A Bride For Clay (The Proxy Brides Book 2) Page 2

  Chapter Three

  Chicago - Quincy Hotel

  Mason Callen sat behind the large oak desk in the office of the hotel manager working on the accounting books when a knock on the door drew his attention away from his work. He lifted his head, “Yes?”

  The lanky teenage boy stood erect holding the yellow sheet out in front of him. “Mr. Callen, I have a telegram for you, sir.”

  “Thank you,” Mason answered reaching for the telegram and quickly perusing it.

  “Is there an answer, sir?”

  “No,” Mason replied handing the teen a coin. “I’ll send an answer later.”

  “Yes, sir,” the boy tipped his hat and left Mason staring at the telegram in his hand.

  “A bride. Clay needs a bride immediately?” He leaned back in his chair and thought about the request. Did he know anyone that might meet Clay’s requirements? His mind wandered through the young women of his acquaintance and set on Grace Slater, the newest waitress in the hotel’s dining room. They attend the same church, and she seemed to meet Clay’s needs. Grace was smart, articulate, hardworking, respectable, came from a good family, and beautiful to boot. He nodded his head slowly as he counted off Grace’s qualities. Yes, she was perfect, but could he convince her to marry someone sight unseen and travel to Wyoming? He heard some gossip among the workers that her life had been difficult since her father died. Maybe she was a perfect choice.

  Mason pushed away from his desk and walked out into the lobby. He found the desk clerk staring off into the distance. He cleared his throat, and the young man jumped. “Yes, Mr. Callen, can I help you?”

  “Yes, ask Miss Slater to step into the office once the lunch rush is over, will you?” Mason turned to walk back to his office without waiting for an answer, his own mind lost in thought on how to approach Miss Slater with his proposal of sorts.

  Thirty minutes later, Grace Slater, wearing her dark blue dress and crisp white waitress apron, entered the manager’s office wondering what she had done to be summoned by the hotel’s accountant. Little did she know the meeting would change her life.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Slater, please sit down.”

  Good afternoon, Mr. Callen. Have I done something wrong?” Grace asked as she slowly took a seat in the chair opposite the desk.

  Mason help up his hands, “No, no, nothing at all. I have something of a personal nature to discuss with you, and I’m not sure where to start.”

  Grace leaned slightly forward saying, “Perhaps you should start at the beginning.”

  “It concerns marriage.”

  “You want to marry me,” Grace gasped.

  “No, not me, my best friend Clay Hutchison,” Mason stammered.

  Grace squinted. “I don’t know anyone by that name.”

  “Let’s start over, and I’ll explain. I’m from a small Wyoming town. My parents own the ranch just north of the Hutchison ranch. Clay and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember. His parents died when we were teens, and his grandfather raised him and his brother, Wade. I received a telegram today telling me his grandfather is dying.”

  Grace’s hand flew to her mouth, “I’m so sorry to hear that, but how does that concern me?”

  “Let me finish, I think you’ll understand. His grandfather wishes Clay, and I assume Wade to marry before he dies. Clay said his inheritance is contingent on his marrying quickly before his grandfather passes. He asked me to arrange a proxy marriage so he will be a married man immediately, and I will then escort his bride to Wyoming.” He leaned back in his chair hoping he explained everything well enough.

  Grace stared straight at Mason without blinking. “You want me to marry your friend?”

  “Well, yes. We attend the same church, and I assume you are a good God-fearing woman from the way you act in church. Here at work, you are polite and hard working. I regret to say I have heard a bit of gossip that you are unhappy at home for whatever reason and I thought you would make a good match for Clay. He is one of the finest men I know.”

  Grace nodded, “Let me put the gossip to rest, and you can decide if I am still the lady you want your friend to marry. My father was a well-respected teacher, and we enjoyed a comfortable life. My mother came from wealth, but we didn’t live the way she did when she was growing up. She preferred the quieter life with my father as a teacher. We did attend some social functions, and I learned how to act like a proper lady in society. My mother passed away when I was fifteen. Father quit teaching. He said he lost his heart when mother died and being around the children was too much for him.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your mother. It must have been difficult being a young girl without a mother,” Mason said.

  “Yes, it was, but father was a kind and loving man. He did his best to make me happy. He bought a bookstore, and we worked together after school. I loved the books. He died six months ago.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Grace’s mouth gave a hint of a smile, “Thank you. His death was not unexpected, but the doctor thought he had another year maybe two, but his heart gave out. Of course, my brother inherited everything. It was my father’s wish that the bookstore remained in the family and that I continue to work there. There is an apartment above the store, and I was to live there. My sister-in-law is a bit of a shrew if you will excuse my being blunt. She insisted they could use the money from the sale of the bookstore and I could live with them and help with her four children.”

  Mason’s scowl nearly made Grace laugh, “Four? That is a houseful.”

  “Yes, and another on the way. I am their cook, maid, and nanny when I am not working here. Unbeknownst to my brother and sister-in-law, my father set aside an inheritance for me. I will receive a modest monthly allowance when I turn twenty-one in three months. Between my job here and the allowance, I will be able to leave my brother’s home.”

  “I see,” Mason answered. He steepled his fingers and leaned on his desk. “Then you would have no interest in marrying and leaving Chicago?”

  “On the contrary,” Grace replied. “When I was first forced to live at my brother’s and become basically unpaid help, I considered running away and answering an ad for a mail-order bride. Fearing that I could end up in a worse situation, I decided against it. You are well-respected here at work and at church. I believe you when you say your friend is an honorable man. If he is not, I will have an allowance in three months and can go anywhere I wish. Yes, Mr. Callen, I will marry your friend and accompany you to Wyoming. How soon can we leave? Each day at my brother’s home is worse than the previous day.”

  “As soon as I can make the arrangements. I must send Clay a telegram with your information, find a judge here who understands these things and set the wheels in motion. I doubt a preacher would agree to this, but Clay does attend church, and I am sure you can repeat your vows in church when we arrive. Also, all your expenses will be met, and I can give you some money for traveling clothes if you need them.” Mason stood and reached out his hand. “Thank you, Miss Slater. Oh, may I have your full name?”

  Grace returned his handshake and gave him a broad smile. “Of course. Grace Louise Slater. Please let me know of the plans, and I will be ready. Thank you, sir.”

  Mason watched her leave the office to return to the dining room thinking that was easier than he had imagined. Now, it was time to contact Clay with the good news. He strode across the room, grabbed his hat, and headed for the telegraph office.

  Clay Hutchison

  Hutchison Ranch

  Prairieville Wyoming Territory

  Request accomplished STOP Send details for marriage STOP Name Grace Louise Slater STOP Will accompany her back to Wyoming immediately after wedding STOP

  Mason Callen

  Quincy Hotel

  Chicago, Illinois

  Mason took a deep breath hoping this idea of Clay’s would go off without a problem. If Clay’s inheritance depends on his marriage, does that also apply to Wade? If so, why is Clay in such a
hurry? Why not just send for a mail-order bride? If he was in a contest with Wade, then Mason knew he needed to warn Miss Slater that Wade Hutchison is not the type of man to trifle with. Perhaps she should keep her distance from Wade once they arrived at the ranch. He would wait until they were on the stage between Cheyenne and Prairieville to confide any concerns. No sense in frightening her needlessly.

  Chapter Four

  Hutchison Ranch - Wyoming Territory

  Cora finished setting lunch on the table for Wade and Clay when a knock sounded at the front door. “I’ll get it, boys. You eat your lunch.” She returned in a few minutes with a telegram in her hand. “For you, Clay.”

  Wade tried to take the telegram from Clay’s hands. “Who would send you a telegram. Are you sure it isn’t for me?”

  “Back off Wade, it’s addressed to me.” A broad smile crossed his face when he read Mason’s telegram. “Mason Callen is coming home. He finished school and will arrive in a few weeks.”

  “Who cares,” grumbled Wade while stuffing the last of his bread into his mouth.

  “I do,” Clay insisted. “I have to go into town, Cora. Let grandpa know when he wakes up. I’ll be back soon.” He rushed out of the house before Cora or Wade could question him.

  Two hours later, Clay rode home whistling. Judge Clancy had all the paperwork finished, Clay sent another telegram to Mason, and hoped everything would work out without a hitch.

  Ten days later

  Clay woke up smiling. The stage from Cheyenne was expected in at ten, and his bride and Mason would arrive baring any trouble along the way. Mason’s last telegram stated that all the paperwork was completed, and he stood in for Clay during the proxy wedding ceremony. Even though it had been his own idea, Clay still had a bit of trouble wrapping his mind around the fact that he was married and would repeat his vows in just a couple of hours. He jumped out of bed and rushed to dress. Stopping in the kitchen long enough to grab one of Cora’s fresh biscuits he said, “I have to go into town this morning, so I’ll eat there. I need to get my chores done now.”

  “What is so important in town?” Cora asked placing the hot biscuits on a plate. “Wade said he had an important meeting in town this morning, too.”

  Clay shrugged, “I have no idea what Wade’s business is.”

  “You boys should get along better.”

  “I try,” Clay insisted. He slapped his hat on his head, took a bite of biscuit, and walked out the back door.

  Arriving in front of the mercantile where the stage stopped shortly before ten, Clay was surprised to find Wade pacing up and down the boardwalk.

  “Hey, Wade. What are you doing here and why do you look so nervous,” Clay asked while studying his brother’s face.

  “Umm, nothing important. I placed an order, and I hope it arrives on the stage is all.” Wade shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at Clay. “Why are you here?”

  “Mason is supposed to arrive today. It’s been a while since I saw him and wanted to be the first to welcome my best friend home.”

  “Best friend, all the two of you make is a pair of idiots.” Wade scoffed.

  Clay, not wanting to fight on a day as important as this, walked a few feet away and waited for the dust cloud to appear in the distance telling everyone the stage was coming. He didn’t have to wait long.

  Clay wasn’t sure why Wade was staring at the coach’s door intently. Anything he ordered would be a top of the stagecoach. Who could understand Wade? When the door opened, Mason stepped out first.

  Mason turned and held out his hand. Clay watched as a small hand took Mason’s and the most beautiful vision in blue appeared in front of him. Her dark hair and eyes took his breath away. Could this be his wife? Certainly not. No woman this lovely would travel across the country to spend her life with a stranger.

  Wade stepped forward, “Are you, Elizabeth?”

  “No,” she answered, “I’m Grace.” Clay’s heart stuttered. This was his wife. His Grace.

  Mason released Grace’s hand and held it out again for another young woman in the stagecoach. She practically stumbled out, her reddish-blonde hair tumbling from its bun under her askew bright pink hat.

  “Did someone ask for Elizabeth? That’s me,” she said looking around at the people gathered in front of the mercantile.

  “I did,” Wade said, stepped forward, and whispered something in her ear.

  “Like this?” she stammered. “Absolutely not, I need a bath and a decent meal first. Have you ever ridden in one of these? Besides, I’d like to ask you a few questions. Is there a hotel nearby?”

  Wade nodded without a sound, gathered her carpet bag and asked the coachman to set any trunks she had on the boardwalk. He’d be right back to get them.

  As Wade escorted Elizabeth across the street, Mason spoke up. “That’s Wade’s mail-order bride. She seems like a lovely girl, but she doesn’t travel well. I think he wanted to take her straight to the church which is where we should be headed. Oh, Clay Hutchison, this is your new wife, Grace.”

  Confused as to the proper etiquette when one meets his bride for the first time, he held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  Grace smiled, and Clay lost his heart. “Nice to meet you, too.”

  “Hey,” Clay said turning to Mason. “Does that other young woman know Grace is my wife? If she does and tells Wade before we get to the church, there could be trouble.”

  Mason shook his head. “No, I had Grace use Slater instead of Hutchison on the trip just in case we ran into someone that knows you or your grandfather. Look, Elizabeth must be settled into the hotel. Wade is headed for the saloon.”

  When they saw the saloon’s batwing doors swing shut behind Wade, Clay held out his arm to Grace. “Shall we?”

  “What about my trunks?”

  “I hired a buggy to take us back to the ranch. Wade took the buckboard before I could get to it this morning. We’ll load your trunks right after the ceremony.”

  Pastor Reynolds spoke, “Good afternoon. Today we’re gathered here for the wedding of two young people who are starting their lives out in an unusual way. Since you have already been married under the law, this is more of a vow renewal or blessing.”

  Grace knew the pastor was talking, but she concentrated on keeping her hands from shaking.

  The pastor continued, “Do you, Clay Robert Hutchison take Grace Louise Slater or Hutchison, I’m not sure which is legal, so I’ll use both to be your wife. Will you have her in sickness and health, prosperity and want, till death parts you?”

  “Clay nodded, “I do.”

  Pastor Reynolds repeated the vows for Grace, and although she heard and understood, she couldn’t stop looking at the man who was her husband. She never expected him to be so handsome. The men back home never made her heart skip a beat the way Clay did.

  The pastor cleared his throat, “Miss Slater, umm Missus Hutchison, did you hear me?”

  “Oh yes, I do,” she stammered quickly.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife again. What the Lord has joined together let no man put asunder. You may now kiss the bride.”

  Clay leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Grace’s lips. He handed the pastor some money and said, “Remember, when my brother shows up in a while with a bride of his own, don’t mention I was here.”

  The pastor nodded and wondered, not for the first time, about the youngest members of the Hutchison family. They were indeed unique, and the pastor felt he was being kind in his thoughts.

  Clay slipped his marriage certificate in his jacket pocket along with the one Mason gave him from the wedding held seven days previous. Wade wasn’t married yet. Grandpa would be happy both his grandsons had wives, but Clay breathed a sigh of relief that he would not have to live under the control of his brother.

  Clay took Grace’s hand, and they walked out of the church. Clay glanced down the street and didn’t see Wade anywhere.

  “I would normally offer to take you to the hotel
for something to eat, but I believe we might run into Wade and Elizabeth. Cora, our housekeeper, is an excellent cook, and she will insist on making you more food than you can possibly eat,” Clay explained as he led Grace to the buggy he arranged to have dropped off at the church. “We’ll pick up your trunks and head for the ranch. Mason, you can take my horse. I’m not sure how much room there will be once we load Grace’s trunks.”

  Mason smiled. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your first chance to talk or maybe steal a kiss.”

  Grace blushed furiously, and Clay glared at Mason. They were halfway back to the ranch before Wade left the saloon and decided to try and find his bride-to-be and get her to the church. He laughed to himself as he walked along the boardwalk thinking he had beaten Clay to the altar and the inheritance.

  Chapter Five

  Grace felt shy sitting next to the man who was her husband, but knew she needed to speak to him. Clay sat looking straight ahead watching the road. If she didn’t speak first, they might never talk at all.

  “Thank you for this opportunity to leave Chicago behind me,” Grace said peeking at Clay’s face out of the corner of her eye.

  “No, thank you,” Clay answered turning to look directly into Grace’s large brown eyes. His heart hammered again as he looked at her, but he pulled his mind back to what he needed to say. “If not for you agreeing to marry me, my family’s ranch would have fallen into my brother’s hands. I doubt it would survive but a few years if he were in charge.”

  “Mason explained the situation to me. We had a lot of time to talk on the trip here. I suppose you should know my history before we arrive at your ranch and I meet the rest of your family,” she offered.

  “No one else to meet except for my grandpa and our housekeeper, Cora. She’s like you. She has a big heart and has wanted Wade and I to settle down for some time.”

  Grace smiled and began to explain why she wanted to leave Chicago.

  “I’m sorry you lost your pa, and I can understand wanting to leave a life with a difficult brother. I hope you find peace here and enjoy your life. Everyone works on a ranch, but we’re all grateful for the help, and no one will expect you to do everything or more than you’re capable of doing.” He reached for her hand to give her a reassuring pat, but she slipped her hand in his and held tight.