A Walk In Heaven (Volume 1) (The Grayson Brothers) Page 3

  “I know we’re all shocked about Matthew’s death, but I don’t think I finished telling you what the telegraph said.” Elizabeth dabbed a napkin to her mouth.

  Joshua’s father placed a hand over his wife’s. “What did it say, Ma?”

  Moisture gathered in his mother’s eyes and she quickly blinked. “Matthew’s new bride – widow – will be accompanying his casket. She would like to visit and get to know us all. She was the one who sent the telegraph.”

  Joshua gripped the napkin in his hands. Words spoken in anger from his brother the last time they talked, rushed through his memory. Seeing Matthew’s mail-order bride would be difficult, especially knowing Joshua could never again ask forgiveness. After all, she was the reason his brother acted like a fool when he ran off to marry the Southern Belle.

  “It’s going to be hard, Ma,” he grumbled.

  “Pardon me?” she asked with wide, curious eyes. “What’s going to be hard?”

  He rubbed his forehead, regret growing inside of him. Perhaps he shouldn’t have said anything. But how could he keep silent now? “It’s going to be hard to treat her civilly.”

  William scowled. “And why do you think that, son?”

  Joshua sighed heavily and met his pa’s heated stare. “Because she was the reason Matthew left in the first place. We don’t even know her – Matthew didn’t even know her. How do we know she’s a good Christian woman? I mean, what sort of woman is a mail-order bride anyway? Who knows what kind of ilk someone like that would be.”

  “Oh, dear,” Elizabeth mumbled, waving her hand in front of her face. She switched her attention to William, imploring him with her eyes. “Do you suppose she is a…wanton?” She whispered the last word.

  Joshua’s father shook his head. “I believe we’re condemning the woman before we’ve even met her. I’m quite certain she had good reason to be a mail-order bride. Most women like that do.”

  Ma nodded. “Josh, your father is absolutely right. We cannot judge her. Has the Bible verse slipped your mind? Judge not lest ye be judged?”

  Grumbling, Joshua raked his fingers through his hair. “But what Matthew did was out of character for him.”

  “I have to agree with Josh,” Peter commented, his expression filled with bitterness as he chewed a mouthful of potatoes. Peter was a year younger than Matthew, and the two brothers had been like twins, they were so close not only in personalities, but in appearance.

  “Not too long ago,” Peter continued, “Matthew was talking to me about courting Laura Checketts. Then, out of nowhere, he starts writing to this Careen woman, and making rash decisions. It’s hard not to blame her for our brother’s irrational behavior.”

  “Boys, calm down.” William spoke softly. “None of us can know what went through Matthew’s mind, but I think we’re judging this woman too harshly.”

  Joshua blew out a frustrated sigh. “Harshly? Pa, if not for Careen Kennedy, Matthew would still be alive!”

  “Stop right there,” William warned. “She is not at fault.”

  “I agree with Josh.” Gage set his fork on the table harder than necessary, his eyebrows drew together as he aimed his gaze at William. As the youngest brother, he resembled a little of both parents. “Why did Matthew run off in the middle of the night without telling anyone? He shouldn’t have run off to begin with. This…woman must have put some kind of spell over Matthew to make him do something so irrational.”

  Elizabeth gasped and brought her hand to her mouth. “You cannot possibly think—”

  “And why not, Ma?” Joshua cut her off. “I’m certain the thought has crossed your mind already. This woman is cunning in the worst way. Matthew shouldn’t have done what he did, but she had somehow beguiled him. If Matthew had only confided in one of us, or even Pa, we could have stopped this tragedy from happening.”

  Gage and Peter murmured agreements.

  William slammed his palm flat on the table. Silence grew in the room except for the grandfather clock clanging seven times, announcing the hour. The head of the household took a deep breath, then released it slowly. “What you boys don’t understand is that Matthew did this of his own free will. It was your brother’s choice to write to this girl and meet her in South Dakota. Even if she held a gun to his head, it was still Matthew’s choice. Nobody can make us do something we don’t wish.” He shook his head. “We may never know why the Lord took him, but we must believe He had a good reason. We cannot doubt the Lord.”

  He sipped his lemonade as his gaze moved around the table. When his scowl rested on Ma, the dark expression covering his face quickly disappeared and he smiled. “I think it’s rather nice of Matthew’s bride to come meet us. Don’t you?”

  “Yes, it is.” Elizabeth squeezed her husband’s hand. “I didn’t know I’d get to see my daughter-in-law.” She glanced at her sons and granddaughters. “And I want you all to remember she is family. She married your brother, and we need to embrace her as our daughter, sister, and aunt. I’m sure she’s grieving just as we all are.”

  Joshua wanted to disagree, but his complaints would fall on deaf ears. Although his father made sense, it didn’t release Joshua’s anger in any degree. He knew Matthew’s widow wouldn’t grieve as much as they were since she’d only known him a little while and only through letters.

  “It doesn’t matter if she was a mail-order bride,” Ma continued. “I want us all to welcome her with open arms. I will encourage her to stay as long as she likes.” His mother breathed a heavy sigh, trying to smile through quivering lips. “I’ve always wanted a daughter, and this may be my chance to get one.”

  Silently, Joshua groaned. No matter how his parents looked forward to Matthew’s widow coming, the young woman would most certainly disrupt Joshua’s life. The only way to keep from going insane during her visit was to stay away from her. Perhaps then guilt and anger wouldn’t eat a hole through his heart.

  “When will her train arrive, mother?” Peter asked.

  “She stated it’ll take about four days to get here and arrive on the ten o’clock morning train.”

  “Will you be going into town to pick her up?” asked Gage.

  “Yes, but I’ll need one of you boys to go with me. Your Pa has an appointment with a buyer and won’t be available.”

  When his mother’s gaze rested on Joshua, he held his breath. He’d never been able to turn his mother down. Especially now. But why couldn’t she ask one of his other brothers?

  “Josh, I’d hoped you’d go with me.”

  Her voice came out low, but he heard. He tried to think up an excuse, any excuse, but nothing came to mind. Then again, being the oldest, this was something he must do. He’d always been the obedient son, and nothing would change that – especially not some woman who had married his brother.

  Joshua nodded. “I’ll arrange my schedule so I can take you.” He bit his piece of bread harder than necessary, to keep from gritting his teeth.

  “Thank you, Josh. You have such a giving soul.”

  His mother’s genuine smile melted his heart. Although he didn’t want to meet Matthew’s widow, Joshua would do this for his mother. He glanced at his daughters. Perhaps they might enjoy having another female in the house to keep them entertained. Four-year-olds definitely needed company most of their waking moments.

  For him, the cattle would keep his mind off his brother and the woman Joshua had pleaded with his brother not to marry.

  * * * *

  Joshua stopped the team of horses and pulled on the brake. The train chugged in slowly but hadn’t quite stopped. He’d arrived just in time.

  And without his mother.

  He jumped down from the buckboard and yanked off his gloves, hooking them around the loop of his belt. This morning his mother had complained of a headache, and asked him to come for Matthew’s widow by himself. If Joshua could have dragged one of his brothers with him he wouldn’t be spitting mad right now, but they were out with the cattle, doing their daily duties. That’s wh
at Joshua wished he was doing. Collecting his brother’s casket would be difficult, but he dreaded being nice to Matthew’s widow more.

  Steam billowed from beneath each car in a loud whoosh as the train came to a complete stop. Joshua didn’t know what Miss Kennedy... Mrs. Grayson – he corrected himself – looked like, but being a widow, he assumed she’d wear black. And she’d be young. Hopefully, he wouldn’t find that many young women dressed in mourning attire. He leaned against a post, watched, and waited.

  The porters jumped down from the cars and set the footstools in place. Passengers poured out, and Joshua kept a close eye on each woman. A few black dresses caught his eye, but they were older women. Definitely not the sort his carefree brother would have run off to marry.

  From the corner of his eyes, a woman’s grunts and groans captured his interest as she made her way down the narrow steps of the train car. The way she turned this way and that, Joshua could tell she had a hard time handling the many flounces adorning her dress. She took one step down, then stopped and glanced back at her dress. A piece of material had caught somewhere on the door. She tugged, but the dress didn’t budge.

  The porter reached behind her to assist, which made the poor woman yelp and slap his hand. At that precise moment, the material ripped and she toppled the remaining step to the ground. Her flounces poofed around her legs, giving him a glimpse of white silk bloomers underneath. She snapped to a sitting position and smoothed her purple gown trimmed with black lace, around her limbs.

  Joshua jerked away from the post to assist, but behind the young lady, another woman who Joshua assumed to be the same age, bustled out of the car. The plain brown gown and white cap gave away her status as a servant. She grasped the other woman’s hands, and between the maid and the porter, they helped the fancy-dressed woman to her feet. A flush bloomed brightly in her cheeks. Her wide, luminous eyes moved from the maid helping her, to the people passing by. A few men stopped to assist, but she shyly smiled and shook her head.

  It’d been a while since Joshua had seen such a lovely woman. Her delicate features; smooth skin, heart-shaped lips, and long, slender neck, would stop any man in his tracks, Joshua was certain. Yet, for some reason, the men here at the train station didn’t stare at her like she was an angel sent from heaven.

  Like Joshua was doing at this very moment.

  Joshua rolled his eyes and grinned. What was he thinking? An angel? She was just another wealthy lady coming to the farmlands of Montana to flaunt her wealth. No doubt she had a large inheritance. Too bad she had no idea this state wasn’t current on the ladies’ newest fashions. Those high and mighty women couldn’t last a week in this side of the state. Not refined enough for them. Joshua felt sorry for the poor sap that would have to entertain this particular female.

  Hesitantly, he pulled his gaze away from her, continuing to scan for his new sister-in-law. Soon the train cars emptied. Could he hope she had decided not to come for a visit after all? Perhaps he should find the conductor and ask about Matthew’s casket.

  He switched his attention back to the fancy-dressed woman and her servant. Two porters carried the woman’s trunks to the side of the station and set them down. People rushed by her, probably eager to greet family or friends.

  One large man had been fiddling with the buttons on his coat as he scurried away from the train. He must not have seen the woman, and knocked his shoulder into her. She fell against the side of the building. Her bonnet slipped from her head just as her brown hair fell in curls around her shoulders and down her back, resembling waves of creamy satin.

  The large man mumbled his apologies and hurried on. She growled and glared at the man. Her servant retrieved the bonnet and the young miss grabbed it and yanked it onto her head without fixing her hair first.

  By this point, Joshua was chuckling over her stubbornness. She also seemed distraught about something. Going over to offer his help was his first instinct, but if he did that, he might miss seeing his sister-in-law. He couldn’t allow that to happen, no matter how attractive this helpless woman appeared.

  Reluctantly, he tore his eyes off her. Now...where was that sister-in-law? The crowd soon dispersed, leaving only a few people mulling about. Matthew’s widow must have decided not to accompany Matthew’s casket to Virginia City after all. Either that, or they were on a different train.

  “Well, I declare,” the irritated woman said loudly. “Betsy, I do believe there are no gentleman at all in this northern climate. They’re all a bunch of ill-mannered farmers. It appears we’ll have to find our own means of transportation now.”

  Joshua groaned, praying this was not his sister-in-law. Yet, he hadn’t heard anyone else speak with a strong Southern accent. Releasing a deep sigh, he removed his hat and swiped his fingers through his hair. Apparently, he was the poor sap who would have to entertain her.

  Her beauty shouldn’t surprise him, though. Matthew had always courted the prettier – and flashier – type of women. Strange to think Matthew would marry a woman he’d never seen before, unless…perhaps she sent a miniature of herself in one of her letters.

  Holding his Stetson against his chest, Joshua sauntered toward the lady and her servant. More than a little irritated she wasn’t wearing black out of respect for his brother, he crushed the brim of the hat in his fist. Resentment welled in Joshua’s chest. He resented that this woman – this stranger – had been with Matthew on his dying day and not his true family. And, he resented Matthew for marrying her in the first place.

  Reeling his emotions in, Joshua reminded himself that he was supposed to be cordial and welcome her into the family. He couldn’t very well do that with hateful thoughts.

  As he neared, her gaze followed him. “Pardon me, Ma’am, but I’m trying to find the woman who married my brother. Her name is—”

  “You are Matthew’s brother.”

  It wasn’t a question, and from the hitch in her breath, Joshua realized he wasn’t what she had expected, either. He gave a slight bow. “Yes, I’m Joshua Grayson, Matthew’s older brother.”

  Her gaze swept over him as tears collected in her eyes. “Matthew told me about you. He said the two of you were as different as night and day. You...you don’t look anything like him.”

  She was correct there, Joshua mused. He took after his father with the dark hair and eyes, whereas Matthew resembled his mother quite a bit; blond hair and hazel eyes. “No, my brother and I don’t resemble each other in the least. I’m assuming you’re Matthew’s wife?”

  She nodded and stretched forth her right hand. “I’m Careen Kennedy...um, I mean Careen Grayson.”

  He clasped her soft hand in his and shook once. Annoyance made his grip a little tighter than normal, but not enough to injure. He couldn’t quite understand what it was about her he didn’t like – other than the fact that she wasn’t wearing black. Not to mention the fact that she was prettier than he’d wanted. And to think he’d been watching her all along, thinking how attractive she was…

  Inwardly, he grumbled and finally pointed toward the trunks. “Allow me to get these in the wagon for you, Ma’am.”

  “By all means.” She stepped aside.

  After yanking on his hat, he took one handle in each hand, but not before hooking the smaller satchel under his arm. “If you’ll follow me, please, I’ll show you to the wagon.”

  Careen and her servant followed, whispering to each other. He made his way to the buckboard, gritting his teeth. He plunked the trunks down with such force the wagon swayed. Plain and simple, the woman irritated him. The luggage he could handle; her honeyed-voice and southern sweetness he couldn’t.

  Joshua glanced at Careen and asked, “Should we get the casket now?”

  The smile she had a moment ago dissolved and a frown claimed her face. “Yes.”

  With chin erect and squared shoulders, she made her way stealthily toward the baggage rail car. Joshua kept in step beside her until they reached a conductor. At that point, she moved forward on her
own.

  “Sir? I am Mrs. Grayson, here to pick up my husband’s casket.”

  The conductor nodded and turned to three other men. The four other men pulled the long, wooden box from the carriage car. Joshua’s heart dropped as tears sprung to his eyes. Matthew. His death had not been a reality until now. Joshua wanted to rip open the lid of the casket and peer inside to see if Matthew was really there.

  Matthew’s widow stepped to the side. “Gentlemen, this way please.”

  Careen hurried ahead, taking charge of the situation, which only served to annoy Joshua further. The men followed her directions and carried Matthew over the train docks to the waiting wagon. Joshua followed more slowly, keeping his gaze on Careen the closer he came. When she stopped beside the vehicle and faced him, sadness etched her pretty face and in her misty eyes.

  He hopped into the back of the wagon and arranged the trunks, making room for the casket. Not a word was spoken as the men slid the casket in the back. Joshua fought against tears. He climbed back out of the wagon and mumbled a few words of thanks to the workers.

  The men turned to leave, and nobody else spoke for a long moment. Finally, Joshua broke the silence. “Shall we go?” he asked gruffly, indicating the front of the wagon.

  He walked with Careen up to the vehicle. He held out his hand to help her up. She slipped her tiny, purple-gloved hand into his while he placed the other on the small of her back. She perched on the wooden seat and adjusted her full skirt around her legs. He helped the servant up beside Careen.

  “Thank you, sir,” Betsy murmured.

  Joshua nodded, crossed to the opposite side of the wagon and climbed next to Careen. He gathered the reins, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. The horses jumped into action. Joshua was more than ready to end this journey home. He’d much rather be alone with his thoughts and memories of his brother than try to visit with two women he didn’t know. Especially when his emotions were ready to crumble.

  For the first several minutes, he realized something about his new sister-in-law. She was one fidgety woman. Every time she moved, she bumped into him – either her knee against his, or her arm elbowing his side. She quickly mumbled an apology and tried to scoot over, but there was no room.