Mail Order Mix Up

by Kirsten Osbourne

  Ellen bit her lip as she considered. She knew Mrs. Long was basically offering them charity, but at that point, she didn’t see any other choices. Maybe they could find other ways to help out as well. She nodded slowly. “We’d be happy to do that. I think we need to do more than just help with your business, though. Is there anything else we could do to earn our keep?”

  “Sit down, and we’ll talk about it. If I run out of work for you to do, we’ll come up with something.”

  Ellen resumed her seat on the couch and looked down at the letter. “He does sound perfect for me.”

  Mrs. Long, who had risen to her feet when Ellen did, sank slowly into her chair obviously favoring one leg. “Let’s write some letters then, shall we?” She handed them each a piece of paper and a pen, putting a small pot of ink between them. “I’d like you to include age, occupation if there is one, a brief description of yourself, and any hobbies you may have.”

  Both of the sisters put pen to paper and began writing. Ellen thought for a moment after writing the salutation, trying to decide exactly what she wanted to tell him. “Dear Wesley, I was thrilled to receive your letter. I’m twenty years old and live on the outskirts of Beckham, Massachusetts where I’ve lived my entire life. I was raised on a small dairy farm, and enjoy being around animals. I like the idea of living in a small town near the Rocky Mountains. I’ve only ever seen paintings of mountains and love the idea of seeing one in person. I have kept house for my father since my mother died when I was twelve, so I’m more than capable of cooking and cleaning for you. I love the idea of having a houseful of children. I’m in good health. My sister is answering the letter your brother sent. We love the idea of being mail order brides, but living close together. I enjoy reading and taking long walks. I hope to hear from you soon. Yours, Ellen.”

  Ellen set the pen down and handed the letter to Mrs. Long. “Is that what you’re looking for?”

  Mrs. Long quickly read through the letter and then nodded. “It’s perfect.”

  Ellen watched as her sister wrote quickly trying to finish her own letter. Finally, Malinda looked up and handed it to Mrs. Long as well. “How’s that?”

  “Good.” Mrs. Long folded both letters and set them aside. “We’ll get them mailed out first thing in the morning.” She looked up as Higgins came into the room with the lemonade and cookies she’d requested. He set the tray in front of her and she poured them each a glass, and set the plate with the cookies on it between them. “Thank you, Higgins.”

  Ellen picked up the glass of lemonade and took a sip of the tart liquid. She and Malinda had cut back to cooking one meal per day in hopes they could make the food last, so she was thankful for the cookies. She reached out and took one and smiled. “These are good!” She counted the cookies on the plate and divided mentally by three wondering how many she could eat without looking like a glutton.

  Mrs. Long smiled as Higgins shut the door behind him. “My cook is wonderful.” She took a cookie for herself as the girls settled back onto the couch to enjoy the small snack. “Do you girls have what you need to stay at the farm for the rest of the week, or do you just want to move in here tomorrow?” She gestured to the pile of letters on her desk. “I could use the help.”

  Ellen looked at Malinda. If they went home, they wouldn’t be able to eat. It made more sense to move immediately. “What do you think, Malinda?”

  Malinda tilted her head to the side in a way that told Ellen she was thinking about it. “I think we should go ahead and move right away. I don’t want to be there when they come to take all of our things away.”

  Ellen hadn’t thought about how hard that would be. Of course, since she’d been giving most of the food to Malinda, she was thinking more with her stomach than her emotions. She squeezed Malinda’s hand. “Why don’t we come back in the morning then? Would that be okay?”

  Mrs. Long nodded. “We’ll be thrilled to have you.”

  Once they’d polished off the cookies and lemonade, Ellen stood. “We’ll pack our things this evening and be back around ten tomorrow morning. Would that be okay?” She considered for a moment all the work Mrs. Long said she had for them. “Is that early enough?”

  Mrs. Long stood and walked them toward the door. “That would be wonderful. I’ll enjoy having company for a while.”

  Ellen smiled at the older woman. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. We truly appreciate the help you’re giving us.” She shook Mrs. Long’s hand. “We’ll work hard. I promise.”

  “I know you will. I’ll see you in the morning.” Closing the door behind them, she called Higgins. “We’re going to be having some guests for a while.”

  *****

  Ellen baked the last of the corn bread that evening and as they ate it, they talked about the letters. “I love the idea of marrying a banker!” Malinda gushed. “Just imagine not having to worry about money. And he said he has a cook and someone who cleans! I’d have all the time I wanted to read books and just keep to myself. He’s going to be perfect for me!” Malinda’s eyes danced with excitement at the prospect of marrying her banker.

  Ellen sighed. “Don’t you think it’s more important that he be a good person than he make a lot of money? The sheriff sounds like the kind of man I’m looking for. He wouldn’t put his life on the line every day if he didn’t think helping others was important.” Her sister had never been materialistic, but she hated all of her time being taken up by chores. It had been better before their father died, because then they were only doing the housework, and not all of the farm work as well.

  “Maybe. I’m glad you’re the one marrying him, though. I’m tired of housework. You can have it all!” Malinda waved her arm as if to encompass the entire house full of work she was gifting to her sister.

  “I’d gladly do housework every day of my life if it meant I didn’t have to marry a man who would kick grieving people out of the only home they’ve ever known. How could you even think of marrying a banker after what happened this morning?” Ellen was stunned at her sister’s attitude. Sure, housework wasn’t the most fun thing to do in the world, but it was better than sitting idle while the man you were married to was out being cruel to others.

  “How could you even think of not marrying the richest man you can find after what happened this morning?” Malinda shook her head in confusion.

  Ellen shook her head at her younger sister. “I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.” She stood up. “Let’s get these dishes done so we can go pack our things.”

  Before they went to bed that evening, everything the sisters owned was in a huge trunk. It was good they were going to the same place, because there was only one. In the back of her mind, Ellen felt bad for taking the trunk after being told they could only take their clothing, but she knew they simply didn’t have a choice unless they wanted to walk down the streets of Beckham with their drawers in their arms. She wasn’t willing to make that kind of spectacle of herself, though.

  When Ellen prayed that night, she thanked God for bringing Harriett Long into their lives. She was truly their guardian angel. She went to sleep with a smile on her lips as she thought about the good man she’d marry. Any man who cared enough for others to do a job where he must risk his life on a daily basis was one she had to admire.

  Chapter Two

  Wesley Harris walked into his brother’s house without knocking as usual. It drove Patrick’s housekeeper crazy, but he just didn’t care. He went to the office his brother kept at home at the back of the house, knowing he’d find his brother there. He tended to work eight hours per day at the bank and another four when he got home. Wesley was glad he had two deputies to take over when he was ready to go home for the day. He just wasn’t as dedicated to working all the time as his brother.

  Wesley and Patrick were both tall with dark hair and brown eyes. Patrick was slimmer, due to sitting behind a desk all day, while Wesley was muscular from the regular physical work he did. Wesley was more handsome than Patrick
, and had a ready charm about him that many women found irresistible. He flirted with all women he met, young or old, married or single. He always knew just the right words to say to draw women out of their shell.

  “Got my letter today,” Wesley announced without greeting his brother. He held up the letter he’d received from a young lady named Ellen Bronson in Beckham Massachusetts.

  “I did too.” Patrick pushed aside the work in front of him to give his brother his undivided attention. They were as close as two such different men could be. The years they’d grown up together and the trip out to Colorado had made them close. Their time working their gold mines together had cemented their bond.

  “The woman who answered mine is Ellen. She said her sister was writing to you.” Wesley stood for a moment looking around the room. His handgun was worn casually at his side as if it was just another item of clothing.

  “Malinda said her sister was writing to you.” Patrick leaned back in his chair with his hands forming a steeple in front of him as he studied his younger brother.

  Wesley flopped down on the sofa. “So what’s Malinda like?”

  Patrick shrugged. “She just said she’s nineteen and recently lost her father. She’s from Massachusetts and is the daughter of a dairy farmer. She enjoys entertaining and reading. She plays the piano. Sounds like she’ll be a good wife for me. I need someone who can be the hostess when I give a dinner party.”

  Wesley nodded. “She sounds interesting. Ellen wrote that she’s kept house for her father since her mother died eight years ago and she wants a lot of kids. She’ll work. At this point, I’m just ready to not be alone anymore.” He wanted a lot from a wife. Sure, like most men he had physical urges he needed seen to, but he also wanted someone to help him keep his house clean. He needed someone to cook meals for him so he didn’t have to burn his own, and he loved the idea of having someone to talk to over the dinner table. He’d eaten way too many lonely meals in the time he’d been sheriff of their small town. It would be nice if the face across the table from his was pretty, but he didn’t consider that a requirement.

  Patrick sighed as he leaned back in his chair. “I know how you feel. I think she could have green hair and orange eyes at this point, and I’d still marry her. It’s time.” He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, trying to rub out some of the tension he felt from the hours he spent bent over his desk every day.

  Wesley looked around at the immaculate office. Everything around Patrick was always immaculate. It drove Wesley crazy. Wesley’s house was slightly messy and definitely needed a woman’s touch. Patrick’s housekeeper kept his house running like a well-oiled machine. Nothing was ever out of place. “Are you going to send her a train ticket?”

  Patrick nodded. “Of course. I’m ready for her to get here so we can start our lives together.” He paused, his eyes meeting his brothers. “What about you?”

  Wesley nodded. “I’ll have to wait until Friday when I get paid, but I’ll definitely send off for her.” He wished he had the money then, because he was so very tired of being alone, but in the great scheme of things, what did a few days matter?

  “Why don’t I send someone to Denver to buy the train tickets tomorrow? That way we can both send the letters off on Wednesday. I don’t mind paying for my future sister-in-law’s ticket.” Patrick’s voice was steady and even as he offered. He’d do anything for his brother, and it was written on his face. He just wished he’d let him give him some of the money they’d dug out of his claim together.

  Wesley looked at his brother for a moment considering, but then nodded. “Sure. You have the money, so why not?”

  When the brothers had arrived in Colorado, they’d each staked their own claim. Patrick had struck gold immediately, and he’d paid Wesley to help him mine. They’d tried to work Wesley’s together once Patrick’s was played out, but there had been no gold there. When Patrick had wanted to open a bank, he’d been worried about the lawlessness of the area in general, so Wesley had become the lawman. It had worked out well for both brothers.

  Wesley had a modest home near the jail that he was happy in. He always told Patrick he would go crazy in a house that was as neat as Patrick’s always was.

  There was a knock at the study door. “Would you like refreshments?” Mrs. Smith asked the two men.

  Patrick raised an eyebrow in question.

  Wesley grinned at the housekeeper. “How about feeding me dinner?” he asked.

  Mrs. Smith just smiled. “Of course. It’ll be ready in an hour. Do you need something before then?” The smile on her face showed her like for the younger man.

  Wesley winked at the older woman to watch her squirm. “Do you have any chocolate cake sitting around?”

  Mrs. Smith laughed. “Alice baked a fresh cake this morning. Would you like a slice now, or for dessert?”

  “Yes, I would.” Wesley’s biggest downfall was his sweet tooth. He walked everywhere around town, because he had to burn off all the sweets he ate somehow.

  “Which one?”

  “Now and for dessert, of course.” His eyes pled with her to give him what she wanted, knowing she would.

  Mrs. Smith shook her head as she headed for the door. “You should be fat, Mr. Wesley.”

  Wesley grinned and turned back to Patrick. “I’m staying for dinner.” One less night he’d have to eat alone and cook for himself. Patrick’s cook was excellent, and he found a way to finagle dinner at his brother’s house at least twice a week. More if he could think up a plausible reason for it.

  Patrick sighed. “I caught that.”

  “You don’t want me to stay?” Wesley did his best to look offended as he stared at his brother. “But I’m your favorite brother!”

  “I don’t mind you staying to dinner. I think you need to stop trying to romance my sixty year old housekeeper, though. And you’re my only brother.”

  Wesley stretched out his legs in front of him. “Even grandmas need love, Pat.”

  Patrick shook his head hoping being married would force his brother to be more serious. Maybe once the children arrived he’d realize there was more to life than just fun and games. “I’m glad we’re going to marry sisters. It will be nice to have wives who get along well, and like to spend time together.”

  Wesley nodded. “That’s true. We probably couldn’t have hand-picked better responses to our letters. I just hope they hurry.” He rubbed his hands together anxiously. Soon it would happen.

  Patrick smiled. “So do I. Just think. In another five weeks, we could be married.”

  “I know you like that idea. I wouldn’t be here for dinner so much if I had someone to cook for me.”

  Patrick raised an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t? I thought you were eating at my house to save yourself some money.”

  Wesley shrugged. “Well, that too.”

  *****

  Ellen hurried to the post office, one of the daily chores that had been hers since she and Malinda had moved in with Harriett. Malinda preferred to help file the letters Harriett received and leave any actual activity to Ellen. Ellen didn’t mind, though. She wanted to do as much for Harriett as she possibly could to pay her back for her hospitality.

  She waited her turn at the post office and received a handful of letters addressed to Harriett. There were two, though, that were addressed to Ellen and Malinda care of Harriett. Those were the letters that truly excited Ellen. She thought about tearing hers open right there in the post office, but decided she should wait until she got back to Harriett’s house.

  She walked as quickly as she could through the streets to get back to Harriett’s house. She almost broke into a run once, but reminded herself that ladies don’t run through town.

  She rushed into the house and back into the study where Malinda was enjoying a lemonade and cookie break while Harriett continued her work. She shook her head at her sister, wishing she had the same kind of work ethic she did. How could they have been raised by the same parents?

  �
�We got our responses today, Harriett!” She handed the older woman the letters with a huge grin on her face. She was practically dancing in place as she waited for the other woman to read them.

  “You haven’t opened yours yet?” Harriett asked in surprise. “I don’t know that I could have restrained myself.”

  Ellen shook her head. “I wasn’t sure if you needed to read them first.”

  “Of course not. I wouldn’t read your mail!” She gave Ellen the letters back.

  Ellen handed the one addressed to Malinda to her sister and sank down onto the sofa with her own. She handed the check included to Harriett and skimmed through the letter.

  “Dear Ellen, I was thrilled to receive your letter. You sound like just what I’m looking for in a wife. Included is your train ticket and some money for your trip out here. My brother and I will stay in my house overnight and we’ll marry the day after you arrive, allowing you and your sister to use his house. We’re both very excited at the idea of marrying sisters. Your ticket is for July eighteenth, which should give you enough time. Yours, Wesley.”

  Ellen looked at the calendar. They had four days before the train left, and the trip would take ten days. She sighed. She hated the idea of being on a train for that long, but was thankful she wouldn’t have to be part of a wagon train to go that far. A train ride would be much more pleasant than making the long walk out west.

  Ellen smiled at Malinda who was clutching her own train ticket. She’d always wanted to go on a train, but their family had never had enough money to be able to do it. “Are you excited?” She loved the spark in her younger sister’s eyes at the idea of a train trip.

  Malinda nodded with a smile. “I can’t wait!”

  Ellen looked at the money in her hand for the trip. Harriett had loaned them both money to make some dresses before the trip, and though she was thankful, she’d hated taking anything more from the sweet woman. She counted out the money and handed Harriett a little over half of what she had. She could eat less on the trip so she’d have the money to pay her back more.