by Danni Roan
“Who’s coming this time?” Minnie asked sometime later as they placed fresh linens on the bed and tucking an extra quilt over the bed in the lavender room. “Someone from the south if I had ta guess.”
Ella laughed softly pushing a strand of brown hair laced with gray behind an ear. “How did you ever guess?” she teased smoothing the quilt.
“Folks around here don’t need extra bedding til nigh unto Thanksgiving,” Minnie said sagely. “We’re too hot-blooded for that sort of thing.”
Ella shook her head looking around the room and trying to see it with fresh eyes. Would a young woman from Tennessee find it comfortable? Mrs. Simms hadn’t mentioned her living situation, but since she said she had run a successful business throughout the war and into the present, one would assume she had at least a few of the nicer things in life.
“I don’t think this one will be a hothouse flower,” Ella finally said. “She indicated that she had been working in her late husband’s business for some time, so I hope she is a hearty soul.”
“Is she bringin’ any critters?” Minnie asked.
“Not that I know of,” Ella said with a grin, thinking of a former client who had arrived not only with her maid but with a dog. “She noted she will arrive by train shortly. She seemed determined to leave as soon as her affairs were in order.”
“You think she’s runnin’ from something?” Minnie asked her dark eyes concerned.
“We’ll find out when she gets here,” Ella said, not wishing to speculate. Only time will tell what lay in store for Mrs. Marilynn Simms from Vale Hollow, Tennessee.
Chapter 3
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Marni stepped off the train in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota and gazed around her at the town. Along the river for which the town was named and to the west, she could see a stately church, so different from the small wooden structure back home.
Somewhere behind the depot, Marni could hear the sound of running water, and the sound washed over her, its familiar sound making her feel at home in this strange new place. Even as a girl she had always been drawn to water, and it was in the millstream, that she had met Jordan so many years ago.
Breathing deeply of the cool air around her and taking in the smells of wood smoke, steam, and fresh-cut hay, Marni took a step toward the other side of the platform gazing out across the river that ran along the other side of the tracks.
The Pelican River rolled along its banks widening below the flowing rapids the town was named for and slowing to a deceptive crawl. Watching the sunlight sparkle on the water below, Marni felt for the first time that she truly had done the right thing and the nerves that had tingled in her shoulders relaxed.
Walking the length of the platform, Marni looked out across the town once more wondering where the Pelican Rapids Mail-Order Bride Agency might lay. Once her trunks were unloaded, she would hire a wagon to take her to Miss Milton’s home. She knew her recent letter to the matchmaker had been irregular, and she couldn’t expect to be met at the station when she hadn’t given an arrival date.
“Ma’am,” a tall man with dark gold hair, and clear blue eyes spoke. “Can I help you with your luggage?”
“Thank you,” Marni said, turning her dark gaze on the handsome man. He was quite tall, and his blue eyes were kind. Pulling her attention away she looked about her only to see her two trunks and three suitcases stacked neatly in front of the depot. “Could you take me to Miss Milton’s farm?” she added tightening her grip on her heavy reticule.
“I’d be pleased to ma’am,” the tall man said with a smile as his voice rolled over her like water over boulders. “I’ll fetch my wagon and load your things,” he finished trotting down the stairs in a clatter of boots and heading toward a wagon with a rangy looking horse harnessed to it.
“Yer things is all unloaded,” a porter said, stepping up to Marni and pushing his steamy gold-rimmed glasses up his nose. “Can I help ya load ‘em or is someone meetin’ ya here?”
“Oh,” Marni turned looking at the man and smoothing her long traveling coat in agitation. “The gentleman with the wagon has already offered,” she said. “I thought he worked here.”
“You mean Braden?” the porter asked. “Oh, well that’s fine. He does odd jobs around here sometimes and pitches in when things get busy. He’ll see ya to your place all right. Where’d you say you was goin’ anyway?”
“I’m headed for Miss Milton’s farm and Mail-Order Bride Agency,” Marni said, watching closely for the man’s reaction.
“Oh, you’re one of them girls she places. Well welcome to Pelican Rapids,” he added looking her up and down. “I hope you don’t mind the cold.”
Marni smiled at the older man not feeling at all put out by him. He had been polite and helpful, and she didn’t think he meant anything derogatory by his comments. At least he hadn’t looked at her with money signs in his eyes.
“Ma’am, are you ready?” the younger man in the dark hat had returned and now stood peering down at her with those bright blue eyes. “I’ve got your things loaded in the buckboard, and we can leave when you’re ready.”
“Marni nodded pulling her gaze away from those blue eyes and followed the man down the stairs stumbling slightly on the last stringer. A strong hand reached out grasping her upper arm and steadying her. The touch was strong and warm without being forward.
“Are you all right?” the man called Braden asked. “Do you need to sit down for a minute?”
Marni shook her head. “The last thing I need is to sit again,” she said. The long days and hours on the train had been tedious with few opportunities to stretch her legs. She hadn’t spent the extra money on a sleeper car, and now her usually active muscles longed for exercise. If she had known the way and didn’t have her luggage, Marni probably would have enjoyed walking to the Milton Farm.
“I’m Braden Prater,” the young man said, tucking her gloved hand into the crook of his arm and leading her to the wagon and helping her up onto the bench seat. With a smile he hurried around in front of the horse, patting it affectionately before climbing into the wagon as well. With a gentle chirrup, Mr. Prater set the lanky bay in motion moving down a street called Broadway and turning into a busier road marked as Ottertail Street by a wooden sign.
Marni looked about her as the horse trotted out into traffic and moved down the lane that nearly paralleled the river.
As they clattered along the street moving further and further from the river, Marni strained to see the rapids that race through the narrows upstream. The wide river glistened in the bright afternoon sun between buildings and businesses, twinkling at her like fiery gems, the water calling to her like nothing else in the city seemed to.
Braden Prater looked over at the woman next to him wondering what her purpose in Pelican Rapids and with Miss Milton could be. She was a mighty pretty thing with her dark hair and deep brown eyes, but she had a haughty set to her chin and a wary glint in her eye. As he made the turn onto Ottertail Street, he cast a glance at her again noting how she strained to see the river and the slight smile that played across her lips as the water glimmered from its shore.
At that moment, the woman was beautiful, as her features softened and something seemed to spark in her weary form; some light he couldn’t define but was drawn to.
Braden couldn’t help but smile at the strange young woman in the long coat and dark hat. Was she a relative coming to visit Miss Milton, or was she a potential bride looking for a new start with the help of the local matchmaker? If the latter were the case, he couldn’t help but wonder what could have driven her to take such a drastic measure. An attractive young woman surely must have had opportunities in her home town where she wouldn’t have to leave friends and family behind.
He had heard that after the war between the North and South had ended, it had left many women, especially those in the southern states with little possibility o
f managing on their own. With the male population below the Mason Dixon Line so largely devastated, perhaps finding a potential mate and protector had become a daunting job.
Easing old Milly-Bell along Ottertail Street, Braden made the turn onto Plum Lane and toward Miss Ella’s, driving down the lane that ended in front of the Milton farm.
“This is it,” Braden said, letting the horse square up before climbing down from the wagon and making his way to Marni’s side.
“So soon?” Marni asked looking up at the house. The two-story Victorian home wasn’t overly large but was bigger than she had expected. “How did a widow woman maintain such a lovely home and farm on her own?” she wondered, examining the crisp brick facade and neat white trim.
“I take it this isn’t what you expected,” Braden commented walking around to her side of the wagon and offering her his hand.
Marni looked down into the man’s open face and shook her head. “I honestly don’t know what I expected,” she admitted. She had hoped for a change and that was exactly what she was getting. Not only did she have the chance at possibly finding someone who would at least care for her as a person and not a business proposition, but she would have the chance to learn a whole new town and to make new friends as well.
Marni knew almost nothing of Pelican Rapids but looked forward to seeing if it would eventually be her new home. As hard as it had been turning her back on her old life, she had to admit that something new could be exciting.
Stepping down from the wagon and still holding to her escort’s strong hand, Marni looked up to see an older woman, her brown hair streaked with gray step out of the house and smile, a pleased expression on her face.
“You must be Marilynn,” the other woman called pulling a shawl around her shoulders. “I’m Ella Milton, welcome to my home.”
“Miss Ella,” the man called Braden said, tipping his hat to the older woman. “This lady said she was coming to see you.”
“Good afternoon Mr. Prater, thank you for bringing Mrs. Simms to me. I’m sure she was relieved to find someone who could carry her bags for her.”
“I’m pleased to help,” Braden said, walking Marni to the stairs, his deep voice warm and rich. “Is Josiah about, or should I carry Mrs. Simms’ things into the house for you?” he asked looking between the two women and realizing he was still holding the newcomer's hand.
“Would you,” Ella said, her dark eyes shining with delight. “I’m sure our guest is tired, and as soon as you deliver her bags and trunks, she can have a rest.”
Marni smiled at the older woman feeling nervous and yet confident that she had put herself in good hands. Glancing sideways, she watched Mr. Prater move to the back of the wagon, but she could still feel his hand in hers even as she walked on to the porch to meet her hostess.
“Come along Marilynn,” Miss Ella called, gesturing for Marni to join her on the wraparound porch.
“Call me Marni,” she said, lifting her skirts and walking up the stairs. “I’ll feel more at home if you do,” she finished stepping up onto the porch.
Ella Milton placed her hands on Marni’s shoulders and looked her in the eye. “I can see you’ve had a long journey,” she said, while behind them a soft grunt indicated that Mr. Prater had lifted out the first trunk. “We’ll let Braden carry that upstairs then I’ll take you to the kitchen for a nice cup of tea.”
Marni watched as the tall man made his way through the open door carrying her heavy trunk by the straps on either end, before hefting it onto his strong back and starting up the stairs to the second floor. He seemed a very capable sort and something fluttered in her stomach as she thought of his strong arms.
Ella dropped her hand to Marni’s sleeve pulling her into the house and down a long hallway calling up the stairs as she guided her new charge. “Come into the kitchen when you've finished Braden Prater, and don’t make me ask twice,” she finished pushing Marni before her into the warm room.
“I’ve got the tea on Miss Ella,” a stout woman in a gray dress said, as together Marni and Mrs. Milton walked into the room. “I’ll fetch some cookies for ya as well.”
“Minnie, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Marni Simms,” Ella said. “I hope you two will get on well. Marni, this is Minnie my chief cook and all around housekeeper. I don’t know what I would do without her aid or her friendship.”
Minnie waved a hand at her employer but grinned. “You’re a treat to work for Miss Ella,” she said. “I’d be a sorry person without this home.”
Marni looked between the two older women seeing a bond that had been forged over years of working closely together.
“Minnie, Braden is bringing in Mrs. Simms’ things, would you send him through to my library when he’s done and don’t let him get away either. I have something for him.”
“I’ll see to it Miss Ella,” Minnie said. “That boy is one hard worker, and I don't want him to get away without a half dozen of my brandy snaps, or a word with you.”
Ella wrapped an arm around Marni somehow feeling a softness for her. Perhaps it was that they were both widowed so young, or that the young woman had bravely come so far to make a fresh start, but whatever it was, she wanted to welcome Marni. “We’ll go to my library,” Ella said, “and Minnie can bring us our tea. She knows just how I like everything.”
Marni breathed in the smells of fresh baked goods and sighed with delight. “Thank you,” she said. “I can’t remember when the last time I’ve eaten fresh baked goods was. Tea and cookies would be a real treat.”
“You’ll find that Minnie does everything well,” the matron teased, “and if you don’t believe me just ask her,” she added with a laugh.
“I heard that Miss Ella,” Minnie called after them. “And you is right all the way down to your toes.”
For the first time in what seemed years, Marni laughed. The light banter, and easy nature of the women she was joining welcoming her like nothing else could.
Chapter 4
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
Ephesians 4:1
Braden looked around Miss Milton’s lovely home, his eyes drifting over the fine furnishings and lovely décor. The place had always been a favorite of his in Pelican Rapids, and as a boy, newly arrived in the town, Braden had enjoyed driving past the home, his head full of dreams, as they carried their produce to market.
The son of poor immigrant farmers, Braden had grown up with little but had learned that money could be made running errands and carrying heavy loads for the town’s people. Between planting, weeding, and harvesting he had been able to find odd jobs in town saving his money for improvements around his family’s log home.
Over the years as his father and mother had grown old, and his siblings had headed west, he had been able to build the place up with a decent barn, sturdy outbuildings, and improvements to the house.
Hefting the second trunk from the back of his wagon, Braden couldn’t help but think of all the dreams he had for a better life. Working from sunup to sundown, he had little time to think of what came next in life, but the young woman he had escorted to Miss Milton’s Mail-Order Bride Agency captured his attention in a way he had been unprepared for.
“Braden Prater, you make sure you come in and fetch some cookies before you go, and I have a loaf of that bread your mama loves so much for you to carry home,” Minnie called as he started up the stairs to the violet room once more.
“Yes Ma’am, Miss Minnie,” Braden drawled. “I’ll shift all this gear and be right in.”
Braden smiled at Minnie, the older woman had always seemed to have a box of cookies, or a small cake ready when he delivered something to the house from the depot. She was a kind-hearted woman just like Miss Milton, but he wouldn’t like to be on the wrong side of either of them in a scrap.
As Braden’s mother had grown frailer over the years and his father’s strong hands had lost some of their ability to work, more and
more of the home-baked goods seemed to be available each time Braden passed the Milton Farm. Mama and Papa were still active and worked hard, but they had slowed down as age infringed on ability.
Placing the heavy trunk near a window in the elegant room, the young man gazed out across the fields that Josiah Milton so lovingly tended. The only child of the late Peter Milton and Miss Ella, Josiah ran the farm while his mother earned additional income through her agency. The situation seemed to work well for the farm, and Braden couldn’t help but admire the place.
On occasion, when needed, Braden had been hired to help with an abundant harvest or heavy project around the farm, each time being paid for his work, not only in funds but also in baked goods, or canned produce. He had enjoyed seeing the kind of home he would like to one day own. One day Braden was sure that his farm would be the equal of anything in Pelican Rapids.
Hurrying back down the stairs, he could hear Miss Ella speaking to the girl with the funny name. As much as his curiosity urged him to stay and listen, he knew it would be wrong, besides he had work to do and needed to get back to the depot to pick up an item for Old Mr. Walker before heading home once more.
Making his way down the stairs for the third time Braden hurried to the wagon and the patiently waiting mare, tucking the smaller suitcase under one arm and grasping the other two by their handles he marched back up the stairs to the front door.
One more trip and all of Mrs. Simms’ bags would be safely deposited into her room.
The sound of voices drifting from the library caught his attention once more and he cocked his head toward the soft strains, missing a step and falling forward with a clatter of bags as his knee connected with the next tread.
Gritting his teeth Braden set the bags down with care then lifted his pant leg to look at the red dent just below his knee, as Miss Milton and Marni came racing from the other room.
