by Cyndi Raye
Even the sun seemed to be dreary today. The clouds were overcast as if the whole world mourned with him. Adam sat down, throwing off his shoes and dangled his feet in the water. Memories of the days long ago when Melody had swam in the water with him, splashing and laughing, the sound of her voice echoing through the fields and pastures.
He hung his head, closing his eyes, trying to force her from his mind. Trying to forget a woman he had been in love with since forever was pure suffrage.
Adam sat there alone on the creek bank for almost two hours, contemplating his life. The days of cavorting on the creek banks were over. Even though Melody was back, they’d never be able to do the things best friends did any longer.
It would not be fair to a wife. The thought of spending three months with her then asking for an annulment struck him as clever at first until he realized Luke had tried that and failed. Even though he was so darn honorable, would he be able to explain to his new bride he was in love with someone else. Maybe he would be able to pass her off on Samuel. So many thoughts struck him right then.
He went over every option again and again.
Except when Adam thought he had a solution, his father’s face loomed in front of him. Adam had thought he was a loyal, honest man. Everyone did. If he tried to dupe this bride, he’d be just like his Pa.
There was no way he’d be able to live his life knowing he was no different if he sabotaged his own wedding.
Adam stood, slowly making his way to his horse. Once in the saddle, he said a silent goodbye to the creek where it had all began for him. “Goodbye, Melody. I’ll love you forever. Forgive me.”
He rode off then, not looking back. From here on in, he was going to ride every part of the ranch except for here. It was time to forget about these memories and this sanctuary.
He had a wedding to get to and it was an hour and a half until he got back. Adam pushed the horse forward even though he didn’t care if he was late for his own wedding.
<><>
Melody stood on the porch while Nora straightened the hem. She didn’t see Adam anywhere. It was two minutes until the ceremony began.
Pastor Murphy, with bible in hand walked over to stand in front of the porch where they stood. He was a handsome middle aged man with a smile for Nora alone. If Melody hadn’t been so upset looking for a sign of Adam, she’d be considering the two of them as a couple. Was he the reason Nora liked to go to Cooper’s Ridge every Sunday for church? It was an interesting concept.
Melody hung onto the small bouquet of bluebells in her hand, along with a spray of baby’s breath. The pretty blue and white matched her pale blue gown she wore. Nora stood in front of her to arrange the matching veil over her hair. She draped the long piece over her face and gave Melody a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so glad we did this. My son is stubborn, he’d never do this on his own. Adam will be so surprised.”
“I hope he hasn’t fled,” Melody worried. “I don’t see him anywhere. Roger was in the barn hours ago and said he had gone out on his horse. Has anyone seen him come back?”
Nora placed the veil back over her face. “I know my son. He will be here. You may as well walk with Pastor Murphy to the alter.”
Melody nodded in agreement. She stopped halfway down the steps of the porch. “Have you seen Samuel? Shouldn’t he be back here by now with the mail order bride?”
Nora had a worried look on her face. “I believe he may have gotten himself tied up. He promised me he’d be here to watch his brother get married. We were going to have Pastor Murphy marry Samuel and the mail order bride right after your ceremony.”
“Oh, dear. I hope she didn’t get upset and leave. That would be a terrible thing if she came all this way to simply turn back.”
Nora nodded. “Go on now, wait at the alter. I think I see your future husband.”
Melody took a quick look to see a horse and rider coming in fast and strong. She smiled in relief, anxious for him to hurry.
She followed Pastor Murphy to the alter, holding the flowers in her nervous hands. What if he got mad and refused to marry at all? She hadn’t thought about that part. Desperate to get this part of the ceremony over with, she asked the pastor to begin his speech to the audience, who were sitting in chairs and benches on the lawn.
“Are you certain you don’t want to wait another moment? Your groom is now dismounting from his horse.”
“Yes, please, begin.”
Rusty began to play the fiddle, a slow tune unlike what he usually played. The audience settled down, their voices coming to a murmur and then silence. She peeked over towards the men while Luke patted his brother on the back before he two began to walk to where the wedding was taking place.
When Adam stood beside her, she lowered her head to stare at the flowers while the pastor spoke of faith, honor and trust.
“Adam White, take her hand.”
Adam reached out. The instant their hands touched, she knew he was fully aware this wasn’t his mail order bride. They knew each other too well. He had taken her hand too many times in the past. His breath hitched. “Melody?”
Her name being whispered on his lips caused Melody to turn to him. “It is I,” she whispered back, trying to keep the tears from spilling over.
His words came out in broken sentences. “I told you I can’t marry you. What are you doing here?”
She almost laughed at his confusion. “Oh, my dear, you don’t get it, do you? We’ve switched brides on you. Nora helped, she knows all about this. Samuel left for Wichita Falls to marry the mail order bride that was meant for you. He agreed so it left you to marry me. We all know how honorable you are so we had to do this behind your back.”
Adam stared at the woman he loved before he turned to Pastor Murphy. Everyone sat on the edge of their seats waiting for Adam to say something. “Pastor, get on with the ceremony.” Adam wrapped his arms around her and lifted the veil, laying a kiss on her so deep she almost swooned. The tears fell as everyone in the audience began to clap.
“Whoa! Mr. White, please settle yourself. I still have a ceremony to perform!”
Adam let her go but not before stealing another kiss. “I love you,” he told her.
“I love you,” she told him back.
“Adam! Melody! Can I please conduct a ceremony?”
Giggles from the onlookers caused even the pastor to grin. Within ten minutes the ritual was finished. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Adam, you may once again kiss the bride. A little less passionate this time, please.”
The audience roared with laughter. Nora and Abigail hugged Melody welcoming her to the family. Rusty and Tommy began to stomp their feet and the fiddle began to get louder, it’s music fast and lively. The others didn’t hesitate to join in while Adam and Melody separated themselves from the crowd.
He swung her around then pulled her close for another kiss. “I don’t know how you pulled this off, Melody but I’m glad you didn’t listen to me.”
“It wasn’t easy. The thought of never being with you again, of watching you with another woman made me realize I had to do something. I love you Adam White.”
He gathered her hands in his, dipping to kiss each knuckle. “I love every part of you, Melody. I sat on our creek bank for hours trying to forget you. It didn’t work. Nothing worked. I wanted to come back here and call off the wedding. It just about killed me to walk the short distance to the alter. It felt like a hundred miles instead of feet.”
“I’m glad came back and didn’t call off the wedding. Because, husband, look at what you have now, me!” She brushed a kiss across his cheek.
He held her in his arms, swaying a bit even though the fiddle music was a faster tune. “I only wish you would’ve told me how much you cared five years ago. It would’ve saved us both so many years of heartache.”
“Well, then I wouldn’t have Tommy and I wouldn’t change that for the world. But, when I heard the three of you in the barn that day, I knew there was no hope for me.”
“I was in the stall when the three of you came in, thinking you were alone. Luke made you all promise never to talk about the secret to anyone. I heard how the three of you vowed to never marry. I thought at the time I’d never have a chance with you, so when Thomas came along, I married him.”
Adam looked deep in her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“No one did. I’ve kept it to myself all these years.”
He gathered her closer. “If there is any way to make it up to you, tell me. I’ve wasted so many years.”
“No, like I said, we have Tommy. He was worth every moment we didn’t spend together.”
“He is. I love you, Melody.”
“I love you, Adam.”
She gazed into his eyes. A deep sigh escaped. “I know the secret.”
His eyes widened.
She smiled, placing a kiss on his mouth. “And I love you even more for doing what you are doing so Nora will never know. It is safe with me.”
Adam gathered her close. His heart beat heavily next to hers.
“Mommy! Mommy!” Tommy ran towards them, stopping when he bumped into their legs.
Tommy looked up with a broad smile. Melody’s heart exploded. He was so handsome in his dark pants and white shirt. He even had a small bow-tie attached to the collar. “What is it, Tommy?”
“Can I call Adam, Daddy?”
Melody gasped.
Adam bent down and hauled Tommy into his arms. “You sure can, son.” Little arms went around his neck as more tears exploded down her cheeks. Today was full of surprises, especially the ones she hadn’t planned.
Nora and Pastor Murphy walked over. Melody still thought they made a nice couple. “Well, we pulled it off. Son, I’m proud to have Melody as my daughter. It was the only way you would do this without putting up a fight.” She kissed her son on the cheek.
“Thanks, Ma. You are probably right. I can be so stubborn at times.”
She winked. “Not at times, most of the time. Let’s celebrate.” Nora peered down the road at a lone horse and rider. “I wonder who that is? I wish Samuel would return, he left with the wagon hours ago and still isn’t back. He didn’t want to miss your wedding.”
“I thought he would be here to marry the mail order bride?” Melody was certain he would be back in time for his own ceremony. It was how they planned this day out.
Adam squinted and then laughed out loud. “It is Samuel. Who in the world does he have along?”
They all began to walk towards the incoming rider. When Luke saw where they were heading, him and Abigail joined in.
Samuel lifted his arm in the air to wave. “Hello! No need for a ceremony! I’m already a married man!” His voice, filled with excitement also slurred a bit as if he had a tad too much to drink.
Nora placed her hands on her hips. “Samuel Adams White, are you drunk?”
He stopped the horse, sliding off and holding out a hand for the passenger. At first, Melody thought it was another man until they took off the wide brimmed hat. A flurry of blonde hair fell halfway down her back. She turned in greeting. “Hello, a pleasure to meet you. I am Mrs. White.”
Abigail and Melody looked on in shock.
Luke and Adam grinned from ear to ear.
Nora gasped. “You are wearing men’s pants!”
The woman looked down as if she just now realized she was. “Oh, that, well, I can explain.”
Adam bounced Tommy up and down. “No need. We have a wedding to celebrate.” He hooked his arm in hers and turned away from the rest of the shocked family.
“Let’s go home,” Adam told her.
Tommy bounced in Adam’s arms. “Can I sleep over at PaPa Rusty’s tonight? He said we’d get up real early in the morning and shovel the stables. He said I have to learn if I want to keep my pony. Mommy, what does that mean?”
Melody shook her head. “Oh, son, you will find out. Come here and give your mommy a kiss goodnight. I see Rusty waving for you.”
She watched as he bounced across the yard, turning back to wave every now and again. Melody felt Adam’s arms surround her from behind. “What a wonderful life we have.”
Adam pulled her even closer. “All I care about is making up for all those lost years.”
Then he swooped in, picked her up and walked across the yard like a man on a mission. Not looking back or caring if anyone saw, he kicked open the door to their new cabin, carrying his bride over the threshold and slammed the door to their old life.
It was a new life indeed with the one person she had always loved.
<>
Thank you for reading Adam and Melody’s story. Next is Samuel’s story. Can you imagine bringing a mail order bride home to meet your Ma and she is wearing britches? What kind of woman is Mrs. White aka the mystery woman without a name? Who is she? Why is she wearing men’s clothes as if she is in disguise? When Samuel meets her at the train station, he almost turns and goes the other way. But when she told him her story he decides to help her. He was always up for an interesting time.
Next book is called The Bride of Samuel in the 3rd book in the Sons of Nora White series.
Keep reading for more...
Other Books by Cyndi Raye
Ruby: Mail Order Bride of Wichita Falls.
When a little thief robs her while boarding a train to Wichita Falls, Ruby Adams is placed in a bad situation. Instead of becoming an Independent Woman as planned with her prized land certificates, she is forced into a situation out of her control.
When Marshall Montgomery's sister dies, he inherits a ten-year-old boy in desperate need of a mother. Making the decision for a mail order bride, he didn't expect to fall for the woman so quickly. But something was wrong. Was Ruby the woman she claimed to be?
Will this thrown-together family survive tall-tales, shenanigans, and lies in the Wild West?
Wichita Falls is a small, American historical western frontier town on the Texas prairie. Enjoy these clean romance short-reads as each event brings another character to the frontier town, helping it to grow into one of the finest western towns of all times.
Get your copy here
Here’s a taste of Ruby
Chapter 1
“Mama,” Ruby whispered.
Her mother’s fragile hand reached out, stroking Ruby’s cheeks. She tried to speak, struggling to get the words out. “It’s urgent you leave here, today,” she gasped.
Ruby shook her head back and forth, scared for the first time in her life. She knew her mama was going to die, the sickness had been going on for some time now. Today was so real she could barely contain her fear. She leaned her face into the soft, warm hand. “I can’t leave you like this.”
“You must. I have something for you.” Ruby felt the instant loss when her mama’s hand left her face. She wanted to curl up along side of her and hold on to her so tight in hopes the only person who ever loved her would not leave yet. How cruel of God to do this to her now! How could He take her away and leave Ruby to face life alone? She wanted to stand up and shake a fist in the air, but it wouldn’t be proper to do so in front of her mother, whose staunch faith had kept her alive far longer than the doctor predicted.
A bout of coughing stirred Ruby from her awful thoughts. She grabbed a clean linen from the night stand and dabbed it across her mama’s mouth as a tiny pool of blood trickled from the corner. Her mother struggled to sit up in bed. Ruby cast a worried glance to Tillo, who had taken care of the two of them from the time they came to live at her uncle’s brownstone manor in New York City when Ruby was a small baby.
The older woman frowned before shaking her head sadly and helped to pull the dying woman up against the pillows. She tucked the blanket under her mama’s chin, muttering words so soft Ruby couldn’t make them out.
“I’m fine,” mama said, raising her beautiful blue eyes to her daughter. Ruby watched as life came back in to them and smiled. Her mother was
so brave and strong. She had proven it so many times over the years. She opened her mouth to take a sip of the laudanum Tillo offered, then pulled back with a slight shake of her head. A frail hand pushed the bottle away. “Later, Till. I need to give my Ruby something. Hand me my bible.”
Tillo picked up the worn book and laid it on her lap. Ruby watched with saddened and yet curious eyes as her mother opened the leather bound book. Long, slender fingers ran over the edge of the folded papers inside the pages. She looked up at Ruby and smiled. “This is your ticket out, child. Come here.” Her other hand patted the quilt as Ruby sat down on the edge of the bed.
“What do you mean, my ticket out, Mama?”
“Your uncle thinks I owe him for living here all these years, even though I’ve paid my way all along, thanks to these. I’ve cashed in my share of land certificates to save his struggling business every single time he needed help. His were gone the first year our lawyers gave them to us.” Her chest rose and fell before another coughing fit started. Ruby was used to seeing her like this and hated how much pain her mama was in.
“Maybe you should drink the laudanum, Mama.”
A hand touched her own. “Not yet. I rescued him many times but he’s in trouble again. These last certificates I’ve saved for you. I told him there are no more. Do not let him find these.”
Ruby glanced at the papers being handed to her. The edges shook as her mama tried to shove them in her hand. “What am I supposed to do with these?”
Her mother leaned back against the pillows and smiled as if a wonderful memory passed over her. She sighed as the papers hit the quilt. “You keep them for now. They are worth a fortune in the West. People are leaving the city in droves to find a new life where the air is pure and the city dust is far behind. You can sell these for cash or buy your own land. I was there once.”
“You were?” Ruby leaned closer. She had heard this story many times before and never tired of listening to her tales. “Tell me, Mama.”
