by Kit Morgan
“Lorcan Brody!”
Adaline glanced around for the man in question, and spied him ascending a staircase near the back of the store. She then noticed another man browsing among the stacks, and noticed he was a man of the cloth.
“Reverend Franklin! I’ll just be a moment!” Mrs. Brody cried as she headed for the staircase. “Just make yourself at home, have a cookie!” She left Adaline standing open-mouthed next to the reverend and hightailed it up the stairs.
Reverend Franklin, a short wiry little man with glasses, smiled at her retreat before heading for the glass case full of sweets. He walked behind it and helped himself to a few cookies. “You must be the bride,” he said between mouthfuls.
“Er … yes,” Adaline said.
“The Brodys’ are fine folks, fine folks indeed. I’m sure Lorcan will make a good husband.”
Adaline swallowed. “I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“His mother will be happy once he’s married I can tell you that. She’s been trying to get him to settle down for years.”
Adaline swallowed again, her mouth watering, and slowly approached the glass case. “Why hasn’t he?”
“Because the Brodys’ are picky, that’s why. Who ever marries into the family will be running this place one day, and Lorcan’s folks want more than just a pretty face for their boy. Of course, women are scarce around here, the marrying kind that is. Must be why you’re here.”
“The marrying kind?”
“All the decent women are already taken.”
“Oh, I see.”
Muffled voices could be heard coming from overhead, and both Adaline and Reverend Franklin glanced to the ceiling at the exchange. The Reverend looked at her and smiled. “Never a dull moment in this house, I can tell you that.”
Adaline took a cookie from the case, and bit into it. What had she gotten herself into?
Mr. Brody sauntered into the store. “Reverend,” he acknowledged as he approached the case, reached in, and took a cookie. “Fine day for a wedding.”
More muffled shouts from overhead. “Nice weather today, this makes a whole week of sunshine!” The reverend commented.
“Aye,” Mr. Brody agreed, then turned to Adaline. “Rains a lot around here, but you’ll get used to it.”
Adeline gave him a half smile.”
“Finn and some of the other boys are bringing your things,” he told her. “They’ll be along in a moment.”
She was about to comment, when what sounded like a herd of elephants descended the stairs. How one man could make so much noise, Adaline had no idea. But there he was, in all his bruised and battered glory. Lorcan Brody, her betrothed. Adaline nearly choked on her cookie.
He stood at the bottom of the stairs, wearing the same clothes as before, minus the dirt, with his hair combed. Mrs. Brody was right behind him, busying herself by brushing what dust was left from his back. He took one look at Adaline, stomped his way toward her, stopped short, and stared.
Adaline straightened under his scrutiny as he looked her up and down, and as any woman, could sense his sudden attraction. Not to mention feel her own …
“Hello …” she said tentatively.
He eyed her and said nothing. Mrs. Brody came beside him and smacked his arm. He glared at her then looked at Adaline. “I’m pleased to … make your acquaintance.” Mrs. Brody smacked him again. “Miss … Dermont?”
Adaline gave him a lopsided grin. He couldn’t even remember her name? How many bumps to the head had he incurred during these so-called fights of his? How else could he forget the name of his future bride?
Mr. Brody looked between his son and Adaline, his brow raised in curiosity. Mrs. Brody on the other hand, stood with a triumphant smirk on her face, crossing her arms in satisfaction as Lorcan and Adaline continued to stare at each other.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Adaline finally said.
Lorcan took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
“Shall we begin?” Reverend Franklin asked as he wiped cookie crumbs from his lapel.
“Reverend Franklin!” Lorcan bellowed. “What are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious, my boy?”
Lorcan turned on his mother with a look to squash the stoutest heart. But Mrs. Brody would not be deterred. “It is as I said. What’s done is done, and you’ll abide.”
“Done? The only thing you told me upstairs was that changes were coming. What is she doing here any way?” he demanded and pointed to Adaline.
“She’s here at your father’s and my request, and she’ll start immediately.”
He stared at Adaline, his jaw slack, and looked her up and down a second time. “We don’t need any extra help.”
“Extra help?” Adaline whispered.
Finn entered the store toting her trunk on his shoulder, as two other men carried the rest of her belongings. Lorcan took one look at him, snorted, and turned back to his mother. “What are you doing? Moving the lass in?”
“Of course,” she answered without blinking an eye, then looked at her husband. “Mr. Brody, now would be a good time to explain to the lad what we’re about.”
Mr. Brody reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pipe. “Aye, that I will Mrs. Brody, but I still don’t think he’s ready for this.”
Lorcan’s eyes narrowed. “Ready for what?”
“Ahem,” Reverend Franklin interjected. “Pardon me, Mrs. Brody, but where would you like me to stand? I’ve got a funeral in half an hour.”
“Funeral!” Finn exclaimed and slapped his forehead! “Merciful Heavens! I forgot about Mr. Johnson!” He tossed the trunk down and ran for the door then stopped up short. “What a minute,” he said and turned. “What might ye doing here, Reverend? No one’s sick or dead.”
“No,” Reverend Franklin agreed. “I’m not here for either of those things. I’m here to marry Lorcan.”
“What?” Lorcan and Finn exclaimed in unison. Finn looked to Mr. Brody with a huge grin.
Mr. Brody started to light his pipe. “Looks like I don’t have to be the one to explain things after all,” he said between puffs.
Adaline took a step back. “What do you mean, explain things?”
“Now don’t you worry, dearie,” Mrs. Brody told her. “We’ll get this all straightened out.”
“Get what straightened out?” Lorcan demanded. “Maither, what have ye done?”
Adaline was quick to notice his Irish brogue got thicker with his rising anger. His voice was deep yet held a velvety softness to it, his accent intriguing. She took another look at him and despite his obvious bumps and bruises, could see he was an extremely handsome man. One eyebrow rose in admiration …
“It’s for your own good!” Mrs. Brody shouted up at him. “Ye mope around the shop all day, ye fight at night! Don’t be acting the maggot, lad. Why else would Reverend Franklin be here?”
Lorcan’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve got to be joking! Is that what I think it is?” he asked and pointed at Adaline again.
Adaline’s brow furrowed. “I am not an object, I am your mail order bride, and I’d appreciate it if you would stop talking about me as if I were … just another book in your shop.”
Everyone looked at her. Finn whistled, then laughed. “Well, what a surprise, it’s true! A mail order bride ye say?” He tossed a quick look at Lorcan. “Why you’re a lucky fish to be fed such a fair morsel.” He looked Adaline up and down and cocked his head to one side in scrutiny. “If ye don’t want her, I’ll take her off yer hands.”
Adaline gasped in shock. “Mrs. Brody, I’m sorry, but I will not be treated like a … a piece of horseflesh.”
“That’s no piece of horseflesh,” one of Finn’s friends said as he elbowed another in the ribs. They burst into laughter.
“Get up the yard, the lot of ya!” Mrs. Brody shouted, her brogue as thick as ever. Adaline made a quick mental note of it and moved out of the way as the fiery woman grabbed a feather duster off a nearby counter and be
gan to wave it about like a whip. “And I don’t want to see ye back here again unless it’s to buy something!”
They scrambled out the door to leave Finn to fend for himself. He stood as still as a mouse as she stomped past him to her son. “And you! You’re going to get married and that’s final!”
Reverend Franklin took out his pocket watch. “Mrs. Brody, twenty minutes …”
Mr. Brody chuckled and planted himself on a stool near the counter. He caught Adaline’s eye and gave her a wink as he puffed away on his pipe. She wanted to be angry, but the kindly man’s eyes stopped her. She looked at the Reverend instead. “Perhaps you’ve wasted your time being here, sir. I do not think there will be any sort of wedding today.” She turned on her heel, went for her trunk, and did her best to lift it. “If one of you gentlemen would tell me where the nearest hotel is …”
“The City Hotel is down the street,” Lorcan volunteered.
“Lor! How can ye tell her that?” his mother admonished.
“Because she asked.”
Mrs. Brody rolled her eyes. “Don’t go, Miss Dermont. I’ll see he’s set right.”
Adaline shook her head. “No, Mrs. Brody, it is quite clear he doesn’t want to marry me. It is also clear he had no idea I …” the thought made her cringe. “I was coming.”
“Mr. Brody! Do something!”
“I told ye earlier, did I not Mrs. Brody, that the lad wasn’t ready for this.”
She spun back to her son. “I say he’s been ready for sometime now, he just can’t admit it because he doesn’t want to leave us to fend for ourselves.”
Lorcan stiffened.
“Ha, ye see!” Mrs. Brody said and pointed at him. “I’m right!” She closed the distance between herself and Lorcan. “Don’t ye think its time to settle down, son? Look at her, she’s beautiful! Any man would be proud to have such a fine lass on his arm.”
Lorcan did look at her, with renewed interest no less, and still he turned and stomped to the back of the store.
“Well, that takes care of that.” Adaline said softly. “I’ll be going then, and will contact you in the morning to make arrangements …” Adaline fought against tears. “I’ll contact you in the morning.”
With that Lorcan came back to the front of the store, and in one swift move, picked up her trunk. “I’ll see you to the hotel.”
“Lorcan!” his mother cried.
“It’s the least I can do, I’m sorry for my mother’s behavior and ill-planning.”
Adaline stared up at him and saw the regret and embarrassment in his face. “So am I,” she said in a whisper. She bent down, picked up her satchel and sewing basket, and did her best not to cry.
Three
“Finn,” Lorcan barked. “Help the lady.”
Finn nodded, his earlier grin diminished, and took the satchel and basket from her, then grabbed one last bag. She clutched her reticule and stiffened.
“Lorcan …” his mother began, her voice laced with waring.
“Enough, this is how it’s going to be. I’ll be dealing with you when I return.” He looked down at Adaline and with his free hand, gave her a gentle shove in the small of her back.
She let go a small gasp, and started to move. A chill went up her spine at the contact, and again, fought against unshed tears. What was she going to do now? She had very little money to work with, and felt like a complete idiot.
“I’m very sorry,” a deep voice rumbled behind her as they walked out of the shop. “I had no idea …”
“You’ve already apologized, it’s not hard to see what happened. You didn’t know I was coming, and want nothing to do with me. Please, don’t make this any harder than it already is.” She stopped on the boardwalk. “Which way?”
“Go right,” he directed.
She turned and took off at a fast pace.
“I’m Finn Mullany,” the other man told her. “My family owns the Mullany Funeral Parlor. If I’m not being too forward, you could stay with us.”
“Finn!” Lorcan barked again. “Don’t be absurd.”
“At least he had the courtesy to offer me accommodations, Mr. Brody.” Adaline said as she walked along. She couldn’t help but get in a jab, if only to keep from feeling so humiliated.
“It wouldn’t be proper for you to stay with me, Miss … ah …”
“Dermont,” she finished for him.
“Dermont, let alone stay with Finn’s family.”
“I wouldn’t mind,” Finn commented as he trailed along behind them.
Lorcan turned and glared at him. Finn crossed his eyes in response. Lorcan shook his head, then turned to face the tantalizing back of the woman in front of him. What had given his mother and father the notion of sending away for a mail order bride? True, she was pretty, beautiful in fact. Her golden curls and big brown eyes were set against the creamiest skin he’d ever seen. She’d probably never done a hard days work in her life, and he wondered how well she would fare this far west. He took in the fabric of her traveling cloak, and what he could see of her dress. Both were of high quality. It was then he realized his mother had found him a true lady.
Lorcan gulped as he walked behind her, even her gait was refined and poised, not stilted or off step. He recalled the way she spoke and looked her up and down again. What was he thinking? Maybe he ought to reconsider this whole thing. Yet, before he gave himself the chance, he said, “Turn in here.”
“What is this place?” she asked.
“Upton’s Boarding House,” Lorcan told her. “It will be better than staying at the hotel. Closer to the book shop, too.”
She suddenly turned to face him. “I would think you’d want me as far away as possible.” She spun on her heel and went up the stairs to the front porch of the large house. She shouldn’t have said it, her being a lady and all, but probably couldn’t help herself.
Lorcan closed his eyes in resignation, and followed her. They entered, and a petite woman with white hair greeted them. “Why hello there, are you looking for a room?”
“Yes,” said Adaline. “I do have to ask, how much do you charge?”
“Oh, now let me see,” the woman said as she quirked her brow. “I think Mrs. Brown is charging forty five cents a night.”
“You’re not the proprietor?” Adaline asked.
“Heaven’s no, I’m a … well a guest you might say.”
“Don’t be so modest, Polly,” another woman said as she came into the home’s foyer. “She’s too humble for her own good sometimes. I’m Mrs. Brown, and this is Mrs. Van Cleet. She owns the house, I just manage it.”
Adaline nodded in understanding. “How do you do? I’m Adaline Dermont and I’d like a room please.”
“If ye be owning the place, why are you a guest here?” Finn asked.
“Finn …” Lorcan growled.
“It’s a logical question,” Finn countered.
“My husband and I are wintering here. “We’re from Clear Creek. We came to visit family and friends, and well, ended up staying longer than we expected. We’re getting too old to make the journey back to Clear Creek at this time of year.”
“No explanations are necessary,” Lorcan told her. “Mrs. Brown, I’ll be taking care of the lady’s accommodations.”
She looked him over. “Lorcan Brody, what have you been up to? The usual I suppose, just look at your face! Give your mother my best will you?”
“I’ll do that. Now, about that room for the lady?”
Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Van Cleet both looked at Adaline. “Are you visiting family?” Mrs. Brown asked with a smile.
“Miss Dermont’s business here is her own,” Lorcan said before Adaline could so much as take a breath. So, he was embarrassed by the situation and didn’t want to tell them. She fought the urge to roll her eyes and instead forced a smile.
“Yes, of course … it is.” Mrs. Brown said as she went behind a nearby counter. “Room number five is available.” She turned, took a key hanging alongside several oth
ers from a board behind her, and handed it to Adaline. “Top of the stairs, third door on the right. Breakfast and dinner are provided, you’ll see to your own lunch.”
“Thank you,” Adaline said. Finn had already started for the stairs and she hesitated a moment before she realized Lorcan waited for her to precede him. She did, stiffly at first, then with vigor in her step. Her anger had finally arrived. Oh, it slipped out a time or two already, but now it would be hard for her to hold her tongue. The whole situation was infuriating and embarrassing, but worse, was she had so little control over it. How was she to know the man had no idea she was coming? Why hadn’t his parents told him? He acted as if this was her fault. Well it wasn’t! Of course, neither was it his.
She unlocked the door and entered. The room was bright, cheery and as it was on the south side of the house, would get the most sun. Pretty wallpaper made up of tiny roses covered not only the walls, but the angled ceiling, and the beautiful quilts and fluffy pillows on the bed were a welcome sight. She could use a hot bath and the bed right this minute, but knew she’d only get one out of the two. Baths usually cost extra. The room also had a chair, small writing desk, dresser and a fireplace.
“Doesn’t this look cozy? Would you be wanting anything else?” Finn asked her.
She smiled. “No, thank you Mr. Mullany, you’ve been most kind.”
Lorcan entered and set down her trunk. “I’ll see what I can do about your return trip. Again, I’m very sorry my parents acted so irrationally.”
She had her back to him, so shut her eyes tight against her tears. “They didn’t appear irrational to me, Mr. Brody.” She opened her eyes and turned to face him. “If you ask me, they acted out of love and had your best interest in mind.”
He swallowed hard as he looked down at her. “Good afternoon, Miss Dermont.” He turned on his heel and left. Finn watched him go, then said, “Don’t be too hard on him, Miss. He honestly didn’t know you were coming. But … if ye could see it in yer heart to stay … well, Lor has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Our two families came out west together ye see, and I just think …”
