A Groom's Promise

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “Maybell,” he whispered.

  “Yes?”

  “Is it possible, that is, can we do this again tonight?”

  Lifting her head so she could look at him, she chuckled. “We can do it as much as you want. You don’t have to be shy about asking.”

  Then, as if to further assure him, she kissed him, and before long, they were making love again.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Jack had expected to hire someone to take him and Maybell to Archie’s the next day, but since the preacher offered when they went to get their marriage license, he saw no reason not to accept. Upon their arrival, they went into the parlor.

  The preacher took the time to shake Archie’s hand and congratulate him. Jack didn’t think Archie was all that pleased about it. To his credit, however, he didn’t reveal his displeasure to the preacher, something Jack was grateful for. There was enough tension between him and Archie without dragging a man of God into it.

  After the preacher left, Jack turned to Maybell, keeping his voice low as he said, “I want to talk to your pa alone. Do you mind staying on the porch while I do that?”

  “I don’t mind,” she told him then squeezed his hand. “Good luck.”

  He squeezed hers in return then waited until Maybell stepped outside before he sat in the chair across from Archie. Confidence was a state of mind. If he didn’t give into the urge to cower, he would be fine. He could do this. He’d come this far and had taken a wife. He was no longer a boy. He was a man.

  “I-I know you don’t approve of w-what Maybell and I did,” he began, noting he was stuttering and unable to meet Archie’s gaze.

  But there was no helping it. Even if he had a newfound determination to decide his fate instead of letting others decide it for him, he couldn’t help being nervous. But maybe that was what courage was all about. Maybe it was pressing through the fear.

  Jack took a deep breath and continued before Archie could say anything. “I-I love her, and what’s more, she loves me. I-I know you don’t think I-I can do well by her, b-but you’re wrong. I-I’m going to treat her right, a-and I-I’m going to be b-better than Hugh. You might not b-believe it, but I will. And we don’t need your permission. This is our l-life.” He wiped his hands on his denims. “I-I got a job at O’Mallery’s, and I-I got money. W-we’ll live in town and rent a small p-place until I-I can get us a home. I-I’m sorry. I-I know you don’t like it, b-but that’s how i-it’s going to be.”

  Done, he took another deep breath then dared to look over at Archie, fully expecting to see his disapproving scowl. But to his surprise, he didn’t see that. Instead, he caught a glimpse of a smile on the man’s face, and he didn’t know what to think of it.

  Archie chuckled. “I have to hand it to you, Jack. I didn’t think you had it in you to take control and make things happen. But you did it. You proved you got what it takes to be a good husband for my daughter.”

  Surprised, he asked, “Really?” There was no way it could be that easy.

  But Archie smiled. “Really. You don’t have to work at O’Mallery’s. I’m proud to have you for a son-in-law.” He held his hand out to him. “Can we start over?”

  “You are alright with this?” Jack asked, having to be sure.

  “You just demonstrated you can go out and get what you want. Look, Jack, I like you. I always liked you. I just wanted my daughter to be with someone who could protect her, and after all you’ve done, I have no doubt you can do it.”

  Feeling like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, Jack smiled and shook his hand. Maybe, just maybe, everything would be alright after all.

  ***

  That evening as Maybell stirred the coleslaw, Jack entered into the kitchen, came up behind her, and hugged her around the waist. He kissed her on the neck, and she giggled. “Jack, you’re not being fair. I’m trying to finish up in here so we can eat. Pa’s bound to be starving after not getting any breakfast or a midday snack.”

  “He had some jerky.”

  “I don’t know if I consider that real food.”

  “Sure, it is. It’s meat. Only it’s tough and dry.”

  Amused, she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. He lowered his lips to hers, and she melted in his embrace, giving herself over completely to his kiss.

  It would take her some time to get used to the fact that they were married. Already, he’d moved his things into her bedroom. More than that, her pa had helped, laughing and smiling the whole time. She honestly didn’t think things would go as well as they had. Whatever Jack told her pa, it worked. Her pa had finally accepted her choice in who she married.

  Ending the kiss, he said, “If all goes well, Hugh will be telling us when he’ll be marrying Winifred.”

  “Is Hugh that serious about her?”

  “Well, he did buy her a fifteen dollar hat.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Fifteen dollars?”

  “I know. I thought it was too expensive, too, but he didn’t mind doing it, and I can only think a man would do that if he loved the woman.”

  “Yes, I would say so.” Unable to resist teasing him, she asked, “So where’s my fifteen dollar hat?”

  “I did better than buy you a hat.”

  “Oh?”

  “I started to make you something.”

  “You did?”

  His grin widened. “Just today. Well, more like an hour ago. Soon, you’ll have your own porch swing.”

  She gasped. “You’re making me a porch swing?”

  “I thought you might enjoy being able to sit outside on nice days and sew or read or watch our children play in the yard. My ma used to say it was one of her favorite pastimes.”

  “I will! What a wonderful gift. And you’re making it all by yourself?”

  “I am. I’m going to put our names on it. Then as we have children, I’ll add their names to it as well.”

  “Oh, Jack, the more I hear about this swing, the better it sounds.”

  “I’ll think of other things to make for you from time to time,” he promised. “This is just the beginning. I’m going to make you glad you married me.”

  “I already am.”

  He gave her another kiss then released her. “On Monday, I want to go to town and buy back my mother’s ring. Now that I know your pa won’t be tossing me out, I can buy it back. Maybe I’ll even buy the pocket watch.” He picked up the pitcher of tea and stack of plates. “I’ll help you take things out to the table.”

  She didn’t think she’d ever see the day when he’d carry glass, but it only proved he was finally at ease in this place. Smiling, she collected the cups and utensils then followed him to the dining room.

  On his way back to the kitchen, he gave her behind a playful pat, and though no one had seen it, her face grew warm. “You’re a sly one, Jack Warren,” she called out.

  He laughed from the other room just as Hugh came into the house, unusually pale. She put the cups and utensils down and went over to him.

  “Hugh, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said.

  Jack brought in the bowl of mashed potatoes and the bowl of coleslaw and set them on the table. “You do,” he agreed. “What happened?”

  Hugh stood there for a moment, not saying anything, his expression forlorn, and she had the sinking feeling that things didn’t go well when he was at the Boyers’ to see Winifred. Finally, he swallowed, and sure enough, it was bad news because he said, “She’s gone.”

  “Gone?” Jack asked.

  “Where?” Maybell added.

  “Back to Virginia,” Hugh replied. “She left this morning.”

  “So soon?”

  Hugh swallowed again and nodded.

  “Oh no! Hugh, that’s awful,” she said.

  Jack went over to them, a concerned expression on his face. “I don’t know what to say, except I’m sorry.”

  “I know.” Hugh went to a chair and plopped down, his shoulders slumped.

  Maybell glanced at Jack, wo
ndering what they could do to help. After a moment, an idea came to her. “Maybe you could write her a letter. I’m sure my friend, Ada, can get the address from Opal. They visit from time to time.”

  “I could, but will she even open it, knowing it’s from me?”

  Unable to think of anything to say, she returned to the kitchen and grabbed the large plate full of fried chicken. There had to be something Hugh could do, but since she knew so little of the situation, she didn’t even know what to suggest, beyond sending a letter.

  She only knew the little Jack told her, that Hugh had been kissing Winifred at the Boyers’ when he went to the dinner they’d invited him and Hugh to. So she knew Hugh wanted to be with Winifred, but it just now struck her how much he’d wanted her all this time. If he’d talked to her pa sooner, this whole thing could have been avoided and Hugh would be with Winifred right now.

  When she returned to the dining room, Hugh said, “Archie should be in in a minute. He wanted to feed the horses before coming in.”

  “That’s fine,” she told him. “It’ll stay hot for a while.” She looked at Jack, noting the expression on his face that told her he was thinking of a solution to Hugh’s problem. “Do you have any ideas?” she asked him.

  “Maybe.” Jack hesitated for a moment then asked, “What if I sent her a letter and explained everything? She might believe me.”

  “I don’t know,” Hugh replied. “I don’t know if she’ll ever want to see me again, and quite frankly, I can’t blame her. I hid the deal I made with Archie from her. She’s got a right to be furious.”

  “You won’t know if you don’t try,” Jack said. “If she loves you like I think she does, I bet she’ll return once she knows the full story.”

  “I bet so, too,” Maybell added. “I know I would if you wrote a letter on Jack’s behalf.”

  Jack nodded. “Right. And I could buy her a train ticket to go along with the letter.”

  “You’d do that for me?” Hugh asked Jack.

  “Of course, I would. You’ve been there for me my entire life, stepping in and doing things for me when I needed you. It’s about time I did something for you.”

  “We can buy the ticket and send it off with the letter in town on Monday,” she added.

  “It’s a glimmer of a chance,” Hugh began, shifting in his chair as he considered the idea. “But what do I have to lose?”

  “Good,” Jack said. “Then it’s settled.”

  Jack gave Hugh a pat on the back then returned to the kitchen to bring out the rest of the food. Maybell, meanwhile, finished setting all the utensils in their proper places, happy to know that this time, she would be able to sit next to Jack and her pa wouldn’t protest. Jack returned with the apple dumplings just as her pa came into the house.

  She went over to her pa and took his coat then hung it up for him. “I made your favorite tonight, Pa. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes.”

  “It smells great,” he said. Then, to her surprise, he hugged her and whispered, “I’m sorry I gave you such grief about Hugh. I won’t ever do something like that again.”

  Tears welling up in her eyes, she pulled away from him so she could look at him. “Thank you, Pa.”

  He smiled. “You made the right choice in marrying Jack. I didn’t see it before, but I see it now.”

  She picked up the edge of her apron and dabbed her eyes. “You have to stop. You know how I feel about crying.”

  “Yes, but at least these are tears of joy.” He gave her another hug then went to the dining room.

  Once she could trust herself not to cry, she hung up her apron and joined the men, thinking her life couldn’t get any better than this.

  ***

  As Jack slid the ring on her finger, a thrill of delight shot straight through Maybell. He’d mentioned getting his mother’s ring back, but she had no idea how wonderful it’d feel until he put it on her finger. Jack had loved his mother. She could tell it by the way his tone softened whenever he mentioned her. And to think he was giving her something that once belonged to her made her heart flutter with both excitement and gratitude. She could hardly imagine a woman being as well loved as she was.

  The man behind the counter in the shop smiled at them. “I’m glad you got the ring back,” he told Jack. “I can’t think of a better person to give it to than your wife.”

  “I’m just glad she said yes,” Jack replied, smiling at Maybell. Turning back to the man, he asked, “Are you sure you want to sell it to me at the price you paid for it? You won’t make a profit that way.”

  The man shrugged. “I can’t help it. I see two people in love, and I grow soft. It’s a curse.”

  “Well, it’s a very nice thing you’re doing,” Maybell said.

  The man smiled at Maybell then turned his gaze back to Jack. “You sure you don’t want the pocket watch?”

  “No,” Jack said. “I got to buy a train ticket.”

  “Very well,” the man replied. “Congratulations on your marriage.”

  After thanking him, Maybell and Jack left the shop, and wrapping her arm around his, she walked with him to the train station. “You got the letter to Winifred finished?” she asked.

  With a nod, he patted the pocket of his shirt. “Yep. Let’s hope it does the trick.”

  They crossed the street and went to the train station, and after he purchased the ticket, they went to the post office. All through the whole thing, Maybell couldn’t stop staring at the ring. She was Jack’s wife. Mrs. Jack Warren. The thought still made her skin tingle. She didn’t know if she’d ever get over the thrill of it.

  At the post office, Jack sent the letter and ticket off. With a glance at Maybell, he said, “It’s up to Winifred now. I hope she chooses to come back.”

  “I do, too. It’d be nice to see Hugh happy.”

  With a smile, Jack slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. “It would be, though I can’t imagine him being happier than I am. I’ll never take it for granted you said yes to me.”

  She returned his smile and joined him as he returned to their buckboard wagon. After they were both settled onto the seat, she expected him to urge the horses forward, but he leaned over and kissed her instead. Kissed her! Right in front of everyone!

  “Jack,” she said, glancing around to see if anyone witnessed it, “you shouldn’t do that where everyone can see us.”

  “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. I saw you there right beside me and thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, and what’s more, you’re mine.”

  “And I always will be.”

  “I like that, Mrs. Warren.”

  He released the brake and urged the horses forward. She scooted closer to him so she could tuck her arm around his.

  To think such a short time ago, she’d worried she might not be able to find someone who’d complete her, but she had. Jack was the perfect man for her. Shy with a playful side. Hardworking and diligent. Sweet, noble, and kind. He was everything she’d hoped for and more.

  And better yet, he was all hers. In time, they would have children, children she’d watch play from the porch swing he was making her. Things couldn’t have worked out better. All of her dreams were coming true, and there was no one else she’d rather have them fulfilled with than Jack Warren.

  ~~~

  Find out Hugh’s version of events and how things ended up for him and Winifred in Janet Syas Nitsick’s story, “When the Whistle Blows”, which is next in this anthology.

  When the Whistle Blows

  by

  Janet Syas Nitsick

  Hugh Warren makes a deal to marry someone's daughter as part of a land agreement. But when he meets the perfect lady, he must find a way out of the agreement, even if it means a little matchmaking.

  Chapter One

  September 1877

  Charles City, Virginia

  Smoke swirled from the train’s engine stack. The conductor stuck out his head and beckoned with his hand from th
e passenger railcar then shouted, “Last call!”

  “Run! Run!” shouted Hugh Warren to his brother, who stepped behind him, while they raced to the train and jumped up the stairs to the car. Hugh steadied his feet and searched for two seats side by side. The whistle blew, the train clanged and jerked forward. He crooked his head over his shoulder and called out to his brother, “Come on, Jack, or we won’t get a good seat.”

  Hugh sped forward. His brother’s feet echoed on the metal floor. While Hugh stood in front of the first row of passengers, Jack bumped into him, propelling him into a tower of a man.

  The man, who wore a pinstriped suit with a briefcase in his lap, glared up at Hugh. “Watch it,” he growled.

  Hugh avoided the businessman’s gaze and swallowed the lump in his throat. “Sorry, we’ve never traveled on a train before.”

  “Well, watch where you’re going,” he huffed, adjusting his body in his seat.

  Hugh grimaced then pulled himself away from him. He turned to his brother and whispered, “Try to be more careful. We don’t want people to think we’re a couple of country bumpkins.”

  “I – I d – didn’t m – mean-” Jack began.

  Stop stuttering or they’ll think we’re hicks. Hugh’s throat constricted. Maneuvering down the aisle, he spied two empty seats in a middle row. A young lady, who donned a hat with three puffy balls perched on one side, sat beside the window. Hugh moved to the seat. The train lurched, pushing Jack into him and hurling him into the lady, knocking off her hat and landing it on the floor next to her feet.

  “I’ll be,” she yelped. She grimaced.

  “Sorry.” His cheeks grew warm. He pushed his head away from her and reached for her hat. With the brim in his grasp, he rose to his feet just as the train made a sharp turn, causing Hugh to again lose his footing and his grip on the hat. This time his head landed in her lap.