A Groom's Promise

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “Thank you,” Hugh said as he tipped his hat to her. He glanced over at his brother, whose gaze fixated on the woman, who wore her hair in a bun. He hated to admit it, but Miss Winifred Preston with her tiny waist and reddish-blonde hair sure was a lot prettier even if she did annoy him with her haughty ways.

  Maybell shifted her gaze to Jack. “It was my ma’s recipe. Just the right blend of sweet and tart.”

  Jack took the glass and stood there examining it.

  “Go on and drink it. You’ve got to be thirsty. It’s been a long trip,” Hugh said with irritation. The words had just left his mouth when his brother’s hat blew off his head and landed at the bottom of the steps. As Jack tried to retrieve it, the lemonade spilled down the stairs.

  “I – I – I – ” squeaked Jack.

  Hugh could not believe it: another awkward incident. This did not bode well. He swallowed the lump in his throat then redirected his attention to Archie. I wonder what he thinks.

  “It’s alright,” Maybell said. “A little spill never hurt anyone. I’ll come back out with another glass.” She turned and went back into the house.

  Hugh exhaled a long breath. He relaxed, knowing now why God led him out West. People here took things more in stride than those in Virginia like Miss Winifred Preston. He gritted his teeth together at the thoughts of that woman. A looker, or not, she sure could bring out the worst in him.

  “While she gets another glass, would you two like to discuss the terms of the arrangement?” Archie asked.

  “Um, Jack?” Hugh called out to get his brother’s attention.

  Jack stared at the steps. “Can…I…do…something…else?”

  Thank the Lord for that. Hugh released a long breath since Jack didn’t know how much that hat shorted their funds. “The details of the agreement would bore him,” Hugh explained. “He’d rather be doing something else. You got any animals to tend to or anything to fix? He’s real good at fixing things. You need it done, he can do it.”

  “Well,” Archie scratched his jaw, “I suppose it’s time for the animals to be fed. Got a couple horses and milk cows in the barn. Now that I think about it, the cows could be milked, too.”

  “You hear that, Jack?”

  Jack nodded then started to turn around when Maybell approached with a second lemonade. “Here you go. You can bring it to the house when you’re done.”

  Archie nodded toward the door, swinging it open wide. Hugh followed him inside. The farm owner directed him to the parlor, where stacks of books lay on a large table. A couple rows of bookshelves stood along the wall. Archie sat down in a seat at the rectangular table and pointed to a chair underneath one of the two piano windows placed high on the wall, which allowed the last light of day to illuminate the room.

  “We’ll work out the details of the agreement here. I always like having things on paper since my mind is not as sharp as it used to be.” He laughed.

  Hugh liked his easy manner and scooted the chair to the mahogany-grained table. He could work with this man. Releasing a long breath, he smiled, realizing for the first time how much this adventure had weighed on his nerves.

  The owner grinned and gazed at Hugh. “I see a businessman in you. Am I right? You good with figures, fella?”

  “Well, I think so. I assisted my father with his bookkeeping.” When his pa would let him. Father, though, was one who did not trust others to do his work his way.

  “Glad to be doing business with you then.” Archie’s eyes twinkled. He opened a drawer of a small table to his right and pulled out his pipe. After he tapped down the tobacco, he added a fresh supply to his bowl, put the instrument between his teeth, then lit it. As he puffed, smoke swirled around him. He turned to Hugh. “It helps me relax. You a pipe smoker?”

  “Yes, but I’d rather not indulge right now. I’m a little weary after the long trip.”

  “Understand.” Archie pulled a sheet from his ledger and scribbled several words on the paper. Once done, he pushed the sheet to Hugh. “You see if this land contract meets your approval. We discussed these points in correspondence. But if there’s anything needing some changes, let me know, and we’ll take care of that.”

  Hugh read the scrawl. Everything looked proper except the amount. He no longer had the necessary funds thanks to that irritating lady he met on the train. Taking a deep breath, he hesitated. How could he tell Archie what happened? But he must. He forced a smile then glanced up at the wrinkled face and white-bearded man before him. “I’m – I’m not able to buy the land until early summer. I ran into a complication on the way here.”

  “You did? Can you tell me about it?” His brow furrowed.

  Hugh swallowed the lump in his throat. He did not want to tell him the situation, especially since Archie knew Winifred’s sister. He twiddled his thumbs a moment then returned his gaze to Archie. “I really can’t. It won’t be proper. It involves someone else, and it isn’t the right thing to do. Could you give me an extension on the loan? I’m sure I could have all the finances needed by then.”

  Archie’s gaze bore into his. “The problem is I’m going to need to purchase chickens and a milk cow this spring, and the money you were to pay me would just cover that.” He stroked his beard then grinned.

  Fidgeting in his chair, Hugh sensed something he would not like was going to come out of Archie’s mouth.

  “You got a girl back home?” he blurted.

  “Well no, I’m a single man.” Of all things, Hugh never expected this. “In fact, Jack and I both are free men.” And, I like it that way.

  Archie chuckled. “I’ll tell you what. You sign this land contract, and I’ll introduce you to the banker in town. I’m sure he’ll loan you that extra money on my recommendation as long as …” his voice trailed off.

  Taking a long breath, Hugh waited for the catch to this agreement.

  Archie cleared his throat. “You marry my daughter, Maybell. She’s not a bad looker, and I’m getting old. She needs a young man around here, and I want me some grandchildren. You game?”

  He could not believe the bluntness of this man. “I – I don’t know. You know there has to be love involved,” he gulped, not knowing how else to answer the man.

  “Oh, that’s a bunch of nonsense. I married Maybell’s mother without ever seeing her. We got to know each other, if you know what I mean, and we were happy until the day Providence took her five years ago.”

  What could he do? He promised him the money. His honor was at stake. He wiggled in his seat and studied the paper in front of him once more. Marriage? He sure did not want to saddle himself with a silly female. At least, one like Miss Winifred Preston. Right now, though, he did not know what else to do until he could figure out some other way. “All right, but I don’t think this is the right approach.”

  With a hesitant nod, he took the pen and signed his name.

  Archie grabbed the paper and placed it inside a book. “We’ll go to the bank tomorrow, and I’ll introduce you to Alex Boyer. You’ll find him quite cooperative, and with my backing, I am sure he’ll secure you the loan for the necessary funds you need.” He stretched out his bony hand to Hugh, and they shook on the deal. “Well, I suppose you would like to get you and your brother settled. I’ll take you to the bunkhouse where you can make yourself at home.”

  Hugh followed the owner to the kitchen where Maybell stared out the window with her head tilted in the direction of the barn. He studied her. She was not bad looking, but her pinned up hair did not appeal to him. He liked women with their hair down and flowing around their shoulders. Her pudgy face also did not interest him. He preferred ladies with thin faces and dressed in more colorful and formal attire, not the plain, charcoal-gray shirtwaist covered with a white apron Maybell wore.

  She stepped away from the window. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in,” she said as she wiped her hands on her apron and gazed up at her pa. “The stew is cooking, and I’ll get the biscuits in the oven in a few minutes. I just g
ot sidetracked a second.”

  Smiling, Archie took her hand and stroked it. “We’ll talk about things after supper.” He released his hand from hers. “Right now, though, I’m showing Hugh the bunkhouse so he and Jack can unload their suitcases.”

  Hugh smiled at the glint in her eye as her father mentioned the name of his brother. Could Maybell be attracted to him? Perhaps there would be a way out of this dilemma after all. Though most men would admire her generous curves, she sure was not the woman for him. How could he love someone who did not entice him?

  ***

  Alex smiled at his sister-in-law. She reminded him so much of his wife with her refined ways and in her style of dress, noting the blue shirtwaist and elegant hat to match. Turning to her, he said, “Opal is excited about your coming to assist with the birth of our first child.”

  “I’m happy to come and so wanted to see my older sister. We miss her,” she answered, her voice quavering.

  He redirected his attention to the road. Alex hated to take her down this bumpy path, but this was the only roadway to his house. She looked a lot like Opal, but there were differences like her red hair and freckled face. Opal had fair skin but no freckles. However, her eyes matched the deep-blue ones of his beloved. The team maneuvered around the bend.

  Winifred grasped her hands tightly on her seat.

  “Sorry, about that,” he shouted as he slowed the horses.

  “I’m alright.” She placed her hand on her hat to keep it straight upon her head.

  The puffy white clouds decorated the light blue sky, and the temperature was perfect for the autumn day. A squirrel scampered up a tree in the distance, his tail dancing in the air as he ran. Within a short time, they arrived. He wondered if she would have the same reaction to the geese honking around the house as Opal, who had detested the sight of them when she first arrived. Winifred, though, sat unmoved. He pulled the steeds into the carriage house and jumped down to assist her.

  Hurried footsteps approached. Winifred grasped her brother-in-law’s outstretched hand and stepped down to come face to face with her sister.

  “I saw Alex pulling the horses into the carriage house and couldn’t wait to see you.” Opal swayed back and forth.

  Tearing up, Winifred gave her sister a soft hug, letting her go a minute later. She did not want to squeeze Opal too tight and damage the child growing inside her sister. “It’s so good to see you and you look so happy. Your cheeks have such a nice pinkish glow. Oh Opal, I can’t believe I’m really here.”

  “Me neither,” Opal murmured. Directing her attention to her husband, she said, “Take her trunk to the guest room.”

  “I would like to, but I’m going to need a little help.” Alex laughed. “She’s a lot like you when you arrived. Tell Teddy to come and give me a hand.”

  Opal chuckled.

  Puzzled, Winifred looked at her sister.

  “It’s a joke. I packed my trunk with a number of dresses and everything else, which made it impossible for one person to move it.” She smiled. “Now it looks like you did the same. Don’t you worry. Alex is just reminding me of how I came by train like you.” She took her hand and led her toward the two-story, clapboard structure. “You’ll get used to the geese, but watch for their droppings.”

  Alex unhitched the steeds and guided them to their stalls. Pulling hay to them, he watched them munch on it. The two sisters were so much alike. It was uncanny. Winifred’s arrival reminded him of Opal’s first time here: out of place and insecure. Taking a deep breath, he knew Winifred would adjust, at least he hoped so.

  ***

  Hugh stepped into the small bunkhouse lined with two racks of bunks. He placed their belongings on the bottom beds. No reason to take an upper bunk since no one else would be in here. Besides as clumsy as Jack could be, he might fall out of the top bunk anyway. Once they bedded for the night, they could put their gear on the upper beds. On the walls surrounding the bunk beds hung from rusty nails were rows of tools, such as a shovel, pitchfork, ropes, chicken wire, and fence posting equipment. A potbelly stove stood to the side, and a tin coffee pot sat on one of the two burners.

  He laughed when he thought of Jack. He had to go to the barn first to find anything he could fix. The dinner bell rang. He smiled. Now his stomach could stop growling. Hurrying into the barn, he found his brother hammering a nail into one of the wooden slats of a horse’s stall. He turned to Jack. “Are you finished yet?”

  Jack jerked and peered back. “Almost.” He returned his attention to the nail and struck it one last time. “It was falling apart. Since I found some tools along the shelf, I figured I’d make myself useful and take care of it.”

  “Didn’t you hear the dinner bell?”

  “No, I lost track of time.”

  Hugh chuckled. “Well, my stomach sure is giving me fits. I can’t wait to take a bite of that homemade stew Maybell was cooking. We haven’t had a good meal ever since Ma died.”

  “Alright. Have a good time.”

  “Don’t be impolite,” he said with irritation.

  “I’ll only make a mess in there. You saw what happened with the lemonade. Can’t you just bring me a bowl?”

  Hugh grabbed his arm. “You put that hammer down right now. Remember we’ve got a lot riding on this deal.”

  “It won’t hurt anything if I don’t go in there. You’re the one making the deal, not me.”

  “It’s because of you I’m doing this.” He could not believe his brother was being so obstinate.

  Jack’s face flushed. He pulled his arm away from his brother and stood there before he returned the hammer to its shelf. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Let’s go eat.”

  Thank God he used some common sense. They exited the barn. Hugh rushed toward the house. His brother followed with lumbering steps.

  Gasping for a breath, Hugh stopped a second then knocked. The elderly man met him at the door.

  “Maybell is putting the dishes on the table as we speak.” Archie looked from one side of Hugh to the other. “Where’s your brother?”

  “He’s on his way and should be here in a few minutes.”

  “I hope so. Maybell likes people to eat her cooking while it’s hot, and she’s made this special for you two.” He shut the door.

  Hugh sniffed the bread baking which made his hunger pangs return. He smiled. “And, I smell the bread. I can’t wait to taste it.”

  Archie laughed. “Yep, it’s mighty good.”

  “I’m sorry. He can’t be long,” he gulped. The duo stood inside the doorway for several moments.

  Clearing his throat, Archie opened his mouth to speak then shut it as Jack swung the door open. Archie gazed at Jack. “Glad you’re here. Everything is ready.”

  “S – sorry I’m late,” Jack replied, staring at the floor.

  “Don’t be sorry, son,” Archie said with a chuckle in his voice. “We’re glad you’re here. Let’s go into the dining room before the food gets cold.”

  Hugh nodded, hoping his brother would not embarrass him once more. He inhaled the tantalizing smell of the stew. He could not wait to settle his innards with some home-cooked food.

  During the meal, Hugh wondered if Archie detected his brother and Maybell’s attraction for each other because it was quickly becoming apparent the two liked each other. All Hugh knew was he sure did not want to be saddled with a woman he did not have feelings toward. However, Maybell appeared to find Jack appealing. At least, he hoped it was that and not pity. But either way, he believed she was drawn to him. Did Archie see it? He did not know, but one thing he did know was that he must talk to his boss as soon as possible because he had to release this albatross around his neck. Tomorrow, though, would not work since he needed to prove to the banker that he and his brother were honorable and trustworthy men.

  Chapter Three

  The next day, Hugh sat next to Archie on the plank seat. Archie snapped the reins before turning to Hugh. “I’ll introduce you to Alex Boyer with high recommend
ations then you two can work out the details.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.” He sure hoped Mr. Boyer did not have an attitude or habits anything similar to Miss Winifred Preston and her highfaluting ways. He would not think so, but you never know the influence a woman like Winifred’s sister could have on a man. Wiggling in his seat to secure a more comfortable position, he scanned the horizon before him.

  Pleasant days like this would not last long. A turkey strutted. As they drew closer, the feathers spread into a brown-and-black fan. He wished he had his gun because that fowl would make a great dinner, and with Maybell’s cooking, it would be tasty. However, no matter how good a cook she was, she was not the woman for him. He preferred thin ladies with long legs. Like Winifred. His heart pumped rapidly. Oh no, he did not think that, did he? He gulped.

  The buckboard bounced. The town came into view. They passed a series of small wooden houses as they approached. Archie slowed the steeds and pulled the team into the wide dirt road. Surprised, Hugh opened his mouth. Why, their streets are large. What a difference from back home where the roads were narrow with carts and wagons squeezed together in front of stores. He studied the rows of clapboard business fronts with overhanging eaves. They were quite primitive compared to Virginia’s mostly brick-and-mortar structures. Archie drove by the livery stable. Hugh sniffed the smell of manure. Well, no matter where he lived, that odor still was repugnant. Stopping the steeds at a hitching post, Archie jumped down and wrapped the reins around the post.

  Hugh smiled and examined the gray-stoned building with orange trim. At least, this structure outclassed those they passed a few minutes ago. He climbed down, the early afternoon sun warming the back of his neck. He joined Archie in front of the building. Pushing open the bank door, Archie stepped into the lobby with Hugh following. They swerved around several men in line before the teller’s window. A clerk punched the keys of the typewriter then looked up at them.