With that, she hurried away sure her entire face was a bright unflattering shade of red.
“Darling girl,” Mrs. Harriett, Fern’s mother, hugged her when she entered the shop. “How is your sweetheart faring today?”
“My sweet-sweetheart? I don’t...what I mean is...we’re not.” Isabel gave up and let out a sigh. “Father is with him right now.”
Fern stood from behind the sewing machine and neared. “Come, let’s have some tea. I just brewed a pot of chamomile. It’s delicious.” Fern took her by the hand and tugged her to a small table in the corner that allowed them to look out the large shop window. “I am almost finished with the last of the tablecloths I’m selling at the festival. Mother and I have been staying up late embroidering the corners.” Fern smiled widely. When she peered out the window and spotted Emmett and Owen outside the clinic, her expression became soft.
Isabel followed her line of sight. “I should have at least a dozen baskets made by now.”
Fern nodded, but it was clear she hadn’t heard a word Isabel said so she continued. “I think I’ll make purple ones. You know the little ones made of mud and worms?”
“Mmmm. Hmmm,” Fern replied, her eyes glazing as she continued watching with her cup halfway to her lips.
“Perhaps I’ll sew some live birds into them, for interest,” Isabel said with a wink at Harriet who shook her head and smiled. “Then again it would be sad. I bet the little dears will cry when I poke a needle through them.”
Fern’s eyes snapped to her face. “Needle through what?” Her face instantly turned a delightful shade of red and she cleared her throat. “What were you saying?”
It was horrible of her, but Isabel was having too much fun to stop. “I was saying that I have to plan dinners for Colton. Would you help me? Owen will be staying in town with his brother to help care for him, so it would have to be enough for two. I just had a wonderful idea. Would you be a dear and take them one meal and I can do the other each day.”
“Me?” Fern’s eyes rounded. “I can’t possibly.” She looked to her mother. “It’s not proper. I’m sure mother will not stand for it.”
“Are you saying I would stop you from feeding a sick man?” Harriett gave her daughter a pointed look. “That would be horrible of me.”
Isabel thought about the situation. A single woman bringing a meal to two bachelors could be seen as inappropriate. However given the circumstances, it was understandable that someone should feed the sheriff and his brother.
“I’ll speak to Gemina and ask that Charlie go with us,” Isabel said referring to the Walker’s teen son. “That way we won’t go alone. The mercantile is on the way and you can stop by and collect him.”
“A teen chaperone, for goodness sakes Isabel,” Harriett laughed. “I’m sure he will either loose interest and leave or fall asleep in a matter of minutes.” The woman gave her daughter a knowing look. “It will be fine as long as you don’t step inside. There really is no need to.”
“You’re correct mother,” Fern replied much too quickly. “I hate the entire situation. How can people do something so horrible? To shoot someone in cold blood like that.”
They drank tea and discussed the festival that would take place in just a couple days.
When Harriett walked outside with a customer, Isabel leaned forward and waited for Fern to look at her. “How long have you been sweet on Owen Blake?”
Once again Fern blushed. “I’ve never seen him until the day he came to see about the sheriff.” She glanced back in the direction of the clinic, but the men were no longer outside. “He is so very handsome, isn’t he?”
Chapter 11
The festival was bigger than ever. Everyone in Laurel had much to celebrate. Outlaws had not overtaken them and the sheriff was recuperating well. To make matters even more perfect, Mother Nature cooperated with flawless weather for the festival. It had rained for a few days, which was good for the crops, but had dampened the spirits of the festival planning committee. However that day had begun with clear skies and bright sunshine.
Booths lined both sides of Main Street, overfilled with wares of all kinds. People sold everything from wooden toys to woven blankets and rugs. There was an entire table spilling over with pottery from a family of Indians that lived a few miles away. The colorful pots, cups, and bowls got everyone’s attention and were selling at a quick pace.
Fern and Harriett helped customers unfold their beautiful table linens while Isabel, who’d foregone making anything, helped Esther with her clothing booth. Esther was a talented seamstress, who dedicated her handiwork to making gowns and beautiful girl’s dresses.
Wilhelmina and Aurora along with several other women sold sweet corn cakes and pie slices along with glasses of lemonade. Every table they’d set up was filled with people.
“Be a dear and take supper to the Blake’s for me.” Gemina came to her with a basket. “I’d told Owen to come for it, but he’s probably either asleep or doing something for his brother.”
Isabel became worried. She’d not seen Owen all day, which was understandable since he took his job of caring for Colton seriously. In the past few days, her father had come to spend a few hours with Colton so that Owen could see about whatever he needed to do.
It only took a few minutes before she arrived at the house. Isabel knocked on the door, but there was no reply. She knocked harder. Terror began to take hold. She should have asked someone to come with her. “Owen?” She pushed the door open. There was a small main area with a kitchen to the left and a couple of chairs in front of a hearth on the opposite side. She figured there was a bedroom down the short hallway to the right of the hearth.
“Is anyone here?”
“Isabel?” It was Colton who replied. “I’m here. I apologize but I can’t get up without assistance.”
Heart thudding against her chest, she hurried down the hall picturing him on the floor having fallen or something worse. Instead she stopped at spotting him sitting up in the bed.
Colton looked so handsome her heart stopped thudding and leaped into her throat. Hair recently washed it remained damp and combed back from his face. He wore a loose white shirt that was not buttoned all the way up so she could see the light sprinkling of hair on his upper chest.
Blankets were pulled up across his lap, so she couldn’t make out if he wore pants or not. At this point her imagination couldn’t bear any thoughts of what was below the blanket.
“Where’s Owen?” she snapped. “Why are you here alone?” Isabel put the basket down on a small table and rushed to the door. “I can’t believe he’d leave you here by yourself. You could fall.”
When she faced Colton, he frowned. “I’m not an invalid. I’ve not been left alone. First Owen helped me bathe and now he’s bathing. We planned to go to the festival for a bit.”
It was her turn to scowl. “And how exactly did you think to get there?”
When he gave her a triumphant look and then his gaze moved past her, Isabel’s heart sank. The familiar sound of her father’s voice as he spoke with Owen sent a wave of panic through her.
“Oh no.” Isabel darted to the window, planning to jump out.
“Isabel?” Her father stood at the doorway. “What are you doing here?”
She gave the window one last forlorn look. “Gemina sent me to bring a basket of food. I called out and no one answered. I thought Col...er Sheriff Blake had been left alone.”
Finally she mustered the nerve to meet her father’s gaze. It was flat and moved from her to Colton who in turn watched her.
Owen walked in and peeked into the basket. “Looks good. We’ll save it for later. I want to eat the ladies’ sweet corn cakes until I burst.”
Her father motioned for Isabel to move out of the way. “Since you’re here, grab a chair from the kitchen and put it in the wagon. We need to make sure he has something to sit on when we get him there.”
Just a she reached the doorway, Isabel turned around. “Stop.” She
held both arms out as if to block them from leaving the room. “Did any of you ask Doctor Jones if he should be moved? If you did, were you clear in that you planned to get him onto a wagon and then off again? Does he know you will do this twice? Because you have to bring him back.”
Owen nodded. “I told Emmett we were attending the festivities. He said to be careful and that Colton can’t stand for long.”
“Hmm,” Isabel said, not sure she believed him.
“Isabel, go on, we’ll ensure he is taken care of.”
She almost laughed when Colton wiggled his eyebrows. “I can walk, but I’m enjoying all this special attention.”
It was doubtful he could walk very long without pain, but she wasn’t about to start an argument with him in front of her father. It was best to leave the men to their own devices. If he ended up hurt, she’d be the first to say, “I told you so.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Fern frowned in the direction of the approaching wagon. “Although I can’t blame the sheriff for wanting to be outdoors on a beautiful day like this.”
The wagon ambled from a side street and stopped. Owen jumped down and rounded the wagon to check on his brother, while her father remained at the reins. Isabel sighed. “You’re right. Besides, as much as he likes sweets, he was probably afraid to miss out on anything.”
They watched as Colton walked forward. Isabel itched to run over and help him, but with all the rumors flying around, she wasn’t sure it was a good idea. When Emmaline hurried over and took his elbow, she wanted to spit. “Isn’t that a doozie? What do you suppose she’s asking him right now?”
Fern laughed. “There’s no telling. But there goes Scarlett to shoo her away. She’s always been protective of Colton. They have a good friendship.”
Sure enough, Emmaline was sent on her way and Scarlett oversaw Colton getting to a shaded area. Someone brought a rocker and covered it in blankets. Colton barely had to lift a finger as people gathered to see to his every need.
“He’ll be hard to manage when you get married,” Fern quipped with a wink. “Hope he doesn’t get too used to all this attention.”
Their attention was diverted when musicians finished setting up and began to play a lively tune. The sun began its descent on the horizon as people started dancing to the music. It was Isabel’s favorite time of the day. Even though there weren’t many women of marriageable age, there were younger teens that could begin courtships that would eventually build to weddings.
Married couples were the first to dance, entertaining those gathered. Children hopped in circles along with the music, their laughter adding to the magic of the day. The town of Laurel Creek was ready for levity after the events of the last few weeks. The festival was the perfect time to celebrate.
Soon the children lost interest and took off running in a game of chase, giggling when two dogs joined in the fray. Isabel laughed when one boy tripped and the dogs began licking his face. “Goodness, they are full of spunk today,” she said to Fern.
Her friend was frozen, her eyes wide.
Isabel followed her line of sight. Owen was dancing with Gemina. They laughed when he attempted to follow her movements.
“Is Gemina teaching him to dance?” Isabel asked, cocking her head to the side.
Fern’s eyebrows lowered and she shrugged. “Looks that way.”
She knew before looking that Colton studied her from the short distance away. When Isabel met his gaze, he seemed to be deep in thought. The corner of his lips curved and butterflies fluttered in her belly. It was silly of course to have such childish sensations, but nothing could be done about her reaction to him.
“You should go speak to him,” Fern said. “He’s alone.”
“About what?”
Fern gave her a droll look. “For beginners, didn’t you say he wants to get married? Does your father know?”
“I doubt it. He would have said something to me by now. Of course he’s still a bit angry with me. First because I didn’t tell him right away about Colton’s incident, and secondly I let it slip the other night about Thomas, the injured boy.”
Fern put a hand over her chest. “Oh no. What did he say?”
“That’s the problem. He’s not said much. It isn’t like him.”
It was best to get it over with. Since she couldn’t be alone with Colton now that he was home, this would be her only opportunity to speak to him. Isabel hurried over before losing her nerve and sat down next to him.
She fidgeted with the fringes of her shawl. “We’ve not had an opportunity to talk.”
His hazel gaze skimmed over her face and he nodded. The knowing look bothered her. What was he up to now?
“I spoke to your father before coming here.”
The bottom of her mouth fell open, her eyes rounded and she had to remember to breathe. “Wh-what? You talked?”
Colton nodded and placed his hand over hers. If not for the fact Emmaline was staring at them, she would have yanked it away. Isabel forced a smile and leaned sideways so it seemed as if she was being sweet. “Why in the dickens would you do that?”
“Because I’m going to ask you to marry me.” He grinned. It was a strange grin. Colton wasn’t the type to grin.
This time she did pull her hand away. “Are you heavily medicated?”
“No. I haven’t had anything for several days. I’m recovering Isabel. I’ll prove it to you.”
He stood and seemed solid enough on his feet. “Stand up,” he ordered and she did, unsure what he was going to do next. Besides, she needed to be upright in case he started to fall.
Instead, he took her by the arms and began swaying side to side. It was a clumsy dance, but endearing. Isabel laughed. “I am not sure where exactly I can put my hands and not hurt you.”
“Right shoulder and upper left arm,” he replied without hesitation. And so she placed her left hand on his right shoulder, held his other hand and they swayed together. Despite knowing he wasn’t completely healed, strength emanated from him and she knew Colton was recovering well. It wouldn’t be long before he returned to being the town’s sheriff.
The thought of it terrified her.
Chapter 12
There were only five tablecloths left and a few napkins. Fern couldn’t believe how well they’d done. This reaffirmed the decision she’d made before arriving to town. She would become more independent and have money of her own, not just what her father gave her. It felt good to be self-sufficient. Between what she made from sewing and now this, she felt able enough to take care of herself if ever it came to pass for whatever reason.
Holding on to ideas from society back east, her father had a rather large dowry for her. Whoever married her would be wealthy and able to afford to live comfortably.
It didn’t matter to Fern, although she acknowledged she could probably think that way because she’d never wanted for anything in her life. Moving west had been the hardest thing ever to happen. Although she understood her father’s reason and how much banks were needed out west, it meant leaving everything and everyone she ever knew behind.
Now watching her parents dancing along with the townsfolk, her heart softened. She had the option of returning east. Her parents had expressed that if Fern desired to marry and return east, they’d understand.
Of course it would break their heart, and she couldn’t imagine ever living apart from them. And so Fern was resigned to one day marrying and remaining in Montana.
“Miss Fern, would you like to dance?” Owen had walked over while she’d been deep in her thoughts. He smiled seeming to realize she’d not been aware of his approach. “I’ll try not to step on your feet.”
The man was perfect. Soft spoken, handsome, and had the most precious of smiles. Unlike his older brother, Owen’s deep dimples appeared whenever his lips curved upward.
“I’d love to,” Fern said not sure how exactly people danced to fiddles and guitars. “I must warn you, I’m not sure how to dance to this music. I
may be the one stepping on toes.”
Once in his arms, they kept their movements simple, stepping to one side and then the other. “Was Gemina showing you how to dance earlier?” Fern asked giving him a teasing look.
He blushed and nodded. “A bit. Actually she wanted to dance, but her husband doesn’t like to. I volunteered but told her I am not good at it. So she proceeded to direct me.”
“That was very sweet of you.” Fern meant it. How had it come to be that she’d never met him before? “Why haven’t we met before?”
His wide shoulders lifted and lowered. “I live out at the Hamilton’s ranch. I work for them. Rarely come into town. My brother usually rides out to the ranch and we’ll spend time together at the bunkhouse.”
“I see.” She frowned. “And now you’re here to help take care of him.” Fern didn’t ask anything about other family. She figured if there were others in the area, they would’ve been present when the sheriff was gravely ill.
His deep voice tickled her ear when he spoke. “Yes. I’m glad I did, otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.”
A rush of heat rose to her cheeks. “I’m glad you did too.”
“I know this is forward and sudden,” Owen said, his darkened gaze meeting hers. “Would you allow me to call on you? Colton is doing well enough. He plans to spend time at the jailhouse tomorrow. I’d like to take you for a walk.”
She smiled and glanced to where her parents now stood pretending not to watch her. “I’d love to see you tomorrow, Owen.”
The song ended and he walked her back to the booth. Her mother took sudden interest in folding the few remaining tablecloths.
“He seems like a nice young man,” Harriett quipped with a twinkle in her eye. “It’s admirable how he takes care of the sheriff.”
“They’re brothers, of course he would help,” Fern said, sure her face was pink. “I think I’ll take the few items that are left to the shop so we can spend the last few moments enjoying the music and sitting down.”
Isabel, An Independent Bride Page 9