Maude's Trials (Widows of Virginia #1)(11)

“It’s alright my child. I wish we thought of this earlier. Would have spared you that horrible ordeal. I know how hard it can be in a new town, even without all this hassle.” Esther smiled.

“Oh?” Maude looked at the woman surprised.

“I was a mail order bride too you know. It’s a tough choice.” She leaned back and half-closed her eyes. “But from what I’ve heard, you’ve made yours for all the right reasons.”

Maude blushed. “I… I haven’t decided yet…”

“Really?” Esther leaned forward “And there I was hoping to meet your children soon.”

Maude chuckled. “They would tire you out.”

“They’d bring my youth back.” Esther countered. “I miss having kids around. So there’s another selfish reason I have for you staying.”

“Well, how could I say no to that?” Maude said and they both laughed.

Esther sent Fidelis with the good news and the two women relaxed over tea.

Thank you, God, for answering my prayers, and for being with me all through. Maude leaned back in her chair with a piece of fresh cake.





Chapter 10


“I don’t have the words to express my gratitude, Maude.”

Maude greeted Raymond with her smile. She had just came from church with Esther and didn’t expect to see him back from the lawyers for a while. He had been in a nerve wrecking week of arguments with Claire in the local court.

“Don’t you think I’ve caused you more trouble than I spared you from?”

“I would have had to deal with it soon or later. But without you I would have lost it all.”

But it was Maude who always lost her words in his presence. She blushed. “It was mother Esther, really. You have her to thank.”

“She’s always been like a mother to me.” Maude didn’t doubt that. Raymond and Byron acted more like brothers than friends.

“Raymond, there is something I need to ask…”

“Yes?”

“Why did you go for a mail order bride?” Maude almost regretted asking him that given the silence that followed.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well… You’re single, handsome…” She blushed again. “With a big, prosperous ranch to your name you’re quite a catch. It’s not like Claire is the only woman around. You could’ve had your pick. Why me?”

Raymond laughed.

“The ranch might look grand, but I’m not as rich as it may seem. And that’s exactly why I looked for a bride like you. Someone to love me for me, not for the money I may or may not have.”

Maude looked down and twiddled her thumbs. “But I did reach out to you for the money,” she said in a quiet voice. “I wrote to you saying I needed support for my family.”

“You, dear Maude, did it for the right reasons. And that’s why I fell in love with you from the very first letter I received. I wanted a family, a wife, a good Christian woman, neither vain nor wanting.”

He cleared his throat. “Most marriages around here are like business contracts.”

“Oh…”

That time he looked down at his shoes looking shy and sweet.

“I know you’ve been through much these recent weeks. And I understand if after all that you decide to go back home and never see me again.” Raymond moved closer to her. “But I do hope you decide to stay.”

Maude’s heart raced. That was the closest she had been with him. Well, maybe except that time when he carried her out of the silo… He made her nervous as he looked deep into her eyes and took her hands into his.

“I love you, Maude Lafayette. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you be my wife?”

Maude held her breath as joy rushed through her body.

“I love you too, Raymond.” She said, watching his lips curl into a smile.

“I’m so glad to hear that! I have talked to mother Esther. We can get married tomorrow if you’d like.”

She blushed. She wanted that, yes, but…

“Come with me. I have a surprise for you.” He took her hand.

“A surprise?”

“Yes.” He ushered her into a horse carriage. It reminded her of the first time she met him. They rode back to the ranch.

“I missed this place.”

“It’s been sometime. But nothing changed. Come this way.”

Maude followed him to the house. He opened the door and ushered her in.

“Ooh my goodness! Adella, Alexander…” She couldn’t believe it.

“Mommy!”

Maude opened her arms to hold her children. She didn’t believe she was seeing them once again.

“We missed you so much.”

“I missed you too. I missed you so much.” She couldn’t get enough of them. She finally had her children in her arms.

“Thank you so much, Raymond.”

Maude couldn’t ask for more. All her sorrows were over, and her wishes had come true. She spent the rest of the evening catching up with her children and her mother who had come too.

The next morning was not a usual one. She couldn’t wait for the day to start. Esther came early to help her get ready for the wedding. Someone knocked on her door and Maude jumped, she wasn’t expecting anyone.