Free Echoes of the Heart by Carole Webb Page A

way, I didn’t get your
name.”
    “My name is Nick,
ma’am.”   His face blushed slightly when
she flashed him a smile.   Nick poured the
hot water into the roomy etched copper tub standing near the fireplace concealed
by an ornate foldable screen painted in Oriental design.   “I‘ll be right back with more water.”  
    While arranging
toilet articles on the marble-topped vanity, Sadie entered with thick fluffy
white towels followed by Nick with more water.   “I’ll press all your garments.   Just let me know what you want to wear and I will see to it while you
bathe.”
                Unlike
the reprehensible marshal, Raeden had received a warm welcome from Sadie whose
plump figure and rosy cheeks gave her a jovial appearance along with her
flawless smile.
    She opened a case
and chose a yellow evening dress embroidered with petite pink roses around the
neckline and held it out for Sadie.
                “It’s
quite a lovely dress.   Is it imported?”
                “No
Sadie, I made it myself.”   She always
felt tremendous pride when someone compared her work to imported fashions.
    “Well I must say,
you appear very handy with a needle and thread.”
    After thanking
Sadie, she closed the door and made ready for her bath.   The sweet aroma from the glycerin and
rosewater she had sprinkled liberally in the hot water caressed the air as it
ascended in the steam, inviting her into the water.
    With a sigh, she
submerged her entire body including her hair in the spacious tub and relaxed
while thoughts of the tall, virulent man occupied her mind.   His teasing had angered her, but his rugged
confidence and attractive masculine demeanor made her speculate how it might
feel to be possessed by such a man.
                She
cleared her thoughts and after scrubbing herself thoroughly she rinsed her hair
with the water left next to the tub then stepped out to dry, wrapping her
tresses in one of the generous soft towels.
    She slipped into
pale yellow silk undergarments, covered herself in a dark blue silk dressing
gown then proceeded to unpack clothing, choosing shoes then a yellow ribbon
choker adorned with small cameo that would rest in the hollow of her neck.
    Sun streamed
through the enormous window across the opposite wall spreading over an
overstuffed chair, the perfect place to let her hair dry.   Loosening the towel, long damp strands
cascaded around her shoulders falling down to her waist.
    When dry, she
brushed the generous curls, bringing out the vivid crimson highlights streaked
through her hair.  
    The sound of
voices emanating from the stairway brought Raeden to her feet.   Opening her bedroom door, she called
downstairs.   “Aunt Diane, is it you?”
                Diane
answered as she climbed the staircase, Raeden’s dress in hand.   “I’m ready for a nice long bath.   I see you already had yours.”   Diane handed Raeden her garment.  
    “What a wonderful
indulgence after all the time on the train.   Did you get everything in storage?”
                “Most
of it, the men are still unloading the rest.   Everyone in town will want to come and see what I brought back.   I have a whole train car of items people
ordered.   I picked them out personally
and I am sure they will want to get their goods as soon as possible.   We will be at the store bright and early in
the morning.”
                “I
can hardly wait to see it, and my work area.   I’ll write a letter tonight so it can go back with the train to St.
Louis.   I am
sure Mother and Father will be anxious to hear from me.”
    She returned to
her room and finished unpacking her things placing them in the chest of drawers
matching the floor to ceiling carved oak armoire.   She strode to the mid-sized writing desk in
the anteroom facing a draped window.   A
cushioned chair with matching ottoman and a small chaise lounge sat around a
plush hand woven