by Cyndi Raye
“Hello.”
“I’m Nora and this is my husband Rusty. May I call you Naomi?”
“Of course, I’d prefer it, actually.”
“Well, then, Naomi it is. Enjoy the food and the music. Welcome to the family.”
Naomi was afraid she was going to shed more tears. Before she did, three women near her age welcomed her.
Melody, Abigail and Callie were married to Nora’s sons. They gathered around, shielding Naomi from everyone and led her away from her husband. She looked back a few times to find him conversing with other men. When the men went to the barn, she lost sight of him.
Callie spoke up. She was the friendliest one there. “Naomi, we want you to know if you need anything, anything at all, we are a stone’s throw away and can be at your cabin in a wink.”
“Thank you, I appreciate including me in. I’m afraid I know nothing about country living. I was raised in the city and we had others to do the chores.” She dreaded the lies the moment they came out her mouth but she needed everyone to believe she was well off.
“Is that a fact?” Callie asked.
A moment of silence stood between them as the others watched. Callie was the most outspoken of the three. Naomi wondered how long she’d be able to keep the ruse going? Callie seemed smart. Perhaps she’d have to stay to herself more. If she had to keep to herself, having a cabin like the one Russell had was well worth it.
It was home.
She never, ever had a home of her own. Naomi promised herself she was going to work hard. She was dying to get started actually. But where was Russell? Was he still in the barn with the other men?
When Callie noticed Naomi’s eyes kept darting to the barn, she laughed. “Oh, Naomi, the men will be awhile. Come along, we’ll introduce you to some of the other townsfolk. They rode out from Wichita Falls and others rode from Mill Ridge to meet Russell’s bride.”
Naomi longed to be with her husband. Even though she was lying to him he was the only one she felt most at ease with. Plus, she wanted to consummate the marriage so their lives would be sealed and no one would ever make her leave here.
She took one last look back before following the ladies. It was going to be a long night until he was once again by her side.
Naomi didn’t want to act haughty, she’d rather embrace everyone and kiss their cheeks like they were doing to her. But she had lied from the beginning, now she had to play her part and act like someone she wasn’t.
This was one of the hardest things she’d ever done. As an orphan, there was no one to answer to. No one told you what to do or what to say.
She looked around, watching everyone mingle with smiles and laughter all around. She may have to pretend to be someone she wasn’t but it was all worth it. Look at what she had now!
Chapter 4
Russell stood leaning against the barn door with his brother and half-brothers, watching the crowd as they laughed, talked and ate. Then Luke and Adam parted ways to find their wives and Samuel went to help Callie and Nora clear the tables. He longed to find his wife and take her home except she seemed to be missing.
“There she is,” Wesley pointed.
“Where?”
“She’s partially hidden behind the large oak tree. She didn’t seem at all shy when I met her, wonder why she is trying to hide?” Wesley asked.
“Not sure. She was enjoying herself with the ladies earlier. I suppose this is a lot to take in, brother.” He pushed himself away from the side of the barn. “ I’m going to take my bride home.”
The fading sun was starting to lower in the sky. Russell made his way through the thinning crowd, most of them packing up to head back to their homesteads. The sound of the fiddle rent the air as Rusty began playing. A small camp-fire glowed nearby.
He stopped for a moment to stare at his bride. She was beautiful. Her eyes glowed. They were bright and filled with wonder.
When they had first met she seemed scared, tense. Russell imagined the fear of traveling from her home to a strange place and starting over was enough to scare anyone. Now, she was leaning against the tree, contentment in her eyes. For now she was content. He wondered if it was enough to keep her happy.
She was from a well to do family, used to having things handed to her. Here, the farm was a whole different world. There were chores to do and lots of work had by everyone, including her. How was she going to react when she realized her job in the mornings was to go outside to the chicken coop to gather eggs no matter what kind of weather?
She happened to look at him just as he began to take another step towards her. Her eyes lit up. A smile played across her mouth. She seemed happy to see him.
He wanted to kiss her. Russell ran a hand through his hair. She was beautiful. “Hello, Mrs. Young.”
She took his hand in hers. He liked how bold she was, not afraid to show affection. “I missed you,” she told him.
He kissed her hand before gazing into those velvety blue eyes. “We should go,” he told her.
She nodded. “I’m ready. It’s been a long day.”
When he raised a brow, she sucked in her breath. “I’m sorry,” she told him, placing a hand on his chest.
Her touch made him aware there was more to their wedding night if he so desired. “What are you sorry for?”
“When I said it’s been a long day, I hope you didn’t take offense. I’ve traveled far and it’s been quite the adventure today.”
She was right. Today was their wedding day but she was exhausted from a long trip and vulnerable and he wasn’t about to take advantage of her. No, he’d take her home and leave her be. They had plenty of time to consummate this marriage.
And they would, one way or another. Just not tonight. He wanted no regrets.
Russell had to do everything in his power to make sure she was willing to stay by his side. Now that he realized how much he wanted her as a permanent wife, the thought of the thirty day trial period frustrated him even more. He had thirty days to make her his own.
He wasn’t sure his small cabin on the farm was enough to keep her by his side. According to the letter she wrote, Naomi was used to sophistication, city-dwellers that probably wore fancy suits, courting her at fancy restaurants and special places in the big city. How was he going to compete with that?
After they said their goodbyes, the trip back to the cabin was relatively quiet. There was a half-moon tonight while the path home was lit by the brilliant light of a thousand tiny, shining stars. It seemed perfect for a wedding night.
Too perfect. Except for one thing. When Russell stopped the buggy, he placed his wife in his arms. Her head lolled to one side. She had fallen asleep on the ride home and he didn’t have the heart to wake her.
Russell had enjoyed the feel of her against him while she slept. At first he had wanted to stop the buggy and take her in his arms but when he looked over and noticed she had fallen asleep, he realized how much more he wanted to be her protector.
And how serene and beautiful she was.
He wanted to make her his bride in every way.
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A sliver of sunshine peeked in through the small window. At first Naomi forgot where she was. She stretched, her arms above her head, enjoying the feel of softness underneath. Her fingers touched the wooden bed post. It almost scared her at first. She thought she was back at the orphanage except the bed rails on those beds were made of iron.
They also had lumpy, awful mattresses that smelled. The one she was lying on was so soft she didn’t want to get up and it certainly didn’t smell bad. Looking around, Naomi realized she was alone in a bedroom, a soft quilt covering her. She was still dressed in yesterday’s clothes except for her boots, which were placed side by side on the wood planked floor.
Had Russell carried her to bed? She remembered sitting on the seat next to him in the buggy as they made their way towards the cabin. She remembered his soft shoulder when her head found it on the ride home. Then she woke up here and now. She was almost embarrassed tha
t she fell asleep on him.
He was such a gentleman. It was his right to consummate the marriage and she almost wished he had, that way she’d never have to leave here again. But he didn’t. Instead, he had treated her kindly, being gentle with her, letting her sleep, like a man who seemed to care.
Or, was the truth of the matter that he really didn’t want her as a wife? Was he bidding his time for the next thirty days until he could send her back? Was that why he had left her sleep?
Frustrated, Naomi got out of bed, not sure of the answer. She splashed water on her face and washed up the best she could, refreshing her skirts and putting on her shoes. It was time to find her husband and get some answers. If he wanted her gone, then he needed to tell her. She would rather leave now, go back to the city before she fell any more in love with this farm.
He was in the other room making fresh eggs on the cook stove. Surprised, she stopped to watch him. Russell wielded the pan like he was familiar with the task. Which was actually a good thing.
Naomi had no idea how to cook. She’d never used a cook stove, let alone one of those iron pans he was working out of. He waited while the lard heated up then placed an egg in the palm of his hand. With a quick snap of his wrist, he cracked the egg on the side of the pan and let it dribble into the lard.
She crossed her arms over her waist, watching, her head tilted to one side. It looked relatively simple.
“Good morning,” Russell said, his eyes on the pan of eggs. “If you’ll have a seat at my table, I am about to serve the best eggs this side of the Rio Grande.”
Naomi suddenly noticed two settings at the small table that sat against the wall of the cabin. She took a seat, propping her elbow on the table until realizing a lady didn’t sit like an urchin. She removed her arm but drummed her fingers against the table top, slightly nervous being alone with him.
Russell glanced over at her, grinning. “I’m not very good at cooking as you will see, except for eggs. I can make eggs all day long.”
“It’s kind of you to do so. I believe I slept in,” she told him, annoyed at herself for not getting up earlier. He probably got tired of waiting for her to wake up, she mused.
“I’m glad you did. Today we’ll enjoy breakfast and I’ll show you around the farm.”
He filled both their plates, along with a slice of bread smothered with creamy butter. When he sat down, he took her hand, bowing his head and lifting them both in prayer. Naomi peeked at him as he said grace, amazed. Would life be like this every single morning?
When he lifted his head, Russell caught her staring. She looked away, embarrassed. He still held her hand for another moment. “Dig in! What are you waiting for!”
She did. Boy, did she ever. The smell of eggs had drifted up her nose the whole time he was praying and she was famished. She had never woke up to a hot meal like this before. Not in all of her years as an orphan. Not even when she lived in St. Catherine’s Orphanage for that short period of time. There, she had tons of chores to do before they ate a breakfast of porridge and hard, day old bread.
Naomi leaned her head down and shoveled the food in her mouth, forgetting she was at the table with her new husband. She moaned with each bite, closing her eyes and lifting her face to the sky. After she sopped the egg with her bread, she finished it off and wiped her mouth, sitting back against the chair. She was in pure, blissfull heaven.
Naomi sighed.
“I’m glad you enjoyed breakfast.”
Her eyes flew open. “Oh dear, I’m sorry! The smell was so enticing. I am embarrassed.” He probably thinks she is out of her mind! Her face burned crimson as she felt the heat rising from the middle of her neck to her cheeks. How in the world had she forgotten he was right across the table from her?
“If I didn’t know better, you’d think it was the first time you ate eggs.”
She waved him off, racking her brain to come up with an intelligent answer. “To be honest, I had not been eating properly since I left home. This is the first meal I’ve enjoyed for weeks.”
“You certainly enjoyed it, which makes me happy.”
She stood up, wanting to do something to get away from the amused look on his face. If he knew she was an orphan, living on the streets and scrounging for food day after day, he’d no doubt send her back on the next train.
Especially after she lied and said she was from a well-to-do family. She had to start acting like it now before she made too many obvious mistakes. One mistake was bad, but this had to stop before she got caught. She wanted to be honest and tell him, and every time she thought she was brave enough to, something always stopped her from saying the words. So she lied even more to keep up the farce.
“I’m afraid we had servants at home so I’m not too familiar with cooking and cleaning. I’m willing to learn, unless you want to hire a servant?”
Russell collected the plates. He turned to her. “I can’t afford a servant. I’m sure Ma will help teach you what needs done and I’ll take you around, show you some chores that will help here. She has had to do everything on her own for so many years. It’ll be a big help if you can take over a few things.”
Did he sound disappointed? “I’ll do my best,” she told him, silently promising to learn everything so he would be proud of her and keep her. She had thirty days to learn how to be a good wife and vowed not to spill her secret no matter what. He needed a helper for his Ma and so be it, she was going to do her best.
He placed the plates in a pan of water and turned to her. Placing both hands on her shoulders, he drew her to him, placing a kiss on her forehead. “I hope you can get used to this kind of life. I know your family has had hired help but I’m a farmer. There is no way to provide the kind of life you were used to. Are you sure you want this?”
Was he worried she couldn’t be happy here? She had to convince him there was no need to worry. She placed her hands on his cheeks, drawing him closer. “I want to learn everything about being a farmer’s wife. Even if it means having to get my hands dirty. You won’t be sorry you married me.” Now she felt even worse for lying to him about where she came from. Naomi ached to blurt out the truth.
She kept going back and forth, one minute wanting to tell him, the next moment vowing to be silent. Before things got too out of hand, perhaps she needed to be honest. All of her hopes and dreams may die within the next few moments but he deserved honesty. This was so hard but he was a good man. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
Her words were interrupted by a loud shotgun blast. Naomi jumped three feet in the air, almost toppling over.
Russell went to the front door, grabbing the rifle setting upright against the wall. “Stay here,” he told her. “There’s another rifle in the bedroom if you need it. Do you know how to shoot?”
She didn’t get a chance to answer him when another blast went off. Survival instinct took over. Naomi crouched behind the rocker sitting in the room by the window. Her hands shook. She watched her husband go out the door, his rifle at the ready.
A few minutes later Naomi heard a scuffling noise on the porch. Her husband would speak up, wouldn’t he? Then who was there? She was afraid to lift her head. What if it was an outlaw outside? Who was doing the shooting? Fear for her husband sent shivers down her spine. What if he was shot and killed? Her mind was in a confused state. What ifs would not keep her husband safe. Naomi had to help.
She had to make her way to the bedroom for the other rifle even if she didn’t know how to shoot. Staying low to the floor, she reached the bedroom where the shotgun was propped up behind the door. Naomi stared at it for a moment, then took hold of the handle and made her way back out to the window, keeping low the whole time.
The wooden floorboards of the porch creaked. More shuffling sounds were heard. She listened, crouching under the window. It sounded like someone was having trouble breathing as short bursts of air fogged up the window. What in the world was out there?
Naomi sucked in a deep, haggard breath and
slowly stood up, taking aim, her finger close to the trigger. Squinting through the foggy window, she dropped the rifle to the floor and screamed at the top of her lungs. A big, shaggy black monster with round eyes and fluid dripping from its snout stared through the fog dead at her. She backed away, horrified when it grunted and bellowed at her through the window.
Another shotgun blast had Naomi running for the bedroom. She didn’t look back but slid under the bed, petrified. Her whole body shook. Never in her whole life had she seen a creature like that before. In New York, rats the size of cats and small dogs were common but this horned monster was huge!
She wedged herself underneath the mattress, praying to God to keep her safe. Her worst fear was the thing ate her husband! Where was he?
Muffled noises and more shotgun blasts right before it got real quiet. Naomi held her breath, petrified.
It seemed like hours until the wooden door creaked when it opened. Footsteps came across the room. Relief surged through her when his voice called her name. When he knelt down and peered under the bed, her eyes wide and terrified, she was unable to speak.
He reached out his hand. Naomi always thought she was tough. Living on the streets had made her fear little. Or, so she thought. This was a whole new world and she realized in that moment she had no idea of the dangers all over.
“Come out, Naomi. The Bison is dead.”
“B-bison?”
He nodded, gently taking hold of her arm and pulling her out. When she stood upright, her knees went to jelly and she began to topple to the floor. He picked her up, sat down on the edge of the bed and placed her on his lap. “He got away from the herd. We tried to run him off but they are unpredictable animals. When I saw him on the porch it was time to take him down.”
She was curled up in his arms, her face against his chest. “I’ve never been so afraid in my life.”
Russell ran a hand over her hair. “No need to be scared. I’ve got you now.”
“Thank you.” No one had ever come to her rescue. Naomi hadn’t known she needed rescuing. She always thought she was able to handle whatever came her way. “I thought the shaggy monster would break through the window.”
