Capital Bride

by Cynthia Woolf

  “I understand that and so will Katy if she doesn’t now.” He looked down at his daughter, squeezed her hand and got a watery smile in return. “We’ll all be fine, you’ll see.”

  She took MaryAnn’s hand and they walked to their room on the second floor. John and Katy were next door so they walked up together.

  “MaryAnn, you go into the room. I’d like to talk to Mr. Atwood.”

  He nodded at Katy, “You too. I’ll be right there.”

  “You wished to discuss something, Sarah?”

  “You were going to tell me why Katy doesn’t speak.”

  He nodded, closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “She witnessed her mother’s murder during a bank robbery. Katy was the only survivor and she hasn’t spoken a word since.”

  Sarah put her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. When did your wife…die?”

  “It’s alright. You can say it. Murdered. She was murdered in cold blood two years ago.” His eyes clouded over and his voice softened. “She was seven months pregnant.”

  “How horrible for Katy to witness.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “The doctors say she’ll talk when she’s ready. The sheriff wants her to talk now. She’s the only witness and they still haven’t caught the people who did it.”

  “Thank you for telling me. I’ll do my best to help her.”

  “I know you will. Goodnight, Sarah.”

  “Well, goodnight then.” She put her hand out for a shake.

  He took her hand in both of his. “Goodnight, Sarah.” His big hands enveloped hers with heat and strength, a rare sense of comfort. His rough calloused hand was so different from her much smaller, soft one. Yet it felt wonderful. She wondered what those rough hands would feel like against the smooth curves of her body.

  Sarah looked up to see his green eyes piercing her with what could be called passion or like herself, with loneliness. She retrieved her hand and bowed her head. “Goodnight John.”

  She went into her room where MaryAnn waited sitting on the bed.

  “Mama, why are you red in the face?”

  “I’m just a little flushed. I got hot in the dining room that’s all.”

  “Oh, okay. I thought maybe Mr. Atwood done somethin’ to you when he shook your hand before and maybe he did it again. That’s when you got red.”

  Sarah felt herself flush again at the memory.

  “You must be hot again, huh?”

  “Yes, sweetheart. I’m hot again.” She waved her hand in front of her face knowing it wouldn’t do any good. It wasn’t that kind of heat.

  * * *

  They arrived at the dining room in the morning at seven sharp. John and Katy were already seated. John had a cup of coffee and Katy a glass of milk.

  He stood as they approached. He was dressed in a black suit with crisp white shirt and string tie. He held a black hat that looked new.

  “Good morning, Sarah and Miss MaryAnn. You both look lovely today.”

  “Good morning John,” she looked over at Katy. “And you too Katy.”

  MaryAnn went and sat next to Katy then turned her attention to John. “Good morning, Mr. Atwood. You’re going to be my father now and Katy will be my sister. Isn’t that right, Katy?”

  Katy nodded.

  “I think I’m going to like having a big sister. Mama says you’re seven. That’s older than me. I’m five. Mama says I’m too grown up for my age.”

  Katy nodded and grabbed MaryAnn’s hand. Sarah thought it was a wonderful show of acceptance on Katy’s part. MaryAnn held her hand and chattered all through breakfast which was just as well. Sarah was nervous. Her hands were sweaty and shook a little. She was glad to that the coffee cup to hold on to. Her stomach was full of butterflies and she could barely eat. After all it wasn’t everyday a girl got married.

  “You both look very nice this morning. Even a new hat for the occasion,” said Sarah.

  “It’s a Stetson and I thought I’d try and make an impression. Did it work?”

  She laughed, some of the tension easing. “Yes, you’ve made a very good one.”

  “So do you.” His eyes raked over her. Sarah wore a dark peacock blue wool suit that accentuated her eyes. The fitted jacket emphasized her small waist and gave her an hourglass shape other women would have died for and all without a corset. “It appears we are all in our Sunday best.”

  Even the girls wore their best clothes. She’d dressed MaryAnn in her red velvet dress with black collar and matching coat. Katy had on a pretty pink dress with ruffles at the bottom and dark pink ribbon at the waist. She, too, had a matching coat.

  John picked up the buckboard from the stable. He’d paid the stable owner to watch over the trunks so he wouldn’t have to unload and reload them. He helped her and the girls onto the wagon. She and John sat on the bench seat, the girls in the back with the trunks.

  It was a short trip from the hotel to the Justice of the Peace’s office. Only about a five minute walk but John wanted to leave right after the ceremony so they took the buckboard.

  Even at this early hour the streets were crowded with pedestrians, wagons, buggy’s and horses with riders. So much so that it took them fifteen minutes to navigate through the heavy traffic to the courthouse.

  John’s ranch was about twenty miles west of Denver and it would take more than four hours to get there. That’s why he wanted to leave right away.

  They would arrive home in time for her to fix dinner…no it was supper out here in the west. She’d have to remember that. Dinner was luncheon and supper was dinner. Whatever it was called they would get to the ranch about two o’clock and she would have enough time to unpack MaryAnn’s trunk and then fix it.

  They got to the Justice of the Peace’s office and suddenly it was all real. All other thoughts flew right out of her head, replaced by butterflies in her stomach. It must have showed on her face.

  His hand enveloped hers with that same warmth and strength she’d felt last night. Only she felt something else today, confidence. “It’s going to be alright, Sarah.”

  She took a deep breath. “I know. I know it will.”

  “We’re going to be a family now, right Mama?”

  Sarah realized with MaryAnn’s question that she might not be the only one who was nervous about today. She smiled at her precocious daughter. “Yes, we are and together we can do anything.”

  She looked up into John’s smiling face, noticed the way the dimples creased his cheeks and still couldn’t believe her luck. He was so handsome and about to become her husband.

  John helped them all down and they walked into the building. Once inside they found the office. A very thin, gray haired woman sat at a desk outside the Justice’s office.

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “Yes, ma’am. John Atwood and Sarah Johnson at nine for a marriage ceremony.”

  “Ah, yes. I see you on the list. There’s one couple ahead of you. They’re with him now. Are these two little darlin’s going to be your witnesses?”

  “If it were legal they would be,” said John. He ruffled Katy’s hair. She pulled away and straightened her hair, eyes shooting daggers at her father for messing it up.

  The other couple came out, hand in hand, smiles on their faces. Sarah wished she and John were as happy about getting married. Maybe someday that would be them. Walking down the street holding hands.

  “Are we ready?” The judge’s voice brought her back to the present.

  “We are, your honor,” said John.

  “Let’s begin. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of….”

  Sarah barely listened until she heard her name, “Do you Sarah Jane Johnson take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold; for richer or for poorer; through sickness and in health from this day forward as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do.” Her hands shook as she placed the plain gold band on his finger. It was too small. She’d bough
t it in Chicago and would have to get it resized for him.

  “Do you John Robert Atwood take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold; for richer or for poorer; through sickness and in health from this day forward as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do.” John slid a small gold band with five small diamond chips in it on her finger. It was beautiful and felt cool against her skin.

  “Then by the power vested in me by the Governor of the Colorado Territory, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  John took her face gently in both of his hands, leaned down and gave her the sweetest kiss she’d ever known. Sarah flushed at the promise in the kiss. MaryAnn giggled and Katy smiled, taking MaryAnn’s hand.

  “Thank you, Judge,” said John. “What do I owe you?”

  “That’s two dollars, Mr. Atwood. I wish you and Mrs. Atwood a happy future.”

  “Thank you, sir. I’m sure it will be,” replied Sarah.

  “Well, ladies, shall we head home now?” asked John.

  Katy nodded vigorously.

  “Yes,” said MaryAnn and Sarah simultaneously.

  Sarah laughed. Katy still held MaryAnn’s hand and Sarah brought both girls into a big hug. “Let’s go home. We have a new life beginning for all of us.

  Katy tugged on MaryAnn’s hand and the two girls skipped the way back to the buckboard and forward into the future.

  CHAPTER 3

  The trip to the ranch took them through gently rolling hills covered in bright green grass and fields full of wildflowers bursting with the colors of the rainbow. A freight train passed them headed to Golden City, the territorial capital of the Colorado Territory, to drop off supplies for the mining towns of Central City and Black Hawk, which according to John were up Clear Creek Canyon from Golden City. The train only carried supplies to Golden City and usually gold, cattle, and farm goods back to Denver. It didn’t carry passengers or Sarah would have taken it all the way to Golden City. Passenger service stopped in Denver.

  The road was well traveled and wide enough for two wagons. They passed several headed toward Denver. Some of them carried families others only freight. One carried gold. John said he could tell by the six armed men that accompanied it.

  Sarah asked, “Do they get robbed often?”

  “Not with a guard like that. Outlaws would have to be crazy or really desperate to try it.”

  “Do you have many outlaws here? Is it something I should be aware of?”

  “Nah, we don’t get that kind of trouble out here. They stick to the cities. I have ten men working for me. I’ve been having one stay with Katy while I’m out working but now you’re here and can take over those duties. I also have a cook and housekeeper, though I’m hoping you can cook, because she’s terrible and will be the first one to tell you so. Her name is Bertha.”

  “Of course, I’ll watch the girls. Katy and MaryAnn seem to get along well. And yes, I can cook. I just hope the trunk that is missing doesn’t have my recipes in it. If it does, then the meals I fix are going to be on the simple side.”

  “None of us mind simple. We’re just looking for edible.”

  Sarah laughed. “Well, they will definitely be edible.”

  She looked back at the girls. Katy still held MaryAnn’s hand while MaryAnn chattered away. Katy nodded or shook her head in response to her questions and she had a million of them.

  “Do you have a horse of your own? Can I ride it?”

  Katy nodded twice in answer. It seemed to be enough for MaryAnn. She treated Katy as she did everyone. Like a new friend. It didn’t matter that Katy didn’t talk. MaryAnn talked enough for the both of them.

  They passed through Golden City. The little city was nestled in a valley between the foothills of the Rockies and a flat plateau. John said his ranch was about three miles northwest of town.

  Before she knew it they were pulling off the main road through a gate that read J Bar A Ranch. She could see buildings about half a mile down the road. As they got closer she made out seven different structures. She recognized the house and the barn. What the others were, she didn’t know yet.

  “The house. It’s larger than I thought it would be. And I assume the big red building is the barn. What are the others?”

  “There’s the ice house, smoke house, chicken coop, bunk house, that’s where the cowboys live, and the outhouse”

  Alarmed, Sarah asked, “You don’t have running water?”

  “There’s a hand pump in the kitchen but we don’t have an indoor bathroom.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  He patted her on the knee. “It’ll be fine. You’ll get used to it.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  Sarah watched as he flushed a little.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I probably should have let you know that compared to what you’re used to we’re going to seem a mite primitive.”

  She shook her head. “I admit I hadn’t expected it to be quite so spartan, but I’m undaunted.”

  “That’s a girl. You’ve got some spunk. I like that.” He gave her knee a little squeeze.

  No one had ever said Sarah had spunk. She’d always let life run her over. Now she was grasping it around the neck and hanging on for the ride.

  There’d been plenty of time to think on the train out here. She’d gone over everything she’d been through, everything she’d done. She wouldn’t change any of it because she had her beautiful MaryAnn. Everything was worth it to have her.

  Now there was a chance for happiness she’d never dare to hope for in New York. A home and family of her own. She had both now. She looked at her new home. It was a beautiful, two story, white washed, wood structure. There was a large porch on the front facing east. Sunrise should be spectacular.

  John pulled the buckboard to a stop in front of the porch. He jumped down, came around to her side and reached up for her. She placed her hands on his broad shoulders and he grasped her around the waist and lifted her down. Breathless, she stepped away. Then he got each of the girls.

  Katy ran inside with MaryAnn on her heels. Sarah and John followed at a more sedate pace.

  The layout of the house was as simple inside as outside. They walked into the parlor which ran the width of the house. The stairs were on the far right side. Leading out of the parlor was a hall. On one side was the dining room and John’s office. The other side had the kitchen, pantry and a bedroom for the housekeeper, Bertha.

  When they entered the kitchen there was a large, gray haired woman sitting at the table shelling peas for the evening meal. Three dead chickens sat on the counter waiting to be plucked.

  “Bertha, this is Mrs. Atwood,” said John by way of introduction

  “Sarah. Please call me Sarah.” She extended her hand in greeting.

  Bertha wiped her floured, calloused hands on her apron and shook Sarah’s with both of hers. “Real glad to meet you, Mrs. Atwood…Sarah. Real glad. You can cook can’t you? Mr. Atwood said he was pretty sure you could. I don’t cook real good. Don’t like it. So I’m hopin’ you can, ‘cause we all need some good vittles.”

  “Yes, Bertha,” Sarah laughed. “I can cook, but I’ll need your help learning my way around the kitchen and with prep. For instance, I have no idea what to do with a chicken like that.” She pointed at the counter. “I’ve never plucked a chicken in my life. Our cook always did that.”

  “Don’t you worry none about that. I can pluck a chicken in my sleep. I’ll get ‘em all ready so all you got to do is fix ‘em.”

  Sarah smiled. She and Bertha were going to get along famously.

  “Now that you two have met, I’m going to take Sarah upstairs and show her the rest of the house.”

  “I heard Katy running up the stairs. She made enough noise for two people.”

  Sarah and John laughed. “That’s because there were two people. Sarah’s little girl, MaryAnn, is with Katy.”

  Bertha smiled, revealing a small gap between her front teeth. “W
ell now I’m glad to hear it. Katy has needed a friend to play with.”

  “So has MaryAnn. They’re both only children, but they seem to have made friends with each other,” said Sarah.

  “Come on, I’ll show you the upstairs and get your trunks in here so you can start unpacking. And we’ll see what our two special girls are up to.”

  “Plotting our demise no doubt,” said Sarah.

  John barked out a laugh. She liked when he laughed. His dimples showed and he didn’t seem so intimidating.

  They went upstairs.

  “Up here are only bedrooms. Someday I want to put water and a bathroom up here but that’s on down the road. Katy’s bedroom is the first on the right. I thought we could put MaryAnn across the hall. The back left bedroom can be the nursery. Our bedroom is the back right.”

  He opened the door and stepped aside so she could go into their room before him. It was a big room. She walked around touching everything. There was a double bed, tall boy dresser, small commode with a pitcher and basin on it, two nightstands, an overstuffed chair by the large picture window and a changing screen in the corner with a chamber pot behind it.

  “That’s a beautiful screen. One of Dorothy’s touches?”

  “Yes, but you can removed it if you like. If there’s anything you don’t like I’ll have it taken away.”

  Sarah touched his hand. “It’s fine. The room is lovely. Dorothy had good taste. After all, she married you.”

  John cleared his throat. “Yes, she did didn’t she?”

  She looked everything over and then came back to the bed. Amazing how a double bed can look so small. She swallowed hard. John was going to want a wedding night. How was she going to explain that she didn’t really know what she was supposed to do? She’d only made love once before and that brought about MaryAnn.

  “It’s a lovely room.”

  “Like I said, you can change whatever you like. It’s your room now, too.”

  “Thank you.”

  “The chair by the window is for reading. Do you like to read?”