Two Sisters and the Christmas Groom ( Read online

  “I hope so, my love. We are getting short on unscorched pans. I do appreciate your willingness to try your hand at cooking.”

  “I never realized, until we married, that my lack of training in that skill could place me at such a disadvantage. You know what kind of life I was raised to live—one not so far from how you were raised. Oh!” Delly tightened her grip on Bennett’s forearm as the smooth sole of her boot slid on a patch of ice, threatening to send her crashing to the boardwalk in a most undignified manner. Bennett tightened the muscles in his arm to keep her from falling. The next thing she knew, he had firmly grasped her wrist with his free hand while the arm that had been supporting her wrapped around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. She turned to her husband with an embarrassed smile. “Thank you, Ben. I keep forgetting they do not salt the walks here like they do in the city.”

  “Those boots, with their infernal, two-inch heels, don’t help any, Delly. I wish you would wear flat-soled footwear, at least until the weather is warmer and we no longer need to worry about wet or icy walkways.”

  Once she felt steady on her feet again, Delly regained her composure enough to offer her husband a knowing glare. “The only reason you don’t care for these boots is because they make me appear to be taller than you.” Delly clamped her lips tight and lifted her chin as Bennett turned and grinned at her. However, he did not rise to the bait by commenting on her use of the words “appear to be taller.”

  The argument over their respective heights had been a source of ongoing banter between the two. When they first met, Delly had been sure she was taller than Bennett. After all, she tended to be taller than many men. He proved otherwise on their wedding night. After one of her typical cutting remarks once they entered his living quarters above his furniture showroom, he had insisted she remove her boots and stockings. He did the same. Then, while facing each other, he pulled her tight against him while he ordered her to stand up straight, feet flat on the floor, and no stretching her back and neck. It had taken some time for her to do what he asked. Her body sought to mold itself against the rock-firm muscles of his chest and thighs as her decision to keep theirs an unconsummated marriage of convenience warred with her desire to press her lips against those that hovered less than an inch away. In the end, Ben had persuaded her to assume the proper upright posture long enough for him to determine that, in spite of her two-inch heels and hair she favored wearing styled high on her head, he was, in truth, at least a quarter of an inch taller than she was.

  Of course, once Ben convinced Delly that she was not a woman too headstrong and difficult to live with, that he loved her, and he wanted their marriage to be a full marriage, complete with children, they discovered the issue of height mattered not at all once they joined each other in bed.

  “We need to cross the road now, Delly. Lift your skirts and try not to let your heels sink in the mud. One more block and another street to cross, and we’ll be there to collect your Annie.”

  “Honestly, Ben. I don’t need you to tell me how to cross a street.”

  “These are not the paved streets of New York City, Delly. Our recent weather has turned them into a muddy mess, and no one sweeps up the horse apples here.”

  Delly felt her husband steady her as they stepped onto the train platform just as the conductor began to help the first passenger alight. Delly swept up the back hem of her gown enough so when she stooped to look into the windows of the passenger car, the fabric of her skirt would not brush against the mud she knew clung to her boots. Her eyes squinted as she studied the forms of people standing in the aisle, waiting for their turn to leave the train. “I can’t tell which one is her, Ben. Father’s telegram assured me she would be on today’s train. I hope she made connections all right and wasn’t delayed.”

  “The impression I got of your father the night I met him is he would have given her enough travel money so, if she did miss her connection, she would have enough to spend the two nights in Denver until the next train. I’m sure she would have sent a telegram to let us know.”

  “Yes, I’m quite positive he did. However, I know Annie. She would have left most of the money my father gave her with her family. Not with her father—he would drink it up. She and her mother worked in service, and it was their wages that kept a roof over their heads and the other children fed. If I recall correctly, Annie’s younger sister—Kate, I think her name is—worked as a maid, also. However, if Annie’s scheme works out, maybe her sister will leave home, too. It will be less income for those who are left. Once again, if I know Annie, she’ll take part of what she earns from us and send it home to help her mother and siblings.”

  “What scheme is this you think her sister is involved in?”

  Delly dismissively waved her hand. “Oh, I left the address for the Colorado Bridal Agency I used when I first made contact with two of the miners here in town who were looking for wives. That was before my disastrous experience with Mrs. Millard, or I never would have recommended her to Annie. If Kate Flanagan decides to write to the woman, she might end up here in Colorado, much closer to Annie than New York City.”

  “You said Annie has red hair, didn’t you? Is that her standing by the door to the passenger coach?”

  Delly looked in the direction her husband pointed and sucked in her breath. The young woman scanning the railroad platform as if searching for a familiar face indeed was Annie Flanagan. Under a cream-colored, knitted shawl, she wore Delly’s old, yellow-green traveling dress Delly had given her while they were still in New York City. She had told Annie she was to keep it for herself, not to sell it, or give it to another in her family. On Delly, the color had caused her to appear jaundiced. However, on Annie, it lit up her skin tone and set off her vibrant red hair. Annie also wore the stylish straw hat with the yellow flowers that went with it, even though autumn was the wrong season for straw. Delly had never seen Annie look so alive and beautiful.

  “It’s her, Ben. Let’s go.” In a gesture completely out of character for her, Delly, her reticule dangling from her wrist, raised her free hand above her head and waved it back and forth to catch Annie’s attention.

  As Delly and Ben moved toward the passenger car, Delly noted the second Annie caught sight of her.

  Annie smiled, and then, ignoring the conductor’s hand outstretched to offer her assistance down the stepstool to the platform, she bounded off the train. As her valise and an empty basket bounced against the side of her skirt, she rushed towards Delly. “Oh, miss, it’s pleased I am to see you again. Mr. Blakewell was telling us you found yourself a fine husband.”

  Delly laughed in response to Annie’s unexpected exuberance. The young woman had behaved quiet and fearful the whole time Delly knew her in New York City when she worked for her parents, specifically, her mother. “I’m not a miss anymore, Annie. I’d like you to meet my fine husband, Bennett Nighy.”

  Annie turned her attention to Ben and dipped in a curtsy. “Pleased I am to meet you, Mr. Nighy. I’ll be giving you the best service possible. I’m hoping you’ll be finding my work satisfactory.”

  Ben offered her a welcoming smile. “I’m sure I will, Miss Flanagan, only please call me Ben. Let me take your valise. Do you have a trunk or other luggage with you?”

  “No, sir. All I have is in the valise. The rest was needed back home, now wasn’t it?” Annie turned back to Delly. “I can’t thank you enough for sending for me, Mrs. Nighy. It’s a godsend, sure.”

  Delly reached forward and offered Annie a quick shoulder hug. She could tell her gesture shocked Annie. Truth be told, it almost shocked Delly, since it was so contrary compared to the formal conduct of a proper New York City socialite she had exhibited all her adult life until she married Ben. “You’re the one who is a godsend for us, Annie. I have no skill at housekeeping or in the kitchen. I expect you to keep my husband from starving to death, which is what would happen if he had to depend on me to cook.”

  Bennett interrupted the pair. “Speaking of not st
arving to death, we need to make our way to Howard Boarding House where you’ll be staying for the time being, Miss Flanagan. Then we’ll get something for the noon meal.” Ben nodded in the direction of the depot building. “Not to mention, I need to get you away from the curious men who are wondering who the new woman in town is. If I don’t, I’ll lose my wife’s maid before we even have you.”

  Bewildered, Annie turned her gaze in the direction Ben nodded.

  Several men stood on the train platform. They made no attempt to hide that they focused their attention on her.

  She jerked her head back to face the Nighys. “And why would they be curious about me, now? It isn’t that I’m some great beauty, now am I? Perhaps it is the fancy dress you gifted me, Mrs. Nighy. Perhaps they’re thinking I’m quality.” She held her fingers to her lips and giggled. “It’s a fine joke on them if they do, now isn’t it?”

  Delly sniffed. “Come along, Annie. It’s best we ignore them.”

  Ben motioned for the ladies to walk in the direction in which he and Delly had come. “If this is all you have, then I won’t need to hire a wagon to carry your things. Mrs. Howard doesn’t serve the noon meal, except for a very satisfying brunch on Sundays, but there’s a delightful bakery across the street. Or we can go to the River Valley Inn. We don’t have a nice luncheon café in town, unfortunately, or Delly and I would make frequent use of it.”

  “With me here, you’ll not be needing a luncheon café, Mr. Nighy.”

  “Ben, remember? That sounds promising. I’ll let the two of you become reacquainted, but keep an eye on my wife, Miss Flanagan. She insists on wearing those infernal, two-inch heels even though she has a tendency to slip on the boardwalk when it is wet or icy.”

  “Really, Bennett. You speak as if I lose my balance all the time. I believe it has only happened once or twice. Well, maybe three times.”

  Bennett responded with a full-throated laugh and turned to walk ahead of the two women.

  Delly sidled up next to Annie as they followed. “Annie, while I still have you, I do need you to teach me about cleaning a house and, especially, cooking some basic meals. I have the money to hire maids and cooks, but I have already come to the conclusion that keeping help in this town is going to be a challenge.”

  Annie turned to Delly, a look of confusion flitting across her face. “Sure it is I’ll be pleased helping you learn your way around the kitchen. But it was my understanding you were hiring me to do all that for you. I’ll not be going anywhere. There’s nothing for me back home.”

  Delly grimaced. “Yes, I’m sure my mother saw to that. I’m sorry she ruined your prospects of employment with all her society friends.”

  “Oh, but it’s all turning out well, now didn’t it? You’re offering me a fine job at a good wage here in the West where the tenements are not bearing down on everyone. My ma taught me cooking, although, I’ll confess I’m not as good as my sister, Kate. And I’m sorry, Mrs. Nighy, but I best be warning you, I’ll not be knowing how to make anything fancy like the cook in the Blakewell house. However, I’ll be preparing meals well enough to keep you and Mr. Nighy fed. If you’d care to be showing me your kitchen, I’ll be fixing your dinner today.”

  “I’m sure you can, Annie. I prefer you to start work tomorrow. We’ll settle you in your room at Howard’s. We’ve already made arrangements to take our supper there tonight. We have been doing that quite often. When we get our own house, separate from the furniture store and warehouse, it will be big enough for you to have your own room—if you’re still with us. Until then, you’ll stay at the boarding house and walk back and forth to work.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Nighy.” Annie shook her head. “There’s a lot for me to be getting used to here.”

  “Annie, it’s like my husband pointed out back at the railroad platform. I’ve been in this town long enough to realize that with the imbalance of the number of men compared to women, it won’t be long until some young man will claim your heart and seek your hand in marriage. I probably will only have you a short time before you find a husband who whisks you away to care for your own home.”

  Annie blinked in surprise. “It’s hard believing what you’re saying, Mrs. Nighy. There’s nothing special about me for men to be seeking me out. I’m planning to be serving you for a long time.”

  “Then you need to start calling me Delly, Annie. Not even Delphinia—Delly. It has been an adjustment for me, but I’m learning things are a little more casual here in the West. Surprisingly, I find that I prefer that. Now, to get down to details. Do you still have some of the clothes I gave you?”

  Annie’s face pinked with embarrassment. “Only this one. Sure it is you told me I was to be keeping it for myself, and happy I am I did. As for the rest, with me losing my position and no new work to be found, there was nothing for it but for Ma selling the other gowns. It was a choice between dressing fine and eating.” Annie paused. “I did bring my black maid’s dress. I knew I’d be needing it.”

  Delly shook her head. “I’m sorry about the difficulties my mother caused you in spite of my leaving you a good reference, Annie. As for the black dress, you can wear it for now or periodically, if you wish. However, black washes out the color in your skin. I have an account at the mercantile, and I’ll send you there to pick out two regular day dresses for work—at least one of them wool, Annie. In spite of the claims that Jubilee Springs does not get as much snow as other places in the Rocky Mountains, it does get cold. Mrs. Stowe, the seamstress in town, can make you a new dress for the times we entertain formally. Maybe a nice dark green bombazine to set off your hair and coloring. You’ll need more white aprons, of course, and we’ll put those on my account, too.”

  “There’s no need you buying me new clothes, Mrs. Nighy. I was thinking I’d be making some with my first earnings.”

  Della brushed off Annie’s plan. “No, I’m the one who is asking you to dress a certain way, so I’ll buy the clothes. What you choose to wear when you are not working for me, you may take care of that yourself.” Delly leaned toward Annie and spoke with conviction. “I don’t want you in one of those silly frilly caps Mother always had you wear.” Delly glanced at Annie’s head. “I will get you a new winter hat so you’ll have it for when you shop or run errands for me. You’ll need a warm cloak, too. You may save the straw bonnet for next spring.”

  Annie’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “I’m not knowing what to say.”

  “Say you’ll stay and work for us, Annie, even though it’s far from your home and family. I intend to give you every incentive to make it worth your while to help me.”

  Annie smiled in assurance. “It’s no hardship being here, Mrs. Nigh…Delly. Getting away from the crowded poverty of lower east Manhattan is a dream come true, now isn’t it? I’m hoping my sister, Kate, will be finding a husband out this way and be leaving, too. My da will be wanting her to stay and work, which is why Katie will not be telling him she’s writing for a husband. If my ma is having her way, we’ll all be getting out.”

  Tamping down the annoyance she still felt over her treatment by the bride broker, Lizett Millard, Delly feigned indifference. “By chance, did your sister contact that bridal agency listed on the newspaper clipping I left for you?”

  Annie’s smile widened. “That she did. She said to be thanking you for leaving it, as well as the paper and stamps. She was penning her letter that very night I took it to her. By the time I left, already she was writing to two men—one here in Jubilee Springs, and one in Central City.”

  Delly stared straight ahead as her memory flashed back to the harvest dance held the night Bennett agreed to marry her. That night, Royce Bainbridge, one of the owners of the Prosperity Mine, announced the name of a young Irish miner as the latest employee eligible to occupy one of the ten company houses once he married. She wondered if Mrs. Millard, with all her graphology hocus-pocus, selected him or another Jubilee Springs miner to correspond with Annie’s sister.

  Keeping her reserv
ations about Mrs. Millard’s matchmaking methodology to herself—a considerable effort on her part—Delly turned to Annie with a smile. “I wish your sister well. Welcome to Jubilee Springs, Annie. I hope you’ll enjoy living here.”

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  Chapter 3

  ~o0o~

  O n the way home from the Nighys’ where she had left a pork roast surrounded with vegetables and gravy in a pot on the back of the stove for her employers’ supper, Annie rushed towards the mercantile. Darkness quickly closed in on her, and with a vacant lot and empty building next door, only the lights shining through the windows of the store with the post office on one end lit the boardwalk.

  Annie slid through the door and shut it quickly behind her to keep the cold out. Knowing she did not have enough time to shop before the store closed for the day, she ignored the merchandise neatly stacked on the shelves as she hurried to where she knew the owners, who also served as the postmaster and postmistress, kept the mail. Smiling wide to disguise her heaving breaths, she nodded a greeting to the woman behind the counter. “A fine evening to you, Mrs. Brinks. And would you be having any mail for the Nighys’ or Anne Flanagan?”

  Desi Brinks slid along the other side of the counter until she stood in front of Annie. “It is a fine evening, Annie. Slow down and take a breath.”

  “Sorry, ma’am. It’s still a struggle, me catching my breath at times. Mrs. Nighy has been telling me it’s due to living next to the sea all my life, and then traveling up to these high mountains so quick.”

  Mrs. Brinks laughed in response. “I’ve heard that before. If I recall, I do have mail for you. Let me check.” She turned and walked to the cabinet where the letters were sorted.

  “Your last name is Flanagan?”

  Annie spun on the balls of her feet to face a man who appeared to be about her same age and a few inches taller than she was. His sturdy, indigo work pants and a heavy, brown wool jacket over a white muslin shirt that did not hide his well-developed physique advertised him as one of the miners in town. His reddish-brown hair, round face, and freckles—a pleasant-enough face to look upon—marked him as Irish.