EMMA (Mail-Order Brides Club, #1)

by Ashley Merrick

  "That should be fine. Just stay on the main road, it will take you all the way in. I'll leave some money for you on the counter. We could probably use a few things if you want to stop by the general store." He paused for a moment and then added, "If it's okay with you, I'm going to head to bed myself."

  CHAPTER SIX

  Ethan rode out to the cemetery the next morning and placed another flower, a single white daisy, on Susan's grave this time. The pink rose was still there, looking almost perfect after several days. He didn't say anything this time, just dropped of the flower and stayed for a few minutes, enjoying the peace and quiet of the early morning. He'd stopped by again because he felt guilty and wasn't sure exactly why. He didn't expect Emma's first day to go so smoothly or for her to fit into their life so easily.

  She was easy to talk to and a good listener and Emily seemed to like her, which was important. It was also nice to come home to someone. To have another adult to talk to and to share a meal with. Especially a meal that he didn't prepare. She was also easy on the eyes. Who was he kidding? He was definitely attracted to Emma. Who wouldn't be? And he supposed that was why he felt guilty and was visiting his dead wife's grave. Even though logically he knew enough time had passed to move on if he wanted to, it still felt like a betrayal. And he didn't like that feeling.

  He put the thought behind him as he rode out to the fields and met his brothers. They separated, so that they could cover more ground quickly, and rode off to count the cattle in each area. When they met up an hour or so later and compared notes, the combined count matched what Ethan had seen the day before. He was missing a dozen cows exactly. They decided the approach they'd take would be to pay a visit to Russell Jones farm and assume it was an accident and go find their cows and bring them back. They also decided to wait until the end of the day, when Russell would be more likely to be back at the house and they could easily talk to him.

  ***

  After lunch, Emma hitched the horses to the buggy and she and Emily took a ride into town. She had made a list of things she needed. They were almost out of coffee and sugar and she wanted to get some bacon and oyster crackers so that the next time Ethan went fishing, she could make a fish chowder.

  Josh was ringing up her purchases when she sensed someone behind her and then instinctively pulled Emily closer to her when she heard his voice.

  "If it isn't the lovely Emma Byrne, or should I say Mrs. Donovan? Your husband is a lucky man." His tone was jovial but his smile didn't reach his eyes, which were calculating and swept up and down her body in a way that made her skin crawl.

  "Hello, Mr. Russell."

  "Nice to see you again, neighbor." He winked at her as she walked away, tugging Emily along behind her.

  As she was helping Emily into the buggy, she noticed a bit of a commotion at the far end of the train. Several cowboys were loading cows into a stock car so they could be delivered to a processing plant. As they were about to drive away, Russell Jones walked out of the store and gave her a wave as they drove off. She pretended not to see him.

  They stopped off at Hannah's on the way home and she seemed glad to see them.

  "Come inside and visit a bit. I was about to go milk the cows, but that can wait."

  "Could you show me how? I've never done that before and maybe it's something I can do as well." Emma wanted to be able to contribute and make herself useful as much as possible.

  "You've never milked a cow before?" Hannah looked truly surprised.

  "We didn't have any in Beacon Hill," Emma explained and told her about city life in Boston.

  "Come on, then, Emily can learn, too." They followed her out to the barns and watched closely as Hannah demonstrated how to tell when the cow was ready to be milked and how to hold the udder so that the milk poured out in a steady stream. It didn't look too hard. Emma gave it a try and promptly shot herself in the face with warm milk. She jumped back and laughed.

  "What did I do wrong?"

  "Just adjust your angle a little. Let a small amount out at first so you make sure it's positioned right."

  Emma tried again and got it right. Fresh milk poured into the basin below and once it was full, they moved on to the next cow and an empty basin. After that, they brought the milk into the house and then washed up.

  "I have time for a quick cup of tea if you want to relax for a few minutes before heading home." Hannah asked as she set filled her teakettle with water.

  "I'd love that."

  They sat sipping their tea at the kitchen table while Emily played outside with the dog. Benji was a sweet golden retriever and Hannah assured her that he was good with children.

  "So, how's it going with Ethan and Emily?"

  "I think okay, so far." Emma told her about Emily's tantrum the day before and how she'd handled it.

  "That was a good idea, bribing her with a visit in the afternoon if she behaved in the morning. I'll have to remember that when I have kids." Then a dark cloud came over her face and she added, "If I have kids."

  Emma wasn't sure what to say to that, so she just smiled sympathetically and took a sip of her tea. After a moment, Hannah spoke again. "We've been trying for almost five years now and it hasn't happened yet."

  "Don't give up, it still could happen. Maybe if you stop trying." At Hannah's perplexed expression, she tried to explain. "I mean, maybe if you don't focus and worry about it so much, it might just happen. I've heard that's often the case. Like when people give up and decide to adopt and then get pregnant soon after."

  "I suppose. Though that's easier said than done. The not worrying, that is."

  "I'll keep you both in my prayers," Emma said with a smile.

  "Thank you. So, onto happier things. How was your trip into town?"

  Emma told her about running into Russell as she was leaving and her dismay at learning he was their neighbor.

  "He wouldn't be my first choice for a next-door neighbor, that is for sure," Hannah said.

  "Ethan thinks he might be up to something. He repaired a fence that looked as though it may have been tampered with, and noticed that some of his cattle were missing. He and a few of his brothers were going to look into it today."

  "I wouldn't put it past him. There have been rumors that he is into some shady stuff." Hannah was quiet for a moment, thinking.

  "What time did you see him in town?" she asked.

  "About twenty minutes before we arrived here."

  "There's a train that leaves around that time that has two stock cars in the back. If they're going to move cattle, that's the train they'd take."

  Emma's heart sank. "There were some cattle being loaded into the cars. I don't know if they were Russell's though."

  "Josh will know. I'll ask him when he gets home."

  ***

  Ethan and his brothers, Paul and David, met up at the end of the day to head to Russell Jones’ farm and ask him about the missing cattle.

  When they arrived, one of Russell's men came out to meet them. Like Russell, the men who worked for him had a shady look about them, too. He hired mostly out-of-towners, transients who needed work and didn't ask questions. He paid them well and they were fiercely loyal.

  Ethan explained why they were there. The cowboy was quiet and then said sullenly, "I haven't seen any of your cows. Russell is inside. Go on in and talk to him if you want."

  They did. Russell was sitting inside, sipping a dark liquor of some kind. He rose when they stepped inside

  "Well, hello, neighbor. Is this a social call? Can I offer you gentleman a drink?" He chuckled and Ethan felt his fist clench. He couldn't stand the guy and it was difficult to keep his tone civil.

  "I had to repair a fence yesterday and am missing about a dozen cattle. If you don't mind, we thought we'd take a ride around and see if maybe they may have slipped through to your side."

  "I haven't noticed anything, but by all means, ride around as much as you like." He raised his glass then and took a long, slow sip.

  "Thank
you, we'll be on our way."

  "I hope you find them," Russell said, without an ounce of sincerity.

  ***

  Ethan arrived home later than usual and after a quick wash up, they sat down to dinner and he filled her in.

  "We were sure that the cows must be on Russell's property but there wasn't a sign of them. We rode around for well over an hour looking."

  "He may have been one step ahead of you." Emma told him then about running into Russell in town and seeing cattle being loaded into a stock car.

  "I don't know for sure if the two are connected, but it sure seems suspicious."

  "If that's what he did, it's quite clever. Moving stolen cattle out as soon as he gets them makes it harder to catch him. I'd bet money that's what happened. Cattle don't just disappear."

  "What are you going to do?"

  "I'll have to think about that. It's too late to prove anything now. If it happens again, I'll have to go to his farm immediately before he moves them out."

  Ethan was quiet for a few minutes and Emma could see that he was thinking about the situation.

  "I don't think he'd be stupid enough to do it again anytime soon. He'll know that we're on guard. The thing to do if he pulls this again, though, will be to wait at the train station and catch him as he's putting the cows on the train. He won't be able to explain that away."

  "He scares me," Emma admitted.

  "If he ever comes here and I'm not here, don't let him in. Lock the door behind you. I don't trust him."

  Emma shivered, picturing Russell's cold, calculating eyes.

  "I will."

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Weeks passed without incident and eventually Emma let her guard down a bit and was able to relax when Ethan wasn't there, to not jump at the smallest sounds. Still, a strange sense of foreboding seemed to hang in the air and she was always relieved when Ethan came home each night and all was well.

  She and Ethan and Emily had settled into a nice routine. As she'd grown more comfortable with farm life, Emma started taking on more duties such as feeding the animals, tending the garden behind the house and ever since Hannah had shown her how, she took over the daily milking, which Ethan appreciated. Two or three times a week, she and Emily paid an afternoon visit to Naomi and Emma looked forward to the visits as much as Emily did. Emma had never had a mother figure in her life and Naomi took her under her wing, offering guidance and support, which Emma gratefully accepted.

  Hannah had grown to be a good friend, too. She didn't see her as often as Hannah was busy helping at the store or around the farm, but they got together every week or two for a few hours in the afternoon and caught up. Emma had always looked forward to her days off and spending them with her girlfriends from the orphanage. She still missed them terribly, but was growing more comfortable in her new life. She loved getting their letters and hearing what they were all up to and they all asked her questions about what it was like to be married. She couldn't answer all of their questions, though, because truthfully, she didn't feel fully married. She wasn't a true wife to Ethan and though it hadn't bothered her a bit in the beginning, she was starting to feel differently now.

  She was much more comfortable around Ethan now and he seemed to feel the same. He was opening up more and they got along well enough. He did have a good sense of humor and made her laugh with his stories about silly things that happened and they'd fallen into a habit of playing cards together after dinner or sitting quietly and reading. He was easy to be with except that she was growing more and more attracted to him and although she'd occasionally get the sense that he might feel the same—a glance held a few seconds too long for instance—he never did anything about it. He usually just withdrew and went off to bed. It was frustrating. Emma was frustrated and didn't know what to do about it.

  When Sunday rolled around, as per their usual routine, they went to church and then, after the service, the entire family gathered at Ethan's parents’ place for dinner. Emma looked forward to Sundays as it was the one day she got to see everyone and it usually felt like a party because there were so many of them.

  Ethan's father had a pig roasting and Hannah and Emma always brought something so Naomi didn't get stuck with all the cooking. This time, Emma had made a big batch of potato salad, which quickly disappeared when they all sat down to eat. After dinner, Paul entertained them by playing the piano while they all sung along to their favorite songs. Dessert was a cake that Hannah had brought and Emma had finished eating when Liam landed on the seat next to her.

  "Any takers yet?" he asked, half-kidding and half-serious.

  Emma laughed. "I'm trying, I swear. I bring it up to the girls all the time, but no one is ready to leave Boston yet. I'm sure someone will eventually, though."

  "Okay, I'll be patient. I could use the help, though. Have you heard what I'm about to do?" His eyes were dancing with excitement and the feeling was contagious as Emma wondered what he was up to.

  "No, and I'm almost afraid to ask," she teased him.

  "I'm going to open a saloon in town. Right across from the general store. A respectable place, mind you. We'll serve food and drink."

  "Really? What about your farm?" Emma wondered how he'd be able to do such a thing.

  "I've wanted to do this for a long time. I'm not a very good farmer." He grinned and Emma chuckled. "I think I'd be a great saloon owner, though. I'm very sociable, and charming." He winked at her, then, as Ethan walked towards them with a raised eyebrow.

  "Are you flirting with my wife?" Ethan said mildly and Emma knew he was teasing, or at least hoped he was. Actually, if he was a bit jealous, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing. She decided to have a little fun and see.

  "He's going to be flirting with everyone soon. Liam was just telling me about the saloon he's going to open. I think it sounds like a wonderful idea."

  Ethan frowned at that. "It's not a bad idea, but it can bring in the wrong element. Russell Jones hangs out at saloons."

  "Well, my place won't be that kind of saloon," Liam said indignantly. "Nothing out of place will go on there. Russell won't be interested."

  "I think it sounds like a perfect fit for Liam. You're bound to meet an eligible woman if you're out there more."

  "Nice girls don't go to saloons." Ethan stated.

  "Oh. Okay. Well, I still think it's bound to be a success. With Liam's personality, people will go there just to see him."

  "Thanks for the vote of confidence," Liam said with a happy smile.

  Ethan changed the subject and said it was probably time for them to get going.

  "All right," Emma agreed reluctantly. She gave Liam a friendly hug good-bye. "I am so excited for you."

  ***

  Ethan was quiet, as usual, on the drive home. It wasn't that late yet, so Emily was still wide awake and chattered non-stop the whole way. Emma was glad for her bubbly conversation. It helped keep her mind off Ethan's grumpiness. He'd fallen into these moods lately, usually right after they'd had a great time together. It would seem like they were growing closer and then he'd shut down. Once again, Emma was feeling frustrated.

  They went inside and fell into their usual routine. Emma helped Emily get ready for bed and once she was in her pajamas, she climbed into her father's lap and he read to her until she fell asleep soon after. While he was tucking her into bed, Emma went into her own room and, feeling restless, decided to take her hair down. She usually did this right before bed, brushing her hair thoroughly until it was tangle free and soft before she climbed under the covers. Ethan had never really seen her hair the way it looked before she went to bed and she wanted him to see her. Really see her. Slowly, she undid the braid that she wore every day. She always kept her hair in a long French braid. It was out of her face that way and she didn't have to worry about it. After she brushed through her hair, she walked back into the main room. Ethan was in the kitchen, slicing a piece of pie.

  She walked over to him and stood close enough that her hair fell agai
nst his arm. "What are you up to?" she asked softly.

  "Just having some pie. Do you want some?" He turned and looked at her then and she welcomed the look of surprise and wonder in his eyes.

  "Your hair. I didn't realize it was so long, and so pretty."

  "I just felt like taking it down." She smiled up at him. "I'd love some pie."

  He cut her a slice and handed it to her, along with a fork. "You should wear it down more often. I like it that way."

  "I didn't think you'd notice."

  "How could I not notice? It's gorgeous. You're gorgeous." She noticed his Adam's apple jump and was surprised to sense that he was nervous.

  She lightly touched his arm and he jumped but didn't pull away.

  "I didn't think you looked at me that way. I didn't think I was pretty enough for you."

  Ethan set down his pie and pulled her close.

  "You didn't think I was attracted to you?" he asked in a thick, strained voice.

  "No. I wished that you were, but no," she admitted.

  He leaned in, then, and gathered her hair in his hands and pulled her lips towards his. His kiss this time was very different from the chaste peck he'd given her when they got married. This was the kind of kiss she'd always dreamed of, and even when she'd dared imagine what it would like to kiss Ethan, reality was much better than she'd ever thought it could be. The kiss went on as his tongue found hers and she moaned and sank into him. At the sound of her moan, he pulled away and she flinched at the regret she saw in his eyes.

  "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I can't. I just can't." He ran his hands through his hair and Emma was torn between sympathy and anger.

  "It's all right," she finally managed to say.

  "No, it's not all right. And it won't happen again." As if for emphasis, there was a loud crack of thunder and a flash of lightning lit up the room, followed by pounding rain.

  "I have to go out for a while," Ethan muttered, and then Emma watched silently as he pulled on his boots and hat and buttoned up his coat. Then, he grabbed a fishing pole and a hunk of bread and headed for the door.