by Debra Samms
“Thanks, Mark.” He turned to her and looked her up and down, “You must be Miss Dean?”
She nodded her head, “Yes. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here…”
Tom held up a hand, “You don’t have to explain. Delays like that happen a lot around these parts. Pay no mind to it. Is that all of your luggage?” he asked, gesturing to the suitcases.
“Yes.”
“Good. The parson’s waiting. He was planning to leave this morning, but I convinced him to stay another day.” He grabbed her suitcases and set them in the back of the wagon. He turned toward the church and noticed that she was not next to him. He turned and waved her forward. “Come on now. We need to get this done so I can get us back home. I wasn’t planning on a trip into town today.”
She stepped forward, once again ignoring the dizzy sensation that kept coming and going. She attributed it to lack of food and nerves, neither of which she could remedy at this moment. She told herself that there was no need to give any energy to how she felt. There would be time to deal with both of them afterwards.
“Is there someplace I could clean up…”
Tom shook his head, “Don’t have time for that today. You look fine and the parson won’t mind a little dust.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he’d already walked away, leaving her almost running to keep up with his long legs. Laura was somewhat relieved to know that she was still going to get married. Proprieties were important to her, and there was no way she could go to his ranch, alone, without benefit of the preacher blessing their marriage. But then what? She didn’t know this man at all.
When she’d found Miss Helen’s School for Western Brides, she had just left the orphanage a short time before and been looking for a safe place to spend the night. She had been wandering in the park when a police man had stopped her. After telling him her story, he escorted her to Miss Helen’s door. That was a just a mere several few weeks ago.
Helen Smythson was a widow lady, who had taken pity on the women living in the city who had neither means nor family to push them toward the matrimonial state. She’d started a training program for young women who were so eager to have their own family; they didn’t mind marrying a man in exchange for his name and a home to call their own. Sight unseen!
She taught them how to cook, sew, clean, plant a vegetable garden, and make their own soap. All skills needed by women headed for the West. At least that was how she had felt when she had first set out on this journey. She had known she would need to learn additional skills, and Miss Helen had been sure her new husband would be an adequate teacher.
When Laura was on the train, she had listened to the conversations going on around her. Talk of Indians and wild animals had left her feeling very unprepared. She had no idea how to shoot a gun, and now that she’d had plenty of time to think about it, she had decided her lack of education in that realm needed to be corrected—as soon as possible.
CHAPTER THREE
An hour later, Laura sat beside her new husband on the wooden seat of his wagon. Tom had whisked her away to the church, where the parson was waiting for them. Tom had convinced two men who were sitting outside the saloon to serve as their witnesses. The marriage events happened so quickly that Laura had no say in how it would take place. Obviously, Tom was in a hurry and he was of no mind to explain or ask her about any details of the event.
The ceremony had been straightforward and lasted a few minutes only. Laura stemmed her disappointment of having no bouquet of flower to hold in her hands. Instead, she maintained a posture of self-control and stoicism; traits that Miss Helen had insisted were part of every successful wife’s character.
No matter how self-controlled she was, her stomach clenched and reminded her that she had not eaten since earlier that morning. During her brief viewing of the town, she had seen no place that offered meals. The general store appeared to have many items of interest, but there had been no time to explore it.
As soon as the parson pronounced them husband and wife, Tom had given the man a few bills. He took her elbow and led her to his wagon.
He had stowed her luggage in the back earlier, so they were ready to leave. Without saying a word, he placed his hands around her hips and hoisted up to the wagon seat. She was startled, but his touch was swift and purposeful.
She was surprised by his quiet nature and wasn’t sure how to interpret it. Curious, she turned to him and asked, “How far away is your ranch?”
He looked at her briefly and shrugged his shoulders, “About half an hour.”
The wagon rolled over the pot holes and bumpy road, jarring her teeth and causing her head to ache. Laura inwardly grimaced at having to endure the rough ride for the full 5 miles. She was trying to maintain proper posture, not wanting her new husband to think her lazy or unschooled, but keeping her back straight was making the bumps more difficult to endure. Best get used to this mode of travel. There’s no paved or cobblestone streets here.
She was so wrapped up in her own misery; she didn’t see the large rut ahead. She suddenly found herself lifting off the seat, falling sideways as she crashed back down. Her ribs banged hard against her knees, as she tumbled to the floor of the wagon’s sitting area.
She gave a small shriek of surprise, but before she could right herself, the back wheels hit the same rut and she found herself being thrown the other direction. But, instead of being flung from the wagon to the hard-packed dirt trail, she felt a large hand grab the back of her dress, yanking her back to a sitting position.
“Whoa!” Tom brought the team to a stop and then looked at her, his expression letting her know he wasn’t happy. “What in tarnation is wrong with you!”
Laura took in several shallow breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. The pain in her ribs lanced through her when she tried to take a deeper breath.
She carefully schooled her emotional response, hoping her face would not betray her feelings. “I’m sorry. I must watch the road more carefully.” Laura kept her head bent, not wanting him to see the tears threatening to spill over.
His ad for a wife had specifically asked for a woman of strong constitution, a woman not given to fits of tears or complaints, and a woman willing to work as hard as her husband; she didn’t think crying over a few bruised ribs would please him. He probably wouldn’t give a few bruised ribs a second thought! And neither would she!
She could feel his penetrating eyes on her, watching for any other response. She remembered that Miss Helen said that western women should approach challenges with a stiff upper lip. With this thought in mind, she forced herself to resume her straight posture once again no matter what pain she felt. With an impassioned demeanor, she said, “I’m fine now. I’ll just watch for bumps in the road so I’m ready next time. Please, continue. I know you’re in a hurry to return home.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Tom watched his new bride for another moment, before moving the team forward again. She was acting so prim and proper; he wondered how long it would be before she lost her stiff spine and the exhaustion that went with making a life on the frontier took over.
He’d been up during much of the night before helping with the birthing process of the cows that had yet to deliver their young. So far, eight of the nine cows had delivered healthy calves, and the last one was due to drop her young anytime.
Because he was still needed at the ranch for the final delivery, he had not wanted to leave again today. The delayed train had left him with no choice. Consequently, he was two days behind on the regular chores and hadn’t slept more than a few hours in the last two days. It looked as if he were facing another long night.
He sensed her fidgeting on the seat next to him and glanced over at her. She was still sitting straight up and looked very uncomfortable. “You doing okay?”
She nodded once, “I’m fine.” She had her hands folded in her lap, her fingers clenched together so hard her knuckles were white.
He wasn’t sure he agreed with that as
sessment, but then again, he didn’t really know her. He decided to use the last few minutes of their drive to let her know about the ranch. “So, the ranch is just around the corner up there. I have quite a lot of chores to do, so feel free to look around the cabin and unpack your belongings. There should be plenty of room for your things in the drawers, but if not I’ll make some more room when I come in tonight.”
“I’m sure whatever arrangements you made are adequate.” She hesitated and then asked, “So, you won’t be in until suppertime?”
“Not tonight. If you could throw some dinner together, that would be appreciated. There’s salted pork and you’ll find some potatoes and onions as well.”
Laura looked at him and offered a smile, “I’m sure I can make use of that.”
“Good.” He navigated the wagon around the last corner and then slowed the team down so she could see her new home for the first time. He knew it wasn’t much compared to the buildings back East. With the help of his brothers, they had built the cabin. They had logged and cut all the logs for the house. He had stripped the bark himself. It had taken him and his brothers the better part of five months to finish, but the time had been worth it. It had three bedrooms, wood floors, and two fireplaces—one in the main living area, and another smaller one in the kitchen to cook over.
He had lived in the hope for nearly four years, having originally come West with his two brothers. But they hadn’t been content to raise cattle, not when the lure of gold had snagged their interest. They’d headed to Colorado two years ago, and while he got the occasional letter from them, they’d never once talked about coming back to Montana.
The isolation over the last winter had finally gotten to Tom and he decided he needed a wife to help out around the ranch and provide some companionship. He was getting tired of talking to the cows and horses. With no available women in the area, he’d placed an ad in the Matrimonial News and as he looked at the beautiful young woman sitting next to him, he was glad that he had.
The next few weeks would be an adjustment for them both, but he was hopeful that together they would have a long and successful marriage. He just hoped she was a quick learner because his cabin didn’t have any fancy drawing rooms or indoor plumbing. There was an outhouse out back, and a water pump that drew water from the well that he and his brothers had dug just outside the kitchen door.
He pulled the team into the small clearing, and brought them to a stop. “I’ll set your luggage on the front porch.” He jumped to the ground, carried her bags to the door, and then turned to see her slowly climbing down from the wagon. She was moving so carefully, he wondered if she was afraid of falling. That made him feel guilty for not offering her a hand down. Next time! She’s used to gentlemanly behavior and I haven’t lived out here so long that I’ve forgotten my upbringing. I need to remember to treat her like a lady.
CHAPTER FIVE
Laura felt her toes touch the ground and almost sobbed in relief that she didn’t have to continue to stretch her side. The pain in her ribs was throbbing. She decided that as soon as she was alone, she would determine what damage she’d done to her ribs.
It had been all her fault. If she hadn’t been feeling sorry for herself, she would have seen the rut in the road, and wouldn’t have disgraced herself by falling against her husband’s knee.
She turned carefully and made her way toward the log cabin. It was a beautiful piece of workmanship, and larger than she would have imagined was necessary for one man. He was watching her, so she hid her discomfort and offered him a smile, “Thank you for bringing my luggage up. I’ll take a look around and get some dinner going.”
“I’ll be in the barn or the far pasture for the rest of the afternoon. If you need anything, try the barn first.”
Laura nodded, “Yes, thank you.” She watched him stride back to the wagon and climb in. He drove it to the barn and began to unhook the team, turning the horses loose in the attached corral.
She opened the door to the cabin and stepped in, instantly admiring the carved furniture and the organization, she saw. Everything was neat and tidy, presenting a welcoming sight to her. A sturdy long table that had been carved from logs stood in the great room, with two long benches sitting on either side of it.
There were two rocking chairs sitting on either side of the fireplace in the great room and hurricane lamps sat on either side of the mantle. On the floor between the chairs was a large woven rug in bright colors. The rug had been braided together and re-wound around itself to create a circular pattern. It brightened the entire room, making her feel at home.
She wandered into the kitchen, touching the wood-burning stove that had to have been brought from back East. It was shiny black, and had been cleaned well after each use. She found the bedrooms, but only one of them contained any kind of furniture.
Tom’s bedroom had a large bed with a feather mattress, several quilts folded at the bottom and a very large dresser sitting opposite the bed. A small table between the bed and the window with a lamp and a Bible on top.
She went to the window and looked out, excited to see a small pond or lake in the distance. She’d always wanted to learn to fish, but living in Baltimore all of her life, she’d never gotten much chance. The nuns were more interested in academic learning, and while she had gotten plenty of exercise at the orphanage, she doubted much of it would have prepared her for living out here.
But she wasn’t about to let that bother her. She was determined to be the perfect frontier wife, and that meant she needed to stop woolgathering and unpack her belongings. Next would come dinner, proving to her new husband that he hadn’t made a mistake in bringing her out here.
She’d almost forgotten about her sore ribs until she reached for a suitcase with her left hand. The strain on her left side caused her to gasp and she dropped the suitcase, reaching for her left side with her right arm as she leaned against the door jamb.
She reached for a suitcase with her right arm a few minutes later. With some maneuvering, she discovered that she could manage her baggage with right arm if she held her left arm tightly against her left side. Just one at a time. It took twice as long, but she eventually had all of her belongings stowed away and was finally ready to see what harm she had done to herself.
She closed the bedroom door, and unfastened the buttons on her dress. There was a mirror above the dresser. She slipped her arms free from her dress and slowly pulled up the side of her chemise. Underneath, her ribs bore an ugly black and blue bruise that had already formed. The damaged area was about the size of her fist, and she gingerly palpated the area around it, sucking in her breath when she hit a tender spot that brought immediate tears to her eyes.
She poured some water from the pitcher on the dresser into the bowl, and dipped a clean cloth into it. She placed the cool cloth against her injury, and breathed slowly as the pain lessened. After a few minutes, she removed the cloth and dressed herself in clean clothing. She knew she would be sore for a few days, but she would not let that stop her. She was now a frontier bride, and she wouldn’t let her husband down.
CHAPTER SIX
By the time the sun sank low behind the mountains, Laura had put together a dish of pork and potatoes, had made some fresh biscuits, and had brewed a fresh pot of coffee. She hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Tom since he left her at the cabin earlier in the afternoon. She lit only a single lamp on the dining table, not knowing what their lamp oil supply was like.
As daylight faded to darkness, she sat at the dining table with her Bible open in front of her. She had been trying to read in an attempt to keep her mind off the pain in her side. The prayer had brought her a sense of peace and a feeling that her being in Montana was God’s will for her life. Still, there were threads of doubt that pushed through, and she struggled with controlling them.
She turned her head toward the doorway when the tromping of boots sounded from the porch. The door opened and Tom stood in the doorway for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the
dim light.
“Why are you sitting here, practically in the dark?” he asked, coming in and shutting the door. He moved immediately to the hearth and lit the lamps before wandering around the living area and lighting other lamps that she hadn’t even noticed.
“I didn’t mind. I didn’t want to waste lamp oil…”
“We have plenty of lamp oil, and if we start to run low, they always have some in town.”
“Oh,” she murmured, not sure if he was just informing her, or if he was angry that she hadn’t lit more lamps.
He stopped by the table, “It smells good. Let me wash up and I’ll be right back.”
He stepped into what was now their bedroom and a few minutes later emerged with his hair damp around the bottom. He had removed his outer shirt and was wearing just his undershirt and his pants.
Laura averted her eyes, having never been around a man in anything other than full dress. She busied herself with serving up the meal that she had prepared, and then waited for him to join her. She dipped her head, and was pleased when he said grace a few seconds later. He’d stated in his letter he was a God-fearing man, and hearing his strong baritone voice praying was calming to her nerves.
They ate in silence for a few minutes before he asked, “Did you have any trouble finding a place for everything?”
“No. Thank you.”
“Good.”
The silence stretched between them for another minute before he spoke up, “So I need to head back to the barn after we eat. The last cow is having problems with delivering her calf.”
“All right. How long will you be gone?” She inwardly cringed at how needy that question had sounded. Be a strong frontier woman!
“Probably all night.” He yawned and then shook his head, “I’m glad this is the last calf to be born. Usually the cows have no problems, but this year it seems like most of them have had problems of one sort or another.”
