Julia brushed a stray hair away from Cassie's forehead. "You look beautiful Cassie. He's going to love you in an instant," Julia said.
Cassie reddened. "Julia. Don't say that. He doesn't know what to expect."
Julia cocked her head to one side. "Well. He's about to get a very pleasant surprise."
The train pulled to a stop with a gush of steam and passengers started to get off. Cassie looked through the crowd. She saw a mixture of passengers getting off the train. People milled around, couples hugged, luggage was loaded up on carriages. But she couldn't see the man she had come to meet.
Then there was a deep, soft voice at her side, and she had to contain her surprise. She turned quickly and saw Ethan Macleod standing right by her side as if appearing out of a dream.
"Do I have the honour of addressing Miss Cassie Miller?" he asked. His voice was casual and slow, his gaze penetrating but friendly. A slight smile creased his mouth.
Cassie swallowed. Her own voice had briefly deserted her.
Julia moved between Ethan and Cassie. "This is indeed Miss Cassie Miller."
Ethan took Cassie's gloved hand and lowered his lips to the back of her hand. It was a gesture at once surprisingly forward and respectfully executed.
Cassie felt the heat of the morning sun increase as Ethan's lips touched the cloth of her glove.
The first thing she noticed about Ethan was how tall he was. He was dressed in an elegant suit. The jacket hung well on his wide, strong shoulders. He looked clean and there was a vague hint of the scent from him which seemed to be a mixture of the journey and his own natural odour.
His eyes fixed on Cassie. They seemed to burn with an energy and curiosity. His photographic likeness had not done him justice. He was vastly more handsome than it had shown him to be.
Cassie glanced at Julia, unsure what to do for the moment.
"I am Julia. Cassie's closest friend. It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Macleod," Julia extended a hand and Ethan shook it politely.
"Call me Ethan. Please."
Julia raised herself up and looked directly at Ethan. "Well, Ethan. As I am sure you can see, this is all very exciting for my friend Cassie. She even appears to have lost her voice for the moment. Is that the case, dearest?"
Cassie realized that Julia was trying to lighten up the moment. A moment which could so easily become intense and awkward. But this was the man who wanted to marry Cassie. That one thought alone threatened to overwhelm Cassie, now that she could see him in the flesh standing right in front of her.
He was so...handsome!
It seemed like a silly, even childish thing to say. But he was just so darned fine featured; it had knocked Cassie out of her stride. Any rehearsed speech or witty comment had simply vanished in the face of this man whose appearance was so arresting.
"It is a little warm now Julia. The sun is hotter than I thought it would be so early in the day," Cassie answered vaguely, distracted by the man who stood before her.
Julia took Cassie's arm. "Perhaps we had best get out of the sun."
"Good idea. I have only one bag," said Ethan. "I usually travel light."
They started to move. Cassie noticed that Ethan took up position by her side, gazing down at her, his attention only on her.
"How was your trip Mr. Macleod?" Cassie finally managed to say as they walked along the platform towards Julia's buckboard.
"The trip was brief but good. And please. Call me Ethan. If I may call you Cassie?"
Cassie lowered her gaze and nodded. "Indeed you may, Ethan."
Julia cut in on the moment. "We have arranged for a brief lunch at the hotel dining room Ethan. We felt it would be a good opportunity for you and Cassie to get to know each other."
Ethan smiled. "A very fine suggestion. I know that my letter to you, Cassie, contained as much as I could think of at the time. But the minute I sent it off, I realized just how much more I wanted to say. I am sure you have lots of questions to ask me."
"It is only a lunch Ethan," Julia stated. "Not an interrogation."
Ethan laughed. "I'm sorry. I'm just so excited to be here at last." He paused, as if considering his next question. "Can I ask if the ladies who arranged this will be present?" Ethan's brow furrowed slightly.
"It will be myself and Cassie. The ladies, as you call them, are happy that they have done as much as they could in arranging this meeting. From now on it is strictly a matter between the two of you,"
Ethan looked at Cassie and tightened his lips. His jovial manner had lessened, and he seemed more reflective.
Perhaps he realizes what he is getting involved now, thought Cassie. She noticed that when he moved it was with a loose, comfortable motion. His body looked strong and powerful and he carried his case with ease. Cassie noted that his entire manner so far had been respectful and courteous. She liked that. It was a good start.
CHAPTER FIVE
The journey on the buckboard to the hotel went by quicker than Cassie expected. Ethan chatted, describing his journey, and answering Julia's probing questions with an almost casual air. He seemed fascinated with the town, and seemed to examine every building they passed on the way. He paid particular attention to the church, and glanced at Cassie as they slid slowly by. Cassie looked the other way when he did that.
They reached the hotel and made their way into the dining room. They got settled at a table and ordered lunch.
Ethan looked around the restaurant. "The people of Sweetheart Falls seem like fine folks."
"Indeed they are Ethan," Julia answered. "Everyone here is doing their best to make this the finest little town in these parts."
Ethan nodded in approval. "They seem to be doing a real good job."
Julia placed her hands on the table in front of her, assuming a businesslike tone in her voice.
"Mr. Macleod. A reservation has been made for you here at this hotel. I hope it meets with your satisfaction. I am sure you understand there might need to be a period of reflection and consideration after our little luncheon."
Ethan laughed. "You have a mighty fine turn of phrase there Miss Julia."
"Well this is very important for Cassie, and for the fine ladies who so much want a happy outcome."
Cassie felt a little embarrassed. Julia was doing all the talking. Cassie felt almost like she herself was on display. It was almost like she was expected to just sit there, be well behaved, and take no part in the choice of her own fate. Well, she couldn't have that.
The food came, and they ate while conducting a casual, well mannered conversation. It was all very polite. Cassie wanted to know more about Ethan, and she didn't want to wait. Julia seemed determined to keep this whole meeting unbearably formal.
After the main course, and before dessert arrived, Ethan excused himself and left the table for a few minutes.
"What are you doing?" Cassie asked Julia in a lowered voice.
"What do you mean? I am helping you decide if this man is the right one for you," Julia replied.
"I have hardly been able to say a word," Cassie said.
"I haven't stopped you speaking. Have I?" Julia asked.
"No. But there are some things I might want to ask Mr. Macleod..."
"Ethan," Julia corrected.
"Ethan. I would like to have a few minutes with him while you could perhaps observe from a discreet distance. Would you do that for me?" Cassie asked firmly.
Julia seemed taken aback by the strength of Cassie's request. "If that is what you wish Cassie, then by all means I can take some fresh air on the boardwalk," she agreed. "And of course watch through the window," she added with a smile.
Cassie felt relief. "Of course you may observe Julia. Not much is going to happen anyway."
Julia frowned. "Not much? I hardly think sitting alone for the first time with the man you might marry could be described as "not much."
Cassie saw Ethan make his way back to the table. He walked so confidently. His legs were long and looked strongly muscled. C
assie raised a hand to her collar. She mustn't think like that.
After he sat back down Julia excused herself and left Ethan and Cassie alone at the table.
Cassie and Ethan didn't speak for a few minutes. Cassie noticed Ethan was looking at her, expecting her to speak, but she felt at a loss for words. Just when the awkwardness was reaching it's peak, Ethan spoke, and Cassie felt relief flood through her.
"Things must be very difficult for you. Being on your own at the farm," he asked.
"I have no choice. The seasons don't wait for anyone," Cassie said.
"I believe it must be real difficult for such an..." Ethan hesitated searching for the right word. "Such an elegant lady as yourself."
Cassie felt herself blush at the compliment. "I can hold my own, Mr. Macleod," Cassie tried to contain the usual annoyance she felt when anyone questioned her abilities.
"Ethan," he insisted. "Please call me Ethan."
Cassie smiled. "Ethan. I don't have a choice." She rolled her eyes. "Well I do. I was considering going back East."
He looked crestfallen. Cassie suddenly thought that perhaps he had not been told about her possible move back East.
"I was not aware of that," he said quietly.
"I have sisters back East who might welcome the chance to see me again. I haven't seen them for a year or so. I do miss them."
Cassie didn't want to tell him about how his sisters were living, least of all the unpleasantness of the conditions her aunt was imposing on them. That was the real reason she was here in this restaurant with someone who was almost a total stranger. Wasn't it? Even if he was one of the most handsome men she had seen, it still didn't take away from the facts of her circumstances.
Ethan took a sip of coffee and seemed to be thoughtful for a moment. "May I ask about your dear departed husband, Mrs. Miller?"
Cassie didn't know how much she should tell him. How would he respond? Would he be sympathetic? She decided to tell him the plain truth.
"My dear husband Joshua passed quite recently. It was a very sad turn of events. He became sick after being caught in a storm. He was overtaken by a fever which did not respond to any care that could be given him. He was a very fine man." Her voice trailed off.
Ethan looked genuinely affected by what she had told him. He lowered his head and shook it from side to side, breathing deeply for a minute. Cassie thought that she might have gone too far in her account. Honesty, too much earnestness and plain speaking, had always been a fault of hers. After all this was merely an initial meeting. It was supposed to be a chance for them to really find out about each other.
Cassie had always regretted her inability to be completely ladylike. She'd always had a tendency towards bluntness. Maybe that was why she fitted in out here in the West. Being straight to the point was seen as a virtue.
Perhaps that was why she was able to even consider staying here in Wyoming. It was a land which rewarded hard work and integrity, and she desperately wanted to see if she could build a life for herself and anyone else she truly felt for. Was this man someone she could build that life with?
She tried to look into his eyes as he gazed down at his coffee appearing to be thinking over what she had told him
"I am really touched by your story Ma'am...I mean Cassie. It truly is a sad story. I can tell from the way you speak of him that he was someone who meant a great deal to you."
"We were only married a short time," Cassie said.
"Nevertheless, out here when people become a couple, the life here has a habit of drawing people real close, real fast," Ethan said with disarming honesty.
Cassie nodded. He was so right. The urgency of life here had made her relationship with Joshua develop very quickly. Would the same thing happen with this fine young man who looked at her with such honest longing?
"I do believe that I know less about you than you do about me," Cassie said with a teasing tone in her voice.
"Well, as I said in my letter, I have had a fairly simple life by many people's standards. I was a farmhand and I did some law enforcement work with a sheriff in another part of Wyoming."
"Enforcing the law must have been dangerous."
Ethan nodded slowly and his gaze drifted off. "Dangerous? I guess so," he agreed. "But it leaves a man feeling a real, honest need to settle. Family means so much to me, and I just love kids."
Cassie felt her cheeks flush when he mentioned children. It brought up thoughts that she would have preferred to stay out of mind for the moment.
"I agree," she found herself saying. "Children are the most important thing out here. They are the future of this town."
"I saw many happy looking children on the boardwalk when we came into town."
Cassie had to agree that the children of Sweetheart Falls were many and fine. They gave the town a softer and warmer character. Sweetheart Falls felt less like a frontier town with all the trouble that brings. It was more like a town of families where there was an air of quiet and dignity.
If the ladies of the town like Hettie were to have their way, it would only become more like that as the years went by. Cassie realized she was part of that process. Her coming together with Joshua and now, possibly with Ethan was a way of making the town a better place. It gave her a warm sense of belonging, of being a part of something important.
"I have to say those ladies were very determined once they knew I had expressed an interest in you," he said.
"Oh? In what way?"
Ethan smiled. "Well. I felt like I was being pursued, hunted even."
"They are very determined ladies. Especially Hettie," Cassie agreed.
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Hettie? I have to confess she kinda scares me. But I suppose in good way. If that is possible."
Cassie laughed a little. "I know what you mean. She likes to make sure everyone is happy. That much is certain."
"I felt like there was no way they were going to let me go once they had decided to get me," Ethan said.
"I like to tell myself that it's because they only want the best for everyone," Cassie suggested. "But sometimes I think they just like to get involved in everyone's lives as much as possible."
Ethan ran a hand through his hair and nodded. "Lord almighty! When I met them they just scared the livin' daylights out of me. But I could see that their hearts were in the right place. They only seemed to want the best for you. And that really impressed me."
Cassie looked at him and realized he was being real genuine. It was the first time he had mentioned her own well being. Cassie realized the atmosphere between them had changed. It was becoming lighter, more friendly. She was glad of that. Some of the awkwardness had gone out of their conversation.
Ethan cleared his throat and raised his eyebrows. "May I ask you, Cassie, what you believe about marriage?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean the place of a man and a woman in their own home?"
"In what way?" Cassie asked.
"Their duties. Their responsibilities. I was brought up to believe that a woman's place is in the home, and that it's a man's duty to be out and working to support his family. Do you share that view? I know some modern women have new fangled ideas about how a home should be arranged. That they should do man's work."
While Cassie knew herself to be strong minded, deep down she liked the idea of being a true support to her husband, taking care of the home. But she also thought that at times it was necessary for a woman to try to help her husband where possible.
Ethan looked very earnest about the topic, and Cassie wasn't quite sure how to proceed. But, like always, she decided truth was the best policy.
"I do believe that a woman's place is by her husband's side. My late husband..." Cassie paused, realizing that it was the first time she had referred to Joshua in that way. "My late, dear husband encouraged me to help him with many of the tasks on the homestead. And I was happy to do so. But I made sure that it didn't prevent me from being a loving wife to him, and a good keeper of our
home. It was something I know that Joshua appreciated."
"I am sure he did. I'm sure he was mighty understanding," Ethan agreed.
"But if you are asking if I believe that a man should do the housework, the cooking and the cleaning, then the answer is no."
Ethan smiled. "That is quite a relief to hear."
Cassie looked out the window but there was no sign of Julia.
"I have heard you've had to do a whole load of work by yourself," Ethan asked her.
"Indeed I have," Cassie replied. "But that is through necessity, and not any love of the labor. If I hadn't done anything the land would have gone to ruin, and what chance I have of any future here would have gone completely.
Ethan looked at her with a fierce admiration in his eyes. For a moment he seemed to be at a loss for words. He simply nodded and took a sip of coffee.
"I hope to have a wife who is every inch a wife," he declared eventually.
Cassie misunderstood the inference of his statement and Ethan saw that she did. He hastily corrected himself.
"What I mean is that I am a man who appreciates traditional values. I will work the land and I would hope you would create a warm and welcoming home. If, that is, you do accept my proposal."
"Proposal?"
"Indeed Cassie. My proposal. It is why I came all this way. To ask you to be my wife. And that is what I am doing." Ethan reached across the table and placed his large, soft skinned hand over her own gloved fingers. He squeezed her fingers lightly. Cassie did not move her hand away. His first touch was a gentle one, a reassuring one.
Cassie was taken aback by his touch. She looked through the restaurant window. Julia was standing there now. Of course! Right at this moment, of all moments.
Julia had a hand to her mouth, obviously impressed by Ethan's gesture. Julia looked rooted to the spot, jostled by passersby. Cassie didn't know what she should do. Should she answer his request immediately? Or should she pretend surprise? Well it couldn't be a surprise. Everyone knew why they were all in the restaurant. It had all been made clear. It was matrimony which was on the agenda. Pure and simple. Ethan wanted her to be his wife.
Mail Order Vows (Sweet Mail Order Bride Historical Romance Novel) Page 4
