35

The minute Cassie entered the kitchen, Becca sped to her side.

“What did he say?”

Cassie frowned, wondering why Becca would ask her about Jacob’s proposal. Then comprehension dawned.

“I’m so sorry.” She laid her hand on the young woman’s arm. “Something totally unexpected happened last evening, and I forgot my promise.”

Becca dropped her gaze to the floor. “White folks is always forgetting their promises. I thought you was different.”

She spoke so softly Cassie had to strain to hear. The words stung. Becca was right—she’d been so wrapped up in her time with Jacob that she’d thought of nothing else. “A promise is a promise. I’ll go talk to him right now.”

“Don’t be gone too long,” Jenny said from her listening post next to a worktable. “If you hurry, you can get a couple of pies ready to bake when the biscuits are done.”

“I won’t be but a minute.” She zipped out the door, smiling inside at an excuse to see Jacob first thing.

As though he’d read her thoughts, he met her in the dining room. “Good morning, sweet Cassie.”

“Good morning to you too, Jacob.” She maintained a proper distance in case Timothy happened to be watching them. “I forgot to ask you a question last evening.”

“I have one for you as well. Tell me yours first.”

“Did you know that Wash and Becca would like to be married?”

His eyes crinkled at the corners. “No, I didn’t, but I wish them all the best.” Then his brows shot up. “They’re not leaving, are they? I’d hate to lose Wash. He’s a good man.”

“That’s not the issue. They’re both content working for you. But since Wash now lives at your house, they’re worried that you wouldn’t want both of them there.” For a brief second, she marveled at herself advocating for two people she’d only known for a couple of months. Useless Cassie had become bold Cassie, no doubt about it.

Jacob moved closer to a table and rested his free hand on the back of a chair. A hint of a smile appeared. “The question now is, would you want both of them there? My house will be your house soon.”

She slapped her hand against her cheek. “Oh my word. I didn’t think about that.” She and Jacob, living in the same house. Sharing everything. The thought left her breathless. “Of course they could both live in . . . our home.”

He took her hand and kissed her fingertips. “Now it’s my turn with a question.”

She heard shuffling footsteps behind her and turned toward the sound. Jenny stood in the kitchen entrance, arms folded across her stomach. When she saw Cassie looking at her, she cleared her throat and pointed toward the range, then mouthed “pies.”

Cassie nodded, then looked up at Jacob. “She’s urging me to get started on today’s baking.”

“She’s right. We can talk later, perhaps after everyone goes home.” He pivoted toward the grocery.

Cassie longed to follow him, take his arm, and slip away for a picnic somewhere. Instead, she joined Jenny in the kitchen.

Becca stood at the basin watching her. Her hands gripped the edge of the counter as though if she released her hold she’d collapse.

“What did he say, missy?”

“He left the decision to me.” She gulped. She should have asked Jacob if he wanted to share their news with his employees before saying anything. Too late now.

“Why you?” Jenny jammed her hands on her hips. “It’s his house.”

“Last night he asked me to marry him.” She beamed at the two women. “I said yes.”

Jenny wrapped her in a plump hug and kissed her cheek. “I wonder what took him so long. He’s been mooning over you like a lovesick schoolboy for months.”

Becca took several steps away from the basin. “I’m happy for you, missy. But what did you decide about me living in Mr. West’s house?”

“We’d both be glad to have you there with Wash.”

A brief flicker of joy flashed across her face, then she bent her head. “Now alls we need is a preacher. That’s not going to be so easy.”

Cassie brushed away a flutter of apprehension. Talking to Reverend French would not be easy, but she’d have to call on him, and soon.

Late in the day, a lull between the noon meal and supper gave each of them an opportunity for a short rest. Cassie saw her chance to dash down the street to the post office and send her mother’s letter on its way.

Jenny sat at one of the worktables with her feet stretched out in front of her. A mug of coffee rested near her elbow. Becca leaned against the door frame, staring out at the alley. Cassie suspected she watched for Wash to arrive with Jacob’s buggy.

She folded her apron over a chair, donned her bonnet, and stepped out into the stifling afternoon. Thank goodness the post office was but a few yards down Third Street.

Mr. Lyons smiled at her when she stepped through the door. “Nothing for you today, I’m afraid. Your mama doesn’t write as regular as she used to.”

“Mail is slow from Price City. When I was there, train service hadn’t arrived, and the stage only comes east two days a week.”

“How’s she liking being so far from everything? I recollect she’s a pretty citified lady.”

“I believe she’s content.”

Anything she shared with the postmaster would be common knowledge in town within a day, so she kept her response brief. She dug in her bag and handed him the letter.

He read the address, then dropped the envelope into a canvas bag. “This’ll be on its way first thing tomorrow. Your mama will be happy to hear from you, I reckon.”

“I hope so.” However, she doubted Mother would be happy.

Whatever happened next was in the Lord’s hands.

After thanking Mr. Lyons, she paused outside the doorway and gazed at the parsonage across the street. She could go now and speak to Reverend French about Becca and Wash. The conversation wouldn’t take long. He’d either say yes or no—or maybe he wouldn’t be home and she could procrastinate a bit longer.

Gathering her courage, she crossed the boardwalk and stepped onto the dusty street, then hopped backward when a horse and buggy rolled toward her.

“Cassie.” Jacob pulled up on the reins. “Mrs. Fielder said you’d gone this way. Did you get a letter from your mother?”

“No, I sent one telling her of our plans.”

“Guess that was the right thing to do.” A muscle twitched in his jaw before his smile returned. “I’m going to the mercantile. Will you come with me?”

After casting one last glance at the parsonage, she climbed into the buggy. She’d talk to Reverend French tomorrow after church services.

Jacob squeezed her hand. “I want you to show me a picture of the range you’d like to have. I agree with your plans, but I hope to do a little bartering and get Cooper to shave the price.”

She flushed. “I pray you’re successful. I’d never have talked to Faith if only I’d known . . .”

“I’m sure Cooper will be willing to dicker.” He shook the reins over the horse’s back and turned onto King’s Highway. “This is what I started to ask you this morning—would you come with me.” He grinned. “Now that I’ve kidnapped you, you can’t say no.”

“I wouldn’t say no to a buggy ride with you, no matter where we’re headed.”

When they reached the mercantile, he lifted his cane from the buggy floor and descended to the boardwalk. After tying the horse’s reins to a hitching rail, he offered Cassie his hand, holding hers for an extra moment when she stood next to him. She sent up a prayer of thanks that he’d accepted her decision so calmly. If he could barter successfully, she’d feel even better.

Jacob spotted Thaddeus Cooper as soon as they entered the store. “I’m here to see the picture of that range Miss Haddon looked at a couple of days ago.”

“Tyler’s Stove Works catalog. Right here.” Thaddeus reached beneath a counter and dropped the book into Jacob’s waiting hand. He pointed to a scrap of paper protruding near the center. “There’s the page you want, but Miss Faith will have to place the order. You need to talk to her.”

Jacob laid the book on the counter and flipped to the marked page. He turned to Cassie. “Is this the one?”

She stepped closer, her lavender fragrance teasing his senses.

The thought that she’d soon be his wife filled him with wonder. With his past behind him once and for all, the future glowed with promise. Cassie didn’t know it, but she could have asked for an expensive new carriage and he wouldn’t have minded. Having her beside him made him happier than he’d ever been.

“Yes, this would be the best range for the kitchen.” She looked up, her eyes shining. “See the wide oven, yet the total space is little more than half of the range Jenny uses to prepare the meals.” Then her face clouded. “I should have talked to you first,” she whispered.

He patted her hand. “I’d have chosen the same one. It’s just what we need.” His heart warmed to see a smile return to her lips.

“So, d’you want to talk to Miss Faith?” Thaddeus moved from behind the counter.

“Yes, thanks.”

“I’ll fetch her. She’s in the back room, counting buttons, of all things.” He shook his head. “Ladies and their fripperies.”

While he waited, Jacob struggled with doubt. Would Cassie think less of him for confessing he currently lacked funds to purchase the range outright? What if Faith saw him as a poor marriage risk for her friend?

As Faith hurried toward them, he forced himself to return her smile. No sense borrowing trouble—he’d soon have her reaction.

After offering her hand to him and hugging Cassie, Faith pointed to the open catalog page. “Are you pleased with Cassie’s choice?”

“This one is exactly what we need.” He fingered his bow tie, then gripped Cassie’s hand. “Unfortunately, while I was away I invested a large sum in the business, which Cassie had no way of knowing when she chose the range. If you would accept, say a month’s worth of kitchen necessities—flour, coffee, and the like—could you reduce the price?”

Faith’s gaze bounced between Jacob’s eyes and his hand clasped over Cassie’s. A knowing smile crept over her face. “Please don’t be concerned. I’m sure we can work out the details so we’re both happy.”

“Good. If you write up a list of your needs, I’ll have Wash deliver everything to your home.”

“I know you will, Mr. West. You’re an honorable man.” Her smile grew broader when she looked at Cassie. “Do you two have an announcement to make? You’re positively glowing.”

He nodded at Cassie. “Tell her.”

“Jacob has asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes right away before he could change his mind.”

“How splendid for both of you!” Faith drew Cassie into a tight hug. “You deserve happiness after all you’ve been through. I’ll gather my fashion books and on your next free afternoon we’ll select a perfect wedding dress.” She hesitated. “Have you written your mother?”

Jacob gritted his teeth. From Faith’s troubled expression, he gathered that she shared his opinion of Cassie’s mother.