Mail Order Ruse (Kansas Brides Series #3) Read online

  Later, Olive packed them a picnic lunch and they ate down by the duck pond, behind the garden in back. Chloe’s cheeks glowed pink with joy as Grace and Dora exchanged looks of success.

  “I wanna play Find the Object outside,” Chloe said. “Can we, please?”

  Grace nodded. “Of course we can. What should we hide?”

  Chloe picked up a banana peel from the picnic cloth that had been spread out beneath a tree. “This,” she said.

  “All right. Since Chloe thought of it, she gets to hide it first.” Grace said.

  “Dora and I will hide behind the tree.”

  Within minutes, Chloe called, “Ready!”

  Dora and Grace saw the banana peel instantly but pretended they hadn’t. They showed frustration at not being able to find it, which made Chloe laugh and jump up and down with glee.

  That was when Grace felt the hairs on the back of her neck tingle. She swung around to see Chase standing there, watching them. He wasn’t smiling, but he wasn’t frowning either.

  Grace wondered how long he’d been standing there.

  “Papa!” Chloe cried and ran to him.

  Chase picked her up, spun her around, and kissed her cheek. “Are you having fun, Chloebird?”

  “Yes, do you want to play, too?” She pushed the soggy banana peel into his hand. “You can hide it next.”

  “I think we should be going—” he started to say.

  “Oh, please! Please! Play!” Chloe said, hugging him.

  To Grace and Dora’s surprise, he set her down. “Okay, how do you play this game?”

  “We’ll hide behind the tree while you hide it,” Chloe said. She started to run behind the tree but turned back and said, “But part of it has to be showing a little.”

  So Grace, Chloe, and Dora stood behind the old oak tree. Soon, Chase called to them that he was ready.

  The three girls looked around. Grace and Dora pretended not to see the banana peel under the lid of their picnic basket. They played at scouring the area near the picnic basket to bring Chloe closer. Then Chloe squealed with delight. “There it is! I win! I win!”

  Chase picked Chloe up and spun her around. “You did win,” he said, “but now we need to go to the cemetery to pay our respects.”

  “No,” she said, folding her arms over her chest in defiance. “I wanna stay and play.”

  Grace felt that if Chloe didn’t join her father it might put an end to their games altogether, so she thought about how she might help.

  “I have an idea,” Grace said.

  Chloe spun around. “Another game, Miss Grace?”

  “Yes. How about if you and Dora blindfold me and I try to find the cemetery?”

  Chloe jumped up and down. “Yes! I like it!”

  “You won’t let me fall or anything, will you?” Grace asked Chloe.

  “No, I’ll take very good care of you and I’ll show you where my mama is.”

  Grace took the scarf from around Dora’s neck and wrapped it around her eyes, while Dora tied it behind her head.

  “You have to point me in the right direction, Chloe,” Grace said.

  Chapter 5

  Naturally, Grace couldn’t find her way to the cemetery, so Chloe grabbed her hand whenever she started to veer off of their intended course. She would pull her in the right direction and then let go of her, allowing her to wander.

  After multiple corrections in direction along the way, Chloe cried out with glee. “You win! You win! You found it!”

  Grace pulled off the blindfold and faced the gravestone.

  “This is where Mama is,” she said.

  “It’s very pretty here under that large tree,” Grace said, “and the stone is lovely.”

  Chloe looked at her with pride. “I know.”

  “I’ll say a little prayer for her and then scoot back to the house and help Olive with dinner,” Grace suggested, gazing at a thoughtful Chase. “All right, Chloe?”

  Chloe nodded with a smile.

  Grace bowed her head and silently prayed silently for the soul of the beautiful woman who had given birth to the sweetest little girl. She also prayed for herself and Chase.

  Grace and Dora turned to leave, waving goodbye to Chase and Chloe.

  On their way back they ran into Graham who had just pulled in with a wagon full of hay. He jumped down from the driver’s seat, and asked, "How'd it go?"

  “Grace was fantastic,” Dora said. “Even I had fun, but Chloe was so excited.”

  Dora excused herself to help Olive.

  “Success, then,” Graham said, smiling down on Grace.

  “I think so, but I’m not sure Chase approves.”

  “He won’t until he sees a change in his daughter.” Graham scratched his head. “Will you do this everyday, though?”

  “I don’t think we can do it as long as we did today.” Grace stuck a stray hair behind her ear, wondering at how scruffy she must look after having played all day. “I’m sure Olive could use some help. I was thinking we could have a regular play period at the same time each day. It would give Chloe something to look forward to.”

  Graham leaned against the wagon. “So, my Chloebird had fun today.”

  “Why do you and Chase call her Chloebird?”

  He laughed. “Ever since she learned to walk she always ran with her arms flapping wildly. So we called her Chloebird and it seems to have stuck.”

  “Come to think of it,” Grace said, “she still runs like that.”

  Graham sobered, “How are you and Chase getting on? Are you butting heads over this?”

  “A little,” Grace said hesitantly. “I’ll be anxious to hear what he says to you about it.”

  Chase was his usual polite self at dinner, and excused himself and Chloe after they’d eaten. Olive explained that this was their private time together, when he played with her and read her stories before bed.

  As soon as Dora, Olive, and Grace had finished the dishes, Graham, once again invited her to walk with him.

  As they walked, Grace anxiously asked. “Did Chase say anything about today?”

  “Did he ever!” Graham said.

  Grace gasped. “Oh, no! What did he say?” When he didn’t answer right away she added, “It’s okay, I can take it.”

  “He didn’t say a single thing about you at all.”

  “Really? Then why did you say—”

  He smiled mischievously. “I was teasing. But I was as surprised as you are now. I thought for sure he’d say something.”

  “Perhaps,” Grace said with her finger to her cheek as she thought, “he’s afraid of offending the woman you’re about to marry. Of course, that must be it.”

  “You may be right, but I’ve never known Chase to hold back if he’s really angry. We talked about the calf that died, and he reported that he’d finished the fence he was mending. He didn’t seem upset at all,” Graham said.

  Grace stopped walking. “This is about the same place in the road where we turned back last night. Should we turn back?”

  “Yes, we’d better,” he said. “I wanted to hear more about you, though, so let’s walk slowly.”

  “All right,” Grace agreed.

  “What do you think of the ranch? Does it seem like a place you could spend the rest of your life?”

  “I love the ranch and the house,” she answered. “I think I'll love living here.” Finally, Grace thought, he’s finally talking about their future. She needed to keep him on the subject.

  “I'm fond of your family already, too,” she said.

  “And how do you feel about becoming a grandmother on your wedding day?” he asked. “Does that bother you?”

  “No. I love Chloe. She’s warmed her way into my heart already,” she said.

  “How do you feel about having more children?” she asked him. “It’s been years since you’ve had children. Would you mind having more?” She practically held her breath anticipating his answer.

  Graham stopped walking, and put his han
ds in his pockets. “Now, that might be a problem. I should have told you…I’m sorry.”

  Grace turned to look at him. “What is it?”

  “Right after Flora gave birth to Dora, Chase came home from school with the mumps,” he said.

  “And…” Grace prompted.

  “Naturally, I caught them and…I became sterile.”

  “Oh.” Grace was never so disappointed. She’d dreamed about becoming a mother and having a family she was biologically related to. He should have mentioned that in his letters. Still, she’d made a decision, and he was the kindest man—she’d have to overlook this and make the best of it.

  “I’m disappointed, of course,” she said, grabbing his hand and patting it. “But, I can enjoy our grandchildren…sure, I can.”

  Graham allowed her to hold and pat his hand. “You’re so understanding, Grace. I’m sure I picked the right mail order bride. I had quite a few to choose from, but for some reason, your letters stood out from all the others.”

  He gently removed his hand from hers. “Look, it’s getting darker. We had better get moving.”

  As Grace lay in bed that night she nearly cried, owing to her disappointment. She had no parents, no siblings, and now she’d have no children. Yet, she had a strong faith in God, and she had to accept her lot in life. She prayed that she’d be able to continue handling the life He’d given her.

  Chase had just finished playing dolls with Chloe. How he hated playing dolls. He was forced to raise his voice to a much higher octave and converse with her doll. Chloe was delighted and insisted they play it often, but, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her; she was all he lived for.

  He washed her and helped her to put on her pajamas. She curled up under her quilt and awaited her stories. Chase picked up the two, nearly worn, children’s books that had already been read numerous times. He hoped the general store would soon get some new ones in. Books were scarce out there in Kansas. Every so often a shipment would come in, and everyone would fight over the books, and they’d be gone within minutes. He had requested that Mr. Cooper put at least one children’s book away for him when books came into the store again. He hoped it would be soon.

  As he read, Chloe said the words along with him. It was a sign he’d read it so many times she had it memorized.

  “Chloe, why don’t you read the story to me for a change?” he asked.

  “Oh, no, Papa. I love hearing your voice too much.”

  Chase’s heart skipped a beat. He hugged her and continued with the story.

  Finally, after he’d flipped through both books, he tucked her in, and prepared to blow out the lamp in order to leave her to sleep, when she grabbed his hand.

  “Don’t go yet, Papa. One more story,” she begged.

  “But we’ve read the only two I have.”

  She pouted a bit. “I had fun today with Miss Grace and Auntie Dora. Do you want to hear all about it?”

  He sat back down on her bed. “Sure,” he said. He knew the bedtime stalling game for he’d played it many times with his own mother.

  “What games did you play?” he asked.

  “Tag. You know, Auntie Dora and Miss Grace can’t run very fast. I won every race.”

  “You’re fast, I know,” he said, smoothing her quilt around her.

  “We played Hide and Seek, and Find it.”

  “I’m glad you had fun, but I’m sure Miss Grace and Auntie Dora won’t be able to do that for you every single day.”

  “Yes, they can. Miss Grace said—while we set the table for dinner—that we would do it every day after lunch for a whole hour,” she said.

  “That’s very nice of them, don’t you think?”

  “I love Miss Grace and Auntie Dora,” she said. “Will Miss Grace stay with us for a long time?”

  “Well, Chloebird, I think that’s the plan. She’ll be here for a long time.” He kissed her. “I love you, sweetheart. Now, it’s time to go to sleep.”

  “But Papa, you didn’t tell me how much you love me.”

  “I was just about to,” he said, although his mind was on her last question and he had nearly forgotten their ritual.

  “I love you more than anyone else in the whole wide world,” he said.

  “I love you more than anyone else in the world, too.”

  “Goodnight, Chloe.”

  “Goodnight, Papa.”

  Chase blew the lamp out and walked to the door. He left it open a crack so he’d be able hear her if she had a bad dream.

  As he made his way to the room next to Chloe’s he spotted Grace entering her own room, across the hall.

  “Thank you, Grace,” he said.

  She walked over to his door. “You’re welcome. Are you thanking me for playing with Chloe?”

  He nodded.

  “She’s adorable, and I love spending time with her. You’re a very fortunate man to have her,” she said as she turned back to her own room.

  “Wait,” Chase said.

  She stopped and raised her eyebrows.

  “I also want to apologize for the unkind words this morning. I know you meant well, but it’s a touchy subject.”

  “I knew that, and I forgive you. Goodnight, Chase.”

  “Goodnight.”

  Chapter 6

  It had been exactly four weeks since Grace had arrived on the ranch and so far Graham had done nothing to further their relationship except for an occasional walk after dinner. She continued playtime with Chloe, and Dora often joined in. Now that she had her new wardrobe, she wondered when she’d get to wear any of it. She missed going to church and so far, no one had made a move to attend.

  “Olive,” Grace said after breakfast one morning. “Is there a Catholic church nearby?”

  “No.” She said, “but the town council is talking about it.”

  “Are there any churches?”

  “Oh, my, yes,” she said. “We have two churches in Hunter’s Grove. One is Methodist, and the other is just called Christ Church. It’s the one the family went to until…until the accident.”

  “The family hasn’t been to church in three years?” Grace couldn’t keep the disbelief from her words.

  “Sh-h,” Olive placed her finger to her lips. “Graham’s still in the house somewhere.”

  “Well, I hope he is. I want to talk to him.”

  “Both Chase and Graham have refused to go to church since the accident because they feel like God let them down.” Olive wiped her wet hands on her apron. “I miss going myself.”

  “Will you go with me, then?” Grace asked hopefully.

  “I don’t know how the men would take it if I wasn’t here to fix Sunday dinner, Grace.”

  Grace felt disappointed. “I’ll talk to Graham.”

  “Well, here I am. Talk to me,” Graham said from the doorway. He wore a smile Grace knew wouldn’t last after she’d spoken to him.

  “You’re usually out on the ranch somewhere by now,” she said.

  “Yes,” he said slowly. “Today I have a few personal things to take care of.” His smile had faded. He looked up at her and said sheepishly, “Today would have been Flora’s fortieth birthday.”

  “Oh,” was all Grace could think of to say. She heard a sigh coming from Olive as well. It made Grace think that she had likewise become a bit tired of the constant mourning from the Easton men.

  “What is it, Grace?” he asked. “What do you need to talk to me about?”

  “Maybe this isn’t a good time.” She turned to walk away, but he turned her around by her elbow.

  “No. it’s fine. You should feel like you can approach me anytime,” he said. “Come, we’ll go in the sitting room.”

  As they walked, Grace said, “Really, it can wait for another time. This must be a stressful day for you.”

  “Ah, Grace!” he exclaimed, putting his arm around her shoulders. “You are such a thoughtful, caring person. I’m so glad we found you.”

  “We?” she asked.

  “We
ll, the whole family—they were all involved. They helped me select you from all the other replies.”

  He escorted her to the sofa and sat down next to her. He held her hand and patted it like a loving father would.

  Banish the thought! Grace scolded herself for even thinking that.

  “Now, what’s on your mind?” he said.

  “I’d like to attend a church on Sundays.”

  “What?” he seemed taken off guard.

  “I was reared in a Catholic orphanage and I’m used to going to church,” she explained.

  “Oh, well…l…” he sputtered. “There aren’t any Catholic churches in Hunter’s Grove…yet. There is one near Hays, but that would be an eight hour ride.”

  “I’d like to attend the church your family attends, then.”

  “That would be Christ Church,” he said, looking thoughtful. Then he sighed.

  “Is that a problem?”

  “We don’t go to church anymore,” he said. “We stopped going after the accident. It’s hard to explain our reasoning.”

  “I can explain it,” she said boldly. “You’re mad at God for letting it happen, aren’t you?”

  Graham rubbed his temples. “Yes, that’s exactly why.”

  “I’m not a preacher, so I can’t give you a lecture on how wrong you are about God, but think about Chloe and Dora,” she said. “Parents are responsible for bringing up their children in the faith. Then, when they come of a responsible age, they can make up their own mind and be accountable for it.”

  “Is that from the Bible?” he asked.

  “I think so. When I was young, my teacher, a nun named Sister Margaret, explained that to me when I protested about learning about God. Since I didn’t have parents, she said it was the nuns’ responsibility to teach me about God,” she said. “The masses were mostly in Latin, and while I learned to be respectful of the service, I learned so much more from the lessons we received daily, during our school time.”

  Grace tried to judge Graham’s mood by his body language. He sat with his head down, looking at his shoes, his hands folded on his knees. He remained silent for so long, Grace wondered if she’d truly upset him by her boldness in the way she spoke her mind. Finally, he lifted his head and gave her a weak smile.