As if to answer him, he saw two women walk inside the barn. They came together and looked around the room as if they were looking for someone. The tall one, Adelaide, he thought her name was, looked at him, and smiled.
Not just any smile, but a knowing look that said there you are. Angus was keen to take advantage of the moment and strode over to her. The woman with her had her back to him, and when she turned, they were nearly face to face, and she screamed.
“Oh, I’m sorry, it’s just that your beard was in my face. Your big hairy beard scared me.” She backed up.
Adelaide was laughing. “I’m sorry. That was one of the funniest things I’ve seen. Diane, you looked like you’d seen a bear.”
Diane laughed, although somewhat out of embarrassment. “To tell you the truth, all I saw was bushy hair, and it could have been anything and right in my face.”
Angus figured his face was bright red. So much for keeping the manly bush around his face. “Sorry, Lass. I’ll have to shave it before the next social. I didn’t mean to scare ya.”
She touched his arm. “I’m sorry. It just startled me.”
She was a pretty thing in her yellow dress. One of Angus’ favorite colors and the bright color made her red hair and green eyes stand out.
Then Angus turned to Adelaide. “I take it my beard didn’t scare you?”
“No, it didn’t. My father had a long beard, although it wasn’t as bushy and vibrant as yours.” She smiled at him.
Angus was taken with both of them. The music started up, and he was faced with deciding which one to ask. They both looked as if they wanted to dance with him. He decided he liked the tall one better. She was strong and had dark hair.
“Miss Adelaide, can I have this dance?”
Adelaide curtseyed. “Yes, you may.” She glanced at the one in yellow and then took his hand.
Angus led her to the dance floor, and they danced to the waltz that was playing, for being a tall woman, she was light on her feet. He liked her. There was something about her that made him comfortable. Though, Angus wasn’t entirely sure that was how he should feel around the woman he was to marry.
They went around the floor in silence the first time. Starting the second round, Angus looked in her eyes. They were gray, almost the color of the hills on a foggy day. “You own the dress shop.”
“Yes. I’ve done quite well.” She seemed a little stiff in her speech.
Angus thought to put her at ease. “I picked you out right off. Tall, dark hair, and a pretty dress. And when you smiled at me, I knew you’d be the one I’d dance with.”
Instead of relaxing, she stiffened.
“Adelaide, it’s a pretty name. It means nobility, and I see that in you, especially when you smile.”
“Thank you.” She relaxed a little.
“You don’t mean to be nervous. If it helps, I will shave the beard. It gets too hot in the summer anyway.” He chuckled.
That brought a grin to her face, which softened her austere features. Yes, he could get to like this woman. She wasn’t one of those delicate, pretty ones that he’d be afraid he might break. No, she was as sturdy as his cowhide chairs. Strong in every way.
“What does Angus mean.” She swallowed as if she wasn’t sure if she should talk.
“Aye, it means one or choice. It’s a good strong Scottish name. And you, Adelaide, what is your ancestry? You appear to have Scottish blood.”
“Scottish and Irish. A volatile combination, my father always told me.” She relaxed a bit more.
He twirled her around and pulled her in closer. Yes, he liked this woman. “A strong stock on both sides, I’d say. Although this young country mixes the blood of the world in a great experiment. What is the motto of the United States? E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one. That is where this nation’s great strength comes from. No longer cut off by tribe and heritage, but one great country united by freedom.”
“That was beautifully said.”
“Aye, I surprised you, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did. I didn’t expect you to be a philosopher rancher.” Adelaide laughed.
Angus chuckled. “Out on the vast range, there is no one to talk to and little to do. So, I would take a book with me and read. I have grand conversations with myself and the cattle.”
“I bet you do. I wish I had sat in on some of those.”
The music stopped, and he held onto her hand for several moments. “Would you like a cup of punch?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He led her to the table and had just handed her a cup, when another woman walked inside the barn. Alone, she outshone most of the others. Her hair was long and brown. Her dress a lilac color, and she walked like she knew she was a woman.
Angus hadn’t seen this one around town. He handed Adelaide her cup and excused himself.
Angus sidled up to Bud. “You know who that woman in the lilac color might be?”
Bud turned. “No, and if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. Saw you dancing with Adelaide. You two made a good couple.” Bud set his cup down and rubbed his hands.
“I think I’ll go meet her.” Angus started toward her, and he and Bud were in a footrace to get to her.
Angus got their first. “Hello, welcome to Lone Oak. I don’t think I’ve seen you around town?”
The woman turned just so in a coy way. “That so, truth is I haven’t seen you. I work at Trent’s Store. I’ve been here for maybe a month.” She daintily held out her hand. “Jennifer Grant.”
Angus took her hand, dwarfing it in his big paw. “Angus McDonald. And let me say how glad I am that you are here.”
“Bud Smith. I work the Pollins’ Ranch. Nice to meet you. Looks like the fiddlers are getting ready. Care to give me the next dance?”
Jennifer batted her eyes at Angus and then looked at Bud. “I’d be delighted.”
Angus couldn’t believe how he’d just been treated. Yet, as soon as she finished the dance with Bud, he intended to ask her for the next one.
Chapter 5
Adelaide was heartbroken. Angus had just walked away from her and gone after Jennifer. The traitor. Yes, she knew that finding the one you loved could be a battle. She and Diane had their own, but she hadn’t counted on having to fend off Jennifer.
And the woman didn’t fight fair. Adelaide had seen how she used her wares to secure the attention of Angus and Bud. The two men could barely keep from tripping over her as they followed her to the dance floor.
Angus never gave her another look, he just took Jennifer’s hand and talked with her as if they were a couple. Adelaide felt as if she’d been dumped like a three-legged horse.
“I don’t like her.” Diane came up beside her and handed her a cookie. “Oh, Addy. My body doesn’t move that way. I don’t have a chance to find any man with her around.”
“Surely, men can see through her flirtatious ways. They won’t be so easily duped.”
“Addy, watch her, and now look at them. Bud looks like he’s in heaven, and Angus went down. You know. But he’s waiting for her. He’s not looked at us once since she got a hold of him.” Diane stomped her foot. “It’s not fair.”
Adelaide stared at them. “I agree. It is not. She reeks with the scent and actions of a woman. I don’t think the men in Lone Oak know we are even alive.”
“When you were dancing with Angus, he did. He looked at you as if he really cared.”
“Well, he doesn’t care about me now. We need more mystery grooms.”
Diane nodded and then sat down. She’d just gotten comfortable when she bolted out of her chair. “I don’t believe it. It can’t be.”
“Adelaide looked at her. “What?”
***
Diane patted Addy’s arm and walked across the room. She was sure it was, but she couldn’t believe it could be.
“Jeff? Jeff Worthington?”
The man turned and narrowed his gaze at her before breaking out into a huge smile. He grabbed her and whirled her around. “Diane
Hall. How on earth did you come to be here?”
“I left home because I wanted a family of my own. I work at Adelaide’s Dress Shop and sew for her. I’ve been in Lone Oak for a couple of years.” Diane took Jeff’s hand and led him to the chairs near the wall. “And you, how is it that you are here?”
“Well, you know the war wiped us out. Ma died of not enough food and fever. Pa never got over it, and we lost everything. House burned down, and crops failed. We just drifted like leaves on a fall breeze.
“Pa thought Texas might not be as damaged as Alabama, but it wasn’t any better. I’m ashamed to tell you we became vagrants, begging, and stealing to survive. One town run us out with a load of buckshot, and my brother Abel got hurt.”
Diane patted his hand. “I’m so sorry. But you look wonderful. What happened?”
“We camped out in the woods behind Lone Oak. I ran into town and stole a couple of dollars.” He held up his hand. “I paid it back, but Sheriff Taylor found me. He helped me turn my life around. Gave us money for a doctor and some food. And then he found me a job with Fred Pollins’ Ranch.”
Diane smiled. “You look wonderful. I have wondered about you from time to time. Actually, you’ve never been far from my heart.”
Jeff held her hand. “Mine either, Diane. I never dreamed I’d ever see you again. And I have more good news. I put down on a ranch just the other day.”
“That’s wonderful.” Her heart fluttered. How could she have found the one man she thought she’d loved? This was too amazing to be true. “And your Pa and brother?”
Jeff frowned. “I hate to say it, but they’ve not changed their ways. I keep trying to get them to work. After I get moved into my ranch, I’ll make room for them. I feel I owe it to them.”
“Oh, Jeff. They were always the millstone around your neck. Don’t let them tear you down and cost you your ranch.” She feared for him. His pa and brother never had done a lick of work and were known for their drunken thieving ways.
“I know. I just feel I owe it to them. I’ve been going to church and reading the Bible. Sheriff Kirk opened my eyes to a new way of life. I have to help others. I feel it in my heart.”
“I guess you’re right.” She squeezed his hand. “I just can’t believe after all these years that I find you right here. Do you think it’s Providence? Like we were always meant to be together?” Diane’s eyes opened wide, and she put a hand to her mouth. “Silly me. Are you married?”
Jeff laughed. “No. I think deep down inside, I’ve been saving myself for you all along.” He looked at her. “You’re not married?”
She shook her head. “No. I just never had another man mean anything to me. I’m not sure any could.”
“We’ve known each other since we were three. I remember seeing you at your house when my ma came to do the washing for your ma. We played in the clean sheets and got in trouble because we accidentally tore one down and got it dirty so that my ma had to rewash it.”
Diane laughed. “Yes, and the time we went fishing and climbed on that old raft and were near out to sea before my pa found us and rescued us.”
He frowned. “I could have gotten you hurt or worse that day. Your pa walloped me and told me to stay away. But I couldn’t.”
“No, you couldn’t any more than I could stay away from you.” She put his hand to her cheek. “What happened? Where did you go?”
Jeff’s face took on a sad look. “When we got older, your father threatened me that if I came around you, he’d fire my ma. She was the only one bringing in money, so she told me to go away and learn a trade.”
“And you just left me? I waited nearly all night at the dance, and you never showed up.” Tears blurred her vision as she relived the hurt.
Jeff handed her a handkerchief. “Your pa came after me with a rifle. Told me he’d shoot me if I went near the dance or you. I didn’t have a choice.”
“I guess you didn’t. But here we are now. I can hardly believe it is really you.”
Adelaide came over to them. “Diane, who is this?”
“This is my best friend. We grew up together in Alabama.” Diane stopped because to say any more would have let loose the tears.
Jeff nodded. “I never dreamed I’d find her again. Now that I have, I’m never going to let her go. That is if she agrees.”
Diane sighed. “I do. I feel as if I’ve been waiting for you all my life. Yet, I never believed you would ever cross my path again. After you didn’t show up, and then all the days that I never saw you, I got angry with you. Pa said you’d run off with another gal.”
“I didn’t. You have to believe me.”
“I do. Now. But then I was angry and hurt. I guess that hurt festered the longer you didn’t show up until I believed I didn’t want to see you. But I was so wrong. After all these years.” Diane flung herself at him.
Jeff wrapped his arms around her. “We’ll never be apart from now on.”
Adelaide sat beside Diane. “I’m so happy I could cry.”
Diane sat up and wiped her eyes. “I am crying. Tears of joy.”
Jeff took her hand and knelt before her. “Diane Hall, will you marry me?”
“Yes, I will, Jeff Worthington.”
He stood and pulled her up and kissed her. “I think the fiddlers are playing. May I have this dance?”
Diane nodded. She walked with him to the center of the floor. It was a slow song, and she laid her head against his shoulder. He stroked her hair. “We’ll find a preacher. I don’t want to wait another day.”
She looked up at him. “I don’t either.”
Chapter 6
Adelaide’s feelings were all over the place. Happy for Diane, sad for herself, and angry at Jennifer. Putting the last touches on the dress before her, Adelaide sat back and admired her work. If she didn’t say so herself, she had to admit that she was an excellent seamstress and dressmaker.
Later today, Diane was coming in to begin sewing her wedding dress. Adelaide had wanted to sew it for her and design it, but she just couldn’t get the words out when Diane was here.
Prideful, she knew, but Adelaide couldn’t believe she was the one left alone. Jennifer was sure to take the one mystery groom out of circulation, leaving Adelaide with no one. Yes, she was happy for Diane.
It’s just that it had happened so suddenly. And now, she not only was left alone as the lone spinster of Lone Oak, but she needed to find someone to take Diane’s place. While her friend’s life was falling into place, Adelaide’s was falling apart.
Everything about her felt dull and pointless. She didn’t want to live a life alone. Yes, she knew other women who had and were happy about it, but not Adelaide. Why would she have dreams of children at her knees and a man to cook and love? Yet, that was all they were, dreams.
Adelaide was left with a nightmarish life.
The mystery groom letters had stopped. Not one since the social a week ago. The next dance was the end of this week. That brought little comfort as she pictured herself sitting by the wall eating cookies.
Diane tried her best to cheer her up but to no avail. Adelaide didn’t want to be cheered. She didn’t have any long-lost love to walk into her life as Diane had. And Diane had never told a soul about the man.
With tears in her eyes, Adelaide glanced at the Bible sitting on her shelf. That was her answer. She could ask God to help her. Maybe she should be a nun and devoting herself to helping others. Adelaide shook her head. That was not her.
If God wanted her to be a spinster, then he should have put spinster feelings inside her. She had no desire to take care of another woman’s family. None. She didn’t even like other people’s children.
Oh, not that she disliked them, but she didn’t want to take care of them. Her dreams about her own children were different. She adored them. But where were they, and how could she have them without a husband?
The bell rang as the door opened, and Diane practically skipped into the store. “Oh, Addy. I am so happy.” She
stopped and stared at her. “But you’re not. Don’t give up. Remember all the encouraging talks you gave to me when you thought I was the one to be left alone?”
“Yes, I do. Somehow, they don’t work on me. I’m sorry, Diane. I realize now how shallow my words must have sounded to you in the pain of thinking you’d be left a spinster. The reality of my predicament has set upon me, and I don’t know if I can take it or not.”
Grabbing her by the shoulders, Diane propelled Adelaide to the mirror. “Stop it. And look at yourself. Who wants to marry a sad woman? Smile. Make your eyes shine. Yes, I saw how Jennifer maneuvered herself into getting Angus’ attention. But don’t worry. I don’t believe he will want that woman.”
Adelaide tried to smile, but it looked more like a sneer. “I can’t even smile anymore.”
“Yes, you can. Come on, show me that beautiful smile.”
With a shake of her head, Adelaide turned away. “Diane, you have been such a wonderful friend. I’d like to design and make your wedding dress for you.”
Now, Diane began crying. “Are you sure? I know how hurt you are?”
“Yes, I do. I should have said it immediately, but I was wallowing in my despair. If God is going to find me a man, I am sure it will be when I’m doing something nice for others and not drowning in self-pity. I would love to make your dress, and I have some ideas.”
“I tell you what,” Diane grabbed her pad and pencil. “Let’s go to Heart’s Café and get lunch. You can tell me all about your plans.”
“You’re a good friend, Diane.”
“Friends to the end, right Adelaide. Besides, I don’t want you to miss our Thursday Night Girl’s Club tonight. And if you are still pouty, I know you’ll sit at home like you did last week. We all missed you.”
“Does that Jennifer come to them?”
“She did last week. But she felt bad that you didn’t come and said something about not coming this week.” Diane twirled the pencil around her fingers. “You know, she’s not a happy woman. The things that happened to her while in Dry Springs haunt her. I think we should try and help her.”
A Contest for Christmas Page 3