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Tess smiled softly. "Minerva, you don't know the half of it."
They sat there a long time, sipping coffee and chatting. They talked of many things, of children and diapers and husbands. Of big things and small, of the myriad day-today challenges facing pioneer women trying to forge a new life in a rugged land. The morning slid into noontime, then drifted into early afternoon.
By the time Minerva left, Tess felt as if she'd really, truly made a friend.
Chapter Twenty-two
Tess was sweating like a pig by the time she finished lacing, buttoning, hook-and-eyeing, and smoothing her dress. Panting for air, blinking against dizziness, she took a cautious step backward. The distance helped. She could see more of herself in the wide, U-shaped mirror on the washstand.
What little breath she had disappeared. Her mouth rounded in surprise.
She looked beautiful. Not just pretty; pretty was a dime a dozen. She was drop-dead gorgeous. Savannah had pulled the pale, honey-hued hair away from Tess's face and braided it, then curled the wrist-thick weave into a coronet that sat on her head like a fragile golden crown. Wisps of curly blond hair fell in disarray across her brow and temples, giving her a soft, almost ethereal look. The beautiful silver lavaliere Jack had brought her hung just below the hollow of her throat.
Her long-sleeved gown was the most beautiful sea blue silk Tess had ever seen. The bodice had a three-inch-wide band that began off the shoulder and veed down to reveal a modest swell of breast. Elegant sapphire threads zigzagged the band and cuffs, and ran in dual lines down the front of the skirt.
The dress formed smoothly across her bust and tapered down to her artificially wasped waist, then flowed like a
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waterfall over her horsehair-crinoline underskirt to the floor.
Tess swirled around and came to a breathless stop. The silk shirt rustled at the movement and belled out before it settled back into place.
The bedroom door creaked open. "Are you ready, Mama?" Katie stood in the doorway in a ruffled red and white polka dot dress. Baggy lace pantalets peeked out from underneath her hem. The bright red grosgrain ribbons her father had brought her dangled from the ends of her long braids as she skipped into the room.
Tess bent down and kissed her puffy little cheek. "You look pretty as a picture."
"We'd best get goin'," Katie said matter-of-factly. "Savannah's ... sort o' ..." "Snappy?"
Katie nodded solemnly. "She's been yellin' at me to hurry since dawn."
Tess bit back a smile and slipped a sapphire blue shawl over her shoulders. "She's a bit nervous, that's all." She went to the cradle and picked up Caleb. After a quick check of his diapers, she folded him in a warm homespun blanket, took Katie's hand, and headed for the porch.
The team was hitched and waiting outside the house. Jack was standing at Red's head, checking something on the bridle. He looked incredibly handsome in black twill pants, white shirt with gold buttons, and black vest. "Hi, Jack," she called out.
He turned toward her, already smiling. "Hi, Li?" His greeting melted away. The smile slid off his face.
Tess nervously smoothed her skirt. "Do I have it on backwards or something?"
His smile came back full force. He let go of the bridle and ran toward them, bounding up the porch steps.
Their eyes met and held. Tess felt the promise of magic glitter around them. He touched her cheek and leaned close, whispering, "You take my breath away."
Tess shivered at the heat of his breath on her throat. "I can't breathe too well myself," she murmured.
Smiling, Jack turned to Katie and dropped down on one knee. "Little Katydid, you look beautiful."
A grin erupted on her tiny face. 'Thanks, Daddy."
Jack helped them both onto the wagon, Tess up front with Caleb in her lap, and Katie back with the baskets of food.
They waited for Savannah. First patiently. Then not so patiently.
"Daddy, we're gonna be late, an' all the good food will be gone. Miz Hannah makes the very best fried chicken, 'n' I don't wanna miss it."
