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

  Every lingering bit of unease he’d been unknowingly harboring seemed to lift away at his friend’s words, and he found himself smiling.

  Chapter Two

  Leaving her sisters had been the hardest thing she’d ever done, but knowing they each were preparing for their own adventures helped. She wanted nothing more than for them all to be safe and eventually happy. She’d spent the ride making plans for her school. Madam Wiggie had spent years developing what she, and in turn the girls, thought was the best teaching methods for the young ones.

  Not all of the methods they used were what folks were used to, including that they separated the children into close ages and abilities. They’d found that it was far easier for the children to grasp the concepts they were being taught when they were with other young’uns that were learning the same things. Catalina had decided that she wanted to have three rooms to her schoolhouse: one for the very small children, one for those that were reading and learning basic arithmetic, and lastly one for the older children. She knew there would be fewer of them but also thought they could each take turns helping with the young ones. They’d learn better by having to help teach the material.

  Catalina had left just two days ago, but looking out the windows of the train as the flat expanses of land rushed by, she felt worlds away from the hustle of New York. She settled back in her seat, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. She was quickly caught off guard at how much more she could fill her lungs now that she was away from the city. The air had been heavy there, but out in the open wild heading West, there wasn’t much of anything to be weighed down by.

  She’d worn her sturdiest traveling dress and the bonnet with the widest brim, hoping to hide her face for as long as possible. It could be perilous being a young woman traveling alone, so she thought keeping to herself would be best. Hiding behind gingham and lace was certainly one way to do that. “Is this seat vacant?”

  Catalina opened her eyes to a soft voice. She turned toward it, away from the window, and nodded before squeaking out, “Yes.” She swallowed and realized it had been since after supper the night before since she’d had anything to drink. “Please feel free.” Catalina shifted her body as the tall woman set her case on the rack above their heads and sat next to her. Trying hard not to stare, Catalina took note of the woman’s deep set eyes and the way her blonde hair shone when the sun peeked from out of the clouds and in through the windows. The way the light danced across the strands reminded her of the stars she’d seen just before she’d fainted after reading Oliver’s letter. Her mind began to wander, and she pulled the letter from where she’d tucked it in her traveling cape.

  “We’ll be eagerly awaiting your arrival.” That “we’ll” had been plaguing her thoughts since the other traveler had left her that evening. Who was “we”? Oliver hadn’t mentioned anyone other than himself in the advert. Catalina’s imagination started to run away when the young, beautiful woman beside her spoke.

  “What brings you West?”

  Catalina was careful not to turn completely. Slightly embarrassed, she held up the letter. “I’m going to meet my husband.”

  Oliver swung the little girl in his arms. Her long hair flew out from her back as they spun together in the afternoon sun. “My lovely Minda.” He slowed the spinning, watching the girl’s face. Her eyes were bright with excitement. He hoped they’d stay that way. He’d waited a long time. Too long probably. But it was time now. It was Friday afternoon after all. They had to load the wagon and go to town the very next morning. It was still hard for him to grasp that he’d be a married man in only a few hours. “Minda.” he set the little girl on her feet but kept ahold of her hand. “Do you remember when you asked me if you could be brought a mommy the way that Mrs. Harvey is being brought a baby?”

  The little girl’s bright eyes were practically glowing. She nodded.

  “Yes, Papa.”

  “And do you remember how I told you that mommas aren’t born the way babies are, and that Daddy would have to meet someone new for you to have a momma?”

  Minda smiled. The little girl was the spitting image of her late mother. Her long, raven hair was just as dark as her eyes, which were wide and set deep in her face. Her lips were naturally the lightest of pinks and her baby teeth straight and bright against her caramel skin. “Did you meet someone, Daddy?”

  Oliver smiled and squeezed her hand as he shook his head. His heart ached as he watched the smile slide from her face. “But…” Her big eyes were trained on his face. Almost daring him to tell her something her little heart couldn’t bare. “Turns out there’s more than one way for a child to get a momma.” Her smiled returned. “I’ve sent for a nice lady to come be with us, Minda. I hope that’s okay.”

  The little girl was practically bouncing with excitement. “When, Papa? When? When do I get to meet my momma?”

  Oliver felt more full in that moment than he had in a long time. The way that little girl looked at him was all the proof he needed that he had done the right thing. “Tomorrow, my Minda. We’ll go to town and pick her up from the train tomorrow.”

  Catalina and her seatmate had talked most of the afternoon. She’d learned her seatmate’s name was Bethany and that she too was headed West to meet her husband. The difference being, Bethany was already married. She had married only months before. Her husband, a doctor, had been called West to travel to areas where there weren’t many physicians, and instead of returning to Philadelphia where they’d both been raised, he’d sent for her to come to him. “It’s just so selfish of him. When I agreed to marry him, we were to live in Philadelphia. He promised we’d attend balls and dinners. He promised me the life I’d always imagined having. Now I have no idea what my life will look like. Who will care what my dresses look like? Who will I shop for ribbons with? I’ve had to leave all my family and friends.”

  Catalina pulled the ties of her bonnet, loosening it on her head. She hesitated to slide it from covering her hair. “Perhaps you’ll enjoy the West. I’ve heard that not all the towns are as rudimentary as people in the East believe.” She smiled in the darkening cabin. “And he’s had to leave his friends and family as well. I’m sure your arrival will be of great comfort to him.”

  The girl sighed beside her and seemed to settle deeper into her seat. “This would have been so much easier if I didn’t adore him.”

  Bethany’s words reassured Catalina. Their conversation until that point hadn’t filled her with confidence that her new friend was looking forward to being with her husband. Catalina herself was very nervous about the prospect. Meeting someone that was so smitten they were willing to leave everything eased the churning that had begun deep in her belly. Catalina relaxed her shoulders and leaned back against her seat, closing her eyes to the dying light.

  “What are you most nervous about?” Bethany’s words floated in the air between them, hovering before Catalina as she opened her eyes and straightened her shoulders.

  “There are so many things.” She tried to control the wave of thoughts that assaulted her, wanting to narrow down her worries and share them with someone. “I suppose my largest worry is that Mr. Wilson will find me unsuitable and that I’ll either have to figure out a way to make a life for myself in a strange place on my own or that I’d have to return to New York with my head hung in shame.”

  Bethany’s voice had a distinct cadence to it. It reminded Catalina of Yeta, and she was suddenly overwhelmed by missing her friends. She felt tears begin to sting her eyes, and her throat got tight. She swallowed hard as the harshness in her new friend’s tone registered, “If he turns you away, you have absolutely nothing to feel shameful about. A man, or woman for that matter, that cannot keep their commitments has a reason to feel shameful. You’re doing your part, and I know you have every intention of continuing to do so once you arrive. I’m positive you’ll be a great wife.”

  Catalina was reassured by her words. She turned in her seat, the wood digging into her side. “I’ve very glad to
have sat next to you on this journey.” The light had faded; they were relying solely on the lanterns. She watched Bethany’s face change as her bonnet slid from her head, exposing her dark complexion. She held her breath waiting, insecurity causing her blood to pump hard. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat.

  Bethany smiled. “He certainly won’t have anything negative to say about how you look. You’re very beautiful; did you know?” Catalina sat stunned as the other girl shook her head. “Of course you do. I don’t know why I must say everything that comes to my mind. Mother tells me constantly it’s unbecoming. I apologize. I don’t mean to be overbearing.”

  Catalina almost laughed out loud. She had to fight harder than she had been since she’d left New York to keep the tears at bay. She shook her head vigorously, making herself dizzy. “No…” She wanted to tell the girl how much her words meant to her. That she’d never had a stranger tell her she was beautiful. She’d never had a man fancy her or ask to court her. She always thought they’d found her appearance unappealing. She had high, sharp cheekbones, and her dark eyes were set far in her head in comparison to most of the girls in the house. Plus, her skin wasn’t pale. She stopped bothering with powder long ago. It did no use anyway. Just made her look sick rather than fragile, which was the goal.

  She swallowed and tried again. “You don’t… I mean, you’re lovely, Bethany. Truly, I’ve never had someone be so kind. I’m not sure what to say. All of this is new.”

  Bethany leaned forward into a stream of light coming from a lantern just behind them. She smiled widely and placed a hand over Catalina’s. “Catalina, my friend, I think we’re both in for a lot of new for a long time. We’ll figure it out together.”

  Oliver was having trouble keeping the bouncing five year old in the wagon. “Minda, you must sit. You could fall.” He tightened his grip on the reins with one hand and stretched out the other to grab the small girl by the back of her dress and pull her back to her seat at his side.

  The little girl sat but continued to swing her feet. “I know you’re excited. I am too, but we must arrive in one piece. Imagine Miss Smith’s surprise if I were to arrive at the station with a young girl covered in dust, bumps, and bruises. That wouldn’t be very becoming for either of us, now would it?”

  He felt her turn her eyes on him. He looked down and sucked in a breath that was both painful and comforting. Minda had her father’s eyes. Each time she looked at Oliver the way she was now, he remembered his final moments with the man he considered a brother. He’d looked at Oliver the same way Minda did, with complete trust and faith. It pained him to think he might be failing in his word to his best friend. Oliver smiled.

  “Do you think she knows how to make cookies?”

  Laughing, Oliver shook his head. “I’m not sure. Maybe. If not, I’m sure she’d be happy to learn with you.”

  Minda’s smile widened so her teeth were showing, white against her tanned skin, and Oliver wondered for a moment if he should have mentioned Minda in his letter. He knew he’d be surprising his bride but hoped, with her being a teacher, that she loved children and would care for Minda as he had, like she was his own.

  The rest of the ride was uneventful with Minda finally laying herself down on the buckboard to rest. She had started to fall asleep as they were riding into town. Oliver hadn’t been to Shady Creek in some time, preferring to stay out on the ranch. He hadn’t brought Minda with him since they’d arrived in town almost a year earlier, so even though she was obviously tired, he encouraged her to sit up. “My Minda. Do you want to see the town? You should sit up and say hello to everyone.”

  The little girl opened her eyes and slowly sat up before taking in the new environment around her. Shady Creek wasn’t a large town, but it certainly had more people than Oliver had seen in a long time. Minda hadn’t been around anyone other than those at the ranch in the whole year they’d been there. “Look, Papa!”

  Oliver followed the pointing that followed her excited voice, and his heart sank. There, next to a half-built building was what looked like most of the local tribe. He didn’t know much Apache, but he knew enough to know that they were there protesting a school that was being built. He’d seen it before, back when he was a scout. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office had often tried to recruit him and his partner **Insert Name*** to escort their officials into new—what they would call hostile—territories where they were wanting to build assimilation schools. Oliver had always refused. One of the many reasons they weren’t sad to see the back of him when he’d decided to leave to care for Minda. Oliver was excellent as his job. He’d loved being a scout, but Minda was more important. Plus, the things that were happening, he couldn’t always be a part of.

  Oliver wrapped an arm around the little girl’s shoulders, pulling her closer to him on the bench. If they were building a school, he wanted to keep Minda from their notice as best he could. He wouldn’t send her to a place like that. No child should have to go. “Papa, they look like me.”

  He nodded. “Yes, my Minda, they do.”

  Oliver could tell the girl wanted to say more but either out of fear or lack of life experience couldn’t find the words. He held her close in an attempt to keep her focused on the task at hand. “Let’s go meet your new momma.”

  Chapter Three

  Catalina stepped off the train and breathed more deeply than she had ever remembered breathing in New York. Other than the smoke from the engine, the air was clean. She could taste the sun on her tongue. Bethany stepped down beside her. “What do we think?”

  Catalina hesitated but smiled. “We think that Shady Creek, Arizona has a lot of potential.”

  “Let’s get on with it then. Have you spotted your future husband?”

  Catalina had been searching the surrounding crowd for someone that might be her Oliver, but he hadn’t given her much of a description to go from. She shook her head. “I don’t believe so. How about you?”

  The silence that followed didn’t bother Catalina at all. She knew the moment her new friend had found the man she’d traveled so far to be with. The girl lit up like an electric light. She beamed with happiness. Catalina couldn’t help but be warmed by it. “Shove off then.”

  Bethany took a few steps forward but turned back. “You’ll be alright?”

  Catalina nodded. “Of course, and I’m sure we’ll see each other very soon.”

  “Maybe Joshua knows of your Oliver? We could help you locate him.”

  “I’m very thankful to have met you and even more glad that I’ve come to this new place having a friend. I look forward to seeing you soon.” She smiled softly. “But I can do this. I must do this on my own.”

  Bethany had no time to respond. Her husband had arrived and scooped her up, spinning her around. They spun and spun until he set her gently on her feet. Catalina watched raptly as the two stared at each other as if the entire platform had disappeared, and then acted like it. Bethany’s husband leaned in and pressed his lips to his wife’s. The way her friend melted in his arms made Catalina ache. She’d always known love like that existed. She’d just never seen it. She sighed heavily, and now after learning it was possible, she had to accept that she’d never have it. She was a mail-order bride. Brought to Shady Creek to marry a man that she couldn’t even pick out of a crowd. She’d known all along what she’d signed up for: focusing on teaching and having that to fulfill her life. Watching her new friend with her husband had her, for the very first time, second-guessing her decision. Maybe teaching wouldn’t be enough.

  “Excuse me, but are you, perhaps, Miss Smith?”

  Catalina hadn’t realized how much she’d been focusing until the voice, deep but languid, interrupted her thoughts. She closed her eyes and turned toward the sound, nodding her head. “I am.” She stuck out a hand blindly. “You must be Mr. Wilson.”

  “My name’s Minda.”

  Catalina’s eyes flew open as a hand nestled gently in hers and the sot sweet voice floated through her nervous
ness. She looked directly at the small girl. She was clutching a man’s hand, just as Catalina was. The child was dark and had big bright eyes that glowed with the smile that had formed on her face. “Well hello, Minda. My name is Catalina.”

  “Are you my new momma?”

  Catalina’s heart clenched. Oliver hadn’t mentioned he had a child. He also hadn’t mentioned he was an Apache. She could feel her blood heating her cheeks. She was suddenly very thankful for her dark skin. It hid blush very nicely. She smiled at the girl before swallowing hard and moving her eyes slowly from the child’s face to the man’s before her. Her words caught in her throat. He was as fair as the child was not. His eyes were welcoming. They shone a light brown that reminded her of toffee, warm and soothing. His face was speckled with stubble and freckles, and the hand she held was rough. It was the hand and face of a man who worked outside. Catalina tried to remember to breathe.

  “My Minda. Let’s let Miss Smith have a moment before we overwhelm her.” His eyes never left hers.

  Catalina appreciated what he was trying to do. She needed a moment. Or so she thought. But the moment her breath returned, words came tumbling from her lips. “I am, little one. I am.”

  Catalina shifted her eyes from the man to the small child now clutching at her skirts, obviously begging to be picked up. She let go of Oliver’s hand and crouched to be face to face with the little girl. Her smile was bright, seemingly reaching from one small ear to the other under a layer of soft jet-black fringe falling from a bow at the top of her head. Catalina brushed the hair from the little girl’s face. “It is alright with you if I’m your new momma?”

  Minda nodded vigorously. “I’ve been asking Papa for you for a long time.”