Christmas Miracles: Mega Mail Order Bride 20-Book Box Set: Multi-Author Box Set

by Jenny Creek Tanner

  Lily’s heart turned to ice. She held back everything to protect her heart. If this was how he wanted things, she would give him just that. A wife, but not truly the kind of wife she wanted to be. And certainly not the kind of wife that would make him happy if he’d just open his heart.

  Chapter 13

  Winter was in full swing. Lily was so cold, she could see her breath in the kitchen. She started the fire in the hearth and all the fireplaces in the house. Max had left early for some supplies in town, having dredged through the snow, clearing out a path for the wagon to go.

  She had been finding her own solace these past days and weeks in reading. She also decided to take pride in keeping a clean house, even though that was part of what brought her here to a man who didn’t love her. Inwardly, she decided to do it for herself, not for him.

  She figured their marriage would never be as she wanted it. Though she’d accepted this fact, in the back of her mind she held a small hope that things would change. That he would change.

  She briefly thought about Christmas and the joyous season of celebration. She wanted to be looking forward to shopping and planning, but the state of her marriage and her life wouldn’t allow it. She wondered what in the world she could give a husband who was turning out to be an empty shell. She sighed and decided to worry about that later.

  Lily had finished her chores for the morning and the house was finally starting to warm up. She sat down at the kitchen table with her Bible. She had become much more faithful to read her Bible daily since she’d moved to the Dakota Territory. Maybe it was the beauty of the area that inspired her to thank the Lord or possibly she needed the comfort she found in His word. Either way, this was her morning ritual and she opened The Book with joy.

  She had settled in and was halfway through her first passage when there was a knock at the door. She thought it odd that there would be a caller in the middle of the winter in the middle of the week in the middle of the morning. Frowning, she went to see who it was.

  A beautiful brunette stood on the porch when she opened the door. Lily frowned again and was annoyed at the intrusion. What was a woman doing out here alone?

  “May I help you?”

  “I’m so sorry to come here uninvited, but is Mr. Blackwell home? Max Blackwell?” she said with an air about her. The woman was beautiful and elegant. Lily was instantly jealous.

  “He’s not available at the moment.” Lily stood waiting for what the woman would say next. She had started to say that he’d gone into town, but thought better of telling too much to a stranger.

  The mysterious woman wore a fine fur coat, and in spite of an expensive looking scarf covering her head, she could see that her hair was up in a luxurious bun with huge curls.

  “Oh, dear.” Now the woman was frowning, too.

  Her carriage sat in front of the house and was fancier than most around these parts.

  She pulled her fur coat a bit closer, waiting with her eyebrow raised. Lily assumed she was waiting on an invitation to come in. She decided against her better judgment to invite her in. The woman must need Max for something and the open door was letting the warm air out, anyway.

  “Why don’t you come in. I can’t say when he’ll be back, but you’re welcome to come inside,” Lily offered, taking a step back.

  She was half interested, half selfish, wanting to know why someone so exquisite had business with her husband. The woman stepped inside and looked around.

  “I appreciate your kindness, Miss—?”

  “Lily.”

  “Penelope Cooper,” the woman replied.

  The name struck a chord in her Lily’s heart. Could this really be the runaway bride who left Max at the church? She couldn’t remember if Faye had mentioned her name or not. Lily would have to wait for Max to return to tell for certain if this woman was the reason his heart was unavailable.

  “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’ve got some things I need to do.”

  “Certainly. Do what you need to do. Again, I’m sorry for intruding on your day.”

  Lily decided in a split second that she wouldn’t let this woman take her husband if that’s what she was here to do. So she readied herself before Max returned. She did her hair as intricately as she could and changed into a nicer dress than she normally wore for simply doing housework.

  So many thoughts ran through Lily’s mind. What was this woman doing here, and what did she want with Max? So she also prepared her heart and her mind for what might be coming.

  Lily put bread in the oven and tidied the kitchen, careful not to spoil her appearance. She checked on Penelope now and again, but she didn’t entertain her.

  The sun was high in the sky, and it would rise higher before Max returned later than evening. It amazed Lily that this woman had the gumption to wait all day for him, but she wouldn’t budge from the parlor room. She just sat there on the red velvet settee, sipping on tea and taking small bites of the crumb cake Lily offered.

  Finally, both women heard the clattering of Max’s wagon up the road. It was a slow, yet distinct shuffle.

  Lily excused herself and went out to greet him.

  He seemed happy to see her and tried an awkward kiss on the cheek. It was the best Max could do these days. Lily didn’t need Max’s feeble attempts at affection at this moment. She needed answers.

  “Max, there’s a woman here. She’s been here all day waiting for you. Says her name’s Penelope Cooper.”

  At the sound of her name, Max dropped his bags, full of Christmas presents for Lily. The shock overtook him, and he hurried to cover over his expression along with the contents his bags.

  But she had the answers she needed. His reaction to her name spoke volumes.

  “She’s in the parlor.”

  Lily followed in slowly after him. He took off his hat as he went, leaving the bags he’d dropped behind him. When they entered the room, Penelope’s eyes glittered brightly and she jumped up to greet him.

  “Oh, Max,” she cried.

  As she stepped toward him with her arms open to him, Lily stepped to the side so she could be seen.

  “Penelope,” he said gruffly, not moving into her embrace. “What are you doing here?”

  “Oh, we’ll get to that. But first I have to tell you that your maid was so kind to let me wait for you. It’s hard to find good help these days.”

  “The maid?” Lily cried. “That’s what you thought of me this whole time? You believe I’m the help?”

  “I’m sorry. I just assumed Max had hired you to help him around the farm. I apologize if the word offends you.”

  “She’s not the help. She’s my wife,” he said quietly.

  Bitter tears emerged in Lily’s eyes. They were as gray and fierce as any winter storm. She felt defeated and humiliated. Her resolve to fight for Max faded. She knew she couldn’t compete with a woman like this. A woman he was still in love with.

  Chapter 14

  “I’m in shock, Max. I cannot believe you’ve gone and gotten married.”

  “You shouldn’t be here. Why have you come?”

  “I had to see you. This time of year always makes me think of you.”

  “Where have you been?”

  “In Wyoming with my sister and her husband. I tried, really, Max to forget about how I’ve hurt you. I’ve tried to forget about you completely. But all I can think is, what if I made a huge mistake that day?”

  “It’s a little late for that now.”

  She stepped towards him and caressed his cheek.

  “Not if you don’t want it to be.”

  He stepped back, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m married. Something you know nothing about. She made the commitment. She stayed.”

  “It’s obvious you love her dearly,” she replied sarcastically, with a low chuckle.

  “You know nothing about me or Lily. She’s kind. She’s caring. People matter to her. She’s nothing like you.”

  “I know you’re bitter at me for what I did,
but I’ve come here to beg you for forgiveness.”

  “All right. I forgive you, then. Now there’s nothing left to be said between us. You can be on your way.”

  “Max, there’s plenty to be said and I’m not going anywhere. I still love you, and I know deep down you still feel the same way about me. I may not be sweet and kind, but that’s why you loved me. You loved me for my passion and my boldness.”

  “You’re wrong,” he lied.

  She smiled coyly. “I’ll be staying at Bertha’s Inn. Come by when you’ve come to your senses.”

  She flashed him her nearly irresistible smile and then she went to the door. Soon she was walking to her carriage and he was alone in the room.

  He lingered by the door, longer than he should have. Her scent filled the room, and he inhaled it one last time. Anger, love, desperation, and bitterness flooded his mind. She had no right to come here and say the things she did, but was she right? Was there a part of him that hadn’t let go of her?

  None of this was fair to Lily. She was loyal, eager, hardworking, and beautiful, too. Her lovely blue eyes and devotion to him had proven she deserved her place here with him. She’d adhered to their agreement even after he’d broken her heart.

  Only a few hours ago, he had been shopping for her for Christmas, wanting to make up for hurting her. But this was Penelope Cooper. He couldn’t just close the door on her without being at least slightly intrigued.

  Lily sat at the top of the stairs, having spied upon everything said and done between them. Her heart sank. While Max enjoyed and valued her, she knew by the way he stood, spoke, and looked at Penelope, that he loved her.

  He had loved her the entire time Lily had been here. He loved another woman while kissing her. A sickening, hopeless stirring ran in her veins. She couldn’t compete with the likes of Penelope Cooper.

  Max stood downstairs with his hands on his hips, obviously thinking. She wouldn’t stand in their happiness. When Max fell asleep, she’d leave. Maybe they could get a divorce in time, so he and Penelope could be together. All she knew was, she couldn’t stay here another day.

  She leaped up to go to her room when she saw Max heading upstairs, his breath heavy and his steps full of lead. She closed her door and closed her eyes. She had started packing her belongings when Max knocked on her door.

  “Lily,” he called. She had locked the door and tried to hide that she had been crying.

  “Yes.” She didn’t open the door and didn’t plan to.

  “I’m sorry you had to endure that today.”

  “I’m tired. I’m going to retire, Max.”

  “Oh. Of course. Can we talk in the morning? I think we should.”

  “Fine,” she said, still holding back tears.

  “All right. Goodnight, then.”

  She didn’t answer back. She heard his door latch fall, and she continued shoving clothes, bonnets, and more into a satchel. She couldn’t take everything with her right now, but she did put everything she could wait for in a pile on the floor by the bed. She’d send for it all later.

  She didn’t have any sort of plan but to step aside and let Max be with the woman he secretly loved. She had no idea where she would go or what she would do. The one thing she did know, was that she’d not be staying at Bertha’s Inn. She’d find some other place to stay.

  Chapter 15

  Lily became blinded with her tears. They were warm, and they wouldn’t stop. She didn’t deserve this. She deserved someone who would have banished Penelope Cooper, not stand there and reminisce over their past with her.

  Then again, Lily had never been in love nor scorned the way Max had. She didn’t know what hurt more—the fact he had a first love or the fact it had been Penelope. She couldn’t compete with her exotic beauty. She was pretty but plain in comparison to Penelope’s warm complexion and dark hair.

  Penelope also seemed worldly and educated. She was polished and confident. Lily was none of these things, even though she’d lied to Max that she was. He had forgiven her for her deception, but that was probably only because Penelope was gone. Now she was back.

  It didn’t matter now. There was no turning back. She had tried so hard with Max. She had been patient and understanding. Her head throbbed with so many unanswered questions and thoughts. She resolved to banish them all as she could since she’d never have the answers she needed.

  She wouldn’t stay around just to be humiliated or turned away. She’d send for her things and then she’d be gone from this town. The only contact she’d make with Max would be to plea for a divorce. That could be accomplished from another town.

  She harnessed the buck wagon to the horse and threw her satchel in. The air was bitterly cold and bleak. The night would serve as her cover and the darkness a welcome addition to her broken spirit. She couldn’t look back at the home and farm she had grown to love. The way the white paint reflected against the moon was beautiful, but it would now be a memory. She would start over and forget ever being a mail order bride. She would try to forget Max, too.

  She wanted to run to Sarah or Corrine and ask them their advice, but they’d convince her to stay, and she didn’t want that. She pressed on in the night and kept going, bundling up the best she could with wool blankets.

  As she rode during the night to town, she felt numb. Nothing had worked out as she hoped and she counted herself a fool for thinking things could have been different. She wouldn’t stay and fight for a man who clearly didn’t want her.

  She had endured enough hurt and humiliation to last her a lifetime when it came to love. She didn’t know if she could ever fall in love again. Max had ruined her, and she spat at the mere thought of him, hating him, and hating herself for being so naïve.

  When she stopped at the stagecoach station, she prayed. She prayed for God to send her a sign that things would one day be better. She slept in the hollow of the wagon, pulling in close to stay warm, but desperately wishing she was snug in her own bed again. The sun would be up soon to bring its rays and warmth.

  She could survive without Max, and she was determined to take destiny into her own hands. Never mind fate, never mind love.

  Chapter 16

  Max was in a panic.

  “Lily! Lily!”

  She was gone. Disappeared in the night, certainly hurt and wounded from Penelope’s visit. His heart shattered. He didn’t want her hurt. It tore him to pieces to think he had done this.

  His indecision and his distance had made her think she was nothing to him. Penelope showing up had made it all so much worse. She must have believed he was going to go back to Penelope and discard her. He’d done a very poor job of showing his commitment to his wife.

  He continued searching outside. Maybe she was simply clearing her mind, and not really gone. When he checked the stables to find the buck wagon gone, he knew she had gone to Sarah’s or Corrine’s.

  He saddled a mare and left straightaway. Corrine and Donovan’s homestead was closer. He galloped there first but found no sign of the buck wagon. He knocked anyway. December was a beautiful, glowing month, full of hope and magic. Donovan’s clan of giggling children and happiness could be seen through the window.

  They had just gathered their tree and were in the process of draping garland and such around it.

  “Max, old friend, what brings you by?” Donovan asked, concerned.

  Max was somewhat out of breath.

  “Lily’s not at the house. Has she come by here by chance?”

  Corrine appeared by the door, holding Belle, a feisty four-year-old.

  “No, she hasn’t,” she replied. “That’s not like her to just take off. Did something happen?”

  “Penelope happened,” he groaned.

  Donovan took him aside for a moment. He could tell he was shaken up.

  “What did Penelope say?” Donavan queried.

  “She’s had a change of heart. She regrets leaving. She thought Lily was the help.”

  “Oh, dear,” Corrine said. Da
isy and the other children were in the living room, oblivious to these matters of the heart.

  “Lily must be terribly upset,” Corrine concluded.

  “She didn’t say anything. I thought we’d get a chance to talk, but she just left. Packed most of her things and took the wagon. She didn’t even leave a note.”

  “Maybe she just needs some time,” Corrine suggested.

  “This doesn’t change anything between you and Lily, does it? So what if Penelope’s back in town,” Donovan asked.

  Max couldn’t look them in the eye. He didn’t know what to do. He just had to find Lily to make sure she was safe.

  “Corrine, why don’t you see if Daisy needs more garland.”

  Corrine nodded and left the two men alone.

  “Are you still in love with Penelope?” Donovan asked. “Your indecision needs to get resolved, Max.”

  “Penelope’s like an alluring sword. Beautiful, mysterious. She draws you in, then stabs you in the heart. I don’t want to still have feelings for her, but I’ve never fully been able to shake them. Seeing her again… well it brought it all back. I guess it never was really gone.”

  “You’re being seduced—willingly, my friend. Lily is wonderful. She’s loyal, God-fearing, hardworking, and quite stunning. You’re being a fool.”

  “I appreciate Lily. I know she’s different from Penelope—in so many ways better, in fact.”

  “You need closure with Penelope to ever fully move on. You owe that to Lily. You’re fooling yourself, too, in thinking that a marriage can only exist for producing a few children. You’ve grown fond of her and that can always turn into love. You’re just too bullheaded to see it.”

  Max had much to think about. Maybe Donovan was right. He was too scared of being hurt the way Penelope hurt him to let Lily in.

  “I think I know where I need to go,” Max said, thanking him for the advice and comfort.

  Corrine and Donovan watch the most conflicted man they’d ever known rush away, hoping he’d find the answers he needed.