Christmas Mail Order Angels: The complete 11 Volume Set

by Darlene Franklin

  “Am I doing the right thing? I can tell Riley doesn’t like me. He must think I’m still a girl instead of woman who has worked hard. Maybe I should have insisted we wait until we know each other better? I’m scared to death.”

  Becky hugged her tight. “You’re doing what he needs. God will take care of you and everything will be all right. If Mr. Thornton had changed his mind, he would have told you and Jake.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “Yes, and Jake said he’s a good man, and he looks like a gentleman.”

  “Thank you, Becky. I’ll go now and let you finish getting ready.”

  Isabella met her in the hallway. “Ah, there you are. Mr. Thornton is downstairs waiting for you.”

  Nelle’s hands trembled as she adjusted the edges of her sleeves. “Maybe we should have waited.”

  “The only reason I’m not marrying Edwin Gray yet is because we don’t have a house. He has to be named foreman before we can marry. At least Mr. Thornton has a house waiting for you.”

  “He does, but I have no idea what kind of house it is. It’s on a ranch, so I suppose it’s bigger than a shack. But three children, oh my.”

  Isabella shook her head. “That would be a bit much for me, but you’re older and you’ll know what to do for them. But from what Edwin tells me, the mother died in giving birth to the baby. There were complications and the doctor couldn’t get there in time. That’s been well over a year ago.”

  “Oh my, that’s so sad.” Doubt reared its ugly head again. Those little girls must miss their mother terribly. How could she ever take the woman’s place?

  “It is, but remember, all little girls need a woman to help them grow up into fine young ladies.” Isabella adjusted the lace at Nelle’s neck. “There, all perfect and ready for a beautiful wedding.” She grinned and stepped back. “Even if it is in the general store and not a church.”

  Nelle gathered up her skirts and headed back downstairs. Becky’s Jake waited there as well as Riley. His eyes lit up for a moment when he first saw her, but the light disappeared as quickly as it had come. Her stomach roiled and her throat tightened. She had to get through this.

  Inside the store, benches sat on either side of an aisle where the brides would walk down to meet their grooms. Trembling hands and a rumbling stomach aside, Annelle Pugh was getting married.

  +++

  Riley couldn’t believe the vision beside him. Tiny as she was, Annelle had the figure of a woman and the wedding dress sure didn’t hide the curves. He lifted his fingers to his neck to loosen the collar a little. Maybe if he undid the first button he wouldn’t strangle over the feelings rising in his belly.

  They sang “Amazing Grace” before the preacher called the couples forward. When they stood with the other couples getting married here, Riley noticed the absence of Alex Vaughn and Edwin Gray and their brides. Edwin and his bride didn’t intend to marry now, so they could be off anywhere, but he was sure Alex had said they’d marry today. They must have opted for the Justice of the Peace. Not him, he preferred a preacher for his marrying. He blinked his eyes. Best pay attention to what the preacher was fixin’ to say about being married.

  When the preacher asked the grooms if they promised to love their brides in sickness and in health until death parted them, a lump rose in Riley’s throat and the words stuck there. He’d already done this once. Could he do it again? He swallowed hard and finally uttered the proper response.

  Relief shone in her pretty blue-green eyes. Was she afraid he didn’t want to marry her? Truth be known, he wasn’t sure of that himself, but here he was doing it. When he glanced down at his bride, he noticed her hands shaking as she held the pretty bouquet of wild flowers some children had found. She must be as nervous as he was.

  Finally, the vows were completed and the preacher pronounced them all husband and wife. They went outside for a moment for the brides to throw bouquets. A silly custom if you asked him, but nobody had, so he stepped aside as Nelle flung hers back over her head. Isaac Baker’s little bride caught it as the others cheered.

  When all the bouquets had been tossed, they went back inside for cake and coffee and more food. Whoever had put it together had done a good job. He smiled and waved at Jake and Becky standing near the cake table.

  As crazy as the idea had sounded at the time, Jake and Matthew had come up with a good plan. They needed more women in Angel Vale. He considered Levi Harper, a young man looking after his four brothers and sisters. They needed a ma as much if not more than Riley. With both parents gone, the responsibility had rested on Levi. He prayed the girl he’d chosen was up to the task.

  After all the greetings and small talk, Riley realized they’d have to be leaving to get back to the ranch before the girls went to bed. He wanted Nelle to meet them tonight and not in the morning when things were a little more hectic.

  “Annelle, it’s time to be leaving. We have near an hour’s drive to the ranch, and Aunt Harriet is keeping the girls up to meet us if we’re not too late.”

  Once again a cloud appeared over her eyes. He grasped her small hands in his. “All our things are loaded onto the wagon except your valise.”

  “All right. Let me say good-bye to Becky.”

  He waited by the door while she went to Becky and Jake. Becky hugged Annelle and glanced his way. The look in her eye warned him that he’d better take care of his bride. Silly woman, what else was he gonna do?

  Annelle returned to his side and he led her out to the wagon. Once again he realized her light weight as he lifted her up. He climbed up beside her. “We’ll go by the mill house so you can change into something more comfortable for the ride to the ranch.”

  He prayed he hadn’t made a mistake and she’d be up to her task.

  Chapter 4

  Riley drove Nelle back to the mill. She thanked him in her heart, not trusting herself to say the words. She had dreaded the thought of a ride to the ranch in her wedding gown. Now she could change into a warmer skirt and shirtwaist that would be more suitable for a ride in a wagon. Nelle’s insides groaned at spending any more time on a wagon seat. Even with the padding of her petticoats, her bones ached. Riley had said about an hour for the ride, but that was an hour too long after the day they’d had getting her.

  She tied the strings to her green bonnet beneath her chin. Nothing she could so about anything now except to take whatever the Lord had for her to do and put forth her best effort. The gold from the ring Riley had given her reflected in the mirror. What an unexpected delight that had been. He said he’d bought it from Alex Vaughn, the jeweler Phoebe married this evening. Nelle ran her fingers over the smooth surface. She truly was a married woman now.

  Nelle’s bottom lip trembled. A married woman meant a whole lot more than being bound to a man by vows, and having never had a beau, her heart cringed at what else Riley might expect of her tonight. Mama would never talk of such things saying the topic of what happened between a husband and wife was not for other’s ears.

  Isabella had helped some during their days of preparation, but not enough to ease Nelle’s mind about her wifely duties. She blinked back tears and gathered up her valise. Time to face whatever the good Lord had in store for her future.

  Becky had returned and stood in the center of the large room downstairs. She hugged Nelle tight again and whispered into her ear. “Don’t you worry about anything. Jake says Riley will treat you right. If he doesn’t, just let me know.” She squeezed Nelle’s shoulders one more time then stepped away with a smile.

  Isabella embraced her next. “Soon as Edwin and I have a house, you’ll be one of my first guests. Remember that. I’m sorry I missed the wedding, but Edwin took me to dinner.”

  “That’s all right. At least I get to say good-bye. Thank you so much, both of you. I hope to see you whenever we can come into town.

  Riley stepped up behind her and picked up her valise. “Best we go now. It’s growin’ late.”

  With a last goodbyes to her friend
s and promises to keep in touch, Nelle followed Riley out to the wagon. He lifted her up with ease and she settled on the seat. He climbed up beside her and then flipped the reins.

  He’d rigged two poles on each side of the wagon behind the seat and outfitted them with lanterns. At least they wouldn’t be riding in complete darkness.

  “I imagine all but the baby will be awake and waiting for us back home. He’s only a little over a year old and not yet walking good, but he’s tryin’. Lizzie and Katie are with my aunt Harriet who’s been visitin’ us.”

  Nelle stole a glance at her new husband. She hadn’t begun to imagine he’d be so tall and so handsome. Rugged is what she’d term it based on tales she’d heard about cowboys. His strong jaw line, broad shoulders, and firm grasp when he lifted her spoke of strength and determination. Two characteristics she could admire in a man. The soft tone of his voice as he told her about his children gave evidence of his great love for them.

  His black hair curled a bit at the neckline below the wide brim of his hat. After seeing that dark hair, his eyes came as a complete surprise. As deep a blue as the sapphire in the ring her mother had given her, she could drown in their depths. Everything she’d seen and heard of him since the moment they first met had been so much more than she expected. God had been good.

  +++

  He was actually married to the woman seated beside him. Only a few years younger than his Miranda had been, Nelle had the bearing of a woman who had never endured hard labor. He had gone to Jake and had him pray before the wedding. Jake wasn’t a real preacher, but he sure knew how to talk to the Lord. Peace had filled Riley’s soul at Jake’s words, now Riley had to trust the Lord to answer his prayers. He’d almost given up on the Lord when Miranda died, but his children gave him incentive to keep his faith steady. God hadn’t let him down in the past and most certainly wouldn’t in the future.

  “You’re being awfully quiet, Riley. Are you disappointed in me?”

  Riley’s head jerked back. “No, no, I’m not disappointed.” He glanced down at her. “Maybe a might worried that three young’uns and a house are more than you bargained for.”

  “I must say I was surprised when your last letter mentioned three children instead of only the baby like before, and it may be a challenge at first, but I will do my best to be a good wife and mother.”

  Riley gulped at the thought of what being a wife meant in other ways than keeping house. “Ah, about that, Annelle, I figured we might want to spend some time getting to know each other before we…well, before we actually are husband and wife.”

  The soft glow of the lamps behind them revealed the blush that rose in her cheeks. Her eyes stared straight ahead. “I…I think that will be best, and please call me Nelle. Most people want to make it Annella when they say my full name, so I prefer the shortened version.”

  Relief poured through Riley, and he flipped the reins to move the horses along. At least there would be no misunderstanding in that area of their relationship. “All right, Nelle it will be.”

  For the next few miles, they rode in silence. He supposed she was thinking ahead to what to do when she met the family. When they drew closer to the ranch, Riley brought up the subject of his children again. “Lizzie is thirteen and has been a big help to Aunt Harriet, so be sure to let her help you. She’s also learning to cook and can help you get acquainted with the kitchen. Katie is six and would be in her first year of schooling. She’s excited about your teaching her.”

  “I look forward to it. I brought a few readers and a book or two Lizzie might enjoy. I also have books on arithmetic.”

  A smile filled his face. “What a blessing that would be.” Satisfaction joined the relief. Having Nelle here might be the best thing he’d done in the past year.

  When they approached the house, lamplight glowed through the windows on either side of the door to the house and offered a warm welcome home.

  Riley stepped down from the wagon, then lifted Nelle down from the seat. Before he had her feet planted firmly on the ground, the door flew open and three figures appeared in the light. Little Katie, with all her enthusiasm, flew across the space between them and wrapped her arms around his legs.

  Riley reached down and scooped her up into his arms. “Miss Katie, I’d like to introduce you to your new ma, Nelle.”

  Kate’s mouth spread in a grin revealing her missing tooth. “Pa said you’d be able to brush my hair and fix it pretty for school. Do I call you Ma or Nelle? You really are pretty, ain’t she, Pa.”

  “That’s ‘isn’t she’ and yes she is.” He glanced down at Nelle. “This is our magpie Katie.”

  Nelle reached over and patted Katie’s arm. “I’m pleased to meet you, Katie. You may call me whatever you would like to call me.”

  “Then Ma it will be ‘cause I want a ma to fix my hair and make me a new dress.”

  Riley set her back on the ground. “That’s enough for now. Let’s give Nelle a chance to settle down and meet Aunt Harriet and Lizzie.”

  Aunt Harriet hugged Nelle. “We’re so glad you’re here.”

  Lizzie stood back to the side of the group, her mouth set in a firm line. Riley placed his arm about her shoulders and leaned over to speak to her. “I know this is hard for you, but all I’m askin’ is to give her a chance.”

  “But she’s hardly bigger than me. I bet I can do a lot more work than she can.”

  “That may seem so, but looks can be deceivin’. Be nice and get to know her. You can be a big help to her.”

  Lizzie shrugged beneath his arm, and Riley squeezed her close. “It’ll be fine.” In a louder voice he addressed Nelle. “This is my oldest girl, Lizzie.”

  Nelle held out her hand. “Hello, Lizzie. I do hope we can be friends.”

  Riley breathed in relief when Lizzie accepted Nelle’s offer of her hand.

  Lizzie held it and said, “Welcome to our home, but please call me Elizabeth. That’s my name.”

  Riley’s eyes opened wide and his mouth opened to ask why, but a warning shake of Aunt Harriet’s head bade him close it right back. Time enough later to find out about that.

  The two girls and two women made their way into the house while Riley took care of the wagon. He’d get one of his boys to unload the trunk and the heavy box and help get them into the house tomorrow. After tending the horses, he picked up the valise and carried it back to the house.

  Aunt Harriet sat with Nelle and Lizzie in the parlor when he entered the main room. His aunt stood and reached a hand toward Lizzie. “Katie is up in the loft asleep. I showed Nelle where to put her things in your bedroom.” She hugged Lizzie. “Elizabeth and I will leave the two of you to talk. I’ll see you in the morning, Nelle, and once again, we’re so glad you’re finally here.”

  When the two had left, Riley searched for words to say to this slip of a woman. How she’d ever manage to everything around here bothered him, but somehow they had to make it work. He had no idea how that would happen.

  Nelle sat on the sofa with her back straight as an arrow. “Your Aunt Harriet is a very sweet woman. I like her, and little Katie is adorable. It’ll be fun to brush and braid her hair and fix it up with pretty bows.” Then her bottom lip trembled. “I’m…I’m not so sure about Elizabeth. It’s going to be hard to gain her trust, but she’s a smart girl and we’ll work it all out.”

  “About that Elizabeth bit. That’s her name all right, but we’ve called her Lizzie ever since Katie was born and began to talk. She couldn’t say Elizabeth, so she came up with Lizzie. This is the first time she’s ever said anything about it.”

  “I think she’s simply growing up. After all, at thirteen she isn’t a little girl anymore.”

  Maybe Nelle understood more about children than he’d given her credit for. Then he remembered sleeping arrangements. “Um…I moved my things out to my foreman’s cottage. I’ll live out there until we…ah…um…get better acquainted. Davey’s bed is in your room, too.”

  A deep blush rose in Nell
e’s face. “That’s good of you, but are you sure you want to give up your bed? I could sleep with the girls.”

  “No, this will be fine. After Aunt Harriet leaves, I’ll move into her room and you and Davey can remain in your room. I promise I won’t expect anything else from you…” His voice dropped off. Seeing her standing there in the lamplight sent yearnings to his heart he hadn’t felt in a long time, and it gripped him hard. He needed to get out of the house before he forgot the plan.

  He jammed his hat back on head. “I’ll see you in the morning. Have a good night’s rest.”

  Before she could speak he raced out the door and over to the cottage where his foreman lived. At the door, he stopped to take a deep breath. What he had just experienced wasn’t love. It was the pure and simple desire for a woman. Lord, I need Your help here. Give me the self-control I need to get to know Nelle. Help me treat her like the lady she is.

  Chapter 5

  Nelle had been disappointed that first night when Riley had left so abruptly. She had hoped they could sit by the fire and learn more about each other. He’d been in such a hurry she hadn’t even had time to say goodnight.

  The room he’d left for her was plain and simple. One bed occupied the center of the outside wall and one window let in light. The only furniture was the bed along with one night table and lamp and a chest with drawers.

  Pegs on one wall must have held Riley’s things, and that’s where she’d put hers. Nothing like the wardrobe she’d had at home, but she had to remember she now lived in Wyoming, not Maine. Now, after a full day here, the room did look a little more like home with her personal belongings placed about and hanging on the pegs.

  Despite the well-chinked walls, the air still held a chill. Nelle pulled on her woolen stockings first to warm her feet before proceeding with the rest of her preparations for the day. Three days since her arrival, and Elizabeth hadn’t said very much at all. Little Katie chattered like the magpie her pa called her.