Everett Read online

  “Oh, Elenore, you look stunning.” Polly wiped her tears on the edge of her sleeve.

  Ellie stood in front of the looking glass that Marmee carried into the living room. “It’s like a dream.”

  “You look just like an angel,” Marmee said.

  “Owen won’t be able to take his eyes off you,” Alice chimed in.

  “I think it is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen,” Willow said, clasping her hands together.

  Polly watched her friend admire herself in the looking glass. Turning each way to see the many layers of silk that comprised her wedding dress.

  Polly and Mrs. Brooks had been shopping at the best seamstresses to find something they knew Ellie would love. Ellie’s mother wanted to send the gown they’d purchased, for what was to be Ellie’s wedding to a man in Atlanta, who’d turned out to be abusive and a gambler. There was no point in wasting money, Mrs. Brooks thought. Polly insisted her friend have something new and fresh, that wasn't tied to difficult memories.

  Mrs. Brooks finally conceded, and they decided on the lovely Victorian gown. Polly packed it in linen and carried it with her on the train. She felt privileged to carry such precious cargo out to her best friend.

  The dress was custom made from ivory silk with layers of bobbin lace sewn to the skirt. There was a jacket with three-quarter length sleeves and the same matching lace from the elbows to the wrists. Pearl buttons adorned the front of the jacket and the collar was made from many layers of handsewn lace.

  Polly could see the tears starting to form in Ellie’s eyes. “None of that now. I won’t have you staining your dress with your tears.” She reached inside a large box tied with string. “Let’s get the train attached.” Polly pulled out yards of fabric. At the top of the skirt were little buttons. The train had loops of thread at the top to hold the train in place.

  “I’m not sure if I want a train.”

  Marmee blinked several times. “Why not?”

  “I love the dress just the way it is. I’d be afraid of getting the silk dirty if I was dragging it across the floor.”

  “Well, then,” Polly said, “what if we make something from this? We can’t let this beautiful fabric go to waste.”

  “I’d like to save it to make a christening gown for when Owen and I have our first child.”

  Marmee clasped her hands together. “What a splendid idea.” She wiped her cheeks on the back of her sleeve. “Look at me. I’m a mess. All this talk of weddings and babies.”

  “That is a splendid idea,” Polly agreed. Willow helped her refold the train and put it back in the box. “Let’s try on your shoes. These are just beautiful.” Gasps went around the room as Polly pulled out slippers made of kid leather with the same lace adorning the front and handsewn pearls at the edge of the binding.

  “Oh, my,” Ellie said fingering the soft shoes. “I’ve never seen shoes so beautiful.”

  “These are a gift from me. Let’s try them on.” Polly knelt in front of Ellie and undid the hooks on her boot, sliding it from her foot and putting it aside. She did the same for the second boot. Ellie flexed her toes before Polly slid the shoes in place. “How do they fit?”

  “Like a glove.” Ellie lifted the front of her dress a little, pointing her shoe towards the mirror.

  Polly heard the door open and the women turned to see who was entering the house. Marmee had given strict instructions to Weston to keep their boys occupied until they had finished fitting Ellie’s dress. Weston hadn’t done a good job, given two of them were walking in the house.

  “Stop!” Marmee called. “Owen can’t come in here.”

  “He’s still at the barn,” Oliver said coming around the corner. He stopped short when he saw Ellie and let out a low whistle. “You look beautiful, Ellie Beth.”

  Everett walked around Oliver and peered into the room. His mouth fell open slightly as he looked on the sight before him.

  “If Everett’s reaction is any indication, you are going to knock Owen off his feet,” Polly laughed. She turned back to the men.

  Everett’s attention had moved from Ellie and was now focused on her. “Ollie is right,” he said, his eyes never leaving Polly. “You are beautiful.”

  Ellie looked from Polly to Everett. “Th-thank you, Ev.”

  Polly rolled back on her heels. “We should probably get you out of this and put it away before anyone else walks in.” Ellie kicked off the slippers and Polly placed them in a box. She pushed the box over to Willow. “Can you carry that and the train? I’ll make sure the dress doesn’t touch the ground.” Ellie lifted her dress and stepped off the apple crate. “Excuse us,” she said, walking through Ollie and Everett. She tried not to let his closeness affect her, but she felt her palms perspire as they walked down the hall.

  Willow dropped the boxes on the desk in the bedroom and returned to the great room, leaving Polly and Ellie alone. Ellie stared at her friend for a minute.

  “What?” Polly demanded. “We need to get you out of this dress.”

  “What is going on, Pollyanna?”

  Polly shrugged her shoulders. “I have no clue what you are talking about.”

  “For the past few days, you get jumpy every time Everett is around. What’s going on?”

  Polly sat on the bed. “I don’t know, Ellie. I just get so…”

  “Flustered?”

  “Yes, flustered around him. Normally I’m in complete control of my emotions, but ever since he kissed me…”

  “What?” Ellie shrieked.

  “Hush, El,” Polly said quickly running to shut the bedroom door. “I don’t want him to think we are talking about him.”

  “But we are. When did this happen and why didn’t you tell me?”

  “It happened when I took him that piece of cake to the barn.”

  “And…?”

  “What are you fishing for?”

  “How was it?”

  Polly returned to the bed and sighed, falling over on the quilt. “It was lovely.”

  “Are you going to do it again?”

  “Ellie! That’s indecent. Of course not.”

  “Do you want to?” Ellie gave her friend a sly smile.

  Polly paused for a moment. “Well, if there is an opportunity for it to happen again, I won’t say no.”

  Ellie giggled. “Shame he says he will never get married.”

  “Then I’ll just have to return to Atlanta with the memory of his kiss and find someone who can take it from my mind. Turn around.” Polly motioned with her finger. “Let’s get you out of this.”

  It took nearly twenty minutes to remove Ellie from the layers of lace.

  Polly had just finished putting the dress away when she heard Alice call from the hallway. “Stage is coming to the house.”

  “A stage?” Ellie said, opening the door. “How odd.”

  “Maybe the driver is coming by to say there are longhorns on the road?”

  Ellie gave a little laugh. “Let’s go see.”

  “I’ll be right there,” Polly called, closing the box that contained the wedding dress.

  Shame he says he will never get married.

  Ellie’s words rang in her ears.

  Polly wondered what she might do to change his mind.

  Chapter 7

  Hart Chapman was a sweet child.

  He would be exactly what Polly would want if she were to have children.

  They had just finished dinner and Hart had already polished off two pieces of chocolate cake.

  It had been two days since Caleb arrived home on the stagecoach from Owl City. The entire family was gripping the edge of their seats as Caleb told them tales about outlaws who were tracking his wife Lydia and her son Hart. Now his son.

  Polly was sure Marmee was going to faint from surprise, and she was overwhelmed at having her first grandchild. The very next day she went right to the mercantile and purchased everything that a young boy of seven might need.

  Polly was simply enamored with the boy
as he provided the greatest praise for her baked treats. She did notice that Everett would come into the kitchen to steal a cookie when he thought she wasn’t looking.

  “I heard Brodie was headed back this way,” Caleb said.

  Marmee sat straight up in her chair. “That man has no business coming around here at all.”

  “Actually, he does.”

  “What does that mean?” Owen asked.

  “We can talk after someone goes to bed.” Caleb pointed his chin towards Hart who was playing marbles with Polly.

  “Hey Hart,” Polly said. “How about we go to the barn and see if we can find the kittens, I told you about? I think the momma kitty moved them, but I may know where they are.”

  “Really?” The boy’s eyes grew wide.

  “Really.” Polly handed him a linen bag. “Why don’t you put your marbles in the bag and then put it on the table, so you don’t lose it.”

  She watched Hart scramble to gather up all his marbles and do as Polly had asked.

  “You don’t need to do that,” Lydia said. She sat next to Caleb, holding his hand as they talked after dinner.

  “It isn’t a problem. I enjoy his company.” She gave Caleb a little wink. “This way you have time to talk.”

  “Why don’t I go with you, Polly?” Ellie said getting ready to stand. Owen pressed his hand against her shoulder.

  “Stay here, Ellie Beth. You need to hear this.”

  “Sounds like it affects all the family,” Everett said.

  Polly didn’t know why she was hurt by those words. It was a harsh reminder that she wasn’t family. She shrugged off the feeling as Hart ran up to her.

  “I put them away.”

  “Let’s get your coat. It is turning chilly.”

  “Marmee said we are making apple butter tomorrow and that there is a dance in two days. I wonder if Ma will let me stay up for it?”

  Polly made sure his coat was secure before tapping his nose. “I’m sure if you ask really nicely and behave then you’ll be able to go.”

  “Bye Ma! Bye Pa! I’ll be back soon.”

  “Wait for me,” Polly called, grabbing her wrap from a peg by the door. She turned to look back in the great room. “An hour?”

  Caleb nodded. “That would be great, thank you.”

  Polly draped the wrap over her shoulders and went out the door after Hart.

  The young boy was almost to the barn by the time Polly stepped from the porch.

  “Hart!” she called. “Wait for me.”

  Hart stopped just by the barn door. The front of the barn housed the horses and tools. The backside was where the cattle in the pasture next to the barn would shelter at night.

  “Hey little man,” a man said, kneeling in front of Hart. “Should you be out here all by yourself?”

  “I’m here. I just can’t keep up,” Polly laughed.

  “I didn’t see you.”

  “Sawyer? Right?” Polly asked.

  The cowboy shoved a bandana in his back pocket and stood. “That’s right. You’re the lady from the stage.”

  Polly had the sense to look a little embarrassed. “That’s me,” she said.

  “Miss Phillips?”

  “Please call me Polly.”

  “Polly.” Sawyer pushed his cowboy hat back. “What brings you two out to the barn?”

  “Polly said there were kittens in here.”

  “There might be. I don’t know if the mother moved them or not. Check the first stall.”

  Hart went running inside the barn.

  “Don’t touch them,” Polly called. “Thank you. They needed to have a meeting without you-know-who, so…”

  “So, you thought you’d come out to look at the kittens for a bit.”

  “Exactly. Now, I better go get my young charge before he decides he wants to ride a horse.”

  “Mind if I join you?”

  Polly smiled. “I’d be delighted.”

  Sawyer held out his elbow and Polly put her hand through and let him lead her into the barn.

  Everett saw the entire interaction from the porch.

  He had followed Polly and Hart with the intention of taking them for a walk by the creek. When he saw Sawyer talking to them and Polly laughing, anger burned in his chest. Then Sawyer had the impertinence to offer her his arm. Everett rubbed his chest, willing the feeling to go away.

  No reason for him to go to the barn now. Sawyer would take care of them. He knew the cowboy was sweet on Polly, as he had mentioned seeing her around the farm. Every time Polly’s name came up, Everett turned the conversation to something else.

  Taking a deep breath, he turned back to the house and joined the others in the great room.

  In the short time he was gone, chaos had broken out in the living room. Marmee was sitting in her chair with her head in her hands sobbing. Weston was rubbing her back and talking softly to her. He heard Owen’s and Oliver’s voices rise and Caleb trying to calm them down.

  This was going to take a cup of coffee. Everett returned to the table and grabbed his cup. “What did I miss?” he asked as he went to fill his cup at the woodstove.

  “Hart is Randall and Verna’s grandchild.”

  Everett nearly dropped his cup, hot liquid splashed against his skin. He put the pot back and placed the cup on the edge of the stove so he could wipe the spilled coffee with a towel. By the time he had grabbed a chair and pulled it up to where everyone was sitting, Caleb was into his explanation.

  Lydia chimed in, here and there, but mostly she was quiet.

  “Well I’ll be…,” Everett said. “Sarah had a baby.”

  “We knew her as Vangie. I know she moved around quite a bit and then after she came to my house she settled down, until one of the Richards Gang was seen in town. Then she’d disappear again.”

  “Where is she now?” Weston asked.

  “She went back to Boston to see her family. She was hoping that Brodie would follow her back East and she could keep him far away from Hart.”

  “Did you adopt the boy?”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Chapman. I did. I have the papers signed by Vangie and everything.”

  “Then the boy is yours. The Hartmans have no claim to him.”

  “Vangie insisted that I take the boy there. That they would protect him.

  “We can protect him,” Owen said.

  “And you,” Oliver chimed in.

  “What are you going to do, Caleb?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Everett recalled the words Tot said to him that night at the campfire. “You’ll need to tell them. Secrets have a way of eating you up inside.”

  “How profound, Ev,” Owen teased. “Did you think that up all on your own?”

  “No, I didn’t,” he snapped. “Tot told me.”

  “I suppose I should go over and let them know.”

  “No, Caleb, let me go,” Lydia said, squeezing Caleb’s hand. “It will sound better coming from me.”

  “You’re my wife. I won’t have you do this alone.”

  She gave him a smile that could melt ice on a winter’s day. “Then we’ll go together.”

  “I’ll drive you over, Caleb. Let me get the buggy hitched,” Weston offered.

  “You are going to go now?” Marmee wailed.

  “Might as well. Don’t you fret, Marmee. No one will take the boy away from us, but if we waste time, they will have even more reason to say we were keeping their grandchild from them.”

  “Pa,” Everett said, “Let me get the buggy with you.”

  Weston paused and looked at his youngest son. He leaned down and kissed Marmee’s head. “Don’t you worry now, Ingrid. I’ll get everything sorted. Let’s go,” he said to Everett as he walked to the door.

  When they were far enough away from anyone who might overhear the conversation, Everett put his hand on his father’s arm, slowing him down. “I need to tell you something.”

  “What is it?”

  Without going into detail about Ali
ce, Everett told his father everything that had transpired. Including Randall threatening him if he didn’t marry Annamae. When he was done, Everett waited for the verbal lashing he was sure to get from his father.

  Weston looked at his son with kind eyes. “I’ll deal with Randall. Don’t you worry about anything.”

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  Weston shook his head. “Go back inside. Help Caleb down the steps. I’ll be around in a few minutes.”

  Everett entered the house and he heard Marmee still crying.

  “I don’t know what I will do if I can’t have Hart here.”

  “There, there, Marmee,” Ellie said, patting the older woman on the back. “It will all work out, I’m sure of it.”

  Everett took a deep breath. There was no doubt what he would have to do. In order to keep Hart in their lives, one of the Chapmans would need to marry a Hartman.

  He would have to marry Annamae.

  Chapter 8

  Polly woke early and was figuring out what to wear when Ellie finally woke up.

  The sun wasn’t up yet, but today was apple butter day. Marmee warned them not to dress in anything that couldn’t be ruined. The apple butter was cooked in a large copper kettle over an open fire and splatters, as well as popping embers had been known to burn tiny holes in dresses. Unfortunately, Polly didn’t have any old dresses with her. Even if she did, none of them would be what she called farm ready.

  Polly learned that making apple butter and pressing cider was an all-day affair, and some of the neighbors even came around with wagons full of apples to cook in the large copper kettles or press into the tasty juice that would ferment in wooden barrels. At the end of the day a large meal would be served to celebrate the apple harvest and everyone would go home with jars of apple butter or pressed apple juice.

  She had walked by the barn as several cowboys were preparing one of the smaller hogs for the dinner. Tot would spend the entire night and most of the day basting it with butter until the skin was crackling, and the meat was falling from the bones.

  Polly quickly left the barn, preferring not to see the cowboys cleaning the hog. Everett insisted that the animal didn’t suffer, but Polly made a mental note not to eat dinner after all the apples were done. She wasn’t ignorant about where meat came from, but to see it up close really made her think.