Sorcha: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides

by Rachel Wesson

  “It was asleep, it didn’t attack. But she got a fright.”

  Brian stared at Sorcha. Her eyes blinked rapidly. “Are you sure? Maybe I should take her to town to see the Doc, just in case.”

  He jumped as she touched his arm. “I’m certain. Jenny is fine although she won’t be if we don’t get her out of those wet clothes.”

  Sorcha carried Meggie into the house. Brian scanned his daughter once more before taking her into his arms and carrying her inside. He stoked the fire as Sorcha stripped both girls.

  “Can you make her a hot drink? It will help warm her up.” Sorcha’s voice quivered. Realizing his wife was shivering badly, his stomach clenched. She could get a chill too. “Sorcha, please go and change. You’re shaking.”

  “I’m grand. The girls…”

  “Will be fine. Go change now. I will make some coffee.”

  He stared into her eyes until she backed down. With one last glance at Jenny, Sorcha turned slowly and walked toward her room. The door closed gently behind her.

  “Jenny, sit by the fire and mind your sister. I’m going to put on some coffee.”

  Jenny didn’t reply but did as instructed. Making the coffee should have given Brian time to calm down. He heard Sorcha’s door open but didn’t look at her. His anger, although not aimed at her specifically, wouldn’t allow him. He tried to breathe slowly. She came toward him, still shivering slightly. Her eyes were fearful.

  “Brian, I’m sorry. I was right behind Jenny. I didn’t see the snake. I was distracted.”

  Before he could answer, Jenny surprised both of them.

  “Pa, if you’re angry, it’s my fault not Sorcha’s. She took Meggie out of the water and came back for me. I couldn’t move. I was too scar…” Sobs overcame the child, stopping her from speaking.

  Sorcha moved quickly to comfort Jenny. She put Meggie on the floor and then pulled Jenny up out of the chair so she could sit first, and pull Jenny down on top of her knee.

  “Cry, little one. It will help. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. We just have to say thanks nothing bad happened.”

  Sorcha rocked back and forth with the child crushed close against her. She kept rocking until the sobs ceased. After Jenny hiccupped a couple of times, she stopped rocking. “Are you alright now?”

  Jenny nodded but still looked worried. “Thank you.”

  Sorcha kissed the child’s cheek and put her arms around her once more. Her racing heart beat was making her feel dizzy. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the snake. She wasn’t ever going back to the creek. No matter how sunny it was.

  She was surprised to see Brian dishing up dinner. She hadn’t noticed him doing it. She went to get up but realized Jenny was asleep.

  “Jenny, love, it’s time for supper.” There was no response.

  “Let me.” Brian picked up his daughter and carried her to her bed.

  Sorcha sprang out of the seat and busied herself, getting glasses of water for the table.

  “Sit down and eat.”

  She sat but didn’t look at him. Was he still angry? His voice sounded funny.

  He sat opposite her, looking at her for a few seconds before reaching across the table. Taking her hand, he looked into her eyes.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blamed you. I know better.”

  “That’s alright,” she managed to say but her voice was squeaky. She stared at his strong large fingers enclosing hers, before his voice made her look up.

  “No, it isn’t. I have seen you with my children. You wouldn’t put them in danger. Today was an accident. You handled it perfectly.”

  He wasn’t looking at her but focused on some distant spot over her shoulder. His eyes had that haunted look she’d seen at the wedding. Somehow she knew it wasn’t just grief for his wife and child. Something else bothered him. Deeply.

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  “That’s not what Jenny said. Anyway, I shouldn’t have reacted that way.”

  She stared at their hands, still joined together. “It’s understandable. You’ve lost so much.”

  At her words, he took his hand back. Why did she have to say anything? She fidgeted, trying to muster the courage to take his hand again. She looked up to see him staring at the table, his face drawn and pale.

  “I should have been there.”

  He spoke so quietly she almost missed it.

  “You can’t be with the girls all the time. You have to work.”

  “I have to protect them.”

  His growl made her shiver, not with fear but the pain in his voice was too much to bear. She wanted to hug him close but she couldn’t do that. He’s your husband. He’s a stranger.

  She sat, playing with her hands under the table in an effort to stop herself touching him. “You said snakes hid in the grass but there was only mud near the creek.”

  “Some snakes like the sand. Can you remember what it looked like?”

  “A snake.”

  They exchanged a slight smile.

  “Sorry. It was gray but had brown spots on its back. A big head too.” Sorcha clenched her shoulders, she didn’t want to think of it.

  Brian rubbed the whiskers on his chin, his eyes wary. “Sounds like one the Indians call the Massasauga. One bite is fatal.”

  Sorcha burst out sobbing. She tried to get up to run to her room but he was there. He wrapped his arms around her as she soaked his shirt. The material was coarse against her face but she didn’t care. It felt so good to be held. He was so powerful and she clung to that strength. He was stroking her back gently but his touch lit her skin on fire. Her body moved closer to him yearning for more. Lifting her head, she stared into his eyes.

  He looked at her hungrily, she saw him look at her mouth before moving back to her eyes. She bit on her lip before standing on her tippy toes and kissing his cheek. At the last minute, he moved and his lips met hers. Groaning, he pulled her even closer as he pressed his lips against hers. He lifted her up so she could wrap her arms around his neck without breaking the kiss. A cry broke through the fog swirling in her brain. A child’s cry.

  She pushed him away reluctantly. “Brian, one of the children is crying,” she said, trying to get her voice under control. It sounded odd as if she had a sore throat. He set her back on her feet but didn’t loosen his hold immediately. Thank goodness he didn’t, as she rocked back and forth, unsteady on her feet.

  “Sorra, where are you?”

  With one last look, she turned and ran to Meggie’s bed. When she had settled the child and returned to the kitchen, he was gone.

  She sat at the fire, reliving the embrace. Her whole body heated. Would he come back? Would he stay? She wanted him to. Didn’t she?

  The door opened, allowing a blast of night air into the room. He carried a load of logs over to the fireplace, his face glistening with sweat. “I chopped a load more.”

  “You were out chopping wood?”

  “The log box was almost empty.”

  They stared at each other for a few seconds until Brian looked away. Then he looked everywhere but at her. He’s uneasy.

  Brian tried to think of anything other than the woman standing by the fire. She was so beautiful. She smelt good too – fresh and sweet with a hint of something he couldn’t quite place. He’d come close to taking her to his room earlier. Too close. That wasn’t the plan. You married her.

  His voice surprised him but not as much as what he said. “I have a lot of work on at the moment.” He always had a lot of work to do. Why was he apologizing? She looked puzzled too. “But I am going over to the Sullivan ranch tomorrow. Would you like to come? You could visit with Mary and the girls could get to know Ben better.”

  She lit up like a Christmas tree, causing sensations he tried to dampen down to run riot through his body. “Thank you. I would love that.”

  Even her voice affected him. The soft Irish accent combined with the way her eyes danced as she smiled. She’s fragile and weak and no
t at all suited to life on the prairie.

  “I guess you would like to turn in. Sleep well.”

  He hardened his heart to the unspoken request in her eyes. Turning on his heel, he marched out the door. Instead of heading into the barn, he strode over to where he had left his ax. Cutting logs would take his mind off his beautiful wife.

  Chapter 30

  The next morning, the sun rose high in the sky. Sorcha was up early and breakfast was ready when Brian walked in. The girls asked questions about Ben the whole way through the meal.

  “What is wrong with his leg? He walked funny when we saw him at the station.”

  “He had polio when he was little. It sometimes leaves you with a limp.”

  “So he’s a cripple for life. How horrible.” Jenny said, taking a mouthful of oats.

  “We don’t define people by their looks or abilities. It’s what is inside someone’s heart that counts. Ben is a lovely boy. He has had a difficult life but he will be happy now he is living with Mary.”

  “So all those kids who live in the orphanage are there because no one wants them?”

  “Jenny! Apologize to your Ma.”

  “It’s okay, Brian.” Sorcha turned to smile at Jenny. “Most of the children are there because their parents died. They are too young to look after themselves. Some live there for a while if their parents can’t afford to look after them. They may be sick or out of work. There are many reasons.”

  “So if Pa had died with Ma and Ethan, we would have ended up in a place like that?” Jenny’s spoon clattered to the table.

  Sorcha stood and went over to his daughter. Putting an arm around her, she said soothingly, “Your Pa is right here, Jenny. Don’t torment yourself now. You and Meggie are fine. Nobody is sending you anywhere.” Sorcha took Jenny’s hand. “Well, maybe just out to the pump to clean your hands. You can’t go visiting with oats all over you.”

  The girls ran to the pump while Sorcha busied herself cleaning up.

  “You are very good with her. Most women wouldn’t have the patience for her antics.”

  “She is lonely and scared. She cries herself to sleep every night. She needs… oh, never mind.”

  “No, go on. What does she need?”

  “A Pa.” Sorcha picked up the dishes and walked to the kitchen, leaving him sitting staring at her, his mouth hanging open. How dare she come into his house and lecture him! She didn’t know his girls. She couldn’t see how much Abby and Ethan meant. He wasn’t taking this.

  “My girls have a Pa. I have to work to provide all this. It doesn’t grow on trees you know. You of all people must understand.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Good.”

  “I hadn’t finished. Of all people, I understand what it is like to lose my Ma. I never knew my Pa but if I had one, I hope he would have had time for me when I needed him.”

  “Sorcha, don’t …”

  “Don’t what? Tell you, your girls need you. I will do what I can to help your children, but they need more than to see you at meal times. Don’t cut yourself off completely. It doesn’t cost much to spare five minutes to tell them a story or give them a cuddle before going to bed.”

  “You have nerve. This is my home and they are my children.”

  “I thought it was my home now, too.”

  Sorcha walked out the door banging it behind her. He stared after her.

  Chapter 31

  The trip to the ranch passed in silence. Sorcha was far too angry to make an effort to speak to Brian. Instead, she studied the countryside. She could feel Jenny looking at them but let him deal with his daughter. She held her back straight and struggled to get a grip on her emotions. She was starting to understand why Laura had always cautioned her to hide her feelings. If people didn’t know what you were thinking about, they couldn’t hurt you.

  Mary didn’t live far away and soon they were driving up toward the house. Mary had been hanging out laundry as she came over running when she saw them.

  “I’m so glad you came visiting. I wanted to call on you but … well, newlyweds need time alone.”

  Sorcha’s cheeks flushed and she looked everywhere but at her husband. Mary didn’t seem to notice. She was chatting to the girls.

  “Jenny, so nice to see you and look at you, Meggie. Getting bigger every day. Ben will be so happy to see you both. He loves it here but I think he misses having children around.” Sorcha couldn’t help smiling. Mary hadn’t changed a bit. She talked for longer than anyone else she had met. She barely stopped to take a breath.

  “Mr. Petersen, Davy is out on the range but if you would like to come inside I have hot coffee and some cake.”

  “Please call me Brian, Mrs. Sullivan. I will have coffee later but for now, would you mind if I head into the barn? I know my way around.”

  “No problem, Brian. Davy is the same, he runs as soon as us women start chatting. Let me know if you need anything.”

  Sorcha let Brian help her down from the wagon but she didn’t look at him. The anger radiated from his body and she wasn’t about to cause a scene in front of Mary. She turned toward her friend to find her staring at them, a quizzical expression on her face. Sorcha moved quickly. The last thing she needed was for Mary to start giving Brian a hard time.

  She followed Mary into the house, staring around her in awe. It was exactly as her friend had described in her letters. She touched the gleaming table and couldn’t help being slightly envious. Mary glowed with happiness. She had found true love and a beautiful house. Now Ben was here, she must have everything she ever wanted.

  “Come into the kitchen and meet Mrs. Higgins. I told her all about you.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Petersen. Ben told us how you looked after him so well.”

  “It was nothing. Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Higgins. Mary told me so much about you in her letters.”

  “All good, I hope.” Mrs. H smiled. “Would you like to take coffee into the drawing room, Miss Mary?”

  “Not at all. We will stay here in the kitchen where it is warm. You sit down and join us. “

  “You’re the boss, Miss Mary.” Both women laughed, leaving Sorcha feeling lonely again. Why was she always on the outside looking in? Shaking her head to get rid of these thoughts, she sat down.

  “So what do you think of Clover Springs, Mrs. Petersen?”

  “Please call me Sorcha. I liked what I saw of it but I haven’t had an opportunity to explore it yet. I am hoping to get to town tomorrow. I have to stock up on some essentials.

  Mary came back into the room. “The girls are playing outside with Ben. He’s taken them to see his new horse.”

  “You’ve given Ben a horse? But, how is he going to ride?”

  “You can see for yourself later. Up on the horse, you would never know he had a bad leg. He wants to be just like his Pa.” Mary beamed with happiness.

  Later, they sat out on the porch. Sorcha slapped at another mosquito. She’d be bitten alive at this rate. “Here, try this.” Mary handed a small pot to Sorcha. Sorcha sniffed it. The aroma wasn’t unpleasant but would take getting used to.

  “Indians have used it for years to keep the mossies’ away. They also use bear fat but that’s a little difficult to come by. Crushed sagebrush works well and smells better.”

  “I don’t know how you do it, Mary. It’s like you’ve always lived here.”

  “I love it here, Sorcha. I can honestly tell you Clover Springs is my home. Well, in some ways, Galway will always be the home of my heart but I’ve found true happiness here. I am sure you will feel the same way soon.”

  I hope so. Sorcha didn’t say anything out loud. She didn’t want to face any questions from her friend. If she got a hint Sorcha wasn’t happy, she would have the teapot out before she could count to ten.

  “This is our garden. It’s a little small but we are working on it.”

  The little garden held all sorts of crops from potatoes, carrots, beets and greens. Mary showed her the root cellar
explaining how Mrs. H. stored the excess produce to help carry them through the winter.

  “Can she make jelly? Jenny was saying her Ma used to boil up the fruit and make jelly for them. I don’t know how to do it but I would love to surprise her.”

  “You’re not trying to be Abby, are you?” Mary asked softly.

  Sorcha reddened. “No, of course not. But it wouldn’t hurt to get the girls on my side and if making them jelly is the way to go well then...”

  “I haven’t made jelly before. We can learn together. Mrs. H. will show us.”

  Before they could make any more plans, Jenny came running up.

  “Can we go riding today? Ben said he’d let me ride his horse.”

  “Have you checked with your Pa?”

  Jenny didn’t have to answer, the mutinous look on the girls face said everything.

  “Your Pa just wants to keep you safe. He doesn’t want to lose you.”

  “Yeah, I know, but it’s no fun not being able to do the same thing other children do.”

  “I know, love. Why don’t you go ask him? He’s out in the barn anyway.” Jenny ran off leaving Sorcha alone with Mary once more.

  “He’s protective, isn’t he?”

  “Yes.” Sorcha sighed. Was he protective or controlling? She wasn’t sure yet.

  Chapter 32

  All too soon, it was time to go home. Jenny and Meggie lay down in the wagon and were soon fast asleep. Worn out by the amount of running and playing they had enjoyed at the ranch. Sorcha stole a look at her husband. He was staring into the distance. How she envied Mary’s relationship with Davy. She sighed out loud, causing Brian to look down at her.

  “Tired?” He reached out his large hand and brushed her cheek. “You got something on your face. Looks like flour.”

  “Mmm.” Sorcha didn’t trust herself to speak coherently. Her stomach fluttered at the sensations his touch had aroused. The wagon hit a rut in the road, causing her to fall sideways.