Place Of Her Own (14 page)

“Hopefully one day he’ll regain his strength
and
approve of our marriage.”

Katherine chuckled. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re an optimist?”

“Yes. My father. You two are quite alike sometimes.”

Katherine bristled at the comparison, but then realized that maybe Shelton was right. She had very strong opinions, although most people didn’t know it. If anyone did, it was Shelton.

He pointed out the living room window. “Here come Urias and Mac with the rest of the furniture.”

Katherine pretty much stayed out of the way while the men moved in the various pieces. So many treasured items from the house in Hazel Greene had not been packed. Katherine hated to think about all that the Greens had lost. Items she had spent hours dusting, cleaning, arranging. Possessions that set their home apart from others in the area. She particularly remembered the old china vase that had belonged to Hiram’s great-grandfather, who used to captain ships around the world. Katherine wondered who now owned all those things, did they cherish them as much as Mrs. Greene once had?

It didn’t matter. Now was the time to rebuild. With God’s help, and with Shelton’s, perhaps one day the Greens would live a gay life again.

Katherine spent the next day helping Grandma Mac. Her house had been neglected since Katherine had taken on the project of fixing up Shelton’s home.

“It’s such a shame.” Grandma Mac rocked back and forth in her rocker. “But at least the Greens have their health, and they’re back with family. With God’s grace, they’ll get through this transition in their lives.”

“I hope so.”

“I hear you did some mighty fancy work in that house. Tell me about it.”

Katherine went into great detail about all the remodeling and sewing she’d done for the place.

“My, my. Have you been able to fill your orders for Mr. Hastings as well?”

“Not yet. I have to make one more shirt tonight. Then I can take everything in tomorrow morning. I have to purchase more needles with my next order. The ones I’ve been using are getting worn down.”

“I don’t doubt it. Now, tell me, have you and Shelton kissed yet?”

“You’re far too preoccupied with other people’s romances.”

“True. But I sense you and Shelton have grown closer.”

“Yes, we have. But no kisses yet. Although he did kiss my finger. Does that count?”

Grandma Mac laughed out loud. “It’s a start. I think that boy has spent too much time with his horses.”

Katherine chuckled.
I wonder if she knows how very much I wanted to kiss him.

Shelton spent the first month after his parents’ arrival getting the new barn ready for Kehoe and Kate. Katherine helped build a fence for the corral, but other than that, they spent precious little time with each other. He ached to talk with her. While he was certain she wanted to be with him, he had to help his parents adjust to their new living environment.

Tonight would be different. He planned to spend the evening with Katherine and Grandma Mac.

Shelton cleaned up from his work, dressed in his Sunday morning trousers, and put on a crisp white shirt with a black bow tie. He opted to leave the suit coat at home and wear instead the warmer leather jacket Prudence and Urias had given him. The first snowfall of the year had provided a light dusting on the ground. The air would be crisp come evening.

As he ran a comb through his unruly hair, he thought about the twins. They were doing well, their bushy winter coats growing in nicely. He’d purchased a half dozen chickens and a piglet to raise over the winter. Urias and Mac had provided fresh meat and winter vegetables for the new household.

His father seemed to gain strength every day, but he still lacked focus and purpose. His mother was blissfully happy with her grandchildren nearby. Katherine’s infrequent appearances to his home concerned him. She told him on many occasions she had no purpose being there, and she had chores and obligations elsewhere. He prayed that was true, but in his heart he knew she was avoiding his parents. This, like everything else, would take time.

“My, you’re looking handsome this afternoon,” his mother said when he joined her in the living room.

“Thank you.”

“How’s Kate?”

“Katherine,” he corrected.

“Forgive me. She answered to Kate for so many years, it’s hard to remember.”

Didn’t she realize that was the reason Katherine preferred her proper name?

“Do you know where your father is?”

“He said he was going to Creelsboro today to look for work.”

“Oh, that’s right. Well, I’m visiting with Prudence and the children this evening. We’re going to make Christmas gifts after the children go to bed.”

“Would you like me to pick you up after my dinner with Katherine and Mrs. MacKenneth?”

“That would be lovely, dear. Thank you.”

Shelton bid his mother good-bye and headed off to Mrs. MacKenneth’s. He’d been contemplating for days what to get Katherine for Christmas. He wanted just the right gift, but kept coming up blank.

He arrived fifteen minutes early and settled Kehoe in the barn for the evening.

“Hi there, handsome.” Katherine’s green eyes sparkled.

Shelton’s heart pounded. “Hi, beautiful. You look real good.”

A rich evergreen dress cascaded down her body, accenting her feminine form. A white lace collar framed her glorious face.

“Grandma Mac sent me out to fetch you. Frankly, the old woman is a matchmaker above all matchmakers. But I like having the chance to be alone with you for a few moments.”

Shelton cherished her acknowledgment. How long had it taken her to come to that point?
Thank You, Lord.
“I’m glad we have a few minutes alone, too.”

She reached out and he took her hand. She pulled him closer. “Shelton,” she whispered, “I want to kiss you.”

He fought off the desire to swoop her up in his arms and kiss her with all the passion he had for her. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. But we must promise each other not to let our desires run away from our self-control.”

“I promise.” He gently caressed her face. His fingers tingled from the closeness.

She closed her eyes.

He brushed her lips with his thumb. “You’re sure?” he asked in a whisper.

Her eyes sprung open. “If you don’t kiss me now, I won’t be able to kiss you for a very long time.”

He could see the fire of passion in her eyes.
Lord, give me strength.
He moved in slowly. “I love you, Katherine.” He placed a slow, soft kiss on her lips. She relaxed and returned the kiss. Her hands ruffled through his hair.

Shelton pulled back and counted to ten in an attempt to gain self-control. It wasn’t working.

Katherine leaned into him. Shelton kissed her neck. “I have to stop, Katherine.”

She pulled away, her eyes wide and glistening.

He held her in a gentle embrace. “I will always cherish our first kiss.”

Her lips curled upward. “Me, too.”

Shelton chuckled and stepped out of the embrace. “You’re right. We have to keep the promise not to give in to our desires.”

“That will be difficult.”

She has no idea.
Or perhaps she did. Either way, he knew that her kiss sent a spark of desire through him that was so strong it would take all of his willpower to remain an honorable man.

And he still hadn’t told her about his past yet.

Two weeks and ten kisses later, Katherine felt like she could handle her emotions when she was with Shelton. He’d been the strong one, and she was grateful for it.

On her way into Creelsboro, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Day and night, he was always on her mind. Grandma Mac had told her the best way to handle those kinds of thoughts were to turn them into prayers for Shelton, for the Lord to bless him and strengthen him. She’d prayed the entire two hours to Creelsboro.

“Good morning, Mr. Hastings.” The scent of oiled leather filled the store. Every time Katherine entered this place it had a different smell. It all depended on what new merchandise had come in.

“Good morning, Miss O’Leary. Have you got my order?”

“Yes, sir. I also made a couple of dolls. With Christmas coming, I thought you might be able to sell them.”

“I’m sure I can. But I probably won’t be needin’ any more clothing until spring. There aren’t many folks traveling west this time of year.”

“I understand.”

“I’ll send word to you once I need more.” He scribbled a few notations in his ledger book, then walked to the cash register. “Have you and Shelton set a date yet?”

“Not yet. He wants his parents to settle in first.”

The cash drawer opened and he pulled out a piece of paper. “Would you give this to Shelton?” The store owner handed her a slip of paper. “His father’s been charging, and he’s run up quite a bill.”

Katherine clamped her mouth shut. Hiram didn’t have a job and was living off his son’s income.
What could he be purchasing?
It wasn’t her place to ask. “I’ll be happy to.” She took the paper and slipped it into her purse.

She glanced over the housewares section of the store. “Where’s the tea set?”

“Sold it last week.”

Katherine’s heart sank. She’d been saving for a month to purchase the service. It was a full set, with teapot, sugar, creamer, and a silver serving tray, rare in these parts.

“Forgive me, Katherine. I didn’t realize you wanted it.”

“That’s all right. I’ll just get some more linen to make a tablecloth and matching napkins for Prudence’s Christmas present.” She had plenty of time to sew now that she’d finished making her wedding dress. The task had seemed presumptuous since they weren’t officially engaged yet. But Shelton had promised they would marry one day, and she believed him.

She moved to the leather works section. Shelton would love a new bit and brace for Kehoe. “How much are these?”

They settled on a fair price and she put off the linens for another time. Next, she purchased some flannel to make undergarments for the family for Christmas. It was a practical gift; she knew how thin those undergarments would get before a new set was made.

Her money spent, she loaded her packs and headed for her horse.

A ruckus down the street caught her attention. Katherine looked over her shoulder and saw a drunk being kicked out of the saloon. She didn’t see such a sight often, but knew all too well the evils of drink.

The drunk landed face down in the mud of the street.

“And stay out!” she heard the barkeeper yell. Inside, a roar of laughter followed.

Katherine shook her head and prayed the man’s family could help him.

She mounted her horse. The way home went past the saloon. When she passed the drunk, he lifted himself out of the mud.

“Oh no.”

Shelton handed his Christmas gift for Katherine to his mother, asking her to polish it to perfection. He’d found the silver tea tray in the mercantile, and Mr. Hastings had told him that Katherine had her eye on it for weeks. The store owner had conducted a healthy bartering session. Finally Shelton agreed to sell him some of his grain harvest next year, provided he had a surplus. Not being a farmer, he had no idea how well his crops would grow.

He sat at the kitchen table while his mother examined the silver set. “This is very nice, Shelton. Katherine will love it.”