by Kit Morgan
“Well, we’re certainly not going to return to New Orleans.”
“New Orleans?” said Garret and his mother in unison.
“Good heavens!” cried Mercy. “Did Mrs. Ridgley send you?”
“Mrs. Ridgley?” Cecil said in confusion. “You know Mrs. Ridgley?”
“Not personally, but I've used her service before.”
“So, you admit you sent for my Ammy?” prodded Cecil.
“No, I sent away for a bride for Pastor Adams,” Mercy explained innocently.
“Who is Pastor Adams?” Cecil asked, eyes wide.
“Never mind about him,” said Horace. “This is about you and this girl, here.”
“Who are you calling a girl?” snapped Cecil. “That's my daughter!”
“And that's my son!” shouted Horace and pointed at Garrett.
“Will the two of you stop locking horns and agree on something!” sighed Mercy as she stood.
Garrett had maneuvered himself next to Ammy. She peeked up at him, tears in her eyes. “So sorry,” he said in a low voice. “Do you want to get out of here?”
She nodded, not knowing what else to say. He nodded back, helped her up from the table, and, wrapping her arm around one of his, led her to the door and quietly left the café.
Four
Once outside the café, they could still hear their parents shouting at each other. A small group of people had gathered, and stared at them with interest. “Nothing to be concerned about,” said Garrett. “Go about your business…”
“Is your father always so loud?” asked Ammy.
“Always. I could tell it was making you uncomfortable. He does most folks who aren’t accustomed to him.” He turned to face her. “I'm sorry about all this. I'm even more sorry that I don't know who’s responsible. Both my parents say they had nothing to do with bringing you here.”
“What? Then who did?”
“I don't know. Maybe my friend’s mother Mrs. Smythe. It could be you were meant for her son.”
“What's his name?”
“Julian. His parents are the undertakers here.”
“Undertakers! Oh my heavens!”
“They're nice people, and I’d want Julian to have the very best in a bride. I know if I were him, and you were my bride, then…”
“But I am yours,” she said. “It's your name on the marriage contract, not his.”
Garrett looked her in the eyes. “I swear, I didn't know.”
“It doesn't matter now, what's done is done and my father and I will just have to make the best of it. Even if it does mean a rough start.”
“Rough start?”
“Yes,” she said and looked away. “You see, my father is too proud to admit it, but we haven't any money left. We've come here, penniless.”
Garrett studied her. Her dark hair had been loosely swept up and pinned atop her head, leaving several loose strands to frame her face. A very delicate face, now that he got a good look at her. In fact, she reminded him of a china doll; beautiful, yet fragile. Something handled with great care and treasured. His breath caught in his throat and he had to look away. “I'll help you. You don't have to worry about a thing.”
“I can't ask you to do that.”
“You're not asking me. I'm offering. It's the least I can do for this mix up.”
“But Mr. Vander,” she began. “I don't know when we could ever repay you.”
“I said don't worry about it.” He gazed into her eyes then, and couldn’t look away.
She stared back, mesmerized. His eyes were an incredible sea green, his hair golden blonde. He was the most striking man she’d ever met. She could sense there was a fierceness about him, but not the same bluster his father displayed in the café. No, even though young Mr. Vander seemed the type that got what he wanted, it didn't mean he had to have it. “Thank you,” she said and looked away again.
He touched her cheek with a finger to get her attention. “Don't worry, I'll take care of you.”
She glanced at him, and tried not to cry. He was doing what any gentleman would do, considering her current predicament. But his words tugged at her heart somehow, and she didn't know why. “That's very kind of you, Mr. Vander.”
“Think nothing of it,” he said gently. “May I escort you to the boarding house or hotel?”
“The boarding house, she said haltingly. “Is it a nice place?” For some reason, she wanted to keep him talking.
“I've heard no complaints. Mrs. Hayes is a kind woman, not to mention a great cook.”
“How lovely,” she said as she took the arm he offered.
“Do you cook, Miss Winters?”
“Well, I…”
“Ambrosia!” her father cried as he came out of the café. “What are you doing?”
“Mr. Vander has offered to escort me to the boarding house, Father.”
“Your discussion with my parents, sir, was overwhelming Miss Winters,” explained Garrett. “I was seeing to her comfort.”
Cecil saw their arms entwined with one another's, and smiled. “Oh, I see, well then, by all means. Lead the way, young man.”
“Mr. Vander has offered to pay for a room at the boarding house, Father,” Ammy said, and prayed he wouldn’t be upset that she took the offer. But what were they supposed to do? Sleep in the street?
“Yes, yes, I see you have it all in hand, young man. Thank you very much.”
Ammy stared at her father in shock. “What?”
“Mr. Vander senior and I have come to an agreement, you see.”
Garrett and Ammy exchanged a quick look as they realized the shouting ceased not long after they'd left the café. What had their parents been talking about the last few minutes? “Agreement?” asked Ammy.
“Yes, turns out Horace Vander and I have a lot in common.”
“What do you mean, you have a lot in common?” asked Garrett. “You just met.”
“What he means is, we both have children of marriageable age,” offered Horace Vander as he stepped out of the café, his wife in tow.
Ammy's eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”
“It means, young lady, that I've agreed that you and Garrett should be married.”
“What?!” Garrett blurted, eyes wide. “Married!”
“Isn't it wonderful?” exclaimed Mercy with a little clap of her hands. “At long last!”
“Nobody asked me if I wanted to get married!” yelped Garrett.
“This has nothing to do with asking,” said Horace. “This has to do with business.” He slapped Ammy’s father on the back. “Eh, Cecil?”
“Cecil?” squeak Garrett. “You two are on a first name basis?”
“Father, what are you doing?” asked Ammy.
“What needs to be done, my dearest. You and young Mr. Vander will be married, and Horace here will have gained stock in one of the…” Cecil paused and audibly gulped. “Largest companies in the United States.”
“What?” Ammy and Garrett cried in unison.”
“You can't do that!” Garrett told his father. “Can you?”
“I just did!” he boomed.
“Did what? Trade me for stock in some company?”
“It's not how it sounds,” said Horace. “Now escort the lady to the boarding house. We have a wedding to plan!”
“But wait a minute! Don't I have any say in this?” argued Garrett.
“You have to get married sometime, don't you?” barked his father.
“Well, yes, of course, but I wanted to marry in my time!”
“Now's as good a time as any,” countered his father.
“Not a half-hour ago you were ready to pack these two up and send them off on the next stage!”
“Now, Garrett,” began his mother. “Calm down. Your father and Mr. Winters have come to an agreement, and it's something that works out for everyone. Let's get them settled in and we’ll explain everything.”
Garrett looked helplessly at Ammy, who could only stare back with
the same exasperated expression. “Do you know what’s going on?”
She shook her head. “I'm afraid not.”
“This is ridiculous!” Garrett spat then pointed at his parents. “You two didn't even know she was coming!”
“Yes,” agreed Horace. “But now that she's here, I've been presented with a very fine opportunity, thanks to this gentleman.” He smiled and waved a hand at Mr. Winters.
“Father?” said Ammy. “What is he talking about?”
“Now, now, my dear, you're exhausted. Let's go to the boarding house and you can rest. We'll talk about it in the morning.”
“But what is going on?”
“Isn't it obvious, my dear? You're going to be married!”
* * *
“Father!” Ammy exclaimed. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking of your welfare!” he said. “Besides, at least you're marrying the man you were supposed to in the first place.”
“Yes, that may be true. But he made it quite obvious he had no idea I was coming!”
“But aren't you glad to get to marry him after all?”
“Except that he still doesn't want to marry me. Just what sort of business deal did you agree to with Garrett’s father?”
“Garrett, it’s such a nice name…”
“Father, don't try to cover things up. There is no business deal for you to make as you haven't any business!”
“But I will, once I prove myself innocent.”
“Yes, but how long is that going to take? In the meantime, I'm to marry a man who doesn't want me, and you have a business deal with the mayor but no business… how is this a good thing?”
Cecil stepped to her and pulled her into an embrace. “Because if you're married to Garrett, Reginald can't touch you, and that's more important to me than anything.”
“Father, you've offered Mayor Vander something we don't have.”
“I offered him my daughter and a generous dowry.”
“What dowry?”
“You don't think I'd keep all my assets tied up in my business, do you?”
She stared at him a moment, her mouth twisted up in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“I'm talking about doing whatever I can to see that you're kept safe, and the fastest way to do that, is to see that you're married.”
“You… you mean we have some money left?”
“Yes, I have a few separate accounts, private ones for just such an emergency, but it will take time to get the funds.”
“How much money?”
“It's not much, but it's enough to give you and your young man a nice start.”
“But… what about you?” she asked, eyes wide. “You have nothing here.”
“I have you.”
Ammy's eyes became heavy with fresh tears. “I love you,” she said with a smile as her tears broke free.
“My sweet Ammy, I love you too.” He gently pushed them apart and studied her room. Garrett gave them enough money to rent two. “This is a pleasant little place, don't you think?”
Ammy took in the pretty flowered wallpaper and lace curtains. It wasn't anything like her room back in Boston, but it was cozy, and warmed by a small corner fireplace, the bed covered with a beautiful red and white quilt. There was also a small writing desk and chair, a washstand, and a lovely armoire. Too bad she didn’t have anything to put in it, but then, how long was she going to be there? “You're right,” she told him. “It is a nice room. Mr. Vander was very kind to purchase our lodgings.”
“They’re temporary, my dear, at least for you. Once I send for what money is left, I’ll have enough to get by on until I can figure out what I'm going to do.”
“You'll not leave me here alone, will you?”
“Of course not, dearest. How can I leave you?”
“But what will you do here? This is such a small town.”
He shrugged. “I'll think of something, but first things first. We have a wedding to plan.”
“We left New Orleans in such a hurry,” she said as she sat on the bed, “that I didn't have time to think about a wedding dress.”
“Oh, yes, I seem to have forgotten about that detail as well.” He sat next to her. “I'm sorry, dearest. Is it absolutely necessary that you have one?”
She looked at her father and offered him a weak smile. “You only get married once, you know.”
He nodded in understanding as he let go a heavy sigh. “Yes, you're right. Perhaps they have a dressmaker in town.”
“But we haven’t any money to purchase one, especially if I need to marry right away. Unless we wait for your money to get here.”
“A dilemma to be sure. Let me speak with your intended tomorrow, and we'll see what we can do.”
“Oh, Father, you're not going to tell him what happened with Reginald?”
“No, I'm not. Until I know exactly what's going on with that, it’s best we keep it to ourselves. Out here we’re safe, at least until the wretch catches up to us, which is why you need to marry now.”
Ammy closed her eyes tight against his words. This was not how she pictured becoming a bride. She'd always dreamed of a handsome man calling on her for several months before asking for her hand. She would’ve met him at a ball or musicale, or even a play. He would call on her for a time, and then ask her father’s permission to court her. Then, after several months or longer, he’d propose.
That's how it happened with all her friends. But, that's not how it was happening now. Disappointment sank into her heart as she tried not to cry. If she didn't marry Garrett Vander, she was in danger of being dragged off and forced to marry Reginald Van Cleet, a man three times her age and one not to be trifled with.
“What's the matter dearest?” her father asked. “Are you frightened?”
“I suppose I am.”
“Of what?”
She looked at him. “Of a loveless marriage. If Garrett Vander doesn't want me now, then who is going to want me later? I'm running from a loveless marriage to an older man only to fall into one with a younger gentleman. What’s the difference?”
“The difference is the younger gentleman is honest and kind, or he wouldn’t be taking care of us the way he is.”
“This is just happening so fast.”
“If it wasn't for this little misunderstanding, you'd be married by now, and spending tonight with your husband instead of chatting in a boarding house with your father.”
He did have a point. “You're right, of course. But I was expecting a man eager to marry me, one who'd been waiting to see me get off the stage. Garrett Vander was anything but excited.”
“Oh, I wouldn't say that,” her father said with a chuckle. “He seemed pretty excited to me.”
“Only because he found out someone sent for me and didn't tell him.”
“Don't worry, dearest. I'll fix everything. In a few days, you'll be Mrs. Garrett Vander.
* * *
“Mrs. Garrett Vander!” Julian laughed. “Who would have ever thought?”
“It's not funny!” Garrett shot back. “Stop your laughing and help me figure a way out of this!”
“Personally I think you should marry the girl,” said Morgan as he watched Garrett pace back and forth on the other side of the mercantile counter.”
“Oh you do, do you?”
“Speaking from experience,” added Morgan with a grin. “Besides, your parents are suddenly all for it.”
“That's because my father and that Mr. Winters, came to some sort of an agreement.”
“What's the agreement?” asked Julian.
“That's just it,” said Garrett “I don't know. My father won't tell me. Every time I ask him he gets this silly grin on his face.”
“It must involve money,” said Morgan. “Who is this Cecil Winters?”
“I don't know,” said Garrett as he stopped his pacing. “But I intend to find out.”
“Why not just ask him?” suggested Julian.
“I t
ried, when I escorted them to the boarding house. But his answers were vague, evasive. I swear that man is hiding something.”
Morgan let go a low whistle. “I wonder what it could be?”
“You don’t think he’s some sort of a criminal, do you?” asked Julian.
“Criminal?” choked Garrett. “Gad's man! Don't even suggest such a thing! My mother is beside herself with happiness over this. Can you imagine what she’d do if she found out my father-in-law was a criminal?”
“He has a point, Garrett,” said Morgan. “If the man's being evasive about his background, then I’d definitely want to find out more about him.”
“And how am I going to do that? The woman came from New Orleans!”
“Why don’t you wire the mail-order bride service she used?” suggested Julian.
Garrett drummed his fingers on the counter. “That's a good idea. As soon as I figure out which one she came from, I’ll wire them immediately.”
“What are you going to do in the meantime?” asked Morgan. “Between Mr. Winters and your parents, you're liable to be married in the next few days.”
I'll have to stall the wedding as long as I can. You'll help me won't you?”
“How are we supposed to help?” asked Julian.
“I don't know,” said Garrett. He looked at Julian and smiled. “Maybe she’ll take an interest in you instead.”
“Hmmm,” Julian mused. “Is she pretty?”
Garrett opened and closed his mouth a few times, but no words came out. Yes, she was pretty. In fact, the girl was down right stunning. She was also still a shock. “Yes,” he finally answered. “Very.”
“Really?” Julian drawled. He winked at Morgan. “And can she cook?”
“How should I know?” snapped Garrett. “I didn't have much time for pleasantries. I was too busy getting over the fact I had a mail-order bride!”
“I seem to recall your list of requirements for a bride,” Morgan chimed in.
“Yes,” added Julian. “Let's see, she had to be pretty, a good cook…”
“… and love and want children,” added Morgan. “Lots of children.”
Garrett stared at them, stunned. “You two are not helping.”
“But of course we are,” laughed Julian. “You have a wonderful, beautiful bride delivered to you, and you don't want her! All we need to find out as if she can cook and loves children, then maybe you’ll change your mind about her.”