His Forever Valentine (11 page)

She let him lead her to the other side of a make believe circle he’d drawn once they were all assembled.  “What is this dance called?”

“We’ll start with the Grand March, then go to the Arbor March. If you prove efficient at those, I’ll try to teach you The Quadrille.”

“What are we going to do for music?” asked Summer.

“My father is going to play his fiddle for us,” he said and shoved up his spectacles. “Just as soon as he can find it.”

“Find it?” Spencer practically barked.  “Where’d he lose it?”

“He loaned it to Mr. Burns down at the feed store a couple of months back. He went to go fetch it,” Matthew answered. “I’m sure he’ll be back soon, besides, it seems your deputy isn’t here yet.”

Spencer was about to comment when the deputy in question came through the door. “Evenin’ everyone. Sorry I’m late, had to stop and pick up somethin’ from my room.”

Rose and Charlotte looked to a small, wrapped package in his h
and. Everyone knew he rented a room at the hotel, and so what ever it was, had to have come from there. He went directly to Charlotte and handed it to her. “For you,” he said then leaned down to whisper something in her ear.

Her face lit up, and she smiled as she looked into his eyes. She put a hand to her mouth, and looked about to cry.  Matthew’s back stiffened, as his pulse sped up. Was she upset?  Had he whispered something inappropriate? But then, what was her smile about?

She sniffed back a tear. “Thank you, I’ll treasure it always.”

Matthew’s eyes narrowed on the package. What could it be? “Deputy Turner, I’ll ask that you stand over here,” he instructed in a firm voice and pointed to a spot as far from Charlotte as could be.

“How is this going to work?” Rose asked as she looked to the three men across the make shift circle. “Who am I going to dance with?”

“With me, Billy said as he entered the room from the hall. Mr. Quinn was right behind him, a fiddle in his hand.

“Got it!” he cried triumphantly and held it up. He took a chair near the stove, and sat. “All ready.”

“Okay, this dance is simple,” said Matthew as he eyed Tom, “and I’ve never seen anyone in town perform it to my knowledge.”

“What do we do?” asked Clayton.

“You’ll begin walking in a circle, one couple
leads the others, then you split off, and the men will go one way, the women the other.”

“Sounds simple enough,” Spencer commented to Elle.

“Who will lead?” asked Charlotte.

Matthew’s eyes gravitated to Tom. “I think you and Mr. Turner can handle it.”

  “Well now, I don’t dance real good, but I’ll try.” He stepped out of line and walked to where she stood.

“You want a three count or four, son?” Mr. Quinn asked.

“Four,” Matthew told him as he continued to eye the deputy.  He limped to the center and motioned for them all to pair up. “When the music starts,” he said to Tom, “you lead them in a circle to the left, you got that?”

“Good thing I know my left from my right, eh Matthew?” Tom drawled.

Spencer stifled a snicker and smiled. Matthew ignored the remark and tapped out a beat with his cane. “On the count of four …”

His father began to play a happy tune, and Tom, without missing a beat, led Charlotte around in a circle while the others followed.  “Alright, now you’re going to …” but before Matthew could finish, Tom broke away from Charlotte as he motioned for her and the other ladies to circle to the right, as he and the men went left.  He kept them to the inside as they circled and passed one another. “I thought you said you didn’t know this dance?” Matthew called above the sound of the fiddle.

Tom kept going, and signaled to Charlotte to pass on the inside of the circle this time. “You didn’t ask me if I knew it,” he called back.

“Stop!” Matthew yelled.

They all stopped and stared at him. He hobbled over to Tom. “Do you know the name of this dance?”

“Sure don’t.”

“Then how do you know it? You were instructing them correctly. Where did you learn this?”

Tom sighed. “You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me,” Matthew said, his voice flat.

  Tom shrugged. “The Countess Van Zuyen of Dalrovia, taught me.”

All eyes were on him at this point. He even had Clayton and Spencer’s full attention.  Of course, they’d heard more tales about the “royals of Clear Creek” come out of the deputy’s mouth than anyone, but believed half at best.  This only proved, the rest of his tales may well be true.

Matthew looked taken aback, and glanced to Charlotte. He quirked a brow and gave his attention back to Tom. “What comes next?”

“Ah, let me see … Charlotte retakes my hand, and so do the other couples, and then we lead them into a straight line, see.  I hold my hand with Charlotte’s up like this …” He flung their joined hands up in the air, and Charlotte giggled a the unexpected action.  Matthew looked away and swallowed as the deputy continued. “And then we step apart and raise both hands, and then everyone else goes through the hole we made.”

Rose giggle this time, and Matthew looked Tom in the eye. “How does someone like you learn to dance the Grand March, the March in File, and the Arbor March?”

Tom looked at him confused. “By listening to the instructions, I guess.”

Spencer and Clayton lost it, and began to laugh.

“So that’s what they’re called,” Tom added. “I thought those sounded familiar.”

  Matthew looked about himself. This was impossible!  How did the deputy r
eally
learn the dances? Countess, indeed! “What other dances do you know?” he demanded.

Tom raised a single brow. “I don’t think you want to know, for one, I can’t remember their names, just some moves. It’s been awhile since I’ve done them, I remember this one cause it’s the easiest.”

Matthew caught himself before he berated the man further. It was wrong, and he needed to stop and face the cold hard facts.  He was jealous, and betrothed to another woman, a beautiful, wonderful woman, who at this very moment, stared at him with something between compassion and anger.

He studied her, as she stood next to Billy, her arms at her sides, and noticed her lower lip trembled. Was she about to cry?  “I’m glad to hear you are familiar with what I’m trying to teach the others,” he said without taking his eyes from Rose. “Should make it easier for everyone to learn them.”

“I don’t know about that,” Tom said. “I probably ain’t half as good a teacher as you or the countess, but I’ll help if I can.”

Matthew tore his eyes from Rose. “I appreciate it, thank you.”

Tom smiled and lifted Charlotte’s hand. “Either way, it’s sure fun to learn.”

She gave him a shy smile and blushed.

Matthew let go a heavy sigh and bit his lower lip. “Let us continue.” His heart heavy, he went on to teach them several dances.  He could see Charlotte was becoming enamored with the small town lawman and his humble ways. So be it.  As long as he made her happy, he could live with the fact she would never be his.  He looked to Rose as she passed next to Billy, and smiled.  He should count himself lucky his mail order bride was a true beauty and sweet to boot. Next to Charlotte, there was no other woman that would have captured his attention so easily. If there had actually been any other women around that is.

Matthew stamped ou
t the beat with his cane as the couples circled around him, and closed his eyes.
Lord, you know me better than anyone, and so I accept the bride You’ve chosen for me.  I know she’ll be all my heart desires, because she’s the desire of Your heart. And please Lord, give Charlotte a happy, and blessed marriage. Amen.

Matthew opened his eyes, drew a deep breath, and sighed in relief.  He’d just put God in control. He hoped …

Ten

The next week was torture. Rose had seen the way Matthew looked at Charlotte during their first dance lesson, and though he hadn’t looked at her that way since, she still didn’t feel good about it.  She spent a few hours every other day with him, and pleasant enough, she still sensed he was distracted.  They spoke of each other’s childhoods, he told her about Boston and how he’d like to take her there someday, and she in turn shared her love of the outdoors with him.  But still, she felt an odd disconnect between them.

Being a mail order bride, she thought she’d have been married as soon as she stepped off the
stage, and now wished she had.  There would have been no time to doubt, no chance to feel insecure.  The longer they courted, and the more she got to know him, the more distanced she felt. But was he doing the distancing, or was she?  Rose honestly didn’t know.

“How are you today, Rose?” Matthew asked as he entered the Quinn’s parlor.

“Very well, thank you” she told him. “Where are Tom and Charlotte?”

He stopped halfway to his chair, and stared at her. “Deputy Tom and Charlotte will be along shortly.”

“We haven’t spent much time with them of late,” she commented.

“What do you mean? We’ve spent several evenings with them, dancing.”

“I mean, here at your house to have tea.”

“My mother is a good enough chaperone at this point, and she’s right up at the front of the store.

“I suppose so,” she commented. “I finished my dress.”

“For the wedding?” he quickly asked.

“No, for the dance.”

“Oh.”

She sat, and folded her hands in her lap. “I’ve started on the other though. We should have it done in time for a wedding the day after the dance.”

“Why Rose, that’s wonderful news,” he said with a smile. “I couldn’t be happier, it’s exactly as I planned.”

She nodded and smiled. Perhaps she’d been reading him wrong.  He seemed very pleased at the news. “Charlotte’s sister is helping, it’s going to be very pretty.”

“Abbey is an excellent seamstress, I’m told. Her work will impress you. I don’t understand why she doesn’t have a dress shop of her own.”

“Like your aunt?”

He was about to pour some tea and stopped. “My aunt?”

“Your Aunt … Mary is it? You told me she was a very good seamstress too.”

“Oh, so I did. Yes, well … she’s kept busy with other things.”

  “She has children, right? And they all live quite a distance from town?”

The mention of his aunt and her brood made him nervous. He’d tired not to think about them ever since his fath
er informed him they’d be at the dance. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, do you not like to speak of your aunt?”

“Not so much that …” He didn’t dare tell her he feared for any single female within fifty miles of Nowhere, not that there were any. But the Weaver boys-correction,
men
- were mostly likely ready to start looking for female companionship, and he didn’t want her any where near them.

“So, what is it?”

Her voice startled him, and he finished pouring them some tea. “Nothing to worry about, more a numbers problem than anything else.” His last words were mumbled.

“You mean, there are more men than women at the dance?” she asked. “Yes, Mrs. Riley already told me.”

He again stared at her, were the Riley men going to be taking precautions as well?

“She said the men would have to share us.”

“She said, what?” Good grief! Had the woman gone out of her mind? Let the women of
Nowhere dance with the Weaver clan?  So what if they were his own cousins! Who knew how the night would end if they were actually allowed to dance? “Oh, bother.”

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to …” she blushed, “… share?”

He pointed to her. “That’s it! You are absolutely right. I’ll not share my bride with any man.”

“You’ll what?” His mother screeched and came into the parlor. “Matthew, what are you talking about?”

“Not what you’re thinking, we were merely speaking of  … Aunt Mary.”

“Oh, now be sure to be nice to your cousins while they’re here. It’s been quite awhile since you’ve seen them.”

“Not long enough,” he mumbled under his breath.

“Just wait until you meet them, Rose. They’re as handsome as they come, those boys of Mary’s.”

A sudden pang of jealousy struck at her words, and Matthew felt his jaw clench.  Wait a minute?  He felt jealous?  This was new … especially as it pertained to Rose.

“So I’ve heard,” she said.

“Where … where did you hear about them?” Matthew choked out.

“Mrs. Riley mentioned something about them last week.”

“What did she say?” Mrs. Quinn asked.

Rose puckered her brow as she thought. “Something about,
all those handsome men on the other side of the mountain, and no women to be had …”

Matthew sighed. “Lord
, help us.”

“Enough about Mary,” Mrs. Quinn began. “Matthew, could you and Rose mind the store while I take some lunch to your father? He’s helping
Mr. Burns fix a patch of roof at the feed store.”

“Not at all,” he said, took Rose’s hand in his, and stood. She was warm, and her small hand felt good.  She smiled as he led her around the table toward the door.

“I won’t be gone long.” She went into the kitchen, emerged with a basket, and left out the kitchen’s back door.

Matthew gave Rose a smile. “Let’s go mind the store, shall we?” He offered her his arm, and for the first time, felt a connection between them.  She felt it too, and blushed from head to toe as she slid her arm through his, and together, they left the parlor.

* * *

Charlotte put her dress against herself, and stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror.  She absently reached out and touched the mirror’s wooden frame. An elegant treasure her father had given to her on her fifteenth birthday, little did he know the havoc it would wreak upon her life. She’d become conceited, selfish, and spoiled.  No wonder no one wanted to marry her.

But the
girl who stared back at her, was not the same one from a month ago.  She’d changed considerably since then. Her eyes were softer, her countenance humbled, and she’d learned there was not only the love of a good man she’d wasted time finding by acting the shrew. She’d missed out on the most important love relationship of all.  Her Lord.

She glanced to the small Bible Tom gave her the night of their first dance lesson. She’d read it daily since, and felt a surge of tears each time she thought about
Him
.  The lessons Jesus taught about forgiveness were astounding, and though she’d heard them before in church, she’d never taken them to heart the way she was doing now.

Tears streamed down her face as she continued to gaze upon her reflection. The plumb colored
dress was a few shades lighter than Rose Smith’s, and for that she was glad.  She might be humbler now, and forgiven by her Lord, but it just wouldn’t do for the two of them to be wearing the same shade of dress at the same dance. Surely, the Lord understood.

She fingered the delicate lace trim, and let her eyes drift to the matching gloves.  Even her bonnet matched, thanks to Abbey’s incredible skill, and she knew, that despite her reputation, she’d be turning the heads of men within a few hours. 
One man, in particular.

“For Heaven’s sake, Charlotte! Aren’t you dressed yet?” Abbey scolded as she came into her room.

“A knock would have been appreciated,” Charlotte said as she laid the dress on the bed.

Abbey took a few steps closer and peered into her face. “Have you been crying,
again
?”

“I can’t seem to help myself.”

“Oh, just tell the man, yes!”

“How can I tell him yes when he hasn’t asked me?”

“You know he’s falling for you, at least I think he is. Maybe he’ll surprise you and propose tonight!”

Charlotte threw her a sardonic look. “Tom Turner is not going to propose to me tonight.”

“How do you know? It could happen.”

“We haven’t spent enough time together for one, and when we have, it’s been for dancing lessons, or chapero
ning Rose and Matthew, or passing each other in the street.”

“He came for Sunday dinner last week, that should count for something.”

“Yes, but I forgot I’d invited him, remember?”

“Oh,” Abbey s
aid flatly. “Okay, so maybe he doesn’t propose tonight, but he’s not going to have a chance to do anything if you’re not dressed!”

Charlotte sighed. “All right then, help me will you?”
Abbey went to her and began to unbutton the back of her day dress. “Thank you for making the bonnet. It’s beautiful, you should think about opening a millinery shop when you move to Oregon City.”

“I have thought about it.  Billy suggested it as well.  Oh, Charlotte, I’m so excited about leaving
Nowhere!  I can’t tell you!”

Charlotte turned to her and smiled through fresh tears. “I know you are … I just wish…” she threw her face in hands and sobbed. “Oh, Abbey … I don’t know what’s wrong with me …”

“I know what’s wrong with you.”

Charlotte looked up at her. “What?”

“You’re in love.”

“I am not, I can’t be …” Or could she?  Is that what was wrong with her? Or was it the painful realization she’d fallen short for so many years, and the Lord’s astounding brush of grace that saved her? Was it one, the other, or both?  Charlotte honestly didn’t know.

* * *

Tom sat in the Sheriff’s office and stared at the wanted poster of Red Ned. He’d never seen the man in person, only read the reports after Sheriff Riley pinned the poster to the wall a couple of weeks ago.  He then looked at the poster pinned next to it. Jack Cooke he knew all too well, his brother Sam too.  They were a black mark on his little town of Clear Creek, and the more he stared at the poster, the more he wanted to see Jack join his brother Sam behind bars. But they both were hiding out somewhere near Oregon City, far from either Clear Creek or Nowhere, and none of his concern, for now.

He turned to the opposite wall, one that housed a tiny mirror, and examined his reflection.  He walked toward it slowly, and smoothed his hair first, then gave the mirror a toothy grin, to make sure nothing was stuck in his teeth. He then ran a hand across his jaw, and felt the smooth skin of a clean shave.  All in all, he cleaned up nice. He even got a hair cut that afternoon.  “Well, Tom Turner,” he said to himself as he straightened the borrowed jacket he wore. “Tonight’s the night.” He turned from the mirror and reached for his hat. “She’s probably gonna cry. All women cry …”

And with that, he left the Sheriff’s office to go to the Valentine’s dance.

* * *

“Oh, good Heavens! Has anyone seen my other glove?” Elle ran through the kitchen into the hall. “Summer!”

“It’s in your hand, dear.” Mrs. Riley told her.

Elle’s eyes went round as saucers as she looked to the glove in her hand. “No, it isn’t.”

Mrs. Riley stepped to her
, took the glove, and peeled it away from its mate.

“Oh my, will you look at that,” Elle said in amazement.

“I was a nervous wreck at my first dance too,” Mrs. Riley told her. “But you’ll do fine, dear. Now where’s Rose, is she dressed yet?”

“Rose!” Elle shouted up the stairwell.

Mrs. Riley put a hand to her head. “Inside voice, dear, inside voice. If we were in the mountains, you’d cause an avalanche.”

Elle rolled her eyes, ran up the stairs, and flew through the do
or of her room. “Hurry! Clayton is bringing the wagon around front.”

“Be … right … there!” Summer said with each tug of Rose’s corset.

“Ugh! Who invented these?” Rose said as she held onto the bed-post while Summer tied up the laces. “I can’t breathe!”

“That means I got it tight enough.” She walked stiffly to the bed. “Formal affairs call for a corset, now lets get your dress on.”

“Elle looks like she’s breathing fine,” Rose observed. “And she
ran
up the stairs, I heard it. How can you run wearing such a torture device?”

Elle pursed her lips before she smiled. “Never mind that, hurry and get dressed. We don’t’ want to be late!”

Summer narrowed her eyes. “You took it off, didn’t you?”

Elle tossed her an angelic look,
and then ran from the room.

“Ohhhh!” Summer groaned. “I knew it!”