Pioneer Love: Damaged Hearts Head West: Mail Order Bride 5 Bundle (18 page)

Chapter 10

Meanwhile, while David spent those days with his daughter's new family, strange incidents were taking place in Mary's life. She had gotten home and the very next day she went off to the office, planning on getting a handle on all the work that had been left pending in her absence.

Things were different now. She wanted to be a woman again. She had escaped this sad little office with the daguerreotype of her dead husband staring down at her.  Had danced and talked and laughed in a way she never imagined she would do again. Now she was home in her office, going through a few forms for a client. Wanting so badly to match him with the most compatible of females, to give him the happy ever after she had been denied.

Had Mr. Montgomery been interested in her? Or was it just her imagination playing tricks on a lonely old woman? It did not matter something had changed and her work was now bittersweet.

Fighting back her tears she buried herself in a stack of paperwork when the door opened. She jerked up and a number of files fell from the table and scattered across the floor. A man stepped in quickly to help her pick them up.

They both knelt down at the same time and Mary found herself eye to eye with this handsome stranger. Quickly she gathered the fallen papers. "Hello, I’m so sorry, it's not usually like this,” she said. “I run a well-organized agency." As she was saying this and gathering the files, the man handed her a stack of papers he had collected. She took them, smiling her thanks and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. For a moment, she thought about David. Had he come back early, but then the man's whole face came into focus and she blushed at her assumption. The man in front of her was not David, but he was good looking, in his fifties and from what she could tell he had come directly from the West.

He smiled at her and she smiled back, standing up, all the papers in her hands now. He bowed to her slightly and she could see he was dressed as a cowboy, complete with Stetson that he held in his hands.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Hawkins is it?” he said. “I was recommended this place by an acquaintance and I have traveled a long way specifically to seek your services."

Mary went around the table and put down the papers. Composing herself she sat, and gestured for him to do the same. Mary couldn't help but notice that the man, thought dressed as a rancher, had a regal look about him and an air of nobility. He seemed like a proper gentleman and Mary was curious as to why a man of his stature would need her services.

"Well, what can I do for you, Mr..?"

"My name is John Robertson. I am here from Texas because I would like to find a wife for my eldest son, Brady. He had an accident a while ago and now he is paralyzed from the waist down.” Pausing he ran a hand through thick hair that was peppered with gray.

“I am so sorry to hear that,” Mary said and her heart went out to this man and his son. Texas was remote and there were very few women out there and not that many that wanted to go. Would she be able to find this disabled man a wife? She hoped so for the sake of his kind-hearted father.

“Thank you, but I do not need your sympathy, but your expertise,” he said. “My family is originally from England and this is the first time we have… well, that we have done anything like this.”

“There is no need to worry, I offer a discreet service,” Mary said.

“That is kind. You would think any woman would kill to be married into a family of such means as ours, but we have had little luck so far. I placed a few advertisements but whenever the women find out about Brady’s condition… Anyway, I heard that you are an expert at finding the right match. I want my son to experience love as well as a wife and I would really appreciate all the help I can get." The man said, looking at her as if assessing her and trying to figure out all her secrets.

Blushing under his scrutiny, Mary nodded. "Well, I'll just give you the forms that need filling out and we can start the process." She explained the process and he listened with rapt attention. He kept gazing into her eyes and Mary found herself feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

After she had helped him fill out the forms, she paused for a moment. Did she have any potentials? Yes, there would be someone, for she believed there was a soul mate for all of us. "I can have potential matches for you by the end of the week if you would like."

"That would do quite nicely, thank you," he said but made no move to leave. Mary looked at him questioningly and he continued, "I'm sorry if I'm intruding but do you happen to be married?"

Mary blushed at his question and found herself replying, "No, I am not. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was wondering why a beautiful woman such as you would be unmarried."

"Well, that is a personal matter," Mary replied, squirming in her seat.

"Yes, you are right. I beg your pardon. Good day, Mrs. Hawkins." And with a tip of his hat, he was off.

The week rushed by and Mary searched her potentials over and over for she wanted someone who would love and appreciate Brady. There were many women on her files who would marry him for his money. Who would accept the security and comfort that his position offered, but this was not her way. As she studied her files she found herself forgetting David, and his sweet blue eyes but still she was not the same. There was a deeper loneliness in her than before. Now she knew what she had been missing.

The end of the week approached and with that came the return of John Robertson. He glided in, rough and yet regal and smiled a greeting. She smiled in reply and after the courteous greetings, got down to business. She handed him the potentials she had lined up for his son and explained the procedure to him again. She told him that he could take them to his son to let him choose and then they could proceed with the interactions.

“I have given you three files,” Mary said. “But in my heart I believe that Etta Alderman is the best choice. She was married very young and has a young child, but her husband died after an accident. She stayed at his side caring for him night and day and since then she has wanted to be a nurse. Etta comes across as a woman who does not have a bad bone in her body. If you do not mind accepting a child as well as a wife she would be perfect.”

“She sounds perfect,” John said. “Would it be possible to meet her?”

“Of course, but I think your son should make the final choice.” Mary then proceeded to discuss the three girls and explain the rest of the procedure. “There,” she said. “That is settled.”

John looked at her with such gratitude that it made her blush.

"Thank you. It is much appreciated," he said.

"Not at all. It is my job, after all," Mary replied with a smile. When he didn't make a move to leave, she grew confused. She opened her mouth to inquire but before she could say anything, he spoke again.

"Mrs. Hawkins, this has never happened to me before,” he said. “I want you to understand that I do not randomly find women irresistible and most certainly do not approach just anyone. This is out of the norm for me as much as it will be for you and I hope that one way or the other, it will not ruin our professional relationship."

"What are you talking about?" Mary asked as her hand came up to her heart.

"Since I met you that first time, I have become quite smitten with you. You seem to be such a strong, kind woman and I really respect that. I could not get you out of my head the entire week and since I am not one to prolong things and highly trust my instincts, I wish to propose to you."

"Propose?" Mary said, dumb-founded.

"Yes, if you will have me, I would like to marry you. I have been a widower for a long time now and I have never felt this strongly about anyone and certainly not in such a short time. I felt connected to you from the moment I met you, I cannot explain it. But I do know that I would like to have whatever life I have left exploring that connection. You don't have to reply now. Just send word for me and I will come. Whatever your answer, I will accept it. Good day." And with that he turned and fled from the office.

Chapter 11

David had now been home a day and he wondered if he should go see Mary. He thought it would be weird to go visit her at her office, but he had no clue where she lived. So it was either wait until Sunday or visit her place of work. In the end, he decided that propriety would have to take a back seat. He needed to see her again the way a thirsty man craves water in the desert.

Coming back home had been a relief and a burden at the same time. With thoughts of Mary running around in his head, he could find no peace in his house, for this was where he had spent his years with his loving wife. He felt, by thinking of Mary, he was disrespecting the memory of his wife. This guilt was driving him insane and he only knew that he must see Mary.

So, with this heavy burden of guilt, he set off to see her. He opened the door and the scraping of the wood, alerted her to his presence. She looked up quickly and a smile brightened her face when she saw that it was him. Smiling and feeling lighter already, he went and sat across from her.

"How may I be service?” she said with a cheeky grin. “Are you looking for a wife for yourself?"

The mention of a wife brought back all his guilt and his face fell. Mary saw the expression at the word wife and her heart sank. She had somehow fallen for this man, but he did not seem to be moving in the same direction she was. She had thought a lot about her dilemma last night and had figured that she was too old now and she needed, no wanted, to get married.

She had hoped that maybe David felt the same way about her that she felt about him, but the expression on his face said it all. Forcing a smile, she said, "I'm only joking, Mr. Montgomery. So, what brings you here?"

David visibly relaxed at the change of topic. "I just got back yesterday and thought I should drop by and see how you were doing. I brought you this," he said and put a copy of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on her desk.

"That is so kind and as you can see I am busy as always,” she said. “These poor souls won't get married by themselves. I need to give them as much of a fighting chance as I can. Don’t you think everyone deserves a happy ever after?"

"Yes I do, well said, Mary,” David said, and he did. Maybe it was time for his happy ever after. Maybe he could let go of the past and look to the future. “The work you are doing here is astounding. If only I had thought of others the way you do."

"Nonsense, I have heard many a kind word spoken about you in town. You are always generous and are always helping others."

Going red in the face, David mumbled, "It's nothing." Clearing his throat, he said, "Well, I see that you have a lot that needs doing so I won't bother you any longer. Good day, Mary Hawkins."

"And to you, Mr. Montgomery," Mary replied and watched with sad eyes and a heavy heart as he walked away. Her decision seemed pretty clear now and though she barely knew John, he seemed to be a decent man and looking at the facts it appeared that he would be a good match for her.

She didn't have much choice in the matter, anyway. She wanted to marry and the only offer she had gotten in all these years, she couldn't turn down for someone she had feelings for. Especially, if that man was still in love with his ex-wife. She was going to say yes to John.

David walked out of the office with a worse feeling than when he went in. He had a strange premonition that something bad was about to happen. The look in Mary's eyes had been rather disturbing. She seemed to have a huge burden that she couldn't unload and he got the feeling that somehow he had disappointed her. He had wanted to ask her what was wrong, what he had done but couldn't find the words and so, pretending all was well, he left.

He wandered the streets not knowing where he was going until he passed by two men who were chatting away. He heard the name Hawkins and stopped. He couldn't help but listen to their conversation. According to the two men, the young Robertson boy, whoever that was, had been told by his father that he was smitten by Miss Hawkins and that he had proposed to her to marry him.

David was rooted to the spot. How could this be? He felt as though the ground had been pulled out from underneath him. No, it couldn't be. Mary wouldn't marry a stranger, would she? He thought back to her face, the expression in her eyes, the way her chest fell when he cringed at the word wife. It all made sense now. She had seen his reaction and assumed that he would never be interested in her. Now, it was only a matter of time before she said yes to this Robertson fellow.

Outraged and overcome with emotion, he turned and ran back to her office. Banging open the door, he strode inside. Mary jumped up in surprise. "What is it, David? What's wrong?" she asked.

Striding forward, he took her by the hand and without a word, not caring who saw, he pulled her out of the office and along with him.

“What is it David,” Mary said. “If you keep this up you will scare me.”

“Do not be scared,” he said and pulled her with him. There was something he had to do and he needed to do it now.

“David what is wrong?” Mary asked.

But David did not reply. Instead, he took her away from all the prying eyes, to a clearing not too far away.

When they reached the clearing, he finally let go of her hand and began to pace. Mary stood silently, watching him. After a few seconds, he stopped in front of her. "Did Robertson ask you to marry him?" he asked eyes blazing like the midday sun.

Mary’s mouth dropped open. "How... How do you know about that?"

"I overheard someone talking. How I know isn't important. It's true then?"

"Yes, it's true."

"And were you going to tell me?"

Mary turned away from him and adjusted her hat. "I don't see why. I'm not entitled to tell you anything," she said haughtily.

David felt as if a knife had been plunged into his almost healed heart. How could she? This woman who had awakened something inside of him, how could she now close that door? "Are you going to accept?" David said, spinning her round and looking deep into her eyes.

"Again, I don't see how that concerns you."

"Stop it, Mary. You hardly know the man. You can't just marry him!"

Mary put her hands on her hips and raised her chin."Why not?” she asked. “All my life I've just been on the sidelines, getting everyone else married. Finally, someone wants to marry me and I deserve a shot at happiness. I deserve to get married. It's not like I have a long line of men waiting to marry me!"

David could not believe how beautiful she looked, all fired up, and full of anger. "You don't love him,” he said. “You don't even know him."

"Love can come later on. At least he wants to try a life with me, try to love me. That's more than I could've ever expected."

"I love you," David yelled at her, his eyes blazing with passion.

Mary felt her mouth hang open. "What?"

"I love you. I don't know how or when but I fell in love with you. Letting go of my wife's memories scares me more than I can say, but I can't deny the feelings I have for you. I am in love with you and I can't stand the thought of you marrying a man you don't even know. Someone who doesn't know you like I do, who doesn't love you like I do. I love you, Mary, and under this ever blue sky I swear it. If you will have me, I will keep you happy for as long as I live, I will cherish and love you every single day.” David dropped to his knees and took her hands in his. “Don't marry that man Mary, marry me instead."

Mary’s mouth opened and closed as she tried to process what he had just said. Never in a million years had she expected any of this from him. He had just professed his love, sworn to love her forever, and asked her to marry him. She thought she was dreaming. So much happiness couldn't be hers for the taking so easily, could it.

David watched as she stood quietly, just staring at him, not saying a word. What did this mean? He started to get worried, maybe she didn’t love him? "Please say something."

That snapped her out of her stupor. Instead of saying anything, she pulled him into her arms and hugged him tightly. In his ear, she whispered, "I love you too. Of course, I'll marry you."

David pulled back and looked deep into her eyes, seeing the love he had for her reflected back, in their honeyed depths. A huge smile broke across his face. "You won't regret it,” he said. “Did I tell you I was moving out West?”

"I better not," Mary replied, “Yes you did, I guess I can run my business from anywhere.”

David swooped her up in his arms and twirled her around, bringing her back down so he could place his lips on hers. He kissed her with fervor and Mary felt electricity run up and down her spine, igniting her all over. She felt charged; strong and weak at the same time. For once in her life, she could see her own happy ever after and the feeling was intoxicating.