CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
In what would be her new bedroom when the house was finished, Belle fiddled with her hair in the reflection of a large mirror that was set on a temporary dresser. The party night had arrived. Decorations had been hung in the trees, the studded-but-open walls, and the barn below in the ranch yard.
Frustrated, she made a face. With shaky hands, she pinned the last of her hair into place. The second-story room was spacious and had a gorgeous view of the mountains. Her chest tightened, thinking how she’d been blessed—she and all her sisters. In this house, she felt almost as if their father was still alive. And their mother too. All of them together.
Wearing only her pantaloons and chemise, she refused to let any thought or feeling put a damper on their party. “I won’t be sad tonight. Father intended this house as a gift. To be celebrated, not to be a reminder of things that could have been.” She took a deep breath and lifted the photograph of her parents off the dresser. It had been taken after they’d married but before Mavis had been born. Blake had found several photographs right after her father had passed and surprised the sisters with the gifts. Belle fingered the image for a moment and then placed a kiss on each beloved face.
“My room will be perfect, Father,” she said aloud, feeling a bit of comfort. “As will the rest of the house. Blake and the men have worked so hard, and Henry has practically burned up the telegraph apparatus with all the orders he’s been putting out on our account. Furniture, wall coverings, hardware. As much as we’ve protested, he’s not let us scrimp, and now I’m glad for it.”
Heat pricked her eyes. “Mother, you’d love it here. You’d have all the necessities you didn’t have before.” She glanced around the bare upstairs room. Blankets enclosed the open walls. Blake had had the carpenters fashion a temporary-but-sturdy staircase so each of the sisters could prepare in her own bedroom.
Steps echoed on the bare wood outside her room. “Knock, knock. It’s Mavis. May I come in?”
Belle quickly blinked away the moisture pooling behind her eyes as she set the picture back in its spot. “Yes. You’re just in time to help me with my buttons.”
Mavis floated in, looking beautiful in a lavender velvet gown perfect for her coloring. Tonight she wore elbow-length white gloves. She looked stunning. “Oh, Mavis. I’ve never seen you more beautiful.”
Her face brightened. “Thank you, Belle. I do feel pretty tonight.”
With the cool evenings, the girls had chosen to wear velvet, but in varying shades and styles. With the help of Mrs. Smith, Karen, and a few other townswomen, they’d been able to complete the dresses on time. Carefully lifting her periwinkle-pink gown off the bed, Belle lowered it, then lifted one petticoat-covered leg and prudently stepped inside. Shimmying the dress into place, she turned. Mavis began fastening the row of twenty-five fabric-covered buttons with practiced speed.
Finished, Mavis ran her hand over the fabric. “Turn around and let me have a look.”
Feeling like a princess, Belle turned.
Mavis sucked in a breath. “Oh! Blake won’t know what to do with himself when he sees you.”
Belle, who was smoothing one sleeve, brought her gaze up. “Blake? What do you mean?”
Mavis smiled and tipped her head, tsking softly. “Seriously, Belle. You’re not going to pretend there isn’t something between you and Blake, are you? Your feelings are as plain as the nose on my face. Surely you’re ready to give up the pretense of friendship.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Belle sputtered, feeling muddled and a bit angry. Tonight was special. She didn’t want to ruin the celebration with cross words with Mavis or confusing thoughts of Blake. He’d invaded her dreams for the last month, though, exciting and puzzling her. He’s made it perfectly clear we’re friends and friends only! Why can’t my sister leave me alone? Tonight, all she wanted to do was relax and waltz a time or two. “Blake and I are friends. Just like the rest of you.”
“You’re being silly!” Mavis’s voice had lost its softness. “If what you say is true, you’d better let him know. He’s in love with you, Belle. There was a change around the time of your birthday, and I thought the two of you had an understanding but were keeping the surprise under wraps until now.”
Remembering the kiss, she stood firm. “I can assure you that is not the case.”
They stared at each other.
“Really?”
Unable to hold Mavis’s stare a moment longer, Belle fluffed out her skirt and repositioned the yards of velvet around her petticoat. “Yes, really.”
Lavinia pushed aside the blanket and slipped into the room. She stopped just inside the door. Her dark-blue dress was just as attractive as the others. “What’s going on?” she asked, warily creeping closer. “I heard your voices. You’re not fighting, are you?”
Belle and Mavis said nothing.
Lavinia smiled. “Well, good. The ranch hands have arrived. You should see them all spit shined and dressed to kill. They look so cute, you’ll smile.” She lowered her voice and came closer. “And Belle, wait until you see Blake. He’s never looked more handsome. If I didn’t know better, I would think he may have an important question to ask you tonight. He just has that sense about him.”
Belle, facing the mirror, dabbed a tiny amount of eau de toilette behind her ear. Finished, she slowly turned. “What on earth are you going on about, Lavinia? Blake is no more special to me than the rest of the ranch hands.” Then why does my heart call me a liar? “Except that he’s our partner. I don’t know where these silly accusations are coming from.” She glanced at Mavis and then back to Lavinia. “Have you so quickly forgotten about Lesley?” And then, there was the telegram . . .
Already, he missed her. Said he wanted to come spend time.
What he’s not saying is that he really wants to change my mind about the six months.
She was still deciding how to reply.
Lavinia’s stunned gaze was frozen in shock. “W-what did I say? I only meant . . .”
“I’m sorry,” Belle blurted. “I’m just nervous. The buildup for this night has had me on edge, and now that it’s here, I’m a nervous wreck. First, let me say how gorgeous you look tonight, Lavinia. You’ll outshine the stars.” She went over and embraced her sister, feeling like a shrew.
She hadn’t meant to bite everyone’s heads off—especially not tonight. She was just so mixed up of late. Wrecking the party for her sisters was the last thing she wanted to do. “Has the quartet set up?” she asked a bit sheepishly.
“Yes, they have,” Emma answered as she came through the opening where the door would someday be. “I saw to that myself.” Dressed in ice-blue velvet, she looked like a royal queen. “Everything is set and ready. The food will be laid out on time, and we have absolutely nothing to worry about. The house, even though only halfway finished, looks gorgeous. I think Father would be delighted at how everything is turning out.”
“And Mother too,” Belle added softly. “Let’s not forget her.” She pretended not to see the worried, confused, perturbed looks flying around the room.
“Absolutely,” Emma went on. “She’s never far from my thoughts.” She went to the window and looked out on the darkened landscape. “Blake and Henry have been unbelievable. Construction is whizzing along. I’m still amazed.” She sauntered to the mirror, edging out Belle. Leaning close, she pinched each cheek several times and then smiled at her reflection, brushing a few hairs at her temple. “Belle, I can’t wait until you see Bla—”
With composed restraint, Belle held out a hand, stopping Emma midsentence. “Let me say this one last time,” she uttered softly, smiling, even though she didn’t know what she was going to do about her irrational feelings. “Blake and I are friends and business partners. There isn’t a thing more between us.”
Emma stared in shocked silence in the mirror’s reflection at Belle. Mavis came forward and laid a calming hand on Emma’s arm before she had a chance to dig in any deeper, as the other two had.
“You look lovely tonight, Emma,” she said, artfully changing the subject. Belle wished she could be as diplomatic. She could learn a lot from Mavis. “All the men will be speechless.”
Belle nodded and bussed Emma’s cheek with her own, thankful Katie hadn’t shown up to add her two cents to the discussion. Having been rescued by him from the peddler’s wagon, her baby sister was Blake’s ardent devotee. Belle wouldn’t want to cross her.
“You should be proud,” Trevor said, handing Blake a glass of punch. “The place has gone up without a hitch.” The other ranch hands wandered around the large room, anxious for the women to show up, he was sure. A long buffet table made of plywood and sawhorses and covered with several tablecloths held a punch bowl and glasses at one end, with plenty of room for the forthcoming food. The home would be finished in approximately two weeks, barring any complications. “To have the place this far along and roofed, all while completing a roundup. I’d say that’s a record.”
Blake took a sip of the sweet concoction and grinned. He did feel pleased. And a persistent other feeling also swirled inside. Whenever Belle walked into the room, his heart jumped with excitement. He couldn’t get enough of her. He’d do anything to win her heart. But he didn’t know how she felt about him. Lesley’s telegram was ever present in the back of his mind. Why hasn’t she mentioned its arrival, unless it contained something I wouldn’t want to know? Do I even have a chance?
“We couldn’t have done it without you, Trevor—and all the other men.”
“And the thirty or so other carpenters?”
“Yeah, and them too. Everyone pulled their weight. I think their hard work was their final goodbye to John.”
Trevor smiled in good humor. “And their hello to his daughters?”
Blake couldn’t hold back a hearty laugh. “Absolutely.” As long as they don’t have eyes for Belle, I’m happy to share. “I think you’re right about that.”
He glanced around, the feel of the evening promising. Maybe the time had finally arrived to make his feelings known. One of them had to take that chance. It was pretty obvious Belle wasn’t going to make the first move—and she shouldn’t have to. Especially not after the way he’d acted after they’d kissed.
With his free hand, he grasped Trevor by the shoulder. “I’m thankful the conspiracy didn’t turn out to be related to one of our men. Dr. Dodge must have read John’s will when Henry brought it out to the ranch during the month John was dying.” He shook his head. “A terrible thing.”
“And you believe the mayor?”
“I do. What the doctor was trying was so far-fetched. Clint’s positive he had no knowledge of anything his brother was planning.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right.”
“As strange as this sounds, I’m even glad Praig wasn’t involved. As much as I detest the man for quitting and for what he did to Moses, he was once one of us, if you catch my meaning. We were comrades of sorts, at least for a while.” He shook his head, letting out a deep sigh. “I’m sure you’ve heard that Clint received word from Denver. Praig’s caused some trouble there and is locked up. As much as I’d like to give him a dose of his own medicine, I guess I won’t get that chance.”
“Blake. Look!” Trevor said, his voice filled with reverence.
The murmur of voices quieted. The Brinkman girls were descending the stars in a talking, laughing group. They weren’t in the least worried about making a grand entrance. Looking up to see all the men watching, they slowed and shyly glanced away. All dressed in varying shades of velvet, they looked a vision.
“Blake,” Mavis said, heading his way, followed by the rest. The hands gathered around. The guests would arrive anytime. Practically everyone in Eden had been invited. Blake was surprised Henry hadn’t yet arrived. “I speak for my sisters in saying thank you for all you’ve done on the house—and for indulging us with this party.” He was all too aware of Belle’s gaze.
To break the spell, Blake gestured to his loyal ranch hands. “Wasn’t me, ladies, it was these fine men and the others. They’re all happy you gave Eden a chance and stayed on.” And me, especially.
Somehow, he’d wrangle a few private words with Belle to tell her how beautiful she looked, but that probably wouldn’t happen until the dancing began and he had a chance to waltz her around the room. And maybe even out onto the slate patio.
Sounds came from the entry. Henry walked in, along with Elizabeth Smith and Johnny. The woman’s eyes widened as she looked around. Behind them came Clint, his son, Cash, and Nicole—wearing a dress, of all things. Maverick entered, hat in hands, helping along Old Man Little. The room was filling. Someone must have driven a large wagon for so many to arrive at once. Or maybe even two.
Karen, and many of the clerks around town hired to help with the food, brought platters of hot, delicious-looking dishes. Soon, the long tablecloth-covered table was packed. Within a few minutes, a line formed, and ladies and gentlemen alike were filling their plates with the luscious concoctions. Guests kept arriving until the diners spilled out onto the patio, and others took their plates into the other rooms to find places to sit. Blake had lost Belle in the sea of people. His face hurt from smiling. Talking. Being congratulated.
As soon as the food is cleared and the music begins, I’ll search Belle out.
He needed to feel her in his arms.