Cooking Up Christmas (Christmas Mail-Order Angels)

by Teresa Ives Lilly

  COOKING

  UP

  CHRISTMAS

  A Mail Order Angel novella

  By Teresa Ives Lilly

  Cooking Up Christmas: Christmas Mail-Order Angels

  By Teresa Ives Lilly

  Published by Forget Me Not Romances

  Copyright 2015

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise — without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  Chapter 1

  Henrietta Myrick set a small valise on the porch. With a sigh, she closed the front door of the large, old boardinghouse, and then looked at the envelope clasped in her hand.

  It’s the only thing I can think of to do, Lord. Please help me to find a good life in Wyoming.

  “Yoo-Hoo, Henrietta, are you ready to go?”

  She looked up and smiled. Alice Canton, her best friend, was sitting in the driver’s seat of a small surrey.

  “Your train will leave without you if we don’t hurry.”

  Henrietta made her way down the pathway. When she reached the picket fence’s gate, she turned to gaze at the house one last time. It will only be a memory now. She couldn’t help but allow another heavy sigh to escape.

  The letter in her hand made a crinkling noise as a gentle breeze blew over it, and pulled her thoughts back to the task at hand. Get to the station, board the train, switch to a wagon, get to Angel Vale, meet Benjamin Capell, get married.

  It all sounded simple, but the reality of going through with the whole thing was terrifying. Ever since her pastor’s daughter, Becky had given her the pamphlet about the men in Angel Vale, Wyoming looking for mail order brides, her life had been turned upside down.

  There’s no going back. I have nothing left here.

  Henrietta turned, pushed open the gate and moved toward the surrey. She handed her valise up to Alice and clambered into the front beside her friend, glad she had sent her trunk ahead to the station. She settled onto the hard seat and took a gulp of air to press down the fear and sorrow that gripped her heart. After squeezing her eyes shut for several seconds, she looked up and met her friend’s sympathetic eyes.

  “You don’t have to go, Henrietta. If we put our minds together, we can come up with a different answer.” Alice reached out and patted Henrietta’s hand. “Jon assured me last night. You are welcome to stay with us.”

  “You’re newlyweds. You don’t need an old maid like me in the house.”

  Her friend frowned. “You’re not an old maid. You have never given yourself a chance, never mingled with the young people, never attended church socials. You just kept yourself locked up in the kitchen of the boardinghouse. There was never an opportunity for you to meet anyone.”

  “I loved the boardinghouse. Grandmother was kind enough to take me in when I was nine years old. She taught me to cook. I love cooking and I loved the boarders. I have no regrets.”

  “Except, now you’re twenty-nine years old, your grandmother is gone, the boardinghouse is closed up and you have no husband.”

  The words sounded harsh, but Henrietta knew her friend meant well. Hadn’t she told herself the same things over the last several weeks?

  “But, you don’t have to go all the way to Wyoming. If you stay with us, Jon and I can introduce you to several eligible bachelors.”

  Henrietta shook her head, straightened and laughed. “I have already committed to marrying Benjamin Capell. Besides, we both know the mail order bride pamphlet was a Godsend for me. I’m just feeling nostalgic. It’s hard to say goodbye to a house. It’s not like a person who you can write letters to, or see in heaven someday. A house is just…well, it’s just a house. But I have so many wonderful memories here…” Her voice faded.

  “Are you ready?” Alice asked. Henrietta fought back the forming tears and nodded.

  Alice clicked the reins and the horse moved.

  Although her heart tugged at her, Henrietta did not look back.

  *****

  Henrietta sat ramrod straight as the driver turned the team of horses toward Angel Vale. Her body ached and cried out each time the wagon bumped over a rut. It seemed as if they had traveled for endless hours since stepping off the train. She was told that Angel Vale was a mere twenty-five miles from the railroad spur head, but it felt more like one hundred miles.

  During most of the ride, Amanda Geoffrey and she had chatted, but as they drew near town, all the girls had grown quiet. As they crossed a creaky, old covered bridge, she clasped her hands together. When the Morgan horses pulled the wagon out the other side of the covered bridge, she squinted, trying to see the town. From her vantage point, she could make out a dirt road, and a row of wooden buildings all standing in a straight line.

  Henrietta could see her breath form a small cloud in front of her. She pulled her thin shawl closer and shivered. The late September air cut through her.

  If it’s this frigid in September, I wonder how cold it will get in the winter? I will need warmer clothes, boots, mittens. The winters in Maine are cold and wet, but living with Grandmother I hardly ever had to step outside. I’m not prepared clothing-wise for Wyoming weather.

  Henrietta and the other mail order brides, who were dispersed in three wagons, gave a cheer as the wagon drew near the town. Although the brides seemed jubilant, she could feel apprehension fill all twelve women. She trembled.

  Lord, please let Benjamin be kind. It doesn’t matter that he isn’t rich, or prince charming. I’m an old maid, so I can’t ask for much. A small home, a kind husband…

  Her shoulder’s shrugged. At least until Benjamin and I marry, I’ll be a cook. Maybe not in my own restaurant as I’ve always dreamed of, but I’ll be able to continue doing what I love.

  Her eyes strained, searching the row of buildings for a sign to indicate the location of the Angel Vale Eatery. In his most recent letter, Benjamin assured her the new restaurant needed a cook and was holding the job for her. She was thankful because she wanted to be able to make money and pay her own way during the months before she and Benjamin married. Aside from a whole new winter wardrobe, there were things she would need. One trunk of clothes and a small valise of personal items were all she owned.

  Benjamin had written that he and his father owned a small mine and made enough money to provide a comfortable life, nothing extravagant. But as they drew closer to the town and she noted the poor condition of the buildings, she wondered what his idea of a comfortable life meant.

  The road leading into town was nothing more than an old oxen trail and the short row of buildings was unimpressive. They passed the blacksmith shop across from the row of buildings. She noted a sheriff’s office next to a small legal office.

  At least there is some law and order here. Amanda’s future husband is sheriff. I wonder how she will be able to live, always worried about him getting killed?

  There was also, unfortunately, a saloon called the Golden Nugget. She bit her bottom lip. Benjamin never mentioned if he is a drinking man. He claims to be a Christian, but… Her stomach twisted as more thoughts surfaced. There were many unanswered questions.

  The driver clicked and pulled on the reins. The horses stopped in front of the Underwood mercantile. “Welcome to Angel Vale,” the mercantile owner’s voice
rang out.

  With a huge gulp, Henrietta glanced up. A row of men lined the boardwalk in front of the store. Her eyes searched each man’s face until she found the one that matched the tintype Benjamin had sent her. For a moment their eyes locked.

  Henrietta’s lips twitched into a small smile. He was as handsome as she had hoped.

  *****

  After Sophia introduced each woman to the group of men clustered by the mercantile, chaos reigned as the men moved forward to greet their brides-to-be. Henrietta noted her two small pieces of luggage still in the wagon that would be taken to the place she and several other brides who were not getting married right away would stay. For a moment she stood gazing outward thinking.

  Not much to bring into a marriage, Lord. I have no money, no dowry, hardly enough clothes to last out a year. I only hope I can please Benjamin in other ways; cooking, cleaning, sewing.

  “Henrietta?” a deep voice startled her reverie.

  She turned too quickly. Benjamin was standing so close, she had to step back, but as she did, her foot caught on the edge of the suitcase and she tumbled backward, landing on the hard, dirt ground, in a sitting position.

  She could feel the red heat of embarrassment seep into her cheeks. She covered them with her hands and looked up at him. She was pleased to see a spark of amusement in his eyes.

  “Well, I’ve never fallen for a man before.” She giggled.

  Benjamin’s eyes registered shock at her comment, but almost immediately a huge grin spread across his face. He took her outstretched hand in his and pulled her to her feet with such power, she fell against his muscular chest. Henrietta placed her hands on his chest and pushed away. When she was finally standing on her own two feet, their eyes locked and they both burst out laughing.

  “I’m glad you have a sense of humor, Benjamin. I’m afraid with me around, you will need one.”

  Chapter 2

  Benjamin stood on the boardwalk with the other men. He and Sheriff Calloway had chatted for a few moments. He, too, was expecting a mail order bride.

  Benjamin ran a hand through his hair and sighed. What was I thinking, Lord? I want a wife, but was I just plain crazy to get involved in Jake’s scheme? Who in their right mind orders a woman through the mail, like ordering a pair of shoes from a catalog? Maybe I should have gone to the east coast, met a woman, courted her appropriately and then asked her to marry me?

  But Benjamin knew that was something he would never have done. The women in the east would never give a gold miner a second glance, at least not until they knew how rich he was. Then, if they found out how much money he had accumulated, he could have had his choice of the most fashionable woman from the wealthiest family. But Benjamin didn’t want a woman who only married him for his money. He wanted a woman who would love him for himself. And that was why he had not told Henrietta about his wealth. He wanted her to get to know him first, as a Christian man, a hard worker, and hopefully as a good catch. If she did come to love him, and they did marry at Christmas, he would tell her the truth. Until then, she would have to assume him to be a hard worker, eking out a small living working with his father at the mine.

  No one in Angel Vale knew about his wealth, except the local assayer who was his best friend. And no one knew he was the one who had recently bought the corner building and opened the Angel Vale Eatery. It had all been done privately.

  This Benjamin had done on a whim. In one of the few letters from Henrietta, she had revealed her dream of owning her own restaurant some day. It had sparked an idea in his mind. He could buy the building, open the eatery, and provide a job for her as a cook until they were married. Then, he would give her the restaurant as a wedding gift. He knew it was a good investment as well. The town was overrun with hungry men and with the new brides coming in, the town would soon start to be civilized. Once he told her he was the owner, they could run the eatery together because he was tired of working the mine. With the money he had already made he didn’t need to suffer the elements and drudgery of that lifestyle any longer.

  For now, he would allow Henrietta to believe he still worked the small mine with his father and surprise her on their wedding day.

  The boardwalk began to shake as the men cheered and waved. His head shot up. Three wagons loaded with trunks, girls, and a printing press, pulled into view. The Morgan horses pulled the heavy six seated wagons toward the mercantile.

  Benjamin watched as the driver pulled on the reins and brought the animals to a stop. His eyes immediately started to scan the women’s faces. He passed over the brunettes and red heads and finally landed on a lovely blonde. He gulped. She was even more beautiful than she had appeared in the small tintype she’d sent. Even travel-worn, he could see she was a proper, east coast woman. For a twenty-nine year old, she had the fresh look of a much younger woman.

  For a second his heart plummeted. What was I thinking, Lord? This is no place for a woman like her.

  *****

  As Jake and the other men helped the women off the wagons, Benjamin quickly made his way toward Henrietta. She was standing amidst the chaos, staring into space.

  She must be contemplating running away already. I don’t blame her. Benjamin scanned the sad looking town. There was little here to appeal to a woman from the east. There were no dress makers and no haberdasheries. Perhaps, the jewelry store might be of some interest. However, for now, he wouldn’t let on that he could afford to buy her even a small piece of jewelry.

  “Henrietta.” He spoke her name. Her head twisted, she turned and immediately took a step back, but as she did, her foot caught on the edge of a suitcase and she tumbled backward, landing on the hard, dirt ground, in a sitting position.

  Benjamin was enthralled as a pink hue flushed her cheeks. But when she spoke, he was amazed.

  “Well, I’ve never fallen for a man before.” He heard her songlike giggle.

  Benjamin stared at her for a long moment, not sure how to react to her statement. Finally. his lips split into a huge grin. He reached over and took her outstretched hand in his and pulled her to her feet with such power, she fell against his chest. He felt her hands as she tried to push away. Their warmth caused boiling heat to rush through his blood. When she was finally standing on her own two feet, his grey eyes locked with her blue eyes and they both burst out laughing.

  *****

  After several moments, Benjamin asked which trunks were hers. Henrietta pointed to a rather old, shabby one and a small valise. He grabbed the valise and memorized the look of her trunk, so when they reached the mill he would be able to get to it right away.

  “Anything else?” He handed her the valise.

  She grasped the small bag and shrugged.

  “That’s all you brought?” His voice sounded incredulous. He’d never met a woman who could have traveled all the way to Wyoming with such a small amount of luggage. Not that it bothered him. He could buy her anything she would want or need, it just seemed curious.

  She nibbled her bottom lip. “I don’t own anything else. When Grandmother passed, everything went with the house. Even the blue willow tea set I so loved.” Her voice faded. “But, you don’t have to worry about providing for me, yet. Once I start working, I’ll be able to purchase whatever I need.”

  She stretched her neck so she could look down the street. “Is that the eatery, down there?”

  “Yes. They are expecting you to begin your duties as cook Monday. In the meantime, we can get you settled into the old mill, with several of the other brides-to-be. Then, if you are hungry, we can go to the eatery. Right now they have a Chinese man doing the cooking. The food’s a bit strange, but it’s the only place to eat.”

  “If there is already a cook, why did the owner agree to hire me?”

  “The Chinese man is only cooking on a temporary basis. He regularly works at the laundry.”

  “I’d hate to take a job from anyone.”

  “You won’t. Believe me, since the eatery opened a few weeks ago, the
men have been filing in daily for two meals. Most of them can barely stand the food, but are willing to eat it instead of cooking their own. If you are even a semi good cook, the restaurant will become a success overnight.”

  “I hope I can please them. I’m used to cooking plain, simple fare. The boarders in Grandmother’s boardinghouse didn’t want anything fancy.”

  “Believe me, the men in this town don’t need anything fancy, either. If you can cook ham and eggs, bacon and eggs, grits, potatoes, and steak, you will be able to please them all. Even I will come there for my meals. I’m tired of burnt biscuits and tough bacon.”

  “Is that all you know how to cook?”

  “Aside from beans, that’s it. No one in this town knows how to cook much more than that.”

  A small trill of laughter escaped Henrietta’s lips. “Then, I expect I will be the most popular girl in town. You better watch out, Benjamin. Once the men find out I’m doing all that plain cooking, you might have some competition for my hand in marriage. Maybe even have to fight it out with a rich miner.”

  She turned a coy smile toward him, but was taken aback by his expression. His grey eyes now looked stormy.

  What did I say wrong, Lord?

  She wanted to kick herself.

  Chapter 3

  Benjamin ground his teeth together. So that was the way of things. What really mattered to Henrietta was money. Oh, she had agreed to marry him, but from her statement, he could tell she wanted someone richer.

  Lord, you know that was my one desire. To have someone love me for myself, not my gold. I was so sure she was the one for me. That’s why I proposed marriage in my last letter to her.

  He glanced her way and noted her lip trembling. Then he noticed her clothing. She wasn’t dressed warmly enough for the weather in Angel Vale and it hadn’t even begun to get cold yet.

  “Better get you to the mill.” He grabbed the small valise from her hands and left her standing behind with nothing to do but follow.