Olivia (Rescued Widows, Spinsters, and Brides Book 4) by Elaine Manders

Author:Elaine Manders [Manders, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-16T23:00:00+00:00

After a delicious breakfast the next morning, they walked to the telegraph office. Jonah expected to have received replies by now. His had been a simple inquiry. Missing person. Looking for matronly lady named Hattie. Marshal Booker had explained that every lawman responded to help with finding a missing person. And besides, Jonah couldn’t afford a telegram that explained Olivia’s complicated situation.

That was another reason he didn’t feel free to ask her to marry him. He didn’t have a job and little money. How could he support a wife?

The bald-headed man behind the counter looked up as they entered the office. A broad smile revealed one missing tooth. “Got all five replies for you folks. I’ll get them.” He disappeared behind a faded yellow and red calico curtain.

“I’m afraid,” she said, her gaze scanning the small room.

Jonah laid his hand on her shoulder. “All will be well, sweetheart.”

How could he keep saying that? Because he was a man of faith and always believed that God would work things out for the good. She didn’t have that kind of faith yet.

The bald man returned with a fistful of telegraph forms in his hand outstretched to Jonah.

Olivia turned away to look out the small window that needed cleaning desperately, but then, she supposed with all the dust, it was impossible to be kept clean. The town street looked familiar, though she was sure she’d never been here before.

Now that she might learn the truth in the next few moments, she didn’t know that she wanted to know the truth.

She felt Jonah at her back. “Olivia, only one town has a woman named Hattie. The sheriff of Carson Valley, Montana didn’t give any details. See if you recognize this lady’s name.”

Something in her spirit knew before she even looked that her relationship with Jonah was about to change, and it was with trembling hands she took the paper.

Hattie Carlyle. Not a common surname, but she recognized it. Suddenly she was shaking all over. She drew in a breath so deep it filled her lungs to the brim, but still felt it hard to breathe. Bending from the waist, she sobbed. Great soul-shaking sobs.

Jonah pulled her into his arms. “Olivia, are you all right?”

Memories gathered in her mind, and she lifted her head to peer into his eyes. She held the paper between them, stabbing it with her finger. “This…this…is my name. Olivia Carlyle, daughter of James and Mary Carlyle. Both of them died when I was seven years and I went to live with Aunt Hattie and Uncle John. He was my father’s brother. Carson Valley is a quaint, growing town, much like this one.”

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart. Why do you cry?”

She held onto him for support. “I know you can’t understand how amazing it is to realize you’re,” she threw up her hand, “you’re a real person again.” She forced a smile. Of course he wouldn’t understand. He might have troubles, but at least he knew who he was.

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