41
Ginny decided once she’d finished feeding the baby and before the day’s heat became too much for her that she’d take Grace for a stroll in the baby carriage Frank had bought. Nell helped her take the buggy down the steps and met her with lively little Grace in her arms.
“Maybe the stroll will help her take a long morning nap,” Nell commented.
Ginny nodded with a smile. “She really has gotten used to her morning outings, and it helps me to get out of the house for a while and stretch my legs.”
“Let me know when you’re back or just park the buggy by the steps, and I’ll come get it for you.”
“Thanks, Nell. I couldn’t make it without all the help you’ve been.” Ginny placed the baby in the buggy, unlocked the brake, and began their usual morning stroll. She waved to the familiar folks on the street going about their day. Most were friendly, hardworking folks just struggling to make a living for their families. She loved her life here.
As she rounded the block, between houses, she once again saw Robert nearing the back door of a house whose owner Ginny didn’t know. Probably someone new in town since she’d had little Grace. She paused, chewing her lip, wondering if she should mention this to Grace. It had been early morning right after breakfast this week when she’d first seen Robert at the house. Now she caught a glimpse of a pretty woman with blonde hair opening the door with a friendly smile and taking his wrist, pulling him inside. Mighty friendly, she thought. Is that the reason he’s never seriously courted anyone? Another woman? Heavens to Betsy, I pray not!
Grace pulled out the emerald gown to make sure that no alterations were needed. She was in awe at the beautiful and intricate silk embroidery on the dress. Her friend had excellent taste, that was for certain. After slipping it over her head, she realized that she and Ginny were nearly mirrors of one another’s shape, with Grace only a little taller. The dress didn’t reach the floor but was only an inch above. No one would notice that small difference in length, and she was quite pleased when she wandered over to the cheval mirror and caught her reflection there. She was transfixed at how elegant she looked in the lovely gown of moiré silk. Ginny had probably ordered it from Paris, costing her a pretty penny. Grace felt bad that she would be the first one to get to wear it—she mustn’t spill anything that night.
She pulled her hair up from the nape of her neck. Not too bad, but she’d have to work on taming those curls. Will Robert think I’m pretty? She scrutinized her face with a critical eye. Her skin was drier this year than ever before, a direct result from working in the fields with the harsh wind and sun. More freckles dotted the bridge of her nose and cheeks as well. So much for trying to protect my skin. I’ll never look like a real lady like Ginny does.
Despite all that, a thread of excitement coursed through her as she anticipated the ball and Robert’s arms about her as they waltzed. So much so that Grace waltzed about her room, her gown making swishing sounds across the hardwood floor until she was nearly out of breath. She stifled a giggle so as not to wake her pop.
For the third time, Robert hurried up the back steps to Opal’s, surprised when the door opened and she quickly grabbed him by his wrists, pulling him in.
“I’m sorry, but Annie’s in a foul mood from teething, and I didn’t want the neighbors to hear her screaming. Do you think Becky will come today?”
“Yes, she’s coming and plans to bring Sarah, so with the two of them, they should be able to give you some freedom.”
“Oh, thank you! I have your suit ready for one final measurement—to hem the sleeves and pants. Then I’ll press it and I should be done. Could you slip on the trousers and coat while I check on Annie? Then I can mark the hemline with my chalk.”
“Of course, you go right ahead,” Robert answered, thinking he would never want babies. The three kids he had were plenty. Still, it might be nice to see what a little girl would look like if Grace were his wife.
“I’ll close the door for your privacy and be right back,” Opal said before hurrying away.
Robert slipped on the pants first, then the coat. He’d never owned anything as fine as this pin-striped suit. He stared at his reflection in the full-length mirror and decided he liked it very much. Opal had outdone herself.
A knock sounded on the door, and Robert invited Opal to enter.
“Don’t you look nice? With a bit of tweaking, it will be a perfect fit,” Opal said. “I hope there’s a certain young woman you want to impress.” She arched a brow, standing back with her arms folded to size up her creation on him.
“There is. Grace Bidwell—but I’m guessing you haven’t met. She’s an incredible, resilient woman, very sweet natured. I’m sure you two would get along well.”
“I’m sure we would. I’ve barely got settled, as Stella told you, but I’d like to meet her. Stella allowed me to stay at the boardinghouse rent free with Annie until I could get on my feet with a few clients. I owe her a lot.”
“That sounds like something Stella would do. She’s quite a woman and has been good to me and my children.”
They talked further while she marked the cuffs and hems, chatting about Grace and her father before Opal spoke a little more about herself.
“There. I think that about does it. You can pick up your suit any time after tomorrow. I only need to sew buttons on the vest.”
“I appreciate this so much. If I can help you out in any way, please keep me in mind.”
She left the room so he could change, and he was soon out the door, riding toward Grace’s with romantic thoughts for the first time in a long time—if one didn’t count their interrupted interlude the other day.
Robert was in an exceptionally good mood when Grace spoke with him that morning and didn’t seem to mind that he had fence line to repair. “I haven’t seen Sarah or Becky in a couple of days. What have they been up to?” she asked while he loaded his tools in the back of the wagon to repair the fence.
“Aw, you know kids.” He was quiet for a moment then added, “Uh . . . different things or reading every book they can get their hands on from Stella.”
“Oh.” Grace thought he sounded vague but didn’t comment further. “You’ll be gone by the time I get back from town. I’m off this morning to pay Ginny and the baby a visit and take some jam that I made.”
Robert watched her climb on Cinnamon’s back to leave. As she left, she turned in the saddle to wave. He was still standing there, gazing after her. She blew him a kiss, and knew her father was in good hands while she was away.
The warm bundle in her arms had finally drifted off to sleep, so Grace forced herself to put her namesake into her crib. “She has the face of an angel,” she whispered as they quietly left the nursery.
“I couldn’t agree more. Nell made us a light luncheon. Why don’t we have it on the back porch in the shade?”
Once they were halfway through lunch, Ginny coughed and cleared her throat. Taking a big gulp of water, she looked at Grace intently.
“What is it? I know from the look on your face something’s not right. Do you want your gown back?”
“I wish it were that simple.” Ginny chewed her bottom lip. “I’m not sure if I should be telling you this at all.”
Grace shook her head. “Please don’t make me guess. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Ginny squirmed in her chair. “It’s Robert. I . . . uh . . . saw him with another woman.”
Grace’s heart slammed against her ribs. “What do you mean saw him with another woman? Who? Where?”
Ginny sighed and her eyes were pained. “I was strolling with the baby, and I saw him going in the back door of a very attractive lady’s house. The children were not with him either.”
Grace laid her fork down, a rock in the pit of her stomach threatening to make her sick. “I’m sure there’s an explanation. Perhaps he’s taken on a third job.”
“Like what? By slipping in through the back door?”
“I don’t know, but we aren’t engaged, so he’s free to do whatever he chooses.”
“How can you say that? He’s kissed you more than once, and I thought you said you two had an understanding?”
Tears welled up and Grace croaked, “I thought we did too.”
“It may all be purely innocent, but I have to say I’ve seen it more than once, usually after breakfast when I walk Grace. Once, the woman yanked him in quickly like she was very happy to see him. Remember, he married his first wife rather fast, and I don’t know his intent, but you’re my best friend, and I felt you should know. I’m sorry if the knowledge hurt you.”
So much for the longing Grace thought she’d seen in his eyes lately. Maybe she misunderstood his look of sympathy when he’d really wanted to tell her that he was seeing someone else. She didn’t know, but she knew she wouldn’t play second fiddle to anyone.
“I’m sorry, but I must go. I can’t eat another bite.” Grace shoved her chair back and Ginny did the same.
“What will you do? I don’t want Robert to think I was spying on him. It just happened that he was there when I was out with the baby,” Ginny insisted.
Grace walked to the door. “I’m not sure, but he owes me an explanation.”
“I’m sorry. Maybe it’s not at all what it appears to be,” Ginny said. “Let me know.”
All the way home, Grace struggled with feeling betrayed—but how could one really be betrayed when there hadn’t been any real commitment? Her heart felt it all the same.
When she neared the river, she pulled Cinnamon to a stop and slid off her back, dropping the reins to allow her to munch on sage grass. Any other time, she would be filled with happiness and wonder at the grandeur of the mountain peaks, the wildflowers, and rushing waters of the river, but not today. Tears fell and everything she’d stored up tumbled out. She cried about Robert—cried about her pop—cried that she had no children—cried that she’d given her heart away, and that she was an old maid, until she was thoroughly spent.
As the afternoon sunlight waned, she found Cinnamon dozing in the shade of a cottonwood. “At least you’re faithful,” she said to her.
“Gracious, you can’t speculate on this situation until you talk to Robert, otherwise you’re spending time wallowing in pity,” Owen had said after she told him.
“Thanks, Pop. Just what I hoped to hear from you,” she said sarcastically.
He threw his arm around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m only trying to make you stop and think clearly. That’s all.”
“I know.” She sniffed into her handkerchief. “But something doesn’t make sense to me.”
“Well, he did ask you to the ball, didn’t he? Why in the world would he do that if he was seeing another lady? He could easily have asked her. Talk to him tomorrow. Now go to bed and try to sleep on it.”
She kissed his wrinkled cheek. “I guess you’re right. I think I let myself care for him a whole lot more than he cares for me.”
Owen was up before Grace. He wanted to make sure he had a word with Robert before Grace knew he was there. As soon as Robert arrived, he asked him to walk to the barn under the pretense of milking the cows, but out of Grace’s view from the kitchen.
“Owen, something troubling you?” Robert narrowed his gaze.
“You might say that. Grace came home pretty upset last night. I’m not going to get in the middle of it, but if you’re seeing someone besides my daughter then you need to tell her. You got that?” Owen knew his body trembled with weakness when he got upset, and he was trying not to let that happen. He’d pegged Robert to be a decent man in love with his daughter.
Robert’s head jerked back. “Another woman?”
“Yes, and if that’s true, it’s really none of my business what you do, but you need to be honest with her. I don’t know this other woman, but my advice to you is, don’t overlook an orchid while looking for a rose.”
Robert sputtered. “Owen, I assure you I wouldn’t do that. I’m going to tell you who the lady is, but trust is a two-way street. If Grace changes her mind about going with me to the ball, then I’ll know she doesn’t trust me. I’ve already had one woman that didn’t trust me enough to tell me all the truth about her life, and I won’t live that way again. Am I making any sense?”
“Maybe . . . But what do you plan to do?” This better be good, mister.
“Promise me you won’t say anything to Grace, and let me handle this. I’ve got to find out if we can build a life on trust as well as love. Just so you understand, I love Grace.”
Owen nodded, knowing it was best that he stay out of it. Robert clapped him on the back, and if it hadn’t been for the cane, he would’ve knocked him off his unsteady legs. Then he told Owen his plan.
Robert wasted no time and knocked on the kitchen’s back door before he entered. Grace had her back to him, washing dishes, with suds up to her elbows. She didn’t turn around, evidence that she was miffed.
“How are you this morning? Mind if I have a cup of coffee?”
“Help yourself,” she replied.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday night, how about you?” He decided to start the conversation that way to lay it all on the table. He was right. She turned around, snapping her towel as she picked up a dish. Is she going to throw it at me? Worse had happened to him in the past.
“I’m not going. At least not with you.”
Pretending ignorance, Robert asked, “And why not?”
She eyed him sharply but continued drying the plate. “Because you were seen several times keeping company with another woman. That’s why!” she snapped, her honey-colored eyes boring holes into him.
“Don’t believe what you hear. You must trust me,” he said, hands on his hips.
“So you’re not going to deny your new friend?”
He made a decision right then not to explain the circumstances at that moment. I need a trusting heart. He repeated, “Trust me, Grace.”
“I repeat, I’m not going to the dance with you, so you’re free to take . . . your new friend. And you may as well look for another part-time job to go with the one you have.” She turned and flounced out of the kitchen, slamming the door hard behind her.