All of which had driven Amelia to put up a wall. It was a barrier of feigned indifference mixed with a tendency to appear feisty and defensive. It had served her well. In fact, it was exactly the kind of attitude she had seen adopted by so many of her peers in the social circle within which she mixed. It had protected her from judgment and from ridicule.
However, there were times Amelia was sure it had also driven away many potential suitors.
Amelia rolled over onto her side and tried to drive thoughts of Wilder Armstrong out of her mind. But, no matter how hard she tried, the image of his long figure stretched out on the opposite seat on the train just wouldn't budge. More than once Amelia had glanced at Wilder's powerful physique, assessing him. But for what purpose? Why had Amelia been driven so suddenly to assess a man whom she hardly knew? She couldn't figure out an answer to that question.
Amelia glanced out the window into the night. She wondered if he'd managed to find a suitable place to stay. He was out there, somewhere in a small hotel room. Alone.
Or was he out carousing in the saloon. She dismissed that as a ridiculous notion. Amelia had always prided herself on her ability to appraise people she had only just met. Wilder Armstrong was not the kind to hang around in saloons or even worse places. In spite of what Miss Hardie wanted her girls to believe, Amelia was sure that those kind of places existed, even in a place as sweet as Montana Falls.
Amelia closed her eyes tight and took drew in a deep breath. As she drifted off to sleep she couldn't help asking herself just when she'd meet Wilder Armstrong again.
CHAPTER NINE
Next morning Miss Hardie, Amelia and Bethany left the house soon after breakfast. Amelia had to use a parasol borrowed from Miss Hardie in order to protect herself from the bright early morning sun. Bethany had been quiet at breakfast, obviously thinking about the coming day. It was going to be momentous for her, Amelia thought as she walked along the dirt road which would take them to the town's main street.
Miss Hardie had insisted that the two women dress as well as they possibly could. They would be on public display for everyone in town to see, after all. It was important to make a good impression.
Amelia could see by Miss Hardie's upright bearing as she walked alongside them that she was proud to be seen with her two proteges. Walking by her mentor's side made Amelia feel special. Maybe today was going to be nice after all. Amelia had woken a few times during the night. Unsettling dreams of Boston had driven her awake. Bethany had slept soundly throughout the night as far as Amelia could tell. Amelia wanted so desperately for Bethany to have a good day.
"Do you know the owner of the dress shop, Miss Hardie?" Amelia asked.
"I have had occasion to use their services," she replied. "The shop is run by Erin Dunbar and her mother. They provide a very useful service for the town."
"Do they only make dresses?" Bethany asked.
"I believe they do any kind of tailoring. Although I can't imagine many cowboys or ranch hands taking the time to go to a dress shop. Can you?" Miss Hardie said laughing.
They came to the main street and stepped up onto the boardwalk. It was busier with people than Amelia had imagined it would be for such an early hour. A few carriages made their way along the dirt road and the boardwalk bustled with people, mostly women, Amelia noticed.
Amelia found herself searching for the hotel. She saw it across the other side of the street. Perhaps Wilder would be in the restaurant of the hotel. She could see the dining room through the long window. Maybe he would see them and come out to say good morning.
As they started along the boardwalk Amelia had to restrain the urge to glance repeatedly into the hotel as they passed it on the opposite side.
"Is there something you're curious about, Amelia?" Miss Hardie asked looking in the direction of Amelia's gaze.
"No. Nothing at all," Amelia replied, wrenching her head back and peering straight along the boardwalk.
They passed the sheriff's office. "Luke Dunbar is the sheriff," Miss Hardie explained. "He's married to Amber. A real busybody she is. A veritable crackerjack. Amber likes to be involved in just about everything in the town."
"Really?" Amelia said hesitantly. "That's nice."
Bethany looked up ahead. "Is that the dress shop?"
Amelia could see two women standing in front of a shop examining two mannequins which were displayed in the window.
"That's the place," Miss Hardie said.
The two women moved off. Amelia glanced into the window and tried to see into the shop. It looked surprisingly large, although it was too dark to see if there were already some customers.
"Let's go in, shall we?" Miss Hardie said. She thrust open the door and the bell above it announced their arrival.
There was no-one in the shop at first so there was the opportunity to take in the sight of the interior.
The dress shop was a long room that stretched all the way back to a small office space. In the centre of the room was a long wooden table upon which were laid rolls of different multi-colored fabrics. Measuring rods and loosely bound tape were stacked on one side.
A strong odor of freshly woven fabric filled the room. To one side of the room there was a long counter. On it were flat piles of brown wrapping paper. The shelves on the wall behind the counter had various folders stacked upon them. The larger, deeper shelves had what looked like hat boxes laid one upon the other.
In the window were the two mannequins. One was dressed in an elegant blue gown with modest ruffles and a short train. The other wore a pink dress which was embroidered delicately around the borders of the cuffs and collars.
There was an aura of peace and tranquility about the room. Spending the whole day in such a room must make someone feel very comfortable and calm, Amelia thought.
From the back of the store a figure appeared. A tall, well-dressed young woman walked toward them. She held her clasped hands at her midriff and she was giving them a warm, welcoming smile.
"Good morning, Ladies. Welcome to our store. My name is Erin. How can I be of assistance?"
Miss Hardie stepped forward. "Erin. Can I introduce these two fine young ladies. Amelia Crawford and Bethany Lennox."
"Miss Hardie how nice to see you, today," Erin Dunbar replied. She looked at Amelia and Bethany and smiled. "Ladies. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Amelia saw that Erin Dunbar was a very pretty woman indeed. There was a genuine welcoming expression on her face.
"We came to your fine establishment this morning because we have a very urgent need," Miss Hardie stated glancing at Amelia and Bethany. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Bethany who looked slightly overwhelmed by the whole affair.
Erin smiled. "Really? That sounds most intriguing. I presume it's an urgent need for a dress, otherwise you wouldn't be here."
"That is indeed the case," Miss Hardie agreed.
"Is the dress for a special occasion?" Erin asked.
Miss Hardie looked at Bethany." I think you could say it's for one of the most special occasions imaginable."
Erin's brows rose. "I see. It's to impress someone."
Bethany looked like she couldn't speak so Amelia decided to speak on her behalf. "We have a visitor coming this evening, and we thought it might be nice for Bethany to have a new dress. Just to help make an impression."
"I understand. Did you have anything particular in mind?" Erin asked.
Suddenly from the back of the store another woman emerged. "Maybe I can come back later, Erin."
Amelia saw a woman who was about the same age as Erin appear from the room at the back of the store.
Erin turned. "Can I introduce my sister-in-law, Amber Dunbar."
Introductions were exchanged quickly and Amber took her place by Erin's side. "I was just visiting with Erin. I heard about you two ladies coming to town." Amber leaned in and spoke in a whisper. "I also heard about your little trouble on the way here."
"Really? From whom?" Amelia asked sudden
ly feeling troubled. Was word about her and Bethany getting spread around town?
"My husband is the sheriff. There isn't much that happens in town without him knowing all about it. And that new lawman is around, too. Mr. Armstrong?"
So that explained it. Wilder was telling folks about how he'd saved two damsels in distress. Amelia felt a rush of indignation. How dare he talk about them like that.
"I don't know what Mr. Armstrong told you, but it wasn't really that serious," Amelia explained.
"You never can tell these days," Amber said. "I mean, even Montana Falls has its fair share of ne'er-do-wells passing through from time to time. They don't call it the wild west for nothing," Amber said with an ironic smile.
Amelia could see from Miss Hardie's frown that she didn't approve of the conversation. Erin saw her customer's discomfort and intervened. She took a few steps to one side and placed a hand on her chin, scrutinizing Bethany's petite figure. "We don't have a huge range of dresses that are your size, I'm afraid. But there is one I'm thinking of which might just do the trick."
Erin strode away to the back of the shop and came back moments later with a beautiful blue dress draped across her outstretched arm.
"I was making this for a lady who was just about you size, Bethany. But, she left town suddenly and didn't have the need for it. I can make a few adjustments if you'd care to wait a short while."
"Isn't that pretty," Miss Hardie said looking at the dress. "Don't you think so, Bethany?"
Bethany nodded silently, her eyes fixed on the dress. Bethany glanced at Amelia seeking her opinion. Amelia shrugged and nodded. Bethany seemed to take some encouragement from Amelia's approval.
"We have plenty of time, Miss Hardie said. "Our caller isn't due until early evening."
"You have a caller?" Amber said, obviously eager to find out. "I presume he is a gentleman caller."
"Bethany is the one with the caller," Miss Hardie explained.
Amber was excited. "That's lovely. Do I perhaps know this young gentleman."
Bethany nodded. "His name is Lucas Monroe."
Amber's face froze when she heard the name. "Lucas Monroe is calling on you?" Amber asked.
Bethany nodded and smiled.
Amber looked at Miss Hardie seeking an explanation. Amelia met Amber's inquiring raised brows but said nothing in reply. There was a long pause.
Miss Hardie broke the silence. "So you can see, it would be nice for Bethany to be wearing something special."
"Most of my belongings are still on their way," Bethany explained. "I did bring some things, but it seems they aren't really suitable for such a special visit."
"So, it's a special visit," Amber said laying additional emphasis on the word special.
Bethany nodded. Amelia gazed toward the back of the store and briefly considered putting an end to the inquiry by taking Bethany to the changing area to try on the dress.
She was just about to take hold of Bethany's arm when the door behind them opened and she heard the sound of heavy booted feet. She turned and felt her jaw drop at the sight of two men entering the store. It wasn't the fact that it was two men coming into a dress shop that caused her jaw to drop. It was the fact that one of the men was Wilder Armstrong.
CHAPTER TEN
Wilder froze on the spot when he saw who was in the dress store. What was Amelia doing here? Sure, it was a dress store and women did frequent those places. But, it was just too much of a coincidence that she would be here when he had been dragged over to the place by Sheriff Dunbar looking for his wife.
On top of that Wilder was sure it wasn't his imagination that was playing tricks on him. Amelia didn't look happy to see him. Not at all. Which was a surprise, because he was sure he hadn't done anything to make her angry with him. Not yet, anyway.
"Luke. What are you doing here?" Amber said going to her husband.
Luke grabbed her around the waist and looked like he wanted to kiss his wife, even if everyone was watching. He glanced at the others and obviously decided that a display of affection could wait until later.
"I just wanted to tell you something," Luke said pulling Amber away to one side. Wilder heard Luke murmur something into Amber's ear. Amber laughed and smiled at her husband. Was that really the kind of thing that went on in this town, Wilder thought. In public?
He turned his attention back to Amelia.
Wilder tipped his hat and smiled. "Ladies. Didn't expect to find you all here this morning."
"I'm sure you didn't," Amelia blurted out firmly.
Wilder was momentarily taken aback by her tone of voice. It looked like his first impression had been entirely correct. Amber was upset at Wilder about something.
"We're fixing up Bethany with a new dress," Miss Hardie said. "Or at least as close to a new dress as we can find in such a short time."
"Something special happening?" Wilder enquired.
"Lucas Monroe is coming to call this evening," Bethany said excitedly.
Wilder fixed his face into as blank an expression as he could muster. He wanted to say that a visit from Lucas Monroe might not be a good idea, but he managed to restrain himself.
"Lucas Monroe is calling? That sounds real dandy," Wilder said.
"Dandy?" Amelia said sharply. "Is that one of those western words, Mr. Armstrong?"
Wilder looked at Amelia seeking some kind of clue about why she was being like this with him. "There are a lot of words folks use out here that you might not be familiar with, Amelia," he explained.
"It's not just words that take a lot of getting used to," she replied. "Some of the people do as well," she concluded, narrowing her brows and fixing Wilder with a look that made him think twice about what he had been about to say in reply.
"Amelia!" Miss Hardie said sharply. "I don't think that's a very nice way to speak. Mr. Armstrong was only trying to be polite. Weren't you, Mr. Armstrong?"
Wilder nodded. "I was indeed, ma'am. Seems like it's a bit early in the morning for some folks," he said giving Amelia a wry grin. He was pleased to see her gritting her teeth in response. "Did you ladies get some good rest?"
Bethany nodded. "We both slept like logs."
"I think they're quite comfortable in my house," Miss Hardie added sounding satisfied. "You must come over for tea, Mr. Armstrong."
Wilder saw that Amelia looked like she was fit to burst on hearing that. "But, I'm sure Mr. Armstrong is too busy to come for tea, Miss Hardie," Amelia exclaimed.
"Nonsense," Miss Hardie replied. "I'll have whoever I want to my house." She smiled at Wilder. "Isn't that right, Mr. Armstrong."
Wilder grinned. "I'd be delighted to come over, Miss Hardie. You can tell me all about your visit from Lucas Monroe."
Amelia frowned at Wilder. He could see her gripping her parasol so hard it looked like she was going to break it in two.
Bethany smiled at Wilder. "We'd love to have you over. You must come."
"I certainly will. It'll be nice to enjoy some fine female company," Wilder said.
"Lunchtime tomorrow?" Miss Hardie asked.
"That will be fine," Wilder replied.
Erin gestured for Bethany to follow her to the rear of the store so that she could try on the new dress. Wilder looked across at Luke and Amber. They were busy chatting quietly about something and looked like they'd be doing that for a while.
Miss Hardie moved away and Amelia started to follow her but Wilder tugged on Amelia's arm, causing her to scowl at him.
"What are you pulling on my arm for?" she demanded.
Wilder glanced toward Miss Hardie and was relieved to see her moving casually alongside the long table inspecting the fabrics. One brief glance at Amelia and Wilder told him that she wasn't in any hurry to interrupt any conversation the two of them might have.
Wilder let go of Amelia's sleeve. "Have I done something to offend you?" he whispered.
Amelia scowled. "No. Why would you think that?" she murmured.
"It's just that you're talking
to me like I'm a wanted criminal who just rode into town to rob a bank."
Miss Hardie turned and looked at Wilder. He smiled nervously back at her and Miss Hardie turned away again.
Amelia rolled her eyes. "That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"
Wilder saw Luke glance in their direction. He wondered just how obvious it was that Wilder and Amelia were having a disagreement.
Amelia's haughty manner was riling Wilder. He couldn't for the life of him figure out what he'd done to deserve such treatment.
"I think you're the one who's exaggerating," Wilder said.
Amelia looked shocked by that remark. "Me? Exaggerating. I don't think so, Mr. Armstrong."
Wilder raised his eyebrows. "So, it's Mr Armstrong again."
Amelia shrugged. "You and I barely know each other. I think we should maintain a polite and courteous relationship."
"Relationship?" Wilder said quirking his brow.
Amelia briefly looked puzzled. "Why, yes. I don't believe we owe each other anything. You were most kind in helping Bethany and I. We already showed you our appreciation."
"Did you? I don't recall that," Wilder said with a mischievous smile.
Amelia gave Wilder a suspicious look. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
Before he had a chance to reply Erin and Bethany appeared from the back of the store. Bethany had on the dress. Although it was clearly not the right size, and was loose in all the wrong places, Wilder thought the young woman looked stunning in it. This town was turning out to be a goldmine for beautiful young ladies.
Amber, Miss Hardie and Amelia all exclaimed their delight in unison with a gasp of approval that was so loud it filled the room.
Wilder saw Luke glance at him and shrug. Men never did have the eye for fashion that women had.
"Doesn't she look beautiful," Erin said pointing at Bethany.
"Spin around my dear," Miss Hardie instructed. "Let's see how the train looks."
Bethany turned slowly letting the women examine the ruffles of the small train.
Amelia's Montana Wedding (Love In Montana Falls Book 1) Page 7