The train was indeed much more comfortable than she had imagined. His bunk was a single one and he was grateful for the added space in his cabin. That first night he slept fitfully, tossing and turning as his mind began to play havoc in his head. When he finally slept, he dreamed of Constance, dressed in white, floating toward him on their wedding day. In a flash she was holding a pretty little blonde girl and in his arms was a sweet-faced little boy who favored him. Then they were enjoying the sunset as their children ran around the yard, playing. The flashes continued as Jameson slept. Children grew up and had families of their own and Constance aged by his side, becoming ever more beautiful to him. Her sweet, sassy spirit never changed and she always seemed to add a spice to his life that would surely be lacking if he hadn’t met her one morning when she’d seen a little boy working much too hard.
“Grand Central Station!” the conductor announced, two days later, as Jameson finished his breakfast. Twenty minutes later the train was pulling in and Jameson departed. He found a taxi and made his way to the Lowell home, nervous as an alley cat.
Enjoying the city, Jameson watched the building fly by. He noted Claremont inn which was situated along Riverside Drive. Beautiful and stately, it rose above the street, almost begging patrons to come in from the frigid cold. Smiling, Jameson knew he’d be sleeping their tonight, having made prior arrangements by telegram.
An hour after leaving Grand Central Station, the taxi pulled up in front of a beautiful, two-story home that even from the outside looked warm and inviting. He paid the buggy driver and stepped down onto the walkway that led to the door of the Lowell home. Screwing up his courage, Jameson made his way up the path and knocked loudly on the door.
***
“Sweetheart can you get the door for us?” Constance heard her father say as he set the table for dinner.
“Sure, daddy.”
Constance headed for the door, hoping the wind wouldn’t blow too much snow in with the cold. She inhaled deeply and then jerked the heavy, oak door open. Seeing Jameson at the door though, made all the air leave her loves and her head felt so light, as if her body had grown cement shoes. Suddenly the face in front of her began to move sickly back and forth and then the black abyss swallowed her whole as she fainted.
Coming to, Constance opened her eyes to see three people standing over her. “I need to sit up. Can I have some water, please?”
Before she knew it a glass was in her hand. Taking a small sip, she closed her eyes as humiliation washed over her. “Jameson?”
The people around her parted and her vision took in the man she loved with all of her might. “How are you feeling?”
“Better now,” she said, touching his face. “I just couldn’t believe you were standing there, real, in front of me.”
“My intention was to surprise you for Christmas, not make you faint.”
“The fainting should be a compliment,” she laughed, still feeling a bit off in her stomach.
Christmas went swimmingly and before they knew it, it was time for Jameson to head back to his ranch. “You’ll continue to write to me?”
“I won’t miss an opportunity, love,” Jameson promised. Tipping her face up, he pressed his lips to hers. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Jameson.” Tears swam in her eyes as she watched Jameson board the train. The weeks flew by as Constance and Jameson continued to write to each other. Then, in the spring of 1888, Jameson wrote.
…we’ve been incorporated! This past week, on April 9th, San Jacinto became part of Riverside County.
His letter continued.
I know it’s sooner than either of us had really planned, but life seems too short now to wait much longer and I’m a better man when you’re close to me. I’ve already asked your father’s permission, but it’s only right that I ask you. Will you come to San Jacinto? Will you come and live here, close to me, until we can officially move forward?
I’m awaiting your answer,
Love,
Jameson
Constance ran downstairs and nearly plowed over her father who was standing at the bottom landing. “Is it true?”
“It’s true,” Richard chuckled. “I gave Jameson my blessing to bring you out to San Jacinto. Your mother and I will follow in a few months, once things settle down at the office.”
“Oh thank you, daddy!” Constance squealed. “Can you believe it? I’m going to be our family’s first mail-order bride!”
“Well, he hasn’t asked yet,” Richard said, grinning. “Although I don’t expect it to be much longer, once you arrive. Regardless, I’m thankful that Jameson didn’t have to advertise for you.”
“When do I leave?”
“This afternoon,” Richard said, holding out an envelope. “This envelope contains the inheritance, as well as some spending money to keep you until you can establish yourself in San Jacinto.”
“When will you and mother come to visit?”
“When we hear that our daughter is planning her wedding, we’ll be on the next train.”
Later that day Constance stood in Grand Central Station, waiting for her train to come. When it pulled up she tearfully love her parents and then stepped onto the train, feeling as if she was finally heading toward her future. Having graduated the month before with her nursing degree and a follow-up degree in library sciences, she was well suited to find employment in either field. Truth be told she wasn’t sure she would work at all, it would all depend on what Jameson thought and where his ranch went.
Two days later, Constance stepped of the train at the San Jacinto depot and all but flew into Jameson’s embrace. Smiling broadly, she giggled, “I’ve missed you.”
“I could tell,” he grinned, tucking her hand into his elbow. “I’ve acquired a room for you at the Hamilton Inn, but I’d like to take you to dinner tonight, if you’re not too tired.”
“I feel like I have all the energy in the world right now.”
“You were able to sleep on the train?”
“For the most part. The closer we came to San Jacinto the harder it became, but I was able to get enough adequate rest. Can we eat at your ranch?”
“If you’d like,” Jameson smiled. “I think you’ll find the new upgrades much to your liking.”
Constance was once again amazed at the beauty of Jameson’s property and could scarcely believe that someday it would be hers as well. But it was when she looked across the expanse and saw Rebekah and Billy Porter running toward her that Constance knew she’d found her home.
“How did you two get here?”
“We was hired by Mr. Smitz,” Rebekah said, her smile broad and beaming. “I’m the cook and he paid me enough that Billy can stay in school.”
“Someone once told me that schooling was very important for young boys,” Jameson chuckled, pulling Constance to his side.
“That it is,” Constance smiled. Dinner was served on the Veranda and Constance told Jameson all about her schooling and graduation. “I was at the top of my class, although I was thankful to not be the school’s valedictorian. I hate public speaking.”
“Really?” Jameson said, truly shocked. “With your flamboyant attitude I’d think public speaking would be right up your alley.”
“Nope,” she smiled. “I can’t stand big crowds and everyone watching me.”
“So I suppose you don’t want a big wedding then?”
“Seeing as no one’s asked me to marry him, I don’t need to worry about it.”
“I’m asking,” Jameson said, his dark hair blowing in the wind. Constance watched as he got down on one knee and pulled out a pretty rose colored, gold ring. “This was my mother’s before she passed and it was always her wish that I would pass it down in our family. So I’m asking you to wear it proudly if you’ll have me?”
Constance couldn’t stop the tears that fell from her eyes as she laughed with joy. “Yes, I’ll have you Jameson Smitz and I will gladly wear your mother’s ring with all the pride my heart
can muster.”
Epilogue
True to her word, Constance wore the small golden band with pride from the moment they were engaged to the date of their wedding that summer and throughout their lives together. Their children, a boy and a girl, did all the things Jameson had dreamed of and more. Rebekah stayed on as the cook for their home even after Billy had graduated from college and moved away. She often went to visit him and Jameson and Constance, along with their children attended Billy’s wedding in the spring of 1900. Manuel also stayed on as the foreman for the Triple “S” Ranch, which it eventually came to be named.
Constance’s parents enjoyed many visits to California. So much so, especially when the grandchildren came along, that they moved to the area permanently in 1895 and only spent an occasional trip back to New York, usually for business purposes.
“What will you tell our children when they start to ask how we came to know each other?”
“I’ll be honest,” Jameson smiled. “I’ll tell them that their spitfire mother couldn’t leave well enough alone and that because of that evident fact, I was blessed with the most amazing woman I’m sure God ever created.”
“You’re embellishing.”
“Probably a little bit,” he grinned. “But not for a bad cause. Why, what would you tell them?”
“I’d have to be honest as well mind you. I’d have to tell them about how I found Billy in your factory and that I was all ready to set you straight on the matter. Then I’d have to tell them about how shocked you were and how you not only remedied the situation, you kept your promise to be transparent by corresponding with me. I’d tell them about the times we spent apart and how it seemed as if we’d never be on the same page.
“Then I’d tell them how God moved quickly when the time was right to bring us together. How our love has endured despite the incredible hard times and that all of our blessings are because of Him.”
“I think you’d win that set, love.”
“Oh I know I would,” Constance grinned. “I’d also tell them that their father was so desperate to marry me that he had to order me through the mail.”
Jameson laughed and drew his wife to his side, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as their children read in front of the fire and snow began to fall outside their large picture window. Life was indeed sweet for the Smitz family. And tomorrow, when they held their very first Labor of Love fundraiser, which sought to raise money to stop child labor practices, was just going to add to the sweetness.
THE END.
Included with this purchase is a collection of Christian Michael Mail Order Bride short stories. I do hope you take the time to read them! Enjoy!
Cowboy Saves a Widow
Mail Order Bride
CHRISTIAN MICHAEL
Esme Higgins was beside herself with worry. She considered herself to be a smart, practical, and very capable woman but even she had to admit she was at the end of her rope. Truth was, as a widow, she was afforded a lot of liberties in society that a maiden did not have but she was still a woman in a man’s world and could only go so far. She needed help. She was also desperate enough to take a chance she never imagined that she would take.
What if he changed his mind? Did he abandon me? It’s been three hours and I see no one.
She did not know anyone in this strange town and the people she had questioned about Kade Scott had ignored her and her inquiries. It seemed that no one was willing to help her. She was tired of waiting, she had been patient this long and obviously, no one was coming for her. Life was not a basket of roses and Esme was no weeping willow. She was here now and she would make her own way. Somehow.
Mind made up, Esme hoisted her still sleeping daughter higher on her shoulders, picked up her carpet bag and started walking. Thank the Lord I did not pack anything but the essentials. If I had to cart a trunk around, I don’t know what I would do. She crossed the street and turned left at the junction. Spying an elderly woman coming the opposite way, Esme walked a little faster to meet up with her.
“Excuse me, Ma’am,” Esme said, praying the woman would not ignore her as so many others had. “I am so sorry to disturb you, but could you please point me to the nearest boarding house? I am new to town you see, and I don’t know where to go.”
“Oh bless your soul, you poor dear. Why you must have come in by the train!”
When Esme nodded, the woman’s brow wrinkled. “But it’s high noon! The train came three hours ago. What have you been doing all this time?”
Esme blushed. “Well, you see, I was supposed to meet someone here but they did not show up. I waited all this time but I can’t keep my daughter in this heat any longer, so I was hoping I could find lodgings for the day.”
The old woman nodded sagely. “You must be one of those mail-order brides then? No other way a woman would come here alone – with a child to boot –without any other relatives. Well come along, child, you can stay with me. I wouldn’t let my worst enemy stay in the hovel they call a boarding house in these parts. Lots of unsavory characters there too. I’m Crystal by the way. Crystal Scott.”
Esme sent up a prayer of gratitude that she had finally ran into a kind soul. “I am Esmeralda Higgins but you can call me Esme. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ma’am. Thank you very much for the kind offer. Did you say your surname is Scott?”
“Yes I did.” Crystal answered. “Why?”
“Well, it’s just that the man I was supposed to meet is also named Scott. Kade Scott. Would you happen to know of him?
The woman nearly stumbled in shock as she turned to face Esme, saying, “Know him! Why the boy is my grandson! You telling me he got himself a mail order bride?”
Esme blushed and opened her mouth to speak but was cut off when Crystal continued, “Wait just a minute. Have you been waiting all this time, in this heat for him to appear?! Oh Kade, my boy, wait until I get my hands on you! To think that you would order a bride and then forget her! And she with a child too! Oh you just wait boy until I am through with you!”
Esme was alarmed at the woman’s diatribe. “Oh, no Ma’am, it’s quite alright, really. I wouldn’t want to get him into any trouble.” That’s the last way I want to start out a new relationship with a man I know nothing about. Why, he’ll probably resent me for getting his family involved – even though it was an accident.
But Crystal wasn’t listening. She continued walking – rather sprightly for an old woman – and Esme struggled to keep up with her. She was tired from the three week journey she had undertaken and the heat was nearly unbearable. Sophia was also an uncomfortable weight on her back and the carpet bag, which was actually pretty light, was weighing her arm down.
Almost fifteen minutes later, Esme heaved a sigh of relief when she saw a ranch house in the distance. Oh God, I beg you, please let that be the place. I just want to get off my feet now!
Sure enough, Crystal was marching up the path to the house ten minutes later, hollering for someone named Phillip as she went.
Within minutes, a sweat-drenched man appeared around the corner of the house.
“Yes, Grandma? What’s going on? Everything ok?” Phillips eyes questioningly took in Esme and Sophie’s appearance but he didn’t say anything. He was used to his grandmother bringing strangers home.
“Where’s Kade, Phillip? I swear the boy is in for it now.”
“Kade? Well he went off to Spring Valley before dawn this morning to buy a three steers. He won’t be back until tomorrow. Wh-” Phillip’s eyes grew large and round as they went back to Esme and then to his watch. “Son of a gun. You wouldn’t happen to be a Ms. Esme, now, would you Ma’am?”
Before Esme could answer, Crystal jumped in for her. “Yes she is. I suppose Kade told you to go pick her up and you forgot?”
“Well, you see, the thing is,” Philip said to Esme, “Bessie, our horse, went into labor and the girl was having a lot of trouble. In fact, the calf just delivered not five minutes ago and in the craziness, I plumb forgot t
o send someone in my place to get you. I am truly very sorry ma’am.”
“That’s quite alright, Mr. Philip, I was a little worried something adverse might have happened and I am glad to know things are okay now.”
“What I would like to know,” Crystal retorted, “is why Kade decided to travel today of all days? He should have known his bride was coming today!”
Esme thought, “I’d like to know that myself!” as she waited curiously for Phillip’s answer.
Philip replied to the ladies, “Kade got word that the Jebson brothers knew about the transaction he had put through for those steers and were gunning for them so he thought it would be better if he was there in person to bring them here.” Turning to Esme, he added, “But he really wanted to be here to greet you, Ma’am. He’s gonna have me strung from the roof when he finds out you weren’t escorted home by one of us!”
Crystal harrumphed, and said over her shoulder while herding Esme up the stairs and into the house, “The poor girl was waiting at that station in the heat with this child for neigh on three hours, Philip. Both you and Kade should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Esme didn’t hear Philips reply because Crystal had already led her deeper into the house and out of earshot. After showing her to her new room, Crystal urged Esme to sleep so that she could be well rested by evening for dinner. Crystal offered lunch to Esme, but she declined. She didn’t have much of an appetite, her fatigue overshadowed everything else and Sophia was still sound asleep.
Esme and Sophie missed dinner that evening. Both were extremely tired. Sophie had been sick for most of the three weeks in which they had travelled and Esme was glad the girl was finally getting some rest. For her part, Esme was quite exhausted, mentally, emotionally and physically. The last three weeks had been grueling.
Indeed, the last three years since her husband, Albert, had passed of a wasting disease, had been taxing. She had found herself to be with child after Albert’s death and raising Sophie on her own had been very hard. Growing up an orphan, she didn’t have any relatives to help her and in a frontier town, she had been surrounded by men so women friends had been few and far between. The few women who were in town had regarded her as competition for the men’s affections so they wanted nothing to do with her.
[2015] Western Love Page 3
