by Zina Abbott
“As a matter of fact, I’m not. I’m looking for Harold Calloway. Is he here?”
The older man stepped towards Catherine. He leaned forward, and then inhaled deeply until he stretched to his full height. “Name’s Charlie. Harold’s here. I’ll get him.”
Charlie walked over and opened the door. Sticking his head inside, he yelled as loud as he could. “Harold, Miss Rosewater’s here. She wants to talk to you.”
From the bowels of the building Catherine could hear a yelled response. “What!?!” Next she heard several thuds, and some muttering that she suspected involved cursing. Several seconds later, Harold burst through the door in his stocking feet. He continued to button his shirt as he stared at her. “Catherine! What are you doing here? You have no business being here. The last thing I need is for Lance James to get you in his sights and try to convince you to work for his….well, you don’t need to know about that place. Just never go there.”
“I already know about the Silver Dollar and the women who work there, Harold. Mr. Hackett warned me to stay away.”
“And you came anyway?”
Catherine clasped her hands in front of her and bit her lower lip. Not sure of her reception, she forced out her next words. “I had to come see you, Harold. I…I found a new home for Sunny. The Hackett children are quite fond of her and Mr. and Mrs. Hackett said they would take her, and….”
Harold’s hands froze on his top button. “You no longer have the cat?”
Tears brimming on her lower eyelashes, Catherine shook her head. “No. I had to come, Harold. I had to see if there is still a chance for us.”
Charlie guffawed with glee and slapped his knee. “The woman gave up her cat for your sorry hide, Calloway. You better go marry her.”
Catherine couldn’t keep the pleading from her voice. “Harold, if you still want me, I have some clean clothes I still have packed in my trunk, including a lavender dress which isn’t my best, but it’s clean. The kitten hasn’t been around them, at least I don’t think she has. I don’t think Mrs. Howard has cleaned all the rooms we brides stayed in, and I’m sure she would let me wash up in one of them, away from where Sunny has been. And I promise to wash everything I have first thing tomorrow to get rid of all traces of Sunny. So I was wondering…”
Harold stood staring at her as she spoke. Momentarily at a loss for words, he finally shook his finger at her until he could speak. “Stay right there, Catherine. Don’t move. Let me get my boots on and grab my hat. We’re going to town.”
Charlie continued to grin at the pair. “I’ll keep an eye on Miss Rosewater, Harold. She won’t go nowhere without you, unless you drag your feet too long.”
Harold disappeared into the building and reappeared fully dressed with his shirt tucked in and his vest and string tie on. He pointed in the direction of the bridge. “Walk at least six feet in front of me, Catherine. And stay across the street from the saloon and don’t turn until I tell you to. I’m not letting you out of my sight until after we’re married.”
Catherine giggled as she started back to town. “I managed to make it out to where you live in one piece, Harold. And you’ll have to let me out of your sight long enough for me to wash Sunny off me. I don’t think Mrs. Howard will let you in the room with me if we aren’t married yet.” She turned and walked backwards as her tone turned more serious. “I’m not going anywhere, Harold. It’s you I want. But, I want to be able for you to get close to me without you having an allergic reaction.” Catherine turned and began to walk forward again.
“Me, too. I’ve been waiting weeks to get close to you, woman. While you’re getting ready, I’ll go hunt up the pastor to see if he has one more wedding in him for the day. And I’ll find Mr. Bainbridge and find out what house is ours.”
Harold directed Catherine to walk down Main Street instead of the alley. When they approached the group in front of the mercantile, Harold stopped and spoke to one of the men. “What’s going on? Is Mr. Brinks going to open up for us to get things for the houses?”
“Supposed to. Busy in there with some stranger. He told us to wait until they’re done, then they’ll open up.”
“Well, tell him to not close up shop until I get back. Got me a bride to marry first.”
Harold left Catherine at the boarding house and found Jeffrey Alwin at the park. The pastor congratulated him and hold him he would meet the couple at the church in a half hour. Next Harold ran down Royce Bainbridge.
The mine owner ran his hand through his hair. “Couldn’t the two of you have figured out you wanted to be married earlier? I already put everything for the house lottery away in our office.”
“Can’t you just pick out a house for us?”
“I could, but don’t you breathe a word of it to anyone. What’s she like?”
“Very friendly, soft-hearted, likes people. She used to live in town, so she won’t like being stuck out on the end house.”
“She’s the one with the kitten, right? The one who’s friends with the new Mrs. Brinks?”
“She used to have a kitten. She found it a new home. And, yeah, she came in with Andrea Brinks.”
Royce snapped his fingers. “I’ll give you house number eight. The road leading into company housing goes right along the side of the property line. She’ll be across the street and catty-corner to her friend. Close enough to be friends, and far enough away to not become enemies.”
The wedding and housing set up, Harold’s next stop was with the livery. Johnny B. who owned the place had done a brisk business that weekend, but Harold hoped he still had something available to rent. He was in luck. The two-seater buggy was back, and a horse to pull it was available.
Harold pulled the buggy up in front of the boarding house. Catherine, dressed in a lavender dress trimmed in cream colored lace and wearing her cameo brooch her Aunt Sophie had given her answered the door. She had pinned a cluster of white flowers to either side of her chignon. Harold’s heart began to thrum and his blood raced at the sight of the woman who would soon be his wife.
“I’m ready.” When Catherine saw Harold gesture towards the buggy, she shook her head. “Harold, it’s wonderful, but you didn’t need to do that for me. I could have walked.”
“Oh yes I did need to do that for you, future wife of mine. After we’re married, I have plans for us, and it doesn’t involve staying in town and watching the fireworks.”
As Harold helped her into the buggy, Catherine hoped the loud beating of her heart did not reveal to Harold the effect of his words on her. She could hardly wait until she was his wife.
Harold steered the buggy towards the Community Church. Wearing a grin, he turned to Catherine. “We have house number eight. The back yard faces the river and is the one closest to the road leading into town. You won’t be that far from your friend Andrea, either.”
Catherine clutched his arm with both of her hands. “Oh, Harold. That sounds perfect.”
Harold leaned into her shoulder and whispered into her ear. “You’re perfect. Achoo!” He straightened up and faced forward. “Well, not quite yet. But I’m not letting it stop me.”
“Oh, Harold, I’m so sorry. It’s too hot for me to have asked Clara Howard to heat water for a full bath, but I tried to wash up as best I could. I brushed my hair really well trying to get any kitty dander out of it.”
Harold turned back to her with a grin. “Don’t worry. After we marry, we’ll take care of that cat dander problem. Our next stop after the church is going to be the mercantile. I’m getting you a whole new set of clothes to wear until you can get what you brought with you washed. Better yet, take it to Hackett’s, let them do it all at once.”
“I planned to do our laundry, Harold. I always did back home.”
“Whatever suits you, future wife of mine. We’re at the church and the pastor and his wife are waiting for us. Looks like they found Mrs. Millard to be the other witness for us. Let’s go in and get married.
Once the couple were married and e
veryone signed the registry, Harold helped Catherine back into the buggy. “Next the mercantile, wife of mine, then a quick stop at the house to drop a few things off.” Harold took a deep breath, and turned to Catherine, a look of concern on his face. “Catherine, I know that contract we all signed said the new wives have a month before they could be expected to ‘fulfill their wifely duties,’ I think is how they put it. Are you going to want to wait a month before you join me in bed?”
Wide-eyed Catherine looked at this man she loved with an intensity that made the feelings she had once felt for Manfred seem pale in comparison. Yet, when Manfred had kissed her, the passion she had felt had been so intense it had taken everything in her to put a stop to him touching her where it wasn’t proper for a man who wasn’t her husband to touch. She knew if Harold’s kisses affected her the same way, she would not want to stop.
Catherine batted her eyelashes at her new husband. “No, I don’t believe so. I’m twenty-four, Harold. I think I’ve already waited long enough.” She paused, and gave him a coquettish smile. “Does that make me too forward?”
Harold grinned at her, a look of longing in his eyes. “No, wife of mine, it makes you perfect. Let’s get some supplies and your new set of clothes at the mercantile, drop what we don’t need right away off at the house, and be on our way.”
“Where are we going?”
“The only way I know to get all that cat fur and dander off you and out of your hair is to go swimming in the river.
Caught by surprise, Catherine turned to him, laughter in her eyes. “Can we do that?”
“Oh, yes, wife of mine. And I know just the place. I plan to dunk you completely under. It will be cold, so we can’t stay in long, but don’t worry. We’ll keep the blankets with us and I’ll warm you up after we get out.”
Harold grew serious, his eyes reflecting the love he felt for his new wife. “Now that I have you, Cat, nothing is going to keep us apart ever again.”
~o0o0o~
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Thank you for reading
Cat’s Meow!
Each book in the
Sweethearts of Jubilee Springs
series is a Clean, Sweet Western Historical Romance. You may find all the books in this series as they are published by searching for
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Sweethearts of Jubilee springs books by
sweet americana sweethearts
authors:
1.Perfectly Mismatched by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Shame over her father’s arrest sends socialite Aurelia Northcliffe running for a new home and a new name. After she makes sure her younger sister is secure, she travels west to become a mail-order bride in Jubilee Springs, CO. Not only is she shocked at the size of the tiny mining town, the men she’s matched with make her second guess her decision. One potential groom is much too unsophisticated and the other much too discerning--even if he’s the one who makes her feel safe.
Mine Manager Declan MacNeill prides himself on following rules to the letter. Initially resistant to the upcoming bride event, he remembers his short marriage in Ireland and realizes what he’s been missing. His first sight of his potential bride sets his protective instincts on high alert. Everything about her behavior indicates she’s keeping secrets. And Declan is determined on finding out why.
2.Ellen’s Lesson by Patricia PacJac Carroll
She's a blond, blue-eyed beauty. (Well, not exactly.) He's a handsome, prosperous gentleman from a good family. (Yeah, not so much.) With their letters at odds, what will Tyler and Ellen do when they meet and discover the truth? It's a mail order bride mess.
Ellen Barker feared her life was destined for the lonely outcome of a spinster school teacher. An advertisement in the paper asking for women to go to Colorado as mail order brides caught her attention. A few letters later, she was betrothed to Tyler Fletcher. A handsome upstanding citizen of Jubilee Springs.
Tyler Fletcher needed to be married before he was twenty-eight. That's what his pappy had told him. That the mine owners sent off for some mail order brides for the miners was perfect timing. He got hold of one. The perfect lady for him. Pretty, blond and blue-eyed. A woman of high society.
At least that is what his partner, Nels, told him. Once Tyler had some time, he was going to have to learn to read and write.
From the moment Ellen met Tyler, she knew she'd disappointed him, and it wasn't as if he'd been the prize she was expecting either. He didn't want her. She would be left alone again. Maybe ...
3. Aaron’s Annulment Bride by Zina Abbott
Aaron Brinks, son of the Jubilee Springs mercantile owners, has been living in a small room above his parents’ store even though he is employed at the Prosperity Mine. When the mine owners announce they have contacted a mail order bride agency, and will allot company houses to the first ten miners who choose a bride and pay her way, he decides it is time for a house of his own.
Shy Andrea Draper must escape her father’s ranch. Her father has discouraged all potential suitors because he does not want to lose his unpaid housekeeper, laundress, and the cook for him and his men. Then there is the problem of Lloyd McCreary, her father’s foreman.
Learning her friend intends to go to Jubilee Springs as a mail order bride, going with her seems Andrea’s only option for escape. She agrees to marry Aaron even though she knows she is not worthy to be any man’s wife. While trying to convince him to be married in name only until he gains title to his house, at which time they can annul the marriage, Andrea’s father shows up to drag her home against her will.
Learning what he is up against, Aaron must decide if it is just the house he wants, or if he wants Andrea.
4. The Sheriff and the Miner’s Daughter by P. A. Estelle
Jim Hawkins, sheriff of Jubilee Springs, watches as six ladies get off the train, ready to meet and hopefully marry men from the Prosperity Mine. He watches as one of the women leave the group and heads his way.
She is there to find somebody. Sheriff Hawkins is more than happy to help her until he finds out the person is Amos Lehman. He is a crusty old miner who has worked his mine before the town was even a town. His cabin is old and hardly enough room for one, let alone a female.
When Jim suggests she get back on the train and go back where she came from, he gets a small taste of the stubborness in the beautiful young woman standing in front of him. Charlene Lehman had come way to far to do that and didn’t appreciate the sheriff’s interference. Blue eyes scan him from boots to hat before dismissing him and walking away.
The Sheriff’s interest is piqued. Who is this girl? Why is she looking for some old miner? There is more to this story and Jim Hawkins intends to find the answers.
5. Minding Benji by Sandra E Sinclair
Prudence Fairchild went from riches to rags. The world she knew was swept from under her with the death of her parents. Destined to a life of servitude, she realizes the struggles of being poor comes with the risk of being taken advantage of.
She uses everything in her, to ward off the advances of her employer. His threats to have her on his return from a business trip drives Prudence into action. She must get away and protect her virtue at any cost. It’s all she has left. As a last resort, she answers an advertisement to be a mail order bride.
Austin Alwin is not happy about the conditi
on placed on him in his uncle’s will. If he is to keep the only home he’s ever known, he must find a wife within a few weeks or lose it all. As time is of the essence, he forgoes all the usual protocols in obtaining a mail order bride and will only have a few short days to make up his mind once he meets her.
6. Cat’s Meow by Zina Abbott
Catherine “Cat” Everett has lost everything. She finds and adopts an abandoned, half-grown kitten. Unbeknownst to Harold Calloway, the man she has been writing to in Jubilee Springs with the intent of marriage, and enduring the disapproval of the railroads who do not allow pets to travel in the passenger areas, she decides to bring the kitten with her.
When she arrives in Jubilee Springs, Catherine immediately falls in love with tall, lanky miner, Harold. She wants to marry him, but there is one “meowly” little problem.
7. Home to Roost by Reina Torres
She didn’t have a place to belong. He thought he was happy by his lonesome. When she stumbled into his life, everything changed.
Brigid Belham had always done what was expected. She worked for her father in his accounting office and managed his home. When he married, she knew it was her time to move on, and traveled to Jubilee Springs to meet a prospective husband. Her ‘best laid plan’ goes horribly awry, leaving her stranded. Caught in a storm of both rain and tumultuous emotions she ends up lost in the woods, until she’s found by a mountain man grumpier than a bear. All he wants to do is send her away. What if she wants to stay?
Most people in Jubilee Springs know him as a hermit, a mountain man who hardly talks and likes company even less. His parents named him Livingstone Quinn, but unlike his namesake, he doesn’t want to explore. He doesn’t want to discover. He just wants his peace and quiet, all by his lonesome with his animals on his homestead. When Brigid literally falls at his feet, he keeps telling her she needs to leave, but shocks himself when he keeps finding reasons for her to stay. What will he do when he runs out of excuses and she tries to fly the coop?