Charlotte's Mail Order Husband (New Montana Brides series) Read Online Free Page B

acceptance troubles me.
    I do look forward to our meeting, and I assure you if this doesn’t work, it will not be for my lack of trying.
    Until I step from the stagecoach in Helena, I won’t believe all that is happening.
    Sincerely,
    Lottie Jenkins
    Lottie folded the letter, put it into the envelope and sealed it. She would mail it on the way to the bank the next day.
    “Mama, Papa, it is all arranged. I will leave by train for Saint Louis on Wednesday morning. I will travel by steamboat from Saint Louis to Fort Benton, Montana, and then by stagecoach to Helena. Altogether, it is going to take about three weeks.”
    “And how are you paying for all of this?” her mother asked.
    “Zebulon has a bank account in the First National Bank. His sister withdrew the money for the ticket and all of the anticipated expenses. At his suggestion, Mary took me to Hutzler’s to purchase additional clothing. She said there is only a general store in Helena, and will have a limited selection.
    “Missy, I don’t like the sound of this at all. Why , the whole thing makes you appear to be a trollop bought and paid for.”
    With tears in her eyes, Lottie said, “Mother, I’m sorry for the way you feel. I am sorry I ha ve to resort to this in order to get married. I apologize for being a disappointment to you,. but I hope someday you understand.” She spun on her heels and left the room. Her mother did not speak to her again until the day she left.
    There was a knock on the door to the bedroom. She opened it to find her father standing there. “Lottie, your mother didn’t mean what she said. She’s just worried about you.”
    “P apa, if she didn’t mean it, why isn’t she here? I love both of you very much, and I just want you to wish me well. I pray everything will be all right. If it isn’t, then I’ll just have to make do with what life brings. Will you come to the train station with me, Papa? It would mean a lot.”
    “I’ll be there, Lottie. Now you get some rest, you have a long day tomorrow.
    She dropped the letter off at the post office and went to the bank and withdrew her meager savings, and closed the account . She then told the bank president, she was leaving. After that, she went to Mary’s, to see if there had been any last minute communications. There had not
    Dinner was a somber occasion . Her sisters were all present, the first time in some weeks they had all been together. Her mother was quiet, as was her father. Both were thinking this would be the last time they would see her.
    Martha, her husband, and their two children tried to ligh ten the mood but it didn’t help. Lottie asked Martha for a private minute before they left. “Marty, thank you for standing by me in this. Mama is really upset, and Papa is sad about it, but at least he understands. I hope this isn’t the last time we see each other, but if it is, I will think of you every day. You were my rock in all of this, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love you.”
    “I love you too, Sis, and you will be in my prayers every night. Promise me you will write?”
    “I promise.” She held her sister in a tight embrace for a few moments. They broke the embrace and she kissed Ma rtha on the cheek. “Goodbye, Marty.”
    The next morning, she told her younger sisters goodbye, and went to her mother’s bedroom. “Goodbye Mama. Please don’t think I’m a bad person. I have to do this.”
    Her mother stood, and embraced her. “I don’t understand any of it, but you are my daughter and I love you. Goodbye precious.”
    “Goodbye Mama. I love you too.”
    She picked up her things, met her father at the door, and together they walked toward the train station, As they walked, she heard a voice behind her say, “Wait, I’m coming too.” It was her mother, walking fast to catch up to them.

 
    chapter Seven
    The Journey Begins
    At the station, Mary Tarleton joined the Jenkins family. “Mama, Papa, this is Mary Tarleton, the sister of