Page 13 of Mail-Order Millie (A Mail-Order Mystery #1)

Thirteen

A lmost a week went by since Bram accepted Mr. Ruggles invitation. Millie was so nervous about going to the ball, she could barely concentrate on fixing things up around the house. Bram had been so busy getting his office ready and meeting with new clients, she barely saw him. No matter, things would settle down after the ball and maybe they’d have more time to themselves.

“Stand still, Mrs. Krantz,” Mrs. Jones scolded. “I’m not done pinning the hem.”

“Sorry,” Millie said. She wrung her hands a few times. It was late afternoon, and she only had one more day to prepare. “Will my gown be ready in time?”

“Yes, now hold still.” The dressmaker pinned another section of hem as Millie stared at the woman in the full-length mirror. She’d never seen herself look so beautiful. “I hope Bram likes it.”

Mrs. Jones, who had to be sixty if she was a day, smiled up at her. “Trust me, my dear. You’ll take his breath away.”

She blushed and noted the red creeping up her neck into her cheeks. The off the shoulder gown was white with light pink lace. Tiny pink ribbons decorated the bodice and the front of the skirt. It was the prettiest thing she’d ever worn. Mercy, how was she going to style her hair? It was one more thing to figure out.

When Mrs. Jones was done, Millie thanked her, changed into the new blue day dress Bram purchased for her, and left the dressmaker’s shop. She was only a few blocks from Bram’s office and decided to pay him a visit. Neither of them really knew anyone in town yet, and she thought he might like some company for lunch.

When she arrived at the office, she noted two men seated on the other side of Bram’s desk, so slipped into the tailor’s a couple of doors down. She’d see if Bram’s suit was ready, then report back to him.

“Mrs. Krantz,” Mr. Merriweather said. “How lovely to see you. Are you here about your husband’s suit?”

Millie didn’t answer right away. The word “husband” hung in the air, and she smiled. “Yes. How is it coming along?”

“Splendidly. Do you think he can come before closing and try it on? I want to see if it needs any last-minute adjustments.”

“Of course, I’ll let him know.” She heard voices come from the back of the shop, including several women’s voices, and wondered how many people were back there.

Mr. Merriweather glanced over his shoulder. “It’s a little crowded in the workroom. It’s one of the reasons I’m up front.” He cracked a smile. “Tell me, have you and Mr. Krantz ventured out to Fiddler’s Gap?”

“Fiddler’s Gap? Where is that?”

“About eight miles out of town, it’s where I live. We have a town orchestra and are building an auditorium to hold concerts in.”

“Really? How lovely. But eight miles…”

“We’re working on getting the railroad to come through. It would connect Baker City and Fiddler’s Gap, making the trip quick and easy.”

“That would be wonderful. Is Fiddler’s Gap very big?”

“Not exactly, but we’re growing.” He smiled again and sighed. “I should get back to work. Please tell your husband to come see me before he goes home.”

“I will.” She gave him a parting nod and left the shop. When she strolled back to Bram’s office, he was alone. Good, she could deliver Mr. Merriweather’s message, and join him for lunch.

“Millie,” he said with a smile when she stepped inside. “What are you doing here?” He left his chair and came around the desk. “What a nice surprise.” He pulled her into his arms. And kissed her.

She closed her eyes as he held her. Sometimes she didn’t want him to let go. They had yet to consummate their marriage, and part of her worried about that, but the other part would scold her and tell her they were both tired.

“I just came from a fitting with Mrs. Jones. My gown will be ready tomorrow.

I also stopped in at the tailor shop. Mr. Merriweather wants you to come by after work and try on your suit.”

He leaned against his desk and stared at her, as if seeing her for the first time.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

Bram shook his head. “Other than you’re so lovely?”

She swallowed hard. He’d been saying things like that more and more, and each time he did, she swore she saw regret in his eyes. “Are you… working late?”

“I might. I’m sorry I haven’t been home with you in the evenings.” He took her by the hand. “But we’ll have the ball, and we can dance all night.”

She blanched. “Dance?”

“It’s a ball, silly, of course we’ll dance.”

“Oh… I… don’t know a lot of dances.”

He frowned. “You don’t?”

“No, we never attended social functions.” Because Father had such a bad reputation, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. It was all in the past, and she wanted to keep moving forward in this new life of hers.

“Well, we’ll dance all the ones you know, and maybe I can teach you a new one.”

“How? The ball is the day after tomorrow?”

Before she could say anything, Charlie, one of the witnesses from their wedding popped through the door. “Krantz, boss wants to see ya.”

“Now?” Bram said with a frown.

“Yep, wants ya to head out to the ranch and bring yer ledger with ya.”

Bram sighed. “Very well.” He gave his attention back to Millie. “I’m sorry. I must go.”

“But your suit?” she reminded him.

“Yes, that also has to be taken care of.” He turned to Charlie. “I’ll need a few moments. There’s something I need to take care of.”

“Fine, but don’t take too long,” Charlie said. “I got the buckboard and need to pick a few things up at Ruggles & Son. Meet me there in twenty minutes.”

Bram gave him a nod. “I will.”

Millie watched Charlie leave then cocked her head. “He expects you to close up shop in the middle of the day and run out to the Double K Ranch?”

Bram shrugged. “Mr. Kameyer is my main client. I don’t want to disappoint him.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t wait up for me.”

“What?” She gaped at him. “How long does it take to show the man how he’s spending his money?”

Bram pulled a ledger off the bookshelf behind his desk. “Mr. Kameyer is a very particular man.”

“Well, he’s a little too particular if you ask me. Keeping you to himself all afternoon and into the night. Good heavens, what do you do out there?” This was the third time Bram had gone to the Double K since they married. Each time he didn’t come home until late.

“Like I said, he’s a particular man.”

Millie crossed her arms. “I swear he spends more time with you than I do.”

Bram smiled. “Not to worry. Now get on home. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

She let go a frustrated sigh. “We need to order a new bed…”

“Yes, and I told you I’d take care of it.” He pulled another ledger book off the shelf and stuffed it into a leather satchel.

“Very well, but please don’t forget again.”

He gave her a wink and a smile. “I won’t.”

Millie nodded, kissed him on the cheek, then went out the door. She realized she didn’t give him a chance to kiss her back, and turned around in time to see him sigh in relief through his office window.

Millie backed up as her heart sank. Was he glad she left? She turned and started up the boardwalk, passing Mr. Springer’s tailor shop and several others before she got her wits about her. When she reached the end of the block she stopped and turned around. Bram left the shop and went into the tailor’s.

“Well, at least he’s doing what he said he would.” Millie narrowed her eyes. She shouldn’t have to convince herself that Bram wasn’t up to no good. But old habits die hard, and she’d spent far too many nights being suspicious of her father’s comings and goings, that she was doing the same thing with poor Bram.

“You are being ridiculous, Millie. Stop it.” With a swish of skirt, she turned and started for home.