The Brides of Chance Collection

by Kelly Eileen Hake,Cathy Marie Hake,Tracey V. Bateman

  “Yes, ma’am.” Daisy’s heart softened toward the old woman. She’s a good woman and teaches Jamie useful thangs, too. Truth of the matter is, Jamie’s gettin’ bigger, but no better at carin’ for hisself. I need more holp with him, and having Hattie and Miz Willow around puts me more at ease on account of them bein’ healers. The wood floor is nice for Jamie, too. We cain have a good life here.

  “Now that we’ve got that settled, I’m going to put a fly in the ointment.” Miz Willow’s rocker began to creak rhythmically. “Seems to me yore overlooking Bryce. He’s dead set on marryin’ you. You’ve encouraged his courtin’. How cain you be so set on rebuildin’ in Hawk’s Fall iff ’n yore givin’ any thought to marryin’ agin?”

  “It’s early stages yet.” Daisy bristled. “I cain’t see into the future, and I got to be ready.”

  “Say you two do marry up. His ranch is out in Californy. Have you given any thought to movin’ out there?”

  “I’d be lyin’ iff ’n I tole you the thought hadn’t crossed my mind,” Daisy admitted.

  I cain’t imagine leavin’ these hills. My whole life’s fit into the valleys and peaks. The cricks and crags of this land hold memories and reminders. A woman follows her man— that’s why I left Salt Lick for Hawk’s Fall. But it’s only half-a-day’s ride. Californy’s clear cross the country.

  “Are you willin’ to pack up Jamie and leave?” Miz Willow prodded further. “Otherwise, you should tell Bryce now.”

  “Iff ’n he offers for my hand, and I accept, it’ll be with the intention of going where he leads.” Daisy spoke the words aloud for the first time. “Even if it is all the way to Californy.”

  “Good.” Miz Willow stopped rocking to lean forward. “Lovejoy writes that it’s a fine place. You’ll have four sisters-in-law and lots of nieces and nephews for Jamie to play with. Weather over there’ll be easier on him, too. Logan’s sitting pretty from his share of the ranch, and Bryce’ll be jist as well off. The Chance men are good workers. He’ll take care of you and Jamie so’s you needn’t fret no more.”

  “That ain’t any type of reason to enter into marriage. I don’t aim to wed Bryce so’s he’ll put a roof o’er my head,” Daisy denied firmly. Iff ’n we wed, it’ll be for love—’cuz we don’t want to part. We’ll become a family together—not a burden Bryce has to work to maintain.

  “Jamie’s my responsibility. I cain’t rely on Bryce to provide for us.”

  Chapter 21

  Bryce froze at the certainty in Daisy’s tone. He’d just left Jamie in the barn to towel off some of the dried mud from Nosey’s fur, meaning to ask the women if they needed him to get anything from the smokehouse for supper.

  “I cain’t rely on Bryce to provide for us.” The words knocked the air from his chest, and he exhaled sharply. Bryce stepped away from the cabin, unwilling to hear any more.

  Jesus, help me! No matter how I twist the words, I can’t make anything good out of them. She said outright that she can’t rely on me to provide for her and Jamie. How can she think I won’t provide for them? She knows about Chance Ranch. Daisy’s seen me build rooms, barns, wagons. She has to know I’m more than capable of taking care of my own. There’s only one thing those words can mean. I’ve done everything I can think of to show her that I’ll take good care of her and her son. What more can I do?

  Bryce trudged through the snow until trickles of water ran into his boots. He stopped pacing and shook his head to clear his thoughts.

  Can it be money? Does Daisy think I’m destitute? I sleep in the barn because this isn’t my home. I haven’t showered her with courting gifts because I didn’t want to raise her hackles. She hates thinking she’s charity, and I wouldn’t make her feel low for the world. So how do I tell Daisy I’m more than solvent? It’s not exactly the type of thing you mention in conversation.

  Bryce began pacing again.

  Words won’t do it. If I’m going to show her I am a good provider, I’ll have to think of something else. I’ll go to Louisville with Logan this last time before Christmas and buy up anything and everything I think she and Jamie would want. If she doesn’t think of it as charity but as tokens of affection, it won’t affront her. I’ll prove that I’m financially stable.

  Having determined a course of action, Bryce stomped back to the barn, shaking snow off his boots.

  Lord, thank You for letting me overhear Daisy’s concerns. Now that I know she’s worried about finances, I can put those fears to rest. I don’t know how she got the idea that Chance Ranch isn’t prosperous and I might not be able to provide for her and Jamie, but it’s a mistake I can set right. When I’m done, she won’t have a doubt in her mind that I will be a good provider for our family.

  “Good thing the snow’s light today,” Daisy observed, trudging through the slush with Hattie.

  “Otis Nye’s place ain’t far, but we couldn’t make it the past few days on account of the snowstorm. His rheumatiz acts up somethin’ dreadful in the cold. He’ll be needin’ more devil’s claw tea.” Hattie pulled her cloak tight against the frosty air, and Daisy followed suit.

  “That cloak shore do look nice on you, Daisy.” Her motion must’ve drawn Hattie’s eye. “ ’Twas good of Bryce to think of it.”

  “I never felt wool so soft.” Daisy stroked the fawn-colored fabric. “It don’t set right the way Bryce done give me this cloak and Jamie his scarf and gloves, while I ain’t done nothin’ in return.”

  “Don’t be a goose, Daisy,” Hattie harrumphed. “They’s courtin’ gifts. Fine choices, too.”

  “Bryce is good about findin’ out our needs and fillin’ ’em,” Daisy had to admit. “It shore is nice to have a man pay me mind like that.”

  “Well, you pay attention right back. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how many apple pies and such you’ve been bakin’, Daisy Thales!”

  “Cookin’s the only thang I cain do right now to repay his kindness. Courtin’s betwixt two people, and I ain’t ’bout to let him do all the givin’.”

  “We all know you ain’t like that, Daisy.” Hattie shot her a disgruntled look. “That winter coat you sewed for Bryce is dreadful fine.”

  “I ain’t quite finished with the linin’.” Daisy wanted the gift to be perfect. “It’ll be ready for Christmas.”

  “I cain’t believe he’s made it through all this time with jist that one light coat.” Hattie shook her head in wonder. “Mayhap ’tisn’t my place to go runnin’ my mouth, but Bryce shorely has gone outta his way to court you.”

  “I don’t think there’s any way left for him to show me how serious he is.” Daisy paused. “Makes me feel…” Beholden. She pushed away the negative thought. Bryce made her feel so much more than that. Wanted. Taken care of. “Special.”

  “I hope so. A man don’t stay through one of these winters sleeping in the barn unless he’s dead set on gettin’ his woman,” Hattie observed. “Good reminder that money ain’t ev’rything. It’s God who provides for us in ev’ry way.” She shook her head. “I cain’t believe Bryce thought to buy you a cloak and plumb fergot to get one for hisself. Shows ’zactly where his mind is.”

  Yes. His mind is set on me and Jamie, and my heart’s yearning for Bryce to return. He’s been gone to Louisville less’n a week, and I miss him. When he gets home, I know this’ll be a Christmas to remember.

  “You think this’ll fit her?” Bryce held up a green-striped wool dress.

  “I dunno.” Logan eyed him thoughtfully. “Put it up against yourself so I can see if it’ll be too long or not. Daisy’s a lot shorter’n you are.”

  Bryce gave a resigned sigh and held the ruffled collar under his chin. The end of the dress barely brushed his knees. “What’s the verdict?”

  Logan couldn’t keep a straight face. “Makes you look almost dainty!” He let loose a few hearty guffaws.

  Bryce rolled his eyes and handed the dress to the shopkeeper, along with Hattie’s measurements of Daisy. “Will this fit?”

  The man took ou
t a measuring tape and busily checked the length and other dimensions. “Like a glove.”

  “Wrap it up,” Bryce ordered. “Wait a minute. Do you have gloves?” He ignored Logan’s loud groan as he surveyed a selection of ladies’ hand wear, picking out a daytime pair of blinding white cotton before a heavy winter pair of black wool.

  He laid the gloves in his palm, remembering the feel of Daisy’s hand in his, so tiny and delicate. “These’ll do.” He passed them to the clerk.

  “Is there something else you’re looking for, sir?”

  “What would you suggest in the way of robes?” Bryce had thought long and hard before figuring out what to get for Hattie and Miz Willow.

  “A robe?” Logan echoed. “Don’t you think you’re going a little far, Bryce?”

  “Nope. I’m getting one each for Hattie, Miz Willow, and Daisy. Folks come knocking on their door at all hours of the night, so they need dressing gowns. If I get one for each of them, no one will be affronted.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Logan murmured enviously. He started prowling around the shop, looking with renewed interest at the wares lining the shelves.

  “These velvet dressing gowns are popular.” The young clerk led him over to a display. “Any color in particular?”

  “Purple for Miz Willow, pink for Hattie,” Bryce decided. He fingered a deep forest green robe with white flowers embroidered on the edges. “This one for Daisy.”

  “These, too.” Bryce pointed to a set of tortoiseshell hair combs lying in a case. Their gleaming brown color would make Daisy’s honey curls shine even brighter. I’ll give these to her as soon as we get back to Salt Lick Holler. The other things can wait a few days for Christmas.

  “Very good, sir.” The clerk’s smile grew broader with each item he rang up.

  Bryce eyed the growing pile, not yet satisfied. There must be something else I can think of to get her. I have to prove that I’ve got the wherewithal to care for her and her son. Too much is riding on this to let it be, but what am I forgetting?

  “If I might be so bold,” the clerk suggested, “we have a lovely selection of shawls to your left.”

  Bryce inched closer, picking out a cream-colored shawl whose delicate color and weave put him in mind of Daisy’s lace. “I’ll take this, too.”

  “An excellent choice.” The clerk carefully folded the shawl and laid it atop Bryce’s large pile of items.

  Almost. Is there anything she’d really like? Something special that wouldn’t do for any woman but just for Daisy?

  “Do you carry things for women’s toilettes?” Bryce knew he’d mispronounced the last word, but the shopkeeper nodded and showed him to the far corner. Bryce looked over the vanity sets, recalling how strongly Daisy felt that a woman should have a looking glass in her home. When he flipped over one of the handheld mirrors, he found a single daisy etched into the silver plating on the back. Perfect.

  “It belongs to a set, sir.” The clerk industriously laid out a matching brush, comb, and some other strange implement.

  “What’s this?” Bryce picked the thing up to scrutinize it.

  “A nail buffer. I’m certain your wife would like it.” The clerk lifted the silver buffer from its tray as he explained.

  “She’s not my wife,” Bryce corrected. “Yet.”

  Daisy slid another batch of cinnamon rolls into the oven before tending to her hair. She slipped the tresses from their nightly braid and combed through the entire mass before pinning back half of her hair and letting the rest fall free. For the finishing touch, she slid the beautiful tortoiseshell hair combs in place.

  “Jist right.” Miz Willow nodded her approval at Bryce’s homecoming gift.

  He’d taken her aside right after he and Logan got back to push a small bundle in her hands. “I missed you,” he’d whispered in a husky voice that made her heart sing.

  “I missed you, too.” Daisy had kissed him on the cheek before opening the bundle and finding the dainty hair combs. “You didn’t need to do this!”

  He’d laid her head on his shoulder, holding her close to his heart. “I wanted to.”

  So on Christmas morning, three days later, she wore them for the first time. Mistletoe and holly decorated the cabin in celebration of the Savior’s birth. Boughs crackled in the stove, sending the woodsy scent of pine to mingle with the cinnamon and yeast of the rolls. The cabin smelled of cherished memories and surprises yet to come.

  After a hearty breakfast, they got ready to leave for church.

  “Here, Daisy.” Bryce held out her cloak for her. “Beautiful.” He reached out to touch one of the combs, running his fingers through her hair.

  “They are.” Daisy smiled.

  “I didn’t mean the combs.” Bryce’s compliment made her heart thump faster as they made their way to the Christmas service.

  Chapter 22

  Heart full to bursting, Daisy sang the familiar Christmas hymns fervently. “Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant….”

  I feel joyful and triumphant. Today, long ago, Christ came into the world to save us all. Here and now, I’m surrounded by the people I love. What more could I want?

  They transitioned into her favorite carol. “Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright….”

  Everything is calm, soothed by love that makes the world shine bright. I’ve done it. Jamie and me got through the fire and hard times, and now I cain make shore he’s taken care of. I’ve got it all under control.

  The circuit preacher cleared his throat from the makeshift pulpit.

  “Today, on the birthday of our Savior, I’m planning to deviate from the normal Christmas service. Instead of reading the Gospel’s account of Christ’s birth, it’s on my heart to focus on what Jesus meant to accomplish by the mortal life He took on.”

  What? Well, I s’pose it’s all right. We cain read it together at home. I wonder what he’s drivin’ at?

  “We’re coming to the end of the year of our Lord 1874, and as another year has passed, I want each of you to think back on how you’ve spent your days. I’ll give you a moment to think on it.”

  Losing a house, working hard to care for Jamie, and finding a home and mayhap even true love. Daisy couldn’t help but be satisfied with her answer.

  “If you’re honest, you’ll realize you thought of a lot of things you’re proud of, and maybe a few you aren’t so proud of.” The preacher paused to let his words sink in. “Now don’t raise your hands. This isn’t between anybody but you and the Lord. How many of you thought of works you’d done?”

  Of course I did. Daisy shifted restlessly. Jamie and me’s been through a lot this year, and it’s taken a lot of work and determination to get through it.

  “How many of you thought about how you’d grown in your faith?” The preacher pressed on. “How you’ve been blessed in your walk with the Lord?”

  No. I reckon I’ve been a mite busy of late.

  “Have you been relying on yourselves and the things you do to get by, or have you put your faith in the providing hand of the Lord?”

  I’ve been working. Iff ’n it were jist me, I’d have the luxury of doin’ thangs different.

  “Well, today, on Christmas morn, I want to remind each and every person here why Christ came to earth. To save you and me and everyone who loves Him. No matter how busy we are, how much we do with the time we’re given on this earth, we can’t save ourselves.”

  A pang shot through Daisy’s chest.

  “We are saved through faith alone.” The preacher’s voice grew stronger. “Second Timothy 1:9 reminds us that Christ is He ‘who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.’ ” The preacher laid down his Bible and faced them.

  “We cannot take with us the things we work for here. We are saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the one and only way, truth, and life. Remember that as you go today. Put the Lord first and give Him your all.
He already did as much for each of us.”

  Conviction surged in Daisy’s breast. I ain’t been leaning on the Lord as much as I should, but I’ll remember to do better in the future. I ain’t even prayed about my feelings for Bryce! I’ve been trying to control my life when it ain’t my own. I gave it to Jesus long ago, and I need to do a better job of trusting Him with it.

  Lord, I’m sorry for turning away from You. I been caught up in works and pride instead of love and faith. Thank You for all the blessings You give me—Jamie and Bryce foremost among them. Lord, I’ve fallen for Bryce Chance. Iff ’n it be Yore will that he take me to wife, I’d be a happy woman. I leave it in Yore hands, and wait in faith for Yore will to be done. Amen.

  “Good sermon,” Bryce commented as they made their way back home for Christmas dinner.

  “Yes.” Daisy’s tone made him look at her. Consternation warred with relief as she spoke again. “Made me realize I been tryin’ too hard to control everything in me and Jamie’s lives instead of leanin’ on my Lord. Somethin’ that weren’t pleasant to see, but I needed to face it.”

  “Good.” Bryce smiled at her. “God made you a strong woman, Daisy, but He didn’t make you to go through life alone. He’s at your side every step of the way, even when you don’t let Him carry some of your burden for you.”

  “I know.” Her eyes shone with joy. “He sent you.”

  Bryce kissed her on the cheek. As his lips grazed her soft skin, he whispered a prayer of thanks.

  Lord, that’s the closest she’s come to admitting she returns my feelings. Please let today show her I’m an able provider and put her fears to rest. Thank You for working in her heart so she knows she doesn’t have to be strong alone.

  As they gathered around the table, Bryce read Luke 2, telling of the Savior’s birth: “ ‘And, lo, the angel of the Lord…said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ ”