Maddie's Quest (Valentine Mail Order Bride 2)

by Trinity Bellingham

  "You can never have too much wood ready for the stove." It was something his grandmother always said, so he took an armful with him to the cabin. The back door was in place where it was supposed to be, so he had to use one hand to open it. Inside, it was cozy and warm with tantalizing aromas coming from the stove. There was another smell too, familiar, yet one not one he'd noticed in the cabin for a long time. Beeswax. That was it. Every piece of furniture in the cabin was shining, just like it used to do when his Gran was alive. He was speechless.

  Maddie could only have done this, but where was she? "Maddie?" he called uncertainly. "Are you here?"

  "Of course I'm here," she answered as she came out of her room. "Why don't you put the wood by the wood box. I'll be needing plenty again tomorrow. I'm planning on doing a wash so if you could leave anything you want washed by the back door, I'd be grateful. Sheets and pillowslips too."

  Hank did as she said and put the wood by the stove. "What happened to the cabin?"

  "I cleaned it to make it as close as possible to how it was when your Gran lived here. Do you like it?" She smiled as she said it

  "Of course I like it. Where did the cow come from? ... and the chickens" ... and the yard fence and the outhouse are up again. No woman could do all that in a day."

  ''The livestock is yours and Annie West brought them over. She helped me with all the cleaning and brought over a couple of hands from her place to to fix the fence and the privy - as a thank you for enjoying the eggs and milk from your cow and chickens. You must admit those jobs needed doing. Now, if you could be so kind as to fill up the water barrel for me, I'll put the finishing touches on your supper."

  Hank's facility for speech returned. "Sure thing Maddie, whatever you say. And I love what you've done to the cabin and yard. It looks beautiful, just like you." He grabbed the water bucket and headed out to the well, walking taller and impressed with what his wife had achieved.

  Maddie smiled, pleased with the compliment and the way Hank was keen to do as she asked. Annie was right. He was a sweet man and her heart went out to him as she realized how lonely he must have been since his Gran died. She would do her best to make him happy and be a good wife. Still, she had a feeling there was more behind Hank's absentmindedness than was readily evident.

  ~#~#~#~

  Chapter Seven

  Maddie was up and dressed before first light the following day to stoke up the stove, put on the coffee for Hank and do the morning milking. Thankfully she'd not lost the instinct draw the milk down and in comparison with her hesitant effort the previous afternoon, this morning it was coming easily. She took the cow around to the front of the house and tethered her by Hanks window to graze. Going back to collect the milk pail, she decided to pour it into one of the milk pans she found the day before. "The cream will rise and I can skim it off and try my hand at making butter in Gran's butter churn."

  She laid out the pan on the bench and poured the milk into it, pleased with her efforts.

  "That smells great," said Hank heading straight for the coffee pot. "And seeing as there's milk in the jug I think I'll try it with a little milk this morning. Thanks Maddie."

  "You're welcome. There's some hot water for shaving too, if you want it and I was thinking of making flapjacks for breakfast, unless you'd like something else."

  Hank looked at his wife, heart almost in his mouth and smitten by her beauty. She cared for him and was trying to see to his comfort. "Flapjacks will be perfect. I'll just take my coffee and the shaving water into my room and leave you to it."

  Maddie fetched out a bowl and set about making the flapjacks, enjoying using the kitchen now she knew where everything was. In fact, she really liked the cabin, period. But Hank? She still didn't know, except she wanted to please him and now she was becoming more attuned to his absentmindedness, liked him more than she realized. Today, she would send bread, cheese and pickles wrapped in a cloth for his lunch. After all, he did a job that required concentration and he didn't need to be worrying about where his lunch would come from.

  Her breath caught in her throat as Hank came to the table, looking handsome in his white shirt, maroon vest and black pants. She'd straighten the tie for him before he left. She sat at the table with him and was surprised when Hank took her hands in his. The frisson she felt when he met her from the train came back and her heart beat faster as he said a blessing over their food. Their hands remained entwined after they said "Amen" together and for the next few seconds, they each looked deeply into the eyes of the other.

  Maddie looked away first. "Please have some of these Hank. There's some maple syrup too from the box Rita made up for us. Can I freshen up your coffee? And we must try and find time for you to tell me your favorite foods so I can make them for you. I've been tired the last couple of nights but now I've made some progress with sorting things out in here, I won't rush off to bed so quickly. I'm sorry too, for sleeping so late yesterday and not making any food for you. It won't happen again."

  "It's alright Maddie. I admit I felt a little put out, but I understand you were very tired. I forgot how uncomfortable it can be to sleep sitting up in a train and you probably didn't sleep too much. Let's put it behind us."

  "Alright. Now I'm going to do the wash today, so if you toss out your things out for me, I'll do them for you." She became more animated. "And after the milk sits for a while, I'm going to try making some butter in your Gran's old churn with the cream this afternoon."

  "That would be wonderful, Maddie. Don't overdo it though. You seem to like farm life and I'm pleased. I want to thank you too, for bringing the cabin back to life. It means more to me than I can tell you." He took her hand again. "Gran would be proud of what you've done."

  "That's something else we could talk about perhaps... how your Gran used to like things outside... like flowers and the kitchen garden."

  His thumb was now moving on her hand and he did it as if it was the most natural thing in the world and she thought it was a shame he had to go to work. They were finally starting to tune in to each other. Reluctantly he prepared to leave for work, gratefully accepting the package of sandwiches she handed him as he left. Hank was happy, but his joy didn't last much past 10.00 am when a telegram came through from his father.

  Mother on way to Tipton stop wants you to sell farm to pay debts stop don't do it stop letter following stop

  That meant she'd be arriving any minute and he couldn't imagine anything worse. He wondered what debts his father was referring to and how his mother had the gall to expect him to sell the farm he loved more than anything in the world. Surely she wouldn't want to stay. She hated the cabin because it was so primitive and hadn't been back since she married and moved over to Laramie. Something was very wrong but hopefully the letter coming from his father would explain.

  Jim came in with the mailbag. "Morning Hank. I've brought more than the mailbag this morning. Your Mama is hard on my heels." Jim deposited the mailbag on the counter and beat a hasty retreat, raising his hat to Mrs. Shelby on his way out.

  The smile she flashed at Jim and then Hank, was sickly sweet and dripping with insincerity. "How are you Hank? And is your new wife fed up yet with living in a primitive cabin in the middle of nowhere?"

  "You have always made it quite clear mother, that you dislike Tipton. What's brought you over here that could possibly be better than your fine life in Laramie?" He knew he sounded a little sarcastic but since she'd made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him since he became a telegraph operator rather than a lawyer, he felt a little sarcasm was warranted.

  "I wanted to see if your new wife is ready to convince you to live here in town perhaps, in a house with modern conveniences."

  "I see. In that case, if you'd like to sit out the back while I do some work, I'd be happy to take you out there at lunch time. There's coffee here on the stove if you'd like to help yourself." He lifted up the hinged section of the front counter to allow her to pass through and she moved gingerly through the ope
ning, so as not to soil her person by entering the working area of a place of trade.

  "Folks here depend on me you see mother, to keep in touch with family and business interests back east. The wire service makes it happen faster and you'd be surprised at some of the wires I send and receive... all highly confidential of course."

  "Hank, I really don't care. You should have become a lawyer like your father and had some standing in the community, but you've made it clear you don't care about what I want for you. And here you are, working in a grubby little telegraph office."

  "That's right mother and I'm happy doing it." He would not be goaded into an argument.

  "So I expect the cabin is about ready to fall down? Especially since you wouldn't know one end of a hammer from the other. If I know you, it would be falling down around your ears before you realized anything was amiss. Still, the land must be worth something."

  "I expect it is." He knew what she was trying to do. Undermine his confidence so he would cave in and do exactly what she wanted, just like his father always did.

  "You could sell it."

  "I could, but I won't. It's my home and I have fond memories of Gran and Grandpa who put their all into that place. No, I can't see myself selling it. In fact, it's the only place where I ever felt loved or wanted, even if I'm not a natural born farmer."

  "Well your wife might have other ideas. I suppose she's from back East?"

  "Yes, New York."

  She cut him off. "Well then, she'll be appalled at having to live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. I'd like to talk to her about it."

  "We'll see." He was tired of his mother's conversation already, particularly as it concerned his wife. Was he feeling protective of her? It surprised him to realize it was indeed so.

  ~#~#~#~

  Rita and Robin were happy to loan Hank their buggy to transport Mrs. Shelby for a visit to his farm. They knew things were awry between Hank and his family and were curious as to why someone who held Tipton and Hank's farm in such disdain, would bother making a visit. They assumed she wanted to check out Maddie and they weren't too far from the truth.

  "Well nothing has changed in twenty odd years Hank. I still can't see why you like it out here."

  "It's a beautiful place mother, especially in spring. Can't you smell how fresh the air is?"

  She turned her nose up.

  "And it's peaceful too, almost as if it's God's own back garden."

  "Look at that cabin. It hasn't changed in twenty years either. Looks like your wife has had a wash day. A servant should be doing that."

  Hank just smiled. "She works hard to make our home a place I love to come home to."

  The sight of sheets flapping in the breeze was homely and after he'd parked the buggy around the back, smelled the aroma of fresh baked bread as he escorted his mother through the back door.

  Maddie was wearing her work dress and apron, sleeves rolled up from doing the wash. She'd not expected Hank to be home for lunch or to have a grand looking lady with him.

  "I'd like to introduce you to my mother, Maddie. This is Mrs. Shelby."

  Maddie held out her hand. "Pleased to meet you Mrs. Shelby. I understand you grew up here?"

  Hank's mother ignored Maddie's hand, held out in welcome as it was. "Well I see nothing has changed around here. This dirt floor is disgusting don't you think? And no room for doing the washing and ironing... you must find it primitive after New York."

  "Please sit down Mrs. Shelby and I'll make you some tea. Have you eaten Hank? There's fresh bread and butter if you'd like some."

  "It smells great Maddie. Yes please and I can eat the other lunch you made me later this afternoon. Some pickles and cheese or jam would be perfect to go with it."

  Maddie made a pot of tea in her own china teapot and set out her china, hoping it would please Hank's mother. She sliced the bread which was still warm and placed everything on the table ready for an impromptu lunch.

  "I'll just take a little butter on mine thank you," said Mrs. Shelby sitting back ready to be waited on.

  Maddie handed her a plate with a slice of bread on it and smiled sweetly. She had the measure of this woman. "I'm sure you would prefer to apply the butter yourself so it is done to your liking." There was no hint of a thank you. Maddie took Hank's hand. "Would you bless the meal Hank."

  "Oh surely not. It's only bread and butter."

  Hank cut her off before she could say anything else. "Thank you Lord for providing us with this food which is beautiful in its simplicity." He said Amen together with Maddie before diving in to the fresh bread. "This is really good Maddie, even better than Gran used to make."

  "Thank you Hank. It was a pleasure to make it."

  "So wouldn't you prefer Hank to sell this farm and move into town Maddie? ... into a house that had modern conveniences? Surely this place must seem like a hovel after living in New York."

  Maddie chose her words carefully. "Mrs. Shelby, I love the home my husband has brought me to and as time goes by, we'll no doubt make a few improvements as God sees fit to allow. I feel privileged to live on such a beautiful farm in country that is surely like paradise. Hank and I will follow our dreams here as his grandparents did before him. You wouldn't dream of selling would you Hank?"

  "No, you've got the right of it Maddie."

  "I believe you can take me back to town now Hank."

  "There's no rush is there Hank?" asked Maddie. "Finish your lunch in your own good time. There's no sense in giving yourself indigestion."

  Hank smiled at his wife with open admiration. No-one ever stood up to his mother and Maddie had done it without being rude.

  As Hank drove his mother back to town though, he had a feeling that the elder Mrs. Shelby wasn't finished with them yet.

  ~#~#~#~

  Chapter Eight

  "I do wish you'd think about it Hank. You don't need to do what that woman tells you. You're like your father and don't know how to stand up for yourself. The only woman you need to listen to is me."

  Hank ignored her, insulted that she belittled his wife. "But surely the farm is mine to do with as I see fit. Why you'd want me to sell is beyond me. I don't need a whole mess of money."

  "You mightn't Hank, but your father and I might."

  "How so?"

  "Your father in his usual inept fashion has lost our money in some bad investments and we need cash. That's not too difficult for you to understand is it?"

  "No." Hank wondered what was going on but decided to wait for his father's letter before making any decisions.

  "Surely you'd not see your own mother turned out of her own house now, would you? After all we've done for you, giving you the best money could buy."

  "You know I never wanted that and was always happier at Gran's. It's always been about what you wanted mother, not me or dad. Seems to me this situation is the same."

  "That's not it at all," she argued. "It's about doing the right thing by your mother. You owe it to me."

  Hank deposited her at the railway station ready for the ride back to Laramie. "Goodbye mother."

  She didn't speak to him and turned her back, walking into the station with her head in the air.

  Hank was disconcerted by his mother's behavior, as always, and for the thousandth time wished he had the internal fortitude to stand up to her once and for all. She was right when she said he was like his father. He preferred to keep the peace rather than descend into an unseemly argument. There was more at stake this time though. The farm was his and he loved it. There was no way he could sell it, especially when his new wife seemed to love it as well.

  His father would have to deal with his mother, just as he would look to the needs of his new wife. That's where his responsibility lay now. His parents were welcome to sell up and move to Tipton, build a modest house on the farm if necessary and his father could set up his practice here too. That was what he would tell his father. That was what he would talk over with Maddie, who could of course, have an even be
tter idea.

  Hank returned the horse and buggy to Robin's barn, giving the horse a brush down and some water. When he went inside, there were a few people waiting out front so he went to let them in.

  "Marriage agrees with you Hank, going home to your wife for lunch. She must be a good cook," commented the Sheriff.

  "She is. Makes the best bread I ever ate. Now you folks will be wanting your mail." He worked away handing out the letters and small parcels that had come in this morning and when he was done, sat to think on his parent's financial problems. His father's letter would likely come tomorrow so he'd have a better idea of what was going on. He knew for a fact his father was not an investor, never had been, so there was something else causing the money problems.

  His thoughts turned to his wife. This morning and then again at lunch he was sure she really liked him, especially when she helped him out with his mother. She was beautiful in the best kind of way, unlike his mother. Maddie's beauty came from within as well as without and he felt himself warming inside as he thought of her smile and how his heart had thumped in his chest when he held her hand. Could it be possible he felt affection for her? He knew he felt protective of her but didn't understand why.

  In the end, it was best left to God to sort it out. God would let him know if and when he was going to be lucky enough to fall in love with his wife.

  ~#~#~#~

  Mrs. Shelby alighted from the train in Laramie and marched promptly to her husband's law office. It was not a place she often deigned to visit but felt obliged to report to her husband right away that their son was not going to sell the farm in Tipton.