One way or another, Rose was going to make Cullen think about her as his future wife. Reading his letters and poems had already made her fall in love with him.
*
Rose shuddered when they drove by Richard Kandt’s shabby homestead, but she sat up to admire the property they were approaching now. The neat and clean homestead featured a lovely wooden two-story home, a big limestone barn and a few outbuildings. A flock of chickens wandered around the house and side garden, scratching and looking for bugs and weeds.
A dog lazily stood up from his spot on the house porch and stretched before ambling down the steps toward the buggy. Apparently, the dog knew who the horse and buggy belonged to.
“Who lives here?” Rose tried not to put too much enthusiasm in her voice. She’d love to live in this house. She could sit on the porch swing and never tire of the breathtaking view of the grassy hills beyond the barn and corral of horses.
“My brothers, Seth and Tully. This is the Straight Arrow Ranch, owned by Isaac Connely. Seth raises Morgan horses to supply Connely’s other ranches, and to sell to other ranchers. Straight Arrow horses are known for their sound quality and Seth’s training.”
“Hey, Cullen! Are you out sparking this evening? Does Ma know?” A young man with dark hair came bounding down the porch steps toward them. It had to be Tully by his facial resemblance to Kaitlyn.
“No, Tully, I’m showing our parents’ guest the countryside—so shut up,” Cullen growled, which made Tully laugh as he grabbed the horse’s bridle.
“Hello, Cullen, Miss,” a man, who resembled neither brother, called out as he descended the porch steps and walked toward them. “Come in and visit. We’re just having dessert after our supper now.”
“Rose, this is my older brother, Seth, and Tully, the youngest of the Reagan clan. This is Miss Rose Leander, from Illinois, who answered a mail-order bride advertisement from Richard Kandt.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Rose nodded to the two, and they did in kind.
“So why are you driving her around, Cullen?” asked Tully.
Cullen looked at Rose before answering. “Uh, Kandt decided he didn’t want to marry her so—”
“Ma moved her into the parsonage,” Seth and Tully said in unison.
“I was injured in a train accident, and I can’t do the...uh, work, Mr. Kandt had planned for his wife,” Rose explained.
“Like build your own outhouse,” Cullen muttered beside her.
Rose glanced sideways at him, getting tired of hearing about that outhouse from everyone.
Rose turned back to the brothers standing beside the buggy. “Cullen is introducing me to area bachelors because I still plan to stay and marry someone. Pastor Reagan will perform my marriage ceremony to someone next Sunday.”
Cullen tensed beside her, but Rose continued.
“Seth, would you be interested in a wife? I’m available to move into your lovely home next Sunday.”
Chapter 5
His ma was introducing Rose to every single man in the church. It didn’t matter if the man was eighteen or sixty, a bachelor or a widower with six kids. Cullen didn’t realize there were so many unmarried men in town.
Cullen tugged at his shirt collar to let off some heat, and it wasn’t all due to the rising summer temperature.
“Rose, I want you to meet—” his mother started to say before being cut off by the excited man who shoved his way through the crowded church aisle.
“Hello, miss. I’m Adolph Bjorklund, and it’s so good to meet you.”
Cullen growled, upset with the attention Adolph was giving Rose.
Why hadn’t the man written for his own mail-order bride yet, instead of waiting to see who the current guest was in the parsonage? Cullen would even help Adolph with writing the letters and buy his stamps—anything to get him away from…Rose.
Okay, he had to admit it. He liked Rose. Her injury, which might never heal, didn’t bother him.
So why was he fighting his attraction? He could marry her next Sunday, or whenever Rose chose to have the ceremony. One, Cullen was afraid she’d leave after she grew tired of their mundane life. And two, seeing her show off her trapeze outfits to his sisters-in-law made Cullen flashback to the gaudy dresses his mother and other soiled doves wore in the brothel.
“After we eat dinner at the parsonage, may I take you for a drive, Miss Leander?” Adolph was already asking to court her, before mooching at their family table? Adolph needed to start furnishing the roast as often as he ate with the family, but maybe he gave his mother a discount when she bought meat at his shop.
At least Adolph needed to start mashing the potatoes and setting the table with the Reagan brothers.
“Thank you, Mr. Bjorklund. I’d enjoy a ride, as long as you can help me in and out of the buggy,” Rose said while pointing to her left arm. “The train accident I was in prevents me from doing many things.”
Cullen studied Adolph’s face to watch his reaction. Nothing but a smile. Had he already heard about her arm, or it didn’t bother him? Why not? Maybe because he lived in town and needed a wife, not an outhouse builder.
“If everyone finds their seats, we’ll start today’s service,” Cullen’s father announced from the front of the church. Most people were already in their preferred pew, except Cullen, his mother, Rose, and Adolph. Adolph grabbed Rose’s elbow before Cullen realized what he’d done.
“Sorry, Adolph. Miss Leander will sit with me so I can introduce her,” his mother smoothly said while ushering Rose toward their family pew, the first pew on the left side of the church, and closest to the pulpit.
Cullen slid in the pew before the women arrived. Tully moved his body sideways so Cullen could get past him to sit on the other side. Nope. The Reagan brother line up in the pew was changing today.
“Scoot over, Tully.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No—” Before Tully could finish protesting Cullen sat down and pushed with his hips and legs to forcibly slide Tully’s body down the pew.
“Ahem,” his mother cleared her throat. Cullen looked up to see his mother’s raised eyebrows, but he didn’t move to sit on the other side of Tully. He was going to sit on Rose’s left side so they could share the hymnal together. His left hand and her right hand would hold the book perfectly.
*
Cullen rushed in the back door of the kitchen, knowing he was late, but he hated to leave Rose. Hopefully, Tully had drained the potatoes and was starting to mash them. His folks, Rose, and Adolph were almost to the front door of the parsonage.
Before Cullen dropped his second boot, he was surrounded by his four older brothers, standing shoulder to shoulder, arms folded, staring down at him with furrowed brows.
Oh crap. His brothers were going to gang up on him.
“What’s your intentions for Rose?” Angus started the interrogation.
“Don’t have any,” Cullen honestly replied.
“But you’re hovering over her like you do,” Fergus added.
“You need to either step up to be her husband or step aside, so she can marry someone else,” Seth added and Cullen bristled at his words
“Are you wanting to marry her?” Cullen had to know.
Seth shook his head. “I’m not interested, so quit looking like you want to take a swing at my jaw.”
Cullen unclenched his right fist and ran his hand over his face. He needed to calm down, and everyone needed to get the food on the table.
“Let’s drop it. The folks and their guests are about to come in the front door,” Cullen tried to push through the wall of brothers, but they didn’t budge.
“Open your eyes, Cullen. Rose is the perfect woman for you,” Mack stared down at Cullen.
“Don’t mention Rose and my body size ‘match’ again or you’ll need your wife to stitch up your gut.”
“I’m not joking this time, Cullen. Rose has only been here two days, but we’ve all seen how you look at her. You’re
attracted to Rose, and it’s a safe bet she’s the first woman you’ve ever been attracted to,” Mack said.
Cullen couldn’t meet his brothers’ eyes because they were right.
“But what can I do about it? I don’t have a house, and I can’t ask her to live in the small one-room above the café.”
His brothers waited for Angus to answer Cullen. Angus had always been the ringleader of their group and Cullen had always looked up to him, even when Angus was ten years old and tackled Cullen in an alley when he was six years old, filthy and hungry. Cullen would never forget the feeling of Angus’ arms wrapped around him. He’d fought back for a few seconds, then realized how good it felt and collapsed in Angus’ hold.
“There are two houses in town which are available to move into now. You and Rose pick which one you want, and we’ll help you get it.”
Cullen was surprised by his offer. “Why and how?”
“If the ‘why’ isn’t clear by now you’re a lost cause, Brother. We love you, and you’re part of the Reagan family. And we know you spend your salary to help others in town.
“And the ‘how’ is we’ll all pitch in to help you buy the house. One house you’ll need to buy directly from the owner, and the other from the bank. We’ll cover the down payment as our wedding gift to you,” Angus said.
Cullen was speechless. His brothers would do that for him?
“Wow. I hope you five help me when I’m dumb enough to marry,” Tully’s outburst didn’t surprise anyone, but it lightened the mood in the kitchen.
Mack wrapped his arm around Tully’s neck and pulled him into the circle.
“You do realize three of us have married women with flower names, Tully?” Mack wiggled his eyebrows. “Daisy, Iris, Pansy, and maybe Rose will be added to the family too.”
“So?” Tully squeaked.
“I’m not holding out for Seth to marry anyone with a flower name anytime soon, but Violet Tucker is sweet on you, Tully,” Mack said when he finally released Tully.
“Eww! No! She’d be the last person I’d want to be chained to for life!”
“Quit pestering your little brother and please get the food on the table,” their mother ducked in the kitchen door to announce before going back to her guests.
Rose and Adolph.
“Thanks for the offer, everyone. I’ll have to think about it,” Cullen mentioned while walking over to the bowls of mashed potatoes someone had already made in his place.
“Decide soon. Adolph’s looking pretty happy sitting next to Rose in the dining room,” Angus said as he looked through the kitchen door.
Cullen braced his jumbled thoughts as he carried the bowls into the dining room. Adolph sat on Rose’s left, and Pansy was already sitting on Rose’s right. Cullen couldn’t help Rose with passing the food, and he felt a jab in his heart.
He really wanted to be there for Rose. Was it because he felt guilty in his part of getting her to Clear Creek, or because he really liked her?
If Cullen got through dinner without bolting for the door before dessert, it would be a miracle. Rose caught Cullen’s eye and gave him a faint smile and shrug, ignoring Adolph’s one-sided conversation. Rose mouthed, “sorry” to Cullen before turning back to Adolph.
Did Rose mean she’d prefer to be with him instead of Adolph? She’d already agreed to take a drive with Adolph, so she’d either enjoy it or know the man wasn’t for her. Cullen would have to be patient with her decision.
Was Cullen putting himself in the running for Rose’s hand? The more he thought of Rose, the more he liked her. Their interests matched and their differences in personalities seem to complement each other instead of clash.
“Sit down, Cullen, so I can say grace.” Geeze. Cullen was standing across from Rose still holding the two bowls in his hands. He quickly lowered them to the table and pulled out a chair to sit across from Rose.
“Put up your hand so I can hold it,” Adolph whispered to Rose.
“Sorry, but no, Adolph. I can’t move my arm, so we can’t hold hands,” Rose muttered back before bowing her head.
After two seconds of watching Rose, she raised her head enough to wink at Cullen.
Did he have a chance with Rose? But did he want it was the more significant question? Cullen needed to think about it because he had competition.
Chapter 6
Rose wasn’t surprised to see part of the Reagan family on the parsonage porch when Adolph brought her back. It was a hot summer day, and with today’s breeze, the porch was cooler than the parlor.
Between the buggy canopy and her parasol Rose hadn’t overheated, but she suggested she’d had enough of the heat which made Adolph kindly suggest they cut their ride short.
Not that they’d go far. They’d driven out into the country to go around the section, then back to drive through town to see Adolph’s shop and his home two blocks away from Main Street.
Adolph was a nice man, but the conversation between them was stilted after they left Reagan’s dinner table, making it hard to know the man or judge his character.
Cullen stood and left the porch as soon as he saw them approach the house. Cullen nodded to them before standing below her side of the buggy.
“Have a good ride?” Cullen said politely.
“It’s sweltering today so we—,” Adolph started to say until he realized Cullen was helping her out of the buggy. Adolph probably hoped Cullen would hold the horse as Adolph came around to help her down.
“Yes, it is a very hot day. Adolph thought I should get out of the sun,” Rose smiled back at Adolph. “Thank you, Adolph. I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to seeing your shop soon.”
Rose turned, slipping her right hand in Cullen’s elbow to walk to the house to signal Adolph could leave. She was thirsty, but her primary goal was to get back to the parsonage.
“Did you have a good visit?” Kaitlyn asked as they walked up the porch steps. Kaitlyn and pastor sat in matching woven cane rockers by the front door.
“Yes, we drove out of town a ways, then circled back through part of town.”
Cullen led Rose over to the porch swing and held it still while she sat down.
“Would you like a glass of lemonade?” Rose looked up to see Cullen held out a glass which had been sitting on a side table between the rockers.
“Yes, thank you.”
Everyone on the porch seemed content to be together and not talk. What a contrast from the constant noise of the circus. Did Rose miss it? She missed her family but enjoyed this peaceful solitude so much more.
“It’s hot today, but in six months it will be snowing,” Pastor mumbled from his rocker. His head was back against the rocker and his eyes closed. Her family never had the chance to just do nothing on a Sunday afternoon because of the afternoon’s, then sometimes evening’s performance.
“You say that every Sunday, Pa,” Cullen replied as he sat down on the opposite end of the swing.
“Boring enough for you, Rose? Welcome to Sunday afternoons at the parsonage,” Cullen commented with a wave of his hand and a smile.
Rose sat back in the swing and sipped her lemonade, enjoying every minute of it.
*
“Rose, Rose? Wake up,” Cullen’s voice slowly brought her back from her drowsy state. She thought it was a fly bothering her at first, but it was Cullen instead.
“Oh, my goodness! I shouldn’t have fallen asleep.” Rose gasped as she sat up straight. Now she had a kink in her neck too.
“That’s alright. That’s what lazy summer Sunday afternoons are for,” Cullen said as he pointed to everyone else on the porch. Pastor was snoring in his rocker. Tully was on his stomach, stretched out on the porch, oblivious to the world.
“I go somewhere on Sundays before supper. Want to go with me?” Cullen quietly asked.
“Yes, I’d like that.”
“Take the tin of cookies I set on the kitchen table, Cullen,” Kaitlyn said without opening her eyes.
“Thanks, Ma.”
They quietly opened and closed the screen door into the house and walked through the kitchen.
“Need anything before we go for a stroll?”
“I need to visit the outhouse.”
“I’ll put on my boots and meet you on the back porch.”
Minutes later Rose met Cullen, holding the tin of cookies in his right hand, and holding out his left elbow for her to hold on to as they walked.
“It’s cooled down a little, don’t you think?” Rose asked to make conversation.
“Maybe a little. Let’s sit down on the church steps so we can talk. It’s in the shade right now.”
Rose was glad they finally had some time alone. She had questions for him and was sure Cullen had some too.
“Cullen, I’m sorry your father put you in the middle of my predicament, but I’d like to talk about it. Adolph is a nice man, but I’d prefer to marry you.” Rose waited for Cullen to say something, but he stared at the ground instead.
“Does my past make me unacceptable to be your wife?” Rose couldn’t change it and her husband, whoever he was, would have to accept it.
“No, I can’t judge you for it, but getting a glimpse of your costumes made me cringe. Made me think of a painted lady’s dress.”
Ah, Cullen’s mother, although he hadn’t spoken about her yet.
“I gave all of them away to other performers except a few favorite costumes that my grandmother made for me. Does the clothing I wear now bother you?” Rose wore a white and light pink gingham dress today.
Cullen looked sideways at her. “You’d still be pretty to me even if you wore a gunny sack.”
“Cullen, if you don’t want to marry me, just say so.”
“It’s not that easy, Rose. There are so many things to think about before jumping into marriage. Marriage is forever. Fifty to sixty years together.”
“I understand that more so now than when I answered the mail-order bride advertisement.” Rose shuddered thinking she would have been living isolated in Richard’s shack today if she had married him two days ago.
Cullen's Love (Grooms With Honor Book 5) Page 4