“I'm sorry to hear that.”
“I didn’t know him well, only through letters.”
Realization dawned. “You were a mail order bride?”
She nodded. “I don’t have enough money to buy a train ticket back East—not that I really want to go back—so I started working at the hotel. It’s just…not an easy job.”
He nodded slowly. His earlier thoughts proving true. “I can imagine.”
“Then you were just so nice to me and…” she sniffed again and he resisted the urge to rest a hand on her shoulder in comfort.
“Well, ma’am, my name’s Raymond Ellis and I’m pleased to meet you and to be your friend.”
She laughed, wiping the tears away. “I’m Dora Sullivan and it’s nice to meet you too—friend.”
They awkwardly shook hands, hers resting in his for a moment longer than necessary. Then she stood. “I’m sorry. I really should get back.”
“I’ll come with you.”
At her worried look he grinned, “I still need my meal.”
Chapter 3
Dora felt Raymond walking behind her, his height towering over her creating a secure feeling. She had just unburdened her heart to him and, though she had felt foolish at first, she relished the lightness of how she felt now.
Once inside, she ran to the kitchen and began to catch up on the orders she’d neglected.
“Where you been at?” Lulu said. Then, noticing the tears in Dora’s eyes, she softened her tone. “I covered for you. Don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you Lulu,” she said, picking up four plates and balancing them on her arms.
Thankful for the woman’s help, she caught up and was able to bring Raymond his meal. He didn’t ask her to stay or to talk more, but he offered a kind smile. He was so different from the other men she served. He didn’t require anything from her other than friendship, or so he said. And she trusted that what he said was the truth. When she looked into his blue eyes she felt as if her trust was deserved.
Bustling about the room, she filled cups of coffee and water, picked up used plates, and took orders, but her gaze kept traveling back to where Raymond sat. He’d pulled out what looked like a little book and was reading.
She shook her head. A cowboy who read? What kind of man was Raymond Ellis?
But, as she was getting ready to stop by his table to talk to him one last time her heart dropped seeing his chair empty. He was gone. Just like that, the only man she had felt moderately comfortable with was gone.
Of course he was though, this was a restaurant and men came and went as they pleased. But she’d be lying if the fact that he hadn’t said good-bye didn’t affect her. Because it did.
Rather than focus on that, she poured herself into her other duties. She even stepped in to wash dishes when the supper crowd dwindled down and there was less waitressing to be done. Cook looked happy for the help, as did the young boy they employed.
Taking in a deep breath, she allowed her mind to focus on the task at hand and not the future. She knew in her heart she couldn’t stay here in the hotel working forever. Though Cook and Lulu were nice, the constant barrage of men was too much to handle day-in and day-out. She had to come up with a plan, as well as finances for that plan.
A dish slid between her fingers and she barely managed to catch it in the soapy waters, bringing her thoughts back to the present. God had kept her safe this far. He had provided this position for her and he had given her a friend to talk to—even if that friend was now long gone.
She had much to be thankful about. With her focus on her herself she could easily be discouraged but thinking of all that she did have always helped to put things in perspective. God had a plan—she knew it.
Lord, show me what to do next.
It was the only prayer she could think to lift up, but she knew it would be enough.
***
Raymond hated himself for leaving without saying anything to Dora. He’d felt a moment of sheer terror at how forward he’d been and nearly ran out of the place. Sure, he’d just told her they were friends—which was true—but his wildly beating heart indicated to him that he wanted more than that.
And that was the crazy thing. This was all new to him. Interest in a woman, thoughts of settling down, none of it made sense to him. It all seemed so sudden. So foolish of him.
Yet, when he saw her tears he was overcome with a sense of protection. When he heard the men cajoling her, he had to fight not to step in. When he saw her walk through the double doors of the kitchen his heart leapt and his pulse raced.
Shaking his head, he made a beeline for the blacksmiths shop to settle up. When he had his horse, he stood in front of the shop, considering his next move.
He’d heard word of another rancher that hired hands regularly. It was a few days ride ahead and if he left right now—
The thought of leaving left an unsettled feeling in his chest. He didn’t want to go. And the ridiculous part was that it was because of Dora—the woman he’d just met. What was going on with him?
The hotel sat a few buildings down with the stables out back and reasonable rates. Why not take a chance on staying one night in the hotel with hopes of talking to Dora one more time? It was fool’s errand, wanting something that he knew would only hurt him more when he had to leave, but he’d never indulged in a comfy bed in a nice hotel. It wasn’t that he had a lot of money, but he did have enough for this one night and he’d still be able to get his supplies.
With determination in his steps, he walked his horse across and down the street, making his way down the alleyway toward the hotel stables. His spirits soared now that he’d made the decision and he was almost to the stables when he heard a sharp cry.
“I said stop it!”
“Come on now,” a low, husky voice said, “Just one kiss pretty lady.”
“Let. Go!”
Raymond’s heart leap into his throat. That was Dora’s voice!
Dropping the reins, he ran around the corner. The sight in front of him made his blood boil and his vision blur in rage. A tall man had Dora pinned against the back wall of the hotel, his dirt stained face inches away from hers. She was struggling with all of her might but her small frame was no match for the burly man.
“Get away from her!” Raymond’s voice thundered.
The man jerked back but didn’t release his hold on Dora. “Who are you?”
“I told you to get away.” Raymond bunched his fists as he walked toward the man. Raymond wasn’t quite as tall, but he’d dealt with his fair share of bulky, angry men, and he knew how to put this man down if it came to that.
The guy backed away, his gaze narrowing at Raymond. “This your girl.”
“Doesn’t matter. If she’s not your girl and she’s telling you to leave her alone—you do it.”
The other man scoffed. “We was just having a bit of fun.”
“I don’t think the lady would agree.” Raymond’s gaze never left the man’s and soon he tossed up a hand and turned around.
“Whatever,” he said, over his shoulder.
When he was gone, Dora burst into tears and Raymond stepped toward her, but not too close. He didn’t want her to feel threatened again.
“Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head and then, surprising him, she ran forward and buried her head against his chest. At first he stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do, but slowly he melted, his hands dropping around to her shoulders.
“You’re all right,” he said, rubbing soft circles on her back to comfort her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” As he said the words, he knew they were true. He’d do anything he had to in order to protect her.
Chapter 4
Dora clutched the basket in front of her, her knuckles turning white on the handle. She was nervous, and yet this was her doing. After Raymond had rescued her from the intoxicated scoundrel who had assaulted her, she’d finally dried her tears enough to thank him. H
e’s looked so sheepish and yet so pleased at her praise.
In that moment, rational thought had left her and she’d invited him on a picnic. He’d been too stunned to reply and she’d nearly taken her offer back as foolishness, but then he’d said yes.
Thankfully, today she had only needed to work in the morning and now she was free to go with Raymond. But worry snuck up quickly. It was unwise of her to go picnicking with a man alone—one that she wasn’t courting, at least—but she trusted Raymond. If she hadn’t before, she did so now after he had rescued her.
She waited out by the stables and soon saw him walk around the corner, his broad shoulders and straight posture making an impressive vision. He was so handsome! Dora dropped her gaze, looking down at the ground to make the flush in her cheeks disappear.
“Afternoon,” Raymond said, standing before her with his hands in his pockets.
“Good afternoon,” she said. “Thank you for joining me.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” He grinned then pointed to the basket. “Can I carry that for you?”
Polite and chivalrous? Could he be any more perfect?
“Why yes, thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
They turned and walked on the path that led to the river and he told her a story about a cattle drive he’d been on years ago. By the time they reached the river she was laughing so much her sides hurt.
“How about there?” He indicated a spot under a tree that looked out over the gentle moving river below.
“That looks nice.” She laid out the blanket and Raymond sat down, his back against the tree as she pulled out the things she’d packed.
“Tell me something,” he said, as she worked. “What made a pretty girl like you look for a husband all the way out here?”
Dora kept her gaze down on the pretense of fixing the meal, but in reality it was to hide the blush on her cheeks. He’d called her pretty! She needed to get a hold of herself.
“Well,” she finally said, meeting his gaze, “I worked in a factory back in Massachusetts and had no time for suitors—not that there were any. I was tired of the work and the conditions weren’t good, so I decided to do something about it.”
“To seize the opportunity, huh?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” She ran her finger along a seam of her dress. “Hank’s was the only advertisement that I came across that sounded…appealing.” She flushed again but forced herself to meet Raymond’s gaze. “I knew I would never love him, but he would be kind to me.”
Raymond frowned. “That’s no way to live.”
“What?” she was surprised. “I didn’t take you for the romantic type, Mr. Ellis.”
He grinned. “Then you don’t know me too well.”
She bit her lip. She didn’t, but she wanted to. That was the whole purpose of this picnic, but at the same time she sensed that there was something holding him back. Was it her? Was she not pretty enough? Not interesting enough? Or was it something else?
“No,” she finally said, “I suppose I don’t.”
***
Raymond realized the truth of his words too late. She didn’t know him well, but he could tell she wanted to. It was flattering and exhilarating all at once, but more than anything it was terrifying. He had no idea where he would be the next week, let alone the next day. How could he even consider a relationship with a woman? And a woman such as Dora? It was almost too good to be true. She was beautiful and intelligent and kind and…
He blinked, turning his gaze toward the river to give himself time to think. Was he seriously considering settling down?
Swallowing he looked back at her, “Truth is, I’ve never been one to have time for romance.” He watched as her shoulders drooped ever so slightly. “My mother used to tell me stories though, back when I was just a young boy—before she passed away—and there was always a knight riding in on his horse to rescue a young maiden. I think that’s where I got my notions of romance. What man wouldn’t want to be a night?”
She smiled, the simple gesture lighting up her whole face. “You rescued me.”
“I did,” he said with some realization. “Wasn’t on a horse though so it doesn’t count.”
She laughed, his intended response, and shook her head. “Still, it’s refreshing to know someone who at least believes in love. I have all but given up.”
The conversation wasn’t going anywhere he’d planned it would. In fact, he hadn’t planned anything for today aside from Dora’s pretty company, but he wasn’t sure he minded it so much. Getting a window into this woman’s thoughts wasn’t half bad.
“It’s not right to live chained to something—or someone—you don’t love.”
“I guess Hank’s death saved me from that.” She frowned. “I don't mean to sound cold.”
“I understand. He wasn’t someone you saw yourself loving.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head so that the lose tendrils of black hair hit lightly against her cheek. “There was nothing there—not in the letters we wrote at least. I believe I would know the spark of romance should I feel it.”
He felt the intensity of her gaze. It wasn’t brazen like so many women he’d come across in rowdy towns; it was honest, raw, hoping. It sunk into a deep place in his heart and wouldn’t let go, but his fear threatened to crowd it out. What did he know of settling down? Nothing.
“Tell me,” he said, picking up a river stone and running his fingers over the smooth surface, “What do you plan to do here?”
She looked slightly disappointed but he knew she wouldn't bring up her true feelings, not without assurance that he would return them. It gave him leverage but also room to hide. He wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse at this point.
“I'm not sure. I’ve been fortunate enough to find the position at the hotel, but I don’t know how long I can stand to work there.”
“It’s not the easiest crowd, is it?”
“No, not at all.”
Her gaze was directed to the river and he took in her profile, her graceful neck, rounded jaw, and aquiline nose. She was delicate in a way he was not, in a way that he appreciated.
The next words he said cut him deeply, but he knew they needed to be said. He couldn’t be trusted with her delicate heart—with her emotions or affections—at least not if he wasn’t sure where he was headed in life.
“Well, I hope that it works out for you.” He hated himself even as he spoke. They were empty words, words of someone who didn’t care, which was the opposite of how he felt, but he couldn’t let her know that. He wouldn’t unless he meant to do something about it.
“Thank you,” she said, not meeting his gaze, and he knew his words had had the desired effect.
Chapter 5
Dora felt the weight of Raymond’s nonchalant words like they were an anvil chained to her neck. He’d made it all too clear that he had no interest in her. Or, if he had, he’d decided against acting on it. She had hoped—a dream she only now realized was foolish—that he would have proposed to her on that picnic.
“Of course Dora, you silly girl,” she said out loud to herself as she walked toward the front of the hotel. “He hardly knows you.”
She shook her head, knowing that she had placed expectations on something she couldn’t have known. Her thoughts were based on the sheer fact that she was attracted to the handsome cowboy and he had cared for her and even rescued her. But apparently that was where their connection ended.
Not for her, of course, but for him.
She should have known better. He was a nomad, a wandering man with no place to call home. Why would he suddenly find interest in her and change all of that? Change his whole life?
She pulled open the door to the hotel and walked in. Her eyes attempted to adjust to the dim interior when a man stepped in front of her.
“Are you Dora Sullivan?”
The gruff voice drew her eyes upward into the scowling face of a man nearly a foot taller than she was.
His dirty, matted hair clung to his face and he had a nasty scar running the length of his face from his right eye to his jaw. He looked terrifying.
“I am,” she said, taking a step back.
“You were gonna marry my brother, Hank.”
Letting out a breath, she forced herself to relax slightly. “Oh, you’re Max then?”
“Yup,” he said, his gaze traveling over her in a way that made her skin crawl.
“I’m assuming you received my letter then.”
“Yup.” They stood there for nearly half a minute without talking before he said, “I talked with a lawyer.”
“What?” she tried to follow his logic but it wasn’t making any sense.
“A lawyer. Seems that, since my brother had you in a binding contract to be a mail order bride and I'm now the sole beneficiary of his estate—or something like that—I can take over that contract if I like.”
A chill rushed through Dora. What was Max saying?
“I’m gonna marry you,” he said, a half grin taking over his features. “Never thought I’d see the day when I got married. Guess I’ve got Hank to thank for dying and leaving me you.”
Everything in Dora rebelled. “You’ve got to be joking.”
He frowned. “I’m not. Take it up with the lawyer. I’ve got rights.”
“But don’t I have rights as well?”
He had the gall to laugh out loud for a long time at her words. “Sweetheart, you gave up those rights when you signed the marriage agreement with Hank.”
“This can’t be.”
“Well it is, and you’ll get over it. I’ve talked with the preacher in town. He can marry us the end of the week. We won’t be stayin’ here long though. Gotta get out—um, gotta get on our way.”
Dora felt like she was in a nightmare. Would she wake up any moment and find out this had all been some nonsense made up by her imagination? She prayed that were the case.
[2016] My True Love Page 12
