Mail Order Pearl (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies #12)

by Cheryl Wright

  If only she knew.

  PEARL AWOKE WITH A start. Her stomach was churning, and she was about to lose her supper. She threw back the covers and ran outside.

  She only just made it in time. What on earth had caused this? She thought back to last night, and what she’d eaten. She hadn’t felt particularly well, so she’d only had scrambled eggs and toast. She’d topped it off with coffee.

  As she continued to empty her stomach, she was convinced it had nothing to do with supper. As she straightened up, she stared down at her stomach. Pearl rubbed her hands over her rather swollen belly, then stared up at the sky.

  “Please Lord,” she prayed. “Don’t let me be having his baby.”

  The moment the words were out, she wanted to take them back. If she was indeed pregnant, she would love this baby with all her heart, despite knowing who its father was.

  Bile rose in her throat and she threw up again. She had been certain there was nothing left to expel, but it seemed she was wrong.

  When she was finally able to return inside, a thought struck her. It had been at least two months since she’d posted her letter to Alex Farley. It was a week since she’d checked in at the post office, so she would go there again today.

  Before she left though, Pearl decided to write to him and let Mr Farley know she was pregnant with her dead husband’s child. Whether or not his letter was there, she would post hers.

  After all, it was the right thing to do.

  Dear Mr Farley, since my last writing I have discovered I am carrying my dead husband’s child. I will understand if you do not wish to marry me after all. Regards, Pearl Canning.

  She addressed the envelope and sealed it ready to post.

  Pearl freshened up after her earlier ordeal and prepared to go into Whitehead. She had some baked goods to take to the mercantile, which meant she would be able to fill her pantry with the credit she would receive. Her supplies were getting worryingly low.

  What she would do without the money from her baking sales, she didn’t know.

  At first, she had worried people in town would judge her on Joseph’s actions. She’d had no backlash to date, and decided if it hadn’t happened by now, it probably never would.

  After offloading her produce, she headed for the post office. “Ah, Mrs Canning,” Harry Smith greeted her. “I have a letter for you. It’s marked important,” he said with a wink.

  “Thank you, Mr Smith,” she said as calmly as she could. Her heart thudded – was she about to become a mail order bride? In all honestly, it couldn’t be anywhere near as bad as she’d endured at the hands of Joseph Canning. “I would like to post this letter if you don’t mind,” she said handing over the letter and the correct postage.”

  She took her letter and stumbled outside. Had she done the wrong thing writing away to a total stranger? She would have to swallow her fear – Pearl needed a stable life and becoming a mail order bride was the only way she could achieve that.

  She glanced down at her ever-growing baby bump. It was some months since she first wrote to Alex Farley, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to open the letter. It could be a flat refusal.

  She crossed the road and sat down on the wooden bench outside the bakery, then swallowed hard. This was it – the moment of truth.

  She had stared at the envelope far too long already, and suddenly ripped it open, almost tearing the letter inside.

  Dear Mrs Canning, the letter read. You sound just like the sort of person I need as a wife. Unless I hear otherwise, I will transfer enough money for your travel and expenses.

  Kindest regards, Alex Farley.

  Pearl was elated. Her fears had been expelled, and she would soon leave the place where her tortuous married life had begun.

  But what of her soon-to-be husband? He hadn’t revealed much of himself. What was his vocation? He’d mentioned being well-respected in his first letter, but what did that even mean?

  She straightened her shoulders and made the decision to accept his proposal. After all, what choice did she have? She was widowed, pregnant, and with no money to her name. She would receive little for the sale of the horses when the time came, and the state had already seized the ranch. Allowing her to stay there a little longer was little compensation for the horrors she had endured at the hands of her husband.

  Now she would wait. Mr Farley would send her enough money for the trip to Grand Falls, and within the week she would again be married. Hopefully he would be a far better husband than Joseph.

  Was she going from one bad marriage to another? Pearl shivered at the thought.

  Her last task in town was to get checked over by the doctor. With everything that had happened recently, she needed to be extra careful of this baby.

  She sat nervously waiting to be called. Finally the nurse ducked her head around the door and called her name. “Mrs Canning? You can come in now.”

  She was quickly introduced to Doctor Evans, who began his examination immediately.

  The moment he’d finished he turned his back to her and began washing his hands. “How long did you say you’ve been married,” he asked thoughtfully.

  Pearl frowned. Why did that even matter? “It would be six months next week. Is there a problem, Doctor?”

  He dried his hands and turned to face her again. “Not a problem, but you must have fallen pregnant close to your wedding night. This baby is at least five months, possibly closer to six.”

  “How could I have not known I was pregnant? That doesn’t make sense.” She would have, wouldn’t she?

  “You lost your husband recently. Hmmm? Stress can do a lot of things to people, even block things out. Perhaps you didn’t want to know you were pregnant?” He stared at her for long moments. “Hmmm?”

  He was right. She had surely blocked it out, but not for the reasons he thought. Her life was so much better and she’d been enjoying her life of freedom on the ranch. She hadn’t thought about a lot else lately.

  Besides she was a small woman, and her belly wasn’t that swollen, so what he said made perfect sense.

  “You’ll have a little bundle of joy in about three months, give or take a few weeks. Hmmm?”

  Three months? She sure hoped Alex Farley got that letter in time.

  ABNER ACKERMAN ENTERED the office as though his life depended on it. “Sheriff,” he said breathlessly. “You have an urgent telegram.” He bent forward trying to recover his breath, and Alex quirked an eyebrow.

  What could be so important the man had nearly caused himself injury to deliver it?

  He snatched up the telegram and read it closely, then sighed. Of all the times to be summoned to help with a case. He had other things to attend to – very personal things – and leaving town was the last thing he wanted to do.

  Perhaps he could deny the request? He could get Ackerman to reply with a firm no.

  He shook his head. It wasn’t an option. He was the only Sheriff for miles around and he had a responsibility. He was obligated to uphold the law and bring justice to those who broke it. Besides, this sounded like the work of Hector Grenville. He’d been trying to nab him for other murders for far too long.

  Alex sighed.

  This wasn’t new. These sorts of assignments came out of the blue all the time. He just wished it hadn’t been now. Not when he was about to marry. On reflection, sending for a mail order bride had been a stupid thing to do. His type of work didn’t make for good marriages. He’d seen it ruin a decent relationship more than once.

  How many of his law enforcement friends were still married? He could count them on one hand. Why on earth was he putting himself through this angst?

  And what about his potential bride? She had an expectation after his last letter.

  Well, it couldn’t be helped, and the soon-to-be Mrs Alex Farley would have to wait another day or three. “Thank you, Abner,” he said, sitting down at his desk. “I have to leave for an assignment, but I should be back in a few days. If any correspondence arrives for me, pl
ease hold onto it until I get back.”

  “Sure thing, Sheriff.” He watched the man’s retreating back.

  Alex finished up his near-cold coffee and locked up. He needed to pack a few things and then he’d be on his way. As much as he didn’t want to go, he had no choice. Besides, an entire family had been murdered and he had to bring the killers to justice. That’s what he did.

  He pulled on his hat and left his office, locking the door behind him. He smiled at the thought that hopefully in a few weeks, that warm body would become a reality.

  Chapter Three

  SHERIFF ALEX FARLEY was bone weary. What had first appeared to be a simple assignment to catch a killer turned into a marathon. He’d followed his elusive suspect from place to place, and finally, after what seemed forever, and was likely somewhere around three months, he was returning home.

  Finally he had Hector Grenville right where he belonged – in jail and due to hang in a matter of days. He was filled with satisfaction.

  His only regret being that once on the right trail, days had rolled into weeks until he’d lost count. Alex was too busy to think of much else, and when his mind did turn to his bride, he felt a twinge of guilt.

  He’d left her hanging.

  More than likely she’d married someone else by now. He told himself repeatedly that would be the case. If nothing else, it appeased his feelings of guilt.

  He stopped at a small stream some miles from Grand Falls, letting his horse rest up. They were close enough to make it home today, but he wasn’t prepared to overtask his horse.

  If that meant camping out another night, so be it.

  He leaned up against a tree on the edge of the water, and let Jasper have his fill. He wouldn’t wander off, he never did, so Alex pulled his hat down over his eyes and rested, never meaning to snooze.

  When he awoke it was mid-afternoon – could they make it home before daylight left them? He thought so. The sun would be on the verge of setting, but he longed for his own bed after all this time.

  Jasper had found a shady spot under a stand of trees, and his head shot up as Alex stood. They’d been partners for some years now and could read each other like a well-written book.

  He pulled an apple from his saddlebag and rewarded the horse for his good service. Soon they would leave. Only a few hours of riding at most, and Grand Falls would be in his sights.

  As he rounded the corner to his hometown, warmth flooded him. Alex came to a halt and took it all in. He was finally back home after all this time. His body ached, and his heart was happy. Never in his life had he been so happy to be home.

  When he arrived at his property, he headed straight to the barn. Jasper deserved a good brush down, fresh water, and a bag of oats, and that’s exactly what he would get.

  His horse always came first.

  Jasper nickered into his shoulder as Alex removed the saddle and reached for the brush. “You’re my best boy,” Alex told him gently. “You are loyal to the end.”

  He felt dead on his feet, but Alex continued to groom his horse until he was done. There were no shortcuts here. He would polish the saddle tomorrow. Right now, he was bone weary and needed to sleep – for a day or two if he could manage it.

  Heading up to his cottage, he noticed a light through the window. His heart pounded. Who would have the audacity to break into the Sheriff’s house while he was away? The next question that entered his mind was why hadn’t anyone noticed?

  His deputy was supposed to be covering for him while Alex had been away. He felt a twinge of annoyance.

  He peeked through the window to the kitchen but couldn’t see anyone. He gripped the handle and threw the back door open, hoping to startle whoever was inside. He was met with silence.

  “Hello?” There was no response. “Anyone here?”

  He listened carefully, then began a search of the house. A valise sat next to his bed, and an ornate hairbrush sat on the side table. On opening the wardrobe, he saw several gowns.

  He frowned. Then a thought struck him. He had a squatter!

  But where was she? He continued to search – his cottage was small. There weren’t many places to hide.

  The second bedroom was empty, as was the sitting room. Now he was puzzled. Alex pulled off his hat and placed it on the peg at the front door.

  Mrs Baker – if anyone knew what was going on, she would. As he reached for the front door, he heard it. The scream was muffled, but it was a scream for certain.

  “Dang blast it,” he muttered as he headed for the bathroom. “What the heck are they doing in there?”

  The closer he got, the louder the screams. He reached for the handle, but hesitated. Should he go in?

  Well, it’s your house. What are you waiting for? But he still felt guilty.

  “Hello?” he said quietly as he turned the handle.

  “Don’t come in,” a female voice said urgently.

  “Who...?” He wanted so badly to open the door but wasn’t sure what he would find.

  “On second thought...”

  The scream was so loud this time he wasn’t sure what to think.

  “Miss?” He opened the door a smidge and could see the back of her head as she lay on the floor, a towel under her head. She had flaming red hair. That triggered a memory he was sure he should know.

  “Arrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhh!” Then she began to pant. “Boy, am I...” Pant. “Glad to see you.” Pant.

  “Oh.” He suddenly twigged; “my long hair is often called fiery”. But why was she screaming?

  “The baby is coming right now,” she yelled. “Get help!” She resumed panting.

  Baby? What baby?

  He shook his head trying to clear the fog. Alex had no idea what was going on, but if there was a baby coming, he wanted no part in delivering it.

  “Right. Baby.” The information still hadn’t really sunk in, but the massive bulge on her stomach seemed to prove a point. “I’ll go get the doc. I’ll be right back.”

  “No!! You can’t leave – the baby is coming now!”

  “Now, now?” His head was spinning. He couldn’t deliver a baby. Could he? He’d delivered calves in his time, but never a real baby. A human baby. He was floundering.

  “Cover the bed in towels,” she said between pants. “I am not having this baby on your bathroom floor.”

  “I’ll be back.” He ran around like a chicken without a head for about twenty seconds, then did what he was told. He was a Sheriff. He’d done things worse than this without panic. At least that’s what he told himself.

  He returned to the bathroom and waited for further instructions.

  “Don’t just stand there like a dummy,” she told him. “Help me into the bedroom. This. Baby. Is. Coming.”

  He helped her to stand, but she was wobbly on her feet, so he swooped her up into his arms. He carried her through to the bed he’d already prepared.

  Alex laid her down carefully, then stood over her, staring at her. “It’s Pearl, right?” Lord help him if that wasn’t who she was. If that was the case, he had no idea.

  “Yes, I’m Pearl. Now hurry up and wash your hands, then get back here. It’s com...” With that she screamed and pushed.

  He felt like screaming himself. He wanted to tell her not to push, he sure didn’t want to deliver this baby.

  “You have to wait,” he told her, and she began to laugh hysterically. Great, that was all he needed – a hysterical woman about to give birth to a baby he had no idea about.

  He rushed out of the room, washed his hands thoroughly and grabbed more clean towels before returning to the bedroom. Or as he was now calling it, the birthing room.

  He slapped himself mentally. He didn’t sign up for any of this when he sent for a mail order bride.

  “Mr Farley!” she screamed. “Hurry!”

  He ran faster than he’d ever ran before, then glanced down at her. “I think it’s far too late to be calling me Mr Farley,” he said glancing down at the business end of thi
ngs. “Call me Alex.”

  She screamed again, and then did a huge push. “Oh my Lord,” he said under his breath. He could see the head. “This kid’s got red hair like yours,” he said, now in a state of absolute panic.

  Not that he let her see that. He had to stay calm for Pearl. If he panicked, it might send her into a spin, then they’d be in a right mess. He put his hands to his heart, trying to slow it, hoping to clear his head as well.

  “Another push or two and I think this kid will be here.”

  She screamed and pushed hard, grabbing the sides of the bed. He pulled the towels closer. He did not want to drop this kid like he’d almost dropped that first calf all those years ago.

  “Again.” Now he was getting into it. He concentrated on what was going on this end. This kid was going to arrive whether he liked it or not.

  He glanced up when he got no response from her. “Pearl?”

  “I’m tired. Too tired,” she said, her eyes fluttering closed.

  “No, no, no, no!” he yelled. It looked as though she was on the verge of collapse. If that happened, he wouldn’t know what to do. He checked, and the baby hadn’t moved since that last push. Dare he risk moving away to try and coerce her?

  He was so torn, but he had to check on the mother. “Pearl,” he said, brushing her hair back off her face. “You need to stay awake and help me deliver your baby. I can’t do it alone,” he said, then leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. He had no idea why he even did that.

  She nodded. As exhausted as she was, she agreed, then began to push. He ran back to the baby. “Head’s out. One more huge push and you’ll be done.” At least he hoped that would be the case.

  She didn’t answer. He glanced up to see her eyes fluttering closed again. “Pearl. Pearl!” he shouted. “You can do this!”

  She opened her eyes wide and pushed harder than she’d pushed before. He reached for one of the towels, and just as well – the slippery creature came whooshing out quicker than he’d ever imagined.