Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel (34 page)

Jess was used to getting a lecture from Granny, and he knew better than to interrupt. When she was through he said, “Then why would she act that way toward me—almost like a stranger?”

“I don’t know,” she said, her voice low. “But I do know you have to find out and fix this before you let Cora continue believing you will marry her.” Granny paused, smoothing down her apron. “I wouldn’t be too sure Cora’s in love with you either. Let the Lord guide you, but don’t use excuses not to speak up. Time’s a-wasting . . . and I’m not getting any younger.”

Jess could hear Cora moving toward the door with the pie and coffee, so he leaned close to Granny and whispered, “Then I have to talk to Zach first. I don’t want to hurt anybody.”

“Then do it, or someone will get hurt,” Granny said.

“I promise I’ll try to straighten all this out soon. Very soon.”

Cora came out carrying Jess’s pie and coffee. “Here you are. Do you think you could drive me to the hotel? I’d like to take the china up to my room before Greta gets there, if you don’t mind.” She leaned against the porch railing as he dug into the warm pie.

“It’s no trouble to do that. When we return, it’ll be time to close the store anyway. We’ve had a slow day today, for some reason.” He wolfed down the rest of the pie and slugged down the hot liquid. “I’m ready if you are. Sorry, Granny, but we have things to do. See you later.” He handed her his plate and gave her a peck on the forehead, making the old lady smile.

He waited for Cora to say goodbye, then he hoisted the box of china and scraps into the back of the wagon. After assisting Cora into the wagon seat, he set off toward Central City again, the cool mountain air descending on them.

Greta completed the dress with the exception of turning the hem. She’d do that after Cora tried it on just to be sure the length was where she wanted it to be. Not knowing when Jess or Cora would be back, she wrapped the dress and grabbed her coat. Caleb said he’d wait until Jess or Zach returned and could lock up—whoever came back first.

As she left, she took time to admire the window dressing and was pleased with it. Several ladies had slowed in their passing to peer in the window earlier, likely surprised because Jess had never taken the time to do any kind of display.

Hurrying down the walk, she planned on waiting until Cora got back to ask if she’d want to have dinner together. When she put her key in the door, it was unlocked and Cora was already there.

“I was hoping you’d come in soon. I had a very busy day with Martha’s children, but they were pleasant enough,” Cora commented from where she lounged in the chair with her feet up.

“That’s good. How is Horace?”

“He turned a corner, and Martha should bring him home tomorrow. They’re such sweet people.”

“And you’re so nice and good to them. What a compassionate heart you have when it comes to others, Cora.” Greta laid her package on the bed and removed her coat. “You look comfortable. These new shoes feel tight after wearing them all day.” She plopped down on the bed and leaned against the headboard to remove her shoes and rub her feet. “Ahh . . . it feels good to sit down for a change.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t off having dinner with Zach,” Cora said.

“I was about to ask you the same thing since I saw you leave again with Jess,” Greta replied.

Cora grinned. “Oh, that. We had something we needed to do.” Then her smile faded and she quirked an eyebrow. “But you seem upset about it.”

Greta rubbed her foot a little harder than she meant to and winced. “No . . .” She eyed her friend. “Anyway, I have something for you.”

“Oh? I like surprises.” Cora sat up with an eager expression.

Greta got up and handed her the package. “It’s not totally finished yet, but I hope you like it.”

“Ooh . . . what is it?” Cora tore the brown paper wrapping off to reveal the gown. “My goodness! How exquisite. Where did you get this?” She stared up at Greta.

“I made it for you. For your ceremony with Jess.” Greta stood waiting for Cora to say something.

Cora looked speechless. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood up. “It’s very beautiful. I can’t believe you made it for me.”

“I thought you’d like it. You’ll look lovely, and I know Jess will agree.”

Cora put her arms around Greta and gave her a tight hug, then stepped back and ran her hand over the gown almost reverently.

“Cora?”

“Hmm?” she answered, holding the dress up to herself in front of the mirror. Somehow her countenance didn’t seem to fit a bride-to-be.

“I . . . I need to confess something to you. I love you and I hope you feel the same about me. I’m sorry about how I’ve acted lately toward you and Jess, but the truth is I’ve found myself caring deeply for the man
you
are to marry, and not the one who’s promised to marry me . . . and I’m sorry. I actually thought he felt the same, but I was wrong. I think once you and Jess are married, I’ll go back to Cheyenne. But I must admit my confusion, since I saw you kissing Zach before I twisted my ankle.”

There! She had finally been honest with her friend.

Cora whirled around, a confused look on her face. “You’ll do no such thing! What do you mean you care for Jess? I thought you were in love with Zach!”

“I only wish I was, but since I’m not, I’ll get out of the picture so you and Jess can have a happy life—or you and Zach. Which is it to be?” Greta felt heat rising to her face.

Cora started to giggle and put the dress on the bed. “You think I’m in love with Jess?” She turned back to face her.

“Why are you laughing?” Greta thought it was heartless for Cora to be laughing at her admissions. She reached down to get her shoes to leave. She wouldn’t stand here and be laughed at.

Cora grabbed her hand. “Listen to me. I’m laughing with joy!”

“Well, good! I’m glad Jess
and
Zach make you that happy! Now let go of my hand!”

“You misunderstand, Greta. I’m
not
in love with Jess. The truth is I love Zach and he loves me!” She beamed.

“What? But Zach hasn’t said a word to me! And I saw you and Jess kissing at the mercantile, and his arms were around you.” Greta thought she must be dreaming. No wonder Zach hadn’t shown any interest in her since that night at Annabelle’s.

“I’m sorry, Greta, but you misinterpreted what you saw. Jess was doing me a favor, so I gave him a hug and a kiss, but he didn’t kiss me. It was I who kissed him. Nothing more.”

“But you’ve been spending time together and taking off in the afternoons.”

Cora walked over to the closet and dragged a box out. “I was going to wrap this, but maybe it will explain things. Go ahead and look inside. It was to be your wedding present.”

Greta dropped her shoes on the floor and frowned, then knelt down and opened the box, peering inside. There was a lot of wrapping, so she lifted some of the tissue off. To her delight, she saw a Blue Willow dish. “Don’t tell me that’s what’s in this box!” She dug around and found more of the same. “Oh my! I really don’t know what to say or how to thank you.
Dank U wel!
Thank you!”

“You just thanked me with that beautiful gift of a wedding gown . . . and the truth about you and Zach. And I love you like a sister too. The Blue Willow dishes belonged to Zach and Jess’s mother, and Jess was kind enough to take me to Granny’s to search the attic for them.”

“I’ll cherish them.” Greta rose and looked at her friend. “But I don’t really understand. How do we know this but Jess and Zach haven’t said anything to each other? Were they planning on marrying someone they didn’t love?”

“My guess is they didn’t want to hurt each other or us by loving the opposite mail-order bride.” Cora shook her head. “I think it’s best if we let them work this out in their own way. It’s not our problem. Think about what we went through—both of us arriving as mail-order brides for one man, letters that weren’t written by Jess, a musty old miner’s cabin, a bear, and Agnes! Don’t worry, the truth will come out. And I hope to wear this dress on my wedding day to marry Zach.”

Greta bit her lip. “I’m not sure about Jess. I haven’t heard him say the three little words yet . . .”

“I have no doubt you will. Give him a little time.” Cora took her elbow. “How about we go look for some supper? I’m starving.”

Greta smiled back at her friend. “Wonderful idea. But will you tell me one thing?”

“What’s that?”

“What do you really think is going on in
their
minds about all of this?”

Cora thought a moment. “Well, I once heard someone say, ‘A mail-order marriage is trickier ’n braidin’ a mule’s tail!’”

Greta and Cora laughed heartily as they left in search of a good, hot meal.

33

Autumn winds continued throughout the next week, bringing with them brisk temperatures, which were eventually kept at bay by the brilliant Colorado sun. It would be a great day for Agnes’s barbecue, and nearly everyone in town would be attending. Greta peered out the window to the busy Main Street below. She knew the day would warm up, then cool down again when the sun dropped below the mountain peaks.

She decided on a rose-colored dress that would pick up the hint of pink in the blue-trimmed sunbonnet. The scooped neckline showed her collarbone and bosom to advantage. The bodice had deep velvet inserts of fallow tightly fitted at the waist, with the skirt falling in lush folds down to the top of her shoes.

She should hurry. Jess and Zach would drop by and pick up her and Cora in the covered buggy in case the sudden drop in temperatures proved to be too much for the ladies.

“I’m about ready to go downstairs to wait for Jess and the others,” Cora said, pausing long enough to pat a curl into place. She looked at Greta’s outfit. “Your new sunbonnet is quite fetching, Greta, and that brim will shade your delicate complexion. Are you about finished dressing?”

“As finished as I’ll ever be.” Greta giggled. “You look gorgeous in that shade of green, Cora.” Greta admired Cora’s skin and dark hair against the hue of her green dress dotted with tiny peach flowers. Cora was indeed a striking woman. Smiling at her friend, Greta said, “Ready to go?”

“I appreciate the compliment coming from a woman as pretty as yourself, but this dress pales in comparison to the beautiful wedding dress you made for me. My heart is so full, I think it might burst.” Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke.

Greta squeezed her arm. “Now don’t go crying and making your eyes puffy before we get to the party. You don’t want to be all red-eyed, do you?”

Cora sniffed. “No, I don’t. I didn’t mean to start blubbering,” she said, then blew her nose. “Don’t forget your coat. It might be cold on the ride back.” Cora handed Greta her coat, then turned to lock their room door.

By the time they arrived downstairs, Caleb was waiting on them in the foyer, wearing a nice pair of jeans and a plaid shirt. “Jess and Zach are out front waiting. You ladies look nice.” He twirled his hat in his hands.

“And so do you, Caleb. New clothes, I take it?” Greta asked.

Caleb bowed. “Yes, ma’am—courtesy of Jess and Zach. They said I need to make a good impression on the ladies.” He chortled.

“You’ve impressed me, and I’ll bet the young girls will swoon!” Cora teased.

Caleb stood straighter and seemed to puff out his chest with the compliment. He started toward the door and held it open for them as they walked to the waiting buggy.

The wind tore at their skirts, and Greta had to hold on to her sunbonnet to keep it from flying off, even though it was tied securely under her chin.

Caleb hurried them into the buggy, then took a seat up front to drive the team. Jess and Zach sat across from them like two stiff toy soldiers, but they managed a hello and a nod. Greta thought they looked more than grumpy. Maybe they’d had their chat about the brides. If so, it didn’t bode well.

“What a chill we have going on today—and it’s a trifle windy,” Greta said, trying to make small talk. Jess had actually shaved and looked handsome in his stiff white shirt, string tie, dark trousers, and matching coat. Zach looked nice too but was not his usual charming self.

Zach gave her a dull look and said, “In no time, the leaves will be a brilliant orange and red, then watch out for the blast of cold.” He looked away at the traffic in the street with seemingly great interest.

Cora caught Greta’s eye and pursed her lips, giving her a confused look, then nodded in the direction of the brothers. Greta shrugged.

“Jess, I must tell you that Greta made me a lovely gown to wear at our wedding ceremony,” Cora said, baiting him.

Greta waited, but all he said rather thickly was, “That’s nice.” He squirmed in his seat with his arms crossed.

Zach jerked around and stared at Cora, who ignored his glum gaze.

“And I want to thank the two of you, Jess and Cora, for being so thoughtful of the Blue Willow dishes for mine and Zach’s wedding present. It makes me very happy to know that I’ll be feeding our children from the same plates that you and Zach were raised on.” Greta nearly choked on her words, but she kept her voice steady despite not knowing whether Jess loved her enough to marry her. She’d try to let it play out as Cora suggested, but it was hard.