His Mail-Order Valentine (Holiday Mail Order Brides Book 10)

by Kit Morgan

  She gasped for breath as he quickened his stride. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”

  “You haven’t upset me – it’s all right. But I do need to take care of something.”

  “Can’t it wait until after you take me home? In fact, perhaps I should go the rest of the way by myself.” She tried to pull her arm from his.

  He held her fast. “No, we’re going to the mercantile.” He stopped, and saw her eyes misting and her face getting redder by the second. “It’s all right,” he told her, more softly this time. “Everything else can wait.”

  “But I have to talk to Mrs. Brock …” she whimpered. She looked like she was about to cry.

  Julian took a deep breath and, unable to stand it any longer, pulled her into his arms. She hit his chest with a little “oomph!” and he chuckled. But other emotions were taking precedence. “Ellie,” he whispered. “I’m not upset that you have a son, if that’s what you’re thinking. You’re a brave woman to do what you did.” He looked at her. “And I admire you for it. But you could use a little help, and I’d like to give you some.”

  She stared up at him in shock. “You would?”

  “Let me take you to the mercantile. Let me…” He looked her up and down. “Let me get you a few things.”

  She sighed and looked away. “Oh. I see.”

  “You need a coat – you’re freezing in this flimsy shawl.” He gently held her away from him and watched as a tear escaped.

  “You don’t have to, to …” she sobbed.

  “I want to.” He brushed the tear off her cheek with his thumb.

  She shook her head. “Julian, I…”

  “Please – let me do this. If you’re not going to let me take you to the dance, then at least allow me the pleasure of doing something for you.”

  She looked at him, her lower lip trembling.

  He took advantage of her shocked silence, wrapped her arm around his once more, and led her to the mercantile. They went inside and straight to the clothes rack. “Pick out whichever coat suits you.”

  “But, Julian …”

  “No buts. I’m getting you a coat, and that’s final.”

  Morgan came out from behind the counter and approached them. “Miss Sampson, can I be of service?” He raised an inquisitive eyebrow at Julian, then drew him aside as Ellie stared blankly at the coats in front of her. “What’s going on?” he whispered.

  Julian pointed at the coats. “Ellie needs one of these.”

  Morgan looked between the two. “Did you ask her to the dance?”

  Julian sighed and nodded, but offered no details. “She can pick out whatever coat she wants,” he said out loud. “I’ll pay for it.”

  Morgan twisted his face up at him in question again.

  “Just help the lady, please. With anything she needs.”

  Morgan, realizing he wasn’t going to get anything more out of Julian, shrugged and turned to Ellie. “I have a few in the back if you don’t like any of these. They just came in and I haven’t put them out yet.”

  Ellie touched the fabric of one, then drew her hand away. “I really can’t let you do this.”

  “You can and you will,” Julian insisted, then sighed again. “Ellie, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound angry. I’m just frustrated that you won’t let me help you.”

  She shivered – whether from the cold or something else, he wasn’t sure. “I’m sorry too, it’s just that … I’m not used to charity.”

  He took her by the shoulders and gently turned her around to face him. “I want to do this. Don’t think of it as charity.”

  A corner of her mouth curved up in a smile. “Oh, that’s right. You’re doing it because I turned you down?”

  He smiled back. “Like I said before, it’s the least you can do.”

  “This is making us both uncomfortable. Maybe I ought to go to the dance with you just to make it stop.”

  “Will you?” he asked, his voice low.

  She looked at the floor, at Morgan, then back to Julian. “If I do, will you stop this silly nonsense?”

  “Nonsense? Since when is wanting to take care of …” Julian saw Morgan trying to keep from laughing, and fought the urge to glare at him. “As I was saying, what nonsense? I wish to get something for you; it’s as simple as that. But enough about nonsense, silly or otherwise. I believe you were going to say that you’ll accompany me to the dance?”

  She sighed as she looked up at him. “You just don’t give up, do you?”

  “No, I don’t. You can even ask Morgan.”

  “He doesn’t,” Morgan snickered, then gave Julian a devilish grin. “Not when he sees something he wants. You might as well say yes – and extort a good coat out of him while you’re at it.”

  She rolled her eyes at both men. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?” she asked Julian.

  Morgan laughed. “Just tell the man you’ll go to the dance with him! Otherwise he’ll be in here every day moping about it, and that means I won’t get any work done. The success of my business depends on your answer, dear lady.”

  Ellie put a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing. She lowered it and absently brushed the skirt of her dress. “Well, if it’s all that serious, then I guess I’d better say yes.”

  Morgan gave a mock sigh of relief. “Thank the Lord! I’ll be able to feed my family, clothe my wife, avoid the poorhouse …”

  “Oh, do shut up,” Julian groaned.

  Morgan smiled in satisfaction and winked at Ellie. “Now that that’s done, I can get back to work. Let me know when you’ve picked out a coat.” He spun on his heel and strode toward the counter.

  “Meddler,” Julian muttered under his breath, then gazed at her and smiled. “I suppose I’ll have to thank him for it later.”

  She blushed. “But what happens if I have to leave before then?”

  Julian frowned. “Leave? You mean, leave town?” His voice held a hint of panic, and he wondered if she noticed.

  “It’s possible I’ll lose my position in one or both households when they find out I have a son.”

  He nodded, knowing it to be true. One thing was for certain: Mrs. Caulder would never hire her if she found out. Which was probably a good thing for Ellie. “As I told you before. I’ll speak with both of them.”

  “But this has nothing to do with the dance, Julian.”

  “I know.”

  “But …”

  He took her hands in his. “Ellie, I said I would do it.”

  “But … why?”

  He swallowed hard as he realized his reasons went far beyond the Valentine’s dance. “Because I don’t want you to leave Independence.”

  Fourteen

  Ellie stared at Julian. Had she heard him right? He didn’t want her to leave Independence? Something fluttered in her belly as she blushed a deep red and turned her face away.

  He pulled her around to face him again. “So do you see a coat you like?” His voice was gentle, coaxing. It almost did her in as warmth that had nothing to do with the temperature spread through her body.

  Unable to speak, she absently pointed to a coat, a pretty blue one.

  Julian smiled and chuckled. “Are you sure?” he asked as he removed the coat from the rack.

  Ellie turned her head to look at it – and realized it was a child’s coat. “Oh!” she said and put a hand to her mouth to stop her laughter. “I’m sorry, I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

  “I guess not,” he agreed as he put the coat back.

  She studied the others, and saw a simple brown one that looked like it could take some punishment. She pulled it from the rack and held it up. “This will do.”

  Julian sighed. “You can get whichever one you want.”

  She looked up at him. “I’m trying to be practical.”

  He took the coat and held it up in front of her. “You don’t have to be so practical, you know.” He turned to the rack, put the brown coat back and plucked off a pretty rose-colored one. �
��Now, this is not only practical, but it’s beautiful too. At least I think so.” He held it up in front of her and smiled. “Very pretty.”

  “And probably expensive,” she added in a soft voice.

  “She’ll take this one, Morgan,” Julian called over his shoulder. Before she could stop him, he turned and marched to the counter with the coat.

  “You really should let her try it on first,” Morgan suggested.

  Just then, Ellie reached the counter to protest, but never got the chance. “Capital idea,” Julian agreed, and shoved the coat at her. “Try it on – let’s see how it looks.”

  She took it gingerly from him. “Really, the brown one would be fine ...”

  “But don’t you like this one?”

  “Well, yes, but I can’t let you pay …”

  “Horse feathers,” he interrupted. “Please, try it on?”

  She took a deep breath. The coat would have cost her almost a month’s wages … but as Julian had made it clear, she wasn’t the one paying for it. Surrendering to the inevitable, she put it on.

  Morgan let loose a low whistle. “Good thing Daisy isn’t here to see how good that looks. She’d want it.”

  Julian looked her over, then stepped forward to button it up. When he finished, he moved back again to study her. “You’re beautiful, Ellie. You look like a queen.”

  She looked down at the coat and ran a hand over the heavy wool. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever worn. She looked up at him as her mouth dropped open to speak.

  “She’ll take it!” he said happily and turned to Morgan. He leaned across the counter and whispered something to him. Morgan smiled and nodded.

  Ellie stood there, not knowing what to do. If she refused the coat she’d hurt Julian’s pride, she was sure of it. And it was very nice. And she was very cold! “Thank you. I … I don’t know what to say.”

  “A simple ‘thank you’ will do,” he said with a smile. “Is there anything else you need?”

  “No!” she blurted, much louder than she intended. “I mean, no thank you.”

  Julian put his hands on her shoulders and smiled. “If we’re going to the dance, you and I ... do you have a dress?”

  Ellie’s eyes widened. A dress – she hadn’t thought of that! She looked at him in panic.

  He raised a single eyebrow. “I’ll take that as a no.” He turned to Morgan. “Tell Daisy that Ellie will need help with a dress.”

  “I’ll do that as soon as she comes home,” said Morgan with a grin.

  “But I can’t let your wife help me,” Ellie protested.

  “Why not?” asked Morgan. “I’m sure she’d love to. If the two of you are working on one, then you have plenty of time.”

  “But I don’t have the money for fabric right now …”

  Julian held up a hand to stop her. “No, but I do, and I have nothing better to spend it on. Now can I see you get a proper dress, or will I have to find some game of chance to blow it on?” He leaned toward her. “Do you want to be responsible for me falling into a dissolute life of gambling and debauchery?”

  Ellie couldn’t help but smile at that. “Oh dear me, no. My poor conscience couldn’t handle it.”

  “Well then. But it all seriousness, please stop fretting, will you? Everything will work out. We’ll go to the dance and have a wonderful time. And don’t worry, I’ll speak with Mrs. Vander and Mrs. Brock tomorrow.”

  Ellie stilled and stared up at him. No man had ever been so kind to her – Earl certainly hadn’t. His idea of clothing her was nagging her to wash her one spare dress before going to the general store. “Thank you.”

  Julian smiled. “You’re welcome.” He turned to the counter, pulled some money out of his pocket and gave it to Morgan. “For the coat.”

  Morgan smiled and winked at him. What was that about? Ellie fingered the fine wool of her new coat and wondered if Morgan hadn’t given Julian some sort of special deal on it. For some reason, the idea made her feel guilty – she didn’t want any favors. But then, she desperately did need something to keep her warm. She couldn’t afford to get sick and not be able to do her job. So far, she’d been lucky since she’d been in Independence, and it hadn’t rained or snowed much. But it was exceptionally cold.

  “Now let me escort you home,” said Julian interrupting her thoughts. “You have a dance to plan for.”

  * * *

  The next few days were a blur. Julian did speak with both Mrs. Vander and Mrs. Brock, and neither had a problem with Ellie attending the dance. Mrs. Brock especially seemed pleased she was going, and wore a smile on her face for some time after Julian informed her. She knew Mrs. Brock missed her daughter, and maybe the dance made the woman think of her. But whatever the reason, Ellie wasn’t going to argue – it was an improvement over Mrs. Brock’s usual sour expression.

  “Have you decided?” a voice asked, breaking Ellie out of her thoughts.

  She turned to Daisy who stood on the other side of the mercantile counter. “Oh, I’m sorry … yes, I think so.” Ellie had a few hours to herself, and at Mrs. Vander’s suggestion had gone to the mercantile to get the fabric for her dress – while there was still fabric to get. Everyone, it seemed, was making a new frock for the occasion, and most of the stock had already been picked over.

  “If you don’t see anything you like, I … ah …” Daisy began then came out from behind the counter. She hurried over to Ellie, and lowered her voice. “I have a little something in the back I saved.”

  Ellie’s eyes widened. She too glanced quickly around before speaking. They weren’t the only ones in the building – several other women were milling about, doing their shopping. “You did?”

  Daisy smiled and nodded. “Would you like to see it?”

  Ellie nodded, dumbfounded – had she saved it just for her? – and followed Daisy behind the counter, down a hall and into a storeroom. Morgan was there, counting packets of seeds. “Hello, ladies.”

  “I’m going to show Ellie that fabric I set aside. Could you mind the front?”

  “Certainly.” He finished counting, scribbled something down on a piece of paper atop a barrel, and left.

  Daisy sighed. “He’s such a dear.”

  “Do … do you like being married?”

  “Why, it’s just about the best thing in the world.”

  “Just about?”

  Daisy blushed. “A child would make it complete. We’re … working on it.”

  Ellie smiled in understanding. “I see. I hope you have success.”

  “So do we. Now take a look at this.” She went to a shelf, pulled out a bolt of the prettiest pink calico Ellie had ever seen, and set it on top of a barrel. The tiny flowers had white petals with a red center, perfect for a Valentine’s dress. “Do you like it?”

  “I love it,” Ellie gasped.

  “Good – I’ll measure out what I think you’ll need, then put it back.”

  “Put it back?”

  “Well you don’t want anyone else at the dance wearing the same thing, do you?”

  Ellie’s mouth dropped open, and she had to stifle a giggle. “You saved this for me?” Daisy winked at her, much like Morgan had several days ago. This must have been what they were planning all along. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “That look on your face is enough for me. And don’t worry, I’ll set it out front after the dance.”

  Ellie put a hand over her mouth to keep her giggles at bay. “I feel so special.”

  Daisy smiled. “You are special. Especially to a young man I know by the name of Julian Smythe.”

  Ellie’s face turned pink, and she had to turn away.

  “Is the feeling mutual?” Daisy asked from behind her.

  Ellie didn’t answer, just listened as Daisy flipped the bolt of fabric over several times to measure out what she needed. “I’d like it to be,” she said in a soft voice.

  Daisy crossed the storeroom to a worktable, set the bolt down, and again unwound the cloth. “What d
o you mean, you’d like it to be? What’s keeping you from liking him?”

  She heard Daisy dig around in what must be a box of tools, then the sound of scissors cutting fabric. “There are … obstacles in the way.” She finally turned to face Daisy. “Ones I want to make sure are taken care of before I …”

  “Give your heart away?”

  Ellie nodded and clasped her hands in front of her. She studied her new coat as Daisy continued to cut.

  “Why hesitate? It’s clear Julian cares for you.”

  “I know he cares a little …”

  “I know he cares a lot. Don’t go thinking that a few little obstacles are going to keep him from courting you.”

  “It would be difficult for him to do so if I’m in Oregon City and he’s here in Independence.”

  Daisy stopped cutting. “What do you mean? You aren’t planning on going back, are you?”

  “I may have to.”

  “But why?”

  Ellie took a deep breath. The telling didn’t seem to be getting any easier. “On account of my son.”

  Daisy’s eyes widened. “Ohhhh.” She set the scissors down and turned to her. “You have a little boy – how wonderful! How old is he?”

  Ellie stared at her. The woman was genuinely curious. “Four.”

  “Four? Why isn’t he here with you?”

  “It’s a long story, but … well, I came here to try and make a new life for myself after my husband died. I wanted to make sure I had steady employment before sending for Davey.”

  “Davey – what a nice name. Do the Brocks and the Vanders know?”

  Ellie fidgeted. “No, I … I’m worried they won’t want to keep me on if …”

  “Oh pooh – I’m sure they’ll be fine with it.” Daisy crossed the room to her and took one of her hands in her own. “And if I know Julian, he will be too. Does he know?”

  “Yes, he does.”

  Daisy took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well then, let’s make sure you’re the belle of the ball, shall we?”

  Ellie gave her a quizzical look. “Belle of the ball?”

  “You’ll want to look your best for Julian.”

  Ellie looked at the floor. “It’s just a dance, Mrs. Tindle.”