Page 21 of Val (Wild Rose Ridge #1)

Chapter Twenty

When Val returned downstairs, Micah was gone.

“I’m sorry,” Mrs. Thompson said. “Preacher Sutton said he had to leave when Thaddeus came to fetch him.”

Val sat in the nearest chair. “I understand.”

“It’s the storm, dear. Who knows what trouble is happening out there?” Mrs. Thompson gave her a sympathetic smile, then left the parlor.

Val sat before the fire for a time, ate a little something, and went to her room.

She contemplated all that had happened since her arrival in Wild Rose Ridge.

The two weddings, the meddling Busy Bees, the four weddings to come.

Did she dare let her heart desire something other than what her life already consisted of?

The next day the snow was still falling. Val had seen plenty of snow before, but this wasn’t the same. Wild Rose Ridge didn’t have the manpower Chicago did to keep paths clear. Trails were cut by folks fetching supplies or tending to business.

She didn’t see Micah all day, nor the next when the weather finally cleared. There was some sort of trouble at a ranch outside town. Was it Elinore’s? Val didn’t have all the information yet. What could be happening with the other grooms, wherever they were?

Val made her own rounds, checking on her brides and the Thompsons, then did some mending to keep herself occupied. By Friday she was starting to worry. Had Micah gone to check on a farmer or rancher and not made it back to town?

She joined some of the other women in the meeting hall for last-minute preparations for the dance tomorrow night. While hanging freshly cut pine boughs, Val had a sudden realization. “I miss him. I miss Micah.” The thought struck so fast she almost fell off the ladder.

“Miss O’Malley!” Mrs. Beck called. “Come down from there. You’re teetering, dear.”

It was true. Val climbed down and stood beside the ladder, her mind wrapping around the fact that she not only missed Micah Sutton, but that a longing for him was settling into her heart.

“Have you seen Preacher Sutton today?” she asked no one in particular.

Mrs. Beck gave her a warm smile. “Don’t worry, dear, he’ll be along. I’m sure he’s out checking on folks. That storm was something, wasn’t it?”

Val nodded but said nothing. She had to remind herself Micah was used to this. He was no greenhorn. And Wild Rose Ridge, though rough around the edges, was hardly what Val would consider a true frontier town. It’s not as if the Schultes were residing in a tiny log cabin.

With decorations nearly finished, Val excused herself and gathered what brides she could to go over last-minute things for the weddings. Ella or herself could help with mending or taking in dresses, or anything else that might need doing.

The day passed quickly, and come evening, she still hadn’t seen Micah.

She was more than a little worried, but after the way she acted yesterday, could she blame him if he hadn’t come to see her?

Maybe he was having second thoughts. She’d put up a fuss over every gift, every bit of doting.

At this point, he might have concluded she wasn’t worth the trouble.

She wouldn’t be surprised if he did. Val glanced at the fire.

She’d come into the parlor after speaking with Mrs. Thompson.

Now she sat, her mind a blank. “What’s the matter, have none of you anything to say?

” Val looked up, listening. But the sisters were silent. She was truly alone with her thoughts.

“Well, you’ve gone and done it, haven’t you then?” Val scolded herself. “A good man comes along, interested, and you’ve managed to scare him off. Serves you right, the way you acted. And you call yourself a matchmaker?”

She closed her eyes as an ache began in her heart. This was what she had tried to avoid, and it happened anyway. Somehow, she’d developed feelings for Micah.

Isn’t this what she wanted for all the brides she sent off to marry? Didn’t she want this for the brides she’d brought to Wild Rose Ridge?

Of course. She just never thought she’d find it herself. Too late.

Should she speak to Micah? Maybe he’d simply been too busy.

But she doubted that. If he was really interested, he’d have found a way to see her by now.

No, he’d had a change of heart and would be better off if she found him a bride.

She could bring one with the rest come summer, that is, if they didn’t hire someone for the job.

Considering how she felt at the moment, that would be the best thing.

The day of the dance was cold and sunny.

Val helped the brides with last-minute details, gave advice, and tried not to think about saying goodbye.

Though the six young ladies had faced challenges over the last two weeks, Val was sure all four weddings would take place that night after the dance.

Part of her was looking forward to it, while the other part kept circling back to Micah.

She’d seen him across the street late yesterday, speaking with a group of men. Their expressions were serious. Where had Micah been? The logging camp maybe? Val didn’t know and didn’t want to disturb him. Best to let him take care of his business and approach her when he could.

In the meantime, she tried not to think about him.

She would have to brace herself for the very real fact that she would leave Wild Rose Ridge with a broken heart.

She’d return to Chicago, resume matchmaking with Augusta, Margaret, and Josie, and that would be that.

She’d tell the sisters of her adventures but leave Micah out of it.

Otherwise they’d never stop pestering her.

When it came time to dress for the dance, Val stared at the gown Micah had gifted her. It was beautiful, no doubt, and if she took it back to Chicago the sisters would question where she got it. What was she going to tell them? They knew she never spent money on such things.

Val pushed the thought aside, lifted the dress from its hanger, and began the arduous task of dressing for the dance.

When she left her room, Mrs. Thompson met her in the hall. “Miss O’Malley, how lovely you look.” Her face fell as she studied Val. “What’s the matter? You look like you just lost…” Without another word, she pulled Val into her arms.

“Don’t…”

“Now see here, I recognize that look. Don’t you think you deserve a hug as much as anyone else around here?”

Val stood stiffly in her arms. “I suppose, but… usually I’m the one doing the hugging.”

Mrs. Thompson stepped back. “Miss O’Malley, always there for everyone else, but when it comes to yourself, you do nothing.” She shook her head. “Don’t you realize you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else? Don’t you deserve a little happiness too?”

Val turned away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come now, Miss O’Malley. I think you do.” Mrs. Thompson sighed. “He’s been busy. And he’s a lot like you.”

Val looked at her. “Foolish man.”

“Yes, and loyal to a fault. Preacher Sutton needs someone like you to look after him.”

Her eyes widened. “I’m leaving…”

“Are you sure?”

Val squared her shoulders. “Of course.” She lifted her chin. “Have the others left for the meeting hall?”

“I’m not sure. Why don’t you go downstairs and see if the other brides are there.” Mrs. Thompson stepped aside to let her pass.

“Are you coming?” Val asked. “To the dance?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. I was just going to change.” She gave Val a parting smile and continued down the hall.

Val headed for the staircase. She stopped midway down as Micah stood there. He wore a dark suit, coat, and hat. That was as formal as it got in Wild Rose Ridge.

“Val, good evening. I’m sorry I haven’t been by to see you until now.”

Her heart stuttered in her chest, and she forgot how to breathe. Micah was so handsome. What was she to make of this?

“Val, are you all right?” He hurried up the stairs. “Honey, what is it?”

She closed her eyes and looked away. “There you go, saying things like that.”

He tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. Val opened her eyes. “Does it bother you?”

A tiny laugh escaped. “On the contrary, I like your little endearments. Do you use them often?”

His eyes roamed her face. “Oh Val, if you only knew.” Micah smiled and offered his arm. “May I escort you to the dance?”

She drew in a shuddering breath. He would be the end of her. “Very well.” Val looped her arm through his, only to realize they were heading upstairs instead of down. “What are you doing?”

Micah gave her an amused smile. “You need your coat.”

She flushed crimson. “Oh, yes.” Embarrassed, she retrieved her coat, scarf and gloves, then they were on their way.

When they reached the meeting hall, music floated from inside.

The smell of pine filled the air. The atmosphere was festive and Christmassy, and Val had to stop and admire the tree set up at one end of the room.

Everything turned out beautifully, and she felt more than a little proud of the work put into making the hall look magical.

This was what she wanted for Clara, Ella, Cornelia, and Elizabeth Ann.

Her brides hadn’t had an easy time of it.

Bernadette refusing Deputy Garrison at the tea and leaving town, with Ella stepping into her place.

Elizabeth Ann’s betrothed’s scandal, and his brother taking his place.

Marianne’s reluctance to marry, a mining accident, the snow storm…

goodness gracious! And that’s just to name a few.

But tonight was her brides’ special night, and she wanted it to be something they would remember the rest of their lives.

“You look happy,” Micah said in a soft voice.

She gave him a slight nod. “I am. This is what I hoped for.”

“I know. I remember when you told me.” He scanned the crowd. “Your young ladies all look beautiful, Val. They’ve done you proud.”

“They made the journey here without much complaint. That made me proud. Now to see them wed in such a setting is making me… happy.”