Bride by Arrangement Read online

  “Jimmy paid your brother so we could use Pete’s money for items to make this place a home. Don’t worry, though. There’s more. It’s in a jar in the kitchen, right on the shelf by the cups.”

  It was on the tip of Ada’s tongue to ask exactly how much her brother made from the arrangement but decided she didn’t want to know. She’d rather not think of herself in terms of a dollar amount. Instead, she went to the kitchen. She gasped in pleasure at the large worktable, the fine quality cook stove, the pots and pans, and the large glass cabinet that held beautifully decorated plates and cups.

  “These were his mother’s things,” Cheryl said, pointing to the plates and cups. “She had them brought here when she just married his father. They came out here for the land and had Jimmy and Pete.”

  Ada nodded at Cheryl but continued to examine the kitchen.

  “Through that door is the dining room.”

  A dining room and a kitchen? Ada followed Cheryl out of the kitchen and into a good-sized room with a rectangular oak table and matching chairs. The large window had light green curtains with material as nice as the curtains in the parlor. Ada touched the table. It’d seen years of use but was still in wonderful condition. How her mother had longed for a table as well made as this one but couldn’t afford it.

  “And upstairs are the bedrooms,” Cheryl continued.

  Eager to see the rest of the house, Ada followed her up the stairs. “Where is Pete?” she ventured to ask, almost afraid to meet him but knowing she had to sooner or later.

  “He’ll be out in the garden this time of day. I’m sure Jimmy will have him wash up before he comes in for the wedding.”

  They reached the top of the steps and Ada asked, “Will Jimmy bring in my trunk?”

  “He already did.”

  “What?”

  Cheryl laughed. “Didn’t you hear him while you were in the parlor?”

  Her cheeks grew warm. “No, I didn’t.” She must have been too excited about the size of this house and its wonderful furnishings to hear him enter. With a glance at the open bedroom doors, she asked, “Did he already leave?”

  “Yes, but he didn’t say anything so I’m not surprised you missed him. Come.” She motioned to the large bedroom with two windows decorated with purple curtains and matching blankets and a rug on the floor. “I hope you don’t mind. Your brother said you love purple.”

  “Yes, I do.” She opened the armoire and saw it was waiting for her things. There would still be a lot of room left in it because she only had two other outfits.

  Cheryl glanced at the trunk. “Would you like me to help you put your things away?”

  “No, I can do it myself.” The last thing she needed was for Cheryl to see her few belongings, especially since her things seemed sorely out of place here.

  “We can go to town and pick up more things for you. If you’d like more skirts and shirtwaists, there’s a place where you can order them in a catalogue. They’re nothing as fancy as what you have back East, but they’re sufficient.”

  “I can sew my own clothes.”

  “Alright.”

  Ada admired the craftsmanship of the large dresser and then turned to the headboard of the large bed. “Is Pete’s room as big as this one?”

  “This was his parents’ room. After they died, he stayed in his old room.”

  “Shouldn’t I be in the smaller room, though?”

  “This is as much your house as it is his. You have every right to be in this room.”

  Deciding she was right, Ada nodded and smiled. Imagine. An entire room all to herself! And with a big bed to boot! Better yet, there were two good-sized windows, not just a small one like she had been used to. She looked out one of the windows and her breath caught in her throat. She still couldn’t get over how much land there was. Who knew such places existed? Never in her dreams had she envisioned a place where she might move freely around without bumping into something or someone, where she might go outside and enjoy a summer day without a horse trotting by, kids running about, or people calling out to each other. It was an entirely different world out here.

  “Would you like to see the other bedrooms?” Cheryl asked.

  “Oh, yes.”

  Ada turned from the window and followed Cheryl out of the room. Cheryl and the others were probably anxious for the wedding, and now that Ada knew how wonderful this house was, she didn’t mind the arrangement so much. In fact, it seemed like a dream to even be living in a place so nice. All the space, all the comforts, all the beautiful things… She never imagined she’d be able to live in such luxury. She felt like a princess in a castle.

  Forcing her mind to what Cheryl was saying, Ada poked her head into the small bedroom next to hers. “This is where Pete sleeps.”

  Ada hesitated to enter it since it wasn’t hers. She remained at the doorway and examined the neatly made bed big enough for one person, the dresser, armoire, and three paintings on the walls. “Did you clean this room before you picked me up at the station?”

  “No.”

  Curious, Ada stepped into the room and inspected the top of the dresser which had been dusted. “Pete cleans his own room?”

  “He keeps most of the house in good condition. You won’t have much to worry about. He does a good job of taking care of himself.” She paused then continued, “Jimmy and I would feel better knowing that someone is here with him at all times in case something happens and he needs help. If you need anything, we’re just right down that way—”

  Ada smiled at her. “I know. You already told me. I’m surprised, that’s all. I didn’t expect him to be so tidy.”

  “It’s not something typical of any man. Sometimes I wonder if I have to clean up more after Jimmy or Ron. Ada, there is one thing Pete does really well. You might like seeing them.”

  Ada turned to her in interest.

  “He paints. In fact, he painted all of those paintings on the walls in this room and has more paintings in the other bedroom.” Cheryl gestured to them. “These are his favorites. At least, I assume they are since he put them in here.”

  Ada stepped toward the wall closest to her and inspected the painting where a group of autumn trees lined a path. “I don’t recall seeing anything like this on the property.”

  “Those are the trees that are in the town park that his parents used to take him and Jimmy to when they were children. Jimmy said Pete spent a lot of time drawing them. Then when he picked up painting, he did a couple paintings of it. I think he likes it when the leaves change color.”

  Ada went to another painting and saw the train station she’d just left. There was a surprising attention to detail in it, even down to the group of people who were lingering out front. “When did he paint this?”

  “I think it was four years ago.”

  “And how old is he?”

  “Twenty.”

  “He did this at sixteen and he had lower-than-average intelligence?”

  Cheryl shrugged. “He’s always had an eye for detail. I don’t understand how or why, but painting and drawing are his gifts.”

  Ada didn’t understand how someone who was supposed to be at the level of a child could produce such detailed and accurate work. It didn’t make sense. Even if he had a gift for it, there seemed to be something else going on. She ventured over to the last painting and saw the barn with cattle and horses and—she squinted—a chicken coop. Back when he painted this, the barn had been brown. She wondered how long ago it was when he painted it.

  “Do you want to see his painting room?” Cheryl asked.

  Curious about the other things he painted, she hurried to the last bedroom and paused when she saw that there was an entire wall lined with paintings and several on the others. “Who hangs these up?”

  “He does.”

  Ada glanced at Cheryl. “There’s an order to these paintings.”

  “There is?”

  “He has them placed up here by seasons.” She examined the paintings of the land
, some with trees, and some without. “He starts with autumn in that row then has winter in the row under it, spring under that, and summer in the final row. Then for each season, he has the paintings in order of the time of day. Sunrise first, midday second, sunset third, and night last. Then,” she turned to another wall, “it looks like he has decided to do portraits of everyone he knows. This one looks exactly like you.”

  “Well, yes,” she slowly replied. “I told you he has talent.”

  “There seems to be more to this than talent. This is amazing how he’s ordered everything so precisely.”

  Cheryl shrugged. “Jimmy might have come in here to do this.” Concerned, she touched Ada’s arm. “I know you were hoping for a normal husband, one who could think and reason like an adult, but Pete’s not like that. He doesn’t respond to people like you and I do. When you meet him, you’ll understand what I mean.”

  Ada thought to argue with her, to tell her that a man of less-than-average intelligence shouldn’t have the ability to do everything it seemed that Pete was able to do. She was the second oldest child, leaving her with experience when it came to caring for children, and she couldn’t see any of her brothers or sisters being able to paint and organize the paintings with such care. She couldn’t see how they would keep their room so immaculate either. Even her older brother, the one who arranged the marriage for her, couldn’t keep things as neat.

  The door from downstairs opened and Ada recognized Jimmy’s voice as he called out, “We’re ready for the wedding.”

  Cheryl looked at Ada. “Are you still willing to marry Pete?”

  Ada took another look at the paintings, wondering about the kind of man who could create such beautiful things. Even if Jimmy did arrange the paintings, they had incredible detail in them. It didn’t make sense that Pete was any different from the rest of them.

  “Ada?”

  Finally turning her attention back to Cheryl whose voice indicated her uncertainty, she nodded. “I’m ready.” And even more than that, she was curious to find out exactly what kind of man Pete Kelly was.

  Chapter Three

  Pete had no idea what his brother was up to. He stood in the parlor, his gaze going from his brother to the preacher who held a book in his hands. With a glance out the window, he scanned his brother’s wagon. His brother always came out with some items, be they food staples, clothes, paints, or something else Pete needed. But it didn’t look like he brought anything with him today except for the preacher. And the last time the preacher came out to the house, it was to bury their mother.

  His brother patted him on the shoulder, so he turned his attention back to him. While his brother opened his mouth in a way that told Pete he was trying to communicate with him, Pete focused on the wide smile on his face and the way he clasped his hands behind his back. Assured that the preacher was here for a good reason, Pete relaxed.

  Pete’s brother turned toward the doorway in the parlor and Pete followed his gaze. Two women entered the room. He recognized one as the woman who often came out here with his brother, but he didn’t recognize the dark-haired beauty standing next to her. Interest piqued, he took a moment to inspect the stranger whose face flushed a pleasing shade of pink as she made eye contact with him. He liked the way she looked. Her eyes were a lovely shade of green, complementing the dress she wore. Her rosy lips were turned slightly into a smile, indicating that she was nervous about something. Her skin was fair and smooth, not at all like his skin which was tan from all his time working outdoors. Then there was the rest of her, and a man had to be blind not to appreciate the curve of her breasts and hips.

  He tried to memorize her in hopes he’d be able to paint her in the future. Often, he liked to paint the land, but he could imagine himself painting her for hours and losing himself to the simple joy of it. None of the trees, lakes, rivers, or prairie lands he’d painted came even close to her.

  His brother waved her forward and she stepped toward him, his brother’s woman close behind. Feeling self-conscious, Pete ran his fingers through his light blond hair and straightened the collar of his plaid shirt. If he’d known she was coming by, he would have paid more attention to how he’d dressed and combed his hair.

  His brother took his hand and placed it in the dark-haired beauty’s. Eyebrows furrowed, he studied his brother’s face to figure out what was going on. His brother moved his mouth as he pointed to the woman holding his hand. Ignoring his brother’s mouth, his gaze went to the woman and then to their hands, wondering what it meant. Usually, he could figure out what people wanted, but in this case, he couldn’t.

  His brother gestured to the preacher so he looked at the older man who proceeded to open his book. Pete glanced at the woman. Did she know what was going on? She seemed focused on what the preacher was doing. He knew that when people moved their mouths, other people understood something he didn’t. So she probably knew what was happening.

  His brother nudged him in the side and nodded. It took Pete a moment to realize that his brother wanted him to nod to the preacher so he did. The preacher and his brother seemed satisfied. That was good.

  The preacher turned to her and after a minute of watching him move his mouth, she nodded and moved her mouth, too. Pete wondered what this whole thing was about. The hand holding, the nodding… Then his brother separated his hand from hers, something he didn’t particularly care for since he had enjoyed the physical contact. It seemed that besides his brother and his parents, no one had touched him, and until then, he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed the caring gesture.

  He’d seen his brother, his woman and their boy touch each other and often thought it’d be nice to have that kind of familiarity with someone. And there was no denying that when his brother and his woman touched, there was something special about it. They belonged together. For the past year, Pete struggled with the uncomfortable feeling of jealousy whenever he saw them together. He had wanted something similar to what they had.

  As his brother and his woman turned their attention to the dark-haired beauty, he wondered if she was for him, if maybe his brother had noticed that all the paintings in the world hadn’t eased the loneliness that had become his companion. He hoped so. He’d like to have his own woman, and this one pleased him immensely.

  His brother turned back to him then pointed to the woman and him. The woman took his hand in hers and moved her mouth. His lips curled up. He was sure this woman was his woman, his dark-haired beauty.

  His brother’s woman hugged his dark-haired beauty then moved her mouth before she turned to him and moved her mouth as well. He nodded because he knew it would tell her that he agreed with her. Even though he didn’t know exactly what she was trying to tell him, he knew it was something good by the way she was relaxed and smiling.

  When his brother, his woman, and the preacher left the house, he watched his dark-haired beauty to make sure she’d remain with him and breathed a sigh of relief when she did. Good. So she did realize she was his brother’s gift to him. Since he knew she wasn’t going to leave, he felt safe in letting go of her hand.

  He ran across the yard to meet up with his brother who was halfway to the wagon. His brother stopped, a question in his eyes, but then Pete hugged him to express his gratitude. His brother hugged him back. When he let go of his brother, he stepped away from him and noticed the boy who had been waiting for them on the wagon. He ruffled the boy’s hair, a gesture he often used to say hello and good-bye. The boy moved his mouth and pointed to the ball in his hands, so Pete surmised the boy was telling him something about his toy.

  Without enough gestures, Pete never could tell what someone wanted him to know and since his brother helped his woman onto the wagon to sit beside the boy, Pete figured it didn’t matter. He waved to them and waited until they were all on the wagon before he headed back to the house. The dark-haired beauty’s gaze went to the wagon, so he glanced over his shoulder and saw his brother’s woman moving her mouth. He paused, his gaze going between t
he two, wondering what the exchange meant.

  Disappointed since there was no way he was going to find out, he continued on his way to the house. Though it sometimes frustrated him that he couldn’t understand everything people tried to tell him, there wasn’t anything he could do about it. It’d been that way ever since he could remember and would likely continue to be that way for the rest of his life. But he’d really like to know what his dark-haired beauty was thinking.

  He walked up the porch steps and studied her. She stood in the doorway of the house, an apprehensive expression on her pretty face, and she twirled a stray strand of her hair around two fingers. She was nervous. Well, that was silly. She had no need to be nervous around him. Deciding she might feel better if he helped her get more acquainted to her new home, he stepped toward her and offered her his hand.

  She glanced from his hand to his eyes, her eyebrows furrowed as if she was trying to figure something out. He gave her what he hoped was a comforting smile and motioned for her to join him. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded and took his hand. She moved her mouth, but it was the curious expression on her face that got his attention.

  She wanted to know something. He shrugged, wondering if she’d give him more information to discern what she had a question about. She paused, shook her head, and then moved her mouth again. When she stopped and looked at him expectantly, he settled for squeezing her hand to let her know everything would be alright. She had to be scared. He knew he’d be scared if he was in an unfamiliar place.

  Though he couldn’t figure out why, she seemed intent on staring at him, as if she was trying to figure him out. Well, there was only one way she was going to learn more about him and that was to see what he did. Since he couldn’t tell her, he’d show her. He led her down the porch steps and across the yard.

  They reached the barn and he showed her everything that was in it, including the two stray cats and the milking cow. Feeling inspired, he decided to show her how he milked the cow. When he was done, he held the pail out to her, and he was pleased to see that she seemed delighted to see fresh milk.