Christmas Mail Order Angels: The complete 11 Volume Set

by Darlene Franklin

  “They look up to you, do they?”

  “I believe so. I'm one of the eldest in our group and I was married for a very long time. That, and Becky and I headed up the arrangements in Merville, as you know.” Her throat swelled. No, she would not cry. She was not one who was given to tears and would not crumble now in the sight of Matthew and the rest of the town. A good night's sleep and she'd be right as rain.

  Matthew paused on the street and touched her hand as he did so. “You're wound up tighter than a piano string, and you're tired. Relax, Sophia. We are in no hurry. Come Monday morning, we have a newspaper to work on and I expect you at the office promptly at eight o'clock. That is all you need worry about now.”

  “Thank you, Matthew.” She reached for his hand with the one holding the bouquet, and rested it atop his.

  “If you're a no-show on Monday, you're fired.”

  As he said the words, he winked at her.

  #

  “You winked at her?” Jake chuckled.

  Matt had managed to get Jake aside after the Sunday service at the mercantile. He didn't know why he'd gone to talk with the younger man, who'd never been married, instead of someone older and likely wiser than he. Maybe it was because he was more comfortable with Jake.

  “Yep. I couldn't help myself. Right after I did, she looked ready to throw that bouquet right down and skedaddle back to the ladies' mill house.”

  “I suppose there were worse things you could have done.”

  “I suppose.” He studied his young friend's face. “So, how goes things with your young miss Becky?”

  “It goes well.”

  “You're not heading to the altar yet?”

  “Not quite yet.”

  Matt nodded. “Two couples, heading up this venture, and we're not leading the way to the altar. But Mrs. Webster—Sophia—is a bit different than I imagined. She looks ready to bolt like a green filly. And, well, I don't want to spook her. I want her to like it here. But marriage, now, one thing at a time.”

  “That's wise, Matt. Have the two of you had any real discussion about the matter of marriage? It'll be a good month before the preacher comes through again to perform more ceremonies.”

  “Aw, not really, other than we're both not ready just yet. I figure I'll wait a week or two, talk about it again.” Matt watched Sophia, conversing with a few of the other ladies.

  Years ago, his father had told him women were a puzzle, a riddle that couldn't quite be solved. His own mother was prone to moods and fits of rage that would alternate with a cheerful disposition, so cheerful he would wake to her cleaning their cabin and singing in the middle of the night.

  “It's probably a wise idea, to wait a bit.” Jake's gaze already held a fondness for the young miss Becky. Matt almost envied him. Sometimes, he believed being a bit younger would be easier. Ah, the carefree years of youth.

  “I suppose you're right.” He'd fulfilled his promise to the men of Angel Vale who had signed on—find them brides, respectable ladies willing to help them set down deep roots. If his own potential union did not come to pass, he would be content. Things were looking up on other fronts, anyway. Matt's bank account felt a lot healthier as the men who'd ordered brides settled up with him. He had some money for the newspaper, and with Sophia's investment, he could see the Courier turning a profit next spring.

  Sophia moved through the mercantile gracefully, with a calmness he'd never seen in his mother. Maybe it was her age, her straight-laced New England upbringing, or both.

  Lord help him, he had the most beautiful woman he'd seen in some time who'd come across a good chunk of the continent to meet him, and he wasn't ready for her. He'd prepared the business and the building for her. All he'd done to prepare himself was shave his beard. His face still hurt from that.

  “Matthew.” Sophia appeared by his side. He didn't dare look at Jake's knowing expression, but he knew the younger man had an amused twinkle in his eye.

  “Sophia.” He nodded to her, careful not to let either of his eyelids betray him this time with another wink. Those confounded nerves of his! “Should you need anything, please let me know. I have an account here, and would be happy to provide anything you need.”

  Sophia inclined her head. “Thank you. I don't believe I do, at this moment. But I will keep your offer in mind.”

  “What are you having for dinner today?”

  “One of the girls made a chicken pie yesterday and we will share it. What are you having for dinner today?”

  “Bread and beans.”

  “Well, I will see how much pie remains and I will bring you some, if you would like.”

  “Yes, I would like, very much.”

  Her cheeks shot with red. “Very well. I will call on you soon.”

  He almost offered to walk her back to the mill, now a ladies' makeshift rooming house, but didn't.

  Yet he found himself thinking of the pie—and her—until she arrived at the office, later in the afternoon.

  He answered her soft knock on the door right away. “Sophia, please come in.”

  “I won't stay long. We're going to play some parlor games this evening, since our numbers are growing fewer in the mill house.”

  “I won't keep you long.” He eyed the napkin-covered plate she held. “Thank you, thank you very much for thinking of me. I'm much obliged. I haven't had a Sunday supper in I don't know how long.” His mother had been a good cook, but her ability to prepare a good Sunday supper had been sporadic at best, he recalled. Some of his friends who'd married would have him as a guest now and then.

  “My pleasure, Mr.—Matthew.” She smiled at him.

  He grinned right back. “I'll see you in the morning for work. I'll have the coffee on.”

  “Make sure there is plenty. I love a good cup of coffee in the morning.” With that, she flashed him another smile and went on her way.

  Chapter 4

  In the space of three days, Sophia learned more about how to print a newspaper than she ever imagined. Matthew grinned with delight over the press. He showed her how over and over again how it worked, emphasizing the fact one must keep one's fingers out of the way of the moving press which clamped the paper against the inked plates.

  "What you think?" Now he grinned at her, his expression giving his face an almost boyish appearance.

  "I've never seen anything like this up close before." Truthfully, she was more interested in getting out to know the community. She would draw the line at stopping at the saloon, should she venture out.

  "What I would like to know is, when do I begin to write?"

  Matthew scratched his chin. She noticed he seemed to do that when he was either thoughtful, nervous, or both. "I can't say I'm ready for you to do that just yet. One of the things I'm going to do is go over to the mercantile and speak with Jake. He's going to provide me with a list of new items he will be supplying at the store. This will come in handy for people ordering Christmas gifts along with essentials for the winter season. In the meantime, I'd like you to stay here and wait in case anyone stops by with some news."

  "I think it is important that we find out what items can be had from back east, by mail order. Also, I need to see what types of supplies and such the mercantile caries that might be of interest to the ladies. If we can get Jake to advertise those items, it would remind everyone what the mercantile has to offer."

  "I'll keep that in mind. Maybe next time, you can come to write an article about what doo-dads and other things ladies can obtain from back east."

  She nodded. She wasn't one to be difficult, but on the other hand it seemed to her as if he was more eager to have an employee, than to spend time with her as a prospective bride. At any rate, they'd already said neither of them were in a hurry to exchange vows.

  She watched as he left the news office. She remained at the front window to watch the traffic, such as it was, pass by. There went another couple, likely on their way to The Eatery for dinner. Now that Sophia had had some time to realize
she was actually here in Angel Vale and had left everything behind that she knew, her nerves and misgivings caught up with her. She prayed every night that her fellow mail-order angels would be blessed with happy marriages as a result of starting new lives here.

  All along their journey west, it seemed they had encountered people who'd heard of their trek to Wyoming from Maine. She tried to shield the women from the sad tales she knew of arranged marriages. Hers hadn't been a sad tale, but coming from a family of less-than-modest means when she was introduced Ezekiel, the prospect of a secure life with him appealed to her. There was little thought of love, at first. While she did enjoy teaching, she feared for the future. Who would take care of her? When the introduction was made, both she and her parents believed it was Providential.

  The moments ticked by. She glanced at her watch, a delicate timepiece on a pin, fastened to her shirtwaist. Matthew had only been gone less than twenty minutes. She needed to do something with her time.

  Sophia looked at the press. The contraption scared her a little bit. She hoped Matthew wouldn't ask her to run it herself. While she could manage the foot pedal that kept the wheel spinning and the print plate operating, she didn't think she could place a piece of paper on the plate at the same time. More than once Matthew had caught his fingers between the plate and the paper. He would jump back, howling and waving his hand. He stopped short of letting her fetch the mining company physician. She smiled at the recollection. Stubborn man, not wanting to lose face in front of anyone. She didn't blame him, though.

  Here came Becky along the boardwalk, her stride toward the office purposeful. She waved at Sophia as she marched up to the door. Sophia opened it.

  "Please, come in." She sat back so Becky could enter along with the puff cool air from outside.

  "I was just on my way to the mercantile, to see Jake. I thought I would stop in and see how things are going." Her young friend's eyes sparkled.

  "I would venture to say things are going along well. I've learned much about the newspaper business. I'm looking forward to writing an article or two. I've already learned how to set type. It's quite tedious and I must keep reminding myself the letters are all backwards."

  "My, it sounds as though you've been busy.” Becky's voice took on a more serious tone. “What I'd really like to know, is how are things going with Matthew? How are you getting along? You two seemed quite friendly at the church service on Sunday."

  Sophia bit her that. "I believe things are going all right. For now. We both decided were going to give things some time before we make a final decision about getting married."

  Becky nodded "I understand. I feel the same way right now about Jake. Although we do get along very well, he's very handsome, and I know he'll be a good provider, I'm also concerned. He's following the calling to be a preacher. I don't know that I am prepared or ready to be a preacher's wife." The young woman looked a bit crestfallen. Sophia's heart went out to her.

  Sophia reached for her friend's hand. "Come, let's sit down. I would offer you a cup of tea, but I'm not quite comfortable to heat anything on the stove in Matthew's quarters. I still feel as though I am intruding there." She gestured toward the door which led to the sleeping room at the office.

  "That's all right. I can't stay long, anyway. It's so nice just to sit with you and chat for a moment. I did enjoy spending time with you while we were planning to move to Wyoming. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to realize we are here, it's all real, that we're actually here in Angel Vale and everything we talked and prayed over is coming about."

  "I feel much the same as you. I must admit, I've missed our chats as well. It's been very different having all of us ladies together for so long. And now that some of them are leaving us, after the weddings taking place, I feel a bit antsy. A number of times this week I thought to myself, 'I can't wait to tell this to Becky.'" Sophia stopped short of saying if she had a daughter, she would have imagined her to be someone like Becky. "But tell me, what makes you think you would not be prepared or ready to be preacher's wife? You know exactly what life with the minister would be like, because of your father."

  Becky took a deep breath before responding. "You know how my father is. I felt like an afterthought in the home much of the time. I know it was difficult for him after Mother passed away, which is why I wanted to be home and help him. But when I came here, I knew I didn't want to be a preacher's wife. Ever. And now it seems as though Jake has a calling upon his life, one I'm not sure I am ready to answer."

  "I see. Well, perhaps what you and Jake are doing by waiting to marry is the wisest decision. It's one thing to have a letter or two or even more, and believe we know someone well enough. However seeing someone in their everyday interactions tells a lot about a man's character. How does he conduct business? How does he treat other people, especially those who are weak or can do nothing for him? Something tells me you already know the answer to those questions, for the most part. But as far as a calling on one's life? Yes, I agree, that's a very serious thing. You should not rush."

  Becky's face bore a hint of a smile. "Thank you, Sophia. Part of me feels badly about the delay, as if we're being a bad example to the others, but on the other hand, we both want to be sure. I imagine you and Matthew feel the same as well. Especially since he has never married before."

  "You're right. He's a lifelong bachelor and I was once an old married lady." She smiled at her remark. "I'm afraid we're both a bit set in our routines and the ways we like to do things. One thing, though, at my age I'm not expecting any children in our future. So while I am not looking to increase the population of Angel Vale, I intend to help in other ways." Her face burned at her words. Becky herself turned a light shade of pink.

  "But you have wisdom that many of us younger women appreciate. While you are by no means what I would think of as old, you have had many more life experiences than I have had. I listen very closely to what you have to say. For that I thank you, Sophia."

  Sophia could scarcely manage any more words. She didn't feel terribly wise, some days. Truthfully, the older she became the more she realized she still had much to learn. Instead of saying these things, she leaned over and gave her her friend a hug.

  "Thank you, Becky." In her heart of hearts, she knew she definitely needed some wisdom herself on what might lie ahead with Matthew Thomas.

  Chapter 5

  Sophia tried not to yawn as and she climbed astride the horse outside the livery stable. She'd been looking forward to the trip they were about to make. She and Matthew had managed to release several editions of the newspaper since her arrival. He declared today would be the day for a ride out to see the “lay of the land,” as he put it. When she and the other mail order brides had traveled by wagon to Angel Vale, she'd been too tired to take in much of the scenery at that point.

  Today, while the weather promised a fine day, she and Matthew along with a friend of his would make the journey to see the Devil's Tower. She did not like the name but the opportunity was too good to pass up. Her inquisitive nature wanted to see and learn as much as she could about her new surroundings.

  A man Matthew introduced to her simply as John had ridden up on a brown and white horse a few moments ago. John's skin was almost the color of cinnamon. His weather-worn face told her he must have seen much in his years.

  "Good," John said, nodding to Matthew. "Your lady is prompt. The weather will be good today, but we still do not know what might come in from the west."

  The three of them headed out together, and Sophia relished the feeling of being on horseback. It reminded her of her childhood, when she would go out to her grandparents' farm. They had a big draft horse named Blue and sometimes she would get to ride him around the farmyard.

  However, she definitely knew she wasn't in a farmyard here. The rolling hills spread out beyond them with more rugged terrain beyond. It was wilder than anything she had seen before save an angry storm causing waves to beat the rocks as it bore down on the coast of Maine. She
couldn't help but take in her surroundings here with absolute delight.

  "How are you doing?" Matthew's horse ambled along beside her. "I know you said you've written before, but how long ago was that?"

  "One of my grandfather's draft horses at the farm. I remember I liked it and I never fell off."

  "Well, that's definitely different than riding here. We must keep on the lookout at all times. That's one of the reasons I asked John to come with us. He is an extra set of eyes and ears, and he is a good shot, too."

  "Someday, Matthew Thomas, you'll be as good a shot as me." John's tone was quiet but his eyes crinkled as he grinned at his friend.

  Sophia forced herself stop staring at John. She had never seen anyone like him before, with his dark skin in contrast to his very non-native clothing. His hair was long, dark as ink, and pulled back. He spoke no words to her, but would give her an occasional glance as he rode along with them.

  The farther they traveled, the terrain changed. Hardscrabble rocks made footing a challenge for the horses. She let her mount, a solid gelding named Rusty, have his head as he picked his pathway along the trail.

  "Good, you're letting Rusty do the work. Many new riders jerk on the reins for balance and control, which only frustrates the poor horse." Matthew smiled at her.

  Sophia hoped the two of them would get to talk more as they rode along. Matthew said little, and maybe that was because they had a third person with them. John might as well not have been there, as silence as he was on his own mount.

  Sophia cleared her throat. "So, Matthew, where did you grow up?"

  "I grew up in Missouri. We had a farm. Pa worked the land, worked hard. My mom was pretty sickly. Not physically. It was hard sometimes, so that's how I learned to do cooking and cleaning and I even learned to knit." At that admission, his face flushed. Sophia smiled.