Mail Order Maternity (Brides of Beckham)

by Osbourne, Kirsten

  Another wagon pulled into the yard, and a couple in their thirties climbed out with their six children jumping down from the back of the wagon. The smallest of the children ran up to Esther, staring at her. Esther had been around children her entire life, having been the oldest of eight. She picked up the little girl. “I’m Esther. Who are you?”

  The little girl had been sucking on her first two fingers and popped them out of her mouth to answer. “Oolia.”

  “Oolia?” Esther looked at Victoria for confirmation.

  “This is Julia Anderson. Her parents are Mary and Anthony.”

  Mary walked over and stood, smiling at Esther. “You must be Esther. We heard a lot about you at service last week.”

  Esther smiled. “I hope you heard good things?”

  “Absolutely! How are you feeling now? Better?”

  Esther blushed and nodded. She really hated that everyone here knew she was carrying. It would have been so much easier if everyone had thought the baby was Thomas’s. “Much better thanks to Victoria and MaryAnn.”

  Victoria held her arms out for Julia who immediately jumped into them. “I don’t want you lifting anything as heavy as this little one.”

  Esther sighed. “So if I am carrying another in two years, I won’t be able to lift the one I’m carrying now?”

  “That’s right. Children adjust.”

  A third wagon pulled into the yard then. Victoria pointed out the adults in the wagon. “This is Andrew and his wife Bertha. They have four children, and Bertha is carrying their fifth.”

  Esther’s eyes lit up. She liked the idea of her child having another so close who would be around the same age. Bertha carefully got down from the wagon and walked to join the other women. She looked to be in her fifth month. Esther held her hand out in greeting. “I’m Esther.”

  Bertha smiled. “Bertha. I hear you’re carrying too! How far along are you?”

  “Just about three months. What about you?”

  “The same.”

  Esther’s eyes grew wide. The other woman looked much bigger than she did. “Really?”

  Bertha laughed. “You tend to show much faster after the first pregnancy.”

  Esther nodded apprehensively. Would she look that big when she was just three months with her second child?

  The men called from the doorway for the women to join them inside. Esther followed along and saw that her table, which she had meticulously arranged, was pushed against one wall, and the things on it were tipped over. She bit her lip against the tears that threatened. She’d so wanted to make a good impression, and her vase of flowers was scattered all across the table.

  The chairs were lined up in rows and each family took a row. Esther sat in the back with Thomas. Samuel stood in front of the room with his Bible in his hand. Esther was surprised, because she’d understood from MaryAnn that he was a farmer like Thomas, and he was very shy. She wasn’t sure why he was the preacher for the church.

  They began the service by standing and singing a hymn. It was one Esther had sung many times, so she was familiar with it. Her clear soprano voice sang out loudly. After the prayer they took their seats while Samuel opened his Bible and began to preach.

  Esther had been unsure what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t what happened next. Instead of a true sermon, they had what she would call a Bible group. Samuel would read a passage, and then everyone would discuss the passage. It was really little more than controlled chaos with the small children calling out random answers whenever they were given the chance. Esther had never been to a casual service, so she was surprised it was done that way.

  After they prayed and sang a second song, the men went outside to talk and supervise the children while the women hurried to put lunch on the table. Esther found she liked the idea of eating with the women who would be her friends and fellow church members, because she wanted to get to know them all better. Once the food was on the table, they called the men in and prayed again. The men and children sat in the chairs the other families had brought, while Esther and the women sat at the table.

  “Does Samuel always do the preaching?” Esther asked.

  Victoria nodded. “He’s the oldest, so all the others voted that he has to do it. He always teaches like he did today, though. He’s not a qualified preacher and refuses to do anything but discuss his views and the views of the others.”

  “It was strange,” Esther blurted out.

  The other women all laughed. “It’s been a work in progress,” Mary told her. “At first the men took turns trying to preach actual sermons and that was awful. None of them felt comfortable doing it, and nothing they preached made very much sense.”

  Esther grinned. “I can’t imagine Thomas preaching.”

  Bertha shook her head. “He wasn’t the worst. They were all really bad to be honest with you. Then they decided to take turns just reading from the scriptures. The children squirmed and wiggled, and we women got sick of that pretty fast, too.”

  “Then about six months ago, the men decided to try it this way. It seems to work better than anything else we’ve done.” Mary shrugged as if she was hopeful it would continue to work.

  “I guess there are no preachers in the area?”

  Victoria shook her head. “There just aren’t enough people here to warrant sending a pastor. We enjoy the way we do it, but it’s definitely different.”

  “I like the lunches afterward.”

  Mary nodded emphatically. “We all get a little bit of Bible learning, but the important thing is we get to fellowship with each other. We all need that more than anything. Especially since there’re no schools or anything else.”

  Esther made a face. “Do any of you ever go a little bit crazy wishing there were more people around?”

  Victoria laughed. “When we first moved here, it was just us and Thomas. I looked at my husband, his brother, my two little ones, and wheat fields for months on end. I really thought I was going to end up in an asylum. I was so happy to see Mary when she first moved here that I think I spent every other day at her place. She didn’t even have a house yet, so I’d take her bread or coffee or anything I could think of just to have the company of another woman.”

  Esther smiled slightly. “I think I’d have been the same way.”

  Bertha nodded. “I would have too. I’m thankful the others were already here when I arrived.” She squeezed Esther’s hand. “It’s even harder to be out here when you’re carrying, so if you start to go crazy, you come see me. Or any of the others, of course.”

  Esther nodded. “Thank you. I’m doing okay so far, but I had MaryAnn with me for most of the week, which really helped out a lot.”

  “You really haven’t been here long enough to go crazy yet. Winter is the worst. When the snow starts to fly, you’ll find you want to get out and won’t feel like you should, especially with a baby on the way. Everything you want to do will have to wait. You’ll have to buy all the supplies you’ll need for the whole winter in the fall. I don’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have Victoria.” Bertha smiled at Victoria. “She’s not only our midwife; she takes care of us when anything goes wrong.”

  Esther looked at Victoria with surprise. “You handle all of the doctoring for the area?”

  “Only the minor things. Broken bones, stitching up cuts, and that type of thing. For anything big, you have to drive to the city.”

  “I had no idea. I thought you were only the midwife.” Esther felt new respect for the woman who had cared for her.

  Once they were finished eating, the four women did the dishes together while the men watched the children outside. From her vantage point at the sink, Esther could see Thomas playing with his nephews and nieces. He had Victoria’s youngest, Laura, on his shoulders, running around in circles with her while she giggled. She could easily see Thomas with their children and sighed with relief. She hadn’t been certain he was anxious to be a father, but watching him with his nieces and nephews, it was obvious he was
good with children.

  After the meal, she asked to speak with Victoria alone. She didn’t want to be rude to the others, but she wanted to make certain that everything was all right. They climbed the stairs to the bedroom she shared with Thomas, and she perched on the edge of the bed. “Are you sure I’m okay to return to all activities?”

  Victoria eyed her. “I’m certain. I don’t want you to lift anything heavy, but other than that, I think you can do whatever you want.”

  “Anything?”

  “What are you trying to ask me, Esther?”

  Esther sighed. “I guess I just need to come right out and say it. Thomas is afraid to have relations because he’s afraid it will hurt the baby. I told him you said it was okay, but he’s insisting on taking me to a doctor in the city tomorrow just to be certain.”

  Victoria smiled. “Thomas loves children. He’s not going to do anything to jeopardize the baby you’re carrying.”

  “But he won’t hurt us!”

  “Sexual relations are new to Thomas. I’m sure that he’s afraid he’s going to break you if you do anything. Go to the doctor and let him confirm what I’ve been telling you. It won’t hurt a thing.”

  “I just don’t want to have to waste a full day and pay a doctor when I already know it’s okay for me to do what I want.” Esther shook her head, her exasperation showing in her stance.

  Victoria shook her head. “Thomas needs to understand that as well. Samuel was really worried when I carried MaryAnn. After she was born and fine, he wasn’t nearly as worried. He wouldn’t touch me during the entire pregnancy. When she was born fine, he decided he was a little too strict with himself.”

  “So I may have to wait until after the baby’s born?” Esther realized she sounded like a petulant child, but she’d really enjoyed relations and didn’t want to have to go for the next seven months without. Surely Thomas would be able to see she was fine and he was being too careful.

  “Humor him and see the doctor. If it makes him feel better it’s worth it, right?”

  Esther nodded slowly. “I guess.”

  Victoria hugged her. “Let’s go join the others.”

  When they got downstairs, Esther saw that the other two families were leaving. She’d hoped they’d spend the day, but apparently no one ever stayed long after the noon meal. “Will you stay?” she asked Victoria.

  Victoria nodded. “Of course.”

  Esther was thrilled to have the other family around and wished she’d waited to talk to Victoria until after the others had left. She’d have to make a point of visiting both of the other women and letting them know how happy she was to have them around.

  After Samuel’s family left that evening, Esther fixed a cold supper for her and Thomas. After the prayer, he said, “We’ll start early in the morning for the city, as soon as the cows are milked and the breakfast dishes are done.”

  Esther nodded. “If you think that’s best.”

  “I’ll feel better after you’ve seen a real doctor. I know Victoria learned a lot about doctoring from her Pa, but she never went to school for it. I’d rather you saw a doctor who’s been to medical school.”

  “Well, you feeling better is the main thing we’re worried about, right?” She couldn’t keep the slight sarcastic tone from her voice. Did he think he was the one who was pregnant or something?

  He sighed. “I know you think I’m being overly cautious, but I feel like God has entrusted me with a wonderful woman and a child who belongs to me and another man. I need to make sure both are safe.”

  She nodded, looking down at her food so he wouldn’t see her roll her eyes. Why did he think she was this delicate little thing? She’d been raised like every other farm girl. To work. Her mother had eight healthy children, the last two a set of twins born when she was forty. Esther had always taken after her mother. “I’ll be ready to leave in the morning. I just hope the movements of the wagon don’t nauseate me.”

  With those words she stood and started washing the dishes with water she’d heated before the meal. She heard his groan from behind her. “I thought all that was over!”

  She shrugged. “It probably is, but I think part of the reason it’s over is because I haven’t had to go anywhere in a wagon or by train.” She smiled as she stared out the window. “I’m sure everything will be fine.”

  Thomas stared at her back, wondering if she was just trying to make him crazy, or if she really was worried about getting sick again from the motion of the wagon. Should he risk the drive?

  He stood. “I don’t think we’re going to make that drive after all.” He put his hands on the back of her shoulders and rubbed them. “We can’t have you getting sick again so soon. You’re just starting to eat again, and you’re not strong enough to get that sick.”

  She smiled and turned to him, pressing a kiss to his lips. “Does that mean you’re willing to have relations?”

  He stepped back, shaking his head. “Not at all. If you’re not healthy enough to ride in a wagon for three hours to see a doctor, then there’s no way you’re healthy enough for lovemaking.” He took a fig from a small bowl on the counter where she had placed them for guests to snack on throughout the day. He’d brought some home at the end of the day yesterday to surprise her. He loved the summer months because there was always some kind of ripe fruit growing wild on the homestead.

  She glared. “I won’t get sick going to the doctor.” She folded her arms across her chest, seriously annoyed that he’d called her bluff.

  “Then why did you say you would?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Because I really think we’re wasting money by missing a day of work and driving all the way to town for a doctor’s appointment. I think we should stay here and work. It’s just not necessary.”

  Thomas shrugged. “You’ll see a doctor, or sleep in the nursery until the baby is born.” His face told her how serious he was about the subject.

  “You’re actually threatening to keep relations from me? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” She was dumbfounded. Men didn’t withhold lovemaking. Only women did that, right?

  He shrugged. “I’ve never had them to get used to. You were married for six months. I think at this point they matter more to you than they do to me.” He desperately hoped she wouldn’t call his bluff. He had no desire to spend the next six months alone in bed, but he would rather than backing down.

  She turned her back on him and finished the last of the dishes, drying them and putting them away. Removing her apron, she walked up the stairs without saying another word.

  He watched her go with a smile. He was certain she’d take the trip into town the next day to see the doctor. He knew he was being difficult, but he didn’t appreciate the way she’d tried to manipulate him.

  He read for an hour before climbing the stairs and going up to bed. She was in her nightgown, sleeping on her side, facing away from where he slept. He smiled with a bit of relief. She hadn’t just decided to go to the nursery or she would have moved her things and herself in there. She was going to the doctor in the morning. He was thrilled.

  *****

  Esther was still annoyed with Thomas for his ultimatum the following morning. Why was he being so stubborn about her seeing a doctor? She had breakfast ready when he came in from milking. She hated the idea of spending the entire day in the wagon. Hopefully there’d be no wait for the doctor, because if there was, she didn’t know how she’d handle it. She just didn’t feel like she needed to go.

  He dried the breakfast dishes for her to hurry things along. She sighed. “Do I need to fix a picnic lunch for the drive?”

  He shook his head. “I thought we’d go to a restaurant in town. I’d planned on taking you to one after the wedding, but it took you so long to get ready, we needed to get home right away.”

  “I wouldn’t have enjoyed it that day anyway. I was too sick.” She turned to him and smiled for the first time all morning. “I’ll enjoy it today.” She was actually a litt
le excited knowing that would be part of the trip. Maybe they could get some yard goods while they were there as well. She needed to make a couple of dresses for herself that she could wear in her last months, and she wanted to start sewing for the baby. “I’ve never been to a restaurant.”

  He smiled. “Really? I’ve been to this one only once. It’s really good.”

  She bit her lip, wondering if she could ask for the fabric. “I’d also like to get some fabric while we’re in town, if that’s okay. I need dresses for my last months, and I should do some more sewing for the baby.”

  He shook his head. “We’ll have to wait until after harvest for those things. I have enough money for the restaurant and the doctor, but not enough left over for fabric.”

  She nodded, feeling guilty for even asking. She started to walk away, but stopped. “Wait. I still have some of the money you sent for my trip out here. I ate so little I barely spent any of it.”

  He smiled and nodded. “That money was for you. If you have some left, I’ll take you to the mercantile while we’re there.”

  She smiled, excited about the trip ahead of them now. “Did you get a list from the others of what they needed?”

  Thomas nodded. “Yeah, it was our week to go anyway. I have a small stack of letters to mail, and a list of things to purchase.”

  She removed her apron and put on the bonnet that matched her dress. She thought about running upstairs to change into a nicer dress, but knew she’d be dirty and dusty by the time they reached town anyway. Town was so far that it would be an all-day event each time they went, which made it seem special.

  He went to hitch up the wagon while she used the outhouse. Being pregnant made it so much harder to wait when she needed to go. When she finished, she watched him with the horses. He was slender, so at first she had discounted the amount of muscle in his body. His arms were bulging as he harnessed the horses and got the wagon ready for their trip. She admired how hard he worked, and certainly felt more for him than she had the day she’d met him.