Mail Order Bride- Twenty-Two Brides Mega Boxed Set

by Emily Woods

Now he was truly annoyed. “So says the spinster,” he muttered before he could stop himself.

  Margie huffed angrily, threw the pan on the ground and stalked away, slowly of course, but with her head held high. Henry immediately regretted his words, but there was no point in trying to soothe her. After tomorrow, they'd never see each other again anyway.

  He reached over to retrieve his pan and cleaned it in the river. His feelings swirled around inside his chest and suddenly, his throat closed up and his eyes began to prickle. He wasn't feeling so emotional over Margie's hurt feelings, but she’d reminded him of the loss that he was soon to endure.

  Then he heard his brothers laughing as they returned to the camp and tears threatened to spill over. How was he going to be able to leave them, especially when their fate was not yet determined? He'd heard that the last part of the journey could be the worst. Could he live with himself if he let them go and something happened?

  “Look after your brother, Henry,” his father had said to him on his deathbed. “I know they're men now, but they still need you. You've got a good head on your shoulders, and they trust you.”

  Those words came back to haunt him now. He saw his father’s face, pleading with him to take care of his brothers as he had done the last ten years.

  A sudden realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. There was no way he could leave them to travel the last six hundred miles on their own. They'd been his responsibility for too long now. He had to see them through the rest of the way. After they were settled in Willamette Valley, he'd go to California. It would be a detour, but one that he could live with. It would set him back a couple of months at the most.

  Cheered by the thought, he went over to tell them of his decision, but as he approached, he could see they were deep in conversation, so he didn't announce his presence right away.

  “So if God knows what's going to happen in our lives, if He's already decided, do we even have a say?” Gabriel asked Michael.

  “Yeah, I don't think Preacher was trying to say that we don't have free will, but that we don't have to worry about the future.”

  Gabriel seemed to consider this for a moment before replying, “But what about that other thing he read from the Bible, the verse about how God's plans will happen no matter what we plan? Does that mean there's no point in making plans?”

  Michael shook his head. “I don't see it that way. I think it means we should pray before we make plans and try to figure out what God wants. Then, if it's not His will, He'll prevent it. I don't know, Gabe. I don't have it all figured out. We can talk more to the preacher tomorrow.”

  Henry felt a burning sensation rise up in his chest. Forgetting the joy he'd felt in the previous moment, he blurted out, “So, do you think it's God's plan that you two go back on your promises to your family? Did you feel Him give you permission?”

  His brothers jumped a little, having been unaware of his presence. He knew his question was loaded with sarcasm, but he was so overwrought that he couldn't control himself.

  “Uh, we didn't see you there, Henry,” Michael said unnecessarily. “We're just discussing some verses that we heard tonight.”

  “Yeah, I know.” His anger subsided a little at the contrite looks on their faces. He blew out an exasperated breath. Looking at them for a moment, he had a thought. “Did you two pray that I wouldn't go to California? That I would continue on to Willamette with you?”

  Guiltily, his brothers looked at each other and then at him, and nodded.

  “Yeah, we did,” Gabriel murmured. “Neither one of us likes the idea of you going off on your own.”

  Now Henry released a humorless bark of laughter. “Well, I don't know if it's because of your prayers or not, but I got it in my head that I need to see you two settled before going off, so I'm going to keep on with you. I'll stay in Willamette for as long as it takes for you to get your claims and whatnot. Then I'll be off.”

  He pretended not to see the grins that spread across their faces and instead stalked toward the tent, still annoyed about what they’d been talking about. What was that preacher telling them anyway? Of course they had free will. They exercised it every day, didn’t they?

  And he had the freedom to choose his future too. For now, that meant going to Willamette Valley, but his real future was in California and nothing else would stop him from going there.

  3

  Raft River didn't seem nearly as daunting as the North Platte, Margie thought as the group prepared to cross it the next day. However, there was no bridge here, so they would be making rafts to carry their wagons across.

  After roping fallen trees together to construct a makeshift raft which was then placed under the wagons, some men led the livestock across the river while others pushed and pulled the wagons. Since there were seventeen wagons in the train and over a hundred heads of livestock, the job took the entire day. The river was thankfully calm, but deep. Each wagon and person in the train made it over to the other side without sustaining any serious harm. There were a few scrapes and sprains, which were treated by Margie's father once they were across.

  “This was not the most difficult crossing,” her father remarked after all his patients had been treated and they were sitting down to dinner, which consisted of rice, beans, bacon, and of course pickles. “But there were many more minor injuries than I would have suspected.”

  Margie was only half-listening. Her eyes were on the Morris brothers, who were standing close to the fire they'd built. She guessed they were drying out their clothes.

  “I suppose this is the last we'll see of Henry Morris,” she commented to her parents. “Tomorrow, he'll be off on his own to California adventure.”

  “A number of other men from other trains are also headed down the California Trail, so at least he won't be all alone,” Louise murmured. “But still, I'm sure it's hard for them.”

  Margie stiffened. “It was his choice. He could come to Oregon with his brothers. Gold is more important to him than his own family, or rather, I should say that prospect of gold.”

  “You’ve changed your tune from yesterday,” her mother commented, giving her an odd look.

  Shrugging, Margie looked out towards the river, remembering the conversation she’d had with Henry.

  “Maybe I have.”

  Her father stretched his legs out in front of him and accepted the plate of food his wife offered. “Well, some might say that Michael and Gabriel were the ones who caused the separation. After all, it was their plan to go together.”

  Sarah arrived at that moment with a loaf of bread. “Beth said she made extra so we could have this, and you'll never guess what!” she exclaimed, her eyes shining as she handed over the bread to her mother. “She says that Henry isn't going to California after all! Well, at least not right away! It seems that he's decided to see his brothers to Willamette Valley and then go south. Isn't that amazing? It’s just what we prayed for!”

  Margie felt a trickle of dread creep up her spine. Here she'd thought that they would be rid of the unpleasant man by morning, and now they had to put up with him for another six to eight weeks.

  “Why did he change his mind?” she asked, forcing herself to sound only vaguely interested. Why should she care anyway? It wasn’t as though his presence had caused her any grief before yesterday. She could go on ignoring him the way she had until then.

  “I don't really know,” Sarah answered, but continued to smile. “Oh, Hope and Beth are so happy for them all. It was a terrible cause of tension.”

  The family finished dinner, and Sarah was about to join the preacher's family for devotions, but she turned to Margie first.

  “Would you like to come with me today? I heard Grace and Hope made some kind of pie that they're going to share.”

  Although her mouth watered at the mention of the rare treat, Margie frowned. “And wouldn't that look very suspicious, my showing up on the very day that they make a dessert? It would make me look very greedy.”

 
Sarah frowned a little. “I think they'd be happy to have you there no matter what.”

  The earnestness in her sister's voice caused a pang of longing to shoot through her heart. “Why would you say that?” she asked, keeping her voice neutral. She hated to show weakness, and that included emotional weakness.

  “Well, we've all been praying for you since you got sick, and seeing you show up would make people feel that their prayers were being answered. Please come, Margie.”

  “She might be too tired,” their mother interrupted. “Don't try to force her.”

  Somehow, her mother's defense made her want to go more.

  “No, I'll come, but if I get tired, will you help me get back?”

  Although she was able to walk for short distances with the aid of her crutch, she was often so tired by evening that she needed more assistance to move around.

  “Of course! Oh, they'll be so happy.”

  When the sisters arrived at the Rileys’ campsite, there were indeed a number of cheerful greetings. So many people came over to say hello that Margie was nearly overcome. Had all these people really been praying for her?

  “It's so nice to see you,” Beth enthused, taking her hand as though they'd been friends for years instead of merely acquaintances over the past four months or so.

  “Uh, thank you,” she replied politely, slightly taken off her guard. “That's very kind of you.”

  Hope came over to see her as well, her face wreathed in smiles. Margie wouldn't have blamed the younger woman for giving her a cool reception, but she clearly glad to see her.

  “Did you hear? Henry is traveling with us to Oregon. Isn't that wonderful? Isn't God so good?”

  Margie wanted to remind her that he would leave after that, but she decided to remain quiet for once. What reason did she have for ruining the lively atmosphere?

  “And you're doing so well, too,” she continued, giving Margie a bright smile that left her in no doubt that Hope had forgiven her unpleasant comments from two days before. “Your health is an answer to prayer.”

  She didn't know what to say in response, so Margie just gave a little nod. “Thank you for having me here tonight. I'm glad to join you.”

  “Oh, and we're glad too. Please come sit with us over by Father. He'll be delighted to see you doing so well.”

  Before she could protest, Margie found herself being led over to the front of the circle and seated among the preacher's family. As if that wasn't enough of a surprise, all three Morris brothers sat directly behind them.

  Margie sat ramrod straight and didn't look back. If she'd known that Henry was going to be here, she would have never agreed to come. As far as she knew, he didn't come to these meetings.

  “This is the day that the Lord has made,” Preacher John boomed out and everyone quieted down. “Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Shall we sing? Any requests?”

  “And Can It Be?” came a male voice from behind her. She thought it might be Michael, but she couldn't be sure.

  “Yes! Wonderful,” the preacher enthused and began to sing in a loud baritone.

  Margie was familiar with the song but didn't have it memorized. However, many of the others did and soon she was caught up in the emotional song. Having been sick for the past week, she'd had a reason to miss the service and before that, she hadn't really paid much attention. Her parents liked to sit near the back, so she often felt removed from the proceedings, but sitting practically at the preacher's feet, she couldn't help but feel pulled in.

  When the chorus came around, she found herself singing along.

  “Amazing love, how can it be? That Thou my God shouldst die for me?”

  The words stirred something deep within her, and she tried to make out the words to the next verse.

  Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

  fast bound in sin and nature's night;

  Thine eye diffused a quickening ray.

  I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

  My chains fell off, my heart was free.

  I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

  The image of a prisoner languishing away in darkness resonated with her. For many years, she felt a prisoner to society's expectation and to her own fears of worthlessness. She also knew that she sinned a lot by being a gossip, too proud to associate with those who she deemed beneath her. Her heart was convicted of her sin and tears sprang to her eyes. How could she be forgiven so much? It wasn't possible. But then the words of the next verse overwhelmed her.

  No condemnation, now I dread;

  Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.

  Alive in Him, my living Head,

  all clothed in righteousness divine.

  Bold I approach the eternal throne,

  and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

  Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. Was it possible? Could she claim a crown? Surely not. It wasn't for people such as herself, but rather for people like Hope and Sarah, people who were kind and gracious, people with good hearts. Her heart was black with pride and arrogance.

  When the song was finished, everyone focused their attention on Preacher John, who smiled broadly at them all.

  “So, we have good news this evening, isn't it so? Not only will Henry Morris be continuing with us to Oregon, but Margie Taylor has recovered enough to join us. Praise the Lord!”

  A chorus of agreement rippled through the crowd.

  “And this leads me to our devotional for tonight: answered prayer.”

  Margie listened as the preacher read several verses from the Bible about how God hears the prayers of the righteous but is far from the wicked, how His eyes are on the righteous, but how He turns His face away from those who do evil.

  Her heart felt like it was being squeezed in her chest. Was she evil? Surely she wasn't good, so then that had to be the alternative, but something in her protested. She didn't want to be that way. Was it too late?

  The preacher read a few more verses about how when people gather together in prayer and pray into God's will, their prayers will be answered.

  “So we can see that it pleased God to restore Margie's health and to keep Henry and his brothers together. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”

  He then began to pray, asking for traveling mercies and continued health. He prayed for all those who had been injured in crossing the river, that they would be healed quickly. He also prayed for protection against enemies, which created a stir among the people that Margie wondered about.

  Finally, he asked for a good night's sleep and that all would come to know Jesus personally as their Lord and Savior.

  The thirty or so people began to chat among themselves as Grace and Hope distributed small pies that they had prepared earlier in the day. Margie declined the offer, feeling too distressed to eat. On one hand, she wanted to ask Sarah if they could leave now, but she was already talking animatedly to the men behind her. Reluctantly, Margie turned around and was surprised to see that Henry had left. Michael explained that he was on first watch that night, which was to start in twenty minutes or so.

  “Oh, is that late already?” she asked demurely. “I didn't realize.”

  Sarah turned to her, a slight frown on her face. “Are you tired, sister? We can go.”

  “Finish your pie first,” she replied. “I can wait.”

  Beth and George had joined the group and all of them were talking excitedly about Henry's change of heart.

  “What did he say made him change his mind?” Beth wanted to know.

  Gabriel smiled. “He said it was father's last words about taking care of us, but I think it was God. I mean, we're all adults now, so he doesn't need to look after us as though we're children anymore.”

  In her mind, Margie looked at the young man who wasn't yet twenty. She felt sure that Henry still viewed him as a child despite the fact that he'd reached his majority.

  Then Michael voiced the concern she'd had from earlier.

  “He says he's still going onto California later, b
ut we'll see. I don't think his heart is really in it anymore.”

  The cynic in her wanted to speak out, but she suppressed it. What had being negative gotten her in the past? Not friends, that was for sure. In any case, she didn't have the heart to crush their hope. And why should she? Her own heart was weary and fragile, and all she wanted to do was curl up in the wagon and sleep.

  “Let's go, Margie,” Sarah said a few minutes later. “I don't want you to wear yourself out.”

  Leaning on her sister's arm, Margie went back to their campsite and settled down in the bed her parents had made for her in the wagon. Ordinarily, she slept with her sister in the tent, but her father wanted her to stay off the ground while she was still sick.

  In the wagon, she was alone with her thoughts, and her mind went back to the Preacher John's words and the verses he’d read. After getting sick, she'd noticed a slight change in herself. She no longer had the same desire to make everyone miserable, possibly because they'd shown her such kindness, but there was still some bitterness in her even though her family had proven their love for her, something she'd never been sure of in the past. She didn't deserve it, she realized, but they'd given it anyway.

  Somewhere deep in her mind, a verse tried to push through, something about how God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus even while they were still sinners. So, did that mean that God loved her now? And that He'd always loved her?

  It was hard to figure out, but the hope that He might actually love her and forgive her selfish ways gave her peace, and she fell into a pleasant sleep.

  4

  Henry stared out into the darkness and pondered the words of the preacher. He didn't believe that God had changed his mind about separating from his brothers, but he couldn't deny that they believed it. It bothered him to think that they thought their destiny was settled and that they didn't have control over their future.

  He shook his head and grunted, knowing that there wasn't much he could do to influence them anymore. There had a been a time when they would have listened to him and followed what he said, but now that they had women in their lives, his opinion seemed less important.