Page 16 of Chloe's Christmas Escape
“Maggie, the coffee.”
“Yes, Emma.” The younger girl swept across the kitchen to fill a second mug.
“Thank you.” Chloe smiled kindly at the girl before seeing herself out of the kitchen. It was clear they didn’t have many boarders popping into their domain.
“Let me help with that.” Marshal Masters appeared as Chloe reached the stairs.
“Oh! That would be wonderful.” She handed over the mug of coffee and she reached out with her free hand to gather up her skirt, as if curtseying. They walked side-by-side back to her room, not saying anything until they’d reached the doorway. As she reached out to twist the door handle, she noticed the man’s hands were full. She released her grip on her skirt and opened the door.
“Did you get lost?” Jackson teased when she entered the room, but his eyes searched her face and then the one behind her. “Did you forget something, Mac?”
“I brought you a coffee.” Chloe turned and took the cup from the marshal, feeling the heat of it seeping through her fingers. She crossed the room with careful steps, her eyes never leaving the ceramic before setting it down softly on the table. Her tea was quick to follow as well. For as warm as the cups were, she knew they would have to wait for them to cool before being able to enjoy them.
“And I found her at the bottom of the stairs.” Marshal Masters winked at her, then continued. “Your tickets were just delivered, and the coach leaves at dawn.”
“What about my trunk?” She looked around the room and noticed it was missing.
“They have it already,” Jackson said. “I took care of it while you were sleeping.”
“Hmmm.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about him moving her things. Looking at her dress, she wiped her hands down the front of her skirt. “I guess I’ll be wearing this?”
“I can run to the mercantile and pick you up another dress if you don’t like that,” he offered.
“No. This is fine.” Chloe looked back and forth between the men. She thought they wouldn’t leave for another day. What had she missed?
“I’ll let your folks know that you’re doing all right.” Marshal Masters said. “If you want to write a letter or something for your mama, I can take that with me when I leave tonight.”
“I’m so confused,” Chloe murmured as she trudged to the washbasin.
She poured warm water into the bowl, then dipped the cloth in and rubbed it against her face. The lye soap burned on her skin, but it was a welcome sensation. A soft, hushed conversation emanated from behind her as she worked; an occasional word or two registered in her still sleepy mind. Her eyes moved towards the window and noticed that the sunlight had disappeared.How long had she been asleep?
“Did you want to write a letter, Chloe?” It was becoming a habit for her husband to pull her from her thoughts.She really should be careful with her wool gathering.“Yes, I’ll write my parents a quick letter. How much time do I have?” She patted her face dry and went in search of her satchel. Taking her journal in hand, she delicately ripped out two pages, then seated herself at the table where Jackson had been sitting.
On the table in front of her, there were letters and a stack of papers. He must have retrieved them while she was asleep. A feminine script drew her eye, and while the men talked near the door, she quickly scanned it.
Re: Mail-Order Bride
I am a widow with eleven children in search of a new future. I will drop them off at an orphanage if you are not interested in helping me raise them.
Please send travel details to Fairfax, Virginia.
She couldn’t believe it! What kind of woman would give up her children to marry another man, and what kind of man would ask that of a mother? Chloe concluded Jackson had not yet answered the woman, based on the letter’s date, which was days before she reached Chicago.
Shaking her head, she quickly scrawled a note to her parents.
Dearest Mama,
I am well. Things have happened as Marshal Masters said they would. His nephew is kind, honorable and rather handsome. I don’t know what I’m allowed to write to you.
I just wanted to wish you all well, and I look forward to hearing from you and Aubrey in the future.
I’m sure the men have worked that out.
All my love.
C
Chloe carefully folded her letter before handing it to Marshal Masters. “I did not include any details. I don’t know what I’m allowed to say or when I will hear from them.” Her chest constricted, and she bit her lip hard to keep from sobbing. The muscles in her face trembled, and a single tear slid down her cheek.
