by Jaclyn Hardy
Madeline shook her head. “I don’t care about this dress. If that will help with the pain, I want it.”
Charlotte set the cloth on Madeline’s stomach and there was instant relief. The pain wasn’t gone, but it was much better.
Joshua burst through the door, eyes wild. “What? What happened? Is William all right?”
“He is, but Madeline isn’t. I need you go fetch the doctor. Quickly.” Charlotte added another cloth to Madeline’s stomach. “How is that?”
Joshua turned and nearly ran into Nathaniel who was coming inside. Joshua pointed to Madeline. “I’m going for help. She needs you.”
Nathaniel rushed to Madeline’s side and Charlotte backed out of the way. He took Madeline’s hand in his. “What’s wrong?”
Madeline glanced over at Charlotte, but she was busy going through cupboards. When Madeline looked back at Nathaniel, her eyes filled with tears. “Something isn’t right. Charlotte thinks I might be expecting, but I’ve been cramping, and . . . I don’t know what’s going on.”
“You’re . . .” He turned to Charlotte. “Is this true?”
“I think so, yes. Unless she’s this bad each month.” Charlotte held two cloths and the small bag of rice from the cupboard. “Do you know how to run her machine?”
Nathaniel’s face was bright red, and Madeline was pretty sure hers matched. Charlotte was so forward about things and sometimes it went just a little too far.
Nathaniel squeezed Madeline’s hand. “What are you needing the machine for?”
“I’m making a rice bag for her. The heat stays longer than just with a hot cloth. And it’s not nearly as messy.” Charlotte set the items down by the machine.
“It’s all right. Go help her.” Madeline wiped her eyes. The pain had subsided somewhat, and she hadn’t had another cramp for several minutes.
Nathaniel kissed her forehead and went to help Charlotte. Madeline smiled at the dazed expression on his face. If Charlotte was correct, they would be parents in a few months. It was exciting and frightening at the same time. Earlier that year she never would have imagined that any of this would be possible.
The hum of the sewing machine began soon after with Nathaniel pointing which knobs to use while Charlotte ran it. The bag was small, so it only took a moment. The rice Madeline had been saving for a meal the next week was poured into the bag and then sewn inside. Charlotte cut the threads and went over to the kitchen to set it inside a pan to heat.
“I’ll let you two be alone for a moment. I’m going to go lie down with William. Nathaniel, I would check that in about ten minutes to see how hot it is. You don’t want to burn her.” Charlotte left the room, and the room fell into silence.
Nathaniel met her eyes and the dazed look from before had turned into excitement. “A new baby?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see what the doctor says.” Madeline shifted on the couch until she could face him. “Nathaniel, I’m scared. What if—”
“Let’s not think of the bad, love. Let’s be hopeful. Dr. Johnson is good. He will help you out.”
Madeline shook her head. “Not if it’s not meant to be.”
Nathaniel leaned forward and kissed her lips. “It will be all right. I can feel it. And what a wonderful day to find out. We can give thanks that our little family is growing.”
Nathaniel whistled as he left the general store with a bundle of clothing he’d just bought. It was much too early to know if they would be having a boy or a girl, but it had been almost a month since Madeline had been so sick and as long as she didn’t do too much, she was doing well.
He set the bag inside his wagon along with the Christmas decorations he’d splurged on. Their Christmas tree hunt had been canceled since she was stuck in bed for most of the day, but he’d found one on his own. Now it was time to decorate it.
The post office was finally open, so he went in to get the mail. Hopefully there would be some indication as to when their parents would be there. Arthur stood at the desk, sorting the mail into the different slots when Nathaniel walked in.
“Good morning. I haven’t seen you for a while. Usually it’s Madeline who collects the mail.” Arthur took a small stack from one of the slots and set it on the counter. “That telegraph is marked urgent, so I would read that one first.”
“Thank you.” Nathaniel picked it up and read the few sentences.
Arrive on the 23rd. STOP Will send arrival time later. STOP
The twenty-third was the next day. Nathaniel looked up from the telegraph. “Have there been any other letters?”
“Not that I have seen. If anything comes in, I’ll send a runner to your house.”
“Thank you.” Nathaniel grabbed the rest of the mail and hurried out to his wagon. If they were coming tomorrow he would need to see if Charlotte or someone could stay with Madeline. Her parents hadn’t arrived yet either.
The roads were fairly clear for late December, so Nathaniel was able to make it home in good time. He pulled in front of the house and climbed down. Nathaniel took the mail and the bag of baby things inside first.
Madeline slept peacefully in their room, which gave him the chance to bring everything else in to decorate. Nathaniel moved quickly and set up the tree. It took up a large space in the living room, but it was perfect. The ornaments were supposed to be the most popular in New York according to Clarence. Nathaniel sure hoped so for the price he’d paid. There was garland for the doorways and a wreath for the door.
Nathaniel backed up to look at the tree and bumped the table. One of the packages fell onto the ground and the paper tore. Inside was a newspaper, and the package was addressed to Madeline instead of her pen name. Nathaniel pulled the rest of the wrapping off. Had she started using her own name to write?
He scanned through the articles to find hers, and it appeared on the second side. Nathaniel felt a sense of pride knowing that he had helped her edit the story. He started to turn the page, but another article caught his eye. The words mail order bride stuck out at him, as well as Madeline’s name. When had she written this one?
It must have been what she’d mailed off a few weeks before. Nathaniel scanned the first paragraph and his body turned to ice. She’d chosen to be a mail order bride for research? All of this time together, the house, the parties they’d attended, this new little baby. It was all nothing more than part of her research? The second paragraph wasn’t any better. It continued onto the next page, but Nathaniel wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue.
“It smells so wonderful in here.” Madeline breathed in deeply. “Where did you find the tree? Nathaniel? Is something the matter?”
Nathaniel turned to her and dropped the newspaper on the couch next to her. “Your article was published.”
Madeline lit up. “Really? I was worried they had decided not to print it since it’s been so long.”
“So, you really wanted the world to see what you wrote.” It was more of a statement than a question. Nathaniel was numb inside.
“And you don’t? I thought you supported my writing.” Madeline backed away, her eyes wide.
Nathaniel strode forward and opened the paper to the mail order bride article. “That article. The one you kept from me.”
Madeline’s eyebrows raised. “Oh. They took that article too?”
“So, you’re glad they published it.” Nathaniel shook his head.
“I don’t understand. Did you read the whole thing?”
Nathaniel glared. “I didn’t have to. This was all just research? Nothing else?”
“Of course it wasn’t all just research. You need to read the whole thing.” Madeline held out the paper. “Read it.”
“I can’t. Not right now.” Nathaniel strode past her into the bedroom. “Mother and my brothers will be arriving sometime tomorrow. I’m going tonight so I can be sure I don’t miss them.”
Madeline followed him and grabbed one of her bags. “Hold on. I’ll come with you.”
“No.” It came out harder
than he’d planned. “I’ll send someone to stay with you tonight. I’ll be back tomorrow. Just . . . make sure you have the rifle nearby.”
Even as he stormed out, he was doing his best to make sure she was taken care of while he was gone. He was such a fool. Nathaniel went into the barn to harness Lucky and took off toward the river. It would take a couple of hours to get there, and night would be here soon.
Nathaniel stopped at Joshua’s house long enough to ask if Charlotte could watch over Madeline and then continued. He avoided questions. The bridge was iced over once he got there, but he kept going.
The inn next to the tracks still had a few spots, so he took a room. Nathaniel grabbed his bag out of the wagon and handed the reins to one of the employees to take to the stables. It was strange not being with Madeline. They’d grown so close over the last couple of months. At least he had.
Nathaniel dropped to the bed and pulled his boots off. Part of him wished he’d brought the newspaper with him, but he knew he needed the time away to think. Even if she had said the most amazing things about him, she’d still kept the article from him. They’d shared so much. Why hide this?
He blew out the candles to sleep. Except that sleep refused to come.
***
“Madeline, watch out!” Nathaniel burst out of sleep and it took a few moments to realize that it had just been a dream.
The sun had already risen, and the streets were filled with merchants shouting out their wares. Nathaniel should have been home feeding the animals and making sure that Madeline had some breakfast. Instead he was here lying in bed, feeling sorry for himself.
Nathaniel sighed and rolled out of bed. His first stop would be the train station to see when the train would be coming in from California. Then he would find breakfast.
It had been late enough the night before that Nathaniel hadn’t noticed all of the Christmas decorations. Carolers sang songs at the end of the street, and many of the carriages had wreaths or garland hanging from them.
The schedule hung on the outside wall of the station. Nathaniel scanned the map until he found the one his family would be on. Noon. That wasn’t too long. There were a few trains coming in from New York City and New York that day, but that didn’t mean Madeline’s parents would be on any of them. Nathaniel went back to the inn for breakfast, taking his time.
There was another two hours before the train would come in, so Nathaniel shopped for Christmas gifts. His mom was taken care of with the fabric, but he needed something for his brothers.
Except that every store he went into, he found himself only looking for gifts to give Madeline. Combs, necklaces, a gown that would bring out the green in her eyes. Instead of allowing himself to think, Nathaniel was driving himself mad.
Finally, twelve o’clock arrived. Nathaniel stood shivering on the platform while he waited for the train to come to a full stop. Passengers flowed off the train, hugging loved ones or gasping delight over the decorations in the town.
“Nathaniel. Idaho has been good to you, dear.” Mother stood to the side of him holding her arms out for a hug.
“Mother.” He hugged her tightly. Two years had been too long. “How was your trip?”
Mother waved to his brothers, Matthew and David. “It was long, but your brothers kept things entertaining as usual.”
“I’m sure they did.” They were constantly making jokes and pulling pranks on others. It was one reason he was glad to leave. “Where are your things? I can take you to the inn near my home.” Nathaniel had thought of having them stay there, but the trip was long and treacherous in the weather. The inn at the stagecoach settlement would be much closer.
“Over there where your brothers are standing. How will we get to the inn?” Mother pulled her coat tighter.
Nathaniel’s eyes widened. “All of that luggage is yours? I thought you were just here for Christmas.”
Mother cleared her throat. “We have done what we can in California. You seem to like it here, so we decided it was time to move on.”
“You’re . . . moving here?” Nathaniel asked, surprised.
“Is there a problem?” Mother’s eyes widened.
Nathaniel shook his head. “Of course not. That’s wonderful. Although, we’re going to have to find something more permanent than the inn for all of this luggage. My house most certainly won’t hold it. Unless you want to keep it in the barn.”
“I’m sure we can make something work. Now, let’s go. It’s cold here.”
Nathaniel waved to the stable boy who held Lucky’s reins. “Here’s our ride.”
“You mean we’ll be riding out in the cold?” Mother asked indignantly.
“I’m saving up for a carriage. I’ll have you three sit in the wagon together where you can be shielded from the cold.” Nathan picked up a few of the bags and set them inside. “If you know which bag your quilts are in, I suggest you pull them out. You can sit on these bags. I’ll pile the rest around you.” Nathaniel turned to the stable boy and handed him a few coins. “I need to rent a couple more horses. Could you go get them for me?”
The boy nodded and took off running, darting between people. Nathaniel sighed. He’d have to figure out how to get the horses back here.
David helped Mother in and got her situated while Nathaniel and Matthew piled the rest of the luggage inside. Had they brought any furniture, it would have taken two trips. Once the other horses were hooked up to the wagon, Nathaniel climbed up onto the seat and was surprised when Matthew joined him.
“Don’t you want to stay warm?”
“And miss some alone time with my brother? No thank you. I’ve been cooped up for long enough.” Matthew stretched. “It’s so . . . flat here. Doesn’t it bore you?”
Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. “No, I find it refreshing. Besides, there’s a mountain right behind my house. I can go up there whenever I want.”
Matthew leaned over the side while they drove over the bridge. “This is amazing. Do you think we could go ice skating on it?”
“Not unless you want the ice to break.” Nathaniel pointed ahead of them. “See those mountains in the distance?”
“Yeah?”
Nathaniel smiled. “That’s where we’re headed.”
Several miles later, Matthew finally admitted defeat and climbed in the back with Mother and David. Nathaniel urged the horses to go faster as the clouds piled up on the mountains. More snow would be coming and he didn’t want to be stuck out in the middle of it. He should have just waited to have them visit in the spring.
They passed Nathaniel’s home as the sun started to set. He was tempted to check on Madeline, but if he didn’t keep going, they’d never make it to the station. Just a few more miles and then his mother and brothers would have a place to stay. It would be late enough that he’d probably stay there and go back in the morning.
And his wife would be home alone. Nathaniel grumbled to himself. He couldn’t do that to her or to Charlotte. Nathaniel picked up the pace and sighed in relief the moment they pulled into town. He went straight to the inn and climbed down.
“I’m going to leave the wagon and the three horses with you and take Lucky back to my house. I need to make sure Madeline is all right.” Nathaniel fumbled with the straps and it seemed to take three times longer than it should have.
“Who is Madeline?” Matthew asked.
Nathaniel didn’t answer for a moment. “She’s my wife.”
“Your wife?” David asked. “How did we not know you have a wife?”
Nathaniel moved on to the next strap. “I’m sure I mentioned it in the letter.”
“Why didn’t you bring her with you?” Mother demanded.
“I was angry. And besides, she’s pregnant and has to rest.” Nathaniel pulled Lucky free of the other horses.
Mother put a hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder and turned him to face her. “Why did you leave angry? You know that’s not how to resolve an issue. Tell me what happened.”
Nathan
iel sighed. “She was a mail order bride. A newspaper writer from New York. I found out that she only came as part of her research for this article she wrote.”
“Wait, you’re married to her?” Mother cupped his face with her hands. “My dear boy. Did you think to even read the entire article?”
“You read it?” Nathaniel stood there stunned.
Mother searched one of her satchels. “It was a paper that was left on the train. I was bored, so I read through it. Your wife is talented. Go home and read the article.”
Nathaniel hugged her and climbed up on Lucky. “I’ll be by tomorrow to lead you back to my homestead and to pick up my wagon. After the new year we can look for a home for you.”
“We’ll see you in the morning then.” Mother kissed his cheek.
Nathaniel climbed up on Lucky and urged him into a gallop. Lucky seemed to be thrilled that he wasn’t tied to the wagon and went into a full sprint. The sun had fully set by the time he finally galloped onto his property. Nathaniel rode up to Lucky’s stall and climbed off. He brushed him down and made sure there was plenty of food and water.
“Wish me luck, boy.” Nathaniel patted Lucky on the back and then jogged out of the barn.
Snow had already started falling, covering in his footprints. Nathaniel trudged to the front door and opened it. Charlotte sat on the couch with William in her arms, and Joshua stood at the stove with the large pot full of milk.
Charlotte stood and glared. “Where have you been?”
“Picking up my mother and brothers just like I said.” Nathaniel stepped toward the bedroom, but Charlotte moved into his way.
“No. Not now. I just got her to sleep, and I won’t have you waking her up.”
Nathaniel glanced over at Joshua, but his face was just as stony. “She’s my wife. I need to talk to her.”
“You should have been with her all day. You leaving set off contractions again and you’re lucky that they stopped.”
