The Not Quite Mail-Order Bride

by Leah Atwood

  The Not Quite Mail-Order Bride

  A Short Story by

  Leah Atwood

  Copyright © 2013 by Leah Atwood

  Cover photo © Taria Reed at Reed Stock Photo

  Cover Design by Ramona coversbyramona.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Introducing the Notion

  Planning

  Waiting

  The Truth Revealed

  Light in the Shadows

  Other Titles from Leah

  Introducing the Notion

  “Ah-hem.”

  The sound of a man clearing his throat broke Caroline Franklin’s concentration as she bent over her desk to complete the day’s paperwork.

  Her days as the postmistress were increasingly busy as more people moved west and settled in the town of Little River. The shuffling of feet brought her full attention to the other person and she looked up, straight into the deep brown eyes of Wyatt Lance. A familiar flutter passed through her, and she tried to calm herself before speaking. Wyatt was the only male who had made her even think about another man since her husband, Adam, passed away several years ago.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Lance. How can I help you?” she asked, although the office had closed for customers an hour ago. Wyatt was a friend for whom she would always make time.

  His feet continued to shuffle in contradiction to his typically confident demeanor. No response came as he stood there with his face turning deeper shades of red. He was unsure of something—that much was obvious.

  Caroline’s pulse increased. Maybe he’s come to ask if he may call on me. That thought would explain his nervousness. They were good friends though he’d never shown an interest to be anything more.

  But— she’d hadn’t shown interest in anything more either, yet she would welcome a deeper relationship with this man.

  “Mr. Lance, are you okay?” His prolonged silence caused her mind continued to run amuck, contemplating his possible reasons.

  The tall rancher removed his felt hat and moved forward. “My apologies, Mrs. Franklin. I came with the intent to ask something of you, and I’m afraid I am making a blunder of it. It’s a very sensitive question, and it’s hard to ask.”

  She leaned forward, afraid to stand for fear her legs would give out. Now she was certain—the moment she’d been hoping and praying for had finally arrived. Wyatt Lance was going to ask to come courting.

  “Please, Mr. Lance. We’ve been friends for some time now. I think it is about time you call me Caroline, and you can ask anything.” She hoped her words and permission to address her by her given name would set him at ease.

  “That sounds fine, as long as you call me Wyatt. The thing is, Caroline, Rosita is leaving the Shadow’s Light. She received word this past week that her mother is ill and has made the decision to return to her home of birth in Texas. Aaron and I were going hire a new housekeeper, but then I got to thinking.” He hooked this thumbs under his belts. “Life on the ranch is awfully lonely at times. Other than my brother and I, there are only a few hands and Rosita. With her leaving, there will be no womenfolk, and I think it’s time for me to settle down and find a wife.”

  The smile on her face spread. Here it comes. He was about to ask.

  “Did you have someone in mind to fill that role?” She hoped her earnestness didn’t show through. While she wanted him to feel comfortable about asking her, proper manners dictated that she not appear too eager.

  Wyatt twisted his hat in his large lands hands, and Caroline was sure it would never regain its original shape. After clearing his throat, he began speaking. “I’ve heard talk of being able to order a bride from the east. When I told Aaron of my idea, he laughed and told me that was foolish, but I really need someone to help me. See, I um, I can’t read or write.”

  “Yes,” Caroline answered before his words set in.

  “So you will help me by writing a letter?” The corners of mouth curved upward.

  The smile on Caroline’s face faded rapidly as her brain caught up with her heart, and her face turned a deeper shade of crimson than Wyatt’s. How foolish she felt now. Though no fault of Wyatt’s, she turned her embarrassment into an offended tone directed toward him.

  “And how do you expect me to help, Mr. Lance?” Guilt niggled at her for responding curtly, but she pushed it aside.

  For the moment, all she could feel was the bitter sting of disappointment. Hopes and dreams she had imprudently built crashed down around her. At that moment, she only wanted to be alone.

  “I was hoping perhaps you could write an advertisement for me and then mail it to one of those fancy newspapers back east.”

  She gave a heavy sigh as though she had better things to do. “I suppose. There is a quilting meeting I must attend tonight, but if you could meet me here at this time tomorrow, I would be able to help.”

  “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Wyatt placed his hat back on his head and left out the front door. Caroline stood and walked over to lock the door, leaning against its wooden frame once it was secured. Otherwise, she wasn’t certain her legs would support her.

  Her heart broke at Wyatt’s revelation. He was a strong man, both in body and spirit. The entire town knew the Lances and their stellar reputation. Aaron and Wyatt had moved to Little River from Texas five years ago. Both refused to talk about their life in Texas, but rumors about Comanche attacks on their land had been floating around since their arrival. They also had a younger sister, Molly, who was in Boston attending school.

  Caroline laughed, remembering the fit Molly had pitched when her brothers put her on the train. Like her brothers, she loved this Wyoming landscape, harsh as it could be. But in the end, she agreed to go, with a promise that next time she returned, it would be for good.

  Her laughter quickly dissipated as the conversation with Wyatt replayed in her mind. Not even his confession that he couldn’t read nor write lessened her opinion of him. She knew that was not the whole measure of a man, and despite the lack of those skills, he was still an intelligent, honorable man.

  They were great friends, and she inherently knew their friendship would suffer once he took a wife. Not just because it would then be inappropriate, but she doubted she could stand seeing him with another woman. Just the very thought made her stomach queasy.

  Perhaps she could be bold and declare her feelings to him. That would save him the trouble, time, and money of bringing a bride to Little River.

  A plan formulated in her mind. It was crazy and unlike anything she’d ever done before, but it might just work. Yes, she wouldn’t give up a chance with Wyatt without at least trying. She gathered her belongings. With a smile on her face, walked to her home next door with a small glimmer of hope.

  ***

  Wyatt’s original plan was to eat supper in town, but his appetite vanished at the look of disgust on Caroline’s face. Fierce pride kept him from admitting to many people that he couldn’t read or write. Most people never would have guessed his secret because he had an expansive vocabulary and kept abreast of current affairs. He knew all his letters and could write them just fine, but when it came to forming the words, he w
ould get a mental block.

  Aaron was the brains of their operation and they had a good partnership going. Their skills complemented each other. He’d long ago accepted his limitations, and up to this point, he hadn’t let it make him feel like less of a man.

  Every ounce of courage he possessed had been summoned in order to approach Caroline for help. In a different time, she would be the one he’d ask to court and eventually marry. To be honest, part of him felt guilty sending for a bride when his heart belonged to Caroline. She was a beautiful, strong woman.

  When her husband died, she fought to take over his job as postmaster, despite the objections to her being a woman. Many would have crumbled over the loss of a spouse but not her. When anyone needed help, she was the first one there. The minute she heard of someone in need, Caroline would search for a way to fulfill it.

  Not many people knew it, but she was the person responsible for leaving baskets of goods outside the homes of the town’s elderly citizens. One day he caught her as she was leaving Mr. Hoover’s house and she’d made him promise not to tell a soul. However, in addition to her generous, loving nature, she was also a very intelligent lady and was too good for a cowboy who couldn’t even read. The look of disgust on her face when he confided in her confirmed his decision not to seek a more personal relationship.

  He brought his horse to a gallop and raced across the plains. Bluebonnet knew the way home without any prodding and as they flew across the land as one, with the wind blowing against him, the contemptuous look from Caroline was blurred in his memory.

  Instead, he thought that in just a few months, he’d be bringing home a bride with whom he’d share his life. With a solemn vow, he promised he’d find a way to love this new woman and give her his heart, placing all thoughts of Caroline aside. As the sun blended with the horizon and cast amber glows over the expansive land, Wyatt arrived home, back at Shadow’s Light Ranch.

  After taking care of Bluebonnet, he walked into the house and immediately smelled Rosita’s enchiladas. His stomach growled, and he found a plate left for him, still hot on the stove’s warming rack.

  He said a quick prayer of thankfulness that he forgot to tell Rosita his plans to eat in town this evening. Before he ate, Wyatt took the time to clean up, then grabbed his plate and ate supper. The combination of tortillas, meat, and cheese melted in his mouth.

  It dawned on him that the house was eerily quiet, and he wondered where Aaron was. Lately, he’d been calling on Callie Edwards, but he hadn’t made mention of visiting her tonight. Thoughts of anyone else were quick to flee his mind, and he went back to contemplating what he should put in his advertisement for a bride.

  After thinking what qualities his future wife must possess, he came up with loyal, hard-working, Christian, and honest. He had no preference for physical attributes, because he believed it was what’s inside that counted and whomever he fell in love with, he would find beautiful on the outside since she’d have a beautiful spirit. His own mother wouldn’t have been considered attractive my most standards based on looks alone, but her love, gentleness and silent strength shone through to make her stunning. She had been a wonderful mother and by all appearances, a wife who made her husband proud.

  He debated if he should include anything about intelligence or education. Someone highly educated would likely be disappointed to find her husband couldn’t read or write, but he’d like someone who could teach their children. Little River had opened a school several years back, but in this climate, much of the winter was spent indoors and attending school wasn’t possible. Ultimately, he decided to omit any mention of that topic.

  Satisfied that he created an adequate list, he retired to his room for the night. Tomorrow would be a long day and with any luck, by the time he had to face Caroline, his heart would be in stride with his head. Unfortunately for him, when his head hit the pillow, his dreams were filled with a wedding that featured Caroline as his bride.

  Planning

  Pacing back and forth across the wooden plank floor, Caroline tried to assure herself that she was doing the right thing. Her plan would require a certain amount of deception, which she was not comfortable with, but the very idea of Wyatt marrying another brought tears to her eyes.

  What would he think when the truth was discovered? Surely he would know what she did was only out of love and understand why she did it. But what if he doesn’t and can’t forgive your deceit, a voice whispered in the recesses of her conscience.

  “I can’t think about that right now,” she said aloud. “Everything will work out how it is meant to be.”

  “Pardon me?” A masculine voice took Caroline by surprise.

  She jumped back, taken off guard, unaware that anyone had entered the room. A single glance confirmed that her visitor was Wyatt.

  “Oh, Wyatt, it’s you. I didn’t see you come in.” Feeling horrible for her behavior the night before, she reverted back to his given name.

  “I’m sorry to startle you, Caroline, but I knocked on the door and no one answered. The door was slightly ajar so I thought I’d come in and make sure you were okay. I didn’t intend to alarm you.”

  “No apology is needed. My thoughts had me lost in a daydream for a spell. Please come in and sit down.” Her hand gestured to the spare chair sitting adjacent to her office desk. “There is some freshly brewed coffee. It’s probably not as strong as you prefer, but would you like some?” It was a small gesture of penance for yesterday’s brusque behavior.

  “That sounds wonderful.” Wyatt sat down in the chair, his large frame dwarfing it. A look Caroline couldn’t interpret flashed through his eyes, ever so briefly, and she wondered what it meant.

  She disappeared and quickly returned with two ivory colored cups of coffee. After placing one in front of Wyatt, she circled the desk and sat in her chair, taking a deep breath to prepare herself.

  A few awkward moments of silence passed. There was a tension in the room arcing between the two adults that had not existed in previous encounters

  “I created a list of what attributes I would like in a wife,” Wyatt finally said, breaking the quiet.

  “What are they?” Caroline asked.

  He told her everything on his list he’d created the previous night. Truthfully, they were the same qualities he’d known he’d like in a wife all along, but never before thought to make a list. By his age, he knew what he wanted, even if he hadn’t many experiences in the romance department.

  Caroline listened quietly as Wyatt named off what he’d like the contents of the letter to include. An hour passed and she felt she had enough information to compose an appropriate letter for an advertisement. Not that she planned to actually send it. No, she would answer Wyatt’s letter with one of her own. Much to her chagrin, her stomach growled loudly, announcing the fact she hadn’t yet eaten today.

  “Let’s take a break and go across the street to eat,” Wyatt suggested. “Tonight’s special should be fried chicken and potato salad. And I heard a rumor she’s been trying out some new desserts.”

  Caroline hesitated, but the thought of Greta’s fried chicken was more than any person could resist. Greta was a friend to everyone and ran the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. Known for her outstanding culinary abilities, her basket was always the highest seller at the annual summer picnic. As far as anyone knew, Greta had never been married and reason why not remained a mystery to everyone in town.

  “That sounds lovely,” she answered. “After we eat, we can return for me to write a letter or I can write it tonight and hold off sending it until I see you next.”

  “I’ll need to be getting back to the ranch soon after we eat. Aaron and I have a weekly meeting to discuss the ranch’s books. If you wouldn’t mind writing it, you can go ahead and send it. I trust you, Caroline. I know you’ll do a great job.”

  His confident words of trust cut her to the core. For the first time since formulating her plan yesterday, she considered not following through. Later tonight, after Wyatt ha
d gone home, she would reevaluate. But for now, she was going to treasure this time she had alone with Wyatt, for there was a real possibility those times might come to an end. And that was the time she didn’t want to contemplate.

  She locked up the office and they walked across the street. At the restaurant, Wyatt was a perfect gentleman. He held her chair out for her, placed their order and made appropriate conversation while they ate their meal.

  “Do you ever plan to remarry?”

  Their meal together had been perfect until he asked her an unexpected question that threw her off guard.

  Carefully, Caroline thought of a response that wouldn’t give her away. There was no way she could directly tell him that he was the only man whom she would want to marry. It wasn’t proper and she didn’t have the nerve yet. That was definitely something she would have to figure out in the upcoming weeks.

  “Maybe one day, if a man comes along that I can fall in love with. Adam was one of a kind and spoiled me with love. I’m fortunate that unlike many widowed women, I don’t have to remarry just to support myself.”

  “What would that man be like?”

  His line of questions unsettled Caroline. Even though they were very good friends, this topic was not something usually discussed between a male and female. Perhaps he just wanted to even the scale since he’d had to tell her everything he looked for in a spouse.

  In her answer, she included everything she loved about him, without making it too personal. Maybe if she said just enough, he would realize that he was everything she desired. Instead, he simply nodded and the conversation trailed off.

  Soon their meal was over and Wyatt took care of the payment. He walked Caroline to her house and bid farewell.

  “Let me know when you hear anything,” he told her.

  “I will. It will likely be several weeks before you hear a response,” she told him.

  “Good things come to those who wait.” He tipped his hat to her and smiled, then walked to the livery where Bluebonnet was waiting.