The Brides of Golden Valley Box Set 1

by Jaclyn Hardy

David raised his eyebrows. “You’ve already looked?”

  “What can I say? They were sitting in my hand while I waited for everyone to meet me at the store.” Nathaniel picked up a hammer. “I’ll be outside if you need anything.”

  “All right. And Nathaniel? Thank you for getting everyone here to help. We just might have a house by the time spring comes around.” David dipped his brush into the plaster.

  There weren’t many brushes, so while he worked on the plaster, the others put in the slats around the rest of the living room. Every now and then they’d have to move out of the way so they could add another slat of tile on the roof, but otherwise things ran smoothly. By the time the men had to leave for the day, the roof was finished, and much of the living room and kitchen had been done. They would have to paint or paper and then work on cupboards. The wood for the floor would come later.

  David set his tools down and wiped his hands before grabbing the advertisements that Nathaniel had brought him. If he didn’t hurry, he would miss the shipment at the shop. He walked outside to find Nathaniel nailing in the last of the tile.

  “Hey, I need to head back to sign for the stone. Do you want to just meet me there?”

  Nathaniel straightened and stretched his back. “I’m just about done. I’ll be there as soon as I finish.”

  David waved and jogged toward the shop. A wagon was out front, with a large slab of stone sitting in it. Two men climbed down off the wagon as David approached.

  “Sorry I’m late. I was finishing up the plaster in my house.”

  “It’s fine. Although you’ll need to point us to a place to stay for the night. We won’t be getting back up to the mine before it gets dark.”

  David pointed to an inn one street over. “They usually have a couple of openings, and their meals are decent. I can put you up for the night since you’re here for me.”

  One of the men waved it off. “There’s no need. We had a few other stops on the way. We appreciate the offer, though. Let’s get this stone unloaded.”

  “Don’t we need a few more men? It’s got to be pretty heavy.” David stood beside them as they moved to pull it out. He was surprised to find several small poles beneath it that allowed it to roll forward.

  “We just need one more person for the other side to lift once we get it in the shop.” They rolled it down a ramp, moving the pole from the back to the front as they went.

  David realized he was just standing there, so he jumped in to help with the moving. It was slow going, but it was much easier than trying to carry it all the way in from the wagon. Nathaniel showed up at about the time they were getting it through the doorway.

  He whistled. “Now that is how you move stone. I’ll go around back and get the lanterns lit so we can see where we’re going.”

  “Good thing you arrived when you did. We’ll need a fourth person to lift it.” David lifted one of the poles and handed it up so they could put it in the front.

  Getting around the front display cases was a little trickier, but they finally managed to get it turned and pulled it the rest of the way to the back. Nathaniel stood next to David as they lifted it off the rollers and onto the counter. The wood groaned under the weight a little, but it held. David ran his hand along the smooth surface and grinned.

  “You do fine work. Most of the stone I see around here is rough.” David nodded toward the back of the shop where the freezers stood open.

  “Most of what you’ve seen hasn’t been used for this purpose.” The man shook his hand. “I’d better get to the inn and get some sleep. We need to leave early to pick up more shipments. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  David nodded. “Come into the shop when you’re here next. I’ll send you home with some food for your families.”

  The man grinned. “It’s a deal.”

  Nathaniel stopped sweeping when the men left. “Where exactly do you plan to get the meat you’re going to sell?”

  “From my brother, of course.” David clapped him on the back. “I plan to make enough that I can pay you for it. Now, let’s get going. I can imagine Mother is ready to head back to the hotel and Madeline will have my head if I don’t get you home.”

  “You’re probably right.” Nathaniel laughed and pulled the door shut behind them. “Speaking of your brother. I might have some poultry and a couple of cows to butcher here in the next week. Know where I can get that done?”

  David scratched his chin. “I’ll have to think about that for a while.”

  Nathaniel chuckled and climbed up into the carriage. “We have that extra room with Mark. You could sleep on the couch and let Mom sleep in there with him if you’d like.”

  “And stay up all night? I’d rather head back to the hotel. Besides, it’s only for a couple more nights. We got more done today than I’d expected.”

  “Who knows? You may be able to move in and open your shop on the same day.”

  ***

  David stared down at the application in his hand, trying to convince himself to hand it to the postmaster. He’d written a letter to go with the application and he knew he wanted to know more about Samantha, but actually going through with it was harder than he’d expected.

  Nathaniel snatched the papers from him, put them in the envelope and handed it off. “I’ll do it for you. Then it’s not so hard.”

  “Thank you.” David felt nothing but relief as the postmaster turned and set the letter down to be mailed. “I wasn’t sure I was actually going to be able to do it.”

  “I noticed.” Nathaniel laughed. “Now, let’s get moving or you’ll be late getting back from lunch. Not a good idea on the first day.” He grabbed David’s arm and nudged him toward the door. “See you later, Arthur. Make sure Madeline’s letter gets mailed out today.”

  “Will do, sir.”

  David straightened his shirt and glared at his brother. “You didn’t have to shove me out the door.”

  Nathaniel grinned. “I was pretty sure that if I hadn’t, you would have gone around the counter to grab the letter.”

  “Maybe. But that would have been my decision.” David punched his brother in the shoulder and escaped into the butcher shop before Nathaniel could retaliate.

  It was quiet inside, the first it had been since he’d opened that morning. Nathaniel had donated some of his animals so that the shop would have inventory, and it had been a brilliant move for both of them. Not only did he have something to sell, customers asked where he got his meat and if they could bring their cattle to him. Nathaniel would always have priority, and David would continue to build his clientele.

  He wiped down the counters one more time before opening the door to let people in. Some he’d met in passing, but most were still unfamiliar to him. But he was new to the town and had done nothing but work with Nathaniel, build this shop, and finish the house since he got here. There wasn’t a lot of extra time to make friends.

  The line for orders continued to grow while he struggled to keep up. He had to cut a few of the slabs of beef smaller to make sure he had enough inventory, which meant that a few of the customers left with less than what they’d wanted. He just hoped they’d come back later.

  A familiar face appeared at the door and David sighed with relief. He waved Mother forward. A few of the customers muttered under their breath until Mother went behind the counter and pulled off her coat.

  “What would you like me to do, son?” She pushed up her sleeves.

  “I need to process some of these orders. Write down exactly what they need and take their payments while I cut and wrap them.”

  Mother nodded and smiled at the first customer. “Sorry to keep you waiting. How can I help you?”

  David rushed to the back to get another slab and started on the woman’s order. By the time that one was done, Mother had taken a few more orders, and the shop was eerily silent. “Where’d they all go?”

  “I told them all to come back in an hour and their orders would be ready. If you
give me a pen, I can write their names on their orders so they don’t get mixed up.”

  David kissed her on the cheek. “You saved me today.”

  “That’s what I’m here for. Now get moving so we can get these orders done.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” David moved onto the next order, and while the urge was to hurry so he could get through everything, he forced himself to take his time and make sure the cuts were done just right. Today was important, but he wanted to make sure he had repeat business.

  As he worked, his mind drifted to the letter he’d just sent. While Nathaniel had urged him to do it, the decision to go through with it had been his own—regardless of the scene at the post office. The women seemed pleasant enough, but when he came upon Samantha’s papers, something about her drew him to her. A plantation owner who wanted something more. The desire to start new in a whole different place. They were all things that had called to him as well. And her photograph . . . she was beautiful, but there was a sadness in her eyes. A desperation. It was more of his sympathetic side that decided it was her that he wanted than his want for love. But hopefully that would come with time.

  The tap on his shoulder made him jump. Mother smirked. “Lost in our thoughts, I see.”

  “Sorry, what did you need?” David finished wrapping the steak and set it next to the order.

  “I wondered where the last order was, but it looks like you’ve just finished.” Mother picked up two of the packages and set them on the counter. “Here you go. David is getting you the rest.”

  “Thank you.” The man left with a wave, and David leaned against the counter in exhaustion.

  It had been a long day, and he wanted nothing more than to lie down, but the last of the flooring in the house had to be finished. They’d moved in, but had to be careful where they walked for now.

  He made sure everything was washed down and put away before they left, then locked the outside door. The cool winter air felt good on his cheeks after spending the whole day inside. Mother slipped her arm through David’s as they left so she wouldn’t slip on the ice.

  “What’s on your mind, David?” Mother asked. “I haven’t seen you that quiet in years.”

  “Do you think Nathaniel was smart to do the mail order bride thing?” David wasn’t quite ready to admit he’d done it and he’d never really asked his mother what she thought.

  Mother stared up at him, her eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask?”

  “I just wondered.” But he knew she’d see right through the answer.

  “You’re thinking of doing the same.”

  David shook his head. “No, not thinking. I sent in the letter today. I won’t know for a while if she accepts.”

  Mother’s eyes widened. “David Poulton how did you get that past me without me knowing?”

  “It was hard, I admit. Nathaniel helped by asking for new ads whenever he took Madeline’s articles to the post office.”

  “And I suppose Matthew knows all about this as well?” She huffed.

  David shook his head. “No, he hasn’t been around enough to even talk to lately. And it wasn’t like I wanted to keep it from you. I just wanted it to be my decision.”

  Mother let go of his arm and stomped up the stairs to the house. David sighed and went in after her. He went straight to his room and closed the door, cringing each time she slammed a cupboard door.

  David washed his hands and face in the basin of water and sprawled out on his bed to rest his back. All Mother needed right then was a little time to herself and she would calm down. He picked up Samantha’s profile again and read through it, even though he had the entire page almost memorized.

  Several minutes later, the banging finally died down and David set his paper next to his bed. He opened the door to find Mother cooking something on the stove, sniffling. He picked up Samantha’s advertisement, walked up behind Mother, and put an arm around her.

  “I didn’t mean to make you cry. I just needed to do this for myself.”

  She sniffled again. “I know that. It’s that you boys are growing up so fast. First Nathaniel left, and when we moved here to be with him again, you all decided to do your own thing again. I feel so unneeded.”

  David turned Mother to face him. “You saved me back there. I thought I had it all under control, but it wasn’t until you showed up that things calmed down. You take care of Mark so that Nathaniel and Madeline can get things done. And Matthew will wise up someday and realize he needs you too.”

  “I suppose you’re right. But a mail order bride? Wouldn’t you rather fall in love first?” Mother patted his cheek.

  “That would be ideal, but I haven’t met an unmarried woman since I moved here. And I didn’t find anyone in California either. And look at her profile.” David handed her the advertisement.

  Mother read through it and glanced up at him. “She certainly seems like a good fit. But people can write whatever they want on these things.”

  David laughed. “I’m pretty sure I said the same thing to Nathaniel. But I think that even if things don’t work out, she’ll be a friend at least. And she’ll get away from whatever has her feeling trapped.”

  “I suppose you’re right. Very well. I suppose I’ll give you my blessing. Now, get the table set. Dinner is almost ready.”

  It was getting harder for Samantha to sneak away as the days grew warmer. Servants were out working in the fields and had been told to report back if they saw her outside.

  Samantha pulled her cloak hood up higher and ducked out of the front door this time. They wouldn’t expect her to leave that way. Clover looked up from the patch of grass she was eating and whinnied.

  “Sorry, my friend. I shouldn’t have left you saddled this long. Ready to run?” She untied the rope and climbed up.

  The road to the post office was familiar now. She’d been checking for letters ever since she sent out the application, even though she knew it was too soon. The letter had to get all the way across the country and then back. That meant weeks, not days.

  But now the winter was turning into spring and Samantha was hoping that meant the post would be here. She’d gone every day this week and would until a letter came. Anything was better than marrying Spencer. Or any of the other suitors that had been shoved at her.

  Clover must have sensed Samantha’s urgency, because she broke into a gallop as soon as they were out of sight from the plantation. The cloak helped protect Samantha from the rain that began to fall, but it didn’t stop the puddles from splashing up and soaking through the bottom of her skirt and into her shoes.

  The light drizzle had turned to a downpour by the time they reached the post office. Samantha walked inside and pulled her cloak hood off. Even with the hood, her hair still dripped with water.

  The postmaster looked up from his books and smiled. “Ah, Samantha. Come to check for the mail again, I see.”

  “Yes. Has anything come?” She stood back from the counter so she wouldn’t get his papers wet.

  He turned on his stool and went to one of the cubbies. “It got here this morning. Thankfully it was before the rain hit.”

  Samantha snatched it from him. The writing was a little messy, but there was her name scrawled across the front. Her heart skipped a beat and she turned it over and ripped it open. A man in Idaho named David had answered her ad and wanted her to be his bride. The letter that went with it was several pages long, and while she wanted to read it right then, the postmaster was staring at her. She folded the letter back up and wrapped it in the folds of her dress. The cloak had mostly kept it dry from the rain, and she hoped that she would still be able to read the letter when she got home. Perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to wait so long. Especially if Mama was at home waiting for her. She needed to go somewhere else.

  “Thank you.” Samantha left quickly and climbed on Clover. They rode the few blocks to the saloon where she found the table she had eaten at a few weeks before.

  Once her food was ordered, Samantha pulled the le
tter out. There were some parts that were a little hard to read because of his penmanship, but David seemed sweet and genuine. When she got to the part where he mentioned that he felt the same loneliness and wanting to start over new like she did, Samantha felt a kinship that she hadn’t felt in years. Papa was the closest friend she had, and he usually wasn’t at home.

  The waitress set her plate in front of her. “Quite the storm out there.”

  “Yes, I got caught in it.” Samantha glanced down at the letter. “Do you happen to have any paper here that I could have? I need to write a letter and it can’t wait until I get home.”

  “We might have something, but I can’t guarantee there won’t already be writing on it.”

  Samantha shook her head. “I don’t care. I just need something to write on. Oh, and something to write with, please.”

  The waitress studied her for a moment. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  The chicken and potato meal was just as good as the first time she’d had it. She would have to see if her cook could make the same thing at home. Usually there were only a few meals that she would make and none of them compared to this.

  “This is all I could find. I hope that it works for you.” The waitress held out a pen and the brown paper wrapping. It had small grease spots, but Samantha took it anyway.

  “This is perfect. Thank you.” Samantha set it on the table next to her until she was finished eating and then wrote a letter in response to David’s. She didn’t plan to wait for a reply. The sooner she could leave, the better. Papa would help with travel if he knew what it was for, and Mama, well, she would have to learn to be all right with the idea.

  The rain had stopped by the time she’d written the letter. She placed it in the envelope with David’s and slipped it back into the folds of her dress. The postmaster seemed a little surprised to see her and smiled when he saw the address on the envelope that she purchased.

  “The letter must have been good for you to be responding already. He asked for your hand, then?”

  “Yes. Thank you for your help. I must be going.” She paid for the envelope and postage and then headed straight for home. She needed to have a talk with her parents.