Ramee would have hardly expected Prudie to come to her aid, but she did. “The only sensible marriage is a business arrangement, but you can’t just pick out the first prospect that comes along. Jackson should have taught you that.”
“I recalled how Adela found her husband, and I looked up the mail-order bride ads in your magazine, Carianne. There was one who seemed perfect, so I sent him a telegram telling him I’d arrive a week from Monday.”
“You what?” They both yelled in unison.
Ramee blew out a puff of air. She ought to have put it a different way, but how else could you explain something so drastic. Getting to her feet, she stepped to the table and took the ad out of her reticule. “Here. I know the words are few, but doesn’t this last one seem perfect?”
Carianne snatched the torn slip of paper from her hand. It took her only a couple of seconds to read the ad, then she pinned Ramee with an incredulous stare. “This man is a rancher. You don’t know anything about being a rancher’s wife.”
“I know more than you realize. I’ve followed the articles about the Casanova Cowboy too.”
“This Josh Volker isn’t a cattle baron. His place is probably a small, working ranch, and as his wife, you’ll have to work alongside him.”
“I intend to. What I don’t know, I can learn. Adela learned how to be a farmer’s wife, didn’t she?” When neither one of them retorted, she went on, “The best thing about Josh Volker is his location. His ranch is near Sacramento and not all that far from San Francisco. There are opportunities in the apparel industry in those cities. And they’re far away from anyone who knows Jackson.”
Prudie harrumphed that bit of information. “Your husband will need someone to help run his ranch, not a business in San Francisco. He says he wants a partner.”
“One can design and sew dresses in a ranch house as well as anywhere. He shouldn’t mind me taking a trip to San Francisco every now and then.”
“What if he does?” Carianne asked.
“I’ll make it clear what I expect when I meet him. If he has any objections to my business endeavors, I’ll just go on to San Francisco on my own.”
A heavy silence fell, not broken until Carianne said, “Perhaps that’s what you should do anyway. I can understand your wanting to get away from Jackson, but you don’t have to marry another man.”
Ramee wished it was that simple. “There’s something you don’t understand about Jackson. He needs me to carry out his plans—to open in New York a place like the House of Worth in Paris.” She clenched her hands into fists as she remembered Jackson first describing his grandiose schemes.
How excited she’d been thinking she shared his dreams. How stupid she’d been. “Don’t you think I’ve been trying to get away from him all these months? He’s not going to give up his goose that lays the golden eggs so easily. He’ll follow me to the ends of the earth as long as he thinks he can get me to marry him.” She turned, unable to meet Carianne’s stricken eyes. “I’ll never be truly safe unless I’m married to another.”
“If I were you, I’d go to Jackson’s business associates and tell them what he did,” Prudie said, “then I’d confront him with my derringer in hand.”
Ramee swung around. “Well, I’m not as brave as you, Prudie. If this Josh Volker will have me, I’ll marry him. He says he’s a Christian.”
“I could say I’m the Queen of England,” Prudie reminded her.
Ramee blew out a frustrated breath. “No matter what Josh Volker is, he’s bound to be better than Jackson.”
Surprisingly, Carianne settled the matter. “Ramee’s right about one thing. She must leave immediately.”
Ramee had carefully kept from meeting Carianne’s gaze. They’d been through so much together. She swung around in time to see her friend’s lips tremble. “Carianne, don’t you cry.”
It was too late. One fat tear after another tracked down Carianne’s cheeks. “It’s so far.”
An answering sob rose in Ramee’s throat, preventing speech. She dropped beside Carianne, and they wrapped arms around each other. “We both knew this day would come. We’d grow up and go our separate ways. I’ve been afraid your grandmother would send for you any day…and I’d be left alone.”
Prudie’s shadow fell over them. She held a handkerchief in each hand. “What do you want us to do?” There was no sympathy in Prudie’s voice.
“Forgive me.” Ramee took the cotton square and dabbed her eyes. “I should have listened to you, but what can I do now? I have to give up the chance to graduate from Harvard. I have to leave my best friends. Isn’t that punishment enough?”
Prudie crossed her arms. “Forgiveness you have, but what do you want us to tell Jackson when he comes around?”
Ramee twisted the handkerchief as she stared at her lap. “Tell him the truth, that I’ve left to marry another…but don’t tell him who or where. And don’t tell him anything until I’m west of the Mississippi. That may be cowardly of me, but Jackson can be…unpredictable.”
Prudie flopped onto the edge of the bed on the other side of Ramee. “Jackson is dangerous, but someone who was smart enough to pass the Harvard entrance exams would have known that from the first.”
“Are you going to be honest with Josh Volker?” Carianne asked.
For a moment Ramee didn’t know what she was talking about, then it hit her. Prudie didn’t know everything, but Carianne did. “Yes, I am. I’m going to tell him everything. I know you think I’m impetuous—and I am, but I’ve been thinking of what I’d do with my life for some time. I don’t know if Josh Volker is the man God would have for me, but I’m at peace with this decision.” Despite her efforts to remain calm, another sob broke through. “I can’t leave without your blessing.” She sniffed into the soft cotton square.
Carianne’s mouth worked into a wobbly smile. “If you’re at peace with it, then of course, you have my blessing.” She took Ramee’s hands, giving them a squeeze. “Since you must leave immediately, I suggest you go down to the Domestic Bureau and find a companion post haste.”
Ramee stared at her friend, stupefied. A companion? How could she have been such a dolt? She’d been so wrapped up in her own circumstances, she’d forgotten when she left, she’d be leaving her position as Carianne’s companion. “Of course I’ll do that, but don’t you want to select your own companion as my replacement?”
“Not for me—for you, dear Ramee. If you think for one moment I’d allow you to go clear across the country without a chaperone, you’re mistaken.”
“For me? But Adela traveled alone.”
“This isn’t the same situation at all. Adela had corresponded with Byron for months and received references as to his character. You know nothing about Josh Volker. And Adela was older, more serious—”
“Are you saying I’m not serious, that I’m—”
“Impetuous,” Prudie added for her. “I’d also add flighty and headstrong.”
It was useless to try convincing Prudie. Ramee wrapped her arm around Carianne’s shoulder. “I’ve been all those things, but I’m going to change. I’ll find a chaperone and promise not to do anything rash. If Mr. Volker and I don’t suit, I’ll find some job. I can’t return until Jackson leaves or marries another.” She drew in a deep breath, hoping things would work out like that. “Just trust me and don’t worry. I’ll be leaving with a heavy heart.”
Indecision flittered across Carianne’s features before she embraced Ramee. “All right, I trust you, but I’ll probably worry all the same.”
Ramee sent a pleading glance Prudie’s way. “And you, Prudie?”
“I’m not worried.” She got up, tugging Carianne with her. “We’ll leave you to pack. As soon as we send Jackson on his way, we’ll write you, and you can come back.”
At the doorway, Carianne flung an anxious, watery glance over her shoulder. “All will be well if you don’t do anything rash.”
Chapter 4
Josh spent the next several days at the ranch
working with the two cowhands. As he rode back into Sacramento, he realized how rusty he’d become since leaving the logging camp. Every muscle screamed at the abuse he’d put it through.
Passing by the sheriff’s office, he noticed Rafe Harkins’s horse out front. What was Rafe doing in Sacramento? That wasn’t particularly unusual. Rafe had served as a deputy in Sacramento until he got the job of sheriff in Serenity. Josh and Rafe had been friends for years, and it seemed a good thing to say howdy and let Rafe know the Renfros were out of jail.
He found Rafe standing at the back table of the office, shuffling through papers. The big lawman blinked as Josh closed the door, then his face cracked into a wide grin. “Hey, Josh, where’ve you been the last few days?”
“I was at the ranch, and before that over at Bluffton. Did you know the Renfro gang’s out of jail?”
“Yeah, they’re out on bail. That’s what I’m doing here, trying to find some evidence for the sheriff over in Bluffton.”
“Found anything?”
“Probably not enough. Those Renfros are as slick as greased catfish, but even if they get off the Bluffton charges, they won’t be out long, if I know those skunks—and I do.”
Josh found a stool by the desk and lowered himself onto it. He grimaced as he flexed his shoulder.
Rafe noticed. “You tussled with the Renfros?”
“I did have a scuffle with Jim, but that wasn’t how I got hurt.” Josh rubbed his biceps. “I stopped by the ranch and tried to reacquaint myself with the work.”
Rafe laughed. “What happened?”
“I was in the motion of cutting a bull calf when his mama ran up from out of nowhere and charged me.”
“Catch a horn?”
“No, I jumped out of the way, but she slammed into me with her hind quarters, getting between me and her calf. It was mostly my fault for not paying attention.”
An expression of consternation crossed Rafe’s face. He patted his pockets and drew out a paper. “I almost forgot. I went by the boarding house looking for you, and Harry asked me to give you this telegram. Came in a couple of days ago. He thought I might see you before you got back.”
Josh hunched over the desk. A telegram could, usually did, bring bad news. His first thought was Tom had gotten into some trouble or Granny got sick, maybe fell trying to do too much. She was getting frail. He didn’t like to think of it, but she couldn’t have many years left.
He snatched the telegram, broke the seal and sent a prayer for peace.
The words didn’t make sense.
Answering your ad for a bride. Stop. Will arrive Sacramento train depot Apr 21. Stop. Ramee Abbot
This wasn’t how he’d pictured it working out. He’d expected to hear from several women by letter, over a month or two. That’s how it usually worked. After picking out the most promising candidate, he’d send her money for transportation.
“Bad news?” Rafe broke into his thoughts.
“Might be. You remember I sent out an ad for a mail-order bride?”
Rafe bobbed his head. “I was there when you wrote it, and I told you to look around your own front yard before going far off.”
It was time to get honest with Rafe—and with himself. “I wanted someone who didn’t know anything about my past.” He handed the telegram to Rafe. “Seems I should have been more specific. I intended to select who’d come out here, not have her just show up.”
The whole thing struck Rafe’s funny bone. “It was what you said about buying a ranch. They think you’re well-to-do.” He laughed again. “You’ll have women from all over the country running after you. Likely this one’s a scullery maid who’s tired of emptying rich people’s chamber pots.”
It wasn’t funny to Josh. “I’ll have to meet this gal and give her money to return home, I guess.”
“She might strike your fancy.” Rafe shoved the telegram back at Josh. “Or she might have a past too.”
After rereading the telegram, Josh shrugged and slipped the paper in his pocket. He’d have to wait until this Ramee Abbott arrived to find out what she was up to. “Guess I better be getting over to the boardinghouse. Come on later and I’ll buy you dinner.”
The sun had all but disappeared when Josh mounted Hercules. He maneuvered the horse through the traffic. Two-story buildings rose on either side of the street, already shut up for the day. This side of town could get rowdy when dusk descended. People ready to find trouble for a little excitement in their empty lives.
Excitement was the last thing Josh wanted. He’d rather everything play out according to well-laid plans, but it never did. He might’ve stirred up a rat’s nest sending off for a bride. What crazy woman would high-tail it out here without a single inquiry? One who was desperate?
Or running away?
All he wanted to do right now was soak in a hot bath and ease the soreness that cow had knocked into his shoulder. He wished the ranch was already his to take. Despite the hard work today, and his mistakes, he enjoyed it, and was ready to settle down. He already had plans to make the place grow, and it’d be nice to have a wife to help him. No reason to let negative thoughts take over. This woman on her way might be perfect for him.
Ramee Abbott. The name had a pleasant ring to it. Ramee Volker. That sounded even better. Curiosity would ride him until the woman arrived. Would she be as pretty as her name sounded? Tom was probably right. It’d take a homely woman desperate enough to travel across country to marry a man she’d never met. Or maybe she was a gambler.
He enjoyed the comfort and amenities the Merriweather Inn offered, but he ought to go on to Serenity and find a cheaper place to stay until the end of the month. God had blessed him with enough money to provide a cushion after acquiring his ranch, but that didn’t mean he should waste it. Being a good steward was a serious responsibility.
Strange, Josh had never considered that before becoming a believer. Nor had he considered needing a wife until now. Was it possible for a scoundrel like him to change that much? Yet a grub could turn into a butterfly. Who could say which was harder?
Ramee Abbott. He wouldn’t be able to get that woman out of his mind until she got here.
After bathing and changing clothes, he made his way to the hotel’s crowded restaurant and found a table in the back. He’d brought a newspaper to read until Rafe showed up, but had only finished the headlines when he noticed the bull of a man at the entrance, scanning the place.
Josh stood and caught Rafe’s attention. He laid the newspaper aside and waited until his friend took his seat. “Hope you’re hungry. The special is chicken pot pie, and I can recommend it highly.”
Rafe’s jolly chuckle rolled out. “I’ve had it before. Best I’ve ever had.”
The waiter took their orders before Rafe’s countenance sobered. “I got bad news a few minutes ago.”
It wasn’t unusual for a lawman to get bad news. Josh hoped it didn’t affect him. He sent Rafe a quizzical glimpse.
“The sheriff passed through Lender’s Ridge on his way back. He says your cousin, Tom, got arrested.”
“Why?”
“He was with the Renfro gang when they held up a Wells Fargo stage. The guard was killed.”
That sent a chill down Josh’s spine. He’d figured Tom would eventually find himself on the wrong side of the law if he kept going as he was, but to be involved in a murder. That wasn’t in Tom. “Which one of them did the killing?”
“Don’t know for sure. All of them are being held and charged. Guess that’ll trump the rustling charges.”
“Did the sheriff say when the holdup occurred?”
“Day before yesterday, around four o’clock in the afternoon.”
That would have been right after Josh passed by Lender’s Ridge. “I’ll get him a lawyer…and I’ll have to let Granny know. Guess I’ll post a letter tomorrow.”
Rafe scratched his chin. “She’s going to be mighty disappointed.”
She’d be disappointed all right. Maybe that wasn’
t the type of news he should put in a letter. “Think I’ll wait until I know something definite and go see her. That’s the kind of news you need to give in person.”
“Speaking of news, you got another telegram from your prospective bride.”
One brow rose as Josh took the paper from Rafe and tore into it.
Leaving Cambridge tomorrow. Arriving Sacramento Friday, 2:30pm, April 21. Stop. Ramee Abbott.
Telling him the time of her arrival meant she expected him to meet the train. Two telegrams in one day. Yeah, she was desperate.
Chapter 5
Ramee sat in a hardback chair just outside the door to the office of the domestic bureau. Inside the proprietor was doing her best to convince applicants to take the job of companion and be ready to leave with Ramee for Sacramento. Tomorrow. Four women had already soundly rejected the opportunity.
Apparently women seeking positions as companions expected a little more notice than twelve hours, or didn’t want to travel across the country right away, or desired a longer term of employment.
Ramee unconsciously crossed her fingers when the last applicant, Mrs. Hollingsworth, a middle-aged widow, went in leaving the door ajar. Mrs. Hollingsworth raised the same objections as the other applicants, and Ramee’s hopes sank to her feet.
What was she to do? Now that she thought of it, she agreed with Carianne that she needed a companion. Going that far to meet a strange man alone was more of an adventure than she wanted.
Voices fell and chairs scraped. Ramee determined she’d stop Mrs. Hollingsworth on the way out and compel her to go. Then she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the proprietor assuring the widow her pay would be enough to cover the demands of the position and promising Mrs. Hollingsworth she’d have employment elsewhere when she returned.
Ramee got to her feet as both women came through the door. She returned Mrs. Hollingsworth’s tight-lipped smile. The slight, pale woman with faded brown hair pulled into a tight bun looked like she’d blow away in a spring gale.
After introductions, Ramee left the establishment with her new companion. Her conscience urged her to warn Mrs. Hollingsworth about what she was getting into, but if she revealed they might have a madman chasing them across country, she’d never see the woman again. So she kept that to herself and dropped the unsuspecting Mrs. Hollingsworth off at her rooming house with instructions to be ready by nine o’clock in the morning. The train would pull out at ten.
The Annex Mail-Order Brides: Preque (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 0) Page 13
