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

by Ashley Merrick

  "I didn't do anything," she protested.

  Ricky leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. "Yes, you did. Just being here and supporting me these past few weeks has helped more than you know. My mother knew," he said cryptically and then kissed her again, with a passion that took her by surprise.

  The kiss ended as quickly as it began and Sarah wondered if it had taken Ricky by surprise, too. He looked to be in a daze.

  "I'm going to go up to bed now. I'll see you in the morning." He walked out of the library and headed for the stairs, and Sarah followed slowly behind, thinking about all that had transpired.

  Chapter 18

  The next few days were a blur of activity and sadness. It seemed as though the entire town came to Evelyn's wake and then again to her funeral service the following morning. There was a reception at Naomi and Jed's afterward and it was a somber affair. Everyone who knew Evelyn had loved her.

  Ricky was like a ghost the rest of the week. His body was there, but his spirit wasn't. He was just going through the motions, getting through the day, and he threw himself into his work. Sarah suspected it was his way of coping—of trying to keep busy so his mind wouldn't overwhelm him with sadness.

  He was gone the second half of the week, off traveling somewhere to negotiate another deal for something. Sarah couldn't keep track of all the different businesses that Ricky worked with.

  She decided to try to do the same, and focused all of her attention on the dress she was designing for the sewing contest. The fair was going to be held that Saturday. Ricky would be back by then and had promised to come and cheer her on.

  She was happy with the way her design was going. She was trying to do something truly original. She had never seen anything like it and hoped the women would be as excited about her idea as she was. Colleen was going to stop by later in the day to see the dress and Sarah was excited to show it off.

  At 3:30 sharp, there was a knock on the front door. Sarah opened it, and Colleen and Julia both walked in. Sarah was wearing the dress, and their jaws dropped when they saw her.

  "That is breathtaking, simply gorgeous!" Colleen breathed.

  "Thank you, and here's the best part." Sarah reached behind her and undid a button in the back, and then several more around her waist. When she finished, she gave the material a tug and lifted away the delicate, shirred overlay that was like an apron that went over the basic dress skirt and transformed an everyday dress into something special.

  "That is brilliant!" Julia exclaimed.

  "And if you want to look like you have a whole new dress, you just button on a different overlay." She picked up a pile of shimmery, silver material that turned her dress into something special again when she fastened it around her waist.

  "It's like two dresses in one with the different overlays.” Colleen sounded impressed.

  "Right, so they buy two dresses at once, but not really. Clever! And you can remove the overlays and it becomes an everyday dress and then just fasten them on for special events," Julia said.

  "Do you think the women will like them?" Sarah asked nervously.

  "I have no doubt. I want one!" Julia said and Sarah laughed.

  "I can make you one."

  "After this fair, even if they're not your best friends, I can guarantee you that women will be lining up for you to make dresses like this for them." Colleen sounded sure of it.

  * * *

  Colleen was right. Ricky returned home late Friday evening, fell into bed and was up early the next morning, ready to go to the fair with her. He'd been quiet and withdrawn since his mother's death and there was no repeat of the passionate kiss they'd shared in the library that evening. He seemed to be keeping his distance.

  Sarah didn't like it, and worried for him, but knew he had to grieve in his own way. She would just try to help him heal by supporting him. There was a hint of life in his eyes, though, as the three of them left the house and climbed into the buggy. The fairgrounds were just on the outskirts of town, so it was a short ride to get there.

  "I've always loved coming to this fair every year. It started when I was about your age, Andrew,” Ricky said as they reached the fairgrounds.

  "What will it be like?" Andrew asked. Sarah had never taken him to a fair before.

  "There will be all kinds of animals—horses, cows, pigs, lambs, all ages and sizes and competitions amongst farmers and women.”

  "What kind of competitions?" Andrew asked.

  "Well, baking and sewing, like what your mother is entering. And for the farmers, they'll be showing off their animals and various crops. Largest pumpkin, that kind of thing. I can take you for a walk through the grounds while your mother is getting set up, if you like?"

  "Could you?" Andrew sounded excited and Sarah was grateful for the two of them to spend some time together.

  "We'll stop back by a bit later, and see how you're doing," Ricky said as Andrew ran over to him.

  They walked off together and Sarah made her way into the large tent that was marked for the sewing competition. It was filled with rows of tables, each with a woman setting up her display. Sarah took a deep breath and willed the nerves to go away.

  She looked around the area, unsure of where she was supposed to go and who she needed to check in with. Her eyes found Colleen, setting up her table, and she made her way over to her, carrying her large bag that held another dress and several overlays.

  "You're here!" Colleen said as she spotted her. She came around from behind her table and looked around, searching for someone. "Stay here, I'll be right back."

  She ran off and returned a few minutes later with an older, heavyset woman who she introduced as Caroline Wesson, the organizer of the sewing events.

  "It's nice to meet you, Sarah," Caroline said warmly. "I have you right next to Colleen, actually. You can set your things up on this empty table. The judging will begin in thirty minutes and both the judges and audience will be allowed to view your materials and ask questions. Good luck!"

  "Thank you."

  Caroline wandered off and Sarah started setting up her table. She had a shimmery, white cloth that she draped over the entire table and then laid her dress and overlays across it. The white allowed for the vibrant purple, silver and gold overlays to really stand out.

  Colleen finished setting up her table and then took a good look at Sarah's when she was done.

  "Well aren't you the clever one," she said. "You have a dress to display on the table, so people can pick it up, feel the fabric and see the quality of the stitching and you're wearing an identical one, without the overlays."

  "Yes, I thought that it might be a good idea to demonstrate how the overlays work and how they look when someone is actually wearing the dress."

  "That is brilliant. They will love it," Colleen said.

  Sarah was glad that she approved. She was a little nervous about making the extra dress and wearing it, but she was excited, too. It was hard to imagine how the overlays worked until you could actually see it on. She hoped that the judges agreed.

  They did. Once word got out about Sarah's unique dress, there was a steady stream of women and judges stopping by the table. She also benefited by being next to Colleen, as those who stopped to see her shirts then made their way next to view her dress. Sarah was thrilled with the excitement that she sensed from everyone who saw her demonstrate how the overlays worked.

  "Will you be taking orders for these? I am going to want one and I'm sure my sister will, too," one woman asked her, which took her by surprise. Somehow she wasn't expecting that, even though Colleen had warned her that it was likely. It just seemed too much to hope for.

  "Yes, I'd be happy to help you," she told the woman, who introduced herself as Clara Clemmons. They set up a time the following week for her to stop by with her sister, so Sarah could take their measurements.

  There was a break in visitors for a moment and Colleen leaned over to ask, "Did I hear that woman order a dress from you? I knew it would ha
ppen!"

  Sarah grinned. "Yes, she and her sister are stopping by next Tuesday. It's exciting."

  "That's wonderful. We should have the judges’ results soon, too. I can see them conferring in the corner."

  Sarah looked to where Colleen indicated and sure enough, eight judges were huddled in a small group, speaking animatedly, but not loud enough that anyone could overhear.

  "Did you win?" Andrew came racing up to the table, with Ricky ambling along behind him.

  Sarah laughed. "No, honey, not yet. They haven't announced the winners."

  "Well, unless they're blind, you have to be among them," Ricky said as he glanced around the room.

  "I don't know about that. There's a lot of beautiful work here," Sarah said.

  She had taken notice of the other displays as she walked towards Colleen earlier. There were plenty of women in Bozeman who could sew well.

  "Just wait," Ricky said with a smile.

  She loved that he was so confident and that he seemed to be in a better mood. Or at least he was, until an older woman came up to him and started to cry. She gave him a big hug and said, "I'm ever so sorry to hear the news about your mother, Ricky. I've been out of town or I would have been there. Evelyn was a dear friend."

  "Thank you." Ricky looked stricken as the woman continued to go on and on about how wonderful Evelyn was.

  When she finally walked away, it looked like the ghost of Ricky was back. The color had left his face and his eyes were downcast, remembering his mother.

  Sarah wished she could jump over the table and just hold him and somehow make his pain go away. Still, she knew it was bound to be like this for a bit as he continued to run into people who knew Evelyn and wanted to pay their respects. She just wished it didn't make him so heartbreakingly sad when they did.

  "The judges are coming to announce the winners!" Colleen said as the pack of judges made their way to the center of the room.

  The head judge, a tall woman with red hair and a big voice, spoke loudly so that the entire room could hear her. She announced the winners and finally she reached their respective categories.

  "For men's shirts, our first place winner is Colleen Donovan! And for women's dresses, we have a newcomer who gets the blue ribbon this year, Sarah Donovan. Congratulations everyone!"

  "We both won!" Sarah said in wonder.

  A bit of life returned to Ricky's face as he smiled and said, "Of course you did. There was never any doubt! Congratulations to both of you."

  The announcement of the winners created another flurry of activity as women swarmed to both Colleen and Sarah's tables to check out the winning designs. Among the ladies crowding in were Emily and Lynn. Emily smiled warmly as she made her way to the table.

  "Congratulations, Sarah! Ricky mentioned that you were going to be here and that you were a talented seamstress, but I had no idea. This design of yours is fabulous. So practical, yet beautiful at the same time. I love the overlays that just button right on. Are you taking orders?" she asked eagerly.

  "Yes, I have a calendar with me, if you'd like to book an appointment?" Sarah said shyly. She was glad that she'd thought to bring the small calendar with her, but didn't really think she'd need it.

  Emily looked at the calendar and wrote her name down for the following Thursday. She passed it to Lynn who, much to Sarah's surprise, had a very different attitude now.

  "I'm impressed, Sarah. You really do beautiful work. I'd love to book an appointment, too, if that is all right with you?"

  "Yes, of course. You could even come together if you like," Sarah suggested.

  "Perfect. That's what we'll do, then. Congratulations again," Lynn said with a smile that shocked Sarah, it was so unexpected.

  "See, you're winning them over," Colleen whispered as the two women walked away.

  "If I am, it's all thanks to you. I never would have thought to do this," Sarah said.

  "Don't be silly. I only suggested it because I could see how talented you were. The more people get to know you, the more they will like you. It just takes time."

  Sarah thought about that and worried that time was beginning to run out. The election for mayor was just a few weeks away. She hoped that more people would accept her as the days and weeks seemed to be flying by.

  "Besides, it's not you they're voting for," Colleen reminded her. "It's Ricky. They either want him to be mayor or they don't and we'll find out soon enough."

  "That's true, we'll find out soon enough," Sarah agreed.

  All she could do was keep supporting Ricky and hope that it would be enough.

  Chapter 19

  The next two weeks were both quiet and busy at the same time. Quiet because Ricky wasn't around much. He was gone several days each week and when he was there, he was distracted and in his own world and spent most of his time in the library. Sarah stayed away then, as she didn't want to bother him by using the sewing machine while he was trying to concentrate.

  But the day of the next charity event, a Saturday, Sarah was up early, had her coffee and toast and then settled into the library to work on one of her sewing projects while Andrew played outside.

  She was so lost in her work that she almost didn't hear Ricky walk into the room and sit down at his desk. When she looked up and saw him there, she offered to leave that so he could have his privacy.

  "No, thank you. It's fine. I don't mind if you stay. I just have some reading to do and some writing."

  Sarah hesitated for a moment. "All right then," she agreed and turned her attention back to her sewing.

  Ricky threw a log on the fire and then they both settled into their work and spent the next few hours in comfortable silence, focusing on their respective projects. Sarah's shoulders started aching after a while and she decided it was a good time to take a break and have lunch as well.

  "I'm going to stop for a bit. Shall I make you a sandwich?" she offered.

  Ricky looked up, startled out of his thinking and nodded. "Yes, that would be nice. Thank you."

  Sarah made them all sandwiches, and brought one in to Ricky, who ate at his desk while she sat with Andrew in the kitchen. When he went off to play again, she returned to the library and resumed her sewing.

  Ricky glanced her way when she entered the room, smiled and then they spent the next few hours lost in their own worlds again. Eventually, it was time to start thinking about getting ready for the evening ahead and Sarah put her sewing down and went to check on Andrew. They were going to be dropping him at Ricky's brother's house again for the night.

  Instead of making a brand new dress, Sarah made another overlay for her purple one, a gorgeous, lacy cream confection that was beautiful against the vivid purple. She hadn't worn the purple dress yet, but since people had seen it at the fair, she wanted to do something to make it look new.

  Buttoning on the cream overlay transformed it perfectly. She took care, gathering her hair into a flattering twist style, pinning it all up securely and leaving just a few wispy pieces to frame her face. By the time she was ready and came down the stairs, Ricky was waiting for her and looked so handsome in his black suit that it took her break away.

  She'd always thought he was an attractive man, but he'd grown even more so over these recent weeks when she'd gotten to know him better and seen different sides of him. She knew that he was still hurting, but she was hopeful that the old Ricky would emerge soon. There were occasional glimpses of him, mischievous glances, and happy grins that always took her by surprise when they appeared.

  Sarah wasn't as nervous this time as she was for the last event. She was feeling more relaxed in general and more confident. At least a half-dozen women had contacted her since the fair to inquire about having dresses made, and all were so warm and friendly to her. She was starting to feel accepted and part of the community and it was a good feeling.

  * * *

  They dropped Andrew off and drove back into town. This event was being held at the Opera House. It was a gorgeous building with
soaring, high ceilings and luxurious decor. The food was catered and from a new restaurant that had recently opened in town, The Bristol, that had everyone buzzing and was giving the dining room at the Bozeman Hotel a bit of competition.

  Most of the Donovan clan was there when they arrived, and Sarah went over to say hello while Ricky went to the bar to get cocktails for them. He found them a few minutes later and handed a glass of wine to Sarah.

  "Both Emily and Lynn are here and, if I'm not mistaken, I believe they are both wearing dresses that you made? The overlays are a dead giveaway," Colleen said as the two women walked by.

  Sarah smiled. "Yes, they are. I made sure to make very different overlays for each of them, though, so they wouldn't look too similar."

  "They're both beautiful and the underlying fabric is very different as well. I wouldn't be surprised if you pick up a few new assignments after this evening after everyone sees them and you in yours." Colleen looked more closely at Sarah's dress. "That's a new overlay, too, isn't it? I really like the cream."

  "Yes, thank you." Sarah smiled, happy to be out and enjoying the evening. She felt more comfortable with everyone now, as if she belonged. Ricky came toward her as the band started to play a lively tune.

  "Care to dance?" he asked and she caught her breath a bit at the wicked gleam in his eye. Charming Ricky had returned, if only for the moment.

  "I'd love to."

  He pulled her into his arms and rested one hand on her waist, and with the other twirled her around the dance floor. When the tempo slowed, he pulled her in closer and whispered in her ear, "Are you having fun?"

  She smiled back. "I'm having a wonderful time."

  "I'm glad. I love seeing you smile and I'm sorry I've been such a grump lately."

  "You had the best of reasons."

  "I know. But I feel like I'm starting to come out of the fog now. Thank you for being so patient with me."

  Sarah smiled up at him, and he leaned closer and said softly, "If we weren't in public, I'd kiss you right now. I'm dying to, just so you know."