Mail Order Mistake

by Kirsten Osbourne

  *****

  With only two days to go before the trip, Malinda, Ellen and Harriett sat finishing up the sewing. Malinda was putting the last of the tiny details onto the wedding dresses while Harriett and Ellen made new aprons for each of them. Malinda had no idea why she’d need an apron, being married to a banker, but she wouldn’t protest.

  Harriett had been true to her word, working with them every afternoon. Malinda was amazed at how efficient Harriett was, if not good with the smallest details. With her help, they’d accomplished more than they’d dreamed they could in a short amount of time. They had a trunk full of pretty new dresses instead of the old worn out dresses they’d moved into Harriett’s house with.

  It was as she sat and sewed tiny intricate details into the bodice of her sister’s wedding dress that she realized she really was a better seamstress than Ellen. Ellen had left the hardest parts for her to do, while she and Harriett had made the items that didn’t matter quite as much. For the first time, Malinda felt some pride in her skills. She’d never felt like she was good at anything, and now suddenly she knew she was.

  Ellen smiled at her sister. “You’ve always dreamed of riding on a train. Are you excited about the trip?”

  Malinda looked at her and shrugged, partially with confusion. She hadn’t dreamed of riding on a train since she was seven or eight. Did her sister really know so little about her? “I think it will be fine. Honestly, I’m more nervous about being married than excited about riding a train.”

  “I’m just really glad we’ll be together. Maybe you can help me put the finishing touches on all my dresses. I’m so envious of what an excellent seamstress you are. I taught you to sew, and you’ve way surpassed my skill.” Ellen spoke excitedly, as if she were thrilled with the work Malinda was able to do.

  Malinda flushed with pleasure at the words. Ellen complimented her a lot, but this was the first time she felt like the compliment was deserved. “I’ll help in any way I can.”

  Ellen smiled. “I know. You’re a good sister.”

  “And you can help me learn to be the perfect hostess.” Why did she suddenly hate the idea of being a hostess? She’d enjoyed the few parties she’d been to and had always thought she’d like to host her own, but now that it was suddenly looming in her future, she hated the idea.

  “You’re a lot better with people than I am, Malinda. I mean, I talk to strangers easier than you do, but you really get people to open up and tell you things in a way I never could. I wish I was as good at that type of thing as you are.”

  Malinda smiled slightly. She wished she believed that one. “You know, as much as I fear being poor, I don’t know how well I’ll do at being a pampered wife of a banker. I guess if I work hard enough at it, I could get used to it. Being able to read all I want thrills me, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle the rest of it.” She shrugged. “We’ll see. And if no one else in the town likes me at least I’ll have my sister there.”

  “Everyone will like you, but you’ll always have your sister no matter what.”

  Malinda nodded. She almost wished she could back out and find some other way to make things work, but she knew Ellen wouldn’t back out now. She always kept her word. She was good that way. Malinda wouldn’t let Ellen go without her, so she’d get on that train and go to Colorado and marry some boring stodgy banker and have a couple of children. She only hoped it would be as perfect there as Ellen seemed to think it would be.

  *****

  Harriett went to the train station with them, and Malinda hugged her with tears in her eyes. She’d had friends in school, of course, but she’d never felt as close to another woman as she had to Harriett. She was close to Ellen, but it was in a different way. She promised to write her as soon as they arrived so she knew they were okay.

  She was going to truly miss her and hated knowing she’d be alone again after they were gone. “You need to get out and meet people,” she whispered to Harriett as she hugged her.

  Harriett nodded with tears in her eyes. “I’ll try.”

  Malinda sighed. “It’s not good for you to spend all your time at home working. Make some friends so you can sit around and laugh at all the letters you get from your brides.”

  “I’m going to miss you so much!” Harriett whispered.

  Harriett stood watching long after the train had disappeared around the bend. She needed to make some changes in her life, and she knew it. Being a recluse at twenty eight wasn’t good for anyone. But how?

  *****

  Ellen and Malinda had to switch trains in St. Louis, but it didn’t end up being as difficult as the two women had worried it would be. Once they were settled on the train headed for Denver, Malinda let out a brief sigh of relief. “I was certain we would get lost in St. Louis and end up stuck there for the rest of our lives.” She rolled her eyes laughing at herself.

  Ellen grinned at her. “I was worried about the exact same thing.”

  “You never worry!” Malinda stared at Ellen in disbelief. Ellen always knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it. There was no way she worried about anything.

  Ellen laughed. “I can’t believe you think that. I worry all the time!”

  Malinda eyed her skeptically. “About what?”

  “Well, right now I’m worried that I lost all my money while we were in St. Louis and now that the train has left, I won’t be able to eat until we get to Denver.” She quickly checked her string purse which was tied around her wrist. “Oh, good. Don’t have to worry about that one anymore. I worry that Wesley will see me and send me straight back to Beckham. I worry that the men are really crazed mountain men who would do anything to take a bride home. They’ll have long gray beards that go down to their belts, and they won’t have bathed in at least six months. We won’t be able to handle the stench coming off of them unless we stand down wind. I worry that I’ll be gray before my time from all the worrying I do.”

  Malinda giggled. “You do worry.” She sighed. “I’m worried that I’ll see Patrick and get so scared I won’t even be able to talk to him.” She looked down at her hands. “I’m worried that I’ll be a terrible wife.” The last words were whispered as if they were some dreadful secret she was sharing.

  Ellen shook her head. “Of course you won’t be a terrible wife. You’re a good person, and you’ll work at it.” She shrugged. “We’re both going to have to work at being good wives, because we don’t know what the men will expect. Everyone wants something different from a mate, right?”

  Malinda stared out the window as she answered. “But what if I can’t let him, well, you know?” She blushed. She’d done her best not to even think about what would be expected of her in bed since Harriett had talked to her about it. It sounded so personal and embarrassing. How could anyone let a man do that to them?

  Ellen smiled. “I’m worried about that, too. We’ll be fine. We know that women are supposed to do as their husbands tell them and we know that’s part of being married. We’ll just do it and all will be fine.”

  “I don’t know if I can.” Malinda’s eyes met Ellen’s trying to convey how truly worried she was about the subject.

  Ellen squeezed Malinda’s hand. “You can. You don’t have to know you can, because I know it.”

  “So what you’re telling me is you’re just as nervous about all of it as I am, but you just hide it better?” Could that be true? Ellen was as nervous about this as she was?

  Ellen nodded. “I hide it really well. After Mother died and teaching you to take care of housework became my responsibility, all I could think was that you wouldn’t learn a thing. You did, though. You’ve become really good at most household tasks. I’m really proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  Malinda rested her head on her sister’s shoulder, something she hadn’t done in years. “I’m so glad I’m not doing this alone and you’re here to hold my hand.” She knew deep in her heart that she couldn’t have gotten on the train and headed West on her own. Without her sist
er, she would have turned back long ago.

  “I couldn’t do it alone. Without you? I’d have turned tail in St. Louis and headed back home right then.”

  “You would not!” But she’d been thinking she would have. Could her strong sister be as nervous and afraid as she was? Was it possible?

  “Of course, I would have. Do you think traveling across our entire country to meet a total stranger and marry him the next day comes naturally to me? Or anyone? It doesn’t. It requires so much more courage than I would ever be able to find without you beside me.”

  Malinda eyed her sister. Does she really have all those doubts? She’s so much more confident than I am. There’s no way she’s as afraid as me. Is there?

  Chapter Three

  Malinda clutched Ellen’s hand and stared out over the crowd. “Do you see them?” She asked anxiously. What if they forgot them or got the day wrong and they were stuck on the platform? They had some money left, but not very much. Would it be enough for a night in a hotel? What would they do if it wasn’t?

  Ellen shook her head. “Not yet. I thought being in front of the platform like this they would be easy to spot, but they’re not.” Both of them were scanning through the crowd hoping they could find the two men among the masses of people.

  Malinda’s eyes caught sight of two tall dark men walking toward them. One of them was slightly shorter than the other but more muscular, and something about the way he walked toward her told her he was her Patrick. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him even long enough to see what his brother looked like. Why would she even care?

  Her heart started pounding in anticipation. She had never seen such a handsome man. Somehow, this man was better than all others. She didn’t know how yet, but she knew he was. All of her worries vanished as he walked straight to her.

  He walked to her and his hands caught her at the waist, gently lifting her down to the ground to stand in front of him. One finger traced the line of her cheek. His brown eyes twinkled as they stared into hers. “I’m so glad you’re finally here.” His voice was deep and low. She was surprised she could hear it over the crowd, but it was no problem at all.

  She stared at him amazed. He was the best looking man she’d ever seen in her life. He had hair the color of chocolate and his eyes seemed to dance with life. He had a dimple in his right cheek that was so sweet she found she had to make him smile just to see it again. “I’m happy to be here.” Was that whispery voice really hers? She had never kissed a man in her life, but she wanted to kiss him. Could his lips really be as soft as they looked? He was clean-shaven, which made her happy. She’d always pictured men out West as having beards and she knew he’d look good in a beard, but she was thrilled he didn’t have one.

  He took her hand and pulled it through his arm, walking with her away from the platform. She could think of nothing but this wonderful man beside her and the fact that fate had delivered him into her hands. She wanted to rub her cheek against his shoulder, just to feel the muscles there. She knew it wasn’t polite though, so she kept up her slow pace beside him, staring straight ahead like a lady.

  When they reached the carriage, he helped her into the backseat and she simply sat drinking in his looks. She could think of nothing to say as she stared. He’d probably think she was the biggest idiot alive, but she didn’t care. He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.

  He took her hand in his and pressed his lips to the back of it. “All my life, I’ve dreamed of having a woman like you at my side. Now I realize I wasn’t looking for just any woman. God made you just for me.”

  She’d felt the same way from the instant she’d seen him. Was it possible they were meant for each other? She wished he would kiss her hand again, because she’d forgotten to pay attention to how soft his lips were. It wouldn’t be polite to ask him though, so she sat looking up at him. Malinda blushed prettily, unable to comprehend this man felt the same for her as she did for him. How was it possible? Harriett must be a genius to send her to this man. How could she have been worried about a single thing?

  She barely noticed as Ellen and another man got into the front of the buggy. She glanced at him and her immediate thought was, “He’s not as handsome as my Patrick.” She was so happy she’d chosen the brother she had.

  Ellen turned with a smile and held her hand out. “You must be Patrick.”

  The man next to Malinda blinked and grinned. “I’m Wesley.”

  Malinda felt her heart drop into her stomach. How could he be Wesley? She turned to him. “But I’m Malinda. How can you be Wesley?”

  Wesley threw back his head and laughed, while Malinda stared at him in shock. After a moment, he noticed how upset she was. “Does it bother you that I’m not Patrick? I mean, it’s not like we’re wife swapping here. Obviously Patrick and Ellen make a better couple and so do we.” He took her hand in his and rested it against his thigh.

  “I don’t know what to say. I had in my head I was going to marry one man, and now I’m trying to adjust. We’re going to have to make some decisions.” She knew immediately she couldn’t marry Patrick. How could she marry anyone but this wonderful man sitting beside her?

  Wesley nodded. “I’m sure it’s not going to be a problem. Is Ellen going to drag her feet over it?” He looked perplexed as if he really didn’t understand why there was a decision to be made.

  Malinda shrugged. “She really doesn’t think much of bankers.” She looked at the back of Ellen’s head, recognizing the stiffness in her sister’s posture as her being upset. How could this have happened?

  “That’s odd. Most women would give their left arm to marry a banker.” He studied her carefully. “Will you talk to her about switching things?” His hand covered hers and his thumb moved back and forth over the back of her hand. It felt strange to let him touch her, but so good. His thumb was sending little tingles of delight through her.

  Malinda nodded. “We’ll have to talk about it. There’s so much to think about and consider.” Like would Ellen be happy married to a banker? And would she be able to marry without being assured of financial security?

  “There is. Mainly for the two of you, though. We’re getting beautiful women either way.” He leaned back, as if he was slightly annoyed with her.

  She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “I could never love Patrick, and I know I could really love you.” She leaned over and rested her cheek against his shoulder. She couldn’t imagine being married to Patrick. She and Ellen needed to have a long talk to figure out what to do.

  He looked back at her with a grin. “I’m so glad to hear that! I was worried you were disappointed.”

  She shook her head. “Not disappointed. Confused and bewildered, but not disappointed.”

  “I can deal with confused and bewildered.” They were in the country by that point of their trip and headed toward Gammonsville. The other couple was lost in their own world. He cupped her face in his hands and lowered his lips to hers.

  Malinda jerked surprised he would kiss her while they were driving down the road where anyone could see. The feel of his lips against hers made her stomach flutter. How could anything feel this good? His tongue traced along the outside of her lips and she jerked back in shock staring at him. Her hand went to her lips.

  “Have I mentioned you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen?” he asked in a whisper, his thumb moving back and forth across her bottom lip.

  “But you’re supposed to marry my sister….” Even the thought made her stomach hurt. She couldn’t let Ellen marry this man. He was hers. God had meant him for her, not for Ellen. But….

  He shook his head. “How could I even think of marrying her when you’re in my life?”

  She sighed. It was going to be a confusing day while they decided what to do.

  *****

  Ellen and Malinda talked about what had happened while the men carried in their trunk. “I’m attracted to Patrick.” Ellen looked shocked with herself for just saying the words.


  “I could tell. I’m attracted to Wesley. It’s too bad you’re marrying Wesley and I’m marrying Patrick.” But oh, how she wanted to marry Wesley. There’s no way Patrick would be able to make her want to climb onto his lap and kiss him forever with just a look. And Patrick didn’t have that sweet dimple did he? Had she even looked at Patrick for long enough to know what he looked like? She wasn’t sure she could pick him out of five men standing in front of her.

  “How would you feel about switching? I could marry Patrick and you could marry Wesley. Patrick is someone I could love, but I don’t think I could ever love Wesley. Not as anything more than a brother.” Ellen’s eyes were intense as she asked.

  Malinda had thought about nothing but what they would do since she had found out it was Wesley she was falling for and not Patrick. How could she express how she felt? She wanted to marry Wesley so badly, but an even stronger need inside her was the need to never be in the situation they’d been through in Beckham again. “But Wesley is poor. He’s just a sheriff.” She knew the words sounded bad, but she didn’t have the words to express all the turmoil she felt inside.

  Ellen sighed. “I know that. But don’t you think you should be attracted to the man you marry and not just his money?”

  Malinda frowned. How could Ellen think that money mattered more to her than love? Didn’t she know her at all? Didn’t she understand the overwhelming fear she’d felt when they couldn’t find the money she’d been certain their father had hidden somewhere? “I really like Wesley, but I’m afraid of being poor.”

  “You know if Wesley ever has financial problems, his brother is a banker, right? I’m sure Patrick wouldn’t let his brother live on the streets!”

  “You don’t even know him yet. How can you say that with such certainty?” Malinda needed time, and it’s all she could think about. How could she make such an important decision in a few minutes? She needed to think about whether or not she could ever leave her children destitute. Their father had been the best man she’d ever known, yet he’d still left them with no money. She couldn’t let that happen to her children.