After they walked for five minutes, she pulled him to a stop. “Benjamin, this is far enough.”
“Just come a bit further. There is a lovely rock beside the river where we can sit and chat.”
Henrietta pulled her shawl closer. There had been several small snowfalls lately and the ground away from town was still lightly covered. “Don’t you think that will be a bit too cold?”
“It’s only a few more steps.”
Henrietta allowed him to move on and within a minute, they stepped out of a small wooded area, into a clearing beside a small river. As promised, there was a lovely, flat rock, big enough for them both to sit side by side. Henrietta settled onto the rock and sighed at the beautiful scenery.
“It’s not the ocean, like in Merville, but the woods and the distant mountain is lovely.”
Benjamin agreed.
“Now, are you ready to answer my questions?” She held her breath, almost afraid he would somehow go back on his word,
“Yes. Feel free to ask anything you want.”
Henrietta sat up straight. “First of all, I want to know where you’ve been.”
Benjamin reached over and tried to take her hand, but she pulled it away.
“I’ve been staying at an old cabin on the mountain. I’m not sure who owned it, but I’ve known about it for years. I needed to get away, to think, to pray.”
Henrietta sensed he was telling the truth.
“And what did you pray about?”
Benjamin reached over, tilted her chin up with his hand and stared into her eyes. “You.”
She gulped. “Me?”
“Yes. Listen. Why don’t I just tell you everything from the beginning? Then if you have specific questions, you can ask them.”
Henrietta nodded.
“The reason I don’t work is because I don’t have to. The mine has made my father and me very wealthy men.”
He glanced at her to see her reaction. She looked rather stunned.
“I didn’t want to tell you about the money, because I wanted you to love me for myself. I was afraid if you knew how much money I had, you would want to marry me only for that.”
Her cheeks flushed red. “Do I seem like that type of woman?”
“No, but I wanted to be sure. I didn’t want you to know about the room over the eatery, because I wanted it to be a wedding surprise.”
“I see.” Her head dropped. She felt a surge of shame. “I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted.”
Benjamin grabbed her hands and pulled them toward his heart. This time she did not pull away. “You acted exactly as could be expected. It was ridiculous of me to behave the way I did. Anytime you asked me about money, I convinced myself you were the type of woman who would only love me for my money. However, when I got out to that cabin and got alone with God, He cleared things up for me. I was able to see what a mess I’ve made of things. I’ve wasted all the time we could have been enjoying our courting, by assuming the worst. Is there any way you can forgive me?”
Henrietta’s eyes caressed his face. She reached up and touched his cheek. “I forgive you, Benjamin. I’m so glad to know what the problem was. I only hope you believe me now when I say I love you, not your money.”
“Now that you know about it, we can make new plans together. You can pick out anything you want at the mercantile, we can buy some land and build a house. Whatever you want.”
“Benjamin, I want you. Those things sound wonderful, for someday. But right now, I want us to live the lifestyle you had planned.”
Henrietta felt herself pulled into his warm embrace.
“Thank you, dear. I wanted us to live above the eatery, for a while. Are you sure you can be happy there?”
“Yes. I already love it. I’ve been secretly working on curtains and a new quilt for the bed. Other than a few womanly touches, I think it’s perfect.”
“So, am I forgiven?” His breath was close to her cheek.
“Yes.”
For a moment their eyes locked, and then Benjamin lowered his lips to hers.
Chapter 15
Henrietta stood beside Benjamin in the mercantile. Chairs were set out so anyone in town who wanted to attend their weddings could. Henrietta was surprised to see so many of her regular customers from the eatery. The men were washed and wearing their best shirts and trousers. As she walked down the aisle, the men slipped their hats off and nodded in her direction.
She was glad to have Brenda as her maid of honor, since her best friend, Alice Canton, was still back in Merville. Brenda had become just as good of a friend to her over the weeks.
Benjamin stood in front of the circuit preacher, smiling at her. She could see the love in his eyes and she hoped her love for him reflected back.
As the preacher spoke the words that would bind her life to Benjamin’s, her mind drifted back over the past few months and she wondered if coming to Angel Vale to marry Benjamin had been God’s plan for her life all along. Not that she didn’t miss her grandmother, because she did, but there was little else in Maine that held as much appeal as her new life. Cooking at the eatery, living in the nice rooms above the eatery and being married to Benjamin Capell was all she needed.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Henrietta turned her face up to receive the gentle kiss from her husband. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t heard a word the preacher had said during the entire wedding. She had married to the perfect man.
Their lips met.
*****
“Yahoo.” One of the miner’s shouted when Henrietta and Benjamin stepped apart and turned to face the crowd. “Let’s go eat our Christmas dinner.”
“Yippee!” Another yelled.
“Hurray.” From another.
Henrietta laughed and placed her hand on Benjamin’s arm.
“Looks like the weddings over. It’s time to get back to the kitchen.”
Benjamin smiled. “Are you sure you want to spend your wedding day feeding a bunch of…”
She placed two fingers over his lips. “Shhh. Yes, I‘m sure. We have a lifetime ahead of us, why not give them all one Christmas to remember?”
Benjamin leaned close and whispered, “Alright. Oh, by the way, did I mention that you were going to get a chance to meet the owner of the eatery today?”
Henrietta’s eyes grew large. “No, you didn’t mention that little detail. But I’m glad to hear it. I don’t want to keep working in such a secretive environment. How did you find out?”
“The assayer is my best friend.” Benjamin stated evasively, but Henrietta was too happy to notice.
“You look beautiful, dear,” Benjamin touched the soft strands of blonde hair that were curled around her cheeks.
“And you, my darling, are very handsome.”
They kissed once more, but were quickly swept along by the men who were anxious to begin the Christmas festivities.
*****
The eatery was decorated with lovely pine boughs, a small tree with handmade ornaments stood in the corner. The air was filled with smells of turkey and the fragrance of fresh baked cookies.
While the men ate, Ron spoke in hushed tones and shared the story of Jesus with them. Many of the miner’s wiped their eyes when he had finished.
After several hours of serving turkey, potatoes, biscuits, green beans and pies to the hungry crowd, Benjamin asked Henrietta to join him in the front room. She blew a piece of hair up off her face and slipped off the dirty apron. When she stepped out of the kitchen she noted the men gathered in a circle around Benjamin. He waved Henrietta into the center.
“Friends, I’d like to thank you all for joining Henrietta and me on this marvelous day of our wedding and Christmas feast. However, I think it’s time for Henrietta to open her Christmas gift.”
A cheer of agreement went up. Henrietta’s eyes shined, but her voice dropped low in a whisper. “Benjamin, we agreed to open presents tonight, when we were alone. I have nothing for
you with me.”
“Yes, we did, but there is one thing I wanted you to have, before tonight. Something you have needed to know all along.”
“Are you going to tell me who the owner of the eatery is?” She looked excited.
“Yes, dear.” Benjamin handed her a large box, tied with bright red and green ribbon. Her eyebrows knit together in confusion.
“But…”
Benjamin leaned in toward her. “Don’t ask questions, just open the box. It will explain everything.”
Henrietta slowly untied the festive ribbons and then slipped the lid off the box. Inside lay a single piece of paper. It looked like a legal document. She set the box on a nearby table and lifted the paper and began to read.
Her hand slipped to her mouth as she exclaimed, “Oh, Benjamin. Is this true?” Her eyes sought his.
“Yes, my love. I am the one who owns this building and opened the eatery. I bought it when I read your letter telling how you always dreamed of owning a restaurant. I wanted to give it to you as a wedding gift. I never meant it to become a troublesome secret.”
Henrietta blinked back tears of joy. Not only was she now a married to a wonderful man, but she was also the proud owner of the Angel Vale Eatery.
With outstretched arms, Henrietta took a step toward her husband to hug him, but her foot tangled in the red and green ribbon on the floor. Before she knew it, she was falling head first toward the floor.
This time, strong arms caught her and pulled her into a warm embrace.
“I’m glad to know you are still falling for me.” Benjamin’s eyes sparkled as he stared into his wife’s eyes and his lips met hers once more.
Teresa Ives Lilly loves to write novellas. She also loves to hear from her readers. Please send your thoughts and comments to [email protected]
To see other books by Teresa go to www.teresalilly.wordpress.com.
She has several books published by www.forgetmenotromances.com
The Evergreen Wreath
By
Tanya Stowe
Copyright 2015 by Tanya Stowe. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise — without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
1
“Oh my dear, what happened to your lip?”
Virginia Pepper clutched the shawl-wrapped bundle in her arms, blinking as her eyes grew accustomed to the dark interior of the church. Two women sat at a small wooden table in the otherwise empty vestibule. They both stared at her mouth with pained expressions. Sympathy, perhaps.
Or pity.
She stiffened at the thought. “The wind blew the door out of my hands and I walked right into it.” She met the women’s gazes straight on, almost daring them to point out the lie. Even her tone held a slight tinge of belligerence.
The older woman rose and walked around the table with firm purpose, dark blue skirts swishing. Such an authoritative stride. Virginia bit at the inside of her lip, suddenly doubting the wisdom of her decision to come here.
The woman stopped in front of her, hands folded, and studied her face with a look so piercing, Virginia felt sure she could see right through her.
“Well, that’s a nasty split. I imagine it hurts.”
She nodded but said nothing. The little spurt of spunk she’d felt a moment ago fled in the face of this strong, purposeful woman whose fashionable blue dress was cut to perfection and looked expensive, like brushed silk. She was a woman of substance—one who had never been asked what happened to her lip. Virginia doubted anyone had even dared to raise a hand to her.
“I’m Mrs. Sophia Webster.” The lady gestured toward the other woman still seated at the table. “And this is Becky Patterson.”
Virginia recognized the pastor’s daughter. Almost a year ago, Becky had stood beside her minister father as he prayed over Mama’s grave. She’d looked so sad…as if she really cared that Mama had died and left Virginia alone with her father and three grown brothers. Becky’s kind words had meant a lot to Virginia. Months later, those words and her sad, tear-filled eyes still gave Virginia peace. At least one other person cared about her mother’s passing.
Would the pastor’s daughter remember the frightened, grief-stricken girl? Becky gave Virginia a hesitant nod. She caught her breath as the young woman rose and came to stand by Mrs. Webster.
“So you’re interested in becoming one of the mail-order brides.”
Virginia nodded again, not trusting her voice to stop the tremble.
“You do understand these men are looking to marry? They want wives for a lifetime.”
Silence was a giveaway. She needed to speak, to say something. “I understand.”
“Wyoming is a very long way from home.”
The further the better. Virginia bit her lips to keep the words from being spoken, and looked down. “I have no prospects, no future here, ma’am, and I’ve always wanted to travel. I see this as a great opportunity.”
Mrs. Webster frowned. “Forgive me, Virginia, but you’re very young. Surely your parents…”
“I’m eighteen.” Another lie. She was amazed at how easily they flowed from her tongue. She’d do anything…say anything to escape her father’s explosive anger and ever-ready fists.
Becky’s eyebrows raised, and Virginia’s heart sank. Would this girl remember the lonely, heartbroken sixteen-year-old who stood beside her mother’s grave? Would she speak up and ruin Virginia’s chances for escape?
“Very well, let me explain the details.” Mrs. Webster pointed to a seat at the table. Virginia released her breath as Becky led the way. Virginia settled on the chair, still clutching her meager belongings.
“You’re coming to us very late in the process. We’re scheduled to leave on the eight a.m. train in the morning. We’ll travel to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where we will be met with wagons. From there we’ll be taken to Angel Vale to meet our prospective grooms.”
“Ours? You’re going to be one of the brides?”
For the first time, the unflappable Mrs. Webster seemed a bit flustered. Pink tinged her cheeks. “Yes. I’m a widow with no prospects, as you put it. Becky will be joining us as well.”
Virginia’s gaze shot to the younger woman, who gave a slight, resigned smile.
“You see, we understand your desire for a new start…a new beginning. But we would be remiss if we did not make sure you understand all of the details. Your groom has paid a fee for this arrangement and also purchased your passage and transportation…at no small expense.”
Once again, doubts swept through Virginia’s mind. What was she doing here? She glanced at the paisley shawl in her lap. Her mother’s. Tucked inside the length of material were her only possessions—one clean dress wrapped around Mama’s silver hairbrush and comb.
She could sell the set. Get a little money. But then where would she go?
No place. She had nowhere to go. No way to escape.
“Unfortunately, since you’ve come late in the process, there’s only one prospective groom left. His name is Levi Harper.”
Levi. Biblical, like her father’s name, Ezekiel. Old Testament. Ancient. He’d be an old, old man with a long, white beard. Would he spout the same kind of verses her father loved to quote with such pomposity and wrath?
Spare the rod and spoil the child.
Women…obey your husbands.
Eye for an eye.
Unaware of the turmoil inside Virginia, Mrs. Webster continued. “There’s something else you need to understand, Virginia. Levi has entered into this agreement because he is responsible for four children.”
“Four?” Virginia’s tone reflected her
shock.
“Yes, dear…four. The youngest is only five. It’s my understanding that since the death of their mother, Mr. Harper has had difficulty managing his mine and the care of the children. It seems they’ve become somewhat undisciplined.”
Undisciplined. That’s what her father called her. Were they really undisciplined or just frightened and without love? Her heart ached. Those little ones needed help.
She could help. Hard work didn’t frighten her. Four children couldn’t be more difficult than living in her father’s house. No one could be a worse taskmaster than Ezekiel Pepper, or as eager to push her around as her brothers. Besides, small children meant laughter and smiles. Baked cookies and bedtime stories. All the things she treasured from memories of her mother.
“If you undertake this journey, Virginia, and then ultimately decide you do not wish to enter into the marriage, you will need to work out a…financial arrangement with the gentleman.”
Virginia’s mind was still on baked cookies and starched pinafores. “A financial arrangement?”
“Yes, you’ll need to reimburse him for his expenses.”
Virginia’s expression must have looked as confused as she felt because Becky interpreted.
“You’ll need to pay him back for your train ticket.”
“Oh.”
Pay him back. Money. Work. What if this new man, like her father, believed women were chattel? She might have to work forever. No matter how much she wanted to help those children, she might be trading one taskmaster for another.
Still, if she stayed here, her father would find her. Her brothers were probably already scouring the countryside, searching all her usual hiding places. It was only a matter of time before they showed up in town looking for her.
But wait… Realization washed through her in a cold rush.
“Excuse me. Did you say if I do not wish to enter into the marriage? You mean I have a choice?”
Becky’s face twisted as if she’d been hit by a sharp pain and Mrs. Webster closed her eyes. They exchanged a knowing look before Mrs. Webster nodded.
Christmas Mail Order Angels: The complete 11 Volume Set Page 38
