The Mistaken Mail Order Bride Read online

  “Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”

  “I wanted to bring over something to welcome you to this town, but I wasn’t sure what you liked. I figured a child would love cookies.”

  “It’s a perfect gift. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

  “Would he like one?” Ida glanced over at Caleb, who seemed to focus in on the top that was spinning in front of him.

  “I’ll ask.” Caroline stood up and went over to him. She knelt in front of him and smiled. “Caleb, Mrs. Conner brought some cookies over. Would you like one?”

  Caleb looked up at her, but he didn’t say anything.

  She bit her lower lip, not sure if she could convince him to eat one of Ida’s cookies, and she worried Ida might think he was rude if he didn’t. “Caleb,” she began, “have you had a cookie before?”

  He shook his head.

  “It’s a sweet treat,” she replied. “It’s like the muffins we had this morning. Did you like those muffins?”

  He hesitated but nodded.

  “The cookie will be like that.” She held her hand out to him. “Would you like to try one?”

  He glanced at her hand and then looked over at Ida. Turning his gaze back to Caroline, he shook his head then focused on the top.

  Well, there was nothing else she could do. Ida would probably be offended her gift had been turned down, but there was nothing Caroline could do about it. She couldn’t make Caleb eat something he didn’t want to. She rose to her feet and went back to Ida.

  “I’m sorry,” she told Ida as she sat back in the chair. “I think he’s still full. We had a big breakfast.”

  “What did you have?” Ida asked, her tone pleasant.

  Relaxing since it seemed Ida hadn’t taken offense to Caleb’s refusal to eat her cookies, Caroline said, “Eric made us oatmeal, and we ate the rest of the cornbread Lois brought him shortly before Caleb and I arrived here.”

  Ida’s eyebrows furrowed. “Eric made the oatmeal?”

  “Well, he was teaching me how to do it. He’s a wonderful husband, don’t you think? I doubt many gentlemen would have patience for a lady who needs to learn how to cook. It makes me appreciate him all the more.”

  “It sounds like you’re happy with him.”

  “I am.”

  “Will you write to the man you were supposed to marry and tell him what happened? Surely, he must be worried about you.”

  In all the excitement over the past couple days, Caroline hadn’t even thought to do that. Ida was right, of course. Caroline owed it to him to write the missive. “Yes, I’ll let him know what happened.”

  A moment of silence passed between them, and not knowing what else to do, Caroline picked up one of the cookies and gestured to the plate. “Help yourself.”

  “Oh, I made lots more, so I already had some. Children gobble them up so fast it’s scary. I barely managed to get out of the house with these.”

  Caroline chuckled at her joke. “Since you have ten children, I can imagine they don’t last long.” She took a bite then added, “It’s good.”

  To her surprise, Ida patted her hand and stood up. “I don’t want to keep you. Having children myself, I know you’re busy with Caleb. I just wanted to welcome you here.”

  Caroline put the rest of her cookie on the table and rose to her feet so she could walk Ida to the door. “That’s very kind of you.”

  “Think nothing of it. Around here, we’re one big family. If you need anything, just holler.”

  Caroline opened the door for her. “Thank you, and of course, I’ll be happy to help you in any way I can.”

  Ida waved to Caleb and called out a cheerful good-bye before she turned and left.

  As Caroline shut the door, she glanced at Caleb and said, “Well, that was nice of her. I didn’t expect someone to come by to welcome us. Would you like to continue our game of jackstraws?”

  He nodded and turned toward the sticks.

  ***

  When Caroline opened her eyes the next morning, she saw that the sun was up much higher than she’d expected. She glanced over at the spot next to her and saw Eric wasn’t there. Sitting up in bed, she struggled to get her bearings. From outside the bedroom, she heard Eric talking, and after a moment of listening to him, she realized he was talking to Caleb.

  Just what time was it? She got out of bed and put on her dress. She was brushing her hair when there was a knock at the door.

  “Caroline, are you awake?” Eric asked from the other side.

  “Yes. I’m brushing my hair. You can come in.” Actually, he could come in whenever he wanted, but she suspected he was asking because Caleb was up.

  He opened the door, and her gaze went down to the tray he was holding. On it was a vase with a flower, a glass of orange juice, and a bowl of oatmeal. “I thought I’d surprise you with breakfast in bed. Or,” he shrugged, “lunch.”

  “Lunch?” she asked. “Is it that late?”

  His smile softened. “It’s almost noon. I didn’t want to wake you this morning because you didn’t have much sleep last night or the night before that.”

  She caught the sparkle in his eye and blushed at his meaning. Now that she knew what went on between a husband and wife in bed, she found she anticipated nighttime, but there was no way she could say that aloud. It just didn’t seem like the kind of thing a lady would admit.

  “Since Jerry agreed to handle any issues that come up in town, I thought I’d let you sleep in and serve you lunch in bed,” Eric said. “After that, we’ll go to Abe’s place, and I’ll introduce you to Phoebe.”

  “I’m sure I’ll have a lovely time,” she told him as she finished pinning her hair up. She went over to the bed and settled on it. If he went through all this work just for her, she wouldn’t say no. “Do you really think she’ll be willing to help me learn how to cook so you don’t have to make the meals all the time?”

  “I’m sure she will.” He placed the tray in her lap and gave her a kiss. “And if she doesn’t, I’ll ask Lois if she’d be willing to help you. I just think you’ll enjoy spending time with her more than Lois.”

  “Well, the people in this town have been very kind. After Ida Conner stopped by, Lois came over to give us those rolls and two loaves of bread. First, I got to marry you, and we have such a sweet boy to raise. Then the people in this town are coming by to make Caleb and me feel welcome. When I left South Carolina, I was so scared. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. So many scenarios went through my mind.”

  “Really?” He sat beside her. “What kind of scenarios?”

  She shrugged and dipped her spoon into the oatmeal. “Silly things now that I think about it.”

  With a playful nudge in her side, he encouraged, “If you can’t tell me, who can you tell?”

  “Alright,” she relented. “I imagined all sorts of things, but the one that gave me the greatest pause was the thought the gentleman had lied to me in his missive. I thought, what if he was a lot older? I know some ladies prefer older gentlemen, but I had no desire to end up with someone who could be my father’s age. Then I thought, what if he had a lot of children he didn’t tell me about? I don’t mean just one or two. I imagined he might have ten or more, and he was too afraid to tell me because I wouldn’t make the trip to marry him. And then I thought he might be an outlaw looking for a lady to join him and help him rob banks.”

  The last comment made Eric laugh. “An outlaw?”

  Chuckling, she said, “It was a slight possibility.”

  He leaned toward her and kissed her. “You ended up with a childless sheriff instead. I’d say you’re safe.”

  She giggled. “Yes, I am.”

  “I’ll leave you in peace to eat your lunch. I promised Caleb I’d show him the livery stable. I have a horse there. Lois said I could borrow her buggy.”

  “That’s nice of her.”

  “Yes, it is. Lois has always been that way.” After giving her one more kiss, he got off the bed. “We should b
e back in a half hour, give or take a few minutes.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Smiling, he left the room.

  Chapter Ten

  Eric caught the sound of metal pieces clanging together as he led the buggy onto Abe’s property.

  “What was that?” Caroline asked, instinctively pulling Caleb closer to her.

  “Abe set up a warning system so he’d know whenever someone came on his land,” Eric replied. “Don’t worry. You have nothing to worry about. It’s just a safety measure.”

  “Why would he need it?” she asked. “There’s not a war happening here.”

  “Not a war like the kind you experienced, but Abe has some enemies.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Why?”

  Noting her apprehension, he pulled the reins and waited for the horse to stop before he turned to face her. He rubbed her shoulder and gave both her and Caleb a reassuring smile. “Abe’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. The problem is that he’s half-Indian. There are some people who have trouble with that, and they aren’t shy about letting him know it.”

  “Oh.” Her gaze went to Caleb.

  He could only guess what was going through her mind. She’d grown up on a plantation, and he was aware of how the people in that area viewed people with dark skin. They were no more than property to them. He’d also heard some of the slave owners slept with the slaves, and he imagined the struggles those children faced were similar to what Abe went through.

  He rubbed her shoulder. “The more friends Abe has, the better. And he’s a good, honest man. You can trust him.”

  She relaxed. “If you like him, I have no doubt I will, too.”

  He looked at Caleb. So many times he couldn’t figure out what the boy was thinking, but he was sure the boy had a lot of feelings and thoughts to sort through. He had a suspicion Abe might be able to understand Caleb more than either he or Caroline could.

  Turning back to the path ahead of him, he urged the horse forward. Soon, the trees gave way to a clearing with a cabin and barn. Both Abe and Phoebe were in the doorway of the barn, watching for the person who was coming on their land. As soon as Abe saw Eric, he said something to Phoebe then put away the rifle he’d been holding.

  Eric glanced at Caroline and Caleb, hoping they didn’t notice Abe’s rifle. He couldn’t blame Abe for being careful, especially given what Benny and Gene had done. But he didn’t want to alarm Caroline or Caleb, either. Neither Abe nor Phoebe were violent people, and he’d hate to give the two people sitting next to him that impression. Fortunately, Caroline and Caleb didn’t seem afraid of them.

  As the buggy came up to the barn, Abe and Phoebe came over to them. “Is this your new wife?” Abe asked.

  “New? I never had an old one,” Eric joked.

  “Oh, you know what Abe meant,” Phoebe replied, a chuckle in her voice. She looked at Caroline. “It’s nice to meet you, Allie.”

  “Actually, this is Caroline,” Eric said. “And this,” he patted the boy on the back, “is Caleb.”

  Abe’s gaze lingered on Caleb. Eric was sure the man had a lot of questions about him, especially given the fact that Caroline was white.

  “Allie never showed up,” Eric told them. “I don’t know what happened to her. But Caroline and I figured it was fate since she arrived instead, and she brought this fine young boy with her.”

  “Yes,” Caroline added. “He didn’t have anyone to take care of him, and since he was willing to come with me, I thought I’d bring him here and give him a home.”

  Abe’s lips curled up into a smile. “Well, I can’t think of anyone who’d make a better father than Eric.”

  Surprised by the compliment, Eric thanked him. It wasn’t often Abe chose to say good things about anyone, so he didn’t take the nice words for granted.

  “Does Caleb like pie?” Phoebe asked Caroline.

  Caroline looked at Caleb. “Would you like to eat some pie?”

  With a nod, Caleb climbed out of the buggy.

  Caroline’s eyes widened, and she whispered to Eric, “He wouldn’t eat any of Ida’s cookies. I wonder why he’s in a hurry to eat Phoebe’s pie.”

  “Maybe he likes pies more than he likes cookies,” Eric reasoned.

  “Maybe,” she replied, but there was an underlying tone in her voice that hinted she wasn’t convinced of it.

  He got out of the buggy and hurried over to her side. As he helped her out, he squeezed her hand. He couldn’t resist the urge to be affectionate whenever the chance allowed, and this was one of those simple ways to sneak in a silent message that he was happy he ended up with her. She graced him with one of her smiles, indicating her agreement.

  When he first saw her, he didn’t think he’d fall in love with her. She wasn’t the beauty he’d expected. But she had a charm about her that was very attractive.

  “Would you men like to join us?” Phoebe asked Eric and Abe.

  “Actually, I’d like a moment to talk to Abe, if that’s alright,” Eric replied, glancing at Abe.

  Abe nodded. “It’s fine with me.”

  “We’ll bring out a slice of pie for you in a bit then,” Phoebe said then gestured for Caroline and Caleb to come with her. “My mother will be happy to meet you,” she told them as they walked to the cabin.

  Eric waited until they were out of earshot before turning to Abe. “How have things been since Gene and Benny were here?”

  “Good,” Abe replied. “Phoebe and her mother are still shaken up about it, but I don’t think there’s any way out of that.”

  “No, I don’t think there is,” Eric agreed. “It’s enough when we have to deal with those types. It’s even worse when women do. You think they’ll be alright?”

  “Phoebe’s got the spirit of a Cherokee in her. I have no doubt she’ll be fine. Her mother has inner strength, too. I’ve been teaching them how to use a gun in case they need to defend themselves. When people know how to protect themselves, they don’t have as much fear as those who don’t.”

  “I can’t argue that one.” Eric crossed his arms and glanced at the cabin. The women and Caleb had gone inside, leaving them alone. “I had Gene’s body burned as you wanted.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Benny’s funeral will be this evening. I talked to his brother, and he understands I had no choice but to shoot him.”

  Even though Benny was trying to shoot him, Eric still hated the fact that he had to kill him. But it was what it was. Not everyone wanted to live peaceably with others. Eric knew he’d have to make some hard choices when he became sheriff, but he hadn’t realized some of those choices had to be made within a second or two. Everything had happened so fast that night. He was still trying to piece everything together.

  “Hopefully,” Eric continued, “you won’t have to go through anything like that again.”

  “I’d be more worried about Caleb,” Abe replied. “People around here aren’t open to accepting anyone who’s different.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of that, but I came here to make a difference. Maybe the best way to do that is by leading by example. How can I make things better if I’m not willing to be a father to a boy who isn’t like everyone else around here?”

  “I see what you’re saying, and it sounds good, but you have to know it’s not as simple as you make it sound. There’s going to be a lot of hardships along the way.”

  “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you. Is there anything I can say or do to make things easier for Caleb?”

  “You’re married to Caroline. That’s a start. It’s harder to face the world when you’re the result of an adulterous relationship.” He paused then asked, “You don’t know anything about his parentage?”

  “No. And when Caroline or I ask about his past, he doesn’t say anything. Caroline says sometimes he stares at the ceiling and cries. Obviously, whatever happened to him was traumatic. We’re afraid to push him too hard. There’s a danger he’ll retreat further into h
is shell.”

  “You can’t get him to talk until he’s ready, and there’s a possibility he won’t ever tell you some of the things he’s been through. Some things are too painful to share with someone else. Just accept him as he is and be willing to stand up for him. The worst thing anyone can feel is that they’re all alone.”

  Eric nodded. Abe was right.

  “If you want,” Abe began in a thoughtful tone, “you can teach him to ride a horse. Maybe it would help him open up if he did something with you. You know, as father and son.”

  “That’s a good idea. Do you mind if I bring him out for the first lesson? I think you two have a lot in common, and it might help him to be around someone he has something in common with.”

  “Sure. Bring him out, and we’ll do his first lesson.”

  “Will do.” Eric glanced at the cabin. “I can help you with any chores. I know the women wouldn’t mind if I went in there, but I think it would be nice if they got a chance to talk alone.”

  Abe chuckled. “You wouldn’t be interested in what they’ll talk about anyway. I get tired of listening to Phoebe and her mother go on and on about prettying up the cabin and what kind of patterns to use when they sew clothes.”

  “When you put it that way, I definitely want to stay out here. Give me something to do so I have an excuse to avoid listening to them.”

  With another chuckle, Abe led him into the barn.

  ***

  “He’s a good looking boy,” Phoebe whispered.

  “Yes, and he’s well behaved,” Caroline replied.

  She and Caroline washed the dishes while Phoebe’s mother talked to him on the couch. Caroline didn’t know if he was interested in hearing all about the trip she and Phoebe had made from Ohio, but that was the topic her mother chose to talk about.

  “I wish we had something for him to play with,” Phoebe said. “Abe and I don’t have any children yet.”

  “I think the pie worked just fine. He had no trouble eating it.” Which was strange since he hadn’t bothered eating any of Ida’s cookies. Caroline wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was it really because he didn’t like cookies, or was there something else to it? She accepted the last dish Phoebe washed and dried it with a dishtowel. “Do you have any cookies?”