Her Sister's Wedding Page 2

  Mandy squeezed her hand.

  “We’ll get through this together,” she said. “No matter what, dear, don’t give up hope.”

  Crystal nodded. “I promise,” she said. “And I’m welcome to come along?”

  “I’m sure you are,” Mandy said.

  Ahead of Crystal, the prospect of the future stretched long and shadowed; exciting, of course, but frightening, too. Her romantic dreams of a rancher, of a babe in arms, were all about to come true – but for her sister, not for herself. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Still, her sister was her best friend and her closest confidante; she wanted nothing more than her happiness. Whatever happened, she would support her.

  And she would live up to her promise; she would hope for the best.

  Chapter 3

  Ernest Flinn finished reading the telegram, folded it in half, and looked up at Donny with a smile.

  “Thanks for that, Don. Right on time, as always.”

  The postman, who also ran the only telegraph in Pepper Gulch, Utah, looked at him with eagerness behind his eyes.

  “Nothing to send back?”

  Ernest shook his head. “Nope. She wouldn’t be there to get it, and the agency wouldn’t know where to pass it on.”

  “I can send it on if you know where…”

  “No, she’s traveling. There’s no telling, really.” Ernest gauged his friend’s woeful expression and chuckled. “Gee, I’m sorry, Don. I know you like operating that machine.”

  “That’s all right,” said Donny, though he was clearly disappointed. After a moment, he brightened. “Maybe when she gets here, she’ll have a telegram to send back home to West Virginia?”

  “Maybe so,” Ernest allowed.

  “Great.” Donny relaxed. “I’m glad you’ve finally got a response to your application, Ernest. You’re a good man, there’s no one better in all of Pepper Gulch. You and poor little Lina deserve it.”

  Ernest sobered. “I reckon poor little Lina is why it took so long,” he said. “That poor girl – it’s not her fault.”

  Donny shook his head staunchly. “Not at all. And everyone knows it – and everyone loves her. How could anyone not? Spitting image of her ma, that girl.” He smiled reminiscently. “I still remember the day you and the missus got married. More than a few jealous glances that day, I reckon.”

  “Maria was a pearl, it’s true.” Ernest nodded. “I still miss her every day – but four years is a long time. I don’t know that Lina will get better until someone’s there to help her, and it’s obvious that she needs something more than I can give her. Maybe having a mother again…”

  “…will help her to speak again,” Donny finished for him. He shook his head. “I hope so, Ernest, for the sake of all of you. You’ve had a hard time of it, with Maria getting sick like that – it’s about time that you all found some happiness again.”

  “Right.” Ernest slapped a hand on the counter, preparing to head out. “The agency says that this woman, this Miss Amanda Chambers, is willing to take on a troubled girl, not to mention a troubled husband. We’ll see when she shows up, I guess, but I’m holding on to hope.”

  “That’s all you can do, friend.”

  “Right you are.”

  He tipped his hat to Donny and took himself outside. There were still a few stops yet to make before he headed home, and the early January afternoon was already wending its way quickly toward twilight, which came on mighty early these days. His mother and Lina didn’t like to be home alone after dark, and so he needed to hurry and complete his errands and get back on the road home. He didn’t blame them for not wanting to be alone in the dark; as a grown man, he didn’t much like it himself. Besides, Lina was still prone to bad dreams, and she always slept better when he was home before the sun went down.

  His poor daughter – not only had she lost her mother to a horrible wasting sickness when she was only three years old, but she herself had caught the same sickness and nearly died herself. As young as she had been, the experience had left lasting scars. Ernest could very vividly remember the awful month when he lost his young wife and walked a knife’s edge between saving and losing his only child. Lina’s health had recovered – her mind had not, and she had not spoken since then.

  He remembered vividly too what a chatty, talkative little thing she had been, with such a wide vocabulary; but upon waking from her own fevered dreams and finding that the nightmare of her dead mother was not a dream at all but was the truth, something had broken within the little girl, and she had retreated to her own mind. He had never been able to reach her, tucked away as she was.

  It broke his heart to think of it. They had tried everything, his mother and he – all the doctors that they could afford, all the treats and cajoling and spending all their time and attention on the little girl for weeks, months at a time. But four years had come and gone, and Lina’s speech was so limited that it was months in between monosyllables. Ernest could hardly remember what his little girl’s voice sounded like.

  To bring a mother into her life was the last resort.

  He hoped for the best, just as he had told Donny. It was a dim hope, perhaps, but hope nonetheless. And that was what he needed.

  For himself – well, that was a secondary concern. Certainly, it would be nice to have a woman about the place again. His mother did her best to keep the place up, but she was getting older herself, and things weren’t as easy as they had been once. And besides – he wanted someone to talk to. He’d spent five years of his life married to the sweetest woman in the county, and he missed the conversation and the encouragement he had gotten from poor Maria. He missed – well, he missed being in love, he had to admit to himself. To write for a Mail Order Bride seemed like a strange and roundabout way to get love back, but it was better than nothing.

  It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried with the local girls, after all. There were a few of them that he had thought would make pleasant enough companions, and more than one had certainly made their interest in him obvious. But Lina was the important factor, and none of the girls he had considered had much interest in her. He wasn’t about to bring home a wife who wouldn’t care for Lina as though she were her own. And so his own interests had been put on the back burner, and the local girls had been carefully considered and then set aside.

  Ernest was not unaware of the reasons for the interest of the local girls. He knew objectively that he was a handsome man, in his own way; he had inherited his father’s light brown hair, and his mother’s honey brown eyes. He had a strong jaw, which girls always seemed to like, and he was tall and broad-shouldered, kept fit by his hard work on the ranch. Overall, his own attractiveness as a strong and vital young man was the main interest of the locals. And that, he thought dispassionately, was not nearly enough. He was a man, of course, a rancher, potentially a husband – but first, he was a father.

  Lina was the most important person in his life. As difficult as everything was, as hard as his life had become with her birth, as much as he missed her mother – she was his reason for living, and any woman who he brought into his life had to understand that, or they could have no future together at all.

  Evidently the woman who had agreed to travel to Pepper Gulch must believe that she was up to the challenge of being a mother to a mute, sickly seven-year-old girl. Ernest could only hope that this Miss Amanda Chambers was accurate in her own assessment of herself.

  Regardless, his heart filled with hope, and he went on home to share the good news with his mother and Lina.

  The winter sun was slipping down over the horizon as he entered the ranch house to find his little family waiting impatiently for him. Lina flew down the hallway and wrapped herself around him as soon as he set foot inside; he chuckled and put his arms around her in return. She was tall for a little girl, taking more strongly after her father than her mother, who had been on the petite side. She had her father’s light brown hair and large, warm brown eyes, but her mother’s impish smile. Every time
Ernest saw her, his heart contracted almost painfully for a moment, thinking of how close he came to losing her.

  His mother came to greet him rather more sedately, stopping just at the end of the hallway and folding her arms.

  “I was beginning to wonder…”

  “Sorry, Ma. I had to stop by the general store, and you know how Mr. Hemple likes to talk. And then there was the curriers, and they’re always backed up on jobs. My saddles are coming along nicely, though. Oh, and I had one more stop that was unexpected, too,” he threw in casually. “Donny sent someone to catch up with me at Hemple’s and ask me to come in to pick up a telegram.”

  He could see the gleam in his mother’s eyes even from where he was standing several feet away. He smiled back and nodded.

  “The agency sent a message. They found us a match.”

  Lina took a deep breath and stepped back from his embrace, looking up at him questioningly. He smiled back down at her reassuringly and put a hand on her head.

  “Her name is Amanda Chambers,” he said, “and she’ll be here in a week.”

  Daphne Flinn huffed out a sigh of relief and came to her son at the end of the hallway. She put a hand on his shoulder.

  “I’m glad,” she said, simply. “And about time, too. Who could believe that it would take so long to find a Mail Order Bride?”

  “Well, things are – complicated, Ma.”

  He took Lina by the hand and led her along with him as he followed his mother back down the hall and toward the kitchen.

  “Complicated, ha. You’re the finest rancher in Utah, and Lina’s the most adorable little girl on God’s green earth. Any girl worth her salt should be falling all over herself for the chance to be something to you two.”

  Ernest grinned.

  “Ma, you’re a tonic. If I ever get to feeling bad about myself, I know who to come to.”

  “Well, I am your mother. And rightfully proud, to boot. Now, come along and have some supper. I’ve been keeping it warm for you.”

  It wasn’t anywhere near supper time, but they ate early in the winter, and Lina and Daphne tended to go to bed soon after. Ernest knew that he was in for another long, sleepless winter evening.

  Maybe his new bride would be willing to stay up and talk with him, he thought hopefully. It was something else to look forward to.

  He hoped that things would turn out as well as he wanted. He hoped that Miss Chambers would be the gift that the Flinn family so sorely needed.

  Chapter 4

  The train was a novelty to Crystal Chambers, to say the least. She’d never traveled by such a smooth and rapid process, and she grew accustomed to the rocking motion rather more quickly than she would have thought possible. Her poor sister, on the other hand, was struck almost immediately with a bout of motion sickness, and they spent the first day on the train in their little room, Mandy trying to control her stomach and Crystal caring for her as best as she could.

  By the second day, as they racketed across the country heading West, Mandy was feeling sufficiently better to be able to accompany Crystal to the dining car for supper. They sat at a little table and looked out the window. Mandy was still somewhat pale and wan, but Crystal was absolutely fascinated by the swift movement of the darkening countryside.

  “Look, Mandy. I see a farm. Do you think that’s like the farm we’ll be going to?”

  Mandy glanced out the window and blanched a little, returning her attention to her glass of water almost immediately.

  “I don’t reckon so, no. Mr. Flinn is a rancher, after all. Farms and ranches aren’t the same thing.”

  “Oh, yes, that’s right.” Crystal gathered her courage and hesitantly brought up a subject that she had been worrying about since Mandy told her of her plan to become a Mail Order Bride. “Mandy – what do you suppose Mr. Flinn will say when we arrive?”’

  “I suppose he’ll start with, ‘Hello,’” said Mandy, smiling at her.

  Crystal smiled back. “Oh, you know what I mean – he’s expecting a bride, but he’s not expecting so much extra baggage alongside with her. I wish you could have sent word that I was coming, too.”

  “I didn’t dare bring it up at the agency. They were so brusque about things – very businesslike, but not what I would call understanding. But, Crystal, Mr. Flinn himself has a family. Surely he’ll understand that I had to bring mine as well.”

  “I hope he does,” Crystal said doubtfully. Mandy reached over and patted her hand.

  “Don’t be so worried. Let’s hope for the best. He could be the kindest gentleman rancher the world has ever known.”

  “I can’t imagine that he would have needed to write for a Mail Order Bride, if that was so. He’d have the local girls falling all over themselves if that’s true.”

  “Now, Crystal,” said Mandy severely. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. You can’t judge a man that you’ve never met.”

  “You’re right,” said Crystal contritely. “I’ll try to hope for the best.”

  “That’s always a good policy,” said a smooth voice from beside them. The Chambers sisters looked up to find a handsome young man, accompanied by a pretty if harassed-looking woman who held a baby in her arms. The baby was not currently crying, but that was only because the woman was holding the baby’s thumb firmly planted in her little rosebud mouth.

  “I hope we’re not intruding,” said the unknown gentleman. “I think we’re in the compartment next to yours, and we haven’t yet met. I thought, as we were neighbors, we should at least introduce ourselves and say hello. We’ve still got a long journey ahead of us, after all.”

  He smiled. Crystal liked him immediately, and she could tell by the faint blush that crept across Mandy’s cheeks that her sister liked him as well.

  “We’ve been indisposed,” Mandy said. “Else we would have met earlier, I’m sure of it.”

  “Pity,” said the young man. “Well, I’m pleased that you’re feeling well enough to venture out. My name is Colin York, and this is my sister Natalie, with little Anne behaving herself for once.” He grinned. “I hope her crying hasn’t kept you from sleeping.”

  “No, we can’t even hear it from our compartment,” said Crystal. “Oh, my name is Crystal, and this is my sister Mandy.” She held a hand out for Colin York to shake, which he did, dutifully. “Will you join us for supper?”

  Colin glanced over at his sister for confirmation and received a nod. “Certainly. With pleasure.”

  He seated himself next to Crystal; Crystal shot Mandy a quick glance and caught what looked almost like disappointment. But she was quite certain that the only reason Colin York had seated himself on her side of the table was so that he could have a better view of Mandy.

  Of course, she couldn’t convey that to her sister. Besides, Mandy was supposed to be meeting her new husband at the end of the journey. It would be better for her to stifle any rogue feelings toward this newcomer…

  Natalie sat down beside Mandy, jostling little Anne against her shoulder. She managed a hurried smile at everyone seated around the table, and then signaled to the waiter to bring them their supper.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m rather out of sorts.”

  “Is poor little Anne not taking the trip very well?” Crystal asked, looking closely at the little face. “She’s such a pretty baby.”

  “Pretty, yes, but certainly active.” Colin said. “And vocal. She takes after her uncle that way, I’m sad to say.”

  They fell into easy conversation with each other, asking questions about the destinations and stories of each respective family. Crystal found herself thoroughly enjoying the chat, though she was rather suspicious that Mandy was enjoying it even more. There were certainly significant glances flying back and forth across the table. By the time that they had finished their meal, Crystal felt that Colin and Natalie were practically old friends. They walked back to their compartments together and said good night at the door.

  As Crystal closed the door behind the
m, she turned to her sister with a tentative look.

  “They were certainly very pleasant…”

  Mandy sat down on the narrow bed and began to unlace her shoes. She smiled; there was a faraway look in her eyes. “Yes, they certainly are. I can’t help but wonder what their story is – you notice neither said anything about why Natalie was traveling with her brother instead of her husband. And that sweet Anne couldn’t be more than six months old.”

  “Maybe they are traveling West to meet up with him?”

  “Hmm – perhaps.”

  Crystal sat down beside her sister and decided that it was best she speak up.

  “You liked Colin York, didn’t you, Mandy?”

  Mandy glanced up at her swiftly, then just as quickly back down again. But the blush that stole over her cheeks spoke volumes.

  “I did – quite a lot. But don’t worry, Crystal – I haven’t forgotten that I’m to marry Ernest Flinn.” She sighed. “It’s just that – well, sometimes things happen. And you can’t predict them, no matter what you do. But – it doesn’t matter. I know what I’m going to do with my life. I won’t shirk from it.” She managed another smile at her younger sister, though it was tinged with sadness. “Besides, it could happen just like that with Ernest Flinn, too. Maybe I’ll like him just as well as Colin York. Maybe I’ll like him even better.”

  Crystal nodded. “I hope so,” she said, putting an arm around her sister’s shoulders. And she did – for both their sakes. She didn’t know what would happen when they got to Pepper Gulch. But so much depended on the type of man that Ernest Flinn turned out to be.

  They went to bed, tired out from the journey already. Though sleep had proven elusive the first evening, and Crystal was certain that the same would prove true this night, she fell asleep almost immediately in her cozy upper bunk.

  She was awakened by the slowing of the train, the loud racketing that had lulled her to sleep gradually dying away. She sat up in the darkness.