The smile on her face warmed the deepest parts of him and, without hesitation he leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“Dora, we need your help here.” Cook said, stepping into the lobby for a moment.
“Coming,” she called out, but her eyes quickly returned to Raymond’s. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
“You can count on it,” he said, then watched her go.
He’d figure out how to stop Max no matter what—there was no way he was letting someone else get his girl. No way, no how.
Chapter 6
Dora pulled on her gloves as she walked down the stairs of the hotel to head outside for a walk. It was a lovely day and the fresh breeze would do her good. It would hopefully take her mind off the fact that she wasn’t sure what would happen with Max, but that she trusted Raymond to do as he’d said.
Her pulse still picked up at the thought of Raymond admitting his feelings for her. Could it be true? She still felt like she had imagined it all.
Just as she stepped outside though, a firm hand gripped her shoulder. “Tryin’ to run off with that fella I saw you with yesterday?”
She gasped, trying to tug her arm from Max’s vice like grip. “Let go of me.”
“How’s about this,” he said, leaning closer. “We’re going to the church to get married—today.”
“What?” she yanked harder but he wouldn’t let go of her arm. His fingers would leave bruises, she was sure of it.
“No. I’m not going to marry you. I’m sorry—but I don’t believe in the validity of the documents you claim you have or the lawyer you talked to.” She’d been bold, but she didn’t regret it. This was the gumption she’d tried so hard for!
“I don’t think so. And you want to know why?”
Fear coursed through her at the look in his eyes. “W-why?”
“Because I’ve got no problem putting a bullet through that man-friend of yours.”
Dora felt the fire leave her at Max’s words. He would hurt Raymond? No! She couldn’t let him do that. She cared for Raymond too much and she couldn’t see him come to harm. She just couldn’t.
“No, please—”
“So, you’ll stop fightin’ me?”
She swallowed. Could she go through with this? It would mean separation from Raymond, but that would also ensure his safety. It was the only way.
“Y-yes. But—you have to promise not to harm Raymond. Do you promise?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“If I go with you to the church you won’t harm him,” she said again.
He nodded, his grip relaxing slightly. “I won’t touch him.”
“Fine,” she said, swallowing down her fear and the devastation that came with her words.
***
Raymond pounded up the steps to the hotel. He was still burning mad from what Dora had said about this Max fellow saying he had a right to marry her. It was completely foolish and he knew it, but he realized Dora wasn’t in a position to see that. How could she?
After they’d talked, he gone to the sheriff first thing. The man had heard his story and then, after asking several questions and taking notes, he pulled out a stack of wanted papers. There, nestled among them, was one for a Max Mills. Wanted for murder.
Raymond’s blood had run cold, but he’d held off going to see her that night. He’d already disturbed her once during her work and he didn’t want to jeopardize her job. At least not yet.
The sheriff had assured him he would scour the town for the man, sure that he was hiding somewhere within the town’s limits, and Raymond had left, feeling accomplished. Now all that was left was to tell Dora how he’d solved the problem and…well, he was going to ask her to marry him.
A grin split his face. Raymond Ellis was going to settle down.
He walked up to the desk and the older man behind it. “Hello, can you tell me what room Dora Sullivan occupies?”
The man narrowed his gaze.
“I don’t mean to go into her room,” Raymond added quickly, “I just wanted to see if she’d like to take a walk.” He was blabbing and felt foolish, but the man’s gaze made him want to fully explain himself.
“She’s gone.”
Raymond’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Saw her dragged off by some tall man not too long ago. Looked like they were heading toward the north end of town.”
Raymond searched his memory. North. What was—the church was that way!
“Thanks,” he called out behind him though he was already leaving.
He took off toward the church but skidded to a stop at the sheriff’s office. After explaining what was going on, the man and his deputy joined him and they raced to the church.
“Hold up now, son,” the older man said, placing a hand on his arm when they stopped in front of the building. “We go in first.”
Raymond wanted to argue—he wanted to get to Dora as soon as possible—but he also realized the sheriff knew exactly what he was doing. He nodded once.
The deputy took the side door and the sheriff the back, with Raymond right behind him. When they burst into the room Raymond’s heart jumped. Dora was at the front of the church with Max standing next to her, a startled preacher in front of them both.
Was he too late?
***
Dora knew with every bone in her body that this was wrong. She didn’t want to marry Max, but she had no choice. But, as they were about to start the ceremony, the doors burst open and men started shouting.
Startled, she and the preacher dropped to the ground leaving Max standing.
“I said put those hands up,” a hard masculine voice said.
From her vantage point on the floor she looked up and saw the defeat on Max’s face. Slowly, he lifted his hands and her hopes soared. She was saved!
He was rushed off by two men and suddenly Raymond was there, his arms encircling her waist and drawing her toward himself.
“W-what happened?” she asked, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
He pulled back far enough to see her. “I found out last night that Max Mills is a wanted man.”
She gasped. If only she’d known!
“I came to see you at the hotel but the manager said you’d left with Max. I got the sheriff and…here I am.”
“I can’t believe it,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “I almost married him—but it was because he said he’d hurt you.”
Raymond laughed. “Well, he’s not going to hurt anyone. Not anymore.”
Dora could hardly believe it. Here she was, only hours after she thought all hope was lost and that she would be married to Max, but instead she was in Raymond’s arms.
“You were coming to see me?” she asked, a coy smile lighting her face.
“Well,” he said, pulling her closer, “I wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh?” she said, her eyebrows arching.
“Yes. It seems that there’s something about Little River that calls to me. Or maybe it’s someone.”
His grin was intoxicating. “What are you saying, Raymond?”
“I’m saying that I think I’m ready to settle down…and I can’t think of a better town—or a more beautiful woman—with which to spend my days.”
She gasped tears in her eyes.
“Dora, would you consider marrying a wandering man like me?”
“Do you mean it?”
“Of course I do,” he said smiling.
“Yes,” she laughed, “Yes! I would like nothing more than to settle down with you.”
He joined her laugher, the sound reverberating through him and causing her to laugh again in response. Then, slowly at first, but leaning in faster, he bent down and she closed her eyes to accept his kiss. His lips pressed into hers and she felt the security of his arms around her.
She had come to Little River to marry without a hope of love, but God had proved to have other plans. Much better plans.
“Let’s settle down together,” he whispere
d.
Now, looking into Raymond’s eyes, she knew he was part of God’s plan. And what a good plan it was.
THE END.
Secret Baby
Mail Order Bride
CHRISTIAN MICHAEL
Chapter 1
Big Timber, Montana
“It sure is pretty out here,” Tobias Young said.
“Agreed,” Mack Tucker said, nodding to his friend and pastor. “I’m glad you could come out for a ride this morning.”
“’Course. I always have time to slow down. A man can’t be so busy that he doesn’t take time to enjoy God’s creation.”
Mack smiled, thankful for his friend’s company. He’d been feeling lonely the last few months and he needed times like this to remind himself of the fact he wasn’t alone—even if it felt that way sometimes.
“So are you going to tell me what’s been eating you?”
“Huh?” Mack said, drawn from his thoughts.
“You’re distracted.”
Mack rubbed the back of his neck, glancing sideways at Tobias. “Am I?”
Tobias laughed but didn’t say anything. He was waiting for Mack to fess up to what was eating away at him.
“I’ve been feeling lonely.” There, he’d said it. Admitted to his feelings.
“I see.” Tobias nodded slowly but didn't say anything else.
He was waiting for Mack to give him more…and of course Mack would. He always did, because he felt comfortable with the pastor and because the man was his friend.
“It’s just that after Maude’s wedding I kind of feel like I’m…I don't know, missing out on something.”
“Like a family?”
“Yeah,” Mack admitted, “Just like that.”
“You do know that a family takes being married, right?”
He let out a short laugh. “I do.”
“Well then, what’s keeping you from that?”
Was he serious? He of all people should know that the pickings for women in Big Timber were less than ideal.
“Really?” he asked, incredulous.
“I’m not saying you’ll find someone here,” Tobias said with a laugh.
“Then where?”
“Do like I did. Find a wife through a mail order bride catalogue.”
Mack’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “What? You’re saying that Anna was a mail order bride.”
“She was,” he said, then leveled his stare at Mack, “But don’t go blabbing that around. She’s a private woman and says that our love story is ours…or something nonsensical like that.”
Mack laughed. “You got it. But…was it worth it?”
“You’ve seen Anna and I. What do you think?”
“I never would have guessed you’d ordered her as a bride. You seem so in love.”
“It’s because we are.” Tobias grinned. “I saw the Lord’s hand in our story just as I know His hand will be in yours too. Try it. Place and advertisement and see who bites.”
“This isn’t fishing,” Mack reminded the man.
“No, but you may be surprised. God won’t bring just anyone into your life, she’ll be just what you need to grow closer to Him.”
The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying to Mack. He wanted to move on with his life, into the next step and all, but he also didn’t like the hint of warning in Tobias’s tone.
“Look at it this way,” Tobias said, noticing Mack’s hesitation. “You’ll be sure that God brought you together for a purpose.”
How could Mack argue with that—let alone a pastor?
***
Boston
Effie Blackston couldn’t stop crying. This was the worst week of her life and it had started out with the promise of being the best.
“Miss, you’ve got to eat something,” the maid said, coming into the room with a tray.
Just the scent of the food sent Effie to the washroom in nausea.
“I…can’t,” she managed, hugging her arms across her body and falling back into the bed. “Please…just leave me.”
“But miss,” the young girl said, bold taking a seat on the bed, “You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Effie looked at the girl, Mary, who was just a few years older than herself but yet wizened with street smarts Effie didn’t have. She was a cunning girl when it came to high society, but apparently an idiot when it came to love.
“He said he loved me.” Effie stared into space in front of her, numbness flowing through her.
“Men lie, miss,” Mary said.
Effie’s gaze snapped to the girl’s.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “It sounds harsh, but it’s true. You can’t let his leaving you at the alter ruin the rest of your life.”
Effie was shocked by the girl’s blunt words but yet bolstered by them too. She couldn’t let the fact that Ronald left on their wedding day completely cripple her. She still had friends…then again, she wasn’t sure if she did. Most of her friends had come through Roland’s circles.
Another bout of nausea took her. “Ugh, if only I didn’t feel so awful.”
“I’m sorry, miss,” Mary gently put her hand on her head. “Have you felt ill for a while now? Should I fetch the doctor?”
“Just recently. I’ve felt like this the last few mornings.” Effie groaned and laid back down.
“Mornings, you say?” Mary asked.
“Yes,” Effie said, rolling over. “It’s quite awful.”
“Miss...” Mary’s tone drew Effie’s gaze to her.
The look on the girl’s face startled her. “What is it?”
“It’s not my place, miss,” Mary said, licking her lips carefully, “But, could…um, could you be expecting?”
Effie felt the world slow down. No…
She swallowed, her memory going back to a night a few weeks ago. A night that never should have happened.
Tears pricked her eyes. “Oh, Mary—”
Mary’s eyes reflected her shock but the look was quickly replaced by compassion.
“What will I do? I’ll be put out by my parents, estranged from everyone I know…how will I survive?”
Mary’s brows wrinkled and she twisted her hands together, thinking hard about the situation. “I have a suggestion, miss, but I don’t know if you’ll like it.”
At this point Effie had no other options. If this young servant girl could offer something—anything—she would take the way out. “What is it?”
“Become a mail order bride.”
Effie gasped, thinking of the girls she’d known who had gone to the West to be married. Effie had laughed at them, thanking the Lord she was engaged to Ronald. And look how that had turned out.
“But…”
“It’s the only way, miss.” Mary shook her head and Effie felt more than saw her glance at Effie’s abdomen. The one that would swell with a child soon.
It was the only way. “But no man will take an unwed mother.” Effie’s voice broke on the last word.
“Once they know, it’ll be too late.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re a small woman, miss. You find a man soon enough, you can be out West and married before the babe starts to show. We’ll let your dresses out. Once he’s married to you there’ll be nothing to do but care for you and the little one.”
Effie saw the many holes in the girl’s logic, but at this point she had no better option.
Resigning herself to the fact, Effie said, “Fetch me the matrimonial journal.”
Chapter 2
Mack couldn’t take his eyes off of Effie. She stood before him in the church, a faint pinkish tint to her cheeks, with her dark brown hair piled high on her head and her pale blue eyes on his. From the moment she stepped from the train to now, he wanted to pinch himself every few moments. He was living a dream.
They said their vows and Tobias pronounced them man and wife. Then, taking her hand in his, he led the way down the aisle. Without her family present or his, he hadn’t
planned anything special and he hoped she wouldn't mind. The mere fact they had married the same day she arrived was amazing to him, but she seemed to be as eager as he was.
Now they were in the wagon on the way to his cabin on the ranch he owned and ran. He glanced sideways at her and wondered what she was thinking. They’d barely said anything to one another since she arrived, their vows being the most they’d spoken in person, but he figured there was plenty of time to change that in the coming years.
“This here is the beginning of my property,” he said when they came up on a tree lined drive. She merely nodded, not saying a word.
The road wound around until the cabin came in sight. It was small, one long structure with sections for the kitchen, sitting area in front of the fire, and a bedroom at one side.
From the look of her clothes, it would be much less fancy than what she was used to, but he hoped it would be sufficient.
“This is it?” she said, breaking the silence.
“Yup.” He pulled the wagon up, coming around to help her down.
She eyed the cabin with unease.
“Don’t worry, it’s clean and cozy. Nice and warm in the winter.”
Without saying anything she followed him inside. It was dim, the windows covered by blankets that he’d forgotten to remove. “It is lacking a woman’s touch, but I figure you can help with that.”
She stood at the entrance, staring at everything until her gaze rested on the bed that was separated by another hanging blanket, one corner held back by a tie.
“That’s the…um, the bedroom.” He rubbed the back of his neck realizing now that he hadn’t thought this through. They may be man and wife, but he was sure she wouldn’t be comfortable in the same bed with him anytime soon.
“I’ll, um, bunk in the barn for…a while.”
Her gaze found his, heat on her cheeks, “Fine.”
Then, without another word she walked past him and into the bedroom, yanking the drape down behind her.
He stared after her, shocked. What was going on? “Are you all right?”
“No,” she said, her voice cracking. “Just leave me alone.”
[2015] Cowboy for Christmas Page 24
