Bought by the Lone Cowboy

by E. Walsh

  “So now what do we do?” The gears in Emily’s mind were already turning. How would they pay their rent next month? What would they do to make ends meet? There was no other textile company in all of Lancaster, and neither of the cousins had reliable transportation to get them over to London where they might find some kind of comparable work. The prospects seemed dismal.

  “We start to ask everyone we know, and we scour the newspaper.” Leila wasn’t one to accept defeat. She was a survivor and she knew that they could find something as long as they persisted. Emily wasn’t sure how to process the news. She wanted to feel relieved that she had finally gotten her wish and that she would no longer have to walk the long, dingy halls to her work space. Yet she also felt a pang of loss. She imagined how crushed Finn must feel, and she realized that there was nothing she could do to rectify the situation for anyone.

  “Maybe we should ask Martha if she needs any help in the café.” Emily whispered across the table and then had a sip of her coffee. “It’s worth a try, right?” She looked over her shoulder as Martha pulled a large rack of pastries from the oven. Leila shook her head.

  “Martha has both of her daughters here to help her out. I can guarantee that she does not need any extra hands.” Leila had opened up the classifieds section of the newspaper and was running her eyes across the ads. “I was thinking that maybe we could go down to the post office and see if they need any mail carriers or cashiers.” Leila sounded proud of her suggestion but Emily scoffed.

  “They would never hire us. We have no experience, and to be a carrier you need to know all of Lancaster like the back of your hand. We don’t have cars, and we haven’t even traveled to the south side of the town. I’m not being pessimistic, Leila, but I just know we need to think of something else.” Emily bit her lower lip.

  “Hey, Emily. What about this?” Leila scooted closer to the edge of her chair and then shoved the paper across the table. She had circled an ad with a red marker, and Emily read it over then laughed.

  “You’re joking, right?” Emily held the paper up to her face and then laughed out loud. “Texas rancher seeks submissive and domesticated woman for marriage of convenience?” Emily covered her mouth with her hand and then laughed out loud again. “Leila, this is some kind of joke, I’m sure.” Emily tossed the paper onto the table and then took a sip of her coffee. Leila snatched up the paper and then opened it back up to the ad.

  “Emily. Listen to the rest of it. He needs help.” Leila cleared her throat and then read the rest of the ad out loud. “I am a successful business man who requires assistance raining my two orphaned nieces, and in exchange for marriage, will offer you my plentiful acreage to live quietly and happily.” Leila shrugged and then set down the paper. “How bad could that really be?” She wondered why Emily didn’t think it was a good idea.

  “First of all…” Emily cleared her throat and then laughed. She just couldn’t take it seriously. “Okay, let me get myself together here, Leila.” She took a long sip of her coffee and then laughed out loud once more. “First of all, it is ludicrous. This is a total stranger. He claims to be a successful business man that owns some ranch and yet he can’t take care of two kids? Why doesn’t he just hire a nanny?”

  Emily scoffed and then walked away from the table. She ordered a red raspberry Danish from Martha, then carried it back to the table and sat down with a curious expression on her face. “You aren’t really considering this as an option, are you, Leila?” Emily was concerned that her cousin was thinking out of desperation.

  “Emily. It could turn out to be the perfect solution. Both of us are good with kids. We basically helped raise our little cousins back when Aunt Gussie and Uncle Tom were having problems, remember?” Leila had a serious expression on her face, and Emily realized that she was, indeed, serious about her proposition. “Why don’t we at least respond to the ad and see what he has to say?” Leila couldn’t see any harm that could come from simply responding to an ad.

  “Okay, Leila, if you say so.” Emily took another bite of her Danish and then looked out the window. Most of the snow that had fallen the week before was now sitting in an icy heap outside. The plows had moved it all to the corners of the street, and all of the exhaust from the motorists had colored it a smoky gray color. Emily figured that it wouldn’t hurt her to simply humor Leila’s request.

  “Thanks, Emily. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get the break that we’ve both been hoping for.” Leila smiled and then had a sip of her tea. It was the first time that she had ever hinted toward wanting something other than tedious textile work. Emily was both surprised and pleased. She looked out the window once more and then picked up the paper, ready to respond to the ad.

  “His postal address is 3532 Running River Road, in Lubbock, Texas. If you get me an envelope and a stamp, I’ll write the letter.” Emily smiled at Leila. Just then Martha appeared form behind her counter. She sat down next to Emily and patted her on the shoulder.

  “Don’t you two go worrying yourselves sick over this.” She looked at both cousins and then sighed. “I’m sure that you’ll both be able to put your heads together and find a new way to support yourself. Besides, the textile industry is slowly losing ground in this part of England.” Martha spoke with a nostalgic tone and then got up from the table to wait on more customers. Emily tapped her pen on the table and Leila took her cue.

  “I’ll be back in a little while with a stamped envelope.” She winked at Emily and then put on her coat. Martha went on chatting with her customers and Emily gazed out the window. What would happen if this man really did respond to their letter? What if he decided to accept their offer? Who would become the bride? How would they even get out to Texas with no money? Where would they stay? Her mind buzzed with possibility and uncertainty.

  Leila walked in silence through the town and toward the post office. Along the way, she passed one of her co-workers who trudged along the icy streets with a child in tow. “Hi, Leila.” Amber spoke through her thick scarf and Leila stopped to greet her.

  “Amber. How are you?” Seeing another Lancaster Textile employee filled her with emotion and she immediately threw her arms around her friend. “Are you oaky?” She stood back to look at amber’s son had hidden behind her legs.

  “I’m okay, but I’m very worried. We still can’t find work. I just left the post office because I thought they might have a few options, but they are closed for hiring. I just don’t know what I’m going to do. Ethan was laid off three months ago, and then he hurt his back doing odd jobs, so all of our income depends on me now.” Amber looked down to the ground and Leila felt a tear come other eye.

  “I’m so sorry, Amber.” Leila wanted to offer a solution but she didn’t have one. She thought about Emily’s prediction about the post office not being a viable option. “Maybe you can try to sell some of your knitting work.” Leila tried to offer a helpful suggestion. She had seen many of Amber’s pieces and she thought that there must be someone, somewhere, who would like to buy some of them. Amber shook her head.

  “I don’t even have the money to buy new supplies right now, Leila. I need something where I can get paid on the spot, and I need something soon. It’s not just me, you know. Many of the girls from our company are out here now looking for employment and none of them are finding anything.” Amber tried to look hopeful, but she couldn’t even muster up a smile.

  “If I hear of anything, I’ll let you know. Emily and I are in the same boat.” Leila nodded her head, hoping that amber realized she wasn’t alone in her troubles. She gave Amber’s son a pat on the head and then they parted ways. Leila entered the post office, bought her envelope and her stamp, and then made her way back to Griffin’s Café where Emily awaited her return.

  “Here you go. Let’s get busy.” Leila placed the stamped envelope on the table and then sat down. Emily had already written her letter, and she handed it over to Leila. “Wow. You already finished it. Why don’t you read it out loud?” Leila looked enthusiastical
ly at Emily and then leaned forward in her seat. Emily smiled and then cleared her throat.

  “Okay. Here you go.” Emily took a quick sip of her coffee and then read the letter. “Dear Mister McBride, my name is Emily Fawn and I live in a small town in England called Lancaster. I am writing in response to the ad you placed in the Lancaster Times a few days ago, and I wanted to tell you that I think I’d be the perfect fit for your needs. I’m great with children, and I have lots of experience as a care-taker. My cousin, Leila, is also interested in the position, and she has equal experience. We hope to hear back from you soon.” Emily paused and then took a deep breath. Leila looked on with admiration.

  “Well, you sure can write a clear, concise letter, and I think it’s off to a good start. But…” Leila paused and furrowed her brow. “You know, it kind of sounds like I’m not really included in the offer as much as you.” She didn’t want Emily to take offense, but she didn’t think that this man in Texas was going to be interested in meeting two women, and then having to decide which to marry. She thought for a few seconds and then tilted her head in contemplation.

  “That’s really what you think?” Emily looked hurt and confused.

  “Well, kind of. I mean, think about it, Em. What man wants to have to decide between two women that respond to the same ad? I think you should do it. Even though I’m the one that found the ad, I think you’re a stronger person and I honestly think you’d do a better job. You send it yourself.” Leila sat back with a satisfied look on her face. She really meant what she had just said, and Emily knew it.

  “Okay. I’ll send it as the sole requester. But I’m going to ask him to consider having you come along with me. And if he won’t agree to that, then I’m going to find out what kind of work there might be near his ranch so that you can come out later.” Emily nodded her head, already visualizing a life on a ranch out in Texas.

  “You know, there could be a lot of other women sending letters to this man.” Leila leaned forward and scrunched her nose. She didn’t want Emily to get her hopes up. “But, I guess you have as much a chance as any of the others.” She shrugged and then got up to reach for her coat.

  “Hey, where are you going?” Emily wondered why Leila was leaving so abruptly.

  “I’m off to look for work.” She smiled and then buttoned up her coat, waved to Martha, and walked outside. Emily sat alone at the table, feeling somewhat confused by Leila’s behavior, but also a little bit optimistic that the man in Texas would choose her as his bride. What did she have to lose? She reviewed the letter once more, then added a few sentences and made a few edits. When she was pleased with the final result, she folded it neatly in half and then slid it inside the envelope.

  Back at home Leila was busy scouring the other local papers for any leads. She didn’t turn up with much, and by the time Emily came home, she was ready to make dinner and resume her search until the next day. “Get the letter mailed?” Leila called out to Emily from the kitchen. Emily nodded with satisfaction.

  “I dropped it in the mailbox so it should be there in about a week.” Emily shrugged and then looked at Leila. “You know, I made sure to include you in the letter, Ley.” Emily didn’t think it would be fair to take the position if it were offered unless she knew that Leila would somehow benefit, as well.

  “I appreciate it, Emily. But seriously-I’ll find work, eventually. I wouldn’t want to travel out to Texas as a third wheel. I’m not mad, so don’t worry.” Leila smiled and then went about chopping vegetables for a soup that she had decided to prepare. “I’m sure that whatever happens, it will all be for the best.” Leila meant what she said. She set her carrots and her peppers into a large pot, and then started to make the broth. Emily sat down at the kitchen table.

  “I guess it doesn’t help for me to get my hopes up, anyway.” She knew that it was always like her to think the best and to assume that she’d get whatever she set her hopes on. She really hadn’t suffered too many big let-downs yet in life, so it made sense for her to think that life would always tilt in her favor.

  “I think that you have a good chance.” Leila didn’t look up from making her soup, but Emily could tell that she was sincere. “Who knows, Emily. Maybe you’ll be the first one in the family to finally see another part of the world.” Leila smiled and then scraped some onions into her pot. Emily sat quietly in thought. Then she nodded her head. She hoped that Leila was right.

  * * *

  Chapter 4

  About a week after Emily had sent her letter there was an ad that ran in the paper for a baker. Leila responded immediately, and was called in for an interview. She was hired on the spot. Emily was thrilled for her cousin, but at the same time she also felt an uneasiness in her bones. What would happen to her if she didn’t hear from Dylan McBride? What if he already decided on marrying somebody else? Emily worried, but told herself not to get too worked up just yet.

  On the morning of Leila’s first day at the bakery, a letter came in the mail for Emily. It was postmarked from the United States, and the return address was 3532 Running River Road in Lubbock, Texas. Leila was so excited for Emily that she almost made herself late for work. “Hurry! Open it and see what it says.” Leila ran her hands through her hair and watched as Emily carefully tore open the edge of the envelope.

  In what felt like an eternity of silence, Emily carefully unfolded the letter and held it in front of her face. Leila leaned in next to her to try and see what it said. Emily giggled with excitement and then read the letter out loud. “Dear Emily, I wanted you to know that after reading through more than fifty letters, I’ve decided to choose you for my marriage. I will tell you more about how I came to my decision after you have made the trip out to Texas. I look forward to meeting you. Please let your cousin know that I will likely have some work for her in the spring when the weather gets warmer. I will arrange for your flight and would like you to come out as soon as possible. Thank you. Dylan McBride.”

  Emily dropped the letter and it drifted across the floor. Even with her optimistic attitude, she was still surprised that he had actually selected her. What would she do now? How could she just pack up and leave Leila? What if the spring work he mentioned didn’t actually pan out? Her mind whirled with questions and anxieties. Before she could even process a reaction, Leila threw her arms around her cousin and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “See?” She jumped up and down. “I knew that he would pick you! I’m telling you, Emily. I just had a feeling that this was meant to be. And look at the timing. I just found work, and I think I’m going to like this job. We’re both going to make it, after all.” Leila beamed with happiness. To her, this was the best sequence of events that could have occurred since the fire.

  “Texas, here I come.” Emily threw her arms around Leila and the two embraced until Emily backed away with a questionable expression on her face. “Leila, I sure hope this works out. I mean, I’ve never left Lancaster, and now I’m going to be traveling to another part of the world, to a ranch…” Her voice trailed off and she started to worry. “I don’t want to leave you. What if the bakery work doesn’t suit you? Then you’ll be here all alone, with no job.”

  The thought of Leila being alone, with no work, and very little family made Emily’s stomach churn. She couldn’t let it happen. She wouldn’t. She would make sure that Dylan McBride knew where she stood with her cousin’s wellbeing, and she would insist that she come out to Texas if her work at the bakery didn’t last.

  “Emily.

  There is no sense in worrying about the unknown. You have to just go out there and give it a try. Who knows? You might even end up liking the guy.” Leila shrugged and then walked toward the hallway. “Come on. Let’s get you packed up while that soup simmers.” With that, she headed into their bedroom and started to rifle through the closet. “You might as well pack all of your nice clothes. What if wants to take you out to dinner? He’s a successful business man. He’ll probably want you to wear fancy dresses and wear expens
ive jewelry.” Leila smiled, trying to imagine how her cousin’s life might abruptly change. Emily frowned.

  “I don’t own any fancy dresses or expensive jewelry, so I hope he plans on buying whatever he needs.” She frowned and then looked at the clothes as Leila pulled them out of the closet. She was already nervous about not fitting in with his Texas lifestyle, but there was nothing she could do now except get on the plane and go.

  Emily’s flight was on the following Saturday. With a mind filled with trepidation, she made her way to the ticket counter and checked in. Leila stood by and waited for them to call her flight, then watched as she got in line to board. “I love you, Emily!” Leila called out as Emily got in line to board. Emily didn’t turn around because she didn’t want her cousin to see her crying.

  She found her way to her seat, then stowed her carry-on bag. She sat down and buckled her seat belt, then closed her eyes as the pilot announced their take-off. In a matter of minutes, she was up in the air, flying over the clouds and away from England. When her flight landed safely in Texas, she sat in her seat and then took a deep breath. She had arrived, and now she had to meet Dylan.

  He was waiting in the airport when she got off the plane. Emily didn’t know what he looked like. All he told her in his letter was that he was tall and had dark hair. It could have been any of the men that she saw when she got off. She swallowed hard and then walked toward the bag carousel. When she had her suitcase, she carried it to the side and waited for him to find her. “Emily?” Someone called her name and she looked up to see a tall man, with dark hair and blue eyes, standing before her.

  “I’m Dylan.” He smiled and took her suitcase. Emily sized him up and decided that he was an attractive man, probably around thirty, and with a solid, yet lean sort of build. He reminded her of a man she had once seen in a cigarette commercial, and she wondered if he was going to be someone that she enjoyed being with, or someone that she couldn’t stand.