The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection

by Mary Connealy

  “Perfect. I’m looking forward to it.”

  So was she.

  Chapter 5

  It was the perfect day for a ride. The deep blue Wyoming sky accented by a few puffy cumulus clouds always brought a smile to Esther’s face. Though at this altitude the sun made the air feel warmer than the thermometer claimed, the presence of the man at her side warmed her far more than the sun. It had been so long—half a lifetime—since she’d gone for a Sunday ride with a man.

  Susan had taken the backseat, insisting that Esther sit in front with Jeremy, and though they had tried to involve her in the conversation, she had closed her eyes as if she were dozing. Esther knew it was feigned sleep. Susan was playing matchmaker, wanting her aunt to have time alone with Jeremy.

  More pleased by her niece’s ploy than she wanted to admit, Esther shifted slightly on the seat and gazed at the man who’d captured her imagination. They talked about everything and nothing. Jeremy told her how grateful he was to be painting in the bakery, because he already had three new commissions. Esther confided that her business had improved since he’d been there. They spoke of the weather, of the harsh beauty of the Wyoming prairie. They discussed the relative merits of pumpernickel and rye bread and the different uses for watercolors and oil paints. The one thing they did not discuss was Diana.

  Esther took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she unclenched her fists. Ever since the day she’d met Jeremy, she had known that Diana—whoever she was—was an important part of his life. While Mrs. Bradford might claim otherwise, Esther believed that Jeremy had chosen to remain unmarried, that Diana, and not his wooden foot, was the reason he was a bachelor. Though she longed to know the story, Esther wouldn’t ask. That wouldn’t be polite, and if there was one thing Esther had been raised to be, it was polite. But she couldn’t help wanting to learn more about Diana and her role in Jeremy’s life.

  Jeremy smiled and loosened his grip on the reins. The horses seemed content to amble along. Perhaps they recognized that he was more than content to continue riding, so long as Esther was at his side. He took a deep breath as he gazed at the woman who’d captured his thoughts. She was remarkable, the kindest person Jeremy had ever met. Look at the way she’d invited him to have dinner with her every day.

  The need to discuss Susan’s portrait had been only an excuse. Jeremy knew that. What Esther really wanted was to ensure that he was well fed. Perhaps he should have refused, but he hadn’t, for there was nothing he’d wanted more than to spend time in Miss Esther Hathaway’s company.

  The food wasn’t the attraction, although she was a superb cook. No, the simple fact was that he enjoyed being with Esther. He admired her quick wit, her friendly smile, the obvious love she lavished on her niece. Even more, he enjoyed the way she made him feel almost as if he were part of the family.

  Perhaps he was mistaken. Perhaps this was the way she treated everyone, but Jeremy did not want to believe that. What he wanted to believe was that she had begun to harbor some of the tender feelings that welled up inside him every time he was with her, every time he thought of her.

  It was too soon to ask her that, and so Jeremy posed the first question that popped into his brain. “Do many of the officers’ wives visit your bakery?” Though the answer affected his plans, what he really wanted to ask was why a woman as wonderful as Esther had never married. Susan chattered about almost everything else, but that was one subject she had never mentioned, and Jeremy hadn’t wanted to pry.

  “A few. Why?”

  For a second he wondered what Esther was saying. Then he remembered the question he’d posed. Clearing his throat, he said, “I was hoping some of them might be interested in my paintings. I thought perhaps they’d want a landscape to remind them of their time in Wyoming Territory.” And if they did, he would have a little more spare cash to do some of the things he’d begun to dream of.

  Esther tipped her head to the side, as if considering. “I don’t know any of the wives well, so I can’t predict their reaction. Why don’t you bring the landscape you showed me to the store? That way we can see if they’re interested.”

  We? Jeremy felt a bubble of hope well up deep inside him at Esther’s casual use of the plural pronoun. It might mean nothing, and yet it could mean that she’d begun to feel the way he did. “I have other landscapes finished,” he admitted, pleased that his voice did not betray his excitement. “Portraits are easier to sell, but landscapes are what I enjoy most.”

  “Then you should focus on them. Life is too short to do things you don’t enjoy.”

  Jeremy couldn’t agree more. Though part of him wanted the ride to last forever, Fort Russell was only a few miles northwest of Cheyenne, and they soon reached it. The collection of mostly frame buildings around the diamond-shaped parade ground caught Jeremy’s eye, and he could envision that as the background for the portrait, but after touring the whole fort, looking for possible sites for their portrait’s background, Michael and Susan chose the house they’d share.

  Though it wouldn’t have been Jeremy’s choice, he understood their reasons. Pulling out the folding chair Esther had insisted they bring, he began to work. While Jeremy sketched the simple building with the modest front porch and the young couple strolled along the walkways, he couldn’t help noticing that Esther was deep in conversation with two women who’d come out of neighboring houses.

  “You’re right,” the taller of the women said, her voice loud enough that Jeremy had no trouble distinguishing her words. “A painting would make a wonderful Christmas gift. I’ll come into town tomorrow to see which one I like best.”

  “And I’ll be with her.” The second woman’s giggle made Jeremy think she was no older than Susan. “My husband deserves one, too.”

  Jeremy grinned. Unless he was mistaken, Esther had just sold two of his landscapes. She was a truly remarkable woman.

  “I’m so glad we went to the fort.” Susan smiled as she drew the brush through her hair one last time. “My star will be the most beautiful of them all.”

  If there was one thing Esther could count on, it was her niece’s enthusiasm. “Jeremy’s very talented,” she said.

  “He’s handsome, too … for an older man,” Susan added, the corners of her lips turning into a grin. “Don’t shake your head, Aunt Esther. I know you’ve noticed, and I’ve noticed the way your eyes sparkle when he’s around.” She started to braid her hair, then turned back to look at Esther. “I think you’re harboring special feelings for him.”

  “Nonsense!” Esther glared at her niece. It was true Jeremy was never far from her thoughts. It was true she treasured the time they spent together. It was true she had begun to dream of a future that somehow included him. But Esther wasn’t ready to admit that to Susan.

  That night she dreamed of Jeremy again. The dream began the way it always did, with him walking down a deserted lane. Then it changed, and it became clear that this was no aimless strolling. His stride was purposeful, the purpose soon apparent. A beautiful woman was waiting at the end of the lane. Diana.

  “Who’s Diana?” Taking advantage of the momentary lull between customers, Esther was sharing coffee and dried apple pie with Jeremy when the words popped out of her mouth. She hadn’t intended to ask, but now that the question was in the air, she did not regret it.

  Jeremy did. That was apparent from the way he shook his head, his lips tightening and his expression darkening. He stared at the pie on his plate as if the answers were there, and Esther suspected he would not speak. Then, after a few seconds, he raised his eyes to meet her gaze. “I don’t like to talk about her,” he said softly, “but you deserve to know.” He took a sip of coffee before continuing. “Diana is the woman I wanted to marry.”

  Is, present tense. That meant she was still alive. “What happened?”

  Gesturing toward his left foot, Jeremy scowled. “Antietam is what happened. I lost my foot and my fiancée the same day. I just didn’t know it at the time.”

  He ran his
finger over the rim of the cup in a nervous gesture Esther had not seen before today. “I wasn’t much good to the army with only one foot, so they sent me home. Despite the pain, I was glad. You see, all the time I was traveling, I pictured a joyful reunion with Diana. Instead, she stared at me, horrified. Three days after I returned, she gave me back my ring, telling me she wanted to marry a farmer and that I couldn’t be a good farmer with only one foot.”

  Esther gasped, horrified by the evidence that Diana’s love had been so shallow and by the realization that although more than two decades had passed, Jeremy was still suffering from Diana’s rejection.

  “I can’t believe anyone would be so cruel.” Though she’d known Jeremy less than two weeks, Esther knew he was a good, honorable man, the kind of man who made dreams come true. But Diana had thrown his love away.

  “The war destroyed so many dreams,” she said softly.

  Jeremy stared at Esther, more touched than he had thought possible by the sheen of tears in her eyes. She’d cared—really cared—about what had happened between him and Diana all those years ago. And now, if he read her correctly, she was opening the door to her past.

  “Is that what happened to you? Your dreams were destroyed?”

  She nodded. “We weren’t officially betrothed, but Chester and I had an unspoken agreement that we’d marry when the war was over.” A bittersweet smile crossed her face as she said, “I’d known him my whole life.”

  As her eyes darkened at the memory, Jeremy felt a twinge of jealousy at the evidence of a love far stronger than what he and Diana had shared. Esther and Chester had been fortunate.

  “Everyone joked that we were meant to be together because our names were so similar,” Esther continued. “We thought we were invincible, but we weren’t. Chester was killed in the first day of fighting at Gettysburg.”

  “And you’ve never married.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” Jeremy couldn’t imagine that she’d lacked for suitors, especially here where men far outnumbered women.

  Esther’s eyes were somber. “No one else could compare.”

  It was what he’d feared.

  Chapter 6

  “You look happy, Mr. Snyder.” Jeremy’s landlady wiped her hands on a towel as he entered the kitchen looking for a cup of coffee to keep him awake while he painted.

  “I am happy,” he admitted, though he was surprised it was obvious. “I’m beginning to think I might settle down in Cheyenne.”

  Though he had felt a moment of despair when he’d heard the story of Chester, the last few days had given him hope that there might be a future for him here and that Esther might be part of that future.

  Mrs. Tyson nodded, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. “It’s a good place to live. When Abel went to heaven, my sister wanted me to move back to Illinois. I was tempted for a day or two, but then I realized that Cheyenne’s my home.”

  Like Esther. The difference was, Esther had never had a husband. Jeremy felt his heart clench at all that she had missed. Anyone could see that she would have been a wonderful wife and mother. All you had to do was look at how she’d raised Susan and the way she treated her customers to know that she had an abundance of love to share. And then there was the way she’d dealt with him, paying him more than he’d asked, serving him dinner each day, helping him find new clients. That was wonderful, but there was more. Jeremy sighed softly, remembering the glances Esther had given him, the sparkle in her eyes, the sweet smile that accompanied those looks. It was enough to make a man dream. And so he had.

  “I guess you’ll be looking for a permanent place to live once you marry.” Mrs. Tyson’s words brought him back to the present. “I’ll miss you,” she said, “but it’s plain as the nose on my face that you’ve changed in the last few weeks. You’re wearing the look of a man in love.”

  Jeremy hadn’t realized it was so obvious. It was true that he’d never felt like this, not even with Diana. Everything seemed different. Colors were brighter, sounds sweeter, even his painting was better. When he sat by the easel, he felt as if his ideas were being translated into images almost without conscious effort. He’d completed two new landscapes in less time than ever before, but the quality had not suffered. To the contrary, this was the best work he’d ever done.

  He smiled as he pushed open the door to his room and set the carafe of coffee on the bureau. If this was what love brought, he never wanted it to end. And maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t have to.

  Opening one of the drawers, he pulled out his money sack and counted the contents. It would be a stretch, but this was something he wanted to do.

  “He’s courting you.”

  “Nonsense!” The idea was appealing—very appealing—but Esther knew better than to assign too much importance to the invitation. “He simply wants to thank me for all the meals I’ve cooked.”

  Susan shook her head and returned to brushing Esther’s hair. Though Esther had protested the extra effort, saying she could wear her normal hairstyle, Susan had been adamant that a special evening demanded a special coiffure and a special dress.

  “That might be what he said, but I have eyes.” Susan shook her head again. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and it’s not like you’re a cook. Besides, if all he wanted to do was thank you, he wouldn’t have invited you to the InterOcean. There are plenty of other restaurants in Cheyenne, but he chose the most exclusive one.”

  “I know.” And that had bothered Esther. Though she’d never eaten there, she knew that the hotel’s dining room was renowned for both its fine cuisine and its high prices. “I told Jeremy it was too expensive, but he insisted.”

  Susan wrapped a lock of Esther’s hair around the curling iron. “It’s what I told you. He’s courting you, and only the best will do.” She released the curl and studied the way it framed Esther’s face. “Perfect. Jeremy will like this.”

  When he arrived an hour later, it appeared that Susan had been correct, for Jeremy was speechless for a second. Clearing his throat, he said, “You look beautiful, Esther.”

  As color flooded her cheeks, Esther tried to control her reaction. It had been many years since she’d dressed to please a man, and she hadn’t been certain she would succeed. The fact that Jeremy’s eyes gleamed with admiration set her heart to pounding.

  “It’s the dress,” she said, running her hands over the purple silk. “I had it made for the wedding, but Susan insisted I wear it tonight.” The gown had been beautiful when Mrs. Bradford had finished it, but unbeknownst to Esther, Susan had spent countless hours embroidering a row of lilacs around the hem. The delicate flowers captured in floss had turned a beautiful gown into one that was truly spectacular.

  Jeremy shook his head. “Your beauty is more than the dress. I’ll be the envy of every man at the hotel.” He reached for Esther’s heavy woolen cloak and settled it over her shoulders. “And now, if you’re ready …” He bent his arm and placed Esther’s hand on it. “I hope you don’t mind walking.”

  Esther did not. Though Jeremy had proposed hiring a carriage, she had insisted that she was capable of walking the one block to the InterOcean. Her initial thought had been to save him the expense, but now that they were on their way, she realized how much she enjoyed walking at Jeremy’s side, having her hand nestled on his arm, feeling as if she was part of a couple. This was the stuff of dreams. And when they entered the hotel and were ushered to the dining room, the pleasure only increased.

  “This is even more beautiful than I’d expected,” Esther said when they were seated. With its polished dark wainscoting and coffered ceiling, the dining room exuded elegance, while the white table linens and shiny wallpaper brightened what could have been a dark room.

  “You mean you’ve never been here?”

  She shook her head. There were so many things she’d never done, and dining with a handsome man was one of them. “A woman alone doesn’t eat in places like this. It would have been awkward.” There were no tables
for one.

  “Then I’m doubly glad we came.” Jeremy smiled, and the warmth in his expression made Esther’s pulse begin to race. Was Susan right? Could Jeremy be courting her? Was it possible that her dreams of marriage and happily-ever-after might come true?

  “I feel honored to be the one who introduced you to this restaurant.” Though his words were matter-of-fact, Jeremy’s tone caused her heart to skip a beat. Truly, this was the most wonderful evening imaginable.

  When the food arrived, Jeremy bowed his head and offered thanks for the meal, then waited until Esther had tasted her trout before he picked up his fork.

  “The food is delicious,” she said, savoring the delicate sauce. Perfectly prepared food shared with the perfect companion. She could ask for nothing more.

  Jeremy cut a piece of his meat and chewed slowly before he said, “It’s not as good as yours.”

  Esther did not believe that. “There’s no need for flattery.”

  “It’s not flattery. It’s the truth. The stew you served on Wednesday was more flavorful than this bison.”

  It couldn’t be true, but Esther appreciated the thought, just as she appreciated everything Jeremy was doing to make the night so special. “I enjoy cooking,” she told him, “and I’m more than happy to share it with you.” It felt so good—so right—having Jeremy at her kitchen table. His presence there made her heart pound and fueled her dreams.

  He nodded, as if he’d heard her unspoken words, and Esther blushed. “Your cooking is superb,” Jeremy said, “but the company is even better. I’ve enjoyed these past few weeks more than any I can recall.”

  And then the bubble of happiness burst. Though his words touched her heart, Esther heard the finality in them. Tonight wasn’t simply a thank-you. It was an early good-bye. Jeremy was reminding her that he would soon be leaving Cheyenne.