by Kit Morgan
“I suppose it depends on the person,” answered Seth.
Constance smiled at him. “I'm afraid my sister isn’t like me,” she said. “I'm far too impetuous, I'm afraid, whereas Eloise is much more levelheaded.”
Seth looked at her. “Levelheaded, or undecided?”
She gave him a tentative smile. “Perhaps it's a little of both.”
Seth let out a weary sigh. “If you ask me, I wish she'd be more impetuous and less levelheaded.”
* * *
The next day, the women of the Triple C did indeed have to make a trip to Clear Creek. Armed with baskets, they planned to meet Mrs. Mulligan and venture out onto the prairie to gather flowers. Seth left the lobby doors of the hotel wide open to better see the wagons pass by. He was determined to catch Eloise as soon as she got into town. He wasn't disappointed; the Triple C's wagon rolled by within moments after he opened them.
Seth quickly finished a ledger entry, grabbed his hat, and then headed for the Mercantile. He guessed they’d park the wagon there. Sure enough, he watched as Logan Kincaid brought the wagon to a halt at the mercantile’s front steps, and hopped down. Seth quickened his pace. If he hurried he'd get there in time to help Eloise out.
She turned on the wagon seat just in time to see him approach. Her face broke into a wide smile. “Good morning, Mr. Jones,” she said.
“Mr. Jones, is it? What happened to calling me Seth? We are getting married tomorrow, after all.
“Yes,” she sighed. “We most certainly are.”
He held his hands up to help her down. Eloise stared at them a moment. She was going to have to get used to allowing her husband to help her in and out of a wagon. But it wasn't so much his polite gesture that gave her pause, but rather, her reaction to it. Would his hands on her waist give her a thrill of excitement, or nothing at all? Again she questioned herself as to why she would have any doubt about marrying him. When it came right down to it, she had no valid reason for doubting it all. Yet, there was just that something…
“Does everyone have a basket?” Sadie asked.
Eloise reached into the back of the wagon and grabbed the last one. “I have mine,” she said.
“Don't tell me, let me guess,” said Seth. “You're going to pick flowers.”
“They certainly are,” said Logan. “You wouldn't happen to want to go with them, would you?”
“I think I can manage that,” said Seth as he gave Eloise a wink. “Why? Where will you be?”
“I need to speak with the sheriff. I'll catch up with you later, and then you can head back to the hotel.”
“Sounds all right to me, except for maybe the part about going back to the hotel,” Seth winked at Eloise again, and then offered her his arm.
She blushed as she took it, and looked to Sadie. “We're ready.”
“I can see that,” she said. “All right then; let's go.
They crossed the street and went down to the saloon to fetch Mrs. Mulligan. After that, they stopped by the hotel for Constance. Ryder had already left, and was on his way to the Whites’ farm to see about breeding Othello to one of their mares. “I do hope we find enough flowers to meet our needs,” said Eloise.
“I don't see a problem with that, darlin',” said Seth. “Just look around; you got miles and miles of prairie near to bursting with them.”
“It's not the amount of flowers that worries us,” said Sadie. It's the time we have. We need to be getting back to the ranch in an hour.
“What's your hurry?” asked Seth.
“Belle isn’t feeling well,” said Sadie. “And I left Honoria with her.”
“I'm not a parent, but isn't it bad to leave a baby with a sick woman? Aren't you afraid she'll catch whatever Belle has?”
Mrs. Mulligan laughed. “There ain’t no chance of that, son. What Belle has ain’t contagious to a baby.”
“I thought youngins catch everything,” he said. “Since when is someone who’s sick not contagious to a baby?”
“Trust me,” said Sadie. “Honoria isn't going to catch what’s afflicted Belle anytime soon.”
Constance laughed. “You can say that again!”
Seth eyed the women with suspicion. “Why do I get the feeling you all know something I don't?”
Constance snorted.
“Ah ha! I knew there was something!” Seth said in triumph.
“No, there’s not! Now mind your own business!” blurted Mrs. Mulligan. “Besides, what does Constance’s snort have to do with anything?”
“Because Eloise told me that her sister snorts like that when she knows something everybody else doesn't!”
Constance stopped and spun to Eloise. “You told him that?”
“It might have come up in conversation,” Eloise said innocently.
“Your secret is out now!” Seth teased.
“You didn't tell him that Belle was pregnant, did you?” huffed Constance.
“I didn't have to!” Eloise chastised. “You just did!”
Constance's hands immediately flew to her mouth. Her eyes went wide as she turned to Sadie. “I'm so sorry,” she mumbled through her fingers.
Sadie looked to the sky, and closed her eyes in resignation. “It's all right. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the whole town knows by tomorrow; just so long as Colin and Harrison don't, we’ll be safe for a while longer.”
“Belle’s pregnant?” Seth exclaimed. “Why, that's wonderful!”
“It is until Colin finds out,” giggled Eloise.
“Yes, and don't you dare tell him!” said Constance.
“With your mouth, I'm surprised he hasn't found out already!” Seth teased.
Constance narrowed her eyes at him. “If you weren't about to become my new brother-in-law, I should very much like to strike you.”
“Oh really?” he said. “I didn't know an English lady had it in her.”
“Oh stop, you two!” scolded Eloise as she scanned the landscape. “Oh look! There’s a lovely patch of irises!”
The women hurried to the flowers as Sadie grabbed Seth by the arm. “Not a word,” she warned.
He held up both hands in defense. “I promise, don't worry. But you better do something about Constance’s mouth. Otherwise, who knows how many people will find out before tomorrow?”
“I'll have a talk with her. Belle just needs a little more time, that’s all. You remember how bad Harrison was when I was pregnant?”
“Do I ever! I’m don’t know what I would have done if I were you. I’d probably have shot him.”
“Well, let's hope it doesn't get as drastic as that,” she said, and released his arm.
They joined the others and set to work. In a little over a half an hour, their baskets were full. “These will do nicely,” said Sadie. “Let's head back to town, then get over to the Turner farm. Mabel can have the children weave these into our decorations, and we can put them up tomorrow morning, first thing.”
Everyone nodded their agreement, and they set off. When they got back to town, Eloise once again found it hard to leave Seth. She gazed at him long and hard, as Sadie helped Mrs. Mulligan put the baskets in the back of the wagon, and let her thoughts drift to what their future might be. Would they work side-by-side, day in and day out? Would they even be busy? After all, the hotel didn't have many guests. In fact, it had none. But if she were to listen to what everyone in town said, the hotel would one day be over-run with them.
“What's the matter?” asked Seth.
“Nothing. I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
She looked at him and offered a shy smile. “Well, if you must know, I was thinking about us.”
“Really? I like that. And what, might I ask, is going through that pretty head of yours?”
She blushed. “A lot of things. Like, what it will be like to live in the hotel, instead of a house?”
“Ahhh,” he said. “Well, if you ask me, it's just like living in a house, only you stay in one part of it most of
the time, and you have a lot of company over to spend the night.”
Eloise laughed. “I guess that's one way to look at it. I suppose I'll be having twenty to tea, every afternoon.”
“Absolutely,” he said. “Only difference is, right now it’ll be twenty men!”
She thought a moment. “Oh dear, I'm not sure I can handle twenty men for tea.”
Seth's eyes widened. “I hadn't thought of that. Maybe I better be the one to serve the men their tea, while you work in the kitchen.”
She laughed at that, and was happy to recognize the joy in it. Her life was about to change on so many different levels once she became married to this man.
“Are we ready to head to the Turner's?” asked Sadie.
“I think we should go down to the mercantile and get a few peppermints to take home to Belle,” suggested Eloise. “Seth and I can go.” She hooked her arm through one of his, and gave him a sideways glance.
Sadie eyed the both of them. “All right, but hurry right back. Constance, why don’t you go with them?”
Eloise let out a tiny giggle of triumph as Constance leaned toward her. “Nice move, Eloise,” she whispered.
“Why, thank you,” she said, gazed up at Seth, and headed down the street.
Ten
When the three reached the mercantile they noticed no one was about. “Where’s Mr. and Mrs. Dunnigan?” asked Eloise.
“They must be upstairs,” said Constance. “I'll go check; in the meantime, grab some peppermint sticks will you?”
“You think Mrs. Dunnigan will mind?” Eloise asked.
“We haven’t time to waste. I’ll tell her we’ll leave the money on the counter.”
Eloise nodded and complied as Constance disappeared behind the curtained doorway. Once behind the counter she found a small stack of white paper. She took the peppermint jar from the shelf behind her, pulled out a few, and wrapped them up for Belle.
“Why don't you grab a couple of licorice whips while you're at it, darlin',” Seth told her.
“All right, but you're going to have to pay for them.”
“Of course, I know that. Did you think I wouldn't?”
She stared at him from behind the counter and smiled. “I know you're good for it.” She turned back to the shelves to get what he wanted.
He leaned on the counter and watched her. “I'm good for a lot of things, darlin’,” he said, his voice husky.
She spun around to face him, the jar of licorice whips in her hand. Feeling bold, and just a little naughty, she asked, “like what?”
He motioned her closer with a finger, and her eyes widened in anticipation. Was he going to kiss her? She glanced around the empty mercantile. It was the perfect time for him to steal one. Should she take advantage? Good grief! Did she even have to think about it?
She stepped to the counter and let him take her hand in one of his own, as he took the licorice jar and set it down. He then made a show of looking this way and that, to let her know what he was about to do. Eloise giggled.
“What's so funny?” he asked.
“You act as if we’re about to do something very secret.”
He pulled her closer and leaned toward her. “It's only terrible if Mrs. Dunnigan comes downstairs and catches us,” he said with a smile.
“Why Mr. Jones, I do believe you're trying to spark with me.”
“You know it darlin',” he said and pulled her toward him even more. Their lips met in a sweet kiss over the candy jar, and Eloise had a brief thought of what it would be like to kiss him after eating a licorice whip. When he finally broke the kiss, he gazed into her eyes, and smiled. “You know what, Eloise Sayer?”
“What?” she asked, her voice dreamy.
“I could fall in love with you real easy.”
“Oh,” Eloise breathed.
“Oh?”
Eloise looked into his eyes and nodded, it was all she could do at the moment. Though the kiss was simple and sweet, it still managed to send her senses out the door.
Seth’s eyes roamed her face. “Maybe I ought to kiss you again, darlin'. I do believe I just put the moon in your eyes.”
“What?” she managed.
He laughed. “Ain’t you ever heard the term, moony-eyed?”
“I… I think so. Is that what you've done to me?”
He gave her a wide grin. “I do believe I have. But I better not do it again, or we’ll be doing something beneath the moon sooner than we ought to.”
She blushed a furious red, and looked at the candy on the counter. “We only have one more day,” she said shyly.
He gave her hands a squeeze. “I know, but I also know that if you're not ready, well… it might be hard, but I can wait.”
She looked up at him, knowing what he spoke of. “You'd do that for me?”
“Of course I would, darlin'. I'll understand if that's what you need.”
Her lips began to tremble, and she turned her back to him to hide her tears.
“Eloise, what's the matter?”
She moved to face him. “I don't know why this happens, it just does. I don't understand it.”
Seth went around the counter, took her in his arms, and cupped her face with a hand. “I suppose if I was a woman that traveled halfway across the world to marry a stranger, I'd be a little nervous too. Especially with everything that's happened the last couple of weeks to your sisters. You're upset. How else would you be?”
“There's no excuse for it,” she said. “I shouldn't fall into a fit of tears at the slightest little hint of emotion when it comes to you.”
“Emotion?” He pulled her into his chest. “Is that all?”
“Seth Jones, what do you mean, is that all?” she said in a terse tone.
“I'm just saying …”
“Saying what?”
He laughed and kissed her on the forehead. “Darlin', you got a lot to learn about matters of the heart. But you know what? I'm glad your heart gets to learn with mine.”
She stared up at him in awe. He was accepting her, whether she loved him yet or not. Why then, could she not do the same for him? Was that why her emotions peaked at such odd times? Or was he right, and she was more upset about the events of the last couple of weeks than she thought? “I'm sorry,” she said.
“You don't need to be sorry for anything. You're marrying someone you barely know, just as your sisters have, but you watched them go through it already, and I can understand if it's made you jumpy.”
“Is that what I am? Jumpy?”
“I'd say so,” he said. “But don't worry; I'll calm you right down, just as soon as we're married.” His face lowered to hers, and he kissed her with a tenderness she’d never known. She let go a tiny moan, and melted against him.
“Ahem …”
Seth broke the kiss slowly before he turned to see Constance standing at the end of the counter, her hands folded over her chest. Seth looked back at Eloise. “I guess this means our sparkin’ time is over.”
Eloise blushed, and gave her sister a sheepish grin. “It’s just as well,” she squeaked. “Otherwise, we'd both be moony-eyed.”
He ushered her out from behind the counter, a wide smile on his face, and winked at Constance as they passed. “We got the peppermint sticks,” he said as he handed her the wrapped candy.
Constance snatched it from his hand. “It's a good thing I caught you instead of Mrs. Dunnigan!”
“Oh, I wasn't worried,” said Seth. “Irene Dunnigan was young once.”
“Maybe so,” said Constance. “But she's also old enough to have forgotten.”
They all laughed at that, and left the mercantile. When they got back to the wagon, Seth helped Eloise up just as Logan returned and helped Sadie. Mrs. Mulligan was nowhere to be seen, and had probably already gone back to the saloon to help her husband get lunch ready. With a flick of the reins they were off again, and Eloise turned on the wagon seat to get one last look at Seth. It would be the last time she’d see him until tomorr
ow, at their wedding.
* * *
The next day dawned clear and bright for Eloise. She yawned as she sat up in bed and gazed out the window. The prairie stretched before her as far as her eyes could see. Its rolling beauty astounded her no matter what the time of day.
She got up, dressed, and hurried downstairs, not bothering to braid or put up her hair. Sadie would need help this morning with the pies she had to bake, and Eloise needed something to keep her mind off her upcoming nuptials. “Good morning,” she said as she entered the kitchen.
“Morning,” said Sadie. “Did you sleep well?”
“As well as can be expected, considering what today is,” said Eloise.
“Don't worry,” said Sadie. “You'll do fine. Now, could you help me with these pies?”
“Sure, it's why I came downstairs.” She put a few pies in the oven and closed the oven door. “I hope one day I can bake as well as you and Belle can.”
“You won't have to worry about baking much of anything, you'll have Mrs. Upton commanding your kitchen,” said Sadie.
“Oh, my heavens, I'd quite forgotten about Mrs. Upton. You're right, she does do all of the hotel’s cooking and baking. I may never have to cook again! But Harrison informed me that I might have to do a little.”
“Yes, you’ll definitely get away with not having to cook all the time for your husband.”
“My, I wonder if Penelope and Constance will be jealous?” mused Eloise with a giggle.
Sadie started to roll out more dough. “I envy you,” she said. “It's a lot of work to feed the men on the Triple C, but I have to admit, most of the time I do enjoy it.”
“You do?”
“Of course,” she said. “I like doing things for my husband. On a ranch, however, you tend to have more mouths to feed than the one you’re married to.”
“What's it going to be like in the hotel?” asked Eloise. “I dare say, but I could have up to thirty men to feed!”
“Yes,” Sadie agreed. “But remember, you'll have help. Now, would you like me to draw a bath for you?”