Cindy hugged Mina’s shoulder and led her to the stairs. “You couldn’t so don’t worry about embarrassing us. That’s just ridiculous. Act yourself and everyone will love you as much as I do.”
Mina was surprised to learn Cindy had asked a woman to come in and stay with the children. “Have you had someone in to care for the twins previously when you entertained?”
“We’ve tried both ways. When we let them attend the party they get so keyed up they get cranky and then can’t settle down for sleep. This works much better for their benefit and allows Bert and me time to enjoy our guests.”
By this time they were downstairs and Bert waited for them.
He winked at Mina. “I’m careful not to seem cranky for fear she’ll send me to our room and I’ll miss the party.”
Cindy laughed and took her husband’s hand. “As if I could, dear heart. Oh, there’s the doorbell.”
While Cindy and Bert answered the door, Mina searched for Mrs. Brown. She found the housekeeper setting a tray of sweets on the dining room table.
“May I help you, Mrs. Brown?”
The housekeeper smiled. “Your job is to enjoy yourself. The Kennedys are such a lovely couple. They pay me extra for these occasions. I have my system that seems to work well.”
“You deserve extra for all these treats. Doesn’t the table look festive?” She had helped Cindy with decorations earlier in the day. Seeing them now with the food and punchbowl made her realize even more what a gifted hostess Cindy had become.
“Mrs. Kennedy always provides a stunning table. You’re sure to enjoy the evening.” She bustled back to the kitchen.
People flowed into the house. The large parlor had been rearranged for dancing. The musicians set up beside the piano. Two were violinists and a third was a banjo player. A distinguished looking man sat at the piano. Smiling to herself, Mina supposed here in the west the violins were called fiddles.
Once the music began, Mina was swept into each dance. She was impressed by the surveyor and the bank teller, each of whom was single and very attentive. Austin watched her but didn’t ask her to dance. What was wrong that he acted as if he was studying her?
Toward the end of the evening, Cindy was replenishing refreshments. “Mina, would you go find Bert and tell him I need his help?”
“Is there something I could do?”
“No, I need him here and can’t imagine where he’s hidden. Check his office last.”
Mina smiled and nodded to people she’d met tonight. She couldn’t find Bert so she made her way to his office. He and Austin Wright were deep in conversation.
“I beg your pardon for interrupting, Bert, but Cindy asked me to find you and tell you she needs your help with something.”
“Of course, thank you, Mina. I’ll talk to you more later, Austin.” He hurried from the room.
She turned to rejoin the party.
Austin called, “Miss Stapleton, may I have a word with you?”
She reversed so she faced him. “Certainly.” His request piqued her curiosity.
“Miss Stapleton… Miss Stapleton….” His face went so pale she feared he was about to pass out.
“Are you all right? Is something wrong?”
He shook his head. “Not with you… Might as well just get it out.” He took a deep breath. “I would be honored if you would marry me.”
“Marry you? I thought you disliked me.”
He blinked and appeared puzzled. “Why would you think that?”
“The day I arrived you were sarcastic about my luggage and then you just stared at me as if you disapproved.”
His lips formed a grim line and he rubbed the back of his neck. He paced as he said, “I’m not good at making jokes and casual conversation. I tried to make a funny remark but you thought it was sarcasm. I didn’t mean to stare at you but… well, I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. Guess I was mesmerized.”
Touched by his admission, she offered a smile. “I’m glad you explained.”
He stopped in front of her and met her gaze. “Do I need to explain my proposal?”
Her smile widened. “I understand that. Would you tell me what you expect from your wife?”
“That you—
“That you—she’d be my partner for life. We’d have children or adopt if she can’t have them. We’d live on my ranch about a half hour from town. My house isn’t as impressive as this one, but it’s sturdy and has room enough for a family.” He raked a hand through his dark hair. “Reckon I should ask what you’re looking for in a husband.”
“I want a husband who would treat me as his partner and not just as his cook and housekeeper and brood mare.” She felt heat flush her face. “I guess that’s not polite of me to say in mixed company, but I’m aware some women are treated like that.”
“I’m aware of that fact. My wife will be a treasured partner.” His blue eyes revealed his distress. He hesitated then cupped her head with a large hand. “You see I’m not good with fancy words. That doesn’t mean I don’t have soft feelings for you.”
She was sincerely touched by his words. On the verge of happy tears, she rested her hands on his broad chest. “In that case, I accept your proposal, Austin.”
He exhaled as if he’d been holding his breath and his face split in a wide grin. “That makes me real happy. Right now, I’d like to kiss you.”
“I’d like that.”
Gently, he embraced her and looked into her eyes before he pressed his lips to hers. He tightened his embrace and deepened the kiss. When she thought her legs would turn to rubber and she’d melt into a puddle on the floor, he raised his head. His breath was ragged and she was shocked at the need in his eyes.
He swallowed. “How soon can we have the wedding?”
A mischievous imp caused her to ask, “How soon do you want to lug my heavy trunks again?”
He chuckled. “I’d be willing to carry them tonight but I reckon you women will want a little while to plan a wedding. How about tomorrow afternoon?”
“Can you stay a little while at the end of the party so we can talk to Cindy and Bert? Since they’re my hosts I think I should consult them.”
“I can. Bert’s a good friend. How big a shindig do you want?”
“I’d like Cindy and Bert there. Do you have family who could attend?”
“No, but the men who work for me might want to come.”
“Perhaps we could have the ceremony in the church. Cindy said there’s a nice community church at the edge of town. There’d be room for your ranch hands and anyone else you want to invite.”
“Wherever you wish.” He frowned and shifted, causing Mina to be afraid she’d said something wrong. “Mina, I’d better warn you Bert is doing some legal work for me. A couple of men plan to mine for gold up the mountain from my ranch. The chemicals they’d use would get into the water and kill my cattle and that of other ranchers and the wildlife. I’m taking whatever official action I can to stop them.”
“That’s a terrible predicament for you. I didn’t know there was gold in this area.”
He grimaced and slashed the air with his hand. “If you gathered every speck of gold in the county you wouldn’t have enough to pay for a sack of penny candy. I haven’t been able to convince the two miners so I’ve hired Bert to search for a legal way to block their plan.”
“I’m sorry you have to deal with a problem that sounds like a dangerous situation.”
“It could turn into one. I wouldn’t feel right if you weren’t warned before you married me. Not that I think you’d be in danger, but you said you want to be treated like a partner.”
She laid her hand on his arm. “I do want us to share everything. This doesn’t change my decision but I appreciate you telling me. I guess problems crop up with any occupation.”
“This one sure caught me by surprise.”
“With you knowing the futility of mining in this area I can see where it would. I hope Bert finds a solution for you.”
/> He leaned his hips against Bert’s desk. “If the law can supply one, I know he can find it. Meanwhile, I’m sweatin’ bullets.”
She grinned. “I suppose that’s a Texas term.”
“Reckon it’s an American term. My papa said it, every man I know says it. They probably say it in Delaware.”
She stood beside him and leaned against the desk as he was. “I admit I’ve had limited education in the way men speak. My father was somewhat old-fashioned and thought women were weak-brained. My mother let him think that while she worked around him to get what she wanted. My sister—her name is Lily—and I decided that was not the kind of marriage we wanted.”
“I’m glad. Cindy said your parents passed on.”
“Their dying was terrible, but they went together. I was still in school. The first thing Lily did was enroll in the local women’s institute. I followed three years later. I guess it was a pretty mediocre college but we could live at home and attend.”
“But no men students were allowed?”
She shook her head. “We each graduated at the top of our class, not that it did us any good. There were still no jobs for either of us. Our father had saved like a miser so we had enough to live on for a few years if we were careful, which we were.”
“Didn’t you do anything for fun?”
She nudged him with her elbow. “Of course we had a lot of fun times with each other and with friends. First, we planned on the money lasting us for ten years. We divided it, then figured what we spent on groceries, taxes, and such. We put aside for emergencies and then we gave ourselves an allowance. That’s how we bought new clothes and went to the soda shop with friends, that sort of thing.”
“You know, your father should have realized how smart you were. Not many would have been so methodical and planned ahead.”
Chapter Five
Mina looked into Austin’s eyes. “We had to plan carefully, Austin. Cindy and her parents were the only family we had left. We couldn’t expect them to help us when Papa had left us money. We didn’t have a lot of cash but we never wanted for anything important.”
“Your sister married, didn’t she?”
“Yes, she did. Will was hired at the bank and came from another town. First eligible bachelor in town for years. Once she saw him she fell head over heels, but so did a dozen others. Apparently he felt the same way about her, though. They married and he moved in. They took our parents’ former bedroom. Then their children started arriving and the kids shared her former bedroom.”
“This Will’s family live nearby?”
“They do and visit regularly. After the babies arrived I always let his parents use my room for their visits. They’re likely where Will got the money to pay my fare here.”
“Then I’m indebted to them. As you guessed from the attention you received at the party, unmarried women are as scarce here as men are in the Delaware town where you lived.”
Guilt gnawed at her until she had to confess. “You know that’s why I came here, don’t you? It’s true Cindy invited me. But, I want to be married with my own husband and home and children. That’s why I came even though it was frightening to leave everything I know and my only sister.”
He smiled and caressed her cheek. “Bert told me before you arrived. He said something about a newspaper article but I didn’t understand.”
“There’s an advice column called Yours Truly: The Lovelorn. People send a letter to the person who writes it with questions and the columnist answers. Somehow Cindy saw the column. The one she mailed me sounded as if I had written it and was even from someone in Delaware. The advice given was to change circumstances.”
“That’s not all that helpful. Didn’t it say how?”
“Well, yes, first it said make a list of possibilities.” With a flick of her wrist she gave a dismissive wave. “Heavens, I’d made a list like that years ago and nothing had changed since then. Next it said to visit a friend or relative in a different location. So, I gratefully accepted Cindy’s invitation.”
Cindy and Bert appeared at the office door.
Cindy said, “So this is where you two disappeared.”
Bert grinned and folded his arms across his chest. “Should I get my shotgun to defend Mina’s honor?”
Mina gasped. “Bert Kennedy, no, you certainly should not! I have not been dishonored in any way. In fact, quite the opposite.”
Austin put his arm around Mina’s shoulders. “You’ll be the first to know Mina has consented to become my wife.”
Cindy squealed and hugged Mina then kissed Austin on the cheek. Bert shook Austin’s hand and kissed Mina on the cheek.
When the congratulations were over, Austin took Mina’s hand but looked at Bert and Cindy. “We want to be married in the church real soon but thought we should check with you before we set a date.”
Cindy asked, “How soon?”
Austin looked at Mina. “Can’t be too soon for me.”
Bert faced his wife. “They could wed Sunday afternoon if the preacher is available.”
Austin asked, “That all right with you, Mina?”
“That would be fine if you’re up to lugging trunks.” She grinned at him. Somehow she couldn’t stop smiling.
Cindy had tears in her eyes when she looked at Mina. “I thought I’d get to have you stay here longer.”
Austin backed up a step. “Aw, now don’t cry, Cindy. The ranch is only a half hour away. Mina can come see you frequently and you and the twins can come to the ranch over and over again. It’s not like you won’t still see each other.”
“I guess not.” She sniffed and looked at Mina. “I always wished you were my sister, Mina, and I planned on having you here all to myself while Bert’s at work.”
Even her cousin’s tears couldn’t stop her joy at being engaged. She hugged Cindy. “We’ll see one another regularly and we’re already like sisters.” She wanted to say that their children would play together but she was afraid she’d blush.
Austin smiled. “I’ll see the preacher tomorrow and arrange the ceremony.”
Mina glanced at her cousin then at her fiancé. “Unless you planned on coming to town anyway, I can arrange it. Perhaps Cindy would go with me.”
Austin rubbed at his neck. “Why don’t you and I go see him together, Mina?”
She smiled at him. “I’d like that.”
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Reckon I’ll see you in the morning around nine.” He kissed her cheek. “Good night.”
Bert walked him to the door. “You’re welcome to spend the night here and save a trip.”
“Thanks but Spuds would think I’d met with an accident and have the hands out looking for me.”
Mina and Cindy trailed behind the two men.
After Austin had gone and Bert had locked the door, the three of them turned toward the stairs.
Bert chuckled and put his arm around Cindy’s waist. “Well, darlin’, I’d say your party for Mina was a success. Don’t be sad you did such a fine job as matchmaker.”
Mina hated her cousin was disappointed. “I appreciate so much all you’ve done for me, Cindy. No wonder you’re my favorite cousin.”
Cindy glanced over her shoulder. “Ha ha, I’m your only cousin. I can’t help wishing we’d had more time together. I’m glad Austin spoke up, though. I was afraid he’d hesitate and you’d accept someone else before he proposed.”
“Was he the one you wanted me to marry?”
“Yes, I thought you two would like one another. He’s a good friend of Bert’s and he seems to be kind and responsible. If he’s not, I’ll take a shotgun after him.”
Bert escorted his wife up the stairs. “She means it.”
Mina couldn’t keep from being skeptical. “Cindy, I didn’t know you even knew how to fire a gun.”
“Everyone needs to out here. I’m sure Austin will teach you. Bert taught me to shoot his shotgun and a revolver.”
They reached the door to her room. �
�I feel as though I’m sleepwalking and dreaming. I’ll see you in the morning and hope I’m really engaged.”
“We’ll check on the twins and then turn in. Good night.”
In spite of the late hour, Mina was too excited to sleep. She changed to her nightwear and hung her dress in the armoire. It was her favorite dress and she’d wear it for her wedding.
She sat at her room’s small desk and wrote her sister.
Dear Lily,
You’ll be so surprised to read that I’ve found Mr. Wright. Yes, I spelled that correctly because his name is Austin Wright. He’s a good friend of Bert Kennedy. Austin proposed tonight at the party.
He’s coming tomorrow so we can talk to the minister and arrange our wedding for Sunday afternoon at the church. The community church is non-denominational. Although the town is the county seat it’s not very large. Still, it seems to have everything I could need.
Cindy cried when we told her we want to marry right away. She said she had hoped she and I would have more time to visit before I married. Austin’s ranch is only a half hour away so I’ll see Cindy often.
By the time you read this I’ll be Mrs. Austin Wright. I’m only sorry you and Will and the children won’t be here. Darla could be a flower girl. I suppose Cindy and Bert will be our only guests unless Austin’s ranch hands attend.
I don’t know if his ranch has a name or not but you can write to me in care of Cindy until I find out more. I’m so happy—I hope my news makes you happy for me. I believe Austin and I will be a good couple.
Love,
Mina
Mina would mail the letter tomorrow when she and Austin were out. How surreal this seemed. She’d arrived on Wednesday and would be married on Sunday. Her dreams were coming true.
She gave thanks and asked for the Lord’s blessing on her marriage.
***
Austin rode home with moonlight providing plenty of illumination. He wouldn’t get much sleep tonight but he was too jubilant to care. His horse, Thunder, didn’t need guiding to reach the barn where hay and oats waited.
Lost in thought, Austin mentally made a list of things he needed to do before Sunday. One was to get his grandmother’s ring from the safe. He’d take it tomorrow and show Mina. He’d planned on his wife wearing that ring but Mina might prefer a new band.
Desperate In Delaware Page 3