The Cattleman's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (The Brides of Birch Creek Book 4)

by Laura D. Bastian

  “How are you today, Mr. Finch?” the man behind the counter asked.

  “Doing all right,” Levi said. “I was supposed to meet someone who was to be on this train. Had some trouble with my horse and I’m late and don’t see any sign of her. Do you know if there were any other passengers who got off to stay?”

  “I do recall seeing a woman with a trunk who waited here for close to half an hour. I don’t know where she went though. What does this woman look like?”

  Levi ran his hand through his hair then scratched his chin under his scruffy beard. He didn’t want to get into any details about her, especially since he knew so very little. “Never mind, I’ll find her. Thanks.” Levi turned around and left the building quickly before the clerk could ask anything else.

  He took another look around the station in case he had missed something before, but there was no other woman. He walked over to the crates and trunks on the platform, hoping to see something labeled with her name.

  Nothing to indicate any of the boxes belonged to Cora Hatch.

  Had he been cheated?

  Levi clomped down the stairs of the platform and headed to the mercantile. At least he could get the supplies they needed for back home. And maybe the Howards knew something. Being the center of town, and the place most people stopped by at least once a day if they were out and about, the Howards would be the most likely people to have some information.

  Levi nodded to the folks in the area who called out greetings to him. He didn’t feel like talking to anyone, especially if it became known that he had been cheated by a woman he hadn’t even met. The less everyone knew and remembered about seeing him here, the better.

  He took the few stairs to the mercantile in one bound and ducked to enter inside the building. His height had always been an issue when he went to places he hadn’t had part in building himself.

  “Got most everything on your list,” Mr. Howard said. “Though we are out of dried beans.”

  Levi nodded. “Will you be getting some in?”

  “Next time the train comes through we should have some. We put in an order.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Howard.” Levi glanced around the store to see if anyone else was inside. When he was certain they were alone, he asked. “The person I was supposed to meet at the train station wasn’t there. Have you heard anything about a passenger?”

  “Oh,” Mr. Howard said. “The missus said something about a woman looking lost when she and Annabelle went to the station to pick up Annabelle’s order. Let me see if either of them know something.”

  Mr. Howard walked into the back room and called for his wife, but Levi didn’t hear any response. After a moment, Mr. Howard returned to the store front.

  “She’s not back there. My guess is she’s over next door at Annabelle’s shop. Did you ever meet my daughter-in-law? She’s a seamstress. Son married her a while back when she came out here to be a mail-order-bride. Annabelle almost ended up married to Lester. Can you believe it?”

  “She picked someone else?” Levi said, not knowing who this Lester guy was.

  “When Lester showed up drunk at the station and nearly accosted the poor girl, Colten stepped up and made sure she was safe.”

  Levi relaxed a little at the news. “I suppose that makes sense. Haven’t had the pleasure of meeting this Lester. But if he was a danger to the girl, it’s a good thing she had someone else to call on for assistance.”

  “Lester took off with a few of the more unsavory men of the area. Haven’t seen him for a while now. Here’s hoping he’s moved on far away so he won’t cause any more trouble with anyone.”

  Mr. Howard nodded at another customer who entered in the front door then he looked back at Levi. “Maybe go next door and see if you can find your friend you were supposed to meet.”

  Levi stepped toward the door and glanced back at Mr. Howard who was studying him with speculation. Let him wonder, Levi thought. Unless he found Cora, there wouldn’t be anything for him to know anyway. And if Mrs. Howard had found a lost looking woman, it might be the one he needed to find.

  The building right next door to the mercantile was still new enough that the wood was a lighter color than the other buildings. The large front window had a display case and inside he could see some dresses as well as some quilts. Past the display area, he could see four women. One was Mrs. Howard, and another was heavy with child. Levi thought she might be the blacksmith’s wife, Mrs. Clark. He couldn’t tell who the other two were.

  Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and hoped he would discover that one of these women was supposed to be his wife.

  ***

  Cora laughed at the easy banter between the women she’d just met. Mrs. Howard was the kind of woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer, so Cora had found herself bustled away from the train station with Mrs. Howard and her daughter-in-law. They’d come to the station with Mr. Colten Howard to pick up their order of sewing supplies and fabric to restock Annabelle’s materials. When they learned that Cora was here to meet Levi Finch who hadn’t yet arrived, they brought her here.

  Cora had been assured they would find Mr. Finch and deliver her safely to him. As they left the train station, another woman joined them, introducing herself as Susan Clark, the owner of the boarding house at the edge of town. Cora listened in fascination at how the girl had found herself in Birch Creek ready to marry the town’s blacksmith and then came up with the idea to build a place for others to stay who might find themselves in need of a temporary residence. If Levi Finch didn’t arrive, then Cora might have to take advantage of that. She was grateful to know there was something she could do if things turned out wrong.

  “We didn’t have the boarding house finished by the time Annabelle arrived though. Good thing Colten came to the rescue.” Susan gave Annabelle a warm smile and Annabelle blushed.

  “I can’t thank him enough for what he did for me,” Annabelle said.

  “What happened?” Cora looked at the woman and then back to Susan and Mrs. Howard.

  Annabelle sighed. “I had agreed to come here to Birch Creek to marry one man only to find him lacking in any husbandly or even gentlemanly qualities. Luckily Colten was at the train station at the same time Lester arrived and helped put things to right.”

  Cora listened with rapt attention as Annabelle explained what had happened making Cora send a prayer heavenward that Levi would really be a good man. She doubted there would be another man around that could rescue her like that.

  The fact that he hadn’t shown up at the train station worried her. Had he changed his mind? Did he not want her? Would she be stranded here and forced to do something else? But he had been the one to send the money for her ticket. He wouldn’t just leave her. Before she could bring up her concerns, the door opened, hitting the bell that hung just above it and all the women turned around. Annabelle spoke up to welcome her customer and although the three women with her hid most of him from Cora’s view at first, the height and sheer magnitude of the man couldn’t be hidden long.

  “Hello, sir. How can I help you?” Annabelle asked.

  “Ah, Mr. Finch. You made it,” Mrs. Howard said.

  Mr. Finch wasn’t smiling and Cora’s heart clenched in worry. Was he angry? She should have stayed at the train station, but it had been so hot and when Mrs. Howard had insisted she come get some refreshment and meet a few of the people in town, she had eagerly agreed. Cora needed other women, and if she was going to marry some stranger and be taken away to his ranch, she wanted a chance to make some connections before she disappeared. Hopefully there would be times she could return to Birch Creek for some social interactions.

  “Had some trouble on the journey,” Mr. Finch grumbled. “I’m guessing this is her?”

  Cora stared up at the face partially hidden behind a scruffy, dark beard. Her eyes widened at the intensity of his own gaze. He was all man. So different than the gentle ways of her dear Matthew. What had she been thinking?

  Mrs. Howard tur
ned to Cora. “If you mean you’re looking for Mrs. Cora Hatch, then yes, this is she.”

  “You ready?” Levi asked.

  “For what?” Susan asked, glancing at Cora with an assuring smile. Cora returned the smile, feeling peace that she had support right here, even from these virtual strangers.

  “For the marriage ceremony.” Levi looked at Susan only briefly as he answered then stared at Cora again.

  “Oh goodness, Mr. Finch,” Susan said with exasperation. “You can’t expect to just drag her to the preacher’s house and demand to marry her without having a chance to talk for a bit. What will the poor woman think?”

  Susan glanced at Cora and smiled, then gave her a wink.

  “Besides,” Mrs. Howard said. “If there is to be a wedding today, or any day, I need to know about it so I can get everyone gathered together to celebrate.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Levi said. “A celebration would take too much time, and I’ve got to get back home as soon as possible.”

  “But—,” Susan began before Cora spoke up.

  “It’s all right,” Cora said, patting Susan’s arm. She turned to look at Mr. Finch. “I’m ready.”

  Levi nodded and turned to the door. He opened it up and paused a moment to see that she was walking forward before he stepped outside.

  “Cora,” Susan said. “If you need anything, ever. We are here for you. If you are worried about him at all, my place will be your home if you want it.”

  Mrs. Howard took her hand and joined her as she walked to the door. They paused at the entrance and Mrs. Howard said, “Levi Finch is a good man. He’s a little gruff, but he’ll treat you right, I’m certain of it. I knew his mother, and she was a good woman who taught him right. Of course, if he forgets any of his manners and makes you unhappy or scared at all, then you come back here.”

  Cora felt the weight of worry lift. At least she wouldn’t be helpless. She gave them each a heartfelt embrace and thanked them for their kindness.

  The three women left the shop with her and followed her down the sidewalk as she walked behind Levi who poked his head into the mercantile. “I found her. I’ll be back to settle the bill in a bit.”

  Levi turned to look back at Cora and seemed surprised the other women were there as well.

  “We’re coming to the wedding,” Susan said with a smile.

  “Suit yourselves,” Levi said. He took a few more steps, then paused and turned around. “Wait a moment, please. I’d like to talk with Mrs. Hatch alone.”

  Cora nodded as the other women looked at her. She took a few steps away from them until she was standing next to Levi. He walked a few more feet away from where the women had stopped to give them a little more privacy.

  “I’m sorry. I’m new at this.” He placed his hand on the back of his neck as if working out the tension in the muscles there. “I suppose I should officially introduce myself. I’m Levi Finch.”

  Cora smiled at the obvious show of nerves. She wanted to do something to ease his worries, but she had no idea what to do. And part of her just wanted to get the wedding over with and head to his homestead so she could get right to work on being a wife, cook, and housekeeper. The things she knew.

  “Cora.” She reached for his hand to shake it, and when his giant hand engulfed hers, she was once again stunned at the size of the man.

  “You are still willing?” Levi asked.

  “To marry you?” Cora asked after a moment.

  He nodded.

  “Yes,” Cora said. “You didn’t change your mind when you saw me, or when I wasn’t at the train station?”

  “No,” Levi said, looking her over again, this time with more intensity. “You are a mite smaller than I expected. You look strong enough though. Healthy too. You’ll do.”

  Cora blinked in surprise. Of course he would be looking for a healthy person, but she had never really been studied like she was just another form of live stock.

  Levi turned to walk again. “Let’s go find the preacher.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Levi walked briskly. The woman at his side had legs that were probably only three-fourths the length of his own, but she managed to keep up with him.

  Besides being on the small side, she looked delicate and he hoped she would actually be strong enough to handle the type of work needed on the farm. She didn’t look weak or sickly in any way. In fact, the rosy color of her cheeks was highly attractive, and her green eyes were bright and full of depth.

  She was a lot prettier than he’d expected, and he was grateful for that. She seemed a little timid, but he could handle a quiet woman. His mother had been pretty loud and outspoken. Of course, she’d needed to be with the gruffness of his father. Hopefully Cora could handle his father’s recent moods. Levi really didn’t want to deal with some poor girl who got teary eyed when spoken to.

  The church wasn’t far and they crossed the street and headed directly to the small house that was right next to the church where the preacher lived. If he wasn’t at the house, then Levi would check the church.

  Levi knocked on the door and as he waited, he turned around to discover there was quite a group that had begun to form around them. Susan and Annabelle had somehow found their husbands and had them in tow.

  Great, just what he needed. He had hoped to get to Birch Creek before the train so he could avoid exactly this kind of attention. If he’d been able to talk to the preacher on his own and find out if he was available to perform the ceremony, he could have brought Cora right here when he picked her up. Instead, he was going to have an audience when he married the girl.

  The door of the house opened, and Reverend Morrison greeted Levi warmly.

  “It’s good to see you, Mr. Finch. It’s been a while since you’ve been to town. How are things? How is your father holding up?”

  “Pa’s doing fine,” Levi said.

  The preacher looked past Levi to where Cora stood and then his eyes traveled across all the visitors who had gathered. “How can I help you, Levi?”

  “This is Cora Hatch. She has agreed to be my wife, and I was hoping you’d be able to marry us right away.”

  Reverend Morrison looked at Cora once more. “Won’t you please come in?” He stepped back and motioned for them to come into his house. “Perhaps we should talk for a moment without all the visitors behind you.”

  Levi stepped inside and then immediately wished he’d waited for Cora to enter first. Especially with the look the preacher gave him. Levi was definitely not used to interacting with a woman. His mother had always grumbled about how rough Levi was and that he had no manners at all and would never find a wife. He’d tried to use manners, but just didn’t know what to do in a situation like this. He’d never had an opportunity to court a woman because of how far from town they were. Not to mention spending all day with his father and the other cattle hands wasn’t the place to practice gentlemanly behavior.

  Levi waited until the preacher had walked past them once the door was closed, allowing Cora to follow behind Reverend Morrison. He led them to a small parlor and invited them to sit down. Levi waited for Cora to take a seat first. It would take some getting used to, but he would do his best to remember what his mother had tried to teach him.

  “Miss Cora?” the preacher said. “Did I hear that right?

  “Yes.”

  “Are you a willing party to this marriage?”

  Cora looked at the preacher with surprise, then looked at Levi before nodding. “I am.”

  “How did you two meet?” Reverend Morrison asked.

  “I put in an advertisement,” Levi said, not wanting this to drag on. The quicker they got through all the formalities, the sooner they could be wed and on their way.

  “Ah,” the preacher said. “I understand that.” He looked over at Cora but didn’t ask any other questions. Whether he saw acceptance or resignation in her eyes, the preacher must have decided there was nothing more to ask.

  “If the two of you are
certain you are suited and are agreeable to the marriage, then I’ll perform it. We’ll need to have some witnesses. Do you have your father here in town with you?”

  Levi shook his head. “No. He stayed to run the farm.”

  “Do you have any preferences on who should witness?”

  “No. Anyone will do.”

  The preacher smiled. “Then I’ll go see if Colten and Michael are out there. Seems they know what you’re getting yourself into. They might as well be the ones to act as witness.”

  Levi slapped his hands onto his knees before standing up. “Works for me.” After all, it was Michael that had told him about the option of sending for a bride.

  “It might take them a bit to be ready. I’ll also need to open the church. Would the two of you like to have some time alone to talk?”

  Levi shook his head. “No need. We’ve said what we need to.”

  The preacher just chuckled when he looked at Cora still sitting. “Perhaps you should reconsider.”

  Levi watched the preacher leave the house. Cora looked up at Levi where he still stood and he realized maybe she might have something she wanted to say.

  “Did you need time to talk?” Levi asked, shifting on his feet.

  “Not if you don’t want to,” Cora said softly.

  “There will be time to talk later. The ride back to the farm will take a few hours. And once we’re home, there will be more time to talk there.” He sat down and faced her. “Besides, I think we told each other everything in the letters.”

  “I suppose.”

  Levi looked her over, completely unsure of what to think of her. She didn’t look terrified, but she was obviously not very comfortable here. He hoped he didn’t frighten her. He didn’t want his wife to be afraid of him. But he wasn’t going to let her boss him around either. He wondered what kind of wife she’d be. Would she listen to him and do what she was told, or would she be more bullheaded like a few women he’d seen in town who nagged their husbands?