by Faye Sonja
“I was going to wait to eat with your father, but I’m famished, so I’ll eat now as well.”
“Yay!” Rose clapped her hands again and grinned.
Fred helped Anna carry the plates once she’d wrapped William’s in a clean cloth and set it aside for reheating; she’d kept a little gravy aside as well. She prayed he’d like it.
“Okay, children. I’ll say Grace.” They all bowed their heads and the smell of the food was delicious. “Dear Lord, thank you for bringing me here to these three children and for providing fresh food for us to eat. I pray we’ll have many more meals together to give thanks for. Amen.”
“Amen.”
Anna was relieved she heard all three voices of the children.
* * *
3
Meeting William
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“Children? Are you here to
meet me?… “You’re not our Ma.”
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Anna had just finished the dishes with the help of Lily and Fred when the back door opened. The children had just laid down their tea-towels and she saw them tense up and look at each other. Anna placed one hand on each of their shoulders and looked up to see William enter the kitchen.
Their eyes met and she couldn’t read him. He was very tall and broad and his shoulders sat straight back. His uniform was dusty and dirty. His attention flicked to her mark and then took in her whole frame, then back to her eyes.
“Children, you’re still up.”
“They’ve just helped me clean the dishes away from supper. I’m running a bit late on account of not knowing my around here yet.”
The children still held their breath.
“I’m quite sure they can speak for themselves. But it’s bedtime. Run along, Lily and Fred, I’ll be in to say goodnight to each of you soon. See Rose is tucked into bed, Lily.”
“She’s already in, Pa.” Lily’s voice wavered a little. Then she and Fred wasted no time scurrying out.
“Didn’t she help with the cleaning up?” William directed his question to Anna.
“No. She’d helped me a lot earlier. I told her to go get ready for bed.”
“I see. Cleaning is everyone’s duty, no matter what.”
“I agree, but…”
“There are no buts, Miss Bartholomew. Rules are rules.”
“I see. You best get yourself cleaned up for supper. It’s reheating now. About ten minutes and it will be on the table, Mr. Anderson.” Anna didn’t care for his attitude at all.
William went to say something else and sneezed instead. That was followed by more sneezing in rapid succession. He looked around the room and strode off to pull the flowers from the vases and toss them outside the door as his sneezing continued. Once he’d closed the door he stopped sneezing.
Anna was shocked at his complete indifference to tossing aside her lovely arrangements.
“I have allergies with flowers.”
“I see.” She wasn’t about to apologize for something she didn’t know about.
“I’ll go wash up and change.”
“Very well.” Anna kept on with getting his meal heated and also placed the enamel bowl covered with a lid of dessert in the oven, and sat a small pot of custard on the edge to heat up.
She’d kept the kettle simmering, not knowing if he preferred tea or coffee. Her nerves had made her stomach unsettled, remembering his eyes linger a split second on her cheek.
Does he think I’m too awful to marry?
She had to stop thinking like this because she’d promised herself she was done with the silly thoughts of others, but this new situation had her on edge. Just breathe and pray. God will see you through. Ada made it through her ordeals and Anna would do the same; no matter what, they were fighters.
“I appreciate you coming.” He spoke very straight. No emotions at all. “I really need the help.”
“Coffee or tea?”
“Black coffee for me, with sugar.” William sat down and made the table and chair look like dolls’ furniture.
Anna set about putting coffee in the pot and pouring boiling water in, then she sat it at the side to brew a little. The she got his meal and sat it in front of him, and he just stared at it.
“Sorry if it’s not what you wanted. I just thought it easiest.”
“I haven’t had a meal like this since…well, in a very long time.”
Relief flooded through Anna. “Thank goodness. I thought you were disappointed.”
“The children must’ve eaten like starving coyotes.” William put two forkfuls in a row into his mouth and chewed with his eyes closed for a minute.
“They did clean their plates. Even young Rose. Then they had dessert.”
“Dessert?”
“Yes. Apple Cobbler. Seemed a shame to waste those lovely apples.”
“I never eat dessert. But tonight I’ll make an exception to say thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” This might be off to a good start. “I’ll let you finish eating and go finish cleaning up. I’ll bring the coffee soon.”
“Be sure to bring one for yourself.”
“I never drink coffee. I much prefer dessert.” She smiled and he looked up at her, surprised that she would want to share a laugh with him.
He never laughed, but he never frowned either.
“I’ll bring my cobbler and we can eat dessert together.”
“Very well.” He forked another mouthful of food into his mouth.
Anna left him to eat in peace. Things didn’t seem so bad, after all. She finished up the dishes and wiped over the counter tops and cupboards. Her nervous belly had been replaced by an excited one. Perhaps this would be the best decision she’d ever made. He seemed very agreeable now and she couldn’t wait to ask him about Fred having more time to play and about how she wanted to set up the school.
* * *
William couldn’t believe how good this roast supper was. He’d never had one so good in his memory. Anna had lovely eyes and her blonde waves of hair fell in an unruly mass around her face. She looked lovely, and the mark on her face wasn’t anywhere near as bad as she’d led him to believe in her letters.
He was very happy and although no woman could ever replace his late wife in his heart, it’d be nice to have Anna here to help him keep things in proper order. He’d do the same with her school. He was certain they’d get along just fine together.
Anna came back in with the desserts and a small jug of custard. “I’ll be right back with the coffee.”
She was taller than he’d expected. He was six foot four, so a taller lady was good for him. He was a little annoyed the children were out of routine but it was Anna’s very first few hours and it’d be unreasonable of him to expect things to go like clockwork.
He’d give it a week and he was sure it would all be running like a dream. The extra time they’d get from Anna’s help they could put into the school, which would get that up and running, and then the children would spend their days at school, and find time for their chores before and after.
He’d spent most of his childhood at boarding school and they worked there from daylight till dark with lessons in between. Hard work was the answer to everything. The children never complained so he thought the strict guidelines helped them get their minds back in order after losing their mother so suddenly.
Anna came back in with the coffee. “I’ve stirred the sugar in already.”
“Thank you, Anna. How was your trip here?”
“Extremely challenging, especially the last day by coach.”
“I’m here to take Hope from settlement to city; this is the fourth I’ve done. It was to be my last but I’m not so sure now.”
“I see. This is interesting. I’ve never considered how a town becomes a town.”
“Once the word gets out that this spot has hit a large seam of gold, the place will have a ste
ady stream of people hoping to make their fortune.”
“How do you handle all of that?”
“Main thing is to make sure they have places to stay, food to eat, and entertainment.”
“I see there’s a few small buildings up already.”
“We’ve a general store, a store for food, and a small post office. Next week everyone is getting together to build your school. I thought you’d like to be involved in that.”
“I would. Thank you.”
William watched Anna eat a spoonful of dessert and he did the same. “This is very nice. You’re a fine cook.”
“It was one of your stipulations.”
“Yes, but even a below average cook probably would’ve made me happy, and the children would be grateful to just not be eating my food.” He smiled at her and she looked at her bowl.
“I can sew, bake and tend the garden. I’m a fast learner. Are we still to be married on Sunday?”
“Yes, if you still wish to be. I apologize for not having a chaperone here but I can take you through to the reverend and his wife to stay the next two nights, if you wish.”
“Is there a separate room I can sleep in here?”
“There’s a sleep out with a cot at the end of the barn. It’s dry and warm. I’ll sleep in there and you have my room.”
“No. I think it’s better if I take the room in the barn.”
“It locks from the inside as well.” William could see she wasn’t comfortable about being in his bedroom, and he had no problem with that. “After we marry, there’s no obligation…I mean, I’m not ready to…”
“I understand, William. Will there be others invited to our wedding?”
“I’ve asked all who can make it to attend an afternoon tea at the chapel.”
“How many live here?”
“We have fifty people in this settlement with their children. There’s fifteen couples married, two widows, and myself and between us we have thirty-five children ranging in age from one year to thirteen years.”
“That’s quite a lot for one teacher. I may need to recruit some assistance and split the age groups.”
“I’m sure, with proper discipline, you’ll manage and the older ones can help with the younger.”
“Discipline? I’ve found less focus on punishment and more focus on how a child learns to be more successful. Besides, the older children have a right to their own education. They shouldn’t have to be responsible for the learning of the younger ones.”
“Nonsense. Discipline and responsibility are the key to well-adjusted children.” William ate his apple cobbler and sipped his coffee. “Everything runs better with fear of punishment.”
“If that were true, there’d never be any crime.”
William gave her a sharp look and the defiant angle of her chin stopped him from speaking further on the subject. He didn’t want an argument on their first night, and she had the right to her own opinion.
She’d see as time went by how well his system here worked with his children. Perhaps being relatively new to teaching, she needed some examples set.
“This is to be my school, run my way, isn’t it? That was the agreement.”
“Yes. You get to help set it up.”
“And I organize and run the school my way, with my philosophies. The children will participate in learning the way I see is best for them.” Anna’s eyes sparked with possessiveness.
“Wouldn’t it be better to start with methods that’ve worked for many, many years?”
“I think it’s better to start with something new instead of going along with old habits.”
“Old habits have gotten us this far.”
Anna stood up and William could see the determination set on her face. He wasn’t sure he’d ever met a woman quite like her. She gave a small smile. “I must go finish tidying up. It’s been a long day and I’ve an early start. If you could show me to my room shortly, I’d be grateful.”
“Of course. I didn’t mean to disagree with you on your first night.”
“Disagreements won’t stop me putting the children and their education first. If that isn’t what you want for your children, then you best get me a stagecoach in the morning, Mr. Anderson. I may be in the background as your wife, but I certainly won’t be as Hope’s school teacher. Let me know in the morning if I’m to stay. Now I’ll finish the dishes up and get myself ready for bed in the washroom. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes.”
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4
Sunday
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“Children? Are you here to
meet me?… “You’re not our Ma.”
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It was still dark when Anna walked into the kitchen on Sunday morning. She was still here and there was no mention yesterday of her leaving. She was pleased because, although she saw William was a much disciplined army man, she hoped he would relax a little in time.
She had a lot to do today to prepare for her wedding and William had mentioned taking her through to the reverend and his wife with her things to get ready. Anna was going to do that, but first she wanted to bake a cake and make an apple pie for the afternoon tea.
Everyone was bringing a plate of something, and she hoped she made a lot of new friends. Or even one friend would be lovely. It was lonely without her sisters.
Her belly churned thinking about the stares and the whispers her blemished face would create. Perhaps they’d shun her, thinking her not good enough for their upstanding army officer. William was a good looking man, and a widower, and there was sure to be talk.
She should be used to it by now; it’d happened all her life. Yet it made her nervous to be around strangers still. She stoked the fire up and pulled the kettle onto the part that had the most heat. Then she gathered up her ingredients for the baking and began to peel the apples.
“What are you doing?” William asked in a lowered voice.
“Baking for the afternoon tea.”
“I don’t think the bride is expected to bring anything.”
“It’s okay. I’ll do a lot of things no one expects of me. People will get used to it.”
William came to stand beside her and used his pocket knife to peel some apples. “You aren’t what I expected.”
“Did you think I’d be shy and scared because I have this mark on my face?”
“Perhaps I did. I like that you’re not, but the children are used to their routine. I’d like them to stick to that at home.”
“I’d like all the children to be free to express themselves and learn through that.”
“Sounds like crazy talk to me.”
Anna stopped peeling and looked at this man, soon to be her husband, standing beside her. “I don’t like the way you treat the children like they are soldiers, either.”
“That isn’t changing. They need structure and discipline at home. I expect that to be kept at all times. What you do at school is up to you, but if other parents complain, or there aren’t results, we will be forced to find another teacher.”
“And you’ll be forced to find another wife?”
“I’m not getting married today because I think I’ll ever have to do this again, but you’ll be free to leave anytime. I won’t be in Hope forever, just so you know.”
Anna wiped her hands on her apron. “Mr. Anderson…” She took a big breath and exhaled. “William, I believe I can make a difference for the children. I’ve never attempted putting my ideas into practice, and I’d like to. But I can assure you, if the children don’t learn, I’ll be the first to admit I’m wrong.”
“Very well. You have your way with your teaching, but I still insist my children follow my regimen at home.”
“I appreciate you being so forthright. I like to know where I stand.”
“As do I, Anna. We’re already flouting tradition by you being here the nights before our wedding, and you may
get some backlash from some of the older ladies for that.”
“This isn’t a traditional situation, William, and I’m marrying you, not them. I refuse to be held accountable to outdated beliefs by complete strangers. My whole life people have decided what I should be and how I should feel because of a mark on my face I was born with. Now I’m an adult, and I’ve studied hard to be the teacher and the person I want to be. If this isn’t who you want as a wife, you best let me go back. I’ll never be shy and retiring, and I’ll never be too embarrassed to say how I feel.”
“Sounds to me like you need someone behind you. I’d like to be that someone. I can’t promise I’ll always agree, and I can’t promise I won’t argue, but I will respect your need to be who you are. The frontier has been forged by people like you, both men and women. I’ve seen it all the time. The ones who take chances are the ones who ultimately succeed.” William set about making the pot of tea.
Anna mixed the pastry ingredients. This man would be a formidable man to come up against, and for some reason that pleased her. “Very well. Let’s get this marriage done today. The children remain in their routine at home, and the rest we’ll work out as we go along.”
“I’m glad Miss Kitty sent you. I think she knows me better than I know myself.”
“I’ve faith the Lord wouldn’t give me more than I can manage. I’m looking forward to the challenge of marriage and of teaching.”
* * *
The chapel had been covered in white and yellow flowers and all the pews had lace and ribbons attached. Anna drew in her breath as Marjory, the reverend’s wife, sought her approval for the decorations.
“It’s beautiful. You needn’t go to so much trouble.”
“Poppycock. The lord sees this union as he sees any other. A union of love in his eyes, and there’s no need for us to see it any differently.”
