Coming From California (The Pioneer Brides 0f Rattlesnake Ridge Book 2)

by Catherine Bilson

  Daisy was pretty sure Mrs. Brown was issuing a command instead of a suggestion, so she took a seat at the table as Mrs. Brown left the room again.

  “So, congratulations are in order?” Reverend Brown peered at them from under dark, bushy brows, smiling as Luke reached across the table to take Daisy’s hand in his. “Yes, yes, I could see how the two of you looked at each other from the start. I must warn you, Miss Daisy, my wife will want all the details of your courtship and most particularly Mr. Rockford’s proposal. She’s secretly a great romantic, you know.”

  “I’ll be sure to give her all the details I’m able to recall, sir.”

  “Good, good.” The reverend paused for a moment, rubbing at his bearded chin, before sighing. “I daresay neither of you had any idea about it, but it’s possible there could be an impediment to your marrying. I believe we’ve solved it, but you need to be aware.”

  Daisy stared uncomprehendingly for a moment before looking at Luke. He seemed just as bemused as she was, with more than a little anger coming to his expression as he asked, “How’s that, Reverend?”

  “Well, are you aware that the laws of the State of Nevada prohibit intermarriage between a white man or woman and a Black, mulatto, Indian, or Chinese person?”

  Luke’s chair scraped loudly as he sprang to his feet. There was a curious ringing in Daisy’s ears as she sat frozen, numb, unable to comprehend what she was hearing.

  “Sit down, Luke. Sit down, I say!” Reverend Brown was a softly-spoken man usually, but he had learned to project his voice strongly to preach to his congregation.

  The note of authority in it had Luke stilling, his hands clenching on the back of the chair. “It ain’t right.” Luke’s voice fairly crackled with rage. “That ain’t right, and you know it, Reverend!”

  “Sit down,” the preacher commanded once again. “I agree with you, as it happens, Luke. You are both the Lord’s children and He knows that what is in your hearts is what’s important, but the law specifies that anyone breaking it shall be found guilty of a misdemeanor and sentenced to one to two years in prison. So, we must not take it lightly.”

  Luke looked deeply upset, and instead of sitting back down he rounded the table to Daisy, kneeling beside her chair and putting his arm around her. “We’ll take a trip,” he said quietly. “It’s a Nevada law. It can’t be the case everywhere. We’ll find a place where we can marry and take a trip out there…”

  She turned to put her hand against his cheek, loving him for making the offer. The fact that he still wanted to marry her even after finding out he could get into serious trouble for it meant a great deal to her.

  “Luke,” Reverend Brown said firmly, “you’re jumping the gun, lad. I went by to see Jim McCullough to talk to him about the law and whether it applied to the two of you, and he’s of the opinion that it doesn’t, not since the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1868.”

  “Why would that make a difference?” Luke asked, confused.

  “Because unless I’m very much mistaken, you were born here in the United States, Miss Daisy, which means you’re an American. Not Chinese.”

  Coming out of her shock a little, Daisy blinked. “Begging your pardon, sir, but that sounds like pure sophistry to me.”

  “Well, that depends on if you believe the laws of the United States, and specifically the provisions of the Constitution, are superior to the laws of the State of Nevada. That Nevada law was passed in ‘61, and the Fourteenth Amendment in ‘68, as I said.”

  Luke shook his head, obviously not understanding. “I don’t see what you’re getting at, Reverend.”

  “Well, in my opinion and that of Sheriff McCullough, and that of Judge Creedy who we consulted too, Miss Daisy being American-born and only half-Chinese means the Nevada law doesn’t apply. Begging your pardon, Miss Daisy, but there’s also the fact you look more white than Chinese,” Reverend Brown said, his expression apologetic. “All these things considered, I’m happy to perform the marriage with the knowledge no lawman in the county will think you’ve committed a crime, but it’s something I thought you should be aware of.”

  Luke blew out a frustrated breath. “So, we can get married?”

  “Indeed.” Reverend Brown beamed at them both, removing a paper from his waistcoat pocket. “I took the liberty of having Judge Creedy write up a judgment too, stating his opinion on the matter. With a judge’s approval, I’m happy to perform the ceremony for you.”

  Daisy let out the breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding, sagging against Luke who hugged her firmly.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart,” he murmured against her hair. “I’d have gone anywhere to marry you, you know that.”

  She closed her eyes for just a moment and let herself lean into his strength before nodding against his bristly cheek and drawing back, giving him a loving smile. “I know,” she whispered. “I’m just glad we don’t have to.”

  Reverend Brown coughed politely, making Daisy pull back with an embarrassed flush rising to her cheeks. The preacher gave her a kindly look before saying, “Well, once you’ve had a chat with my wife, I daresay the only question remaining is the date, then?”

  The door opened again before either Luke or Daisy could formulate a reply. Adeline Brown re-entered the room carrying a tray with a teapot, milk jug, and four delicate china cups and saucers. She looked askance at Luke kneeling by Daisy’s chair with his arm around her but then glanced at her husband, who nodded. Still, Luke was quick to rise and return to his own chair, obviously keen to avoid invoking Mrs. Brown’s displeasure.

  Daisy regained enough presence of mind to thank her hostess and admire the pretty china as Mrs. Brown poured tea for the four of them.

  “Is everything settled, then?” Mrs. Brown asked. “Including the date?”

  “Barb Jones suggested we share her wedding date with Jack Hollis,” Daisy said, “and I like the idea.”

  “That’s only a month away, isn’t it, my dear?” Mrs. Brown checked with her husband. “You two haven’t known each other all that long.” She addressed Daisy directly. “Are you quite certain this is what you want?”

  “I’m sure.” Daisy looked across the table into Luke’s eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so sure about anything in my life.”

  Both the Browns seemed satisfied with her answer, although Mrs. Brown still rose to her feet and suggested Daisy accompany her to the parlor. Sensing that it was, once again, more in the nature of a command than a suggestion no matter how pleasant the wording and tone were, Daisy was quick to follow her.

  “Now,” Mrs. Brown began once they were seated again, “you can tell me all about how that handsome cowboy won your heart, but first I’d like to ask about your plans for the school.”

  “My contract doesn’t allow me to be married,” Daisy told her, “but what I was going to suggest is that I continue teaching as a volunteer until a new teacher is hired. Do you think that would be acceptable to the town council?” Daisy had a pretty shrewd notion that Mrs. Brown’s good opinion would go a long way toward convincing the town council.

  “That could work, particularly since I heard from Barb Jones that Mr. Rockford plans to spend the winter building a new house on the Shooting Star for the two of you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Daisy took a sip of her tea.

  Mrs. Brown’s gaze was sharp. “I’ve been meaning to stop by the school, maybe offer some assistance. Read some Bible verses to the children.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Daisy said sincerely. “Mrs. Handley and Barb Jones have been in several times already, and I’ve asked Miz May to stop by and teach a lesson about geography from my atlas. She’s going to talk about China.”

  “How fascinating!” Mrs. Brown nodded, apparently satisfied with Daisy’s answers. “I think the school will be sorry to lose you, Miss Daisy.”

  “I hope the new teacher will still accept my assistance as a volunteer when I’m able to offer it,” Daisy said honest
ly. “With the library we’re starting up, I hope the town council will permit me to continue helping with that even once a new teacher’s been appointed, too.”

  She was rewarded with a beaming smile. “You’ll do, girl,” Mrs. Brown said with a regal nod. “You’ll do.” Leaning forward, she lowered her voice to a confidential tone. “Now, tell me everything. Was the proposal terribly romantic?”

  With a shy laugh, Daisy leaned forward too. “To be completely honest, I didn’t exactly give him a chance to propose. I just told him my answer was yes!”

  “You’ll do, girl!” Mrs. Brown laughed richly. “Oh yes indeed, you’ll do!”

  Epilogue

  Luke watched, heart full, as Daisy walked down the aisle toward him. Her eyes shone, her head held high and proud, the smile on her lips as joyous at the prospect of their wedding as his own. Delicate silk flowers dotted her black hair. She was, quite possibly, the most wondrous sight in the world, at least to Luke’s eyes. Barb walked beside her, tall and lovely in a new blue dress, her eyes only for Jack, but Luke spared only a single glance for his old friend. His focus was entirely on his bride.

  Isabelle preceded the two brides, a serious expression on her small face as she clutched a small basket of flowers. Ishmael stood between Luke and Jack, performing the important double duty of ring bearer. He was taking his duties just as seriously as his twin sister, both fists clenched around the velvet pouch containing the rings so tightly that his knuckles were white.

  Daisy was wearing the prettiest dress Luke had ever seen—a deep rose-pink gown with tiny flowers hand-embroidered all over the bodice, sleeves, and hem. He knew the amount of work she’d put into making the dress. She’d sat up every night for the last month stitching it by candlelight; he tried to show with his expression how much he appreciated her efforts.

  She fairly glowed with happiness as she placed her hand in his, her brown eyes dancing with amusement when his tongue tangled over his vows. Luke had to stop and shake his head. “You steal the wits right out of my head, you beautiful, wondrous woman,” he said. “I’m so sorry, Reverend.”

  “That’s all right, son,” Reverend Brown said through his own laughter and over the chuckles of the assembled congregation. “Let’s try again, shall we? A bit more slowly, hm?”

  Daisy’s giggles joined the others, but Luke couldn’t care less about being laughed at. He was marrying the woman of his dreams, or to be more precise, a woman he’d never thought might show an interest in him even in the wildest of his dreams. Yet here she stood, her hand warm and soft in his, her sweet voice clear as she recited her own vows without a single stumble.

  Luke had attended a few weddings in his time which always seemed to drag interminably, so he was startled when Reverend Brown declared him and Daisy man and wife after what seemed like just a few minutes. He wasn’t about to argue, however, not when the preacher was telling him he could kiss his bride.

  With their union blessed in the Lord’s house, Luke didn’t hesitate to seize Daisy in his arms. She laughed, reaching up to put her hands on his cheeks. Long dark lashes swept down onto her cheeks, and he paused only a moment to admire her before kissing his bride’s soft, sweetly inviting lips.

  Maybe he might have let the kiss go on a few seconds too long, Luke reflected when Reverend Brown cleared his throat pointedly, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Not when Daisy opened her eyes and looked up at him that way, a love he’d only ever dreamed of shining out of her eyes—all for him.

  “I love you,” he said over the cheering congregation.

  His happiness was complete when Daisy laughed and said, “I love you too.”

  It was a wrench to pull his gaze away, but he knew he should congratulate Jack and Barb too. Barb leaned against Jack’s broad shoulder, bliss on her face, in the first vulnerable gesture Luke had seen from his friend since her first husband’s death. He was glad she’d found love with Jack; she deserved happiness and a strong man to help raise her family. Luke knew Jack already loved Isabelle and Ishmael as if they were his own. Perhaps they’d add to their family, and perhaps he and Daisy would also add to Rattlesnake Ridge’s growing population one day soon. He hoped so.

  “You’ve got a silly grin on your face.” Daisy nudged him lightly as he stepped back from embracing Barb and shaking hands with Jack. “What are you thinking about?”

  “My lovely wife,” Luke said honestly and couldn’t resist a teasing smirk. “And the beautiful babies she’s gonna give me.”

  * * *

  “Luke Rockford!” Daisy squeaked with outrage, her cheeks flushing pink.

  “Yes, Mrs. Rockford?” he said teasingly in response.

  She couldn’t help but laugh. He’d never change, her cowboy with the teasing nature, and she wouldn’t really want him to. “We’re in the Lord’s house still, Luke,” she reproved. “Behave.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Rockford,” he said obediently.

  “I do hope you’re not going to call me that all the time?”

  He leaned in to kiss her forehead with a teasing chuckle. “Just enjoying the way it sounds.”

  His gaze was loving, making her feel warm all over, and she hugged his arm a little closer to her. “I like the way it sounds too.”

  Luke’s mother and stepfather had been waiting to speak with them, and Daisy was startled when Luke’s mother drew her into a close embrace, kissing her cheek and fervently declaring how overjoyed she was to welcome Daisy to the family.

  “That’s very kind of you, Mrs. Simpson,” Daisy said gratefully.

  “Oh no, you don’t need to call me that, dear. I know your own parents are both gone, and I’d be honored if you’d call me Ma.”

  Daisy choked up, her eyes filling with tears. She blinked hard to keep them from pouring down her face as she returned the warm, motherly embrace. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Luke’s arms folded around both of them, and Daisy looked up as another arm wrapped around her to find Mr. Simpson had joined the group embrace too.

  “Didn’t have no sons nor daughters of my own,” the old rancher said gruffly, “and now I’ve got one of each. Hope y’all’re gonna hurry up and give me some grandkids to dandle on my knee when I’m retired to sittin’ on my porch.”

  Daisy’s mouth fell open with shock. Mr. Simpson’s wrinkled, grizzled face creased into a broad grin, one eye closing in a cheeky wink.

  Laughter bubbled up until Daisy could no longer hold it in. “You’re as bad as Luke!” she gasped through her giggles. Soon all four of them were laughing while hugging each other even tighter.

  I have a family again, Daisy thought as they finally made their way out of the church, heading for the boarding house where Matthew, Cynthia, and Miz May were arranging a feast in the dining room to celebrate the double wedding.

  She’d come to Rattlesnake Ridge for a new beginning and found more than she’d ever dared dream of in true friends, a new family, and a man to love. She looked up at Luke, walking close beside her with her hand held firmly in his, his new blue coat setting off the bright blue of his eyes, and his handsome face clean-shaven for the occasion of their wedding.

  He smiled as their eyes met. “Happy, Mrs. Rockford?”

  “More than I ever dreamed possible.”

  He stopped walking, stooping to kiss her right there in the street, careless of anyone who might see them. “Look,” he said when he drew back, “this is right about where I first saw you.”

  She saw he was right; the window of her old room at the boarding house was just above them. Blushing, she shook her head reprovingly. “You’re never going to let me forget about that, are you?”

  “You’re simply unforgettable, sweetheart!” Luke’s laughter trailed behind them as he swept Daisy easily up into his arms and carried her across the street.

  Laughing along with him, she hooked her arms around his neck and nestled against his broad chest, more than happy to be swept off her feet by her handsome cowboy from Rattlesnake Ridge.

/>   What’s Next?

  Read the first chapter of MOVING FROM MARYLAND, book 3 of the Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge…

  December 1871, Crisfield, Maryland

  Gracie Pickett pulled her coat and scarf tighter around her as she stood at the end of the pier waiting for the boats to come. The smell of the crisp winter air mingled with the scent of decaying fish that had washed up on the small shore next to the seawall.

  Her father, Charlie Pickett, was a fisherman and oyster boat captain on the Chesapeake Bay. Her three, now two, brothers worked on the boat with him, hauling in the shelled treasures from the cold water.

  It still pained Gracie that she wasn’t at home when her brother, Charlie Junior passed away. CJ, as he was called, was a healthy young man, until he wasn’t. It was late into the oyster harvest season a year ago when she got word at college that her younger brother had fallen overboard and into the frigid water. He didn’t recover, dying two weeks later of an infection in his lungs.

  CJ’s passing made Gracie more determined to complete her studies and become a doctor.

  She completed her schooling at the Quaker-supported Female Medical College of Pennsylvania near Philadelphia and graduated with honors. She was now a certified physician.

  Women doctors were still fairly new, in fact there were very few of them that had actually been college trained. She was proud to be one of those few. She was honored to follow in the footsteps of the great women physicians such as Elizabeth Blackwell, Ann Preston, and Rebecca Lee Crumpler.

  Her father didn’t understand why she wanted to be a doctor but supported her dreams anyway. Once she told him of her plans, he saved up money and sold one of his fishing boats to pay for the tuition. She was eternally grateful for her family’s support. Four long years later she was finally back home.