Controlling his excitement was difficult. Aw, there was no way he could delay before he told Pauline. This was too huge a change not to share with the woman he hoped would share the house and make it a home. His first real home.
Late that afternoon, he called on her. “I hope you don’t mind that I’ve come without arranging a visit beforehand. I’ll come another time if this isn’t convenient.”
Her face had shone with welcome when she opened the door. “You know you’re always welcome. Come in. Aunt Nancy is resting but Uncle Henry and I were in the parlor.”
He shifted his weight several times. “I wonder if you’d accompany me on a walk?”
Pauline supposed he wanted to talk to her alone. “The weather is lovely today so a walk sounds pleasant. I’ll tell my aunt and uncle.”
She returned and slipped her hand around his elbow. “Are we walking any place in particular?”
“We are but I can’t tell because it’s a surprise.”
She pretended to sock his arm. “What a tease that is. Now you’ve aroused my curiosity.”
“Good. Your friend went back to Denver?”
She didn’t want Jasper referred to as anything to do with her. “He’s my father’s friend and certainly not mine but, yes, he has gone.”
“And did he reveal his feelings for you before he left?”
“You just want to say I told you so, don’t you? You were right. I had no idea until you mentioned it to me. So, I asked my uncle and he said the same thing.”
She stopped and pulled on his arm so he faced her. “I give you my word I gave him no reason to think I would consider him romantically.”
He patted her hand where it rested on his arm. “When I saw him at the home of your aunt and uncle you were cordial but cool.”
She nodded and they resumed their walk. “That’s what Uncle Henry said. Jasper is convinced that once I return to Denver I’ll change my mind and welcome him as a fiancé. Nothing I said seemed to make a dent in his opinion or his high opinion of himself.”
He had deliberated whether or not to tell her but decided she should know. The man had a dangerous edge to him. “When I left that evening, he was waiting about half a block where it’s dark. He walked with me back to my workshop.”
“The nerve of him. I imagine he tried to intimidate you. That’s what he does to those who work for him.”
“When we got there he laughed at it and called it a hovel. I know he’s right. For a long time I’ve been saving for a house. I’d already decided now is the time to move and had the marshal helping me find a house. He gets around town and knows so many people.”
“I hope you wouldn’t let Jasper’s opinion cause you to do anything. Only you know when you should make such a large change in your life. You should be proud of the work you do and how far you’ve come.”
Her words were balm to his heart. “Thank you, Pauline. I’m very pleased to hear your kind words. At the risk of sounding conceited, I am proud of what I’ve accomplished. I know Rex trained me to do excellent work, but I worked hard for long hours. I’m the one who comes up with the designs and does the work.”
She scanned their surroundings. “Where are we going? This is a neighborhood of homes. Is there a park or something near here?”
“Not to my knowledge. Oh, here we are.” He stopped and gestured to the house. “I bought this house this morning.”
Her excited cry pleased him. “Creighton, it’s huge but lovely. Congratulations.”
“It’s may seem large for just me or even for a couple but not so large when you consider eleven people live there now.”
“Oh, my, eleven? How many children?”
“Eight, but either they’re well behaved or repairs have been made. It’s very nice inside, at least I think so. Mr. Hampton was one of the first who struck it rich with a silver mine. He soon built this house. The Hampton family is still living there but will be gone by the first of the month. They’re even leaving some of the furniture.”
“I’m surprised they’d part with it or this house.”
“I’m surprised they sold to me. Someone else was bidding who wanted to turn it into a boarding house. Lucky for me the family wanted it to remain a private residence. I assured them I planned to live in it for a long, long time, God willing.”
The house sat on the corner, so he guided her to the side street. “You see how deep the carriage house is. There’s an area at the back I can create into a workshop. I’m afraid Mr. Hampton’s money went to his head at first. He keeps numerous horses and a couple of carriages. At the back is where the tack and feed are kept plus one portion is a room where the chauffer lives.”
“A chauffer, my, that is lavish.” She grinned up at him. “But, here you’ll have to go out in bad weather.”
“That’s true but not far. I think the inconvenience will be worthwhile, don’t you?”
They resumed walking. “As soon as the Hampton family leaves, I’ll ask your uncle to come with us to chaperone so I can give you a tour without damaging your reputation.”
“You’re very thoughtful. It’s a beautiful place, Creighton. Not only is the house attractive but the grounds are as well. I’m happy for you. I’ll look forward to seeing the inside.”
He wished he could show her the interior now. He wished he were already moved. How he wished he could speak up and let her know he wanted her to be his wife.
When they returned to the Chambers’ home, he paused on the porch. “I can’t explain why I feel this way, but I don’t want to tell anyone until I’ve already moved into the new home.”
“I don’t understand but I’ll certainly honor your wishes.”
“Thank you.” He went inside with her.
He talked with her uncle while she prepared supper. After the meal, he washed dishes while she helped her aunt get ready for bed. When Pauline came back pushing her aunt to the parlor, he’d almost finished cleaning the kitchen. Her aunt wore a robe and slippers.
She looked at the couple of pans he hadn’t scrubbed. “Oh, dear, I was sure I’d lollygagged enough that you’d be finished by now.” She grabbed a cup towel and dried dishes.
“I washed slowly so you’d still have work to do.”
They played chess and talked to her aunt and uncle. Both were good people who obviously doted on their niece. He did too. The more he came to know her, the more she mesmerized him.
Pauline moved her knight and cried, “Checkmate. I won, I won.” She stood and bowed to each person in the room and pretended to take something from an imaginary person. “Thank you, thank you. I accept this world chess trophy because I deserve it. I’d like to thank all the people who’ve come to support me.” She blew kisses at those in the room.
Creighton looked at her aunt and uncle. “Honestly, I don’t know how you can tolerate such a brat. I told her women are supposed to let the man win to build his confidence.”
Henry chuckled and looked at his wife. “None of the women in this family buy into that theory.”
His wife smiled at him. “We don’t need to, dear. We choose strong men who don’t need to be praised and buttered up constantly.”
Henry winked at him. “I wouldn’t mind being praised and buttered up at least occasionally.”
***
Pauline was lost in daydreams of Creighton and imagining them in that home together. Not with eight children, but with two or three or four.
Suddenly her aunt’s voice snapped her from her reverie. “Pauline? Have you heard anything I’ve said in the last ten minutes? I don’t think you were listening to me at all?”
“I’m so sorry, dear aunt. I was woolgathering. You have my full attention now.”
Her aunt’s eyes sparkled. “Hmm, this daydreaming wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain furniture maker, would it?”
“I guess I’m pretty obvious, aren’t I? As bad as a schoolgirl.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. He’s very nice and talented and quite n
ice looking. Henry and I enjoy his visits.”
“You know Mama and Papa won’t be impressed by his success. They want a large home and fancy clothes and a flashy lifestyle. I think that’s more important to them than the person.”
“I’m afraid you’re right. But, consider from their point of view that they want to be certain you’re well-provided for in life and that any children you have will be taken care of as well. Perhaps they’ve forgotten what they felt at your age.”
She shook her head. “I simply can’t imagine them in their twenties. Were they less judgmental when they were younger?”
“Not Fred but Millicent was. For one thing, she went by Millie then.”
Her aunt laughed. “Apparently that’s not as socially acceptable as Millicent.” She turned up her nose as she said Mama’s full name in a haughty voice.
Pauline laughed and went over to hug her aunt then resumed her seat. “You always know how to make me happy. I’m truly sorry you broke your leg but I am so grateful you let me stay with you.”
“Let you? My dear, we begged you. Well, we would have if you had resisted. It was Fred we begged.”
“He was suspicious because I was so eager to come. Papa’s not a very trusting person, which is why I can’t understand his tolerance of Jasper Taggart.” She made a dismissive wave. “Well, I’m not going to think of that man now.”
Aunt Nancy looked up from her knitting with a sly smile. “Isn’t tomorrow another of the balls?”
“As if you didn’t know it is. As it happens, I have an invitation from Creighton.”
“Then, why don’t we snack for supper? We can finish off that ham at lunch with enough left for sandwiches at supper. Then you can use the hambone to season some bean soup on Saturday.”
“That sounds good and easy for me.”
Uncle Henry came in from going for the post. “Ran into Sol Medina who told me we had a telegram. It’s from your brother, dear.” He handed it to his wife.
Pauline panicked. So often a wire brought bad news. She clasped her hands in her lap, resisting the impulse to wring them. “I hope nothing’s wrong with Mama or Papa.”
“Oh, for goodness sake. He’s coming tomorrow. I suppose that Jasper Taggart gave us a bad report. Fred will be here on the morning train.”
She was right, bad news. “Aunt Nancy, I’ll go make sure the other bedroom is ready. Shall I move in there so he won’t have to contend with your sewing things?”
“Definitely not. You’d only have to move again two days later. Well, I haven’t seen him since we moved, so perhaps it’s time we visited.”
“Is Mama coming?”
Her aunt reread the telegram. “I can’t tell. Here, dear, you read what he’s said.” She passed the paper to Pauline.
Arrive Saturday morning train Stop There two nights Stop Fred Stop
“He hasn’t used any pronouns. Whether Mama comes or not, the same bedroom will be used so I suppose it doesn’t matter.” She loved her mother, but admitted she loved her aunt more. That fact left her with a strong sense of guilt. Her aunt and uncle’s home had always been a haven. Her aunt was always ready to lend a shoulder to a weepy girl or offer sound advice without judgment.
The mantel clock chimed.
“My goodness, I’d better prepare lunch before I tidy the sewing room.” She rose and went to the kitchen.
She spent the rest of the day polishing already shining furniture and clear glass. She had her aunt polishing silver and sent her uncle on errands.
Uncle Henry came in carrying parcels. “I’m through and you should be, too. The place looks spotless. How are you going to dance half the night if you’re too tired to twirl?”
Aunt Nancy laid aside the silver polish. “Henry’s right, Pauline. I’m sick of polishing silver. In my opinion each of us needs a nap.”
Pauline put her hands on her hips. “Sounds like I have a mutiny on my hands. Okay, you’re all off duty. Papa can take us as he finds us.”
Her uncle gave a slight bow. “Thank you, Captain Bligh. We won’t hang you from the yardarm after all.” He pushed his wife to the bedroom.
“I’ll help get her to bed, Uncle Henry.”
“I can manage. You go take a nap.”
She put away the cleaning supplies and went to the bedroom she thought of as hers. She figured she had an hour, maybe two if she hurried afterward. She laid down, grateful for the time to rest.
Chapter Seven
Creighton dressed in a new shirt. He caught himself humming as he dressed for the ball. Imagine, he hadn’t wanted to go last month and now he looked forward to attending. Pauline was the reason, of course.
Eagerly, he called for her.
She opened the door and called over her shoulder, “We’re leaving.”
“I was thinking as I walked here that we’ve known one another exactly one month. I can’t explain why I have the sense I’ve known you for years.”
“I feel the same way, Creighton. We share a lot of common values and interests.”
“I’ve noticed. Like dancing.”
She laughed. “This time you don’t have to worry about your dancing. I hope you enjoy the ball.”
How correct she was and he wasn’t worried about his ability any longer. The Tivoli was beautiful and most women wore their best finery. Other than that, it wasn’t that different from a country dance minus the spiked punch. He did worry about what she thought of Creede’s version of society. Mrs. Morgan tried hard to add class to the town and had made a huge stride forward.
“How can I not enjoy the evening when I’ll be with the prettiest and nicest girl there? I suppose you’ve been to a real ball.”
“Well… I’ve been to some called that. I don’t think Denver society has the traditional ball that Britain and Eastern and Southern America had in earlier times. I’ve been to dances that were much more formal than those here. However, I didn’t have as much fun as I had with you last month.”
Good news then. “Here we are. I hope we have as much fun tonight.”
After he paid their admission, she put a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry I had to wear the same dress as last month. When I heard about my aunt’s accident, I packed hastily and didn’t bring many dresses.”
“You look beautiful in that shade of purple. Makes your eyes look a deeper blue.”
“You are always kind to me.”
He took a deep breath. “May I have this dance, Miss Brubaker?”
They danced every dance again. When the musicians took a short break, he and Pauline had time for refreshments. He recognized many of the dancers who were there last month and that made him even more comfortable.
By the time the dance finished, he and Pauline were out of breath and laughing. They said goodbye to Mrs. Morgan and ambled toward the Chambers’ home.
He stopped to let the brisk breeze down from the mountains cool his face. “I had even more fun than last time.”
“So did I. However, I’ve had some bad news today.”
“I hope no one in Denver is ill?”
“No, my father is arriving tomorrow for two nights. We’re all ready to walk on egg shells while he’s here. I believe he basically has good intentions but he’s very judgmental and… well, I guess you’d say he’s a snob.”
He wished he could sock Jason Taggart in the nose. “By now he’ll have heard from Taggart about your poor little carpenter friend. I’m sorry, Pauline. I hope our friendship doesn’t create difficulty for you. I hope you won’t stop seeing me.”
“Of course I won’t as long as you’re willing to see me. How could you think otherwise? I do wish Papa was less disapproving.” She sighed. “I guess everyone is critical in some way. For instance, I don’t like bullies.”
“Neither do I. Until I shot up when I was about fifteen I was small for my age and skinny. For most of my childhood I was tormented by bullies. I was always in trouble for fighting because I never learned to back down. I’ve had so many black eyes it’s a wond
er I’m not blind.”
She squeezed his arm and pressed her head to his shoulder for a moment. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
After a short pause, she said, “I hope you’ll stand up to my father. Believe me, he can be a big bully.”
Incredulous, he stared at her. “You can’t mean you intend for me to meet him?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re my best friend and I enjoy your company. In fact, I thought we’d become a bit more than friends.”
“I hope so, Pauline. Maybe I should see if the Hamptons will let me show your father the house I’ve bought.”
“No, you should stick with your plan. Tell the world when you’re ready. Please, be polite but you can’t kowtow to my father. Be yourself, which is good enough for anyone.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best.” He was sorry they’d arrived at the Chambers’.
He no longer had to ask if he could kiss her. She raised her face to him. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his mouth to her soft lips.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Her kiss set him afire. Before he lost control, he broke their embrace.
“Pauline, you must suspect that I intend to propose to you. Perhaps I should ask your father for your hand while he’s here.”
“Not yet. Give him time to get used to the idea after he meets you. By the way, if you should propose to me, I intend to accept.”
He picked her up by her waist and twirled her around. “You can’t imagine how happy that makes me.”
“I’m pretty happy myself.”
He set her down but kept his arms around her. “I know it’s late and you have to go in. It won’t do for you to appear tired when your father arrives.”
“I won’t because I’ll still be floating on air.”
He kissed her again and waited until she was inside before he ran down the steps and jogged home. His temporary home. How grand his life was now.
***
When she went to help her aunt dress for the day, her uncle had already gone for his morning walk.
“My, you look chipper for someone who danced the night away.”
“I am. A certain man hinted that he’s going to propose to me. You can tell Uncle Henry but don’t tell Papa yet.”
Polka With Pauline Page 5