[2016] A Wanting Bride

by Christian Michael

  It was the last thing she’d expected him to say, and yet somehow it felt right to hear the truth from him in that moment.

  “We can talk about it later, but your son needs you now.”

  He nodded, placing a quick kiss on her cheek before he went to sit down by Levi.

  ***

  “Hello, son,” Calvin said, sitting down next to the boy.

  Levi, shivering with his arms wrapped around himself, didn’t look up, but Calvin could see the tears running down his cheeks. He reached around and wrapped his arm around the boy, sheltering him against the cold.

  “We were scared when we couldn’t find you.”

  The little boy sniffed, running a hand across his nose, but he didn’t look up.

  Calvin tried again, “I’m sorry, Levi. I’ve been working too much and…” What else could he say? He’d been a terrible father. He hadn’t encouraged his son and then he’d let his feelings for Shona cause him to step back but not just from her, from the boy as well.

  “I have to admit something to you.” Calvin swallowed and looked out over the frigid river, feeling rather than seeing his sons gaze turn toward him. “When your mother died I wasn’t sure what to do. I’d loved her, but I’d been so busy it was like I’d forgotten what life looked like…before. I'm afraid I haven’t made it easy on you and for that I’m truly sorry. I want to do better. Would you forgive me?”

  He looked down and met his son’s vibrant blue eyes shimmering with tears. “Really?”

  “Yes. I was wrong.”

  “I know you’re important,” he said, wiping his tears away. “I just miss you.”

  “I miss you too,” he said, pulling the boy close and cherishing the feeling of him in his arms. How long had it been since he’d held his son like this?

  “Dad?” Levi’s voice was muffled against his father’s chest.

  “What is it?”

  “I like Miss Shona. I think you like her too.” He pulled back to look up at Calvin. “I saw you kiss her,” he made a face but continued, “and…and I think you should love her.”

  Calvin tried not to smile too broadly at his son’s kind words, but he couldn’t deny the warmth that spread through his chest at them.

  “You think so?”

  “Yeah,” he nodded. “She likes frogs. So that’s good.”

  Now Calvin did laugh, pulling Levi close. Tears filled his eyes but they were tears of happiness.

  Chapter 6

  Calvin and Levi walked back toward where Shona stood, Calvin’s arm draped around his son and happiness on both of their faces. Her heart filled with hope at the sight and she prayed that God would continue to mend their relationship.

  “Miss Shona,” Levi said, when they reached her and she wrapped his coat around his shoulders.

  “Yes, Levi?”

  “I'm sorry for running away.”

  “It’s all right, just don’t do that again—you gave me a fright!”

  “I won’t,” he said. Then he reached up and took her hand.

  The three of them walked back to the house and, once Levi had eaten, was given a warm bath, and put to bed, Shona came downstairs to sit by the fire. She was surprised to see Calvin already sitting there, staring into the flames.

  “Calvin?”

  He looked up and a smile transformed his features illuminated by the flickering flames. “Come sit with me?”

  She obliged and joined him on the small couch wondering what he would say. His words from earlier came back to her.

  I care for you.

  Did he mean it?

  “Shona,” he finally said, turning to look at her, his eyes steel gray in the low light. “Levi said something to me today that I wanted to share with you.”

  Her pulse hammered as she wondered what the boy could have said. “What’s that?”

  “He says he thinks I should love you.” Her cheeks flamed even as his lips quirked into a smile. “What do you think about that?”

  Usually bold, her words failed her and she kept her mouth shut, wondering what he would say in her silence.

  “Cat got your tongue?”

  She made a face.

  “I see. So you want me to be bold for once.” He leaned closer to her, his gaze never leaving hers. “I guess I’d say this: I’ve let work rule my life. It’s taken me away from my son and it’s made me into a man I don’t like. A man who is harsh and a man who brings someone to the West under false pretenses.”

  Shona remained quiet, but her heart felt drawn to Calvin. His honesty was refreshing and beautiful.

  “I guess what I'm trying to say is that I do care for you. The way you love my son, the way you aren’t afraid to tell me something in boldness…” he shook his head then reached up to cup her face like he had at the river. “I want to get to know you and, if you are willing, to revisit the first reason I asked you to come out West.”

  Now she laughed, breaking her silence. “You won’t get off that easily, Mr. Wilkes.” He looked surprised but she continued, “Your next marriage proposal must be much more romantic than the first.”

  He grinned and closed the gap to press his lips to hers in a light kiss. “I go above and beyond to show you that I’m a new man, one hopefully worthy of your hand in marriage.”

  Epilogue

  Three months later

  Calvin paced the barn anxiously. He’d been planning this day for weeks now, but would Shona like it? Once he’d made his intentions clear their relationship had changed in the best way. He’d started to leave work early and even miss a day when he knew his hands could take care of the work.

  Spending time with Levi and Shona was the highlight of his life now—he couldn’t fathom how he’d thought work would ever be more important than time with those he cared for. And now it was time to show Shona just how much he cared.

  The door creaked open and a hand stuck his head inside. “They’re coming.”

  Calvin nodded once and faced the door waiting.

  Soon, it opened again and Shona came inside wearing a blindfold, led by Levi.

  “Are we there yet? What is this surprise Levi?”

  He giggled, looking at Calvin who held up a finger to warn him not to give anything away.

  “Are we in the barn? We’ll disrupt your father’s work!” She was laughing along with Levi now despite the fact that she couldn’t see anything.

  When he had her in the right spot, he said, “Okay, Miss Shona, you can take the blindfold off now.”

  She reached up and tugged it free and instantly her eyes were on Calvin. Then she slowly took in the barn surrounding them and she gasped.

  He had spent the afternoon transforming the barn with lanterns and boughs hung all over, creating a warm glow scented with pine. He’d also brought a quilt down and created a picnic in the middle of the barn with extra blankets to ward off the chill.

  “Shona,” Calvin said, stepping forward. The tremor in his hands was unnerving but he pushed past it and knelt before her. “The moment you stepped into our lives I knew you were different. You aren’t afraid to say what you’re thinking and you spoke truth to me.” His voice cracked under the weight of emotion. “I’ve come to love you over these last few months and I want nothing more than to be your husband and for you to be my wife and Levi’s mother. Will you marry me?”

  She was crying now, her hand covering her mouth as she looked between he and Levi.

  “Say yes,” Levi added in a stage whisper.

  Shona laughed, stepping toward Calvin and reaching for both of his hands. Then, her eyes locked on his, she nodded. “Yes.”

  With her reply, he jolted to his feet and encircled her in a hug, drawing Levi toward them as well. He never could have imagined that the woman he’d practically tricked into moving out West would become the woman he loved and cherished. The woman who he could rely on to speak truth to him. And most importantly, the woman he loved.

  He knew what mattered now, and they were standing within the circle of his
embrace. His family. Nothing else could feel more right.

  THE END.

  A Widow Finds a Rancher

  Mail Order Bride

  CHRISTIAN MICHAEL

  Chapter 1 – You Can’t Be Alone Forever

  The rain patted on the side of the window, adding dreariness to the day. Rose looked down at her counted cross stitch, not paying any attention to what was going on in the next room. She could hear her sister Pansy talking to their mother about her, but she didn’t want to hear what they were saying.

  The suddenly, her arm was bumped up as she carefully aimed to push the needle through the soft fabric once again. She smiled and placed her hand on the side of her stomach, and spoke softly aloud.

  “It’s ok Little One, I am making this for you after all.”

  She picked up the cross stitch and looked it over. Looking back at her was the small face of a stitched teddy bear sitting on a ball, waiving at her. She couldn’t wait for her baby to be born. She was going to spoil him and dote on him in every way she could. Starting with this cross stitch.

  Rose Fratt was convinced she was having a boy. A little lad that was going to be the striking image of his father. Tall, strong, and covered in thick red hair. He was going to be brave like his father was, too. And know everything there was to know about his father.

  She lay back, thinking of her husband. Missing him. It had been several months since he had passed away in a fire, but the pain was still fresh. He was so proud that he was going to be a father, talking about the topic every single second he could. Rose was so proud she could give him a child.

  She just wished he was here to see their child.

  Being a widow was hard. She did her best to bring in an income to support herself, but that was getting harder and harder the further along she got in her pregnancy. This last week she had moved in with her older sister and their mother.

  Pansy was a spinster herself. She never bothered with marriage, feeling that it was a waste of time and emotions. She would rather be out serving those that were in need than sitting at home caring for her husband or a family. Rose thought it was ironic her sister was now the one taking care of herself and their mother.

  “Mother doesn’t need me to take care of her, she is here because she was lonely where she was, and I thought I had plenty of room for the both of us, so why not?”

  Rose remembered the conversation she had had with her sister on the topic. They hadn’t been able to reach an agreement, so she let the topic drop. That had been almost a year ago now, and at that time Rose never thought she would be the one in need of her sister’s hospitality.

  It’s only temporary. As soon as you are born and I am back on my feet, we are going to get out of here, and make our way on our own.

  A rush of loneliness flooded through Rose at that moment, and she briefly wondered if she was destined to be on her own forever. She had been so happy with Frank. She thought she wouldn’t ever be on her own. Frank had promised her he would always be here for her. He promised her he wouldn’t ever leave.

  Yet here she was, all alone.

  Well, not entirely alone.

  I still have you, Little One, and you are part of him.

  Rose’s thoughts were interrupted when her mother and sister walked into the room. She didn’t know what the rest of their conversation was about, but they stopped talking abruptly when they saw her looking up at them.

  “I thought you had gone into your room to rest, but I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you what we have decided.”

  Rose sat up in surprise. She wished she had been listening better, realizing they were discussing something that had to do with her. Pansy always was one that liked to make decisions for the both of them, and now the three of them since their mother needed someone to care for her.

  “Decided for what?”

  Rose still kept her voice cool and controlled. She didn’t like to show her sister when she got under her skin, which was becoming increasingly more these days.

  “Honey, your sister and I have been talking, and we don’t think it’s good for you to be alone like this. Your father passed when I was quite young, and trust me, it’s difficult enough going through life just on your own, but when you have a child to think about, it’s even harder.”

  Rose sat up straight, more agitated now than anything. She didn’t like where this conversation was going, and she had a feeling she knew where it was going to end.

  “I don’t want to marry again. Frank was the kindest, best man that ever lived. There’s no way I am going to marry another! Never!”

  She stood, carefully catching her balance as she did, and she pushed her way to her room. Pansy tried to follow, but Rose told her she needed to be left alone. She closed the door, right in Pansy’s face, and didn’t open it again, even when Pansy protested loudly.

  “You can’t stay alone forever! You know that, don’t you? Think of your child! You might be happy thinking of Frank forever, but will they be? How are they going to grow up properly without a Pa?”

  “Hush! I said leave me be!”

  Rose blew out the lamp so it was dark in her room, and laid on the bed. As she stared at the ceiling, a thousand emotions flooded through her. She didn’t want to admit it, not even to herself, but they were right.

  She couldn’t force her child to grow up without a father, even if she did want to live in the memory of Frank.

  “I guess I’ll have to do something. Don’t you worry, I am going to take care of this.”

  Rose whispered softly, so no one else in the house could hear, then she rolled over onto her side and faced the wall. It wasn’t long before sleep claimed her.

  Chapter 2 – The Discussion

  Rose stayed in her room the rest of the night. She woke several times, but she didn’t really want to go out and see her sister. She knew Pansy would be waiting for her chance to pounce, and Rose didn’t want to give it to her.

  Whether she married again or not was nobody’s business but her own, so she really wished her sister would just drop the issue.

  I’m sure by now she has. I am going out there to get breakfast, and when they come out I am going to keep the topic away from marriage.

  Rose was sitting on the edge of her bed, buttoning up her dress. It was getting difficult to wear this one, with the buttons that reached all the way to the floor. Her growing belly was always in the way of what she was trying to do, and the things she was used to doing on a day to day basis were becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

  Rose opened the door and peered out. The house was quiet in the early morning hours. Though the sun was starting to come up and the light was gray, Pansy didn’t have any animals so the need to get up early never bothered her.

  Rose slipped silently to the kitchen, and picked up the basket of eggs. She told herself she needed to write a note to Annabelle thanking her for giving them her extra eggs. Resolving to have that be her goal for the day, Rose tied on her apron.

  “Oh, I am glad to see you up. You went to bed so early yesterday, I didn’t get to tell you what was on my mind.”

  Rose paused. She knew her sister would hear her get up, and she had a sneaking feeling her sister would come out to the kitchen to speak with her. Rose hoped Pansy would refrain, but here she was.

  “Pansy, as I said last night-“

  Rose tried to explain, but her sister interrupted her.

  “Rose, Mother and I have an exciting announcement for you. You see, Mother has a dear friend up in New York State, and her son is of eligible age… he’s not that much younger than you, in fact… anyway, he’s asked for your hand in marriage, and we have agreed!”

  Rose dropped the bowl that was in her hands and whirled around to face her sister. She wasn’t quite sure she had heard her sister correctly, so she asked her to repeat what she had just said.

  “You can’t give me away! You are my sister! You have no rights to such a thing, and mother is so sick these days, she probably didn
’t know what she was agreeing to!”

  Tears were forming in Rose’s eyes. She felt both humiliated and infuriated. Her sister was known to make crazy assumptions before, but nothing compared to this.

  “Why don’t you marry him? For goodness sakes you have never had a husband!”

  “There’s no need to shout, you will wake Mother with your hysterics. I am not going to marry him because he specifically asked for you, and as you are already with child, there will be an heir lined up before you know it!”

  Pansy stood up and smoothed her nightshirt.

  “I am going to get dressed now, dear sister, and I think you should really settle yourself down. You have the baby to think about in more ways than just one, and when you get all worked up it isn’t good for either one of you.

  I know you and Humphry are going to get along fine, and you will have someone to care for yourself and the child. I don’t have the funds or the space quite frankly. This is the best decision!”

  With that, Pansy was gone, and Rose was alone once again. She felt her heart racing, and sat down on the chain next to the table. She briefly wondered what right her sister had in all of this, but then she realized Pansy was right. There was nobody that would hire her in the state she was in, and if Pansy wouldn’t let her stay, she was going to be homeless.

  I can’t be on the streets with a child, and I wouldn’t put it past her to do such a thing to me. She gave me away for goodness sake! Who knows what that girl is capable of?

  Rose took off her apron and walked to her room. She didn’t know what she was going to do, but breakfast was suddenly the last thing on her mind. If she wanted to get out of this, she had to get out of here, and soon. For all she knew, her sister could have Humphry on his way.

  I’ll take a walk around town, maybe there will be someone looking for hired help or a nanny. I can do that.

  Rose paused in front of the mirror, and bent over as far as she could reach. Her belly made it difficult to button the buttons that were nearly to the floor, but with her ambition of finding a job, Rose knew she had to look as good as she could.