Page 4 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
Apart from a barely perceptible flicker of his eyelids, the man revealed nothing. “And may I know who is askin’?”
“Olivia Mullen.” She paused to see if Riley had said Sylvia’s name often enough for him to realize a different person had come in her place. She exhaled slowly when Wally didn’t seem to notice. “I came in reply to his letters seeking a wife.” Then lest he think to ask more questions, she added, “Alfred Black has accompanied me.” She indicated Alfred.
Wally nodded acknowledgment before addressing Olivia’s request. “Riley was in town not long ago. Why didn’t he bring you out?”
She shrugged. “I can not answer for Mr. Shannon.” She pulled the sheaf of letters from her bag and held them up. “I have here his messages if you need to verify that I’ve been in correspondence with him.” Hopefully, the man wouldn’t ask for a closer look and note Sylvia’s name on the envelopes.
Wally shrugged. “Guess he missed you. Come along. I’ll take you to his place.” He led the way past a moderate-sized house.
Olivia knew it would be the one built by Riley’s parents where his youngest brother, Andy, lived. Recalling the lines from one of the letters, she smiled.He’s hired an older lady to cook and clean for him. Andy likes to be taken care of. Leaves me the only Shannon brother without someone to make his meals. A marriage would remedy that.Again, her cheeks heated as she remembered the details of his expectations.
A low dwelling stood behind the bigger one. And down the trail, she glimpsed two more, one perched on the edge of the valley. They rolled to the first smaller house and stopped. She eyed it a moment then allowed Alfred to help her to the ground and, ignoring Wally’s hesitation, she opened the door and stepped inside.
She stood in a kitchen-dining area. The wooden table held a vase of flowers…a welcoming gesture. Olivia touched the petals of a chrysanthemum and smiled. She’d accept the gift with joy even if it wasn’t meant for her.
Her smile lingered as she moved to the next room—a parlor. The piano would fit nicely against the one wall. The furnishings included two comfortable-looking upholstered armchairs and a low sofa. A bookcase held several books. She could fill all the shelves with her own volumes. Her easel would be perfect by the window. She looked out and her smile widened. Trees, a glimpse of the valley, and in the distance, the mountains. This was a view worth admiring and painting. It was like a message from God reminding her that He had her life in His hands, and that she was safe. She lingered at the window letting nature calm and strengthen her before she turned back to her examination. Although the house was small, it was cozy, and she could imagine filling it with sweet memories.
With a little laugh, she crossed the room to three doors revealing three bedrooms. She glanced into each. Two were obviously unoccupied. The other held an array of items—a pair of cowboy boots under the bed, toiletries, a wash basin and pitcher on a stand, shirts, and a vest draped on hooks. The bed cover was a new-looking quilt in an intricate pattern. She expected it was in deference to Sylvia’s expected arrival and perhaps a gift from the other Shannon wives.
Turning her back on the room that was Riley’s and intended to be shared with his wife, she indicated that the men should put two of her trunks in the third room. The sharing wouldn’t come until there was a ring on her finger and signatures on the official document.
The trunks holding her books and paint supplies she had placed against the wall between the rooms. A trunk full of her china dishes and silverware she directed to be left in the kitchen.
Then the white-clad piano was shuffled in by the two strong men who had accompanied her.
She paid them and watched them depart before she hurried to the instrument. “Alfred, help me unwrap this.”
He untied the ropes and folded back the canvas then put the stool in place.
Olivia sat down the minute he finished. She lifted the fall board and ran her fingers over the keys. It was slightly out of tune but not so much that she couldn’t enjoy playing. Music filled the room and flooded her heart. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the familiar notes
“Miss?” Alfred’s voice drew her attention. He nodded toward the door. Four men crowded in the entrance. Relaxation ended. It was time to pay the piper as her aunt would say.
She rose and faced them. “Hello.”
The men glanced at each other as if waiting for one of them to take charge.
Not intending to start the conversation, she held her tongue.
“Who are you?” one of them asked.
“Introduce yourself first,” another said with a degree of annoyance. He stepped forward. “I’m Andy Shannon.”
Olivia would have guessed that. He was the blondest.
“I’m Matt.”
“One of the twins.” That earned her a jolt of surprise. “That would make you Luke.” Again, she would have known which was which. Riley had said Matt was the shortest of the four. Though it was barely discernable. Matt had darker coloring than Luke. They weren’t identical and according to the letters, were nothing alike in personality either.
“And I’m Wally.” The older man hovered in the background. He snatched off his cowboy hat to reveal thick dark hair with a touch of white where it overhung his ears. It was hard to place his age, but she knew he was older than the brothers.
“Pleased to meet you all. My name is Olivia Mullen and I’ve come to marry your brother.”
The brothers grinned at each other and then began to speak at once.
Matt held up a hand to silence them. “Riley said he was planning to wed a Miss Sylvia Thorton. Not Olivia Mullen.”
“Sylvia changed her mind. I’ve come in her place.”
