Mail Order Tangle

  Mail-Order

  Tangle

  Caroline Clemmons

  and

  Jacquie Rogers

  Copyright 2014 Caroline Clemmons and Jacquie Rogers

  Cover design by Dar Dixon, http://www.wickedsmartdesigns.com

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Mail-Order Promise

  Mail-Order Ruckus

  Mail-Order Promise

  Caroline Clemmons

  Copyright 2014 Caroline Clemmons

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Mail-Order Promise

  Chapter One

  Central Texas, May 1880

  “I never thought I’d be so happy to see the Rocking J Ranch again.” Kage Johanssen beamed a smile toward his cousin Matt as the ranch headquarters appeared on the horizon. The blue ribbon he knew to be the Colorado River wound through the prairie and forest. His heart was as light as the breeze from the southwest. The sun’s rays slanting across the vast range highlighted the ranch buildings as if in a painting.

  Anticipation for sight of his mother, brother, and grandfather engulfed Kage with a staggering force. His heart filled with pride at seeing the ranch’s fine condition and he scanned for signs of change.

  The three years since they’d left his home had been rough, but he and Matt had survived. After the worst winter anyone in Idaho remembered, he hated that they’d lost too many of their cattle. This trip, he and Matt counted on buying breeding cows from his family’s ranch to replenish their herd.

  Matt said, “Looks like they’ve had a good winter. Grass thick and green, cattle fat, and I spot calves.”

  “We need them fat so they can withstand the drive back to Idaho. Hey, looks awfully busy at the house. Why would there be a lot of company midweek? Hell, one looks like the doctor’s buggy.” Kage nudged his horse to hurry.

  He and Matt galloped up to the main house and leapt off their mounts.

  One of the hands, Slim, appeared to take their horses. “Been a awful bad week. Sure good to see you boys back.”

  “Thanks, Slim.” Kage handed him the reins and gave the man’s shoulder a friendly clap. From the expression on the old cowboy’s face, Kage knew bad news awaited him inside. Without delaying to grill Slim for more information, Kage and his cousin bounded up the steps.

  Grandpa met them on the porch. Sadness highlighted lines on his face and dark circles tinged the skin beneath his eyes. He pulled them both into a hug.

  He patted their backs and his voice choked. “Quiet down, boys. Couldn’t be happier to see you show up. You couldn’t have timed your visit better.”

  Neighbors Rongna and Herald Eklund came from the house onto the porch behind Grandpa.

  Rongna touched Kage’s shoulder. “Glad you boys are here. In such a sad time you’re needed.”

  Her husband nodded at the cousins. “Good to see you both. We won’t stay any longer, Bert, but we’ll be back.”

  Kage grabbed his grandfather’s shoulder. “What’s happened? Is it Mama?”

  Taking out a handkerchief and swiping at his eyes, the elder Johanssen lowered his voice. “Erik’s dyin’, boys. Stomped by a horse. Nothin’ the doc can do except ease his pain.”

  The news struck Kage speechless. The world sucker punched him. He staggered backward. His legs gave way and he plopped onto a porch chair. An ache settled deep in his chest.

  His big brother? No, it couldn’t be. Erik was the strong one. Everyone looked up to him and counted on his leadership. Including him.

  Matt asked, “When did this happen?”

  “Two days ago. Reckon he’s been holdin’ on ‘til you got here. Hard for him to talk, but he’s asked about you.”

  Standing, Kage beat the dust from his clothes. “Can I see him?”

  Grandpa gestured toward the door. “Inga and the doc are with him now. You’d better go on in ‘fore the doc doses him again and the medicine takes over.”

  As quietly as his booted feet allowed, Kage hurried through the house. Rooms were dark and smelled closed in, as if already prepared for a funeral. At Erik’s open door, Kage rapped on the facing.

  His mother looked up and rushed to throw herself in his arms. “Oh, son, I’m so glad to see you. You’ve found us in a terrible way.”

  Shocked to see her sunken eyes and pale appearance, he soothed his mother in a bear hug, rubbing her back as he would a child’s. When her tears slowed and she’d calmed somewhat, he loosened his embrace.

  “Grandpa explained. All right if I talk to Erik?”

  From the bed, his brother gestured him forward with the faint movement of his hand. Doc Renfro turned and frowned but stepped aside.

  Kage moved the bedside chair to accommodate his long legs and sat. What could he say to a dying man? Now was not the time for false reassurances. “You’ve looked better, brother.”

  “Not ridin’…out o’ this.” Erik gripped Kage’s wrist. “Need you . …do somethin’ for me.”

  Kage put his hand over his brother’s. “Anything. Anything at all.”

  “Sent for bride… mail-order… take my place.”

  “Take your place?” Of all the things his brother could have asked, this was the last Kage expected.

  He wanted to ask his responsible brother why he’d do a fool thing like send for a mail-order bride. He wanted to rail against him and tell him there was no way in hell he’d marry a woman who expected to be Erik’s bride. One look at Erik’s face and Kage saw the desperation in his brother’s eyes as well as his pallor.

  “Promise your word…you won’t desert her nor…send her ‘way.”

  “I give you my word, Erik. I’ll make sure she’s okay.”

  His brother’s eyes held a shadow of their old spark. “No, say… you’ll marry her.”

  Saying it was all Kage could muster. “I promise.” Was it a sin to lie to a dying man? To give him your word when you had no intention of keeping the promise? He suspected it was, but he had no wish to marry a woman right now. Much less a total stranger.

  He wasn’t sorry he’d lied, though. Relief shone from Erik’s eyes and he exhaled. Blood bubbled from the corner of his mouth. In spite of that, he offered a half smile, only a hint of the devilish grin he’d possessed when last they’d met.

  From the other side of the bed, Mama leaned over to wipe the blood from Erik’s lips as she met Kage’s startled gaze. “He’s tired. Thank you for relieving his mind.”

  Doc Renfro uncorked a bottle and gestured with a spoon. “This will ease him. And then he needs to sleep.”

  Kage stood and took a long look at his brother before he turn
ed and left the room. Grief’s pain washed over him. He would have agreed to wed the devil if doing so helped Erik find peace. Surely no one could fault him for such a ridiculous promise or hold him to his pledge.

  In the kitchen, Grandpa and Matt were talking in hushed tones at the table. Still shaken by his visit to Erik, Kage pulled out a chair and joined them.

  Matt turned toward him. “How is he? Can I go in?”

  Kage shook his head. He swallowed hard and searched for words to explain what he’d seen. No way could he give details on how seeing his brother lying abed in that shape affected him.

  “He’s bad. Doc’s dosing him so he can sleep. I…Mama had to wipe the blood away when he spoke.”

  “Grandpa told me he’s bleeding inside. Horse stomped him several times before anyone could get to Erik.”

  Grandpa put a hand on his shoulder. “Son, you boys have some figuring to do. Inga and I can’t run this ranch by ourselves. One of you needs to stay and take over for Erik.”

  “He hasn’t died yet, Grandpa,” Kage snapped. But he knew Erik was as near dead as a man could be and still draw breath.

  He recalled the snug cabin he and Matt had built in Owyhee County, Idaho Territory and how they’d planned to add on and then start another house like it. As soon as their ranch started paying, they’d find wives and each start a family. In Idaho, not Texas.

  Inga came in wiping her eyes. “I’m glad you two got here before he...when you did. I’ll cook a big dinner to welcome you boys home.”

  Matt rose. “Aunt Inga, why don’t Kage and I cook dinner? We’ll surprise you.”

  “That’s right, Mama, and you go lie down. You look about ready to drop. Matt and I are old hands at cooking now.”

  She shook off their suggestion by donning her apron. “I have to stay busy or I don’t know what I’ll do. People have sent food, so I won’t have to prepare much.”

  She touched Grandpa’s arm. “Bert, Kage promised to take over the mail-order bride. His word brought Erik such relief.”

  “Mama, what is this all about? Why’d he send for a mail-order bride? There are women in Valdesta.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Name a likely woman.”

  “What about Heidi Rasmussen? She always made calf eyes at Erik.”

  “I guess she’s stopped since she married Virgil Howard. They have two children.”

  “Hey, how about Frances Potts? I remember she was kind of pretty as long as she didn’t chatter.”

  “She’s too busy to chatter now. Married with one baby and another on the way. Care to suggest someone else?”

  He wracked his brain, discarding those kin and those who’d married before he and Matt left the state.

  She studied him. “I see from your face you can’t think of anyone. That’s why Erik sent for this girl. Reckon he was lonely, and he was old enough he should already have been married with children. So should the two of you.”

  Kage continued searching for the name of a local woman his brother could have wed. “I don’t aim to marry whoever he sent for, but I would have promised anything to ease Erik’s mind. I’ll see she’s settled somewhere, but I don’t have to be her groom.”

  Grandpa rose and speared him with a stern look. “Karl Gustave Johanssen, you’ll keep your word or I’ll know why. Time for you to settle down and start a family same as your brother. And you need kids to carry on when all of us are gone.”

  His grandfather stood, anger coloring his face. “A promise to a dying man is binding. Either you’re a man of your word or you’re not.”

  Kage stood to face Grandpa. “Of course I’m a man of my word. Have you ever known me to lie? Surely you can see this is different.”

  “No, I can’t. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go sit with the boy who’s literally given his life’s blood to this ranch.”

  Matt jumped up and stopped Kage’s protest with a hand on Kage’s arm. Matt leaned near and spoke low. “Not now. Wait until this isn’t so raw.”

  With a nod, Kage went to his mother. “What can I do to help with dinner?”

  ***

  Ellie Dickerson dabbed at her forehead with a handkerchief and waved away a fly that appeared determined to make her its new home. The closer they came to their destination, the more worried she became. What had she done?

  She’d thought only to save her sister from a terrible fate, so Ellie had signed with a marriage broker to become a mail-Order bride and specified that her sister accompany her to Texas. She’d do anything for her loving older sister who’d always been her protector and guide. But maybe she should have tried to come up with another plan.

  Too late to turn back now.

  Worry always brought out the worst in her. No matter what went on inside her head and heart, harsh words tended to escape her mouth. She wondered if there was some weird psychical connection that reversed normal reactions in her.

  She sighed and wriggled her bottom on the hard seat. “How much longer will this trip last? The train was bad enough, but the heat and dust on this stagecoach are unbearable. It’s been an eternity since we left Virginia.”

  She gestured out the window. “Mr. Johanssen gave the impression this was profitable ranch land. Other than near the river, I haven’t seen many cows.”

  As usual, her sister Laura remained calm. “In its own way, the land’s pretty. There’re so many lovely wildflowers. Goodness, I had no idea Texas was so vast. We’ve been in the state for three days and haven’t reached Valdesta yet.”

  The man sharing the coach since they boarded at Bastrop had been silent and had appeared to doze. Now he sat up, straightened his waistcoat, and pulled out his pocket watch. “Be in Valdesta anytime now. Couldn’t help overhearing you ladies. This is prime cattle country. Our land grows on you, and you’ll soon see there’s no place like it on earth.”

  “Are you a rancher?” Ellie thought the land was growing on her and Laura all right. Several layers coated their skin and clothing.

  “Me? No, I’ve been selling stoves. Traveled over five states, but this is where I call home. Never able to spend enough time here but I’m a fixin’ to retire. This was my last trip away from my family.”

  Laura smiled at the man. “Congratulations, sir. I’m sure your folks will appreciate having you home.”

  “Thank you. Ah, I see the first houses now. We’re here and I can’t wait to play with my grandkids. Someone meeting you ladies?”

  Ellie perked up. “Yes, either my fiancé will or he’ll send someone.”

  The stage slowed to a stop and the driver hopped down and opened the door.

  Ellie climbed out, relieved to have her feet on firm ground. But it was dirt, not cobblestones or pavement. She turned slowly to survey the town of Valdesta.

  Only a few businesses were visible. Dust whirled down what passed for a street. Passersby ignored the sand, which made her think the occurrence wasn’t uncommon. Dear heavens, was this their fate?

  “Is this all there is to the town?” Ellie wondered if she’d snatched the rancher’s proposal too quickly. Perhaps she should have asked to see information on other candidates requesting brides.

  Laura joined her. “I-It’s not what we expected, but I’m sure everything will be all right.”

  Suddenly, Laura grasped her shoulders. “It’s not too late to change your mind, Ellie. You aren’t married to Mr. Johanssen yet and you can still decide to go back to Virginia.”

  Shrugging from her sister’s grasp, Ellie held her hands out from her sides. “Back to what? You marrying that old man? Us worrying over every cent we spend and how we’ll make our pennies stretch even one more month? No, thank you.”

  She met her sister’s gaze. “And what would we do if we were able to go back? Everyone we know ignores us because of Papa’s disgraceful behavior. Besides, how would we get there? And how would we pay back Mr. Johanssen for our fare out here? We’ve pawned everything we had to sell.”

  Laura turned away and gazed at the hori
zon. “I could wire Mr. Cross for the return fare. If I promised to wed him, he’d send that and enough to reimburse Mr. Johanssen.”

  Ellie shuddered. “You are not marrying that lecherous old man. He’s more than old enough to be your grandfather. Just seeing him gave me shivers. If Mr. Johanssen doesn’t work out, I’ll think of something else.”

  She hoped she sounded far more confident than she was at this moment. She stared around. “And speaking of my fiancé, I believe Mr. Johanssen deceived the marriage broker. He said Valdesta was a nice little town. Well, the ‘little’ part is certainly right. This is hardly even a village.”

  Terror locked her limbs and she thought she might topple over. What had she been thinking, traveling across the country to wed a man she didn’t know in a place she’d never seen? Not for anyone but her sister would she have dared this wild arrangement. But her sister was dearer to her than anyone or anything.

  Laura had the brown hair and brown eyes of their wayward father, but the sweet, nurturing temperament of their beloved mother. Ellie had inherited their mother’s gorgeous red hair and green eyes, but her nature was more like their manipulative father. She constantly guarded herself against repeating her father’s mistakes and longed to be more like her sister.

  She admitted letting Laura assume responsibility for their welfare had been too easy. Not that she didn’t appreciate all Laura had done for her and not that she didn’t do some of the easier work. When Mama had died, Laura had assumed responsibility for managing the household and governing her little sister. Laura called Ellie “delicate” and “high strung” and tried to protect her from every unpleasantness. Her big sister had done an amazing job, but their father’s death had left them penniless and soon homeless.

  Laura walked to where their trunks and bags had been unceremoniously deposited at the edge of the walk in front of what passed for a hotel. “I’m sure the carriage will be here to collect us soon. Let’s sit on one of our trunks until Mr. Johanssen arrives.”

  “Oh, all right. I hope he won’t leave us here overlong. Daddy may have disgraced us, but we’re still ladies and I expect to be treated as befits our station.” She arranged her gray skirts to show them at an advantage in spite of the fact they were smudged and dust covered.