Rose (Suitors of Seattle) Read online

  Hyacinth came to the door and opened it widely, looking out the door like she was surprised it was raining. Shawn watched her, all but laughing. He was surprised the girl wasn’t always walking into things. She seemed to live in her own little world.

  Rose caught her sister’s arm before she wandered off. “Where are Mama and Papa?”

  Hyacinth shrugged and walked away, her eyes unfocused as she watched what was going on in front of her.

  Shawn looked at Rose. “Is there something wrong with Hyacinth? I mean, is she…slow?”

  Rose laughed. “She’s smarter than me by far. She gets the best marks in school of any of us. She’s just never quite here.”

  Shawn shrugged. If he ever figured her sisters out, he’d feel like he held the secrets of the universe in his hand.

  Rose took his hand and pulled him through the house, knocking on the door to the parlor and pushing it open. Her parents were sitting together on the couch, obviously deep in conversation. “Rose!” Mary jumped to her feet. “What are you two doing out visiting in a storm like this?”

  Rose sank down onto a chair and faced her parents, noting that Shawn sat in a chair beside her. “We have news!”

  Mary looked between the two of them, noting that both of them were all but glowing. “You’re having a baby.” She clapped her hands together and ran toward Rose, pulling her to her feet and hugging her. “I’m going to be a grandmother!”

  Rose laughed, nodding emphatically. “You are!”

  Mary made a face. “I’m too young to be a grandmother!” she wailed.

  Rose laughed, hugging her mother and patting her back. “You’ll be the youngest grandmother in Seattle.”

  Mary nodded. “And don’t you forget it.” She turned to Fred, who was smiling from ear to ear. “You’re going to be a granddaddy.”

  Fred nodded. “I have ears, woman.” He smiled at his eldest daughter. “I’m happy for you, Rose, but I’m a lot happier for me.”

  Shawn smiled as he watched the family together. His own parents had been a lot more formal. “Should we tell the others?”

  Mary went to open the door and caught Lily as she ran past the room. “Slow down, Lily.” She shook her head. “Get your sisters in here.”

  Lily opened her mouth to shout, but quickly closed it. “I’ll get them, Mama.” She walked away, using longer strides than she should, but not running for a change.

  Rose watched her go with an amused expression. She and Lily had a lot of work to do.

  When all of her sisters were gathered in the parlor, Rose nodded to Shawn. “He has something he wants to tell you.”

  Shawn shrugged, not caring who told everyone. “You’re all going to be aunts.”

  Iris, at seven, was the most literal of the bunch. “I’m not an insect, and I never will be. You can’t call me a bug.” She looked at her mother. “Mama, why is Dr. Shawn being mean to us?”

  The others burst out laughing. Rose took Iris’s hand and pulled her into a quick hug. “He doesn’t mean the bug kind of ant. He means I’m going to have a baby, and you’ll be its aunt. Like Aunt Harriett is our aunt.”

  Iris squealed. “I’m going to be an aunt!” She jumped up and down clapping her hands.

  Hyacinth looked from Shawn to Rose. “Where do baby’s come from anyway?”

  Mary took control of the conversation. “From their mother’s stomachs.” She smiled. “I know the cook made a cake for my birthday tomorrow. Let’s go get it now and eat it to celebrate.”

  All the girls rushed from the parlor to go to the dining room. Rose got to her feet more slowly. “Cake sounds delicious.”

  Shawn looked down at her. “No nausea right now?”

  Rose shook her head. “I feel good.” She took his hand and led him to the dining room. “I love you.”

  He stared down at her silently, not saying the words back, but his eyes filled with more warmth than she’d ever seen. Maybe someday he’ll return my love, she thought wistfully.

  *****

  Rose had lunch with her mother and Aunt Harriett the following day. Harriett was glowing, but huge. She was already five months along, and much bigger this time than she had been the first. “How are you feeling, Aunt Harriett?”

  “Huge, but good.” She smiled down at Rose’s stomach. “I heard your news. How are you feeling?”

  Rose made a face. “The morning sickness is bad, but other than that I’m fine. A little more tired than usual.” She shrugged to indicate it didn’t really matter.

  “Do you want to stop working at the home until after the baby’s born? Or forever? We could have Amaryllis step in after school.”

  Rose shook her head. “I want to work there as much as I can. I can’t stand sitting around idly. I never thought I’d be one to say that, though.”

  Mary nodded, her hand squeezing Rose’s. “You’ve grown up a lot. I think Shawn is good for you.”

  “He is. He doesn’t love me, but he’s a good husband.”

  Harriett frowned. “He still hasn’t said it? He will.”

  Rose shrugged. “You know, I’ve decided that whether or not he ever falls in love with me, I’m in love with him, and he’s good to me. I have a better marriage than most.” The words were brave, but inside she died a little every time she told him she loved him and he said nothing back. She certainly hoped her aunt was right, but she just couldn’t keep counting on his feelings changing.

  Mary smiled at her daughter, the concern obvious on her face. “We’ll just keep hoping he has a change of heart.”

  As they ate, they talked about nurseries and baby names. “Do you want a girl this time, Aunt Harriett?”

  Harriett nodded. “Max is determined to have a dozen boys, though. He says he has to beat Fred.” Her eyes met Mary’s. “What is it about men and their competitive ways?”

  Mary shrugged. “I have no idea, but it’s not just men. My Lily seems to have gotten that too.”

  Rose made a mental note to talk to Lily about being competitive. She was determined to help her sister if it killed them both.

  Chapter Eight

  Shawn finished up his last extraction of the morning, wishing he could talk people into coming to his office for preventative care for the fiftieth time that morning. He put his hat on and stepped out into the gloomy day. It wasn’t raining, but it looked like it could any moment. He walked to the next street over to the bank where Fred worked, wanting to talk to his father-in-law about something special to do for Rose.

  He wasn’t ready to tell her he loved her, but he wanted to do something special for her to make her feel loved. He wasn’t sure what to do, though. He was always taking her flowers and jewelry, so that wouldn’t work. What would a woman like Rose want other than gifts?

  He wandered into the bank and waved at the teller, realizing it was the same man he’d run into in the park with Rose. Daniel, wasn’t it? He thought so.

  Shawn pointed back toward his father-in-law’s office. “Is he in?”

  Daniel nodded, glaring at Shawn. It was obvious he wasn’t nearly as over Rose as she was over him. Shawn ignored him and made his way back to Fred’s office, knocking on the closed door.

  Fred yelled out, “Come in!”

  Shawn stepped inside and took his seat across from Fred. “I need some advice.”

  Fred looked at his son-in-law. “Whatever you did, just apologize. It doesn’t matter whose fault it was, she’ll never forgive you unless you admit it was yours.”

  Shawn stared at him for a moment, before his face transformed into a grin. “That’s not the advice, but I’ll certainly file that away to use when I need it.” He looked down at his hands for a moment. “I’m trying to figure out something special to do for Rose. I buy her flowers and jewelry all the time, but I’m looking for something to thank her for the baby, if that makes sense.”

  Fred leaned back in his chair. “That should be pretty easy. She loves flowers and jewelry, but I think something she’d like even more is to spend
a whole day with you. Take a day off work, spend the day in the park. Go for a long drive. Take her to a restaurant, or just on a picnic. She’d love to go to the beach and watch the waves. Anything would make her happy as long as you spend the day together.”

  Shawn frowned. He hated not being at the office, but Fred’s words made sense. If he took an entire day off work to spend with her, she would feel loved. He was certain of it. “That sounds like a good idea.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Would she prefer the park or the beach?” He wanted to do whatever would make her the happiest.

  Fred shrugged. “She’d probably prefer a picnic on the beach. Take a nice blanket and spread it on the sand and just spend the day there.”

  Shawn stood. “I’ll do that.” He looked down at Fred. “I appreciate the advice.”

  Fred nodded. “Sit back down for a minute, son.”

  Shawn complied, looking at him questioningly. “You need something?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you and my little girl are doing okay. She was really unhappy the first few days after you were married.” His eyes seemed to bore into Shawn.

  “She was. I think things are better now.” Shawn looked down at his hands. “I’m trying really hard to be a good husband to her.”

  Fred smiled. “That’s all that anyone can ask of you.” He picked up his pen and twirled it between his fingers. “Rose is spoiled. As spoiled as a girl can possibly be, and she’s had men falling at her feet for years. I think she needed to be brought down a notch, but I don’t want her hurting forever.”

  Shawn shook his head. “I don’t want her hurting at all. We’ll work things out. I think she’s pretty happy now.”

  Fred nodded. “She’s been doing much better lately. Just make sure you don’t break her heart too badly.”

  “I won’t.” He stood up and left then, worried that everyone knew they’d had trouble and hated him. Of course, Fred had made it clear he thought it was good that Rose didn’t have him falling at her feet. Maybe it would all work out in the end.

  Shawn went back to his office and ate the sandwich he’d brought for lunch quickly before the next patient arrived. He wished he didn’t have to always be in such a hurry. Maybe it would be good to spend more time with Rose and less time working. He made more than enough money, and he didn’t have to put in such long days. He could even take half days off one day per week to spend more time with her. He’d talk to her about that when they took their day off together.

  *****

  When Rose woke up on Friday morning, she was surprised to see Shawn still sleeping beside her. She hadn’t been getting up with him because it was better for her morning sickness to stay in bed longer. She looked at the clock. It was already eight. He should be at the office.

  Rose reached over and touched his shoulder. “Shawn? Wake up! You need to be at the office.”

  Shawn’s eyes slowly opened and he rolled to his side, propping his head on his elbow. “I don’t think I’m going to the office today.”

  She stared at him in surprise. “Why not? It’s Friday. You always go to the office on Fridays.” Was he sick?

  He traced her cheek with his finger. “I wanted to spend the day with my beautiful bride. Is that a problem?” He brushed a slow kiss across her lips.

  She smiled. “You’re taking the day off work to spend with me?”

  He nodded. “I’ve been planning it since Tuesday, but I wanted to surprise you.”

  She moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m surprised and happy.” She rested her head against his chest. “Thanks for spending the day with me.” She didn’t even care what they did as long as they were together.

  He pulled back, looking down into her sleepy eyes. “How would you feel if I started taking every Wednesday afternoon off so we could spend it together? It’s my slowest day, and I could put the few people who come in on the schedule at other times.”

  “I’d love that.” Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. “What are we going to do with all our free time together?”

  “I thought maybe you’d enjoy lunch on the beach today.”

  She smiled. “I love the beach in September. There aren’t as many people there and I can just sit and watch the waves roll in.”

  He got out of bed, and pulled her to her feet. “I’ll go get a picnic lunch made and we’ll spend the whole day there.”

  Once he’d dressed and left the room, she did a little dance. He wanted to spend more time with her. Maybe he’d love her someday after all!

  She put her knitting needles and yarn into a small bag to take with them to the beach. She wanted to make a set of booties for the baby, and she could work on them while they sat there. He was at the foot of the stairs waiting for her when she walked down them. He held a book and nodded to the bag she carried. “May I put my book in your bag?”

  “Of course.” He took the bag from her and led her to the door, the picnic basket in his other hand. The horses were already hitched to the buggy and he helped her into it after stowing their things in the back.

  “I haven’t been to the beach in a long time,” she told him. They’d gone all the time when she was a little girl, but as more children had come along it had been too hard for her mother to keep up with them all and they’d stopped going.

  “I’ve never been to the one here. I went back East before I moved here, but I just haven’t had time since moving to Seattle.”

  “I’m glad your first time will be with me,” she said with a grin. She couldn’t have been happier about his decision to stay home and go to the beach with her. Why had they never done anything like that before?

  They settled in a quiet spot away from the few people who were there that day, and each of them did their own thing. She didn’t feel the need to constantly talk to him when they were together, content to simply be in his presence.

  After they’d had lunch, she took out her knitting and he read his book, which was some sort of treatise on oral hygiene. She couldn’t believe he actually looked interested as he read the thing.

  “Well, isn’t this a cozy afternoon?” a voice said from above them.

  Rose squinted as she looked up. Another of her former suitors. Shawn was going to start to think they were everywhere. “Hello,” she said calmly, smiling up at Michael. “What are you doing here?”

  Michael shrugged. “Enjoying a day at the beach.” He looked over at Shawn. “Are you going to introduce me?”

  She didn’t want to, but knew it was only polite. “Shawn this is Michael Wall, an old friend of mine. Michael, this is my husband Dr. Shawn Henry.”

  Michael held his hand out. “Dr. Henry.”

  Shawn nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

  “I’m more than an old friend, though. I was one of the men vying for Rose’s hand. We all knew about each other of course.” He eyed Shawn. “None of us knew about you, though.”

  Rose closed her eyes, hating that they kept running into old beaux of hers. “Shawn moved here just a few months ago. As soon as I saw him, I knew none of the rest of you would do.” She knew her words were rude, but she was tired of men like him trying to make Shawn angry with her.

  Shawn grinned, squeezing her hand tightly. “I didn’t waste any time after I saw you either.”

  Michael looked down at them. “So you’re happy, Rose?”

  Rose nodded without hesitating. “Of course. I married the man I love.”

  Michael shrugged. “I guess the best man won.” He turned and walked away without another word.

  Rose turned to Shawn. “I’m sorry about that.”

  Shawn made a face. “Exactly how many old beaux do you have?”

  Rose blushed. “I honestly never bothered to count. Too many to admit to.” She was ashamed of the way she’d played one man against another.

  “Why were there so many? You couldn’t have just settled on one?”

  She sighed. “Honestly, I didn’t know what I wanted, and there were all these men
who seemed interested in me. My parents didn’t seem to care that there were always men buzzing around me, so I just…let them keep coming.” She looked down at her knitting, embarrassed.

  “So we’re probably going to be running into your old suitors for the rest of our lives?”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me.” She played with the yellow yarn she was using to make booties. “I’m sorry.” She looked into his eyes for the first time since Michael had walked off. “I never really considered how it would look when I did marry if I had all these men who I had flirted with coming around all the time.”

  Shawn nodded. He hated that she had been courted by so many men, but he didn’t think he had the right to complain about her past when other men had loved her and he’d kept her from them. He threaded his fingers through hers. “I wish we weren’t constantly running into them, but they’re in your past.” His free hand reached down and touched her stomach. “How are you feeling today?”

  She smiled. “I was a little nauseated this morning, but I’m much better now.” She looked at him. “I think we should go home.”

  “Home? I thought you liked the beach.”

  “I do like the beach, but there are things we can do during a day off at home that we can’t do at the beach.” She stood up and brushed the sand off her skirt before leaning down to put her knitting into her bag. “Would you like to go home and do some of those things with me?”

  His eyes lit up, and a slow grin crossed his face. “If you’re suggesting what I think you’re suggesting, I would like that better than anything. The beach is fun, but home is so much better…for some things.”

  They giggled like children as they hurried back to the buggy. “It looks like rain again. It’s probably good we’re taking our party for two indoors,” she told him.