Page 35 of Beyond Montana's Sky
“I’m so glad you and your baby are safe.” Miss Collier smiled warmly. “And you can read to your heart’s content. We’ll have to investigate each other’s collections.”
“Perhaps you’ll enjoy mine as well.” Constance chimed in. “I brought my favorite books with me from Chicago. Unfortunately, we’re so busy with this wedding—” she leaned sideways to nudge her shoulder against Edith’s “—someoneis determined to make a big production of the event and was gracious enough to let me design Maggie’s gown instead of order one from Worth,” she teased. “I won’t tell you how many hours Elsie and I put into that gown and Maggie’s trousseau, and of course, everyone else’s wedding attire. I’ve started to wonder if I’lleveragain have time to read. But definitely, as soon as I do, Miss Collier, I’ll enjoy browsing through your books.”
Leaving their hostess to greet the other guests, Edith and Maggie moved out of the entryway and into the parlor.
The elegant yet comfortable room ran from the front of the house to the back and provided plenty of seating for guests. As of yet, no one was perched on either of the two velvet sofas as wide as beds or the scattered balloon-backed chairs with needlepoint covers. Instead the ladies stood in small groups talking, holding teacups and saucers filled from a large urn on a marble-topped sideboard situated near the dining room door. Platters of cookies, issuing scents of vanilla and sugar, and tea sandwiches with the crusts removed were arrayed near the rows of cups and saucers.
One of Rufus and Matilda’s two daughters carried trays of cookies and sandwiches to replenish anyone’s empty plate, and the other girl held a silver teapot for refills. They moved through the groups, making sure everyone had enough.
Edith sent an assessing eye around the room, noting who attended. She saw Elizabeth Sanders née Hamilton, and Pamela Carter née Burke-Smythe. Both originally from Boston, their families moved in the same social circles as hers. She’d never met them before coming to Sweetwater Springs because they’d both been out a season or two before her.
Pamela, plain and shy, married rancher John Carter and left the city right before Edith made her debut. But long ago, beautiful Elizabeth was engaged to one of Edith’s distant cousins. After Richard Harrison’s death before their marriage, the lovely blonde avoided the social engagements held by the Livingston or Cabot family and finally left for Sweetwater Springs. Not long after, Edith traveled to the West to live with Caleb. She had, though, met Elizabeth’s brother, Laurence, on several occasions.
Both Pamela and Elizabeth insisted Edith use their given names, and she’d conceded to the informality.
The guests drifted into groups. The sounds of voices filled the room, and the scent of tea and various perfumes sweetened the air.
Edith and Maggie ended up sitting in the corner near the fireplace, where two wing chairs stood near the end of one of the long sofas. Elizabeth, Pamela, Constance, and Sheriff K.C. Granger, in her customary men’s attire and brown braid down her back, joined them.
Mary Norton drifted over to take a seat on a balloon-backed chair next to Maggie. Her customary sweet smile crinkled the wrinkles on her face.
Edith took a sip of tea. “I decided to give you all fair warning. We had to invite our starchy Boston relatives to the wedding.”
Maggie wrinkled her nose and shrugged. “Family is family, after all.”
With a regal nod, Edith swept her gaze around their small circle. “We never really thought some of them would accept,” she said wryly. “They’ve always disparaged Sweetwater Springs and the people who live here. We thought the long journey would be enough to keep them home.” She glanced at Maggie. “But then again, we should have taken into consideration how much they dote on my brother.”
Standing nearby enough to eavesdrop, the unpleasant shopkeeper Mrs. Cobb nudged the equally sour Widow Murphy and sent a gimlet-eyed stare in Edith’s direction. “As if we didn’t have enough of that withher,” she said in a harsh whisper.
Did Mrs. Cobb think I wouldn’t overhear?
The women exchanged annoyed glances but otherwise ignored the provocation.
K.C. Granger finished her watercress sandwich. “I could arrest your relatives and keep them in jail overnight,” the sheriff said, with her typical inscrutable expression. “Might make them humble.”
The tongue-in-cheek offer held some appeal. Edith chuckled. “If you imprisoned them, they’d certainly return to Boston with entertaining stories.” She sobered. “If Aunt Agatha becomes too disapproving, or Cousin Hermione ruins another of my gowns because ofaccidentlyspilling tea on me, I might prevail upon you.”
Everyone laughed.
Edith let out a sigh. “However, I’d never hear the end of such an outrageous action. And since I’ll be living in Boston soon and needing their good will….” She shuddered at the thought.Aunt Agatha will be critical enough without adding shocking stories of her time here.
“Understandable.” Something across the room seemed to catch the sheriff’s attention, for she nodded, stood, and, carrying her teacup and saucer, moved away from the group.
Edith couldn’t help but smile at the incongruous sight of a woman wearing a holstered gun and carrying a delicate cup of tea.
Mary Norton patted Edith’s arm. “We’ll make them welcome as we do all people who come here,” she said in a soft but firm voice.
True. Although when Edith and Ben first arrived in Sweetwater Springs, she hadn’t appreciated the warmth of everyone’s welcome, instead seeing most people’s friendliness as encroaching behavior.
Teacup and saucer in one hand, Mrs. Norton rose. “I’m going to speak to Mrs. Swensen.” She gestured to a thin blonde in a shabby dress. “We so seldom have a chance to talk.”
Both hands full, auburn-haired Samantha Thompson slipped into the sheriff’s vacated place on the sofa, smiling a greeting at everyone. She held a full plate of food—a cucumber sandwich and several cookies—which she set in her lap.
Edith bit into half of apetit four, enjoying the sweet taste, and set down the rest. “Actually, poor Maggie will be under the most scrutiny from my relatives.”
“I hope I meet their expectations,” Maggie said quietly, an apprehensive look in her brown eyes. “I’m worried they might think less of Caleb.”
Edith reached over to pat her hand. “My brother will make it abundantly clear that you arehischoice, and I will, of course, let them know you havemyapproval.”
