“I sure do like Brett, Ma,” Rhett said, looking up at her. “Don’t you?”
She drew another deep breath, but it wasn’t any more stabilizing than the other one she’d taken. “Mr. Blackwell is a fine neighbor.”
“Yes, he is,” Wyatt said. “We could have done worse.”
“I suspect you’re right,” she told Wyatt. “And I’m certain we’ll meet many more nice people. The hotel owner seemed nice too, as did his wife and boys.”
“Too bad we won’t be able to play with them very often,” Wyatt answered without a glance her way.
“Why do you say that?”
“That’s what Mr. Melbourne said last night at supper, at the hotel, don’t you remember?”
“Well,” she started, giving herself time to answer, “perhaps Kade and Wiley appear a bit wild at times, much like you two, because they are cooped up in the hotel most of the time. Maybe we could ask their father if they could come over to our house, and the four of you could play outside.”
“That would be fun,” Rhett answered. “We could show them where Brett buries the fish guts. I bet they’d like that. Don’t you think?”
Knowing little boys as well as she did, Fiona laughed a little inside. “Yes, I think they would like that.” Somewhere deep inside her, a place she kept trying not to respond to, she knew Brett would like that too. He’d enjoy watching the boys run around exploring things and, well, just being little boys. She kept trying to keep all that hidden because there wasn’t anything she could do about Josiah being so different from Brett. Or how she kept questioning her ability to marry Josiah. It had all seemed so easy back in Ohio.
Maybe not easy, but her only option. And now that she’d made the commitment, she had to follow through with it. She certainly didn’t have the funds to repay Josiah for the money he’d already spent on her and the boys. Furthermore, despite all her misgivings, she still didn’t have another option. From her understanding, there were plenty of other men who wanted a wife, but that didn’t mean any of them would want her. Or her sons.
At one time, on the train mainly, she’d imagined Josiah would be someone her boys would come to like, someone they would look up to and learn from. They might, but she wasn’t sure she wanted them to. Not unless Josiah became more like…
She sighed and let the thought finish. Like Brett. A man she could fall in love with. A man who was good and solid and dependable. One who made promises and kept them, no matter what.
That described Brett.
Except for his drinking. She wouldn’t tolerate that again. Couldn’t put her boys through that again.
The thought had no sooner crossed her mind when the man himself appeared, having walked around the other side of his building.
“Hey, Brett!” Rhett greeted. “You coming to the river with us?”
“I can’t right now, buddy,” Brett said, ruffling Rhett’s hair while looking at her. “I’m just wondering why you’re heading to the river so early in the day?”
Fiona had heard his question but was too busy looking at him to reply. Why did he seem to get more handsome each time she saw him? His eyes were so blue and clear, and honest. She could see the concern in them. The worry. No one had worried about her and the boys in a long time.
“Ma has to wash her dress,” Rhett said. “It smells like fish.”
“I have a washtub at my place,” Brett said. “And a stove to heat up the water.”
Fiona shook her head, mainly to toss aside further thoughts that weren’t doing her a whit of good. “We can’t keep imposing upon you, Mr. Blackwell.”
“Who says you’re imposing? Not me.”
Lifting her chin, hoping that gave her fortitude, she replied. “I say.”
Brett didn’t say a word, but his eyes, the way they glanced to both Rhett and Wyatt before they searched her face, said his mind was thinking of plenty of things. So was hers. She wanted to ask him if Josiah was lying about him being a drinking man. She also wanted to ask him if he was interested in having a wife. Tell him that she’d do everything within her power to be a good wife to him.
Knowing her thoughts were out of desperation and were sure to cause trouble, she said, “Please excuse us. I need to get this laundry done. Josiah will be coming back shortly and I wouldn’t want him to have to look for us again.”
It was a moment or more before Brett responded. “I’m sure you wouldn’t,” he said. “Just be careful down there. The water is deeper than it looks.”
“We will be.” Sidestepping him, she said, “Come along boys.”
“See you later, Brett,” Rhett said.
“Don’t worry, Brett. I’ll make sure he doesn’t go in the water,” Wyatt said.
“I know you will,” Brett answered. “You’re a good big brother. One of the best I know.”
Fiona’s heart didn’t know whether it wanted to swell or break, and it took all her efforts to keep walking forward. A part of her felt as if she was making a mistake. A very big one.
“Why are you mad at Brett, Ma?” Rhett asked.
“I’m not mad at anyone,” she assured.
“It sounded like you are.”
She withheld a sigh in order to say, “I didn’t mean for it to sound that way. I have a lot to do today and don’t have time to stand around visiting.”
“’Cause Mr. Melbourne will be coming back.”
The amount of disappointment in his tone made her insides curdle. The boys couldn’t know that. “Yes, he will be,” she said with as much excitement as she could muster up.
They’d crossed the railroad tracks and rounded the livery stable. The trail to the river ran along the outskirts of town and was dotted with a few trees. Looking for something to engage the boys, she scanned the area. “Look,” she said. “It’s a cat.”
“I see it,” Rhett said. “Look, it jumped up on that tree. It’s climbing it.”
“Yes, it is,” she agreed.
“It’s probably after a nest of baby birds,” Wyatt said.
When Rhett’s face crinkled with sadness, she said, “I’m sure he’s not after baby birds. He’s just exploring. Cats are curious by nature.”
“And hungry,” Wyatt said drily.
Fiona tapped him on the top of his head and gave him a look that he knew well. One she hadn’t had to use in almost twenty-four hours, but that in itself was progress.
“But not for baby birds,” he told Rhett as he started walking again. “Cats would rather eat mice. He probably saw one up in that tree.”
Rhett ran to catch up with his brother. “Do mice live in trees?”
“Mice live wherever they want,” Wyatt answered.
Fiona caught up to both of them and gave Wyatt a look he hadn’t seen often enough. One that said thank you. His grin made her smile and gave her a bit of hope.
They were walking past the last house when a lady stepped out of the back door. “Hello!” she greeted with a wave. “You must be Mrs. Goldberg. I’m Maggie Mc—Miller. Forgive me, I keep forgetting I’m married now. Well, not forgetting, I’m just not used to having a new last name.”
The woman had to be one of the most beautiful ones Fiona had ever seen. Shiny black hair hung in waves all the way to her waist, and her face was not only angelic, her eyes shimmered with merriment as she hurried forward while speaking. She held out a hand in greeting as she stopped next to them.
“I was hoping to meet you soon,” the woman said, including the boys in her grin. “All of you.”
Not wanting to appear standoffish, although she was nervous, Fiona gently shook the proffered hand. “I’m Fiona Goldberg, and these are my sons, Rhett and Wyatt.”
“Such handsome young men. It’s so nice to meet you. All of you. As I said, I’m Maggie. I married Jackson Miller on Saturday. Do you have
time for a cup of coffee or tea? I just made some.”
A short and stout older man wearing a fancy suit and tall top hat stepped out of the house and asked, “Are you gonna invite them in to sit a spell, lass?”
Fiona couldn’t help but wonder if this beautiful woman was married to the man who had to be more than three times her age. She knew Jackson Miller had married one of the brides that had arrived a month ago but had expected him to be much younger.
“Of course I invited them in.” Turning back to her, the woman said, “That is my dear friend Angus O’Leary. He’s a bit eccentric, but simply wonderful.” Lowering her voice, she said, “The first time I met him, he nearly scared me to death by sitting up in a coffin, but now I consider him one of my best friends. Please do come in even if it’s just long enough for me to introduce you and your sons to him. You’ll love him as much as I do.”
In most circumstances, Fiona would have gladly accepted the invitation, but Josiah’s behavior so far led her to believe he wanted her to wait until he’d formally introduced her before she met too many community members.
The other woman must have taken her pause as a rejection, because she said, “My husband, Jackson, he’s with the mayor right now, seeing about putting a floor in the attic.”
An ease washed over Fiona. Josiah must have mentioned her and the boys to the Millers. The opportunity to visit with one of the other women who’d arrived as a bride was something she’d hoped would occur.
“Well,” Fiona said, “if we won’t be imposing, Mrs. Miller.”
“Of course you won’t be imposing, and you must call me Maggie.” With a wave, she invited the boys forward. “Do you boys like cinnamon rolls? I have some fresh out of the oven.”
“They certainly do,” Fiona said as both boys looked to her for permission. “Thank you so much for the invitation.”
“Oh, it’s my pleasure,” Maggie replied as they started walking toward the house. “You’re my first official visitors since becoming Jackson’s wife.” She giggled slightly. “I simply become giddy when I say that—Jackson’s wife. I’m half-afraid I may wake up at any time and it won’t be true.”
“Why?” Fiona asked, truly curious.
“Because Jackson hadn’t contributed to the Betterment Committee, so he wasn’t eligible to choose one of the brides,” Maggie said. “The committee set some very strict rules.”
“And the contract had some very fine print at the bottom of it,” the man on the porch said. He then removed his big top hat and gave a sweeping bow. “Angus O’Leary at your service, ma’am.”
“Angus, this is Fiona Goldberg and her two handsome sons, Rhett and Wyatt,” Maggie said. “I do hope you’ve left room for one more cinnamon roll. I’m sure Fiona, Wyatt and Rhett will enjoy your company as they eat one.”
“I will always have room to eat your cooking, lass,” Angus replied while replacing his hat. Looking at her, he said, “You are in for a pleasant surprise—not only is Maggie beautiful, she can cook too. I dare say, if I were a wee bit younger, Jackson would never have had the chance to marry her.”
Maggie grinned while patting the man on the shoulder. “You hadn’t donated to the committee either.”
“That wouldn’t have stopped me any more than it did Jackson,” Mr. O’Leary said with a laugh and another sweeping bow, inviting them all to step into the house.
It was a nice house, neat and tidy, but it was the furniture that stood out. As if she knew that was the first thing people noticed, Maggie said, “Jackson is an excellent carpenter. There’s nothing he can’t build, and make beautifully.”
“Including the church’s new bell tower,” Angus said. “Brett Blackwell helped him erect it.”
“You know Brett?” Rhett asked, instantly interested in the conversation.
“Of course I do,” Angus answered. “Everyone knows Brett. He’s a fine man. And the best blacksmith in all of Kansas. Maggie might have married him if she hadn’t met Jackson first.”
“You would have?” Fiona bit the tip of her tongue, but it was too late—the question had already been asked.
“No,” Maggie answered as she lifted cups and plates out of a lovely handcrafted cupboard. “Brett only visited me so often for more bottles of my tonic.”
A lump formed so fast in Fiona’s throat she sounded like a croaking frog when she said, “Tonic?”
“Yes. It’s a family recipe,” Maggie supplied. “But Jackson helped me understand it wasn’t as medicinal as I’d always thought. It does little more than get a man drunk.”
CHAPTER NINE
“You gonna walk over and see what’s happening at Otis’s shop?”
“No.” Brett answered Wally’s question before asking his own, “Are you going to do any work today? You’ve been staring up the street all morning.”
“You see any customers?” Wally asked. “No. ’Cause they’re all over at Otis’s.” With a wave in the general direction he’d been watching all morning, he added, “There’s so many of them they can’t all fit in the building. Half the men in town must be over there.” Shifting his stance, as if that would help him see better, he continued, “What do you think is happening?”
“I’m sure we’ll hear soon enough,” Brett answered as he peered out the window over his desk toward Fiona’s house. That had been the direction his mind had been on all morning. His stomach was acting up too. It felt as if he’d swallowed a rope that had taken to coiling itself tight in his gut. He only felt that way when something wasn’t right. Something serious.
Fiona and the boys had been gone a long time. Longer than it took to do laundry. The water was deep in some spots and snakes were known to hang out in the taller grass. Snakes. He should have warned her about rattlers. They were thick this year. If something happened to her or one of the boys, no one would hear them shouting. Not with the commotion over at Otis’s.
Brett lifted his heavy leather apron over his neck. “I’ll be back shortly.”
“You going to Otis’s?” Wally asked with excitement.
“No.” Unable to come up with a believable excuse, Brett said, “I have an errand to run.”
“What?” Wally asked. “It’s not lunchtime yet.” Glancing up the road again, he asked, “Want me to run the errand for you?”
“No,” Brett replied, walking out the door and past Wally. “I won’t be long.”
“Don’t bring me back any lunch,” Wally shouted in his wake. “I’ll go myself after you get back.”
Brett didn’t bother saying he wasn’t going to lunch. As he walked around the building, he wondered if Fiona and the boys had met up with Josiah. That was a possibility, if Josiah had made it past Otis’s. But Wally would have noticed that. And mentioned it. He would have mentioned if Josiah had gone into Otis’s shop too.
Deciding none of that mattered right now, Brett crossed the tracks and started for the trail that would lead him to the river. He would simply make sure they were all right. Just sneak up on them and leave again—if all was well—without them even noticing.
Without anyone noticing. He didn’t need the men at Otis’s shop hearing about it.
He walked past the livery stable unnoticed, but there were only a few trees along the edge of town, leaving him out in the open. He continued on his way, focused on the trees that started again after Jackson Miller’s place. His mind ventured momentarily to the carpenter who had not only built furniture and other necessities for many of the townsfolk but had married one of the mail-order brides. Maggie McCary, or Miller now that she’d married Jackson, was a fine-looking woman.
So was her sister, Mary. At one time Brett had considered trying to win their attention but had given up on that idea before the wedding bells had rung in the church tower. He’d given Mary a ride out to Steve Putnam’s ranch when she’d first arrived in town—Stev
e had hired her as a cook.
Maggie had remained in town and participated in all the picnics and parties the town put on in favor of the brides. He’d visited with her several times, purchasing several bottles of her tonic in the process.
The other three gals had been at the picnics and parties too. Sadie, the gal who’d married Rollie, was so shy and quiet, Brett had been sure his voice alone would have sent her running for the hills. The one who married Micah Swift, the banker, was named Rebecca and was clearly looking for more than a husband. She wanted money. Brett hoped she wouldn’t be overly disappointed in her marriage to Micah. He might be the banker, but the Oak Grove bank was only a small branch of the one in Dodge. The one Micah’s father owned, and he controlled every dime that went in or out of both banks.
The third woman named Anna had married Wayne Stevens, the depot agent. In that marriage, he hoped Wayne had a good set of earplugs. Brett had never met a woman who talked so much. Then again, maybe Wayne liked that. And Anna must have liked Wayne’s dog. It was half wolf and the size of a two-year-old bear.
It hadn’t taken him long to figure out none of those women would have made him a good wife. But that hadn’t made him stop wanting one. If Fiona had been in that bunch of brides, he’d have claimed her the moment she’d stepped off the train. He couldn’t put his finger on exactly what drew him to her, but he was drawn and would like to tell every other man in town to keep their distance.
But he couldn’t do that.
She wasn’t up for claiming. Josiah had seen to that.
Usually slow to anger, this time was different. He was certain Josiah wasn’t playing by the rules, despite what the other man had already told him.
The gathering in his shop this morning proved others felt the same way, and Brett had to wonder how Josiah was going to turn things in his favor. It wasn’t going to be easy.
Brett wasn’t as worried about Josiah’s hide as he was about Fiona. Some of the men were downright desperate for a wife. They had children who needed a mother, and they weren’t going to simply stand on the sidelines. In fact, Fiona was more in line with what most every one of them needed. A mature woman who knew the ins and outs of marriage. Those other young gals hadn’t.
Winning the Mail-order Bride & Pursued for the Viscount's Vengeance & Redeeming the Rogue Knight (9781488021725) Page 11
