by Kit Morgan
“Well, I understand some of what you’re saying,” he said after a long pause. “But my experience with falling in love is very different. I suppose it is for men. We’re protective, and the thought of harm coming to Katie made me want to tear apart those threatening her. I want to provide for her, keep her safe, make her happy …”
“But what about the other things?” Beryl asked. “The strange longing I’ve had the last couple of days. Ever since he kissed me, really.”
“Hmm … well, it does add to things. A man can feel very intensely during a kiss and afterwards.” He smiled at Katie. “We gentlemen do like to kiss.”
Beryl smiled. The man was blushing. Better him than her. “I suppose I won’t understand it anytime soon. It just seems so strange to me.”
“It sounds strange,” Jace said. “But honestly, I wouldn’t worry about it. Though I’ve never had a woman ask me these things before.”
“That’s because we don’t,” Katie pointed out.
“More fried chicken?” Jace asked to change the subject. He offered the plate to Beryl.
She stabbed a drumstick with her fork and sighed. “Despite what we discussed, I have to admit I think I’m ready to be a wife.”
“You’re only courting, Miss Branson,” Jace reminded her. “He hasn’t asked you to marry him yet.”
Katie was quick to jump in. “But I’m sure he will. After all, that’s the purpose of courting, isn’t it?”
Jace made a face.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Katie asked.
“Nothing.” He took a quick bite of his chicken, obviously not wanting to dive into the conversation again.
Katie wasn’t letting him off the hook. “Jace Diamond, what are you not telling us?”
He chewed slowly, swallowed. “Katie, your fried chicken is wonderful.”
“Jace!”
He held up his hands, dropping his chicken in the process. “All right. Let Ephraim court you, Miss Branson. If you two feel so intensely for each other, there’s nothing wrong with that. It simply means you’ll marry sooner than later.” He picked up his chicken again.
Beryl blinked. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“There, you see?” Katie said. “You’re as good as hitched.”
Beryl smiled. She was falling in love with Ephraim, or at least she thought so. But this was much more, more than she could describe. No wonder she couldn’t explain things better. Or she was worrying more than she needed to.
She picked up her chicken and took a bite. It was good. Which reminded her that she couldn’t cook a whit. Or sew, or do housework, or anything else domestic. For Heaven’s sake, she’d been dressed by a lady’s maid since she was fourteen. How would she adjust to small-town life? How would Ephraim adjust to being married to an heiress? She no more fit in a town like Independence than Ephraim would in Baltimore high society. If only she didn’t have so many unanswered questions …
“Beryl,” Katie said gently. “What’s wrong?”
Beryl looked up from her dinner. “I’ll figure things out.” She smiled at Jace. “Thank you for listening. I know it wasn’t the most comfortable conversation for you.”
Jace took a sip of lemonade. “Not to worry. I hope I helped.”
Blushing, Beryl took another bite of dinner. Maybe she should’ve stuck with telling only Betsy and Katie. Maybe she should write a letter to her mother. But by the time her mother received it, would she be married? These were the sorts of questions swirling around her mind.
“Might I make a suggestion?” Jace asked as he reached for the mashed potatoes.
“Please do,” Beryl said feeling more frustrated than ever.
“Just let things happen. Let love grow naturally.”
She closed her eyes and bit her lip. The way Ephraim made her feel was like nothing she’d ever heard or read about. Could she trust it to work out on its own?
“He’s right,” Katie said. “Just let it happen.”
She glanced between them. “Fine. It’s all I can do. I just wish I knew what love looked like.”
“She always was one to overthink things,” Katie sighed, then added, “You know it’s true.”
“I know.” Beryl straightened in her chair. “Why don’t we talk about something else now?” She certainly didn’t want to keep talking about this. She’d gotten nowhere. Of all the stories of romance and marriage Betsy had told them that afternoon, none included intense feelings of longing and being utterly complete, which then disappeared in a flash of agony. It had only happened a few times, for a few seconds, but it was enough, as if a part of her that had been dormant all this time had suddenly wakened.
They finished dinner, had dessert and talked about anything and everything except Ephraim or Katie’s parents. But that was okay – everyone needed a break from that. In fact, Katie hadn’t seen them since she refused to go home with them earlier that day. Had she mentioned it to Jace yet? No, she hadn’t had the chance – Beryl had been with her ever since.
“Katie,” Beryl said as they were doing dishes later. “When will you tell Jace about your father’s request to return to Denver?”
Katie took a shuddering breath. “Did you have to bring that up?”
“Yes. You’ll have to tell him eventually.”
“I know.” Katie handed her another dish to dry.
Beryl took it and started wiping. “The sooner you get it over with, the better.”
Katie waited for her to put the plate on the stack, then handed her a cup. “I know. I’m just afraid he’ll be upset.”
Beryl stopped wiping. “Why are relationships so complicated?”
Katie laughed. “They’re not easy, but where would we be without them? No one can live alone and isolated.”
“Some people do.” Beryl took the next dish from her.
“I’ll tell him as soon as we’re done,” Katie smiled and crossed her heart. “I promise.”
Beryl smiled and continued drying. Whereas Katie procrastinated and got into trouble, Beryl forged ahead like a stampeding bison … and got into trouble.
When they entered the parlor Jace wasn’t there. “I wonder where he went,” Katie said.
“Bedroom?” Beryl guessed.
With a shrug, Katie headed that way. “Jace?”
Out of curiosity, Beryl peeked out the parlor window. Oh – Jace was on the porch with Ephraim. Her heart fluttered as her belly flipped. Okay, according to Betsy, that was normal. Then her body shuddered, and she took a breath and had to hold it keep from trembling further. That wasn’t normal. Seeing him was like having a rope around her waist pulling her toward him, and it was only growing stronger, more frightening. And while she liked it, she still didn’t understand it.
She went to the front door and opened it. “Good evening.” The minute the words were out, her heart started hammering in her chest and it was all she could do to stay put.
Ephraim grinned. “Good evening. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Nonsense,” Jace said. “We’ve had a lovely evening, the three of us. I wish you could’ve been here.”
“I just got back into town. I’ve been out at the Templetons’.”
Beryl’s heart calmed as she thought of Darcy. That poor girl. “Did you speak with Darcy’s parents?”
“Yes, I did.”
Beryl gasped. “What did you say?”
“Only that I think Darcy is a young woman now and is beginning to notice young men. She’s almost of marriageable age, after all.”
Beryl nodded. At least he knew Darcy’s family and could speak frankly with them about their daughter and her increasing infatuation.
Jace scratched his head and chuckled. “And what did Jess have to say?”
“Not much. I do hope she’s still allowed to work at the café.”
“Oh, Ephraim,” Beryl said as Katie joined them. “What if they make her quit her job?”
“I doubt they will.”
“Did you tell th
em about Mr. Markhel?” Beryl asked, since that was his concern in the first place.
“I left that part out,” he admitted. “If I hadn’t, Jess might well have made Darcy quit, and Mr. Gruber would be short a waitress. Clara’s getting on in years …”
“Oh, my heavens.” Katie put her hand to her temple.
“Speaking of telling people,” Beryl prompted.
Katie grimaced. “I was hoping you’d forget.”
“Forget what?” Jace asked.
“Katie has something to discuss with you,” Beryl volunteered. She turned to Ephraim. “Maybe we ought to take a stroll?”
“Is that a hint?” He smiled and looked at Jace. “I think I’m going for a walk.”
Jace was eyeing his wife. “I think so. Perhaps you should escort Miss Branson back to the hotel.”
“I think I shall.” Ephraim motioned to the door. “Why don’t you fetch your things?”
Beryl nodded and went inside. As she looked for her reticule, she thought about Katie and what she’d say. It seemed all of them had things they were having to confess – and none of which so far were working out. She hoped this did, and Jace wasn’t too angry with Katie’s father. But he wasn’t stupid and was sure to have words with Mr. Haverdash eventually.
She returned to the porch where Ephraim offered his arm. “Shall we take a turn around the town?”
She laughed. The town was small enough to. “Why not?”
Ephraim tipped his hat to Jace and Katie, then led her off the porch. They walked about a half a block before he glanced over his shoulder. “She hadn’t told him yet?”
“No. We’ve been together all afternoon.”
“You have?”
“Yes. When I stayed behind at the Vanders’, Katie did too. It was fun.”
“Betsy?”
Beryl nodded. “She grows on you.”
He patted her hand. “That she does.” Before she knew they were at the bookshop and he motioned her to sit down on the bench outside.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, I’d just like to spend a few moments alone with you. Is there anything wrong with that?”
“I don’t know – how many gossips do you have in this town?”
He chuckled. “More than a few. What town doesn’t?” He turned to her on the bench and gazed into her eyes. “I know this sounds silly, but I missed you this afternoon.”
Her heart started doing that funny thing again, like it was trying to leap out of her chest and join with his. “I missed you too.”
He scooted closer. “Beryl, I couldn’t get you out of my head all afternoon.”
“You couldn’t?” she said, voice cracking. She didn’t know why she was suddenly nervous. Was he going to kiss her again? Could she stand it? Last time she felt like her heart would burst. For Heaven’s sake, she couldn’t speak for a minute!
He moved closer still. “I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m separated from you for a few hours and think I might go mad.”
Her eyes widened. “Ephraim …”
“You must think I’ve gone mad already.” He looked away.
She touched his arm. “No, I don’t. I … I can’t describe my feelings, but they’re growing.”
His jaw went tight, as if he was fighting something.
“Are you all right?” she asked, concerned.
“I think that’s the problem,” he said with a small laugh. “When I’m with you, I’m too right.”
She grinned. “Me too. Strange, isn’t it?”
He smiled back. “Not where I come from.”
Beryl put her hand in her lap and smiled. “Clear Creek sounds like a strange place.”
He laughed. “You could say that. Things happen there that don’t happen anywhere else.”
“So you’ve told me.” She fiddled with her reticule, still nervous. Was he going to kiss her? Would she feel all the things she felt the last time? She hoped so.
“Beryl, I’ve been thinking …”
Her head came up. “About what?”
“Us. The way I feel about you. I know it sounds crazy – we’ve only known each other a few days, I didn’t send for you, you didn’t even come here with the intent to marry. Yet here we are, sitting on a bench, and it’s all I can do not to kiss you senseless.”
Her heart stopped. And before she knew it, the words were out. “Why don’t you?”
It was all the permission he needed. His lips were on hers, gentle yet hungry, and he took her breath away. Everything around them – the bookshop, the bench they were on, the night sky, the town – disappeared. There was only him and their kiss.
Ephraim deepened the kiss, his arms around her, pulling her against him. She wanted this to go on forever, but knew they’d have to stop eventually. For now, though, it was Heaven.
“Ahem …”
They froze, their lips still locked.
“Doc Stone?”
Ephraim drew away, licked his lips and looked up at Professor Hamilton. “Yes?”
“Having a good evening, son?” the professor asked with a grin.
Ephraim swallowed hard. “I was.”
The professor’s shoulder shook with silent mirth. “And you, Miss Branson?”
Beryl’s fingers went to her lips as she tried to form words. “Mwmbm …” She settled for a nod.
“Well, that’s nice to hear.” The professor went to the door of the bookshop, pulled out a key and unlocked it. “Well, then I’ll just leave you two alone.” He gave Ephraim a pointed look. “Or is that a bad idea?”
He let Beryl go. “I was … just escorting Miss Branson to the hotel.”
The professor slowly nodded. “I see. Perhaps you ought to continue.”
Ephraim stood. “Oh, yes, quite.” He cleared his throat and offered Beryl his hand. “Perhaps we’d better.”
She looked at the professor sheepishly, took Ephraim’s hand and let him pull her to her feet. “Have a nice evening, Professor,” she whispered. She supposed getting caught by Professor Hamilton was the least of her worries. From what she’d heard, the man was no gossip. Things could have been worse.
“Well,” Ephraim mumbled. “We’ll be going now.”
“You do that,” the professor said with a nod. “Good night.”
“Good night, Professor.” Ephraim took Beryl’s hand and led her away.
The moment she heard the bookshop door close, she giggled. “Oh, my goodness!”
Ephraim smiled, then laughed as well. “I’m sorry, I’ve been less than the gentleman this evening. But I can’t say I won’t do it again. I don’t know what happens when I’m with you, Beryl, it’s as if …”
“You can’t get enough?”
He stopped and looked at her in the moonlight. “Exactly. And it’s happening so fast …”
She nodded. “I thought it was just me.”
“As did I.” He looked at the starry sky, swallowed hard, then met her gaze again. “Who am I to tell Mr. Templeton about his daughter and her behavior toward men? Look what I’m doing.”
She put her hand to his cheek. “Ephraim, don’t talk like that. Besides, Darcy’s still a girl.”
“She’ll be eighteen in the fall. Of marriageable age.”
Beryl licked her lips. She was feeling brave at the moment. “I’m of marriageable age.”
He tucked his finger under her chin and brought her face closer to his. “Yes, my dear, you are.” He took a shaky breath. “I have to get you back to the hotel. Now.”
She nodded in understanding. It wasn’t as if he wanted to have his way with her – or rather, he might want to but wouldn’t. Still, this went way beyond that. And the only two people she knew who’d experienced anything near this were her parents, currently two continents and an ocean away. If he asked her right now to marry him, she knew she would, crazy though it was.
Beryl took a big breath and held it as they walked to the hotel. It was the only way to keep her body from trembling. Why did this keep
happening?
Chapter Fifteen
Beryl awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. She hadn’t slept that well in … she couldn’t remember. Unless she counted the first time Ephraim kissed her. But this time was different. This time the man practically proposed.
She giggled at the thought, sat up and stretched. Glancing out the window, it looked like a beautiful day. She sighed in contentment. Ephraim had walked her to her door, kissed her again, then promised he’d come fetch her in the morning and take her to breakfast at the café.
She got up, happy to start her day and performed her usual morning routine. She dressed and fixed her hair in a way she thought he might like, allowing little wisps to frame her face. She went to the window several times to see if she could spot him coming, pinching her cheeks each time. But so far there was no sign of the man.
She went to the bed and sat, trying not to fidget. She was too excited to see him. Who knew love could be so grand? But was she in love? Or was she experiencing her heart opening to a man with the same amount of passion she did with other things in her life? As Katie said yesterday, that’s who she was – she felt things intensely, and acted accordingly. She couldn’t help herself. She took after her father in that respect.
A knock on her door made her jump. “Ephraim!” She hurried to open it.
“Good morning,” he said as his eyes roamed over her. “You look beautiful.”
She blushed. “Thank you.” She’d put on her lavender day dress with the white ribbons running down the bodice. “Are you hungry?”
“Starved. Did you sleep well?” He offered her his arm.
She closed the door, locked it and wrapped her arm through his. “Very. You?”
“Yes and no. I suddenly find I have a lot of things on my mind.”
They reached the staircase before she replied. “Like what?” She hoped it didn’t have anything to do with their kissing last night. Did he feel guilty? Remorseful? Oh dear …