by Kit Morgan
“I … well, it was an advertisement in the Oregonian. Cyrus brought it back with him from one of his trips west.”
“Do you still have the paper?”
“No,” Baxter said sadly. “But I remember the agency I sent my letter to was in St. Louis.”
“St. Louis?” Lula said in surprise. “Then what am I doing here? I’m from New York.”
“The larger organizations have offices in several cities around the country,” Penelope explained. “Sadie Cooke told me. They didn’t years ago – it’s something new.”
“So though my letter went to St. Louis, it could have been sent anywhere,” Baxter mused.
“And perhaps was,” Lula said. “Then who knows where my poor sisters are?” She turned in her chair to face him. “But I did find out that Effie came to Oregon too.”
“Lula, that’s wonderful,” Baxter said. “Then we have a better chance of finding her.” He hoped.
“Why don’t you write your father and ask?” Fina suggested.
Lula sighed heavily. “A good idea, if my stepmother doesn’t intercept it. She made it obvious she wanted us gone, though I still don’t understand why. And how could Papa have gone along with her?” Fresh tears came, and she put her face in her hands.
Baxter sat like a statue, not knowing what to do. He wanted to throttle his bride’s parents, but he also wanted an explanation as much as she did. Who does that sort of thing? Were they loco? He couldn’t imagine anyone in Clear Creek pulling such a stunt. He scooted his chair closer and put an arm around her. “Don’t worry, honey,” he said softly. “I’ll take care of it. We’ll find them.”
She met his gaze with tear-filled eyes. “Do you really think we can?”
He looked at his family, their expressions a mix of his own torn thoughts. “I know we can.” And suddenly, he did. His resources didn’t matter – if Lula was to be his bride, then this was now a family issue. One look at his father’s stalwart expression confirmed it. He gave the man a single nod. His family might be a little different, just as Clear Creek was, but they were also the nicest, most generous folks he’d ever known.
Baxter sighed and silently thanked the Lord for reminding him.
Chapter 10
“What have I done?” Lula said once she was alone again in her room. Not only had she embarrassed herself in front of Baxter’s family but now they knew the truth: she was a pauper, tossed out of her father’s house and sent off to marry because her parents didn’t think her or her sisters fit to keep.
What did Baxter think of her now? Would he still marry her knowing her situation? Though what made a woman become a mail-order bride in the first place, other than pure desperation? Women didn’t do this sort of thing because they wanted to. Well, at least she no longer had to worry about hiding the bad news – it was all out there now.
But did Baxter know that was all there was? The real story was bad enough, but what if he decided Fanny had other reasons for sending her and her sisters away – perhaps some even more horrible scandal? “Oh dear, what if …” She gasped. “What if he thinks I’ve been ruined?” She squeaked in alarm at the thought, quickly covered her mouth and went to the window. Most of Baxter’s family had dispersed earlier, but some were still milling around in front of the hotel below. What if they were thinking that very thing?
She couldn’t dwell on that right now – she had other things to worry about, like returning downstairs to rejoin Baxter and his parents. She’d only come up to get her lace shawl and her reticule. They were going to ride out to the Adams’ house so she could meet his younger sister Eleanora and see the place. She snatched up what she needed and hurried out the door.
Downstairs, Baxter was leaning on his crutches again. “Is your ankle hurting?” she asked.
“Not at the moment, but I’d like to keep it that way.”
She nodded, wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, and they went outside.
Baxter’s mother gasped at the sight of the shawl. “Is that French lace?”
Lula glanced at it. “Yes. My father brought one for each of my sisters and me from a trip from Paris.”
Baxter’s parents exchanged a quick look. “Did he leave on business often?” Mr. Adams asked.
“A few times a year,” Lula hoped the fancy accessory didn’t bring more attention than it already had. Sometimes she felt as if she had lost the business, not her father. She also felt as if she’d fallen a long, long way and had just reached the bottom. The question was, how would she ever climb back up?
“The wagon’s this way,” Baxter said, nodding toward the livery stable. They walked there, got situated in the vehicle (Lula and Baxter riding in the back), and Mr. Adams gave the horses a slap of the lines, and they headed out.
“Do you live far from town?” Lula asked, then remembered Sally had already told her where they lived. “I mean, does it take long to get there?” In New York everything was measured by city blocks – she had no experience with miles.
“Not long,” Baxter said. “It’s a shame Eleanora didn’t get to come, but we have a mare ready to foal and she won’t leave her.”
Lula’s jaw dropped. “You mean your sister stayed to help with the birth?”
“She’s done it before,” Mr. Adams said. “I told her she didn’t have to, but she insisted. Personally I don’t think Cookie’s going to foal until tomorrow or the day after.”
“But then, you never know,” Mrs. Adams added. “I think the real reason she wanted to stay home was to tidy the house before Lula saw it.”
It felt odd to have this woman speak her name, odder still that this lovely Englishwoman would be her mother-in-law – perhaps the only mother she would ever know from now on. As long as she and Baxter got married, that is. She really should ensure that was remedied before he had too much time to think about everything she’d told him. “Baxter …”
“Yeah?” he said with a smile. A good sign.
She glanced over her shoulder at his parents, then back to him. “Did you have a chance to speak with the preacher?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I did. Preacher Jo said he can marry us whenever we’re ready. It’s not like he has folks lining up to get hitched right now.”
She laughed at that. “When were you thinking?”
“To be honest, I’d have married you the day you got off the stage. Unfortunately …” He motioned toward his ankle. “… something got in the way. Besides, I think you were too tuckered out yesterday to think about getting wed.”
“I was. Thank you for being so considerate.”
Now it was his turn to laugh. “Of you or my ankle?”
“You know what I mean,” she said with a blush.
He smiled and sighed. “I should probably tell you that the house … well, it’ll be a tight fit compared to what you’re used to. I had no idea I was getting such a fine lady.”
She blushed again. “I had no idea I was getting such a big family.”
Mrs. Adams glanced over her shoulder. “And to think you haven’t met all of us yet.”
“I look forward to it,” Lula said. She returned her attention to Baxter. “I understand you have a brother away at school.”
“Ephraim, yes. He’ll be home next month.”
Lula fingered the fringe of her shawl. “An even tighter fit then.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll manage. We always do. Besides,” he said with a wink, “it’s nice and cozy.” He took her hand in both of his. “I’ll build us a house – one with plenty of room for us and our children.”
Lula wasn’t expecting that look of decisiveness in his eyes. Clearly he didn’t think she was ruined or that some similar scandal had befallen her. She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just that … you’re right, this isn’t what I’m used to. But that’s okay. This is my life now, and if we’re going to be married, then I need
to abide with you.”
“Well said,” Mrs. Adams commented from the wagon seat. “And when he builds you your house, my dear, make sure he puts in indoor plumbing.”
Mr. Adams coughed into his hand and scowled at his wife. Lula caught the exchange and looked at Baxter. He chuckled quietly, leaned toward her and whispered, “It’s been a battle between them for years. Ma wants it, but Pa doesn’t think we need it. I think the only reason he hasn’t done it, though, is because it gives them something to argue about.”
Lula giggled. “I see,” she whispered back. “But it’s good to know that they get along so well that they’ve nothing else to argue over.”
He gazed into her eyes. “It is good, isn’t it?” Then he quickly looked away, as if he felt guilty for saying it.
Of course – the difference between his parents and hers was rather glaring. “Don’t worry, I took no offense.”
“I’m sorry, Lula, I didn’t mean any. My parents have always been wonderful – good, honest, hard-working people. Just like everybody else in this town.”
She put her hand over his. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s comforting to be surrounded by good people.”
“People around here would never hurt you. You can count on it.”
Without warning, her lower lip began to tremble. “Oh dear, not again …”
Baxter reached into his trouser pocket, pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her.
She took it gratefully and wiped her eyes. “Thank you. Your family is so large, I can’t imagine what it would be like for you if they were ever ripped apart.”
“What happened to you was awful, Lula,” he said. “Be that as it may, you’ll have to forgive your stepmom and pa for what they did.”
She bit her lower lip. “I’m not ready to do that. And please don’t ask me to.”
He shifted to face her better. “Lula, I know you’re upset over what happened to you and your sisters and cousins. I can only pray all of you will forgive your parents in time. Maybe I want you to forgive them for selfish reasons, but it has to be done.”
“What? How would that be selfish?”
“Because I don’t want anything between us going into this marriage. And unforgiveness can wreck havoc on folks. I’ve seen it before.”
She hadn’t thought of that. “I see. But I can’t do it right now. I’m sorry.”
He reached up and wiped a tear away with one of his fingers. “You’re so beautiful,”
She hadn’t expected him to say that, and her belly warmed at his words. She swallowed hard, her gaze locked with his. Should she say something? But what could she say?
He reluctantly brought his hand down and let his eyes roam her face. She studied him in return, felt the intimacy of the exchange and smiled. “Feeling better?” he asked.
She closed her eyes and nodded. She did feel better – a lot better. It was nice being able to talk to him this way, and nicer still that she knew he wanted her, that it would only be a matter of time before they were married.
Baxter gave her hand another squeeze and a pat. “I’m glad, sweetie. When I think of what you’ve been through, it feels like my heart’s being torn in two. I don’t ever want you to suffer like that again.”
Lula’s own heart swelled in her chest. “Thank you, Baxter. Thank you so much. I never realized how bad it hurt until I told all of you. I didn’t want to, but it all just … came tumbling out.”
He put his arm around her. “Lula, sweetie, I don’t want you to ever hold anything back, you hear?”
Lula took a shaky breath and nodded. Feeling bold, she rested her head against his shoulder. “Thank you,” she said softly.
Baxter smiled and kissed the top of her head. “You’re welcome.”
*
Eleanora Adams was a pretty girl, Lula thought. Her hair was different than her brother’s, more dark blonde than Baxter’s light brown. But the eyes were just as inquisitive, and she had the same high cheekbones and firm mouth. She smiled at Lula as her eyes flicked over her, assessing. “Welcome to our home, Miss Stout.”
Lula smiled back. “Thank you. It’s nice to finally make your acquaintance.”
Eleanora laughed. “Acquaintance? We’re about to be family.”
“Then you’d best call me Lula.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” She motioned Lula and the others inside.
The Adams’ home was a humble dwelling, especially compared to Lula’s former home. Everyone had told her it was a modest cabin and it was, but the outside was well-kept and orderly. A porch ran the length of the front, with a window on each side of the front door and rocking chairs in front of them. Surprisingly, it was two stories – were the bedrooms upstairs, with the first floor just one large room?
Once inside Lula found her first guess was wrong – the first floor was a big room, split by a center staircase with open rails on both sides, but behind the staircase was another door. The kitchen/dining area was on one side of the stairs, with the living area on the other. “How many bedrooms?”
Mrs. Adams pointed to the staircase. “We added on just before Eleanora came along. Our bedroom is behind the staircase. The rest of the family sleeps upstairs.”
“I have one room,” Eleanora added. “Ephraim and Baxter share the other.”
“Oh, I see,” Lula said. That did present a problem – once she and Baxter married, either they’d have to find someplace else to sleep, or poor Ephraim would. Sally’s words came rushing back – you won’t mind sleeping outside now and then – and she shuddered at the thought. All in all, the house was quite orderly, but cozy to the point of claustrophobic.
“You’ll stay for supper,” Mrs. Adams announced. “Then Chase can take you back to the hotel. Will that be all right?”
Lula nodded, but wondered how she and Baxter would spend the rest of the day. He couldn’t get around very well, so exploring outside was probably not an option. A pity, as she wouldn’t mind seeing more of the countryside.
“Would you like some coffee?” Baxter offered. “I can make some if you like.”
Lula blinked a few times. “You … make coffee?”
“Er … yeah. It’s not that hard.”
She licked her lips and turned away for a moment. She couldn’t make anything. She just hoped Sally could teach her quickly, lest she make a fool of herself.
“Lula?”
She faced Baxter again. “Sorry, I was just admiring your home.”
He took her hands in his. “Soon to be your home.” He glanced around. “We’ll need to discuss a few things before my brother returns.”
“Why don’t the two of you concentrate on getting hitched, first?” his father suggested. “Then we’ll figure the rest out. We’ll have a couple months of good weather to help us.”
“Weather?” Lula said warily. They weren’t going to bring up sleeping al fresco, were they?
“He means to build ourselves a place, or add onto this one,” Baxter clarified.
“Oh – all right.” Lula let her eyes rest on the rear of the house. Would they build a room right next to his parents’ room? Could she live with him and his family in a structure no bigger than Father’s old drawing room?
“We’ll have time to talk about it later,” Baxter said. “Pa’s right, we should worry about getting married first – and finding your sisters.”
Lula gasped. She’d almost forgotten about Effie and Minnie. “Yes, I agree.” Sleeping arrangements could wait.
Baxter went to the stove, picked up the coffeepot and disappeared outside. “Where’s he going?” Lula asked no one in particular.
“To the pump,” Mrs. Adams said sardonically. “I hope you won’t mind having to haul water into the house every day,” she added more loudly than needed.
Mr. Adams frowned at her, headed behind the stairs and disappeared into their room.
“Score one for our side,” Mrs. Adams said with a smile.
Lula remembered their constant battle over indoor plu
mbing and hid a smile of her own.
Baxter returned, set the pot on the stove and began making coffee. Lula watched and tried to memorize everything he did, but wasn’t sure she caught it all.
“I think Lula should sleep in my room with me,” Eleanora volunteered. “I don’t see why she has to stay at the hotel.”
“What?” Lula glanced up the stairs.
“That’s a good idea,” Baxter agreed. “It would save going back and forth to town, and we’d be properly chaperoned.”
Mrs. Adams slowly nodded. “I agree. Your father and I will arrange it.”
“But …” Lula said, then stopped. Why was she hesitating? “I don’t want to be an imposition.”
“Imposition?” Mrs. Adams said in surprise. “My dear child, you’re going to live here. What sort of imposition could it possibly be?”
She gulped. She was scared, unused to a rural setting, and beyond ill-equipped for marriage. She didn’t know a blasted thing! She’d been so busy worrying about whether or not Baxter would have her that she’d given little thought to her lack of domestic skills, cooking included. She lacked in every area possible, including having never done a hard day’s work in her life. What was his family going to think of her when they found out?
But there was no dodging it, that was clear, so she forced a smile. “I see your point.” She looked at Baxter. “I’ll go to town with your father to get my things.”
His smile was wide. “Good. I’ll go with you.”
Chapter 11
Baxter poured his future bride a cup of coffee and for some idiotic reason prayed she liked it. Now that he knew her background, or at least the basics, he cringed at what she thought of his family’s humble dwelling. Whatever they were, she was keeping them to herself – he could tell by how she chewed her bottom lip, a habit he assumed meant she was deep in thought or trying to keep silent. He did the same thing on occasion. “Would you like a cookie?”
She was hunched over her cup, obviously enjoying the warmth. “Cookie?”
“Yes, to go with your coffee?”
“Please.”
He fetched the cookie jar off the top of the hutch near the table, reached in and pulled out a handful, then put them on a small plate and set it in front of her.
