Mail Order Vows (Sweet Mail Order Bride Historical Romance Novel)

by Maya Stirling

  Cassie went quiet for a few moments. She became acutely aware of the sound of the buckboard's rolling wheels.

  "You seem to... understand me," she said finally.

  Ethan tightened his lips.

  "I don't really know how, but from the moment we met, you seemed to appreciate the difficulties I've had," Cassie continued. "It's almost as if you've seen something like this before. It's like you just know what it means to be left suddenly without someone, and to be forced to face up to life. Have you? I mean, been left without someone?

  Ethan kept his head steady, watching the trail ahead of them. He didn't say anything for a while. Then he spoke.

  "I don't know what to say Cassie. Today has been such a fine day. I don't want to spoil anything. Let's just say that we have both had our fair share in this life. I don't want to get into anything like that. Let's just enjoy the beautiful day. Our beautiful wedding day."

  She paused, then nodded and linked her arm inside his.

  "Yes. You're right. Let's enjoy our first trip alone in a buckboard. Shall we?"

  Ethan smiled. "That sounds just fine," he said. Ethan's glance caught her attention. His eyes narrowed a little, a question in them. Ethan twisted his body, leaned in and Cassie knew he wanted to kiss her. She smiled slightly, and his lips touched her own. The movement of the buckboard seemed to only encourage a soft teasing movement of his lips on hers. His mouth felt warm, moist and soft. His body was close and insistent, despite his need to hang on to the reins. Cassie's heart sped up as he kissed her. She closed her eyes briefly and savoured the sensation. She could feel his breath against her, and she heard the sound of his breathing over the sound of the rolling wheels. The kiss seemed to go on a long time.

  Ethan quickly sat upright as the buckboard threatened to head off the trail. He steered it firmly back into a straight line.

  Ethan let out a breath. "Don't want to end up on our side with a pile of wood and metal over us, do we?"

  Cassie put a hand to her collar and loosened it slightly.

  "Do we have far to go?" Ethan asked.

  "No. The farm is just through that valley," she said, pointing ahead.

  "Do you live near your friend Julia?" he asked.

  "She's just a few valleys over. It's not far to her place."

  "She's a real good friend to you."

  "Yes. I don't know what I would have done without her support. She's one in a million."

  "Does she come visit often?"

  "Every week."

  "Must have been good to have her when you were all on your own. Didn't you feel frightened out here, with no-one to be with?"

  Cassie remembered the dark and lonely nights. Sure. It had been hard but it was surprising how someone could get used to being alone. You kind of got used to it in a strange way. Apart from the nights, that is. The nights were always the hardest.

  "After a while it didn't seem to bother me too much," she said finally, trying to sound casual and confident.

  "Well you're not going to be alone any longer. You're going to have me by your side. Day and night. I'm going to make sure that all the time on the farm is going to be filled with good things. I can't wait to get to work on that land. You say you've already done some planting?"

  "I did some. As much as I could . But there is still plenty to do."

  "Plenty for me to do," he insisted.

  "I thought I could help you."

  "You've done enough for a while Cassie. More than enough in fact. It's time you put your feet up a little. Get some rest. You leave it to me. I'll sort things out. I look forward to tasting your fine cooking. I bet you've got some fine recipes to tempt me with.

  Cassie smiled. "I think I'm a pretty good cook. Even although I say so myself."

  "I like my food," he stated.

  "When we get home I'll cook us something nice. I didn't eat much at the reception," she said.

  "Neither did I. Nerves I guess," he said.

  Cassie realized she had said "home". She was going home with a new husband. It was a home she had lived in with one husband. Now she was about to start a new life in her home with a new man. It would bring a new dimension to the place. Would it feel different? She was sure it would. With Joshua there had been a warm and homely feel to their time together. She wondered how things would be in the home with Ethan. What would he bring? How would she feel living there with him?

  "That will be a real treat. I look forward to that food," he said. "What they served at the reception was fine but there is nothing like home cooking."

  They rode on a while in silence, taking in the beauty of the landscape. Cassie thought it was turning out to be a beautiful day.

  "How is that horse of yours shaping up?" Ethan asked. "Is he still good for work?"

  "I think he'll survive."

  "Well I am going to town sometime this week. I am going to buy us some extra horses. We'll need them if we are to get the most out of that land. One horse isn't enough. He'll wear himself out."

  "But what about money?" Cassie asked.

  Ethan frowned. "I don't want to talk about money on our wedding day Cassie."

  She did agree that it wasn't the most appropriate thing to discuss as they headed back to their family home after their wedding. But she felt she had to press him on it.

  "How will you pay for the horses?" she asked.

  "I have some money from the sale of a few things. I'm not exactly poor or broke," he answered.

  "I don't have much myself," she admitted, "but I would like to pay for the horses," She couldn't let him spend any money on what they needed for the farm. Not yet anyway. They had just married, and they hadn't even had the talk about money, and here he was just declaring that he was going to buy things, without so much as asking her what she wanted.

  "I have to see first if there is any stock worth buying in the first place. So maybe we'll hold off on that talk for later. Huh?"

  Cassie nodded. He was right. They were almost at home and she wanted their arrival to be memorable. The buckboard rolled down a steep incline and rounded some trees. The cabin was nestled at the end of the long valley.

  Cassie heard Ethan sigh. "That sure looks like a mighty fine little place."

  Cassie felt happy to be back at home. She never tired of the view of the cabin from here.

  Ethan paused the buckboard for a few moments to take in the view. He surveyed the field and trees with a look of satisfaction. He looked impressed.

  "I can see I have my work cut out for me," he said, scrutinizing the tilled soil. "I can also see why you chose this spot."

  Cassie sighed. "It's beautiful here. I love it so much."

  Ethan nodded and looked at her. He had a glint in his eye. "I like to see you happy."

  Cassie lowered her head, feeling a stab of embarrassment. Sometimes Ethan could be so direct. It was something she would have to get used to.

  He moved the horse on and guided the buckboard to the front door of the farmhouse. It was good to be home, she thought.

  Cassie suddenly wondered if Ethan would carry her over the threshold. She found herself secretly hoping he would, and asked herself if she was a twenty something woman or an excited, silly young girl for thinking such a thing. If Ethan did decide to do that, she knew that she would enjoy it. Joshua had never done that because they hadn't had the farmhouse on the day of their wedding.

  Ethan stepped down off the the seat and came round extending a hand to her. He had a sly grin on his face, which almost made Cassie laugh out loud.

  "If I may ask you to step down, Mrs. Macleod."

  He had called her "Mrs. Macleod". She didn't know how she should react to that at first. Then she looked at him. It was impossible not to like the expression on his face. He was so eager to do the right things for her. It was almost as if he had read her mind.

  "May I have the pleasure."

  Cassie gathered up her dress in a bunch, and stepped off the buckboard. He reached up and swept her into his arms.
She felt her body crush against his, her weight settling in his strong arms, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Cassie laughed at the impulsiveness of it all.

  Ethan clutched Cassie tight to him, effortlessly supporting her weight. He strode forward and stopped at the door.

  Cassie gripped his neck and shoulders even tighter, not wanting to fall.

  "Shall I carry my bride over the threshold?" he asked.

  Cassie smiled. "Yes. Please do," she murmured.

  Ethan stuck out a booted foot and pushed the door open.

  He carried his bride over the threshold and into the house. When he stood inside, he twisted his head around and kissed Cassie softly, this time letting his lips linger. Cassie was starting to like these sudden urges to kiss, and his obvious inability to control himself.

  Ethan put her down gently, and stood with his arm around her waist, surveying the inside of the room. They stood together, man and wife.

  The room obviously met with his approval. Cassie immediately noticed that the room wasn't as tidy as she had thought it was. She and Julia had been in such a hurry this morning they had left a lot of things lying around.

  She picked a scarf off the sofa and looked at Ethan. "You'll have to forgive the mess. We left in a bit of a hurry this morning."

  "Yes. I can see that. I think you had a pretty good reason for being in a hurry."

  Cassie laughed and threw the scarf into Ethan's face. "Don't flatter yourself so much."

  Ethan took the scarf off his face and looked at it with a mock serious expression.

  "Throwing things at me already Mrs. Macleod?"

  "Let me show you round the cabin," Cassie told him.

  Ethan followed her as she led him around the rooms, coming finally to the bedroom. She stood at the door, hesitating. The room was sparsely furnished. There was a chest of drawers and long mirror. The curtains were drawn. It had a double bed that Joshua had gone to great lengths to get for them. There was an ornate quilt thrown over it. Cassie could barely look at the room without thinking of times past and long gone. She felt a knot of emotion as she looked at the room with her new husband standing by her side.

  Cassie noticed that the room felt cold.

  "I guess this is where we'll be sleeping," Ethan said. Cassie was silent. Ethan sensed her awkwardness. There was a long pause.

  "I'll go and get my things," he said, eventually.

  Cassie was relieved when he headed out to the buckboard and came back in with his valise.

  He put his bag in the room, then he turned and looked at Cassie as she stood by the door.

  "Everything's going to be fine Cassie. You know that. Don't you?"

  Cassie ran her hand through her hair. "I'd like to get changed. I don't think it would be a good idea to start cooking while I am in my wedding dress."

  "Maybe not the best thing to wear in the kitchen," Ethan agreed.

  He left the room and she closed the door behind him. For a moment she was overcome by the sheer silence in the room. She sat down on the side of the bed and bent forward supporting her head on her hands.

  It had been an incredible day.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Cassie went to the kitchen soon after their arrival. She assumed that Ethan must be hungry, and she really wanted to make something for him. She busied herself preparing one of her favourite dishes. It was a stew of vegetables and chicken with a secret combination of herbs that her mother had taught her when she had been a young girl. The smell of the food was so familiar it brought back memories of her childhood. It also made her recall the times she had cooked it for Joshua.

  She realized she must not spend all her time comparing Ethan to Joshua. It would not be fair to either man. Although there were some similarities between her new husband and Joshua, there were enough differences that Cassie felt that she had embarked upon an entirely different kind of relationship. But she would never forget Joshua.

  As she cut the vegetables, she heard Ethan washing himself in the bedroom. He seemed to be a man who placed some importance on his appearance. That was fine with Cassie.

  Cassie place the food in the stove and went to set the table.

  "Can I help?" she heard Ethan say, as she was placing the cutlery. Cassie turned and saw him leaning against the doorway. He had taken off his outer shirt and was dressed in his undershirt and pants. He had a small towel in his hand and he was drying his face. His skin glowed, freshly washed.

  Cassie saw that his physique was even stronger looking than had been revealed at their meeting in the restaurant. It was pleasing to the eye, she had to admit.

  Ethan smiled. "You look busy."

  "I'm making you a fine dinner. Are you hungry?"

  "Sure am. It smells great. I can't wait."

  "It's one of my momma's special recipes."

  "I'm sure I'll love it. Is your momma as special as you? Or is that a silly question?"

  "She passed a few years ago."

  "I"m sorry. I didn't realize."

  "It's fine. She was great lady."

  "She must have been, to have such a lovely daughter as you."

  "Ethan You're making me blush."

  "That's my job. I'm your husband now," he said, with a wide grin.

  Cassie smiled. She brushed a stray hair away from her face and went back to the kitchen cupboard to retrieve some plates.

  "Momma was a very strong woman. She did the best she could to bring us up good. I think she did a great job. Although my sisters sometimes could drive me crazy. Momma liked me to keep the house under control. Let's say they didn't always take to kindly to my suggestions. But momma taught me well. I loved her dearly. I have so many great memories of her."

  "Do you have a likeness of her?" Ethan asked.

  "Yes I do."

  Cassie went to the dining room cabinet and took out a small packet wrapped in cloth. She unwrapped it and handed Ethan a tiny, tinted photograph.

  "This was taken the year before she died."

  "She looks happy," Ethan said, looking intently at the picture of the dignified, elegant woman. "You have her eyes."

  Cassie nodded. "Everyone says I look just like her when she was young. And that I have the same temperament."

  "Is that a good thing? Or should I be worried," Ethan asked with a grin.

  "All good. I can assure you. Momma knew what she wanted in life and went after it. But she was the kindest person you could ever meet."

  "Then I should rest easy then."

  He handed the photo back to Cassie who wrapped it up and placed it back in the drawer. She came back to the kitchen.

  "I can see that she gave you a lot in life," Ethan stated firmly.

  "She made me who I am," Cassie said. "I don't think I could have survived these past few months if it hadn't been for her bringing me up good."

  "What about you, Ethan. Are your parents still living?" Cassie asked, feeling the need to change the subject.

  "My mom and dad passed years ago. I guess it's just that life here in these parts is so darned tough."

  "So you brought yourself up after that?"she asked.

  "Well I got the family home after they were gone. Me and my sister lived there a while and then she married. I didn't feel much like living on my own in a place that had so many memories. So I sold up and went on my way. There were things I wanted to do, and I couldn't do them while stuck at home getting slowly bored." Ethan's eyes drifted off as he recalled the past.

  "So you spent time on your own?"

  "Kind of. I guess. I wanted to get out into the world. I was young and curious. I needed to see life for my own."

  Ethan's brow furrowed at some memory which Cassie could only wonder at.

  "Did you prosper?" she asked.

  "I suppose I did, if you mean did I get a rich education in the realities of life. I made some money. Put some of it by. Still have it."

  Cassie finished preparing the meal. Ethan helped her set the table and lay out the food.

  "I
t looks fantastic," he said. Cassie felt a rush of satisfaction.

  They sat and before they began to eat Ethan raised his glass and looked at Cassie. "If I may propose our own private toast here in our home," he said. "To us. May we enjoy a fine future as man and wife and be blessed with health, abundance and children."

  Cassie was really touched by his words. They were so simple and yet they expressed exactly how she felt. For a while they ate in a kind of comfortable, easy silence. There was no need to fill the silence with words.

  Cassie raised her fork to her mouth. She looked up and saw that Ethan was watching her with a slight twinkle in his eyes.

  "What is it?" Cassie asked.

  "Nothing. I didn't mean to embarrass you. It's just real nice to watch you eat," he admitted with a slight grin.

  Cassie didn't feel in the slightest awkward. It was nice be the centre of a man's attentions after all the time spent she'd spent alone.

  "So what else did you do Ethan?" she asked.

  "I was a sheriff's deputy for a while. Hard work and dangerous. Being a sheriff's deputy meant I saw some real bad people. There doesn't seem to be a shortage of them out here."

  "Sweetheart Falls seems to have less than it's fair share of troublemakers," Cassie said hopefully. "Especially with someone like Hettie to keep them in tow."

  Ethan laughed. "Yeah. I'd feel terrified if I was on the end of a tongue lashing by Hettie. That's for sure."

  Cassie thought Ethan looked real handsome when he laughed. He had even, regular white teeth and a warm and natural smile. She really enjoyed it when he was at ease.

  Cassie watched Ethan cutting his food. He was very precise and careful in the way that he handled the knife and fork. When he raised the food to his mouth, it was with a care and slowness that made her feel something funny in her insides.

  Ethan looked up at her.

  "What?" he asked.

  Cassie busied herself with her food. "Oh. Nothing."

  Ethan cocked his head and fixed her with a look. "If I can be so bold as to state the obvious, we seem to be enjoying watching each other."

  Cassie's voice softened into a whisper. "I just wanted to make sure your food was good. That you like it."