Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel (15 page)

Zach returned from his morning ablutions, washed his hands, and grabbed the plates. He plunked them on the table while Caleb filled the coffee cups. “There’s a half loaf of bread in the pantry there, Caleb, if you’ll get it.”

After scraping the eggs onto their plates, Jess set the skillet back on the stove, and they all took a seat at the worn table. He gave thanks for the meal, but before he finished, Caleb dug his fork into the eggs.

“Whoa, son. At this table we always wait to eat until after grace is said.” Jess tapped him on the arm with his fork.

“Uh, sorry.” Caleb put his fork down.

Jess humphed. “You can go ahead now. I’ve finished. But just remember next time to mind your manners while you’re here.” Jess motioned for him to eat.

The men ate in silence with the sounds of wagons rumbling past, the puppy barking downstairs, and the driving rain hitting the windows in the background. “We’re gonna have to feed that little puppy some table scraps when we’re through.” Jess watched the young man wolf down the breakfast, saying little.

Zach devoured his breakfast and took a swig of coffee. “Caleb, we have a freight order that should arrive this morning. You can come with me and help me unload it from the train to our wagon.” He glanced at Jess. “If that works for you, Jess.”

Caleb nodded, scraping up the last of his eggs.

“Good idea. Then he can help uncrate the supplies. What’s on this shipment?” Jess should know, but sometimes he forgot what he’d ordered from week to week. He hated details, and it seemed that Zach hadn’t minded handling much of the ordering or working for the store . . . until he’d admitted the truth after Greta and Cora arrived.

“Let’s see . . . lard, salt, flour, coffee, rice, sugar, molasses, vinegar, kerosene, and engine oil, mostly. I think Greta mentioned she’d like to add a couple of items on the next order.”

“Is that so? I’m not surprised. Maybe I should let her do inventory next time. She’d be better at keeping track of everything and seems to like taking charge. She’ll make you a good wife, Zach.” Jess swallowed the last sip of coffee, trying hard to mean what he’d just said.

“We’ll see. No need to rush into things.”

“Since you did all the letter writin’, I assume you know her and Cora better than anyone.”

Zach smiled. “Maybe. Letter writin’ is one thing, but actually meeting face-to-face puts a different slant on things.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jess asked while shoving back his chair. He started clearing the dishes.

Zach shrugged, then got up and reached for his coat and jacket. “I’ll have to get to know Greta better in order to find out what she’s really like.” He looked at Caleb. “Are you ’bout done there, boy? The train arrives at 8:15 sharp.”

“Yes, sir.” Caleb stood and began to move away from the table, but he came back to retrieve his dirty plate and carry it to the sink.

“Boy howdy! You’re making progress already.” Zach clapped Caleb’s back as he met him at the door.

“But as usual I get stuck with the dishes,” Jess grumbled.

“Just put some hot water over them and we’ll get ’em tonight. It’s almost time to open the store, and the ladies will be here momentarily.”

“Wait a minute, Caleb, and you can take these scraps to the dog. When he’s done eating, let him out back before you two traipse off to the train station.” Jess shoved a small bowl into Caleb’s hands. “I’ll be down as soon as I get the dishes soaking.”

Greta hurried to the store door with Cora following behind her as a gust of wind ushered them inside, flinging the door against the wall. She tried to catch it, but the latch wouldn’t hold. She must see to getting that repaired today. Feeling like a drowned rat, she looked about for something to hold the door closed. Where were Jess and Zach?

Cora closed the shared umbrella while it dripped in puddles around their feet. “Over there, Greta. A spittoon will work nicely.” Cora indicated with the point of the umbrella while holding the door with her foot.

Greta pushed back the dripping lengths of her hair that had escaped her braids and propped the door with the spittoon, leaving it slightly ajar. It was doubtful many customers would brave the weather today. She straightened and looked at Cora’s wet skirt, then at her own. “We’re a sight for sore eyes,” she said with a giggle.

“Right you are, but we will most likely dry out before anyone shows up today in this awful weather. Why, that howling wind kept me up most of the night!”

“At least we were in a nice hotel with its own restaurant and only a short walk to the store. Just think how wet we would’ve been if we’d had to walk from Jeb’s cabin. But let’s go find something to dry off with.”

Greta turned when she heard Jess coming down the stairs. “Good morning. I see you met the rain coming to work. Let me grab a towel for you.” He turned back to the storeroom and returned with a towel for each of them.

“I like rain, but not particularly to walk in it,” Cora commented, taking the towel from him.

Jess folded his arms, observing them closely as they toweled off. Greta felt his probing eyes on her and asked, “Where’s the puppy?” She looked around the room.

“He’s got his tummy full, and he’s fast asleep in the corner by the stove.” Jess took their wet capes and draped them over a crate in front of the stove.

“He really should have a name. Don’t you think?” She blotted her hair and face, giving Jess a brief glance. He hadn’t taken time to shave this morning. She felt his deep-set brown eyes sweep over her, and they locked eyes briefly.

“Absolutely! So have you an idea?” Cora patted her curls back into place, donned an apron, and handed another one to Greta.

Greta walked over to the stove and bent down. “How about Rascal?” she said, kneeling down to pat him on the head as he slept.

“I like it.” Cora looked down at the pup. “It suits him. Don’t you think, Jess?”

Jess strolled over. “Could be. I’ve never really had a dog in the store, but since he tried to warn us of the robber, if no one claims him, I could keep him as a watchdog.”

Greta’s heart warmed at the thought that he would consider keeping Rascal. She stood, turning toward him. “That’s sweet of you. I’ll print a sign to hang in the window to see if anyone is missing him.”

Jess chuckled. “I rather doubt they will be. Dogs commonly roam the streets of town, either abandoned or left behind when someone moves on.”

“All the better for us then. Now, what’s on our agenda today?”

Jess looped a thumb in his jeans pocket. “Zach and Caleb are at the freight station picking up our order, but in this rain it’ll take awhile. When they return, we’ll have a lot of new supplies to shelve. Business will be rather slow, I expect.”

“Good! A slow day won’t be such a bad thing.” Cora hooked her arm through Jess’s.

Greta watched them stroll away, a strange tug in her chest as she remembered how Jess’s eyes had drilled into hers. Her mind kept going back to his kiss, however misplaced it had been. She compared the kiss to Zach’s and found Zach’s lacking. Though his was sweet, Jess’s unexpected kiss on her cheek had somehow touched her heart. She couldn’t deny the way it made her feel and admitted that every time she was around him, something about him drew her. Of course, she could never tell Cora. It was obvious they were a perfect match.

“Jess!” Greta called out. “Do you think you could fix the latch plate on the front door? I’ve got it propped shut for now, but the wind is strong and the latch doesn’t line up with the door.”

Jess turned around, and Cora let her arm drop from his. “I’ll give it a try, but I might have to order a new lock. This one’s old.” He ambled to the door to examine the latch. “I’ll get my tools and see if I can fix it temporarily to suit your nagging.” His lips twitched with a smile. “I’ve been meaning to do it, just never got around to it.”

“That and a lot of other things,” Greta said with a wink to Cora, but Cora’s look was solemn.

14

The rainy day kept people indoors, but Greta was relieved. When Caleb and Zach returned with a wagonload of supplies, everyone pitched in to help. She held a tablet with orders and checked off everything on the list for inventory. She was quite pleased that Jess had asked for her help in that area. The busyness kept the day from dragging along.

“Caleb, put the kerosene next to the lanterns on the shelf to the left,” Cora instructed. “How many containers are there?”

“I counted thirty, ma’am,” he answered, barely pausing long enough to speak.

Greta noted the amount and watched as Jess and Zach continued bringing in other supplies. “This place will be bursting at the seams soon. Cora, we’ll have to make certain every square inch is utilized,” she said, tapping the pencil against her tablet.

Greta watched from the open door as Zach heaved a barrel labeled S
ALT
with ease, carried it up the steps and inside, then plunked it down. He strode over to her, touching the tip of her nose with his finger. “You look charming when you’re working intently.”

Greta felt heat flood her cheeks. “Thank you,” she murmured but was saved from saying anything else as Cora walked up.

“Don’t forget, ladies, tonight we’ll have supper with Annabelle and Silas. You’ll have a home-cooked meal for a change, and Annabelle is an excellent cook,” Zach said, still keeping his eyes on Greta.

“Looks like the rain is over. Maybe it’ll be a nice evening, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the Meads.” Cora handed Greta the bill of lading to check off once everything was unloaded.

“Let’s stop for coffee,” Zach suggested, and Greta was more than happy to enjoy a break. Her feet were aching from standing so much. A different pair of shoes might be needed for this job since she and Cora were on their feet all day. She began to daydream about sitting down to sew the dress for Agnes.

———

“I’ll go fetch Caleb.” Cora glanced around, spying him between the aisles of canned goods and household supplies. She wandered toward him but hesitated, watching him for a moment. Caleb was turned away from her, but there was no mistaking that he wanted the pearl-handled pocketknife he fingered. He looked from side to side to see if anyone was watching as he put it into his trouser pocket.

“You want to take that, don’t you? Is that the only way you know how to acquire something?” Cora whispered, stopping next to him.

Startled, Caleb jerked around and froze. His face spoke of youthful innocence, but his eyes told a different story. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand. “Ma’am, I’ve had to steal just to have food in my belly. Now that you caught me, I reckon I’ll just slip out.” He sighed and lowered his eyes.

“Hand it to me, please.” For a moment he made no move, then he placed the knife in her outstretched palm. She put it in her apron pocket. “Thank you. Now come join us for a coffee break,” she said in what she hoped was her most confident voice.

His brows furrowed. “Why would you do that for me?” he choked out.

“I’m giving you a chance to set things right because that’s what Christ would do. Now, come along so we can finish up around here.”

The light in his eyes was confirmation enough that she’d just made another friend.

———

Jess strolled up to the counter where Greta was setting out the cups and waited for Zach to return with the coffee. “You ladies have worked hard today. The rain’s about cleared out, and we’ll close up soon and ride on over to Silas’s for supper.”

“Are we ’bout done with the unloadin’?” Caleb shuffled his feet wearily.

“Not much left on the wagon,” Jess said. “Zach thinks we’re in need of a coffee break. I have to agree. How ’bout you?”

Caleb shrugged. “Naw, I’m not much on drinking coffee. My ma couldn’t make a decent pot.”

Jess chuckled. “Well, you need to give Zach’s a try,” he said, clapping him on the back. “He makes a perfect cup and will win you over.”

Caleb lifted a shoulder. “I guess I will then.”

Zach traipsed down the stairs with the coffeepot in one hand and cookies in the other. “I brought some of Granny’s sugar cookies to tide us over until supper with Annabelle and Silas.” Zach glanced over at Caleb. “You’re welcome to come along. Annabelle opens her home to everyone she meets.” Zach strolled over to stand next to Greta.

“I don’t know . . .” Caleb took the proffered cup from Zach, blowing on it gently before taking a sip.

“Annabelle must be a special lady. I think you should come with us, Caleb. Where were you raised, if you don’t mind me asking?” Cora held out a cookie to him.

Jess’s ears perked up as he peered over his coffee cup at Caleb, waiting for his answer.

“My father has a dairy farm in Montrose, southwest of here,” he answered, looking down into his cup.

“So why did you leave your family’s farm?” Greta asked.

Jess chewed his bottom lip, annoyed that once again Greta had cut right to the heart of the matter without intending to be nosy. What was it about her that drew him? The sparkle in her eyes or the quirky way she lifted an eyebrow to nearly everything she questioned? He should be concentrating on Cora, who was a nice lady with a sweet temperament and always considerate with others. It was clear that Zach was enamored of Greta, which was entirely different than what Jess knew his brother had intended.