High Country Bride (12 page)

Thinking of him, she gripped the handle and pulled open the door. “Come in, you two, and remember to keep your hands to yourself, please.”

“Yes, Ma,” they said in unison, and followed her into the beautiful dress shop. James glanced around, already bored, but good boy that he was, he didn’t say a thing. He squared his small shoulders like a little man, determined to make the best of the situation.

“Look!” Daisy let out a gasp of delight. “Ribbons, Ma. Look!”

“Yes, aren’t they pretty?” She had never seen so many ribbons set out in a display, in so many beautiful colors, from sensible brown to candy pink.

It was a fine shop and far too fancy for her to ever afford. Perhaps Aiden did not know how much things were likely to cost in a place like this, especially the ready-made dresses she saw hanging along the back wall. She hated to think what those cost. Likely as not, they were far too fancy for her to feel comfortable in.

“Hello.” A pleasant-looking woman in a finely tailored lawn dress rose from a chair at the farthest window and set her sewing aside. “I’m Cora Sims. Welcome to my shop. Are you Joanna, by chance?”

She noted the shop owner’s earnest smile and took that as a good sign. Maybe not everyone in town had heard or believed those horrible rumors. What a relief. “Yes, I am. You have a beautiful store.”

“Thank you. Ida McKaslin told me all about you at our church meeting this morning. It’s lovely to meet you.” She lifted a small basket on the front counter and smiled at the children. “You may each have one piece. Well, as it’s a slow morning, perhaps two.”

Bless Cora Sims. Predictably, James chose two lemon drops and Daisy two peppermint balls.

“Thank you, ma’am,” her son said politely.

“Thank you!” Daisy practically hopped in place, her platinum-blond ponytails bouncing.

“You’re welcome. What good children you are,”

Cora praised. She was truly kind. “Now, Joanna, can I offer you something cool to drink? It’s a scorcher out there, isn’t it?”

“That’s kind of you, but I’m fine. I’ve come for a dress.” Here was where things got tricky. “Aiden wanted me to have you bill him.”

“Ah, I see. Of course.” Cora’s smile deepened. “You need a dress for your wedding.”

“How did you know?”

“You would be surprised. I am one of the first people to know when a couple is going to be married. When is the big day?”

“Sunday.” Joanna braced herself for that welcoming smile to fade. She knew how it must look. “They say marry in haste, repent in leisure, but we need to be practical. Harvest season is coming soon.”

“Yes, and then Aiden will be too busy to even think about getting married.” Cora didn’t seem at all surprised by this. “My parents were farmers, too. I know how demanding it can be. You will need a ready-made dress. I believe I have several that ought to be about your size. Come in the back and see.”

Joanna herded her little ones ahead of her, around a colorful table of embroidery threads and past racks with thick bolts of rich fabrics.

“Ma! Look!” Daisy stopped licking her peppermint piece long enough to exclaim, “Look at those buttons!”

“I see.” She was amazed by that glass display case of hundreds of buttons on little paper plackets. Mother-of-pearl buttons, carved buttons and ones in shapes like roses, a teddy bear or a castle. “You may go look and not touch, if James will watch you.”

While Daisy gasped gleefully, James gave a sigh of resignation. Dutifully, he trudged toward the case. “C’mon, Daisy.”

She raced to keep up.

“I also have some little girl dresses. Would you be interested in seeing those, too?” Cora chose a dear little butter-yellow frock from among the others hanging on the rod.

Joanna stared, awestruck. There were ribbons of lavender and blue accenting the puff sleeves and tiered skirt. A row of daisy-shaped buttons marched down the front of the bodice. She’d never imagined anything so fine for Daisy.

“I just finished this yesterday,” Cora explained. “Of course, you may have something already in mind for your daughter to wear at the wedding, but with her coloring, I thought of this dress instantly. It would look adorable on her.”

“Yes, it sure would.” Joanna stared at the dress longingly. She knew without asking that the price was something she simply could not afford, and Aiden had said nothing about buying a dress for Daisy. Joanna had never wanted anything more than that beautiful frock. She tried to tell herself that it would make a good Sunday dress and would wear well, but it made no difference. No amount of reasoning could make up for the fact that she did not have the money for it. And she would not take advantage of Aiden’s generous nature.

Cora slipped the lovely garment back onto the rod. “Did you have anything in mind for yourself?”

“I don’t suppose you have anything calico.” It would be sensible, something she could wear to church on Sunday, too.

“No, I’m sorry. If I had more time, I could make something for you.” Cora turned to the women’s dresses; there were several dozen of them, in all colors and sizes.

Joanna’s heart sank. Every one looked far too frilly to suit her, with expensive details like silk ribbons and lace and embroidered embellishments. She had no need for such a gown.

“Here, what about this lawn?” Cora pulled a dress out from among the others. “It’s perfect for this summer weather we’re having. It’s simple enough to be serviceable, and yet fine enough to be special. What do you think?”

Joanna simply stared at the finely woven ivory fabric dotted with tiny green leaves. The style was tailored, the lace edging the collar and sleeves was the nicest she had ever seen, and pearl buttons accented the bodice. It was a fragile, beautiful dress and she loved it.

“The look on your face is answer enough.” Cora held the gown up. “I think it was meant for you.”

Joanna’s hands shook as she took the fine garment. She had never owned anything so nice. But it wasn’t the dress she wanted most.

She glanced over at her daughter. Daisy was still absorbed in studying the buttons. Joanna feared she already knew the answer, but she had to ask, anyway. “There wouldn’t be a way to make payments on that child’s dress, would there?”

“No, I don’t take payments,” Cora said gently. “Usually. But I’m sure we can work something out.”

“Really? Oh, thank you. I’ll take it.” She hesitated. “And maybe some fabric suitable for a new shirt for James?”

“I’m sure we can find something. You’ll need a few things to go with your new dress. How about a nice bonnet to match?” Cora wandered toward the shelves of beautiful hats. “I’m sure Aiden would want it for you. He’ll expect you to be well appointed.”

That was true. He would be sure to comment on her patched sunbonnet, if she showed up to marry him in one.

“You are getting a fine man for a husband.” Cora was friendly as she led the way to the hats. “You must be so thrilled, getting married in, what, just five days?”

“Yes,” she said simply, stopping to study a lovely ivory bonnet.

Thrilled? Only for her children’s sake. She did not love Aiden McKaslin and could never let herself. He had been honest with her. He would never be able to love her, and she was not surprised by that. No amount of fine lace and silk ribbons or this nice dress would change who she was, inside and out. She was not the kind of woman who inspired love in a man.

Maybe it was better this way, she thought as she glanced over at her little ones. This union wasn’t based on some false romantic notion that would only bring her mountain-size disappointments. No, this marriage would be based on what was real, what was most precious to her. While she was not marrying Aiden for love, she was marrying because of love.

That had to be better. Her heart brimmed as she watched Daisy telling James about the pony-shaped buttons, and they both knelt for a closer look. She wanted better for them. She would do her best for them. She prayed that the Lord was up there somewhere watching out for them all. This marriage was a big step she was taking—one built entirely upon hope and faith.

Aiden put down his pitchfork the moment the horses and wagon pulled into the yard. He knew Thad was going to notice how he had stopped work at just that moment, as if he’d been keeping an eye out for her. It was true, but probably not for the reason Thad might think.

“Look who’s back.” His brother grinned at him from the other side of the wagon bed. “Has she made up her mind about marrying you yet?”

“Apparently. I still can’t believe she said yes.” Aiden flipped off his hat and pulled his handkerchief from his back pocket. “It’s happening this Sunday after church.”

“Congratulations.” Thad was grinning from ear to ear as he pitched a forkful of hay into the wagon. “I’m glad you could find someone again. I was afraid that wouldn’t happen for you.”

“Me, too.” That at least was the truth. Years had passed and he’d never considered marrying again, but Joanna had changed all that.

The trip to town must have gone well. She smiled as she lifted her daughter down from the wagon seat. He had to squint against the sun, but he could just make out a big package wrapped up under the seat beside a hatbox. He was glad about that. It looked as if Joanna had found what she needed.

Bless Miss Sims. He’d figured she would help Joanna, as she was too classy of a lady to listen to the terrible rumors Finn had started. Finn. Aiden took a deep breath, trying to squeeze out his sorrow. They knew this for a fact, now. Neither Thad nor the minister could lure him from the saloon or talk him out of his destructive choices.

“Maybe you ought to go check on her.” Thad seemed mighty pleased with himself as he kept pitching. “I’ll finish up filling the wagon, don’t you worry. Go on.”

He could see as plain as day what his brother was thinking. “This is an arrangement I have with Joanna, nothing more.”

“An arrangement? I don’t understand.”

“I’m marrying her because she needs help.” How clear did he have to be? “That’s the only reason we are marrying.”

“That’s it?” Thad looked mighty perplexed. “You don’t love her?”

“No, and she knows that.” Aiden slid his pitchfork against the tailgate, feeling that he ought to be honest. Thad was thinking one thing about this marriage that wasn’t true. “She’s not in love with me, either.”

“Then why are you getting married? Wait, I know.” His brother shook his head. “Don’t worry, Aiden. No one worth their salt believes any of those rumors. Besides, they are already dying down. I’ve done my best to make sure of it.”

“I appreciate that.” Aiden turned away, dreading what his brother was going to say next, no doubt something about love needing to be a part of marriage.

There was Joanna’s son petting the horses, while she unbuckled them from the traces. It was hard looking at that boy. The kid was about to become his son, and Joanna his wife.

His wife. The emptiness within him hurt like a broken bone. No, he would do best not to think of her as that. He wiped the sweat from his face and neck, trying to figure out what to say. “Joanna needs help, and I’m helping her. That’s all there is to this. She’ll be moving into one of the upstairs bedrooms in the house, and I plan on sleeping in one of the downstairs rooms, or the shanty. I’m still deciding.”

“The shanty? You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Yep.” His voice sounded strained and he knew it, but he was managing this the best that he could. “After what I lost, I don’t have it in me to love again.”

“C’mon, big brother. I don’t believe that.”

Aiden shrugged, at a loss. “It’s just not there. I broke after I lost Kate and the baby. My heart, my soul, they’re ashes now. There’s nothing left.”

“But—”

“There are no buts. There’s nothing to argue about, Thad.” He stepped away from his brother and the painful conversation.

Joanna was taking the horses to the barn now, with the girl on her hip and the little boy leading the way. She was as wholesome as could be in her pink calico dress and matching sunbonnet. The sun seemed to follow her and grace her, as if heaven were watching over this good woman.

“Aiden, I still don’t understand. This could be a second chance for you,” Thad argued.

He cleared his throat in order to say what he had to say. “Think of how deeply you love your wife. Now, think of your future without her.”

As if struck, Thad bowed his head, silent, his wide shoulders slumped. He looked as if he’d been hit in the chest with an anvil. It was like the sun going down, Aiden knew, never to rise again.

Without the need to say more, he grabbed his hat. “I’ll see if Joanna needs anything. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Thad still didn’t say anything, as if he were unable to move.

Aiden found her in the barn, rubbing down the horses, although they were not in a sweat. She sure took good care of her animals.

He hefted the water bucket from the corner and hauled it over to the stalls. “How’s his hoof looking?”

“Better, I think. He made the walk to and from town just fine.” Joanna looked at Aiden over the horse’s smooth rump. “I don’t think it’s tender at all.”

“Good. He’ll likely be just fine. I’m having the blacksmith out next week, and he’ll take a look. New shoes might help, too.”