitude swelled in Josie. She’d arrived in Juniper Junction as a little girl. Her ma and pa had both died on the trip across the Rockies, and she’d been delivered to Aunt Joyce and Uncle Carl by the other members of their wagon train. The ones who’d survived.
Josie tried to block out the memories of that terrifying trip. The bad weather, avalanches, and wild animals.
She’d been young, but not so young she didn’t remember. And all of that gave her an appreciation for the stable and safe home she had with Aunt Joyce, her mother’s sister, and Uncle Carl. And Millie, too. She was like the sister Josie had always hoped she’d have.
What a special gift this quilt would be.
Her body heated a bit thinking about what might happen beneath that quilt once she and Clinton were officially married. She’d been disappointed when he’d scolded her for being forward the night before he left, but now she just had that much more to look forward to on her wedding night. Under the beautiful new quilt.
“I’m sorry it’s just a crazy patchwork quilt,” Aunt Joyce said, “and not some fancy pattern. But it’ll keep you warm just the same.”
“I love it and will cherish it always,” Josie replied.
“I hear your fella, Clinton, bought an option on a house,” Miss Ryan butted in. “I understand Mr. Kent is a sharp businessman. I hope he didn’t take advantage of your young man’s inexperience.”
Josie bristled at the suggestion Clinton had made a poor choice. “Clinton is hardly an impulsive man. If you knew him, you’d realize that.”
“That house is just right for a couple of newlyweds,” Millie piped up, giving Miss Ryan a dirty look, though it was likely lost on her since she still had her head down stitching away. She might have been a sourpuss, but she was diligent.
“Are you still planning to get married on Christmas day?” Lydia asked.
“Yes.” Josie smiled. “I’ve always loved Christmas, and this will make it even more special.”
“Pish,” Miss Ryan mumbled. “Girls today with their fancy ideas, getting a big head about practical matters.”
An awkward silence permeated the room, unusual since the ladies of Juniper Junction typically had plenty to discuss during their twice-a-month quilting society get-togethers. Though Miss Ryan’s frosty demeanor certainly put a chill in the air, these pioneer ladies would not be cowed by the likes of her.
“Oh, come now, Shirley.” Aunt Joyce took the bold step of addressing Miss Ryan by her first name. “Weren’t you ever young and in love?”
Millie, sitting next to Josie, nearly choked holding back a laugh, and Josie wasn’t faring much better as the whole room held its breath, waiting to see what Miss Shirley Ryan had to say about that.
Ever so slowly, she raised her eyes and met Aunt Joyce’s gaze. “Well, I guess I was once,” she allowed. “Biggest mistake of my life.” She turned to stare directly at Josie, her malevolence palpable. “Men ain’t nothing but trouble. Unreliable, selfish bunch of no accounts, if you ask me.”
Three days later, Lydia arrived at the general store just as Josie finished waiting on Mr. Marshall, who had been in a bit of a mood, though with a heavy rain to travel through, Josie figured she ought not to blame him. Uncle Carl helped Mr. Marshall get his purchases situated on his wagon, and Josie showed Lydia the latest fabric to arrive at the store.
She held a length of it across Lydia’s torso as they stood in front of a mirror so Lydia could imagine it as a dress.
Millie strolled over to offer her two cents. “Oh, Lydia, Josie was right about that color being just perfect for you.”
Lydia smiled at Millie then at her own reflection. “Yes, it is. You sure know a lot about fashion and clothes, Josie.”
“Thank you. I like pretty things.”
“I noticed the necklace you’re wearing,” Lydia mentioned. “That’s sure pretty.”
Josie touched the star at her throat. It was a wonder she hadn’t worn it out in the nearly four weeks since Clinton gave it to her. She’d gotten into the habit of fingering it every time she thought about him and started to feel anxious. The star reminded her of his promise to return. And Clinton always kept his promises.
“Thank you. It was a gift from Clinton.” Her eyes teared up, and she blinked hard to keep them away.
“It’s okay, Josie.” Lydia patted Joie’s arm. “We’re all missing them. And you’re engaged and have a wedding date and everything. Millie and I...well, we just have high hopes.”
“Well, once Rafe sees you in this dress, he’ll make up his mind on the spot,” Josie said, wrapping the fabric back onto the bolt.
“Is that a guarantee?” Lydia asked.
Josie paused and gazed toward the front windo
w. I don’t think I can guarantee anything right now.
But she kept that thought to herself. It hadn’t even been a month yet, and there was no point in getting morose. Besides, she had a dress to make.
“No guarantees.” Josie forced a laugh. “But I’ll make you such a pretty dress that even if Rafe doesn’t propose, someone else will.”
“Josie!” Millie scolded. “What a thing to say.”
The three girls hovered over the latest magazine discussing what style would be best on Lydia.
“Are you going to make yourself a new dress for the party, too?” Lydia asked Josie.
The thought had crossed her mind. Just like Lydia, she wanted to look her very best for her fella.
“Clinton’s already been caught,” Millie said. “Hook, line and sinker.”
Josie gaped at her cousin. “Millie!”
“Well, it’s true. Besides, I need you to focus on making me one of these dresses sure to get a man to propose.”
“Harumph.”
The three girls paused in their chatter. Miss Ryan scowled down at them. “I need some help with a few items, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone available to assist me. I don’t suppose either of you girls could tear yourself away long enough to help a customer?”
Miss Ryan’s tone, once again, stiffened Josie’s spine. No doubt Millie’s, too, but her cousin dutifully jumped up. “I am terribly sorry about that, Miss Ryan. Of course I’ll help you. Please show me what I can do for you.”
Josie breathed a sigh of relief as the two of them walked away.
“She sure is grouchy,” Lydia said.
“I know,” Josie replied. “Any idea why?”
Lydia glanced toward Miss Ryan and Millie then back to Josie before she leaned close to Josie. “I heard that her fella went on a cattle drive a few years ago and never came back. Rumor has it...he found himself another woman.”
Newlywed Christmas (Brides of Juniper Junction Book 4) Page 12
