Love at Christmas Inn Collection 2

by Tanya Stowe et al

  “Well, that’s a nasty split. I imagine it hurts.”

  She nodded but said nothing. The little spurt of spunk she’d felt a moment ago fled in the face of this strong, purposeful woman whose fashionable blue dress was cut to perfection and looked expensive, like brushed silk. She was a woman of substance—one who had never been asked what happened to her lip. Virginia doubted anyone had even dared to raise a hand to her.

  “I’m Mrs. Sophia Webster.” The lady gestured toward the other woman still seated at the table. “And this is Becky Patterson.”

  Virginia recognized the pastor’s daughter. Almost a year ago, Becky had stood beside her minister father as he prayed over Mama’s grave. She’d looked so sad…as if she really cared that Mama had died and left Virginia alone with her father and three grown brothers. Becky’s kind words had meant a lot to Virginia. Months later, those words and her sad, tear-filled eyes still gave Virginia peace. At least one other person cared about her mother’s passing.

  Would the pastor’s daughter remember the frightened, grief-stricken girl? Becky gave Virginia a hesitant nod. She caught her breath as the young woman rose and came to stand by Mrs. Webster.

  “So you’re interested in becoming one of the mail-order brides.”

  Virginia nodded again, not trusting her voice to stop the tremble.

  “You do understand these men are looking to marry? They want wives for a lifetime.”

  Silence was a giveaway. She needed to speak, to say something. “I understand.”

  “Wyoming is a very long way from home.”

  The further the better. Virginia bit her lips to keep the words from being spoken, and looked down. “I have no prospects, no future here, ma’am, and I’ve always wanted to travel. I see this as a great opportunity.”

  Mrs. Webster frowned. “Forgive me, Virginia, but you’re very young. Surely your parents…”

  “I’m eighteen.” Another lie. She was amazed at how easily they flowed from her tongue. She’d do anything…say anything to escape her father’s explosive anger and ever-ready fists.

  Becky’s eyebrows raised, and Virginia’s heart sank. Would this girl remember the lonely, heartbroken sixteen-year-old who stood beside her mother’s grave? Would she speak up and ruin Virginia’s chances for escape?

  “Very well, let me explain the details.” Mrs. Webster pointed to a seat at the table. Virginia released her breath as Becky led the way. Virginia settled on the chair, still clutching her meager belongings.

  “You’re coming to us very late in the process. We’re scheduled to leave on the eight a.m. train in the morning. We’ll travel to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where we will be met with wagons. From there we’ll be taken to Angel Vale to meet our prospective grooms.”

  “Ours? You’re going to be one of the brides?”

  For the first time, the unflappable Mrs. Webster seemed a bit flustered. Pink tinged her cheeks. “Yes. I’m a widow with no prospects, as you put it. Becky will be joining us as well.”

  Virginia’s gaze shot to the younger woman, who gave a slight, resigned smile.

  “You see, we understand your desire for a new start…a new beginning. But we would be remiss if we did not make sure you understand all of the details. Your groom has paid a fee for this arrangement and also purchased your passage and transportation…at no small expense.”

  Once again, doubts swept through Virginia’s mind. What was she doing here? She glanced at the paisley shawl in her lap. Her mother’s. Tucked inside the length of material were her only possessions—one clean dress wrapped around Mama’s silver hairbrush and comb.

  She could sell the set. Get a little money. But then where would she go?

  No place. She had nowhere to go. No way to escape.

  “Unfortunately, since you’ve come late in the process, there’s only one prospective groom left. His name is Levi Harper.”

  Levi. Biblical, like her father’s name, Ezekiel. Old Testament. Ancient. He’d be an old, old man with a long, white beard. Would he spout the same kind of verses her father loved to quote with such pomposity and wrath?

  Spare the rod and spoil the child.

  Women…obey your husbands.

  Eye for an eye.

  Unaware of the turmoil inside Virginia, Mrs. Webster continued. “There’s something else you need to understand, Virginia. Levi has entered into this agreement because he is responsible for four children.”

  “Four?” Virginia’s tone reflected her shock.

  “Yes, dear…four. The youngest is only five. It’s my understanding that since the death of their mother, Mr. Harper has had difficulty managing his mine and the care of the children. It seems they’ve become somewhat undisciplined.”

  Undisciplined. That’s what her father called her. Were they really undisciplined or just frightened and without love? Her heart ached. Those little ones needed help.

  She could help. Hard work didn’t frighten her. Four children couldn’t be more difficult than living in her father’s house. No one could be a worse taskmaster than Ezekiel Pepper, or as eager to push her around as her brothers. Besides, small children meant laughter and smiles. Baked cookies and bedtime stories. All the things she treasured from memories of her mother.

  “If you undertake this journey, Virginia, and then ultimately decide you do not wish to enter into the marriage, you will need to work out a…financial arrangement with the gentleman.”

  Virginia’s mind was still on baked cookies and starched pinafores. “A financial arrangement?”

  “Yes, you’ll need to reimburse him for his expenses.”

  Virginia’s expression must have looked as confused as she felt because Becky interpreted.

  “You’ll need to pay him back for your train ticket.”

  “Oh.”

  Pay him back. Money. Work. What if this new man, like her father, believed women were chattel? She might have to work forever. No matter how much she wanted to help those children, she might be trading one taskmaster for another.

  Still, if she stayed here, her father would find her. Her brothers were probably already scouring the countryside, searching all her usual hiding places. It was only a matter of time before they showed up in town looking for her.

  But wait… Realization washed through her in a cold rush.

  “Excuse me. Did you say if I do not wish to enter into the marriage? You mean I have a choice?”

  Becky’s face twisted as if she’d been hit by a sharp pain and Mrs. Webster closed her eyes. They exchanged a knowing look before Mrs. Webster nodded.

  “Yes, Virginia. You have a choice.”

  Not just one choice. Several. She could marry or not. She could help those children without a mother and work off her debt. She could go or stay. She would be free to choose. Free.

  She had to be on that train in the morning.

  “What do I need to do?” Her tone resonated with conviction.

  “I just need your signature here.” Becky indicated a paper and lifted one of the new fangled ink pens with a metal nib. Virginia had only heard about them but never seen one.

  Another moment of panic swept through her. If they knew she couldn’t read, would they stop her from going? She bit her lip and wrote her initials, scribbling behind each in a parody of bad handwriting.

  Becky lifted the paper, a slight frown wrinkling her brow again. Virginia caught her breath as Becky glanced at Mrs. Webster.

  The older woman turned to Virginia. “You didn’t really run into the door, did you?”

  Another lie formed on her lips but she looked at the two women. Both of their expressions were soft…kind. Maybe even caring. The lie froze on her lips. She gave a slight shake of her head.

  Mrs. Webster looked at Becky. The younger woman nodded then blew on the ink to help it dry. She handed a thick envelope to Virginia.

  “This is a letter from Levi to his prospective bride. It’s your first introduction.”

  Virginia’s hand trembled slightly as she t
ook the envelope.

  “The train leaves at precisely eight o’clock in the morning. Do you have a place to stay?”

  “No.” Her voice wavered with unspoken relief. “Maybe…could I just stay here in the church?”

  “That won’t be necessary. We have a spare room.” Becky’s warm smile almost brought tears to Virginia’s eyes. Almost.

  ****

  Levi Harper stood on the boardwalk outside the mercantile. Any moment now, the wagon carrying his prospective bride would come around the corner.

  Prospective bride. He shifted and ran a finger around his collar. Glancing at his siblings, he checked once more for polished shoes, hair in place and smiles on lips. Right next to him, his little sisters held hands and stood close together. Five-year-old Nellie grinned, her blue eyes lighting with delight.

  “She’s going to be beautiful, Levi. I just know it.”

  He gave the little girl a half-hearted smile. “It doesn’t matter how she looks, Nell. What’s important is what’s in her heart.”

  The older girl’s eyes widened. “But if she’s mean and doesn’t like us…”

  Trudy, the worrier. Only seven-years-old, and already fretting over everything from the weather to what to have for dinner. Guess he shouldn’t be surprised. She’d had a lot to worry about in her short life. Losing Pa and their older brother Jack Jr. in a mine cave-in, then Ma to pneumonia. It’s a wonder all four of his siblings weren’t hiding from life, afraid of their own shadows.

  Stifling a sigh, he tugged on a long, black curl and winked at Trudy. “Who wouldn’t fall in love with two sweet girls like you and Nellie?”

  Trudy glanced sideways. “Seth doesn’t love us. He says he hates us.”

  Levi’s grin faded as he glanced at his eleven-year-old brother. Dark, curly hair hung down around the boy’s ears. Levi hadn’t been able to slow him down long enough for a haircut since spring. Had the kid even had a bath since then? Just two of the many issues Levi had been battling with Seth. Two of the easiest.

  “Why’d you say something ornery like that, Seth?”

  Seth’s features set into tight lines and he refused to even acknowledge the question. Levi couldn’t understand it. Up until a few months ago, he and Seth had been close, the closest of all his siblings. They saw eye to eye on most things and everything Levi said Seth repeated like a quote. Now he couldn’t even get his brother to look at him.

  At the end of the line, fourteen year-old Ben, the closest to Levi’s age, looked at their younger brother then back at Levi and gave a slight shrug.

  Silent Ben. Levi could always count on him to stay calm and not create more clamor. But once in a while, it might be nice for him to back Levi up. Like right now. A good swift, kick in the behind might knock that belligerent look off Seth’s face.

  “He says we take too long to dress, and whine and cry like babies.” Trudy looked up at Levi, her wide-eyed gaze a silent appeal for approval. Any thought of laying down justice on Seth faded…for now.

  “You don’t whine and cry like babies all the time…just when you’re upset.”

  Like this morning when you couldn’t find clean pinafores to wear over your old dresses. Or last night when I tried to comb the tangles out of your hair.

  Levi stopped that train of thought before it went any further.

  “Besides,” he said, clearing his throat, “Girls are supposed to take longer to dress. And we fellas appreciate the finished product. Give Seth a couple more years and he’ll agree.”

  Trudy’s doubtful glance shot to Seth. His only answer was a deeper scowl.

  A shout from down the street prevented Levi from reprimanding his brother. “I see the wagons!”

  Energy swept through the crowd of men on the boardwalk. Levi straightened and glanced down at his brown suit, brushing at a piece of lint on his pocket. The collar seemed to choke him and he pulled at it one last time.

  He was about to meet his bride. Panic swept through him and he closed his eyes.

  Please, Lord, don’t let her be too…unattractive, or—or…old.

  He took a deep breath, remembering his words of a moment ago.

  Just let her love the little ones, Lord. They need it so badly. Let her love them and bring the light back to their eyes. I promise I’ll do my best to be a good husband. To love her and appreciate what she does for us…no matter how she looks.

  Levi prayed so hard, he didn’t even realize the wagons had pulled up beside them.

  “Whoa!”

  His eyes flew open. Jake Underwood stepped up to the wagons as the driver pulled the horses of the first wagon to a stop. Color blazed across Levi’s vision. Red. Blue. Purple. Bright, beautiful dresses and bonnets with feathers and ribbons. He hadn’t seen so many bright, beautiful colors in…well, forever. Then he noticed red hair, blonde ringlets. Snug, stately coils of deep mahogany. Creamy skin. Pink cheeks and pouty lips. Women. Soft, lovely women. Levi was speechless, and so were his younger brothers.

  But the other men of Angel’s Vale couldn’t keep silent. A slow rumble started as they pointed and waved and smiled. Jake helped a lovely young woman from the wagon. They spoke for a few moments, then Jake kept a protective hand on the back of the woman as the men began to lift the other women onto the boardwalk. White petticoats flashed and the murmur of men’s voices blended with gentle tones and shy female laughter.

  Levi had forgotten what it was like to have women nearby. He’d forgotten the sounds and sights…how women softened and brightened things at the same time. A little overwhelmed, he stood with his brothers, watching and taking it all in.

  After a while, Jake motioned to the woman beside him. The way he hovered over her, Levi assumed she was to be Jake’s bride. The young woman nodded then linked arms with another woman who stood with her back to Levi. He glimpsed a thick braid before Jake blocked his view and headed his way.

  His bride. Coming to him. Levi held his breath.

  The women walked slightly behind Jake. Even though Levi strained his neck as much as possible without being too obvious, he couldn’t get a good look at his future wife. Just a glimpse of a tiny frame, shorter than the woman walking arm in arm with her. A dark brown, homespun skirt swished as she moved. Simple and plain.

  Jake nodded politely.

  “Jake.” Levi’s voice sounded raspy as he greeted the owner of the mercantile.

  “Levi, I’d like to introduce Miss Virginia Pepper.”

  Jake stepped away. Levi caught first sight of his bride-to-be and his breath left in a whoosh. Young, maybe even younger than him. Green eyes the color of a forest. Smooth cheeks and lips like a ripe peach. Gold-streaked brown hair was pulled into a long, perfect braid that swayed somewhere near her hips. Levi didn’t know exactly where because he couldn’t take his gaze away from those perfect, peach-colored lips. Even the tiny white scar in one corner couldn’t take away from their shapely perfection.

  “You’re…” Where were the words? He couldn’t seem to find them. “You’re…”

  “Beautiful.” Five-year-old Nellie finished for him. “She’s beautiful, just like I said she would be.”

  Levi smiled with relief. “Yes. Beautiful.”

  Those lovely lips parted. She looked down at Nellie with a slight lift, almost a smile, playing about her mouth. “You’re very sweet but I’m not beautiful.”

  Even her voice sounded pretty, like a song. Levi nodded. “Oh, yes, you are. Very.”

  She turned that forest-eyed gaze back to him and the words disappeared again. He stopped trying to find them and simply allowed himself the pleasure of looking at her…and she did the same. She seemed as surprised—and pleased—as he. They stood silent, for how long Levi didn’t know. He only remembered his manners when Jake cleared his throat.

  Levi came to himself and jerked off his hat. Immediately, the stubborn curl that refused to stay in place fell forward over his forehead.

  Drat. Now he’d look like an unkempt boy fresh in from the yard. He swept the way
ward strand back with a quick gesture then turned to his family.

  “Virginia, let me introduce my brothers and sisters…”

  “Brothers and sisters?” Surprise tinged her tone.

  “Yes,” Levi hesitated. “I explained about them in my letter.”

  A startled expression slipped over her features and she quickly turned to Nellie. “So who are you?”

  “I’m Nellie.” His youngest sister’s grin lit up her face. “Can you teach us to be beautiful, just like you?”

  Levi cringed and frowned. “Nellie is five. We’ve been talking a lot about manners and how beauty is on the inside.”

  His bride-to-be crouched down to Nellie’s level. A wave of absolute relief swept through Levi. She understood children. Really understood them.

  “Levi’s right,” she murmured in a low voice. “Beauty can’t be taught. It comes from in here.” She pointed to Nellie’s heart. “But we can do some things to help it along, like straightening this.”

  She turned Nellie around. Levi wilted. Little girl buttons would be the death of him. His big fingers just couldn’t seem to work them. After all his careful inspections and hard work, Nellie’s pinafore had been buttoned incorrectly and lay at an odd angle. Virginia redid it and turned Nellie back around in a flash.

  His sister fixed her big blue eyes on Virginia. “Can we work on our hair too? I want my hair to be in a pretty braid like yours.”

  “I think we might be able to do something,” she said, a smile teasing her mouth. How perfect would those peachy lips be when she really smiled? Levi made it his goal to find out.

  “Oh no, it won’t work.” Bashful Trudy spoke up for the first time. “Levi says our hair is untamable, just like his.”

  “Is that so? Untamable?” Virginia looked up at him. He could have sworn he saw a twinkle in her green-eyed gaze. “Well, maybe I know a few tricks your brother doesn’t know.”

  She winked and Trudy’s gaze widened with hope. “Really? We can do it?”

  Trudy sported the first genuinely happy, hopeful look he’d seen in months. If he weren’t already half-way in love with Virginia Pepper, he would be now. In less than five minutes she’d brought some sunshine into their lives.