A Bride For Clay (The Proxy Brides Book 2) Read online

  “Thank you. Even though Mason explained everything, I was still a bit apprehensive since we never corresponded. A marriage by proxy is a bit unusual. It reminds me of the days of Knights and castles in ancient Europe that I’ve read about.”

  “Oh, that’s right. Your father owned a bookstore. You must have read a lot of books. I’m surprised that your trunks aren’t heavier, and you didn’t fill them with books.”

  Grace blushed and looked down at her feet. “Umm, I have two large crates arriving soon. Mason arranged for their delivery when we disembarked from the train in Cheyenne. One is filled with books and the other partially filled with them and the rest with treasures from my mother and grandmother.”

  Clay tilted his head back and gave a hearty laugh. “That’s wonderful. We have a large office/library with a few empty shelves. You are free to fill them, and if you want or need more, you can purchase them or order them at the mercantile.”

  “That’s very kind of you, but I couldn’t.”

  “Of course, you can. You’re my wife, and I’ll get you anything you need,” Clay insisted.

  Grace thought she should explain about her inheritance and that she wouldn’t be a burden to Clay, but she saw the large ranch house in the distance and decided to wait for another private moment.

  “There it is,” Clay announced. “Your new home.”

  It’s lovely, and the land is beautiful,” Grace gushed surprising herself how excited she was to be there. “This is vastly different from the city.”

  Clay squeezed her hand. “I hope you’ll be happy here.”

  Looking into his eyes, she said, “I’m sure I will be.” She believed every word she said. It was a peaceful place, and after living with her sister-in-law and brother, Grace yearned for peace.

  Before Clay could stop the buggy, Cora appeared on the porch watching Grace intently. When she saw Mason, her smile broadened. “Welcome back, Mason and who is this lovely young woman?”

  Clay held out his hand to Grace and helped her down from the buggy. “This is Grace. Is grandpa awake?”

  Cora nodded, “He’s in the kitchen having coffee and eating cookies.”

  “That’s a good sign,” Clay said holding Grace’s hand and leading her into the house.

  Mason handed the reins of Clay’s horse to a ranch hand and hurried up the porch and into the house right behind Clay and Grace. He didn’t want to miss this introduction.

  Cora hurried into the kitchen speaking as she came into the room. “Clay and Mason are here, and they brought a young lady with them.”

  She followed Grandpa Hutchison back into the parlor. Grandpa looked from Clay to Grace to Mason and back to Clay. “Well, who do we have here? Mason, Clay didn’t tell us you were bringing a lady home from Chicago.” He stepped forward holding out his hand. “I’m Hutch, I’m pleased to meet you. Are you Mrs. Callen?”

  “No,” Clay answered taking a step toward his grandfather, “She’s Mrs. Hutchison. Meet Grace Hutchison, Grandpa. Your new granddaughter.”

  “Well, I’ll be,” Grandpa Hutchison stammered. “You went to town and got married without me?”

  Cora stood there a bit stunned but smiling. All she could think of to say is, “Anyone want some coffee?”

  “I do,” Mason answered following her to the kitchen and leaving Clay to explain Grace to his grandpa.

  Clay began his explanation and handed his grandpa both wedding certificates. Grandpa studied them for a few minutes and then drew Grace into a big hug. “Aren’t you a pretty little thing and my granddaughter. Never had one of them before. Let’s get us some coffee and a few of Cora’s sugar cookies. We need to celebrate.” He took Grace’s arm and led her out of the room leaving Clay standing alone in the parlor.

  Clay followed silently saying a prayer of thanks that everything was turning out well. He was a bit concerned about Wade’s reaction, but he’d deal with that when Wade returned home with Elizabeth. Grandpa certainly was going to be surprised to have another granddaughter, that is if Wade was able to get her out of the hotel and to the church. He chuckled to himself.

  Clay found Grace daintily nibbling on a sugar cookie answering all of grandpa’s questions. She took a break and drank a sip of coffee whenever Mason was able to answer some of the legal issues concerning the proxy marriage. Everyone around the kitchen table was smiling. That was a good sign.

  Cora looked up at Clay when he entered the kitchen. “You can take Miss Grace’s trunks to the guest room. I’m sure she’ll want to rest a bit and freshen up before supper. She’ll be comfortable in that room while she becomes acquainted with the ranch.”

  Both Grace and Clay understood Cora’s meaning, and Grace blushed while he shuffled his feet before answering, “All right, I’ll do that right now.”

  Mason stood, “I’ll give you a hand Clay and then I should head for home before someone tells my ma I’m back and I didn’t come straight home.” He shook hands with grandpa, said his goodbyes to Cora and Grace, and left to give Clay a hand.

  Cora patted Grace’s hand. “After Clay moves your things into the guest room, I’ll show you to the bathing room. I’ll set up a nice hot bath for you. After riding in that stage, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

  “Thank you, I certainly would,” Grace answered then turned to Grandpa Hutch. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have two crates that will arrive in a few days. One contains books and Clay said I could put them in the office. They won’t be in your way, will they?”

  “Not at all. We have space for more books. My daughter-in-law loved to read, and my son and I bought her every book she asked for. She planned to fill the shelves, but she…,” he drew in a deep breath. “Well, she didn’t have time. You could do that now.”

  “Thank you,” Grace answered and turned her head toward the parlor when she heard one of her trunks hit the floor. She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle when she heard one of the men grunt and complain about women packing too much in one trunk. Within a few minutes, the trunks were in the guest room, and Grace looked forward to her bath when Clay called out that Wade was home.

  They heard the front door open and Wade yell, “Hey, everyone, I’m home, and I have a surprise.”

  Grandpa shook his head but walked out to the parlor. He stopped short when he saw another lovely young woman standing near the front door.

  Wade spoke first while everyone stared at the stranger, “This is Elizabeth, my new wife.”

  “Two in one day,” Grandpa Hutch exclaimed. “This is quite a surprise.”

  “What do you mean two in one day? I just got here,” Wade insisted. “Elizabeth and I were just married. I win.”

  “Win what?” Elizabeth asked squinting her eyes at Wade.

  Clay stepped forward and held out his hand, “Nice to meet you, Elizabeth. I’m Clay Hutchison your new brother-in-law. Let me introduce you to our grandpa, our housekeeper, and my wife.”

  “Wife?” Wade stammered.

  “Yes, Grace and I were married a week ago.”

  Chapter Six

  Wade stormed across the room, grabbed Clay by the front of his shirt, and doubled his fist. “What are you talking about? You never left town, and that woman certainly wasn’t here last week. Everyone in town would know if a beauty like her was around. What are you trying to do? I married Elizabeth today, and I win.”

  Elizabeth’s voice trembled when she asked again, “Win what? Am I some sort of prize or being used in a contest?”

  “Shut up, Elizabeth,” Wade growled.

  Clay reached up and removed Wade’s hand from his shirt. “Brother, you might have been able to push me around when we were kids, but I am four inches taller and outweigh you by nearly thirty pounds. While I’m working hard, you drink. You think you can win a physical fight? Try it, just once, and I’ll show you.” He pushed Wade away.” I think you owe your wife an apology.”

  At six feet two, Clay was a formidable sight as he stared down at his brother. Wade took a step back and
lifted his hands in front of him. “Yeah, yeah, you told me before. Sorry, Elizabeth.” He then turned on his heel and stomped into the kitchen.

  Elizabeth stood with her back to the door tears streaming down her cheeks. “I never should have come here. It seemed too good to be true. I can’t go home. There is nothing left there for me but trouble, but I should leave”

  Turning to walk out the door, Elizabeth felt Cora’s hand on her arm. “Please, don’t rush off. You can share the guest room with Grace. There are two beds. You both need time to adjust to ranch life. If you find you can’t live here, I know Mr. Hutch would help you settle somewhere safe. Come now, have something to eat and rest. I’m preparing a bath for Grace, would you like one, too?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “I took one at the hotel. I refused to get married before I had a bath and ate something. Wade wasn’t happy, but he left me at the hotel, came back later, and we ate together. I didn’t know he was trying to win a game. I don’t understand.”

  Cora took her hand, “Come into the kitchen and have some coffee and cookies at least. Mr. Hutch will explain everything. This didn’t work out exactly the way he planned, but it will all work out in the end, God willing.”

  Grace walked over to Elizabeth and hugged her. “I never had a sister, and my brother’s wife and I don’t get along. I think we will be friends…sisters.”

  Hugging Grace back, Elizabeth said, “I’d like that. I never had any brothers or sisters that I know of. I grew up in an orphanage in St. Louis. I saw Wade’s ad. He seemed so unhappy and needed a wife right away. I needed to get away from my employer. It seemed the right choice to leave immediately. Now, I’m afraid.”

  “I understand, let’s see what Grandpa Hutchison has to say. This may be a wonderful beginning for both of us.”

  ~ * ~

  Grandpa Hutchison sat at the head of the dining room table and asked everyone to sit. “We need to talk. When I told you boys that you needed to get married, I never thought you’d see this as a contest and not give your future wives the respect they deserve. Cora told me this might not end well, but I see two beautiful young ladies at my table that I feel blessed to be able to call granddaughters. I didn’t think you would rush out and send for brides to come without any communication between you. I apologize.” He dropped his head and took a deep breath. “I also need to tell you I’m not dying. Doc says I have quite a few good years left. I will be making all the major decisions on this ranch until I decide to turn it over or pass on. I only wanted you both to be happy.”

  “So, we got married for nothing,” Wade blurted.

  Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from crying.

  Clay took Grace’s hand under the table and squeezed it hoping to let her know he didn’t feel the same as his brother. Her smile told him all he needed to know. They were a family, and he believed he could easily love her.

  Grandpa announced, “What’s done is done. You have lovely, sweet women as wives. I know you will be happy.”

  Cora took that moment to enter the dining room and tell Grace her bath was ready. “Come along, too Elizabeth. I will show you the guest room you’ll share with Grace.”

  “Guest room,” Wade yelled. “She’s my wife and has to sleep in my room. Isn’t that the law or something?”

  “Not until she gets used to you and life here,” Cora explained and ushered the two new wives out of the room.

  As soon as the women were out of earshot, Grandpa Hutchison slapped the palm of his hand on the table. “Now, listen. What’s done is done. You will do your best to make your wives happy and keep life here on the ranch the way it has been for years. We are a family. A now larger family, but a family nonetheless and I expect you to act accordingly.”

  Wade pushed back his chair. “This is stupid. I sent for a wife sight unseen just to be sure that I didn’t end up working for my kid brother and now she’s sleeping in the guest room and won’t look at me. How am I supposed to make anyone, including myself, happy? I’m going into town.”

  “Why?” Clay asked.

  “With Elizabeth in the guest room, I don’t see a wedding night in my near future. I need some whiskey and maybe some company. I should be able to celebrate my wedding day.” He stormed off before Clay could stop him.

  Clay looked at his grandpa, “Wade will come around. Elizabeth is a lovely girl. I am happy Grace is my wife. I can see a future for us, and she has already claimed a piece of my heart.”

  Grandpa smiled, but his heart ached for the anger he knew Wade felt towards all of them. He didn’t get a chance to tell the boys he never changed the will, but it might be for the best. If they didn’t know they had to be married, they might decide to send their wives away. At least, Wade might. No, he would keep his secret for a while. He liked having granddaughters, and if all went well, he might see a great-grandchild or two.

  Wade rode down the ranch road mumbling to himself. “A wedding night with my bride in the guest room. This must be Cora’s idea. She’s overbearing, and I don’t care if she was ma’s best friend. I wish she’d leave.”

  His thoughts rambled in his head on the ride into town. If Cora would leave, maybe the women would be more agreeable. At least Elizabeth might be. Grace seems smitten with Clay. Cora would never leave. Maybe Grace would leave, but he doubted it. He’d think of something.

  When Wade pushed through the batwing doors of the saloon, he was met by shouts of congratulations and a few yelling condolences. The pretty barmaid that always rushed to meet him stood near the bar looking forlorn. He found an empty table and pulled out a chair.

  “Whiskey,” he hollered as he sat. The pretty barmaid didn’t bring his drink, but a different woman he’d seen a few times set the glass in front of him.

  “Drinking whiskey on your wedding day? Where’s your wife, honey?” She asked.

  “In the guest room,” Wade mumbled.

  “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. Want some company?”

  Wade merely nodded as she dropped into the chair next to him. She chattered like a magpie trying to keep Wade’s mind off his problems, but Wade tuned her out and let his mind run through everything he could possibly do short of killing Clay that would get him the ranch. What would his grandfather insist on next? A first grandchild? He knew he had to think of something and fast. Each day that passed would make life more difficult. Even though grandpa was still in charge, Wade knew the day would come that Clay would take over.

  He drank his whiskey, and the barmaid returned with the bottle and poured him another. He downed it, and his mind began to think darker thoughts. The problem wasn’t Cora. She was always trying to tell them what to do. It wasn’t with Elizabeth. She was beautiful, and her red-blonde hair intrigued him. He could woo her and make her happy. Having a wife wasn’t the worst thing in the world. A wife. That was the problem. Not his wife, but Clay’s. If Grace left, that would solve the problem. He threw back another shot of whiskey, dropped some coins on the table, and left for home. He would treat Elizabeth well and think of a way to send Grace packing.

  Chapter Seven

  Supper was a quiet affair. Each family member seemed to be caught up in their own thoughts. Grandpa Hutchison wondered if he’d made a mistake insisting the boys marry. Cora was positive grandpa created a storm when he pitted the boys against each other. Clay and Grace caught each other sneaking glances and smiled together. Elizabeth picked at her dinner trying to come up with a way to travel to another town, any town, and start over.

  Cora had just cleared the pie plates when Wade arrived home. The smell of the saloon wafted into the dining room before he did, and Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from crying.

  “Looks like I made it in time for supper,” Wade’s words slurred as he spoke.

  “Barely,” answered Cora. “I can make you up a plate, and you can go sit on the porch. Maybe the breeze will freshen you some.”

  Wade scowled at Cora but answered. “Let Elizabeth make me up a plate. After all, she’s my wife.” He winked at E
lizabeth, and she popped up off her chair so fast she nearly toppled it over. She wanted to toss his food on the floor but returned a few minutes later with a plate full of food.

  “This looks good,” Wade mumbled. “Come on, you can join me on the porch while I eat.” Elizabeth followed silently like a lost puppy.

  Clay reached for Grace’s hand. “Would you like to take a walk?”

  “Yes, that would be lovely,” Grace answered and smiled at him.

  They left the house through the kitchen door hoping to avoid Wade and whatever foolishness he might be telling Elizabeth. Clay had a hunch Wade would fall asleep as soon as he finished eating and spare Elizabeth his drunken behavior.

  “Tomorrow we can take a ride and see the entire ranch if you wish. You do ride, don’t you?”

  “Yes, but only with a side saddle,” Grace teased.

  Clay stopped walking. “What? We don’t have one.”

  Grace giggled. “I can ride astride. My father taught both my brother and me how to ride when we were small. My mother was horrified that her daughter would ride astride and insisted I use a side saddle. When she passed, father and I moved to the city, and the few times I was fortunate to ride, I always chose to ride astride. I preferred to race with the wind in my hair and not just stroll around the park like the other proper young women. My poor mother, God rest her soul, would have been horrified, but my father spoiled me.”

  Clay looked at his bride and tried to imagine Grace’s coffee-colored hair blowing behind her as she galloped across the fields. Tiny hints of deep gold wove through what he thought must be curls, and he desperately wanted to reach over and undo the pins holding her hair. How beautiful she was, and he could only imagine how she would look with her hair cascading down around her shoulders. She was his bride, but he needed to wait. Soon he would see her hair flowing down her back.