Page 10 of Val (Wild Rose Ridge #1)

Chapter Nine

Micah calmly stood up from his desk, left the church, and followed Val. He wasn’t about to let her walk back into town by herself. And if he wasn’t walking with her, he’d at least keep an eye on her to make sure she got back to the hotel safely.

He rounded the corner and saw she was nearly to the bridge. Val walked at a fast clip, head high, shoulders back. He could just imagine the stern look on her face should anyone try to speak to her. He chuckled, slipped his hands into his coat pockets, and strolled along.

He liked her. Val’s spirit wasn’t often seen, and he could only imagine what she was like when truly riled. He toyed with the idea of provoking her just to find out but decided against it. Too early for that. A little light teasing, though, would never hurt.

By the time he reached the bridge, she was almost to the main part of town. He picked up his pace, hoping she didn’t turn around and catch him watching. He rather liked seeing her bustle along. When she disappeared into the hotel, he turned and marched straight to the general store.

Phineas looked up from behind the counter when he entered and gave him a gruff nod.

Micah nodded back, then headed straight for the rack of ready-made clothes.

He pulled out the blue coat Val had admired earlier and examined it.

It was pretty and would look good on her.

He carried it to the counter and laid it down.

Phineas frowned. “What’s that?”

“What does it look like?” Micah said.

“Well, a lady’s coat, of course. But who are you buying it for?”

“It’s a little gift for the mail-order brides’ escort,” Micah said. “She’s worked very hard to bring those brides here, and I noticed her coat was worn out. She even spent her money on tools for Jeremy and Marianne, his new bride.”

“Is that so?” Phineas grunted. “Well, I’ll be. Heard about their trouble. Too bad, and on their wedding day too. Who would do such a thing?”

“I don’t know,” Micah said. “But I’m sure Sheriff Goodwin will find out.”

“You wanna get her anything else?” Phineas asked.

Micah looked around. “I’m not sure. I don’t want to get too much. She might misunderstand.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Phineas raised his brows, then waggled them.

“Nothing like that,” Micah said with a frown.

Phineas laughed. “Give the lady a few trinkets. Preacher Sutton. Get her something to remember us by.”

“Hmm.” Micah tapped his chin. “Now there’s an idea.”

He surveyed the store, thinking of what Val might need. A hairbrush, comb, and mirror set? He shook his head. No, that was the kind of gift a man gave when courting. Hairpins or ribbons? She probably had plenty. Boots? Now, that would be practical. A sturdy pair of warm boots would come in handy.

“Phineas, you’ll need the size of a lady’s foot for a new pair of boots, right?” Micah asked, nodding at the display on the nearby shelf.

Phineas scratched his head. “Unless you can guess real good, preacher, otherwise, yeah, I’m gonna need her size or at least a rough estimate. If they don’t fit, you can always bring ’em back.”

Micah thought of Val, her height, her build, then pointed to a pair of black boots. “How about those right there?”

Phineas took them down and set them on the counter. “Coat. Boots. Anything else?”

“Let me think.” Micah noticed Val didn’t have a scarf or decent gloves. “Let me see the ladies’ gloves, please.”

Phineas turned, pulled a few boxes from the shelf, and set them on the counter. “Aren’t you overdoing it?” he asked with a raised brow.

“Do you think I am?” Micah studied the boxes. He pointed to one pair. “How about these?”

“Leather, with rabbit fur trim,” Phineas said. “Alright. If you’re gonna give her gloves, you might as well get her a scarf. There’s some hanging over there by the ready-made clothes.”

“Good idea.” Micah headed that way. Before he knew it, he had a pair of boots, the coat, gloves, a scarf, several blue ribbons, a green one he thought might match her eyes, and even a box of candy.

“If I didn’t know any better, preacher,” Phineas said, “I’d say you were courting the lady.”

“Nonsense. I’m merely filling a need.”

Thankfully, the storekeeper dropped it and got to work.

Phineas wrapped the coat first. Micah hoped Val would like it, and that she wouldn’t be upset he bought so many things. But he saw a need and was filling it, just as she had for Jeremy and Marianne. What was wrong with that?

He wandered to the shelf with a few books and leafed through one while he waited. The bell over the door jingled merrily, and he looked up just in time to see Beatrice Schulte and some of her followers enter the store. He snapped the book shut and put it back. They’d sight him soon enough.

It only took seconds.

“Preacher Sutton!” Mrs. Schulte drawled as she headed his way. “How nice to find you here! Tell me, how was your morning with Miss O’Malley?”

Good grief. How did she know about that? He hadn’t even caught sight of Mrs. Schulte or her cronies all morning.

He turned around and gave them a pleasant smile. “It was fine, thank you very much.”

“Oh really?” Mrs. Beck said. “How wonderful! Did you discuss anything important that we should know about?”

“As a matter of fact, we did. I made a list of potential grooms, at least a dozen men, and went over it with Miss O’Malley. She’s going to see what she can do about possibly bringing another batch of brides to our fair town in the summer.”

Mrs. Schulte sucked in a breath. “Summer? Oh, goodness gracious, how wonderful! Where’s the list?”

“Um, back at the church,” he hedged.

“Lovely! You must give it to me.”

His eyes darted between Mrs. Schulte and Mrs. Beck. Mrs. Paine was across the store. “I need to make a copy for Val, that is, Miss O’Malley, first.”

“Did you hear that, Beatrice?” Mrs. Beck gushed. “He called her by her Christian name.”

Mrs. Schulte’s smile turned sharp. “Is it proper for you to be on a first-name basis with an employee of The Sisters’ Mail-Order Bride Company?”

“Well, as she and I are going to be working together and spending time over the next few weeks before she leaves, I see nothing wrong with it.”

“Who knows? Maybe you’ll become friends. Maybe more.” Mrs. Beck chittered.

He smiled but said nothing; safer that way.

Mrs. Schulte spied Phineas wrapping up Micah’s pile of goods and grinned. “What’s all this?”

“Oh, just a few things I need.” He wasn’t about to tell her what for.

“My, you must be doing your Christmas shopping,” Mrs. Beck said.

“Yes, yes, I am. They’re gifts.” Micah plastered on a smile.

“How wonderful,” Mrs. Schulte said.

“I’ve got almost all my shopping done,” Mrs. Beck added quickly.

Micah looked past them to Mrs. Paine, who was watching.

“Phineas, wrap his purchases,” Mrs. Paine called. “Goodness gracious, Preacher Sutton, did you buy out the store?”

Micah forced a pleasant smile. “No, Mrs. Paine, I’m merely buying a few gifts.”

“’Tis the season, you know,” Mrs. Beck chimed. She marched to the counter. “Have those gowns from Bella Weaver come yet, Phineas?”

“No, Mrs. Beck, not yet. But as soon as they do, I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you so much.” She turned around, eyes twinkling. “I do hope my new gown comes before Christmas. I ordered it for the dance.”

Micah’s face fell. He had completely forgotten about the dance. Did Val know? He looked at Mrs. Schulte. “The brides do know about the dance, don’t they?”

“Of course they do,” she said. “It will be wonderful! I’m hoping we’ll have the rest of the ceremonies then, if not before. You, of course, will be ready, won’t you, Preacher Sutton?”

He gave her a sage nod and wondered if Val had a gown. “Yes, of course,” he said, then glanced at the rack of ready-made clothes.

“Did Miss O’Malley mention attending?” he asked casually.

“Well, of course she’s going to attend,” Mrs. Schulte said. “After all, it’s the Christmas Eve dance. She has wedding ceremonies to see to. We are having ceremonies after the dance, aren’t we?” she asked with a frown.

His eyebrows shot up. “Why, Mrs. Schulte, are you thinking this might not work?”

Her jaw dropped. “Preacher Sutton, don’t say such things! Of course it will work! I want these brides married by Christmas! Do you hear me? Now, about that list of grooms. Where is it?”

He smiled incredulously. “Mrs. Schulte, all in good time. You’re getting over-excited about this, don’t you think?”

“Well, what do you expect? We’re trying hard to make this town respectable, and you’re not helping by withholding information such as a list of potential grooms. Now, as soon as you can, make me a copy and give it to me.”

He crossed his arms. “Why? So you can start badgering the grooms?”

She gasped. “How dare you, Preacher Sutton!”

“Oh, I dare, Mrs. Schulte. But you must realize that many of these men told me their passion, if you will, for a wife. And they told it to me in confidence. Once they’ve done that, yes, their friends know, and a few others know, and then half the town knows.

But I need a verbal okay from them before I give a list to you.

I do have an okay from them to give the list to Miss O’Malley. ”

She narrowed her eyes. “Well, I never! Fine, then get their okay and give me the list. Poor Miss O’Malley can’t be expected to handle this all by herself. She’s going to need help, of course, and who better to help her than myself, along with my benevolent group of friends?”

She gave him a look that was equal parts pride and smugness. She’d perfected it.

“Not to worry, Mrs. Schulte. I shall do what I must, then get you the list. But you must understand that though we may get our men ready for brides, it can take some time to get those brides.”

“Of course it will,” she agreed. “For heaven’s sake! But I do hope we don’t have to wait until next Christmas.”

“I’m sure we won’t,” he said calmly. She was getting on his nerves more than usual, but that was nothing new. She got on everyone’s nerves. He couldn’t imagine being married to such a woman. He cringed just thinking about it and made his way to the rack of ready-made clothes.

Mrs. Beck had drifted over and was rifling through the dresses. It gave him a chance to observe them without drawing attention.

She pulled a gown off the rack and held it up. “Oh, Beatrice! Look at this one!”

“Adelaide, dear, why are you looking at that? You’ll never fit into it.”

Mrs. Beck heaved a sigh. “You’re right. But it is pretty.” She put it back. “Looks like it would fit a small woman.” She stepped away and rejoined her friends as they made their way to the counter.

While they were distracted, Micah slid the dress over for a better look and smiled. That might just work.