by Kit Morgan
He had a point. But would Finn have done the same for Lorcan, had his parents gotten him a mail-order bride? Or would he have thought only of himself, just as he had all along? “Mr. Brody, I love Lorcan. Ye know I do.”
“Aye.”
“Then ye understand why I can’t accept Lorcan’s gift. I'm too selfish a man to have a wife.” With that, Finn turned and left.
* * *
Eva watched as a man she assumed must be Doc Henderson brought in the injured driver. The driver saw her and smiled. “Thank ya, ma'am, for gettin’ me some help. Looks like I needed it.”
“You're welcome, sir.” She looked at the doctor. “He’ll be all right, won’t he?”
“He's banged up pretty good, but he should mend.” He noticed her foot propped up on the stool. “Looks like you got tossed around too.” He turned, his eyes searching for his middle-aged assistant. “Birdie?”
“She's got a twisted ankle,” Birdie said as she came into the waiting area. “I sent Finn to fetch her husb … oh, excuse me.” She turned and winked at Eva. “Her intended husband. Miss Brock here is a mail-order bride.”
The way Birdie announced it to the men in the room made Eva cringe. But then she took in their looks of disappointment and realized what Birdie had done. She’d made it clear to them that Eva was spoken for, and probably kept her from being mobbed by potential suitors.
“He should be here soon,” Eva said with a smile, and several of the men groaned in disappointment. She, on the other hand, sighed in relief. The last thing she needed was a group of men fighting over who was going to escort (or in this case transport) her to the nearest hotel or boarding house.
“We just saw Finn standing in front of the sheriff’s office,” said Doc.
“Yeah, he was complaining about getting married,” added another man.
“Finn Mullaney’s getting married?” asked Birdie in shock.
“Heard it come out of his own mouth,” huffed Deputy Blanchard. “I wonder who the unlucky girl is.”
“Deputy, that's no way to talk!” scolded Birdie.
Doc Henderson ignored the outburst, and turned to the driver and the men supporting him. “Take him into my patient room, will you?” Then he looked at Eva. “How's that ankle feeling?”
“I don't think it's broken, just twisted. Birdie is a fine nurse.”
The doctor bent down and quickly examined her ankle. “One of the best. I don't know what I'd do without her. And she told you true – it’s a twisted ankle, all right.”
“I’ll see to her, Doc,” Birdie told him, “while you tend to that poor man. What happened anyway?”
The doctor shook his head in annoyance. “He thinks the horses were hit with a rock or something.”
“No!” Birdie gasped. “That's terrible! These poor folks could have been killed!”
“That's what I said. I'll be having a talk with Alton Dalton just as soon as I get a chance,” he said as he stood.
“Alton Dalton?” asked Birdie. “What’s he got to do with this?”
“He ‘s got three sons, that’s what he’s got to do with this – and this time, those rascals have gone too far.”
“The Dalton boys? Why, they’re just three little angels,” protested Birdie.
“Fallen angels, maybe,” the sheriff replied. “Which their father gave three little slingshots to last week. They've been causing nothing but trouble with them ever since.”
Birdie grimaced. “Oh dear.”
“They'll be saying more than ‘Oh dear’ by the time their pa gets through with them,” the sheriff grumbled as Doc left the room to check on his other patient. He turned to his men. “All right, boys, we’re done here. Let's go see what we can do about getting that stagecoach out of the ditch.”
Birdie grabbed the nearest arm. “Deputy Blanchard, would you be so kind as to fetch this woman’s trunk? I’m sure it’s still on the stage.”
The deputy looked Eva over, and smiled. “I'd be much obliged. Where should I deliver it?”
Eva stared at him, and realized she had no idea where she was going. “Well, I … I …”
The door to the doctor's office opened and Finn stepped inside. Birdie smiled in relief. “Oh, thank goodness, you're just in time. Did you find him? Will he have to take the poor dear far?”
Finn looked at each of them in turn. “Not far … not far at all,” he said numbly.
Birdie craned her neck, trying to look past him. “Well, where is he?”
Finn took a deep breath and pointed to himself. “He's right here.”
* * *
Eva sat and gaped at him. “What?!” She blinked a few times as if to clear her vision.
He unfolded the paper she’d given him earlier and handed it back to her. “Here stands before you Phinehas Mullaney, proud proprietor of Mullaney's Funeral Parlor,” he replied with as much irony as he could muster.
Eva looked at the paper, then at him. “You? You’re, you’re … my intended?”
Deputy Blanchard snatched the paper out of her hand, read it, then burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” asked Finn.
The deputy pointed at him, and it was all he could do to talk. “You!” he said, mocking Eva’s shocked voice. “You’re-you’re-you’re my intended?” He looked at Eva. “You poor girl! Why don’t you forget about him and marry a real man?”
Blanchard’s chortling was cut off as Finn punched him square in the gut.
Birdie caught his arm as he pulled back for a second shot. “Stop it, you hear?” she snapped, her face red from the effort it took to restrain him. “Now!” She spun on the deputy. “And you – why don't you keep your fool opinions to yourself? Finn will make this young woman a fine husband! I don’t know as I could say the same for you!”
The deputy was obviously stung by that. He turned his ire on Finn as he tried to get his breath back. “I could lock you up for hitting me like that,” he snarled.
“But ye won’t,” Finn growled.
“Oh really? And why wouldn’t I?”
“Because as soon as I tell the sheriff why ye did, he’ll laugh in your fat face.”
The deputy took a step toward him, but Birdie shoved him back. “Stop it, both of you! Finn Mullaney, you take your bride home and start taking care of her! And as for you, Braxton Blanchard, you get yourself back to that sheriff's office and try to think of nice things to say about folks instead of insulting them all the time!”
Finn stepped aside, looked the deputy square in the eye and waved toward the door. If looks could kill, Finn would be dead on the floor. Since they couldn’t, the deputy only glowered at him as he stomped to the door, opened it and slammed it on his way out.
“You haven’t made a friend of him,” Birdie mused.
“Tell me something I don't know.” Finn turned to Eva, his face solemn. “I'm sorry ye had to see that. In case ye haven't guessed, he and I aren’t very chummy.”
She offered him a smile - well, half of one. “I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I'm still stuck at the part where you told me you’re to be my husband.”
“As am I.” He sighed. “I’m afraid there’s been a terrible mistake.”
“What do you mean?” asked Birdie. “You're going to marry the girl, aren’t you? You sent for her.”
“That's just it. I didn't.”
Both women looked at him in shock. “What?” Eva finally blurted. “You didn't send for me?”
“No,” he said sheepishly. “It seems a certain friend of mine thought I should be married.”
Birdie's eyes widened. “Who would do such a … oh. You mean …?”
Finn nodded. “Lorcan.”
“Who's Lorcan?” asked Eva, still confused.
“My best friend,” Finn informed her.
“Now, Finn,” Birdie scolded. “I’m sure he means well …”
“I know he does. I'm just in shock.” He sighed in frustration. “A little advance notice would’ve been lovely …”<
br />
Eva cringed as the enormity of the situation hit her like the kick of a mule. “You didn't send away for me?” she said quietly. “It must have been quite a surprise when you read the name and address on that paper.”
Finn looked around. “What was that paper?”
“Our marriage contract,” Eva told him.
He glanced around a second time. “Where'd it go?”
“Good heavens!” Birdie cried. “Deputy Blanchard took it with him!”
Eva threw both hands in the air and let them fall in her lap. “Wonderful. Not only was I not expected, but now the marriage contract has just walked out the door!”
Finn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Don't worry, Miss Brock – I’ll figure this out. This never should've happened to you – I am sorry …”
She saw the regret in his eyes. “Whether I came to marry you or someone else, Mr. Mullaney, the horses still would’ve bolted, the wagon wheel would’ve snapped off, and my ankle could have twisted just as well in another’s pumpkin patch as in yours.”
“How did you know it was my pumpkin patch?”
“The driver told me when he sent me to get help.”
“Ah. Well …” He thought for a moment. “I'd take ye to the hotel or boarding house but, with that ankle of yours, ye'd never make it up and down the stairs to your room. My house isn't far, and I'm sure my parents won't mind having a guest.”
Eva blushed as she stared at him. This was her husband, her intended, the man she’d come to marry. He was a handsome man with unruly reddish-brown hair, green eyes, and a fierceness she wished her father had. She was sure he could handle her mother – and if he could do that, he wouldn’t just be her husband, he’d be her hero! But he was saying this was all a mistake. Her heart sank, and it was all she could do not to cry.
Birdie must've noticed, and quickly knelt at her side. “There, there, now – it's not as bad as all that. Finn, tell this poor girl she has nothing to worry about.” But she didn’t give him the chance. “Don't you worry none – the Mullaneys are some of the most respected people in this town. Why, they'll have you settled in no time, and in the blink of an eye you'll be married!”
Finn almost choked. “Birdie …”
Eva looked at him. “It's no use, Birdie. It's quite obvious Mr. Mullaney has no intention of marrying me. The sooner I leave town, the better.”
Birdie turned to him and gave him her sternest glare. “Finn Mullaney, if you don't do right by this girl, I swear I’ll –”
“Birdie, I said I'd take care of her!” Finn replied impatiently. “Now if ye don't mind, we’ll be on our way.” He walked over to Eva's chair and scooped her up in his arms.
“Sir, what are you doing?” Eva squeaked in alarm.
“With that ankle, ma’am, it’d be too far for ye to walk.” He turned to Birdie, whose jaw hung like a broken branch. “Tell the sheriff and the other men to deliver her things to my place.” He turned, walked to the door and carefully freed a hand to open it. “Good afternoon.”
Birdie stared helplessly at Eva, who could only stare back. “I'll … send the doctor tomorrow to check that ankle.”
“You do that,” Finn said sternly, and left.
They hadn't gone far when Eva could stand it no longer and began to cry. “Here now, lass, there's no call for that.”
“I'm sorry … but this is … well, it's a tragedy!”
“Now, now – I'm sure ye'll find yerself a good husband in no time,” he consoled.
“But I don't understand!” She sniffed, cheeks red with embarrassment. “How could this have happened?”
“When you're dealing with the Brodys, anything can happen.”
“The Brodys? Is that who you and Birdie were talking about?”
“Aye – me best friend, Lorcan Brody. This last spring, his parents got him a mail-order bride and didn't tell him beforehand. I guess he thought he'd do the same for me – in the same manner.”
She sniffled again, and wished she hadn’t packed away her handkerchiefs. “Obviously without the same result,” she groaned, her voice sharp.
“Yes and no.” He stopped in the middle of the boardwalk and looked at her. But then, at this point quite a few people were looking at her – it was mid-afternoon, and she was being carried through town in a man’s arms! “Lorcan put up quite the fuss at the time. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with the poor lady who’d showed up on his doorstep.”
Eva closed her eyes a moment as Finn continued walking. “It seems history is repeating itself in that regard.”
Finn nodded sadly. “Aye, but it doesn't mean it will have the same outcome.”
She looked at him, heartsick. “I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Mullaney. I truly am.”
Finn felt a tingle run up his spine, and his resolve to send her away wavered. “I'll say no more on the matter, Miss Brock; at least for the moment. First things first – I've got to get ye home and settled, and then have ye write a letter.”
“A letter? To whom?”
“Yer folks, of course. So they can come get ye.”
Eva stiffened in his arms, and again let the tears flow.
Four
Finn was really in a pickle now. Once his mother saw Miss Brock, she’d take to her as fast as hens to a corn crib. If he'd had any sense at all, he’d have sent her home with Mr. Brody, but he’d been known to misplace his good sense now and then, and this was clearly one of those times.
They reached the funeral parlor, but rather than use the front door, Finn made his way around to the back. His father looked up from his desk and gawked when he opened the door. “What are ye doing carrying in a cadaver like that? Use the cart, for crying out loud!”
“Da, put on your spectacles!” Finn groaned.
Mr. Mullaney reached for his glasses and put them on. He squinted at Finn and his load, then sat back in his chair. “Well, saints be praised, she's alive!”
Finn rolled his eyes. “Very much so. Where's Maither?”
“Upstairs, preparing supper,” his father said as he studied the woman in his son’s arms. “Er… shall I tell her to set out another plate?”
“Yes,” said Finn as he looked for a suitable place to unload Miss Brock. Spying a chair in the corner, he made for it and set her down, then turned back to his father. “This is Miss Brock. It's a long story, but …” He looked at her and sighed. “I'll fix everything.”
His father’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Come again, lad?”
“I am your son's mail-order bride,” Eva volunteered before Finn could answer.
His father stood. “His mail-order bride?!”
“It's not what you think,” said Finn.
“It's exactly what you think,” added Eva determinedly.
Finn’s father stared at him, mouth agape. “You sent for a mail-order bride?”
“No, Lorcan did.”
“Lorcan?” His father stared at him for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Sure ‘n begorrah! Leave it to a Brody to take matters into his own hands!”
Finn rolled his eyes again and shook his head. “He should've known better than to order me a bride without telling me – especially with what he went through. The man's not only gone blind, he's gone daft as well.”
His father sobered and looked at him. “Don't ye talk about Lorcan that way, son. He's a good man, and your best friend. I'm sure he had your best interests in mind.”
Finn sighed in exasperation. “It was a mistake, Da. He shouldn't have done it.”
His father looked at Eva. “My my – this is a fix for you then, innit?”
Eva sat up straight in her chair. “You have no idea, Mr. Mullaney. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.”
Finn looked at her incredulously. “Go home. What else is there to do?”
“That's just it.” She stared up at him, and bit her lip as if to brace herself. “Going home is … not an option.”
“Why not?” he asked, his voice cracking.
&n
bsp; “It's hard to explain,” she said. “And after all that’s happened today, I don't really want to try just now. If you're going to put me up for the night, then I’d like to be taken to my room. I’ll not be a bother to you anymore.”
Finn’s father came around the desk to stand in front of her. He glared at his son. “What is she talking about?”
“Isn't it obvious? Lorcan got me a mail-order bride and didn't tell me, so what was I to think when she showed up? I'm not ready to get married. I’ll never be ready to get married.”
His father’s eyes darted back and forth between the two, finally settling on Eva. “I apologize for my son's behavior, lass. It seems that at the moment he's addled in the brain. Maybe he fell and hit his head.”
Finn unconsciously raised his hand to where Nate Dalton had struck him with a rock. “I've not gone daft. I'm being sensible.”
“Sensible?” his father said with a laugh. “Yer best friend sends ye a beautiful woman like this to marry, and ye think sending her back to where she came from is sensible? You're even more daft than I thought!”
Eva groaned and put her face in her hands. She shook her head before she looked at them both. “Please, if you'll just take me to my room and … no, wait, I have a better idea.” She stood and started to limp away. “I'm leaving.”
Finn caught her by the arm – a little too forcefully, as she lost her balance. He had to quickly pull her into his chest to keep her from falling. “Don't even think of leaving – I doubt ye’d make it to the front door.”
“Mr. Mullaney, kindly unhand me,” she told him, adding a glare for good measure.
He glared right back. “Ye'll spend the night here – there's no help for it. We'll figure this whole thing out in the morning.”
Finn's father chuckled and stuffed his hands into his pants pockets. “I think I’ll run upstairs and tell Maither to set another place.” He winked at Eva, then headed for the stairs.
She took a long, deep breath. “I'm sorry I'm such an inconvenience, Mr. Mullaney. But as you said, it can't be helped. If it weren't for my ankle, I could have stayed in a hotel or boarding house. Then you wouldn't have to bother with me at all.” She looked away, her jaw tight.