Bride in Blue

by Christine Sterling

  “That lady I saw earlier. She is on this train. I was just talking to her.”

  Her father mumbled something under his breath before leaning against the train window. “Keep it down, Cassandra.”

  Cassandra apologized and waited for Mrs. Pennyworth to return.

  “Where were we?” she asked Cassandra.

  “You were…” Cassie looked at her father. “You were just about to tell me who,” she whispered.

  “Oh yes. I strongly suggest you go to Creede.”

  “What’s there?”

  “When you arrive, go to the haberdashery. The owner, Maximillian Blue, needs help. Tell him I sent you.”

  “The haberdashery in Creede. Mr. Blue,” Cassie repeated. Mrs. Pennyworth nodded.

  “You should be able to get a ticket from Denver down to Creede.”

  “Girlie, what did I say about keeping your voice down? I’m trying to sleep here.”

  “I’m sorry, Father. I was just talking to Mrs. Pennyworth.”

  “Don’t see no one there,” he said, looking where Cassie was pointing.

  Cassie turned. Mrs. Pennyworth was still there with a smile on her face. “He can’t see me, Cassandra. Only you can see and hear me.”

  “Why’s that?” Cassie asked.

  “Why’s what?” her father grumbled.

  “I am your guardian angel. Not his,” Mrs. Pennyworth explained. “Just remember what I told you.”

  “Haberdashery. Mr. Blue, Creede, Colorado.”

  Mrs. Pennyworth nodded, and she faded right before Cassie’s eyes. She let out a little gasp. The basket was still on the seat. Cassie pulled it over to her lap and peered inside.

  It was filled with apples, several sandwiches and two jars of tea. Cassie gave a little sigh and looked to the ceiling of the train car. “Thank you, Lord,” she said. There was enough in the basket to last them for at least three days if they ate sparingly.

  “Now what?” her father asked. “And where is Creede, Colorado?”

  “I think that is where we should be headed,” Cassie said and raised her hand to flag the rail man as he walked by.

  Chapter 4

  The train pulled into Creede in the early evening. It had been a long trip, and Cassie was tired and dirty. Her father appeared rested. He slept most of the journey, apart from awaking to use the lavatory or eat from the bottomless basket of sandwiches and apples.

  He didn’t ask where they came from, he appeared just happy to have something to eat on the train.

  Cassie secured passage with the rail man to continue to Creede as Mrs. Pennyworth suggested. They didn’t even need to get off the train in Denver. Cassie thought that would be best, so they wouldn’t be seen by anyone. If someone came looking for them, then Denver would be a dead end.

  The train station was small, but Cassie could see the town within walking distance. Wooden structures appeared out of the ground, with boardwalks in front of each building. It was much more primitive than she imagined. In New York everything was so tall. Here not much was over two stories.

  “I need to go see someone,” Cassie said. “Stay here and I’ll be right back for you.”

  “Who?” her father demanded. “Do you know someone here? Is that why you had us come out to this town?”

  Cassie shook her head. “No. I just have a job lead. We could use the money. I’ll also see how much a room at the boarding house is.”

  She walked the short distance up to town, passing a variety of shops before she saw the haberdashery sign. She shook the traveling dust off her skirt and tried to flatten the wrinkles in her jacket. Taking a deep breath, she walked in the door.

  “I’m about to close,” a voice called from behind a door at the far corner of the room.

  “I’m looking for someone named Mr. Blue. Do you know where I might find him?”

  A man dressed in a tailored frock made from material the color of gunmetal in the sunlight appeared from behind the door. He had paired the jacket with a pair of light-colored pants, which told Cassie he stayed up-to-date on the latest fashions.

  Cassie felt her mouth go dry and her palms start to sweat. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

  His hair was slicked down, but it looked so much better than Mr. Weston’s. His soft brown eyes regarded her with interest. Cassie noticed they had flecks of gold. His lip curled in a smile under that neatly trimmed mustache.

  She took a swallow and wiped her hands on her skirt. Horse feathers. Her hands were now coated in dust from her skirt. She looked for a place to possibly wipe them, but simply grabbed her skirt again.

  The man faced the door again and pushed it closed, before opening it again. He counted three times before patting the door to make sure it was shut. Cassie counted along with him.

  He turned back to Cassie. His frown furrowed. He didn’t look happy in the least to see her.

  Cassie looked down at her shoes. No wonder he wasn’t happy. She was trekking dust and dirt into his pristine store.

  “I’m Maximillian Blue. What can I do for you today, miss?”

  “Stockton. Cassandra Stockton.” She stuck out her hand but let it drop as he glanced at her dirty palm in distain. Cassie looked the store. “You can call me Cassie.”

  “I won’t be calling you anything unless you tell me why you are here.” Max took a step forward. Cassie took a step back, walking into a display of dress trousers that were sitting on a table.

  “Oh my,” she said, looking at the dust that had transferred from her skirt to the new pants. “I am so sorry. Let me clean those off.” Cassie grabbed the first pair and started brushing the dust off with such force. When she looked at the pants, she had managed to transfer more of her dust, streaking the fabric.

  Maximillian Blue took the pants from her. “That is enough. I have a brush I can use to remove the dirt. Please don’t touch anything else.”

  “Uhm,” Cassie started, twisting her hands.

  “Now Miss Stockton, why don’t you tell me why you are here.” His voice was gentle. Almost soothing. Although she could hear the annoyance in the tone, there was something rather calming about the way he was talking to her.

  Suddenly she heard a light voice. Almost like a whisper. Tell him.

  She took a deep breath and blurted out the words. “I was told there might be employment here.”

  Max looked at the little sprite in front of him from head to toe. He was a man that appreciated a fine figure, and the figure of the woman in front of him was very fine indeed. In fact, she was exquisite.

  She probably reached halfway up his chest. He wasn’t a tall man, but he wasn’t overly short either. This woman was very petite with curves in all the right places.

  Her light brown hair was falling from whatever was holding it in place on top of her head. A single ringlet reached down to her shoulder. She had a pair of eyes that a man could get lost in. Beautiful eyes the color of hazelnuts and honey.

  She had a pale complexion, or at least Max thought she did underneath the dirt streaked on her face. Her nose was covered as well, but he could see a few freckles scattered across her cheeks.

  Her lips were kissable despite the dirt, and when she slightly parted them, Max felt a flutter in his stomach that he commanded to go away.

  Her dress was covered in the same dirt. Her skirt appearing a brown instead of the dark cream he recognized it to be.

  Her hands still clenched her skirt afraid to let go. Max looked at the pair of pants in his hands and sighed. He would brush them out before he left tonight. It wouldn’t do to rush in the morning.

  “I’m afraid I don’t need anyone at this time. I’m sorry to waste your time.”

  The young woman looked disappointed. Cassie looked at him and blurted, “But Mrs. Pennyworth said…”

  “Mrs. Pennyworth?” Max interrupted. “Do you know Mrs. Pennyworth?”

  The young woman looked around the room, glancing left and right. “Let’s just say she is a friend.”

&n
bsp; “A friend. Hmmm,” Max said thoughtfully. “I don’t know of anything available. And you certainly do look like you need work. And a bath,” he added as an afterthought.

  “I just arrived in town. I’ve been traveling for the past week.”

  “Well I suppose that explains the dust,” he said. “I suppose I can inquire to the other shops tomorrow morning. Where are you staying?”

  “Can you?” Cassie clapped her hands together, a small cloud of dust appearing in the air. “I don’t know where we’re staying yet.”

  “Try Mrs. Franklin at the boarding house. Two blocks up.” Cassie clapped her hands once more, the cloud of dust causing her to cough. “If you don’t mind,” Max said. “Why don’t you show your excitement outside?”

  “Oh, I am sorry,” she said, turning, covering her mouth. Her skirt swiped up against a long evening jacket on display. The light brown dust stark against the dark fabric. “Oh, I am sorry,” she repeated. Reaching out to steady the wire mannequin.

  The mannequin teetered for a moment before crashing to the ground. Max groaned. “Is there anything that you don’t destroy?”

  Cassie looked at him, her eyes seeming glossy as tears threatened to appear. “I’ll just go,” she said, turning to head out the door.

  Max felt terrible. He stepped out of the door to call to her, but she was running halfway up the road and wouldn’t hear him.

  Suddenly, he realized she had headed in the wrong direction. The boarding house was the other way.

  Max headed back into the store, the dirty pants still in his hand. He looked at the mannequin on the ground. Laying the pants on his workstation so they wouldn’t get anything else dirty, he righted the mannequin and looked at the jacket.

  Nothing a good brushing wouldn’t fix. He went around the workbench and pulled out a paddle with stiff bristles on one side and a velveteen material on the other.

  He counted the number of items in the basket and then slid it back in the cupboard.

  “You really should go after her,” a voice called over the workbench.

  Max hit his head on the wooden block that comprised the workbench. “I thought I locked the door.”

  “You forget, Maximillian, I don’t need doors.”

  “You sent her? Didn’t you?”

  Mrs. Pennyworth looked down at him. He was still sitting on the floor rubbing his head. “Do you feel an excitement yet?” she asked, ignoring his question.

  “I told you I was just fine,” he said scrambling to his feet.

  “How’s Mr. Gladstone?” she suddenly asked.

  “What?”

  “Your cat.” Mrs. Pennyworth looked surprised he didn’t know what she was talking about.

  “He’s home.” His voice should have signaled the conversation was over. Max started brushing the soiled fabric.

  “You will need help, soon, Maximillian Blue. Cassandra is exactly the type of person you need here. And you’d be doing her a great service as well.”

  Max stopped brushing and turned back to Mrs. Pennyworth. “Who are you?” he asked. “Just two days ago you were here in my shop and then you disappear on me. And now, this beautiful woman comes in my store and tells me you sent her? What am I supposed to believe?”

  “Beautiful?” Mrs. Pennyworth giggled. Max could see she had her teeth back in place. “I believe that is the feeling of excitement, Maximillian.”

  Max slammed his hand on the workbench. “Stop calling me that. The only one who called me Maximillian was my grandmother.”

  “Well your grandmother wouldn’t be too taken with your current behavior.” Mrs. Pennyworth shot him a glare very similar to the one his grandmother would have given him. “What do you suggest I call you then? Mr. Blue?”

  Max dragged his hand down his face. “Max. Just Max.”

  “Okay, Max. Now I suggest you go after her and let everything fall where it may.”

  “I don’t even know where she is.”

  “She’s at the livery stable. She will be sleeping there tonight unless you intervene.”

  “The stable? She can’t sleep at the stable. I directed her to the boarding house.”

  Mrs. Pennyworth shrugged her shoulders. “Mrs. Franklin is full, and Mrs. Percy only takes women boarders. It wouldn’t work.” She waved her hand in the air, as if batting a fly. “But I do know you have several empty rooms in that big house.”

  “It would be totally improper for me to have her stay there.” Max thought for a moment. “If Mrs. Percy only takes women boarders, why would there be a concern?” Mrs. Pennyworth looked at him. “Oh no. You sent a married woman to me. This is terrible,” Max moaned.

  “Cassandra is not married. Her father is with her.”

  “Her father?”

  “He is a bit of a curmudgeon, but you’d get use to him.”

  “Why would I want to get used to him?”

  “Because you will need him as well.” Mrs. Pennyworth walked around the shop. “Now hurry along. Remember, she’s at the stable.”

  “How do you know all this?”

  Mrs. Pennyworth smiled. “I’m here to help you both.”

  Max looked at the elderly woman. He blinked his eyes multiple times as he saw her disappear in a cloud of mist. He was definitely seeing things.

  His father was institutionalized at forty. Max wasn’t that far off. He had less than eight years before he was packed up to the asylum.

  He cleaned and folded the pair of pants before returning them to the display.

  He made sure the door was locked and then started the walk towards the livery. He was halfway there when he realized he didn’t put the brush away, nor grab his tea jug for the following morning.

  Cassie had never been so embarrassed. Imagine, ruining all those beautiful clothes. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and walked the short distance to the train depot.

  When she arrived back at the platform, there was no one to be found. Her father wasn’t sitting at the bench where she left him.

  She turned in a circle twice willing him to appear. Perhaps if she thought hard enough, he’d materialize like Mrs. Pennyworth.

  “May I help you, miss?” the man behind the ticket window asked her.

  “Have you seen an elderly man?” she asked. “He was right here when I left to run a quick errand. I thought he was going to wait for me.”

  “Tallish man, humped back?”

  “Yes. That’s him.”

  “I think I heard someone mention they were going to the saloon. It is about four blocks up that way.” The man pointed back to the direction she just came from.

  Figures that he would find a saloon the moment they arrived. She couldn’t even leave him alone for a few minutes without him causing some sort of trouble. But this time the trouble was she would need to go get him because Charles wasn’t available.

  Cassie wondered what had become of her brother in the few short days since they had been gone. She was sure that Mr. Weston had been turning up the city since he found out she had disappeared.

  She walked with a determined gait back up the road and past the stores. She went by the mercantile and stopped for a moment to admire a beautiful blue dress in the window. If it weren’t for the pots and pans in the window as well, Cassie would have thought she was at one of the finer boutiques back home.

  She continued walking past the bank and a law office. Past the city hall and further up the road towards the north end of town. Finally, she saw the sign for the Silver Spur Saloon in the distance.

  She doubled her pace and stopped in front of the saloon. She stood there for a few minutes wondering what to do. She didn’t have to wait long as a cowboy approached her.

  “This isn’t a good place for a lady to be. Are you looking for someone?”

  Cassie nodded. “Can you check and see if my father is there?” Cassie described her father and the cowboy entered through the swinging doors.

  He returned a moment later shaking his head. “He’s not in ther
e and no one has seen him.”

  Cassie felt her chest tightening. He wouldn’t have left her, would he? She thanked the cowboy and headed back towards the lower portion of town.

  She was alone. Her father was gone. Her luggage was gone. Oh no! Even her jacket with the money sewn in it was gone. Not that she had much, but it was all she had. The tears started falling harder now.

  She couldn’t see where she was going from the dust and tears. Instead of going straight back to the train station and livery, she followed a path to the left and ended up in a cluster of little shops.

  There was a bakery, a bookstore, a tea shop and few others. Might as well go to the bakery and drown my sorrows in a cream tart, she thought.

  She was just walking past the tea shop, when something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. There was her father sitting in the corner of the tea shop sipping tea like he was the King of England.

  Cassie quickly ran into the shop. “Father!” she said, hugging him. “I was so worried I lost you.”

  “Don’t you worry, girlie. Some folks said they were headed up to the saloon. I didn’t want a drink, plus carrying these bags would make me an easy target for the gamblers and thieves.” He pointed to their luggage in the corner. Her coat was draped on top of the bags.

  Cassie let out a cry of relief.

  “May I get you a cup of tea?” a young woman asked. “You certainly look like you could use one.”

  “No thank you. I just needed to find my father and get back to the train station.”

  “This is my daughter, Cassandra. I had better follow her wherever she is going.” Her father finished his cup of tea and picked up the remnants of a muffin, wrapping it in his handkerchief.

  He handed Cassie her bag and coat and picked up his. “Thank you for a delightful chat,” he said, giving a mock bow to the woman in the shop.

  Cassie’s eyes flew open. Her father never acted like this! He was polite, helpful and not grouchy in the least. Cassie even thought that he was standing a little taller!

  “Were you able to find us a place to sleep tonight?” he asked, walking in stride with her.

  “No. I had a terrible run in and the one place I went didn’t have any rooms available.”