Rhonda Gibson - His Chosen Bride

He admired her spunk. Levi pushed the money back to her side of the table. “I can’t accept your money.” He held up his hand to stop her from protesting. “I, too, have changed my mind about marriage and so it would be unfair for me to take the money back.”

When he lowered his hand, she asked, “You have changed your mind also? Honestly?”

Levi offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Yes, when you didn’t arrive on schedule I was relieved because I wasn’t ready to get married. I should never have placed that advertisement.”

She took a sip from her tea, then gently set the glass back down. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you wouldn’t understand and I imagined you would wonder why I answered you in the first place.”

He pushed forward in his chair. “It has crossed my mind. I mean, you are still here even after you’ve decided not to marry me. It’s only natural that I wonder.”

Millie looked him straight in the eyes. “I have a scheming mother. She controlled me to the point that I lost all signs of independence. I had to get away, but once I left, I realized I couldn’t marry someone who would be the same way.”

Levi felt his jaw drop. They’d just met. How could she have formed an opinion of him so quickly? Or was she talking about not marrying any man, not just him?

Her soft laughter surprised him. “I’m not saying you are controlling, although since our first meeting you have taken charge of my life.”

He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “How so?”

It was her turn to lean forward. “First, you sent my bags here, told Beth which room to put me in, and then proceeded to drag me off to some business meeting. Halfway there, you changed your mind and turned me around and now here I sit at your table ordering lunch. It never dawned on you to ask what I wanted to do.”

Levi felt his ears turn red. She was right. He’d taken over the situation and not once had he stopped to hear her out or see what she wanted to do. How could he have assumed he knew what she wanted or needed? Had he turned into his mother?

He shook his head. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

She tilted her head to the side and studied him. “It’s all right. You were working on the assumption I still wanted to get married.” Millie lowered her gaze and, with her fingertip, traced the pattern on the tablecloth.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Beth arrived at the table with two steaming plates. Levi was pleased to see she’d added fried okra to their meal.

“I hope fried okra is to your liking, Millie.” She placed the dishes on the table and smiled.

Millie wrinkled her nose slightly but answered, “It’s fine, thank you.”

He bit his tongue to keep from speaking. The desire to tell her to send the plate back if it wasn’t to her liking filled him. But, if he did say that, Millie would probably think he was being bossy again.

“Do you need anything else?” Beth asked, looking their table over and making sure their drinks were still full.

Both shook their heads. Levi was the one to answer. “I believe we are fine for now, Beth.”

“All right, I’ll bring the tea pitcher by in a little bit to refill your glasses.” And with that, Beth turned from the table and headed back to the kitchen.

Levi said grace, and then after several long moments of silence while they ate, he asked, “Since you aren’t going to marry me, what are your plans?”

Millie sat up a little straighter in her chair. “Well, if I decide to stay, I will need to find a place to live.” She held up her hand as if to ward off any protest he might have. “I have enough money to spend the night here tonight and I thank you for sending my belongings here, but tomorrow I will need to find less expensive accommodations. I’m sure this lovely boardinghouse is more than I can afford.”

He didn’t argue with Millie, but he didn’t like the idea of her staying at the hotel, and as far as he knew there wasn’t a room in town for rent or a house to buy.

The hotel was a nice place, but Levi felt protective toward Millie. Maybe it was because he’d brought her here. Maybe because she’d revealed she’d never lived alone. Whatever the reason, he planned to have a chat with Benjamin Olson, the hotel owner, and make sure that Beth’s Boardinghouse offered Millie the lowest rates in town. With that thought in mind, he asked, “And then what will you do?”

“I’ll need to seek out employment.” Her hands worked the fabric of the napkin.

Beth arrived back at the table with the promised pitcher of tea. She refilled their glasses and looked to Levi. A quick glance at Millie revealed her pushing the okra around on her plate.

If Beth hired her, she would stay on at the boardinghouse as part of her payment and he wouldn’t need to talk to Mr. Olson. Levi thrust his chin upward and hoped Beth would take the hint to play along with him.

“Can I get you anything else?” Beth asked.

“No, the food is great, but we were just discussing possible employment for Miss Hamilton.”

Millie’s head jerked up.

Before she could comment, Levi pressed on. “You wouldn’t happen to have a position open, would you, Beth?” He prayed Beth would understand what he wanted her to do.

Without missing a beat, Beth looked to Millie. “Can you cook, wash dishes and wait on tables? I could use another set of hands at the noon and evening meals.”

Millie looked down at her hands. He wondered what she found so fascinating about them. “I can.” Her voice came out strained.

Beth laid a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you enjoy your lunch and we can talk about it when I show you to your room? How does that sound?”

Millie nodded, and Beth returned to the kitchen. Happy that was settled, Levi reached for his sandwich. He’d raised it to his mouth and was about to sink his teeth into the fragrant meat when he saw the angry expression on Millie’s face. Now what? He lowered the sandwich.

“You didn’t need to do that, Mr. Westland. I am capable of finding my own job,” she ground between her teeth.

Levi offered her his most charming smile. “I’m sure you can, but now you don’t have to.” He expected her to argue, but instead her eyes grew wide as she stared toward the dining room door.

His gaze followed hers. His brother, Daniel, and Daniel’s new bride, Hannah, waved and headed toward their table. Levi stood to welcome them.

Daniel greeted him with a broad smile and a rough slap on the back. “Haven’t seen you since the wedding. We’ve been missing you out on the ranch.”

Levi raised an eyebrow. “That right? Me? Or the fact that you lost an extra cowhand when I moved into town?” He grinned at his brother. “With a new wife and the ranch to keep you busy, I’m surprised you’d miss me at all.”

“Oh, we miss you all right,” Hannah added her assurance to her husband’s comments.

“Miss Hamilton, I’d like you to meet my brother, Daniel Westland, and his beautiful bride, Hannah. Daniel, Hannah, this is Miss Hamilton.” He paused then added, “My mail-order bride.”

Hannah gasped, but Daniel laughed and shook his head. “Well, isn’t this something?”

Levi hadn’t seen his brother this pleased since his wedding day. When Daniel looked this happy, it usually didn’t bode well for him. Levi asked suspiciously, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He searched his brother’s dancing eyes and realized the answer wouldn’t be coming too soon. His gaze moved to Hannah. She stood staring at Millie as if she’d seen a ghost. What was wrong? Both women simply stared at each other.

Daniel’s booming voice captured his attention once more. “You aren’t going to believe this, but Ma has three more mail-order brides at the house waiting for you to come out and meet.” Daniel hooted and held his sides.