Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel (14 page)

“Yes.” He spoke so quietly that the snapping of the logs in the grate startled her. “I suppose you’re right. I tried to block it out, but earlier this week I had the dream again. I haven’t for a very long time.”

Anna had never seen a sadder look before. She took their cups and set them on the nightstand, and without a word she pulled him to her bosom. He willingly relaxed against her, allowing her to caress his head and face and kiss his eyelids. He breathed deeply and evenly, closing his eyes as
a small tear trickled out. No words were needed between them. Just the night sounds of a distant carriage passing by with the steady sound of clomping hoofbeats, and the wind’s gentle stirring through the trees outside their bedroom window.

Saturday was always a busy day for Edward’s business, and he was glad that Anna suggested she greet any customers while he handled orders or repairs for his regular clients. He watched her with a close eye and was impressed with her friendliness and how she put customers at ease, even making jewelry suggestions. But he also noticed her plain working clothes were beginning to show wear. He made a mental note to take her shopping at The Denver after he closed his shop today. He’d decided when he woke up this morning that he would begin closing his shop at one o’clock on Saturdays from now on. He had a wife now, and it was very clear to him that he wanted to spend all his free time with Anna. In fact, he didn’t want to let her out of his sight!

In her arms the previous night had been the most secure he’d felt in many years. His way of coping with most things in life was to be pragmatic and try as best as he could to keep things in strict order so he wouldn’t have time to think. His method had always worked for him since he was a child, but Anna’s approach, which at first he’d thought flighty and unorganized, could be another way of enjoying life.

All of this ran through his mind as he adjusted the suspension
on a pendulum for a customer’s mantel clock. Just as he looked up, he saw a young man from the bank hurry in.

“Mr. Parker!” The young man eyed the customers briefly, removing his hat. “Can I have a word with you?”

Anna observed them from across the room, and Edward remembered that he’d forgotten to tell her about the bank vault job. He gave her a weak smile. It wasn’t that he meant to keep it from her, but it had happened at the same time as their spat about the animals.

“Yes, please step into the hallway with me.” Edward motioned him out.

Once they were out of earshot, the young man said, “Mr. Krunk wants you to come to the bank as soon as possible today.”

Edward took his pocket watch from his waistband. “I have another thirty minutes before I can close my shop, but tell him I’ll be there soon after one o’clock.”

“The bank closes at 1 p.m. on Saturdays, but he’ll be there waiting on you—just knock.”

“Thanks for bringing me the message. I’ll show you out.”

After the man left, Edward waited on a wealthy gentleman looking for an anniversary gift for his wife, but he was aware of the quizzical look Anna shot him. After a moment, the gentleman chose a brooch for his wife and Edward rang up the purchase. That left one customer still with Anna, but it wasn’t long before the woman chose black jet earrings with a matching necklace. It had been a profitable morning indeed, and Edward was sure Anna’s presence had boosted the business.

Once the shop was empty, Edward quickly flipped his sign over, pointing to the Monday opening time at 9 a.m., and locked the door.

“Why are you locking up so early, Edward?” Anna asked.

Edward waltzed over and took her arm. “I decided to close
at one on Saturday from now on. I want to spend time with my beautiful wife. Though I might work later hours right before Christmas.”

Anna stared at him in surprise. “That’s wonderful, Edward. So how are we going to spend the afternoon? I was thinking of going to the park and paint—”

“Nope! Not today—maybe Sunday afternoon.” He guided her to the hallway. “We’re going into town and I’ll explain on the way. I’ll go hitch up Cloud while you gather our coats.”

“Ooh, I love surprises!”

“Then scoot,” he said, giving her backside an affectionate slap.

“You’ll pay for that later,” she teased with a twinkle in her blue eyes.

“I sure hope so.” He laughed. He watched her hurry off, then raced to the barn in the bright sunshine and declared to the dogs, “It’s a gorgeous day, don’t you think?”

Moose raised his head from where it rested on his outstretched paws, then promptly settled back down and closed his eyes. Baby barked a happy greeting, following Edward around inside the barn. Edward couldn’t help but admit that he was growing fond of the dogs—all because of Anna.

Fall had crept quietly into Denver this week. Leaves were beginning their gradual change to red, gold, and orange. The brief snow earlier was a thing of the past today as Edward guided Cloud down Main Street to the bank. He told Anna about the new part-time job.

“That’s quite an honor that they trust you enough to monitor the combination for the vault.” She snuggled close to his side, and he loved the feel of his leg touching hers. She looped her arm through the crook of his as he held the reins.

“I admit it was a surprise, but I’ll find this an interesting
side to my normal work. I’m going to drop you off at the Denver Dry Goods, then join you later, if that’s okay. You can look around for some new dresses. I’ll meet you when I’m through, and we can go up to the fifth floor for a late lunch, then finish shopping. Sound like fun?”

“
Ja!
But I really don’t have to have new dresses.”

“But I say you do. You’ve been working hard to please me—now let me have the privilege of pleasing you!”

She smiled up at him while he maneuvered the wagon between the throng of horses, carriages, and pedestrians as well as the streetcar. “You’d better watch out or you’ll spoil me rotten.”

He looked sideways at her. “It might become my favorite pastime, you know.”

“Not to change the subject, but I want to have a dinner party. We can ask all our friends and your sister and her husband, even Patty, Polly, and Sarah. Won’t that be fun?”

He grunted. “It could be, but that’s a lot of people to cook for . . .”

She gave his leg a pat. “Not to worry about that. I intend to ask everyone to bring a dish. Then we would have plenty.”

“Then I say, let’s do it.”

“All right, I’ll plan and invite everyone. We’ll make this a casual, fun time.”

He pulled the carriage to a standstill in front of the massive, red-brick building of the Denver Dry Goods. Helping her down, he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, promising to return within a half hour.

Waldo Krunk’s assistant unlocked the bank door when Edward arrived, then walked him to Waldo’s office where he was pacing the floor, waiting.

“Come in, Edward. Have you met Leonard? He’s the assistant manager for the bank.”

Leonard reached forward and shook Edward’s hand with a firm grip. He was a tough, wiry-looking man but flashed Edward a warm smile.

“Good to meet you. Waldo seems to think you can keep our timer in good shape.”

“I believe that I can. I read over the material you gave me, Waldo.”

Waldo patted him on the shoulder. “Shall we go get started then?” The vault was only a short few steps away, tucked into its own separate small space. “It’s best that we do this setup after hours in order to keep others in the dark about the combination.”

The vault, whose door of reinforced steel and concrete stood wide open, held cash of an undetermined amount as far as Edward could tell. He gave a low whistle. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much money in one place at one time.”

Waldo humphed. “Well, Edward, that’s just the way we’d like to keep it, right, Leonard?”

“Right, boss.”

Edward stepped closer to the vault, examining the mechanism of the combination lock and timer and flipping the dial to see how smoothly it worked. The walls were about a foot thick, he surmised, and the door itself about three and a half feet thick. He was very impressed. The three men decided on the combination, but once that was determined, Edward set the timer. The vault door could only be opened after a set number of hours had passed, when the bank opened the next morning, making it pretty hard for anyone outside of them to open it up after hours.

When they were finished, Waldo shook Edward’s hand. “Appreciate your help keeping this mechanism running correctly,
Edward. It’d be best if you could drop by once a week to check it out for us.”

“I’ll do that, Waldo. I appreciate your confidence in me.”

Waldo turned to Leonard. “You can go on home for the day now, Leonard. Thanks for staying late.”

Leonard nodded. “My pleasure. See you next week, Edward.” He left the two of them alone and headed out.

“How’s that new bride of yours adjusting to life in Denver, Edward?” Waldo asked.

“Funny you mention that, Waldo. It seems she is on a crusade to save orphaned or abused animals.”

Waldo leaned back, giving out a big belly laugh. “Ha! I did tell her that I’d be her first benefactor! She’s got spunk, I’ll give her that.” He reached in his suit pocket and pulled out his checkbook, scribbled out a check, and tore it out. “Here, Edward. Give this to her. I don’t want her badgering me about that ol’ dog that hung around.”

Edward happily took the check and looked at the amount. “My goodness, Waldo. Thank you. She’ll be mighty pleased. Why, she’s already had some cages made in the barn to get started, but she’ll put this to good use, I’m sure.” He folded the check and stuck it in his pocket. “Speaking of Moose, she intends to train him to be a companion of sorts for one of our friends having vision problems.”

“You don’t say? She’s a very bright woman then. I like that. Someone I wouldn’t mind having on my staff, if she decides she’d like to be a clerk and earn some money.”

Edward chuckled. “I hardly think that would interest Anna, but thanks for the offer.”

Waldo and Edward walked out together, and Waldo locked the bank door as Edward climbed back into his carriage to go have lunch with Anna. He hoped she was enjoying her
outing. He’d been extremely pleased that she’d offered to help him in the jewelry shop. Now, he could hardly wait to feast his eyes on her lovely face again.

The time flew past while Anna shopped, delighted by everything she saw in the magnificent store. The store was busy with people out for their weekend shopping. The displays were nice and several things caught her eye. Never one to fuss much with her clothes, Anna preferred clean, simple lines. She finally chose two dresses, one with a matching woolen cape perfect for the colder weather. The other thing she took note of was a set of beautiful Blue Willow dishes. Besides the fact she loved the beautiful blue and white pattern, it held a soft spot in her heart. Maybe in the future she could own a set, but she knew for now that was out of the question.

She had the clerk wrap the dresses for her, charging them to Edward’s account. Surely Edward would be outside waiting on her, she thought. She wished she had a watch, and finally she spotted a clock above the elevator. Two o’clock. Edward should arrive any moment, so she decided to wait near the front of the store and observe the shoppers. As she moved closer to the door, she nearly walked straight into Patty Holbrook, Polly and Sarah behind her.

“Excuse me! Oh, it’s you, Patty.” Anna reached up to steady Patty’s hat, greeting the ladies. “Out for some shopping today?”

“Hello, Anna. So nice to see you again,” Patty answered for the group. “Yes, we thought a bit of fall shopping was in order. And yourself?”

Anna blushed. “Yes, Edward decided that I needed a couple of new frocks. But I’m glad I ran into you. I’m having a
little get-together a week from next Friday at six o’clock and wanted to invite all of you.”

“Oh, we’d love to come! Wouldn’t we, Aunties?” Sarah turned to her aunts for approval.

Polly smiled. “We wouldn’t miss it. What do we need to bring?”

“I was going to ask everyone to bring a covered dish—is that what they call it? That way I can invite all of our friends.”

“Yes, we can do that. Polly is a wonderful cook and Sarah is becoming quite the chef herself.” Patty beamed.

“It’s a good thing then, because I’m still learning to cook, I’m afraid.” Anna giggled slightly.

“But you will learn eventually. Besides, this will be less work for one person.” Polly patted Anna’s arm affectionately.

“Thank you all for your vote of confidence. I see Edward is coming and we’re having lunch, so excuse me.”

“Ahh . . . a little romance in the afternoon, perhaps,” Patty teased and Polly elbowed her.

“Patty, don’t embarrass the young bride,” she reprimanded her sister.

Sarah smiled. “We’ll be looking forward to your dinner party, Anna. Thank you for asking us.”

The older ladies would’ve stood gabbing, but Sarah guided them by the elbow farther into the dry goods store, giving Anna a conspiratorial wink. Anna liked her a lot. But knowing that the aunts had all but handpicked Daniel for their niece, she was worried. Especially now that she knew Callie was interested in him. Hmm, she’d have to put her thinking cap on.

“My, but you look deep in thought,” Edward said, walking up to her. “What’s in that pretty little head of yours?”

She squeezed Edward’s hand as he took her package. “I’ll
tell you at lunch. I just ran into Sarah and her aunts, so I invited them to our dinner.”

“Is that a fact now?” Taking her arm, he steered her in the direction of the elevator. “I’m not sorry I missed them this time. I want our lunch to be just me and you.”

He punched the elevator button. The door opened and the young male operator dressed in a dark suit and a jaunty hat asked them what floor they needed.

“Tearoom, please,” Edward answered.

“Yes, sir. That will be on the fifth floor.” He closed the door. “Coming right up.”