Scarlett, a Summer Bride

by Hildie McQueen

  Startled at his presence, she jumped and then wiped at her face with both hands and shook her head. Straightening as he’d recognized to be her posture, a sort of defense, she sniffed and looked directly at him. “No, nothing is wrong. I’m fine thank you. I may have gotten something in my eye. I apologize for the lateness of supper. It will be ready momentarily.”

  Emmett wasn’t sure what to say or do. She treated him like a stranger, as if whatever private matters happened to her, he wasn’t privy to it.

  Unsure of what to do, he turned and left the kitchen. He paced the floor and went to the doorway several times to look in. Scarlett was poised once again, cooking, her movements almost mechanical.

  Whatever happened to his wife had upset her greatly and he didn’t like that someone had hurt her to the point of sobbing. Once they sat down to supper, he’d demand she tell him. Whoever hurt her would hear from him.

  Once they settled at the table. Emmett was not able to eat much. He did so because she’d gone to the trouble of cooking despite her obvious despair.

  Unlike him, Scarlett pushed food from one side of the plate to the other. She wasn’t a big eater, but today she didn’t eat at all. Emmett studied her and noted she’d lost weight since coming to Laurel. How had he not noticed before?

  “Are you ill?” He put his fork down. “I’d like to examine you. You’ve lost weight.”

  Her composed expression was irritating. “Not at all. I’m perfectly fine. I must admit to not being particularly fond of my cooking.”

  “Why were you crying?”

  She started, her eyes meeting his and for a couple beats, her façade slipped and she blinked to keep tears at bay. “It’s nothing of importance. I didn’t mean for you to see it.”

  “Stop it,” he gritted out the words barely able to keep from taking her hand to make his point. “What happened to you today?”

  Scarlett swallowed visibly. “It’s silly. I fell, it hurt. I feel childish about being so upset about something so superficial. I suppose...it was embarrassing more than anything.”

  No one had mentioned her falling. It was then he noticed a scrape on the knuckles of her left hand. He took her hands and turned them over. Both palms were scratched. Nothing too deep, but it had to have smarted.

  “Any other scrapes?”

  “No my skirts kept my knees from it.” She pulled her hands free of his hold. “Like I said, I was embarrassed more than anything.”

  It was obvious there was something more she didn’t share. However, he wasn’t sure how to get her to open up.

  “I fell down once,” he started. “I was walking out of the mercantile with parcels. George Walker came out behind me holding an item I’d left behind. When I turned, I tripped over my own feet and fell onto the road. All the bundles went everywhere. It was quite awkward.”

  Scarlett remained quiet, for a bit, as if she wasn’t sure how to respond. “I fell walking out of the seamstress shop. Sheriff Blake helped me up and walked me here. I went to the back of the house and sat in the garden.”

  Garden? “I must have missed you there. I went to search for you.”

  She let out a long sigh. “I saw you rinsing clothes. When you left, I waited a bit to start supper since I was unsure when you’d return.”

  They had no communication. Emmett wanted to ask why she’d not said anything upon seeing him earlier. Of course she had no way of knowing about the injured man at the clinic since he’d made it clear he preferred she not come there.

  When she remained stoic, like a child hoping to be excused, he pushed his plate away. “Thank you for supper. It was delicious.”

  Scarlett promptly stood, picked up the plates and rushed back to the kitchen. She’d barely eaten anything.

  The next day at the clinic, it was quiet. The patient’s family came for him and taken home. Emmett ran out of things to do after straightening up. He walked out the front of the clinic, considering if perhaps he should take Scarlett for a ride. Since arriving she’d not left town and not seen the surrounding areas.

  Although several people had visited, not once had he taken her anywhere. Admittedly, she’d not asked and seemed to not like his company.

  Just then the sheriff headed toward the clinic. The tall man stopped to speak to someone and then laughed at whatever they said. Colton Blake was likeable and well respected by the town’s people.

  “How are you today Doc?” The sheriff pushed his hat back. “Too warm to almost be autumn wouldn’t you say?”

  They exchanged small talk interrupted once by a young boy racing by and tripping. The kid jumped up and raced away.

  His brother, Evan, rode up on horseback, a wide smile on his face. “I got away for the day,” he announced. “Needed to ride for a bit. Been cooped up too many days in a row.”

  When he dismounted, Evan and Blake shook hands, both smiling widely. “Good to see you sheriff. Miss our daily chats. Glad you’re continuing the tradition with Emmett.”

  “Not so much so,” Blake said with a chuckle. “Doc’s not much for conversation.”

  “Don’t know if it’s me, but people seem to be awkward or fall when I’m around,” Blake said with a chuckle. “I hope your wife is not suffering from her fall yesterday. She was quiet upset about it.”

  “She’s fine. Other than a couple scrapes on her hands.”

  “It was quite a nasty fall. I had harsh words for the man who knocked her down in his hurry to get away from a fight at the saloon. He shoved her into the street and she got the wind knocked out of her. I almost arrested him.”

  Scarlett had not told him the entire story. Emmett fought to keep his expression schooled so Blake wouldn’t know. The sheriff continued unabated.

  “It was one of the ranch hands from over at Shallow Creek. Idiot. I felt bad for Scarlett, especially it being her birthday and all.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes she was leaving the seamstress shop when she fell. They had a small tea and cake for her. Just a few women.” Blake chuckled. “I stopped by hoping to get a slice. It was good.”

  Not sure he liked the idea of Blake knowing Scarlett so much better and he did. Emmett considered the day of the festival and the long conversation between them. They seemed confortable around each other, able to converse easily.

  Blake blew out a breath. “I went to see the Wilson’s about the shooting. They were not apologetic. Nasty bunch.”

  As the sheriff continued recounting the conversation with the Wilsons, Emmett couldn’t concentrate.

  The more he thought about it, the stronger the urge to go home and do something for Scarlett. She didn’t have anyone other than him and he barely knew anything about her.

  As the sheriff walked away, Evan turned to him. It was evident by the firm press of his lips and clenched jaw, his brother was not happy.

  “What are you doing brother? Have you even spoken to your wife? Spent time with her? You had no idea it was her birthday did you?”

  As Evan was prone to do when angry, he huffed and paced. “It baffles me why you even got married and frankly right now...right now I don’t like you very much.”

  He went to the horse. “I came to bring her gifts my wife and the others sent for her. I suggest you decide what you want because at this rate I won’t be surprised if she returns east.”

  “It’s not any of your business Evan. You need to stay out of this.”

  Evan did not back away. Instead his brother rushed forward and stood nose to nose with him. “And if I don’t? You acted like a star struck boy with Jacquelyn, constantly taking her to social events, buying her trinkets and jewelry. Never once did you spare any expense or neglect spending time with her. Now you have a good woman and you act as if she’s merely a possession.”

  It was impossible to keep up the façade of being angry with Evan. Truth was, he hated himself at the moment. The way he’d taken his past relationship and brought it into his marriage had not been fair to Scarlett.

  “I’ll spea
k with Scarlett and ensure she is...”

  “She’s not going to complain. Aurora has a hard time getting her to share anything about how things are going between you both. My wife has been worried about Scarlett. That’s why I’m here. To assure your wife has not fallen ill from not eating. Or have you even noticed she barely eats?”

  It was like a punch to the gut. Emmett almost doubled over. Not only was he Scarlett’s husband, but also a doctor. What did it say about him that he’d neglected his own wife’s health?

  Evan stalked off to the house and Emmett stood watching, guilt assailing him with so much force, he could barely breathe.

  Scarlett was not Jacquelyn, nor was she the demanding woman he’d been seeing in Billings. Scarlett was his wife who never asked anything of him, nor did she complain and demand he treat her a certain way. And yet up until that day, he’d been unyielding and unkind.

  Later that afternoon, Evan left without saying anything to him. Emmett had yet to go home, not wanting to argue with Evan in front of Scarlett. Gladys entered and looked around the empty space.

  “Came to fetch my yarn. Left it here.” She lifted the bag and gave him a curious look. “Is something wrong Dr. Jones? I just saw Evan leaving. It’s always nice to see him.”

  Emmett looked to her. “Why do you call my brother by his first name and not me?”

  As was her way, Gladys didn’t dance around a question. She was as direct as they came. “You’re more aloof and have never asked me to call you by your first name.”

  Emmett nodded. “Did you know it was Scarlett’s birthday yesterday?”

  “Yes. She fell on her birthday, poor thing. Not sure if she told you.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Was everyone aware of the chasm between him and his wife?

  “You never talk about her. Unlike Aurora who helped Evan run the clinic, I’ve only seen her step foot in here once, so I assumed you asked her not too. It seems to me, she’s not fully part of your life.” Gladys blew out a breath. “Feels good to say it. Been wanting to.”

  Without waiting for him to say anything, she grabbed her bag and left. When she walked outside, Gladys gave a firm nod as if approving of her last words.

  Chapter Eleven

  Scarlett attempted to eat. The food, as usual, barely held flavor. It didn’t matter what she cooked, food hadn’t tasted good since she’d left Pennsylvania.

  Interesting that the last meal she remembered enjoying had been at Lady Price’s home.

  At supper for the last several days, Emmett studied her as they ate. He’d been acting strangely, almost awkward. Which was bizarre since the man had barely seemed bothered by anything since she’d met him.

  Scarlett had decided not to abandon her marriage, to remain in town and fill her life with friendships. She hoped to be blessed with children who would fill the void between her and Emmett.

  “Have you always had a small appetite?”

  Scarlett shook her head. “No. I am not sure what causes me to not care for the taste of most things.”

  When his gaze swept over her, it was as if he were truly concerned. “It seems to me you’ve lost too much weight. I’d like to examine you tonight before bed.”

  Once again, she wasn't sure what brought such a change in him. Since her fall, he’d seemed more attentive. “Yes, of course.”

  When she picked up the plates he followed her to the kitchen and helped dry them after she washed them. “Growing up, my brothers and I spent a great deal of time in the kitchen. Since our parents were often gone to social events, the cook was a sort of substitute parent. She often put us to work and we didn’t mind since she paid with sweets.”

  Scarlett smiled. “It’s a nice memory. My mother loved to cook, but she rarely allowed me to help. She was overprotective and didn’t want me to hurt myself. I wish now she would’ve.”

  Leaning forward, he took her hand. Scarlett couldn't help the reaction of wanting to snatch it away. Instead she took a deep breath and assumed a pleasant expression. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was your birthday.”

  “There is no need to apologize. I didn’t tell you.”

  “Everyone else knew. As your husband, I should have known.”

  Unsure where he intended the conversation to go, Scarlett remained quiet. She studied her husband’s handsome face and imagined what it would be like to be allowed past the wall he’d erected between them.

  Other than when making love, when he was most vulnerable and open to her, it was as if they were merely acquaintances.

  “We are not friends, Emmett.” Scarlett decided to be frank. “You keep me at a distance and I’m doing my best to not trespass.”

  His gaze fell to their joined hands. “I want to be a better husband to you. You deserve better than how I’ve been treating you.”

  Struck speechless, Scarlett was shocked at noting vulnerability in his gaze. “I can’t complain. You provide for me and give me a comfortable life. You don’t restrict me from going and doing what I please.”

  His gaze didn’t waver. “I hate to admit this. I haven’t taken the time to know what things you prefer to do. I hope to learn what your preferences are.” Searching her face, his gaze became warm, soft, not at all what she’d ever expect from her husband.

  Although too afraid to hope, warmth spread inside her chest. It could be an answer to her prayers that her husband would grow to care for her.

  Emmett released tugged her back to the dining room. “I have something for you. It’s very late, but I had to wait for it to arrive.”

  He went to the cabinet by the door and retrieved a box. Bringing it to Scarlett, he placed it in front of her. “It’s a late birthday gift. I hope you like it.”

  Maintaining eye contact, she could only attempt at a smile. Whatever was happening? “Thank you.”

  With an expectant expression, he watched as she untied a pretty blue ribbon and opened the gift. A beautiful silk item was neatly folded. In the center of it was nestled a smaller box.

  She placed the small box aside and lifted the silk piece to reveal a beautiful shift. Scarlett brought it to her face. “It’s so soft and beautiful. I have never owned something so fancy.”

  Emmett’s lips curved. “I thought you’d enjoy it under your dresses.” He looked to the smaller box, silently urging her to open it.

  It was a broach. A white Camellia and a bud with green leaves framing them. It was exquisite and much too extravagant for her. “It-it’s breathtaking. I-I love it,” Scarlett stuttered running her fingers over the piece. “It reminds me of Lady Price’s garden.”

  “I’m glad you like them. You deserve more.”

  Scarlett picked up the broach and smiled. She’d never owned anything so beautiful.

  “Would you like to go for a walk with me this evening?”

  His question startled her and Scarlett blinked before attempting a poised response. “That would be lovely.”

  When he frowned, it seemed as if her answer was not the correct one. “Of course if you prefer not to...”

  “I would love to go for a walk together,” Scarlett interjectred.

  They went to the front door and Emmett assisted her with her shawl. His standing so near was a bit discomfiting, as he’d rarely done so. Scarlett managed to keep a calm façade despite his proximity.

  As they walked out, Emmett held his arm out and she threaded hers through it. They made their way down the center of town. It was a nice evening, although there was a chill in the air. Scarlett welcomed the freshness of it.

  “I have been remiss in spending time with you. I’d like to take you out to Elias’ ranch. I own land out there as well and would like to show it to you. We may consider one day building a house and moving out there.”

  This time her breath caught. He spoke of a future, of their future. One she’d stopped thinking of. “Do you wish to leave town eventually?”

  Emmett shrugged. “I have always lived in either a city or town. Not sure how I would adj
ust.” He turned to her. “What about you?”

  “May I be frank?”

  He gave a soft nod.

  “I fear I’d be horribly lonely. Here in town I have people that I can visit with...talk to.”

  “I understand.” He spoke good-naturedly. “Although I am not much for conversation, I don’t like being idle.”

  They continued to walk until reaching the train station. Once there, Emmett led her to a bench. “Let’s rest a bit until we go back.”

  It was best she speak to him now that he seemed open to conversation. Scarlett took a breath. “I know you told me from the beginning not to expect love. I have come to accept that. However, why have you been so resistant to getting to know me?”

  He stiffened, his jaw clenched and Scarlett braced herself for the aloofness to reappear. Instead he lowered to sit next to her and took her left hand in his.

  Emmett’s gaze met hers and held it for a long time. “I have been unfair to you. I was made to see that I’ve been punishing you for what others did to me in the past.”

  “I see.” Scarlett looked away. This was not what she’d expected. Instead she’d thought he’d tell her not to expect friendship. This new side of him was quite unsettling.

  He took her chin and turned her face toward him. “Will you forgive me?”

  All Scarlett could do was nod. What did this mean? Was there a softer, kinder Emmett Jones emerging? Even when his brother was around, Emmett had barely waivered from the austere disposition.

  As they made their way back home, Emmett continued to ask questions and kept the conversation flowing. They spoke of her parents and how she’d found out about mail order brides from Lady Price.

  That night at bedtime Scarlett felt self conscious when he climbed into bed. He’d said she was too thin. Did it mean he didn’t find her appealing? If anything, the physical aspect of their marriage had been the one constant.

  He slid under the bedding and turned to her. Then pulling her close, he took her mouth with his kissing her fully until she became breathless. “You are a beautiful woman Scarlett. The prettiest lady I’ve ever kissed.”