The Bridal Swap

by Karen Kirst

  Lifting her chin, she retorted, “As a matter of fact, I do.”

  “Honestly.”

  Kate had made friends with the head chef, who’d agreed to teach her the basics. While her skills weren’t those of a professional, those staff members who’d sampled her food said she had talent. Her mother wasn’t told, of course. The daughter of Patrick Morgan doing menial work? Perish the thought!

  “You think I’m lying?”

  “Of course not.” Shifting, he stroked his goatee. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s not my intention to upset you. All I’m trying to do is make you see reality.”

  “This conversation is pointless. I’m not staying here because you are going to buy the store back from me.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  Exasperated, Kate threw up her hands. “You’re not making any sense! You don’t want me to stay and yet you won’t buy the building so that I can leave.”

  He stilled. “I never said I didn’t want you to stay.”

  Her heart paused midbeat, then thudded wildly. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m concerned that you won’t ultimately be happy here. This is all brand-new and different from the city. For you, Gatlinburg might be a nice place to visit, but not to live in.”

  “Perhaps you’re right.”

  “Really?”

  “But there are no guarantees in life. Who knows? I might never get tired of country living.”

  Presenting her with his profile, he stared off into the distance.

  “All I know is I’m no longer satisfied with my life in New York. I’m ready for a change.”

  “I just can’t believe you’d be happy here.”

  “You have no idea what my life is like.”

  He looked at her then. “I know you’re surrounded by luxury. You saw the way people stared at you the day you arrived. They only see clothes and carriages like that in magazines or when wealthy folks like you pass through these parts, which isn’t often. You honestly think you’d be happy living in a two-room cabin the rest of your life?”

  “You didn’t doubt Francesca’s ability to be happy here, so why do you doubt mine? What makes me so different?”

  Kate gazed at him, a wounded look in her eyes. Her lower lip trembled, and he itched to smooth it with his thumb. If he rattled off the many wonderful qualities she possessed that Francesca lacked, she might think he harbored feelings for her. Which was ludicrous. He’d learned his lesson—no more foolhardy decisions.

  “It didn’t occur to me how much I’d asked her to give up until you arrived. Watching you at the supper table that first night…how out of your element you were… We come from different worlds, you and I.”

  “You’re speaking of material wealth. Yes, we have ladies’ maids and butlers and kitchen staff. Fine art lines the hallways. Bohemian crystal bowls and vases grace Italian marble tables. My mother has fresh-cut roses delivered to her suite every day of the year. It’s an extravagant lifestyle. Do I enjoy the delicious meals and having an entire library at my disposal? Of course. Does it make me happy? No.” Her voice dipped. “I’m lonely there, Josh. I don’t have many friends.”

  Her words came out in a quiet hush, yet there was no disguising their sadness.

  He almost reached out and tugged her close for a hug. Somehow, he held back. “I can’t imagine why not,” he murmured, his voice thick.

  “It’s an issue of different values and interests.” She sighed. “Spending time with your family and cousins has given me a glimpse of what home and family should be.” Her green gaze settled on his with confidence. “I can live without the extras. I don’t want to live without the things that really matter.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Megan regarded her with wide eyes. “You have such exquisite clothes. Why would you want to wear one of my dresses? Not that I mind, of course. I simply don’t understand.”

  Standing in her bedroom, Kate smoothed the lightweight cotton material, then pressed her hands against the flat of her stomach. She inhaled, expanding her lungs as far as they would stretch. Her stiff, confining corset lay abandoned on the bed.

  “Believe me, if you had to wear that tortuous article day after day, you’d understand.” She twirled in a circle to watch her skirt flare like a bell. With a wide grin, she said, “I feel so free!” Sobering, she sought her friend’s gaze. “But how do I look?”

  Moving behind her, Megan gathered the excess material around Kate’s waist and pulled it taut. “I’m taller than you.”

  “And not top-heavy.” Kate grimaced.

  “Don’t complain about the blessings God gave you,” she chided gently. “You have an attractive figure.”

  The simple compliment brought tears to her eyes. All she’d ever heard from her mother and sister were derogatory comments. Could it be that her figure wasn’t as unbecoming as she’d been led to believe?

  “The length needs to be hemmed, as well,” Megan observed, unaware of Kate’s reaction. “We need Aunt Mary’s help. She’s a much better seamstress than I am.”

  “I wonder if she’ll have time.” Today was Wednesday. Only two more days until the dance.

  “She’ll make time.” She whirled around. “I’ll see if she has a free moment now to take measurements. Be right back.” She was out the door before Kate could blink an eye.

  Moving to the kitchen window, she pushed the curtain aside and watched as her friend crossed the yard. When she paused to wave at someone, Kate followed the direction of her gaze and spotted Josh standing in the doorway of his workshop, long apron wrapped around his waist and one arm propped against the doorjamb.

  Her breath caught. Since their conversation in the orchard, they’d spoken only in passing. He’d hardly left his workshop, even taking his meals there. There’d been no mention of resuming shooting lessons and absolutely no references to the studio.

  He was avoiding her. If only he’d stop being so stubborn and agree to buy back the store.

  Josh disappeared from view, and Kate let the curtain fall back in place.

  No doubt he regretted his promise to escort her and Megan to the dance.

  Megan’s soft footfalls on the porch sounded a moment before she glided inside. “She’ll be here in fifteen minutes.” Perching on the edge of the sofa cushion, she looked up and frowned. “What’s the matter? You look sad.”

  Kate sank down beside her. “Maybe I shouldn’t go. After all, Josh agreed to take both of us, and now that Tom is going, it’s more like a pairing off.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “What if Josh doesn’t like the idea of being paired with me? He did try and talk me out of it, remember?”

  “Josh is a private person, that’s all. He’s afraid showing up with you is going to stir up a hornet’s nest of speculation. I’m sure he’s trying to shield you from that possibility.”

  “Then we shouldn’t go.”

  “No!” Megan leaned forward and covered Kate’s hands with her own. “You have to go. You’ll see, it’s great fun! And don’t worry about anyone else. The O’Malleys stick together. There’ll be enough of us there to form a buffer against curious bystanders.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What else is bothering you?”

  “I don’t blame him for not wanting to spend time with me. I ruined his life—” her voice wobbled “—and now he despises me.”

  “That’s not true!” Megan curled an arm around her shoulders. “You had no idea of his plans. He may be disappointed, but I know him. He’s smart. And he doesn’t give up easily. He’ll figure out another way to achieve his dream.”

  Kate sniffed. “I wish he would just agree to take it back. Why does he have to be so obstinate?”

  Megan threw ba
ck her head and laughed. “He’s an O’Malley.”

  Miserable, Kate urged her friend, “Perhaps you should talk to him. If he wants to back out, I’ll honor his wishes. The last thing I want is to force my company on him.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffed. “As if any man wouldn’t be thrilled to spend time with you! He likes you, Kate. I can tell.”

  “How can you say that? My sister betrayed him. Instead of welcoming his blushing bride to town, he got me—the bearer of bad tidings. And now I’ve single-handedly destroyed his dream of a business all his own. He must rue the day he heard the Morgan name.”

  Leaning against the side of the wagon, Josh tipped his head back and watched as the last remaining rays of the sun bathed the distant mountain peaks in pale pink and peach. He silently thanked God for the sight.

  It had been a long, tiring day. He’d delivered the cedar hope chest right after breakfast, then got to work on his next project, not stopping until late afternoon when Nathan had poked his head in the shop and asked if he was still going to the dance tonight. And even though he hadn’t eaten since early morning, he wasn’t hungry. He was too wound up to think about food.

  Kate dominated his thoughts.

  He’d rehashed the events of the past week a thousand times. She hadn’t been aware of his plans to buy the store. He knew her. She wasn’t the type to deliberately hurt others.

  Kate wasn’t at all like her sister. She was an honest, caring woman with a heart as big as the forest.

  Still, it hurt to have his dream snatched away like that. All his planning and hard work—the late nights, missed suppers, aches and pains—had been for naught. Oh, he still had his clients and a long list of projects. But the furniture store he’d envisioned would have to wait.

  He’d spent a lot of time on his knees the past few days, asking God why. He’d had such peace about his plans. Now he was confused and upset.

  Hearing movement from inside her cabin, he tossed the sliver of hay to the ground and settled his black hat on his head.

  Kate emerged and all thoughts of his failed plans scattered like leaves on the wind.

  Josh swallowed hard. Gone was the stiff, extravagant clothing. In its place was a simply made dress that showed off her curves to perfection. Her hair only partially restrained by forest-green ribbons that matched the color of her dress, the remainder flowed down past her shoulders in thick, glossy waves. She could’ve been any girl in town. A country girl.

  Seeing her this way was a hard blow to the gut. His breath hissed out from between his lips. In a near stupor, he approached and extended his hand to help her down the steps.

  She placed her soft, bare hand in his, and he detected the slightest hint of a tremor. His fingers tightened in response. When she was standing directly in front of him, he could only stare.

  Her jewel-like eyes held a thousand mysteries. “Is something the matter?”

  “Uh-uh.” He shook his head, feeling suddenly like a timid youth. “You’re beautiful.”

  Her curled lashes swept down to hide her eyes, dark half-moons against her pale skin. A light breeze teased the tendrils around her face, and he resisted the urge to smooth them back.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “It will get cooler as the night progresses. Do you have a shawl I can fetch for you?”

  “I forgot to lay one out. I’ll get it.”

  Slipping her hand from his, she hurried back inside and returned a few minutes later with the desired article. “Where are Tom and Megan? I thought they were going with us.”

  “Nathan stopped in his shop for a haircut this afternoon, and Tom was running behind. He passed along a message that he will pick up Megan. They’ll meet us there.”

  His friend had had a crush on Megan for years, but he’d wanted to wait until his business was up and running to make his move. No doubt he wanted to spend a few minutes alone with her.

  Megan could be tough to read, though. Friendly to everybody. No telling if she viewed Tom as a romantic interest or merely a friend. Time would tell, he supposed.

  He gestured to the wagon. “Shall we?”

  “Wait, we don’t have to do this. I won’t be offended if you’d rather not.”

  “And deny myself the honor of escorting the most beautiful lady in town?” he challenged.

  Her cheeks bloomed with color. “But after what I did—”

  “Let’s agree not to discuss the topic for tonight. This is your first barn dance, and I want you to have a good time.”

  She was quiet as they approached the wagon.

  The sun dipped behind the mountains, blotting out much of the daylight. Another cool breeze rustled the leaves in the trees, and Kate shivered, her gaze darting anxiously to the shadowed woods behind the cabin.

  “It’s getting dark.”

  He wondered if there was more to her fear than she was letting on. Instead of questioning her, however, he helped her up onto the wagon seat and circled around the back to climb up on the other side. When she’d wrapped her shawl securely around her shoulders, he signaled the team to head out.

  Kate sat quietly beside him, apparently content to survey their surroundings. With each passing minute, black swallowed up the sky. Here and there a star flickered on as if lit by a match. The kerosene lamps swung from their hooks, lighting their way.

  Night had taken hold by the time they arrived at the Fosters’ farm three miles west of town. People were still arriving, unloading baskets of food and jugs of lemonade and sweet tea from their wagons. His parents had come early to help with the setup, and since Nathan’s date was Elijah Foster’s daughter, he’d ridden over with them.

  A lively tune drifted on the cool breeze, with snatches of conversation and laughter mixed in.

  “Isn’t Caleb coming?”

  “Doubt it.” She accepted his outstretched arm. “My little brother tends to keep to himself. Always avoids large crowds.”

  “Why do you think that is?”

  “He’s self-conscious about his scar.”

  “How did it happen?”

  He didn’t answer right away, his attention caught by the thick tangle of trees. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Still he couldn’t shake the sensation someone was out there watching.

  “Josh?”

  “Sorry. What were we talking about?”

  She looked at the trees. “What is it? Did you see something?”

  “No, nothing. Must’ve imagined it.”

  She stiffened. “You don’t think—”

  “No, I don’t,” he said firmly. “He’s not that bold. I’d say he’s not that dumb, but alcohol tends to cloud reason.”

  “But—”

  He touched a finger to her lips. “Remember my promise?”

  Girlish giggles erupted to their right. A glance over his shoulder revealed three girls in pigtails watching their every move. The oldest girl’s red hair shone in the moonlight.

  He dropped his hand. “We should go in.”

  “Why the frown?”

  “See the one on the far right? She reminds me of Juliana at that age. Still hard to believe she’s gone. I never dreamed she’d leave Gatlinburg.”

  He missed their talks. Juliana had a lot of insight into relationships and wasn’t afraid to share her opinion. He remembered how at her wedding reception she’d voiced her doubts about his choice of a city girl for a wife. She’d been right.

  “The two of you are very close, aren’t you?”

  “Like brother and sister.” He glanced at Kate. “You know, I have a feeling the two of you would hit it off.”

  “I would like to meet her someday.”

  “Maybe you will.”

  The barn doors had been thrown open to let
fresh air circulate. A crush of people encircled the dance area and musicians. Lamps had been strung from post to post, suspended from inch-thick ropes high above the crowd. The Fosters and the setup crew had done their job well. There wasn’t a trace of animal odor in the air, only fresh hay and a potent mix of men’s cologne and women’s perfume.

  The women wore their finest dresses, the men their cleanest clothes, hair and beards trimmed for the occasion.

  Beside him, Kate’s expression was one of shy curiosity. She surely wouldn’t be impressed with this backwoods gathering.

  “Howdy, Josh.” Ed Wilcox walked up, a pipe dangling from one corner of his mouth. His gaze switched to Kate. “Ma’am.”

  Josh made the introductions. “Nice to meet ya,” Ed said. “Josh, the wife is mighty pleased with the new table. Impressed the in-laws, too.” He grinned, setting his pipe to wobbling precariously.

  Josh experienced a rush of pleasure at the compliment. Satisfied customers meant repeat business. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  The older man’s grin grew even wider, and the pipe slipped free. He caught it before it hit the ground. “Say, when you plannin’ on settin’ up your store? Your pa told me all about your big plans. He’s right proud of ya.”

  Kate stiffened beside him. Sensing her sudden anxiety and afraid she might dart off, he reached over and threaded his fingers through hers. With the other hand, he clapped the man on the shoulder. “I’d love to discuss my plans with you, but this is the young lady’s very first barn dance. I don’t think it’d be right to talk business. Let’s talk later, okay?”

  “Certainly.” His eyes twinkled knowingly.

  Before he could say anything else to upset Kate, Josh nodded a farewell and tugged her in the opposite direction.