As she made her way down the long lane leading from the main road to the ranch, a brown object stopped in front of the barn. A wagon? Her heartbeat picked up its pace. She hadn’t expected Jacob and Mr. O’Brien back until tomorrow or possibly Monday. Since it was a day’s ride each direction to San Antonio that would have left only one day to take care of all their business and pick up supplies. Still, it did look like their wagon.
She pushed Bandita into a jog. They were too close to home to canter, since the mare wouldn’t have time to cool down afterward, but a jog wouldn’t hurt anything. As she neared the yard, half a dozen of their cowpunchers unloaded long, mill-cut boards from the wagon and carried them into the barn. She scanned the faces for Jacob’s. Edward. Bo. Donato. Miguel. No Jacob in sight.
She sat back in the saddle, easing Bandita to a stop in front of the wagon, then slipped off the mare.
Edward stepped forward to take her reins. “Jacob’s inside, sis. I’ll take care of this girl if you wanna go on in.”
Anna’s pulse leaped but she glanced at Edward’s face. “Are you sure?”
“Yep.” He gave her an impish grin but didn’t say anything more.
She almost kissed his cheek but stopped herself in time and settled for a hand on his arm. He might be her little brother, but he was doing his best to grow into a man and didn’t need a mother hen to coddle him just now. “You’re the best.”
She scurried toward the house as quickly as she could while trying to appear somewhat ladylike. As she climbed the steps, the front door opened and Mr. O’Brien stepped out, settling a wide-brimmed hat on his head.
“Mr. O’Brien.” She offered him a wide smile. “Welcome home.”
“Why, thank you, Anna. It’s awfully good to be back.”
“We didn’t expect you both back for a couple of days yet.”
He chuckled softly. “I’ve never seen Jacob get so much done in twenty-four hours. I think even if we hadn’t taken care of all our business, he still would have left out of San Antonio this mornin’.” He patted Anna’s shoulder. “You’re good for him, my dear. Now get on in there. Unless I miss my guess, he’s hangin’ around the kitchen somewhere.”
Anna’s cheeks flamed, but she forced a mumbled, “Thank you, sir,” as she made her way past him.
As Anna’s eyes adjusted to the dimmer light in the house, she met Aunt Lola at the base of the stairs. The older woman carried a small parcel wrapped in brown paper. The older woman’s shoulders seemed even more hunched these days than when Anna had first met her.
“Can I help you carry that upstairs?”
“Nay, lassie. It’s just a couple o’ books the boys brought back for me. These ol’ bones need a little work ever now and then to keep ’em strong. I think you might be needed elsewhere, though. Why don’t ya head on in to tha kitchen an’ see.” Her blue eyes twinkled.
Anna shrugged and shook her head as she headed down the hall. Everyone seemed eager to send her to the kitchen this afternoon. Stepping into the room that was her special domain, she stopped short at the sight of Jacob seated at the table in his usual chair, coffee in hand. Jacob rose when he saw her. A squeal escaped as she catapulted into his arms.
“There she is.” He chuckled, wrapping her tight in his long, muscular arms. “I figured if I waited here long enough, you’d show up.”
After a few short moments, he gently disentangled himself and held Anna at arm’s length. “What do you say we head outside for a bit? Maybe you can help me find a place for the rest of the things we brought back.”
“Sure.” Hesitation echoed in her own voice, but it was odd for him to ask her to help with the unloading. Maybe there were supplies for the kitchen? Aunt Lola had promised to take care of the evening meal and the aromas wafting from the cookstove smelled like she had things well under control.
Jacob hooked Anna’s hand in his and led her to the back door. At the top step, she froze.
Her head swiveled from one side of the stairs to the other as she took in the four sprawling green plants. “What are these?” she breathed. Each bush sat in its own sand-colored earthen pot. Golden blossoms dotted the plants like little suns emitting bright rays of life to everything around.
“Yellow roses.” Anna answered her own question, her eyes coming up to search Jacob’s face. “You brought us roses?”
“I brought you roses,” he corrected. “And they were harder to come by than ice in the desert.”
Anna skipped down the last two stairs and stooped to caress one of the delicate blooms, inhaling its light aroma. “They’re amazing.” She infused her tone with the reverence due the gesture and stood to bestow a smile on her future husband. How much trouble had he gone through to get four perfectly-formed yellow rose bushes?
His hands slipped into his trouser pockets and he ambled down the steps to join her. “The storekeeper I ordered them from said they’re considered the flower of friendship and joy. I figured that was pretty appropriate for a wedding gift, since I’ll be marryin’ my best friend.” His words warmed Anna’s chest like nothing else he could have said. She planted a kiss on Jacob’s cheek. A princess rewarding her knight in shining armor.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Anna stared at her reflection in the mirror of Aunt Laura’s little apartment above the mercantile.
“You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” Aunt Laura fastened the last two buttons on Anna’s stunning white gown.
“Oh, Aunt Laura, it’s the dress that’s so beautiful. Thank you so much for letting me wear it.”
“Darlin’, I’m not just letting you wear it. It’s yours to keep and pass down to your own daughter. I’m sure not planning to use it again.” She chuckled.
The gown was made of light muslin with a close-fitting bodice and a full skirt, layered with three lace-trimmed flounces. Aunt Laura had expertly added the bottom layer for Anna, to accommodate the extra fullness of the current crinoline styles. The entire gown was covered with a sheer ecru organdy jacket with a lace ruffle around its edging. The effect was stunning, and the wreath of daisies crowning the veil in her hair created the perfect finishing touch.
Examining herself in the mirror, a little shiver ran down her arms. It had only been two weeks since the special ride to the river, but it seemed like a lifetime had passed. Today was the day she would become Mrs. Jacob O’Brien. Today she would marry the most wonderful man she’d ever met, her best friend.
A knock sounded on the bedroom door, and Aunt Laura opened it. Edward poked his head inside. “How’s it comin’, sis?”
“Good, I’m almost ready.” She grabbed Edward’s arm and pulled him into the room.
“Wow, you look beautiful.” His voice held a mixture of surprise and awe.
Anna giggled. “You don’t have to sound so shocked.”
He pulled a hand from behind his back and pushed a bouquet of yellow roses toward Anna. “These are from Jacob.”
Anna held them to her nose, inhaling deeply. Tears pricked her eyes at the beauty of the simple gesture, and she remembered the sweet words Jacob had said when he gave her the rose bushes. I’ll be marrying my best friend.
She blinked to clear her eyes and turned back to her brother. He stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down at his boots as they scuffed the floor. He looked awfully handsome in his borrowed white cotton shirt with high neckline, vest and matching trousers, and long black cutaway coat. His cowboy boots, cleaned and polished, peeked out from underneath the pants.
“I think Jacob’s gettin’ nervous, so you’d better hurry. Either that or he’s just plain hot. I know I sure am.” Edward tugged at his collar for effect.
Anna spun back to the mirror to make sure everything was in place and straightened the gold cross around her neck. Finally satisfied, she faced her aunt and brother. Letting out a deep breath, she allowed a smile to spread across her face. “I’m ready.”
* * *
Jacob stood in the front of the church betwee
n Reverend Walker and Pa. He was trying his best to remain calm and collected on the outside, but the longer Anna took, the tighter his stomach coiled. What was it exactly that had him so tied up in knots? It didn’t matter, really, he was just ready for this shindig to be over.
At last, a hushed commotion near the back of the church caught his attention, and Anna appeared on the arm of her brother. The sight of her uncoiled his stomach and everyone else faded into the distance. She was the prettiest image he’d ever seen, carrying the bouquet of yellow roses.
Her eyes stayed fixed on him as she strolled toward the front of the church. His chest constricted as the reality of the situation settled over him. This woman was about to become his wife. This beautiful, amazing woman would be bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh. As Edward placed Anna’s hand into Jacob’s, she flashed him a brilliant smile, soothing the last of his nerves. With Anna by his side, things would be just fine.
* * *
The women of Seguin had prepared a feast for supper on the church lawn that rivaled that of the Independence Day celebration. It looked like the entire town had turned out for the event, and even the mixture of blue Yankee uniforms in the crowd didn’t squelch the festive atmosphere.
Anna stayed by Jacob’s side throughout the meal, and even afterward when the editor of one of the local papers pulled out a fiddle and the dancing commenced. Of course, many of the boys approached to request a dance with Anna, but Jacob would have none of it. Not even Monty was allowed the honor.
They sat enjoying the revelry before them, until the fiddler began to play “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” Jacob stood and held out a hand to Anna. “Mrs. O’Brien, would you give me the honor of a dance?”
The name sounded almost foreign to Anna, and she replayed it silently on her own tongue as Jacob led her onto the dance floor. He swept her into a lively waltz while the music played their own special song. Jacob piloted their progress around the dance floor, maneuvering expertly around the other couples.
Anna took the opportunity to feast her eyes on Jacob’s face. His strong chin and ruddy features were set in perfect proportions, creating a flawless background for his amazing blue eyes. She certainly hoped their sons would look just like him. Anna’s mind wandered to the making of those sons, and her heart flip-flopped at the same time her mouth went dry. Jacob chose that exact moment to look down at her. As though he could read her thoughts, his eyes darkened a bit.
With a smile touching his lips, Jacob leaned down to whisper in her ear. “As much as I love dancing with you, this party’s getting a bit old. Think we could sneak away?”
Anna gave him a coy smile. “Sir, I am at your disposal.” That seemed to be all the encouragement he needed, for Jacob swept her to the edge of the dance floor and escorted her straight toward the buggy waiting by the hitching rail. Anna stopped, forcing him to pull up. “Wait. We need to say goodbye to everyone first.”
A hint of frustration touched his face. “Darlin’, you can have the rest of your life to say goodbye or hello or whatever you want to them all. But if we stop to speak to our family and friends now, they’ll keep us here all night.” He dropped his voice to a low tenor and stroked a finger across Anna’s cheek. “And that would be a tragedy.”
Anna swatted his finger playfully. “You’re just impatient.”
“Why, yes, ma’am,” Jacob said, his face an image of mock seriousness. He reached for both of Anna’s hands and raised them to his lips. “But, I’ve never been able to say no to you, and I’m afraid I can’t start now.” He gave a martyr’s sigh. “Let’s go say goodbye to them all.”
Anna stared into his blue gaze in indecision. She supposed people would understand if they slipped out. She allowed a grin to slip out. “I guess they won’t miss us.”
* * *
After spending their wedding night in Seguin’s grand Magnolia Hotel, they drove the thirty miles to San Antonio in a rented buggy. It was so much better than the bumpy, crowded stage.
They finally rolled into San Antonio on Sunday evening, and Jacob reined the buggy to a stop in front of an impressive two-story building. Its beige exterior appeared to be made of the same limecrete material of which most of the buildings in Seguin were constructed. Windows spanning the front on both floors were taller than Jacob. The three center windows on the second floor were topped by rounded arches reminiscent of Grecian architecture. Above the arched windows were the words ‘Menger Hotel’ in large block letters, topped by a triangular arch rising above the limecrete wall. A balcony spanning the second floor across the front was bordered by an ornate black metal railing.
Anna couldn’t help but stare in awe at the elaborate exterior. She hadn’t seen anything this impressive since leaving Columbia.
“Would you rather sit here all night or should we go in?”
Anna blinked, pulling herself from her reverie. Jacob had already disembarked and waited patiently next to the buggy. His eyes held their familiar teasing twinkle.
“I suppose we might as well see the inside, too,” she bantered, allowing him to lift her to the ground. His strong hands could almost span her waist, fingers touching on either side.
The interior was a hundred times more grandiose than the outside. The center of the lobby was a huge open space that rose all the way to the dome above the second floor. Massive round pillars supported the vaulted ceiling, with marble bases that were taller than any of the men in the room. Elaborate metal railing ran around the interior balcony on the second floor. White porcelain tile with a black fleur-de-lis design gleamed from the floor, with an ornate oriental rug spanning the center of the room.
Where should her eyes feast first? She was barely conscious of Jacob’s hand on the small of her back, nudging her toward the long gleaming desk that seemed lost in one end of the massive room. The murmur of male voices droned in the background, as Anna took in the rich royal blue of the velvet curtains and the large artwork adorning several walls.
Upon hearing “Mrs. O’Brien,” she forced her attention back to the gentleman behind the desk. He motioned them toward a young man dressed in a smart uniform. The lad’s black coat was buttoned to the neck with a double row of polished silver buttons. Black pants met with black shoes, and the entire display was topped with a smart black cap. The young man would have appeared rather somber if not for his shock of sunshine yellow hair and a white, toothy grin.
He gave a sharp salute and, with a spin of his shiny black shoes, led the way to the grand staircase that wrapped the west wall. She might have been the Duchess of Wales ascending the palace stairs as they made their way to the second floor and down a long, opulent hallway. The attendant marched to the end of the corridor, jangled the keys that hung at his waist until he found the right one, and swung open the large mahogany door with a flourish.
“Here you are, Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien. The bridal suite. Our finest room in the hotel.” His chest puffed at his words and his grin flashed as if he’d personally built the room.
Anna had prepared herself for a well-appointed room but nothing so extravagant as this lavish sleeping chamber. The oversized canopy bed was centered on the east wall, with a dressing table and a large picture window taking up much of the north wall. Its burgundy damask curtains blended nicely with the burgundy and gold spread covering the bed.
Anna’s eye was drawn to two doors on the west wall of the room. Was this room connected to a sitting room or another bedroom?
She strode to the doors and cautiously turned the handle of the first. It opened to reveal a small closet with rods stretching from one end to the other, hangers dangling loosely in preparation for garments.
“Look, Jacob. A closet!” She couldn’t help the excitement in her voice. She’d known a girl who spent her summers in a plantation home with closets for hanging clothes built into the bedrooms. It had always seemed like a lavish waste of space, although practical if one was wealthy enough to have too many gowns for a wardrobe cabinet.
Anna eyed the
other door with curiosity. She turned to glance at Jacob where he leaned against the wall watching her. His legs and arms were crossed casually and he had a devilish twinkle in his eye. He raised an eyebrow at her expression. “Why don’t you open it and see?”
Anna spun back to the door and twisted the handle. When she pulled the door open, a curious sight stood before her. It was a small room with washbasin and pitcher on a stand. To the left of the basin was a low, round seat with a cone-shaped base.
Anna looked back at Jacob. “What is it?”
He grinned and pushed away from the wall then stepped behind Anna. His arms wrapped around her waist, chin resting on the top of her head. “It’s an indoor outhouse with plumbing. Just like the fancy hotels in Boston and New York.”
Anna whirled to face him, loosening his grip in the process. “I’ve heard about those. I had no idea they were here in Texas, though.”
Jacob’s arms tightened around her waist again, and Anna rested her hands on his chest. She raised her gaze to meet his. “Jacob, this whole place is amazing. I never expected anything so lavish. I would have been perfectly happy in a little boarding house.”
He slid his hands up and down her sides and one corner of his mouth quirked. “Only the best for my gal.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Anna’s eyes opened in the dim pre-dawn light as she tried to place the strange surroundings. A warm, contentment settled over her like a blanket as the details of the hotel room became clear. Their wedding trip. She snuggled deeper into the warmth of Jacob’s body. He mumbled something incoherent and Anna placed a soft kiss on the tender part of his forearm.
“G’mornin’.” Jacob’s voice was thick and husky from sleep as he nibbled the ticklish part of her neck. His warm breath and prickly whiskers brought goose bumps to tingle her skin.
Anna giggled and turned over to face him. “Good mornin’.” She rubbed a hand over the stubble on his jaw and looked up to heat darkening the blue in his eyes. Jacob leaned forward and planted a quick but less-than-chaste kiss on her mouth. When their lips separated, Anna lay back against his arm with a contented sigh and traced his jaw with her finger. Jacob’s stomach grumbled to voice its complaint about the lack of food at such a late hour. Anna couldn’t help but grin. “I think we’d better feed you.”
The Rancher Takes a Cook Page 20