Now as Donnigan glanced around the table, a strange idea occurred to him. What if Lucas had been hitched with Risa? The mental picture almost made Donnigan chuckle. He shifted his big booted feet under the table and tried with effort to wipe the grin from his face before anyone noticed it. But it sure would have been funny—Lucas trying to teach the straight-backed Risa to jump through his hoops.

Donnigan’s glance slid back to Erma. Her round cheeks dimpled and her eyes sparkled with trust as she listened intently to whatever Lucas was saying to her. Yes. It appeared that Lucas would have no trouble with Erma.

But what was he doing thinking of the other two men? What would he do with Kathleen? Again Donnigan shifted uneasily. It was a perplexing consideration.

* * *

Kathleen was awed by the splendor of the town’s one hotel. She had never been in a hotel before except for the one in Boston—and it had been rather old and stodgy and stale-smelling. And the girls had all been crowded on cots in a few airless rooms with single dingy windows that looked out on a dirty back alley. Kathleen had not been impressed—but she figured that’s how hotels were.

But this hotel was like—was like a rich man’s castle, a king’s tara, Kathleen concluded—though she had never been in the likes of those either.

She was concerned by the white linen on the table. What if she spilled something? She was confused by the square of white linen near her plate. What was she to do with it? Unsettled by the fine china that looked as if it would break at her touch. Alarmed by the row of forks, knives, and spoons. Why would anyone ever need so many just to take tea?

And when the tea trays promptly arrived, Kathleen gasped. She had never seen so many dainty sandwiches, iced cakes, and fancy tidbits. She didn’t know where to start—so she watched Lucas, who began the proceedings by passing the “proper” item to Erma and unobtrusively indicating the piece of silver that was needed. By following the flushed Erma, Kathleen felt that she could not go too far astray. She began to relax and enjoy the afternoon repast. Like the others, she was hungry. Their fare had been simple and scant for the entire journey.

As she savored the tasty food, Kathleen almost—almost but not quite—forgot the big man who sat beside her. Under other circumstances she would have been very aware of his presence. In fact, she marveled that the food took so much of her attention. In her need for nourishment, she even found herself thinking, If this is America, I like it.

But as her appetite was appeased, she found her thoughts returning to other things. Things like wedding vows. Strangers. Separation from Erma. Family back home. Suddenly Kathleen lost her appreciation for the food. Her stomach tied in knots. She pushed her plate back slightly as though she couldn’t stand the thought of one more bite.

She cast a glance around the table. Lucas was still talking engagingly with Erma, who listened in rapt attention.

“—my living quarters are right here in the hotel,” Kathleen heard him say, and then he quickly added, “I do hope that you don’t find the arrangement disagreeable.”

“Oh no,” dimpled Erma. “It’s most—most—pleasant.” And her eyes scanned the room again as her cheeks flushed.

Kathleen found her eyes following Erma’s. Wouldn’t it be a wonder to live in a place like this, she found herself thinking.

Kathleen shifted her eyes to Wallis, who ate the sandwiches as though he’d been near starving. One patched elbow rested on the white tablecloth so the hand wouldn’t have so far to go to reach the mouth. Kathleen noticed that he had pressed two of the dainty sandwiches together so they would make a more worthwhile mouthful.

Risa sat stiffly beside him. Even her tightly secured bun at the nape of her neck looked offended by the man beside her.

Donnigan sat too close to her for her to see his face. But she surprised herself by realizing that already she had it memorized. She could visualize the intense blue eyes, his most outstanding feature in her way of thinking, the straight nose, the tanned cheeks—one bearing a small scar that made her wonder what had happened—the firm chin with the slight cleft, the blond hair that wished to curl, especially at the nape of his neck.

But he was so big. So big and broad. Kathleen had been used to smaller men. Men more like Lucas in stature. For one brief minute she wished that she could change places with Erma. Erma was the one who had wanted the tall, blond rancher. Kathleen felt dwarfed beside him. Like a—like a small child looking up to her father. She didn’t like the feeling. Didn’t like it at all.

But Lucas was folding the square of linen that he had placed on his lap. Kathleen saw Erma reach for hers and fold it slowly as well. Kathleen followed suit.

“I’m sure we all have our own plans for the rest of the day,” Lucas was saying.

“I have had your luggage taken to my—our rooms,” Lucas said to Erma. “I’m sure you would like a bath and rest to refresh yourself.”

Erma looked at him appreciatively—and then back to Kathleen. For one brief minute Kathleen saw panic in the gray eyes.

“The—the wedding—?” Erma began.

“Will be at seven,” said Lucas evenly.

“I—I was wondering—since I know no one and—and Kathleen is my—my friend, could—could she attend me, sir?”

Kathleen’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t thought of attendants.

For one moment Lucas frowned slightly. He had already made all the arrangements. Then he looked back at Erma and nodded, if somewhat reluctantly. “Of course,” he said. “That—that will be—fine.”

Lucas turned to Kathleen; then his eyes lifted to Donnigan’s. “At the church—at ten to seven,” he said, and both Kathleen and Donnigan knew that Lucas meant for Donnigan to be sure to deliver her there promptly.

“I told the parson we’d be on over as soon as we et,” Wallis was saying to Risa.

The woman raised no objection, just nodded her head and followed Wallis as he headed for the door, his grin still firmly in place.

* * *

“Are you tired—or would you like to walk?” Donnigan asked Kathleen solicitously, nervously fingering his broad-brimmed hat.

He really felt the need to get to know something more about this young girl, and the teatime had not really given them much opportunity to speak to each other.

Kathleen was weary, but she, too, felt the need to discuss their future plans.

“I’ll walk,” she replied evenly, wondering to herself if Donnigan had forgotten her limp. Would he be embarrassed to be seen on the streets with a lame partner?

They turned from the coolness of the day to the heat of the afternoon sun. Kathleen accepted Donnigan’s offered arm. It seemed very strange to be on the arm of a man. She was used to scurrying through the streets of London on her own. Only the “ladies” were escorted.

They walked for a time in silence and then Donnigan spoke. “I have arranged for us to spend the night at the hotel,” he informed her.

Kathleen lifted her eyes. She was waiting for him to say when they were to be at the church to stand before the parson.

“I thought you might be too tired to travel on out to the farm tonight—having traveled for so many days already,” he went on to explain.

Kathleen nodded silently.

Her thoughts went on, tumbling over one another. He said, “the farm.” I’ll be back on a farm. I wonder if one can see the sea? Kathleen felt sure that they must be close to the sea. They had traveled so far. Surely the land couldn’t stretch much farther. She lifted a hand to wipe her hot brow with the white hanky that had been purchased in Boston.

Donnigan stopped short.

“It’s too warm for you, isn’t it? I’m sorry. You really need to get out of the sun. You should rest.”

Kathleen had never heard such concern in anyone’s voice before. Certainly not concern over her well-being.

“I’m—I’m fine,” she responded.

But he already was turning their steps toward the hotel.

“Your things have been taken to the room,” he told her as they entered the cool lobby. He did not add that he had been totally surprised at the scarcity of luggage. The stage driver had needed to assure Donnigan over and over that the one little trunk was “all the luggage that the little lady had.”

“I have the key—right here. I’ll take you up.”

With one hand under her elbow, he ushered her across the reception area and up the carpeted stairs. Kathleen felt woozy. Was it the heat—the events of the day—the man—or—or everything combined? So much was happening. So quickly.

They turned to the right at the top of the stairs and continued down a short hall. He presented the key and turned the lock in the door, opening it wide so she could enter. It was a pleasant room, with heavy blue and gold draperies, blue and gold carpet, and a soft bed that beckoned Kathleen.

“I’ll send someone right up with hot water. You can bathe and rest,” he assured her, then continued. “I’m sorry you won’t have long. We need to be at the church right at ten to seven. If we don’t, Lucas will have our hides.”

He turned to leave, reaching for the doorknob to pull the door shut behind him.

“Wait!”

Kathleen’s little cry stopped him.

“Our wedding?” asked Kathleen with more boldness than she thought she possessed.

“Tomorrow,” he answered briefly. “Not ’til tomorrow.”

He shut the door and was gone and Kathleen stared after him with wide, flashing eyes. Then she tugged a glove from her fingers and flung it on the bed beside her.

“Sure now—an’ it’s either you or me for the hall tonight, Mr. Donnigan Harrison, sir,” she said angrily.

Chapter Ten

Confused Beginnings


As promised, there was a knock on Kathleen’s door shortly before seven. She was ready and feeling somewhat refreshed, though she did wish she could have rested much longer.

But it was exciting to be off to Erma’s wedding—even with the disappointment that Mr. Donnigan Harrison had chosen to stall concerning theirs. What if he continued to put it off? What if he didn’t plan to marry at all? Kathleen felt her stomach churn.

He offered his arm, but because of the anger and confusion that still twisted her thoughts, she chose to refuse it. With head held high she limped along beside him, ignoring him as much as it was possible to do.

“Did you rest well?” he asked kindly, and she answered with a slight nod of her head and firmly pursed lips. If he thought it odd, he did not make comment.

He led her down the steps and through the lobby, out into the warmth of the evening and toward the end of the town’s main street. Kathleen made no attempt at conversation, and he seemed to be sensitive to her mood.

She spotted the little church set back from the road before he lifted his hand to guide her down the wooden walk.

“Here we are—and on time. Lucas won’t need to pace,” said Donnigan with a hint of good-natured teasing in his voice.

They entered the church to find Lucas there ahead of them. He was resplendent in a black formal suit with a small rosebud tucked in his button hole.

The man whom Kathleen identified as the town parson stood at the front of the room, book already spread open before him. It appears that the preacher doesn’t wish to keep Lucas Stein waiting either, thought Kathleen; and in spite of herself, she felt a smile curving her lips.

Erma arrived promptly at seven. She came by carriage, even though the hotel was only a few blocks down the street. Kathleen could only stare. Erma was dressed in white with a lacy veil covering her carefully coiffed blond hair. The dress was a bit tight and Erma appeared to be holding her breath, but Kathleen wondered how the man had managed to be that close in his estimate of size for his new bride. The white-gowned bride carried a bouquet of red roses and white carnations on her arm. Kathleen had never seen anything quite so splendid.

“Your flowers,” Lucas was saying, and Kathleen looked from Erma to find Lucas offering her a small version of Erma’s bouquet. She accepted it numbly.

A total stranger stepped forward and offered his arm to lead her toward the man at the front. For one brief minute she panicked, wondering if she was being led up to marry this balding, stern-looking gentleman, and then she realized she was simply being escorted up to be a witness to Erma’s wedding. She took the offered arm and walked forward, her thoughts quickly scrambling to wonder what had become of Donnigan.