Violet: Bride of North Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 39) (17 page)

I have been extremely forward and declared myself to Daniel. He was unmoved.

(Journal Entry, Violet Keating, December 5, 1890)

“YOU ARE NOT SO OLD AS to be hard of hearing, I think,” Violet said. “And this is difficult for me to say even once.”

He was stunned. “You cannot love me. You are confused. I am not suitable for you.”

“You do suit me.”

But he shook his head more vehemently. A panicked feeling choked him, freezing him now where before he was overheated. “I cannot marry you, Violet.”

Her eyes widened until she looked like some sort of baby animal, pulling at his heartstrings.

“I see,” she said finally, quietly. “Then I will return home.”

“Home? To Amelia’s? I will escort you.”

She smiled. “Perhaps home to Massachusetts.”

“Don’t do anything rash.”

“Rash?” She laughed harshly. “Like crossing the country to find true love? No, I am not likely to do anything rash again.”

It started to snow as she lifted the reins. He climbed out, and she flicked them, leaving him and his horse standing as snowflakes began to dust both their coats.

He stared after her.

She loved him? Surely not. She was young and didn’t know what she wanted. She would soon tire of him. She had come here all excited to marry a young, handsome, rich gentleman. He feared she would soon tire of Daniel and his quiet daily routine.

And he would never survive it if she did.

She loves me?

(Journal Entry, Daniel Lund, December 5, 1890)

All the way back to town, following the carriage that held the most beautiful woman in the world, watching the northern lights flicker overhead in all their beauty, her words played over and over in his head.

She was falling in love with him.

Why? What could she possibly see in him? And even if he believed that he could have her, what would keep her from realizing he was not worth keeping, just as Opal had?

She was falling in love with him?

His heart pounded faster than his horse’s hoofbeats and he thought his chest might explode.

Did she truly not want James? The younger man was immature, but good looking and smooth and charming and charismatic and fun.

Why would she want Daniel, who was none of those things?

As they reached Amelia’s house, she pulled the carriage to a stop.

He jumped down and set the brake for her. “I’ll take care of the horses.”

“Thank you,” she said, without looking into his eyes.

He watched her walk to the house and disappear inside its warmth.

She couldn’t have meant it about going home.

I fear I will never wed Miss Violet Keating. She loves Daniel Lund and it is obvious he cares for her, as well. I wish things had gone differently, but realize that life must go on. Perhaps I need to get right back on the horse—and send for another mail-order bride.

(Journal Entry, James Evans, December 5, 1890)

Daniel put the three horses away, safe and warm, and saddled another horse for the return trip to James’s cabin. It had stopped snowing, and between the moon glinting off the fresh snow and the greenish-blue flicker of the northern lights, there was plenty of light, even this late at night. He guessed it was about midnight.

He rode more slowly this time, as he was not panicked. A white-hot, indignant anger burned in his chest, but it was not the red berserker rage that had filled him before.

He would normally not call on anyone at this time of night. But James had lost his right to any respect after what he’d done.

As he neared the cabin, he could see the smoke from the chimney float across the moon.

Climbing down, he tied his horse to a branch, patted his back, and frowned.

James must have heard hoofbeats, since the door opened and he was silhouetted in the doorway. “Daniel?” he asked, his voice nervous.

Daniel frowned even more. “James.”

He put up his hands in defense. “I didn’t hurt her.”

“You threw her over your shoulder and into your carriage!” He strode toward the door and grabbed James by the shirt front, slamming him against the wall. “Did you touch her after that?”

“No. I wouldn’t. I didn’t even kiss her.”

He could see the fear in the younger man’s eyes. He held him there a moment longer, and then let him drop. “Then you’ll live through this encounter.”

James coughed. “I’m grateful to hear that.”

Daniel forced himself to not punch the younger man. Forced his gaze away from the worm. Then, surprised, he looked around the cabin.

Pink gingham curtains hung on the windows, a maroon rocker of the sort that women rocked their babies in sat by the fireplace, on which there were hung two stockings.

“It’s not Christmas for another two weeks.”

James shrugged. “I was excited for my first Christmas as a married man.”

Daniel shut the front door, shutting off the cold blast of air. “I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here, but you hurt her by not being at the train station that day to pick her up.”

James said, “She didn’t even know me, so I couldn’t really break her heart. I embarrassed her, I’m sure.”

“You can excuse away your guilt, but you brought her here to marry you, and you didn’t have the honor to do so.”

“I proposed to her again. She turned me down.”

A flush of happiness filled Daniel. “She did?”

“She claimed she might be falling in love with you—and you’re refusing to even consider courting her. So you’re not marrying her either. And you are doubtless breaking her heart more than I ever could.”

The words cut into his heart. Shaking his head, he said, “It’s not the way of it. I’m too old for her.”

“I told her as much. She apparently has lost her mind and thinks you would make a good husband.”

Daniel was quiet for a long moment.

James sighed and crossed his arms. “You don’t even know the words to say, do you? You could offer her a ring right now, and put it on her finger, and she’d probably say yes. You’re just as scared as I was. You’re no different than me.”

If she’d told James, it must be true. She loved him?

And she didn’t care that he was ten years older. So why should he? He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman.

He could marry her. If he could find the words.

James punched him in the arm. Hard. “That’s for stealing my bride. You owe me for a train ticket.”

“All right,” Daniel said. “And you stay away from her.”

“I know when I’m not wanted. I might just move on out of town for a few more months until this whole thing dies down.” James drew in another deep breath. “Now could you please go home, Daniel Lund? I’ve had a long day.”

“Kidnapping takes it out of a man, I reckon.”

“I thought she was playing hard to get and wanted to marry me. She certainly wanted to when she first came to town.”

Daniel nodded. “I came here to talk some sense into you.”

“You did. I’ll stay away. Now please go talk to your sister and ask her to help you or you’re going to blow it, too.”

“That’s a good idea,” and he headed for the door.

“Idiot,” he heard James mutter, but he kept going.

As he climbed on his horse and turned toward home, his heart soared.

He could marry Violet. He just had to court her, and Amelia would help him with that. Which was good, because he didn’t have the slightest idea how.

Brilliant greens and blues flickered overhead, reminding him of how late it was. He would go to Amelia’s house first thing in the morning.

And begin making Violet his wife.

I had such high hopes coming to Minot, first with James and then, later, with Daniel. Life has a way of disappointing.

(Journal Entry, Violet Keating, December 6, 1890)

Amelia poured another cup of hot cocoa for Violet and one for herself and sat beside her.

“Thank you, Amelia. You have been nothing but kind and generous to me.” Violet pulled the mug toward her. “Your brother, on the other hand—”

”Is a dolt. I know.” Amelia patted her hand. “Please don’t give up. He’s just really stupid, so why you’d even want him is beyond me.”

Violet sighed. “I don’t want to have to chase after a man. I want a man who wants me enough to pursue me.”

“I can tell you that Daniel cares very much for you.”

“I told him I thought I was falling in love with him.”

Amelia sighed and leaned back in her chair, a pained expression on her face.

Violet looked into her eyes. “There’s a train that leaves at seven in the morning, right?”

“Yes.”

“Will you take me to the train station to catch it?”

Reluctantly, Amelia nodded. “Yes. I’m so sorry to see you leave. You have become like a sister to me.”

Violet leaned over and hugged Amelia. “I’ve had other friends, but you and Rachel seem like the only true family I have. I love you dearly.”

“Then please stay longer. Give the dolt more time.”

“I wish I could. But this has become too hard for me.”

“But where will you go?”

“I have a friend who didn’t become a mail-order bride with the rest of us. She will take me in, I think. And I will find another job.”

“Stay here. If you don’t marry Daniel, you have other men interested in you.”

Violet closed her eyes. “Oh, how I wish I could. But it would be torture to see Daniel and know I could never have him.”

She opened her eyes, drank the hot cocoa, and rose from the table. Turning back to her friend, she said, “I need to pack my few things.”