by Zina Abbott
Murphy raised an eyebrow. “You have a big enough operation you need a farm hand?”
Beth explained about Josh.
“It sounds like becoming a sole trader is just what you need to do. Your husband can earn his own money. However, a trust like what Edwin brought up is another matter. And, believe me, if Edwin talks his brothers into setting up a trust with him managing it, neither of them will get anything from that trust without Edwin’s say-so. I hope Val and Luther are smart enough to not agree to it.”
“If they start talkin’ like they’re thinkin’ on it, I’ll send them to you. Now, reckon we best fill out them sole trader papers.”
Murphy sat back with a twinkle in his eye. “Can’t do that yet, Mrs. Dodd. Right now, you are still a femme sole and can legally act on your own. You’ll have to wait until you’re married to apply for being a sole trader.”
“All right,” Beth said slowly. “So, you reckon you have time Monday mornin’ to meet with me? Soon as we get Edwin and his family on the stage headed north, I’d like to stop by and take care of it.”
“No wedding trip first, Mrs. Dodd?” the lawyer teased.
“I figure on takin’ care of business first, Mr. Murphy. Besides, my weddin’ trip will be to my own land.” Beth pulled her reticule onto her lap pulled the strings apart. “How much you figure I owe you?”
“I almost hate to charge you for the satisfaction of helping put Edwin Caldwell in his place, Mrs. Dodd. But, even lawyers have to eat.”
Beth paid him the fee he requested, although she suspected he gave her a discount. She decided she’d bring him a Christmas fruitcake at the time of her final payment.
♥•♥•♥
As soon as Beth left J.C. Murphy’s office, she found Val with his arms and ankles crossed leaning against the side of the wagon. He immediately straightened up and walked toward her, placing her hand in the crook of his arm as he led her over and helped her up in the seat.
“Do you have any other business to take care of while we’re in town?” After Beth shook her head no, he leaned forward and spoke softly in her ear. “Did things go all right with Mr. Murphy?”
Beth nodded. “He said he’d be at the weddin’. Reckon I’ll be meetin’ with him again the Monday after.”
Val’s sigh of relief was almost imperceptible, but he said nothing else until they were away from town and prying eyes. Val stopped the wagon in the middle of the road and set the brake.
A puzzled look on her face, Beth wrinkled her forehead as she turned to Val. “Why we stoppin’ here?”
Val wrapped his arms around Beth and drew her to him. “Kiss me, sweetheart. Kiss me like a woman planning to marry the man she loves in only two days.”
Beth’s forehead smoothed and her face blossomed into a smile as she wrapped her arms around his waist. She melted against him as their lips met. The November weather with its weak sun struggling to warm the day through the clouds that skittered across the sky might be cool, but the warmth in her heart heated her whole body. Beth knew she could not walk away from this man who held her heart. She may be a femme sole before the law, but her woman’s heart was joined with this man’s already. How grateful she felt that Val not only loved her, but was willing to help her realize her dreams for the future.
Slowly, they parted, and Val once again started the horse for home.
CHAPTER 14
The day of the wedding dawned cold and clear. The men, anticipating the feast to come following the wedding, hurried through their morning chores so they would have time to heat water to clean up. The day before had been spent cleaning out one of the barns. Although the wedding would take place on the front porch if the weather cooperated—in the front room if it didn’t—the Caldwells planned on most of their guests socializing after in the barn or yard, leaving the sitting room and parlor for mothers with babies and small children.
Luther and Val had the men bring the old stove that had been in the ranch foreman’s cabin out into the barn and set it up. It wasn’t needed there since Gus had moved in his stove he had used in Lundy in its place. That, along with a metal trough to use as a fire pit would provide heat. Covered with metal screen to control sparks, the men hoped the wood barn would not be at risk for catching on fire from either source. Plus, they knew they would hear about it if too much ash peppered the food tables the women had been setting up.
Louisa had started her baking in her own oven, but she moved her operation to the ranch house main kitchen after breakfast. Rosamond, used to catered affairs at her home, helped arrange the platters of finger foods once Louisa and Beth had them prepared. Hazel, intimidated by the fancy food preparations, figured she could be of greatest help keeping the dishes and baking pans washed up. In between that, she helped entertain Sophie Anne who was either tied to a chair with a dishcloth or was contained in a square portable pen some of the hands had helped Gus build.
Val protested, although not too much, when Hazel would not let him enter the kitchen. “On your weddin’ day, you ain’t supposed to see the bride before the weddin’,” she reminded him. With good humor, he left to eat breakfast with his men.
Puzzled, Beth wrinkled her forehead as she watched a couple of the ranch hands leave and ride in the direction of her place. “Wonder where they’re headed? Figured they stick around to watch their boss get hitched.”
Hazel shrugged while Louisa did her best to not let her face reveal her knowledge of what was going on. “Don’t worry, Beth. I heard they had an errand to run, but they’ll be back in time for the wedding.”
“Can’t figure what it could be. They already took over the bed and dressin’ table Val said we could borrow for Hazel’s room in the loft.”
About ten o’clock, Hazel tugged at Beth’s sleeve. “Bethie, you best be gettin’ ready. Folks will start comin’ soon. We got water heatin’ for a bath, and I’ll help you do up your hair after.”
“Don’t need no fancy hair fixin’.”
“Don’t spoil our fun, Bethie. I been lookin’ forward to fixin’ your hair. But, best you get it washed so we can dry it in time.”
The two women hauled buckets of water up to the room where the two sisters had been sleeping. Beth took a quick bath and washed her hair, pouring some rose scent Rosamond had given her in the water.
“Ain’t never seen such a fuss made to make a body smell sweet.” Beth’s grumble prompted a giggle from Hazel.
Beth returned to the kitchen long enough to let the heat of the stove help dry her hair. Before she knew it, Hazel scooted her back upstairs to get dressed.
“Who’d you ask to give you away, Bethie?”
Beth firmly pursed her lips. “Ain’t no one but me givin’ me away.”
“But, Bethie, it’s traditional.”
“Ain’t much on that tradition. Pa done give me to Jim Dodd—his choice of husband for me—and we know how that turned out. I’m givin’ myself to the man of my choice.”
And hope I ain’t never sorry I chose Val.
One of the first arrivals was the Caldwell sister, Barbara, and her family. Beth peeked out the window when she heard the wagon drive up. Not having ever met Barbara before, she did not recognize the woman. But it wasn’t long before the two sisters heard footsteps coming up the stairs and a knock on the door.
“Are you in here, Beth? It’s Val’s sister, Barbara.”
Hazel opened the door and welcomed the woman who would soon be Beth’s sister-in-law, and, if all went as she planned, someday her sister-in-law. Barbara’s warm, friendly smile and easy manner similar to that of her two full brothers quickly won over the two sisters.
“Beth, I don’t know if you plan to wear a veil or not, but I brought something I thought you might like to wear today.” Barbara rummaged in her reticule and brought out two combs with mother-of-pearl inlay. “These were my mother’s. I wore them on my wedding day. I hoped you might want to wear them as your ‘something borrowed.’”
“Thank you kindly, Barbara. No
, I ain’t wearin’ no veil, but I’d be right pleased to wear these here combs. Reckon my dress is the somethin’ new and somethin’ blue. What’s underneath is plenty old.”
“Your dress is lovely, Beth. Your white lace collar and cuffs set against that royal blue is very attractive on you.”
“You best heap your praises on Hazel, then. She done the designin’ and sewin’.”
Barbara complimented Hazel on the workmanship of the dress while Hazel pressed Beth back down on the chair in front of the dressing table so she could add the combs to Beth’s hair. Except for it being a loose chignon with curling wisps brushing her cheeks and the back of her neck, the hairdo was a simple one. It was the combs that dressed it up.
After Hazel and Barbara returned downstairs to put the finishing touches on the food for after the wedding, under strict orders from her sister and Barbara, Beth stayed in the room until time for the ceremony. Being idle caused her to fidget. She did her best to distract herself by watching arrivals through the lace curtains of the single window in the room. She sighed with relief when she saw the wagon with the reverend and his family entered the yard.
Finally, Hazel changed into her best dress and hair combed into a charming tangle of curls, cracked the door to Beth’s room. “It’s time, Beth. They’re all in place waitin’ on you. Here.” Hazel handed her sister a Bible with a white leather cover and a lace-edged white handkerchief. “Rosamond thought since this ain’t a good time of year for flowers you might want to carry her Bible and hankie.”
Beth stared at the loan of some of Rosamond’s special items. Her voice caught in her throat. Although she and Rosamond were from two different worlds with different values and expectations, she felt forced to acknowledge her future sister-in-law had a generous side to her. She whispered as she reached for the offering. “I’d be right pleased to carry them. I’ll thank her later.”
The two descended the stairs and slowly made their way out the front door. With Hazel at her side, Beth walked toward Val. Her eyes drank him in as he stood on the porch, hatless, and wearing a black dress suit with a white shirt, complete with a black string tie and a stiff collar fastened by a gold stud. He had never looked so handsome. She hardly noticed Luther and Louisa, both of whom had been asked to stand up for them as witnesses since Hazel was not of age.
As soon as she stood next to the man who was mere minutes away from becoming her husband, Beth focused on the words spoken by the reverend. She struggled against the feeling inside her that the entire scene was dreamlike. She had waited so long for this time, working so hard to accomplish her goals, a part of her could hardly accept that the time had finally arrived. In spite of that, she managed to say the right words at the right time.
Before she knew it, the reverend told Val to kiss his bride. With a smile, Beth slid into the secure and comforting embrace of her sweetheart. Her mind blocked out the yard full of people who had come to witness the event. She reveled in how right it felt to her to be in his arms. Her heart swelled with the realization she and Val were now husband and wife for the rest of their lives.
The reverend broke the magic of the moment when he cleared his throat, and under his breath, encouraged them to face everyone as he presented Val and Beth as Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell.
As much as Beth wished to slip into the comfortable role of serving the food, Val, with the back-up support of his family, insisted she mingle and greet their guests who had come to pay their respects. She did so, meeting old friends and some new, some she had seen on the streets of Bridgeport but had not formally met. She felt grateful that the ranch hands she had seen leave earlier had made it back in time for the wedding and the dinner, although she still wondered what took them away on this particular day.
Beth noticed Edwin had settled himself onto a bench on the far side of the barn where the light was dim. His nose hadn’t been broken after all, and most of the swelling had subsided. Except for the discoloration under his left eye, his injury from being on the wrong side of Val’s fist wasn’t noticeable unless he leaned into better light.
Soon, Barbara joined her. “This has been a lovely wedding, Beth. You make a beautiful bride.”
“Thank you kindly, Barbara. Been lookin’ forward to this day for a long time. Right glad now that you’re here, I got to meet all Val’s family.”
“Oh, me too. That Louisa you have helping you, she has done a wonderful job with the food. And I understand her husband cooked all the meat. But, I hear they plan to be here only for the winter.”
“We’re right glad to have them while Gus decides where he aims to open a new restaurant. Reckon Louisa will help with the bakin’, especially as Sophie Anne gets grown.”
“And your sister is delightful.” A twinkle entered her eye and a grin lit her face. “And I understand she soon may also be joining the family in an even closer capacity very soon.”
Beth’s eyes twitched with suspicion. “Who told you that?”
Barbara’s eyes widened and she brought her fingers to her lips. “Oh! I hope I didn’t let the cat out of the bag. Luther made a special trip up to Carson City to buy Hazel a ring. He stopped by and stayed with us coming and going. It’s a beautiful ring, Beth. Haven’t you seen it yet?”
“No, I ain’t. And Hazel ain’t of age. Luther finagled his way into courtin’ her, but he ain’t said nothin’ to me about askin’ for her hand.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, Beth. I thought you knew.”
“No need apologizin’. Right glad you spoke up.”
Beth’s gaze roamed over the crowd until she located Luther with Hazel on his arm while he chatted with friends.
Once Luther caught the eye of his newest sister-in-law and realized she was glaring at him, he straightened to his full height then froze in place, like prey hypnotized by a snake. As soon as Beth started toward him with a resolute stride, he turned to Hazel and whispered in her ear.
Three long strides on his part, and Luther and Beth stood face to face.
Beth spoke first. “You and me need to talk, Luther Caldwell. Somewhere private.”
Hazel followed Luther, standing behind him. She looked on with concern. “Bethie?”
“Luther’ll be right back, Hazel. Him and I got a bone to pick over.”
Luther followed Beth outside the barn. Although most of the wedding guests were in the barn where it was relatively warm, there were enough in the yard that Beth had to search for a spot where she could speak to Luther in relative privacy. She finally spotted a tree on the far side of the yard next to one of the corrals. She strode in that direction, knowing Luther followed close behind her. Once she was far enough away from everyone she spun on the ball of her foot to face her brother-in-law. Luther almost toppled over in the effort to keep from running into Beth.
Her arms akimbo, Beth glared at Luther. “Heard you done bought Hazel a ring.”
Luther’s expression of consternation turned to a mischievous grin. “Has Barbara been talking to you? She never could keep things like that to herself.”
“Good she did, because you sure ain’t been talkin’ to me. You give that ring to Hazel yet?”
Luther turned serious. “No, Beth. I haven’t said anything. I wanted to get past yours and Val’s wedding. I didn’t want to say anything too soon and have the news of it take away from yours and Val’s big day.”
“That’s right thoughtful of you, Luther, but you know she ain’t of age. You need to get my say-so before you go askin’ her.”
Luther gave another sheepish grin. “That was another reason I planned to wait. I figured once you were happily married, you would settle down and be apt to be more agreeable to our engagement. I had planned to ask her so we could announce it at Thanksgiving dinner.”
Beth studied Luther for several seconds before she continued. “I can see my way to give my permission for you to ask Hazel for her hand on two conditions, Luther. But first you give me your word of honor you’ll abide by them.”
“What?” Luther t
eased. “You aren’t going to make me get down on my knees and beg and plead for your permission?”
“Keep it up, Luther, and the answer’s no right now.”
“What are your conditions, Beth?”
“You can ask her now, but you’ll wait to marry until her birthday on June fifth when she’s eighteen. She’ll know for certain by then if she’s ready to wed, plus it will give her time to get ready. This bein’ her first weddin’ and all, she’s goin’ to need the fancy dress and all the fuss that goes with a Caldwell weddin’. And, I ain’t goin’ to stand for no rushed weddin’ that might get folks thinkin’ Hazel’s gettin’ married because she has to.”
Luther hesitated, then agreed. “I sort of hoped to marry sooner, but I can agree to wait until June. At least by then the weather will be good enough all the family will be able to make it. What is your other condition?”
“There ain’t goin’ to be no shivaree tonight. Not tonight—not in the days to come.”
Luther’s shoulders slumped with disappointment. “No shivaree? I was denied a shivaree for Gus and Louisa the day they married up in Lundy. I told you then there would be a shivaree when you and Val finally married.”
Beth stepped closer, almost forcing Luther to take a step back. Her rock-solid expression radiated determination. “How bad you want my blessin’ for you marryin’ my sister, Luther? She worth givin’ up your antics? Val and I get shivareed tonight, I best not hear nothin’ about no ring or you and Hazel gettin’ engaged to wed. She won’t get my permission until she’s of age…three- and-a-half years from now.”
Luther blew out a sigh of resignation. “You drive a hard bargain, Beth, but I give you my word of honor. We won’t get married until her birthday and there will be no shivaree for you and my brother.”
Beth nodded her head in acknowledgement. “Now that’s settled, reckon you best find Hazel and drag her in the parlor long enough to ask for her hand. Don’t worry none about steppin’ on my special day. If Barbara’s one to talk, folks will know soon enough anyway. Soon as you get that ring on Hazel’s finger, you tell Val so he can make the announcement. Best you do it while Edwin and Barbara are here so they don’t think you’re shuttin’ them out none.”