by Linda Ellen
Finn Maynard is even more handsome than his portrait suggested. He’s warm, generous, romantic and affectionate, and so far he has been a darling husband. Well...except for one incident. We laugh about it now. Seems he had let his imagination run wild and had formed a jealousy toward Sam regarding me. Can you imagine? Sam—he’s already more of a big brother to me than my own ever were and I know he feels I am more like a sister to him as well. But my sweet Finn...well, let’s just say, it was a bump in the road, but we got over it and the rest of the path has been smooth traveling thus far. Both my husband and my brother-in-law are incessant teasers, however, and they keep me on my toes.
I wish you could see our home, Beth. We live in a hotel! I’m joking, partly. The building Finn owns and in which he has his shop has a second floor that used to be the town’s first hotel. The downstairs had been a tavern called the Lone Tree Saloon. You read that right, a saloon—complete with one of the longest, most ornate bars you could ever imagine. Finn had just been storing crates on it. It still has the whiskey glasses and other things below it—everything except liquor, Finn got rid of all of that the first thing, and I’m so very glad he’s not a drinking man. We have a few ideas for the bar area, but so far we haven’t decided.
The top floor, where we make our home, is not overly large; although twenty feet by seventy feet is much larger than average homes and certainly larger than the one room you and I shared for all those years. We have a good sized kitchen on the back end, a parlor, our bedroom, a center hallway, two rooms we are saving for guests or whoever may come along in the future, and a large room at the front that I have turned into my sewing and craft room. Plus, I can have friends over for tea and sweet cakes in here if I want.
Charise paused in her reading as she smiled at that last sentence, and looked out the window to see one of her new friends—Dorothea—strolling down the street on her husband’s arm. Dorothea and Dave had a wonderful marriage, and Charise counted herself blessed to have Dottie, as everyone called her, as a much welcomed and dear friend. Watching Dottie laugh at something her husband said, Charise smiled a bit wider and then chuckled and shook her head, remembering when her sweet friend had explained her odd comment that first evening regarding her knowing the way up to Finn’s quarters. It seemed that when Dottie had first come to town, she had stayed at the hotel as a guest. Oh, how the imagination can conjure up things that are so far from the truth!
Looking back to the papers in her hand, she turned to the next page and continued reading.
After the first few days, I settled in and it didn’t take me long to feel comfortable here. Brownville is a quiet little town, but it is steadily growing. It has two brickyards and two sawmills, a large school building big enough for primary and secondary students, two banks, two druggists, several mercantile stores, three churches—including a Baptist church, a Lutheran church, and a Catholic parish. It also has ten saloons! When I first found that out, I admit I was a bit shocked, but several of those are what Finn calls a “hole in the wall” and are merely ramshackle little huts down at the wharf. The most popular tavern is called the Lucky Buck. I still haven’t found out why Sam and Finn give one another odd looks anytime someone mentions that infamous establishment.
Remember Sam regaling us with stories about the impossibly narrow staircase to Finn’s quarters and how it had made him a virtual prisoner? Well, my wonderful brother-in-law (with Finn helping as much as he could) crafted us the most sturdy, well-built set of steps any girl could ask for, descending down from our back porch off the kitchen. From the day they were finished, Finn was able to negotiate his way down them with his crutches and was freed of his cage! He was so excited; he insisted the three of us go out to eat at one of the eateries in town; a place one street over called the Blue Bird Café that has the most delicious food. Although he was fatigued when we got home, it was the happiest I had seen him since my arrival. Oh that reminds me...some day I’ll have to tell you the story of the first time Finn and I saw one another face to face.
Since the next day after the steps were finished, Finn has been back at work in his barbershop, much relieved to be working again. The poor dear, it was very hard on him to be stuck up here with practically nothing to do, feeling useless, as he put it. Although there is another barbershop in town, Finn has regular, loyal customers who did not desert him while he was incapacitated—and some of those are colorful, to say the least. However, that meant that his first few days back on the job were quite busy. I even helped shave several scruffy faces while Finn rested his leg. That was an experience!
Did I mention that my husband is sweetly romantic? He’s told me how he had planned on courting me after I had come to marry him (before the proxy idea), and he still wants to do so. He said he’s pulling out all of the stops, as he wants me to always remember and cherish our “courting” days. Truly, has there ever been a more romantic, wonderful mail-order groom?
In a few weeks, once Finn is able to walk normally again (the doctor said his leg muscles might be weak at first), and in his words, he’s able to literally sweep me off my feet, we are planning to have a ceremony for he and I to retake our vows—to one another, in church with the reverend presiding. Our friends are throwing us a celebration party afterwards—although it will be downstairs in the area Finn doesn’t use as his shop! I wish you could be here standing at my side again...but at least I’ll be able to wear my wedding dress this time.
Finn and I haven’t been to church as a couple yet. I wanted to wait until he could escort me, since I knew it would only be a matter of a few weeks. I’m looking forward to attending this coming Sunday. I’ve met the Reverend McKnight and his wonderful wife. She’s already a dear friend, as well as a surrogate mother figure for me.
Beth...I know I said at first that your idea of me becoming a mail-order-bride was the craziest thing ever, but...I want to tell you now—thank you. Thank you for reading the advertisements with me, and for helping me write my first letter to Finn. I’ve thanked the Lord for him nearly every day since the day we met. Truly, he’s everything I ever wanted in a love and a husband. I hope you and Stanley find as much happiness together as Finn and I already have.
Hearing the bell over the door downstairs jingle signaling a customer and knowing Finn would be getting hungry for lunch soon, Charise smiled happily and put the finishing touches on the letter, including a promise to write more soon.
Sealing the envelope with a dab of wax, she took it with her, intending to ask Toby if he’d deliver it to the post office at the depot, and started to prepare lunch.
The removal of Finn’s cast had been more of an ordeal than either of them had anticipated, but the resulting freedom was well worth the strain. Finn had immediately begun the arduous task of working out the stiffness and pain. He was a man on a mission.
Several days later, Charise was changing the sheets on the bed as the early afternoon sun lit up the room. Humming softly, she turned with a pillow tucked under her chin as she wiggled the case into place, and her husband silently appeared at the door. Starting a bit as she spotted him, with a yelp, she dropped the pillow on the bed.
“Goodness Finn! I didn’t hear you come upstairs,” she chuckled. “I had grown accustomed to you thumping around the house with your cast and crutches,” she added with an impish grin.
“Yeah. I thank God and Doc Reeves that the blasted thing is a just a bad memory now,” he grunted as he advanced into the room, his eyes a tad intense. Her heart rate began to increase as he neared and she realized this was the first time they had ever been together inside the bedroom. That realization made her skin tingle as images of the things that would happen there in the future swam before her eyes.
He stopped near to her and gently reached out, reverently clasping her arms and tugging her up against his chest. His eyes met hers for a brief moment as his head began to lower, his warm lips taking hers in a fiery kiss. Goodness, her head began to swim! The pillowcase she had been holding slipped out o
f her fingers as her arms rose of their own accord, her hands wrapping themselves around the nape of her husband’s neck as she kissed him back with equal passion.
Since the day of their big argument, they’d indulged in quite a few lengthy kissing sessions, each one passionate and more arousing than the one before—this particular one being no exception. Charise already adored the way her husband kissed and every coherent thought flew right out of her head the moment he started.
Great Caesar’s Ghost, this man can kiss!
Minutes went by before Finn began to loosen his hold on her and forced himself to take a half step back. By then, they were both breathless and Charise felt a bit wobbly in the knees.
Pressing one hand to her now mussed hair and hazily looking up into those sparkling sapphire eyes, she managed to murmur, “My stars, Finn, what was that for? Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”
He let out a naughty chuckle and leaned forward until their foreheads were touching. “I closed the shop early and came up to ask if you wanted to take a picnic supper and go for a buggy ride along the river. But once I saw you here...changing the sheets on the bed where we’ll soon get to know one another...totally and completely...I kinda lost my head and just had to kiss you.” He bent close and captured her lips for another taste. “And I’ll say one thing, honey, your kisses take my breath away.” She felt her cheeks pinken as he leaned closer and whispered in her ear, his warm breath arousing an electrified flash down her body as he placed tiny kisses to her cheek and the spot below her ear, “It seems like our real weddin’ night’ll never get here...” he touched his lips to her earlobe and murmured, “You got no idea how anxious I am to make you mine.”
She hugged him close and whispered back, “I’m anxious too, Finn. But...”
He pulled in a deep breath and gave a nod, dropping a quick kiss to the tip of her nose and stepping back. “I know. We said we’d wait, and we’re gonna wait. No matter if it ties me up in knots,” he added with a snort. “So...how about that picnic?”
Charise giggled and bent to retrieve the dropped pillowcase. “As soon as I finish here.” Then raising back up, she gave him a saucy grin and a wink, adding, “You wanna help change the sheets on our bed?”
He dropped his head back and groaned, “Woman, you’re killin’ me!”
She burst out laughing and tossed him the second pillowcase, which he wrangled onto the stubborn pillow amidst much good-natured grumbling.
An hour later, they were sitting together in a borrowed buggy atop a rise that overlooked a long expanse and curve of the Missouri River. They could see the landing and wharf of the town, and a steamboat that was currently docked and unloading cargo.
“Oh Finn, it’s so lovely up here. The river is beautiful from this view.”
“Yeah, I love this place. It’s one of the places I used to go sometimes...to think...or brood,” he added with a chuckle.
She nodded knowingly. “I used to go up on the top of our building and sit by myself sometimes. It had a flat roof and someone had put chairs and even a small table up there. The stars were beautiful looking up at them from the roof,” she added with a soft exhale.
Finn turned and slipped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her against his side. “We both had places to go to get away. Just another thing we have in common, huh?”
“I’d say so,” she sighed contentedly.
They sat in silence for a while, watching a few of the smaller boats plying the river, and then Finn turned and faced her on the buggy seat. The look in his eyes let her know he was about to make an announcement, and her heart sped up, her hands tingling when he took them in his.
He looked deep into her eyes. “Sweetheart...it’s been gnawing at me that we did everything backwards. We got married first, then we started to get to know one another, now we’re courting...so, I want to tell you something.” He paused and she held her breath in anticipation. “Char,” he murmured, using her nickname as his eyes glinted with emotion. “My beautiful Charise, my lovely wife...I’ve fallen in love with you—quicker and deeper than I even dreamed I would. I want to do it right and propose proper. So—my dearest, I can’t imagine life without you now...will you marry me—again—and do me the honor of speaking marriage vows with me?”
Charise had realized recently that she had fallen in love with her husband—and now her eyes filled with tears of joy, everlasting delight, and relief to know that Finn felt the same.
She sniffled dulcetly and managed a sweet smile and a nod as she answered, “Oh Finn, I love you, too...truly, deeply...madly. And yes, I’ll marry you again and speak my vows while gazing into your beautiful midnight blue eyes.”
He smiled devotedly and gently took hold of her left hand, slid the plain gold band off and replaced it with an elegant 18kt yellow gold engagement ring, housing five small diamonds in a row.
She caught her breath as the facets glittered in the rays of the setting sun. “Oh, Finn,” she breathed. “It’s splendid!”
He raised her hand to his lips for a sweet, caressing kiss. “It was my ma’s. Pa said he’d asked her to marry him right before he left on a long cattle drive, and she said she would, but only if he’d buy her a nice ring for making her wait so long for him to get back. So—he did. Cost him half his pay for the drive, but he said it was worth it to see Ma’s face when he put it on her.”
Charise blinked moisture from her eyes and met his adoring gaze. “I’ll cherish it always, Finn.” She held it to her cheek for several beats, and then with a mischievous glimmer in her gaze, she announced, “I have something for you, too. I’ve just been waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”
“Mmm, that right?” he murmured as he watched her open her reticule and rummage around inside, finally removing a smallish item rolled up in a swatch of blue velvet.
Her eyes holding his again, she reached out and grasped his hand, placing the object in his palm before waiting for him to unroll it.
Inside was a solid gold steamship wheel watch fob on a chain, with a short offshoot chain holding a miniature anchor. The wheel was inlaid with eighteen tiny diamond chips. Finn’s mouth opened in surprise as he attentively examined her gift and the exquisite workmanship of each item. “This is a fine fob,” he murmured, meeting her ardent gaze. “I’ve never seen one like it.”
“It was Papa’s. Mama had it made for him on the first anniversary of starting his packet company. He wore it all the time. One day, near the end of the war, I was about fourteen; he came into my room and just gave it to me. He told me to save it somewhere safe and someday when I fell in love, to give it to my forever husband.” She paused for effect, murmuring, “You are my forever husband, Finn.”
“I’m honored, darlin’,” he whispered as he took his old watch out of his pocket, removed its plain standard chain, and attached her gift. Resettling the watch in its place, he leaned forward to take her lips with his for a kiss to seal the deal and, as always, their passion burned away the minutes, giving and taking, until they were both quite bothered and breathless.
Finally, she pushed him back and looked him straight in the eye. “But, just to set the record straight, Mister Maynard,” she declared with a touch of sass, “I’ve considered myself your wife from the moment that judge back in Louisville declared it to be so, and I haven’t wavered one bit...even that one time that I was so mad at you I wanted to knock some sense into your head,” she laughed.
He threw back his head and joined in her joy. “Remind me never to make you mad again!”
She cocked her head and raised one eyebrow. “See that you don’t, mister!”
Chapter 9
“N ervous, brother?” Sam snickered as he leaned close.
“Nah. Not nervous. Eager would be a better word,” Finn corrected as he stood with his brother at the front of the church, his eyes trained on the double doors at the back, waiting for his bride to begin her walk down the aisle toward him.
What’s she doing? It shouldn’t
take this long to make herself beautiful—she’d look gorgeous in a flour sack. His eyes slid closed and her image floated behind his closed eyelids...her waist length silky dark hair gathered over one shoulder as she brushed and braided it, her eyes glittering with mischievous joy as she shot back a teasing comment in response to one of his... Come on, darlin’, I wanna get this show on the road, he silently fumed as he fidgeted in his borrowed black suit and reached up to tug at his new paisley cravat, which Sam had helped him tie—too tightly.
Reaching in his vest pocket, for the tenth time in the last fifteen minutes, he removed his watch to ascertain the time. Slipping it back in, he perused the ship’s wheel fob again. He’d been proud to tell his brother the story of it and how his bride had presented it to him.
Sam had been properly impressed.
To pass the time, he allowed visions of their two weeks of courting to drift past in his mind. The many excursions they had enjoyed together, such as the long walks along the river holding hands. Finn had been surprised at just how weakened his leg muscles were after his cast had been removed, but he worked hard, exercising it to restore strength to the limb and get it back to normal. The long walks had helped with that.
Several pleasant evenings were spent together enjoying the food at Brownville’s different eateries. They had attended church twice as a couple and enjoyed buggy rides out into the countryside. Once, he even had the opportunity to impress his bride and play the hero when a rattler spooked their horse and caused him to take off in a wild gallop, while Finn yelled to Charise to hold on. He had valiantly brought the horse to a stop by sheer upper body strength and his bride had cooed and exclaimed about his muscles and bravery until he felt like he could conquer a nation. Plus, she had recounted the story to any who would listen. It was certainly an event to remember. He smiled now at the thought.
