Mail Order Tangle Read online

  Laura sighed. “What goes on in that redhead of yours?”

  “Same as goes on in your brunette one, I expect.”

  At least Laura laughed. “I don’t think so. I don’t believe we currently have a ‘station’. Sit down and we can talk quietly while we scan the town. Look, I see a mercantile and a bank and what looks like a milliner’s shop.”

  Ellie folded her hands in her lap. “Save your breath. The streets aren’t even paved. Sidewalks are boards and they don’t go in front of every building. I have to admit I am very upset. I was led to believe this was a prosperous town.”

  Chapter Two

  Ellie recognized her sister’s exasperated look, one Laura wore far too often of late. Ellie was only partially to blame for her sister’s worries. They’d lived a life of privilege in spite of the War’s aftermath. Of course now they knew their easy lifestyle was due to her father’s cheating and less than admirable business practices during and after the War.

  Six months ago after he lost all their funds gambling and shot himself, the sisters learned the extent of his double life. Debt collectors evicting them from their childhood home had caught them unprepared. Somehow Laura had taken control of their lives and found them a place to live by selling jewelry the creditors hadn’t found. Ellie had drifted along in denial until Laura announced she intended to wed Mr. Cross. Ellie would never let her sister make that horrid sacrifice after all Laura had done to care for and protect her.

  Laura smiled. “We aren’t in Virginia now. I’m sure things are quite differe

  “There were real sidewalks and paved streets in Fort Worth and Austin and Bastrop and they’re in Texas. I expected something more on that order here in Valdesta. Why this is barbaric .Oh, wait, there’s an opera house.” Perhaps there was still hope of civilized life in this godforsaken land.

  She examined the visible townspeople. Few of the men wore a suit. Most wore only a plain shirt and no jacket. “Would you look? Only a few of the women are wearing bustles.”

  Laura opened her fan and used it to cool her face. “That could be a good thing.”

  “I agree. Some wear sunbonnets, as if they worked in the fields.”

  Ellie stared at a group of five young boys running down the dusty street, shouting and yelling, accompanied by their dogs. The boys brushed by her as they switched from street to sidewalk. Two of the dogs leapt over her feet, one a large hairy thing that almost landed on her lap.

  She brushed dog hair from her skirt. “My stars, those boys almost knocked me over. Laura, did you see those little hellions and their dogs?”

  Ducking her head, Laura said, “I’d rather watch those two handsome men driving that wagon. My word, don’t they take away your breath?”

  Ellie spoke behind her fan. “They are rather fine specimens, but don’t let them know you see them. Oh, now look, they must have seen you staring and they’re stopping. I suppose we’ll have to discourage them rather sharply.”

  The driver pulled the brake and looked at her and Laura. He tipped his large brimmed hat. “One of you Miss Dickerson?”

  Surprised, Ellie stood. “We both are. I’m Eleanor Dickerson and this is my sister, Laura Dickerson. Did Mr. Johanssen send you for our trunks?”

  Both men climbed down from the wagon and started loading their luggage.

  The man who’d spoken met her gaze. His eyes were so bright a blue they startled her. He wore a blue cotton shirt and tan britches of stiff cloth.

  “I’m Kage Johanssen, Erik’s brother. This is our cousin, Matt Johanssen.”

  “Pleased to meet you, I’m sure. We’ve been waiting for my fiancé to call for us in his carriage.”

  “Ma’am, I have bad news. We buried Erik two days ago.”

  Ellie stammered, “B-Buried?”

  Dear merciful heavens, what would happen to her and Laura now? Her sister had been like a mother to her since Mama died when Ellie was ten. Now it was her turn to take care of Laura. But how could Ellie take care of anyone if her fiancé had died?

  Matt held his hand out to help them into the wagon. “Ladies? Will you allow me?” He was dressed like his cousin, except he wore a brown shirt.

  She gasped. “In the back of an open wagon with our luggage?”

  Laura accepted Matt’s help. “Come on, Ellie, climb up here. You heard Mr. Johanssen. Your fiancé is deceased and his brother and cousin have come to take us to the ranch.”

  Speechless for once, Ellie allowed herself to be hoisted into the back of the wagon where she seated herself on a trunk. This was going nothing like she’d envisioned. If this Kage person was to be believed, that meant she and Laura were in big trouble.

  Big. Big. Trouble.

  She refused to let Laura marry that horrid old man in Virginia, but things didn’t look so good here in Texas. She searched her brain for a backup plan. Nothing came to her and she supposed she’d have to wait and see what these two offered as settlement.

  Didn’t she deserve something after coming all this way? Wasn’t she almost a widow? Perhaps the brother intended to fulfill the contract. If not, perhaps other men in the area would need a bride.

  There must be some sort of plan in progress or they wouldn’t be going to the ranch, would they? The wagon started moving and she gripped the trunk’s edge with a hand on either side of her. This ride was worse than the stage.

  Always proper, Laura said, “We’re sorry for your loss, gentlemen. Although my sister had never met Mr. Erik Johanssen, he must have been kind to allow her to bring me with her.”

  Drat. Why hadn’t Ellie thought of that? Why did worry tend to cause her to shut down, to say and act the opposite of how she intended? Usually she chattered, saying thoughtless things, until Laura pinched her to stop her talking.

  She asked, “What happened to my fiancé?”

  Kage didn’t look at her. “Horse he was breaking threw him and then stomped on him.”

  “How horrible for him and for your family.” And how horrible for her and Laura.

  “You got that right.”

  They crossed over a long bridge at the edge of town. She peered into the azure water, wishing for some of it to cool her skin. She looked up and saw the bluest sky she ever remembered seeing.

  Matt turned to ask. “You traveled from Virginia, right?”

  Laura smiled at him. “That’s correct. This is our first time outside the state.”

  Ellie’s parasol was inside her trunk and the sun shone hotly on her unprotected skin. There’d be heck to pay if her skin burned. How could she attract a husband if she appeared freckled and tanned?

  She and Laura hadn’t known to wear a duster for western travel as most ladies on the train had, not that they could have found the cash to purchase two of them in any event. The stage had been even dirtier. As a result, their once respectable suits were covered with grime and their appearance wilted.

  Laura gazed around them. “I’ve never seen so many wildflowers. Are they always this abundant?”

  Matt smiled at her. “These are mostly Indian blanket and Mexican hat. My favorites are bluebonnets and paintbrush, but they finish up in April. There’re always several kinds of flowers blooming right up until frost.”

  The stiff breeze threatened to whip off Ellie’s hat. She released one hand from the trunk to secure the tiny millinery creation. She wondered how the Johanssen cousins kept from losing those odd looking hats that men out here seemed to prefer. Talking was too much effort and she didn’t inquire.

  If only the wagon didn’t jostle so. Another bump bounced her on her already sore rump. She braced herself with one hand clutched tightly on the trunk and saw Laura do the same. The so-called road was hardly more than a trail across the prairie, through trees, and across streams. She wondered how uncomfortable the wagon would be if she curled up for a nap.

  After what seemed another eternity, Matt gestured. “You can see the ranch ahead. Those are Rocking J cattle grazing on each side of the road.”

  She and L
aura peered where he gestured.

  Ellie could not believe her eyes. Where was the prosperous home she’d expected? All she spotted was a flat, rambling structure of white rocks that zigzagged halfway along a small rise.

  Numerous outbuildings were constructed of stone and wood, but the barn was the only building over a story tall. In the distance she spotted a winding river. She contrasted the ranch to plantations in Virginia, well, those that had survived the War. She’d expected a prosperous rancher would live in something similar, not this higgledy-piggledy place where they’d stopped.

  The cousins jumped down and came around to help them as an older man and a middle-aged woman came onto the porch.

  Kage cupped Ellie’s elbow and guided her up the steps. “Ellie, meet my mother, Inga Johanssen, and my grandfather, Bert Johanssen. Mama, Grandpa, this is Ellie Dickerson and her sister Laura Dickerson from Virginia.”

  He pronounced the state as if it were a curse.

  She smiled and curtsied. “How do you do. My sister and I are so pleased to finally be here.” At least the man and woman smiled.

  The grandfather had gray hair that matched his mustache. He was tall like his grandsons, but moved as though stiff from rheumatism. The slender woman’s blond hair had faded slightly, but still hadn’t turned gray. Both had the same bright blue eyes as the younger two Johanssens.

  Laura said, “We’re very sorry to learn of your loss.”

  Inga led them through the door. “Thank you. Losing Erik was a terrible blow. His funeral was only two days ago, and we’ve not recovered from our grief. I’m not sure we ever will, but that’s not talk for guests to hear. Please come in and I’ll show you to your rooms. You probably need to rest.”

  Ellie flounced inside. “What I want most is a long soak in a tub of steaming hot water.”

  Kage’s voice halted her. “My mother is not a servant. In fact, there are no servants here. You want a hot bath, you heat the water and carry it to your room. Since you’re a guest and just arrived, I’ll fetch the tub for you this one time.”

  No servants? Ellie glared at him as if he were the devil. She wasn’t sure but what he was. “I didn’t mean—“

  Laura interrupted, “Please never mind, Mr. Johanssen. All my sister and I need is to lie down a few minutes to recover. Ours was a long trip.”

  Inga smiled. “Of course, you must be very tired. Right this way. Your rooms are next to one another at the end of the north wing. If you’d prefer, you can share, but I thought you’d enjoy some privacy after not having any on your trip.”

  Ellie recovered her manners and returned her hostess’ smile. “Thank you so much. We are exceedingly weary.”

  The room to which she was shown was not as plain as she’d feared. At least the walls were papered in a pleasing pale green with stripes of white alternating with those of dainty white flowers. The bed’s coverlet was a quilt in a white background with shades of green and yellow worked in a wedding ring pattern.

  Yellow in the curtains and the upholstered seat of a rocking chair added a nice touch. In addition to the iron bedstead, other furniture in the room included a lamp table, dressing screen, washstand, and armoire. Light shone from the tall window, open to what now seemed only a light, cooling breeze.

  She peeked into Laura’s room and saw paper in a pattern similar to that in her room, but in blue. A mahogany four poster bed bore a star-pattern quilt in navy blue and red. Other red accents trimmed the room and gave it a more festive appearance than hers. Still, green was her favorite color and she was happy their lodging assignments had worked out this way.

  Kage appeared with a trunk. “Where does this go?”

  Ellie pointed behind him. “That’s mine. Put it in the green room.”

  He glared at her. “You stay where you can see us coming and tell us where each piece goes so we’re not wasting time toting them this way and that.”

  When he came back with valises, she reached out to take hers from him. Their fingers touched and a tingle ran up her arm. She saw surprise in his eyes and wondered if he’d experienced the same jolt. Each of them snatched back a hand and the bag fell to the floor.

  He scooped it up and set it near the bed. “Why’d you reach for the valise if you weren’t going to take the thing?”

  She couldn’t understand why he was so rude. His sorrow over losing his brother meant she should excuse his lack of manners. Still, he acted as if he resented her and Laura being there, especially her. Why?

  When the luggage had been unloaded, she closed her door and took off her half boots and soiled clothes. After pouring water from a pretty ewer into a china basin decorated with a gold rim and tiny flowers, she washed away some of travel’s grime. She stretched before crawling under the covers.

  No servants indeed. How prosperous could this ranch be with no servants? She needed to think, but first she needed to close her eyes.

  Laura waked her. “I think the meal’s almost ready. The aroma is driving me mad. Imagine, real food and all we can eat. And not just potatoes and cabbage.”

  “At least we shouldn’t always be as hungry for something tasty here as we were at home, although I hate to call that tiny house we rented home.”

  “Not compared to where we lived before Daddy shot himself, but it wasn’t really so bad, was it?”

  Drat, she’d hurt Laura’s feelings. “You made it as nice as you could, sister, but no money, no invitations because our friends shunned us, and no options made life grim. Can you blame me for visiting the mail-Order bride office?”

  Laura opened the trunk and rummaged. “I know you only did it for me, Ellie. You pretend to be hard-hearted, but I see you for what you are inside.”

  Ellie almost wept. Only her sister really knew her. But Ellie would not have Laura feeling obligated to her, not after Laura had taken care of her all these years since Mama died.

  “Nonsense, you give me too much credit. There simply were no marriageable men for us in Richmond. I’m hardly the type to become an old maid or live my life as someone’s eccentric Aunt Ellie.”

  She went to her purse and pulled out the broker’s contract and the letter from Erik Johanssen. She opened the letter and showed it to her sister. “See here, Laura. This says Erik is a prosperous rancher with extensive land and 30,000 head of cattle. Why would he say that if he couldn’t even afford servants?”

  “There’s probably a very good reason. Perhaps this is prosperous by Texas standards.” Laura continued searching through the trunk.

  “If that’s so, I’m in trouble. I don’t know how to do anything other than flirt and act the belle. And now I have to dress for dinner without a servant to iron my clothes.”

  Laura pulled out a gown and shook it. “This will have to do. As far as I can tell, shaking didn’t rid my dress of any wrinkles but it’s all we have time for.”

  Ellie pulled the dark green gown over her head. “I’m sure the Johanssens will understand. I do love this dress. Remember when I wore it to Cassandra Stanton’s garden party?”

  “You were the prettiest woman there. And now the witch won’t even speak to us. Turn around and I’ll do the buttons for you.”

  She turned so her sister could help. “Didn’t you sleep? I couldn’t wait to get my traveling suit and boots off and crawl under the covers.”

  “I think the smell of food cooking awakened me. I have to admit I’m ravenous.” Laura handed Ellie her half boots.

  She slipped them on and fastened them, but sat frozen. She needed a backup plan. On the trip she’d considered that she might reject her prospective groom, but never thought he might die. What could she do now?

  Laura nudged her. “Hurry so we can find the kitchen.”

  Ellie laid the buttonhook aside and rose to her feet. She stopped to peer in the mirror and sighed. No wonder Kage Johanssen was so disagreeable toward her.

  “I look dreadful. What a bad first impression I must have made. Not that it matters. I fear we’ve gone from bad to worse.”


  Laura tucked errant red curls back into Ellie’s hairdo. “No, I suspect this is as prosperous a ranch as we expected. It’s just a different life than we’re used to.”

  “Humph, that’s an understatement. Do you think they’ll try to send us back?”

  Laura sighed heavily. “I’m surprised they brought us here instead of sending us to a boarding house in town.”

  “I hope one of them will offer to take the dead man’s place, and I hope it’s that Kage even if he is grumpy. He sure is handsome.”

  Laura dropped her hands and her eyes widened. “You think he’s the best looking? I think his cousin is and Matt’s much nicer.”

  Ellie tilted her head first one way and then the other examining her image. Had Kage disliked her as she believed? If neither one of the Johanssen men offered to marry her, she’d have to latch onto someone else quickly. At the first chance, she’d try to make herself likable to another man.

  If that failed, perhaps she could even force Kage’s hand by pretending she believed he’d marry her. She sighed again. She suspected no one forced Kage to do anything without his approval.

  Laura nudged her. “As usual you look gorgeous. Now, pinch your cheeks and press your lips. We need to hurry.”

  Ellie grew impatient when Laura smoothed her own hair. “Sister, you look fine.”

  Laura shrugged. “No one will notice me with you present anyway.”

  “Of course they will. All I have going for me is my looks. Not only are you lovely, you’re the nicest person I’ve ever known. In fact, you’re by far the best woman in this or any other state.”

  Arm in arm, they walked down the long hallway toward the main portion of the house.

  Chapter Three

  Kage sat on the front porch beside Matt and their grandfather.

  Matt chuckled. “Erik didn’t know what he was asking of you when he made you promise. Man, that redhead’s a pistol.”