Page 32 of Beyond Montana's Sky
Bear laughed. “Melted….”
“Get your head out of the muckheap.”
His friend’s expression sobered. “You and Mrs. Grayson playing that duet was a sight to see…and hear. Wasn’t sure you’d ever play the piano again.”
You’re right about that.
“You seeing the pretty widow again?”
“She’s moving to Boston after her brother’s wedding.”
“Heard about that invitation. Got the womenfolk all excited.” Bear fell silent, and they rode on for a while without speaking.
“Still, you dipped a toe into the waters, so to speak. Lightened a bit the sorrow you’re carrying around over Aurie. Maybe now you should think on getting a wife.”
“I’ll just ride to the mercantile and have the Cobbs’ order one right up,” Cai said in a biting tone.
“You’re not the only one around here who could use a wife, if only to getMormorand my mother off my back.”
In spite of himself, Cai chuckled. “Don’t think that’s the right reason to wed.”
Bear shrugged. “Good enough. We could go to Concord.”
Cai shot him a glance, startled to hear his friend express what he’d been thinking about earlier.Maybe that’s a sign.
“After all—” Bear expanded in his story-telling tone “—I should inspect the suitors sniffing after my sister.”
“Izzy won’t welcome that.”
He placed a hand on his chest, his eyes wide in pretend-innocence. “I’m her favorite brother.”
“You’re her most annoying brother.”
Bear chuckled.
“Let’s talk about a trip in the New Year. Before calving and foaling starts.”
With a grin, Bear nodded. “In the New Year, it is! Mrs. Benton-Anders Anderson, I’m coming for ya, darlin’!”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
For the next few days, Edith wasn’t herself. She answered questions when asked, performed her regular duties, checked off her tasks for the wedding, sorted and packed her possessions in preparation for the move to Boston, and interacted with her family. But she dwelt mostly in her mind, reliving her time with Cai, remembering the feel of his lips on hers, the touch of his hands, the way her stomach had fluttered.
Edith desperately wanted to see him again—to spend more time in his presence and see if what she felt was real or merely a temporary attraction brought on by loneliness and uncertainty about the future and a flirtation with a handsome man. Twenty times a day, she held imaginary conversations with him and questioned her decision to move.
At the end of each mental spiral about Boston, Edith concluded she’d made the correct decision and chided herself on acting like a giddy, green girl in the throes of her first crush. But then the doubts about moving would start all over again, ruining her focus for any other activities.
When at her most fanciful, Edith pinned her hopes on Cai attending Sunday service. She would have liked to invite him to dinner after church, but she and Maggie already planned to attend the tea party for the new librarian, Miss Rose Collier, and her niece, Cora Collier.
The rest of the time, Edith chided herself for even thinking about the man, much less hoping to spend more time together.I’m already struggling with this move.I don’t need to become more attached and leave a bigger piece of my heart in Sweetwater Springs.
On Sunday, Edith dressed with care in a new outfit made by her modiste in Boston, because the local dressmaker, Constance Taylor, had been too backed up with finishing wedding orders.
Because the maid was busy with the baby, a glowering Mrs. Graves pulled Edith’s corset strings and helped her dress before hastening back to her kitchen.
Edith checked herself in the full-length mirror, admiring the rose-pink gown, with balloon sleeves and a high-necked collar. White lace fanned out from the collar over her shoulders, scooped over the bodice, and ran the length of the tight part of her sleeves. Two rows of ruffles edged the hem of the skirt.
Beneath the brim of her matching hat, lace showed, and a bow peeked out. A pink ostrich feather poked from the crown and gave her a dashing look. Edith kept her jewelry minimal, wearing only her favorite pearl earrings.
