Wanted: Innkeeper: Silverpines Series (Book 6) Read online

  She nodded and took a deep breath. “I need to splash my face with cold water, and then I’ll go back out with you. To be honest, your father scares me a little.”

  Michael laughed, “He scares a lot of people. Let’s introduce him to Miss Ethel and see who is left standing.”

  Ella Grace couldn’t help but laugh at the idea of Mr. Karson battling with Miss Ethel. “I hope he doesn’t have a gun. Miss Ethel might bring her rifle.”

  Katie overheard Mr. Karson’s outburst from the dining room and sent a note home with one of the small boys running around outside. She didn’t want that horrid man to upset Ella Grace, and the dining room was too busy for her to leave and help her sister. She hoped one of her guardians would come to the Inn.

  Michael took her hand and led Ella Grace back out to the lobby to face his parents. Mr. Karson stood with a scowl on his face. Mrs. Donlinson’s sugar cookies did little to sweeten his disposition. Just as he was about to begin another diatribe against the life Michael planned on living, the doors opened, and Miss Ethel pushed through followed closely by Miss Edie.

  “Who dares to offend one of my girls?” She spun on her heels to take in the entire lobby, and her eyes fell on Mr. Karson. “You, sir, will refrain from speaking to Ella Grace. If you have an issue with her or any of my girls, you will discuss it with me. Is that understood?”

  Michael bit back a smile. His father had met his match.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Michael introduced Miss Ethel and Miss Edie to his parents and invited everyone to join him in the dining room. His father refused explaining he already had coffee. Michael offered his office as a place they could become acquainted. Hubert shrugged and agreed. Miss Ethel’s stares would kill a buffalo. Miss Edie tried her best to smile. Ella Grace breathed a sigh of relief when Lilian Karson asked to go to her room and rest. Ella Grace escorted her to a third-floor suite and told her she’d send the luggage up as soon as it arrived from the train station.

  Lillian took Ella Grace’s hands in hers. “My dear, do your best to ignore my husband’s gruff nature. He’s upset that all three of his children left home to pursue their own dreams and not his. Michael loves you dearly, and I can tell from the way you look at him, you love him, too.”

  “I do ma’am very much.”

  “You must call me mother. You will be my daughter soon. Michael explained that you were orphaned as an infant. Your guardians took you in, but you didn’t have a mother. I’d like to be that for you,” Lilian said hoping to dispel some of her husband’s harsh words.

  “I, I, umm, I don’t remember my mother and never thought I’d call anyone mother,” Ella Grace stammered. “I would like to call you mother.”

  Lilian wrapped her arms around Ella Grace tightly and asked, “Then you will call me mother, all right. We will be family.”

  “Yes, we will, Mother.” Ella Grace drew in a sharp breath when she said the word. It was wonderful to say the word aloud to another person.

  “Wonderful, my dear. I believe I will lie down and rest for a while. It was a long trip.”

  “Of course, please let us know if you need anything at all, Mother,” Ella Grace said with genuine happiness. She smiled at Michael’s mother before leaving the room. Standing in the hall, she fought back tears of joy. His mother liked her. She would call her Mother. Ella Grace needed to pinch herself to assure she wasn’t dreaming.

  Ella Grace made her way back to the front desk slowly hoping the meeting between Mr. Karson and her guardians was going as well as her meeting with the woman she would now call Mother. It wasn’t.

  Mr. Karson sat in an overstuffed chair in Michael’s small parlor adjoining his office. Miss Ethel was pacing the room. Miss Edie was still trying to calm everyone’s ruffled feathers with her smiles and Michael stood next to the window watching people hurrying down the street.

  Miss Ethel was a formidable sight still wearing her black mourning dress and carrying a closed black parasol that she swung back and forth as she walked around the room. Finally, she stopped and addressed Mr. Karson.

  “Sir, I have allowed you time to apologize which doesn’t seem forthcoming. Therefore, I will speak first. My Ella Grace is a wonderful young woman and will make Michael an excellent wife. They will be married on Saturday. You may attend if you do not cause trouble. If you prefer, I can ask Marshal Sewell to arrest you, and you can sit in jail while Ella Grace and Michael marry. Or, my next suggestion is simple. I could shoot you. It’s your choice. We will return in time for supper in the dining room. I would invite you to our home, but I do not want to frighten the younger girls with your actions.”

  She turned to Michael, “Dear boy, we will see you for supper, and I hope to have a pleasant conversation with your mother. She must be a saint to put up with this man. Come, Sister, we must go.” Edie waved at Michael and followed Ethel out the door.

  As soon as the door closed, Mr. Karson sprang to his feet. “You need to leave this town immediately. Everyone is insane. That woman threatened to shoot me.”

  “I know, Father, but Miss Ethel won’t shoot you if you remain polite and treat Ella Grace and everyone else respectfully. Remember, this is their hometown. This is my Inn, and Ella Grace will not only be my wife soon but my partner in the business. Please, Father, I’m happy, and this is my new life. I’d like for you to accept that and me, finally. Maybe you’d like to join mother for a rest before supper. I’ll ask Ella Grace which room mother’s in and you can join her.” He walked out of his office leaving a stunned Mr. Karson to follow.

  Several hours later, the two families met for supper in the Inn’s dining room. Mrs. Donlinson prepared her best recipe, chicken and dumplings, for the meeting. Katie placed the dishes on the table and gave Ella Grace a reassuring smile. Mr. Karson reached for a biscuit when his wife shot him a look that made him stop cold. He glanced around the table and saw Miss Ethel, Miss Edie, and Ella Grace bowing their heads in prayer. Even his son was praying with the ladies. He drew his hand back and waited for their prayer to finish before taking the biscuit.

  Miss Ethel took a bite of her meal, commented to Michael that no one could compete with Mrs. Donlinson’s cooking, and then addressed Mr. Karson. “Since no one knew you would arrive in time for the wedding, all the plans have been made. It will be Saturday morning at eleven at the church. We are having a reception here at the Inn immediately after the wedding. In the past few months, Silverpines has experienced tragedy and heartbreak. The wedding will be grand and hopefully, bring some light into the lives of our neighbors and friends. Everyone loves Ella Grace and has accepted Michael. I do hope you will respect the day and allow them their happiness.”

  Mr. Karson chewed on the deliciously light biscuit and couldn’t think of a word to say. He still worried about the eccentric woman firing a rifle at him. He just nodded.

  Lilian Karson spoke, “If we had known sooner about the wedding I’d have arrived earlier and helped with the plans. Thank you for doing all you are to make sure their wedding is beautiful.”

  Miss Ethel smiled at the kind woman who would soon be Ella Grace’s mother-in-law and said, “It was our pleasure. I would be happy to discuss the plans with you, and perhaps you have suggestions.”

  “I appreciate that, but it seems as if everything is taken care of and I wouldn’t add a thing except this.” She reached into her pocket and removed a small box handing it to Ella Grace.

  “I see Michael gave you my mother’s ring. This is meant to go with it.”

  Ella Grace opened the box and saw an emerald necklace to match her ring. “This is lovely.”

  “Please wear it on your wedding day, my dear.”

  “I will, thank you. You are too kind, Mother.”

  The table stilled at Ella Grace’s answer. Michael smiled, and his father scowled at his wife. Miss Ethel decided the evening was over and stood. “It’s time we leave. Thank you for a delicious supper, Michael. Ella Grace will not be at work tomorrow. Her sisters wish to spend the da
y with her before she moves into her new home. I believe blueberry muffins for breakfast are planned. We will see you on Saturday morning. Good evening everyone.”

  Michael whispered to his father, “Don’t say anything. The decisions are made, please accept them.” He stood and followed the ladies to the front door of the Inn.

  Ella Grace waited a moment before following her guardians out the doors and turned to Michael. “I will see you Saturday morning. I love you. I love your mother, but your father still frightens me.”

  “Ignore him. You only need to make me happy, and you do that extraordinarily well. I love you, too, Ella Grace. I want more than anything to pull you close and kiss you, but this will have to do until Saturday.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.

  “Until Saturday,” she answered and hurried to catch up with Miss Ether and Miss Edie.

  Michael returned to the dining room with a spring in his step. His mother was enjoying another cup of tea ignoring whatever rant his father was spewing at her.

  Michael pulled out his chair, and before he could sit, his father said, “Michael, that young woman…”

  Michael cut him off. “Don’t say it, Father. It will not change my mind. It will only cause a further rift between us. If you need anything, the staff will do their best to accommodate you. Good night, Mother.” He kissed her on the cheek and left the room without another word to his father. His mind was on his bride and their wedding. Saturday couldn’t arrive fast enough.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ella Grace twirled around in her wedding gown. Miss Edie’s worries that the lace hearts from their mother's wedding gown might look old and used were unfounded. Ella Grace was thrilled that her guardians had cared enough to share the hearts with her. She knew Katie wished to marry soon and promised to help Katie add the hearts to her own gown.

  “Are you ready?” Miss Edie asked. Everyone is seated, and Michael appears as if he might faint.

  Ella Grace giggled. “I am, but my knees are shaking.”

  “I understand that’s a common reaction. Take a deep breath, so you don't faint.”

  Faint? Oh, Mercy. Ella Grace never thought about fainting. Breathe Ella Grace breathe.

  The music started to play, and Miss Edie and Miss Ethel hurried to their seats. Katie picked up her small bouquet of pink silk roses and walked down the aisle. Ella Grace counted to ten slowly and followed Katie gripping her bouquet of white silk roses in her shaky hands.

  As she managed to make her way to Michael's side without falling or tripping she took a breath of relief and took his extended hand. When he smiled at her, her nerves vanished, and she only had eyes for her future husband.

  Ella Grace heard the words, but they didn't register until the preacher asked if there was anyone who objected. I so, they should speak or forever hold their peace.

  She was jolted out of her bliss by the ragged voice of Argus yelling from the back of the church. “Stop this wedding. Gracie can't marry that man. She's married to Bugs, and she's gonna live with us and take care of both of us.”

  Ella Grace’s knees gave out, and Michael grabbed her by the elbow to keep her from falling.

  “What?” She stammered. “What’s he talking about?”

  “I don’t know,” Michael whispered. “Let him speak, and then I’ll make sure he leaves.”

  Ella Grace slowly shook her head at Michael. “He’s up to something.”

  “Maybe, but the preacher asked for people to speak if they have cause. If we drag him out before he talks, it’ll be worse than if we let him speak now. He appears drunk.”

  Before Ella Grace could answer, Argus stumbled down the aisle waving a piece of paper in his hand. His slurred speech confirmed Michael’s thought. Argus was drunk but determined to speak.

  “Look here, I have their marriage license. Ella Grace and Bugs snuck off and got married shortly after the mine cave-in. Bugs said we was all going to get a house and live together. Me and Bugs didn’t want to mine no more. We could farm, and Ella Grace would take care of us. Bugs went to get the place settled, and I think Ella Grace got tired of waiting for him to get back and wants to marry the new Inn owner, so she gets a better life than farm life. She can’t do it, she’s married to Bugs. Tell ‘em, Preacher. You can’t marry two men.” Argus drew in a ragged breath and dropped onto an empty spot on the front pew. Several people slid away from the rancid odor wafting off Argus.

  The preacher approached Argus and asked to see the license. Argus handed it over and insisted that Bugs gave it to him to keep until he got back from settling the new farm.

  The preacher turned back to Ella Grace and Michael. “Is this your signature, Ella Grace?”

  Ella Grace peeked at the paper. “It looks sort of like mine, but I don’t write that messy.”

  Argus popped off the pew. “You was nervous is all, and your hand shook. You’re married to Bugs.”

  Tears slid down Ella Grace’s cheeks as she looked at the preacher. “I never. I didn’t. He’s lying, I just don’t know why.”

  The sheriff stood and cleared his throat. “I think we can put this matter to rest once and for all. First, Bugs was declared dead. We found his body out at the old trapper’s cabin.”

  “It wasn’t him,” Argus shouted. “He left town to settle the farm. He left the license with me for safe keeping.”

  The sheriff shook his head and asked Ella Grace, “Do you have correspondence that contains your signature? We could compare the signatures. Things are not adding up. The bride usually has the license, two men identified Bugs’ body, and you appear genuinely stunned.”

  Ella Grace nodded, “Yes, there are several forms at the Inn with my signature.”

  “Let’s go check them out. The two men who identified Bugs’ body left town to find work, but I have no reason to disbelieve the identification. They had nothing to gain. We know Bugs was harassing you and it might be that Argus was part of Bugs’ plans.” The sheriff strode toward the doors. Ella Grace hurried after him followed by Michael and the preacher. As soon as they left, the rest of the guests stood and hurried to catch up with the bride and groom.

  Argus pushed his way to the front of the crowd hollering, “Hey, you took the license. Bugs wanted me to keep it for him. Give it back.” The crowd parted to allow him through. Ladies held handkerchiefs to their face and men hurried to move their wives outside and away from the odor Argus left behind.

  Michael and Ella Grace followed the sheriff to the Inn followed closely by the preacher, Miss Edie, Miss Ethel, Katie, and the rest of Ella Grace’s sisters. Argus caught up with them only when the group of wedding guests parted to let him through. He was still complaining about needing to get the wedding license back.

  The sheriff stopped outside the Inn and announced, “All right, I want silence. If you don’t stop annoying people Argus, I’ll arrest you, and you can wait in the jail.”

  Argus nodded, and Michael asked, “What are you going to do now, sheriff?”

  “I’m going to compare this signature with one from the business correspondence Ella Grace has in the office. Depending on what I find, we’ll go from there.” He turned and entered the Inn’s front door.

  Mrs. Donlinson bustled out of the kitchen, “Oh my, you’re back sooner than I expected. I’ll set the rest of the food out now.”

  “No, wait please,” Ella Grace said. “We didn’t get married yet.”

  Mrs. Donlinson frowned and nodded her head then turned and hurried back into the kitchen.

  Ella Grace walked to the office and brought a stack of papers back to the lobby. She moved behind the front desk and searched through the papers and found a recent order she prepared to mail the following week. She handed it to the sheriff.

  The sheriff laid both papers side by side on the front desk and studied them. He turned to ask Argus, “Tell me how you came to have this license and I want details.”

  “Bugs and Ella Grace got married like I said. Bugs found some property
he wanted and said he was leaving to buy it. He told me to keep an eye on Ella Grace and gave me the license so I could make sure no one bothered her while he was gone. She was gonna keep house for us and cook and do the laundry while we worked the farm just like I said at the church. Bugs said Ella Grace would always be his woman.”

  The sheriff stared at Argus. “All right, let’s say this license is valid and Bugs and Ella Grace married. You do know Bugs was declared dead, don’t you?”

  Argus nodded.

  “In that case, if there was a marriage and I’m not saying there was, then Ella Grace would be Bugs’ widow, and she could still marry Michael.”

  Argus stammered and sputtered, “No, no that can’t be. She’s gonna take care of us at the farm. You can’t prove Bugs is dead. What if those men were wrong? Bugs is gonna come back and find his Gracie married to someone else. I promised to watch out for her.”

  The guests that had filed in behind Argus began mumbling and offering opinions.

  “Enough,” the sheriff shouted. “Bugs was declared legally dead. I can’t say for certain that the signatures match. Ella Grace may or may not have signed that license. If she did, the marriage is no longer valid, and she is a widow free to marry again. If she didn’t, and I believe that is the case because I see no reason for her to lie, then there are no obstacles to her getting married today. She is an upstanding citizen of Silverpines. I am sure anyone here will vouch for her honesty.”

  Affirmative shouts and heads were bobbing in agreement.

  Pastor James smiled, “Let’s head back to the church and finish this wedding.”

  Michael, who had been studying both papers glanced at Ella Grace and said, “The signatures look similar to me especially if you were shaky when you signed the license.”

  “What,” Ella Grace whispered. “I didn’t marry Bugs. This is all a lie.”