So Little Time

by Al Lacy

  “This is interesting,” Rya said, squeezing his arm. “Tell me more.”

  “All right. By 1854, the town’s population was more than six thousand, and it became California’s state capital. Today, as it welcomes the most beautiful woman in the world into its fold, the population is over sixty thousand and growing.”

  Rya laughed and kissed his cheek. “The most beautiful woman in the world, huh? Aren’t you the flatterer!”

  “That’s not flattery, my sweet. That’s fact.”

  She kissed his cheek again as the covered wagon rolled into town on Main Street. The Sacramento River flowed out of the north with a crystal glitter in the brilliant sunshine as it joined with the American River and bisected the town.

  Rya was amazed to see so much construction going on in the residential areas and in the business district. “Looks like you’re going into the right business, darling.”

  “Ward told me the town was booming, and as the state capital, will continue to do so.”

  “Oh, the Lord is so good to us.”

  “That He is. And He has been extra good to me. He brought you back into my life, and soon you will become my mail order bride!”

  “I’ll never get over how you came up with the way to make me your mail order bride, Mr. McClain Reardon. Indeed, you are a genius.”

  He chuckled. “As long as I’ve got you thinking so, future Mrs. McClain Reardon, that’s all that matters.”

  Rya laughed and tightened the grip on his arm. “Well, let’s see, now. As you take me on this personal guided tour, can you find 1441 West El Camino Avenue?”

  “Hmm? What’s that?”

  “That, my dear sir, is Roy and Elsa Gibbs’s address. You know, where I am going to be staying until we get married.”

  McClain’s handsome features tinted. “Well, ah … my map isn’t that detailed. I’ll … ah … have to stop and ask someone.”

  Rya giggled. “I understand having to ask someone for directions puts a crimp in the male ego. Would you like me to do it?”

  McClain reached over, tweaked her nose, and said, “I can handle it.”

  They laughed together as McClain veered the wagon toward the side of the street, where a group of men stood on the corner.

  Roy Gibbs was in his backyard, pruning trees, when he heard Elsa call from the kitchen door. “Honey, a covered wagon just pulled up out front! It’s Rya!”

  As McClain was helping Rya down from the wagon seat, they both saw the silver-haired couple emerge from the front door of the white frame two-story house.

  Seconds later, Rya was embracing both of them. When they let go of each other, Rya said, “Roy, Elsa, I want you to meet the man I am going to marry.”

  Shock showed on both faces.

  “Marry?” gasped Elsa.

  “Wh-when did you get engaged?” asked Roy.

  “Oh, quite a while ago. While we were crossing Nebraska.”

  “Then you met on the wagon train,” said Elsa.

  “Not exactly. When you were living in Bowling Green, I talked a lot about a boy who used to live there. McClain Reardon. Do you remember?”

  “Oh, sure,” said Roy. “You brought his name up many times. If I remember right, he was the one who was with you in the barn when John Wilkes Booth and his pal were holding the two of you hostage. McClain managed to get you both out.”

  “That’s right.”

  “He had been Saul’s best friend, if I recall correctly,” said Elsa.

  “You recall correctly,” Rya said with a big smile. “Well, Roy and Elsa Gibbs, meet McClain Reardon!”

  The Gibbses welcomed McClain, and Rya quickly told them the story of their meeting on the wagon train after being apart for fourteen years and how they fell in love and became engaged.

  The Gibbses congratulated the young couple, then McClain explained that Rya would need to stay with them until they got married. They were praying about the wedding date and would be talking to the Gibbses’ pastor about it.

  “She’s welcome to stay as long as is needed,” said Roy.

  Elsa’s eyes were shining. “And you’re both going to love Pastor Mark Whitfield, his family, and the whole church. Pastor Whitfield has been looking forward to having Rya in the church. This will be a double blessing for him.”

  “McClain,” said Roy, “there’s a nice boardinghouse just a block east of here on this same street. You can get a room there until you two get married.”

  “Good,” said McClain. “I want to be as close to Rya as possible.” He looked at Rya. “Well, sweetheart, let’s get your things unloaded.”

  While Roy was helping McClain carry Rya’s trunk and luggage into the house, McClain asked if he knew where he might be able to sell the covered wagon and team and purchase a horse and buggy. Roy said he did, and whenever he wanted to go, he would take him. McClain said he would like to do it right away.

  When Roy and McClain returned with the horse and buggy, Elsa told her husband about Rya’s stomach pains, saying she had asked about a doctor. Elsa had recommended their family physician, Dr. Peter Yarrow.

  “Couldn’t recommend a better one,” said Roy. “He’s sure been a good doctor for us. He’s very thorough and knows his business.”

  “Good,” said McClain. “I’ll take Rya to him tomorrow.”

  McClain then took Rya in the buggy and drove her to Sacramento High School so she could meet the principal and let him know she had arrived. Principal Gerald Baxter warmly welcomed Rya. Rya introduced McClain to Baxter, explaining that they would soon marry. The principal congratulated them, then took Rya into his private office to talk about her job.

  As they talked about the classes she would teach and Baxter gave her further information about Sacramento High, Rya explained about her recurring abdominal pain. She told him that McClain was taking her to see Dr. Yarrow tomorrow and mentioned that she was sure she could go to work as planned.

  Baxter had good comments about Dr. Yarrow, and said he hoped she would be all right. He had been very much looking forward to having her on his teaching staff.

  It was a fifteen-minute drive to the Lamont Construction Company, where Ward Lamont welcomed his new employee. He met Rya and was pleased to learn that they were going to marry soon.

  In Rya’s presence, Lamont talked to McClain about their plan for him to one day own the company. Rya was thrilled to hear it and thanked the Lord in her heart for working out this opportunity in McClain’s life.

  The next stop was the boardinghouse, where McClain was able to rent a nice room.

  That evening, the Gibbses took Rya and McClain to the church parsonage to meet Pastor Mark Whitfield, his wife, Marla, and his children. Rya instantly took a special liking to Marla. When the three Whitfield children learned that Miss Garrett was a teacher, they got excited. But the excitement lessened when they learned that she would be teaching at the high school. They were in grades two, four, and six.

  When the Gibbses, Rya, and McClain were heading back to 1441 West El Camino Avenue along the lantern-lit streets, McClain said, “Nice people, those Whitfields. I was impressed with how well-behaved their children are.”

  “I really like all of them,” said Rya. “What a sweet lady Mrs. Whitfield is.”

  “Both of you are going to love Pastor’s preaching, too,” said Roy.

  “Well, if the pastor and his family are examples of what the rest of the church is like,” said McClain, “we’re going to love them, too.”

  “Then get ready to love the whole church,” Elsa said. “We’re so happy to be a part of it.”

  At nine o’clock the next morning, Rya and McClain entered the office of Dr. Peter Yarrow and approached the receptionist’s desk. The receptionist was a bright-eyed woman in her late fifties. The nameplate on her desk bore the name Sarah Wickharn.

  Smiling up at them, Sarah said, “May I help you?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” said McClain. “My name is McClain Reardon. This young lady is Rya Garrett. We arrived yester
day on a wagon train.”

  Gesturing to the two chairs in front of her desk, Sarah picked up pencil and paper. “Please sit down. And welcome to Sacramento.”

  They thanked her, then Sarah asked if both of them needed to see the doctor. McClain explained that it was Rya who needed to see him.

  After giving Sarah her temporary address, Rya told her about her abdominal pains, and that Dr. Patrick O’Brien in Fort Bridger, Wyoming, had told her to see a doctor in Sacramento to do some tests.

  Sarah made notes, then asked the couple to sit down in the waiting area. It wasn’t long till Rya was in an examining room with Dr. Peter Yarrow and his nurse, whom he introduced as Billie Blake.

  Dr. Yarrow asked many questions, and learned about Jason Lynch and how his unwanted presence had often brought on the abdominal pains. Rya explained that even since she last saw Jason many weeks ago, she was still having recurrences of the pain. She told Yarrow the pain was excruciating during and after the Cheyenne attack on the wagon train.

  The doctor made notes, rubbed his chin, and said, “Miss Garrett, before I put you through the tests, I would like to see how you do now that Jason is no longer around, and the long wagon journey is over.”

  Rya nodded. “Whatever you say, Doctor.”

  “I’m going to give you medicine to take whenever something upsets you. This is for your nerves, which can affect you physically. If the medicine doesn’t take care of it, I want to know immediately. I’ll also give you some powders to take if the pain does come back But I want to see you right away if it happens. If not, I still want to see you in a month. Please make an appointment with Sarah on your way out.”

  When Rya and McClain were heading back to the Gibbs home in McClain’s buggy, she explained what Dr. Yarrow had said.

  “I sure hope this will be the end of the problem,” he said.

  “Me, too. I’ve got to be about my teaching job and be busy making preparations to become Mrs. McClain Reardon.”

  A few days later, letters went out to Rya’s parents in Virginia, and McClain’s mother in Missouri, letting them know that they had arrived safely in Sacramento, and both loved their jobs. Nothing was said about Rya’s stomach problems.

  The next Sunday, the happy couple attended church services with the Gibbses and found the people warm and friendly. They also loved the music, and most of all, they loved Pastor Mark Whitfield’s preaching.

  At the close of the service, they walked the aisle and presented themselves for membership.

  On Tuesday night, Rya and McClain met with the pastor and told him their wedding plans. The wedding date was set for Saturday, October 18, at seven o’clock in the evening.

  The next day letters went out to Rya’s parents and McClain’s mother, telling them of the wedding date. Rya had written to Betty Hilmes in Fort Bridger, informing her of the date she would become Mrs. McClain Reardon.

  In early October, Rya and McClain rented a small house near the Gibbs home, and Elsa helped Rya decorate it.

  On Tuesday, October 7, when McClain came to the Gibbs house for supper, Rya met him at the door with an envelope in her hand, her eyes dancing.

  Looking at the envelope, then into Rya’s dancing eyes, McClain said, “I can see it’s a letter. Who’s it from?”

  “Betty Hilmes!”

  “Oh? And what’s got you so excited?”

  “She told me that she and Chris have also set their wedding date for October 18!”

  “Well, now, isn’t that some kind of coincidence? I’m glad for them.”

  The next day, a letter came from McClain’s mother, congratulating them on the upcoming wedding, saying she wished she could be there. Two days later, a letter came from Richard and Laura Garrett, also sending congratulations, and saying they wished they could attend the wedding.

  On Saturday, October 18, 1879, dawn was just beginning to paint its gray light on the eastern horizon when Rya sat up in bed and looked out her largest bedroom window. The sparrows in the trees were beginning to chirp as they welcomed the dawn.

  Rya had spent a restless night, anticipating this most important day. Stretching her arms, she yawned and threw back the covers. She picked up her flannel robe from the chair beside the bed, put it on, and padded her way to the washstand. Splashing cold water on her face, she dried it with a fluffy towel, then went to the rocking chair that sat by the large window and sat down. The house was quiet, since Roy and Elsa were still asleep. Rya folded her legs beneath her and watched the dawn grow brighter.

  This was her wedding day. She let her mind wander back to her home in Virginia, and as she thought of her parents and siblings, a melancholy feeling stole over her. Without even realizing she was weeping; she felt tears splash on the folded hands in her lap.

  “We can’t have this on such a happy occasion,” she admonished herself in a whisper.

  She used the sleeve of her robe to dry her cheeks and hands and put her mind on the preparations she needed to make for meeting McClain at the altar that evening.

  Rya prayed to her heavenly Father, asking once again for His blessings on her marriage to McClain. She asked Him to continually fill her with a deeper and more powerful love for the man God had given her.

  “Help me to remember Your Word, dear Father,” she said softly. ‘Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.’ Help me to be like the wife You described in Proverbs 31, and lead me each day, precious Lord, as I yield my all unto You.”

  Rya prayed for her family back in Virginia and for McClain’s family in Missouri. Just as she said her amen, she became aware of sounds indicating that the Gibbses were up and moving about the house.

  She uncurled her legs, rose to her feet, and stood at the window watching the sunlight kissing the distant hills good morning. Wrapping her arms around herself, she twirled about with a wide smile on her lips. “This indeed is a glorious day. Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and goodness.”

  That evening, Rya and McClain were married in a small, simple ceremony, and after the modest reception, they climbed into McClain’s buggy and drove to their rented house. McClain parked the buggy in front of the porch, hurried around to Rya’s side, and helped her out. Holding hands, they climbed the steps of the porch and stopped at the door.

  McClain opened the door, swinging it wide, then smiled down at the lovely redhead in the beautiful white dress. “Well, here’s the threshold. Ready?”

  She laughed and raised her arms to shoulder height. “I’m ready!”

  McClain swept her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Chris Cooper isn’t the only man who married his mail order bride today!”

  On the following Thursday afternoon, Mrs. McClain Reardon was at the blackboard in her classroom, writing dates of important historical events for her students to put into their notes and memorize, when the bell sounded out in the hall, indicating that school was over for the day.

  Laying the chalk down, Rya ran her gaze over the faces before her. “Everybody get these dates down?”

  Heads were nodding as the students were closing their notebooks.

  “All right. Now study hard, young people. The history test is tomorrow. You’re dismissed.”

  As the bulk of the students were filing out the classroom door, two girls stepped up to the desk.

  Rya smiled back. “Melissa, Lorene, is there something I can do for you?”

  Melissa’s smile broadened. “Yes, Miss Gar—I mean, Mrs. Reardon. You can just keep on being so interesting in your teaching. We just love the way you teach.”

  “Yes,” said Lorene. “You make every subject come alive. Especially history. Thank you. We’re so glad you’re our teacher!”

  Rya hugged them both at the same time as tears filled her eyes. “Thank you, girls. That means more to me than I can ever tell you.”

  The girls smiled, then left.

  With joy bubbling in her heart, Rya picked up the two textbooks she needed to take home for study along with her small notebook,
and left the classroom, closing the door behind her.

  As she moved down the hall, she came to two women teachers, who were standing in the open door of a classroom. They both smiled and told Rya how glad they were that she was part of the faculty.

  She smiled in return, thanked them, and moved outside. She began planning what she was going to cook for supper as she descended the stairs and headed for the boardwalk that paralleled the street.

  Suddenly Rya stopped, her eyes wide and heart pounding, the hair rising on the back of her neck.

  Jason Lynch was walking toward her across the campus lawn, his eyes like sharp points of steel.

  Rya felt a shudder go through her as he drew up. “Hello, sweetheart.”

  “Don’t call me sweetheart!” Rya snapped.

  Jason stepped closer. “I’ve missed you terribly. I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I had to come and find you and tell you that I still love you. I want you to forget this McClain Reardon and marry me. I’ll find a good job here, and—”

  “Stop it, Jason!” She lifted her left hand to his face, showing her wedding ring to him. “See that? I already married him. I am now Mrs. McClain Reardon. Go back home, Jason!”

  Eyes blazing, Jason screamed, “You had no right to marry Reardon! You were always meant for me!” He grabbed her by the upper arms and shook her. “Do you hear what I’m saying? You were meant for me!”

  Students who had not yet left the grounds were looking on, mouths agape.

  Two adult couples passing by in a buggy saw Jason shaking Rya. Frank Sandoval quickly pulled the buggy to a stop and jumped out. Jay Dutton was on his heels as he ran across the lawn.

  Sandoval rushed up. “Let go of her, mister! Right now!”

  Jason swore at them. “Mind your own business!”

  “Let go of her or we’ll beat you to a pulp and carry what’s left of you to the police station.”

  Jason released Rya and took a step back, eyeing both men.

  Rya was weeping and rubbing her upper arms as the two women from the buggy rushed up and put their arms around her, speaking softly to her.

  “Look, you guys!” Jason said. “I’ve been in love with this girl for a long time. She married another man and tore my heart out!”