A Bride for Mason

by Marianne Spitzer

  He smiled when he saw his former drinking buddy, Ben, behind the counter.

  “Hey Wade,” Ben said. “I didn’t know you were back in town.”

  “Just got back,” Wade answered. “I thought I’d see if Lucinda checked into the hotel recently.”

  Ben shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t seen Lucinda since she left town looking for you. I heard she went to Montana. They hired a new girl named Bella over at the saloon to take her place.”

  Wade nodded. “I was hoping she and the gambler she took off with would be here. Guess I better go down to the saloon and ask a few questions.”

  Ben said, “If she does come in, do you want me to tell her you’re looking for?”

  “Absolutely not. I want it to be a surprise,” Wade grinned.

  “Sure thing, Wade. See ya around.”

  Wade nodded, left the hotel, climbed on his horse, and rode down to the saloon mumbling to himself that Lucinda better come back to town if she knew what was good for her.

  When Wade pushed through the saloon’s batwing doors, he stood for a moment allowing his eyes to grow accustomed to the dark interior after riding in the mid-afternoon sun. He blinked twice and spotted Sam, the bartender, and owner behind the bar.

  “Sam,” Wade called.

  “Wade,” Sam answered. “Does the old man know your back in town? I heard you weren’t coming back.”

  “I was at my uncle’s ranch, not prison,” Wade laughed. “I come and go as I please. Did the old man tell people I wasn’t coming home?”

  “Yeah, that’s what the boys working his ranch are telling us. Say your grandfather told them you moved north permanently and if you returned you had no say about the running of the ranch.”

  Wade’s hands balled into fists, and he could feel his face flush with anger. He growled, “Gimme a beer.”

  Sam nodded and drew a mug of beer for Wade and sat it on the bar.

  Wade drank half the mug and looked at Sam. “Have you heard anything from Lucinda?”

  Shaking his head no, Sam answered, “Not me but maybe one of the girls. They’re in the kitchen eating. Let me go ask. Need another beer?”

  “Yeah,” Wade said and slammed the remaining beer in his mug before placing it back on the bar. Sam refilled it and then disappeared into the back of the bar.

  Wade heard footsteps and saw Sam return with Maisy following him.

  “Hey, Wade,” Maisy said. “Nice to see you back. Sam said you’re looking for Lucinda.”

  “Yeah, you were her best friend. I figured you’d know where she went when she left Montana.”

  Maisy bit her lip and lied, “I didn’t know she left Montana already. In her last letter, she said she was going to head for Denver and maybe California with a gambler named Brody she met at that saloon she was working in after she left here to find you.”

  “Yeah, I know about Brody. Denver, huh?” Wade glared at Maisy and asked, “Are you sure she said Denver and didn’t say she was coming back here?”

  Maisy swallowed and nodded, “Yeah, she mentioned Denver and said maybe she’d take a stage here for a short visit before taking the train out of Cheyenne, but I don’t know when.”

  Wade gulped the rest of his beer and slammed the mug onto the bar. “Cheyenne? That makes sense. They must have taken the stage into Cheyenne. That gambler must be feeling the need to gamble, and Cheyenne would be a good place. I’ll find them.”

  Wade strode out of the saloon, thinking about a plan to get what he needed to continue to Cheyenne and find Lucinda. Money, supplies, and a fresh horse. His sorrel was a good horse, but he’d ridden him hard and needed a fresh mount. He could get all three at Hutchison Ranch. After all, regardless of what his grandfather told the townsfolk, he never planned to stay in Montana for good and half of Hutchison Ranch should be his someday soon.

  Wade stopped at the lane that led to Hutchison Ranch. He’d ridden up the lane hundreds maybe thousands of times coming back from town. This was the first time he hesitated and worried that he might be unwelcome at his own home. He frowned and gripped the reins tighter. This was his home.

  “I was born here. My parents and grandmother are buried behind the house on the hill. It isn’t right that this land isn’t half mine. I’ll fight grandfather every step of the way, but first, I’m going after Lucinda then I’ll return for my ranch.” Wade grinned. “Before I search for Lucinda, I’m going to spend some time with Elizabeth. She’s my wife, and we never had a private moment. That changes today.”

  Worried he might draw unwanted attention, he walked his horse up the lane, dismounted in front of the house, tied his horse to the hitching rail, and stepped silently onto the porch. He raised his hand to knock at the door and shook his head.

  “This is my house, too,” he said as he flung the door open hard enough it bounced off the wall and announced, “I’m home.”

  Wade strode across the parlor and dining room his heavy muddy boots clunking on the clean floors. He stopped at the kitchen entrance and laughed at the concerned looks on Cora and Grace’s faces.

  “I know you were expecting me. I’m sure you received a telegram the day I left Montana. Why so shocked?”

  Wade turned at the sound of his grandfather’s voice.

  “What are you doing here, Wade?” Grandpa Hutchison asked.

  “I’m here for what’s mine, old man. You have no right to keep me from my inheritance. I need some of it now before I head to Cheyenne to look for Lucinda. You can get me some money from your office while Cora packs me enough supplies to last me. Take your time. I plan on visiting with Elizabeth privately for a while before I leave,” Wade told the three surprised family members.

  Grandpa nodded and turned to walk back to his office. Wade smiled, knowing he would soon have money. He turned to Cora and said, “Pack me some supplies.”

  While Cora pulled a cloth sack out of a cabinet and began filling it with can goods, Wade asked Grace, “Where’s Elizabeth? We have some time to make up for.”

  Before Grace could answer, Grandpa returned to the dining room, holding a shotgun.

  “Elizabeth is gone. Your marriage was annulled. Now, I want you out of my house.”

  Wade stared at his grandfather with surprise. “Hey, old man, I came here to see my family and wife. Is this any way to greet me. Put the shotgun away, and where is my wife?”

  Grandpa shook his head. “Get out, Wade. I sent Elizabeth to family in Texas. They will hide and protect her from you. There’s nothing here for you any longer.”

  Wade pretended to double over with laughter, and when he straightened up, he held his gun in his right hand aimed directly at Grace.

  “I said put the shotgun away if you don’t want Clay to have to look for another wife,” Wade growled. “And while you’re at it, bring me some cash. Quick.”

  Grandpa leaned the shotgun against the wall and slowly walked back to his office. He returned with a small stack of bills. “Take this, leave Grace alone, and leave. I don’t want you to ever come back.”

  Wade snatched the bills from his grandfather’s hand and shoved them into his pocket. He glanced at Cora. “Hand me that bag of food slow and easy. Don’t try anything stupid or Grace is dead.”

  Cora nodded and handed Wade the full cloth sack. Wade walked slowly back toward the front door keeping his gun aimed at his grandfather. Just before he stepped through the doorway, he warned them, “Don’t send Clay or any of the hands after me. I don’t want to kill my brother or anyone else, but I will if it means my life.”

  Wade spun around, holstered his gun, unhitched his sorrel, leaped on its back, and galloped out of the yard.

  As he headed for the main road out of town, Wade mumbled, “So the old man sent Elizabeth to Texas. When I find Lucinda, I’ll take her to Texas with me to find Elizabeth. Both belong to me. Then, I’ll come back here and take my half of the ranch or enough money to buy my own. No one will keep me from what’s mine.”

  Chapter Six

&nbs
p; Chicago

  Elizabeth’s first two weeks in Chicago flew by quickly. Mason took her to fine restaurants, the theater, a museum, strolls in city parks, and a picnic along the banks of Lake Michigan. He complimented her cooking and housekeeping skills, was attentive, discussed his day with her, and never failed to kiss her cheek before leaving and when arriving home.

  Elizabeth’s heart was torn between her longing for a family, and her need to not become a burden on Mason. He kept talking about when they returned to Wyoming how they would build their own ranch. She couldn’t allow him to ruin his life and chance of happiness by remaining married to her. It was kind to give his name to protect her, but he needed to find the perfect woman for him. She felt less than perfect in every way.

  Elizabeth was startled out of her musings by the sound of the front door opening. Mason walked in grinning and hurried to her side, kissed her cheek, and said, “I’m home, wife.”

  Elizabeth couldn’t help but giggle, “I see that you are. Is there a reason for that grin on your face?”

  “Yes, there is. I received a telegram from my father today,” Mason began as he walked to the desk to set down his briefcase. He glanced at the newspaper on the desk with an ad circled. He picked it up and frowned.

  “What is this?” Mason asked.

  “A newspaper.”

  “I can see that, but why is the domestic employment agency ad circled?” Mason asked while waving the paper in the air.

  Elizabeth knew it was time for her to tell Mason her decision. “I went there today to ask about a job. There are many families in town that are looking for a maid, cook, or nanny. I filled out an application form and told the woman in charge that I would need employment in a month, possibly less.”

  Mason’s face turned red, and he spun on his heels to look out the front window overlooking the street to calm his racing heart.

  Elizabeth heard Mason draw in a deep breath before he turned around. “Elizabeth, no wife of mine is going to work.”

  “I won’t be your wife much longer, Mason. I must make plans. I like it here, and you’re going back to Wyoming. I can find employment here. It’s what we planned on when Clay explained about the proxy marriage,” Elizabeth said.

  Mason nodded, “Please sit down, Elizabeth, and let me tell you about my day.”

  “All right,” Elizabeth answered and filled a cup with coffee and set it on the table in front of him.

  Mason sat and sipped the coffee then looked at his beautiful wife. “The telegram I received today from my father was to inform me that the ranch across the road from his was being sold, cattle, furniture, equipment, everything except the family’s personal belongings. I immediately went to the bank and wired the money needed to secure the ranch. My father is setting up a temporary mortgage until I return and can access assets left to me by my grandmother. The ranch will be ours free and clear, Elizabeth. It has always been my dream. I thought Wyoming was your dream, too.”

  Elizabeth bit her lip her intertwined fingers turning white under the table. How could she tell this man who was starting to steal her heart that she needed to walk away from him?

  “Mason,” Elizabeth began. “I loved living in Wyoming. You know that Grandpa Hutch, Cora, Clay, and Grace are the family I never had. Part of my heart will always be there. They put themselves in danger by sending me away. I’m not sure what Wade will do when or if he goes to their ranch to look for me. That’s love, and I’ve never known it before. I wish it could be mine forever, but I can’t go back.”

  “Why?” Mason insisted. “You love them, you loved your home there, you could love living on our ranch. You’ve met my family, and they adore you. You have friends in town.”

  “Yes,” Elizabeth answered, wiping a tear from her eye. “But I can’t live on your ranch. Our marriage will be annulled soon.”

  She stared into Mason’s eyes, not daring to tell him the real reason was that she couldn’t bear to watch him woo and wed another young woman after their annulment. It was better to stay far away from Wyoming.

  “This doesn’t make any sense,” Mason said. “You were happy there. You had everything you could want. You had people who loved you dearly. We could make a good life together.”

  “No,” Elizabeth answered. “You need to find a wife that you can love and build a future with, Mason not one that you were saddled with because of a sense of loyalty to a friend. We both deserve more than that.”

  Mason stood abruptly and paced back and forth in the parlor for a full three minutes. Elizabeth was near tears worried that she’d made him terribly angry.

  Mason stopped pacing and turned to look at Elizabeth. “I have a proposition for you.”

  “What?” Elizabeth’s face crinkled with worry.

  “I realize that our marriage was arranged to keep you safe from Wade. We never took the time to court and do all the things young couples do before they decide to marry. I care deeply for you, and before you decide to leave me to become a maid for some rich household here in town, please do me the honor of allowing me to court you.”

  Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open, and she quickly snapped it shut. “You want to court me?”

  “Yes, I have from the moment you lost your hat pin on the stage ride from Cheyenne and that large hat you wore kept slipping off to the side. My heart ached when I learned you were marrying Wade. Your beauty took my breath away. Please allow me to court you properly, Missus Callen.”

  Elizabeth nodded, “We can try, Mister Callen if that’s what you wish.”

  “Put on your best dress, I’m taking you to supper and a walk along the lake.”

  “But I have steaks ready to cook,” Elizabeth said.

  Mason threw his arms in the air. “Save them for tomorrow, or throw them away, maybe give them to the stray dog that lives in the back alley, anything, just get dressed. We’re going courting, my dear wife.”

  Elizabeth smiled when Mason hailed a coach to take them to her newest favorite restaurant. Mason bowed as he held the coach door open for her. She tried not to giggle and felt like a schoolgirl on her first evening out. Mason didn’t need to court her; she would remain his wife and return to Wyoming if he genuinely wanted her to be with him.

  The maître d’ recognized them from their previous visit and showed them to a quiet corner table.

  Mason and Elizabeth chatted quietly until their waitress arrived with plates of roast beef, small roasted potatoes, carrots, sliced fresh tomatoes, and soft rolls.

  They had just ordered the restaurant’s famous three-layer chocolate cake when a beautiful raven-haired woman dressed in a green silk gown floated over to their table.

  “Mason, darling,” the woman cooed. “Where have you been hiding. Daddy and I miss you terribly.”

  Mason visibly swallowed and replied, “Good evening, Victoria. I have been busy. I’d like you to meet my wife, Elizabeth.”

  “Wife?” Victoria stuttered. “Surely you jest. You know Daddy and I are planning for you and me to be married this fall. Surely, this is your sister or perhaps a cousin?”

  Mason shook his head. “No, this is my wife. We were married recently. It was a small wedding, and we didn’t invite guests.”

  Victoria scoffed. “Well, I never. You have insulted me, Mister Callen. I am sure you will be hearing from Daddy. Goodnight.”

  Victoria turned on her heels and strode across the dining room and out of the building.

  “Who is Victoria?” Elizabeth asked.

  “First, she is not my potential fiancée, nor has she ever heard that suggestion from me. Second, she works as a secretary for her father, who is a lawyer, and the hotel has engaged his law firm in the past. Lastly, her father likes me, and for some reason, he decided I might make a fine son-in-law. Victoria seems to feel the same way, but I don’t. We have had supper twice, and I danced with her at a party of a mutual friend.”

  “I believe the young woman feels differently. You must have led her on. Please take me home,” Elizabeth
insisted.

  Mason reached for her hand. “Elizabeth don’t believe what she said. We’re going to take a stroll by the lake, remember?”

  “No, I want to go home.”

  Elizabeth pulled her hand away and fought back the tears she refused to let Mason see. How could she be so foolish as to believe he cared for her since they met on the stagecoach ride in Wyoming when he was seeing Victoria just before leaving town? Mason was a flirt, and she wouldn’t fall for it. How long would it take for him to find someone else? No, she needed to find a job immediately and file for an annulment whether Wade was still looking for her or not. Chicago was a large city. Wade would never find her, and Mason could go back to Wyoming and find happiness.

  Their carriage ride home was silent as was Elizabeth as she made her way upstairs to their apartment, into her room, where she laid down on her bed and cried.

  Chapter Seven

  Wyoming

  Clay walked in the backdoor and called out to the family.

  “Hey, I’m back.”

  Grace walked into the kitchen, holding a dusting cloth. “We heard you ride up. Cora and I are cleaning. Your grandpa is in his office.”

  “There’s a letter here from the Quincy Hotel addressed to the Hutchison family. I bet it’s a letter from Elizabeth. Just before I left town, the boy who delivers telegrams rushed up waving one for grandpa. He said it was marked urgent, and I rode home as quickly as I could. I should give it to him,” Clay said, handing Grace the letter from the Quincy Hotel.

  Hutch looked up when Clay walked into the office. “Heard you say somethin’ to Grace about a telegram.”

  “Yes, sir,” Clay answered, handing his grandpa the yellow sheet of paper.

  Hutch opened the paper, read it, scowled, and then shook his head. “It’s from a lawyer in Cheyenne. Seems your brother shot Lucinda’s husband. The man’s alive but Wade’s been charged with attempted murder. He needs money to pay the lawyer.”