“What about me?” Melanie had asked puzzled. Her parents had always openly loved one another, but surely, it could not have escaped their minds that they had a child, albeit a twenty-six-year-old one.
“Why?” her mother had said, surprise lighting her eyes. “You’ll soon be married off to that nice young man.”
She hadn’t even recalled his name. Not that Melanie could blame her. She herself had trouble remembering he was there when they were together. Allen was the type of young man who forever walked in the shadows, terrified that someone might notice him.
“That’s it,” her papa said, as the wagon disappeared around the bend of their drive.
Melanie sighed. At least her beloved mare, Midnight, was staying with her. The trio walked back into the house, a two story country home, with balconies in all the upstairs bedrooms. She followed her parents forlornly into the drawing room. Everything was happening so fast, she felt as if she was being rushed out of her own home.
Still, her news was bound to please them; Melanie thought and then looked at her parents seated together on the couch. Her father was a dark wiry man, his beard full and his muscles contracted from all those years of being on horseback. He had reared horses for sale and had been totally involved in the operations of the ranch.
Her mother on the other hand, resembled a porcelain doll. She had delicate features but inside was a will of steel. Melanie had taken after her mother in looks and temperament.
“Did you get information today on where the ship docks after France?” her mother asked now.
“Yes my dear, you’ll be pleased to know that Italy is the next port of—”
Melanie switched off. These days, all her parents spoke of was their impeding trip. They planned to visit a lot of countries in Europe and check in on her mother’s Aunt who had settled in England.
“Melanie, you’re not listening to us,” her mother said in an accusing tone.
“I’m sorry mama, I was miles away,” Melanie said and then straightened her back. “As a matter of fact I do have news of my own.”
Her mother clapped her hands together and smiled.
“It’s not what you think mama. Allen has not proposed, but I may be getting married pretty soon.”
Her mother’s hands fell from her face and she and her father exchanged puzzled looks.
“If not Allen, who then?” he papa asked gently.
“Well, a couple of months ago, I happened to come across a publication going by the name ‘Matrimonial News’—”
Her mother shrieked. “No Melanie I see where you’re going with this.”
Her father touched her mother’s arm. “What’s going on? Melanie, why are you upsetting your mother?”
Melanie swallowed her irritation. Her father treated her mother as though she was breakable, when in fact; she was the strongest of the three of them.
“Tell him Melanie,” her mother said.
Unperturbed by her mother’s dramatics, Melanie continued in an even tone. “Well, I was telling you that I happened across the Matrimonial News and I read a very interesting advert from a gentleman in the west who owns a large ranch and is looking for a wife. He’s thirty-eight years old and he lost his wife a few years ago in childbirth.”
Her father frowned.
“See what I mean? It’s a savage country, with no doctors and modern comforts. No Melanie, we will not have you go off to marry a stranger in a Godforsaken place.”
Her temper came upon her like a violent wind, leaving her no space to think or reason. Melanie screwed her eyes and glared at her mother.
“I think that’s my decision to make mother,” she hissed.
“Melanie that’s no way to speak to your mother,” her father said without much conviction in his voice.
“Father, Mother, both of you made plans to sell the ranch, the only home I have known all my life, and only let me know of it after it was done. And now you feel offended because I want to go to the west?”
“Melanie, you know your father and I have planned this trip for decades,” her mother said, her tone pleading for understanding.
“I understand mother. What I’m asking for is the same. I couldn’t possibly get married to Allen. He would bore me to death. I want what you and papa have and I’m willing to go across the country to find it.”
“Who is this man?” her papa asked.
“His name is Carter Taft and from his advert, I gather that he is a rancher in Montana. I wrote to him weeks ago. He hasn’t replied but I’m sure he will.”
“What makes you so sure? What if he decided another lady more suitable?” her mother asked.
Meanwhile her father was pulling at his beard, a sign that he was in deep thought.
“I just know he will,” Melanie said with the quiet confidence she carried with her.
“I have heard of that name before and if I’m not mistaken, the family owns Circle One, one of the biggest ranches in Montana,” her father said.
“See mama? Papa knows them,” Melanie said with a growing excitement. If her father knew them, her work convincing them would be much easier.
“Hold on young lady. I don’t know them but I’ve heard of them. What puzzles me is this, why would your young man find a need to advertise for a wife?
Chapter Eight
Carter drummed his feet against the floor as he penned his reply to Melanie. Her letter had ignited something in him. She had folded a picture of herself inside the letter. He stopped writing, and glanced at the picture. She had an oval, delicate looking face, with tiny features that matched it.
Her golden brown hair was centrally parted and held loosely at the top of her head in a complicated knot. The picture was taken from her waist upwards and so far, all he could see excited him. He grinned and returned to the letter.
Dear Melanie,
Thank you for your letter and picture. I must say that your appearance is very fetching and only a foolish man would turn you down. I most certainly am not one. You sound like an interesting young woman and I feel drawn to get to know you more. The fact that you ride horses means that you will enjoy yourself here at Circle One. I’m terribly sorry that your parents have sold off their ranch but I must admit that I do admire them. They are rare people who know what they want and care not for society’s judgment. I hope to meet them one day. I have something in common with your parents, and that is, that I too know my mind. You fascinate me Melanie Marriot and I would like to invite you to Circle one as my fiancé. I will not rush you and when we know each other a little better, I will leave it up to you to decide if you wish to be my wife. I will enclose some money and a train ticket. I cannot wait for the weeks to go by and we finally meet. Meanwhile take care and pass my regards and admiration to your parents.
Sincerely,
Carter Taft
The train ticket sat on the table as did the money he intended to send to Melanie Marriott. Carter did not read the letter he had written, instead, he folded the ticket and the money inside the letter, slipped the lot into an envelope and sealed it. With flourish, he addressed the letter.
He stood up and stretched. Today, he was spending the day at the ranch. Hoss had mentioned that he would be going into town. He would send him to post the letter, Carter decided. Hopefully, he would not ask too many questions but then again, Hoss was not the kind of person who questioned things.
Carter walked out into the mid-morning sun and strolled towards the ranch house. The wagon was parked outside the entrance and the door slightly ajar. Carter shook his head. He certainly did not understand Hoss. Why did he insist on using the wagon to go to Crab’s Creek? For one, it took so long, a horse was much faster.
Shrugging off his thoughts, Carter pushed the door open. He wondered idly if Hoss ever sat in the front room or even entered his dining room or kitchen. Their parents had had two ranch houses built so that each of their sons would have their own homes. They had been people who looked into the future and Carter liked to emulate
them.
He climbed the stairs without any particular rush, and climbed further into the attic. The door was wide open but no Hoss. Carter retreated his steps. The bedroom door was shut and he turned the handle and pushed it open.
Carter knees almost buckled as he saw Stephanie sitting astride Hoss, her body bouncing up and down, and his brother lying there, his eyes half shut and his mouth twisted with ecstasy. He took in the scene dispassionately. Hoss saw him first. His jaw fell and his eyes widened with shock.
Stephanie’s movements jerked to a stop as she followed Hoss’s eyes. She blinked rapidly and then quickly recovered. She threw her hair back, all the while keeping her eyes on Carter’s. Her expression smug, she continued with her bobbing movements. Carter shook his head and exited, leaving the door wide open. Another man would have attacked the couple on the bed.
One had to hand it to Stephanie. She had no shred of shame of wrong doing. Despite himself, he found himself admiring her. Carter thought of Hoss and his chest tightened. It hurt deeply. If Hoss had feelings for Stephanie or whatever it was, the right thing would have been to tell him. They were brothers for God’s sake!
Outside, he met with a gasping James.
“I went to the house and you were not there,” James said, his gaze shifting from Carter to Hoss’s ranch house.
“I have a letter that I wanted Hoss to post for me. He’s otherwise occupied,” Carter said in a dry tone.
James looked at Carter quizzically. “Are you not upset?”
“Not about Stephanie. She is what she is and she served her purpose,” he said and then his voice got an edge. “I’m angry at Hoss. He should have told me rather than going behind my back. That’s not how we do things here.”
“I’m going into town later,” James offered. “Want me to post the letter for you?”
“Thanks but I think I’ll go myself. For some reason, I feel a need to leave the ranch.”
As he went into the barn to saddle his stallion, Carter thought of Stephanie and a lot of things made sense. Just yesterday, he had passed by the diner and she had not been there. At the boarding house, the woman at the reception would not tell him whether she was there or not.
He thought of the letter tucked into his coat. Just as well his affair with Stephanie had ended. He and Melanie could begin their lives on a clean slate with no scorned woman in their wake. Carter left a cloud of dust that went all the way to the main road. The sooner Melanie got here; the better and he could put that unfortunate episode behind him.
Chapter Nine
“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine,” her father said to her. “There are other horses on board, you know.’
“I know,” Melanie said, “I wish they would allow me to travel with him.”
Her father broke into a laugh. “I’m glad they can’t. Now, remember what we told you young lady. If for any reason you don’t like it in Montana, we want you to come back home.”
Standing by his side was her mother, her arm tucked into her husband’s hand. She sniffed and held a pristine white handkerchief to her nose.
“This is much harder than I thought it would be,” her mother said.
“For me too mother,” Melanie said, remembering the feeling of loneliness she had felt as the carriage had left home.
The whistle blew and the three of them looked at each other and then spoke at once.
“You shall come and visit?”
“Let us know of your safe arrival.”
“Don’t speak to any strangers,” her mother said.
Melanie managed a laugh. She had no intention of making friends on the train. It would be pointless seeing as they were all headed in different directions. They embraced one more time. Stephanie glanced at her mother, crying hard into her father’s arms. Her father winked at her and she smiled, and then bounded up the platform.
It was a six day journey to Montana and she wasn’t looking forward to it. Melanie disliked enclosed spaces and as soon as she sat down in the sleeper carriage, she felt as though the walls were closing in. Three other women entered after her, one carrying a baby and a toddler, behind her a sour faced looking man.
The woman with the children mumbled a hello. Melanie said hello and turned her head to the window and watched as the train slowly exited the station. Her mind wandered to her mare, Midnight. Like her, he did not like closed spaces and she hoped he was alright.
The cry of a child interrupted her musings. It was the toddler and he was trying to clamber up his mother’s lap, who held the other baby in her hands.
“Can’t you shut him up!” the man who Melanie assumed was her husband bellowed.
The woman cowed and mumbled something about trying to. The boy, as though sensing he was the topic of conversation raised his cries.
“Bloody hell!” the man said. “I’m trying to sleep.”
Melanie bit on her lip. The other women passengers were pretending not to hear the exchange. Melanie noticed another man, an elderly one she had not seen enter look at the scene openly.
The man moved swiftly from his seat across from his wife and gripped her hand forcefully. The woman grimaced. Without thinking, Melanie stood up and tapped his shoulder. He glared at her but did not let go. His wife whimpered like an injured animal, but it was her eyes that tugged at Melanie’s heart. She wore a look of pure terror.
“Why don’t you pick on someone your own size, Mister? I bet there are many men in this train who would be willing to take you on.”
The train swayed as the man looked her up and down.
“Why don’t you mind your own business,” he sneered, his small eyes growing smaller. “Or else…”
“Touch her and you’ll be out of this train in no time,” the older man said, coming to stand next to Melanie.
He let go of his wife’s hand violently, making her fall back into her seat with force. He glared at Melanie, then the man and then slunk back into his seat and stared morosely at the window. The woman gave Melanie a grateful look.
“Come here you,” Melanie said to the older child. “I know a game me and you can play together.”
He came to her uncertainly at first and she lifted him to her lap and angled him so that he could see the passing landscape.
“Let us see who can spot an animal?” she said to him.
“Cow!” he yelled.
“My you’re good. Let me see if I can see one.”
The family got off after five days in the last town of South Dakota. By then, the children were cranky and irritable and Melanie had not been able to distract the little boy for the last two days. She did not blame him. She herself was tired and despite the washroom in the sleeper carriage, one could only wipe themselves clean with a cloth.
“He wasn’t always like this,” the woman whispered to her as the train slowed down.
Melanie nodded in understanding. She did not have patience for men who mistreated women, irrespective of which problems they were going through.
“Thank you so much. Without you, the journey would have been a nightmare,” the woman, whose name she had learnt was Michelle, said and gripped her hand.
As the train embarked on the last leg of the journey, Melanie paid proper attention to the passing landscape. Melanie sighed at the miles and miles of open plains, yellow flowers growing between the grass. A distance away, she spotted a herd of buffaloes, grazing quietly on the pasture. She imagined riding Midnight in such open fields and sighed. A road was adjacent to the train track for a short distance, and she caught a glimpse of a wagon, over flowing with items and on top of them, several children. They waved at the passing train and Melanie waved back.
She had lost concept of time and now she glanced at her tiny, jeweled wrist watch. It was noon. As the train lumbered on, Melanie saw several ranches, with herds of cattle and sheep dotted on the hills. She would like it here, she decided.
The train reached Crab’s Creek at two in the afternoon. Melanie was the first out of the carriage and she headed
straight to the back to check on Midnight and get him into the open air.
Chapter Ten
Carter had stared so much at the photograph of Melanie that he knew he would recognize her when she stepped out of the train. He waited, tapping his foot on the ground. He checked everyone leaving, until the train emptied. Melanie was not among them.
Had she changed her mind about coming? The thought caused a deep disappointment in Carter, but he could not think of any other reason. Just then, his attention was caught by a mare walking down the platform, banging her hooves noisily on the ground.
The mare had an odd but beautiful color. She had a dappled coat and counter shading on her face, shoulder and gaskins. The mare suddenly stopped and allowed her owner to rub his nose. Carter shifted his eyes to the owner and almost laughed aloud when he saw Melanie.
He took quick strides to her.
“Miss Melanie Marriot?” he said.
She looked up at him and smiled. Carter inhaled sharply. The photograph, being black and white had not captured her light green eyes or her blond, wavy hair.
“Yes, I am she, and I assume you are Mr. Carter Taft?”
“Please call me Carter. And who have we here?”
“This is Midnight,” Melanie said, stroking the horse. “She’s my mare and I could not bear to be parted from her. Will it be a problem?”
Carter had a feeling that his answer would determine whether Melanie stayed or not. He chuckled, admiring her nerve. She had not mentioned coming to Circle One with a horse, not that it was a problem.
“We love horses at the ranch and she’s more than welcome, and so are you Melanie.”
She raised her eyebrow at his use of her first name.
Carter found himself blubbering. “I just assumed that since we’ll be getting married—”
“If we decide to get married,” Melanie pointedly said.
Carter chuckled and waved his hands about in a gesture of dismissal.
Romance: My Stepbrother's Plaything Page 42