Damaged Hearts

by Angel Wolfe

  “In all actuality, he really was deputized.” Anna said sticking up for her brother.

  “Unless of course Thurston; you want to go stand guard over Sheriff Fairchild.” Frances added, sticking her tongue out.

  After depositing the boxes and assorted dresses on the bed, Thurston left in a huff. “Since you seem to be enjoying yourself sir, I’ll leave you to finish carrying the ladies unmentionables. I have much more important things to occupy my time than girlish nonsense.”

  “I’m sure that includes gossiping with Cook and polishing the silver.” Frances laughed as he left. “He can be such a stick in the mud.”

  Anna and Morgan began opening boxes and sorting out clothing and accessories. “Ali, can you be a dear and go downstairs and ask Cook to send Katie up here?” Frances asked as she picked up several a couple chemises and looked around trying to decide who they belonged to. “Ask her to bring one or two of the other maids with her. I think we’re going to need some help getting ready.”

  Ali skipped out of the room in search of Cook. “What should we do with our hair?” Angel asked pulling hers back and posing in different positions. “Should we leave it down or maybe curl it?”

  “I think you should both leave it down. I think it will look beautiful cascading down your back. There may even be a couple rose buds that haven’t bloomed yet that would be pretty like this…” Anna said turning Angel’s hair in an elegant twist before spinning her towards the mirror to look at her reflection.

  “Oh that does look pretty Angel.” Kat agreed before turning to Anna. “Do you think you could do that with both of our hair?”

  “Of course, it’s not hard at all. If you’d like I can show you how it’s done and you could wear your hair that way all the time.” She replied with a smile.

  “I think I’d like that; at least for around the house. When I’m working stock, the best thing to do is just braid it back out of the way.” Kat replied thoughtfully.

  “Well don’t just stand there everyone. We’ve got two weddings to attend.” Frances stated pulling on the rope cord to summon the maids that Ali had gone in search of. “We have an honest to goodness bath room down the hall. Daddy might be a little upset with the usage but Mama will make him understand. Ladies if everyone will follow me, we are about to make the upstairs off limits to all men.”

  Leading the way, Frances showed the girls to the wonderful bathroom. There were two separate tubs so they all elected to put Kat and Angel in first. The two sisters stripped out of their clothing while Frances and Anna filled the big tubs with hot water. Frances turned away from the cabinet and set out some very fragrant vanilla scented soap.

  “Mama had this soap made special. Rather than smelling all flowery, you can smell a little more like home. She swears it smells like sugar cookies and makes us smell good enough to eat.” Frances laughed. “I had some extra added to our last order because I liked it so much. I thought maybe I’d give some to you both for a wedding present. I hope you like it.”

  “Oh it smells so good that it almost tempts you to taste it.” Angel laughed looking at Kat. “Maybe it would taste better than that old lye soap you used to make me bite when I said a curse word.”

  “This bath is going to feel so good.” Kat sighed. “I haven’t had an honest to goodness hot soak since before all the trouble started at the ranch. I bet I have an inch of dirt on me.” She added laughing.

  “We better get in and get scrubbing.” Angel giggled. “It just might take a month to scrub ya clean if there’s that much dirt.”

  The sisters stepped into the tubs and were sinking down into the bubbles when Josephine came in with Ali. “I found this little girl wandering the halls looking for a cookie.” She laughed.

  “Our cook at home always has cookies for us.” Ali informed everyone. “I help her make them.”

  “She is right about that Kat. Consuela lets Ali help her in the kitchen all the time to keep her out of mischief. I’m not real sure it always works but they seem to have an arrangement of sorts. As long as there are cookies, Ali helps with the chores.” Morgan supplied.

  “Well, they gave me a chore Morgan. I was supposed to find the maids, so I was finding a cookie so I could find the maids.” Ali replied straight-faced.

  “Let’s get you downstairs and find you a cookie then, shall we?” Josephine took Ali’s hand and they left the room as abruptly as they entered.

  They decided that they should scrub their hair first before they sat in the water too long. Sliding under water to get it wet, they marveled at having a tub big enough to that. “I can’t get over how large this tub is.” Kat said admiringly. “You could almost fit two people in it at the same time.”

  Leaning close and dropping her voice to a whisper “That is quite true Kat. Mother and Father have been known to sneak up here, lock the door, and take really long baths together; although no one knows about it of course.” She laughed conspiringly.

  “That sounds quite fun to me.” Kat grinned. “Actually, it’s something that may be worth trying.”

  “You’re horrible Kat.” Angel laughed at her sister. “But that’s why we all love you. It does sound terribly exciting though, doesn’t it?”

  “Ok ladies. If we don’t get the bathing part done, we’re never going to get to the dressing part which in turn means we’ll never get to the wedding part.” Anna said with a wink.

  “I guess we really should get a move on.” Kat agreed. “Time is going to fly by and before we know it, it will be time to stand in front of Mr. Jamison.” She added before she slid under again and rinsed her hair.

  Following her sister’s lead, Angel went to washing and rinsing her own hair and started scrubbing her body with the scented soap. “This really does smell delicious Frances. I can see why it would make a man literally hungry for you.”

  After washing every inch of their bodies, Kat and Angel got out of the tubs and were each wrapped in warm fluffy towels, before being seated on benches near the fire to dry, while the tubs were emptied and refilled. The maids came in next and began combing out their hair as two more girls scrubbed their hair and bodies.

  Kat scooted over to make more room on her bench, while Frances, wrapped a towel around herself, sat down. Anna, having finished her bath did the same and sat with Angel. The four women talked quietly as Morgan had her bath and then joined them. Once they were all sufficiently dry and the tangles worked out of their hair, they moved to Frances’ bedroom to dress.

  Tossing clothing back and forth until they had the correct undergarments, the girls started by putting on their chemise’s and stockings and proceeded to add corsets, against Kat’s wishes, then petticoats, and finally their dresses. Kat and Angel fastened on their favorite sapphire earrings that were one of their very first Christmas presents to each other after they bought the ranch.

  Once their dresses were in place, one by one the girls submitted themselves to having their hair readied. Josephine entered the room carrying two beautiful veils. “Do you think you can work these into the hair creations?” She asks with a smile.

  “They are so beautiful. Surely we can figure out a way to use them while still leaving your hair down.” Frances said looking at the two sisters.

  “And if you can’t, then put our hair up.” Kat announced. “We are only getting married once so we may as well do it right.”

  “I agree.” Angel nodded her head. “I can wear my hair down whenever I want; but this will be the only time I wear a veil.”

  “Then it’s agreed.” Anna said. “If we can make the veils work and leave their hair down, we’ll do it. If not then neither is opposed to wearing having it up.”

  “Well everybody don’t just stand there, we’ve got some weddings to get ready for.” Josephine laughed. “Come along Ali; we’ll get you ready down stairs and be done before even one of the girls up here is ready to leave.”

  “Very funny Mother.” Frances countered. “We have all gotten into our dresses; it’s just o
ur hair that remains to be finished.”

  “At any rate, hurry along now girls we wouldn’t want to show up late.” Josephine amended as she and Ali went down the stairs.

  “Whew. Having Mother in and out of here is a bit like being in close quarters with a twister. You never know what the outcome might be but you do know it’s going to happen in a hurry.” Frances sighed.

  “You heard the woman, we’d better get moving.” Anna giggled. “I’d hate to have Kat and Angel late for their own weddings.”

  “Oh no!” Kat said exasperated. “I just realized something. I won’t be able to ride Dusty down to the courthouse. How will we ever get away from the party later so that we can head home?”

  “I wouldn’t worry about that yet.” Morgan spoke up. “Last I heard from Grandmam, they were renting a room for you and Father and for Angel and Uncle Matt. I think she’s still a little upset that you didn’t give her enough notice so she could take over the planning for the weddings.” She added with a laugh.

  “That doesn’t sound good.” Angel said. “We’re already starting off with our mother-in-law angry with us.”

  “Oh well, I suppose she can get glad in the same dress she got mad in.” Kat sighed. “I’m not sure we need to worry about her right now. I guess we better get done up and figure out how we are all going to manage to make it to the court house on time without the use of our horses.”

  “Miss Kat, Miss Angel; please sit here and we shall have you both ready in no time at all.” Frances’ maid, Alice said as she and Marie’s previous maid Susie prepared to work miracles on the sisters.

  “Both of your hair is so beautiful down that we absolutely must find a way to leave it that way.” Susie said.

  “I have an idea.” Morgan said stepping forward. “If you don’t mind, that is.” She looked towards Kat for approval.

  “Of course, show us your idea Morgan.” Kat nodded encouragingly. “Believe me; I am quite open to suggestions here.”

  “You want to leave your hair down; which I agree totally with since my father is very partial to long blond hair,” she giggled as she flipped her own blond hair. “So why don’t we take the veil, fold it, and attach it here to the crown of your head so that it will flow down your back and cover your hair like a mantilla yet still cover your face until father folds it over. When he folds it back, it will still stay in place and look very pretty doubled up.”

  “That sounds like a wonderful idea Morgan.” Kat praised. “What do you think Angel? I think it will work great.”

  “I like it.” Angel replied. “Let’s get these veils on and let Frances, Anna and Morgan get their hair ready so we can be on our way.”

  The results were beautiful. Morgan beamed as the other two girls complimented her on her idea, as well as Kat and Angel for being beautiful brides. Finally, all five girls were ready and headed carefully down the stairs to the parlor to meet Josephine.

  “Frank has agreed to drive the carriage for us; I think if we work it just right he should be able to get us all there in just two trips.” Josephine began before hugging her nieces tightly and handing them each a bouquet of fresh flowers. “Take these with you and in case I don’t have another chance before you head back for the ranch in the morning; I love you both and I am so very happy that I’ve gotten to spend this time with you. Congratulations. I wish you both the best of luck and we are all going to stay in touch with each other.”

  Before she could say more and before anyone could reply, Frank opened the door. “Let’s get moving. I’m quick but with having two trips to make, we better get started. James was headed over to the courthouse earlier and I know Judge Jamison is already there.”

  “We’ll meet you over there then Mother.” Frances told Josephine giving her a quick hug as she headed for the door.

  “Thank you so much Aunt Josie, for everything.” Kat said hugging her once more as she quickly slipped out the door before anyone could notice the suspect dampness of her eyelashes.

  “You will never know how much this means to Kat and I.” Angel told Josephine as she too added one more hug. “Please come out to the ranch and see us. I know Kat is not used to having family yet because it’s something we never had before but I have a feeling though that she’s going to love it as much as I do.”

  “You can be sure I’ll be out to visit after you both have a little bit of time to settle in and get accustomed to the new arrangements.” Josephine replied. “Now you better get going. It wouldn’t do to be late for your own wedding.”

  Laughing, Angel agreed and followed the rest of the girls out the door closing it behind her.

  Frank helped them into the carriage one by one and they arranged their skirts before sitting down, striving for the least number of wrinkles possible. Angel being the last to ascend into the carriage, laughed as she flopped down on the seat. “Remember our old saying Kat? If we’re not wrinkled then we didn’t work hard enough.”

  All the girls laughed then breaking the tension inside the carriage. “This time tomorrow the two of you will be my sisters.” Anna said quietly. “I’m so happy. I don’t think I could have picked better family. By the two of you marrying my brothers, it makes Frances and I related too.”

  “Just think; we’ll all be one big happy family.” Morgan piped up. “Our family is growing like crazy already and all of us aren’t even ready to be married yet.”

  “Not yet you’re not, but I have a feeling that there are at least three more weddings that will be happening with in the next six months.” Kat replied. “Not that your wedding will happen for a while though.” She looked sharply at Morgan before laughing to soften the command.

  “If you’re talking about us Kat, I wouldn’t be planning any weddings yet.” Frances said. “In fact, I’m not even sure I know any eligible men our age.”

  “We’re not even from here in town and I can name several nice eligible men that are around our ages.” Angel answered. “As a matter of fact, we have had several men come into town just recently. Our brothers Charley and Mark are both free and looking if my guess is correct. Our attorney Jacob Weatherby is definitely a nice eligible man about our age. Willie and Adam are also both unattached and quite decent men.”

  “Wow!” Anna said thoughtfully. “I guess I hadn’t really put a lot of thought to it but there are more than I realized. I wonder if any of them would be ok with a teacher for a wife.”

  “There’s only one way for us to find out, Anna.” Frances told her. “Let’s check out the men and see what we can find out tonight at the reception dance.”

  “It’s a deal.” Anna agreed. “Maybe there is still a chance for us.”

  ~XXX~

  “We’re here Ladies.” Frank interrupted as he swung down from the driver’s seat and opened the carriage door. “Out ya come.” He helped them down one at a time.

  “Stay right here while we run in and find out where they want their brides to wait and where you’ll enter.” Frances said to Kat and Angel as she took Anna’s hand and hurried inside the courtroom. “Where are the brides supposed to wait?” She asked Sarah Jamison since she was the first person they saw.

  “Oh, they have decided to finally show up have they?” She asked. “Well it’s about time. Tell them that they can wait here in the Judge’s quarters. The men are all occupied in the Jury Room so if the girls hurry, we won’t have to worry about the men seeing them. “

  “We’ll hurry Mother.” Anna told her. “Do try to be pleasant today though; after all this is the only time that they will all be getting married. Please let them enjoy their day.” She added as she hurried out the door this time, dragging Frances with her.

  “Ok, we figured out where we’re supposed to be.” Frances told the three that were waiting outside. “Let’s get inside and finish getting ready.”

  As the girls all went inside, Frank turned the carriage and headed back to pick up Josephine, Ali and anyone else that might need a ride. Other carriages, wagons, and horses were beg
inning to show up, with people anxious to witness the joint weddings.

  The girls had just entered the judge’s chamber and shut the door when a knock sounded. Turning expectantly towards the sound, Anna opened it a crack to see who it was. Opening the door wider, she admitted James.

  “I hope you don’t mind my being here.” He said looking at Kat. “After everything that has happened in this short period of time, I just thought I’d check on you and make sure you were ok.”

  “I’m glad you came by; as a matter of fact I would be very honored if you would consider walking me down the aisle.” Kat told him as she gave him a hug.

  “But what about Mark?” Angel asked Kat. “He asked me if he could walk me down the aisle; I just assumed he would be there for both of us.”

  “I’m ok with him doing that for you Angel but in all honesty, he was never there for me. Other than sharing a home for a short time, we have no ties to each other. His father was kind enough to show me about ranching; and I was able to survive and provide a life for you but other than that, he left to do his thing and I stayed and did mine.” Kat stated with a small smile.