“Got that order for a table and chairs finished, did you?” he whispered under his breath.
“Not yet,” Jackson replied, oblivious to Rafe’s irritation.
“Welcome to Perseverance,” Cabot said as he stepped forward. “I’m Grant Cabot, the town mayor and proprietor of this establishment. I thought you might like some time to freshen up before we dine?”
The man acted as if he were running a grand hotel serving a nine-course meal. Rafe crossed his arms and leaned against the wall—until Miss White’s gaze landed on him again. He dropped his arms and straightened up.
The women agreed to Cabot’s suggestion. The second they disappeared up the stairs, Jackson turned to Rafe.
“You should take a moment and wash your face,” Jackson said, ever-so-helpfully as he tugged at his collar.
“Ain’t you got something clean to wear?” Billy chimed in.
Rafe bit back a retort. If he stood here and told them what he thought of this entire situation, he’d lose the precious moments he needed to make himself presentable.
Without a word, he turned and headed for the door.
“Don’t take too long, Garland,” Watson called. “Else your lady will think you’ve lost interest.”
The other men laughed. And Rafe let the door slam hard behind him.
Chapter Four
Hannahranherhandsover the only other dress she owned. It was a pretty cream color with tiny sprigs of pink and green flowers. But it was also wrinkled from travel and several years old. She’d turned the hem enough times that if she had to go any higher, the skirt would become scandalously short. She pinched the bridge of her nose, hoping to extinguish the headache she had from falling earlier, before giving up and joining the other girls in the hallway.
Mayor Cabot had been kind enough to give them each their own room for the night. It was a luxury none of the girls had ever enjoyed, and Hannah wasn’t entirely certain how she’d sleep in such quiet.
But that was something to worry about later. Right now, she had to go downstairs and learn which of the gathered men was the one she would marry. That question was the only thing that consumed the other girls’ chatter. On the way upstairs earlier, the mayor had told them the only preacher in town—who also worked as a barber—agreed to take time away from his haircuts tomorrow afternoon to perform one large wedding ceremony in the room over top of the saloon.
Hannah could barely parse through all that information. A preacher who cut hair. A church over a saloon. Becoming a married woman tomorrow. It was enough to make her want to run back inside her room and hide under the quilt until sleep came and the pain in herhead disappeared. But she couldn’t do that. She needed to keep her head high and reassure the other girls.
“Are you nervous?” she asked Natalie, who was standing with Vivian.
“Terrified,” Natalie confessed. “Are you feeling well enough for this?”
“I’m fine.” Hannah gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m sure it was the excitement of the situation, that’s all.”
Natalie studied her face a moment before nodding. “You scared me. I’ve never known you to faint.”
“And I hope it never happens again.” She paused before asking, “What do you think of the men downstairs?”
“I was so nervous that I can’t remember what any of them looked like,” Natalie confessed.
“I liked the fellow with the smart suit and the black bag,” Vivi said, her eyes gleaming and not looking worried at all. “Do you suppose he’s a physician? He looks like a physician with that bag.”
Hannah didn’t have time to consider the possibility because just at that moment, the grandfather clock at the stop of the stairs struck the hour.
It was time to go downstairs.
She led the way, Natalie at her side. Her stomach rumbled as the parlor came into view, and she couldn’t tell if it was from hunger or nerves. She swallowed and tried to remember all the good things Mrs. Talbott, who’d run the orphanage, had said about her over the years. She was capable. Responsible. Friendly. Kind.
Surely the man who’d chosen her letter would see all of that.
“I’m just grateful none of them is a toad,” Mercy whispered from somewhere behind her.
Beth giggled, and Hannah tried to stifle a smile. It was true, she thought as she scanned the hopeful faces of the men who waited for them. None were old or unsightly. Of course, looks didn’t convey a cruel heart or any other flaw she’d prayed to avoid. Each one appeared to have taken the time to dress nicely, even the awkward looking man with the shadow of a beard who pulled at his collar.
Hannah found herself searching for the face of the one man who wasn’t dressed well earlier. The sheriff’s deputy with the dark hair and eyes she would never forget. It didn’t matter what he wore, of course, since he was brave enough to come rescue them from certain death.
