by Kit Morgan
“I said get out!” Aunt Irene grabbed Belle by the arm and yanked her hand out of Colin’s. “You get upstairs this instant and stay there!” She shoved her toward the curtained doorway leading to the back of the store.
Uncle Wilfred sighed heavily. “Irene, you’re over reacting.”
“I’ll not have any man, especially a Cooke, slobbering all over my niece!”
“He kissed her hand! It’s customary for gentlemen to do that!” Sadie argued.
“Especially those of the aristocracy. In fact, it’s expected.” Colin put in, albeit through clenched teeth.
“Aristocracy?” Aunt Irene spat as she gave Belle another healthy shove toward the curtain. “Your family is about as far from the aristocracy as anyone can get! How dare you touch her!”
Mrs. Mulligan’s eyes narrowed. She’d obviously witnessed enough. “Come along Colin, you and Sadie come over to our place. Lunch is on us!”
“Yes, lunch is on Mrs. Mulligan!” Mrs. Fig added with her signature curt little nod.
Belle glanced from one face to another. Aunt Irene’s was beet red with fury. Uncle Wilfred was doing his best to either not laugh, or give his wife a good tongue thrashing. It was hard to tell which. Sadie’s eyes were wide, her jaw tight. And Colin Cooke...
He stood, his eyes now fixed on Aunt Irene. No longer were they mischievous and bright, but rather steeled against her. Belle suddenly realized he hadn’t changed until Aunt Irene yanked her away from him. Was he afraid her aunt would inadvertently hurt her?
Sadie reached into her reticule, pulled out a list, and a handful of cash. She slapped the money onto the nearest surface. “I’d like to make a few purchases before I leave.”
Aunt Irene’s eyes became riveted on the cash and she froze. Her upper lip twitched once, twice. Everyone stood and waited to see what she would do next. Even Colin’s hardened expression turned to curiosity as they all watched her battle with indecision.
“Here is the list of things I need.” Sadie said as she held her list out to no one in particular.
Belle saw the opportunity and took it. She snatched the list out of her hand and squaring her shoulders, marched behind the counter to fill it. Sadie followed, along with Mrs. Mulligan and Mrs. Fig.
Belle watched Colin push back his hat and smile at her, completely ignoring Aunt Irene. She smiled shyly back, and felt herself blush. She then quickly turned her attention to the list. “Thread. What color?”
“I need two spools of red and two of blue.” Sadie quickly answered.
Belle turned and went to a cabinet behind the counter. She opened it and pulled out a flat wooden box full of thread. She took them to Sadie so she could make her selections.
Belle stole quick glances at Colin as she worked. He stood as before and smiled at her, his eyes once again bright with mischief. Aunt Irene also stood, a scowl on her face. One directed at Colin. Uncle Wilfred simply watched with amusement, but did not abandon his post. Belle knew if Aunt Irene started in again, her uncle was ready to quell any outbursts. She could tell he’d had enough. She didn’t look forward to supper later when he’d put it out on the table. She frowned at the thought as she put away the thread.
Belle spent the next ten minutes gathering together Sadie’s order while Mrs. Mulligan and Mrs. Fig looked on. Aunt Irene never once took her eyes from Colin and Belle began to dread the moment when he and the rest of the women would leave. His presence was so... strong. Solid. What a strange sensation, and from a man she’d just met, but there it was. Belle wasn’t sure she could stand to be parted from it. She also sensed his concern for her and it was comforting. On the other hand, she imagined Colin Cooke would be a force to be reckoned with if truly riled up. For there was also a hardness to him. Not something that would lead to meanness. No, Belle sensed this had to do more with survival.
Then she suddenly remembered what Aunt Irene said. Two of the Cooke boys just got out of prison and two more just went in.
Belle choked back a gasp before it could escape. Colin Cooke had been in prison! How horrible! But what had he gone to prison for? She spun to face him, not caring if her action brought attention to herself, and stared.
His face softened into a pleasant smile as his eyes fixed on her with a look meant to connect them, fuse them together. And how he was able to do it she couldn’t begin to understand, but he succeeded. Her eyes were now glued to his and she stood behind the counter, frozen to the spot. The warm, blanketed sensation again came over her and something deep inside pooled and began to spread. Before she knew it her breathing slowed, as if he controlled it, and her body relaxed.
The man was utterly, and completely intoxicating.
“Miss Dunnigan did you hear me?”
“Oh!” Belle had to blink a few times to break the spell Colin Cooke so easily conjured. She wasn’t even sure who had spoken. “What did you say?”
Sadie smiled, glanced at Colin, then back to Belle. “Can you come to the ranch at one o’clock on Thursday? We’ll have our sewing circle then.”
Belle tried to read the expression on her aunt’s face but it was aimed at Colin. If Uncle Wilfred hadn’t been standing there she was sure Aunt Irene would have launched into another tirade. But as it was, she stood and seethed in silence. She knew she’d crossed the line with her husband. Everyone else obviously knew it too. Except for the men outside who were too frightened at this point to enter. “Oh, yes. Of course. I would love to join you.”
“You can drive out with Mrs. Fig and myself.” Mrs. Mulligan offered.
“Why thank you,” Belle began as her gaze drifted back to Colin. “Thank you very much. I’m looking forward to it.”
“As am I.” Aunt Irene added. “Pick us up at noon. We’ll all drive out together.”
Belle thought she saw Colin stiffen at the remark, but wasn’t sure. His smile had not diminished in the slightest. But his eyes had changed. They now held a look of warm affection, and it appeared he didn’t care a whit who noticed.
Aunt Irene took a step forward. “And you,” she began on a low hiss as she looked up at Colin. “I trust you and your brothers will be out working your ranch while we ladies are together.”
He slowly turned to her. “I’m afraid I cannot predict the future, Mrs. Dunnigan. Who knows what Thursday will bring.”
“As long as it doesn’t bring you into the house while we’re there,” she said as she leaned toward him. “Or mark my words, Colin Cooke. You’ll never set eyes on my niece again.”
Five
As luck would have it, on the day of the sewing circle, Mrs. Dunnigan came down with the worst possible case of indigestion. To this day the townsfolk of Clear Creek argue if it was due to Divine intervention or the fact Mr. Dunnigan made breakfast that morning and slipped his wife a good dose of Professor Pomadorie’s miracle elixir. Most argue it was the latter as the good Professor was run out of town a few months ago for peddling the nasty stuff.
Either way, Colin couldn’t believe it when he watched the Mulligans wagon pull up to the front of the house with only Mrs. Mulligan, Mrs. Fig, and his angel aboard.
From his position in the hay loft of the barn, he was able to catch the sound of his angel’s laughter as Sadie came out of the house to greet them. Mrs. Mulligan and Mrs. Fig dominated what conversation there was (theirs were the only mouths in constant motion) while his angel climbed down from the wagon. He itched to be there to help her. To feel her small hands in his or better yet, her small waist as he lifted her from the wagon and gently placed her on the... He smiled. Why settle for simply letting her feet touch the ground when one could just as easily carry her to the porch? Yes, he’d carry her to the porch, maybe even into the house!
“See something interesting, dear brother?”
Colin nearly jumped out of his skin. Duncan could sneak up on anyone without making a sound. “Do you have to do that? It’s amazing I didn’t turn and strike you.”
“Or fall from the hay loft.” Duncan said casually and s
miled. He watched as the chattering women made their way into the house. “My, she is pretty. At least from what I can see at this distance. Perhaps I should find an excuse to go have a closer look?”
“Don’t you dare! Mrs. Dunnigan already wants to burn me at the stake. I certainly don’t need your help to hasten the deed.”
Duncan grinned and continued to watch as the front door closed. He turned to Colin. “Surely you can think of a reason to have to go into the house? You do live there after all.”
“As do you, but I don’t see you concocting a way in.”
“I don’t have a reason to.”
Colin relaxed. The thought of Duncan and himself coming to blows over his angel had crossed his mind, but now he knew his brother wouldn’t challenge him. And of the three, Duncan was the one blessed with the most striking looks. He could have any woman he wanted in the blink of an eye and his brothers knew it.
“What are you two doing up here?” Harrison asked as he climbed the ladder to the hay loft. I thought we were going to check on the stock near the creek.”
“Colin needs to go into the house for awhile.”
“What ever for?” Harrison asked. We’ve already had lunch. Let’s go.”
“Your wife has guests.” Duncan stated.
“Yes, I know. Sadie’s very excited to be able to entertain. You’d think she was hosting her first ball.”
“Only one of the Dunnigan women could make it.” Colin said as he gazed longingly at the house.
Harrison raised a curious brow, and looked to Duncan. “Ahhh, I see. And I suppose its Miss Dunnigan my wife is entertaining today?”
“You suppose correctly.” Duncan put in.
The sound of a wagon approaching drew their attention to the newcomers. With so few women in the area it wasn’t hard to figure out who was invited. Sure enough Grandma Waller guided her wagon along side Mrs. Mulligan's. She had Mabel Turner and Lucy White with her. It was every grown woman in the immediate area. With the exception of Mrs. Dunnigan and Mrs. Van Cleet.
To Harrison and Duncan, this meant a call to action. As if reading each other’s thoughts they looked at one another and smiled conspiratorially.
“I daresay Colin, but I do believe you need to go into the house.” Harrison stated rather matter of fact.
Colin eyed him suspiciously. “Just as I told Duncan earlier, I haven’t a good reason to go into the house. And should I do so, I’ve no doubt that dear Mrs. Fig wouldn’t hesitate to tell Mrs. Dunnigan. There’s always one gossip in the bunch.”
“I agree with Harrison.” Duncan said as he took a step or two back and cracked his knuckles. “You really must go into the house and have yourself tended to.” He looked to Harrison with a devilish grin. It was all Harrison could do to keep a straight face.
Colin stiffened. Uh oh...
“I completely agree.” Harrison chortled. “You simply must have Sadie take care of that.”
Colin knew he shouldn’t ask but ... “Take care of what?”
Duncan was the first to pull back his arm, and let him have it.
Colin was right. He never should have asked.
* * *
“Oh, how exciting! And everything is so pretty!” Mrs. Fig exclaimed with a little clap of her hands.
The women were seated around the dining room table. Sadie had made gingerbread cookies along with a pot of tea.
“The tea set belonged to Harrison’s mother. She brought it all the way from England and he wanted me use it.” Sadie said as she served.
“It’s all so lovely.” Belle agreed and admired the pretty chintz design.
“Isn’t it? I’ve never seen anything like it.” Sadie said as she poured herself a cup and sat down.
Mrs. Mulligan took that as her cue to begin. “As this is our first time together, let’s introduce ourselves.”
“Introduce ourselves? We all know each other!” Grandma snapped.
“Not everyone is acquainted with Miss Dunnigan.” Mrs. Mulligan reminded her.
Grandma turned to Lucy White. “Tell the woman ‘howdy’ so we can start.”
Belle watched Lucy. She seemed a bit shy and looked more at the hands she had folded in her lap than the ladies seated around the table. Sadie mentioned before the others arrived that Lucy didn’t leave her farm very often.
Finally she looked at Belle and smiled. “Howdy. I ... I like your dress.”
Belle unconsciously touched the lace trim of her pretty flowered dress and returned her smile. “Why thank you. It’s nice to meet you.”
Lucy bowed her head, took her hands out of her lap and placed them on the table. Her own dress was her only dress and had been patched in several places. Sadie also shared with Belle she wanted to have the sewing circle make a new dress for Lucy. Belle agreed whole-heartedly, especially now. She saw the look of longing in Lucy’s eyes when she first spied her own outfit.
The problem was, Mr. White was proud, according to Sadie. The ladies would have to think of a way to give the dress to Lucy without making it look like charity.
“Sadie, I simply adore what you’ve done here!” Mrs. Fig said. She took a quick sip of her tea. “Oh, but that’s hot!”
“I think you should let it cool a bit.” Sadie suggested.
Grandma studied her teacup. “Sure is fancy. Almost afraid to drink out of it. Makes me feel like a queen. Do we dip our cookies in it?”
Sadie laughed. “You can do what ever you like. This isn’t a formal tea. I wouldn’t know the first thing about one of those. Go ahead everyone, enjoy! Mrs. Mulligan, I have a suggestion for something to make.”
Mrs. Mulligan had taken up her teacup and was blowing on it. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”
Sadie stole a quick glance in Lucy’s direction. “I’d like to make a dress. But I’m not a very good seamstress.”
“I can help you.” Belle volunteered. “I’ve made several dresses.”
Lucy looked up. “Did you make that one?”
Belle looked at her dress and again fingered the delicate lace trim. “No. My dressmaker made this for me. But I’ve sewn others myself.”
Lucy sat up suddenly. “It was made for you?”
Belle took in the ladies seated around the table. Their eyes were wide as they now studied the dress with interest. In their world, only rich women enjoyed the luxury of a dressmaker. Except Sadie. As the daughter of a wealthy cattle baron she probably had experience with dressmakers while growing up. Out here in the Oregon territory however, dressmakers were few and far between.
“So our first suggestion is for a dress.” Mrs. Mulligan announced. “Belle, why don’t you and Sadie work on that? The rest of us can start on something for the new preacher. We have a month before he arrives. What do you think?”
“I think these cookies are the best I’ve ever had!” Grandma said as she happily dipped her cookie into her cup.
“Grandma! You don’t dip your cookie into the tea!” Mrs. Fig said aghast.
Mabel Turner, who’d been quiet all this time, finally spoke. “Sadie said we could do what ever we want. None of us know about this sort of thing. What does it matter any how?”
“I don’t think it’s proper to dip.” Mrs. Fig protested.
“Tarnation Fanny Fig! It’s just a cookie! Who cares if I dip or not?”
Sadie shook with silent laughter and glanced to Belle. Belle also did her best to stifle her giggling at Grandma’s outburst. The ladies of Clear Creek were a far cry from those of Boston. And Belle found their antics and country ways refreshing. The constraints of Boston society were stifling and Belle was glad to be away from the snobbery of the women there. Of course she had to admit, not all of Boston society women were snobbish. But unfortunately, most of her mother’s friends were. After she died they deemed it their duty to see Belle married off and took it upon themselves to get the job done. But Belle would have none of it and was soon seen as an ungrateful girl who without their help would wind up a spinster. Between the mother
ly matrons of Boston and her father’s slipping sanity, Belle began to turn down more and more invitations. It wasn’t long before she began to become somewhat of a recluse.
“I vote we make a quilt for the new preacher to welcome him.” Mrs. Mulligan said. She looked to Mrs. Fig, dipped her half eaten cookie into her teacup, and took a generous bite.
Mrs. Fig frowned.
Belle could stand it no longer. She began to giggle.
“Land sakes child! What’s so funny?” Grandma asked.
“I’m sorry. I hope I’m not being rude. It’s just that ... this is the most fun I’ve had since my arrival. I’m so glad you invited me.”
Sadie again smiled. “You’re welcome. There are so few women nearby. In fact, the only two not here are your aunt and Mrs. Van Cleet. She and her husband have gone to Oregon City.”
“Gonna start work on the new hotel soon. Gone to get supplies and hire some workers. Be a grand site once its built!” Grandma said and reached for another cookie.
“I think we should hold a dance when it’s built.” Mrs. Fig suggested.
Several of the ladies were about to comment when there was a ruckus in the foyer. The sound of boot-clad feet along with an odd scraping noise could be heard coming through the front door and into the house. Sadie sat up to see what was amiss. Duncan and Harrison entered, Colin supported between them. They unceremoniously dragged him into the room.
Belle stood without thinking. She froze realizing what she’d done, but couldn’t help it. The sight of an injured Colin Cooke stabbed at the center of her very being.
Naturally everyone looked at Colin, then Belle, and back again.
“What happened?” Sadie asked as she got up and immediately went to the three. Everyone’s attention was now focused on the men.
Duncan and Harrison exchanged a quick look.
“Well don’t just stand there like a couple of sapheads! Answer the girl!” Grandma scolded.
Duncan opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Harrison looked to be equally at a loss for words. Finally Duncan said, “Colin met with an unfortunate ... accident.”
“Accident?” Sadie exclaimed. “What sort of accident? Good Lord, is he conscious?”