Mail-Order Marriages

by Jillian Hart

  “Did you really?” he asked, his interest obvious.

  “Yes, and if your father doesn’t mind, I’d be interested in him finding me a horse to ride so I can keep you company on your jaunts when your mare is ready.”

  Lucas looked up at her and his grin was wide. “We’ll have to see about that right soon, ma’am. I’ll warrant we can find a good gelding for you. Our neighbor has a good number of horses in his pasture and most of them are trained to bit and bridle and know what a saddle feels like on their backs. If you want a horse, we’ll get you one, Elizabeth. You can work with Josh and teach him the same way your father taught you. I’ll do the work of building stalls in the barn, and you can do the teaching part.”

  “It sounds like a long-term deal to me,” she said, her gaze fastened on that of her husband. He stood then and approached her.

  “This figures to be a long-term deal all the way around, Elizabeth. I didn’t send for you and then marry you without thinking about it for a long time. I’m in this thing for the long haul, Lizzie. There’s gonna be no looking back, or fretting about what might have been. We’re married and we’re gonna stay married, whether or not Amos Rogers likes it. He’s not going to get his hands on you or the money your aunt left you. I’ll hang him out to dry first.”

  “Now, that’s the sort of thing I like to hear, sir,” she said with a grin. “I have no intention of leaving you or the boys, and Amos Rogers missed his chance with me about six years ago. He’s water under the bridge as far as I’m concerned.”

  Lucas hauled her closer, his arm around her waist, his lips touching hers. “That’s the answer I wanted to hear from you, lady. We’ll see what sort of shenanigans that yahoo tries to pull next, but I’ll tell you one thing—he’d better stay clear of me. And if he puts one finger on you, or even looks like he’s about to, he’ll have had his last chance.”

  Toby stood beside Lucas, one hand clutching at Elizabeth’s dress. “Is that man tryin’ to take our Miss Lizzibet away from us? Should me and Josh do something to help?”

  “You betcha,” Lucas said with a smile in the boy’s direction. “You and Josh just stick right close to Miss Elizabeth and watch over her, you hear? And if that fella from the big city comes sniffin’ around here again, you holler real loud for me, you understand?”

  “I sure do, Pa.”

  It seemed that Amos Rogers was devious beyond her imagination. A few days later the president of the local bank arrived at the farm, and as her father would have said, the gentleman was hot under the collar. He drew his buggy up to the back porch and slid down from his seat, causing Toby to run from the barn, a puppy in his arms, to find out who the visitor was.

  He was breathless from his quick jaunt, but he stood next to Elizabeth on the porch by the time the banker had reached the steps. Toby looked up at Elizabeth. “It’s not that bad guy, ma’am. Should I go get Pa anyway?”

  Elizabeth nodded at him and touched his shoulder, a silent message to do as he’d said, and Toby ran from the porch, careful not to drop his puppy, but running quickly nonetheless.

  “Good morning, ma’am. I assume that you’re Mrs. Harrison?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Is there a problem, sir?”

  He shook his head. “Not yet, ma’am. I’m Roscoe Boyle, owner of the bank in Thomasville. I had a gentleman caller this morning and I wasn’t certain as to his veracity, so I decided to check with you that he’s on the up-and-up. He said his name was Amos Rogers, and that he was not only a close friend of yours, but your former fiancé. Was he correct?”

  Elizabeth stood back from the door and opened it wide. “Won’t you come in, sir? I think we’d better sit down and discuss this occurrence.” Mr. Boyle nodded and tied his horse to the hitching rail before the porch, then walked up the steps to the back door.

  As he did so, Elizabeth caught sight of Lucas coming from the barn, his steps hurried.

  She ushered Mr. Boyle into the kitchen and then thought better of it. “Perhaps you’d like to go into the parlor, sir,” she asked, not willing to insult the man by keeping him at the back of the house. Good manners decreed she should offer him a seat in the room where visitors were normally received.

  But Mr. Boyle merely shook his head. “I’m more than comfortable at a kitchen table,” he said with a smile. And then he turned his head as Lucas came in the screen door.

  “Good morning, sir,” Lucas said, holding out his hand politely. “I’m Lucas Harrison. Elizabeth is my wife, and if I remember right, I’ve had dealings with you on several occasions.”

  Mr. Boyle grinned. “Well, it’s been a couple of years now, but I remember well when you paid off your mortgage at the bank, and then opened a savings account with us. I thought the name was familiar when I got the notice about Mrs. Harrison’s money coming through.”

  Lucas sat down, waving at a chair across the table for the banker. “And has it come through all right? We knew it was about to happen, but haven’t had a chance to come into town to find out the particulars.”

  “I got notice of it late yesterday, just before closing, and thought to come out here then, but put it off. Then, when the gentleman I spoke to your wife about came into the bank today inquiring about the funds, I felt it was time to come here and get things in order.”

  “A gentleman?” Lucas asked, shooting a quick look at Elizabeth.

  “A Mr. Amos Rogers came in and inquired of me whether the money had been transferred yet, and I was a bit waylaid by him. I don’t know how he had knowledge of the inheritance, and I didn’t feel it was any of his business, unless Mrs. Harrison had made him her man of affairs. So the next thing was to come and see for myself. Needless to say, I put the gentleman off by telling him there were technicalities to be worked out before I would be at liberty to discuss Mrs. Harrison’s funds with anyone.”

  Lucas grinned. “You’re a smart man, sir, for Amos Rogers is a man to be feared. He knew my wife in Boston, and the only reason he’s here now is to try talking her into returning to the city with him.”

  “And is there a chance of that happening?” Mr. Boyle asked, glancing at Elizabeth as if he would have her input.

  Lucas shook his head. “Not a chance, sir. He was married to my wife’s sister, and she died in a fire, we were told, a few days ago. Instead of staying there to tend to business, the funeral and the disposition of their children, that scalawag arrived here with the express purpose of taking my wife back with him. I suspect it had a whole lot to do with the inheritance money she was in line for, since her aunt passed away at the same time as her sister. My considered opinion is that Amos Rogers is a man to be avoided at all costs, for he is unworthy of trust. In fact, he even told my wife that since her sister was deceased, there was no impediment to her marrying him.”

  Mr. Boyle looked aghast at that news and turned to speak to Elizabeth. “I want to offer you my sincere condolences on the death of your sister and that of your aunt, and I want you to know that I will let the sheriff know of Amos Rogers and the stunts he’s tried to pull here in town. He was intent on knowing whether or not you had been told of your aunt’s death and the money you had coming to you. I was surprised to find that the estate had been settled so quickly, but it is my understanding from the wire I received from her lawyer that everything was cut-and-dried and she knew how serious her illness was and made arrangements that you be made aware of the money and it be available to you immediately upon her death. The only thing you must do is to sell her home outside Boston. Do you have family back there who might handle such a thing for you? Someone you can trust?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “My parents are there. At the moment I’m sure they have their hands full, for they were left with my sister’s two children to care for and the funeral arrangements for my sister. Mr. Rogers is a man I would consider dangerous, sir. For I don’t know the details yet about my sister’s death, only that she perished in a house fire. Mr. Tennyson came out here and told me of the inheritance and that was when I signed the
papers instructing the money be sent to your bank, sir.”

  Mr. Boyle nodded, then drew forth papers from his pocket. “Well, this is the receipt for the money I received at the bank. Mr. Tennyson has been with me and gone over everything and we find all the details to be in order, ma’am.”

  That evening as Elizabeth readied for bed, Lucas spoke from his perch on the side of the mattress. “I hate to add any more to the plateful you’re facing right now, Lizzie, but there’s a day coming up this week you’ll need to know about in advance. You’d be angry did I not inform you of the birthday of our youngest son. Toby will be eight years old on Friday. Josh’s birthday is next month and he’ll be ten. I’d thought to find something kinda special for Toby, for Josh’s gift will be his new horse. What do you think?”

  “I’m in agreement, Lucas. And don’t worry about me having too much to be thinking about. Those two boys are the most important things in our lives, and their birthdays are very special times. We’ll celebrate with a meal of Toby’s favorites and somehow I’ll come up with an idea for a gift that will be suitable. Perhaps I’ll take him to town and we can look at the mercantile for something he’d like to have.”

  “I’m not sure I want you trotting around town without me, Lizzie. So long as Amos is in these parts, you’re vulnerable to him.”

  “I’ll take your gun. I know how to shoot a gun, Lucas. I promise to hold it across my lap in the buggy and carry it with me into the store. Should he approach me, I’ll give him one warning and then shoot. Besides, I’ll have Toby with me and he knows how to shout out loudly for help, I’m sure. If necessary I’ll send him for the sheriff.”

  Lucas grinned widely. “You’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you, lady? I didn’t know I was married to a sharpshooter. I’ll get my shotgun ready for you, and when you leave here, you can take it with you. Just don’t fear pulling the trigger. Amos Rogers is a dangerous man.”

  She nodded, pleased that Lucas trusted her abilities

  The next day passed in its usual rhythm, with meals eaten and chores done and a session of reading in the parlor ending the day to the boys’ satisfaction. Lucas and Elizabeth looked in on both of the children before they went to their own room, and then they retired for the night.

  The morning was a measure of what their days had been and likely would be in the future. Breakfast was eaten, the chores done and Elizabeth churned butter while the bread she’d mixed rose atop the warming oven. The eggs and butter were packed, nestled in her big basket. She was ready for her trip to town with Toby.

  She’d prepared well for dinner—a ham from the smokehouse had been baking all morning, providing a big meal for Lucas. He could survive on sandwiches from it later on today, she decided. Her meal was ready and she called the three of them into the house.

  All of them ate well, then Elizabeth lowered the boom. “I’d like to take that trip into town, Lucas, that we spoke of yesterday. I’ll take Toby with me, and I’d thought you might go to the neighbors while I’m gone to tend to business there.”

  Lucas looked up, lifted a brow and then seemed to consider her words. “I’ll take care of the business we spoke of—that’s no problem. I don’t know if I feel secure about you going to town without me, Lizzie.”

  “I have a letter to mail to my folks and I really want it sent out as soon as possible, and the other thing we spoke of should be handled right away. I’ll take all caution possible and Toby will be aware of what’s expected of him.”

  Lucas leaned back in his chair, obviously considering her words and thinking of the pros and cons of her plan. “The spoke in the wheel may not even be in the picture any longer,” he said finally. And then as if he would make the decision hers, he looked at her and shrugged.

  “Give me a half-hour head start, and I’ll go to the neighbor’s and take care of business there. I’ll have the buggy ready for you and tied out back to the hitching rail. But at least let me get my business handled so I’ll be free if needed.”

  She smiled. “I can do all of that. I’ll have to pack the eggs and butter into the buggy first, and my bread is ready for the oven. I’ll do that right now and wait for it to be done, probably about an hour. Will that be all right?”

  He nodded and rose. “Get your hat, Josh. We’re going for a visit to the neighbor’s place. I’ll need you with me.”

  Josh looked puzzled. “You need me along, Pa? Whatever for?” But without hesitation he rose, ready to accompany his father. Lucas put his arm over the lad’s shoulders and led him to the back door.

  And then, as if recognizing he’d forgotten something of value, he turned back and approached Elizabeth. She had risen and was putting the bread pans into the oven.

  “Lizzie, look here, will you?” he asked.

  She shut the oven door and looked up at him, her cheeks rosy, her eyes sparkling. “What is it, Lucas? What did you forget?”

  His arms went around her and he bent his head to her, whispering in her ear. “The most important thing about my trip. I forgot to kiss you goodbye, sweetheart. Didn’t you notice?” And then he whisked his mouth across hers, lifting his head to taste her on his lips before he lowered it again. This time the kiss was longer, more detailed and certainly contained more enthusiasm. “I just wanted to take along a memory of how good you taste.”

  She laughed, licking her bottom lip before she swatted at his shoulder. “You’re a mischief maker is what you are, Lucas Harrison. Behaving in such a way in front of your sons.”

  “We don’t care if Pa kisses you, ma’am,” Josh said quickly from where he stood near the back door.

  “Nah, he can kiss you all he wants to,” Toby added, laughing behind his hand.

  “Well, now that’s settled, I’ll take Josh and be off,” Lucas said, snatching his hat from the hook by the door and leaving the house, Josh at his side.

  “Are we really going to town, ma’am?” Toby asked her.

  “Yes, in less than an hour, like your father said, or at least as soon as the bread is done baking. I’ll clear up this mess first and you can take out a pan of milk to the puppies, please.”

  The boy was eager to perform the chore, for it gave him a chance to spend time with the animals both boys had come to love. Elizabeth wasted no time in pouring out the milk for him, then turned to the dishes that awaited her. She cleaned up the kitchen and welcomed Toby back from the barn, noting that the hour was about up. A clean housedress completed her preparations and she was ready.

  Within another fifteen minutes she and Toby had climbed into the buggy, Luc’s shotgun across her lap. She lifted the reins, turning the horse from the rail to the long drive that led to the town road. Beside her, Toby wiggled and squirmed, excited about the unexpected trip and all agog as he wondered why he’d been especially included as her escort.

  Elizabeth turned onto the road and then allowed the horse to settle into a trot before she turned to Toby. “I want to tell you something, Toby. We’re going to town for a very special reason. A couple of them, in fact. I have a letter I want to mail, and I’d like it to go out today on the afternoon train to St. Louis. Another reason is that your birthday is coming up in a couple of days, and your father and I want to have a special celebration for you. I’d thought to cook your favorite meal perhaps, and then we both want you to have a gift from the two of us. It should be something that you’ve decided on for yourself. You can be thinking about it on our way to town.”

  “That’s something we never did before, ma’am,” Toby said, his eyes gleaming as he considered the day to be devoted to his pleasure. “And I’ll have to think of my favorite meal for a little while, for there’s lots of things I really like eating, specially since you came to live with us, for you’re ever so much better at cooking than Pa is. He did his best, and me and Josh ate whatever he fixed, but now we can’t hardly wait till mealtime, with you here.”

  Elizabeth blushed at his praise, appreciative of her three menfolk. “Well, you be thinking of a special gift you�
��d like, Toby. And another thing, when we get to town, if I tell you to get help, you run as fast as you can to the sheriff’s office and tell him I need him. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “I sure do, ma’am. It’s that bad man that came out to the farm and wanted you go with him, ain’t it? He’s still in town and you’re worried he’ll be after you again. Is that why you brought Pa’s shotgun with you?” he asked, eyeing the weapon as it lay across Elizabeth’s lap.

  “That’s exactly why,” she said, looking about the fields and trees as they traveled, checking the horizon and paying special mind to the roadside they passed. For should Amos be hiding somewhere, she didn’t want to be unprepared. Although he would have no way of knowing she was en route to town today.

  The buildings of Thomasville came into sight, and when they’d passed the first establishment, the church and parsonage beside it, she slowed the mare to a walk, preparing to stop at the small post office to send her letter. Then she decided to send Toby in with it, leaving her in the buggy with the gun.

  He agreed to do as she asked and within a few minutes they were once more on their way, rolling up in front of the general store. Toby jumped down and tied the horse and buggy. Then he held out his hand for her to grasp, as he’d seen his father do numerous times before. She thanked him nicely and handed him the basket full of butter and eggs to carry. With her shotgun in one hand she approached the door.

  Toby opened it for her and together they went inside. Harvey Klein greeted her with an uplifted hand and reached for the basket Toby carried. “Can I lend a hand, boy?” he asked, and Toby relinquished the basket into his care, watching as he took it to the counter. “How many dozen do you have today, Mrs. Harrison?”

  “I counted eight,” she said. “And there’s four rounds of butter in the basket with them. I’d thought to do a bit of shopping today, with Toby as the subject under consideration.”

  Harvey nodded, transferring the eggs to his crock on the counter, where they would soon be purchased by the town ladies who didn’t have chickens of their own. He removed the rounds of wrapped butter and put them on a wide plate next to the egg crock.