by Danni Roan
“The weather certainly is fine,” Beth agreed, feeling awkward sitting next to the preacher who she was finding more attractive and appealing each time they met. He was a far more complex man than she had expected on first meeting. Thinking on it, she knew she wanted to know him more.
“Miss Beth,” Brandon said boldly as the horse made the first turn out of town. “I hope you’ll forgive my forwardness, but I want you to know that I like you. I know you came here as a mail-order bride, but since you haven’t chosen a groom yet, I’d like,” he paused turning to look into wide, hopeful, green eyes. “I’d like to court you and see if we have a future together.”
Beth chewed her bottom lip as joy and trepidation warred in her breast. She liked Brandon. She felt comfortable with him, and the attraction that was growing daily couldn’t be ignored. Perhaps he wasn’t a dashing figure, or a heroic character from one of those romance books her mother had loved, but there was something about the tall, gangly man with the mop of dark curls, that called to her.
“I think I’d like that,” Beth finally replied, forcing her doubts deep inside. Not every man was her father, and she needed to find the faith to believe that she might be allowed her own happiness. Surely God would not let her make the same mistakes her mother had.
That bright beautiful smile broke across Brandon’s face, and Beth’s heart did a little leap at the transformation of his craggy features. She loved it when he smiled and knew that this bright grin was for her alone.
“Do you think we need to talk to Olive?” Beth asked. “It was her ad that drew me here you know, and I wouldn’t want to overstep her wishes.”
“I’ll talk to her when I get back to the Hampton House,” Brandon said. “I think she wanted you to take your time, and though you haven’t been here long, I promise not to hurry you.”
Beth nodded. The plan was a good one and though her stomach fluttered with nerves and excitement, she wanted to understand the feelings she had for the preacher of the little town.
Chapter 17
Brandon and Beth continued on in silence for what seemed miles until Brandon finally spoke.
“I have never actually courted anyone,” he admitted. “I know that seems strange, but it’s only fair you know.”
Beth couldn’t help but laugh as she replied. “I’ve never been courted either, if that makes it any easier,” she blushed prettily.
The laughter of the moment broke the tension between them, and soon they were chatting and sharing stories of their childhood, days both happy and sad.
Brandon could feel the sorrow and loss Beth still felt over her mother, but his heart seemed to want to fill up all the emptiness her loss had left.
“I know I should have been prepared for this,” Beth was saying as the ranch came into sight, “but I wasn’t. Even though Mama had been ill for so long, and we had talked about my future, it still took me by surprise.”
“Was it your mother’s idea that you come to Needful as a mail-order bride?” Brandon asked knowing that there must have been a great deal of discussion over the situation.
“Yes,” Beth’s smile surprising him. “Mama loved my father, even with his weakness for cards. She was happy with him and said she wanted me to find a love of my own. I’m not sure I fully understood it until,” she stopped blushing brightly but then continued, “until our talk just now.”
Brandon’s bright smile flashed, zinging to Beth’s heart, giving her hope. Perhaps God had brought her to Needful to meet this man.
“God has a way of getting us where he wants us,” Brandon’s words were soft as he reached out and squeezed her hand for the briefest moment. “I figure if our desire is to do His will, He’ll get us there one way or another.”
Beth pondered the words for a moment as he pulled the horse to a stop in front of the big house. “I hadn’t ever thought of it that way,” she said, turning and looking at him fully. “Thank you for the words, and for the ride home.”
Brandon scrabbled from the wagon helping Beth down and holding her hand for a moment. “I’ll call soon,” he said his heart galloping toward the future.
Beth stood on the porch watching as Brandon turned the wagon around in the yard then trotted back toward town. Could hope come so quickly? She wondered as she opened the door and stepped into the quiet house.
Heading for the kitchen, Beth smiled at Mrs. Perkins who was sitting in her rocking chair humming quietly.
“How are you Mercy?” Beth asked hanging her wrap on a peg and moving the kettle onto the hob.
“Goooood,” the older woman strained, her dark eyes glued to Beth who gaped in wonder.
“You spoke!” Beth said, falling to her knees in front of Mrs. Perkins and taking her hand. “You spoke!”
The older woman laid her head back against the chair, closing her eyes as if exhausted. Had Beth just heard the first words Mercy had spoken in nearly six years?
Beth stood there stunned as the kettle began to steam but didn’t want to disturb Mrs. Perkins who seemed to have drifted off to sleep and the house grew silent once more.
***
Brandon let the horse step into a trot as he headed toward home. The animal knew where its manger was and would take them back to the livery without urging and the preacher let his mind drift.
“Lord,” he started a grin playing at his lips. “I like that girl. I don’t know if she’s what you have for me, but if she is, I’d be grateful. I don’t even know if I realized how lonely I was until Miss Beth stepped out of that stage.”
Again, Brandon chuckled, thinking of the first time he had laid eyes on Miss Beechen. Her face was muddied, her dress rumpled, and she was sitting on the floor of the stage in a heap.
“She’s kinda’ cute as well,” Brandon mused. It seemed strange that after all the women he had met over the years, even Miss Peri, that Beth seemed to draw him to her with a sweet innocence and soft spirit. He hadn’t expected the jolt of attraction and protectiveness he had felt the moment he’d reached into the coach to retrieve the weary traveler, but his heart sang that he had been the first person to meet her in Needful.
By the time Brandon came to a stop in front of the new Livery building, he was grinning like a fox in the hen house but couldn’t seem to help himself.
“You must have had a nice drive preacher,” Darwin said, taking the horse with a nod. “I hope to find that kind of joy one day myself,” he ended with a hard look.
“Darwin, put your faith in God and he will bring you joy,” Brandon said, slapping the other man on the shoulder. “Sometimes things come along all unexpected like, but they are just what you never knew you needed.”
Darwin shook his head, leading the horse to the barn and unbuckling the harness. He knew he was too much a fool to find the kind of joy the preacher had. It was easier to spend his free time in the saloon drowning thoughts of happier days and wartime hardships. “I’ll take your word for it,” he called as Brandon turned toward the Hampton House with a jaunty spring in his step.
Chapter 18
It was Wednesday evening before Brandon could see Beth again and the activity at the Bowlings house floored him as he pulled to a stop.
Mrs. Perkins was sitting on the front porch between Prim and Beth as they chatted with Peri who sat on a bench at the rail.
“Mama, I can’t believe you’re speaking,” Peri said as the preacher made his way up the steps. “Mr. Tippert, Mama’s speaking!” she finished.
“Praise the Lord,” Brandon said taking Mrs. Perkins hands as she looked up at him, with cheerful eyes.
“God good,” she strained to pull the words out as her mouth twisted in unfamiliar use.
“Yes he is,” Brandon said, greeting the others as his eyes fell on Beth.
“It’s a miracle,” Peri said while Prim smiled at her mother. “She ain’t saying many things yet,” Peri continued only to have Mrs. Perkins interrupt.
“Is, is, isn’t,” the older woman said painfully.
“Mama doesn’t approve of my words,” Peri laughed. “Most people don’t know it, but she was a fine lady before she married Pa, and she always expected us girls to speak proper.”
Brandon smiled at the women, his heart singing with praise at the healing Mrs. Perkins had experienced. Jacks and Anderson had both said that she had been improving since arriving in Needful, but he didn’t think anyone ever expected such a turn of events.
“I’m happy for you Mrs. Perkins,” he said again turning to look at Beth once more and wondering if they would have a few minutes together.
“Walk,” Mercy said trying to push herself to her feet then reaching for Brandon’s hands.
Brandon helped Mrs. Perkins from her chair as Beth stood to help.
“Why don’t you two go on and take Mama for a walk,” Prim suggested. “Peri and I can have a visit before we start supper. I hope you’ll stay to eat, Mr. Tippert.”
“I’d be delighted,” Brandon said, settling Mrs. Perkins’ hands on his arm and leading both ladies down the stairs.
Beth smiled at Brandon as they walked along with the older woman between them. Mercy seemed to want to move toward the garden again, and they soon found themselves sitting on the bench Anderson had placed here for his mother-in-law to enjoy.
The weather was fine and the sun warmed the grass, hinting at the green growth of summer.
“Have you had a good week?” Brandon asked peering around Mercy to speak to Beth.
“It has been very nice,” Beth admitted. “We’re all so delighted at mother Perkins’ great surprise.”
The older woman tugged at Brandon’s sleeve urging him to rise, and he stood only to grin when she did the same to Beth as if shooing them along for the walk she had asked for earlier.
“Would you like to stroll the grounds?” Brandon asked, offering his arm as they both turned questioning glances at Mercy Perkins.
“I think I would like that,” Beth said taking his arm.
Keeping the older woman in sight the couple walked the circumference of the garden each quiet with their own thoughts.
“Mercy spoke the moment I came back from town on Sunday,” Beth blurted. “It was such a shock. I didn’t know what to do.”
“It truly is a miracle,” Brandon said, enjoying the feel of Beth’s hand on his arm. “I don’t understand it, but I’m sure God had a purpose in the whole thing.”
“Daliah was out yesterday to see her and said that some doctors believe that the brain can heal itself given time. She said something about pathways or some such,” she finished.
“Daliah is a talented healer and a blessing to Needful,” Brandon mused. “She’s been reading up on whatever medical books she can find. I wonder what she will do if we ever get a real doctor?”
Beth smiled at Brandon. “I think she’ll adjust.”
Strolling slowly around the back of the house Brandon paused, gazing out over the fields dotted with cows and horses.
“I spoke with Olive,” he said, turning and taking Beth’s hands in his. “She seemed torn between joy and irritation when I asked about courting you, but in the end seemed to come to grips with the idea.”
“Peri said this morning that she and Olive had discussed it, and that if I was willing to entertain your intentions, that they thought it would be fine. Of course you weren’t one of the men who applied for a bride so some of the town’s men might be annoyed at the development, but ultimately the decision was mine.”
“And what are you feelings on the matter?” Brandon half teased hoping she would continue to wish for him to call.
“I think you’re the only man in Needful I’d like to know better,” Beth said searching his face. “I believe you are a truly godly and honorable man,” she finished.
Brandon smiled. “Then would you do me the honor of dining with me in town on Saturday?”
“I would be happy to.”
Turning and heading back the way they had come Brandon smiled nodding toward the bench where Jacks had taken a seat next to Mrs. Perkins.
“I wonder what they’re talking about,” Beth asked. “I know mother Perkins can’t say much, but Jacks doesn’t seem to mind. I suspect he has spent a good deal of time simply talking to her even when she couldn’t reply.”
“I think he’s a good man,” Brandon said, “though I don’t know him well,” he finished. “I’ve learned that people are not always what they appear on the surface. I know Jacks is a top cowhand. The men he works with respect him, and he isn’t afraid of hard work. I also don’t know where he’s from or where he’s been. We are all the sum total of our experiences.”
Beth grinned at the preacher, thinking how his words echoed her thoughts from earlier that week. “I guess the only way to really know someone is to spend time with them and take them at their word until or unless they prove themselves false.”
“Wisdom,” Brandon agreed. “Wisdom.”
Chapter 19
Brandon brushed his suit and checked his appearance in the small mirror in his room at the Hampton House.
Jacks was bringing Beth into town to meet him and would then take her home again. The preacher fidgeted, checking his usual outfit as he tried in vain to smooth his unruly curls.
Beth had reminded him that he was expected at the saloon that evening, and that she would see him the next day after church, which meant Brandon had to wait for the lovely young woman to be delivered to his door when he would have rather fetched her himself.
Tugging his cuffs straight and adjusting his suit as always, the preacher turned from his room and headed down the stairs and onto the front porch. Over the past week he had spent much time in prayer and meditation over his relationship with Miss Beechen and had come to the conclusion that if she were willing, he would ask her to marry him and have the wedding once a parsonage could be built.
Perhaps he was only a lowly preacher, but he had savings of his own stashed away over the years and hoped that Beth would agree. She had come to Needful as a mail-order bride, someone willing to marry a stranger, perhaps she wouldn’t mind rushing a bit for someone she already knew.
***
Beth buzzed with excitement as she sat in the wagon next to Jacks. The older man had kindly offered to take her to town to meet with Brandon then take her home later, and she was grateful.
“I’m sorry if this changed your plans,” Beth said, smoothing her bright green dress with nervous hands. “I don’t mean to be a bother.”
“You’re no bother,” Jacks said, offering a rare smile. “I was going to town anyway to order a few things and visit with Ben. He’s the man teaching in the school now, you see, and well, he’s more my age than some of the fellas around town.”
Beth grinned, understanding. “I’m sure you have a good deal in common.”
“When you get to be a certain age it’s like that,” Jacks agreed. “Take Mrs. Perkins for example. She’s got a lot of history and knowledge locked up inside her head. Now that she’s starting to find her words again it will all come out. It’s nice to be able to talk to someone who has seen the things you have.”
“Is that why you enjoy sitting with her so often?” Beth asked. “I’ve seen how you help Prim, and since you eat dinner at the house, it must be nice to have someone closer in age.”
Jacks smiled again, as he leaned on his elbows and slapped the reins to the horse’s rump. “It’s like that, besides she’s had a rough time, and she should have a friend.”
Beth nodded understanding, as she thought on how Brandon had been a friend to her from the moment she had arrived in Needful. Even now after only a couple of weeks she felt certain she had come to this town for him. Not only did she like and respect him, she found that she enjoyed their time together and the conversations they shared.
She couldn’t help but wonder if Olive would find it an acceptable match. Beth didn’t want to be a burden to anyone and though she knew she was a help at the Bowlings’ home, she longed for a place of her own, a family and som
eone to love.
Something told her that tonight everything would change, and she would be able to see her future unfold. The knowledge, the hope, seemed to bubble through her like a raging brook.
“I’m glad you came here Miss Beechen,” Jacks said, surprising her as she turned to stare at him. “Needful is a good town, but what it needs is families. When I was a boy, I lived in a small community where everyone looked out for the other. It was rough for a hard headed kid like me, but I know that I am the man I am because of folks looking out for me.”
Beth’s smile was big as she looked at Jacks. “I’m glad you turned out so well,” she teased. “I think we need a few more busybodies in the world nowadays.” Her bright chirp of laughter made the older man chuckle. Springtime in Needful seemed to be in bloom, at least in her heart.
***
“You’re sure it’s fine to ask?” Brandon drawled as Olive straightened his tie, “she won’t get mad.”
“I’ve seen the way that girl looks at you,” Olive said, brushing the shoulder of his gray suit with her hand. “She likes you and for a girl like that it’s enough. If you let her learn to love you, she’ll never stop.”
Brandon nodded seriously, and he wished he didn’t have to go to the saloon tonight. He would have rather spent the evening with Beth, talking and planning for the future.
“Now stop your worrying,” Olive chided. “Enjoy your evening and be yourself, and things will work out. God didn’t bring that girl here for nothing you know.”
Brandon smiled leaning in and kissing Olive impulsively on the cheek.
A half hour later he was greeting Beth at the door and walking her to a table in a dim corner, much to the irritation of some of the other men in the establishment.
“I hope you’ve had a good week,” Brandon mumbled, as he held her chair. “Not working too hard are you?”
Beth’s laugh made the preacher flinch. He needed to relax. “I’m glad you’ve had a good week.”
“And you?” Beth asked as he took the seat across from her and someone carried them tea. “I hope your sermon is going well.”
