Mail Order Bride: Journey's End: A Mail Order Brides Western Romance (Love On The Line Book 2)

by Harper, Catherine

  Alice listened to him rambling and looked to the door. Wondering what to do, Walter pointed his gun toward it.

  "Don't take me for a fool Alice. If I can't have you, then no one else will. You want that?"

  "No, no," Alice pleaded. Seeing no way out she thought it best to play along. Feeling self-conscious of how she was dressed, Alice went to the far side of the bed and stood there.

  "What?"

  "A little privacy would be nice," Alice said, nodding to the folding screen in the room. Seeing Walter look to it, he raised his gun and shook his head.

  "You won't be needing it, Alice. I've seen everything that you have. Just dress yourself and stop wasting time."

  Cursing her bad luck, Alice pictured the heavy hair brush that lay on the other side of it and how she'd planned on throwing it at him. Looking around the room for another weapon, she came up empty and reluctantly went to where her dress was. Picking it up, she started to pull it on over her bedclothes.

  "You don't want to change?" Walter asked.

  Alice shook her head, "No. You're right. There's no point wasting any more time, when I can dress properly back at home. Don't you think?"

  "Yeah, I hadn't thought of that, good thinking," Walter smiled. "I knew you'd come around to my idea." Going to the door, he pulled it open slowly and checked the hallway. Waving his gun, he whispered to her. "Come on."

  Joining Walter in the hallway, Alice prayed that no one heard them. Walking past each bedroom door, she looked to it and hoped the occupants inside were fast asleep. Wondering how good a shot Walter was, she knew even a bad shot would have little difficulty shooting their target in the confided area of the hallway. Thinking that she could overpower him, Alice felt the tip of his gun close to her spine and gave up on that idea. Better to play along until they got outside the house. Remembering the small wood close to the east wing, she wondered if she could lose herself in it before he caught up with her. Turning back to him she looked to the gun aimed at her back. Whispering she asked, "Would you mind lowering that thing? You do remember that I'm coming willingly?"

  "Yeah, sorry," Walter replied.

  Watching him put it back in its holster, she nodded. "Thank you. Now follow me."

  Taking the lead once more, Alice led them to the top of the stairway in silence. Working out the quickest and safest route out of the house in her head, she heard a child's voice behind her.

  "Alice?"

  Alice spun and found Amy rubbing her eyes. Seeing Walter go to his gun, she put her hand on his. "Don't, I'll sort this." Going to the child, Alice knelt down in front of her. "It's late Amy, you better get back to bed."

  "I had a bad dream and couldn't sleep. Will you tuck me in?"

  Alice looked to Walter and saw him shake his head.

  "I'm sorry I can't, I have to do something important. But I'll tell you what. If you let me help this man, I'll be back as quick as I can. Is that OK?"

  Alice watched Amy look past her. "Who is he?"

  "He's a friend that I knew before I met your father."

  "Are you going with him?"

  "Just for a minute. But I'll be back," Alice replied and sensed Walter's impatience behind her.

  "Look kid get back to bed, like you were told. Now beat it, we're leaving."

  "I'm going to tell my father on you?" Amy pouted.

  "I don't think so," Walter answered and pulled his gun. Aiming it at the child, Alice put her body in the way and pleaded.

  "Walter, put it away she's only a child. She doesn't know what she saying-"

  "I was right about her, she is a brat," Walter snarled. Not moving his hand, he ordered. "Alice, get out of the way."

  Getting off her knee's Alice stood to her full height and tried her best to shield Amy. "No."

  Walter shook his head, "You'd let this child come between us? But you and I, we're destined to be together."

  "I lied. How could I live with a man like you? You're sick, Walter."

  Seeing him digest what she'd said, Alice watched his face change and mood grow darker. "You bitch!"

  Focused on the gun in his hand, Alice watched his finger click back on the hammer of his gun and knew she'd need to act fast. Seeing Walter close to the stop of the stairs she knew what to do. Pushing off with her back leg, Alice threw herself toward him just as the gun flashed. Feeling the bullet bite into her shoulder, she was relieved to see that her sudden move had caught him off guard. Hitting the floor, Alice watched as his Walter tried desperately to steady himself and fell backwards. Watching his arms windmill about in an attempt to grab onto something, she heard him fire his gun once more before disappearing down the large spiral staircase.

  Biting her lip as she pulled herself to her knees, Alice fought against the pain in her shoulder and looked behind her. Seeing Amy in tears she called her to her and held her tightly. Looking her over and finding the child without injury she let out a sigh of relief.

  "Is he gone?" Amy sobbed.

  Leaning to get a better view of the stairs far below, Alice found Walters body lying on the bottom step. Looking to the ceiling with eyes wide open, Walter's head hung awkwardly to one side. Although not having much medical knowledge, Alice knew a broken neck when she saw one. Paying him no more attention, she held Amy close to her and whispered into her ear. "He won't be hurting anyone anymore. We're safe now. "

  Chapter 18

  Standing in front of the full length mirror in her room, Alice looked over her shoulder to see how she looked from behind. Turning to face it again, she caught Elizabet smirk in its reflection.

  "What?"

  "You are sure you want to go through with this?" Elizabet teased.

  Fussing over the front of her wedding dress Alice asked, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

  "Well, the length of time it took to get to this day," Elizabet said. "What, between waiting for a divorce, then there was the shooting, and then you being laid up for four weeks with a damaged shoulder. You have to admit he's a patient man."

  Alice ignored the comment and got back to checking her appearance once more. "You're just jealous because you and Tom couldn't keep your hands off each other." Turning to Elizabet, she smirked and put on a regal tone. "John and I on the other hand, well—some things are worth waiting for dear-"

  "You cheeky madam."

  "You started it," Alice smiled. "So how do I look?" Getting up off her seat, Elizabet walked over and bent down to fix the train on Alice's dress. Getting up and taking a step back, she nodded her head. "You look wonderful, Alice. Happiest bride, I've ever seen."

  "Thanks."

  Hearing a knock on the bedroom door, both women looked at it and heard Tom on the other side. Giving him permission to enter, he walked in and let out a soft whistle.

  "Well, look at you."

  Alice smiled, "Do I look OK?"

  "Do you look OK? Alice, I swear if I wasn't married I run away with you myself," Tom answered. Looking to Elizabet, he held up his hands to prove he was jesting. "Well, are we ready?"

  "Been ready for weeks now," Alice looked to Elizabet and smiled. Looking back to John, she asked. "And Amy?"

  "She's ready to roll. Maybe too keen. The way she's practicing walking up and down the aisle, you'd think the kid was getting married herself. And as for flower petals, I doubt she'll have any left for you the way she's throwing them around."

  Alice chuckled. "And John?"

  "Nervous as hell," Tom smirked. "I don't think he's eaten all morning."

  Walking over to him, Alice hooked her arm in his. "I guess we better hurry then. The last thing I want is my husband passing out on his wedding day. I've waited long enough as it is."

  *****

  Standing at the end of the aisle, Alice looked at the congregation waiting for her and felt a tinge of déjà vu. Remembering the many times she'd replayed and acted out her wedding day as a child, she found the reality far better than any dream she could conjure up. Pushing her wedding to Walter to the furthest part of h
er mind, Alice looked to the man who was waiting for her and convinced herself that this was her first time. Feeling butterflies like she'd never done before, she gave a nod to Amy and then Elizabet. Walking behind her, Alice smiled as the child once more left them both for dust and got to the altar long before them. Joining her father, she stood with a grin as wide as his.

  Getting to the altar, Elizabet stepped aside and let John take her place. Seeing him look her over, Alice asked. "Do I look OK?"

  "Beautiful," he smiled. "You could never look more gorgeous than you do now."

  Feeling a tear come to her eye, she dabbed it with a handkerchief.

  "Good to see you again, Alice."

  Now aware of the preacher, Alice turned to him. "Thank you. And you too."

  "You need a moment?" he asked.

  Alice shook her head and took hold of John's hand. "I'm ready."

  "Good," he nodded. Taking a moment to open his bible to the right page, he cleared his throat and began. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the very special love between Alice and John, by joining them in marriage…."

  Chapter 19

  One year later…

  Alice watched Elizabet fuss over her son and unconsciously rubbed her own swollen stomach. Closing her eyes to soak up the late afternoon sun in Woodward's Gardens, she heard Amy scream with delight and looked to see what had her enthralled. As before it was the monkeys that had her attention. Watching as Tom threatened to throw her step daughter into the enclosure, she called over to Elizabet.

  "Will you have a word with your husband?"

  "What's he up to know?" Elizabet asked, looking up from her son and over to the enclosure. "Maybe with a bit of luck he'll fall in."

  Alice laughed. "Surely you don't mean it?"

  "Nah. If he did, I think they'd throw him back out," Elizabet smiled. "Even monkeys have standards." Going back to her son, she fussed over him. "Isn't that right? They'd throw your father back out, wouldn't they? At least you've got sense little man. You stick with me and your Auntie Alice and you'll go far."

  Alice smiled on hearing the baby chuckle and closed her eyes once more. Thinking back to the last time she'd been to the gardens, she remarked on how her life had changed since then. Thankful for John's suggestion on counseling, she felt at peace now with her past and put it behind her. Gone were the panic attacks and nightmares she'd suffered after Walter's death. Now she looked forward to a bright future and a child on the way.

  "Penny for them."

  Alice opened her eyes and found John take a seat beside her. Handing over a cup of tea, he asked. "You OK?"

  Taking a sip from her tea, Alice snugged into him and found a strong arm placed across her back and shoulders. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I? When I've got you by my side. No, I was just enjoying the end of the summer sunshine."

  "That's good.—To us," John said and held out his cup in a toast.

  "To us," Alice answered and clinked her cup off his. "You think you could have a word with your brother."

  John shook his head watching him. "Maybe with a bit of luck he'll fall in." Turning to Alice he smiled. "Must be nice?"

  "What must?"

  "Being married to the brighter brother," John smiled.

  "So, brains and beauty?" Alice asked.

  "You said it yourself."

  Alice shook her head. "I told you I was drunk."

  John pulled her in her a kiss and smiled. "Fibber."

  Thank You

  Thank you for purchasing this book. If you have a moment and enjoyed reading it, could you take a moment now to leave a review? I love to feature my reviews on my FaceBook fan page, and even in my books! I'll be incorporating the next round of reviews into my future books. Maybe I'll be able to feature yours?

  BUT FIRST: If there was something in the book that you feel caused it to not warrant a good review (yikes!), please let me know by emailing me at catherineharper@gmail.com I'd love to try and fix that, if I can.

  Thank you again.

  Catherine Harper.

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