Olivia’s Obligation: The Alphabet Mail Order Brides

by McKenzie, Peggy

  “Except now it’s with—him,” she said, her voice full of disgust.

  Chance had heard just about enough. “You know, I do have a name and I’d appreciate if you would address me with a little respect. If you think you are the only injured party in this, think again.” He turned his ire toward Hiram next. “I cannot believe you condoned Christopher’s choices. This agreement can’t force me to marry her. It isn’t legal.”

  “Chance, sit down and let me explain the legalities of this situation to you and Miss Palmer.”

  “I don’t want to sit down!” He slammed his fist on the desk in front of him.

  “Chance, please. I think cool heads are needed right now, don’t you?” Hiram insisted.

  Reluctantly, Chance complied. He didn’t like this one bit and he would fight it to the bitter end if need be.

  Chapter 4

  Olivia listened in disbelief as her deceased groom’s will was read. She would never have imagined what Christopher’s intentions would be when she left the only security she had ever known and climbed aboard that train. What had he been thinking? What had she been thinking?

  She supposed in all fairness he hadn’t planned to die, but surely he had known how sick he was. Why on earth would he think she would substitute one groom for another? After all, she and Christopher had grown to be friends through their letters for more than six months. It was true she had never met him in person, but she had a very good idea what kind of man he was and he was very different from this arrogant brother of his. How could two brothers be so diff—

  “Miss Palmer, are you listening? This concerns you too.” Mr. Hanover’s voice pulled her from the nightmare spiraling around her.

  “Yes, Mr. Hanover, I’m—I’m listening.” She sat on the edge of her chair doing her best not to cry even though tears burned her eyes. She wouldn’t give Mr. Smarty-pants the satisfaction of knowing she was just as upset by all of this as he was.

  “You and Chance have every right to refuse this marriage contract. Every right indeed. However, Christopher’s will is iron clad. Liam and I made sure of it. Any actions to have it set aside would be indefensible.”

  “Indefensible?” She needed clarity before she could decide.

  “Yes, that means if you try to fight the will, you will be removed as guardian of the children and any money you accepted from Christopher for the school must be returned.”

  “Returned? But I don’t have the money.” Olivia’s heart pounded in her chest.

  “Well, of course you don’t. Why would anyone expect you to return money you stole—” The abominable man who sat next to her just couldn’t give her the benefit of the doubt, could he?

  Olivia stood and faced the jackass sitting next to her. “I’ve heard just about enough from you, Mr. Garrison. I’ll have you know that Christopher and I have—had a relationship, albeit long distance. And I’ll also have you know I’ve never stolen a damn thing in my life—my entire life which would include the last six months since he and I have been conversing through letters.

  “But perhaps the most important bit of information your suspicious mind is missing, is the fact that Christopher and I had an agreement—a business agreement, and I have followed that agreement to the letter of the law.

  “I will admit I took money from Christopher, but I did it to start the school he wanted. You do know what a school is, don’t you, Mr. Garrison? It’s where they educate little girls and boys how to play nice with others. It’s a lesson you seem to have missed.”

  She glared at the man, and when he didn’t respond, she kept going.

  “I have spent every penny of Christopher’s money on the preparations of starting that school and Christopher has—had the receipts to prove it. I made certain every transaction was documented to the best of my ability. So, instead of stabbing at me with your innuendos, why don’t you locate those receipts so we can both move on from this nightmare? In fact, I insist.”

  Olivia sat back down and faced Mr. Hanover’s desk. Her chin quivered with emotion but she kept her eyes forward, careful not to blink for fear of spilling her burning tears down her cheeks.

  “Rest assured, Miss Palmer. All of your transactions have been duly noted and documented by Christopher. He was a very fastidious businessman.” Mr. Hanover explained.

  She shot a look to the man sitting next to her that said, “I told you so”.

  The silence in the room made her uncomfortable. She wanted to speak but the lump in her throat was too great. She took a deep breath, hoping to settle her emotions into a more manageable level. She would not break down in front of this odious—

  “Miss Palmer.” Chance Garrison shifted in his chair.

  “Miss Palmer, are you listening?” He just had to be in control, didn’t he?

  “No, Mr. Garrison, I’m not listening to anything you have to say. What more can you possibly say that you haven’t said already? Aren’t you tired of verbally flogging me by now? It’s getting rather tedio—”

  “Miss Palmer, if you will please stop talking long enough for me to get my words out, I’m trying to apologize.”

  Olivia thought she might be losing her mind. Was this how it happened? Did a person hear things that weren’t real just before they went mad?

  She turned to look at Chance Garrison. He refused to meet her gaze. Instead, he stood and paced the room, occasionally stopping to study the spine of one of the books on the shelf behind Mr. Hanover’s desk.

  She didn’t know how to respond to the man so she remained quiet. She looked at Mr. Hanover across the desk in question. He smiled at her and sat back in his chair as if to see what would happened next.

  After a few moments, Christopher’s brother spoke, his eyes still studying the books on the shelves. “I didn’t know the money was for a school. Christopher had spoken to me several times over the past few months about starting a school, but he never said anything about—”

  “Giving money to a criminal?” She knew she was being petty but she couldn’t stop the words from coming out of her mouth.

  He didn’t answer and kept looking at the books, pulling one off the shelf and then putting it back. She was fairly certain he could care less about the books. He was trying to figure all of this out as much as she was. It was a lot to take in. She supposed she could be the bigger person.

  “I suppose an apology is in order from me as well, Mr. Garrison. Please. Forgive me. I’m not usually the shrewish harpy you see before you. I suppose it’s the shock of stepping off the train yesterday to learn of Christopher’s death. And, then to learn you are—”

  “Christopher’s brother? Believe me, you aren’t the first to be astounded by that fact.” He faced her and offered her a smile of sorts. His expression was one of sadness. “I’m still reeling from the news of Chris’s death. But, even that’s no excuse for my boorish behavior.”

  Olivia was touched by the man’s grief. “Please, accept my apology as well, Mr. Garrison.”

  He gave her a nod of sorts. She assumed that meant he agreed. His next words validated her assumption.

  “It seems we have gotten off on the wrong foot and with the present situation before us, it would behoove us to work together, at least for Chris’s children, don’t you think?”

  Olivia studied the man leaning against the bookshelf watching her. It must have been her surprised expression at his comment he found amusing. This time he grinned. A full on white-toothed grin and twin dimples to boot. The transformation of his face was immediate and so was her attraction to him.

  She felt her face flush and then admonished herself for falling prey to his good looks.

  “It seems my brother has developed an odd sense of humor, unbeknownst to us, wouldn’t you agree, Miss Palmer?”

  “I suppose I would, Mr. Garrison. It seems we both received a good solid punch to the gut today.”

  “I would not disagree with you there, ma’am,” he conceded.

  The room was quiet once again and Olivia fel
t she should say something to keep communication going. “Despite our unfortunate interaction on the train, and yesterday at your brother’s home, Christopher has spoken quite fondly of you in his letters. I feel perhaps we both may have...misjudged each other.”

  He gave her a gentlemanly bow. “Again, Miss Palmer, I would not disagree.”

  Mr. Hanover took control. “Very encouraging. Very encouraging, indeed. Now that both of you know what’s at stake, how would you like to proceed? As I said before, neither of you are bound by Christopher’s will. You can choose to decline this marriage agreement, but if you do, there will be legal consequences. Are you ready to proceed, Miss Palmer?”

  Olivia had no idea how to proceed. Madame Wigg had instilled in her an iron will to protect her convictions and her reputation. If she entered into this marriage contract, the terms would have to be equitable for them both. She would be an equal partner with equal say or she would go back to New York City, get a job, and repay Christopher’s money when she was able.

  “Yes, Mr. Hanover, I am ready to proceed, but I do have some demands.”

  * * *

  Chance was fascinated as he watched Miss Palmer successfully negotiate the details of their marriage contract. He had misjudged her again. It was clear she was not a petty criminal or an innocent school teacher. She was a savvy businesswoman who knew what she wanted and exactly how to get it, and it was also clear she intended to preserve her reputation. His admiration for the woman was a surprise.

  Miss Palmer asked Hiram to add a clause into the contract that stated if the marriage contract failed, she would still be considered a married woman.

  Chance was quite impressed by her reasoning. She explained that if she remained in a married status should Chance go back to Boston, she would be protected from unwanted advances of men who might think her an easy target.

  “After all, a woman alone with four children and a nice home might invite unscrupulous ne’r do wells to insinuate themselves into my life if they thought there would be no retribution from my husband.”

  He had to admit, her reasoning was sound, at least from a woman’s perspective, he supposed. A tiny pinch of guilt nudged at his sense of fair play since he had every intention of returning home with his brother’s children in tow. He just hadn’t figured out how that was going to happen now with this ridiculous contract in place. Unless he could get her to concede—

  Mr. Hanover pushed the new marriage contract toward him for his signature. He took the pen his brother’s attorney handed him and hesitated, his plan to sabotage the woman still forming in his mind.

  “Do you have a question, Chance?” Liam asked him.

  Chance thought a minute. If he could force Miss Palmer to leave the marriage contract first, then he would be free to return home and take the children with him. How could he make that happen if this stubborn woman was so determined to stay?

  And suddenly, it came to him. She had insisted on the façade of respectability within this marriage contract. And what could ruin any chance at respectability for her as a happily married wife than him flaunting his real, or imagined, infidelity about town. Her carefully constructed plans would come crashing down around her. She would be forced to leave town or become the town’s pariah. Yes, this just might work.

  He lay the pen down on the desk and pretended to ponder Liam’s question.

  “Yes, I do have one or two.” He cut a look to Miss Palmer trying to gauge what her reaction would be.

  “Please, ask your question, Mr. Garrison. We can’t keep walking on eggshells with each other if we are going to work together, now can we?” This woman’s confidence was unnerving. He wasn’t used to women displaying their intelligence.

  “Very well. My concern is what can happen if this agreement between Miss Palmer and myself doesn’t...work out. I mean, we are strangers....” He let his words drift off while he searched for a way to say what he was really asking.

  Miss Palmer answered his question for Mr. Hanover. “Mr. Garrison, it is up to us as the adults to set examples in deportment for Christopher’s young children. Their welfare will always take precedence over any desires you or I may have.”

  His gaze jerked up to meet hers. Her cheeks blushed. She knew what he was thinking. Damn the woman.

  “I can assure you that I’m not seeking a romantic relationship, Mr. Garrison. I hold an aversion to marriage as strong, if not stronger, than your own. Your brother filled me in on your vow of bachelorhood, so I think we see eye-to-eye on that subject.

  “That’s the only reason I feel we have a chance to make this agreement work. We are going into it with our eyes wide open, our brains fully informed and our...expectations of the heart clear. Agreed?”

  Chance studied the young woman sitting next to him. He didn’t know whether to be happy or disappointed with her assessment of the situation.

  All his life he had run from the clutches of women with matrimony on their minds. Now, he would be sharing his life with this mysterious beauty who couldn’t be clearer that she had absolutely no designs on him. He should be happy, and yet….

  “Are there any more questions or concerns you would like to address, Chance?” Hiram’s question penetrated his thoughts.

  “No, I don’t think so. But I would be amiss if I didn’t ask what would happen exactly if one of us, or both, decides this arrangement is untenable. What are the consequences if one of us should want out of this contract?”

  “The consequences are spelled out on the second page of the new marriage contract. The terms come straight from Christopher’s will. If one of you decides to terminate the agreement, that person’s duties and responsibilities will be transferred to the other person.”

  “Are you saying that if I go back to Boston, Christopher’s fortune goes to her?”

  Miss Palmer practically smirked at him. “Now, Mr. Garrison. I think that seems a bit dramatic, don’t you? I hardly think your brother was getting rich on making stained-glass windows.” The woman practically rolled her eyes at him. She acted as if she were talking to one of her students. Well, he was about to give the teacher a lesson because it was obvious she didn’t know everything.

  “Miss Palmer, you have bragged more than once about getting to know my brother through his letters. It seems he didn’t trust you enough to share the fact that he and I inherited a very large estate from our parents. Christopher worked in stained glass because he liked to, not because he needed to.” There. That should set the woman back on her heels.

  But he didn’t get any satisfaction from the shocked looked on her face. Instead, he felt like a playground bully. It seems the little school teacher hadn’t a clue about Christopher’s money. She had agreed to come to a remote mining town to marry a man she had never met to raise his children and build a school thinking he made his living in stained glass. That was not something the women he was used to would do. Not at all. Could he have been wrong about her?

  “Chance? Do you have more questions or are you ready to sign?” Hiram asked.

  There was no way in hell he was going to stay married to this woman and live here in Creede. He had a life in Boston and would want to return at some point. In order to do that, he needed her to call it quits. If she was so interested in appearances, perhaps a cheating husband would do the trick after all.

  “Well, I suppose I do have another question that may be of a more delicate nature.” Chance danced around the subject.

  “Go ahead. I think, considering our circumstances, this won’t be the first conversation we have that could be considered delicate,” Miss Palmer offered.

  He had to admit he liked her sense of practicality. She didn’t appear to be a woman prone to histrionics. And he certainly didn’t need to worry about her putting him in a compromising position to trap him into marriage. His brother had done that for her. But he was convinced over time, she would tighten the marriage noose around his neck and slowly strangle him to death. After all, she was still a woman, wasn’t sh
e?

  “I think we can both agree this arrangement is unconventional. And our agreement is of a strictly business nature. I mean there won’t be any disillusionment about either of us being enamored with the other—”

  He watched the woman’s understanding revealed on her face. “No, Mr. Garrison, there is no possibility of disillusionment. This is a business arrangement between the two of us. I have no expectations regarding the marriage part of this contract.

  “The last thing I intend to do is to share my bed with a stranger. I’m perfectly content to focus on my school and my new children. I release you from your vow of fidelity, but I would ask, for the sake of appearances, you keep your activities discreet. As a teacher and a mother, I will have a reputation to uphold. Does that settle your concerns?”

  He looked at Hiram who raised his eyebrows in question. It seemed everything had been settled to his satisfaction. She had made it easy for him to set his plan into motion. So why did he feel that he was the one who had just been cheated?

  Chapter 5

  The ink wasn’t even dry on the contract when Mr. Hanover sent Liam for the preacher.

  Olivia protested. “I haven’t had a chance to unpack my wedding dress. Can’t we get married tomorrow?” This was a little unnerving. She was the one who was usually in control.

  “Nonsense, my dear. I can assure you Mrs. Hanover will have a wedding put together by noon,” Mr. Hanover said, grinning. “That wife of mine loves a challenge.” Then he rushed off to share the news. If the squeal from the parlor down the hall was any indication, the challenge had been accepted.

  Olivia realized she and Mr. Garrison were alone in Mr. Hanover’s office. Should she say something? Should she just go upstairs and prepare for her wedding? She was still wondering what to do when her groom-to-be spoke.

  “Well, it looks like you have done it now, haven’t you, Miss Palmer.”

  “I suppose I have, Mr. Garrison. I suppose we both have.”