The woman continued rambling, predicting the weather and giving her messages for the women she’d see. Finally, Amelia was able to interrupt.
“Don’t you find it disconcerting that I will be traveling alone with a man? He’s single,” she added, although Mrs. Wilkes already knew that.
The older woman chuckled. “Probably better than travelin’ with a married man and his wife bein’ uncomfortable with it. Gerard is a polite gentleman. You have nothin’ to worry about.”
“It’s not him I’m worried about. People could talk.”
Mrs. Wilkes placed a hand on her hip. “Did you not tell me it’s your plan to remain single and never marry?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“I doubt anyone, will think badly of either you or Gerard Cullen. Both of you have impeccable reputations.”
Without any ready rebuttal, Amelia sipped the warm coffee in silence. It was too late to invite someone else along. Besides, if she did, they’d have to ride in the back of the wagon.
Laddie, Mrs. Wilkes’ helper, walked in and looked to them. “Mr. Cullen says everything’s ready.” The mulatto woman was young and vibrant. Amelia had always liked Laddie, who kept everyone at arm’s length, rarely smiling. No one knew her background or how she came to be in Ranchester. Nonetheless, she was well liked.
Unable to postpone the trip any longer, Amelia placed the cup down. “I’ll be on my way then.”
“Hug Mrs. Shaw for me,” Mrs. Wilkes instructed. “Take time to enjoy the time away. Every moment will come back one day.”
Whatever that meant, Amelia wasn’t sure. It wasn’t as if she had a hard life that distraction was needed. “I will gather as much as I can and return to tell you all about it.”
Mrs. Wilkes walked out the back door with her and nodded. “Make sure you do. I’ll have a pot of tea waitin’.”
Gerard walked around the wagon and, without preamble, took her about the waist and lifted her to the wagon’s bench. Amelia was sure her eyes were as round as saucers as he climbed to sit beside her and snapped the reins.
“I hope it doesn’t rain,” Amelia told him in an effort to break the ice between them. He looked to her and nodded. “It won’t.” Once again, he directed his attention forward, his demeanor aloof.
A half-hour later, the thick air between them was quite evident. When she’d said something, he’d only replied with a grunt or a nod. Why had the man come if it was a bother or took him away from something he’d rather be doing?
“I didn’t expect you to come. I was fully prepared to go alone,” Amelia said, not keeping the annoyance from her tone. “I assume the shotgun is under the bench.” She leaned forward to look.
“You could not go alone. Besides, I told you, I promised Mrs. Shaw to mend her fence,” Gerard replied with a bored, flat tone.
“Very well. We should go there first. I will continue from there to the two neighboring ranches and return to pick you up.”
“We will go there last.” He leaned forward, lifted a canteen and drank from it. “Would you mind getting the bread and cheese Mrs. Wilkes packed for me? I haven’t eaten and I’m quite hungry.”
She pulled the basket onto her lap and retrieved the items. Then, placing a slice of cheese atop the bread, she handed it to Gerard. “My plan was to go to Mrs. Shaw’s last. However, if we wait to go to her house last, it will be very late by the time we head back.”
“Not if we keep the first two stops to only a few minutes.”
“I am not on your timetable. You are making things difficult.”
“I am looking out for your safety,” he replied between bites. “Besides, Daisy is acting strangely. I should have brought another horse. Daisy is pretty fickle about the weather.”
Amelia studied the horse. It looked fine to her. The animal trotted briskly, not seeming to notice the heavy load it pulled.
There were four sacks of beans and several hams. She also had bundles of clothing and blankets collected from the townspeople and shawls made by a group of women.
The wind shifted, sending branches in the nearby trees to swaying. Several leaves fluttered to the ground, signaling that autumn would soon arrive. In the surrounding fields, the grass remained green with just a few patches of brown here and there. The air continued warm and, for that, she was grateful. Soon, it would cool and everyone would begin preparations for winter.
In the distance, the first humble farmhouse came into view. The wooden home was on the edge of a ranch, where the husband worked as a farm hand. There were two girls running after chickens in the front, and laundry flapped in the breeze. Amelia’s lips curved upon noting the farmer’s wife walk out and call to the girls. She must have spotted the wagon and was making sure her children were safe.
“Melinda Bailey is a sweet woman. She’s proud and often has a hard time accepting what I bring,” Amelia told Gerard, her attention toward the home. “I can’t wait to show the girls what I made them.”
When the wagon got closer, the girls broke free from their mother and ran toward them. The happy calls brought joy to Amelia’s heart.
Amelia waved at them. “Hello Susie and Jenny.”
With the girls running alongside, Gerard brought the wagon to a stop. “Tell me what to unload.”
Without waiting for a reply, he rounded the wagon. Amelia hadn’t had time to climb down, so resigned herself to his assistance. She placed her hands on his shoulders while trying her best not to look into his eyes as he lifted her by the waist.
No sooner did her feet touch the ground than she lowered her hands and turned away. “Girls, I have a surprise for you.”
By then, their mother neared. “It’s a pretty day to be out, isn’t it, Amelia?” She cast a wary look toward Gerard. “You’re the town blacksmith, aren’t you?”
Gerard touched the brim of his hat. “Yes, Ma’am. Gerard Cullen.”
“What brings you out here today?” she asked, looking to Amelia.
Amelia had learned to approach things in a way that would not offend the woman’s pride. “I won’t be able to come once the weather becomes too cold to travel. My Uncle Bernard refuses to go anywhere once there’s a chill in the air.” They walked toward the back of the wagon. “So I wanted to bring some gifts for the girls in case we miss each other when you come to town.”
“Would you like to come in for coffee?” The woman smiled when the girls began squealing.
“First, let me see if I can find them. We are delivering some staples to Mrs. Shaw and a couple blankets we made in our quilting circle. Sometimes, we have to beg people to take them,” Amelia said with a chuckle. “But it’s entertaining to make them.”
“Can I see one?” Melinda asked with just a hint of hope in her voice.
“Of course,” Amelia pointed to a bundle. “Gerard, would you please move this one closer?”
When he placed the bundle within reach, Amelia opened it. Inside were two blankets, a shawl, a pair of dresses and two dolls.
“This is for you,” she said as she gave each of the delighted girls a doll. Amelia gave Melinda a light shrug. “I know they’re not perfect. I’m just learning to make them.”
“They’ll be treasured.” Melinda looked after her daughters who’d dashed into the cabin. Amelia then leaned forward and whispered, “Can you please keep these two dresses for them hidden until Christmas?”
“It’s too much...” Melinda gasped at seeing the calico frocks, one lavender and the other one blue. “How pretty.”
Amelia beamed. “Thank you. I am rather proud of them.” Acting as if she’d forgotten, she turned. “That’s right. The blankets. These two don’t have homes yet. If you’d like them, I’d be happy to gift them to you.
In silence, Melinda ran her hand over the quilts. “I couldn’t ask you to give them to me. I’d offer to pay, but we barely have enough for food. And with winter coming, things will get tighter. Whoever gets them will be blessed.”
“I refuse to take no for an answer then. I
choose to bless you.” Amelia lifted the blankets along with the shawl. “Oh, and the shawl is a gift for you.”
The woman stood awestruck with her mouth open as she formulated what to say.
“We have to go,” Gerard said as he approached. “Can I help you with that, Mrs. Bailey?”
Before Melinda could reply, he took the bundle, along with a small sack of beans and a ham. He walked to the porch. After placing them on a rocker, he walked back to them.
“I best go. Mr. Cullen is not the most patient, it seems,” Amelia whispered conspiratorially to Melinda, who giggled.
“I can see that.”
“You handled that well.” Gerard dug out an apple from the basket and took a healthy bite. “But I think she saw through it.”
“I know she did,” Amelia replied. “However, they are gifts. And it’s rude to turn gifts away.”
“Where to next?” He kept his eyes on the road, which suited her just fine. However, a part of her wanted to look into them. It was a silly notion, of course. But Amelia believed that in a person’s eyes one could see more than what was said.
“How do you know Mrs. Shaw?”
Gerard stiffened visibly. This time, he did turn to meet her gaze. In the dark blue gaze, she saw hesitance or, perhaps, wariness.
“She was close to my wife. Nursed Brenda for the last year of her life.”
It was the first time Amelia had heard his wife’s name. She hadn’t thought to ask Sarah or anyone. There wasn’t so much sadness as there was resignation when he spoke next.
“I owe her a great deal. So I come out here a couple times a month to see what she needs done around the place. I tried to convince her to move to town, but she’s a stubborn one.”
A pair of hawks flew overhead in a lazy pattern and Amelia tracked them for a long time. “If I lived out here, I don’t think I’d want to move to town either.”
“I’m surprised to hear that.” Gerard gave her a curious look. “You have all you need nearby. Out here, things can get tough.”
“True,” Amelia said, still following the hawk’s progress. “I don’t think I’d live out here alone. But if I had the chance to, I think it would be peaceful.”
After a second stop that was just as short as the first, they continued the additional one hours’ ride to Mrs. Shaw’s home.
The woman was in her garden and it took a few moments before she noticed they’d arrived. When she did look up, she pushed back an oversized hat and smiled brightly.
“I was just telling Elmo, I needed company.” She motioned to a dog that circled the wagon, barking. “He’s not much for talking back.” Mrs. Shaw laughed as she waited for Gerard to help Amelia down.
He wasn’t ready to touch her again, but it was best to get it over with. Each time he’d assisted her, there was an awareness that made him want to prolong it.
Now, as she looked down at him, prepared to put her hands onto his shoulders, his heartbeat quickened.
“How are you, Mrs. Shaw?” He looked to the older woman while assisting Amelia down.
His lack of attention made things worse when he released her too soon and she swayed forward until collapsing against his chest.
“I apologize.” This time, he held her by the shoulders, noting the slight flush that colored her cheeks.
She shook her head. “No. My fault. I am in a hurry to hug Mrs. Shaw.” The women hugged and he went to the back of the wagon to get the items left, which were obviously all for the older woman.
“I’m so happy to see you’ve finally moved on and found someone. Brenda would be so pleased. She did worry that you’d be alone.”
He found the woman’s words hard to believe. It was probably the older woman who’d wanted him to move on. He doubted his dour late wife would have ever said anything like that.
Unfortunately, before he could formulate a response, Mrs. Shaw turned to Amelia and cupped her face. “You are such a beautiful girl. Even if you insist on wearing such drab colors. You’ll make a beautiful bride.”
“We are not...” Amelia looked to him as if for help. “I am not marrying...” Elmo began barking and circling around his legs, tail wagging furiously. The animal smelled the ham, no doubt.
“Oh goodness, where are my manners. Please, come in.” Mrs. Shaw looked to her dog. “Elmo, stop all the ruckus at once. I can’t hear myself think.”
It was best to get everything unloaded.
“Go on inside, Mrs. Shaw. I’ll bring things in.” Gerard went to the back of the wagon.
He hurried to gather the food first, hoping Mrs. Shaw wouldn’t bring up the past again. Of course, the woman assumed he and Amelia were more than acquaintances. However, the last thing he needed was her putting ideas into Amelia’s head.
Not that Amelia seemed susceptible. If anything, the woman was as opposed to any kind of relationship as he was.
Each time he entered the house with his arms full, the woman would stop talking and look to him as if waiting for some sort of revelation. Finally, after releasing the horse to graze, he was able to go inside.
“Sit down for a bit. I have a fresh pot of coffee and some corn cakes.” Mrs. Shaw smiled brightly at him. “You need to rest a bit.”
“I can’t. I brought some wood to mend the gap in the corral and get that garden gate of yours fixed.”
“How delightful,” Mrs. Shaw replied. “The goats keep escaping. I have some wily goats,” she explained to Amelia.
Mrs. Shaw stood and approached Gerard, her narrowed gaze taking him in. Something was brewing. He could sense it.
“This will not do at all.” Her discerning gaze took him in. “Not at all. When you’re done, I am going to cut your hair and see about trimming that beard. You need a good haircut.”
“Ah. That’s not necessary...” he started to say when Mrs. Shaw pushed him out the door.
“Don’t tarry. Get those two things done and not more. I’ll get you trimmed up and on your way before it gets too late.”
She looked to Amelia who’d pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. “I used to cut his hair all the time. But the last time he was here, he got away before I could.”
“I see.” Amelia met his gaze. “In many ways, men are like children. Willful.”
“Yes, they are,” Mrs. Shaw said with a firm nod.
Gerard decided it was best to leave the room before they came up with something else that needed to be done to him.
A delighted Elmo devoured the piece of ham he offered and then trotted off with a bone Gerard had saved for him.
Once the work was complete, he’d collect Amelia and leave. At the most, he figured they’d be on the road in a couple of hours. It was late afternoon, which meant they’d return to town well before nightfall.
Chapter 7
Amelia enjoyed spending time with Mrs. Shaw. They sat at the table and snapped peas while she filled the woman in on what had occurred in town. At Mrs. Shaw’s enjoyment, Amelia found herself enriching the information by adding details she’d noticed.
Mrs. Shaw laughed upon hearing the bible study group’s current predicament. “I do believe your aunt could use this lesson. She can be rather overwhelming at times.”
“Most of the time,” Amelia agreed. “I do feel badly that she is hurt by not being included, however.”
They continued talking until Amelia finally had to stand and go to the doorway. “I hope he is almost done. I don’t want to chance nightfall.”
Mrs. Shaw came to stand next to her. “Here he comes now. I’ll cut his hair and you can be on your way.”
“You are very fond of him,” Amelia said. “It’s nice.”
The older woman beamed. “He is a good man. As you get to know him better, you will discover all of Gerard’s hidden qualities. I am just happy you saw beneath all that hair to his heart of gold.”
Before she could correct the woman, Gerard walked in and, like a resigned boy who’d been chastised, he went directly to a chair and sat to wait
for the haircut.
Mrs. Shaw didn’t waste time. “Take that shirt off. I don't want you itching all the way back to town.”
When he stood to remove his shirt, his gaze met Amelia’s for only a moment. It was enough for her to realize it was best not to remain in the room.
“Amelia, can you fetch me a cloth out of the bottom drawer?” Mrs. Shaw motioned to a cupboard where she stood.
Thankful to have an excuse not to watch Gerard remove his shirt, she turned and opened the drawer. Once she retrieved a worn cloth that would serve to keep his shoulders covered, Amelia turned.
Shirtless, Gerard sat in the chair with his side to her. He stared forward while Mrs. Shaw brushed his hair back. The familiarity of the older woman with the quiet man was interesting. She must have taken care of a lot of the duties his wife was unable to do toward the end.
It was hard not to study him. He was well-built with wide shoulders and a sprinkling of hair across his chest. Amelia held out the cloth. “I’ll go for a short walk and once you’re done, we can be on our way.”
“Don’t go too far,” Mrs. Shaw said. Gerard didn’t say anything.
Once outside, Amelia let out a long breath and looked around. The dog lounged on the porch chewing on a bone and not paying her any mind. Mrs. Shaw needed another dog, one that would protect her home. Although Elmo was intimidating in size, he was too docile.
She lowered to sit on the rocker. The surroundings were so peaceful. The breeze blew across the area, sending leaves skidding over the ground. In the distance, the sound of a bird calling was followed by a reply. Although she would love life outside of town, it would afford too much time to think.
The luxury of silence was not something she wanted. Prone to melancholy, she’d go crazy in a short time. It was hard not to chuckle at the thought of ambling about alone in a house mumbling to herself.
“Amelia.” Someone prodded her shoulder. A masculine voice said her name twice and then once again touched her shoulder. “Wake up.”
Her eyes flew open and she gasped at seeing a stranger looking down at her. “I--where is Mrs. Shaw?”
Amelia, An Autumn Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 7) Page 4