Avalee Exchanges Her Fiancé

by Linda Hubalek

  Avalee took the opportunity to walk up to Gordon to speak to him before he sat down at the table.

  “Hello, Gordon. I didn’t see you at the hotel this afternoon when I came home from work.”

  “That’s because we switched jobs after lunch,” Gordon answered matter-of-factly.

  “You did? Why?” Avalee asked in surprise.

  “Because we were better suited for other positions,” Gordon answered.

  “What job did you switch to?” Avalee asked, noticing Gordon’s long eyelashes sweep down to cover his chocolate brown eyes for a second before looking back at her.

  “Peter and I flipped a coin. He’s working with the Paulsons, and I’m with the Taylors at the mercantile.”

  “Anyone else change jobs too?”

  “Barton’s in charge of the blacksmith shop. Squires went to work with Mack with his carpenter work. Peter wants to be the barber and will help them get the building ready to open.”

  “And the livery?” Avalee was mentally checking off the list of men to see who was left.

  “Tobin,” Gordon nodded toward the short man, who was talking to Amelia about his new job.

  “Bella and Bertha, the mules, are sweethearts. And I so enjoyed visiting with Mr. Boyle this afternoon,” Tobin said with enthusiasm to Amelia.

  Maybe Tobin would stick to courting his new mule friends and leave Avalee alone. It wasn’t that Avalee didn’t like the man, it was just that she could never see him being more than a friend.

  “What did Kiowa and the Peashooters say about you switching jobs?”

  “Kiowa was fine with the changes, as long as we were good at our choices. And I have no clue what the women think, nor do I care. I’m here to live and work, that’s all.”

  Avalee took a deep breath, then asked, “Do you want a wife, or would you prefer to stay single?”

  Gordon’s eyes narrowed as he studied her face. Avalee challenged him by raising an eyebrow.

  “Why do you ask, Avalee?” Gordon hedged her question with one of his own.

  “I’d prefer to stay single, and I need a partner—so to speak—to stay out of the matchmaking. If you’re inclined to not walk down the aisle to say the wedding vows yourself, maybe we could form a pact.”

  “What about your fiancé?” Gordon asked as he leaned against the dining room frame and crossed his arms.

  “Pure fiction to ward off the Peashooter’s plan. And to keep someone from bothering me,” Avalee confessed, although she shouldn’t have told him the second reason.

  Gordon straightened from the wall, moving his hands to his hips.

  “Someone is bothering you to the point you have to lie about being betrothed?” Gordon asked in a low voice. Thankfully there wasn’t anyone nearby to hear their conversation.

  “I’ll just say a man has been too persistent. The next time he comes calling, I’m going to say I’m engaged,” Avalee whispered back.

  “But, will an invisible fiancé stop his attention, or make it worse?”

  “Why do you say that?” Avalee hated to think of the person becoming more aggressive.

  “If he knows you’re pretending, what will he do?” Gordon asked her. “Have you told your father or the marshal about this person?”

  “No. And I don’t plan to. I can handle this on my own.”

  “I don’t want to scare you, but could he become violent if you spurn his advancements?”

  Avalee stared at Gordon in shock. Why hadn’t she thought about that? She’d seen a woman beaten by her husband’s fists when the woman’s neighbor brought her into Doctor Pansy’s office. Avalee would never forget the woman’s pain and anguish, both physical and mental.

  “I hate to think it could come to that, but I’m not naïve. I’ve seen violence against women because of my line of work.”

  Avalee watched Gordon’s face harden as he stared at a spot on the wall above her head, but it didn’t scare her.

  “Is this a local man? Or someone who visits Clear Creek occasionally?”

  “He’s a traveling salesman who stops in the hotel every two weeks,” Avalee admitted after clearing her throat, twice. The last time he was here, he’d cornered her in the event room, pressing her against the wall while trying to kiss her. Only her mother’s calling to her stopped the act of the salesman.

  “You need to tell your parents, Avalee.”

  “But he’s their friend, and they need his business. He rents the events room for his trunk shows,” Avalee argued about getting her parents involved.

  Gordon didn’t look like he believed her, but it was true. Until the last two visits, the man had been very congenial to her.

  “You want a person to keep you out of the Peashooter’s matching game.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “And you need someone to stop this man’s advances.”

  “Yes,” Avalee agreed. “What are you thinking?”

  “The next time this person is in town, you can privately introduce me to him as your fiancé. I’d be always available to stop in the hotel when you need me,” Gordon suggested.

  Avalee stared up at Gordon, his handsome face sincere about his proposition.

  “You’d do that for me?” Avalee whispered in awe.

  “Yes, I would. Barton taught us to take care of our friends, and I’d like to consider you one if you’ll let me.”

  “Thank you, I accept your gesture, but I’d prefer not to tell the others. You’d only step into the role one time to fend off the man’s advances for good,” Avalee hastened to add.

  “That works for me too. What’s the man’s name, and when will he be in town again?” Gordon asked.

  “Giles Mooney will be in the hotel next Monday. He always comes on the afternoon train after his stop at Hays.”

  “What’s he look like so I can watch for him to arrive in town?”

  “About thirty years of age. Not quite as tall as you. Slicked-back black hair and hazel eyes, since I’ve had the displeasure of seeing them up close. Sharply dressed,” Avalee described him.

  "Please take your seats, everyone! All the food is on the table," Maggie announced.

  Gordon touched Avalee’s elbow and guided her to the table. He pulled out her chair, let her sit down, then sat down beside her.

  "The Brenners always hold hands when the food is blessed," Maggie looked around the table to be sure everyone was holding a hand on each side of them. "Peter, would you say grace for our food, please?"

  Nadine grabbed Avalee’s hand since they sat beside each other one side. Avalee timidly laid her other hand in Gordon’s upturned palm. He laced his fingers through hers and set their hands on his knee. His warmth and steadiness spread up Avalee’s arm straight to her heart. What would it be like to have someone to love and protect her all the time?

  It didn’t matter because she wanted to remain single, dedicating herself to being Doctor Pansy’s assistant. That was a better plan than going through the heartbreak her mother had endured. Helen had lost two husbands to death, divorced and abandoned by her third. and violated by a fourth man. And gave birth to a daughter from each union.

  No, even though Gordon’s hand gave her a sense of protection, she needed to guard her heart and body. Gordon being her fake fiancé, was the best plan to keep her safe and single.

  *

  After the meal, the group had played the card games, Go Fish and Authors. Avalee and Gordon participated as partners until the group left for the night.

  Peter and Tobin stayed behind to help the Brenners cleanup, and the rest made their way down the steps to the fresh fall air outside. Avalee noticed Barton and Amelia dallied behind them, apparently wanting to be alone.

  “May we walk you to the hotel, ladies?” Wesley asked Avalee and Nadine before Gordon thought of it.

  “No, thank you. We’re only a block away and headed in the opposite direction than you,” Avalee answered while slipping her arm through Nadine’s and tugging her to take the hint to leave.

&n
bsp; “All right. Good night, then. We’ll see you again soon,” Wesley answered.

  Avalee glanced back at Gordon but didn’t acknowledge his nod. Their secret scheme to ward off Mr. Mooney needed to be kept between them.

  “Why did you hog all of Gordon’s attention tonight? He was supposed to be with me,” Nadine hissed as soon as they were out of hearing distance of the others.

  “Because that’s just the way it worked out,” Avalee said to appease her sister. “You were with Wesley tonight.”

  “Only because there was no place else to sit. Besides, I see him every day at the hotel. He sees me as one of the ‘younger Paulson daughters’ instead of a potential wife,” Nadine complained.

  “Do you want someone to see you as a future mate?” Avalee thought of her sister as too young to marry yet, but she was eighteen already.

  “Yes. I’ve decided I’d like to have my own home and husband. Have you noticed how Barton paid attention only to Amelia this evening? I’d like someone to do the same for me.”

  Avalee had noticed the attention between Barton and Amelia too. What would it be like to be in Amelia’s place?

  Thoughts of Mr. Mooney sent a shiver down Avalee’s spine until she thought of Gordon holding her hand during grace. She could get used to his attention.

  But Gordon had said he didn’t want to marry, just as Avalee had stated. Their time together was just to help the other couples unite and keep Avalee’s unwanted suitor away.

  What had the Peashooter’s started with their matchmaking scheme? Did they think of the consequences they placed on the individuals and couples?

  Chapter 9

  It didn't take Gordon long to figure out the best way to get along with the Taylors was to keep his mouth shut and take care of the customers. That's where Tobin had failed to get along with the older couple. Tobin had made suggestions the Taylors weren't ready to hear yet.

  The Taylors knew they needed to slow down to match their age, but they fought it as anyone would do. And since Mrs. Taylor was about sixty, and several years younger than her husband, she still had the stamina to take care of a smaller shop.

  After Gordon proved he knew how to add, subtract, and write a receipt, they'd walked away from the front counter and left him to deal with the customers.

  Gordon hadn't offered to carry any more merchandise to the smaller shop, and they hadn't asked him to do so either.

  Currently, Mrs. Taylor was over at her new shop, and Mr. Taylor had gone upstairs. Gordon asked if he could assist the man up the stairs because Gordon could see his knee was bothering him, but Mr. Taylor had refused.

  And in the meantime, Gordon was in limbo. He had a bed at Peter's place, but not his own apartment. The Taylors were paying him for the hours he worked, but Gordon wanted to buy the business from them. He had money for a down payment, and the bank agreed to a loan to cover the rest since Kiowa Jones would co-sign for him, but the Taylors changed their minds hourly of what they wanted to do with their lifelong business.

  Gordon couldn't find fault with them though. It had to be hard to slowly lose your health and face the last chapter of your life.

  At least he was learning the townspeople, and their usual purchases, through his time in the mercantile. The Reagan brothers all had a sweet tooth, coming in for a bag of hard candy now and then. Lemon drops were Cullen's favorite, while Angus always got butterscotch disks.

  Girls coming in for fabric or ribbons were the worst because they'd flit back and forth between choices before making up their minds.

  And then there were the Peashooter women, coming in for a single item—daily—just to chat with him. Gordon was always polite and patient because they were the reason he had this job, but their not-so-subtle hints if he and Nadine were courting yet were getting old.

  Gordon turned toward the front of the store when the bell over the front door announced a customer. His heart gave a thump when he saw it was Avalee Paulson entering.

  "Hello, Avalee. What can I help you with today?" Gordon asked, ready to do anything for the woman.

  Today her dark copper hair was pulled to the top of her head with ringlets of curls falling to her shoulders. He'd like to finger a coil to feel its texture.

  She had a white apron over her dark blue dress, and she wasn't wearing her hat or gloves.

  "Did you need supplies for the doctor's office?" Gordon guessed.

  "No," Avalee answered as she looked back at the door, then picked up a package of needles. "I wanted to slip in to let you know Mr. Mooney telegraphed to Papa that he will be at the hotel tomorrow afternoon instead of today. Can you stop by the doctor’s office after you close the mercantile tomorrow and escort me to the hotel? If Mr. Mooney sees we’re together, hopefully, he can take a hint."

  The front doorbell rang, announcing Lorna Elison's arrival. Avalee quickly moved back to the notions display, picking up a spool of thread and studying it as if it could reveal the secrets of the universe to her.

  "Hello, Avalee,” Lorna called out to Avalee.

  "Oh, hello. I uh, need supplies to mend...something in a doctor's office." Avalee held up the spool of thread to prove her point.

  "That's nice. Actually, I was on my way to see you and saw you walking into the store," Lorna replied. "I want to invite you and Tobin to dine with my family this evening."

  Avalee's mouth gaped over a minute before stuttering. "But I'm not seeing Tobin. I'm—"

  “A group of us is meeting at the barbershop apartment tonight, and Tobin is cooking. I believe Avalee was going to join us," Gordon smoothly interrupted Avalee.

  Avalee turned to give Gordon a wide stare before nodding in agreement.

  "Well, I'll check with Lyle to pick another night then," Lorna smiled with a knowing look.

  "Lorna, I can't do that since I'm engaged," Avalee sputtered out before Lorna left the store.

  "Well, let me know what evening you and your fiancé can join us," Lorna tossed back to Avalee as the older woman left the mercantile.

  "Your phantom fiancé is causing more problems every time he's mentioned," Gordon said dryly.

  Avalee rubbed her forehead with the palm of her left hand, causing little copper-colored curls to bunch up on the top of her hairline.

  "I know, I know. Hopefully, Mr. Mooney will accept that I'm not available to court him, and this stupid stunt can end."

  The doorbell rang again, and Gordon and Avalee turned to see Barton walk in next.

  “And I’ll take a few lemon drops for my little sisters too,” Avalee said, probably to cover them talking.

  Gordon sacked up her candy and laid it on the counter with her other items.

  "Hey, Gordon! Can you grind me a pound of coffee beans right now?" Barton called to Gordon as he walked in the mercantile door.

  "Uh, sure. After I add up Miss Paulson's purchases," Gordon said to cover their conversation.

  "Hello, Miss Paulson. Gordon, I got great news. Kiowa just hired me to run the blacksmith," Barton grinned with pleasure.

  "Congratulations, Barton. And will you be living in the smithy's back apartment?"

  "Yep. After living in the army barracks, I ready for my own space.

  “That's why I need coffee. Amelia is coming over for lunch," Barton said with a happy note to his voice.

  "All that hard work for your adoptive father paid off," Gordon answered solemnly. Avalee looked at Gordon because of his remark, but Gordon passed it by telling Avalee her total.

  Barton stepped back from the counter to let the two finish their transaction, then watched Avalee as she quickly left the store without another word.

  "I thought the Taylors would have more merchandise out of here by now," Barton commented as he watched Gordon pour coffee beans into the grinder.

  "Mister and Misses are arguing about that. The last conversation I overheard didn't sound encouraging for me. They talked about keeping the shop instead of splitting it.

  "But in Mrs. Taylor's next breath, she told her husban
d they should just sell the store and move to California—of all places."

  Barton shook his head as he dug coins out of his pocket to pay for the coffee.

  "Hard to say how it will turn out then. Hopefully, there's another job in town for you if this one doesn't work out."

  "Yeah, I hope so,” Gordon said absentmindedly, as he searched out the window for a glimpse of Avalee. He’d like to stay in town to watch over her.

  “See you tonight at supper. I look forward to Tobin’s meal, whatever he ends up fixing,” Barton said as he walked toward the door.

  “Could be a surprise knowing Tobin, but he’ll work to make it special for the ladies.”

  “Thanks,” Barton called back as he wound through the merchandise tables to get to the front door.

  For a brief moment, Gordon wondered what it would feel like to be interested in a woman and she in him. He’d never courted a woman. He’d been shy in school and then had no real opportunity to visit with women while he was in the military.

  *

  “Thank you for speaking up when Lorna cornered me today,” Avalee told Gordon as she set her plate on the table beside him.

  He rose to pull the chair out for Avalee to sit beside him, and then sat back down after she did.

  “I figured Nadine would want to come along to the group meal this evening, so I hoped you didn’t mind I spoke up.”

  “No, that was perfect timing. And I’d be missing a good meal if this meatloaf and fluffy mashed potatoes taste as good as they look,” Avalee commented on the food piled on each of their plates.

  “Tobin’s mother couldn’t speak, but she was an excellent cook. Taught Tobin everything from how to baste a turkey to make a flaky pie crust.”

  “His mother didn’t speak at all?”

  “Both his adoptive parents were deaf. He spent his childhood communicating for them.”

  “Tobin mentioned that the day of the lunch at the hotel. How long have they been gone?”

  Gordon waited to answer while Avalee took her first bite of the meatloaf. She moaned in appreciation, rolling her eyes upward at the same time.