The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection #3

by Margaret Brownley

  “Next time I’m going to swing on that rope over the pond that’s hanging from that tree.” She pointed along the bank a ways.

  Will shaded his eyes and looked then turned his attention to Laura. “No you aren’t, young lady. I don’t want you going near that tree, do you understand?”

  She glowered then pivoted toward Gracie. “You’ll help me do it, won’t you, Miss Gracie? You wouldn’t be afraid of an old rope swing, huh.”

  Gracie wanted to groan. Right when she felt she’d started earning Will’s trust, Laura had to bring up something that upset him. “You must obey your uncle, Laura. It doesn’t matter what I’ve done or might enjoy. Besides, I’m not climbing trees or swinging off ropes anymore. I’m too old for that kind of behavior now.” She desperately wanted to see how Will reacted to her statement, but she kept her gaze fixed on Laura.

  The little girl crossed her arms. “Huh. You weren’t too old for it a few days ago when you were in that tree.”

  Gracie’s cheeks heated. “I was being foolish. I won’t be doing it again. Regardless, you listen to what your uncle tells you, all right?”

  Will held out his hands to both Laura and Gracie. “Come on, let me help you ladies up, and we’ll head home. Then I’d like to drive you back to your house, if you’ll allow me to, Gracie.”

  His hand touched hers, and a jolt of awareness raced through her. Gracie was certain her cheeks flamed as bright as her hair, but she nodded. “Thank you. It has been a long day, and walking home doesn’t sound too appealing.” She detected a flicker of something that looked like disappointment in his eyes.

  Had he hoped she might throw herself at him in gratitude for the ride? She liked Will Montgomery, but she couldn’t possibly be in love with him. Besides, she didn’t care to give him the wrong impression—no matter how warm or tingly she got when he touched her or how much she ached to have it continue.

  Will took Gracie’s arm and helped her into Curt’s buggy. He still wasn’t sure what to make of this woman. He’d thought she was interested in him after the time they’d spent together working side by side in Deborah and Curt’s home and then on the picnic beside the pond. She’d been less than enthusiastic in her acceptance of his offer to take her home when he was hoping she’d see it as the first step toward something more serious. Maybe he should declare his interest, but would she reject him the way Lucinda had done?

  And then there was Laura. Even though Gracie said she’d given up her tomboy ways, it had only been a matter of days since she’d proven otherwise. Did he want a sweetheart who might be a poor influence on his niece—even to the point of her getting hurt? He ran his hands over his hair then picked up the reins and shook them. “Get on, Charlie.”

  Gracie swayed on the seat beside him as the wheels went into a rut, her shoulder touching his. She gripped the handrail beside her. “I’m sorry for jostling you. Is everything all right? You’ve been very quiet since we left the house.”

  He pulled himself out of his musing, annoyed that he’d not saved his thoughts for later. As much as he worried about Laura, he couldn’t deny the growing attraction he felt for this delightful young woman beside him. “Everything is fine. I enjoyed our time together today, and I think Laura did, as well.”

  “So did I. She’s a precocious child with a strong spirit, but she’s also refreshing and delightful.”

  A warm glow suffused Will at the compliment. “Thank you. If I can only keep her safe as she grows up, I’ll be grateful and feel I’ve done my job as her guardian.” He turned toward her and grinned. “But she can be a handful, I’ll freely admit that.”

  They passed the next few minutes until they reached Gracie’s home in comfortable conversation. Will drew up at the front gate, set the brake, and jumped down. He walked around to Gracie’s side to help her, and the front door opened.

  A young man stood there. He walked to the edge of the porch and lifted a hand in greeting, but a frown gave him a decidedly sour appearance. “Gracie. I’ve come to take you to supper at the restaurant. Your father told me you were to be home by now. You have kept me waiting for over half an hour.”

  Will stared at the man. Clean shaven, dressed in a finer suit than Will could afford, and holding a top hat that would typically be seen in a city. All in all, the man was a dandy, and a supercilious one at that. “I apologize for making Miss Addison late for her appointment.”

  He reached up and helped Gracie down without meeting her eyes. She appeared struck dumb by the man, although she made choking noises and kept a tight grip on his arm.

  “I hope you have a fine evening with your beau, Miss Addison.” He vaulted into the seat and slapped the horse with the reins, sending the animal into a startled trot.

  Chapter 7

  Gracie found her voice and let out a startled cry of dismay as Will’s buggy disappeared around a corner. How dare Jerold show up at her door and act as though they had an understanding. She hadn’t agreed to go anywhere with this man, nor would she. Ever. She hiked up her skirt and almost bolted after the buggy.

  She halted. She’d never catch it at the rate it was moving. “What is the meaning of this?” She pivoted slowly to glare at Jerold. “Why did you imply that we had an agreement to meet for supper?” She grabbed the gate and swung it open then stalked toward the porch.

  Jerold hunched one shoulder without seeming to notice her distress. “Your father told me you’d be home soon, and since I was unable to come the evening you invited me, I thought I’d make it up to you now.”

  “Did my father suggest this?”

  He hesitated a moment. “Well, not exactly.” The corners of his mouth ticked up. “But I’m sure he’d approve.”

  She shook her head. “I’m truly sorry, Jerold. You’re a nice man, but I’m not interested. Please forgive me, but I’m going up to my room.”

  He drew back as though she’d slapped him. “I’d think, at your age, you’d be happy to have a suitor.” His shock dropped away, and a superior smile took its place. “Especially one who can point you down the right path for your life.”

  Gracie gave a mocking laugh. “You make nineteen—almost twenty—years of age sound like quite a spinster. And believe me when I tell you that I know exactly where my path lies and how I intend to get there—and it is not with you.” She flounced past him, yanked open the door, and hurried inside. She slammed the door behind her.

  “Father? Papa? Are you home?” She was thankful he hadn’t suggested this meeting, but he’d probably hoped she’d be too polite to spurn Jerold’s advances. He might have even hoped she’d accompany the man to supper and fall for his charms, if he had any.

  She stomped up the stairs to her room and threw herself on the bed. What about Will? He’d gotten the wrong idea from Jerold and thought the man was her beau. She shivered at the thought of the life she’d have if she married Jerold. How arrogant to assume she’d be thrilled at his company and to think she couldn’t attract anyone else.

  Gracie tucked a pillow behind her shoulders. What should she do about Will? Should she ask him what he thought of Carissa then ease into her opinion of Jerold? No, that would be forward and would give away her concern that he might be interested in her best friend. What then?

  She rolled over and punched the pillow, hating the situation she found herself in. Will had sparked more interest in her than any man she’d ever met, and she had just started to think he might find her intriguing, as well. Now this.

  Something her father had often said came back full force. “When in doubt, pray.” He had a solid faith that God loved us no matter what the circumstances might show. But he also said that our emotions aren’t a good test of whether God is at work in our lives or not—only the Bible and prayer could show us the truth.

  She plucked the Bible off her nightstand and settled into her pillows once more. “Father, show me Your truth. Give me Your wisdom.” She flipped the pages and started to read, assured that her heavenly Father had heard, just as her earthly
father had promised.

  Five days dragged by without Will getting so much as a glimpse of Gracie. She hadn’t shown up at Curt and Deborah’s on Sunday, the day after their picnic, and he started to work the following day. He should have gone to services with Curt and Deborah, but now that she was feeling a little better, Will offered to watch the children so the couple could attend on their own. Both of the toddlers were still fighting sniffles, and their parents were concerned about taking them out.

  Will had wanted to go, certain that Gracie would be there, but he’d also hated the thought of seeing her sitting with that man who’d waited at her house. From what the man had said, he could only surmise they were headed toward courtship, and he’d rather not watch it play out.

  He enjoyed his job in Curt’s shop, but he had a hard time keeping his mind on some of the more intricate details.

  Curt walked in as Will gazed out the window toward town. “Something bothering you, Will?”

  He jumped like a jackrabbit spooked by a hawk. “I’m sorry. I guess I was gathering wool. It won’t happen again.”

  Curt nodded, but he didn’t seem convinced. “Thanks for all the help you’ve been in the house. That’s not what I hired you for, but I’ll admit it came at the right time.”

  Will relaxed at the change in subject, happy Curt hadn’t pushed to find out what might be wrong. “Glad to. You and Deborah didn’t have to take me and Laura in. You could have insisted we find our own place. I’ll be doing that soon, of course, but it’s been a blessing to get my feet under me first.”

  The brisk sound of footfalls in the office leading to the workroom turned Will and Curt around. Will moved forward. “Want me to see who it is?”

  Curt shook his head. “I’ve been expecting a customer. You go ahead and keep working on this headboard. Mrs. Williams is anxious to get it next week, and it still needs sanding and another coat of varnish.” He strode across the room then stepped through the open door into the small office area tucked into a corner of the building.

  Will reached for the sanding block, thankful he didn’t have to concentrate on anything more detailed.

  “Uncle Will?” Laura’s breathless voice took him by surprise, and he jerked his head up.

  “Where did you come from, pumpkin?”

  She grinned. “Pumpkins are for pie, silly. May I go fishing?”

  “Maybe later, when I get off work.”

  She bounced from one foot to the other. “How about wading in the edge of the pond? Can I do that alone? Please? You’ll be working all day, and I’m hot and bored.”

  He set his brush down. “Not without an adult.”

  “Miss Gracie is here. May I go if she’ll take me?”

  “Here? Where?” He stepped to the window and peered out toward the house, his heart picking up its pace.

  “She’s visiting Miss Deborah and the babies.”

  “Did she come alone?”

  Laura scrunched up her face. “Yes. She always comes alone, doesn’t she?”

  He shrugged, feeling foolish that his first thought was of the arrogant man who’d been on Gracie’s porch. “I don’t want you to bother Miss Gracie while she’s visiting. I told you I’d take you later. All right?”

  She gave him a mutinous look that he couldn’t quite decipher, then slowly nodded. “Yes, sir. I won’t bother her while she’s visiting.” She swung around and marched out the door without looking back.

  Over an hour passed, but Gracie didn’t go home and Curt didn’t return—nor did Laura come back to pester him. A feeling of niggling doubt tore at him. Would Laura disobey him and ask Gracie to take her fishing?

  He set the sanding block aside and wiped his hands on a rag. He’d clean up later. Right now he’d better check on his niece.

  Gracie stood with hands planted on her hips, wishing she’d checked with Will first, but she’d hated to trouble him at work—and she’d dreaded seeing accusation in his eyes after what happened last week. She took a step closer to Laura, where the girl waded ankle deep in the water. “Are you certain your uncle said you could come?”

  Laura raised innocent eyes. “He said I could if I had a big person with me. That’s why I came and asked you. I knew Miss Deborah wouldn’t want to leave the children, with them coming down sick, and you’re so nice.” She dimpled and walked out a little deeper into the pond, the water covering her ankles as she lifted the hem of her short skirt. “I’m having lots of fun. May I go deeper and get all wet? It’s hot today, and it would feel awfully good.”

  Gracie hesitated. Should she take Laura back and ask Will to be certain? The child was already here, so maybe a few minutes of fun wouldn’t hurt. After all, Will kept Laura on such a tight rein that she felt sorry for the girl. “I suppose you can sit down there, but no deeper. Understood?”

  Laura nodded. “I’ll be good.” She sank into the water, which only came up a few inches.

  Gracie sighed. “I’m going to sit against that tree and rest for a minute. I’ll still be able to see you, but I’m holding you to your promise to be good.” She traipsed to the tree a few yards away and sank down on the grass at the base of the trunk then leaned her head against it and closed her eyes for a few seconds. She thought she heard something and looked toward Laura, but the child was still playing in the same spot, leaning forward and dribbling handfuls of water over her bare toes. She didn’t have a swimsuit, so she’d worn an old dress that was too short for her, and removed her stockings and shoes.

  Gracie shut her eyes again. It felt good after so little sleep the last few nights, worrying about Will and what he might think. This was ridiculous. She needed to simply tell him she had no interest in Jerold. She opened her eyes again to check on Laura and gasped. The girl wasn’t in her place at the edge of the pond. She’d closed her eyes for ten seconds, if that. Gracie jumped to her feet and dashed toward the water. “Laura? Where are you? Answer me this instant!”

  “I’m up here. Look at how good I climbed this tree, Miss Gracie, just like you! Now I’m going to swing on this rope. I’m a daredevil, too. Aren’t you proud of me?” Laura stood on a low branch in a nearby maple, clutching a rope suspended from a higher branch.

  Gracie sucked in a breath, her hand going to her mouth. She dashed for the tree. “No!” If she could get there before Laura swung out over the water—

  Something crashed through the brush not far behind her, but Gracie didn’t take time to look. “Laura. Get down before you get hurt!” Gracie felt as though she hollered the words, but they seemed to come out on a whisper instead.

  Laura squealed in glee and pushed off from the branch, gripping the rope. She swung out over the pond. The rope reached the full arc and stopped then slowly began to return. Laura’s shouts of delight suddenly turned to a cry of alarm. “My hands are slipping! I can’t hold on!”

  She shrieked again as her grip loosened, and she fell into the water. Gracie watched in horror as the child disappeared. She tore at the buttons holding her skirts. She was a good swimmer—surely she could reach Laura and bring her back to the surface.

  Chapter 8

  Will shot past Gracie, his feet thundering against the sod. “Laura, I’m almost there.”

  Laura’s head popped to the surface just as Will plunged into the pond. In three hard strides through the deepening water, he’d reached Laura’s side and plucked her into his arms. She coughed and spluttered, but she didn’t appear any worse for her adventure. He hugged her tight against his chest and waded toward the shore. When he got there, he set Laura on the grassy bank and knelt in front of her, shaking with fear. “First, are you all right?”

  “Uh-huh.” She nodded, her streaming hair hanging loose around her face. “That was fun. And when you picked me up, my feet touched the bottom. Can I do it again, Uncle Will?”

  His fear dissolved into anger, and it was all he could do not to shake the little imp. “What were you thinking coming here? I said I’d take you after work.”

  She shook her
head. “Nuh-uh. You said I couldn’t come without a big person, so I asked Miss Gracie, and she said she’d come. So I didn’t disobey you.”

  He ground his teeth in frustration at the child’s reasoning. “You could have drowned, or hit your head on a rock, or fallen out of that tree and been killed. Besides, I told you not to bother Miss Gracie. Remember that?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “Yes, but I didn’t ask her until she was done visiting with Mrs. Warren. I didn’t mean to be bad. I was so hot and sticky, and I wanted to play in the water. And it was fun! You should try it.”

  He groaned then reached down and wrung out her skirt. “Go sit on the grass up by that tree where Miss Gracie was earlier. I need to talk to her alone. And do not move until I get there, or you’ll go without supper.”

  Laura stuck out her lower lip, but she obeyed, trudging up the gently sloping bank to the tree.

  He rounded on Gracie who stood clasping her hands in a tight grip, her entire body shaking. Pity engulfed him, but he pushed it away as the memory of the little girl going under the water returned. “I asked Laura, but I’ll ask you, as well. What were you thinking, allowing her to climb a tree and swing out over that water? Couldn’t you see it was dangerous?”

  Gracie’s stomach roiled, and she thought she might be sick. She didn’t blame Will for being angry. This was her fault. No matter what Laura had said, she should have checked with Will. “I’m so sorry. She said it was all right with you, but I should have asked.”

  “That isn’t what I’m upset about. I know Laura can be very persuasive. But why did you allow her in that tree when you know how I feel about it? And to let her swing on that rope—” He closed his eyes for a brief moment.

  “I’d checked on her a couple of times, and she was just sitting in a few inches of water nearby. She promised she’d be good. I only closed my eyes for a few seconds. I don’t see how she could have gotten to the tree and climbed it in that amount of time.” She placed her fingertips over her lips to stifle a sob. “She was my responsibility. I was wrong to not keep my eyes on her every second.”