Historical Cowboy Romance Two Book Box Set - Mail Order Brides (8 page)

They all looked so happy. It was such a shame
that her life had been cut short and that their baby had perished.
Those thoughts brought tears to Tessa’s eyes. Dean saw her lips
tremble and wondered at the cause.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Tessa looked up at him and he saw that her
eyes were bright with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry for your loss.
She was a beautiful woman and I know that she will always be
missed.”

Dean felt a lump form in his throat and he
found it difficult to speak. “She was beautiful and Sadie looks
just like her. It’s been hard.”

Tessa nodded. “How could it not be? As I said
in my letters, I am not here to take her place, but to make my own
in your lives. Please don’t feel that you cannot talk about her
around me. I would like to know all about such a wonderful
woman.”

“We have all kinds of stories to tell you
about her,” Sadie said. “She was so much fun and made great
cookies.”

“I’m sure she was. Do you have the recipe?”
Tessa said.

Sadie nodded.

“Maybe we could make them together
sometime.”

“I would love that!” Sadie said.

“Me, too,” Jack piped up. “I really like
cookies.”

Tessa laughed. “I have a feeling that you
like almost any kind of food.”

“Yup,” the little boy said.

Dean was glad the children had lightened the
moment. It gave him a chance to compose himself. “Well, why don’t I
show you your room? Follow me.”

Tessa followed Dean up the staircase. The
boards under her feet creaked a little, but they were sturdy and
she had no fear that they would fall through. The stairs opened
into a wide hallway. There were two doors on the right and one on
the left. A window at the end of the hallway let in light. Dean
opened the door on the left.

“This is the wash room.”

Tessa walked into the room. It was equipped
with a large metal tub, wash stand with a porcelain basin and
pitcher. The stand itself was elegantly crafted. “Marcus did this
as well?”

“No. That one was me. I made it for Sarah’s
birthday five years ago. I wanted her to have a nice place to
bathe. I know how important that kind of thing is to women,” Dean
replied.

Tessa raised her eyebrows. “Craftsmanship
seems to run in the family.”

“Our mother was really skilled at it. Her pa
taught her,” Dean said.

“Really? How unusual,” Tessa marveled.

Dean shook his head. “Tessa, you’re gonna
find that out here, women often work right along with the men doing
things like growing crops, carpentry, and taking care of the
livestock. When the men are off on a cattle drive, it’s the women
who are left to keep things going.”

“I never thought of that,” Tessa
confessed.

Dean smiled at her. “I have a feeling we’re
gonna learn a lot from each other.”

“Me, too.”

“Well, c’mon. I’ll show you your room,” Dean
said.

She followed him again. He opened the first
door on the right and motioned her through. Tessa saw a large
four-poster bed standing sentinel in the room. A quilt done in
bright greens and blues covered it. There was a dresser and a small
chest at the foot of the bed. Tessa saw that there was no closet,
but there was a long row of pegs on one wall.

“It’s probably not as big or pretty as yours
back home, but it’s homey,” Dean said.

“Yes, it is and I’ll be quite comfortable
here, I’m sure.”

“Sadie’s room is the other one up here.
Jack’s room is downstairs. He likes the little one off the kitchen.
Mine is the one beyond the parlor,” he told her.

“All right.”

Marcus arrived with a couple of Tessa’s bags
then. “There’s only a couple more. You travel light for a woman,”
he teased.

Tessa chuckled. “I’ll take that as a
compliment.”

“I’ll just put them on the bed for now,”
Marcus said.

“Thank you,” Tessa said.

The two men left her and retrieved her other
bags. Dean was a very strong man, but by the time he reached the
top of the stairs with one of them, he was huffing.

“What the hell is in that thing?” he asked.
“Pardon the language.”

Tessa laughed. “A lady is allowed to have her
little mysteries, gentlemen.”

Dean smiled back. “If you say so. Well, we’ll
leave you to get settled in. We’ll get some supper going. I imagine
you’re pretty hungry.”

“Yes, very. All of the fresh air has given me
quite an appetite,” Tessa said.

They left and Tessa stood still for a few
moments, getting her bearings. She looked around the unfamiliar
room and felt a pang of homesickness. She also felt guilty about
leaving the way she had but knew that it had been the only way. Her
father especially would have never allowed her to leave and would
have had her watched to make sure she didn’t. It would have been
out of love, but Tessa knew that eventually, it would have made her
bitter to be trapped in a life she didn’t want.

Then she brushed off the negative feelings
and let all of the excitement return. She looked down at her
clothing and decided to change. She was disheveled and it would
feel good to be in fresh clothing and wash up a little.

She opened the valise that contained her new
clothes and pulled out the necessary items. She was excited to wear
a little less clothing, as the women in these parts did. All of the
undergarments were binding and it was hotter here, so it would feel
good to wear something cooler.

Tessa chose a pretty calico print dress,
gathered her toiletries, and went next door to the wash room. She
didn’t have time for a bath, so she just used the cool water in the
bucket on the floor to wash up in and then put on her new clothes.
She checked her appearance and was pleased with the way she looked.
It was a more relaxed fashion, yet still attractive. Her hair was
still in the more formal style, so she took it down and brushed it
out. She then French braided it. Again, Tessa was happy with the
way it looked. She dabbed a little bit of rosewater behind her ears
and her toilet was complete.

She hurriedly put away her things and headed
downstairs. As she reached the landing, Sadie and Jack met her
there. Sadie took her hand and led her to the kitchen.

“Aunt Lydia is here to meet you. She helped
make supper, too,” the girl said.

“Splendid!” Tessa was happy to have another
woman to talk to.

As Lydia watched Tessa walk into the kitchen
hand in hand with Sadie, she thought that some kind of an angel was
coming her way. The girl was certainly beautiful and Dean and
Marcus and the children seemed to like her, but Lydia was going to
test her right away. She was protective of these people who had
quickly become her family and she wasn’t going to put up with any
funny business.

“Hello, Theresa. I’m Lydia Benson, neighbor
to the Samuels, and adopted family. It’s good to finally meet you,”
Lydia said formally.

“Please, Lydia, you must call me Tessa. All
of my close family and friends do, and I certainly hope we quickly
become friends. It’s so good to meet you, as well. Dean has told me
many good things about you and your husband, Charlie,” Tessa said.
She understood that Lydia’s words were meant as a warning and
wanted to put the older woman at ease.

Tessa extended her hand and gave Lydia a warm
smile. Lydia looked closely at Tessa, searching for any sign of
falsity or malice. Finding none, she took Tessa’s hand and shook
it.

“Likewise. I like your dress and you have
beautiful hair,” Lydia said.

“Thank you. Something smells good,” Tessa
said.

“Aunt Lydia made fried chicken and mashed
potatoes,” Jack told her. “That’s my favorite.”

Dean laughed. “Almost everything is his
favorite.”

He had finally been able to speak again after
watching Tessa come into the room. He remembered feeling the same
way about Sarah when he’d first met her and the fact that he was
having similar feelings made him uncomfortable.

“C’mon and sit down. We’re almost ready to
eat,” Lydia said. To Jack, she said, “Go find your Uncle Seth and
let him know to get his rear to supper.”

Jack tore out the door, intent on his
mission.

“Is there something I can do to help?” Tessa
asked.

“No, no, dear. Please sit. You traveled a
long way and need to rest yourself,” Lydia replied.

Tessa smiled. “All right, but I intend to
earn my keep, you know.”

Lydia laughed. “Don’t worry, you will.”

Supper was delicious. Tessa had never eaten
fried chicken before and wondered at how tasty it was. The mashed
potatoes were creamy and flavored well with butter. There was also
canned corn from the last season. Between her empty stomach and the
stress of meeting Dean and his family, Tessa’s appetite was great
and she cleaned her plate quickly.

She’d always eaten with decorum but wasn’t
shy about eating her fill, even at social events. Women had
remarked how jealous they were that she could eat like that and
still retain her figure. Tessa told them it was the horseback
riding and a lot of walking, both of which were true.

Finally, she put her fork on her plate and
dabbed her mouth with a napkin. She leaned back with a contented
sigh. “That was incredible.”

Dean smiled at her. “It’s always nice to see
a woman eat well and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Not surprised,
though. Lydia’s a wonderful cook.”

“Yes, she is,” Tessa agreed.

“Now go on with you both,” Lydia said, but
Tessa could tell she was pleased by the praise.

Seth said, “Quit acting so shy about, Lydia.
If your cooking stunk, we wouldn’t want you to make stuff.” He
winked at Lydia.

Tessa smiled. Seth and Dean looked a lot
alike but had different personalities. Marcus and Seth had similar
attitudes. Dean was more serious than the two of them and Tessa
wondered if it had always been that way or if it was only since
Sarah and their baby had passed. She became lost in her musings for
a few moments.

“Tessa?”

It was Sadie who brought her back. “Yes?”

“Will you show me how to braid my hair like
that? I can braid, but yours is different,” the girl said.

“Of course. I’ll show you tomorrow,” Tessa
promised.

“Thank you.”

Tessa looked down into her eager little face
and felt something inside her tilt a little. She had a sudden
feeling that it would be hard for her to deny Sadie anything.
“You’re welcome.”

“I don’t need my hair braided,” Jack stated.
“What do I get?”

“Jack!” Dean said. “Mind your manners.”

“Yes, Pa,” Jack said, but didn’t seem very
sorry.

Tessa had a hard time not smiling. She looked
at Lydia to distract herself but the other woman seemed to be
having the same problem. “Well, actually, I have a little something
for each of you. I’ll be right back.”

She rose from the table and hurried
upstairs.

Dean watched her go, her skirts swishing as
she went. He couldn’t help appreciating her fine figure. He turned
back to the table and saw that both of his brothers were watching
her as well. “Knock it off,” he said.

“C’mon, Dean. You can’t blame us,” Seth said
with a smile. “You say she has sisters?”

“Don’t get any bright ideas,” Dean warned.
“Not unless you’re suddenly serious about settling down?”

Seth snorted and finished his iced tea.

“Didn’t think so.”

Marcus chuckled. “Let’s see; she’s beautiful,
cultured, educated, and brings presents? I’d say she’s a
keeper.”

Lydia smacked his arm. “Be serious for once,
Marcus. This isn’t a game.”

“Sheesh! I was just kidding,” Marcus rubbed
his arm but sobered.

Tessa came back into the room carrying one of
her suitcases. Dean rose and took it from her. “You should have
told me what you were up to. I’d have carried it for you.”

She laid a hand on his arm briefly. “You are
quite the gentleman, but I was quite capable.”

“All right.”

Tessa pulled her chair out a little more and
then sat down with the suitcase in front of her.

“I didn’t wrap them in fancy paper because I
was afraid it would get ripped, so I hope you’ll pardon the
wrapping. Sadie, this is for you.”

She handed a package to her. Sadie took it
carefully and opened it. It was a little white jewelry box done in
white satin with a pink bow on the top. She opened it and inside
stood a tiny ballerina. Tessa showed her the winding key on the
bottom and soon, the ballerina began to spin, dancing to pretty
music.

“It’s beautiful!” Sadie said. “Thank
you!”

“You’re welcome.” Tessa turned to Jack. “And
now for the young master.” She reached into her suitcase and pulled
out another package.

Jack pounced on it and ripped it open. He
stopped when he saw the little tin train and train tracks. His
mouth hung open and everyone laughed.

Dean said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him
speechless except when he’s sleeping.”

“Thanks, Tessa. It’s great,” Jack said
finally. He promptly began playing with it on the kitchen
floor.

Lydia was shocked when Tessa handed her a
present. “For me? Why?”

“Because I know that you are family and there
was no way I was going to leave you out. Besides, as one woman to
another, you can never have too much of this,” Tessa answered.

Lydia opened the package and gasped. It was a
fine French perfume. Delicately, she sniffed at the bottle and
closed her eyes. It was glorious. “You didn’t have to, but I’m sure
glad you did. You’re right. I haven’t ever smelled anything like
it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Marcus. You’re next.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Here.”

He took the gift, which turned out to be a
set of leather bound journals. He gave her a questioning glance.
“They’re beautiful.”

“Oh, shoot. That’s the wrong one. I mean, it
is and it isn’t,” Tessa was slightly flustered and pulled out
another one. “This is the real gift.”