“Which side will be mine?” she asked.
“Whichever one you want,” Elias said, feeling his chest constrict with the thought that they would be sharing this bed instead of sleeping separately like they had so far their entire marriage. First because of his injury, and then because of hers.
She sat on the left side of the bed so her injured leg could be facing the wall instead of toward where he would be.
“I think this side.”
Elias nodded and walked to what would be his side. He sat down on it with his back to her for just a moment, then lay on it carefully with his boots resting on the folded blanket at the bottom of the bed. “Yeah, this side will work for me.”
Beatrice turned and brought her legs up and lay back down on the bed as well. They lay there in silence, motionless for a few moments, then Beatrice turned her head to look at him.
“Will you do something for me?” she asked sweetly.
“Anything,” Elias said. He lifted himself up onto his elbow to see her better.
“Will you go lock the door?”
“Are you sure?” He looked at her leg. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Beatrice shook her head softly. “You won’t hurt me. We’ll be careful.”
Elias leaned closer and kissed her gently. “We can wait, give you more time to heal.”
Beatrice groaned in frustration. “Don’t try to be the doctor here. I know my leg is just fine. You are not going to make me wait any longer, sheriff. Now go close that door.” She kissed him once more, this time there was no gentleness about it. “Go close it unless you want me to have to walk.”
Elias kissed her again then rolled over and off the bed to obey the demands of his wife.
“Whatever you say, my love.”
EPILOGUE
Beatrice locked the front door of her clinic after waving goodbye to her last patient of the day. She had been in Birch Creek just a little over a year and had grown to love the people here just like family.
Though she wasn’t paid often in actual money, everyone was so good at helping to provide for others. She took the jar of home made jam she’d been paid with into her kitchen and placed it in the pantry. Elizabeth, her assistant in the office was also great at fixing up meals and had placed a stew on the back part of the stove where it could be kept warm before she’d headed home thirty minutes ago.
Beatrice looked at the clock on the mantle and knew Elias would be home soon, as long as nothing had gone wrong in town anywhere. Thank heavens for the quiet lives of the people in Birch Creek. They hadn’t had any kind of serious crimes since Willard and Benny had come that fateful night.
Benny had been captured and sent to trial in Wyoming where he was a wanted man there too. After the judgment placed on him, no one would ever have to deal with him again.
She placed two bowls and two spoons on the table, then slipped over to the small cradle where her most precious treasure lay. Little David Johnathan Mills was still asleep and she carefully pulled a chair nearby so she could watch him in silence for a bit longer.
Of course, part of her wanted to pull him into her arms and just snuggle the little bundle before his daddy got home and hogged him all night. Beatrice debated on eating first, then feeding David or waiting until Elias was home to share the meal with him. David must have sensed her dilemma and offered a different plan. Beatrice picked up the fussing baby and cuddled him close while she walked to the side where the rocking chair Elias had made by himself rested. She loved the way the chair fit her just perfectly, and the arm rests were just the right height for propping up a baby.
With quick and practiced movements, Beatrice had the baby settled and nursing in moments and she rested her head against the back of the chair as she rocked slowly to soothe the baby. She gazed down at the perfect curve of David’s little head and marveled at how blessed she was. When she’d lived in New Jersey she had never thought she’d end up a wife or a mother. Especially if she wanted to keep practicing medicine.
Now, here she was in a small town in the west living a more perfect life than she could have ever imagined. No one meant more to her than Elias and David, and she knew if she had to, she’d give up medicine to keep them. She was just grateful she didn’t have to and that she was helpful here.
A sound from the back caught her attention and she looked up in time to see Elias open the back door and walk into the kitchen. The loving smile on his face when he looked at the two of them in the rocking chair reinforced Beatrice’s feelings of gratitude at her blessings.
“Sorry I’m late,” Elias said quietly as he walked toward her and kissed her upturned lips.
“I just finished with a patient, myself,” Beatrice said. “If you don’t mind putting Elizabeth’s stew on the table, that would be wonderful.”
Elias grabbed the handle of the pot and placed it on the wooden block on the center of the table. He dished them both up a helping, then cut some bread and spread butter on it.
“Oh,” Beatrice said, “there’s a new jam in the pantry. We should try that tonight.”
She watched in fascination at how the man, who many thought of as fearsome and formidable, easily moved about the kitchen and set out the meal for them. When he finished with that he moved closer just as Beatrice lifted David up to her shoulder to burp him.
“Here,” Elias said with a smile only a new father would give. “Let me take my son. I need some more time with the young man.”
Beatrice passed him over and smiled brightly. “He’s all yours. Should give you a good burp then just snuggle up to you all milk drunk and heavy.”
Elias took David over to the table and deftly held him with one arm while holding Beatrice’s chair out for her to sit down at the table near him. Once they were seated, Elias offered grace for their food and the two began eating.
“Are you sure you’re good with him?” Beatrice asked.
“Absolutely,” Elias said. “I’ve been dying to hold him all day. He’s a lot better company than anyone in town, apart from you.”
“I was thinking that same thing,” Beatrice said.
“I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to marry me,” Elias said. “I still can’t believe I proposed in such an awful way, but thank you for agreeing to be my wife.”
“I’m glad you asked,” Beatrice said. “Besides, it wasn’t all that bad. You were quite honorable and showed a lot of character for a man in such a situation.”
“I’m just thankful you were able to save my life. Every day I think you do something more to make me owe you even more.” He looked down at the baby in his arms. “I am one lucky man. I’ll do everything I can to make you happy in life.”
“You already do,” Beatrice said.
Sneak peek into The Preacher’s Bride
Prologue
Dear Benjamin,
I suppose I should refer to you as Reverend Morrison, but you’ll forgive your grandfather, I’m sure. It has been good to hear from you regarding your ministry to the good people of Birch Creek Idaho. We are proud of the work you do and the Lord is proud of you as well. It is heartening to hear of the progress that has been made there in your town as well as your work in providing spiritual nourishment and performing the marriage ceremonies of so many people.
Because of your unique position and the opportunities available to a man of your influence, your grandmother and I have a request. You will perhaps recall the Clover family. Unfortunately, they have suffered quite the loss with the influenza that was so tough on many people this year. Their youngest daughter, Amelia is in need of a new situation now that her parents have both passed on. She could use the care and guidance a man like you could offer.
As we considered how we might best help, you and your work on the frontier came to mind. You have talked about how there are so many opportunities for young women to come out into the west and to find the right kind of man to marry. We think you would be the perfect person to lead Amelia through this transition from dau
ghter to wife. She is a good person and has a strong love for the Lord.
It is our hope and prayer that you will accept her into your care and give her what is most desired in her time of need. Finding a good man here has proved futile. Please send word on if you will accept her into your care and we will send her out to you right away.
Much love,
Grandpa and Grandma Morrison
Benjamin looked the letter over. He could vaguely remember the Clover family. Amelia had been a very studious young lady and from what he could recall, she had pleasing features. His own parents had moved out to Ohio when Ben was still finishing up his schooling. He had stayed with his grandparents while he finished his training at the seminary in his early twenties. He’d gone to join his parents for a few short years before feeling the need to continue out west. He’d found his place in Birch Creek and had loved serving the people here.
In the few years he’d been here, he’d seen plenty of growth, and there were a lot of men needing wives. Ben was sure he could help her find a good situation. There were all kinds of little shops and businesses popping up, and more and more residents moving in all the time.
Benjamin took out a new piece of paper and composed a letter to send back to his grandparents. He would make sure Amelia was cared for.
***
Chapter One
Amelia looked at the pocket watch that had been her father’s. She still couldn’t believe both her parents were gone. They had succumbed too quickly to the illness that had spread throughout her community, and though she was one of the lucky ones, she still wasn’t certain she would consider it luck.
The passing land outside the window of the train looked so different than what she was used to in Maryland. It would take her awhile to get used to the differences here, but she prayed she would be up for the challenge.
At first, when her kind neighbors, the Morrisons had told her they had a plan on how she could start fresh and move away from the place that held such heart break for her, she had been reluctant to consider it. Now, three months later, she had found comfort in her bible and in knowing she would be serving the Lord out here in the Idaho territory.
She knew the west needed good strong people to help it grow and become the kind of place that would welcome God fearing folk. She was happy to do her part and if that meant marrying someone who was practically a stranger, then she would put her faith in the Lord.
Another glance at the pocket watch let her know she’d be arriving in Birch Creek within thirty minutes. She wasn’t sure if she should try to do something to freshen up so she could look acceptable to her new fiance, or if she should refrain from trying to make herself more appealing.
All of this was coming too fast. Amelia closed her eyes and tried to slow time as she slowed her breathing and focused on the good that could come from this whole situation.
Once she felt a little more relaxed, Amelia opened her small satchel and pulled out the well worn bible. She flipped through the pages, searching for something of comfort. As the familiar words she had loved since she was a tiny girl on her father’s lap washed over her, she felt as if she was being held by her father once more.
And if truth were told, perhaps even both fathers. This would be all right. She was coming to the right place. She had to trust the Lord, just like her parents had told her the last time they had talked.
Soon, the whistle for the train blew and Amelia was surprised to realize she was no longer as nervous to arrive at her destination. In fact, she was actually looking forward to stepping off the train and seeing her new home for the first time. And hopefully, when she saw the man that would be her husband, she’d feel the same kind of peace she had right now.
***
Reverend Benjamin Morrison stepped out of the church where he’d been working on his newest sermon. The whistle for the train had alerted him that it would be arriving soon. Thankfully he was close enough to walk there to meet the young lady he would be supervising until he could find her a suitable husband.
He should have started looking right away once he’d sent the letter back to his grandparents that he was willing to take on the role of guardian for the girl until he could get her situated in some employment, or a husband.
Yet try as he might, he hadn’t been able to think of the right man for this girl who’d be coming. He had thought briefly about the banker, but the man wasn’t the kind he would wish a young girl to endure. The bakery owner, Mr. Peterson, was a kind man, but the young widow who was working for the town’s new doctor had begun to be receptive to his interest in her.
Ben knew there were dozens of farmers and ranchers who were single and could use a wife, but until he knew what kind of girl this Miss Amelia Clover was, he didn’t want to promise them she could handle the hard physical labor that was necessary.
Ben had decided he’d wait until he actually met the girl again to see what the best option would be for a future husband. Besides, showing up on the train station platform with a potential husband to welcome her off the train and into the town of Birch Creek seemed as if it could be a little overwhelming.
He closed the door to the church and walked down the stairs toward the train station. He would reach it before the train arrived, and that would give him time to locate a good place to watch for her. Upon arriving at the station, he saw Colten Howard, the son of the mercantile owners waiting on his wagon bench so that he could haul the supplies his parents and wife would have ordered for their businesses.
Sheriff Mills was also there and Benjamin nodded in response to the sheriff’s wave of hello. The Sheriff had recently gotten married and was the last marriage Benjamin had officiated over. Though there would be another here soon. As soon as he could settle on the perfect groom for her.
Ben took a few minutes to look around the area, in case any eligible bachelors happened to be out. The saw mill had some employees, but once again, Ben would need to wait until he found out what kind of girl this Amelia was. She’d only been fourteen when he’d left eight years ago. A lot could change with a young woman in that time. Twenty-two and still not married in Ohio could mean quite a few things.
He just hoped she would be nice enough and biddable into accepting the offer of marriage he would set up for her. And if she was attractive, that would help him find a willing husband sooner.
***
Amelia slipped her bible back into her bag and took a long, slow breath.
“You can do this,” she whispered to herself. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison had assured her that their grandson would be the perfect man for her. And she loved knowing he was committed to the Lord and they would have that in common. She could remember him from when she was younger, though he had always been very studious, he had never looked at her more than a time or two when the neighbors would get together to attend church.
Of course, he would have changed some over the years, but she was certain she could recognize him when she got off the train.
There were a half dozen or more passengers getting off here as well, so she allowed them to go first. Double checking her seat once more to be certain she hadn’t left anything behind, she knew it was time to go. There would be no more waiting. Her ticket only went this far, and she didn’t want to back out on her word.
Twenty-two steps took her to the doorway of the train. Four steps down placed her on the platform. Sixteen steps into the center of the platform as she looked out at the different faces. No one looked familiar, and no one seemed to be searching for her. She turned around again and saw them place her trunk containing her personal affects out away from the edge of the train and Amelia moved over to it. She wanted to pull out her father’s watch from the pocket sewn into her skirt, but she didn’t want to bring attention to it. If she could just check the time and see if the train had arrived earlier than planned. Perhaps Reverend Morrison hadn’t expected it yet, thought that was unlikely.
The whistle that had sounded a mile or so out had been repeated a few times
as they approached the town. Amelia shifted her small satchel into her other hand and searched the faces that remained. A few of the other passengers had headed over to the office where they would be able to purchase tickets on the stage coach that would take them the remainder of their journey. The others had been greeted by those sent to meet them.
And here she was, still alone.
Slipping her hand into her pocket, she gripped her father’s pocket watch, then heard the sound of boots behind her. Turning around with hope that this would be Reverend Morrison, her heart lifted with joy to discover she hadn’t been left alone.
Reverend Benjamin Morrison was actually rather handsome. What a relief. Of course, she shouldn’t have been worried about that. She hadn’t come here to marry some attractive man that could make her heart flutter at the sight of him. She’d come to marry a man of the Lord and help him in his duties and service for the people here in Birch Creek.
Yet, it still helped her feel better about the whole thing knowing he was attractive. And he looked strong and capable of doing good for the people.
“Are you Miss Clover?” the preacher asked.
“I am,” Amelia replied. “It is good to see you again, Benjamin. You look well.”
He seemed surprised at her words, and she wondered if she shouldn’t have called him by his given name. She had just gotten to accustomed to the idea that they would be married she had started to think of him in more familiar terms. Perhaps she should have waited until the marriage was official.
“Thank you, Miss Clover.” He looked at her bag in her hand, then at the trunk by her feet. “Is this all you’ve brought?”
Amelia nodded. “I hope that is all right. I didn’t want to start off my marriage overwhelming my husband with too much.”
The Sheriff's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (Brides of Birch Creek Book 5) Page 13
