The door of the school opened again, and his bride began to walk slowly toward him. She didn’t hold a bouquet of flowers, which disappointed him until he realized there would have been no way for her to get her hands on flowers, unless he’d ordered them. She’d been traveling for ten days. How could she have even thought of such a thing?
When Merry reached him, he smiled at her, taking her hand and tucking it into his arm. Pastor Bart nodded for everyone to quiet down. “Dearly beloved…”
The familiar words of the wedding ceremony made Merry more nervous than she already was. She quivered visibly, and then was ashamed of herself. Poor Clyde. What must he think of her?
When the pastor said, “You may kiss the bride,” Merry turned to Clyde, peering up at him through her eyelashes. He was a stranger to her, and she was married to him. He was about to kiss her for the first time, and she wasn’t sure she was ready. Of course, that wouldn’t matter at all. She had to do her duty and kiss her new husband—for herself and for the children she’d agreed to care for.
She raised her lips, and closed her eyes as Clyde lowered his head, his lips brushing hers softly. He didn’t take advantage of the kiss, instead stopping with just that soft touch. She sighed with relief. She wanted her first real kiss to be without people watching her.
They walked together to the back of the school, where the children were, and Clyde got down on one knee so he could talk to them. “I’m going to do everything I can to give you the best upbringing I know how.”
Joey hit him on the head with his new toy train, garbling unintelligibly, while Adelaide stared at him with wide eyes. “Auntie Merry said you would be our Uncle Clyde,” she said very seriously, her words enunciated perfectly.
“I’m going to be your uncle. I’m going to be the best uncle anyone ever had. I will take care of you.”
“All right.” Adelaide nodded, putting her free hand in his. Her other arm still clutched the doll she carried.
Clyde looked at Merry. “I have the sleigh loaded. Let’s head home. I’ll introduce you to everyone after services on Sunday.”
Merry nodded, her eyes as serious as her niece’s. “That sounds good to me.”
He frowned as Charlie walked outside with them. He didn’t want her staying with them. He knew it was irrational and unreasonable. Merry would have had a very hard time making it all the way to Montana with two small children with no help. But they were his now, and they didn’t need Charlie any longer.
He led Merry out to the sleigh, still keeping Adelaide’s hand in his. When they reached the sleigh, he lifted up the little girl, and then offered his hand to her aunt. “I’m glad you came all this way to marry me. I can tell you’re going to make me very happy.”
“I hope so.” Merry sat down, sliding to the middle of the seat and pulling Adelaide onto her lap. Charlie handed little Joey to her and she snuggled him close. “We get to see our new home. Aren’t you glad?”
Joey was tired, and his eyes looked sunken to her. He’d lost a little weight since his mother had died, but she hoped he’d put it right back on. She worried about both of the children, because people around her always seemed to die. Sure, it was always in an accident, but maybe she was somehow causing it.
Charlie climbed in beside her, tucking the edge of the lap robe under her, and immediately taking Adelaide to hold on the way home.
Clyde slid into the seat on her other side, and he raised a hand in a wave to the people standing outside the school watching them. Mistletoe had been his home since he was a very young man, and he was happy to have the people he cared about surrounding him on such a special occasion.
Merry fought to keep her eyes open for the twenty-minute drive out to the ranch. She knew she should be making conversation, but she was so tired. There had been very little sleeping done on that train, stopping so often along the way.
Clyde started to ask Merry a question, but just as he looked at her, her eyes closed, and her head fell over to rest against his shoulder. Charlie didn’t look quite as tired as his bride, but all four of the travelers looked like they’d been through a lot. He’d let his bride sleep until they reached the ranch. There was time enough for talking. They had their whole lives ahead of them, after all.
When he pulled into the yard of the house, he took the baby from her, and saw that he’d fallen asleep clutching the toy train. He climbed out carefully, realizing he should have left the babe with her, but he was unwilling to admit defeat. “Merry, we’re home. It’s time to wake up.”
Merry woke with a start, staring at the huge house in front of her. She’d expected a small home, like she’d shared with her sister and brother-in-law, but this house was big! It wasn’t nearly as large as Elizabeth Miller’s, of course, but it was the perfect size for a growing family.
She got out of the sleigh and took Adelaide from Charlie, who was staring at the house herself.
Clyde watched his bride as she got her first look at the house he’d built for her, and smiled at her look of astonishment. He wanted to brag to her that he’d done it all with no mortgage, but he knew it wasn’t the time. Every stick and rock and brick was his, though, and he was mighty proud of that fact.
He led them into the house, still carrying the baby, and opened the front door. It opened into a nice large room that was a combination living and dining area. There was a wall, and the kitchen was on the other side. He was quite proud of the kitchen, knowing it would make any housewife happy.
“May I show you around?” he asked softly.
“Yes, please.”
Clyde gave the baby to Charlie, and took Adelaide from Merry’s arms, setting her onto the floor. He then took Merry’s hand and led her into the kitchen, showing her the nice stove and the sink with a pump for water. “You won’t have to carry water into the house. You can pump it right at the sink.”
Merry smiled. “I see that.” She hoped there wouldn’t be a lot of cooking for her to do, but she didn’t feel like she could immediately ask about the woman he’d said he’d hire for cooking and cleaning.
He opened the pantry to show her how well the food storage had been delineated. “I have food in the sleigh that I’ll bring in. I just want to show you around first.”
“Thank you. This house looks like a wonderful place to raise the children.” Her eyes fell on the ice box in one corner of the room. She’d seen them, of course, but her family had never been wealthy enough to own one.
He looked at her with a smile. “I hope to raise the two we already have and lots more here.” He caught her hand and pulled her toward him. “I want to kiss you again, without all of Mistletoe, Montana watching us.”
Merry was nervous, but she nodded. “Of course. You’re my husband.”
He grinned at that, his finger tracing her lips. “I guess I am. I’m going to keep you.”
She shook her head. “You don’t need to tell me that. Marrying me was enough.”
He lowered his head slowly, his lips brushing hers softly, and then his hands came to her waist, pulling her against him. She could feel his strength through his suit, and she felt more than a little overwhelmed by the sheer size of him. “You make me feel like I’m tiny.”
He laughed softly. “You are tiny compared to me.” Lowering his head again, he kissed her, the kiss deeper this time, and when he lifted his head, he could see that her eyes were not as focused. “I know you’ve had it rough, but from here on out, your life is going to be much better.”
She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.” She hoped he was right.
Chapter Four
When Merry saw the bathroom, she let out a little squeal and clapped her hands. She’d lived her whole life without one, but a few weeks in Elizabeth’s home had gotten her to where she wanted to have the luxury of an indoor bathroom forever. “I can’t believe you have a bathroom!”
He grinned, watching her. “I built this house knowing that one day I’d bring my bride here. I wanted that bride
to have everything she could possibly want or need. That included a bathroom.”
“I love it!”
“I’m glad.” He took her hand and headed for the stairway. “The bedrooms are up here. I chose one for each of the kids and tried to make them feel at home there.” He opened the first door at the top of the stairs. “This is our room.” He’d paid a neighbor woman to come in and do a thorough cleaning the day before, so he knew it would be clean enough for any woman.
She looked at the big bed in the middle of the room, swallowing hard. “I’m not sure if I’ll be ready to share a bed tonight.”
He shrugged. “I want to share the bed and the room, even if we don’t make love. I don’t want Charlie thinking anything.”
“Charlie? What do her thoughts matter?”
He frowned. “I just want her to think our marriage is a normal one.”
“She knows we met today, and I came here as a mail order bride.”
“I know. I just don’t want her to know if we don’t make love.”
Merry studied him for a moment before agreeing. “That’s fine. I won’t say a word.”
“Good.” He pulled her down the hall a little to the next room. It had a crib against one wall and there were blocks on the floor. It looked ready to be played in. Merry knew it would look just perfect once she put Joseph's blanket into the crib. His mother had made it for him, and it had only been saved from the fire, because he’d been wrapped in it when Merry had carried him out.
“The room is lovely. Thank you for getting him a crib.”
“Of course. He’s mine now too.” He closed the door and walked to the next room.
She smiled when she looked into it. There was a small bed with ruffles on the cover. Several stuffed animals were lying on the bed, ready for their new little girl to arrive. “Addy will love this.”
“Addy? Do you call her Addy?”
Merry nodded. “I go back and forth. I call her Adelaide half the time, and Addy the other half. The same with Joey.”
“Do you mind if I do the same?”
She shook her head. “No, of course not.”
He led her to the last bedroom. “I guess for now, this will be Charlie’s room.”
It was sparsely furnished, but knowing that she’d had to share her room with three sisters at home, Merry knew her friend would like it. There was one more door, and she looked at it for a moment. “What’s there?”
“It’s been empty, and I always figured I’d use it for something. When you told me about your business, I did what I could to make it a room for you.” He opened the door and watched her face, hoping he’d done well. He’d stayed up late into the night since he’d gotten her letter, hoping to make it just perfect.
Merry stepped into the room, tears filling her eyes. “It’s perfect!” There were two tables that she could use as work tables, each with a chair. The walls were covered with shelves, but not just any shelves, they were almost like little printer’s drawers turned sideways. The shelves had little holes where the ornaments could easily be stored, so she could build up an inventory, something she’d never had time to do.
“I didn’t know what kind of paint you’d want, so I didn’t get any of that.” His hands were in his pockets, and he looked a bit nervous about her reaction to the room.
She turned to him, rushing at him and throwing her arms around him. “Thank you so much! No one has ever done anything this kind for me before.” She sniffled, rubbing a tear away.
“I’m glad you like it. I’m sorry about the paint.”
“I brought my own paint. I’ll have to order the kind I like. You did a perfect job!”
“I feel bad that I didn’t have a tree set up when you got here, but we’ll pick one out together. Did you bring ornaments to put on it, or will you make them as we go?” he asked. He loved Christmas, because to him it was a symbol of all that was right with the world. His sweet little bride being an ornament maker filled him with pride.
She shook her head. “I don’t have any ornaments at all.”
He frowned at that. “I guess that’s like the cobbler’s kids going without shoes. You should make one ornament for each of us every year, so we all have something special every Christmas.”
Obviously he loved the idea of them each having an ornament, and he’d already done more for her than she’d imagined he would, so she nodded slowly. “Sure. I can do that.”
“This is going to be the best Christmas ever!”
Merry smiled. “I’ll do my best to make it perfect for you.” She hoped he would get so caught up in his love of the holiday that he didn’t notice her feelings about it at all.
When they joined the others downstairs, Charlie was sitting on the sofa holding baby Joey, who was sound asleep. Adelaide was lying on her side with her head on Charlie’s lap. “I didn’t know if I should let them sleep or keep them awake so they’ll sleep tonight.”
Merry shook her head. “We’re all so exhausted. Just let them sleep if they can now. It might take me a week or two to get them back into a regular routine, but they need sleep. I don’t think it’ll even disturb their rest tonight with as little as they’ve gotten in the past week.” She turned to Clyde. “We haven’t eaten since lunchtime, and it’s after six. I hope you have some magic food that doesn’t take long to cook.”
“I didn’t think about supper!” He sighed. “I was so busy showing my new bride the house that I forgot about the children needing to eat. Let me go get the supplies in.” He hurried to the door, pulling on his coat and hat, before rushing out to the sleigh.
Merry smiled at Charlie. “Thanks for staying to help with the children. I’m not sure if I’m ready to be their full-time care taker. I’ve had people helping except for the two days after their parents died.”
“I’ll stay as long as you need me. Although…” Charlie broke off, biting her lip.
“Although what? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think Clyde likes me very much.”
“Don’t be silly. Clyde likes everyone from what I can see. He’s already got beds and toys for the children. Oh, and there’s a nice spare room for you, and he made me a workroom! It’s got everything we need.”
Charlie smiled, nodding. “I’m sure you’re right. I’m glad you’re happy with the house.”
“So happy. I’m going to like it here.”
“Of course you will. My sister always gets the matches just right.”
Merry smiled. “She’s a bit of a genius when it comes to finding the right man for a woman.”
Clyde came in with the supplies then, carrying them into the kitchen and putting them on the counter. “I’ll let you put things where you want them.”
Merry hurried into the kitchen, digging through the box. “Would you be all right with pancakes and bacon for supper? It’s a fast easy meal, and we can get the children to bed at a decent hour.”
He nodded. “Sounds good to me. I’ll get the rest of your things in and unhitch the team. I should have done that already. I guess having a new wife distracts me too much.”
“Does that mean you want me to go?” Merry asked with a smile.
“I wouldn’t let you if you tried!”
*****
An hour later, the children had been fed, tucked in, and Merry was ready to go up to bed. It was dark out, and she was exhausted, having not slept well on the train even once.
Charlie helped her with the dishes, and when they were finished whispered, “I’ll listen for the children tonight. I don’t want you to worry about them at all.”
“I’ll do my best!” Merry responded, hugging her friend. “I was nervous about bringing a member of the demon horde with me, but you’ve made this trip so much easier for me. Thank you.”
Charlie hugged her back. “I told you I’m not the same girl you knew in school.”
“Goodnight. And thank you for all your help.”
“I’m here for as long as you need me.”
“I ap
preciate that.” Merry turned toward the stairs. “Have you seen your room yet?”
Charlie shook her head. “I didn’t know if I should ask.”
“Of course you should! You need to know where you’ll sleep. Come on. I’ll show you, and then I’m going to bed.”
A short while later, Merry hurriedly changed into her nightgown and slid between the covers. Clyde had told her he’d give her ten minutes before coming in to bed. She lay there, waiting nervously for him. He’d never said for certain whether or not he was granting her the time she wanted to get used to him before they made love. He’d made her feel like he probably would, but she wasn’t certain.
Everything was so uncertain now. She thought she was glad to have made the journey across the prairie to him, but it was hard to know for certain just yet. He’d been great, but there was no telling what a man was really like until you’d lived with him. She’d never forget the talk Elizabeth had with her about getting away if he was unkind to her. She wouldn’t stay in a situation like that, and she certainly wouldn’t allow the children to stay.
She turned to her side, facing the center of the bed, wishing he’d hurry. She was getting more nervous by the moment.
Finally, the door opened, and she heard Clyde undressing in the dark. “Are you still awake?” he asked softly.
For a moment, she thought about feigning sleep, but then she answered. “Yes, I’m awake.”
He slid into the bed beside her, pulling her close. “I’m not going to ask you to do anything tonight, but I’d like it if I could hold you while I sleep.”
“Like Addy holds her dolls?” she asked, amused.
“Did she like the doll I got her?” he asked.
“I’m sure she did. She lost all her toys in the fire, so I’m sure she’s grateful for anything.”
Clyde stroked his hand over her hair. “How long ago was the fire?”
She sighed. “November. I’d already decided not to respond to your letter when the fire happened.”
He pulled away a bit, trying to see her face in the darkness. “Why weren’t you going to respond?”
She shrugged. “I wanted to. I had lunch with Elizabeth the day she got the letter, and she told me it had been written for me.” She was quiet for a moment, struggling to find the right words to explain how she’d felt. “My parents died when I was sixteen. My sister was newly married, but she and her husband didn’t hesitate to invite me to live with them in the tiny little house they had. I helped my sister with the children, and I helped with expenses with my business. I didn’t feel like I could leave right then.”
Mail Order Merry (Brides of Beckham Book 19) Page 3
