"Mrs Crawford. I didn't know you were here," he exclaimed.
Rachel twisted and stared, wide eyed, at Martha.
"What are you doing here, Martha?"
Martha looked down at her sister. "I might ask you the same question, young lady," she stated firmly.
Rachel flashed a look at Brook who was rubbing his chin nervously, and refusing to look at either sister.
"Mr Brook and I are merely passing some time on this lovely bench," said Rachel, fanning herself with a hand.
"Passing time away from our guests," Martha observed.
"Your guests? I thought I was on one of them," said Rachel.
Mr. Brook stood and straightened his jacket. "If you'll excuse me ladies, I should be getting back..."
"I don't think so Mr. Brook," Martha said, fixing him with a firm look.
Mr. Brook looked upwards, suddenly taking a strong interest in the trees over his head.
"Martha. Please don't speak to Mr. Brook in that tone," Rachel demanded.
"I will address Mr. Brook in any way I see fit, Rachel. I have to say I am disappointed in you."
Rachel stood up and planted her feet in the soft earth, seemingly ready to defend herself. Martha suddenly thought that it was somehow touching that Rachel felt so strongly that she was willing to take a stand on this issue. She had seen Rachel like this so many times, and it genuinely touched Martha's heart that Rachel felt something for Mr. Brook. But Rachel wasn't seeing things right. She just wasn't. And it was up to Martha to help her understand that there was no future with Mr. Brook.
"Rachel. You know that I've always looked after you. I've always done the best I can for you," Martha said, reaching out to touch Rachel's arm. Rachel pulled away, and Martha felt a stab of concern at the gesture.
"But that's the problem, Martha. You're always there. I need to be able to make my own decisions," Rachel said, her voice breaking slightly.
Mr. Brook took a few steps, as if to make his way off, but Martha gave him a look that stopped him in his tracks.
"And you will make your own decisions, Rachel. I promise. It's just that..." Martha paused, looking at Mr. Brook. She had never seen a man who so desperately wanted to be somewhere else. The very fact that he wasn't even standing up for Rachel, or making any kind of declaration, proved Martha's point better than any words she could have spoken.
Rachel looked questioningly at Brook. Martha saw the look on Rachel's face as she realized that Brook just wanted to be somewhere else. Rachel's features softened, and she looked back at Martha.
"Hettie wants to see you, Rachel," Martha said softly. "She's got something to tell you."
Rachel looked puzzled. Brook took a step away and bowed slightly. "If you'll excuse me," he muttered.
Rachel looked at him and nodded silently. It was all Brook needed, and in a moment he was gone, his footsteps rustling the leaves underfoot as he made his way out of the grove.
Rachel looked at Martha for a second. Martha saw the moistness in her sister's eyes and opened her arms.
"Rachel. I'm sorry. But it's for the best," she said.
Rachel threw herself into Martha's arms. Martha embraced her sister and held her tightly, feeling the soft shaking, and hearing the quiet sobs.
Eventually Martha sat Rachel down on the bench and they talked for a while. Rachel told Martha of how Mr. Brook had taken every opportunity to talk with her; how he had met her, apparently by accident, in the town on one occasion; how he had made his feelings for her so plain that Rachel hadn't known what to think.
"He seemed like such a pleasant man," Rachel sobbed.
Martha stroked Rachel's blonde hair. "Logan and Hettie would beg to differ," she said.
"How could I be so stupid?" Rachel groaned.
Martha frowned and looked at Rachel. "You are not stupid. You never have been, and you never will be. Don't you forget that," she told Rachel.
Martha let Rachel rest her head on her shoulder. Rachel breathed softly, and Martha gave her time to settle. It had been a difficult and awkward experience for Rachel, but Martha knew that her sister would be stronger and wiser for it.
Martha knew she had done the right thing. It hadn't been the first time, and it wouldn't be the last. Her thoughts went to the future, and what she was going to do for Rachel. She knew that Hettie would have some options for Rachel to consider; the matchmakers would come through in the end. Martha would make sure of that.
Brook wasn't the right kind of man for Rachel, no matter how handsome he was. Martha's suspicions about the man had been proven right. She wondered what Logan would do, and a knot of worry appeared in her. She hoped that Logan wouldn't do anything untoward to Mr. Brook. Deep down, she knew he wouldn't. Her husband wasn't that kind of man. He would deal with Brook the way she had seen him deal with other situations; with wisdom and calm, prudent judgment.
Martha thought of Rachel returning to Cassie's home, and felt concerned. It was going to be hard for Rachel to be there without Martha's guiding hand. Cassie had enough to deal with, and Martha wasn't sure how Rachel would react to the incident with Mr. Brook. There was only one solution that Martha could think of.
"I have a suggestion to make," Martha said.
Rachel lifted her head and squinted at Martha through moist eyelashes.
"Why don't you come live with us?" Martha suggested.
Rachel's eyes widened. "Really? You mean it?"
Martha smiled at her younger sister. "Of course I mean it. There's plenty of room here at the ranch. We can give you one of the rooms upstairs."
Rachel sat bolt upright. "I can have a room to myself?"
Martha loved to see Rachel excited, and this time was no exception. "Sure you can. Logan and I would love to have you stay with us until things get sorted out," Martha said.
Rachel knew exactly what "things" Martha was referring to. Finding a husband.
Rachel smiled, and Martha's heart warmed to see the transformation in her.
Rachel stood up and twirled around, her dress fanning out with a flash of movement and color. "Oh Martha, I'd love to. Are you sure Logan won't mind? I mean you two have only just married and all," Rachel asked.
Martha shook her head, and went to Rachel placing a reassuring hand on Rachel's shoulder. "Of course he won't mind. He thinks you're wonderful. We only want the best for you. You'll love it here."
Rachel spun around once again and stopped suddenly. She craned her head, looking up at the house, perhaps imagining what room she could move into.
"We'll get Ethan to bring you and your things here in the next few days," Martha stated.
Rachel hugged Martha. "Oh! Thank you Martha. I'll be good. I promise," she said.
"You just be yourself. That's what is important. Don't feel you have to put on an act just because you're staying with us. I know it's been hard for you. But things are going to get better. You wait and see," Martha said.
Rachel smiled. "How did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful sister?" she asked.
Martha's face flushed. "Don't you go saying things like that. You'll make me cry," she said.
Rachel kissed Martha on the cheek. "Thank you Martha. I won't let you down," she promised.
Martha hooked her arm inside Rachel's. "Come on. Let's get back to the party. Hettie wants to have a word with you," she said.
Rachel smiled. "I don't know whether to be happy or worried by that," she joked.
Martha tugged on Rachel's arm and they started toward the house. "Come on and let's see what she has to say to you," she said.
Later, after the celebration was over, Logan and Martha stood on the porch as all their guests busied themselves getting ready to leave. Everyone thanked Logan and Martha for a wonderful time.
"What's happened to Brook?" she asked Logan. She hadn't seen Brook since he had walked away from her in the garden.
Logan raised himself up straight. "Fired him. That's the end of it. We won't be seeing him again," he said with a firm, quiet vo
ice.
One by one their guests said their goodbyes.
Hettie was one of the last to leave. She came up to Martha and nodded. "What an absolutely lovely party. Quite the nicest time I've had in a long while," she said.
Martha smiled. "I'm glad, Hettie,"
"I've asked Rachel to come and see me. She has agreed to do so, very soon. Such a charming young woman. It is going to be one of my chiefest pleasures to see that only the best young man will have the chance to ask for her hand," she said, warming to her task.
Hettie kissed them both on the cheek and made her way to her buckboard.
Eventually the only people left were Cassie, Ethan and Rachel.
Martha's heart almost burst when she saw the expression on Rachel's face. She looked so happy, standing beside the buckboard watching Ethan shaking hands with Logan.
"Fine party Logan. It's been a real pleasure," Ethan said.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think everyone had a good old time. We'll do it all again soon," Logan said.
Cassie, Ethan and Rachel took their seats.
Rachel waved excitedly at Logan and Martha. "See you soon," she said, hardly able to contain her exuberance.
Martha smiled warmly at her younger sister. "You take care now," she said quietly.
The buckboard rolled away and Logan and Martha waved goodbye to their family.
Logan wrapped an arm around Martha's waist, and she settled up against him, savoring the strength of his hold on her.
"I've asked Rachel to come and stay with us for a short while," Martha said to Logan.
His eyebrows lifted. "Really? That's a great idea."
Martha breathed a small sigh. She'd been sure he would approve of her suggestion, but it was a relief to know that he actually did.
"I thought it would give Cassie and Ethan a break. Rachel's really excited," Martha said.
"I'll look forward to her coming to the ranch," Logan said. "You just make sure she keeps away from the ranch hands," he said teasingly.
Martha laughed. "After her escapades with Brook I'm sure she'll think before she acts."
Logan leaned down and kissed Martha. She lifted her head up and welcomed his soft lips. He put a hand behind her head and drew her closer to him. It was as if the whole world had stopped revolving, as she sank into his arms. He held her tight, and the kiss seemed to go on forever.
When it was finally over she looked up at him and saw the love in his eyes. She smiled at him. "I love you Mr. Crawford," she said.
He smiled. "I love you Mrs. Crawford," he whispered. "Let's go inside."
They both turned and walked, hand in hand, into their home.
THE END
Thank you!
Thank you for reading Mail Order Vows. I hope you enjoyed it.
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Continue to read the bestselling series.
The Brides of Sweetheart Falls is a bestselling series of novels about three sisters who marry and find happiness in the beautiful Wyoming town of Sweetheart Falls.
The Brides of Sweetheart Falls books in reading order
Book 1 Mail Order Vows (Cassie's story)
Book 2 Mail Order Beau (Martha's story)
Book 3 Mail Order Blessing (Rachel's story)
Book 3 Mail Order Blessing (Rachel's story)
Mail Order Blessing. A sweet, full length, complete mail order bride romance novel with a happy ever after.
Wyoming 1878
Rachel's story.
Sweetheart Falls' town matchmaker Hettie Longfellow has finally found a husband for young, eager to marry, Rachel. Or so Rachel thinks. But there's one obstacle. Aaron Caldigate doesn't want to settle down in town. Then there's the problem of Aaron's past and how it stands in the way of Rachel's chances of married bliss.
Aaron Caldigate is a man who keeps his word. He's returning to Sweetheart Falls because he promised he'd come back after completing his training as a lawyer. But he's not planning on staying, especially since his mother has taken it upon herself to find him a bride!
However he hasn't counted on a very determined and beautiful young bride-to-be who is going to do everything she can to persuade him that Sweetheart Falls is the only place to settle down, and that she is the only woman for him.
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 by Maya Stirling.
Mail Order Beau Page 18