“Dear, did you hear me?”
Lucy snapped out of her thoughts. “Yes, Mrs. Epps.”
“Well?”
Lucy was caught. She hadn’t heard a word the woman had said. As they were alone in the sitting room she had allowed herself to drift off mentally to ease some of the annoyance she felt toward the woman. Now she had to admit yet another mistake.
“I’m sorry, I actually didn’t hear you.”
“I thought as much,” she said, an eyebrow arching. “You lack so many lady-like qualities, it’s a miracle your father didn’t marry you off just to avoid you making a grievous faux pas at a dinner party or something.”
“Mrs. Epps!” That was it. Lucy had heard enough, her blood running hot in her veins. “How dare you. In truth, my father did want to marry me off, but as a pawn for his business dealings and I would not have it.” She was breathing hard now. “And another thing—I may not be musically inclined by I have no trouble thinking for myself, unlike many ladies of society. I find that is a trait to be prized, not diminished.” She stood, staring the woman down. “And I’ll have you know that, despite what you may think of me, I am a good match for your son. If you care more about yourself than him, then you’ll forbid this marriage. But I’ll have you know we are rather fond of one another so take that into consideration when you make your decision about me.”
Before the woman could respond, Lucy spun on her heel and left the woman with her mouth hanging slack.
It served her right. She had every type of thought regarding the woman her son should marry, but none of them involved him or his happiness. Hopefully some of Lucy’s words had gotten through to the woman.
***
Ben slipped into the study as Lucy breezed past, her hair flying in all directions and her skin hot from emotion. She was so beautiful—and so opinionated. He held in a laugh as she stormed past, then excited the safety of the study to meet his mother in the sitting room.
No doubt Mrs. Epps would have something to say, but he was beginning to see what Lucy was saying. They had a connection that couldn’t be easily broken. Since his mother had been here, they had stolen away for rides in the morning and conversation after she went to bed. His affection had only grown for the beautiful woman, but he could also see that she had softened toward him as well.
Yet there was still the problem of his mother.
He cringed, feeling that the word problem was too harsh, and yet possibly very accurate.
“Hello, mother,” he said, stepping into the room. She looked stunned, her mouth a hard line and hands clasped in front of her.
“You’ve sure chosen a willful woman to be your bride, Benjamin.”
He swallowed and sat down in front of her. “But I love her.”
His mother rolled her eyes. “You think that, but what do you know of love? The more important question is if she will make a suitable wife!”
“What does suitable even mean? You do realize I live in the West mother—it’s not East Coast high society. It never will be.”
She nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to the delicate lace handkerchief she held in her hand. “When your father died I considered moving out here with you.”
She had? She’d never mentioned it.
“But I thought better of it. My place is in the halls of society in Boston. It has always been my home and I have never imagined living anywhere else.” She met his gaze. “But Lucy is different.”
Ben wanted to defend her, to showcase her admirable qualities, her beauty, her intellect, but something in his mother’s gaze made him hold his tongue.
“In fact, I don’t think she was ever suited for high society—and I don’t mean that to diminish her character. I think she is the perfect wife for a man who lives in the West.”
He didn’t dare to breathe. Was his mother saying that she approved of their marriage? Was that too much to hope for?
“What exactly are you saying, mother?”
“You know what I'm saying,” she said, the hint of a smile surfacing on her lined features. “You should marry Lucy, though I don’t think she would have waited for me to give my approval anyway.”
He laughed. “You are very right. I don’t think she would have.”
“I wish you both the best, dear.”
He jumped to his feet, knowing that he couldn’t waste a moment. He had to go find Lucy, and he knew exactly where she would be.
Chapter 6
Lucy striped pieces of grass, tearing them into smaller pieces. She didn’t know what to do. She’d just ruined any chance of Mrs. Epps giving her approval for Lucy to marry Ben. She’d gone off and spoken her mind, which had gotten herself in trouble—like it always did.
But she couldn't sit by while the older woman spoke poorly of her. It wasn’t right, and it certainly wasn’t fair. If Ben would choose his mother over her, what kind of marriage would they have?
She laid back in the tall grass, staring up at the clouds. Did this mean she had to go back home? She couldn’t go back. She couldn’t face her father. She would find a job before she did that.
The thought made her smile, though she found litter humor in it. Mrs. Epps would have a fit that she’d even considered working.
The sound of branch cracking cause her to sit up, looking around for the source of the sound.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Ben stood several feet away. He was breathing hard and there was a reddish tinge on his cheeks like he had been running.
“I’m sorry,” she said before he could berate her for speaking back to his mother.
“For what?” he said, coming to sit next to her.
“Have you talked with your mother?”
“Oh, for that,” he said, giving her a knowing smile.
She frowned. How was he smiling? Was he happy that his mother wouldn’t give her permission for them to marry? Had his feelings changed then?
“I see,” she said, looking away from the piercing gaze of his deep brown eyes. “So you’ve changed your mind.”
“About what?”
“Me.” She twirled another long piece of grass until his hand covered hers.
“Never.”
Her gaze flew to his, the look of love radiating in his eyes.
“But—but your mother. I spoke rather forcefully to her and—”
“And she deserved it,” he said.
“Do you mean that?”
“Completely.”
She studied his features, so close to hers as he sat next to her. The warmth of his hand over hers wound its way into her heart.
“Ben, I…” she pursed her lips, thinking of the words to say. “I’m sorry, but I’ll never be like those women. The perfect wives in high society. I left New York because I didn’t want that life.”
“And I don’t want you to be like them.” He grinned. “I think at first I did, because that’s who I thought you were, but then I saw the real you…and I like that even better.” He leaned closer. “You’ve got to understand something, Lucy.”
He was so close and her heart was beating so rapidly that she could barely ask the question. “What is that?”
“I love you, not who my mother wants you to be or who your father was going to use you as. I just want you.”
***
Ben hoped the look in his eyes added even more truth to his words. Could she see that he didn’t care about everything else? He just cared about her. About loving her well and starting their life together. Everything else could work itself out in time, but his love was nonnegotiable. She had to know that.
Then, surprising him, she closed the gap between them. Her soft lips found his and his eyes closed, savoring the moment. He never wanted to leave her side. To be near her always and to feel the warm of her touch, taste the sweetness of her kiss, and know that she loved him would be enough. No—more than enough.
She pulled back and rested her hand on his cheek. “And I love you, Ben Epps. Or should I say Benjamin?” She
giggled and he drew her against him in a hug.
“No. That name is reserved for my mother—not to mention it’s much too stuffy for me, wouldn’t you say?”
“I agree.”
He looked down into her green eyes, vibrant against the background of nature. “I do have one thing to ask you though.”
“What is that?” she said with a coy smile.
Taking a big breath, he said, “Will you be my wife, Lucy Castle?”
She leaned in close again and whispered. “Now and always.
Epilogue
The Sun shone brightly across the field of wildflowers as Lucy made her way toward her groom. Ben stood under a tree, the shade of its large branches reaching out and offering shelter. He stood tall, a big grin on his face, his eyes glued to her.
Some of the men from the ranch, Carl, Kate, and Mrs. Epps sat in chairs that had been carted out to the field. It was an unconventional wedding, but Lucy hadn’t seen the day going any differently.
As she approached the front where a trellis of wild flowers and vines had been constructed, she faced Ben and he joined their hands together, giving her fingers a light squeeze.
The pastor from town spoke of love and devotion to one another, but the only thing Lucy could think of was the fact that Ben loved her for her. He saw her flaws, her unconventional nature, and her wild ideas, and yet he still loved her. He did what her father never had—accepted her. And now she would pledge her life to him, not because of a business merger or because her life was a pawn to be used, but because of love.
Finally, when they had spoken their vows the pastor named them man and wife, giving Ben the approval to kiss his bride.
He stepped close, lifting the delicate veil that had covered her face. The wind swept across her skin sending shivers down her arms, but the warmth from his eyes made the coldness fall away.
“Just remember,” Ben whispered, leaning so close his breath fanned across her face, “I love you, my dear Lucy, and all of who you are.”
His lips met hers and she knew his words were spoken in truth, the reality of his devotion overwhelming her. She would spend the rest of her days showing the man in front of her just how much she believed him, and how much she loved him back.
THE END.
The Christmas Orphan
Mail Order Bride
CHRISTIAN MICHAEL
Bianca Cassidy tried to put on a brave face while being offered the condolences of so many people lined up at the receiving line. The shock was only just starting to wear off. As much as she tried to control them, her eyes kept straying to the two large wooden caskets lined up neatly beside each other. Inevitably, her gaze would eventually land on the smaller one next to them.
God, what am I going to do?
“Thank you for coming, Mrs. Casey. I really appreciate it.”
“Oh my dear! You poor thing!” the little rotund woman sniffled into her lace handkerchief. “To lose your family like this!”
Yeah, you’re really not helping me out right now!
But of course, she couldn’t say that out loud. Bianca just nodded and hoped her smile didn’t appear too pinched. She wished it were all over. She was ready to go to her room, shut the door and bury herself under her covers.
An orphan. That’s what I am now. And I don’t even have little Betty anymore. And those two vultures! How dare they just waltz into our house like they own it and think to stay! Oh for shame!
Her aunt, Jessy, and her greedy cow of a husband, Gerald, had moved into her house like they owned it. When her parents were still living Jessy and Gerald wanted nothing to do with them, believing themselves too good to mess with “common folk” like May and Jim. But all that had changed when Papa had been lucky enough to strike a line of gold in the mines just two months ago. Overnight their fortunes had changed and there was now talk of getting an education for Bianca – and a good husband – and raising little Betty up right and in style. Her parents were generous souls who gave to anyone in town who was in need, even when they had little. When they became wealthy, they gave even more generously than before. They were beloved by everyone.
When Jessy and Gerald heard of the news, they had become like flies in honey with Mama and Papa. And the poor souls had swallowed their sap, never questioning why the two vultures were all of a sudden proud to call them family. Bianca knew better. She also knew that Jessy and Gerald would soon try to marry her off to some poor fellow far away so they could keep all the money for themselves. She had heard them talk about it just the night before.
At twenty-one, Bianca knew that she was pretty much on the shelf. When they were poor, no man wanted anything to do with her even though she was widely regarded as a beauty. When they became rich, all the eligible men began to flock to their door. But Bianca refused to let her head turn for some man who was just after her newfound money. She was a practical soul. She knew that they did not truly want her. And as soon as she realized Jessy and Gerald were planning to stay, she had gone to Mama’s hiding place and took the “rainy day” cash that was stored in the little cubby under the floor. She hid it in her bodice and rushed to her bedroom; there she was astonished to find four thousand dollars in her hands. It seemed more than enough to last a lifetime if she was careful with it. She could even live a little lavishly if she saw fit. Bianca had secretively hidden the funds in the bottom of her trunk under some old scraps of paper. No one would ever be the wiser should some be snooping.
Now as she stood with Jessy and Gerald at the funeral, she was glad that she had taken the money when she had. No doubt, the vultures would go through the rest of Mama and Papa’s money in no time at all. And their plans for Bianca surely did not include any mercy or generosity.
I wish they were still here. Oh why did you even have to go to that place, Papa? If you hadn’t, all of you would still be here now.
When Papa had struck gold in the mine that everyone had thought to be useless and dry, he went out and bought it that same day. Since no one knew the value hidden in it, he practically got it for the price of dirt. Then, when he began to mine the gold, the cave’s value had soared and many people desired to buy it from him. Rather than sell, he instead took up position as an overseer of the mines and hired others to do the work for him.
The day Bianca saw him for the last time, he had gone over to speak to the foreman about opening up another cave, connected to his own, that had just been discovered. Mama and Betty had gone with him because they were going to go shopping later for the annual town Fall Picnic and Dance. Bianca had opted to stay home due to a headache.
When she woke up from her noon nap, and discovered no one was home, she decided to go to town herself to join her mother and sister in shopping. On the way, she saw several people milling towards the mines on the edge of town. When she heard the dreaded words “cave in” fall from the lips of several people, she threw caution to the wind and made her horse gallop there in a frenzy.
Everything was still a blur in her mind. The only thing she remembered clearly was seeing Papa, Mama and Betty lying still and lifeless on the ground. Dr. White’s old and cloudy blue eyes filled with tears when he saw her. Bianca did not scream or cry. She slowly and unsteadily made her way over to her family. She sank to the ground, placing her head and arms on Papa’s chest for the last time. She laid there until the undertaker came to take them away.
Now here I am, alone, without a clue of what to do.
The funeral ended and the crowds made their out. The bodies of Mama, Papa, and little Betty had all been laid to rest in their graves. Bianca was back home, in her room while the Vultures were downstairs. She slowly pulled off her clothes and dressed in her regular woolen dress and stockings before getting into bed. She needed to sleep. When she woke, she would face her future again.
That evening, Jessy, Gerald and Bianca all sat down for dinner. Jessy rang the bell for the servants to bring in the food. It was an aspect of life Bianca was not used to. Even after they had money, the family
still preferred to live humbly. Mama had hired a maid to help her cook and clean but she had also done a lot of the work herself. And she continued to serve the food to her family by herself as she had always done. Jessy though, loved to play Lady of the Manor. She lorded herself over the maids and demanded that they wait on her and serve her. Gerald had already set plans in motion for a contractor to come and discuss building a grand home for them because he absolutely refused to live in the “hovel” that Papa had built with his own hands, any longer than necessary.
Over dinner, Jessy pushed some ads under Bianca’s nose.
“Here, Be-Be dear. Take a look at these. Gerald and I think it is high time you are married. Why, you are twenty-one now – almost twenty-two! You are an old maid and no one here wants to marry you – trust me, we asked – you’re too old for their tastes.”
Bianca nodded silently. She refused to rise to Jessy’s baits. What was the use anyway? The two of them desperately wanted rid of her and marriage would be the most logical method to make it happen. As Bianca perused the ads, she saw that they were all for mail-order brides.
It’s not enough that I be married, they want to ship me across the country?
“We hired an agent to help you select a man,” Gerald said as he wiped his chin of gravy. “He will be here tomorrow.”
Select a man? As if I am choosing a horse?
“You should be grateful girl,” he we went on. “We’re settling quite a sum on you – one hundred dollars, in fact – so that, if you’re lucky, your age won’t be too much of a deterrent.”
If you’re lucky, you mean? If I am out of the way, and some other man’s property and burden, you will have your hands all over Papa’s money after all.
Bianca smiled calmly, but inside she was seething.
“When will this agent be coming by?”
[2015] A Love Miracle Page 21
