Tabitha's Journey

by Caroline Clemmons

  Tabitha glanced at Bear then sat in the chair Joel indicated. “Panicked. At least I am. Tobias kindly escorted me here.”

  Tabitha passed him the wire. She leaned back in her chair, emotionally exhausted. “That’s why I…we came here.”

  Joel fixed a stare on Bear. “And what are your intentions toward Miss Masterson? Are you gonna step up and fulfill your bargain?”

  “Me?” Bear’s face and posture could only be described as mulish. “Bargain wasn’t with her.” His expression softened and he gazed at her. “Still and all, I guess she’s my fiancée. Reckon we’ll get married one of these days.”

  She gaped at Bear.

  Joel stood. “And I reckon you’d better get on with it before this William fella arrives.” He pointed at Bear. “You’d better see James or the Judge right away. I’ll be prepared if this man shows up and brings charges.”

  Tabitha stood and thanked the lawyer. Her emotions stripped bare, she stepped from the office and waited for Bear to offer his arm. She had no illusions about her happiness now. She’d be arrested before she’d wed William, but what would happen to her grandmother’s furnishings?

  Tabitha wanted to sit on the sidewalk and bawl. Instead, she slowly walked toward the hotel. Dread weighted her body.

  Bear took her arm and turned her away from the hotel’s direction. “This way.”

  She complied without even looking up. “Where?”

  Impatience tinged his voice. “You heard Joel. We need to move up our wedding and get married right away.”

  She stopped and dug in her heels. “Tobias, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t want you thinking I trapped you into marriage. That wouldn’t be a very happy way to spend the rest of our lives.”

  “The devil you say.” He pointed at himself with his thumb. “You said you came all this way to marry me. Now you changed your mind?”

  “No, I haven’t. I still want to marry you. The problem is you aren’t sure you want to marry me. I refuse to wed a man who feels pushed into a hasty marriage he isn’t sure he wants.”

  He stood in the middle of the sidewalk, heedless of people trying to pass by. “You have a better idea?”

  “Not offhand, but I’m thinking.” She paced back and forth in front of him. “What if we had a marriage in name only? Then, if you decide you don’t want to stay married, you could get an annulment.”

  “Woman, you are sorely testing my patience. You think I would have taken Joel’s advice if I was against it?”

  She tilted her head and studied his face. “You might have since it means helping out a woman. You seem a protective and kind man and one who helps women.”

  “I’m not that helpful.” He rested his hands against his hips. “Now, are you marrying me or not?”

  “Since you put it that way, I am. But I’d like your mother at the ceremony as well as Mrs. Fraser and Mrs. Gamble.”

  He whooshed out a huge breath. “Ma would like that. Okay, let’s go make arrangements with James. He’s the preacher.”

  “Thank you, Tobias. I will be a good wife, you’ll see.”

  He didn’t respond, just gave her a doubtful glance as he cupped her elbow to steer her down the walk.

  Tabitha spotted the white church when they turned the corner. She’d noticed the steeple from her hotel room. Now she realized a neat frame house set slightly back at one side. Stones formed a path from the home to the sanctuary steps.

  “James and Melissa spend a lot of time calling on the sick and elderly, but they usually return by this time of day.” He guided her so her feet could follow the stones and avoid a muddy patch. “Looks like they’ve been here long enough to water the roses.”

  A young woman dressed in lavender answered the door. “Bear, come right in.”

  “Melissa Billings, this is Tabitha Masterson.”

  “Happy to meet you, Miss Masterson.” Melissa gestured to the sofa. “Won’t you both take a seat?”

  Suddenly, Tabitha grew shy and self-conscious. She smiled what she hoped appeared a friendly greeting, but words deserted her.

  Bear held his hat in his hands and shifted from one foot to the other. “Tabitha and I need to speak to your husband.”

  Surprise then a light of understanding spread on Melissa’s face. “James is working on his sermon. I’ll let him know you’re here then I’ll prepare refreshments while you speak with him.”

  Tabitha sat on the sofa and peered around the room. Small, but well proportioned and furnished with care, the space welcomed visitors. The wood floors gleamed where the small rug left them bare.

  A tall, smiling man rushed into the room. “Bear, Melissa said you’d brought a guest.” He stuck out his ink-stained hand to grasp Bear’s then turned to her. “I’m James Billings, the pastor here.”

  Tabitha accepted his hand. “Tabitha Masterson. Thank you for seeing us without an appointment.”

  Bear stared at her as if she’d spoken Chinese. “Appointment? I never thought to make one.”

  “No one needs an appointment to see me, Tabitha. I’m always on call. Just glad Melissa and I were home. What can I do for the two of you?”

  “We’d like to get married tomorrow.” Bear looked at her then back at James. “Is that enough notice?”

  “Of course. Have you thought this over, talked about your plans?” He held up a hand to stay the protest she saw Bear readying. “I’m not prying, Bear. It’s part of my job to see folks don’t enter matrimony lightly.”

  “I’m a mail-order bride…fiancée.” She twisted a fold of her dress between her fingers. “Substitute one.”

  “What she means, James, is we had time to think about this and we want to get hitched tomorrow. We’d ask you to do the honors today, but we want Ma here. And Tabitha wants the sisters here.” Bear sat beside her.

  “And anyone else Tobias would like to invite. Let’s see, maybe the sheriff and Mr. and Mrs. Stone might come.” She waited for Bear to express an opinion.

  “Why don’t we have the ceremony after church Sunday, then all who wish can remain after for it?”

  She bit her lip and sent a pleading look Bear’s way.

  “Reckon tomorrow would be better. There’re extenuating circumstances that make if necessary for us to hurry this.”

  Chapter Eleven

  The preacher appeared taken aback and stared from Bear to Tabitha.

  She hastened to correct his mistaken impression. “Tobias means that my brother has sent someone to stop the wedding and try to force me to return to Boston with him. He may arrive at any time.”

  James rubbed at his chin. “You’ve heard the adage, ‘marry in haste, repent at leisure.’ I don’t like to rush a wedding, but…well, Bear, I’ve never known you to be involved in anything underhanded. What time do you want the ceremony?”

  This time, Bear waited for her.

  She offered a tremulous smile as thanks. “Ten o’clock. That should give Erna and Bear time to get here, and not rush Mrs. Fraser and Mrs. Gamble out too early.”

  “All right then. We’ll expect you tomorrow a little before ten.” He sat across from them and cleared his throat. “Now, I need to talk to you about the sanctity of marriage and the joining of a man and woman.”

  Bear turned beet red. “I don’t need to hear that kind of talk, James.”

  James held up a hand to stay Bear’s protest. “Now, let me speak. I know it’s embarrassing, but this is the foundation of a marriage—even one not based on love. Nurtured, your fondness for one another can become love.”

  Bear stood, clearly with the intention of leaving.

  “Tobias, please wait for the pastor to finish. No doubt you’re a man of the world, but I don’t know much about being married.”

  Bear whooshed out a long breath and slowly reclaimed his place on the sofa. “You have five minutes, James, but then I’m bolting out of here like I was on fire.”

  “Since this is an arranged marriage via mail, I think you do need the talk. Each of y
ou has expectations in your mind about what the other person should and shouldn’t be. I want to caution you to be patient. Remember I Corinthians 13, although the love spoken of there is more than romantic love, the text applies.”

  James stood and grasped his Bible. When he’d finished the chapter, he paused. “Now to the joining. Remember that you are cleaving one to the other.

  “Bear, I love Erna, but you have to put Tabitha’s wishes before Erna’s. You should always honor your mother, but you will be married to Tabitha. In the fifth chapter of Ephesians, husbands and wives are given instruction.”

  Bear nodded and looked at Tabitha. “I know, that’s where it says wives submit to your husband.”

  She glared at him.

  Before she could speak, James held up a hand. “That’s only the first verse, Bear. You have to read the entire section.” He thumbed a few pages. He read the passage, and then ended with, “’However, each one of you must also love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.’ Do the two of you think you can do that?”

  “I already respect Tobias. He and his family have accomplished a lot. I know from his letters that he works hard to use his God-given talents. And he appears to be well-liked and respected by the townspeople who’ve known him a long time. That speaks well for him.”

  James nodded. “That’s true. I’ve never heard anyone who didn’t like Bear. We all respect him and Erna. Bear, I never knew your Pa or your brother, but I’ve heard good things about them.”

  “Thank you.” Bear shifted on the sofa. He glanced nervously at her, then at the pastor. “I’ll try, James. That’s all I can guarantee. I don’t love Tabitha yet, but I like her real well. Reckon that’s the start of stronger feelings.”

  “Tabitha, would you like to step in and talk to Melissa about the wedding night? She’s good at counseling brides whose mothers aren’t available.”

  Melissa stood at the door with a tray of refreshments. “Why don’t I leave this for the men, and you and I can go back into the kitchen?”

  Self-conscious as a gangling girl, Tabitha followed Melissa out of the living room. When she’d seated herself at the small table, Melissa set a glass of lemonade and a slice of fruit bread in front of her.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Tabitha. God created us to have sex, so I’m sure he intended for us to enjoy it. When the Bible says ‘they became one’ that truly is what happens between a husband and wife who love one another—or even share fondness or respect. Do you have specific questions?”

  Tabitha poked at the bread with her fork. “I know a little about what happens, but he’s such a large man, and I figured that means all of him. I-I’ve worried about everything fitting.” She felt her face heat in a blush. “I can’t believe we can . . . “

  “Don’t worry. Here’s what happens. As he becomes aroused, his manpart grows. I was scared half to death. But James is so kind and patient, that he soothed my fears. He did something with his fingers. . . um, down there on me, and I became like a wild woman. Soon I couldn’t stand for him to wait any longer.”

  “But I’ve heard there’s a lot of pain the first time.”

  “Only a tiny bit at first. Because I was so aroused too, I became all moist and hot. His, um, manpart slid right in. Then when he thrust in, I pushed to meet him. I didn’t know I was supposed to, but I couldn’t help myself. Later I learned that increased pleasure for both of us. Our wedding night, and all the nights since, have been wonderful.”

  Tabitha leaned forward and put her hands to her cheeks. “Every night? My it’s good your mother prepared you.”

  “Oh, no, I had no one. Rosalyn—that’s the local dressmaker who’s married to Joel Stone, the attorney—talked to me. I was her bridesmaid and worked as her assistant for a while. She’s such a nice person. Thank goodness she told me what to expect.”

  “I met her when I got off the stage. And her husband is my attorney for when the man my brother is sending shows up.”

  “Oh, dear. Will there be trouble?”

  “Plenty, I’m afraid. My brother wants me to marry this horrid lecherous man he’s sent, but I won’t.”

  When she saw Melissa’s shocked expression, she explained. How many times this week had she told her story?

  Melissa set down her fork. “What a terrible way to treat his sister. I’m sure he’ll regret his actions some day. Fortunately, with you married to Bear you’ll be safely a member of our community. Out here, we stand by our own.”

  “Thank you, Melissa. I do feel better. I just hope I can make Tobias a good wife. He wanted someone to cook and clean and all the things I don’t know.”

  “Erna will show you. When I first met her, she scared me half to death. Her size intimidates most people, but she’s really a very nice woman.”

  “I adore her. She’s already said she’d teach me whatever I wanted to learn. I’m afraid that’s everything she does.”

  James appeared at the door.

  Bear stood behind him and towered over the pastor. She wondered if Bear felt oddly out of place in a normal-sized world. “We’d best get going and set things in motion.”

  Tabitha stood and thanked the minister and his wife. When they were outside, she kept silent from embarrassment. Wondering how they’d come together on their wedding night consumed her thoughts.

  “Tabitha, James has a plan.” He stopped and faced her. “Now don’t get upset until you hear me out.”

  Warily, she stood waiting for him to continue. “I’m listening.”

  “We go to the hotel and get your things. We put them in the buggy and go to my cabin.”

  Disbelief enveloped her. “A pastor suggested this?”

  Bear cupped her elbow and turned her toward the hotel. “Ma will be there to chaperone. I’ll sleep in my bedroll on the empty room’s floor. If that’s not good enough, I can bunk down with the hands.”

  “I don’t understand why the pastor suggested this.”

  “I’ve had this bad feeling since yesterday. My itches usually turn out to be right. If this William shows up before the wedding, you’ll be with me. I’ll tell Stevens and Hiram not to let on where you’ve gone.”

  “I see. Then we’ll be married before he can try to kidnap me.” She agreed with the soundness of his plan.

  “Right. And once we’re married, you can’t be accused of stealing your furniture. Maybe then we’ll learn what else he has up his sleeve.”

  “Something dishonest, of that I’m sure.” But what? She had worried over this problem for months and still had no answer.

  They collected the buggy on their way to the hotel. While Tabitha repacked the few things she’d removed from her steamer trunk, Bear spoke with Mr. Stevens and Hiram. Soon Hiram knocked on her door to collect her luggage.

  When her trunks and bags had been loaded and they were underway, Tabitha leaned back in relief. “I feel better knowing I won’t be alone in the hotel if William arrives before we’re wed.”

  “He sounds like a sonof…a rotten apple. You’re better away from him.”

  “That’s exactly what Mr. Harper said. He’s the neighbor who saved me from William the day I left.”

  “You miss Boston?”

  She thought a few seconds about his question. “Not the way it was the last few years. I really miss Priscilla and her family. I enjoyed the Harpers, but seldom saw them after the death of my grandparents.”

  “What about friends at work?”

  She grimaced. “My father and brother underpay and overwork their employees. I’m afraid I was tarred by their brush.”

  “You mean those you worked with treated you badly?”

  “Not at all. People were respectful, but not what I’d call friendly. In their eyes I was part of management even though I had no say in anything to do with salaries or hiring and firing.”

  “I can see that in a family business they’d consider you a part of the package. Glad I’m in ranching.”

  “Not much trouble from t
he cattle I suppose.”

  He chuckled. “Wouldn’t go that far. Some are downright mean. Ranch hands are easygoing and plain-spoken. They don’t agree with me, they let me know. But what I say is final and they always back me up.”

  “That’s nice, Tobias. I know you work hard and I expect time you’ve given me this week means you’ve fallen behind in chores you need to finish. Still, I appreciate each moment you’ve spent with me.”

  He smiled at her. “Glad it’s working out.”

  “I hope it is. I do want to marry you if you’re willing, but only then.”

  His smile changed to a stern set of his jaw. “Don’t mention it again, Tabitha. If I wasn’t willing, you’d still be at the hotel and I’d be helping Buster watch for that William character.”

  “Thank you, Tobias. You saying that means a lot to me.” She gasped. “Oh, I forgot to invite the sisters to the wedding.”

  “James and Melissa are going to pass the word to them and the Stone family. You’re going to like all of them.”

  “There’re two brothers I haven’t met, aren’t there?”

  “Yep. Micah and Hope got married first so he could help her catch the person trying to poison her. Killer also murdered her parents. Micah almost got hanged for the death of her Pa.”

  “Oh, no. How terrible to lose both parents and realize you were the next target. I couldn’t dream of myself in that position.”

  “Then Zach married Alice. She was running from two stepbrothers who wanted to hand her over to this comanchero in payment for their gambling debts.”

  “Her stepbrothers? Guess David isn’t so unusual after all.”

  “Nope, but bad enough. He ought to treasure and protect his sister. Imagine that’s what your Pa intended.”

  Remembering her brother’s ill treatment saddened her. “I hate to think Papa realized the kind of man David would become. Not that Papa was a prize, but he loved Mama.”

  “Maybe he thought he was looking after you, taking care of your future. He should have been.”

  “I know Papa wasn’t a good businessman, but I want to believe he had good intentions. Everything he did had the opposite effect of what he planned, though.”