RNWMP_Bride for Peter

by Amelia C. Adams

  RNWMP: Bride for Peter

  Mail Order Mounties Book Twenty

  by Amelia C. Adams

  Thanks to my beta readers—Amy, Erin, Cissie, Jennifer, Laurie, Mary, Merrilee,

  and Renee.

  Copyright © 2018 Amelia Adams

  Cover design by Erin Dameron-Hill

  Table of Contents:

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter One

  Callie Brown snuggled into Victor’s side as he rounded the last bend in the road that would take them to the Ottawa train station. He looked down at her and smiled.

  “You’re making it a little hard to drive, sweetheart,” he said.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She sat up straighter. “I just can’t help it. I’m so excited.”

  “I am too.” He glanced at her again. “No regrets?”

  “None at all. You?”

  “Not a one.”

  When Callie had taken the job as assistant cook at the sprawling Vanderbilt estate the previous year, she’d never expected to fall in love with the heir to the Vanderbilt fortune. Now they were on their way to Montreal to get married, slipping out from under his father’s thumb. She had no idea what the future would hold for them, but Victor would be there, and that was all that mattered. Besides, nothing could possibly happen that was worse than what she’d already been through—it was time for fate to smile on her kindly.

  Victor parked the car, then hefted their bags out of the back. “By tonight, we’ll be married,” he said, giving her a broad smile. “And you’ll have the life you’ve always dreamed of.”

  “I’ve only been dreaming of you since the day we met,” she replied.

  He bent and gave her a quick kiss. “Let’s be off, then.”

  They moved toward the ticket window, and it was nearly their turn when they were interrupted by a voice rumbling across the platform. “Victor!”

  Callie closed her eyes. This couldn’t be happening. They’d thought Mr. Vanderbilt was out of town—that’s why they’d chosen this particular day to go. But no, he was here, charging toward them like an enraged bull.

  “Get out of line and let these nice people behind you buy their tickets,” Mr. Vanderbilt said when he reached them, giving a nod to the other passengers. He took Victor’s elbow and pulled him around the corner of the ticket booth, all but pushing his back up against the small building when he let go. “What’s going on here?”

  “Callie and I are getting married, Father,” Victor said. Callie winced when she saw the look that crossed Mr. Vanderbilt’s face. “We’re on our way to Montreal.”

  “Like thunder you are!” Mr. Vanderbilt threw Callie a look of pure disgust. “Listen, boy. I’ve never minded your little dalliances with our other maids—and neither did they, apparently. But marrying one of them? Have you lost your mind?”

  “Dalliances?” Callie stared at Victor. “What is he talking about?”

  “Never mind, girl,” Mr. Vanderbilt snapped. “This is between me and my son.”

  “No, sir, I think it’s very much between me and my fiancé.” Callie took a deep breath. “Explain yourself, Victor.”

  “It’s true that I’ve had small moments of indiscretion with members of the house staff, but that was before you came into my life,” Victor said, turning to her with pleading eyes. “None of that had anything to do with you.”

  “And it will continue to have nothing to do with her because you’re not going to Montreal.” Mr. Vanderbilt crossed his arms. “You’re returning to the house with me, and you, Calliope Brown, will go wherever it is your type goes.”

  “We’re getting married, Father, and that’s all there is to it,” Victor insisted.

  “Oh? So you’re ready to give up your entire inheritance for this kitchen maid?”

  The stubborn expression on Victor’s face wavered. “What do you mean? My holdings are all written up in my name.”

  “In your name, after a manner of speaking, but I’m the trustee, and I can do whatever I like with those funds. You have a choice to make, and you’d better do it fast. What’s it going to be? Your entire future as a Vanderbilt, or a life of poverty with this . . .” Mr. Vanderbilt flicked a finger in Callie’s direction.

  Her heart was pounding so fast, she was nearly lightheaded. “I don’t care about the money, Victor,” she said. “I never have. We’ll be happy together no matter where we are—I don’t need that house you promised me. We’ll be fine.”

  Victor swallowed. “I’m sorry, Callie,” he said after a long moment. “But this is goodbye.”

  “What?” She took a step backward, disoriented. “I don’t understand.”

  “My father holds the purse strings, and that means he holds the power.”

  “But . . .” She blinked, trying to stay calm. “There’s so much more to life than money and power. What about love?”

  Mr. Vanderbilt snorted. “You naïve girl. Victor doesn’t love you—he’s never loved anyone but himself. Didn’t you see how quickly his mind was made up just now? It didn’t even take him five minutes.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a wallet, and removed a couple of bills. He thrust them into Callie’s shaking hands. “Buy yourself a ticket somewhere—I don’t care where. Just don’t come back to Ottawa.” He grabbed Victor’s bag from the ground and marched away, calling over his shoulder, “Get a move on, son.”

  Callie reached out and caught Victor’s sleeve. “Are you really leaving with him? I thought . . .”

  He nodded without looking at her. “I’m sorry, Callie, but this is how it has to be.” Then he pulled away from her grasp and walked in the direction his father had gone, leaving her there in the shadow of the ticket office, bewildered.

  She reached out and touched the wall of the small building, trying to stay on her feet. She had to think. She needed a plan. The money Mr. Vanderbilt had given her would buy her a train ticket and a meal or two, but not much beyond that. She had a few savings in her bag, but that was it. All she had in the entire world. No family, and she couldn’t return to Ottawa and seek out her friends. The Vanderbilts had powerful connections, and if they warned her to stay away, well . . . she’d just as soon not find out how they planned to follow through on that threat.

  She picked up her bag, walked over to a bench, and sat down. She was utterly and completely exhausted. She’d just gone from experiencing the happiest moment of her life to the most miserable within seconds, and she felt as though every bit of energy had been yanked from her by a giant, unseen hand. The weariness was just too much, and she began to cry. She wasn’t by nature a crier, but she couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. She had never been so alone in her life.

  Suddenly, she wasn’t alone. An older woman in a blue velvet traveling dress sat down beside her and patted her hand. “There, there,” the woman said. “I’m sure it can’t be as bad as all that.”

  “I’m afraid it is,” Callie replied. “This was supposed to be my wedding day, and he just left me here at the train station.”

  “Why, the nerve of him!” The woman looked around. “Which one is he? I’ll go give him a punch in the nose!”

  Callie smiled through her tears. “He’s gone already. Otherwise, I’d be more than happy to see you punch him.”

  “And I’d be more than delighted to do it. I get so few opportunities to punch people anymore.” The woman smiled at her. “My name is Hazel Hughes. Who are you, my dear?�
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  “Calliope Brown. Callie, actually. I rather hate my given name.”

  “Please don’t think I’m being rude, but it’s not my first choice of names either.” The woman tilted her head and looked at her curiously. “What are you going to do now? Do you have a home, a family to go back to?”

  “I don’t have anyone,” Callie replied. “I was orphaned when I was twelve, and I’ve worked ever since. Last year, I thought all my troubles were over when I came to the Vanderbilts’, but I was certainly wrong.”

  “The Vanderbilts?”

  Callie gasped when she realized what she’d said. “Oh, please, Mrs. Hughes, forget I said anything. I didn’t mean to let their name slip.”

  “It’s quite all right. I do enjoy a good gossip just like anyone else, but I know when to be discreet. And you may call me Miss Hazel.” She patted Callie’s hand again. “I wonder if I might make a suggestion. I know it’s a little unexpected, but you see, I’m a matchmaker, and I’m taking those three young ladies to the town of White Fox in Manitoba to marry some of our boys in red serge. I was supposed to have four brides, but Barbara . . . well, I always did wonder if she was cut out to be a Mountie’s wife. She insisted that she was, but at the last minute, she ran off. Would you be willing to take her place?”

  Callie felt her mouth drop open. “I’m sorry—I must have misunderstood. Did you just ask me if I’d go to Manitoba and marry a Mountie?”

  “Quite a lot of M words in a row there, but yes, that’s what I said.”

  “But . . . how can I marry someone I’ve never even met?”

  “The other three girls are doing exactly the same thing. They’ve decided to take a chance on fate and see where the wind blows them. The one there on the end is Madelyn. She’s going to marry Gilbert, who just lost his wife—she’s going to help him raise twin daughters.”

  Callie looked over curiously. Madelyn was a beautiful young woman with dark hair and a trim figure. “Why would she do that? Surely she could find a husband here without having to travel all that way.”

  “I’ll let her share her story when she’s ready. Next is Ida, and her daughter, Lily. Lily’s recovering from surgery to correct a cleft palate, and a sweeter little girl you’ll never meet. They’ve stayed with me for the last little while, and I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without them.” Miss Hazel dashed away some sudden tears. “But I know they’ll be happy in White Fox, and that’s why I’m sending them.”

  “But how do you know they’ll be happy? Have you met these men? Have you seen where they live?” Callie couldn’t wrap her head around the idea of tying her life to that of someone else’s when that someone else was a stranger in every way.

  “It’s a simple little thing called faith, my dear. I don’t know everything, but I do know that when I put my faith in what’s right and good, things tend to work out for the best.”

  Callie nodded. “And the last girl?”

  “That’s Colleen. Isn’t she lovely, with all that red hair? I matched her sister Molly not long ago. Can you believe, Colleen’s mother wants her to become a nun? Now, I have the greatest respect for nuns—don’t misunderstand. But I also know that it takes a certain kind of girl to make a good nun, and Colleen’s a little too full of zest. An adventure like this is just what she needs.” Miss Hazel turned back to Callie. “What about you, my dear? What do you need?”

  “I . . . need a place to be. I need to feel like I belong.” An aching feeling welled up in Callie’s chest. “I need a family.”

  “If you come with us, I can promise you, these girls will be like sisters to you,” Miss Hazel said. “And your groom? I’ve known his family for several months now. I first matched his sister, Evelyn, and since then, I’ve worked my way through the family. After this, there’s just one Mountie brother left to go.”

  “Are all the brothers Mounties?” Callie asked.

  “Yes, they are. Every one of them. And they’re good, strong people—I’ve been very impressed by them. I can’t promise that you’ll fall in love with Peter, or him with you, but I do know that he’ll take wonderful care of you and treat you well.” Miss Hazel searched Callie’s eyes. “I just need you to decide quickly. Our train leaves soon.”

  Callie pressed her lips together. This was happening so fast—how could she possibly make a decision of such magnitude without time to think it over? But the truth was, she had no alternatives here in Ottawa, and if she were to buy a ticket somewhere, she wouldn’t know where that somewhere should be. At least this way, she was assured of a warm home and someone who cared about her. And love? She nearly snorted. She was done with love. Victor had ruined that for her forever.

  Almost before she finished the thought, she nodded. “All right. I’ll come with you.”

  Miss Hazel beamed. “That’s just wonderful! You see, having a little faith makes everything work out in the end. You needed a place to be, I needed a fourth bride, and we were brought together here on this train platform so we could help each other out.”

  Callie shook her head. “You don’t think this was just a coincidence?”

  “Oh, my dear, so few things really are coincidence.” She stood up. “Let’s get your ticket and be on our way.”

  “All right.” Callie paused. “Is it an expensive ticket? I don’t have much . . .”

  Miss Hazel looped her arm through Callie’s. “You’re not buying your ticket, dear girl. Your groom already took care of it.”

  “But he’s expecting . . . what did you say her name was? Barbara?”

  Miss Hazel laughed. “He’ll be much happier to get you instead. I can already tell, you’re the one I was meant to bring all along.”

  Callie didn’t know how Miss Hazel could be so sure. Hopefully, she was making the right choice, and things would work out for the best in the end.

  Chapter Two

  Peter Murray rubbed his eyes and tried to stifle a yawn. Ever since Bert’s wife died, leaving him with two little girls to raise on his own, Peter and the other Mounties had taken over the night shifts so Bert wouldn’t have to leave his children at bedtime. It really wasn’t a huge hardship, but Peter did enjoy his sleep, and when his routine was disrupted, it was hard for him to function.

  That’s why he’d encouraged Bert to consider remarrying. Bert hadn’t felt ready, but those girls needed a full-time caretaker and not just a daily tender. Peter’s sister, Evelyn, had gotten married several months before, the whole thing arranged by a little old woman they called Miss Hazel. Then Peter’s brother Jonathan decided to give it a go, and then his brother Samuel. They all seemed perfectly happy, and so, after talking it over with the three men in his command, Peter asked Evelyn for Miss Hazel’s contact information.

  Now four young women were on their way to White Fox. Peter looked at the clock—their train would be arriving in about an hour. Bert had stated that he wasn’t going to fall in love with his bride, and Peter didn’t see anything wrong with that—the young woman had been told as much, so her expectations would be where they should be. Husbands and wives could be friends and companions without being in love, and Bert needed someone to help shoulder his burdens.

  As far as Peter went, he was ready to fall head over heels. He’d always wanted a wife and family, but being a Mountie didn’t leave a man a lot of time for courting—especially when he had leadership in his sights and had reached the goal of commanding his own post before he was twenty-eight. Now that he was assigned out here in the small town of White Fox, it seemed that his chances were even worse, as there were so few single ladies in this area. Writing to Miss Hazel would be just as good for him as it would be for Bert, and hopefully, for Andrew and Marshall as well.

  Andrew entered the Mountie station and put his hat on a nail by the door before taking a seat. “Another train robbery, this one about sixty miles from here,” he said, sliding a telegram across the desk. Peter picked it up and looked at it, giving a nod. “They’re getting closer, sir,” Andrew added unnecessarily. />
  Peter rubbed his face. “Let’s not tell the others until after we’ve met the young women, all right? I think that after traveling this distance and sacrificing the way they have, the girls deserve to have a calm, quiet welcome. There will be time enough for all this tomorrow.”

  “Agreed.” Andrew gave a nod. “So, we have an hour.”

  “That we do.” Peter noticed that Andrew’s knee was bobbing up and down. “Are you nervous?”

  “Me? No. Yes.” He gave a chuckle. “I’m not only getting married, but I’m gaining a daughter. I like children, but I’m not sure I know how to be a father. I bought a little bear at the general store—do you think she’ll like it?”

  “Of course she will.” Peter was secretly amused to see Andrew rattled. “I imagine that Bert’s bride feels much the same way you do right now—she’ll be gaining two daughters, not just one.”

  “So many little girls!” Andrew chuckled. “I hope Mr. Gellar keeps his shelves stocked with hair ribbons. I have a feeling we’re going to go through a bunch of them.”

  “And you’ll be happy to do it, I’m sure.” Peter shoved a stack of papers across the desk. “Help me organize these, would you? I’d like to get them all wrapped up before we meet the train—one less thing eating at the back of my mind.”

  Andrew helped sort through the papers and file them away. Peter hated the paperwork aspect of law enforcement—he would so much rather focus on tracking down suspects and breaking up fights, but paperwork was a necessary evil, as his father reminded him whenever he complained, and as the man in charge of this post, it fell on Peter to see that it got done. He liked having the ability to make decisions for their unit, but there were certainly downsides to being the boss.

  At last it was time to head over to the train station. Peter laughed and joked with the other men as they walked the short distance. Bert seemed apprehensive, and Peter could well understand why. Andrew was nervous, but excited. Marshall seemed as though he couldn’t care less.