Reuben

by Lynn Donovan

  Reuben

  

  Book 5

  

  © Lynn Donovan 2020

  Cover Copyright © 2020 V. McKevitt

  All rights reserved

  This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious and are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Introduction

  About the Series

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  Personal Note From the Author

  About the Author

  Appreciation

  Newsletter and a Free Gift for You

  Humble Request

  Introduction

  Reuben Featherstone knew he loved Karena Khan the minute she disembarked from the stagecoach. Her exotic beauty captured his heart instantly. He didn’t care if she was from India or the moon, he wanted to make her his wife. But there was one problem. She was already engaged. How could Reuben dishonor such a sacred commitment and live with himself if he did.

  Karena had traveled from India to Canada, then through the American states until her father found Lantern, Texas. Here they were able to settle down and be accepted by the residents. At last, her father could contact Thind Singh, her betrothed, and let him know they could fulfill the promise of marriage that had been made when they were babies. She only had one problem. Her heart had been stolen by a local named Reuben.

  When Thind and his father show up in Lantern, Karena has no choice but to marry her childhood friend, even though she no longer loves him. How can a son of Honor win this exotic girl’s heart and make her his wife without dishonoring his family and hers? Can they find a way to have their happy ever after?

  About the Series

  Sons of Honor Series

  Adam

  Seth

  Jonah

  Jacob

  Reuben

  Benjamin

  PROLOGUE

  Lantern, Texas - July 1882

  “The twins are getting married!” Momma announced suddenly. Reuben Featherstone nodded to himself. Ah, this is why the entire family was invited for dinner: Jonah and Jacob’s weddings needed to be planned out. His four older brothers and their wives or girlfriends were here. Reuben and his baby brother, Benjamin, were the youngest of six. Only he and Ben were single at the table. The family was getting larger and dinner was a bedlam of chatter and silverware clinking on plates. Seth and Purity’s baby slept through it all in a wooden cradle in the parlor. Mercy’s daughters from her previous marriage were quietly whispering to one another at the opposite end of the table.

  Momma glanced at Poppa Monty with a smile. “And they both want to be married before Jacob leaves for college!”

  She cleared her throat, but it didn’t get everyone’s attention like she had hoped. She stood and cleared her throat harder. “Could you all listen to me, please.”

  Heads turned at her insistence. Gradually all who were present looked at her. She smiled. “I propose… a double wedding.”

  “A double wedding?” Jonah turned to his fiancée, Theodora.

  Reuben watched her tilt her head and pucker her lips. Was she considering it?

  Momma sat, smiling at her twin sons. “The two of you have been inseparable most of your lives.”

  Jacob looked at Jonah. There was that silent communication Reuben had seen between them since he could remember.

  “Ladies,” Momma went on speaking directly to her future daughters-in-law. “If you’re having doubts, or you’re thinking you don’t want to share your special day, may I remind you that you are marrying twins and the likelihood of doing much separate from the other is slim.”

  “But, Momma,” Reuben shrugged. “Jacob and Charley are going to Boston. Jonah and he will be separate for several years.”

  “True. But when he comes back, they’ll still be twins. I doubt that bond will be broken just because they spent a few years apart.”

  Reuben nodded. If Jacob comes back to Lantern, he thought.

  Honor smiled hopeful. “Now, Monty and I understand if you just cannot abide by the idea of a double wedding. We will do what you want, but keep in mind we are not the Rockefellers and one double wedding could be just as memorable as two, and, trust me, you’re just as married once Uncle Harrison pronounces you Man and Wife.

  Jonah took Theodora’s hand and whispered in her ear. Jacob and Charley stepped away from the table to speak in private, in the kitchen. Purity walked into the parlor to check on the baby. Reuben dished himself some more mashed potatoes and ladled gravy over them. He had polished them off by the time everybody had come back to the table. The proposal of a double wedding still hung in the air, but there was an amicable spirit among them. Jacob glanced at Jonah, again that silent communication, and then turned to Momma.

  “We think it’s a good idea.” Jonah and Theodora nodded together.

  “Why not?” Theodora added.

  Jacob and Charley nodded. Their eyes bore sincerity in their agreement. Reuben smiled, knowing Momma would be very pleased that they had agreed.

  “Wonderful!” Momma clapped her hands. “Reuben, Benjamin, do you plan to have a guest with you?”

  Sadness washed over Reuben’s heart. He wished he could bring the girl he had fallen in love with, but alas she was already spoken for. “Momma, we’ve talked about this. Karena’s family doesn’t… She won’t be with me at the wedding. But please do invite the Khan family. Perhaps I will get an opportunity to speak with her, maybe even dance with her.”

  Momma nodded. “Of course, the Khans will receive an invitation.” She turned to Benjamin. “How about you, Ben?”

  He grinned sadly. “I’m not sure.”

  Momma nodded, thoughtful. “All right. That gives me an idea of what to expect. Now, eat up before your supper gets cold. We’ll speak to Uncle Harrison and schedule the date; I’m thinking early August so Jacob and Charley can be on their way to Boston.”

  

  CHAPTER ONE

  Lantern, Texas - Earlier that Spring 1882

  Reuben Featherstone stepped outside of the blacksmith’s shop for a breath of fresh air. With the fire and heated metals, the shop grew unbearably hot while he worked, even in the last remnants of winter. His boss, Patrick O’Brien, didn’t even look up from his work as Reuben stepped away from his anvil. Reuben wiped his brow with the back of his hand and watched a coach roll into town.

  When it stopped at the hotel, a dandy-dressed man stepped out and turned to assist what Reuben assumed to be his wife. She was wrapped in fur to protect her from the cold, but the material that protruded from the bottom didn’t look like anything Reuben had seen before. Trimmed with gold thread, what she wore looked like several layers of sheer, silky red material. The couple was dark skinned with elegant, sharp features. The woman bore a red dot between her brow. Were they royalty from abroad? What would royals be doing in Lantern, Texas?

  Reuben watched as they gathered on the boardwalk. A younger version of the woman poked her head out of the carriage, looked around, then stepped down. The man quickly put out his hand and assisted her to the ground. She looked to be Reuben’s age and wore a modern styled dark blue traveling overcoat and gown. She appeared to be Americanized, yet exotic like the couple.

  Reuben’s heart slammed into his ribs. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life.

  Curiosity moved him down the boardwalk, closer to where they waited for t
heir luggage to come off the coach. The driver climbed to the roof and took down three trunks and three carpet bags. He carried a trunk on his shoulder, like a sack of feed, a carpet bag in his free hand, until he had set them near the Lantern Hotel entrance.

  Reuben approached the girl, but the fatherly man stepped between them.

  “Welcome to Lantern, Texas.” The father extended his hand as if to block Reuben from reaching the young lady, but then shook Reuben’s hand as if that were his intension all along.

  “Uh, I’m Reuben, Reuben Featherstone… I work for the blacksmith, down there.” He gestured, lifting his chin toward the smithy shop. “If there’s anything I can help wi—”

  “Ah, thank you.” The man interrupted. “I’m Darsheel Khan; my wife, Anushka.” He glanced to where Reuben’s eyes were focused. “And… this is our daughter, Karena. She’s engaged to be married.”

  The girl gasped but remained silent.

  “Oh!” Reuben tore his eyes off her, glanced inside the coach for anyone else to come out, her fiancé perhaps, and then met Khan’s glare. “I see. I meant no offense.”

  “Yes, yes.” Khan muttered.

  Reuben nodded, taking hold of two trunks left at the entrance, and gestured for them to walk ahead of him into the hotel. “Please let me help you.”

  Mr. Khan glared at the coach driver who had climbed back into his seat and was ignoring his previous passengers. Khan tilted his head in acceptance of Reuben’s help, took the third trunk, and guided his family into the hotel. Karena kept her gaze on Reuben and smiled, then dropped her eyes to the floor and walked behind her parents. Reuben walked two steps behind her, pulling the luggage. Mr. Khan went straight to the desk where Jeremy Doyle waited with a fancy quill pen to sign them in. His twelve-room hotel was seldom completely full so when someone arrived by coach, Doyle was thrilled to have them stay in his hotel.

  Mr. Doyle knitted his brow, watching Reuben bring their trunks in behind them as if he were the doorman or a bellboy. He ripped his glare from Reuben to his guests. “Welcome to Lantern.” He greeted them in his heavy brogue accent. “Where we offer good ol’ Irish hospitality.”

  “Yes, yes, I am Darsheel Khan, my family and I would like two rooms, adjoined, if possible. We might stay a few weeks. If things work out for me here, that is.” He never smiled but was polite.

  Reuben and Karena continued to glance at each other. Reuben caught her eyes and smiled. She ducked her head, but he could see her smiling, too. For someone who was betrothed, she seemed mighty friendly. Suddenly he considered his state. He’d left the blacksmith’s shop because he needed to cool down. Did he stink? She smelled like a flower, something sweet, like honeysuckle or lilac. He gently inhaled, taking in her aroma. When she dropped her gaze to the ground, he quickly lifted one arm and sniffed. He didn’t smell too bad. He hoped his sweat wasn’t offensive. It wasn’t as if he knew he’d end up standing beside the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen or that he’d wish he was more appropriately cleaned and dressed to impress her.

  She smiled at him again. Her father had said she was betrothed, but there was no ring on her hand. Unlike her mother, she did not have a red dot on her forehead. Could that be the public sign of marriage for the women? She appeared to welcome Reuben’s flirtatious glances. Had she noticed he’d checked himself for odor. If she was offended, she didn’t show it.

  However, Reuben considered, perhaps she was not offended by Reuben’s sweaty appearance and possible odor because she was in no way interested in him. Perhaps her smile and downcast glances were merely her way to being polite to a stranger, or servant. After all, he was carrying their luggage.

  She did gasp when her father announced so quickly she was committed to another man. Was that a sign she wished to not make it known? No other man accompanied them here. If she truly was betrothed, where was he? Reuben had so many questions.

  “Of course.” Doyle continued welcoming them. “We have a suite on the top floor, two bedrooms and a common room, if you’d like, or I can put you in two rooms on the second that share a door between them.”

  Khan leaned back slightly, to look into Doyle’s eyes. He seemed to be considering Doyle’s offer. Then he leaned forward and spoke softly. “What would be your weekly rate?”

  Doyle quietly told Khan the prices.

  Khan nodded. “I believe we will be comfortable on the second floor.” He turned back to his wife and daughter, realized Karena stood next to Reuben, and moved to scoop her into his arm to bring her alongside him at the desk.

  Doyle smiled. “Excellent.” He filled out the hotel ledger and turned it for Mr. Khan to sign. While Khan signed, Doyle pulled down two keys to the rooms and handed them to Mr. Khan then lifted his eyes to Mrs. Khan and their daughter. “I hope you will be comfortable for as long as you stay with us.”

  Mrs. Khan jerked a quick nod. Karena barely glanced up.

  Reuben adjusted the trunks in his grip. “May I help with these, since I’m here anyway?”

  Mr. Khan turned to Reuben. “Young man, I assume your generosity is because of my daughter’s beauty, but I must remind you, she is engaged to be married.”

  “Yes sir, uh, no sir. I understand. I just thought since I was here and Mister Doyle would need help carrying your luggage upstairs, I’d give him a hand.”

  Doyle grinned as he came out from behind the large desk. “That’s mighty kind of you, Reuben.” He turned to his guests, “If you’ll follow us, we’ll take you to your rooms.”

  

  Reuben found every excuse he could to wander past the hotel. Luckily, Mrs. Doyle ran a restaurant next door in association with the hotel. In fact, the lobby and the wall between the hotel and the restaurant had been modified with two wide-framed openings where people could walk from one to the other without ever stepping onto the boardwalk.

  Reuben ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Doyle’s restaurant, even though it cost him a lot of his earnings from Mr. O’Brien’s blacksmith apprenticeship, for the occasional chance to see Karena Khan. He soon learned the Khans’ routine and knew when to gear his eating habits to when they would be in the restaurant. Her exotic beauty overwhelmed his heart and although he could not speak with her, he felt his heart sinking deeper and deeper in love with her with each passing day. The memory of the flower fragrance that surrounded her remained with him, and he sought that same flower in town. The lilac blossoms came the closest to being the same and had a nice bundle of blooms that varied from white to blue to purple. Hoping to have a chance to give her a fresh picking one day soon, he paid attention to where the lilacs grew. Never in his life had he noticed the locals’ gardens with such interest.

  On the rare occasion she walked through the lobby alone, he was able to approach her for a brief and superfluous conversation about the rain, sunshine, chill in the air, or warmer days. Anything he could muster to speak to her about he did. Until one day, he asked the burning question of his soul. “If I may be so forward as to ask you, where is this fiancé of yours?”

  She smiled oddly. “I do not know. He and I have been betrothed since we were babies. By the time we left India, we were children. His family stayed in Vancouver, even though we were not readily welcomed as immigrants. Father continued to move Mum and me south until we found Lantern. I have no idea what his family did after we left Canada.”

  Ah, Reuben finally understood why her fiancé was missing. This betrothal was an arranged marriage. He’d heard about such things but had never known anyone who was actually committed to one. He wanted to know more about it. How solid was the commitment? Did he have a snowball’s chance convincing Karena or her father to consider him instead of this mysterious childhood sweetheart?

  Karena continued speaking. “People here are gracious. Father says he is able to work without prejudice for where we are from. And I know he wants to stay here.”

  She lifted dark chocolate eyes to meet his. It was all he could do to keep from taking her into his arms and kissing her soun
dly. He wanted to tell her he had no prejudice for where she was from, India, Timbuktu, or the moon— he did not care. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving and protecting her. But he could not do either.

  “Father tells me when the time is right, he will write Thind’s parents.” She dropped her gaze coyly. Reuben crooked his index finger sideways under her chin and gently lifted her face.

  “Thind? That’s the name of your… fiancé?”

  “Yes. Thind Singh. I have not seen him since Vancouver. I—” She turned away from him.

  “What?” Reuben leaned in closer to her. The lilac aroma filled his senses. He wished he had picked some blossoms for her before coming here today, but he had no idea he would run into her. She shook her head and moved back from him. “I should go to my room.”

  “Is-is it not allowed for you to have… a, a friend?” Reuben gingerly held her arm, preventing her from walking away.

  “Of course not. But a single woman should not be alone with a male person, especially when she is… promised to another.”

  “I was thinking about church or community events. Lantern has one church. The pastor is my great uncle. And there are a lot of social dinners and events. Could I escort you to any of these?”

  “I-I don’t know. It wouldn’t be proper.” Karena turned to face him. Her eyes penetrated his. He wanted to remain engulfed in her gaze forever.

  “I would enjoy your company too much. Reuben, you make me feel—” She pulled out of his grasp. “I have to go.”

  “Karena, wait.”

  She stopped but didn’t turn to face him.

  He rushed up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, leaned into her ear. “I think I love you.” He breathed.

  She shivered, closed her eyes, and pulled away. He watched her scurry up the stairs. He knew it was wrong to say it, but he did love her. If he was reading her correctly, she was interested in him also.