“Why? Didn’t you know? I guess you haven't been here long enough to find out. Your doctor friend is a real favorite with all us girls. He is so kind, so gentlemanly.”
“Thank you,” Cara said, although she was sure the girl didn’t mean what she was saying as a compliment. “I’m sure he treats all of his patients with the utmost care and respect,” she replied.
Jolie laughed but it wasn’t a nice sound. Cara glanced at Fina, who was glaring openly at the girl. Something was going on and Cara was certain she was the only one who didn’t know what it was.
“Ah, yes, he would visit the sick when he’s working. But it's what he does in his leisure time that interests me more.”
Cara stood, hands on hips, facing the girl. Now she was sure she was being baited. “What do you mean by that, exactly?”
“Nothing, darling. You are way too innocent to understand or to keep a man like the doctor happy. He may marry you, but his heart will return to the person who can keep him satisfied. One who knows what he really wants and can put a smile on his face in seconds. See you around town, ladies.” The grin on Jolie's face left Cara in no doubt about who the woman thought could keep Colin happy. But he wouldn't have anything to do with a woman like that, would he?
The door closed behind Jolie, leaving Cara staring after her. She turned to ask Fina what that had been all about but her friend was suddenly very busy getting dressed. She obviously didn’t want to discuss Jolie's visit, leaving Cara even more bewildered.
“Cara, there you are. Why didn’t you come downstairs to eat? It's Christmas morning, after all. Aren't you excited?” Pearl, the blonde-haired lady she had met the previous day, asked.
“You are very kind, but no. I am not excited. I want to go back to Denver.”
Pearl entered the room and sat on the bed before taking one of Cara’s hands. “You have had a shock, coming all this way to marry a man you don’t know. But don’t be afraid. Doc Deane is a lovely man. Very caring.”
Cara whipped her hand back. “So you all say. He seems very popular with the ladies in this town.” She immediately felt guilty at the look of hurt in the other woman’s eyes. “I’m sorry. That was mean of me. Your friend, Jolie, told me all about how he looks after everyone.”
“Sometimes, it seems Jolie’s mission in life is to make every man happy while making us women miserable. Don’t listen to her. She can be a little difficult, but she has her reasons. ” Pearl smiled sadly. “Won’t you please eat? Mrs. Walters won't be happy unless we look after you properly.” Pearl stood up. “Please, come with me.”
Cara ate a small breakfast to please Pearl, but every mouthful stuck in her throat. She finally gave up trying to eat. The other brides were chattering like a bunch of excited hens, with Daniel the goose honking and baby Jem crying in the middle of everything.
Cara couldn't feign happiness. She stood up and cleared some dishes out to the kitchen. She insisted on washing the dishes despite the cook’s reasurances she could manage. “It’s your Christmas too,” Cara reminded the woman.
Cook thanked her telling her the scrap bin was outside. She opened the back door, shivering at the cold air. She should really run and get her coat but a couple of seconds outside wouldn’t hurt. She looked around for the scrap bin and out of the corner of her eye she spotted two children near the open door of a shed. Both boys. They were dressed in rags and seemed afraid to be seen. They ducked back inside the shed. She decided against calling to them as by their actions, they obviously didn’t want to be seen. Instead of scraping off the plate, she placed it on the ground wishing she had known to grab a few untouched biscuits to add to the pile. She slipped a couple of coins from her skirt pocket and put them under the plate. Then without glancing back, she returned to the kitchen empty handed. Cook didn’t notice. Cara would recover the plate later. If she couldn’t, she would buy a new one. She had some money left from her earnings at the hospital in Denver where she’d worked prior to coming here.
She wondered whose children they were. Was there an orphanage around? The town didn’t seem big enough for one. Maybe they belonged to one of the many miner’s she’d seen congregated outside the saloon last night.
She had to resist the urge to take more food out to the shed. It wasn’t her food to take and anyway, every time Cara turned around, it seemed Pearl was there. Cara got the impression the girl had been asked to look after her. Mrs. Walters had mentioned more than once how Cara, being one of the youngest and most sheltered brides, needed minding.
She needed to collect the plate. She tried to think of an excuse.
“Pearl, I have to get outside for a while. I need to take a walk. I feel as if the walls are coming in on top of me.”
The look on the other woman’s face was kindly and understanding.
“What would you do if you were back home?” Pearl asked.
“Visit Raven. He always made me feel better.”
“And this man Raven, he wouldn’t marry you?”
Cara laughed before explaining Raven was her horse. “I miss him most of all.”
Pearl was staring out of the window, looking distracted.
“Pearl?”
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I was just asking if you wanted to come with me for a walk?”
Pearl looked uncomfortable. She wouldn't meet her eyes.
“What is it?” Cara asked.
“I don't think it would be a good idea to take a walk. There are a few folks in town who aren't happy. They may not be too pleasant.”
“Why would townsfolk take that out on me? I’m only visiting.” Cara studied the other girl’s face. “Don’t tell me there is another woman in love with Colin? Just how many spurned females does he have? Aside from my…” Horrified at how close she had come to telling Colin’s secret, Cara clamped her hand over her mouth. Thankfully, Pearl was still looking out the window and didn't seem to notice. Then they heard someone calling her name.
“Stay here, Cara. I will see what they want.”
Before she could argue, Pearl was gone. On her return, she looked much happier. “Doc Deane is downstairs. He wants you to take a walk with him.”
“I would prefer to stay here.”
“Cara, don’t be stubborn. You just told me you were feeling bored and claustrophobic. Doc will take care of you. Go on.”
Cara rose, telling herself she was going out to please Pearl, who had been so kind to her. She wasn’t about to admit the thought of seeing Colin again was making her stomach roil with excitement.
Chapter 6
“I’m amazed you agreed to walk with me today. I was half expecting to get the contents of a chamber pot on my head.”
Cara giggled just as he’d hoped she would. He could still see Thomas’ face after one of his sisters had pretended to empty a chamber pot over him all those years ago. It was only water but it had taken ages for Thomas to see the funny side. Colin scowled. Why did he have to remind himself of Thomas?
“What’s wrong? Does walking with me upset you that much?”
“Sorry, Cara, I was just thinking of someone else.”
“Who, Thomas? Don’t look so startled. You obviously hate him as otherwise, you wouldn’t have left him to die. What went wrong between you two anyway? You were once as close as brothers.”
Colin saw the curiosity and hurt fighting in her eyes. He could have sworn aloud with frustration. He ached to tell her the truth, but how could he? She’d never believe him. Nobody would. As far as Thomas O’Donnell was concerned, everyone believed he was more pure than the snow falling around them.
“Let’s not argue, not today,” he begged. “It’s Christmas.”
Cara didn’t respond, but at least she didn’t argue back. He led the way in silence, wondering what to talk about. Their past was like a big elephant between them. He coughed, causing her to send him a quick look of concern.
“I hope Fay is in better spirits than the last time I saw her.”
Cara stopped suddenly. “You’re taking me to see a woman?”
“Fay is my horse, silly. She’s going to give birth any day now. Makes her a bit skittish.”
“Oh.” Cara’s cheeks flushed slightly, making her look even more attractive. She’d been such a skinny, unfortunate-looking child with bright red hair and masses of freckles. But there was nothing unfortunate about her looks now. She was pretty when smiling, but when she was angry and her green eyes were sparkling with fire, she was so gorgeous, it took every ounce of restraint not to kiss her.
Cara had to resist looking at Colin. He was still handsome, no doubt about that, but she would prefer if he were clean-shaven. His whiskers had tickled her skin when he’d kissed her yesterday. She wished she could read minds. What was he thinking? Feeling? She couldn’t help but be a little disappointed he hadn’t given her a Christmas present. Kezia had shown her the beautiful hair clasp Mr. Daniels had made for her.
Colin slowed as they reached the blacksmith’s and livery right at the top of the town. This was where Kezia would live when she married Culver Daniels. The smell of smoke combined with fresh hay and horses tickled her nose. Colin stood back to let her walk in first, gently guiding her to the right. She guessed the blacksmith area was to the left with the Daniels’ personal quarters straight ahead.
There were a number of horses in different stalls in the livery. Cara’s eyes were drawn first to a sleek chestnut mare. She wondered if this was Fay but quickly saw the horse was not pregnant. Looking around, she spotted a beautiful, raven mare with large, chocolate-colored eyes. She watched Colin approach the horse, gently crooning to her. Quietly, she followed him. It was love at first sight.
Fay nudged him, her head hitting his shoulder, her eyes gazing at him with reproach as if it were his fault she was in this mess. He rubbed her nose, muttering to her. He didn’t sense Cara standing beside him until she reached out to rub Fay’s nose. Her touch was gentle. He watched in wonder as the horse most of the town considered a temperamental old witch allowed Cara to caress her.
“She likes you,” he couldn’t help commenting, his wonder evident in his tone.
“Don't sound so surprised. Not everyone sees me as a bothersome kid.”
“That’s not fair. When did I ever treat you—”
“Like a kid? All the time. You still do.”
“I was going to say bothersome. I treat you as a kid because that’s exactly what you are,” he said.
“I am not. I’m twenty-one already.” Cara stamped her foot as she spoke. He looked intently at her feet before lifting his gaze to her face. He couldn't help smiling, causing her eyes to dance almost out of her face. She was spitting mad. “Oh, you…you…”
He pulled her to him and dropped a kiss on her lips, cutting off her attempts to call him names. She was so soft in his arms. He let her go just as suddenly as her foot connected with his ankle.
“That's not nice,” he said, rubbing his leg.
“Neither is stealing a kiss. Your mother brought you up better than that.”
But despite her words, she was smiling and when he continued to stare at her, she stuck her tongue out at him like she had done when she'd been a little kid. She grabbed a small bucket of feed, threatening to tip it over his head. He reached for her, his initial thought to take the bucket from her, one arm encircling her waist, while the other reached for the bucket. As she glanced up at him laughing, their gazes locked.
He pulled her closer, suddenly aware of her soft warm curves pressing against him, her scent making his pulse race faster. He swallowed hard, trying to regain control, but failed miserably. The flash of heat between them threatened to burn his body to a crisp.
He watched her, mesmerized as her eyes widened, her breath coming in short pants as she opened her mouth, her tongue dipping out to moisten her lips. She clearly had no idea of the effect she was having on him.
He moved slightly so his physical response was less obvious, his cheeks heating as his imagination ran away…She was an innocent, a child he’d known since she was a babe in arms. How could he treat her so…he flinched as if scalded, letting her go so suddenly she stumbled. “Cara, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…I shouldn’t have…” He should stop trying to apologize as his mind couldn’t control his voice.
Horrified, she stared at him under the edge of her eyelashes, fighting the tears desperately. He wasn’t attracted to her after all. He just saw her as a child. But she was a woman, darn it, not a baby. Maybe Jolie, the woman from La Maison des Chats, would know what to do next.
Her cheeks flamed, not from insult, but from anger and embarrassment. One part of her wanted to put her hands around his neck and strangle him while the other wanted to drag his mouth to hers and kiss him like no other woman had done before. That would show him she wasn’t a child anymore.
Her hand connected with his cheek before she was even aware of it. “Get off me, you oaf, you brute. I hate you.”
Picking up her skirts, she ran straight back down the street before turning left in the direction of La Maison des Chats, leaving him staring after her. One hand caressed his stinging cheek while his mind tried to work out what just happened.
One thing was certain—Cara wasn’t the child he had known any longer. She was all woman, and what was more surprising was just how right she’d felt in his arms. He hadn’t treated her properly, not even buying her a present for Christmas. He checked Fay one last time before heading back to his office.
Later that afternoon, Cara slipped outside to the shed. She had made a little picnic from food she’d brought at the store. It wasn’t much but maybe it would help sooth the hunger pains the children must be suffering.
She found the plate just inside the shed door. It had been licked clean. She replaced the plate with her little bundle. This time she couldn’t see them but felt them watching her. “Boys, if you could tell me your names, maybe I could help more?”
She waited for an answer but none came. Working with the children at the orphanage had opened her eyes to some of the horrors inflicted on vulnerable people. She couldn’t force these boys to trust her, that would take time. More time than she had if she was determined to go back to Denver.
Head down, she carried the plate back to the kitchen and washed it thoroughly. If Cook thought she was acting strange, she didn’t say anything.
Taking a drink of water, she was about to go to her room when she heard a man’s voice. Horrified, she found the last person she wanted to see was also at La Maison des Chats. He seemed to be looking after Fina. Cara waited for him to apologize, or at least acknowledge what had happened earlier, but Colin was completely distracted.
“Cara, help your friend get comfortable. Miss Morales, please do as I say. Your ankle will heal much quicker if you rest. I’ll come back shortly with something for your pain.”
Then without another word to Cara, not even a glance in her direction, he left. She stared after him, wondering if she should follow. The sound of bells tinkling distracted her. Baby Jem was playing with a new silver rattle, a present from her soon-to-be stepfather. Cara gulped. Why couldn’t Colin be as thoughtful as Culver Daniels? Then another thought, maybe it was because she’d been so mean to him?
Chapter 7
Cara watched the wedding ceremony with tears in her eyes. It was so romantic getting married on Christmas day, although this was a very different Christmas to the ones she normally enjoyed.
For a start, they were in a saloon which also served as the church on Sundays and special occasions. The tree wasn’t decorated. It looked kind of lonesome, standing there all alone in its pot. She gave herself a talking-to. The other brides were in the same situation as she was and, judging by the looks on their faces, they weren't standing around feeling sorry for themselves. She cheered with the rest of the crowd when the Reverend kissed new bride, Felicity.
Her eyes caught Colin’s and she blushed. Was he thinking about the moment they shared back at the stables? It had been so ten
der and sweet. She closed her eyes for a second, savoring the memory. She was glad she'd slapped his face as he shouldn't have taken liberties, but if she were honest, she was disappointed he’d stopped.
When she opened them again, Colin was still staring at her and smiling. His expression suggested he knew exactly what she was thinking about.
When the ceremony was over, Cara rushed from the saloon. Her cheeks burned as she pushed past some of the men standing at the bar. She ignored all the comments—the nice ones and those she didn’t completely understand but knew were rude. She wanted to be alone, away from everyone, especially Colin. She walked back to La Maison without anyone speaking to her.
When she got back to Pearl’s room, there was a gift with her name on it lying on her pillow. And attached to it was a little note:
Cara,
I know this Christmas isn’t up to your usual
standards. I hope you enjoy the present.
Yours…
Colin.
His writing was smudged, almost as if he had signed something else but crossed it out. She held the note closer, trying to decipher what had been written, but she couldn’t read it.
She opened the parcel, tears flowing as she held up an almost perfect edition of A Christmas Carol. He'd remembered.
She held the book close, wishing she had the guts to go back to the saloon so she could find him and thank him in person. But then again, he hadn't known his bride would be her. He'd been expecting an older woman, someone more mature. Had he planned on giving that woman this gift? Maybe it had no significance after all. Maybe he gave all his women A Christmas Carol. She threw the book on the floor. She didn't want it anymore.
Colin walked slowly back to his clinic, he had followed Cara to La Maison to make sure she got back safely. He should be going home to his house on the outskirts of town. He never slept there, preferring the small space above the clinic. But Mick and Cookie were visiting and he should be sociable. The two men were old friends of his from the war, and tried to visit every year around Christmas time. It was a nice tradition, but this year he wasn’t thinking about them. All he wanted to do was go back to La Maison des Chats, barge upstairs and see if Cara had liked his gift. Did she remember the first time he had given her a copy of the Dickens novel? He thought about the fluffy shawl he’d originally bought as a gift for the mature bride he’d been expecting. The orange wool would have clashed horribly with Cara's coloring. He would have to give it to someone else. He didn’t want Cara spotting it and believing he had another woman in the house.
The Maid_The Eighth Day Page 3