EMMA (Mail-Order Brides Club, #1)

by Ashley Merrick

  "We'll see, honey," he said to Emily. "We're going to see Emma tonight for dinner, so we can get to know her better and then we'll decide. Okay?"

  Emily thought hard for a minute. "Okay, Daddy." She picked up her fork and started eating, and then a moment later Emma was forgotten and she was chattering away about wanting a kitten. Ethan envied her ability to forget and to move on so quickly.

  ***

  Emma was disoriented when she woke the next day. She'd slept well, but it took her a moment to get her bearings and realize she wasn't on the train anymore and was in Montana finally, in a real bed. She stretched lazily and thought back to the evening before. The Donovan family intrigued her. She'd never been around a big family like that—any family, really. The orphanage was all she'd known, and then of course, her former employers, the Chapman family, but they didn't count, not to her. No, the Donovans were the kind of family she'd dreamed about, but had never experienced. She liked them and she was anxious to get her situation with Ethan settled. More than anything, Emma did not want to return to Boston.

  When she came downstairs, Hannah was in the kitchen, making bread.

  "Good morning," she said as she looked up from the bread she was kneading and smiled at Emma. "Did you sleep all right?"

  "Yes, best sleep I've had in weeks."

  "Good. Help yourself to some breakfast. There's scrambled eggs in the skillet on the stove and leftover rolls and butter."

  Emma fixed herself a plate, and as she ate, Hannah told her what she had in mind for the day.

  "I thought I would show you around today. Our place is small compared to the rest of the family, because our business is primarily the general store in town. But we still have cows, pigs, chickens and, of course, horses."

  Emma was impressed. "How do you manage it all?"

  "Josh and I share the duties here on the farm, and he has Bill, the assistant manager, who helps run the store. I go in sometimes, too, to work the register and help customers. After lunch, I thought we could take a drive into town and visit the store as well."

  "That sounds perfect."

  ***

  Montana was nothing like Boston. Emma had always loved the hustle and bustle of living in the city. Everything was just a short walk away—stores, her friends, the Charles River. Montana was all vast, green open space with glorious mountains in the distance. On the long train ride, she'd often wondered if she would miss Boston itself and if she'd like Montana. She already missed her friends, but she didn't miss Boston. As she walked with Hannah, across open fields and meadows, down to the gardens and then back to the stables where the animals were waiting to be fed, she felt a sense of rightness that surprised her. This new town felt like home in a way that Boston never had. The feeling helped ease her anxiety about Ethan. Even if he decided that he couldn't marry her, she was going to find a way to stay in Montana.

  ***

  After lunch, Hannah brought two of the horses, Samson and Goliath, from the stable and hitched them up to a two-seater buggy.

  "Josh usually takes the wagon, because he needs more room to load supplies for the store," Hannah explained as they climbed in. The drive in to town passed quickly and Emma paid closer attention than when she'd first arrived. There were several brick buildings and homes along Main Street that she'd hardly noticed before.

  "That's the bank on the corner, and across the street is the newspaper and telegraph line." Hannah pointed out the different businesses as they drove past and then came to a stop just outside their store. The sign above the door read, "Donovan's General Store." Hannah led Emma inside and proudly showed her around. Josh waved as they walked in as he was behind the counter helping a customer.

  "We have a bit of everything here, from eggs, butter and milk to bricks out back for building and a selection of fabrics and everything else you need for sewing. All the dry goods are over here—sugar, spices, crackers—and there are meats out back, as well."

  Emma looked around the store and was impressed. It was bright well-organized, and busy. While Hannah showed her around, several people came and went. Emma noticed with curiosity that the most recent customer hadn't exchanged any money with Josh. Instead, she brought in some eggs and butter and left with a bag of sugar, flour and a small package of bacon.

  "We probably do more business in barter than cash," Hannah explained. "It works well for us most of the time as it gives us products we need and it's easier for many of our customers to pay with goods when cash is low."

  "Do you know everyone that comes in?" Emma asked.

  "Just about. This is a small town and everyone knows most everyone else."

  "Who is that?" Emma indicated the man that was paying Josh. He was tall and very dark, with black hair and a mean look in his eyes. He was a handsome man, but his energy reminded Emma of Gerald and she shivered at the thought.

  "That's Russell Jones." She looked at Emma with concern, "Are you cold?"

  "Oh, no. Not at all."

  Emma felt the air sucked out of the room as Russell walked their way instead of heading for the door to leave. He smiled as he reached them and nodded at Hannah.

  "Mrs. Donovan. Always a pleasure." His voice was deep and silky and Emma felt the hair on the back of her neck stand at attention.

  "Hello, Mr. Jones. This is my good friend, Emma Byrne. She's new in town."

  "So I've heard. Miss Byrne, Ethan Donovan is an idiot. If he doesn't want you, be assured that there are plenty of available men in town, myself included, who would be more than happy to court you."

  "Mr. Jones, that is not appropriate!" Hannah exclaimed.

  "Just stating the facts, ma'am. Pleasure meeting you, Miss Byrne. I truly do hope to see you again." He winked at her before turning toward the door.

  "Emma, he is bad news. Whatever you do, if, God forbid, it doesn't work out with Ethan, please don't go near him. I don't trust him. I can't put my finger on why. It's just a feeling I have."

  "I had the same bad feeling. Before he even said a word. He reminds me of Gerald, the man I used to work for."

  "Well, the sooner you marry Ethan the better. He and Emily will be over tonight for dinner and then the two of you can go for a walk and have a chance to get to know each other better."

  "I'd like that. But I don't want Emily to feel left out." Emma already had a soft spot for the little girl and knew how sensitive children could be at that age.

  "Oh, she won't. I have a project for her. We're going to make a new dress for her favorite doll. I mentioned the idea to her last night and she seemed excited."

  "What are you two planning?" Josh asked as he walked over to say hello. The store had finally quieted down and Bill was back from picking up a load of bricks, so he was behind the counter as well.

  "Just talking about Ethan and Emily coming for dinner tonight and wondering what we should make," Hannah said.

  Josh thought for a moment. "We just got some nice pork tenderloins in. Mrs. Murphy dropped them off less than an hour ago."

  "That sounds good. I can make a stuffing and a nice gravy."

  Josh went out back and returned a moment later with a small bag. Hannah took it from him and he gave her a quick kiss goodbye. "I added some bacon in there, too. We can have a nice treat for breakfast."

  Emma admired the sweet and comfortable relationship that Hannah and Josh shared. On the way back to the farm, she asked how they met.

  "We've known each other forever, it seems. Josh was five years ahead of me in school." Hannah had pointed out the town's school on the way in. It was a long, brick building just a few blocks before Main Street.

  "He used to tease me something awful when we were younger. It took me a long time to realize it was because he was interested and trying to get my attention. We started dating during my last year of school. Josh was already working with his uncle in the store by then. His uncle died unexpectedly, of a heart attack soon after I graduated. Josh took over the business and we married the following year."

 
"Do you think Ethan is ready to get married again?" Emma worried that he wasn't. He'd barely spoken to her the night before and was practically the first one to leave, although he was also the only one of his brothers that had a child.

  "Truthfully, I'm not sure if he would ever be ready, without a push. Ethan still isn't fully himself. He used to be a lot more fun and relaxed. Now, he just goes through the motions. Emily is what keeps him going. He loves her to pieces and she is the spitting image of her mother. Although actually, you could pass for her mother, too. Susan had pale, blonde hair as well, and similar coloring. That's all, though. You really don't look alike aside from that," Hannah assured her. Still, it made Emma wonder. Did she remind him of Susan? Somehow, she didn't think that would be a good thing.

  When they got back to the house, they got busy. Hannah checked on the animals, gave them more food and then came inside to help with dinner. Emma had offered to help in the kitchen and Hannah asked if she could make a stuffing of some sort. Emma noticed a bowl on the counter full of apples and asked if she could use some of them for the stuffing and a sauce unless Hannah had something else in mind.

  "No. I was thinking I had to make a gravy and I hate doing that, so if you have an idea for something else, by all means."

  Emma got busy in the kitchen, peeling and dicing the apples and making a stuffing out of leftover bits of bread, chopped onion, butter and spices. She folded the apples into the mixture and then filled a cast iron pan with the stuffing and put it in the oven next to the pork.

  An hour later, while the pork and stuffing rested on the counter, Emma added some butter and a generous splash of apple cider to the pan the pork had cooked in. While it simmered over the stove, she stirred up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan and, once it had reduced to a bubbling glaze, she added a cup of cooked apple slices and let that simmer for another minute.

  Josh arrived home a few minutes later. While he was washing up for dinner, there was a knock on the door and it was Ethan and Emily. Hannah was upstairs getting changed, so Emma welcomed them.

  "Something smells amazing," Ethan said as he and Emily followed Emma into the kitchen.

  "We're having roast pork and stuffing, with an apple sauce," Emma said shyly.

  "I love apples," Emily said happily and then ran to Hannah as she came down the stairs.

  "Auntie Hannah, I brought my doll. Are we still going to make her a new dress?"

  Hannah caught Emma's eye and winked before saying, "Yes, of course we are. As soon as we finish dinner."

  As soon as Josh came down a few minutes later, they all sat down to eat and everyone was impressed with Emma's stuffing and sauce.

  "How did you learn to cook like this?" Hannah asked as she reached for a second helping of stuffing.

  "The Chapmans had people over for dinner all the time. They liked to throw parties and they really enjoyed good food and drinks. Especially the drinks." Emma frowned, thinking about Gerald and his drinking. She was so happy to be gone from there.

  "Do you miss it there?" Ethan asked.

  "No. I miss my friends, but I don't miss living in that house."

  "We're glad that you're here." Hannah smiled. "There's not many women here. It's nice to have someone else close to my age."

  Emma really liked Hannah, too. The hardest thing about this move was missing her friends. She had a feeling that Julia and Katie and the other girls would like Hannah, too.

  After dinner, Hannah suggested that Emma and Ethan take a walk and chat a bit. Ethan looked uncomfortable and glanced at Emily.

  "Emily is going to help me with a special project," she assured him.

  "Is it time, Auntie Hannah?" Emily grabbed her doll and ran over to her aunt.

  "I guess we won't be missed," Ethan said dryly, and then added, "Shall we?"

  It was still light outside, but Emma grabbed a shawl in case the temperature had dropped. She and Ethan stepped outside and then he led the way, walking slowly towards the upper meadow.

  "I'm sorry that you didn't know I was coming." Emma had wanted to say that since she'd arrived.

  Ethan smiled sadly at her. "It's not your fault. You thought you were corresponding with me." He was quiet for a moment and then added, "I understand why they did it, though. Emily needs a mother and I don't know that I would have married again. It's not like it's really an option around here. All the good women are long gone. Unless you do what Hannah and Josh did for me, of course."

  "I never thought I'd do something like this either," Emma admitted.

  "Why did you, then? You're a beautiful girl. Are the men in Boston blind?" His eyes lit up a bit when he said that and Emma saw a hint of his humor trying to come through.

  "I wouldn't know. I worked all the time and on my one day off, I would see my friends. There was never really an opportunity to go out and meet anyone. We just worked, and I didn't mind it. Until my very married employer wanted to add some special duties to my job description. His wife was nearly nine months pregnant." She explained that if she didn't make him happy, she'd be out of a job.

  Emma noticed Ethan clenching his fists as she explained about Gerald. He was silent for a moment, and then said, "If I ever found out that someone tried that with Elizabeth, I'd want to kill them."

  "You're a good brother." They reached the meadow and leaned against the heavy wood fence. "This seemed like the best solution. And I'm glad I came. Montana is nothing like Boston, but I love it. It really feels like home." Emma sighed and gazed toward the mountains in the distance.

  "Emma, I have to be honest with you," Ethan began and a pained look crossed his face. Emma's heart sank. He was about to tell her that he wasn't interested in marrying her.

  "I loved my wife, deeply. Her death was unexpected and a shock that I don't think I've recovered from. I don't think I'm ready to be a true husband to anyone yet."

  Emma looked down at the ground. This was it— he was rejecting her, and yet, she understood. It was still too soon for him.

  "I'm not ready for romance yet, but I do realize that Emily would be better off with a mother figure and I wouldn't mind the help and the company. It does get quiet out there with just the two of us. I guess what I'm saying is I know this isn't fair to you, and I will understand if you would rather try and get to know one of my brothers, but if you are open to getting married, but living more as roommates, I would be open to that, too—grateful, actually."

  Emma was shocked. He did want to marry her! But, not really be husband and wife. She found that idea both a relief and a bit of a disappointment. Slowly, excitement took over, though, as she realized this was the perfect situation. She would have a safe place to live and there wouldn't be any pressure or awkwardness. She had been nervous as could be about that aspect of marriage, especially to someone she barely knew.

  "If you are serious, then I accept and, truthfully, think it sounds like the perfect arrangement for me, too." She smiled shyly and Ethan grinned.

  "Really? You're sure?" He still had a worried look about him.

  "I'm sure."

  "Okay, then, let's go tell everyone."

  CHAPTER FIVE

  "Susan, I hope I'm doing the right thing, for all of us. I miss you so much." Ethan's voice cracked as he stared down at the gravestone two days later. The cemetery was deserted as it was early, just past eight a.m. He leaned forward and placed a pink rose by Susan's name. She had always loved pink roses. Whenever he visited her there, he always tried to bring one for her.

  They were getting married later that day, after the regular church service. He'd stopped by the church the day before and made the arrangements with the pastor. They would have lunch at his parents’ place and then go home together as a new family. If he was having a hard time wrapping his head around the idea, he could only imagine how Emma must be feeling. He felt a bit guilty as the arrangement he'd proposed really wasn't fair to her, wasn't fair to anyone, but it was all he had to offer. He stayed a few more minutes, taking in the peace of th
e morning and enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face. But then, it was time to go. He had a wedding to get ready for.

  ***

  Emma stood still while Hannah fussed with her hair, pulling it back and tying on a pretty blue ribbon that cascaded down her back along with the rest of her long, blonde hair. For a wedding dress, she was just wearing her best pale blue dress. She'd bought it at a thrift shop in Boston that was known for having castoff dresses from wealthy women who grew tired of them. Emma's dress looked brand new and the shopkeeper explained that it was brought in by a young woman who had discovered she was pregnant soon after her dress arrived and looking at it while she was growing fatter every day was just too depressing.

  As soon as Hannah finished her hair, Josh got the wagon ready and they left to meet everyone at church. Ethan and Emily arrived a few minutes later and Emily was easily the most excited person there.

  "I'm going to have a new mommy!" She announced to everyone standing around nearby.

  Ethan looked pained at that, but smiled when he saw Emma. They all sat together and once the service was over, the pastor called them to come to the front of the church. He performed a simple service and then they exchanged the vows that he had given them and asked, "Emma, do you take Ethan to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor and obey? Til death do you part?"

  "I do." Emma's voice trembled as she spoke. It all seemed so surreal.

  The pastor then asked Ethan the same question and, in a clear, strong voice, he also answered, "I do."