by Natalie Dean
"What has you so happy?" the Doc asked.
"I'm getting married, Doc."
"Where did you find a woman?" the Doc asked, surprised this was the first he heard of it.
"I put an advertisement in the paper. I'm asking her to come out here. She's young and should be strong."
The Doc wanted to be pleased for his friend.
"Are you sure? You know my diagnosis," and as if on cue to remind John, he started to wheeze. His lungs were on fire as he tried to regain his breath.
"That's why I need a woman. It'll cost too much to hire help. And this is my dream. To have my own place, with a family on the horizon. It's almost real. All that's missing is a good woman. I'm sending for her, Doc. Today, I'm sending the telegram telling her to come now," John sounded so happy.
"But what do you know about her? Why not write to her some more?" was the Doc's suggestion.
"No, Doc, I know you mean well, but if as you say, time's not on my side, then I've gotta get things moving. I want a son who'll inherit this place. I want a family."
John stayed quiet. He didn't know how much time he had left although who knew how long they were meant for this world. He had come to America for a second chance. All those years working in the mines in England had taken their toll on his health. He needed some fresh air. He didn't expect anyone to understand. But it made sense to him. And John didn't need to explain himself to anyone.
Bannack was his home now. He wanted his life to mean something. Otherwise, he'd have kept prospecting, but he was putting down roots here. His new wife didn't need to know anything about his health.
"You promise Doc not to say anything. She's not to know," he said as they hitched their horses to the post outside the Western Union office.
"Not one word, I promise, John. I'm happy for you. I only hope she's a good one and not some gold-digger who will make your life a misery. You deserve a good woman, and I hope she's that."
But little did Doc know that the woman who would soon be on her way to Bannack was very well known to him.
***
"M'lady, there's a telegram," Alice said excitedly as she rushed into Cecilia's room. Cecilia's plan was to leave as soon as possible whether or not John proposed. She had to get out of here, and now that she could see that Alice was taken care of, they would both leave. Cecilia's hands shook as she ripped the envelope open.
Dear Miss Cecilia,
Please come to Bannack. I am wiring your fare with this telegram. We will marry when you arrive.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. John Aikens.
"Oh Alice, the good Lord has answered our prayers. We must plan to leave immediately after dinner. Will you arrange a cab for me, for about 9 am in the morning? Make sure he parks around the corner. We mustn't be found out. And then you must go to a hotel until you can leave for Wyoming. You mustn't come back here. Do you hear me? I fear you'll never leave the house if you do. They will make you pay for my leaving otherwise. I'll take a small bag. There is no point in being burdened with clothing that may not be of use to me in the country."
Cecilia hugged Alice. This was the end of both their lives in the city. Cecilia hoped she could get through the evening without any hitches. As Alice left, Cecilia prayed with gratitude. Things were working out for her. Her fiancé was joining them for dinner.
She could hear her father and fiancé laughing, and as she walked down the stairs, she paused. Cecilia didn't like the conspiratorial tone she heard as they spoke. While she couldn't hear their exact words, she had a sensation that something bad for her was to happen. All she prayed for was the chance to able to leave in the morning and that nothing would disrupt her plan.
As soon as she walked into the drawing room, Cecilia's heart sank. There was a minister talking to her father and Tobias. There were no formalities.
"Ah, here is the blushing bride now. Cecilia, we have a surprise. We are bringing the wedding forward. Tobias has business that requires him to go to Canada, and he doesn't wish to postpone your wedding. You will wed this evening after dinner."
Cecilia had to gather herself. If she refused, she'd be punished. She had to get out of here now. But if her father sensed any hesitation then he'd ensure she'd be kept under a watchful eye. Cecilia had to think on her feet.
"As you wish father. Please forgive my shock. If you could allow me some time to dress more appropriately. This dress isn't what I expected to wear for my wedding."
Her response seemed to suit the men, and her father waved his hand at her. She was dismissed.
"Jenkins, send Alice to my room. I need her help in preparing for my wedding," she said as he closed the doors behind her. He bowed as she ran up the stairs.
Cecilia's mind raced. Where was a respectable young woman to go at this time of night? She couldn't prevail upon her friends as her father would no doubt send Jenkins to find her.
"Dear Lord, I implore you to help me. Please, I'm so close to getting out of here. Can you in your infinite wisdom help me?"
She felt so guilty for praying every time she needed help. Alice rushed into her room.
"M'lady, what will you do?"
"Alice, is there any place I can go that will give me shelter? I need to leave here now, and you must come with me too."
"We can go to the orphanage where I grew up. They will shelter us but, M'lady…"
"What is it, Alice? We don't have much time," Cecilia was impatient.
"You will have to give them money for your sanctuary."
Cecilia felt relieved. Money, she had plenty of that. Her father would never think of the convent. As Jenkins busied himself with dinner, Cecilia and Alice snuck out of the house forever.
The next few days were spent traveling to Bannack, Montana. Now she was on the last leg of her journey. Alice had been a Godsend, and the nuns had taken care of them in their hour of need. It was only now that Cecilia could breathe. At every change of station, she kept looking over her shoulder. She was afraid she would be recognized but now sitting in the stage coach, Cecilia felt she was finally free. Alice had promised to wire John Aikens of her arrival.
John Aikens. Cecilia had given him little thought. He had been a means of escape. It was strange to think that she would be married soon to a man she never met. At the back of her mind, Cecilia's plan was to refuse to go through with the marriage. She would pay for his inconvenience and start the new life she wanted for herself. There was no way she would let a man control her again. But what if father shows up, he'll have the right to drag her back home. Cecilia would have to marry to stay in this new world. She hoped it was going to live up to her expectations.
Despite the heat and the dirt, Cecilia was the happiest she had been in a long while. She prayed that Moll and Alice were safe and out of harm's reach. The coach began to slow down. The shotgun rider yelled out that Bannack was next. Cecilia's heart began to race. She was about to meet John Aikens.
As the stage came into view, John patted down his hair. He held his hat in his hand and nervously wiped his boots spotless. He wanted to look presentable to his wife. So many of the men didn't bother bathing, but that wasn't John's way. Cecilia, as a maid in a big house, would expect men to be clean. He wanted to make a good impression. The Doc had offered to wait with him, but John was too nervous. Besides, this was his moment. He needed to greet his bride alone. They would make their way to the preacher and call on the Doc on their way there. John's heart was beating out of his chest, and he cleared his throat anxiously as the stage halted in front of him.
John stood back, to allow the passengers off. He looked past the stunning woman who was alighting from the carriage.
"Ma'am, is there anyone else?" he asked the woman. She looked behind and shook her head. She watched at how disappointed he looked. Cecilia saw how nervous he was. Was this her intended?
"Excuse me, I'm Miss Cecilia Sanders. I'm here to meet John Aikens," she said as John looked her up and down.
"Well, I'm… I mean, I'm John Aik
ens, Miss. Excuse me there must be some mistake. You cannot possibly be Cecilia. You look…" John didn't know what to say.
"Apologies for the subterfuge, Mr. Aikens. I am Miss Sanders. The master in my letters is my father. I have money, and I'm willing to learn how to look after a house."
John scratched his head. She looked so elegant and unused to domestic labor let alone any physical work. What good was she going to be, he wondered. His health wasn't good, and two delicate people couldn't run a ranch. He didn't know what to do.
"I'm sorry, Miss Sanders. I don't know what to do. I want to help you but …" John said. He was so conflicted. He had heard of women fleeing bad situations but a fancy lady from a fancy house, he wasn't sure how to process this.
There was something about John that warmed Cecilia's heart. She had mentioned having money, but he hadn’t paid much heed to that. He was showing concern about her ability to work the land which she thought was admirable. For the first time in her life, he didn't see her beauty and want to own it. Her beauty and delicate features were a disadvantage.
"Is there somewhere we could go and talk?" she asked. John looked like he needed some time.
"Yes, we'll go to Doc's house. I'm sorry, Miss Sanders, I was all set for us to marry. But I'm not so sure. It isn't you. The ranch requires a lot of physical work, and that's why I sent for a wife, to help me."
"I understand. But I am stronger than I look."
John took her bag, and they walked towards Doc's home. She was very attractive, but she was used to the finer things in life. John wasn't sure she would suit the life he was offering. Although he was surprised at her one little bag, it seemed to constitute the total of her possessions. Perhaps he should give her more credit he told himself as he knocked on Doc's door.
"Come in," the Doc called out, and Cecilia thought the voice sounded vaguely familiar. She didn't want to see someone she knew. Her father would find out. She dismissed the thought as John led her through to the surgery.
"Doc, this is …." But before John could finish the Doc said, "Cecilia, is that you?"
John's heart dropped. How did the Doc know this woman? The Doc was handsome, and there was no way John could marry a woman that Doc had been involved with. It must be some mistake, but John watched as Cecilia smiled and extended a hand to Doc.
"Hamish, it's been too long. Fancy running into each other here?" Cecilia said as she smiled back at John, but his horrified look made her take a step back.
"You know each other? How?" John stuttered. The Doc and Cecilia began to laugh.
"Oh, poor John, let me explain. Cecilia is my cousin. I haven't seen her in a long time. Our fathers were brothers but brutish men. I'm assuming that's why you're out this way, Cecilia, to escape Uncle's plans for you."
John felt relieved by the Doc's words. Now he could breathe.
"She's the woman I told you about, Doc but she's too much of a lady for these parts. I’m afraid this may not work."
It was Cecilia's turn to look despondent.
"Mr. Aikens, Hamish can tell you how feisty I am but if my father finds out my whereabouts he will force me back to the city. I cannot be a pawn in his plans. He cares not for me. Hamish, even poor Moll, hasn't escaped. Tell John I can be his wife. I have money."
"Our fathers are tyrants, John. That I can attest to. She is right if Uncle turns up and Cec isn't married, then he'll take her back. You know the scar on my back. Well, I can thank Miss Cecilia for that. She's strong. Don't let her looks fool you. Look, why don't we take Cec to the hotel. Mrs. Lavery will have a room, and we can meet for dinner and discuss it. I think you two need each other and nothing would please me more than my good friend and favorite cousin to be married and live here in Bannack."
That night it was resolved. John would marry Cecilia. They married the following day although John was hesitant about Cecilia's ability to work on the farm. Mrs. Lavery, the hotel owner, offered for her cook to teach Cecilia the basics of cooking. It seemed that Cecilia was a natural and with pride she served dinner to her husband.
"I'm not an educated man, Cecilia. I have worked hard all my life," John said as he looked across the table.
Cecilia sighed with relief. For the first time in her life, a man had seen through her beauty. It didn't matter here what she looked like, it was what she could do that mattered. John was kind. He had even slept in the barn on their wedding night, not wishing to push Cecilia into any situation which made her uncomfortable. To Cecilia, it meant he was more of a man than she had ever known. And despite knowing him only a few days, she felt love in her heart already for him. But something was bothering her. She could hear him coughing in fits, and it concerned her.
He didn't want her pity, and instead, she focused on making his cabin a home. Cecilia didn't need lessons on how to clean and John complimented her on her good work. Receiving praise for her effort in something so domestic, Cecilia felt her chest swell with pride. It certainly was a new world out here. She had only received compliments on her looks, but looks didn't do anything.
However, Cecilia didn't realize how much she needed his protection until three weeks later when a Pinkerton detective arrived looking for Cecilia at her father's behest. Cecilia was sweeping out the cabin, the smell of cornbread baking when she heard the sound of horses’ hooves. John was in the barn.
She rushed out expecting it to be her cousin, Doc but instead a stern looking gentleman dismounted.
"Are you Miss Cecilia Sanders?"
Cecilia nodded.
"Miss Sanders, I am Detective Tovey, and I am here to escort you back to your home. Please gather what you need."
The man's authoritativeness angered Cecilia. For the last few days, she had been treated with respect. Her husband and Doc talked to her as if she were their equal. There was no ordering or demanding.
"I'm not going back," Cecilia said as John came from the barn.
"What is it Cecilia?" he asked.
"This man expects me to pack up and go back to the city. I won't, John. This is my home now."
"Indeed, it is," the usually meek John said as he raised his shotgun at the detective. “You have a wasted visit here. This is my wife, and she is staying here with me. Her father has no claim on her."
But the detective was insistent, even offering John money to pretend the marriage hadn't taken place. Cecilia knew everyone had their price but not John, he was confident and self-assured as he spoke. The only malice was the way he held his gun, but his voice and demeanor were of a man who knew he was in the right. The detective left and Cecilia ran into his arms.
She had never felt so protected in her life. She mattered, as a person, not as a commodity.
It transpired that Jenkins had overheard the maids talking about Elsie from next door helping the young mistress to escape. Elsie had given up the details. William Sanders couldn't be bothered to come to get her. He had sent someone. For the first time, she felt valued as a woman. John had protected her.
She thanked the Lord for creating the circumstances that brought her here. Cecilia was home.
But her joy was short-lived when John died six weeks later. Cecilia was a widow.
Chapter Three
She was alone again. Her gentle husband had passed on. Not all the men treated women with respect, but Cecilia had developed into a strong, confident woman. The night of John's death, as Cecilia roamed their small holding, she found the fences had been knocked down.
"I know it's Palmer," she said to herself and rode back towards her cabin when shots were fired at her. As an inexperienced rider, Cecilia fell from her horse and could only watch as it galloped off. In the dwindling daylight, she wasn't sure where to hide. But she heard a man gasp, and then a horse galloping off.
She prayed that the Lord would keep her safe. John had wanted to teach her how to shoot, but Cecilia didn't think it was a skill she needed. Now she regretted not letting him teach her.
Cecilia looked around. Her horse was gone but was it safe fo
r to move from behind the rock she had found?
"Missy John, Missy John," she heard a man's voice. She was a sitting duck, and with nothing to protect her, there was no point in pretending she wasn't there.
"Who's there?" she asked.
"Missy John, are you hurt? I shot at the man, and he’s gone now." The voice was getting closer to her. Next thing Cecilia knew was that the Indian man was standing beside her. He had come from nowhere.
"Missy John, are you hurt?" he asked again, and Cecilia replied that she was unharmed but who was he?
"I will help you home. Mr. John very good to my father. He lets us live on the land when we are in Bannack. I am Johnny Eagle."
Johnny Eagle picked up Cecilia before she could reply. He was very strong and carried her home. She didn't say anything until they reached the cabin and the Doc was waiting for her.
"What happened? Is she hurt, Johnny?" the Doc came running to them.
"Hamish, I'm quite capable of talking for myself. Mr. Eagle has helped me. Someone shot at me. I think it must have just been a warning, if he wanted to kill me, he could have. Thank you," she said to Johnny.
"Hamish, do you think it's Palmer?" she asked, as she was thinking about what happened to her fences.
"Probably but you'll never be able to prove it. The Anderson place got burnt down last week. I hear they're moving on today with what they could salvage. They were lucky to get out alive," the Doc said.
"I'll go and talk to him," Cecilia said, "he can buy the place. What's the point in me staying on? I don't know what I'm doing. But I don't see why Palmer should get the land for free."
"Apparently, he had offered to buy the Andersons out, but they refused. Let me broker a deal. It ain't right that you should do it, Cecilia," the Doc was protective of his cousin. But he and Palmer didn't get along.
"No, Hamish. This is my battle. You mean well but I've no husband to protect me, and I need to learn how to sort these things out for myself." Cecilia was determined that life would run her way and she wasn't going to be dictated by a man. She had plans. Bannack was growing, and she had become very friendly with Mrs. Lavery. With more families moving into the town, it was starting to thrive. Decent folk needed a place to remind them of the finer things in life and Cecilia had plans to open a tea shop.
