Brides And Blessings

“Yes. I mean—You know, I can’t remember.”

“Don’t let it bother you. I’ll run off a copy of mine.”

Suzann nodded her thanks and put the key in the lock. As she reached back to return his key, another coughing spell erupted. She felt slightly light-headed and feverish now along with her other symptoms.

Without a word the cowboy reached for a paper cup above the fountain. He filled it and handed her the water.

“Here,” he said, “drink this.”

She put the cup to her lips and drank. The urge to cough slowly vanished. The cool water also relieved her aching throat a bit. But she still felt woozy.

“Thanks,” she said. “I needed that.”

“You sure did.” His deep chuckle filled the air. “Are you all right?”

“I’ll—” she swallowed “—I’ll be fine.”

“Did you know it’s getting dark outside? Looks like rain.”

“In that case, I’ll cut my visit to the library short.”

“Can I get you anything?” He hesitated thoughtfully. “We have cough drops in the church office. I’ll go get you some.”

“You’re kind to think of that.”

When he’d gone, Suzann sat down at the desk, put her head down and closed her eyes. When she finally lifted her head again, she studied the room, searching for some sort of work that she could be involved in when the cowboy returned. Turning in her chair, she pulled out a book from the bookcase behind her.

The Church Directory.

She’d been wanting something that would acquaint her with the congregation at Oak Valley Bible Church. A church directory was just the text she’d been hoping to find. She would check it out of the church library and take it back to Holly’s apartment for further study.

She filled out the library card and opened the book to the first page. She’d just turned to the Gs for Gallagher when Josh reappeared with the cough medication. Casually, she flipped to the Rs.

“How’s the cough?” He handed her the box of candied drops.

“Better.” She popped a drop in her mouth. “Yum, cherry-flavored. My favorite.”

“Keep the whole box then. We have several cartons of the stuff in the church office.”

“Thanks again.”

He shifted his weight from one long leg to the other as if there was something more he wanted to say. “As you know,” he began, “I’m new to Oak Valley, and I thought the pastor said you were a native Texan. But you sure didn’t sound like it just then.”

She needed to forget her cough and get in character.

“I have several friends from other states.” Suzann’s sculptured lips formed her best ingenuous smile yet. “I guess it’s beginning to rub off.”

“Yeah, that’s probably it.”

He still looked puzzled, but maybe not as much as before.

“I couldn’t help noticing that you’re wearing cowboy boots and jeans,” she said with a Texas accent. “Were you raised on a farm? Or do you just like Western clothes?”

“A little of both, I guess. But it was a ranch. Not a farm,” he corrected with a spark of amusement in his eyes. He glanced out the window. “Why, it’s starting to sprinkle.”

The light shower had turned to rain by the time she looked out too. The trees and the entire parking lot had grayed eerily. She could barely see the street beyond.

“You sure don’t need to be out in wet weather with that cough of yours.” He glanced toward the side door. “If you’ll give me your car keys, I’ll re-park your car under the carport.”

“I—I walked.”

“Walked? Didn’t you notice those dark clouds coming up from the north?”

“I guess I was distracted. Coming from far west Texas, I’m still amazed when I find autumn colors this far south. Besides, fall is my favorite time of the year.”

“Fall’s my favorite time of the year too,” he said. “But you need to look up once in a while, young lady. Know what I mean?”

Suzann forced herself to hold in a smile. Josh looked to be in his mid- to late-twenties. She was probably only a few years younger than he, if that.

“I’ll try to remember to do that,” she said after the long pause. “But I do hope you’ll keep reminding me.”

He cocked his head to one side and grinned his heart-stopping smile again. “I can’t seem to stop preaching, can I?”

“Occupational hazard, I guess.”

He laughed. “You know, you have a great sense of humor. I guess I never saw that side of you before.”

“My funny side only comes out when I’m feeling a little bit under the weather.”

His animated expression fell away. “That’s right. You’re sick, aren’t you?”

“I think I just need to rest up from my vacation.”

“Well, if you think I’m going to let you walk home in the rain, you have another think coming.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “Let me pull my truck around. And meet me at the side entrance in five minutes.” He started to walk off, then stopped and turned back. “Unless you would rather stay a little longer.”

“No,” she said. “I’m ready to go right now.”

She knew she shouldn’t be catching a ride with her sister’s secret love. But it was raining outside. And she was feeling sicker by the minute.

Chapter Two

Holly, on her flight to California, tried to ignore Mike in the first-class seat beside her. Yet he kept staring at her as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. He appeared amazed that she looked so much like Suzann. Holly had the sudden urge to stare right back.

With his green eyes and blond hair, some might call Mike McDowell handsome. Holly saw him as conceited, condescending and a big phoney. During the last two weeks, the only time he’d been halfway civil was when her sister was around.

A man like Mike probably expected every woman on the planet to fall down at his feet. He would be surprised if he knew how truly unimpressed Holly really was. She would definitely put Mike McDowell on her prayer list.

Suzann had depicted Mike as charming, a sweetheart. Holly thought his congenial attitude was a facade to impress her wealthy sister. She intended to be courteous to Mike, but the friendship balls were all in his court.

He leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ll be landing in less than a hour, and I’m bushed. I haven’t had a day off in over two weeks. Sometimes I think Suzann forgets that she’s not my only client.”

Holly didn’t feel like making a comment.

“I hope you don’t mind,” he continued, “but I’ll be out of pocket for the next few days. So I won’t be able to take your phone calls.”

She stared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. “What?”

“Now, hold on. Don’t blow this way out of proportion. You can still call me—just not right away. And whatever you do, don’t tell your sister.”

“Now, let’s see. I don’t know a single person in California but you. And I’m pretending to be a movie star. So if a problem comes up, who should I call? Nine-one-one?”

He laughed. “That sounds like something Suzann would say. I’m glad to see that you’re finally beginning to lighten up.”

“And?”

“I have someone in mind to take my place. You can call him anytime.” He handed her a calling card.

Stunned, Holly shook her head. Then she glanced down at the white card. Turning it over, she read a name and a phone number. Dr. Shawn McDowell, Pediatrician.

“Shawn’s my younger brother,” Mike said.

“Does he know who I am?”

“Not yet.”

Her sister had said that nobody else in California was to know. But that was because Suzann assumed Holly could go to Mike for help. Did Mike intend to explain the situation to his brother? Or leave Holly dangling?

If his past history symbolized his future acts, Mike planned to wash his hands of the entire matter. So far, he’d showed a complete lack of interest in doing anything he was hired to do.

Holly was completely disillusioned long before her plane touched down at Los Angeles International. By the time the limo her sister rented arrived at Suzann’s hilltop mansion in southern California, Holly felt like Alice at the bottom of an extremely majestic rabbit hole.

The house was done in shades of blue and off-white, suiting Holly’s tastes perfectly. She found antiques in almost every room—from France, Germany, England. Pewter goblets and bowls were everywhere. If I’m ever as rich as my sister, she thought, I’ll decorate my whole house just like this.

Gertie, her sister’s round, jolly, Austrian housekeeper, and Gertie’s son, Buddy, gave Holly a warm “Welcome home.” But, of course, they thought she was Suzann. Bates, Suzann’s butler, driver and sometimes secretary, exhibited a more formal demeanor.

When phone calls from Suzann’s numerous Hollywood friends started pouring in, she told Bates to say she was unavailable. Holly wasn’t ready to play “let’s pretend.”

Shortly before lunch, she picked up her Bible and moved outdoors, settling into a reclining chair by the pool. She imagined what the pool might look like on a summer night, the blue water all lighted up and inviting. The surrounding lawn looked smooth and green, with rows of tropical plants lining the rustic, cedar fence.

The setting was lovely. However, she’d never felt lonelier nor more out of place. Her old life in Texas hadn’t prepared her for the fast lane. For all the help her childhood experiences on a Texas ranch gave her, she might as well be living on another planet.

But she’d see this through, no matter what. Without the opportunity to spend time in a Bible-believing church environment, Suzann might never find the Lord.

She’d questioned whether or not she should phone Suzann and tell her about Mike. Sure, he’d asked Holly not to tell her sister that he wouldn’t be taking her calls, but Holly never promised she wouldn’t.

The unmistakable scent of cucumbers reminded her that she was hungry. She selected a sandwich from the tray Gertie placed beside her chair. The crunchy cucumber and taste of mayo fill her mouth. The sandwich was certainly palatable, but Holly would have preferred a cheeseburger and fries. She put down the sandwich and reached for her Bible.

After reading for half an hour, she prayed. Finally, she relaxed. She was about to close her eyes and take a quick nap when a man she didn’t know opened the yard gate and started toward her.

Holly jerked to a sitting position.

The man looked to be in his early thirties. He wasn’t tall—probably not more than five-eight—and his close-cropped hairstyle framed a rugged-looking face that few would call handsome. Yet Holly saw a kindness in that face. Somehow with a simple glance, he managed to put her at ease.

“Where did you come from?” she asked.

“I’m sorry, Miss Condry, if I scared you. But my brother, Mike, asked me to stop by. Your maid said I’d find you here.”

His deep voice was as comforting as his warm, open gaze.

Relief surged through her. “Oh, yes. He mentioned you.” She forced a pleasant expression. “You’re the pediatrician.” She offered him her hand.

“I’m Shawn McDowell.”

“Glad to know you, Doctor.”

“Please, call me Shawn.” He shrugged, clearly baffled, and shook his head. “Look, I don’t have a clue what I’m doing here.” Shawn peered at Holly as if he expected answers. “Would you mind filling me in?”

When she didn’t reply, he raked his hand through his thick, sandy hair. Then he pulled up one of the benches and sat down beside her.

Holly was at a loss to know what to say. Wasn’t it enough that Mike had deserted her? Did he also expect her to cover his tracks?

It would be easy to simply play along, pretend she was Suzann, and make Mike do his own dirty work. But that wasn’t Holly’s style. As a Christian, she felt she had to be honest with this man. His enquiring, blue-green eyes demanded it.

“I’m not who you think I am.” Her throat tightened. She paused before continuing. “I thought Mike would have told you.”

He scratched his head thoughtfully. “I must have missed something. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not Suzann Condry.”

“What did you say?”

She lowered her lashes so she wouldn’t have to see his reaction to her revelation. “I’m her identical twin sister, Holly Harmon.”

“Look, ma’am, I think I’m in way over my head here.” He stood as if to leave. “I better go.”

She felt the color drain from her face. “No, please. Wait.”

“I’m a doctor. Not a private detective. Mike should have sent a private investigator, instead.”

Tears glistened in her eyes. First she’d convinced Suzann she should tell her parents in Texas about the identity switch. Now she’d told the secret again and still had no one to turn to.

One of her false eyelashes partially separated from her left eye. She yanked it off, pulling off the other one for good measure. The doctor probably found such behavior offensive, but she hated false anything. She also hated her current situation.

Holly knew the rules in Oak Valley. She had no idea how to proceed here. The urge to cry was now almost overwhelming.

“Don’t go.” Her voice choked with emotion. “I need…”

He sat down on the bench again. His compassion-ate gaze touched her emotionally. “Hey, are you all right?” He hesitated. “Is there someone you would like me to call?”

“There’s nobody I can phone but your brother, and he’s not taking my calls.”

“How ‘bout if we start at the beginning?” he suggested gently.

As best she could, Holly explained all that had happened in the last month. If his expression was an indication, Shawn McDowell wasn’t buying any of it.

“Do you expect me to believe all this is on the level?”

“As strange as it may sound, I do.”

“And you also want me to believe you’re a church librarian?”

“Normally, I hardly wear makeup at all.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “My hair’s dark auburn, and I wear glasses.”

A slow grin started in his eyes. “A sort of female Clark Kent, huh?”

She returned his smile and glanced down at her Bible. “Yeah.”

“So what do you want me to do?”

“Your brother said you would fill in for him while he’s—out of pocket. The trouble is, I don’t know what he was supposed to do…besides take my phone calls and escort me around town.”

“Phone calls, I can do. I’ll check with my brother to learn my other duties.”

“Then you’re willing to help me?”

His grin held a trace of amusement. “I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Oh, thank you, Dr. McDowell.”

“Shawn.”

“You can’t imagine how much I appreciate this. But if you don’t mind, please call me Suzann.” Her laugh held a nervous undertone. “I’m supposed to be an actress. Isn’t that a riot?”

“I don’t know. I think you’re doing a pretty good job of it. You managed to convince me to go along with your plan, didn’t you?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to put you out like this.”

“Don’t be sorry.” His smile caused Holly’s heart to skip a beat “I think I might learn to enjoy it.”

Suzann reclined on the blue couch in Holly’s living room. Since Josh drove her back to the apartment, she’d had a constant string of guests—concerned church members—bearing covered dishes of food. She appreciated their kindness, but she just wanted to be alone and get some sleep.

She’d tried her best to pay attention to her current visitor. For almost half an hour, Mrs. Henrietta Beesley had talked endlessly about her single nephew from Dallas.

“He’s a preacher, you know,” she’d said, “and a church librarian would be perfect for someone like him.”

Mrs. Beesley rattled on. Suzann wondered what she was going to do with all that food; the dishes covered the kitchen table. Part would fit in the refrigerator. Some might go in the freezer. She had no idea what to do with the rest.

Maybe she would give it to Josh Gallagher. After all, he was the one who must have spread the word around that she was ill.

Mrs. Beesley picked up her empty dessert plate and leaned toward the coffee table that separated them. She’d placed the chocolate cake she had brought directly in front of her and had already had two slices.

“I must say, this is the best cake I’ve ever made.” She grinned sheepishly. “Would you mind terribly if I had another piece?”

“Not at all.” Suzann choked back a laugh. “Help yourself.”

The older woman cut a slice of cake. The doorbell rang.

The mere thought of facing anymore covered dishes made Suzann feel sick to her stomach. She cherished the concern and kindness of the church members she’d met. But enough was enough. She got up off the couch and crept to the door.

Josh Gallagher stood on the front porch, holding a paper bag. “How are you feeling?” He reached in the sack and pulled out a can of chicken soup. “How does soup and crackers sound to you?” he asked. “I’m buying.”

She was surprised at how happy she was to see him. “Hi, Josh. Come in. Mrs. Beesley’s here,” she added with a nod toward the older woman—seated on the couch.

An embarrassed smile surfaced on Josh’s handsome face. “Glad to see you, Mrs. Beesley,” he said. “How’s the back?”

Mrs. Beesley joined Suzann at the door. “Oh, Brother Gallagher.” Eyes fluttering, the older woman pressed her hands together excitedly. “How kind of you to ask.” Her bubbly expression faded, and she placed her right hand to the small of her back. “I’ve really been in a lot of pain lately.”

Suzann focused her gaze on Josh as he listened intently to Mrs. Beesley describe her ailments. Casually, he turned to Suzann.

“Miss Harmon looks tired,” Josh said to Mrs. Beesley. “Why don’t we put away the food and let her get some rest?” He grinned at Suzann. “We’ll lock the door on our way out.”

Suzann hadn’t meant to actually go to sleep. But that was an exceptionally downy couch. She drifted off in seconds.

When she opened her eyes, the telephone was ringing. She sat up. Someone had covered her with a blue, patchwork quilt. What a sweet thing to do, she thought. A smile played on her lips as she reached for the telephone.

“Hello?”

“Hi,” Josh said. “How was the soup?”

“Soup?”

“The soup Mrs. Beesley and I left warming in your oven. Didn’t you see my note?”

“Not yet, I just woke up.”

She glanced out the double windows facing the street. It was already dark outside. She looked down for her watch and realized she wasn’t wearing it.

“What time is it, anyway?” she asked.

“Six-thirty.”

“I must have really slept.”

“Apparently. Didn’t you hear all that racket when the thunderstorm passed through?”

“Not a thing.”

“So far, we’ve had almost half an inch of rain.”

“Really?”

She knew he hadn’t called to give her a weather report. Though she liked talking to him, she wished he would get to the point.

“Do you mind if I stop by and give you that music I promised?” he asked. “I ran it off on the machine here at the church a few minutes ago.”

She wanted him to drop by, but…

“I’ll just stay a minute,” he added. “I’m headed for a movie, and you’re on my way.”

Did he have a date for the evening? It bothered her to realize that he might. The fact that she cared one way or the other worried her still more.

“What do you say? May I come by or not?”

“Sure,” she heard herself say, “come on over.”

“Can I get you anything from the store first? You know, something for your cold? Tissues, maybe? Throat lozenges?”

“Right now, I can’t think of a thing.”

“Then I’ll see you in ten minutes.”

Josh was coming on pretty fast and strong for a country preacher. But maybe he was just trying to be kind. Wasn’t it part of his job? Why, half the congregation had stopped by to check on her that day.

Suzann cautioned herself not to attach any special meaning to Josh’s concern. He was probably just a caring person.

Caring.

A picture of Greer Fraser’s handsome face rose up before her. Suzann flinched. Greer had proved just how uncaring he really was the day he broke off their relationship and moved into Elaine Eaton’s apartment in Los Angeles.

Holly would probably say she should never have gotten so involved with a man like Greer. But how could Holly possibly understand the kind of life Suzann had lived before she came to Oak Valley?

Suzann should never have allowed Greer back in her life, but he’d showed a renewed interest in her once he moved to California. Suzann fell for it. And why not? Greer was considered by some to be the best-looking man in Hollywood.

Until Greer, Suzann had always refused to date actors, convinced that they were too in love with themselves to truly love someone else. However, Greer seemed to have changed since New York City. Suzann had thought he was warmer—more honest.

The fact that he’d duped her the second time proved two things: his acting talent was greater than his critics indicated, and Suzann Condry could be deceived.

Loving and caring were just words to Suzann. The citizens of Oak Valley might believe in such things, and once, she did, too. But she was no longer convinced those romantic notions had any basis in reality.

A tickle in her throat became a deep cough. A knock at her door said that Josh waited on the porch outside. She took a sip of water to muffle her cough. It didn’t work.

“You all right in there?” he asked. “That cough of yours sounds bad.”

“Give me a minute. I’ll be fine.”

She fumbled in her purse for the cough drops he’d given her, then remembered that she’d left them in his truck. Her eyes watered and burned. Suzann wiped her eyes, took a big swallow of water, and coughed some more.

“Let me in this minute,” he said. “Or I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll—”

“Okay, okay.”

She stumbled to the door and nearly fell. Grabbing hold of the back of the high-backed rocker, she paused to steady herself.

She knew that she had been dizzy earlier, but hadn’t counted on being weak as well. Suzann flipped the latch and stepped back from the door.

Josh’s encouraging smile faded. “You need to see a doctor.”

“It’s just a cold. Besides, doctors’ offices aren’t open on Saturday night. Won’t you come in?”

“The emergency room at the hospital over in Kerrville is open.” He came inside, removed his raincoat, and looked around.

“Just drop your raincoat there, by the door.”

Wrapping his wet coat in a tight tan bundle, he did as she said. His dark brown hair looked damp and curlier than she remembered. He handed her the sheet music wrapped in clear plastic. “Here.” Then he shook out the surplus moisture from his hair. Droplets of rainwater trickled down both cheeks.

“I’ll get you a towel.”

“No, no, no. You sit. I’ll get it.”

“But you don’t even know where the bathroom is.”

“I’ll find it.”

“Through the bedroom. First door to the right.”

Suzann felt self-conscious and blushy, but managed to hide it. She’d entertained men alone in her house many times. So why was she embarrassed now? Was she suddenly becoming another Pollyanna like her sister?

In six months she would leave God, the church, and the state of Texas forever. Her goal was to learn from these people, not join them. She was in Oak Valley to rest and sample a normal life. And for no other reason.

She’d done background studies for various movie roles in the past. Why was this any different? She would simply have to become more objective.

Josh trekked back to the living room, rubbing his head with a blue towel. Suzann had settled onto the couch again. He sat down beside her.

“I hope you don’t catch my cold,” she said.

“Not a chance. I just had one.” He wrinkled his nose boyishly. “And that’s my quota for the year.” He grinned. “Besides, I’ve been praying.”

“I hope it helps.” Why did I say that? she wondered. “I mean—” she shrugged “—of course it helps.”