His Chosen Bride

Chapter Three

Levi helped Millie down from the wagon and turned just in time to face his mother. She sprang off the front porch of the family ranch house like a mountain lion after its prey. Her green eyes blazed, leaving no doubt that she’d talked to Daniel and found out about Millie.

“Hello, Mother. How are you this evening?”

His causal greeting did nothing to slow her down. She ground out between clinched teeth, “You and I have business to discuss in the barn now.”

Levi handed Millie her pie and turned to his mother again. “Mother, I’d like you to meet Miss Millicent Hamilton. Millie, this is my mother.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Westland.” Millie held out her hand. Her fingers shook, but she held her head up high. Levi felt a moment of pride at the way she held his mother’s eyes and waited for her to respond.

Bonnie Westland took Millie’s hand and shook it hard. “I’d like to say it’s nice to meet you, too, Miss Hamilton, but at the moment, I’d rather hold my opinion.”

He watched as Millie’s spine straightened. “I’m sure when you get to know me, you will find me very likable.”

His mother’s mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. Then a smile graced her lips. “I like a girl with spunk. You keep talking to me like that and you might be right.”

The slamming of the front door drew their attention. Hannah raced down the stairs and grabbed Millie in a tight hug. “You came!”

Millie hugged her back. “Of course I came. You invited me.”

He couldn’t see her face but knew Millie was smiling. Hannah turned her toward the house, and they started clucking like a couple of hens. A smile touched his lips as he realized neither woman would like that analogy.

“Come on, son.” Bonnie led the way to the barn. Levi followed, dread filling him. He knew his mother wasn’t happy and was determined to tell him about it.

She stopped in the open barn door and watched as he unhitched the rented buggy from the horses. Levi had learned a long time ago to wait her out. She’d have her say in her own time.

“Daniel tells me that Miss Hamilton is yet another mail-order bride. What are you going to do about all these mail-order brides?” She finally snapped.

Levi led the first mare into the second stall on the right of the barn. He heard her boots shift through the hay as she followed. “Miss Millie and I have an understanding at the moment, so I’m not going to do anything about her. As for the other three...” He stood to his full height of five feet, ten inches, locked eyes with his mother and then continued. “You invited them, not me. I’d say they are your responsibility so I’m not going to do anything about them.”

For the second time today, Levi had the satisfaction of finding his mother stumped. At least for the moment. He tossed fresh hay into the stall and then walked past her to get the other horse. When Levi returned, his mother stood in the same spot. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her green eyes studied him. He led the other mare into the stall beside the first one and tossed her hay also.

“Levi Matthew Westland.”

Here it comes, he thought. He stood before her. “Yes, Mother?”

“We had a deal. You get married before the year is out or I sell the ranch.” She stared him straight in the eyes and dared him to argue.

“No, you made that declaration and I didn’t say anything,” he countered.

“You led me to believe you’d written to the Rodgers girl,” she accused.

He nodded. “That is true and I did. I just didn’t write to her what you thought I did. By the way, Ma, how did you find out I’d changed my mind?”

She took a deep breath. “I did what any mother would do and I opened your letters and read them.”

Levi laughed, but no merriment filled the hollow sound. “I doubt that other mothers would do such a thing, Ma. Most mothers leave their adult children alone and let them find their own mates.”

Bonnie nodded. “Yes, and most sons get married before they are thirty,” she countered.

He shook his head. “Daniel is married now. You’ll have your grandchild and he can have the ranch. And I can live my life the way I want to.” Levi started to walk away. He’d never just walked away from his mother before, but today Levi didn’t see any other alternative.

She didn’t speak loudly or harshly, but the command in her voice stopped him in his tracks. “Levi, we aren’t finished here.”

Levi turned to face her. “Mother, on this subject we are. Like you pointed out, I’m thirty years old and I am in no rush to get married.”

Bonnie squared her shoulders, walked up to Levi and looked him in the eyes. “Now look here, I promised those women a husband. That if you didn’t marry them, there were other eligible bachelors in the area and I’d help them settle down in Granite, Texas. You will choose one and I’ll see that the others find husbands, as well. Levi, you have one year from today to get married or I will sell the ranch and everything that goes with it to the highest bidder. I don’t care which girl you marry and I don’t care if your brother and Hannah have two children. There are four women in that house—pick one.” With that she walked from the barn.

Had he seen tenderness in her eyes before she’d hardened them and made her demand? What drove his mother to insist that he and his brother marry? Every time he’d asked her in the past she’d simply said she wanted grandchildren. Today, it didn’t matter if Daniel had children; she wanted them both to be married.

Levi sighed and followed her out of the barn. His mother was already going through the front door of the ranch house. He leaned against the face of the barn, not wanting to go inside but knowing he’d have to eventually.

“She’s a stubborn woman, our Ma.” Daniel eased around the corner of the barn.

Had he been there the whole time? “What do you make of that? I always thought she wanted grandchildren and that you and Hannah would be giving her what she wants. But now that doesn’t matter.” Confusion laced his soul.

“Yeah, I heard. It sounds like she doesn’t want them from me, little brother. She wants them from you.” Daniel’s eyes held the hurt that Levi heard in his voice.

“I don’t think that’s it. She didn’t say anything about me giving her grandchildren. She just said I had to be married before the year is up.” Levi knew his words sounded empty to his brother. Did Daniel think their mother loved him more? She’d always favored Levi, but he didn’t believe for a moment that she loved him more.

Daniel clapped Levi on the shoulder. “Well, it doesn’t matter. She’s in for a surprise tonight.”

Levi looked to his big brother. Unbridled pride now showed in Daniel’s face and eyes. “Does that mean you are going to announce you’re soon to be a papa?”

“Sure does. But don’t tell Hannah I told you. She wanted to surprise the family with the news.”

The two brothers hugged. Levi was happy for Daniel and Hannah. Plus, a baby in the family might just soften their mother up and she might forget all about him getting a wife.

Daniel released Levi and looked at him. “I know what you’re thinking and you might as well forget it. Ma’s not going to forget her threat. Either you marry or we both lose the ranch.”

The renewed worry and sorrow in Daniel’s voice sobered Levi up. He kicked a rock across the yard. Daniel needed the ranch. Especially now that he had a family to raise. It had been wishful thinking on Levi’s part.

“Aw come on, it isn’t that bad.” He gave Levi a gentle shove toward the house. “I enjoy married life. Didn’t think it would be possible, but believe me, it is.”

They stopped at the washroom where they both scrubbed their faces, hands and arms. Levi wet down his hair and combed it into place. “I’m glad married life agrees with you, Daniel. Hannah is a wonderful woman.”

Daniel nodded. “She sure is.” His grin turned roguish and he said, “There are four women in there waiting to see who will be the next Mrs. Westland. One of them is bound to be a wonderful woman, too.”

* * *

Millie entered the sitting room with Hannah. She felt rather than saw the three pairs of eyes that swiveled in her direction as they stepped into the room.

“Oh, good, you’re all here.” Hannah pulled Millie toward an overstuffed short couch to sit beside her. “I’d like you all to meet Millie Hamilton. She grew up in Cottonwood Springs and attended my school when I taught there.”

Millie offered what she hoped looked like a friendly smile, instead of a nervous grimace. “Hello.”

Hannah turned to the woman who sat on the left-hand side of the room. “Millie, this is Anna Mae Leland. She’s a schoolteacher. I’m hoping she’ll agree to teach out here on the ranch, but so far she assures me she’d rather teach in town. Isn’t that right, Anna Mae?”

Anna Mae’s soft brown eyes met hers. “That’s right.” She offered a soft smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Hamilton.”

“Please, call me, Millie.” Millie looked at the other two women, as well. “All of you.”

“Thank you, we will. I’m Susanna Marsh.” She played with a blond curl that fell across her left shoulder. Susanna held herself ramrod straight. Her voice sounded a bit frosty.

Millie looked into Susanna’s light blue eyes and smiled. There was a challenge within the other woman’s that almost caused Millie to laugh. Had the other women already heard she was Levi’s first pick in a mail-order bride? If Susanna’s sulky look was any indication, they had.

Hannah took over the conversation once more. “Millie, I’d like you to meet Emily Rodgers.”

A dimple in Emily’s right cheek flashed as she offered a shy grin. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Millie. I’m glad you decided to join us for supper.”

“Really, Emily. We don’t even know her. How can you sit there and pretend to like her?” Susanna snapped. She stood and walked to the window.

Emily offered Millie another grin. “I don’t have to pretend, Susanna. Some folks you just know you’re going to enjoy being around the moment you meet them. I think Millie is one of those people.”

Millie decided to speak up before Susanna could respond. “Thank you, Emily. I’m sure you are right.”

Susanna huffed. She turned and eyed all the women in the room. “Don’t you all find this a little strange? It was bad enough when three of us showed up and now to have a fourth bride.” She pointed at Millie.

Hannah cleared her throat and became the schoolteacher Millie remembered. “That will be enough, Susanna. God only knows what the outcome of this will be, but until He reveals His plan, you will all get along.” Her eyes snapped to each face.

Anna Mae and Emily immediately nodded their agreement. Millie watched through lowered lashes as Susanna crossed her arms and proceeded to try to stare Hannah down. A grin threatened to break through Millie’s lips as the two women faced off. Susanna would soon learn Hannah could stare all day and she would win.

Susanna dropped her eyes and lowered her arms. “How long should this go on?” she asked in a soft voice.

“Until my son chooses a bride.” Bonnie Westland swept into the room and smiled at everyone. She stood in front of the fireplace looking much like a queen in a picture Millie had once seen in one of her schoolbooks. “You will all remain my guests until he decides.” Her green gaze landed on Millie and said, “Except Miss Hamilton. She will be returning to town after supper.”

Millie acknowledged the command with the slight bowing of her head. She had no intention of staying under this woman’s roof any longer than she had to. Bonnie Westland reminded Millie so much of her own mother she felt like weeping. The sad thing was she wasn’t sure if they were tears of joy or sadness that she felt stinging the backs of her eyes.

“Hannah, since Levi has already met Miss Hamilton, would you be so kind as to take her to the library? My son will be here shortly and I’d like him to meet the other three ladies.”

It really wasn’t a request, and both Millie and Hannah knew it. Hannah stood and smiled at the other ladies. “Ladies, we’ll see you in a little while.”

Millie followed but not before she saw Anna Mae’s face pale and Susanna flash a look of triumph. Emily closed her eyes as if in prayer. She could only imagine what each woman thought. Well, if truth be told, Millie knew Susanna saw her as competition. She wondered if she should tell the other woman she had no interest in marrying Levi or any other man.

Hannah led her into a big room with wall-to-wall bookshelves. Large comfy chairs sat about with end tables between them. She grabbed Millie’s hands and declared, “You must tell me everything you know about Cottonwood Springs. Have I missed much since I’ve been gone?”

Where did she begin? Millie allowed Hannah to lead her to one of the chairs, where she released her hands and took the chair opposite her. “Haven’t you received any news from Mrs. Kelly or Mrs. Billings?” she asked, stalling for time and praying Hannah’s two best friends hadn’t figured out that she’d burned down Mrs. Kelly’s house.

“Oh, well, both have written, but I’d hoped you’d have newer news.” Hannah leaned forward in her chair as if Millie’s next words would be golden.

Millie straightened in the chair. “Let’s start with their letters. What did they tell you? I’ll be able to fill in anything else I might know.”

“Eliza wrote that her house was burned down and that they think it was a group of boys that might have caused the fire, but she refuses to press charges against anyone. She’s married now to the new blacksmith, Jackson Hart, and they have adopted a little boy.” Hannah smiled across at Millie. “What she didn’t tell me was what kind of man her new husband is. All I know is that he brought Eliza home from Durango the day after I got on the train to come out here. What do you think of him? Is he a God-fearing man? What does he look like?”

A smile crept over Millie’s face. So Hannah didn’t know she’d burned down Eliza’s house and she basically wanted more information on the new blacksmith. “I didn’t know they got married, but she did seem sweet on him. And, yes, I have to say he’s as handsome as they come.” But not as handsome as Levi. She pushed the troublesome thought away and continued, “As for him being a God-fearing man, I have no idea. I left shortly after they arrived back from Durango.”

“Why?” She waved her hand as if to stop whatever answer Millie was about to give. “Oh, I know you came to be Levi’s wife, but why did you decide to be a mail-order bride?”

The time had come. Millie knew she had to be as honest as she could with Hannah. “I ran away from home. Since Rebecca came to Cottonwood Springs as a mail-order bride, and she and Seth are so happy together, I thought that doing the same would get me out of Ma’s house and far away from her bossiness.”

Hannah raised her hand to her mouth. “You didn’t,” she whispered.

“Yes, I did. I left home shortly after you did.” Millie leaned back into the soft cushion of the chair. She prayed Hannah wouldn’t mention Eliza’s house again, so that she wouldn’t have to confess her part in its destruction.

Horror now filled Hannah’s face as she shot off her questions. “But I left over six months ago. Where have you been all this time? I bet your mother is worried sick. Have you contacted your parents? Told them where you are?”

Millie leaned forward and grabbed Hannah’s hands between hers. “I’ll answer your questions, Hannah, but you have to promise me that you won’t write and tell anyone from home where I am. I’m not ready to face my parents yet.”

Hannah gently removed her hands. “Millie, I can’t force you to contact your parents, but you have to let them know you are safe. You can come out here and live with me and Daniel, tell them that and they will at least know you are all right.”

“Thank you for the kind offer of letting me stay with you, but I have a job and place to live in town. I will tell them I’m here.” Millie felt the air rush from her lungs as panic seeped through her blood. “Just not yet.”

“But why?”

Millie tried to control her emotions. “You know how Ma is. I just need more time to prove myself as an artist. She will never let me do that if I go home now. And if I contact her and tell her where I am, she and Papa will be on the next stage out here. They will insist I’m too young to be on my own.”

Confusion covered Hannah’s face. “But I thought you were going to marry Levi.”

Millie knew she was botching this conversation. She took a deep breath and tried again. “I was, but when I arrived in Lubbock, I realized I’m not ready for marriage. I worked for about six months and sold a couple of my drawings so that I could give Levi back the money he sent for my passage here. Then I took the next stage and came on out to tell him I’d changed my mind. I arrived today.”

“Have you told him yet?” Hannah’s eyes were the size of summer apples.

Millie grinned. “Yes, I did, and he was just as relieved as I was. He’d changed his mind, too.”

Hannah shook her head. “And here Bonnie has been collecting other mail-order brides for him.” Her eyes twinkled with merriment. “Speaking of which—” she pushed up out of her chair “—maybe we should head back to the sitting room and try to rescue my brother-in-law from the other ladies.”

Millie fought her way out of the cushions. “Hannah, are you going to contact Ma and Pa?” She had to know before they left the room. As much as she liked Granite, if Hannah planned on contacting her family, Millie knew she’d move on to another town and probably in another state.

“No, you should do that.” Hannah turned and faced her. She rested one hand on her stomach and the other on the doorknob. “But I know if a child of mine ever ran away, I’d be going out of my mind with worry. Promise you’ll let them know soon?”

How soon was soon? Millie knew she had to make her own way before she told her parents where she was or before she returned to Cottonwood Springs. Plus, she wanted to make enough money to rebuild Eliza’s home and business. How long would that take? Honestly, Millie didn’t know, but she didn’t think it would be soon enough for Hannah. “I can’t promise soon, Hannah. I need time, but when I can, I will.”

Hannah nodded. “I won’t say anything, but I really hope you will pray about it and let them know. They are your parents, Millie. They love you.”

Millie nodded. Although she knew they loved her, she also knew she couldn’t go home and live under their roof again. She had to prove to them she was an adult now and could make her own way. It is not good that man should be alone, whispered through her mind. Millie tried to ignore it even as she wondered if that applied to women, too.

* * *

Levi had never been so happy to see an evening end as he had this one. He helped Millie into the buggy and then hurried to join her. Though the mail-order brides weren’t that bad, the continued questioning from his mother had been horrible. He knew she was only trying to help the ladies get to know him better, but, confound it, he didn’t want to get to know them better.

Hannah stood beside the wagon. She appeared both happy and worried. “We are having a birthday party for Daniel in a couple of weeks. Be sure and come out for it. All right, Millie?”

Millie took the empty pie plate Hannah was handing up to her. “I will.”

“Good.” Hannah allowed Daniel to wrap his arms around her waist. She smiled up at him, and love shone from her eyes.

Why couldn’t Lucille have loved him like that? Bitterness touched his soul for a brief moment as he watched the happy couple. Love had shown in Lucille’s eyes but it had not been for him. It had been for the ranch. He pushed the unpleasantness aside and decided to be happy for his brother and Hannah. Levi tore his eyes from them.

His mother had been thrilled with their baby announcement, and the brides had all looked at him expectantly—all but Millie, who was too busy congratulating her friend to pay attention to him.

He clicked his tongue, and the horses moved forward.

Millie waved at Hannah and called, “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” Then she turned and placed her hands in her lap.

Levi wasn’t sure what to say so he didn’t say anything. More than once this evening, he’d felt Millie watching him, but Levi didn’t think she was looking at him as husband material. During dinner, she’d seemed entertained by his situation with the brides.

His mother had complimented Millie on the pie she had brought and then promptly began praising Emily Rodgers’s baking skills. According to his mother, Emily’s cinnamon buns would melt in his mouth. Since he favored the buns over most desserts, he assumed his mother had been trying to make Emily more appealing in his eyes.