Emily: Army Mail Order Bride

by Mercy Levy

  “Don’t worry, I know how to take care of myself. I promise after I get to see them, I’ll settle down.” She smiled, and he slapped the reigns on the backs of the horses in front of them.

  “He’s gorgeous!” Ethel breathed as she ran her hand down the horse’s arched neck. She looked back over to Tom who looked at her with shining eyes. She smiled, then turned her attention back to the horse.

  “What’s his name?” she asked softly.

  “That’s Jack. Right now, he’s the fastest in the stable. I have high hopes for that one; there’s a race coming up in a month, I think he’s going to give the others a real run for their money.” Tom walked over and patted the horse’s neck, scratching him behind the ears and talking softly to the animal.

  Ethel turned her attention suddenly to Tom, eager to hear more about the race. He looked down at her in surprise, then went back to stroking the horse’s neck.

  “It’s the biggest race in the state, and only the best riders are allowed to enter. I’ve been training him for the past few months, and I think he really does have a shot.” Tom patted the horse once more before motioning for her to follow him inside.

  “Let’s get you settled in, and I’ll start rustling us up some grub,” he said with a smile, and Ethel reluctantly followed.

  Chapter 7 – Married Life

  Ethel was surprised at how quickly she was able to settle into her new way of life. Tom had shown her around the house, and although he had described it to her as being large, she thought it rather small compared to the house she had been living in back home. However, not wanting to be rude, she praised every room he showed her.

  She did have to admit that she liked her own room the best. It was large, and although it had clearly been his room before she had arrived, she was glad that he had had the courtesy to allow her to take it until she got settled in. She knew that one day the two of them would be sharing the room, but she didn’t think it was going to be a problem for both of them to fit comfortably together.

  Ethel had gone to bed shortly after dinner, and even though she apologized several times for being rude, Tom had assured her that it was to be expected considering the journey she had just made. It was true, she was tired, but she also really wanted to spend some time alone. Over the past few months she had only gotten time to herself when she was out riding, and since she had been a train passenger the past week, she really wanted to take a few moments to gather her thoughts.

  “Tomorrow is a new day,” she said to herself as she pulled her long hair out of the braid she had woven it into. She smiled at her reflection, then looked down at the ring on her finger. She shook her head, still unable to consider herself a married woman. Ethel slipped into the little bed, pulling the quilt up to her chin. She stared at the ceiling for a very long time, waiting for sleep to claim her, but still very much awake from the excitement of the day.

  “You better get some sleep, after all, you know you want to take that horse out as soon as possible tomorrow,” she whispered to herself. She rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes until the blessed darkness claimed her.

  The next morning, Ethel woke to the smell of pancakes cooking in the kitchen. Feeling a stab of guilt for sleeping in so late, she hurried to get dressed and make it to the breakfast table before Tom began eating his own meal. She complimented him on the fine breakfast, then neatly placed her kerchief on her lap before beginning.

  Tom looked pleased.

  “I spend so much time out around the horses, I don’t usually have the time to make such a fancy breakfast, so I am glad that you have come, if not for that reason alone,” he said with a chuckle, and even though she also laughed, her heart sank.

  “I do know how to cook, and I’m pretty good at keeping a house, although when I was a child we had a maid to do all that kind of thing.” She took another bite of her pancake, and he laughed.

  “I have always been my own maid, and I hope you don’t think that you are my maid now that you are here. I see it more as teamwork: I am out in the barn working on the horses, you are in here making sure things are running smoothly; we win races, and we both benefit.” He took another bite of his pancake, and Ethel nodded.

  “That’s a good way to put it, but I wanted you to know that I know how to ride, and I can ride well – I want to get on Jack as soon as possible and see what he’s got. My father…“but Tom cut her off.

  “Wait a second there, Missy. I know you are enthusiastic about the horses, but I want you to know that these aren’t some horses that your father had when you were a child; these are well-bred creatures that need to be treated with respect. I don’t let just anyone ride my horses, and you will see why in a bit.” He put his hand over hers, and she had to fight to keep from pulling it away.

  Not only had he insulted her father’s breeding, but he had insulted her own ability to ride. He had no idea how well she could handle a horse, or herself in a saddle for that matter. He had no business telling her whether she could ride horses that were partially hers, and she wasn’t going to stand for it.

  She cleared her throat and took a deep breath as silently as she could, then she began again.

  “I respect your passion for your own animals, but I do wish you would let me have a chance to prove myself before you make any decisions on what I can do. After all, don’t married people share everything in life? Those horses are partially mine now, aren’t they?” she said, smiling, although there was a fire in her eyes. Her heart sank when he broke into a hearty laugh and sat back in his chair.

  “Oh, Ethel, I knew I was going to like you from the moment you shook my hand on that train platform. You really do say whatever comes to your mind, don’t you? Well, let me explain it to you this way:

  “I have brought you out here, given you the run of one of the largest houses in the area, and have provided for your every need. I know you love horses, but those are not your horses, they are mine. I have worked hard for them, and I continue to work hard. Now, here in the house is where you belong, and that’s the end of it.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze then excused himself from the table.

  He put his hat on and walked out the door before she was able to reply, leaving her alone in her fury.

  Chapter 8 – Husbands and Wives

  Ethel didn’t mind doing the chores inside the house, but it was a struggle for her to get out and ride the horses when she wanted to. It seemed that there was always something else to be done inside, and it was up to her to make sure that it was done.

  It wasn’t that Tom wouldn’t help with the chores inside the house, but she could see that he really was busy with the things that needed to be done outside, and that the horses were his priority. Although she was happy the horses were taken care of the way that they should be, she wanted to be able to make them her priority as well.

  As soon as she finished with the chores inside the house, Ethel would grab her things and head outside, eager to spend time with the animals.

  “Oh hey, I’m glad you were able to get out here in time, I’m just about to break Sandy here,” Tom said as she walked over to the corral. The blonde horse stood with an even paler mane and tale, twitching at flies and clearly annoyed with the saddle and the bridle that had been fitted to her head. Tom led her into the middle of the corral, and within moments was on the animal’s back.

  Ethel watched in fascination as he masterfully stayed on top of the horse as it kicked and bucked, trying with all its might to get him off. At last, the horse was winded and defeated, walking about the corral as obediently as her father’s horses.

  “I’ve never seen it done like that before,” Ethel breathed, clearly impressed by how Tom had handled the horse. He winked at her on his way by, then gave the animal’s neck a pat.

  “She is a good mare, but she’s strong-willed, like you.” He gave her a smirk, and she shot him a look back, although she couldn’t help but feel flattered at the same time. Ethel found Tom annoying, but there was something about him
she couldn’t put her finger on. She was fiercely attracted to him, but she knew that he was also teasing her on purpose.

  “I’m starving. Is supper ready?” he asked suddenly, and she felt her heart sink. She had just finished with the morning chores, but the sun was already high in the sky, and she knew it was time to start cooking again. Standing up from the rails of the corral, she smoothed her skirts and forced a smile.

  “Not yet, Mr. Buckley, but if you give me a few minutes I will have that on the table before you have that horse unsaddled and back in her stall.” She gave him another look, and turned on her heel, walking back into the house.

  He didn’t have time to respond.

  “So, which of the horses is going to be mine?” Ethel asked. She had been watching her husband care for his horses nearly every day for three weeks, and she was eager to have one of the animals to call her own. Although he had told her that the horses were his, Ethel was confident if she tried hard enough, he would eventually give in and allow her to have one.

  “I don’t know; you aren’t very big, and these are powerful animals. I would hate to give you one and have you get hurt,” Tom said as he continued to make the horseshoe he was working on. She rolled her eyes, but he didn’t notice.

  “I am big enough to handle any one of these horses if you would just give me a chance,” she said with a sly grin, and although he glanced up at her, it was clear he was unmoved by her words. She sighed silently to herself, then began walking the length of the barn, looking in each of the stalls.

  “I want him!” She said at last, pointing to the big, black horse on the end. Tom laughed heartily and shook his head.

  “Jack would toss you off his back in an instant, then I would have a ruined wife and a ruined horse.” He continued to chuckle, but Ethel was unmoved.

  “Suppose I could prove to you that I could ride him?” she asked, and he gave her a sidelong look.

  “How are you going to do that, when you know that I have asked you to stay off them?” he asked, and although there was a lighthearted look in his eyes, she could sense by his tone that he was not joking. However, she stood her ground and walked over to Tom, putting her hands on his shoulders as he continued to form the shoe.

  “Well, perhaps you could give me a chance to show you what I can do?” she said with another smile, but he kissed her forehead, shook his head and looked away.

  “I work too hard on these animals to allow someone to just go in and try them out for themselves. These horses are good stock, and I can’t risk having them ruined – especially Jack, who I am going to enter into the race next week. It’s nothing personal, Darling.” He gave her a reassuring smile, then picked up the shoe and walked to the other side of the barn.

  Ethel returned the smile, even though she felt hurt on the inside. She had married him so she could live a life with the horses, but he wasn’t allowing her near any of them. She didn’t care what it took, there had to be a way she could prove to him she knew what she was doing.

  And she was going to do it. Somehow, she was going to do it.

  Chapter 9 – The Accident

  Ethel glanced out of the window as she dried the dish in her hand. She had grown used to being expected to do the dishes, but she still wished she could be out in the stables with her husband. She hated to admit it, but she was enjoying the competition she was having with her him, and although she wanted to hate him for not allowing her to have a greater hand with the horses, she did respect his own abilities.

  She knew that as the days passed, he was also falling in love with her more and more, and that he respected the way she handled herself around the horses. Still, he was unwilling to allow her to ride Jack, which is what she wanted to do more than anything.

  As she placed the last dish in the cupboard, Ethel glanced down at the entry form sitting on the counter. Her husband was so excited to enter Jack in the race, and she had no doubt he was going to win, but there was a pang of jealousy in her chest as she looked over the form, knowing there would be no way for her to enter, even if he did let her ride Jack.

  Suddenly, there was a loud crash from the barn, and she started. Grabbing her skirts and lifting them up to her knees, she ran out of the door as quickly as she could, trying to keep her heart from racing as she did so.

  “Tom? Tom! Are you alright?” she cried out when she saw her husband sitting against the stall with his hand over his head.

  “She kicked me!” he gasped, pointing to the horse that had run from the barn and was now standing in the barnyard. He swooned for a moment, then fell to the ground, causing Ethel to cry out once more.

  “Tom!” she shouted, rushing over to him. She could see a nasty bruise forming on the side of her husband’s head, and she felt sick to her stomach. She didn’t know if he had been kicked in the head, or if the horse had kicked him somewhere else, causing him to fall against the stall and strike his head in the process.

  “I’m going for help!” she shouted, running from the barn. Ethel hesitated. It would take her too long to run into town, and she knew time was crucial. The longer he was without treatment, the more likely it was that he would have lasting effects from the kick. With tears in her eyes, she looked back over her shoulder, first at her husband, then at Jack.

  He was the fastest horse in the stable, and although her husband had been convinced she would be unable to handle him herself, she knew she could do it. She had always been able to ride Starboy, and Jack was like that horse in many ways. Grabbing a bridle from the wall, she threw it over the horse’s head and tightened it down to the right size.

  With a final look of dismay at Tom, she dug her heels into the horse’s side, lurching back as he launched out of the barn. Tom was right; the horse was powerful and he was fast, but Tom also didn’t know that Ethel had ridden a horse like this before, and although the animal’s feet pounded into the ground, she was able to hang on and guide him toward town.

  If she had been riding the animal for any other reason, she would have enjoyed the moment of freedom, but Ethel was on a mission – she had to get help, before it was too late.

  “I’m afraid you are going to be in that bed for some time, and you can forget about riding for at least a few weeks.” The doctor put his tools back in his bag, and he shook his head at Tom. “You have got to be more careful, Tom, or you are going to end up worse off than you are now.” Tom looked up at him, his head wrapped in white bandages.

  “I’ve got to get Jack in that race. He’s going to be too old next year, and he’s my only shot at this,” he said, but the doctor shook his head.

  “Unless you can find someone else to ride him, you are going to have to let this go. If you get on that horse, there is no telling what could happen to you. Make sure he stays in bed, you hear?” the doctor said, turning to Ethel. She nodded.

  “You’re a lucky man, Tom. If it weren’t for your wife here, you probably wouldn’t have made it.” He gave Tom a nod, then tipped his hat to Ethel, and with that, he was gone. Tom leaned back on the bed and closed his eyes, and Ethel asked if there was anything she could do for him.

  “Not unless you know someone who can win that race,” he said, his eyes still closed. She grimly shook her head, placing her hand gently over the bandage. She knew he was frustrated, but she also knew there was no way he could be in that race.

  “You can still go to the race, my love,” she said softly, and he nodded.

  “I’m going to, but it’s going to kill me knowing that he could have won – I know he could have. I’ve been working on that horse for years, and he’s got what it takes to be the best. To be the best of the best!” He slapped his hand on the bed in frustration, and Ethel agreed, trying to do what she could to make him feel better.

  “You get some rest,” she said softly, then turned to leave.

  She walked out into the kitchen, closing the door softly behind her. Looking down at the entry form, Ethel suddenly had an idea – it was a crazy idea, and she knew she was goi
ng to have to be careful, but if she was smart, she knew she could pull it off.

  Chapter 10 – The Race Against Time

  “You go on, I’ll finish up here, and be there directly,” Ethel said, shooing her husband out of the door. He looked at her for a moment, and smiled, although it was weak smile. He was clearly still disappointed, but Ethel wanted to surprise him.

  “I’ll be watching for you,” he said with a smile, then walked out of the door. Ethel watched him go, then she ran into his room. Going through his wardrobe, she slipped into a pair of his pants and grabbed his shirt. After folding her hair above her head, she pulled a hat on and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked enough like a boy to pass for one, then she grabbed the entry from and shoved it in her pocket.

  After one last look in the mirror, she headed out of the door. She needed to get Jack.

  “Go!” The gunshot fired, and Ethel clutched Jack’s mane. She had managed to get past the judges without any problems, and even though the other riders teased her, thinking her to be the youngest rider in the group, she ignored everyone.

  Jack flew from the gate, but Ethel knew what she was doing. She intentionally held his mane, holding him back from the lead. She heard the shouting of the crowd, but she kept her eyes on the track in front of her. Knowing where Tom was sitting in the stadium, she looked over as they rounded the first bend.

  He was staring at her, his mouth wide open, clearly shocked at what she had done. If Ethel hadn’t had to hang onto his mane so strongly, she would have waved to him. As she rounded the bend, she could see his face change from shock to cheering, then she turned her focus back to the track in front of her.