Ulla's Courage Page 4

  Vida said, “Ulla, why don’t you put on that pretty yellow dress of yours? The one Claudine wanted, but it didn’t button around her. The one I didn’t think I could alter to fit her without messing it up.”

  Ulla had no intention of wearing the yellow dress. It was meant only for special occasions and going to a party with her aunt and uncle wasn’t special at all. But instead of arguing with her aunt, she said, “I’ll wear it if it doesn’t need pressing. I know you wouldn’t want me to show up in a wrinkled dress.”

  Vida nodded. “I agree with that, but please try to make yourself presentable. I’m sure Claudine will look stunning and we don’t want anyone to think we don’t want you to look pretty, too.”

  Alton interrupted, “Ulla, we need to change our hiding place for the money. I think I’ll use the other shelf tonight.”

  His wife looked at him. “Why don’t you get a safe for this store, Alton? That way you’d have all the money you need and wouldn’t have to run to the bank so often. I’d feel better if we had control over our money all the time. I’ve checked into the way business is done and I found that all successful enterprises have their own personal safe.”

  “You’re right, Vida. I’ll check into that tomorrow.” He turned to Ulla. “Vida and I’ll go on ahead. She wants us to be one of the first couples to the party. As Vida is always telling me, it’s important to make a good impression on the people who run this town.”

  “By the way, Ulla,” Vida said, “Claudine and Colton have probably already headed to the hotel for the party, so don’t tarry. I know how you are when people stop you on the street to talk, but I can’t stress enough how important it is we make a good impression. Our family hasn’t been here quite a year and everyone doesn’t know who runs things at the store now. And as you know, every important person in town will be there. I plan to invite most of them to your wedding. We can’t have any of them thinking badly of us.”

  Why can’t I tell her there will be no wedding? But I don’t have the nerve to do it tonight. I promise myself I’ll do it soon. She bit her lip to keep from blurting it out. Instead she said, “I’ll be there as quickly as I can, Aunt Vida.”

  Though she wasn’t looking forward to the party, she didn’t want to do anything that would upset her aunt and uncle. She was still trying to work up the courage to tell them she wasn’t going to marry Colton. After all, she and Colton hardly knew each other. Besides, she couldn’t help remembering how much her father and mother had loved each other, and she was sure she didn’t have those feelings for Colton and probably never would. He wasn’t the kind of man who stirred her. A picture of Cord Dermott flashed across her mind and it startled her. Why in the world would she think of him? He was a married man with two children.

  “Maybe it’s only because he is one of the best looking men who has been in the store in a long time,” she muttered and pushed thoughts of him out of her mind as she watched her aunt and uncle drive off in her father’s carriage.

  At home she hurried to her room and slipped out of the dress she’d worn to work and chose to put on the light blue checked frock with medium sleeves and a high neck trimmed with a blue binding. It wasn’t as pretty as the yellow, but it wasn’t ugly. He aunt should be pleased and if her aunt asked, she’d assure her the yellow one was too wrinkled to wear and she didn’t want to take the time to press it. She combed her hair back into its bun and was about ready to step out of her room when laughter came through the wall from the hall.

  She hesitated when she heard her cousin say, “Oh, Colton, I had such a wonderful time. I wish we could make love like this every day.”

  “I wish we could, too, baby. But when we can, I intend for my woman to always have a good time.”

  “How do you intend to make me have a good time when you’re married to my serious old stuffy cousin?”

  “You don’t have to worry about my marriage to your cousin, Claudine. She’s the type to want to work every day and I’m just the man to let her do it. That way I’ll have my days free and I intend to spend most of them in your bed.”

  “What do you mean, mostly?” The pout in her voice came through the wall.

  He laughed. “You know what I mean. Sometimes we might want to be out spending some of her money.”

  “Money that hateful old banker wouldn’t let us get our hands on.”

  “I told you that would never work when we went to get it, but don’t worry, sweetheart. When I marry her, the money will all be mine. She might think she’ll be able to control it, but there’s no way I’ll permit that and, as you know, a man has control of his wife’s property when they’re married. That’s why your mama said I needed to marry her.”

  “I just wish the banker would have let us have it. That way Mama wouldn’t demand that you marry Ulla to get it.”

  “I guess she thinks it’s the only way.”

  “I’m sure she’s right, but I’m glad you’ll have control of the money. Then if Daddy gets the store from her, she’ll be at home all the time.”

  “Will you please stop worrying, Claudine. I’m make sure she gets involved in things to fill her time. Things that will tie her down and leave me free to spent all my time with you.”

  “But how will we ever be able to marry?”

  “My marriage to her won’t last long. I know it’s not used much, but there is a thing called divorce. And I certainly intend to use it as soon as I get everything she owns in my name so your mama will be satisfied.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive, my love. Now, give me a kiss and let’s get going. Your folks and your boring cousin have already gone to the hotel. They’ll be watching for us and we can’t mess up now and let either of them catch on to what we’re doing.”

  “I know. Mother and Father would kill me for making love with you. She’s always harping at me to save myself for the man I marry.”

  He laughed. “Well, in a way, you did. It will just be a little while before I can rid myself of Ulla, then you will marry the first man you made love to.”

  “Oh, Colton. I do love you.”

  Ulla didn’t hear his answer because they had moved down the hall and the voices became only mumbled sounds.

  Several minutes after the front door slammed, Ulla stood frozen in disbelief. So her aunt was behind all of it. She was even using her relative to get what belonged to Ulla. Besides that, in all her wild imaginings, a love affair between Claudine and Colton had never entered her mind. Though they had been cordial to each other, she never would have guessed they were more than friends. Was she the only one who didn’t suspect? Did her aunt and uncle have any idea or did they know about the romance and condone it? Of course not. Claudine had said her mother wanted her to stay pure. This was something Colton and Claudine were doing behind everyone’s back.

  Ulla’s first instinct was to burst into the party and confront the family, but her intuition told her that wouldn’t be a smart thing to do. She now knew what her cousin and her so-called fiancé were up to, and though this was a shock, it didn’t bother her that they were together as much as it would if she cared for the man. At least she knew she would never marry him, even if she had to expose them to stop the wedding. But the other revelation needed more thought. Claudine said her father was trying to get the store. What did she mean by that? And how could she stop her uncle, or did she even want to? She had a suspicion that under her aunt and uncle’s leadership, the store was beginning to fail. If it did, Stuart Roberson was right…her uncle would expect her to give him everything she owned to get it back on its feet. Did she want it to come to that? And if she did give him her money, what guarantee did she have that once the store was again profitable, her aunt and uncle wouldn’t think of another scheme to get rid of her? She wasn’t sure what the answer to this question was. She was going to have to think about it.

  Ulla dropped to the side of the bed and let her mind go over not only the conversation she’d overheard in the hall, but of the little
things she’d heard in the last few months. She knew she needed to come up with a plan to cope with this knowledge in a way that was best for her and her future. Her father would want her to do that. He’d often complimented her on her brain. Now was the time to use it.

  In a little while, the bones of a plan began to form in her mind, but it would take a few days to put it all together, then into action. In the meantime, she had to keep everyone from suspecting she knew they were plotting against her. Her first move was to get to the party and act as natural as she could. If they wondered why she was late, she would tell them she was held up by friends on the street and was late getting her dress changed. That way, nobody would ever know she’d overheard the conversation in the hall. Tonight before she went to bed, she’d make plans for what she needed to do next. She knew her best move was to take one step at a time.

  ~ * ~

  The next morning Ulla was surprised when her uncle came downstairs behind her and said, “I’m not feeling well this morning. I’m giving you the key to the store so you can open up on time.”

  “I’m sorry you don’t feel well,” she said, though she knew he had a hangover. He’d drunk a lot a wine the night before.

  “I’ll try to come in by lunch time, but if I’m still not well, I’ll see if I can get Colton or Claudine to come in while you take the receipts to the bank this afternoon. If they don’t make it, get Wilbur to stay. I think I can trust him for the short time it’ll take you to deliver the money. You won’t have to go this morning to get any money. There’s enough in the hidden cash box to operate the store today.”

  “I told you not to drink so much of that wine last night,” Vida butted into the conversation when she came into the hall and followed them downstairs. “You know you don’t handle alcohol well. When are you going to learn to listen to me?”

  “Don’t fuss at me this morning, Vida. I’ve got to get the key for Ulla, then I’m going back to bed. If you want to be useful, bring me a cup of coffee.”

  She ignored him and went on, “If I didn’t think you’d be getting up for breakfast, I’d have slept late myself and now, since you said you’re going back to bed, I’m going, too.”

  “So I’m not getting any coffee?”

  “No.” She turned to the door and headed back up the stairs.

  “Will you make me some when I get up?” He yelled after her then grabbed his head.

  “If I’m up, I will. If not, you can make it yourself.” Her voice faded as she reached the top of the stairs and turned down the hall.

  “Damn woman,” he muttered as he went toward the study.

  Knowing nobody in the house was getting any breakfast, not even coffee, Ulla silently followed him and waited.

  He took the key from the desk and handed it to her. “Put it in the money box after you open up. That way, you won’t lose it.”

  “I will, Uncle Alton.”

  He didn’t answer, but turned his back on her and trudged up the stairs.

  Though Ulla was hungry, she knew she could eat something at the store. It had been her good fortune her uncle hadn’t been able to resist each time a waiter came around pouring wine at the party last night. Now she had time to start expanding the plan she had in mind and putting it into action. She only hoped somebody would relieve her in time so she could meet with Stuart Roberson at the bank. She felt sure he would help her make the correct decision about what to do with her money.

  On the way to work, Ulla had to pass the sweet shop. The smell of cinnamon hit her nose and she couldn’t resist. She stepped inside and bought two buns. She knew if she didn’t eat them both, Wilbur would probably be glad to get one.

  When Ulla reached the store, she found Wilbur, the employee her uncle had retained after taking over the store, waiting as usual. “I’m sorry if I’m late, Wilbur.”

  “You’re not late, Miss Ulla. Mr. Wingate told me I better be standing here every morning when he arrived or I’d end up like Scottie did. With a wife and four young’uns, I can’t afford to lose my job.”

  “Uncle Alton isn’t feeling well. He won’t be in this morning, so we can both relax.”

  He grinned. “That’s good news. I’m glad to hear it.”

  “I agree with you. It is good news. Let’s hope his ailment keeps him home all day.” She pushed the door open and he followed her inside.

  “I’ve about finished gathering the supplies for that Dermott man. I saw the note that he wanted it delivered.”

  “Yes, but we’ll be adding some things. He’s coming in sometime soon with his family to get the clothes they’ll need. He wasn’t sure about his children’s sizes. Hopefully, he’ll show up today and you can mark that one off your list.”

  “Good. I’ll be in the stock room if he wants to add the clothes and anything else to the delivery wagon.”

  “Before you go, would you start a fire in the stove? I’m going to make some coffee and I bought some cinnamon buns. Would you like a cup and a bun?”

  He grinned. “I ate breakfast, but I sure would like another cup of coffee. I won’t ever turn down a good cup of Arbuckle’s.”

  Ulla nodded and moved behind the counter. She removed her hat and placed it on the shelf under the counter where she retrieved the cash box.

  A local woman came in and bought a small sack of flour. “Had to get here before all those emigrants showed up. I’ll sure be glad when they pull out.”

  “Yes, I’m sure a lot of people will be glad to see them gone.” Ulla smiled at her. “Of course there’s another train scheduled to leave in a few weeks. I’m sure they’ll start preparing for their trip soon. You know the wagons leave continually from late April to June.”

  “I guess it’s something you merchants do look forward to, since it means more money in your pockets.”

  Ulla only smiled, took the woman’s money and bid her good-by. As she placed the money in the box, she had the woman’s words about more money in her pockets on her mind. Was that what her uncle was waiting for? Did he plan to sell out of supplies to the next group of emigrants? Did he think there would be enough money for him to…to what? What was his plan?

  Think, Ulla. Think. Your father always said you had the mind to solve problems that most people couldn’t. Use that skill and decide what you need to do.

  After eating one of the cinnamon buns and drinking a cup of coffee, Ulla felt better. Since it was a warm May morning, she took a cup of coffee to Wilbur in the stock room and then let the fire in the stove burn out.

  The local dressmaker came in and bought thread and ribbons for the makings of a dress, but she didn’t have much to say except that she needed to hurry back to her store and get started on the dress. It was for the new mayor’s daughter, who would be celebrating her birthday soon, and she didn’t want to be late with it.

  Ulla was thinking about the problems she was facing with her family and straightening the candy jars on the counter when the bell over the door jangled a third time. She turned toward the door, then knew there was no use to try to concentrate on the problem of what she was going to do about her situation. Coming through the door was Cord Dermott. There was a small boy sitting on his shoulders and a little girl walking beside him, who he’d said was six. They all smiled when he said, “This is Miss Wingate. She’s the one who is going to help us get new clothes and boots for our trip.”

  “I sure will.” Ulla smiled and wondered why there was a twitch in her stomach. Maybe it came from the cinnamon bun or the coffee. She usually had milk in her coffee. She came from behind the counter wondering why the children’s mother hadn’t come along. “Now who wants to try their boots on first?”

  “Daddy first,” the little girl said.

  Cord laughed. “Well, Becky, I think there’s some kind of rule that says a pretty lady goes first.”

  She giggled. “I’m not a lady. I’m a little girl.”

  “But I bet you’re your daddy’s little lady.” Ulla reached for her hand. “So let’s see what we can f
ind for you.”

  She glanced at Becky's father.

  “While you’re getting your boots, Will and I are going to look over the tools in that barrel in the corner.” He winked at his daughter.

  “All right, Daddy.” She took Ulla’s hand and followed her to the rack of children’s boots.

  Ulla looked into the little girl’s eyes. Steel blue eyes, a little bluer, but still so much like her father’s. With the child’s blonde hair tied back with a strip of rawhide and her faded checked dress with a stain on the front, Ulla couldn’t help wondering why Cord’s wife wasn’t more careful dressing her child to come into town. It would be different if they were already on the trail. One would expect children to get dirty traveling, but at other times.... What kind of woman was Cord Dermott married to?

  Ulla was fitting the second pair of boots to Becky’s feet when she whispered, “Could I try them on?”

  “Which ones, sweetheart?”

  Becky pointed. “The white boots.”

  “Of course, you may try them on, but I’m afraid there’s no place on the trail where you’d get to wear them.”

  Her face fell and Ulla wanted to bite the end of her tongue off and spit it out. She knew she was right, but a little girl couldn’t be practical about something as simple as a pair of boots. Ulla grabbed the boots. “At least you can see what they look like on your feet. I bet your daddy will want to buy you a pair whenever you get to your new home.”

  Her attitude changed and she grinned. “He will. He loves me.”

  Ulla grinned back at her. “I’m sure he does.”

  “I love him, too.”

  Ulla was on the verge of asking her if she loved her mother, when the bell jangled and an older couple walked in. “Please look around and I’ll help you in a moment,” she said to them.

  “Don’t bother, ma’am. We came to talk to Cord,” the man said and they moved across the room to where Cord and his son were.

  “That’s Miss Hilda and Mr. Fred,” Becky whispered. “They’re going to Oregon with us.”