Jamie Read online

  “Are your brothers officers?” She’d pricked her finger when she raised her glance and now sucked on the spot.

  “Gideon usually gets stuck as Chaplain, but he’s okay with that. Caleb has had a couple of offices but doesn’t this time. Ethan was active in the Junior Grange, and still helps with that now that he’s older. You know Mama serves as Ceres and has for years.”

  “Well, I’m proud for you. Your office is quite an honor. Even though you downplay your election, I’ll bet not everyone in the Grange is chosen to serve as Master.”

  “Not everyone wants to or can spend the time. But I enjoy the organization and its contribution to the community.” He clamped the last glue joint and moved away so she could see. “What do you think?”

  “Wonderful. She’s going to be so happy.”

  He frowned and moved near her lap. “What’s that you’re making? Looks like Cat’s old overalls.”

  “She told me her dolls wanted them. I thought, why not? Seems harmless.”

  “Didn’t think you approved of them,”

  “For playing outside, they’re practical. For supper and church, they’re not. We’ve reached and understanding and she gets that concept now.”

  “I hadn’t realized why she hated dresses. She’s mostly around Jake and men and copied us instead of Mama and Milly. You’ve been good for her.”

  Even though she couldn’t be the pliant and submissive woman she’d been told men wanted, she longed for this man’s approval. His admission sent warmth radiating through her body. She wanted to whoop with joy. Instead, she hid her grin by looking at her sewing.

  The next morning, she dragged out of bed. They’d stayed up late the previous night getting the cradle and doll clothes ready.

  Jake and Cat knocked on the door.

  Jamie sat up. “Did we make sure that cradle is really hidden?”

  “We did.” She crawled out of bed and slid on her clothes. “I’ll open the door for the children.”

  Jake rushed in. “Why aren’t you making biscuits, Olivia?”

  She finished fastening her shoes. “I’m on my way.”

  Jake asked, “Papa, why are you still in bed?”

  She was headed downstairs and missed her husband’s reply. Even though she’d had a short night’s sleep, excitement thrummed through her. She raced into the kitchen and grabbed an apron.

  “Slow down, Olivia. Fiona told me about the…,” Milly craned her neck as if to see if the children were within hearing, “event. I’m glad you discovered the dates. We’ve been lax in seeing to such things of late.

  “Oh, everything looks good for ‘the event’. We’ll have such a nice evening.”Quickly, she mixed biscuit dough and had the bread in the oven in record time.

  When everyone was seated around the table, she and Jamie shared a conspiratorial grin. His blue eyes twinkled with humor this morning. He was the handsomest man she’d ever seen. That he was her husband stunned her. That they’d shared an evening amicably working side by side filled her with hope.

  Beth and Ethan also smiled this morning. No pouting, no mention of building a house. Instead, they smiled at one another and gazed fondly at Cat and Jake. Amazing that planning for a child’s surprise party unified a divided family.

  With most of the snow melted, Jake and Cat went to play in the barn to check on the kittens until time for lessons. Olivia hurried through her chores. She’d finished the doll’s clothes last night, but now she had a special dinner to prepare.

  Humming through her duties, she waited until ten to call Jake and Cat in for lessons.

  Cat tugged on her skirt. “’Livia, guess what? You should see the little white kitten. She likes me a lot.”

  “And why wouldn’t she? You are good to her and play with her. I’ll bet she’s happy every time you come to see her.”

  Jake hopped up the steps. “The gray one likes me best. I call him Smoky ‘cause his coat looks a lot like swirls of smoke.”

  That evening, Beth and Ethan arrived as Cat and Jake came down for supper. Ethan carried something wrapped in a blanket.

  Cat peered at the bulging quilt. “Whatcha got, Uncle Ethan?”

  “Something for later. Why don’t you go with Jake while I put this down?”

  Jake, who’d been told of the surprise, tugged on Cat’s hand. “Yeah, let’s go ‘cause I’m hungry. Aren’t you?”

  “Real hungry. I smelled cake baking and I want some.”

  After supper, Olivia brought in the cake. She’d done her best to write ‘Happy Birthday, Cat’ on the cake, but she wasn’t certain the message was legible.

  She set the cake in front of the little girl. “Happy birthday, Cat. Now you’re five years old and we have surprises for you.”

  “I am? You do?” She clapped her hands and pointed at the lopsided decoration. “My name is on the cake. Can I have a piece?”

  Olivia cut the dessert. “You’re the birthday girl. You may have an extra slice if you wish after everyone’s been served.

  Cat forked into the cake. After a couple of bites, she stopped. “Surprises? You said I get surprises.”

  “I’ll go first.” Ethan stood and brought the bundle near and removed the blanket to reveal a child-sized chair. “This is for your room, Cat.”

  After stuffing another bite into her mouth, she ran to sit on the chair. “Look, it fits me. Thank you, Uncle Ethan and Aunt Beth.”

  Beth shook her head. “No, that’s just from your uncle. I have something else for you but I’ll wait until after your father’s present.”

  Cat tilted her head as if puzzled.

  Jamie stood and brought the cradle in from where he’d hidden it. “This is for your dolls.”

  Beth pulled a package from under the blanket Ethan held. “This is the mattress and quilt for the cradle.”

  Mama Fraser said, “You’ll find some doll clothes in this package.”

  Olivia hugged the little girl. “We found some of your old overalls that will fit your doll Susie. Grandma made a pair for your doll Cissy and I made shirts like yours. Since you’ve grown so much, your father and I also have you a new nightgown.”

  Ethan handed Jake something. “I carved this horse for you.”

  Olivia kissed Ethan’s cheek. “What a thoughtful thing to do.”

  Cat was busy assembling her gifts. She carefully laid the mattress in the cradle then laid quilt on top, carefully tucking it in. “Susie and Cissy will love this. They told me they wanted some overalls, too.”

  Jamie picked up his daughter. “After supper, I’ll carry all this up to your room. Now, you’d better have your cake Mama made.”

  She clung to his neck. “My favorite kind and it had my name on top. ‘Livia said I can have two pieces.”

  He set her in her chair. “That she did. I might have another slice as well.”

  Her gaze shot to Olivia and then back to him. “Did ‘Livia say you could?”

  Everyone laughed. Olivia feared Jamie would be angry, but his eyes twinkled and he smiled at her. She heaved a sigh of happiness. What a lovely evening.

  Chapter Eleven

  Alternately Olivia was filled with expectation and weighted down by dread. Tomorrow was her first social event since arriving in Angel Springs and at the Circle F Ranch.

  “Come on, Cat. Let’s make your hair curly.” Olivia laid the pile of rag strips beside her.

  The girl shook her head. “Why do you want me to have curls?”

  “You’re blessed and can have the best of two worlds. Boys are always stuck being boys and then men. Sometimes you can wear braids and overalls and run and play like a boy. Other times, it’s fun to be all frilly and beautiful as a girl and like you’ll be when you’re grown.”

  “So I’m better than Jake, huh?” Cat’s smug smile alarmed Olivia.

  Oh, no, she didn’t want that to start. “Not better, Cat, but different and I think girls are luckier. You’ll see tomorrow at the Grange meeting how everyone will compliment you on how nice y
ou look.” Working quickly, Olivia rolled her little girl’s hair around the strip and then tied it to lock the curl in place overnight.

  When she’d finished, Cat climbed into bed and Jake came in for their story. He laughed at his sister.

  “You’ll see why she looks as she does tomorrow when we’re ready for our trip to town. You’re going to be impressed at how beautiful Cat looks.”

  Jake looked at Olivia as if she had two heads. “Beautiful? She’s just a little girl.”

  Before Cat could launch at her brother, Olivia restrained her. “Girls can be as beautiful as grown women. You’ll be surprised when Cat is ready tomorrow. Now let’s have your story, shall we?”

  The next evening, Olivia smoothed her hand down her lavender dress she’d spent half an hour ironing. This was her best dress and she wanted to look as well-groomed as possible when she met new people.

  Jamie looked handsome in his best shirt and a string tie. He wore a vest, but no jacket. She supposed he knew what the other men would be wearing. She’d remade Lucy’s purple and gray striped dress for Cat. Apparently, Lucy had never worn soft colors.

  Now she ushered Cat and Jake while Jamie and Ethan helped Mama down the stairs. Beth waited below for them.

  Mama wore the gray dress that she’d worn for the wedding. “Thank goodness we made it down here.” She raised her hem so Olivia could see her shoes. “I can’t fasten my half boot so I’m wearing my pumps.”

  Jamie frowned and looked into her face. “Perhaps you should stay home. There’ll be another meeting next month.”

  Her face became a determined mask. “I’m not staying here while my son is installed as the Grange Master. I’ll be sitting most of the time anyway.”

  Ethan shrugged. “Okay, then we’d better get underway.”

  Cat peered up at her uncle. “Don’t I look beautiful?”

  Ethan chuckled. “You certainly do. I’ve never seen you look lovelier.”

  Olivia cringed. She leaned down and whispered. “You’re not supposed to ask people. You should wait and let them tell you how you look.”

  Cat crossed her arms and pouted. “I waited but he didn’t say anything.”

  Beth took the little girl’s hand. “I’m sure that’s because he was helping your grandmother. I noticed right away how pretty you look today.”

  Cat’s pout disappeared and she preened.

  Eyes twinkling, Jamie met Olivia’s gaze. “Another Pandora’s box you’ve opened.”

  “I’m afraid you’re right, but she does look pretty, doesn’t she?”

  “That she does and so do you.” He aided Mama toward the door.

  Olivia basked in his compliment. Although a pleasant man, Jamie was not given to false praise. That made his few words of tribute all the more valuable.

  Outside, the buggy waited. After Jamie lifted Mama and set her on the front seat, he helped Olivia up beside his mother and pulled the blanket around them. Three adults on the front seat were crowded, but necessary. Ethan and Beth rode in back with Cat sitting between them. Jake sat on the floor facing them so he could share their lap robe over his legs.

  The ride took about half an hour. As they approached, the town looked as if from a painting. Snow-capped mountains formed a backdrop for a jewel of a town.

  Her first sight of Angel Springs had been fleeting and in heavy snow. She’d been tired and hungry. She’d hardly had a chance to catch sight of more than the depot before Pete had hurried the women and their belongings into the sleigh and headed toward the ranch.

  Olivia peered around. “Does every rancher and farmer in the area belong to the organization?”

  Jamie said, “Most people in the county are members and that includes a lot of townsfolk. Didn’t your family in Illinois participate?”

  “My father attended Masons and Woodsmen of the World. I only belonged to the Women’s Missionary Group at church and to the Ladies Literary Society.”

  He tipped his hat at a group including several women as they drove past. “The Grange is a family organization. Jake’s a member of the junior group for children five and up.”

  Cat chimed, “Now that I’m five, I can join.”

  Olivia turned to smile at the child. “How exciting, Cat.” She was glad she’d checked the family Bible and learned everyone’s birthday.

  As they passed the church, Gideon and Ruby stood on the porch. They waved and called hello.

  Their group arrived at Grange Hall early but people were already gathering. The imposing building was a Greek-style building of wood, but with four columns in front.

  Olivia stared at the entrance. “Oh, Mama, there are so many steps for you to climb. Is this the only entrance?”

  “Don’t worry, Olivia. My boys will help me up the steps and then I can sit down for an hour or two.”

  Jamie hopped out of the buggy and came around to help her. “Olivia, maybe you and Beth and the children can wait by the door.”

  Ethan helped Beth from the conveyance. “Don’t tell my wife what to do. She can figure that out on her own.”

  Cat stood on the floorboard. “Aren’t you going to help me too, Uncle Ethan?”

  “Of course, Princess Cat. Why don’t you hold Aunt Beth’s hand?”

  Jamie snapped, “Don’t tell my children what to do.”

  Mama’s voice could have frozen the hottest summer day. “Boys, enough of that. We will present a united front to everyone. Smile if it kills you.”

  Olivia and Beth climbed the steps with Cat and Jake in tow. They paused inside the foyer until Mama could reach them.

  Jake tugged on Olivia’s hand. “Can I go see my friend Bobby?”

  “Which one is he?”

  Jake pointed. “The one with the brown shirt.”

  “Stay where I can see you. When the meeting starts, be quiet and respectful.”

  “Aw, okay.” Jake dashed toward his friend who stood with a couple of other boys.

  An impeccably dressed, handsome man stopped and tipped his hat. He wore a broad smile. “You ladies must be two of the famous Fraser brides.”

  Olivia returned his smile. “Hardly famous, but what gave away the fact we’re married to Fraser brothers?”

  “Easy, my dear, I know everyone else here. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Gideon’s wife. Which brother was fortunate enough to marry one of you?”

  Beth offered a broad smile. “I’m married to Ethan. You failed to give your name, sir.”

  The stranger bowed slightly. “Yancey Quinton at your service.”

  A shiver ran up Olivia’s spine. There was something off-putting about this man, something almost sinister. “Mr. Quinton, my husband is Jamie Fraser.”

  “Don’t tell me this beautiful young woman is Miss Catriona Fraser. Why you’ve turned into as lovely a young woman as your mother was.”

  Cat beamed. “’Livia fixed my hair and sewed my dress.”

  He affected surprise. “You sew her dresses?”

  Olivia couldn’t help being defensive. “Sewing is something I enjoy, Mr. Quinton.”

  Mama Fraser and her sons appeared.

  Jamie’s face clouded like a thunderstorm. “Still causing trouble, Yancey?”

  Looking far too innocent, Quinton said, “I merely introduced myself to these two lovely newcomers to our community. After all, one of my jobs as Assistant Steward is escorting guests.”

  Ethan stood beside his wife. “Not these guests. We can escort our wives without your assistance.”

  A smile that bordered on a smirk split Quinton’s face. “A pleasure meeting you, ladies.”

  With a glare at the man, Jamie helped his mother while Olivia followed with Cat. Ethan and Beth walked behind her so she was safely surrounded by family.

  Mama spoke quietly, “That man never gives up, does he?”

  Olivia suspected there was an interesting story involving Yancey Quinton of which she was not aware. Animosity had shot like arrows between Jamie and the other man. Ethan hadn’t liked the man
either. She was happy to leave Mr. Quinton in the foyer.

  The brothers seated the women and Cat before Jamie left to participate in the meeting. The women in front of them turned around to speak to Mama. Ruby hurried in and sat with them while Gideon joined the procession to the front since he was Chaplain for the organization.

  Olivia learned that her husband would be representing the county at the Colorado Grange Convention in Denver this June. Would she be invited to accompany him? She thought she’d better not count on going.

  Although Mama Fraser was an officer, she remained seated due to her injured ankle. “I hate missing out on participating, especially since Jamie is being installed as Master. Gideon is almost always the Chaplain.”

  “So Jamie told me.” Olivia leaned over Cat to whisper, “You can see Jamie better here than if you were on the end with the other three women.”

  Mama gasped. “I believe you’re right, Olivia. Thank you for noticing.”

  The installation ceremony went smoothly. Refreshments were served after the ceremony ended. People milled around or clustered in groups to visit. Olivia offered to get punch and cookies for Mama. Apparently, Jamie was trapped listening to several men at the front.

  She and Cat rose and made their way to the back of the hall. After checking, she noted that Jake was behaving himself with his three friends, unless snickering was an offense. She couldn’t expect him not to act like a boy.

  She carried two cups of punch and a stack of cookies. She cautioned, “Careful with your punch, Cat.”

  “May I assist you carrying those?”

  She looked up to find Yancey Quinton at her elbow, hand extended.

  Cat handed him her cup. “You can carry my punch. ‘Livia told me to be careful and not get dirty. I don’t want to spill on my new dress.”

  Olivia said, “I’m sure you can manage, Cat. Mr. Quinton has more important things to do than wait on us.”

  He oozed oily charm. “Nonsense. I would be most happy to carry your refreshments, Catriona.”

  With a sigh of resignation, Olivia followed Cat and Mr. Quinton to where Mama Fraser waited. Beth and Ethan had wandered away. A couple of Mama’s friends visited with her.