Page 2 of The Bride's Desire

She pressed her hand to her stomach. The ache caused by the nerves had built the closer she’d gotten to Utah. The thought of marrying a man she’d never met, never even talked to on the phone, was mind-blowing. They had communicated through emails for the last three weeks.

He had given her all the information she could use to research him and feel more comfortable about meeting him. He’d also sent her five hundred dollars to get there. The last email said she should go to the post office, and the postal van would drop her off on its route. Since the place she was going to was one of the first, it wouldn’t take long.

She’d been a little disappointed that he hadn’t come to pick her up himself, but he had explained that it was the busiest time on the ranch, so she could understand why.

“Miss?”

She turned to the bus driver.

“Thank you,” she said as he handed her the suitcase. The only piece of luggage she’d been able to get out of the house unnoticed besides her backpack. The last thing she wanted was for her stepmother to catch her trying to leave. The woman had a knack for making her feel guilty and selfish. Naomi couldn’t help but fall for it because she was so sensitive and liked to keep the peace, so her stepmother took advantage of that.

“Sir, would you happen to know where the post office is?”

The man pointed behind her. “It’s just three blocks down on your right. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Be safe, Miss.”

Naomi looked right and left as she walked the three blocks to the post office. The town was small and very appealing. She didn’t see any garbage or graffiti around. Every yard looked well-kept, and the kids seemed happy as they raced around.

Before she knew it, she stood in front of the place she’d been told to go. She walked into the small building and up to the counter. She pressed the bell and waited, when no one came to help her.

“Hello, may I help you?”

Naomi saw an older woman come from the back. Her gray hair was pulled back into a tight bun. She was adorable in jean overalls and a short-sleeved pink shirt. Naomi was short, only five-foot-two, but this woman was an inch or two shorter.

“Yes. Mr. Dawson told me I could get a ride to his ranch with your mail person?”

“Yes. Mrs. Dawson called and asked.”

“He’s married?” Her heart felt like it dropped to the hard concrete.

“Oh, no, Miss. It was his mother.”

Naomi exhaled. Oh, thank God. She tried to settle a bit.

“Is it still going to work, ma’am? Me getting a ride to his ranch?”

“I don’t see a problem with it. Stanley is about ready to go. I’ll take you back so you can meet him.”

The woman lifted a part of the counter on hinges and let her come into the office. Naomi followed the cheerful woman as they walked through a back room filled with all sorts of things. It was crammed with boxes, stacks of newspapers, shredded paper bags, and other miscellaneous items.

Naomi followed the older woman and walked out the back door.

“Stanley, this is the passenger you’re taking to the Dawson Ranch.”

Stanley lifted his head as he packed letters into his small postal jeep.

“Miss, you made it just in time.”

“I’m glad. I can’t thank you enough for the ride, sir.”

“Oh, you’re very welcome. The change of pace will be nice. It’s usually pretty boring driving around by myself.”

“Stanley and I took over the office after we were married forty-two years ago.”

“Oh, my. That’s amazing.” Naomi loved hearing stories like this.

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