The Oregon Pursuit: Christian Western Historical (Window to the Heart Saga Spin-Off Book 1)

by Jenna Brandt

  Her aunt stood up and made her way over to the window. Brushing the curtain to the side, she looked out, as she stated coldly, “You found out about the fire, did you?”

  “Wh-what?” Amelie’s voice quivered at the mention of the accident which destroyed her parents’ legacy. When she made her statement, she had been referring to the inheritance. The possibility never crossed her mind that her aunt had been responsible for the fire.

  Her aunt jerked around to face her. “You did not know?”

  “I do now.” Amelie gripped her hands tightly around the edges of the chair’s arms to keep from jumping up and running at her aunt. “I had been referring to the inheritance and how you were trying to trick us into giving it to you. I had no idea you were responsible for the fire. Whatever possessed you to do it?”

  With a sigh, her aunt came over and sat down in the chair again. She slumped forward with a disheartened look on her face, the wrinkles stood out against her pale skin. For the first time, her aunt looked older than her age.

  “When I first came to town, I had every intention of getting to know your mother and eventually telling her the truth about our father. She had such a perfect life here. I did not think she needed the money, so I decided to keep the information to myself.”

  “But you lied about when grandfather died.”

  “Yes, I thought your mother would never forgive me if I told her the truth.”

  “She would have forgiven you. My mother was one of the most forgiving people I have ever known.”

  “Yes, well she died before I got a chance to find that out for myself. I regret that.”

  “But you didn’t regret it enough to tell me and Elise the truth.”

  “No, I still needed the money. I figured you were both young orphans and I was the only family you had left. It made sense for me to take control of your inheritance.”

  “You knew I wouldn’t go along with it, so you tried to manipulate me.”

  “I did, and when that was unsuccessful, I changed tactics and tried to create a reason for you to let go of the bakery.”

  All of sudden, each of the “accidents” which occurred over the past couple of months became suspect. “The flour and sugar mix up? The oven breaking? The supplies going missing? You were responsible for all of those mishaps?” Amelie accused.

  Looking away, her aunt shook her head. “I just wanted you to sell the bakery, go back to school and let me take Elise with me to France. I tried small things in the beginning, including interfering with the payments of your bills and making supplies disappear, but you were determined to keep the bakery open. I thought part of your reason was because you got involved with him,” Amelie’s Aunt motioned towards Pierre, “And I worried he would have heard something about my past, so I tried to discourage you from being with him. You wouldn’t listen to me. If you had just gone along with what I suggested, it would never have gotten so out of hand.”

  “If you were responsible for the fire, were you also responsible for the robbery at my home?”

  “Yes, but you were not supposed to arrive home until after they were gone. I would have never forgiven myself if something had happened to you girls.” Her aunt looked defeated. “I handled everything wrong. I wish I could go back and change my choices.”

  “Unfortunately, Aunt Marcella, you can’t,” Amelie said, flatly. “You have to live with the choices you made. I really wanted to have a relationship with you but you fought me at every corner. Why were you so afraid to let me in?”

  A look of deep hurt flashed across her face before she covered it up. “You would never understand.”

  “You won’t know unless you give me a chance.” Reaching out, Amelie took her aunt’s hand. “I promise, whatever you tell me, I won’t judge.”

  Her aunt looked off into the distance, as if she were reliving the past. “I was married once, a long time ago. I became pregnant but lost the baby in childbirth, along with my ability to have children. My husband did not take the news well and he divorced me shortly after. I suppose I shut everyone out after that,” her eyes flashed to Amelie, “Including God.”

  The anger Amelie had felt towards her aunt had dissipated and was replaced by compassion. Her aunt was deeply wounded, which explained why she lashed out at everyone around her. She was afraid of getting hurt again and pushed everyone away. Amelie was like her aunt in that way. She never hurt people, but she used to push them away. She wondered if she had continued down the road without letting Pierre love her, would she have ended up like her aunt?

  “Oh, Aunt Marcella, what a terrible series of events. I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that, but I want you to know, you don’t have to be alone anymore. Elise and I want to be your family.” Letting go of her hand, Amelie moved towards her aunt and pulled her into a hug. “More importantly, God wants to be your family.”

  Tears started to fall down the older woman’s face and Amelie could feel them as they touched her own cheek.

  “Can you ever forgive me, Amelie? I know I do not deserve it.”

  Releasing her aunt, she gave her a tentative smile. “Of course, I forgive you. It doesn’t mean I’m not hurt by what you did, but I know with time, we can mend our relationship and the hurt will go away.”

  “How can you be sure of that?”

  “Because God is excellent at healing broken relationships.”

  This time, her aunt began to sob, with her face in her hands. After several minutes, she sniffed a couple of times and lifted her head to say, “I know I am unworthy of this second chance, but I promise, I will not make you regret giving it to me.”

  As Amelie and Pierre left the inn, there was a thick silence between them, heavy from what just transpired.

  “Are you mad at me because I forgave her?”

  Pierre stopped in his tracks and turned to face Amelie. “Never. Your capacity to forgive and your endless supply of compassion are two of the biggest reasons I love you.” With a smirk, he added, “I would have been more astonished if you had put her in jail. You do not have a mean bone in your body.”

  “Listen here, you, I can be tough when I need to be.”

  “That is just it, you never need to be again, Amelie. I can be tough for the both of us and you can stay the unspoiled way you are.”

  Chapter 21

  The final touches for the wedding had come together. Amelie glanced around the private dining room at the inn. She was pleased to see the flowers were in place as well as the table decorations.

  Debbey grabbed her friend’s hand and said, “It’s time, Amelie. Your sister and aunt are in the carriage waiting.”

  Amelie was glad to be sharing her wedding day with her family. She was still getting used to having an aunt who not only loved her, but wasn’t afraid to show it. A remarkable change occurred since the truth came out. Her aunt had started attending church regularly and she shifted to a kinder, less judgmental disposition. Additionally, she had stopped drinking alcohol and her health had improved.

  Debbey opened the carriage door for Amelie, making sure her wedding dress didn’t get caught as she climbed inside.

  “You look lovely, Amelie. I do not think I have ever seen a more beautiful bride.”

  Her aunt was beaming at her, as Amelie replied, “Thank you, Aunt Marcella.”

  “I cannot believe you are getting married today, Amelie, and Pierre is going to become my brother.” Elise said with delight.

  Amelie’s heart was filled with joy as she thought about all her blessings.

  Pierre was standing at the back of the church, looking at his pocket watch to check the time. Just a few more minutes and he would be making Amelie his wife. He had been waiting for this moment since the first time he saw her.

  “You are looking well, old friend. It seems the prospect of marriage looks good on you.”

  Pierre turned to see Randall Learingam standing behind him with a giant grin on his face. He reached out and patted Pierre on the back.

  �
�As does farm life on you, Randall.”

  “Who would have thought we would both end up like this, all those years ago when we were at boarding school together?”

  “Enough of that you two; make room so I can see my cousin,” Jackie said as she pushed past her husband, two small daughters in tow.

  “It is good to see you, Jackie. I have missed you.”

  “And I, you,” she said as she handed the children off to Randall and pulled her cousin into a hug. “I cannot believe someone has managed to get you to the altar. I never thought it would happen after Margaret.”

  As Jackie released Pierre, his eyes looked past her settling on the first woman he ever thought he loved. “Good morning, Margaret.”

  “Pierre, it is so good to see you. I have missed you since last I saw you.” She titled her head as she added, “You look happy.”

  “I am. I never thought I would be again after you, but Amelie has changed all that.”

  “So you finally found someone else. I am glad for you, Pierre.”

  Just then, Cort came up and placed his arm around his wife’s waist, pulling her in protectively. “How do you do, Pierre?”

  Pierre inclined his head towards the man who won Margaret’s heart. “Good morning, Cort.” Noticing motion behind them, Pierre moved to the side and saw Henry.

  “I am glad all of you were able to make it. From the looks of it, it was a difficult travel,” Pierre said as he nodded towards Margaret’s significantly pregnant belly. “I wanted to share this most important day with my family and friends, and by you being here, I am able to do that. Thank you for coming.”

  A few months ago, seeing Margaret with another man and bearing his children sent Pierre into a tail spin. Everything changed after he met Amelie. Not only did she help heal the wounds from his past, she helped him see a future much brighter than he ever thought possible.

  Amelie stood in front of the doors to the church with her wedding flowers in hand. Everyone was waiting inside for her as Elise and Debbey had just walked down the aisle.

  Mr. Moore stood next to her. He had offered to walk her down the aisle. Since he had been her father’s best friend, it seemed fitting.

  “Are you ready, Amelie?”

  With her free hand, she patted the spot where she wore her mother’s brooch on the inside of her dress. She wanted a piece of her mother with her on this most important day.

  Placing her hand in the crook of Mr. Moore’s arm, she replied, “I am.”

  The wedding dress Amelie had picked out for the ceremony was stunning. The soft silk gown flowed artfully around her and hugged her body in all the right places. How did he get so lucky? Scratch that, luck had nothing to do it with it. God had given him the gift of Amelie.

  Everyone watched, mesmerized, as Amelie floated down the aisle. Pierre could not keep his eyes off his intended as tears of joy formed as she approached him. When she reached his side, they turned to face each other as Amelie handed her flowers to Debbey.

  Pierre took Amelie’s hands in his own, as Pastor McCoy spoke, “We are gathered together here to witness the joining together of two people who have chosen to commit themselves unto each other in the eyes of the Lord. They make this commitment, knowing that though both of them are strong on their own, together they find perfect freedom and harmony with God being the center of their relationship.

  “Pierre, we were all skeptical of you when you arrived in West Linn. We weren’t sure if you belonged here, and we were even less sure you belonged with Amelie. But you proved us all wrong on both accounts. I have never seen Amelie happier than since you entered her life.”

  Pierre stared at Amelie and squeezed her hands in anticipation.

  “Do you have the rings?” Both of them nodded. “Place these rings upon each other’s hands as a symbol of your commitment.” After the rings were around their fingers, Pastor McCoy continued, “Do you both promise to love and honor each other, keeping only to one another, as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do,” Amelie said, with a twinkle in her eyes.

  “I do,” Pierre said, beaming.

  “By the power vested in me by God, I now pronounce you, man and wife.”

  As they turned to face the crowd of family and friends, Pastor McCoy gave one last command. “You may now kiss your bride.”

  Pierre pulled Amelie into his arms as his mouth found hers. The kiss was tender but passionate, a promise of things to come.

  Amelie couldn’t keep her eyes off her husband. He looked handsome in his tailored black suit, black bow tie, and slicked back hair. She watched him from the back of the room as he made his way around it, greeting all of their family and friends.

  Anxiously, she waited for Debbey to finish bustling her dress. She wanted to get over to her husband as quickly as possible. She was aching to kiss him again.

  “You must be Amelie.”

  Startled by someone finding her in her secluded spot, she turned slightly to see who was speaking to her. Amelie’s eyes met the most unique violet eyes she had ever seen. They belonged to a woman who was breathtaking in appearance, from her dark raven locks, to her pale skin. Amelie was certain it must be Margaret.

  “I am, but I don’t think we’ve met.”

  “You are correct. I am Margaret Westcott, a longtime family friend of Pierre’s.”

  “I know who you are.”

  “Good, then it makes this simpler.”

  What was she going to say to her? Was she going to say Pierre would never love Amelie the way he did her. She should prepare herself for heartbreak? Did Pierre have some secret she wanted to warn her about?

  “Before you say anything, I want to warn you, I’m completely devoted to my husband. Nothing you’re going to say will change that.”

  Margaret smiled at her and laughed softly. “You are strong and straightforward; I rather like that.” Reaching out, she placed a hand on Amelie’s shoulder. “Do not worry. I did not come here to cause trouble. Pierre holds a special place in my heart. He took me and my son in when we had nowhere else to go and I will be forever grateful for what he did for us. I wanted to make sure Pierre was happy and was with the right woman.”

  “And? What is your conclusion?”

  “I am satisfied on both accounts. It seems God brought the right woman into Pierre’s life when he was ready.”

  Amelie watched as the old love of Pierre’s life walked away. What a fascinating woman. No wonder Pierre had been taken with her. Not only was she beautiful, but she had a presence and insight beyond her years.

  “Your dress is ready now,” Debbey said, as she came to stand next to Amelie. “I wasn’t trying to listen in, but I couldn’t help it.”

  “Go ahead and say it.”

  “I wanted to hate her because of her past with Pierre, but I have to say, she’s kind of amazing.”

  “Yes, I know, but somehow, it doesn’t bother me. I think we both just realized at the same time, Pierre ended up with the woman God always intended.”

  Pierre waved Amelie over to where he was talking to the group from Boulder. She made her way over to his side and met the rest of the Westcott/Learingam family.

  Chapter 22

  Amelie felt giddy as she looked at the freshly finished bakery and café. She had used part of her inheritance to pay for the entire venture. There was still enough left so Elise would never want for anything.

  The bakery and cafe had turned out even better than she had ever hoped. It sparkled with its brand-new paint and signage. She couldn’t wait to share the place with everyone.

  As she turned to face the townspeople of West Linn, she said, “Thank you everyone for coming out today. I am so excited to share in the grand re-opening of the Leclaire Family Bakery, with the addition of the new Leclaire Café.”

  Taking the key from her pocket, she placed it in the lock and twisted. She pushed the door open and shouted to the crowd, “The bakery is officially open for business.”

  As people started d
rifting into the business, Amelie loved hearing all the “oohs” and “ahs” as everyone took in the new building, the decorations, and the freshly baked pastries, breads, and desserts in the glass display cases.

  Amelie’s aunt came up to her and gave her a hug, saying, “I am very proud of you, Amelie. You have done a wonderful job creating this place.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Marcella.”

  Looking around the room, Amelie tried to locate Pierre. Before she could find him in the crowd, she heard Mrs. Moore say, “This place is a true testament to what a wonderful woman your parents raised.”

  The pain of her parents’ passing had lessened. Though she knew she would never stop missing them, the mention of them didn’t affect her in the same way it used to. She could think about them and remember all the happy times without the clouding of the pain.

  “That means a great deal coming from you, Mrs. Moore.”

  “I know you are busy, so I will just go over and purchase a croissant from Elise.”

  Before she could go find Pierre, she was stopped by Lulu, Matthew, Debbey, and William. Not only had Lulu given her life to the Lord and started attending church regularly, but Matthew had started courting her. They were due to marry right after Debbey and William. It seemed it was a season of weddings.

  The most interesting part of all was that Debbey and Lulu had become friends over the past few months. They were looking forward to becoming sisters-in-law.

  “We are so proud of you Amelie,” Debbey said, as William added, “Brilliant job.”

  “Sweetie, I can’t believe you did this all in your own.” Lulu said appreciatively.

  “Pierre helped. I couldn’t have done it without him. Speaking of him, do any of you know where he has gotten off to?”

  Matthew gestured with his head to the side. “He’s over there, but before you head over to him, I wanted to tell you I’m happy for you. You’ve really made this place into something special and you’ve shown me it’s possible for a woman to work while being a wife.”