by Annie Boone
Don’t Fence Him In
Annie Boone
A Mail Order Bride Short Story
This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this story are products of the author’s imagination. Any misrepresentation or discrepancies about the places or history are research or interpretation errors by the author.
For more information about the author, Annie Boone, check out her website.
http://www.AnnieBoone.com
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter One
Viola walked along the lane with her sister, Sarah, with a whole host of worries compounding in her mind. "This is the biggest decision of my life and it isn't even supposed to be my decision," she answered as she shrugged her shoulders and sighed.
"You always have been a very indecisive one," Sarah teased, hitting her younger sibling playfully in the arm, "But perhaps Mother and Father are right. William was chosen for me and I couldn't be happier. I don't think I could have made a better choice for a husband on my own."
This was probably the last thing that Viola wanted to hear. She stared over at her sister with an arched eyebrow, after recovering from the well placed punch and replied, "I'm not indecisive. I'm honest. Mother and Father haven't had to spend an afternoon with him. He's boring, and -"
"And what?" She interrupted, "He's cultured, wealthy, and extremely polite."
"And incredulously dull!" Viola spat, "He is lame in all aspects of adventure and blind to the possibilities that this grand world offers. He is content with being married, settling down, and raising a crowd of children. He's even probably happy to eventually die of old age." She sighed as it looked as though Sarah was unsure of why she wouldn't want that for herself and she added, "The man's heart only beats because God wills it. He has no interest in causing his heart to race from the beauty and unexplainable passion of love."
Sarah glared at her, "In this day, stability is a gift that many are not able to afford. You are lucky to be betrothed to a man that is not just stable, but also kind."
"So, do you all expect me to marry a man whom I do not love for the mere sake of stability? God said that marriage should be between a man and woman who love one another and who are brought together by oneness. Shouldn't love be based on more than just necessity and convenience?"
Sarah sighed and brought her hands together in front of her in a worried fashion before she answered, "I don't understand. He seems very taken with you. It is almost sad how often he calls on you, only for you to turn him away. Yet he returns as soon as he is able to ask again. Why, Viola?"
This comment made Viola feel slightly guilty. Unable to keep her eyes in line with her sister's she dropped her gaze to the ground before she lamented, "I do wish that I could feel the same as he feels for me, but from the moment we were introduced, I knew that our hearts would never truly beat as one."
Viola cast her eyes were cast downward, but she knew that her sister was shaking her head at her for this comment.
Sarah was quiet for a long moment, and then she said just a little accusingly, "You sound a bit dramatic about all this. Life isn't about thrill and adventure, though I know that isn't how you see it. Do you have any other options at this point, anyway?"
At this question, Viola felt her heart sink. She knew that she should just fib, at least until she figured out what she wanted to do, but she just wasn't that kind of person. So, she remained silent for just a little too long.
Sarah turned her head towards her sister with a sense of condemnation gleaming in her eyes, "Viola," she drilled slowly, "What have you done?"
"Nothing!" She exclaimed and then slowly amended her comment by adding, "Well, nothing that cannot be stopped or undone."
"Well, then. Tell me what I'm going to have to help you fix." Even though she was still listening, her voice was more demanding than encouraging. Viola knew that there was really no turning back now.
"Do you promise to keep a secret, at least until I figure out what I want to do?" Viola asked desperately.
"Tell me first and then, I might help," she answered, crossing her arms over her chest and taking an angry stance, "But if you don't tell me, then you will have no chance when things get out of control."
Viola felt her shoulders fall as she huffed a sigh, "I responded to an ad in the Heart and Hand Magazine a few months ago. I've been conversing with a gentleman rancher who is in search of a wife for his nephew." She squared her shoulders back so that she wouldn't appear to be weak. She wanted to make sure to present as much confidence as possible to her sister.
At this, Sarah exclaimed, "Out West? Do you know the dangers of moving out there? Not to mention that this potential husband of yours doesn't even possess the responsibility or the drive to even write his own ad?"
Viola laughed nervously, "No, it isn't like that. The uncle is quite satisfied with his life and he's getting ready to turn over his property and business to his nephew. He believes it would be better for everyone if his nephew would settle down with a wife and family. The ranch is a big responsibility and he will need help and support."
"What could possibly draw you to that?" She demanded indignantly. "That is not how we have been raised!"
"Adventure and excitement! That's why I want to do it." Viola answered, "I can't get any fun out of life around here, especially not with Frederick. I know this isn't how we were raised, but I don't care. I want to do something different. I want to be something different."
"I think you're making a mistake," She answered blatantly, "There is so much that you simply do not know about this man. You don't know anything about the family at all. You don't know what your life will become. Will it be fun and exciting or will it be drudgery? You don't know." She sighed, "And you'll likely never see your family again."
Viola saw tears collect in her sister's eyes and her heart did soften a little bit. The thought of never seeing her family again hadn't really crossed her mind because she didn't think of it that way. She believed that if a marriage did work out for her, her husband would be generous enough to make sure she could travel to see her family. Those thoughts were pushed away as she contemplated the next part of her situation.
All the dangers and perils had crossed her mind many times and she felt like she had dealt with each one appropriately in her mind. She didn't want to hear the list presented to her again by her sister. Viola responded to the negative remarks from Sarah, "The uncle has offered to pay for my trip to the ranch. If I decide to go, I'll leave next week.
Sarah gasped out loud and seemed to be very surprised by the short time line. Viola watched as Sarah staggered back and finally glowered at her.
Viola could feel the hurt wafting from Sarah as she stood leaning against the sign post of the general store. She was still absorbing the information. The two women stood together in silence for a time. Viola wanted to try to reason with her sister, but from the look on her face, she was sure that it would do very little to help her cope.
Sarah finally drew in a ragged, angry breath and let it out with a sense of defiance as she answered in a low voice, "Then, it appears that you aren't so indecisive after all."
She then turned and began walking down the lane toward the house she grew up in with her parents and her siblings.
"Sarah!" Viola said desperately, but when her sister turned around, the only words that were in the for
efront of her mind were, "Are you going to ruin me?"
Sarah barked a bitter laugh and shook her head, "You're a grown woman now, Viola. From where I am standing, it seems like you are doing a splendid job of ruining yourself. You certainly don't need my help."
Chapter Two
"What do you mean, you're leaving?" Frederick asked, staring at her with a wounded puppy dog expression.
"I really am sorry, Frederick, but I cannot enter into a marriage that I feel isn't right. I don't want to do this to myself or to you." She answered, staring at him sincerely, desperately wanting him to understand.
He turned away from her, as though extremely bruised before turning around and answering, "Is there anything I can do to change your mind? I love you, Viola, and I don't want to lose you."
She shook her head and answered, "No. You don't love me, Frederick. And you can't lose something you never had. If love was truly blooming between us I wouldn't feel that marriage for us is wrong." She sighed and tried not to bite her lip, which was a nervous habit left over from childhood. She moved towards Frederick and placed her hand on his arm before she continued, "You are very honorable and any woman would be lucky to give you her hand in marriage. You are the perfect man, just not the perfect one for me."
"But, I want to be perfect for you!" He exclaimed.
"I know," Viola answered, "I wish this could work between us, but we're not right for each other. Emotions can't be forced, Frederick. I want to love you, but I don't." Viola did feel the gravity of her words. She had never meant to hurt him and currently, it seemed as though she was hurting a great deal, along with everyone that she cares about. She blinked away a tear and answered, "I don't want to do this to you, but as cruel as this may seem, I feel that lying to you and going through with this marriage would be dishonorable to you. You deserve so much more than that. I also believe that I'd be going into marriage with a sin of dishonesty and it would do nothing but harm us and lead to misery."
Frederick looked into her eyes, before he turned his face away again, unable to look at her.
Viola took this time to then explain, "How are we to base a marriage around the fact that this is the most involved conversation we have ever had?" She sighed again, "You must admit that when the two of us are together, the only thing that we do is stare at one another with blank expressions, just trying to figure out what to say to fill the time. I feel that if you and I were right as a couple, we should at least be able to converse like friends."
He stood and walked across the room to look out the window on to the busy sidewalk. He considered her words and nodded slightly. "I don't disagree that we sometimes struggle to find something that interests both of us to discuss. However, I do believe that time could draw us together and create a bond. You do seem determined to discard me, though."
"I'm not asking you to wait or beg me to stay. I don't think you can talk me into changing my plans anyway, Frederick."
"I don't feel right about just saying good bye and letting that be it. I feel there's much at stake for both of us. You say that I only think I love you, but that's not true and I won't turn my back on you."
Viola stood up and walked over to Frederick. She placed her hand on his arm and spoke in a soft voice. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"I'm alright." he insisted as he turned to face her. Then he smiled at her and continued, "Two years. When you go out West, because you've made it clear that your mind is made up to go, I will give you two years to come back to me."
Viola did not understand, "So, you think I should go and then come back if I don't like it?"
"Well, not exactly, but I don't think I have much say in the matter," he answered. "We may be betrothed, but I refuse to force you to marry me. If you're ever my wife, it will be because you chose to be. Like I told you, I won't just walk away from you. So I'll wait for two years. If your decision to go West is a mistake, then come back. I'll wait for two years. If I hear from you within that time, I will marry you as soon as your train arrives. If I don't hear from you, I'll know that we aren't meant to be."
Viola watched him as he spoke. She was surprised that he started to smile. "Why would you do such a thing for me?" she asked.
He smiled even bigger and answered, "I might be boring and unadventurous, but I am loyal. I'm also persistent."
His comment made her feel a little melancholy. She felt guilty about hurting him and also she was concerned about having him miss opportunities for happiness while he waited for her.
Without giving her time to respond, he added quickly, "I love you, Viola, no matter what you say or how you feel." He sighed, "Unfortunately, I'm a fool for you and this decision probably proves that. My heart remains hopeful that you'll return to me. I want you to find your joy and I want that joy to be me - even if you have to go on an adventure to prove it to yourself."
At this declaration, Viola smiled and hugged him. "Thank you, Frederick." She said. "I can't promise how this is going to go because I don't know. Please know that I'll understand if you find someone else during the two years. You're offer is sweet, but I won't hold you to it." Sadly, she noted to herself that she felt more for him now than she ever had before.
She walked Frederick to the door and hugged him again for what she was certain was the last time she would ever see him. Then she went up to her room to finish packing her things for the long trip west.
Chapter Three
The train ride was long and arduous. Viola just wanted to get there. She wanted to meet the people she had spoken to through her letters and heard so much about. She'd dreamed of what her new life would be like with her new friends and her new family. So, she endured the long trip that started the adventure she had craved for so long.
The city scene that Viola was used to eventually gave way to the vast plains and prairies of the West. Viola watched out the window and saw the waving grasses of the prairies as the train moved through the plains. From time to time a farm would come into view and she saw the crops and livestock fields in the distance. She wondered what kind of house she would live in when she got to California.
A few days into her trip, she began to see the terrain become dusty and barren in places. Rolling tumbleweeds indicated that the wind was blowing outside. There was surprisingly little to see along the way, though she did get a reverent feel for the wide open spaces that she had read about.
When the train finally did stop at the station where she expected to find her brand new life, Viola just about burst through the door. Although, she was quick to stop herself, conscious of making a lasting, positive impression.
After sifting through the rest of the crowd, she saw a couple that looked to be about the same age as the uncle and aunt that she had corresponded with. When they locked eyes, they began to walk towards her.
When the couple reached her, the man said, "Hello, you've got to be Viola."
"Yes," she said carefully, smiling. She reached out to shake hands with the man that she had spent so much time conversing with through letters. It was so strange to be meeting him in person after all the words they had shared. Yet, he was just as she imagined him to be.
Bart was an older gentleman with a thick white beard and a sturdy build. It was obvious that his body was used to manual labor; he was in excellent shape for a man of his age. Bart's dark brown eyes were a stark contrast to his white hair and beard and they were as kind as his smile. Viola liked him instantly.
Bart's wife stood patiently beside him, chuckling lightly as she watched him pull Viola into a warm embrace as part of the handshake. After being released from Bart's unexpected exuberant greeting, Viola was embraced again. She truly felt welcome.
"Hello, Viola! I'm so glad you're finally here." she said, "I'm Anna, of course. I've relied on Bart to keep me up to date with what you've talked about. He has told me so much about you that I feel like I know you already." Her eyes rested on Viola with a careful gentleness that was unexpected in a woman who obvi
ously had to be strong and resilient. Catching her husband's eye, she added, "You are a very beautiful young lady. I'm sure Blake will be quite taken with you. I can't wait for you to meet him."
Viola just brightened her smile, unsure of what exactly to say to that. She hoped that he did too, because if Blake was anything like his uncle, she was sure that they would get along just fine.
With that, the couple led Viola away from the train station and into the waiting wagon. Bart helped Viola and Anna inside and then climbed up front to man the horses.
On the way to the ranch, the ride was not much more scenic than the train ride, but now that she had Anna and Bart to talk to, she cared little for the scenery.
"What is Blake like?" Viola asked Anna. Even though she and Bart had mentioned him quite a few times during their discussions, she was excited to meet him and hoped for some new information that would fuel that eagerness.
Anna smiled proudly, happy to talk about her nephew, "He's a good boy. Blake has got a good heart, but he has also got a thick skull." She chuckled, "He has a wild spirit and we are hoping that the right woman can tame him; at least a little. He doesn't do anything wrong, he is just a free spirit." She sighed, as though trying to think of a way to explain Blake's actions without making him sound like an unfit husband.
"Bart, your letters mentioned that he is very adventurous," Viola answered. "Didn't you say that he prefers to sleep out under the stars and enjoy nature? I like that."
Anna spoke before Bart had a chance. "Oh, yes. He does love the outdoors. He often seems restless when he's inside the house. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be outside, except when you have responsibilities. Freedom to do as you please becomes hindered and he doesn't seem to want to accept that." She then glanced back at Bart, before returning to Viola as she said, "Bart and I have been happily married for twenty-five years. We love one another very much and as much as we want our nephew to take responsibility for his future, we also want him to be happy. We want him to be able to say he has had a life like we have; fulfilled and exciting, but dutiful." Anna's eyes grew only slightly saddened then, before she added, "The good Lord did not bless us with children of our own, but out of tragedy, the death of Blake's parents, we were given the opportunity to raise this wonderful man. We love him as though he were our own."
