[2015] Cowboy for Christmas

by Christian Michael

  Entertaining Mrs. Epps was exactly like Ben had described it. An extended dinner party without the added diversion of other guests. While Ben tended to the ranch, Lucy’s sole responsibility was to cater to Mrs. Epps’s every whim and need.

  They had spent hours upon hours discussing social life in Boston, of which Lucy knew next to nothing, talking about Mrs. Epps’s upcoming dinner party, agonized over the meal she would serve, discussed the music—which Mrs. Epps felt Lucy had less of a say in—and other frivolous details.

  And now it had come to the point that Lucy had feared from the beginning. She cared for Ben—more than she would have imagined when she first met him—but it was a distinct possibility that his mother would not approve of their marriage. What was more, Lucy wasn’t sure she wanted their marriage to hinge on the opinion of his mother, no matter how well-meaning she was. There was something confining about the thought.

  “Dear, did you hear me?”

  Lucy snapped out of her thoughts. “Yes, Mrs. Epps.”

  “Well?”

  Lucy was caught. She hadn’t heard a word the woman had said. As they were alone in the sitting room she had allowed herself to drift off mentally to ease some of the annoyance she felt toward the woman. Now she had to admit yet another mistake.

  “I’m sorry, I actually didn’t hear you.”

  “I thought as much,” she said, an eyebrow arching. “You lack so many lady-like qualities, it’s a miracle your father didn’t marry you off just to avoid you making a grievous faux pas at a dinner party or something.”

  “Mrs. Epps!” That was it. Lucy had heard enough, her blood running hot in her veins. “How dare you. In truth, my father did want to marry me off, but as a pawn for his business dealings and I would not have it.” She was breathing hard now. “And another thing—I may not be musically inclined by I have no trouble thinking for myself, unlike many ladies of society. I find that is a trait to be prized, not diminished.” She stood, staring the woman down. “And I’ll have you know that, despite what you may think of me, I am a good match for your son. If you care more about yourself than him, then you’ll forbid this marriage. But I’ll have you know we are rather fond of one another so take that into consideration when you make your decision about me.”

  Before the woman could respond, Lucy spun on her heel and left the woman with her mouth hanging slack.

  It served her right. She had every type of thought regarding the woman her son should marry, but none of them involved him or his happiness. Hopefully some of Lucy’s words had gotten through to the woman.

  ***

  Ben slipped into the study as Lucy breezed past, her hair flying in all directions and her skin hot from emotion. She was so beautiful—and so opinionated. He held in a laugh as she stormed past, then excited the safety of the study to meet his mother in the sitting room.

  No doubt Mrs. Epps would have something to say, but he was beginning to see what Lucy was saying. They had a connection that couldn’t be easily broken. Since his mother had been here, they had stolen away for rides in the morning and conversation after she went to bed. His affection had only grown for the beautiful woman, but he could also see that she had softened toward him as well.

  Yet there was still the problem of his mother.

  He cringed, feeling that the word problem was too harsh, and yet possibly very accurate.

  “Hello, mother,” he said, stepping into the room. She looked stunned, her mouth a hard line and hands clasped in front of her.

  “You’ve sure chosen a willful woman to be your bride, Benjamin.”

  He swallowed and sat down in front of her. “But I love her.”

  His mother rolled her eyes. “You think that, but what do you know of love? The more important question is if she will make a suitable wife!”

  “What does suitable even mean? You do realize I live in the West mother—it’s not East Coast high society. It never will be.”

  She nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to the delicate lace handkerchief she held in her hand. “When your father died I considered moving out here with you.”

  She had? She’d never mentioned it.

  “But I thought better of it. My place is in the halls of society in Boston. It has always been my home and I have never imagined living anywhere else.” She met his gaze. “But Lucy is different.”

  Ben wanted to defend her, to showcase her admirable qualities, her beauty, her intellect, but something in his mother’s gaze made him hold his tongue.

  “In fact, I don’t think she was ever suited for high society—and I don’t mean that to diminish her character. I think she is the perfect wife for a man who lives in the West.”

  He didn’t dare to breathe. Was his mother saying that she approved of their marriage? Was that too much to hope for?

  “What exactly are you saying, mother?”

  “You know what I'm saying,” she said, the hint of a smile surfacing on her lined features. “You should marry Lucy, though I don’t think she would have waited for me to give my approval anyway.”

  He laughed. “You are very right. I don’t think she would have.”

  “I wish you both the best, dear.”

  He jumped to his feet, knowing that he couldn’t waste a moment. He had to go find Lucy, and he knew exactly where she would be.

  Chapter 6

  Lucy striped pieces of grass, tearing them into smaller pieces. She didn’t know what to do. She’d just ruined any chance of Mrs. Epps giving her approval for Lucy to marry Ben. She’d gone off and spoken her mind, which had gotten herself in trouble—like it always did.

  But she couldn't sit by while the older woman spoke poorly of her. It wasn’t right, and it certainly wasn’t fair. If Ben would choose his mother over her, what kind of marriage would they have?

  She laid back in the tall grass, staring up at the clouds. Did this mean she had to go back home? She couldn’t go back. She couldn’t face her father. She would find a job before she did that.

  The thought made her smile, though she found litter humor in it. Mrs. Epps would have a fit that she’d even considered working.

  The sound of branch cracking cause her to sit up, looking around for the source of the sound.

  “I thought I’d find you here.”

  Ben stood several feet away. He was breathing hard and there was a reddish tinge on his cheeks like he had been running.

  “I’m sorry,” she said before he could berate her for speaking back to his mother.

  “For what?” he said, coming to sit next to her.

  “Have you talked with your mother?”

  “Oh, for that,” he said, giving her a knowing smile.

  She frowned. How was he smiling? Was he happy that his mother wouldn’t give her permission for them to marry? Had his feelings changed then?

  “I see,” she said, looking away from the piercing gaze of his deep brown eyes. “So you’ve changed your mind.”

  “About what?”

  “Me.” She twirled another long piece of grass until his hand covered hers.

  “Never.”

  Her gaze flew to his, the look of love radiating in his eyes.

  “But—but your mother. I spoke rather forcefully to her and—”

  “And she deserved it,” he said.

  “Do you mean that?”

  “Completely.”

  She studied his features, so close to hers as he sat next to her. The warmth of his hand over hers wound its way into her heart.

  “Ben, I…” she pursed her lips, thinking of the words to say. “I’m sorry, but I’ll never be like those women. The perfect wives in high society. I left New York because I didn’t want that life.”

  “And I don’t want you to be like them.” He grinned. “I think at first I did, because that’s who I thought you were, but then I saw the real you…and I like that even better.” He leaned closer. “You’ve got to understand something, Lucy.”

  He was so close and her heart was beating
so rapidly that she could barely ask the question. “What is that?”

  “I love you, not who my mother wants you to be or who your father was going to use you as. I just want you.”

  ***

  Ben hoped the look in his eyes added even more truth to his words. Could she see that he didn’t care about everything else? He just cared about her. About loving her well and starting their life together. Everything else could work itself out in time, but his love was nonnegotiable. She had to know that.

  Then, surprising him, she closed the gap between them. Her soft lips found his and his eyes closed, savoring the moment. He never wanted to leave her side. To be near her always and to feel the warm of her touch, taste the sweetness of her kiss, and know that she loved him would be enough. No—more than enough.

  She pulled back and rested her hand on his cheek. “And I love you, Ben Epps. Or should I say Benjamin?” She giggled and he drew her against him in a hug.

  “No. That name is reserved for my mother—not to mention it’s much too stuffy for me, wouldn’t you say?”

  “I agree.”

  He looked down into her green eyes, vibrant against the background of nature. “I do have one thing to ask you though.”

  “What is that?” she said with a coy smile.

  Taking a big breath, he said, “Will you be my wife, Lucy Castle?”

  She leaned in close again and whispered. “Now and always.

  Epilogue

  The Sun shone brightly across the field of wildflowers as Lucy made her way toward her groom. Ben stood under a tree, the shade of its large branches reaching out and offering shelter. He stood tall, a big grin on his face, his eyes glued to her.

  Some of the men from the ranch, Carl, Kate, and Mrs. Epps sat in chairs that had been carted out to the field. It was an unconventional wedding, but Lucy hadn’t seen the day going any differently.

  As she approached the front where a trellis of wild flowers and vines had been constructed, she faced Ben and he joined their hands together, giving her fingers a light squeeze.

  The pastor from town spoke of love and devotion to one another, but the only thing Lucy could think of was the fact that Ben loved her for her. He saw her flaws, her unconventional nature, and her wild ideas, and yet he still loved her. He did what her father never had—accepted her. And now she would pledge her life to him, not because of a business merger or because her life was a pawn to be used, but because of love.

  Finally, when they had spoken their vows the pastor named them man and wife, giving Ben the approval to kiss his bride.

  He stepped close, lifting the delicate veil that had covered her face. The wind swept across her skin sending shivers down her arms, but the warmth from his eyes made the coldness fall away.

  “Just remember,” Ben whispered, leaning so close his breath fanned across her face, “I love you, my dear Lucy, and all of who you are.”

  His lips met hers and she knew his words were spoken in truth, the reality of his devotion overwhelming her. She would spend the rest of her days showing the man in front of her just how much she believed him, and how much she loved him back.

  THE END.

  Sisters Find Love for Christmas – Book 1

  Mail Order Bride

  CHRISTIAN MICHAEL

  St. Louis, Missouri

  October 1876

  “Well, this is it.”, Cora Darcy sighed as the train lurched into the crowded station, belching puffs of acrid smoke, as it came to an abrupt halt in front of a rough-hewn platform.

  Taking a deep breath, she smiled reassuringly at her sister, Ida, who suddenly seemed much younger than her eighteen years. Her fiery red hair and pale skin framed emerald green eyes.

  Ida had always reminded Cora of one of the fairies in the stories Mama had told them before bed. Wispy and fragile, it had always been Cora’s job to protect her little sister. Not only was Cora older, but she was the exact opposite of Ida in every way.

  Cora had a mane of unruly dark curls, her skin was almost alabaster it was so light, the only thing remarkable about her were her ice blue eyes that assessed the world around her with a calculated coolness that almost detracted from their beauty. She was no wisp of a thing, but she was sturdy and capable, both qualities that suited her just fine.

  At twenty-eight, she had resigned herself to the life of a spinster. Truth be told, she was quite happy with the arrangement. Most of the young men she had met, along with the older ones, had either bored her to tears with their inane babbling or been intimidated by Cora’s bold intelligence.

  “I suppose we’ll have to carry our things. We both have a long way to go and I’m rationing the last of the money Mr. Witmer sent for my passage.”, reasoned Cora. “If you’ll manage our reticules, I think I can carry our bags.”

  As she hefted the bags onto the platform, looking for a place where they could compose themselves after their arduous journey.

  As confident as she had been the day she contacted Bachmann’s Brides to inquire about arrangements for Ida and herself, she was doubting the hasty decision today.

  After Mama and Papa had died in the fire, the girls had been left homeless, penniless, and unable to settle the taxes that were owed on the property.

  Finding respectable employment in Briarwood, Kentucky was next to impossible. Seeing the ad posted in the mercantile had seemed most fortuitous.

  Neither sister knew much about their prospective husbands. Mr. Bachmann assured them that they were God-fearing men of the utmost moral character. Both owned homesteads and were well established.

  Both had sent brief descriptions of themselves in their lone correspondence, which pleased Ida as she had always wanted to marry a man who was dark and handsome. For the life of her, Cora couldn’t remember much about Ulrick, except for the fact that he had blond hair and was fairly tall.

  Because of the girl’s dire situation, there had been no time for a lengthy courtship. In fact, it was Mr. Bachmann that contacted the gentlemen and set up the hasty arrangements.

  It was decided that Cora would go to Antler, North Dakota with Mr. Ulrick Witmer, a widower of thirty-two. Ida would travel to Silverbell, Arizona. Mr. Asher Blaine was due to meet the sisters in St. Louis where he and Ida would head to the courthouse to “seal the deal”, as Mr. Bachmann had said.

  The idea of frail Ida traveling across the country by wagon train with a complete stranger completely unnerved Cora, but their circumstances left them no other choice. Orphaned, with no living relatives, this was their only hope.

  After freshening up a bit, the girls found a bench so they could rest. If Mr. Blaine didn’t arrive soon, Cora would have to leave Ida alone to wait on the platform. It wasn’t a cold day by any means and after the stuffy conditions on the train, the cool Autumn air felt refreshing. But, to stay out in the open for any length of time, would result in Ida becoming chilled, and the very thought left Cora looking about the platform, biting her lip.

  An hour passed, then two, the sisters split a sandwich that had been stowed away in Cora’s carpet bag. A dipper of cool water peppered with soot from the passing trains topped off their meal.

  Cora would have to board the train headed northwest in an hour. Surely, Mr. Blaine would arrive by then…

  The loud chug and whistle of an arriving train announced the arrival of Cora’s train, quite early. It would take time for the train to prepare for the trip north, WHERE was Mr. Blaine?

  Ida’s green eyes shone brightly with unshed tears, she was trying to be stoic, but the very thought of her older sister having to leave her on the platform alone scared her to death. Her eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of Mr. Blaine to no avail.

  The coachman bellowed an impatient, “Alllll aboard”. Cora had no choice, she had to get on the train in order to meet her connections as she traveled northwest. Surely, Mr. Blaine had only been slightly detained and would arrive at any minute, hat in hand full of apologies.

  “Ida, if you don’t want me to go all you hav
e to do is say the word, and I’ll stay right here.”, fussed Cora.

  With tear filled eyes Ida put a frail hand in Ida’s capable one and gave a squeeze. “Go on ahead, you have to. Mr. Witmer sent a great deal of money for your travels and I’m quite sure that Mr. Blaine will be arriving momentarily.”

  The sisters exchanged hesitant smiles and hugged for what could be the last time. Ida was right, Mr. Witmer had spent a great deal on her passage, and it wouldn’t do to leave her new husband standing in the middle of nowhere, with no wife in sight.

  Cora gave one last wave and blew a kiss to her baby sister. “Dear Lord, please watch over her, she’s in Your hands now.” Cora made herself comfortable for the long journey ahead.

  ********

  Minot, North Dakota

  October 1876

  Cora woke to the familiar chugging and sputtering that indicated that the train was pulling into another station. While riding on the train was comfortable enough, Cora grew restless of seeing nothing but grass filled prairies, tired looking towns, and the ever-changing faces of her fellow travelers.

  But this stop was different, as the train wheezed into the station at Minot, North Dakota, Cora was nearly there. In mere minutes, she would be meeting the man that she would vow to love honor and obey until death did them part. The idea had excited her at first, but after days of travel with nothing to do but gather wool she was full of emotions.

  What had she done? Part of her wanted to head back to St. Louis, gather up Ida and head for Kentucky and home. Except Ida was on her way to Arizona and the sister’s childhood home was a pile of ash and cinder. There was no choice before the day was out, she would be Mrs. Ulrick Witmer, for better or worse.