Orphan Train Brides

by Caroline Clemmons

  Merry’s heart broke seeing her sister so distressed. She pulled her sister’s head to her shoulder and held her, patting her back.

  Vivid memories of their childhood resurrected. How many times had one or the other or both of them sobbed like this over their situation? She couldn’t possibly count the times they’d lost all hope.

  The Birds had threatened severe reprisal against those left if one of them ran away. She and Polly lived in constant terror. Bart and Newt only stayed to protect her and Polly, for the boys could have more easily struck out on their own.

  Those times were gone and she tried to erase them from her mind. Events like this brought them back. She’d even dreamed of the bad times after Mr. Ecclestone’s letter arrived.

  She soothed her sister. “Get it out of your system while the children are outside. You mustn’t let them see you cry.”

  Polly shuddered then pulled away. “I haven’t, but it’s been difficult. I think I can face them now without tears.”

  Merry wrung a cloth in water from the pitcher. “Put this on your eyes for a few minutes.”

  The door opened and Evie and Noah came in.

  Evie hurried to Polly. “Is something wrong with you, Mama?”

  Polly smiled for the children. “Not now. I had a bit of a headache but your Aunt Merry gave me this cool cloth for my eyes and forehead and it worked like magic.”

  “We came so I can get my dolly to show Mary Elizabeth.”

  Noah made motions with his hands.

  “He wants me to hurry so we can go play.” She carried her doll as she left.

  After the children had gone, Merry asked, “She looks stronger today. Is she feeling better?”

  “Not really. It seems the more she eats the worse she feels. Mostly she lives on milk and tea. Seems to me she’s been able to keep down meat and most vegetables. Any cake or bread comes right back up.”

  “I’m confident you’ll find out what’s wrong with her so she can grow healthy and stronger.”

  “I pray so several times a day. And, that I’ll find a good husband who’ll marry me and then go away and leave me with the children and the boardinghouse.”

  “Maybe if you went for a walk or sat on the bench in the back yard you’d get your mind on something more pleasant. Or, you could go see Bea for a visit.”

  “Perhaps you’re right. I’ll go visit her at the confectionary shop.”

  “That will do you good, Polly.”

  ***

  Carrying Tammie on her hip an hour later, Merry stared at her sister. “You don’t even know this man. Are you positive you want to marry someone you’ve only briefly met?”

  “I explained he needs a wife to inherit his ranch. Really, it’s an ideal arrangement. As soon as Mr. Ecclestone witnesses the marriage is valid, Ford will go to his ranch and show the marriage certificate to his grandfather. Then, we’ll apply for an annulment.”

  “How can you be sure this Ford person will actually go away and grant you an annulment?”

  “Don’t worry, Merry. He doesn’t want to get married any more than I do. We’re both victims of circumstance. This marriage will allow me to keep the children and allow him to claim his ranch. What could be better?”

  “I hope you’re right. I’m as desperate as you are. I’m glad one of us has found a solution.”

  “Do you mind if I leave the children here? I don’t want to raise false hopes of a father joining us by having them at the ceremony.”

  “Under the circumstances, that’s probably wise.” Merry hugged her sister. “I hope everything works out as you wish.”

  Polly hurried to meet her groom. Merry hugged her youngest daughter as she watched her sister stride with purpose down the walk. One of them was safe but what was she to do?

  She checked on the rest of the children playing in the back yard. Abigail rushed to get Tammie to be the baby in the make believe house she and Mary Elizabeth and Evie had drawn on the ground. Calvin, Noah, and Abraham climbed trees.

  How wonderful the five got along so well together now that they were siblings and cousins. The children’s laughter strengthened her resolve to find a groom. She had chosen the man, if she had nerve to propose to him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Merry was waiting when Polly and Ford Daily returned to the boardinghouse after their wedding. John Allsup was with them.

  Polly presented Mr. Ecclestone with her marriage certificate. “Here’s the proof you need, Mr. Ecclestone. May I introduce you to my husband, Manford Daily. His friends and family call him Ford.”

  Mr. Ecclestone peered at the certificate as if he doubted its veracity. “Well, well, this looks to be in order. All right, Mr. and Mrs. Daily, I’ll authorize the adoption of Noah Daily and Evelyn Daily. You need to sign here and here.”

  Looking triumphant, Polly signed then stepped aside for Ford to do so. Afterward, they followed Merry into her suite.

  Merry hugged Polly then kissed Ford on the cheek. “Tell me about the wedding. Why was John with you?”

  Polly glanced at Ford then at Merry. “You wouldn’t believe it, Merry. I’ll tell you all about it. First I want to check on the children. Remember, not a word to them about the wedding.”

  When her sister started toward the back door, Merry called, “Noah and Evie went to their rooms. Evie wanted to rest for a little while.”

  Ford said, “I’ll go up with you, Polly. I’m all packed to leave as soon as I fetch my valise and saddlebags.”

  Merry hummed as she tidied her rooms. She loved the boardinghouse residents like family, but sometimes she enjoyed being alone in her own private part of the establishment.

  Polly rushed in. “They’ve gone, Merry. Evie and Noah have run away.”

  Merry shook her head. “But they were just here. How can you be sure?”

  “Bass saw them by the Red Dog Saloon not long ago. Ford’s gone to saddle our horses. We’re going after them. Oh, it’s all that horrid Mr. Ecclestone’s fault.”

  “No, Polly. It’s ours, mostly mine, for breaking the rules. I don’t regret it for a minute. Our children needed us and still do. You find your two.”

  When Polly and Ford had gone after Noah and Evie, Merry decided the time had come to safeguard hers. Before she lost her nerve, Merry walked to Blake’s office. He looked up expectantly as she closed the door behind her.

  “Blake Woolf, why don’t you and I marry? We could have a paper marriage? After the children are securely mine you could get an annulment.”

  He stood up and came around his desk then gently grasped her shoulders. “If we marry, it will be permanent and a real marriage. Can you live with that?”

  Could she? He appeared to be a nice man. He cared for his mother. His uncle spoke highly of him.

  “How could I be sure you wouldn’t throw me out of the boardinghouse?”

  He shook his head, a perplexed expression on his handsome face. “Surely you know I wouldn’t do anything like that. But, I’d live in your suite and work in my office.” He tipped her chin up to meet his gaze. “Merry, I’d also share your bed. Can you accept that?”

  Merry clutched her throat with one hand. She had to admit being attracted to him. She thought she could trust him. The children liked him. “I… I guess that’s only fair. I’ll inform Mr. Ecclestone. Shall we marry while your sister and her husband are here?”

  “Please. I’d say give my mother a day to recover from her trip then we marry the next day. Do you plan to have the wedding at church or here?”

  “Let’s have it here so Mrs. Adams and Letitia can easily participate. How about eight o’clock in the evening?”

  “Good enough. You arrange it. I’ll talk to the preacher.”

  “I suppose we’ll have that awful Mr. Ecclestone attend.”

  He held her arms. “Merry, I understand your frustration. He’s not responsible for what happened to you and Polly. Wrong as he is about you two, he’s doing his job the best he can.”

  She rested he
r hands on his broad chest. “I know he isn’t to blame for the horrid life we had. However, he should be able to make exceptions now. He should realize that single mothers raise independent and well-adjusted children all over the world.”

  “He’s a man who sees the world in black and white and you and Polly are in a gray area.”

  He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. “Now, since we’re engaged, I want to seal our arrangement with a kiss.”

  Mesmerized, she watched his mouth as he leaned down to press his lips to hers. Warm tingles shot through her body. Apparently of their own will, her hands clutched at his lapels, pulling him closer.

  His legs shifted and he deepened the kiss. He molded his body to hers, caressing her back. When he ended the kiss, he kept her close and tucked her head beneath his chin.

  His heart pounded wildly beneath her ear. “That was some kiss, Miss Bird.”

  She hung on to him, her heart racing fast as his while she nestled her head against his strong chest. “I don’t have a comparison, but I must agree, Mr. Woolf.”

  Now that her knees weren’t threatening to give way, she took a step from him. “I-I’ll go tell the children.”

  He grinned, his eyes shining with mischief. “Whew, I’ll try to recover from that kiss. Then, I’ll go talk to the preacher. Perhaps we can announce our engagement at supper.”

  Safe. Her children were safe. Relief carried her to her suite.

  ***

  Blake sat at his desk for half an hour to recover his composure and consider the commitment he’d just made. Had he lost his mind? Only lately had he escaped family responsibilities. Now he was back in the fray.

  Mulling over his predicament, he vowed he’d done the right thing. He should have proposed to Merry when she received the letter from the Children’s Aid Society. At the same time, he couldn’t believe he was soon to be married with three children.

  Rising and clamping his hat on his head, he strode out the office’s front door toward the parsonage. He rapped on the preacher’s door.

  Sara Jones answered, one hand patting her brown hair in place. “Why, come in, Mr. Woolf. How nice to see you. I’ll let my husband know you’re here. He’s just returned from visiting an ailing member of the congregation.”

  She gestured to a chair. “Please have a seat.”

  By now, Blake would have exploded if he’d sat still to await Reverend Jones. The small parlor hardly allowed room for pacing, but Blake managed.

  The preacher came in with his hand extended and wearing his usual broad smile. “Nice of you to call. What can I do for you?”

  Blake shook hands then shifted from one foot to the other. “Miss Merry Bird and I would like you to perform our marriage ceremony.” There, he’d said it. Too late to back out now.

  The other man clapped him on the back. “Wonderful. Having recently performed the ceremony for Miss Polly and her groom, I hoped you were here for this reason. I can’t tell you how much you’ve relieved my mind.”

  The preacher sat in one of the armchairs. “Yesterday I had a note from Mr. Ecclestone and it upset me so much I hardly slept a wink last night. I know how much the Bird sisters love those children and how happy the children are now.”

  Blake sat in the other armchair. “They’ve settled in and appear happy. I’d hate like he…heck to have them uprooted.”

  “I sense urgency. When is this wedding to take place?”

  “As it happens, my mother and sister are arriving tomorrow and mother will be living at the boardinghouse.” Blake told him the arrangements.

  The minister nodded his agreement to the plans. “Sounds as if you’ve thought of everything.”

  Reverend Jones leaned forward, concern etched on his face. “Please don’t misunderstand me when I spoke of Grover Ecclestone’s note upsetting me. He’s a fine man with high principles who does a lot of good. Has he arrived yet?”

  Blake raised his eyebrows. “Oh, yes, he’s made himself known. He’s staying at the boardinghouse.”

  He couldn’t keep a wry smile from his face. “You should have seen Merry confront him about the horrid way she and her sister were treated by the couple who adopted them. I believe that’s why he decided to give them a week to marry before he told the children they have to return to the orphanage.”

  The minister steepled his fingers on his abdomen. “I had no idea they’d had a difficult life. Miss Merry is always so cheerful and positive. One would think she’d never had anything unpleasant happen or had a bad thought.”

  Blake all but snorted. “Hard to believe anyone would treat a child the way she and Polly and the two boys adopted with them were treated. The girls were only eight when they went to live with that Bird couple in Nebraska. They worked like slaves and didn’t even have coats to wear in winter. Worked until their hands were raw and bleeding.”

  Reverend Jones frowned and shook his head slowly. “Sad as that sounds, I’ve heard similar stories. Most adoptees at least get good food and care. However, if you compare even minimal nurturing to the dangers of living on the streets of New York, then they’re better off.”

  Blake supposed so but no better than in an orphanage. “Children need to feel wanted and protected. Merry and Polly have given their five love and security.”

  Blake stood. “I didn’t mean to go on and on. I’ll see you at the wedding. I hope Mrs. Jones will be able to attend as well.”

  The minister walked him the short distance to the door. “We’ll be there. How fortunate that your mother and sister will be able to see you wed. I’ll look forward to meeting your family.”

  Blake strolled the few blocks toward the boardinghouse. The engine’s whistle sounded as another train rolled into town. Tomorrow, part of his family would arrive and in three days, he’d be a married man.

  Before he announced his engagement to Merry, he wanted to talk to the children—especially Calvin and Abigail.

  Back at the boardinghouse, he detoured to the back. Sure enough, the two older children were playing with friends.

  When Abigail spotted him, she ran over and took his hand. “Did you come to take us for more of that sar’prilla?”

  “Not today, but sometime soon we’ll get some.” He motioned to Calvin as he guided Abigail toward a bench in the shade of a tall cottonwood tree. A breeze rustled the leaves and a blue jay called, the combination creating nature’s music.

  Calvin had lost only a little of his defensive attitude. He stood in front of Blake and crossed his arms. “Mama said you’re gonna marry her. I didn’t tell her I asked you to, did you?”

  “No, that was between us. I came to see how you two feel about me marrying your Mama.”

  Calvin’s solemn expression still resembled that of a much older person. “It’s a good plan. I was afraid we were gonna be taken away from Mama by that Mr. Ecclestone. Mama doesn’t know I read that man’s letter.”

  Blake sensed a frown form on his forehead. “You know reading someone else’s private correspondence is not proper, Calvin. She’d be disappointed if she knew.”

  The boy bowed his head until his chin almost touched his chest. “Like I told you, I only did it because I heard her crying. She’s a real good person and she oughtn’t to have anything bad happen to her.”

  Calvin raised his chin. “She was sitting on the couch in our part of the house and she had a piece of paper in her hand. I can be real quiet, see, so she didn’t know I was peeking out of my room. When she went to her bedroom, she was still crying. I slipped out to see what was so bad.”

  Blake nodded. “I can understand your urge to spy. I saw the letter, too. Your mama and Miss Polly were very upset.”

  “Then you know that man from the Children’s Aid Society was gonna take us back to the orphanage.” Calvin crossed his arms. “I ain’t going back.”

  “I don’t blame you. Now that your mama and I will be married, you’re safe from the orphanage. Once she and I are wed, no one can take you from us. Still, I wanted to be sure h
er marrying me would be all right with you.”

  “I’m glad you’re gettin’ hitched. Mama needs a husband. Abigail and Tammie need a pa.”

  Abigail leaned against his shoulder. “You’ll be our Papa, won’t you? I don’t know if I had a Papa before.”

  Blake smiled at the little girl who would soon be his daughter. “You’ll also have a Grandma because my mother is coming here to live. She’ll be happy to have you two and Tammie as her grandchildren.”

  Abigail’s eyes widened. “She will?”

  Calvin sat beside him. “I kinda remember having a Ma and I told you I had a Pa ’til I was eight, but I never had a grandma or grandpa.”

  “You’ll have a grandmother now. She’ll arrive tomorrow. My father passed away years ago, so I can’t supply a grandfather.”

  Abigail cried, “Tammie.” She sprang up and ran to where Merry approached carrying Tammie.

  Merry sat beside him and set Tammie down to play.

  Abigail held the toddler’s shoulders. “Tammie, did you know he’s going to be our new Papa.”

  Tammie climbed up into his lap and patted his face. “Papa. My papa.”

  He was amazed at Tammie’s reaction. “That’s right, sunshine. I’ll be your papa and you and Abigail will be my little girls and Calvin will be my son.”

  Merry was silent.

  He reached for her hand and laced their fingers. “Preacher is arranged. Anything else I’m supposed to take care of before the ceremony?” Dadgum, he had to get her a ring.

  “I think we’re all set. Elvira plans to bake a wedding cake. W-We can announce our plans at supper this evening.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Blake had his own plans for supper. Mr. Ecclestone was seated in Bass’ chair. When everyone else was gathered and Merry was in the dining room, Blake walked over to her.

  He took hold of Merry’s hand and dropped to one knee. “Merry Bird, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  She gasped, her beautiful blue eyes wide, and stammered, “I… I… Yes, Blake, I’ll be honored.”