Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection

by Davis, Susan Page; Dietze, Susanne; Franklin, Darlene

  “No trouble at all. Just glad it is helping.”

  “Between this awful smelling stuff and the chamomile tea, I feel better. Maybe not as good as you young people, but much better than I had been.”

  He grinned and grabbed his hat from the wall peg. “I’m strolling down to the stables.”

  Mae cast him a sideways glance. “You don’t need to prove anything to those rowdy cowboys out at Martincheks’. From what I’ve heard, your shooting skills had them swallowing their tongues.”

  Laughing, Barden nodded at her and took his leave. Outside, the sun was climbing into the periwinkle-blue sky. Forevermore, when he thought of Kansas, he’d think of Caroline Kane, her hair the color of the wheat that grew back home, and the beautiful clear skies. And he’d never forget the people. Already, he’d begun to think of them as his flock. He chuckled as he rounded the side of the inn. Luke Collins sat peeling potatoes, his bad leg supported by him sitting sideways on the bench.

  “Good job old fellow. You keep us in eats, don’t you?”

  The man’s shaggy hair flopped down over his eyes. He squinted up. “Sometimes it feels like all I ever do is peel potatoes.”

  Barden discerned a check in his spirit. “You’re spending half your days at the farm with the Stevens boys. And taking good care of Chardy.”

  From Luke’s thoughtful expression, Barden addressed the right things. Although he was in a hurry to go ride and learn the proper Western seat on a horse, this man needed him more. He sat down at the end of the bench and turned toward Collins.

  The former soldier exhaled a long puff of air. “Sometimes I still struggle over my …” He gestured toward his injured leg.

  Barden ran his hand over his raspy jawline. With all the work in the kitchen, he’d not taken time for shaving, and he certainly didn’t have a valet to assist, like at home.

  “Sometimes we need our … friend—” He was this man’s friend, wasn’t he? “We need our friends to remind us of things of the eternal. Don’t you think?”

  “I reckon so.”

  “Do you think less of Mae because of the limitations her earthly body has?”

  Collins dropped the potato and knife into the pan. “No.”

  “And I’ve never heard you tell her she ought to be doing more than she’s doing. Am I right?”

  “Right.”

  “If we’re to treat others as we’d wish to be treated ourselves, why would you not treat yourself with kindness?”

  His lips pulled in. “Good point.”

  How Barden wanted to pray with this man. Right here. Right now. But something held him in check. He’d pray for him as he walked. He rose. “Sometimes we’re hardest on ourselves.”

  “True.” The new part-time hire resumed his work. “Can’t say I’ll ever learn to love peeling potatoes, though!”

  As Barden headed down the alleyway he heard Luke whistling. He recognized the tune as “The Ship that Never Returned.” Prickles coursed up his arms and to his neck. He paused and listened, trying to remember some of the words to the new song. Was his ship fated to never return? He looked upward to the sky as clouds bundled between the sun and earth, dimming the light. Shaking off foreboding, Barden strode on toward the stables.

  As he walked down the boardwalk, he paused to greet some of the inn’s customers, giving each an encouraging word. At this rate he’d never get his riding time in.

  “This is what I made you for.”

  Barden stopped and glanced around but didn’t see anyone who could have spoken to him. A trio of ranch hands rode in, one lifting his hat and the other two nodding in what he could only think of as a respectful acknowledgment. He nodded in return, immediately recognizing it as the curt gesture he’d seen so many times at seminary among his professors. Not the slow nod of respectful acknowledgment. But it was too late now.

  Ahead, by the saloon, Melissa Lee and Alan Henderson stood glaring at one another.

  The couple was supposed to be married soon. They’d been coming into the restaurant regularly for lunch and always loved to chat with him. The Lees owned a prosperous farm out near the Martinchek’s ranch. None of the Lee men returned from the war, and Mrs. Lee had died shortly before Barden had arrived, apparently of the same fever that had brought about Mr. Tumbleston’s demise.

  Mr. Henderson seemed embarrassed that he’d been one of the men who’d auditioned for a bride. But Miss Lee had always reassured him. Never had they seemed angry, as they did now.

  “Miss Lee, Mr. Henderson, what’s wrong?”

  “It’s him!” Melissa Lee poked a finger in Alan Henderson’s chest.

  Henderson captured her hand in his. “It’s you and your fool way of thinking!”

  A dray rolled down the street and paused to turn.

  “Why don’t we go inside, out of the street?”

  “Here?” Miss Lee frowned and looked up at the sagging saloon sign.

  Barden fished around in his pocket and opened the door. “We’ve permission to use it while the army is in town. And they are still here.”

  He grinned and pointed across to where one of the privates was opening a banjo case.

  “All right then.” Miss Lee followed him in, trailed by her fiancé.

  Henderson gawked at the gaudy interior. “Well don’t that beat all? Never seen nothing like this where I come from.”

  “I should hope not, Alan! A God-fearing man wouldn’t be found in a place like this.”

  “We’re here now, aren’t we?” Henderson gave his sweetheart a cheeky grin.

  Miss Lee crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s exactly what I mean. You are always making light of everything I say!”

  “Everything? I didn’t just now.”

  Barden shook his head and gestured for them to sit in heavy oak chairs nearby at what looked like a gaming table. “All right, how about I ask you a few questions that I believe are basic to any marriage?”

  The couple exchanged a long glance.

  “What do you say, Melissa?” Henderson raised the pretty brunette’s fingers to his lips and kissed them.

  She giggled. “Your moustache tickles. But yes, I agree.”

  “All right then.”

  “Tell me what you think a God-ordained marriage looks like?”

  “God ordained?” Henderson squared his shoulders.

  “Yes, for if he’s not in your marriage you surely shall have hard times ahead.” Miss Lee tilted her head, a light brown curl trailing down her neck. “I believe in God. And I love Him.”

  “Me, too.” Henderson brushed his fingertips along his cheek. “But I hadn’t really thought about what He means in our marriage.”

  “We go to church regularly.” Miss Lee locked eyes with her betrothed.

  “Anyone could go into a church.” Leaning into the table, Barden steepled his fingers together. “It’s what happens in the rest of your life, including in a marriage, which matters.”

  Henderson’s lips pressed into a thin line. “My ma and pa said the same thing.”

  “Well, they were right, weren’t they?” Barden squirmed. If he remained much longer he’d never get a chance to ride.

  “How about we go for a ride together out into the countryside and let’s talk about this.” They could do that while he practiced his Western seat in the saddle skills.

  The two exchanged a glance. “Can’t we just keep talking right here?”

  Lord, if You needed me in this capacity, You could have kept me in England. Yet He hadn’t.

  “Indeed. Why not?”

  She shouldn’t have followed him, but Caroline couldn’t resist. The Englishman had shown up in her dreams again last night, this time offering her a lush red rose bouquet and begging her to marry him. She shook her head at the remembrance. Especially since with his gun slinging skills and someone pursuing him, she needed to know more.

  Sheriff Ingram lifted his hat as she approached. “Anything wrong, Mrs. Kane?”

  Nothing he could fix. It wasn’t
illegal to steal someone’s heart without their consent. “No, thank you.”

  He was always friendly to her. Poor man had been inundated with females vying for his attention.

  “You sure you’re all right, Mrs. Kane?”

  She needed to find out if Lorraine had spoken with the sheriff about her suspicions. But if she lingered, she’d lose sight of Barden. “Fine. See you!” With that she lifted her skirts, stepped from the boardwalk, and after waiting an interminable time for a slow carriage to pass, crossed the street.

  Instead of heading to the stables, where he’d said he was going, Barden had stopped to chat with Melissa Lee and Alan Henderson by the saloon.

  Keeping close to the shops, she peered through the mercantile’s window. With the money from the suitors and from the army, the inn could afford to buy a few things. What was Virginia doing in there? She should be cleaning her room. Her sister bent over a black leather trunk with brass fittings. Poor thing didn’t even have a cedar chest. Maybe a trunk like that did make more sense. Especially if she ever did get a teaching position. Which she didn’t currently have. “Never hurts to look” Mama used to say, and Caroline refrained from entering the store.

  On the drive back home, the previous day, Barden regaled Caroline with the multitude of reasons that Virginia and Alvin should have a day off. And for them to go scouting out teaching positions for in the autumn. Truth be told, Caroline had been so flustered by the news of someone pursuing Barden and by his shooting skills, to focus very well. He had her more confused than she’d ever been in all her years.

  Drawing in a breath of cool late-morning air, Caroline continued down the boardwalk. But Barden and her friend were out of sight. She continued on, hoping she’d find them. As she neared the saloon, she heard Melissa’s voice raised in anger.

  “You do so!”

  “I don’t.” Alan’s gruff voice was adamant.

  A softer voice interrupted them but she couldn’t make out the words. It had to be Barden. She smiled in satisfaction and, glancing around, went around to the side door, opened it, and went in. Carefully she maneuvered behind the elaborate black Chinese fan, located just beside the long bar.

  The voices became louder and clearer as she crept closer.

  “I think you just want to marry me because of the farm.”

  “That’s part of it.”

  “See!” Melissa sounded almost hysterical.

  Caroline resisted the urge to charge in and try to help.

  “Wait,” Barden interrupted. “Let’s try establishing a few imperatives for a God-ordained marriage.”

  What kind of outlaw talked like that? Caroline stiffened. He’d spoken the same way to her. Surely no gunslinging criminal would speak in such a way, would he?

  “All right.” Melissa sniffed.

  “Fine by me.”

  “Good. First, you have to have committed this upcoming marriage to the Lord. Did you do that?” Barden’s deep voice held an authority that she’d not heard before, and she stiffened.

  “Of course.”

  “Not sure what you mean. If we get married won’t God bless that?” Alan sounded like such a typical man, which tickled her.

  Barden’s chuckle matched her own suppressed laugh. Yet even though she knew it was silly to think God would simply bless a union because you stood before a preacher, she’d not sought out God’s approval of hers and Barden’s upcoming nuptials. Nor had they even spoken of it. Hadn’t she been dead set against this whole notion of advertising for a groom, anyways?

  “The Almighty wants to be in on everything. Especially in a marriage.” Chills coursed down Caroline’s arms and she rubbed them.

  “I reckon I’d not pondered that much.”

  “Well you should.” Melissa’s shrill voice promised another argument.

  “Please, you two; yes, you should both seek God’s will instead of rushing into a union simply for the sake of having a spouse.” Barden sounded remarkably like her father, when he was in one of his sermon moods. But unlike Pa, she decided to not tune Barden out.

  “He’s not getting just a wife, Mr. Granville, he’s getting a farm too.”

  “How does that factor into your decision, Alan?”

  “Well, I ain’t gonna lie … it sure don’t hurt.” Again, his practical, matter-of-fact, response had Caroline holding back a laugh.

  “Well, I never!” Melissa huffed.

  “It also don’t hurt that she’s the purtiest gal I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  Caroline peered between the cut-outs on the elaborately carved screen. She spied Alan leaning in to kiss Melissa’s cheek, while her pretty friend leaned away from him.

  Although she couldn’t hear Barden’s sigh, she could imagine him doing so. “Those aren’t requirements for a marriage. When you enter into holy matrimony you must consider if your love will last through the bad, maybe even the worst, life has to bring.”

  Barden sounded like he really meant this. He sounded awfully much like a … preacher, like he had the previous day. Caroline sucked in a breath.

  “Well, I reckon I’d want to marry Melissa and protect her even if she lost that lovely figure of hers and if her pretty face got covered in wrinkles. Preacher, I do know that she’s gonna get old one day, just like me. I ain’t dumb, even if I am a cowpoke.”

  Preacher. Alan had called him preacher.

  “And I’d still marry Alan if all his beautiful hair fell out.” Melissa raised a hand to her mouth and chuckled. “Well, maybe not.”

  For a moment there was silence. Caroline moved closer. Alan’s loud laughter carried and was joined by the other two’s.

  “Perhaps the Lord had a reason for sending me here.” Barden lowered his head.

  “So you really are a priest?” Melissa gasped.

  “Don’t that mean you can’t marry?”

  “I’m an Anglican priest. The Church of England allows marriage.”

  A minister? A crack shot, being tracked down by someone, who’d turned their inn upside down improving it.

  Caroline rubbed her head and turned on her heel. There was no way she was going to be able to sort this out by herself. God was going to have to help. Tears of frustration coursed down her cheeks.

  Nothing made sense anymore.

  Chapter 8

  Sleep had come in fits and starts for Barden. Caroline had barely spoken to him that previous evening. He awoke early and began his morning in prayer, all the while disturbed in his spirit.

  Downstairs, he stopped first in the restaurant, which was empty of all the soldiers, as the others went on into the kitchen. Besides the military and the two traveling Tumblestons, something else was absent. Laughter. That was what was missing. Neither Virginia’s new-found bright laughter nor Alvin’s booming voice carried through the room.

  Caroline emerged from the kitchen, tugging at her apron with one hand and carrying a pot of coffee in the other. “Well, Virginia and Alvin set off bright and early. I hope you’re happy now.”

  “Happy?” Indeed, he’d been much happier in America.

  “Well, you got your way, didn’t you? You wanted them to have time away.”

  “Caroline, surely you don’t begrudge your sister a chance to pursue her dreams?”

  When her eyes welled with tears, Barden gently took her hand and led her back through the kitchen, the air heavy with the scent of dough rising, biscuits baking, and coffee brewing. Luke grinned up at them as Barden pulled her out the back door. He led her to the bench.

  The bright blue sky, dotted with puffs of thin clouds, contrasted with his apprehensive mood. But he’d not let Caroline see that. She dabbed at her eyes with her apron and sat down.

  “I don’t want to lose Virginia, too.”

  “I know you don’t.” Barden squeezed her hand. “But Caroline, your sister is eighteen years old. She’s a young woman, and God is directing her path toward teaching.”

  “And she can’t teach here. Not unless Birdy marries Drew.”
/>   “Right. She had a wonderful teacher with Miss Green, but there is no position at this time.” There had been no clergy position in Kent, mainly because Father wanted him far away. He flinched at the memory of learning that fact from the local bishop. Well, right now, he couldn’t be much farther away. “Miss Green left her a pamphlet about a teacher training and job fair in Emporia.”

  “Really?” Caroline frowned. “She hasn’t said anything to me about it.”

  Barden exhaled a puff of air. “Perhaps she was waiting until after Leonard’s graduation next week, and the army’s departure, to make plans.”

  She sighed. “With all those army men here, Alvin can talk of nothing else. What will I do if he insists on enlisting?”

  “You’ll pray. And continue to speak with him about his decisions.”

  “Father’s words fell on deaf ears. If anything, when I caution Alvin, he wants military life even more.”

  “Either he’s going through the normal rebellion of youth or perhaps he, too, is called to the vocation.”

  “How can you say that?”

  “Some men are meant to protect.”

  “And to abandon their families? Their loved ones?” Caroline narrowed her eyes.

  Why was she so angry with him?

  She plucked at her cotton apron, forming little folds in the fabric. “At least Luke came back. Why don’t you and he go fishing today?”

  Why did he sense she wanted him away from her? He stood and feigned removing a hat, then bowed from the waist. “At your service, madam.”

  If Henry and Leonard behaved like this all summer, maybe she would send them to their grandparents after all. Ever since they’d called out, “We’re home!” the two had been at each other in the kitchen.

  Mr. Woodson grabbed a wooden spoon from Mae and aimed it at Henry and Leonard. “I can’t abide by fractious children, so stop all that bickerin’!”

  “It ain’t fair that Luke and Barden got to go fishin’ when I’m the best around.” Henry scowled.

  Caroline stopped slicing carrots. “You’ll practically be living down at the creek the rest of the summer.”