His Substitute Mail-Order Bride

by Sherri Shackelford

  Anna turned toward the looking glass and ran her hand along the modest, draped neckline. “Her work is exquisite.”

  “We’re extremely fortunate to have such an accomplished dressmaker in town. I’ve only been living here a couple of months myself, mind you. But I’ve come to love Cowboy Creek.”

  “Did you come as a bride?”

  “The schoolteacher. I never thought I’d find a place where I belonged until I met Seth. I can’t imagine living anywhere else now.”

  The door creaked, and a tiny face framed by red-gold curls, the exact shade of Marigold’s hair, appeared in the narrow opening. “Can I see the bride, Aunt Mari?”

  “Of course you may,” Anna spoke first. “What’s your name?”

  The door opened wider, revealing a young girl about the age of seven.

  “My name is Violet,” the girl answered shyly. She was petite and delicate with her aunt’s hazel eyes and gentle speech. She wore a crisp white dress with a wide, pink sash tied around her waist and matching pink ribbons woven through her hair. “I’m wearing a new dress.”

  “It’s lovely.”

  “Uncle Seth helped me pick this out. Daddy never bought me new dresses. I like this one the best of any dress I ever owned. Aunt Mari says I can wear it every Sunday for church.”

  Anna’s heart melted. She recalled having the same feelings herself as a young girl.

  Marigold draped her arm around the girl’s shoulders with a grateful smile. “Violet has only just come to live with us. She’s a little overwhelmed with her new brothers.”

  “I like Tate the best,” Violet offered.

  “He’s the closest to her age,” Marigold said. “I suppose that helps.”

  Anna knelt before the girl. “It’s very nice to meet you, Violet.”

  The girl’s expressive eyes blinked. “Before I came to live with Aunt Mari, I was with my daddy. I like living with Aunt Mari better. She took care of Momma and me before Momma died.”

  Marigold blushed. “My brother-in-law traveled a great deal when she was younger, and I’m afraid Violet didn’t get to know him very well. He and Violet traveled together for a brief time after my sister died. But now Violet has come to live with us forever. My brother-in-law passed away recently.”

  Anna caught Violet’s hands in her own. “My mother died when I was your age. My sister took care of me. We’re both very blessed, aren’t we, that we had someone to take care of us?”

  “I love Aunt Mari. Is your sister coming to the wedding?”

  “No.” Anna sniffled quietly. “I’m afraid we don’t keep in touch.”

  “Do you miss her? I miss my momma sometimes.”

  “I miss her a great deal, but I’m very fortunate. Since moving to Cowboy Creek, I’ve made new friends.”

  Violet glanced between the two women. “If you’re marrying my uncle Russ, does that make you my aunt?”

  “Yes.” Anna’s throat worked. “I’m delighted I’ll be part of your family now.”

  Violet stuck out her lower lip. “You won’t be delighted when you find the frog Harper has in his pocket. He said he’s going to set it free in the church during the ceremony. The kissing part.”

  Marigold gasped. “He did not!”

  Violet gave a solemn frown. “He might have changed his mind, but I don’t think so.”

  “If you’ll excuse me.” Marigold pursed her mouth. “I’d best go check on the boys.”

  Anna stifled a grin. “That’s quite all right. Violet and I will be okay together, won’t we?”

  “Yes, Aunt Anna.”

  Muttering to herself, Marigold briskly exited the room. “I’m going to tan that boy’s hide if I find a frog in his pocket.”

  Violet and Anna erupted into peals of giggles. After a moment, Violet sobered. “I hope I didn’t get Harper in very much trouble.”

  “I think you saved Harper from getting in a lot of trouble later, by getting him in a very little amount of trouble now.”

  The girl considered the declaration for a moment before nodding. “Yes. I think he would have been in much more trouble if he’d set loose a frog during the ceremony. During the kissing part.”

  Anna blushed and patted the fluff of red-gold curls. She was quite looking forward to the kissing part. Her pulse quickened, and her mouth went dry. Having kissed Russ once, she discovered that she quite liked the experience. She hoped he did, too. He seemed to anyway.

  Violet threaded her hands behind her back and rocked on the balls of her feet. Anna’s heart went out to her. She recognized the hesitant uncertainty in the young girl’s expressive eyes. She’d been much the same herself, all those years ago.

  “Violet, I have a very special favor to ask you.”

  “What?”

  “Do you know what a flower girl does during a wedding?”

  “She walks ahead of the bride and scatters petals.”

  “That’s right. Would you like to be my flower girl?”

  “Yes!” Violet exclaimed. An instant later, her face fell. “But I don’t have any flowers or a basket.”

  Anna considered the possibilities and snapped her fingers. “I know just the thing. Wait here.”

  She stepped outside and turned the corner, running headlong into a solid wall of male chest.

  Russ grasped her upper arms and steadied her. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes,” she replied with a breathy laugh. “You?”

  “Never better.”

  She could have stepped back and put some space between them. She didn’t. She looked up at him. He’d trimmed his goatee and slicked back his hair. The delightful aroma of bay rum teased her senses.

  A red rose peeked out from his lapel. She adjusted the stem and smoothed his lapel. “Where did you find the flower?”

  “Shh.” He held his index finger to his lips. “There’s a lovely flowering rosebush just outside the back door.”

  “Do you think you could gather some more? I want Violet to be my flower girl.”

  “That’s a marvelous idea.”

  “I think I saw a basket in the vestibule. Do you think Reverend Taggart would mind if I borrowed it for a spell?”

  “I’ll give the church a generous donation. That should smooth any rough edges.”

  “Are you always going to be this kind to me?”

  His expression sobered. “Always. You don’t believe me, I know, but someday you will.”

  “Are you certain you haven’t changed your mind?” she whispered, afraid of saying the words and afraid of leaving them unsaid. After today, there was no going back.

  “Are you certain that you haven’t changed your mind?” he asked.

  “No turning the tables. I asked you first.” A million doubts suddenly filled her heart. Would she ever be truly free of the past? “What if...what if something happened and you couldn’t be mayor? What if you lost the election?”

  He lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. “I decided to run for mayor because the idea suited me at the time. There’s nothing set in stone. There’s nothing that can’t be changed. If you’d rather I didn’t, say the word.”

  “You’d do that? You’d step out of the race for me?”

  “In an instant.”

  Like the petals of a flower unfurling in the morning sun, she felt as though her heart was opening. The scandal was a thousand miles away. Living in Philadelphia had given her a false sense of the scope. She’d existed in a tight-knit circle of petty, scheming people, and they’d colored her thinking. No one here cared what happened in Philadelphia. Sadie had kept the secret, and there was no reason to think the story was even interesting in Philadelphia anymore. By now, something else had stolen the headlines.

  She was no longer newsworthy. She was no longer important.

  Marigold careened around the corn
er of the church and gasped. “What are you two doing? You’re not supposed to see each other before the wedding. Get back in the church, Russell Halloway.” She flapped her hands. “Shoo!”

  Ignoring his sister-in-law, Russ leaned down and kissed Anna’s cheek. “I’ll see you at the altar.”

  Anna’s heart slammed against her ribs and breathing grew shallow. “I’ll be the one in ivory.”

  Marigold dabbed at her eyes. “Stop it, you two. Weddings always make me cry.” She hooked her arm through Anna’s and led her away. “Come along. There’ll be time enough for kissing after the wedding. You’ll have the rest of your lives together.”

  Marigold released her once they entered the vestibule once more.

  Anna paused. If she looked over her shoulder, and Russ was there, then she’d know he cared. With her heart pounding, she slowly turned her head.

  He was there.

  “Go,” he ordered gently. “I don’t want Marigold to tell me to shoo again. I feel like a schoolboy.”

  Pressure built behind her eyes and her throat grew tight. He cared.

  This was actually happening. She was marrying Russell Halloway. She was going to have a baby. This time she was going to be happy.

  * * *

  Russ stood at the altar, his hands quaking. A joy unlike anything he’d ever known filled his heart. He felt as though everything in his life—all the pain, all the sorrow, all the joy—had led him to this moment.

  He glanced at his mother, and she offered an encouraging smile. There was only his mother, Seth, Marigold and the children in attendance, and that’s all he wanted. Anna had requested a small gathering, and he’d been happy to oblige.

  This moment was for the two of them, and he only wanted the people dearest to his heart in attendance. The occasion felt more intimate, more solemn that way.

  The double doors at the back of the church swung open. Marigold scooted through and slid down the aisle, taking her seat next to Seth.

  Violet appeared next. She held her basket in both hands, concentrating on her task. As she started down the aisle, she dropped the first petal with delicate precision.

  Then Anna appeared, and suddenly he felt as though he could conquer mountains. She was stunning. He’d seen her moments before, and yet he felt as though he was seeing her for the first time. He hadn’t realized how soul-weary he’d become until she’d transfixed him. She’d stolen into his heart like the first breath of spring, giving him new life. He felt regenerated and invincible.

  She approached, and he held out his hand, clasping her warm fingers. They stood side by side, and she leaned close, whispering near his ear. “Is this for real?”

  He felt as he had the day of the fire, as though a soul-deep peace had washed over him, giving him a clear vision of the future. “I cannot imagine passing through this life without you at my side.”

  What had she said before? I could have loved him if he’d let me.

  Russ would have no trouble letting her love him. No trouble at all.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Russ had arranged a cozy, private room in the restaurant at The Lariat for the tiny wedding party. The three boys, Harper, Tate and the youngest, Little John, huddled over a game of marbles in the corner. Much to Marigold’s relief, Harper had only been teasing Violet when he’d claimed there was a frog in his pocket.

  Violet took a seat next to her aunt Marigold, the flower basket still clutched in her hands. Anna hadn’t had the heart to take the basket from her, and the reverend had cheerfully declined any compensation.

  With everyone seated and the conversation lively, Anna caught Russ’s attention and gave him a shy smile. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect day. Even her stomach had cooperated. She hadn’t felt a bit queasy all day.

  Her new mother-in-law, Evelyn, turned to Marigold. “How are the plans progressing for the new library?”

  “I’m starting to regret my impetuous behavior,” Marigold said. “Everything is costing more than I expected. The books cost more. The furniture costs more. I don’t know how we’re going to pay for everything. I can’t ask the town founders for any more money. I sincerely hope Tomasina’s fund-raiser is successful.”

  Russ leaned nearer to Anna and spoke low. “As a local teacher, Marigold has been helping transform Will’s previous home into a library. Will sold the house to Daniel at a shocking discount, and Daniel donated the property to the town.”

  “So essentially they split the cost of donating the building?”

  “Apparently.”

  Marigold heaved a sigh. “I was hoping to have the library open this summer, but we’ll be fortunate if it’s ready by Christmas if we can’t raise enough money.”

  Seth wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Everything will work out, darling, you’ll see.”

  “I’d feel better if I could assist Tomasina on the committee. There’s simply no time with Violet and the boys and school.”

  “I can help,” Anna said. “I assisted with several community projects in Philadelphia.”

  Marigold’s eyes lit up before her expression fell. “I can’t ask you to do that. It’s too much work. Too much of an imposition.”

  “I think it’s an ideal way to meet people around town.” She turned toward Russ. “Unless you have an objection?”

  “I’m only worried about your health. A fund-raiser is a lot of work.”

  “I’d rather keep busy.”

  Evelyn planted her chin in her hand. “I’ll help, too. I’ve been getting bored.”

  She’d moved back to Seth and Marigold’s house in anticipation of the wedding.

  “Then it’s settled,” Anna said.

  Marigold brightened. “Tomasina has boundless energy, and we’ve already arranged for the food, but we’re having trouble coming up with a theme for the event.”

  Evelyn tilted her head. “I’m worried that people have grown weary with the usual celebrations. We’ve already had two dances, a wild west show and a charity dinner in the past year. Do you think attendance will suffer?”

  “Then we should think of something unique,” Anna said. “Something unusual that will stir interest.”

  “Perhaps a charity bake sale,” Marigold said.

  Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Deborah would win all the prizes.”

  “True,” Anna agreed. “There’d be no competing against Deborah.”

  Seth leaned back in his chair. “How about current events for inspiration? What’s happening in the world today?”

  Russ stood. “I’ll get a newspaper from the front desk.”

  Anna’s pulse quickened as it always did when the newspaper was mentioned, and she held her breath. He spread the pages over the table. Everyone leaned in. She quickly scanned the headlines and sat back in her chair, her pulse slowing. No news from Philadelphia.

  She nearly laughed at her foolish worry. She felt as though she’d passed over a threshold. Worrying was an annoying old habit she’d have to work on breaking. As long as she kept moving forward, she could finally forget about the past.

  Russ read aloud. “On May 10, 1869, the ceremony featuring a golden spike officially marked the meeting of the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroads, joining the east and west coasts by railroad for the first time in United States history.”

  “That’s it.” Anna snapped her fingers. “We’ll have a transcontinental charity dinner celebrating the event.”

  “Seems fitting since the railroad is what put this town on the map,” Russ said.

  “At least the deal was finished before the Murdoch Gang started causing trouble.” Seth groaned.

  “We’ll have everyone purchase a ticket for the event,” Anna said. “Is anyone an artist?”

  “I can draw,” Marigold said.

  “We can have each ticket represent a city along the path. Ever
yone can have their ticket punched when they enter the event.”

  Russ leaned closer and adjusted one of the flowers in her hair. “I’m afraid a rose has come loose.”

  “I should go fix that.”

  She stood, and he caught her hand. “Don’t be long. I’ve ordered a very special dessert to celebrate.”

  A happy smile on her face, she slid shut the pocket doors to their private room and crossed the lobby. A skeletal-thin man in a black suit and dark hat sat on a bench. He lifted his head, and the brim revealed his eyes.

  “Detective Latemar,” Anna gasped. “What are you doing here?”

  “You remember me.” He unfurled from his seat, rising to his full, dizzying height. “You’re looking well, Mrs. Linford.”

  He had a long, smooth face with graying hair, and his suit hung off his slender frame.

  She touched her skirts. “What are you doing here?”

  He glanced over his shoulder toward the clerk at the desk. “Perhaps we should speak in private?”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  Her heart hammering, Anna ushered the detective into a small parlor off the main lobby and closed the double doors behind her.

  Detective Latemar leaned one hip against an ornate buffet and studied the polished tips of his boots. “Finding you wasn’t easy, Mrs. Linford.”

  “I’m under no obligation to you,” she said, her voice firm. She wouldn’t let him intimidate her. “I was cleared of any wrongdoing. I was under no obligation to inform you of my whereabouts.”

  “Professional courtesy then? Aren’t you the least bit curious about who killed your husband?”

  Her pulse jerked. “Then you’ve made an arrest?”

  “Not yet, no. But I will.”

  “Then I’ll read about it in the newspapers. He’s gone. Finding the killer won’t change anything.”

  “Aren’t you afraid? What if your husband wasn’t the only target?”

  “No.” He was toying with her. He’d done the same in Philadelphia, only times had changed. She had changed. “My husband was the one with the enemies.”

  “True, true. I’ve learned a lot about your husband over the past few months.”