A Carol Plays (Cutter's Creek Book 13) Read online

  At nineteen, she had finally become used to the fact that she wouldn’t be getting new gowns every year due to changes in height. She’d had the same dresses now for about three years and feared asking for new ones. Inspecting the worn hems and sleeves, she sighed. It would be wonderful to mend them but she didn’t know the first thing about how.

  Each of her four evening dresses could have been discarded for one reason or another, age mostly. Her gaze settled on a lavender velvet off-the-shoulder gown.

  The dress slipped on over her head, and she struggled with fastening it alone. She couldn’t think of getting help, though. Father’s money had to last until he died and she wed. If not, Father would have to live with Josiah and his new wife, Penny. He’d been adamant he didn’t want to do force themselves on the new couple.

  She rushed back down the stairs, touching her hair to make sure it was still in the tight bun she’d put it in before cooking. She frowned as her father and Dr. Gentry came into view, waiting for her in the parlor. Her father’s face was gruff and he rubbed his sore leg as he scowled up the staircase. She blushed as the doctor’s gaze swept over her.

  “Girl? What have I told you about wasting time changing before we eat? The food is probably cold by now and I’m too old to be eating cold food in December!”

  He rose to his feet and lugged his stiff leg from the room toward the dining room. Dr. Gentry held out his elbow for her and she brushed past him to follow her father.

  Carlton fell heavily in his seat and Carol rushed to seat herself to avoid Dr. Gentry’s help. Nevertheless, he beat her to it and pulled her chair out then sat in the place across the table from her. If her father would not have chastised it, she would have put him all the way at the other end. He reached his hand across the table and she gasped at his audacity, pulling her hand away.

  A smile tried to break free of his controlled features and his hand remained, waiting for her.

  “Shall we pray?” Mirth danced between his lips and eyes, turning them to a glorious green.

  Carol wanted to crawl under the table. Would he never stop embarrassing her? She slowly reached across the table and rested her other hand within her father’s. Dr. Gentry pressed her hand with each promise and blessing her father spoke within his prayer. When Carlton finished the blessing, Dr. Gentry brushed his thumb over the top of her knuckles sending strange pulses to her fingertips. She gasped and flexed her fingers, pulling them under the table.

  Carlton glared from the doctor to Carol and back again, the scowl on his face deepening.

  “Carol, this nonsense will stop. There is no need to wear your finery without cause. I’ll not have you flitting about with the doctor. He is here to work, not to watch you. I’ve told him as much.”

  She felt uncontrollable heat rush to her cheeks. She narrowed her eyes at the doctor. “That should be no trouble at all, Father. When this snow stops, I’ll be working on the social for Christmas. I’ll be much too busy to get in your way.” She sat up straighter as every rule for dinner pushed its way around in her thoughts. Elbows off the table… don’t lean over your plate…small bites…only speak when spoken to…

  Carlton passed a dish to the doctor, but his icy gaze remained locked on her. “Good. As long as you’re busy, I have nothing to be concerned with.”

  Carol filled her plate with her normal portion, but she found eating difficult without focusing completely on her food. Every time she glanced up, her eyes would meet Dr. Gentry’s. She hitched an eyebrow, and he laughed, catching her father’s attention.

  “Is everything all right, doctor?” Carlton regarded him and scratched his beard.

  “No, my apologies, sir.” Dr. Gentry lowered his eyes.

  Carol took the opportunity to take a few bites. Normally, she’d be happy with a few days to stay inside, but she couldn’t wait until the snow ceased so she could get out of this house. Though it was a large home, it had suddenly become suffocating.

  Chapter Four

  Carol frowned out the front window, her mood matching the frigid swirls beyond the glass. The snow had yet to stop and soon it would be impossible to leave the house. She heard the scraping gait of her father approaching behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gazed out at the town with her. Even stooped from the stiffness in his leg, he still towered over her.

  “Haven’t seen the mountain dump snow like this in a few years.”

  It had been so long since he had just spoken to her she’d almost forgotten what it was like. She nodded her agreement but didn’t turn to him. His attention to all of her shortcomings lately had her scrambling to stay far away. “Certainly not this early.” She mumbled.

  He cleared his throat and she repressed the urge wiggle away from his grasp.

  “Carol. I want you to hire another housekeeper. You know as well as I do this isn’t working. You want so much to be the lady of the house like your mother was, but you don’t have the first idea how and I can’t teach you.”

  She turned to face him, and his hands dropped to his sides. “We can’t, Father. If we do, I’ll be left with nothing if… We should wait until I can marry someone and provide for you.”

  “My dear girl, you are going to have to stop being so forward about private matters.” He sighed and viewed the snow over her shoulder out the window. “After your mama died, I should have found someone to give you the right influence. You are far too frank, and I worry you try too hard to be a married woman when you aren’t ready.” He shrugged. “I just want you to slow down. You have plenty of time. Living with Josiah isn’t what I want, but it isn’t like they would turn us away.”

  She shook her head and turned from him. “That’s just it, Father. I don’t have time. I need to marry so we will both have someone to take care of us. Josiah may take care of you, but where does that leave me? I thought Beau could be the one, but he left after Josiah got married.”

  Carlton’s face bunched in a cringe as he slowly paced the room. “Beau is just the type of man I want you to stay away from. Always traveling, delivering or working with various ranches in far-off places. Josiah is newly married but your brother has always taken care of us and always will.” He trudged up behind her again laying his warm callused hands heavily on her shoulders. “Slow down.”

  * * *

  Manning waited in the hall for the appropriate moment to walk in. He frowned as Carol revealed her need to find a husband and why. Though it seemed chivalrous, she played the martyr well. Her father had done little to rein in the young beauty. Though it was far from his job, perhaps he could give her father some assistance with a lesson or two on the way the world worked and why she should avoid taking the first offer thrown her way.

  He stepped out of the shadows and into the parlor. “Good morning, Mr. Williams, Miss Williams.” He nodded to both. “I trust you slept well?” He turned to focus on Carlton.

  “Yes, the sleep draught you gave me helped immensely. I slept better than I have in a long time. Thank you.”

  He couldn’t keep his eyes from seeking Carol. She turned her back to him and gazed out at the snow. It continued to fall in a great swirling mass, the snowflakes thick like pin feathers falling from the sky. He squinted at the bright reflection. She would need to move away from the bright window soon or risk damaging her own. He moved closer to her to see the snow, it was quite a marvel like he’d never experienced before.

  She turned as he stepped behind her and her dark eyes grew wide, the pin point of her iris slowly growing bigger as they adjusted from the light of the window. Her nose was just inches from his chest. She blinked and gasped breathing deeply. Her fragrance was slight, lavender and lemon—clean and fresh. It filled his senses until he couldn’t breathe at all. Carol blinked as if she too were feeling the same heady experience and peered up into his eyes. He felt a moment of wonder as she inspected his face with the same abandon he felt. How long had they been standing there? Carlton mumbled something, reminding him they weren’t alone. If he didn’t
break the trance, would she?

  She backed away from him and hit the box window seat. “Excuse me.” She breathed a heavy sigh, turned and rushed up the stairs.

  Chapter Five

  Oh, how I wish he would stop doing that! She closed her door and leaned against it, letting her scrambling heart slow to a normal pace. Dreadful, beautiful man! As soon as he helped Father feel better, she’d make sure he made it right back to the train station…even if she had to carry the trunk herself!

  Carol pulled out her chair and sat at her desk. She pulled from a small drawer in the front a leather-bound diary her brother had given her for Christmas right after their mother had died. She’d written in it ever since, not wasting an inch of precious page.

  Dear Mother,

  Father wants me so much to be like you but I’m lost. I’ve now lived as long without you as I lived with you and I just don’t remember or know if I ever knew what you taught me about becoming a young woman. I’ve lived with Father and Josiah so long I fear I will always react as a man does.

  I look to my friends, Josiah’s wife Penny and Lily but both seem to hold me at arm’s length. They are both older and married now. I fear I am alone to figure this out.

  Yours Always, Carol

  A tear slid down her cheek as she set down her pen. Her mother was so far away now. She couldn’t remember her voice or her eyes. She had to show Father she could be a respectable lady, that she could be like her mother had been if only she could remember... She’d start by obeying his request for help, but not just any help, she’d find someone who could teach her, too. When the money ran out—and it surely would—she would either have a husband or be able to get one.

  Carol sniffed and placed her diary back in her desk. Her window overlooked a dense forest on one side and the backs of the homes down the street. She tapped the cold glass and a smile tickled her lips as she saw the hulking figured of Dr. Gentry marching through the snow to the barn. He seemed quite willing to put himself in her path, and he was certainly wealthy enough to care for her father. She’d hire a housekeeper, learn to act serene and sweet and convince the doctor to make her an offer. It would solve all of their problems. It didn’t hurt that he had amazing eyes, broad shoulders, and was a doctor. She couldn’t even really compare him to anyone else she knew.

  Chapter Six

  Manning dug in his trunk for his dungarees, suspenders and cotton shirt. While it wasn’t what he normally wore as a doctor, he’d helped on his father’s ranch all his life, and his skin never felt quite as at home as when he wore his old clothes.

  The snow now came down slowly in soft flakes that would catch on his clothes or hair and melt quickly. He was ready to go out and clear the way to the road. Carlton certainly couldn’t do it and neither could Carol, though he was sure she had enough gumption to try.

  His old clothes fit as if they had been tailored just for him and he flexed his arms, enjoying the easy feel. They reminded him of simpler days when the only person he had to please was his Pa. He slipped on his moleskin greatcoat and all his other outdoor vestments, ducking out the back kitchen door, as the snow hadn’t drifted over on the back side.

  He pushed through the knee-deep snow to a small barn in the back of the yard that abutted a deep forest. Pushing the door open, he went inside.

  The dark interior stopped him, and he waited for his eyes to adjust. He expected the noise of restless hungry animals. Barns in such good repair were rarely left vacant. He searched throughout but could find nothing except an old gray tabby cat, and she didn’t appear hungry. She flashed her green eyes at him and hissed, jumping up into the rafters. He searched for animals of a more important nature, but the barn was empty.

  Near the back, he found a shovel and left the quiet of the barn. Since there were no animals to care for, he wouldn’t shovel back to the barn, but he did have to take care of the front to the street. They would need supplies soon, and Carlton had told Carol to hire someone. He was interested to see just how well she could complete such a task.

  He finished the front then helped another older man next door who struggled under the weight of the heavy snow.

  When he’d finished, he turned and really took in the house for the first time. He hadn’t noticed the size of the large home when he’d arrived. At one time, Carlton must have been well to do. The upper floors were mostly unused. He stayed down by the kitchen, as did Carlton.

  The upper floor was dark, but he could see the movement of a curtain and smiled. Miss Carol had been watching him. He’d finally figured out what to do about her misguided ambitions to marry any man with money who gave her an offer. He would do just that, and then he’d leave to show her how foolish giving such a gift to just any man was. He didn’t know anyone in this area, so acting in such a way wouldn’t tarnish his reputation. She would be more careful, and he could return to normal life. Carlton would probably thank him.

  * * *

  Carol let the curtain fall and swept in a breath. He’d been captivating. All those muscles working to throw the snow. He’d gotten warm enough that he’d thrown his great furry coat to the side and then she’d really enjoyed herself.

  He had no doubt seen her through the curtain. Good. If he thought she was interested, more’s the better. He would continue his flirting, and when he proposed he would have no trouble believing she felt the same way.

  She turned and took in her room with a sweeping glance. The only heat in her room drifted in from the stairs and fireplace on the main floor. The brick chimney ran through her room, and it was warmer but not enough to take the chill off.

  She walked back and forth to chase away the cold creeping in on her. Who can I get as a housekeeper? Who will be young enough to understand, but old enough to help? Who isn’t married? She frowned. Cutter’s Creek wasn’t exceptionally large. The selection of women was small.

  There were a number of people she knew, the Cahills and Carlsons, the Hanovers and the Jeffersons plus many more, but none would want to be a housekeeper, nor did they have any children of the appropriate age. There was also the matter of the social that she would have to help with. She had to find a housekeeper quickly so she could help with preparation.

  Her wool coat waited by the door, and she wrapped it around her carefully. She ran her fingers along the worn elbows and felt for holes. It needed to last as long as possible, and she couldn’t risk putting a hole in it. She knew Dr. Gentry was still outside and probably still without his coat. At least it would be warm enough to get to the chapel if the way were shoveled. Reverend Bligh might know of a woman in need of a job.

  Carol peeked around the door and saw Dr. Gentry swing his coat over his shoulder. She opened the door and stepped outside while he was distracted. If she could get by him, he might just go back into the house and let her be. He turned and smiled. Suddenly her corset felt too tight, and she focused on her boots to hide her blush. His eyes, which had been like the sea inside, were the deepest blue outside in the light.

  “Miss Williams. Where are you off to?” He approached her and leaned on the shovel.

  “Now that the weather has let up a bit, I need to go over to the chapel to find out about the social and see if there is anyone the reverend can recommend for a housekeeper position.” She put her hands behind her back at a loss with what to do with them.

  “Didn’t your father task you with that job?”

  She glared at him. How had he known about that when he wasn’t there? “Yes,” she replied slowly. “He also taught me when I’m not sure of how to do something, defer the job to someone who would. That is what I am doing, Doctor.” His posture didn’t shift at all. If he realized he’d referenced a conversation he shouldn’t know about, he didn’t let on.

  His face remained unchanged, but his eyes shone surprise. “Would you like me to walk with you? It is still early and the way may not be completely shoveled yet.”

  “It isn’t necessary. Father is waiting inside for you to work with him. Since the
weather is warmer today, he is feeling less stiff. I think he was hoping you would join him.” She strode past him needing to leave him as far behind as possible.

  “It wouldn’t take but a few minutes and then I could come right back for your father. I don’t mind.”

  She turned her head. “You’ve already made Father wait for quite some time, Dr. Gentry. I assure you, I can make it on my own.”

  He turned and strode for his mittens. His back was so broad and his movements so sure. She scooped a handful of thick heavy snow into her hand, forming it into a ball. As he grabbed for his mitts she launched her snowball at his wide back, hitting him between the shoulder blades. She turned and rushed on her way.

  A snow clod landed at her feet exploding between her shoes. She danced away from the flying bits and turned, grinning at him. “You missed!” She laughed then shrieked as another ball hit her in the shoulder.

  The snow was deep enough she didn’t have to lean far for another scoop of snow. She formed it in her hands calculating her next toss.

  Dr. Gentry held up his hands. “White flag!” He smiled.

  She lobbed it at his stomach. “I didn’t see a flag with all this snow.”

  He slid to the side avoiding the snow bomb. His intense eyes took her in as he walked slowly for her, forgetting the shovel. He stopped right in front of her. The passion in his gaze stopped her and she backed a step away. He gazed down into her eyes then down to her lips. She gasped and glanced away.

  “We should get you to the chapel.” His voice rumbled between them and he touched her elbow.

  Her heart tripped over itself as she backed another step from him. “I’m sure I can get there.” She turned and his grip grew tighter. She couldn’t leave, but part of her didn’t want to. Part of her wished they weren’t standing out in the street in front of everyone.