Drinking some water, Everett hoped he’d be happy too. But for some reason, he had no excitement at the thought of meeting his bride. Christine. Funny, they both had long, formal sounding names.
Well, maybe that was how it should be. Everett had spent a lifetime of keeping others far from his heart. He studied the tin cup he was holding and tried to wonder what it might be like to feel.
Pa had beat that out of him. His ma had tried to help, but it always cost her, and that made Everett pull away from the one person he’d loved. But it hadn’t saved her. Pa beat her too hard one time, and she died.
That was when Everett was thirteen. The last memory he had of his father was after Everett had hit him. He’d watched his father fall and then rode off never to return. He didn’t care if his father was alive or dead. Just so that he never saw him again.
Everett went outside and looked down the road. A small dust cloud signaled that Dusty was bringing her to him. That is unless she’d changed her mind. He’d not said anything about no children until that last letter. It would be a condition of their marriage.
Dusty was happy enough with his wife and passel of kids. On occasion, Everett would eat with them. It wasn’t that he didn’t like children, just that he didn’t want any of his own in his house.
Everett slicked back his hair and readied to meet the woman. He wasn’t a man to back down from anything, but he’d never been so unsettled as he was right now. He’d been less nervous fighting off rustlers last month.
Dusty pulled the wagon in front of the house. He set the brake and stepped out to help the woman down.
Everett remained on the porch. She was pretty. Not fat or thin. But her face was tear streaked. If she was weak and full of crying, he’d send her back. He needed a strong woman. It took that to live in Texas.
“Welcome to Mesa Ranch.” He stepped down and took her satchel from Dusty and looked at his foreman. “I caught the black mare. I want you to start gentling her. A present for the lady.” As if remembering the woman, Everett nodded at her “For Christine.”
Dusty nodded toward the woman, concern in his eyes. “This is Christine Simpson.” He pointed at his boss. “Everett McNeal, lord of the manor.” Dusty gave Everett an odd look. One Everett wasn’t used to seeing. In fact, it was a look that bordered on disgust toward him.
Turning his attention to the woman, Everett gestured toward the open door. “Come on in, Christine. I’ll show you around the house. You’re welcome to stay in the bedroom, alone, until we have the wedding.”
The woman stared at him as if she were trying to figure out if she should stay or run. Finally, she nodded and followed him inside.
“I’m pleased with you. You’re pretty.” He touched her hair. “Kind of red-brown.”
She whipped around, her green eyes glinting with annoyance. “Auburn. The color is called auburn.”
Everett nodded. “All right. You look strong. Like a hard worker.”
“Mr. McNeal, are you hiring me, or marrying me?” She stared at him, daring him to put her out.
Everett liked that. Despite the tear stains on her cheeks, she had fight. She wasn’t afraid of him. He liked that, too. “You don’t have any reason to fear me. I will never hurt you.”
“I came as an answer for an ad to be a wife, not a hired maid.”
“Yes,” he smiled, “I told you I won’t hurt you. Ever.”
She relaxed and looked around. “You keep a clean house. Dishes are done.” She looked toward the bedroom. “Why did you want a wife?”
Everett stared at her. He nodded toward the bedroom and escorted her inside. “As I said, the bedroom is all yours until you decide to marry me.”
“Nice and clean.” She ran her finger over the dresser. “No dust. Did you clean for me, or is it always like this?”
“Always.”
“Then why did you write to me if you don’t need a wife.”
“I do.” Everett was beginning to wonder what she was up to. She seemed angry. Put out about something as if he’d already done something to make her mad.
“Why? What is it you want from me?”
“I’m lonely. The nights are dark. Sunrises and sunsets come and go with no one to share them with.” Everett stood close to her, smelled her hair, and the faint aroma of lavender.
She faced him. “Your last letter said you didn’t want children. Is that true?”
Everett stepped back. “Yes. It’s true.”
“So, my question stands. What do you want? The house is clean. I smell bacon, so I assume you can cook. You mentioned lonely nights. But you do know that children often come after love-filled nights.”
Everett stared at her. “I don’t want children.”
She looked confused and started to say something—”
“My father beat me and my mother. Said it was because of having kids. I won’t do that to you.”
She shook her head and moved to the window. “Why do you think you’d be like your father?”
“I’m his son. His father beat him. I don’t know how far back it goes. I told you, I won’t hurt you.”
She turned and faced him. “Do you drink?”
“No.”
“Then I think you’ll be fine. What do you propose to do if I am with child? Turn me out?”
He shook his head. “We can take it to an orphanage.”
“Mr. Everett, you don’t need a wife. You need a soiled dove.”
Chapter 3
Christine wasn’t sure why she was challenging him in such a way. The words had come from deep inside her, but they rang of truth. She wondered how he would respond.
He looked at her as if he didn’t know what to say. As if no one had shut him down in such a way before. Yet, she stood in front of him, challenging him to say otherwise.
Finally, he looked her in the eye. “Let’s just try and get to know one another for a week and see how things go. If you don’t like me, I’ll understand, and you’ll be free to leave.”
She put her hands on her hips. “This is a free country. I am already free to go.”
“Do you want to?”
She was pushing him. She could tell. Christine took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering. “No. I came all this way. I might as well see it through.”
A slight grin showed on his lips. “You don’t have anywhere to go, do you?”
She shook her head. “No, Mr. McNeal. I do not.” Tears stung her eyes, but she held them in. This man was not one to react to tears. She needed to show him she was strong.
He dropped the stern look and smiled. Tried to. The result was a lopsided grin. “I do like you, Christine. I think we can have a good life together.”
She stared at him. “What kind of life? Who are you going to leave this ranch to if you’re not going to have children?”
His laugh was harsh and came from his depth. “That I assure you is something I’m not worried about. Let the buzzards fight over it.”
Christine folded her arms. “That’s a bleak existence if you ask me.”
“Look, I’m sorry if you want children. I don’t. Decide now.” He stepped close to her and smiled. “Because I’m beginning to like you.”
She felt his warmth. His strength. Out of nowhere, her heart raced, and she felt a sudden attraction for him. “I just got here, and I’m tired. I’d like to lay down.” She eased away from him and walked toward the bedroom. She stopped at the door and turned. “By the way, Dusty stopped and introduced me to Margaret. I like people. I like her, and I want to visit her whenever I want to.” She dared him to deny her.
With a questioning look, he nodded. “I’ll allow it. I’m busy most of the day. What you do with your time is up to you.” He slapped his gloves against his thigh and turned away, leaving her standing at the bedroom door.
She went inside and slammed the door. Finally, she could cry, and she fell across the bed and wept. If she’d known this was going to be the worst day of her life, she’d have neve
r come. The look on Seth’s face had torn her heart.
Her only consolation was that as soon as her son started to cry, one of Margaret’s little girls went to him and in minutes had him laughing. Christine closed her eyes and pictured her son. She missed him so.
But this was their chance. Somehow, she’d have to win Everett over. Make him want children. What a strange man. He was strung taut as a barbed-wire fence, and she bet he was just as wicked if crossed.
Her thoughts remained on Everett. The man was a mystery of tortured feelings and far from happy. Did she even want her son raised by him? Did she even want to be married to this man? She knelt by the bed and prayed.
God was her only chance. She had to know if she was to stay or not. She was still free to walk out of this house and off this ranch. Dusty would take her to San Antonio. And though it looked like a rough town, she only needed one good man.
Yet, as she spent her time before the Lord, she began to feel something change in her heart. Instead of being repulsed by Everett’s behavior, she became drawn to him. Oddly enough, she wanted more than anything to make him happy.
To show him that life doesn’t have to be harsh. He didn’t have to control her or those around him. That he could let her into his heart. Even her son and their children. By the time she climbed into bed, she felt a burden to love Everett.
Christine was as much his chance as he was hers. Together, they had an opportunity at a good life. She needed to understand how to make that happen. As the moon shone bright and lit up her room, she knew that somehow, she would know just how to make him fall in love. With her, Seth, and life.
As she gazed at the ceiling, she felt it inside her. Her mission. God had brought her to this miserable man. Everett had so much and didn’t even know it. Like a pauper king, Everett ruled his ranch and those under him, never knowing how much they cared for him.
She remembered Margaret had said she would pray that Everett would see the goodness of God.
Christine vowed that before long, she would be able to show him just that.
***
Everett left the house and grabbed his bedroll from the barn. He threw it down in a stall full of straw. He’d miss his bed. Soon, he hoped he’d share it with her. Christine. Strange woman.
He liked her, though. She’d not backed down when he challenged her. Yes, he’d seen the fight in her eyes when he told her he didn’t want children. But there was no way he wanted to risk becoming like his father and father before him.
He could be a good husband. Everett believed that. He could buy her what she wanted. Let her visit Margaret when she wanted. He grinned, thinking of the black mare. The horse would make the perfect wedding gift.
He didn’t doubt that she’d agree to marry him. After all, he had a large, prosperous ranch. A nice house. He’d have to hire someone to make it larger for her. She could oversee that and buy whatever she wanted. That would keep her busy and give her something to occupy her time.
He’d talk to Winston. The man built houses around town and even in San Antonio. He’d know how to add on to Everett’s home.
Everett walked to the barn and glanced at the black mare. She was on the far side of the corral with her head down and pawing at the ground. The horse wasn’t happy and missed the herd. By the looks of her, she’d had a foal last spring.
By now, she shouldn’t be feeding it as he didn’t see that she had any milk. He’d start settling her down tomorrow. Everett could tell she was a smart horse and should learn fast. Then again, she had spirit. Much like the woman sleeping in his bed.
He spread out his bedroll. He didn’t mind sleeping in the barn. But he hoped it wouldn’t be for long. Christine. He liked her name. It fit her. The woman was too proper for a short name.
He thought about her. She didn’t like the idea of not having children. Once he explained it thoroughly to her, she’d understand better. He wanted to be a good husband, and if children were added to the household, he couldn’t bear to turn into the monster his father and grandfather had been.
Still, there was something she was hiding from him. Just a quick look, but he’d seen it. Everett would have to ask her. He didn’t want secrets between them. He demanded loyalty from his hired hands, and he wouldn’t expect any less from her.
Dusty had acted oddly around her, too. Almost as if he was party to her secret. Well, tomorrow was another day. So far, things had gone well. He thought she liked the ranch and the house. Hopefully, she could see the potential in him and the land.
Once she saw the mare, she’d see how he’d take care of her. Everett wanted the best for Christine. She needed to know that and hoped it would take the edge off her disappointment about no children. Everett believed they could enjoy one another.
Dusty knew how he felt. Perhaps he’d told her so she could prepare to meet him. Although she’d acted angry about the condition, she’d not looked shocked. That must have been the mysterious look that she’d given Dusty.
He’d written that he didn’t want children in the last letter, and she’d still come to the ranch. Everett sighed and listened to the horses rustle in the hay. Another snorted. The mare in the corral was walking the fence looking for a hole to escape. She’d settle down.
He wondered about Christine. Was she walking about the room wondering what she’d gotten herself into? Would he be able to tame her down as quickly as the black mare?
Everett wondered.
Both had spirit. Both shied away from him but had a defiant look in their eyes that said there was more to them than what he saw.
Everett laughed at the idea of comparing Christine to the black mare. He’d not confess that to his wife to be. Tomorrow, he’d take Christine around the ranch. So, she could see the size and vastness of their holdings.
Then he’d take her to San Antonio when she was ready. To the preacher if she agreed. He was ready to be married. And more than willing to be married to Christine.
Chapter 4
Christine cried most of the night for her baby. She prayed Seth was all right and comforted by the kindness of Margaret and her family. Yet, Christine ached with the idea of what kind of mother she was to drop her child off to a family she didn’t even know?
And Everett. What kind of man was he to demand they not have children? But she knew in her heart that the Lord had called her to love this man. Yet, the more she thought about his unthinkable command, the less she liked him.
She stared at the sun rising over the hills and dressed. She would ready for the day and pray she could see her son. Christine didn’t hear anything outside and wondered if the man she was to marry was still asleep. Although, she couldn’t imagine that Everette McNeal was the kind of man to let time rest under his feet.
Christine opened the door and peeked out. No one. She went to the kitchen and surveyed the pantry. It was well-stocked, and she grabbed some bacon, flour, and eggs. The least she could do was to make breakfast.
The bacon was sizzling and the biscuits in the oven when he walked in. He sniffed the air and smiled. “You’re making breakfast.”
“Yes, I hope you’re hungry.”
He nodded and sat at the table.
She wanted to bang him over the head with a skillet. He was treating her as if he’d hired a maid. Christine glared at him. “You can help. I need some milk. Do we have a milk cow?”
“No, I usually drink water, and I can buy butter from Margaret.”
“I want a milk cow. We need one of our own. Margaret has enough children to not have to share her milk with us.”
He grinned looking satisfied with himself. “All right, I’ll buy you a cow today.”
She slammed a plate in front of him. “I’m not your maid.”
The frown of Everette’s face proved he wasn’t ready for a confrontation this early in the morning. “Is there something wrong?”
Why was she so mad at him anyway? She stared at him. “I’m just trying to discover why you wanted a wife.”
“I
told you. So, I won’t be alone.” He stood. “Look, if you don’t want to cook breakfast, you don’t have to. I usually go to the bunkhouse or Margaret’s and eat with them.”
She whirled and faced him. She couldn’t let him do that. Once he saw Seth and his green eyes, he’d know the child wasn’t Margaret’s. “I like cooking. I’ll make your dinners. After all, we have to have something in common to do.”
Everette stared at the eggs she’d put in front of him. “I thought I’d show you the ranch today.”
She looked around the cabin. “I’ve seen it.”
He laughed. “This isn’t the ranch. Just a tiny part of it.”
She blushed. “Oh. I wanted to visit Margaret today.”
Everett studied her as if considering his words carefully. “After I show you the ranch, I thought we’d go into town. If you’re agreeable, we can be married.”
She sat down, tired of sparring with him, but at mention of marriage, her he’d caught her attention. “So soon?”
With a shrug, he placed his hands on the table. “How long do you need? Your letter said you agreed to marry me.”
“You didn’t tell me that you didn’t want children until the last letter. I didn’t get it or read it until I was boarding the train.”
He pointed his fork at her. “You got on the train, didn’t you? Besides, I told you, I don’t trust myself around kids. My father beat me, and his father beat him. Who knows how far that went back?”
“So, you are afraid of what you’ll do to the children.” She was angrier than she’d ever been.
“If you want to put it that way, yes.”
“How else would you put it? That’s unnatural. Crazy even.” She slammed eggs on her plate.
“Well, call it what you like. It’s how I am and what I demand.” He was getting mad, too.
She glared at him. “That is not the way normal married people act. Children are a blessing.” Christine wanted to go on, but she felt a check in her spirit, and she quieted. How was she ever going to get him to see the error of his ways?
Mail Order Christine Page 2
