by Cat Cahill
“Was I that bad at being Jake James?” He gave her a crooked grin, and she would’ve given him the world if she could.
“Not at all. In fact, I quite liked Jake James.” The words were out of her mouth before she even realized what she was saying. Thankfully, the darkness inside the stables might make it more difficult for Jake—or Jacob, she supposed—to see the flush that had crept up into her cheeks.
“I do too. I suppose I’m stuck with remaining a Gilbert, but I wouldn’t be opposed to being Jake from here on out.” He frowned just slightly, enough to alert Dora that there was something else he hadn’t told her.
“Jake?” Dora tentatively placed a hand on his arm before realizing she shouldn’t. She still hadn’t told him about herself. And now that she was here, and the moment was right, she didn’t know if she could. Not after finding out who he was.
He swallowed visibly and caught her hand as she pulled it away. “Dora. I had a long while to think on the train to and from Denver. I was wrong to suspect you of stealing the money, and I want you to know that I’m truly sorry. But I came to understand that I had a good reason for that suspicion. And that’s because you haven’t been entirely honest with me about yourself.”
She closed her eyes and nodded, reveling in the sensation of her hand in his. It might be for the last time, and she wanted to be able to recall the memory after she’d returned home, alone.
“Tell me. Please.” His voice was low and achingly sweet.
Dora forced herself to open her eyes and look at him. Every inch of him was focused on her. “I’m afraid you’ll no longer care for me once you know.” It hurt to say the words out loud, but she was no fool. Few white men felt any affection at all toward her people. It had been as if they were simply in the way, to be shoved aside in the name of progress, expected to accept their fates and stay put.
Dora hadn’t.
She drew in a deep breath. She had nothing to be ashamed of. She was proud of her family, of her tribe. Whether Jake accepted that was his decision. “I’m not from Chicago.”
His face was impassive. “I’d figured as much.” He gave her hand a squeeze, encouragement to continue. And she wondered if he’d feel the same way in a few minutes’ time.
“I’m from the Territory, just a few days’ ride southwest of here, now. But originally, my people are of this valley, these mountains, and all the land surrounding it.”
He tilted his head, clearly confused.
She pulled her hand from his again. If she was going to do this, she would do it on her own—with her own courage, her own breath, and her own identity. She rested her hands at her sides before she continued. “My mother is Ute. I don’t know my father. He left when I was young, after marrying my mother and having second thoughts. But I’ve been told he was a soldier from Maryland.”
She paused a moment, giving Jake time to react. She didn’t know what she expected him to do, but it wasn’t simply remaining still and then asking her, “You’ve never met your father?”
Stunned that the fact he decided to question was that one, she said, “No, not that I can remember. His name was Reynolds. My mother shed the name after he left, but I adopted it when I came here.”
“And you’ve kept this to yourself all this time?”
She nodded. “I disliked lying about who I am, but I needed the work so badly. My mother . . . my family . . .” She stopped a second to choke back the tears that clogged her throat. “They aren’t faring well on the reservation. It’s as if all the life has gone out of my uncles, and my cousins have no hope for what the future might bring. Sickness is rampant, and food is scarce. With money, they can purchase more than what is offered. But of course, there is no way to earn money there. Someone had to leave, even though that’s disallowed too. I speak perfect English, so my mother and I decided I would be the one to go. The rest of the family knows I’m working, but they don’t know where.”
His jaw worked as he studied her. He didn’t smile, but he didn’t look angry either. “How did you come to find work here?”
“I made my way to Denver, where I saw an advertisement for Gilbert Girls in the newspaper. I presented myself as Dora Reynolds from Chicago, of a good, hardworking family, and was awarded the job.” She paused, looking him in the eye. “Because, as I’m sure you know, the Gilbert Company only advertises for white girls.”
He closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. “I’m aware. And I’m . . .” He shook his head but didn’t finish.
“Now that you know my secret, I must beseech you to keep it and let me remain here. My family depends on me. I don’t know what will happen if I don’t . . .” Tears choked her throat, threatening to break through the brave facade she wore.
“Dora,” Jake said softly. “I’m not going to give you away.”
It felt as if the walls of her heart had collapsed. She could continue to work. Her family would be safe. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you—”
Before she had time to think through what was happening, he’d closed the gap between them. Placing a hand lightly on her cheek, he lowered his face until his mouth was a fraction of an inch from hers.
Dora drew in a sharp breath. Thoughts tumbled through her head, none of them clear enough to make sense save for one—he didn’t care that she wasn’t Dora Reynolds of Chicago. “Jake?” she whispered, but her voice was lost as he dropped his lips to hers.
All of the fear and uncertainty and secrets she’d kept to herself for months disappeared in that one kiss. She lifted her hands to his shoulders as both of his hands held her face. Nothing could ever harm her here, not when she was with him. He wouldn’t let it happen, and she knew that as sure as she knew the love of her own family.
He drew away, a warm smile crossing his face. “Dora Reynolds, I love you.”
She blinked at him, knowing she felt the same way. She never wanted another moment without his hand covering hers or that smile warming her very bones. “I . . . I didn’t think . . .”
“Then don’t,” he said, his thumb tracing an arc on her cheekbone.
A happy warmth curled through Dora’s body despite the cold that lurked in the air. “I love you, too.”
Jake grinned and dropped his hands to grip hers. “Are you certain?”
She laughed. What sort of question was that? “With all my heart.”
“Then I have a question I must pose to you, but first you should know that my meeting in Denver—with my father—did not go well.” He looked down at her hands, the smile gone from his face. “He’ll be happy we’ve found the thief, but I didn’t leave his office on good terms. Essentially . . .” He finally drew his head back up to meet her eyes. “I’m on my own. I have nothing, Dora, save for my education and my charm.” He smiled a little at his own words, but the expression disappeared quickly.
“You have more than that,” she said, gripping his hands tightly. “You’re intelligent and quick-witted. A hard worker. You’re kind and generous with your time. Even without money, you have far more opportunities than any man in my family simply by virtue of your birth.”
He frowned and she feared she might have said too much with her last words. But it was the truth, and Jake should know how lucky he was. He might not ever know the closeness and love of growing up in a family like hers, but the world was his for the taking.
“What do you want to do?” Dora asked.
“I don’t know. Not yet. For now, I suppose I’m happy working at the hotel if McFarland will have me back.”
Dora smiled at him. He would figure it out, with time. Jake was not one to sit still for long. “Then that’s what you should do.”
“I . . .” He cleared his throat and looked down at her hands again before meeting her eyes. “I wanted to ask you if you’d consider marrying me. I haven’t anything to offer you beyond myself. I don’t even know if I still have a position here. But I’ll work hard, and perhaps I can build something great, with you at my side.”
The last wall within Dora crumbled with barely a protest. He wished to marry her. It was more than she’d ever dared to dream, not since deciding to leave the reservation to find work. Work . . . how would she support her family if she married?
As if reading her thoughts, Jake said, “I know you worry about your family. I promise we’ll continue to send them any funds we can. If McFarland will have me back, I’ll explain the situation to him—carefully,” he added upon seeing the fear that crossed her face. “I’m certain he’ll agree to pay me a little more. I promise you that your family won’t suffer. After all, they’ll be my family too.”
His words were all she needed. “Then yes. I’ll marry you, Jake Gilbert.” Dora couldn’t keep the smile from her face, and he returned it.
Jake drew her to him. “I promise I’ll do everything I can to make you happy, my Dora.”
“You already do.” She tilted her head back to see his face. And she knew she’d never be happier in her life. He was her home, her heart, and her everything.
Forever.
Epilogue
“I don’t need a special dress,” Dora said over a heap of skirts and bodices in her arms.
“Oh, hush. You’re getting married. You deserve something beautiful to wear.” Penny retrieved a skirt the color of spring grasses from Caroline’s wardrobe.
“I wish you had more time,” Caroline said as she took the pile of clothing from Dora’s arms. “I would’ve made you something, like I am for Penny.”
“It’s all right.” Dora stretched her aching arms. Who knew clothing could weigh so much? Then again, Dora hadn’t known anyone could own so many dresses until she’d met Caroline. “All I want is to marry Jake, and a wedding with Penny and Sheriff Young is perfect.” She’d told Penny and Caroline about her family and where she’d come from not long after she’d told Jake. Each of them had reacted differently, as she’d expected, but they’d both accepted her with love. They’d promised to keep her secret to themselves, agreeing that everyone might not feel the same way. Dora had never been so grateful for friends such as these. In a way, leaving her family had been the best choice she’d ever made, as much as she missed them each day.
“This one!” Penny held out a deep blue set of skirts and matching bodice. “This would look lovely on you.” She placed the bodice under Dora’s chin. “Caroline?”
Caroline nodded. “It’s almost as if that color was made for you. Mr. Gilbert won’t be able to look away when he sees you in that dress.”
Penny handed Dora a small mirror. Her friends were right. The color made her skin glow and her hair look even more vivid. She placed the mirror on Caroline’s dressing table. “Would it be all right if I wore this dress?”
“Of course.” Caroline’s smile was almost brighter than the snow sparkling in the sun outside the window. “Try it on, and we’ll see if it needs any tailoring.”
“Just think,” Penny said as she replaced skirts and bodices back in Caroline’s wardrobe. “Only two more weeks and we’ll be married! And you’ll be marrying an owner of the hotel!”
“He’s not. He’s just a desk clerk,” Dora corrected her friend. Although she didn’t expect Jake to remain in that position for long. He was already mentioning various ideas for businesses he thought their little place in the valley needed.
“Oh, pish. He’s a Gilbert!” Penny held a gold and yellow bodice to herself and admired it. “It shouldn’t be long before Emma’s arrived either.”
Dora smiled at the thought of seeing her friend again for the first time in months. “They must be on their way now.”
“And it will be Christmas!” Caroline added. “I have so many ideas for decorating the store.”
“Let us know if you need help,” Dora said. Although she hadn’t grown up celebrating Christmas, she was looking forward to the holiday. All the girls were talking of their traditions at home, and Mrs. McFarland and Mrs. Ruby were beginning to plan special Christmas menus and decorations for the hotel. And now that she was getting married on Christmas, Dora decided it might be her new favorite day of the year.
“Oh!” Penny clasped her hands together, her eyes shining. “I almost forgot! Have you told Caroline of your idea?”
Color began to flood Dora’s cheeks. She’d been so nervous to share her thoughts with Penny, but both she and Millie had thought the idea to be wonderful. She hoped Caroline might think the same. After all, she may need her friends’ help if it turned out to be successful.
“Go on,” Penny said impatiently. “Tell her.”
Dora ran a finger over the pleats in the skirt of the blue dress. “On his way to Denver, Jake met a man who was traveling to fetch his intended—whom he’d never met.”
Caroline raised her eyebrows, while Penny nearly squealed with excitement.
“He’d written off to a service back East for a mail-order bride. They’d placed his request in a newspaper, a woman answered it, they exchanged a few letters, and now they’re to be married.”
“I’ve heard of such things,” Caroline said.
“Isn’t it the most romantic?” Penny hugged her arms to herself.
“It’s terrifying. What if the man turns out to be a drunk or an outlaw or . . . or worse?” Caroline shuddered. She’d once been engaged to a terrible man, and Dora knew he was exactly the sort she had in mind for her worries.
“What if the service met the men first, to ensure they’re worthy of marriage?” Dora asked.
Caroline nodded slowly. “That might work. It would lend an air of respectability to the whole thing, too.”
Dora drew in a deep breath. “I’d like to start such a service here, in Crest Stone, with Jake’s help. And yours, too, if you’re able. Penny’s agreed to help, as best she can from Cañon City.”
A slow smile crossed Caroline’s face. “It would be fun. And I imagine the service would be useful, if what Thomas and everyone thinks will happen next year comes true.” Their little stop on the railroad was poised to become a full-fledged town, with Emma’s husband returning to oversee some of the building.
“You’ll join us?” Penny asked.
“Yes, so long as it doesn’t interfere with my duties here at the store and so long as Thomas doesn’t mind it.”
Dora clasped her arms around her friend. “Thank you, for everything. My dress and helping with this new venture.” She stepped back, smiling more than she’d ever thought possible. “Thank you to both of you.”
Penny took both their hands in hers. “Who would have thought this is where we’d be a year ago?”
Both Caroline and Dora shook their heads. Their lives were only just beginning, and Dora couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
THANK YOU FOR READING! Now that you’ve met Dora and Jake, you’ll have to find out what happens at their double wedding with Penny and Ben in the next book. I’ll give you a hint—it’s a Christmas story featuring a heroine mentioned in the first Gilbert Girls book and a wayward cowboy who finds himself stuck at the hotel. That book, Forever Christmas, is next. It’s available now at http://bit.ly/ForeverChristmasBook. To be alerted about new books—and to find out more about the new Crest Stone mail order brides series—sign up here: http://bit.ly/catsnewsletter I also give subscribers a free Gilbert Girls prequel novella (it tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. McFarland), sneak peeks at upcoming books, insights into the writer life, discounts and deals, inspirations, and so much more. I'd love to have you join the fun! You can also find me on Facebook at: http://bit.ly/CatonFacebook and on my website http://bit.ly/CatCahillAuthor
Turn the page to see a complete list of the books in the Gilbert Girls series.
Books in The Gilbert Girls series
Building Forever
Running From Forever
Wild Forever
Hidden Forever
Forever Christmas
The Gilbert Girls Book Collection One (Books 1-3)
Other Historical Western Romances by Cat
A Bride for
Isaac (The Proxy Brides, Book 34)
About the Author, Cat Cahill
A sunset. Snow on the mountains. A roaring river in the spring. A man and a woman who can't fight the love that pulls them together. The danger and uncertainty of life in the Old West. This is what inspires me to write. I hope you find an escape in my books!
I live with my family, my hound dog, and a few cats in Kentucky. When I'm not writing, I'm losing myself in a good book, planning my next travel adventure, doing a puzzle, attempting to garden, or wrangling my kids.
