Lizbeth always talked so quickly it was hard to get a word in when Jessie was with her, and she was caught off guard by her friend’s question. Jessie hesitated for a moment, not sure if she wanted to tell Lizbeth what she was doing there or not, but the moment passed as Lizbeth continued talking.
“Never mind that! Are you free Sunday? I was thinking I would make a basket lunch and we could go over to the pond and sit for a while. Doesn’t that sound delightful?”
Jessie smiled and opened her mouth to reply, but Lizbeth continued without waiting for an answer.
“It’s settled then. We will pick you up in the wagon Sunday after church. Like I’ve always said, there’s no better way to worship the Lord than in His creation!”
She suddenly let go of Jessie’s arm and hurried down the street, turning to waive at her before disappearing around the corner of the bank.
Jessie chuckled to herself. It felt good to smile. It had been so long since she felt anything at all besides her love for the baby, but today she felt good. That letter she put in the mail was going to lead to something good, she just knew it.
In the days to come Jessie tried to move on with her life, and not worry about what was happening in the mail. She didn’t say anything to her friends about replying to the ad in the paper. She knew what they would say.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Have you given yourself enough time?”
“Is this a good idea?”
“It could be dangerous!”
Jessie didn’t want to hear these things. She knew what she was doing, and she was happy with her decision. There were a lot of women out there that were very happily married to men they met through a mail order ad. She wasn’t going to be any different.
Every day she stopped by the post office to check for a reply, and with each passing day she tried to act like she didn’t care when there wasn’t one. Every night she told herself it was going to turn around. Every morning she told herself not to give up.
It became her habit to make her stop by the office, and insist she was just checking in case there was a letter for her.
After 3 weeks passed, she had nearly given up, but told herself she would stop by just one more time. She reluctantly stopped in to the post office and once again inquired about a letter.
And that was the day there was.
Chapter 3 – The Move Out West
Jessie lifted her skirt and ran home as fast as she felt comfortable. With the passing weeks she was battling bouts of nausea off and on, and she found moving too quickly tended to make her dizzy.
She had been shocked when the postmaster handed her the letter marked from California, and could hardly contain her excitement as she hurried home. She didn’t even stop to chat with Lizbeth when she passed her on the street. Lizbeth called after her, but she yelled over her shoulder that she was busy and would see her later on in the week.
Jessie yanked her door open and ran to her bed. She would have jumped onto her bed belly first, but these days she was a lot more conscious about how she treated herself so she just sat on the edge of the bed.
She ripped open the top of the envelope, and pulled out the letter inside. When she unfolded the paper, a small photograph fell into her lap. She picked it up and her eyes fell upon a dashing cowboy. He had a thick mustache and dark eyebrows, but his eyes were kind.
Jessie gasped at the sight of him. She hadn’t even looked at another man since her husband passed, but with this photograph in her hands and the idea she could be his bride in her head, she couldn’t help but notice how attractive he was.
After a few moments she turned from the photo to read the letter he had sent. Her heart pounded in her chest as she skimmed the contents, and when she had finished, she fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
It read:
My dear Jessie,
I hope you don’t mind my using your first name, but I feel you are the one I want to make my bride. You are beautiful, and your story has compelled me to invite you out here to California.
If you do, we shall be married within the day of your arrival, and I will take you to our home. I have purchased a ticket for you to ride the stagecoach if you accept, and I eagerly await to hear your answer.
Yours always,
Toby
Jessie just laid in silence for a while, then a smile broke across her lips. This was exactly what she had asked God for. It was more than she could have hoped for. A man that was so handsome, and spoke like a true gentleman! It seemed like a fairytale that she was lucky to be a part of, and the feeling was exhilarating.
After a few moments, Jessie sat up and looked around the room. If she was going to take the stage, she would have to pack lightly. It wasn’t as though there was a lot in the room for her to take with her anyway, but it was still hard to know what to take and what to leave.
I guess I’ll figure that out later. Right now I need to tell Toby he can expect me in on the next stage.
She scrawled a quick note on a piece of paper, and prepared to run back to the post office, when she suddenly felt faint. She swayed and sat down on the chair in the kitchen. Jessie breathed heavily, then put her hand no her tummy.
“I’m sorry Little One, I won’t move so fast this time. Just take it easy, ok? Your mama is going to get things ready for us to start out new lives together!”
The week went by in a blur for Jessie. After she had gone to the post office she strode straight to Lizbeth’s house to ask her for help. If there was anyone that would be able to tell her what she ought to take and what she ought to leave, it would be Lizbeth.
After Jessie calmed her friend down and let her get used to the idea, the two women spent the next few days getting things together.
“You know, I really am going to miss you Missy,” Lizbeth said the morning Jessie was to leave. There were tears in her eyes as she spoke, although it was clear she tried to hide it.
“I’m gonna miss you too Ma’am,” Jessie said, choking up on her own words. She was happy with her decision to leave, and she wanted to get on the road, but it was going to be really hard to leave her friends behind.
“Well now, we could sit here all day and cry about it, but you have a stage to catch.” Lizbeth sniffed and stood up, straightening her skirts and holding her hand down to her friend.
“You know I’ll write. I’ll write you as soon as I get there, and every week after!”
“Oh Jessie, you’d forget your own head if it weren’t attached to your shoulders… how are you going to remember to write to me?” Jessie knew her friend was teasing her, but there was a pang in her heart when she heard the words.
“I’m not going to have any friends out there, of course I’ll write. I may just write you every day. You wait and see!”
“You better be careful, or I’ll hold you to that!” Lizbeth laughed as the two of them headed out the door to meet the stage.
As the stage pulled away, Jessie poked her head out of the window and looked back at her friend.
Lizbeth was crying unashamedly now, waiving her handkerchief and yelling all kinds of wishes to her friend. Jessie lifted her hand in return, waiving her tissue back to her friend. She kept her head out of the window until Lizbeth had disappeared out of sight.
Jessie then sat back in the coach, and closed her eyes. She didn’t know what lay ahead, but she was going to face whatever came with a smile on her face and a song in her heart.
Chapter 4 – Toby Matthews
Jessie would have preferred taking the train out west, but since she didn’t have to buy the ticket, she didn’t complain out loud. The problem with the stage was that it was crowded and bouncy with nothing soft to sit on. By the time they reached their first stop she was already sore and ready to be in California.
There were always other travelers in the stage with her, but Jessie tried not to talk too much. She had heard stories of robbers that tried to act like they were your friend on the stage, but as soo
n as you got off they robbed you of anything of value you had.
Jessie didn’t have a lot of money on her, but the thought of getting robbed for what she did have was enough to make her sit quietly and look out the window as much as she could.
Some of the passengers curled up and slept while they rode, but Jessie found this to be impossible for her. Even though she was still very early on in her pregnancy, few positions in the stage were comfortable enough for her. Instead of sleeping she decided to try to guess what Toby Matthews would be like.
She knew his face of course, since she held in her hand a photograph of him, but she imagined how tall he would be, and what his voice would sound like. She imagined he would be a lot taller than her, and he would have that strong silence about him that her father always had.
Not at all like John, but then I don’t want someone like John.
Thoughts of her late husband were in her mind even as she rode out west to marry another man. She tried to focus on the present, and what she had to do right now, but part of her wondered if she was making a mistake marrying so soon after John had passed.
It’s what he would have wanted I’m sure. John would never have wanted me to be alone, and with a baby on the way, I need more help now than I can manage.
Feeling justified, Jessie closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat, laying her head against the wall. Sleep may be impossible, but she would rather feel the thumps and bumps they drove over than sit there and think about John.
The trip had taken nearly 2 weeks to complete. They had run into problems with the wheels as they had passed through the Midwest, and had to stop for a few days to make repairs before they could continue on their journey.
By now, Jessie was more than ready to be done with the trip and settle into her new life. She was eager to get to California, and it didn’t seem like time was going quickly enough.
She had written Toby to tell him of her delay, and inform him she would be there Thursday evening instead of Tuesday.
And it’s finally Thursday. I declare! Those were the longest 2 weeks of my entire life. I can’t wait to get off this thing and meet Toby!
The stage came rolling into town late afternoon, and as it did, Jessie felt butterflies form in her stomach. She hadn’t been feeling as nauseous lately, but when her nerves set in, she felt sick. Part of her wanted to just stay on the stage and turn right back around and head home, but the other part of her pushed her forward, urging her to do what she had come to do.
There were people milling about the stage as it came to a stop, and at first Jessie didn’t see Toby. He had told her he would be wearing a black cowboy hat with boots that were just as black, but to Jessie, everyone looked the same. She sat back in the coach as the driver opened the door and the other passengers spilled out.
When it was her turn to exit, she stood on the top of the stairs, scanning the crowd. She finally saw him towards the back of the group, waiving to her as their eyes met. Jessie’s heart leapt to her throat as she slowly made her way down the steps and walked over to meet him.
“My, my! Well aren’t you a purty thing?” Toby gave a low whistle, and Jessie felt her cheeks flush crimson.
“Thank you, you look might sharp yourself… if it’s not too bold to say.” She answered shyly.
Toby laughed and offered her his arm.
“I know it’s all rather sudden, but I like you. I like you a lot. So, if you don’t mind, and you think you like me too… wanna go get hitched?”
Jessie laughed and put her hand in the crook of his arm.
“Well if that’s not the sweetest proposal I have ever heard!” She said through her laughter, “I would be honored to go along with you.”
They headed for the courthouse, talking as they went. Jessie wanted to get a good look at him, but she didn’t want to stare, so she only gave sidelong glances as the spoke. Toby was shorter than she thought he would be. He was still taller than she was, but he was of a very average build.
His hair was thick and black and his eyes were kind. Jessie could see herself married to him and living happily together, and from what she could tell he seemed like a good match to be a father to her child.
I suppose we can talk about those things later on, right now there’s more pressing things at hand.
Jessie listened to what Toby was saying, but she tried to look about the town as they were walking. It was clear Toby knew where they were going, and he was eager to get there.
The town was huge, and Jessie craned her neck to see as much of it as she could. She didn’t know what her new life was going to bring, but from the looks of things, it was going to be an adventure.
Chapter 5 – The Reality of Life
Their ceremony was short and sweet. Jessie wasn’t sure what to expect. When she had married John they had been surrounded by their friends and family, all eagerly cheering them on and congratulating them. With Toby, it was just her, Toby, and the preacher man.
He had his secretary stand up as a witness for the two of them, then they signed the paperwork, and were finished. Toby gave Jessie a tender kiss on the cheek, and they left.
“It’s high time we head home. I think I have enough daylight left to get the chores done before sunset if we hurry.” Toby slapped the reins on the backs of the horses, and they were off. The town faded into the background, then eventually disappeared altogether as they set out for the country.
Jessie looked up at the clear blue sky above them. It was so peaceful here, and warm. She liked the look of the rolling hills. It was a stark contrast to the rocky mountain terrain they had to cross to get there. She could just imagine her son or daughter running around in these hills, playing and laughing without a care in the world.
“That’s it!” Toby broke into her thoughts as he pulled the horses to a stop and pointed to a little house at the base of the hills.
“That is the modest little shanty I like to call home. Now, we can both call it home. I know it’s not much, but it’ll grow on you. When I have more money, we can build onto it and make it a bit bigger, but I think it will do for now.”
“I think it’s cute!” Jessie exclaimed.
They drove down to the front of the house, and Toby jumped off the wagon. He walked around to the other side and held out his arms to help Jessie down, then he motioned for her to follow him as he went indoors.
Once inside, it took a moment for Jessie’s eyes to adjust as she looked around. It was dim indoors, but there was a fireplace that would light up the whole area if a fire were lit. The sink was full of dirty dishes, and it looked as though no one had swept the floor in weeks.
There were piles of dirty laundry scattered here and there, giving the place a smaller look than it already had. Jessie scanned the entire area, trying not to form any opinions just yet.
It’s still new, and you were late in arriving. Perhaps he had it picked up a couple days ago and let it unwind a bit since I was late. I’m sure he’ll get around to cleaning.
“You will find a broom and a wash bucket in the shed around the side of the house, and the fire will warm water quickly. I’ll get one going so you can get a start on the dishes there.” Toby whistled a tune as he turned and headed out the door, leaving Jessie standing in the middle of the room, shocked at what had just happened.
Settle down Jess, you don’t know what he meant by that. Surely he doesn’t expect you to clean up the place. You just got here! Or maybe he just wants you to help him out a bit.
She turned and walked out the door to go find Toby and straighten out what had just happened. He was by the woodpile, lifting logs into his arms as high as he could stack them.
“I’m sorry Toby, but I’m confused… are you asking me to clean up the floor?”
“Well, yeah, I guess. But not just the floor, the dishes need doin’ and there’s a bit of laundry about that could stand being washed. I was going to get you a fire going so you would have an easier time starting it all.” He smiled at her, and Jessie
could tell he was serious.
“Is there a problem?” He asked, a look of concern in his eyes.
Jessie forced a smile and shook her head. She put her hands in her apron pockets and looked around.
“Oh no, there’s no problem. It’s just not what I was expecting is all.”
“What you were expecting? What did you expect? You’re my wife, so it’s your duty to cook and clean and keep the house. Heck, I thought you knew that already.”
“I better get to it then, supper will be ready in an hour, I hope you’re hungry.” Jessie smiled again and walked back into the house. She went to work on clearing the counter space as Toby built a fire and put the water on to heat, and she watched him as he headed out to the barn.
As soon as he had disappeared from view, Jessie sat down and buried her face in her hands. This wasn’t at all what she was expecting. This wasn’t what she wanted. She came out here to marry a husband and raise a family together, not to be a maid.
If I just wanted to be a maid I could have gotten hired at a hotel back home! This is crazy… what have I gotten myself in to?
She didn’t cry, because she wasn’t sad. She was confused and a little bit angry. If Toby wanted someone to do the dishes, he could have any hired help do that. It seemed like a lot of work to marry someone to get them to keep house, but perhaps he didn’t think of it that way.
Shaking her head, Jessie rose and grabbed the pot of hot water off of the fire and poured it into the washbasin.
She had said dinner would be ready in an hour, so she felt she best have it done.
Chapter 6 – Conversation and Conflict
The next few days dragged by, even though Jessie was busy. She did all of the cleaning she could see needing done, and moved on outdoors. Toby had mentioned something about a garden, and she wanted to see if there was anything she could get into the ground this year.
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