Cora whirled around, a confused look on her face. “You’ll do no such thing! What do you mean you care for Jess? I thought you were in love with Zach!”
“I only wish I was, but since I’m not, I’ll get out of the picture so you and Jess can have a happy life—or you and Zach. Which is it to be?” Greta felt heat rising to her face.
Cora started to giggle and put the dress on the bed. “You think I’m in love with Jess?” She turned back to face her.
“Why are you laughing?” Greta thought it was heartless for Cora to be laughing at her admissions. She reached down to get her shoes to leave. She wouldn’t stand here and be laughed at.
Cora grabbed her hand. “Listen to me. I’m laughing with joy!”
“Well, good! I’m glad Jess and Zach make you that happy! Now let go of my hand!”
“You misunderstand, Greta. I’m not in love with Jess. The truth is I love Zach and he loves me!” She beamed.
“What? But Zach hasn’t said a word to me! And I saw you and Jess kissing at the mercantile, and his arms were around you.” Greta thought she must be dreaming. No wonder Zach hadn’t shown any interest in her since that night at Annabelle’s.
“I’m sorry, Greta, but you misinterpreted what you saw. Jess was doing me a favor, so I gave him a hug and a kiss, but he didn’t kiss me. It was I who kissed him. Nothing more.”
“But you’ve been spending time together and taking off in the afternoons.”
Cora walked over to the closet and dragged a box out. “I was going to wrap this, but maybe it will explain things. Go ahead and look inside. It was to be your wedding present.”
Greta dropped her shoes on the floor and frowned, then knelt down and opened the box, peering inside. There was a lot of wrapping, so she lifted some of the tissue off. To her delight, she saw a Blue Willow dish. “Don’t tell me that’s what’s in this box!” She dug around and found more of the same. “Oh my! I really don’t know what to say or how to thank you. Dank U wel! Thank you!”
“You just thanked me with that beautiful gift of a wedding gown . . . and the truth about you and Zach. And I love you like a sister too. The Blue Willow dishes belonged to Zach and Jess’s mother, and Jess was kind enough to take me to Granny’s to search the attic for them.”
“I’ll cherish them.” Greta rose and looked at her friend. “But I don’t really understand. How do we know this but Jess and Zach haven’t said anything to each other? Were they planning on marrying someone they didn’t love?”
“My guess is they didn’t want to hurt each other or us by loving the opposite mail-order bride.” Cora shook her head. “I think it’s best if we let them work this out in their own way. It’s not our problem. Think about what we went through—both of us arriving as mail-order brides for one man, letters that weren’t written by Jess, a musty old miner’s cabin, a bear, and Agnes! Don’t worry, the truth will come out. And I hope to wear this dress on my wedding day to marry Zach.”
Greta bit her lip. “I’m not sure about Jess. I haven’t heard him say the three little words yet . . .”
“I have no doubt you will. Give him a little time.” Cora took her elbow. “How about we go look for some supper? I’m starving.”
Greta smiled back at her friend. “Wonderful idea. But will you tell me one thing?”
“What’s that?”
“What do you really think is going on in their minds about all of this?”
Cora thought a moment. “Well, I once heard someone say, ‘A mail-order marriage is trickier ’n braidin’ a mule’s tail!’”
Greta and Cora laughed heartily as they left in search of a good, hot meal.
33
Autumn winds continued throughout the next week, bringing with them brisk temperatures, which were eventually kept at bay by the brilliant Colorado sun. It would be a great day for Agnes’s barbecue, and nearly everyone in town would be attending. Greta peered out the window to the busy Main Street below. She knew the day would warm up, then cool down again when the sun dropped below the mountain peaks.
She decided on a rose-colored dress that would pick up the hint of pink in the blue-trimmed sunbonnet. The scooped neckline showed her collarbone and bosom to advantage. The bodice had deep velvet inserts of fallow tightly fitted at the waist, with the skirt falling in lush folds down to the top of her shoes.
She should hurry. Jess and Zach would drop by and pick up her and Cora in the covered buggy in case the sudden drop in temperatures proved to be too much for the ladies.
“I’m about ready to go downstairs to wait for Jess and the others,” Cora said, pausing long enough to pat a curl into place. She looked at Greta’s outfit. “Your new sunbonnet is quite fetching, Greta, and that brim will shade your delicate complexion. Are you about finished dressing?”
“As finished as I’ll ever be.” Greta giggled. “You look gorgeous in that shade of green, Cora.” Greta admired Cora’s skin and dark hair against the hue of her green dress dotted with tiny peach flowers. Cora was indeed a striking woman. Smiling at her friend, Greta said, “Ready to go?”
“I appreciate the compliment coming from a woman as pretty as yourself, but this dress pales in comparison to the beautiful wedding dress you made for me. My heart is so full, I think it might burst.” Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke.
Greta squeezed her arm. “Now don’t go crying and making your eyes puffy before we get to the party. You don’t want to be all red-eyed, do you?”
Cora sniffed. “No, I don’t. I didn’t mean to start blubbering,” she said, then blew her nose. “Don’t forget your coat. It might be cold on the ride back.” Cora handed Greta her coat, then turned to lock their room door.
By the time they arrived downstairs, Caleb was waiting on them in the foyer, wearing a nice pair of jeans and a plaid shirt. “Jess and Zach are out front waiting. You ladies look nice.” He twirled his hat in his hands.
“And so do you, Caleb. New clothes, I take it?” Greta asked.
Caleb bowed. “Yes, ma’am—courtesy of Jess and Zach. They said I need to make a good impression on the ladies.” He chortled.
“You’ve impressed me, and I’ll bet the young girls will swoon!” Cora teased.
Caleb stood straighter and seemed to puff out his chest with the compliment. He started toward the door and held it open for them as they walked to the waiting buggy.
The wind tore at their skirts, and Greta had to hold on to her sunbonnet to keep it from flying off, even though it was tied securely under her chin.
Caleb hurried them into the buggy, then took a seat up front to drive the team. Jess and Zach sat across from them like two stiff toy soldiers, but they managed a hello and a nod. Greta thought they looked more than grumpy. Maybe they’d had their chat about the brides. If so, it didn’t bode well.
“What a chill we have going on today—and it’s a trifle windy,” Greta said, trying to make small talk. Jess had actually shaved and looked handsome in his stiff white shirt, string tie, dark trousers, and matching coat. Zach looked nice too but was not his usual charming self.
Zach gave her a dull look and said, “In no time, the leaves will be a brilliant orange and red, then watch out for the blast of cold.” He looked away at the traffic in the street with seemingly great interest.
Cora caught Greta’s eye and pursed her lips, giving her a confused look, then nodded in the direction of the brothers. Greta shrugged.
“Jess, I must tell you that Greta made me a lovely gown to wear at our wedding ceremony,” Cora said, baiting him.
Greta waited, but all he said rather thickly was, “That’s nice.” He squirmed in his seat with his arms crossed.
Zach jerked around and stared at Cora, who ignored his glum gaze.
“And I want to thank the two of you, Jess and Cora, for being so thoughtful of the Blue Willow dishes for mine and Zach’s wedding present. It makes me very happy to know that I’ll be feeding our children from the same plates that you and Zach were raised on
.” Greta nearly choked on her words, but she kept her voice steady despite not knowing whether Jess loved her enough to marry her. She’d try to let it play out as Cora suggested, but it was hard.
Jess’s eyes focused on her with a soft caress, and he leaned forward. “I hope it will make you happy and that you and Zach will enjoy many a meal on them. We sure did growing up.” Without warning, the buggy hit a pothole, jostling all of them about, and Jess fell forward into Greta. She reached out to grab his shoulders, but he recovered quickly. “I’m sorry, excuse me.”
Greta’s heart rate went up at his nearness and the smell of his aftershave. She was sure that her warm face mirrored her feelings, so she adjusted her skirts and stared down at her hands in her lap. She wouldn’t make any more conversation with the men. If Jess or Zach wanted to talk, then let them, otherwise she would just sit quietly. They’d dug their own hole.
“Will Granny be coming to the barbecue?” Cora asked.
“Oh, Granny wouldn’t miss a party. You can count on that,” Zach muttered.
Greta stole a glance at Cora as she smiled at Zach, whose mouth and jaw twitched in agitation. “Good. I enjoy her company,” Cora said. “She always speaks her mind.”
“That’s true,” Jess replied, his eyes resting on Cora.
“I’m looking forward to our wedding ceremonies, and I’m sure we’d both want her there. Right, Greta?”
Greta nodded. Cora was giving them a taste of their own medicine, which would eventually force the truth out of them. She suppressed a giggle as Jess, his face pink, fingered the stiff collar of his shirt, and perspiration soaked Zach’s coat and tie.
Their discomfort served them both right! This was proving to be more fun than she’d thought.
Greta couldn’t help but notice that Jess’s eyes hadn’t softened when he looked at Cora. Maybe he didn’t care for Cora after all. She could only hope that were true, but what if he did, and Cora married Zach once he told Jess the truth? Would Jess be heartbroken? Would Greta be second-best? She sighed so deeply that all three of them looked over at her, so she smiled weakly and looked out at the moving landscape. There was no point in torturing herself. She would simply relax and enjoy the party and her Saturday off from work. Besides, Cole would be at the party and he liked her company. But it wasn’t Cole’s attention that she longed for.
———
Jess felt like a rabbit caught in an iron trap while Greta and Cora cheerfully chattered on about wedding gifts and ceremonies. Zach hardly said a word and sat stiff as a board—so unlike his gregarious nature. He’d hoped to have already talked to Zach, but he hadn’t had a minute of free time with so much to do at the store every day. Cora seemed so happy about her wedding dress, and he was doubly surprised that Greta had sewn one for her. She was full of surprises.
Looking at her this moment, he felt his throat go tight. She was as lovely as a rose with her dewy skin. Her pretty dress was fitted in all the right places—so much so that he had to drag his gaze away to look at the shops as they rode past. Cora looked nice as well, but Greta’s soft laugh and deep blue eyes made his heart want to sing. Granny was right. He felt awful for not setting Cora straight about his feelings. Would his brother despise him? He didn’t think so, but the truth could make for a strained relationship.
If Zach was so excited about marrying Greta, then why was he so sullen this morning? This was not like him at all. Jess squeezed his eyes shut briefly. Lord, help me say what I have to say to Zach today. You said we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free. Well, I feel no freedom whatsoever, and this pretense has to stop.
34
The Circle D ranch came into view as Caleb guided the team over a gentle rise a few miles outside of town. It was a sizeable ranch with several buildings and corrals. Greta thought it appealing with the tall evergreen, spruce, and pines edging the back of the big house, which was built from hewn logs. They rode under a tall iron archway with THE CIRCLE D on a sign overhead, and a winding drive led to the Cartwrights’ home. A deep front porch ran the full length of the house, with a profusion of flower beds in beautiful array flanking either side of the broad steps. Though it was still afternoon, lanterns had been strung across the porch railings, reflecting a welcoming glow. People were already milling about the yard or in porch chairs with refreshments in their hands. Several waved as they continued to the pasture’s fence, where all the wagons and horses were to be hitched. A very inviting and pleasing setting with an air of excitement greeted them.
Caleb pulled the horses to a halt, hopped down, and tied the reins over the split-rail fence as others before him had done. Jess took Cora’s hand to help her down, and Zach offered his hand to Greta. She took it, noticing that he avoided looking directly at her. Once she was down on the ground, he offered his elbow, and they all walked over to the barn where the party was going on.
“Something cooking smells good,” Cora commented to no one in particular.
“Sure does,” Caleb agreed. “I hear my stomach rumbling.”
“What you smell is the roast beef and the pork that’s been smoking over the pit for a couple of days, just past the barn in the clearing there.” Jess paused to point out the open fire pit, where several cowboys attended the meat with long-handled forks. They basted it with what looked like a shortened mop dipped in sauce as it turned on the spit.
“Cole has his own recipe and is known for his sauce,” Zach added.
“Well, I’m not waiting. I’m going after a dish right now. See you around,” Caleb said, heading off to the fire pit.
“I can’t wait to have a taste.” Greta allowed herself to watch the back of Jess’s head in front of them, wishing he were holding her arm and not Cora’s.
Music and laughter could be heard coming from the barn, and Cole came striding across the lawn to greet them with his infectious smile. Greta thought he looked great. He was an attractive catch for the ladies—tall and well built; wearing well-fitted jeans, a vest, and a blue plaid shirt; and sporting a cream-colored Stetson. She was surprised he wasn’t courting someone already.
“Welcome to the Circle D,” he bellowed, shaking the men’s hands. “I’m mighty proud to have you! Jess, Zach.” He cocked his head at them. “And don’t you ladies look ravishing. You’ll be beating the men off with a stick—mark my words.”
“You really know how to flatter a lady,” Greta purred, stealing a glance at Jess out of the corner of her eye. He wasn’t listening but was watching Agnes approach.
Cole leaned close to Greta and whispered, “I asked Suzanne to come tonight. I’m glad you told me about her.” He winked. “She’s around here somewhere.”
“That’s wonderful, Cole. I knew you’d like her. I did.”
“I like her a whole lot,” he said. Greta gave his hand a conspiratorial squeeze.
“Welcome! Welcome, my dear friends!” Agnes gushed, stretching her hands out to them.
“How are you, Agnes?” Zach asked. “Looks to be a nice party, as usual.”
“It will be now that my two favorite Gifford brothers are here,” she said, hooking her arms through theirs.
Jess held her at arm’s length, studying her dress. “Greta did a great job on your dress, and it’s perfect for you.”
“I agree, Agnes. You look wonderful. Thank you for inviting us,” Cora said.
“Well, I look good because of Greta’s skill with a needle.” She nodded at Greta.
Greta admired her handiwork and had a moment of pride but pushed it away. “Thank you,” Greta murmured. “I aim to please my customers.”
“Then you shall have many more.” Agnes smiled back. She turned to the brothers. “Come with me and I’ll show you the wonderful spread we have laid out. The dancing is later, of course!” She called over her shoulder, “Cole, bring Greta and Cora and follow us.”
Greta gave Cora a knowing look as Cole bowed slightly with a grin. He held his arms out to the two of them. “She loves to hand out orders, but this time
I truly don’t mind having two beautiful women on my arms.”
True to Agnes’s word, four tables were strung out on one side of the largest barn Greta had ever seen, which left plenty of room for dancing. Every kind of dish Greta could imagine made the makeshift tables sag under the weight of it all. There was fresh corn on the cob, green beans, fluffy rolls, corn bread, pickled beets, sliced tomatoes, chutney, creamed potatoes, and carrots. At the farthest end of the table were platters of fried chicken, barbecued beef, and pork, which had just been taken off the spit. Beverages were at the other end, and there was a separate table for desserts, making Greta’s mouth water. A variety of pies, cakes, and cobblers sat waiting to be devoured.
“Well, there you all are! If it’s not my handsome grandsons and their brides-to-be,” Granny exclaimed as she walked over to them. “Seeing all of you brightens my day. Where is Caleb? You did bring him, didn’t you?” she asked, giving Zach a hug.
Jess received his grandmother’s embrace as well. “Of course we did. He’s checking out the barbecue about now.”
“I’m not surprised.” Granny laughed. “Both of you ladies look lovely today. I especially like that hat, Greta—”
Agnes interrupted. “Excuse me, Granny. All of you help yourself to a plate of food while I greet the other guests.” She walked away to stand near the barn’s huge doors as the Potts and Barnes families arrived. Directly behind them were Annabelle and Silas Mead with their children.
“My sister is in her element when she’s entertaining folks.” Cole reached for the plates on the table and handed them around. “Why don’t you all fill your plates? You can sit inside or over on the front porch.”
“Ladies first. Granny, Cora, and Greta, you go on ahead,” Zach said, giving Greta a nudge.
“I’m not bashful. Come on, Granny, let’s fill our plates. I’m famished.” Greta made Granny go ahead of her, and Zach and Jess took up the rear. There certainly wasn’t enough room on her plate to take a taste of everything, but Greta loaded her dish. “Granny, I should be embarrassed at the amount of food I have.” She laughed.
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