by Natalie Dean
The two friends left the hotel with Lottie carrying a basket. They walked arm in arm to the surgery. Mrs. Lavery was wiping the dust from Doc's jacket, and he smiled as he saw his wife. The pastor married them only a few weeks earlier while Lottie was still in her sick bed.
"You two go and get them. I'll have the food set out. Cecilia, Horace, you two come back to the hotel."
"Are you ready Mrs. McLennon?"
Lottie giggled as she put her arm through her husband's. Lottie and Doc went to the post office to await the arrival of the stage. It was the day Lottie had waited for. She got nervous as she saw the horses coming towards them.
"Hamish, will they like us?"
"They will love us, Lottie. Stop fretting," Doc said as he patted her hand.
Mrs. Lavery and Cecilia, with Moll's help, had many contacts. It transpired that George Ward, Frank's brother, had died. His three children, a son aged six and twin girls aged five were in Lottie's orphanage. This was the day the children were arriving with a chaperone. Lottie and Doc were adopting them. They had already hired a farm hand to manage the newly renamed Ward Place. It was the children's legacy, and when the boy got older, he could take it over.
Lottie could feel her heart race as the stage drew closer. It stopped, and Lottie tried to see, but it was too dark. Then a woman emerged and lifted out two little girls and then the boy.
"Welcome children, I'm Lottie, and this is Doc."
The children huddled around the woman. So much change had occurred in their young lives.
Lottie knelt down. From her basket, she produced two dolls which she handed to the girls. Then she handed a ball to the boy.
"Thank you, Miss Lottie. Their names are Betty and Gertie. My name is John." The young boy told his sisters to say thank you, and he reached out to shake hands with Lottie and Doc. He was very protective of his sisters. The chaperone held the girls' hands, and they all went to the hotel. Mrs. Lavery had lots of food, and soon the children looked a little happier.
Lottie smiled as she watched them together.
"We've done a good thing. No one else would take the three of them and they need each other," she said to Doc as he sat beside her.
"The reward money is theirs. The town has decided on it."
Lottie smiled. Doc had promised to take care of everything, and he had. She was so happy. She knew the children would need time to settle, but she had all the time in the world.
One Year Later
Doc paced back and forth with his daughters in his arms. John was following his father's footsteps in the dusty ground, jumping from step to step.
"Papa, where's mama?" Betty asked.
"She’s with Aunt Cecilia. Remember she's having a baby."
Doc couldn't settle. It seemed to be taking a long time.
"I want a brother. I'm sick of girls," John added and his sisters began to say they wanted a new sister.
It had been a busy year. Within a few weeks of arriving, the children seemed to sense they were in a permanent home. They settled and thrived in the fresh air. Lottie cried when Betty had fallen over and called for "mama" and meant Lottie. Doc was soon being called papa and adored being a father. John was his shadow and went on his house calls with him.
He and Lottie were happy. Ward Place was flourishing and the farm hand, Caleb, became an extended member of the family. It was only in the last few months that the new home was ready for occupation. And today it would welcome a new arrival.
A baby's cry sounded, and Doc felt relieved. Too much knowledge was a dangerous thing as he had allowed his imagination to run wild. Soon Cecilia was calling him and the children in.
"A boy or a girl?" he asked. Not really caring which so long as the baby and Lottie were healthy.
"See for yourself." Cecilia stood back to let them in.
Doc almost let the girls drop when he saw Lottie holding, not one, but two babies. She smiled as she looked at him and the children.
"A boy and a girl. I'd like to call the girl Grace, after Mrs. Lavery but I'm not sure about the boy's name."
John spoke, "can we call him Harry?"
"Sure, son, but why that name?" Doc asked.
"I just like it,” John said in a very matter of fact way. Lottie and Doc looked at each other and agreed.
"Come, children, meet Grace and Harry."
Cecilia knew Mrs. Lavery would be very honored to have the baby named after her. She would ride back to town and deliver the good news. As she stepped away, she watched them. The little girls on the bed peering at the new arrivals. Doc and John standing by the bedside. They were a family brought together through difficult circumstances. Now it was such a happy home.”
“Congratulations, Lottie. God willing, maybe I’ll be next in line for a wonderful husband and children." Cecilia smiled as she left the room to give the family some time alone.
THE END
Cecilia: Brides of Bannack Book 2
By Natalie Dean
Book Description
CECILIA
Brides of Bannack Book 2
A Western Romance Short Story
Sheriff Lance isn't the kind of man Cecilia wants to be with. So why can't she stop thinking about him...
Cecilia has her whole life ahead of her. She refuses to be a pawn in her father's business ventures, especially if it means being married off to a dirty old man. Cecilia has a mind of her own and has decided to become a mail order bride. She finds true love on the American Frontier, only to become widowed soon after. However, she's a woman of strength, and her fierce independent streak enables her to make it on her own as the successful owner of the tea shop in town. She's doing just fine without a man. Or so she tells herself...
Then Sheriff Lance shows up. He thinks Cecilia is beautiful but too independent for his liking. Even if it is attractive the way she outwits the bad guys. Sheriff Lance rubs Cecilia the wrong way with all his chauvinist talk about "a woman's place." She hates to admit, he both intrigues her and frustrates her all at the same time. Who does he think he is - coming to her town thinking he has her all figured out?
A little murder mystery just might be the thing to throw these two opposites together. Can Cecilia help Sheriff Lance solve this mystery and keep the wrong man out of jail? And will they get past their bad first impressions of each other and fall in love?
Chapter 1
Cecilia Aikens opened her eyes. Her head hurt but why was the place so dark? Was there something wrong with her eyes? She felt disorientated, and when she tried to move her hands, they wouldn’t budge. Her legs wouldn't move either. She began to cough. Smoke was filling the confined space. Not one who usually panicked, Cecilia panicked now. She tried to scream out, but her throat closed in with the smoke. She must be in someone's cabin, she told herself. It would explain the darkness. So many of the cabins had underground hideaways in case of attack by the gangs or Indians.
There was no point in fighting it. Cecilia was alone, and she had no one to blame but herself. Why hadn't she listened to the sheriff? It had been such a long time since any man had told Cecilia what to do. Her father was right all along. Her stubbornness was her downfall. She closed her eyes and waited for death. Cecilia knew she had lived more of a life in Bannack than she ever had in New York. She was grateful for that much, at least. New York. It seemed like another lifetime.
"Well, Alice, what did you find out? Did David ask for my hand," Cecilia asked impatiently.
"I'm sorry, M'lady, but I couldn't hear. Jenkins came along and sent me on my way," Alice was nervous as she had failed her mistress.
"Were any of the other servants around? Were you able to find anything out? I hope he didn't bungle it," Cecilia was so annoyed. She had no real interest in David Spencer but marrying him would stop her father from trying to control her. She had no interest in being a pawn in one of her father's business adventures.
For the last month, Cecilia had been escorted to parties by David. He was pleasant enough company and came from
a wealthy family. She was sure that her father could have no objections to her marrying him. Alice had overheard Cecilia's father talking with an older gentleman six weeks earlier. They were trying to come to some agreement over a land deal. The man had seen Cecilia as she walked in the garden and made his intentions clear. He would sign the agreement if Cecilia married him. That prompted Cecilia into action and her sudden courtship with David.
While her father had mentioned nothing to her, Cecilia had made it her business to marry a man of her own choosing. Cecilia's issue was that David was weak and she had to coerce him into proposing. He wasn't sure. His mama hadn't given her permission. But after four weeks of promises, David had arrived at her home this morning to meet Cecilia's father. "Please, Dear Lord, help this plan to work out," she prayed.
Mary, Cecilia's older sister, burst into the room. "What have you heard?" Cecilia asked.
"It seems, dear sister, that you have been unwise in your choice of suitors. David Spencer has fled the house. Father is laughing at his audacity in seeking your hand in marriage."
Cecilia fumed. What was wrong with the young men in today's world? If only she had been born a man, then she wouldn't be dismissed as some feeble female.
"Moll, what am I to do?"
"We both need to leave this place, but we need money. I’ll tell father that I will marry a man of his choosing. It will give you time to find another way to get out of here." Mary and Cecilia had inherited their father's guile and cunning. Their mother played a very little role in their lives. She was needy and subservient to her husband.
"But Moll, you can't sacrifice yourself for me! It isn't right."
"For now, you behave. Father will beat you if you try to defy him. My plan is best. We know we must marry otherwise father can still control us. I know you understand this already, but few men can stand up to father."
It was true. None of the sisters' friends ever called upon the house. Their father was known to be a cruel man. There were rumors he had driven his first wife, Mary's mother, to her death. And Cecilia's mother fared no better. Yet, from these unions had come two strong-spirited women. William Sanders wished they had been sons instead of daughters. That would have made them a formidable family. However, his two daughters were attractive which would now pay dividends. They were both used as business enticements. His main concern was in keeping their spirits in check.
William Sanders had found Moll a husband. He was eighty years of age and now Moll, aged twenty was going to agree. She was practical. How long would he live? It couldn't be long, Moll has said. His chest was wheezy, his heart was weak. Moll would be a very wealthy widow and finally be out of the control of her father to do as she pleased.
It surprised Cecilia at how cold and calculating Moll could be. She was more like their father in that regard. Cecilia couldn't bear the idea of any old man coming near her. She wanted freedom. Freedom to make her own choices. Another plan was needed.
She knelt by her bed and began to pray. Cecilia had never prayed with real intention. Mostly her prayers were said off by heart. Today seemed to be a good day to talk to the Lord about what she wanted, rather than what she didn't want.
"Dear Lord, please help me. You have given me a wonderful mind, but I'm afraid it's lost in this body. In this world, there is no value placed upon my mind, only on the physical package you have given me. I want to be able to make my own choices and not have to depend on a man for my livelihood. I wonder if such a world exists. I don't expect you to hear me. Who am I? Other people in this world are worse off than me, but it doesn't mean my pain is any less important. I know I should be grateful. I want for nothing materially. I know if I accept this marriage, my lifestyle would not change, but I have this yearning to be free. I want to be able to feel the wind on my face," Cecilia paused as she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in," she said as the door opened. It was Alice, who seemed a little shocked to see her mistress praying.
"M'lady, your presence is requested in the drawing room."
"Do you know why? Did anyone hear anything?" Cecilia asked, but Alice shook her head no. The household was very loyal to her father.
"They said not to delay," Alice looked worried as she watched Cecilia sit to do her make up.
"But Alice, I cannot present myself…" she stopped as Alice burst into tears.
"Whatever is the matter, Alice?"
"It's nothing, m'lady. It was my own fault for getting caught."
Cecilia took Alice's hands and saw the raw marks. Jenkins, no doubt with her father's permission, had punished Alice. Cecilia was angry. Jenkins and her father knew that Cecilia was behind Alice's eavesdropping. She wanted to run out of this house and never come back again, but instead, she took a deep breath and went downstairs.
Jenkins stood by the drawing room door. Cecilia disliked him intensely. Another strong-willed man, who ruled his domain with terror.
It surprised her to see her mother sitting by the fire. Moll was by the window, staring and didn't turn to look at Cecilia. Their father stood at the mantel.
"Good, you're here. I will not pass comment on that debacle this morning. Cecilia, I know what you are up to. But I will say who you will marry."
Cecilia nodded and went to sit down.
"I didn't tell you to sit down," he roared at her. Unfortunately, she was so used to his roars that they didn't register the same fear as when she was a child. She looked at Moll, but her sister kept her focus on looking out the window. Something was off. It wasn't like Moll not to rush to her defense.
"Your sister Mary is to be married in a month's time," he announced. This was not met with any excitement. Cecilia was sure she saw a flicker of something on her mother's face, but the woman said nothing. Moll didn't react. Cecilia said nothing.
"You, Cecilia, will marry in two months' time," he said gleefully.
Cecilia gasped.
"But father you said this morning was a debacle. Am I to marry David?" Cecilia's heart raced as she spoke.
"No, you ignorant woman! You will marry Tobias Lansing. He will be here for dinner tonight and you must look your best. Mary, your intended will dine with us in a week's time. Make sure you look presentable by then."
Cecilia looked in horror as Moll turned towards her. Her face was red and raw from where she had been slapped. As her sister walked by her, Cecilia could see the finger marks on Moll's face. Cecilia's heart stopped for a moment. Had Moll taken a beating for her?
She needed to get out of this house and breath. Her father was a tyrant, and Cecilia prayed to be able to forgive him, but forgiveness was hard to find.
"Thank you, Father," was all she could say as she turned to leave the room, but her father hadn't finished with her yet.
"Cecilia, you are to be pleasant company tonight, or there'll be hell to pay," he said. Cecilia must have given him a look because he turned up his volume again.
"If you don't act charming and be everything that Tobias Lansing wants, I will punish your maid and Mary."
Cecilia looked at him. She could take any punishment for herself, but she couldn't bear to be the cause of pain to anyone else. Alice and Moll had taken enough for her today.
"May I go for a walk, father? I feel I need some air to make my cheeks rosy." It was with great effort that Cecilia kept her voice calm as deep down she wanted to scream. He waved his hand to dismiss her and now turned his acerbic tongue on his wife.
Cecilia left the house. In her heart, she wanted to go to Moll, but Moll was proud and didn't want pity. It was best to leave her for a while, to let the redness simmer. Cecilia needed to find out more about Tobias Lansing. Her father was offering her on a plate. Was this the old man Alice had told her about?
"M'lady, you forgot your purse. Where are we going?" Alice asked having followed her mistress.
"I'm not sure, Alice. All I know is that I cannot stay in the house much longer. Let's go to the park. I need to feel the sun on my face and think about my next step."
"M'lady, I have something to tell you," Alice was more fidgety than usual. Cecilia patted the seat for Alice to join her.
"What is it, Alice?"
"I'm leaving to get married. My proposal came this morning. I'm going to Wyoming." Alice's eyes brightened up as she spoke.
"Why Wyoming? Isn't that place wild? How will you live?" Cecilia felt a pang of pain. Alice was a few years older than her and had been at her side for the last six years. Other than Moll, Cecilia had considered Alice a confidante, almost as close as her own sister.
"My fiancé has a ranch. He will wire me money to get there, and we'll marry when I arrive. I will be leaving in a few days. I'm sorry to leave you in the lurch, but I have to make my own way."
Cecilia smiled. Even timid Alice had a yearning to be free.
"I am happy for you but how did you find your husband? Did you know him from another house?"
Alice told Cecilia about the Matrimonial Times. It had advertisements of men looking for God-fearing wives to help them in this new world. Times were changing. The possibility of land ownership was the dream of many. They would otherwise work in service and labor. The new world made everyone equal, Alice told her. Women were the equal of men too.
Was this the freedom Cecilia craved? Was the good Lord answering her prayer?
"Alice get me one of those newspapers. You have given me an escape plan."
Alice did as she was bid, and Cecilia smiled to herself. She could disappear and be her own woman. They couldn't risk reading the paper at home. The two women went through the advertisements in the Matrimonial Times as they sat in the park.
Cecilia's main issue was that she wasn't equipped for a life without servants. She'd have to fudge the truth somewhat. But she would bring money. No doubt that would soften any disappointment in her kitchen skills. There was a light at the end of the tunnel. But there was a dark cloud looming. Could she get a man to propose within two months? Plus, Jenkins watched everything. How could she disguise any telegrams that would come in her name? Fortunately, Alice was more resourceful than Cecilia had expected.
