Misty's True Love (Mail Order Brides of Pioneer Town, Book 2) by Ruth Hartzler Page B

invitation were those of
apprehension, given that her last meeting for tea had proven to be
a disaster. She knew something like that would never happen where
she was going this time, but the sinking feeling in her stomach
still refused to go away.
    It wasn’t long before the busy roads
of the small town signaled that they were getting close. Misty
could tell just from the pleasant smell and bustling sounds that
they were no longer near the outskirts. “We’re here,
ma’am.”
    And so they were. “Thank you,” she
said.
    “ Good afternoon, Miss
Fields,” Bradford said, standing on the porch in his
unusually-stiff posture.
    As Misty followed the butler to the
drawing room, she could already hear Mrs. Mills’ voice coming from
that direction. When they walked in, Bradford stopped in the
doorway and waved her through. He bowed his head and smiled as she
entered the room.
    “ You’ve arrived! How
splendid. I have been waiting to speak with you all morning,”
Olivia said, dismissing one of the maids as Misty walked toward
her. “Please, come in and have a seat,” the woman said, indicating
the sofa opposite her chair.
    Misty smiled politely, wondering what
the reason for their meeting might be. Until she knew what she had
been invited there for, a small seed of worry stayed planted in her
mind. “I hope I did not keep you waiting, Mrs. Mills,” she said in
a quiet voice as she sat down on the soft, skirted sofa.
    Olivia looked at Misty and smiled. “I
think it’s safe to say that we were not on the best of terms the
last time you and I spoke, but I do hope that things might change
between us. It usually bothers me to admit when I might be wrong
about something, but it seems clear that I was this time,” she
said.
    “ Oh,” Misty said, unsure of
how else to respond. She took the delicate tea cup in her hands,
cradling it as if it was the most fragile thing in existence. It
wasn’t, of course, but Misty’s thoughts were focused on anything
but a small teacup in that moment. She thought about Cody, and
Rosamund, and about every little thing that had happened since she
left San Francisco. The stable, better future that she had been in
search of for so long was just an arm’s length away—but would she
ever be able to reach it?
    “ I was wrong to trust Miss
Rosamund Swire, and for her unbearable behavior, I am so sorry. Her
actions were not something that I encouraged, nor condoned in the
slightest. I do hope that we can all move past what has happened. I
wished to tell you in person that I am most regretful of what she
did to you,” Mrs. Mills said, before sipping slowly from her
cup.
    Misty was somewhat taken aback by the
remark. “Thank you, Mrs. Mills.”
    “ It is more than just
that,” Olivia said, putting her cup down as she leaned back in her
chair and folded her arms over her chest. “I trusted Miss Swire
greatly, and she repaid that trust with dishonesty. I must offer
you my sincerest apology for her behavior.”
    So, that was what the meeting for tea
was all about that afternoon? If so, Misty wasn’t quite sure what
to make of it. It was a nice, heartfelt gesture—but there was only
one thing that she really wanted, and it was to marry Mrs. Mills’
son and start her future. It was bothering her enough that Cody had
not shown much interest in the topic of marriage lately, but if she
could at least get his mother’s acceptance, then perhaps he might
be open to the idea once again.
    “ I appreciate that very
much,” Misty said, smiling as she slowly lifted the fragile teacup
to her lips. As she sipped from it, she noticed that Olivia was
watching her intently as if she was expecting more of a
response.
    “ Oh, it’s the least I could
do, my dear. When I found out the truth behind what had happened at
Miss Swire’s home, I had no choice but to make sure the sheriff
knew the truth. It’s been a very taxing time around here lately,
but I want to set things right for my son’s sake. He knows