Mail Order Rose (Mail Order Brides #1) (7 page)

Harvest time kept them busier than ever, and David taught her all of the things they had to do to get ready for winter. She was so proud of him and would stare at him in wonder that she should have been so lucky. What if she would have answered an ad to the rancher from Colorado instead? But she didn't. She remembered back to the day she saw the ad. She answered David's because her instincts told her that he was a good man. She thought back to what David had said about there being no coincidences and smiled. How blessed was she to be David's wife! She didn't have a doubt that he was God's plan for her.

That is, until one sunny, fall day when she was canning a late crop from her garden. She heard a wagon rolling up the road and looked out the window to see it was Emma Cooper. Emma had been out a couple times to visit and Rose had enjoyed their time together. She had never opened up to her about what had made her leave, she kept that between her and David and wanted it to stay in her past.

Rose dried her hands and went out to meet her. This visit was an unexpected one. Emma had been at the dry goods store and saw that an order for fabric that Rose had placed had come in, so she thought she'd use it as an excuse to pay Rose a visit. Rose had ordered the fabric to make herself a couple of work dresses. She always felt overdressed working on the farm in the fine dresses she'd brought from home, even if she did cover them with an apron. Emma unloaded the fabric and had also brought along a peach pie to share, knowing it was Rose's favorite. Rose put on some coffee as Emma sliced the pie and went on with her usual happy chatter about what was happening in town. She told Rose she seemed much happier than her last visit and hoped the place felt like home to her know.

“Oh and I almost forgot, I have this for you too,” Emma said as she handed Rose a letter. “I was at the post office this morning and Hattie gave me this, it was addressed for you. I see that it's from your hometown, must be news from your folks. I told Hattie I'd take it out to you today, so you could get it sooner, I'm sure it's nice to hear from family. I know I try to write my own brother and sisters every week if I get time, there's been a lot of boarders here since it's harvest season...” Emma's chattering went on but Rose didn't hear it. She was frozen, looking down at the letter in her hands, addressed to Rose Greenlee Thompson. There was no name on the return address, which was from Springfield. But Rose didn't need to see a name. She'd know that handwriting anywhere. That letter was from Grant.

She politely declined Emma's suggestion to open it then and there, not wanting Emma to see whatever he'd written her. She told Emma she'd read it later and shoved it on her lap. And the whole time Emma sat visiting with her, Rose tried her best to be polite and follow the conversation, but her mind was on the letter in her lap. How did he know where she was? How did he know what her new name was? What did he want? So many questions raced through her head as her palms got sweaty and her heart beat rapidly in her chest.

“Rose? Rose?”

Rose looked up at Emma, startled. Emma must have asked her a question and was now looking at her with concern. “Did you hear what I asked you? You don't look very well, sweetie, are you feeling okay? And you barely touched your pie,that's not like you.”

“I'm..I'm fine. Just feeling a little dizzy that's all.” Rose was telling the truth, she was feeling like the room was spinning around her.

“
Oh no, can I get you anything? Should I go get David?”

“
No, I don't want to scare him. I'll be fine, it's going away already.”

Emma looked at her cautiously. “Are you sure? I'm going to get back to the boarding house so you can get a rest, I've talked your ear off for enough time already today. I'll leave the rest of the pie for you and David to finish tonight,” she stopped abruptly, her eyes lighting up as an idea was forming.

“Rose?” she asked with excitement in her voice, “Do you think you could be...” she paused and whispered, “
expecting?
”

Rose nodded her head as if Emma was on to something. Rose was sure she wasn't pregnant but couldn't admit the real reason she was not feeling well. She played along with Emma's suspicions. “Emma, I didn't even think of that, you might be on to something. If it turns out that I am, you will be the first to know. Well, after David, of course.” They both laughed and Emma looked as happy as if she herself were pregnant. Rose felt bad for fibbing to her but this wasn't the time to unload the truth about her past and she was desperate to find out what was in that letter.

She let Emma lead her to the parlor to lay down and then said good-bye to her and thanked her for bringing her the fabric, the letter and the delicious pie. Once she heard Emma's wagon long gone down the road out from the farm she sat upright, adrenaline pumping through her. Her hands were shaking as she once again glanced at the address on the outside-written in Grant's own handwriting.

For a fleeting moment before she opened it, she thought maybe it would be best if she didn't open it-just destroy it. She could tear it up and put it in the stove. But she was too curious, and worried that possibly something had happened to her family. If something had happened to them while she was away and they couldn't get in touch with her, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself.

She stopped debating with herself and tore the envelope open, pulling out the letter it contained.

The letter, too, was written by Grant. She tried to hold the letter steady in her shaking hands. It read:

Dearest Rose,

I'm sure it's quite a shock to you that I was able to track you down. It took awhile but I was finally able to figure out where you've been hiding (thanks to a little help from Louisa). Do not worry, your secret is safe with me until you want to let the rest of your family in on it, too. They've been quite worried about you and await  a letter from you to arrive.

I'm sure it's also quite a shock to you that I should write to you at all. The last time I saw you was at the engagement party at your house. I only wish I would've had the chance to speak to you then.

But now I can speak to you freely, as I am no longer betrothed to Isabel. There was an accident, she took a fall and, though she is fine otherwise, she suffered a miscarriage.

Now before you think me even more of a cad than I'm sure you already do, please know that it was not I who broke off the engagement, but Isabel. Without you around to torment and with no baby to come, she had little use for me and was soon in the arms of a number of other suitors, who were more than eager to receive her favors. I curse the day I ever met her.

I was only too happy to part ways with her, for, in your heart, you know that it is you that I love. You had to know that it's always been you, Rose. Being away from you, thinking that I had to spend the rest of my life with another woman, it was torture for me.

Louisa told me what she knew of your whereabouts and had remembered the name of the husband who bought you. Can you imagine my torment that a stranger, some brute, had bought my beloved Rose as if she were a  sack of flour or a horse for heaven's sake. But I am writing to you to tell you that it's not too late my darling, I will come and save you from your predicament. We can run away together, my dearest, anywhere you want to go. We can start fresh, a new life together. Remember our happy days of planning our future together? We can still have that future, my dearest!

There is a road that runs east of Middleton to Harper's Falls. About three quarters of the way is a covered bridge over the river. On afternoon of Friday the 20
th
, I will be waiting for you in the bridge. Find a way to get away from your home and meet me there and I will take you away to start our life together. Don't worry about packing anything, I'll buy you whatever you want my dearest.

If you do not wish to go with me, that is your right, and I will respect your wishes. If I do not see or hear word from you by 4 o'clock, I will leave without you. But I hope that is not to be the case, for I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, Rose.

Yours,

Grant

Rose had to read the letter several times before it began to sink in. It was hard to wrap her head around, she couldn't believe what she was reading. For so long this was what she had dreamed about-Grant coming back to her. Of course, not that Isabel would have a miscarriage, the loss of any baby saddened her, but the thought that Grant was hers again, she couldn't believe it. Then she stopped herself as a wave of nausea swept over her. David. She was in love with David, and just as she thought she had forgotten Grant, he was back. Not only was he back, but he had made plans for them to be together again. And Friday the 20
th
! That was only a few days away!

She was feeling dizzy again. Suddenly she heard David in the barn and knew he'd be coming in soon. She ran upstairs and hid the letter in her drawer. Why now? Her life was looking up, she was happy on the farm, in love with her husband and growing in her faith every day. Was that it? Was this a test of her faith?

She hurried back downstairs to get supper ready. She'd have to finish her canning later. She was peeling some potatoes for dinner when she heard David came in. He came up behind her, putting his arms around her and kissing the back of her head.

“
Sorry that supper is going to be a little bit late, Emma stopped out for a visit.”

“
Yes, I saw her pull up. I'm glad you had the chance to visit with her. And I'm even more glad that she left the rest of this peach pie. Can I just have this for dinner?” he asked playfully while holding up the pie. Emma turned around, smiling and playfully swatted at him.

“
You can have it after you're a good boy and clean your plate.”

He laughed at her and went to wash up. Emma watched him and thought about how much fun they have together, how they had gotten into a routine and how hurt he would be if she left him for Grant. She couldn't. She wouldn't. How could she even for a minute think of leaving him. He cared for her and saved her from her own heartbreak destroying her. She put the matter out of her head while she finished supper.

After David said the blessing over the meal that she prepared, they sat together at the table,  enjoying their food and time together after a hard day's work.

“
So what did Emma have to chat about?” David asked her.

“
Chat about?” Rose could feel that familiar lump growing in her stomach as her nerves kicked in. He was going to ask about the visit. She knew she should tell him about the letter but she couldn't, not yet. She wondered why the right thing to do was not always the easiest choice.

He smiled at her, “I know how chatty Emma is, did share any news from town?”

“Oh, um, not really. Just the usual. Seems the boarding house has been busy so it was nice of her to take the time to come out here. She brought me that fabric I ordered awhile back.”

She didn't mention the letter, but quickly changed the subject. She only half listened as he told her about one of their pigs being ready to slaughter, it was hard for her to focus, but she had to. He knew her, he'd know something was going on.

Luckily, instead of spending the evening in the parlor with her, he had some work to finish in the barn. She went upstairs and read the letter again. She remembered her plans for a future with Grant, how at one time it was all she wanted in life. Could she trust him again, after all that had happened? She needed to make a decision and stick to it. She thought about David saying that everything happens for a reason. What was the reason that she was given another chance with Grant? Rose was torn and decided to pray to God for guidance.

That night was unseasonably warm, they slept with the windows open. Or at least, David slept. No matter how hard she tried, Rose was wide awake. She watched the as the lace curtains wafted in the autumn night breeze and how the moonlight filtered through them, making cobweb like patterns across the room. She thought of room back at home, of her parents, her sisters, her friends. And then she thought about life on the farm, it was a lot of hard work, and though that never bothered her before, she thought about how different a life with Grant would be.

After spending the night tossing and turning and wrestling with her conflicted thoughts, out of the blue she had a moment of clarity. She knew exactly what she was going to do on Friday.

***

The next two days seemed to fly by for Rose. She wasn't conflicted any more and felt at peace with her decision, but she was in a hurry for Friday to arrive all the same. And now it was upon her and she was about to set her plan in motion. It reminded her of her last day at home, knowing she had a secret plan that the rest of her family was oblivious to, hoping she wouldn't give it away as she went through the details over and over again in her mind. It seemed today she was reliving that experience. At breakfast, she told David that she needed to go into town. It turned out there had been a mistake with her fabric order and she was short what she needed and then she'd stop for lunch at the Cooper's boarding house and return Emma's pie plate to her, stay for a short visit before heading home to make it home before dark. David didn't question her at all, just gave her a kiss and told her he'd harness up the horse for her. That's okay, she'd told him, she'd prefer to walk. The brisk fall air was invigorating and she wanted to enjoy a walk before it would be too cold to enjoy them anymore. Again, he didn't question her, only asked that she give his regards to the Coopers.