“Momma!” clutching Daisy, Rose hopped out of the carriage and ran toward her mother. “I’m home. I’m home!” she chanted.
Anna closed her eyes as Rose wrapped her right arm around her neck. “Oh, you smell like apple cider and butter cookies.” She sighed as she kissed her mother smartly on the cheek.
Anna’s eyes moistened as she kissed her daughter back. “I’ve missed you terribly. Never are you allowed to leave Tall Pine again—not ever,” Anna teased, pulling away to look at Daisy. “Oh Rose, she is … she is beautiful. So beautiful.”
“And perfect in every way.” Rose tickled Daisy who squealed.
Anna’s eyes shined as she held out her hands. “Let me take her. It has been forever since I’ve held a plump baby.”
Rose laughed and handed over Daisy. “Father!” she exclaimed and threw her arms over his broad shoulders. “You look much too handsome for your age.” She buried her face into his neck, feeling tears prick her eyes. “Momma must have to beat women off with a stick.”Clark said nothing as he rocked his daughter. “My baby,” he whispered before pulling back and cupping her face in his hands. “I’m sorry.” His eyes were gentle and Rose swallowed back a sob that threatened to escape her lips. She knew what her father was saying. He was sorry life had not turned out how she expected it. He was sorry about Cade, and Nell, and the stigma his daughter would now carry for the rest of life.
Rose forced a smile
“I’m fine, Father,” she nodded at Daisy, “I have her.” She looked back at Meg walking up the flower-lined path with Jonathan trailing behind her. “And, I practically kidnapped this talented young woman.” She walked back and took Meg’s arm. “She is a living testament that God answers prayers. You two have been looking for a head cook to work with the twins, and I found her.”
“The twins?” Meg asked.
“The two young men who work the kitchen,” Anna said as she reluctantly handed Daisy to Clark’s outstretched arms. The deep timbre in his voice immediately grew to a high pitch as he began to talk to Daisy, making her laugh, and rubbing noses with her.
Mrs. Castle approached Meg. “It is indeed a blessing to have you.” She looked over Meg’s shoulder at Jonathan, “You can put the rest of the cases in the front room, Jonathan. Are you staying for dinner?”
The doctor shook his head, “No, I have some appointments, but maybe sometime this week.” He glanced at Meg. Reluctantly? Apologetically? Meg couldn’t tell, but she looked away. “When do I start?” Meg asked, eager to prove herself a hard worker and a talented cook.
Anna laughed and took Meg’s hands. “My dear you will be serving many men—hungry men at that. I was thinking you could have a few days to rest and get your bearings before we throw you to the wolves. Besides, it will give us time to go shopping.” Her eyes lit up with the word.
“Shopping?” Meg frowned.
“For a dress, and possibly a hat,” Rose clarified, looking over at Daisy who was being tossed in the air, her blue dress flying above her head as she was smothered with playful kisses every time Clark caught her.
“Mother has many passions, and shopping is one of them.”
“Shopping is not necessarily buying,” Anna said with pride. “I am a sensible woman, but a woman nonetheless, and here I have a new beautiful girl who will be living with us. The temptation is too much.”
“Living in the house?” Meg inhaled sharply, her side hurting again.
Anna glanced at Meg’s ribs but ignored it as she did the bruises. Meg was grateful for that. She didn’t like lying about the stairs, nor did she wish to tell the truth. Her past was not something she was proud of. “Yes. Besides Rose’s room, we have a guest room, and we made the attic into a room for times when others needed a place to stay. But I think the guest room has a comfier bed.”
Meg placed a hand over her stomach refusing to allow herself to become too excited; a room, a dress, surely this would be snatched from her before she could truly enjoy it. Mr. Lars would come and force her to return, or the Castles would change their minds and send her back.
“And don’t you dare think of refusing. I will not allow such silliness. Rose once tried. I shall never understand young ladies refusing dresses.” Mrs. Castle jerked her head for them to follow. “Come inside. I know both of you are probably tired after the journey.
Rose said good-bye to Jonathan as he walked out, noticing that Meg avoided eye contact with him.
Was she shy? Why did she wish to hide her employment at the Red Bear Hotel from him?
“Good-bye, Rose,” Jonathan said with a bow. He looked at Meg, his mouth opening as if he had something to say, then he held out his hand for a polite shake. “And good afternoon to you, Miss Meg.” He put on his bowler hat and walked to his carriage.
The front room was colored in creams, soft yellows, and accents of pink. A carved round table held a large vase of fragrant roses; a fat cat rested on one of the arm chairs. She opened one eye lazily and then rolled over with a groan. Rose inhaled the familiar smell of apple cider and fir trees that always seemed to accompany the front room. It was one of the many things that she loved about her home: Each room seemed to carry its own fragrance.
Anna stood by her husband’s side, wiggling her nose at Daisy. “Go and freshen up, both of you. It is amazing what cool water can do to one’s nerves. Rose, you have your old room, and I’ll take Meg up to hers.”
Meg thanked Mrs. Castle while she showed her to her room. “I hope it is not too drab for you,” Anna looked around disapprovingly. “We didn’t have time to make it look presentable for a young lady.”
Meg looked around, her soft lips parting. How could she express her gratitude for such a lovely room? It was clean and warm, with a little vanity and a closet painted in blue; the comfortable bed was dressed with a thick quilt. Next to the bed was a little stand with a candle and a Bible.
“It is perfect, Mrs. Castle,” she whispered, refusing to cry.
“I am glad it is to your liking. Rose’s room has a bath that I am sure she will let you use.” Anna nodded at the pitcher and bowl on the vanity. “Growing up, that was all we had,” she chuckled. “Sometimes changes are good,” she added before closing the door.
“Yes they are,” Meg replied to herself. She walked over and sat on the bed. Her head was swimming with the realization that not only was she free of Mr. Lars, but Doctor McPherson, the only man to make her heart pound, was a close friend of Rose.
No doubt they would become a couple once Rose’s divorce was final. A man would be a fool to not fall for Rose. Back at the hotel Meg had nearly fallen over when Rose first opened the door. Meg didn’t think a woman could be that lovely. Then, of course, there was Jonathan with his almost black eyes and sweet countenance. Both he and Rose were abnormally beautiful and in a different class than she. Meg looked in the mirror set over the vanity. She rarely studied herself. The few times she did, she did not like what she saw: a thin face with brown eyes, brown hair, even brown freckles across her nose. Everything about her was brown and drab. She looked silly with her hair swept over her forehead, but it was better than the bruises covering half her face.
Meg looked away angrily feeling her emotions weighing on her like a rock, sinking her deep into hopelessness. This is silly. She was here now in Tall Pine—safe—with good, decent people.
She could control her thoughts and her heart. For years she had not let Mr. Lars see her cry, never showing her weakness. She could certainly squelch the tenderness she felt towards the doctor. Nodding in resolve, she kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the bed. Sleep came fast, but not before the memory of kind eyes resurfaced.
/
“Oh dear!” Rose laughed, looking around at her old room. “I think I was trying to replicate Queen Victoria’s boudoir. Why didn’t you stop me?” she teased her mom, placing the now sleeping Daisy in a crib. “Did Father make this?”
Anna nodded. “This was yours. He carved it when I was six months pregnant with you. I didn’t want him to. I was so scared I wouldn’t carry you full term. Your father built it in secret, and when you came out bonny and healthy, he brought it in.”
Rose nodded and stroked Daisy. “Oh, that all men were like Father,” she said, unable to hide the melancholy tone behind a laugh. She shrugged her shoulders, brushing away the hurt. “I definitely need a crib, although sometime during the night she ends up with me in bed.”
Anna laughed. “You were the same. Do you truly not like your room anymore? I remember the fights we had over it. You worked night and day to earn the money to afford these fancy curtains.”
Rose began taking the pins out of her hair and shook out the long curls before massaging her scalp and groaning in delight. “Trust me when I say, I have had enough fancy.”
“I know that feeling,” Anna’s smile fell and she began to tap her nails. “Rose … I know this cannot be easy for you, and I know your father and I should have done more when we knew things were not going well.”
“Mother, please I—”
Anna held up a hand. “No, I need to say this. I feel guilty not coming to your rescue when Cade’s gambling grew worse. Your father and I prayed fiercely that things would get better, but—”she closed her eyes. “Now I am wondering if we were just scared, scared of you being single and divorcing Cade, and what that might mean for you.”
Rose stood up and sat next to her mother, placing her arm around her shoulders. “You know, I have a letter from you in which you explain to me the sacred nature of marriage. How you do all you can to save it.” She laid her hand over her mother’s. “I was angry when you encouraged me to stay with Cade, but now I am glad. Your prayers did not go unheard, Mother. Things worked out in the sense that I found happiness—happiness in myself, happiness in Daisy, true joy in God. I am no longer dependent on Cade for my happiness. As far as being single, do you remember Esther Callen? She did it just fine, and maybe one day I will have a handsome Ranger come and sweep me off my feet.”
Anna laughed. “Oh, who could forget Esther Callen and Joseph Silver? I swear ever since that day, any stranger who comes to Tall Pine is swarmed by young women, all hoping he will be like Joseph.”
“Cade swooped in a bit like that, didn’t he?”
Anna nodded, “Yes, he most certainly did.” She squeezed Rose’s hand gently, “I admire your optimism, Rose.”
“Well,” Rose gave a playful shove, “I had a wonderful example growing up.” She stood up and finished undoing her hair.
Anna smiled reassuringly, “Strange things happen. No one ever thought Esther Callen would marry. Maybe the right man is just around the corner. Jonathan is still single and a colored child would make no difference to him.”
“That is very true,” Rose replied ruefully. She did not like discussing potential romance between her and Jonathan. Their relationship had never been anything other than platonic. She did not blame her mother for hoping that something more would come of their friendship, but she did not want her to get her hopes up either. “There is always his elder brother, Sean McPherson.” Rose teased, changing the subject. “We all know what a gentle tongue he has.”
“Oh, dear me, Sean McPherson, from what I hear, is the most successful surgeon out in Los Angeles. And according to his mother, he has the arrogance to go with it.”
“Two brothers couldn’t be more different, could they? I think Sean is the reason Jonathan became a doctor. Their father encouraged those two the most.” Rose absently stroked the coat. She knew that part of Jonathan’s shyness was because he had been so different from his strong, charismatic older brother. Her mother walked over and gave her a tight hug. “I love you, Rose, and though it hurts me that you did not get the marriage or large family you desired, I can selfishly say that I am glad you are home.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Get some rest now.”
“I will.” Rose watched her mother leave the room then sank down on her bed, her smile fading. It was real now. She was home. Tears pricked her eyes. Not for herself—she would be fine. She had already spent enough time feeling sorry for herself. Cade, on the other hand, he’d had dreams of happiness as well. He loved being a detective, loved using his mind to deduct and place evidence together. He had loved her once, but he loved gambling above all else. For a moment, however, he had also believed they could have a blissful marriage. A melancholy smile passed her lips remembering the first time she saw him.
/
“Rose Castle, the name is Cade Walker. Will you marry me?” The arrogant smile across a handsome face had caught Rose by surprise.
“Excuse me?” she asked, her friends giggling beside her. It was the annual harvest festival and the night smelled of pumpkin pies and roasted pig. She wore a soft green dress and had placed wildflowers in her hair. She had known tonight would be magical, but certainly had not expected a proposal.
“I said, will you marry me? No doubt you have heard about me, the man who saved this Valley from becoming another dirty city. I also have prevented six train robberies, rescued an old woman’s dog, and I never track mud through the kitchen.”He folded his arms. “I can go on if you wish.”
Rose tilted her head and furrowed her brows. “I do not know whether to laugh at your audacity or slap you for your impertinence, Mr. Walker.”
He chuckled. “I’ll take either.” He nodded towards the dance floor. “Dance with me.”
At her raised brows and folded arms, he laughed. “I hope you do not mind me saying this, but you are a fine woman to watch dance, and I am curious about what it is like to be your partner.”
Rose felt her skin grow hot and heard her friends nearly choking with their giggles. “Now I really think I should slap you,” Rose let out a disbelieving laugh. “What are you still doing here? I thought it was final that Tall Pine was free from being developed into a railroad town.”
“It is.” He nodded at two tall men near the refreshment table talking to the mayor.“We were invited to the festival, but I am desperate for a dance before I leave tomorrow morning.”
Rose raised an eyebrow, “I don’t like desperate men, Mr. Walker.”
He held out his hand, “Oh, I guarantee you’ll like this one.”
/
Rose groaned. She could not do this to herself. She’d made the choice to leave and would not allow a few happy memories to make her doubt herself. She was done with Cade, done with Denver, and done with marriage, at least a marriage with Cade.