Free Healing Montana Sky by Debra Holland Page B

will join us in Holy Matrimony.” He hoped Mrs. Valleau would turn his lie into the truth.
    He glanced at Mrs. Valleau, who stared at him with wide eyes. Was there a hint of humor in their depths? The thought she might find this discussion with Mrs. Cobb as absurd as he did lifted his spirits just a bit. He liked that he might have alleviated her pain for a few short minutes. A shared sense of humor eased many of the stresses of life, and the two of them would certainly need that advantage if they chose to marry in grief instead of love.
    Mr. Carter stood on the outskirts of the circle of people. From the rigid stance of his body, Erik could see the rancher was disturbed and would step in if need be. Yet he had a sense the man was allowing Erik to handle the situation.
    “Well,” Mrs. Cobb huffed. “If Mrs. Valleau is recently widowed, she can’t go around wearing gold. She needs black.”
    Widow Murphy sniffed. “And you getting married on the same day your wife has died? Scandalous.”
    “Do you have a black dress that will fit Mrs. Valleau?” Erik asked the shopkeeper, trying to keep his tone even.
    Mrs. Cobb glanced over toward the dress section. “No.”
    “Then gold will have to do, which is fine with me. Black would be too painful for us both.”
    Even Mrs. Cobb had enough sensitivity to keep her mouth shut.
    The door opened, and Pamela Carter whirled in. She saw her husband first, and a happy smile lit up her plain, plump face. She held up a parcel wrapped in string. “Success! Mrs. Mueller had just taken out a batch. I had to wait for the pretzels to cool a bit.” Seeming to become aware of the tension in the air, she lowered her arm, her expression becoming wary.
    John Carter took a long step toward his wife and held out his hand. “You’re just in time, my dear. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
    Mrs. Carter put her gloved hand in her husband’s, and he drew her forward.
    Erik realized the Carters were heading toward Mrs. Valleau, and he stepped out of their path, hoping Mrs. Carter wouldn’t be offended by Antonia’s lack of a corset like Mrs. Cobb and Mrs. Murphy were.
    As the couple passed, Mrs. Carter gave Erik a friendly smile and a nod of acknowledgment.
    John Carter bowed slightly to Mrs. Valleau. “How fine you look in that dress. The color suits you.”
    Mrs. Carter cast her husband a curious glance, but her friendly smile stayed in place, and she didn’t seem put out by his admiration of another woman.
    I should have been the one to compliment Mrs. Valleau. Seems Erik could do nothing right this day.
    Mr. Carter gestured to Mrs. Valleau, introduced the two women, and quickly explained the circumstances.
    Mrs. Carter’s expression softened. “Oh, you poor dear. I can’t even imagine what you must be going through.” She leaned forward to embrace the new widow.
    As Mrs. Carter hugged her, Mrs. Valleau stood wide-eyed and stiff, as if not knowing how to respond.
    Mrs. Carter didn’t seem to mind. She glanced at Erik then placed a sympathetic hand on his arm. “What you both must be going through. How can we help?”
    Erik snuck a glance at Mrs. Cobb and Mrs. Murphy. Both had identical grimaces on their faces, as though they’d just drunk sour milk.
    John Carter gazed at his wife with approval. He leaned forward to say something and hesitated, his ears reddening. “Please reassure Mrs. Valleau that she can refrain from wearing a corset and still be a lady.”
    Not by expression or posture did Mrs. Carter betray any astonishment at the improper conversation. She scrutinized the yellow dress. “You’re so slender, Mrs. Valleau, that you don’t even need a corset.” She touched her waist. “Not like us, eh, Mrs. Cobb, Mrs. Murphy?”
    Mrs. Cobb’s face reddened, and Mrs. Murphy ruffled up like a chicken. But neither said anything, apparently not wanting to offend the foremost lady of Sweetwater Springs.
    Mrs. Carter raised her chin. “The essence of a lady comes from