The Unlikely Wife

by Debra Ullrick

  Truth was…in the short time she’d been here, she was getting used to his ways and even liked some of them better. Some she didn’t. Like wearing dresses. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to that. Trousers were a whole heap better and more comfortable, too. Only thing was, trousers didn’t put a light in Michael’s eyes like dresses did.

  His eyes held hers gently. “What you thinking about?”

  “Trousers.”

  Michael laughed. “Trousers? What about them?”

  “Oh, I was thinkin’ how I’m still tryin’ to get used to not wearin’ them all the time.” She tapped his chest with her finger. “You’d better appreciate it, mister. I ain’t ever changed for anybody before. And to be honest with you, I’m not right sure how I feel about that or iffen I can ever learn to talk like y’all do. I’m sure you noticed I ain’t doin’ too good with that so far.”

  “I hadn’t noticed.” His lips held a smirk.

  “You’d better be nice to me, or I’ll fix you not only possum stew but gopher stew, too.”

  “It’s nice to see you’re doing better. Even if I have to put up with your threats.” He grinned.

  She smiled.

  “I see someone is feeling better.” Doc Berg entered the room, smiling.

  “I sure am. Can I go home now?”

  He walked around the other side of the bed and gently pressed the back of her head. His eyebrows rose.

  “What’s wrong?” Michael asked.

  “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just surprised.”

  “About what?”

  “The lump is almost gone. This morning it was…and now it’s…” He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “I do. It’s called the power of prayer, Doc.”

  “Does this mean I can go home?” Selina asked.

  “It sure does,” Doc said. “But you need to rest and take it easy for a few days. And gradually introduce solid food as you can tolerate it.”

  “Will do, Doc.” She tossed the covers aside and set her feet on the floor. “Where’s my clothes?”

  Doc laughed. “They’re in here.” He walked over to a large cabinet, opened the door and lifted her clothes off a hook. “The wife washed them for you.”

  “That was mighty nice of her. Please be sure to tell her thank you for me.”

  “I’ll do that. I’ll leave and let you get dressed. Don’t forget—nothing strenuous for a few days, young lady.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “I’ll see to it.” Michael sent her his take-charge look. She sent one of her own back at him. Nothing would stop her from helping with the after-harvesting party. Nothing.

  After what seemed like forever, Michael pulled the buggy to a stop in front of the house. “Stay,” he ordered.

  She rolled her eyes, but wanting to please him, she obeyed.

  He came around, swooped her into his arms and carried her onto the porch. “Close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”

  Her eyes closed, he carried her inside and put her down. “You can open your eyes now.”

  “Oh, my.” Her hands went to her face. “Oh, Michael.” She walked over to the kitchen table and picked up the drawing she had done of her home back in Kentucky.

  He stepped up behind her. “Do you like it?”

  She turned and clutched her picture in the beautifully handmade frame to her chest. Tears leaked from her eyes but she didn’t even care. “Like it? Oh, Michael, I love it. Thank you.” She threw her arms around him and pressed her head into his chest.

  “I thought we would hang it above the fireplace mantel, if that’s okay with you. Then when you get lonesome for home, you could look at it.”

  “That’s the sweetest, most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me.” She stood on her tiptoes and pulled his head down to hers and kissed him. Every ounce of love she had for him she poured into that kiss. When he responded and didn’t push her away, her heart smiled with even more hope.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Selina! What are you doing?” Michael wrinkled his nose at the smell of wet pig. “You’re not supposed to be doing anything strenuous, remember?”

  “I ain’t. I’m just givin’ Kitty a bath. Besides, it’s been four days since Doc told me to take it easy.”

  “What do I have to do, tie you to the bed?”

  “You’d have to catch me first.” She kept her eye on Michael while she continued scrubbing the sow.

  “That can be arranged.” He cocked his head, wiggled his eyebrows and took a step toward her.

  Selina tossed the bucket of cold water on him, drenching the whole front side of him.

  He sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, you’re going to pay for that one.”

  Selina tossed the bucket aside and darted off through the trees.

  Michael followed her and so did Kitty, oinking all the way.

  Last time he had chased Selina, she’d gotten away. This time he was ready. He glanced upward, behind him and off to the sides, making sure she didn’t take him by surprise again.

  Branches rustled nearby.

  From the corner of his eye, he spotted her ducked behind a bush. He stopped and let out a dramatic, disappointed sigh. “Well, Kitty. It looks like we lost her. We’ll just go back to the house and wait for her.” Turning on his heel, he walked past Selina, pretending not to see her.

  Kitty waddled behind him.

  Suddenly, he whirled and latched on to Selina. “Got ya.” He started tickling her neck and shoulders with one hand while the other held her tight.

  In between giggles, she said, “Remember. I’m not supposed to do anythin’ strenuous.”

  “If you can wash that pig, you’re well enough to get tickled.” His fingers found the spot on her waist that made her squirm the most.

  “Stop, stop,” she begged through her laughter.

  “Not until you promise you’ll rest.”

  “Kitty, help me!”

  Kitty stuck her snout in the air and shifted her head back and forth between them.

  “She can’t help you. Now promise me, or I’ll keep it up.”

  Without warning, her lips latched on to his.

  Shock rippled through him so ferociously that he froze. Then as if his fingers had a mind of their own, they snaked their way through her hair at the back of her head. Michael pulled her closer.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled at him.

  “Uh-hmm. Am I interrupting anything?”

  They yanked apart. Jake. Michael groaned. The man’s timing was terrible.

  “Jake, what are you doing here?”

  “I heard about Selina’s accident and thought I’d stop by to see if she was okay.”

  Selina fussed with her hair, putting even more distance between them.

  “She’s better now. Thank you.” Michael only glanced at her.

  “Glad to hear it. I was sure worried about you.”

  “Won’t you come to the house and sit a spell, Jake? I’ll fetch us somethin’ to drink.”

  “I’d like that.”

  He might, but Michael wouldn’t.

  Selina and Jake walked side by side toward the house, leaving Michael to walk with Kitty. He wanted to say something, but he didn’t want to sound like a jealous, insecure husband.

  Jake stopped and turned around. “Michael, did you know that Mr. Drakes is selling out? I was just telling Selina about it.”

  “No. I hadn’t heard that. Why?” He picked up his pace and without being too obvious he stepped between Jake and Selina.

  “The missus is tired of the long winters. She wants to go back east and live in the city. Told him if he didn’t, she was going without him.”

  Michael’s gut twisted.

  Jake looked past Michael to Selina. “Can’t picture you ever living in the city.”

  “Ain’t never lived in a city before. Don’t plan on it, neither.”

  His stomach relaxed.

  She scurried ahead of them, sprinted up
the steps and disappeared inside the house.

  Jake turned his attention back to Michael. “I hope you know how lucky you are to have found someone like her.”

  “I do.”

  Loneliness covered Jake’s eyes.

  “Hey, why don’t you place an ad? Maybe you can get lucky, too.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it. I used to think people who did that were desperate. No offense, buddy.”

  “None taken.”

  “But there aren’t many women around here who can handle the harsh winters. Even though the town’s grown and the train comes through here now, the women still don’t seem to stick around. Especially them city women. Good thing you got yourself a good country woman and not some highfalutin city lady.”

  Michael had never thought about that. What if the woman in the letters had turned out to be one of those who couldn’t handle the harsh winters? Without a doubt, his fears really would have come true then.

  They stepped inside the house. Selina had coffee and oatmeal cookies ready for them. An hour later, Jake stood. “Well, I’d better get on home. Got chores to do.” He faced Selina. “Thanks for the coffee and cookies.” Jake turned to Michael. “Thanks for the visit.”

  “Any time.” As soon as he said it, he wanted to snatch back his words. Every time Jake came, Selina and Jake talked while he remained quiet, having nothing at all to add. Those two would have made a great pair. The thought of them together felt like someone had slung a stone into his heart. They might make a good pair, but she was his wife, not Jake’s.

  Standing outside on the porch, Selina said to Jake, “Are you comin’ to the after-harvest party tomorrow afternoon?”

  “Nothing could stop me from coming. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll see you there. You too, Michael.”

  “Yeah. See you tomorrow.” Just what he wanted to do, watch Jake occupy all of his wife’s time.

  “He sure is nice. I enjoy talkin’ to him.”

  “You two sure seem to have a lot to talk about.”

  “We sure do.” She smiled. “Do you know he keeps a goat in his house?”

  “Yes. I was sitting there when he said that. Remember?”

  “Oh, yeah. That’s right. I plumb forgot.”

  That hurt.

  “Well, I’d better get supper on.”

  “No.”

  “What do you mean, no?” Puzzlement darkened her brown eyes.

  “Come on.” He clasped her hand in his.

  Her steps were like a one-legged turtle. “Where we going?”

  “You’ll see.” He led her upstairs into the east bedroom and stopped just outside the closed door. “Okay, now close your eyes.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Why?”

  “Come on, Selina. Just do it.”

  Her chest heaved and she nodded.

  Once her eyes were closed, he waved his hand in front to make sure she wasn’t peeking. Then he opened the door and led her inside. “Okay. You can open your eyes now.”

  Her mouth dropped open and her eyes blinked. “Oh, Michael. Are those for me?”

  “Who else would they be for? Of course they’re for you.”

  Selina walked to the bed. She glanced at the silk slippers before picking up the blue silk dress and holding it under her chin. “I ain’t, I mean I have never had anythin’ this purt…pretty before.” She gazed up at him, then frowned. “But where would I ever wear anythin’ this fancy?”

  “At dinner.”

  “Dinner?” She looked down at her yellow muslin dress. “What’s wrong with what I got on?”

  “Nothing. But you’ll want to wear that—” he pointed to the dress in her hands “—because I’m taking you to the finest dinner theater in town.”

  Selina’s heart sank. She knew finest meant a place where she would never fit in.

  “Do you like them? Mother made them.”

  Selina numbly ran her hand over the soft material and itchy lace. “She sure did a fine job.”

  He took the dress from her and laid it on the bed, then handed her a blue velvet box.

  She had a feeling she knew what was in that box. When she raised the lid, her fears came to life with a punch to her gut. The dress, the shoes, the expensive jewelry, all of it represented the type of woman Michael wanted. Deserved even. And it wasn’t her.

  “I can’t do this, Michael.” She handed the box back to him.

  “I don’t understand. What’s wrong?”

  “Michael, I can’t change my roots, who I am. You deserve a whole heap more than I could ever be.” She bolted past him and flew down the stairs and out the door.

  The trees swiped her face as she ran through the forest to the hilltop. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She hated treating Michael like that, especially after he went through all that trouble to have a dress made for her.

  Tired from running, she sat down against the trunk of a large tree, wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her head on them.

  “God,” she said, sniffling. “I know I said my vows before You and all, and I promised to stay with Michael until death parted us. But I have to break that promise. I’m right sorry, but I shoulda seen it afore now. We’re just too opposite. Michael deserves someone much better than me.

  “So, I’m askin’ You ahead of time to forgive me for breakin’ that promise. I won’t get married again and sin against You that way, but I have to set Michael free.” At that thought, a thousand knives cut through her heart, shredding it slowly, torturing her soul until breath became hard to catch. Tears flooded her cheeks like a gulley wash.

  She leaned her head back against the tree and closed her eyes, letting her heart have a good cry.

  Suddenly, the hair on the back of her neck and arms stood.

  Her eyes darted open.

  She had a feeling she was being watched. By who or what, she didn’t know. But she’d hunted enough to know when she was in danger. And right now, she was in a heap of danger.

  Two hours had passed since Selina left. It was dark now, and Michael was starting to get worried. He wished he’d gone after her when she first ran out. He was still nursing his wounds over the rejection of his gifts. He tried to do something nice for her by having his mother make her a beautiful gown and shoes. He’d even had the sapphire and diamond necklace and earrings shipped in from back east to go with them. But she wanted nothing to do with his gifts. It was time to put his hurt feelings aside and go looking for her.

  Michael lit a lantern, grabbed his rifle and headed into the woods. “Lord, please show me where she went. And show me what to do to make things right. I’m so confused by everything right now. Please help me.”

  He climbed the hill, following the path, hoping to see her somewhere along it. Holding the lantern high, he checked the trees. Checked everywhere.

  A loud scream pierced the air.

  Michael set the lantern down and raced toward the sound.

  Moonlight shed its silvery light in the darkened forest.

  Dry foliage crunched under his feet.

  Another scream.

  He ran faster, harder, ignoring the branches slapping against his face.

  “Help! Somebody help me!”

  That was Selina.

  His heart pounded against his ribs.

  “Help!” Her voice got louder.

  And then he saw her—and it.

  A bear standing on its hind legs just yards away from her.

  Selina held a stick almost as long as she was tall in front of her like a weapon. But that stick was no match for a hungry bear.

  Instinct kicked in and Michael raised his rifle, aimed at the bear and pulled the trigger.

  He missed.

  The bear turned toward him, dropped on all fours and ran straight toward Michael.

  Michael reloaded, aimed again and pulled the trigger.

  About seven yards away, the bear dropped to the edge of the path with a crash.

  Everything was silent.

  Forcing
his hands to stop shaking, Michael reloaded and waited, making sure the bear didn’t get up. He inched his way to the animal and poked the bear with the barrel of his rifle. It didn’t move. Relief poured through him, and his gaze shifted to Selina.

  She stood still as a statue, staring in his direction.

  He rushed to her and pulled her into his arms.

  “Is it—is it dead?” Her voice trembled along with her body.

  He glanced back at it, then at her. “It’s dead.”

  Selina sunk against his chest. Her shoulders shook.

  “Hey, it’s okay.” He rubbed her back in what he hoped was a soothing gesture. “Everything’s okay.”

  “No, it isn’t. And it ain’t never gonna be, neither.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m leavin’, Michael. I’m goin’ back home.”

  He yanked his head back and stared down at her. “What? What do you mean?”

  “Just what I said.” She pulled out of his arms and swiped at her eyes. “I can’t stay here anymore.”

  He wanted to snatch her back, but her look sent him a warning not to.

  “You can’t go. I don’t want you to go. You’re my wife.”

  “I’m sorry, Michael. But my mind is made up.” With a shudder and a sigh, she turned to walk away from him.

  Michael caught her by her arm and turned her around to face him. “Look, I know this isn’t the ideal marriage for either one of us. But we need to work at it.”

  “I can’t never be like Rainee. Or Aimee.”

  “I’m not asking you to.”

  “But that’s the kind of woman you want. That dress and them slippers told me that. Can you look me in the eye and tell me that I’m wrong—that you don’t want a woman who can wear those things and act all proper?”

  Michael looked away. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t.

  “Just as I thought.” She yanked her arm away from him and headed down the mountain.

  His head hung low in shame as he followed her. Ever since Rainee had arrived, he’d dreamed of a woman like her. One who could fit into his ranch-style life and the elite social life if need be. Knowing he had hurt Selina over his discarded dreams made him feel lower than low.