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

by Faye Sonja

  “A few more,” Ida’s voice broke through Lydia’s disoriented state. After a moment, Lydia straightened, ready for the picture to be taken.

  “Smile,” Ida instructed. “Show us some of that love that was in your eyes when you were gazing up at Mr. Skilton.”

  Lydia frowned. Love? What love? She shook her head and did as the woman instructed. After a few more shots, the cameraman put down his equipment and then left the room.

  Ray’s arm fell and the loss of his touch made Lydia feel bare. But then she felt his fingers wrap around hers and lead her towards the sitting area.

  When Lydia went to sit, she could feel that he hadn’t planned to let her hand go, but he took it back, and then proceeded to place it on his back as he took his own chair, assisting his movements. “Let me help.”

  Ray looked over at her. “I got it.” He was still smiling, but unlike before, when his eyes had held warmth, now they were cold.

  Lydia took her hands back. “Sorry.”

  Ray nodded.

  Ida said, “Well, I know I don’t have to ask if this is a love match.”

  Ray’s eyes brightened right before he turned to Ida, who sat opposite them. “Indeed, it is.”

  As he spoke, Lydia watched with less amazement than before. He was a good actor and Lydia could see how the talent became useful. Growing up with as much money as he had, and seeing the way he worked the reporter, Lydia could see that this was not the first time Ray had lied for the press. She could easily picture the entire Skilton family putting on a charade for the world. Lydia resisted the urge to heave a sigh. If Ray could lie this well, what else was he lying about? Had Lydia just married a more devious version of Louis?

  “Lydia?”

  Lydia turned to Ida. “Hm…”

  Ida smiled. “Ray said that you two didn’t have feelings for one another before Heart Arrangements helped lead you back to one another? Is that true? Did you never have feelings for Ray while you were married to his brother?”

  Lydia didn’t dare glance at Ray when she said. “No, I never had feelings for Ray.” The words were a lie, but when she heard Ray adjust himself in his chair, she knew they’d hit home. She hated lying. She hated being a part of the world he was forcing on her. And now, she wanted out of this deception.

  Ida looked at Ray before she turned back to Lydia. “But now you do?”

  Lydia looked at Ray, meeting his eyes. She opened her mouth.

  Ray said, “I have a confession to make.”

  Both Ida and Lydia’s brows shot up.

  It was Ida who said, “What’s your confession?” She pointed her tape recorder in his direction.

  Ray held Lydia’s eyes, rooting her in place. And then he said, “Though I would never have crossed the line while Louis was alive,” he paused, “I’ve always been attracted to Lydia.”

  Lydia’s heart felt like it would beat right out of her chest. He was good. And with that knowledge came an aching pain. Lydia closed her eyes and foolishly wished that his words were true. No man, not even Louis, had ever made her feel as beautiful as Ray’s lies had done for a gleaming second.

  Ida let out a large breath. “That was so beautiful. I’m going to spend all night making sure I capture the moment beautifully on paper.”

  Lydia looked up. “Are we done?”

  Ida nodded. “For the most part, but I did want to gather some more information about your history as a writer.”

  Lydia frowned. “What about it?”

  Ida pointed her recorder towards Lydia. “You covered international news about the war long before America joined it. I dream of travelling. How did you do it?”

  Lydia strained a smiled. It was good question. For a long time, journalism, like most non-domestic fields of work, was a man’s job. “I actually had an editor who gave me a shot.” She remembered the day she’d been called into her boss’s office. Muriel Danton was a woman who played no games when it came to print, but her life’s work was giving women the opportunity to succeed in fields that had once been reserved for men. If it hadn’t been for Ms. Danton, Lydia would probably still be in California writing cooking recipes. It had been Ms. Danton’s opportunity that had taken Lydia to heights she hadn’t before imagined, and while on assignment, she’d met Louis and had given up her promising career. A career she missed terribly. “If you’re a hard worker and persistent, you can do more than I did,” she told Ida.

  Ida smiled. “You’re right. I mean, can you imagine that they’ve actually allowed female reporters to go overseas to be at the frontline of the war.”

  Lydia smiled. “Times are changing.” Many men and women were actually in Europe, taking part in what would become world history. Women like the CBS reporter, Mary Marvin Breckinridge were paving the way for women journalists. “Don’t say no to any opportunity. ‘Yes’ is your best friend,” Lydia continued, “and no task is too small.”

  Ida thanked Lydia for her words. She shook Ray’s hand and then left.

  Lydia sighed. Talking about writing and photography made Lydia’s hand ache for a good camera and a pen. It wasn’t the first time she wondered what her life would be like if she had stayed away from Navy pilot, Louis Skilton.

  “That wasn’t so painful, was it?”

  Lydia watched Ray stand and head towards the door.

  He continued talking. “I think we should grab Pauline, do lunch, and then I’ll give you a tour of the house, factory, and the rest of Midcap.”

  Lydia stood. “I thought Ellen was going to give me the tour?”

  “Well, now I’m going to do it.” He turned towards her. “I’d like to spend some time with my niece if that’s alright.”

  Lydia walked over and met him at the door. She wanted to say no. She needed time to process what had just happened. In a few days, her and Ray’s picture would be featured in some paper somewhere. She wondered if her friends in California would see it. She looked up at Ray to find him studying her. “Ellen said something about shopping as well.”

  Ray nodded. “Well, then we’ll do lunch, tour the grounds, and then I’ll hand you off to Ellen. Would that be agreeable?”

  Lydia nodded. “That’s agreeable.”

  “Good.” He opened the door.

  Lydia skirted past him on her way out, hoping that food and fresh air would settle her weary mind.

  * * *

  7

  Chapter SEVEN

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  “You can’t force me to marry you.”

  .

  After a lunch of tomato soup and mixed vegetables, Ray escorted Lydia from the house and towards the driveway. His 1942 Chevy Convertible sat in the driveway. The car was sleek, painted a deep maroon with chrome hubcaps, grill and bumpers. It was a slow ride, with only three gears, but slow was the way it was meant to ride. The sports car, with its roof back was made for leisure.

  He stopped walking when he realized Lydia had stopped. Turning to her, he found Lydia’s eyes glued to the car. Pauline seemed completely forgotten as she held on to her mother’s hand. Ray and Lydia had never agreed on most things, but one thing they did agree on was a fascination for cars.

  He smiled. “Do you have your license?”

  Lydia’s eyes went wide. “You’re going to let me drive?”

  Ray lifted the key and sighed. “Yes.” Plus, with his injured leg, he would only be able to drive it for so long. Best to let the lady drive, especially with a kid tagging along.

  Lydia walked over to him and snatched the keys from his hand and narrowed her eyes. “You’ve never let me drive any of your cars before. Why now?”

  Ray shrugged. “Privileges of the wife?”

  Lydia’s eyes closed even more, but her face broke into a smile. “At least I get something out of this deal.” She picked up Pauline and placed the little girl in the seat and then rounded the front of the car to the driver's side. A footman a
ppeared and helped her close the door. Lydia smiled over at Ray as he stood on the outside of the vehicle. Ray knew that he’d do anything for that smile. She started the engine and then said, “Get in.”

  Ray didn’t have to be told twice. He slipped into the leather seat and then leaned back as Lydia took them away from the house. He looked over at her and watched the wind dance in her face. It was just after noon and the weather was perfect for the trip. He’d known this little activity would cheer her up. It’s why he’d insisted that he be the one to take her on the tour of estate.

  “Don’t you have important work to do?” Lydia asked. “How is it that you manage to take time off to do this?”

  Ray sighed. “The company will remain standing if I leave them for a few hours.”

  Lydia looked at them and then away. “It must be hard to run a firearms company at a time like this. I know all the automatic companies all changed over to building aircrafts. What is it that Skilton and Knibbs is doing for the war effort?”

  Ray shrugged. “What we’ve always built. Weapons.”

  Lydia opened her mouth again but was cut off.

  Pauline shouted, “Horsie!” As they passed a barn.

  Ray chuckled. “Yes, horsie.”

  Pauline smiled at him and Ray felt a tug at his heart. It was the first time she’d smiled his way. He decided then that he’d do anything to get her to smile as well.

  “Is that on your property?”

  Raymond turned his head and looked to where she pointed. The lighthouse. “Yes, that’s on our property.”

  Lydia looked at him before turning back to the road. “Can we go there?”

  “If you don’t miss the turn.”

  Lydia swung right and Ray felt himself lose at least two years of his life. He chuckled and shook his head. The road leading to the lighthouse was partly wooded and rural, but soon opened up to a field of grass with only the single paved road as a guide up the hill.

  The sounds and smell of the ocean became more prominent as they drew close. Ray closed his eyes and listened to the crash of the waves against the rocks at the bottom of the hill. When the car came to a stop, Ray got out along with Lydia and Pauline.

  Lydia walked towards the tall white structure that pointed towards the sky. A hand was cupped over her eyes as she looked up. “Can we go inside?”

  Ray sighed. “I’ll wait here.”

  Lydia turned to him, frowning. “Why would you—” She stopped and glanced down towards his leg before looking back up at his face. “I’m sorry. This was a bad idea.” She started for the car. “We can leave. Let’s go back to the farm.” She already had her hands wrapped around Pauline’s waist, ready to hoist the little girl back into the car.

  “No,” Ray said.

  Lydia stopped moving.

  “We can go up.”

  Lydia stood. “No, Ray. It’s really alright.”

  Ray started for the door. “Last one up buys dinner.”

  Pauline was the only one to actually run, thinking it truly was a game.

  Lydia followed hesitantly behind.

  The journey was a long and painful one for Ray. He’d been forced to take a few breaks on the way, which slowed everyone down, but even Pauline had asked for a break or two. Ray wasn’t sure whether the little girl had really needed them or if she was seeing the breaks as part of the game, but Ray had been grateful for them either way. Eventually, they made it to the top and Ray took a deep breath while leaning over the rail.

  Lydia leaned by him. Her hair accidentally swept across his face, filling his nose with the fragrance of jasmine. She took the strands and tucked them behind her ear. She looked away. “Sorry.”

  Ray wanted to tell her that she had nothing to be sorry about, but decided to leave it alone. “Let’s switch,” he said instead.

  Lydia nodded and they changed places, leaving her hair to blow away from his direction.

  He frowned at the loss.

  “This is beautiful.”

  Yes, it is, Ray thought as he looked at Lydia and watched her close her eyes and take in a deep breath.

  A bird flew overhead and Pauline called it out, “Bird!”

  Though, her ‘bird’ had sounded more like ‘burd’, Ray still commended her. “Yes, bird. You’re a very smart girl.”

  Pauline smiled up at him before going to the other side of the rail. The black vertical bars were only inches apart with a horizontal bar on top that sat well over what the girl could reach. Neither Lydia nor Ray worried for her safety.

  “What was it like growing up here?”

  Ray turned to Lydia and thought about her question. What was it like growing up on the Skilton property? “Outside of a few changes, I’m sure it was like anyone else’s, full of good days and bad days.”

  Lydia turned to him. “A few changes?” She opened her hands to the sky. “Look at this place. It’s all yours.” She put her hands down. “You have maids and a personal assistant. I’m sure you’ve never gone hungry a day in your life.”

  Ray stared at her. “I’ve gone hungry before.”

  “When?”

  “That morning you decided to storm off into the forest behind my house in Oahu.”

  Lydia groaned. “No one told you to live next to a forest.”

  Ray shook his head.

  “No one told you to live so far away from the base and civilization,” she continued.

  “Hey,” Ray said. “I like my space.”

  “No one told you to come after me.”

  Ray stared at Lydia and remembered that day as though it were yesterday. Her and Louis, had been staying at his house. They had gotten into a fight and she’d stormed off. When Louis wouldn’t go after her, Ray did. He spent nearly an hour in that forest looking for her and then when he’d found her, they’d argued all the way back.

  “Louis told me to go after you,” he finally said.

  Lydia stared back at him just as intently. “No, he didn’t. You don’t have to lie for him anymore.”

  He didn’t blink. “You’re right. He didn’t.”

  Lydia sighed. “So, then why did you?”

  Ray knew why he’d gone after her. It was the same reason he’d tracked her down in California and pushed her to marry him. But, he couldn’t say that, so instead, he said, “Same reason I came for you once again. It’s because you would have died out there if I hadn’t.”

  Lydia stared at him. “Why’d you care whether I lived or died?”

  Ray was surprised at her question. Why had he cared and Louis hadn’t? Ray sighed as he turned towards the water. He hadn’t been prepared for her to ask so many questions, but should have known that she would.

  Lydia came closer and placed a hand on his arm. “Hey, forget it.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I keep bringing up Louis. Though we had our troubles, he was your brother, and I always seem to forget that. I know his loss affects you more since you knew him longer.”

  Ray turned to her. “Yes, he was my brother,” he said, deciding to use her reasoning for not answering as his own. He didn’t want to bad mouth his brother, but in the end, Louis had held very few fine qualities. Even Ray could admit that.

  “I guess…” Lydia dropped her hand. “We’ll always have to pay for his selfish acts.”

  Ray took her hand in his. “But it doesn’t have to be all bad.”

  Lydia’s eyes filled with skepticism.

  Ray smiled softly. “I know we don’t love one another, but I would like us to be friends.”

  Lydia sighed, but returned the smile. “I’d like that too.”

  Pauline came back over and said a full sentence of something that Ray couldn’t understand. Her high-pitched words ran into one another and her expressions were full of drama.

  But Lydia had understood everything. “Yes, Pauline.” She turned to Ray. “She wants to go back and play with her toys.”

  Ray gave Lydia’s hand a final squeeze before letting it go. He then turned towards the door, knowing that the way
down would be a lot easier than the way up, and also knowing that though he felt great mentally, he physically regretted this little trip. His leg was sure to remind him of the limits that he continued to ignore. He always pushed himself, straining the area of his leg that lacked enough muscle. Doctors had told him he’d been lucky to not lose the limb, but after all the loss Ray had endured, he’d felt that God had spared his injured leg. He looked back over his shoulder and watched Lydia help Pauline down the stairwell. Maybe God was giving him a few more blessings as well.

  * * *

  8

  Chapter EIGHT

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  “You can’t force me to marry you.”

  .

  When Lydia saw Pauline’s playroom, she was amazed. The room was bigger than the last apartment they’d lived in and was lined with toys from wall to wall. There were giant stuffed animals, kid-sized appliances, a dress-up wardrobe, and tons of baby dolls.

  Doris was there and helped show Lydia and Ray all of Pauline’s favorite activities. When Pauline decided to cook Ray a pretend meal, Ray sat hunkered down at her child table and ate the imaginary food with much enthusiasm.

  Lydia had laughed and sipped her imaginary tea as the two interacted.

  Ellen arrived an hour later and the women left, with Ray promising to join them for dinner in the city. He’d be heading into work and Lydia felt guilty for the questions that she’d asked him earlier when she’d been trying to pry for information on his company. After they’d made their truce on the lighthouse, Lydia had finally decided that she wouldn’t write the story.

  “So Mrs. Skilton, how’s your stay been so far?” Thomas asked as he drove them out of Midcap and towards Manhattan.

  Lydia frowned. “Thomas, I told you. Call me Lydia.”

  He laughed. “Just making sure you still felt the same way. You’re a rich lady now.”