Laura glanced toward Tricia and knew this was too personal to talk about in front of others. So, she just shook her head mutely and fished around in her satchel for a handkerchief. Ben leaned back and pulled her against his sheltering arm. His hand patted her arm in an attempt to reassure her.
Chapter Nine
Ben was watching out the coach window and hugged Laura one last time with a hard grip and then stood and leaned out to shout to the driver. The driver, acknowledging that Ben’ stop was coming, slowed and eventually he turned off on a side track, lined on either side by fencing. They travelled some time down the track but eventually a very large ranch house appeared before them and the driver pulled up to its front porch.
The house had a wide, covered porch and barrels with flowers poured out onto the lawn. Mature oaks smothered the house, giving it shade and keeping the porch cool and inviting. Laura looked at longing at the house and then tried to forget how she’d gotten there. It would be too miserable to know where Ben could be found, and not yet pursue him there.
Ben opened the coach door and jumped out, stood straight and stretched, pushing his hat back on his head and surveying the house. He had all the demeanor of a man coming home to his castle. He walked around the coach and went up to the door, pushing it open before entering to check things out. All appeared well as Laura saw windows popping open all around the house exterior wall.
Tricia and Gerald descended next. Laura knew they were probably taking a short break to freshen up, but somehow she felt suddenly excluded and lonely. Visions of herself, heavy with child while bent scrubbing floors and washing dishes flooded her brain. But before even that…she would have to confront Rory. She would have to admit what she’d done, and thought, and hope he wouldn’t beat her when she told him she couldn’t be with him, but would have to repay him the money she’d spent.
Even the driver climbed down and lowered their luggage to the ground. It all seemed so normal, so wholesome. Laura cringed in self-defeat.
Tricia and Gerald walked around the coach and walked right in through Ben’s open door. Laura marveled at how close they had all grown toward one another.
As she watched, the driver began to unharness the horses and lead them around the side of the house toward what appeared to be a barn. Laura wondered if one had thrown a shoe, or whether they needed to be watered. Now she sat, alone, in a horseless stage. Had she misunderstood? Was she supposed to catch another stage to her destination? Why had no one told her? They had put her luggage on the ground. Was that supposed to be her signal?
At that moment, Ben emerged from the house and came around to the coach, opening the door and leaning in.
“Come on,” he said simply and held out his hand.
Laura’s brow went up in confusion, but she leaned forward and let him help her out of the coach. “Ben, I’m sorry. There must be some mistake. I thought this coach would take me all the way into Denver, where I’m expected. I see you are all disembarking and the horses being even taken away. Did I miss a sign? Should I have said something? Is my ticket marked wrong?” She was beginning to panic a bit at the idea of being stranded here. Surely Ben would help her out, get her into town or maybe lend her a horse?
Ben didn’t answer her. He must be really angry with me…that I’ve put him out like this. “Ben, I need to talk to you…privately. There are things you don’t know about me. I’m not here by accident – I am supposed to be meeting someone in Denver. Someone who advanced me the travelling money to come out here. He’ll be waiting for me.” She tried not to tell the entire story; it was simply too painful. She believed he had feelings for her, as well, and it would be hard for him to hear how she had disgraced herself.
“Come with me,” he repeated and ushered her into the house through the open doors.
At this point, Laura was completed confused. The room they entered had vaulted ceilings and thick, Turkish rugs covered the floors. Sturdy, beautifully-carved wood furniture, upholstered in tapestry fabric was set in groupings but something looked out of place.
On the far wall sat a long table and it was covered in a white linen tablecloth. There were matching silver candelabras and bowls of fresh flowers trailed down the table’s center. A man in a white coat stood next to the table and he nodded and smiled at her. Tricia and Gerald stood to one side and Tricia’s face held a huge smile as well.
Laura looked up to Ben’s face in bewilderment. He smiled down at her and then suddenly bent and dropped to one knee. “Laura, will you marry me?” he asked, holding out a beautiful diamond-encrusted ring.
Laura’s face fell and her world came crushing down upon her. This was not happening. “I can’t, I can’t…” she whispered. “I’m promised to someone else,” she barely managed the words and if it hadn’t been for Ben holding her hand, she would have fled from the house entirely.
“I know,” he grinned. “To me,” he said simply.
Laura shook her head. “No, no, you don’t understand. I’m a mail order bride! I’m engaged to a man named Rory Newton. He’s waiting for me in Denver. He paid my way here. I gave him my word…took his money! I never counted on meeting you, Ben. I swear, I don’t know what happened, but you made me feel safe and cared for; it was the first time in my life…” she was sobbing now, pulling away from his hand.
Ben stood, but he was not angry. He put his arm around Laura, drawing her hard against him so she couldn’t escape. He looked at Tricia and nodded. “Tell her, Tricia.”
Tricia’s smile grew even bigger and she walked toward Laura, stopped and look first to Ben and then into Laura’s eyes. “Laura, please allow me to present Mr. Ben Dallas, sometimes also known as Mr. Rory Newton.”
Laura stared, uncomprehending. “I don’t understand,” she managed to get out.
Ben nodded and drew Laura over to a sofa. “Here, I think you need to sit down and let me explain. This isn’t exactly fair to you.” Laura sat down but Ben continued to hold her hand.
“My dear Laura… my real name is Ben Dallas. I put the ad using the name Rory Newton for privacy. The coach is mine and the driver works for me. I put the ad in the paper out East to find a cultured, pleasant woman who would bear children for me and could school them here at home until they’re ready to help me on the ranch or go out into the world. I own a few thousand acres and most of it is for the cattle. I don’t like livin’ alone and that was another reason I wanted a wife. When you answered, it seemed the perfect arrangement. I knew you could bear children because you were already with child.” He stopped and let the words sink in.
Laura sat there, her head shaking at what he was saying.
“I wasn’t completely convinced and this is a big step, of course,” he began again. “So, I came out East and arranged to be next to you on the train, so I could get to know you without pressure on either one of us. I couldn’t be more happy and even if you weren’t my mail order bride, well I’d ask you to marry me. You’re beautiful, cultured, sweet, lovin’ and everythin’ I would ever want in a woman. But…you understand, I had to be certain. A lifetime is a long time. Don’t be angry…”
Laura’s mouth opened and she realized he wasn’t the sort of man who was used to asking for forgiveness. “I’ve been feeling so guilty because I knew I was falling in love with you and it wasn’t something I was free to do. I belonged to someone else, even though when I realized I loved you, I made up my mind to tell Rory I refused and to pay him back for his travel expenses. I can’t be angry with you, sweetheart…how can I be anything but in love with you?” She hugged him then with both arms around his neck.
Laura looked at Tricia, “You knew about this?” she asked.
Tricia nodded and laughed. “Ben is my brother. Gerald and I came along because I have a medical background; in fact, I’m a midwife. He wanted to be sure you would have someone with you in case anything happened during the journey.”
Laura was amazed. “I don’t know what to say,” she began.
“Well, you might
want to start with ‘I do’ because Sam, over there, is a preacher as well as a chef and as soon as he marries us, the guests will begin arriving for the wedding barbecue, Ben teased her.”
An hour later, Laura, dressed in a beautiful, full-skirted white wedding gown Tricia had shown her in the closet, walked out into the shade of the oak trees in the back of the house. Ben waited for her and held out his hand. Preacher Sam married them and no more were their “I do’s” uttered, then the wagons began rolling up. Tricia and Gerald had served as their witnesses and their only guest was the driver of the coach.
Ben was evidently quite well respected in the community because the wagons and horses rolled in by the dozens. Somewhere musicians began playing, a huge bonfire was lit and tables laden with food were set all about the yard.
Laura sat with Ben, held in his embrace as he introduced her to hundreds of neighbors whose names she would take time to remember. Lighted lanterns hung in the tree branches and it was hours after the bride and groom retired before the last guest left.
Chapter Ten
Laura’s face was damp with perspiration and flushed from the effort of pushing. Lilly was born into Tricia’s skilled hands and once bathed, placed into Laura’s loving and welcoming arms. Ben stood by, proud papa and nodded in approval.
Laura had never felt such joy as she did in that moment. Her life was complete. So much lay ahead; babies with Ben, learning to be a rancher’s wife. One thing she knew…she couldn’t wait!
THE END.
A Wanting Bride
Mail Order Bride
CHRISTIAN MICHAEL
Chapter 1
Harvey Jenkins surveyed the land before him. The couple hundred head of cattle that grazed in the valley below him spoke of his position. He had done well for himself, he wouldn’t deny that, but there was always more to be sought. Better deals, mergers, and the promise of greater notoriety. It wasn’t that he wanted to accumulate wealth for no reason, but there was something about the feeling of success that was addictive.
“What are you thinking about Harvey?”
He looked over at his friend and business partner Eli Austin. “I’m considering this next deal we’ve been discussing.”
“You look like you want to take on the world—or at least Texas.”
Harvey smirked. “Something like that.”
“But really, what plans do you have brewing in that brilliant mind of yours?”
“I’ve been reconsidering the offer from Max Dean.”
“The rodeo guy?”
“Yup,” Harvey said, adjusting the brim of his Stetson lower to keep the sun from his eyes.”
“I thought that was a no-go.” Eli observed him from atop his Palomino while Harvey sat on his Buckskin horse. They would head back to the ranch soon but Harvey had wanted to see the land he lived on. It was something he insisted on almost weekly.
“I’ve reconsidered.”
“What else are you reconsidering?” Eli said with a laugh.
“Getting married.”
He could feel Eli’s gaze like it was a hot poker. “What? You said you would never get married.”
“I did, but a man can change his mind, can’t he?”
“All right, come clean, what business deal will a marriage help you with?” Eli sounded weary, not exactly disapproving.
Harvey grimaced, was it that obvious that he wanted his business to succeed? “I’ve been thinking and it’s not so much one deal that would benefit but maybe several.”
“Go on…” Eli said, his look communicating his doubt that this was true.
“Remember when I met with Max last year?”
“Yes.”
“I spent one night out on the porch with him—you know how he likes to talk—and he started spouting off all of benefits of marriage to me. Then he said something that stuck with me.” Harvey gazed off into the distance remembering the night.
“Are you going to make me guess?” Eli prompted.
“No,” Harvey said with a chuckle, “He said that a man is settled when he’s married. He proves that he can take care of a household. It was almost as if he was saying a man is more trustworthy if he’s a family man.”
“So you’re going to what…find a wife and have some kids to make yourself appear more trustworthy?”
“I didn’t mean that,” Harvey sent a sharp glance toward Eli. “It’s just an idea I’ve been toying with.”
“Where would you even find a woman willing to marry you?” Eli laughed at his own joke.
“The Matrimonial Journal. I’d get a mail order bride.”
Eli sobered quickly. “Sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
Harvey rubbed the back of his neck.
“Hold on a moment. I’ve been gone for nearly a month but—no, don’t tell me you’ve already found a wife!?”
“I haven’t proposed yet.”
Eli gasped and Harvey looked over to see his mouth hanging open. “I never thought I’d see the day that Harvey Jenkins settled down.”
Harvey turned his attention back out to the valley below. He’d been corresponding with a woman for a little over a month now and, though he didn’t feel any sense of love toward her, she seemed to have a solid head on her shoulders and, from her photo, she was good looking. What more could he ask for?
Glancing at his friend who still looked shocked, he turned his horse back toward the ranch house. “Come on, let’s head back. Maybe by the time we make it back your mouth will have found its way closed.”
“I doubt that,” Eli said under his breath.
***
May Gibson leaned all of her weight on the top of the trunk. “Can—you—get—it?” she panted.
“Almost, miss,” the scullery maid said, pulling down on the clasp with a grimace.
With one last slump downward the trunk lid closed and the maid flung her hands up.
“Hurray!” the girl said, her cheeks pink with exertion.
“Thank you for your help Mary.”
“’Course miss,” the young girl said. She recovered quickly and ducked her head as she went about the rest of her chores.
May stood up smoothing her hand over her crisp, clean apron and then her hair to make sure everything was in place. She was overseeing the final packing for her mistress but it was no small feat. Genevieve Stanton had accumulated more dresses and trinkets than should be allowed one woman of young years.
May herself had less than half a trunk to fill, though she would try and fit as many books in the extra space as she could before all was said and done—though she wondered if she would be forced to pack Genevieve’s items she would no doubt pick up along the way.
Sighing, she looked once more about the room then left for the sitting room. “Miss, we’re nearly finished.”
Looking up from where she lazed on the couch, Genevieve nodded. “Fine. I expect to see you at the station no later than nine o’clock tomorrow. And did you return that last letter?”
“Yes ma’am,” May said, pursing her lips as Genevieve looked back down to her book before receiving May’s response. “Good evening.”
May left the room and, after hanging up her apron in the maids closet, she left the house for the last time. The fresh air felt freeing and glorious on her warm skin after being inside all day. She wanted to take a long, exhilarating walk, but tonight was her last night to finalize her moving arrangements and to say her goodbyes.
Tears threatened her eyes but she forced them back. She was going on an adventure—that’s the only way she could look at it. She’d read stories upon stories of adventures and wonderful things and this was simply the only way she could leave the next day with any sense of peace.
“May!” Looking up she saw Jeff making his way down the street toward her.
“Hello Jeff,” she said with a forced smile.
“You’re still leaving tomorrow, aren’t you?”
She looked away, not willing to meet his gaze. “Yes.”
/> “Why don’t you tell that fancy lady to forget it and let you go about your own life? Marry me, we’d have a grand time.”
She laughed and looked up into his pale blue eyes. Something in them caused her breath to catch. Was he serious?
“I—I can’t. You don't want to be stuck with someone like me. I’m not fun—I just like to read all the time and organize things.”
He laughed but the humor didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m serious May. I’d make a good husband.”
Something twisted inside of her. She thought of Jeff like a brother, nothing more. That’s how she knew she had to go. Even given the chance at an opportunity to stay and she didn’t feel peace about it. It was as if the Lord was directing her to pick up her whole life and move, even if she couldn’t see how or why.
She placed a hand on his arm and looked him in the eye. “Thank you, but I have to do this. It’s the Lord’s direction.”
He nodded slowly. “I understand. Write to us.”
“You know I will,” she said. He left, but his mention of writing caused her stomach to clench. She had finished the letter for her mistress but she still needed to mail it. It looked like a stop by the post office was in order before she got home.
One last letter to Mr. Harvey Jenkins—written by her but with her mistress’s sentiments. Soon Genevieve would no longer need her as a go-between. Then what would happen to May? She had to believe that the Lord had a plan better than one May could make, though sometimes—foolishly—May didn’t think that was possible.
Chapter 2
Harvey stood at the train station, the warm Texas wind blowing over him and reminding him of day spent out in the wild. He wished he were out there at that very moment, but instead he was in town to pick up his bride to be. Or, at least that's what he hoped she would be.
[2015] Cowboy Saves a Widow Page 49
