I don't belong here. This world is foreign to me, and my gut whirs with fright. Every webbed doily, every teapot, and every fine-threaded rug is a threat to me. Rosemary is a wonderful hostess, for she whisks me up into the guest bedroom, announcing where I am to sleep for the foreseeable future.
"Are you certain about this?" I ask, "I could be a thief for all you know."
"Of course I am sure," She pauses as if deep in thought, "There is something unusual and unique about you, I admit. Your clothes themselves are so strange, but I do trust you. Call it intuition if you must."
"Believe me, Rosie's intuition is never wrong," a masculine voice sounds at the doorframe, tin coffee cup in hand, "She married me didn't she?"
Rosemary scoffs, "Lee Coulter, enough of that."
"Do you disagree sweetheart?"
"Well...I guess not," a large volume of laughter graces my ears as they smooch. A sudden chill envelops me at the sight. Why can't I be more romantic? Lucas won't really appreciate that will he? I've been thinking, which is not always a good thing for me. What is the actual percentage of chance that he will choose to love me and not Elizabeth? I haven't even said "boo" to him.
I must have been daydreaming because I flinch as Rosemary tramples through the hallway with a stack of plush towels. She shoots a wink in my direction. I notice that Lee is no longer here either.
"Follow me, precious, I have a surprise waiting for you." Taking one final glance at the room I am to sleep in, I see the adorable floral bedspread and a hexagonal window just beside the vanity. It is then I notice the dresser in the other corner and wish that I had luggage to unpack into those vintage drawers. In the kitchen, there awaits a tub of steam. Rosemary stands behind the massive barrel with an array of glass bottles in her arms.
"Young lady, you have been through a lot, and if you are willing, I would love to make you my pet today, and afterward, maybe go into town to the dress shop for some fabric. You are going to need some new clothes." A wistful expression later, she continues with a gesture, "I had Lee fill this up just before I brought you up to the house."
I find my fingers subconsciously scratching at my scalp and her comment stops me in my tracks. "Oh, um...that would be nice," I make sure to cross my arms over the Charlie Brown meme plastered onto my hoodie. Mrs. Coulter commences by glugging scented oils down upon the mountain of bubbles below. My best guess is lavender or lilac, and perhaps a hint of rose.
The bath is delightful and calming, but "the best part" as Rosemary calls it, is the hair styling and makeup. My nose crinkles when the woman pluffs a dash of powder onto my face. My eyes might become full bags of flour by the end of this ritual. I don't mind too much. I enjoy makup often, but this is the early 1900's. I pray with all my being that it at least appears to compliment my already pale features. My stomach drops when she reaches for a container of blush, but when she finishes, all I can see in the mirror is someone I have never met before in my life. The ice blue of my eyes is so piercing it could crack the mirror if I were to continue to stare at it. My hair is crimped and is quite stunning.
"Now, for the finishing touch," Rosemary collects a cerise dress with a v-neck and lace from behind a changing screen; I slip into it with remarkable ease. Every measurement is perfect, except one. The bust. I am just a tenth of an inch too small. The difference isn't major to warrant notice for people. Except me.
"You look quite lovely," Rosemary's compliments causes a blush to bloom across my cheeks. The moment is sweet until my own mind ruins everything. I keep thinking to my self, "but she never said you looked beautiful; she said you looked lovely. You will always be merely lovely."
"Thank you for everything, but is this normal for a visit into town?"
"For the most part, but this is also a special occasion. Everyone in town is dying to meet you," Rosemary scrambles for a celeste blue shawl and drapes it across my shoulders, "Here, let's cover those stitches I had to work around with a fresh dressing. Dr. Carson wants us to be careful not to allow infection." When the task is done, I am handed a cane lest I am to find myself lightheaded and swoon while in the midst of the road. All the houses are boring and the same. I will get lost remembering which family each house belongs to. I never paid that much close attention to that detail in the tv series. Rosemary drones on about her entire life and how she was once an actress, how she adores little Jack, and how she plans all the township events. I already know this information, so I zone out until rickety stagecoach wheels capture my attention. A charming man with sand-textured hair and spectacles pinching the slap of freckles on his nose, an important briefcase crushed against his torso as he pries himself from the carriage. All he needs to do is smirk at me and I realize the embarrassing thing I am doing. Rosemary and I are not even walking anymore. The best thing to do is divert attention from my obvious gaze to another subject, but I do not get the chance.
"Do you know that man, Nyrah?" She has become serious on me, "You seem uncomfortable."
"No, everything is alright. I tend to study people sometimes, that's all," in order to convince her, I offer a smile.
"I think he appreciated it."
"Rosemary!" I scold her with a shaking finger
"Aliright, let's leave from out in front of Gowen Petrolium and make our way to the dress shop." We travel at a slow pace, and of course I have to witness Lucas ushering Elizabeth and her son Jack into a building along the way. It is the space for a new library. I know it. Lucas is sweet to give it to her. When we reach the stale and cool atmosphere of the dress shop, we find ourselves in a room of disarray. Ribbons and pincushions...Clara Stanton (soon to be Flynn) appears to be stressed. Despite the slight nip outside, she has sweat drenching her slender neck.
"Rosemary, thank goodness!" She squeals, "I need your help."
"What's the matter Clara?"
"Well to start, I have been galavanting all over town trying to balance responsibilities and then a client moved up the deadline for the three skirts and four dresses we are only a third of the way finished with, to tomorrow. I know I am trying to save money by working a third job so Jesse and I can get married, but I have a shift at the saloon tonight as well, and I know there is no way they will be finished on time!" That tantrum was quite heavy. I would offer to help, but I cannot sew a button let alone a deadline worthy project.
"Oh dear, well, don't panic. I will help you and we will both come out on the other side of this snag. We always do remember?" Clara visibly settles and nods before she acknowledges my existence.
"Nice to meet you," she gifts me a handshake, "I'm Clara Stanton."
"I apologize if I am here at a bad time," I say.
"Nonsense, you go right ahead and choose what fabrics you would like," Rosemary guides me to the rack of rainbows, "Do you sew?"
"Not exactly." I don't want her to feel obligated, but I am wearing her own clothing after all.
"No worries, I will take care of everything." Rosemary follows Clara into the back room, and I feel lost again. There is something eery about being alone in an unfamiliar place no matter how pleasant it is. The gold and brown patterns are earthy and sensible, while the purples and reds are exotic and passionate. I am drawn to blue, as I always am, but I also appreciate a light cream, which is also scowling at me. I don't always look delightful in cream. Much deliberation, I still cannot decide, so I grasp at some Autumn colors.
Rosemary allows me to walk outside a for little while, and I turn my ear toward the various songs of cardinals and chickadees, which is difficult because of the noise in the street. I pause to gaze at the crate of oranges just outside Yost's Mercantile. The sunset glint of their peel is inviting to say the least. This particular fruit is weighted perfect for my palm and I love to ever so slightly prick its skin with my thumbnail and hold it to my nose. A figure in my peripheral vision causes me to startle. It's Nathan again.
"Constable," I acknowledge him, and his eyes travel to what I am wearing.
"Miss Sutton, you look...normal," I do believe Mr. Grant never intended to say that, but it is humorous to watch as he realizes his mistake.
"Do I?" The giggle in my heart swells, but I manage to remain collected, "What a relief." Nathan fiddles with his hat again, which means he is nervous. Perhaps the man is not ready for my sarcasm yet.
"I-I was just buying something for Allie," the wave of his brown hair shifts when he looks down at a small brown paper package. It is all bound with twine.
"That is very caring of you. May I ask what it is?"
"A magnifying glass. She likes to sometimes watch spiders and praying mantis up close, so I thought she might appreciate it."
"Sounds like fun," I comment, being honest, "you and your niece sound pretty close."
"How did you know she was my niece?" He asks, becoming defensive.
"Because of the simple fact that I listen to people and observe more than I speak. Someone must have mentioned it in passing." The answer seems to temporarily satisfy him on that score.
"That's another thing I would like to speak with you about if you don't mind," we both begin to walk side by side, taking a peaceful strolle, ignoring the curious whispers that pass us by. "I did some digging, and there is no record of a woman named 'Nyrah Sutton'; do you wish to enlighten me as to why that is?"
I hesitate a few seconds before I attempt to respond. I wish I had prepared better for this situation. My voice is uncertain, but honest, "I'm sorry, but I can't answer that; I don't know why."
"Any family that could account for your identity?" Nathan asks. My entire body becomes tense and I swallow hard, the scent of smoke burning my nostrils.
"No." There is a chill in my tone.
"There is no need to be so guarded. I'm sorry of it is a sensitive subject for you, but can you at least tell me what orph-"
"I know you are doing your job Constable, but this conversation is quite over." In attempt to whirl around him, my skirt snags on a nail in a crate. Nathan gives a subtle, yet exasperated sigh, making my nose flare and heat prickle up my neck. I ignore the torn hem and shove on, right into my knight in a brown suit. His tame beard smells of cologne, and my heart flutters.
"Is everything alright?What seems to be going on here?" Lucas's dark lashes touch his cheek as he studies the plucked thread under the tip of my shoe. His cautious smile is enchanting and tactful when he looks to me to answer. I am certain Mr. Bouchard can hear the gulp in my throat, and I am struck with sudden thirst. Instead of intimidating the man with the thoughts clearly engraved on my face, I readjust the the shawl tighter around my waist.
"Um...I forget," Lucas bores into my eyes with his own, and flush in embarrassment; I'm being silly and ridiculous, "everything is fine."
"Ah, yes," he begins, "mind you there is no offense in this statement, but I have heard that is a trend with you." His gaze returns to the neighborhood of gossiping squirrels in human clothing.
"It may be less of a trend than others may be led to believe," Nathan interjects.
The audacity of this dude, ruining a perfect session of flirting with the man of my dreams! I didn't even get the chance to flirt back! A well placed glare will put him back in his place. "I appreciate the input, but I am still annoyed with you, and probably will be for the foreseeable future. Good day." With reluctance, my shoes clop down the steps and I swat away any sensation of lightheadedness.
So...I began this chapter, so excited that I was making progress, then somehow...I accidentally deleted it and it was irretrievable.So, I spent extra time rewriting the whole chapter for all of you. I also was at a retreat in the upper Peninsula of Michigan, and they had horrible service. AND it has just been undeniably busy as busy can be. Forgive me, but I'm trying.
That aside, please comment, vote, or give me a well appreciated follow if you'd like! I know I would.Thank you for staying with me!