Stephen’s Bride Read online

  Just then the waitress approached. “’Hello’, Stephen.” She cast a curious glance at Calliope. “What can I get for you two?”

  “I’ll have the meatloaf.” He looked at Calliope. “The meatloaf is very good, but so is everything else. In fact, the chicken and dumplings is the absolute best I’ve ever had.” He grinned at the waitress. “Don’t you dare tell Rosie I said that.”

  Rosie? Lord sakes. Did she just sit down to dinner with a man who accepted her proposal only to find out he was already married?

  Chapter Two

  Stephen studied the young lady sitting across from him. She was beautiful. There was really no other word. Her auburn hair had probably been done up in some fancy style for what must have been her wedding day, but now it hung around her shoulders in riotous curls. Her green eyes looked out at the world with caution, but also with enough curiosity to make him believe there was an adventurous woman inside.

  Well, of course there was a boldness to her, since she had arrived on a stagecoach declaring she wanted a man to marry her. He had decided to wait until she had her supper before the necessary questioning started. He did fully intend to marry her, as promised, if that was indeed what she wanted, but first he needed a little bit more information from Miss Bender.

  Yes, as the sheriff said, he was probably plum crazy.

  He wiped his mouth on the napkin and folded it alongside his plate. “As you probably realized, there are a few questions I would like answered before we proceed.”

  She returned her fork to the table and set her hands in her lap. “Yes. I agree, Mr. McCoy.” She raised her chin. “There are several things I need to get straight, also.”

  “Very well, I will go first.” He gave himself a few minutes to compose his thoughts, noticing Miss Bender’s fingers fidgeting with the folds of her skirts.

  “Why are you obviously dressed for a wedding, yet arrived here in Bartlett Creek looking for a groom?”

  “The reason is precisely why I need to outline my plan for our . . . marriage.” She took a deep breath. “I need a man to marry me so I can avoid marrying the man who wants to marry me, because he thinks he is the only one I can get to marry me, and I don’t want to marry him,” she finished in a rush.

  Stunned into silence, Stephen dragged his hand down his face. “Can we start at the beginning?”

  Two very becoming red dots rose to her cheeks. “Yes. I agree. At the beginning.” She cleared her throat and wiggled in her seat, making him very aware of her sweet little body, thoughts he did not want to visit right now.

  “My father owned a very profitable and productive farm in Johnson County. We grow wheat and corn. Plus I have a splendid vegetable and herb garden that keeps us fed throughout the year. I have lived there my entire life and was very happy all those years. However, Papa died two months ago—“

  “—I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you,” She dipped her chin. “The farm was left to me, it said so in Papa’s will.” She began to fiddle with her napkin. “Last week my neighbor, Mr. Rupert Melrose, came by and informed me that I would be marrying him as he and my father had planned. He said I couldn’t take care of the farm by myself, so he and Papa agreed I would wed him when the time came.” She placed a finger near her eye to catch a tear. “We knew Papa’s health was failing for months.”

  “I take it this Mr. Melrose is the man you said you didn’t want to marry?”

  “Correct. I don’t like Rupert, don’t trust him, and he’s a very controlling person. I just know if I married him, he would take over the farm, make all the decisions, and expect me to sit in the house and knit him socks.”

  Stephen swallowed his chuckle at the scowl on her pretty face. “And you don’t want to knit.”

  “I have always worked the farm with Papa. But even then, he made all the decisions and wouldn’t listen to any of my suggestions on how to improve things.” She sat forward, excitement in her eyes. “I read a lot, and I know there are so many new things that would improve our land, and make more money.” She sat back and slumped. “But Papa dismissed my ideas as being foolish because I’m a woman.”

  “And you think this Rupert would do the same thing?”

  “Oh, I know he would. He’s even worse than Papa when it comes to women. He was married once before and his poor wife died after about a year of being married to him.” She raised her chin. “I even have reason to believe he beat her.”

  Stephen’s jaw tightened. If there was anything that set him off, it was a man who picked on women or children. God put men on this earth to protect them, not raise their hand to those who depended on them.

  Miss Bender took a sip of her coffee. “Anyway, he came by yesterday with this dress,” she waved her hand over her body, “and said he would be arriving this morning to drive me to town for us to get married.”

  “You do realize he couldn’t have forced you to make your vows.”

  She shook her head. “You have no idea how forceful he can be. I know he would have worked it out ahead of time with the Judge to make sure he ignored any of my protests.”

  “So you ran out on him, got onto the stagecoach and arrived in Bartlett Creek and asked for a man—any man—to marry you.”

  “Yes.”

  He folded his arms on the table and studied her. “And how will that help you? Isn’t one husband as good as another?”

  “That’s part of my plan. I want you to sign a paper agreeing to leave the farm in my name and . . .”

  His insides went on alert. “And?”

  “And agree to a marriage in name only.”

  Stephen just about spit out a mouthful of coffee all over Miss Bender’s wedding gown. “What?”

  She sniffed and drew herself up. “Well, surely you don’t expect me to . . . you know . . . with a stranger!” She hurried on as he continued to stare at her open-mouthed. “The only reason I want a husband is to keep Rupert from insisting I must marry him.”

  It was hard to tell, but from where he sat it appeared she was completely sincere. Marry this gorgeous woman and not avail himself of his husbandly rights? “That might be your reason for marrying, but the wedded state takes two people. When you jumped up on top of the stagecoach with your beautiful fiery hair and flashing green eyes, waving your bridal bouquet, you thought whoever agreed to marry you would settle for a ‘hands off’ policy?”

  Her delicate fingertip drew circles on the tablecloth. “Yes,” she mumbled.

  “Honey, you have no idea how men’s minds work.” He leaned down to look at her downturned face. “Do you think Alfred Minton, who was the first man to offer to marry you, would go along with this plan?”

  She looked up at him. “I guess I hadn’t thought through that part of it. I was just so anxious to get away from Rupert I must have missed a few things.”

  “A few important things, I would say.” He still didn’t understand why he’d agreed to marry her. He didn’t usually make such rash decisions, but something about Miss Bender captivated him, made him want to rescue her from whatever she was running from. And from any number of the men leering at her who would have been more than happy to take her to wife.

  And make her life miserable.

  When she had mentioned the farm, the idea grew even better. Married to Miss Bender, he would have a farm, and possibly a way to start a horse farm as well. And a beautiful wife. Who wanted a marriage in name only. He sighed. He’d have to work on that.

  “I will be happy to sign anything that keeps the farm in your name. However, I will not consent to a lifelong marriage of convenience.” When her eyes grew wide, he added, “To ease your mind, though, I won’t insist on marital relations until you’re comfortable with the idea.”

  She chewed her lip, studying him. He could almost see her brain working it out, trying to come to grips with his condition. Eventually, she took in a deep breath, which drew his eyes to her wonderful breasts and said, “All right. I will allow you your . . .” She held up her hand when he
smiled. “But not until I feel the time is appropriate.”

  He pulled out his pocket watch. “If we are going to get married today, we need to hurry. I have to pick up my niece and nephew from school and collect my wagon before we head back to the farm.

  “Do you have a farm here, too?”

  He shook his head as he stood and pulled out her chair. “It is my brother’s farm. He and his wife, Rosie, own the place. I’ve been living with them since I returned from the war two years ago.”

  “Will it be a burden for them when you leave?”

  “Not really. They have several hands that work the farm with them. In fact, it will give them more room when I move out. Right now the three oldest children are in one bedroom. It will be nice when I leave and they can give the boys one room and Amelia and baby Lucy their own room.”

  They stepped out onto the boardwalk. Stephen extended his arm to Miss Bender. “Are you ready to get married, Miss Bender?”

  “Yes. And please, all me Calliope.”

  “Calliope it is, then.” His lips twitching in humor, he led her to the Justice of the Peace. Yes, sheriff. I am indeed plum crazy.

  ***

  Calliope stared at the gold band on her left hand. She was married. To a stranger. It said a lot about her feelings toward Rupert that she preferred a stranger to a man she’d known for years. On the other hand, she’d heard of a number of women, particularly in the southern states, who traveled west as mail order brides. This was really no different. At least she got to know her husband, at least a little bit before the wedding.

  “Are you really Uncle Stephen’s wife?” Little Amelia McCoy, Stephen’s niece, stared at her wide-eyed. She was a cute little girl of about six, long golden curls hanging down her back. She and her brother, Chandler, had crowded into the back of the supply-laden wagon after she and Stephen had left the Justice of the Peace and headed to the school to pick the children up.

  “Yes, it appears I am. Your Uncle Stephen and I just got married this afternoon.” Something about the friendly, happy children with bright, curious eyes calmed her nerves a bit. A man who had a family like this must be a good man.

  Earlier, once they’d left the café, Stephen walked them to the General Store where he introduced her, bought a gold band, and with the General Store owner’s mouth gaping at his announcement, hustled her down the boardwalk to the Justice of the Peace.

  When they arrived at the school, his niece and nephew were no less surprised, but then again, most men don’t go into town for family supplies and return with a wife. “How soon do you think we will be able to return to my farm?”

  Stephen shifted a toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other. “There isn’t anything keeping me here that can’t be resolved in a few hours. We can go any time you want to.”

  “It’s just that I know Rupert would have sent men after me, and I don’t want to leave my home empty for too long.”

  He seemed to ponder his answer. “How about we plan on leaving first thing in the morning?”

  “Where will I sleep?”

  He grinned. “With me.”

  With him? Of course not. That would be scandalous. She cast him a sideways glance. Sleep in the same bed with a man she’d just met?

  He’s your husband.

  Her mind drifted to how it would feel to lie alongside him all night. Would their bodies touch? Would he insist on kissing her goodnight? Where would that lead?

  Apparently sensing her distress, he moved the reins into his left hand and covered her hand with his right hand. “Don’t worry yourself. We’ll make arrangements that will make you comfortable. There’s no need to mention anything about out agreement to my brother, Daniel and his wife, Rosemarie. What happens, or doesn’t happen, between us is our own business.”

  She took in a deep breath and gave him a bright smile. His eyes grew wide and he swallowed several times. Whatever was wrong with the man?

  They soon arrived at a tidy farmhouse. A large tree stood alongside the house with a swing hanging from a branch, blowing gently in the breeze. The barn and house were well-cared for, with a fresh coat of pain. The fences were mended, and the front porch held two rocking chairs and a box of toys. Calliope felt even surer of her decision to marry Stephen.

  A man with a walk similar to Stephen’s left the barn and joined them at the wagon while a woman with a baby on her hip descended the steps from the front porch. Both had a curious look on their face.

  “Is that your brother and his wife?”

  “Yes.” Stephen jumped from the wagon and strode to the other side. Lifting up his arms, he grasped her around the waist and swung her to her feet. He placed a possessive arm around her shoulders as they faced the couple. “Daniel, Rosemarie, I’d like you to meet my wife, Calliope.”

  Two sets of surprised eyes met hers. Her new sister-in-law, possessing grace and dignity not usually seen on a country farm, smiled warmly and held out her hand. “Welcome to the family, Calliope. Why don’t you come into the house while the men unload the wagon? I’m sure you could use a cup of tea.” She cast raised eyebrows at Stephen and led Calliope into the house.

  Amelia followed them in, tugging on her mama’s skirts. “Mama, Uncle Stephen got married.”

  Rosemarie turned to her daughter. “I see that, Amelia. Why don’t you help me make some tea for your new aunt?”

  The little girl slipped her hand into Calliope’s. “Are you my aunt now?”

  Surprised by the quick acceptance of what must be a very strange situation to Rosemarie, Calliope looked down at the little girl. “Yes, sweetheart, I am your new aunt.”

  “Good.” She nodded briskly, and they all proceeded into the house.

  It was a well-tended farmhouse, and Rosemarie had made a very comfortable home for her family. Lace curtains blew softly with the slight breeze coming through the window. Hand embroidered pillows were strewn around the parlor on clean, but well-used furniture.

  “Come on into the kitchen,” Rosemarie said, shifting the baby from one hip to the other. The aroma of something wonderful filled the air from the pot bubbling away on the stove. “Are you hungry? We are planning supper in another hour, but I can fix you something now.”

  “No, thank you so much. Stephen and I had a meal while we were in town.”

  Rosemarie merely nodded and set about filling a small pot with water and placing it on the stove. “Amelia, please fetch the milk from the cooler and put a few cookies on a plate for . . . your aunt.”

  Calliope pulled out a chair and sat at the table, watching mother and daughter prepare tea. How lovely it would be to have a daughter of her own one day. Except to do that she would have to have a husband in truth. Not something she wanted. Her mama had suffered just about every day of her life with a man who controlled every part of her day. He made all the decisions involving the farm and the house, leaving her mother with nothing to say about anything.

  Not for her. As much as she love her papa, she hated the control he wielded over her and Mama. He had been more than happy to have her work with him on the farm, but when it came to listening to any of her suggestions on how to do things better, she’d been promptly reminded that she was a female and therefore, needed a man to guide her through life. Women’s suggestions were never worthwhile. She’d heard that over and over to the point where she finally learned to keep her mouth shut. Now it was her turn to do the things she’d longed to do.

  A voracious reader, she’d compiled pages of notes from books on farming, irrigation, and harvesting. She kept up with the farmer’s news in the newspaper and had plenty of ideas on how to make her farm more productive, and to even cut costs. Her time to manage her farm had arrived, and she was anxious to do just that.

  They were almost through with their tea and conversation when Stephen and his brother, Daniel entered the kitchen. “Supper ready, Rosemarie? I’m starved.” Daniel tossed his hat on the hook near the back door and pumped water into the sink to wash his hands.


  “Calliope and I had dinner in town.” Stephen took the chair next to Calliope. “Unless you’re still hungry?”

  She shook her head. “No. I just had tea and a couple of cookies, so I am quite full.”

  “Let’s take a walk while the family has supper.” He stood and pulled out her chair. She was a bit concerned about his serious demeanor. Had his brother convinced him he’d made a terrible mistake? Would she have to return to her farm without a man to protect her and her name?

  Pushing her anxious thoughts aside, she smiled at him. “That would be nice. I would love to see the farm. Maybe get some ideas for mine.” She accepted his hand when he reached for hers and followed him out of the house.

  Chapter Three

  Stephen was still smarting from the lecture Daniel had given him. His big brother thought he was an idiot for agreeing to marry a woman he knew nothing about. Pointing out that Daniel knew nothing about Rosie when he moved into her house was quickly dispelled by his comments that he had spent weeks with her before they married.

  Eventually, his brother had wished him well and reminded him he was always welcomed back, and if Stephen needed any help to send word. He and Calliope still held hands as he walked her around the farm. They passed the barn, the cold cellar where Rosie kept the vegetables and fruits she’d stored for the winter, now almost depleted, and Daniel’s newly added horse farm.

  Calliope commented on the smoke house, the ice house, and chicken coops. Once they entered the apple orchard, he saw definite amazement in her eyes at the size and productivity of the farm.

  “It’s amazing what they’ve done here. They are completely self-reliant. When we return home, I need to start thinking about doing more of this. Maybe adding an orchard and smokehouse.” She turned him, her eyes bright. “Those are things I badgered Papa about for the past few years, but he only saw profit in corn and wheat.”