After the kitchen was cleaned and the children were tucked into their beds, Beth’s mother said that she was going to go read in her room and after a moment, Beth quietly said that she was going to do the same. This perplexed George even more. She never did that. They had fallen into a routine of sharing tea after dinner and often settling in their respective favorite chairs in the library to enjoy the warmth of the wood stove while chatting about their day, issues with the factories or even just quietly reading. He realized that he just enjoyed her company and that his library would feel empty and cold without Beth by his side.
“Beth before you go upstairs for the evening, could you please pop into the library? I’d like to speak with you for a moment.”
She hesitated for just a minute before saying, “Of course. I’ll be right in.”
George decided to pour himself a small snifter of brandy instead of tea and brought that into the library to wait for Beth. He added another log to the stove and settled into his favorite chair with a copy of the day’s newspaper, which he hadn’t had a chance to even look at yet. He was just turning the first page when he felt Beth’s presence and looked up to see her standing in the doorway.
“You wanted to see me,” she said stiffly.
He smiled, trying to put her at ease and hoping to fix whatever was wrong. Because quite obviously, something was wrong.
“Please have a seat.”
Beth settled into her favorite chair and waited for him to speak. He debated the best way to approach the situation and then just decided to come out with it.
“What’s wrong, Beth? I can tell that you’re upset about something. What is it?”
She smiled wryly. “People have always said that my face is an open book. I can’t seem to hide my emotions.”
“That’s somewhat true. I can tell that you’re bothered by something, but I don’t know what.”
“We haven’t consummated our marriage yet. If there’s someone else that you would rather be married to, you could still do that. We could get an annulment.” The words came out in a rush, and George stared at her in bewilderment.
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you are talking about. I can assure you, there is no one else that I would rather be married to.” And with a realization that somewhat floored him, he understood the truth in that statement, and what it meant.
Beth looked doubtful. “Not even Annabelle? I saw the way she was flirting with you at the mercantile.”
“Annabelle? Was she flirting? I didn’t even notice.” Looking back, he realized that was exactly what she was doing, and Beth had seen it and was jealous. He smiled. If Beth was jealous, that meant she cared for him and was attracted to him.
He stood and walked over to her and held out his hand. She took it, confusion written upon her face. He pulled her up and into his arms and did what he should have done long ago. He kissed her. And it wasn’t a light brush of the lips, it was a real kiss, deep and meaningful and it lasted for a long time. Beth stiffened up at his first touch but then instantly melted and sank into him with a happy sigh. When they finally came up for air, he tenderly kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes.
“I didn’t even notice Annabelle, because you’re the only woman I notice. I didn’t expect this. I thought I wanted something else, but then you came into my life. You climb trees, and have fun with my nieces. You really enjoy business, my business, and you’re fiercely protective of your mother. I’ve grown to appreciate and to love everything about you, Beth. I love you. And I want to be a real husband to you, in every sense of the word. If you’ll have me.”
Beth’s eyes were wet, and two small tears spilled over and ran down each cheek as she smiled and squeezed his hands.
“I wasn’t looking for this either. Didn’t expect to ever find it, certainly not in this arrangement. But I have. I enjoy your company immensely. I love hearing about your business and the way you look at your nieces makes my heart melt. It’s clear you love them so much. I love our life together, our nights in the library and the fact that you allowed my mother to join us. She adores you, you know, and has from the very beginning. I think she knew. I was a little slower to come around, but there’s no one else I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. I love you, George Montgomery!”
She leaned up and pressed a sweet kiss against his mouth to prove her point, and he pulled her in tight and kissed her until they finally both had to come up for air.
“Maybe one day, we’ll have a child of our own. Another one that is, because of course Harriet and Genevieve are our children, too,” she said quickly.
He kissed the tip of her nose and grinned. “I think that is a grand idea. Maybe we should get started on that right away?”
She swatted his arm, and he laughed and pulled her towards him. “Are you ready to retire for the evening, Mrs. Montgomery?”
“Yes, I believe that I am. Oh, one more thing.”
“What’s that?” he asked.
“Just that I love you. And I’m going to say that to you every night for the rest of my life.”
“That’s the best idea you’ve had yet.”
“Well…”
“Well, what?” he asked.
“It’s your turn to say it,” she demanded.
He chuckled. “You’re right. I love you very much, Beth. Now, can we go to bed?”
“You’re such a romantic. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“No, you’re the first…and the only one that matters to me.”
“All right, that was sweet. We can retire for the evening now.”
~~The End~~
Epilogue
April 1891
Beth smiled as George walked through the door. Her mother was playing cards with the girls while Beth stirred the beef stew that had been simmering on the stove all afternoon. She poked a piece of meat with a fork and was pleased to see that it fell apart into tender shreds.
“Something smells delicious,” George said as he shrugged his long coat off and hugged the girls when they ran over to say hello.
“It’s a new recipe I am trying. I think it might be pretty good,” Beth said as she got some bowls from the cupboard and started ladling stew into them. Her mother came into the kitchen and got the bread and butter. She brought that to the table and then they all sat down to eat.
“The ready-made business is booming,” George said as Beth passed him the butter. “The girls are doing an amazing job. We just got a new big order in today.”
“That’s wonderful!” Beth was happy for him. “I know that Colleen and Sarah are really enjoying the work and the extra money it brings. As well as the flexibility to do it in their spare time.” When Beth had first approached them with the idea, they were both initially hesitant but agreed to give it a try. Both were more than happy with how things were working out.
“I have another idea, if you’re open to it,” Beth began.
“What is it? I’m always open to new ideas, especially yours.” George blew on his spoon and then took a bite of stew. It was very hot. “This is excellent by the way.”
Beth smiled. “Thank you. So, my idea is that we spread the word in Lawrence and maybe run an ad, too, to invite young women with sewing skills to move here. You could build an apartment building for them and they could work full-time for you. And if they find husbands and get married, they can still work for you, from home.”
George mulled the idea over for a moment and then smiled. “That’s not a bad idea at all. There’s an old building just at the edge of downtown that could be converted for something like this. That would allow me to expand even more rapidly than planned. I like it.”
“Good. I had a feeling you might.” She paused for a moment and then added, “I have something else to tell you about.” Alice’s letter had just come earlier that day and Beth was hoping that George would agree to her request. “I had a letter from Alice. She’s living in Rhode Island now, you know.”
George nodded and asked, “
How is she?”
“She’s good, very good. I had mentioned that we were going to be heading back to Lawrence soon, for the summer, and she invited us to come visit her and her new husband at their home in Tiverton, Rhode Island.”
George thought about that for a moment. “That’s not very far, is it? Rhode Island?”
Beth chuckled. “From Lawrence? No. Not at all. Much closer than Montana. And we can take the train and they will come get us at the station. I’d really love to see her.”
“We’re still planning to stop in Indiana to visit your sister?” George asked.
“Well yes, of course. But that has nothing to do with going to Rhode Island.”
George smiled. “No, I don’t suppose that it does. Of course we can go. I was just teasing you. I can’t resist that, you know?”
Beth sighed. “Yes, I know. You’d think I would have learned by now.”
After they finished eating and all the dishes had been washed and put away and Beth and George were the only ones still up, Beth walked over to her husband and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a quick kiss.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“I just wanted to thank you for agreeing to visit Alice when we go east. It means a lot to me.”
“You mean a lot to me. And I haven’t said it yet today, but I love you, Beth Montgomery.”
Beth sighed happily.
“And I love you, too, Mr. Montgomery.”
* * *
Also by Ashley Merrick
Emma
Julia
Colleen
Brianna
Ricky
Maeve
Coming soon, in the American Mail-Order Bride Series,
India, Bride of Indiana
I’m so excited about this book. It was so much fun to write and was inspired by one of my favorite fairytales, Beauty and the Beast.
Beth’s sister is matched with Richard Blake, a shy man in Indiana, a widower with two small children. He lost his wife in a fire and was badly scarred trying to save her. He struggles with the guilt of surviving and is convinced that he’s too deformed for anyone to possibly love him. Instead he acts as an anonymous secret Santa to those less fortunate. But India sees beyond his scarred face to the beautiful soul within. Can he let her in and find love again?
Click here to receive an email alert when India releases!
Visit http://www.newwesternromance.com to learn more about all of the 50 books in this unprecedented series!
About the Author
Ashley grew up on Cape Cod, MA and now lives in a seaside town halfway between Boston and the Cape. Her first paid writing work was in college when she wrote the obituaries and birth announcements for a local paper. That led to more creative writing--radio commercials and in recent years, some food blogging and writing for a Cape Cod newspaper. She loves all things food related and has always been an avid reader, across many genres, romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal and of course, historical.
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