Mail Order Bride 22 Book Boxed set: 22 Brides Ride West :CLEAN Western Historical Romance Series Bundle

by Faye Sonja

  Melody smiled, but didn’t respond.

  Austin’s hands slid to her cheek. He leaned forward and placed a kiss in her hair before stepping away. He took a few steps away from her and just stared, taking in her squared shoulders and her lifted chin. Melody, at only 5’0, looked like the strongest woman he’d ever seen and he didn’t want to do anything to change it. It was why he’d only kissed her hair. Melody was changing and if that was the case, Austin wanted to change too, if only for her. “Have a good night, Melody.”

  Melody’s smile grew. “Goodnight, Austin.”

  Austin nodded and then left, not sure what column to mark their conversation in. Was he winning? Was he losing? Were there any other options?

  * * *

  5

  Chapter FIVE

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  “ … but she had to move on, and she couldn’t

  afford to let him ruin her heart again. ”

  .

  “Are you sure you want red roses?” Melody asked as she looked down at the list she’d put down on the island. She and Evita were in the kitchen of La Casa Blanca.

  Evita placed a heavy pot over the stove, her back to Melody. “Would red throw off your design?” The question was thrown over her shoulder as she began to add spices from a tray of bowls into the pot.

  The smell made it way over to Melody’s nose and she closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. She smiled. “That smells wonderful. What is that?” She opened her eyes just as a young man with a tray of plates shot by. The staff members skirted around the women as though they weren’t there. After a month, they were already use to Melody’s presence. Evita didn’t have a lot of down time, so Melody allowed her to multitask. She could cook while they planned the wedding.

  At first, Melody had felt awkward being not only invited to help plan the wedding, but also be part of the ceremony, but Evita had insisted. Their friendship had grown while being on the same side of long debates about women’s rights. Evita was the odd one in her family. Like her mother, her four female cousins and three sisters wanted to work in the home, but not Evita. She wanted to be a world class chef and worked by her father’s side in the family restaurant, creating signature dishes that were only served at their popular establishment.

  Evita turned, smiling. Her green-gold eyes almost exact replicas of her older brother Carlos’. She, like the rest of their siblings, looked alike, beautiful and handsome in their own right. Evita said, “It’s a sauce I’m working on.”

  Melody shook her head. “Well, if it tastes anything like it smells, I know it’s good. I’m happy you found a man who was willing to help you pursue your dreams.”

  Evita laughed. “Yes, I am very grateful to have found Danilo.”

  Danilo Cruz worked alongside Carlos at Andrew’s ranch, but the couple had known one another since grade school, just like Melody and Austin. And just like Austin and Melody, Evita and Danilo had always known they’d get married, but while Evita’s dreams had come true, Melody’s were being forced to change. She swallowed the lump that began to form in her throat and then cleared it. “Uh, if you want red roses, then we will make them work. It’s your day, Evita. It should look just how you want it to.”

  Evita nodded. “Yes, but I don’t have your eye for anything, Melody. My specialty is food, but you are very good with color coordination.” She shook her head. “I don’t know how you do it, but everything you put together fits like hand in glove. Like the perfect puzzle pieces.”

  “Like you and Danilo.”

  Evita smiled. “Yes, and like you and Austin.”

  Melody frowned and shook her head. “Austin and I are not meant to be.”

  Evita lifted a brow. “Carlos told me what you’re up to.”

  “I’m not up to anything.”

  Evita narrowed her eyes.

  Melody’s went wide. “Honestly, it’s all Carlos. He’s the romantic.”

  Evita laughed. “Yes, my brother does have a happy view on life and simply wants everyone else to be happy.” She shook her head. “I don’t know how he manages to keep up such a good attitude all the time.”

  Melody shook her head. “He’s your brother. You’d know better than me. Either way, I regret starting this silly charade and I want it to end. I want Austin gone.” She sighed as a tightness started in her chest at her last statement. It was a lie.

  Evita lifted a brow at Melody, picking up on the falsehood. “But, I saw your Austin at the New Year’s party and again when I brought my dish over for the charity event last night. You’re Austin is very handsome. He has romantic eyes.”

  Melody placed her elbows on the counter, staring down at her list, but not reading a word. Romantic eyes. Boy, did Melody ever know. Those beautiful hazel blue eyes had led her astray so many times. Melody closed her eyes. She couldn’t blame Austin for everything. She’d made her own choices over the years, but wanted to make better ones. “If only I’d had more time before seeing him, I think I could have just sent him away completely, but now… I don’t know what to do.”

  “Do you still love him?”

  Melody nodded. “Unfortunately.”

  Evita turned the gas off. She called a cook over to take her spot and then leaned on the island next to Melody. The women were the same height. Evita said, “Let’s go out back.”

  Melody nodded and then followed Evita to a makeshift porch with two rocking chairs. The noise from the restaurant carried outside until the door was closed behind them. Both women took a seat.

  I heard Harmony once mention that you’ve changed since being here.”

  Melody nodded. “I feel stronger, but then I look at Austin and melt like butter.”

  Evita smiled. “I’m like that with Danilo.”

  “Yes, but had Danilo ever hurt you as bad as Austin has hurt me?”

  Evita looked over at Melody. “No, but I have hurt him before.”

  Melody frowned. “How?”

  “I broke something that was precious to him when I was angry.”

  Melody sucked her teeth. “That’s not so bad.”

  “It was his mother and father’s urns. They’d died together only months before in a car accident.”

  Melody gasped.

  Evita averted her eyes away and stared out into the night. “Danilo had become distant after their death. I was upset and jealous over some woman who I was sure he was seeing. He kept telling me that I was acting crazy and that he wasn’t seeing this other woman.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what came over me. I just looked at the urns and knocked them off his mantle and into the fireplace.”

  Melody was blown away by such a tale. She’d known Evita had a temper at times, but she’d never seen anything like that coming. She couldn’t imagine what would have happened to the person who’d knocked over her own father’s ashes after he’d died. The act, to Melody, was unforgivable. “How did you make it?”

  Evita shrugged. “Prayer. God. For a long time, I thought we wouldn’t make it. What I’d done was so disrespectful.”

  The porch was dark, but Melody could hear the pain in Evita’s words. Evita turned and let Melody see the tears in her eyes. “No one deserves forgiveness, but with kindness, it is given. I hate what I did to Danilo. I can still remember watching Danilo put the fire out and try in vain to scoop the ashes up with his bare hands.” Evita choked. “That moment will always be a scar of the pain I caused.” She sighed, releasing a shaky breath. “Perhaps, Austin too lives with scars?”

  Melody grabbed the hand of Evita’s that was closest to her. She’d never seen Evita cry before. She always pictured her friend as someone who had everything in her life together, but hearing her story really brought Melody out of her mind. She believed that Austin thought the world revolved around him, but she was guilty of it herself. “Perhaps Austin does live with his scars, but that still doesn’t mean that Austin and I are m
eant to be.”

  Evita smiled through her tears. “You’re right. But, I will always be grateful for Danilo’s love. His forgiveness for my actions has been the biggest show of God’s love in my life and has made my faith stronger.”

  Melody took her hand back and started a slow rock in the chair. She closed her eyes and instantly saw Austin. She remembered seeing the pain when he’d thought her and Carlos were actually getting married. “I have to stop this game and just be straightforward with Austin.” She sighed. “I’m not saying that I can have a future with him, but I maybe I should… try to forgive him.”

  Evita smiled. “That would be best.”

  Melody nodded. She turned to Evita. “Now, let’s go back to your wedding. What else are we missing?”

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  6

  Chapter SIX

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  “ … but she had to move on, and she couldn’t

  afford to let him ruin her heart again. ”

  .

  Austin stared down at the jewelry that sat in the glass case, trying to decide if buying a ring was a good idea. He’d been in Alito’s, a small jewelry store trying to figure out his next move. He was done with the lengthy engagements. As the days ticked on, he was beginning to fear the possibility of never having Melody again.

  It had been two days since he’d seen her last. Orlando had called him, asking Austin if he’d mind stopping by one of their west coast offices in San Diego to verify a woman’s status and reputation. He’d been gone only a day, the shortest business trip he’d ever taken. Why? Because of Melody’s pending wedding. He had yet to ask the happy couple for the date, but knew he didn’t want to risk missing it. He wouldn’t have been able to live with himself knowing he’s missed his final opportunity to stop Melody from making this mistake. Melody belonged to him and him to her.

  “Shopping for something in particular?”

  Austin quipped his head over to see Carlos standing next to him. The man had a way of popping up unexpectedly. Austin sighed and looked down at the rings. “Maybe.”

  “Beautiful pieces.”

  “Yes.”

  “My family owns this place.”

  Austin glanced over at Carlos. “An uncle?”

  “Brother.”

  Austin shook his head. “What does your family not own?”

  Carlos’ eyes twinkled with his smile. “Well now, where would be the fun in telling you that?”

  Austin shook his head. “Why work on a ranch when you could have a job that kept you… clean?”

  Carlos laughed. “My grandfather was a bullfighter. I think I take after him.”

  “Dangerous stuff. Do you compete?”

  Carlos grinned. “I compete in the rodeo circuit.”

  “Are you any good?”

  “Ask Melody.”

  Austin narrowed his eyes. He balled his fist by his sides. “What did you say?”

  Carlos lifted a brow. “If you think I’m implying anything else, then rest assured I am not.”

  Austin closed his eyes and sighed. He shook his head.

  Carlos turned back to the glass. “It’s impolite to by another man’s woman a ring, but I’m sure you know this.”

  Austin headed for the door. “Melody isn’t yours.”

  Carlos followed. “To whom does she belong?”

  “Me.” Austin started down the wide sidewalk. It was busy a busy afternoon. The sun was hot and heating the concrete underneath Austin’s shoes. He could feel it rising, causing him to loop a finger through his collar and pull it away to catch a little air. He loosened his red tie some and undid the first button. He had not packed for the heat of the California weather.

  Carlos kept up. “If she were yours, then why is she not by your side? Why is she not marrying you?”

  Heat rose and poured off Austin in waves. Through gritted teeth, he said, “I’m sure you already know the reason.”

  Carlos sighed. “Yes, but I want to know your reasoning?”

  Austin turned and looked at Carlos. “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why do you want to know my side of it?”

  Carlos shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  Austin sighed. “If I tell you, will you cancel the wedding?”

  Carlos placed his hands on his hips. “Is Melody’s love so cheap as to be worth the price of a story?”

  Austin crossed his arms. He looked around and saw a bus bench with a shelter over it not far. There was also a vender selling cold drinks near by. Both called to him. He headed in that direction. He ordered two sodas and gave one to Carlos. Austin knew two things about Carlos so far. One: The man was decent and seemed like a genuinely friendly guy. Two: No man could love Melody as much as he Austin did, including Carlos. Austin figured that Carlos was more infatuated with Melody than anything else and if he gave Carlos his side of the story, perhaps he could get the guy to let Melody go after seeing that Melody belonged with the one person she was meant to be with. It was a long shot, but after everything Austin had witnessed, it seemed like the best bet. And right now, Austin was desperate.

  The men sat on the bench and drank their sodas.

  Austin opened with, “I’ve known Melody my whole life.”

  “I know,” Carlos replied.

  He sighed and looked down onto the road, watching the cars pass, trying to figure out where to start. “The first time I proposed to Melody, I had every intention of marrying her quickly.”

  “What happened?”

  Austin turned to Carlos. “The stock market crashed the next day.”

  Carlos’ eyes went wide. “Truly?”

  Austin nodded. “I remember the day before the crash like it was yesterday. Everything was going so well in the world and then everything changed. I wasn’t working for my brother’s company at the time. I was in school, but I had a decent job at a local bank.” Austin shook his head. “And then, like everyone else around me, I was let go.”

  Carlos frowned, but didn’t speak.

  Austin continued. “My brother’s company suffered for only a short period, but once Orlando got it stable again, he brought me on board and sent me to New York to fix his head office there.” He sighed. “But by the time I got fired, I was jobless for three months, sleeping on my brother’s couch.” Austin laughed. “For awhile, I thought he’d sent me to New York just to get me out of his space.”

  Carlos asked, “So what happened?”

  “I had a new job that was paying better than my last. I was working for my brother, which gave me added security, but I was haunted by those few months of not being able to provide for myself and I never wanted to go through that again, especially not with a wife or children.”

  Carlos tilted his head. “Well, any woman should be able to understand your need to establish your income before marriage.”

  Austin rested his elbows on his knees. He looked over at Carlos. “For a long time, I said the same thing, and was sure I was doing the right thing, but... “Austin shook his head. “I can’t say that money was the only issue, not after two years and making great pay. Recently, I’ve come to realize that it was selfishness that kept me from marrying Melody. I was making good money, had a great job, had a place in New York, and was getting noticed by a lot of people.”

  “You mean women?”

  Austin nodded. “I didn’t cancel our two engagements, Melody did. And she was right to do so.” The pain that was now a permanent resident in Austin’s chest grew. “I just wish I could do it all over again. I wish I could have a second chance.”

  “You mean a third chance?”

  Austin looked over to meet Carlos’ eyes. They were neutral, giving nothing away. Austin narrowed his eyes. “Yes, a third chance.”

  Carlos sighed. “Well, that was a very moving story, Austin.” He stood.

  Austin stood as well. “So?”

 
Carlos looked around before meeting Austin’s eyes. “Yes?”

  Austin placed his hands in his pants pockets. He looked down before meeting his opponent’s eyes. “Carlos, I don’t know how to ask this of you, but I need you to take back your proposal to Melody.”

  Carlos crossed his arms. “Why?

  “Because, everything I have and everything I am would be nothing if I didn’t have her to give it to.”

  Carlos smiled. “Nice words.”

  “I mean them.”

  “What if their too late?”

  Austin’s heart tried to lunge through his chest. “It’s never too late until you say, ‘I do’.”

  Carlos turned and started walking down the sidewalk again.

  Austin followed. “So, are you going to back out?”

  “Let me show you something.”

  Austin felt the sudden urge to beat the man within an inch of his life right there on the street, but knew that it would only serve to push Melody further away. So, instead of committing murder, Austin followed, unsure of where Carlos would lead him.

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  7

  Chapter SEVEN

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  “ … but she had to move on, and she couldn’t

  afford to let him ruin her heart again. ”

  .

  “It’s perfect,” Evita said as she spun around in the blue dress. It wasn’t the wedding dress, since the wedding dress would be white, but it was a dress in the style that she wanted. And she was right. The dress was perfect. The chiffon material had a ruffled V-neck, lace sleeves, and a lace train that seemed to go on for miles, wrapping around her tiny form. Evita smiled at the group of women who were gathered. There were four cousins, three sisters, her mother, and her friend, Melody were present.