Orphan Brides Go West: The Complete Series Page 24

  Mr. Smythe had ridden in from the renowned Statesboro Ranch, a day’s ride from town, to buy his usual three months’ worth of supplies for a full staff of cowboys, maids, cooks, nannies, tutors and their families. Diane Clempton had ordered everything the Rainier Hotel would need for the week to feed their many guests. And other out-of-towners from smaller ranches along with the regular townsfolk had buzzed in and out of the store all day long. The lesser orders placed by ranchers, settlers and cowboys were often made in exchange for pelts, skins, bear grease for styling hair, reams of leather, barrels of honey or other such goods, which Kristoff could resell in the store.

  After today’s sales, Kristoff’s supplies were running low, especially on things like sugar, oats, and of course flour, since Katie Pearson had thrown up in a full barrel. He’d have to call on his suppliers tomorrow to restock all of the necessities.

  He shook his head and chuckled. What a way to start their lives together. She certainly had caught his attention – in more ways than one. He recalled how he had finished serving Mrs. Clempton and had looked up to see Mrs. Hutchens returning from the train station. He knew who Katie was immediately - the beautiful, petite, blonde woman. Her large blue eyes were staring up at him as though he might bite her if she came too close. Her hands twisted together in front of a cornflower blue dress that made her eyes seem impossibly blue. She had to be Katie Pearson, since his cousin’s description matched her perfectly. His heart had thumped loudly in his chest as he greeted her. When he stepped forward to take her hand in his, he watched in dismay as she slipped past him and threw up in the flour barrel.

  It was most disturbing to have to discard such a large amount of flour – Kristoff hated to waste anything, especially food. But it couldn’t be helped. He hoped she wasn’t seriously ill. No doubt just a stomach bug she’d caught on the train. Perhaps he should take her to see Doctor Arden tomorrow. He could ask her about it the next time they spoke.

  Kristoff hadn’t seen Katie since Mrs. Hutchens had bundled her into the office earlier that day. He wasn’t sure what he should do – why didn’t she come out of there? Would it invade her privacy if he were to open the door and walk in? I mean, it was his office, after all. He cracked open the office door and peeked in. Katie was curled up on the settee fast asleep. She looked like an angel with her hair spread around her shoulders, but he knew he shouldn’t linger even though he would have liked to. He crept over to the desk to retrieve his accounting ledger, quill and ink pot. He had to do his accounts in the store front, since Katie was sleeping in his office.

  Before long he’d finished working on the accounts, swept the entire store from front to back, tidied up a stack of cans that had been knocked askew by some enthusiastic children, and wiped smudge marks from the front windows. He had nothing left to do. He wondered when she might stir. The rest of the staff had gone home, and now that he’d finished up, he had to decide whether to leave her where she was until she woke by herself, or go in there now and wake her up. He walked to the front of the store, and flicked the ‘Open’ sign around so that it read ‘Closed’ to anyone who might walk by outside.

  Kristoff admired the modernity of the town that had grown up around him over the past few years. He loved Sacramento – it was fresh and vibrant. It felt to him as though it had unlimited potential for anyone with a bit of nous, and the people who came here were generally adventurous and fun-loving by nature. The town had thrived under the influx of miners and fortune hunters after the Gold Rush near Coloma, only thirty-six miles southwest of town.

  Now that the rush was over, many of the surrounding hamlets had dried up and faded away, but not Sacramento. It was thriving. Buildings and businesses had popped up in a haphazard fashion. Carts and wagons hurried down its busy streets, throwing up clouds of dust in their wake. New money had come to town, and the townsfolk celebrated its arrival in garish style. Saloons thrived, and the best saloon girls quickly became the toast of the town, soliciting a kind of celebrity that only those in the west could truly appreciate. And Kristoff had benefited from the town’s growth as well, moving from fisherman, to store clerk, to store owner in less than four years. He smiled, considering the journey he’d taken to get to where he now stood.

  Ambling back through the store with his hands in his pockets, Kristoff decided to see if Katie was awake yet. He shrugged out of his apron, and hung it on the wall behind the counter, then strode to the office and slowly pushed the door open. He spied her on the settee, still fast asleep. He stepped carefully over to her, and squatted down beside her, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. A few stray strands of hair had fallen across her face, and he resisted the urge to push them behind her dainty ear. Her face was almost doll-like in its beauty, and for the first time in his life he found himself feeling protective of a woman he barely knew. He realized in that moment he wanted to get to know her. He wanted to know everything about her.

  “Mrs. Pearson,” he whispered.

  Her blue eyes opened with a few slow blinks, and focused on his face. She flushed red, and hurriedly rose from the settee.

  “Steady, no need to rush.” He smiled at her.

  “Oh dear, how long have I been sleeping?”

  “A few hours.”

  “A few hours? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you at all.”

  “No, you haven’t. Really, it’s no problem. I hated to wake you. You were sleeping so peacefully. You must be tired after your journey. It’s devilishly hard to sleep on those locomotives, all the clacking and the swaying. I hope you’re feeling better now. Do you think you should see the doctor tomorrow?”

  “The doctor?”

  “You were sick earlier.”

  “Oh yes, of course. No, I don’t think I need to see the doctor. I feel fine now. I think I just needed something to eat and a rest.”

  “Well, if you’re ready to go, I’ll take you to Mrs. Hutchins’ house. She has kindly offered to let you stay there until the wedding on Friday.”

  “Thank you that would be fine.”

  Kristoff gathered up Katie’s belongings and followed her out of the store. A buggy was waiting out front, and a bay gelding relaxed in the traces. A young boy stood feeding him handfuls of hay and scratching under his forelock as the animal munched happily.

  “Good evening Mr. Petersen,” said the boy, dropping the hay to the ground and rushing about to open the door of the buggy for them.

  “Good evening Ralph,” said Kristoff, helping Katie inside and climbing in behind her.

  Ralph closed the buggy door. Katie turned her head to see her luggage already stashed behind the chassis of the buggy. Ralph checked the tailboard to ensure it was secure, and climbed up to the driver’s seat. With a click of his tongue, he set them moving at a brisk pace as the bay trotted down the long street.

  Kristoff fidgeted with a loose thread on his pants leg as they sat in the buggy, jostling against each other with the movement of the vehicle. Katie appeared to be fixated on the scenery passing by on her side, and she sat silently with her head turned away from him. Their hands brushed against each other for a moment, and it felt to Kristoff as though a bolt of electricity had run through her and into him. He trembled as Katie quickly moved her hands into her lap, folding them together neatly. He couldn’t deny the chemistry between them. He wondered if she felt it too, or if it was all on his side.

  “Hannah mentioned that your family are also originally from Norway, is that correct?”

  Katie glanced his way, then back out the window.

  “Yes.”

  “What a small world.” He chuckled, then frowned when he got no response.

  “Where in Norway?”

  “Oslo.”

  “Really, that’s where my family are from also. I was born there, but we moved to Boston when I was a teenager. So, I’ve lived in this country for some time, although, according to folks around here, my accent is still so strong I may as well have just arr
ived.”

  Still nothing but a quick nod. Kristoff scowled in frustration. How could they get married if they couldn’t even hold a conversation? He’d initially been hesitant about the idea of marrying someone he’d never met, but had decided to trust his cousin’s judgement. Kristoff believed she knew him well enough to select someone who would suit him. Someone he could love. And when Katie had arrived at the store, looking beautiful and vulnerable, he’d thought for a moment that his cousin had made an even better match than he could have imagined. But now, this taciturn woman seated beside him was making him re-consider the whole idea. He believed the most important thing in a marriage was the ability to get along, and to be open and honest with each other. That’s how his parents had lived, and that’s what he wanted in a marriage for himself.

  He decided to try again. “Can you tell me anything about your family?”

  “My parents died when I was young. I have no other family.”

  Katie’s answer was clipped and brief. Peering around to catch a glimpse of her face Kristoff saw her purse her lips tightly as though she was unhappy having to answer so many questions. He rubbed one hand across his forehead and through his hair, sending it spiking in several different directions at once.

  “And are you feeling well now? Do you know what might have caused your illness?”

  “I am well. Thank you.”

  Kristoff gave up trying to draw her out, and settled back into his seat in defeat. Katie sat silent and tense beside him. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon ahead, and her back was turned to him, straight and taut. Her thin waist barely bending with the pitch of the buggy, she looked as though she were ready to jump from the vehicle and run for her life.

  He sighed, and lay his head against the seat cushion behind him. It would certainly be difficult to send her back after bringing her here from Boston. He had everything set up and ready to go for the wedding on Friday. But, if they couldn’t even hold a simple conversation, how could they get married as planned? He couldn’t imagine committing himself to a silent marriage. It was almost as if she couldn’t stand to be in his presence. Well, if that was the way she felt, perhaps she’d be relieved when he told her he didn’t think they should go through with it.

  On the other hand, Hannah did lead him to believe Katie’s situation was fairly dire in Boston. He was sure it couldn’t possibly be as bad as Hannah had insinuated. He twisted his head to look at her, taking in the long waves of blonde hair neatly pinned away from her face, the trim figure, the subtle tan of her glowing skin. He was sure she’d be able to find a decent job working in a nice home with very little effort. And if it truly was marriage she wanted, no doubt she’d find someone in Boston to marry in no time. He couldn’t believe her situation was as bad as Hannah thought it to be. Perhaps Hannah was simply being melodramatic, or maybe she just wanted to help Kristoff find a wife.

  He sat in silence, letting the movements of the buggy rock him back and forth as they trundled down a narrow, country road toward Mrs. Hutchins’ yellow farmhouse. Her husband, David Hutchins, stood at a simple slatted gate leading into the property and waved to them as the buggy passed by. Kristoff leaned out the window and gazed at the house as they approached. With two full stories, the square house had been built from store-bought siding. Its tin roof glistened silver in the shimmering reds and oranges of the setting sun. A spiral of smoke wafted from a thin chimney, and a large porch wrapped around the lower level, with a short staircase leading up to a robust front door.

  “Evenin’ Kristoff,” said David Hutchins, tramping over to them and extending his hand toward Kristoff.

  “Good evening to you, sir.”

  Kristoff climbed from the buggy and shook hands with David.

  “Your house is as warm and welcoming as always. Thank you for your hospitality. I’m sure Katie will enjoy staying here.”

  Katie climbed out behind Kristoff, who held up his arm to steady her.

  “This is Katie Pearson, Katie this is Mr. David Hutchins.”

  David took Katie’s hand in his, and shook it gently. He smiled shyly, and Katie beamed at him.

  “So pleased to meet you, Mr. Hutchins. What a lovely farm you have.”

  “Why thank you.”

  “I’m so grateful to you for letting me stay here. Is Mrs. Hutchins about?”

  “Mellie’s inside fixing supper. Why don’t you go on in while I see to your bags?” said Mr. Hutchins.

  Katie turned to Kristoff, and grasped his hands in hers.

  “Thank you Kristoff. You’ve been so thoughtful and kind. I do hope to see you soon.”

  Her eyes were so full of sincere gratitude as she squeezed his hands gently between hers that Kristoff felt quite confused.

  “You’re welcome Mrs. Pearson. I know you’ll enjoy your stay here. I will call on you tomorrow if that suits?”

  “Yes please do. I look forward to it.” She smiled warmly at him, and her eyelashes fluttered dreamily against her cheeks as she dropped her eyes demurely to the ground, still holding his hands in hers.

  Kristoff was astonished. She had gone from cold and unresponsive in the buggy, to effusive and affectionate only moments later. What would cause her to act in such a way? He was certain he had no idea, and had never met anyone like her before in his life. He nodded his head at her before she spun about to walk into the house in search of Mrs. Hutchins. He stood staring after her, his lips parted as though he were about to say something. David chuckled softly, reaching for Katie’s luggage.

  “Well, I’d say she has your attention, Kristoff.” He shook his greying head, and his eyes twinkled merrily.

  Kristoff grunted and frowned. “I don’t know about that. She’s the most confounded woman I’ve ever met, and I’ve only known her a few hours.”

  “That sounds about right.” David grinned.

  “I don’t know what she’s thinking. She’s cold one minute and warm the next. I don’t have any idea what to make of it.”

  “Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out in thirty years or so.”

  “I can’t marry someone who’s up and down like a yo-yo,” protested Kristoff.

  “No doubt she has her reasons. Why don’t you ask her about it?”

  “How in tarnation would I do that?”

  “Just ask, ‘is something botherin’ you?’ Then you listen to what she says. It’s pretty simple. Took me a few decades to learn, but I’ve found it works wonders with Mellie.”

  Kristoff scratched his head and stepped back into the buggy. It couldn’t possibly be as easy as that, he was sure of it. “Well, have a good evening. Give my regards to Mrs. Hutchins.”

  “Will do, Kristoff. We’ll be seein’ you.”

  Kristoff could hear him snickering all the way up the stairs as he carried Katie’s luggage into the house. He slumped down in his seat overcome by dismay at the whole situation as the buggy darted down the long driveway and back toward town. His own property was closer to Sacramento, but not far from the Hutchins’ farm. Night was falling fast and he looked forward to getting home and relaxing for a few minutes before supper. He’d almost decided to call off the wedding, but maybe he was being too hasty. Perhaps if he gave it a few more days he’d be able to make up his mind.

  He knew he couldn’t postpone things forever, but what was the use of rushing it? They could put the wedding off if he needed more time to think it through. There was no harm in that, was there? What would he say to Katie though? How would he break it to her without it sounding like he was backing out of marrying her? Surely that would hurt her feelings, and he certainly didn’t want to do that.

  He stuck his head out the window and took in the distant lights of the dusty town. The hoot of an owl swooping overhead could be heard faintly above the noise of the wheels on the road, and a blanket of brilliant stars emerged one by one in the sky above its outstretched wings. Turning around to look behind, he saw the dark outline of the Sierra Nevada. The brooding peaks were barely visible now that the sun h
ad set, but Kristoff knew their shape by heart. He felt a warm peace slipping over him and he sighed with satisfaction.

  Kristoff loved California. The massive dark sky full of twinkling lights, the wide openness of the valleys, the dramatic ravines, the warm breezes that swept in from the desert leaving everything dry and full of grit in their wake. The hint of adventure in the air as though anything were possible. He never wanted to leave this place, there was something so alive about it all. He pulled his head back inside the buggy, and furrowed his brow. Whatever was he going to do about Katie Pearson? He was lonely, and had been for a long time. The idea of spending his life with someone was so appealing, and yet what if marrying was a mistake? What if they weren’t suited to one another? They might well spend a lifetime regretting their decision.

  He couldn’t figure it all out now; he’d have to give it some time. If only she had been open with him, he might have a better idea of what to do. They could postpone the ceremony. It wouldn’t be too hard to do. And surely she would see the wisdom in the idea. There was one thing he was certain of, as they swung into his long driveway and headed past the sumptuous stables, unless something happened to change his mind, he wasn’t going to marry Katie Pearson on Friday.

  12

  Katie woke to the sound of a woodpecker hammering at the trunk of a nearby tree. The air was full of the call of birds, the low of grazing cattle and even the buzzing of bees. Compared to the cacophony of city noises that Katie was used to, and the clackety-clacking of the train over the past ten days, the gentle sounds of country life were a welcome change. The shrill call of curlews had interrupted her sleep throughout the night, startling her into partial wakefulness each time. Yet she felt as though she'd slept for days when her eyes opened and her mouth gaped in a wide yawn.

  The sun was high in the sky, and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted up the staircase to greet her. Katie lay on her back, relishing a rare lazy moment. For the first time since Nicholas’s death, the anxiety that had brought a constant tingling sensation to her chest was gone, and she smiled at the ceiling before throwing back the covers and standing to her feet.