by Rye Hart
"And I with you," Marianna breathed. She tilted her head back and looked up into Larsen's intense gaze. "Are you going to kiss me now?" she asked boldly.
Larsen growled his response before bringing his lips flush against hers.
Marianna melted against Larsen's strong chest as his arms pulled her closer. She felt him deepen their kiss and all rational thoughts instantly left her mind.
Larsen claimed her mouth with his and their bodies pressed together in a sensual dance.
The conductor's whistle interrupted their moment, signaling that they were coming toward the next stop.
Marianna withdrew and giggled at the interruption. "I'm guessing this will be our stop then," she said.
"About that. I was thinking since we are getting married, I should meet your family." As Larsen spoke, he ran his hand up her back.
"Really?" Marianna exclaimed joyfully. "I've missed them so much and I would love for them to meet you," she gushed.
Larsen chuckled happily. "I would love to meet your family. Besides it might be good for us to start our marriage off with some normalcy, since our courtship so far has been anything but normal."
"Oh you don't say?" Marianna teased. "I thought fire, bandits, and kidnappers were just part of regular life in Texas." She pushed up on her toes and brought her arms around Larsen's strong shoulders.
"Not until you moved there," he teased back.
"Larsen!" she gasped and swatted at him lightly.
"How about we discuss the details later." As he spoke, his eyes grew hooded with veiled promise.
Marianna laughed, "If you say so."
With a content growl, Larsen claimed her lips once again.
Marianna had no idea what the future held for them, but all she knew was that Larsen would be standing next to her no matter where their journey took them. When she had left her home to come out west, she was recovering from a devastating heartache and had thought that she could never love again. But here, wrapped in Larsen's supportive embrace, she knew that this was something special. And while their love was still in its infancy, she had a sneaking suspicion that she had stumbled upon an incredible life-given treasure. She had found that one great love in life that consumed the heart and bound the soul to another individual. Larsen Dover was the soul mate she had always been searching for. She knew this beyond a shadow of a doubt, because he was the one that, in her darkest moment, had guided her into the light and given her the gift of love.
"Larsen," Marianna murmured against his warm lips.
"Mhmm," he mumbled.
"What about your horse?"
Larsen laughed. "He will find is way home. They always do." He brought his hand up to run it under her chin. "Much like people, horses always know when they have found their home, whether it be a place or," his eyes twinkled as he spoke, "a person."
The End
Georgina
Chapter One
"Brilliant! Sheer brilliance. Well done Georgina." Devon Evans clapped her on the back in congratulations.
Georgina had put in her time at the paper for three long years before she was ever recognized as a serious writer. Even then, she still stuck out as an oddity at the Valley Spring's Gazette.
Devon would never have hired a woman had she not bombarded him with "anonymous" articles for years. One day, after the success of yet another one of her unclaimed articles, she had walked into his office, revealed her identity, and demanded a job. Several years later, here she was, being congratulated by the very man that initially doubted her. She earned her place by putting in twice the amount of effort as any man at the Gazette and it showed in the quality of her work.
"Thank you Devon," she nodded toward her boss.
"I especially like how you were able to get the Mayor to admit his own opinion on the new building policy," Devon added as he continued to peruse the article in his hand. "Excellent, just excellent."
Georgina knew now was her chance. "Devon, look, I'm glad you like the piece, but let's not pretend that this story isn't fluff," she stated firmly.
"On the contrary," Devon argued, "what you have here is a fundamental, investigative take-down of —"
"Devon," Georgina interrupted, "please."
Devon sighed. "The guys would be in an uproar if I made you first writer and gave you the pick of the stories," he explained.
"Devon," Georgina interjected more force into her voice. "I have put three years into this paper. I deserve that spot, and you know it."
"Georgie," Devon said softly. He set the paper down and reached up to rub the bridge of his nose as if he was distressed. "I acknowledge your part in the success of this company, but you also must know that my hands are tied on the matter." He continued, "It was hard enough convincing the boss to hire a woman, but to give her first writer's status is impossible."
"I see," Georgina said stiffly, she'd been prepared for this. "I would like to thank you for the opportunity you have given me at the paper, but please accept this as my formal resignation." She quickly turned on her heels and headed toward the door.
"Georgie, don't be like this," Devon groaned.
"Goodbye Devon," she said with cool formality.
Georgina felt flushed with the excitement of her bold move, but there was no turning back now. If they aren't going to treat me with respect, they don't deserve my work, she resolved to herself.
"Georgina, wait!" Devon called to her as the sound of him following echoed off the thin walls. "Look, I have a story for you."
"Don't even try to pacify me," Georgina cut him off.
"Please Georgie, you are the one that is qualified to take this assignment. It requires your unique investigative abilities!" he said.
"Don't try to flatter me Devon." Georgina had had enough of his games.
"No, really, just let me explain," he tried again.
Georgina paused; Devon had a way of wearing her down. She figured it couldn't hurt to at least listen to his proposal. "Go on," she nodded.
"Well this assignment requires a female journalist to investigate a case regarding a girl that has recently gone missing," Devon said in a rush.
"Why a female journalist?" Georgina questioned.
"Because she went missing en-route to California as a mail order bride," he explained. "Part of the investigation requires a woman to go undercover as a potential bride, in order to investigate the matchmaking company the girl had signed on with."
"So let me get this straight. You are asking me to pose as a mail order bride in order to retrace the steps of a missing girl as a way of discovering what happened to her?"
"Err, in a way. You will pose as a bride, interview the people responsible for her trip, and hopefully discover what happened to her before reaching her destination," Devon explained.
"I don't know Devon, this seems like a job for the authorities," Georgina expressed.
"That's just the thing. The girl's father, a Mr. Barrington, is a prominent businessman here in town. He had hired a private investigator to try and track her down, but so far all he knows is that she made it to San Francisco before she vanished."
"And how will a journalist help?" Georgina pressed.
"He thinks writing a story about his daughter Mia's situation, will help expose the individuals responsible for her disappearance and hopefully bring his daughter back."
"Well it definitely sounds interesting," Georgina said, "but why should I take it on?"
"Because a story like that will attract more national attention, and if your story was picked up by a larger newspapers, like Boston or New York, not only will the Gazette get the attention we deserve, but you will finally gain the recognition deserving of your talent," Devon said with a glint in his eye.
"I don't know Devon, this whole thing just doesn't feel right."
"Possibly saving a girl's life? How could anything not be more right?" Devon argued.
Georgina paused before she gave her final reply on the subject. While her mind responded positive
ly to the prospect of writing the type of story that would gain her the recognition she needed to push her journalistic career forward, her gut told her something was not quite right about the whole thing.
"How about I help you decide," Devon's voice broke through her thoughts. "If you take the story, I will make you first writer."
Georgina wondered why Devon was so invested in the story that he would change his tune about promoting her so quickly. But regardless of motive — and the nagging feeling that something was a bit off — Georgina decided to take a chance on the opportunity.
"I'll do it," she relented.
Chapter Two
Georgina's doubts about agreeing to pose as a mail order bride only escalated the closer she got to San Francisco. She never felt more out of place in her life, and she had worked at an all male newspaper company for the past three years.
Nothing could have prepared her for the experience of being one of the brides for Distant Heart Matchmaking, the recruiting company that Mia Barrington had signed on to before her disappearance.
However, Georgina was here on a mission, and that was to find out what happened to Mia Barrington, write the best investigative exposé on the subject, and hopefully receive national acclaim deserving of the work. As she stepped off the train platform and moved toward the little group of potential brides she was pretending to belong to, she felt euphoric with the prospects that were opening up for her.
"Now ladies, we have arrangements at Levinston's Hotel where you will be introduced to your predetermined matches," Mabel Blighton, the chaperone for the recruits, clapped excitedly.
Georgina froze. Devon said nothing about her actually meeting a husband. He had told her that she would be undercover when she traveled and he would make all necessary arrangements for her when she arrived. Obviously, this was a mistake.
Georgina made her way toward the chaperone. "Excuse me," she interrupted Mabel as the woman gave another flourish of excitement about the prospects of marriage. "I think there might have been a mistake."
Mabel cut her off with a sharp look. "Distant Heart Matchmaking does not make any mistakes," she spoke without allowing Georgina to finish. "You will be given enough time to freshen up at the hotel before your new husband arrives to take you to your new home," she stated curtly before turning away.
Georgina was taken aback by her abruptness. When she had agreed to the terms, she had been under the impression that she would be provided with private accommodations and the whole 'husband' part would be optional if she so chose.
Well, Georgina thought to herself, perhaps once we arrive at the hotel it will be sorted out there. Yet despite her attempts to resolve her worries, she still had a sinking feeling that something was not quite right.
Chapter Three
"Are you sure there are no reservations under Wellington?" she asked the front desk attendant as her nervousness began to rise.
"No ma'am. There are no reservations under that name," the young man replied.
"Check again!" Georgina's voice broke. "Or perhaps under Devon Evans?"
The man checked the books again. "I'm sorry, there are no reservations under that name either." His eyes expressed genuine sympathy.
Georgina felt frantic. She would have pressed the attendant to check again, had a manager not sent a curious look her way. With a heavy reluctance, she moved away from the desk.
The company had reserved several rooms for the afternoon, but not for the night, and especially not for the several weeks Georgina was hoping to stay for. A panic rose in her, as she had not brought a lot of funds for her trip. She had enough to pay for a few expenses, but she had been under the impression that a charge account would have been set up at the hotel. She had a return ticket booked, but her pride did not allow her to give up just because she was unable to procure lodgings. Especially when she didn't have anything resembling the headline grabbing story she was hoping to bring back.
Georgina, you are smarter than this, she silently tried to comfort herself. She knew she needed to come up with a plan, she just didn't know what that would be yet.
As she started to walk back toward the small group of women, something caught her attention. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tall, handsome man with sandy blonde hair talking to the front desk attendant. The man was dressed in a faded suit, but still appeared dashing in it nonetheless. However, it wasn't his incredible looks that drew her attention, but what he said to the attendant.
"I wish to drop off a letter for Mia Barrington," he requested.
"I am sorry sir, but Ms. Barrington no longer resides here," the young attendant informed the mysterious man.
"Did she leave an address that I might forward the letter to her?" he pressed.
Georgina strained to hear the attendant's answer. This could be it, she thought excitedly.
"Ms. Wellington," Mabel's shrill voice bombarded her and momentarily distracted her from the conversation on which she was eavesdropping. "Are you going to present yourself to your new husband in the same clothes you wore to travel here?" she asked aghast.
Georgina had been too busy interrogating the front desk clerk to worry about how she looked. "He will just have to take me as is," she laughed. She wasn't here for a husband, and she would only keep up the farce as long as she needed to get the information she wanted. Besides, it appeared that the hotel records might have the information she needed to bring this mystery to a close. She just needed to find a way to get ahold of them.
Mabel gasped, but Georgina paid no attention. She had missed the attendant's answer and now she strained to catch whatever was left of the conversation.
"Thank you for your time," the mysterious man thanked the clerk and turned around to leave.
"Drats," Georgina muttered to herself.
"What was that?" Mabel asked quizzically.
"Nothing," Georgina threw over her shoulder and she made a quick move back toward the desk.
The poor desk attendant saw her coming, his face turned ashen. "No ma'am, I told you —"
"Not about that," Georgina waved him off. "I need to know Ms. Barrington's forwarding address —"
The manager broke her off before she could finish. "I am sorry, but I will need to ask you to return to your party or leave this establishment," he said firmly.
Georgina wasn't one to let a hard-nosed manager and timid attendant get in her way. But she also didn't want to get kicked out of one of the few hotels in town on her first night ¬, especially since she didn't have a whole lot of options at the moment.
"Alright," she raised her hands in a sign of surrender. She backed away, but she knew that she was going to get the information one way or another.
The group she was with had started to depart. She quickly caught up to them and asked the closest girl, Lilly, where they were all heading.
"There is a small conference room at the side of the hotel. It seems that is where we are to meet the men that we have been matched with and sign our marriage certificates," she said excitedly.
Georgina couldn't control the groan that emitted from her lips.
"You don't sound excited," Lilly said curiously.
Georgina plastered on her best 'potential housewife' smile. "On the contrary," she said through her glimmering teeth.
"Oh good!" the bubbly Lilly said without registering Georgina's level of sarcasm. "I sure hope he is handsome," she paused for a moment, "or at least kind." She giggled a bit, "But handsome would be nice, don't you think?" She turned her wide-eyed gaze back on Georgina.
"Sure," she said hesitantly. Georgina wondered what level of purgatory she had just entered.
Before Lilly could continue to ramble on about why she couldn't wait to be a bride, they had entered the room reserved for the "nuptials."
The men were already waiting, sitting patiently in chairs along the wall while the women were brought in. The whole parade made Georgina feel oddly uncomfortable, but she tried to ignore it.
That is, unt
il she saw him.
It was the very man that had questioned the attendant about Mia Barrington; the man that had asked of her whereabouts was now sitting in one of the prospective grooms' chairs. Georgina's mind whirled with the complexity of the moment. Why would a man want to know Mia's address, and then be waiting for a bride? The whole thing was incredibly odd, yet intriguing.
"Now Ladies, as part of the process here at Distant Heart Matchmaking, the groom have already chosen your name from a list," Mabel prattled on. "When your name is called, your groom will join you. You will then be guided toward the licensing table, where you may sign the marriage agreement if you so choose."
At this point in Mabel's speech, Georgina stopped listening. She didn't know how things had gone so off plan that she now stood in a room about to get married. She had started to suspect that Devon hadn't been entirely honest with her when relaying the plans for the trip. Most likely, he figured he would send her along and allow her to figure it out as she went. At the very least, he probably hoped she would come back to the office, with her tail between her legs, and apologize for questioning him and asking for an assignment that was too much for her to handle. Well Devon, if that's the way you are going to play it, you've gravely underestimated me. Even if this whole article was an elaborate joke, she wasn't going to return until she could personally hand Devon the article he thought she wouldn't be able to deliver. Just watch, she smiled at the thought of seeing his shocked face.
"Ms. Georgina Wellington," Mabel primly called.
Georgina snapped out of her thoughts as she heard Mabel's shrill voice speak her name. "Yes?" she said.
Mabel threw her a hard look. "Mr. Carter Heath," she gestured toward the man who had asked about Mia.
Georgina and her would-be suitor's eyes locked. She thought she saw something swimming beneath his brown-eyed gaze, but just as she tried to decipher it, it was gone.
So, she thought to herself, the very man that has the information I need to get to Mia, just so happens to be my groom? She couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the moment. It couldn't all be coincidence, unless Devon was trying to set her up with Mia's kidnapper. The last thought sent a shiver down her spine as she contemplated the possibility that she might meet a similar fate to Mia. Well, only one way to find out.
