Never a Bride

by Denise Hunter

  Copyright

  ISBN 1-57748-936-5

  © 2000 by Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of the publisher, Truly Yours, PO Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.

  All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover illustration by Randy Hamblin.

  one

  Jane and Cassy Cooper wove their way through the skeletal frame of their family’s unfinished restaurant. Jane watched as her sister stepped onto a discarded piece of lumber and strolled the length of it with balance and poise.

  “Be sure you’re back by nightfall, girls!” Mama called from the soon-to-be kitchen.

  “We will.” Jane slipped through the framed wall and stepped down to join Cassy on the ground.

  Their skirts swished in unison as they headed through the town of Cedar Springs, the warm spring air brushing past Jane’s slicked-back hair and cooling her neck. Jane stepped around a deep groove in the rutted street; Cassy hopped over it.

  “David told me to follow the path behind the church. I should’ve brought my cane pole,” Cassy said.

  “You know Mama doesn’t approve of your fishing. You should spend your time in more ladylike pursuits—like sewing. Why, you could open your own shop if you wished.”

  “I do enjoy making dresses.” Cassy’s eyes lit with enthusiasm. “How about if I make one for you, Jane? I saw a bolt of periwinkle blue in Parnell’s just the other day. The color would really suit you.”

  Jane snapped her gaze away from Cassy’s face. “I own plenty of dresses. Make one for yourself or Katy. She adores getting new clothes.”

  “Katy and I have dozens of gowns. Besides, all your gowns are brown, or gray, or beige.” Jane could tell that Cassy was wrinkling her nose just by the sound of her voice.

  Jane sniffed indignantly. “And what’s wrong with those colors anyway?”

  “They’re so plain!”

  Jane lowered her gaze and watched her simple gray skirt flutter next to Cassy’s ruffled one. The contrast between the two gowns exemplified the differences between the sisters.

  Cassy’s voice gentled. “Oh, Jane. You could look truly lovely if you only gave it a little effort.”

  “I’m satisfied with the way I am.” . . .And, when will you realize—I’m not like the rest of the family? Jane added in silent retort as a wagon, clattering in the distance, diverted her sister’s attentions.

  “Look. Here comes my Caleb!” Cassy clutched Jane’s sleeve.

  Jane focused on the nearing wagon and sighed with dismay. “And, Luke.”

  Luke pulled the reins, and the horses halted in front of them.

  “Hello, Cassy. Jane.” Caleb nodded in greeting to both girls, but scarcely took his eyes off his fiancОe.

  Cassy stepped closer to the wagon, and Jane followed reluctantly.

  “What brings you to town?” Cassy asked.

  “We just had to pick up some—”

  Suddenly, Jane’s boot caught in a rut, and she went sprawling forward. Her hands, groping desperately for a handhold, collided with warm horseflesh instead. The smelly beast raised his nose and whinnied in protest.

  Jane struggled to regain her balance as the sound of rude laughter reached her ears. She narrowed her eyes at Luke Reiley. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone?

  “Are you all right, Jane?” Cassy asked.

  “Perfectly,” she insisted, brushing an imaginary speck from her bodice.

  “The ruts are bad right now due to all that rain last week,” Caleb said, exuding charm. “How’ve you been, Miss Jane?”

  “Just fine, thank you.” She tossed Caleb a weak smile before shooting a glare toward his obnoxious brother.

  Luke tipped his hat, his brown eyes flickering with mischief. “Jane. Cassy. Can we give you a lift somewhere?”

  “No!”

  “Yes, please.”

  The sisters responded simultaneously. Cassy giggled. Jane shifted awkwardly.

  “Well now,” Luke said. “Does that mean we take you halfway there and let you off, or does that mean we take one of you and leave the other?”

  Everyone laughed except for Jane, who felt heat climbing to the tips of her ears. She needn’t question which of the two sisters he’d prefer to leave behind!

  “Actually, we’re on our way to the spring,” Cassy said, “so you couldn’t take us very far, anyway.”

  “We’d best be on our way, Cassy, if we’re going to make it back by dark.” Although her words were true, Jane’s real reason for wanting to go had nothing to do with impending nightfall and everything to do with one irritating man.

  The group said good-bye and, as Luke snapped the reins, Jane released her breath.

  “See you two tomorrow night,” Caleb called, referring to the engagement party that Cassy’s parents had planned.

  The sisters stood by the roadside and watched the wagon clamor away. “Isn’t he divine, Jane? I can’t believe God made such a wonderful man!” Cassy spun in a circle of delight.

  “You are, undoubtedly, referring to Caleb. For, heaven knows, his brother is God’s curse upon me! Utterly childish!” she mumbled.

  Cassy laughed merrily and tapped Jane on the arm. “Jane! What a perfectly awful thing to say about your future brother-in-law!”

  “Don’t remind me!”

  “And he can’t be as childish as you think; he did hold things together when their parents died. Caleb has nothing but praise for him. He only teases you so because of the way you react.”

  “Like I said, childish!”

  ❧

  Luke stepped through the door and shucked his worn, brown boots.

  “Is that you, Caleb?” Esther, their housekeeper, called from the kitchen.

  “No, Luke. Caleb’s tending the team. Is there something I can help you with?” Luke asked as he padded into the kitchen.

  “Yes, could you holler at Elizabeth and tell her supper’s ready?” Esther placed the platter of fried chicken on the table with the other food. Then, she filled plates for herself and her husband, covering them with cheesecloth.

  Luke held the door for her as she left. “I’ll see you in the morning, Esther.”

  “Have a good evening, Luke.”

  Just as Esther exited the front door, Elizabeth burst through the back door. “Hi, Luke! Ummm. Fried chicken, my favorite!”

  “Wash your hands. I waited for you.”

  Elizabeth pumped water into the basin and splashed around for a moment. “Where’s Caleb? Are we eating without him?”

  “He’ll be in shortly. He said to save him a plate.”

  Elizabeth and Luke took their seats at the table. Although their ma and pa had been gone for nearly three years, the Reiley children still sat in the same seats they always had. Luke may have taken his father’s place as the head of the family, but his place at the head of the table remained empty.

  When Caleb came in, he seated himself while Elizabeth filled a plate with food. Caleb wore a boyish grin, and Luke could tell he was in especially good spirits. And why shouldn’t he be? He was engaged to Cassy—the woman of his dreams.

  And, the woman of Luke’s dreams.

  Luke finished eating, then settled in his fireside chair while Caleb pretended to peruse a menu.

  “Let’s see here,” he said with a pompous voice. “Yes, miss. I do believe I’ll have the fried chicken. And perhaps a bit of potatoes and a yeast roll.”

  Elizabeth snickered and tried to maintain a stra
ight face as she set his plate before him. “Here you are, sir.”

  Elizabeth’s brown braids swung as she spun back to the kitchen. She was growing up. Still playing silly games with Caleb, yet soon she would begin to show an interest in boys. Luke nearly groaned. He knew nothing about raising a young woman. Thank the Lord for Esther, he thought.

  “I’m all finished in the kitchen, Luke. I’m going outside to play.”

  “Be sure you are back by dark.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You say that every night.” She opened the door and stepped over the threshold.

  Luke opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Elizabeth said, “I know. . . . Be sure and shut the door.” She tossed Luke an impertinent grin and vaulted down the steps.

  “She sure has you pegged!” Caleb said.

  “Well, somebody has to play the nag around here.”

  “And a fine job you do, sir.”

  “Thank you.”

  Caleb took a swig of lemonade. “The Coopers’ restaurant and inn are sure going up fast. They’re hoping to open the restaurant in July and the hotel a month or so later.” Caleb paused, then shook his head slowly. “I still can’t believe Cassy’s going to marry me! Sometimes it’s like a dream. Isn’t she just the sweetest thing?”

  Luke swallowed hard. “We’ve never exactly had the same taste in women.”

  “That’s true enough!” Caleb laid his fork down with a clank. “Are you sure you don’t mind if Cassy and I take your room? My room would do just fine.”

  Luke’s stomach tightened in a painful knot, but he forced his face to form a grin. “It’s only right. Newlyweds need their privacy.” The words stuck like glue in his throat. Was Caleb convinced? He looked over at his brother. Caleb wore a dazed grin and seemed oblivious to everything but his own thoughts.

  Caleb hardly noticed when Luke said good night and retired to his bedroom, just off the main room. After closing the door, he sank down on the large bed against the wall. The pale light of dusk filtered through the beige curtains his mother had sewn years ago. How he missed his parents. In times such as this, he wished his ma were there to advise him. What would she tell him to do?

  I guess you’d better get on your knees, Luke. The answer came quickly, as though she had answered herself.

  Luke rolled off the bed and assumed his favorite praying position. Years ago, his ma told him that the best way to humble yourself before God was to get on your knees. He had seen her in that position more times than he could count.

  At first, Luke simply closed his eyes and attempted to order his thoughts. Then, he prayed silently. Dear heavenly Father, I’m confused about my feelings for Cassy. You know I want Your perfect will for my life and for my family. You know what my thoughts were when I met Cassy. I felt so certain that she was right for me, and I was so excited about finding someone special. I don’t know why You allowed me to fall for Cassy before I knew she and Caleb had feelings for one another. But I thank You that no one knows of my feelings so they don’t have to feel guilty or feel bad for me. Thank You for bringing Caleb happiness.

  Please remove these feelings from me, Lord. Help me as we all try to live together in the same house. Give me a clean, pure heart, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  two

  The day of the party dawned clear blue and a bit windy. Anna, Cassy, Jane, and Katy worked diligently to prepare the feast while Eli and David set up tables and chairs in the backyard.

  The day held an air of festivity and excitement, amplified by Eli and Anna, who had been dropping hints of a surprise for Caleb and Cassy. None of the children knew the secret and, as much as they tried, they were unable to extract the information from their parents.

  Caleb, Luke, and Elizabeth arrived on schedule, and Cassy was released from her duties to entertain their guests. When supper was ready, Jane and her mother carried the food outside, and the two families gathered around the table to say grace.

  Somehow Luke ended up beside Jane. Since, on her other side, Cassy and Caleb were thoroughly absorbed in one another, Jane focused on her food. Luke, however, seemed determined to pester her.

  “So, Jane, have you been busy helping Cassy with wedding plans?” Luke asked just as she took a mouthful of ham.

  She hurried to swallow and choked, initiating a fit of coughing that surely turned her face an uncomely shade of red. She grabbed her glass of lemonade, gave one last unladylike hack, then drained the cup dry.

  Jane looked around and was relieved that the noisy party carried on, oblivious to her episode.

  Luke, however, sat staring at her with concerned amusement, one eyebrow hiked high on his forehead.

  Irritated, Jane set her glass back on the table only to realize that the glass she had drained was not hers, but Luke’s. She breathed a sigh and hissed, “Looks like I drank your lemonade.”

  Luke threw his head back and guffawed, holding his stomach as if he could not contain himself. Jane stiffened and opened her mouth to offer a rebuttal, when a clinking noise drew her attention to the head of the table where her father stood.

  “May I have your attention, please?” When the clamor subsided, her father continued. “Thank you. Cassy, Caleb, we are here in your honor to celebrate the union of our families. Anna and I couldn’t be happier with Cassy’s choice for a husband.” Eli paused as murmurs of agreement followed. “Cassy, as you may have guessed, your mother and I have a surprise for you and your soon-to-be husband.” He paused as if to let the anticipation build. “We have arranged a four-week trip to California for your honeymoon!”

  Cassy gasped and looked to her future husband.

  Caleb sat with his mouth agape. “That’s very generous, Mr. Cooper,” Caleb said. “But, the ranch—”

  Eli interrupted. “I knew the ranch would be your first concern, son. That’s why I cleared this with Luke first.” He nodded and winked at Luke. “We have an agreement. If he needs any help while you’re away, David will step in.” David smiled and nodded to Caleb. “And, of course, Esther will still be here to look after Elizabeth and the house. Everything’s been arranged!”

  “Oh, Papa. Mama. I don’t know what to say!”

  “That would be a first!” David said. The group erupted in laughter.

  “What a wonderful surprise, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. Cassy and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

  Everyone resumed their meals, and Jane listened to Cassy chatter about what she would wear and what they would see.

  All the while, Jane’s heart ached. She knew she would never have all this—a wedding, a honeymoon, a husband—things that came easily to girls like Cassy and Katy. No matter what her mother said, it’s what’s on the outside that counts. Now it was Cassy’s turn, and in a few years it would be Katy’s. As sure as the moon hung in the sky, Jane knew that her turn would never come.

  And, yet, some tiny piece of her heart clung desperately to the hope that she might be wrong.

  ❧

  May brought more wind and rain. Construction on the building slowed due to the inclement weather, and the postponement gave the Cooper family time to plan for the June wedding. Cassy’s head had been in the clouds in the recent weeks, and her family frequently teased her about her absentmindedness.

  Anna Cooper lamented over the absence of her own wedding gown, which they had been forced to leave behind when they moved from Philadelphia. Cassy, too elated over her upcoming marriage to be depressed about anything, enlisted Jane to sketch a gown and, together, they designed the wedding dress. Cassy immediately went to work sewing the gown. The Reverend Hill was asked to officiate the wedding, and Mrs. Leighton, who ran the post office, insisted Cassy take whatever flowers she needed from her plentiful garden.

  Soon, the month of May slipped by, and the wedding was just days away. Every moment seemed filled with sewing, planning, and writing letters to friends back home. These tasks were somehow squeezed into the normal duties of meals, laundry, and cleaning. A regular schedule of construct
ion had resumed once the wet spring days had given way to a warm, sunny June.

  The Reileys had been invited to dinner on more than one occasion. Jane kept herself busy with Elizabeth when they were there, making sure that she was not seated beside Luke again. He still managed to annoy her and seemed to derive great pleasure from harassing her.

  Now, two days before the big event, there was a lull in the activity. Everything was ready except for the flowers.

  Jane seized the opportunity of the hiatus to escape to the backyard and draw. She found a magnificent view of the hills there, and she had been wanting to capture the scene on paper since their move to Cedar Springs. Her easel was still packed away, so Jane propped herself against a tree, a pad of paper resting on her bent legs.

  Jane heard approaching footsteps as she attempted to duplicate the shadow of the hill’s crevice. “Good morning, Cassy,” she said without ceasing her work. Since Jane sat, somewhat hidden, on the ground amid the flora, Cassy startled at the greeting and halted her steps.

  “Oh. Jane. It’s you.”

  Cassy’s forlorn voice drew Jane’s attention, and she laid down her tools. “You sound troubled, Cassy. Did something happen?”

  Cassy walked over to Jane and dropped down beside her. “Caleb just came by with some bad news.”

  “What? Not the wedding. . . .”

  “No! No, nothing like that.” The corners of Cassy’s lips drew up in a simulated smile. “But, Esther’s daughter in Springfield suffered some kind of accident. Evidently, the damage is permanent, and she needs help with her children. Esther and her husband are moving back home to help out. They’re leaving in five days.”

  “So Esther won’t be able to care for Elizabeth and the household.”

  “Right. I’ll take over her tasks, and Caleb figures we can live in the cottage they stayed in. That’ll be nice, I suppose.” Cassy sighed. “Still, we won’t be able to take our trip to California. I feel just awful sniveling over that when Esther’s daughter has suffered a real tragedy, but I was so looking forward to the honeymoon. I’ve always wanted to go to California, and we had the trip all planned.” Cassy’s lips tipped up at the corners. “Well, there’s nothing to be done about it.”