Olivia's Obligation (The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides Book 15)

by Peggy McKenzie

  Chapter 3

  Olivia woke the next morning in one of the roomy upstairs bedrooms of Aggie and Hiram Hanover’s lovely home. Tears stung her eyes and ran down the sides of her face as the reality of Christopher’s death came back to her.

  She couldn’t understand how he could have been so sick and not have written one word to her about it in his letters. And why would he offer her a contract of marriage if he knew he wasn’t going to be able to honor their agreement? Or why would he want to give her the money she needed to order the books and supplies for the school in advance. It didn’t make sense. What could have happened?

  His many letters over the last six months were full of funny stories about his family. He told Olivia how much he loved and missed his wife, Tessa. How every time he looked into his children’s faces, he saw her. He spoke of his life in Creede and how much he loved working in his own glass shop making beautiful stained-glass for churches and wealthy home owners.

  She had asked him how he made a living at that in such a remote town. She remembered his comments in his next letter. “Oh, I make most of my money on Monday after the town’s inebriated miners and drifters shoot out the store front windows on Friday and Saturday night. Monday morning, like clockwork, store owners head to my shop and order more window panes.”

  Olivia had laughed at his light-hearted banter. Christopher had even written about his brother, although he never once mentioned him by name. She thought back to the train ride and yesterday’s interaction with the man. Poor Christopher was delusional when he described his brother as a kind and caring big brother. The man was an arrogant pain in the—

  She lay on her back and stared at the brass and crystal chandelier that hung in the middle of the cream-colored ceiling. The blue and cream floral wallpaper gave the room a calmness she really needed right now. She had no idea where she was going to sleep tonight.

  The Hanovers had assured her she could stay with them as long as she wanted. It seemed she wasn’t the first stray orphan this loving couple had taken in under their roof, but she couldn’t stay. She had her own orphans to care for and no grumpy brother was going to keep her from fulling her obligations to those beautiful children.

  Yesterday, when she arrived at the Hanover home, Grace Malone had given her a brief history of how she herself came to Creed and how her sisters followed. Olivia had to admit she was shocked Grace and John had married under similar circumstances as she and Christopher had planned.

  Well, not exactly. Grace said she was running from the law and John hadn’t actually wanted a new bride, but it all worked out in the end.

  She smiled at the memory of Grace gently kissing her giant of a husband on the cheek yesterday when she left John and Chance alone at Christopher’s house. It had been a tender moment shared between a husband and wife.

  Olivia hadn’t wanted that kind of relationship with Christopher as her husband, but she had counted on his friendship. That she would miss.

  Sadness crept around Olivia like a chilly dark cloud. She pulled the luxurious down comforter up to her neck. It was so soft and warm, like a cloud full of sunshine. It would be very easy to stay in bed, but she had a date with destiny today. She had no idea what Christopher’s will would say or whether it would even mention their agreement. She hoped so. She would be letting both Wiggie and Christopher down if she didn’t see this thing through and build her school. Besides, those children belong to her now and they needed her.

  Anxiety pooled in the pit of her stomach, making her uncomfortable. She forced herself to sit up and push her feet to the floor. She stuffed her feet inside her fleece-lined slippers and pulled on her robe to avoid the morning chill.

  Shafts of sunbeams filtered through the white lace curtains creating flickering rays of light on to the floor. She shuffled her way to the large window overlooking the front porch and tugged her long dark hair out of its braid.

  Olivia pulled back the white lace curtain to reveal the world outside. “Oh, my stars. What a beautiful view.” The bright blue summer sky was without a single cloud. The mountains in the distance covered in a jagged blanket of dark green pines made her think of sleeping giants dressed in shaggy tunics. This was to be her new home. “Please, God. Help me keep my promises to Christopher and his children—and to Madame Wigg.”

  An arrow of unease stabbed her confidence. Everything could be lost if the man on the train had anything to say about it. How on earth could that arrogant, sarcastic ass be kin to Christopher, much less be his brother?

  Her chin rose in defiance. She had a legal obligation to Christopher and his children. She signed the document promising to marry him, start a school in Creede they both wanted and needed so badly, and most importantly, raise his children.

  Christopher had been trusting enough to give her the money she needed to travel to Creede and to get the school up and running so she could take advantage of Madame Wigg’s grant. She had taken his money and she was not a thief. She had a job to do and do it she would. She didn’t care whether Christopher’s prickly brother liked it or not.

  Determination set firmly in place, Olivia dressed for the day. Since she wasn’t technically Christopher’s widow, black might be seen as a bit presumptuous, so she settled for the dark beige cotton day dress.

  The dress was wrinkled from the trip across country in her trunk, but it would settle out as the day wore on and she did love the tiny printed flowers and vines on the material.

  It reminded her of the brick and vine covered school she called home for so many years. That in turn reminded her of Wiggie. She prayed the generous benefactor of the orphanage school was not as ill as she had told everyone. As soon as she was settled, Olivia would write a letter of inquiry just to be certain the woman was alright.

  Olivia finished dressing and sat on the stool in front of the beautiful vanity table to try and tame her naturally curly dark hair, when a knock at the door startled her.

  “Come in.” She rose and turned to see Mrs. Hanover enter the room.

  “Good morning, Miss Palmer. I hope you slept well after yesterday’s disturbing events?” The round woman was followed by another woman bearing a tray of delicious looking food. “This is Sarah. She works for Hiram and me, but we also consider her a member of our family. We thought you might be famished this morning.”

  Olivia’s stomach decided to agree and let out a very unladylike roar. She felt her cheeks blush. “I’m so sorry, but yes, it appears I am. Thank you so very much, Mrs. Hanover.”

  Sarah set the tray on the vanity and smiled a friendly greeting. “If there is anything at all you need, Miss Palmer, please let me know.”

  “Thank you, Sarah. There is one thing. Please, call me Olivia.”

  “I’d be honored.” Sarah smiled and left the room, leaving her and Mrs. Hanover alone.

  “Sit and have your breakfast. Let me help you with your hair, that is, if you don’t mind?”

  “Again, thank you, Mrs. Hanover, but are you sure you want to take this on?” She grinned and plucked at her long curlicues.

  The woman smiled back and took the brush from Olivia’s hand. “You must call me Aggie and although I have never had children, I have had the pleasure of helping to primp and dress four young women, scratch that, three young women and one red-headed hellion. And now I can add John and Grace’s little fireball by the name of Abbie Rose to the mix. I think I can manage.”

  Olivia sat and pulled a piece of crisp brown bacon off the tray. The moment it hit her mouth she couldn’t help but groan. “This is the most delicious bacon I have ever tasted.”

  Aggie laughed and continued to stroke the brush through her hair. “It could be the mountain air. Everyone says mountain air makes everything come alive. I suppose that could include a strip of bacon, but I think most likely it’s because you were suffering from near starvation. You didn’t eat a thing yesterday, now did you?”

  Olivia shook her head and picked at her eggs with a fork. “No. Not a bite. Do you know wh
at is going to happen today, Mrs. Han—I mean Aggie? I’m a bit fearful of what comes next.”

  “I can’t say what Christopher’s will shall reveal, Olivia, but I know my husband will do what is fair, even if he has to bend the law a bit to see it done.”

  The woman’s admission startled her. “What are you saying?” She watched the reflection of the woman’s face in the vanity mirror but she gave nothing away.

  “I’m saying Hiram would never break the law to see justice done, but he has a way of presenting the facts that makes the law multi-purposeful and calls into question any ambiguity which he then directs in favor of the innocent. And you, my dear Olivia, you and those children of Christopher’s are the innocents.”

  “Chance Garrison doesn’t think I’m an innocent. He acts like I seduced his brother out of his good sense which, as you know, is impossible from three thousand miles away.” Olivia’s ire rose as thoughts of Christopher’s brother resurfaced.

  “Don’t worry one whit. Chance’s bark is much worse than his bite. He is as kind and caring as Christopher was, God rest his soul. The difference is Christopher was open and trusting. Chance has had a few more hard knocks in life and he’s protected himself by the hard layers he presents to the world. Deep down, he’s not so tough.”

  Olivia wasn’t so sure Aggie knew the real Chance Garrison, but for now, she would take her word for it and pray the kind and generous man Aggie suspected lay underneath all that pompous huffing and puffing would arrive today instead of the other one she had already met.

  Chance knocked on the Hanover’s front door. He observed his surroundings while he waited for someone to answer. The house was impressive with its gabled two stories and deep wrap-around porch. He liked the house. It reminded him a lot of Chris’s. A sharp pain of regret punched him in the chest. He couldn’t believe his brother was—

  The massive door swung open and Hiram Hanover greeted him. “Come in, Chance. Please, come in. You are right on time.”

  Chance stepped inside and was no less impressed by its interior. “I forgot what a beautiful home you have here, Hiram.”

  The short, round man closed the door and turned to shake his hand. “Thank you, Chance. Aggie and I are quite at home here. I had this house built for my sweet wife months before she arrived from Charleston. I was most relieved when she was as pleased with the results as I was.”

  Chance nodded in agreement. He knew what women could be like when a man misjudged their desires.

  “Please, follow me into my library and we can get started with the reading of Christopher’s will.”

  “Where are the children this morning?” Chance wanted to know how his nieces and nephews were doing, considering they had just lost their only remaining parent.

  “Grace and John left this morning and took them with them to their beautiful home up on the mountain near Bachelor’s Loop. We all decided it would be in their best interest to keep them out of the fray, so to speak. Don’t you agree?”

  Chance was caught off guard that other people would be making decisions for his brother’s children. “I suppose I agree with the intent, but I’m not sure I’m in agreement with the method. Shouldn’t I have been consulted first? After all, I am their only living relative and I have yet to see or speak to them since I arrived.”

  Hiram didn’t reply. Instead, the portly man turned and led the way down the hall, past the parlor door where Chance saw Aggie and Liam’s wife having coffee. He gave them a quick nod and followed Hiram into his well-appointed library. The room was lined with bookshelves from the floor to ceiling and each shelf was filled with rows and rows and rows of books.

  His quick glance around the room took in the room’s occupants sitting in front of Hiram’s massive polished oak desk.

  He nodded to Liam and then his gaze fell on Miss Palmer. “What’s she doing here? She arrived too late to be my brother’s widow so what possible reason can there be to include a total stranger in these private proceedings.” He knew his words sounded harsh but why should he care about this interloper’s feelings?

  “In due time, Chance. Now will you please take your seat. We have much to discuss.”

  Chance hesitated and then decided it would be quicker to agree than to protest. He took his seat between Liam on his left and Miss Palmer on his right. Hiram took his seat behind the desk and peered at the three of them over the rim of his glasses.

  “Good morning, everyone. I think we all know why we are here, so I’ll dispense with the pleasantries. And so that no one can misunderstand Liam’s or my purpose here, The Hanover–O’Brien Law Firm represents Christopher’s interests and his wishes will be clear after the reading of his will. Shall we begin?“

  Chance nodded and settled back in his chair. He hoped Miss Palmer was prepared to pack up and leave. He would like to see the return of the money she took from his brother, but that could be discussed later.

  Hiram opened his desk drawer and pulled a bundle of papers out, setting them on his desk. He unfolded them and smoothed the wrinkles out with his hand. “This is Christopher’s Last Will and Testament.” Hiram began to read:

  “I, Christopher Charles Garrison, resident of Creede, Colorado, declare that this is my final will and testament and revoke any and all previous wills. I state that I am of sound mind and anyone who shall challenge this will shall be excluded from this will without benefit of a hearing.

  My wife, Tessa is deceased. We have four children. Charles, Age six. Amanda, Age five. Evan, Age four. Tara, Age three.

  I leave my entire estate to my children for their care, education and any other matters considered beneficial to their needs.

  I appoint my brother, Chancellor Evans Garrison, as the executor of my estate. He will oversee the estate’s resources and make necessary investments to ensure there are adequate funds to care for my children’s needs until they reach adulthood.”

  Chance expelled the breath he had no idea he was holding. There. That should settle his dispute with Miss Palmer, now she could go back where she came from.

  Hiram continued reading but Chance was no longer tense.

  “I appoint Miss Olivia Palmer as the sole guardian of my children. She will be responsible for their day-to-day physical care and their education until—"

  Chance’s tension returned ten-fold. He pushed forward in his chair. “What are you saying? Chris wanted this stranger to raise his children? That isn’t possible. There must be some mistake.”

  Hiram gave him a stern look over his glasses. “I can assure you these are your brother’s wishes. Liam and I both counseled him as to the consequences of this will and he proceeded with full knowledge. Now, shall we continue?”

  Chance shot a look at Liam. The younger attorney nodded in agreement. Chance sat back in his chair, numb with disbelief. This was a nightmare.

  Hiram continued reading.

  “Miss Olivia Palmer will be responsible for their day-to-day physical care and their education until they are of legal age.

  It is my desire that there be a new agreement between Olivia Palmer and my estate. The agreement authorizes her to continue to build our agreed upon and much needed school. She will be paid by the estate in the same manner as our previous agreement.

  It is further my desire that Chance and Olivia work together to ensure my children have the greatest life possible, therefore, I am adding this stipulation into my will.

  Chance and Olivia shall enter into the same business marriage agreement as the one Olivia and I had agreed to. Each will honor and support each other in the interest of my children. If either one shall refuse this stipulation, their appointment as indicated by this will shall be removed and transferred to the other party.”

  Chance and Miss Palmer stood at the same time and faced the bearer of this most recent bad news.

  Chance leaned over his brother’s attorney’s desk. “There’s no way in hell I’m marrying her.”

  Miss Palmer stepped up beside him. “Likewise. There’s no
way I’m going to marry him.”

  Hiram leaned back in his seat. “Please, sit. I know this is quite a surprise to both of you, but—”

  Chance paced around the room. “There is no but, Hiram. I will not marry this woman. Period. End of discussion.”

  “And the same goes for me, Mr. Hanover. I don’t know this man. There’s no way I would even consider—”

  Chance turned on the woman. “What, you would marry my brother sight unseen, but you balk at marrying me? That seems a bit hypocritical, don’t you think?

  Miss Palmer turned to him, her cheeks flushed with anger. “I made a business arrangement with your brother, Mr. Garrison. And, your brother and I had the privilege of getting to know one another through our regular correspondence during the past six months. I’ll have you know, although he and I never met in person, I knew him to be a very kind and generous man. You, sir, are nothing like him, and a stranger to boot.”

  “Well, you, madam, are no prize either. It’s obvious you are only here to take money from my brother’s children. Name your price. What’s it gonna take to make you go away?”

  Miss Olivia Palmer’s outrage was obvious. He thought for a moment she was going to slap him and he braced for it. The clock on Hiram’s office wall ticked off their standoff in seconds. Finally, he watched her inhale and exhale slowly, the color of her face returning to a less enraged shade.

  She returned to her chair and addressed Hiram.

  “Does this mean in order to care for Christopher’s children and build my school, I have to marry—him?”

  “I’m afraid it does. Chris was very adamant you and Chance work together for the sake of his kids. This is a marriage contract to make it more acceptable for the two of you to live in the same house. This doesn’t mean you have to share a bed. It’s a business agreement just like you had with Chris.”

  “Except now it’s with—him,” she said, her voice full of disgust.