Sarah grabbed her wrap and hurried across the street to Callahan’s. It was still a bit early, and they weren’t yet open for lunch, and Sarah hurried around to the back door and knocked.
The door opened, and Sarah saw a flushed Nell holding a hand over her mouth. She backed up to allow Sarah entry.
“What’s wrong?” Sarah asked.
Nell mumbled. “Cal is making scrambled eggs for his lunch. I can’t stand the smell.” She turned and raced upstairs.
“What is wrong with Nell? She looks terrible.”
Cal looked at Sarah and shrugged. “I have no idea. She feels all right until I make eggs and then she says they make her feel sick.”
“For how long?”
“The last week, I think,” Cal explained.
Nell walked back downstairs. She smiled, but her flushed cheeks were now pale.
“What’s wrong?” Sarah asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t feel well. I’m tired of being sick.” She dropped into a chair and sipped some water.
“You need to see Doc Winters,” Sarah insisted.
“I don’t have time; Cal needs me to help with lunch.”
“No, he doesn’t,” Sarah stated. “Cal, I’m taking Nell to see the doctor right now. She can’t continue to feel like this. She appears to have lost weight, and she didn’t have much, to begin with. Get your wrap, Nell.”
Nell nodded and picked up her wrap. She looked at Cal, and he smiled back at her. “Maybe Sarah is right. I’m worried you might get worse.”
Sarah took Nell’s arm and led the way to Doc Winter’s house. His housekeeper opened the door and ushered them inside. She said Doc wasn’t busy, and he would be right out.
A few minutes later the doctor walked out, and Nell accompanied him to his office. Sarah paced the parlor and wrung her hands worried about her best friend. She remembered how quickly the fever claimed Nell’s mother. Nell couldn’t get ill. Sarah couldn’t lose someone else. She loved Nell more than if she were her sister.
Sarah listened to the grandfather clock in the corner tick off seconds as she waited for Nell. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Nell and Doc Winters walked back into the parlor.
Sarah strode toward them. “Is she all right? How ill is she? What can I do to help?”
Doc Winters bit back a laugh. “She’s perfectly all right.”
Nell looked at Sarah with wide eyes, “I’m going to have a baby.”
Sarah leaned close to Nell and whispered, “But you only married six weeks ago. I was married three months and nothing happened. Are you sure?”
Doc, who couldn’t help overhearing, leaned closer and whispered. “Yes, we’re sure, and babies don’t understand time.” A broad smile crossed his face. “You can help Nell by keeping Cal calm. I have a feeling he’s going to go slightly crazy when he hears the news.”
“Thank you, doctor. I should go home now,” Nell mumbled.
“Of course, Mrs. Callahan. I will see you soon and don’t hesitate to see me sooner if you are concerned about anything. Try the chamomile tea. I think it will help settle your stomach. It won’t last too much longer.” He opened the door, and Nell walked out into the sunshine followed by Sarah.
“A baby, that’s wonderful. Are you happy,” Sarah asked excitedly.
“I think so. I’m very surprised. I knew we’d start a family; I didn’t expect it would be this soon. Oh, Sarah, I am happy. Why are you here and not at your shop?”
Sarah thought quickly and didn’t want to worry Nell on her special day, “I came to talk to you and let you know I heard from Giles. He’ll be away longer than expected. I thought Cal might want to know since he is watching over Giles’ office.”
“I see,” Nell nodded slowly. “Why isn’t he coming back? Is his uncle worse?”
“His uncle passed away.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Nell said and stopped walking while tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Nell what’s wrong,” Sarah asked. “Are you feeling worse? Should we go back and see the doctor?” She grabbed Nell’s hands in hers.
“No, I feel sorry for Giles. I seem to cry easier than usual lately. Doc Winters said that’s normal.”
Sarah released Nell’s hands and slipped her arm into hers. “You cry if it helps. Do you have tea at home or should we stop at the mercantile first?”
Nell sighed. “I need tea, but I need to tell Cal first. Do you suppose he’ll be upset?”
“Absolutely not. It takes two you know. Cal loves you, Nell. He’ll be happy. We’ll go back to the restaurant, and you can talk to Cal. I’ll head over to the mercantile and get you some tea.”
Nell nodded and hugged Sarah before going into the restaurant’s back door.
“Hi, my love. What did the doctor say? You still look a bit pale. Can I make you some lunch?”
“No, I’m all right. I’ll just sit here a bit. Doc Winters say chamomile tea will help settle my stomach. Sarah went to the mercantile to get some.” Nell smiled at her husband. “Doc said I should feel better soon.”
“That’s good, Nellie. Did he tell you what’s wrong and how long until you will be completely well?” He turned, smiled at her, and then turned back to the pot on the stove.
“I don’t think what I have is considered an illness. I should be completely well before next summer.” Nell rested her hand on her stomach. Did she feel bigger already or was it her imagination.
“Next summer?” Cal dropped the ladle he was using to stir the soup in the pot and rushed to her side. “My darling, what is wrong that you will feel ill for so long?”
Nell looked deeply into his eyes and whispered, “Cal, I’m going to have a baby.”
“What?” He jumped to his feet. “Are you sure? That doesn’t seem possible.”
Nell burst into tears again.
Cal spun and pulled her to his feet. He gathered her in his arms. “Don’t cry, Nellie sweetheart. A baby is wonderful news. I am a bit shocked is all. I didn’t think we’d start a family so soon, but God decides these things. I’m happy. Are you?”
Nell looked up at him through her tears, “Yes, I’m happy. Oh, Cal, we’ll have a child. I never thought I’d be married and never dreamed about children. I thought I’d be a cook and old maid forever. Thank you for loving me.” She leaned against his chest and cried.
“I should thank you for loving me. Are you going to cry until the baby’s born?” He whispered into her hair.
“I don’t know,” she giggled through more tears.
He lifted her chin and kissed her deeply and didn’t pull away until Sarah hurried into the door and said, “I brought the tea. Oh sorry.”
They all laughed, and Cal insisted Nell sit and enjoy a cup of tea with Sarah while he finished the soup. After her tea, Sarah rose and told Nell, “I need to get back to the shop. I bought your tea. Let me get it out of the package. I bought several other things so Minnie wouldn’t ask questions. I didn’t think you wanted her to spread word around town before you had the chance.”
Nell smiled, “Thank you, I know Minnie loves to spread a good story.”
“That she does. Can I share your news with Molly? She’ll wonder why I’m smiling when I came to worry over Giles.”
“Yes, but just Molly. I want to keep this quiet.”
“Of course, come by some evening after the shop closes and we can start on a few new dresses. You’ll need them soon,” Sarah winked.
Nell blushed again and said, “I will.”
Sarah gathered her packages and hurried back to her shop. While part of her heart ached that Giles wasn’t coming back, part was brimming over with happiness for her friend. A baby, what wonderful news.
~ * ~
After an afternoon helping Eloise choose more fabric and patterns, Molly and Sarah were ready to spend a quiet evening. Sarah had a chance to share Nell’s news with Molly, and both women began making plans to help Nell with baby clothes.
“I’d like to see Nell and te
ll her how excited I am for her. Let’s have supper at the restaurant,” Molly suggested.
A short while later, Sarah and Molly settled at a table in Callahan’s. Most of the tables were occupied, and Nell hurried from one to another taking orders. She shot a quick smile at Sarah and Nell as she passed their table. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Molly leaned close to Sarah and whispered, “She looks all right now. I’ve known other women who only feel ill in the morning.”
Sarah whispered back, “I hope it is that way for Nell. She looked terrible this morning. Oh, I felt bad for her and didn’t mention anything about Giles except that his uncle passed. She doesn’t need to worry about me.”
“I agree, and I won’t say a word, but I still think he’ll return.” Molly smiled and hoped Sarah would begin to believe it, too.
The door opened and closed with a slam. The sound of boots stomping drew Sarah’s attention. “Oh no,” she groaned. “This is all we need.”
Molly looked up to see Matthew Bridges striding toward their table.
“Evening ladies,” Matthew said. He drew an envelope out of his pocket and said, “I wanted you to be the first to know that the old bat in Chicago might not think I’ll make a good husband, but a pretty little gal in Montana thinks I’m perfect.”
“What are you talking about?” Molly asked.
“When I was in Montana helping my brother, I met the daughter of a neighboring rancher. My brother wrote and told me she’s been pining for me since I left. Miss Betsy is lovely beyond words and I’m going to Montana to get married.”
Nell had come out of the kitchen just before Matthew arrived and heard his entire conversation. She walked over to him and stood nearly toe to toe with him and her hands on her hips.
“Do you mean to tell us, Matthew Bridges, that while I was here waiting for you to return after you asked for a mail-order bride and became angry because I fell in love with Cal when you deserted me that all the while you were courting a girl in Montana?”
“We weren’t exactly courting. I did come back here, remember?”
“Yes, I suppose you did.” Nell turned to walk away and then spun on her heel glaring at Matthew. “Be honest, Matthew, did you come back here for your farm or me. If you didn’t have the farm would you have stayed with Miss Betsy?”
Matthew stood studying his boots. “Yes, I would’ve stayed in Montana if I didn’t have to take care of my farm.”
“So you were going to marry me when your heart belonged to another. How could you do that to Betsy or me or yourself?”
Matthew shrugged.
Nell shook her head slowly. “I think you should leave now Matthew before I forget I’m a lady and toss a coffee pot at you. Oh, and Matthew, good luck and God bless you both.” She allowed a small smile to cross her face.
“Thanks, Miss Penelope, you take care.” Matthew hurried out the door.
Molly giggled. “Nell, I think you surprised him. I would’ve tossed the coffee pot.”
“It wouldn’t be the Christian thing to do. We all deserve to be happy, and I’m happy enough right now not to let anything sadden me. Have you two decided what you’d like? We have fried chicken and potatoes, or Cal can fry eggs and ham. If you want eggs, it will take a bit longer because I can’t be down here when he fries them. You understand,” she smiled and blushed.
Molly said, “Fried chicken sounds good.” Sarah agreed.
Nell sighed. “Most people are asking for the chicken. I wish Cal would stop frying eggs for a while. I’m tired of running upstairs or sitting outside,” she grinned and headed for the kitchen.
Sarah watched Nell hurry into the kitchen. “I’m happy Matthew is leaving town. After Nell married Cal, he thought I should marry him because I had been a mail-order bride. If he found out Giles isn’t returning, he might have bothered me again.”
Molly frowned. “Sarah, stop being negative. He didn’t say he wasn’t returning. He explained his uncle passed away, and he needed to take care of business. Give him a chance.”
Sarah nodded, “I’ll try.”
She pasted a false smile on her face when Nell returned with their supper plates. She did her best to take Molly’s words to heart, but she also felt she wasn’t worth Giles’ love and attention. She knew deep in her heart she was damaged goods.
Chapter 12
Cold October winds gave way to biting early November winds. Clouds threatened snow nearly each day, and Sarah worried about Giles. She prayed each day she’d hear from him, and worried he’d send a telegram to Cal asking that he ship his belongings back East. Her mind knew he wouldn’t come back, but her heart hoped beyond all hope.
Celia burst into the dress shop in the early afternoon. Her cheeks were red from the cold wind and excitement.
“Oh, Sarah,” she exclaimed. “Read this letter I just received. It’s from Clint, I mean Mr. Hastings. He wants to marry me.” She handed the letter to Sarah and dropped into a chair near the front window.
Sarah read the letter while Celia twisted her reticule around in her hands. Sarah’s smile told Celia she approved of what Mr. Hastings wrote.
“Congratulations, Celia,” Sarah said. “He sounds very nice and caring.”
“Yes, he does. Do you think I should accept? What if he doesn’t like me? I couldn’t bear it if he took one look at me and sent me back,” she bit her lip hard. “I couldn’t come back here. It’s why I’m not telling anyone about this until I am ready to leave. You must keep my secret, but if he does send me away what would I do?”
Sarah sat in the chair alongside Celia and took her hand. “I think he will adore you. Celia, you don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re lovely and sweet. What could he find to make him send you away?”
“I don’t know.”
“You told me you had some money and could leave if you needed to which is good. If it did happen, you could come back and try again. People will not laugh at you.”
“I couldn’t come back. I would go to a bigger city and live quietly,” Celia answered.
“No, that would be the worst thing to do. It is very expensive in larger cities. If you ran out of money, you would be in trouble. You must promise to come back here,” Sarah insisted.
“Oh my dear friend, you are new to town. You don’t know about my family and me. My father started the bank with Mr. Willoughby. Haven’t you ever wondered why I live in the largest house in town? My father had it built at the same time they built the bank. I inherited everything. I have enough money to live on for my entire life regardless of where I live,” Celia explained.
“I didn’t know,” Sarah answered a smile spreading across her face. “I won’t worry now.”
Celia leaned closer and whispered, “Not everyone knows this, but some suspect it. I own more of the bank than Mr. Willoughby. I have more money than anyone near Gentle Falls except for a few of the large logging companies. Don’t worry about me. I will always have a good place to live. I’m afraid I will live there alone.”
Sarah let out the breath she held while Celia explained her circumstances. This knowledge made her worry less about her friend leaving for a place as far away as Wyoming.
“By all means,” Sarah said. “Write and accept his proposal.”
“Clint said he would send me a train ticket, stage fare, and money for food along my trip. I could leave now and pay my own way or write him and say I don’t need it, but I don’t want to flaunt my wealth. I think it would be best to tell him face to face once I am sure we’re to be married. You never know what can happen.” Celia smiled and took the letter back from Sarah.
“That’s a good idea. You write your letter and accept his proposal. While you are waiting for an answer, we’ll finish your wardrobe. Now that you’re sure you’re to be married, we can sew you a few pretty nightdresses and underthings,” Sarah suggested.
Celia blushed. “I couldn’t.”
“Of course, you can. You’ll be a beautiful bride, and you’ll make your h
usband very happy.”
Celia stood and hugged Sarah. “Thank you. I’ll send the letter today and come back tomorrow, and we’ll work on those new items. Mother explained about husbands and wives before she passed. I do want to be attractive to Clint.” Her cheeks blushed bright red, and she hurried from the store.
Molly strolled in from the back room. “Did I hear Celia?”
“Yes, her Mr. Hastings proposed. She’s going to write him today and accept, but she still wishes us to keep her secret.”
“I understand that. The single men in this town would bother her if they knew she was serious about marriage and a few of the women might laugh. Maybe not a few, just one, but one is enough. Widow Biggs is more of a tornado when she gets upset,” Molly said as she folded a bolt of fabric and put it on the shelf.
Sarah laughed but knew Molly was correct. Another customer walked in, and Sarah and Molly began what would be a busy afternoon.
They heard the train whistle and Molly said, “Another day over. We worked hard today. A cup of tea and a piece of pie is what I need before sleep.”
Sarah and Molly settled at a table in Callahan’s tired from the extra hours of work they put in on Celia and Eloise’s dresses not to mention the other dresses ordered. Business was brisk.
Sarah nodded, “I’m almost too tired to eat it.” The bell jangled above the door, her heart rate increased, and she gasped. Giles Bowen stood in the doorway.
“Look who is back,” Molly whispered. “I told you.”
Giles strode straight to their table and before he had a chance to say anything, Sarah blurted, “What brings you back?”
Giles stood and stared at her. Did she say something wrong? She meant to tease him. Was he angry?
He reached for her quickly; Sarah flinched and turned her face and shoulder away from him.
He dropped down to his knees and took her hand. “Sarah, look at me. Did you think I would strike you? Oh my darling, Sarah, life with that brute has made you fearful. I would never strike you. Never. I promise you that.”
Giles stood and helped her to her feet. He looked deep into her eyes and kissed her long and deep. He didn’t break the kiss until he heard someone yell “Wahoo,” then clapping, and Molly giggling.
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