Mail Order Beau

by Maya Stirling

  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Thank You

  Series

  Copyright

  Mail Order Beau

  Brides of Sweetheart Falls series

  Book 2

  CHAPTER ONE

  WYOMING, 1878

  "You don't know what I've bought you for your birthday," Rachel said, teasing her older sister, Martha.

  "Don't ruin the surprise," Martha told Rachel, as she steered the buckboard along the main, dusty thoroughfare of Sweetheart Falls.

  Martha parked the buckboard in front of the mercantile, stepped down onto the dirt street and composed herself. Rachel got down off the seat and folded her parasol.

  It was a warm afternoon, so it was relief to be able to loosen their bonnets once they stood safely in the shade of the building. The wooden boardwalks on either side of the street were busy with the inhabitants of the town going about their business.

  "What do we need first?" Martha asked.

  Rachel withdrew a small note from inside the sleeve of her pale green dress. "Cassie gave me a list," Rachel said, examining the neat writing. Cassie, ever conscious of giving Rachel more responsibility, had given her the task of making sure that everything on the list was bought.

  Martha smiled. "Of course she did. Organized as ever. That's our Cassie," she said.

  It was no secret to the two sisters that there was going to be a party. Determined to make the most of everything in life, Cassie had declared to them that there would be a party to celebrate Martha's birthday. No amount of complaining by Martha had made any difference. Once Cassie's mind was made up, nothing Martha could do would change her sister's decision.

  Cassie wanted to give Martha a party, so a party there would be.

  She had sent them both into town, despite admitting that they already had most of what they needed for the party back at the Macleod homestead. Martha was sure that it also had something to do with the fact that Cassie and Ethan wanted some time alone without Martha and Rachel around the house. Cassie was four months pregnant and beginning to feel the influence of the child growing inside her.

  Ethan, as usual, had agreed with Cassie's suggestion. In his typical quiet manner he had just agreed in silence, and given Cassie a quick look. It was a look that Martha knew meant he was pleased he was going to get to spend some time alone with his wife.

  Life was beginning to feel a little crowded at the Macleod home. Ethan had enlisted the help of some of his friends from Sweetheart Falls to build a small extension onto the side of the farmhouse. They'd all been happy to help give the Macleod family, and the two temporarily resident sisters a bit more space to live in.

  Martha and Rachel made their way into the mercantile, and found that they were the only customers. The little bell above the door caught the attention of Joseph, the proprietor of the store. He looked up from behind the counter and smiled.

  Joseph was a small, neatly dressed man who seemed older than his years. Cassie had told Martha of his failed attempts at wooing Cassie before Ethan had appeared, and swept her off her feet. Martha felt some sympathy for the polite, good hearted man. It couldn't be easy living above a mercantile with no wife or children to ease the passing of time.

  "What a pleasure to see you ladies," he said, stepping out from behind the counter. He made his way down the aisle between the twin long, wooden tables, upon which were displayed a variety of colorful fabrics. The store was small, but stocked with everything the residents of the town might need. Display cases and shelves were filled with the practical necessities of frontier living.

  Rachel handed Joseph the list. "These are the things we need today," she said, rather too bluntly, Martha thought. Rachel would have to be reminded that manners were still important even out here in Wyoming.

  Joseph examined the small piece of paper. He pursed his lips, and made quiet noises of approval. "This should all be fine. I can get this together and have it on your buckboard in no time. I can adjust Mr Macleod's account accordingly." he said. "Perhaps if you ladies have other matters to attend to in town, I can have the supplies loaded up within the hour," he said.

  "That would be most satisfactory," Martha agreed.

  The doorbell tinkled gently and Martha turned to see who was entering the store. Next to her Rachel was busy testing the feel of some richly colored fabrics laid out on the wide table. Martha got to see the man who had come in while Rachel was otherwise occupied.

  The man was in his twenties. He was of medium height, even featured, and had a small moustache and fair hair. He wore a well tailored suit, and carried a wide brimmed hat in his hand. His bright blue eyes locked on Martha, and he nodded a polite acknowledgement to her. He closed the door behind him and strode nonchalantly into the store.

  Martha felt the color rise on her cheeks. Rachel looked up at the sound of the man's footsteps on the wooden floor. Martha heard Rachel draw in a sharp breath when she saw the man.

  Joseph came out to greet the man.

  "Sir. May I be of assistance?" he asked.

  The man looked around the store and examined the shelves. "I'm looking to place a substantial order for the Bar T spread." Martha noticed his voice was deep and had a reassuringly calm quality to it. She couldn't quite place his accent. It sounded almost like it was from some place back East.

  Joseph stiffened, obviously impressed. "The Bar T? Why that's old Kennedy's place."

  The man furrowed his brow. "Not any more. It's under new ownership."

  "Maybe we can discuss your requirements in more detail." Joseph gestured to the back of the store. "If you would like to join me for some coffee back in my office, I'd be delighted to go over the things you need."

  The man looked towards Martha and Rachel. "It appears you are already busy with these fine young ladies."

  He smiled, and Martha saw Rachel raise a gloved hand to her throat in response.

  "We're almost finished here," Martha said, quickly. "Aren't we, Rachel?" she continued, looking at her younger sister. There was no immediate reply. Rachel was looking at the young man in what was, to Martha's mind, a most inappropriate manner. The man lowered his eyes, as if to establish some sense of proper decorum to the moment.

  "In that case, ladies. I wish you a good day," he said with a small, polite bow, and followed Joseph to the door which led to the office at the rear of the mercantile.

  "What a singular young gentleman," Rachel said once the two men had disappeared into the office.

  "Indeed," Martha agreed.

  "I've never seen him before," whispered Rachel.

  "Men come and go through this town," Martha said. "You know this isn't like back East."

  Rachel rolled her eyes. "I already know that, dearest sister," she said, her voice tinged with sarcasm. It reminded Martha that her sister wasn't finding it exactly easy fitting in with life in the little Wyoming town. Rachel had spent most of her life in relative comfort, and the challenges of life out West had taken her by surprise. It seemed to Martha that every day brought some new expression of discontent from Rachel. Martha was confident that eventually Rachel would settle down to life in Sweetheart Falls. It might take some time, but she was sure it would happen.

  During the next hour they took some tea a
t the hotel restaurant and then strolled up the boardwalk, enjoying their time together. As they passed the saloon, Martha made sure she pulled Rachel away, crossing to the opposite side of the main street. The noise from inside was warning enough about what was going on inside. Martha didn't want Rachel to even think about places like that. These past few weeks had been a trial in more ways than one. There were so many dangers to consider; so many things a young woman of good reputation had to be wary of.

  These visits into town had become a regular feature of their life. It was good to get some respite from the farm. They both worked hard to help their sister and her husband. Martha didn't want Cassie working at all, given her condition. But her elder sister was a determined woman who refused to follow orders. Cassie put in long hours making sure that the farm would remain a going concern.

  Martha was proud of her sister, especially of the way she had survived the hardship of a bereavement and the challenges of marrying again. If it hadn't been for the marriage to Ethan then Cassie would have been forced to move back East to an uncertain future. If that had happened then Martha and Rachel would also have been stuck back there. Martha shuddered every time she remembered those times. She pushed them out of her mind as they strolled along, arm in arm.

  Later, as they made their way back to the mercantile, they passed the church. There was a large crowd coming out of the church. Martha and Rachel slowed to take a look. A happy, smiling bride and groom emerged in front of the crowd. Martha recognized the groom. It was Charlie Brigham, a young ranch hand she had met briefly before at a social. The smiling bride, dressed in a beautiful white dress was a newcomer in town. She probably had come off the train the day before. Martha couldn't help thinking how strange it must seem to arrive in a town, meet someone new and marry them almost immediately. That was how things were done when it came to mail order brides.

  Except in the case of herself and Rachel.

  They had both been in Sweetheart Falls for months and neither of them had a husband. Yet.

  Martha quickly pushed the thought to the back of her mind. No good would come thinking like that right now.

  Rachel hooked her arm through Martha's. "They look so happy."

  Martha nodded. "Yes, Rachel. They sure do look happy."

  Martha tried to hide the note of sadness in her voice. She didn't want Rachel to know how she really felt.

  The group of people applauded the young newlyweds as they mounted their buckboard and headed off, waving to the crowd.

  Martha and Rachel continued on to the mercantile. Joseph was finishing loading up their purchases onto the back of the buckboard.

  Rachel touched Martha's elbow. "There's that young man again," she whispered.

  Martha looked further on up the boardwalk. The young man from the Bar T was leaning casually against a storefront. He looked down at what appeared to be a piece of card in his hand. When he saw that Martha was watching him, he slowly slipped the card inside his waistcoat pocket. With a slight smile he tipped his hat to them, and walked away.

  "Pay no heed to him Rachel," Martha said, leading her sister to their transport. "I'll thank Joseph and we'll be on our way."

  When she came back out of the mercantile Martha took one more look at the figure of the young man disappearing up the boardwalk.

  She wasn't sure how she felt about his attentions. He had seemed particularly interested in Rachel. Strangers in town had to be treated with caution. Martha decided she would ask Hettie if she knew anything about the new owners of the Bar T. If anyone would know, it would be Hettie. As the principal organizer of the Sweetheart Falls Matrimonial Society, it was Hettie's purpose in life to know everything about everyone.

  Martha and Rachel took their places on the buckboard seat. Joseph came out to wave them goodbye.

  Martha flicked the reins and moved the horse on. She was glad they were heading back to the comfort and safety of the Macleod home.

  Although the next day was the day of her birthday party Martha was as busy, as usual, in the morning helping out around the house. There was tidying to do; food to be prepared; cleaning that just couldn't be put off, even if the day was a special one for her.

  Cassie and Rachel could hardly contain their excitement, and spent most of the morning trying not to smile too much. Of course they wished her a happy birthday when she rose early that morning, but Cassie made it clear that the real celebrations would be kept until the afternoon, when all the guests would arrive.

  Cassie had invited Julia and her family; Hettie (of course); Mabel and Alice. Nine adults and two noisy children. It would be such a fine time, and Martha found herself trying to keep as busy as possible in order not to think too much about it.

  Around lunchtime Cassie and Rachel told Martha to go for a walk while they prepared the spread. Ethan moved the large table out in front of the house. It had to be outside since all the guests wouldn't fit inside the house, even with the extension Ethan had built.

  Martha did as she was told, and put her bonnet on to make sure she didn't take too much sun.

  Anyway, Martha needed some time to herself. It was fine that her sisters were making such a fuss over her on her special day. That made her feel so happy, especially when she considered that, only weeks before, the chances of her celebrating her birthday with her sisters would have been almost negligible.

  Martha headed out on the path towards Sweetheart Falls, the waterfall located only a short walk from the farm. The spectacular beauty spot had become a favorite getaway for her; a haven of peace and quiet.

  Martha made her way over the rolling hillsides, enjoying the sensation of striding through the soft grass. She felt free for the moment. Gazing up at the blue sky, she breathed in the clean, fresh air. It was at times like this that she couldn't imagine being anywhere else except here.

  Since coming out to Wyoming she had shaken off much of the softness and delicacy that young women out East usually labored under. Life in the sophisticated salons and parlors back there made young ladies physically delicate. Martha was fitter and stronger than she had ever been. Walking the few miles across the glorious landscape, she hardly broke a sweat or lost her breath.

  When she arrived at the Falls, and heard the sound of the roaring water, Martha felt peace enter her soul. Emerging from the trees, she was relieved to find that she was alone.

  She looked at the Falls and smiled. It truly was a beautiful sight. The water tumbled down into a large pool, and flowed away slowly and languidly. The air by the side of the water was sharp and cool. Martha took a deep breath and felt content.

  She sat down by the side of the water, and watched the sun reflecting on the clear, cool water. Martha threw a stone into the water, and enjoyed the sight of the ripples flowing outwards. She leaned back and closed her eyes, listening to the gentle roar of the waterfall.

  She had come here alone on many occasions. It was a place where she could think, and see her life more clearly. Today, on her birthday, she wanted to clear her mind of the doubts and anxieties that had been plaguing her recently.

  The truth was that, by now, she had expected that herself and Rachel would have found suitable husbands by now. Martha recalled the promise Hettie had made on that amazing day when the three sisters had been reunited, after Ethan had come to bring them to Sweetheart Falls.

  Martha had developed a strong affection for Hettie, one of the most amazing women Martha had ever known. Hettie was almost singlehandedly populating Sweetheart Falls with brides and husbands. Almost every month new couples were created through her determined work.

  The Sweetheart Falls Matrimonial Society, made up of a modest little group of women, was doing really well, and the town was benefiting so much from their efforts.

  But when it had come to Martha and Rachel something had gone wrong. There was no other way Martha could describe it. Hettie had arranged some meetings with possible husbands for both of them. However, not a single one had proved quite good enough for either of the two si
sters.

  Martha couldn't think why. How come others could find their perfect match, while herself and Rachel were still waiting and hoping? It wasn't that Hettie had let them down; Martha knew that. She was absolutely sure that Hettie had done her best.

  Was it that the two sisters were just difficult to please?

  Martha threw another stone into the water, this time with greater force. She recalled some of the letters of introduction she and Rachel had poured over, eager to find suitable beaus, only to be disappointed.

  How come they couldn't all be like Ethan? Martha was immediately ashamed of that thought. Ethan was so special. She had developed such an affection for the amazing man who had rescued her and Rachel from a fate worse than death. Cassie was so lucky being married to such a fine man.

  She just hoped that she and Rachel could each find someone who would possess even a few of Ethan's fine qualities.

  Martha lay down on the grass, and stared up at the clear sky. What was wrong with her? She'd had beaus in the past, back East. Before her parents had passed, there had been young men who had come to call. Some of them had been fine young men from good families. One in particular had been very special, but Martha pushed the thought of him out of her mind.

  She had to think of the future. Her life, and that of her beloved younger sister Rachel, was very much a serious concern. She knew they had both been rescued from a bleak future back East. Her gratitude to Cassie and Ethan would last forever. But she knew that the situation she and Rachel were in called for serious action. She had always been very protective towards her youthful and impulsive sibling. The West was a dangerous place for unmarried young women unrestrained by the bounds of matrimony. She so wanted things to turn out well for them.

  Martha started to feel drowsy. She relaxed and emptied her mind for while. When she roused herself she realized that more time had passed than she had planned for.

  She stood up and straightened her dress, taking one last look at the beauty of the Falls, letting the sensations of being in this wonderful place become a part of her. Satisfied that she had renewed her mind and spirit for the time being, she headed back to the farm.