His Substitute Mail-Order Bride. Sherri Shackelford
Читать онлайн книгу.
better.
For all Susannah’s lengthy elocution, that line had been sparse. He figured she referred to Anna’s husband’s death. A pang of regret reverberated through his chest. Great sorrow only came with great love. Anna had said her husband’s death was “sudden” without revealing more. What must it be like, loving someone so much that you couldn’t let them go, even in death? What kind of man had Anna loved? Given her family connections and her father’s ambitions, her husband must have held some prominence in the community.
If he’d been a community leader, Mr. Linford’s death would be noted in the newspapers. A fellow law school graduate had recently sent Russ a copy of the Philadelphia Morning Post after winning an influential case. If Russ recalled correctly, the paper had been dated about three months before. He hadn’t cleaned off the dining room table in ages, and the newspaper was probably buried beneath a stack of legal documents.
He half stood and then sat back down again. Digging into the past felt intrusive. Anna Linford’s life was none of his business. He was protective of her, that was all. A natural inclination given their previous acquaintance. He had no romantic aspirations toward her or anyone else. Having lost out in love twice already, competing with the memory of a dead man held no appeal.
He’d seen that sort of soul-deep love before in his parents’ marriage before his father’s fall from grace. As though she were summoned by his thoughts, he recognized his mother’s silhouette near the end of the block, her steps long and purposeful. Dread filled his stomach. He’d have to tell her about Susannah, but perhaps news of the attack on the road had failed to circulate.
Moments later, she climbed the shallow porch stairs and leaned against the banister. “Lovely afternoon we’re having.”
Sunlight glinted off the dark hair beneath the brim of her ribboned hat. Though she’d never admitted as much, she was still mourning the disappearance of her husband nearly a decade before. Once or twice, Russ had broached the subject, and she’d gently but firmly rebuked his questions. Whatever she thought of her husband’s defection, she kept the feelings to herself. Instead, she clung to his memory with love.
“Isn’t today your meeting with the committee?” Russ righted his chair. “I didn’t expect to see you.”
On Mondays, she met with the opera house committee and often stayed well into the afternoon. They invariably dined at one of the restaurants in town.
She hoisted a perfectly winged eyebrow. “I heard there were outlaws in the area.”
Russ heaved a sigh. “Not anymore.” Keeping the encounter a secret had been too much to ask. Gossip spread faster than a plague of locusts.
His mother gestured toward the house. “Did you find your lunch?”
“Yes, but you don’t have to cook for me. I can eat at The Cattleman on the days you have meetings.”
“I like to take care of you once in a while.”
“Then I won’t argue. Too much. Having home-cooked meals has been a rare treat.”
While his mother spent the bulk of her time living with Seth on his ranch outside of town, she was staying with Russ for a few weeks while Seth and Marigold adjusted to married life with an instant family.
Just last month, Seth had become the guardian of three boys following the death of a childhood friend. Though a confirmed bachelor, Seth had taken on the added responsibility of raising three precocious children. The pretty, new schoolteacher had assisted with the transition. His brother had fallen head over heels for Marigold, and the two had recently married and adopted the three boys, as well as Marigold’s young niece, Violet, who had come to town. Seth’s bachelor home had gone from a hollow shell to a house brimming with love practically overnight. The transformation in his brother was both astonishing and heartwarming.
Russ pulled out a chair. “Did you visit Seth today?”
“I watched the boys for a few hours. Violet is still adjusting. She’s only seven and the last few months have been difficult. Before she lived for that brief time with her father, she was accustomed to having Marigold’s attention all to herself. Now she has three brothers to contend with. Marigold and Seth wanted a little time alone with her.”
Russ nodded. “She’s gone through a lot, losing her mother and being taken from her aunt. She appears resilient, though.”
“She’s an absolute delight. I took the boys to the opera house. I think Harper has a natural talent for the theater. He did cartwheels across the stage while Pippa was attempting to rehearse. And now James Johnson is taking them fishing for the afternoon.”
James was married to the local dressmaker in town, and they had a daughter, Ava. He did odd jobs around town when he wasn’t working at the stockyards. The boys had been fascinated by his beaded jacket with the leather fringe, and they’d struck up a friendship. When work at the stockyards was slow, James occasionally took them fishing.
“I didn’t realize Pippa was in town.”
“Her husband is visiting on railroad business. She’s using the opportunity to stage a performance of Lord Dundreary Abroad. The committee has approved the funding for a new set and costumes. Should be our best show yet.”
Pippa and her husband, Gideon Kendrick, had met and married in Cowboy Creek. Though Gideon’s work with the railroad took him all over the country, they returned to Cowboy Creek whenever possible. A talented actress, Pippa was also masterful with costumes and makeup. Everyone looked forward to attending the theater when she performed.
“If Pippa is involved,” Russ said, “I’m already looking forward to the performance. I’ll escort you on debut night.”
“I’d like that. Perhaps Seth and Marigold can join us.”
“Seth isn’t much for the theater,” Russ said, “but he’ll go anywhere Marigold leads him. She’s good for him. I’m happy for Seth.”
“I am, too. I spent too many years leaning on him after...after what happened with your father. It wasn’t fair to him, having all that responsibility.”
“Adam and I were just as guilty of depending on Seth too much.”
Seth had always been the responsible son. He’d become the patriarch of the family after their father disappeared, rebuilding the family legacy while Adam and Russ had pursued other interests. All three of them had taken Seth’s hard work and dedication for granted.
Seth had repaid the loan to Ogden by selling off some of the land, only to lose the herd when he left for war. Thankfully, they’d sent their mother to live in Philadelphia before armies from both sides had burned and looted their way through Missouri. A dutiful son, Seth had regained his fortunes in the cattle markets of Colorado.
Without uttering a single word of complaint, Seth had put his wants and needs aside and sent for their mother. He’d come to Cowboy Creek to start over yet again, and his hard work was finally paying off.
None of them had realized how much of a burden he’d shouldered until he took on the added responsibility of the three Radner boys after the death of their parents. Seeing the change in his brother following his marriage to Marigold, Russ was ashamed he hadn’t taken notice sooner. He hadn’t realized how unhappy his brother had been until he’d seen him happy.
His mother took a seat on the proffered chair. “Marigold has been a darling, and she takes excellent care of the boys.” His mother adored the Radner children and enjoyed living on the ranch, helping Marigold and caring for her four new grandchildren. “We all owe Seth a debt of gratitude.” His mother scuffed the ground with her toe. “Have you heard from Adam recently?”
“Not in months. You know how it is with him. His work takes him to places we can’t follow.”
Following the war, Adam had joined the Pinkerton Detective Agency. He’d sent a few letters over the years, but he didn’t correspond regularly. Russ didn’t