[2016] A Wanting Bride

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[2016] A Wanting Bride Page 43

by Christian Michael


  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “No more talking, no more nonsense, we are going home,” he said back to her.

  “You can’t kidnap me!” she shouted at him. glancing outside she could see that the horses were moving too fast for her have any hope of jumping out; she would seriously hurt herself.

  “I’m not kidnapping you, I’m rescuing you from yourself,” he smiled wickedly.

  Chapter 8

  Roger arrived at the hotel and asked the porter to go up and let Ms. Thomas know that he was here.

  “But, she already left with a man called Roger,” the porter said looking very confused.

  “What are you talking about?” Roger asked.

  “I went up to tell her Roger was waiting in a carriage outside and she came down and got into the carriage; actually got in is being generous, he was very rough with her, he practically yanked her off her feet and into the back with him,” the porter answered.

  “What did he look like?”

  “A tall man, in his fifties, very gruff.” Roger knew immediately that this was Turner and he had tricked Melissa to the carriage and then forcibly taken her away. He ran outside leaving the porter even more bewildered than ever and pulled the trap from his horse and then jumped up on its back. The horse enjoying not pulling anything behind it flew off the direction Roger directed. He knew that Turner would be taking her to the nearest town with a train station. That would take them overnight to get there and he had the advantage of being one man on an otherwise unencumbered horse. It was growing dim out but the sky was clear and he was sure the light of the moon would let him see the carriage even at a distance.

  At last, the dust trail was perceptible in the distance and Roger knew it was only a matter of minutes before he caught up with them now. He fought the urge to spur his horse on; he was sure she was tired enough already without adding to her troubles.

  He got alongside the carriage but he couldn’t see inside so he rode up to the driver and shouted at him to stop the horses.

  “I’m under orders not to stop until I get to the train station,” the driver said.

  “What’s going on out there?” Turner’s angry voice came from the window. “You!” he said when he saw Roger bouncing on his horses back.

  “Roger?” Melissa’s voice called out but she could not see him.

  “I’m here Melissa, don’t worry, we’ll get you sorted soon,” Roger called back to her.

  “Driver, make sure you don’t stop this carriage for anything or it will be your head!” Turner shouted.

  Roger looked at the driver and saw that he was going to do as he was told. This left Roger with no choice. He got closer to the carriage and then leapt across so that he was clinging to the side of it as his horse ran off free, still keeping pace with the carriage.

  “Get off there!” Turner shouted and he swung his heavy fists outside to try to knock Roger off. Roger evaded his blows and clambered up onto the roof. He lay there on his chest for a moment and considered what to do. He gripped onto the bar that ran along the side of the roof and with a heft let himself swing down and he came feet first through the window. Turner had been leaning out the other window at the time and by chance, Roger caught him square in the buttocks with both feet. The pressure made the door fall open and Turner tumbled out and onto the rapidly passing ground. The driver turned in shock and seeing the man rolling he pulled up the horses.

  Roger and Melissa jumped out and ran to Turner. He was a little dazed, completely covered in dust, but apart from that, he seemed to be fine. Roger helped him to his feet but Turner pushed his hand away,

  “Get away from me,” he said visibly shaken by his ordeal, “You two are as crazy as each other and as far as I am concerned you are welcome to each other!” He stormed back to the carriage and got in and shouted at the driver to continue on to the station.

  Melissa and Roger never saw Turner again, and in time, after the wedding her parents came to visit and all was forgiven. They liked Roger and the loved the new place Melissa lived. A year after the wedding Melissa fell pregnant and they had twins, one boy and one girl. Roger had well finished the housing improvements by this time and Melissa had never been happier or more content in her life. Years later she would still always remember the day she found that newspaper, the paper that led her to meet her husband. How strange and wonderful fate could be.

  THE END.

  Kidnapped Bride

  Mail Order Bride

  CHRISTIAN MICHAEL

  Chapter 1

  New York

  Alta Bishop felt every nerve in her body zinging with excitement. She could hardly believe that she was leaving New York, let alone the fact that she would marry Simon Lynch, a pastor in the West.

  Simon…

  Just the thought of him made her feel weak in the knees and excited beyond belief. They had found one another through the matrimonial journal and began writing letters months ago. Despite her station, her mother had made sure she was educated, and now Alta couldn’t be happier that her mother had made her slave away writing her letters over and over again. If she hadn’t, she never could have met Simon. Never would have fallen in love with Simon.

  “Right this way miss,” a train attendant said.

  Still reeling from the fact that she would be traveling to the West today, she acknowledged the man with a nod as she’d seen the women of wealth do and followed him on to the train.

  Once seated, she smoothed her hands over her dress and looked out the window. This was it, her ticket to a new world. A smile overtook her as she watched men and women go about their daily routine. She wouldn’t miss the hustle and bustle of the city at all. From Simon’s detailed descriptions of life in the West, everything would be different and yet wonderful.

  The train’s whistle startled her but they began to move and her excitement renewed. When the familiar buildings surrounding the track finally disappeared, she settled back and pulled out Simon’s latest letter.

  Running her hands over the outside, she gently pulled it out, smoothed it open, and read. Coming to her favorite part she whispered it out loud:

  I cannot tell you the extent of my excitement as I await your arrival!

  She had responded in kind, but wasn’t sure if he would even get the response before she arrived. The post wasn’t fast, but she couldn’t contain her excitement. A reply had been necessary.

  But now…now all she could do was wait.

  Wait and pray for her safe arrival and upcoming marriage.

  ***

  Colorado

  Simon Lynch walked out of the post office, his shoulders drooping. This was at once the happiest and the saddest day of his life. The urge to dwell on the news he’d just gotten was strong, but the sound of the train whistle drew his thoughts away.

  She was coming—almost here in fact—and he couldn’t wait to see her.

  If he’d been told not but a year ago that he would be so in love today, he would have laughed. He was a contented preacher who loved his small flock and sharing the Lord’s word to all. But then he’d got it in his head that maybe marriage was something worth considering.

  That’s when he’d picked up the matrimonial journal and sought out a wife. He’d read through many advertisements but Alta’s had been the only one to mention her devotion to the Lord. It had struck him, popping out in the bold, black ink. After her first letter, he just knew that she was the one he would marry. It was a wonderful and glorious thing to know that God had hand chosen Alta for him and he for her. Like two matching pieces—a pair.

  And now he was going to meet her.

  His excitement bubbled over into a brilliant smile and he nodded hellos to those he passed. Some he recognized from church, which gave him a pang of sadness. But he couldn’t think about that now.

  Reaching the train depot, he stood anxiously near the main area where the train would pull up. It was there, just in the distance, the lights blurry in the heat rising up off of the
tracks. He bounced on his toes in anticipation.

  “Someone’s excited for the train to get here.”

  Simon looked to the side to see an older man he recognized from town but not from church. “I am.”

  “Meeting someone special?” he asked.

  “Yes, my fiancé.” He beamed, unable to help the pride in his voice.

  “Well, congratulations. I’m surprised you found a woman willing to come out West. It’s a dangerous place, you know.”

  “I know,” Simon said, nodding. “But God will protect her, I firmly believe that.”

  “Say you’re the preacher over at the church aren’t you?”

  Simon opened his mouth to respond but the train whistle mercifully cut him off. “Good day sir,” he said with a grin, and walked up closer to the train.

  He had envisioned Alta many times, taking from her descriptions of herself, which were modest and not very detailed. He knew she had blonde hair and blue eyes, that she was short and slight, but other than that he had no idea.

  There weren’t likely to be many women getting off of the train though, so he had a feeling he would recognize her right away.

  Then, one door down from where he was standing, the flicker of a blue dress, and the back of a blond head appeared. His heart leapt and, as the woman turned, Simon’s he knew in an instant it was her. It was Alta.

  Walking as if drawn to her, he stopped a few feet away and asked, “Miss Alta Bishop?”

  She broke into a smile that rivaled the sun’s radiance and took the last step down to sand on the platform in front of him.

  “Yes, I’m Alta. Are you Simon?”

  Her voice was smooth as honey and her blue eyes drew him into their depths that reminded him of a deep, refreshing pool in the summer. Her golden hair was drawn back and twisted up, and her slender build was petite but not weak looking. She was stunning and for a moment he couldn’t breathe let alone respond to her.

  “Simon?” she asked again.

  “Yes,” he finally said, and then blinked, “I mean, yes, I’m Simon. I’m…your fiancé.”

  Chapter 2

  Alta couldn’t stop from smiling. Simon was adorable. No, that was too soft and childish of a description, but the way he was staring at her—wide eyed with a foolish grin on his face—was absolutely endearing. She wanted to fall into his arms and plant a kiss on his cheek, but she held back. They still had to get past the awkwardness of this first meeting.

  “I—I’m so glad you’re here,” he blurted.

  “Me too.” She blushed under his intense gaze. His dark brown eyes bored into hers, as if they could see into her soul. His light brown hair was mussed as he’d pulled off a black bowler hat, but it all made him look more handsome with a touch of boyishness.

  “Um,” he blinked several times as if realizing that they should leave from the platform. “I was thinking we could go on a picnic.” He spoke then grimaced. “That is, if you want to. We don't have to I could—”

  “A picnic would be lovely,” she said. She could tell that he wanted everything to be perfect for her but she wasn’t a difficult woman to please. A picnic with time to talk and get to know one another was just right.

  “Oh, good,” he said, looking relieved. “Then follow me.”

  She did and they wound their way through the crowd. When they were just at the edge of the train depot area a hand grabbed her arm.

  “Excuse me,” she said, trying to pull free.

  “Hold on there, darling,” the low, gravelly voice said. She shuddered at the intimacy with which the man spoke to her, leaning in close so his hot, fowl breath brushed across her cheek.

  Frantically, she looked around to where Simon had gone but the man propelled her around a corner and between two buildings, effectively hiding them from view.

  “Let me go,” she said in her sternest voice.

  “Or what, you’ll tell on me?” He laughed. “Ain’t no one here to listen to you.” His eyes appraised her, making her skin crawl, then he said, “But you’ll do nicely.”

  She frowned. What was he saying?

  “I'm not going anywhere with you. My fiancé is—”

  “There you are,” Simon said, coming around the corner. His eyes grew large when he saw the man’s hand on Alta’s arm. “Let her go.”

  “I got just as much right to talk with this pretty lady as you do.”

  Simon frowned. “No, actually, you don’t. She is betrothed to me and I’ll kindly ask again—let her go.”

  The man did, taking a step back, but his eyes narrowed at her. “Fine. I’ll let her go...for now.” Then he turned and left.

  Shaking, Alta fell into Simon’s arms relishing his strong embrace.

  “I’m so sorry,” he said, “I didn’t see you were gone immediately.”

  “I don’t know what was wrong with that man, but I don’t think he was thinking clearly.” Alta leaned back to look into Simon’s handsome face and offered a shaky smile. “But I’m glad you were here.”

  His smile broadened and he held her close for a moment longer before releasing her and taking a step back. “Shall we?”

  She nodded and took his arm, thankful that God had provided such a wonderful, strong, and caring man.

  ***

  Simon’s heart was still pounding from the way the man had treated Alta. He was so thankful that he’d noticed she was missing when he did. Then again, he should have been next to her the whole time, something he would remedy for the future. It was proof that this town was in desperate need of the Lord.

  He let out a groan, almost not realizing he had until it was too late.

  “What’s wrong?” Alta said as they walked toward their picnic spot.

  He knew he had to tell her, but he’d hoped to spend a little more time in happiness before he needed to bring down the mood with his news.

  “It’s…nothing.”

  “I know that it’s not,” she said, her perceptive eyes picking up his emotions despite his mask of calm.

  “It’s not good news,” he said.

  “It’s all right. I can handle whatever you need to say.” Her chin rose subtly and he loved her even more for her strength.

  “Let’s sit and I’ll tell you.”

  They spread out the picnic supplies and sat in the shade of a large tree, the scent of nature overpowering every other sense. Simon loved it out here in Colorado even if the town of White River was fraught with criminals and lawless men. He’d been called here, of that he was certain. Or at least he had been.

  “Simon,” Alta said, her hand resting light on his arm. “Tell me what’s troubling you. I can see it in your eyes.”

  He loved that, even though they’d just met in person, he felt comfortable with her—like he knew her. And, I reality, he did know her, through her letters.

  “I had some bad news this morning before you came.” He remembered the feel of the letter in his hands, its solid weight feeling heavier than paper with its weighty contents. “I received word from the larger church that had sent me here, the one in Denver. It seems they no longer have the finances to support what I do here. Basically, I’m out of a job.”

  He couldn’t bring himself to look at her, the weight of what felt like his failure resting solidly on his shoulders. He couldn’t believe that, just like that, his job as pastor was snatched from him.

  “Oh, Simon,” she said, resting a cool, soft hand on his cheek and gently turning his head so he would look at her. “I’m so sorry.”

  Her vibrant blue eyes had a calming effect on him and he felt some of the pain recede. “I just feel like a failure. And here I’ve brought you out to be my wife and I don’t have a way to provide for us.”

  “God will be our provider,” she said without blinking. “He must have something else planned for you. Something even better.”

  Her words washed over him and he felt the anxiety in his chest lessen. How could she do that? Just a few words and he was renewed.

  “You’r
e incredible,” he said.

  They looked into each other’s gaze and, before he could stop himself, he’d leaned forward and captured her lips under his. It was a quick kiss, her purity in mind, but he couldn’t help himself. When he pulled back he saw surprise and pleasure on her face. The beautiful tinge of pink on her cheeks made her even lovelier.

  “I'm sorry,” he said, feeling sheepish now. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not in the least,” was her quick reply. She laughed at her boldness.

  “Alta,” he managed, his heart pounding in his ears, “I didn’t write this to you because I wanted to tell you in person.

  “Yes?” she said, leaning toward him in anticipation of what he would say.

  “I love you.” His words were strong. They came with the weight of forethought and passion from deep within. He hoped she could see that.

  “And I love you,” she replied, equally as earnest.

  They went back to their picnic but now Simon felt lighter than a feather. Alta was right; God must have something better planned.

  Chapter 3

  With the promise of another kiss from Alta and the reality that they would be married soon, Simon left the parish house—the one he would soon need to vacate—to go and pick up his bride. They would be married by the judge in town and then he would begin looking for another means of work. Maybe, if God allowed, he could work another job and still pastor his small flock in town.

  It would be a lot of work, especially knowing that he would want to spend as much time with Alta as possible, but he had no other options. He had always wanted to be a pastor, ever since he was a child, and God has seen fit to send him out from the church in Denver a few years back.

  White River was a difficult town and his flock hadn’t grown like they had expected it would, but the few who came were faithful. They did what they could to help support him, but his main funds came from the church in Denver.

 

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