Never a Bride

by Denise Hunter

  Jane had seen the structure that morning as she rode to church with Luke and Elizabeth, but now, as they pulled up to the front and alighted from the carriage, she was awestruck at its expansiveness. Their building was located between the Feed ’n’ Seed and Dr. Hathaway’s office. The size of the restaurant and inn dwarfed both buildings.

  The restaurant occupied the lower floor, and the boarding rooms were located above it. The Coopers’ new two-story house was attached to the right side of the business and was as large as the restaurant and inn combined.

  Jane and David mounted the steps leading to a full-length porch. Glass panes had been installed the previous week, and Jane noted the large, central window on which she would paint the name of the establishment.

  David opened the finely carved wood door and stepped aside, allowing Jane to precede him. The tangy scent of lumber hung in the hot, still air, but bright sunlight flooded through the windows that surrounded the dining room, giving an ethereal appearance to the empty room.

  “Oh, David, it’s wonderful! All the natural lighting is. . .”

  “I know.” He walked to the right and gestured to the unfinished wall. “Mama wants to paper all the walls in the dining room. I think she wants your input. She can’t seem to decide on a pattern.” He pointed to the opposite wall where a staircase ran up to the second story. “Mr. Evans is making a banister. He does beautiful work, and he agreed to make the tables and chairs, too. It’s actually cheaper to have him make them than to order them from back east.”

  “Where’s the kitchen?”

  David laughed. “Figures that’s what a woman wants to see!” He led her to an open doorway located on the far wall. “There’s not much in here yet, but you can see there’s plenty of space for preparations. That’s where the stoves are going to be.”

  “What about cabinets?”

  “We did have to order those. Mr. Evans said it would be all he could do to get the tables and chairs done on time. Mama told us what she wanted, and that’s what we ordered.”

  Jane could see why her family was so excited over the new business and was glad she had something to look forward to once her work at the Reileys’ was finished.

  David took her upstairs next, which consisted of four boarding rooms and two water closets, which would have to be shared. Next he led her through the dining room to the door on the far wall. “This leads to our new house. It’s almost finished.”

  He opened the connecting door, and Jane saw that the place was nearly ready for occupancy. Her parents planned to move into the house about a week before the restaurant opened. The downstairs consisted of a large parlor, a kitchen, a water closet, a dining room, and her parent’s room. The walls were partially papered, a work in progress. She liked the large floral print in shades of fall foliage.

  Jane followed David up the open stairway and, once at the top, Jane marveled at the size of the bedrooms. The room she would share with Katy loomed at the top of the staircase, and just beyond that was David’s room, which was slightly smaller than the one she and Katy would share. After the tour was completed, they made their way back to the carriage, and David flicked the reins, setting the bays in motion.

  Supper was well underway when they returned, so Jane helped her mother and Katy finish. Just a week ago, she had dreaded going to the Reileys’ house, but tonight she just felt indifferent about going back. The assignment hadn’t been so bad, really.

  After supper, her father drove her back to the cottage that would be her home for the next three weeks. She wasn’t the least bit tired, so she took out her art supplies and sketched from memory the inside of the restaurant’s dining room. She added the linen-covered tables and empty chairs, a floral paper for the walls, and a delicately carved banister. When she was finished, she saw that it was a good representation, but the emptiness of the dining room left her feeling lonely.

  ❧

  The next morning, Jane and Elizabeth fell into the familiar routine of the previous week. After Elizabeth milked the cows, she helped Jane prepare the morning meal. Elizabeth was still excited about Sara’s new baby and wanted to know when they could go for a visit.

  “I think today would be too soon. Perhaps tomorrow we’ll bake and deliver them a cake.” Her answer satisfied Elizabeth, who was eager to hold the newborn.

  When Luke came in, they took their seats and said grace. While everyone filled their plates, Elizabeth chattered, and Luke teased like the big brother he was.

  “Jane says we can go see the baby tomorrow, Luke. I can’t wait!” She looked at Jane with a frown between her eyebrows. “Should we take something for the baby?”

  “Perhaps.” Jane had an idea. “I saw some spare material in a chest upstairs. Maybe we can make a bib or bonnet.”

  “Do you mean it? You’ll help me?”

  Jane was caught off guard by Elizabeth’s enthusiasm, then remembered Elizabeth no longer had her mother. Jane’s heart warmed toward the girl, and she gave her a genuine smile as she responded. “Of course I’ll help you. We’ll start on it after breakfast.”

  “Oh, thank you, Jane! I just love little baby things!” She paused to take a sip of milk. “I wonder when Caleb and Cassy will have a baby. I hope it’ll be soon.”

  Elizabeth proceeded to eat, but Jane saw from the corner of her eye how Luke’s fork paused between his plate and mouth before continuing on its way. She looked at him and, although his eyes were fixed on the table, she read the misery there. He continued eating, but his eyes looked hollow and a vein bulged in the middle of his forehead. How awful this must be for him. What would he do when Caleb and Cassy returned and he would have to face them every day?

  Just then, as if he’d felt her eyes on him, his gaze darted up and he pierced her with his stare. His eyes held hers in an unseverable grip as intense seconds dragged. He seemed to be studying her, and Jane wondered if he had guessed she knew his feelings for Cassy. A slow flush bloomed along Luke’s cheeks and, when he finally looked away, his chair grated across the floor, startling Jane.

  He stood, leaving a half-empty plate, and shoved his hat on his head. “I won’t be back for lunch,” he mumbled before he strode across the room and out the door.

  Elizabeth shattered the silence. “Boy, what’s his problem? He’s just not been himself lately.”

  Jane gave a small semblance of a smile and thought it best to change the subject. “I don’t know, but if we’re going to make something for the baby, we’d better get to work.”

  As she helped Elizabeth work on the bonnet, Jane couldn’t get Luke off her mind. He’d looked so sad. With Luke, it was easy to forget there was a vulnerable being inside his happy-go-lucky shell. He was forever teasing and laughing in a way that was distinctly Luke and, although he irritated her many times, she realized he didn’t mean any harm. She resolved to be more careful of his feelings in the future. After all, he was only human.

  ❧

  Luke strode out of the barn, slamming the crude door harder than he intended. As he saddled Ginger, his mind drifted back to breakfast. Elizabeth’s innocent comment about Caleb and Cassy having a baby had slammed into him like a fist into his gut, almost knocking the breath from him. It’s not that he hadn’t thought of it before. But for some reason hearing Elizabeth say it had made it seem all the more real.

  The crazy thing was, his feelings for Cassy seemed blurred, as if distance had obscured his feelings. He wondered at this and admitted he didn’t understand what was happening in his heart. She’d only been gone a week.

  He hadn’t known what to think when he’d caught Jane staring at him. To find her looking at him at all was out of character. Then to catch her feeling sorry for him—and he was sure that’s what she was doing—was disconcerting and humiliating. Had she guessed his feelings for Cassy? He’d been so careful to hide them, yet what other reason would she have to pity him?

  Luke mounted Ginger and nudged her to a gallop. He’d best get his mind on ranch business, or he’d never ge
t anything done.

  ❧

  That evening after supper, Jane pulled the Boston rocker onto the cottage’s small front porch in hopes of enjoying the best part of the warm July day. Summer’s heat now attacked the region with vigor, and only the shade of a large tree or a fresh breeze gave a body relief.

  A copse of trees directly ahead framed the setting sun, and the brilliant pink and purple slashes inspired the artist in her. So, what began as a rest turned into a painting session. Pulling another chair from the house, she put it in front of the rocker to use as a makeshift easel. She worked quickly, knowing how fast the colors would fade once the sun sank below the horizon.

  She used her dry brush to softly blend the colors to-gether. The blazing sunset silhouetted the trees, and she knew her time was almost up. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t hear Luke approaching until he was almost upon her.

  “Enjoying the view?”

  Her brush sliced across the painting, streaking the canvas with a violet strand. Jane huffed. “Now see what you’ve done?”

  Luke approached, viewing the piece. “Real sorry about that, Jane. I thought you heard me coming.” To his credit, he sounded repentant.

  Upon hearing his apology, Jane relented and used a cloth to wipe away as much as possible.

  “Will you be able to fix it?”

  Jane gave a curt nod. “With time.”

  “Elizabeth told me you were an artist, but I had no idea you were so good.”

  Jane shifted in her seat, wondering what she was supposed to say. When nothing occurred to her, she remained quiet and began to repair the painting. Luke watched over her shoulder, making her terribly conscious of every brush stroke. Her steady hand began to shake as her nerves grew taut. Didn’t the man know painting was not a spectator sport? She worked as quickly as she could to cover the faint purple stain, but she grew clumsier with each passing minute, until finally she’d had it.

  “Is there something you wanted, Luke?” she asked, exasperation coating every word.

  She heard the smile in his voice. “Why, Jane, am I making you nervous?”

  “Of course not.” She set her jaw and continued working, more to avoid his eyes than anything.

  “You are nervous. Why does it bother you for people to watch you paint?”

  “Not people, just you,” she retorted without thinking.

  “I make you nervous?” He chuckled in disbelief. “So, now I know two things that make you nervous.”

  Jane paused long enough to send him an irritated glance. “What are you talking about?”

  “Horses, of course.” Luke moved to the porch rail and leaned insolently against it with his arms crossed smugly in front of his body.

  His arrogant pose made Jane’s blood boil. “First of all, if you think I’m intimidated by you, you’re just. . .wrong, and secondly, I am not afraid of horses!”

  Luke threw his head back and laughed as if amused by her denial.

  “I’m not!” she reiterated.

  It seemed to take a great effort on Luke’s part to regain control and, even then, he was unable to prevent his lips from twitching. “So, you’re not afraid of horses, is that right?”

  “Of course I’m not afraid,” Jane stated with confidence.

  “Well, I’m right glad to hear that, Jane, ’cause I just came over to see if you wanted to take a little ride.”

  Jane’s brush froze in midair. “A ride?”

  “Uh-huh, I thought you might like to see more of the ranch. I have just the right horse for you.” Luke’s mouth continued to twitch, and his eyes challenged hers.

  Jane fought for an excuse and, like magic, her mind emptied.

  “Chicken?” Luke asked with quiet emphasis as he hiked a brow.

  Jane bristled. “Why, of all the nerve! You, Mr. Reiley, are the most obnoxious, rude man I have ever met. Further-more, just because I have no training in horse riding does not mean I am afraid. I. . .I just don’t know how to ride, that’s all. And I might add that it’s extremely ungentlemanly of you to call it to my attention.” When, after all of Jane’s insults, Luke only looked more amused, Jane stopped her tirade and began snatching up her supplies.

  “Whoa there, little lady.” Luke gripped her arm to stop her frenzy, and she stared at his hand with barely contained outrage until he released her. “I’m glad we’ve cleared up this little problem,” he said, his face teeming with amusement. “See, I thought you were afraid of horses, and now I find out you’re just untrained. That’s a different thing altogether.”

  Jane stared at him, dumbfounded at having made him see her way. “Well. . .I’m glad you see how things are.”

  “Oh, I do. Training is simple to remedy. All you need are lessons. And since you have been so kind as to fill in for Esther while she’s away, I insist that you let me provide those lessons.” Luke pulled himself up to his full height, his eyes twinkling in the dusky light.

  “Oh, but I. . .”

  “I insist, Jane.” Luke tipped his hat and began walking to his house.

  “Mr. Reiley, really. . .”

  “We’ll start tomorrow evenin’, Jane,” he tossed over his shoulder. “Be sure to wear a full skirt so you can ride astride.” Luke vaulted up the porch steps and disappeared into his house.

  Oh, for heaven’s sake! How was she supposed to get out of this? Jane plucked her canvas off the chair and stomped into the house.

  seven

  The next day, following breakfast, Jane made two teacakes while Elizabeth worked on the baby’s gift. While the cakes baked, Jane helped Elizabeth with the eyelet ruffle that would rim the bonnet, then she showed her how to run the satin ribbon through the border.

  Elizabeth had already known the sewing basics, and Jane was surprised at how quickly the girl learned. After this project, she was sure Elizabeth would be able to fashion a bonnet all by herself, and she told Elizabeth so.

  The tiny hat was completed shortly after the cakes had finished baking and, when they had cooled, Jane draped a cheesecloth across one of the pans and set the other aside for supper, before starting off toward the McClain ranch.

  The midmorning temperature was already elevated, but the sunbonnets that shielded their faces and the steady breeze that flowed by them atop the buckboard allowed some degree of comfort.

  The baby bonnet, nestled in brown wrapping paper and tied with a piece of string, was cradled carefully in Elizabeth’s arms, as if she were holding the baby herself. It had been rewarding to help her with the gift and even more rewarding to see how proud she was of her effort.

  When they drove up to the house, they immediately spotted Hetty, who was on her knees tending the garden out back. Upon seeing them, Hetty pulled herself to her feet and walked toward them waving.

  After Jane reined in the horses, she alighted from the wagon, then helped Elizabeth down behind her.

  “Hello, Jane and Elizabeth. Land sakes, I’m a filthy mess!” she exclaimed as she dusted off her skirts. “Don’t reckon it makes much difference, anyway, since I’m sure you didn’t come to see me. Come on in, and I’ll pour you a nice, cool glass of lemonade.”

  Jane and Elizabeth followed her into the house where Sara rocked the infant. Jane handed the cake over to Hetty, who thanked her graciously, then disappeared into the kitchen.

  Sara smiled a welcome. “Hello, Jane. Elizabeth. How kind of you to come and bring a cake.”

  Elizabeth tentatively approached and held out her gift. “We brought the baby a present, too. I made it!” She glanced sheepishly at Jane. “I mean Jane and I made it.”

  “Elizabeth did the work. I just showed her what to do,” Jane said.

  “Well! How thoughtful.” Sara rose to her feet as the baby made little gurgling noises. “Elizabeth, would you like to hold Caroline while I open the present?”

  The girl’s eyes widened with delight. “Oh! May I?”

  “Of course you may. Here, sit in the rocker, and I’ll hand her to you.”


  Elizabeth did as she asked, and seconds later she was cradling the newborn. “She’s so tiny! Look at her little fingers!”

  Sara smiled at the wonder in Elizabeth’s voice. “Please have a seat, Jane. I can hardly believe it was just three days ago that you were helping me deliver her.” The two women seated themselves on the settee. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  “Don’t be silly. I really didn’t do anything.”

  “Just having you there was such a comfort. God sure was watching out for me. I nearly had the baby alone.”

  Jane shifted in her seat, unsure what to say next.

  Elizabeth filled the gap. “Open the present, Mrs. McClain!”

  Sara untied the twine and opened the lumpy package. “Oh, how precious! A little bonnet.” She fingered the lace trim and examined the tiny stitches. “You’re quite a fine seamstress, Elizabeth. And it looks like you had a proficient teacher.” She smiled at Jane. “Thank you so much. I think I’ll have her wear this to her first Sunday service.”

  Elizabeth beamed. “Oh, Jane, you just have to hold Caroline!”

  “Well. . .I suppose I could.” When Jane made no move to get up, Sara stood and gathered Caroline, then put the baby in Jane’s arms. Miniature blue eyes gazed unblinkingly at Jane. Her cheeks had filled out some since her delivery, and her skin had blossomed to a delicate pink. “She’s just beautiful, Sara.”

  “Thank you. God has blessed us.”

  “Amen to that!” Hetty declared as she entered with a tray of drinks, sandwiches, and slices of the teacake. “Jane and Elizabeth brought the cake, Sara. Thought I’d serve it now since it looks so good.”

  Sara took a piece of cake off the tray and delicately took a bite. “It’s delicious, Jane.”

  “Thank you.” Little Caroline was still gazing into Jane’s eyes. What would it be like to have your own baby? To have a part of you and the man you love rolled into a precious little bundle. Jane had never been the nurturing type, but the thought of having her own child to care for made her stomach flutter with excitement. It would be so wonderful to have a child to take care of. To mold into a unique individual. The baby gurgled just then and twisted her face into a contortion of distress before letting loose a tiny squeal.