“Go where?” Deputy Ferris seemed to find the idea distasteful. Obviously, the thought of having yet another travelling companion did not please him.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Buchanan chuckled softly and turned to David. “Mr. Esterly, I think your wife has misconstrued the reason for our visit.”
“Misunderstandings are something of a habit with us.” David hurried over to Caroline and took her hands, forcing her into a more ladylike stance. “Dear, these men did not come to arrest you.”
“They didn’t?”
“No.”
A little cry escaped her lips and she leaned against David. “Oh thank you, God. Thank you.”
Now that her worst fear had been alleviated, she began to tremble, and David knew she probably wasn’t thinking about why the men really had come. “Mr. Buchanan, would you care to explain?”
He nodded. “Of course. Mrs. Esterly, I’m Collin’s brother. But I suspect you already knew that.”
“I never knew that Collin had a brother,” Caroline said. “But I was coming to see David when you gentlemen arrived here. I’m afraid I overheard your introductions.”
“I see. No wonder you were frightened.” Mr. Buchanan smiled, and then continued. “It’s no surprise Collin never mentioned me. We were very different, he and I. He was something of an embarrassment to our parents, although we tried to help him as much as possible. But Collin had a bit of a persecution complex. He couldn’t admit to anything being his fault. I’m sure you experienced that side of him, yourself.”
Caroline didn’t say a word, but she pressed her body closer against David.
Mr. Buchanan closed his eyes for a moment, as though collecting himself before going on. “Forgive me, Mrs. Esterly. I don’t wish to speak ill of the dead. He was my brother, and despite our differences, I loved him. But I want you to understand that I know what kind of a person he was. I am so sorry he treated you in a way that forced you to defend yourself.”
Caroline gasped. “You know?”
“Yes. That’s why we’re here.” He gestured to the other man. “I insisted that Deputy Ferris accompany me so there would be no misunderstanding.”
The deputy snorted in response. “He wanted the Sherriff to come, but even the Buchanans don’t have that much pull.”
“I don’t understand.” Caroline looked up at David, as if he was the only person in the room that might make some sense.
He squeezed her shoulder. “It turns out that, as soon as you were on the train, your father went straight to the police and told them everything.”
“Collin Buchanan had more than a few altercations with the authorities before you married him, so it wasn’t hard to believe your father’s story.” Deputy Ferris jerked a thumb at Gabriel. “Mr. Buchanan here verified that the events likely happened the way your father claimed.”
“Thank you, gentlemen, for believing him.” David almost didn’t want to ask the next question. Still, they didn’t need any more loose ends blowing in the wind. “But why did you travel all this way? You could have sent a letter.”
Gabriel raised his hand. “That was my doing. I wanted Mrs. Esterly to know, beyond any measure of doubt, that neither she nor her father are to be held accountable for Collin’s death. He and he alone created the circumstances that lead to it. And, I have something for her, the transition of which I wanted to be witnessed by an officer of the law.”
“Again, that’s me.” Deputy Ferris waggled a finger at himself.
“You have something for me?” Caroline put her palm against her heart, as though shocked to be worthy of receiving anything from this man.
“Yes, I do.” Gabriel reached into his pocket and withdrew an envelope. “My father always believed that Collin would come home one day, much like the biblical prodigal son, and when he did, Father wanted to present him with his version of a fatted calf.” He held it out to Caroline. “Now, it belongs to you.”
She stared at the envelope, but didn’t touch it. “What’s inside?”
“All the information you need in order to transfer the funds of Collin’s trust from The First National Bank of Maine to wherever you like.”
“No, you shouldn’t give it to me.” Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides. “It’s not right.”
“It belongs to you,” Gabriel said. “I’ve spoken to my family, and they agree. You’re his widow, after all.”
Caroline turned slightly, pressing her cheek against David’s chest. She’d kept things from him in the past but now, he knew exactly what she struggled with. The only reason she was a widow was because she’d had to protect herself from her husband. Benefitting from that act in any way was abhorrent to her. At that moment, his respect for her grew.
“What would you like to do with the money?” David asked her.
She didn’t answer right away, but when she did, it was with an energy that surprised him. “Donate it.” She looked at Gabriel. “Please, would you donate it to the Widows and Orphans home in Merville?”
Gabriel nodded slowly. “I suppose I could, yes. Mr. Esterly, what do you think?”
“I think my wife is a kind woman with a good heart, and smart to boot. I wholeheartedly agree with her.”
“Very well. I’ll make the arrangements.” Gabriel tucked the envelope back inside his jacket. Then he turned to Deputy Ferris and shrugged. “What do you know? I suppose we could have done this by mail, after all.”
The deputy grumbled something unintelligible, then nodded at David and Caroline before heading out the door.
“The trip back with him will be even more delightful than the trip out, I’m sure.” Gabriel shook David’s hand and bowed slightly to Caroline. “Again, Mrs. Esterly, my sincerest apologies for the pain you endured. I wish you nothing but happiness in the future.”
With that, Gabriel Buchanan swept out of the shop, letting the door swing closed behind him.
“David?”
He looked into Caroline’s eyes which were brimming with tears. “Yes, my Dear?”
“It’s over.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Really and truly over.”
“Yes, it is.” David cupped her cheek gently with his palm. “And the rest of our life begins right now.”
David didn’t think anything Caroline did anymore would surprise him. He was wrong.
With a smile bright enough to light up the room, she threw her arms around his neck. “It’s about time,” she whispered, just before she kissed him.
9
Angel Vale, Wyoming, December 25, 1877
Humming to herself, Caroline moved through their small home. A cured ham, big enough for two, was in the oven. A tray of biscuits sat nearby under a clean cloth, waiting to go into the oven closer to meal time. Christmas was upon them, and Caroline intended to make it the best ever.
What a difference a few months made. Caroline Buchanan had come to Angel Vale a sad, scared, beaten woman, but that wasn’t her anymore. Caroline Esterly was contented, secure, and strong. David’s love had pulled her out of the darkness, but it wasn’t until Gabriel’s visit that everything changed. It was amazing the freedom that came with forgiveness.
The door opened, letting in a blast of winter air, a swirl of snow, and her husband, clapping his hands together and stomping his feet in response to the frigid weather.
“It’s coming down out there.” He shook his head, sending droplets of already melted snow flying around him.
Caroline hurried to him. “Take that coat off and stand closer to the fire.” As she moved to help with the buttons, she noticed the rectangular box he held securely between his arm and side. “What is that?”
“I would try to hedge and keep it a surprise, but that would be useless. So I’ll tell you, if you really want to know.” He shrugged one arm out of his coat, then the other, maneuvering the box from hand to hand.
“Yes.”
“It’s your Christmas present.”
With a roll of her eyes she shook out his
coat, then hung it on the hook by the door. “I thought as much.”
“The question is, do you want to open it now, or do you want to wait until after dinner?”
By way of an answer, Caroline smiled and cocked her head to the side.
David laughed. “You’re right. Silly question.”
He held out the box and she snatched it from him, not even trying to hide her excitement. As she worked to undo the knotted ribbon, he rambled anxiously.
“It’s not much. I don’t want you to be disappointed. Just a little something I made for you in the shop. But I think you’ll like it.”
The knot finally succumbed to her manipulations. She pulled the ribbon away and tossed it on the table. When Caroline pulled back the box flaps, she gasped. “Oh, David.”
“I hope that’s a good, Oh, David.”
“Yes, of course it is.” She reached into the box and pulled out a beautiful metal flower. “You made this for me?”
“It’s kind of symbolic. You said how you love hydrangeas. Honestly, I don’t even know if we can grow them here, but we’ll order some seeds and try in the spring. Until then, I wanted you to have something in their place.”
Pinpricks of emotion stung Caroline’s nose. “This is perfect. So much better than a real flower, since it will never die. Will you make me more?”
David’s smile grew. “More?”
“Yes. I want to fill the window box with them. We’ll have flowers all year long.” Caroline put the metal bloom gently on the table. “Now it’s your turn.”
She hurried to their sleeping area and reached under the bed, searching for the gift she’d stowed there.
The package was small and soft. She pressed it into David’s hands, trying to hold back a little bit of her excitement.
“Ah, remnants of the peach cloth,” he said. “It makes good wrapping.” He pulled on the ribbon, which she had thoughtfully tied in a bow, and folded back the fabric only to find more fabric inside. This was dark blue with tiny yellow buds and bright green leaves, exactly the same as the new dress Caroline now wore.
David quirked an eyebrow in question. “You made me something out of your leftover dress material?”
“No, silly.” She took it from him and shook it out, then held it up. “It’s not for you directly. It’s a representation of what’s coming. Your real present won’t be, um, ready until summertime.”
It was a small gown, far too small for any adult. David’s jaw went slack. “Is this what I think it is?”
“If you think it’s a gown for a baby, then yes.”
“Woo hoo!” He tossed the peach fabric in the air, threw his arms around Caroline and swung her in a circle. Then he thought better of the idea.
“Sorry.” After setting her carefully on her feet, he placed a gentle hand over her stomach. “Guess I shouldn’t shake up the wee thing.”
Caroline laughed. “I’m sure it would take more than that to disturb our child.”
“Our child.” His eyes reflected the wonder of the moment. “I can’t think of a better way to start the new year.”
David opened his arms, and Caroline walked into his embrace. As he held her close, she melted into the love and protection he provided. There was no more fear, no more questions about what he would do or how he would treat her. They’d gone through the fire together and had come out the other side stronger than ever. There was no doubt in her mind that God had brought her to this place, and to this man.
“Thank you, my love,” she said against David’s chest.
“For what?”
“For everything.”
The End
About the Author
Jennifer AlLee was born in Hollywood, California, and grew up above a mortuary one block away from the famous intersection of Hollywood & Vine. Now she lives in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas, which just goes to prove she’s been blessed with a unique life. When she’s not busy spinning tales, she enjoys playing games with friends, attending live theater and movies, and singing at the top of her lungs to whatever happens to be playing on Pandora. Although she’s thrilled to be living out her lifelong dream of being a novelist, she considers raising her son to be her greatest creative accomplishment. You can visit her on Facebook, Pinterest, or her website.
More by Jennifer AlLee
NOVELS
Vinnie’s Diner
Last Family Standing
The Mother Road
The Pastor’s Wife
A Wild Goose Chase Christmas
NOVELLAS
Nutcracker Christmas
Mistletoe Memories – 4 novella collection
NOVELS COWRITTEN WITH LISA KARON RICHARDSON
Diamond in the Rough – Charm & Deceit series #1
Vanishing Act – Charm & Deceit series #2
Curtain Call – Charm & Deceit series #3
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 reg
rets.”
“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.
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