Before either man could move, a whirl of pink and cream attacked Marsh and sent him sprawling, his gun flying out of his hands. Kade took his chance without hesitation and followed Esme’s move. He straddled Marsh and began to punch him in an effort to immobilize him. But Marsh was strong, he fought back and soon their positions were reversed. The men tumbled around on the ground, each desperate to get the upper hand. Suddenly a shot rang out and both men froze as the bullet flew haphazardly close to their heads.
Esme held the gun in between two shaking hands. Kade took advantage of Marsh’s distraction and struck a powerful blow to his head, rendering him unconscious. Esme nearly cried in relief when she saw the tall man crumple to the ground.
Kade opened his arms and she ran into them. Neither one said a word, they just held each other tight and reassured themselves the other was alright. After long moments, Kade broke away from Esme and told her to keep an eye on Marsh.
“If he moves even a little, shoot him in the leg, okay?”
Esme nodded her understanding. Kade went to his saddle bag and rummaged around until he found some rope. He came back and trussed up Marsh like a Christmas goose and tied him to the horse Esme had ridden. Miraculously, none of the horses had ran away amidst all the noise and gunfire, they had nerves of steel. Kade also tied the horse Marsh had used to his own. He helped Esme mount in silence and climbed up behind her. Neither one spoke, they were reveling in the chance to just hold one another.
Kade led them back to the town and delivered Marsh, still unconscious, to the Sheriff, explaining everything the man had done. Then he hunted down the merchant who owned the two horses Esme had stolen and paid him handsomely to purchase the horses - nerves of steel didn’t come easily or cheap and he was going to buy them while he had a chance.
Kade and Esme stayed in the town that night (and the next several ones), at the local inn. They both needed the rest after the tumultuous week they had been through. Kade sent a telegram home the first night to let everyone know he and Esme were safe and would be home soon.
They spent the next several days like new lovers, indulging in each other and satisfying themselves that the other one was alright. They put Samuel Marsh and his machinations behind them and focused on themselves. Esme explained to Kade what Marsh had done to her, but Kade reassured her beyond any doubt that he still loved her without reserve and did not blame her in the slightest.
Esme sighed contentedly as she laid her head on Kade’s chest. God was good. Despite all the upheaval of the last few days, the fears and worries and heart-aches and the anxieties, she and Kade were back together where they belonged – with each other. Sophie was safe, whole and free and Esme was happier than she had ever believed she could be. Growing up an orphan, she had thought her life was a waste but God had redeemed her and given her a life beyond anything she could have imagined. She would not trade all the struggles that she had gone through because it had blessed her with Sophie, her heart’s joy, and led her to Kade, her heart’s home.
*****
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 if 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.
She clutched the pillow closer, wrinkling her nose at the smell. The man, this place—everything—wasn’t anything like she’d imagined. Then again, she hadn’t known what to expect. When an unmarried, pregnant woman sought marriage, she had little choosing power and Effie had realized that immediately.
The fact was…Mack had been the nicest man she’d written to. She’d sent out introductory letters to five different gentlemen and, of the three that had replied, she had enjoyed Mack’s letter the most. Even seeing him as she stepped from the train she’d been pleasantly surprised.
He was a tall man with sandy blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes. He looked strong, stood tall, and from what she’d observed, treated others well and with respect. She should be happy, but right now all she could see was the fact that she was in some shack that reminded her of a hovel, in some town that looked nothing like the city she had grown up in.
She thought of her parents. They still thought she’d chosen to marry because she’d been so distraught over what Ronald had done that she’d needed to leave Boston. Little did they know she had a much bigger secret.
They would have completely disowned her—
The thought stopped her cold. They didn't matter so much now while in reality it was Mack that truly mattered.
She sat up, the sudden motion making her head spin. Mack’s opinion did matter. What he thought about her—especially the child—actually mattered a great deal. The moment she could no longer hide the fact that she was pregnant was the moment she would have to rely on his good graces to keep her as his wife.
Would he throw her out if he knew?
She shuddered, thinking he’d be justified in doing so out here in this heathen town.
And what had she done? She’d secluded herself in his bedroom and left him with no explanation to her feelings. Panic threatened to take over. She had to convince him that she was a benefit to him.
But how?
She thought of Mary’s funny sayings, one coming to mind for this very occasion. The way to the love of a man is through a good meal. Effie pushed herself off the b
ed, straightening her dress and taking a fortifying breath. This was exactly why Mary had taught her how to cook simple things before she left. Effie needed to make herself indispensable to Mack. She had to gain his trust and maybe even his heart so that, when she told the truth, he would someday learn to forgive her.
Forcing herself to move into the kitchen area, she could even call it that, she assessed what was on hand and began pulling something together. Part of her hated the fact that she would be lying to Mack—making him think that she actually liked being here in the middle of nowhere in the West…but the other part of her was desperate.
She had no other options. Mack was it.
She thought of his handsome face and wondered if she could ever learn to truly care for him. Then again, they were worlds apart. He had no idea just how far, but she did. There was no way they had anything in common. Nothing at all.
Letting out a gigantic sigh she thought of her friends back in Boston. They no doubt were still whispering about her failed engagement to Ronald and her hasty departure to the West. What would they think if they saw her now?
Tears flooded her vision and she slumped over the table, burying her face in her arms. This was to be her life—there was no escaping it now.
Chapter 3
Mack lifted the saddle off of his horse, hauling it over the side rail and grabbing his currycomb. He began rubbing circles on the horse’s sweaty back, easing out the matted hair while he crooned to the animal. Horses were delicate creatures that required time, patience, and attention.
Apparently horses were a lot like women.
He smiled at that, thinking back on his encounter with Effie over dinner the night before. She had gone from a sobbing mess to a dutiful housewife in the span of an hour, making his head spin, but by the end of the night he could tell her nerves were wearing thin. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing so, rather than say anything, he’d left her with his thanks over the meal and a wish for a good night of sleep and come out to the barn to bed down.
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