His Substitute Wife Page 18

  Linda was making plans. A band of steel squeezed her heart and lungs. She braced herself against the worktable, tried to breathe. She had to get out of here! Go home to New York and—She couldn’t leave. Not until Blake returned. She had to tend the store. And how would Blake explain Linda’s appearance and her abrupt departure to Mr. Ferndale? She couldn’t do that to him. What a mess she had created. And she had thought her letters to Blake on Linda’s behalf might have been God working in a mysterious way. Tears and laughter bubbled into her throat. She bit down on her lower lip to stop the hysteria. Blessed Lord, help me. Please give me strength to see this through for Blake’s sake.

  “The lack of people limits the entertaining possibilities.” She opened the tea, spooned it into the blue-and-white-china teapot, then placed it on the matching tray beside the sugar bowl and creamer.

  “What do you mean lack of people? There have to be people in a town.”

  Linda stared at her, a gleam of suspicion in her eyes. Hope sprang up in her heart. Linda liked fun and entertainment and excitement. Perhaps she could discourage her about marrying Blake. “Whisper Creek is a growing town, Linda. Blake’s store is the only business that is open—other than the railroad station and sawmill and church. There are two—no, three—women in town. Mrs. Ferndale, a kind, motherly sort of woman—she’s the wife of John Ferndale, the town founder. And Mrs. Karl, the pastor’s wife...” She snatched up a towel, lifted the steaming cast-iron teapot and filled the china one with the hot water.

  “And you are the third woman?”

  “No. I wasn’t counting myself.” She carried the tea tray to the table and went to the refrigerator for the milk. “The third woman is Yan Cheng, a laundress.”

  “A laundress! That is not amusing, Audrey.”

  “It wasn’t meant to be.” She returned the milk to the refrigerator and took her seat. “I’m merely telling you the way it is here.”

  Linda stopped stirring sugar into her tea and slanted a look at her. “What do you do for pleasure?”

  “Well...we attend church. And go for walks.” The waterfall. She ducked her head and added milk to her tea to hide the tears flowing into her eyes. “And the Ferndales invited us to dinner one Sunday. And I help Blake in the store.” She blinked her eyes and took a sip of tea to clear the lump from her throat.

  “How charming.”

  She lifted her chin, stared across the table. “It’s how he makes his living, Linda.”

  “Well, that won’t be necessary now.”

  Something cold touched her spine. She knew that tone. She tightened her grip on her cup handle to steady her hand. “What do you mean?”

  Linda waved the question away. “Tell me about you and Blake.” Linda’s eyes narrowed on her. “Are you truly married?”

  So that was the conclusion Linda had drawn. Her back stiffened. “Of course we’re married! Pastor Karl performed the ceremony.” She put offense in her voice. “You should know I would not live here with Blake if we were not.”

  “But you aren’t living as man and wife, are you, Audrey?” Linda’s blue eyes focused on her. “You are in one bedroom, and Blake is in another. That is not a marriage.”

  She jutted her chin. “It’s a marriage in all but that one respect.”

  Linda nodded, looked down at her cup. “And mine was a marriage in that one respect only.” There was bitterness in her voice.

  “I’m sorry, Linda.”

  “Well, it was what I deserved, running off with a man I barely knew in search of fun and excitement.” Linda sighed, circled her cup on its saucer. “I have learned my lesson, Audrey. It’s folly chasing after fun. I realize now that I love Blake. That’s why I came to Whisper Creek. To ask him to forgive me and to marry him if he still loves me. I didn’t know you had married him.” Linda dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. “How did that come about?”

  Was Linda sincere? She looked at the tears shimmering in her sister’s blue eyes and her heart softened. She took a breath, rose and went to the window to look out into the darkness. “It was as I told you. When I opened Blake’s letter after you left I learned that he had signed the contract because of your promise to marry him. He asked you to come quickly as he had only thirty days or he would lose the store. The letter had been on your dresser unopened before you came home that day and there was not enough time to write Blake. And that wouldn’t have helped. So, I did what you suggested. I came to Whisper Creek and married him in your place. It was the only way I could think of to save his store.” She stared out into the night, her heart awash with pain. “It’s a marriage in-name-only.”

  * * *

  “Time to board, T-T, but this will be the last time.” Blake walked the mare around the paddock, took a firm grip on the halter and led her up the ramp to the livestock car.

  “Whoa there, fella.” A burly soldier with sergeant’s stripes on his dusty, faded uniform stepped into the center of the doorway. “This here car is for army mounts.”

  “Yes, I know, Sergeant.” Blake reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper. “I have permission for my mare to ride in the car as far as Whisper Creek.”

  The soldier scowled and held the paper to the oil lamp hanging by the door. A grin slanted across his mouth. “Yo, wranglers! This here mare is to be given the best of care by order of General G. R. Otterman. Bigsby, front and center! Twinkle-toes is your charge.”

  “Twinkle-toes?”

  Hoots and guffaws, the sound of knee and back slapping burst from the dark interior of the car. A private, grinning from ear to ear, stepped to the doorway and took hold of the mare’s halter. “Come along, girl.”

  “If it suits you better, I call her T-T, Private.”

  “I shouldn’t wonder.” The private stroked the silky muzzle, gave a tug on the halter and disappeared into the center of the car, the clack of his boot heels swallowed by the clop of the mare’s hoofs.

  Blake hurried back to the Laramie station, picked up his valise and boarded the passenger car. It wouldn’t be long now. He grinned, surprised by his eagerness to be home. He’d been growing more impatient to be in Whisper Creek again with every mile.

  He chose a seat with a window clean enough to see through, set his valise beside him and leaned back to relax. The blast of the whistle brought him upright again. Smoke huffed by outside the pane of glass, the train lurched, rolled forward and picked up speed.

  It would be good to get back to the store. He missed tending the customers. And he needed to finish painting it. Memories flashed. The corners of his lips twitched, broke into a grin. He’d never heard Audrey laugh the way she had when he’d slapped himself in the face with that paintbrush. It was like music. And her eyes—those gold flecks sparkling up at him, then warming with concern. And her touch...

  The sun streamed in the window, warmed his left side. A nice day. Perhaps he’d get back to the painting, check over the books after dark. The sign would be there in a few days. He pulled his shoulders back to stretch his travel-cramped muscles and grinned. He couldn’t wait to see Audrey’s face when Mitch or one of his men hung the sign. He’d ordered it made with a pine-green background, rusty-red border and Latherop’s General Store in mustard-gold lettering.

  Latherop’s General Store. His grin died. He’d taken a chance, having his name put on the sign. He wasn’t at all sure he would have the store much longer. That would be up to Audrey. He was content with their arrangement. For now.

  He stiffened, scowled and scrubbed his hand across the nape of his neck. Where had that for now come from? He thought he had this all settled. That he had his plans made, his arguments for Audrey prepared. But, if he were honest, would he truly be content to have an in-name-only marriage for the next five years with Audrey for his wife? Could he maintain the friendship-only relationship with Audrey’s sweetness, beauty and caring heart right there
before him, tempting him every day? He’d already yielded to the temptation to kiss her!

  He let out a low snarl, shoved from his seat and headed for the door at the front of the car. He had to get this situation settled in his own mind before he could approach Audrey with the idea of remaining married. He had to know what he was proposing and be sure he could uphold his end of the arrangement. He yanked the door open, stepped out onto the small platform and got a face full of smoke. He coughed, blinked his smarting eyes and moved to the other side.

  He splayed his legs and braced himself as they rounded a bend, shoved his hands through his hair and laced his fingers behind his neck. Could he ask Audrey to become his wife in truth? No. Of that he was certain. He liked and respected Audrey too much to offer her less than she deserved. Linda’s betrayal had left him uncertain of his emotions, and he couldn’t ask Audrey to take Linda’s...leavings.

  The train lurched. He caught hold of the upright post, watched the breaking sunlight play on the pines and the mountains and wished the train would slow down. He’d been so certain in New York that he knew what he wanted. But the closer they came to Whisper Creek the stronger his doubt and indecision grew.

  I’ll try to live up to the examples of honesty and fidelity with Audrey that you and Mother set.

  Honesty...fidelity...honesty...fidelity... The words ran through his mind in cadence with the clack of the wheels on the rails. Linda and Audrey. He was caught in an impossible situation. He’d loved one sister he couldn’t have, and respected and liked the other he shouldn’t have married. The only solution was to sell the store as he’d promised Audrey so she would be free to find the love she so deserved. He gritted his teeth against the thought of losing her. Audrey had made his house a home. She worked beside him in the store like a true helpmate would. He wouldn’t even have a store or a home to sell if it weren’t for Audrey. It would all have been lost when Linda betrayed him. It was settled. He owed Audrey the chance to find love. He’d work out some sort of a plan to sell the store.

  He gripped the edge of the roof overhead, hung his head between his upstretched arms and watched his hope of a life in Whisper Creek disappear like the railroad ties flashing by.

  * * *

  Audrey blinked her dry, tired eyes, hung her damp towel over the rod to dry, pinned her hair into its loose figure eight at the nape of her neck and went back to the sitting room to fold the blanket she used for a cover during her long, sleepless nights.

  Dawn lightened the eastern sky, sent gold and rose streaks probing into the fleeing darkness. The first train would soon be pulling into the station. It was time to start Linda’s breakfast. She tucked the blanket out of sight in the chest that sat along the sitting room wall, walked down the hall and knocked on the bedroom door. “Linda...” She knocked harder, raised her voice. “Linda!”

  “Go away, Audrey.”

  “Not this morning, Linda. It’s been four days. You have got to come to the kitchen and watch me or you will never learn how to use the stove and the water heater.”

  Footsteps padded across the floor. The door opened. Linda blinked, pushed her blond curls out of her eyes. “I’ve told you that I don’t have to learn to cook or to do any other household chore. When we are married, Blake and I will leave this boring place where there is nothing to do and move back to his father’s house in New York. All I have to do is ask him. Now, go away, Audrey!”

  She lifted her chin, buried her clenched hands in her skirt. She couldn’t protect Blake from Linda’s selfishness, but she could at least make her cook! “Very well, Linda. I will do as you ask. But I am not going to fix your breakfast, or your dinner, or your supper. If you want to eat, you cook.” She spun on her heel and stalked toward the stairs.

  “Audrey, wait! I didn’t mean to upset you.” Linda caught her by the arm, whirled in front of her and put on her pouty face. “I’m just a grouch when I wake up. You know that. And I’m out of sorts from having to hide in this house all day and night.”

  “I’m sorry you can’t go out, Linda, but you can’t be seen—it would ruin everything for Blake. It could mean he would lose the store to Mr. Ferndale, and—”

  “What does that matter?” Linda walked back to the bed and slid beneath the covers. “Blake can afford to lose the store now.”

  Blake is an only child.

  The memory of Linda’s words stole her breath. She stared at her sister, fighting the suspicion that had taken root in her mind. Surely, she was wrong. Surely, Linda wasn’t that grasping, that...conniving. “Is that when you decided to marry Blake, Linda? When I told you his father had died, and you realized that as his father’s only child he would inherit everything?”

  “Of course not!” Linda gasped, sat up. “Do you honestly think I would do such a thing, Audrey?” Linda’s lower lip trembled, and she wiped at her eyes. “When Nigel treated me so badly, I realized what a wonderful man Blake is, and that I loved him. That’s why I came to Whisper Creek. I didn’t know you were here or that you had married him in my stead.” Linda pressed her hand to her chest, gave a little sob. “I thank you for that, Audrey. But, the way things are, I think it would be best for us all if you went home before Blake returns. Don’t you?”

  She swallowed hard, waited for the painful constriction of her throat to ease so she could speak. “You may be right, but I can’t do that, Linda. I have to tend the store.” Tears flowed beyond her control. She choked out the rest of what she had to say. “But, I will leave as soon as Blake returns. You have my word.”

  “You always do the right thing, Audrey. You are such an inspiration to me.” Linda gave her a sweet smile. “I want to make this as easy for you as possible. I’ll pack your trunks for you this morning so you will be ready.”

  It would be easier if she left as soon as Blake returned. She couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him, knowing—She forced air into her aching chest and nodded. “I won’t need my trunks, only a valise with what is necessary for the trip home so I can leave quickly. You can send the trunks later.” Sobs clawed at her throat, demanding release. She whirled toward the kitchen. “I’ll cook your breakfast.”

  * * *

  The train whistle echoed down the valley. Audrey’s stomach knotted again. Was this the train that would bring Bake home? The wire had said he would arrive today or tomorrow.

  Home.

  Not for her. Not anymore.

  She sealed the letter she’d written, fought down the denial in her heart and walked out of the kitchen. Sounds of a drawer opening and shutting came from Linda’s bedroom. Her sister had started packing for her as soon as she finished her breakfast. And she hadn’t stopped with a valise. Linda was packing all of her clothes. Her sister wanted every trace of her gone as quickly as possible.

  Bile burned into her throat. Her temples throbbed. She stiffened her spine and forced her legs to move, made her fingers grasp Blake’s bedroom doorknob and twist. She crossed to the dresser and placed the letter on the top, trying not to think about the day they had moved his things into the room, or of him moving them back to the other bedroom when he began a true marriage with Linda.

  The whistle shrilled its message of the train’s arrival into the morning air. She stepped into the hall, closed the door and walked to the dressing room to check her appearance, frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She had a store to take care of and customers to tend to no matter how her heart ached. She wet a cloth with the freezing glacier water and held it to her eyes hoping it would take away the red puffiness. There was nothing she could do about the loose way her gown fit. She had no appetite for food.

  The faint sound of a bell jingled. She brushed the red curls off her forehead, pasted a smile on her face and hurried downstairs. Soldiers swarmed in the door, their blue uniforms a familiar sight to her now. She was even learning how to tell their ranks—not that she would need that knowledge
anymore. She pushed away the thought and stepped behind the counter, pulled out the ledger and smiled at the corporal with a can of fruit in each hand. “Will that be all today, soldier?”

  “No, ma’am. I’d like some of that cherry toothpaste. And a handful of that peppermint candy.” He looked at her and grinned. “No offense, ma’am. But, I’ll get the candy—you got sort of small hands.”

  “No offense taken, Corporal.” She tore off a piece of paper, twisted and tied the end and held it out to him.

  One after another the soldiers lined up at the counter paying for their purchases. They all raced out the door when the train’s whistle blew. The twenty minutes were a painful blur. She entered the last purchases in the ledger, slipped it onto the shelf beneath the counter, walked through the storage room and climbed the stairs. Perhaps a cold cloth on her forehead—

  The door to the loading dock opened, closed. Her heart sank. Mr. Stevenson must have brought more supplies from the train. She would have to take care of them.

  “Audrey... Audrey...” Footsteps pounded up the stairs.

  Blake! Her heart lurched, pounded in her ears. She whirled around, grabbed the railing for support, blinked to clear a rush of tears from her eyes.

  “There you are.” He pivoted at the top of the stairs and came toward her. “It’s good to be home, Audrey. I tried to finish with Twinkle-toes in time to help you with the rush in the store, but it took longer than I thought to get her watered and the bedding spread.”

  It’s good to be home, Audrey. Her heart seized on the words, stored them away for the empty tomorrows. She gazed up at him, memorizing every feature of his handsome face, the way his short brown hair curled toward his temples, the smile in his eyes.

  “Audrey?” He frowned, set his satchel down and reached for her. “Are you all right?”

  “Blake darling!”