His Chosen Bride (Love Inspired Historical)

by Rhonda Gibson

  Mrs. Englebright waved her comment away. “The only thing I’m good at is quilting and most women can do that.”

  “Most women can cook, too,” Beth replied.

  Mark used his finger to wipe up the extra apple on his plate. “Ma, may I have more, please?”

  Beth looked down on her young man. Pride shone in her eyes. “Yes, but only a small piece and then off to bed with you.”

  Levi watched as the boy scooped out a nice size slice of pie and began devouring it like a hound dog pup. Depending on when he married, Levi realized he could have a child by this time next year. His gaze moved to Millie. He still hadn’t approached her about a marriage of convenience.

  The comforting sound of silverware scraping plates filled the otherwise quiet room. Everyone seemed content to savor the pie without speaking. They also didn’t seem to notice that he was admiring Millie.

  Millie looked up at him and blushed, then diverted her eyes back to the dessert in her hands. She finished the pie and took her plate to the sideboard. He admired the gentle swaying of her dress as she moved to the table where Mark had been playing. Millie studied the pieces of the puzzle. Her brow scrunched up as if she were in deep thought.

  “What hidden talents do you possess, Millie?” Mrs. Englebright brought everyone’s attention back to the subject at hand.

  She looked up with a start. “Oh, I don’t know.”

  Levi walked back to the stool and sat down. “Sure you do.” He winked at her. “Millie is a fair artist.”

  “Is that right?” Mr. Lupin seemed to take an interest in that bit of information. He and Beth joined the group, each taking a seat at one end of the couch.

  “What kind of art?” Mark asked around a mouthful of pie.

  Millie graced him with a grin. “Mainly, I draw and paint.”

  Mark set his empty plate down and asked, “Can we see something you’ve done?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t have anything finished right now to show you.” She folded her hands in her lap and turned the question on Mark. “What hidden talents do you have, young man?”

  “Aw, I don’t have any that I know of.” He picked up a piece of the puzzle and placed it with its match. “Will you teach me how to draw, Miss Millie?”

  She mussed his hair with her long fingers. “Sure I will.”

  Beth stood. “Come along, Mark. It’s time good little boys went to bed.”

  “I don’t want to be good,” Mark protested, taking his mother’s hand.

  Beth chuckled. “Too late. You were born good. Now tell everyone good-night.”

  “’Night, Mr. Levi. ’Night, Mrs. Englebright, ’night, Mr. Lupin, ’night, Miss Millie.” He sighed dramatically and allowed his mother to pull him from the room.

  “He really is a cute little tyke, isn’t he?” Mrs. Englebright pushed herself up from her chair and went to put away her dessert plate.

  Millie picked up one of the puzzle pieces. “Levi, do you have boards like this in your shop?”

  He glanced at the puzzle. “Some, why?”

  “I’d like to borrow a piece. I want to see if I can draw on it.”

  “Let me get a closer look at that.” Levi stood up and walked to where she sat. He didn’t really need to look at the wood but felt compelled to get closer to Millie. She held the wood up for his inspection. “That’s a piece of plywood. I’m pretty sure I have a couple of pieces lying around the shop.”

  Mrs. Englebright sat down at the piano. “I wish I had learned to play one of these.” She sighed and pressed a couple of the keys.

  Levi handed the wood back to Millie. “I’ll get it for you tomorrow.”

  She put the puzzle down and said, “Thank you.” Millie walked to where Mrs. Englebright sat looking at a page of sheet music. “If you really want to learn, I could teach you,” she offered, sitting down beside her on the bench.

  The older woman’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to learn.”

  “If you will all excuse me, I think I’ll head on up to my room,” Mr. Lupin said and then drained the remainder of his coffee.

  As soon as he was gone, Mrs. Englebright whispered, “Do you think he thought the lessons were going to begin tonight?”

  Millie’s sweet laughter joined the older woman’s. “I don’t know.” She placed her hands on the keys and began to play “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

  Mrs. Englebright began to sing, and Millie’s soft voice blended in with hers. Levi found himself joining in. They sang the whole song. When Millie stopped playing, they turned at the sound of clapping. Beth stood in the doorway. “That was beautiful.”

  “Join us,” Mrs. Englebright invited.

  They sang several more songs and were about to call it a night when someone knocked on the front door. Beth looked to Levi, and he nodded.

  “I’ll go with you. I’m sure it’s safe, but at this time of night there is no telling who might be standing on the other side of the door.” He followed Beth to the front door, aware that both Mrs. Englebright and Millie were following them.

  Beth reached for the doorknob.

  “No, I’ll open it,” Levi ordered. He didn’t like that three women might be standing in harm’s way.

  “Thank you.” Beth smiled at him and stepped back. She motioned for the other two women to stand off to the side.

  Levi opened the door. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Susanna Marsh stood on the other side. She held a small suitcase in her hands and a big smile graced her pretty face.

  “Good evening, Mr. Westland.”

  Realizing he was staring, Levi pulled the door farther open and allowed her inside. The strong smell of roses entered the room with her. “Mrs. Marsh, what are you doing in town?” he asked, realizing as the words were spoken that they didn’t sound inviting.

  She batted her eyelashes at him. “I decided I’m not cut out for ranch life, Mr. Westland, so I asked Mr. Tucker to escort me into town. I’m looking for a room.”

  Levi looked to Beth. He wondered if she or the other ladies could see the panic he felt in his eyes. His mother had set this up. She’d been so smug at dinner, he should have known that if he didn’t go to the ranch, then she would send the women to him.

  He felt a groan grow in his chest and suppressed the desire to release it. What was he going to do if all three mail-order brides moved into town?

  Chapter Eight

  Millie had moved to the stairs and was about to go up when Levi opened the door. She now stood watching him to see what his reaction was to one of the mail-order brides arriving on his doorstep. Apprehension flashed through his eyes and his breathing accelerated.

  “You don’t have to look so distressed, Mr. Westland. Your mother has offered to continue to pay my expenses while I’m living here. She really is a generous woman,” Susanna pressed.

  Beth took over the situation. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Marsh, but I don’t have any available rooms at this time.” She gently moved between Levi and Susanna. “But I’m sure the hotel has a room you can stay in tonight.”

  A frown marred Susanna’s pretty features. “I see. I’d hoped to stay at your lovely boardinghouse, Mrs. Winters. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about it. Are you sure you are full?”

  “Thank you, and yes, I’m afraid I am,” Beth answered more firmly.

  Millie watched Levi visibly relax. It looked as if he’d been holding his breath.

  His voice came out steady as he said, “I’m sure Mr. Tucker won’t mind escorting you to the hotel, Mrs. Marsh.” Levi started to walk to the stairs toward Millie.

  “But I sent him back to the ranch.”

  Millie watched frustration, anger and the fight to calm himself war for first place on Levi’s handsome face. He took a deep breath. Again, she felt sorry for him. She knew what it was like to be manipulated by another.

  She moved past him and offered, “I’ll walk you to the hotel, Mrs. Marsh. It isn’t that far from here and I could use the fresh air.” Millie noticed Susanna wor
e a lightweight traveling jacket. “If you will excuse me, I’ll go get my cloak and be ready to go in a minute.”

  Susanna’s voice stopped her on the stairs. “That really isn’t necessary. Besides, you’ll have to walk home alone if you go with me.”

  “I’ll grab my coat and will walk with you both,” Levi responded.

  Susanna pursed her lips but didn’t protest further. Millie continued up the stairs. She heard Levi’s boots as he followed her.

  When they got to her floor, Levi reached out and stopped her. “You don’t have to go, Millie. I can walk her to the hotel,” he offered.

  Millie studied him for several moments. “Would you like to be alone with her?” She didn’t think that was his intention, but then again, with his mother pressuring him to make a decision, maybe he did want to spend time alone with the young widow.

  “Of course not, but I don’t want you to feel you have to go, either.” He dropped his hand from her arm. “She is my responsibility.”

  Levi Westland really was a good man. He didn’t want to be alone with Susanna but he also didn’t want Millie to feel she had to go. For the first time since she met him, Millie thought she was seeing the true kindness that made up Levi. “I’ll get my cloak and be right down.”

  A relieved look crossed his handsome features. He nodded and continued up the stairs to his own rooms and coat.

  Her cloak hung just inside the door on a small hook. She pulled it on and then relocked her door. Millie tried to remember what she’d learned about Susanna when she’d been out at the ranch. The only thing that came to mind was that she enjoyed sewing and thought of herself as an excellent wife.

  Everyone was waiting at the foot of the stairs when she arrived. Levi looked handsome in his light brown coat. Beige patches covered each elbow, and his hands were tucked deeply into his pockets.

  Susanna smiled sweetly up at her as she descended the stairs. “You really don’t have to come with us, Millie.”

  Millie stepped off the last step and linked her arm within Susanna’s. “Oh, but I want to. I would love to hear more about your sewing abilities.” She opened the door and practically pulled Susanna through it.

  Levi followed behind them as Millie made their way down the walkway. She thought she heard him chuckle but wasn’t sure until Susanna twisted around to see him better.

  “There really isn’t much to tell, Millie.” She tugged at her arm.

  Millie refused to let her go. “That’s where you are wrong. I’ve never been very good with a needle and thread. Did your mother teach you?” She offered what she hoped was her sweetest smile.

  “Mr. Westland, you are welcome to join us up here,” Susanna called over her shoulder, once more trying to see Levi behind them.

  “I’m perfectly fine back here, ladies. You go on. I’ll catch up.”

  “Levi’s been cooped up in the house with us women all evening. I’m sure he’s just enjoying this fresh air.” Millie tugged on Susanna’s arm to get her attention once more.

  The widow frowned at Millie. “No, I am self-taught when it comes to sewing.”

  “That’s how I learned to draw,” Millie confessed. She pressed on. “Mother didn’t approve of me learning any type of art, so what I learned, I learned from books that Papa sneaked to me.”

  “So your father didn’t mind you drawing?” Susanna asked. She seemed resigned to the fact that Levi wouldn’t be joining them.

  “Not at all. He said I had real talent, but Papa also didn’t want Mother to know that I was secretly learning.” They walked in silence for several moments while Millie thought about what she’d just revealed.

  Papa had kept her drawings to himself. When she was younger, she’d given him several of her favorites. Now Millie wondered what he’d done with them.

  She smiled at Susanna again. “I’m planning on opening an art gallery here in Granite. Maybe you could open a dress shop. I noticed we have a sewing store, I bet you could buy all kinds of supplies from there.”

  Millie saw the idea she’d just planted take root in Susanna’s mind. She slowly released the other woman’s arm and chanced a glance back at Levi. He was still about ten paces behind them, but his gait was slow and steady. She knew that if they needed him, he’d make up the space in a heartbeat.

  “I do like that idea. Do you really think I could do that, Millie?” Susanna patted her lips with the ring finger of her right hand.

  “Why not?” Millie asked, pulling her gaze from Levi and focusing again on Susanna.

  Susanna dropped her hand. “Because I don’t have the money to start.” She sighed. Her gaze moved back to Levi. She lowered her voice so only Millie would hear. “That’s why I need a husband.”

  They stood in front of the hotel. Susanna looked up at it with a nervous grin.

  Millie linked arms with her again. “Come on, let’s get you settled.” She lowered her voice and said, “Let’s think on that dress shop. Maybe we’ll find a solution to your money problems that doesn’t involve a husband.”

  Half an hour later, Millie and Levi headed back to the boardinghouse. She was tired and more than ready to fall into her nice warm bed.

  She pulled her cloak tighter about her body. Now that she wasn’t walking fast or pulling someone else along, Millie could feel the chill in the air. The moon hung low in the night sky, casting a white glow over them as they walked.

  “Thank you for what you did tonight.” Levi buried his hands deeper into his pockets.

  Millie grinned. “I didn’t do that much.”

  “I think you did more than you know,” Levi said, staring up into the night sky.

  Her gaze moved upward, but unlike him, Millie felt she had to watch where she was walking and quickly brought her focus back to earth. “You’re making too much of it, Levi. All I did was accompany you and Susanna to the hotel.”

  He stopped and turned to face her. “It was more than that, Millie. Mother set it up. If I had walked her to the hotel alone, both she and Mother would have made a bigger deal out of the walk than what it was and to save Mrs. Marsh’s reputation, my choice in a bride would have been made for me.”

  Millie looked at him in disbelief. “You really think your ma would use that situation to force you to marry Mrs. Marsh?”

  Sadness entered his eyes. “I believe so, yes.”

  “Why would she do such a thing?” Millie felt his hurt. She couldn’t explain how she felt it, but she did.

  Levi turned from her and began walking once more. “This afternoon she came to try to talk me into visiting the ranch more often so that I could get to know the ladies. I refused. I know my ma well and saw in her eyes that she was up to something. Mrs. Marsh’s arrival tonight was just the beginning of Mother’s plans.”

  “I see.” Millie had thought it odd that Susanna had only brought an overnight bag with her. Thinking out loud, she asked, “Do you think someone from the ranch will bring the rest of her things to town tomorrow?”

  He shook his head. “No, I think she’ll ask me to drive her out there tomorrow to get them.”

  “So that she can spend more time with you. Very clever.” The sound of their feet on the boardwalk was the only sound in the still night. “But why Susanna? Why not one of the other ladies? And I wonder how Emily and Anna Mae feel about this new development.”

  “Mother would have picked Mrs. Marsh because she’s twenty-five years old and the oldest. If I remember correctly, Emily is twenty-three and Anna Mae is twenty.” He stopped in front of the gate and held it open for her.

  Millie thought about Bonnie Westland. If she considered Anna Mae and Emily too young for Levi, she would have been terribly unhappy if Millie had gone ahead and married him. There were eleven years between their ages.

  “As for how the other ladies feel, I have no idea. They may not even be aware that Mrs. Marsh has left the ranch. I’m sure she left after supper. Ma would have hurried home and then sent Tucker and Mrs. Marsh to town as quick as possible.”
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  As she passed him, the scent of pine and warmth flooded Millie’s senses. “But wouldn’t they miss her when she didn’t come to bed?”

  Once more Levi shook his head. “No, Ma gave them all their own rooms. With Daniel and me out of the house, she has three empty bedrooms.” His voice sounded defeated. “Maybe with some sleep, I’ll figure out what to do about Mrs. Marsh tomorrow.” He held the front door open for her.

  Millie walked past him and to the stairs. “I’ll pray that God will help you through this time, Levi.”

  His eyes searched hers. For a brief moment, his smile slipped. Then he brought it back into place, but within the depths of his eyes she saw that he really would like that prayer answered.

  “My papa always says, ‘God’s plans don’t always feel right, but if they are His plans they will always work out to our good.’” She paused and considered the rest of the saying before speaking it. “‘And, if they aren’t His plans, He will take what was meant for evil and turn it around for good.’” Millie didn’t know why she was telling Levi what her Papa said, but at this moment it felt like the right thing to say.

  Levi studied her, and the look of hurt and confusion slowly melted from his eyes. The dimples came back in full force, and he chuckled. “Thank you, Millie. I keep forgetting that God is in control. And when you see your papa next time, thank him for me.”

  Millie nodded. “Good night, Levi.” She turned to go to her room. This evening had turned out different from how she’d planned. Her plans had been to go to bed early and get a good night’s sleep. But now she wasn’t sure if she could sleep at all.

  Levi wasn’t the only one who kept forgetting God was in control. When would she learn to lean on Him? Why did her fears of being controlled continue to haunt her? Why couldn’t she trust God to make sure that if she married it would be a marriage of love and not control? And why did she think that it could all happen overnight?

  * * *

  The next morning Levi came downstairs feeling refreshed and carefree. After his talk with Millie, he’d gone to his room and prayed. He’d poured his heart out to the Lord and asked Him to take control of this situation and then he’d fallen asleep so fast, he’d forgotten to turn down his light.