Alec jammed one hand into his pocket and raked the other through his hair. Someone had started up the phonograph again, and the cheerful melody mocked his frustrated mood. He hadn’t planned to tell Isobel about his past feelings for her. He’d only wanted to dance with her—to show her that doing so, even in an empty ranch yard, could be fun. However, waltzing with Isobel had unearthed long-forgotten memories.
In that moment, there was no longer dirt beneath their feet or the evening prairie air surrounding them. Instead, he was once more leading Isobel across the polished wood floor of his family’s gold-colored ballroom. The words Alec had meant to say that night had filled his mind and throat all over again.
He’d been prepared to risk Isobel’s possible rejection and his brother’s likely anger to share his feelings with her after their waltz. Except at the exact instant Alec had opened his mouth to speak, his father’s authoritative voice had stilled the festivities. Bringing an end to the dancing and to his hopes for winning Isobel.
Alec could still recall how the engagement announcement had sliced through him with stinging surprise and disappointment. And while he’d been happy for his brother, he hadn’t been able to stop himself from wondering what might have happened if he had spoken to Isobel sooner.
“Likely the same result as tonight,” he muttered to himself. With Isobel walking away as she’d done just now, looking confused and troubled. Only this time Alec had shared more than his past feelings for her. He’d almost shared a kiss with her, too.
He started slowly toward the house, reluctant to face those inside. Maybe he ought to feel grateful for Hattie’s interruption. After all, he didn’t want to hurt Isobel with the false promise of a kiss. They were only supposed to be courting for a time, not deepening their friendship into something neither of them wanted. But his logical thoughts rang dull and flat in his head.
If he didn’t know better, he’d say he was feeling every bit as confused and troubled as Isobel.
Stepping onto the porch, Alec did his best to push aside his convoluted thoughts. There was nothing wrong with sharing pieces of his past with Isobel, even ones she hadn’t known before. What he did regret was that doing so, coupled with nearly kissing her, had placed them both in an uncomfortable situation. He was determined to make things right, though. To do all in his power to restore the earlier ease of their relationship and keep his past feelings for her in check. Otherwise, the impending buggy ride home, as well as the rest of their courtship, would be more awkward than a mail-order cowboy at a rodeo.
“There you are, Mr. Alec,” Hattie said as he entered the dining room. She was lying on her stomach on the rug, dressing her dolls in the clothes Isobel had made.
He felt West’s and Vienna’s gazes on him as he joined them at the table. The only one who didn’t look at him was Isobel. She continued to sit demurely in the chair across from his. “Such a nice night,” he said. “Not too hot but not too cold.”
“Would you like some coffee?” Vienna asked. At his nod, she poured some into a mug and slid it toward him.
Alec took a sip, his eyes on Isobel. The splotches of color that had taken up residence on her cheeks hadn’t faded yet. “That was a delicious meal, Vienna.”
“Thank you. You two are welcome to join us anytime.” If either she or West noticed the strain clouding the air, they didn’t let it show.
Desperate for a return to the pleasant atmosphere that had reigned earlier, he blurted out the first thought that came into his head. “Did you know Isobel has a cat now?”
“You do?” Hattie called out from the floor. “What color is it, Miss Isobel?”
She glanced at Alec, but he couldn’t read her expression. “She’s gray.”
“What’d you name her?”
“Duchess.” Her mouth creased a bit at the corners. It was far from being an actual smile, but the sight still brought Alec a measure of relief.
West repeated the name. “I like it. How come you decided to get a cat?”
“It was actually Alec’s idea. I’ve had some trouble with mice.”
“Trouble she handled with all the fierceness of a commanding general,” Alec said, recalling Isobel’s ingenuity and courage. She didn’t return the smile he sent her way, but she didn’t seem displeased by his praise, either.
Vienna looked between them. “What do you mean?”
“The other evening I hear this noise coming from Isobel’s apartment.” Alec cocked his head as if listening. “I couldn’t figure out what it is, but being concerned, I went over and knocked on her door.” From the corner of his eye, he saw that Hattie was now sitting up, watching him. “Instead of saying she needed help, Isobel asked if I would open the door when she told me.”
Warming to his story, Alec climbed to his feet and stepped back from the table. “So I gripped the door handle...” He pantomimed the action, even arranging his face in an exaggerated look of bewildered concern. Hattie giggled. “And I’m wondering what in the world I’m going to find when I open the door.”
“What’d you find?” the little girl asked.
“Well, Isobel called to me to open the door and I threw it wide.” He acted out throwing the door open. “I couldn’t see anything at first, except for Isobel standing there, brandishing this broom like it’s a sword.” Alec jabbed the air a couple times. A peek at Isobel’s face revealed there was more of a smile on her mouth now. Vienna and West were chuckling. “Then this mouse came skittering out of her house like he’s being chased by a whole pack of felines.”
Isobel gave him a rueful smile. “That isn’t exactly how it went.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said, feigning a serious tone, “but I’m afraid the passage of time has altered your memory some. Because that is exactly how it went.”
He turned to the rest of his audience to finish. “Miss Isobel singlehandedly shooed that mouse right out the door, using only her wits and a broom. Naturally I knew she could take on a whole legion of mice herself.” Isobel visibly shuddered. “But to keep her from having to do so alone, I thought she might like the assistance of another mouse-fighter, Miss Duchess.”
“I like your stories, Mr. Alec. They’re funny.”
“Hear, hear,” West said, echoing his daughter’s sentiments.
Alec bowed to them. “Thank you.”
When he straightened, he looked at Isobel. Had she enjoyed his retelling of the story, too? To his relief, she no longer appeared distressed. Instead, she rewarded him with a full smile that momentarily made him forget what he’d been doing or that anyone else was in the room.
“You’ll have to ask Mr. Alec to tell you the story about the race at the May Day festival.” Her amber eyes sparkled. “I think his rendition would be quite entertaining.”
Hattie hopped up. “Please tell us, Mr. Alec. Please!”
“It’ll have to wait,” he said as he stooped in front of her and tousled her blond hair. “Miss Isobel and I need to head back to Sheridan before it’s full dark. But I promise to tell you the story next time.”
Her face lit with a smile. “Okay.”
Alec straightened and joined the rest of the group outside. He and Isobel thanked the family for dinner, then he helped her into the carriage. After waving goodbye, he guided the horse down the drive.
“Thanks for coming with me, Isobel.”
The earlier tension between them had dissipated. But he still wasn’t sure if he had been forgiven for the awkwardness he’d created by almost kissing her in the yard.
“I’m glad I did,” she said after a moment. “It was...” Isobel paused and glanced away, though not before Alec caught a flicker of a smile on her lips. “It was actually quite fun.”
He couldn’t help a hearty laugh—both at her choice of words and the way they’d restored their comfortable relationship. They were still friends. Thankfully his earlier error in judgment hadn’t changed that.
“Then I’d say we’re on the right path, Miss Glasen,” he drawled, throwing her a grin, “to help you keep having fun.”
Had she known what she was getting herself into, Isobel mused two weeks later, she might have used a different word to describe the evening at the McCalls. Not that being there with Alec hadn’t been fun. However, since their dinner at the HC Bar, he’d made a more concerted effort to introduce additional fun into her life.
Alec had taken her fishing, horseback riding—albeit very slowly—and to one of the nearby ranches to see a litter of puppies he’d helped deliver. The latter outing had been the most fun to Isobel. She’d loved cuddling the wiggling puppies as they licked her chin. Duchess, on the other hand, had taken a sniff of Isobel’s dress and refused to come near her until Isobel had changed.
With the exception of dancing at the McCall’s ranch, she’d quickly surmised that Alec’s idea of fun involved animals. And though she didn’t mind broadening her experiences with God’s four-legged creatures, Isobel had decided to come up with her own set of fun activities for the two of them to do together. Alec had kindly offered no objections.
One evening they’d spent several hours in her shop, the door propped open for propriety’s sake, so Alec could observe her process for coming up with a design for a dress. Another time she’d shown him how to use the sewing machine, a lesson that had resulted in far more laughter and entertainment than Isobel had anticipated. They’d also attended a musical performance, something Isobel had enjoyed when she first came to Wyoming but hadn’t done in a long time.
The one thing they hadn’t done was talk about their near kiss in the McCall’s yard or Alec’s past feelings for her, though Isobel hadn’t forgotten about either. She was grateful things between them were as relaxed as ever. However, she’d also noticed Alec acted more like a friend than a suitor these days, though they were still courting. He only took her arm when they were in public, and he hadn’t suggested they try dancing again.
Still, Isobel felt happier than she had in a long time. She was actually living life again, beyond her work, and she had Alec’s encouragement and friendship to thank for it.
Humming a song from the musical concert, Isobel unlocked the shop’s door one Saturday morning. She expected a full day ahead, given that the town’s annual summer ball was one week away. A handful of women had already ordered new gowns to be sewn for the event, but Isobel knew from experience there would be plenty of others who’d bring in their older dresses at the last minute for slight alternations or new embellishments.
Stella had yet to arrive, so Isobel opted to bring some work into the main room of the shop while she waited for the girl. The lovely purple silk she was currently hand stitching would be worn by Maggy at the upcoming ball. Her friend had been so impressed with the dresses Isobel had designed for her that she’d commissioned a unique ball gown, too. Isobel had finished the other dresses she’d designed for Mrs. Stone and Lola Winchester, but that was only because Stella had expertly taken over their other orders for the dresses Isobel hadn’t designed herself.
Finally, her assistant arrived. But instead of entering the shop with her usual cheerful greeting and vibrant energy, Stella slipped silently inside.
“Morning.” Isobel set down her sewing. “Is everything all right, Stella?”
For a brief moment a smile touched the girl’s lips, but it fell away when she shook her head. “Yes and no.”
“What’s happened?”
Stella sank into the armchair across from Isobel’s. “I have something I need to tell you, Issy. I’m just not sure how to say it.”
“I see.”
Her heart sped up, though she did her best to look outwardly calm. Isobel had never seen Stella so subdued, and she found the girl’s lack of drama and exuberance more worrisome than what Stella planned to say.
“I have news.” The girl lowered her gaze to her lap.
Clasping her hands tightly together, Isobel waited for her to continue. The last time Stella had brought her news it had meant she was losing the building next door. Although that hadn’t turned out to be as bad as Isobel had expected, what with Alec returning into her life, so perhaps this would be the same.
“Franklin asked me to marry him last night.”
Isobel blinked in surprise. This wasn’t the sort of news she’d anticipated. “How did you answer?”
“I told him I would be honored to be his wife.” Stella lifted her chin, revealing eyes that sparkled with pure joy. “Which means I’m going to be married.”
Taking the girl’s hand in her own, Isobel gave her a full smile. “Oh, Stella. I’m so happy for you. He seems to be an honorable, good man.”
“He is,” the girl said, her tone full of happiness and hope. “Thankfully my parents think so, too. The wedding will take place next month, and I want you to design my wedding dress, Issy.”
She squeezed Stella’s hand. “Nothing would make me happier.”
Relieved at the nature of the girl’s news, Isobel gathered up the dress she’d been working on and stood. “Why don’t I help you finish those other ball gowns this morning and then we’ll take some time this afternoon to talk about what you’d like for your wedding dress?”
“That would be nice.” But the words sounded less enthusiastic than Isobel anticipated. Stella hadn’t moved from her chair, either.
“If you’re worried I won’t have time to design your dress,” Isobel said, hoping to reassure her, “I’ll work every evening after we close, so you can have the wedding dress you want.”
To her shock, she caught the glimmer of tears in Stella’s eyes. “It isn’t that. And after you hear what I have to say next, Isobel, I’ll understand if you don’t want to make my dress.”
“What do you mean?” Isobel’s pulse tripped with alarm as she pressed the half-finished gown she still held to her bodice. “Why wouldn’t I make the dress for your wedding?”
Stella visibly took a deep breath and rose to her feet, her gaze on Isobel. “Because once I’m married, I’ll be living with Franklin in a little cabin near the Running W. We’d like to start a family right away.” Her cheeks went pink. “So after next month, I won’t be working here in the shop anymore.”
Though she heard the words, they still took a moment to settle inside Isobel’s head. Of course, Stella wouldn’t keep working for her once she got married. Isobel had known this day would come at some future point, especially with how eager the Ivys had been for the marriage of their daughter. And yet...
The feel of silk against her fingers had Isobel glancing down at the dress she’d designed for Maggy. Reality pressed down on her in that instant, causing her heart to skip a beat.
Without Stella’s help, Isobel would no longer have the luxury of focusing the majority of her time on designing dresses, as she’d done the last month. She would need to go back to copying dresses from the magazines, at least until she found a new assistant seamstress to help her. But what if the next girl up and left because of marriage, too? There were plenty of young single ladies in Sheridan, and yet those with the time and inclination to work for Isobel would likely be as inclined to wed as Stella, should the opportunity present itself.
Her dreams of designing and of expanding the shop were once again falling to pieces before her eyes. And Isobel felt powerless to stop it.
What was God trying to teach her this time?
She cleared her throat and managed a sincere smile for Stella. One that didn’t reveal any of her inner anguish. Whatever happened, she had a business to run and a friend to reassure. There’d be time enough later to identify the emotions pressing hard against her ribs.
“I appreciate you telling me, Stella.” Isobel prided herself on sounding composed. Not a trace of the lump inside her throat leaked into her voice. “And while I can’t imagine not having you here to help anymore, I understand your decision, and I’m truly happy for you and Franklin.”
With her typical liveliness now restored, Stella rushed forward to give Isobel a tight hug. “Thank you, Issy. I’m going to miss you. You’ve taught me so much.”
Isobel embraced the girl in return and did her best to stay the tears that threatened to escape. Tonight, alone, she would let them fall. For now, she kept her chin up as she released Stella and stepped back. “We’ve got a lot to do before we can start putting together a design for your wedding dress, so let’s get to work.”
Alec flipped over the letter from his brother and broke the seal. He’d regularly communicated with his parents for years, but he hadn’t received a missive from Whit in a long time. His brother hadn’t even been the one to share with Alec the news about the birth of his daughter. Their mother had told Alec. So why would Whit be writing him a letter now?
He pulled out the single sheet of paper. Thankfully, the clinic was currently empty so he could read the letter right away instead of waiting until he’d closed for the day. The missive began with an update on Whit’s family. The boys were happy to have a sister, although both had expressed their deep disappointment that baby Cecilia did very little but coo and cry.
Alec smiled at his nephews’ sentiments. Apparently Whit had felt the same way about him for the first few months after Alec’s birth.
Now that Jocelyn and Cecilia are able to travel, we feel a change of scenery is in order. Which brings me to my reason for writing in the first place. We are planning to come visit you there in the wilds of Wyoming. I’ve already written to West McCall to secure our stay at his dude ranch. Our family will be arriving...
A glance at the calendar revealed Whit and his family would be in Sheridan in less than a fortnight. Alec shook his head in surprise. He couldn’t say he wasn’t pleased with the news, though, especially at the prospect of meeting his niece.
The rest of the letter detailed the family’s travel plans before concluding with Whit’s enthusiasm at seeing Alec and his clinic. A tremor of uneasiness rocked through him at the thought. Would his brother be impressed with what Alec had accomplished here?
At the bottom of the page, a postscript had been added. As Alec read it, his apprehension hardened into a knot in the pit of his stomach.
After sharing our plans with Mother at dinner the other night, she expressed how much she would also like to see you. She discussed it with Father and today they told us that they’ll be accompanying us. So get ready, little brother. Looks like the entire family is eager to see what you’ve been up to in Wyoming.
Alec sank onto one of the clinic benches, his breath coming fast and shallow. Impressing Whit would now be just the start. It was his parents, and particularly his father, to whom Alec really needed to prove himself. The realization reawakened his old insecurities, giving them new life.
With his family here, would he feel he was being compared to Whit as a businessman, a family man and a son all over again? What would they think of his clinic? Alec’s gaze swept the tidy room. It was far from the notable offices of his father and brother, with their wood paneling, expensive leather chairs and Turkish carpets. By comparison, his clinic looked rudimentary, even with the framed photographs on the wall. At least Alec was making a profit now. However, even if his family found no fault with his business, there was still the matter of his finding a girl and settling down. That was something he hadn’t done anything about yet.
Rubbing his hand across his face, he leaned his head back against the wall. He would likely need to end his temporary courtship with Isobel before his family arrived. What would they think if they found out he’d been seeing Whit’s former fiancée? Or that he hadn’t yet found a girl who liked him first and foremost?
Courting someone—even someone his family had known in the past—would still be a fulfillment of his second task, though. Wouldn’t it?
“No,” Alec muttered as he shut his eyes.
It would be better to end things with Isobel beforehand. Their courtship agreement had been mutually beneficial. But continuing to court her as a means of satisfying his other assignment from his father would be selfish and dishonest. It would only benefit him and his pride, and it would be living an untruth, since he and Isobel weren’t courting for real.
That reminder sent a slice of disappointment through Alec—as it had every time he’d thought about it lately. Which had been often.
When Isobel had caught her first fish, when she’d bravely agreed to ride a horse again, when she’d laughed as she’d held the squirming puppies, Alec had experienced a jab of regret at the temporary nature of their relationship. Watching her design a dress and listen with rapture to the musical performance they’d attended had only furthered those feelings of remorse—along with deep enjoyment.
If only they’d been courting for no other reason than mutual affection for each other. If only she hadn’t been enamored with Whit first. If only she seemed to care for Alec as much as he’d begun to care for her again.
The creak of the door drew Alec’s eyes open. Things with him and Isobel weren’t meant to be, and he would do well to accept that fact. He climbed to his feet and slipped his brother’s letter inside the envelope as a farmer strode inside the clinic, a chicken under his arm.
“Doctor Russell?”
It took him a moment to force his mouth upward. “Howdy.”
“My prize hen here is ailing.”
Nodding, Alec tucked his letter into his pocket and motioned to the bench he’d vacated. “Have a seat. I’ll go wash up, then take a look at your bird.”
Alec wanted his family to feel proud of him and what he’d been doing the past eight weeks. He wanted them to see his clinic as successful, to see how he’d become a businessman in his own right. Knowing how to accomplish that, though, was a different story.
One thing he knew for certain, he needed to talk to Isobel about their courtship. Just as he’d predicted weeks ago, the townsfolk were no longer interested in the comings and goings of the Ride for a Bride couple. Which meant he and Isobel didn’t need to keep courting. When he saw her tonight, Alec would find out if she was in agreement about ending their temporary arrangement.
He probably ought to tell her, too, that the entire Russell family was coming to Wyoming, though he wasn’t sure how she’d feel about the news. Alec had noticed a far more carefree quality about her of late, and he hated to think of that possibly coming to an end when she learned Whit and his family would be visiting. Would Isobel go back to being more serious and spending most of her time sequestered inside her shop or apartment as she’d done before they had begun courting? Alec hoped not.
Maybe he could keep challenging her to try new things—fun things—as a friend instead of a pseudo suitor, he thought as he dried his clean hands on a towel.
Although the friendship between him and Isobel wasn’t likely to stay the same, not after he started courting another young lady seriously. And that’s what Alec needed to do. No matter how depressing the idea was of not having Isobel as a constant in his life anymore.