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Chapter 4
Edward was formulating a plan to get Bella's attention, but a problem up in the miners' camp had his time divided as February began. There were little more than a few tipped hats and nods in her direction until nearly mid-month.
Carlisle asked his son for some assistance on the twelfth of February, and with it, a plan was formulated.
"Why are we cleaning out the cabin?" Edward asked. They wiped down every surface, but the floor still needed a good sweeping to finish up the room.
"Because I sold it. New owner will be taking possession of it tomorrow and I can't leave it a mess for them."
"New owner? I can't believe you're letting it go," Edward mused.
"It was for a good cause, and I could hardly refuse Mrs. Black."
Edward's head shot up at that tidbit. "Mrs. Black?"
"Yes, she's hired someone to help her with various tasks and she wanted a roof over his head to be part of his payment. Alistair Jones will be living here."
Edward nodded, but his mind was already turning. He had a few things to accomplish, and not much time to do so.
Two days later, Eric sighed as he passed the Swan's Sweets display on his way back to the register. In the seven years he'd lived in and run the General Store in Rosewood, Colorado he had seen many things, but the tomfoolery surrounding his sister-in-law took the cake.
How these dirt-caked and whiskey-reeking men knew about a thing like Valentine's Day, he'd never know, but they all saw it as an opportunity to pitch woo. A small box now sat behind the counter holding the ridiculousness until Bella came by to claim it that evening. The newest offerings were not something he saw winning Bella's heart, nor her purse, which just as many of these men were after.
When a few miners came in, Eric was momentarily distracted. Just as he went to tend to them, the bell above the door alerted him to another customer. A quick glance revealed it to be the town marshal, so he turned back to his customers, knowing Marshal Cullen would wait until he finished with the men in front of him.
It wasn't until the tinkling laugh of the woman he'd been concerned about reached his ears that he realized Bella had come down from the apartment above. The thick braid in which she styled her hair was done up fancy with a light purple ribbon; her cheeks were a soft pink that made her look so much like her sister, Angela.
The marshal and Bella were in deep conversation, but Eric spied the way his hand reached up to tuck a tendril of hair behind her ear as she looked down to wrap his purchase. Edward doffed his Stetson at Bella as he turned from the counter. With the small wrapped parcel in his hands, the marshal approached Eric. He stepped back and turned to face the man fully.
"Marshal Cullen," Eric said in greeting.
"Mr. Yorkie. I've come to ask your permission to take Mrs. Black to dinner Sunday after church."
"I will need to speak with my sister-in-law to see that she's agreeable, but if she is, I don't object to it. She's been quite popular since her arrival this winter and I've been worried about her. I'm glad to see a man of character showing interest."
"Thank you, Mr. Yorkie. I look forward to hearing from one of you."
Eric watched as the marshal walked out before he went to Bella. "Edward Cullen just asked my permission to take you to dinner on Sunday. I told him I approved, but needed to speak to you first."
"I'm aware. I'm honored he asked after me. Mr. King at the bank was extolling his son's virtues and I was afraid he would try and force a meeting when he returns from his business in Chicago."
Eric stopped at the mention of the bank. "What business did you have there?"
"Dr. Cullen sold me his small lot with the cabin on it."
"I've told you, Isabella, you will not live alone while you are out here. It is bad enough to have you living above the shop."
The set of her shoulders told him he was in for a fight. "It wasn't my intention to live there. I've hired Alistair Jones to help me with some odd jobs and he will be living there as part of his pay. I won't have an employee of mine living in the gutter."
"You're throwing away money there, Bella. Alistair isn't reliable."
"It is my money to throw away, isn't it? And Marshal Cullen said it was a fine act of charity I'd done for him."
"Mrs. Black?" Alistair called behind them.
Bella turned to the man with a smile on her face. "Yes, Alistair?"
"Marshal Cullen asked me to deliver this to you."
Bella looked down at the small posy of lavender, columbine, and some other wildflowers bound together with twine and a card.
"Thank you, Alistair. I should be done here shortly. Then we can go to your new home and see what will be needed."
"Yes, Missus."
Bella opened the card and smiled at Marshal Cullen's elegant script.
Mrs. Black,
The beauty displayed on the outside is equally matched by the beauty of your gentle heart. I hope you will accept my invitation to dinner on Sunday and that we may begin to get to know one another better. In the meanwhile, I hope these flowers keep me in your thoughts.
Sincerely,
E. Cullen
Bella smirked at Eric before she turned to Alistair. "Alistair, please tell the marshal I will see him on Sunday. After that, you can go to your new home. I will meet you there."
With a nod, the man left and Bella returned her attention to her brother by marriage. "Did you throw out the other cards and gifts that have been dropped off today?"
"No, but we can now."
"Nonsense. I'd like to see exactly what interest there is out there, and the cards and tokens were for me. Now, I will be gone for a bit, but once I've returned from my errand, I'll watch the store so you can have your midday meal with Angela."
Bella whisked her way past him and collected her box of valentines before she made her way upstairs. Minutes later, she returned with a few sheets of paper and a pencil in hand as she left the store.
"I sure hope the marshal knows what he's getting into with that one," Eric muttered.
With her box of keepsakes tucked away upstairs, Bella walked down 3rd Street to the cabin she now owned. Alistair was sitting on the porch step, a rucksack beside him.
"Is that everything?" she asked.
"Yes, Missus." Alistair looked ashamed.
"I'm sure the journey must have been difficult from Georgia back when there wasn't a railroad as there is now. Room must have been limited for personal effects."
"Didn't have much even if there was. A neighbor went through and grabbed a few things before the men returned to burn down my house, and those things all fit in here." He pointed to the bag.
"Well, you have a home again, and no one will take this one from you as long as you follow my rules. The biggest one is drinking. I don't want you to crawl back in the bottle, Alistair. Now, I know in the beginning you may stumble, but I need you to try hard, do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am. I went to Doc Cullen and he helped me through the first few days of cravings. I'm past that point now."
Bella smiled at the older man. "Glad to hear that. Now, can you be trusted with a few pots and pans so you can make simple meals on that stove there? Or are you as hopeless a cook as my father was?"
"I can cook."
"That's good to hear. It seems as though Doc Cullen made sure this place was cleaned before I took ownership so we can return to the store and get you some essentials and discuss how this will work."
They locked up the cabin and Bella passed one of the keys to Alistair. "Keep a good eye on that. We only have the one spare and I'd hate to bother the blacksmith should we need a new one. Come by the shop before closing, if I have any set plans or tasks I will let you know then. If not, come by mid-morning and I will update you on plans for the day. Other than that, your time is your own. If you can help me with my chores, you'll always be well cared for."
"Begging your pardon, Missus, but what chores do you have to be doing?" Alistair asked.
"Well, come spring I'll have a great deal of fruit and berries to pick for my jams and candies. But this isn't an orchard or a farm. You know how to use a gun and I'll need someone in case we come across any beasts who believe I'm stealing their lunch."
Alistair nodded. "Makes sense. Though it has been a while since I've shot a gun. Didn't trust myself when I was drinking."
"That's smart. When the time comes, we'll get you a shotgun for the purpose. But for now, you can be an extra set of hands at the store. Eric agreed to that."
"I don't know why you saw some good in me, Mrs. Black, but I'll be forever grateful."
Bella smiled ruefully. "Mr. Black was a good man, but it was a transactional arrangement. In time, I may have grown to care for him, but we didn't have that. I can only imagine what your loss cost you."
They didn't speak about their losses after that. Instead, Bella focused on outfitting the cabin, shushing Alistair as he told her something or another wasn't necessary. Eric told him it would be faster if he just accepted it, as he'd get it either way. She also purchased him a few outfits, though he held firm on a new coat.
"Mine does fine for now. Next winter I will buy myself one with my own money."
Bella smiled, "That's fair, Mr. Jones."
With Alistair set up in his cabin, Bella returned to the store only to find Mr. King standing beside her display.
"Mr. King, how may I help you?"
"I was wanting to speak to you about some business, if you have a moment."
"And what business do we have together? My transaction is now completed. The transfer from Wells Fargo has gone through, has it not?"
"It is, but is having your money so far away wise? We could open you an account at King's Bank and handle your finances personally."
"No offense is meant to you, Mr. King, but my father and my husband both banked with Wells Fargo for their business needs. I trust those men implicitly as does my lawyer back in Manhattan. The stagecoach that conveyed me the last distance is partially owned by them, which was why I chose them. Many a smaller institution have gone belly up, and with it the fortunes of those who trusted them. I will gladly use your services for the money that currently sits in your safe, but the remainder of my funds will stay put."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Mrs. Black. My son will also feel hurt that a woman he wishes to court doesn't have faith in his family."
"If I didn't have faith in your family, you wouldn't hold two bits of my money in your vault. There is a difference between a local establishment and one of the largest banking companies in the nation. And as for a courtship, Marshal Cullen has already secured my attentions for the time being. Now, I wish you a pleasant evening and I will see you at church on Sunday, sir."
Bella walked back to the storeroom so she could retreat for a moment. Once the man was gone, Eric came into the back.
"I'm going to have dinner with Angela. She stopped by with a plate for you if you'd like to partake as well."
"Thank you, Eric. Enjoy your meal."
"If it is half as delicious as watching you thwart Mr. King, I shall."