“I’m not going anywhere, so there’s no hurry. This is my home now and the children need to catch up to their classmates.” She said it to Sadie, but it was more for herself than the store’s proprietor.
She was home. Wasn’t she?
CHAPTER 3
They rode in the buckboard for thirty minutes and were a couple of miles from town. The sun beat down and it was hot even though it was only midmorning. Rosie was glad for her bonnet but a parasol would be heaven right now.
Neither one of them had said a thing. It was time to break the ice and start talking.
“Why did you want a mail order bride? Aren’t there any single women here?” she asked as she fiddled with the string ties to her reticule. “I know you probably think this is a question asked too late, but I was simply glad for a way out of my current living situation. I had to get away from my sister-in-law.”
He nodded in understanding. “There are none that my kids like. None that didn’t want more children.”
“You said last night you don’t want more children? Why?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I love my children, but I don’t want to get stuck with any more from the next woman who leaves me.”
“And you do so much to make a woman want to stay,” she said under her breath. “What makes you think I’m going to leave you? I didn’t come all this way just to up and leave again,” she said loud enough for him to hear.
“Women leave. That’s what they do. As soon as someone comes along offering them the moon, they’re gone.”
“You shouldn’t judge all women by your stupid wife. You didn’t say anything in your letters about not wanting children.” This development saddened her more than she could say. It was one thing to not have a chance at a real marriage. One with love, respect and friendship. But to not have her own children almost too much to take. She bit back a sob and swiped at her eyes. Her entire marriage, her new life was built on a lie. She would not cry.
“Didn’t figure I’d get many responses if I mentioned that fact.”
“No, you wouldn’t have, including mine. Most women want children of their own. What if your kids don’t like me?”
“I figure that’s going to be up to you. They’ll be a tough sell. Ben especially. He was very close to his mother. Suzie, on the other hand, doesn’t remember her. She was only a baby, just barely one, when Sarah died.”
“I see.”
“I don’t think you do. I need a cook, housekeeper and mother for my children. That’s all. Don’t have any illusions about love, Rosie. It won’t happen. A woman already betrayed me once. I won’t be taken in again. Don’t expect love from me.”
“So now you feel it’s all right to betray me? Why? Because I’m a woman? Not wanting children was not something you ever mentioned in your letters, but I’ll try to remember what your feelings are.”
“If I recall correctly, you didn’t mention it either. That’s one of the reasons I chose you. You seemed straightforward and practical without silly, girlish notions.”
“I don’t think wanting love and children in my life is a girlish notion. But you’re right, I don’t have any delusions that you may fall in love with me. I gave up on finding love a long time ago. I was hoping for friendship.”
He was silent. Finally, he asked, “What put you off love, or perhaps I should say who?”
She looked down at her gloved hands, clasped in her lap. “I had a beau who I thought cared for me. All he cared for was my money. When he found someone with more, he dropped me like a hot iron.”
“I’m sorry, Rosie. That explains some things.”
“Like what? What can you garner from those few sentences?”
He turned his head and those deep blue eyes bore into her. “I can see why you would answer an advertisement for a mail order bride. You were hurt and looking for someone to validate your existence.”
“I don’t need validation. I was looking for a way to have a home of my own. One I can’t be thrown out of. Of course, that has yet to be seen, doesn’t it?” She didn’t want to talk about this any longer. It was painful enough to know that she wasn’t desirable to Tom. “Tell me more about your children,” she said, changing the subject.
His features visibly softened at the mention of his children. She saw on his face how much he loved them and swallowed the lump in her throat.
“I am lucky enough to have two beautiful children. Ben, who’s ten, is my serious one. He’s a good student as you’ll see. He always has his nose in a book and would rather read than anything.”
“I wish you’d told me that before. I’d have gotten him books for his gift.”
“You didn’t ask what they wanted, only if they would like what you picked out,” he said softly.
She let out a sigh. “You’re right. All I wanted to know was how old they are. I’m sorry. That was very presumptuous of me.”
“It’s alright, he’ll enjoy the pocket knife, too.”
“I did bring a few books with me, maybe he’d like to read them, if he hasn’t already.”
“I’m sure he will. Giddy up.” He slapped the reins on the butts of the team. They were beginning to slow and try to eat the grass along the side of the road.
The country side was beautiful. Unlike anything she’d ever seen before. The mountains stood purple against the blue sky. The grasses were growing and meadows filled with a riot of colors from flowers she couldn’t name. Amazing country. Beautiful. Wild.
She itched to get her watercolors out and paint it though she knew the watercolors wouldn’t do it justice. Oils would be much better to capture the vibrancy of color all around her.
“You’ll have to teach me to drive a team. It doesn’t look too hard but I’ve never done it and probably should know how.”
“You’re right, you should.” He passed the reins to her. “There’s not much to it. If you want to turn left, pull back on the left rein, right on the right rein. To stop or slow down, pull back on both reins at the same time. To get them going, slap them on their rumps, like I just did. You try it.”
She took a rein in each hand and slapped them down. It did almost nothing.
“You need to flick it with your wrist. Like this,” he put his arm around her then took her hands in his and flicked the reins. He was so warm, in a way that had nothing to do with the sun and everything to do with his effect on her. She wanted nothing more than to lean into him and draw his warmth to her. Glancing up she found him gazing at her. She swallowed hard and lowered her eyes back to the horses.
His hands lingered on hers for an extra moment, at least she thought they did, before he leaned back to his side of the bench.
He cleared his throat. “Well, you see what I mean.”
Breathless from just his touch, she felt heat in her cheeks. “Yes, I do. I imagine it would be a little different with a lighter vehicle, like a buggy. The horses wouldn’t want to go so slow and they’d be harder to control.”
He nodded.
Her breathing back under control, she tried for the mundane. A safe subject. “So what about Suzie? She’s three now, correct?”
“Yes. She was just a baby when Sarah left, so she doesn’t remember her at all. Suzie was our surprise baby. After so many years, we thought Ben would be our only child. Then Sarah got pregnant with Suzie. I thought she doted on both kids. Her bond with Ben seemed special, just as mine is with Suzie. That little one has me wrapped around her finger and she knows it. She’s my ornery one.”
“How did you manage a baby all alone after she was gone?”
“My mother’s a widow and came to help me. But she had to leave to help her sister and she thought it was time I married again anyway.”
“So, you placed an ad and got me. I bet you got lots of responses. What made you choose mine?”
“You were the only one who sent a photograph.”
“Oh.” Well, that was something and she felt a little better. Actually, she decided he must have found her pleasing eno
ugh. He’d sent for her, hadn’t he? Maybe seducing him would be easier than she thought.
She smiled.
*****
Tom knew he’d hurt her again. He didn’t do it on purpose but for some reason everything he said came out wrong. Though he wanted her to know where he stood, he didn’t want her to take it as personal. He would have done the same thing no matter who it was that he’d picked.
He’d picked her because she was pretty in her photograph. He’d lied when he said she was the only one who sent one. Several of the other women had, but Rosie’s was the one he kept coming back to. The one he thought about during the day and looked at before bed at night.
Even under the dirt, soot and grime from the trip, he could see her beauty. He was scared. Everyone left. He knew that. He no longer had the same innocence of commitment, so he decided looks were paramount. He picked her.
He’d chosen correctly. In person, she was spectacular.
*****
They arrived at the McKenzie’s right around noon. Ben came running out, Suzie followed as fast as her chubby little legs would carry her. “Papa,” yelled Ben, as he ran down the porch steps.
Tom helped Rosie down and then turned just as Ben hurtled into his side. Suzie launched herself at Tom completely confident he would catch her, which he did. He stood there holding both of his children. “Kids, this is Rosie. She’s your new mother. Say hello.”
Ben stepped away from his father and held out his hand. He was a little sullen but obedient to what his father expected him to do. “Hello, I’m Ben.”
The perfect little gentleman, Tom beamed with pride in his son.
“Hello, Ben. I know you already have a mother and I’m not trying to take her place, so I would be pleased if you could call me Rosie.”
Ben perked up a bit. “Alright, Rosie.”
“Suzie,” prompted her father. “What do you say?”
She took her thumb out of her mouth. “Hello.”
Suzie tried to put her thumb back in her mouth but Tom stopped her and shook his head. Suzie sighed and dropped her hand. “Sorry, Papa.”
“It’s all right. Mama will help us remember, too, from now on. Won’t you, Mama?” said Tom.
Rosie nodded, unable for the moment to say anything. Mama. The one word she’d waited all her life to hear. “Of course, I will.”
A beautiful red-haired woman carrying a baby, and one of the most handsome men Rosie had ever seen, followed Tom’s children down the stairs. With them was a boy about four.
“Catherine and Duncan McKenzie, this is my wife Rosie.”
“Hello, pleased to make your acquaintance,” said Rosie.
“It’s always so good to have another woman in the valley. We are few and far between. Now come on in and of course, you’ll stay for dinner. We’ve plenty and I’ve got so many questions for you, Rosie,” said Catherine.
Rosie laughed. “Tom said you would. I’m somewhat of an oddity. I guess there aren’t too many mail order brides in 1890. Not like thirty years ago.”
Catherine ushered them all into the kitchen where some of their dinner was already on the table. Wonderful smells wafted under Rosie’s nose. Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy sat on the stove on the warming shelf. Her mouth watered. She hadn’t realized until she’d seen all the food how hungry she was. Normally a good eater, she’d picked at her breakfast at Mary’s. Nerves. Anxious about meeting Tom’s children she was sure.
“Is there anything I can do?” asked Rosie.
“Not a thing. You just sit and relax. It’s probably been a stressful few weeks for you. Leaving everything you know, traveling to a new place and marrying a virtual stranger. That would take a lot out of anybody. Would you care to freshen up?” Catherine said while she put the food on the table, looking over Rosie’s travel weary attire.
“I’d love it. It was a difficult trip. Sleeping in a bed last night was a luxury after sleeping sitting up for the last five nights.”
“That’s a long trip. There’s a basin with water and towels right there at the sink.”
“It definitely is not a trip for the timid. I had to wait for the train at several different depots and, in Denver, I had to stay overnight in the station in order to catch the train coming here. I changed trains again in Alamosa to get the one to Creede. This place is sort of out of the way,” Rosie said as she walked to the kitchen sink.
“I hadn’t realized the trip would be so difficult. You’re probably exhausted. I’m sorry, I should have let you rest another day at the boarding house,” said Tom as he sat at the table with Duncan.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m anxious to see my new home and couldn’t wait to meet the children.”
“Why’d you want to meet us, Mama?” asked Suzie.
Rosie’s heart clenched when Suzie called her Mama. Somehow having the child say it made it all that much sweeter. She finished drying her hands and walked over to Suzie, who sat on her daddy’s lap. Bending down so she was eye level with Suzie, she said, “Well, if I’m going to be your Mama and help your Papa take care of you I wanted to know who you are.”
“So you gonna care for us now?”
“Yes, Sugar, I’m going to care for you now.”
“I’m not sugar. I’m Suzie.”
“So you are. You’re just so sweet, I thought for a minute you were sugar,” laughed Rosie.
Suzie smiled and buried her face in her father’s neck. Though still shy, Rosie thought she’d made a friend in Suzie. Ben was a different matter. He was polite but reserved. He didn’t join in any of the conversation but rather stared at Rosie.
Finally, she looked over at Ben. “You’re awfully quiet, Master Ben. What’s on your mind?”
“Nuttin’”
“Nothing.”
“That’s what I said.”
“No, you said nuttin’, which is not a word.”
He looked over at his father, fury on his face. “May I be excused?”
“After you say it correctly, then you may be excused.”
“Nothing.” Ben stood and ran from the room.
“I’m afraid I blundered,” said Rosie. Embarrassed as much as Ben must have been. “I shouldn’t have corrected him.”
“No, he needs to be corrected when he is wrong. Perhaps, it was the wrong time, since we’re not at home.”
Rosie blushed. “You’re absolutely right. Excuse me, I need to find Ben and apologize.”
“He’s probably out in the barn. One of the cats had a litter of kittens about three weeks ago. The kids have terrorized the poor things with their enthusiasm,” said Duncan.
She went out to the barn. Sure enough, Ben was there sitting on the ground with several kittens crawling all over him.
“Ben, may I sit?” She didn’t really want to, the barn smelled and she was sure there were all kinds of feces in the straw, but she needed to win him over and it wasn’t like it would be at all noticeable on her grimy travel clothes.
“Do what you want.”
She sat down and picked up one of the kittens to keep her hands busy. It immediately mewled at her. “Ben, I’m sorry. I should never have corrected you in front of your friends.”
“You embarrassed me,” he blurted.
“I know and I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
He rolled one of the kittens over onto its back and tickled its belly. It fought back, biting and bucking the hand that held it. If she hadn’t been there she was sure he’d be laughing at the little tiger’s antics.
“I guess so,” he said still sullen.
Rosie almost laughed. His pout was so pronounced and she could tell he was having a hard time maintaining it.
“Thank you. I understand you like to read. I have some books with me that you might like. They’re by Jules Verne and are wonderful stories of adventure.”
Ben’s eyes lit up.
“They’re some of my favorites. I have Around the World in Eighty Days, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousan
d Leagues Under the Sea. Do you like adventure stories?”
“More than anything. Could I read one of them tonight?”
“If it’s all right with your father, it’s fine with me. Which one would you like first?”
“I think Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. I’ve never seen the ocean.”
“All right. Remind me after we get home and I’ll dig it out of my traveling bags.”
Ben beamed. Rosie thought she might have made some headway. At least for tonight.
CHAPTER 4
Tom was right. According to her pin watch it was four-fifteen when they arrived at the ranch. He pulled the buckboard to a stop along the front of the house. Around the side she saw what she thought was probably the kitchen. Laundry tubs and a small table with a bucket and basin on it sat on the large covered porch just outside the side door.
Painted white, the two story house had another covered porch off the front. She pictured Tom and herself sitting in the rocking chairs and watching the sun set. Or sitting in the swing and quietly talking after the children were in bed.
Large picture windows faced the mountains. It must have cost a fortune to ship in that much glass. Rosie guessed they were in the parlor. She would open the curtains to let in the natural light and have indoor plants in front of the windows. Maybe some of the wild flowers from the fields they’d passed. Assuming that Tom let her make any changes to the décor.
Behind the main house stood the rest of the buildings. First the pump house with a small windmill turning in the light and welcome breeze. Followed by the ice house and chicken coop, then the bunkhouse and a privy. If that was the only privy, it would be a long walk to get to it. Quite a distance beyond the bunkhouse was the barn where, presumably, the milk cows were kept. Rosie was not looking forward to tomorrow. It would be a long day, learning how to milk a cow and gather eggs besides cooking all the meals. Oh, for the conveniences of Philadelphia!
Ben scrambled down from the wagon as soon as it stopped and reached up to get his sister. Tom came around to Rosie’s side to help her. She placed her hands on his broad shoulders while he gripped her waist and lifted her easily to the ground. Her heart sped up when he touched her and she noticed her breathing was a little labored. All from one simple touch. What in the world would she do if…no when…he made love to her?
Tame a Wild Bride, a Western Romance Page 3
