by P. Creeden
Thomas fell in step with him. “Not sure I should tell you. Maybe you should just wait and see.”
Maxwell leveled a glare at his brother, but Thomas just smiled wider. Sweat dripped between his shoulder blades as the sun beat down on them from a cloudless sky. Even Thomas’s grin couldn’t hide the way sweat beaded on his upper lip. It wasn’t until that moment that Maxwell realized how very thirsty he was. But maybe some of that dryness in his throat was from the nervousness that kept multiplying by what was not being told to him about the stranger in his family’s home. He swallowed hard as the homestead came into view. Thomas’s feet seemed light as she strolled alongside Maxwell, so chances were that the visitor wasn’t a threat or a bad thing. However, the way everyone kept him in the dark was unsettling.
Just as they approached the front porch, Missy opened the front door with a wide smile on her face. “There you are! I sent for you nearly an hour ago.”
With a shrug, Maxwell said, “I was in the middle of something that needed taken care of. I couldn’t just drop it and come running. Now, what’s this all about?”
Lifting a brow, Missy stepped to the side and the sunlight caught in the blonde hair of the most beautiful woman Maxwell had ever seen as she stepped out onto the porch. Her hair shined like gold and a halo almost appeared over it. Her blue eyes met his, and he could see worry and a hint of sadness or fear. It made his protective instinct rise up in him. Who would want to hurt such a beautiful woman? He didn’t know but no one would ever hurt her while he was around, that much was for certain. He set a hand on his chest as he caught himself in the midst of those thoughts. Where had the come from, and why was his heart racing so fast?
Missy’s smile grew impossibly wider as she set hands on the beautiful woman’s shoulders. “Maxwell Clayton, I’d like you to meet Colette Tolliver, she’s here in response to your advertisement for a mail-order bride.”
Chapter 8
Colette lost feeling in the tips of her fingers from squeezing her hands together so hard. She’d spent seven days on a train, sleeping in the public car when she could because she couldn’t rest in a hotel room on her budget. By the time she’d reached Romeo, Colorado, she barely had more than ten dollars to her name. And she didn’t even have a name for the person who had made the advertisement. When she’d asked asked at the newspaper office, they’d sent her to the telegraph operator. The man had been adamant about not exposing who had sent the telegram but had agreed to send word to the person who’d created the advertisement, to allow them to decide whether to uncover their identity or not. Colette had been a nervous wreck while she’d waited in the train station. What if she were rejected? She barely had enough for a fare back toward the east coast, and if that’s what she’d decided to do, and she’d not have enough money to eat.
Could she find employment as a teacher in the frontier if she were already there? Perhaps. But all of that became neither here nor there when Missy Clayton had arrived. The older woman smiled at her and invited her into her home without a second thought. Her welcoming hospitality and warm expression had given Colette hope. And when Maxwell had walked up to the front porch and they met eyes for the first time, Colette’s heart skipped a beat in her chest. She’d never felt anything like that with anyone except her husband, John. Over the last several days on the train, she’d already had the opportunity to mourn the loss of her husband and to mourn the loss of love in her life. She’d already resigned herself to the fact that her new marriage would likely be a loveless one. But when his soft brown eyes met hers, even though they drooped just a bit in a kind but tired way, she wondered if God could possibly bless her with a companionable friendship with her husband if not something more?
He removed his hat and bowed slightly. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss.”
Her heart squeezed in her chest as she loosened her fingers and placed her hands behind her back. “I’m sorry to have come without sending word first. I had a rather urgent situation that I do not want to burden you good people with. Please don’t feel pressured to make me your wife just because I’m standing on your doorstep.”
Maxwell’s brow furrowed as he looked up at her with curious eyes. Missy’s hands squeezed her shoulders as she said, “That’s enough of that now. It’s good that you want to make sure that you aren’t a burden. But we do not see people that way, do we, Maxwell?”
The man shook his head, but his eyes still did not leave Colette’s. “That’s right.”
A modicum of relief eased the tension in Colette’s shoulders. “Thank you both for your hospitality.”
He strode forward and came up the steps of the porch, coming closer to her and making her heartbeat skip again. He was much taller than she’d realized. Part of her was intrigued, but after what she’d been through with Jason of late, a measure of fear pinpricked in her heart as well. No, this man wasn’t Jason. She needed to keep reminding herself of that. Not every man was violent and impatient. Good gentlemen abounded. She needed to have faith that Maxwell would be one of those. He stepped backward one step off the porch to make himself shorter and allowed him to remain at eye-level with her. That fear in her heart receded and a smile tugged at her lips. The corners of his eyes crinkled a bit as he returned the smile. “I’m in no hurry to marry, Miss Tolliver. So, please, have lunch with us all today and we’ll talk about things and decide whether courting is the right thing for us to do. I hate to think that you might have come all this way just to turn back around again.”
Colette shook her head. “No need to worry about that, sir. I have no intention of returning. Your advertisement had requested a lady unafraid of adventure, and that’s what I am. If you and I are not compatible, I intend to remain in Colorado and fine some gainful employment here.”
He raised a brow. “That’s quite an undertaking.”
She drew in a deep breath and released it in a sigh. “I understand that things may not work out for me, but as I said, my situation back home made it urgent that I find another place to go.”
He tilted his head in question.
Missy clapped her hands together, drawing everyone’s attention. “All right, then. Let’s all continue this conversation inside over lunch. I have some salted pork and fresh snapped peas. I’ll get started on a salad with some fresh tomatoes from my garden if that will please everyone? I just can’t imagine eating something warm in this heat. Luckily I baked plenty of bread early this morning before the sun took over the day.”
She herded Colette back into the house, and the two men followed. Once they were all seated, Missy served the cold salad. Colette pushed it around with her fork for a moment. “What is this white stuff on the salad?”
A smile spread across Missy’s lips. “It’s a family recipe that dates back a hundred years before my family left Germany. It’s called mayonnaise—made with fresh cream and eggs.”
After taking a bite, Colette nodded. “It’s delicious, especially with the peas.”
Missy’s smile grew wider. “That is one of my favorite combinations. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it.”
The foursome continued to eat the salad and salted pork in companionable silence. Occasionally, when she looked up, Colette found that both the brothers would be measuring her accordingly. The younger, teenage brother, Thomas, was particularly keen with his unencumbered staring. Colette couldn’t help but smile. Then she met eyes with Maxwell again, and he asked, “Where did you say you were from, Miss Tolliver.”
Colette’s stomach twisted a bit as she set aside her fork and wiped her lips, stalling for just a few more seconds to get her thoughts together. “Actually, it’s Ms. Tolliver. I’m a widow. Your advertisement said that you were not averse to considering a widow for your bride?”
After quickly meeting eyes with Missy, he shook his head. “I’m not. How long ago did you lose your husband?”
Pain struck a chord in Colette’s chest as tears stung the backs of her eyes. She blinked them away and took a quick sip of her water to gain
control of her faculties before continuing. “Three weeks ago this coming Monday.”
Maxwell’s eyes went wide, and Missy’s mouth went agape.
Colette frowned and dropped her gaze to the table. “I know that it’s not been very long. I hate that I haven’t had long to truly mourn my husband, Jack. But I’ve had extenuating circumstances.”
After taking another deep breath, Colette began to tell the family about everything that had happened since Jack had left her a widow. The only thing she held back was the fact that she was with child. She told them about Jason’s unwanted advances, and the reason she’d had to leave Atlantic city in a hurry. She even told them how she’d wanted to at least send the family a telegraph to let them know she was coming, but she was unsure how to word it so that she didn’t sound completely like she was running a foolish errand.
Maxwell’s brow furrowed by the time she’d finished. “It’s not a fool’s errand,” he said. “You needed safety, and you’ll find that here in Romeo. Presently I’m acting sheriff, and no matter who’s in charge of the office here in town, you can rest assured that we will keep you well protected no matter who might show up. That’s if you decide to stay.”
Colette blinked. “I could stay in town at an inn or a boarding house if there is one. Do you know of a room somewhere for two bits or less per week?”
“Nonsense!” Missy said as she stood quickly. Both the brothers suddenly stood with her, showing their manners. Her palm slapped the hardwood table gently. “You’ll stay here with us. We have the space. You can sleep in Maxwell’s room.”
Heat rushed to Colette’s cheeks, and her heart raced at the implication. Would she really stay with the man when they’d not yet even decided to court. Shyly, she peered up at Maxwell through her lashes and swallowed hard. “I... I couldn’t stay in a gentleman’s room.”
His eyes went wide and he shook his head, backing away a step with his hands up in surrender. “No. No! It’s not like that... I mean, that’s not what Ma meant. I don’t stay in that room very often... almost not at all.” A blush ran up his neck and the tips of his ears even reddened.
Missy laughed. “He means to say that he’ll stay at the sheriff’s office bunkhouse, the way that he always does while you two get to know each other and decide whether marriage is the right thing for you both.”
At the explanation, Colette flushed again. How could she have thought anything else. Of course, he wouldn’t be staying in the same room with her. That was improper, even if they were engaged to be married. Which just because she’d answered the advertisement didn’t mean that they were engaged. Maxwell would have to agree to the marriage, and the plain fact was that so would she. These were good folks; Colette could tell already. This family was much more welcoming than the one she’d left behind in New Jersey... if Jason could be called her family. She let out a slow breath. “You all have been very kind to me. Much more than I could have asked for. I pray that I will be able to repay your kindness in some small way some day.”
Missy reached across the table and squeezed Colette’s hand. “Don’t you worry about that. You’re our guest, and potentially Maxwell’s bride. We wouldn’t have you staying at any two-bit hotel.”
Relief washed over Colette. Maybe this could all work out. She met eyes with the man who she was to court and her heart fluttered again. He seemed a kind, decent man. He seemed honest and hard-working. His skin tone told of the work he’d put in the sun, but he was still a healthy color. Maybe he was too good for Colette. After all, she was a widow... sullied... and with child. Even though she’d chosen to keep that a secret for now, she couldn’t hold that back forever. And Maxwell deserved better than that. He seemed like the kind of man who could do much better. And with those thoughts in mind, Colette’s heart sank.
Chapter 9
Maxwell hadn’t spent a proper afternoon in his family’s house during the week in so long he couldn’t remember. But that afternoon, he couldn’t find a reason to leave. Not that he wanted to find a reason. Missy and Thomas had always been great company. They were his family. But the addition of Colette into their household brought a light about the room that Maxwell didn’t know it had been missing. Everyone seemed to smile a bit more. Colette’s laughter struck a chord in his heart akin to the twinkling of wind chimes. When she helped Missy with the dishes that afternoon, the light from the window entered in and played in her golden hair, giving it even more of a sheen, offering her an angelic glow that danced around her as she moved in the light.
The situation caused Maxwell to swallow hard. He’d never had these kinds of feelings for a woman, but he wouldn’t call it love. Not yet. It was a fact that he was enamored with her. She was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen at all. But when he looked over at Thomas and found his younger brother with stars in his eyes looking at Colette, he knew that she had this kind of effect on everyone. Even Deputy Miller’s strange behavior earlier made sense. Her story was one that made him feel for her. The sadness in her eyes became more understandable than it had before. And he knew that he would protect her no matter what. She needed someone... something in her life that she could depend on. But would it be right for him to accept her as a bride just because she evoked strong feelings of protectiveness in him?
“What do you think?” Thomas whispered from across the table.
Maxwell lifted a brow in teasing at his brother. “Think about what?”
Thomas tilted his head in Colette’s direction. “Her. The girl.”
“Which one? Missy?” Maxwell asked.
Thomas’s face went slack as he glared at Maxwell, and Maxwell couldn’t help but chuckle.
He shook his head. “I don’t think anything yet.”
“She’s surely pretty, though. Isn’t she?” Thomas asked, those stars shining in his eyes again as he peered over to where she was wiping down the dishes with a towel after Missy washed them in the basin.
When Thomas’s gaze made its way back to Maxwell in his silence, Maxwell shrugged. “Pretty is as pretty does. What’s on the outside doesn’t matter a hill of beans compared to what’s on the inside.”
“I understand that,” Thomas said, taken aback. “I mean she seems pretty on the inside, too. Doesn’t she? She seems kind and nice and sweet. And she surely is easy on the eyes.”
Maxwell shook his head at his brother again. “Where did you learn that kind of talk? Every woman is beautiful in her own way. I know I didn’t teach you to talk like that.”
With a deep sigh, Thomas rolled his eyes. “I’m my own man. I don’t need to be taught everything that I think, you know.”
“It would be nice if you would, sometimes,” Maxwell mumbled before standing up and taking hold of his hat. “That was a lovely lunch, Missy. It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Tolliver. I have to go check in at the sheriff’s office and make sure that everything is all right.”
“But you’re the sheriff now,” Missy said. “Can’t you delegate some of those duties to one of the deputies?”
“Acting sheriff,” Maxwell intoned again. “And there are some things that the sheriff is supposed to do, himself. I can’t go neglecting my duties.”
Missy’s hands fisted on her hips. “Fine. But you’ll be home for dinner, right? And you’ll spend some time here with us? How are you supposed to give a proper amount of time to courting if you don’t ever come around?”
Maxwell’s heart skipped a beat in his chest as he heard the word—courting. He swallowed hard, trying to calm his twisting stomach. Why was he so nervous at the thought? “I will be back for dinner and will spend time after. Every day. Will that be acceptable to you, Ma?”
A smile spread across Missy’s lips as she nodded once. “That’ll do.”
With a small head bob toward both her and Ms. Tolliver, Maxwell started for the door. It wasn’t until he was outside that he felt he could finally breathe properly again. It wasn’t that the house was stifling or that the company was too pressing. It was just that
he wasn’t used to the attentions of a woman. Especially not one like Colette. Thomas was right. She was the very definition of a handsome woman, and honestly seemed to be pretty both inside and out. Letting out another breath, Maxwell started down the porch steps and shoved his hat down on his head. It didn’t matter whether Thomas was right or not—Maxwell surely wasn’t going to tell the kid so.
Colette helped Missy with the afternoon chores. It was the least she could do for the family taking her in and allowing her to stay even though she was nothing more than a stranger to them. Out at the back of the house, Missy’s personal vegetable garden was more extensive than any that Colette had seen. Of course, not many people were prone to gardening in Atlantic City outside of the occasional rose bush or flower garden. The sun shone at an angle overhead, causing sweat to form on her nose and brow. Her gloved hands sank deep in the dark soil as she pulled weeds from the rows of younger plants. Missy sang hymn after hymn, her beautiful voice like that of a songbird. Colette recognized some of the songs but did little more than hum along. Their voices were not on the same scale as each other, and Colette preferred to listen to Missy’s smooth melody instead of adding her own broken one. Together they made it through several rows before thirst began to make the work hard.
Missy stood up straight, her hands on her back as she stretched it out. Colette copied the same posture, feeling the stretch through her lower waist. A wide smile spread across Missy’s lips. “I can usually only get two or three rows done in a day, but together we got through six. If you’re willing to help me like that, we’ll get them all done in two or three days and then take the rest of the week off. It’s usually a daily job for me, but it’s lovely to have some help.”
“I’d like to do what I can while I’m staying.”