Page 45 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
Alfred stepped aside to let Olivia enter. “From what I’ve observed all the Shannon men are stubborn but also very loyal. You simply need to wait for him to realize you’re the best person in the world for him.”
She ground to a halt and stared at Alfred. “You believe that?”
He patted her arm. “Yes, miss. I do.” He made his way to his bedroom.
His words eased Olivia’s pain. She would simply remain and continue to do her work until Riley admitted she was the best person in the world for him as Alfred said.
She looked at the kitchen and groaned. This was not an example of doing her work. Determined to correct the matter immediately, she put away things, filled the dishpan with hot water, and tackled the dishes.
She had only begun to wash them when Riley stepped into the house. Seeing what she was doing, he grabbed a drying towel and took the first plate.
Her protest was immediate and sincere. “You’ve worked all day. You don’t have to help.”
He shrugged but didn’t say a thing. Had her challenging words offended him? She only wanted him to admit she fit all the requirements he’d listed in his letters to Sylvia. She reviewed them. Willing to work. Prepared to deal with the sometimes-untoward circumstances of life in the west. Willing to have children—her face warmed at that one. Make meals, keep the house clean, tend the garden…he’d itemized a number of chores. Honor and Gwen had helped her learn many of them and assured her they would continue to be of assistance.
“Riley, do you really think you can find anyone more suitable than me?” The truth was, he probably could. There must be many young ladies seeking marriage and used to country living. That wasn’t what she meant. “Haven’t I lived up to your expectations?”
He dried the plate over and over until she wondered if he didn’t wear a hole in it. He finally put it in the cupboard. “Olivia, I’ve learned that good intentions aren’t good enough. You aren’t used to the hard work this life requires.”
“Tell me what makes you so certain a city girl can’t adjust to ranch life. I know you say Nina decided she couldn’t but should I be judged by her reaction? Shouldn’t I be judged on my own merits?”
She waited for him to say something, anything to give her hope that he’d look at the evidence of her life. When he remained silent, she turned back to her washing. They finished the dishes without talking. Stubborn as a dead stump, she thought. Alfred was wrong to think Riley would change his mind. She wasn’t about to change hers either. She liked it here. Wanted to stay. Wanted to be part of his life. How long could they continue in this stalemate?
11
Riley tossed and turned half the night, wrestling with his thoughts. Was Olivia suitable as a wife? There was no reason for complaint so far. But wasn’t it too early to be making that assessment?
Yes, he would have married Sylvia before he brought her home. Because she was from a simple background. Her father was a carpenter with health problems that kept him from full-time work. She had three younger siblings. Since she was old enough to be of use, she’d worked as a chambermaid, a mother’s helper, and other things to help support the family. Her brothers and sister were now old enough to work, freeing her up to start her own family. As she’d explained, the eligible men in her area were either too young or undesirable.
He’d thought Sylvia was a perfect choice. She knew about work and hardships and was willing to settle in order to have a home and family of her own. And yet she’d fallen in love and chosen another over him. He sighed loudly in the silence of his room.
Was it possible to find someone who had no alternative but life here with him? Something about that question troubled him. But he would not admit that the truth was that he really wanted a bride who had options but chose to stay with him.
Was it an impossible dream?
Riley wokewith a start the next morning. A noise had wakened him. The sound of metal banging on the stove. He guessed it would be the coffee pot. Smiling, he dressed and left his room.
“Mornin’, Olivia. Alfred.”
“Good morning,” they chorused.
“Breakfast will be a few minutes yet.” Olivia glanced over her shoulder as she spoke. “I’ve only risen a moment ago.”
“I’ll head to the barn and check on things.” Four of their horses were leaving today, meaning he had a lot to do in a short amount of time. As he passed Olivia, he touched her arm and felt her stiffen. Was it because her feelings were hurt? He wasn’t an unkind man and it bothered him that he might have said, or didn’t say, words that upset her. She’d done everything he could hope for. By rights, he should marry her.
What stopped him? He didn’t have to consider the question for more than a heartbeat. It was because he feared the outcome. Believing Olivia would sooner or later realize she was a city girl unsuited to life in the West, he didn’t want to deal with the repercussions of such a decision. Not that he expected the same thing to happen to her that happened to Nina. But the only way he could keep Olivia, the ranch, and his own heart safe was to get her to leave.
He murmured, “I’ll be back shortly,” and trotted to the barn. Andy and Joe were there already, preparing a packhorse with supplies.
“In a hurry to leave?” He grinned at Joe to let him know he was teasing.
“Anxious to get these beauties home. Besides, a man can get used to havin’ a warm welcome when he returns.” He chuckled but his eyes were serious. “Glad to see the lot of you settlin’ down.” His gaze bore into Andy’s back. “Exceptin’ this young buck. Somethin’ should be done about that.”
Andy bristled. “I’m not looking to marry. No siree. I don’t aim to be tied down any time soon.”
Joe chuckled. “It ain’t a matter of being tied down so much as havin’ a safe place for yer heart. Ain’t I right, Riley?”
Riley pretended there was a need to check the pack saddle. “Sounds about right.” Safe? It was not a word he associated with marriage as he knew Joe meant.
