by Jenna Brandt
Cade wasn’t exaggerating. It was beyond him how his almost three-year-old twins only received a few bumps and bruises and one bee sting from all the accidents that happened in the past couple of months. Luckily, Ezra didn’t have a bad reaction to the sting, so Cade didn’t have to take him to the doctor. Cade was also smart enough to know, however, the next time it could be a lot worse. After losing Carol, he didn’t think he could live through losing either Ezra or Isaiah.
“Papa, we go now?” Isaiah inquired, rushing up and grabbing Cade’s hand.
“Yes, we can go now,” Cade relented, knowing the boys didn’t have a lot of patience when it came to visiting the cemetery at the church. He was just grateful that townsfolk didn’t judge him for letting them run around playing in the grass.
“Papa, I hungry,” Ezra whined, taking Cade’s other hand.
“We’ll eat in just a little bit. We have one more thing we need to do.” Cade hadn’t gone into details about Miranda yet. Partly because he didn’t exactly know how to go about telling his sons. He didn’t want to get their hopes up for home cooked meals and a clean house if she didn’t actually show up. He’d heard stories about mail order brides who took the money and train tickets sent to them, and never followed through on traveling to their destination for the marriage. It would be bad enough to have to deal with that blow to his own pride; he didn’t want to have to handle two crying children on top of it.
They started to walk down the path that left out of the cemetery, but before they got very far, Ezra turned around and waved to the grave with his free hand. “Bye, Mama,” he shouted with a wide grin.
Isaiah repeated his brother’s actions, causing Cade to wonder what his sons thought of coming to the cemetery to visit their mother. Did they understand that just her body was in the ground and her spirit was in heaven? He’d never really explained any of it to them, thinking they were too young. Cade hoped he was doing right by them, but he wasn’t sure if he was navigating any of their grief the right way. Dealing with emotions had never been his strong suit, but he was doing the best he could under the circumstances.
The Tanners didn’t get very far before Judy Breecher, a willowy, brown-haired woman, ran into them just outside her dress shop which was connected to the town’s general store. She was smiling ear-to-ear as she bent down to give each of the boys a penny candy. “Here you go, boys.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Mrs. Breecher,” Cade stated politely with a shake of his head.
“Oh nonsense, Mr. Tanner, giving candy to children is one of the pleasures of being married to the town’s general store owner. I have access to all kinds of goodies.”
“Boys, what do you say to Mrs. Breecher,” Cade gently reminded them.
“Thank you,” they both muttered as they chewed on the candies they’d already unwrapped and popped into their mouths.
“Where are you headed to today?” she asked with curiosity. “You’ve already picked up your supplies for the week.”
That was one of the problems about living in a small town; everyone tended to know each other’s business. If not, they weren’t afraid to poke around in it. Cade didn’t mind it most days, but ever since his wife died, people had a tendency to overstep. Granted, it was from a place of concern, but it didn’t make it an easier for Cade to tolerate.
“I’m meeting someone at the train depot,” Cade explained, trying to avoid going into details.
“Who might that be?” Judy inquired with a tilt of her head. “I didn’t know you were planning on having visitors. Is it family?”
“A lady gonna live with us,” Isaiah blurted out before he followed up by asking with his hand out, “Can I have more candy?”
Mrs. Breecher’s eyes rounded with shock as she looked from the boys to Cade. “What does Isaiah mean, Mr. Tanner? Why is a lady coming to live with you?”
Cade’s brows furrowed together in frustration. He’d hoped to dodge all the questions by being gone before the news circulated regarding his decision to acquire a wife. Even though in a few hours, once they were married, everyone in town would know the news. Mrs. Breecher, on the other hand, seemed bound and determined to pull every last detail from him before she let him move on down the street.
“She’s going to be my wife,” Cade finally revealed. “I placed an advert for a mail order bride.”
“You did what?” Mrs. Breecher choked out in disbelief. “You didn’t have to do that, Mr. Tanner. You could have just asked the women of the auxiliary to help you find a new wife from Rockwood Springs or one of our neighboring towns.”
Cade knew that Mrs. Breecher didn’t mean to insult him, but to imply he needed other people to solve his problems got under his skin. She thought it easy to find a wife out West, but the truth was, there were slim pickings when it came to marital candidates. The few women around town who were single were either too old or too young for him to consider seriously, and he didn’t think his options fared much better by visiting Woody or Oak Glen. “I appreciate the offer, Mrs. Breecher, but the deed has already been done. My future wife should be arriving in the next half hour, which is why I need to be on my way.”
She nodded, giving each of the kids another piece of candy. “One more sweet treat for your ride home.” Then glancing to Cade, she added, “Should you need help with anything, Mr. Tanner, please do stop by the general store or dress shop.”
“Mrs. Breecher’s nice,” Ezra mumbled with delight. His mouth was full of the candy he didn’t save for the ride home but had instantly put in his mouth. “Can she be our Mama?”
Cade stopped in his tracks, and turned to face his sons. “You’re right, Mrs. Breecher is a very nice lady, but you should know, there isn’t a woman in the world that could replace your Mama. Don’t ever think it.”
Ezra’s chin sunk to his chest, his shoulders slumping down. Cade immediately regretted his words, knowing that he shouldn’t punish his sons. The woman he was planning to pick up at the train depot was meant to do exactly that; maybe not in his heart, but in their home and the boys’ lives. If he didn’t need the help, he wouldn’t have considered taking on a new wife. Necessity dictated his decision.
Cade kneeled down in front of his son. “I’m sorry for being so harsh, Ezra. I know how much you love and miss your mama.”
The little boy’s head moved up until his eyes met his father’s. “I wish Mama come home.”
The words tore at Cade’s heart, echoing his own feelings on the matter. It didn’t seem fair that they were going to have to spend the rest of their lives without Carol, and some other woman was going to waltz in and take over. He knew, however, it was what he signed up for when he placed the advert.
The trio arrived at the train depot a few minutes later. The boys became restless, and before he knew it, they were running behind the depot station and chasing frogs in the grass. He wasn’t there very long before the train whistle announced its swift approach. The black locomotive barreled into the station, steam rising from its engine and the brakes squealing as the large metal beast shuddered to a stop.
The conductor climbed off the train just in time to help travelers exit the passenger car. A few single men and a young couple were the first to emerge, followed by an elderly woman. Next to step down was a beautiful woman with silky dark hair and matching eyes. She was wearing a lavender satin dress that enhanced her snowy skin and petite frame. He hadn’t exchanged pictures or descriptions with his intended, since time was of the essence. He figured it didn’t matter what she looked like as long as she was good to his sons and knew how to take care of a home. As he stared at this woman; however, he realized she just might be the most breathtaking woman he’d ever laid eyes on—and part of him hoped she might be his fiancée. Then he noticed a wicker basket beside her, and his heart sank. She couldn’t possibly be his future wife. She had a baby with her.
Cade continued to look around the area, wondering if Miranda had missed the train. Surely, she would have sent him a telegram
explaining if that were the case. As the crowd thinned and the passengers exiting the train slowed, his apprehension increased. Had he been taken advantage of and been jilted, just like he feared he might?
His attention moved back to the brunette woman. Her eyes were darting around the area, too, as if she were searching for someone. Harry Reynolds, one of the porters for the train depot, approached the woman. There was a quick conversation between them before he turned and pointed to Cade.
There was no possible way that this was the woman he was set to marry in an hour, was it? She’d never mentioned having a child of her own. Surely that would have borne mentioning in her answer to his advert.
The woman picked up the basket in one hand and her tapestry bag in the other as she marched over to him. “Good afternoon, Mr. Tanner, I think you’re looking for me. I’m Miranda Barton.”
His eyes widened with surprise as he licked his lips. He couldn’t help himself, his gaze darted down to the wicker basket again and his attention focused on the sleeping baby. What on earth was going on?
“I can see you’re confused by Eleanor. It isn’t what you think,” Miranda started out, her cheeks tinging pink as she continued. “She’s my niece. My sister and her husband were killed during a robbery the day before I was set to leave. I didn’t have enough money to send a telegram to tell you what happened as I barely had enough to bury them. I couldn’t leave the baby behind; I’m the only family she has left.” When Cade didn’t respond after a few moments, she quickly questioned, “Are you upset with me over this? Will you refuse to marry me?”
He could see the fear in her eyes, and without knowing why, he wanted to ease the panic he saw reflected in them. “No, I never said that. I just needed a moment to process what you were telling me. Miss Barton, I think it’s admirable that you want to take care of your sister’s child. It shows you have a kind and compassionate heart, ready to take in orphans and motherless children. It makes me know you will be a good mother to my own sons.”
“Where are they, anyway?” she inquired, glancing around. “I would’ve thought you would have brought them with you to meet me.”
“Oh, they’re around here somewhere,” he said, gesturing with his hands. “I think they’re chasing frogs behind the depot.”
“You aren’t watching them?” she accused in a worried tone. “They aren’t even three years old yet, and you’re letting them roam around town? No wonder you needed me to get here as soon as possible.”
This time, it was Cade’s cheeks who turned red with mortification. He hadn’t expected her to be so blunt. His own Carol would never have pointed out his shortcomings like that, let alone after barely knowing him five minutes.
“It is why I placed the advert,” he quipped back. “It’s mighty hard to watch after two toddling boys and a ranch at the same time.”
She nodded, deep sympathy written across her face. “Of course you’re right. I can only imagine how hard this has been for you since your wife passed. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”
“That’s okay. It’s going to take us some time to learn how to get along with each other. We’ll figure it out.” He reached out and took her tapestry bag. “Let me carry this for you.”
“Shouldn’t we grab mine and the baby’s trunks before we go?” she inquired.
“I’ll have Harry deliver them to the livery next to the depot. He knows which wagon is mine.”
“I need my dress out of it,” she explained.
“What dress?” he asked in perplexity.
“Why, my wedding dress, of course. I need to change into it for the ceremony.”
“You brought a wedding dress with you?” he exclaimed loudly, aghast at the information.
She nodded, her brows furrowing together at his reaction. “It was my sister’s dress, and our mother’s before that. I thought I could wear it for our own wedding.”
Cade hadn’t really considered the wedding to be anything more than a requirement to make it acceptable for them to live under the same roof. He didn’t plan to be with her as husband and wife in the physical sense, but he also didn’t want her reputation ruined by not marrying her. The hope he saw on her face made him realize that all of this was different for her. From her letter, he knew she’d never been married before. Most women planned their weddings since they were little girls, and she wasn’t going to get any of the things she dreamed about. The least he could do was let her have the dress she wanted.
“I’ll tell Harry to let you fetch your dress from your trunk before he takes it to my wagon. We should also go track down the boys.”
“Thank you,” she said with an appreciative smile. “It means a great deal you understand what that dress means to me.”
Cade gestured Harry over and informed him about the trunk. The porter quickly scurried off to retrieve it while Cade and Miranda went around the back of the depot to find the twins.
Luckily, they were exactly where Cade hoped they would be. They were running around trying to scoop up frogs from the thick grass near the creek’s edge.
“They were playing by a creek? Do they know how to swim?” Miranda asked with concern in her voice again.
“No, but they know not to play in the water,” he explained, realizing it sounded stupid even to his own ears.
“Water is an awfully strong temptation, especially on a hot day like today. You might tell them not to play in the water, but they might think dipping their toes in isn’t the same thing. They could slip in and drown before anyone would know.”
“I see your point,” Cade conceded. “I know I’m not very good at watching the boys. It just doesn’t come naturally to me.”
“It’s all right; I’m here now.” She set the baby’s basket down and called out, “Ezra, Isaiah, can you both come here, please.”
The blond-haired boys stopped mid-grab and turned to face her. Their blue eyes rounded with wariness as they made their way over.
“Please, put the frogs down,” she ordered.
“Do we gotta?” Ezra whined.
“Yes, you can’t take them with you where we’re going,” she explained. “If you do as I ask, we can look for frogs later this week back at the ranch.”
“Is she the lady?” Isaiah asked, looking back and forth from his father to Miranda.
“Yes, this is the lady.”
“She cook for us?” Ezra inquired as he put his frog down.
“And clean for us?” Isaiah questioned right after his brother as he released his own frog.
The boy’s questions made Miranda sound more like a maid than a wife and mother. He doubted she would like that to be the way they viewed her, and he suddenly regretted not fully explaining the role she would be playing at the ranch. From the corner of his eye, Cade dared to look at Miranda.
She seemed confused by the questions, more than irritated. “Do they understand why I’m here?”
“Sort of, I thought it might be better if we explained it together,” Cade stated with a shrug.
“Why there a baby?” Isaiah asked with confusion, moving closer to the basket.
“We don’t need a baby,” Ezra shouted, his bottom lip coming out in a pout. “Take it away.”
“Ezra, that’s enough,” Cade scolded, embarrassed his son would behave so poorly at his first meeting with Miranda. What was she going to think of his children if this was how they greeted her?
Both boys took in a deep breath and held it, their faces turning red and their cheeks puffing out as their faces scrunched up in a rage. Cade braced himself. He knew what was coming next. Three, two, one—screams erupted from the boys’ mouths. They threw themselves on the ground, flaying around like fish out of water.
Miranda gasped, her eyes darting from the boys on the ground to Cade, and back again.
Cade didn’t think the situation could get any worse, but he was wrong. The boys’ tantrum caused the baby to wake up. Before he knew it, he was surrounded by three screaming children.
Miran
da bent down and picked up the baby, placing the infant against her chest and gently patting her back. “It’s all right, Elle. I’m sorry you got startled.”
Cade had had enough. He reached down with both his hands and yanked the boys up by their arms. He might have control of them physically, but he by no means had them under control. They continued to scream and holler, shouting to get rid of the lady and the baby. Finally, when they had worn themselves out, the tantrum subsided. He picked them both up, and within a few seconds, they were fast asleep, their heads resting on each of his shoulders.
“Does this happen often?” Miranda inquired. She placed her niece back in the basket after calming her down.
“More than I care to admit since Carol died.”
“You know you can’t let them get away with behaving that way. They need discipline, Mr. Tanner, and from the looks of it, a regular nap time.”
“Cade, you should call me Cade, since we’re about to be married.”
“All right, Cade, we need to come up with a plan as to how to handle them when they throw another fit like that.”
“Isn’t that your job?”
“You know them better than me, so your input would be beneficial. You know if they respond better to reward or punishment. Plus, we need to show them a united front, or it will only get worse.”
“That makes sense,” he agreed with a nod, realizing that his future wife had valid points. “When we get home, we can figure all of this out. In the meantime, we need to head over to the church so we can get married; at least, that is, if the boys haven’t scared you off already.”
She shook her head. “You can’t get rid of me that easily. I told you I was in this for better or for worse.”
“It seems God brought me the right woman then. I hate to say it, but you’re going to have your hands full with us.”
3
On the long trip from Pennsylvania, Miranda had plenty of time to think about what her future husband might look like. She’d been realistic, knowing that he may not be exactly pleasing to the eye. That didn’t bother her though, considering she wasn’t marrying the man for his looks. As long as he was a good provider with solid morals and a kind heart, she promised God she would be content with whatever else came as part of the package. What she didn’t expect when she stepped off the train was to find her future husband to be handsome beyond belief. He had a tall, muscular build, evidence of his physically demanding work on his ranch. With his thick, sandy blond hair and smoldering blue eyes set in a chiseled, tan face and square jaw, she could hardly keep herself from staring at him.
