“Don’t be silly. Come on in. I have everything ready for you.” Mrs. Puck took her by then shoulders and promptly turned her about.
Amelia walked into the house. Mrs. Puck had always lived alone. Her husband died before she came to Thinvale and she had never remarried. Her home was nicely decorated with ornaments that couldn’t be found in town. Mrs. Puck was a woman from the east who had come to Idaho to teach. Amelia used to listen to her stories of New York and Chicago, and dream about the places the other woman had seen.
The writing desk was set beside a window that looked out onto the mountains. It was made of mahogany and was highly polished. Mrs. Puck took great care with her things. The paper and ink were already laid out for her. The fountain pen was in the drawer.
“I’ll go fix us some tea. I made some scones yesterday. I can bring you some,” Mrs. Puck suggested.
“Thank you,” Amelia said with a smile as she sat at the desk. “I’d like that.”
She retrieved the pen from its place and set about writing.
My dearest Oliver,
I was so pleased to read your letter. I fell asleep thinking of what I would write to you today. Now, it seems that there is too much to put on paper.
I wish I could see the sunset you described. I don’t get to enjoy it here. I’m always at work and there is always something to do. I don’t get to take pleasure in many things. I’m glad you do.
I can’t describe my laugh to you. I tried to think of the words but they just didn’t seem right. I suppose it’s because I don’t hear my own laughter very often. I have few things to laugh about, but since meeting you, I do have more to be happy about.
Oliver, is this real? We write each other all the time, and I feel as if you really know me, but I’m not sure how much I know about you. Your words have birthed a delight in me that I never imagined I might enjoy, but there is still so much I feel I don’t know. Who are your people? What was your mother’s name? You avoid the questions. Why? Is it something painful? Am I wrong to be asking you these questions? I hope you will be honest with me and tell me if I am. I know what it is to have subjects you would much rather forget, and if these are some of them, then I won’t press you. I do hope though, that you might one day tell me all about it.
I think about you so much. You are the single joy I have in each day. I try to imagine what your voice sounds like when I read your letters aloud. I try to make it as if you were talking to me. I long to have a real conversation with you. I long to meet you in person and see if you are everything I imagine. I hope you wouldn’t be disappointed with who you find.
Yours faithfully,
Amelia
She traced her fingers over the letter when it was finished, and folded it. She tucked it into an envelope. She would mail it that day before she went to the saloon. Mrs. Puck sat nearby enjoying her tea. She hadn’t disturbed her when she returned, but now that Amelia was finished her letter, she spoke.
“Come, sit by me,” she instructed as she patted the seat beside her. “Tell me more about your Mr. Gyles.”
Amelia smiled. Mrs. Puck was in every way the mother she never had. She walked over, sat beside her, and began to read Oliver’s letter to her. Mrs. Puck looked at her with a smile as she read.
“He sounds like a fine young man,” she stated when Amelia finished reading. She touched her cheek lightly. “I hope he is all he appears to be in his letters and more. You deserve it.”
Amelia didn’t comment. She smiled and rested her head on Mrs. Puck’s shoulder as the woman squeezed her hand gently. “Things are turning around for you, Amelia Donnel. I know it.”
Chapter Three
Thinvale never looked as good as it did that day. Amelia walked down the dusty street with a bright smile on her face. There wasn’t much to the town. There was the station, where telegraphs were received and where the coaches came in to pick up and deliver passengers. They were too small a place for a train, so those who wished to come to their town were forced to ride half a day by coach from the nearest train station in Colverton.
The rest of the town was made up of the sheriff’s station, the boarding house, the saloon, the blacksmith’s, a few homes and the mayor’s office. The church marked the entrance of the town to the north. McClintock’s, the general store where everyone came to get their food, clothing material, or sell their goods, was to the south. It was a one-stop-shop for everything and because of it, the McClintocks were the wealthiest people in town. Amelia did laundry for them, as well.
Amelia’s enthusiasm that day was sparked from Oliver’s last letter. Yes, it was some time since she last heard from him, but the memories of what he shared were enough to lift her spirits. She was sure she’d hear from him soon.
There is no woman I think more highly of. You are a treasure, Amelia Donnel, one that any man would be happy to call his wife. In fact, men would call him lucky to have you.
She felt her cheeks grow warm at Oliver’s sentiments. Could it be that he truly was considering her for his bride? She did not fool herself to think that she was the only one he might be writing to. He wanted a wife, he had to be sure that he was getting the right woman. That meant comparing sometimes. Still, she hoped that she was the only one that he was still corresponding with after all these months. That she was the one he thought was truly special—the one for him.
Her hair was laced in a tight braid with a red ribbon on the end. She felt like dressing special today, so she was wearing her dark red skirt with her white blouse. She didn’t have work in town today but had promised Mrs. Puck to get her telegrams from the station for her before she went to the saloon to work that evening.
“Good day, Mr. Van Dyke,” she said as she greeted the stationmaster. He was standing behind the counter with a letter in his hand. He wore a newsboy cap to hide the bald patch on the top of his head. His hair was otherwise thick and was black just like his beard and moustache.
“Good day, Miss Amelia. What brings you in today?” he questioned as he lobbed a smile in her direction and set aside his letter.
“I came to collect Mrs. Pucks’ telegrams. She told me she was expecting some news today,” she informed him as she smiled back at him.
Mr. Van Dyke adjusted his spectacles on his nose and looked over at the message board. He scanned the notes with a thin finger before plucking three thin strips of paper from one of the pins. “Here you go,” he said as he handed them to her. Mr. Van Dyke didn’t like waste and refused to use up half a sheet of paper for one message.
“Thank you,” Amelia replied as she took them. She stuffed the small notes into her pocket and turned to leave. “Have a nice day!”
“Wait,” Mr. Van Dyke called after her. “There’s one here for you as well.”
Amelia paused. A telegraph for her? She wasn’t expecting any. She looked at him for several seconds before walking back to the desk. “For me? Are you sure?”
The older man nodded. “Yes, right here. One for you,” he said, placing another thin note in her hand. He smiled at her. “I think you’ll be very pleased with what you read.”
Her eyes left the stationmaster’s face and gazed down at the note cradled in her palm. She began to read.
Amelia’s heart threatened to jump out of her chest the more her eyes took in the words before her. It was too good to be true. She had to be dreaming. She looked up to find the stationmaster staring at her with an amused look.
“I told you that you’d be pleased,” he commented, as he tried to subdue his grin.
Amelia looked at the words once more.
Amelia. Cannot wait any longer. Come to Rattleridge. Be my wife. Paid your passage. My man will be at the station when you arrive. Wear green dress you told me about. Oliver.
“Is this true, Mr. Van Dyke?” she questioned. She looked at the stationmaster in astonishment.
“All paid for,” he confirmed with a grin. “The funds arrived a few days ago with instructions. The telegram came before, but you didn’t c
ome into town.”
Amelia blinked rapidly. She couldn’t believe this. It was more wonderful than a dream. “I can leave whenever I want?” she questioned.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Mr. Van Dyke confirmed. “You just tell me when you want to travel and I’ll punch your ticket.”
“Tomorrow.”
The stationmaster looked at her wide-eyed. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes. Tomorrow,” she repeated. “I want to leave for Rattleridge tomorrow.”
“Eager, aren’t you?” he said with a smile. He turned to prepare the ticket.
“Keep it here for me?” she asked quickly.
She didn’t dare bring it home with her. If her father found it, he was sure to take it. She wouldn’t risk that. Oliver had done so much in paying her way to join him in a new life. She would not let her father spoil it.
“If that’s what you want,” Mr. Van Dyke replied. “I’ll wait to punch it tomorrow then. The coach leaves town at seven for Colverton. You’ll get the train from there to Rattleridge.”
“Thank you, Mr. Van Dyke,” Amelia said with a large grin. “Would you send a telegram back telling him that I will be there tomorrow?”
The stationmaster smiled. “Of course.”
“Thank you so much,” Amelia said again as gratitude filled her heart. It felt as if everything was suddenly coming into place and she was nothing but grateful for it.
“My pleasure,” he replied with a nod.
“Have a good day,” she said to bid him farewell. She turned from the station, her steps lighter, her smile even brighter and her heart ready to take flight. She was leaving Thinvale. She was finally going to have a better life.
There was so much to do, but she had to be smart about it. She couldn’t afford for word to get back to her father. She rushed back to the station.
“Mr. Van Dyke,” she called as she entered.
“That was quick,” the stationmaster mused. “Something else I can help you with? You want to leave today instead?”
“No,” Amelia chuckled. “Not that. I wanted to be sure that you keep my leaving just between the two of us. You understand, don’t you?”
The stationmaster’s expression became more serious. “Yes. I understand perfectly. If I were you, I’d want to keep such tidings to myself. It wouldn’t be wise if certain people got ahold of it. They might try to prevent you from going.”
Her father’s ways were no secret to anyone in town. They all knew how he treated her, and some looked on her with pity because of it, others with admiration at how hard she persevered despite it.
She smiled at Mr. Van Dyke. “Thank you again.”
“Don’t you mention it,” he replied. He gave her a polite nod and turned back to his work. Amelia tucked the message in her skirt. She needed to tell Mrs. Puck everything right away and deliver her messages.
* * *
Morning could not come fast enough for Amelia. Once she told her former teacher of her plans, everything about her day had changed. The older woman offered her help in any way possible. She knew Amelia could not prepare to leave without it going unnoticed by her father, so she promised to pack her some food and prepare some things to help her on her way. She also would put aside some money for her. They would meet at the station the following morning.
Amelia tried to refuse. She didn’t want to take the woman’s money, but Mrs. Puck insisted. She wanted to be sure that Amelia was taken care of, just in case anything went wrong on the way or when she arrived. Amelia couldn’t tell her no, so despite her feelings, she accepted the generous offer.
She worked late that night and was exhausted by the time she got home. She did nothing but wash and go to bed. She ignored her father’s complaints about what a terrible housekeeper she was and the fact that he had to go hungry because of her laziness. She was washing out her hair when she heard his horse outside. A few minutes later, everything was silent, and Amelia was sure her father, had once again, gone into town to amuse himself with her money.
Despite her fatigue, Amelia wasted no time in collecting her things. She folded her few garments neatly and put them into an old carpetbag. It once belonged to her mother. It was floral in pattern and was once burgundy in color, but now it was faded and grey in patches. It didn’t matter. It was something that her mother owned and that was what made it special to her. It was also the only bag she had.
She packed it quickly, placing a knife and one of her father’s pistols inside of it. He wouldn’t notice it was missing until it was too late. The road could be a dangerous place and she was traveling alone. She couldn’t afford to go unarmed. She checked the contents one more time before she went to the hayloft to hide it.
She could hardly sleep all night. She was so afraid. What if her father found where the bag was hidden? What if he came home and caught her? What if she overslept and missed the coach?
She had a restless night. Amelia only allowed herself a few minutes of sleep before waking with a start. She watched the horizon from her window, eager for the dawn and the start of her new life.
The minute the sky started to lighten Amelia’s heart began to beat faster. She climbed quietly out of bed and dressed in her favorite green dress as instructed. She moved as fast as she could as she didn’t want to linger a second longer than she had to. She poked her head out of her bedroom door and almost gave herself away as her father’s sleeping form surprised her. She clapped her hand quickly over her mouth before she made a sound. She heard when he went to this room that night, but she had not heard him come out. However, it was clear that he had.
Amelia took a deep breath to calm herself. She lingered for several minutes to gauge whether he was awake. The sound of his snores soon eased her anxiety. She tiptoed from her room and out the front door as fast as her feet could carry her. Her father’s snores covered her escape.
She rushed to the barn and climbed the ladder to the hayloft. She grabbed her bag from its hiding place before saddling her horse. She took the reins and walked him quietly from the barn. She did not dare climb upon his back until they were far enough from the house to go unheard. Once she was sure, she climbed onto his back with her bag secured in front of her and raced toward town and her future.
Mrs. Puck met her at the station as promised. Mr. Van Dyke was waiting for her with her punched ticket in hand. He gave it to her and smiled at Mrs. Puck. “You take care of yourself, Miss Amelia,” he encouraged. “I hope you’ll write and tell us how you settle in.”
“Thank you, Mr. Van Dyke,” she replied as she shook his hand. “I will be sure to do that.”
“Don’t you worry, Gilbert,” Mrs. Puck replied. “I will be sure she doesn’t forget us.” She smiled at the stationmaster and then at Amelia. “After all, we love her.”
Amelia’s heart stuttered in her chest at the words. She’d never heard anyone say them to her before. She didn’t know how to reply. The words made her feel warm and slightly embarrassed. Her cheeks grew hot and she smiled demurely. “I love you too, Mrs. Puck.”
The older woman took her in her arms and hugged her. “I will miss you, Amelia,” she stated. “I have watched you grow from a child into a lovely young woman. Oliver Gyles better count his lucky stars that he was fortunate enough to find you.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Amelia replied. “Lucky to have someone in my life to care for me as you do. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here now. You taught me to read. You let me use your writing implements and kept my secret. You have always been good to me. I have tried to be as good to you, though I do not think I have ever measured up to it”
Mrs. Puck released her. “Nonsense. Having you in my life was like having a daughter. That’s what I thought of you. You always had a special place in my heart. You always will,” she assured Amelia.
“Coach to Colverton now boarding!”
The sound of the coachman’s voice made Amelia’s heart race faster. It was time.
“I have to go,” she said.
; “I know,” Mrs. Puck replied. “Travel safely. Write to me as soon as you can.”
“I will,” Amelia agreed as she began to walk. Her heart was galloping like a stampede of cattle. She had to take several long, deep breaths to calm herself and even then, it still felt like it was racing. Would it beat as fast when she finally saw Oliver? Would it beat faster? A smile broke across her face. She was going to be a bride. Soon, she would be Mrs. Oliver Gyles.
Amelia was the first to board the coach. Four others followed. She didn’t know them and surmised they had to be passing through from one of the towns nearby. She placed her hands over her bag and held it close to her body as she looked out the window as the coach moved off. She waved at Mrs. Puck and Mr. Van Dyke. They waved back in unison. Mrs. Puck had agreed to arrange the return of her horse to her father. Amelia didn’t dare think of his reaction. It didn’t matter. He could no longer hurt her.
“Goodbye!” Mrs. Puck called out to her.
“Good luck!” Mr. Van Dyke added.
It wasn’t long before Thinvale disappeared from sight. It was her past and it was behind her now. She momentarily wondered what her father would do when he realized she wasn’t there, when he realized she wasn’t coming back? Would he be as happy as he always said he would be? Or would he finally realize that with her gone, there was no one there who cared for him? It didn’t matter. That time was over now and the path they had both chosen for themselves was set.
She didn’t look back. She would write, but she would never return to the town again, she knew that. Her life was ahead of her in Rattleridge with Oliver. She didn’t know what would happen, or who she might meet in this new stage of her life, but she welcomed it.
It can only get better from here. Goodbye, Thinvale. Hello, future.
The Cowboy's Stolen Bride (Historical Western Romance) Page 30