Mail-Order Bride Ink: Dear Mr. Turner (8 page)

“I’ll have to deputize him so he can do it. Otherwise, you’ll hafta, and that’ll take ya away from Miss Comfort.”

“True ‘nough,” Eli agreed. “But I gotta bad feelin’ about Anson and Henry escortin’ a wagonload of prisoners all that way.”

“Well, let’s see what the judge says when he comes,” Tom suggested. “Maybe he’ll order someone else to do it. Or just hang ‘em,” he added, his voice louder so as to carry back to the cells in the back. That wasn’t likely, but it never hurt to put a scare into the prisoners.

Eli glanced at the door leading to the cells. “One of ‘em’s awful young. I’d hate to see him hafta go to Oregon City. Or …” He pantomimed hanging from a noose.

“I know which one yer talkin’ ‘bout. How’s his horse?”

“I took her over to Anson and Emeline’s – they’ve got more room than Chase does. The boy was right – that mare’s a nice horse. She oughta foal in ‘bout a month.”

Tom nodded but said nothing. They both knew the boy could well stand trial along with his older brother – it all depended on how merciful the judge was that day. Not to mention the state of his stomach. Judge Henry Whipple had a wide circuit and would normally head to Portland, then travel up and across the Washington Territory to the town of Nowhere, south from there through Clear Creek and back to Oregon City.

He’d dealt with Judge Whipple the previous year, when he was a deputy in Nowhere in the Washington Territory. Daniel Weaver had just gotten married, and some fellow by the name of Stanley had accosted his wife. What a fiasco that was – not helped a whit by the judge’s persistent indigestion. And this time, because of the outlaws they’d captured, he’d have to do the route backwards and come to Clear Creek sooner than normal. It wouldn’t be likely to improve Whipple’s mood.

“Well, if’n ya have things under control here, I’d best be off,” Eli said.

“Ya headin’ out to the Triple-C?”

“I thought I’d run by the mercantile first and pick up Miss Comfort a little present,” Eli said. “Women like that sort of thing, ya know.”

Tom laughed. “Yer ears are turnin’ pink, brother. Ain’t no shame in buyin’ her a present.”

Eli smiled and put on his hat. “No, I guess there ain’t. It’s just this is all new to me. You’ve already been through this. Tell me, did the whole business sour
your
stomach?”

“Some – but only ‘cause it looked like Rose would marry Matty Quinn ‘stead of me.” Tom laughed and shook his head. “And when Rose was carryin’ Hannah I felt sick a few times for real. Musta been nerves.”

“What about when she was carryin’ Silas?”

“Weren’t as bad then – I guess ‘cause I’d already been through it,” Tom explained.

Eli let out a shaky breath. “Maybe I just oughta marry her and get it over with.”

“And leave her to her own devices at your place? No sir, I’d let the Cooke women have a go at her first. Yer stomach will thank ya later.”

Eli laughed and nodded in agreement. A bad gut was no joke, and a terrible thing to have to deal with when chasing down an outlaw. “See ya tomorrow, brother,” he said with a wave of his hand.

When he got to the mercantile, Wilfred was behind the counter. “Just the man I wanted to see,” he declared.

“Howdy, Eli,” Wilfred greeted. “What can I do for you?”

“I need a present for my bride. Something purty, I think.”

“Oh, that Southern belle that was in here yesterday? Mighty pretty gal. How’s she holding up?”

“Don’t know. I haven’t seen her yet today.”

“Well, how’d she hold up yesterday?”

“Uh … fine. ‘Til she fainted.”

“Fainted?” Wilfred said as his eyebrows rose in amusment. “Land sakes, what did you do to her?”

“I didn’t do nothin’! ‘Cept tell her ‘bout … oh. I guess maybe I did.”

“You told her about what?” Wilfred asked leaning forward.

“‘Bout the outlaws I shot.”

“Awww, Eli! You can’t tell a lady like her such things. No wonder she swooned!”

“What do ya mean, a lady like her?” Eli asked.

“She’s not from around here. Them high-born Southern women are different – they aren’t used to getting their hands dirty. Ask your brother about the Davis girls up in Nowhere. Not to mention their mother – she’s a real handful.”

Eli laughed. “Yeah, Tom’s told me ‘bout them. I guess ol’ Nellie Davis is still workin’ at that restaurant on account of her disruptin’ a trial.”

“Must’ve been Judge Whipple,” Wilfred commented. “Come to think, he ought to be coming to town soon to deal with those outlaws you caught.”

“He is. Tom and I were just talkin’ ‘bout it. But forget about him – I need a present.”

“Well, let me see … how about a box of candy?”

“That might be nice, so long as I don’t eat it on my way to the Triple-C. What else ya got?”

Wilfred clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace behind the counter. “It’s gotta be something pretty and romantic,” he mused. He snapped his fingers and spun to face Eli. “I’ve got it!”

“Got what?”

“The perfect romantic present. At least for around here.”

“Don’t keep me in suspense. What is it?”

“It’s a couple of things, actually. One is in the back – come on, I’ll show you.”

Eli smiled. Everyone in town knew Wilfred was a hopeless romantic, so any suggestion he made had to be good. He just hoped his future bride thought so too.

P
leasant flopped
onto her bed and wiped the sweat off her brow. Never in her life had she worked so hard – and all she’d done was bake! Who knew bread could be so tough to make or cookies so intricate? Never mind about the cake – that was a total disaster from start to finish. No wonder her father kept a cook, or sometimes two …

“Supper is in a half-hour!” Belle called through her door. “Eli will be here!”

“Eli?” Pleasant whispered to herself. “Oh yes – Mr. Turner.” She’d almost forgotten about him, the root cause of all this drudgery. If that was baking, what was laundry going to be like? It would do her in for sure.

She groaned in pain as she got up and went to the armoire. She would have to dress for dinner, especially if Mr. Turner was to be in attendance. She wished she’d had time for a bath, as she was covered in sweat. But that wasn’t about to happen. The best she could hope for was to wash off some of the grime with what she had at hand.

She went to the washstand and was cleaning up as best she could when Honoria entered the room. “Are you excited about seeing Mr. Turner again?” the girl asked.

Pleasant stared at her with tired eyes. “Pray I don’t fall asleep at the table.”

Honoria laughed. “Oh dear. Did we wear you out?”

“I’m not used to such … vigorous activities in the kitchen. Do you do this every day?”

“No, only for special occasions. We usually bake about half as much.”

“Well, I’m certainly glad I’ll be in a household with only one man to take care of. That should cut the work down considerably.”

“Of that I’m certain,” Honoria said with a smile, then sighed.

“What’s the matter?” Pleasant asked. Did she really look that bad? Maybe she
should
take a bath.

“Nothing. I’m just happy that you’re marrying Eli.”

“Oh,” Pleasant said in surprise. “Um, thank you. You’re hoping to get married one day, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am. If a gentleman ever comes along that I want to marry. But that’s not likely to happen around here, and it’s not as if I can send away for a mail-order husband.”

“No, I suppose not.” Pleasant dried her hands. “But don’t worry – you’ll get married one day.”

“One day,” Honoria echoed with a far-off look in her eye.

Pleasant smiled. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be in a small town with no prospects. How many years would it be before the poor girl finally got a husband? Maybe her family would send her to stay with relatives in a more populous place. But from the sounds of it, that might mean England. She could tell that Honoria loved her family very much – too much to travel a continent and an ocean away. “I suppose it’s time to dress for dinner.”

“Why?” Honoria asked. “Why change your clothes just to have supper?”

“I always have. It’s just the way I was brought up.”

“Around here, there’s no reason for it,” Honoria said. “Why did you do it where you come from?”

“Well, to look nice for … er, to look nice. One wants to always look their best.”

“I’d like to hear you say that after a day of laundry. Two or three days, actually.”

Pleasant swallowed hard. “You mean it takes two to three days just to do
laundry
?”

“Around here it does.”

“Oh dear me,” Pleasant whispered. Yes, thank heavens she’d only have one man to take care of!

“Laundry day is tomorrow, by the way,” Honoria said with a little smirk.

“I declare, are you enjoying my discomfort, Miss Cooke?” She didn’t think the girl was being malicious, but decided to ask.

“Not at all – though I guess it’s funny that you’re such a ‘greenhorn.’ You’ll learn, though. And if we didn’t care, we wouldn’t be teaching you.”

Pleasant sighed and wiped her hands on her skirt. “I can’t thank you enough for doing so. Your mother and aunt are very kind. If not for them, I would be going into this marriage without an ounce of experience.”

“That’s something we wouldn’t wish on anyone, not around these parts. Just try to learn all that you can before you marry Eli. He’ll appreciate it and so will you.”

Pleasant felt the hot sting of tears. Maybe it was because she was so exhausted, or that she realized the kindness these women were showing her. They didn’t have to teach her anything, let alone take her into their home until she married. Before she could think, she stepped over to Honoria and hugged her. “Thank you so much for all your help.”

Honoria gently pushed them apart. “It’s our pleasure, Miss Comfort. Now let’s get ready for supper.”

* * *

E
li tethered
his horse to the hitching post in front of the main ranch house at the Triple-C. He dismounted and then dug through his saddlebags for the gifts he’d brought for Miss Comfort. He ran a hand through his hair, ascended the porch steps and went to the front door, then took a few deep breaths before knocking.

“Well, if it isn’t the groom.” Colin said as he opened the door and motioned him inside. “Pray tell, what’s in the box?”

Eli looked at the box in his hands. “A gift for Miss Comfort. Several, actually.”

Colin grinned. “Did Wilfred help you pick them out?”

“He didn’t help – he did everythin’ himself,” Eli confessed.

Colin laughed. “That’s Wilfred for you. What did he choose?”

Eli held the box away from him. “I ain’t tellin’ you or nobody else. Ya’ll find out when Miss Comfort does.”

Colin laughed again and slapped him on the back. “Very well, but Harrison is going to have a hard time waiting. He’s worse than I am when it comes to surprises.”

“So I’ve heard,” Eli said with an arched eyebrow. Of the three Cooke brothers, it was well known around Clear Creek that Harrison was the most easily flustered. He might have to hide the box from Harrison entirely.

They went into the dining parlor, and Eli set the box on a chair against the wall. He peeked around for any sign of Harrison, then took off his coat and covered the box with it. “There, that oughta keep it safe.”

Colin laughed and motioned for Eli to follow him into the kitchen. “Is supper almost ready, sweet?” Colin asked Belle. “Our company has arrived.”

“Eli,” she said with a smile as she turned, handing a bowl of mashed potatoes to Colin. “Here, put this on the table. And Eli can carry this in.” She picked up a platter of chicken and held it before him. “Provided your hands are steady enough. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were nervous.”

“What … what makes ya say that, ma’am?” he asked.

“For one, you’ve never call me ‘ma’am’ before
.
It’s always been ‘Belle’.”

He noticed his breathing was a little faster than normal. Land sakes, she was right – he
was
nervous. “Well, maybe just a bit …”

“He’s come to bestow a gift upon his intended,” Colin informed her. “A box containing who knows what treasures?”

“Oh, I see,” Belle said with glee. “Did Uncle Wilfred help you pick something out?”

“Wilfred did all the picking, dear,” Colin informed her before Eli could.

“Oh, I can’t wait to see what it is!”

Eli’s face twisted up into a grimace. “Don’t I get a li’l credit? Listenin’ to you two makes me think I just put all my romantic notions in Wilfred’s hands. I did have some say.”

“Of course you did,” Belle said. “But my uncle does like to have his hand in it.” She hefted a bowl of vegetables. “Let’s take these to the table, then come back for the rest.”

“What else is there?” Colin asked.

“I still have to slice the bread, and put the corn on a plate.”

“I say,” Colin mused, “but didn’t our house guest help with the meal preparation?” He winked at Eli.

“Only the bread. Though she certainly had her hand in dessert.”

“You mean our dear Mr. Turner will have a chance to taste her cooking?” Colin teased.

“Her baking, and yes, come dessert time. Now go put the food on the table!”

Colin chuckled as he complied, leading the trio into the dining room. They placed everything on the table, then went back for more food as the family began to gather.

Eli felt himself getting nervous. Where was Miss Comfort? He edged his way into the foyer and glanced up the staircase, just in time to see his intended and Honoria come out of one of the bedrooms. He heard a funny sound … and realized he had gasped!

And with reason – Miss Comfort was stunning in a pink gown the likes of which he’d never seen before. She looked like a storybook princess. Honoria followed in her Sunday best. The two women were beautiful, and he had a momentary pang of regret at not taking a chance on Harrison and Sadie’s daughter. After all, it would’ve been easy to marry someone he already knew. But he also knew they would never have suited.

“Good evening, Mr. Turner,” his bride greeted him as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Eli gawked. “Good evenin’. Ya, ya look … tarnation! I dunno how to describe ya.”

“Beautiful?” Honoria suggested from behind her, smirking as she so often did.

Eli nodded, still too dumbstruck to talk properly. He couldn’t believe he would be married to this vision soon.

Honoria giggled, shook her head and made her way past them both. Miss Comfort stood on the last step, which put her at eye level with him. “I’m happy to see you again, Mr. Turner,” she said softly.

A shiver ran up his spine and he swallowed hard. “Me too, ma’am. I mean … I’m happy to see ya.”

She smiled. “I understood what you meant. Shall we go into the dining room?”

“Uh-huh,” he said, never taking his eyes off of her.

“Then that means we’ll have to walk there,” she pointed out.

“Oh. Yeah.” He took a step back. “Plumb forgot about that part.”

She smiled as her shoulders shook with silent laughter. Lord help him, but he’d already managed to make a fool of himself, and they hadn’t even sat down to supper yet. He offered her his arm. “May I escort ya in?”

Her smile softened, and she wrapped her arm around his. “Thank you.”

Eli’s heart swelled at the contact. Never had he seen such a beautiful woman. And to think she would his, every last lovely inch. So what if she couldn’t cook or sew or clean yet? At the moment, he didn’t care … though maybe one good bellyache would cure that. He smiled as he set the thought aside and escorted his future bride to dinner.

* * *

T
he meal was quite pleasant
, the food wonderful – especially the bread. At least Eli thought so. If his bride could bake bread this well, what else could she do? He couldn’t wait to find out.

He also couldn’t wait to give Miss Comfort her gifts. Thankfully, the meal was winding down. He planned on having dessert with her on the front porch. It was a nice evening, not too cool, perfect for courting a beautiful lady …

Eli shook himself. Great Scott, he was beginning to sound like Wilfred!

“Is there anything wrong, Mr. Turner?” his vision of loveliness asked.

“Not at all,” he said, his voice cracking. He cleared his throat. “Would you like to have dessert on the porch with me, Miss Comfort?” He caught the quick glance Harrison and Sadie exchanged. “I hope the Cookes won’t mind if I deprive ‘em of your company for a while.”

Belle smiled. “We don’t mind at all. Do we, Colin?”

Colin shook his head. “No, not us.”

Eli smiled. They, of course, knew about the box. Harrison and Sadie, on the other hand, didn’t. He looked at them, his smile frozen in place.

“Well, that would be fine,” Sadie slowly agreed. “We can have our dessert and coffee in the parlor while the two of you … retire to the porch.”

Colin pushed his chair from the table and stood. “Shall we see to dessert, my sweet?”

“Certainly,” Belle said brightly.

Colin grinned at Harrison and Sadie, then followed Belle into the kitchen.

Harrison glanced around the table. “What was that all about?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea.” Sadie gave Eli a quizzical look.

He shrugged innocently. “Miss Comfort, are you ready?”

She daintily wiped her mouth and set her napkin on the table. “Of course.”

Now Harrison was looking suspicious. Eli had to move carefully. He walked around the table and offered his arm to Miss Comfort, who took it with ease. He could get used to this. He escorted her from the room, swung by the chair holding his coat and whisked the box out from under it.