Page 7 of Val (Wild Rose Ridge #1)

Chapter Six

Micah watched Miss O’Malley a moment, then quickly looked away.

She was a pretty thing, and he didn’t want to get caught staring.

Instead, he focused on the Busy Bees, who were crowded around one of the brides.

Poor thing. What were they questioning her about now?

It didn’t matter. They’d leave her alone soon enough and move on to someone else.

He gave his attention back to Miss O’Malley, who was staring at him. His chest warmed at the look in her eyes. Admiration? She blushed and quickly looked away, much as he had earlier. Intriguing. He smiled.

“What is it?” she asked, suspicion in her voice.

“Nothing,” he replied. “It’s a happy day, don’t you think?”

“Well, of course it is, with two brides married. I only have four left now, thank goodness! I don’t know what I’d have done if there were more than six.

” She looked around as if taking a head count.

“The next four will be married off soon enough, I suspect.” She gave him a worried look.

“You don’t think their grooms are going to want to court them, do you? ”

His head bobbed back and forth. “Well, a couple of them might. What’s wrong with that?”

Her brows shot up. “It seems to me Mrs. Schulte and her friends want them married yesterday. Is that true?”

“Of course. But since you’re here for four weeks, I suppose some courting is fine. I can chaperone if I have to.”

“That would be most gracious of you.”

“I could be a big help,” he offered.

“You?”

“Well, who better to chaperone?” He grinned. “Or would you rather one of Mrs. Schulte’s minions do it?”

Val’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “I’d rather they not. The poor couple wouldn’t get a word in edgewise.”

She snorted, then quickly composed herself. “Oh, excuse me. It’s not funny—but then it is. Well, I mean—oh dear, never mind.”

She looked at her empty plate, then at his. “Would you like some cake now that they’ve cut it?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it, Miss O’Malley. You just sit here and relax.” He stood, gathered their plates, and went to the food tables.

After depositing them in a wash tub, he got them each a slice of cake and returned. “Here, this looks delicious.”

“It does,” she agreed. “Mr. Sampson, the cook here, is good at what he does, that I’ll admit.”

“Yes, he is. We’ve got a few good cooks in town.” He smiled at her, then took a drink of water before biting into the cake. “I forgot coffee. Would you like some?”

“That would be lovely. But I can get it…”

“No, no, I’ll do it.” He stood again and headed for the coffee. On the way, he caught snippets of Mrs. Schulte’s conversation with poor Clara, still cornered by the Busy Bees.

“Do you have any friends who might be interested in coming to Wild Rose Ridge?” Helen Dawes asked.

Clara glanced around as if searching for an escape route. “Oh, um, no. Not really.”

“That’s too bad,” Mrs. Schulte said. “We’d love to have more brides brought here. Well, I suppose we’ll have to find them elsewhere. But I’m sure your escort, Miss O’Malley, will be more than happy to help.”

They all looked toward his table, where Miss O’Malley sat with her back to them.

Thank goodness. He smiled as he poured the coffee.

With their backs to him, he heard Ima Paine ask, “What about your escort, Miss O’Malley?

Is she ready to marry? People are funny.

They can fall in love so quickly. Who knows what could happen while she’s here? ”

Clara shrugged, but Elinore and Cornelia appeared, each looping an arm through hers. “We need to go speak with Ella,” Cornelia said quickly. “And I think Marianne was looking for Val.”

“Then we’d better go,” Clara said. “It was lovely speaking with you,” she told the Bees. Relief shone in her eyes as the three rushed off.

Mrs. Schulte tapped her fingers against her thigh. “Well, we could have another bride if Miss O’Malley is willing.”

“Yes, but who would we match her with?” Mrs. Beck asked.

“Why, isn’t it obvious?” Mrs. Schulte said. “Pastor Sutton, of course.”

Micah nearly dropped the coffee. He spun on his heel and hurried back to the table.

“What’s the matter?” Miss O’Malley asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Do I? Am I pale?” Good grief, was he really against marriage? No, not opposed, he just hadn’t found the right woman. He looked at Miss O’Malley and smiled as he handed her the cup. He sat, took a sip, stirred in some sugar, and took another.

“You seem upset,” she observed.

“I’m not. I’m fine.”

She turned in her seat to look at the Bees. “Did they say something to you? They didn’t upset Clara or any of my other brides, did they?” She looked ready to spring from her chair.

“No, no.” He held up a hand, motioning her to stay put. “Everything’s fine.”

But was it? He studied the petite woman across from him.

Lovely and fiery. He liked that. He had no doubt Miss O’Malley could hold her own in most situations.

But here, her small stature could get her into trouble.

It wouldn’t take much for a not-so-savory character to toss her over a shoulder and disappear.

The thought made his gut twist, and he had to tamp down the protective instinct rising in him.

Before either of them could say more, the Busy Bees turned and started toward their table.

“Uh-oh,” Micah muttered.

“What is it?”

“Miss O’Malley?” Micah asked as she straightened in her chair. She turned ever so slightly.

“It’s Mrs. Schulte,” he said.

She stopped, turned back, eyes wide, and let out a heavy sigh. “Oh dear,” she muttered.

“Indeed,” he said.

“Oh, Miss O’Malley!” Mrs. Schulte called. The Busy Bees gathered around their table.

“Wasn’t that a lovely wedding?” Minerva Dawes said.

Miss O’Malley looked up at each of them in turn and nodded. “Oh yes, quite nice.”

Two down, four to go, Micah thought with a chuckle. He’d heard her say that before.

Mrs. Schulte grinned like a Cheshire cat.

“Well, we were just asking one of your brides if she had any friends who might like to come to Wild Rose Ridge. But we figured you of all people would know best. Do you have brides lined up without men to match them with? Could we count on The Sisters’ Mail-Order Bride Company to send us another batch? ”

Micah saw Miss O’Malley stiffen. “I’m not sure about that,” she said. “But I can certainly check when I return and write to let you know.”

“Well, this little endeavor has worked out,” Minerva Dawes said. “I think we should give it another go.”

They all stared at Miss O’Malley with expectant faces.

“Yes?” she asked nervously.

“What about you, dear?” Mrs. Schulte said. “Do you have matrimony on your mind?”

Miss O’Malley’s eyes widened. “Nope, not me. I’m perfectly happy with things the way they are. I’d much rather match brides. Besides, I’m good at it, if I do say so myself.”

“Are you, dear?” Mrs. Paine said. “Because if so, you’d be quite the asset around here. We could bring in groups of brides and have them married off in no time with you at the helm.”

Mrs. Schulte made an odd sound, almost like a growl. Micah tried not to smile. She was the queen bee, after all, and what Ima Paine was suggesting bordered on treason. Poor Miss O’Malley looked cornered.

“I’ll be leaving when the Merry Jo returns,” she said firmly.

“Of course,” Minerva Dawes said. “But in the meantime, could you help us screen some of the gentlemen who might want a bride?”

“Well, I suppose so,” Miss O’Malley said. “I can interview them if that’s what you want.”

“Oh, it is,” Mrs. Schulte said. “And of course, we’ll help you. Won’t we, ladies?” Her friends nodded, and Micah found himself nodding along too.

Soon all eyes were on him.

“What’s this?” Mrs. Schulte said. “You’d like to help too, Preacher Sutton?”

He looked at them all and gave a light shrug. “I suppose I could find the time. Besides, you should have a man’s point of view, don’t you think? Something I thought you should’ve had the last time you were making matches. Which, of course, is what brought Miss O’Malley and her brides to us.”

“Oh yes, of course,” Mrs. Schulte said quickly. “How silly of me. You did mention that. I seem to have forgotten. Forgive me, Preacher Sutton.”

Micah sat back in his chair and tried not to roll his eyes. The queen bee of Wild Rose Ridge didn’t like anyone adding suggestions that might outshine her matchmaking skills. But he was used to dealing with them, and he’d managed it without insulting anyone.

“My, my,” Mrs. Schulte said. “I suppose we should move on to some of the other guests, make sure they’re all enjoying themselves. We’ll leave the two of you alone to get better acquainted.”

She gave them both a bright smile, echoed by her cohorts. “We just know things will work out in time.” She winked at Miss O’Malley, who bristled.

Micah pinched the bridge of his nose, then quickly dropped his hand. Could they make it any more obvious? He watched Mrs. Schulte and her friends shuffle off, then turned back to Miss O’Malley. “I’m terribly sorry about that. They can’t seem to help themselves.”

“I see,” she drawled. “Are they in the habit of trying to matchmake the matchmaker?”

He chuckled. “I’m afraid so. They’ll try to match anything lately; it’s their new hobby. But they do have a point.”

“And what’s that?” she asked.

“We could use more women. There are plenty of single men in town, decent ones. Yes, we’ve got our brawlers, rough men who work hard and play hard. I told you that before.”

She looked down at the table. “Yes, you did. But it’s to be expected in a place like this. It’s not exactly a town for a refined woman of taste.”

He frowned. “Now see here, Miss O’Malley. There are plenty of men in this town of good moral character, men with two good hands and a strong back, who aren’t afraid of work, and who can provide for and protect a woman. Companionship, too…”

“Yes, yes,” she cut in. “I know all of that. But you’re not going to get too many Southern belles or high-society women from the East.”

“I don’t expect to.”

“All right, but what about Mrs. Schulte and her friends?”

“What about them?” he asked. “You find them overbearing?”

“Yes, I suppose they are,” she admitted. “They’re… pushy, and I don’t like pushy people.”

With that, she stood. “Thank you for sharing a meal with me. I must check on my brides. Good day, Preacher Sutton.” She turned on her heel and left.

Micah stared after her. Hmm. Maybe spending time with the fiery woman wouldn’t be so bad. He wouldn’t mind getting to know her. And who knows, she might just change his mind about finding himself a wife.