The Christmas Mail Order Bride (Holiday Mail Order Brides, Book One) (10 page)

* * *

“Hey sweet thing, wake up.”

Summer’s eyes opened slowly.  She smiled when she saw Clayton’s face bent over hers, his emerald eyes sparkling with something she’d never seen before.  “I must have dozed off. Is it time for supper already?”

“Sure is.  Ma told me you had visitors today.”  He leaned back in the chair by the desk and waited.

“Oh, yes. 
That
.”

“I don’t want you to worry about it.  I spoke with Charlotte today, she’s got a handle on herself, even wished us the very best.”

Summer pushed herself up with her elbows to better look at him. “Really?  Did your mother tell you about what happened when they were here?”

“She doesn’t have to, I know the Davis women.  Don’t worry about it any more, okay?”

She let go her breath and sank back into the mattress.  “Okay.”

“Now, it’s time my lady.”

She quirked a brow at him.

“Time to escort you
to dinner.”

Summer smiled.

Clayton pulled off the quilt she’d used to cover herself earlier, then easily scooped her up and stood.  “Ahhhh,” he sighed. “I’ve been waiting for this all day.

She blushed a bright pink
at his flirting and wrapped her arms about his neck. 

“Tomorrow I have a surprise for you,” he told her with a wink.

“A surprise?  What sort of surprise?”

“Thanksgiving is only two days
away so tomorrow you and I are going into town and see about getting you a few things.”

“Oh no, Clayton. You don’t have to do that.”

He stopped in the hall and looked at her. “You’re to be my wife and I’ll see you dressed and taken care of proper, ya hear?”

Summer’s he
art sank.  Was he embarrassed of her?  She knew her two dresses were horrible. Charlotte and Nellie Davis only drove home the obvious during their little visit.

“No argument, tomorrow we’ll see what
we can do. Spencer spoke with Abbey Davis while she was in town today and she’s got a few things you can use until we have some dresses made for you.”

“Oh Clayton…”

He entered the dining parlor and set her down in her chair at the table. “What? Can’t I provide for you?  It’s my job you know.”

She looked
at him and fought the tears welling up. “I know, it’s just that no one has ever … ever done this sort of thing for me before.”

He straightened, looked down at her, and smiled. “Well it’s about time someone did.  And I’m glad it’s me and not some other fella.”

She swallowed, unable to keep a tear from falling. “So am I.”

Clayton sat next to her as his mother and Spencer brought in dinner.  Once they were seated he said the blessing, winked at her, and reached for the tureen of stew.

Summer sighed as another tear escaped. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure she was awake and not dreaming.  Her current circumstances were almost too good to be true. So much had happened to her since the day she sat outside Mrs. Ridgley’s office not a month ago. 
Thank you Lord and thank you Mrs. Ridgley. 
Summer thought to herself as two realizations suddenly hit her.  First, that for the first time in a very long time she was happy. And second? She suspected that the wonderful warm feeling in the center of her very being was more than a simple reaction whenever she saw the handsome Clayton Riley. In fact, Summer began to suspect she was falling in love.

Ten

The next morning Clayton prepared the wagon for a trip into town.  Summer was once again riding in the back on blanket-covered hay, warmly wrapped in quilts while Clayton and his mother sat up front.  She tucked the quilts about her more tightly whenever a cold blast of wind swept across the landscape.  The air was cold and dry but the sun bright over head.  It was a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky. Apple orchards were on either side of the road before giving way to fields of pumpkins.  Summer could see a few stray orange gourds still in the fields as they drove by.

Summer sighed and wished it would snow again but thought better of it while they continued into town.  It wouldn’t do to be sitting in the back of a wagon for several miles while it snowed.  At least she didn’t think so.  On the other hand, if she was snuggled against Clayton up front on the wagon seat, it might prove to be quite nice.

Once they reached town Clayton parked the wagon in front of Quinn’s Mercantile, set the brake and helped his
mother down.  Spencer came out and waved.  He must have been waiting for them.  He left right after breakfast for the Sheriff’s office and had already been in town for several hours.

Spencer hopped up into the back of the wagon.  “Good morning! How’s my future sister in law
?”  He bent down and scooped her up before she could reply then deftly handed her down to Clayton’s waiting arms.

“Fine,” she said as Clayton looked into her eyes and smiled.

Spencer laughed. “Yes, I can see that.”  He jumped down from the wagon, ran up the steps and into the mercantile.

Clayton continued to smile and look into her eyes.  People stopped and stared at them and Summer began to feel self conscious.  After all, her
was
holding her in his arms in public where everyone could see! Did any of the folks now staring at them know of her injury?

“Well, well, there you are!” A
tall, thin grey haired woman called out from the doorway of the mercantile.  Mrs. Quinn stood with a wide grin on her face. “Don’t just stand there, Clayton!  Bring her inside where it’s warm!  I’ve got some might pretty things to show you Miss James!”

Summer smiled at her as Clayton carried her up a set of stairs, across the boardwalk and into the mercantile. Warmth quickly wrapped around her as he carried her toward the pot-bellied stove near the coun
ter and gently set her down in a chair.  He took the quilts from her and handed them to Spencer who folded them up and plopped them on the floor.

“Oh you have new ribbons!” Mrs. Riley exclaimed from across the mercantile.  “Summer, I must get some of these for you!”

“Oh no, Mrs. Riley …”

“Stop!” Clayton barked. “There will be no
, ‘
oh no Clayton, oh no Mrs. Riley
,’” he mimicked.  “You are going to sit there and let me take care of you.”

Summer’s eyes grew wide. Could this be real? Her breathing became short and her chest t
ightened.  She almost felt as though she would faint!  To see someone
want
to take care of her was almost beyond her understanding. Oh sure, she’d imagined it millions of times, ever since she was a small child.  If not dreaming of a set of parents doing it, she’d pictured a family of sorts, or friends, and finally, she began dreaming of the day a husband would do this sort of thing.  But now that it was real, she felt queasy and faint.  When would it all simply disappear?  When would she find herself fighting for scraps in the streets?  But no, she was past that, she was out of danger.  Clayton said he would marry her.  And besides, he’d sent for her hadn’t he?  She was here!  This was
not
New Orleans!  There was no Mr. Slade lurking in the dark shadows and alleyways waiting to grab and enslave her the first chance he got.  She was safe, safe, safe!

But the fear in her heart was old, oh so
very
old, and would not be silenced over night.  She was going to have to work hard to keep it at bay, to silence its relentless screaming that said this was all a mistake, he really didn’t want her, it was only a matter of time before he sent her back …

“Do you like the pink or the green better, dear?”

Summer shook herself and forced her eyes to meet those of Mrs. Riley’s.  She swallowed hard. “Oh, the pink.  I like the pink.”

“So do I. 
It will look lovely with your hair.” Mrs. Riley happily agreed.  She set the ribbons on the nearby counter then left to speak with Mrs. Quinn who was pulling bolts of cloth from a shelf.

Clayton took a chair and pulled it up alongside her.  “Now, I want you to tell ma what fabrics you fancy for a few dresses.  You’ll need a pair of shoes too, and a coat.  Just let ma know what you like and she or Mrs. Quinn will fetch it to you to look at.  Are you warm enough?”

Summer stared at him dumbfounded.  “I … I…” She snapped her mouth shut.  Her head began to spin and her heart felt as though it would leap from her chest.  She felt herself precariously begin to lean to one side.

“Whoa there, honey!” Clayton exclaimed as he pulled her upright.  “What’s the matter?”

She took a few deep breaths.  What
was
the matter?  Good grief!  She felt as if she just wanted to go back to the farm and hide in her little room!  And all because Clayton was showing her kindness and wanting to take care of her? 
Oh Lord help me!  Help me to receive these wonderful gifts and the blessings You’re providing!  Help me not to mess this up!

“Do you want me to take you home?” Clayton whispered in her ear.

The fear in her heart leapt to life at the question.
Yes!!!!!!

Summer closed her eyes agains
t it.  If she gave in and let fear win out, it would only happen again and she had to get a handle on it!  She slowly shook her head. “I’ll be all right.  Just give me a moment.”

Clayton ran a hand over her back a few times.  “You take all the time you need, honey.  I’m not going anywhere until I know you’re all right.”

“Is something wrong?” His mother asked as she walked up with a bolt of blue calico in her hands.

“Miss James felt a touch dizzy I think
, but she’s fine now,” he answered as he put a finger under her chin and turned her face toward his.  “Ain’t that right?”

Summe
r nodded, the dizziness gone.  She took a deep breath and smiled. “I’m fine now, really.”

He eyed her a moment longer before he finally looked satisfied.  “Okay, if you say so.” He turned to his mother. “I need to check on some things, see if there’s been any word concerning those outlaws.  You’ll look after her won’t you ma?”

“Of course dear. Mrs. Quinn and I will be a while yet. Take your time.”

Clayton took one of
Summer’s hands in his own and stood. “You sure you’ll be all right?”

Summer smiled at the concern in his eyes and voice. Her body warmed then, from the top of her head to the tip of her toes
.  Could it be he felt something for her?  She brightened at the thought and her smile widened.  “Yes, thank you.  It’s just… it’s just that this is all so new for me.” She blushed at the admission.

Clayton knelt before her and engulfed her hand in both of his.  “Ahhhh honey, I think I understand. But you have nothing to worry about, not anymore. You’re here now, and that’s what counts.”

She swallowed and tried to sit still as the fear in her heart banged against the door she so recently tried to close on it.  She nodded, unable to speak and watched him slowly stand.  “I’ll be back for you.  Have fun now.”  He then turned to Mrs. Quinn.  “Get her whatever she wants.”  He then tipped his hat and left.

Mrs. Quinn let go a gasp of delight and clapped her hands in front of her. “Well, I must say Miss James, but you’re a lucky girl this day!”

Summer’s breathing escaped in short pants.  She fought the rising lump in her throat, against the fear the whole scene would disappear into a puff of smoke and she’d find herself cold and alone in some alley hiding from the likes of Mr. Slade.

“What’s the matter? Can’t decide
on what you fancy first?” Mrs. Quinn asked.

Mrs. Riley took the chair Clayton had so recently occupied.  “
Sarah, would you bring me that brown calico?  I want to show it to Summer.”

“Certainly,” Mrs. Quinn replied.  She turned to do as asked.

Mrs. Riley watched her go then said, “Now don’t you worry about a thing, dear.  We have plenty of money to get what we need.  In fact, why don’t we get some yarn and needles and you can start some knitting for Christmas?  It would be the perfect distraction while your foot heals.”

“Mrs. Riley,”
Summer began on a sigh. “It’s all so overwhelming.”

“I’m sure it is dear! Why, I can’t imagine what it would be like to travel out here alone to marry a man you’ve never met, and on top of it let him leave you in the mercantile and tell you to get whatever you want!  Though if it were
me, I’d especially like that part!  But seriously dear, Clayton is a good man and a good provider.  He wants you to have these things and you need to have them!  None of this is frivolous so don’t you be feeling guilty about it.”

“None of it?”

“For Heaven’s sake, no!”

Mrs. Quinn approached with the bolt of brown calico. “Land sakes, child!  You’re gonna marry the man, let him take care of you!”

Summer took a deep breath. She could do this. “All right then,” she began as she looked first to Mrs. Riley and then to Mrs. Quinn. “Let’s shop.”

* * *

Clayton left the mercantile and marched straight to Doc and Milly’s. He banged on the door and waited impatiently for someone to answer.  Milly swung open the door with a look of concern which quickly changed to annoyance when she saw he was alone.  “What’s all the banging about?  Where’s the patient?”

“At the mercantile.”

“What do you mean, at the mercantile?  What’s going on?”

“I left Miss James at the mercantile with ma.  She needs some things.  In fact she needs a lot of things. But that’s not why I’m here.  She nearly fainted.”

“What?” Milly began.  “Come in Clayton and tell me what happened.”

Clayton went into the house and followed Milly into the parlor.  “She seemed fine, but then nearly fainted after I set her down in a chair and started to tell her to get what she needed.”

“Has she been eating okay?”

“Yes, sleeping all right to
o as far as I know.”

“Did something happen to upset her?”

Clayton drew in a deep breath. “Nellie and Charlotte Davis came out to the house yesterday, but that’s about it.”

Millie frowned. “That’s enough.  Those two harpies were buzzing around town yesterday like a pair of hornets.  Mark my words they’re up to something.  I trust that Nellie Davis about as far as I can toss her!”

“Don’t know what it could be, Charlotte’s okay with me marrying Miss James.  Wished me luck and everything.”
“Clayton Riley, tell me you’re not that stupid!”

Clayton looked down at Milly, his eyes suddenly wide.

“Yeah, you’d better be worried!” She spat. “You're far too trusting!  It’s amazing that Charlotte hasn’t found a way to make you marry her by now!”

“I don’t love her,” came Clayton’s simple reply.

“Well then what’s the difference between Charlotte Davis and Miss James? Do you love
her
?”

Clayton stiffened. “I … I …”

“You’d better make sure your hearts in the right place before you up and marry that girl.  True, you
should
marry her, especially after she came all the way out here. Besides, you’re a lonely old cuss and will only get lonelier if you don’t get married.  But court her until ya at least start having
some
feelings or she ain’t gonna be no better than if you married Charlotte!”

Clayton let his breath out slowly.  Milly was right.  What was the difference?  Except Charlotte would drive him crazy in a matter of months, but other than that, there was no di
fference.  And he knew Charlotte, he didn’t really know Miss James.

“Clayton, I’ve doctored
you your entire life.  Sarah was my daughter and a good woman, and it’s a shame she died so young.  Take this girl, fall in love, marry her and start fresh.  Heck, let Spencer be Sheriff and go back to farming!  I bet it would do you good!”

Clayton looked down at her with a furrowed brow.

“All I’m really sayin’ is … well … let your heart out of that box you put it in the day Sarah died.  Don’t be afraid to let someone else have it.  My guess is, you figure if you marry her right away, you won’t have time to feel anything for her, and that love will grow out of time.  But son, I know you.  That’s an excuse. Go ahead and court her a little.  Get to know her.  Let love have a head start, then marry.  Don’t give your heart a chance to bury itself deeper into the ground to hide.”

Clayton’s jaw clenched.  “Milly…”

“Don’t you Milly me, I’m as much a ma to you as the one you got at home. Speaking of which, I’m sure Leona loves her already!”