COLLEEN: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (5 page)

"No. He reminded me of Frank, actually, at first."

"I don't think he's like Frank, but he does like the ladies. He is also a regular at the saloon in town and friendly with the women there, if you know what I mean."

"Oh. Well, I'm not sure what to say about that." Colleen decided her initial impression of Ricky wasn't too far off base. He may not be as much of a snake as Frank, but he did sound like someone she should probably steer clear of. Best to focus on Paul and David. No one would ever think of either of them as black sheep.

CHAPTER FIVE

The rest of the week flew by. Colleen went in with Julia to the pub every morning around eleven and they worked until late afternoon, heading home just after four most days. Julia explained that she used to work through the dinner shift, but as soon as Liam found out she was expecting, he’d put an end to that and immediately hired someone else to work the evening shifts.

They usually arrived home around five and then Colleen helped Julia check on the animals and then set about preparing dinner and getting ready for the next day. Once all of the household chores were taken care of, they could relax and chat and read a bit. It was wonderful spending time with Julia, but it was also an adjustment. Life in Bozeman was very different than Boston. But the changes so far weren't bad ones, just new.

Colleen woke Sunday morning feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Today she was going to meet Liam's family and spend time with both Paul and David. As they rode to church, Liam told her more about the rest of his family.

"My mother is the rock of the family. She loves having us all over on Sundays. It does get a little crazy, though, with everyone wanting to talk at once. We're a lively bunch." He shot her a grin and she smiled in return. After meeting Liam, it wasn't hard to picture a houseful of talkers.

"Not everyone is as outgoing as Liam," Julia said.

"That's true," Liam agreed. "David's probably the quietest of all of us. He doesn't miss a thing, though. Sits there taking it all in. He's the smart one. Whenever he wasn't out on the farm working, we'd find him in a corner with a book." From the little she'd seen of David, none of that surprised her.

"What is Elizabeth like?" Colleen was curious about Liam's only sister.

"She's like a female Liam," Julia laughed.

"No wonder I've always liked her so much!" Liam joked. "Elizabeth is a sweet girl, always finds the fun. She's also the youngest of us all, not quite eighteen. My mother used to say that there are so many of us because she had to keep going until she had a girl."

They were just about at the church and as they pulled into the parking area, Colleen noticed both Paul and David walking in with their parents. They parked and then joined them inside. Both Paul and David said hello and then Julia introduced Colleen to Liam's parents, Naomi and Jed Donovan. Jed politely extended his hand to greet her and then Naomi pulled her in for a quick hug.

"We're so happy that you're here. I feel like I know you already from hearing both Julia and Emma mention you so often. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better."

"Thank you. I'm looking forward to it, too, and appreciate the invitation to join you this afternoon."

"You're welcome every Sunday."

After the service, they all walked outside and suddenly Paul was at Colleen's side.

"Are you still willing to ride over to the house with me? I promise to go slowly and point out all my favorite places along the way." He was smiling and the twinkle in his eyes was contagious.

"Yes, of course."

"We'll see you there," Julia called as they walked to their buggies.

"How are you liking Bozeman so far?" Paul asked as they started on their way.

"It's wonderful. Very different from Boston, but I like it."

"I imagine that Julia has already shown you Donovan's Pub?"

"Yes, I've actually been working there all week with her and Liam."

Paul seemed surprised at that.

"Really? Have you done restaurant work before?”

"No, but I learn quickly and I wanted to help, to be useful while I'm staying with them. Especially now that Julia is expecting."

"I suppose. That does make sense," he agreed.

"I'm actually really enjoying it. It's something to do. I would be lost all by myself at their farm," she admitted.

"They don't have farms in Boston?" he teased her.

"No, they don't, actually. I had never seen one before, though outside the city of course there are plenty. Much smaller, though, I imagine."

"Well, see now, that seems strange to me. To live where there are no farms." He smiled and they chatted easily the rest of the way to his parents’ home. Here and there, he pointed out spots of interest as they drove out of town. Some of them Julia had also shown her and as they reached the edge of his parents’ farm, he pointed out a large tree that he and David had built a fort in many years ago.

"We used to go there all the time to plan our next adventure. It was great fun."

Paul reminded Colleen of Liam. He was fun and easy to be with and very sweet. He would make someone a good husband, she guessed. Did she want it to be her?

When they arrived at his parents’ house, Paul helped her out of the buggy and led her in to the house where the rest of the family was already gathered. Mrs. Donovan came over when she saw them walking in.

"Welcome! Come on in. Would you like some tea?"

Colleen followed her into the kitchen and gratefully accepted a cup of tea.

"Make yourself comfortable, dear. We'll be sitting down to eat in just a few minutes." Colleen looked around and saw Julia chatting with what must be Liam's sister Elizabeth. She walked over towards them.

"Oh good, you're here! I've been dying to introduce you to Elizabeth." She turned to the younger girl and made the introductions. "This is Colleen Shea, one of my dearest friends from Boston."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Colleen shook the younger girl’s hand and admired her hair. It was a pale, golden shade, the color of sweet corn, and her eyes were a clear blue. She was a very pretty girl. Elizabeth would likely have her pick of men soon.

"You as well. Julia has spoken of you often. I'm so glad you're here. I've been outnumbered for too long." She laughed and a dimple appeared, giving her a mischievous look.

"Come to dinner, everyone," Mrs. Donovan called.

They made their way to a long table.

"Colleen, I have you here." Mrs. Donovan led her to the seat next to her and Elizabeth sat on the other side of her.

Once everyone was seated, Mr. Donovan said grace and then they began to pass around platters of sliced roast chicken, potatoes and green beans. There was a basket of bread and tub of butter as well.

"So, did you go to fancy balls in Boston? I hear that you know how to make beautiful gowns." Elizabeth wore a dreamy expression. Colleen felt bad shattering that illusion.

"I have made some lovely dresses....for other people. I've never attended one of those balls. None of my friends did."

"Oh, that's too bad. I bet they are wonderful, those balls. I would love to wear a dress like that someday," she said wistfully.

"I could help you make a lovely dress if you like, but somehow I don't think there are any balls around here."

"Could you? That would be so wonderful and I could help too, if you show me what to do."

"Elizabeth, that is too much to ask of Colleen. You've only just met her." Mrs. Donovan interjected.

"Oh, I don't mind at all," Colleen assured her. "Truth be told, my fingers are itching to sew again. I didn't realize how much I'd miss it."

"Well, if you're sure." Mrs. Donovan still sounded doubtful. "We don't want to put you to any trouble."

"It would be my pleasure."

"We do have an event I could wear the dress to! Next month, just after I turn eighteen, there is a benefit at the new Bozeman hotel. The Bozeman Arts Society is raising funds to expand the library. It’s probably not as fancy as the balls in Boston, but it's formal enough that I could wear a really nice dress."

"That's true." Mrs. Donovan looked thoughtful for a moment and then went on to explain. "Every year, the Arts Society holds this event. There’s always something they are raising money for. Their last big project was the Opera House, which opened a few years ago. That was quite a success. It might be fun for you and Julia to attend as well, to meet more of the people in town."

"That does sound like fun." Colleen realized she might have to make herself something nice to wear, too. Nothing she had brought was fancy enough for an event like that. Her fingers tingled as she mentally began designing her dress. She turned to Elizabeth, "What did you have in mind for a style?"

They chatted dress design through dessert, which was a rich chocolate cake. Once all the plates had been cleared, Colleen made arrangements for Elizabeth to pick out her fabric and give it to her at next Sunday's dinner and then suddenly, David was standing before her.

"Can I steal you away now? I think I promised to show you around my farm."

"I'm looking forward to it." Colleen stood and followed David outside to his buggy. He helped her up and they set off across the fields.

"We're not going on the road?" Colleen was surprised.

"This is more interesting and the view is better."

Colleen glanced around and had to agree. The fields were beautiful, nothing but green grass and scattered flowers for as far as the eyes could see. Every now and again David would slow a bit to point out apple trees or a small pond. She was comfortable with David but there was something else too, a bit of nervousness, maybe. Paul was easier to read than David. She found herself wanting to know what David was thinking. He reached over once to point out a herd of cows just over the hill and his arm brushed against hers. Her arm tingled a bit at the contact which surprised her. That had never happened with Frank, as crazy as she'd been about him. She studied David's face when he was looking away, and noticed the contrast between him and Paul. Where Paul was all sunny and light, with his blond hair and easy smile, David was the opposite. His hair and overall expression was darker, more serious. His hair was almost as dark as hers, the deep brown that looked black at times until you saw it against something black. David didn't smile as often as Paul, but when he did—as he was pointing out his favorite pond, for instance—the light came into his face and softened it.

A home came into view as they rode over a grassy hill and moments later, David pulled the buggy to a stop by the door.

"This is my house. I just finished building it a little over a year ago." He helped her out of the buggy and then she followed him inside. It reminded her of Liam and Julia's home—large for a single man, but simple and clean.

"I teased Liam when he built his house, told him it was ridiculously large for one person, but his response made me rethink my original plans."

Colleen waited for him to explain further.

"He said he was thinking ahead and his plan was to fill up those extra rooms as soon as he had a family. He never doubted that it would happen. That made an impression on me."

"Did you doubt that for yourself?" she wondered out loud.

"It's not that I doubted it so much as I didn't believe it like he did. Liam was purposeful about things. He built his house and then his family came."

Colleen smiled. "Liam is optimistic, from what I've seen."

"That he is," David agreed. He turned to Colleen with a more serious expression. "Could you ever see yourself living here? Married to a farmer?"

His question took her by surprise, but she answered without hesitation. "I don't see why not. Even though Liam isn't a farmer by trade, he and Julia live on a small farm and while it's certainly different from my life in Boston, I'm getting used to it and learning to appreciate it."

He nodded. Her answer seemed to satisfy him. "It is a beautiful place. Paul's property is similar. We built our houses at the same time and both used Liam's plans as a guide. We work together most days, and share our resources.”

"Julia explained that you are best friends as well as business partners."

"We all get along, but Paul and I are just a year apart and have always been close. It's worked well, so far." He seemed to withdraw a bit after that and Colleen wondered again what he was thinking and if it had anything to do with Paul courting her as well. She could understand how that might be a little awkward for them. It meant that she would have to choose quickly. It wouldn't be fair to either of them to drag things out...assuming, of course, that both of them were even interested enough to consider marriage.