by Barbara Goss
“No.” Now it was Ned’s turn to chuckle. “And I thought I was backward around women. You might start with a compliment. Tell her you like her hat, or that she looks mighty fine.”
Hugh rubbed his chin. “All right, I can do that.”
“So, what are we doing today, boss?” Ned always called his uncle boss when they were talking ranch business.
Hugh and Ned ran a good-sized sheep ranch. They also had a few cows and chickens, but they were only for their own use, the sheep were their bread and butter. Ned was paid a fair wage and would one day inherit the ranch; he had been learning the business since he’d come to live with his uncle.
“Well, I think we’ll head out to the shearing shed and shear those ewes before they start to lamb.”
“I’ll meet you out there,” Ned said as he went out the door.
Ned and Hugh took their usual seats in the back row of the small country church. Hugh nervously adjusted his string tie.
“Maybe she won’t be in church this morning,” his uncle said.
Ned elbowed his uncle with a grin on his face. “Isn’t that her walking in with her daughter?”
Hugh grimaced. “I guess the game’s on, then.”
“You bet it is,” Ned said with a chuckle.
After the service, Ned nudged his uncle, practically pushing him toward Mrs. Evans. “I’ll leave you, but I’ll be watching from across the room.”
Hugh turned to Ned. “Oh, no, you don’t! I can’t do this alone.”
Ned smiled. “Shall I hold your hand?”
As they approached the two women, Ned couldn’t help but notice that the woman’s daughter was as attractive as her mother. Both women smiled coyly as they approached.
After exchanging greetings, Ned prodded his uncle.
“I just had to come over to tell you what a fetching hat that is you’re wearing this morning,” Hugh blurted.
Vera Evans patted her cotton bonnet. “This old thing?”
Ned could feel Hugh losing courage. “I can vouch for him,” Ned said. “When you walked in, he mentioned what a lovely bonnet that was. I told him he just had to tell you, since it was the friendly thing to do.”
Her smile told Ned she was pleased with the compliment. “Why thank you…Mr—”
“Hugh Benedict, ma’am.”
She put her hand out. “Vera Evans.”
Hugh nodded. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Evans.”
“Vera, please,” she said, still smiling.
Hugh put his hand on Ned’s shoulder. “Meet my nephew, Ned.”
Vera and her daughter nodded and smiled politely. “This is my daughter, Maria.”
Ned looked back and forth between Vera and his uncle and decided they’d make the perfect couple. He’d never thought of his uncle as good looking, but he supposed he was. He had dark hair with silver along the sides and a neatly cropped mustache that was almost all white. His smile was engaging, too.
“I was wondering if you two would like to join us for dinner at Rosie’s?” Hugh asked. “We’re headed there for dinner since our cook is off on Sunday.”
Vera looked to her daughter who nodded with a slight smile. “I guess we’d love to, Hugh.”
Who in the world told his uncle to include him? Now he’d be stuck entertaining the daughter, and he was terrible at getting to know strangers. It had been easy with Ellen, as she’d been the aggressor when they’d first met.
He remembered the day well. He’d ridden to Victoria on an errand for Travis, and she’d befriended him after her mother had been rude to him. Then she’d invited herself to ride back to Hays with him on his horse. Later, she’d finagled a ride back—her big brown eyes had been hard to deny. She’d nestled her back against his chest and won his heart. They’d ended the day in a heated embrace while still on the horse.
All during the meal Hugh and Vera chatted amicably, whereas he and Maria were quiet. Ned wasn’t intentionally being rude, he just didn’t know what to say to her. He admired her almost black hair and big blue eyes and was thankful she didn’t have lighter hair and big vibrant brown eyes to remind him of Ellen.
Vera was a petite woman with medium-brown hair with a few silver streaks here and there. Her face was pretty in a mature way.
Ned realized Hugh and Vera had stopped talking and were watching him and Maria.
“So, Ned,” Vera said, “what do you do for a living?”
“I work for Hugh,” he said.
“No,” Hugh corrected, “he works with me.”
“It’s wonderful that you two can work together,” Vera said, nudging Maria, “Isn’t it Maria?”
“Yes. Yes, it is,” Maria muttered.
Once again, Vera and Hugh chattered away about sheep and shearing wool and how her husband had been a banker. Ned gathered from her remarks that he’d died just a few years ago, and that they’d recently purchased the George Nelson place, in a neighborhood with which Ned was familiar. It meant she’d been left comfortably well off. George Nelson had built and owned the first general store in Hays.
Before Ned knew it, Hugh had pulled him to his feet. “Come on, Ned, we’re taking the ladies on a tour of the area. They’ve only been in town a month and still haven’t seen the sights.”
“I should go home and feed the dogs,” Ned said, referring to the four collies they used to herd the sheep.
“They’ll be fine. Come on.” Hugh pushed Ned ahead and whispered, “Remember whose idea this was.”
Chapter Three
All four piled into the buggy. Hugh and Vera sat up on the driver’s bench while he was left inside with Maria.
He supposed he wore a sour look on his face because he really didn’t want to be on this so-called tour.
After the buggy started up, Maria turned to him and said, “I’m sorry, Ned.”
“What?” he said. “What for?”
“I know you didn’t want to come along and were somewhat forced into this.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that it’s not easy for me to meet new people. I wish I were more like my friend, Travis.”
Maria smiled. “I’m the same way! I dread meeting new people, and I don’t like walking into crowded rooms if I don’t know anyone.”
“Really?” Ned asked. He’d finally found someone who understood.
“I usually just stay at home and find a good book to read,” she said.
Ned realized that he liked Maria. It certainly hadn’t been her idea to go on this tour of a town that had few sights to its name. He knew how she must feel in this situation, and he made up his mind to be more pleasant to her.
“Have you made any friends since coming to Hays?” he asked.
“No. It’s difficult to make friends when you aren’t in the schoolroom any longer,” she said. “Any friends I had are back in Topeka.”
“What brought you and your mother here, to Hays?” he asked.
“My mother’s sister, Helen Landers, lives here. Do you know her?”
“Sure, I do,” Ned said. “She’s a member of our church and director of our small choir.”
“Yes, she’s very talented,” Maria said.
The buggy had stopped and Ned could see his uncle handing Vera down from the buggy. He opened the door of the compartment, helped Maria out, looked around and saw they were on the banks of the Smoky Hill River. Hugh led them along the path, walking beside Vera, and once again, Ned found himself alone with Maria.
“Don’t look so miserable, Ned,” Maria said. “The afternoon’s almost over.”
“Do you think I’m upset because I don’t want to be here with you?” he asked. “That’s not the reason. This whole thing is just a bit awkward, don’t you think?”
“It’s very uncomfortable, but we can endure it a bit longer, don’t you think?” she said, pointing to the couple ahead on the path. “For them.”
Ned smiled. “I agree. I’m being very selfish. I do want my uncle to meet someone nice, like your mother, to keep
him company.”
“My mother’s been mourning way too long. I also want to see her find some happiness. She shouldn’t have to spend her later years alone.”
“You’re a very thoughtful person,” Ned said. “Now I feel ashamed for pouting about being trapped in a difficult situation.”
“I don’t think they even noticed. They seem very absorbed in each other.”
“You know what, Maria? I think we should show them how best to get acquainted.”
She looked up at him curiously. “You do? How?”
He took her hand and grinned. “We’ll set a good example.”
They both laughed, which made Hugh and Vera turn around and look at them. When they saw the couple holding hands, Hugh grabbed Vera’s hand.
“We can’t let our kids show us up,” he said.
Vera beamed up at him in return.
Ned and Maria walked slower than their elders, trailing enough behind to give them both a bit of privacy.
“You still seem so gloomy, Ned,” Maria said. “Are you still upset with having to spend the afternoon with me?”
“It isn’t you, believe me,” he said. “I find you to be a perfect companion, and I’m glad to help my uncle.” Ned wasn’t sure if he should tell her the real reason for his lack of enthusiasm, yet he couldn’t have her thinking it was because of her. She was a sweet young lady, and her company actually soothed him.
They passed a bench. Ned led her to it and they sat down. “I’ve had a bit of a disappointment, if you can call it that. Disappointment makes it sound so trivial, though.”
“I’m all ears,” she said and squeezed his hand.
“I fell in love…hard. Not being the outgoing type, it isn’t surprising that, at my age this was my first real romantic experience. This woman was the one to have initiated our romance, but I more than willingly followed. Ellen exuded beauty. She had these big expressive brown eyes that swallowed me up whenever she gazed at me, as well as her unique, English accent.” He felt Maria squeeze his hand, and he went on. “Her family went back to England, all except her sister who’s married to my best friend, Travis. Ellen could have stayed, but she chose to leave. I suppose I was more in love with her than she was with me.
“It wasn’t a long relationship, just a few weeks, but I fell hard for her and now…I’m still having a hard time adjusting, and to be pushed into being with another woman just sort of scares me. My first instinct is to run from any emotional relationships.”
“I understand completely, Ned. I was in love once, too, but the scoundrel ran off with my best friend while I was out of town visiting family.” She removed her hand from his and patted it. “It took me a long while to get over it, so I know how you feel.”
“Thank you,” he said, and he meant it.
“For the sake of my mother and your uncle, couldn’t we just continue as friends who understand each other?” she asked. “I don’t think either of us is ready for a relationship, but we’re in need of a friend, just the same.”
Ned thought about her words. She was down-to-earth in her thinking, she spoke calmly, was a good listener, and it felt soothing to be with someone so relaxing.
“I do feel comfortable with you,” he said. “And for the sake of our parents—I always refer to Hugh as a parent since he did rear me from the age of ten.”
Maria held out her hand, “Friends it is. Shall we shake on it?”
Ned looked at her extended hand, shook it, and smiled at her. Then he told her the story of his friend, Libby, and her horse-riding accident and recovery. Maria was a good listener, and he felt more comfortable with her than he ever had with Ellen, or even Travis.
As Hugh and Vera walked, Hugh peeked behind them. “I see our kids have lagged behind. How interesting.”
“Hugh, you asking me to dinner and a ride today was heaven sent.”
“I’m enjoying, it too,” he said with a wink.
“Not just for myself, but for Maria. She’s been a recluse ever since we’ve moved here and doesn’t want to leave the house. I want her to meet people and have some fun,” she said. “This is just what she needs—they seem to be getting along well.”
Hugh laughed. “So you’re doing the same thing I am, then? Ned’s been the same way lately. He’s always been shy, but he was jilted recently and has been eating his heart out ever since. I want to see Ned get back to his old self.”
“That’s so ironic!” Vera said. “And don’t think I’m forcing myself to enjoy your company for her sake, because I’m not. I’m enjoying my friendship with you, as well.”
“I understand completely,” Hugh said. “My asking you out today was part of a bargain I made with Ned, but that’s neither here nor there, for I enjoy your company, as well.”
“I must warn you, Hugh, I’m not ready for a relationship other than friendship. I’m still grieving my late husband. He was a wonderful man, and though it’s been five years, I can’t seem to get over him.”
Despite the seriousness of her statement, Hugh couldn’t help but throw his head back and laugh. “Excuse me for laughing, but once again, I can relate to that. I also lost someone I cared deeply for, only for me, it was thirty years of mourning. Ned thinks it’s about time I got over it.”
“Thirty years?” Vera asked.
“I’m ashamed to admit it, but yes,” Hugh said.
“I cannot believe we have so many things in common, and our children do as well.” Vera shook her head. “I think maybe someone else had a hand in this.”
Hugh was puzzled. “Someone else?”
“God. I’ve been praying for help for Maria, and I’m sure you’ve been doing the same for Ned.”
“I have!” Hugh exclaimed. “There are just too many coincidences for God not to have a hand in this.”
“We’ll have to keep seeing each other to help Ned and Maria,” Vera said.
“Well, I’m all for it,” he said. “Why don’t you and Maria come over for dinner tomorrow night?”
“We’d love to,” Vera added. “For Ned and Maria, of course.”
After toiling in the shearing shed all day, Ned and Hugh trudged into the house to wash up. “Put your new shirt on, Ned.”
“Why? Are we going somewhere?” Ned asked.
“I’ve invited Vera and Maria for dinner. Oops, didn’t I tell you?” Hugh asked.
“No, you didn’t mention it.”
“Are you all right with it?”
“Are you happy about it?” Ned asked his uncle.
“Yes. I like Mrs. Evans very much. We have so much in common.”
“I’m happy for you, and I’ll agree to anything that helps you along with her.”
“Thank you, Ned. How are you and Maria getting on?”
Ned thought hard about his answer. Did he want his uncle to think this might turn into a new romance for him? He didn’t think it would be a good idea to mislead him.
“She’s only a friend. I like her very much, but I explained to her that I wasn’t ready for another relationship just yet,” Ned said. “She understands, and we’ve agreed to be friends. She hasn’t met anyone here in Hays, yet, so I plan to ask her to the barn dance on Friday, just so I can introduce her to some people.”
“That’s a great idea,” Hugh said. “Maybe I should ask Vera, too.”
After dinner, the four of them took coffee and tea in the sitting room until Vera asked to see the sheep farm and all its workings. When they’d gone, it left Ned alone with Maria, once more.
Maria had worn her hair down that night, held back with a ribbon to match her blue dress; it made her eyes ultra blue. He wondered which of his single friends would most likely try to court her. He thought Wade Sommers or Ham Williams might be interested.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Maria asked.
“I was just thinking…since you haven’t met many people here, in Hays, how about going to a barn dance with me Friday so I can introduce you to some of my friends?”
Maria grim
aced. “Oh, I don’t know, Ned. I’m not sure I can do it. I’m terribly shy.”
“Yes, but we’ll be together, and that has to make a difference,” he said.
“I suppose,” she said weakly. “If you promise not to leave my side the whole time.”
Ned held up his hand. “I promise.”
That very next day when he went to the post office to collect the mail, there was a letter for him from England. There wasn’t a name on the top of the envelope, just an address, but he knew it was from her. The handwriting was flowing and elegant—even sensual, like her. He didn’t open the letter until he’d gotten home. He threw the other mail on the table and walked to his room to read it in private.
He lay on his bed staring at the letter. He smelled it and fondled it, but didn’t open it. Would he be opening himself up for more pain if he read it? Was she sorry she’d left, or would she regale him with her wonderful adventures in England? Finally, he decided that not opening the letter wouldn’t change what it said and that he might as well get it over with.
Dear Ned,
I hope this letter finds you well. It was such a long ship ride home, and we ran into two storms that had me scared as well as sick.
Father sends his regards.
I miss my sister, and you too, Ned. I enjoyed my time with you, however this is my home.
I know you were hurt by my decision, but I felt like a fish out of water in Kansas. I’d welcome you if you decided to come to London for a visit. Our home is very large so there is plenty of room should you agree to come. I’d love to see you again.
My mother has been pushing me toward a few rich and titled men, but so far none of them interest me. I do enjoy the attention from them at the balls and parties, though.
I hope to hear from you soon. Here is my address: Ellen Radcliffe, 22 Beaufort Gardens, London, England.
Yours,
Ellen
Ned folded the letter and slipped it under his pillow. Should he respond? If he did, what would he say? His heart nearly burst from his shirt when he’d read that she’d missed him, yet as he thought about it, it seemed like missing him was an afterthought after having said she’d missed her sister. Had she been sincere in her invitation for him to visit?