Pioneer Love: Damaged Hearts Head West: Mail Order Bride 5 Bundle (5 page)

Chapter 8

The next morning after breakfast, Ryan left to go to meet up with Mr. Henderson. Before leaving he gave Anna a gift, a beautiful pearl necklace and told her that he looked forward to getting to know her when he got back. Blushing with embarrassment, Anna accepted the gift and thanking him, said that she looked forward to it as well.

Ian stood at the side, frowning but then he hugged his brother goodbye and told him to be safe.

Once he had left, Ian turned to Anna and grinning at her said, "So, what do you wanna do this afternoon?"

"Well, I was planning on going to the stables but I should probably wait for Ryan to get back before doing that."

Ian frowned slightly, before smiling again. "He only said that he'd like to ride with you,” he said. “I'm sure it's perfectly fine to visit the stables and meet our horses. I want you to meet Kindle. She's a red headed beauty and I'm very fond of her."

Anna smiled at his enthusiasm and agreed. "I guess you’re right and Kindle sounds lovely. I'd really love to meet her."

"Well then, let's go. She's been asking to meet you," he laughed.

"Oh, well then, we simply can't keep her waiting, now can we? Lead the way, Mr. Ian," she beamed at him and looped her arm in his. She had done it without a thought and now she felt awkward, but she thought it would be weird to just drop his arm, so she held on. He had strong arms and Anna couldn't help but appreciate how thick they were.

Ian got red in the neck but smiled down at her and with twinkling eyes, he said, "Certainly, Miss Anna, my pleasure." And he led her to the door.

Anna looked up at him and said, "I don't have my coat. Let me go fetch it." She began to extract her arm from his, but he pressed it to his side and wouldn't let go. Blushing from his neck above, he looked at her shyly. "I went out to town for a bit yesterday and got you a thicker coat than yours,” he said. “It's hanging with ours in the coat closet by the door if you'd like to wear that."

Anna was touched by his consideration and thoughtfulness. No one but Jolene and her father had ever been thoughtful enough or cared enough about her and now she had two men. Her hand reached to the pearl necklace at her throat, it hung above her cross. Two men who were buying her gifts. Her heart soared and she found her walls come crumbling down. She couldn't believe he was such a gentleman.

She smiled and thanked him for the coat. When they were by the door, Ian brought out the coat. It was soft black sheepskin and he helped her to put it on; his fingers lingering on her neck. She blushed and he chuckled slightly before moving back. They looked at each other with a look they both didn't know they were giving the other, and then they finally headed off towards the stables.

As they walked, Anna began to feel bad. Had she made the wrong impression? Should she keep away from Ian?

He led her to the stables and to a stall in which a chestnut colored mare stood. He went up to her and said, "Hello Kindle my beautiful. Look who's here to see you. It's Miss Anna come to meet you. Remember I told you she might be stopping by."

Anna looked at him with a smile on her face, watching him communicate with the horse and taking care of her as if she were a dear old friend. He brushed her and gave her apples to eat and talked to her about random things. Anna contributed very little for she enjoyed watching him rather than participating.

Ian led her down to the next stall and in it stood another horse. This one was white and had a black spot on its stomach. He was fine boned and beautiful with kind eyes and a gentle head. Ian brought him over to Anna and handed her a brush and some apples, gesturing to Anna to enjoy herself.

When she began brushing the horse, Ian said, "This is Lighter. He is Kindle's significant other and they are very much in love. He's strong and fast but completely trustworthy and will never lead you astray nor ever let you fall. I want you to have him while you're here."

Anna was touched and said, with tears in her eyes, "Thank you. This means a lot to me." She continued to brush Lighter and gave him an apple to munch. Ian looked at her for a bit as she enjoyed pampering the huge animal in front of her. After a bit, he said softly, "I'm sorry about your accident. I wish it hadn't happened or that I could've been there to help somehow."

Anna looked up at him. "There wasn't anything anyone could've done,” she said. “It was meant to happen and so it did."

"Fair enough. Was it hard for you back home?"

"It was a bit. People would often consider me weak because of it and look at me with pitiful eyes. I guess after a while I withdrew into myself and became reserved and quiet. Other than my best friend I never really knew anyone. You see the way people looked at me like I was infected and they would catch it if they were close enough. It made me avoid people as much as possible. Before I came here, I was never treated like I was whole. The way you and later on your brother just shrugged off my disability, it was the first time anyone had ever treated me like a complete, a real person."

Ian came up to her and looked deep into her eyes. "You are a complete person,” he said. “More real than anyone I have ever met and I am glad that you got out of a place that made you feel like that. Don't ever let yourself feel less than the beautiful, kind and astounding woman you are."

Anna stared into his green eyes that seemed to be pulling her deep into them. If she wasn't careful, she would drown and never want to resurface. She smiled at him and said in a shaky voice, "I won't, I promise."

Chapter 9

Over the next few days, Ian and Anna spent almost all their time together. Each morning Anna would wake early, eager to start her day. It was intoxicating to have someone interested in her life. Someone willing to listen to her and to value her opinion. Each night she wondered if what she did was wrong and she would kneel before the bed and pray that her heart be true. It was Ryan she had come to marry so why did she love spending so much time with Ian?

Maybe it was because he had accepted her and her disability with no fuss and no recrimination. He made her feel whole and useful and talked to her like a friend. They swapped stories of their childhood, she told him about her father and her best friend, Jolene. He shared some of his experiences as well. With his eyes shining brightly, he spoke of his parents. They had died in an accident when he was quite young and Ryan had raised him all by himself. Listening to this a sliver of guilt stabbed into her stomach. But she was doing nothing wrong and she told him about her mom's illness. How it had taken her away at an early age and how her father had cared for her with so much love.

Little by little he explained about the business. Yet all the time he joked around and made her laugh so much some day’s tears of joy would stream down her face.

“Would you like to learn how we do the bookkeeping?” he asked one day.

“I would love to, and then maybe I could be some use around here.”

“Stop that,” Ian said a mock severe expression on his face. “You have brightened up our lives more than you could ever know. Sometimes I think you believe that your limp makes you worthless.”

His hand reached out and lifted her chin. The touch of his fingers spread fire down into her heart and she wanted to pull away but could not. The intensity of his eyes pulled her gaze upwards. Like emeralds his eyes sparkled, dazzled and mesmerized her until all she could see was the fire within their depths.

“It does not,” he said as he let his hand fall. “You are worthy and wonderful. You are intelligent and beautiful and your council has been most useful. You deserve happiness and joy, promise me you will believe this and you will let it into your life.”

“I promise,” she said and looking into his eyes she knew she had found happiness. A man who valued her and cared for her it was more than she could have asked for. As his hand dropped away, the spell broke and she turned her head and tried to slow her breathing and to control the pounding of her heart.

After that instant, Anna felt her attraction to him increase day after day and she hadn't the slightest idea of how to stop it. Though, if she were being honest with herself, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to. When she was with Ian, she felt alive like she belonged and she hardly thought about her limp anymore. Ian was attentive, kind and always had a smile for her.

Looking into his eyes would make her heart beat like a drum and set her legs to wobble. She grew closer to him by the day and she had all but forgotten the reason she was there; Ryan, the man she was to marry. Only at night when she returned to her room when she kneeled to say her prayers did she remember. She would ask the Lord to make things right. Ask that her heart be true and that she would not cause pain or heartache between these two brothers.

The week passed very quickly and she had become quite adept at helping out the guests or doing the paperwork. It was a late afternoon and she was stood with Ian at the counter where boarders came to check in. A burst of laughter rocked through her as he made another one of his inane jokes. The bell of the door rang to announce someone entering. Still grinning, she turned to the door and was surprised to see Ryan standing, looking at the two of them. Flecks of snow dusted his hat and the tops of his shoulders. Her husband to be was home. The grin left her face and Ian, seeing her reaction, turned toward the door. He stood stock still for a moment before rushing out to hug his brother.

Ryan broke into a smile as well and clapped him on the back in a brotherly manner. Seeing the two of them so happy, Anna felt her face tugged into a smile. They were such good brothers. Guilt snaked into her gut, here she was due to marry Ryan and she was spending all her days laughing with Ian.

When Ian let go of him, Ryan turned to Anna and gave her a dazzling smile. "Miss Montgomery, how have you been?” he said. “You seem in good spirits which is a lovely sight to see."

Blushing at his compliment, she curtsied. "Welcome back Mr. Gellman,” she said. “I hope you had a pleasant journey and that your work wasn't too stressful."

"Please, call me Ryan. Work went well, thank you for asking." He approached her and took off his hat before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small package and handed it to her. "I saw this and thought you might like it."

Anna found her hand was shaking as she took the package and opened it. Inside was an intricate bracelet of gold and fine stones. She had never seen anything so beautiful and she felt heat flood her cheeks. Could she accept this? But she knew she must, she was here to marry this man and it would be rude to turn down his gift. "Thank you, Mr. Ryan. It is beautiful."

Ryan stepped forward and gently took it from her shaking fingers. She extended her hand but couldn't help but glance at Ian. He looked livid and was frowning heavily. Confused by his reaction, she turned back to Ryan. His fingers touched her wrist as he fastened the bracelet and then he gave her a smile. She couldn’t help but notice that it did not make her feel as wonderful as Ian’s smile did. But that didn’t matter she was here to marry Ryan and she would get used to him. As he finished, he looked up at her with hopeful eyes and she smiled at him in encouragement.

Ryan stared at her for a few seconds, and she felt her cheeks color again. His scrutiny was awkward and made her feel small. What was she doing and how had she been so silly?

Ryan shook his head as if clearing his thoughts. "Well, I'd best go rest for a bit and get cleaned up,” he said. “I look forward to seeing you at dinner Miss Anna." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it and then with a bow he turned to leave.

Anna stood silent for a few minutes, feeling guilty for forgetting the man she was here to marry. He was a kind man and she had completely disregarded him in favor of his brother. She stood fiddling with her bracelet when Ian cleared his throat. She jumped a bit and looked at him. He seemed to have cooled off a bit but still didn't look like his usual, happy self.

Anna worried about him. How had she been so stupid to spend so much time with Ian? To let him think that she liked him, which of course she did. Was she so foolish that she would fall for the first man who showed her some attention? It seemed so and she did not know what to do. Ian ignored her and went to stand behind the counter; his arms folded his eyes staring at the wall. Anna waited a few moments for him to say something but when he didn't, she couldn't help but ask, "Is something the matter, Ian?"

Ian didn't look at her. "No, everything is fine. Just remind me that to win a girl's heart I need to give her jewelry. I hear that works wonders."

Now, it was Anna's time to get angry. "I beg your pardon? Are you saying that my love can be bought with some jewelry? How little do you think of me? After all Ryan is the man I came here to marry and if he gives me gifts, I cannot reject them. That would be rude and insensitive when he has been nothing but kind to me.”

His eyes had not moved from the point on the wall. She wondered if he would create a crack there if he kept staring. She knew that she was to blame for this. That maybe she had been too familiar, but it was such a new experience for her. To have someone accept her and treat her as an equal and there was something about Ian that set her pulse racing. But it was wrong, Ryan was back now and maybe this was the time to draw a line. “Never mind,” she snapped. “I don't need to explain myself to you. Good day, Mr. Ian." With a swirl of skirts, she turned to leave the room.

"I'm sorry, Anna,” Ian called out. “I shouldn't have said that it wasn't what I meant."

"It's perfectly fine, Mr. Ian,” Anna threw over her shoulder without even pausing. “You made yourself perfectly clear." And with that she was out of the room. She raced up the stairs as fast as her bad leg would carry her. Stumbling and limping along and racing to beat the tears. At last she made it to her room, she barged through the door threw herself to the bed and let the tears come. How could life be so cruel? To let her find a man that she could love only to be promised to his brother.