by Caroline Lee
Thanks to Annie and Serena, Molly didn’t have to worry about being a mother today, and was reveling in the chance to focus entirely on her cooking. Her sister and friend had volunteered to watch the boys, but truthfully, Serena was fairly distracted. It had been amusing to see the way she’d fallen for Mr. Carderock, without even realizing it. Molly was pretty sure the young woman wasn’t aware of the excited smiles or dreamy sighs she’d let slip whenever their new schoolteacher’s name was mentioned. Having two younger sisters herself, Molly would have been concerned that Serena was moving too quickly, and didn’t understand the follies of young love. But Mr. Carderock did seem to be everything the young woman had ever wanted in a husband, unlike Cam. She knew that their poor neighbor had imagined himself in love with Serena for years, but the two young people had little in common. Mr. Carderock, on the other hand, appeared to be a match for all of the young lady’s wistful imaginings, and to hear Agatha and Agnes tell it, he had honorable intentions. Still, Molly was determined to make her own decision about Mr. Carderock’s objectives.
She had finished tidying up the kitchen, and hurried upstairs to change into her Sunday dress when she heard the knock at the front door, and the low hum of Brixley’s voice as he admitted the caller. Molly rushed through her toilette, and said a quick prayer than the boys hadn’t dirtied their trousers too much while she’d been cooking. She’d instructed Annie to keep them in the parlor playing games, but Pete always managed to skin his knee somehow.
Sure enough, her older son was looking decidedly disheveled when she joined the rest of the household in the parlor. She gave him a good glare, but decided not to make him change. The damage had been done, and she had a relaxed view of the level of clean little boys could maintain. Instead, she turned her attention to their caller.
Mr. Sebastian Carderock stood eye-to-eye with her, making him taller than many men, but nowhere near as tall as her Ash, or Cam. His chocolate-brown hair was swept back with pomade, and he appeared quite dapper and fashionable; the ideal gentleman. The twinkle in his dark eyes as he bent over her hand made her feel quite flustered, which was a ridiculous way to feel when one was close to thirty, and a wife and mother. It wasn’t until they sat down to luncheon that she took stock of the others’ reactions to Sebastian. No matter their age or worldliness, all five females in that room were hanging on his every word. He was a charmer, alright.
He spoke clearly and calmly to Annie, and the girl fairly glowed from the attention. Molly and the family had been working with her for a few months, encouraging her to vocalize while communicating. While she was clearer now than she had been when they’d first started corresponding with Sebastian, she was positively blossoming here before him. She wasn’t speaking everything, and she often grew frustrated and lapsed into sign, which Serena or Molly—or even Pete—spoke for her, but she was so much more confident and capable than she was even last month. Sebastian’s calm expectations and attentive gaze made the girl want to please him, Molly could tell. He’d be a good teacher for her, and she’d already spoken to Agatha and Agnes about letting the girl stay in their home during the week, providing Molly could arrange some sort of supervision. She’d miss her sister always being around, but it was amazing to think that she’d be able to attend a public school like every other child her age in Cheyenne. In fact, if someone had mentioned it to Molly a few years ago, she would have said it was wishful thinking. It was really thanks to a teacher like Sebastian, who was not only willing to work with students who needed extra attention, but who was kind and considerate and charming, that Annie would be able to become a real student.
Agnes—or perhaps it had been Agatha—had told Molly of Serena’s confession about wanting to teach, and Molly hadn’t been surprised once she considered it. She remembered the way young Serena had always seemed happiest when she’d been devouring the adventure and romance stories Wendy would share with her, and it made sense that she wanted to share some of those with others. She was patient and calm when she taught Annie or Pete, gently correcting or guiding. She was a wonderfully sweet young woman, kind and generous; she was always trying to better the world around her, through her charity works and gentle instruction. She’d make a fine educator. Wendy herself had left home to be a teacher, and while Serena had been tied to the ranch, the time was coming when she’d have to make a decision about the Double-S and what to do with it.
Selling the property had always been an option, but it wasn’t likely that a buyer would stroll into town and want to pick up cattle ranching. Serena would have better luck selling to one of the owners of the surrounding ranches, but Molly knew that the property lines meant that Cam MacLeod was really the only owner who would find the Double-S valuable. And she knew that young man wanted the property, very much. In fact, Molly had suspected that despite Cam’s claims of tenderness for Serena, what he really desired was her ranch. Unfortunately, there was no way he’d be able to offer Serena a fair price for the Double-S; he’d mentioned to Ash recently that while the Open Skye was finally making a profit, he didn’t have enough to expand the property.
So for now, Serena was stuck with the Double-S, despite her long-held desire to stay here in the city and enjoy the benefits of society and civilization. She’d never be happy, as Molly was, to live hours from her friends, to spend all day in back-breaking labor with only her husband and family for companionship. Molly had known the young woman for years, and had seen how she blossomed in the city, and seemed to… well, to wilt in the stifling tediousness of the Double-S. Serena wanted to live here in Cheyenne, and Molly had spent the last two years a little worried about what would happen to her young friend if that dream was denied her.
Of course, she only had to look at Serena today to know that her friend had a new and different dream: Mr. Sebastian Carderock. This was only the third time they’d met one another, but Molly knew that Serena had spent the last week sighing over the man. And rightfully so; he really was a dream. More importantly, to Molly at least, was that he seemed just as enthralled with Serena as she was with him. He was attentive and polite to all of the ladies, but Molly watched the way his eyes were constantly seeking out Serena’s face. When she smiled—even if she wasn’t speaking to him—Sebastian smiled. He seemed to always be aware of where she was and what she was doing. He actually cut himself off in mid-sentence once, while speaking to one of Serena’s aunts, just to watch her laugh at something Pete had said to her. Molly thought that Sebastian’s rueful grin and apology were charming, and she was happy to see him so enthralled with Serena. She wondered if the younger woman realized that she had accidentally bewitched her ideal gentleman.
After luncheon, she sent her sons upstairs to get cleaned up, and Annie offered to help Noah. Molly surreptitiously signed “Take your time” with a glance toward Serena, and her youngest sister winked and nodded, shooing her nephews up the stairs ahead of her. Molly offered to help Brixley clean up the dining room, but Agnes—or possibly Agatha—insisted she keep “the lovebirds” company in the parlor.
“We,” she glared at her twin, “are going upstairs as well. We promised Serena that we would give her some space.”
“But we didn’t promise not to listen at the door!”
“Upstairs. Now.”
Agatha—or maybe Agnes—scowled, but retreated with good grace. Molly grinned, and took her time making her way down the hall and into the parlor, making sure to stomp her feet a bit louder than necessary.
Still, when she entered, Serena and Sebastian were standing altogether too close for casual conversation. In fact, he was holding her hand, and Molly could see his thumb making little circles on her friend’s skin, the way Ash sometimes did. Serena was staring up adoringly into his eyes; she was shorter than him, of course, but he didn’t tower her over her the way Cam—or Ash or Stan Selkirk—did. They really were a striking couple. Him, the proper and sophisticated gentleman; her, the delicate and perfect lady. Him, dark and worldly; her, pale and porcelain. Opposites, and y
et each so flawless it was hard to imagine that they were real. To someone like Molly, who’d always thought of herself as completely ordinary-looking, the couple’s absolute perfection was worthy of a little eye-roll.
Molly had to smile, thinking that they looked like a painting from the cover of one of Wendy’s sigh-worthy dime novel romances. All that was missing was a fan and a few plinths, and this could be a scene out of an English ballroom.
So she was still smiling when she cleared her throat, and watched the two of them start guiltily, and step apart. Molly waved her hand dismissively. “No need for embarrassment. Agnes and Agatha sent me along as a chaperone, but if you want, I can go back to the kitchen and wash some dishes for five more minutes.”
Serena’s blush faded as she smiled at the joke, and Sebastian looked relieved to know that Molly wasn’t intent on her chaperone duties. “No, you’re welcome to join us, Molly.”
“Are you sure? You didn’t look like you’d gotten around to kissing her yet.”
“Molly!” Serena’s gasp wasn’t quite as horrified as it should be, and Molly knew her friend trusted her judgment.
“I’m sure you’ll find life here in Cheyenne a little different from England, Sebastian. For one thing, we move quicker. If we see something that we like, we have to snatch it up before someone else steals it. I trust you take my meaning?”
One perfectly dark brow rose, and his lip pulled up just far enough to reveal that dimple. “I understand you perfectly, Molly. I see that I’ll have to get used to plain speaking, as well.”
Molly laughed. “Well, I’ve never been accused of being a lady. I speak my mind, but so do many out here. Serena, for instance, has been managing a ranch for a year. Can you imagine one of your New York society ladies doing something as plain-speaking as that?”
His gaze was pensively approving as he took in Serena’s blush and bright eyes. “I can’t. I can’t imagine any woman I’ve ever met holding a candle to Miss Selkirk. She’s a remarkable woman,” he turned back to Molly, pretending to ignore the little “oh” of amazement Serena had uttered, “And while I haven’t yet had the opportunity to kiss her, I intend to remedy that as soon as possible.”
Serena sunk onto the divan then, and Molly thought that she looked like she’d forgotten to breathe. Molly regarded the tall gentleman in front of her. She no longer had any doubts about his intentions. Sebastian Carderock was a good man, and would make Serena a good husband. He was everything she could have hoped for her young friend. Molly nodded slowly. “You’d have my approval, sir,” meaning both for the kiss, and for his courting. Sebastian smiled, and Molly could tell that he understood.
Serena was looking too dazed to start any polite conversation, and Molly wasn’t in the mood for dithering anyhow. She wanted some answers from Sebastian, before everyone else came back. She employed more of that plain-speaking he’d commented on. “What are your plans for the future, Sebastian? Are you going to move back to New York?”
He actually crossed to the divan, and sat beside Serena. Molly had to smile at the way he took the young woman’s hand, and laced their fingers together. He was showing her where his loyalty lay, and she nodded approvingly.
“I had intended to, Molly. I came to Cheyenne thinking it would only be for a year. But I’m falling in love…” he glanced at Serena, who’d suddenly gone quite pale, “with this city.” Did Serena start breathing again? “Cheyenne is such an exciting place to be, and I’d like to be here to see it reach its potential. To help it. That’s why I’ve agreed to invest in various enterprises. Not to mention my job at the school; I can’t think of a better way to ensure that this city becomes a metropolis than to do my best to educate its future citizens.” Sebastian glanced down at the small fingers entwined with his, and Molly thought she saw a flush rise on his cheeks. “I was already interested in staying in Cheyenne for longer than just a year, when I met an even better reason to stay.” He squeezed Serena’s hand. “I thought I’d wait until after the Independence Day celebrations, and then start looking for suitable housing.”
Serena spoke up, having regained her color. “Most businessmen build their homes. The fashionable address is Millionaire’s Row, of course, but 17th Street is so busy these days. I like our little house and location, here.”
Molly was reminded of the differences in their lifestyles again. She’d always considered the Selkirk’s Cheyenne home to be a mansion; tall and stately, it had four bedrooms and a small suite for Brixley on the third floor, a gorgeous dining room and fully-modern kitchen, and a private and a public parlor on either side of the grand foyer. There was even a front yard with a beautiful flower plot, and a fenced back yard that served no purpose, without livestock to raise. But compared to some of the homes on Millionaire’s Row, this house really was quaint.
Sebastian must have also been used to much grander homes, but his small grin was encouraging. “I think you have a lovely home here, and I would be quite comfortable in something similar. I think the location is ideal.”
Molly wasn’t about to stop grilling him; she wanted to make sure he was the one for Serena. “Yes, I’ve often thought this would be a lovely house in which to raise children. The yards are so much fun for little boys, and the street is nice and quiet. Have you considered children, Sebastian?” It was more plain-speaking, but a serious question. Molly knew that Serena didn’t want children right away. She was still young enough that it needn’t be a hurry, and she wanted to enjoy society here in the city before tying herself down with children. It was yet another reason why Molly and Ash didn’t think that Cam was a good match for her; the rancher wanted children as soon as possible.
Sebastian took a deep breath, and turned his attention to Serena. “I enjoy teaching, and I often become quite close to some of my pupils. I like to think that I am a good role model for them…” He seemed to lose his train of thought when his companion placed her free hand on top of their joined ones. He looked down, and Molly thought he looked a little flustered.
“But?” Serena’s voice was barely a whisper, and she leaned a little closer to Sebastain.
“But I don’t think I’m quite ready for a family yet. I want children, but I’d like two or three years to get to know my wife, to enjoy her company.” His voice had dropped low enough that Molly, seating on the sofa on the other side of the room, could barely hear it. He leaned towards Serena, until their faces—and their lips—were only inches apart.
“I agree completely.” Serena really was whispering now. “There’s no need to start a family right away in today’s modern age. It’s an out—”
“—dated ideal, exactly. Practically medieval.”
“Exactly. Husbands and wives should have the time to enjoy each other.”
“Exactly.”
They were each only interested in the other, their lips a breath apart. Molly felt like an interloper, spying on them, and wanted to close her eyes. Truthfully, she wanted to find an excuse to leave the room, but knew that Agnes and Agatha wouldn’t approve. So she settled for a discrete cough, and then another one a bit louder when they seemed not to hear. Serena blinked, and they both turned identically dazed gazes towards her. Molly pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at their expressions. They both looked like they were in their own little world, and disapproved of her interloping.
And so she stood up, and was moving towards the door, intent on giving them a few moments alone, when what sounded like a herd of elephants thundered down the front stairs. Having learned from experience, she quickly pulled the door open just as her sons barreled through the opening. Annie followed a moment later, looking frazzled and apologetic. Molly smiled at her sister, but turned to Serena—Sebastian had been distracted by a question from Pete—and mouthed “I’m sorry.” Serena smiled understandingly, and scooted a little farther from the man beside her, for propriety.
Then Molly heard Agnes and Agatha bickering as they came down the hall, and Molly sighed. She caught Serena’s eye again
, and knew that the young woman wasn’t going to get the chance to kiss Sebastian today after all.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Reverend Davis’s annual Fourth of July sermon was usually on the merits of charitable actions, but this year it had a more patriotic theme. President Garfield had been shot yesterday, and the entire congregation was praying for his recovery. The preacher, who was a staunch advocate of statehood, was using the event—and the holiday—to try to rally his audience to his point of view. At this moment, he was guessing at how long it would take Wyoming to become a state, based on their current representation.
Despite her agreement with the Reverend—Serena always voted for statehood, believing they deserved representation in Washington—she was having a hard time concentrating on his words. She was sitting in her family’s usual pew, squeezed between Aunt Agatha—perhaps—and Annie, who was following along with the written copy of the sermon that the dear Reverend always wrote up especially for her. Little Noah was sitting on Serena’s lap, with his head tilted back against her shoulder. Although she couldn’t see his face, she suspected that he’d been lulled into a doze by the warm, thick air in the church, and the Reverend’s words. After three days of constant rain, the deluge had eased overnight, and the humidity seemed to wrap itself around the churchgoers. The ground in front of the walkway had been turned to mud, but it would almost certainly dry before tomorrow’s festivities. For now, though, the moisture clung in the air thick enough to lull even the best-meaning lad into a doze.
Serena wasn’t paying attention because she was sleepy, however. No, she was busy thinking about Mr. Sebastian Carderock the third. She wondered if he was at the service today. The Selkirk pew was towards the front of the church, so he could very well be sitting behind her. She just hadn’t worked up enough courage to turn around to look. What if he wasn’t there? What if he’d decided to join a different church, or just didn’t want to see her again? And what if he was there, and gave her another one of those heart-melting smiles that flashed his dimple? She didn’t quite sigh, but spent a pleasant moment thinking about that dimple, and the way his smiles made her feel. Sort of nervous, but excited too. And very warm.