Wild Western Women Boxed Set Page 17

  “And you are a beautiful bridesmaid.” She glanced lovingly at her soon-to-be stepdaughter.

  “I’m so happy you chose me to be your bridesmaid. I’m surprised you didn’t ask your sister, Ellie.”

  Rachel chuckled. “Ellie doesn’t want to have anything to do with weddings. She says they make her itch. She’s much more comfortable with her life as a schoolteacher and women’s right advocate. In fact, it was all my aunt Tori and I could do to even convince her to come. She said something about me ‘succumbing to the enemy.’”

  She turned to the mirror and smoothed her dress over the slight bump in her tummy. Uncle Jesse wasn’t too happy to learn his niece, whom he was giving away in marriage, was already in a family way. He’d groused until her aunt Tori reminded him that she was in the same condition on their wedding day.

  With all the changes in her life recently it hadn’t occurred to her until a couple of weeks ago that she had missed her courses. She hadn’t had one since she and Rusty made love before their falling out. The doctor said she was probably about three months along.

  “It’s time to leave for the church.” Aunt Tori entered the room, and stopped to stare at her. “Don’t you look beautiful!”

  Rachel had selected a blue watered silk with cream piping for her wedding dress. She never would have spent so much money on a frock, but it was a gift from Uncle Jesse. She wore her mother’s pearls that she and Ellie shared and a cameo that Rusty presented her with two days ago. One final glance in the mirror and she was ready.

  The church was a short ride by buggy. She, Uncle Jesse, Aunt Tori and Amelia rode together. This was so different from her first wedding. Then she had been a young girl, more in love with love than the man she was marrying. Even though her marriage to Billy hadn’t been what she’d dreamed about as a young girl, it had given her Will.

  She had wanted to wait until Will was off his crutches to have the wedding, but neither Rusty nor Uncle Jesse would hear of any delay. She smiled at Uncle Jesse insisting she and Will move into his house until the wedding. Since she was already in a family way, there weren’t any consequences of misbehavior to be faced.

  Uncle Jesse didn’t think it was funny when she pointed that out.

  The cooler weather had already set in, and the ever present Oklahoma wind made the temperature that much colder. She was shivering by the time they reached the church. Uncle Jesse escorted her down the aisle, and within minutes she was no longer Rachel Stevens, but Rachel McIntyre. A moment of surprise arose when the preacher addressed Rusty as Flanagan McIntyre.

  Rusty leaned over at her surprised look and whispered, “Now you know why I go by Rusty.”

  Two hours later they were in the middle of their wedding party at Uncle Jesse’s house. With the help of her daughter, Priscilla, Tori had prepared a mountain of food. And right in the middle of the array of dishes sat a beautiful three-tiered wedding cake.

  “How do you feel, sweetheart? You’re not too tired, are you?” Rusty handed her a glass of punch and studied her from head to toe. He’d been so solicitous since she told him about the baby. So different from Billy’s reaction when she told him about Will being on the way. He’d acted as if nothing was different, and expected her to continue with all the heavy work she normally did around the house.

  As soon as Rusty found out about the baby, he hired a housekeeper, despite Rachel’s assurances that she was fine. A minor clash flared up when he reminded her that she was ten years older with this pregnancy than she had been with Will. Truth be known, she was grateful for the housekeeper. She was, indeed, ten years older, and taking care of Will and doing some cooking for the men took its toll on her, driving her to her bed much earlier than usual.

  Spotting her sister, Rachel hurried to her side. “Ellie! I haven’t had a chance to talk to you all afternoon.”

  Ellie pulled her into a fierce hug. “Are you sure you want to marry that guy?” She motioned with her head to where Rusty stood talking to Michael.

  “Yes, I do. I love him, Ellie. I’m very happy. And, the deed is done.”

  “Huh. Love. Just another prison for women. You know, married women are the unhappiest of all classes. Single women, on the other hand—”

  “Stop!” Rachel laughed at her sister and her feminist speeches. A staunch follower of Susan B. Anthony who had died earlier that year, Ellie attended women’s rights meetings and was adamant about never wanting to marry.

  “You know one day, Ellie Henderson, you’re going to meet a man who will sweep you off your feet. Then I’ll have a good laugh at your wedding.”

  “Bite your tongue, big sister. I’m having enough problems with a man right now.”

  “Oh? Who is that? I thought you avoided men at all costs.”

  “Well, this is one man I cannot avoid. He’s the new principal at school. Mr. Max Colbert. I’ve never met a more stiff-necked, pompous, overbearing man in my life.”

  “My goodness. He has certainly gotten a rise out of you.”

  “Mr. Robinson was such a sweet old man. I loved going to work every day when he was principal.” Her brows drew together and she gritted her teeth. “But Mr. Colbert is awful. He tries to control everything the teachers do. Even when we’re not in school!”

  Rusty joined their group, and put his arm around Rachel. “What has you all riled up?” he asked Ellie.

  “The new principal at the high school. Mr. Colbert.” Ellie shivered. “It annoys me to even say his name.”

  “Ellie, no offense, but I have a feeling Mr. Colbert probably shivers when he says your name.” Rachel cast a warm smile at her sister.

  Ellie grinned. “You think so? I would love to know I annoy him as much as he annoys me.”

  Rusty leaned in to Rachel. “I think it’s time we left. You look tired, Will is fading fast, and Amelia is a bit too interested in your nephew, Paul. How old is he, anyway?”

  Rachel and Ellie exchanged amused glances. “You sound like an over-protective father, dear.”

  Ellie said, “Paul will be sixteen next month.”

  Rusty snorted. “I remember what I was like at sixteen. Now I insist we leave soon.”

  Ellie and Rachel burst out laughing.

  “I don’t think you have to worry about Paul, but I do feel a bit tired. It’s probably best if we leave. It’s been a long day.”

  About an hour later as they drove up to the ranch house, Rachel rested her palm on her tummy where the new baby grew and thanked God for all his blessings. She had a lovely home, a devoted husband, two wonderful children, and another on the way. At one point she never thought she would marry again. But this time it felt right. She looked over at Rusty and met his glance.

  “Welcome home, darlin’.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss.

  “Oh, stop it!” the two passengers in the back cried in unison.

  The End

  I hope you enjoyed Rachel and Rusty’s love story. Are you interested in how Ellie and Max work out their problems? Their story, the fourth book in the Oklahoma Lover series, is available now.

  A Wife by Christmas

  In 1906 Guthrie, Oklahoma, History teacher Ellie Henderson, has been a thorn in High School Principal Max Colbert’s side ever since he took over three months ago. When she’s not flying by his office, late for her class, with books and papers jumbled in her arms, she’s attending Suffragettes meetings against his orders.

  Because of her family connections, he can’t fire her, but he can certainly find someone to marry her, and keep her busy in the kitchen. And far away from his school. Max soon finds that what seemed like a good idea can turn into disaster when Miss Ellie Henderson is involved. The woman is a master at getting into trouble.

  With the Christmas season in full swing, he has many opportunities to introduce her to prospective husbands. However, the uncomfortable feeling is growing that no one is worthy of the minx…

  Oklahoma Lover series:

  #1 A Run for Love (Jesse & Tori)

  #2 A
Prescription for Love (Michael & Heidi)

  #3 A Chance to Love Again (Rachel & Rusty)

  #4 A Wife by Christmas (Ellie & Max)

  #5 Anyplace but Here (Hunter & Lida Rose) Coming in 2015

  Marriage Mart Mayhem series:

  #1 The Elusive Wife (Jason & Olivia)

  #2 The Duke’s Quandary (Drake & Penelope)

  #3 The Lady’s Disgrace (Abigail & Joseph)

  #4 The Baron’s Betrayal (Marion & Tristan) January, 2015

  Other books by Callie Hutton:

  An Angel in the Mail (mail order bride)

  Emma’s Journey (Oregon Trail)

  Daniel’s Desire (Civil War)

  A Tumble Through Time (time travel)

  Choose Your Heart (contemporary)

  Tessa’s Treasures (contemporary)

  Wild Western Women Boxed Set (with Callie Hutton, Kirsten Osbourne, Merry Farmer, Caroline Clemmons and Sylvia McDaniel).

  USA Today best selling author of The Elusive Wife, Callie Hutton writes both Western Historical and Regency romance, with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). She also pens an occasional contemporary or two. Callie lives in Oklahoma with several rescue dogs, two adult children, and daughter-in-law (thankfully all not in the same house), and her top cheerleader husband of thirty-eight years. She also recently welcomed twin grandsons to her ever expanding family. Callie loves to hear from readers, and would welcome you as a “friend” on Facebook. You can contact her through her website: www.calliehutton.com, or write her directly at calliehutton11@gmail.com

  The Indomitable Eve

  By Merry Farmer

  For Justine

  You are the most indomitable person I know.

  Chapter One

  December, 1897

  Train whistles were by far the most wistful sound man had yet created, Eve thought as she paced the station platform in Cold Springs, Montana. More so than the hollow clack of worn boots walking across a barren stage in an empty theater. She knew both sounds too well.

  She turned her head to follow the shrill whistle as the train that had brought her to Cold Springs rattled away and on toward the mountains. She had no reason to be anxious, she told herself. The mountains were glorious in their snow-capped brilliance, the sun was bright in the sky, and the crisp December air surely made her cheeks as pink as a rose without a drop of rouge.

  The stationhouse in front of her was festooned with boughs of holly and glittering decorations for Christmas. Indeed, the entire length of the street stretching away from the town was lined with garlands of pine and red bows and baubles. It was as quaint and welcoming a sight as she could have hoped for, far from the glittering lights and overdone sparkle of the cities she’d breezed through in the last two years. It was far more welcoming than the giddy menace of London.

  She clutched her carpetbag to her stomach and breathed in the cold, clean air. There was no reason to feel worried at all.

  Except that Amelia hadn’t been there to greet her.

  She started across the emptying platform, searching for some way to make her acquaintance with the town her sister now called home.

  “Excuse me.” She approached a tall man in uniform who stood near where the baggage had been unloaded. “Could you help me?”

  The man glanced up. His businesslike frown blinked to a wide-eyed smile. A moment later his jaw dropped.

  “Wait a minute,” he said. “I know you. You’re The Indomitable Lady Eve!”

  Eve shifted straight into character—smiling, her chin tilted up, one hand on her hip—in the pose she used for photographs.

  “How very sweet of you to recognize me,” she said.

  If anything, the man’s eyes widened, giving him the appearance of a shocked pelican. “It is you! I saw you on stage in Denver this past summer. You look just like your posters. They have one up at the saloon, you know.”

  “Do they?” She flushed with embarrassment, but smiled on.

  “Uh-huh.” Lewis beamed at her like a schoolboy with his first crush. He stared without going on.

  She took a step closer to him. “I hope you can help me, Mr….”

  “Jones. Lewis Jones.”

  Mr. Lewis Jones thrust out his hand, face redder by the moment.

  Eve slipped her gloved hand lightly across his fingers. He grabbed hold and pumped it up and down in a shake. She laughed with genuine joy at his enthusiasm, so different from the slick customers she was used to.

  “Mr. Jones,” she went on, “I’m looking for my sister.”

  “You have a sister?” He stopped shaking her hand but continued to hold it.

  “Yes. Mrs. Amelia Quinlan?”

  Lewis gaped for a few more beats then said, “Oh yeah, Eric did say something about his wife having a famous sister. That’s you?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

  She withdrew her hand from Lewis’s. When his face dropped in embarrassment over still holding onto her, she winked to reassure him. His shoulders relaxed and an admiring smile spread from ear to ear.

  “Imagine that. The Indomitable Lady Eve is Amelia Quinlan’s sister.”

  “It would appear so.” She stepped closer to him and leaned in as if to share a secret. “You wouldn’t happen to know where she is, would you?”

  “Well.” He mirrored her stance as if they were part of a conspiracy. “The train was about an hour early today, Miss Lady Eve. Eric and Amelia live a ways out from town. They’re probably just not here yet.”

  “Oh.” Eve straightened and nodded as though Lewis had given her sage advice. He may not have been the brightest man she’d ever met, but he was kind. Kindness deserved consideration, as far as she was concerned, rare as it was.

  “If you want to wait for them in the stationhouse, you’re welcome to,” Lewis said.

  “Thank you, Lewis.”

  “Although the hotel would probably be more comfortable,” he went on.

  “I do believe you’re right.” A hotel would be a blessing indeed. She would gladly fall to bended knees and beg before the concierge for a coffee to ward off the December chill.

  “I could tell Eric and Amelia where to find you when they come looking,” Lewis finished.

  She rewarded him with a smile. “Then I shall have to take myself off to the hotel. Could you point me in the right direction?”

  “Yes, I could.” He nodded, caught up in the scene she had created. He shifted to the left and pointed away from the station down a long, wide street. “That’s the hotel down there, at the end of Main Street next door to the saloon. Of course, there’s the other hotel out that way, out past the pharmacy and next to the new church.” He pointed straight through the buildings that lined Main Street and what must have been a few other side streets. A church spire rose up over the roofs. “That hotel’s newer and has a fine restaurant in it. But it’s a bit of a walk.”

  A choice between a hotel next to a saloon and one next to a church?

  “I don’t think I’d mind walking to that new hotel at all,” she said. Let people say what they would, a church was always more settling than a saloon.

  “In that case, turn right onto Silver Avenue at the pharmacy, then head straight on. You can’t miss it.”

  “Lewis, you are a godsend.”

  With a final smile and a wave, Eve turned and marched across the platform and down a step onto Main Street as though exiting to the wings after a gala performance.

  The show didn’t stop there, however. Main Street was a scene to behold itself. Amelia had been writing to her about the town and its people for the past two years. Eve almost felt as though she recognized the shops and businesses that lined the brightly-decorated street.

  She passed the general store, remembering that its owners were Michael and Charlotte West and that they had a daughter named Eloise and a brand new baby son, Michael Jr. She noted the bank that was owned by Mr. Phineas Bell, who was the Oscar Wilde type. She knew that Mr. and Mrs. Upshaw had just had the
ir fourth baby as she passed the tailor’s shop toward the end of Main Street, and that Christian and Lily Avery, some of Amelia’s closest friends, were expecting their first child in early spring. It was almost as if she’d lived with the people of Cold Springs for the past two years herself. The town could have passed as home.

  Amelia had mentioned the new church briefly in a letter last summer, but as Eve passed it, she paused to marvel at its size and brilliance. It was expansive, with a tall spire reaching up like the mountains themselves. Cut-glass windows with bits of color gave it a feeling of lightness, and a fresh coat of white paint provided the perfect backdrop for festive wreaths and red bows. Living quarters for the town preacher were just visible around the side. But it was the sound coming out of the church that drew Eve to it like a beacon.

  The voices of children sang the Coventry Carol inside, like angels serenading her from on high. The sound swelled from the front door that stood partially open. Her heart caught in her throat, twisting with joy as light as snowfall and regret as deep as night. She changed her path and headed straight for the door, slipping into the church and carefully closing the door behind her.

  At the front of a wide sanctuary lined with polished new pews, a cluster of children stood in varying degrees of white and yellow and gold costumes, singing their hearts out. A pair of women fussed over a few of them. They adjusted a costume here, or tried on a pair of wings there. The children sang through it, fresh faces turned up to catch the light streaming in through the windows.

  Eve had seen almost every stage from California to London, but not one of them could come close to the pure beauty that stood at the front of that church.

  “Very good, very good, children.” A man in a simple black suit with sandy-blond hair stepped forward, applauding the children. “Now, once you finish the carol, you will cross the front of the church—yes, just like that—and come to stand over the manger where the baby Jesus will be resting.”