Bride of the Wild (10 page)

In a flurry of activity, the waiters brought out bottles of champagne and trays with sparkling glasses. The townspeople laughed and grinned, rejoicing in this happy change of circumstance. I found it difficult to join them, feeling dreadful about the passing of two people I knew and others before.

Micah’s features remained bland, and he continued to eat, while regarding me soberly. “Have your cake. Eat it.”

I picked at the dessert, finding my appetite waning. “You may have the rest.” This seemed to bother him, because he frowned.

Silas perceived me, strolling over. “My dear, here’s your champagne.” He set the glass before me, while it bubbled dazzlingly, the fluid a golden color. “Tonight we shall celebrate. I’ll be at your house at seven. I wish to see you in your best dress.” He eyed the black ensemble I wore. “Not that hideous thing. I know you’re distressed about what happened, but this is not a time of sorrow. We’ve been under threat for more than a week, and it’s over now. My family’s hosting a party tonight, and I’d be honored if you would attend, Saffron.”

I sighed inwardly, knowing what I would say. “All right, Silas. I’ll go with you.”

He grinned playfully. “Excellent.” His gaze swept over Micah, the smile diminishing marginally. “You may come too, if you wish. Now, please excuse me, my dear. I’ve a million things to do before tonight. We shall have a party the likes of which this town has never seen.” He tipped his hat. “I’ll be at your house at seven sharp. See you then.”

As he walked away, I frowned, doubting we would have one private moment together later. When I glanced at Micah, I found him staring at me. “Will you come?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Where are you staying? Where were you and Deer Hunter staying before last night?”

“Doctor Walker rents out the extra rooms behind his office. I’ve some things there.”

I spied Tom out of the corner of my eye, laughing, while speaking to one of his friends. “Why don’t you stay with us?” I had boldly offered him a place at my father’s house, which wasn’t something I even had permission to do, but I assumed pa wouldn’t mind.

His mouth had fallen open, and he blinked repeatedly. “I … I think … I thank you for that, but I’m fine in town. I check the post office several times a day for work notices. I need to be here.”

“I see. Well, if things change, I’m sure pa won’t mind offering room and board.”

“That’s kind of you. Thank you.” He eyed the cake. “Are you sure you don’t want that?”

“You may have it.” I slid the plate towards him. “Help yourself. We shouldn’t let it go to waste.”

He cut it with his fork, bringing a bite to his mouth. “It is very good.”

Pa approached. “Have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“About the celebration tonight.”

“Yes. Silas invited me. He’ll be at the house later.”

He patted my back. “We’ve come through the worst, my dear. It’s all over.”

“Not the funerals. There will be plenty of those.”

His smile faded. “Yes, that’s true. It’ll be a rough coupla days, but at least we no longer have to fear for our lives.” He glanced at Micah. “We owe you a debt of gratitude. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“It was my pleasure. I’m glad I was there.” He looked at me. “Things might’ve been very different, if Deer Runner and I hadn’t been there. Deer Runner did his part as well. Half the bullets in that bear were his.”

Pa nodded. “He shall be honored as the hero he was. I’ve already discussed it with Mayor Ward. He won’t be forgotten.”

“Thank you.” Micah got to his feet, tossing money onto the table. “I’ve a few things I need to do. I’m sure we’ll see one another again, at least until I leave.”

“You’re off to find work in the mountains?” asked pa.

“Yes. Either scouting or trapping. I haven’t decided which yet.”

“Do say goodbye to us before you go.”

“It won’t be for several days, maybe longer.”

“Then we’ll be seeing you at the funerals,” I said.

He nodded somberly. “Yes. That’s why I’m waiting.”

Merriment abounded, the voices of men and women rejoicing, but I felt little of that. It wasn’t just the loss of Lucy and Deer Runner that dampened my spirits. Micas’ departure disappointed me as well. I enjoyed his company. There was something about him that was gentle and comforting.

Pa, seeing that he would depart, said, “I’ll follow you out, son.”

They left together, while I sat by myself observing the celebration with dispassion. I should be relieved the ordeal was over, but I felt nothing other than sadness. I would never see Lucy again. She had been our maid, but she was my friend as well. I would miss her dearly.

Chapter Eleven

Several days worth of funerals and the clean up at home had left me in a sour mood. Although I had seen Silas two evenings before at his hotel, I had not spoken to him for very long. We had not had a real conversation in the least, because he had been far too preoccupied celebrating and socializing. I found myself at home for the remainder of the week, helping Amelia remove the wallpaper and other chores.

“Someone comes,” my sister said.

We sat on the porch, resting for a moment, holding glasses of lemonade. I had worn a serviceable calico dress with a stained apron. We desperately needed to hire another maid, but that would require a trip to town.

“It looks like a lone rider.”

“Pa said he hired new ranch hands. Might be one of them.”

Whoever it was wore a wide-brimmed hat, and I felt a twinge of anticipation, wondering if Micah had come to see us. He had been at Deer Runner’s and Lucy’s funeral, but I hadn’t seen him since. “I can’t tell.” I squinted, hoping the person would come into focus. Something looked familiar about the way he sat—the shape of his chin, and then I knew who it was. “Silas.” I slid from the seat, standing on the porch, waiting for him to approach. “We’ve had almost no time together. I’m glad he’s come. There are things I wanted to talk about.”

Amelia remained seated. “He looks different. I’ve never seen him dressed so plainly. He’s usually on the verge of being foppish.”

It annoyed me that she spoke this way about my beau. “Well, he can afford to buy new things. He’s from the richest family in town.”

“You’d think they would’ve come to see you sooner. None of them bothered to pay their respects. You’re to be a part of their family … maybe. He’s dragging his feet asking for you.”

“No, he’s not.” Now anger truly prickled. “I’ve been mourning all year. I couldn’t dishonor mother by having a wedding so close after her funeral.”

“Most people don’t care a continental about that out here, Saffron. Societal dictates aren’t important when you’re fighting for survival. Women need food and shelter and protection. We’re lucky to be so happily settled, with pa taking care of us, but that could change in an instant.”

Silas approached, trotting down the lane towards the house. “I can’t talk about this right now. I’m not sure why you’d want to ruin my day by being rude to me and calling Silas foppish.”

“You’ve been grumpy all week. It’s not because of Lucy’s death either. I can’t figure out if it’s Silas you wish to see or Micah.”

“Silas, of course. Mr. Blaylock was most helpful when we needed him. We all owe him a debt of gratitude, but he’s gone now.”

“No, he’s not. I saw him in town this morning.”

I hadn’t known that, thinking he had gone off into the mountains already. “Well, how nice for him.”

Silas left his horse in the barn, sauntering over in trousers and a checkered tow shirt. “Howdy!”

“I wasn’t expecting you.”

He grinned. “I’ve been remiss. I came to apologize for being so distracted.” His boots clunked on the wooden steps. “How are you, Saffron?”

I smiled. “Better now.”

“You look like a cleaning woman.”

“I am. We’ve been working all week. I’ll put in a notice at the post office for another maid, but I haven’t been able to do it yet.”

“I could’ve,” said Amelia. She shrugged. “But it slipped my mind.”

Silas glanced at her. “How are you?”

“Fine.”

An awkward moment passed, as the conversation died, and wanting to be alone with Silas, I took the initiative. “Why don’t we go for a walk?”

“An excellent idea.” He held out his arm.

I observed Amelia over my shoulder, noting her expression bordered on a smirk. This sudden animosity towards Silas puzzled me, but I did not want to dwell on that at the moment, preferring to enjoy the moment instead. I had been waiting nearly two weeks to be alone with him.

“I have to explain my tardiness,” he said.

“I know you’ve been busy. We’ve all been distracted by the bear attacks.”

“Yes, but we’ve had company as well. I was going to tell you when I saw you at the funeral, but we never had a moment to ourselves.”

“That’s true.”

“My mother’s sister arrived with a friend. I was called upon to help entertain them.”

“Oh.” My feet crunched over the gravel in the drive, as we strolled towards the pond. I could see pa in the pasture on a horse, cutting a lonely figure. “That’s kind of you.” He had escorted women around town, while I had been waiting to see him.

“Now that the ordeal is over, we can resume our courtship, if you wish.”

I glanced at him. “Yes, I wish it. Do you?”

“Of course, my dear. No more funerals for us and no more black.” He considered me thoughtfully. “I prefer you in work duds any day to hideous black.”

“I should mourn for Lucy. She was more than a maid to us.”

“Wear a black bonnet in her honor or a shawl. That should be sufficient.”

We had reached a line of trees, and pa, being out in the pasture, began to trot towards us, moving across an uncultivated field, which sported yellow sunflower-like weeds, which grew in abundance now.

“Will you stay for supper? Amelia’s roasting chickens.”

“I can’t. I’ve a reception for The Commerce Club. They voted me in as chair a few months ago, and now I’m obliged to attend every meeting.”

There was always some function or another that required his attention. “Then perhaps tomorrow night?” I looked hopeful, as pa inched closer.

“Come to town tomorrow for lunch.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Hello, Mr. Fossett. How are you today?”

“Just fine, Silas, and you?”

“Well enough. I came to see Saffron.”

“She’s been waiting for you, son. It’s about time you showed up.”

Embarrassed by that, I said quickly, “Yes, well, we’ve all been preoccupied. I’d invite you into the house, but it’s a mess.”

“I can’t stay long. I just wanted to see how you were. The church is hosting a luncheon on Sunday afternoon, but perhaps we can see a play at the Merrimen Theatre House tomorrow night. I know you’ve seen it already, but we could do the Variety Music Cavalcade again.”

I would agree to almost anything to spend more time with Silas. “Yes, I’d like that.”

Pa, knowing I wished to speak to my beau in private, said, “I’ll leave you two to discuss your plans. It was good seeing you again, Silas. Don’t be a stranger.” He encouraged the horse to turn towards the road.

“Thank you, Mr. Fossett.” He took my arm. “Let’s go back.”

I fell into step beside him, wishing he didn’t have to go so soon. “So, tell me about your mother’s sister. How does she like Fern Valley?” Family members rarely traveled this far to visit, if ever. People embarking on such an arduous journey intended to settle for good after they arrived.

“Her name’s Jane Philips. Her husband passed away nearly a decade ago. She brought a traveling companion, another widow by the name of Clarissa Faris. California is their final destination, but, because they arrived so late in the season, they’ll have to wait until next summer before they can go.”

“You’ll have houseguests for some time then.”

“It doesn’t bother me in the least.”

His family owned a ranch outside of town, but he typically stayed at the hotel. “That’s true. Your sister and mother will have to see to their comfort.”

“Indeed.”

We had nearly reached the house, and there were still things left to discuss. “I … Silas?”

“What is it?”

“We’ve been courting for almost a year now. You’ve respected my decision to mourn my mother and you’ve been extraordinarily patient with me. I … ”

He grinned. “Yes?”

“I’m just wondering where we go from here.” There. I had asked the burning question. Most women my age had already married, and I wished to have my own family, preferably as soon as possible.

“When do I finally stop lollygagging and ask you to marry me?”

My hands went to my hips. “That about sums it up. Yes.”

“As soon as I broach the topic with my mother. I planned to speak to her about it a while ago, but then the bear upset things. You were mourning anyhow. I’ll ask her as soon as I can.”

It was always best to have the blessings of one’s parents, but Mrs. Hefferman hadn’t ever truly warmed to me. I sensed she found me lacking in some manner, because I had never been invited to any of her luncheons or clubs or to dinner. I had spoken to her at church, but other than that, we had not had a great deal of interaction.

“What if she refuses to give her permission?”

He smiled contritely. “I doubt that would be the issue. Mother will adore you just as much as I do. It should be rather obvious we’re going to be engaged. You’re the only woman I’ve been seen with for more than a year. Everyone knows we’re headed towards the altar.”

Hearing those words put my mind at ease, because he had affirmed the direction our courtship had taken. “Then you should talk to her.”

“We’ll have a lovely time tomorrow, and we’ll sit together at the luncheon on Sunday.” He reached for my hand, kissing it lightly. Those pale blue eyes paused upon my face. “You’re fetching, Saffron. I’d be proud to call you my wife.”

It felt like a ray of sunshine had lifted my spirits. The horrors of the week melted away, leaving me with a sense of rightness. “I’d be honored to be Mrs. Silas Hefferman.”

“I must be going, but we’ll see each other again soon enough.” His smile lessened. “No black.” He wagged a finger teasingly. “I don’t wish to be seen with the black widow. Wear something festive. We’ve had enough sorrow now. It’s time to celebrate our good fortune and the fact that you’ve survived a dreadful attack. My only thoughts are on the future.”