Seven

That didn’t go very well. Frank berated himself all the way to the hotel. For several days, the words Gerda had blurted in front of the ice cream parlor had never left his mind. They interfered with much of his thinking. Of course she had gotten angry both then and in the sheriff’s office, but he thought he had given her enough time to get over it. Surely it was all right to follow up on the feelings she inadvertently had claimed. But the encounter in the Dress Emporium had been far from successful.

Frank knew he didn’t understand women very well, but Gerda Nilsson was a complicated puzzle that had him completely baffled. In his thoughts, she was pliant and loving, but when they were face-to-face, she was feisty and often disagreeable. Why was he so drawn to her? He had seen her smile at other people, and that smile could light up a room. Unfortunately, the smile was usually for someone else, not him. She was a combination of grace and beauty. No wonder he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

❧

The next morning, Frank ate breakfast at a table near the front window of the restaurant. He realized that when he moved into his house, he would have to cook his own meals. Maybe he would still come here to the hotel. He’d had enough of the few things he knew how to prepare to last a lifetime. Perhaps he could hire a housekeeper who could also cook for him.

When Molly came to pour him more hot coffee, he looked up from the newspaper he was reading. Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed a surrey stop in front of the mercantile. Frank was pretty sure the store was closed today. He wondered who it was and why they were there. He guessed he would never lose the habit of watching what was going on, checking for anything out of the ordinary. It was ingrained in him from all the years in law enforcement.

A man and woman were in the surrey. When the man alighted from the carriage, Frank recognized August Nilsson. He climbed the stairs, leaving the woman in the buggy. In just a moment, August and Gerda came down the stairs. All three were dressed up as if they were going somewhere special.

“Is something going on in town today?” Frank looked up at Molly when he asked the question.

The waitress turned and glanced at the trio across the street. “Oh, they’re just going to church.”

To church? Frank hadn’t thought of that. Since he’d become an adult, Frank hadn’t had the time or the inclination to attend those meetings.

“Most people in Litchfield go to church on Sundays.” Molly looked back at Frank. “I’ll be on my way as soon as I finish waiting on you. Cook and I get there a little late and sit on a pew at the back. Can I get you anything else?”

When Frank shook his head, the woman returned to the kitchen, presumably to get ready for church. Frank continued to study the street outside the hotel. There wasn’t much activity. What did church have to offer to cause so many people to attend? If he was ever going to understand Gerda, it might be a good thing for him to find out for himself. He really didn’t want to make a late entrance, so he wouldn’t go today. But next Sunday, he would get up bright and early and see what it was all about.

❧

Gerda could hardly believe her eyes. When she walked into the church, Frank Daggett was already sitting on the pew where her family usually sat. Gerda hoped that August would notice him and choose another place to sit, but he ushered her and Anna into the other end of that pew. Soon Gustaf and Olina and their children joined them. At least they moved into the seat from the other direction. Now they separated her from the man who filled her thoughts so often.

It had been over a week since she had seen him. She was glad about that. Gradually, she had returned to her old self, often forgetting about him for an hour at a time. But she couldn’t control her dreams. At night, he cavorted through her mind in a myriad of situations, always her hero. In the morning, she would have to pray especially hard to overcome the temptation he was to her. Now, here he was, sitting a few feet away, and she wondered why. He didn’t strike her as a churchgoer. If he were, why hadn’t he been here before? He’d been in town more than one Sunday.

The pastor’s opening prayer invaded her thoughts. She bowed her head but didn’t close her eyes. She peeked at Frank Daggett to see what he was doing. Didn’t the man know anything? His head was up, and he watched the pastor with a thoughtful expression on his face. Well, whatever the reason he was here, maybe it would be good for him.

Gerda had a hard time keeping her attention on the service. She was as aware of Frank Daggett as if he were sitting right beside her. When everyone stood, it seemed to take him by surprise, so he was later than anyone else getting to his feet. Although Olina shared a hymnal with the man, he didn’t sing a single word. He probably didn’t know the songs. Olina had to share her Bible with him when the pastor read from the scriptures, because he didn’t have one with him. Gerda was sure the man didn’t own one. She wondered if he had ever seen one before. He kept his eyes trained on the words all through the Bible reading. During the sermon, his attention was on the preacher. For someone who may not have been to church before, he didn’t seem nervous.

❧

Frank had been a little uncomfortable when the family sat between him and Gerda. He recognized them as the loving couple who had eaten dinner at the hotel with Gerda and August his first night in Litchfield. It didn’t take long for the couple to introduce themselves. Gustaf and Olina Nilsson were kin to Gerda and August. They sat with their children between them, and the woman ended up beside him. She was friendly and shared her songbook and Bible with him. Maybe he would need to buy a Bible if he was going to come to church very often. He couldn’t rely on the good nature of whoever sat beside him. He wondered if Gerda would have shared hers with him if they were side-by-side. He doubted it. That’s why he had stayed out of her way all week. He wanted to know more about this religion thing, since it was so much a part of her life.

“Mr. Daggett.” After the final prayer, the petite blond turned toward him.

“Yes, Mrs. Nilsson.”

“We would like you to join us for lunch, wouldn’t we, Gustaf?” She turned toward her tall husband.

The man looked Frank straight in the eyes. “Of course.”

Frank shook his head. “Thank you. I wouldn’t want to be any trouble.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble. We almost always have people come to the house for Sunday lunch. Most of Gustaf’s family will be there, as will our friends, the Jensons. I believe you’ve met some of them, and I gather your first meeting wasn’t especially pleasant,” she said with a smile. “I want you to have the chance to get to know them better. Besides, I always cook enough for several extra people, just in case.”

What could Frank do but agree? He wasn’t sure that Gerda would be glad to see him there, but it might be a chance to make progress with her. “Thank you. I’ll follow your carriage.”

❧

Gerda had seen Olina talking to Frank. Of course, that was just like Olina. She tried to make everyone feel welcome. That was all it was. But when the others started toward Gustaf and Olina’s home for Sunday lunch, Gerda was surprised to see Frank Daggett’s horse in the procession of buggies. Surely Olina hadn’t invited him to have lunch with them. Gerda knew her assumption was probably wrong. Olina often asked visitors to the services to share their noon meal. Why did it have to be Frank Daggett? Gerda sent a prayer for help winging heavenward.

While everyone was exiting their vehicles, Gerda glanced at the house. It no longer looked like the place where Anna and Olina started their dress shop back in 1892. At that time, it had been a small, two-story cottage, but after Olina received an inheritance from her great-aunt Olga, Gustaf had turned the modest house into a large family home, complete with an ample dining room equipped for many guests. All of the existing rooms had been enlarged and other rooms added. Recently, red brick had been applied to the outside walls, and all the windows were framed with white shutters that matched the picket fence surrounding the front yard. Usually, Gerda like to visit her brother and his family. But she dreaded entering the house today.

She wished she hadn’t accepted the invitation. She almost hadn’t, because all the other adults were couples. However, since they were all so close, she’d never felt like just a single person. Now she wasn’t so sure. Perhaps she could plead a headache. All this stress could certainly bring one on quickly. Of course, no one knew how stressed she was about the added guest.

Soon everyone was in the house removing their wraps, and the women went to the kitchen to help Olina. The men entered the parlor. Gustaf took the children with them. Gerda knew that Gustaf and Olina wanted them to be tired enough to nap after the meal. If the men played with them before lunch, then the adults could visit afterward without interruption.

Gerda borrowed one of Olina’s large, white ruffled aprons. While she was tying it on, she asked, “Are you sure you feel up to having this many people for lunch?”

Olina removed a large roasting pan from the oven. “Thank you for asking, Gerda, but this time I have more energy than I did before Sven was born. Besides, I really enjoy entertaining.”

While the other women put the finishing touches on the meal, Gerda helped Anna set the table. First, they spread out an embroidered linen tablecloth that Olina had brought with her from Sweden. Then they set the good china plates around the sides.

“How many people do we have?” Gerda asked.

Anna started counting them. She stopped before she was finished and took hold of the back of a chair.

Gerda rushed to her side. “Are you all right?”

Anna smiled. “Yes, I was just a little dizzy. It’s been awhile since I ate breakfast, and I only had some toast.”

“You knew it would be a long time before we had lunch,” Gerda scolded as she began placing the silverware beside each plate. “Why didn’t you eat more?” She glanced up in time to see a blush steal across Anna’s cheeks. Gerda put the silverware she was holding on the table in a pile and went to her sister-in-law and best friend. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“I’m not telling anyone until I’m sure,” Anna whispered. “But I can’t keep it from you. Just remember, this is our secret. I haven’t even told August what I suspect.”

Gerda pulled Anna into a hug. “I’m so happy for you. I know how much you’ve wanted a baby. I will pray that it’s true.”

Anna reached up and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I know. It’s too wonderful.”

Gerda went back to placing the silverware beside the other plates. She knew that she should be glad for August and Anna, and she was. But her happiness for them mingled with sadness for herself. What was wrong with her? When she looked in the mirror, the woman who gazed back at her wasn’t unattractive. She had always been a pleasant companion, hadn’t she? Why was she still unmarried? A tear slipped from her eye, and it wasn’t a tear of happiness as Anna’s had been.

❧

Frank stayed in the background in the parlor while August and Gustaf played with the two blond children. Gustaf had a wonderful family with another child on the way. What did Frank have to show for all his years as a lawman? Now that he owned a house, maybe the wife and family wouldn’t be far behind. He enjoyed watching the interaction between the children and their father. Olga, the little girl, loved her uncle August, too. He picked her up and swung her high into the air. Her peals of laughter were a balm to Frank’s weary soul. He had just begun to feel comfortable in this home when the women called them to the table.

When Frank saw the bounty spread before them, he was amazed. He hadn’t had a feast like this in years, even on holidays, and this was just Sunday lunch. The mingling aromas teased his senses, making him suddenly ravenous. Having a home and family could provide these kinds of blessings to him, too. That thought caused his gaze to seek out Gerda. He didn’t like what he saw. For some reason, tears glistened in her eyes. He wished he had the right to go across the room, take her in his arms, and comfort her.

Olina told each person where to sit, and they took their places. Frank was amazed that the room didn’t feel crowded, even with all the people clustered around the table. He had been introduced to Ollie and Lowell Jenson in the living room. The brothers looked almost as much alike as their twin wives, Clarissa and Marissa, did. All these other people were related in various ways, yet Frank didn’t feel like an outsider. This family was so warm and friendly.

Gustaf pronounced a blessing on the meal. Frank remembered blessings spoken at mealtime while his mother was still alive but not one had sounded as if the person speaking them was talking to a friend the way Gustaf’s did. As the hostess started passing dishes around the table, group conversation started.

“I wish I had been there to see their faces when you drew your guns on these three women.” With a twinkle in his eyes, Ollie Jenson looked right at Frank.

Frank was surprised. He thought these men would be upset with him, but they didn’t seem to be. “If I had known the truth at that time, I never would have done it. I apologize.”

He glanced at Gerda, who was seated across the table from him. She watched him with amazement in her expression. A large mirror with a heavy gold frame hung on the wall behind her. Frank saw not only her beautiful face, but also the reflection of the back of her dainty head. Everything about her caused a tightening in his gut. What was he going to have to do to get her to forgive him and return to the feelings that had connected them across the hotel lobby?

“What did you think when August threw his arm around your neck?” the other Jenson brother asked with a smile.

“At first, I thought there must be more to the Le Blanc gang than I had suspected. I knew Pierre didn’t have that much strength. It was all I could do to keep from passing out.”

August looked sheepish. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I was only protecting our women.”

“And I don’t blame you. I would have done the same thing in your place.”

The other men agreed.

“At that point I decided it might be time to hang up my guns. I had already turned in my badge, and I had never let a woman get the drop on me before.”

Laughter echoed around the room, but Gerda didn’t join in. Frank could tell that she was trying to digest all he said. Would he ever be able to reach her and see her return to being the warm, animated woman he had observed that first day? Something was really bothering her. Was it his presence? Maybe he should finish eating and go back to the hotel to allow her to enjoy the rest of the day with her family and friends.

“So, Frank.” Olina looked down the table toward where he sat halfway between herself and her husband at the other end. “What are you going to do if you hang up your guns?”

Every eye in the room was trained on him. Frank cleared his throat. “I’ve been talking to the sheriff about investing in a business, but we haven’t come up with the right one yet.”

“But he did help you buy Mrs. Nichols’ house.” August’s statement was not a question. He must know all about it.

Frank nodded. “He was kind enough to take me on a tour of the house after he introduced me to Harold Jones. Then Mr. Jones and I worked out the details. Are you familiar with the house?”

“Yes,” August answered. “Actually, Gerda was trying to save enough money to make a down payment on it.”

“You were?” Olina asked her sister-in-law. “We didn’t know that. We would have helped you.”

Frank looked at Gerda. The tears were back, glistening in her eyes.

“I wanted to do it on my own.”

The words hung in the air between them, and suddenly Frank understood just how important that house was to Gerda. Without knowing it, he had done something else to hurt her. He wished there were some way he could make it up to her. If he thought she would accept it, he would sign over the deed to her today. But he knew she wouldn’t. Maybe he could sell it to her himself, but he didn’t want to profit from her, and he somehow knew she wouldn’t buy it any other way.

“I understand that house is unfurnished, Mr. Daggett.” Anna Nilsson reached out and took Gerda’s hand as if giving her a lifeline. “What are you going to do for furniture?”

Frank looked around the table. Everyone seemed to be genuinely interested in his answer. “When my parents died, I inherited all their household goods. It’s stored in a warehouse my uncle owns in Philadelphia. I’ve already sent a letter to my uncle telling him to ship everything to me. I realize it might not be enough to fill that house, but it will be a good start. It should arrive soon.”

❧

Gerda felt as if a boulder had lodged itself near her heart. Not only had he bought her house, the man had furniture to fill it. All of her dreams evaporated like a mist in the morning sunlight. She wanted to excuse herself and leave the room, but she knew that Olina would be hurt if she didn’t eat more of the wonderful food than she already had. However, she didn’t know how she could get it past the gigantic lump in her chest.

“Mr. Daggett.” Olina gestured at each woman around the table. “We are so glad that you’ve decided to settle in our town. We’d like to help you clean up the house before your furniture arrives, wouldn’t we?”

The other women started talking at once, agreeing with her. All except Gerda. Somehow she couldn’t push words past the heaviness, either. She knew it would look bad if she didn’t help them, but she couldn’t agree. Not today, anyway.

“I appreciate your offer, but why don’t we wait until my furniture arrives. Then the house would be fresh to move it into.”

The man’s words made sense, but they didn’t change the way Gerda felt. Her world was slowly crumbling around her, and she didn’t know what to do about it.