Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel (8 page)

Greta paused and stared into brown eyes framed with thick lashes . . . eyes that looked so familiar somehow. “Are you telling me that the real reason you brought us here in the first place was to help run the store? Funny, yesterday you said Jess needed a wife. Which is it, Zach?” She poked a finger in his chest in agitation. “Maybe I should’ve stayed in Cheyenne.”

Zach opened the door and nearly shoved them onto the sidewalk. “I’ve already told you. He needs a wife. A helpmeet, just like the Bible says. Anything else you can do around here to help out is mightily appreciated,” he said, his lips in a hard line. “I’ll see you two in the morning, and I’ll straighten everything out. All right?”

“We have little choice at this point as I see it, but he’d better have a change in his disposition by morning or you’ll be buying me a train ticket back home. Is that clear?” Greta folded her arms across her chest, trying to keep from saying something she shouldn’t.

“Me too!” Cora chirped.

Zach clamped his mouth shut and nodded in agreement. “Oh, don’t forget—keep the gun loaded tonight.” His face was serious as he hurried back inside, letting the door clatter shut.

Greta was almost certain her entire plan had been a huge mistake. Why in the world had she believed answering an ad could work for her just because it had for Catharine? Especially after Zach had written letters to two brides. She was furious with herself for falling for this mail-order-bride ad. She flounced off toward Mabel’s as Cora fell into step beside her.

7

Jess poured himself a cup of coffee, glad that Zach always kept some on the stove for when they could catch a break, then sat down in his easy chair, which held a view of Main Street below. The rest of the afternoon and evening had been a flurry of activity, and though Zach caught his eye several times, he didn’t mention a word of what had transpired between him and the two women. It was just as well because he had no intention of talking about it further.

How dare those two decide how he wanted things placed! Even now he felt hot under the collar. He was happy with things just as they were. He felt sure the rearranging had all been Greta’s idea. There was no need for that when he knew down to the last nail where supplies were. Zach . . . well . . . that was another thing. He could never find a thing without asking Jess of its whereabouts.

He’d caught sight of the tops of Greta’s and Cora’s shiny heads beneath his window as they’d stood talking with Zach. Whatever was said, neither of them looked pleased. Then he watched as Greta strutted down the walk fast and furious when Zach went back inside. Good! He didn’t care if Greta was angry. It
was
his store. But he couldn’t help noticing the sway of her hips beneath her serviceable work dress and how proudly she held her shoulders. Her braids had all but fallen down her slender back. He wondered how they didn’t give her a headache when bound tightly against her scalp.

Women! Who could begin to understand them? He wasn’t going to waste any more time contemplating them. Yet he’d continued to watch until she and Cora crossed over to Eureka Street, disappearing into the folks on their way home as the sun began to slide behind Bald Mountain. Now a sudden weariness overcame him, and he leaned back to rest his eyes.

Jess took a long, deep breath, trying to see through the thickets, squinting against the sun’s rays. In the bright light, a gold locket flashed brilliantly in view and just as quickly disappeared. Was he hallucinating? If only he could just reach his brother . . . Why wouldn’t his legs move? He extended his arms to pull his brother to safety and thought he was in reach of him just a few feet ahead, but he couldn’t grasp him. He felt himself slipping, slipping, and the image of his brother became fuzzy until it faded away behind the boulders . . .

The door snapped open, and Zach strode in, waking Jess. Sitting up quickly, he ran his hand through his thick hair, smoothing it. “I must’ve dozed off for a moment.”

Zach plopped in the chair opposite him and picked up the half-full mug. “I don’t know how you sleep drinking that awful, thick stuff! Why didn’t you make some up fresh? That pot’s been simmering for a while.” He wrinkled his nose in disgust, then set the cup down. “We need to talk.”

Jess started to rise. “I have nothing I want to say, so if you’ve come to plead the ladies’ case and—”

Zach’s hand stayed him. “Can you hold on just a minute without getting all het up about it?”

Jess breathed deeply. “Okay. Spit it out, little brother.”

“I told them not to return everything as it was. I think they did a great job of sprucing up the place, and that was just one day!” He paused, then continued on when Jess didn’t interrupt. “Be honest with yourself. You’re madder by the fact that they did everything without asking for your approval than what you think the store looks like. Am I right?”

Jess waved his hand, swishing away a fly. What had he thought? Zach was right, but Jess didn’t want to admit it. “Truth is . . . I
guess
it’s an improvement, but I do have my own system and ways I intend to run the store. Now I’ll never find a thing.”

“You couldn’t ever find or keep up with anything in the first place, Jess. This will make it easier on you. In fact, it was one of the two reasons that I placed the ad in the first place.” Zach leaned back in his chair, looking more relaxed now.

Jess shot him a look. “And the other reason?”

“I told you—you need a wife,” he answered calmly. “Someone to look after you, ’cause you’re not doing such a great job yourself. Especially now that . . .” His voice trailed off.

Jess stared back at his brother’s deep brown eyes, which crinkled at the corners when he was serious. “Little brother . . . I know you worry about me, and so does Granny, but I’m really doing okay in that department. My life is busy enough without having to worry about carving out time to give attention to a woman.” Besides, Jess felt no confidence that
any
woman would really want to be married to him. Why would she? He was messy, he lived in clutter, and he couldn’t seem to stay focused long enough to carry out his plans or remember all of his promises to customers.

“Since the women are here, let’s make the best of it. You have to admit, they’re both quite attractive. And on Friday you can get to know them better when we have dinner with Silas and Annabelle.” Zach grinned. “Mmm, mmm, mmm. Annabelle makes the best apple pie around these parts.”

Jess walked over to the kitchen area to place his coffee mug in the sink. “And what about you? We had a bargain that you’d court one of them yourself.”

Zach got up from his chair and whacked his brother on the back. “I haven’t forgotten. But you have to pick first. Which one of them appeals to you more?”

“Neither!”

“Come on now . . . not even the least bit? Cora has those pretty dark eyes, and Greta’s are the color of a Colorado sky—or haven’t you even noticed?”

He shuffled his feet and turned to Zach. “Oh, I’ve noticed them all right. One is timid and mealymouthed who doesn’t know sheep from chickens without someone telling her, and the other one is pushy and thinks she’s just a little lower than God with her gift of knowledge,” Jess said with a snicker.

Zach laughed and shook his head. “You’re being too hard on them. They’re just trying to get your attention. Give ’em both a chance, will ya?”

Jess wanted to change the subject. “Instead of cooking tonight, why don’t we lock up and go have a steak?”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Zach said, grabbing his jacket and following Jess out the door and down the stairs.

“Oh, I forgot to mention, Granny will probably pop in to check the ladies out for herself tomorrow.”

Zach sniffed. “Now why am I not surprised?”

On the way home, Cora had insisted that they stop at Mabel’s. She was certain that Mabel could pack a supper for them to take to the cabin. She was worn out—she’d never pushed and pulled or stacked anything in her life, and her arms were so tired that if she hadn’t been holding the basket of food, she’d let them dangle at her sides.

“Once we have our supper, I plan to wash up and go to bed.” Cora lifted the thick cloth covering the fried chicken and bread. The smells were tantalizing, and her stomach was growling. She wasn’t used to having to find her own lunch, and the small sandwich hadn’t held up. Everything was completely turned upside down for her now, but she had faith that things would eventually improve for her.
If
she could tough it out.

She was beginning to wonder if she could live in the quarters above the mercantile if it came to that. Visions of her parents’ home swam before her, making her heart lurch.

Greta sighed. “That chicken smells heavenly. I’m glad you thought of this. After last night’s episode, maybe we can get a good night’s sleep and feel refreshed by morning. Though I wonder if Jess moved everything back.”

“Hmm. He did seem very insistent about it.” Cora’s smile faded when she glanced over at Greta. “I’m sure he’s quite angry with us, don’t you think?”

“Yes, but he doesn’t know yet that we’ll be an asset to him. He only needs to give it some thought.”

They were nearly to the cabin door, and light was fading quickly as the sun dropped below the Bald Mountain peak. “Perhaps Zach was able to make him change his mind,” Cora said while Greta unlocked the cabin door. “I sure hope so.”

Greta pushed open the timber door, and Cora walked in behind her and placed the basket on the table. Looking around with a critical eye, Cora said, “It’s not Mabel’s homey café, but it’ll do for now, I suppose. I never thought I’d be staying in a miner’s cabin.” Would this be the kind of life she’d be forced into? What would happen if Jess didn’t pick her? She would have to find some type of work. She couldn’t continue to work for Jess if he tossed her over for Greta.

Suddenly her heart squeezed tight in her chest. She couldn’t go home. She couldn’t bear to be humiliated that way. Was she even sure she wanted to be Jess’s wife?

“Me neither, Cora. But any bed looks good to me at this moment. Let’s just wash our hands so we can eat, then get to bed. Then we’ll both go to the outhouse and stand guard for each other.” Greta giggled.

Cora wholeheartedly agreed. Though they were vying for the same man, she hoped they would still be friends. She wanted a good friend, but she needed to be careful until she knew Greta better. People were not always what they seemed.

Zach saw Granny when she drew her wagon to a stop in front of the store. She was no stranger to early rising, and he wasn’t surprised that she was here before the brides had made it in this morning. He put aside the crowbar he was using to open crates so he could assist her. Jess was busy working on the books at his desk in the corner.

“Mornin’, Granny! You’re out and about mighty early. Here, let me help you down,” Zach said as he reached for her hand.

She cocked her head sideways to glance at him and smiled. “I’m always up early, you know that. And I suppose you know why I’m here.” She stepped onto the boardwalk and he released her hand.

Ignoring her last comment, Zach asked, “Did you bring me a slice of pie? Or did Jess eat every last bit?”