“I think we ought to put on a party to welcome Mother and Father back home.” Katherine announced the evening after their second party.
“You’re just looking for an excuse to Mr. Gregory to see you in that red dress again.” Jane teased. The 4 sisters were out on the porch of their grand home, all working on various needlework crafts. They were chatting away about the parties they had, the parties they would like to have, and the suitors each sister favored.
“Amy Anne! Why don’t you come out here and join us?” Margaret called into the house. Amy Anne heard her, but pretended that she hadn’t.
“I say! Amy Anne!”
“Why don’t you just leave her be? You know she doesn’t like the parties or the gentlemen we are talking about.” Katherine didn’t look up as she spoke, and Margaret shrugged.
Amy Anne was glad the invitation for her to join them had been dismissed, for now she didn’t have to worry about making an excuse not to go out.
I need to be packing… and thinking of a way to tell Mother and Father.
Amy say down at the table with a pen and some paper. First, she penned a response to Mr. Shoats telling him he could expect her in the next few weeks, then she penned a note to her parents, telling them her plans.
She didn’t know quite how to say it, or how they would take it, so she simply said what she had done and why. She told them both that she loved them, and thanked them for sharing their home with her for all these years.
I suppose that’s going to have to do. I don’t know what else to say, and I’m certainly not saying anything to Katherine or anyone else about it!
Amy Anne placed both letters in envelopes, then put one in her satchel, and went to give the other to Olga.
Olga was once again in the garden. She liked it out there, saying that it was quiet and peaceful, and reminded her of the farm she grew up on.
“I’ve written the letter, Olga… and I was wondering if you might give it to Mother and Father for me when they return. I am going to be leaving by the end of the week, and I don’t expect them to be home by then.”
Olga looked at the letter, and reluctantly took it. She was the only person Amy Anne confided in, and she didn’t know what to say now.
“I… I wish you all the happiness in the world, Miss Amy Anne, I trust you are making the right decision. Remember, God is with you wherever you go.” she said slowly, her voice catching on her words.
Tears were in Amy’s eyes as she leaned in to hug her friend.
“I’ll write to you and let you know how everything is. I can’t wait to tell them all about you! And of course I’ll come back to visit.” She pulled back and smiled at Olga, who also mustered up a smile.
“Of course.”
Both women knew that a visit would be difficult, if not impossible, but they also knew it was a better way to part than planning to not see each other again.
“I wish you all the best, and may you be happy!” Olga put her hands up in the air as she spoke, and Amy Anne laughed. If there was one person she was going to miss here, it would be Olga.
The next few days passed quickly for Amy, but by the time she was to go, she was ready. She had left another note explaining what she was doing for her sisters to discover, but she had intentionally left it so they wouldn’t see it until after she had left.
They had all gone down to the busy side of town to shop and look busy, but Amy had told them she felt better staying home. After they had gone, she put the note on the dining table, and grabbed her bags.
Olga walked with her to the post office, and the 2 of them waited for the stage. Neither one of them said much, until the stagecoach pulled in front of the post office.
“Are you quite certain you want to do this?” Olga asked as Amy Anne picked up her bags.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Amy turned to face her friend, and smiled. “I don’t have a future here, Olga. I never have. I don’t remember ever being happy much since my real parents died, and I don’t see a future here with anyone else.
I don’t know if this is a good idea or not, but Jason Shoats sounds nice, and his daughter needs a mother. As much as I can figure, this is worth a shot at least.”
Olga nodded, and the two women embraced, then Amy Anne boarded the stagecoach. As they pulled away, she leaned out the window and watched Olga grow smaller and smaller into the distance as they left the town behind them.
Finally, Amy sat down in her seat and dreamily looked out the window. She didn’t know if this was the right choice to make, but she knew one thing for sure… there was no turning back now.
Chapter 5 – The Ride out West
The forest of Mississippi gradually flattened down into flat, green fields. There was to be few stops on the way to Montana, so Amy Anne did her best to find interesting things out the window.
It was very boring once they got out into the countryside. Amy Anne often wondered what it was like out west, imagining all sorts of wild animals, mountains, and uncivilized people, but all she could see was mile after mile of corn field and wheat fields.
In Kansas, they picked up a traveling salesman, and a young woman with a baby. The 4 of them rode together in silence for a while, that is, except for the gurgling noises the baby would make. Amy smiled at the mother, but she looked down at her feet and pretended not to notice.
“I say then, 2 young women traveling alone. This is an odd sight!” The salesman had finally reached his limit for silence, and decided to fill the air with his own chatter.
He looked first at the mother, then at Amy, and back at the mother again.
“Do either of you wish to say where you are going?”
They both ignored him, so he continued.
“Very well then. I’m on my way out to California. I hear there is a lot of gold and a wealth of other… well, wealth, to be had!” He laughed at his own joke and looked at them both again. He had an accent that Amy didn’t recognize, and before she realized what she was doing she asked him where he was from.
“England was the place of my birth, but I’ve been everywhere, my dear. I came to America in search of opportunity, and opportunity I have found!”
He laughed and looked out the window again, but quickly shifted his attention back into the coach. The baby started to make a fuss, and his mother shushed him, letting him suck on her thumb.
“I say, but aren’t you a quiet one! Are you going out west to find your true love?” He playfully nudged her with his elbow, and she scooted closer to the window, away from him. She looked irritated that he had once again spoken to her, and shook her head.
“I found my true love, and I am going out to live with him for good now. He went to the Dakota Territories in search of gold. That was over a year ago. I thought he was killed by the Indians, I hadn’t heard from him in so long. But he finally sent for me, telling me that he built us a house and he’s ready to make it a home.”
She bounced her baby on her knees, and looked across the way at Amy Anne.
“Now that I’ve said my piece, you ought to say yours. Where you headed and why?”
Amy blushed and looked out the window.
“I guess you could say I’m going to meet my family, too.” She said at last, turning back to look at the 2 in the coach.
The British man raised his eyebrows, and there was curious look on the face of the mother.
“Do tell?” He finally asked, his accent thick over both of the words.
“Well, you see, I am answering an ad for a bride by a man in Montana. He has a daughter and is in need of a mother for her and a wife for himself I guess. I am looking for a family, so I thought it would be a perfect match.”
The British salesman chuckled and looked out the window, and the mother eyed her warily.
“Do you know anything about this man and his daughter?” She asked suspiciously.
“I know that he is looking for someone to love, and to love him and his daughter in return.”
Amy Anne was starting to fee
l as though she were speaking with one of her sisters. The way this woman was looking at her reminded her of the way Katherine looked at her whenever she asked her a question.
“I just hope you know what you’re doing. I can’t imagine if I were a child that had lost my mother that I would want some stranger to come through the mail to be my new mother. I wouldn’t care if that’s what my daddy said or not.” She bounced the baby rather roughly on her knee, and he grunted in tune with her bouncing.
“Well, you see… I was an orphan, and I never felt quite like I belonged in the family that adopted me. They were very kind to me, mind you, but I just never thought that I was a good fit for them. Maybe it was because they already had other daughters and had taken me in, but I just never thought I belonged.”
“If they had other daughters… if you don’t mind my asking… why did they take you in?” The salesman butted in, and the mother gave him a sharp look.
“My parents knew them I guess. I don’t know. I just know that I want to be there for this little girl, and to belong. If I could fit into this family, I know I’ll find my place, and I’ll finally be happy.” Amy Anne looked down at her lap as she spoke, and she heard a sigh from the woman that sat across from her.
She looked up to see the woman shaking her head.
“Oh honey,” she said in a condescending tone, “you aren’t going to belong there any more than you belong in a casino. You see, that little girl is going to want her mother, and that man… he’s just looking to get his wife back. As soon as they see you aren’t her, you’ll be as odd as a fox in a henhouse.”
At this, the salesman laughed uproariously, then changed the subject. He began chatting about the weather and his plans for California, but Amy Anne wasn’t listening. She was looking out the window, watching the grass whisk by.
She tried not to let what the woman said get to her, but it was hard not to. She never felt like she belonged in her last home, and this was her chance to get out of that. But what if that woman was right?
What if she didn’t belong anywhere?
Chapter 6 – “Life is a Lonely Thing”
Jason nervously pulled the brush through Mary’s hair.
“Ouch Papa! You’re hurting me!” She cried out, pulling her head away from the brush and putting both her hands over her head.
“Well, if you would brush out your hair before you go to bed, it wouldn’t get all snarled up like this.” He tried to get another brush through her hair, but she jumped off the chair and began running around the table.
“What’s the surprise Papa? Tell me!” She ran into him, wrapping her arms around his legs and looking up at his face.
“I told you, I’ll show you when we get to town. Now, I have to go put on a better shirt, then we can go.”
Mary squealed with delight and ran outside. Jason watched her run around the yard a few times before she settled into her swing.
I sure hope she’s ready for this.
“I still can’t see anything Papa! Lift me up!” Mary was pulling on his hand, eagerly looking through all the legs and around all the skirts that crowded the platform.
“All right, all right! Come here.”
Jason hoisted her onto his shoulders, and she laughed as she drummed on his hat.
“I see it! There it is!” A little boy shouted as he pointed to the east. They could see the dust of the stagecoach rising in the distance, signaling that it was about to come into sight.
The stagecoach didn’t frequent this area as much as they wanted it to, so when it did come, there was always a great gathering waiting for it. People were all waiting for loved ones, friends, and packages to come in. Some were eagerly waiting for parts and tools, others waited for things that could only be ordered from more settled areas.
A lot of the men were gathered to hear the news of things that were taking place outside, but Jason and Mary were there waiting for someone special.
When the stagecoach finally came to a stop, Mary bounced up and down on his shoulders.
“It’s here! It’s here! What did it bring me?” She sang as she continued to bounce.
“Hold on and you’ll see.” Jason bent down and put her on the ground, then grabbed a hold of her hand. He took of his hat with his other hand, and waved as the door to the coach opened. There were several people that came out of the coach that he didn’t recognize, then finally Amy appeared.
She had sent him a description of herself in her final letter to him, so he knew just whom he was looking for. Amy, on the other hand, was only looking for a tall man with brown hair and a little girl. It wasn’t hard for her to find him as he was calling her name and waving his hat in the air.
Their meeting was quiet, and somewhat awkward. Mary felt shy and hid behind her father, wondering who this lady was. Amy Anne smiled at her, and tried to say hi, but Mary refused to look up at her.
“She’s a little shy at first, but don’t worry, as soon as she warms up to you, you won’t be able to keep her quiet. Shall we?”
He held his arm out to her, and picked up her bag with his free hand.
“Papa! Hold me Papa!” Mary wailed.
“I can’t Mary, I-“
“No, it’s all right, let me.” Amy let go of his arm and picked up her bags. Jason apologized once again and picked up Mary. They walked to the general store, where Jason introduced Amy Anne to his brother Jack, and asked Mary to wait with Jack while he and Amy ran an errand.
“You mean you didn’t tell her?” Amy Anne asked in amazement when they were back on the street.
“I figured she would warm up to it more once it was all happening rather than wait for it.” Jason smiled at her, and said, “You’re even prettier than I thought you would be.”
Amy Anne blushed, and put her hand in the crook of his arm. She wasn’t sure if this was a good idea, but there was something inside of her prompting her to go through with it.
Their wedding was short and sweet at the little church, a few of Jason’s friends were there to support them, and all welcomed Amy Anne graciously. When they were finished, they went back to pick up Mary.
“I don’t want a new Mama! I want my Mama!” Mary was screaming in the other room.
It was late, and Amy Anne laid awake in her bed, listening to Jason trying to explain what was happening to Mary. Amy didn’t want to get involved, but she wished she could do something. She knew what it was like to be in Mary’s place, but she also wanted Mary to accept her.
The screaming and crying went on long into the night, with Jason trying all the while to calm her down and get her to give Amy a chance. Finally, Amy could hear by Mary’s breathing in the next room that she had fallen asleep.
She heard Jason get up and walk to her door. It was closed most of the way, and he peered his head in. Amy Anne closed her eyes, pretending to also be asleep. She felt badly, not knowing what to say about the situation.
Jason was only there but a minute, before he sighed and pulled the door closed. Amy heard him walk to his own room and close the door. She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She couldn’t help but think of what the woman in the stagecoach had told her, and she felt tears welling up in her eyes.
Amy rolled on her side and faced the wall. She didn’t feel like she belonged here, in fact, she didn’t feel like she belonged anywhere.
Life is a lonely affair indeed, she thought.
Chapter 7 – Sickness in the House
The days turned into weeks, and the strain continued. Amy Anne did what she could to make friends with Mary, but nothing seemed to help. Mary would either cry or scream at her, or she would ignore her all together.
“Maybe this was a mistake.” Amy Anne said to Jason one evening.
“I don’t think it was. Like I said, she just needs a little time. She’s been through a lot for anyone, let alone a little girl. She’ll come around.” He kissed her on the forehead, and picked up the lantern.
“I’m going to go close in the animals for the
night… maybe she will let you read her a story, eh?” Jason smiled and Amy Anne shrugged. He walked out the door and she felt defeated.
Amy picked up Mary’s school book and walked over to her door, knocking softly.
“Go away!” Mary shouted.
“I was just wondering if you wouldn’t mind reading me this book.” Amy asked, but Mary turned away from her.
“I can’t read!” She yelled and stomped over to her bed.
“I think you could read this book… it’s about a little red hen.”
“I said I can’t!” Mary threw her doll at the door, and Amy sighed. She was about to turn to go, when she noticed that Mary had dark circles under her eyes.
“Mary, are you feeling ok?” She asked. Mary didn’t say anything, and crossed her arms. She sat on her bed, glaring at Amy. Amy opened the door and walked into the room.
“You look like you might be sick Sweetie, let me see.”
Amy reached for Mary, but she pulled away, screaming at Amy Anne not to touch her. Amy ignored her protests, and placed her hand on Mary’s forehead.
“Oh my goodness, you’re burning up!” She picked up the blanket and wrapped it around Mary, who kicked and screamed.
A red rash all over your neck and down to your stomach, and rough skin. Oh please God no! Don’t let it be!
Amy held onto her and carried her to the door, looking for Jason. She couldn’t see well in the dark, but she could see that there was something on the ground in front of the barn.
“Jason!” Amy yelled. She hurried back into the house, and laid Mary on the bed.
“Stay here, I have to go get your pa!”
Amy ran out into the night, over to where Jason lay on the ground. She turned him over, and he groaned.
“I don’t know what happened… I suddenly felt light headed… and…”
[2016] A Bride's Journey Page 15
