Cassandra (Bride Brigade Book 3) Read online

  Bride Brigade: Cassandra

  By

  Caroline Clemmons

  Bride Brigade: Cassandra

  Caroline Clemmons

  Copyright 2016 Caroline Clemmons

  ISBN-13: 978-1533106131

  ISBN-10: 1533106134

  Cover Graphics

  Front cover Skye Moncrief

  Back cover Lilburn Smith

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  North Central Texas, 1873

  Cassandra Bradford shifted uncomfortably on the stage’s center bench but remained erect as any lady should. Despite the rigors of traveling by this method, she smiled to herself as she stared out the stage window. Dust and grit that had drifted through the open windows didn’t dim her optimism. She was on her way to a better life, even if achieving her goal meant moving to the middle of nowhere.

  Beside her, Lydia Harrison peered out the window. “We’re here, Ladies. I’m so relieved to be home. Oh, my, we have a welcoming committee.” She leaned out and waved.

  Everyone chattered at once, sounding excited yet tired, relieved yet apprehensive. That is, except for her and the girl named Ophelia. Something bad had happened to that girl. She had a problem with her back and preferred to sit in the uncomfortable center bench the entire ride instead of rotating seats as the others did.

  Cassandra was the last to exit the coach. Brushing at the grime covering her clothes, she took stock of her location. Dirt streets and only a few stores had boardwalks. Most buildings were frame. The spire of a church showed at the other end of the town. Still, Tarnation represented an opportunity to start over and improve her situation as well as to rescue her younger brother. She was grateful to Lydia for bringing her here.

  The first man she saw was a cowboy whose appearance caused her to pause. Drat the luck, he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen but probably didn’t have two cents to his name. His brown-eyed gaze met hers and her chest contracted as if all the air had been squeezed from her lungs. Good thing she still held tightly to the stage or she would have fallen.

  She reminded herself to be strong and resist the warm sparkle in his coffee-colored eyes. No cowboy for her, not even one who made her knees go all weak and flimsy. She intended to attract a wealthy husband. She could hardly afford to fall for the first handsome man she met, especially a cowboy. Wanting to hurry to a room and a rest, she picked up two valises.

  “Why don’t I carry those for you, Miss?” Standing at several inches over six feet, he tipped his broad western hat and revealed thick brown hair. “Samuel Drummond’s the name. Welcome to Tarnation, Texas.”

  “I’m Miss Cassandra Bradford.” She had no intention of encouraging him but she’d at least be polite. “I didn’t expect such a large welcoming committee.” There must be two dozen people but not one of them was a woman.

  He shifted one valise under his right arm and carried the other in his right hand. “We’ve all been looking forward to Lydia and you ladies arriving. I was lucky enough to be in town after selling some horses. Sure glad I picked today to be here.”

  No matter how fast this man made her heart go pity-pat, he was not the one for her. Obviously, the horse sale meant the money went to his boss, for Mr. Drummond’s dungarees were worn and his boots scuffed.

  Still, she couldn’t be rude. “The number of men greeting us is a bit overwhelming. I’m glad to know we’re welcome, though.”

  He cupped her elbow to assist her over a rut in the road. “Oh, yes, Ma’am, we’ve all looked forward to your arrival. Except for you ladies, for forty miles there’s not an unmarried woman who’s over sixteen.”

  Even though Lydia had insisted they call her by her first name, Cassandra wouldn’t refer to her that way in mixed company. “Mrs. Harrison said men were threatening to move to the city to find wives.”

  He grimaced and clicked a tut-tut. “Several have. Of course, my kind of work is always on the range and I’d be lost in a city.” He fixed his eyes on her. “You like city life?”

  She considered his question. “I don’t mind where I live if the conditions meet my standards.” She made the mistake of meeting his gaze and almost stumbled, but his strong arm saved her.

  Then she saw where they were headed and stopped right there in the road. “My goodness, is this Mrs. Harrison’s home?” The house looked as if it had been transplanted from a pre-war Virginia plantation.

  He smiled and guided her to the front walk. “That it is. Her late husband copied it from her former home in Virginia.”

  They reached the front steps. The men carrying luggage crowded into the foyer behind Lydia, Sophie Gaston, and the other six women. Cassandra and the cowboy were last to enter.

  Lydia clapped her hands. “Gentlemen, thank you for your able assistance. Please leave the luggage in the foyer. You’ll each be invited to our activities so you can officially meet the young ladies. The first event will be Saturday afternoon at two.” Deftly, she quickly shooed the men from the house.

  Cassandra thanked the cowboy then surveyed her surroundings. Considering the rest of the town, this home was especially surprising. She shouldn’t have been so amazed, for Lydia had chartered a private car for their trip from Richmond, Virginia to Fort Worth. Cassandra couldn’t imagine what that must have cost. Riding in luxury that afforded a measure of privacy gave her hope for the future. Too bad the rest of the trip was by bone-rattling, dust-filled stage for the last leg of the trip.

  They drew for lodging and Rachel Ross was the odd one out who had a bedroom to herself. Cassandra and Angeline drew one another as roommates. There was something sad about Angeline, but she appeared nice enough. In fact, each of the women was nice.

  Cassandra couldn’t help wondering about the story of each one. Although they might have been candid in private with Lydia, not one of the girls had shared with the other young women her motive for joining the project. Cassandra certainly wasn’t revealing her reasons.

  She glanced at the two trunks she’d brought. “How will we get our trunks up to our rooms?”

  Lydia gestured to the foyer. “Just take bags for now. Mr. Ramirez and the sheriff will carry your heavier belongings for you.”

  Cassandra picked up her valise and followed the others upstairs to see her assigned room. She and Angeline shared a large room with crisp white organdy curtains fluttering in a breeze coming in through the open windows. Lavender striped wallpaper covered the walls. A flower-garden patterned quilt from light to dark shades of purple covered the bedding on a four-poster bed in dark cherry.

  Angeline immediately removed her dress and shoes, turned back the covers, and lay down on the bed. Curious, Cassandra inspected the room’s every nook. At the window, she realized their room looked out on a lovely formal garden. The scent of honeysuckle and roses drifted up to her. Hills covered with green plants and trees rose behind the house. What a lovely and unexpected view in this dusty little town.

  ***

  Samuel Drummond hummed to himself as he strolled toward the Traveler’s Rest Hotel. He raised a hand in greeting. “Sheriff, nice group of women Lydia brought to Tarnation.”

 
Sheriff Adam Pender grinned and stuffed his hands in his pants pockets. “One of her stubborn schemes that may work out. You pick you out one of the women?”

  He couldn’t prevent the grin that covered his face or his recollection of the attractive blonde. “Sure have. We’ll see if she picks me.” He sobered. “Look, can you pass the word to Lydia that I don’t want anyone to know I’m more than a cowboy?”

  Adam looked him up and down. “Sure will, but I don’t see the point. There’ll be a lot of competition, Sam. You need to throw all you’ve got at the woman you’ve chosen.”

  Thoughts of his wife who’d abandoned their marriage because she couldn’t—or wouldn’t—adjust to life on a ranch resurrected bitter memories.

  “You know what happened with Edith. And, I’ve met too many other calculating women on trips east. The minute they figure out I have a fat bank account, their eyes glitter and they cast their nets at me. I’d like to find a woman who wants me whether I have a dime or not.”

  Adam clapped him on the shoulder. “Man, you’re taking a big risk, but I’ll pass the word to Lydia and the others I meet. The men will be happy to have you handicapped.”

  At the hotel, Sam asked for the key to his room. He kept a room here year round so that when he was in town he had a place that was familiar. He left a set of dress duds and a few odds and ends here.

  Lemuel Gamble handed him the key. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Drummond. Horse sale go well?”

  Sam picked up the saddlebags he’d left there earlier while Lemuel was at lunch. “Did for a fact. Glad to be back, though.”

  The hotel owner leaned on the reception desk. “Guess you welcomed the Bride Brigade, did you?”

  Sam couldn’t keep from chuckling. “Bride Brigade? Is that what folks are calling the young women?”

  Lemuel grinned, revealing a missing front tooth. “Yep. You know when Lydia Harrison sets her mind on somethin’, the result takes on the aspects of a military campaign. Guess she got that from her late husband, may he rest in peace.”

  Sam pushed the key back toward Lemuel. “On second thought, I believe I’ll go to the bath house and wash off the trail dust.”

  He wished he’d gone before the stage arrived but he hadn’t had time. He’d sent his ranch hands on to the ranch. They’d been paid in Fort Worth and had a brief holiday.

  Instead of a holiday, he’d met with investors about extending the railroad to Tarnation. He’d encountered strong resistance but he intended to continue his efforts. Darned if having trains coming to town wouldn’t help everyone, him included. The horseback ride from Fort Worth was tough, but that stage was a ballbuster.

  The young women had appeared exhausted, some more bedraggled than others. Miss Bradford had looked none the worse for her trip. Not that he could explain how or why, but she’d drawn him in as if she was a magnet and he was a nail. He looked forward to Saturday afternoon.

  ***

  On Saturday, Cassandra was in as much of a flurry as the other six women. Fortunately, Lydia employed an excellent cook and a housekeeper, though the girls were expected to help.

  At lunch, Lydia stood and raised her hand for silence. “Ladies, some of you are familiar with this type of entertaining. Those of you who are not should take note so that you can host parties when you marry without embarrassing your husband. This is only the first of several events we’ll have.” She sat down and resumed eating.

  Angeline looked toward the kitchen then at Cassandra. “There’s already a line for a turn pressing a dress. You were smart to press yours yesterday and let it hang in our room. Sure glad I took your advice.”

  “With seven of us plus Lydia, I knew there would be a rush for the irons. Shall we go up and get dressed?”

  Angeline appeared glum as they climbed the stairs. “I don’t know why I’m bothering. No one will want to marry me. I’d enjoy myself more if I visited Mrs. Eppes again.”

  “Honestly, Angeline, how can you say that? There are more men seeking wives than there are of us. We’ll each find a husband in this town. Perhaps today we’ll choose a beau.”

  “You’ll choose? That sounds right for you, but I doubt I’ll have that luxury.”

  Cassandra wanted to shake her new friend out of the depths of despair. “Not if you have that attitude. I’ll help you with your hair. Now perk up, Angeline.”

  Later, at the reception, Cassandra felt she looked her best in her blue poult de soie dress with embroidered trim in a darker shade. In her hair, she wore a matching fabric rose.

  Drat, there was that cowboy. At least he’d cleaned up, and he looked good. Too good. She willed her pulse to slow without success. Samuel Drummond sent her heart rate into a gallop.

  His progress toward her was cut off by another man.

  A dignified man with a dark brown mustache and brown eyes stepped in front of her. “Good afternoon, I’m Bart Tucker. May I get you a cup of punch?”

  “That would be very nice, Mr. Tucker.” He was a few inches shorter than Samuel Drummond, but still a fine figure of a man.

  He offered his arm. “Shall we stroll over there together? Are you enjoying your time with Lydia?”

  “Of course. You must know she’s an excellent hostess. She’s also training us in wifely duties such as cleaning, laundry, and cooking.”

  He gestured with his free hand. “Pah, my wife will need none of those. Instead, she’ll be directing her cook and housekeeper in their duties.”

  She offered a coquettish smile. “That sounds lovely, Mr. Tucker.” In fact, just what she wanted to hear.

  “My position as bank owner dictates no less.”

  Bank owner? That meant he had money. “Tell me about your life here in Tarnation.”

  He smiled. “I’ve been here three years. Before that, there was no bank so everyone had to keep his money at home—a dangerous situation.”

  She pretended interest while he regaled her with his importance in the town. All the time, she was conscious of Samuel Drummond staring at her. His gaze caressed her as if they were the only two people in the room.

  Forcing herself to turn away, she listened to Mr. Tucker. Certainly he had everything she’d hoped for in a husband. If they were married, she wondered how he would feel about bringing her younger brother to live with them. Rescuing fifteen-year-old Trenton was the part of her plan she wouldn’t abandon.

  Eventually, Samuel Drummond approached. “You’ve had this young woman to yourself far too long, Tucker.”

  The banker appeared surprised. “I guess I do tend to go on and on.” He bowed slightly. “Miss Bradford, visiting with you has been charming.”

  Sam carried an empty plate which he set down. “Lydia’s garden is a showplace. Would you care for a walk among the flowers?”

  She glanced at Mr. Tucker, who was already talking with Rachel. “That would be pleasant. The fragrance drifts up to the room I share with Angeline.”

  With her hand on his arm, they strolled out the French doors and along the gravel path through hedges and flowers.

  “Since the area appears arid, I’m amazed there are so many different flowers.”

  Sam guided her to a bench by the roses. “We have good water. Lydia has separate wells for the house and the garden. And I vow Mr. Ramirez could make a stick grow.”

  After she sat, she arranged her skirt. “How long has the house been here?”

  Sam appeared to think about the question. “Let’s see… William brought Lydia here right after the war ended. At first, they lived at the ranch. Right away, William started building this house. Guess they moved in sometime late in ’66.”

  She glanced at his handsome profile. “Sad that he died. I believe Lydia’s still in love with him. She uses his office, but apparently it’s still exactly as when he was alive.”

  He stretched his arms along the back of the bench, which put one arm touching her shoulders. His legs stretched out in front of him. He appeared totally at ease.

  “They were an obviously ha
ppy couple. The Colonel did a lot for the community and Lydia has continued his legacy.”

  She wished she were as comfortable as he was. Those butterflies were back inside her. His touch on her shoulders seared her skin through her dress fabric.

  “So, you knew William Harrison?” She noticed his boots were highly polished today. Were they even the same pair?

  “Oh, yes. His ranch is next to the one I’m on. Lydia leaves managing the ranch to her foreman, Rusty Dawson, who does a mighty fine job. Make no mistake, though. Lydia keeps her hand in and knows everything that goes on at the ranch.”

  Cassandra thought Lydia also knew everything that went on in town. “People here seem to admire and respect her.”

  “They do now. When she arrived, a lot of people thought she’d married William for his money.” Sam chuckled. “Turned out she didn’t know he had any.”

  “This garden took a sizeable investment and maintenance. I’m glad it’s here.” She gestured to a window. “That’s the room Angeline Chandler and I share. We have a lovely view.”

  “You’re a lovely lady. May I call you Cassie?”

  She blinked in surprise. “Only my family ever called me that. I-I suppose you can too.”

  Her answer brought a beaming smile to his face. “Wonderful, Cassie. Please call me Sam. Everyone does.”

  She already thought of him as Sam. “All right, Sam.” She fanned herself with her hand. “As perfect as this spot is, the afternoon has turned quite warm. Perhaps we should go inside.”

  He stood and offered his hand to help her. “Pardon my selfishness. I’ve been enjoying our time together so much that I overlooked your discomfort.”

  As she rose, she favored him with a smile. “Not discomfort, I’m just beginning to become overheated.” Dear heavens, she was certain his glance could heat her in a blizzard. Why couldn’t Bart Tucker affect her this way?

  They entered the house and she asked, “Will you be at church tomorrow?” Now why did she ask that? She appeared as if she was hinting for him to escort her.