An uncomfortable silence filled the room while Josephine wrestled with her emotions. In the end, she decided to trust in these wonderful people who had taken her in and cared for her. “That’s the name I was born with. It’s my father’s name.”
Hank cleared his throat before speaking. “And what is your step-father’s name? Just so we can be on the lookout for him, if he ever decides to show his face.”
Josephine sighed. “Randall. Horace Randall.”
“Very good, then!” Ella said with a loud clap of her hands, which caused everyone in the room to jump. “I’ll let the reverend know Miss Martin’s name. You just head on over to the church. We’ll be there shortly.”
And with that, as quick as a wink, they were ushered from the house.
Feeling a bit dazed by the abrupt dismissal, Josephine turned to Madeline. “Is she always that…that…”
“Abrupt?” Madeline chuckled. “Yes, at times. Ella is a wonderful person, but she doesn’t beat around the bush.”
More wagons and buggies were starting to arrive as the group made the short walk from the reverend’s house to the church itself. Most of the arrivals were single men, but a few families also appeared. They openly stared and pointed out the new stranger in town to those around them.
Josephine felt rather like a bug under a magnifying glass and gratefully followed Madeline into the church. She nervously took a seat in the first pew between Hank and Madeline, while George sat between Madeline and Caleb. She began to wring her hands anxiously, but Hank reached over, took one of her hands between his own, and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
She gave him a weak smile, and then turned her attention to the simple cross at the front of the church. Josephine could hear people enter the church and sit behind them, hear their whispering, and feel their stares bore into the back of her skull. She clutched at Hank’s hand with both of her own, her free hand covering his.
Hank glanced at his future bride. He could see how nervous she was, like a long-haired cat by a bonfire. Her jaw was clenched tight, her skin pale, and she had his hands clutched in a vise-like grip. He stroked her hand with his free one in an attempt to soothe her rattled nerves, but it did not appear to help.
After what felt like an eternity to Josephine, the reverend finally arrived and made his way to the front of the church. He was a thin man of average height, with a neatly trimmed white moustache and white hair. As he turned, his warm brown eyes settled on Josephine and crinkled a little as he smiled kindly at her.
He waited while the last of the townsfolk took their seats, then cleared his throat to gain everyone’s attention. “All right, settle down, now,” he admonished. Most people were whispering, but with so many doing it, the whispering was almost a low roar.
Once everyone had complied, Reverend Young smiled. “I take it that you’ve all seen our newest addition to the congregation. This is Miss Josephine Martin. She’s Hank’s fiancé, so all you gentlemen can just forget about marrying her yourselves,” he said with a chuckle as a discernable groan erupted from the single men in the congregation.
“She’s staying with the Starks for the time being, and is under their protection.” He gave everyone a serious look as his eyes scanned each and every face. Everyone knew that if the reverend were mentioning someone was under the Stark’s protection, that there was a good reason for it. It was his way of warning everyone to be wary of strangers in town.
Once Reverend Young felt satisfied that everyone had gotten his hint, he motioned to his wife, who was seated at a piano. He had thought about having Miss Martin join him for the introduction, but one look at her pale face had changed his mind. He was afraid that she might faint dead away if forced to stand before a room full of strangers.
Mrs. Young began to play, and the congregation began to sing “Rock of Ages.” There were a few parishioners who were clearly tone deaf, but for the most part, the congregation sang strong and true. Josephine was too nervous herself to do more than whisper, but she loved Hank’s deep baritone as he sang.
When services had concluded and the final hymn had been sung, the reverend walked down to the front pew and formally introduced himself to Josephine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Martin. I wish I’d had the time to come see you at the ranch, but things here kept me busy.”
Josephine took his proffered hand gingerly in her own and returned the handshake. “I’m pleased to meet you as well, Reverend.”
The moment the reverend stepped away, most of the congregation gathered around the first pew to introduce themselves to the newest member of their town. Hank could see that Josephine was uncomfortable with the attention and put his arm around her shoulders to help her feel more secure. It was also a way to warn the other men in town to stay away from his Josie. She was spoken for.
Josephine was overwhelmed with hands being extended in her direction and names being thrown out at her. She did her best to smile and nod at each person in turn, but she knew that there was no way she would ever remember any of their names.
Hank could feel his fiancé shaking like a leaf under his arm, so he caught Caleb’s attention and motioned for the door with a nod of his head.
Caleb nodded and gathered his wife and nephew. “Well, we need to get back home. We have the reverend and his wife coming out for lunch today, and Madeline needs to get home to get things ready,” he announced to the crowd, clearly dismissing them.
Hank steered Josephine to the door, close on Caleb’s heels. The crowd reluctantly parted and allowed them to pass. No one would say nay to a Stark in this town.
Once they were outside, Josephine breathed in a deep sigh of relief. She allowed Hank to help her up into the buggy and focused on settling the blanket around her skirts as Caleb helped Madeline in to the front.
Hank swung little George up into the front seat, but he quickly climbed over it to sit next to Josephine. He was so excited that she got to meet everyone in town that he could not contain it any longer and began to babble almost incoherently about who she had met and what she had thought about them all.
Josephine had a hard time believing that little George was only three years old. He generally sounded more like a boy twice his age, not that she had much experience with other children. Madeline had told her that he was a very intelligent boy, which was probably one of the reasons he got into so much trouble.
Caleb turned to look back at his nephew and tell him to quiet down, but Josephine caught his glance and shook her head. She made a motion with her hand to let him know it was all right, and did her best to entertain George on the ride home.
Hank marveled at the patience his Josie had with George. It was clear to him that she would make a good mother one day to their own children. He smiled as he daydreamed about the future they would have together.
When they finally arrived at the ranch, George climbed over Hank’s lap and jumped to the ground the moment the buggy came to a stop. Pardner greeted the buggy with much barking and tail-wagging, and George immediately untied him and began to play with his dog.
Madeline and Josephine smiled at each other as they waited for their men to help them down from the buggy. George was a bundle of energy, and having the dog to keep him busy was a godsend. Pardner also kept a close eye on George, and barked whenever anyone came near. He was an excellent watch dog.
“We’ll meet you inside,” Madeline told both Caleb and Hank as she led Josephine into the house.
The men gave their ladies a wave, then led the horse and buggy to the barn.
“That wasn’t so bad, now was it?” Madeline asked Josephine as the ladies removed their coats and bonnets and hung them by the door.
“I suppose not,” Josephine confessed. “I just despise being the center of attention like that.”
“Most people do,” Madeline teased. “You did just fine.”
Josephine shrugged. “I think Old Man McGivens is the only name I’ll remember. I’m pretty good with faces, but names…” She shook her head.
&nb
sp; “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll meet everyone again in time, and not all at once like that. No one will expect you to remember their names yet.”
“Thanks, Madeline,” Josephine said with a smile. “Now, let’s get things ready for the reverend and his wife.”
As it was a Sunday and typically a day of rest, they had cooked an extra roast the day before and merely slipped it into the oven that morning to reheat. The green beans that they had decided to go along with it were sitting on the cupboard, waiting to be opened.
Madeline was about to head down to the cellar when Josephine stopped her.
“Why don’t you sit down for a minute and put your feet up? I can go get whatever it was you were getting.”
Madeline sighed, but smiled her thanks. Her feet did seem to swell easily of late, and Josephine took her job of helping around the house very seriously. “I was just going to get some potatoes. You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. You sit down,” Josephine motioned to a chair. When Madeline sat down, she pulled another chair close by and helped lift Maddy’s feet onto it.
Madeline groaned softly as she sat down. She knew that she could do the work, but was so happy that Josephine was there to help. “I thought we might dice them up and fry them in some butter. Maybe add some salt and pepper or a little paprika?”
“Mmm, fried potatoes! I love those. I’ll be right back,” she said as she slipped down the stairs to the cellar.
Madeline watched as her new friend bustled around the kitchen. She felt guilty, but at the same time she knew that Josephine had everything well in hand. After all, most of the work had been done the day before. Madeline even had George help her set the dining room table with the good china, although he merely helped with the silverware. She had to rearrange things when he was done, but it was important to her that he develop a strong work ethic and a willingness to help in any way he could.
By the time Reverend Young and his wife arrived, Josephine was merely keeping the food warm. When she heard the dog barking and the sound of wheels crunching in the dirt drive leading to the house, she began to place the food into serving dishes. Madeline quickly got to her feet, took the bread from the warmer above the oven, and began to slice it.
George burst into the room. “They’re here! They’re here!” He continued to shout those words as he ran around the kitchen and back out into the yard, which excited the dog even further.
Josephine and Madeline smiled at one another as they heard Caleb and Hank take control of the situation outside. It sounded like Caleb reined in his nephew while Hank got a rope and tied Pardner to a tree for the time being.
They were just setting the last of the food on the table when the Youngs were escorted into the dining room from the front of the house by Hank, Caleb, and George.
“Sorry we’re late,” muttered the Reverend as he spied the food on the table.
“Nonsense,” Madeline replied. “You have perfect timing, as always.”
Ella rushed forward and gave Madeline a big hug. “Do you need help with anything?”
“No, Josephine has things well in hand, thank you. Please, have a seat,” Madeline offered with a gesture.
George immediately ran toward the table, but Hank grabbed him by the scruff of his neck before he got into his seat. “Whoa, there. You, me, and your uncle still need to wash up before we eat, Lil’ Bub,” he chided George gently as he guided him to the kitchen.
Ella Young turned her attention to Josephine before taking her seat and approached the younger woman while the men bustled about. “I’m so happy that you’ll be marrying Hank. He’s a good man with a good head on his shoulders. And he isn’t too hard on the eyes either, is he?” she teased with a wink and a smile.
Josephine’s eyes popped open and she could feel a flush rise to her cheeks. Before she knew what was happening, Ella had engulfed her in a hug. She peeked over the woman’s shoulder at Madeline, who was doing her best to not laugh.
Madeline winked at Josephine to let her know that all was well, and then stood at her place at the table. Ella eventually released Josephine and moved to her chair. Josephine followed suit, still shocked over what the reverend’s wife had just said about Hank.
It wasn’t long before the men returned, little George included, and helped their ladies take their seats. Hank came in the room last and paused as he saw Josephine from across the room. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes were wide, as though she had been startled or surprised by something. He thought once again that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and how lucky he was to have her as his bride-to-be. He recovered quickly and moved to help Josephine to her seat.
George stood somewhat patiently by his chair with a pout on his face. He clearly felt left out, as he quickly moved to help the reverend with his seat once the ladies had been seated.
Reverend Young laughed. “Well, thank you, George. That was very thoughtful,” he praised the boy as he sat down.
George grinned from ear to ear and happily took his seat. He immediately reached for one of the warm slices of bread nearest to him, but Madeline quickly and gently slapped his hand away.
“Prayers first,” she reminded him quietly.
Caleb smiled at his wife from across the table, and then gave the reverend a nod.
Josephine smiled shyly at Hank as he took her hand for the prayer. Normally they merely bowed their heads at the table to pray, but the reverend and his wife immediately began the chain of held hands. It seemed everyone expected this change except Josephine, though she was happy for any excuse to hold Hank’s hand, truth be told.
Once everyone had joined hands, the reverend bowed his head and said the blessing. “Lord, please bless the food you have placed here before us. Bless us, your children, and help us to keep your Word and live it in our daily lives. And bless the upcoming union of Hank and Josephine. May you always be the Light for them in times of darkness and trouble. Amen.”
“Amen,” everyone replied in unison as they released their hold on their neighbor’s hands.
Hank gave Josephine’s hand a gentle squeeze before he slowly released it. He looked up from their joined hands to her face, and their eyes locked. He sat there, mesmerized by her gaze, until Caleb tapped his shoulder with the back of his hand and broke the spell.
Hank glanced over to his friend, only to find himself face to face with a bowl of green beans. He grinned, nodded his thanks, and took the bowl from Caleb before returning his attention to Josephine. “Beans?” he offered and, at her nod, scooped a serving onto her plate before he served himself.
He glanced sheepishly around the table as he saw that everyone else had already been fully served and had begun to eat. He idly wondered how long he and Josephine had been looking at each other as he continued to serve his lovely bride-to-be.
Josephine felt her face turn beet red as she realized that she and Hank had been lost in their own little world for an indeterminate amount of time. Clearly it had not been too long, as the others had barely begun their meal. If anyone had noticed the exchange between them, no one said a word.
“Looks like it’s setting up to be another dry one this year,” Reverend Young chatted amiably as he slathered his bread with butter. Just a few days ago it had been so cold, with snow drifting as high as the fence line, but already the air had begun to warm and the snow had begun to melt.
Caleb nodded. “This is exactly how last spring started. Whenever we have an early warm snap like this, I know we’re going to pay for it somehow.”
Hank couldn’t help but agree with his friend. He had lived his whole life on the prairie. He knew the signs well enough. “Yep. Either a drought, locusts, bad summer storms, or prairie fire. Something’s gonna happen.”
Josephine had dealt with the storms and locusts since they moved to Nebraska, but had thankfully never been sorely affected by drought or fire. Her step-father worked for the railroad for some time, then a mercantile, and they had lived on the edge of town. He
did not have any farm animals at all, but bought everything they needed in town. The worst she had to deal with was rationing water and dealing with the piles of locusts when they came through.
“What about all the cattle? And the horses and other animals?” Concern for the well-being of the animals peppered her words and her face took on a decidedly worried look as she thought of the poor creatures starving, burning alive, or dying of thirst.
Hank patted her hand gently. “Don’t worry about it, Josie-darlin’. Caleb and I have a plan.”
Madeline turned her attention to George rather than get caught up in the discussion. She and Caleb had argued about this plan of theirs just the night before. She just prayed that they were making the right decision for the future of the ranch.
“And what plan is that?” asked Reverend Young between bites of roast beef.
Caleb looked sheepishly at Madeline, whose face was averted, and then cleared his throat before answering. “We decided to sell half the herd early. We’ll keep one or two of our best bulls and a dozen or so of our best cows. We’d rather get less for them now than risk losing the whole herd.”
Hank nodded. “Last year we lost half the cattle to drought. So far this year is looking to be the same. We stockpiled as much feed as we could and drilled another well. If we keep the herd small, we might just be able to make it if the drought lasts a few more years.”
“Pa always told me to save up for a rainy day. Or in this case, a not-rainy day. We’ll be all right.” Caleb spoke to the table at large, but his words were clearly intended to soothe Madeline’s ruffled feathers. They had argued about this the night before and in the end she had agreed to trust his decision, but he knew she was not entirely happy with the outcome.
Ella, who was always one to pick up on subtle nuances where her husband did not see them, felt the tension in the air and quickly changed the subject. “I hear you’ll be starting work on your new house fairly soon, Hank.”
Hank looked up from his meal with a surprised look on his face. He had not expected such a quick change in the flow of conversation. “Oh…yes, very soon. In fact, Walter’s already starting to build some of the parts for the windmill. Says it keeps his hands busy.”
Hank's Runaway Bride (Brides of Chimney Rock Book 1) Page 9
