Love And Hearts Ride West: Mail Order Bride: 16 Novella's Bundle

by Indiana Wake

  Chapter 1

  “Father, I am going into town this morning,” Susan told Mr. Treherne, as she had taken to calling him after her marriage to his son, Lawton. “Would you like me to get you some more of those cinnamon rolls, you so enjoy?” Her right hand had reached down from the table and offered a morsel of toast to Cupcake. The loyal brown dog she rescued from a bullet wound hated to be apart from her and even though she was not really allowed into the breakfast room, she often crept in when no one was looking.

  “Yes, child,” Foster Treherne said as he looked up from his breakfast. “I really do love those rolls, you know. But its best you don’t tell Lawton about it, eh. You know how he gets about me eating too much sugar.”

  “Don’t tell me what, exactly?” Lawton said, coming in the room. He gave his wife a chaste little kiss before sitting opposite his father.

  “Oh, nothing at all. That’s what I was telling Susan. To tell you nothing,” Foster Treherne said, fiddling around with his toast and trying to blow the whole thing away.

  Lawton looked at Susan, who giggled and said, “I was going to bring some cinnamon rolls for myself, that is all,” as she said it, she winked at her husband.

  Grinning at her in response he said, “Well, I suppose you could bring cinnamon rolls for yourself. I know how you love them.” They both smiled at each other conspiratorially.

  Foster Treherne did not miss the exchange between the two and puffed out his chest. “Don’t be cheeky, both of you,” he said. “I want some cinnamon rolls and ain’t nobody here who can stop me from having them.”

  “Of course not, father. Nobody would dream of telling you what to do or what to eat.” Susan said, placating him.

  Muttering to himself, Mr. Treherne went back to his newspaper, leaving husband and wife to stare adoringly at each other and grin at the antics of their father.

  “Anyway, I best be off now,” Susan said. She gave her husband a quick peck on the lips before heading towards the door. Cupcake followed and whined softly.

  Susan was always amazed that the dog knew when she was going out for the day. “You have to stay home,” she whispered to her and patted her head. Looking up at the stairs of the impressive ranch house she wondered at how quickly it had become home. “Ellie,” she called out. “I am leaving without you if you aren’t down in two minutes.”

  Ellie came skipping down the steps. Susan smiled at her. Had she lost a little weight? They were both big girls and proud of their figures. Even thought their Aunt Melissa had once told them ‘such fat girls would never get husbands.’ Look at them now, both married to the handsome Treherne brothers and living here on the Lazy T Ranch, near Redemption Montana. Such adventures they had had and they had never been happier.

  “I’m here, sister,” Ellie said as she bounced to a halt. “You needn’t be so testy.”

  Susan hugged her close and then with a quick farewell to the men and Cupcake, they set off to town. An old ranch hand Doc drove them. Susan had become very fond of him after he helped her save Cupcake and whenever possible she sought out his counsel.

  When they arrived at Redemption Doc left the carriage at the general store and led the horses to the livery. “I’ll be at the hotel when you need me,” he shouted.

  The girls loved coming to town and stood for a moment. What should they do first?

  “Let us get the essential first,” Susan said then we have all the rest of the time to ourselves. With delighted giggles, they stepped into the general store. Dry goods, flour, and all the other staples were written out on a neat list. The girls handed it to the store owner and told him they would be back shortly. There were only a few other stores, in town as there were not that many women out here in the west, but the girls wandered around and went to all the different shops. They bartered for a lot of the groceries that needed refilling. Then they splurged a little money, Susan found a nice parasol that would be perfect to keep off the heat. Ellie fell in love with a light pink ribbon. After a long day of shopping, they stopped at the hotel and enjoyed a cool lemonade. Telling Doc they would be just a few more minutes which gave him time to get the horses and prepare for the journey home.

  Finally, with much merriment they went to the bakers and bought the cinnamon rolls for Mr. Treherne. They adored the man, from the day they had come to his house, he had been nothing but kind to the two sisters.

  He was generous and soft; he had always treated them as his own daughters even when his own sons were not that civil towards them. He had a kind heart and a pure soul and the girls loved him as they had their own father. They always prayed for his happiness and thanked the Lord for bringing him into their lives.

  After they were done for the day, they started to head back home. The carriage took them through their usual route but halfway home Susan spotted a woman, sitting by the side of the road.

  “Do you know her Doc?” she shouted. Something about the woman worried her. She had a desperate look in her eye.

  “Not that I recall,” Doc said.

  “Then pull up, let us see if she needs help.” Susan stepped down quickly and gathering up her full skirts she rushed back to the lady.

  “Hello, Ma’am. Are you alright? Do you need assistance with anything?” Susan asked as Ellie arrived at her side.

  “No thank you, I am fine,” she said.

  Susan noticed a scar on her face, and that she was dirty and unkempt, yet her clothes were well made. She was a little older than Susan and had a fine-boned face with long coffee colored curls that were looking very bedraggled. Something had befallen this lady and she wanted to help. “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “Everything is fine, I assure you,” the woman said.

  “I worry about you sat out here in the heat,” Susan said. “Perhaps we could offer you some help?”

  “I was just in need of a rest,” the woman said. “I have traveled a long way but soon I will be fine.”

  “Ellie bring me my canteen, quickly,” Susan instructed her sister before turning back to the woman. “My name is Susan, what is yours?”

  The woman looked behind her and Susan was sure she saw fear in her eyes. “Please, do let us help you,” she said feeling that she must do something. There was more here than met the eye if only she could work out what. “We can drop you wherever you need to go. You needn’t walk anymore,” Susan continued but the woman did not answer she was still searching behind her. Susan glanced in that direction but there was nothing but open plains. How far had this woman walked? It was miles from anywhere. Then she found her eyes drawn to the woman’s feet and she noticed that she wasn’t wearing any shoes. Susan felt a tug on her heart strings and she knew the Lord would want her to help this stranger. Perhaps she was here for this very reason.

  Chapter 2

  “Can you tell me your name?” Susan asked once again and this time she touched the woman’s shoulder.

  The woman jerked around, her eyes flared and she raised her hand but then she let out a strangled laugh as if it were just a joke. “You made me jump,” she said. “My name is Emily Johnson and there won’t be any need to drop me anywhere. I can assure you I am just fine. I thank you for the kind offer, but I just need to catch my breath and I will be on my way again,” Emily replied. She started to get up but was only able to make it halfway before she staggered and stumbled back down.

  Susan caught her before she hit the floor and hurt herself. Gently she lowered her back down to the ground and studied her closely. Tattered clothes covered with mud, brown curls that would be lustrous if they weren’t so dirty and disheveled, green eyes and a thin nose adorned her face. She was rather beautiful for a woman in her early forties, but she had a spooked way about her. Again she glanced behind her as if she expected to be pounced on at any moment.

  Susan decided that she would help this woman even if she refused to be helped. Ellie arrived back with the canteen and offered it to the woman. “Please drink,” Ellie said. “This should freshen you up in no time.” />
  Emily looked at the two of them gratefully and taking the canteen, she gulped down water. More and more she drank and Susan began to worry. Was it dangerous to drink so much? At last she stopped and the color slowly started coming back to her cheeks and the desperate look was gone from her eyes.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I did not realize how much I needed that. You are truly angels sent down from heaven.”

  Susan and Ellie smiled in response. This just sealed it for Susan, they were meant to help.

  “Not angels,” Susan said. “Just two girls who want to help you, if only you’d let us. Now do come with us and let us drop you where you need to go. Where is it you were heading?”

  “Towards the city,” Emily replied, warily.

  “It is but a few miles from here, we can take you there. Where in the city do you have to go?” Susan asked.

  “To a boarding house, I guess,” was Emily’s reply.

  Susan looked her up and down and knew that she would not have money for accommodation. There was something about this girl, she was in trouble.

  “Do you not have anyone to stay with? A relative or a friend perhaps, or maybe you have business in Redemption,” Ellie asked.

  Emily looked reluctant to answer; she shook her head and stared at the ground. “I have no business nor am I visiting anyone,” she said. “I just need a place to stay for a few days and any place will be fine.”

  “Well then, if that is the case, you must come and stay with us,” Susan exclaimed, “We would be able to provide you with much better service than the boarding house.”

  “Yes, we would love to have you and our husbands and father would too, I’m sure,” Ellie said, excitedly.

  “I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to be a burden or to intrude on your lives. It is only for a few days, somewhere in town would do just fine,” Emily said, reluctant to accept the offer.

  “I insist,” Susan said, “And I rarely ever take no for an answer. Please, do let us be of some assistance. I will feel useless otherwise.”

  Emily looked behind her and searched the horizon but finally she turned round and nodded. “Maybe the Good Lord brought us together. I thank you for your kindness. But I will not stay long I will be out of you way within a few days, you needn’t worry.”

  “You can stay as long as you like,” Ellie said, “Oh what fun, we are to have a guest. I love it when we have guests.”

  They helped Emily into the carriage and then they were off towards the Lazy T.

  Chapter 3

  As they sat in the carriage moving towards the Lazy T, Susan again noticed that Emily was barefoot. Her feet were covered in both mud and scratches. She couldn’t help but ask, “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to your shoes?”

  Emily looked down at her feet as if just realizing that she was indeed barefoot. “Oh, they got wet and sloshy,” she said in an embarrassed tone. I took them off to dry out. I reckon I must’ve forgotten to put them back on.”

  “Are you sure you are alright?” Ellie asked, in concern.

  “Yes, I am fine, thank you,” Emily replied, not giving them anything to go on.

  “Why were you traveling alone?” Susan asked. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to meddle in your business; I just wonder why a woman who seems to be from a good background would be traveling alone in such harsh conditions.”

  “Oh, it is nothing. I was on my way to visit a relative, but my companion died on the road. I know I should have gone home, but I so want to go on and see my Aunt. That is why I was alone on the road.”

  Emily’s reply made a little sense. Perhaps she had some kind of accident and had to travel on foot. It was highly irregular but could explain how her shoes got wet as well as her disheveled appearance. Susan felt there was more and that she must help this woman in front of her. She reached out to her and held her hand in a gesture of support. “I am so sorry for your loss,” Susan said. “But you are no longer alone. When you are ready to travel, we will see to it that you get safely to your Aunt.”

  Emily smiled in appreciation and squeezed back. How could she be so lucky? Soon they had reached the Lazy T and were getting out of the carriage and stepping into the house. Emily was amazed at the grandeur of the place. She had seen big houses before but the beauty of the ranch mesmerized her like no other place. It was open and beautiful yet so natural that it was part of the wider world.

  Susan and Emily called out that they were home and as they did two men, one in his late twenties, and the other in his mid-twenties came out to greet them. The two sisters hugged the men that could only be their husbands. They then turned around to introduce Emily.

  “Look, Jarrett, we have brought a guest to stay. Her name is Emily and she is going to stay with us for a bit. Isn’t that lovely?” Ellie said, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

  Laughing at his wife’s excitement, Jarrett stepped forward. “Yes, my dear, it is very nice and I’m glad it makes you happy.” He extended his hand to Emily and said, “Nice to meet you. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. My wife here loves having guests to coddle.” He grinned at Emily good-naturedly and she couldn’t help but smile in return. He continued. “I’m Jarrett, Ellie’s husband and this here is Lawton, my brother and Susan’s worse half.” He winked at his elder brother, who rolled his eyes in return.

  “Nice to meet you. My Name is Emily Johnson,” Emily replied and curtsied to both men. “Thank you so much for having me. Your wives are amazing women. They saw me while I was in a bad situation and they wouldn’t take no for an answer until they had helped me. The Lord blesses them for their kindness and generosity.”

  At that moment, Foster Treherne came into the room. “What’s taking you so long to come give the old man a hug?” he bellowed. He saw the new addition and his next words died on his lips. The woman was silhouetted in the doorway and could have been an angel. Big green eyes topped a serene smile and as she moved his heart hammered against his chest. Then the door closed behind her as Doc put down the last of the shopping and his smile dropped. She was a wreck. Covered in mud and he wanted to rush forward to hold her, to protect her. Clearing his throat he stopped himself and looked on. There was an aura around her that made her seem so strong and so beautiful. Foster could not help but stare at the angel in front of him. With hair as brown as a newborn colt’s coat and eyes that spoke worlds, she looked like he imagined a siren would as she called to the sailors. There was a scar on her cheek and the sight of it sent rage searing through him. He stepped forward as the urge to protect her surged in his chest. This woman needed him and he would see that she was looked after. That she was safe.

  Ellie ran up to Foster and gave him a hug. “Father,” she exclaimed, “we have brought a guest. This is Emily and she will be staying with us for a bit. Is that alright?”

  “Of course, child. She is very welcome to stay at the Lazy T,” Foster replied, still looking at Emily.

  Emily blushed under his steady gaze before curtsying and saying, “A pleasure to meet you. Thank you for having me.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, I assure you,” Foster replied. Was he blushing? Heat seemed to flame his cheeks and he felt a lightness in his stomach like nothing he had experienced since he lost the boys ma. Quickly he pulled his eyes away from the newcomer and stared at his feet, missing the glance that was exchanged between Susan and Lawton.

  Susan took Emily by the arm and said, “I’m sure you’d like to freshen up. Come with me and I’ll show you where you will be staying.”

  Emily curtsied in the direction of the family. “Thank you once again for having me,” she said and with that she and Susan left to go up the flight of stairs to go clean up.

  Chapter 4

  That evening as they sat down to dinner Foster Treherne found himself both nervous and giddy. He had not felt as flustered and self-conscious as he did that evening, not since he had met Lawton and Jarrett’s mother. There was anticipation in his chest. His breath came fast and ragge
d and he had to swallow to hide it from Lawton who with the rest of the family was already waiting at the table. He sat down and wondered where she was, where was Emily?

  At that moment, she walked into the room, wearing one of his wives old gowns. It was green cotton and it swirled around her like a summer breeze across a meadow. She looked amazing and he felt himself rise to greet her without even thinking.

  Susan and Lawton shared a questioning look before they too stood up. Ellie and Jarrett, being caught up in their own little bubble, had not seen the silent exchange between the other two and thinking it customary, they too stood.

  Emily blushed at the welcome she was receiving. She blushed and curtsied her thanks before moving to an empty chair between Susan and Foster. As she was sitting down, Foster pulled out her chair for her and once she was seated, only then did he sit. The rest followed suit.

  Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, brought in a roast and her daughter Jenna set potatoes and vegetables on the table. After grace was said the food was being passed around, and Lawton turned to Foster. “Father, the wheat is almost ready for harvesting and Belle is about to deliver. I think you should make the rounds of the ranch. It will give the guys some morale; you know how they worship you.”

  More color rose up Fosters cheeks and he sent a stern glance at Lawton. The man knew better than to dandy such words at the dinner table. He chanced a nervous look at Emily out the side of his eyes. She was busy with her food, piling on enough to keep even Jarrett fed. What had happened to her he thought? “They do not worship me, son,” Foster said, “but I will come see the men. It has been too long since I have checked on them and I could use a change from looking at my den’s walls every day.”