COLLEEN: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (11 page)

"You don't mind, do you? Boris likes to follow me around whenever I'm home. Sometimes, I think he thinks he's a dog."

"No, I don’t mind at all. You don't have any dogs, do you?"  She didn't think she'd noticed any.

"No, it's just me and Boris. We're a good team."

Colleen smiled at the sight of David rubbing Boris's belly. The big, tough cowboy was a marshmallow with his cat. It was nice to see a softer side of him. Out here, he seemed more relaxed, less reserved. She really liked this David.

"Are you ready for something else to eat?" He reached for the basket and started rummaging in it.

"Sure, what do you have?"

"Fresh bread that was baked this morning, butter, and sliced roast turkey. I hope sandwiches are all right?"

"Of course. Did you make all this?" Colleen was surprised and quite impressed. She had no idea he could cook.

He looked a bit sheepish. "No, unfortunately. I'm not much of a cook. I did have a little help. I bought the bread and butter at the mercantile earlier today and stopped by my mother's house on the way home. Our arrangement was for me to pick up a few things for her in town and she would have a roast turkey ready for me."

"That's a nice arrangement. Sounds like you need a wife," Colleen teased.

David chuckled. "I happen to agree. Do you know anyone who might be interested?"

"Possibly." She smiled at the thought. She had to admit, she could see herself fitting more easily into David's world than to Ricky's. Though she would have thought the opposite when she’d first arrived in Bozeman. Living in town at Ricky's place would be more like being in Boston, but unlike Ricky, Colleen didn't mind being out in the middle of nowhere, as he put it. She thought it was beautiful and peaceful and she liked that both his parents and Julia lived nearby.

"Well, you're giving me hope, then. I have to confess I was a bit nervous about asking you this." He dug into his pocket and pulled out something small and shiny and Colleen's mouth fell open. She truly wasn't expecting that. Not yet, anyway.

"Colleen Shea, would you do me the very great honor of being my wife?" His hand shook ever so slightly as he held the ring out and Colleen looked into his eyes and saw something there that shook her to her core. He hadn't said that he loved her, but she could see very clearly that he cared for her deeply. That was a good enough start for her. She didn’t even hesitate.

"I would love to," she breathed.

"Really?" He sounded a little surprised and relieved and then quickly slid the ring on her finger. She looked down and marveled at its beauty. It was a square cut diamond and it glistened as the sunlight fell upon it. She felt a calloused hand on her chin, pulling her toward him and then for the first time, he kissed her. His touch was light and warm and his lips brushed hers for just a moment or two before he leaned back and smiled. His touch warmed her like Ricky's hadn't and she relaxed, knowing she had made the right choice.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Julia and Liam were still up when David brought her home later that night. They could see the glimmer of candlelight as they pulled up to the door. David came inside with her for a moment to share their good news. Julia saw the ring on her finger before either of them said a word and flew across the room to give her a hug.

"Congratulations! I am so happy for you both. When will you have the wedding?"

Colleen glanced at David to let him answer. They had discussed it earlier.

"We were thinking in about three weeks, the weekend after the art society benefit," he said.

"That gives a little time to plan and I'm going to be making us new dresses for it, so I'll have something nice to wear for the wedding, too," Colleen added.

"That makes sense." Julia glanced at both of them when she asked the next question, "Will you still work at the pub? You don't have to, but you're welcome to." Colleen knew they needed her there, especially with Julia getting further into her pregnancy and needing to slow down at some point. She and David had discussed that as well.

"Yes, I'd like to. David said I can use his buggy to go into town. He doesn't need it too often for working on the farm.

"Oh, good, we like having you there." Both Julia and Liam looked relieved to hear that she would be staying on at the pub. Colleen had caught on quickly to restaurant work and was able to fill in waiting on tables as needed as well as acting as a hostess. She enjoyed the work as well for the most part. It was fast paced and made her feel useful.

After David said his goodbyes and that he'd see them all the next day at church, Liam excused himself to head to bed. Once he'd left the room, Julia turned her attention back to Colleen.

"I'm thrilled, of course, but are you sure about this? You were just out with Ricky last night."

Colleen sighed. "I'm sure. It just felt right when David asked me. I didn't get that same feeling from Ricky. But it's not just that. It's been building. I've always been drawn to Ricky but also wary of him at the same time. He's not as bad as Frank, but they do share some similar qualities that ultimately made it clear that David was the better choice for me."

"Are you in love with David?" Julia looked hopeful and doubtful at the same time.

"I'm not sure. Maybe if I'd only been dating him, I might be, but I kept both of them at a distance to be respectful of everyone's feelings and because I wanted to avoid being hurt as well. It took me a long time to get over Frank."

"I know it did," Julia sympathized. "And coming out here was a huge step for you. I'm so glad and proud of you that you did it."

"I'm glad I did it, too. Bozeman really feels like home already."

She chuckled then. "And to think that I had the option to live in town and chose to live on a farm instead."

"I'm not at all surprised," Julia said. "It's not where you live that matters as much as who you live with."

Colleen had to agree with that, and for the first time in several weeks, now that the decision had been made, she slept like a baby.

At David's parents’ house the next day after church, they talked about the wedding non-stop. Naomi was thrilled with the news and Elizabeth was fascinated with her ring. Before they sat down to dinner, Colleen had Elizabeth try on the dress that she'd half-finished sewing so she could see how it looked and adjust the fit. Elizabeth insisted on doing it before they ate, when she'd be at her slimmest. She twirled in her bedroom as she admired herself and the dress in the full-length mirror. Finally, Colleen had had enough.

"I'm glad you like it, but I need you to stand still for a few minutes so I can get this pinned without sticking you."

"Oh, sorry!" Elizabeth then stood perfectly straight while Colleen nipped and tucked here and there to get it just right.

"It does look lovely on you," she said as she stuck in the final pin.

"I can't thank you enough for this!" Elizabeth turned and looked at Colleen and added, "As soon as all of my friends see this dress, they are going to want one of their own. You could start a sewing business!"

Colleen just smiled at that. She appreciated Elizabeth's enthusiasm, but she doubted that there would be that much of a demand in Bozeman for her sewing services. She didn't mind, though, as she enjoyed working at the pub. If she could pick up the occasional sewing project here and there, that would be just fine with her.

Just as Elizabeth was almost done slipping the dress off, Naomi's panicked voice called up to them. "Girls, could you come down here as soon as you have a minute? Jed is missing, and we need to go find him."

Elizabeth quickly got dressed and they made their way into the main room where the others were gathered. Naomi looked close to tears and quickly explained. "I thought he was just going out to the barn as soon as we got home from church to get some eggs, but he never came back in. I had Joshua run out to check and there's no sign of him. David and Paul have already gone out to start looking."

Colleen hadn't even noticed that Jed wasn't there when they'd first arrived. It seemed somewhat strange to her that they were so alarmed. It was a nice day, and he probably just went for a walk. She kept her thoughts to herself, though, as Naomi seemed very upset.

"Julia, why don't you, Elizabeth and Colleen go together, and Hannah and I will head out and the rest of the boys will go ahead of us on horses so they can go faster."

Elizabeth led the way as they walked down towards the pond area that David had shown her before. She walked quickly and Colleen noticed that although she was quiet, she looked almost as upset as her mother. Then she suddenly realized why. "It's not the first time he's done this, is it?" she asked.

Elizabeth bit her lower lip. "No. It happened one day last week, too, but we didn't notice right away because he was just off working as usual. He always feeds the animals and brings in the eggs first thing, then sits down to have breakfast with us. When he was more than a half-hour late, my mother started worrying and sent a few of the boys out to find him." Elizabeth paused for a moment and then continued. "They found him sitting by the pond, staring off into space. Once he saw the boys, he snapped back and said he'd just been resting his eyes, that he was tired, but they knew something was off."

"Maybe he'll be there again," Colleen said, but as the pond came into view there was no sign of Jed anywhere. They were about to turn back when Julia stopped and said, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Elizabeth asked and then they all heard the sound of footsteps and twigs cracking underneath. It was coming from just beyond the pond. They started walking toward the sound, into the woods, and then they saw him. Jed was walking in the opposite direction of the house and every few feet he stopped and changed direction slightly.

"Dad?" Elizabeth called out. At the sound of her voice, he turned and stared at her blankly. "Dad, it's me, Elizabeth."

A confused and panicked look flashed across his face and it broke Colleen's heart. It was as if he knew that something was wrong, that it was happening again, but then the moment was just as quickly gone and it was as if suddenly all the pieces clicked together and he smiled.

"My favorite daughter. What are you doing out here?"

"Your only daughter, silly. I was looking for you. Mom wanted me to come find you so we can all sit down to dinner."

"Oh, all right, then." He walked over to them and smiled. "I am getting kind of hungry. Beautiful day, isn't it?"

They walked back to the house and ran into Joshua on horseback. He took one look at them and just said, "I'll see you all back there." He rode off in the opposite direction, though, and Colleen guessed he was going to find the others and tell them to hurry back.

When they arrived back at the house, Elizabeth fussed over her father, telling him to have a seat and making him a cup of hot tea. As she was setting it down in front of him, Naomi came rushing into the house and then slowed down when she saw him sitting safely at the dining room table. She looked as though she wanted to give him a big hug, but she restrained herself and, instead, smiled cheerily.