Dreaming on Daisies (2 page)

Leah looked at the chair propped against the wall, wishing she could kick it again and allow some of her irritation to escape. Better that than allowing the tears building behind her eyes to spill over.

Charlie Pape plunked into a kitchen chair and slid the plate holding his sandwich closer, happy Millie had fixed it and left. The last thing he needed was another well-meaning female trying to tell him what to do or insisting he change.

He picked up the sandwich and took a bite, working hard to hold on to his annoyance toward his daughter. The girl had no right to tell him what to do or how to live his life. It was his business if he drank, and nobody else’s. And she was dead wrong thinking she knew better than him how to run this ranch. It had been his for years.

A thought pricked at his conscience, but he pushed it away. It
was
his ranch, and he intended to make sure it stayed that way.

Leah was a good girl and meant well. He couldn’t fault her there. But she was too much like her mother. Always trying to fix things to swing her own way and not taking into account what he might want. Of course, Leah wasn’t his child by birth, but he’d taught her all he knew and was plumb tickled that she seemed to love the ranch as much as her old pa.

The girl had been raised here since Charlie married Leah’s ma when Leah was only a baby. He’d always figured he and Mary would live their sunset days here, and then Leah and whatever man she married would take over for him. Not once had he considered that the unthinkable might happen, leaving him alone with only his misery to keep him company.

Steven Harding paced the parlor at the Jacobs’ boardinghouse and took out his pocket watch for at least the tenth time since returning from dropping the stranger at his ranch. Ten minutes after two o’clock—only a minute since he’d last checked. He would have wagered a guess that much more time had passed. Did his sister want to be late to her own wedding?

Women’s voices mingled not far down the hall. Moments later Beth’s adopted aunt, Mrs. Wilma Roberts—or, rather, Marshall, since she’d recently married—and her friend Mrs. Cooper swept into the room, arms entwined and faces aglow. They came to an abrupt stop, and stared. Then both erupted in snorts of laughter.

He tugged at his tight collar. “What seems to be the problem, ladies? I can’t imagine what could be so amusing.”

Mrs. Cooper’s grin broadened. She shook her head, and a gray curl slipped loose from under the brim of her dark blue hat. “A stranger might assume you are the groom, if your distraught appearance is any indication. Are you terribly nervous about accompanying your sister down the aisle this afternoon?”

Mrs. Marshall patted his shoulder. “Why don’t you sit down, Steven? It won’t do any good wearing a path in the carpet. Beth will be down soon, and my Caleb will be back to pick up Frances and me.”

“I’m not nervous at all. I simply don’t understand what’s taking so long. We still have to drive to the church. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs and their children left long ago, and I’m sure Jeffery has been there for hours.”

“Caleb drove my daughter and her family over early to ready the sanctuary for the wedding. And your mother is putting the finishing touches on Beth’s hair. Your sister is going to make a beautiful bride, and Jeffery is blessed to get her. I am quite certain she will be worth whatever amount of time he must wait.”

Mrs. Cooper pointed at a chair. “Sit. You are making me nervous, pacing like some caged animal.”

“That’s exactly how I feel.” He plopped into the seat indicated and ran his fingers over his closely cropped hair. He glanced at Beth’s adopted aunt, a woman he’d only known for a few months but had come to respect. “How can you be so calm? You weren’t even anxious when you and Caleb married at Christmas. And why aren’t you upstairs helping? I’m sure Beth wants you there.”

Mrs. Marshall frowned. “I don’t know what you have to be fretful over.” Her face softened. “Beth asked me to stay, but she should have this time with her mother. Isabelle has missed so much of Beth’s life these past years, which I was privileged to enjoy while raising her. I won’t rob your mother of an instant alone with her daughter on this special day. Besides, the ceremony doesn’t start for almost an hour, and the buggy will get us to the church in plenty of time.”

Steven nodded but didn’t reply. He was happy for his mother and sister but longed for this day to hurry to a close. Maybe once Beth was married to Jeffery Tucker, life would return to normal. Finding Beth again after an eighteen-year absence had been exhilarating, but he’d struggled to find his place in the family with the ensuing changes.

He’d been the only child after Beth disappeared when he was eight years old, and while he rejoiced at their recent reunion, part of him longed for the time when Ma leaned solely on him for advice and support. Then, suddenly, he was ashamed at the direction his thoughts had taken. More than anything, he was lonely. Steven had thought his sister’s return would unite their family. It hadn’t happened that way. With Ma living at the boardinghouse to be near Beth, and him living in a mining shanty on the outskirts of town to be close to work, he didn’t have much time with either of them. But Ma was happier than he’d ever seen her, and he couldn’t begrudge her that. It was high time he moved on with his life. He’d better get used to being alone.

Chapter Two

Leah relaxed in the wooden church pew, thankful she’d made it to the wedding ceremony only a few minutes late and tiptoed into the last row. She’d barely slipped into her dress when the buggy had pulled up with her father on board, and she’d rushed downstairs to find him with that stranger.

Millie had enough to deal with keeping the house clean, meals cooked, and laundry done without tackling a cranky man with an overabundance of pride like Pa. With his present mood, it was a good thing he’d decided to take a nap, or she’d have felt guilty leaving him in Millie’s care.

She came to attention with a start. The short ceremony had ended. Jeffery leaned over his bride and touched her lips with his, lingering a little longer than customary even for a wedding. The gesture birthed conflicting emotions in Leah.

Pure joy for Beth that she’d attained a goal longed for by so many women. Along with it came envy, a petty word Leah hated to allow into her thoughts. She strove to douse the simmering embers. Being jealous of her friend’s happiness wasn’t an option. Somehow she’d have to find contentment in her friends and work.

Beth and Jeffery stepped apart a few inches, but he kept a firm hold on her hand. Now that her veil was removed, the beauty was there for all to behold. Her blue eyes shone with a radiance that eclipsed all else in the sanctuary.

The pastor motioned toward the congregation. “May I present … Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Tucker.”

The two dozen or so people attending the nuptials broke into light applause, and Jeffery gazed once again into Beth’s eyes. Leah melted at the raw passion evident on his face. Would any man ever care for her like that? Highly unlikely, since she’d reached the ripe old age of twenty-three and remained single.

She was not a candidate for marriage, living the rough life of a rancher’s daughter and rarely attending social events in town other than the quilting group at the church and Sunday services. She’d yet to find an eligible man who caught her eye.

If only she could meet someone like Jeffery. Not exactly like him, of course, as Jeffery would never be content to live on a ranch and work the land. An image flashed of the man who’d driven the buggy and deposited her father a few hours ago. But she’d vowed never to give a man a second look who touched alcohol in any form.

That was one promise she’d never break. Of course, she had no proof he’d been drinking with Pa, but her father hadn’t denied the man had accompanied him from the saloon. Why else would he have taken the time to bring Pa home?

Leah had seen firsthand the pain alcohol caused a family and the financial devastation it could bring, and she’d never willingly take that risk. Besides, she hated the changes it wrought in her father’s behavior. Her mother might yet be alive if it weren’t for some of her father’s choices.

But this was no time to dwell on such gloomy thoughts. It was a joyous occasion, and she must put on a smile, no matter her personal feelings. Beth’s aunt Wilma had stood up with her, while Leah assumed the man beside Jeffery must be Beth’s brother. She’d heard he’d come to town not long before Christmas, but she hadn’t met him. His back was turned to the congregation during the ceremony, but his stance and coloring seemed vaguely familiar.

He pivoted slowly, reaching out to shake Jeffery’s hand and give his sister a hug before the couple made their way out of the church.

Leah craned her neck, hoping to set her mind at ease as the niggling curiosity increased. People stood and readied themselves to leave, and she had yet to glimpse his face. She tugged her cloak around her shoulders. A select group would assemble at Katherine and Micah’s boardinghouse soon. Beth’s family would be present, along with Jeffery’s parents, who had traveled from Ohio a couple of weeks ago.

She eased from the bench and headed toward the back door, where the newly married couple stood with arms entwined, greeting each person as they departed. It might be best to head to Katherine’s to help set out the food. With her friend’s baby due soon, Leah didn’t want Katherine to overtire herself.

Beth caught Leah’s eye and waved as Leah slipped around the tight cluster of well-wishers. “Don’t leave yet. I want you to meet someone.”

As she moved closer, the man standing next to her met her gaze square on.

Beth patted the arm of the man who’d stood up with Jeffery. “This is my brother, Steven Harding. Steven, this is my friend Leah Carlson.”

Leah’s heart fluttered as she stared into the startled eyes of the man she’d so recently given a dressing-down.

Steven skirted the group of people in the Jacobs’ sitting room but kept his gaze trained on the striking redhead standing behind the refreshment table. When presented at the church, he’d mumbled incoherently and made his escape, but not before he’d registered the shock and withdrawal on Leah Carlson’s face. What could she have against him? All he’d done was to be a good Samaritan and deliver her inebriated father to her door. It didn’t make sense that she’d think he’d been the cause of her father’s condition, but since arriving at the Jacobs’ home, she’d done her best to avoid him. On the other hand, he hadn’t gone out of his way to correct her impression, as he’d never expected to see her again.

Firm hands gripped his upper arms. “Young man, you really must watch where you are walking.” Frances Cooper, Katherine Jacobs’s mother, eyed him. “Why are you staring at Miss Carlson? Is anything amiss?”

He shook his head. “Not at all.”

“Have you met her yet? Perhaps I should formally introduce you. She is quite an attractive young woman, even if she does have flaming red hair.”

Steven quelled the chuckle threatening to escape. “You have something against that color, Mrs. Cooper?”

She sniffed. “If you must know, my second husband was a redhead and quite mulish when it suited him. I have had occasion to get acquainted with Miss Carlson over the past few months. She is a delightful young woman, but she can be decidedly headstrong.” She wagged her finger at him. “Mark my words, that tendency will land her in trouble if she is not careful.”

He took a step back, more than ready to find an avenue of escape from this uncomfortable discussion. “I’m sure I wouldn’t know, ma’am, but thank you for your warning. Now, if you will excuse me, I think I’ll speak to my sister and her new husband.” He pivoted and made his way through the crowded room to where a glowing Beth stood beside Jeffery.

She extended her hands and gripped his. “Steven. I’ve been looking for you.”

He drew her forward and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful—quite the loveliest bride I’ve been privileged to see.” He leveled a stern gaze at Jeffery. “If you don’t treat her right, you’ll have to answer to me, you know. My little sister was gone for too long for me to allow anything to happen to her.”

Beth gasped. “Steven! Jeffery loves me very much. I can’t imagine why you’d say such a thing.”

Jeffery produced a wry smile. “I admire your brother for speaking. I’d do the same with any man my sister chose to marry, regardless of the esteem with which I held him.” Swiveling to Steven, Jeffery clapped his hand on his brother-in-law’s shoulder. “I promise I’ll take care of her. If I ever give her cause to come to you with a complaint, you have my permission to throttle me.”

“Much appreciated. And I wasn’t overly worried, as I believe you to be an honorable man.” Steven lapsed into silence, letting his gaze rest on the redhead across the room.

Beth touched Steven’s arm. “Is there something else bothering you?”

“Before I joined you, I was speaking to Mrs. Cooper. I suppose I’m still not used to the lady’s straightforward personality.”

Beth giggled. “That’s a very kind way of saying she speaks her mind plainly without regard to where her words land. You should have seen her and Aunt Wilma when we first moved here last year.” She smiled up at Jeffery. “Do you remember?”

He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’ll never forget. For a while I wondered if either lady would emerge unscathed from their verbal battles, but they ended up becoming friends. It still amazes me.”

Beth sobered, and her voice softened. “What did she say, Steven? I do hope it was nothing unkind. She has a good heart, and I’m certain she wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone.”

Steven hesitated, hating to generate gossip, but he’d opened the subject and could see no way of retracing his steps without arousing more questions. “Nothing about me, but she offered to introduce me to Miss Carlson. Before I could reply, she launched into a discourse on the young woman’s hair color and supposed tenacious behavior. I made my excuses and escaped before she could drag me over and give Miss Carlson an introduction that might include
my
shortcomings.”

“That was good of you,” Beth murmured. “It’s strange she’d point a finger at Leah, though. I thought Mrs. Cooper liked her.”

“Oh, that wasn’t the issue; she admitted Miss Carlson is a delightful person. I’m not sure why she brought it up, but I didn’t want her to go off on a tangent and make matters worse.”

Jeffery slipped his arm around Beth’s shoulders. “Worse? What happened?”

The young lady in question was still serving refreshments and didn’t appear the least bit aware she was the focus of their discussion. Steven certainly didn’t want anyone to judge her harshly based on what he’d seen earlier that day. “I’m afraid she’s unhappy with me. I’m not quite certain what I did to deserve it—although I can hazard a guess.”

Beth’s eyes widened. “Oh? I wasn’t aware you’d met her before I introduced you at the church.”

Steven proceeded to give them the details of his encounter with the man on the road.

Beth grimaced. “Mr. Pape. No wonder Leah seemed upset when she arrived.”

“Pape?” Steven glanced across at Miss Carlson. “I’m not sure who that is, but the gentleman I’m referring to is Mr. Carlson, your friend’s father.”

Beth nodded. “That would be Mr. Pape. Her mother was widowed and married Mr. Pape when Leah was a baby, so he’s the only father she’s known. He didn’t formally adopt her, and she still carries her father’s name.”

“Ah, I see. She’s an only child?”

Jeffery shared a look with Beth. “From what I understand she has a brother, Thomas Pape, who’s a couple of years younger. He apparently ran away a few years after their mother died. He’s not been heard from since.”

What a heavy load for any woman to carry. “I see.” Steven stared off to the side, his thoughts bouncing from one memory of his own to another. Sometimes life wasn’t fair, even when you tried your best to do what you believed was right. Look at their own family—torn apart and damaged so many years ago, through no fault of their own—but oh, how his mother and Beth had suffered. Truth be told, so had he.

Beth tugged at his sleeve. “But why do you think she’s upset with you? That is, if your buggy didn’t harm Mr. Pape.”

“It didn’t. But when Miss Carlson came out of the house, there was most decidedly evidence of anger toward her father and”—he winced—“distrust of me. She might have thought I was responsible for his drinking.”

Beth’s lips compressed. “That’s ridiculous. From what Mother has shared, our family never indulged in drink.”

“We still don’t. I’ve never touched the stuff, and I don’t plan to change. I’ve seen it destroy too many lives. Too bad Miss Carlson has to deal with a father who imbibes.” He cocked his head. “But perhaps it was a onetime occasion?”

Jeffery grunted. “Afraid not. The man is gaining a reputation. It’s a shame too. He has a wonderful ranch, a quality herd of horses and cattle, and a daughter who works her fingers to the bone to make it succeed. If he doesn’t change his ways, he could lose it all.”

Steven hazarded another look across the room. Miss Carlson smiled at a young girl, and his heart contracted at the sweet expression. “How so?”

“Talk has it he’s spending money at the saloon that ought to go into his ranch, and that he doesn’t pull his weight like he used to.” Jeffery shrugged. “Of course, it’s all gossip, and I shouldn’t be repeating it. But I’ve been concerned, since Miss Carlson is a friend of Beth’s.”

“Leah doesn’t say much, but she’s worried,” Beth confided. “I’m sorry you got off on the wrong foot with her. If you have the chance, Steven, be kind to her. Leah may be embarrassed when she learns she misjudged you.”

Steven kept his own counsel, but he couldn’t imagine the beautiful Miss Carlson being embarrassed about much of anything—least of all an error in judgment where he was concerned.