Sarah's Heart Page 6

  Chapter 6

  Giles and Sarah floated across the dance floor staring into each other’s eyes and not saying a word. Sarah’s mind flew in different directions. Sarah knew she should say something, but her mind went blank each time she looked into Giles’ eyes and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from his.

  When the music stopped, they paused before he led her from the dance floor. His hand rested a bit longer on her waist than she thought it should, but she didn’t mind. A bizarre shriek stopped them before they entered the barn again for something to drink.

  Giles stepped in front of Sarah to protect her from whatever problem they might encounter. She peeked around his shoulder to see Widow Biggs chasing Doubles around the barn while doing her best to beat him with her parasol.

  “Help,” shrieked Doubles as he fled out the doors. “All I asked for was a dance and a kiss.”

  “I’ll get you, Phineas Picklesimer, I promise I will,” Widow Biggs screamed.

  Sarah giggled as Doubles raced past her and the widow stopped gasping for air.

  Giles hurried to Widow Biggs and asked, “Are you all right, ma’am. You should sit and let me get you a glass of water.”

  Widow Biggs swung her parasol at Giles. “I don’t need anything from you either young man.”

  Giles lifted his hands in front of him and backed up. “No harm intended, ma’am.”

  He took Sarah’s hand and whispered, “Stop giggling,” as he pulled her away from the barn. “That woman might be lethal.”

  “Is a parasol considered a lethal weapon,” Sarah answered trying to stifle her giggle.

  “Yes, if she kills someone with it.” Giles insisted looking over his shoulder. “It appears she’s settled back in her seat. I’m hungry and thirsty. Let’s try and stay away from her and get some food. Will you protect me?”

  “From her?” Sarah gasped. “She hates me and may attack me, too. Says I need a husband’s permission to open my shop. I believe she thinks Molly and I are…um…less than desirable residents.”

  “I disagree in part. You don’t need a husband’s permission, but maybe you might like a husband, and I find you quite desirable.”

  He turned to enter the barn while Sarah’s face flushed red. She turned and took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and cool her cheeks. What was she going to do about Mr. Giles Bowen?

  The music started again, and couples filled the floor. Laughter floated on the air and children ran around clapping to the tunes. Sarah smiled watching the happiness and said a silent prayer of thanks for her new life.

  She decided to walk off the flutters she felt in her chest and hurried around the side of the barn and nearly ran straight into Nell carrying two pies.

  “Oh, mercy, Sarah, you startled me. Please take one of these,” Nell thrust a pie at Sarah.

  Sarah gripped the pie and smiled but didn’t say a word.

  “Are you ill?” Nell asked with a worried tone. “Your face is flushed.”

  “I'm all right,” Sarah whispered. “I told Giles that Widow Biggs believes I’m an undesirable person. He asked me to dance and then he said he finds me quite desirable.”

  “Is that a problem?” Nell looked into her best friend’s eyes.

  “I’m not certain. I find him quite desirable, too. That could be trouble.” She blushed again.

  Nell laughed, “Come, let’s put these pies inside, and you can tell me why you find Mr. Bowen desirable.”

  “Nell, stop it,” Sarah called after her. “It could cause a scandal.”

  Sarah entered the barn and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Giles speaking with a few other men at one of the food tables. She needed to calm herself before she talked to him again. She watched Celia give Henrietta a glass of lemonade and Eloise pat the older woman’s hand. When Henrietta stood and announced loud enough for all to hear that she was going home, Sarah moved further away in case the woman decided to attack her before she left. Henrietta gripped her parasol in one hand and her reticule in the other. She slipped her arm through Eloise’s and pulled the woman with her out of the barn and toward Eloise’s wagon.

  One problem gone, Sarah thought. Now what to do about Mr. Bowen?

  As if he read her thoughts, Giles was at her side. “Care for something to eat? There’s a plate of fried chicken on the table, or I can get a steak from Cal. He’s busy outside preparing enough for everyone, but I’m sure he’d offer me the first if I say it’s for you.”

  “Chicken would be wonderful,” Sarah answered. “Miranda fried potatoes and Nell made pies and chocolate cake. If you want steak, please don’t stay here with me instead.”

  Giles stared in her eyes, “Fried chicken with you sounds better than any steak. Do you want me to get you a plate?”

  “No,” Sarah stammered. “I can serve myself.”

  After filling their plates, they wandered outside and found a bench where they could eat and watch couples dance. They ate in companionable silence while Sarah’s head spun wondering what to say to the man sitting next to her.

  She smiled when she saw Doubles dancing alone at the corner of the wooden dance floor. Giles leaned closer and whispered, “You could dance with him. It would make him happy, I’m sure.”

  Sarah’s eyes widened ad she looked at Giles, “Surely you jest, Mr. Bowen. I will not dance with that man.”

  Giles laughed out loud at Sarah’s reaction. “Yes, I jest Mrs. Morey, but I thought we were past the formalities. Is it not Sarah and Giles?”

  Sarah’s eyes sparkled, and she answered, “Yes, I believe it is although it may start a rumor.”

  He leaned closer and whispered, “We could give the town a reason for that rumor.”

  Sarah stood. “You should be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Bowen,” she said turning to find Nell.

  Sarah hurried into the barn and Nell saw her striding her way. She knew her best friend well enough that something preyed on her mind. When Sarah gripped her arm and asked if they could talk, Nell wasn’t surprised.

  “Of course, you seem upset.”

  “I’m not upset. Just confused,” Sarah confessed while they walked out of the barn and toward the Greiner’s farm house. “First, Mr. Bowen said he finds me quite desirable, then we should call each other by our Christian names, and when I said that could start a scandal, he said we could help it along. Oh, Nell, why is Mr. Bowen saying these things? He can’t find me interesting enough to court since he only arrived in town and he knows I’m a recent widow. I’m worried he may think since I’ve been married that I might be willing to accept his advances.”

  “He made advances,” Nell’s eyes widened in shock.

  “No, no, but I think he might want to or have other ideas.” Sarah dropped her head and rubbed her hands together.

  Nell held the door open for Sarah. “Let’s sit inside where it’s quiet and talk. I think he’s interested in you. If you’re concerned, don’t be alone with him.”

  Sarah dropped onto a chair and agreed. “I’ll make sure we’re not alone anywhere.”

  ~ * ~

  An hour later, Nell and Sarah wandered back into the barn to help with any cleanup. The dance had wound down, and many families left or set up their wagon for camping in the Greiner’s field. Sarah saw Giles as soon as she entered the barn. He strode over to her, and she took a deep breath ready to dissuade him from any romantic notions he might have.

  “I must say goodnight, Sarah. I still have a bit of work to do, and tomorrow is Sunday. I don’t like to work on Sunday unless it’s an urgent matter. I need time to attend church, and the Masters invited me to supper. I hope to see you soon,” he smiled, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. When he walked away, Sarah was dumbfounded. She didn’t know what to make of Mr. Giles Bowen.

  “He left,” Nell asked. Sarah nodded. Nell added, “Listen, do you hear someone singing?”

  “Yes, and not very well,” Sarah answered.

  They walked out of the barn and found Doubles laying on
the ground singing to the stars.

  “What are you doing, Doubles?” Sarah inquired.

  “Singing.”

  “I hear that, but why are you out here alone singing?”

  “Too far to ride home. I’m ready to sleep.”

  Miranda walked up and asked, “What’s going on here.”

  “It’s Doubles. He says it’s too far to ride home, and he’s going to sleep right there.”

  “He can’t do that. Doubles, get up and get your bed roll. You can sleep in the barn tonight. It’s too cold just to lie on the ground.” She said standing over him and peering down into his face.

  “Yes, ma’am, Mrs. Greiner, I’ll get it.” He shot to his feet and hurried off toward his horse.

  Miranda turned to Sarah, “That man needs someone to watch over him.”

  Sarah smiled, “I agree, but who would do it. You missed the scene earlier when Widow Biggs chased him around with her parasol because he asked for a kiss.”

  Miranda smiled, “They are old friends. We should try and get them together. I think she chased him because she likes him.”

  “Doubles and Widow Biggs,” Sarah gasped. “What a match that would be.”

  ~ * ~

  Fortunately, the full Harvest Moon gave Giles more than enough light to ride back to town without incident. He left his horse at the livery and strolled toward his office. Callahan’s was dark and quiet. He knew Nell and Cal were still at the Greiner’s barn dance. Giles appreciated the quiet; he had a lot on his mind.

  He let himself into his office and lit the lamp on his desk. When he sat down and picked up the paper he intended to read; his mind wandered back to dancing with Sarah. He wanted to spend the rest of the evening with her in his arms dancing across the floor, but he knew it might confuse her or give the busybodies in town more to talk about. He didn’t know how to put his feelings into words. Giles worried Sarah might think he pursued her for reasons other than gentlemanly ones. Frustrated, he turned out the light and headed for bed. Maybe a good night sleep would bring him answers.

  While Giles worried over his affection for Sarah, she finished helping Nell and Miranda put away the food and settled into her own bed. She tossed and turned but each time she closed her eyes; she saw Giles’ brown eyes staring at her. She rolled over and punched her pillow. She did her best to think about opening her shop. Her sewing machine would arrive soon as would her supply of fabric. She’d move into her space above the shop and start a new life. Her space above the shop was across the street from where Giles lived. “Stop thinking about that man,” she scolded herself aloud and eventually fell asleep. The scent of biscuits woke her before the sun was up.

  Sarah found Miranda pulling a pan of biscuits from the oven when she walked into the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Miranda. The biscuits smell wonderful. Let me help you,” Sarah said.

  “No need, I put a ham in the oven for our Sunday dinner, and we have biscuits and jam for breakfast. I heard Roy and Adam head out an hour ago; I think they’ll eat with the hands before church. We’ll have biscuits and tea.”

  Sarah sat and reached for a biscuit while Miranda poured tea. “Mmm, I love this cherry jam.”

  “We have a superb crop this year. I’ve never seen as many cherries. We’ll enjoy jam and pies all winter. Roy is pleased. He said the money from the crop would afford him an excellent broodmare he’s had his eye on at the Ramfeld farm,” Miranda explained and took a sip of tea.

  “That’s great news. Speaking of the Ramfeld’s, did you see Trey Ramfeld ask Grace Masters to dance last night?”

  “Yes,” Miranda answered. “I also saw the look on Louis’ face and Minnie holding him back from going after that poor boy.”

  “No, I missed it, but Grace is not quite sixteen, and Trey just turned seventeen, and I imagine Louis is overly protective,” Sarah suggested.

  “True, but they looked adorable together,” Miranda mused.

  “You’re a hopeless romantic, Miranda,” Sarah said.

  “I am,” she agreed. “Finish your tea, Roy will be around with the wagon soon to take us to church, and since I’m such a hopeless romantic, I should mention how sweetly Giles Bowen looked at you last night.”

  “Miranda.” Sarah blushed.

  Miranda shrugged and left the room in search of her shawl. When she returned, she found Sarah sitting in the same place.

  “Sarah, we need to leave.”

  “Oh, my,” Sarah answered. “I was lost in thought.” She blushed again and hurried to get her shawl.

  ~ * ~

  Pastor Reynolds turned to his wife. “Barn dances certainly bring the people to church, Rachel.”

  “That they do. It’s nice to see faces that live too far away to come each Sunday. There will be fewer when winter comes,” she sighed.

  “Yes, my dear. We always remember them in our prayers, and I know they all pray at home each Sunday, at least. This town is blessed.”

  She patted his arm and followed him up the steps to the church doors and began to greet people.

  Roy and Miranda took a moment to greet Pastor Reynolds and Rachel before heading for their usual spot in the first pew on the left. Sarah followed with Adam close behind. She noticed Widow Biggs already seated in the first pew on the right side of the small church. Widow Biggs turned and glared at Sarah then smiled when Eloise joined her.

  Why does she dislike me so much? Sarah wondered. She dropped her head and prayed. Dear Lord, I’m very confused. I have tried my best to be a good Christian woman. I realize now that Harold’s temper was a reaction to his grief. I believe he thought marrying me would end his feelings of loss. It didn’t, and he took it out on me. Oh, Lord, you know my heart. You know I never wanted him to die the way he did. I forgive him for all he put me through. Now that I am here in Gentle Falls, I pray for a quiet life. How do I convince Widow Biggs that I’m a good woman and what do I do about Giles Bowen? My heart leads me one way, and my mind leads me another. Please, Lord, help me choose the right path. Send me a sign and answer my prayer. Amen.

  Sarah heard someone take a seat in the pew behind her and her eyes popped open wide when she heard Giles’ voice whisper, “Good morning, Mrs. Morey.”

  Oh, Lord, Sarah thought. Is this a sign? If it is, what does it mean? I’m pleased Giles said good morning, but Widow Biggs is glaring at me again. Help me, please. She wrapped her shawl around her tighter and stared at the pulpit waiting for Pastor Reynolds to begin.

  Try as she might, Sarah couldn’t keep her mind on Pastor Reynolds sermon. She sang along with every hymn, but each time the church was quiet, she thought she could hear Giles breathing behind her and his boots moving under her pew. She slowly shook her head and prayed for strength.

  At the end of the final hymn, the congregants began to move slowly toward the double doors each wishing to speak with Pastor Reynolds and Rachel. It gave Giles time to talk to Sarah.

  “How are you this morning, Mrs. Morey?” Giles asked smiling like a boy on Christmas morning.

  “Very well, thank you, Mr. Bowen. I hope you are well,” Sarah answered hoping if Widow Biggs were listening that her response was polite but nothing that would cause gossip.

  “I am,” he replied and took her arm. “Let me escort you outside.”

  She bit her lip but walked alongside him until they could speak to Pastor Reynolds.

  “Wonderful sermon, Pastor,” Giles complimented. “I particularly enjoyed the part about people taking care of others and minding their own business.” He leaned closer to the kindly man and added, “It seems to fit some of the people here in town. I hope they listen.”

  Pastor Reynolds smiled, “I was at the dance last night, Giles, and I heard a few complaints. It’s why I chose to add that to my sermon this morning. I do hope it was only idle gossip,” he raised his eyebrows at Giles.

  “It was, sir, I can assure you.”

  Sarah stared wide-eyed at the two men. Were they discussing Giles’ relationship with h
er if they had a relationship? Did they? Oh, my what to do now?

  “Have a good day, Mrs. Morey,” Pastor Reynolds said, and his wife added, “See you at quilting circle, Sarah.”

  Sarah mumbled, “Thank you; I’ll be there.” She let Giles guide her down the stairs away from the church.

  He stopped far enough away from anyone who might overhear him and said, “I hate to leave you alone, but I did promise to have Sunday dinner with the Masters. Will you be in town tomorrow to work in your shop?”

  “Yes, Molly and I have a lot of work to do. I’d like to get some of it done before my deliveries arrive,” she managed to answer.

  “Then I’ll see you tomorrow,” he took her hand but didn’t kiss it. He gave it a gentle squeeze, smiled, turned, and walked down the street leaving a confused Sarah staring at him.

  Miranda walked over and asked, “Are you ready to go home? I’m not sure if Chip is as conscientious as Cal was when it comes to watching over our Sunday dinner while we’re at church.” She looked in the direction of Sarah’s gaze and commented, “That man does find you interesting. I saw how he looks at you.”

  Sarah shook her head and said, “I don’t know what to do. I suppose we should go home.”

  “Yes, we should dear, but my advice to you is to follow your heart. It will tell you what you need to know.”

  Chapter 7

  A few days later, Sarah returned to the shop to hang the front window drapery she worked on at Miranda’s. She loved living at Miranda’s, but the sooner the shop was ready, the sooner she and Molly could move in. As soon as Sarah unlocked the door, she saw Celia waving at her from across the street. She waved back, and her new friend hurried over.

  “Good morning, Sarah. I was in the mercantile and Mr. Masters said he had a letter for you. I told him I was coming to see you, and he asked if I’d deliver it. It’s from Mrs. Brutherington,” she gasped clutching the letter to her chest. “I didn’t get a letter. Maybe I’m not wife material.”

  “Come inside and we’ll see what she said,” Sarah suggested and held the door for Celia. They settled into the two chairs near the window, and Sarah opened her letter.