Misty's True Love (Mail Order Brides of Pioneer Town, Book 2)

by Ruth Hartzler

  “It wouldn’t be an intrusion in the least,” Cody said as he gazed at the train once again with a worried frown. And an expression of confusion. “Miss Misty, would you permit me to ask you a rather odd question?”

  “Of course.” She nodded hesitantly. They had spoken so little in the past, it was difficult to guess what would be considered an odd question.

  “You have been living in San Francisco up until recently?” he asked as he regarded her with a curious expression, on brow raising slightly.

  “Yes. After Indiana and I parted ways, I went to take care of my aunt. She passed away recently,” Misty responded. Was the person he was waiting on also coming in from San Francisco? But what were the chances of that?

  Cody’s mouth dropped open as if he had seen a ghost, but then he seemed to recover himself, as he smiled widely. “Well now, that does explain a great deal.”

  She was glad it explained something. However, she was at a loss as to what it was! Misty blinked in surprise as Cody boldly reached out and took her hand and leaned down to press a light kiss to it. She opened her mouth as she felt the blood rush to her face, trying to remember how to speak after the sudden and unexpected act.

  * * *

  “Miss Michelle Fields, allow me to welcome you to Pioneer Town. I know it doesn’t look like much compared to what you’re used to, but I hope that you will come to think of it as home.” Cody said with all the formality of a gentleman as he straightened back up.

  Despite his display of confidence, his mind was reeling as he reassessed the whole situation. The woman he was waiting on was the pretty little maid from San Francisco. While he tried not to make mention of it, he had been sorely disappointed that Misty had not followed Indiana and her kin to the town when they joined Morgan’s family. He had not had many opportunities to chat with the woman, but there was an open kindness to her that he found very attractive. What were the chances of all the women in the world to read the ad, she would have been the one he would meet here?

  He grinned from ear to ear as the woman flustered wordlessly, her surprise at the announcement of her name further confirming his suspicions. The girl always seemed to wear her heart on her sleeves. It was something he liked most about her during their brief encounters in the city.

  “Are you Claudius?” she asked hesitantly, the disbelief apparent on her face. He could not help but smile as he gave a brief nod. There was something about the way she expressed her surprise. It almost made him want to tease her a bit, just to see it for a little longer.

  “My given name is Claudius Mills. Folks called me Cody when I started to work the ranch, and the name stuck. Everyone calls me by the name nowadays.”

  “This is wonderful!” she blurted out with such a delighted expression that he actually found himself at a loss for words. She almost seemed more pleased than he was at the circumstance.

  “I have to agree,” he said, glad that his voice sounded more steady than he felt. The last thing he wanted to do was stammer like a madman in front of his future fiancé. Suddenly remembering the flowers in his arm, he quickly gathered them up into his hand and presented them to her. “A welcome gift. We do not usually see roses in these parts, so I hope they are all right.”

  “They are beautiful,” she gushed as she hugged the cluster of flowers to her bodice, half hidden behind the blooms as she smiled shyly at him. “Thank you so much Mr. Cody, um., Mr. Claudius, um, Mr. Mills?”

  He smiled at the questioning tone in her voice. “Cody is perfectly fine between us. I probably should have mentioned that in the letters.”

  “I was no better!” she declared. “Goodness, we could have both stood here for a good hour, waiting to meet each other!”

  They both shared a laugh as he studied the young woman, who blushed and started to smooth out some sort of invisible wrinkles in her skirt that only women seemed able to see. He had thought her attractive in their brief encounters before.

  Now that he could take the time to appreciate the vision more openly, he was surprised that she had ever been a mere maid to a wealthy family, especially with her hair in a nice style about her shoulders. Her hair almost seemed to glow in the sunlight. She had a fair complexion, as was the fashion in the city. Long lashes framed the most mesmerizing brown eyes that he had ever seen, but her smile was really what drew him the most. It was so bright that if someone told him that she was an angel fallen from the heavens, he likely have believed it. It was the smile only a person without a speck of guile in them could give. Warm, friendly, and open. Vulnerable.

  “Just imagine the conversations we could have had, if we knew to whom we were writing,” she mused.

  “Indeed. We certainly have no shortage of things to speak of on the way to town.” He nodded in agreement as he gestured to an attendant, and gave instructions to place Misty’s luggage in his cart.

  * * *

  Misty was half afraid that she was going to wake up on the train. Surely this was a dream? Yet at the same time she hoped with all her might that it was not a dream. She breathed in the scent of the flowers. They had a fresh, clean scent that was new to her. She could see herself filling the rooms of a home with them every day.

  As Cody talked to the attendant about her luggage, the reality of the situation came crashing down on her. She felt her heart pound in sudden anxiety as it sank in that Cody was the man from the letter. She knew that Cody was a wealthy ranch owner and that he and Indian’s new husband, Morgan, shared business ventures.

  She would never have presumed that he would ever have been interested in someone like her. In fact, she could not see him having any trouble finding a wife at all, even in a remote place like Pioneer Town, Wyoming. Why wouldn’t he have responded to the upper class ladies that answered his ad? Surely there had been a slew of them.

  “Are you sure it is all right?” she asked shyly. She tried to melt in behind the flowers as she fought a wave of anxiety. Cody stopped mid-instruction to listen to her question with such suddenness, one would think she was royalty and not a former maid.

  “Of course!” he said with a reassuring smile. His expression was so warm and inviting that she was sorely tempted just to drop the issue nagging at the back of her mind. “I know it was a long journey, so I shall not tire you with a tour of the town right now. My mother has invited us to lunch. I hope the two of you will grow to enjoy each other’s company.”

  “No.” Misty shook her head as she tried to gather her courage. Better now than later, while she could flee back into the train, before she got attached to this dream.

  As he furrowed his brow in that studious, confused way of his, she gazed up at him. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that the man on the other end of the letter was you all along. But I am not a lady of any rank. I told you in the letters that I am only a maid, and I know you said that it did not matter to you, but…”

  “Do not worry your head about that,” he said as he offered an arm to her. “We aren’t as picky about class as where you came from. A person makes their own name here. If anything, rank just puts more pressure on the man to live up to people’s expectations.”

  Misty gave a hesitant smile as she nodded, but she was not convinced that a family rank in society was taken so lightly, not even here, yet she made no comment. How she had happened across Cody’s ad for a bride had been a small miracle. The fact that they got along so well from the start was an even larger one. There had no doubt been many other women who responded to the ad of better rank than she, and she had contemplated the risk of responding to a stranger many times. Had Indiana not been in the same town as her suitor, she could easily have never put her pen to paper.

  Cody had proclaimed that he was content with how things were, so she was not going to push the subject any further. She needed to have faith that his words were as sincere as he sounded. If the difference in their rank was a problem, then she would need to deal with each situation as they came. No amount of discussion over the topic could change that.
She either needed to re-board that train now, or accept whatever might come.

  After a moment, she lifted her free hand and wrapped her hand shyly into his arm with a shy smile. A grin spread over his face as he guided her to the carriage, proudly pointing out some of the stores in sight of the platform as they walked.

  She didn’t know what the future had in store for her, but she was eager to see where this path led. Especially with a man like Cody Mills by her side.

  Chapter 3

  Cody’s mother lived in a house of three stories with a large porch that wrapped around the front of the house, and a balcony on the second floor which stood over the porch in the front. It was white with blue trim and shutters, and as Cody pulled to a stop, a woman who was sweeping the porch with a broom hurried inside. When she returned, an older lady was with her, and Misty was sure that the lady was Cody’s mother.

  They looked alike. Both had sharp faces and strong jaws—a pleasing trait on the son, but a rather unfortunate one on the mother.

  Misty looked around. The house was in town, and the neighbors on either side were not far, but this home was bigger than the others by a fair margin. The lawn was green and well groomed.

  “I am Mrs. Mills,” Cody’s mother said haughtily, looking down her nose at Misty.

  “Allow me to present Miss Misty Fields,” Cody said.

  “Yes, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Misty said.

  Mrs. Olivia Mills made no response as a porter arrived and pulled Misty’s bags from the carriage. She turned and went inside.

  Misty, her heart in her mouth, followed Cody into the large home and tried not to marvel too openly at how grand it all seemed. It reminded her of Indiana’s home, which had been destroyed in the earthquake. She thought too of Mrs. Mills, and wondered if she was normally as abrupt, or whether the special treatment was just for her. She was to stay with Mrs. Mills until her marriage, but already she was dreading the arrangement.

  And then Cody was back, and he took Misty by the hand and led her back to the porch. “I have to go,” he said. “I’m needed urgently at the ranch.”

  “I understand,” Misty said, hoping she was hiding her sudden sadness that Cody was leaving so shortly.

  “Get settled here, and I’ll come by in the morning. I shall take you to see Miss Indiana.” He took Misty’s hand and kissed it, and went to the carriage. She stood on the porch, and watching him leave. When she went inside, a maid was waiting for her.

  “Would you like to go upstairs and unpack, Miss?”

  “Thank you,” Misty said as she followed the maid upstairs.

  Her room was large, with two big windows in one wall that looked out over the front, just next to that balcony. The floors were rich oak, and there was a bed in one corner, and a dresser in another. Her two bags were sitting on the bed. Near the window sat an old rocking chair. Misty made her way to the chair and ran her fingertips over the back, feeling the smooth cherry wood.

  “Miss Fields,” a stern voice said from the doorway. Misty turned to see Cody’s mother there, her hands folded.

  “Oh,” Misty said, searching for something else to say.

  Before she had a chance, Mrs. Mills Olivia went on. “I prefer conversing with someone who possesses something more in the way of conversational skills, my dear, but I suppose ‘oh’ is good enough for a maid, is it not?”

  Misty could not believe her ears. She was so shocked that she could not speak.

  “It is best that you listen.” The woman sighed. “I was rather taken aback when my son told me that he placed an advertisement for a mail order bride. I am not sure why he felt the need to order a bride in that way, but he informed me that he did not care for any of the women in town. That itself is foolish. There are plenty of acceptable ladies here.” Mrs. Mills stressed the word ‘ladies’. “Alas, I have no influence over my son, as he is a grown man and can do as he pleases.”

  Misty just stared, unsure of where this was all going, but she knew it wasn’t going anywhere good.

  Mrs. Mills continued. “I cannot control who he marries. If he wishes to marry a maid from a city which shook and burnt to the ground, I cannot stop him. I can however speak to you. My son is a man of means, as his father was before him. My father was a man of money. I do not approve of my son choosing to marry you.”

  Misty’s mouth fell open.

  Unbelievably there was more. Mrs. Mills went on, ignoring the look she could certainly see on the younger woman’s face. “I know he will not stop this foolish charade, so I shall give you the opportunity to do the right thing. Leave here. I will pay you to return to where you came from. I will pay you substantially more than it would cost for your journey back. My son should not marry a maid.”

  The woman was done. Her last words hung in the air like thick smoke.

  Misty felt tears stinging her eyes. She finally spoke. “May I be permitted to use your telephone?”

  Mrs. Mills nodded curtly. “Surely. It is in the hallway outside the parlor.”

  “Thank you,” Misty said, and she hurried out of the room. She went downstairs as fast as propriety allowed, and found the phone in the well furnished hallway. As soon as she could, she dialed a number and sat on the edge of a high backed chair as she waited for the other end to pick up.

  “Hello?” a woman’s voice said.

  “Miss Indiana?” Misty asked.

  “Misty, is that you? Where are you?”

  That took Misty by surprise. She hadn’t even noticed she was crying. Her eyes stung and tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m in Pioneer Town. May I come and stay with you, please?”

  “You’re in town? Here? In Pioneer Town?”

  “Yes!” Misty said quickly. “I’m at Mrs. Mills’ house. Mr. Cody Mills’ mother’s house.”

  “Mrs. Mills? How do you know Mrs. Mills?”

  Misty sighed. “It’s a long story. I’m sorry to intrude, but please, will you come pick me up?”

  “Of course,” Indiana said.

  “Thank you,” Misty said. “I’ll explain when you get here,” Misty went back upstairs to what had once been her new room, if only for a few minutes. To her relief, there was no sign of Mrs. Mills. Misty took up her bags and dragged them down the steps. She went out on the porch to wait for Indiana.

  The door swung open and Olivia stepped out onto the porch. She handed an envelope to Misty. “Here’s the money,” she said quietly.

  “I don’t want the money, Mrs. Mills.” It was all Misty could do not to burst into tears.

  Mrs. Mills narrowed her eyes, and her cheeks flushed red. “I don’t understand. You are leaving.”

  Misty steeled herself to look the woman in the eye. “Thank you for your hospitality, but I am leaving to stay with my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Chase. I am not, however, leaving your son.”

  Olivia looked as though she had just bitten into a lemon. Her lips were a thin line across her face. “Very well,” she said finally, and then turned and went inside.

  Chapter 4

  Misty hoped Indiana would arrive soon to rescue her from the clutches of Cody’s overbearing mother. The tension in the house had been palpable in the short time she had been there. It was readily apparent to her that Cody’s promise that things were different in Wyoming was not the case. Either way, Misty no longer wanted to be left alone with his mother if such a thing could be avoided.

  After what felt like an eternity of waiting, a car came down the road slowly. Misty was overjoyed. It would be the first time they had seen each other in ages, so despite the uneasiness that stirred in her stomach, she was more than excited that she would get to see her friend again.

  Before she could step off the porch, Mrs. Mills hurried past her to greet the visitors the second they alighted from the car. “How lovely it is to see you both,” she gushed.

  “Thank you kindly, my lady. I hope we aren’t an intrusion,” Morgan said, removing his hat as he flashed the woman a smile.

  Indiana hurried pas
t Morgan to Misty, and two embraced.

  “Not an intrusion at all,” Olivia said. “It is simply an unexpected but welcomed occasion. Would you both care to join me for tea? I do believe Misty would like some tea. Is that right, dear?” she said, her smile looking more nefarious than friendly.

  “Yes, Mrs. Mills,” Misty said, offended that Mrs. Mills had referred to her as ‘Misty’ rather than ‘Miss Misty’ in an obvious attempt to put her in her place.

  With that, Mrs. Mills nodded toward the house. “Misty, please show our guests to the parlor.”

  Misty felt like she was being given an order, but no longer was she someone’s maid, or butler, at that. It was difficult enough to forget her past life and leave it behind without someone like Mrs. Mills poking and prodding about it every chance she got. That was one of the primary reasons she wanted to leave the woman’s house. She needed to be around those who saw her as an equal, not less—she needed to be around friends.

  Brushing off the negativity that threatened to cloud her mind, Misty led her guests into the lavish parlor where they were to have tea.

  “What are you doing here in Wyoming? What is going on?” Indiana asked urgently.

  Misty sighed and then looked down, her cheeks warming. Looking back up at Indiana, Misty took a deep breath before she spoke. “I’m here because I responded to a mail order advertisement that I found in the Matrimonial News. You are aware that, after the earthquake, I went to care for my elderly aunt? Well, she passed away, leaving me with nowhere to go and no other options.”

  “Oh, I am so sorry to hear such a thing,” Indiana said, her eyes suddenly glossing over. “Why didn’t you write me to tell me that fact?”

  “Wait, so that’s why you’re here?” Morgan asked, his hands tucked snugly into the pockets of his jacket. “Are you talking of Cody? Cody said his new bride was arriving—wait, that’s you isn’t it?” His jaw fell open.