[2016] A Widow's Love

by Christian Michael

“What does suitable even mean? You do realize I live in the West mother—it’s not East Coast high society. It never will be.”

  She nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to the delicate lace handkerchief she held in her hand. “When your father died I considered moving out here with you.”

  She had? She’d never mentioned it.

  “But I thought better of it. My place is in the halls of society in Boston. It has always been my home and I have never imagined living anywhere else.” She met his gaze. “But Lucy is different.”

  Ben wanted to defend her, to showcase her admirable qualities, her beauty, her intellect, but something in his mother’s gaze made him hold his tongue.

  “In fact, I don’t think she was ever suited for high society—and I don’t mean that to diminish her character. I think she is the perfect wife for a man who lives in the West.”

  He didn’t dare to breathe. Was his mother saying that she approved of their marriage? Was that too much to hope for?

  “What exactly are you saying, mother?”

  “You know what I'm saying,” she said, the hint of a smile surfacing on her lined features. “You should marry Lucy, though I don’t think she would have waited for me to give my approval anyway.”

  He laughed. “You are very right. I don’t think she would have.”

  “I wish you both the best, dear.”

  He jumped to his feet, knowing that he couldn’t waste a moment. He had to go find Lucy, and he knew exactly where she would be.

  Chapter 6

  Lucy striped pieces of grass, tearing them into smaller pieces. She didn’t know what to do. She’d just ruined any chance of Mrs. Epps giving her approval for Lucy to marry Ben. She’d gone off and spoken her mind, which had gotten herself in trouble—like it always did.

  But she couldn't sit by while the older woman spoke poorly of her. It wasn’t right, and it certainly wasn’t fair. If Ben would choose his mother over her, what kind of marriage would they have?

  She laid back in the tall grass, staring up at the clouds. Did this mean she had to go back home? She couldn’t go back. She couldn’t face her father. She would find a job before she did that.

  The thought made her smile, though she found litter humor in it. Mrs. Epps would have a fit that she’d even considered working.

  The sound of branch cracking cause her to sit up, looking around for the source of the sound.

  “I thought I’d find you here.”

  Ben stood several feet away. He was breathing hard and there was a reddish tinge on his cheeks like he had been running.

  “I’m sorry,” she said before he could berate her for speaking back to his mother.

  “For what?” he said, coming to sit next to her.

  “Have you talked with your mother?”

  “Oh, for that,” he said, giving her a knowing smile.

  She frowned. How was he smiling? Was he happy that his mother wouldn’t give her permission for them to marry? Had his feelings changed then?

  “I see,” she said, looking away from the piercing gaze of his deep brown eyes. “So you’ve changed your mind.”

  “About what?”

  “Me.” She twirled another long piece of grass until his hand covered hers.

  “Never.”

  Her gaze flew to his, the look of love radiating in his eyes.

  “But—but your mother. I spoke rather forcefully to her and—”

  “And she deserved it,” he said.

  “Do you mean that?”

  “Completely.”

  She studied his features, so close to hers as he sat next to her. The warmth of his hand over hers wound its way into her heart.

  “Ben, I…” she pursed her lips, thinking of the words to say. “I’m sorry, but I’ll never be like those women. The perfect wives in high society. I left New York because I didn’t want that life.”

  “And I don’t want you to be like them.” He grinned. “I think at first I did, because that’s who I thought you were, but then I saw the real you…and I like that even better.” He leaned closer. “You’ve got to understand something, Lucy.”

  He was so close and her heart was beating so rapidly that she could barely ask the question. “What is that?”

  “I love you, not who my mother wants you to be or who your father was going to use you as. I just want you.”

  ***

  Ben hoped the look in his eyes added even more truth to his words. Could she see that he didn’t care about everything else? He just cared about her. About loving her well and starting their life together. Everything else could work itself out in time, but his love was nonnegotiable. She had to know that.

  Then, surprising him, she closed the gap between them. Her soft lips found his and his eyes closed, savoring the moment. He never wanted to leave her side. To be near her always and to feel the warm of her touch, taste the sweetness of her kiss, and know that she loved him would be enough. No—more than enough.

  She pulled back and rested her hand on his cheek. “And I love you, Ben Epps. Or should I say Benjamin?” She giggled and he drew her against him in a hug.

  “No. That name is reserved for my mother—not to mention it’s much too stuffy for me, wouldn’t you say?”

  “I agree.”

  He looked down into her green eyes, vibrant against the background of nature. “I do have one thing to ask you though.”

  “What is that?” she said with a coy smile.

  Taking a big breath, he said, “Will you be my wife, Lucy Castle?”

  She leaned in close again and whispered. “Now and always.

  Epilogue

  The Sun shone brightly across the field of wildflowers as Lucy made her way toward her groom. Ben stood under a tree, the shade of its large branches reaching out and offering shelter. He stood tall, a big grin on his face, his eyes glued to her.

  Some of the men from the ranch, Carl, Kate, and Mrs. Epps sat in chairs that had been carted out to the field. It was an unconventional wedding, but Lucy hadn’t seen the day going any differently.

  As she approached the front where a trellis of wild flowers and vines had been constructed, she faced Ben and he joined their hands together, giving her fingers a light squeeze.

  The pastor from town spoke of love and devotion to one another, but the only thing Lucy could think of was the fact that Ben loved her for her. He saw her flaws, her unconventional nature, and her wild ideas, and yet he still loved her. He did what her father never had—accepted her. And now she would pledge her life to him, not because of a business merger or because her life was a pawn to be used, but because of love.

  Finally, when they had spoken their vows the pastor named them man and wife, giving Ben the approval to kiss his bride.

  He stepped close, lifting the delicate veil that had covered her face. The wind swept across her skin sending shivers down her arms, but the warmth from his eyes made the coldness fall away.

  “Just remember,” Ben whispered, leaning so close his breath fanned across her face, “I love you, my dear Lucy, and all of who you are.”

  His lips met hers and she knew his words were spoken in truth, the reality of his devotion overwhelming her. She would spend the rest of her days showing the man in front of her just how much she believed him, and how much she loved him back.

  THE END.

  Secret Baby

  Mail Order Bride

  CHRISTIAN MICHAEL

  Chapter 1

  Big Timber, Montana

  “It sure is pretty out here,” Tobias Young said.

  “Agreed,” Mack Tucker said, nodding to his friend and pastor. “I’m glad you could come out for a ride this morning.”

  “’Course. I always have time to slow down. A man can’t be so busy that he doesn’t take time to enjoy God’s creation.”

  Mack smiled, thankful for his friend’s company. He’d been feeling lonely the last few months and he needed times like this to remind himself of the fact he wasn’t alone—even i
f it felt that way sometimes.

  “So are you going to tell me what’s been eating you?”

  “Huh?” Mack said, drawn from his thoughts.

  “You’re distracted.”

  Mack rubbed the back of his neck, glancing sideways at Tobias. “Am I?”

  Tobias laughed but didn’t say anything. He was waiting for Mack to fess up to what was eating away at him.

  “I’ve been feeling lonely.” There, he’d said it. Admitted to his feelings.

  “I see.” Tobias nodded slowly but didn't say anything else.

  He was waiting for Mack to give him more…and of course Mack would. He always did, because he felt comfortable with the pastor and because the man was his friend.

  “It’s just that after Maude’s wedding I kind of feel like I’m…I don't know, missing out on something.”

  “Like a family?”

  “Yeah,” Mack admitted, “Just like that.”

  “You do know that a family takes being married, right?”

  He let out a short laugh. “I do.”

  “Well then, what’s keeping you from that?”

  Was he serious? He of all people should know that the pickings for women in Big Timber were less than ideal.

  “Really?” he asked, incredulous.

  “I’m not saying you’ll find someone here,” Tobias said with a laugh.

  “Then where?”

  “Do like I did. Find a wife through a mail order bride catalogue.”

  Mack’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “What? You’re saying that Anna was a mail order bride.”

  “She was,” he said, then leveled his stare at Mack, “But don’t go blabbing that around. She’s a private woman and says that our love story is ours…or something nonsensical like that.”

  Mack laughed. “You got it. But…was it worth it?”

  “You’ve seen Anna and I. What do you think?”

  “I never would have guessed you’d ordered her as a bride. You seem so in love.”

  “It’s because we are.” Tobias grinned. “I saw the Lord’s hand in our story just as I know His hand will be in yours too. Try it. Place and advertisement and see who bites.”

  “This isn’t fishing,” Mack reminded the man.

  “No, but you may be surprised. God won’t bring just anyone into your life, she’ll be just what you need to grow closer to Him.”

  The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying to Mack. He wanted to move on with his life, into the next step and all, but he also didn’t like the hint of warning in Tobias’s tone.

  “Look at it this way,” Tobias said, noticing Mack’s hesitation. “You’ll be sure that God brought you together for a purpose.”

  How could Mack argue with that—let alone a pastor?

  ***

  Boston

  Effie Blackston couldn’t stop crying. This was the worst week of her life and it had started out with the promise of being the best.

  “Miss, you’ve got to eat something,” the maid said, coming into the room with a tray.

  Just the scent of the food sent Effie to the washroom in nausea.

  “I…can’t,” she managed, hugging her arms across her body and falling back into the bed. “Please…just leave me.”

  “But miss,” the young girl said, bold taking a seat on the bed, “You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

  Effie looked at the girl, Mary, who was just a few years older than herself but yet wizened with street smarts Effie didn’t have. She was a cunning girl when it came to high society, but apparently an idiot when it came to love.

  “He said he loved me.” Effie stared into space in front of her, numbness flowing through her.

  “Men lie, miss,” Mary said.

  Effie’s gaze snapped to the girl’s.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, “It sounds harsh, but it’s true. You can’t let his leaving you at the alter ruin the rest of your life.”

  Effie was shocked by the girl’s blunt words but yet bolstered by them too. She couldn’t let the fact that Ronald left on their wedding day completely cripple her. She still had friends…then again, she wasn’t sure if she did. Most of her friends had come through Roland’s circles.

  Another bout of nausea took her. “Ugh, if only I didn’t feel so awful.”

  “I’m sorry, miss,” Mary gently put her hand on her head. “Have you felt ill for a while now? Should I fetch the doctor?”

  “Just recently. I’ve felt like this the last few mornings.” Effie groaned and laid back down.

  “Mornings, you say?” Mary asked.

  “Yes,” Effie said, rolling over. “It’s quite awful.”

  “Miss...” Mary’s tone drew Effie’s gaze to her.

  The look on the girl’s face startled her. “What is it?”

  “It’s not my place, miss,” Mary said, licking her lips carefully, “But, could…um, could you be expecting?”

  Effie felt the world slow down. No…

  She swallowed, her memory going back to a night a few weeks ago. A night that never should have happened.

  Tears pricked her eyes. “Oh, Mary—”

  Mary’s eyes reflected her shock but the look was quickly replaced by compassion.

  “What will I do? I’ll be put out by my parents, estranged from everyone I know…how will I survive?”

  Mary’s brows wrinkled and she twisted her hands together, thinking hard about the situation. “I have a suggestion, miss, but I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

  At this point Effie had no other options. If this young servant girl could offer something—anything—she would take the way out. “What is it?”

  “Become a mail order bride.”

  Effie gasped, thinking of the girls she’d known who had gone to the West to be married. Effie had laughed at them, thanking the Lord she was engaged to Ronald. And look how that had turned out.

  “But…”

  “It’s the only way, miss.” Mary shook her head and Effie felt more than saw her glance at Effie’s abdomen. The one that would swell with a child soon.

  It was the only way. “But no man will take an unwed mother.” Effie’s voice broke on the last word.

  “Once they know, it’ll be too late.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re a small woman, miss. You find a man soon enough, you can be out West and married before the babe starts to show. We’ll let your dresses out. Once he’s married to you there’ll be nothing to do but care for you and the little one.”

  Effie saw the many holes in the girl’s logic, but at this point she had no better option.

  Resigning herself to the fact, Effie said, “Fetch me the matrimonial journal.”

  Chapter 2

  Mack couldn’t take his eyes off of Effie. She stood before him in the church, a faint pinkish tint to her cheeks, with her dark brown hair piled high on her head and her pale blue eyes on his. From the moment she stepped from the train to now, he wanted to pinch himself every few moments. He was living a dream.

  They said their vows and Tobias pronounced them man and wife. Then, taking her hand in his, he led the way down the aisle. Without her family present or his, he hadn’t planned anything special and he hoped she wouldn't mind. The mere fact they had married the same day she arrived was amazing to him, but she seemed to be as eager as he was.

  Now they were in the wagon on the way to his cabin on the ranch he owned and ran. He glanced sideways at her and wondered what she was thinking. They’d barely said anything to one another since she arrived, their vows being the most they’d spoken in person, but he figured there was plenty of time to change that in the coming years.

  “This here is the beginning of my property,” he said when they came up on a tree lined drive. She merely nodded, not saying a word.

  The road wound around until the cabin came in sight. It was small, one long structure with sections for the kitchen, sitting area in front of the fire, and a bedroom at one side.

>   From the look of her clothes, it would be much less fancy than what she was used to, but he hoped it would be sufficient.

  “This is it?” she said, breaking the silence.

  “Yup.” He pulled the wagon up, coming around to help her down.

  She eyed the cabin with unease.

  “Don’t worry, it’s clean and cozy. Nice and warm in the winter.”

  Without saying anything she followed him inside. It was dim, the windows covered by blankets that he’d forgotten to remove. “It is lacking a woman’s touch, but I figure you can help with that.”

  She stood at the entrance, staring at everything until her gaze rested on the bed that was separated by another hanging blanket, one corner held back by a tie.

  “That’s the…um, the bedroom.” He rubbed the back of his neck realizing now that he hadn’t thought this through. They may be man and wife, but he was sure she wouldn’t be comfortable in the same bed with him anytime soon.

  “I’ll, um, bunk in the barn for…a while.”

  Her gaze found his, heat on her cheeks, “Fine.”

  Then, without another word she walked past him and into the bedroom, yanking the drape down behind her.

  He stared after her, shocked. What was going on? “Are you all right?”

  “No,” she said, her voice cracking. “Just leave me alone.”

  Mack was shocked, even more so when she started crying and then when the cries turned to sobbing. Unease took over and he stepped back. He didn’t understand women. His sisters had been emotional like this as well, but at least he’d known how to talk to them. Usually he could fix things by apologizing, but he hadn’t done anything wrong this time.

  At least he didn't think so.

  “I’ll, uh…” he swallowed and took another step back, “I’ll be in the barn.”

  Then he turned and nearly ran out of the house. Had he made a mistake marrying Effie?

  ***

  Effie lay on the bed, arms wrapped around her abdomen. She could tell the difference in her body, but she was sure no one else could…yet. At least that’s what she was counting on. As nice as Mack seemed, he didn’t appear to be overly observant.