Here Comes the Bride (19 page)

“It’s not right.”

“Nope, it ain’t,” Lily agreed, “but there ain’t much either one of us can do about it.”

She finished the last of her coffee and stood to leave.

“Listen, Tess, I wish I could invite you to stay with me and the kids, but the house already ain’t big enough for the four of us. I’m real sorry.”

“Don’t you be sorry one bit, Lily.” Tess smiled. “I’ll be just fine.”

“I’m sure you will.” Lily nodded. “I’m sure you will.”

The next several days all seemed to blend together in a murky blur for Tess. After working her shifts at the restaurant, she would haul two huge buckets full of water up to her room and sponge herself down from head to toe, trying to wash off as much grit and grime as she could. What she wouldn’t give for a nice hot bath and completely clean hair.

The other hotel guests stumbled into their rooms at all hours of the night, falling up and down the stairs, crashing into the walls and generally making enough noise to raise the dead. Tess did not sleep but rather dozed off and on, terrified one of the drunken rascals would come barreling through her door at any time during the night and pass out in her room. Or worse.

She had not seen Gabriel since he showed up in the restaurant her first day there, and her heart ached more and more every day. How she longed to see him again, to look at his face, to look in his eyes—those stormy, smoke-colored eyes that looked right down into her very soul.

Ironically, it was the very day Gabe would have had her on the stage that Tess’s luck finally changed for the better. She was fairly certain Gabe would disagree, but in her opinion, the events of that fateful Friday were the best thing to happen to her since first laying eyes on her angel himself.

It was the day she met the Langman family.

The restaurant was buzzing with lunch customers in various stages of their meals when the door opened and in walked a pretty young girl accompanied by a man who easily could have passed for her twin brother. Tess showed them to the nearest clean table and hurried to fill their coffee cups.

“You’re new.” The man’s voice bounced around the room until every other customer looked up from their meal.

“Yes.” Tess smiled hurriedly. “I am. Have you decided what you would like?”

“I’m Collette Langman,” the girl said, offering her hand. “And this is my tactless brother Frankie.”

Tess’s eyes flew to the kitchen door. She’d already been snapped at twice this morning for talking to customers.

“Collette . . .” Tess faltered. The infamous Collette Langman. The girl’s eyes were bluer than anything Tess had ever seen, and her golden hair fell in shimmering waves down her back. Bart was right, this girl was absolutely stunning. Tess’s smile brightened. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Tess Kinley.”

It was the other girl’s turn to smile now. “Really? You’re Tess Kinley? I’ve heard so much . . . what I mean is, I was told . . .” Collette flushed. “I must sound as bad as Frankie. I’m sorry.”

“Nonsense,” Tess said, glancing back at the kitchen. “I’m afraid I can’t talk right now, but I would very much like to speak with you later. Would you mind?”

“Would I mind?” she repeated. “Why on earth would I mind? I have so many questions for you myself that I could go on for days.”

“I’ll have a steak with potatoes and peas,” Frankie interrupted. “And bread. Lots of bread. And a piece of cherry pie. Got that?”

“Yes,” Tess nodded absently, her focus still on Collette. “Would you be able to meet me later?”

“Oooh, I’d like that.” Collette giggled. “I’ll come back in a few hours, how would that be?”

“Fine,” she answered. “Just fine.”

Miss Lutz cleared her throat behind Tess.

“And what would you like, miss?” Tess’s eyes danced with excitement. She was going to get to know Collette Langman, and perhaps in the process, play matchmaker.

Collette’s mouth twitched against a laugh. “I’ll have a bowl of soup and some bread, please.”

“Of course. I’ll bring your lunches right out.”

Tess’s heart seemed to float in her chest. She already liked Collette Langman and she’d only just met her. Frankie, on the other hand, appeared a little rough, but what did that matter?

She flew through the rest of her shift, counting the minutes until she would learn more about Collette and her family. She hoped she would be able to bring her new friend and Bart together somehow.

With the final plate washed and returned to its place, and all the tables washed and reset for Lily’s supper shift, Tess washed quickly in the kitchen basin and hurried outside to wait for Collette. Within moments the other girl was walking toward her from the livery.

“Tess!” she called. “Come on, let’s walk.”

The two women instinctively linked arms and headed out toward the creek, both giddy with excitement.

“I have to admit,” Tess said, “I’ve heard a little about you, too, Collette.”

Collette’s pretty face pinked. “I hope what you’ve heard is favorable.”

“Oh yes.” Tess laughed. “Very favorable.”

“Tell me!” the girl cried. “Tell me everything. How is he? Is he staying this time? He’s not up and married some little . . .”

“Slow down.” Tess laughed. “I’ll tell you everything I know, which might not be much, but it could prove helpful.”

“Oh, yes, tell me everything.”

They neared the creek now and Tess could smell the sweet bouquet of the wild flowers.

“Let’s sit here,” she said, “and I’ll tell you what I know, okay?”

Collette would have dropped to the ground right there if Tess hadn’t pulled her along to a grassy spot under a huge willow.

“Now,” she began, “I hope I’m not overstepping myself here, but it seems to me you and Bart need a little help, so here it is.”

Collette clasped her hands under her chin and gazed up at Tess with open eagerness.

“Yes,” she continued, “Bart is home, and as far as I know, he plans on staying. At least for some time. No, he did not go off and get himself married and, in fact, he hasn’t even courted a woman for quite some time.”

Collette’s grin widened.

“It would seem,” Tess grinned back, “he is quite taken with a certain someone right here in Porter Creek. Someone whom he considers close to perfect and, now let me think, what were his exact words? Oh, yes, ‘the prettiest thing he ever did see.’”

Collette’s smile faded, her bottom lip trembled. “I knew it!” she cried. “I knew he’d find someone before I ever had a chance to . . .”

“Collette!” Tess laughed gently, placing her hand over the girl’s. “It’s you! Bart wants you!”

“M-me?” she stammered. “Bart is interested in
me
? But I’m not pretty and I’m certainly not even close to perfect!”

“Yes.” Tess nodded. “Your one imperfection, according to Bart, is your family name, but he supposes that can’t be helped. As for the other, Collette, you most certainly are pretty and, in fact, I’d say you are the loveliest girl I’ve seen in a very long time.”

“Oh.” Collette blushed. “You’re just saying that.”

“No, I’m not. You truly are beautiful, Collette, and if you don’t know that, then I suppose that’s what makes you even more attractive to him.”

“Really?”

“Well, I can’t honestly say I am familiar with the way a man’s mind works,” she confessed, “but from what Bart himself has told me, you are his main distraction.”

Collette threw her arms in the air and flopped backward into the grass.

“Oh, thank goodness,” she gushed. “I had myself convinced he didn’t even know I was alive.”

“He knows.” Tess laughed. “He knows all too well.”

Collette sat back up, her eyes suddenly troubled.

“But if what you say is true, then why hasn’t he come calling? Is he sick?”

Tess’s chin dropped to her chest. “Yes,” she finally said. “He has been sick and I’m afraid it’s all my fault.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

Tess explained about the snakebite and how if Bart hadn’t been trying to save her, he never would have been bitten in the first place.

“But you saved his life,” Collette breathed in amazement.

“Hardly,” Tess said, shaking her head. “If it hadn’t been for me—”

“If it hadn’t been for you,” she interrupted, “Bart would be dead right now. Oh, my Lord, Tess, I don’t know what to say.”

Tess shrugged. “You’re very kind, Collette. I wish Gabriel shared the same view as you.”

“What do you mean? Isn’t he grateful you saved his only brother’s life?”

“Oh, I’m sure he is,” Tess hastened to explain. “But the whole incident only furthered his resolve to send me back to Boston where, according to him, I belong.”

“You’re from Boston?” Collette’s eyes rounded. “Really? What on earth are you doing here then?”

Tess could not hide her smile. “I belong here. One day when I’ve saved enough money, I’m going to buy my own farm and live the life I’ve always dreamed of.”

“But what about Gabe . . . ?”

“Yes, Gabriel, he is a bit of a problem, but since I’m not living at El Cielo anymore, I’m hopeful by not seeing him I’ll be able to put him out of my mind.”

“You’re not at El Cielo anymore?” Collette asked, obviously surprised. “Where are you staying—at Miss Hattie’s boardinghouse?”

Tess grimaced. “No, actually, Miss Hattie wouldn’t have me.”

“You’re not serious!” When Tess nodded, Collette’s brow furrowed. “Then where . . . oh, no, Tess, you’re not staying at that dreadful hotel, are you?”

“Yes,” she answered, lifting her chin a notch. “I am. It’s not the nicest place I’ve ever stayed, but it will do for now.”

“It most certainly will not!” Collette declared, bolting to her feet and dragging Tess along with her. “You are coming home with me.”

“But . . .”

“No buts about it. It’s the least I can do, Tess. After all, you saved Bart’s life, and I don’t care a lick what anybody—including nosy old Hattie—thinks about you. Nobody deserves to live in a place like that . . . that. . . hell!”

“Collette . . .”

“Hush now,” the girl ordered, pulling Tess back down the road to town. “There’s plenty of room at our house, and I’d be so happy to have female company. I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Don’t you think you should check with your family first? I’m told you have quite a large family and I can’t imagine there would be enough room for any more . . .”

“Nonsense! Most of my brothers are married and living in their own houses on the ranch anyway. There’s only Pa, Frankie, and me living in that big old house. Now come on.”

“Wait!” Tess pulled her arm free and stopped in her tracks.

“What is it—do you like living at the hotel?”

“No, of course not, it’s just . . .” She hesitated.

“Tell me.” Collette took a step toward her, her hand reaching for Tess’s.

“Two things, really. The first is I must be allowed to pay my own way. I will pay your father for room and board and do my fair share of chores. Agreed?”

Collette nodded. “If Pa agrees.”

“And the second thing is . . . well . . . I don’t know how to say this delicately.”

“Just say it, Tess. I won’t be offended.”

Tess sighed. “If you and Bart should manage to . . . well, you know what I mean . . . I don’t want to be caught between the two of you. I consider both of you my friends now and I can’t be asked to take sides in any kind of disagreement or anything else.”

Collette laughed. “Is that all? Land sakes, Tess, if Bart ever does make his intentions known to me, I am certainly not going to let him go for anything in the world. I’ve waited too long for this, and I intend to dig in my heels and keep him no matter what. That is, of course, if what you’ve told me is true and he does intend to court me.”

“Oh, it’s true, Collette. The problem is, well, may I be frank?”

“I wish you would.”

“He’s concerned about your family. He told me about the problems that have lingered between yours and his, and he’s not so sure he can get past your brothers and your father.”

Collette’s eyes narrowed defiantly. “I’ll take care of my family. If they so much as even think about getting in my way over this, they will rue the day they were born!”

Tess laughed and took the girl’s arm.

“I think this is going to work out splendidly,” she said. “It would seem you and I think along the same lines. What a refreshing change!”

The two women walked back into town, broad smiles across both of their faces. They marched straight up to Tess’s room at the hotel, collected her few belongings, and left.

“I need to stop at the mercantile and purchase a ready-made dress,” Tess said, her first week’s pay clutched in her palm.

“Pish,” Collette said. “I have plenty of dresses, there’s sure to be some you can wear. You save your money for that farm of yours, you hear me?”

“Oh, Collette,” Tess sighed. “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve a friend like you, and I’m certain I can never repay your kindness to me.”

“Being my friend is more than enough payment,” she said, squeezing Tess’s arm. “You and I are going to be the best of friends.”

“Yes.” Tess nodded. “I think you’re right.”

Frankie Langman was waiting for them outside the livery with the horses and buggy. Collette climbed in first and then nodded toward Tess.

“You remember Tess, don’t you, Frankie?”

Frankie grunted some kind of greeting as he took Tess’s hand and helped her into the buggy. She was so happy, so thrilled to be getting out of the hotel and into a real home again that she took no notice of the people around them.

 

 

“Boss!” Miguel hollered. “Boss!”

Gabe strode out of the barn, a horseshoe in one hand and a metal file in the other. Miguel’s horse frothed at the mouth, and Miguel fought for breath himself.

“What in blazes has you all fired up?” he asked, taking the exhausted horse by the bit.

“Trouble, boss. You ain’t gonna like it.”

“What?”

Miguel dismounted, still shaking his head in disbelief.

“It’s Miss Tess,” he said. “I seen her in town just now and . . .”

“And what, Miguel?” Gabe demanded, his whole face darkening like a July storm.

“She was gettin’ in the Langman buggy with Stupid Frankie.”