A Christmas Proposal (A Wyoming Mail Order Bride Holiday 2)

by Annie Boone

  “Well, thank you for coming in,” Lillian answered, wondering if he’d been a regular there.

  He waved and then left. Lillian decided to clear the table, when she saw a strawberry dipped in chocolate, nestled in a bit of wax paper. Next to that was a note: Thank you for brightening my day.

  She couldn’t believe her eyes. He’d left her an expensive little treat nestled into the dishes she was about to clear away. He knew she’d find this and know it was for her.

  Dorothy stopped to see what Lillian was looking at. “Oh my. Isn’t that stunning? And it looks scrumptious. I want to eat it! What a wonderful gift for a lady.”

  “But why?” Lillian asked.

  “Silly girl, he likes you. It’s like I said before. He’s surely sweet on you!”

  “What do I do, though? I’ve never really been courted. What do I do?” She turned desperately to Dorothy, who just laughed.

  “It’s actually pretty simple. You just leave everything to him. Men are supposed to show their peacock feathers to entice a woman to fall for them. I believe I heard the story that Daphne had four men court her at one time. I don’t think she fell in love with any of them. You should see the lovely gifts they gave her!” She winked at Lillian.

  “I was never any good at this stuff. That’s why I’m here, actually. The breakup you saw the other day was on the first day we met face to face. He brought me here as a Mail Order Bride but found someone else before I arrived. He decided to tell me when he was supposed to be coming to pick me up.”

  Dorothy’s eyebrows rose but only slightly. Her sophisticated upbringing kept her from showing too much surprise. Mail order brides weren’t unheard of by any means, she just didn’t expect someone as pretty as Lillian to be one. “You’re far too pretty to be a mail order bride. Some man, like Mr. Brown, perhaps, will scoop you right up. I must agree. I think he’s handsome too. I’ve never seen him show much interest to the women in town, though.”

  “Mr. Brown?” Lillian asked.

  “Dean Brown. That’s the handsome man who’s been flirting with you. He owns the bank across and down the street,” Dorothy explained. “Actually, he comes from money as you might guess since he owns a bank. It’s not such a bad thing to have a wealthy man flirting with you.”

  “Oh my. I feel faint.” Lillian placed the back of her hand to her cheek. “I’m nervous to see him tomorrow. What ever will I say?”

  “Tell him you loved the candied strawberry and are happy to see him again.”

  “That’s not too forward?” Lillian asked.

  “No. Men like outgoing women sometimes. I guess we seem unobtainable. I have a feeling Mr. Brown needs a woman like you. Strong, independent, and beautiful.”

  Lillian blushed at the compliment and finished clearing a table. She took the plates and bowls to the kitchen.

  ***

  Later that night, Lillian was headed for the washroom, when she bumped into Daphne. They both wore long night dresses that flowed to the floor. Their hair was down and Daphne was fresh faced.

  “Daphne! What are you doing here?” Lillian exclaimed.

  “I live here, too. At least for now. My parents moved out to Flagstaff a few months ago for my father to work on the railroad. I didn’t want to go, so Dorothy gave me a room here.”

  “She’s so generous. She’s helping us both.”

  “Yes. Now removing your rouge can wait,” Daphne said and took Lillian by the arm, guiding her to a window.

  She opened the window and climbed out of it, leaving Lillian wide-eyed and in wonder.

  “Come, come, don’t just stand there,” Daphne called.

  Lillian followed her outside into the wispy warm summer air. Daphne was climbing from the awning to another part of the building that laid at a slight angle. Lillian followed her, until they had climbed up a floor. Then Daphne laid down on the roof and looked up to the sky. As Lillian made it to her, Daphne pulled a cigarette and matches from her pocket. She lit the cigarette and then handed it to Lillian.

  Lillian had never smoked and never liked the smell. Her father smoked like a chimney. “Oh, I don’t smoke,” she said.

  “I don’t either, except sometimes. I come out here and look at the stars to relax.”

  “I can see why. Wow, this is amazing,” Lillian said, staring up at the sky.

  “So I’m hearing that Dean Brown may be looking to court you. What will you do?” Daphne asked.

  “Well, of course, if he asks I’ll court him. It’s just a little frightening for me. When I was corresponding through mail, it wasn’t as scary. I got to know Andrew before I came here,” Lillian explained. “Or at least as much as you can through letters. And Dean, he told me to call him that, comes from money. I don’t. The whole thing is just, well, it rattles my nerves.”

  Daphne laughed quietly. “You’ll get to know Dean, and all will be well. I know it. You’re the perfect girl for him.”

  “Thank you, Daphne. I feel a lot better because of your kind words.”

  “You fit in here. In Cheyenne and at the restaurant. You’ll fit in to Dean’s world too,” Daphne assured.

  Chapter Five

  The next day, Lillian was on edge, just waiting for Dean to come walking through the door. Lunch came and went though, and he never showed up.

  Lillian cleared her tables as she huffed around. Daphne came up behind her, talking in a low tone. “You’re cheeks are pink with anger. Calm down before our guests notice you’re in a tizzy.”

  Lillian stood and turned to her friend. “I’m sorry, Daphne, I had just gotten my hopes up so high.”

  “It was partly my fault. He’ll be back. He always comes back. Perhaps work took him away,” Daphne suggested.

  Lillian looked down, “Yes. I supposed. I’ll get my attitude right. Again, forgive me. I don’t want to be difficult to work with.”

  Daphne waved a hand at her. “Forgive what? Disappointment. Nothing to forgive.” Then Daphne disappeared behind the kitchen door.

  Just then, Dean Brown came walking through the doors. He walked straight to the seating area, where Lillian was stacking plates.

  “What time do you get off?” Dean asked Lillian, startling her out of her skin.

  She popped up from the table and had to stifle a shriek.

  Dean laughed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Please forgive me.”

  “I don’t know, Mr. Brown, part of me thinks you meant to frighten me,” Lillian said with a hand on her hip. She hated when people scared her.

  “It’s Dean, and again, I apologize.” He placed a hand over his chest.

  “Alright, Dean. It’s just I don’t like it when someone sneaks up behind me.”

  “How can I make it up to you, Lillian?” he asked.

  She liked the way her name sounded on his lips. “Well, you can let me know why you startled me.”

  With a smile he said, “I came to ask you to dinner. I didn’t realize you’d jump out of your skin. Will you oblige me?”

  “Well, sure. I suppose dinner would be nice. And I think you owe me something nice for scaring the fool out of me!”

  “All right then. We’ll go to Loretta’s then. She makes the best cobbler in town.”

  Daphne came out of the kitchen with a plate, but then she hesitated and went back inside when she saw Dean and Lillian talking.

  Dean smiled at Lillian again, in a knowing way this time though. Lillian blushed, thinking she’d ring her friend’s neck for being so obvious that they’d discussed him in private.

  “That sounds lovely. I’m looking forward to it, Dean.”

  “Then I shall return around six.” he said and with a slight bow. He turned on a heel and left. He was so dapper in his suit and bowler.

  Lillian wanted to squeal all the way into the kitchen, but she knew Chef wouldn’t approve. Two more patrons came in as she made it to the kitchen doors. She popped in and looked at Daphne. “Tsk, tsk, yo
u!”

  Daphne laughed and threw a hand towel at her. After laughing back and batting the cloth away, Lillian went to wait on the new guests.

  “I wonder what he was doing here so late. He never eats anything but lunch here.” Lillian overheard a woman saying, then Daphne breached the doors, like maybe she could hear like a hawk. She wondered if Daphne chose these inappropriate times to come around. Daphne held the coffee pot out to the man, who nodded, and then she poured him a cup.

  “Well, Mr. Brown is a business man. Perhaps that’s why he was here at the inn so late,” the gentleman stated.

  Daphne said back, “No, he was here to begin courting my friend. He asked her to dinner. She’s right over there. Lillian? Come on over and meet the Grangers.”

  Lillian wanted to crawl in a hole, but Daphne was trying to introduce her around. It really was a nice gesture, just not the way she would have normally liked to be introduced. Reluctantly, but with a smile, she went to the table and met the family of three.

  The daughter looked very opposed to the idea of Lillian being at their table. Lillian wondered if she fancied the banker. He was very good looking. Then the mother confirmed it by saying, “Well, that Mr. Brown has been up and down and round and round with who he dates. He has yet to choose a lady worthy of such inheritance.”

  “Well, I promise Lillian’s worthy of it. She’s one of the smartest girls I’ve known. Do you know, the first day she arrived, she ran the dining room by herself. I wasn’t here to help and she did it with no help from anyone,” Daphne said.

  “It’s what had to be done,” Lillian finished.

  Then, Mr. Granger said, “My daughter can’t set the table, let alone wash a dish. What you did is commendable. And proper. And what is your name, miss?”

  “Lillian. You may call me Lillian. Thank you Mr. Granger. I appreciate the kind words.”

  Lillian turned away self-consciously and walked away from the table. His daughter’s eyes were boring a hole in her with a jealous and nasty stare. Seemed she fancied Mr. Dean Brown, the banker. He was an eligible bachelor, after all. She wished Daphne had kept the information to herself. People in small towns loved gossip and now it was likely she would be part of the rumor mill.

  ***

  Lillian raced up the stairs as soon as her last patron finished his dinner and his table was cleared. She probably rushed him a little bit, but she was in a hurry. She rushed down the east corridor, hoping she had enough time to change and do her face, before Dean showed up to fetch her.

  In the restaurant, Lillian only wore two outfits. Dean had never seen her in anything other than a simple blouse and skirt that was only meant for work. She hoped the change in her wardrobe would excite Dean. For tonight, she chose a ruby red dress trimmed with cream lace. The neckline settled just below her collarbone and she loved how it showed her delicate features.

  She was quickly trying to tie her hair up when Daphne knocked and entered the room.

  “I could skin you alive,” Lillian said to her. The look on her face said she wasn’t kidding.

  “Why? I don’t know what you mean,” replied Daphne. The surprise she showed said that she really didn’t know why Lillian would be annoyed with her.

  “Get me murdered by the Granger’s daughter. Did you not see that she is smitten with Dean? And on top of that, you embarrassed me.”

  “Yes. That’s what I thought was hilarious. That girl was brutal to me in school, so it was quite enjoyable to have a little fun with her.” Daphne shrugged a shoulder. “Why were you embarrassed?”

  “I don’t know those people. It made me very uncomfortable for my first introduction to them to be that I’m going on one date with Dean Brown. That was none of their business and it wasn’t your business to share.”

  “I’m sorry, I guess I really just wanted to get back at that nasty Sally Granger. That was a selfish thing for me to do.”

  “Oh, boo! Help me with my hair. I need more than two hands for this.” Lillian finally laughed, her excitement about her dinner with Dean bubbling over. “Is what Mrs. Granger said true? Is he really a cad, Daphne?”

  “No. Not that I am aware. I’ve only seen him with one other woman and people claimed that was for show. His parents were coming into town and wanted to see him courting. I think she was just trying to make you feel bad.”

  “Are his parents good people?” Lillian asked in concern. She knew how the wealthy could act. Especially those born into privilege. She’d seen it in Chattanooga many times.

  “They’re not all bad. But the sister is horrible, I hear. I heard a story that she had berated a man in public once for accidentally kicking mud on her skirt.”

  “Well, how am I to fare with those kinds of people?” Lillian asked, completely concerned. “I hope Dean doesn’t turn out to be like that, too. He doesn’t seem that way, but you never know for sure until later.”

  “Dean lives here in town and his parents don’t. They live in California, I think. I’d guess that they have little influence on him or who he chooses to spend time with. I’m sure it will just be fine. No need to fret about it yet,” Daphne said, finishing her hair.

  “Well, I suppose it will be a while if I ever have to meet them. The whole thing just makes me nervous.”

  “And you’ll marry…” Daphne made smooching noises to embarrass Lillian.

  “Oh, stop that!” Lillian shook her head and laughed delightedly at the notion of marrying the handsome and successful Dean Brown.

  “You look perfectly lovely, Lillian,” gushed Daphne. “He’s going to fall in love with you the minute he sees you. Well, unless he already is in love with you.”

  “Now you’ve taken it too far. I just want to go out and have a nice dinner with a nice man. That’s it.”

  “And you will. Looking beautiful and happy.”

  Lillian twirled. “Yes, I will. And thank you. I do enjoy compliments!”

  “Well, hurry down the stairs. Your man is probably already here, waiting,” Daphne said, hurrying her out the door.

  Lillian looked at Daphne for a moment and then the women giggled. “I can’t wait to hear what happens tonight!” Daphne declared.

  “Nothing will happen tonight, Daphne, besides dinner and engaging conversation,” Lillian said and then left her in the room alone.

  She went down the stairs and saw her handsome beau standing on the stairwell. He waited patiently as she took each stair, toe by toe. A few people in the lobby watched, as if they were waiting on her to stumble and fall down the stairs. She was worried about the same thing and thoroughly embarrassed at the attention.

  “Beautiful. You look beautiful,” Dorothy said as she came down.

  Lillian nodded to her with a smile.

  When she came to Dean, he offered his hand and she gratefully took it, knowing they’d be out the door in a minute.

  He was handsomely dressed in a black morning coat and waist coat, pocket watch tucked away. His hair was slicked to the side and he smelled of cologne. He offered her his elbow and she put her arm through his. She felt like it was all a dream. That he would whisk her away and make an honest woman of her. Deep down, she knew it wouldn’t happen. She refused to let her hopes float.

  Dean waved to everyone as he escorted her to his carriage.

  “Well, I must say that you look stunning, miss?”

  “Spencer,” she answered.

  “Miss Spencer. I’m Mr.-“

  “Brown. I know. The ladies talk about you.”

  He raised an eyebrow then cocked a smile. “Really?”

  “Really. They are quite impressed,” Lillian answered.

  “And what do you think, Miss Spencer? Are you impressed?” He leaned in, waiting for the answer.

  “So far, I don’t know.”

  Disappointed, yet somewhat amused by her answer, he asked, “Well, what do you think, so far then?”

  “Well, I agreed to have dinner with you, so obviou
sly I think you’re at least decent.” She tried to hold in a smile, but it was hard. The corners of her mouth were giving her away.

  “I suppose that’s something, isn’t it? Let’s see if I can win you over completely, shall we?” he asked as the carriage bounced him into her.

  Lillian giggled as he sat back up, wearing a grin. “Yes, let’s do that. I’m anxious to see how you try to pull it off.” She was showing much more confidence than she felt as their banter continued.

  “Well, I can be quite the jokester. So, look out,” he said, teasing her again.

  “I can’t tell if you’re a jokester, or if you just like ruffling feathers. You seemed to enjoy embarrassing me at the Mountain View.”

  “Do you want to know the truth?”

  “Always.”

  “Maybe it’s too soon to tell you this, but I’m smitten with you. The first time I saw you I wanted to learn all about you. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. It was my clumsy way of showing my interest, I guess.”

  Lillian bowed her head with a smile. She had never had a man tell her something like that. To hear him admit that he liked her was music to her ears.

  Dean took her hand and held it in his own. She felt her heart flutter. His hand was warm and comforting, but this was something she’d never done. She liked it. When they reached the restaurant, he reluctantly released her hand and stepped down to the street. Then he reached back up to her to help her out of the carriage.

  He led her inside and they sat at a table next to the window, so they could watch the town in the dark. Though, neither of them seemed interested in what was going on outside of their table. They only wanted to look at each other.

  Their waiter came and Dean ordered the special dinner for them both. Lillian nodded and was pleased that he had taken charge to order for them both. She wanted to feel like a woman, and Dean made her feel that way.

  “So, Lillian. Where are you from?” Dean asked quietly after the waiter had gone.

  “I’m from Chattanooga, Tennessee. It’s a lovely town on the river. Hot in the summer. My parents are still there,” she said with a smile.