Bertie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 6) Page 21

  Sun had kissed Bertie’s fair cheeks with a touch of color and streaked her light hair, accenting the blue of her eyes and the pink of her lips. She wore a new gown and matching hat Aundy had given her as a bonus for her hard work over the summer. Ilsa had created the pink confection that was nicer than anything Bertie had ever dreamed of owning.

  “It has been a good summer,” Bertie said, thinking of all she’d learned and experienced on the ranch. “Although I wasn’t sure about it at first, I’m ever so glad I decided to take the job.”

  Millie and Lacy shared a knowing grin. “Are you planning to come back here in the near future?”

  “Not yet. Aundy still needs help getting in all the produce for winter and finishing the canning.” Bertie knew Aundy was perfectly capable of taking care of everything without her help, but she appreciated the opportunity to continue working at Nash’s Folly.

  “How is that handsome Mr. Walsh? Is he still working at the ranch?”

  A frown creased Bertie’s brow as she looked at Millie. “He is working at the ranch, but I don’t see much of him.”

  “Well, if it was me, I’d make certain to cross his path with some frequency.”

  Bertie couldn’t help but laugh at the silly face Millie made. “Of course you would.”

  The phone lines lit up so Bertie quickly hugged both women then moved to the door. “Have fun. I’ll see you Sunday at church.” They waved as they tugged on their headsets and answered calls.

  Across the street, Grant Hill helped an elderly woman into her buggy. He waved at Bertie before going back inside the bank. Bertie smiled and waved to him as she hurried to the end of the block and crossed the street, heading to Bobby’s shop.

  The door was locked when she got there. A note said to contact him at home in case of an emergency.

  Concerned her brother might be ill, Bertie rushed toward the home where she’d grown up and charged up the front steps. She turned the knob on the front door, only to find it locked. Lifting her skirts, she ran around to the back door and breathed a sigh of relief when it opened.

  She stepped into the kitchen and noticed a vase of flowers on the table. The vase was new and the flowers were lovely, carrying a spicy scent.

  “Bobby? Bobby, are you home?” Bertie called as she removed her hat and dropped it with her gloves and reticule on the kitchen table. A noise overhead drew her gaze to the ceiling. “Bobby? Are you well? Can I bring you something?”

  Footsteps rattled down the stairs and her brother appeared in the kitchen bare-chested, wearing a pair of wrinkled trousers with his hair mussed.

  Something about him seemed different, but Bertie couldn’t place her finger on it. Nervously, he glanced up at the ceiling then took her arm and walked her toward the kitchen door.

  “What are you doing here, Bert? I didn’t expect to see you in town this week.” Bobby subtly handed her the things she’d dropped on the table.

  Perturbed, Bertie set them back down and placed a hand to his cheek. It felt warm, but not feverish. She took a breath and inhaled… perfume. A woman’s perfume.

  A sound like footsteps on the stairs captured her attention.

  She glared at her brother then stormed into the front of the house with Bobby right behind her. A woman wearing a pale blue wrapper timidly crept down the stairs, hair spilling around her shoulders and down her back in loose waves.

  Brought up short by the sight of the woman in such a state of undress in the middle of the day, Bertie spun around and shook her finger in Bobby’s face. “What have you done? Why is this… this…?”

  Bobby put a hand over her mouth. “My wife, Bertie. She’s my wife. Ellen and I were married yesterday. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Pastor Whitting. He performed the ceremony.”

  “But… why… you…” Stunned by Bobby’s announcement, her legs gave way beneath her and she sank onto the sofa, looking from Ellen to Bobby.

  Bobby rushed into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water, holding it out to Bertie. Ellen picked up a magazine from the parlor table and flapped it in front of her flushed face.

  Hurt shined brightly in her eyes as she stared at her brother. “Why didn’t you tell me, Bobby? You didn’t even invite me to the wedding.”

  Distressed, Ellen sat beside her. “Bobby and I didn’t invite anyone, Bertie. We wanted it to be something we shared together. We didn’t mean to exclude you or make you feel left out. That wasn’t our intention.”

  Excluded and left out was exactly how Bertie felt, but she remained silent.

  Bobby sat on the other side of his bride and placed a possessive hand on her waist. “Ellen and I decided a few days ago to get married. I was going to tell you, but we got caught up in the moment and here we are. Please, Bert? Can’t you be happy for us?”

  The realization of what she’d interrupted hit her along with the fact that she no longer had a home with her brother. Bertie thought she might suffocate if she didn’t immediately leave the house. “I am happy for you, Bobby. I wish both of you every happiness this world has to offer.” Bertie lunged to her feet and hurried into the kitchen with her brother and new sister-in-law right behind her. She picked up her hat, slapped it on her head, and jammed in the hatpin.

  She snatched up her gloves, tugged her reticule over her wrist, and opened the door. “I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion.”

  Bertie sailed out the door and down the back porch steps. Bobby and Ellen started to follow her then thought better of it in their disheveled state. “Bertie, wait! Bertie!”

  Bobby’s calls to return only hastened her steps around the house and down the street.

  With nowhere else to go, she walked to the park. She slumped on a bench beneath a shady tree, shocked and betrayed by her only living relative.

  Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

  Pressing a hand to her mouth, she stifled a sob and rocked back and forth on the bench until she concluded Garrett and Aundy would probably be waiting for her.

  Numb, she got to her feet, hastily wiped her cheeks, and walked to the mercantile.

  Garrett waved to her as he set boxes of Aundy’s purchases into the wagon. “Hi, Bertie! We’re just finishing up and then we’ll head home.”

  She nodded her head and walked around the other side of the wagon, leaning against it for support.

  Garrett’s hand touched her arm and she looked into his silvery eyes, full of concern and compassion.

  “Are you well? Did something happen?”

  “I can’t… It’s not…” Bertie’s voice caught and she closed her mouth, unable to speak.

  “Just wait right here, Bertie. Don’t move.” Garrett gave her a wary glance as he rushed around the wagon and into the mercantile. Quickly, he returned with Aundy.

  The wise woman took one look at Bertie’s face and knew something tragic had happened. “Oh, honey, what’s wrong?”

  Unwilling to break down in sobs in the midst of town, Bertie shook her head and sniffled. Aundy put a hand on Bertie’s back and rubbed it comfortingly. “Let’s get you home.”

  At the word, “home,” Bertie whimpered and Aundy turned a frantic gaze to Garrett. He picked up Bertie and set her in the wagon, then gave Aundy a hand. After making one more trip into the mercantile, he returned with the last of the purchases, setting the box in the back of the wagon. Easily swinging up to the seat, he grabbed the reins and released the brake.

  Once they reached the outskirts of town, Aundy wrapped an arm around Bertie and gave her an encouraging hug. “Can you tell us what happened, Bertie?” she asked, worried by the girl’s silence and the pain in her expressive eyes.

  “It’s Bobby.” Bertie sniffled.

  “Is he hurt? Do we need to go back to town?” Garrett started to slow the team, but Bertie shook her head.

  “No, he’s not hurt. He’s… he’s…” Bertie buried her face in her hands.

  “He’s what, Bertie?” Aundy looked to Garrett and shrugged.


  “Married!” Bertie wailed.

  Garrett turned his head away to hide a smirk. Aundy frowned at him and patted Bertie’s back.

  “Surely it isn’t all bad. Did he marry that sweet Ellen Stiles?” Aundy asked.

  Bertie nodded and held her soggy handkerchief to her face.

  “Do you not like Ellen?”

  “No, I mean yes…” Bertie released a choppy breath. “I do like Ellen. She’s a delightful girl who’ll make Bobby a wonderful wife. I had no idea they planned to wed. I stopped by the house and they were… he was… she had…”

  “It’s okay, Bertie. We get the idea.” Aundy fought back the urge to grin. “What is the problem? You like Ellen and you’re happy for Bobby. Isn’t that so?”

  Bertie sniffled again. “Yes.”

  “Wherein does the problem lie?” Aundy sat back and looked at Bertie, waiting for an explanation.

  “The problem…” Bertie straightened her shoulders and breathed deeply. “The problem is that I no longer have a home. I’m completely alone in this world without a place to call home.”

  Aundy draped an arm around Bertie’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Now, Bertie, you know that’s not true. You are far, far from alone and I’m sure Bobby will welcome you into his home. Ellen, too, for that matter. Besides, you’ve got a home with us for as long as you want to stay.”

  Garrett joined the conversation. “That’s right, Bertie. You can stay with us as long as you like.”

  “I appreciate your kindness, but it’s just that I’d either be living off your charity or Bobby’s. I no longer have anything of my own.” Bertie stared at the hands tightly clasped on her lap.

  “Have you been living off our charity all summer?” Aundy asked, lifting Bertie’s chin with her hand and forcing the girl to look at her.

  “No. I’ve been working for you all summer.”

  “Exactly. You’ll keep working for us and nothing in the arrangement will change. It isn’t charity. We are getting the best end of the deal without a doubt.” Aundy smiled at Bertie. “Not everyone would put up with Garrett’s snitching sweets from the kitchen all the time, and getting kerosene all over his work pants, creating smelly stains you have to scrub out. And we can’t overlook the way he snores like a bull moose singing to his true love in mating season.

  “Hey!” Garrett scowled at Aundy and they all laughed.

  “You’ll see, Bertie.” Aundy leaned back, giving Bertie room to relax and settle herself. “Everything will work out fine.”

  When they arrived at the house, Bertie helped Aundy put away her purchases while Garrett unloaded the feed.

  They’d just finished when they heard him whistle his way to the kitchen door. “Since we’ve been gone all afternoon, I told Li we’d eat supper at the bunkhouse.”

  Aundy turned from the cupboard where she’d restocked her spices and smiled at her husband. “That’s perfect, Garrett. Thank you.”

  Bertie finished pouring the last of the sugar out of a sack into a large jar and screwed on the lid. “If it’s all the same to the both of you, I’m not feeling up to spending the evening with the men. I’m not hungry in the least. What I’d really like to do is take a walk to clear my head.”

  “Sure, Bertie. Whatever you want is fine with us,” Garrett said. The smile he gave her held compassion. “We can bring you a plate if you want.”

  “Thank you, but I’m really not hungry.” Bertie brushed the remaining sugar granules from her hands over the sink and opened the kitchen door. She glanced back at the two people who had become good friends during the summer months. “Thank you, for everything.”

  The door slapped shut behind her as she ambled out behind the barn. She strolled past the orchard and lingered at the creek for a while before following the trail Riley had worn along the fence traveling from his place to Nash’s Folly.

  Bertie followed it up over the hill, through the pasture and to a stripped wheat field. At the edge of the road, she stopped and picked a bouquet of daisies. She stared down at the cheery faces of the flowers when something bumped her arm.

  Startled, she jumped then looked into Steve’s long face. He’d somehow snuck up beside her without making a sound.

  “Hello, Steve. What are you doing out here?” Bertie rubbed the mule’s face and neck. When she stopped, he bumped her arm again, making her laugh. “You like that, do you?”

  Concerned about him being in the road, she strolled up Riley’s driveway to the house. Steve ambled beside her, nudging her every once in a while if she stopped rubbing his neck.

  “You’re quite demanding, Steve. Do you know that?” He looked at her with his big eyes and blew out a huff of air.

  Bertie grinned and walked over to the pasture. She opened the gate, but the mule stared at her, refusing to move another step despite her coaxing.

  Worried the horses might escape before she could get Steve inside, she hurried into the pasture in hopes the mule would follow. He did, so Bertie gave his neck a good scratching before grabbing her skirts in one hand and running back to the gate. She closed it behind her as Steve trotted toward it.

  He brayed at her once, as if he told her he could have beat her to the gate if he wanted, before wandering off toward the horses.

  “Crazy ol’ mule,” Bertie muttered. She turned around and bumped into Riley. Mud stood a few feet away with his reins looped around the corral fence.

  Riley grabbed her arms to keep her from falling while his chuckle warmed her heart. “He is crazy, no doubt about that at all.” He looked around, trying to figure out how Bertie came to be at his house. “What are you doing here?”

  Aware of the heat sizzling from Riley’s hands up her arms and clear down to her toes, Bertie stepped away from him and walked down the driveway. “I went for a walk and ended up in the wheat field. The next thing I knew, Steve bumped my arm, demanding attention.”

  “I’m surprised by how much he likes you. He wouldn’t let Eugenia anywhere near him. The one time she got close to him, he barely missed kicking her head. If he’d wanted to kill her, he could have. Mules have good aim like that.” Riley kept step with Bertie as she meandered to the road. “Can I give you a ride home, Bertie? It will only take a minute to hitch up the wagon.”

  “No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want to be a nuisance to you. I truly didn’t intend to come this far, but I guess my feet and thoughts both got carried away.”

  Riley noticed the vibrant light had gone out of her eyes and she seemed subdued, upset. “We all missed seeing you at supper. Fred and Bill were in fine form this evening, telling some dandy whoppers. I think Aundy took a plate back to the house for you, though. Li made his famous Chinese food tonight and it was as good as always.”

  Bertie shrugged. “I wasn’t hungry and I’m not very good company this evening.”

  Riley mentally slid the pieces of a puzzle together and decided there must have been more to Nik and Bertie’s friendship. Obviously, she mourned his leaving. It was for the best that Bertie looked to someone like Nik for a relationship instead of him. If only his heart would agree with his head.

  “I’m sorry about Nik having to leave today. It must be hard to see him go.”

  “I think Aundy was the most upset by it. He promised to be back next summer. If he keeps that promise like he has most of the others he made the last few weeks, I wouldn’t count on it. I think Nik still has some growing up to do, despite how kind and gentle he is.”

  Surprised by Bertie’s statement, Riley wasn’t sure what to think. “I thought you and Nik were… aren’t you two, um…”

  Riley almost walked right over the top of her when Bertie abruptly stopped and whirled around to face him. Her delicate finger poked him in the chest. “Riley Walsh! I’ve told you before but I won’t say it again, Nik and I are friends. Just friends. Only friends. That’s it. Nothing more! Why don’t you believe me?”

  Angry, she turned and stomped her way across the road, past the
ditch and along the edge of the wheat field. Riley hustled to catch up to her. “Bertie! Bertie, wait!”

  Riley reached out and caught her hand, pulling her to a halt. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you seemed so upset and the only thing I could think of was Nik leaving today.”

  Rather than calming down, she grew more riled. “What made me upset is that my brother married Ellen without telling me and now I have nowhere to go, no home of my own, nothing. Not a single thing.”

  “I’m sure Bobby will…”

  “Don’t you dare tell me Bobby will welcome me into his home, will be the dutiful brother, and will do right by me. I know he will, but I’m still mad that he didn’t tell me about getting married and irritated that this whole thing bothers me so much. I should be elated Bobby found someone to love. I’m happy for him and Ellen. Yet, instead of feeling excited for them, I’m jealous and feel like a pouty child.”

  “Well, maybe it’s because you’re acting like one. Doesn’t your brother deserve to…”

  Bertie didn’t wait for Riley to finish his statement. She swatted him across the chest with the bouquet of daisies she still carried then ran through the field toward Nash’s Folly.

  Riley brushed flower petals off his shirt and watched Bertie race across the field. He wondered how she could run so fast in her fashionable pink dress. The gown was new, at least not one she’d worn before. It fit her curves to perfection and made her lips look even more kissable, if that was possible. When he’d seen her in the pasture with the mule, his heart jumped into a frenzied beat. She looked so beautiful — so darn beautiful and sweet, like she belonged there.

  Despite his determination to stay away from her, it seemed fate kept pushing them together. A bump to his back made him take a quick step forward to keep from falling on his face. Riley looked over his shoulder and scowled at his mule.

  “Well, Steve, I guess that is that.”

  Chapter Eighteen