Kirsten Osbourne [Osbourne - Mail Order Miscreant

Charlotte Miller, known as Charlie to friends and family, was having a hard time. She lived with her closest friend in the world, Merry Bellman, and Charlie served as a helper for her with her children. In the two years since she and Merry had moved to Montana with Merrys niece and nephew, Merry had a child and was expecting her second.

Charlie loved Merry with everything inside her, and she was thrilled to be able to help her and her family, but she was ready to have a family of her own as well. She was twenty-two now, and she felt that she should have been married long ago.

She thought about writing a letter to her sister, Elizabeth, back in Beckham, Massachusetts, but Elizabeth usually matched women of the east with men of the west. It would be strange for a woman with fifty single men right there in her town to have to resort to being a mail-order bride. But she was worried thats exactly what would happen.

The children were down for a nap, all except Addie, who was quietly playing with her dolls in the parlor. Charlie went up the stairs to talk to Merry, who was in her workshop, her favorite place to spend the afternoons. Merry had a business carving and selling Christmas ornaments, and even though Christmas had just passed, she was working on her inventory for next Christmas. It was strange to Charlie that someone who despised Christmas the way Merry did made their living by making Christmas ornaments.

When she walked into the workshop, Merry looked up. Is everything all right?

Charlie nodded. Im just feeling restless. Im going to go walk in the snow.

Merry nodded. Stay close to home. Clyde thinks theres a big storm coming.

Clyde always thinks theres a big storm coming!

Hes always right, too.

Charlie sighed. I know he is. Ill stay close. She wanted to just start walking and see where she ended up, but Merry was right. It just wasnt safe. Not at this time of year when a storm could blow out of nowhere at any minute. January in Montana was not known for mild weather.

Charlie closed Merrys door and went downstairs, getting her mittens, coat, scarf, and hat on, and she left the house. She knew she should stay inside and not brave the weather, but the cabin fever was growing strong. Her first two winters in Montana had been fine, and shed done everything she could to help Merry. She still helped Merry, but this year was different. She needed to be out doing somethinganythingthat didnt include being inside the house all the time.

As she walked, Charlies eyes stayed on the horizon, partially because she was worried about a storm coming, but more because she wanted to go there and beyond. Somewhere out there something was waiting for her, waiting to change her life, and she was ready for it to happen.

As she walked, she saw the storm rolling toward them. She stopped for a moment, trying to judge how far away it was. She decided she could walk a little farther, and she kept going toward the road that led into town.

A man in a wagon stopped near her, and she backed up a couple of steps. It was too isolated to not be as careful as she should. Can I help you? The wind was blowing hard, and she had to shield her eyes from its harshness. What she could see of the man made her feel more than she had felt for all of the cowboys in Mistletoe combined.

Do you live near here? Im trying to find Mrs. Merry Bellman. His voice was deep and sent a shiver through her that had absolutely nothing to do with the chill in the air.

Merry is my friend. Thats her house right over there! As she pointed at the house, she realized that the snow was blowing enough that you couldnt see it from where she stood. Come with me. Ill show you. She wanted to spend more time with this man. Shed never had that desire before, and shed had more than ten marriage proposals in the two years shed been in Mistletoe. But she wasnt willing to settle for just any cowboy. The man she married needed to be the man to light a spark within her. Like Clyde did to Merry.

She turned and walked toward the house, walking against the wind. It was blowing so hard, she felt as if she was going to fall over. She hoped Clyde had made it back to Merry, because she knew her friend would be worried until he arrived.

Do you think its a problem for me to put my horses in the barn? he asked. I dont want to leave them out in this.

Im sure its not! she yelled above the wind that had quickly risen in volume since shed started her walk. Hurry! She went inside and removed her winter wear, pulling a shawl over her shoulders and going into the parlor to add another log to the fire. Quickly running upstairs, she told Merry there was a stranger there to meet her, and then she rushed back down.

Little Addie was still playing in the parlor, and she looked at Charlie oddly. Is something wrong with you, Charlie?

Theres a bad storm coming in. Im afraid your uncle Clyde is going to get stuck out in it.

Oh! Addie frowned. Carole and I dont want him to get snowed on. Carole was Addies favorite doll. Charlie could see that Baby Big Nose and Baby Ugly Hair were playing with them as well.

Well, its too late for that. He will get snowed on, but we really dont want him to get stuck out in the storm. Charlie looked toward the front door again. Theres a stranger here looking for your aunt Merry. I dont know who he is, but were all about to find out. All right?

Addie nodded. I like to meet new people sometimes.

I know you do. So do I. Charlie kept watching the door, waiting for the man to knock or just walk in. She didnt know which hed do.

Finally, there was a knock on the door, and Charlie ran over to open it. It was much too cold to discuss anything outside, so she threw the door open. Come in. I let Merry know you were here to see her.

The man stomped the snow off his feet and pants as best he could before he stepped into the house. Charlie felt Addie walk over beside her, clinging to her leg. Im Charlie, and this is Merrys niece, Addie.

Do you live with Merry? he asked, seeming surprised.

Yes, I came west with her two years ago to help out with her niece and nephew. Ive stayed on since. Charlie didnt add that shed come hoping to find a man to marry, because that was none of the strangers business.

And you stayed here all that time?

Well, shes had another baby since, and shes expecting again. She needs the help if shes going to keep up her work.

Ahh. Her work. Exactly what I was thinking to talk to her about. Does she have a workshop for her carvings?

Charlotte shook her head. No, sir. She has a room upstairs she uses as a work room, and she stores the ornaments there.

Merry came down the stairs then, her eyes on the stranger. Im Merry Bellman. How can I help you today?

The mans face lit up. Mrs. Bellman, Im Abel Burton. Im a merchant, and I have a small store in Missoula, but its just for artists, like yourself. I sell hand-carved ornaments and statues and many different paintings. I was wondering if I could make some sort of deal with you to carry your works.

Merry smiled. That depends. Are you looking for ornaments or more like the little animals I carve?

Im not looking for more ornaments, the man said. Im hoping youd be willing to concentrate some of your creative energy on some of the animals that Ive seen floating around that you carved. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a grizzly bear standing on its back legs, its paws held up on either side of its head. Something like this one.