Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel (15 page)

Anna had never seen a pair of shoes as shiny as the elevator operator’s. She’d only had one other elevator ride in her young life. This one was the second, the first being the bank building in Amsterdam.

“Did you enjoy the store and shopping?” Edward took her hand once they were inside. “The Denver is considered the largest dry goods store west of Chicago.”

“I had a good time. It’s so large I hardly knew where to look. I hoped I picked two dresses that are to your liking.”

Edward looked down at her, his eyes narrowing, and whispered, “Something silky as well, I hope. I’ve heard they have exquisite lingerie.”

She shoved him playfully on the shoulder. “Not this time, but perhaps later I’ll spend more time looking around.”

When the elevator stopped, the operator opened the door and wished them a nice lunch.

Anna threw the newspaper down the sidewalk, then walked Moose with the leash to where it landed. She let him sniff it first, then picked it up and threw it over and over again, repeating the word “fetch.” By the time Moose figured out that she wanted him to go pick it up, Edward’s morning paper was beginning to look ragged. Anna rolled it back up and threw it again, waiting to see what Moose would do. This time, after a thoughtful sideways cock of his large head, Moose put the newspaper between his powerful jaws, trotted over to Anna, and dropped it at her feet.

“Good boy!” She clapped her hands together, then reached into her apron pocket for a snack of jerky that she’d picked up at the grocery. Moose lost no time in gobbling it right down and looked for more. “I’m so proud of you! You’re not lazy after all. However, before you can earn another treat, you must learn when to cross the street.” He barked and Anna laughed, giving his head an affectionate pat.

It had taken a couple of days to get him to understand retrieving. She knew Moose liked lounging on the front porch in the sun and only moved when he saw Anna approach.
Anna just shook her head at him and sighed. She’d had to put Baby in one of the pens in the barn earlier when she’d started trying to teach Moose, because she’d thought they were playing.

She spent the next hour teaching him when it was safe to cross the street. She did this by demonstration, keeping him by her side and using the word “stay,” and he began to catch on quickly.

Anna had read everything that Pearl had given her and was glad when Edward agreed to let her write up a notice for her special meeting for a society for prevention of cruelty to animals. He’d had it printed for her and helped her hand out the flyers to people on the street who might be interested. She went one step further and ran the ad in the newspaper as well. She was beginning to get excited about it and thanked Edward over and over for agreeing to let her try this new venture. She couldn’t help but wonder if he really was only giving in and hoping that nothing would come of it. But ever since he’d told her about the loss of his dog, it had softened his heart and broken down the barriers he’d put in place. It only made her love him more.

Sarah waved to her from across the street and walked over. “I’ve been sitting on the porch watching you and Moose, and I must say, Anna, I’m impressed. Who says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!”

“Thank you. It really wasn’t hard, considering I’ve never done this before. I believe Moose has a touch of arthritis, but then so does Harvey.”

Sarah laughed. “Then they should be good company for one another. Does he know about Moose?”

Anna shook her head. “Not yet, but I’ll ask him soon enough. Pearl thinks this will be good for Harvey.”

“I think those two have some affection for each other, don’t you?”

“
Ja
, it seems that way. They would make perfect companions.”

Sarah lowered her eyes and looked at Moose, giving him a scratch behind the ears. “I want the kind of love someday that you and Edward have.”

“Really?” Anna almost laughed but knew Sarah was serious. “Everything is not perfect, even though that’s the way Edward wants everything in his life. That’s just not real. We’re still getting to know each other, but I hope it will be a true love . . . a lasting love.”

“You seem wise beyond your years. I do see your love for Edward in your eyes and his for you.”

They both strolled down the sidewalk, Moose by Anna’s side. “When the timing is right, the right person will come along and sweep you off your feet. Just like that!” Anna snapped her fingers.

Sarah grinned. “But that wasn’t the way it was for you and Edward.”

Anna giggled. “Hardly. I was a mail-order bride. I was living with my sister and her family on a farm near Cheyenne but felt I needed to have my own life—to make my own future. Edward and I cared for each other through our short correspondence. We actually got off to a bad start and mixed like oil and water, but we’re connecting on a deeper level now, and our love continues to grow.”

“You know, my aunts seem to have singled out Daniel Moore as a love interest for me,” Sarah confided.

Anna pretended that she didn’t know. “I see . . . Well, sometimes people have good intentions, and their hearts are in the right place, but how do you feel about Daniel?”

Sarah’s face turned pink. “Oh, I like him well enough. He’s very handsome and we’ve talked at church socials, but I’m not sure how he feels about me.”

“You’ll get the opportunity very soon to figure that out at my dinner party next Friday night.”

“I’m very nervous about it,” she said, lowering her voice.

“Don’t be afraid. Just come with the intent to enjoy yourself among friends.”

Sarah nodded. “I’d better get back now, or my aunt Patty will come looking for me. It was so nice talking to you. Good luck with the dog and Harvey.” She crossed the street back to her aunts’ house, and Anna urged Moose back toward home. She decided that at her dinner party, she would try to let things unfold in the way they should and not involve herself with matchmaking, especially now that she knew Callie cared for Daniel.

She had plenty to do before her guests came for dinner next week, but she’d put off some of her regular chores, much to Edward’s chagrin, to hand out the flyers. Edward had taken time off after supper the night before to let their friends know about the dinner and what to bring. It would be nice if Edward would install a telephone, especially for times like that. She’d have to work on him and convince him that the newfangled contraption, as he called it, was moving ahead with the times. She still intended to paint a picture while at City Park before the weather turned too cold—but then painting a snow scene would be quite nice too. Perhaps Sunday afternoon? She certainly hoped so.

Later in the afternoon, while supper was simmering on the stove, she was about to mop the kitchen floor when she heard the doorbell. Edward was still in the shop. Lately he’d been working a half hour later than usual. She dried her
hands and placed the mop back in the bucket, then hurried to answer the door. It was Sarah.

“Sarah, hello—” She stopped when she saw Sarah holding a dog with thick golden hair in need of a good grooming.

“Anna, please, you have to take care of this puppy. He looks rather sickly to me.”

“Please, come in.” She guided Sarah to the kitchen. “I was just about to mop the kitchen floor,” she said, removing two of the upturned chairs that were on the table. “Certainly not my most favorite chore. How did you happen to have the dog?”

“He followed me home this afternoon while I was out at the pharmacy for Aunt Patty. I don’t know what to do for him, but I’ll bet you will.”

Anna leaned over the pup in Sarah’s lap, examining his eyes and mouth while she held him. The pup was scratching vigorously at his hindquarters and whimpered as Anna gently looked between the folds of his dull fur and gasped at the sores along his back and tummy.

“Goodness! This poor dog is in sad shape. You were right to bring him to me. He must be a stray, and there are plenty of those in this town, I’ll wager. I’ll feed him then clean him up. I’m glad we have some pens made up in the barn.”

“I’d stay and help, but I have to get Aunt Patty’s medicine to her. She was feeling poorly today.”

“Don’t you worry about a thing. Just take care of your aunt, and thanks for being kind to a helpless pup. We need more people concerned like you. Matter of fact, I’m having a meeting to start a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals next Wednesday night. Why don’t you stop by?”

Sarah handed the pup to her, her hand lingering on his face, tears in her eyes. “Edward gave us your notice. I’d be happy to attend.”

“Are you sure you might not want to keep this dog? Seems he’s stolen your heart already.”

“True, but I don’t think my aunts would let me have a pet. Well, I must go now. Thank you, Anna. No need to walk me out.”

With a wave she was gone, and Anna turned to the pup. His sad eyes stared at hers. “We are going to feed you, clean you up, and hopefully find you a good home . . . maybe even Sarah’s home.” The dog’s tail thumped hard against the floor as she talked, but he went right on scratching. She had just enough time to feed him, then after supper she’d give him a bath. She hoped he’d get along well enough with the other dogs and Cricket.

Edward eyed his wife when he came in for supper. He chuckled at her bare feet, and she explained that it was the best way to mop and she liked the way the cool floor felt. He kissed her soundly on the mouth, and she slid her arms around his neck, eager to return his kisses.

Finally, she pulled herself away from his warm embrace. “Supper is getting cold.”

Her ragged breathing was a good sign, Edward thought. It thrilled him that their kisses caused such a reaction in both of them.

He gazed at her across the table when they sat down to eat. Her cheeks were flushed, some of her hair had come loose and brushed across her narrow shoulders, and her apron stretched tightly across her chest. In the beginning, her disheveled appearance had bothered him, but lately he’d had a slight change in attitude and found her natural look very appealing. Of course, he wouldn’t want her to go out
in public that way, and he’d yet to see any of the new dresses on her. He guessed he’d have to remind her to wear them instead of letting them hang in the closet with the tags still on them.

“How did your day go? I haven’t seen you since lunchtime.” Edward set down his fork.

“I’ve had a very busy day teaching Moose to retrieve, and I must say, he caught on quickly enough.”

“I’m impressed. Waldo said he is too, after I told him about your venture. In fact, he said if you ever want to be a clerk in the bank, he’d hire you in a minute.”

Anna sputtered, her mouthful of food almost choking her. She took a sip of water, shaking her head. “I have no desire to work in the bank. It’s way too confining.” She scratched her arm, then her side.

“That’s exactly what I told him. Oh, I forgot to give you something last week. It totally slipped my mind.” He pulled out the check from his vest pocket. “I’d forgotten it in my vest. It’s your first benefactor’s donation.”

Anna’s head jerked up. “What? You must be kidding.”

“Nope.” He handed the check to her and watched her eyes go wide with excitement.

“Oh my! Edward, this will help me get started with my society chapter for animals. That was mighty sweet of him.”

“That’s because he admired your spunk when you stood up to him concerning Moose.”

“Well, for goodness’ sake. I hardly know what to say.”

“Write him a thank-you note and tell him that I forgot to give the donation to you last week.”

“Oh, I will right after supper . . . as soon as I clean up a new boarder.”

“Come again?”

“Sarah brought me a wayward dog that followed her home, and I’ve fed him, but he needs a thorough washing, I’m afraid.” Anna tried to reach behind her to scratch her back.

“Anna, you’ve been scratching ever since I sat down to eat. Maybe you’re allergic to the dog.”

“Oh, it’s nothing but dry skin, I believe. I’m going to bathe him right after supper. At least he was welcomed by the other dogs and cat, which I’m grateful for.”

“From the looks of it, you’ll be needing a bath as well.”

“Then I’ll need someone to wash my back . . .” She gave him a seductive half-lidded gaze that made his legs go weak.

“Have no fear, I seem to be free this evening.”

“Perfect! I’ll clean up the dishes and go bathe the dog.” She rose and started clearing the table. “You be thinking of a name for the new pup. We can’t call him ‘dog’ forever.”

“I’ll have to go check him out to see what would fit him, but I might have an idea.”

Anna had finished bathing the dog in a large galvanized tub in the backyard, hurrying so he wouldn’t get chilled by the autumn air. She felt sorry for him with all the redness beneath his coat. At least it was a shiny sandy gold now that she’d towel-dried him. He had a sweet face, and she talked to him throughout the process while Baby and Moose watched close by. She tried to gauge his age.