“You look like you could use a friend.”
Pearl smiled, nodding. “Hello. I'm Pearl.” She left off her last name, thinking of the note she’d left Charlie telling him he could consider their marriage void.
“I’m Helen Banks, may I sit?” She indicated the bench next to Pearl, who nodded. “Want to tell me what’s wrong?”
Pearl opened her mouth, unsure of what to say, but suddenly the truth came tumbling out. Everything she had felt and thought and hoped and wondered over the last few months rolled out of her, all mixed and jumbled.
Helen sat quietly and listened, nodded when appropriate and only asking for clarification a few times. When the tale was told, she rested her hand on Pearl’s and nodded knowingly.
“I, too, lost a husband, and I, too, was a mail order bride.” She looked down, letting out a long sigh. “It’s not an easy life, and you came with child as well, but I do know that, though you were doing what you thought was right, you weren’t letting Charlie make the decision he needed to make.”
“What do you mean?” Pearl frowned, trying to understand.
“It sounds like he loved the rodeo, but it also sounds like he loves you now, too.” Helen smiled warmly. “You were sacrificing for him, but I think he wanted to give up what he once loved for something he loves now. That’s not your choice, that’s his.”
Pearl nodded her head slowly as the realization dawned on her. “I see what you mean.”
“And it sounds like you’re putting yourself at risk by riding. Why don't I take you to Pastor Lawrence’s and you can stay with he and Flora until we can get word to Charlie about where you are.”
Pearl grasped the woman’s hand. “Thank you, Helen.”
Helen smiled and helped her up, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. As they made their way to the parsonage Pearl was filled with hope again. Helen’s words made sense. Pearl had made the decision for Charlie, though he’d said he wanted to stay with them. She should have trusted him, but instead she’d forged ahead in a bold, foolish move. Would she ever learn?
Charlie rode hard toward town. He had to find Pearl. She never should have left the house, let alone ridden a horse. All the way to town he searched the side of the road, terrified he would find her lying there, thrown from the horse
He was almost to town, just passing the church, when he recognized one of his other horses tied up out front.
Yanking his horse over, he skidded to a stop and jumped off, barely taking the time to tie up the animal to the hitching post. He yanked open the sanctuary door, only to find it empty. He paused, searching the shadows as if they would somehow produce his wife.
The only other place he could think of nearby was the parsonage. Running out the door, he rounded the corner and pounded on the parsonage door. His breath came in short gasps, but he heard footsteps inside. Finally, the door opened, and he was face-to-face Pastor Lawrence.
“Is my wife here? Pearl?” he tried to peer around the pastor.
“Calm down, son, she’s here and she’s fine.”
Relief flooded through him at the words. “Can I see her?”
“Certainly,” the pastor said, stepping back so Charlie could enter.
There, sitting by the fire, Pearl sat looking as peaceful as ever. “Pearl!”
She turned, a smile breaking over her features like dawn on a cool morning.
“I’ll let you two talk,” Pastor Lawrence said, slipping into another room.
Charlie came and knelt by her, taking her hands in his. “You had me so worried. Why did you leave? What were you thinking?”
Tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t look angry. Only sad. “I was being foolish,” she finally said.
“I know that, but why?”
His words brought a slight smile to her face, and the tears rolled down her cheeks. “I thought I would make it easier on you by leaving. I wanted you to be happy—to go back to the rodeo.”
“That’s just it,” he said, drawing her into his arms. “You make me happy.”
Charlie held her there, stroking her hair and relishing their closeness.
“I just didn't want you to give up everything for us.”
He pulled back, knowing the words he hadn’t shared needed to be said now. They were words she had to hear, especially since they had become true in his heart.
“Pearl,” he looked into her eyes, his gaze unwavering. “I love you. I love our child too. I may miss the rodeo, but it’s nothing compared to this new adventure with you. I was wrong not to tell you this sooner and I'm sorry.”
More tears filled her eyes, but she smiled through them, reaching up and placing a gentle hand against his cheek. “I love you, too. That’s why I left.”
He smiled, leaning in closer. “I didn’t want you to go.”
He closed the gap between them, kissing her softly with all the love he had. She was his next adventure, and he was eternally grateful and glad for that.
Epilogue - Christmas Morning
The cry of a baby broke the early morning stillness. It was shrill against the blanket of quiet that had descended as the snow fell softly outside. Charlie’s heart leapt at the sound. His child was born!
Several minutes later Doc stepped out and motioned him in to the room where his beautiful wife lay. She looked exhausted, yet happy and content. In her arms was a wriggling, amazing baby.
“It’s a boy,” Pearl said, her eyes shining with happy tears.
Charlie stepped closer, overcome with emotion. The baby settled down in his mother’s arms, and he looked perfect. The dark shock of hair surprised him, as did the cooing sounds. He was transfixed.
“What do you want to call him?” she said, drawing his attention away from the infant.
“What about Jim?” Charlie had thought about this long and hard, and he knew it was the right decision. He hoped it would make Pearl happy and not be an unwelcome memory.
But as he looked at her now, her smile deepened, a mixture of sorrow and happiness. “I like that,” she said finally.
Charlie sat down on the bed next to her and rested his hand on his son, his eyes meeting Pearl’s tenderly. “I love you, Pearl. Know that. No matter what, I will always love you.”
She moved her hand to rest on his, gripping his fingers. “And I love you.”
They sat there, enjoying the miracle of life on the most perfect Christmas morning ever. Never had the story of Christ’s birth been more real to Charlie. As he looked at his son and his wife, he knew that the credit for his beautiful life went to God. There was no other explanation.
Right then and there he closed his eyes, and he softly voiced the words flooding his heart with joy.
“Thank you.”
Book 4 - New Beginnings: Mail Order Brides of the Prairie
Jenny Creek Tanner
Arrivals
Annabelle stared out of the window and watched the scenery breeze past. The cities had disappeared hours ago, replaced with thick brush and tall trees. The rhythm of the train’s wheels was hypnotic, and she shifted in her seat and peered back down at her book.
The words on the pages blurred and she closed her eyes. What had she got herself into? Part of her was excited about the prospect of a new life. The other part was terrified.
She was born into a lavish life in Philadelphia and she’d grown up wanting for nothing. Her family enjoyed all the finer things in life, and in one tragic day it all fell apart.
A fire tore through her family’s home and her mother had been trapped inside. Her father had lost his will to live when she died. She couldn’t believe the kind, strong man she knew as a child crawled inside a whiskey bottle and refused to come out. His brother took advantage of the situation and convinced her father to invest in a business venture that left him--left them--in financial ruin. He died less than a year after her mother, and she didn’t know if it was from the whiskey or from shame.
Her uncle had taken her in to live with them, and she was thankful for the gesture. At first it see
med a blessing, but it quickly turned into a curse. She shuddered at the memory of his business partner. He was a large, rude man twice her age, and she knew his intentions. She often caught him staring at her and she shivered again. After she overheard a conversation he had with her uncle, she knew something had to change. The man offered to take Annabelle “of his hands” for a fee.
Faced with the probability of a forced marriage she’d taken matters into her own hands. Many men in the West were searching for brides. She’d responded to an ad, and now she was on her way to the Dakota Territory.
She was in uncharted territory, far from everything she knew. David seemed kind in her letters, but that was no assurance he would be in reality. What if it was an act? What if he was as horrible as her uncle’s partner? Would she be able to return home? And if she did, what would she return to? No, David Abernathy had to be a good man. She’d staked her entire future on it.
Annabelle gasped at the screech of the train’s brakes. She was here, next stop. Her heart fluttered, but whether from fear or excitement she couldn’t be sure. Perhaps it was both. This was it. Her new life was about to start.
She cleared her throat and tucked her book into her bag. Her hands trembled and she gathered her belongings together. She didn’t know this man. What if this was a mistake? At least in Philadelphia, she could have continued living the life she’d been accustomed to, even if it was with an unseemly, overbearing, controlling monster. She didn’t know which was worse.
The train’s whistle blew loudly as the wheels ground to a halt. She stood and brushed away the wrinkles on her dress. It was time to start a new life.
Annabelle pulled in a deep breath as the conductor helped her step onto the platform. The hot, dry air filled her lungs. She hadn’t expected it to be so warm. The sun’s rays beat down on her and sweat beaded on her brow.
She shaded her eyes with her hand and gazed down the center of the small town in front of her. She saw a few shops, a hotel and the obligatory saloon. The street was busy with carriages and horseback riders, and they kicked up a heavy dust that settled almost as fast as it had risen. She covered her mouth with her hand and the same thought she’d had since she boarded the train crossed her mind…What have I gotten myself into?
“Ms. Davis? Annabelle?” A male voice jolted her from her thoughts.
She turned and scanned the busy platform for the source of the voice. A tall man approached her. He wore a damp tan shirt and his breeches were worn and dusty. She couldn’t make out his face under the shadow of his hat. Butterflies flitted in her belly and she shifted on her feet.
“I’m Annabelle Davis,” she said. Her voice cracked.
The man removed his black hat and tipped his head to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Annabelle, I’m David Abernathy. Welcome to Dakota City.” He extended his calloused hand to her and she cleared her throat and placed her delicate hand in his. He gripped her hand and shook it.
She wasn’t used to being greeted this way, and the action felt odd to her. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Abernathy,” she said. She was good at reading people, and she took a moment to study him. He was taller than she’d expected--at least a head taller. His dark hair was slicked back and scruffy whiskers covered his upper lip and jaw. He was rugged and handsome and very different than the clean-shaven well-to-do men back home.
“I can take this for you.” Without waiting for her response he took the small bag from her hands. “I brought the carriage for your other bags. They should be loading them now. Did you need anything from town before we leave for the ranch?” he asked. He offered his arm to her. “It is a long journey and I only visit my local store once a week on Saturday.”
She shook her head side to side and offered a polite smile. She had only a few coins, and she wanted to hold onto them in case of an emergency…in case something didn’t go as she expected.
It wouldn’t take much time to load her things into his wagon. All her possessions fit into one large bag. The fire had claimed most everything she owned, and her uncle hadn’t provided more than the basic needs. Compared to Mr. Abernathy she was a pauper.
“Very well then. We should be on our way. We’ll want to be home before the sun sets,” he advised.
She accepted his arm and allowed him to lead her to the carriage. The one-horse buggy seemed old and rickety but she supposed it would get them to where they needed to go. David climbed aboard first and the buggy sagged under his weight. He turned, and offered his hand to her.
Annabelle drew in a deep breath and placed her hand in his. He smiled and pulled her up and she settled herself on the hard seat. She shivered as her new reality set in. Everything was going to be okay.
A New Home
Annabelle dabbed a handkerchief across her forehead and wiped it at the back of her neck. The sun bore down on them and she couldn’t recall ever being so hot in her life. She let out a long breath and wondered how much further they had to go. She considered asking, but didn’t want to appear rude.
“You’ll get used to the heat,” David said. He could tell she was uncomfortable, but didn’t know if it was because of him or the heat. “Summers are hot and winters are cold and treacherous, but life out here is good.” Annabelle smiled and nodded, and she saw him turn to look at her out of the corner of her eye.
“You’ll have to forgive the distance. It’s a four-hour ride home. I’ve heard news of them bringing the train out by us, though.” She saw him turn his head back, and she turned to look at him.
“I didn’t realize your home was so remote,” she answered. “When will the train come through?” She wondered how it would be possible to survive so far from town. The conveniences of the big city were far away now.
“No date yet,” he said and slapped the reins to keep the horse on the road. “It sure will make it easier to ship my crops and get shipments of supplies.”
“You grow wheat and hay,” she said. She remembered reading that in one of his letters.
“Yes. I think next year I’m gonna grow some feed corn, too. I have enough land to hire on a few additional men,” he responded. “Once you get the hang of the chores, I might ask you to help in the fields come harvest time.”
Help in the fields? She fought the urge to protest and thought better of it. The train would be stopped overnight, but if she returned to Philadelphia she’d be forced to marry into a far worse situation. No, she’d wait to say something about helping in the fields. She knew that if things didn’t go well with Mr. David Abernathy, the train would return in a month.
She looked at the countryside as it passed by and searched for something to say him. David seemed nice enough. She sighed at the realization that maybe everything was going to work out after all.
“I’m sorry I don’t have much to say, Mr. Abernathy.” She turned and their eyes met and he held her stare long enough that the horse had pulled the wagon a bit off the road. The both were jolted from the seat when the wheel rolled in and out of a deep hole, and Annabelle felt his strong hand grip her forearm.
“Sorry about that,” he said. Her eyes were beautiful and brown and mesmerizing. Annabelle smiled and looked down at his hand and he pulled it back as fast as he’d put it there.
“I made up a bedroom for you, and the kitchen is all stocked-up. I’ll be so glad to have some home-cooked food.” Annabelle licked her lips as if to respond but he spoke before she could. “I spoke with the minister at the church. He agreed to marry us as you wanted. This Sunday…that is what you wanted, correct?”
“Yes, that’s what I wanted.” A quick marriage had been her idea. The sooner she married the better. Her uncle’s partner had been angry when he learned she was leaving. She still expected him to show up here and haul her back home, and she didn’t want that.
Her only regret was not having a proper dress for her wedding. As a young girl she’d imagined a fairytale wedding. A flowing gown and an educated, rich handsome groom had been her dream. At least it seemed she ha
d the handsome groom. She would have to decide on one of the few dresses she had, though.
“I understand if you want to take some time to get to know me better, and see how the ranch operates.”
“Thank you.” Annabelle beamed at his thoughtfulness. “I feel as if I already know quite a bit about you through your letters,” she reminded.
“After we marry, I understand if you want to stay in your own bedroom. Until we get better acquainted. I mean…” The bluntness of his words surprised her, but not as much as they surprised him. “That is, I don’t expect you to…”
“Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.” She put her hand on his arm and held it there. Her cheeks flushed and grew rose-red. She hadn’t thought about that part of a marriage. She turned and saw that he was blushing, too.
Annabelle closed her eyes and felt the cool breezes dance across her damp skin. The soft clip-clop of the horses and the lolling motion of the carriage made her drift off into a light sleep. They rode in silence for a while and then as they emerged from a grove of trees, he nodded his head forward.
“Annabelle?” he asked with a gentle voice. He tapped the back of her hand that still rested on his arm. “This is your new home, Annabelle. What do you think?”
She opened her eyes and looked in the direction he pointed. Her mouth popped open in surprise. A well-maintained log cabin sat nestled at the edge of a small grove of trees. It wasn’t as large as her house back home, but it seemed perfect to her. The fields with his crops were on her left, and to her right was a small shed with goats, chickens, horses, and a few cows. She had imagined what her new home might look like, and she was happy that the reality matched her vision. It wasn’t what she was used to, but for the first time in a very long time, she felt content that she had made a good decision. This was a place she could feel good about calling home.
Christmas Miracles: Mega Mail Order Bride 20-Book Box Set: Multi-Author Box Set Page 11
