Montana Bound: A Sweet Mail Order Bride Historical (Mail Order Bride Journeys Book 2)

by Claire Holiday

  “Okay, fine.” Owen said after a brief pause. “But I will be talking to my sister about this.”

  She knew that she should tell him not to talk to her, but she couldn’t get herself to say the words. More than anything, there was one pressing question on her mind —Why? Why do you care so much whether I stay or go?

  She was relieved when Owen announced that the fish were all cleaned and fileted, and stood to go inside the house. She had not even noticed that while the conversation took place, he had kept working on the fish. He asked her if she would take the bucket out away from the house and dump it. Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked into the house.

  Grace picked up the bucket and emptied its contents away from the house, and then returned and finished cleaning up, Owen’s parting words going through her mind the entire time. What if he asks Constance and she tells him the truth about the way I feel about him? She couldn’t decide whether that would be a bad thing or not.

  As she walked back into the house, the smell of the fish cooking on the stove excited her senses. It had been a while since she had eaten fresh fish, and she was really looking forward to it.

  Constance was busy setting up the table for dinner, while Owen and Virgil cooked the fish and the vegetables that they were serving with it.

  “Is there anything that I can do to help?” Grace asked.

  “Not really. Why don’t you sit down with me? The guys won’t let me lift a finger in the kitchen. I had to practically twist their arms just to get them to let me set the table.” Constance said as she sat down at the table. Grace sat down opposite of her.

  “You just seem like you can’t take a rest. We told you we’d take care of everything tonight.” Owen said to his sister. “You work so hard for us, you deserve to be pampered every now and then.”

  “He’s right. Let’s enjoy watching the men slave in the kitchen for a change.” Grace giggled.

  Dinner was served and everyone agreed that the fish was delicious. Owen had cooked them to perfection and the flaking meat just melted in the mouth. The women started to gather the dishes afterward, but Owen stopped them and insisted that they allow him to take care of them.

  “It’s going to get dark within the hour. Why don’t you go outside and build a fire while I wrap things up in here. You can sleep here tonight.” Owen suggested to Virgil.

  “That sounds good. It’ll be cool tonight, and the sky is clear so it should be a beautiful night to take in the stars.” Virgil suggested.

  “I didn’t know you were such a romantic, Mr. Thomas.” Constance teased.

  Grace went outside with Constance and Virgil, while Owen stayed behind to do the dishes. It was a funny thought, Owen washing dishes. She had never seen him even scrape his own plate clean before, and was actually curious if he would even know how to properly clean the dishes off.

  Outside, Virgil had the fire going in no time and the women had placed four seats together next to the fire. The sun was already setting when Owen came out.

  “Wow! That took you a while!” Grace teased.

  “Hey, it’s not like I do the dishes often.” Owen retorted.

  Looking at Owen’s soaked shirt, Grace laughed and then said, “You should have worn an apron. You would have looked cute.”

  “Actually, I did. You should see the apron.” Owen laughed.

  Grace knew that he was teasing about actually wearing an apron, but the thought of the strong, masculine man in an apron caused her to laugh enough that her eyes filled with tears. “Now that is a sight I would have paid to have seen!”

  Owen took the remaining open seat, which was located on the end of the row, beside Grace. Virgil and Constance were soon deep in their own conversation, having had several weeks without seeing each other.

  “They really are pretty, aren’t they?” Grace asked, her eyes turned up to the heavens.

  “Yes, they are.” Owen agreed. “Sometimes when I feel my ego is outgrowing my britches, I like to just sit out under the stars to put things back in perspective.”

  Grace knew exactly what he meant, but was surprised to hear him talk like that. Most men she had ever known were too shallow to consider that there was anything that was more important than themselves.

  It is amazing how many more stars you can see here than in the city where I grew up.”

  “I know what you mean. I was in awe when I first arrived in Montana too, and still am to this day.” Owen said. “Why don’t we take a little walk? We can see the stars even better away from the fire.”

  The two left their places around the fire after letting the others know what they were going to do.

  “Wow. It’s so beautiful!” Grace said softly.

  Owen stopped suddenly and pointed toward the sky.

  “Look over there!” Owen said excitedly. “A shooting star!”

  “That’s so awesome!” Grace agreed. The shooting star shot across the sky before them, and then fizzled away to nothing. Grace was tempted to make a wish upon it, but knew that was just a youthful superstition.

  “Have you ever wondered if there could be other life out there? It just seems so unlikely that all those stars were put there just for our enjoyment, as if we are so special.” Grace asked.

  “Hmmmm. That’s an interesting possibility.” Owen agreed. “I guess there are lots of things about our world that we don’t understand. It wasn’t that long ago that people were taught that the earth

  “Yes. And they were taught that the earth was the center of the universe too.” Grace agreed.

  “You know, I love the way your eyes capture the moonlight and sparkle when you smile. It makes you look like an angel.” Owen said, and then quickly averted his gaze as if he had said something wrong.

  It made Grace feel happy to be complimented that way by Owen. It caused her heart to beat more rapidly than normal, and she felt herself blush.

  At that moment she knew that she had fallen in love with him, and she felt like she was where she was meant to be, and where she wanted to be, walking along side of him. It felt like perhaps they were predestined to be together, but she could not be sure of how he felt about her. Her fears again crept up on her and took over her thoughts. What if he doesn’t feel the same for me? I can’t let my heart get broken.

  “Thank you Mr. Miller.” Grace said somberly. “We should probably rejoin the others.”

  Owen cleared his throat as if he had something on his mind that he wanted to say, but he didn’t speak. Instead he simply nodded and the two walked back in silence and rejoined the others.

  ***

  November 4, 1896

  “That breakfast was just what I needed to satisfy me this morning.” Virgil announced after finishing his last bite. “Thank you ladies, for making such a nice breakfast.”

  “I really don’t deserve any of the praise,” Grace was quick to respond, “By the time I got up this morning, Constance had already done everything. All I had to do was help put the food on the table.”

  “Well, the presentation was spectacular.” Virgil said with a wink.

  Owen noticed the expression change on his sister’s face, and as well as he knew her, he could tell that she was feeling as uneasy about the attention that Grace has been getting from Virgil.

  “What are your plans for today, Virgil?” Owen asked.

  “Actually, I was going to ask if you all wanted to join me in town today. We could take a look around the mercantile to see if anyone needs anything, and then have lunch at the diner, my treat.” Virgil answered.

  “I am sorry to say that I can’t. I noticed part of the paddock fencing was coming apart, and I don’t want to risk the horses getting lose when I turn them out again.” Owen said.

  “I’d love to go to town with you.” Constance chimed in. “There are some supplies I’d like to pick up anyway.”

  “That sounds great! And you must come also Miss Russell.” Virgil said, turning to Grace.

  Constance shifted uncomfortably
in her seat but said nothing. Owen turned toward Grace to see what her response would be.

  “Well, I should probably stay to take care of things around the house while Owen works on the stuff outside.” Grace answered nervously, apparently also a bit unsure if she should go.

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. Owen is a big boy, and can take care of his own lunch. We’ll be back here before dinner time.” Virgil said. “I insist, as does Mrs. Abel. Right dear?”

  Constance looked a bit surprised at Virgil’s words, but did not contradict them. “Of course. You are more than welcome to come if you’d like to, Grace.”

  “Well, okay. If you are sure. I just don’t want anyone to feel obligated. I’m perfectly fine staying here.” Grace sounded very unsure of her answer.

  Owen tried to come up with an excuse for why Grace should stay behind, but before he could Virgil rose from his seat and announced, “Great. Well, let’s not lose any time.” He then took both of the ladies by their elbows and led them out the door, leaving Owen to wonder what had just happened.

  CHAPTER 10

  Grace wanted to shrink down in her seat and disappear as Virgil directed yet another question toward her as the wagon continued toward town. They could not get there fast enough, and she hoped that she could come up with an excuse to go off on her own once they were there, but somehow knew that Virgil would find a way to keep that from happening.

  She could tell that Constance was getting very uncomfortable with the situation. She had barely glanced in her direction, and had only spoken a few times after Grace had tried to get the conversation refocused away from herself.

  Unfortunately, once they arrived her attempts to get away were thwarted by Virgil at every turn. Surely he can see how uncomfortable this is making me. She thought.

  That evening, after dinner was over and Virgil had left to go back to his room, Owen excused himself to retire early saying that he was exhausted from working so hard that day.

  The entire atmosphere around the house had changed since Virgil had arrived, and Grace was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. She was grateful that she’d be starting work soon and would be able to move out.

  She was not surprised, when after Owen had gone to the loft, his sister asked if she would care to sit out on the porch with her so they could talk.

  “So, how did you enjoy the trip today?” Constance asked, once they were seated.

  Grace was caught off guard with the question, and feared where it may lead. “It was alright, I guess.”

  “I’m glad.” Constance looked uneasy. “Can I ask you something, Grace?”

  “Why yes, of course. Anything.” Grace answered, a pit forming in her stomach.

  “When are you going to start working at the diner?”

  Grace had no doubt of the direction the conversation was headed by then. She had overstayed her welcome. “I would have started already, but I’ve been debating on how to work out the logistics of getting back and forth to work since I don’t have any transportation of my own. I was planning to talk to Owen to see if he could help out.”

  “So once you have that figured out, you are going to start? Then what?”

  “I was kind of figuring that when I got my first paycheck, I could pay Owen for the inconvenience of transporting me, and I would use any left over money to rent a room for myself.”

  “If I offered you the money to rent a room in town, would you agree to go right away, and to rent a room somewhere other than the inn? I know there are usually people with spare rooms to rent in their houses that you could look into.” Constance looked ashamed as she asked the question.

  “I could never ask you to do that!” Grace answered. “It wouldn’t be right. You’ve done so much for me already.”

  Constance looked up into Grace’s eyes. “What if I insisted?”

  “Er—um. Why do you ask?” Grace managed to ask. “Have—have I—have I done something to offend you?”

  “No, no! It’s not you.” Constance admitted. “It’s just that—, I’m embarrassed to admit it.”

  “It’s alright. We are practically sisters by now, and I would never want to do anything to cause you grief Constance. Please tell me.”

  “Okay, I guess I have to just come out with it.” Constance swallowed hard, and then trying to sound firm looked Grace right in the eye and said. “I have to insist that you leave. I’m sorry. There is no way around it.”

  “Of course, I understand. I’ll accept the loan right away then.” Grace said, and began to rise to go back inside but Constance grabbed her arm preventing her from walking away.

  “It is not you, Grace. Please believe me.”

  “Then what is it Constance?” Grace asked, desperate to know.

  “I think I’m losing Virgil.” Constance hung her head as the words were spoken. “He’s always been entirely focused on me when he visited in the past, but this time his attention seems to be more focused on you each day he is around. It seems that his attention is going beyond simply being polite.”

  “I’m sorry. Please believe me that I have no interest in him, and I’ve not done anything to encourage him in any way.” Grace said, tears forming in her eyes.” Though I did feel very uncomfortable today because so much attention was being focused on me.

  “Believe me, I don’t blame you. But I am desperate at the same time. I need this marriage to happen, otherwise I will probably not be able to hold onto my home. I know that I won’t be able to keep Owen here forever, regardless if he goes back east or not. And it’s not fair to him either way. But I can’t manage the farm on my own, and without the crops, I can’t afford to stay here.”

  “I understand.” Grace said, tears now streaming across her cheeks. “I can relate completely. Remember, I moved to Montana to marry a man I really didn’t know because I, too, was desperate to survive. It is so unjust that in our world where women are beholden to men so much of the time.”

  “I know, it’s unfair.” Constance agreed.

  “I will pack my things in the morning after I wake up, and I’ll ask Owen if he can take me into town after breakfast. I’ll pay you back as soon as I have the money.”

  “Thank you so much for being so understanding Grace. I really don’t want to ask this of you, but I don’t know what else to do. I hope that you don’t take this personally.” Constance said, hugging Grace. “It really isn’t about you. And I desperately want to remain your friend.”

  “Don’t fret over it.” Grace said and then placed her hands on Constance’s shoulders so she could push her away far enough to make eye contact. “I told you that I had to leave anyway, and the reasons why. I’ve confided in you and I trust you. We will always be friends.”

  She didn’t intend to include the part about confiding in Constance, but it just happened. Owen had said he would talk to his sister about it, and that had weighed heavily on her mind ever since, and even now it was still there.

  Grace could hear the quiet sounds of Owen snoring lightly coming from the loft. Strange that she had never noticed it before. Perhaps, she thought, he was coming down with something.

  As she sank into her bed she began to weep quietly. She buried her head in her pillow in order to keep Constance from hearing her. She didn’t want her to look in on her. At that moment, all she really wanted was to be alone.

  The reality of the situation had sunk in. The next morning she would be leaving Owen behind, only to see him on the rare occasions that he came to town, and then only if she happened to be at the right place at the right time. She loved him. This she had come to admit to herself, but she could not compete with a girl that she feared only existed in Owen’s imagination. She did not want to get hurt by him, should he chose the other girl. She also could not let allow herself to marry a man who might always wonder about what might have been.

  She looked out her window as her head rested on her pillow, and seeing the stars recalled the evening that she had spent under them with Owen. She cherished the memory,
and tried to hold on to it as long as she could before she felt her eye lids go heavy, and soon the stars disappeared as if a veil had hidden them from her view.

  ***

  November 5, 1896

  Grace rose from her sleep gradually, finally rolling over and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She listened and didn’t hear a sound coming from the house, and assumed that everyone else was still asleep.

  Not wanting to wake anyone, she got up quietly and tip-toed across the floor and retrieved her bag from the closet. She remembered how she had packed that same back, full of hopes and dreams of a happy marriage, and made her trip to Montana. This time packing it would be much more less of a happy experience.

  She retrieved her clothing from the dresser, being careful not to let the wooden drawers make a sound as she slid them out, and packed them first. She packed the rest of her personal belongings and closed the buckles that held the lid closed. Leaving the bag on her bed, she walked out of her room toward the kitchen and was surprised to see Constance sitting at the table eating some grits and butter.

  “Good morning.” She whispered, not wanting to wake Owen up, who was nowhere in sight.

  “Good morning, Grace.” Constance spoke out loud. “You don’t need to be quiet. We are the only ones here right now.”

  “We are? What do you mean? Where is Owen?” Grace asked, one question after another.

  “He left a note saying that he had to go back into town to pick something up. He said he’d be back by sometime this afternoon.” Constance said, and then added, “I didn’t know that he would be leaving early this morning.”

  “It’s fine. I was just hoping to be able to say goodbye to him.” Grace said. “I won’t be able to wait for him to return if I want to have time to find a place to stay before it gets too late. I’ll just have to start walking after breakfast.”

  “Nonsense. Owen didn’t take the wagon with him. We can hitch the horses up and I’ll take you to town.” Constance offered.