“It’s dark in the evening. How would you see all the dust and spiders?”
Molly stopped in her tracks. “Spiders? Our house has spiders. I think I’ll stay at the shop and you can move into the house.”
Ben gazed into her eyes, and she blinked back tears. He pulled her to him, and she trembled. “You’re afraid of spiders?”
“When I was young, one of the ladies working at the saloon swallowed a spider in a shot of whiskey. She screamed and screamed that she could feel it crawling in her belly. She ran up the stairs and threw herself off the balcony. She landed on the bar, and they said she broke her neck. I was in the kitchen, but I peeked out the door when she began screaming. Ben, it was horrible. She was terrified, and I watched it all from the kitchen. Mama was angry with me and told me Lou tripped and fell. I believed the spiders killed her and for years I had nightmares. Now they just make me shudder. Did you find all the spiders?” She leaned against his chest and relaxed.
“Sweetheart, I was teasing you. I’m sure there are the common house spiders but none that are big or numerous. I promise.” He pulled her close. “Come on; I’ll show you.”
“We need a house cat. They chase spiders, don’t they? Please put another notice up in the mercantile and see if anyone has kittens.”
“All right.” He held her hand when they climbed the porch steps. “In spring, I plan to paint the house, and you can plant flowers. It will look like a home.”
“If you’re there, it’ll always be home.”
He closed the door behind them and drew her into his arms kissing her senseless. He murmured in her hair, “I don’t know if I will live until Sunday without you.”
“I’m right here,” she whispered.
“I’d rather you be in our room.”
“Oh.” She pushed away from his chest gently. “Let’s look at the rest of the house.”
“All right.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and followed her as she exclaimed about the spotlessly clean house.
“It’s perfect except maybe for that painting above the fireplace.”
Ben nodded. “I understand the man who lived here painted that of his favorite goat.”
“I see. That explains why his wife left. It must have been hard enough to live with his eccentric ideas of farming, but to see that goat every day would be enough for me to run away.”
Ben strode to the fireplace and lifted the painting from the wall. He walked to the back door and placed the painting outside. “You can choose any picture Louis has at the mercantile to replace it, or he has a catalog. You choose one and have him order it. I will not lose you over a goat painting.”
Molly dissolved into giggles. He looked serious and concerned, and she loved him more than she thought possible. She walked into his arms and leaned against him. “I love you, Ben Clay. You spoil me and make me feel special.”
He leaned back far enough to see her face and said, “Molly, you are special. Never forget that. I can’t imagine my life without you. I love you and will for the rest of my life. This is our home, and I want to live here, love here, raise children here, and grow old here. I’ll buy two rocking chairs for the front porch where we can sit when we’re old.”
“You plan to grow old that quickly. You can wait on the chairs. When I was small, Mama and I would walk through the towns we lived in late in the evening when she didn’t work. On one walk, I saw a house with a porch swing. All I ever saw before were rope swings. I thought that was a wonderful thing to have—a home with a swing on the porch.”
Ben drew her close and kissed her. “Then I’ll build a swing on the porch.” He kissed her again and didn’t break the kiss until a loud knock interrupted them. Ben opened the door and saw Louis Masters on the porch.
“Is everything all right, Louis?”
“Yes, but I have a full cart you can help me unload.”
“I didn’t order anything.”
“It’s from Minnie and me. It’s a wedding gift. Minnie knew you and Molly were busy and didn’t come into the mercantile for supplies, so she picked out everything she thought your pantry needed.”
Molly stood with her hand over her mouth as she watched Ben and Louis bring in box after box and set them on the kitchen table. “Do we need all this?”
Louis shrugged. “According to Minnie you do. She said if she forgot something just stop into the mercantile.”
Ben walked Louis to the door while Molly began pulling things from the boxes. Sugar, salt, flour, spices, canned vegetables and fruits, and more. She looked up at Ben when he returned to the kitchen. “We won’t need a thing except for fresh milk, butter, meat, and eggs. It was a generous gift. There are things I wouldn’t have thought to buy. Minnie is a wonderful lady.”
“Maybe they’re’ worried the sheriff will starve.”
Molly playfully hit his arm. “Enough or you’ll do all the cooking.”
“We should check out the rest of the house before we leave now that the pantry is full.”
Molly headed for their bedroom to see if they had bedding. She stopped and turned to look at Ben.
“The room is lovely.”
“I bought a new mattress and pillows. Minnie made sure we had new bedding. She said something about not having enough time for a quilt, but you’d understand.”
Molly nodded. “Yes, the quilting circle makes a new quilt for each bride, but we didn’t give them enough time. Look there’s a note on the bed.”
When she picked it up and read the note, she smiled. “The ladies are sorry they couldn’t make us a quilt, but they embroidered pillowcases for us. We live in the best town. People are kind.”
“I told you everyone loved you. The ladies didn’t embroider pillowcases to make me happy.”
“I suppose not. We should go. I do have some things to do before the dance and our wedding.”
He kissed her and reluctantly agreed. He held her hand and walked her back to the shop. “Have supper with me tonight?”
“I’d like that.” Molly waved as he strode down the boardwalk.
Molly floated back into the dress shop not hearing Sarah call her name. After the third time, Molly looked at Sarah and said, “I’m sorry did you call my name?”
“Three times, I think your mind is still back at the house.”
“Oh, Sarah, it’s lovely. Tomorrow we should go see it. I know Rose and Lucy would enjoy seeing it, too. It might give Rose the hope she needs while waiting for her groom to answer her letter. Ben told me that when Judge Magarey builds the new city building in spring, they plan to name the street and put in boardwalks, at least on your side of the road. After all, there are three large homes there and only our little home on the other. Do you think anyone might buy one of the two empty houses?”
Sarah shrugged, “I have no idea. I wonder why Mr. Willoughby built three large homes. Each are different but nearly the same size. Giles insists ours is the nicest. It would be nice to have neighbors. It seems lonely when Giles is away. Soon you’ll live across the road, and we will be neighbors and friends.”
“I hope you have neighbors soon.”
“No one else in town can afford one, and if they can, they already have their own. I think Mr. Willoughby thought if he built them, it might attract more people to town.”
“Please don’t tell me he and his wife might move into one. I will have to leave my home before I move into it,” Molly laughed.
“I understand she wanted to move, but he likes his house and is comfortable. Their children are grown and don’t need all the room. I don’t want her as a neighbor either. If she does move in, please don’t run off and leave me with her as my only neighbor.” Sarah shuddered, and Molly giggled.
~ * ~
Business was brisk the day before the Christmas Eve dance. Della stopped in asking if Sarah could repair a torn angel costume. It seems while she and Rachel were trying to hold a final rehearsal for the Christmas play the children would perform during the Christmas Day services, an exc
ited shepherd stepped onto the angel’s hem.
“There isn’t anything much sadder than seeing a six-year-old blonde angel crying about her costume in one breath and threatening to punch her brother for ruining it in the next,” Della said while explaining their dilemma. “The poor child broke my heart. She told me her Mama stayed up late sewing the costume and her brother was…well, she called him dumb, but I think she held back. She’s the youngest of six and the only girl.”
“I can fix this in short order. My sewing machine has saved many from a pummeling. I helped one little boy who came in with a black eye and a torn shirt. He said his Ma wouldn’t mind the eye as much as the shirt. It took me a couple of minutes, and it was mended nice and neat.”
“That’d be Tommy Jenkins. He’s the only boy with a black eye this year.”
“I think his name was Tommy.”
“I understand. Black eyes heal and torn shirts cost money. He’s a good boy, but smaller than some and he gets picked on. I’m happy you could help him.”
“I am, too and here is your repaired angel costume. I think it will do well.”
“Thank you,” Della said as she reached into her reticule.
“No charge. How can I expect payment from an angel?”
Della smiled and hurried back to the church.
Sarah told Molly, “I think we did as much as we can for today. I don’t believe that we'll have much business tomorrow unless someone rushes in with a torn dress. I plan to close at noon, and we’ll all have time to get ready for the dance. Giles will bring Lucy home, and she said she made a roast today. She’ll bring a meal home for you and Rose. We all worked hard today. We should enjoy a quiet evening.”
Molly sat in the large chair in the back room. “I don’t know where the time has gone. Tomorrow is the Christmas Eve dance, and then it’ll be Christmas Day. A few days later, it’s my wedding. My head is spinning.”
“Don’t worry. Everything is done. You have a dress for the dance, a wedding dress, a handsome groom, a house, and more food than you need for a month. Cal and the staff at the hotel have the reception planned, and Nell is making a chocolate wedding cake. What else do you have to worry about?”
“I don’t know. I think I’m too happy. Whenever I’m happy and think my life is going well, something happens.”
“You’re nervous. Go upstairs and have a hot bath, eat a good dinner, and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a fun day,” Sarah said and breezed out of the shop.
Molly sighed as she headed upstairs hoping Sarah was right.
Chapter 22
Sarah was correct that they wouldn’t have many customers the following day. They didn’t have any by the time Sarah decided to close the shop at noon. Molly locked the door behind Sarah and hurried upstairs to get ready for the dance. Lucy had lunch laid out on the table by the time Molly slid into the kitchen.
“Slow down. You have more than enough time to get ready. Rose and I used the bath this morning. It’s all yours this afternoon but first, eat something. You need to keep up your strength to dance with that handsome sheriff of yours.” Lucy motioned to a chair, and Molly sat, but her foot kept bouncing.
“I’m more nervous about being in front of the entire town when Ben and I dance than I am excited about it.”
“It’s good practice for your wedding.”
Molly groaned.
“You’re not excited about the wedding.”
“Yes, I am, but to be the center of attention in front of the town is a bit unnerving.”
“You were the center of attention when you played the piano in Underwood’s.”
“Don’t remind me, but they were mostly drunk men who didn’t care if I made a mistake. The ladies in town will wait for me to make one small mistake.”
“Maybe one or two ladies. Most of the people in town love you. There is something special about this town. The people are kind and forgiving. They accept me and most believe I was a soiled dove. Gentle Falls is truly blessed as are the people. You and Ben will be happy here. I know it.”
“I know it, too,” Rose said when she bounded into the room in her wrap. “Hurry up and eat. Then take your bath, and we can help each other dress and do our hair. I bought lavender soaps. Mrs. Masters said they came in on yesterday’s train. They smell lovely.”
Molly ate her sandwich and apple while listening to Lucy and Rose’s excited talk about the dance. It was one of the biggest events of the year. She smiled and decided to push her worries aside and enjoy the day and evening.
~ * ~
Molly unlocked the shop door to allow Ben to enter. He stopped and stared at her. Tonight, her dark blonde hair hung loosely down her back in curls and her blue-green dress reminded Ben of the ocean he’d once seen when he visited back East.
“You take my breath away, Molly. You are more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen or will see, I am sure.” He lifted her hands to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles.
“Thank you. I think you look handsome in your suit. It’s a nice change from denim and flannel.”
He took a step closer and lowered his voice. “It’s a good thing you styled your hair so beautifully because I have a desire to kiss you breathless and run my fingers through the curls.”
Molly blushed.
Ben added, “I’m counting the hours until Sunday.”
Molly opened her mouth to speak when Lucy and Rose strolled into the room. Rose, dressed in a pink gown to rival her name, twirled and asked, “Do you like the way the dress looks. I can’t remember anything so lovely. It’s beautiful.”
“Why Miss Rose, I do believe it’s you that makes the gown lovely,” Ben complimented.
Rose curtsied and laughed. “I feel like a princess. I hope my maybe groom will like me if he answers my letter.”
“He’d be a fool not to, believe me,” Ben insisted. “I have the privilege of escorting three of the most beautiful women in Gentle Falls to the dance.”
“No,” Rose said. “You’re escorting one. The other two will chaperone you.”
“Chaperone all you want. Once we’re at the dance, you’ll be too busy dancing and discouraging would-be dance partners.
Lucy stood silently near the entrance to the workroom. Her dark yellow gown brought out the golden flecks in her worried brown eyes.
“Sheriff Clay, do you think all the men who drank at Underwood’s will be at the dance tonight?”
“I doubt it, Lucy. The dance is held at the hotel and is the closest thing to a full fancy dress ball the town sees. Men know they’re expected to wear suits and not many of the ruffians from Underwood’s own one. The few that do will know to act properly, or they’ll be asked to leave. If anyone bothers you or Rose, I will make sure they leave immediately.”
Lucy’s smile went up to her sparkling eyes this time. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to this dance. It has been a long time since I wore a pretty dress.”
“Shall we?” Ben opened the door and took Molly’s arm. Their chaperones followed behind but not too closely.
They could hear music before they reached the hotel doors. Molly hummed along with a familiar tune.
“Do you like to dance?” Ben asked.
“Yes, but I don’t know how to dance well. The only time I danced was when a man at the saloon caught my arm after I finished playing but before I could escape to my room. Of course, there wasn’t any music, so I was spun around the floor until I managed to get away.”
“I plan to dance every dance with you, and since I don’t dance well, we’ll make a fine pair.” He helped her off with her coat. “Just stay at my side, and no man will dare ask you to dance. I’ll protect you.”
Molly glanced around the hotel lobby. It was transformed into a buffet with small tables and chairs scattered around. The scent of fried chicken, roast beef, and sweet treats filled the air. Beyond in the dining room, the tables were gone, and the chairs pushed up against the walls. Red and gold bows decorated the walls along with pine
boughs. Brightly colored glass ornaments hung from the chandelier in the center of the room. People were dancing to the tunes of a fiddle and guitar.
“Shall we?”
“Yes.” Molly took his arm, and they walked into the dining room. A waltz started, and Ben pulled Molly close.
“Let’s give this a try,” he whispered as he guided her around the dance floor.
When the music stopped, Molly sighed. “We did it, and I think everyone was busy dancing and didn’t notice us.”
Lucy and Rose stood near the punch bowl set up in the corner when Mr. Willoughby strolled over to them. “Good evening, Miss Lucy. I heard you might be leaving town soon for the Montana Territory. I wish you well and want to thank you for the time we spent together. I will remember the books and your kindness to an old man. Be sure to stop at the bank and we’ll discuss what is best for your money. If there is a bank in your new home town, I’ll help you transfer it. Good luck, my dear.” He bowed slightly and strolled off to speak to a group of gentleman.
Rose grabbed Lucy’s arm. “Let’s get a cookie or piece of pie. Mrs. Willoughby is glaring at you. She looks as if she’s about to walk over here. There are fewer people in the lobby to hear the tirade I’m sure is coming.”
Lucy followed Rose to the food table and filled a plate with a slice of pie and several cookies. She poured a cup of tea and glanced up to see Mrs. Willoughby stride her way. “Watch me handle this,” Lucy smiled.
“Good evening, Mrs. Willoughby. Lovely party, isn’t it?”
“Humph, it would be if the right people were invited and the riff raff not allowed.”
“I understand. Parties can be ruined by the wrong people.”
Mrs. Willoughby stared at Lucy with her mouth open.
Lucy continued, “I want to tell you what a kind husband you have. My friend Rose and I are leaving town soon, and your husband went out of his way to explain how I could transfer my bank account to a new bank. You are fortunate indeed to have such a generous husband. I can tell from the way he looks at you that he loves you deeply.”
Molly's Heart Page 14
