A Bride For Christmas (Spinster Mail-Order Brides Book 2) Read online

  They’d never been valued, so she had no idea what they were worth, but the sentimental value was what meant the most to her.

  Placing her hairbrushes in her carpetbag, she threw in her nightgown and robe, some undergarments, and her slippers.

  She snatched up two dresses from the trunk as a last minute thought, as well as the wedding gown, in case her trunk got lost somewhere along the way. If that happened, she’d at least have a back up.

  “I’m really sorry, dear,” Mrs Flint told her when she returned to the room. “I have no idea what has come over Robert.”

  What could she say? Mrs Flint seemed genuine in her concern. “Don’t tell Robert, but here are a few extra dollars to tide you over.” She looked down at the notes that had been shoved into her hands. Five whole dollars. “Do you know where you’re going?”

  Melody hesitated to take the money, but realized she needed it to survive. She quickly put it in her reticule along with the other money the doctor had paid her for her services. “I’ll be alright. Don’t you worry about me.” Tears stung the back of her eyes, but she was determined not to show her distress.

  “I’ll organise a driver to take you to the station. Are you ready?”

  Melody straightened her back and squared her shoulders. She wasn’t ready, far from it, but she would not show fear to this woman. She especially wouldn’t let the horrid Doctor Flint see how much his actions had affected her.

  Dragging the trunk behind her, Melody arrived on the train platform, purchased her ticket, and registered her luggage. She breathed a sigh of relief once she was seated, but knew it would be a long journey.

  Mrs Flint had been so kind to her, unlike her horrid husband. In addition to transportation to the train station, she’d made some sandwiches and packed a few pieces of fruit. At the least, it meant Melody wouldn’t need to buy food for a day or so.

  She settled into her carriage, placing her carpetbag in the rack. She kept her reticule close.

  “All Aboard!” She heard the station master call out, then the driver blew the whistle, and they were soon on their way.

  Melody had many regrets of late, not the least being she was unable to let her potential husband know she was arriving.

  The carriage driver had stopped at Miss Bethany’s but the place was closed up for the day, so they continued on to the station.

  She worried that Mr Williams would be most unhappy with her turning up out of the blue. But what choice did she have?

  It wasn’t her fault Doctor Flint had turned her out onto the street without notice. In an ideal situation she would have waited for his return letter assuring her he was willing to go ahead with the marriage.

  Instead she would arrive in Dayton Falls in a few days time, unaccompanied, without much in the way of money, and having no idea if he would even agree to marry her.

  She swallowed back a sob. What if he rejected her?

  Tears threatened at the back of her eyes, but Melody furiously blinked them back. She couldn’t afford to think about such things.

  It did her no good to go down that dark path.

  The train suddenly jerked and she was thrown forward, as was her reticule. It landed on the floor under the empty seat opposite.

  As she reached for her reticule, a well-dressed man in his thirties entered the carriage. She sighed. She’d hoped to have the carriage to herself the entire trip.

  He reached down and picked up her reticule, passing it over to her. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  “You are most welcome,” he said with a smile and a little bow, then helped her to her feet.

  Such a gentleman.

  She wondered if Mr Peter Williams would be so polite. She hoped so.

  “Are you traveling alone,” he asked, as he took the seat opposite.

  She swallowed hard and stared at him.

  He frowned. “I apologize, Miss.”

  “Melody,” she said shakily. “Melody Harken.” She reached out her hand, and he shook it.

  “I’m truly sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” She still wasn’t sure about this stranger. “I’m happy to escort you for as far as I’m going. You can’t trust all train travelers.”

  “I, I’m going as far as Dayton Falls,” she said, still not certain about this man who was a complete stranger to her, and very unsure she should have divulged such information. “Do you do this often? Look out for strange women, I mean?”

  He smiled. “I have a sister about your age. I’d like to think other men would look out for her if she ever found herself alone in a train carriage.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief. He was quite charming.

  “I’m going to Great Falls, by the way, which is a little further down the line. I can definitely keep an eye on you.”

  Her heart did a little flutter, and she suddenly felt safer. “Thank you so much, Sir.”

  “Johnston. George Johnston.” He smiled again, then leaned back into his seat, pulling his hat down over his eyes.

  Melody stared out the window for the next two hours or so, taking in the scenery, until it became dark outside. She nibbled on one of the sandwiches, and said a silent prayer of thanks to Mrs Flint for her foresight. It didn’t take long for her to be lulled into a deep sleep by the constant movement of the train.

  She woke up with a start when they pulled into a station somewhere down the line. Her companion was sitting opposite, his hat still over his eyes.

  He slowly stretched his legs, pushing his hat back on his head. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning,” she said, a little more animated than Mr Johnston.

  He stared out the window. “Ah, Little River. We’ll be here for thirty minutes exactly.”

  She also stared outside. It looked like a friendly little town.

  “Shall I escort you off the train and we’ll find the privy and perhaps take a quick stroll?”

  “Why not? So long as we don’t miss the train leaving.” Why not indeed? It sounded so lovely after being cramped in the small carriage for more hours than she cared to recall.

  He reached for her hand, and escorted her off the train. “Hold tight to your reticule,” he told her. “You don’t know what sort of scoundrels you might come across.”

  She pulled it closer. “Oh? I thought you would be there to protect me, Mr Johnston.”

  He stared at her momentarily. “Of course, Miss Harken. It’s just a precaution.” He smiled and she felt more comfortable.

  He pulled out his pocket-watch and checked the time. “Ten o’clock precisely. We must be back here by ten twenty-five and no later.”

  She nodded. He was just what she needed, and had obviously done this before.

  Leaving the train, she spotted the privy and headed there. Then they took a nice stroll along the creek, not far from town. “It looks like a lovely place,” she said, hoping Dayton Falls was just as appealing.

  As they strolled alongside the creek, Mr Johnston talked about his sister, and his family. Her arm was linked through his the entire time, and she felt safe, protected.

  At precisely ten twenty-five, they arrived back at the train. Their tickets were checked and they were allowed to re-board.

  The next leg of their journey had begun.

  Melody was tiring of sleeping upright on an uncomfortable torn and dirty seat. She was certain Mr Johnston must be too, but neither of them complained.

  He’d been a wonderful companion for her during the long and boring trip, for which she was very grateful.

  With her food getting low, Melody had to consider the possibility of purchasing food at the next stop. She told Mr Johnston as much.

  “Do you have enough money?” he asked.

  Her head shot up. He’d not asked such a question before. “I have only a little,” she said. It was not a complete lie, she didn’t have a lot of money, but she had enough to see her through. Mrs Flint had seen to that. “A few coins at most,” she added to convince him she wasn’t flash wit
h money.

  He nodded but said nothing, then pulled his hat down over his eyes and went off to sleep.

  Melody forced herself to stay awake a while longer. The more tired she was, the better quality of sleep she would have in this horrible contraption.

  She pulled her reticule close to her chest and finally drifted off to sleep.

  She awoke with a start some hours later to find the train pulling out of yet another station – Little Rock. Her companion was nowhere to be seen, and her reticule lay open on the seat next to her.

  Melody scrambled to check her pocketbook and found it empty. Tears sprang to her eyes. He’d seemed so trustworthy, and yet…

  She stared out of the window onto the platform. And there he stood, grinning at her and waving as the train continued its journey. She blinked and he was gone.

  “You scoundrel,” she shouted, using his exact words. It made her feel a little better, but did nothing to retrieve her lost money.

  It was then she realized it was his plan all along – to gain her trust and then rob her. He seemed like such a nice man, caring and protective.

  She fought back a sob. What a fool she’d been.

  It seemed she was always being fooled lately. And all because her father had been selfish and hadn’t thought about her future.

  Scrounging through her carpetbag she found a lone apple. That would have to carry her over until they reached Dayton Falls the next morning.

  At least he hadn’t taken her most prized possession – her mother’s wedding dress.

  Chapter Three

  His decision made, Postmaster Pete Williams put pen to paper. He could not marry Miss Melody Harken. Tarnishing his dead wife’s memory was not an option.

  He apologized for his change of mind, and wished her well. Pete decided against explaining his reasons, believing it may muddy the waters.

  He reached for an envelope and addressed it. He was about to add the stamp when a telegram arrived.

  He sighed. Right now he just wanted to get this over and done with and not have to worry again.

  Copying the telegram down word for word, he then began to lock up. Hurrying to his destination, he heard the whistle blowing as the train pulled into the station.

  He needed to hurry. He wanted to catch Edward Horvard from the Mercantile before he left his store unnecessarily.

  “Ah Edward,” he said, arriving just in time to see the man in question about to lock up his store. “A telegram. Unfortunately your supplies aren’t arriving today.”

  He handed over the hastily written message.

  Edward stared at it. “What a nuisance, but I guess it can’t be helped. Thank you, Pete, appreciated.” He nodded and returned to his store, taking down the sign that indicated he’d be back in half an hour.

  Pete strolled back toward the post office, waving and smiling at the town folks along the way. Mrs Grogan, the doctor’s wife, spotted him and crossed the road to chat. There was no way around it, he would just have to endure it.

  It was always the same. “How are you coping without your dear Priscilla?” He knew she meant well, but after all this time, he wished she would stop.

  She waved and walked hastily across the dirt road. “Mr Williams,” she shouted, waving as she did so. “How are you coping without your dear Priscilla?”

  If he could roll his eyes without her seeing he would. Instead he was forced to put a smile on his face. “Good morning, Mrs Grogan. How are you today?” He’d learned to ignore her question and completely change the subject.

  “I’m perfectly fine, thank you, Mr Williams.” She looked him up and down. “I believe you’ve lost more weight. Are you eating properly?”

  He inwardly groaned. Was she serious? How did she expect him to eat properly when he didn’t know how to cook much more than bacon and eggs and beans.

  “I guess so.” What else could he say to a direct question like that? He really didn’t want to lie to the woman.

  “Mr Simpson has lamb shanks on special today. You could make yourself a nice little supper with a couple of those.”

  It was enough to make his mouth water. “Thank you, Mrs Grogan. I’ll keep it in mind.” He had no intention of doing any such thing, but it would keep her off his back. “I really must go. It looks like I have a customer waiting outside the door.”

  He could see her in the distance, but didn’t recognize her as a local. A visitor to town perhaps? Probably got off the train.

  “Of course, of course. Good day to you, Mr Williams.”

  With that she was on her way again. Pete breathed a sigh of relief and headed toward the Post Office and his mysterious customer.

  Melody pulled the crinkled letter out of her pocket. She’d need some proof she was who she said she was.

  She turned the door handle but the door wouldn’t budge. She’d been through so much not only on her way here, but in the weeks since her father had died leaving her destitute.

  Her embarrassment at her situation was overwhelming.

  She heard the man before she saw him. “I won’t be a moment,” he said, almost running to let her in. “I had to deliver a telegram.”

  He was out of breath, but smiled, and she was immediately drawn to him. He seemed a friendly sort of chap. Good looking too. Was this the man she was to marry?

  “Good morning, Ma’am.” He unlocked the door and allowed her entrance.

  She smiled back. Her relief at finally arriving in Dayton Falls was palpable. “Thank you, it’s Miss. I’m looking for Mr Peter Williams.”

  He stopped dead in his tracks and his face went white as a sheet. “That is I,” he said, his voice shaking. “And who might be asking?”

  His expression told her he already knew who she was. She reached out her hand. “Miss Melody Harken. I wrote to you.”

  He went even whiter, if that was possible. “You can’t be,” he said quietly. “I haven’t written back yet.” He stood stark still, not moving even a fraction. “That is, I have written, today, but I haven’t posted the letter yet.”

  He reached across the counter and snatched up an envelope. Melody stared at it. Her name and address were neatly written on the envelope.

  “I was about to put a stamp on it when an urgent telegram arrived,” he explained. But that didn’t really explain anything.

  Was he trying to tell her something?

  She reached over and snatched the letter out of his hands. The horror on his face said it all. Without warning, he grabbed it back.

  “Is there a reason you don’t want me to read your letter,” she asked, straightening her back, fearing the worst.

  She caught him off guard and stole the letter back again, this time rushing out the door, and tearing it open.

  He followed her.

  Melody came to a sudden halt when she read the words explaining he couldn’t marry her after all. She slowly turned around to face him, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over her face.

  “I’ve come such a long way,” she said, barely above a whisper. “I spent days on that horrid train, and was robbed of all my money. The little I had.”

  She headed toward the post office to collect the trunk she’d left outside the building. He followed her. “I have nothing,” she whispered, and this time the tears fell like waterfalls. There was no holding them back, no matter how much she tried.

  “The new doctor threw me out on the street without warning, and I had to leave that same day.” She straightened her back again, and wiped at the tears flooding her cheeks. “Is there a boarding house here? Not that I have any money to pay for it.”

  She watched as his face softened.

  “No boarding house, only a hotel.” He took a few steps toward her until they were only inches apart. He looked genuinely worried for her. “I’m happy to pay for a room for you, and your ticket back home, of course.”

  He reached out and wiped her cheeks. His touch was gentle, and he did seem to care. Or did he?

  She swallow
ed hard. “There is no home. I have nowhere to go.”

  “Nowhere? What are you…”

  “I am homeless,” she said, interrupting him. “My father died with no will, and I have nothing but what I’ve arrived here with.”

  His eyes opened wide. “Nothing?” He seemed shocked. “He left you with nothing? What a cad.”

  She felt the heat rise from her neck to her face. “My father died suddenly. He didn’t expect to die for many years.” She was near-screaming, and felt her hysteria rising. Tears began to flow again, much to her disgust. The fact her belly was empty didn’t help.

  She watched as he glanced around. He had no idea what to do with a hysterical woman, that much was clear.

  He seemed like a decent man, but he’d obviously decided not to marry her, going by the letter, and now she was stuck in a town she didn’t know, with people who didn’t care.

  Her bottom lip quivered and she felt faint. The combination of the shock of being jilted and the emptiness of her belly were surely contributing factors.

  “I, I need to sit down, Mr Williams,” she said quietly. “I feel rather faint.”

  The look of horror crossed his face once more. His arm suddenly went up, and he waved to someone across the way. “Mrs Grogan,” he called. “Do you have a moment?”

  His arm went around her waist, supporting her, and she felt somewhat comforted. The last thing she needed was to collapse in a strange place with a man she barely knew. Even if that man was meant to be her husband.

  Her last memory was of two strong arms reaching underneath her and picking her up.

  Melody’s eyes blinked open.

  “How long since you ate, Miss Harken?”

  It was a woman’s voice. An unfamiliar voice.

  Melody looked around. She had no idea where she was. “Eaten? I had an apple yesterday.”

  “My dear girl, that is not enough! It’s no wonder you fainted.”

  She felt compelled to explain. “I, I was robbed on the train. That was to be my food money for the last leg of the trip.”