Amelia, An Autumn Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 7)

by Hildie McQueen

  Worried she’d die while mourning all alone, a family friend had sent out a telegram.

  One day, her Uncle Bernard appeared.

  He’d hired people to pack up her belongings. The fully furnished townhouse had been sold and then he’d shipped the items she treasured and brought Amelia to his home.

  She often wondered what would have become of her if he’d not appeared. Already almost too weak to walk, as she’d eaten very little if anything most days, there was little doubt Amelia would have lived long.

  Over time, the melancholy left ever so slowly, but a deep fear of being alone never abated. When she allowed her thoughts to linger on what she’d lost, it became almost too much to bear.

  “There you are.” Harriett stood at the kitchen door. “Your aunt is at the church. Almost half of the congregation is there, supposedly to pray for our town. But they keep getting distracted when a new person walks in. Seems everyone has to be told the news in great detail.” The housekeeper chuckled and shook her head. “Dear me, I don’t think the new saloon owner realizes what he’s up against.”

  “No matter what we do, the brothel will open,” Amelia said, patting the cat’s head. “What do you think I should name him?”

  “How about Digger?” Harriett replied with a frown. “He keeps doing his business in the vegetable garden.”

  Amelia laughed. “I prefer Sunny.”

  Although she’d planned to cancel and not attend dinner that Saturday, Amelia decided it would be a good opportunity to get to know Gerard. She didn’t find him attractive. Not that she could see most of his face. He had an appealing physique and she liked his height, but the long hair and bushy beard were distractions.

  The fact that she didn’t feel any attraction was a good thing. It would be easier to get to know more about him and perhaps if they did have things in common, she would find a friend in him. Having a friend would be nice when she needed an escort or someone to speak to if her relatives were busy with their spouses. Yes, she could then find a listening ear with Gerard.

  In her wardrobe were two dresses, one gray and a black. She picked the gray dress, which had sleeves that belled at the elbow and laced edges. Although the cut was modest with a high neck, it showed her figure well.

  Next, she brushed her long, brown hair and pulled it back into a tight bun at her nape. Once that was complete, she donned her mother’s pearl earrings.

  Satisfied with her appearance, Amelia gathered her shawl and made her way downstairs.

  Both her aunt and uncle looked up from chairs in the front room.

  “You look very nice,” Camilla announced. “However, I do wish you would purchase a brighter fabric. Yellow or green would favor your skin tone.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Camilla, I will consider it.” She always replied with the same answer and, as always, her aunt looked up to the ceiling in defeat. “I did purchase a blue fabric the other day,” she added quickly.

  The street was quiet. It was dusk so there was enough light to see clearly. A lone man walked along the sidewalk across the street. Other than that, no one was about. Walking by, she peered into the mercantile. There were several people there. They looked to be talking more than shopping.

  According to Pearl, she never lacked company, as people gathered there to talk in the evenings just before she closed. Surely, the new brothel would be the main topic of conversation.

  Finally, Sarah and Robert’s home came into view and her stomach pitched. There was still time to turn around and feign illness. Sarah would be put off and it was a celebration dinner. She blew out a breath. Unfortunately, there was the fact that her aunt and uncle saw her leaving.

  “Oh goodness.” Amelia patted her stomach. “Everything will be just fine.”

  Chapter 5

  From the front room Gerard kept an eye out the window. He’d attempted to remain at his shop late and send a boy with a message that he wasn’t able to attend dinner. However, after speaking with Amelia that afternoon, he was curious to see how she acted around her family.

  It was stupid, of course, but not much he thought about was exactly admirable these days. The news of a brothel coming to town had actually made him consider intimacy with a woman. For the first time since his wife died, he admitted missing the physical aspect of marriage.

  Although he’d been married for five years, the last year had been difficult as his late wife Brenda wasted away from a weakened heart. He could not bring himself to cause her any more exertion since just breathing seemed to be difficult for her, so intimacy had been rare.

  When he did succumb, unfortunately, she’d become pregnant and the doctor warned of the dire possibilities.

  Brenda went into labor much too early. Soon, it was apparent neither would survive and both she and the child perished.

  Movement caught his attention. Amelia had appeared. She walked straight to the fence, opened it and, without hesitation, went up the stairs. Before knocking, she looked up and down the street as if searching for someone, or something.

  She was dressed as usual in a dull-colored dress, making him wonder why the woman chose such drab clothing.

  When she turned toward his house, she frowned and leaned forward as if hoping to see through the window. Gerard couldn't help but chuckle. Obviously, the woman was nervous around him. He didn’t blame her. Most people kept their distance from him. It wasn’t as if he welcomed friendships or needed anyone’s company. On the contrary, he preferred to be left alone.

  Some days, while working, there was a constant stream of people needing this or that. So when he left at the close of day, it was nice to be home alone.

  Admittedly, the silence could be noisier at times than the actual hustle and bustle about town.

  He’d been saving enough money to build a house on land he’d purchased years earlier and would one day move away from town.

  Unable to put it off any longer, Gerard picked up his hat and walked out the door. Every step closer to the Fields’ home became heavier. What had possessed him to accept the dinner invitation? He should’ve placed a note in the basket upon returning it, letting them know he was unable to attend. It wouldn’t have been surprising to them, as he never attended any social functions in town.

  “There you are.” Sarah Fields opened the door just as he walked up. “I figured you’d find a way to cancel on us.” Her lips curved and her eyes twinkled with mirth.

  “The thought did come to my mind,” Gerard admitted. “But your cooking is hard to turn down.”

  Her grin widened. “That is the nicest compliment.” When he neared, she threaded her arm through his. “I can’t wait for you to try my roast then. I have been cooking it all day long.”

  The woman’s familiarity was strangely comforting. That she was not intimidated in the least by him was surprising. They entered the large kitchen where Robert, Sarah’s husband, stood with Amelia. They faced off like two boxers.

  “You are wrong in this, dear cousin. A woman should never travel alone.” Robert’s clipped words were followed by a huff. “You are not going.”

  “So you say,” Amelia replied, her hands on both hips. “I will go where I please.”

  “They argue about everything,” Sarah whispered. “It’s comical at times. I do apologize for their rudeness.” She said the last sentence loud enough for the combatants to hear.

  “No you will not,” Robert told Amelia before turning away and moving to greet Gerard, hand outstretched. “Glad you could make it, Gerard. Perhaps you can help talk some sense into my cousin.”

  “Let’s not drag Mr. Cullen into this,” Sarah started and then sighed when Amelia came to stand next to Robert, pushing him aside.

  After sliding her cousin a narrow-eyed glance, she met his gaze. “I do apologize, Mr. Cullen. My cousin is an unfair man who wishes to keep women cloistered.”

  Sarah let out a laugh and shook her head. “Come, let’s sit down and continue this conversation over a glass of sherry.” She motioned to her h
usband. “Darling, will you pour?”

  They moved to the kitchen table. With the casualness of family, they each picked chairs, while Robert poured sherry. He placed dainty glasses before the ladies and then poured a bit more into two sturdier ones for Gerard and himself.

  “How is it that you consider Robert to be unfair, Amelia?” Sarah asked her cousin after taking a sip of her drink. “I find him most enlightened and free thinking.”

  Amelia looked to him. “Mr. Cullen...”

  “Everyone, please call me Gerard,” he told them.

  “Gerard then. I travel to the nearby farms to deliver some much-needed items for Mrs. Wilkes and my aunt. The farms are but an hour or so away and I will be going and returning during the daytime. My cousin insists I be escorted.”

  “I have to agree, Amelia,” Sarah interjected. “Too many things can happen. I would go, but I promised Lilah to help out in at the schoolhouse this week.”

  Robert straightened. “Absolutely not. Two women alone is not much better than one.”

  “What day are you going?” Gerard asked Amelia, who looked up at the ceiling.

  “The day after tomorrow.”

  Everyone looked to him as if he held the answer to everything. There was a challenge in Amelia’s expression. Her lips pursed and her right eyebrow cocked.

  “I agree with Robert. There have been several travelers assaulted on the roads into town. Now with the new establishment being opened, questionable sorts will be coming to look for work.”

  The women exchanged looks and Amelia frowned. “I carry a shotgun.”

  As if the last comment solved the situation, Sarah stood. “Let’s eat.”

  The meal was delicious and Gerard had more than his fill. He was delighted when Sarah insisted on packing some for him to take home.

  The sun was falling and the shadows of the trees outside filled the room with a comforting ambience.

  “I best get going. Wouldn’t want to walk home alone in the dark and risk being accosted by questionable sorts,” Amelia quipped.

  Sarah giggled. “Yep, make sure you carry a gun in your skirts from now on.”

  “Joke if you will,” Robert snapped. “I hope you listen to me, Amelia. I will ensure Uncle Bernard is aware of your plans so he can put a stop to this.”

  “Here we go again.” Sarah came to Gerard and handed him the small pot of food. “You best leave and save yourself.”

  “Don’t you dare, Robert Fields. I mean it. You are not my guardian.” Amelia hurried to the chair and snatched her shawl from the back of it. “I will discuss it with Uncle Bernard myself.”

  As she went to the door, Robert went to follow her. Sarah held him back. “Gerard, would you kindly walk Amelia home? She’s too frazzled to go alone.”

  Amelia’s mouth fell open and she looked to Sarah for a moment before her gaze narrowed.

  Instead of arguing, she meekly allowed Gerard to take her by the upper arm and guide her out.

  After hurrying inside to place his food on a table, he joined Amelia in front of his house. “Do you and your cousin ever get along?”

  “Of course we do. However, I think he finds it a sport to argue with me. I have to admit, it’s quite entertaining. I do apologize for my behavior. He knows exactly what to say to annoy me.”

  “I argued the same way with my brother. I miss our matches.”

  “Where does he live now?”

  “Two days’ ride away. He also works as a blacksmith.”

  “I hope you get to see each other often.”

  Gerard realized it had been over a month since he’d seen his brother and family. He made a mental note to plan a visit.

  They walked for a few moments in companionable silence. How long had it been since he walked with someone? He actually couldn’t remember. His wife had been dead for almost five years now and before then, she was abed for almost one entire year.

  “I’ll go with you the day after tomorrow. I promised Mrs. Shaw to fix her corrals. I can remain there while you do whatever it is you have to do nearby.”

  Her face lifted to him and she studied his face intently. “Did you just make that up?”

  It was hard not to laugh at her immediate distrust. “No, I did not. I was out that way a couple weeks ago. Sometimes I go out and do some work for her and another family.”

  “Hmm,” she responded noncommittally.

  They arrived at her house and he was struck with not wanting her to go just yet. “The evening turned out better than I expected. It’s been a long time since I ate with company.”

  One hand on the gate, once again she looked to him. Her eyes moved past him toward her cousin’s home. “I enjoyed it as well. Sometimes, it’s good to get away from the silence. I prefer to keep busy and my mind away from thinking of the past.”

  Amelia’s eyes widened. It was obvious she’d not expected to share her thoughts by the flush that traveled across her cheeks. “Goodnight, Gerard. Thank you for walking me home...” she looked around. “...amongst all this danger.”

  “My pleasure.” He tipped his hat, unable to detain her any longer. “Have a good night, Amelia.”

  After opening the gate, she walked up the stairs to the front door. He remained rooted, hoping she’d turn to him one last time. However, instead, back straight, she opened the front door and walked through, never turning to him.

  A most interesting evening. Gerard took his time walking home. The entire time, he was dreading the silence that would envelope him. What he’d convinced himself daily was his refuge was actually a lie. All it took was one evening with people, a walk with a beautiful woman, and the stark truth struck him like a blow to the chest.

  He was lonely.

  Stopping in his tracks, Gerard whirled to look back toward where he’d just come from. Why the hell had he offered to escort Amelia? Time alone with her was precisely what he didn't need.

  Amelia Fields made him feel things he’d not felt in a long time, like warmth and the need to protect someone.

  If he were to be honest, he was attracted to her.

  Chapter 6

  The sunny day was perfect for her jaunt to the nearby farms. She had three stops to make.

  Today, she would deliver shawls, blankets and some dry goods.

  After packing some food in a basket, Amelia walked to the door intending to head to Eudora Wilkes’ establishment. A wagon was waiting for her there.

  Thankfully, his dogs distracted Uncle Bernard so he did not pay much attention as she rattled off where she was going. Her aunt had still been abed, so she left the woman a message with Harriett that she was helping Eudora for the day and would return quite late.

  Satisfied with how everything was going so far, Amelia looked forward to a day outdoors and visiting. She was especially proud of the items she’d made for several for the children. Three rag dolls were securely packed with the clothing to be given out that day. She and her aunt had spent hours making simple frocks for the little girls and their mothers.

  For Mrs. Shaw, she’d made a blanket and a shawl. She’d also drop by beans, ham and some flour. The old woman had chickens and two goats, which would help keep her fed during the winter. The coddled goats had a well-made shelter and often even went into the woman’s home.

  As Amelia stepped through the door, the fancy black carriage passed, heading toward the hotel. Amelia followed its progress until it stopped in front of the hotel. Things would certainly be changing in Ranchester.

  Whether for the better, was still up for argument. New families arrived monthly. In another week, a stagecoach would arrive and with it, someone who’d settle there.

  As she descended the stairs, she considered what Gerard had said about people being accosted. Surely he’d just made it up to make a point. She’d not heard of any such thing. Ranchester was a peaceful town. The worst things that happened were fistfights between hot-tempered men.

  Picking up her pace, she walked faster. There was much to do that day. It was b
est to get on the road and see about accomplishing her planned tasks.

  Eudora Wilkes’ home and restaurant were just a few blocks down and a street over from where she lived. There would be quite a few people there for early morning coffee and breakfast. The establishment was always filled, since most of the residents of the town were single men. Most of them did not want to go into the hotel for a meal before or after a day of ranching. They preferred a more rustic place to eat.

  There were horses tethered in front as most would ride off to whatever ranch they’d work at that day.

  The wagon was already there and being loaded by two men. An older stout man stopped to wipe sweat off his face with a rather large handkerchief before picking up a bundle.

  When the other man turned to retrieve the item, Amelia stopped in her tracks. It was Gerard. Did he plan on going with her? She’d not replied to his offer the evening before and he’d dropped the subject.

  Surely, he’d understood she did not wish for company. Furthermore, traveling alone was less shocking than being accompanied by a single man. At least, that’s how the situation seemed to her at the moment.

  “There you are, dear.” Mrs. Wilkes waved her over. “I have wonderful news.” The woman smiled broadly, the apples of her cheeks standing out from her cheerful face. “Gerard is being a sweetheart and accompanyin’ you. I feel better knowin’ you won’t be travelin’ alone.” She patted Amelia’s shoulder and looked to Gerard, who continued putting items into the wagon.

  Other than a quick nod, he didn’t acknowledge her further. Amelia, on the other hand, could only look from the wagon to Mrs. Wilkes. She took the woman’s arm and guided her through the back door. “Can I bother you for a quick cup of coffee?”

  “Of course,” Eudora chuckled. “I am packin’ you a wonderful meal. Don’t need you gettin’ hungry durin’ the trip. It will take you most of the day to make the stops, but you’re blessin’ some good folks.”