Leora_Bride of California

by Kit Morgan

  “One of the benefits of my job.” He took her by the hand and held it until they reached the house. Instead of walking down the same path they’d taken to get to his office, he led her around the other side of the building. The church sat on a corner, the house behind it yet facing the street, with the two buildings sharing a backyard.

  Theron led her up the porch steps, then searched through his pockets for his key. He found it, opened the door and, before she could say anything, swept her into his arms. “I was kind of hoping for an audience, but I guess our wedding was enough for them.”

  “It was enough for me, too,” she said.

  He flashed her a brilliant smile. “I could always give you an encore, Mrs. Drake.”

  Mrs. Drake. The words made her heart swell as he carried her across the threshold. Once inside the house, he set her on her feet but didn’t release her. He gazed into her eyes a moment, and she wondered if he was going to kiss her again.

  Instead he licked his lips and looked away. “I’d better show you around. This, of course, is the parlor …”

  Feeling disappointed, Leora studied her surroundings. The house appeared small from the front, without even a front hall. The parlor had a fireplace at one end, a staircase at the other near the front door. Beyond the parlor was a dining room and beyond that, the kitchen. “How many bedrooms are there?” she asked.

  “Two, but that’s all we need for now.”

  Leora blushed. He was right – who knew when they’d have children or how many? She followed him through the dining room and into the kitchen. “Oh my goodness.”

  “What?”

  “It’s so big,” she said and turned a full circle. If her guess was right, the kitchen was bigger than the parlor.

  “Yes, this is one of the things I like about this house. There’s plenty of room back here. Even better, we have a water closet,” he said and pointed to a door.

  “Indoor plumbing?”

  He shrugged. “Another benefit.”

  She smiled with delight and looked around. There was a sink with a water pump, plenty of counter space, a couple of hutches, a stove and a kitchen table that could seat at least eight people. “My, do you use this room for entertaining?”

  “Sometimes. This and the dining room, of course, for meetings. My office is too small, the sanctuary too big. So this serves.”

  She gave him a sheepish grin. “I did mention I don’t cook well, didn’t I?”

  “Except for your excellent soup, I recall,” he said in a teasing tone.

  “Oh, yes, that. Mrs. Pleet offered to teach me a few recipes.”

  He took her hands in his. “And you’ll not find a better teacher.”

  “She also mentioned a sewing machine?”

  “Yes, right over here.” He led her back into the dining room. “There in the corner. I haven’t the slightest idea of how it works but I’m sure Mrs. Pleet does.”

  “I do believe Mrs. Pleet and I are going to be spending a lot of time together,” she said.

  “I suppose I can spare you.”

  His comment made her chest tighten. But was it a good thing or a bad thing? “Does that mean you’re going to keep me busy?”

  “It means, Mrs. Drake, that I’d like to spend time getting to know you.”

  “Oh yes, that,” she said in relief.

  “That?” he remarked with a chuckle. “Personally, I think that is very important.”

  She blushed a furious red. “Yes, I know, I’m sorry. I was thinking of something else.”

  “What?” he asked and brushed a wisp of hair off of her cheek.

  A flare of heat went up her spine at the contact. How could such a simple gesture be so intimate? “I thought you meant working for you.”

  “Working with me, you mean. There’s a big difference between the two.” He let go of her hand and leaned against the dining room table. “Let me make myself clear, Mrs. Drake. You will always work with me, alongside me, never for me.”

  “My, I’m afraid that’s a new concept. I’ve worked since I was sixteen, but always for someone else.”

  He reached for her hands and pulled her toward him. “Then you’ll be gratified to know that we’re going to be partners in this. That’s what a helpmeet is. You’ll remember that, won’t you?”

  She nodded, unsure of what to say.

  He gave her hands a squeeze. “Come on, I’ll show you the upstairs.”

  She followed him up the staircase to the second floor. The first of the two bedrooms he showed her was quite large. “Good heavens, you could fit six beds in this one!” she exclaimed. “This must be over the parlor and dining room.”

  “Yes, and it looks huge because it’s empty. Mark my words, you put a few dressers and beds in here and you’re looking at room for four.”

  She tried to picture four beds along with a couple of dressers. The thought made her smile. “Four … you’re sure that’s all? Lottie and I had bunk beds.”

  “I think I’ll stick with worrying about one bed for now.”

  She blushed, knowing he meant when they had their first child. “At least we’ll have the space. What about the other bedroom?”

  He led her to the end of the hall and the second bedroom. It, too, was quite large, even fully furnished. A bed sat at one end with a dresser against the wall on one side, a wash stand on the other. There was a small nightstand with an oil lamp upon it, and she had a sudden image of reading in bed with her new husband. At the other end of the room was a desk, chair and a small bookcase. A rocking chair sat in a nearby corner and Leora sighed at the sight of it.

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love rocking chairs. I’ve always wanted one, but could never … afford it.”

  “Why don’t you try it out?” He motioned toward the chair.

  Leora smiled in delight, went to it and sat. She ran her hands along the chair’s arms as she rocked, reveling in its smooth motion.

  “Well? How is it?”

  She rocked a little faster. “I love it! What a lovely spot for reading.”

  “Yes, it is. I like to sit in that chair and read my Bible when I’ve got time.”

  Leora stopped rocking. “Your job keeps you quite busy, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes, it does. At least I’m not the only preacher in town, or there’d be a terrible amount of work.”

  “Hmm, plenty of people for Mrs. Rutherford to play with,” she commented dryly.

  “You’ll get used to her. Besides, as my wife you’ll be too busy to worry about Mrs. Rutherford and her shenanigans.”

  “It sounds like I have a lot to learn.” She gave him a lopsided smile. “I’m afraid I don’t know anything about being a preacher’s wife.”

  “That’s okay, I don’t know anything about being a preacher’s wife’s husband, so we’re even.”

  She laughed at his joke. He’d made her feel better about her lack of experience. “I’ve only ever worked in a mill – I don’t know anything else.”

  “I’ll teach you everything you need to know – you won’t have to worry about a thing.” He stepped in front of the chair. “In fact, I can think of a thing or two I’d like to teach you right now. Would you like to learn?”

  She nodded. “What sorts of things?”

  He pulled her to her feet, put an arm around her and drew her into his chest. “This is how I hold my wife,” he said tenderly.

  Leora swallowed hard – she wasn’t expecting him to embrace her that way. “What … what else?” she asked, her voice cracking.

  His other arm came around her, imprisoning her within his hold. He lowered his face to hers. “Well, this is how I kiss my wife,” he said, and gently brushed his lips across hers. But he didn’t stop there – the next kiss he delivered was more demanding, and set Leora’s knees to shaking.

  By the time he was done, she felt like warm jelly. She gasped for breath, glad he was holding her the way he was or she’d probably fall flat on her face. “Goodness!”

&nb
sp; Theron chuckled. “Did you learn anything?”

  She nodded and swallowed hard. “I think … I think I’ve learned that when you do that, I need to sit down.”

  He laughed and eased her back into the rocking chair. “Here, sit.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll go downstairs and make us some coffee.

  She nodded, feeling incapable of coherent speech. Perhaps she’d better have a cup of coffee – if a simple kiss could do this to her, what about … she sat ramrod straight and gulped. Oh good heavens, tonight was her wedding night! She immediately started to fan herself. It was just as well Theron was downstairs in the kitchen and couldn’t see her. She was probably as red as a beet!

  Leora put her fingers to her lips and felt a jolt of heat at the memory of his kiss. What, she wondered, would tonight bring?

  * * *

  Leora awoke to the smell of fresh coffee and bacon and sat up with a start. “Oh no!” Theron was downstairs making breakfast. Her first full day as Mrs. Drake and she was already slacking!

  She jumped out of bed, realized she hadn’t a stitch of clothing on and blushed with embarrassment … until she remembered the night before. Theron Drake was indeed a good teacher and, considering he had no more experience than she did in the subject, she was surprised at what a natural he was. Then again, wasn’t he supposed to be? Shouldn’t she be as well? They’d naturally enjoyed each other in ways she, for one, didn’t think possible.

  Just the idea made her warm all over, as well as chase away any logical thought she might have left. Finally she shook herself. Best not to think about last night or she’d never get anything done. She dressed, washed her face, fixed her hair and hurried downstairs.

  When she reached the kitchen, Theron had two plates set out on the table and was spooning eggs onto each of them. “I missed it,” she lamented.

  He looked up from his work. “Missed what?”

  “Making you breakfast.”

  “On the contrary,” he said as he put some bacon onto each plate. “As you’ll be making me breakfast most mornings, I thought today I’d make yours.”

  “That’s very sweet of you,” she said, smiling. “Thank you.”

  “You won’t be thanking me when you start cleaning and organizing my filing cabinet,” he said and pulled out a chair for her.

  She sat. “Is it that bad?”

  He leaned down and whispered, “a catastrophe.” He kissed her on the cheek, then took his own chair. “It might take you days.”

  “I think I can handle a filing cabinet,” she said confidently.

  “I’m sure you can. Shall we pray?” He took her hand, said a quick blessing and they started to eat.

  The eggs he made were perfect. “Where did you learn to cook?”

  “My mother taught me a thing or two. Plus, I happen to come from a town full of excellent cooks.”

  “Lucky you. All I have is Mrs. Pleet. But after tasting your eggs, what do I need her for if I have you?”

  He smiled between mouthfuls. “Trust me, you will. Mainly because Mrs. Pleet has something I don’t.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Time.”

  She nodded in understanding. “You’ll let me know when I’m able to spend some of that time with her, won’t you?”

  “Of course. Besides, she’s a dear woman and would make you a fine friend. I’m sure you and Mrs. Pleet will be spending a lot of time together eventually.”

  “So long as I’m able to conquer your filing cabinet,” she teased.

  “Ah yes. I hope you’re up to the challenge.”

  “After this wonderful breakfast, I think I’ll be up to anything.” The last thing she expected was him making her breakfast on their first full day as husband and wife. Leora smiled in contentment and continued to eat.

  Five

  Theron’s “filing cabinet” was in reality a stack of boxes, no two of them the same size, stuffed with papers, documents and other office paraphernalia that he’d shoved into a corner of his office.

  Leora stared at it in horror. How did she miss seeing this yesterday? Probably because she was too busy getting married.

  “I told you it wasn’t pretty,” Theron said as he took his chair behind the desk. “I’m not much for paperwork. In fact, I loathe it. I’d rather be out helping people.”

  “Yes,” she said as she turned, one eyebrow raised. “I can see that.”

  “This is several years’ accumulation, mind you. Goes back before I came here.”

  “How long have you been here?”

  “Not quite two years.”

  “Oh. For some reason I thought you’d been here longer than that.”

  “No, I spent some years in San Francisco. Before that, Oregon.”

  “I see.”

  “It was easier to transport my files this way. I’ve been so busy since I took up this post, I haven’t had much time – or inclination – to organize them.”

  Leora glanced around. She didn’t see an actual filing cabinet anywhere. “Oh dear, I see what you mean.” But she smiled. He looked handsome sitting behind his desk, and she noticed it, at least, was organized. “I’ll get started right away, but it won’t do much good if there isn’t a place to put it all. Which means …”

  “… I need to get a real filing cabinet. Yes, I know. I do believe I can procure one from the catalogue.”

  “Catalogue?” she said. “I thought maybe the mercantile could order one.”

  He reached down, opened a drawer and hefted out a huge book. “Why, when I can order one myself?”

  “What is that?” she asked as she approached the desk.

  He turned it around and shoved it across the desk. “The Sears-Roebuck catalogue, of course.”

  “It’s huge! I’ve never heard of it before.”

  “They started out with jewelry and watches mostly, but now the company has all sorts of things you can order, with more and more being added every year.”

  She leafed through the tome. “Look at all these wonderful things!”

  “For now, look at the page I’ve marked.”

  She noticed a strip of paper peeking from between the pages and turned to it. “Oh yes, filing …”

  “We can order one ourselves cheaper than we can through the mercantile,” he said.

  She nodded as she flipped back through the pages. “What a wonder.”

  “Yes – and in a few years, who knows how big that catalogue will be.”

  “You could use it for a doorstop.”

  He laughed. “I’d trip over it. Or worse yet, you would. I can’t have my wife limping around.”

  “No, I suppose that won’t do.”

  “Never,” he said as he stood, reached across the desk and cupped her face with his hand. “I couldn’t stand the thought of anything happening to you.”

  Leora reached up and put a hand over his. “You hardly know me. Maybe my organization skills will drive you mad.”

  He smiled. “No, I don’t think so. Not even if yours are as bad as mine.”

  She glanced at the stack in the corner. “No, this is one area where I know I have you beaten.”

  “Most anyone would,” he said with a chuckle, then leaned across the desk to kiss her.

  “Ahem!”

  They froze, their lips still locked, before Theron pulled away and turned to the newcomer. “Don’t you ever knock?”

  “Don’t you ever write?” said a woman standing in the doorway between the church office and the sanctuary. “The least you could’ve done was send us a telegram.”

  Theron rolled his eyes. “I did, as you’ll recall.”

  “Yes, which is why we’re here.” She looked at Leora and smiled. “I take it we missed the wedding?”

  Theron glanced between the two women. “I’m afraid so.” He turned back to Leora. “May I introduce you to my …” He swallowed hard. “… my mother, Mrs. Elsie Drake.”

  Leora’s eyes widened. She’d never thought to ask about his parents.
“How do you do?” she said, extending a hand to the woman. “I’m Leora.”

  “So nice to meet you,” Mrs. Drake said and shook her hand. “You’ll meet Theron’s father later – he’s taking care of … a bit of business.”

  Theron softly groaned and looked away.

  What was that about? Leora’s eyes darted between them before she said. “I’m so glad to meet you. Theron mentioned you in his letter.”

  “Letter?” Mrs. Drake said. “As in one letter?”

  “There wasn’t time for a lengthy courtship,” Theron explained.

  “So it seems.”

  Leora studied her, noticing the similarities between mother and son. She had his clear, intense blue eyes. Her hair was golden brown with a hint of gray at the temples. Despite her age, she was still pretty without a single wrinkle, and looked to be in excellent health from the golden glow of her skin. She glanced at Mrs. Drake’s hands, then at her own, which looked rough in comparison. She unconsciously put them behind her back.

  “How was the wedding?” Mrs. Drake asked, pushing the conversation forward.

  “Fine,” Theron said curtly.

  Leora watched with interest. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say he didn’t want his mother here.

  “And what did you think about it?” The woman gave Leora a pointed look.

  Now that Mrs. Drake’s stare was on her, it made her nervous. “Well, it was … maybe a little different.”

  This time, Theron didn’t try to hide the groan.

  “Oh?” Mrs. Drake said innocently. “What was … different about it?”

  “Well,” Leora said as her eyes flicked to her husband’s. A lot of good that did; he had a hand over his eyes as if he couldn’t bear to watch what happened next. “There were quite a few people there.”

  “Uninvited?” she asked sweetly.

  “For Heaven’s sake, mother,” Theron said as his hand fell from his face. “You were right. There, does that make you happy? Can I get back to work now?”

  Leora glanced from one face to the other. “I'm sorry, but I feel a little left out. Theron, is there something I should know?”

  He sucked in some air and sighed heavily. “My mother and Mrs. Rutherford don’t see eye to eye. And Mother does not suffer fools – as evidenced when she dumped an entire bowl of punch over Mrs. Rutherford’s head at the town dance last year.”