Bridgeport Holiday Brides (Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 Book 5) Read online

Beth narrowed her eyes with suspicion. “What kind of business you got in Bridgeport, Hazel?”

  Hazel canted her head and offered her sister a teasing grin. “Ain’t sure you need to know, Bethie.” Then she straightened up and grew serious. “I’m fixin’ to send a telegram to Judge Bates and have him send me some of my money from Pa’s estate so I can bank it here in Bridgeport.”

  Beth frowned her disapproval. “You don’t need no money sent out here to fritter away on a bunch of nothin’, Hazel. You ain’t of age yet, and I figured from the start I’d provide for us two.”

  Hazel jumped to her feet and jammed her fists into the sides of her waist. “No, Bethie, you already done told me how you figure I best spend my money—buy land—but I got my own notions. I know you were robbed of your portion, what with Pa sellin’ the farm, then pushin’ you to marry Jim Dodd as part of the deal. Ain’t no secret how that turned out. Pa banked my portion. I won’t tolerate seein’ you get in a bind when I still got money banked. Only, I didn’t have one penny on me when I left Agnes Dodd. She would of took it if I did, we both know that. It didn’t set well with me bein’ stuck at Mr. Leavitt’s with nothin’ on me to pay my way—and it ain’t happenin’ again. Pa set Judge Bates up as my guardian back in Ohio, and if Judge Bates is willin’ to send me some money, I’m bankin’ it here.”

  “You don’t need to worry about Beth, Hazel. I’ll see her through any tight spots.”

  “I ain’t no helpless female, Val Caldwell. I can take care of my own tight spots.”

  Hazel softened her words with a teasing smile. “This is between sisters, Val. No offense, but you ain’t family, yet.”

  Val chuckled. “None taken, Hazel.

  Hazel turned back to Beth. “I got along right fine with Agnes Dodd and her girls to keep the peace and a roof over my head, Bethie, but that don’t mean I was blind to Mrs. Dodd’s ways. Maybe you figured I wasn’t listenin’ to you none, but I was. I ain’t throwin’ my money away on a bunch of nothin’. Just need some closer than Ohio.”

  The silence that followed was broken by the sound of a rider approaching the yard. After she leaned over and peered out the window, Hazel’s face lit with a big smile. “Luther’s here.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Hazel’s eyes sparkled as Luther stepped into Beth’s home and removed his hat. Guessing by his grin and the way in which his eyes immediately sought her out, Hazel had every reason to hope his ardor for her had not cooled during the days he traveled to and from Lundy. Val nodded his greeting to his brother. Only Beth’s face reflected a hint of a scowl.

  “Sorry, Luther, ain’t got no more chairs.”

  Luther grinned, refusing to be ruffled. “Don’t worry, Beth. I’ve been sitting the better part of the last week. It will feel good to stand.” Luther turned to his brother. “You talk to her yet?”

  Val shook his head. “I told them about Gus and Louisa. Haven’t had time about the other.”

  “What other?” Beth demanded.

  Val turned back to his sweetheart and gently placed his hand over hers. “Nothing bad, Beth. Just some decisions you and I need to make about our wedding.”

  “Sounds a mite private-like.” Hazel rose from her chair. “Mayhap Luther can drag that chest out of the bedroom to over next to the other window. I can do my stitchin’ on it and he can have the chair while you two talk.”

  Before Beth could open her mouth to protest, Luther followed Hazel into the bedroom and retrieved her chest. He returned to the sitting area and placed it next to the wall where she could still get the light from the window. While he was doing that, Val stood and moved the stool he had been sitting on a few feet away from the chest. He then positioned the vacated chair so he sat across from Beth with his back to Luther and Hazel.

  “Age before good looks, brother.” Val tossed over his shoulder as his excuse for claiming the chair.

  Beth studied the two brothers, not for the first time. Luther was perhaps an inch or so shorter than Val, but broader in the shoulders. His hair and eye color, as well as his complexion, were lighter than Val’s, especially now that his tan had started to fade with the oncoming winter. On the other hand, Val’s dark hair and eyes with his olive complexion testified he had inherited the coloring of an Italian grandmother. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with your looks, Val Caldwell.”

  “Nothing wrong with yours either, sweetheart. But, I still wanted the chair this time. Luther’s five years younger than me. He can handle the stool.”

  Beth smiled at the compliment. She knew she was attractive enough with her dark hair and round golden-brown eyes the color of hazelnuts. But, she also knew that Hazel, shorter and finer built than Beth, with her blonde hair and eyes similar to Beth’s, possessed facial features and a figure that made her the real beauty in the family.

  ♥•♥•♥

  Luther didn’t care what he sat on or if he stood as long as he could be next to Hazel. He positioned the stool a few feet in front of Hazel and sat with his back toward Val. His heart warmed at Hazel’s appreciative smile.

  Luther leaned in close so his words wouldn’t carry across the room. “Sure have missed you, Hazel. I couldn’t wait to get back to make sure you haven’t changed your mind about us courting.”

  “I ain’t changed my mind, Luther.” Hazel grinned. She felt her face grow warm with a blush. Then she leaned forward and spoke rapidly, also keeping her voice low so only Luther would hear. “Before you come, Luther, Val said he figured on goin’ back up to Lundy to pick up Beth’s old boss and his family. Beth done told him she’s got business up there, and she goin’, too.”

  Caught by surprise, Luther straightened up and looked at Hazel dumbfounded. Within seconds, he leaned forward again. “This time of year it’s going to be a hard, cold journey, especially trying to keep Mrs. Herschel and her baby warm and dry. I can’t see Beth leaving you here by yourself. Besides, with you two and everyone else, there won’t be any room in the wagon for the Herschel’s belongings.”

  “That’s just it, Luther. I ain’t goin’, and you ain’t, either.”

  Luther raised his eyebrows. “Wait a minute. Who decided that?”

  “Val did. He’s goin’ to put me up at the Leavitt House and he done said you mostly likely could see your way to stay behind to check on the chickens and drive me back and forth. The way I figure, ain’t no call for Bethie to take me to Bridgeport, then double-back over to your ranch if you’re comin’ this way for the chickens. She can head to the ranch right off, and you can use Beth’s wagon to take me to Bridgeport. If you’re willin’, that is.”

  Luther’s face transformed into a grin. “I’m not a big fan of feeding chickens, but if it means spending more time with you, I’ll be happy to stay behind and take you to Bridgeport. Right now, the more time I spend with you, the better I like it.”

  Hazel grinned and blushed. “Me too. Besides, I figure while Bethie’s up takin’ care of her business in Lundy, I got me some business I aim to take care of in Bridgeport. I’m hopin’ you can help me find my way around.”

  Luther’s eyes twinkled with understanding. “And I take it you don’t necessarily think Beth needs to know about all your business.”

  “No, she don’t. I told her I need to send to Judge Bates back in Ohio for some money to start a bank account here. She don’t like that at all. But, that ain’t the half of it. I figure I best just do what I plan on doin’ and tell her after. I’ll hear about it either way—but this way, it’ll get it done.”

  Luther was tempted to ask her just how much money she had if she wanted to send for part of it to put in the bank in Bridgeport, but figured it was none of his business. He tended to feel the same way his brother did. He had no intention of marrying a woman for her money, especially since they already had a big ranch in the Caldwell name that would support the families of both brothers. Any money his wife had before they married was hers to do with as she chose.

  “All right, Hazel. I’ll go with you.”

 
Hazel bit her lower lip as she debated how to ask her next favor. “Luther, I know Beth cooks for the ranch to earn what she needs done on her land and all. I ain’t no cook, but I can sew right smart. You figure you or Val got mendin’ you need done? Maybe your men got collars they need turned, or buttons sewed on? I don’t aim to charge much, but I need a bit of my own money afore I get some from back east. For one thing, Bethie says with this bein’ her second weddin’, she don’t want no fancy weddin’ dress. I’d still like to make her somethin’ new she can wear afterwards for best.”

  “Sure, Hazel. I think I can find some sewing you can do for us. Only thing is, not all our men get their clothes laundered up real regular. I don’t know how clean their things will be, but I’ll try to gather some up and bring it out for you.”

  “Thanks, Luther. Reckon I could wash them, but it’ll cost extra.”

  “They’ll pay, believe me, Hazel. None of us likes doing laundry.

  ♥•♥•♥

  “Stop watching Hazel and Luther, Beth. They’re just fine.”

  Beth offered Val a baleful glance as she tried once again to look around him to see what was happening between her sister and her future brother-in-law. “I reckon I ain’t used to the notion of my little sister courtin’, Val.”

  “Is it because she’s courting, or is it because Luther’s the one courting her?”

  “Reckon Luther’s a good sort, all in all, but I still figure she ain’t of an age to be courtin’. Besides, there ain’t goin’ to be no livin’ with them two if they get wed.” Beth waved her hand as a signal for Val to move aside. “Reckon you could move your chair over some, Val?”

  “No, Beth, I want you to talk to me instead of worrying about them. Besides, it’s too late. Luther is already serious about her. It’s not as if you have to worry anything will happen with them sitting in the same room with us, so let’s give them a little privacy.”

  Beth heaved a sigh of resignation. “Reckon you’re right. What was it Luther was sayin’ you ain’t told me yet?”

  Val leaned forward and took both of Beth’s hands. “Once I got up in Lundy, I went to the telegraph office. I sent my brother and sister telegrams telling them we’ve moved the wedding date up. I invited them for Thanksgiving and told them we would probably get married the next Saturday. By the time Luther and I got back to the ranch, there was a telegram waiting for me. Edwin has a big trial starting the first of December he has to prepare for. He wants to know if we can get married the Saturday before Thanksgiving. They’ll arrive about Wednesday or Thursday before the wedding, and leave the next Monday, since they must spend Thanksgiving in Sacramento. I haven’t heard from Barbara yet, but her family lives closer.”

  “That don’t give me nary enough time to get ready, Val. I’ll lose most of a week goin’ up to Lundy with you.”

  “I figure with Gus and Louisa down here by then, I can pay them to help with the food after the wedding. And, if Josh does decide to come down, he can help around your place while you’re at the ranch visiting with family. I need to know so I can tell Barbara for sure. Since they ask a neighbor to take care of their chores when they leave, their family will probably only come for two days at a time.” Val watched Beth weigh the options for a few seconds before he brought up his final argument. “Winter’s coming on, Beth. The later in the year it is, the greater the chance the snow will keep people from coming.”

  “I don’t need no fancy weddin’, Val.”

  “I know, Beth. But, my family expects us to invite the community to celebrate with us.”

  Resigned, Beth announced her decision. “Saturday before’s fine, I reckon. Now, move aside so I can see across the room.”

  Beth stretched up and to the side to peer over Val’s shoulder to make sure Hazel was not paying any attention to her conversation with Val. Then, she looked Val in the eye and kept her voice low. “What was you sayin’ about the Blue Feather lightin’ out of Lundy?”

  “That was the word we got. In fact, their man Albert tracked us down at the Arcade Saloon and arranged for us to haul some crates down to be shipped to an address in Sacramento.” Tomorrow, one of us will take it into Bridgeport so another freighter can haul it up to the railhead in Reno.”

  Beth mulled over that bit of news in silence. It didn’t really surprise her. When the madam, Flora, had tried to recruit Beth to be one of her working girls after Beth first arrived in Lundy, she had mentioned that Lundy was only a stepping stone for her. Flora had assured Beth she had what it took to succeed as an upstairs girl, and maybe be a madam of her own brothel one day. Months later, when Flora found out Beth was willing to help Louisa find work that would free her of prostitution, she had berated Beth about the missed opportunity for Louisa if she left the brothel.

  Flora’s plan was as soon as Lundy started to go downhill, as was the nature of gold mining towns, her next stop would be an exclusive parlor house in one of the state capitals, either Carson City or Sacramento. She had wanted Louisa—known then as Lulu—to be one of the girls to go with her. She blamed Beth for interfering with her plans.

  “I didn’t figure you’d mind me doing freight business with Miss Flora. After all, I was making a freight delivery to her the night we met.”

  Beth remembered that night. It had been in early January. She had just arrived in Lundy in search of her first husband, Jim Dodd, who had married her as part of the contract for buying her pa’s farm. Only a few short years after their wedding, he turned around and sold the farm—including her chickens—out from under her, and dumped her and Hazel off on his aunt with a promise to return within the year. He never wrote to her or came back for her. After meeting Beth at Hector’s Livery Stable, Val, upon learning she intended to search for her husband in the saloons, offered—insisted—he go with her. It had been while Beth waited in the Blue Feather’s kitchen as Val completed his delivery that she had learned she had missed finding her husband alive by a week.

  “All right, I reckon. Just so you ain’t doin’ no other business with her.”

  “I must admit, with our wedding coming up, I considered going to see her professionally.”

  The words were spoken in jest, but they still earned an intense glare of disapproval from Beth.

  Val shook his head. “I wouldn’t have, Beth. It’s just that…I know your first husband didn’t make your time in bed a pleasure for you…”

  Beth interrupted with a hiss. “How you figure you know so much about what took place in bed between me and Jim Dodd?”

  With an eyebrow raised, Val leaned toward Beth.“Remember? I was there in the kitchen with you when Flora came right out and said she knew how miserable it was for you bedding your late husband because he was such a poor lover when he was in her bed. I remember her telling you she finally insisted that if Jim Dodd wanted to be with her, he had to learn how to make it worth her time.”

  “That was private.”

  “Beth, when I went into the brothel kitchen that night, I had no idea Flora would say something like that. I went there because I had made my delivery, and I didn’t like the idea of leaving you all alone in the brothel. But, after she started talking about your late husband and his—deficiencies—while you sat there having your most personal experiences revealed, if the floor could have opened up and swallowed me, I would have welcomed it.”

  Beth remembered that time. She had never been so dumbfounded in her life. “If you was that discomfited, why didn’t you just light on out of there?”

  “I wasn’t leaving you alone with Miss Flora, Beth. I was determined to stay until you were ready to leave, especially after knowing you just learned of your husband’s fate. But, I never quite forgot that revelation about your first marriage. And, since I haven’t had all that much experience in that sort of thing, well…” Val shrugged and offered a weak smile. “It did cross my mind that it might be smart to learn more about pleasing a wife in bed.”

  Beth half-stood and leaned forward until her nose was only inches f
rom Val’s face. Keeping her voice low enough to not be heard across the room, she hissed, “Don’t you nary go nowhere near Miss Flora or her girls, Val Caldwell. You do, it ain’t goin’ to turn out good for none of you.”

  Val shook his head and assured her. “I have no intention of doing that. It’s just that…I love you, and don’t want to disappoint you.”

  “Long as you love me, Val, you ain’t goin’ to disappoint me none.”

  Beth settled back in her chair and forced herself to relax. She steered their conversation toward the details of what she needed to prepare for their upcoming trip. But, in the back of her mind, she realized while she was up in Lundy, she had one more matter of business to tend to.

  CHAPTER 3

  Hazel heard a horse neigh and tack jingle followed by the sounds of a wagon. A man’s voice called out. Hazel ran to the front window and saw Beth’s wagon and horse being pulled in front of the house. Luther’s saddled horse was tied behind.

  Beth had awakened at early dawn to finish packing her warm blankets, including her log cabin quilt like Hazel’s, except for one difference in color. That, she wrapped inside the blankets and an oiled canvas to keep it clean and dry. She also packed her foodstuffs to go, including plenty of flour, sugar, lard and a few spices. When Hazel had commented on how Val would probably appreciate some of peaches from the two cans Beth included, Beth had made a comment that puzzled Hazel.

  “Peaches ain’t for Val. Well, not directly.”

  After that, Beth had taken a third can and added it to her cache and said no more. After Beth had hitched the horse to the wagon and loaded everything she planned to take on the trip, she had made a quick trip to the chicken coop and, in the dark using only the light from a lantern, had gathered all the eggs she could from the sleeping, protesting hens. After wiping the eggs and cushioning them in a nest made from kitchen linens bunched up in a basket, she gave instructions for Hazel to be ready when Luther returned with the wagon. Beth had given her sister a hug and kiss on the cheek, and left.