“That was mighty nice of you.” Gus raised his cup to his lips again.
“Max suggested it first, but we all agreed.”
“Oh.” Gus lowered his hand. “It’s coming back to me now. Jasper ’n me are gonna talk to Ezra together.”
“That’s the plan.” Max finally drank from his cup. “And everything will be fine if we follow the plan.”
Robyn frowned. Plans were only the first step. She’d made a lot of them and they’d yet to yield even a glimmer of her desired outcome. If Max accompanied her to Cobb’s Penn and witnessed her next transformation, but then continued to treat her as oddly as he had since seeing her in a dress… Well, then everything was definitely not fine. It meant her worst fears might be happening.
She’d changed not only herself but Max. In all the wrong ways. She was losing her best friend.
Chapter 6
Robyn stole another glance out Cobb’s Penn’s window, hoping to see Max striding down Noelle’s main street toward the general store—and her.
When Jasper had not appeared for breakfast, their plans had careened off the rails. Gus had been determined to find his missing friend. No one could fault him for that. She’d offered to delay her arrival at Cobb’s Penn and join his search. Gus had refused her help, saying Max’s assistance would be sufficient.
The two men had departed Peregrines’ Post, each carrying a burlap sack of wool—but only after Max clandestinely transferred half of Gus’ load to his and vowed he’d join her at Cobb’s Penn as soon as he could.
That’d been a while ago. Max should be here by now. Unless they hadn’t found Jasper. Then they truly did need her help. Choosing to pursue her own goals rather than assisting the people who mattered most in her life made her stomach churn with self-reprimand.
“Are you all right?” Avis inquired.
She gave up trying to appear sophisticated and nonchalant in front of the shop owner as well as Norah and Cara. “I’m worried about Gus’ friend. Jasper was supposed to join us for breakfast.” She moved as close as she could to the window without disturbing the many items on display and scanned the street. “Max and Gus are searching for him. I should’ve gone with them.”
“Ease your mind,” Norah said. “Jasper’s fine. I saw him looking after one of the orphans who arrived earlier this month.” Norah laughed. “In a corner of our saloon, no less. His complete devotion to the challenge sprung upon him so unexpectedly was adorable.”
“This town needs a nursery.” Avis’ tone turned disgruntled. “Tending a baby can wear down even the stoutest of hearts and bodies.”
Cara gave her a reassuring look. “Jasper can handle more than most.”
Robyn heaved a sigh of relief, then acceptance. Jasper wasn’t lost. He’d merely been too distracted to join them for breakfast. That also meant Jasper couldn’t accompany Gus to Ezra’s home. Max would’ve taken up the task. He couldn’t join her until he’d traveled to the Thornton ranch and back.
“You’re right, Cara,” Norah said with a wry chuckle. “Leave it to an old-timer to show us some Christmas spirit. The entire town could learn a lot from his generosity.”
Avis huffed. “We all need to help each other more.”
Robyn turned away from the window to face her trio of helpers. “Thank you for agreeing to help me.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Cara said.
“And it’ll be fun,” Norah assured her.
“Shall we style your hair before we choose your hat?” Avis asked.
When she nodded, Avis pulled a chair into the center of the room and gestured for her to sit.
After she did, the three women formed a semi-circle in front of her.
Norah rubbed her palms together. “Let’s have a look.” She gestured for Robyn to remove her wool cap.
Robyn did so slowly and held it in her lap.
Cara gave her a curious look. “Can’t blame you for being reluctant to take off your hat. It’s lovely.”
She played the fabric through her fingers. “Max knitted it for me.”
“Oh.” Cara drew out the word, slowly and knowingly. “I see.”
“Yes,” Norah said. “I saw a lot last night too.”
Robyn glanced up to find the two redheads grinning at her. Her shoulders slumped. “Am I being that obvious?”
“You’re being you, and we”—Avis gave Cara and Norah a chastising look—“having each longed for someone we thought we couldn’t have, shouldn’t tease you.”
“Quite right.” Norah heaved a sigh. “Last night after you left the Nugget, Seamus mentioned that Max had a talent many in Noelle teased him about.”
Robyn frowned. The Max she knew didn’t seem particularly disturbed by any kind of teasing. He appeared too confident to care what others said. The last time she’d seen him really perturbed was when her brothers first called him Dog Bone.
“Do you think Max could knit more caps?” Avis asked. “We could sell them at Cobb’s Penn.”
Cara laughed. “You’re always looking for new stock.”
“Having people make things in town makes it easier to keep our shelves full.” Avis’ gaze cut to Robyn. “Don’t get me wrong. The Peregrines always do their best transporting our goods. And now that the railroad’s reached town, shipments from Denver are even faster. But imagine having everything made in town.”
“Or even a few more things. We’re lucky to have Birdie’s dresses, Daphne’s hats, Jolie and Hank’s gift cards, Victoria’s baking and Alejandro’s sweets, and” —Cara winked at Norah—“your and Seamus’ whiskey.”
The same question that she’d asked the Peregrines last night rose in her mind. “Do you think anyone else would wear my cap?”
Cara started undoing Robyn’s braid. “There’s something for everyone. Look at the wooden legs Jack creates. Luckily most people don’t need them, but those who do are very lucky to receive them.”
“But would any woman wear my cap?”
Avis grabbed a hair brush. “Of course, you’re wearing it.”
“I meant, would other women?”
Cara tilted her head as she considered the question. “Anything made of wool would be handy for our cold weather.”
Avis examined Robyn’s face. “Your skin could use some help in that area.” She handed the brush to Norah. “Get to work while I check my inventory.”
“Can you remove my freckles?” Robyn asked.
Norah huffed as she commenced briskly brushing Robyn’s hair. “Avis won’t stock those kinds of products.”
“Because they do more harm than good.” Avis shook her finger at them, then strode to a shelf of neatly arranged jars. “All freckles are beautiful. Robyn’s skin only requires soothing from the frost and wind.” She selected a jar and handed it to Cara. “Apply this while I gather my hairpins and ribbons.”
“You’ll soon have skin as soft as…” Norah laughed. “Your cap.”
“Wool usually makes me itchy.” Cara touched Robyn’s cap before she began applying the lotion to Robyn’s skin, which as promised brought instant relief. “Why is your cap different?”
“It starts with the sheep,” she replied. “A family from Spain are raising a special breed near Denver.”
“Denver, Denver, Denver,” Avis muttered as she laid a dazzling rainbow of hair ribbons on the nearest counter. “Why can’t someone start a similar farm closer to Noelle?”
Norah’s brushing stopped. “Maybe Max could.”
The mention of his name sent Robyn’s gaze skittering to the window where she still saw no sign of him joining her.
“Yes, he’s a knitter,” Avis said. “So, he knows about wool, but it sounds like you do as well, Robyn.”
Cara grabbed her hand. “You and Max could stay in Noelle and raise sheep and sell knitwear and—” Cara released her. “Why are you shaking your head so vehemently?”
“We enjoy freighting too much to give it up. It’s what brought us together.” It was what kept them together until she’d left Denver and
disrupted their connection.
Norah resumed her brushing. “Working with a partner can be rewarding. You mentioned your brothers were also involved in freighting.”
“Would one of them be interested in something new?” Cara asked.
The steady stroke of Norah’s brush raised a memory. Bryn had done this when she was little. His big hands hadn’t been so agile. He’d fumbled a lot and muttered many curses, but he’d taken up the brush every night until she claimed the task as her own. Her memories were full of many similar events. Her big brothers bending their backs and their lives to help not only her but others.
If a task needed doing, they did it. But what did they really enjoy doing?
She tried to imagine them herding sheep. Heddwyn’s craving for speed and Griffin’s need to be in the middle of things didn’t fit a farm’s slower pace and isolation. That left Brynmor “My oldest brother might.” But Bryn would never let anyone split up their family.
“Will he be joining you in Noelle? Does he need a bride?” Cara grinned. “Noelle’s matchmakers will be keen to meet him.”
She doubted their interest would last long. Bryn’s size intimidated most people. His clouded eye had become the real conversation killer. Or worse. Heaven help anyone who asked how it had happened. “Brynmor’s…extra busy in Denver while Max and I are away. All of my brothers are.”
Cara closed her jar of lotion. “They must miss you, and you them.”
“But…” She strove to find a bright side for her brothers as well. “I think we all needed a change.”
Norah circled her, touching her hair lightly as she did. “Don’t change too much.”
“Why not?”
Avis took the jar and brush from Cara and Norah and set them on the counter beside the hair ribbons and pins. “Because then you won’t be you.”
“And we like you,” Cara folded her arms decisively.
Norah and Avis mimicked her stance. The three women stood in a row. Facing Robyn. United. Her brothers did the same when they were worried or being protective.
The women in Denver had done the opposite. They shied away from her. Glanced over their shoulders at her. They never acted like friends.
A lump rose in her throat. Would she be lucky enough to see these women after she left Noelle? Or even after she left this shop?
Some friendships were doomed from the start. Lark and her songbird sisters had shown Robyn that. But even if friendships couldn’t last, they could still be enjoyed—in the moment.
Happiness was a gift. One that could be received or given…or even better shared.
She squared her shoulders. “Styling my hair can easily be undone, right?”
When they shrugged noncommittally, she flashed the grin she’d used to sway her brothers and then Gus. “And trying on hats… That’s something we could do together, right?”
“Oh!” Cara clapped her hands. “You are so right.”
“We can select hats for each other as well as ourselves.” Norah waved for them to follow her.
Robyn left her chair and joined them by Daphne’s hat display.
Avis passed out hand mirrors. “I hope we have time to try on all of the hats.”
They all nodded. Time. That was another gift.
While her new friends hovered around her, chatting happily and placing hats on each other’s heads, including hers—she stole one last peek out the window.
Max still hadn’t appeared. He’d taken the time to join her in Noelle, but how much happiness could they share if they spent less and less time together? And how much time would anyone want to spend with her if she weren’t happy?
No one enjoyed being around miserable people. But even the smallest of smiles could lead to laughter.
She put her wool cap in her skirt pocket, and tried to be happy without Max. Maybe then they’d have a better chance of being happy together when they next met.
Chapter 7
Max scowled at the horses’ backs, the buckboard beneath his feet, his hands holding the reins. He flicked them again, encouraging the pair of grays to increase their pace. After more than a year away, he was back doing what he’d done every day in Noelle. Putting out fires for his brother’s business.
Jack’s mantra rang in his head. Peregrines is a family business. His big brother could be exceptionally pedantic about reminding everyone about the family involvement while in the same sentence needling Max about his obligation.
Not that Jack meant to rile him. But his words often did. And his actions too.
Despite preaching total partnership, Jack held back information. He couldn’t stop being the leader who tried to shelter his family and then ended up shepherding them as well. In Denver, Max enjoyed knowing every detail. Robyn and her brothers’ fondness for talk had a lot to do with that, but there was more. He was in the middle of their work. He was in charge of his destiny.
Lord knew what would happen today in Noelle. That was the Noelle way. Out of his control.
As usual, his family and everyone here had a knack for blasting all of his plans to smithereens. His campaign to find a minder for Gus, so he could stay close to Robyn, had developed more snags than a river full of fallen trees. His grandfather had become exceptionally wily in his quest to pursue his independence and his latest project.
Knitting. He snorted. He knew from experience that no one here valued it. At least it was now keeping Gus occupied with Ezra.
Another crafty old-timer. He snorted again. He hadn’t been able to refuse Ezra’s request that he drive this load of hay bales from the Thornton ranch to the train depot. A farm down the line needed the feed, and Thorntons had a surplus and Ezra’s grandson was busy. Doing heaven knew what. He hadn’t seen Storm at the ranch.
He’d seen a goose who behaved like a watchdog however. He rubbed the sore spot on his leg where the beast had pecked him. He would’ve gladly taken the bird to market as well, but apparently it was a pet.
Yep, no doubt about it. Noelle was out of control.
But at least he’d finally reached the familiar curve in the road—with its unfamiliar book store and bakery on his left. He executed the turn onto main street, threading his way through riders and walkers—without a break in his horses’ strides.
Ha! He snapped the reins and the team accelerated. Satisfaction surged through his veins. Sitting in an office pushing paper had not dulled his driving skills as Robyn’s brothers often teased.
Cobb’s Penn’s storefront came up fast. Faster than a new plan could form in his brain. How would he convince Robyn to abandon her transformation inside and spend her time with him outside?
She could help him with his cargo. Wearing a dress? Why not? The Robyn he knew could do anything.
He halted the team, yanked the wagon’s handbrake, tossed the reins ’round the hitching rail, and bounded onto the boardwalk. He slowed only to glance through the window. A cluster of people stood inside. Their proximity to one another and his pace made individual identification impossible. A flash of red made his spirit rejoice then rebel.
Neither the length nor the shade was right. Had they changed Robyn’s hair so much he wouldn’t recognize her?
He yanked open the door. It hit the wall with a bang.
Three dark-haired women spun around to face him, revealing all of the person—and not only the top of their head—who previously stood behind the group. Liam Fulton. The red-haired man who owned the shop.
Robyn wasn’t here.
“Sorry for the disturbance.” He spun on his heel to make his exit.
“Hold up, Max!” Liam strode toward him, grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically. “It’s good to see you back in Noelle. My wife, Avis”—he gestured over his shoulder toward the woman who’d left the others and walked toward him as well—“was just telling me about your knitting.”
“My…” He trailed off in confusion. He must not have heard correctly. “There’s been a mistake.” I don’t do that anymore. “I only run freight.�
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Liam’s wife closed the door and stood in front of it, blocking his departure. “I saw the cap you made for Robyn.”
“She was here.” Max scanned the shop again, then felt idiotic because obviously she had been and had now gone elsewhere. “Did she return to Peregrines?”
“Went across the street to Nacho’s.” Liam looped his arm around his wife’s shoulders and gazed down at her affectionately. “I think my arrival disrupted your party. But at least your new friend left with ribbons in her hair and a fine hat on her head.”
Avis’ dark eyes studied Max closely. “She left happy.”
He flinched. “She was…smiling?”
“A lot,” Avis replied without hesitation. “She also talked a lot about dance lessons.”
And Robyn was now inside the diner, the dancing lady’s domain. His spine sagged. “I’m too late.”
“I’d say you’re right on time.” Liam slapped him on the shoulder. “Avis was wondering if you could make more of your caps? With some sort of special wool? We’d like to try selling them here.”
“I can’t. Gus has—” He buttoned his lip.
Gus had taken the knitting needles Max had left at Peregrines, and he could keep them. He also deserved to keep his activities secret until he, and only he, wished to reveal them.
Alarm widened Avis’ eyes, and Liam’s too as he asked, “Is your grandfather missing again? Do you need our help finding him?”
Their concern for his grandfather startled then comforted him. There were good people in Noelle, but that didn’t mean it was a good place for him to stay.
“Gus is fine. He’s working. I need to return to my work as well.” He pointed to the door behind Avis and Liam. “I’ve a delivery waiting outside.”
Liam opened the door. “Come see us when you’re done.”
“And we’ll talk about your knitting more.” Avis stepped aside and his path was finally clear.
“Can’t,” he muttered as he strode out and reclaimed his seat on the wagon. “I’m too busy.”
“Hope you’re not too busy to attend Noelle’s Christmas Party.” Avis’ words followed him down the street as he set the wagon rolling, at a much slower pace than before.
Robyn- A Christmas Bride Page 6