Katie: Bride of Virginia (American Mail-Order Brides 10) (7 page)

Chapter Five

A
ll the enjoyment of the evening drained out of Katie. She glanced at his mother and couldn't take the old hag cackling at her husband any longer. “It's time for bed.”

“She's going to leave you,” his mother called out.

Daniel's face was ashen as she walked out of the parlor. With a heavy heart, Katie pushed his mother down the hallway to her room.

“Why do you have to be so mean? Can't you see you upset him?” Katie asked wanting to roll her into her room and leave her.

“Eloise cheated on him. You'll cheat on him too,” she whispered. “People cheat.”

“How do you know she cheated on him?”

What if Eloise had been innocent? She wasn't here to defend herself and until Katie had proof, she refused to believe it about the woman she'd never met. Maybe she was naive.

“I saw the two of them.”

“Who was she with?”

“It was dark, I couldn't see, but I have my suspicions.”

“How do you know it was her?”

She laughed. “You really don't want to believe that Eloise had an affair.”

“No, I don't. The woman is dead. I didn't know her and I'm not talking bad about a dead person. And for your information, I will never cheat on my husband.”

The thought of Daniel being with another woman, left her heart aching. No, their marriage had its problems, but that could never be solved by being with someone else.

His mother threw up her hands. “That's what everyone says in the beginning, but then temptation lures them away,” she whispered. “Temptation is an evil mistress that makes promises she never intends to keep.”

“Did you cheat on your husband?”

The older woman swirled around in her chair and pointed her finger at her. “Don't get sassy with me, young miss.”

“You didn't answer the question? Did you cheat on your husband? Did your husband have an affair?”

Katie stared at her mother-in-law and saw the answer on her face. She didn't have to tell her yes or no. The pain was in her expression and in her eyes. She didn't know which one had committed adultery, but just seeing the result was enough to convince her, she would never dishonor her marriage.

“Just leave me. I can get into bed by myself,” she said.

“If you can get into bed by yourself, then why do you need a chair?”

“I need a chair because my legs don't work?”

Katie felt bad for her mother-in-law, but she also knew it was time to stop her from being so mean and spiteful.

“You know, I feel sorry for you up to a point, but there comes a time, when you're so mean and nasty that I don't care if you need my help. I warn you that I am not letting you berate and mistreat me. Or you could find yourself ringing your bell and no one responding.”

“You wouldn't dare. I'll tell my son.”

Threats strengthened Katie's resolve to stand up to the woman.

“I'll tell him the truth that while he's gone during the day, you walk alone.”

“You hussy,” she screeched, her eyes growing large. “Leave.”

“Gladly. Rest peacefully,” Katie said and walked out the door.

Now all she had left to do was talk to Daniel about his first wife. She wanted to know what happened to the woman. Had she cheated on him? And why did her death certificate list exposure?

Walking back into the parlor, he wasn't there. She hurried up the stairs. She hadn't been gone that long and she wanted this secret between them exposed. It was time he told her the truth.

Opening the bedroom door, she heard his soft even breathing. The man was sound asleep. While she'd been taking care of his mother, he'd gone to bed. This morning he'd avoided her at breakfast and now he was snoring. Yet his kiss had been filled with passion and something more she still didn't understand.

The day had been draining. Her first week here had exhausted her and now she was beginning to doubt why she agreed to marry a man she knew nothing about. Who hadn't told her about his first wife. Who had left out so much about his mother.

And yet she couldn't help but remember how hopeful she'd felt when they pulled up the driveway and she'd seen her new home. It was a mansion compared to the cramped quarters where she'd lived before. And yet, it seem to come with a price. So many secrets.

#

An hour later, unable to sleep, though her body was exhausted her mind still raced. It was a good time to write to her friends to let them know she had safely arrived.

November 10, 1890

Dear Genny and Julia,

Sorry for writing to you both at the same time but it's just easier this way. I wanted to let you know I arrived safely in Charlottesville, Virginia. My husband's vineyard is a small ways from town, so I don't know when you'll receive this letter. We were married the same day I arrived, and I'm now Katie O'Malley. His home is large, but rather run-down and I'm working like crazy to clean the place. It could be so beautiful.

His mother is a poor soul who’s suffered much, and takes her misfortune out on everyone around her and most especially me. She’s dreadful. The woman uses a wheelchair because she says she can't walk, though I've caught her at least once getting around without the chair. She is mean and vile and no matter how hard I try to be nice, she's ugly to me.

I'll keep trying, though, right now I'm tired. But as my mother use to say a smile can always brighten a situation. I'm smiling as I write this letter to you, hoping things will improve.

My husband has the most beautiful blue eyes and black hair. He’s so  handsome, but he has secrets. He never mentioned in his letter that he's a widower. Not that it would have made any difference, I just would have liked to have known in advance. And he's not very open about what happened to his first wife. His mother tells me she was cheating on him, but I don't know if that's true. He hasn't told me about her. He's closed off.

There is so much potential here. If he would just open up and trust me, we could make this place into a magnificent home that sold great bottles of wine.

I'm trying not to get discouraged, but tonight, I'm feeling low. At a dinner party, my mother-in-law screamed out that my husband's wife was cheating on him and I'll cheat too. I was mortified. And then the old bitty wanted me to put her to bed. If I wasn't a good Christian woman, I would have smothered her.

The weather in Virginia is cold this time of year, but it's not miserable like in Massachusetts. I'm hoping my next letter will tell you that I'm blissfully happy, expecting my first child, and things couldn't be better. But for now, keep me in your prayers, like I keep you in mine.

Please write and tell me how you are. I hope your situation has been better than mine. I miss you all so much, I can hardly stand it.

Much Love,

Katie

#

The next morning, Daniel expected to leave for town before Katie was up. Opening the cash box, he realized there was money missing. He'd had close to one hundred dollars for household expenses. Money he needed to purchase more wood to build stands for the new barrels that would soon arrive. Katie didn't seem the type to steal, but it concerned him money was missing. Did she even know where the cash box was kept?

Closing the box he tried to determine what to do. He didn't want to ask Frank for more cash, but what little was left in the bank, he really didn't want to take out. Hopefully, he would soon start to see profits coming in. If not, he could be in trouble within six months.

Putting the box back in his desk, he glanced around at the office. It didn't appear to have been cleaned and she'd been busy in every other room in the house.

Stepping out the door, he almost ran smack into Katie.

“Good morning,” she said. “I hope you slept well last night.”

She was so damn bright and cheery in the mornings. He loved that about her and yet it took some getting used to. “Very well, thanks. What about you?”

He was asking because he knew she wanted to talk about Eloise, but after last night he'd felt drained. She was in the past and he wanted to leave her there and not spend so much time digging up old hurts. First Katie, then Frank and even his mother seemed to hang on to that dreadful situation. Why couldn't they all just think about today and not concentrate on the past.

“Great! I'm fixing eggs for breakfast. How many would you like?”

“None. I need to get on the road.”

“Oh, where are you going?”

“I'm going into town to buy lumber for new racks for the barrels that will be arriving soon,” he said trying to think of a way to bring up the missing money.

Katie's eyes narrowed and she frowned. The memories of Eloise getting mad because he'd forgotten to ask her to go to town with him, returned. Obviously, he'd not learned his lesson. And now his current wife was going to be upset with him.

“It would have been nice to know you were going to town. There might have been some things I'm needing or I might even like to go with you,” she said.

He frowned, knowing once again he'd not thought of his wife. “Would you like to go?”

She shook her head, walking towards the kitchen. “No, thank you. But I will create a list of items I need and could you please go to the post office for me. I have two letters to mail.”

“Of course,” he said feeling guilty. “How about if I promise the next time I'm going into town we'll make a day of it?”

She smiled. “I'd love that.”

Now he was back in semi-good graces, when moments before he'd worried she had taken the money. But if she wasn't going to town with him, what would she do with the cash if she stole it? Could she be mailing it to someone in one of those letters or both?

But what if she had nothing to do with the missing money?

“Someone has been in the petty cash,” he said blurting it out, hoping to see her reaction.

She turned from making her list, her brows raised to stare at him. “And you think it was me?”

“I don't know what to believe, but almost a hundred dollars is missing from the cash box,” he said knowing this wasn't going well for him. Why did it seem that since their wedding night, he'd done one wrong thing after another and still she hadn't yelled at him, but quietly gotten her point across.

She shook her head. “I don't even know where you keep the cash box. Do you need money? I brought fifty dollars with me in case I needed to return to Lawrence. I'd be happy to give it to you.”

Eloise would have screamed and yelled at him. But Katie smiled, and then shot an arrow of logic straight into his heart that made him realize he'd screwed up. The woman was kind and logical, and damn, but that hurt worse. He could tune out a raised voice, but that smile of hers twisted him in knots.

Now he really was the worst husband ever. His wife was offering to give him money when she learned someone had stolen his cash. And he knew she couldn't have much or she would never have become a mail-order bride.

“Thanks, but there are more funds in the bank. I just hadn't planned on stopping there today,” he said.

“You're welcome to use my cash, if you need to,” she said giving him a big smile.

“That's okay,” he just wanted to get going. “I know we need to talk, but if you don't mind, I want to get on the road.”

He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “See you tonight.”

“Sure,” she said. “Just don't wait too long, Daniel. Secrets should never be between a husband and wife.”

#

When the back door to the kitchen opened, Katie looked up from cleaning to see a strange man enter. He removed his hat. “Mrs. O'Malley, Jack Edwards, foreman, Mrs. O'Malley. Is Mr. O'Malley around?”

A curl of uneasiness spiraled through Katie, but she drew her shoulders back and smiled at him. “I'm sorry, but he's gone into town. I'm surprised he didn't say something to you. He went for lumber for the new racks he's going to build.”

“Oh, that's right. I completely forgot.”

She wanted him to leave. Her husband didn't want men in the house while he was gone and she didn't need Mother O'Malley telling Daniel he'd been here. She would tell him when he came home.

“I've heard you're doing a lot to the old house. Are you certain the first Mrs. O'Malley would approve?”

Katie gazed at the man her uneasiness growing. “If you're referring to Eloise, she's dead.”

“Yes, I know. But what about the older Mrs. O'Malley?”

What was the man trying to say to her? What was he doing? “As Mr. O'Malley's wife, I am in charge of the household. Is there something else you need?”

Katie wanted him out of here.

“I just wanted to check on Mr. O'Malley. Nice to meet you, ma'am.”

“Yes, you too,” she said and watched him go out the same door he'd come in. He didn't even knock, but rather just opened the door and came in. He was probably a perfectly nice man, but she didn't want anyone just opening the door and walking in.

An hour later the kitchen door opened again and her handsome husband walked through the doorway. He hadn't been gone as long as she'd expected.

“You're home early.”

Funny normally she didn't see much of him during the day, but just knowing he wasn't out in the fields, she'd missed him more today than usual. But after her guest, she was glad to see Daniel home.

“It didn't take as long as I thought,” he said kissing her on the cheek. He glanced around the room. “It looks so much better. Just cleaning it made the difference?”

“I did rearrange the cabinets a little and gave everything a good scrubbing. In the spring, I'd like to start giving the walls a fresh coat of paint,” she said, pushing back a stray lock of hair that had fallen onto her face.

“How's Mother been today?”

What could she say? Your mother is a mean-spirited woman who I've tried to be nice to, but I'm reaching the end of my reserves? Or did she just nod her head?

“Good. She's been in her room most of the day, but that was because I threatened to let her help me with the cleaning.”