The Debutantes of Durango Box Set Books 1-3

by Peggy McKenzie

  Marianne sat next to Regina on the bed and threw an arm of comfort around her shoulders. “Now, don’t get mad at me. Just hear me out first, alright?”

  Marianne’s questioning gaze had Regina nodding in agreement to listen, but just to listen.

  “Now, the way I see things, John is in a no-win position.”

  Regina took exception to that remark and started to speak when Mari silenced her. “Now, wait. You promised to listen.”

  Regina clamped her jaws tight and did her best to remain silent.

  “Think about your situation this way. You asked him to marry you, which he did. You told me and Roxi that you had feelings for your new husband, and you were secretly hoping he had feelings for you. Have I got the facts straight so far?”

  Regina cut a sharp look to her cousin but remained silent. Mari continued. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Roxi jumped into the conversation next. “Then, when you were hoping he would bed you, he didn’t. That sounds very honorable to me, but let’s continue, shall we? You found out that he had married you, as you had asked him to do, because of a life-changing opportunity he was offered if he married you, which again, you asked him to do—”

  Regina sent her cousin a dirty look, “Will you please stop saying that,” she insisted.

  “—and when he tried to explain himself, you stole away and bought a ticket under someone else’s name so he couldn’t follow you. He couldn’t even send you a letter of explanation. And, if your mother’s report of the events are correct in the letter she sent to our mother, he dared to incur your father’s wrath by going to your house and begging them to tell him where you had gone. Not just once, but time and time again.”

  Regina knew that her mother had written to Aunt Latisha because her aunt had shared the letter with her and her cousins.

  “Now, we ask you. Is that truly fair to the man?” Mari asked.

  She knew there was a grain of truth to her cousins’ comments. She had snuck away while John was giving his speech and she had bought a train ticket in someone else's name so he couldn’t find her. She knew John would try to explain, but she hadn't wanted to listen then. Was she ready now?

  "Regina, are you listening to us?"

  "No. Yes. I’m thinking…about what you’ve said."

  “And what are you thinking? Are you ready to go home?” Roxi asked.

  Regina thought about her cousins’ point of view on the matter. They had some valid points, but—

  “No, I can’t go home. I just can’t be sure whether he married me because he loved me or because someone promised him something.” It was a feeble excuse, even to her own ears.

  Roxi and Mari both shook their heads in exasperation. Perfect mirror images of each other.

  Roxi spoke up. "Or because he was doing a friend a favor? Regina, how can you be so blind? The man has been in love with you since we were children. Every summer when we visited you in Durango, John was always nearby. He wore his heart on his sleeve...for you.”

  Regina shook her head at her romantic cousin’s notions, but her heart took notice and held on tight.

  Mari chimed in, “Regina, you must know he cares for you.”

  “But he lied to me…" Regina persisted in hanging on to as much anger as possible. Reasonable or not.

  “Did he?” her cousins asked in unison.

  “I told you what happened. Of course, he did.”

  “You asked him to marry you and save you from your father’s schemes, and he did. I don’t see the problem,” Mari stated.

  “I asked him to pretend to marry me and he married me for real.” Regina couldn’t see why her cousins were being so thick-headed about the matter.

  “So, let me get this straight. You wanted a temporary fake marriage that would ruin your reputation, and instead, John gave you a real marriage that was legally binding. He gave you his name. He gave you a home of your own. He invited you to help him run his business. He put you in charge of a project that was near, and dear, to his heart.” Mari shook her head. “I’m just not seeing him as a problem, Regina.”

  “The problem is he tricked me. He lied to me. I thought he was the one person I could trust, but he used me just like my father was planning to do.”

  A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. “Come in,” Mari said.

  Regina’s aunt Latisha opened the door and entered the room.

  “There’s a letter here for you, Regina. It arrived by special post. Someone must have something really important to say to you if they were willing to spend that kind of money to have it delivered.”

  Her aunt handed her the packet. Her cousins crowded around while she tore it open. Keys fell out and onto the floor followed by a deed of some sort. And a letter.

  Her heart pounded in her chest. She recognized the handwriting. It was John’s. He had found her. She was both relieved and scared.

  Mari picked up the keys off the floor. “I wonder what these go to?”

  “Read the letter, Regina,” her aunt urged.

  Regina unfolded the parchment paper and began to read.

  “My Dearest Regina,

  I’m deeply sorry you had to learn about my deception in front of the whole town. Durango, and you, deserve better from me. I’m not going to bother making my actions appear honorable. Instead, I admit what I did was selfish. And self-serving. But I want you to also know, I didn’t do it for the reasons you may think.

  You wanted a marriage of convenience on a temporary basis. I wanted a marriage of love and friendship on a very permanent basis. I thought if I could convince you to love me before you found out what I had done, the end would justify the means. I know now that any relationship based upon a lie is doomed to fail. Love is based on truth and trust and I have broken both with you, though I swear to you, my heart was always in the right place.

  You told me once you always wanted a place of your own to call home. A place where you could decide what color the walls are and when dinner is served. A place where your children could grow up happy. I had hoped to share such a place with you, but since that no longer seems possible, I purchased a house I thought you might like. It’s the house on 5th and Elm Street. You know, the big two-story gray one with the giant oak trees out back. I bought it the day of the town hall meeting and I had hoped to surprise you with it after I told you the truth about our marriage.

  I know I let you down, Regina. For that, I’m truly sorry. If we could go back to the night at the debutante’s ball when you first asked me to marry you, I’d say yes the minute you asked. But only if you would agree that our marriage be every bit as real as my love for you.

  I hope you will come home soon. I will wait for you as long as it takes for you to forgive me.

  All my love,

  Your husband, John.

  Regina had no idea she was crying until a tear dropped onto the letter, smearing the ink. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes trying to absorb everything she had read.

  Her aunt and cousins remained quiet for about half a second before Roxi spoke up. “Well, I think that about sums it up. If that doesn’t prove the man loves you, then I don’t know what will. He bought you a house, Regina. A house. And, he gave you the deed. It doesn’t look to me like he’s using you for his own gain. What do you think, Mari? After all, you are the practical one in the family.”

  Mari handed her the keys to the house she’d picked up off the floor. “I think the man is crazy in love with you, Regina. What else matters? He. Loves. You. How often does a love like that come along in a woman’s life?”

  Regina knew what her cousins were trying to do, but could she ever trust him again?

  Mired in confusion and doubt, she sat staring at the letter. Roxi picked up the deed and unfolded it. Another piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor.

  “What’s this?” Mari said and sidled up to her sister to read over her shoulder. Regina was re-reading John’s letter when both cousins turned to face her, the piece of
paper in their hand. The look on their faces pulled Regina up short.

  “What is that? Why are you looking like that?” she asked. When they hesitated to answer, she reached for the paper. The bold type across the top of the document felt as though she had been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer. She scanned the contents of the document and saw John’s bold signature at the bottom.

  “It’s a divorce decree. And it says that John has given me a monthly allowance of whatever I decide is fair. And he signed it.”

  Regina was glad she was still sitting as she stared at the piece of paper in her hand. John was setting her free. He bought her a house and was willing to give her whatever monthly allowance she saw fit without limits or argument.

  “Well? Are you going to let him get away? We know you have feelings for him. Is there anything he can do to right his wrong?” Aunt Latisha asked.

  Regina sat still for a long minute. She thought about everything John meant to her over the years. Friend. Confident. Trusted advisor. Husband. The least she could do was to return to Durango and deliver this divorce decree to him in person. Whether it was signed by her was still up in the air. But she had realized she did have some things to say to him and she needed to say them in person.

  It had been two weeks since he had sent his letter to the address Mrs. Beckett had given him. He had heard nothing back. He sat in his office and stared at the ledger in front of him, but once again he couldn’t seem to focus on the numbers. If only he knew where she was and what she was thinking. Would she forgive him or would the divorce decree he had Will draw up appear in the post instead?

  He stood and paced his office for the hundredth time today. Why couldn’t she see he had loved her long before Ben Scott made his ill-advised proposition? Why the hell couldn’t she see how—"

  “Can I come in?”

  John whirled at the familiar voice.

  “Regina!” He rushed toward her, then stopped, unsure what he should do or why she was here. It was then he saw the divorce decree in her hand. He pushed his fear and regret down deep and waited for his beautiful wife to deliver the bad news he hoped would never come.

  He watched her walk into his office, just as graceful as he remembered. She stood next to one of the chairs in front of his desk and waited.

  John rushed to her side and pulled the chair back away from his desk so she could sit. He was painfully aware when she placed the divorce decree on his desk where he could see it. She hadn’t yet signed it. Was that a promising sign? He sure hoped so.

  He waited for her to settle in her chair and then he returned to his side of the desk.

  “It’s really good to see you, Regina. It seems like years instead of just a couple of months,” he offered, not sure what he should say or do.

  “Thank you, John.” She offered a smile of sorts. It seemed sad and resigned. Was he reading too much into it?

  The awkward silence between them grew until he couldn’t contain himself any longer. “Regina, will you give me a chance to explain? I was going to tell you the night of the fire. And when that didn’t happen, I planned to tell you after the town meeting, but you’d already—”

  “Left?” Regina interjected.

  “Yes. I’m not blaming you. Please don’t think I am. Not at all, but I wanted a chance to explain to you why—”

  “The trouble with such an explanation, John, is that it would have been after the fact. I was already legally married to you, so any explanation you could have shared then would have been too little and too late. Don’t you see that? You took my choice away from me and you made the decision yourself. Just as my father has always done.”

  John’s stomach sank. She was saying goodbye. What could he say? That she was wrong? Yes. And no. He loved her, but he had also betrayed her by marrying her without her permission. He deserved whatever he got at this point.

  “I suppose I can’t disagree with that, as much as I would like to. I know I should have told you the truth and I wanted to, but I made an impulsive decision, probably the first one in a long time, and it cost me more than I ever dreamed.”

  When she didn’t say anything in return, he resigned himself to the reality of his situation. He nodded his understanding of what was happening and turned the divorce papers around so she could have full access to the place where she would sign her name and end their marriage.

  “I hope the terms of our divorce are agreeable with you. If you need more money, later on, you need only to ask. I would never deny you anything.”

  He watched Regina pick up the documents and study them. “Here’s a pen.” He might as well give her the weapon to finish him off. When she took the pen from him, their fingers brushed, and their eyes met.

  “Regina, I know I should have given you the chance to make your own decisions. I should have been honest with you from the very beginning. And, I should have taken you in my arms that night and told you how much I loved you. But I didn’t and I have no one to blame but myself.”

  Regina nodded. “That’s true. I’m certain this situation has taught you never to do something like this again.”

  “Yes. I’ve learned a very valuable and very painful lesson,” John admitted.

  “Good. Then I hope you understand why I have to do this.”

  John’s heart stuttered as the finality of his situation pressed in. “I wish I didn’t, but I do.”

  Regina poised the pen over the place she would sign and end their marriage. He held his breath, knowing that, with the simple stroke of a pen, his life would never be the same.

  Epilogue

  It was early fall and Regina laughed at the children chasing each other around the giant oak tree in the backyard of the house John had bought for the care house for young children school. It was only a few blocks away from the two-story gray house John had bought for her on Fifth and Elm Street.

  She watched as the dozen or so children, ranging in age from three to five years old, played on the rope swings attached to the big sturdy tree. The younger children and babies were inside the house. They all had the privilege of attending the very first care house for young children school in Durango, Colorado.

  Regina watched Charley repair a window someone had broken trying to hit a rock with a sawmill slat. She could see her friend, Mary, through the kitchen window where she and another woman named Charlotte cooked the children’s noonday meal. Regina smiled at the sight. It was a dream come true for her and John.

  “What has you so amused, my beautiful wife?” Shivers of delight ruffled over Regina’s skin as she realized her husband was near. It was as if her thoughts pulled him to her side.

  His strong arms reached around her waist and caressed her rounded belly. She leaned into him relishing the feel of his body against hers.

  “I’m being thankful and selfishly admiring all that we have accomplished. Together.” Her contentment evident in her sigh.

  John’s voice rumbled in his chest when he spoke. “I can imagine our own child playing here someday.”

  “Yes, I want our child to spend time here. I want all of our children to grow up in this neighborhood and in this town making friendships that will last a lifetime. And to always have a connection with family.”

  “Speaking of family,” John gave her waist a gentle squeeze, “I hate to bring this up and spoil your morning, but I heard your father is leaving Durango at the end of the week. Has something happened?”

  Regina nodded her head. “Yes. Father has decided his business acumen is better suited in a larger community. He told Mother he’s wasting his talents in this backwoods community. He’s headed to New York City where he says he has business acquaintances.” Regina doubted anyone who actually knew her father would do business with him, but if he wanted to leave Durango, she certainly wasn’t going to try and stop him.

  “Ah, and your mother? Is she going too?”

  “No, she isn’t.” She spun around and faced her husband. “And before you ask how it’s possible my father wo
uld be so generous to my mother, it seems all those years of keeping silent has allowed my mother to overhear the sordid details of Father’s business dealings. And it seems some of them were not exactly legal.”

  “So, your mother is resorting to a bit of blackmail, is she? I must admit I didn’t know Lila Beckett had it in her, but I’m glad to hear she does.”

  “Speaking of Mother, she came by the house yesterday. It seems she and the members of The Ladies Club of Durango have taken on a new project now that the care house for young children school is up and running.”

  John turned her around and pulled her back into his arms and lay his chin on the top of her head. She loved how his gentle touch made her feel. “And what is that?”

  “They are spending their meetings making hand-stitched quilts, knitted blankets, and crocheted booties for the baby. I swear, our daughter, or son, will never get to wear half the things they’ve made.” Regina marveled at her mother’s willing participation to be the best grandmother she can be.

  “Perhaps you can donate some of them to the care house for young children school. I know there are families who could use the extra clothing.”

  She turned to face her husband again. “That’s a wonderful idea. I should have thought of that myself.” She looked up into her husband’s kind eyes. The pull of their attraction for one another never failed to excite her. She saw the change of his gaze when he looked at her and knew he was feeling it too.

  Her husband’s face stretched into a wide grin. Her eyes dropped to focus on his full lips that begged for her attention.

  “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to have to take you home.”

  His deep voice pulled her gaze back to his. She never grew tired of seeing his love for her shining in those dark depths. She knew what lay in store for her inside her devoted husband’s arms, and she couldn’t stop the shivers of expectation now racing across her body. Truth be told, she didn’t want to stop them.