Catalina’s Cause: The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides Book 3 Read online

  Catalina’s Cause

  The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides Book 3

  Sara Jolene

  Copyright © 2018 by Sara Jolene

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  About the Series

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Sara Jolene

  What’s Next for The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides

  About the Series

  For decades, The Wigg School and Foundling Home of New York City has been the home and education of many of the city's orphans. In fact, the current teachers are Madam Wigg's first "crop" of students, all grown into accomplished young ladies. But she is bothered by the idea of them spending the rest of their lives tied to the Home, without ever finding love. Madam Wigg knows each one of them dreams of being in charge of her own school, so she makes them all an offer...

  Introduction

  Catalina Smith has spent a long time looking at her past, wondering where she came from, but Madam Wigg, the closest thing to a mother she’s ever known, has presented her with an opportunity to move forward. After honing her skills as a teacher in New York City at the Wigg School and Foundling Home, she’s agreed to move west to Shady Creek, Arizona to marry Mr. Oliver Wilson and open her very own school. But Catalina quickly learns that life in Arizona isn’t as she’d dreamed.

  After taking in his best friend's daughter, Oliver Wilson’s had to change his life plan. With some help from his neighbors, he’s figuring it out but has recently decided that it’s time his little girl has a mother. When he decides to send off for a mail-order bride, he hopes that she will be able to be that mother, despite the fact that he can’t tell her everything.

  But Catalina’s not the only one with a mysterious past. When a piece of Oliver’s previous life returns and threatens everything, can Catalina and Oliver’s new relationship survive the ultimate test?

  Chapter One

  Breakfast was over. The young ones were gathering their things and heading to classes. Catalina stood at the top of the stairs watching. She would miss the little ones the most. She enjoyed watching as their young minds absorbed all the lessons she and her fellow teachers bestowed on them each day. It had been three whole weeks since she’d sent a letter to Mr. Oliver Wilson of Shady Creek, Arizona, and each day that passed she became more and more anxious for a response. From the moment Madam Wiggs had called the girls out to the garden and informed them of how their futures had changed, Catalina hadn’t been much of anything other than anxious.

  She remembered how tightly Abigail had squeezed her hand as they waited for the train that would take her dear friend to her new life. Thankfully her old friend was good about writing, because if she hadn’t known how happy Abigail had ended up, then Catalina herself might not have been able to gather the gumption to the write the letter she had. She’d written several before deciding on the one she’d actually posted and mailed. Even that one she’d read more times than she cared to count. So many that she had memorized each word. They had been scrolling through her head at very inconvenient times during the last few weeks. A student or one of her friends had often shaken her back to reality. Beulah found the situation hilarious and often just let Catalina stare into space. Though on one notable occasion, Catalina had been dreaming of a dark-haired child in a long gingham dress running ahead of her through tall rows of corn when she suddenly realized Beulah was tossing little balls of paper toward her open mouth, trying in vain to fill it. They’d shared a good laugh before Catalina had been left full of worry.

  She’d long ago given up any ideas she’d had as a girl to find true love. She wished she could think of this the way her roommate Beulah did; she didn’t want to marry. She had written only to the most vague of adverts in hopes that she could find someone that would simply pretend to be her husband.

  Catalina had known from a young age that she was different, but no one at home had made her feel that way. It wasn’t until she’d step out into the bustle of New York or stood in front of a looking glass that she’d remember her tanned skin and dark, wide eyes. People on the street or in the markets rarely allowed her to forget it. Sideways glances, taking a few extra steps so they wouldn’t get closer, things that most people might not even notice. She’d watched as other girls her age were courted, fell in love, and eventually married. This new opportunity gave her a chance for at least one of those things. She may not ever know what it was like to have a man show her attention because he fancied her, and her face may never have had that newly in love glow that so often seemed to accompany the girls’ giggle fits when talking about whoever the man was in their life…but she could have a husband.

  The morning was packed full of arithmetic exercises. She’d been teaching the really young children to recognize their numbers so that when they got to be older and into Susan’s class, they’d have a good, solid head start. That was one of the best things about The Wiggs School and Foundling Home; Madam Wiggs, otherwise known as Wiggie, had a very unique style. One that she’d honed over the years and perfected while passing all her knowledge on to Catalina and the others. She wanted her legacy preserved. Especially now that she was ill, or so she’d said when she’d given the girls their ultimatum. Catalina didn’t question her. She loved the woman. She was the closest thing to a mother she’d ever really known. She wanted to make her proud.

  “Where are you today?”

  The voice startled Catalina. Her eyes blurred and refocused on the room around her. Seated in a circle around her feet were five three- and four-year-old children, each one as different as the next, other than Ally and Addison. The girls were the newest additions to the school. Beautiful blue-eyed, blonde-haired twins that came to the school each morning and left hand in hand with their mother each afternoon. All of the children stared up at Catalina intently.

  “Were you having the daydream again?” Catalina’s best friend and long-time roommate, Beulah, was standing in the doorway.

  Catalina offered her a small smile and shook her head. “No. Not exactly, anyway.”

  Her friend held up what looked like a letter. “Well, I’m sure this won’t help your productivity today, but I can’t hold out any longer.” The girl walked into the room, walking straight between students, coming to rest beside Catalina. “It’s from Arizona.”

  Catalina’s heart fluttered. She’d been avoiding the post since she’d realized she’d begun to structure her day around it. She’d not been able to stop thinking about the prospect of moving West, starting her own school, and maybe even a family. She took the letter and slowly began to open it, holding her breath as if her entire future was wrapped within its folds.

  Dearest Ms. Smith,

  I was happy to receive your letter and am looking forward to making your acquaintance soon. As you’ll see, I’ve included what I hope is enough money to get you from New York to Arizona. Once you’ve arranged your travels, please send word of your itinerary. We’ll be eagerly awaiting your arrival.

  Yours,

  Oliver

  Catalina could barely breathe. She’d kn
own he was looking for a wife, but seeing it there in his own hand that he was sending for her changed something. She had been daydreaming about all of the good things and hadn’t considered the potentially catastrophic ones. Not until she’d read his letter anyway. Now it was all she could think about. Her chest felt tight, and her friend that had once been in front of her clear as day had now morphed. Her face was blurred and slipping away. Catalina felt herself fade as stars danced before her eyes only moments before everything went dark.

  “You didn’t.”

  Oliver smiled so hugely he could feel the wind on his teeth as he and Nathaniel rode out to the far side of the grazing pasture. They’d started adding fencing the day before and wanted to finish up before dark. The Harveys had bought more cattle that was scheduled to arrive any day and knew it would be best to have the area prepared. “I did, and you’re not going to talk me out of it. It’s too late anyway.” He looked back over his shoulder at his friend as he dug his heels into the side of the mare beneath him. “It’s already done. She’s responded to my letter and will be in Shady Creek in less than a week.”

  Oliver turned before he could see the look on his friend’s face, concentrating on pushing the pinto to move faster. He loved to ride, and Cannon was his oldest friend. She’d been with him since his scouting days. He tightened his hold on the reins and slowed the horse to a trot while he patted her neck, allowing the cadence of her movements to soothe his nerves. “You know it like I do…” Oliver leaned over so he could stroke the horse’s nose. “It’s the right thing.”

  Nathaniel wasn’t far behind. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Oliver pulled Cannon to a complete stop so he could look his friend full in the face. “Because I didn’t want you to talk me out of it.”

  Nathaniel shook his head. “I wouldn’t have.”

  Oliver laughed. His friend was a horrible liar. His eyes always gave him away. He shook his head. “Yes, you would have, and I would have let you.” Oliver tried leave all his insecurities buried, swallowing them down hard so they wouldn’t shine in his eyes. “But it’s time, friend. You and Judith are wonderful friends, and we would have been lost without you, but my little Minda needs a mother of her own, and I need a wife.”

  “You know Judith and I both love you and Minda. Neither of you are a burden.”

  Oliver knew this was how his friend would react. It was one of the reasons he hadn’t told him. It would have been easy to allow things to stay the same. For him to continue to work for his friend and allow Nate’s lovely wife to care for his young daughter, but he was thirty years old. He’d been alone too long, and it wasn’t fair to Minda that she didn’t have anyone but him home at night. Nor was it fair to poor Judith, who, round as she was with her and Nathaniel’s fourth child, was hobbling around trying to care for their young ones as well as his. He once again tucked his heels into the sides of Canotina, causing her to perk up and take notice of their surrounds, her head whipping side to side before lifting her feet to take off. “We wouldn’t have made it without any of you, but it’s time for us to create a life of our own. When my homestead came through and we started to put the finishing touches on the house, I knew the time was coming. I need someone to help.” He saw the look on his friend’s face as the word help tumbled from his mouth, and he shook his head. “It’s more than that though. There’s a hole in our lives, Nate, Minda’s and mine, and there’s no way that either you or Judith could fill it for us. I have a feeling that Catalina will fill it perfectly.” As her name touched his tongue for the first time, he felt a warmth creep across the back of his neck. He nudged Canotina another time, and she took off sprinting toward the rising sun.

  “That must have been some letter.”

  Catalina blinked, clearing the blurriness from her vision. The last thing she remembered was Beulah’s face distorting and then stars, but Emmeline was standing over her now, worry etched in each line of her face. “You know you don’t have to do this. We can find another way.” Her friend shrugged and took her hand. “We can help. You can come with one of us. Have it be part of the condition of our arrival.”

  Catalina wasn’t thinking clearly. She still felt foggy and her chest was heavy, but even she could see that the concern on her friend’s face wasn’t only for her. It was for all of them. They’d all spent the majority of their lives together. They were as close as, if not closer than sisters, and just as Catalina was struggling with the idea of them not being around, Emmeline seemed to be as well. Catalina knew that part of that was because of Emmeline’s secret. She didn’t think that any of the girls knew, but they all did. They’d been helping and making adjustments for Emmeline’s progressive blindness for a long time now. They just never talked about it. She smiled softly. “We’re all going to be alright. We’ll write and even visit, but Em, you know we can’t go together. No man with all his faculties would agree to take on not only one but two strange women financially.” Catalina pushed herself to sitting. “Oliver’s letter took me by surprise was all. I’m excited for this adventure, and the rest of you should be too.”

  Sitting up, Catalina realized she was no longer alone with Emmeline and Beulah. Beulah’d sent the children down the hall and gathered reinforcements, including not only Emmeline but also Dorothy who said, “What if there’s no room for a garden? I’ll have to come home straight away.”

  Catalina smiled. She would always remember Dorothy and how Wiggie would fight with her each night before supper to get her to scrub the dirt from beneath her nails. She liked it there though. Liked having the earth be a part of who she was. Catalina reached a hand out for her friend to take. “Whoever the lucky man is, he’ll value your abilities, and I’m sure you’ll have a garden more lovely than anything you’ve dreamed of here.” She turned to her other friends. “We’re all going to have lovely lives.” She smiled, and all four girls came together in a heap, wrapping their arms around each other in a tight hug even as Catalina’s stomach sank. She wished she could believe everything she was saying, but one thing was chewing through her belly. Oliver seemed like a nice man from their limited correspondence, but what if he was expecting a fair wife? One like Katriona, with chestnut hair and freckles, or Sally who had milky white skin and bright blue eyes. What if he was like the man that had side stepped her in the market the day before? What if he saw her and turned her away straight at the platform, or worse yet, what if he didn’t and they married and he was horrible to her, punishing her for her lack of discretion each and every day for the rest of their lives? Catalina sucked in short, deep breaths trying to calm her nerves. She needed to be strong. She was who she was, and Madam Wiggs and her friends had taught her that no matter what she looked like, she was a woman of worth, value, and talent. She’d set off to Arizona to be the best wife she could be, and whatever happened after that she couldn’t control.

  Dusk was settling on Shadow Creek Ranch, the sky bright and full of stunning oranges and reds as Nathaniel and Oliver rode into the barn. They’d finished the fence after lunch and had ridden the perimeter, mapping out a course for the daily and weekly fence checks once the cattle arrived. It was his second favorite time of day because he knew the moment he stepped out of the barn, his tiny little raven would be rushing toward him having spent a full day with Judith and the children. Oliver sighed and his neck heated once again as he thought about having a woman to wrap his arms around in the evening. His little girl meant everything to him. Minda was a special child, and though she wasn’t his by blood, she’d been his in all the ways that counted. He lifted the saddle off Canotina and set it on the rack just outside the stall. He filled a trough with grain and set to work brushing the pinto gently as her muscles relaxed and she ate her fill. “She should be here Saturday on the noon train. I was hoping that you and Judith might meet us at the church straight after.”

  Nathaniel looked over the short wall between the stalls. “You’re sure about this? What about Minda?”

  Oliver understood why h
is friend was concerned. He’d seen the way the folks in town looked at the two of them, and Judith had mentioned a time or two how she’d had run-ins with some of the locals that weren’t so open-minded when she’d taken all the children in the wagon to town. Minda was the most beautiful child he’d ever seen. The child of his late best friend and his wife. When he looked at her, he saw only them. Them and a childish innocence that he hoped she’d never lose.

  “What if she…”

  Oliver shook his head. “She won’t.”

  Nathaniel didn’t look convinced. Truth was that Oliver wasn’t either, but he had faith. He’d trusted his life to his gut instinct for as long as he could remember, and so far it hadn’t steered him wrong. He wasn’t going to start second guessing it now.

  “You can’t know that.”

  He nodded. “No, you’re right. I can’t. But I can trust that the path that’s before me is the one I’m supposed to be on.” He’d made a vow to the best man he’d ever known that he’d care for his only child as if she was his own, and he’d meant every word, intending to keep it. “I know you’re concerned, but Mail Order Brides aren’t that uncommon. You and Judith had something special before you came West. There aren’t that many options here. I’m doing what I need to.”

  Nathaniel stayed silent, but Oliver knew deep in his belly that his friend would support him. He’d worry, but he’d support him. He watched as the light in his friend’s eyes changed, going from darker to light before he finally nodded. “We’re here for you.”