“I’m sorry.” The hard look in her eyes said otherwise. “How clumsy of me.” She leaned on the table again, narrowly missing getting her bodice in the potatoes and gravy. “Tomorrow night is the dance. I do hope you save the last dance for me.”
Not on her life. That dance already belonged to Sadie.
Chapter 7
Sadie wanted it all to end already. Fishing was her preferred way to spend an early Saturday evening, not dancing with the whole town watching. She stood at the edge of the already crowded churchyard. She’d be there again tomorrow for a potluck after the service. She sighed and strolled forward, doing her best to act as if she wanted to be there.
“Smile, for Pete’s sake.” Ma bumped her shoulder as she passed. “You’re here to have fun and find a husband. If not Zeke, then someone else.”
She didn’t want anyone other than Zeke. And anyway, what was so wrong with wanting to be a career woman? She could work the rest of her life in the newspaper office with Pa and be perfectly happy. If she told herself that enough times, she might come to believe it.
Where was Zeke? She scanned the crowd, not spotting his tall form anywhere.
Annabell glared at her from the porch steps. The girl had nothing to worry about. She had plenty of years to find a husband, and if the crowd of young men swarming at her feet were any indication, she wouldn’t need but maybe one of those years.
“There you are.” Zeke pulled her around the corner of the church. “Save the last dance for me.”
She nodded as he dashed back to the crowd. Spirits lifted, she headed for the refreshment table for a glass of lemonade. Her rust-colored dress swished around her boots. If Ma knew Sadie had worn her old pair, she’d die on the spot. Too bad. A girl couldn’t dance in new boots, and if Sadie must dance, she intended to be comfortable.
Grabbing a mason jar of lemonade, Sadie moved to the outskirts of the people dancing, refusing the few offers that came her way. She would dance only one dance that night.
She watched as Zeke twirled not only the other two finalists around the dance floor, but also as he made an effort to ask other women, young and old, to take a turn. He really was the finest man she had ever met.
Annabell and Sally sashayed past, their heads bent together as they cast daggers in Sadie’s direction and whispered to each other. Sadie grinned at them, finished her drink, and returned the jar to the table.
“I need your help.” Annabell grabbed her arm and tugged her behind the church.
“What is it?” Sadie glanced around for something amiss.
“Sally is stuck… in the… outhouse. Yes, that’s it.”
“How can she be stuck?” Sadie planted her hands on her hips. “Is it the door? Can’t you open it?”
“I’m not strong enough.” She raised tear-filled eyes. “Please?”
Sadie sighed. “Very well, but nothing you’re saying makes a lick of sense.”
“Just come on.” Annabell’s tears dried faster than a shallow creek in a draught.
Sadie yanked free, the girl stronger than she let on. “You need to explain yourself or I’m not taking another step.”
“You’d leave Sally to suffer?”
“I’m going to regret this.” She didn’t know how, but her instinct told her Annabel was plotting something.
They arrived at the outhouse. The door was closed.
“Hello?” Sadie knocked. “Sally?” When no one answered, she opened the door, quite easily, she might add. “There’s no one here.”
Two hands shoved against her back. She stumbled inside, barking her shins against the wooden seat. The door banged shut. Before Sadie could straighten and thrust the door back open, she heard hammering.
“This isn’t funny, Annabell!” She shoved against the door. She should have known the little minx was up to no good.
“With you gone, Zeke will turn to me,” Annabell called from outside. “I’ll tell everyone you withdrew from the competition. He’ll declare his love for me, and all this foolishness will be over.”
Sadie kicked the door. It didn’t budge. “You’re plumb loco.”
“We’ll see. Don’t worry about anyone finding you. I’ve put up a sign saying the outhouse is closed for repair.” The sound of pounding footsteps increased Sadie’s feeling of doom.
Not to mention the smell. Mercy. She lifted her skirt and covered her nose and mouth. How evil could one child be? Soon it would be as dark as pitch inside.
A candle sat on a small shelf high on the wall, but without anything to light it with, Sadie was going to be looking at nothing but darkness in a few minutes. She hated the dark. Creepy crawly things lived in the dark.
“Help!” She climbed onto the seat, placing her feet carefully, and screamed until her throat hurt. When she got free, she was going to strangle that child.
Oh, she would suffocate before someone found her. She banged and yelled some more. Surely, someone would pass by soon and hear her cries.
God, send someone to help her. She gagged and pressed her skirt tighter around her nose. She couldn’t tell which was worse, suffocating with cotton or… that smell. It was getting darker. What if she fell in?
She shuddered and moved to the floor. Please, God, no bugs. “Help me. Someone? Anyone?” She was going to reek when she was freed. Oh, that Annabell made her so mad.
“Sadie?”
“Zeke.” She let go of her skirt and pressed her hands against the door. “Let me out.”
“I’ll have to find a crowbar. Stay there.”
Where in the world was she going to go? She waited several intense moments until she heard him return. Tears streamed down her face. Soon the door was yanked open, and she fell into his arms.
“Are you all right?” He cupped her face. “What happened?”
“Annabell locked me inside.” She wiped her face on her sleeve.
“Why?” His brow furrowed. “Surely she meant no harm.”
“She meant harm enough.” She glared up at him. “She seems to think that if I’m not around, you’ll pick her.”
“You’re the one who came up with this wonderful idea of a contest to find me a bride.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t have a chance. You know who I want.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on. It’s the last dance, and you promised it to me.”
Sadie now knew what she wanted, too, but was she the right one for Zeke?
Zeke did his best not to recoil as he swept Sadie into his arms. The poor thing smelled horrible.
He caught Annabell’s shocked look and shot her a glare. He wouldn’t choose her if she were the last female left on earth. What man wanted a wife with a mean spirit?
Doing his best to breathe through his mouth, he pulled Sadie closer. Now, this woman, he’d choose even if she smelled bad all the time. Thankfully, most of the time she smelled of vanilla and flowers.
“I stink,” she muttered.
“That you do.” He chuckled.
“How can you stand it?”
“Holding you in my arms is worth anything.”
She giggled. “You’re a strong man, Ezekiel Phelps, but I’ve had enough.” She pulled back. “Dance or no dance, I need to take a bath.”
He didn’t want the night to end, not yet. He’d danced until his feet hurt, but this was the only one he’d had with Sadie. When almost an hour had gone by with no sight of her, he had excused himself and gone searching, finding her in the last place he expected. “Perhaps once you’ve changed, we could take a stroll?”
She shook her head. “It’s late, and I’ve had a long night already. I’ll see you at church in the morning. Please tell my parents I’ve gone home.”
“Then at least wait so I can walk you.” He rushed off to inform her parents, finding them packing up what little of the refreshments were left. After telling an extremely happy mother that he chose her daughter to walk home, he hurried back to Sadie’s side and slipped her arm through his.
“You, sir, are a glutton for punishment,�
�� she said.
“I’m upwind.” He grinned.
“I’m so sorry for treating you like a side of beef to be auctioned off.” She stood on the top step of her porch and turned.
“Stop apologizing. I said I was having a good time.” He wasn’t crazy about spending equal time with the other girls and, thus, giving them false hope, but if this was the only way to put a ring on Sadie’s finger, then he’d do it gladly.
He propped one foot on the bottom step. “Run away with me. Let’s knock on the parsonage door and put an end to all this.”
She stepped back. “We have to follow the rules, Zeke. Do you want me run out of town? Look how far Annabell went tonight. There are a few more things on the agenda. You need to give the other two girls a fair chance.”
“I won’t change my mind.”
“You’re choosing the familiar. What if one of them is better suited for a doctor’s wife?”
Why couldn’t she see how he felt about her? They were no longer children, but a man and a woman. This man knew what he wanted. But, if she insisted on going through with the charade, then so be it. “Why can’t you see that any man would find you desirable?” He took her hand in his and tugged her closer. “You’re beautiful and kind.”
“Headstrong and stubborn.”
“Part of who you are.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Any man in this town would be lucky to call you his own. I wish you could see your worth.”
She slipped free. “I’ve made it plain time after time when a man has come courting that I desire a career. None of them were satisfied with that. Would you be?”
“Yes.” He tried to see her face through the dark. “I don’t care if you work at the paper or with me in the office. Perhaps you’ll find a new venture. It doesn’t matter. I’ve known you most of my life, Sadie Rollins. You’re the other half of me. Someday, you’ll see that. I only hope it isn’t too late.”
He turned and headed home. Why wouldn’t she come to her senses? Fine. If she wanted him to give the other girls a fair chance, then so be it. He’d spend time with them at the church picnic, read through their letters of love on Monday, and pray about who God wanted him to choose. His heart skipped a beat at the thought that perhaps Sadie wasn’t the woman God would have him choose in the end.
Marriage to another woman would rip their friendship asunder. Zeke wasn’t sure that was something he could live with. Surely, God would give him the desire of his heart.
He stopped in front of his office and picked up a letter sealed in a red envelope. Sighing, he unlocked the door then locked it behind him, carrying the letter to his room upstairs. One of the ladies wanted to give him a little extra incentive, it seemed.
After readying himself for bed, he slit the envelope open with a small knife and pulled out a sheet of fragrant stationery and read:
Dear Zeke,
Since you refuse to open your eyes to the prize before you, I fear I must take matters into my own hands. If you do not beg to allow me to reenter the competition, I will go to my father after church tomorrow, in front of the entire congregation, and inform them that you have overstepped your boundaries and taken certain liberties. I am not adverse to a shotgun wedding if that is what it takes to win your hand.
Lovingly and forever yours,
Annabell Larson
The little vixen thought she could blackmail him? Zeke wadded her letter into a ball. And then, on second thought, he smoothed the letter back into shape. He would need it as evidence tomorrow afternoon if she went through with this ridiculous stunt. Did she really think her games with the outhouse and this threatening note gave her any chance of a proposal?
Chapter 8
Even after choosing to ignore Annabell’s vicious behavior from the night before, Sadie found it hard to ignore the glares coming from the other side of the church. It would have behooved the girl to pay attention to the pastor’s sermon on God’s will rather than try to intimidate Sadie. As if she could be frightened of a sixteen-year-old child.
She sighed and stood to sing the parting hymn then gathered her reticule and Bible and followed her parents outside to where tables were being set up for a picnic. The round of festivities were exhausting. How did city socialites keep up with such busy schedules?
“The contestants, along with Doctor Phelps, will sit on blankets under the giant oak tree,” Pa explained. “This is the only time all four of you will converse together. It’s a chance for the doctor to see how well you relate to your competitors.”
Sadie fought not to roll her eyes. At least Annabell wasn’t one of the four. She ought to be able to spend an hour with the other two women without losing her mind in the process.
“It’s unfortunate about the condition of your church dress,” Ma said. “It brought out the green in your eyes.” She sighed. “But this deep gold will work well enough.”
“Stop fretting, Ma. If God wants me to marry Zeke, then He will make a way.” She was so tired of parading in front of the town like a ribbon-winning heifer. If she came up with another stupid idea in her life, she wanted someone to shoot her and put her out of everyone’s misery.
“Go lay these out.” Ma shoved two blankets into her arms.
Sadie followed orders and spread the blankets in the cool shade of the tree. She took a deep breath. Tomorrow night, it would all be over. Zeke would have chosen his bride.
Then it hit her. She’d completely forgotten about writing her letter of love, telling him where to meet her if he chose her. Perhaps there would be time after the picnic. She could leave her letter under his office door.
“You should have let me help you.”
She shrieked and whirled, so lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed him approaching. “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry.” He gave her a lopsided grin that sent her heart galloping. He wound one of her dark curls around his finger. “You smell much better today.”
She knocked his hand away. “Don’t tease. That was not my fault and ranks as one of the most embarrassing things to ever happen to me.”
“You should never be embarrassed with me.” He gazed at the crowd. “Remember that time we put a toad in the pastor’s water glass and had to stand in front of the congregation, recite the Lord’s Prayer, and make a public apology?”
“I got tanned good for that one.” Sadie laughed.
“If I recall, it was your idea.”
Her smile faded. “Yeah, me and my smart ideas.”
“What’s the joke?” Lucy asked as she and Ruby joined them. “I’d like to hear.”
“We were reminiscing about the days when we were kids.” Zeke motioned for them all to sit.
Lucy scowled. “Well, no more of that, please. We should speak only of things Ruby and I can join in on.”
Zeke excused himself to get them all glasses of lemonade. His warm gaze fell on Sadie as he glanced over his shoulder. She ducked her head so the other women wouldn’t see how much his attention pleased her.
“Like ribbons and bows?” Ruby smoothed her skirt. “I doubt Zeke has an interest in such things.”
“I suppose you would rather talk about fishing.” Lucy tossed her hair. “I’m sure Zeke would prefer a more… refined topic of conversation.”
Sadie snorted and tried to cover it up with a cough. She’d never been one for girlish sniping and didn’t intend to start now. Zeke was a smart man. He would see through the other two women’s false kindness toward each other. He didn’t need her to point it out.
“Have you two written your letters yet?” she asked.
“I have,” Lucy bragged, patting her yellow hair into place. “I slaved over it for hours. He’s sure to pick me. Ma has sewn me the most perfect wedding dress.”
Ruby raised her eyebrows. “You do mean purchased, don’t you?” She transferred her attention to Sadie. “Yes, mine is finished. Something was revealed to me during my dinner with Zeke that affected what I wrote in my letter. I wrote it that night and have already
placed it in the box outside his office.”
“Well, aren’t you just a Jenny Jump the—why, hello, Zeke.” Lucy pasted a simpering smile on her face and peered up at him through lowered lashes.
Sadie thought she was going to be sick. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the lemonade.
“A couple of the church ladies will bring us our lunch.” He sat on the side of the blanket that was closest to Sadie. “It seems there are games planned for after lunch.”
“Not as part of the competition, I hope.” Lucy fingered the lace at her throat. “I’m afraid I’m not much good at a three-legged race.”
He shook his head. “I’m sure it’s so the townsfolk can have a good time without staring at us all afternoon.”
Pity. Sadie would have enjoyed a rousing race, but if she roughhoused in any way, Ma would be apt to embarrass her for her lack of ladylike behavior. Sitting still for any length of time was sheer torture. She tuned out the mindless chatter going on around her.
What could Ruby have meant by discovering something at dinner that affected her letter? Had Sadie read Zeke wrong? Were they nothing more than good friends? Was he using her as a barrier against the other two eager women?
She couldn’t bear it if that were so. Oh, it would all hinge on her letter. What could she possibly say to put her in Zeke’s favor? Sure, he had said he was holding her to that long-ago promise, but he was known for his teasing. It could all be nothing more than a game to him.
If she weren’t chosen, she’d leave town. Go somewhere no one knew her and get a job as a journalist. Thankfully, she had a backup plan that, while it wouldn’t heal a broken heart, would give her something to focus on if her world should fall apart.
Zeke didn’t want to listen to Lucy’s whining or Ruby’s sarcastic remarks to put the younger girl in her place. He wanted to talk with no one but Sadie.
Her preoccupation since the outhouse incident worried him. What if she were changing her mind? Perhaps she didn’t want marriage, but only a career. Her mother was the one who had put her name in the box, after all, and Sadie had declared that no one could back out. What if that was the only reason she remained in the competition?
The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection: Nine Historical Romances Celebrate Marrying for All the Right Reasons Page 18