Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams 1) (6 page)

you won't have to work over the stove."

"Let me check with Brad," Meg said, thinking this was just what she needed. Both Brad and Trace thought it a great idea. Everyone visited a bit longer, and it was nice to know that lunch was just minutes away and not all the way out to the ranch.

"Big plans for the day, Cass?" Chandler asked Cassidy as they exited the church house.

"As quiet as I can manage," Cassidy said, having realized near the end of the sermon just how fast her mind had been moving concerning business and every other aspect of her life. She'd been struggling with worry.

Chandler had been invited to Jeanette's and found himself hoping Cassidy would be there too. It didn't sound like it.

"Do you ever sew on Sundays?"

"Sometimes, but not for the shop. I just sew for myself if I think it will be relaxing."

The look on Chandler's face was comical. He looked surprised and then almost embarrassed.

44"What's the matter?" Cassidy asked.

"Do I seem like an intelligent person to you, Cassidy?" Chandler's voice was quiet with his own chagrin and bafflement.

"Certainly."

"Well, I suppose in some ways I am, but I just now realized that you must sew everything you wear. I don't know why it never occurred to me before."

Cassidy laughed but then took compassion on him. "It's not that far-fetched, Chandler. You can order clothing, and Jessie carries plenty at the mercantile. I just like what I make better."

"How do you do this?" Chandler pointed to some intricate pleats near Cassidy's shoulder.

"You start with plenty of fabric-that helps. I actually ironed those in first. It was easier then."

"And I suppose the sewing machine makes all the difference." "You have no idea. It's saved me hours of time, not to mention energy and money."

"Speaking of time," Chandler said, seeing that everyone had cleared out of the area. "I'm supposed to be at Jeanette's." "Have fun," Cassidy offered, bidding him goodbye.

Chandler told her to enjoy her day and moved down the street. Jeanette's place was a little ways, but Chandler's long legs would eat the distance. Cassidy watched him for a while, but then realized she was hungry and took herself home to eat.

45

"THAT WAS DELICIOUS," MEG SAID,settling into Jeb and Patience's parlor after lunch, feeling that she could sleep.

"Yes, it was," Trace agreed, looking over at Meg on the sofa, Brad next to her. The younger Holden began to smile.

"What are you staring at?" Brad asked, having just caught his brother's look.

Trace shook his head a little and said, "I was just remembering the weeks in this room when you wouldn't have sat next to Meg unless someone had been holding a gun to your head. It was a long summer."

Both Jeb and Patience agreed, and there was laughter all around. With little invitation, thoughts fell away to another time, two summers past when Brad Holden had spotted Meg-really seen her-for the first time.

"Brad, are you hearing a thing I'm saying?" Jeanette asked, trying to figure out what Brad was looking at over her shoulder.

"Who is that?" Brad finally asked, his eyes on the dark-haired young woman who'd come into the church building with jeb Dorn.

"That's Meg," Jeanette said simply. "She's making her summer visit."

46
Jeanette would have gone right back to talking, but she could see she'd lost her nephew. He watched the kind way Meg Dorn smiled and talked to a child who came up to her, and then when Jeb had found a pew, that young lady sat with him, opened her Bible, and read.

And that had been the beginning for Brad. He didn't let his heart rush, but he became aware for the first time. Even Trace noticed his interest.

"So are you going to go see her?"

"Who?"

"Meg Dorn."

"No, why?"

"Why?" Trace asked with an exasperated roll of his eyes. "Because you're interested. Don't tell me you're not."

Brad didn't reply, but then Trace didn't need an answer. He noticed that the next Sunday Brad took a little extra time shaving, and the shirt he picked out was one of his nicest ones. And Brad caught Trace's eyes on him but didn't comment.

Trace wasn't the only one to notice. Patience Dorn had seen Brad looking Meg's way and did nothing to stop her heart from planning. She thought that either of the Holden men would be perfect for Meg and said as much to Jeb.

"Ask them to dinner," Jeb, a romantic in his own right, said, not minding his wife's thought at all. The Holden brothers were fine, believing men, and that would mean that their little Meg would be in Token Creek year 'round.

Patience was not going to waste any time. What she hadn't counted on was Meg's reaction.

"You can't do that," she told her aunt, her face showing her horror. "Why not?" Patience asked in surprise, knowing that Meg had done some looking of her own.

"He hasn't given me any reason to think he's interested, Aunt Patience. I might have to spend the rest of the summer wishing the floor would swallow me."

47
"But he watches you," Patience argued.

"Be that as it may," Meg agreed, "he'll just have to find the courage to do more than that."

Brave words at the time. Before June ended Meg knew moments of despair. Brad was not a fast mover. It was clear to most folks that he had his eye on Meg, but he wasn't doing anything about it. She'd come in May, and it was the Fourth of July picnic before he found the courage to approach.

"How are you?" Brad had come near the Dorn table and was speaking to Jeb, his gaze managing to encompass them all. "Doing well, Brad. How about yourself?"

"Fine, thank you."

"How's the ranch?"

"The spring was good. The herd is growing fast."

"So you'll head to market in the fall?"

"That's the plan."

Jeb didn't continue to question the younger man but gave him a moment to choose the next topic of conversation. Jeb was beginning to doubt if he could do it, but Brad surprised him.

"I was wondering if Meg might want to take a walk along the creek."

Jeb turned to his niece.

"I'd like that," she said quietly, and went with Brad when he turned away from the group and began a slow walk.

"Are you enjoying your summer?" Brad asked the first thing that came to mind.

"Yes. It's always great fun."

"A little hot at times?"

"At times, but I don't mind."

Brad glanced at her, wishing he could just go on staring. Her skin reminded him of fresh cream, and her eyes were a deep blue, almost turquoise. She wasn't smiling right now, but he knew her smile was one of the prettiest things he'd ever seen.

48
"I don't remember i f I saw you last year," Brad said. "Did you visit?" "All summer."

Brad stopped then and looked at her. Meg stopped with him. They were along the bank of Token Creek, the town picnic a little ways behind them.

"Did you change?" Brad asked, trying to place her in his mind. "I don't know." Meg just held her smile. "Did you?"

Brad saw the amusement in her eyes and laughed. Meg couldn't believe how much she liked the sound, and she laughed with him.

It got easier after that. Brad headed into town at least three times a week add sat in the Dorns' parlor. He and Meg talked about everything under the sun, and if Jeb and Patience had been harboring any doubts, they soon disappeared as they got to know this young rancher with his subtle sense of humor, high values, andgenuine faith.

As for Brad, he'd never been happier. Meg was his girl, and he knew they would have a future together. She was the one God had for him. He was sure of it. What he wasn't sure about was the timing, and that almost got him into trouble.

"Are you busy next Friday night?" Meg asked as August rushed away.

"No, what's up?"

"A party Jeb and Patience are giving me. Can you come?" "Certainly, but didn't you tell me your birthday was in June?"

"It is," Meg said quietly, her eyes watchful. "It's a going-away

party."

Brad felt as if the wind had been knocked from him. He'd managed to forget that Token Creek was not her home.

"Why are you leaving?" he asked, just managing to stay calm. "My visit is over. My parents expect me home."

"New York is a long way away from Montana Territory."

"Yes, it is," Meg said, even as her heart begged Brad to say the words she longed to hear. She knew he loved her-he'd said it many times-but he'd never popped the question.

49
Brad was in shock. He had no idea how the days had moved so fast or how he could forget such a key ingredient to their relationship. He didn't say much of anything, however, and when Patience came looking for Meg, Brad excused himself and went home.

"So you're not sure about Meg?" Trace pressed his brother when Brad told him about the conversation. They were in the living room at the ranch.

"I'm very sure."

"Then why are you hesitating?"

"We don't have much extra right now, Trace. You know that. I wanted to offer Meg more."

"Brad," Trace responded in kindness and patience, "we never go hungry, and we both have plenty to wear." Trace's head went back so he could glance around the room. "This is a fine home. Meg won't find anything lacking."

Brad still looked doubtful and Trace, not even realizing it, delivered the final punch.

"What did Meg say when you explained why you wanted to wait?"

"I didn't tell her"

Trace had to laugh. "Well, prepare yourself big brother, because she's either going to laugh at the absurdity of it all or be completely insulted."

"Why would she be insulted?"

"Meg isn't some spoiled little girl who would look at you and this home and ask for more. But that's what you're saying"

Brad thanked his brother, emotion making it almost impossible. He left for town just minutes later and asked Meg Dorn to marry him as soon as it could be arranged. Meg accepted in a heartbeat, and they were married that fall.

"Well, I for one am glad to see you on the sofa together," Jeb finally said, breaking into everyone's thoughts. "This courtship business takes it out of a man."

50Both Meg and Patience laughed at him, but Brad had to agree- right up to the moment Jeb contradicted his own words. "So tell me, Trace, who have you got your eye on?"

Trace laughed but Was saved from answering when Patience offered coffee. Everyone was too warm for that, but no one turned down the cake she offered as well.

The Holdens stayed for most of the afternoon, dozing and visiting the hours away, something they all needed. When it was time to go, both Dorns saw them off, Patience just remembering to mention the upcoming party.

"We'll see you Friday night at Jeanette's. I have your birthday present wrapped and ready."

"I can hardly wait," Meg said, hugging her aunt again.

The three left for home with the sun still high. It would be a warm ride, the memories of the afternoon even warmer.

Ntfr

"Hey, Jessie," Trace greeted the owner of Wheeler's Mercantile when he came into town on Tuesday.

"Hi, Trace. What can I do for you?"

"I've got a list here," Trace said, leaning against the counter and turning it so Jessie could read with him.

Jessie had almost all the supplies on hand but had to order the piece that Trace needed for the wagon. Trace thought his temporary fix would hold till it arrived. He knew Rylan or Pete Stillwell could make it for him at the livery, but he had remembered an item Jessie had showed him in the catalog and thought it might be better priced.

Thirty minutes later, Trace went down the street, the little blue dress shop on his mind. The last time he'd been in town, he'd not stopped to see Cassidy and regretted it. Between the mercantile and Cassidy's, however, was the bank. Trace decided to stop in and say hello to Chandler.

51"Well, cowboy," Chandler greeted when he spotted Trace coming through the door.

"Hey, Chandler," Trace replied, the men shaking hands before Trace sat in the chair in front of the manager's desk, rocking back to get comfortable, hat going to his knee.