The Wrangler's Mail Order Bride (3 page)

C
lara’s eyes
fluttered open and for a moment, she wasn’t sure where she was. The terrain out the window had changed again, and she saw what she thought were tall cactuses, based on the pictures she’d seen. She reached into her valise and pulled out a worn book, rubbing her hand over the soft leather that covered it. She opened it to a page with pictures of cactus and tried to match the pictures to what she saw out the window.

Tripp and Sadie dozed in the seat across from her, Sadie’s head resting on Tripp’s shoulder, and Clara smiled. She breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of them so comfortable together, her heart swelling at the thought that she might have something like that too, one day.

She set the book on her lap and breathed in the cool, fresh air. It was the beginning of spring, and the late winter snowstorm recently before she’d left Chicago made her appreciate the warmth here even more. Out the window, she saw a beautiful stand of trees that were definitely not cactuses. Tall, leafy and very green, she opened her book and flipped through to see if she could find something similar, even a drawing. Not finding anything, she turned to look again, shielding her eyes against the bright rays of the sun.

At the base of the trees she could see the figure of a man—too far away to see any features, but she could make out a cowboy hat. The man stood, looking at something that was over the horizon, too far away for her to see. He leaned against a tree and put his hand to his mouth. She heard a faint whistle, and couldn’t look away.

The scene was so foreign to her, and she gasped as she saw a beautiful, white horse slowly walk up to him. It stopped a few feet away, and he held out his hand to it.

She gasped when the horse moved the remaining distance toward him, nuzzling his chest as he stroked its nose. Mesmerized, she watched him grab its reins and leap on its back, taking off in the opposite direction at full speed after a brief wave in her direction, she assumed to the driver of the stagecoach.

She was ripped from her thoughts by the stagecoach driver’s yell of, “Coming into Tombstone, folks. Fifteen minutes.” Clara laughed as both Tripp and Sadie sat bolt upright, clearly startled by the shout. Sadie rubbed her eyes then glanced out the window. “Yep, we’re here. And there’s Suzanne to pick us up.”

Clara spied Suzanne, each hand clasping that of a beautiful little girl who looked exactly like each other. “Oh, my. It’s going to be just the same as growing up with you two, isn’t it?”

Tripp leaned forward and looked out the window. “Ah, yes. That takes some getting used to. First these twins, Sadie and Suzanne, and then another two with Lucy and Lily.”

“They are adorable,” Clara said as she leaned out the window, waving at Suzanne.

“Maybe it’s something in the water around here. Hank has two sisters that are twins, too. Wonder if it’ll be like that with us.” Tripp kissed the back of Sadie’s hand.

Sadie’s smile wasn’t quite as big as it usually was as her face turned pink and she patted Tripp’s knee. “Let’s not rush into anything there, Mr. Morgan.”

Tripp raised an eyebrow and winked at Clara. “I think she’s a little nervous.”

“I am no such thing,” Sadie said, pulling her hand away from Tripp’s and turning toward the window.

As the coach slowed to a stop, Tripp hopped out, holding out his hand as each of the girls stepped down.

Clara spotted Suzanne again and rushed to her, grasping her friend in a firm hug. Her smile widened as she bent down, eye level to the two little girls with long, blonde braids hanging down their backs. “And who have we here? And how do I tell you apart?” Clara said, looking from one twin to the other.”

“Oh, don’t mind them. They’re usually very—“

“Mama says there is no way to tell us apart, but we know who we are. I’m Lucy, and this is my sister Lily,” said one of the twins, pointing at herself and then thrusting her thumb at her sister.

Clara put her hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle. She hadn’t had much experience with children, but enjoyed being around them when she’d had the opportunity. She looked again for a moment from Lucy to Lily. “Hmm. I bet I can tell you apart. I will practice.”

Both the girls giggled. “We’re glad to meet you,” Lucy said, making a small curtsy.

Clara laughed and took off her gloves, shaking their hands and curtsying herself. “So glad to make your acquaintance, Lucy and Lily.”

She stood and blinked hard as Suzanne stared at her, mouth agape. “I was going to say shy. I’ve never seen them greet anyone like that right away.”

“Oh, really? I can’t imagine that. They’re so friendly,” she said and looked down as two little hands grabbed hers. She smiled at Suzanne and shrugged.

“Well, that’s a first,” Sadie said from behind her. “Took me a lot longer, but you’ve always had that way about you.” She smiled, looping her arm through Suzanne’s. “Come on, this way. Tripp’s got your bags and will bring around the buggy.”

Clara followed her friends as she squeezed the girls’ hands and felt a squeeze back. She breathed deeply, taking in her surroundings. Robert was her only sibling, and she’d grown up with Sadie and Suzanne. They were as close as sisters to her. Being with them now warmed her heart as much as it had back in Chicago, and gratitude washed over her as she walked behind them, Lucy and Lily in tow.

They’d both wanted to sit next to her in the buggy and talked the entire ride home. Suzanne had turned back once or twice, shaking her head at the girls and shrugging her shoulders. She smiled at Clara, and once said, “Let me know if you need some relief.”

Clara smiled and paid very close attention to the things the girls were pointing out—the mercantile, Tripp and Sadie’s restaurant, the church, the theater. “This is much bigger than I’d imagined it to be,” Clara said as they pulled up in front of a big, white house with two stories and a big porch wrapped around three sides.

“It’s even so big you can get lost,” Lucy said.

“Only if you don’t know where you’re going.” Lily crossed her arms over her chest. “She gets lost a lot.”

“Do not,” Lucy said, folding her arms over her chest as well.

“Come on, chatterboxes. Let’s give Clara a little break,” Suzanne said as she reached up into the buggy to lift the girls down, one at a time. “Run into the house and see Daddy.”

Turning to Clara, she said, “Whew. They really were giving you quite the tour, weren’t they?”

“I was grateful for it. I really haven’t spent any time out of Chicago, so this is all new to me. It’s a lovely little town. Well, a big town. Bigger than I’d expected.”

Tripp reached up to help Sadie out of the buggy, then Clara. “It’s grown quite a bit since that silver vein was found. Grew fast. Almost too fast. We’re not really in Tombstone proper, but it’s the biggest place close by,” he said as he tied the leather reins to the post in front of the house.

“And who lives here?” Clara looked up at the big house and smiled. She’d never had her own house, and now, in her mid-twenties like Sadie and Suzanne, was anxious to have one of her own. She’d grow flowers out front in the spring, and have herbs in the garden to cook with. Her heart fluttered at the thought of a home of her own.

“This is Suzanne’s house,” Sadie said, looping her arm through Clara’s and pulling her toward the stairs to the porch. “She has more bedrooms here than we do. Tripp’s adding on to our house for..well..”

“You’re blushing, my friend. Do you mean for children?” Clara laughed and squeezed her friend’s hand. Clara remembered how strong and sure Sadie had always been—but she’d never seen her around a man. Maybe this was different. She’d rarely seen her out of the bakery back home after Suzanne left for Arizona Territory and Sadie took over the business when their parents died. She sighed, grateful that her friend had found a good man, and a good life.

Sadie turned to look at Tripp, who was smiling widely at her and seemed almost ready to laugh outright. “This woman, I tell you. Yes, we’re adding rooms for children. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to start on supper while you ladies get settled.” He turned to Clara and tipped his hat before holding the door open for the ladies. “I’ll bring Clara’s bags up and set them in the hall.”

“Goodness, he cooks at home, too?” Clara said, her eyebrows raised.

Suzanne laughed as she turned at the top of the stairs and ushered Clara into a beautiful bedroom that had obviously had Suzanne’s decorating touch. The calm colors of green, purple and white soothed her senses and she sat on the bed, a rush of exhaustion coming back as the excitement subsided.

“He cooks when I let him, and he’s fairly good at it. Mostly, he’s my sous chef at home, but tonight he’s on his own. Wanted to make something special.” Sadie winked at Suzanne and smiled. “You never know with him, though, so I’d better go supervise. I’ll see you at supper after you rest for a bit,” she said with a hug for Clara before she left and closed the door behind her.

“She sure looks happy.” Clara reached up and took the pins out of her hat and set them on the vanity, resting her hat on a hook by the door.

Suzanne smoothed out the bedspread and brought some towels out of a drawer. “She sure is. It was touch and go there for a while, but they’ve seemed to find a happy rhythm. The restaurant is wonderful, and I’m sure you’ll be going there soon. For tonight, though, you’ll be getting a Tripp and Sadie original.”

“Oh, goodness. I hope they’re not going to much trouble on my account.”

“You know as well as I do, Clara Martin, that Sadie’s in hog heaven cooking for you. And her husband is, too. Trust me. Oh, and Hank will be coming for supper, too. I’ll bring up water for a bath, and you just relax best you can. Been a long journey, I’m sure.”

“I…I…he is?” Clara’s face flushed and she found herself wringing her hands. She’d known this time was coming but now that it was imminent, the butterflies in her belly had re-awakened.

Suzanne sat down on the bed beside Clara, smoothing a stray lock of her red, wavy hair back. “I imagine you’re a bit nervous. I sure would be. But, Clara, you know you are like a sister to us. Hank is a very good friend—like a brother—of Tripp’s. Sadie’s gotten to know him even better than I have, and she really believes that there’s something about you two that is special. I trust her, and for now, can you? You don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to.”

Clara looked down at her hands and smoothed her skirts. She stood and reached into her valise, pulling out the book about the Wild West frontier and handing it to Suzanne. “I left because I wanted a change and a family, Suzanne, and I aim to have one. I’m not afraid, just a little anxious.”

“I would be surprised if you
weren’t
nervous,” Suzanne said. She flipped through the pages of the picture book quickly. “Can I borrow this while you’re napping? I’d like to show the girls.”

“Thank you. I’ll be back with water for your bath. Make yourself comfortable.” Suzanne tucked the book under her arms and opened the door.

“Thank you, Suzanne. For everything.” Clara reached to the vase of lavender on the vanity and picked it up, holding it under her nose as she breathed deeply.

Suzanne poked her head back in the door as she drew it closed. “You’re welcome for everything. I am so happy you’re here.” She nodded her head, her smile ear to ear.

C
lara had just finished braiding
her hair as the knock came at the door. It had taken much longer than usual, her fingers fumbling as she thought of Hank Archer, her future—she could barely allow herself to even think the word. But it was husband. And she’d better get used to it. She’d soon be Clara Archer, a thought that made the butterflies explode in a full-fledged swarm.

The door opened and one of the twins’ head poked in. “Who am I?” she said, her little face defying Clara to answer correctly. Clara had taken the time during the buggy ride to notice enough about the girls to tell them apart. The differences were very subtle, but she had an idea and welcomed the distraction from the butterflies to try out her theory.

“Hmm. Can you step in closer so I can see better?” Clara sat down on the bed and patted next to her. The twin threw the door open and walked forward, sitting next to Clara as she looked toward the door.

“Come in so Clara can see you,” she said to her sister, who had barely poked her eyes around the side of the door.

“Ah, I can tell you right now. You are Lucy.” She hugged the little girl next to her. Pointing to the door, she said, “And you are Lily.”

The girls dissolved into giggles so infectious that Clara couldn’t help but laugh, too.

“How did you know? Nobody
ever
knows,” Lucy said as she settled back down.

“I have my ways, and it’s a secret.” Clara stood and took one last glance in the mirror. The butterflies started again, and she tugged at the sleeves of her dress that was still a bit wrinkled although she’d laid it out before she’d bathed and napped.

Lily reached out and picked up the drop pearl earrings Clara had debated wearing, wondering if they were too much for the occasion. As the tiny hand held the earrings out to her, she took them in her palm, her green eyes searching Lily’s face.

“You need to wear these,” Lily said.

“Yes, you look beautiful,” Lucy said, dancing around the bedroom.

Clara turned again to the mirror, fastening the earrings on her ears, blinking back tears. How could Lily, who she knew now to be the more shy, sensitive twin, have known that these were the earrings her mother left her before she’d moved away, telling her in the note if she ever needed courage to wear these, and her mother would be with her in spirit.

She bent down and kissed Lily on the cheek. “Thank you, Lily. I needed that.”

Both girls’ eyes grew wide at the knock at the door downstairs. They ran out the door and peeked through the stairway railings to the foyer, turned and ran back into the room.

“Hurry, Clara, hurry. Hank’s here,” Lucy said, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the door. Lucy took her other hand and looked up to Clara, smiling and squeezing her hand.

Clara took a deep breath, stood tall and walked toward her fate.