Page 3 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
Yes, a few had stood by her. Sylvia, for one. Her aunt and uncle as well. Uncle Harris had managed to convince Gerald to leave town. Likely with a handful of money. But even her aunt and uncle’s protest at the falsehoods and their defense of Olivia had not stopped the hurtful things. Young men who would be appropriate escorts shunned her while others, with wild reputations, leered at her.
Witnessing this treatment and having read over the letters Sylvia had from Riley, her aunt and uncle had agreed that a change of address might be the best thing for her.
The reason for her journey west had not changed. She made up her mind. “There’s only one thing to do.”
Alfred’s face brightened. “Shall I arrange return tickets?”
“I’m not going back.” She headed into the station, Alfred at her heels, and went directly to the ticket wicket. The tall lean man glanced up from the desk.
“Can I help you?”
“I certainly hope so. Can you tell me where I can rent a wagon to transport my things to the Shannon Ranch?”
He blinked. Opened his mouth and closed it. “Miss, Riley Shannon was here a moment ago. Why didn’t you arrange with him for what you need?”
Olivia drew herself up and gave the man a hard look such as she’d seen her Aunt Mabel do so many times. “I don’t believe that is any concern of yours.”
He cleared his throat. “Livery barn is across the street.” He jabbed his thumb in that direction. “You can rent what you need there. Guessing ya’ll need help. Hoss can do that too.”
“Thank you.” She swept out the door with Alfred at her side and the ticket man staring after her.
Lifting her skirt to keep it clear of the dirt on the street and side-stepping fresh piles of horse droppings, she crossed to the big barn.
It took insistence and a few coins but a little later a wagon held her belongings. The piano was safely secured. A hired man drove the wagon with another man beside him to assist in unloading. She and Alfred sat atop trunks that shifted and rocked when the wheels hit the rough ground. But nothing was going to deter her. Nothing. Not even the thought of confronting Riley Shannon.
Her initial meeting with him was not what she’d envisioned, and he was nothing like the man she’d learned about by reading Sylvia’s letters on the journey west. On paper, she’d thought he’d be kind and welcoming. She could fulfill his requirements as well as Sylvia. Well, apart from the cooking and cleaning part but Sylvia had given her instructions, shown her a few things, and assured her the rest was easy to pick up. All she needed was a chance to prove herself. Her mind set on her plan, she turned her attention to the scenery.
It was as Riley had described in his letter. Rolling hills, sparkling water, groves of trees in variegated greens, and the mountains rising in the west. They were like guardians, reminding her of God’s promise to be with her and guide her. He would give her the strength and wisdom she needed to face this challenge.
Her thoughts calmed and she settled back to enjoy the journey.
A short time later, the wagon slowed and turned up a laneway. She leaned forward for her first view of her new home. Because she intended it to indeed be her new and permanent residence.
A barn and smaller buildings stood along a valley. Trees huddled around many of the structures and formed a backdrop to the others. She’d barely read the descriptions in Sylvia’s letters, being much more concerned with the requirements stated by the man.
She sighed. “It looks nice, doesn’t it?”
Alfred nodded. “I feared it would be little more than a shack in the middle of nowhere.”
“And yet you accompanied me. You didn’t have to.” She was sure her uncle had offered him a substantial sum of money to do so but still, the man could have refused.
“Miss, I couldn’t let you go alone.”
She chuckled. “You have always been my protector.”
He smiled at her with fondness. “It has been my pleasure.”
The wagon rolled past a small cabin. It appeared well-kept. The yard around it clean and the windows shining. The driver hollered, “Whoa,” and they stopped in front of the barn.
Again, she noted that the place was tidy, the buildings painted, the fences of the nearby pastures well maintained.
An older man stepped from the interior.
From the information in Riley’s letters, she guessed this to be Wally, their oldest employee who had accompanied them on their journey to the ranch. He wore a battered gray cowboy hat and regarded them with watchful black eyes that took in every detail.
“How can I help you?” Wally asked, observing the loaded wagon.
Olivia rose to answer him. “Could you please tell us which house is Riley Shannon’s?”
