RICKY: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Mail-Order Brides Club Book 5)

by Ashley Merrick

  "Spending time with my mother this week has helped me to put things into perspective. It's great to have big goals, but you have to enjoy the journey, too. I don't want to waste a moment of it." He leaned in again, and this time his lips met hers and he surprised her with a passionate kiss that went on and on. She lost track of time and gave in to it. Finally, they both came up for air and Ricky brushed a stray hair off her face.

  "Feeling better now?" he asked.

  Sarah nodded.

  "Good, because I'm not done yet." He flashed her a wicked grin and then claimed her lips again, and again.

  * * *

  The next morning, Sarah woke in a happy mood and went down to the kitchen to make coffee. As soon as it was ready, Ricky appeared, looking well rested and smiling.

  "Good morning, Mrs. Donovan," he said. "I followed the smell and timed it perfectly by the looks of it."

  "Yes, you did." She was glad to see him smiling. Her night had ended on a wonderful note. She could have kissed Ricky for hours, but eventually they both had decided that it was time for bed and each retired to their respective bedrooms.

  Sarah sensed that she had turned a corner of sorts with Ricky, that he was starting to let her in, though she was still worried about possibly ruining his chances for mayor. But he had assured her that he wasn't concerned so she shouldn't be either. It was hard to argue with that. And, truth be told, she never wanted to walk through the doors of that saloon or any saloon ever again.

  "I thought we could stop by my parents’ place after Sunday dinner at Naomi and Jed's?" Ricky said.

  "Of course. I'd love to." After they finished breakfast and got dressed for church, they drove out to pick up Andrew first and then went on to the Sunday service. After church, they followed the others out to Naomi and Jed's. Andrew quickly found Emily, Emma's step-daugher from her husband Ethan's first marriage. His wife had died tragically, giving birth to Emily. She was a few years younger than Andrew, but they were fast friends and Sarah was glad that he had someone to play with.

  Ricky joined the men in the living room while Sarah wandered into the kitchen where the women were gathered, putting out food and taking direction from Naomi.

  "How can I help?" she asked.

  "Hello, Sarah," Naomi greeted her. "Do you want to slice up some bread and put it in that basket?"

  Sarah got busy slicing and then brought the basket of bread to the long table where they would all eat. Once all the food was out, Naomi called everyone to the table. As usual, they ate family style, passing around bowls of potatoes and vegetables and platters of sliced chicken. Conversation flowed easily around the table, with Colleen at one point asking, "Sarah, did any of the women ask you to make them a dress?"

  Sarah chuckled and then said, "No, not a single person even commented on my dress!"

  A few of the girls exchanged glances and then Brianna spoke. "I think it just may be that they don't know you well enough to ask. A few of them told me how much they admired your dress, though. So they did notice."

  "A few asked me if I made it," Colleen said. "I told them that you made it yourself and their jaws dropped. I don't think they expected that."

  "No, I don't suppose they did," Sarah agreed.

  "One of them asked me if I'd mind if she talked to you. She bought a dress from me so maybe she felt guilty about using someone else. I told her not to be silly and that I was thinking of having you make me a dress myself, as a treat!"

  "Really? I'd be honored, and of course I wouldn't charge you," Sarah said.

  "Nonsense. That’s what I said at first, too, and it's no way to run a business. I'll be a paying customer, like anyone else."

  Sarah was flustered and thrilled at the same time. She loved to sew and to think she might be able to provide a service to people was exciting. "Well, all right, but only if you accept the family discount," she said with a smile.

  "That sounds fair enough," Colleen agreed. "Could you pass the potatoes, please?"

  After they ate, the men retired to the living room again while the women cleared the table and set out dessert, a chocolate fudge cake that Julia had made. She was famous for them and after Sarah had one bite, she understood why. She told Julia she loved it and Julia looked pleased to hear it.

  "When I first came here, that was the only thing I knew how to make. Emma took me under her wing, though, and taught me how to cook. It's really not that hard after all."

  "So, did you have fun last night?" Emma asked. "I didn't want to ask you then because you looked like you might burst into tears when you brought me that lemon cupcake."

  So Emma had noticed after all that she was upset. How thoughtful of her not to say anything at the time because Sarah was sure that she would have burst into tears. She took a deep breath and told them about the women and about her conversation with Ricky.

  "You were willing to go back to the saloon?" Colleen's expression was a mix of distaste and respect. "I don't think I could have done that. Ricky's lucky to have you."

  "I don't think he'll be feeling so lucky if he loses the election because of me," Sarah said quietly.

  "Well, there's still time to change people's minds," Emma said. "They just need to get to know you."

  "The other charity event is just a few weeks away," Brianna said.

  "That's true, but it's likely to just be a repeat of last night, unless we think of something else. Some other way for you to be out in the community, getting to know people," Colleen said.

  "What about the county fair? That's a week away, and Sarah could enter her dress in the sewing category," Julia suggested.

  "That’s a great idea," Naomi agreed. "It's a very competitive and respected event. It might help you with the women in town."

  Sarah hesitated and frowned. There was one big problem that she could see. "Colleen, won't you be entering that contest, too? I don't want to step on any toes."

  "Nothing to worry about. I won the dress category last year and didn't even enter this year. I'm doing men's shirts instead. I’m looking to broaden my assignments. I love making the dresses, but there's more demand for the men's shirts and they come together more quickly. I like having a mix of things to make."

  Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. "All right, then. How do I enter?"

  Chapter 15

  An hour later, Ricky came to find her and they left to visit his parents. Sarah was excited about entering the contest and a new idea had come to her, an innovative design that she had a feeling might be very popular.

  She couldn't wait to show her dress to the girls when she finished it. She knew exactly which fabric she intended to use. She had fallen in love with a royal purple color the last time she'd stopped into the mercantile and knew it would be perfect for the dress that she had in mind. She was busy imagining the details of her design when she realized that Ricky had asked her a question and she hadn't heard a word he'd said.

  "I'm sorry, what did you say?" she asked.

  "You were lost in thought. I just asked if you had a nice time chatting with the girls?"

  "Yes, and Julia suggested that I enter the dress-making contest at the county fair next weekend. I think that sounds like fun."

  "That's a great idea. You'll win a first place ribbon, I'm sure!" Ricky said as he pulled up to his parents’ front door.

  Sarah loved his enthusiasm. His father usually met them at the door, but this time he wasn't there. Ricky gave a soft knock to let them know they were there and then walked in. The house was quiet and dark. The sun was behind the clouds and the air had turned chilly. They found his father in his mother's room, sitting in a rocking chair by her bed, reading softly to her. He looked up when they entered the room.

  "How is she?" Ricky asked as his father stood to greet them.

  "Not very good today, I'm afraid. She's been sleeping most of the day. She wakes up every few hours for a few minutes and then drifts back asleep again. She seems comfortable, though."

  "When was the last time she was aw
ake?" Sarah asked.

  "It's been a few hours now. She should be up soon, I hope." He sat back down and closed the book that he'd been reading from.

  Ricky sat on the side of the bed and took one of his mother's hands in his. He brought it up to his lips and kissed it softly. A moment later, she stirred and her eyes slowly fluttered open. A faint smile crossed her face when she saw Ricky.

  "Mother, it's good to see you."

  Evelyn opened her mouth and it seemed as though it was a struggle to get the words out. "It's always good to see you, Ricky."

  She looked towards her husband who smiled and reached for her hand. Something unspoken seemed to pass between them. They were all silent for a moment and then Evelyn spoke again. "I'm so very tired today. I'm sorry. Need to sleep."

  Her eyes started to drift shut and then fluttered open again and with a sudden burst of energy she pulled Ricky's hand a bit and looked at him intently. "I love you so very much. Always and forever."

  "I love you too. Always and forever," Ricky repeated back to her. She sighed then and loosened her grip on his hand and her eyes shut and her breathing slowed. Within seconds she was fast asleep again.

  "That's how it's been all day. She's never slept like this before. The doctor came by earlier and he said…" his father's voice broke. "The doctor said that's what happens when…" His voice trailed off.

  "Have you eaten anything today?" Ricky asked him. His father shook his head.

  "I haven't even thought about eating.”

  "You need to eat, to keep your strength up. Let's go get you something." Ricky said and Sarah smiled to herself. She must have sounded like that over the past few weeks, trying to get Ricky to do the same thing.

  They led his father to the kitchen and Sarah rummaged around for a plate and made him beans, and toast with jam. Something simple and easy for him to eat. They sat at the kitchen table with him as he ate and then checked in again on his mother before they left. She was still sleeping peacefully.

  "I'll come by in the morning," Ricky said and his father nodded.

  * * *

  They were quiet on the way home. Ricky's happy mood had evaporated and now he seemed worried, and understandably so. Neither of them had liked what they had seen. His mother looked like her grasp on this world was tenuous at best.

  When they arrived home, Ricky went straight into the library and shut the door behind him. Sarah understood that he needed some time alone. She needed to keep busy and decided to make a chicken pot pie for Ricky to take to his father in the morning.

  Once she put it in the oven to cook, she set about fixing some leftover soup and toast for Andrew's supper. She wasn't hungry herself and knew that Ricky likely had no interest in eating again either.

  But, still, she went and tapped lightly on the door to the library and when he told her to come in, she opened the door and poked her head in. "I'm making soup and toast for Andrew. Would you like some?"

  Ricky shook his head. "No, I'll get something later if I'm hungry. I'm fine now. Thank you, though."

  Sarah shut the door behind him, then joined Andrew in the kitchen and made herself a cup of hot tea. It was all she wanted and its warmth was soothing. An hour later, she took the pot pie out of the oven and set it on the counter to cool. Ricky still hadn't come out of the library and it was time for Andrew to head to bed. Sarah was exhausted and decided to retire early herself. She had a feeling that the next day might be a long one.

  * * *

  She woke early the next morning and was surprised to see that Ricky was already up and had made coffee.

  "I thought I'd get an early start and head out to my parents’ place shortly," he said as he stirred sugar into his coffee.

  "Would you like me to go with you?" Sarah asked as she poured herself some coffee.

  "I think it might be best if I go alone this morning. I'm not sure how long I'll be there or how she'll be today. I think my father could use the company."

  "I think he would like that. I made a chicken pie for you to take to him. I noticed that he didn't have much to eat when we were there."

  "Thank you. I know he'll appreciate that." Ricky finished his coffee, then took the pie and left.

  Sarah watched him go and worried for him. She couldn't shake the sense of dread, an eerie calm that something was about to happen.

  Chapter 16

  Ricky set the chicken pie on the seat next to him and drove out to his parents’ house. His father met him at the door and looked exhausted, as though he'd barely slept the night before.

  Ricky handed him the pot pie. "Sarah made this for you. It's a chicken pie and she made me promise that you'll eat some of it today."

  His father smiled and set it on the kitchen counter. "Please thank her for me. I haven't felt much like cooking lately."

  "How is she today?" Ricky was almost afraid to ask the question.

  His father shook his head and no words came out, and then he finally managed to say, "She's just sleeping around the clock now. But she just woke up a moment ago. Let's go see her. I told her you were coming."

  When Ricky entered the room, his mother's eyes were half shut, but she smiled sweetly when she saw him and tried to lift her arm. He went to her, sat on the bed and held her hand in his, kissed her cheek and gathered her ever so gently in a hug. Then he sat back down, still holding her hand.

  "Sarah wanted to come. She says hello. I told her I wanted you all to myself today," he teased.

  “She loves you, you know." His mother's words took him by surprise.

  "She's a great girl," he said.

  "You love her too. I can see it in your eyes. Be happy." Her eyes drifted shut and Ricky looked at his father in panic. His father stood up and came to the other side of the bed. They both seemed to sense something, a change in the air it seemed to Ricky. He held on tight to one of his mother's hands and his father took the other.

  "Evelyn, you're the love of my life. I will love you always and forever," his father said.

  "Always and forever," Ricky repeated.

  His mother lay silently breathing, and then suddenly her eyes opened and she looked directly at both of them. There was a horrible wheezing and rattling sound like nothing Ricky had ever heard before. It actually made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

  Finally, she managed to speak, and said just two words. "Love you."

  Her eyes shut then and her whole body seemed to sigh, and was then still. It was as if all her breath had just eased out of her body and now she lay sleeping. Except that she wasn’t asleep.

  They both sat there for a few more minutes until his father leaned over and kissed her gently. She wasn’t moving any longer. He turned to Ricky, his eyes empty and bleak. “She’s gone. My Evelyn is gone.”

  Chapter 17

  Ricky didn't come home until well after dinnertime and Sarah knew when he walked in the door that his news was bad.

  "She's gone," he said simply when he saw her. He sounded utterly exhausted and broken.

  She went to him and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so very sorry. I know how special she was to you."

  "I miss her already," he said with a catch in his voice. When he pulled back and she saw his face, his eyes were wet with unshed tears.

  "Are you hungry? I made a pot pie for us, too. Andrew and I ate earlier, but I can heat some up for you."

  "No, thank you. I just need to sit for a while and then sleep.” He started to walk toward the library.

  "I'll sit with you if you like, unless you'd rather be alone?" she asked.

  Ricky turned back to her and almost smiled, "I don't want to be alone. I'd love it if you’d sit with me for a while."

  She followed him into the library and curled up next to him on the sofa. He stared into the fire, saying nothing for several minutes, until she reached for his hand and held it. That seemed to register with him and he sighed and turned her way.

  "It's just so hard. I've never seen my father so sad. It's like he's
shrunk, somehow. I know he's lost weight these past few weeks."

  "He's probably not much of a cook," Sarah said.

  "No, my mother did all that," he admitted.

  "I can cook for him, and bring him food. At least until he's back on his feet again."

  "That's a good idea. I don't think he'll eat right, otherwise. Not now, anyway. He's not really thinking about food at the moment.”

  "I can't imagine that he is. How are you doing?"

  "I'll be all right. Eventually. I've never gone through this before, losing someone I love. It's harder than I ever imagined it would be."

  "You miss her."

  Ricky nodded. "At least I had the honor of being there when it happened. My father and I were both holding her hands. It was awful and special at the same time. She looked so peaceful." He sounded surprised.

  "It sounds to me like she had accepted it and was ready to go."

  "I think you might be right. We weren't ready to let her go, though. I don't think we ever would be. My brothers and sister stopped by later. We all helped my father handle everything. The folks from the funeral home came as soon as they heard and they're getting her ready for the funeral."

  "When will that be?" Sarah asked.

  "Day after tomorrow. We will have calling hours tomorrow afternoon and early evening, and then a simple service the next morning. She's going to be buried in the town cemetery next to a large oak tree," he sighed. "It doesn't seem real to me."

  "It's a shock. You need to give yourself time. You must be tired.” Sarah gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

  "I am about ready to fall into bed and I think I could sleep for days." Ricky stood and pulled Sarah into his arms. "Thank you, for everything."