Ilsa: Read online

  He’d never thought the fragrance smelled as alluring and captivating as it did at that particular moment.

  “I wouldn’t want to be a bother.” Ilsa finally looked at Tony. The strange amber color of his eyes glowed, lit from some inner fire. Drawn into their depths, she began to feel lightheaded and weak. Wondering if she was coming down with something from the trip, she reached for her water and took a long drink.

  “You wouldn’t ever be a bother. Just let me know when you’d like a tour and I’ll show you.” Tony continued studying her intently. He frowned when Nik said something and drew her attention his direction. She laughed at the boy’s comment and Tony soaked up the sound. Light and sweet, it trickled from his ears down toward his heart.

  Tony had no idea what was happening to him, but he feared the damage was permanent and far beyond his ability to control. The moment he’d laid eyes on Ilsa, he felt a jolt run through him, as if some brutal force had struck him.

  Watching her ride out of town with his friends, he could barely think straight, wanting to spend more time in her presence. When Caterina mentioned how hot it was and how glad she was to have plenty of ice, Tony realized the Nash’s would need ice, since they’d been out of town for several days.

  Not bothering to say a word as he jumped up from the dinner table in the back of Caterina’s restaurant and ran out the door, he knew she’d have plenty of questions for him later. His only thought was getting to Nash’s Folly so he could see Ilsa again.

  Conversation flowed around the table as they ate and Aundy suggested they go outside and sit beneath one of the trees to catch some of the evening breeze instead of staying in the house.

  While the men wandered outside, Nora helped Aundy wash the dishes while Ilsa dried.

  Once the kitchen was set to rights, the women walked outside where the hands joined the group. Nik played his harmonica, providing a quiet serenade to the peaceful evening.

  Ilsa looked around from her seat between Nora and Aundy. She breathed deeply and tried to decide if she liked the smell of the air. Some of it was fresh, and that part she liked. She also caught pungent odors from animals and sweaty men who’d spent all day working out in the sun. She could do without those aromas.

  When one of the dogs ran up and put his paws on her skirt, she wanted to shove him away. Instead, she gingerly patted his head, hoping he’d move. Aundy finally pushed him down with a warning not to jump on people. Not counting Delmon, Ilsa had limited experience around animals, except for a couple of cats they owned when she was a very young girl. Thinking about the horrid little man made her thankful Aundy and Garrett were so quick to come to her rescue.

  “I think it’s time we head home.” J.B. got to his feet and extended his hand to Nora. She rose, waiting for Ilsa and Aundy to join her as the rest of the men stood.

  “I’ll run in the house and get your things,” Aundy said, hurrying toward the kitchen door. She soon returned with Nora’s dishes in a large basket. Nik took the basket from her and carried it around to the front of the house where J.B. and Nora’s buggy waited.

  “Thank you for bringing dinner. It was nice not to worry about putting a meal on the table tonight,” Aundy said, hugging Nora’s shoulders as they walked to the front yard.

  “Anytime, honey. We’ll see you all at church in the morning.” Before accepting the hand J.B. held out to her to help her in the buggy, Nora hugged Ilsa. “We’re so glad you’re here, Ilsa. Welcome to Pendleton.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” Ilsa gave the kind woman a smile.

  They stood as a group watching J.B. and Nora head down the lane toward the road.

  Tony positioned himself next to Ilsa and heard her suck in her breath. Glancing down, he saw her awestruck look as she watched the sun set in a glorious array of summer colors.

  “It’s quite something. Have you ever imagined such a beautiful sunset?” he asked, lowering his voice so only she could hear.

  “No,” she whispered, amazed by the streaks of magenta, gold, and coral filling the sky. She’d never seen anything like it in her life.

  “You don’t get to see wonders of God’s creation like that in the middle of a big city,” Tony said, recalling the first time he’d watched the sunset when he came out west. It was something he still remembered, filled with the awe and wonder of the wide-open spaces and huge sky found in Eastern Oregon.

  Ilsa watched until the bright orb of the sun sank behind the hills and the sky began to turn dark.

  “You better get home while you can still see where you’re going,” Garrett said, thumping Tony on the back.

  “Yes,” Tony agreed reluctantly. Ilsa, and the rest of the travelers, looked tired. They all had to be weary from their trip. “I’ll see you all in the morning.”

  “Thank you for the ice, Tony. We so appreciate the delivery.” Aundy squeezed his hand as he walked past her to his waiting wagon.

  “You are most welcome. All you have to do is call when you need more.” Tony climbed up to the seat and picked up the reins. He wanted, so badly, to kiss Ilsa goodbye, but not with her looking so tired and definitely not in front of such a large audience. Half of Garrett’s crew looked as if they were already pining away for her, anyway.

  Driving down the lane, Tony decided they had better get in line because he had first dibs on winning Ilsa’s heart.

  Chapter Six

  “Are you ready to go?”

  Ilsa heard Aundy’s voice calling to her from the front door.

  “I’m coming.” She jabbed the pin in her hat and snatched up her reticule on her way out the bedroom door.

  A bedroom just off the large front room now belonged to her, at least for as long as she stayed with Aundy and Garrett. She was sure he appreciated having his sister-in-law at the far end of the house, away from the room he shared with his wife and Ilsa liked that it gave her a measure of privacy as well.

  From what she’d heard, Aundy and Garrett had almost constant company from the day they wed. Ilsa didn’t think they’d even had a proper honeymoon. Maybe she could talk them into taking one when their duties lightened during the winter.

  She didn’t plan to stay in their house too long. Even though Pendleton wasn’t the ideal place for her to start a business, she intended to investigate the possibilities of opening a dress shop.

  Hurrying out the front door and down the porch steps, Ilsa noticed Aundy waiting for her at the end of the front walk.

  “That dress is divine,” Aundy said as she gave her a hand and helped her into the buggy. Since Aundy was so much taller, she had no problem stepping in. Ilsa often wondered how two sisters could be so different in size, looks, and temperament.

  Thinking of their brother, Lars, Ilsa tried to imagine what he might look like as a man. She wondered if he was tall like Aundy with broad shoulders like their father, or if he’d be smaller like their grandfather. He wasn’t yet full grown when he disappeared without telling either of them goodbye. She hoped wherever he was, he was safe.

  “I made it for a client and she changed her mind,” Ilsa said, running her hand down the front of the deep raspberry fabric. She’d spent hours sewing tiny inverted pleats into the five-gored skirt. A matching bolero jacket topped a blouse in a hue of the softest, palest pink. A raspberry colored hat, adorned with white and pale pink flowers, sat at a jaunty angle on her head.

  “Is that a new style?” Aundy asked, admiring the design of the gown as well as Ilsa’s attention to detail. From the tiny flowers stitched into the row of trim across the yoke of the jacket to the edging along the hem of the skirt, it spoke of refinement and elegance.

  “Yes, it is. It’s one that was quite popular in early summer in the city.” Ilsa was glad the gown fit her with few alterations after she’d made it for one of her aunt’s fussy customers. The woman decided the raspberry color didn’t suit her after the ensemble was completed and refused to pay for the outfit.

  Although Ilsa hated the sickly shades of pink her aunt and Delmon cho
se for her, she did like the deep hue of this gown, especially with the pale pink contrast. The overall appearance was striking and perfect for her coloring. Louisa had been generous in allowing Ilsa to have an expansive wardrobe. She liked her to be well dressed, especially when Delmon became part of the picture.

  “You’ll have to show me how to sew the pleats like that.” Aundy admired her sister’s colorful outfit. “Nora will be so excited to see some of your latest designs. We try to keep on top of the ever changing world of fashion, but the sheep and cows don’t really care.”

  Ilsa laughed and leaned back in the buggy seat. “I can definitely help you with that, if you can do something for me?”

  “Anything, Ilsa. What do you need?”

  “Some lefse. I haven’t had any since the last time you made it for me and I’ve been so hungry for some of the old recipes Mother used to make.” Ilsa looked at Aundy with a pleading gleam in her eye, while her lips formed a pout. “Pretty please?”

  “I’d be happy to. I should have thought to make some before you had to ask.” Aundy expertly steered the buggy down the road toward Pendleton. It was still early and the day had yet to become unbearable with heat. She wanted to run her errands in town and be home before lunch. “Didn’t Louisa ever serve Norwegian food?”

  “Never. She and Henri mostly favored French cuisine. On occasion, I’d go out to eat with them if they were trying to impress one of Henri’s clients.” Ilsa recalled all the miserable meals she sat through in the company of her aunt and uncle. “You know Louisa pretends to be French and has completely done away with her heritage. I can’t imagine what our grandparents would think if they knew.”

  “I can’t either. I’m certain they wouldn’t be happy, though.” Aundy waved at a cowboy on horseback as they passed a neighboring ranch.

  “Do you know everyone here?” Ilsa asked, amazed at how friendly everyone seemed. Yesterday, when she’d gone to church, she’d shaken so many hands and received so many hugs, it would take her some time to remember all the names and faces. The members of the congregation, along with Pastor Whitting and his family, were all so welcoming. Ilsa wasn’t used to that. She was accustomed to living in a city where people tended to be on guard and distrustful of people they didn’t know.

  “Not everyone.” Aundy waved at another neighbor. “But living in a smaller community like this, you do tend to know your neighbors and the people you see often. I like that we all watch out for and take care of each other.”

  “I suppose that is a nice thing,” Ilsa agreed, impressed as Aundy maneuvered the horse into town and down Pendleton’s busy streets. She parked the buggy in front of a large mercantile and hopped down.

  “This is my favorite store in town. Mr. Johnson always takes good care of us and if there’s something I want he doesn’t have in stock, he orders it for me. I’ll give him my list then show you around town for a few minutes before picking up our supplies.” Aundy looped their arms together and escorted her inside the store.

  “Hello, Aundy. Nice to see you on this beautiful morning,” Mr. Johnson said, smiling at the two women. “How are you today, Miss Thorsen?”

  “I’m very well, thank you.” Ilsa politely tipped her head to him.

  “You two ladies certainly brighten the store with your lovely gowns. I heard you are quite the seamstress, Miss Thorsen. Do you plan to open a shop here in town?” Mr. Johnson asked as he accepted Aundy’s list and smiled her direction.

  “I’m keeping my options open for now,” Ilsa elusively answered, letting her gaze wander around the store. It reminded her of the neighborhood grocer where she, Aundy, and Lars used to go and buy a piece of candy on the occasions when their father would say they needed a treat and give them each a penny to spend.

  “We didn’t get to show Ilsa much of the town yesterday, since it is was Sunday and we just got back from Chicago. I thought I could take her for a stroll while you fill my list. That is, if you don’t mind, Mr. Johnson.” Aundy offered the storeowner a charming smile.

  “That will be fine. It will take me a few minutes to get everything you need together. You must be getting ready to feed the harvest crew,” Mr. Johnson said, looking over Aundy’s long list of supplies.

  “We are. They’ll be rolling in first thing Wednesday morning, so we won’t have a minute to spare until after harvest.” Aundy took Ilsa’s hand in hers and pulled her toward the door. “We’ll be back in about half an hour. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.”

  “My pleasure, Aundy,” the man called as he turned away from the counter and began gathering the items she requested.

  Stepping outside into the morning sunshine, Ilsa took a moment to let her eyes adjust to the light then followed Aundy as she led the way down the street. Turning a corner, they walked past a candy store, a saddle shop, and a tailor’s business. Kade caught their attention from where he waved down the street, so they stood waiting while he crossed through traffic.

  “What are you ladies doing in town this morning?” Kade asked, smiling at them both. He wore a shiny star pinned to his vest and carried a gun in a holster at his hip.

  Ilsa looked up and up some more to see his face. “Aundy thought I should get acquainted with your fair city while we were in town getting supplies.” Ilsa followed Kade’s gaze to a restaurant down the street.

  “I’ll be in trouble if you two don’t at least stop in and say hello to my wife,” Kade said, holding out an arm to each of them.

  “How is the restaurant business?” Aundy asked, knowing when the harvest crews were in town, the restaurants had more patrons than they could serve.

  “Crazy. Cat had to order more supplies twice in as many weeks when she usually only has to order them once a month. It’s a good thing her family keeps up a regular shipment schedule or she’d be in trouble.” Kade walked them across the street and down the block.

  “What sort of shipments does her family send?” Ilsa asked, trying to remember what Aundy wrote to her about Caterina. She knew she came to town from New York, on the run from some horrible man who wanted to marry her. Ilsa could relate to escaping the clutches of a despicable man.

  “Her family owns a store in an Italian neighborhood in New York. They specialize in Italian groceries that are hard to find in America,” Kade explained, escorting them behind the restaurant to the back door. “Her uncle has a restaurant close by and that’s where Caterina learned the business. Tony worked in the family store and also helped with their ice business.”

  Ilsa didn’t have time to reply. As soon as Kade opened the door, Caterina welcomed them with hugs and a big smile. “Do you have time for a cup of tea or a glass of lemonade? I just made zeppole.”

  “I won’t refuse.” Kade snitched one of the hot pastries, dusted with cinnamon and sugar. He tossed it from one hand to the other, impatient for it to cool, before taking a bite.

  “You’ve never turned down my cooking, Deputy Rawlings.” Caterina gave her husband an indulgent smile before handing him a plate holding several of the sweet treats. She poured him a cup of coffee and set it at the table, motioning for Aundy and Ilsa to have a seat.

  “We can’t stay too long. I needed to pick up supplies before the crew descends Wednesday and wanted to show Ilsa around town while Mr. Johnson fills my lengthy list.” Aundy accepted the cup of tea Caterina sat before her.

  Ilsa smiled at the dark-haired beauty who bore a striking resemblance to her brother. Deciding her thoughts must have conjured him, she watched as Tony clomped down a set of stairs and stood on the bottom step, staring at her.

  “Good morning,” he said, giving her a friendly smile. “You two are out and about early today.”

  “We wanted to run our errands before it gets too hot,” Aundy said, noticing the looks passing between Tony and her sister. Feeling protective, she wasn’t sure she liked the way Tony gazed at Ilsa.

  Fortunately, her sister turned her attention to the sweet pastry Caterina handed to her and bit into it carefully.

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p; “Mmm. These are delicious.” Ilsa took another bite then brushed at the sugar clinging to her lip.

  Watching her movements, Tony had ideas on how to remove that sugar and none of them involved a napkin.

  Taking a step closer to the girl who had constantly been in his thoughts since she arrived in town, he inhaled her fragrance and felt heat begin to climb from his stomach to his head. He needed to go cut some ice and cool off a bit. Instead of leaving, though, he stood studying Ilsa.

  She wore a dress the color of raspberries that made her eyes glow and cheeks bloom with color. A smart little hat perched at an angle above one eye. He thought she looked like an exotic bird he’d once seen in a window - all vibrant hues and mystery.

  Before he did something to embarrass himself, Tony poured a glass of milk and sat down with some of Caterina’s zeppole. He wouldn’t admit it, but hers were even better than the fried pastries their mother made.

  “Can you both still help with harvest?” Aundy asked, looking from Kade to Tony.

  “I can’t be there the whole time, but I’ll come out when I can,” Kade said, brushing his sugary hands on his denim-clad thighs. “Tell Garrett he owes me one.”

  “I think he owes you several. Hopefully, when he helps you with the work on your house this fall, he can cancel his debt.” Aundy smiled at Kade then looked at Caterina.

  “Can you believe he finally agreed to add on to the house? That tiny little thing with only one bedroom,” Caterina said, waving her hand in the air dramatically.

  “I can’t believe you’ve lived out there this long without a bathroom,” Aundy said, finishing her tea and wiping her hands on a napkin. “At least you have a telephone now.”

  “It wasn’t fun living out there all winter with no indoor plumbing,” Tony said, pretending to shiver and rubbing his hands up and down his arms.