His Chosen Bride

He admired her spunk. Levi pushed the money back to her side of the table. “I can’t accept your money.” He held up his hand to stop her from protesting. “I, too, have changed my mind about marriage and so it would be unfair for me to take the money back.”

When he lowered his hand, she asked, “You have changed your mind also? Honestly?”

Levi offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Yes, when you didn’t arrive on schedule I was relieved because I wasn’t ready to get married. I should never have placed that advertisement.”

She took a sip from her tea, then gently set the glass back down. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you wouldn’t understand and I imagined you would wonder why I answered you in the first place.”

He pushed forward in his chair. “It has crossed my mind. I mean, you are still here even after you’ve decided not to marry me. It’s only natural that I wonder.”

Millie looked him straight in the eyes. “I have a scheming mother. She controlled me to the point that I lost all signs of independence. I had to get away, but once I left, I realized I couldn’t marry someone who would be the same way.”

Levi felt his jaw drop. They’d just met. How could she have formed an opinion of him so quickly? Or was she talking about not marrying any man, not just him?

Her soft laughter surprised him. “I’m not saying you are controlling, although since our first meeting you have taken charge of my life.”

He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “How so?”

It was her turn to lean forward. “First, you sent my bags here, told Beth which room to put me in, and then proceeded to drag me off to some business meeting. Halfway there, you changed your mind and turned me around and now here I sit at your table ordering lunch. It never dawned on you to ask what I wanted to do.”

Levi felt his ears turn red. She was right. He’d taken over the situation and not once had he stopped to hear her out or see what she wanted to do. How could he have assumed he knew what she wanted or needed? Had he turned into his mother?

He shook his head. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

She tilted her head to the side and studied him. “It’s all right. You were working on the assumption I still wanted to get married.” Millie lowered her gaze and, with her fingertip, traced the pattern on the tablecloth.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Beth arrived at the table with two steaming plates. Levi was pleased to see she’d added fried okra to their meal.

“I hope fried okra is to your liking, Millie.” She placed the dishes on the table and smiled.

Millie wrinkled her nose slightly but answered, “It’s fine, thank you.”

He bit his tongue to keep from speaking. The desire to tell her to send the plate back if it wasn’t to her liking filled him. But, if he did say that, Millie would probably think he was being bossy again.

“Do you need anything else?” Beth asked, looking their table over and making sure their drinks were still full.

Both shook their heads. Levi was the one to answer. “I believe we are fine for now, Beth.”

“All right, I’ll bring the tea pitcher by in a little bit to refill your glasses.” And with that, Beth turned from the table and headed back to the kitchen.

Levi said grace, and then after several long moments of silence while they ate, he asked, “Since you aren’t going to marry me, what are your plans?”

Millie sat up a little straighter in her chair. “Well, if I decide to stay, I will need to find a place to live.” She held up her hand as if to ward off any protest he might have. “I have enough money to spend the night here tonight and I thank you for sending my belongings here, but tomorrow I will need to find less expensive accommodations. I’m sure this lovely boardinghouse is more than I can afford.”

He didn’t argue with Millie, but he didn’t like the idea of her staying at the hotel, and as far as he knew there wasn’t a room in town for rent or a house to buy.

The hotel was a nice place, but Levi felt protective toward Millie. Maybe it was because he’d brought her here. Maybe because she’d revealed she’d never lived alone. Whatever the reason, he planned to have a chat with Benjamin Olson, the hotel owner, and make sure that Beth’s Boardinghouse offered Millie the lowest rates in town. With that thought in mind, he asked, “And then what will you do?”

“I’ll need to seek out employment.” Her hands worked the fabric of the napkin.

Beth arrived back at the table with the promised pitcher of tea. She refilled their glasses and looked to Levi. A quick glance at Millie revealed her pushing the okra around on her plate.

If Beth hired her, she would stay on at the boardinghouse as part of her payment and he wouldn’t need to talk to Mr. Olson. Levi thrust his chin upward and hoped Beth would take the hint to play along with him.

“Can I get you anything else?” Beth asked.

“No, the food is great, but we were just discussing possible employment for Miss Hamilton.”

Millie’s head jerked up.

Before she could comment, Levi pressed on. “You wouldn’t happen to have a position open, would you, Beth?” He prayed Beth would understand what he wanted her to do.

Without missing a beat, Beth looked to Millie. “Can you cook, wash dishes and wait on tables? I could use another set of hands at the noon and evening meals.”

Millie looked down at her hands. He wondered what she found so fascinating about them. “I can.” Her voice came out strained.

Beth laid a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you enjoy your lunch and we can talk about it when I show you to your room? How does that sound?”

Millie nodded, and Beth returned to the kitchen. Happy that was settled, Levi reached for his sandwich. He’d raised it to his mouth and was about to sink his teeth into the fragrant meat when he saw the angry expression on Millie’s face. Now what? He lowered the sandwich.

“You didn’t need to do that, Mr. Westland. I am capable of finding my own job,” she ground between her teeth.

Levi offered her his most charming smile. “I’m sure you can, but now you don’t have to.” He expected her to argue, but instead her eyes grew wide as she stared toward the dining room door.

His gaze followed hers. His brother, Daniel, and Daniel’s new bride, Hannah, waved and headed toward their table. Levi stood to welcome them.

Daniel greeted him with a broad smile and a rough slap on the back. “Haven’t seen you since the wedding. We’ve been missing you out on the ranch.”

Levi raised an eyebrow. “That right? Me? Or the fact that you lost an extra cowhand when I moved into town?” He grinned at his brother. “With a new wife and the ranch to keep you busy, I’m surprised you’d miss me at all.”

“Oh, we miss you all right,” Hannah added her assurance to her husband’s comments.

“Miss Hamilton, I’d like you to meet my brother, Daniel Westland, and his beautiful bride, Hannah. Daniel, Hannah, this is Miss Hamilton.” He paused then added, “My mail-order bride.”

Hannah gasped, but Daniel laughed and shook his head. “Well, isn’t this something?”

Levi hadn’t seen his brother this pleased since his wedding day. When Daniel looked this happy, it usually didn’t bode well for him. Levi asked suspiciously, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He searched his brother’s dancing eyes and realized the answer wouldn’t be coming too soon. His gaze moved to Hannah. She stood staring at Millie as if she’d seen a ghost. What was wrong? Both women simply stared at each other.

Daniel’s booming voice captured his attention once more. “You aren’t going to believe this, but Ma has three more mail-order brides at the house waiting for you to come out and meet.” Daniel hooted and held his sides.

Hannah elbowed her husband in the ribs. He quickly straightened his face and turned to Millie. “I’m sorry, Miss Hamilton. It’s nice to meet you.”

“What?” Levi sank into his chair. What had his mother been up to? He noticed Millie hadn’t said a word. She simply stared up at Hannah. Her face had gone pale, and she looked as if she might be sick. Levi knew how Millie felt, even if he didn’t know why she felt that way.

Daniel placed his hands on the back of one of the empty chairs. “Remember those other three mail-order-brides that wrote to you a few months back?”

Levi nodded. His stomach pitched. He pushed his untouched sandwich away and grabbed the iced tea.

“Ma sent them all letters and invited them to come to the ranch to meet you. They all arrived at different times. I believe the first one arrived two weeks ago. Anyway, Ma sent Hannah and me to town today to invite you out to dinner so you can meet the ladies.”

Levi felt his tongue thicken and his throat close. Just when he’d thought he’d managed to escape Bonnie Westland’s plans of marriage, his mother had taken matters into her own hands again.

What must Miss Hamilton think? Three mail-order brides. All in Granite, Texas. All there to marry him. What on earth was he going to do with them all?

Chapter Two

Millie stared at Hannah Young. It had never occurred to her that she might run into someone in Granite from Cottonwood Springs. Granite was so far from Cottonwood Springs, New Mexico, she’d felt confident she was safe. What if her old schoolteacher knew that she’d burned down Mrs. Kelly’s house and business? Would she tell everyone that Millie was an arsonist? What about Seth Billings the U.S. marshal? Would Hannah let him know where to find her?

“Millie Hamilton? Is that really you?” Hannah leaned toward her and brushed the hair back off Millie’s forehead.

With that one action and two questions, Hannah made Millie feel as if she were a young student in Hannah’s classroom once more. “Yes, ma’am, it’s me.”

The squeal that issued from Hannah’s throat scared Millie so badly that she knocked over her tea. She watched in horror as it spilled into Levi’s lap. Before she could react, Hannah grabbed her in a tight hug about the shoulders, then pulled back and held her at arm’s length. “Millie, I can’t believe it is really you. I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed Cottonwood Springs horribly. Oh, this is wonderful. I can’t wait to get caught up on all the news from home. Why don’t you come out to the ranch for supper tonight, too?” Hannah took a breath, released Millie, and then grabbed her husband’s arm. “Daniel, Millie is from back home.”

Daniel laughed. “I got that, honey.”

“Oh, Levi, I’m so sorry.” Millie handed him her napkin and watched as he dabbed at the tea on his pants. She realized she’d used his first name but at the moment she didn’t care. All she could think about was, how much did Hannah know?

He offered her a weak smile. “It’s all right, Millie. Hannah has a way of shocking people. I blame her.” Levi turned his grin on his sister-in-law.

“I’m sorry, too, Levi.” Hannah returned her attention back to Millie. “I still can’t believe it’s you.” She clapped her hands together like a kid who’d just been offered a pony ride.

Millie swallowed the lump in her throat. “It’s me.”

“What brought you here? Oh, don’t answer that. I want to be able to sit down and catch up on everything.”

“I think you are scaring her, Hannah.” Daniel chuckled and wrapped his free arm around his wife’s waist. “Besides, didn’t you just hear Levi say Millie is his mail-order bride? Ma’s going to be disappointed that Levi didn’t need her help luring a mail-order bride here.”

Hannah’s mouth worked as if she’d just swallowed a lemon drop whole.

Beth arrived at the table with the promised tea refills. “What can I get for you, Mr. and Mrs. Westland?” She grinned at Hannah.

“Oh, nothing for us. We just stopped by to invite Levi to supper out at the ranch,” Daniel answered. “And now that we’ve done so, we’ve got shopping to do before we head back out to the ranch.”

Beth refilled Levi’s and Millie’s glasses and then left the table.

Finally, Hannah said, “You have to come out with Levi, Millie. I can’t believe we’re going to be sisters-in-law.” Excitement rose in her voice once more.

Millie didn’t have time to respond. Daniel chuckled and turned his wife toward the door. “You can talk all about it tonight. We have to get Ma’s shopping done and then I need to get back to the ranch. I have work to attend to.”

Millie couldn’t let Hannah go without finding out what she knew. Panic threatened to choke her as she called out, “But, we just reconnected. Can’t you stay for lunch?”

Daniel seemed to ignore her and continued to guide his wife away.

“We’ll have dinner and catch up,” Hannah answered, smiling and waving goodbye over her shoulder.

What choice did Millie have? Of course she’d go out to their ranch. Millie needed to know what Hannah knew about the events that had taken place in Cottonwood Springs. She’d know if the U.S. marshal was looking for her. Surely, if he was, Hannah would have said something. Still, her stomach quivered in fear. Millie turned toward Levi. “Can I ride out with you?” she blurted.

He nodded. “Of course. I’ll have to clear up that we aren’t getting married.” Levi called to his brother’s retreating back. “We’ll be there around six.”

“Good. We’ll see you tonight.” Daniel waved as they left the restaurant.

Levi sighed. “Those two came in here like a whirlwind. I’m sorry, Millie. I hadn’t planned on letting them continue to think we’re getting married.”

A frown marred his handsome features, and for the first time Millie realized she wasn’t the only one with a new problem. Had Daniel said there were three other mail-order brides waiting for Levi out on the ranch? How did that happen? Levi looked downright nauseated. She felt the same way.

Hannah had looked as happy as a little girl with a new puppy. Millie realized she’d also have to tell her schoolteacher that they were not going to be sisters-in-law. What a mess this was turning out to be. “What did your brother mean by more mail-order brides waiting for you?”

“Didn’t you hear him?” Levi wiped at the moisture on his pant leg.

Millie tried to remember what else had been said but couldn’t. “I’m sorry, I didn’t. I was too surprised to see someone here from Cottonwood Springs,” she admitted.

“Do you remember me mentioning in my letters to you that last winter my ma started a contest between Daniel and I?”

Millie nodded. “Yes, if I understood it right the first brother to get married and have a grandchild would inherit the family ranch. Is that correct?”

“Yes.” Levi took a deep breath and then sighed. “After you didn’t show up, I received three more letters to the ad I’d placed. I didn’t want to answer any of them, but Ma insisted. She said that if I didn’t marry she’d sell the ranch before the year was out. At first I’d planned to go along with her, but then I realized that I could buy time by letting her believe I’d answered one of the letters.”

“But you didn’t,” Millie said.

“Well, I did, but then I changed my mind and wrote all three ladies and told them I’d decided not to get married at this time.” He paused and took a deep drink from his tea glass. “I would have written to you, as well, but I thought you’d changed your mind about coming and I didn’t see the need to.”

Her heart lurched in her chest. Millie quietly thanked the Lord he hadn’t written. If he had, her parents would know where she was now. When she’d been home it had been her job to collect the mail each day, but with her gone, Millie felt sure her mother was doing the collecting now.

She took a deep breath and pretended his last statement had had no effect on her whatsoever. “You didn’t tell your mother what you’d done?” Millie studied his face. She noted his ears had slowly begun to turn pink.

The more she learned about Levi’s mother, Bonnie Westland, the more she could see her own mother’s personality emerging from the other woman. It was nothing for Ma to manipulate things to her way of thinking.

“No, I didn’t tell her. I thought that by the time she figured it out, Daniel and Hannah would already be expecting their first child, and Ma would forget about her crazy scheme to get me married, too.”

“But isn’t that like lying?” Millie asked.

He set his glass down slowly. “I didn’t really think of it that way. I just figured I’d tell her later and explain again that I’m not ready to marry right now.”

Millie decided not to press the issue. She knew what it was like to have a mother who tried to control your every move. What Levi did or didn’t do was between him and his maker, not her. A smile teased her lips.

“You find my situation funny?” Levi asked. A new growl had entered his voice but not his soft green eyes.

She tried to control her facial muscles. “Well, not funny-ha-ha. But it does seem that your mother has found another way to get you to marry one of those ladies.” Millie pursed her lips together in an attempt not to laugh.

A grin began to part his mouth, and twin dimples twinkled in her direction. “Oh, go ahead and laugh. It wouldn’t be the first time my mother’s antics were laughable.”

Millie immediately sobered. Her own mother had caused her pain and embarrassment more times than she could count. “I’m sorry, Mr. Westland. It really isn’t funny.”

He leaned forward on his forearms. “What happened to calling me Levi?”

Millie looked down at the tablecloth. “I’m not sure it’s proper to call you by your first name.”

“Good thing we aren’t proper here in Granite. Please, call me Levi.” He laid his napkin on the table and stood. “I need to get to work. If you need anything, I’ll be at the furniture store. I have a little carpentry shop set up in the back.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

As if he’d eaten persimmons, Levi said, “It will take us a while to get out to the ranch, and then Ma will want to introduce everyone. I’ll pick you up around three.” With those instructions, Levi turned and left the restaurant.

Millie stood also. Once more she felt as if Levi was taking matters into his own hands without waiting to see what she had to say. What if she’d changed her mind about going out to the ranch? Had he thought about that? No, he’d simply assumed he knew the best plan, told it to her and strolled away.

Beth stopped beside the table and asked, “Are you ready to see your room?”

Millie nodded and picked up her handbag. She noticed the money Levi had left on the table and scooped it up. “What do I owe for the meal?” she asked, looking to Beth.

“Nothing. When you work here, meals are free.” She smiled and headed toward the exit. “I don’t expect you to start work today, but we’ll need to hurry. The lunch crowd will be here shortly and I need to make up a few more sandwiches before they start coming in.”

Millie followed her hostess and now employer from the restaurant. “How much is the fee for the room?”

“Levi doesn’t charge us for room and meals when we work for him.” Beth led her up a staircase off to the right of the front door. She stopped in front of room four and looked at Millie. Beth gave her the key and then held the door open for Millie to enter.

Millie couldn’t get her legs to move. “I’m confused. I thought I would be working for you.”

“You are, but Levi is the owner of the boardinghouse and the restaurant so he does the paying, and I do the bossing.” She smiled to take any sting out of her words.

“I see.” Anger seeped through Millie. Why hadn’t he told her he owned the boardinghouse? So far, he’d manipulated her into staying at the boardinghouse, given her a job and was calling her by her first name. Was there no end to the man’s boldness?

* * *

Levi arrived a little before three o’clock. He’d met with his banker and then spent the rest of the afternoon in his workshop stewing over what to do about the mail-order brides out on the ranch.

Absorbed in his thoughts and the intricate carving on the chest he’d been working on, Levi was running late. Even as he walked up the sidewalk to Beth’s he couldn’t shake the question that had haunted him all afternoon. How had his mother known he had written to all three ladies explaining he wasn’t ready to marry? Or obtained their addresses for that matter?

He stepped into the boardinghouse and found Millie sitting on a small bench in the lobby. She’d freshened up and now wore a pretty blue day dress with a matching bonnet. Levi realized he should probably change his clothes and perhaps wash his face before they left.

The grandfather clock chimed the hour with three soft bells. He knew if they were to get out to the ranch at a reasonable time, they had to leave now. His mother wouldn’t take kindly to them arriving late. He’d have to forgo the cleanup and pray that he looked presentable.

She stood and wiped her hands over the front of her dress. Her skirt swished as she turned to pick up a covered pie plate. The scent of warm peaches filled the air between them. “I’m ready,” Millie announced in a tight voice.

Was that anger he detected? His gaze moved to the clock once more. He wasn’t late so why was she upset? Would he ever understand women? This one was turning out to be as rough as an unsanded board. “The buggy is right outside.”

Levi held the door open and then followed her to the buggy he’d rented earlier. Until today he’d had no use for one, but he realized that if Millie was going to ride out to the ranch with him she probably wouldn’t want to double up on his stallion, Snow. He took the pie and helped her up one-handed into the buggy.

“Thank you.” She took the pie and proceeded to stare straight ahead.

As he circled around the buggy, Levi tried once more to figure out what could have made her angry. He pulled himself up. Maybe she’d had time to rethink her desire to get married and didn’t like that three other women were now here to say I do.

He endured the stony silence until they were out of town and then gently pulled the team of horses to a stop. Levi set the brake and then turned to face her. “Millie, did I do or say something to anger you?”

She blew a blond curl off her forehead and sighed heavily. Without looking at him, Millie asked, “Seriously, you don’t have a clue why I might be upset right now?” Then she turned and her blue eyes flashed in his direction.

“No, I don’t. When I left you were fine.”

Millie studied his face. Her anger seemed to dissolve and confusion laced her pretty features. “Maybe manipulation comes to you naturally. Is it really possible you don’t know what you’ve done?” A frown marred her pretty forehead.

Levi didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh. He had no idea what she was talking about. How could he?

She took a deep breath. “Do you deny that you insisted we leave at three?”

“No, I don’t. We had to leave at three because it takes a couple of hours to get out to the ranch and Ma will expect us to socialize for at least thirty minutes to an hour with the other—” he paused “—guests before dinner.” He didn’t point out that they were wasting time discussing what time they left when they should be on their way.

“Do you own Beth’s Boardinghouse?”

So that was it. He picked up the reins and released the brake. She didn’t like that he owned the boardinghouse. What did it matter if he owned it?

A small ache began to seep up his neck and into his temple. The women in his life were going to drive him to madness. He realized she was still waiting for an answer. “Yes, I do.” Levi slapped the reins over the horses’ backs.

Millie grabbed the seat and held on as the big animals moved forward once more. “And you didn’t bother to tell me.” Her words came out harsh and ragged.

“Why would I tell you? We just met. I’m not in the habit of telling my business to people I’ve just met. I’m sorry if it makes you angry that I own the boardinghouse.”

Once more she sighed heavily. “Levi, you own the boardinghouse where I now work and live. You are controlling my every action—that’s what makes me angry. I don’t like people manipulating my every move.”