Constance reread the letter three times before she was able to get through it without the tears. And here she’d been praying the whole time for God to remove the feelings she’d harbored for Jameson. To help her deal with the hurt that stung so badly sometimes that she found it hard to breathe.
***
June 1887
Jameson stood on the boardwalk, bouncing on his heals as he waited. Constance had sent a telegram when they’d reached Kansas, saying that they’d arrive today, within the hour if his watch was right. He paced up and down the boardwalk, sat down, stood up, tried to read the paper, check recent new bulletins. Apparently Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were still wreaking havoc on the Midwest. Then the train whistle blew and Jameson turned to see the smoke stack as the train grew larger and larger.
He waited, holding his breath as passengers poured from the locomotive and its attached cars. Then he inhaled, finally, at the sight of Constance as she stepped off the train, aided by her father. He’d forgotten how incredibly stunning she was, which was clear by just how much she’d matured. No longer was she the sassy young girl who’d confronted him about injustice. No, this Constance was a beautiful and breathtaking young woman. A young woman who made his heart squeeze in his chest even as a grin split his face. Where once her pretty blonde hair had been pinned almost haphazardly on her head and freckles had splashed across her face, now she wore her hair in the latest up do, pinning it stylishly so that his fingers itched to let it all spill down her back. Her face glowed as she waited by her mother.
“Mr. Lowell,” Jameson said, addressing Richard first. He greeted Rachel as well before turning his eyes on Constance who was waiting patiently. “Would you care to walk with me?”
“I’d like that very much,” she agreed, taking his elbow. They started out, keeping themselves easily within eyesight of her parents. “Thank you for inviting us to see your ranch. I’ve been on pins and needles wondering what it looks like.”
“I hope you’ll like it,” he grinned. “Although I must admit that it’s in sore need of a woman’s touch. My decorating skills are terribly lacking.”
“How are the horses?” she asked, unable to contain her excitement as her hand squeezed his arm.
“They’re beautiful,” he chuckled. “They can’t hold a candle to you, Constance, but they are beautiful.”
“When can we see it, the ranch?”
“This very afternoon, if you wish.”
“Yes, please,” she smiled. “Daddy, can we go see his ranch today?”
“Why I think that would be lovely, dear.”
“Alright,” Jameson said. “Is it alright with you if Constance rides with me sir?”
“I think that given your intentions it would be alright,” he said.
“I’ve procured a buggy for you and Mrs. Lowell as well.”
“Well thank you, my boy.” Richard chuckled as Jameson shook his hand.
Jameson handed Constance up into the buggy, smiling over the horses that pulled them along. “Are these yours?”
“Yes,” he smiled. “Jack and Jill are their names. They are my work horses and do a fair job for me. I take excellent care of them, but it’s the other horses I want you to take a look at. I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned in such a short time. They are phenomenal creatures. So willing to do all I ask of them and more, just because I feed and groom them, because I’m patient with them.”
“I can hardly wait,” she said.
***
Constance couldn’t believe the beauty of San Jacinto. Nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains, the valley was home to both San Jacinto and Hemet, which was home to the only hospital in the entire valley. “It’s beautiful here.”
“It is,” Jameson smiled. “I was so blessed when this property was brought to my attention. I knew then, that God had different plans for me than running the clothing company for another fifty years.
“I wouldn’t have taken you for a rancher,” she laughed. “Not that I think you incapable…I just…you looked so right in a suit and tie I guess.”
“I don’t look right in overalls?”
She giggled, unable to help herself. “We shall see.” When they arrived at his ranch, Constance was stunned by how much property Jameson had. Acres and acres of fenced property was either sectioned off for grazing, crops, or the magnificent horses. Upon inquiring, Constance learned that Jameson had been able to acquire a beautiful thoroughbred stallion for a decent price. The mare had cost him considerably more as she was already in foal. “We’re do for our first baby any day now,” he informed his guests once Constance’s parents arrived.
“I assume you’re hoping for a little filly?”
“Frankly,” he smiled. “I don’t care what gender the horse is. It was join what I hope will become a long line of successfully bred horses. Not just for racing either. I’d like to create a line of horses to serve the military and cowboys, famers, and the like that head this way.”
“So you think California isn’t the last state to join the Union?”
“Oh no,” Jameson assured him. “I think we’ll see Kansas and Nevada for sure. Maybe even Oklahoma and New Mexico as well. There’s even talk of territories to our north becoming states for the union as well.”
“Good news,” Robert agreed. “Good news, indeed.”
Constance spent the summer learning all she could about Jameson’s ranch, while her father helped he intended learn the ins and outs of running his own business. She painted his house a pretty cream colored yellow and put up freshly painted blue shutters. She sewed new curtains and with the help of her mother, made the house that would one day be hers, a home.
***
Before long though, it was time to say farewell and head back to finish her schooling. “I’ll write to you as often as time allows,” Jameson promised, seeing her off at the train depot.
“I’ll reply just as often,” she promised. Before she lost the nerve, Constance looked up into sparkling blue eyes, took a deep breath, and quickly pressed her lips to his. The kiss was over in a flash, but the burn on her lips lasted well into the night as she tried to sleep on the train.
They made it home in a couple days and before Constance knew it, school had engulfed her once again. Jameson’s first letter came two weeks later and she anxiously tore it open.
September 1887
My Dearest Constance,
I certainly hope this letter finds you well and happy. Hopefully your studies are going well. My town is talking about incorporating into the county, which I’m in favor of. It’d give us land owners rights we currently can’t exercise. With Hemet already being incorporated I assume it can only benefit us from here on out.
I miss you, but I suppose that’s an equal sentiment. How was your train ride home? Did I ever tell you that I’ve never been on a train? Are the as noisy and uncomfortable as they seem?
Write to me soon sweetheart!
Always,
Jameson
Constance replied with haste, wanting the letter to hit the morning mail call.
September 1887
Dearest Jameson,
Never been on a train? We must ride one together someday! My studies are progressing well. Hopefully this will be my last year before I can finally say I’ve graduated. With my high scores I’m sure I’ll succeed. I have never been more well or happier in my life, partly because I’m love by you.
Forgive me for not writing my own feelings down. I prefer to say them in person, when the opportune time presents itself.
I’m glad to hear that your town will become an incorporation of the county. It sounds as if that would bode well for your ranch? The legalities escape me, but if it will be good for the town and for you, then I’m thankful and grateful that it’s happening.
I miss you too, Jameson. More than I can or will put into words right now. We wait patiently for the plans of our Heavenly Father. I am sure that our patience will be rewarded and soon I ho
pe.
For now, I will apply myself to my studies to become the best nurse and librarian I can be. I will learn the things from my mother to make me a good wife and mother. Then we can marry and I’ll let you love me for the rest of my life.
Truly yours,
Constance
***
Jameson had finally been able to hire a foreman for his ranch, after spending the fall building a bunkhouse. Manuel Escobar had earned his position and after three months with Jameson, he was experienced enough to take over all of the menial jobs, as well as, some of the big ones.
“You’re sure you can handle it?” Jameson asked for the hundredth time that morning.
“Si, boss,” the man smiled. “I will make sure everything runs smoothly.”
“Thank you, Manuel. And tell Margarete that I said Merry Christmas.”
“Si, I will.”
Jameson grabbed his bags and headed for the train depot, snagging a comfortable bunk in the sleeping car. He unpacked his things and buried himself in a book for the first several hours before he went hunting the food car. Ordering dinner, Jameson enjoyed a beautiful steak with roasted potatoes and carrots. He drank coffee and wondered how Constance was going to react when he showed up on her doorstep.
The train was indeed much more comfortable than she had imagined. His bunk was a single one and he was grateful for the added space in his cabin. That first night he slept fitfully, tossing and turning as his mind began to play havoc in his head. When he finally slept, he dreamed of Constance, dressed in white, floating toward him on their wedding day. In a flash she was holding a pretty little blonde girl and in his arms was a sweet-faced little boy who favored him. Then they were enjoying the sunset as their children ran around the yard, playing. The flashes continued as Jameson slept. Children grew up and had families of their own and Constance aged by his side, becoming ever more beautiful to him. Her sweet, sassy spirit never changed and she always seemed to add a spice to his life that would surely be lacking if he hadn’t met her one morning when she’d seen a little boy working much too hard.
“Grand Central Station!” the conductor announced, two days later, as Jameson finished his breakfast. Twenty minutes later the train was pulling in and Jameson departed. He found a taxi and made his way to the Lowell home, nervous as an alley cat.
Enjoying the city, Jameson watched the building fly by. He noted Claremont inn which was situated along Riverside Drive. Beautiful and stately, it rose above the street, almost begging patrons to come in from the frigid cold. Smiling, Jameson knew he’d be sleeping their tonight, having made prior arrangements by telegram.
An hour after leaving Grand Central Station, the taxi pulled up in front of a beautiful, two-story home that even from the outside looked warm and inviting. He paid the buggy driver and stepped down onto the walkway that led to the door of the Lowell home. Screwing up his courage, Jameson made his way up the path and knocked loudly on the door.
***
“Sweetheart can you get the door for us?” Constance heard her father say as he set the table for dinner.
“Sure, daddy.”
Constance headed for the door, hoping the wind wouldn’t blow too much snow in with the cold. She inhaled deeply and then jerked the heavy, oak door open. Seeing Jameson at the door though, made all the air leave her loves and her head felt so light, as if her body had grown cement shoes. Suddenly the face in front of her began to move sickly back and forth and then the black abyss swallowed her whole as she fainted.
Coming to, Constance opened her eyes to see three people standing over her. “I need to sit up. Can I have some water, please?”
Before she knew it a glass was in her hand. Taking a small sip, she closed her eyes as humiliation washed over her. “Jameson?”
The people around her parted and her vision took in the man she loved with all of her might. “How are you feeling?”
“Better now,” she said, touching his face. “I just couldn’t believe you were standing there, real, in front of me.”
“My intention was to surprise you for Christmas, not make you faint.”
“The fainting should be a compliment,” she laughed, still feeling a bit off in her stomach.
Christmas went swimmingly and before they knew it, it was time for Jameson to head back to his ranch. “You’ll continue to write to me?”
“I won’t miss an opportunity, love,” Jameson promised. Tipping her face up, he pressed his lips to hers. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Jameson.” Tears swam in her eyes as she watched Jameson board the train. The weeks flew by as Constance and Jameson continued to write to each other. Then, in the spring of 1888, Jameson wrote.
…we’ve been incorporated! This past week, on April 9th, San Jacinto became part of Riverside County.
His letter continued.
I know it’s sooner than either of us had really planned, but life seems too short now to wait much longer and I’m a better man when you’re close to me. I’ve already asked your father’s permission, but it’s only right that I ask you. Will you come to San Jacinto? Will you come and live here, close to me, until we can officially move forward?
I’m awaiting your answer,
Love,
Jameson
Constance ran downstairs and nearly plowed over her father who was standing at the bottom landing. “Is it true?”
“It’s true,” Richard chuckled. “I gave Jameson my blessing to bring you out to San Jacinto. Your mother and I will follow in a few months, once things settle down at the office.”
“Oh thank you, daddy!” Constance squealed. “Can you believe it? I’m going to be our family’s first mail-order bride!”
“Well, he hasn’t asked yet,” Richard said, grinning. “Although I don’t expect it to be much longer, once you arrive. Regardless, I’m thankful that Jameson didn’t have to advertise for you.”
“When do I leave?”
“This afternoon,” Richard said, holding out an envelope. “This envelope contains the inheritance, as well as some spending money to keep you until you can establish yourself in San Jacinto.”
“When will you and mother come to visit?”
“When we hear that our daughter is planning her wedding, we’ll be on the next train.”
Later that day Constance stood in Grand Central Station, waiting for her train to come. When it pulled up she tearfully love her parents and then stepped onto the train, feeling as if she was finally heading toward her future. Having graduated the month before with her nursing degree and a follow-up degree in library sciences, she was well suited to find employment in either field. Truth be told she wasn’t sure she would work at all, it would all depend on what Jameson thought and where his ranch went.
Two days later, Constance stepped of the train at the San Jacinto depot and all but flew into Jameson’s embrace. Smiling broadly, she giggled, “I’ve missed you.”
“I could tell,” he grinned, tucking her hand into his elbow. “I’ve acquired a room for you at the Hamilton Inn, but I’d like to take you to dinner tonight, if you’re not too tired.”
“I feel like I have all the energy in the world right now.”
“You were able to sleep on the train?”
“For the most part. The closer we came to San Jacinto the harder it became, but I was able to get enough adequate rest. Can we eat at your ranch?”
“If you’d like,” Jameson smiled. “I think you’ll find the new upgrades much to your liking.”
Constance was once again amazed at the beauty of Jameson’s property and could scarcely believe that someday it would be hers as well. But it was when she looked across the expanse and saw Rebekah and Billy Porter running toward her that Constance knew she’d found her home.
“How did you two get here?”
“We was hired by Mr. Smitz,” Rebekah said, her smile broad and beaming. “I’m the cook and he paid me enough that Billy can stay in school.”
“Someone once told me that schooling was very important for young boys,” Jameson chuckled, pulling Constance to his side.
“That it is,” Constance smiled. Dinner was served on the Veranda and Constance told Jameson all about her schooling and graduation. “I was at the top of my class, although I was thankful to not be the school’s valedictorian. I hate public speaking.”
“Really?” Jameson said, truly shocked. “With your flamboyant attitude I’d think public speaking would be right up your alley.”
“Nope,” she smiled. “I can’t stand big crowds and everyone watching me.”
“So I suppose you don’t want a big wedding then?”
“Seeing as no one’s asked me to marry him, I don’t need to worry about it.”
“I’m asking,” Jameson said, his dark hair blowing in the wind. Constance watched as he got down on one knee and pulled out a pretty rose colored, gold ring. “This was my mother’s before she passed and it was always her wish that I would pass it down in our family. So I’m asking you to wear it proudly if you’ll have me?”
Constance couldn’t stop the tears that fell from her eyes as she laughed with joy. “Yes, I’ll have you Jameson Smitz and I will gladly wear your mother’s ring with all the pride my heart can muster.”
Epilogue
True to her word, Constance wore the small golden band with pride from the moment they were engaged to the date of their wedding that summer and throughout their lives together. Their children, a boy and a girl, did all the things Jameson had dreamed of and more. Rebekah stayed on as the cook for their home even after Billy had graduated from college and moved away. She often went to visit him and Jameson and Constance, along with their children attended Billy’s wedding in the spring of 1900. Manuel also stayed on as the foreman for the Triple “S” Ranch, which it eventually came to be named.
Constance’s parents enjoyed many visits to California. So much so, especially when the grandchildren came along, that they moved to the area permanently in 1895 and only spent an occasional trip back to New York, usually for business purposes.
“What will you tell our children when they start to ask how we came to know each other?”
[2016] A Bride's Journey Page 23
