BRIANNA: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Mail-Order Brides Club Book 4) (4 page)

B
rianna was
on edge all day Friday, somewhat nervous about the evening ahead and anxious to get fully settled at school. The children were still on their best behavior, but she sensed that was bound to change. And it did, just before lunch, when they were outside for their mid-morning recess. She and Ellie took turns supervising the children when it was time for their short break. Today, Ellie was on duty, and Brianna took advantage of the time to go over her lesson plans for that afternoon. She had just closed her planning book and was expecting the children to return to the classroom any moment when there was a loud, angry scream, followed by yelling and the shuffling sound of movement outside, which she guessed was children fighting. She stepped outside to see what all the commotion was about and saw Ellie attempting to break up two children that were throwing punches at each other. She got the two of them separated just as Brianna walked over. Peter and a slightly older boy, Michael Simpson, were both disheveled and smudged with dirt.

“What was all this about, then?” Brianna asked the two boys. Neither said a word, just looked down at the ground.

Millie stepped forward then and put her hand on her brother’s shoulder.

“Michael started it. He stole Peter’s lunch.”

Michael looked up then, in surprise. “I did not! I just hid his apple. I was only fooling around.”

“We don’t fool around with food,” Peter said quietly.

“That apple is his lunch,” Millie explained to the two teachers. Peter looked down again, and Brianna sensed that he was ashamed. She also guessed that it was the same for Millie, as well. No wonder Peter was so upset. How could an apple possibly fill them up?

“Michael, do you have the apple?” Brianna asked sternly.

Michael walked inside, and then returned a moment later and handed her the apple.

“I was never going to eat it. I really was just kidding. I’m sorry.”

Brianna handed the apple to Peter, who clutched onto it with all his might. No one would be able to pry it from his hands. The poor thing. Brianna tried not to show her fury, because it was not directed at the children, but rather at a parent who thought it was okay for a child to have nothing but a piece of fruit for their mid-day meal. An hour later when it was time for lunch, Brianna called Millie and Peter to the front of the room.

They shuffled forward hesitantly, and both looked as though they were expecting to be in trouble again. Brianna smiled to put them at ease.

“I wonder if the two of you might do me a favor?” she began. “I’m afraid my stomach is a bit off this morning and I’m really not very hungry. I brought a turkey sandwich in and I hate to see it go to waste. Perhaps the two of you could share it?”

Millie looked at her with gratitude. “We would be happy to, Mrs. Sullivan. Thank you.”

Brianna separated the sandwich and handed each child a half. Truthfully, her stomach had been unpredictable, so she often packed a variety of things that might settle it and had an extra slice of plain bread, a handful of nuts and a slice of cheese in her bag and that would be plenty to take the edge off. She also knew she’d be having dinner out that evening, so she certainly wouldn’t be going hungry.

She was concerned about those children, though. What would they be having for dinner? For lunch the next day? She decided to pack a little extra tomorrow as well, just in case, and to pay closer attention to what these two had to eat.

S
he didn’t know
where Paul was taking her that evening, but David had passed along the message that he would be by at 6:00 p.m. to pick her up. Even though she knew that they were just going out as friends, she still couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. She hadn’t been out with another man even on a purely friendship basis ever, except for Ted, so it felt strange, and unfamiliar.

The dress fit perfectly, though, and it turned out that Colleen had gotten the length correct on the first go around. She didn’t need to have it hemmed at all. Brianna twirled in front of the mirror and felt a bit like a princess—one with an ever-expanding stomach, that was. She wasn’t showing yet, but she knew it was probably just a matter of a few more weeks and then everyone would know. But in this dress, she felt beautiful.

Colleen helped her with her hair, tying it back and securing it with two silver combs that pulled the hair off her face and let it tumble down just past her shoulders in soft waves.

She walked back into the other room just as there was a knock on the door. David opened it, and Paul walked in. He was speechless for a moment, but then he quickly gathered himself together and said, “You look lovely.”

“Thank you. Colleen made this dress for me.”

“Have fun, you two,” Colleen called after them.

Brianna followed Paul outside and he helped her into her side of the buggy. As they drove towards town, he told her about their plans for the evening.

“There’s a show tonight, at the opera house. A musical. I don’t know much about it, but I thought it might be something fun for us to do. We have time to have dinner first, at Donovan’s pub.”

“That sounds lovely.” Brianna was excited to see a show at the opera house. She had loved seeing musical shows in Boston. There was a vibrant arts community there.

Paul was easy to talk to, and they chatted comfortably on the ride into town. Before she knew it, they had arrived at the restaurant and Paul jumped out to tie up the horses. He helped her out of the buggy and they went inside. It was starting to get busy. Liam saw them walk in and came out from behind the bar. He took a quick look in the reservation book, then took his pen and scratched something out. He wrote something else in instead and then led them to their table. It was a table for two and was by a large, bay window that looked out over Main Street.

“Thanks, Liam,” Paul said as Liam handed them both menus before heading back to the bar.

“This is a nice table,” Brianna said.

“It’s the best one in the place,” Paul said with a smile.

Their waiter, Billy, came over a moment later and took their drink order. Paul ordered a glass of milk and Brianna a cider.

“Are you sure that you want milk? I really wouldn’t mind if you’d rather have a beer or something? “Brianna said.

Paul chuckled and then said, “I love milk. I don’t really care for the taste of alcohol.”

“I don’t, either,” Brianna admitted.” I couldn’t have it now anyway,” she said with a smile.

Billy returned with their drinks and a basket of warm bread. He told them the specials and then they put their orders in. Brianna decided on a roast chicken and Paul chose the steak.

While they nibbled on their bread, Paul asked her more about what her life in Boston had been like. She told him about the orphanage, and her friends and her happy life with Ted, before it all ended so suddenly.

“So you really weren’t married very long, then? Just a little over a year?” Paul looked sad at the thought of a happy marriage cut so short.

“We courted for a little over a year and then were married for about six months when Ted died. It really was sudden. Unexpected.” She hesitated then, and Paul seemed to sense that she was leaving something out.

“What is it? You look troubled about something.”

“It’s nothing. Nothing I want to think about, anyway. I’m trying to just focus on being here, and being happy.”

“Are you sure? Sometimes it does help to talk about things.”

Brianna hesitated again. Maybe it would help to talk about it.

“Well, there is something. To be honest, it’s the main reason why I decided to come out here when I did. I had sold my house and had enough money that I could stay in Boston if I chose. I had a room at a female boardinghouse, a nice place. I lived there before I got married. Colleen did, as well.”

Paul leaned forward, listening attentively. “Go on,” he encouraged her.

And so she told him. Everything. He was frowning when she finished and tapping his finger repeatedly against the table. She could tell that he was mulling over what she had said.

“It’s definitely disturbing. I think you made the right decision to come out here when you did. As your lawyer said, and I think it was putting it mildly, those men sounded unsavory. I don’t know what your husband was mixed up in, but it sounds like he may have been involved with some dangerous people who thought that he knew something damaging and may have shared that with you. Boston is not a safe place for you right now.”

“I agree. That’s why I came here, and I’m glad that I did.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that here. Boston is far away, and I can’t imagine that they would be concerned about you being a threat any longer.”

“I was never a threat to them. They just didn’t realize it.”

T
he food arrived
and they began to eat. Brianna’s chicken was delicious, and the roasted potatoes melted in her mouth. They were lightly buttered, golden and crispy on the outside and tender and soft in the middle.

“Did you save any room for dessert?” Paul asked as Billy cleared away their dinner plates and set down dessert menus.

“Yes, I think I may have a piece of pie.” Normally, Brianna never had room for dessert. But her appetite had grown and she had a feeling the baby would like pie.

Paul chuckled, and then said, “The pies are good here. But so are the cakes.” When Billy returned, Brianna ordered a slice of blueberry pie and Paul got the cake. By the time she finished her dessert, Brianna was pleasantly full and looking forward to the show at the opera house.

It was just a short walk from Donovan’s pub to the opera house, and after eating so much, Brianna was happy to move around a bit.

“I’ve only been here once before,” Paul said as they walked into the opera house. “It’s still a very new building. It was only built about five or so years ago, and has been very popular ever since. There’s always one show or another coming through.”

Brianna looked around once they were inside. It was a very pretty building, with high ceilings and beautiful decorations. There was also a sense of excitement in the air. It was a feeling that she recognized whenever she had gone to see a show in Boston. They settled into their seats, just a few rows back from the stage, and a few minutes later the lights began to dim, indicating that the show was about to start.

For the next hour, Brianna lost herself in the magic of the musical. It was a romantic comedy, a show that she had never seen before, but with a story that was universal and entertaining. At the intermission, they got up to stretch their legs and walk around a bit.

Brianna was having a wonderful time. It was a lovely evening, and Paul was very good company. She supposed that it might seem that he was courting her, but the idea of anyone doing so seemed absurd. It was too soon, much too soon for her to even think that way. She considered Paul a friend, a very nice new friend and someone that she did enjoy spending time with. She also knew that probably wasn’t exactly what Paul had in mind. It wouldn’t be enough for him, but for the time being, it was all she was able to offer. When the lights flashed, they moved back to their seats for the second half of the show.

P
aul wondered
what was going through Brianna's mind. He thought that they were having a wonderful evening. He enjoyed her company immensely. She was easy to talk to and smart. He also found her beautiful. He loved her pale, blonde hair that she wore tied back from her face. Tiny, delicate curls escaped and framed her face, making her even prettier. He knew that moving here was difficult for her and a big adjustment. He couldn't imagine how hard it must've been for her to lose her husband so early in the marriage, and from what she said, in a manner that was most suspicious. It made him want to protect her even more. He didn't think that she would be in any danger here, as Montana was a very long way from Boston, but still he hoped to put her fears to rest.

I
t was the most relaxing
, wonderful evening that Brianna had had in many months. The ride home was a pleasant one. She and Paul spoke about the musical and what they liked about it.

"How is it that you haven't married yet? I think you would make someone a wonderful husband," she said impulsively and then instantly wished she could take it back.

Paul chuckled. "I don't know about that. I'd like to think so. There aren't many women in this area, and the ones I have met, I just haven't felt like they were the ones. It's not something that I focused a lot of energy on, to be honest. But suddenly, it seems as though time is slipping by."

"Are you hoping to start a family?" Brianna asked. She wondered how he felt about children. She could imagine that he might make a good father.

"I'd love to have a whole house of kids, someday. I've always felt that when I met the right person, everything would fall into place. I think I still believe that."

"That's how I always felt, too. And I was lucky, I met Ted and we had a wonderful time together."

"It's terrible what happened to your husband," Paul said softly. And after a moment of silence, he added, "But at least you will have something to remember him by."

"I know, I agree. I'm excited for this baby. It will be like keeping a piece of Ted alive."

They rode in silence for a while after that. Brianna was lost in thought, remembering Ted. As they turned into the drive that led to Colleen's house, he spoke again.

"Did Colleen and David mention the barn-raising tomorrow? It should be a fun day, especially if you've never been to one before."

"A barn raising? No, I don't think they mentioned that, but they may have and I just wasn't paying close attention."

"I am pretty sure that David mentioned that they would be going, so I hope to see you there. I think you will enjoy it."

"That sounds fun. Speaking of fun, thank you so much for tonight. I really had a wonderful time. It was such a treat."

"It was my pleasure. I look forward to getting to know you better." Paul jumped out of the buggy then came around to Brianna’s side to help her out. He led her to the front door and then wished her goodnight before she stepped inside.