by Indiana Wake
The next day, she woke up early and decided to cook the breakfast without Maggie. She loved her friend, but her feelings for Simon had her resenting Maggie's continuous presence in his life. She knew that if he were away from Maggie for a long period of time, his love for her would somewhat lessen and he might be happy again.
She wished for him to see that she too could do more for him than Maggie ever could. If only he would let her. So, she set about preparing an extravagant breakfast. When Maggie arrived with Oscar and Simon in tow, they were all pleasantly surprised. "If you keep this up, I am bound to get used to not doing anything and then where would I be when you left?" Maggie said, jokingly.
"Are you leaving?" Simon asked, wheeling himself to the table.
"Not presently unless I have outstayed my welcome. After all there is still a party I have to attend before I am to leave," Charlotte answered.
"Well, you needn't leave right after the party. You're welcome to stay for as long as you'd like, especially if I wake up to be served such a splendid meal every morn," Simon said.
"Well then, dig in and enjoy. I am going out for a bit," Charlotte said, packing a basket with some of the food.
"Where are you off to so early in the morning?" Maggie asked.
"Oh, I thought I'd go drop some of this food to the Marlin family; you know the ill woman who stayed here for a bit," Charlotte said and headed for the door. "I will be a while so you needn't worry." And with that she was off to see the little children who she had been visiting every day since they moved out.
Chapter 6
That evening she spent some time talking with Maggie. But when her friend retired she sat, reading a book when Simon wheeled himself into the room. He parked himself opposite her and said, "I had no idea you visited that poor woman and her children."
"I did not see a reason to tell you about it. I went when you retired to your study so I saw no occasion to discuss it. Would you have wanted to go with me?"
"I would have loved to see the children again and check up on the poor lady, but I am sure you must have kept watch on her health for you were the one who nursed her back. It was wrong of me to assume you would tell me of your every activity," Simon said, wheeling himself away from her to the bookshelf.
"You may ask me anything you'd like, Mr. Harley. I would not mind at all and it was inconsiderate to not tell you or ask you to come along with me. I assure you, I will ask you to come along in future," she replied, feeling flattered that he would care enough about her letting him know her whereabouts.
"I do not presume to have any authority to know what you do, but it would be nice to know, nonetheless," was his reply as he wheeled himself back towards her. "Should I continue the book I was reading the evening before?"
"Yes, please. It was a rather enjoyable book and you are a wonderful reader. I would be delighted if you'd continue," Charlotte said, blushing a little at her attempt to flirt.
Smiling at her warmly, he began to read and time flew by as it always does when she was lost in the textures of his voice. But, tonight something strange happened. Simon did not once stop to look out the window for Maggie and seemed quite taken with reading for Charlotte. Only when Maggie and Oscar walked into the room did he even realize that she had not once crossed his mind.
As they greeted the couple, Simon and Charlotte glanced at each other and then quickly looked away, with a smile on their faces. This did not go unnoticed by Maggie. She smiled to herself and thought that maybe there was hope for her friend after all and Simon could not have done better for himself. With thoughts like these, she decided to talk to Charlotte about them.
But Charlotte had seen something different. Simon always came more alive when Maggie entered the room. She thought that she had been making some headway but when he looked at Maggie it was plain to see. She had lost her heart to a man that would never love her. The realization was crushing and she hoped that she could keep her feelings to herself until it was time to go home. Leaving her friends to talk she excused herself.
That night Maggie visited Charlotte in her room. She sat on the bed and took up a brush to comb Charlotte's hair. They talked of her party preparations and other trivial things before she broached the subject.
"Charlotte, I wish to ask you something if you would be willing to answer," Maggie said.
"Ask away my dear friend; you know I always answer you," Charlotte replied.
"I could not help but notice the way you looked at Simon and I wonder if you love him? It would be such a wonderful thing if my dearest friend were to marry Simon and live right by me. Then we needn't ever be apart. Simon is quite the gentleman and would keep you very happy."
"Stop, Maggie, it isn't like that at all. Yes, I admit I do have feelings for Mr. Harley but he has nothing but respect for me, I assure you."
"How would you know? He could be madly in love with you for all you know. He is a rather private man who rarely ever lets his feelings be known," Maggie insisted.
"I do know, for even a blind man can see that he worships you, Maggie. He has loved you and there is no changing his heart. I will not be pulled into this fantasy when I know his heart belongs to someone he can never have," Charlotte said, getting up and going to the window.
"My dear, he only thinks he loves me. I am sure that with a little nudge he will soon forget all about me. You needn't lose heart like this," Maggie said, coming up beside her.
"No, I refuse to be a part of this folly. I have accepted that he will never love another and I am willing to make my peace with it. If you care for me, you will never bring up this discussion again," Charlotte said, emphatically.
"Very well but I do believe you are making a mistake and giving up a man who would make you very happy."
"He was never mine to give up so there isn't much I am losing," Charlotte replied, dejectedly. "I wish to sleep now, my dear." And with that their conversation came to an end.
Chapter 7
The conversation with Maggie had left Charlotte in low spirits. All night she wondered if there was a chance for her. She went over her time here, but always Simon was looking out for Maggie. Yes, he was polite and a gentleman but he had never shown anything towards her other than friendship. All this time she had coaxed and talked to him he had never shown any interest in her whatsoever. It really was folly of her to imagine that he had feelings for her. Maybe it was time to go home?
When morning came, she did not feel up to facing Simon or Maggie. So, she decided to leave before they came for breakfast. She got up early; prepared the breakfast and then packing another basket she left for the Marlins.
She spent a few hours there, braiding the girls’ hair and teaching all of them how to read. She had just finished reading them a story when there was a knock on the door. Charlotte was surprised since the only one who ever came there was their mother, who was at work and wouldn't be back till later.
She went to open the door and found Simon sitting in his wheelchair, with Oscar and Maggie. They asked to come in and she stepped aside to let them in. Maggie said, "Good day, Charlotte. We figured you might be here," she turned to the kids and said, "How are you adorable children?" Turning back to Charlotte she continued, "We came to drop off Simon. He insisted that he visit the children and this was on our way."
"Yes, we best be off, now. We have a lot to do and only a few days left before the Party," Oscar said and hurriedly ushered her out of there with a quick, worried glance at Simon.
Confused by the whole thing, she turned to Simon for an explanation. His fine eyebrows lifted and coffee colored eyes sent warmth across her skin. She held his gaze her own eyes asking for an explanation.
Seeing that he had no alternative but to explain, he said, "You assured me that when you next visited the children you would have me along. But since you must have forgotten, I took the liberty of visiting the children on my own."
"Oh, I am sorry, it completely escaped my mind that you had wanted to go," Charlotte replied, averting
her eyes and busying herself with the folds of her sky blue gown.
"Well, you must have had a lot on your mind to have forgotten. Is anything the matter? Can I be of any assistance?"
"No, all is well, you needn't worry," Charlotte said. The reason she had not asked Simon along was so that she could have some time to herself. To put her broken heart back together and being in the same room as Simon was causing her pain that she could not let anyone see. What a painful thing it was to love someone and not have it reciprocated in return. Understanding dawned on her, she knew how he felt and her love for him grew even stronger. This man was so noble that he had given up his own happiness for that of his friend. How she wished she could tell him how wonderful that made him.
Instead, she asked the children to play amongst themselves while she sat down for a bit to knit socks for the poor things. As they bounced about playing, she snuggled into a corner chair and picked up her needles. Simon wheeled himself over to her corner and parked his chair next to hers. He stared at the children playing with a smile on his face before he turned to her.
"Charlotte, I have something I wish to talk to you about," he said, solemnly.
Chapter 8
Charlotte stared at him in disbelief, for he had never called her by her maiden name before. Confused by what he could have to say that had him addressing her by her name, she asked, "Yes, Mr. Harley, what is it you wish to speak of?"
"Please, I think we know each other well enough for you to call me Simon. I feel I must tell you that this morning Maggie and I had a rather interesting conversation."
Charlotte was beginning to feel uncomfortable. She had never thought that Maggie would say anything of their conversation to Simon, but now she feared that her friend had embarrassed her and that she would never again be able to face him. He would surely tell her that he saw no future with her and that he was sorry for giving her the wrong impression. She would politely tell him it was a big misunderstanding and she would be leaving as soon as possible.
These thoughts churned in her head as Simon continued, "I must apologize. I have never wanted to give the wrong impression, but it seems that unwillingly I have done so."
Charlotte opened her mouth to interrupt and say her part, but Simon held up a hand and stopped her.
"Please, let me finish,” he said. “And then you may have your turn. I realize that when you first arrived I mourned the loss of the woman whom I presumed to love dearly. I admired her and respected her immensely and letting her go was the hardest thing I had ever done before. I did what was best for her and I do not regret it nor shall I ever.” He stopped and turned his chair so it faced directly towards her.
Charlotte wanted to say something, wanted to stop him, but her throat was as dry as an old creek and no matter how she tried the words would not come out.
"Then you came and there was light,” Simon said. “You were jolly like Maggie yet so different at the same time. Where Maggie was quite, you were curious and you invoked me to answer questions and to come out of the shell I had locked myself into. Every day I grew a little lighter in your presence, a little happier. It no longer hurt as much to see Maggie with Oscar and I did not mourn for a love lost. I was learning to let go and to be happy for the both of them. I did not realize what any of this meant. I thought that time and a friendly face were the cause for this change. But, this morning, when I awoke to find you missing, I was beside myself. I looked all over for you, crying your name so that you may somehow appear. I was irrational I admit. I could not bear the thought of you not being there to greet me when I woke up. To not be there to sing and get me to read or to have long conversations with. I found myself devastated by the thought of you leaving and not being around anymore.”
Charlotte was not sure if she could believe her ears. Was he really telling her this? Did they feel the same?
“It was in this state of sorrow that Maggie and Oscar found me this morning. Maggie began berating me, telling me how you had noticed me pining for her and that how sad you had seemed by the thought of me never letting go of Maggie. It was then that I realized that I no longer loved Maggie. It was another who had stolen my heart without my knowledge, another who I could now no longer bear the thought of losing. That someone is you, Charlotte," he stared deep into her eyes with all his love shining like a beacon. He continued, "I am barely a man, dear sweet Charlotte. I cannot walk. I cannot do things with you that most man can. I cannot give you what you deserve but if you will have me, I know that I will give my all to you and do my best to keep you the happiest I can. I am in love with you, my sweet Charlotte and you would make me the happiest man if you would be my wife."
Charlotte was speechless. She loved a man who was sincere and truthful. Who would never mislead her and did not care about her looks. He loved her for who she was and that was something that she had never expected to find. He talked of his flaws but in her eyes he had none. He talked of her making him the happiest man, but it was him instead who had made her the happiest woman she could ever be.
She looked into his eyes and let her love speak for itself. "My dear Simon,” she said. “I fell in love with you, but I was afraid that it would never be reciprocated. I do not care if you think you cannot give me what other men can, for you have already given me so much more than any man could ever give me. It would be my pleasure and an honor to be your wife."
"You have made me the happiest man alive and I promise to keep you happy and to cherish you for as long as I shall live," he said, joyously and swept her into his arms. The chair did not matter, she could feel it between them, but she leaned her head against his chest and listened to his heart. There she stayed for a very long time, content at last to be where she was always meant to be.
Epilogue
It was a week and a day later when Simon sat at the altar in the small church in Redemption. The town’s name had never felt as poignant as it did right now. First Oscar had redeemed him as he had saved the broken man. Then there was Maggie, she showed him that he could love again, only to be in love with another. Who knew that her friend would end up being just the perfect Bride for him? Maybe it was God and he whispered a quick prayer of gratitude as he waited. These few minutes sat at the front of the church were the longest he had ever endured. Would she come? Would she change her mind and leave him sat here more broken than he could imagine?
The sound of mumbles and coughs had him turning. His worries were forgotten. Charlotte looked a picture of perfection as she walked down the aisle on her birthday. Dressed in white silk she was magnificent. For a moment he wanted to stop her, to tell her to run away and find a man who could give her everything but then she was there looking down at him with love in her eyes.
Charlotte took his hand and looked down as the best man she could ever have. “Do not even think it,” she whispered. “You are the only man I could love and you have given me more than I could ever ask for.”
Simon felt emotion fill him with a joy so strong it almost lifted him to his feet. He knew that she was right, and that together they could have a love so strong it would carry them over any troubles that lay ahead. Gently he squeezed her hand, and then with a huge grin on his face he turned to the preacher.
Feeling happier than she could ever imagine Charlotte pulled her eyes away from her almost husband and settled them on the preacher. With a smile he started the ceremony. As her joy bubbled up inside her the words blurred together. All she knew was that under the eyes of God, they said their vows. They proclaimed their love and fidelity to each other. Then Simon reached up and placed a gold ring on her finger. It looked old and beautiful and her mouth opened with joy.
“You may kiss the bride,” the preacher said.
Charlotte dropped to her knees and looked into the eyes of her husband.
“It belonged to my mom,” Simon whispered as his fingers ran over the wedding ring. “I never believed I would love someone enough to give it to.”
The preacher cleared his throat and a g
ood hearted mumble went up from the crowd.
Simon’s eyes were so close, she could feel his breath on her face and slowly his lips moved until they claimed hers.
It’s true, she thought, Angels are singing. As his lips claimed hers the kiss was a celebration of love and it filled her with hope and joy for the future. She had everything she could ever want.
Cheers erupted from around the small church and they were separated by the crowd. Well wishers ushered and cajoled them along the church until they were outside. Being apart from Simon was like a wound and she never wanted it to happen again. The crowd cleared and they were back together before a waiting carriage all decked up with ribbons. Two white horses pranced in the harnesses. Oscar lifted Simon and his chair into the adjusted wagon and everyone cheered as they drove off to the party. It was going to be a birthday celebration from her old friend, but now it was the start of her new life. The best wedding breakfast she could imagine.
As the horses trotted towards the barn, she looked across at Simon and felt warmth and love settle on her like a soft blanket. She was home.
The End.
Two Big Beautiful Brides for Two Bad Brothers
The Big Beautiful Mail Order Brides of Montana
Belle Fiffer & Indiana Wake
©Copyright 2015 Belle Fiffer & Indiana Wake
All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 1
The year is 1893.
The banging on the door grew more insistent as Susan stirred from a deep sleep. Tired eyes blinked into the darkness before closing again as she sank back under the covers and into oblivion. It was too early and must be a dream, but the knocks on the door were getting louder and grew more and more impatient. A thunderous bang rattled the door in its frame and she woke up with a jolt. Jumping from her bed she dashed to the door and pulled it open. Her heart pounded in her chest, what could the matter be? Rick stood there, with his arms crossed over his chest, his left foot tapping the floor in disapproval.