And
Baby Makes Three And
Baby Makes Three by Lisa © 2001
"Now this color would look fantastic on you." Mrs. Reynolds told
Charlie.
Lou had come by that afternoon to take Charlie out to get some dresses made
although Charlie was wary Buck agreed that it was time she had some new clothes
and had practically pushed her out of the house. All she had wanted to do was
spend the day like every other, cooking and cleaning, the fact that it was her
birthday didn't matter. But Buck had given her money so the two young women
went out into the frigid November weather and were now in the dress shop sifting
through patterns and fabrics.
Charlie picked up the violet taffeta that the dress maker had pointed out and
shook her head. "I don't have anyplace to wear it to. I'll stick to the
cheaper everyday cloth."
"What about the Christmas social?" The older woman asked. "It's
only about six weeks away, this would be perfect and I'm sure we can find a
dress style that would be flattering for your changing figure."
Charlie frowned. She had gained much more weight than she had thought possible
but it looked like it was all centered on her abdomen which was slightly rounded
and her bosom, baby weight, was what Lou had called it. Lou then lamented that
she looked like a cow when she was pregnant with her own daughter and wished
she could have looked as good as Charlie did now when she had been three and
a half months pregnant.
"I think that's a great idea." Lou said. "It would definitely
show the folks in this town how well you turned out."
"No. I won't be going to the social." Charlie said then turned to
finger some brown cotton that was in the corner of the counter. "I'll take
some of this though."
The dressmaker lifted her eyebrows. "If you say so dearie."
Lou snorted. "Didn't you have enough of brown dresses? You can buy nicer
things now, I'm sure Buck would like to see you in something less drab. Especially
at the social."
Charlie sighed. "Look Lou I wasn't supposed to say anything but you're
my friend and I think you should know. Buck isn't going to take me to the social
because we don't have that kind of relationship and to be seen in public would
be saying otherwise."
"You've lost me."
"Buck isn't in love with me, never was. He married me to get me away from
my father and because he felt guilty for the beating I took when he jilted me,
he's agreed to be a father to the baby but that's all. We're just friends."
She said in a whisper.
Lou lowered her voice as well. "Are you saying that you have a marriage
of convenience?"
Charlie nodded. "We don't even share a bed, we never have and probably
never will. All I have is his name. Which is why I feel uncomfortable spending
his money."
Lou thought for a moment. It didn't sound right, not with everything Buck had
been planning for her birthday surprise in the last week, then again this wasn't
any less than he would do for her or Rachel or even Kid and Jimmy. "I had
no idea. I mean I wondered what changed his mind but I thought maybe he had
fallen for you."
Charlie chewed on her bottom lip. "Don't feel bad, it works out just fine
for me, well except when-" She stopped before she said something she wished
she hadn't.
"Except when?" Lou asked then gasped when she saw the other girl blush.
"You're in love with him."
Charlie nodded. "Don't you dare tell him. It's no use, I can't have him."
"And why not?"
"Cause he doesn't love me and he never really wanted me - well maybe he
wanted me but not as a wife. He was quite firm when he set the ground rules
for our marriage. It's a case of one friend helping another."
"Charlie my friend, there is always hope. And with a little help from the
right dress friendship can blossom. Trust me I know."
In the end Charlie's spirits had lifted considerably and buoyed by the optimistic
view Lou had of her relationship with Buck, Charlie had let her pick out some
lighter, prettier fabrics and the two women headed back home with an order for
a coat, four dresses, two skirts, three blouses and two completed dresses that
Charlie took with her. It was a good start Lou had said. It was more clothes
than Charlie could have dreamed of owning. But just as she was going to start
thinking that her luck had changed for once, Carly brought reality crashing
back.
"Well if it isn't the new Mrs. Cross and Louise McCloud. Hello ladies."
The sugary sweet voice called out.
The two young women turned and Charlie groaned softly. Carly came over wearing
a wide grin and stopped in front of Charlie eyeing her critically. Charlie felt
inferior compared to her beauty. Carly was dressed in a long baby blue swing
coat that matched the dress she wore under it. a white fur hat and muffler completed
her outfit. In comparison Charlie wore a dress that once belonged to Rachel,
an old coat, which had belonged to Buck, that hid the fact that the dress was
too tight in the bust and waist, an old scarf covered her head and her hands
were stuffed in her pockets to keep them from getting cold.
"Hello Carly." Lou said stiffly.
"I was hoping to have a word with Charlene if I could."
Charlie nodded and walked away from Lou with Carly. "What can I do for
you?"
Carly smiled. "You don't think he loves you, do you? Because he doesn't,
Buck's in love with me."
"I'm sure he is." Charlie replied stunned that the preacher's daughter
had such a temperament. "But the fact is he married me."
Carly's smile grew wider. "Well the little kitten has claws. The fact,
sweet girl, is he wouldn't have married you if I had accepted his proposal."
At Charlie's shocked expression Carly twisted the knife. "He asked me to
marry him you know; the night of the founder's day dance. That's why he jilted
you. He was waiting for me to send word that I would run off with him, and I'm
sure if I told him today that I'd have him he'd find a way to get rid of you
and marry me. Why do you think he hasn't even bought you a wedding ring yet?
I happen to believe him when he says he's not the father of your baby and I'm
seriously considering taking him up on his proposal so I wouldn't get too comfortable
in that house if I were you." The pretty blond girl then turned and walked
away leaving a stunned Charlie alone and feeling a coldness that had nothing
to do with the weather.
Charlie turned and walked back to the buckboard, she knew Buck didn't love her,
he had said so. But it didn't stop the hurt from taking a hold in her heart,
well she had said that if he didn't want her she would let him go, so why did
it feel like her world was crumbling around her.
Lou noticed Charlie's sudden pallor and was immediately worried. "Are you
feeling alright? Is it the baby?"
"I'm fine Lou. Take me back to Buck's house." She said softly.
"What did she say to you?"
Charlie glanced down at her bare left hand. "Nothing much, she just reminded
me that dreams don't come true."
