by Kit Morgan
“As I told you before, I understand. But it’s over. You’ve nothing left to fear. You’re my wife, and I plan to honor the vows I just took. Even if you weren’t listening.”
Her eyes widened. Yes, he’d noticed all right. “Maybe we should say them again?”
“Don’t worry, we will. If I know my mother and Aunt Sadie, they’ll have us do everything over so the family can be there.”
“Truly?”
“I’m afraid so. I hope you’re up for it.”
Lottie closed her eyes. Was he saying they’d have a real wedding? One with a dress? “I’d like that.”
“You might not after my mother’s done with you,” he muttered as they reached Leora.
“Excuse me?” Lottie asked.
“Nothing,” he said with a smile.
But now she felt herself become lighter. She now had a family! Sam had a mother and father, siblings – good grief, she didn’t even know how many! She hadn’t thought to ask!
You didn’t because you were so intent on finding Mr. Brown. You still are. “No, I’m not,” she whispered.
Sam didn’t seem to hear her. “Well, ladies, are you ready to eat? I’m half-starved myself.”
Lottie wasn’t hungry, though – she was overwhelmed. She was married, had a whole new family to meet when they made it to his ranch, and she’d have to say goodbye to her sister. And the mystery of the villainous Mr. Brown – if villainous he was – still hung over her head like the pendulum in that dreadful story she’d once read. She bit her lip shut and closed her eyes.
“Lottie,” Sam said. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Give me a moment.” She’d been so engrossed thinking about her former employer, she missed out on the excitement and joy of meeting and marrying Sam. Why couldn’t she let it go? What was wrong with her?
But, like Leora, she knew. Her ingrained sense of right and wrong, driven by injustice, was nagging at her, gnawing away at her resolve to concentrate on her new husband.
“Lottie, are you sure you’re all right?” Leora asked this time.
“Yes, I’m sure,” she said, knowing that Leora would suss out the lie. “Let’s go.”
“I noticed a café up the street,” Sam stated.
Lottie forced a smile while continuing to chastise herself. Drop it, Lottie. You’ll be heading west soon. Focus on Leora and the others; enjoy their company while you can …
They reached the café, got a table, ordered sandwiches and iced tea. Sam reached a hand across the table to her. She stared at it a moment in bewilderment before taking it.
He smiled even as his brow furrowed. “I know something’s troubling you. Now that we’re married, I want you to know you can tell me anything. I know we still need to get to know one another, but I want you to be able to trust me.”
Leora sighed, catching their attention. She glanced between the two and blushed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. It’s just that was a very romantic thing to say.”
Both sisters smiled as Sam’s ears turned bright pink. “I’m only saying what I feel.”
Leora sighed again. “I hope my sister is able to see the sort of man she just married. I can only hope mine will be as honorable and kind.”
“He will be,” Lottie said with assurance. She turned back to Sam. “Thank you. Your words are indeed, most kind. But I assure you, I’m fine.”
He eyed her a moment, and she was sure he could see through her assurances. But he only patted her hand and smiled as the waitress brought their tea. But that resolved nothing. How was she going to rid herself of this obsession?
In her heart of hearts she knew she couldn’t, except by finding out what happened. If Bob Brown did indeed set fire to his own textile mill, he had to be held accountable for his actions and punished by law. But even so, why did he do it? Just for the insurance money? And what if she never found out? She shuddered at the thought and took a sip of her tea.
The rest of lunch was spent in quiet conversation. Lottie could tell her nuptials to Sam were wearing heavy on her sister. Sam suggested they leave for Clear Creek as soon as they were able, which meant she had little time left to spend with Leora. Then there was the big unspoken question of where – and how – she would spend her wedding night.
As it turned out, her new husband was more accommodating than expected. “I’m sure the two of you have much to say to each other before we head west. I know it’s our wedding night, but under the circumstances why don’t the two of you share a room again tonight?”
Leora cried with happiness at his suggestion. Lottie could only stare. Sam Cooke was indeed a special man. And later the sisters took full advantage of his offer, spending half the night talking, neither one looking forward to the moment when they’d have to say goodbye.
Seven
The next day Lottie spent the first few hours of their train ride back to Lawrence pointing out things of interest for Sam, who had never traveled south of New York City. She was surprised when he told her he’d come East twice before, though he didn’t elaborate. His current trip had involved more than just marrying her, and she assumed that the others were for business reasons as part of his current trip had been.
“My cousin Asher is a serious sort,” Sam told her late that evening as the train finally rolled into the station at Lawrence. “He sees something that needs to be done and does it. Makes him a good manager.”
“Did the two of you have a nice visit?” Lottie inquired.
“Oh, quite. He was very sorry he wasn’t able to attend our wedding, but he did congratulate me. I do believe I shocked him with the news.”
“That you were getting married?” Leora asked.
“That I was marrying a mail-order bride.”
Lottie stopped in mid-stretch, eyebrows raised. “Does your cousin not approve of mail-order brides?”
“Like the rest of my family, he probably had it in his head that I’d marry someone from Clear Creek. But there isn’t anyone there right now that I would consider.”
“Why didn’t you look for a bride in a nearby town?” Leora asked from the seat behind them.
He stood as the other passengers prepared to disembark. “Because so many other men were doing the same thing. I simply broadened my search.” He reached over and took Lottie by the hand. “And I’m glad I did.”
She blushed as he helped her to her feet. “I’m glad you did too.”
Sam gave her hand a squeeze, then led them from the train. They strolled back to the tiny house, all three of them tired from the long journey. At the door, he leaned down and kissed Lottie. “I’ll let you pack and say your good-byes to your friends.”
Lottie’s eyes met his. “Thank you for being so understanding.”
“Well, maybe I’m just being selfish.”
“Selfish? What do you mean?”
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Once I have you to myself, Mrs. Cooke, I’ll not share you with anyone else.”
Lottie shuddered as a thrill went up her spine. She’d never felt anything like it and noticed her mouth had suddenly gone dry. “I see,” she rasped. Leora giggled as she unlocked the door, but Lottie hardly noticed, her eyes fixed on her husband’s. “When will I see you?”
“Rest assured, I’ll come by tomorrow. I’ll not let anything keep me from my wife.”
She smiled, feeling like a princess bidding adieu to her brave knight. She closed her eyes, hoping to make the sensation last a little longer, as if once he was out of her sight it would disappear. “Would you like to have breakfast with us?”
“I’m afraid I can’t. There’s a matter of train tickets home, you see …”
“Oh, yes, of course.”
“Ahem,” Leora said as she opened the door.
Lottie glanced her way. “You can go on in.”
“All right, but don’t stand out here all night.” Leora went inside and closed the door behind her.
Sam watched her go, then turned back to Lottie. “Y
our sister seems very protective of you.”
“Indeed, she is. Though she’s quieter than I, I know she’d take on an army if anyone ever threatened me.”
Sam raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Is that so? Her future groom is in for a surprise.”
Lottie smiled as well. “Thank you for letting me spend so much time with her and the others.”
“As I told you before, enjoy it. You’re mine after that. Period.”
Once again, she shivered, but more in fear than desire. He wanted all of her – and she’d tried not to think about that too much. Leora had brought the subject up the previous night, but Lottie had quickly changed the discussion to their roommates. Her sister was more curious about it than she was … but then, her sister had more time to prepare for it. Lottie had one more day at most – and she didn’t know what to think.
“Another kiss, Mrs. Cooke?”
Lottie turned to look at him. She’d been staring at the door without realizing it. “Oh yes, of course.”
“Your mind wanders where it will,” he told her as he bent his face to hers. “But I’m willing to help you corral it.” He kissed her then, soft and gentle.
When he lifted his lips from hers, she was warm all over. “I … I’d better go in now.”
Sam smiled as he held her close. “You’ll see me before noon. We could go somewhere, get something to eat and discuss things.”
She closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. He was warm, his arms safe and she felt her heart ease. “Things?”
“Yes, our journey. I want to show you a few places. I think you’ll like them.”
“Mmm,” she said, her eyes closing. The heat from his body, the scent of soap and man, was intoxicating.
“You’re sleepy. You’d best go in,” he whispered.
Lottie looked up at him. “Sam …”
“What,” he said, then gently pulled away so he could look at her. “What does my sleepy wife want?”
Lottie looked at him – and saw him. If only for the briefest of moments, she looked into his heart and soul. She had indeed married a good man … and suddenly she didn’t want him to leave. “Sam?”
“Sleepy,” he whispered back.
She smiled. “No, I’m not.”
“You most certainly are.” He tucked a finger under her chin, tilted her face up and kissed her once more, then whispered against her lips. “Go inside, sleepy, I don’t want you to catch cold.”
Her chest swelled. His voice was heavenly, his simple words a balm. He was looking out for her! How long had it been since someone else really watched out for her? Leora did, of course, but not as much as she looked out for Leora. This was different. Maybe because it was such a small thing, wanting her to stay warm, but it already made her feel cozier, safer.
“In you go,” he urged as he pulled away from her and turned her toward the door.
Lottie smiled in contentment as he gave her a gentle nudge. She reached for the knob, then looked over her shoulder at him. “Goodnight, Mr. Cooke.”
He took her by the shoulders, put his mouth against her ear and kissed it. “Good night, and sleep well.”
Lottie didn’t want to go in and sleep well; she wanted to lean against him and breath his scent and feel safe and protected from the wicked world. Why would that be? They’d only been married a day and were strangers before that. Still were, really – it might take her years to really get to know him.
Come to think, she imagined some mail-order brides never got to know their husbands – they were plunged into a life of daily chores, cooking, laundry and (dare she think it?) nightly performing their wifely duties. They might never have time to come to understand the man they married. It was a fear of some of the other girls, the not knowing if they’d have a true, deep marriage. Marrying a perfect stranger was downright scary.
And here she’d been so busy thinking about that blasted Bob Brown, which was scary enough.
Speaking of which … “There are a few things I’d like to take care of before we leave Lawrence,” she said without thinking.
“Very well,” Sam said softly behind her. “Can you take care of everything tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Take the time you need. We can meet later in the afternoon if you’d like.”
A familiar pang hit her, the kind that made her want to grab onto something and not let go. Could she fight it? Could she ignore that Bob Brown still had to be brought to justice and she might be the only one willing to do it? Should she ignore it? No one else was taking care to see he was held accountable …
“Lottie?”
She started. “Oh, sorry – just thinking. Yes, tomorrow afternoon then.” She turned to face him. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. That will give me time to take care of a few things myself.”
She smiled, relieved she’d have one last chance to do something, anything, that would ease her mind of the atrocities of Bob Brown. “Thank you!” Her sudden elation at the prospect of one last chance to prove Mr. Brown guilty surprised even her. “I’ll make sure the extra time is well spent.”
“See that you do,” he said. Sam kissed her one last time and sent her through the door.
* * *
The next day Lottie was up before anyone else. She went to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee, then a list of things the others would need after she was gone. She wanted the money Sam sent to last them as long as possible.
Halfway through jotting things down, she noticed an envelope on the table, addressed to Leora. It had been late when they’d arrived home last night and both had gone straight to bed, so Leora hadn’t seen it yet.
She picked up the letter with a shaking hand. Everything was happening so fast! Here she was married, and now Leora would be leaving too! What of Beth, Judith and Alice? Had they received anything from their grooms? She’d seen no signs of more letters, but the others might not have left theirs in the kitchen …
She studied the missive in her hand. The handwriting was neat, precise – Leora’s groom was a minister, so he must have some education. Many women at the mill had little schooling and poor handwriting – working was all they’d ever known.
She closed her eyes a moment and thanked the Lord she and the others in the house were being given a chance at a better life, even if it was as mail-order brides.
“You’re up early,” Beth said from the doorway.
“Yes. I have a lot to do today.”
“I’m surprised you’re even here – you did get married, didn’t you?”
Lottie blushed. “Yes, I did. Sam was kind enough to let me spend a little more time with you and say my goodbyes. I’m sure I’ll be spending tonight … with him. He wants to leave for his home tomorrow.”
Beth sat at the table and noted the letter in her hands. “Alice and Judith heard from their grooms too. So did Johanna.”
“Johanna? When did you hear about her?” Lottie asked. Johanna was another friend from the mill, currently staying with her sister.
“She came by yesterday. She was kind enough to bring us a basket of food,” Beth told her.
“Thank goodness,” Lottie said with a sigh and glanced at the list she’d been making. “You’ll still need to make it stretch.” Lottie then studied her. “What about you? Did you hear anything?”
Beth shook her head and looked away. She was a pretty blonde with blue eyes like Alice, and Lottie knew any man would be attracted to her. She was also like Lottie in that, once she got hold of something, she didn’t let go until the job was done or the matter settled. “No,” she finally said.
“Oh Beth, I’m sorry. I’m sure you’ll get a letter soon.”
“I know – I just have to be patient.”
Lottie leaned over and hugged her. “I’m going to miss you. I’m going to miss all of you. We’ve been through some things, haven’t we?”
Beth nodded. “Indeed we have.” She looked at Lottie, a determined gleam in her eyes. “Did
you find out anything? You’re going to keep looking, aren’t you?”
Lottie sat back in her chair. She knew they’d get around to the topic of Bob Brown at some point. “I’m leaving tomorrow …”
Beth scooted her chair closer. “But you can’t give up. You’re the one that’s been trying to make things right.”
Lottie sighed. Did she have to put it that way? “I know, but … I only have today.”
“Then make it count – and if you don’t find anything, I’ll keep looking.”
Lottie started. “What? You?”
“Why not me?”
Lottie sighed again. “I don’t know. Maybe Leora’s right and I should forget about it altogether.”
Beth touched her on the arm. “I want you to keep looking.”
Lottie noticed the look on Beth’s face. It wasn’t one of desperation, but of … hope? “Why is it so important to you that I find out the truth? You’re the only other one in this house that seems to care. Even Leora – she’s supportive, a little, but she still wishes I’d drop the whole thing.”
Beth drew back her hand and placed it in her lap. “I just need to know.”
“But why?”
Beth shrugged. “I just do. I can’t explain it.”
Lottie hugged her again. “You’re like me. You have to fix things.”
Beth gave her a smile. “I guess so.”
Lottie let her go, got up and went to the stove. “You want some coffee?”
“Yes, thank you. So, what are you going to do today about Mr. Brown?”
Lottie took a deep breath. She had this one chance, a few short hours to put forth a last effort to seek justice. Unfortunately, the only answer she had for Beth was, “I don’t know.”
* * *
Sam whistled as he left the train station. The next time he went there, he’d be leaving with his new bride to start their life together. Ferris had teased him last night when he spotted him coming into the hotel lobby. “Well?” he’d said, putting down the paper he’d been reading. “Where is she?”
It was all Sam could do not to slap him. Ferris was aware Lottie had a sister, and Sam was sure the man would’ve done the same thing for his own bride. “Let the women spend what little time they have together. Who knows when they’ll see each other again?” Of course, he’d have to make sure it was soon.
