Desperate In Delaware Read online

  Cindy ran forward and hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re here. I know you’re exhausted but I promise you’ll be glad you’ve come.”

  Mina laughed with pleasure at seeing her cousin once more. “I hope so because I’ll never ride that stage again. Well, not for a while anyway.” She stood on tiptoe to accept Bert’s kiss to her cheek.

  “I’m happy to finally meet you.” He grinned at her. “We left the twins with our housekeeper so we’d better load your trunks and get home before she gives notice.”

  Bert called to a tall man standing nearby. “Austin, make yourself useful and give me a hand with this luggage.”

  The man, who wasn’t bad looking, gave her a long scan from head to toe and back up then stared from the pile of luggage back to her. “You plan on opening a store or did you just bring everything you ever owned?”

  She started to give him the sharp side of her tongue but Cindy interrupted.

  “Miss Mina Faye Stapleton, this is our good friend, Austin Wright. Austin, Mina is my favorite cousin and she’s moving to Palo Pinto.”

  Mina’s pique evaporated. She laughed and nudged Cindy. “Are you still stealing my line? I’m the one who only has one cousin while you have two.”

  She sobered and glared at the rude man. “How do you do, Mr. Wright?”

  “I do fine, Miss Stapleton. Good thing I’m here. Bert could have killed himself if he’d tried to load these trunks alone.”

  As if the man hadn’t left Mina aghast with his latest rudeness, Cindy linked arms with Mina’s. “Let’s leave them to their job and walk to the house. It’s only a short way.”

  “I can use the walk after sitting for so long.” Glancing over her shoulder, Mina saw the men load the largest of her trunks onto the wagon. Then, she looked around her. “The town is picturesque. It’s sort of wedged up against that hill, isn’t it?”

  “Hill?” Her cousin’s contagious laugh erupted. “I’ll have you know you’re in the Palo Pinto Mountains. I know they don’t look like mountains, but geographically they are.”

  A middle-aged man rushed up to the two women. “Mrs. Kennedy, I’d like to interview your visitor.”

  Cindy halted, forcing Mina to do likewise. “Mina, this is Mr. J. C. Son, owner of the newspaper, The Palo Pinto County Star. Mr. Son, this is my cousin, Miss Mina Faye Stapleton, who’ll be staying with us. I’m hoping to entice her to settle here.”

  He wrote in a small notebook. “Wonderful. Could I ask you some questions?”

  Cindy looked at the newspaperman. “Mr. Son, why not come by tomorrow and speak with my cousin when she’s not so tired?”

  “This week’s issue has to be printed tonight. Please, just a few questions?”

  His crestfallen look touched Mina. “I don’t mind, Cindy.”

  Cindy had the prettiest laugh, which she offered again. “At least wait and accompany us to our home and then you can talk in comfort.”

  Mr. Son slid his notebook and pencil into his pocket. “Thank you, Mrs. Kennedy, I’ll be pleased to accept your hospitality.”

  Bert and his rude friend rode past them in the wagon and parked in front of a pretty two-story frame house. The home was much larger than anything Mina had imagined. The pale gray exterior had white trim and a white picket fence.

  By the time Mina and Cindy and Mr. Son arrived, the two men were unloading her trunks and her valise. Inside the house, Cindy introduced Mina to the housekeeper, Mrs. Hazel Brown.

  Mrs. Brown gestured upstairs. “The twins fought sleep but they had to give in. Have a seat and I’ll bring your cake and coffee.”

  “Good thing they sleep like stones once they give in or the men would be sure to wake them.” Cindy clasped Mina’s hand. “Let’s have our snack in the kitchen if you don’t mind. Mr. Son, please join us. Making notes will be easier at the table.”

  They sat at the table, she and Cindy across from the newspaperman.

  As he ate his cake, Mr. Son kept his notebook at hand. “Tell me where you’re from, Miss Stapleton.”

  “A small town near Selbyville, Delaware. It’s in the southern part of the state very near the Maryland line.”

  “What were the best and worst parts of the journey?”

  Mina mulled over his question a few seconds. “The most frightening was crossing the wide rivers. The most tedious was the stage trip.”

  Bert and his friend tromped in and sat at the table. Mrs. Brown served them cake and coffee.

  Mina sensed Bert’s friend staring at her but she concentrated on the newspaperman. “The best part was looking forward to seeing my cousin again and meeting her husband and children. I hadn’t seen her in over four years.”

  Mr. Son asked, “Have you traveled widely?”

  “Hardly at all. I hadn’t been out of Delaware before this trip. Of course, I enjoyed watching the landscape change from the train window. I even enjoyed the view from the stage.”

  She grimaced and brushed at her clothes. “However, the stage’s bumping and swaying grew tiresome. In addition, I’m certain an inch of your state’s soil is on my person. The ferry at Oaks Crossing on the Brazos was a new experience, too. One of the passengers said there was a danger of quicksand along the Brazos shores.” She couldn’t suppress a shudder.

  The newspaperman nodded. “That’s correct. Terrible accidents have occurred and many lives and goods have been lost.” He read over his notes. “Let’s see, tell me something about your family back in Delaware.”

  “My parents were Betty and Harold Stapleton. Papa—who was the brother of Mrs. Kennedy’s father—worked as the apothecary. Both my parents died in a boating accident eight years ago. My older sister, her name is Lily, and I remained in our small family home where we had lived all our lives.”

  “You must have still been in school at that time.”

  “I was and my sister had just graduated. My sister and I attended the Women’s Institute for Higher Learning. That’s a women’s college in Selbyville. When Lily married, her husband moved into our home. Now they have three children and a fourth will arrive in a few months. I thought they needed the house to themselves.”

  He closed his notebook and slid it into his pocket. “Thank you for answering my questions, Miss Stapleton. I need to rush to the office and finish setting type for this edition.” He stood. “Mrs. Kennedy, thank you for your hospitality. Bert, Austin, nice to see you. I’ll show myself out.”

  Mina leaned back in her chair, in spite of the fact ladies were supposed to sit erect on the edge. Cindy didn’t hold with silly social conventions that meant discomfort. In fact, her cousin was leaning against the back of her chair as well.

  Cindy sent her a secretive grin. “I can’t stand the curiosity. Did your sister chip in to pay part of your fare?”

  Bert appeared shocked. “Cynthia Jane Kennedy, that’s none of your business.”

  Mina smiled at him. “It’s all right, Bert. Cindy and I have always shared secrets. I’d told her how tight Will is and that I wondered if he would help with my fare. After all, he and Lily have the house that was supposedly half mine.”

  She turned to Cindy. “You won’t believe it, but he paid all the fare and gave me extra. I can’t tell you how shocked I was. He said he would have given me more because of the house, but that was all he could raise.”

  Cindy slapped the table with her hand. “He should have. I don’t know how much the house is worth but I’ll bet your half is more than he gave you. He came out well in that deal.”

  Mina tilted her head. She’d been thinking about this subject during her trip. “I don’t have enough to buy a home here, of course, but I can certainly pay you room and board while I’m staying here.”

  Bert’s face turned red. “Absolutely not! You’re family and our guest for as long as you wish—including permanently if you choose. Save your money. You never know what will come up later.”

  Mina rose and kissed his cheek. “No wonder Cindy adores you. You’re a kind and generous man, Bert.
I’m glad you two found one another.”

  His expression changed immediately as he gazed at his wife. “Not half as glad as I am.”

  Mina longed for a man to look at her with that much love shining in his eyes. Would that day ever come?

  Austin rose and reached for his hat. “Whew, getting too mushy for me. Reckon I’ll head home. Bert, look into what I asked and I’ll see you in a few days.”

  “Will do. You’ll be here for the party Friday. Be careful in the meantime.” Bert stood and followed his friend to the door.

  Cindy grabbed Mina’s hand. “Let me show you the house.”

  Mina looked at the housekeeper. “Thank you for the refreshments, Mrs. Brown. The cake was delicious.”

  The housekeeper rewarded her with a generous smile. “Thank you, Miss Stapleton. Welcome to Palo Pinto.”

  Chapter Three

  Mina was amazed at her cousin’s home so far. “Bert must be quite successful to provide this for you.” They walked up the stairs.

  “Actually, he had enough money from his parents’ estate to use for this house and leave some in savings. I guess they were quite wealthy. He certainly spared no expense on the house. He doesn’t make that much as the junior partner in the law firm.”

  “He’s awfully handsome and seems so nice. You’re a lucky woman. I hope I can find someone as suitable.”

  Cindy laughed. “You can find someone almost as perfect but no man in the entire world can match Bert. He’s the very best. I’m sure he’s my true soul mate.”

  “Then I guess I’ll have to settle for the second greatest husband, won’t I? I admit I’m willing to settle for second best.”

  For the first time in a long while she sensed a satisfactory outcome for her life. She didn’t need a home as fancy as Cindy’s. Her husband didn’t have to be handsome or perfect, just a good man who might learn to love her.

  The Lovelorn’s suggested change could prove to be the very help she needed. Perhaps this town would provide the right match for her. Hope for a home of her own created a buoyant mood that lessened her fatigue.

  She sat with Cindy in the twins’ room after they awoke, chatting while playing with the children. “Your twins are adorable.”

  Cindy cuddled Jamie. “Bert said I was efficient to get two at once. For three months before they arrived I was the size of an elephant. The last month I couldn’t see my feet. I couldn’t have managed without Mrs. Brown.”

  “Not with this big home to keep. Do you want to have more children?”

  “Oh, yes, but not twins again.” She sobered and looked down. “I thought we’d already have another baby by now. We’d like a couple more, maybe even three. Bert tells me not to worry.”

  Mina played pat-a-cake with Jessica. “Good advice. I suspect worry helps nothing. Of course I worry about finding a husband so I can’t criticize you. I feel hopeful even though I only arrived today.”

  “You might have heard Bert say we’re having a party Friday evening. I’ve invited couples and singles, especially single men. I promised you there were many eligible prospects and I want to prove I told the truth .”

  “That’s truly nice of you and Bert.”

  “You know I love to give parties. Since we have the room here, I give a lot of them. I believe they’re good for Bert’s business, you know. I want to help him if I can.”

  “Your parties were always the best. I’m sure they impress his associates and garner new clients. You have a flair for entertaining. I’m looking forward to Friday. Oh, my, that’s only day after tomorrow.”

  “Don’t worry, you can rest tomorrow. On Friday, you can help me decorate. The theme is going to be spring.”

  Mina remembered that Cindy’s parties always had a theme and color scheme. From the time they were twelve, Cindy had been giving fun parties. Now that she had such a nice place to host them, they were probably even better.

  Later in the room where she’d be staying, Mina wrote a short letter to her sister.

  Dear Lily and Will,

  I wanted to let you know I arrived safely. The trip was exhausting but incredible. Studying our country in school did nothing to prepare me for seeing the actual landscape! The small town of Palo Pinto is the county seat and it appears to be a nice place to live.

  Cindy and Bert’s home is huge and lovely. He inherited when his parents passed and used part of the inheritance to build this home. They have six bedrooms plus one downstairs for the housekeeper. My room here is three times the size of the one at home. I feel like a princess.

  I hope you can visit, but not until the train comes through here! The long stage ride is bad enough for adults. The ride would be unbearable if it included travel with small children.

  I hope Danny’s tooth came in and he’s back to being his sweet, cheerful self. I miss the children. I miss you, too, of course.

  You remember how much Cindy likes giving parties? She has one scheduled Friday to introduce me to people, including some eligible bachelors. I’ll let you know how that turns out. She’s certain I’ll find a husband here. I hope she’s correct. I don’t know where else to go or what I could do.

  Tell Darla I don’t think I’ve seen an Indian yet. I’ve been assured they don’t attack whites nowadays. She asked for a report and a description if I saw one.

  Kiss the children for me.

  Love,

  Mina

  She deliberated rewriting the letter and leaving out the part about Cindy’s home. The house was amazing but she didn’t want her sister to think she was either crowing about her new situation or criticizing her family home. Shaking her head, she sealed the letter and left it to be posted the following day.

  ***

  Austin rode home in a haze. Bert had told him a couple of times this woman was coming to visit and teased him he’d better get his bid in for her early. If Bert hadn’t mentioned it, Austin might not have been prepared.

  She was a pretty woman and appeared good natured. Her blue eyes sparkled when she laughed. She was the perfect size to fit in his arms. He hoped his tongue would cooperate and he could talk to her on Friday at the party.

  Did he stand a chance with her? How would she take to life on a ranch after living in town all her life? These and other questions ran circles in his mind.

  His cook, Spuds Young, walked out on the back porch as Austin rode up. “I was looking for you. Never knew you to miss a meal. Supper’s ready but I won’t dish it up ‘til you come inside.”

  “I’ll put Thunder away and wash up.” He stepped out of the saddle and led his gelding toward the barn.

  “Ring the bell as you come this way.” Spuds turned and went back inside.

  Austin sometimes wondered who worked for whom. Spuds couldn’t work as a ranch hand any longer and didn’t seem to mind doing the cooking. He had a room off the kitchen.

  Austin hurried through his horse’s care and feeding then washed his head and hands under the pump by the horse trough. As requested, he rang the metal triangle they called the dinner bell. It and the metal rod to make it sound hung by the back door.

  His other three hands came out of the corral and the back of the barn.

  When they were all sitting at the table, Spuds dished up the food. “Did you see her?”

  Austin didn’t need to ask who because he’d made the mistake this morning of mentioning that today was when the Kennedy cousin would arrive for a visit. “I did and even met her.”

  “She plain or pretty?” Dusty McDonald reached for a biscuit.

  “Pretty, tall and graceful with light brown hair.”

  Buck Hayes cut into his steak. “She smile a lot or have those frown lines around her mouth that women get from pinching their lips?”

  “She smiled a lot and had a nice laugh.”

  Chico Diaz pointed with his fork. “What about her eyes?”

  “Blue and sparkling. Except… I said something that seemed to get under her skin. She got over it fast and laughed with her cousin.”
<
br />   Spuds sent him a glare. “Can’t teach you how to talk to women. You got to say nice things to them.”

  “Aww, you know I get tongue-tied around women and trip over my words.” Austin looked at his cook. “Besides, if you’re such an expert, why aren’t you hitched?”

  “Now that is a different story. I waited too long to start looking for a woman. One wouldn’t have me now.”

  “Widow Tarpley would have you. She sure gives you long, soulful looks when we’re in town.”

  Spuds muttered while everyone else laughed.

  Austin thought it best to change the subject. “I talked to Bert Kennedy and he’s going to look into our problem. I’ll see him Friday night at this party they’re having. He said he should know something by then.”

  Chapter Four

  Mina adjusted the cream lace on her blue taffeta dress. The skirt swirled nicely for dancing. Smoothing a lock of her hair into place she willed herself to calm. This wasn’t the first party she’d ever attended so why was she so excited?

  Cindy rapped then entered the room. “You look lovely. It’s time to go downstairs. Guests will begin arriving anytime now.”

  Mina took a deep breath. “I think I’m ready. I’m so nervous you’d think I was sixteen instead of twenty-four.”

  “You’ll be among friends. Most of the people who’ll be here are very nice. Vivian Edmondson sometimes acts snooty because her husband owns the bank. Edna Gregory’s nature is slightly mean-spirited. Her husband owns the drug store and is the pharmacist. Don’t let either of them bother you. Everyone else will be kind and welcoming.”

  “You must not have invited Austin Wright then. He doesn’t like me.”

  Cindy gasped. “Why ever would you think that? He’s one of Bert’s best friends so of course I invited him. Mina, I can’t remember him saying anything to indicate he didn’t like you. In fact, he seemed quite taken with you judging by the way he sat and stared at you while we had cake.”

  Mina didn’t want to argue with her cousin and hostess. “We’ll see tonight. I hope I make a good impression on your friends. I don’t want to embarrass you and Bert.”