[2016] A Widow's Love

by Christian Michael

  Matthew approached him slowly. Suddenly Williamson exploded into action. He pushed Matthew so forcefully the heavier man stumbled in surprise. Before she knew what was happening he was behind Carolina and had an arm wrapped around her neck. He jerked her back against him and backed out of the room.

  He forced her down the stairs. Carolina forced herself to think past the fear. As far as she knew, Williamson didn’t have a weapon on him. Think, Carolina, what can you do? But the fear from the last time she had been caught by Williamson was crowding out all rational thought. Before she could think of anything worthwhile, she heard Matthew thundering down the stairs after them. He was on them in a few long strides. He grasped Williamson and yanked him off of Carolina from behind. Before anyone could say anything, his fist met the pale man’s face and Williamson crumbled under the force of the blow.

  Matthew pulled her roughly into his arms.

  “Are you ok?” he asked.

  Carolina just nodded in shock staring at Williamson’s prone form. Matthew apologized, “I just couldn’t think of any other way to stop him, Caro. I am wondering what he meant when he said he had done “too much” to lose you again. Do you know?”

  “No, I really don’t know. I know he’s been pursuing me for years. When my papa was still alive I know Williamson asked for my hand but Papa turned him down – he’s just not a man of decent character. When papa died he pursued me again and I know he didn’t like it when John asked me to marry him but when I married John, he seemed to completely disappear from the scene. I didn’t hear from him again until two weeks after John’s death.”

  “Caro, I don’t like how this sounds. It sounds like the man is obsessed with you. Soon after your father turned Williamson down, he died. Then Williamson began his pursuit anew. Soon after John married you, he died and once again Williamson is after you. I want to have this man sent back where he came from.”

  “I will admit,” Caro said sitting down, “the further he is from me, the easier I will rest.”

  Matthew went out and called one of his ranch hands, Joshua. Together they loaded the still unconscious man into a wagon and Joshua set out to the train station.

  Mary came in with tea for the two of them while Viola carried a sleepy Rosy upstairs to her room.

  Matthew and Carolina sat in silence next to each other for some time staring at the flames in the fireplace. After a few minutes Matthew draped his arm across the back of the couch fiddled with the ends of Carolina’s hair. It just seemed natural to her to scoot back and lean against his shoulder. Matthew didn’t seem to mind. Before she knew it, Matthew was shaking her awake – she had dozed off! Embarrassed, Carolina ducked her chin and murmured an apology.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Matthew chuckled, “I didn’t mind. In fact, it was quite enjoyable.”

  That only made Carolina blush harder and Matthew grin deeper in reaction. “Come,” he said. “Let’s get you upstairs.” He guided her up the steps to her room. When they reached it, she turned to wish him a good night but her gaze was caught by the look in his eyes and the words died on her lips.

  “You are beautiful, Caro, inside and out. I see it in the way you treat Rosy and the way you have adopted Viola and Mary into your family. I know that I said this was purely a marriage of convenience but I must admit that I am starting to be grateful that it is you I am marrying and not anyone else.”

  The more he spoke the more he leaned into her, until his lips were just inches away from hers and his words were nothing more than a whisper. Gently he closed the distance between them and brushed his lips over hers. Carolina’s breath caught in her lungs and her heart was racing. She waited for him to do it again but was disappointed when he stepped back instead. He let out a shaky sign and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Good night, Caro,” he whispered. “Sweet dreams.”

  Early the next morning, Carolina was woken from her sleep by the sound of men’s shouts and animals’ screams. Disoriented, she forced herself to wake up but couldn’t. There was an odd smell in her room. Her throat seized up on her and she scratched on it to in a futile attempt to breathe. Outside her room she heard the sound of thumping, as if someone was trying to get inside. Why don’t they just turn the knob? It’s not locked. Come on Carolina, open your eyes. See what’s going on. And what’s that funky smell. Suddenly she realized she was sweating. Why am I so hot? I need some water. And a shower. But water first. I am so tired. But she knew that was the wrong reaction. She forced herself to try to wake again. Just a few more minutes then I will wake up. I’m just so. So. Tired.

  As if from a distance she was aware of arms lifting her and someone shouting around her. She knew she was being moved but she didn’t know how and at that moment she really didn’t care. Still she made an effort to open her eyes again. She managed to open them to slits and glimpsed Matthew’s blurred face. She tried to say his name but she couldn’t form the words.

  “Just hold on Caro.” Matthew said. “I’ve got you. You are going to be okay.”

  Hold on? What do I hold on to? Why do you say I’m going to be okay as if I may not be? What’s going on? All her thoughts came to a halt as Carolina finally slipped into deep and blessed slumber.

  That evening, Carolina woke to find herself on a thin cot in a medical ward. At least that’s where she assumed she was. It looked similar to the one Dr. Callow operated for emergencies in Boston. She was very groggy and her throat felt like sandpaper. She moved her arms and feet experimentally to test them out the movement caught the eye of the man sitting next to her bed in a wooden chair.

  “Caro?” Matthew said softly, “How are you feeling honey?”

  “I am okay I guess. What happened to me?”

  “There was a fire at the house.”

  “A fire? What? How? Is everyone ok? Where are they? My baby? Rosy?” Carolina struggled to sit up.

  Matthew got up and gently pushed her back down. “It’s ok. No one was hurt, everyone is safe, even your baby. Everyone that is, except Williamson. “

  “Williamson?” Carolina parroted dumbly. “What happened to him? What’s he got to do with anything? I thought he was headed back to Boston.”

  “I thought so too. Apparently though, he bribed Joshua into letting him stay at a hotel. The kid didn’t see the harm; I guess I wouldn’t either if I was eighteen and someone was giving me more cash than I had ever seen at one time just to stay one night at the hotel.”

  Matthew paused as if to gather his thoughts before going on. “Ben was found in the stables. He was dead, Caro. We think, that is, the sheriff and I, think he had come to set fire to the place. The stables are usually the first place I go to in the mornings. He had a kerosene lamp and matches in hand. We’re not sure what happened, but it’s a good bet he spooked one of the horses in some way and got kicked in the head. We believe that when he fell, the lamp fell to. He had a cigarette in his mouth. The cigarette started the blaze and it quickly spread from the stables to the main house. Turns out that Ben had circled the whole place with the fluid.”

  Matthew stopped and shook his head in disbelief. “A couple of the men are early risers and they heard the screams of the animals. When they came running and saw the house on fire too, one of them ran back to get more men and the other started making a ruckus to wake us up. That’s how I awoke. I took Rosy and everyone ran downstairs. When we were all out, I checked to make sure everyone was alive. That was when I realized you were not with us. I ran back in to get you but the door was already on fire and I couldn’t open it with the knob so I had to try to batter it down.”

  He took her hand between both of his and kissed it and pressed his forehead against both their hands. “I swear I have never been more terrified in my life. I was screaming for you and you weren’t responding. I prayed and begged God to keep you alive. When the door finally opened and I saw you there lying so still…”He broke off and didn’t go on.

  She ran her stiff fingers through her hair and murmured, �
�Hey, it’s okay. I am okay. We’re okay by the grace of God.”

  “How did you become so important to me Carolina? You haven’t even been in my house for a week! It’s barely been three days for crying out loud. And yet, I can’t imagine my house without you anymore. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

  She was silent a while as she contemplated it; he was right they barely knew each other and yet she had to admit she was just as emotionally entangled as he was. “I think we have been lost and alone for a while. If you are like me, you’ve only been able to find our solace in God alone.”

  Matthew looked at her, startled, “How did you know that? I’ve never told that to anyone. I doubt anyone really even knows I pray regularly.”

  Carolina smiled gently, “Because I have been doing that too. Our hearts sought after God first and, I think, at the right moment, he arranged our circumstances so that we had no choice but to rely on one another, even while we relied on the Lord. Of course, Williamson did what he did out of his own nature, but I guess God already knew that he would and, like he promised, he worked it out for our good because we love him.”

  Carolina closed her eyes and breathed deeply as she absentmindedly entwined her fingers with Matthew’s. “I never would have imagined loving anyone else besides John even a couple weeks ago. I am not saying I love you, at least not in that sense, just yet. But I think the foundation for something that can build into that love has been laid, in both our hearts. Because we sought the heart of God first, he has brought us to each other to heal together and grow together and perhaps, love together as well. We are already so close because his love is working in us.”

  “Yes, I think you could be right, Caro.”

  He broke off as Ms. Sharm, Viola, Rosy and Mary entered the make-shift room. The older women were happy to see Carolina alive and well and fussed over her like mother hens. Rosy climbed up on her father’s lap and leaned against him and told Carolina, “I am glad you are okay Carry.”

  Carolina cringed as both Mary and Viola laughed. “You know what honey, normally, I don’t like to be called Carry – because it reminds me of a canary - but I think I rather like it coming from you. Only you may call me that though.” She added with a stern warning glance at Matthew and Viola.

  A couple days later, the doctor cleared Carolina to go home with strict instructions to rest for at least another couple of days. The doctor needn’t have worried; what with guardians like Viola, Rosy, Mary and Ms. Sharm watching her every move like a hawk, she had no choice but to behave.

  Matthew was no better than anyone else but the two days of added recovery gave them many a long hour to talk and discover each other’s passions and irritations, loves and hates, habits and controls. They talked and laughed together but more importantly, they prayed together. The more time they spent together, the more they realized how much their secret dreams and desires melded together and how much they complemented each other’s strengths and weaknesses. All they could do was give the glory to God.

  Their wedding was held four weeks later in a small chapel in Montana with just the family as witnesses. Mayna had arrived with her brood from Boston for the event; Dr. Callow walked her down the aisle, beaming as proudly as any father would. Before their earthly family and their Father God, Matthew Jones and Carolina Hendricks nee Lively, pledged to love, care for and cherish the other until death parted them. And the two became one.

  *****

  THE END.

  Alone and Pregnant

  Mail Order Bride

  Christian Michael

  Chapter One

  A lone bird sang as the preacher’s droning voice washed over her. For once, the good Reverend Josiah Clark’s monotone was perfect for the occasion. Jillian closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on what the man was saying. Her husband lay in the simple pine box deep within the hole. It was her duty to listen and play the dutiful widow.

  The bird sang again, a lilting trill that seemed out of place in the midst of the gloomy ceremony. Jillian risked a glance upward, peering through the spreading branches of the old oak until she spotted the little brown bird just as he opened his beak once more. The beautiful melody came again. A beautiful song from a plain little bird.

  The woman beside her shifted. Jillian pulled her gaze away from the bird and tried again to listen to Reverend Clark. She could feel the irritation radiating from the black draped woman beside her. Clarence’s mother never could stand any deviation from her carefully laid plans, even something as small as a bird singing during her son’s funeral service.

  The bird had better beware or the song he sang so charmingly would be snatched from his lips. Mrs. Vandergeld had no room in her life for singing or beauty. Or maybe it was just that the joy that created such things could not exist under her autocratic thumb. Either way, Jillian needed to be gone before her mother-in-law discovered the secret hidden beneath her mourning dress.

  “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust, Lord into your hands we commit the body of our brother, Clarence Vandergeld.” Reverend Clark closed the worn bible in his hands and bowed his head. The throng surrounding the open grave followed his lead.

  Jillian was grateful for the black veil that hid her face. She didn’t think she could hide the contempt she had for the lot of them. Not today. None of them came for Clarence’s sake. His death would leave no holes in their lives. Chances are it wouldn’t cause the slightest ripple in the well-ordered world of the upper class. They came because it was the polite thing to do … and because Mrs. Vandergeld would know and mark those who did not attend.

  Mrs. Vandergeld ruled her society followers like a queen, granting favors to those who pleased her and social ruin to those who offended her. Jillian didn’t know why they stood for it.

  She wouldn’t have to put up with it for much longer. Clarence was dead, killed by a fall from his horse when he was too drunk to stay in the saddle. Jillian was free. Free of his whining, free of his drunken attentions, and most important, free from his mother’s control.

  A smile curled her lips, the first in many months.

  * * *

  “How can you do this to me, Miss Jones?” David paced the room, refusing to look at the plump woman sitting beside the fireplace. Her gloved hands stayed neatly folded on her lap, her skirt and shirtwaist perfectly pressed, and a silver pin held a tiny pink rosebud at her throat. Her calmness served only to increase his frustration.

  “Mr. David, you know I’ve been stepping out with Hank Brewster for a while now.” The blush that spread over her face looked odd on a woman old enough to be his mother. “Now that we are married, it is only right that I give up my position here to keep house for my husband.”

  David swallowed the growl that threatened to rise up again. “Aren’t you happy here, Miss Jones? Haven’t I been good to you?”

  “It’s Mrs. Brewster now.” The blushing bride stood up with all her matronly to stand in front of him. “Mr. David, you are a good boy and have been a good employer, but it is every woman’s dream to have a man who loves her. Part of that is making a pleasant home for him and growing old together. Mr. Brewster and I are no longer young and we need to make the most of the time we have left.”

  All the anger and frustration leaked out of him with a sigh. David bent down to kiss Miss Jones … Mrs. Brewster’s cheek. “I will be lost without you, Mrs. Brewster. Hank is a very lucky man and I hope you will be very happy together.”

  His former housekeeper patted his cheek. “Why don’t you find yourself a wife, Mr. David? A sweet, pretty, young thing that will keep your house and make you happy. Even God said it isn’t good for a man to be alone.”

  “I have no desire for a wife.” David shook his head. “I wouldn’t know what to do with one.”

  His former housekeeper laughed. “Oh, Mr. David, you have such a good heart, you will figure it out someday.”

  David walked her to the wagon where Hank Brewster watched the house anxiously. When the grizzled old farmer saw his b
ride, his face lit up until he looked years younger. Perhaps he had been afraid David would talk his wife into staying on. Seeing the two beaming at each other as though nothing else existed, David knew he never could have done it.

  Forcing a smile onto his face, David kept it firmly in place as they drove away. It wasn’t until the wagon and Mrs. Brewster’s cheerfully waving hanky disappeared behind a plume of dust that David let his face relax.

  Shoving his hands into his pockets, David stalked through the spotless house. Slumping in his chair, he stretched his long legs out and crossed his ankles. Following Miss Jo … Mrs. Brewster’s advice was all well and good, but where was he supposed to find a wife way out here? There were few unattached women in this dusty stretch of plains and those were not exactly prime marriage material.

  David scowled morosely into the empty fireplace and tapped his fingers on the paper lying on the table. There had to be someone who would stay with him and keep house. He had enough to do running his fledgling ranch without being burdened by cooking and cleaning as well.

  He glanced down at his desk. The paper under his hand was unfamiliar, had Miss … Mrs. Brewster left it behind? An advertisement glared out at him in bold text.

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