Mail Order Bride: Journey's End: A Mail Order Brides Western Romance (Love On The Line Book 2) (8 page)

Chapter 16

Brushing her hair, Alice looked at herself in the mirror and admired the hint of a tan on her face. Not one to have called herself pale, her work load at the hotel and poor diet had left her that way. Pulling back a strand of hair to find a new freckle, she enjoyed the woman that looked back at her. Looking happy and surprisingly confident, it was a woman she thought she'd never see. Putting thoughts of her past behind her, Alice put her mind to better use and thought of lesson's she could go through with Amy the following day. Now a governess, she found Amy's thirst for knowledge had an effect on herself. Not one to have read much in her earlier years, Alice found herself taking frequent visit to the library in John's study and borrowing books on every subject. Trying to keep ahead of the child, she found each question pushed her on to learn more. Lost in thought, she jumped on hearing a knock on her bedroom door. Putting her brush down and going to it, she opened it partly and found John there.

"What up, something wrong?" Alice asked opening the door. Seeing him grin and say nothing in return, she watched him walk to the center of the room. "What's going on, John?"

"Close your eyes."

Alice looked him over, "Why? What is it?"

"Just close your eyes, and hold out your hands," John said. "I've got a surprise for you."

Seeing him smirk with excitement and not knowing what to expect, Alice found herself grin as well. Doing as she was told, she held out her hands and braced herself. "Alright. What is it? Will I like it?"

"I think so, now no peeking," John said.

Feeling something placed in her hands, Alice kept her eyes closed and tried to work out what it was. Opening her eyes she found exactly what she thought it was. Staring at it, she asked, "What is it?"

"Open it."

Wondering what was giving John his smirk, Alice tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. Looking up to see his grin grow wider, he nodded.

"Go on, read it."

Scanning the top of the letter Alice found Walter's name mentioned and paused, "What is this?"

"It's a confession from Walter saying that he was abusive in your relationship and he's giving you full permission for a divorce-"

"But how? I don't understand why would he?"

Tom took the letter from her hand, "Guess he had a change of heart-"

"He did and his eye, it was you, wasn't it?"

John shook his head and acted hurt. "You know yourself, I never left your side this past week. How could I?"

"Tom, then," Alice said.

"Does it matter," John answered, taking her in an embrace. "Once we get this letter processed, there's nothing that can stop us getting married. I thought you'd be happy?"

Alice took the letter and looked it over again. "I am, I am. If I'd known what you were doing, I would have-"

"Honestly, I didn't know anything about it," John said and pulled her in for a long and lingering kiss. "Isn't it great news?"

"Yes. I just wouldn't want anyone to get hurt for this," Alice said and found him take her once more in a passionate kiss. "I guess I better give Elizabet the good news."

"She already knows," John smiled. "Actually it was her idea."

"Seriously?" Alice asked.

John nodded. "She said she had to repay you for what you did for her."

"But I didn't do anything—so is there anyone in this house that doesn't know about this?"

"Well, there is one person," John said. "I thought we'd tell her together." Taking her hand, they both left to give Amy the good news. 

Chapter 17

Hearing a floor board creak, Alice opened an eye and decided not to pay it any attention. She was used to John's home by now and grown accustomed to its noises at night. Turning over she pulled the blanket closer to her cheek and tried to return to the dream she'd been having. Closing her eyes, she tried to put herself back to the moment when she and John were skinny dipping. Remembering vividly the part where their wet bodies were about to meet, she cursed the floor for its timing. Just on the verge of feeling John's hands explore her, the noise had taken her away it. Groaning to herself, Alice knew that another part of herself out there having the time of her life and she was losing out. Tossing again and thumping her pillow in frustration, Alice paused on hearing the floor creak once more. Sounding different than earlier, the creak was slower as if someone was trying to carry their weight over it in silence. Now curious, Alice sat up and looked around. At first seeing nothing to alert her to any danger, she found a shape that shouldn't be there. Wondering if one of the cleaning staff had moved her folding screen, she suddenly saw the shadow move. Realizing that she wasn't alone, she watched it cross the room quicker than she could scream. Grabbed around the mouth, Alice found her head thrown backwards and pinned to the pillow. Looking up in terror, she caught the smell of alcohol and instantly knew who it was.

"Hi Alice. Long time no see. Miss me?"

Alice shook her head and tried to free her mouth. Held even tighter, Walter cautioned her. "Try to scream and I'll burn this place to the ground." Taking a match with his free hand, he scratched it off the bedpost and showed her his face. "Like the ear? A little memento to remind me, he said."

Alice shook her head as best she could to give an answer.

"Doesn't matter anyway, confession or not, there's no way I'm letting you go. You hear me? You're mine and no one else's. The thought of another man having his hands on you..."

Staring at Walters face, Alice noticed a change in him since the last time she'd seen him. Wondering what it was, she realized that he wasn't drunk. Smelling a faint hint of alcohol on his breath, his eyes were clearly in focus as he looked her over. Lighting another match, he stretched himself to light the paraffin lamp on her bedside. Tossing the match away, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun.

"You're probably wondering what's going to happen next."

Alice nodded her head in terror.

"Truth be told, I didn't think I'd get this far," Walter admitted. "I followed your fella back here and hid out in the garden. All I had to do was wait till dark and break in." Waving his gun in front of her face he said, "I'm going to take my hand away now. But I'm warning you, you scream and you'll die. I don't want to do it, but if you push me. Understood?"

Alice nodded her head and took a deep breath as he took his hand away. "Walter, please. Whatever you're thinking don't-"

"You think I'm here to attack you?" Walter shook his head and laughed. "I'm here to free you from this place. I know you don't want to marry him, not really."

"Huh?

"You and me, Alice, we're destined to be together. I know that now. It took me long enough to realize that," Walter said and rubbed her cheek. "I'm a changed man, you'll see. It was the drink, Alice. Changed me, made me into a monster. I can see that now. You'll forgive me in time, I know that. Come on, get dressed, we're leaving."

Alice listened to him rambling and looked to the door. Wondering what to do, Walter pointed his gun toward it.

"Don't take me for a fool Alice. If I can't have you, then no one else will. You want that?"

"No, no," Alice pleaded. Seeing no way out she thought it best to play along. Feeling self-conscious of how she was dressed, Alice went to the far side of the bed and stood there.

"What?"

"A little privacy would be nice," Alice said, nodding to the folding screen in the room. Seeing Walter look to it, he raised his gun and shook his head.

"You won't be needing it, Alice. I've seen everything that you have. Just dress yourself and stop wasting time."

Cursing her bad luck, Alice pictured the heavy hair brush that lay on the other side of it and how she'd planned on throwing it at him. Looking around the room for another weapon, she came up empty and reluctantly went to where her dress was. Picking it up, she started to pull it on over her bedclothes.

"You don't want to change?" Walter asked.

Alice shook her head, "No. You're right. There's no point wasting any more time, when I can dress properly back at home. Don't you think?"

"Yeah, I hadn't thought of that, good thinking," Walter smiled. "I knew you'd come around to my idea." Going to the door, he pulled it open slowly and checked the hallway. Waving his gun, he whispered to her. "Come on."

Joining Walter in the hallway, Alice prayed that no one heard them. Walking past each bedroom door, she looked to it and hoped the occupants inside were fast asleep. Wondering how good a shot Walter was, she knew even a bad shot would have little difficulty shooting their target in the confided area of the hallway. Thinking that she could overpower him, Alice felt the tip of his gun close to her spine and gave up on that idea. Better to play along until they got outside the house. Remembering the small wood close to the east wing, she wondered if she could lose herself in it before he caught up with her. Turning back to him she looked to the gun aimed at her back. Whispering she asked, "Would you mind lowering that thing? You do remember that I'm coming willingly?"

"Yeah, sorry," Walter replied.

Watching him put it back in its holster, she nodded. "Thank you. Now follow me."

Taking the lead once more, Alice led them to the top of the stairway in silence. Working out the quickest and safest route out of the house in her head, she heard a child's voice behind her.

"Alice?"

Alice spun and found Amy rubbing her eyes. Seeing Walter go to his gun, she put her hand on his. "Don't, I'll sort this." Going to the child, Alice knelt down in front of her. "It's late Amy, you better get back to bed."

"I had a bad dream and couldn't sleep. Will you tuck me in?"

Alice looked to Walter and saw him shake his head.

"I'm sorry I can't, I have to do something important. But I'll tell you what. If you let me help this man, I'll be back as quick as I can. Is that OK?"

Alice watched Amy look past her. "Who is he?"

"He's a friend that I knew before I met your father."

"Are you going with him?"

"Just for a minute. But I'll be back," Alice replied and sensed Walter's impatience behind her.

"Look kid get back to bed, like you were told. Now beat it, we're leaving."

"I'm going to tell my father on you?" Amy pouted.

"I don't think so," Walter answered and pulled his gun. Aiming it at the child, Alice put her body in the way and pleaded.

"Walter, put it away she's only a child. She doesn't know what she saying-"

"I was right about her, she is a brat," Walter snarled. Not moving his hand, he ordered. "Alice, get out of the way."

Getting off her knee's Alice stood to her full height and tried her best to shield Amy. "No."

Walter shook his head, "You'd let this child come between us? But you and I, we're destined to be together."

"I lied. How could I live with a man like you? You're sick, Walter."

Seeing him digest what she'd said, Alice watched his face change and mood grow darker. "You bitch!"

Focused on the gun in his hand, Alice watched his finger click back on the hammer of his gun and knew she'd need to act fast. Seeing Walter close to the stop of the stairs she knew what to do. Pushing off with her back leg, Alice threw herself toward him just as the gun flashed. Feeling the bullet bite into her shoulder, she was relieved to see that her sudden move had caught him off guard. Hitting the floor, Alice watched as his Walter tried desperately to steady himself and fell backwards. Watching his arms windmill about in an attempt to grab onto something, she heard him fire his gun once more before disappearing down the large spiral staircase.

Biting her lip as she pulled herself to her knees, Alice fought against the pain in her shoulder and looked behind her. Seeing Amy in tears she called her to her and held her tightly. Looking her over and finding the child without injury she let out a sigh of relief.

"Is he gone?" Amy sobbed.

Leaning to get a better view of the stairs far below, Alice found Walters body lying on the bottom step. Looking to the ceiling with eyes wide open, Walter's head hung awkwardly to one side. Although not having much medical knowledge, Alice knew a broken neck when she saw one. Paying him no more attention, she held Amy close to her and whispered into her ear. "He won't be hurting anyone anymore. We're safe now. "

Chapter 18

Standing in front of the full length mirror in her room, Alice looked over her shoulder to see how she looked from behind. Turning to face it again, she caught Elizabet smirk in its reflection.

"What?"

"You are sure you want to go through with this?" Elizabet teased.

Fussing over the front of her wedding dress Alice asked, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, the length of time it took to get to this day," Elizabet said. "What, between waiting for a divorce, then there was the shooting, and then you being laid up for four weeks with a damaged shoulder. You have to admit he's a patient man."

Alice ignored the comment and got back to checking her appearance once more. "You're just jealous because you and Tom couldn't keep your hands off each other." Turning to Elizabet, she smirked and put on a regal tone. "John and I on the other hand, well—some things are worth waiting for dear-"

"You cheeky madam."

"You started it," Alice smiled. "So how do I look?" Getting up off her seat, Elizabet walked over and bent down to fix the train on Alice's dress. Getting up and taking a step back, she nodded her head. "You look wonderful, Alice. Happiest bride, I've ever seen."

"Thanks."

Hearing a knock on the bedroom door, both women looked at it and heard Tom on the other side. Giving him permission to enter, he walked in and let out a soft whistle.

"Well, look at you."

Alice smiled, "Do I look OK?"

"Do you look OK? Alice, I swear if I wasn't married I run away with you myself," Tom answered. Looking to Elizabet, he held up his hands to prove he was jesting. "Well, are we ready?"

"Been ready for weeks now," Alice looked to Elizabet and smiled. Looking back to John, she asked. "And Amy?"

"She's ready to roll. Maybe too keen. The way she's practicing walking up and down the aisle, you'd think the kid was getting married herself. And as for flower petals, I doubt she'll have any left for you the way she's throwing them around."

Alice chuckled. "And John?"

"Nervous as hell," Tom smirked. "I don't think he's eaten all morning."

Walking over to him, Alice hooked her arm in his. "I guess we better hurry then. The last thing I want is my husband passing out on his wedding day. I've waited long enough as it is."

*****

Standing at the end of the aisle, Alice looked at the congregation waiting for her and felt a tinge of déjà vu. Remembering the many times she'd replayed and acted out her wedding day as a child, she found the reality far better than any dream she could conjure up. Pushing her wedding to Walter to the furthest part of her mind, Alice looked to the man who was waiting for her and convinced herself that this was her first time. Feeling butterflies like she'd never done before, she gave a nod to Amy and then Elizabet. Walking behind her, Alice smiled as the child once more left them both for dust and got to the altar long before them. Joining her father, she stood with a grin as wide as his.

Getting to the altar, Elizabet stepped aside and let John take her place. Seeing him look her over, Alice asked. "Do I look OK?"

"Beautiful," he smiled. "You could never look more gorgeous than you do now."

Feeling a tear come to her eye, she dabbed it with a handkerchief.

"Good to see you again, Alice."

Now aware of the preacher, Alice turned to him. "Thank you. And you too."

"You need a moment?" he asked.

Alice shook her head and took hold of John's hand. "I'm ready."

"Good," he nodded. Taking a moment to open his bible to the right page, he cleared his throat and began. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the very special love between Alice and John, by joining them in marriage…."