Mail Order Husband

by Mills, DiAnn

  Gabe merely nodded. Charles had not moved, and he surely had seen and heard the approaching wagon. Once Gabe pulled it to a halt, Charles lifted a tear-stained face.

  “Pa’s gone,” he said with a heavy sigh. “We tried to outrun the twister. I didn’t know he’d fallen.”

  Gabe surmised what else had happened. “Are you hurt?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “Can I take a look at your pa?”

  Charles swallowed hard. “When I looked back, the twister had picked him up. Then it slammed him into the ground. I thought it had knocked the breath out of him, but his head hit hard.”

  As Charles moved aside, Gabe saw the blood rushing from Dagget’s crown. “Caleb, stay in the wagon for now.”

  From the looks of him, Dagget had died from the blows to his head. Charles dried his eyes, and together the two lifted Dagget into the back of the wagon while Caleb minded the horses.

  Charles said nothing as they drove back to his home. Sorrow etched his young face. Upon sight of his family’s farm, he finally spoke. “He’s been a good pa since last winter. Before that, I don’t know if I’d have grieved so much.”

  “Now you have good memories,” Gabe replied softly.

  “I want to bury him beside Ma. He missed her terribly.”

  “I understand. We’ll get the minister and have a proper burial.”

  Charles wiped his nose with his shirtsleeve. “Thank you, Mr. Hunters. You’re a good neighbor.”

  Gabe startled at the sight of the minister already there when they arrived. He’d ridden out once the twister blew through.

  Odd. Why here at the Shafers? Gabe wondered until he saw the way the man looked at Amanda.

  “I should have guessed the reverend would be riding out to check on things,” Charles said. “He’s taken a fancy to Amanda.”

  God had already made provision for the Shafers. It appeared to him that Jason Mercer needed that family as much as they needed him.

  “Glad you had the foresight to come,” Gabe said, shaking the reverend’s hand.

  “I couldn’t let a moment pass without riding out,” he replied. “I had a notion something was wrong.”

  The following morning, Gabe, Charles, and Caleb dug the grave for Dagget. The ceremony was short but meaningful to his family. Dagget had died a good man, filling his life with the things that mattered most—God and his family. Little Mary plucked some goldenrods and laid them atop the mound of dirt.

  “For you, Pa,” she whispered. “I’ll always love you.”

  Lena edged closer to Gabe and took his hand. He felt her body shudder. For the first time he understood why she fretted over him and the boys. Love didn’t stop death, it simply made it harder to say good-bye.

  Gabe dipped his pen in the inkwell and wrote his reflections about the tornado, then ended his entry with Dagget’s death.

  Dagget was a good friend. Although we didn’t start out this way, the Lord saw fit to bring us together. Lena believes Dagget learned a lot from me, but the truth is he taught me a few valuable lessons. Aside from hunting techniques, which I sorely needed, my friend confided in me about how it felt to love a woman, then lose her. I selfishly pray that when the Lord calls Lena and me home, we go hand in hand. The idea of ever having to part with her sears my soul. And yes, I know God would comfort me, but I’d hate to consider such a separation. This morning as we laid him to rest beside his wife, I wondered if I had thanked him enough for his companionship. Aside from my beloved Lena, Dagget Shafer was my first real friend. God bless him.

  twenty-one

  Lena finished covering the rhubarb cobbler with a cloth. Caleb had taken a ham and a beef roast to the wagon, and Gabe carried a huge pot of greens. She corked the crockery jug filled with fresh buttermilk and glanced about to see if she’d missed anything. Spotting the quilt she’d set aside to spread out for their lunch, she snatched it up and wrapped it around the jug.

  Taking a deep breath, she massaged the small of her back and blinked back the weariness threatening to creep into the eventful day—to say nothing of the queasiness attacking her stomach. I have to tell Gabe soon. As observant as he is, I can’t believe he doesn’t already know.

  “Is there anything else?” Gabe asked from the doorway.

  Instantly she drew her hands away from her back to gather up the food. “Just what I have here.”

  “You certainly look pretty this morning. Do weddings and house raisings always brighten your cheeks?” He warmed her heart with his irresistible smile.

  I’m pregnant, Gabe, and tonight I’ll tell you. “My how you toy with a woman’s affections, Mr. Hunters. I’m overcome with your flattery.”

  He winked and snatched up the jug and cobbler. “I’ll remember those sentiments.”

  She blushed and giggled. For a grown woman, sometimes the way Gabe made her feel like a schoolgirl nearly embarrassed her.

  Today promised to be such fun. Amanda Shafer and the Reverend Jason Mercer had been married yesterday morning, just one month after Dagget had died. The young minister declared his intentions shortly after the funeral, promising all he’d see to raising the Shafer children. Today, the community gathered together to build them a sod cabin.

  Lena tingled with excitement. The mere thought of visiting with the women all day long pushed aside the sickness that had plagued her since earlier that morning. She’d stopped telling Gabe about the morning wave of illness until she knew for sure she carried their baby. The poor man didn’t suspect a thing. She touched her stomach. The thought of new life, another child for Gabe, filled her with anticipation. But along with the joy came the reality of how lucky she’d been to give birth to two healthy boys who had aged beyond the critical years. She prayed her new baby would also thrive in this hard country.

  Enough of these silly worries! Gabe will be so happy!

  The wagon ride to the Shafers, now the Mercers and Shafers, seemed bumpier than usual, or perhaps the jolt rocked her queasy stomach. She continued to smile, praying her stomach to calm. Caleb and Simon hadn’t done this to her. Perhaps she carried a girl. What a sweet, delicious thought.

  With the musings rolling delightfully around in her head, she pushed away the sickness threatening to send her sprawling into the dirt. She could hear Gabe now—crowing like a lone rooster in a chicken house. And the boys, they’d be wonderful big brothers.

  “Are you feeling all right?” Gabe asked, reaching over to take her hand into his.

  Does he know? “I’m very happy,” she replied.

  “Happiness doesn’t make one pale—or get sick.”

  Sometimes. “I’m perfectly fine,” she assured him and reached over to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Today will be such fun. I can hardly wait.”

  “I agree. You can socialize with all the women while we men build Amanda and the reverend’s new home.”

  She laughed. “Are you wanting to trade places?”

  “Absolutely not. Besides, you spent three years laboring in man’s work, and I plan to do everything in my power to make sure your life never involves that again. Women’s chores are difficult enough.”

  “You’re too good to me. I’m not so sure I deserve you.” She grinned up at the early morning sun. Birthing babies was hard work, but it was a whole sight easier than farming or building cabins. “I hope it’s not too late when we get home today.”

  “It’s hard to tell, Lena. Being new to this, I don’t know how long it will take to construct the cabin, but I imagine a good many folks will show up to help.”

  She nodded, busily forming the words she’d use to tell Gabe about the baby. Have you ever thought about a child of your own? No, he considers Caleb and Simon his own. Maybe, wouldn’t it be grand to have a little one? Or, do you think you could build a cradle? The thought of holding an infant again and watching him or her grow filled her with joy. God certainly had blessed her over and beyond what she’d ever imagined.

  Gabe and Lena were among the first workers at the building
site. Amanda and the reverend had chosen an area beyond the dugout to construct their home. Like so many other farmers, they planned to use the dugout for a barn as long as it stood. Gabe didn’t think it would last beyond another winter.

  Eager to get started, Gabe helped Lena unload the wagon.

  “Go on, get going,” she laughed. “Simon can help me. Never saw a man in my life who loved work more than you.”

  He leaned closer. “Oh, there’re a few things I enjoy more.”

  She blushed and glanced about them. “Gabe Hunters, someone will hear you!”

  Gabe grinned at his wife and watched her and Simon unload food onto a makeshift table. He grabbed two spades for himself and Caleb and trekked toward the other men busy at work. The sod house would be approximately sixteen feet wide by twenty feet long, the size of most all the sod houses. Amanda claimed it would be a mansion in comparison to what she and her siblings were accustomed to.

  “Mornin’, Gabe, Caleb,” a neighboring man greeted.

  “Morning,” he replied. Riley O’Connor walked with the man, but he didn’t acknowledge Gabe or look his way.

  I’m going to try to be civil. He can’t help being lonely.

  They hurried to a field of thick, strong sod where a few men turned over furrows for the sod bricks. Gabe watched in earnest, for he wanted to build a barn in the fall. He and Caleb helped trim the bricks to three feet long and two feet wide, understanding they must be equally cut to insure straight, solid walls.

  “Sure glad you taught me how important it is to know arithmetic,” Caleb said, measuring a sod brick with a piece of string Lena had cut for the occasion.

  “Never underestimate the value of education,” Gabe replied, tossing his elder son a grin. “Although experience is important too.”

  They shared a laugh, and as they worked side by side, Gabe reminded Caleb of the fall and winter and all the lessons the family had to teach him. So much there had been for Gabe to learn, and plenty more remained ahead.

  The cabin raising went fairly quickly. The first row of bricks was laid along the foundation line, with younger children and some of the women filling the gaps with mud as mortar. Every third layer was laid crosswise to enforce the structure and bind it all together. They set in frames for a door and two windows and put aside sod to secure them later on. Shortly after noon, the walls stood nearly high enough for the roof, but tantalizing aromas from the food tables caused them all to stop and eat.

  “Are you enjoying the day?” Gabe asked Lena, handing her his tin plate. He’d eaten in a rush so he could get back to work. As soon as all the men were finished, the women and children would share in the food.

  Her eyes sparkled. “This is better than a church social. We’ve all brought Amanda gifts for her new home, and she’s so very happy.”

  “What has she gotten?” Gabe asked curiously.

  “Food, scented soap, embroidered pillowcases and handkerchiefs, a cornhusk basket, and some fabric scraps for a quilt. The poor girl has never known anyone to care for her like the reverend, and combined with the cabin and all, she’s a little beside herself.”

  He stood and brushed the cornbread crumbs from his hands. “My compliments to all the women for their fine cooking.” He winked and brushed her cheek with his thumb. How lovely she looked, his Lena. Her cheeks tinted pink and rosy, reminding him of wildflowers blossoming in the sun. The sky had seemed to dance with color, but not nearly as brilliant as the light in her eyes. “I love you,” he whispered.

  She wrinkled her nose. “I have something to tell you.”

  “And what is that?”

  “Well, I—”

  “Hey, Gabe, if you’re done, how about giving me a hand with framing the roof?” a neighboring farmer called. “Since the preacher’s gone to the trouble of having lumber hauled in, the least we can do is get it up right.”

  “I’ll be right there.” Gabe glanced at his wife, waiting for her to speak.

  “I’ll tell you later.” Lena laughed. “The news can wait.”

  Gabe saw Caleb eating with a young man, laughing and talking, but at the sound of the neighbor’s voice, Caleb glanced up.

  “Finish your meal, Son. You’ve worked hard today.” He remembered his own longing for a companion when he was Caleb’s age and how much he valued the friendships in Nebraska. Yes, he was a fairly lucky man, as they said in Nebrasky.

  ❧

  Leaning against the wagon, Lena crossed her arms and fought a wave of dizziness. She hadn’t been able to eat all day for fear of being sick. Mercy, those boys hadn’t made her ill like this, but soon she’d be four months along, and the sickness should leave.

  “Are you all right?” Nettie Franklin asked. She’d helped Lena put her things back into the wagon.

  “I’m fine,” Lena assured her.

  “You’re pale, and I see you didn’t eat a thing.”

  Lena nodded, nearly overflowing to tell someone about the baby. “Can you keep a secret for a day?”

  The young woman quickly moved to her side. Her large, expressive eyes widened. “On a stack of Bibles, I’ll keep a secret.”

  “I’m pregnant,” Lena mouthed and looked around to make sure no one else had heard.

  Nettie giggled. As the local midwife, she had a right to know about future babies. “So Gabe doesn’t know?”

  “Not yet. I started to tell him a few minutes ago, but Hank Culpepper hollered at him to come help with the roof.” Lena wiggled her shoulders, the excitement of actually telling someone about the baby made her want to shout. “But I will tonight—if I don’t bust first.”

  “Have you been sick much?”

  Lena squeezed shut her eyes. “Every morning. What amazes me is Gabe usually doesn’t miss a thing, and he has yet to question me. I can’t believe he hasn’t guessed it.”

  Nettie hugged her shoulders. “I’m so happy for you. What a blessing.”

  Suddenly, Lena felt her stomach roll. “What is that horrible smell?”

  They looked to the cooking fire where a kettle of beans still simmered, but with the offensive odor Lena felt certain they’d burned.

  The two scurried to pull the kettle from the fire. Another whiff of the beans sent Lena’s stomach and head spinning. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat and blinked repeatedly to stop the dizziness. Blackness surrounded her. Nettie screamed for help just as Lena’s world grew dark.

  ❧

  Gabe wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his shirt. Water would quench his powerful thirst. Besides, he was curious over Lena’s news. He looked about and saw there was a lull in the work right now too. Maybe he could take this opportunity to satisfy both desires.

  “Be right back,” Gabe called out, thinking how his vocabulary had shrunk since last October. But he fit in with these farmers because now he belonged.

  Lifting his hat to cool his head, Gabe headed toward the spot he’d left Lena. Some kind of commotion had drawn the ladies’ attention. Rounding a group of wagons, he moved closer.

  Suddenly, Gabe felt the color drain from his face. All of his worst nightmares and misgivings about his wife were vividly realized in front of his eyes. Rage seethed from the pores of his flesh.

  Lena lay in the arms of Riley O’Connor.

  twenty-two

  “What is going on here?” Gabe bellowed. He clenched his fist, ready to send it through those pearly white teeth.

  The crowd of women around Lena and Riley instantly hushed and made way for Gabe to reach his wife. He’d tear Riley apart with his bare hands. So this was Lena’s news! All those words of love and endearing smiles meant nothing to her. Lord, help me!

  “Riley, what are you doing with my wife?” he shouted.

  Riley looked up. Surprise swept across his face. Gabe took a glimpse of Lena, who moved slightly in Riley’s arms. She looked pale, ghastly pale, but no wonder. She’d been discovered.

  “Answer me, Man.” Gabe pushed his way through the mounting crowd. The women
gasped. If they wanted to see a fight, then he’d give them one.

  Listen, Gabe. It’s not what you think.

  He held his breath and attempted to control his rapid breathing.

  Nettie rushed to his side. “No, Gabe. This is not what it seems. Lena fainted, and if it hadn’t been for Riley, she’d have fallen into the fire.”

  His head pounded. Had he heard correctly?

  “That’s right, Hunters,” Riley said. “I caught her before she fell. Nothing else.”

  “Gabe,” Lena moaned. “Where’s Gabe?”

  Emotion clawed at his throat and threatened to choke him alive. Riley lifted Lena into Gabe’s arms without a word. She felt light, fragile. “Lena, are you all right?” He didn’t care that most of Archerville gawked at him. He’d already made a fool of himself— not once thinking about Lena, but only of himself. “I’m so sorry I shouted.”

  “I didn’t hear a thing,” she said and wet her lips. “I don’t remember what happened to me, just got dizzy.”

  “Well, I’m getting you home and to bed. Tomorrow I’m riding to North Bend for the doctor. No more of this.”

  “No. It’s not necessary. I’m fine, really.” She stirred slightly, but he could see through her ploy. “This is natural, Gabe. The sickness will pass.”

  “What do you mean the sickness will. . .” He heard Nettie laugh, then slowly the other women began to laugh. “Are we? I mean, are you?”

  Lena smiled and reached up to touch his face. “Yes, Gabe. We’re going to have a baby.”

  “Ah, wh. . .when?”

  “Mid-December.”

  He let out a shout that resembled a war whoop he’d heard at a Wild West show back East.

  “Gabe Hunters,” she laughed. “You sound just like a Nebrasky farmer.”

  ❧

  On December 10, Gabe paced the cabin floor while Caleb and Simon stared into the fire. Lena had labored with the baby for nearly four hours, and he’d had enough. She didn’t cry out, but he’d heard her whimperings. Outside, the night was exceptionally cold, although only a sprinkling of snow lay on the ground.