A Beekeeper for Christmas by Kimberly Grist

Author:Kimberly Grist [Grist, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-21T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“A bee's sense of smell is so precise that it can differentiate between hundreds

of different flowers. It can also tell from several feet away whether a flower carries pollen or nectar.”

– Miss Bethany Brady, Beekeeper and Substitute Teacher, Counting Stars Children’s Home

Moses hurried out the mercantile door, his long legs eating up the distance to the train station and his buggy. He removed his jacket, then soaked his handkerchief with witch hazel, and tied it around his forearm. Grimacing from the burn, he rolled his sleeve down, donned his jacket, retrieved the hard-fought-for bouquet, and headed back to the depot.

Flowers in hand, he watched as the conductor assisted passengers from the train. So far, no one seemed to fit the description of Miss Bethany Brady. Could she have missed the train? He pulled out the telegram, then moved toward a man in a dark suit wearing a black cap. “Excuse me, sir. I am trying to locate my fiancée. She was supposed to have arrived in Carrie Town yesterday but was rerouted.”

The man motioned with his thumb toward the schedule. “There’s been a lot of confusion and more changes than I care to admit. One train arrived last night, and I expect another in about twenty minutes. Those two are the only unmarried women whom I know of scheduled in that direction. But like I said, the next one is scheduled to arrive shortly.”

Moses swallowed and shook his head at the sight of the elegant woman chatting happily to the young lady holding a bag of penny candy. The women from the mercantile. He studied the tall woman in the brightly colored dress who had been the one debating about a spool of thread. That couldn’t be Bethany, could it?

A lock of hair, the color of chestnuts caressed her cheek. He stepped closer to study the shape of her eyes. Her bright smile was so like the photo in his pocket. Moses quickly removed his hat and placed it over his heart. “Excuse me again, miss. Would you happen to be Miss Bethany Brady?”

“Yes, I am.” The woman stared at the wildflowers, then met his gaze. Her mouth formed a circle. “Moses?”

“Yes ma’am.” He extended the bouquet. “I was worried when we received word of the delays. I thought it best that I come and fetch you myself. Welcome to Texas.”

“How romantic.” The other woman elbowed Bethany. “How do you do, Mr. Montgomery. I’m Charity Moore and have been traveling with your tongue-tied fiancée since Memphis, Tennessee. I must say the flowers are a nice touch.”

The conductor called. “All aboard.”

Charity reached into her reticule and pulled out a paper. “I’d best be on my way. Here’s my address. I look forward to hearing from you.”

Bethany pulled her new friend into a hug. “I’ve enjoyed our time together. I’ll write soon.”

“You’d better.” The young woman gave a quick grin, then gathered her skirts and entered the train.

The engineer leaned his head out the window and pulled on the cord, producing two long whistles.

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