Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel

by Brendan, Maggie

  “Would you just calm down a minute and listen to reason? I’m trying to help you. You’re so distracted with running this place and making everyone happy that you don’t give yourself a passing thought. I took it upon myself to help you out by placing an ad for a bride—actually, two. I thought if you had two to pick from, that would make it easy.”

  Jess closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. “Why didn’t you just ask me about your idea?”

  “’Cause you would’ve said no.” Zach swallowed the bite of cheese and reached for another, but Jess stopped him.

  “Would you quit that while we’re having a serious discussion?” Jess wanted to smack him upside the head. But then he had to admit that Zach was right—he never would take the time to find a wife. Men outnumbered the women in Central City five to one, so it was unlikely he’d ever find a single woman to his liking. Men clamored over every female as soon as they stepped foot off the train. During the winter the passes were closed, so they were basically shut off for a few months at a time.

  Zach wiped his hands on his apron. “Sorry. But would you just relax? I think this will all work out, and these two ladies are eager for a husband and are willing to work in the store until you decide between the two of ’em. You can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.”

  “If—and I mean if—I decide to go along with this nutty idea, I certainly won’t be courting that outspoken one. In fact, you can court one of them!”

  “Me?” Zach cocked an eyebrow.

  Zach’s look of surprise gave Jess a momentary feeling of elation. “Yes, Zach. I’m just giving you a taste of your own medicine.” Jess smiled, thinking Zach’s little plan had backfired. He knew that Zach wasn’t interested in marriage until he got his ranch established.

  “Does that mean you’ll let them stay and work in the store?”

  Jess scratched the stubble on his face. He hadn’t taken time to shave this morning. Had he known two pretty ladies would arrive to meet him, he would’ve been more motivated to clean up a bit. He wondered what their first impression of him was. Against his better judgment, he found himself answering, “I’ll give it a try, but not for you—for those poor ladies who traveled here on my account.”

  Zach slid down from the table, clapping his brother on the back. “That’s more like it!”

  “Don’t get too excited. It’ll only be for one month.”

  “One month?”

  Jess shrugged. “Take it or leave it. This was your harebrained idea, after all.”

  “Oh, all right.” Zach muttered something under his breath as he walked toward the front of the store, then paused. “I promise you, Jess, you won’t regret it.”

  “We’ll see about that, won’t we?” Jess watched his brother saunter back to the two waiting brides and their customers. What had he just gotten himself into?

  Heaven help me!

  5

  Jess walked to the counter and grabbed the list he’d originally started working on before his surprise interruption. This latest shenanigan of his brother’s had really been over the top.

  He kept one ear cocked to Zach’s exchange with the ladies while he perused Cole’s list. The one called Cora was pretty with her dark hair and deep-set eyes. She seemed more soft-spoken than the other lady, Greta, who was tall with blonde hair and a flawless complexion. But what struck him besides Greta’s outspokenness was the brilliance of her cornflower-blue eyes—they were searching and knowing. Just the kind of critical vision that he needed to avoid. He watched as she fingered a gold locket hanging against her bosom. Something clicked in his memory about a locket, but he couldn’t remember exactly what. Many women wore fashionable lockets nowadays. He even stocked several in the broad glass case in the store. Still . . .

  Jess watched as his brother escorted the women to the storage area, to give them aprons, no doubt. As they walked past him, Cora seemed nervous, but Greta looked directly at him, flashing a mischievous smile.

  “You can store your things right here,” Jess heard Zach inform them, then their voices faded into the background.

  Silas strode over to Jess. “Jess, I think we’ve found all we came for this morning. Mind giving me a total?” Annabelle and little Sue were right behind him.

  “Of course. I see you found the perfect pair of boots for Sue. Where did your boys get off to?” Jess said as he tallied the items.

  “Annabelle sent them back outside to run off some of their energy. They would only make more of a mess than you already have here,” Silas teased.

  “Aw, it’s not that bad. Is it?” Jess was beginning to believe Silas and his brother thought alike.

  Silas only gave him a wry smile, then winked at Annabelle.

  Greta emerged from the storage room. “I can see how easily that type of mess could happen, but not for long. I’ll help Mr. Gifford get things more organized around here, Mr. . . . er . . .” She stuck her hand out. “As you heard Zach say, I’m Greta Olsen.”

  Silas shook her hand. “I’m Silas Mead. Nice to meet you, ma’am. And this here,” he indicated with a sweep of his large hand, “is my wife Annabelle and our daughter Sue.”

  “I’ve never met a mail-order bride before. You have an accent.” Annabelle nodded.

  “I’m from Amsterdam.” Greta gave Annabelle a cordial smile. Jess couldn’t help but wonder, Is she always this happy? Jess considered himself a cheerful person. But most women he knew were moody. Happy one minute and cantankerous the next.

  “Oh my! Such a long way from home.” Annabelle pursed her lips together in surprise.

  Jess knew that nosy Annabelle would try to dig as much information as she could from Greta, who would probably not even notice that she’d been interrogated.

  “Not really. I’ve been here for more than a year. I traveled from my sister’s home in Wyoming.”

  “I see.” Annabelle’s eyebrows arched upward. “Welcome to Central City.”

  Greta leaned down to Sue. “It’s nice to meet you, Sue. I see you’re going to have a nice pair of sturdy snow boots for school, but perhaps I can help you find something more appropriate to wear when it’s nice out. What do you say?”

  Sue looked at her mother, who nodded, then turned back to Greta. “I’d like that, Miss Greta.”

  Greta took the little girl’s hand, and they traipsed off in the direction of the shoe department, such as it was, between the crowded aisles.

  Annabelle turned back to Jess and Silas. “What a nice young woman you’ve hired, Jess. I’m sure she’ll be a big help to you.”

  Jess didn’t say a word as he wrapped their supplies in brown paper. Who did that woman think she was? One pair of boots for an elementary-school girl was sufficient! And what did she mean by “organize”? Jess was as organized as he wanted to be. He didn’t need anyone to go rearranging things in his store. He could lay hands on any item desired by the clientele . . . most of the time.

  Zach returned with Cora and said to Silas and Annabelle, “Greta and Cora will be working for Jess for a while.”

  His comment set Jess’s teeth on edge as the couple stared at him. He noticed Cora’s long lashes as she glanced down at her hands, saying nothing.

  “You’ve got two right purty gals to choose from, Jess. It might be a tough decision.” Silas counted out the money for his supplies, and Annabelle picked up the package.

  “Don’t you want to wait and see what Greta talks you into buying for Sue?” Jess asked.

  “Oh, I plumb forgot. Annabelle, you’d better go see what she’s showing Sue. Not that I’ll buy it, that’s for sure.”

  Annabelle handed him the package. “Stay put, Silas. I have a feeling you won’t be able to talk Sue out of another pair of shoes. She could always use them for church or warmer weather.”

  Silas scratched his chin. “Way I look at it, she’s growing too fast to own two pairs of shoes at a time right now. Serviceable work boots against the snow that’s coming soon are good enough.”

  Annabel
le shook her head, giving Silas a nudge on the shoulder as she walked past.

  Jess chuckled. He knew that Silas had already lost that battle, but it was better for a man’s ego to put up a protest. “Cora,” he said, “why don’t you start with wrapping up these items I’ve put aside for my friend Cole? I’ve still got a few more items to toss in the pile. He’ll return soon, and I told him I’d have it all together.”

  Cora moved hesitantly toward the work counter. She stared at the brown paper on the round metal holder, then began by pulling off a sheet. She glanced up at Zach, who winked at her. Jess had to admit, her smile was disarming. Just the kind that could make a man’s heart flip-flop, which was what Jess’s might do given half the chance.

  “Don’t worry about it being perfect. Cole will never even notice, I’m sure,” Zach said, handing her a roll of twine.

  Cora smiled back at Zach. “I have a lot to learn. I’ve never worked in a store before.” She folded a pair of pants in half, then wrapped paper around it.

  “I’ll be taking you and Greta around the store today so you can familiarize yourself with how we run the place.” Zach leaned one hip against the counter, propping his elbow on top. “Soon as Greta’s finished with Sue.”

  “Did I hear you ladies say you were staying in a cabin?” Silas asked.

  “Yes. Zach has put us up in his friend’s cabin at the edge of town, but I hope it won’t be for long.”

  “Not long,” Zach remarked cheerfully. “Just as soon as Jess picks his bride, one of you’ll be moving to the quarters upstairs.”

  Cora quirked an eyebrow. “Upstairs?”

  Jess was just about to comment when the chatty Greta, her arm about Sue’s shoulders, walked up with a pair of Sunday-go-to-meeting shoes. If she could talk Annabelle into buying another pair of shoes, she just might be good for business.

  “Greta’s right. These will be perfect for church,” Annabelle said, placing the shoes on the counter. “’Course, if Joshua and Stephen see them, they’ll be begging for something else too.” She giggled. “But go ahead and add these to the bill, Jess.”

  “You got it, Annabelle.” Jess took the shoes and handed them to Cora to wrap.

  “And by the way, why don’t you and the ladies drive over to our place for supper on Friday?” Annabelle turned to Zach. “And you too, Zach. We need to show these ladies a little Central City hospitality.”

  “Thanks, that’s mighty kind of you. We’d love to.” Jess glanced at Greta and Cora for approval. “If that’s something they’d like to do.”

  Greta’s eyes sparkled in amusement when she nodded at him. “That would be nice.”

  Jess’s heart started thumping when he locked eyes with Greta. His hands were none too steady either as he handed Silas the wrapped shoes for Sue. What in the world was wrong with him? He’d have to avoid Greta’s flirtatious eyes. She could be trouble. Cora, on the other hand, was more his type—quiet and reserved.

  “Annabelle, we’d be delighted to come.”

  “Then it’s settled—”

  “What’s settled?” Cole strode in, looking around at the newcomers. “My order?”

  Zach laughed. “Hardly, but I’ll get back to finishing the order that Jess started.” He snagged the list that Jess had put aside and sauntered away.

  Cole tipped his hat. “And who might your friends be, Jess?”

  Jess watched as his friend surveyed the two ladies. Now just how was he supposed to announce that he had two mail-order brides? He clenched his teeth when he thought about how Zach had it all planned out. Cole liked pretty women and made no bones about it.

  “Cole.” Silas offered him a handshake. “We were just inviting Jess and Zach for supper Friday, as well as Greta and Cora, two mail-order brides who just arrived yesterday. You may as well come too, unless you’ve got plans.”

  Cole’s eyes darted over to Greta and Cora. “Mail-order brides . . . Well, Jess, I didn’t know you entertained the idea of marriage!”

  Jess groaned inwardly. “I’m not sure that I do, Cole. Meet Greta Olsen and Cora Johnson.” He couldn’t help but notice how both ladies stood straighter when Cole’s eyes swept over them. His good looks had turned many a head in Central City. It shouldn’t matter to him that Cole had their full attention, but it did.

  “How do you do?” Cole took their hands in turn and bowed slightly. “Seems Jess is full of surprises.”

  Cora flushed, and Greta gave Cole a broad smile. Had she smiled at Jess like that? He didn’t think so.

  “Maybe the surprise was more from Zach,” Cora murmured. There was an awkward moment of silence as she gave Cole a friendly gaze.

  “We’d better go find the boys and head on back home. Like I said, you’re welcome to come too, Cole,” Silas said. He placed his hand on Annabelle’s elbow and propelled her to the door.

  “I’ll consider it,” Cole said, hooking his thumbs in his jean pockets.

  Annabelle waved a quick goodbye, and they hurried out the door in search of their boys. A blast of cold air rushed in as the door refused to close.

  “I’ve been meaning to work on that door frame,” Jess said as he lifted the doorknob and shoved it hard so the latch plate caught.

  Cole chuckled. “Jess, that door’s been like that for two years now.”

  Jess shot him a daggerlike look, annoyed with his friend.

  “I’ll be happy to put that on your list of things to do, Jess,” Greta said, reaching for a pencil.

  “List? What list? I never make a list,” Jess said. “I have it all tucked away up here.” He tapped his finger against his forehead.

  Greta’s laughter rang out. “Well, now others will be able to see, uh, up there,” she teased. “You’ll have a list.”

  Cole placed his hand on his hip. “Miss Greta, if you get tired of wrangling with Jess or Zach, I’d be mighty happy to take you out to dinner at one of our fine restaurants. And of course you too, Miss Cora.”

  Cora looked from Greta to Jess without responding, but Jess thought her unhappy look said it all.

  Jess humphed, giving Cole’s shoulder a friendly poke. “You can’t begin to handle one woman, much less two, my friend!” What in tarnation was Cole trying to do? Sweep them off their feet?

  “Thank you for your invitation, Cole, and it was a pleasure to meet you, but we’ve barely gotten settled. Now if you will excuse us.” Greta turned to Cora and said, “Come on, Cora, let’s go find Zach so he can give us whatever instructions he thinks we’ll need. I’ll wager it won’t be too much from the looks of things around here.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Cora said as she slipped an apron over her head and tied the strings.

  “I don’t give up easily,” Cole bellowed as they walked away.

  6

  Jess decided he needed some time alone. He left Zach in charge of the store, saddled his horse, Stomper, and rode off toward Black Hawk. He told Zach that he needed to check on Granny since it had been a week since either of them had dropped by. The death of his parents from influenza last year, shortly after his younger brother’s death, had taken a toll on his grandmother. She seemed to age overnight far beyond her seventy years. But even though she’d slowed down, she wanted to live right where she was. Not too far from her grandsons, where she could keep an eye on them, and the graves of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.

  Then again, it was hard to know where Black Hawk ended and Central City began these days, with the huge influx of miners and gold seekers who passed through on their way to seek their fortunes. But he wasn’t complaining. Far from it. His mercantile business had increased dramatically. Maybe Greta and Cora had come at just the right time. He’d never been busier, and a helper of any sort could be useful to have around the store. He didn’t fool himself with entertaining ideas of romance. Life was about work for him, and any woman he married would have to understand that.

  His mind meandered just like the trail down to his grandmother’s house. The August sun’s warmt
h on his back felt good, but Jess knew it would be replaced by sharp canyon winds by the middle of September. He found himself smiling. Heavens above, he loved Colorado! Every day was like God’s gift of treats served just for him. The pristine, cloudless blue sky and pine-laden scent were downright intoxicating. Much like the gleam in Greta’s eyes.

  Now whatever in the world made him think of that comparison? Why, he’d only just met her this morning, and Cora was right pretty as well. He was still mystified as to why Zach would do such a thing without telling him. It made Jess sharply aware that Zach preferred making his own way. He wasn’t sure how that had escaped him.

  He gave a gentle tug on Stomper’s reins and paused at the crest of the bluff, gazing at the busy little town below. Even from this vantage point, he could see Granny’s small house with its picket fence and bright trailing flowers. His heart pinched when he remembered how she’d clung to him and cried when they buried his parents—so unlike her usual tough exterior. She told him a parent is never supposed to bury her children. Jess reckoned she was right about that. Only the good Lord knew the reasons why.

  Jess nudged Stomper further down the trail, suddenly anxious to see Granny and have a slice of her rhubarb pie.

  Greta listened intently to Zach, who was explaining to her and Cora the particulars of running the general store.

  “When we place orders, we have a checklist of supplies that we compare to the shipping paper we receive once they arrive, which is called a bill of lading.” He turned the paper around so they could get a look at the sheet. “Then I just make a check mark against the bill of lading when it reaches us. I keep a labeled file right here under the counter so everything is easy to find.”

  “My, you’re very organized,” Cora said.

  “I have to be because Jess isn’t.” He chuckled. He pointed at some crates. “There’s yesterday afternoon’s orders that I checked off, but both of you can start uncrating when we’re through here.” Zach punched some numbers into the huge cash register. “Just put the price in on this machine, and it will total the customers’ sales up for you. At the end of the day, I’ll total the receipts and make sure they match what’s in the drawer here. Any questions?”