Mail Order Marcella

by Marie Higgins

  Her eyes widened. “All right, I shall do my best to keep her calm.”

  He paused for a brief moment before adding, “I really do love you. I hope you don’t believe what your sister has said about men changing after marriage.”

  She hiccupped on a low laugh and shook her head. “You have already proven your worth, and I love you so much. I feel as though I am the luckiest woman alive to be with you now, but...” She swallowed. “I’m so afraid I’ll lose you.”

  “Don’t think that way. Trust in love. Trust in me.”

  A tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t think I could love you more than I do right now.”

  His heart swelled with love and it was all he could do not to take her into his arms and kiss her passionately. But this was certainly not the place to shower his love on her, and if he didn’t want Joanna upset, he couldn’t outwardly show Marcella how he felt. However, he also wanted her to know his true feelings just in case this plan didn’t work out.

  Stop thinking negatively, he scolded himself. He’d make certain things worked in his favor. He wasn’t about to allow a disturbed woman to steal his life and take away his happiness!

  They reached the grove and waited for Joanna to join them. She wobbled like a newborn calf. He suspected she would lose consciousness very soon. But her stubbornness surprised him.

  She pointed to the ground. “What are you waiting for? Start digging.”

  He met Marcella’s gaze again. Her lips trembled. He leaned down and kissed her briefly on the mouth before turning toward his task. Joanna wouldn’t shoot him before he dug a hole large enough to bury him, only because she didn’t want to dig it herself, so he must take his time.

  Nothing was spoken between the three of them as Wesley pushed the shovel into the ground and threw back the dirt. Occasionally, he glanced at Joanna. A frown marred her face as she gently rubbed her injured arm. She flexed her fingers quite a bit which told him her arm was going numb. How much time did he have until she lost consciousness, he didn’t know.

  FIFTEEN

  “Joanna?” Marcella asked in a quiet voice.

  “What?” her sister snapped.

  “What will happen to me? To us?”

  Joanna took a deep breath and released it. “After I kill your lover, I’m going to get rid of Martin. He has kept a mistress since right after we were married. He knows I’ve been displeased with him, but like the fool he is, he doesn’t care about my feelings. I came to realize while I’ve been laid up in bed, that I don’t need a man in my life. All I need is my loving sister by my side and we can accomplish anything. The two of us will live like queens since we’ll have the Greystone’s fortune. We’ll have men kissing our feet and doing our bidding. We shall never have to rely on them for happiness again.”

  Wesley watched Marcella closely, and it appeared as though she was fighting with her emotions. She struggled to show her sister a pleasant smile as she bunched her hands into fists by her sides. He prayed she would keep her temper under control.

  Marcella took slow steps toward her sister. “I think I would like that.”

  “Indeed, you wo-od...”Joanna slurred, continuing to blink rapidly. “We both dis-deserve this.”

  “We do. And, you are so very clever.” Marcella shrugged. “You have always been the smarter sister. I certainly need you in my life. What would I do without you?”

  Wesley tried not to grin. That’s my girl. Marcella was actually the smarter one, and right now, he was thrilled that she was using her wits to ease Joanna’s anger.

  Joanna swayed again, but she quickly righted herself and focused the pistol back on Wesley. “I shall always be here for you, Cella. You shall never have to imagine what life will be like without me. I’m the only one you can count on.”

  “You look like your arm is hurting,” Marcella said. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. I assure you.” Joanna swung her attention to Wesley and scowled. “Keep digging. You’re too slow.”

  “Forgive me. I’m tired,” he lied and moved the shovel faster. He took a deep breath. “I’m just so, very... very... tired.” He spoke the words slowly, hoping it would have an effect on Joanna and make her more tired as well. When she swayed, he nearly shouted with joy.

  Marcella glanced up. He was certain she’d not be able to see the sky very well, so he wondered what she could possibly be searching for. He couldn’t stop from gazing upward as well.

  “Oh, my,” Marcella said in a soft voice. “Look at the white owl perched on that branch. I’ve never seen one so lovely.”

  He snapped his attention back to Joanna. Thankfully, she took the bait. Tilting her head back, she lifted her eyes heavenward. She swayed, and this time she closed her eyes and crumbled to the ground.

  Marcella gasped and rushed to her sister. Wesley dropped the shovel and hurried to their side, grabbing the pistol out of Joanna’s cold, clammy, and weightless hand.

  “Is she breathing?” he asked in a rush.

  Marcella leaned her face closer to Joanna’s mouth. “I can’t tell.” She switched directions and placed her ear on Joanna’s chest. “I don’t detect a heartbeat.” Her voice conveyed her anguish.

  Wesley moved Marcella’s head so that he could listen. Holding his breath, he tried to hear her heartbeat, but he feared Joanna’s infection had finally claimed her life. Because she had looked up at the owl, this had caused the blood to stop flowing to her head, which was the reason she finally collapsed. Perhaps her body decided to stop working at that exact moment, as well.

  He placed his fingers to her neck, trying to feel for a pulse. Once again, he didn’t feel anything.

  Blowing out a frustrated breath, he sat up and met Marcella’s teary eyes. “My love, I’m afraid she was just too sick. The infection had been in her body for too long. I’m surprised she didn’t die sooner.”

  Marcella’s body shook with silent sobs as tears streamed down her face. He moved closer and gathered her in his arms. “Don’t fret, my love. You know I will take care of you.”

  “I just wish,” she sniffed, “I wish my sister hadn’t killed your father and brother. I can’t believe she was so very evil. What will people think of me when they discover she had killed before, and tried to do it again with you?”

  He kissed her forehead, hating how her crying twisted his heart. “I’ll tell you what.” He withdrew just enough to look into her eyes. “Your sister’s terrible secret will be buried with her. We’ll continue to let the world think that my father and brother died from a sickness.”

  “Truly?” She blinked with wide eyes. “You would do that for her?”

  He shook his head. “I’m doing it for you.” He pressed his lips against her forehead again. “I want you to remember your sister the way she was before, not the way she was tonight. She was not in her right mind. Fever from the infection can make any sane person mad.”

  She nodded. “Thank you so very much. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  “I think I do.” He tightened his arms around her. “And for your happiness, I’ll do anything.”

  The next few minutes she cried in his arms and he comforted her. He studied Joanna’s still form, knowing that he would have to inform Martin about his wife’s death. Wesley would have to make up a story for Martin about how Joanna died—leaving out the fact that she held Wesley at gunpoint, and that she’d killed before. Unfortunately, he had no clue what he was going to say to his cousin, but it needed to be done tonight.

  Clearing her throat, Marcella pulled away from Wesley and looked into his eyes. “We must find Martin now and let him know.”

  Wesley nodded. “I was just thinking the same. But... what shall we tell him?”

  A small smile appeared on her face. “I’d better use my creativity and think of a story quickly. Just go with me and agree with what I say.”

  He stroked her cheek. “I think you need to tell me about your special talent.”

 
She arched an eyebrow. “What special talent?”

  “Writing stories.”

  “Yes, I will, but not now.”

  “I want you to go back inside. I’ll carry your sister back to her room.”

  Marcella nodded and walked slowly back to the house.

  Before leaving the grove, Wesley quickly filled in the hole he’d been digging. Thankfully, he hadn’t dug the hole very deeply.

  Taking Joanna’s body in his arms, he carried her back to the house. His heart swelled with pride for Marcella’s bravery during this situation. No longer was she the shy woman he’d kidnapped. She’d blossomed into a woman who wasn’t afraid to take control over her life. Part of him would miss that shy woman, but he was happy that she had finally come out of her shell.

  THE NEXT MORNING, MARCELLA met Wesley at the bottom of the stair, ready to face Martin and tell him about his wife... as long as he was home, anyway.

  “Good morning, my beauty.” Wesley kissed her lips briefly. “Did you get any sleep?”

  “Very little.” She sighed and leaned against him. “How about you?”

  “Probably a little more than you had.”

  She glanced down the hallway. “Do you know if Martin is home?”

  “He is. He’s nursing a hangover in the study.”

  Exhaling deeply, she squared her shoulders. “Let’s get this over and done with.”

  Wesley slid his arm around her waist as they walked together down the hallway to the study. They neared the study and she slowed her steps just before reaching the door. She peeked her head around the corner and quickly withdrew. Her heartbeat so fast, she thought she was going to pass out, but she kept reminding herself that she could do this. She was much stronger emotionally.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Wesley and gave him a shaky smile. “He’s by himself, reading a book,” she whispered.

  “Do you know what you’re going to say, my love?”

  Sighing, she glanced down at her hands as she wrung them against her middle. “I think so.”

  “You can do this. I believe in you.”

  Her heart melted and she looked back at his face. “That means the world to me.”

  She peeked back into the room one more time before walking inside. When Martin noticed her, he quickly put the book down and stood.

  “Greystone, Miss Bronson. Why are you both here so early?”

  She walked closer to Martin as Wesley followed. “Something terrible has happened.” She wiped away a tear. “Not too long ago, one of the servants came to inform me that Joanna had wandered outside last night. They couldn’t find her, so Wesley and I went to search for her, and we found her...” She sucked in a quick breath and put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Martin. She was dead.”

  His eyebrows creased. “Dead?”

  The pain of what had happened last night filled her again. She wasn’t supposed to think of her sister like she’d been last night, but it was impossible to forget. Tears sprung to her eyes and her body trembled. Wesley’s comforting arm slid around her, pulling her closer. She sobbed and buried her face against his chest.

  “Martin,” Wesley took over, “your wife has been very ill and very weak. We think that’s why she left the house so late at night.” He swallowed hard. “Joanna became delirious yesterday morning while Marcella was visiting with her. We think Joanna’s health gave out on her.”

  Martin’s face paled and he stumbled back against the door. “No. There must be some mistake.”

  Marcella wiped her eyes. “We took her to her room.”

  “We’ll take you to her,” Wesley said.

  He turned to lead the way, but Martin ran past him and up the stairs toward the bedroom. Marcella cried harder, seeing the panic on Martin’s face. Perhaps he really had loved Joanna after all.

  Marcella breathed a little easier as she turned and buried her face against Wesley’s chest. He stroked her hair.

  “You did great,” he said.

  “Thank you for helping me.”

  “Always, my love.” Wesley kissed the top of her head. “Don’t ever forget I’ll always be here for you.”

  EPILOGUE

  One week later

  Marcella could finally breathe—and make it through the whole day without crying. Poor little Lottie didn’t know what was going on, but during Joanna’s funeral, the little girl looked at the casket with tears in her eyes. Marcella knew the girl was thinking of when her own parents died. Marcella kept the girl close, knowing they needed each other desperately now. It was just the two of them since Martin packed his things and moved out, which relieved her greatly.

  Wesley had stayed a few days, but then left to go home to his ranch and get things organized. Apparently, some of the men Martin employed were reluctant to leave, and Wesley wanted to make sure his own men were brought back. Wesley promised Marcella he’d be back within the week, but as each day passed, she feared something had held him up.

  Her heart told her that he really did love her, and yet her mind tried to argue, especially as each day passed. She didn’t have to find a husband as she had a few weeks ago, but now she wanted a husband as long as it was Wesley. She prayed he felt the same.

  Lottie grew restless inside playing with her dolls, and she walked wearily to Marcella and drooped against her, frowning.

  “Cella, I wanna go outside.”

  Smiling, Marcella caressed the girl’s pink chubby cheeks. “Do you want to catch butterflies?”

  Lottie’s eyes widened and she nodded. “Please.”

  She took the girl’s hand and they walked to the front door. As she opened it, she noticed a messenger riding up to the house. Marcella waited for him to dismount and bring over the letter.

  “This is for you, Miss Bronson.”

  “Thank you.”

  Lottie darted out toward the yard while Marcella slowly walked down the porch steps, following her as she opened up the letter. A newspaper article fluttered out, and she quickly stopped it before it fell to the ground.

  How odd... She began reading.

  Lonely Rancher in Colorado Springs looking for a mail-order bride. She must love children and have a kind heart. She must love walks in a secluded grove of trees and sitting on a hillside watching the activity around her through binoculars. She must want a large family and promise to love her husband every day for the rest of her life. Lonely Rancher wants his mail-order bride to smile and laugh and enjoy life. She must enjoy writing and share her stories with everyone. She must have brownish-blonde wavy hair and big brown eyes and answer to the name of Marcella. She must want to marry for love and nothing else except to make her soon-to-be-husband very happy. If Marcella is interested, please shout out yes right now!

  Laughter bubbled inside her and her eyes stung with tears. This could only be one person, which meant...

  She glanced around but didn’t see him. She grinned. He had to be close. Why else would the instructions tell her to shout yes?

  She inhaled, readying her lungs to make this the loudest word she’d ever said.

  “YES!”

  From out of the grove of trees walked Wesley, holding a red rose. He looked breathtakingly handsome, and so much like the rancher he’d told her he was. And she even liked his black felt cowboy hat.

  She laughed and ran toward him. When she neared, he opened his arms and wrapped them around her, lifting her up and swinging her around.

  “Oh, Wesley. I love you so much.”

  “I love you, my blossom.” He kissed her briefly before pulling back and smiling. “Do you think it’s all right if we get married this week? I just can’t wait any longer.”

  She laughed again and hugged him tightly. “We can get married tomorrow for all I care. I just don’t ever want us to be apart again.”

  He winked. “Your wish is my command.” He motioned to the house. “Come on, let’s get you and Lottie packed. There’s no time to waste with our happiness.”

  He sealed the promise with a kiss—
a kiss that she was certain would end back in her bedroom, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered now that she had her little family.

  ~The End~

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  Author’s Bio

  MARIE HIGGINS IS AN award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels that melt your heart and have you falling in love over and over again. Since 2010, she’s published over 80 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-set romance. She’s broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her “Queen of Tease” because of all her twists and unexpected endings.

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