The Brickmaker's Bride

by Judith Miller

  His words stung Ewan’s ears like pelting sleet on a winter day. Years of gambling had taught his uncle to use the vulnerabilities of others in order to win, and he’d learned to do that well. His uncle held Ewan in his grip. Like it or not, he wouldn’t leave. His sisters were more important than his uncle’s foolish business practices. Though Uncle Hugh had brushed off any concern regarding the late-payment clause, the provision caused Ewan immense anxiety. Being able to secure contracts and acquire enough income to make the payments on time would be left to him alone.

  If he could keep his uncle’s hands out of the till, the brickyard would succeed. Making bricks would be easy. Controlling his uncle could prove impossible. Only time would tell. Right now, he needed to reach an agreement with his uncle and get his sisters on a ship from Ireland.

  “I want the money to secure passage for my sisters and the other relatives who want to come and work in the brickyard. Before you spend the money on anything else, I want their passage to America.” Ewan grasped the armrests of his chair. If his uncle didn’t agree, Ewan was prepared to argue. He would not leave this room until the matter was settled.

  His uncle snorted. “I do not know what’s gotten into you, boy. You act like we’ve taken up positions in opposite corners of the boxing ring.”

  “Sometimes that’s how I feel. You promised to bring my sisters over here, but they’re still in Ireland. You promised to make me a partner, but now you say we need to be operating at a profit before that can happen. You sign a contract that could cause us to lose the brickyard and all your acreage and home if we’re late with one payment. None of these things make me feel that we’re angling for the same prize.”

  His uncle took a deep draw on his pipe and stared at Ewan from beneath hooded eyes. “There’s a wee bit of truth in what you’re saying, but once I have your word that you’re not going to run amuck on me, we’ll get the family over here, just like I promised.” His uncle blew a smoke ring that circled over his head like a lopsided halo. “Do I have your word that you’re going to stay and manage the brickyard and make us some money?”

  “You have my word that I’ll do my best to make the brickyard a success, but I want your word that you’ll make me a partner.”

  “You have my word. When the business is making a good profit, I’ll make you a partner.”

  Ewan didn’t question what a “good profit” might be. For now, he was more interested in his sisters and their future. “I want you to make the arrangements for my sisters by the end of the week. I want at least two of our male relatives to escort them, and I want them booked on a steamship, not a sailing ship. And do not book them in steerage. They should have a cabin, so they have some privacy and are not accosted by the sailors or other passengers.”

  “Would you like their meals served on silver serving platters?” His uncle shot him a wry grin.

  Ewan grinned in return. “I would not object. I’m sure my sisters would be pleased to receive such fine treatment.”

  His uncle guffawed. “I am willing to put them in a small cabin, but that’s as much luxury as I afforded my wife and her sister. I would not be hearing the end of it if your sisters’ accommodations were better than what I purchased for my wife.” He pushed up from his chair. “I’ll ask Mr. Hawkins to make the travel arrangements for the family. I’m sure he can easily handle all of the details.”

  Ewan was sure he could make the arrangements as well as Winston, but he didn’t argue. If his uncle wanted to pay the lawyer for handling the matter, so be it. “I want them here within six weeks.”

  “If train and ship schedules permit, Ewan, but let’s not ask the impossible. I will tell Mr. Hawkins to do his best to get them here as soon as possible.”

  Unwilling to take a chance that his uncle would use any delay tactics, Ewan gestured toward the desk. “I’ll write a letter to the girls today and tell them to prepare for their journey. And I’ll be certain to check with Mr. Hawkins about the arrangements, as well. Are you sending for all twelve of your cousins and their families?”

  His uncle shook his head. “Only ten. Byron and Robert don’t have any experience working in the brickyard. I can bring them over later.”

  “They can earn their keep trucking off the pit and wheeling brick while they’re being trained for the more difficult tasks. We always need men to do the heavy work, and both Byron and Robbie are strong fellows.”

  His uncle held a match to the bowl of his pipe. “Aye, and both of them have lots of hungry mouths to feed. At last count they each had six. By now, I’m guessing they each have another wee one or at least another one on the way. The passage for them, their wives, and their families is more than they’ll ever be able to repay me.”

  Ewan frowned. “They’re family, Uncle Hugh. Is it fair you leave them behind and bring only the others?”

  “Nothing in this life is fair, and the sooner you learn it, the better off you’ll be. If the brickyard makes lots of money and we pay off our debt, then I’ll reconsider. We have to be careful with the money—isn’t that what you said?”

  Strange how his uncle had ordered Ewan out of the room and signed for the loan on his own, but now referenced the obligation as “our debt.” His uncle had a way of twisting most anything to his own advantage.

  “We do need to be careful with the money. After you pay Mr. Hawkins for travel expenses for the family, the balance should be placed in the business account. We can purchase the additional machinery and hold the remainder of the funds for a time as a safeguard until we begin receiving payments on our contracts.”

  “Aye, but first you must get the contracts.” His uncle wagged his finger at Ewan. “We’ll see if those friends of Mrs. Woodfield keep their word once you show them some of the bricks made in our brickyard.”

  Dread settled across Ewan’s shoulders like a heavy yoke. His uncle would be present, but the burden to succeed would rest upon Ewan.

  As the weeks passed and late April arrived, winter loosened its stronghold and spring made a glorious entrance into the West Virginia hills and valleys. The weather signaled a time of new beginnings and provided a promising foundation that would shape their future at the brickworks. So long as they weren’t hindered by heavy spring rains and flooding, Ewan was confident he could develop the brickworks into a company with an even stronger reputation than it had carried under the Woodfield name.

  They’d reopened the yard at a slower pace than normal so Ewan could learn the abilities of the men as well as any differences in how they performed their work. While seeking to purchase a brickyard, he’d visited enough yards to know that practices in this country didn’t vary much from those in his homeland

  Soon they moved into full production, with many of the men walking long distances along moonlit paths or through dew-drenched fields to arrive before the final morning whistle sounded in the cool spring air. The horses would already be harnessed to the pug mill, walking in an unending circle, their movement forcing sharp blades to cut through the mixture of clay and water in the giant tub until it reached the perfect pliable texture needed for the molds the VerValen machine stood ready to fill.

  Laura had been present a portion of each day since they’d begun operation. Mrs. Woodfield wasn’t pleased by her daughter’s early morning departures for the brickyard, but Laura soon convinced her that this time of transition was important for all of them. After that, there’d been no further objections.

  Ewan was grateful to both of the women. He’d come to rely upon Laura’s knowledge. Even more, he enjoyed having her at his side. He dared not admit that to Mrs. Woodfield. In truth, he barely admitted it to himself, for he feared he might say or do something that would jeopardize the arrangement.

  Zeke appeared out of the early morning shadows and tipped his hat to Ewan as he neared the entrance to Woodfield Manor. “Good morning, Zeke. How are you today?” Each day, Ewan watched the front door, tamping down the fear that Laura might decide he no longer needed her help.

&n
bsp; “I’m mighty fine, Mr. McKay.” Zeke glanced over his shoulder at the front door as Laura appeared. He hurried to her side, escorted her down the steps, and helped her into the buggy.

  Ewan had suggested that Zeke sleep in rather than rise so early to escort Laura to the buggy, but Zeke refused. The groomsman hadn’t minced words and put Ewan on notice that escorting the ladies of Woodfield Manor in and out of their carriages was a part of his job, and he intended to do it himself. From then on, Ewan had remained in the buggy and waited while Zeke performed his duties. Far be it from Ewan to interfere with a man’s job.

  Laura settled beside him, her dark wool cape wrapped tight around her shoulders to stave off the morning chill. She shivered as the horses trotted away from the house, and Ewan nodded toward a lamb’s wool blanket folded on the seat. “You’re welcome to the blanket if you’re cold. There’s a bit of a chill in the air, but once the sun comes up, I have a feeling we’ll be plenty warm.”

  Laura spread the blanket across her lap. “I’m sure you’re right, but this blanket feels good right now.” She tucked her hands beneath the coverlet. “Was your uncle pleased to hear about the contract for the hotel in Fairmont?”

  Ewan hesitated. “He wasn’t as excited as I had expected. Or had hoped.” Last evening Ewan had shared the news that the contractor in Fairmont had inspected bricks from their first few burns and was pleased with their product.

  The builder was returning today to sign a contract that Laura had prepared yesterday afternoon. She’d been careful to include all of the terms and conditions that her father always included in his contracts. Both Ewan and Laura were thrilled, but his uncle had shrugged off the accomplishment.

  Instead of offering a bit of thanks and encouragement, Uncle Hugh had done the opposite. “Bricks for one small hotel are like a few drips of water in a river. We need a river, Ewan, not a few drips of water. I want those big contracts from Pittsburgh and Wheeling. The ones you said we would get once we started production.” The words still rang in Ewan’s ears.

  When Ewan glanced in Laura’s direction, the full moon revealed a hint of sadness in her eyes.

  She met his gaze and slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry, Ewan. I truly don’t understand your uncle, or how he could act in such a callous manner. Still, I have a bit of news that might make both you and your uncle happy.”

  “What’s that?” He doubted anything less than a contract that would reap huge profits would please Uncle Hugh.

  “Judge Mellon wrote Mother that a friend of his, a building contractor from Allegheny City, is arriving next week to visit the brickyard and to discuss some new projects with you. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  A rush of gratitude swelled in his chest. “Are you sure? What’s his name? What time will he arrive? Did Judge Mellon say anything about the size of the projects?” He hadn’t meant to flood her with questions, but they’d rushed out before he could stop himself.

  She chuckled and clasped her palm against her chest. “Dear me, I don’t know if I can answer all your questions, but I can tell you his name is Archibald Bruce. Judge Mellon said in his letter that Mr. Bruce performs almost all of the construction work for Campbell and Galloway, the largest architecture firm in the Pittsburgh area.” Her lips curved into a tender smile. “Mr. Mellon added a postscript to his letter. He said he was certain you’d be pleased to know that Mr. Bruce, as well as the owners of Campbell and Galloway, is Scots-Irish and quite proud of his ancestry.”

  “Aye, that pleases me very much. At least we will have something in common, and by then I’m hoping we’ll have the new frog designed for our bricks. I won’t be able to have any burned by then, but I think Mr. Bruce will like it.”

  When Ewan was in Pittsburgh, Mr. Mellon had mentioned that most of the brickyards had begun using frogs that would identify the brickyard, usually using the name or initials of the yard. A frog would give builders a method to classify the durability of each brickmaker’s product. During the winter months, Ewan had worked on a design they could use to mark their bricks. He wanted the initials C and M, but he wanted something more—something special—so he’d designed a simple burning bush beneath the letters. His uncle said it looked like three flames rather than a burning bush, but Ewan overlooked the criticism. His uncle had approved the design, which was all that mattered. Truth be told, it was the fact that they would use a little less clay in their bricks when they placed a frog in the bottom of the molds that pleased Uncle Hugh the most. If there was a way to decrease costs and increase income, Uncle Hugh maintained a tolerable attitude, but the only thing that truly made him happy was locating a gaming table where he was welcome. Fortunately, Aunt Margaret was keeping him in tow so far.

  Over the past month she’d insisted he accompany her as they decided upon the location for their new house. Now that the location had been selected, she insisted that work begin immediately. No amount of explanation curbed her ongoing demands. Both Ewan and his uncle pointed out they’d done their best to locate laborers. Except for a few itinerants, they’d been unsuccessful. There simply weren’t any strong men who wanted to spend their days digging a foundation for the mansion. Most of the able-bodied men in the area who didn’t want to cultivate their own hilly farms had gone to work for the coal mines, or Ewan had already employed them at the brickyard.

  Uncle Hugh had promised Margaret that several of the newly arriving relatives could dig the foundation. A promise that annoyed Ewan and would likely cause problems for all of them.

  Chapter 14

  Ewan glanced down at Laura, pleased she’d agreed to come with him to the train depot. Shortly after he’d made the travel arrangements, Winston had delivered a list of times and dates when each of the relatives would arrive. He’d done his best to meet Ewan’s request and arrange immediate travel for the girls, but to secure a cabin, they would have to leave earlier than the other relatives and travel by themselves. Two of Ewan’s relatives would be following within a couple days of the three girls’ departure, and the others would come two weeks later but without cabin accommodations. Ewan had considered all of the options, prayed fervently for God’s direction, and decided his sisters should come alone on the ship so they’d have a cabin to themselves.

  Laura had later explained the impropriety and the possible danger of the girls traveling by themselves, but Ewan had remained steadfast in his decision. His uncle could be as changeable as a spring storm, and Ewan hadn’t been willing to take any chances by delaying their departure.

  Laura lifted onto her toes and peered out the station window. “I do hope they’re on the train. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

  “I’ve been praying for their safe travel and protection since before they stepped onboard the ship. I’m sure the Lord has brought them safely to me.”

  “I admire your unwavering faith, Ewan.” She gave him a sideways glance. “I’m not sure how you maintain such certainty. Does God never disappoint you?”

  Her question startled him. “That’s a question no one has ever asked me, but I would have to say that there have been times when I have been disappointed in God’s answer to my prayers. I prayed for my parents to live, but they did not. I prayed Uncle Hugh would let the girls come with us when we first traveled from Ireland, but he did not. There were other times, too, when God did not answer my prayers in the way I would have liked, but through my disappointment, I know He is divine and can see far beyond my limited ability. He knows what is best for each of us even when we can’t imagine how death or suffering could be a good answer.” Ewan touched his index finger to his temple. “I try to remember that we all must die and everyone must face certain tribulations in life. We live in a world filled with sin. ’Tis hard for us to understand the ways of a righteous God.”

  She looked at him with a faraway gaze. “I can’t believe that everything that happens is good.”

  “I did not say it was good, but the Bible tells us that all things work together for good to them who love God,
to them who are the called according to His purpose.” He tipped his head to get a look into her eyes, hoping to see a glimmer of acknowledgment that she believed what he’d said. She looked down and avoided his gaze, but he decided to continue. “Good can come from evil. The apostle Paul suffered, but his suffering drew him closer to the Lord. Jesus was crucified, but His death offers us the gift of everlasting life. The Bible is filled with godly people who prayed they would not suffer or die, but they did. The stories of those martyrs strengthen our faith, don’t you think?”

  Finally she looked at him. “Perhaps. But prayers that are not answered as we hope can cause some to fall away from their faith.”

  Ewan turned to face her. “Has that happened to you, Laura? Have you lost your faith?” She looked so sad he wished he could pull her into his arms and assure her that God loved her and wanted only the best for her.

  She forced a smile. “You see me in church every week, don’t you?”

  “Aye, but sitting in a church pew does not mean everything is right between you and God. A bird with a damaged wing can still fly, but until it is fully healed, it cannot soar.” The crowd swarmed as the train drew closer to the station, but Ewan didn’t move. He looked deep into her eyes. “I think you need to heal from something, too. You do not need to tell me what it is, but I will be praying that God will touch your heart and bring you back to Him.”

  As tears began to pool in her eyes, she turned away. “I hope He will answer your prayer.” She gestured toward the platform. “Come. Let’s wait outside and see if God has protected your sisters.”

  The minute the girls stepped off the train, Laura recognized them. Ewan had described them well. They were beautiful young girls, all with the same clear blue eyes as their brother. Although their hair was a shade lighter than Ewan’s, the family resemblance was strong. The twins, Ainslee and Adaira, flanked their older sister, Rose, who was doing her best to keep them in tow. The minute the twins spotted Ewan, they charged down the platform and lunged at him. Had there not been a support post behind him, all three of them would surely have toppled in a heap.