Orphan Brides Go West: The Complete Series

by Vivi Holt

  Tony’s laughter filled the construction site. He slapped his thigh as his peals of mirth rang out, echoing off the mounds of dirt and bricks surrounding them. The foreman spun about to glare at the two of them once more.

  “Ah Michael – you poor sod. That shows how much you know about marriage,” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes.

  6

  Ramona

  “Are you sure about this?” Elizabeth asked as she gingerly stepped onto the thick boards lining the train platform. It shook beneath their feet. The train was already approaching. “You’ve never even seen a picture of Mr. Newhill.”

  The girls were standing in the middle of an immense building, its glass ceiling was shaped like a dome that sparkled high above their heads. In front of them a dozen raised platforms peopled by smartly dressed passengers lay in bright, clean rows over the ground. The sun shone down brilliantly through the glass above, sending kaleidoscope colors dancing across the train carriages as they moved deftly in and out of the station.

  “You’re the one who talked me into this Mail Order scheme in the first place!” Ramona said, astonished that Elizabeth could be having second thoughts now.

  “I know.” Elizabeth stared down at the polished oak beneath her feet. “But I did mean for you to pick a man based on your compatibility, not based solely on his location.”

  As the two women spoke, the sparkling carriages of an engine-less steam train glided quietly into the station, braking gently to stop in front of them at the platform.

  “Wow!” said Elizabeth, “would you look at that? I can’t believe I’ve never caught a train from the Grand Union Depot before. I mean, I’ve been down here to look around of course, everyone has, but I’ve never actually caught one of the trains anywhere. It’s sad really, I’ve never been anywhere at all.”

  “Me either,” said Ramona, staring at the silent carriage standing only feet away from her. She shivered as a rush of nervous energy sent a jolt through her body.

  “Excuse me?” Ramona hailed a porter. “This luggage is to go onto the train please.”

  “Yes ma’am.” The porter tipped his hat, and reached for Ramona’s bags, deftly swinging them onto the train carriage one by one. He slipped into the carriage after them and carried the bags out of sight, returning to the platform a few moments later. He was about to move on when Ramona stopped him again.

  “One last thing if you please, where is the locomotive for this train?”

  He chuckled, and wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.

  “Mr. Vanderbilt didn’t want any smoke clouding up his glass ceiling, so the engines have to disengage before they arrive at the depot and switch over to a line that runs along the side of the depot. The trains glide in, and the brakeman stops it at the platform. Then, the engine trundles back around to pull the carriages out from the other end. It’s somethin’ ain’t it?”

  “Well I never.” exclaimed Elizabeth.

  “Will that be all ma’am?” asked the porter.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Ramona pulled her traveling gloves onto her hands, pushing the fingers securely in place one by one. She rearranged several of the pins that were securing her hat over her tightly coiled bun, tears filling her eyes as she avoided Elizabeth’s face.

  “I suppose this is it?” she said, finally looking up to meet Elizabeth’s gaze.

  Elizabeth’s cheeks were wet and she dabbed beneath her eyes with a handkerchief before blowing her nose zealously. She let out a heavy sigh. “I can’t believe you’re really going Mona. When will I see you again?”

  Ramona pushed a smile firmly across her countenance and reached out to embrace her oldest friend.

  “I won’t be gone forever, in fact I plan on returning within the year so that I can get back to auditioning,” she reassured her. “I want you to know that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” She took Elizabeth’s hand in hers. “You’ve been a good friend to me when I needed it the most. I won’t ever forget that.”

  It took almost two days for the train to make its way to Albany, Texas. From there Ramona disembarked to catch a stagecoach the rest of the way to Austin. She was restless for the duration of the journey. The auditions she was missing in New York weighed heavily on her mind, as she thought about the girls she knew so well from years of training and auditioning together who would be winning the roles she so desperately wanted. But most importantly, she wanted to find her mother and she didn’t know how she could even begin that search, having no money or transportation in Austin.

  What if Mother has already left Austin? What if I can’t find her – what will I do then? What if I do find her, but she truly never wants to see me again and turns me away?

  When the train finally pulled into the station at Albany in the early morning hours of the second day, Ramona was relieved to feel solid ground beneath her feet again. She stepped from the train onto the dusty, worn platform and her eyes widened as she took in the half-finished town. People rushed to and fro along the streets, and everything seemed to be covered in a sheen of brownish orange that floated through the air, and was whipped about in flurries by the wind. It was very different from New York City and everything Ramona had ever known, but it did have a tinge of excitement and newness about it.

  Not much glamor out here. In that moment she almost wanted to run after the train, to scream out to the conductor to stop, and take her back to New York City. Instead, she squared her shoulders and looked for the coach.

  “Stagecoach ma’am?” asked a weathered looking man.

  “Yes, to Austin please.”

  “Name?”

  “Ramona Selmer.”

  “Yes ma’am, your passage has been paid for through to Austin.”

  He picked up her bags, one in each hand, “This way please.”

  Well, that was easy enough.

  Ramona followed him to the stagecoach where the fresh horses were stamping their feet and snorting steam into the cool morning air, eager to get going. The driver secured her luggage to the top of the coach, and then opened the door for her to enter. She stepped up and into the coach, happy to discover the seat to be quite comfortable and only one other passenger on board.

  Even though the distance between Albany and Austin was much shorter than from New York to Albany, this part of the journey was by far the longest and most difficult. They travelled for four days, stopping at a different boarding house each night for food and rest. In the morning they ate a hearty breakfast, and the cook packed them a picnic lunch to eat on the road. Then they were off again. By the time they reached Austin, Ramona felt as though her teeth had almost been jolted from her head, the sounds of horse hooves thundering along the ground now a permanent fixture in her brain. Her eyes were full of dust, her mouth was constantly dry, and her clothing was limp, dirty and soaked through with her sweat. The fresh winter air had been left behind, and seemed to be reserved only for nighttime in Texas. The days were hot and dry, and the air filling the coach was thick with dust.

  It was evening when they finally arrived in Austin. Ramona staggered from the coach. Her legs turned to jelly, and she fell flat on her face in the dusty street. She sat still on the road with her dress bunched up around her, tears filling her eyes.

  What a great impression I’m going to make on my prospective groom. Although, since I have no intention of actually going through with the wedding, I suppose it doesn’t really matter what he thinks of me.

  The driver set her luggage down on the sidewalk and rushed to help her to her feet.

  “Don’t worry Ma’am, happens all the time. Takes a while to get used to travelling by coach over those kinds of distances.”

  “Thank you. You are very kind.”

  In minutes, the driver and his coach were gone. Headed no doubt for a boarding house where they would spend the night before starting their journey all over again the next day. Ramona sighed and sat down on top of her purple satin bag with the green bows. As she
sat there, she watched the townsfolk rushing by, or stopping to chat, the streets almost empty as people made their way home for supper.

  I wonder what Mr. Newhill will look like. How am I to recognize him? I do hope he has remembered me. Everyone around me looks so keenly focused. They each have a purpose, something they must do, and they are intent on doing it. It feels very strange to have nothing at all to do but sit here, in the dust, waiting for someone who may or may not show up. And if he doesn’t, what then?

  Ramona straightened her back. She had to remember: she had a purpose as well. To find her mother. That’s what mattered. Once she had located her mother, everything would be OK. They would be together again, as a family, and she wouldn’t have to worry about what she might eat or how she could get back to New York. Mother would take care of everything.

  “Ramona?” A quiet, deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

  Ramona jumped, startled.

  “Yes?” she asked, thinking that the young man before her with the sandy blonde hair and large green eyes must be from the coach service and had come to collect her bags to take to the boarding house. Although his clothes and boots were caked with mud, Ramona couldn’t help but noticed his chiseled features and the two large dimples in his tanned cheeks beneath striking green eyes.

  “Can I take this for you?” He nodded at her luggage, his black hat twisting around in his hands.

  Ramona nodded. “Thank you. I’m actually waiting for someone. Do you know a Michael Newhill?” she asked absentmindedly, standing on tiptoes to search the length of the street. “He was supposed to meet me here.”

  The young man fumbled with the suitcase. “I’m, I’m Michael,” he said quietly, as though he was almost unsure of the fact himself.

  Ramona’s eyes widened, “Oh. Of course. I’m sorry – I’m Ramona Selmer. It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Newhill.”

  Michael sat the bag back down and reached for her hand. Ramona looked at his brown hand as it took her own in a firm grasp. “I figured as much. Pleased to meet you Ramona.”

  She felt a blush creeping up her neck.

  Why am I blushing? He’s good looking that’s for certain, but it doesn’t matter one jot since I’m not marring him.

  “Thank you,” she said hurriedly.

  She squinted up at the man and considered his appearance. Yes, she decided. He is kind looking. Handsome too, if he were to wash up a little and polish those boots of his. She shook her head and her curls bounced. But none of that is of concern anyway. It doesn’t matter what he looks like. It doesn’t matter if he is kind. All that matters is that I find Mother as soon as possible.

  Michael seemed to perk up. “You look as though you could do with something to eat and a wash after that long journey.”

  Ramona’s mouth opened to shoot back a retort, but she thought better of it and closed it again.

  Michael noticed the scowl forming on Ramona’s face.

  “I mean, you look real pretty. It’s just that I’ve taken that stagecoach journey before, and I know how it feels to get to the end of the ride, that’s all.”

  Ramona beamed. “Thank you Michael. That’s awful sweet of you to say. Of course, I would love some food and a place to wash up.”

  Michael grinned shyly and reached for her bags. Picking them up he made his way over to an open wagon that was sitting behind a beautiful old chestnut mare.

  “Then, maybe tomorrow you could show me around Austin? I’m keen to see all the sights.” Ramona glanced up and down the street before following Michael to the wagon. “I’m in quite a hurry to see all the sights, actually.”

  7

  Michael

  Michael kept sneaking sidelong glances at the woman sitting next to him in the wagon. He still couldn’t believe she was here. To Michael, Ramona—with her exotic mountain of curls and huge brown eyes— looked just like the glamorous women he’d seen on stage at the Austin Theater. He’d been to see a show with Tony and one of his many beaus the previous year. Ramona looked like she should be on stage, not marrying someone like him. She was sitting so close to him in the wagon Michael was becoming even more nervous with each passing moment. He pondered over what he could say to her to break the awkward silence that had descended between them, but even when he finally thought of something his throat seemed to constrict and he couldn’t speak.

  Luckily for him, Ramona was both talkative, and seemingly oblivious to how nervous he was. She broke the silence between them happily, and filled the night air with her silken voice. Her chatter helped him to relax a little as he guided the horse and wagon around town and home to his newly built, little, house. In the weeks since he had first decided to find a bride, Michael had purchased a new home, built by one of Tony’s cousins. It was small but quaint and in a good neighborhood that was filling up with similar newly built houses. Ramona nattered happily about her trip to Austin, and then moved on, telling Michael all about her dreams of singing and dancing on Broadway.

  “I’ve been dancing since I was four years old,” she said, craning her neck to take in her surroundings in the dark city. “It’s always been my dream to sing and dance on stage.”

  She sounds a little sad.

  Michael slapped Sadie with the reins, and she jumped forward into a quick trot.

  “Austin is quite a modern town, really,” Michael said quietly. “There are a lot of artistic types here. I think you’ll fit in just fine,” he said.

  Ramona paused for a second before she nodded her head quickly and smiled brightly. “Perhaps.”

  They navigated their way through the construction site of the capital building where Michael worked. He pointed out the area where he was currently working, and told her a little about his job. He told her about the foreman, and about Tony.

  “Tony’s always been there for me, since I don’t have any family in these parts. He’s Italian too, you know? Like you.”

  “Oh?” she said. “I look forward to meeting him. You’ll have to introduce us soon,” Ramona said.

  Then, furrowing her brow a little she added. “Michael, you don’t know anyone who works at the University of Texas, do you?”

  Michael shook his head as the wagon left the construction site and headed toward the neighborhood where Michael’s small house sat perched on a crest. “No, sorry,” he said. “I don’t know anyone in those circles.”

  “Oh,” Ramona said, leaning back against the seat. Michael heard the disappointment in her voice.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “No reason,” Ramona said quickly. “I was just curious, that’s all. Never mind.”

  “I can take you up there if you like,” Michael said, keen to see her smile again. “We can go look at the university together. I’ve never been, really, but I know there’s nice parks on the grounds, with fountains and places to sit. We could sit, have a little picnic.”

  Ramona nodded her head. “That sounds nice,” she said, leaning her head back against the leather seat. “Right now, all I know is that I’m awful tired after my trip. Let’s do it soon though.”

  “You got it.”

  “Michael, where are we going?”

  “Uh. Oh, sorry. I should have told you. Back to my house.”

  “Oh!”

  “I mean, not just us – Fred and Mary will be there too. They’re friends of mine. They’ve agreed to stay with us until the wedding.”

  Ramona shifted in her seat, and coughed loudly, covering her mouth with her gloved hand.

  Michael frowned. “I thought about putting you up at a hotel, but then decided you might be more comfortable at the house. ‘Course if you’d rather…”

  “No, no. That sounds fine. Really, please don’t trouble yourself. I’m sure it will be wonderful.”

  They rode the rest of the way in silence, Michael was too nervous to broach the topic of the wedding again. When he’d mentioned it, she had jumped in place, as though a bolt of lightning had gone straight through her. There’s something on her mind.
And I don’t know what it is. Maybe she is just tired after all, like she said. Michael gripped the reigns tightly as he steered the wagon home.

  Now that she’s seen Austin, and seen me, it’s likely she won’t want to go through with it anyway. I wonder what a girl like Ramona is doing travelling across the country on her own to marry a stranger. A woman like her, so beautiful and glamorous. She likely took one good look at me and realized she’d made a huge mistake.

  He turned to observe the girl curled up on the wagon seat beside him, her large brown eyes already drooping closed, her head lolling to one side.

  I saw the disappointment on her face when I told her I don’t know any university types. A girl like her, she must be used to spending time with intellectuals and performers. I’ll likely never be enough for her.

  When they arrived at the house, Ramona shook the sleepiness from her limbs, and clambered out of the wagon on Michael’s arm. The cottage was very cozy looking, and a soft light drifted from the front windows and across the newly graveled garden path that led to a sturdy front door. Michael grabbed Ramona’s luggage and helped her inside. A man and a woman seated before a roaring fire jumped to their feet and hurried over to meet them.

  “Ramona, this here is Mary, and her husband Fred.”

  “How do you do?” Ramona greeted them with a curtsey, and the two women shook hands.

  “They’re goin’ to be stayin’ here with us, ‘til the wedding.”

  “Oh, of course. How lovely, it will be so much fun – all bunking together.” Ramona smiled warmly at the couple, who beamed back at her.