Delightfully Deluded

by Barbara Goss

  While Andrew and Eden sat awaiting the train, Eden asked him, “Do I still owe you money? Because if I do, I’ll try and get a job in Hays and pay you back.”

  No, your account is paid in full,” he answered. “I have plenty of money now, but at the time I had little, so it made a big difference. I think you’ve more than paid the debt

  “Your livery does that well?” she asked.

  “Yes, it’s very profitable. I’m not rich, but I do all right,” he said. “There are always people coming in to rent horses and buggies. We also do grooming, board horses, and we have an apartment upstairs that we rent out. I used to live there before I bought the McGregor place.”

  “Tell me about the livery. I’m a country girl and have no idea what you do. I’m interested.”

  “Well, we have different levels of services: there's the full livery, where we feed, groom, and exercise the horse for the owner who might be staying at the hotel or visiting relatives that don’t have their own stable; then there’s part livery, a bit cheaper, where we just feed, water, and stall the horse. Sometimes we have a horse boarding with us for weeks at a time. We also make money, selling tack and renting out buggies and horses.”

  “Interesting,” she said. “So, if I were to buy a horse while living in a flat or hotel, I’d put my horse in your care?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why couldn’t I just leave my horse tied in front of the apartment or hotel?” she asked.

  “You could, but it might not be there when you go to get it.”

  “Someone would steal it?”

  “Absolutely. The price of horses is going up all the time.”

  Eden shielded her eyes against the sun and gazed down the tracks. “I hear a train whistle, and it reminds me of the last time I heard a train whistle. It'll be a long time before I forget that day. Did I ever thank you for saving my life?”

  “No, you never did.”

  “Well, thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.”

  Eden stood as the train screeched to a halt in front of them.

  Andrew stood also and watched the people disembark. Then the porter cried, “All aboard!”

  For some reason, Andrew panicked. As Eden moved toward the train, he pulled her arm. “Wait! Let’s not go!”

  “Don’t be silly, Andrew.” She pulled her arm away and boarded the train.

  Andrew felt like he was making a huge mistake as he followed her into the car where he found her standing by two empty seats. “Your window seat,” she said, stepping back to let him in first.

  “I was joking, Eden. You sit there.”

  Eden moved to the window seat and sat down. Andrew sat beside her.

  “Eden, we could get off right now and stay for two more days. We could share a room—I promise to behave.”

  Eden studied his face. “And then what, Andrew?”

  Andrew had no answer for her.

  Chapter 11

  After a lovely breakfast, Addie suggested Martin take Catherine on a tour of Hays.

  “Would you like to see a bit of Hays, Catherine?” Martin asked.

  “I’d love to,” she answered. “Could you show me Andrew’s house? I’d love to see where I’ll be living.”

  “Of course,” Martin said as he held the door open for her.

  “I thought you might take her, so I had the buggy readied,” Addie said, smiling fondly at the couple.

  Martin knew what his mother was doing. Hadn’t she done the same maneuvering for his brother, Sam? Well, he’d go along with it, but since his wife had died two years ago, he wasn’t looking for a wife. He’d prayed about it and thought that if God had wanted him to marry again, he’d send him someone.

  He showed Andrew's house to Catherine first, and she seemed a bit let down by it.

  “He only bought it a few months ago,” Martin said. “It just needs a woman’s touch.”

  “It’s a lot smaller than your place,” she said. “I guess it does just need some fixing up.”

  Next, he showed her the river and then the town itself. “Would you like me to park the buggy so we can walk through the town?”

  “That’s an excellent idea,” she answered. “It’s such a gorgeous day.”

  As they strolled along the wooden walkway, Martin gave her a bit of history about each building they passed. “This is the newspaper office. It once was a bordello, believe it or not.”

  Catherine looked up at the building. “I can imagine women up on the balcony in colorful clothes waving to all the men.”

  “Can you?” Martin laughed. “You have a vivid imagination. I like that.”

  “I love history, and I love all the historical facts you’re sharing with me.”

  “That’s right—you’re a teacher,” he said.

  Martin pointed to a large wooden building. “Now, there’s a building that'll interest you. It’s the A & R Livery.”

  “That’s the one owned by Andrew and Ross. It’s a lot bigger than I’d imagined.”

  Martin took Catherine’s elbow as he guided her around a hole in the walkway.

  “I’m anxious to hear one of your sermons tomorrow,” Catherine said. “I haven’t been to church since I was baptized as a baby.”

  “You haven’t?” he asked.

  “No. My parents weren’t believers,” she said. “My grandmother had me baptized. She was the strong believer in the family.”

  “I hope you enjoy it, then.” Martin pointed to the church, “There’s my workplace. I’ll show you around, if you’d like.”

  “I’d love to see it,” Catherine said, smiling up at him.

  For some strange reason, her smile made his heart beat a bit faster. It had been years since that had happened. She wasn’t a beautiful woman—she was sort of plain, in fact, but she was not ugly, by any means. Catherine was thirty. She wore her hair pulled back into a tight bun, and she had thin lips, but she also had the most beautiful, brown eyes to match her hair. What Martin liked best about her was her maturity and her intelligence. The night before, while he and his mother had tea with her, he'd discovered she’d read all of the classics, and he'd been impressed.

  Martin hoped Andrew Mayfield appreciated what a bright woman he was getting.

  He showed her through the church and his office.

  “It’s very quaint,” she remarked. “I can see you’re very proud of it.”

  “I am,” he said. He remembered his first view of it after he’d applied for the job, his wife by his side.

  As they walked back to the buggy she said, “Your mother tells me you were married and your wife died. I’m very sorry.”

  “Thank you. It’s been tough, but I believe there's a reason for everything. God must have needed another angel.”

  Once they'd settled into the buggy, they made their way back home.

  As they approached the house, a horse galloped down the drive behind them, and the rider jumped down almost before the horse had stopped.

  “Hello, Ross!” Martin said. “What brings you out today?”

  “I just wanted to let Miss Catherine know that I’ve finally heard from Andrew. He’s stranded in Great Bend without enough money to get home,” he said breathlessly. “He asked me to wire him some money, which I did, and he should be home in a few days.”

  “He was broke?” Catherine asked as Martin helped her down from the buggy.

  “He said it was a long story,” Ross said. “Well, I have to get back since I’m running the livery short-staffed.” He nudged his horse and galloped back down the lane.

  “That’s good news. You’ll finally meet Andrew soon,” Martin said.

  “Thank you for the tour of the town and church,” Catherine said with a smile. “It was interesting. I would have liked to have seen the town during its heyday, when the cattle drives came here.”

  Martin laughed. “No, you wouldn’t have. It was wild and dangerous.”

  “It’s history, though.”

  “Yes, I supp
ose it is,” he said as he opened the door for her.

  “Will you be marrying us?”

  “Since I’m Andrew’s minister, I would say so, although I dislike marrying mail order brides.”

  They walked together to the sitting room where they sat down.

  “Why don’t you like marrying mail order brides? Do you get that many here?”

  “Yes, we do get quite a few. I dislike them because I feel a couple should be in love first and marry after,” Martin said. “I recently married my brother to a mail order bride— technically—and thank God it worked, and they wound up falling in love.” Martin smiled at the memory. “I sure prayed hard the whole time.”

  “Praying…what exactly does that do?” she asked.

  “It’s just talking to God…and sometimes begging.”

  “And…he actually hears you?”

  “He answers me all the time.”

  “He does?” she said with a bit of disbelief in her voice.

  “Are you an unbeliever?” Martin asked.

  “I’m not sure,” she said thoughtfully. “I never thought much beyond the fact that someone has to be in charge. I mean, the earth and how everything works so perfectly—I don’t really think it could happen all by itself. It’s amazing how the moon’s gravitation forces cause the tides, and how we are conveniently given night and day so we can sleep and work.”

  “And,” Martin added, “what about the millions of stars that led sailors, long before maps?”

  “I’ve always thought: what if the earth happened all by itself,” Catherine said. “It just happens to provide all the needs for human survival. We have the sun to keep us warm, and all the foods we eat were already here for us to figure out how to use.”

  “Don’t forget gravity,” Martin added. “And all the plants and herbs we use as medicines.”

  “To answer your original question, yes, I do believe there is a God, but I don’t know any more than that. Would you teach me?” she asked.

  “I’d be delighted,” he answered. “How about we have a Bible study after dinner every night? I’m sure Mother would join us, too.”

  After dinner that evening, Martin told Addie about the nightly Bible Study. She looked pleased, but then she made the excuse that she wouldn't be able to join them since she still had plenty of housework to do. Since she ran the ranch practically single-handed, often her housework had to wait until evenings.

  Martin became a bit suspicious when Addie continued to find excuses as to why she couldn’t join them for Bible study, but he thought Catherine was stimulated by the sessions, and he admired her willingness to learn. She absorbed everything with intelligence and asked him excellent questions.

  Catherine enjoyed Martin’s company so much, she forgot about Andrew’s imminent arrival. She’d attended her first church service the day after they'd started the Bible studies, she loved his sermon and the way he'd delivered it. She'd noticed his intelligence as he'd spoken. He was also a very handsome man. She sort of wished he were her intended, since she loved being with someone of equal intelligence.

  She’d been courted a few times back in New York, and the men were all respectable, but some couldn’t read, and some preferred not to. She loved the mental stimulation she had with Martin. She hoped they could remain friends after she'd married Andrew.

  Catherine dried dishes as Martin’s mother washed. She’d become fond of Addie and admired her for all she’d done in her life all alone.

  “How are the Bible studies going?” Addie asked.

  “Oh, I love them,” Catherine said. “I’m learning so much, and Martin is an excellent teacher and minister. I admire him.”

  Addie smiled at her. “I do, too.”

  “I don’t know how I could have lived thirty years without knowing about the Bible and God,” she said. “I can’t wait for tonight’s study. We’ve already covered the most important parts of the Old Testament, and tonight, we’re going to start the New Testament. I’m actually excited about it.”

  “I’m glad,” Addie said, “but what will you do when Andrew finally arrives? He’s due any day now.”

  “I’m hoping I can continue with Martin and our studies. I’m sure Andrew won’t mind,” she said. “Martin said I could come to the church office after the Sunday service for the studies after we're married.”

  “Did Martin mention he doesn’t like marrying people who aren’t in love?” Addie asked.

  “Yes, he did. His reasons made a lot of sense,” she admitted. “He’s caused me to think a bit on the subject. Like Martin said, what if love never happens?”

  “It does for some and some just live their lives having never experienced love, but they settle for companionship,” Addie said.

  “I’m not sure I’m that sacrificing, Addie. I do want to fall in love.”

  “I’m sure you will, then,” she said. “Go, join Martin, and I’ll finish drying these few pots.”

  Catherine kissed Addie’s cheek. “Thank you,” she said, and then she rushed to the sitting room to find Martin in the armchair with his Bible.

  She took a seat on the sofa and said, “I’m excited about the New Testament.”

  He smiled at her and something inside of her felt warm and fuzzy.

  Chapter 12

  Eden didn’t become nervous until the train’s porter yelled out, “Hays!” This would be her last time being that close to Andrew, and she’d probably see him and Catherine together at some time, since the town wasn’t all that big. She supposed she could stay a while before moving on, but she'd first need to earn some money.

  As the train slowed in preparation to stop at the Hays depot, she looked over at Andrew who was sitting with his elbows on his knees, deep in thought. What was he thinking? She thought he was probably still worried about how he might hide her from his beloved Catherine. He must have felt her eyes on him because he suddenly looked at her. He didn’t say anything, but he reached over and squeezed her hand.

  They disembarked the train and Andrew said, “If you’ll wait here, I’ll get a buggy from the livery and drive you to the Jordans.”

  Eden simply nodded. Of course, he didn’t want to be seen with her. She sat down and felt insecure, nervous, and extremely sad. Now, she’d go and live with strangers and have nothing whatsoever to offer them for their hospitality. She gazed around the town. There was a hotel. Maybe she could get a job as a maid, a cook, or working in the laundry, since she had plenty of experience in all three areas. She saw an eating place called Rosie’s and wondered if they might need a cook or a server.

  Andrew drew up in front of her with a small buggy. He jumped down and helped her up onto the soft, leather seat. He jumped up beside her and slowly started the buggy. He looked at her and said, “We have a slight problem.”

  Now what? She stared at Andrew, hoping he’d tell her what it was because the lump in her throat prevented her from asking.

  “Ross took Catherine to stay with the Jordans.”

  Eden couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face. She shook her head, feeling completely defeated.

  Andrew pulled the buggy off to the side of the lonely road. “Eden, please don’t cry. It’ll be all right. Honest.” He dropped the reins and pulled her toward him so that her head rested on his chest. “I promise not to let anything upset you. We’ll stick to our story, and I guarantee Addie Jordan will love having another female to fuss over.”

  Eden tried to stop crying, but with all emotions she felt, the tears just kept flowing.

  “Look at me, Eden,” Andrew said gently, but firmly. “Stop this at once!”

  “I’m s-sorry, Andrew,” she said. “I’m just so afraid.”

  “Afraid? Of what?”

  “Afraid of living with people I don’t know, afraid of what the future holds for me here, in Hays.”

  “I’d never let anything happen to you, Eden. I promise.”

  “You’ll be married, and I doubt you’ll be concerned with my life or what
happens to me,” she sobbed.

  “That will never happen,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll tell Catherine what good friends we’ve become and with the two of you living together, I’m sure you’ll be friends before you know it, too.”

  Eden was finally able to control her tears and straightened. “Let’s go, then. I’m anxious to get it over with.”

  Andrew squeezed her hand once more before nudging the horse forward again.

  As they drove down the lane that led to the Jordans’ home, Eden tried to shake off her trepidation. Andrew stopped in front of the large front porch and whispered, “It’ll be fine, Eden. They’ll love you,”

  Andrew stepped down from the buggy and came around to help her disembark, trying not to hold her waist longer than necessary. He turned around to see both Addie and a woman he assumed was Catherine, standing on the porch, watching them.

  Andrew walked up onto the porch and let Eden step ahead of him. “Catherine?” Andrew said.

  She smiled at him and nodded but turned back to stare at Eden.

  Andrew said, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Catherine. I’m sorry that I was delayed. I’ll explain it later. First, I’d like you to meet a fellow passenger I met on the train—Eden.” He turned to Eden. “I’m sorry, Eden, I’ve forgotten your last name.”

  “Jamison,” she said.

  Addie immediately wrapped her arms around Eden. “Welcome to our home, Eden.” She looked at Andrew. “If she needs a place to stay, I have another empty room.”

  “She does,” Andrew said. “While we rode from Great Bend, she explained her circumstances, and I immediately thought of you, Addie. She’s in a bit of a quandary and needs a place to stay for a while.”

  “Well, she has it,” Addie said, beaming. “Catherine would love the company, too, wouldn’t you, dear?”

  “I would,” Catherine said, smiling at Eden. “And since I don’t have any friends here, in Hays, maybe you’ll agree to stand up with me for my wedding.