White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  “Yes, ma’am.” Philip, who walked with a limp due to a birth defect, smiled. “A group of businessmen bought the State of Maine Exhibition Building that was at the World’s Fair. They took it apart and brought it here. When they reassemble it, they’ll turn it into a hunting lodge.”

  So, it was true. The butterflies in Addy’s stomach flitted and zoomed.

  “Can we all go there?” Annie hadn’t bothered to raise her hand, but Addy couldn’t blame her. The news was exciting.

  Carl twisted in his seat and frowned. “No, dummy, I mean, sorry, Miss Sullivan, no, Annie. Only rich people will be allowed in.”

  “How did you manage to get that bit of information, Carl?” Addy could well imagine it would have come from his father.

  “My pa said so. He said only rich folks could afford to go there.”

  “I see. Well, we’ll have to wait and find out if your father is correct, won’t we?” she said. “And now, I think we have just enough time to go over your lines for the program. If you’ll all come to the front of the room we’ll go through the play from beginning to end.”

  With help from several of the older students, Addy had written a short play for some of the children to perform that told the story of transportation and shipping in the area, beginning with horses, oxen, wagons, ferries, and riverboats, then ending with several students playing the parts of the officials of the White River Line. At the end of the play, the entire class would sing a lively rendition of “The Levee Song,” also called “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” Afterward the parents would view the illustrated essay the class had put together about the first train to arrive at the Branson Depot.

  Addy’s heart raced as the children rehearsed their parts. She chuckled. If she was this proud and nervous for them, she could only imagine how their parents would feel. A few of them stumbled over their lines, but Addy felt sure all would go well for the actual program the following week.

  “That’s wonderful, children. Please line up at the door.”

  After dismissing the children, Addy stepped outside and locked the door. Bobby was waiting beside her horse and buggy. She smiled and gave him his money, then waved as he walked away beaming.

  She patted the dappled horse on the nose, climbed into her buggy, and sat for a moment, indecision coursing through her. She should hurry home to find out what the doctor had said about Aunt Kate. But would it hurt to swing by the bluff on which the new lodge would be built? Not for long, just to see if any activity was going on yet?

  She licked her lips. It would only take a few extra minutes, fifteen or twenty at the most, to drive over that way, take a quick look, and drive back. Addy picked up the reins. With a flick of her wrist and a click of her tongue, she turned her buggy toward the river bluff.

  Rough shouts of laughter reached her ears as she drew near her destination. She pulled on the reins and stopped in the middle of the narrow, rocky road. Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea, but she’d stay out of sight and just take a quick look.

  Taking a deep breath, she urged her horse on. She stopped at the edge of a large clearing. Someone must have been working here for some time. The last time she’d been in this part of Branson thick woods reached almost to the bluff overlooking the river.

  Several brawny men hauled beams on their shoulders; others pounded huge nails into what looked like parts of walls. Addy gasped as one man yanked his shirt off and threw it on the ground. Backing up, she turned the buggy and hurried the horse back toward town, her heart thumping wildly.

  What had possessed her to come up here? She should have known there would be a lot of rough men working. She should have waited until the lodge was constructed, and then she could have made inquiries. She groaned. Inquiries about what? There she went again. She absolutely would never go to work in a hunting lodge.

  As she neared a bend in the road, a horse and rider appeared. She pulled up. Jim Castle. She glanced around to see if there was anywhere she could hide her horse and buggy before he spotted her.

  But his horse quickened its pace, and Jim stopped beside her, bewilderment on his face.

  Jim stared at Addy. What in the world was she doing up here?

  Her face was flaming red and her hands trembled.

  He tightened his lips. There was no telling what she’d seen or heard. The construction crew on this job was a pretty rowdy bunch. He should have warned her, but how was he to imagine she’d have a reason to come up here? Dismounting, he hurried over to her side. “My dear, are you all right?”

  She glared at him for a moment. Then suddenly the red washed from her face, and she paled. Her face crumpled and tears pooled in her blue eyes.

  Jim patted her hand, his heart pounding. Had someone accosted her? He rushed to the other side of the buggy and climbed up. Reaching over, he pulled her into his arms and patted her shoulder while she cried.

  Suddenly she jerked her head up, almost slamming into his chin. “Someone needs to tell those ruffians not to…not to…disrobe in public.”

  “Disrobe?” Jim stared at her, horrified at what she might have seen.

  “Yes. He took his shirt off and threw it on the ground, right there in front of everyone.”

  Relief washed over him. The men often got overheated and tossed their shirts aside, working in their undershirts. Still, to an innocent young lady it may have seemed scandalous. “I am so sorry, Addy. I’ll speak to the foreman immediately.”

  “Thank you, Jim,” she whispered. She swabbed her eyes with her frilly white handkerchief then blew her nose daintily. She breathed in a little sigh and smiled. “I’m perfectly all right, Jim.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, I am. I’m going home now.”

  “I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the picnic with your family. I’d like to repay you by taking you out to dinner, but there isn’t really a nice eating establishment in town other than the Branson Hotel. Would you do me the honor some evening soon?”

  “No, no. Not the hotel,” she said.

  A surge of disappointment shot through him.

  “I have a better idea. Why don’t you come to church Sunday then join us for dinner?”

  Jim couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “Are you sure it’ll be all right with your folks?”

  “Of course. Ma always cooks extra just in case.”

  “In that case, I’d be delighted.”

  A gust of wind swirled around them, and the sky suddenly clouded. Addy shivered.

  “Perhaps I should put the top up on your buggy in case it should rain.”

  “Thank you. That would be nice.” She smiled, lowering her lashes. “I’ll expect to see you at church on Sunday then.”

  Addy smiled all the way home, the memory of the bare-chested man lost in the memory of Jim’s concern and care for her. He must not have minded that she’d talked so much when he drove her home from the picnic. She was so silly to have worried so.

  She drove into the barn to put the horse and buggy away. The wagon was gone. Pa must have gone into town.

  When she stepped into the house, she was met with an unnatural quiet, and no delicious aromas greeted her. Ma must not have started supper yet. She walked into the kitchen and saw a note propped up on the table.

  She scanned it quickly, her heart fluttering. Aunt Kate. Not taking time to change from her school clothing, she rushed back out to the barn and once more harnessed the horse to the buggy.

  She fought the urge to run the horse all the way to Aunt Kate’s house. By the time she reached the Rayton farm, her bottom lip was cut from her teeth clamping down on it. Jumping down, she flung the reins over the porch rail and ran inside.

  Aunt Sarah, seated on the sofa in the parlor, looked up, her face white.

  Betty jumped up from the floor where she’d been playing with her dolls. She threw her arms around Addy’s legs. “Addy, Mama and Papa had to go away with Uncle Will and Aunt Kate to the hospital.”

  Addy reached do
wn and lifted her little sister. “I know, sweetheart. It’s okay. They’ll be home as soon as they can. And we’ll wait here for them. Betty dear, I’m going to help Aunt Sarah cook some supper. If you’ll stay here and play for a while, I’ll let you help set the table.”

  “Okay.” She returned to her dolls, holding them on her lap and speaking softly to them.

  Sarah got up and followed Addy into the kitchen.

  Addy placed her hands on Sarah’s shoulders. “What’s wrong with Aunt Kate?”

  Sarah burst out crying. “They think it’s her heart.”

  Heaviness sat on Addy’s heart as they fixed supper and fed the children.

  “Addy, if they aren’t back by bedtime, could you and Betty sleep here?”

  “Of course. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep anyway until we know something.”

  Chapter 9

  After tossing and turning for hours, Addy sat on the side of the bed, her head in her hands. Her skin and nightgown were damp, from either her nervousness or the warm night. She had to get some rest. Otherwise, how would she be able to teach, much less keep order in her classroom, the next day?

  Betty whimpered and kicked at her covers, which had become twisted around her legs.

  Addy got up and walked around to her sister’s side of the bed and rearranged the light covers, tucking them up around Betty’s chest.

  Addy stood for a moment, trying to decide whether to give the elusive sleep another chance. Maybe a glass of water would help.

  She tiptoed into the kitchen so as not to awaken Sarah and the children. Moonlight streamed into the room from the window over the washstand, lighting her way. She stood for a moment, looking across the backyard. The leaves on the oak trees moved slightly, and a trace of a breeze sifted through the open window, touching her damp skin. She shivered.

  After she’d filled a glass, she walked toward the front of the house. She grabbed a light shawl from the stand by the door and stepped onto the front porch. Aunt Kate’s wicker rocking chair seemed to send an invitation and she sat. Leaning her head back, she shivered as the breeze brushed across her damp skin.

  The rattle of harness and the clip-clop of hooves startled her, and she jerked awake, confused. She twisted her neck to loosen the tight muscles. Suddenly aware of the sound that had awakened her, she jumped to her feet, wrapping the shawl around her shoulders for modesty.

  Uncle Will’s two-seater open carriage came into view, the horses’ coats shining in the moonlight. Addy peered anxiously. Then relief washed over her. Aunt Kate sat beside Ma in the backseat. Uncle Will pulled alongside the steps and got out then reached to help Aunt Kate. She stumbled a little as her foot touched the ground, but Uncle Will quickly steadied her. Addy took her great-aunt’s other arm as Pa helped Ma down from the buggy.

  Addy bit her lip as Aunt Kate wobbled a little. “Are you all right, Aunt Kate?”

  “I’m fine, as I told everyone I was. Just tired.”

  “Aunt Kate.” Sarah appeared in the doorway, her wrapper pulled snug around her waist and her hair hanging loose around her shoulders. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, yes, child. I’m fine. I need a nice cup of hot tea. Then I’m going to bed.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get it right away.” She rushed toward the kitchen.

  When Aunt Kate was ensconced on the settee in the parlor, Addy seated herself next to her and took her hand, throwing Ma a questioning look.

  Ma gave an imperceptible shake of her head.

  Soon Sarah was back with the laden tray. Addy helped her hand out the cups, and Sarah poured. Pa made a face as he quickly drained his cup. He always preferred a strong cup of black coffee.

  Uncle Will, Ma, and Pa talked quietly of their trip to Springfield for a few minutes, and then Ma helped Aunt Kate to bed. Addy slipped away to get dressed.

  When she returned to the parlor, Ma smiled. “She fell asleep almost as soon as she laid down.”

  “I’ll hitch up the wagon and pull it around, then come in and get Betty so we can go home,” Pa said and left the room.

  “Ma.”

  “Wait, Addy.” Ma turned to Sarah. “I’ll let Will tell you what the doctor said, but I’ll be over in the morning after I stop by Rafe and Abby’s to let them know what’s going on. We’ll talk then.”

  Sarah nodded, concern in her eyes. “I’ll have a pot of coffee ready.”

  A few minutes later, Addy climbed into the back of the wagon, seating herself on a pile of quilts and stretching her legs out. Pa laid Betty beside her, gently placing her head in Addy’s lap.

  As soon as they started down the lane, Addy blurted out, “Please tell me about Aunt Kate. Is it her heart?”

  Ma turned on her seat, and the sadness in her eyes answered the question even before she spoke. “Yes, dear. Her heart is giving out. The doctors said she needs to slow down. They don’t want her even doing housework for now or outside chores.”

  “But…is she dying?” Addy’s mind could hardly wrap itself around the thought. Aunt Kate had been so full of life for as long as she’d known her.

  Pain crossed Ma’s face. “The doctor didn’t say how long she has, Addy. I think a lot of it depends on how well she follows orders.”

  Addy sighed. Aunt Kate wasn’t likely to voluntarily sit back and do nothing. “Well, we’ll just have to make her follow them.”

  Ma’s brow wrinkled as she gave a little nod. “Honey, you need to remember she’s not a young woman anymore.”

  “I know, Ma.” Addy’s voice broke, and she fought back the tears she’d been holding in for hours. Aunt Kate had been in her fifties when Ma and Uncle Will had come to live with their father’s older sister. That was more than thirty years ago. “I’m so sorry, Ma. I know how much you love her.”

  Ma nodded, her eyes swimming, and turned back around on the wagon seat.

  “Ma, would you like for me to ride over to Abby and Rafe’s before I go to school in the morning?” That not only would save her mother time but would also keep her from having to tell the sad news once more.

  “Yes, if you’re sure you have time. I wouldn’t want you to be late.” The relief in Ma’s voice was obvious.

  “I could take Betty over there if you want me to. I know Abby wouldn’t mind watching her while you go over to Uncle Will’s.”

  “That might be a good idea, Lexie,” Pa said. “That way she won’t have to go out to the field with me.”

  Addy leaned back against the side of the wagon and let her silent tears flow.

  Jim laughed as one of the twin boys grabbed Rafe around the knees.

  “Take me, Papa. Take me.” The toddler chortled, holding tight.

  “Now, Dawson”—Rafe leaned over and gently removed the child’s arms from his leg—“I told you, you can’t go to the field with me today. I have too much work to do.”

  Dawson’s chin quivered as he attempted to hold back tears. “But I help.”

  As Rafe spoke softly to the child, Jim couldn’t help but grin at the change in his friend over the last few years. He turned at the sound of horses approaching. His heart thundered inside his chest at the sight of Addy.

  Rafe stood, holding Dawson in his arms while Jim lifted tiny Betty from the buggy then helped Addy to alight.

  “Betty honey, why don’t you take Dawson and Davie to their room and tell them a story while I talk to Rafe and Abby.”

  “Okay, but her name’s really Tuck, you know.” Betty took the hand of the little boy whom Rafe had deposited on the porch, and they went inside.

  “What’s wrong, sis?”

  Jim glanced at his friend. He’d never heard Rafe speak so tenderly to Addy before. Usually he just teased her.

  “Oh Rafe, it’s Aunt Kate.” Her face crumpled, and she fought back tears.

  Jim took a step toward her but stopped when Rafe put an arm around her and led her toward the door. Jim wanted nothing but to go with them, to wrap his arms around Addy and shield her from whatever was causing her grief.
But he hadn’t the right. He took a deep breath.

  “I’ll wait out here,” he said.

  Rafe nodded, but Addy stopped and gave him an almost pleading look. “No, please come inside with us.”

  “Of course.” Mixed feelings battled within him. Sorrow and fear at whatever was causing Addy’s pain but joy that she wanted him with her.

  When they stepped inside, Abby came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Addy, what are you doing here this time of day?”

  “It’s Aunt Kate. There’s something wrong with her heart.” She reached both arms out to her sister, and they held each other tightly.

  “Come into the parlor and sit down. Tell me everything.”

  Jim frowned as Addy told them the news about her great-aunt.

  Abby jumped up, her face white. “I’m going over there right now. Maybe she’ll listen to me. I’m not ready to let her go.”

  Rafe took his wife’s hand and pulled her gently back down beside him. “Sweetheart, calm down. You can’t go over there in this state.”

  Addy took her sister’s other hand. “I don’t know yet just how bad it is. Ma was too upset to talk much. But she needs to go over and check on Aunt Kate and talk to Sarah and Will, probably about Aunt Kate’s care. I really need you to stay here and keep Betty while I’m at school. Would you mind?”

  Abby let out a long, slow breath. “All right, I will. But as soon as you pick her up, I’m going.”

  Addy stood and placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Try not to worry too much. Ma didn’t say she was going to die, just that she had to slow down. Remember last year, when Mr. Wilkins started having heart problems? His daughters all thought he was dying, but he’s doing fine.”

  “That’s right.” Abby perked up. “He played three games of horseshoes at the last church picnic.”

  Jim watched in amazement at the composure on Addy’s face. She’d calmed down not only her sister but herself as well. Jim followed her out onto the porch. “I’m heading into town, too. Would you mind if I ride along beside you?”

  Relief crossed her face. “I’d be grateful. To be honest, I’d just as soon not be alone with my thoughts.”