Cara’s heart sank. She didn’t have the patience to deal with that woman. She tried ignoring her, but Jolie wouldn’t have any of it.
“Mrs. Walters is looking for you. It’s about your wedding, or rather, lack thereof.”
The look on Jolie’s face was so self-satisfied that Cara had to wipe the smug expression off.
“I’m in a hurry. Please tell Mrs. Walters the wedding will be this evening. I didn’t have time to write invitations so I can’t say yours is in the post.” Cara smiled sweetly before walking out the door, leaving Jolie open-mouthed behind her. The satisfaction of finally making the other girl speechless was fleeting.
Cara almost ran the rest of the way to see Pearl. What had she done now? It would soon be all over town she and Colin were getting married, but could she go through with it?
Cara stood outside the jail trying to work up the courage to go in. She pushed the door open and the smell of the place made her hold a hand to her face. There was a man in the cell and she ignored his calls as she walked past and knocked on the door of what she assumed were Draven and Pearl’s private quarters.
“Pearl, um, can I talk to you? In private?”
“Sure, Cara, come on in. Draven isn't due back for a while. Want some coffee?”
Cara shook her head. What was she doing calling on Pearl? The other woman was recently married and would have better things to do than to listen to her tales of woe.
“Actually, this was a bad idea. I should go,” Cara said.
“Cara, sit down and have a cup of coffee. You came here for a reason. Is this about the doc?” Pearl asked.
Cara saw the concern in the other woman’s eyes. Pearl wouldn't laugh at her or think her stupid for asking. From what she knew of the woman, she was kind and thoughtful.
Cara sat, chewing her finger.
“Don’t be nervous.” Pearl looked pointedly at the finger in Cara’s mouth. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like the doc?”
“No, I do. It's not that at all. Colin is a lovely man. He is funny and kind and when he…” Cara flushed, she couldn't believe she was about to admit to how she felt when he kissed her.
Pearl smiled warmly. “Cara, honey, given my past, nothing much shocks me. Talk to me.”
“I think I might be in love with him.”
“You think?”
“I never felt this way about anyone before. When he kisses me, I just can't think of anything else but him. Is that crazy?”
“Of course not,” Pearl said. “That’s a good thing.”
“But he’s a…well, he has a past.”
“Don’t we all?” At the look on Cara’s face, Pearl continued. “Has he ever done anything to hurt you?”
Cara shook her head violently. “That’s the last thing he would do.”
“Well, then, I suggest his past should stay where it belongs. It’s the future you need to be concerned about. Will he treat you well, can you be happy with him? Is he the man you want as a father to your children?”
Cara blushed again. Yes, yes and a hundred percent yes, but she wasn’t about to admit that. Not even to someone as worldly wise as Pearl.
“I don’t really see what’s holding you back,” Pearl mused as she put the coffee on the table.
“Say Draven told you something about himself and this meant that everything you believed for years wasn’t true,” Cara said, not looking at Pearl,
“Cara, honey, stop right there. Why don’t you just tell me the truth? I swear it won’t go any further than these four walls.” Cara hesitated, prompting Pearl to add, “I can't help you if I don’t know what you’re dealing with.”
Cara bit her lip and looked at the other woman. She desperately needed a friend, someone to trust who could give her some perspective. Pearl had been so kind and in the short time she’d known the other girl, she hadn't seen her be anything but helpful.
“Deane isn’t Colin’s real name. It’s Cowan. Our families were very close back in Boston. Before the war. So close, he was engaged to my elder sister. Only he stood her up at the altar. There was a big scandal.”
“Cause he jilted your sister?” Pearl looked confused.
“Well, there was also the fact he was pronounced a coward and a murderer.” At Pearl’s sharp intake of breath, Cara rushed to finish. “It was my brother, Thomas, who told everyone Colin was a murderer.”
“But where was Colin? Why didn’t he defend himself? I might not have known the doc long, but he couldn’t be a murderer. Coward? I’ve seen that man do things no other human being ought to do, climbing into the collapsed mine and searching for survivors being one of them.”
Cara’s heart almost beat through her chest. Pearl believed in Colin. She knew him to be innocent, too.
Pearl continued. “I have no idea why he would jilt your sister but he had to have a good reason.”
“He was in Andersonville.” At the look of horror on Pearl’s face, Cara continued softly. “He had a horrible time in there. Lost his only brother, Tony. He shouldn’t have been captured. He stayed behind with the wounded men.”
“I still don’t understand how he was named as a murderer? Who was he supposed to have killed–a prison guard?” Pearl asked.
“No, it was two of his own men. One white, one negro.”
“Sorry, Cara, but that just doesn’t make sense. Who did you say accused him of doing something so horrible?”
“My brother,” Cara whispered.
Pearl jumped up and wrapped her arms around Cara as she finally broke down and cried.
“Oh, darling, you poor thing. Your brother must be mistaken. He just has to be. Doc Deane wouldn’t do something like that.”
“But why would Thomas lie?”
“I don’t know your brother, Cara, but people lie for all reasons. In your heart, you know who is telling the truth, don’t you?”
Cara looked down at her hands. Did she know? Could she admit to herself—never mind Pearl—she believed Colin over her own brother, her flesh and blood?
“I’m not going to make you tell me. I think you already know. I can only guess what price it will cost to admit the truth to your family, but I guess the question is do you need to? Does Colin want to prove his innocence?”
“I don’t know,” Cara whispered. “I guess he might.”
“But wouldn’t he have done something about it already? The war’s been over for years. He must have a good reason for not coming forward to clear his name.”
“He said he didn’t try because it would hurt too many people. My parents, my sister…”
“Nonsense. He did it to protect your family. If he loved your sister, he would have gone back to Boston, fought to clear his name and married her. That’s the type of man he is.” Pearl hesitated. “Doc is a one-man woman, Cara.”
“But Jolie said, well she insinuated Colin had been intimate with all the ladies in La Maison.” Cara looked at the floor, too embarrassed to look Pearl in the face.
Pearl giggled making Cara look up in surprise.
“Sorry Cara but the look on your face. You are so sweet. Doc has never been intimate with any woman I know of. He visited the girls because he wanted to keep us healthy. Jolie tempted him often enough. I think that’s why she is so annoyed his heart is now taken.”
Cara knew she looked dumb. She certainly felt it.
“I’ve seen the way Doc looks at you. The man is in love.”
“With who?”
“You, silly.” Pearl’s eyes twinkled. “You only have to look in his eyes.” She gave Cara a hug. “I haven't known you long, but I hope we are friends. True happiness is hard to find. If you think you have a chance of a future with Colin, then I think you should leave the past where it belongs. But only you can make that decision—”
“Pearl? You in there, wife?”
The man’s voice interrupted the ladies, causing Cara to jump to her feet.
“Yes, Draven,” Pearl replied, her eyes on Cara.
“He can’t
know why I was here,” Cara whispered. “He’s a lawman. He could arrest Colin.”
“I think Draven may know more than you think, but don’t fret, your secret’s safe with me. Now I best get serving up my husband’s lunch or he may decide he made a mistake.”
Cara giggled. “Don’t think that’s likely. You’re a diamond, Pearl. He’s lucky to have you.”
Pearl blushed prettily but she seemed happy with Cara’s comment.
Cara picked up her shawl. “I best get going, too.”
“I hope you make the right choice, Cara. I’d hate to lose you from Noelle. I shall be in the saloon for the wedding this evening and so will Draven. I hope you turn up.”
Cara wasn’t sure yet what she would do. But whatever happened, this kind woman had made her time in Noelle so much easier. She smiled at her gently. “Bye, Pearl. Thank you.”
The afternoon passed in a flurry of activity. Bridie arrived with a stunning wedding gown.
“It’s from me and Pearl.”
“I don’t know what to say, Birdie,” Cara said examining the delicate material. “It’s the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.”
“You don’t have to say anything. You’ll be a good advertisement for business,” Birdie replied, winking at Cara.
“Are you happy, Birdie?” Cara couldn’t believe she had actually put her thoughts into words, but the other woman didn’t seem offended. “I mean with being married and all.”
Birdie nodded, a questioning look in her eyes. “You having second thoughts? I know marrying a stranger isn’t most people’s idea of a love story, but you seem to love the doc.”
“I do. I really do.”
“He loves you as well. You’ve just got cold feet.”
“How do you know he loves me?” Cara whispered.
Birdie laughed, before kissing Cara on the cheek. “A woman knows these things. Now is there anything I can get you before I go back to the office.”
“Yes, there is one thing if you don’t mind.” Cara outlined her plan to Birdie who smiled and nodded her agreement. “See you this evening.”
Later that evening, Cara paced back and forth in her room. Pearl had been right, she should leave the past where it belonged. Dressed in her wedding dress, she should be the happiest she had ever been. She was marrying the man she had been in love with as long as she could remember. But was she really marrying him? This was the wedding of Cara Donnelly and Colin Deane, and those people didn’t even exist.
“Cara, Doc Deane is downstairs. He wants to talk to you.”
“Thanks Milly,” Cara said, picking up her skirts to walk downstairs.
“You can’t see him now. It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony,” Mrs. Walters tutted.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Walters. I think we just about had all the bad luck we could have, don’t you?”
“It’s quite irregular, Cara.”
“Everything about these weddings is irregular, Mrs. Walters. I have to see him. I need to know what he wants. Maybe he doesn’t want to get married.”
Cara left Mrs. Walters holding her hands to her chest as if in prayer. Picking up the edges of her dress, she moved carefully down the stairs. He was standing with his back to her.
“Cara, I know I can’t look but I had to speak to you.”
“Come into the sitting room, else people will listen in on us.”
He moved to the sitting room, still not looking in her direction. She smiled at his romantic nature. He didn’t seem like the type to believe in bad luck, but then maybe he thought she did.
“What did you want, Colin?”
He half turned, then remembered himself and so faced the window once more. He’d shaven and his clean features were even more handsome than before. Her heart thumped through her chest. She had to resist the urge to run her fingers over his stubble-free chin.
“I wanted to check how you were feeling. To make sure you didn’t have a fever or any ill effects from spending time at the O’Malleys’?”
“You could have asked Mrs. Walters, but I am fine. What’s really on your mind, Colin?”
She twisted her hands as she waited for him to answer. Had he changed his mind? She wished she could look at his eyes but she wasn’t about to ask him to turn to face her.
“I just called…that’s to say, I mean…what I wanted to…”
“Colin!”
“Sorry. What I am trying to say is that you shouldn’t feel like you have to go through with this marriage if it’s not what you want. I am sure I could find another woman to marry and save the town. I don’t want you to feel pressured into something you shouldn’t. There’s still time for you to go home and pretend your visit to Noelle never happened. Draven can help us protect you from the Senator. Nobody will force you to marry him.”
Cara sank onto one of the chairs. He was giving her permission to leave. Not telling her he loved her. Of all the things she thought he might say, telling her to go home wasn’t one of them.
“Cara?”
“What? Sorry, I’m just a bit surprised. I thought Noelle meant everything to you.”
“It does. It did. But you…well, you mean more. I love you, Cara Donnelly O’Donnell, or whatever you want to call yourself. I wanted you to know that before you go.”
Before she could answer, he was out the door.
“Wait, Colin…please.”
He stopped just at the doorstep. “What?”
A smile played around her lips. “Can you tell the preacher, please? I just couldn’t let everyone down like that.”
His shoulders actually slumped as she spoke. He sighed. “Yes, Cara, I will tell the preacher. Take care of yourself.”
The door shut behind him.
Mrs. Walters opened the door less than ten seconds later. “What did he want? Did he call off the wedding?”
“Yes, Mrs. Walters, he did. He told me I should go home.”
The look on Mrs. Walters’ face was priceless. Cara knew the older woman had become fonder of Noelle and its inhabitants than she had been on Christmas Eve. However, her first concern was for her girls. The brides were her responsibility no matter what. Eyes full of concern, she took Cara’s hand.
“Home? Now? But how? There are no trains or anything…” She blinked and looked closer at Cara. “Why are you smiling?”
“Doc Deane may think he knows me but he’s forgotten I never did what I was told. You tell the preacher this wedding is going ahead whether my groom likes it or not. I will just be a minute.”
Mrs. Walters looked as if she couldn’t work out whether Cara was quite sane or not. With a shrug of her shoulders, she went to find the Reverend.
Cara picked up her skirts and ran up the stairs. She took her hair down from its elaborate up-do and quickly redid it in a simpler style. It suited her better. This was her wedding and she was going to do it her way.
Taking a deep breath she walked downstairs, out the door and toward the saloon. Once inside, she caught sight of Colin making his way to the preacher. Giving Mrs. Walters a wave and a wink, she followed him.
“I’m sorry, Preacher, but the wedding’s off. Cara Donnelly, my mail-order bride, won’t marry me.”
“Doc, this isn’t a time to be making jokes. This wedding has to go ahead. It just has to,” Reverend Chase said impatiently.
Colin looked at the Reverend, a helpless expression on his face. Cara decided enough was enough.
“No, Cara Donnelly won’t, but Cara O’Donnell will.” Cara stood behind Colin, smiling widely. He turned toward her as if in slow motion. “What did you say?”
“You might want to get the doc to check those ears of yours! I said Cara O’Donnell is getting married today to Colin Cowan Deane.”
With a yell, Colin swept Cara from her feet and swung her into the air. She squealed before he let her down and cut off her squeals by kissing her soundly on the mouth.
“You’re not supposed to kiss the bride until after the ceremony,” J
ude O’Malley whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. Abe pulled him back to stand with him and Mary who was wearing a lovely new dress. The girl looked so different to when Cara had first met her, Cara had to hold back more tears of happiness.
“That’s true, Doc. So am I to take it there is a wedding after all?” Reverend Chase asked.
“Yes, Reverend,” Colin confirmed. “You heard the lady.”
Once they were married, Colin wanted to leave immediately but Cara told him to have patience.
“Are you bossing me around already, wife?”
She kissed him on the nose. “Start as you mean to go on, Mama always told me.” Cara giggled at the expression on his face. “I have to see two people and then I’ll be all yours.”
“You promise?”
“Yes, darling, I promise.”
She ran over to Pearl and gave her a big hug. “Thank you so much for being my friend and for my beautiful gown.” Pearl nodded, her eyes glistening. She turned to Birdie. “Thank you for getting the children here. They look wonderful.”
“You’re welcome Cara, be happy.”
Then Cara took a deep breath and walked over to where Cookie stood a little bit away from everyone else.
“Mr. Cookie, I know…”
“It’s Cookie, just plain Cookie.”
“Oh.” Cara stumbled over her words. He wasn’t going to make it easy for her. “Cookie, I know you don’t approve of me but I swear I will spend the rest of my life making Colin as happy as I can. I will never give him reason to doubt me and I intend on doing everything in my power to clear his name.”
Cookie stared at her as she fell silent. Her heart beat so loudly she thought he might be able to hear it, too. She looked into his eyes, determined he wouldn’t see how unnerved she was. She waited, letting the silence deepen between them.
“You already made him happy. He is the happiest I ever saw him and that’s the truth.”
Cara gulped.
“Young Jude told us how you be feeding him since you got here. Gave him money too.”
“It was only a few coins,” she protested but fell silent at the look he gave her.
The Maid_The Eighth Day Page 12