A Fella for Frances

by Donna K. Weaver

  “I was unaware you had feelings for him.” Luke turned his steely gaze now to Nick. “And, of course, as soon as she does something so foolish, you took her up on it.”

  “I love your sister, sir. I have for months.” Nick’s words came out so firm and sincere she almost believed him.

  He’d done that much better than she’d expected. She imagined Edgar trying to pretend he loved her under her brother’s intense scrutiny. The mental picture almost made her laugh. He’d never have pulled it off.

  Luke pinned her with his gaze. “And you? How do you feel about him?”

  Frances had anticipated her brother would ask this question, especially since there’d been no hint of romantic feelings between them. How could she convince him she loved Nick? But as she looked up at the tall Texan standing beside her, she realized she wouldn’t even have to lie. It might not be a romantic love, but she loved him with all her heart. He was her dearest friend. At the thought, she understood. If something were to go wrong, and they weren’t able to get an annulment after all, she and Nick would make a good life together. There was no other man she could say that about.

  “I love him too. I’ve only recently come to understand how much.”

  A flash of surprise crossed Nick’s face followed by that intense expression he’d worn after their kiss on the porch. Her whole body went warm, and she wished they were alone so she could kiss him again. This time without gloves. She had a sudden urge to find out what it would feel like to touch the scruff he always got by the end of the day.

  Luke coughed, pulling her back from her thoughts. When she found it difficult to meet his gaze, he heaved out a deep breath.

  “I guess we’d best sit down and discuss this.”

  Nick gave her hand a soft squeeze, and they sat in the two chairs facing her brother’s desk. They’d done it. She was finally going to be in control of her future, her inheritance. They wouldn’t be able to keep her from knowing things because they thought she was too young.

  7

  “If you don’t mind, Frances,” Luke said, when they’d finished their discussion about the wedding, “I’d like to have a word with Nick. Alone.”

  “We’re a partnership now,” she said, bristling. “What he knows—”

  “This is man-talk. If Nick chooses to tell you about it afterward, it’s fine, but he needs to be free to speak honestly to me without you here trying to influence him.” When she started shaking her head, Luke held up a hand. “Don’t argue with me, Frances. You still need me to sign for this, so you’d best do what I ask, or you can wait two more years until you’re twenty-one.”

  She gave one of her typical sniffs. Nick wondered if he could convince her to stop those. The gesture reminded him too much of Judith’s early days in Lilac City. Yes, that would likely be a good way to broach the subject. Frances and her future sister-in-law were actually very similar in personality, though both women would die rather than admit it.

  “All right then.” Frances rose with a surprising gracefulness, usually manifested by her two older sisters. It reminded him she’d attended finishing school. She must have done better than she cared to admit. “I have a wedding to plan.”

  “There’s no need to be in a hurry,” Luke said.

  “But I am in a hurry. Since I don’t have to worry about people coming from out of state, we want to be married right away.” She spun around and strode toward the door.

  “What’s the rush?” Luke asked, his brows creased as he watched her leave the room.

  “You know Frances. Once she makes up her mind, she’s not one to sit back and twiddle her thumbs.”

  “I need to know your plans before I’ll sign for her to marry you.” Luke was watching Nick now, his face creased with worry not evident when she’d been in the room.

  “I do have plans, sir. After visiting home and a talk with my father, I’d thought to speak to you about it independent of marrying your sister.” Nick rubbed his jaw.

  “Were you going to ask me to court her?”

  “No. To be honest, I wasn’t thinking she was anywhere near ready for that yet, though I meant what I said about being in love with her. You know my Pa owns a ranch in Texas.” Nick leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Well, a few years back they discovered oil on the land. With all them automobiles, the need to provide fuel for them is making the oil industry boom. Pa always figured I’d settle in Texas. I did too, but I wanted to get out to see a bit more of the country first.”

  “So, of course, you ended up in Lilac City, Wyoming,” Luke said with a dry tone, now leaning back in his chair.

  “I traveled the country for a year before I settled here. I was interested in learning more about the dude ranch business, and I’d heard good things about your place.” At Luke’s dubious expression, Nick shook his head. “I ain’t trying to bamboozle you. It’s the honest truth, sir.”

  He wished it were all the honest truth. His stomach turned a little queasy. Luke was bound to wonder, once he eventually found out the marriage was never meant to be real, what Nick’s intent had been with the business proposition. Well, he’d just have to do everything in his power to win Frances’s heart before it was necessary.

  “You mentioned wanting to talk to me about something before you got yourself engaged to my sister.”

  “Yes, sir. I was telling you about the oil on my Pa’s land. Even though they’d discovered it on the property didn’t mean he had to quit ranching. It’s a sight to see, believe me, a herd of cattle grazing with them drilling rigs in the distance.” Nick straightened, forcing his nervous stomach to calm, and met his future brother-in-law’s gaze. “I told my pa I wasn’t planning to come back to Texas, that I was going to settle here in Lilac City. When he saw how determined I was, he offered to give me my inheritance in cash instead of in land. I accepted.”

  “Are you telling me this because you’re planning to set up a competing dude ranch?” Luke asked, his expression and tone neutral on the surface, but Nick had gotten to know the man well. Luke might not like the idea, but he’d never stand in the way of a man who wanted to improve his situation.

  “That’s what my pa thought I meant to do too, but it’s not. I’ve never wanted to be the boss, but I’ve always wanted to own something. Before I went back to Texas for my sister’s wedding, I’d thought to see if I could buy part ownership of the Lucky L Ranch.” When Luke’s eyes went wide, Nick jumped to his feet and started pacing. “Like I said, I don’t want to be in charge. I’m not even proposing an equal share, but I’d love to be your partner.” He paused in front of the desk. “I’ve done my best to prove to you I’m a hard worker and a man you can rely on. For my part, I can’t think of a better man to be in business with. You’ve mentioned before that you want to increase your holdings, both in land and in herd size but not having the money for it. With an influx of cash from me, you could do that.”

  Luke sat in silence for a while. Nick’s body wanted to move, but he didn’t dare. His gut told him he had to stand tall and not show he was shaking in his boots. Would Luke be offended at the partnership idea? Would he say no to the marriage?

  “And you had decided this before my sister proposed to you?”

  “Yes, sir. I can have my pa write to you to confirm it, if you’d like. He knows Frances is the reason I mean to stay here. I told Pa I was pretty sure it’d take her a long time to soften up to me.” Nick gave a soft chuckle, still bemused at how differently the day had gone from what he’d imagined when he woke that morning.

  “Sit down.” Luke rubbed his neck. “Your proposition intrigues me. How much do you have to put in—if I were to agree to this.”

  “I’ve set aside a hundred thousand dollars.”

  Luke made a choking sound, which Nick hoped was a good sign.

  “Set aside?” Luke said when he could speak.

  “Yes, sir.” Nick forced his fists to relax in his lap. “That’s half of my ready cash, but I’ll receive an annual income fr
om the oil wells, probably for the rest of my life. I promise you I can afford to support a wife and family.”

  “The business proposition is definitely something I’ll consider,” Luke said. “If I don’t agree, do you still plan to marry Frances?”

  At the unexpected surge of anger, Nick clenched his jaw and forced himself not to lose his temper. When he could speak calmly, he said, “I ain’t that kind of man, sir. I’ll also warn you that, back where I come from, them’s fightin’ words to suggest the only thing I want from your sister is her money.”

  “Just watching out for her,” Luke said, raising his hands. “I’d hate to have to kill you for breaking her heart.”

  “Understanding that is why I haven’t taken a punch at you, sir.”

  Luke grinned for the first time. “I’m glad to know you’ll stand up for yourself. You ought to start calling me Luke, if you’re going to be my brother.” He stood and extended his hand. “I’ll give the partnership some thought and talk with my accountant.”

  “Thank you. Luke.” Nick shook it and turned to leave.

  “Frances was talking like she wants to be married right away. Won’t your family want to be here for your wedding?”

  “My ma has the cancer, and Pa’s taking her to see a Dr. Grubbe in Chicago for treatment,” Nick said, looking over his shoulder. “They both wished me the best and told me to bring Frances for a visit once things were settled between us.”

  “Sorry to hear about your mother. We’ll pray for her.” Luke sat down. “By the way, would you mind living in this house?”

  Nick blinked. The marriage thing was all so new to him. He hadn’t even considered where he and Frances might live.

  “Assuming Frances and Judith agree, I’m good with it,” he finally said. “I don’t want them to kill each other.”

  Luke chuckled and turned his attention back to his paperwork. Nick stepped from the office and found Frances waiting for him.

  “What did you two say?” she hissed, pulling him toward the parlor.

  Nick kept silent until they were alone in the room, and she’d shut the door.

  “I told him about my business proposition. He said he’d think about it.”

  “What did he say about us?”

  Nick took her hand, and she stopped pacing. “He just wanted to make sure of my intentions and that I could support a wife and family. I don’t think he’s opposed to our getting hitched right away, but he asked if we’d live in this house. I told him that was fine.”

  “I think he’s been lonely,” she whispered. “I hope he won’t hate me when he knows the truth.”

  “Hopefully, by the time this is all settled, he and Judith might be starting their own family. He’ll be distracted.”

  “I hope so.” Frances was looking in Nick’s direction but not actually looking at him.

  “What’s troubling you?” He dared to take her hand, gratified when she didn’t pull it back.

  “I’m not looking forward to breaking this to my sisters.” She heaved out a long breath and met his gaze. “The guys are going to give you a hard time about marrying the boss’s sister.”

  “I can handle them.” Nick had already given the possibility a lot of thought. It would help his situation a lot if Luke were to take him up on his offer to become partners. Nick was glad, though, it’d be a short engagement. “So, when were you thinking to get hitched?”

  “Sunday.”

  Nick stared at her. He knew she wanted to do it quickly. Now that she’d named a day, it struck him as real. In four days, Frances Lancaster was going to be his wife. For a second, he thought his heart might burst right out of his chest. Then he reminded himself the wedding was temporary. Edgar was preparing a legal and binding contract they’d both have to sign, one in which they both promised to annul the marriage.

  “Sunday’s best since the family will already be here for dinner,” she continued, oblivious to Nick’s confusing emotions, “and Luke has already invited Reverend Pearce and his daughter.” Frances grinned. “They were going to talk wedding plans, so I figured it wouldn’t be that much to have him perform ours. I’d like to invite Abe and Edith Vosburg too. Perfect, right?”

  “Right.” He gave her a weak grin.

  8

  “You don’t have to put all that fancy stuff in my hair,” Frances complained.

  “Yes, I do.” Doris pushed one more hairpin into place and gave a satisfied nod.

  “She’s right,” Maude said. “If you insist on wearing a simple bridesmaid dress for your wedding gown, we have to do something to fancy your appearance.”

  “This is Nick’s wedding day too,” Doris said, fluffing out the simple skirt. “Don’t you want it to be something special for him?”

  Frances frowned at her reflection, unable to shake the feeling she was taking advantage of her best friend’s kindness. Men might not get into all the hoopla of a wedding, but she knew from her father and now from watching Luke that it could be an important day for them too. A twinge of regret stabbed at her. When Nick finally married for real, would his memory be colored by the fraud they were perpetrating today?

  “Are you nervous?” Doris reached up and cupped Frances’s cheek much like she’d done when they were young. “Because if you are, you don’t need to be. Marriage is wonderful, when it’s with the right man.” Doris’s eyes took on a now-familiar dreamy expression.

  “She’s right.” Maude, her face mirroring Doris’s, lifted the veil both sisters had worn for their weddings and placed it over Frances’s head. “And you couldn’t have chosen a better man than Nick Reynolds.”

  “Yes, and the two of you are so good together, such friends,” Edith said, stepping into the room. “I can’t imagine spending my life married to a man who wasn’t also my friend. I’ve known too many people who had no shared interests. They had nothing in common, never did anything, except make babies and eat meals as a family. If a woman marries, she should be smart like you and choose her best friend. They’re ready downstairs.”

  There were a lot more people attending the wedding than Frances had planned, so many that Luke had decided to hold it in the Lucky L hall he used for the monthly town dances. Lilac City served as the county seat. Small town that it was, word had gotten around after she and Nick had gone in to get their marriage license. The next thing she knew, Mary Teague who was the president of the Ladies’ Improvement Society, was offering to decorate for the wedding.

  After a quick consultation with his accountant, Luke had accepted the partnership offer and announced it to the men. Her brother, of course, had then mentioned the wedding. Suddenly all his men had clamored to be able to attend as well. One thing about Lilac City which impressed Frances was people’s ability to throw together a party at the drop of a hat.

  “It’s fortunate Abe built me that hothouse last year.” Edith opened the door to show Mary Teague holding a beautiful bouquet composed mostly of greenery, but with three delicate purple orchids in the center.

  Frances was touched beyond composure, and she had to blink to keep from tearing up. She hated to cry anyway but especially in front of people. Once again, she felt like a fraud. Everyone was being so kind to her, and it was all a lie.

  “Thank you so much for making the sacrifice,” Frances said, furious at the tremor in her voice.

  “You deserve to have something beautiful on your special day.” Edith took the bouquet from Mary and handed it to Frances.

  “When I saw your groom,” Mary said with a chuckle, “his face was so pale, he looked like he might faint.”

  Doris and Maude straightened the veil one final time and stepped back. Taking that as a signal, Frances took a deep breath and stepped out of the room with a graceful stride that would have made her finishing school teachers proud. More importantly, she thought it would have made her mother proud.

  The church organist had come to play the piano for them and, when Frances stepped into view at the top of the stairs, the woman had shifted to
the processional. It had turned out the fiddler for the town dances liked classical music. Judith had been thrilled, but Frances was glad her future sister-in-law hadn’t liked Johann Pachelbel’s Canon and Gigue in D Major, saying she’d never heard of it before. Unique was what Frances loved, so it was perfect for her.

  As she slowly took the steps, followed by her sisters and friends, Frances finally saw Nick. Mary had been right; his complexion was pale. But as his gaze met hers, color lit up his face from his neck clear up to his hairline. The warmth in his blue eyes made the fluttering butterflies in her stomach begin to polka. For the first time since she’d settled on the plan, her wedding didn’t feel fake.

  Frances’s breathing sped up, and she felt lightheaded. Doubt replaced the previous euphoria. This was wrong. She should never have considered using something solemn and serious as marriage as a tool to gain access to her inheritance. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she froze. She should call an end to the fraud.

  As though he could read her mind and knew she was about to back out, Nick came toward her, his gaze full of confidence and assurance, his hand extended as though to welcome her. She’d chosen not to have anyone give her away, saying she meant no insult to Luke, but her father was dead.

  “Shall we do this, Frances?” Nick asked softly when he reached her. “We don’t want to disappoint all these people who’ve worked so hard to make this special for us.”

  She glanced around the room for the first time. It appeared the whole town had shown up. There were even cowhands from Marshall’s ranch. Swallowing, her hand shaking, she placed it in Nick’s. As soon as her hand touched his, the doubts fled, and a sense of peace settled on her. The trembling stopped.

  The corner of his mouth twitched. He understood her so well. She wrapped her hand around his arm and, following the slow and beautiful music, they made their way toward Reverend Pearce.

  “If I didn’t think you’d shoot me,” Nick said, his voice pitched low so she could barely hear it over the accompaniment, “I’d tell you how beautiful you look.”