Accidental Mail Order Bride by J. S. Cooper
Chapter Four
I staredat the large ranch house in shock. It was huge. What was this family? Were they millionaires? Maybe even billionaires? Maybe they were like the Beverly Hillbillies before they moved to Beverly Hills. Maybe they had a bunch of oil. I didn’t know, but I was suddenly very intimidated. I hadn’t expected the house to look so grand. This was more than just a farm or a small ranch. They must have owned hundreds, if not thousands, of acres. I should have known when I’d seen the sign and driven up the long driveway that the house was going to be grand.
All of a sudden, I wished I’d asked more questions and done more research. I had absolutely no idea who the Hamiltons were and what Horseshoe Ranch was all about. I decided to open my emails and re-read the correspondence with Amelia and Ranger. I quickly grabbed my phone and tried to pull up the emails.
While I waited for them to load, I stared out of the windows. I could see some sort of pasture to the right of the house. There were three chestnut horses grazing. I wondered if they were gentle and calm. I’d never ridden in my life, though I’d always wanted to. I figured I might be a good rider, at least I hoped so. I looked back at my phone and pulled up the chain of emails.
I realized that I could have just emailed Amelia and Ranger for the address, but I had completely forgotten about that in my panic. I’d been so focused on the piece of paper with the address and phone number I’d left on my nightstand. But maybe this was for the best. I didn’t want them to think I was irresponsible.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Dear Amelia and Ranger,
I saw your ad in the New York Times, and while it is fairly unusual, I am quite interested in gathering more information. You state that you’re looking for a bride for your son? I am 28, live in NYC, and looking to make a change in life. I’ve never done anything like this before, and so I’m a bit nervous, but curious for more information.
Lucy Kensington
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Dear Lucy,
Thank you for your response to our ad. I have to admit that this was a crazy idea, and my husband wasn’t fully on board, but I figured what did we have to lose? We live on a big ranch in Montana. We want to live long enough to see our grandkids, but none of our sons seem to be in any hurry to get married. While this would be a highly unusual situation, we’re looking to see if we can make a love match. Mail order brides were all the rage in the 1800s, so maybe an arranged marriage could work. Could you give us a bit more information about yourself? And why you think this is an arrangement you’d be interested in?
Amelia Hamilton
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Hi Amelia,
Thanks for your response. Honestly, I emailed you late the other night. I found the newspaper on the train as I was going home and saw the ad. I live by myself in Brooklyn, and when I walked into my empty apartment, I suddenly realized how badly I hated being alone. My mother passed away a year ago, suddenly, and her death shook me to my core. I want to experience something different in my life. I have always lived in New York and I’m ready for a change. I’ve always loved the country and being in nature, and it has been my dream to get married and have a large family. I haven’t met the love of my life the normal way, so maybe this will work?
Lucy
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
My Dearest Lucy,
My husband and I send our condolences for your mother’s death. You have my deepest sympathies. I can tell you that it never gets easier, but it will feel less raw. I completely understand why you would want to get away. I can promise you that there is nowhere like Montana to fill your heart and life with renewed energy. I have lived here my entire life and I have been blessed with a loving husband and wonderful sons.
I want to be upfront about one thing. My son doesn’t know we are looking for a wife for him. However, I know him well, and I think he is ready for a wife—though you know how stubborn men can be. If you’d be willing to talk on the phone, please send me your number.
Amelia
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Amelia,
I would love to chat on the phone. Here is my number: 347-555-1244.
Lucy
We’d talked on the phone a few times and agreed I’d fly to Montana and see if her son and I would have a connection. She’d wanted to come and pick me up at the airport, but I hadn’t wanted that. It would have felt too awkward and weird for me—as if this situation wasn’t weird enough as it was.
I closed the email and put my phone back into my handbag. I got out of the car and took a deep breath. I was here. Finally. I was about to meet my future husband. How crazy was that? My future husband. I, Lucy Kensington, might be married in a few months.
I heard a bird chirping then and looked around. There was a bird sitting on the top of the car staring at me. It looked like an American robin. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. My mother had loved robins. I stared at its orange-red breast and white-rimmed brown eyes.
“Wish me luck, Mom,” I whispered and then made my way towards the ranch house, stumbling a couple of times in my heels. I’d been an idiot wearing heels, but it was too late to change them now.
I walked up the porch steps and went straight to the front door. I decided to knock instead of ringing the bell, and I held my breath. This was it. This was really it.
The door swung open.