“You didn’t have pets?” Blake asked.
“No, they told us never to bring stray animals home because we couldn’t afford to feed them. We did play with the occasional stray that came around, but that was all,” Eliza shared.
“We have a dog,” Jack said.
Eliza turned to Blake. “You have a dog? Is it friendly? Can I meet it? Can I pet it? What’s its name?”
Blake couldn’t help but smile at the excited young woman who was his wife. What a sad life she must have had, he vowed to make it happier and answered, “Yes, to the first four questions and the fifth is Barney. He’s a good dog. He’s getting up in years, and he likes to sleep in the barn. His son, Beau, runs out with the cattle most days. You’ll meet him, too.”
“Time to eat,” Sarah announced.
“After we eat, we’ll head to town. I have some business to attend to, and I’ll drop Sarah’s list off at the mercantile while you shop at the dressmaker’s. Around noon, I’ll fetch you, and we can go to the hotel and have lunch with Aunt Hortense and Constance. Ray will drive the wagon into town and bring your purchases and Aunt Hortense and Constance’s luggage home,” Blake said before slipping a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
“Purchases?” Eliza questioned. “I don’t expect to purchase much. I can make do with what I have.”
“Absolutely not. I told you that I’ll make sure you have everything that you need, and I meant it.”
“You’ll adore Florence, our seamstress,” Sarah offered. “She’s sweet and very talented.”
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Eliza smiled and said, “I’m sure I will.”
“Are you ready to go,” Blake asked, offering Eliza his hand.
She took his hand and held tightly to it until they were at the carriage, and he helped her climb on. Her hand felt instantly cold and empty when he let go. She had to remind herself that he was her husband in name only. If only he wasn’t so kind to her.
As they approached the cut off to town, Blake pulled the carriage to a stop.
“Is something wrong?” Eliza asked.
“No, but see down the road? There’s another carriage approaching. Deke’s property borders ours. I sent a rider last evening to ask if Amalie and Faith might want to go with you this morning. You know, introduce you around town, help you shop? That should be them now,” Blake explained.
Eliza fought back happy tears when she thought of the kindness this handsome man showed her. She turned and placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you, that was truly kind. You mentioned it yesterday, but I wasn’t sure you’d remember. I was worried about what I was going to do alone. I know the town isn’t large, but I don’t know anyone.”
Blake swallowed and tried to think of an answer, but all he could do was enjoy the feel of Eliza’s hand on his arm. Finally, he stammered, “I thought you might enjoy the company.”
Eliza waved as Amalie and Faith’s carriage drew closer. Blake turned the carriage onto the road leading into town, and the second carriage followed. When they arrived at the seamstress shop, Blake helped Eliza from the carriage and reminded her that he would meet her at the hotel for lunch.
He turned when he heard the other women approach. “I hope you have an enjoyable morning helping Eliza get everything she needs, and I mean everything. Cost is not an object; Miss Florence will send me a bill.”
“Don’t worry,” Faith said. “Amalie helped me when I first arrived in town, and I know everything that Eliza will need. We’ll spend your money well.”
Amalie laughed, and Eliza blushed at the thought of spending Blake’s money.
“Then I leave her in good hands. Ray will be in town at noon, and he’ll come to the shop and collect the packages. Have a good morning, ladies,” Blake said, tipping his hat and returning to the carriage.
Amalie slipped her arm into Eliza’s and said, “Come, let’s spend your husband’s money on some beautiful new dresses.”
“I’m not sure,” Eliza said. “You know the truth about us.”
Amalie giggled. “The only truth we need to know this morning is that Blake is a wealthy man, you’re his wife, and you have to dress accordingly.”
Eliza tried to say something, but Amalie pulled on her arm and guided her into the seamstress shop.
“Good morning, Amalie, Faith. I’m afraid I don’t know your friend’s name,” the petite woman said.
“Florence, this is Eliza Montgomery. Blake’s new wife and she needs everything the way Faith and I did when we first arrived in town.”
Florence clapped her hands. “I certainly can arrange that. It’s nice to meet you, Missus Montgomery. I have some lovely readymade dresses that will work until I can sew the rest. We need her measurements first.”
“Eliza, please, I’m not used to the Montgomery name, and I might not answer.”
Florence laughed. “Eliza, it is. Come into the back, ladies. My assistant can take Eliza’s measurements while I show you what I have and what I suggest.”
Two hours flew by quickly, and Eliza was stunned at the amount of clothing Florence suggested. Amalie and Faith agreed that each purchase was necessary. The stack of clothing on the counter seemed enormous, and Florence kept jotting ideas in her notebook for the dresses she would sew.
Eliza balked at the lovely pink nightdress with ruffles, and lace Florence held up just before they were ready to leave.
“Oh, that’s perfect,” Faith said. “Wrap it up, and the blue one, too. An extra nightdress is important and much nicer than those simple white ones Eliza chose.”
Eliza whispered to Amalie. “You know I don’t need those. Plain white cotton is all right.”
Amalie winked. “You never know. Things can change. They certainly did for Deke and me.”
Eliza blushed and murmured, “I think we should head to the
