“Aww, Mama, do I have to wear a suit?” Ben complained. “I like my shirts. Suits are for old men.”
Jason laughed. “Suits are for any man or young man who wants to look presentable. I wear them most of the time and find them comfortable. You and I will shop together and find you a suit you’ll enjoy wearing.”
“We will, just you and me?” Ben asked, excitedly.
“Of course, just you and me. We can’t let the women shop with us. Suits are men’s business.”
“Hear that, Mama? Me and Mister Jason are going to do men’s business,” Ben said with pride crossing his young face.
“I like being a girl. I like my dress,” Annie added.
Jason looked at Charity, sitting across the room with an amused smile on her face. He said, “You were right when you said life would be interesting.”
“This is just the beginning,” Charity assured. “My children can make each day an adventure.”
“So, tell me,” Jason said. “What plans besides clothing have you and my mother made?”
“Not many. She said she and your father are going to take care of the hotel arrangements for the reception. She did say since it will be an open celebration for the entire town, the hotel cook is going to make more foods that can be eaten easily as people walk around with plates in their hands instead of needing to sit down at a table for fear of spilling gravy or sauces all over the floor.”
“We can let them handle those arrangements. Have you spoken to the children about moving?”
“Moving?” Ben asked. “Who’s moving?”
Charity blew out a breath. “No, I haven’t, not yet, but it appears this is a good time to do that.”
Jason grimaced, “Sorry.”
“It’s all right. I had to do this at some point. Annie and Ben, when Mister Jason and I get married, we’re going to move into his house. His house is bigger than this one, and he has a very nice lady who works for him and likes to make cookies. Do you think it will be all right to move?” Charity asked the two wide-eyed children.
“Will I have my own room?” Ben asked.
“Can I bring my toys,” Annie asked.
“Yes, and yes. You will each have your own room and can bring anything along that you want as long as it’s all right with your mama.”
“Even Buggers?” Ben asked.
Charity giggled.
“Who’s Buggers?” Jason wondered aloud.
“He’s my toad. He lives in the creek out back. He’s hiding now that winter’s here, but he’ll be back in the spring,” Ben explained.
“I see,” Jason said. “My house is across town and not close to the creek. You may not be able to see him often.”
As Ben’s face pouted, Jason blurted, “But we could get a dog?”
Charity looked at him with raised eyebrows, and Jason shrugged. “I had one when I was a boy.”
Both children exploded off the floor and ran to Jason.
“A dog. For real, Mister Jason?” Ben shouted.
“I want a dog, too, please,” Annie said as she tugged on Jason’s arm.
Charity bit back a laugh as Jason did his best to calm the excited children.
“I think,” Jason began, “that we can get one dog, and everyone can share. We can find someone who has puppies, and the two of you can choose one as long as you promise not to quarrel when we pick one out.”
“I won’t,” Annie said. “I’m going to call it Dog.”
“That’s a dumb name,” Ben countered. “You can’t just call a dog Dog.”
“It’s not,” Annie insisted. “I like it.” She turned her back on Ben and marched back to her chair and began whispering to her doll.
“Welcome to my family,” Charity said as she watched Jason fidget in his chair. “Have you changed your mind yet?”
“Never,” Jason insisted. “These two bring humor and excitement into my life.”
“They can bring much more than that. Just give them time.”
“I’m prepared, I think,” Jason told Charity while still having a befuddled look on his face.
Charity said, “The coffee should be ready. Come into the kitchen, and we’ll have some pie.”
“I think I need some coffee after this conversation,” Jason answered as he followed her out of the parlor.
The kitchen was silent as the children enjoyed their pie and milk. Jason’s heart swelled with love as he looked at his beautiful fiancée and knew that no matter what life would bring their way that being with her and the children was far better than being without them.
“No more thoughts about us or the wedding,” Charity asked as she collected the dirty plates from the table.
“I don’t think so. Ben and I will handle the suits. You and Annie seem to have the dresses and church decorations in hand, and my parents will take care of the reception. Pastor Elkins will announce the wedding in church the Sunday before and let the town know everyone is invited to come to The Paradise after the ceremony,” Jason explained.
“Are you sure inviting the entire town won’t cause chaos?”
“It can’t be any worse than a barn dance, and I’ll make sure no one spikes the punch. We can ask the hotel to keep the bar closed during the reception. Keeping it closed for a few hours in the afternoon won’t hurt the hotel any,” Jason assured Charity.
“It seems as if you’ve planned everything carefully.”
“Of course, it comes with my job. I need to foresee any problems and make sure everything goes off without a hitch. Our wedding will be well-planned, and I can’t imagine we’ll have any problems.”
“Shhh,” Charity admonished. “Never say that. As soon as you do, something will happen or go wrong with our plans.”
Jason winked and shook his head. “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out, and you’ll see you fretted over nothing.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 9
Two weeks later, with wedding plans well underway, Charity was busy back at work at the café. She and Holly had finished putting away the clean dishes from breakfast when a freckled-faced boy hurried into the café, waving a yellow slip of paper.
“Miss Charity,” he called. “Miss Charity, I have a telegram for you.”
Charity took the yellow slip, gave the boy a coin from her apron pocket, and thanked him. He smiled at her and asked if he should wait for an answer.
Charity read the telegram and shook her head. The boy nodded and hurried from the café.
Shaking her head as she walked back into the kitchen, she spoke to both Joseph and Holly. “This is rather strange. It’s from a friend of Gertrude’s saying that Gertrude will arrive on today’s stage. Why would Gertrude come back here after all these years, and why not let me know earlier?”
“Who’s Gertrude?” Holly asked.
“She’s Charles’ sister. She hasn’t lived here since she turned eighteen, and she hasn’t been back since Charles’ funeral.”
Joseph added. “She’s a spinster schoolmarm in Cheyenne and fits the description well. I wouldn’t want to be one of her students.”
“Joseph, that isn’t nice. She’s a bit forceful, but she’s had to live on her own in Cheyenne all these years. I think she’s a strong person,” Charity admonished.
Joseph snorted. “She’s ten years older than you are Charity and thinks she can run everyone’s lives. Remember the way she tried to convince you to allow her to take the children to Cheyenne after Charles died because she didn’t believe a young widow could properly care for children? She believed men would occupy all your time.”
Charity blew out a breath and sat on one of the chairs near the back door. “Yes, I remember. We were all grieving, and I don’t believe she was thinking clearly.”
“She’s a busybody to put it politely, and I would be careful if I were you. She didn’t come here for a social visit. She’s after something. Did you write and tell her you were marrying Jason?”
Charity bit her lip and slowl
y nodded. “I did, but only as a courtesy. I didn’t expect she would come to the wedding.”
“Mark my words,” Joseph insisted. “She didn’t come for the wedding; she came to cause trouble. I’m not sure what or how, but she never does anything without it benefiting her.”
“I suppose we’ll know in three hours when the stage arrives. I’m going to go to Miss Barber’s and warn her, I mean tell her that Gertrude might pay her and the children a surprise visit.”
Holly asked, “But if she never visits, she won’t know where Annie and Ben are, will she?”
Charity shook her head. “She knows most of the people in town, and she’ll ask if she wants to find them, and people will be happy to accommodate her.”
Charity suddenly looked down at her dress and said, “I need to go home and change my dress.”
~*~
When Charity returned two hours later, she was dressed in a dark green dress more suited for church than the utilitarian brown or navy dresses she used for work.
“You look lovely,” Holly told Charity.
“Thank you, I want to try and look the way Gertrude would expect. I thought about it, and maybe Joseph is right, and she’s here to cause trouble. She never accepted me as Charles’ wife and didn’t think I could raise Annie and Ben alone.” Charity dropped onto a chair and confessed, “I am worried she might cause trouble.”
“I wouldn’t worry,” Holly said. “The town knows what a good mother you are, and I doubt Gertrude could do anything to change their minds. I just don’t understand why she’s coming here for the wedding if she doesn’t care for you.”
Charity puffed out her cheeks and let her breath out. “I don’t know, but I think I should walk across the street and wait for the stage. It arrives early some days.”
Joseph offered, “Why don’t you stay here and wait. You can see the stage arrive and I’ll walk with you to greet Gertrude. It’s too cold outside to stand and wait for anyone.”
Charity nodded in agreement, picked up her coat, and sat at an empty table near the window. Less than an hour later, she stood and said, “The stage is coming.”
Charity slipped on her coat and hurried out the door with Joseph doing his best to follow her and keep up with her brisk walk. They arrived at the stage stop several minutes before the stage rolled up.
Joseph walked to the stage and opened the door. He offered Gertrude his hand to help her alight and said, “It’s nice to see you, Miss Gertrude.”
Gertrude accepted his hand but didn’t return his smile. “Thank you,” she mumbled.
Charity stepped forward, addressing Gertrude. “Welcome back, Gertrude. I’ll accompany you to the hotel, and Joseph will bring your things.”
Gertrude nodded her agreement and walked down the boardwalk toward the hotel. After the manager checked Gertrude in and gave her the key to her room, she turned to Charity and said, “I would like to speak to you. Let’s take a seat in the lobby before I retire to my room.”
“All right,” Charity answered and walked to two empty chairs in a quiet corner of the lobby.
Gertrude sat in the chair across from Charity and folded her hands in her lap. After a few moments, she cleared her throat.
“First, let me congratulate you on your wedding. I honestly thought you’d marry sooner, but it seems you waited for an important person rather than some cowboy.”
Charity’s mouth dropped open, but before she could speak, Gertrude continued.
“Regardless, I suppose it doesn’t matter who you marry. What matters is you are acting stupid and not thinking of your children.”
Charity found her voice. “How dare you speak to me that way. My children are my world, and no one would say I’m not a good mother. Ask anyone. Ask Pastor Elkins or anyone else in town that you trust. They’ll tell you.”
Gertrude waved her hand dismissively and said, “I didn’t say you weren’t a good mother. I said you were acting stupid regarding the children. I will repeat it. You are not putting the children first by allowing any man to take their inheritance.”
“What,” Charity stammered, her fists balling at her sides. “No one is taking anything from the children.”
“So, you think,” Gertrude answered. “Listen to me, Charity Rossman, my grandfather worked hard and made a great deal of money. When he died, his estate passed to my father, and after our parents passed, the estate was bequeathed to Charles and me.”
Charity nodded, “I know that. Charles and I used some of the money to buy the ranch and stock. We were thankful not to have to acquire debt when first married. When Charles died, I sold the ranch and cattle and was able to purchase my home and only occasionally work at the café instead of working somewhere for sixty hours a week to feed Annie and Ben.”
“That’s all well and good, but you still had not addressed the fact that when Charles died, you inherited all of the money, including the estate funds from our grandfather. You have no right to marry and put that money in jeopardy. Your children are in danger.”
Charity scrunched her eyebrows and asked, “Could you please tell me what you’re talking about? I have no idea, and I don’t understand how marrying Jason will put Ben and Annie in any peril. Are you sure you’re feeling well?”
“I am perfectly well, thank you, and if you don’t reconsider your marriage, I will have no recourse but to notify my lawyer to begin the proceedings we discussed before I left Cheyenne.”
“What proceedings?” Charity stammered. “Please explain. I don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish.”
Gertrude stood and said, “I don’t have to explain myself. You’ll be notified in due time.”
Charity sat stunned as Gertrude turned and strode out of the hotel.
When Charity regained her composure, she quickly walked back to the café, hoping her brother could make some sense out of the strange conversation she had with Gertrude.
Charity’s worry was written across her face as she entered the café, and Holly rushed to her side.
“What’s wrong?” Holly asked.
“Joseph was right. Gertrude is up to something, but I don’t know what, and it worries me,” Charity confided.
Holly and Charity met Joseph in the kitchen, where she explained her talk with Gertrude .
Joseph shook his head. “She seems to be concerned about the inheritance. She may want to try and take it from you now that you will no longer be only Charles’ widow but also Jason’s wife.”
“Can she do that? The money is for Annie and Ben,” Charity asked.
“I don’t know,” Joseph answered honestly, “I think you have two choices. Speak to someone who can offer you advice or wait until you hear what Gertrude plans.”
Charity shrugged, “How can I ask for advice when I have no idea what she’s talking about? She said she’ll speak to her attorney in Cheyenne. She only just arrived in Belle. She can’t do anything today. Let’s see what she’ll say to me tomorrow. I’ll go to the hotel in the morning and speak to her again. Then I can decide what to do.”
Chapter 10
Gertrude pulled the door of the Mercantile open and was immediately greeted by Henry Stewart, the owner.
“Good afternoon, Miss Rossman. It’s good to see you. How long has it been? Two years?”
“Yes, it’s been two years since Charles’ funeral, which was the last time I was here in Belle.”
Henry flashed her a broad smile and asked, “Did you come back for Charity’s wedding? The entire town is looking forward to it.”
“That’s exactly why I came back. Did you know that when Charity marries Jason Shepherd, he will have control of my deceased brother’s inheritance? That is unacceptable. I’ve come back to make sure that the inheritance goes to Charles’ rightful heir,” Gertrude informed Henry in a voice reserved for strict schoolmarms.
Henry swallowed before he thought of how to respond to Gertrude’s remark. “Miss Rossman, I don’t believe you have any reason for concern. Annie and Ben are C
harles’ children, and any inheritance will go to them regardless if Charity remarries, I’m sure. Jason and Charity are both honest and caring people.”
Gertrude laughed. “Do you genuinely think any man, including Jason Shepard, would ignore the fact that he has money at his fingertips from my brother’s estate once he marries Charity?”
Henry shook his head. “If you believe that, then you don’t know Jason Shepard the way the rest of us do. He’s a respectable man.”
Gertrude frowned and stomped her foot. “I can’t believe you would say something like that when we all know what money does to people. I’ll not see my grandfather’s hard work and my brother’s inheritance fall into the hands of any man, including Jason Shepherd.”
She spun on her heels and left before Henry had time to answer.
Gertrude approached the building that housed Jason’s office and stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Determined, she strolled forward into the building, up the stairs, and walked directly into the mayor’s office.
Jason’s secretary started to greet her, but Gertrude saw that Jason’s office door was open, and stalked passed the secretary toward Jason’s office.
Jason stood and greeted her, “Miss Rossman, I had no idea you were in town. Did you come for the wedding?”
“No,” Gertrude stated. “I came to stop the wedding or at least stop you from taking possession of my brother’s inheritance.”
Jason’s eyebrows lifted, and then he scowled as he thought over Gertrude’s statement. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Miss Rossman. I have no intention of claiming any inheritance Charles left to Charity. That’s her concern and her concern alone. I am quite prepared to support her and the children well, and I’m not in any need of an inheritance from Charles or anyone else. If you’ve come to stop the wedding, I guarantee you will have a battle on your hands.”
Gertrude huffed, “We’ll see about that.”
“While I’m still in a gentlemanly mood, I’m going to ask you politely to leave my office before I need to call someone to escort you out. Good day, Miss Rossman.”
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