Orphan Train Brides

by Caroline Clemmons

  “I don’t know about that, but we’d better get going lest we be late.” Polly led the way down the three flights of stairs.

  “I sent Steve and Ford to the florist shop,” Bea said as they walked down the path that led to the street. “There won’t be much of a selection but at least you’ll have a bridal bouquet.”

  “Thanks, flowers are nice—but not really necessary. We’ll be saying our vows in private, signing the papers, and that’s that. No one will know other than Mr. Ecclestone and Ford’s grandfather. Once my children are truly mine, and Ford’s grandfather signs the deed over, then we’ll get an annulment and we’ll both be free to marry whomever we please.”

  They turned onto Main Street. As they walked in front of the mercantile, Jane Dorchester greeted them.

  “Shopping today?” she asked.

  “No,” Bea said. “Polly’s getting married.”

  Polly could’ve stuffed her reticule in Bea’s mouth.

  Jane put down the tools she’d been arranging and smiled. “Married? Oh my, this is quite sudden.” She gazed at Polly’s midriff.

  Lavinia Zimmerman, wife of the bank teller, and her son came out of the mercantile, each holding a parcel. “Polly, did I hear right? You’re getting married?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “How wonderful—congratulations!” Lavinia grabbed her newly adopted son’s hand. “I can hardly wait to tell Dennis. We’ll see you at the church.”

  “But…” There was no use for Polly to say anything else because Lavinia had already headed down the street toward the bank.

  “Looks like you’ll be having a few guests,” Bea said.

  Polly groaned and picked up the pace. “We have to get to the church before they do. I don’t want Ford thinking I invited half the town to a wedding that unites us in name only.”

  “Four people isn’t half the town. But then you know how it is in Mockingbird Flats—any excuse for a party.”

  Chapter Five

  “We’re not having a party.” The last thing Polly wanted was for anyone to make a commotion about this wedding, especially when the marriage would be over in a few short weeks if all went well. In fact, she was hoping to keep the whole arrangement quiet, for a big wedding to-do would make explaining why she wasn’t married after a short while all that much harder. “The whole ceremony will be over in fifteen minutes and after that I have work to do—I haven’t even done my morning chores yet.”

  “Fifteen minutes? I bet it’ll take you fifteen minutes to get through the front door. And another hour after for visiting if you’re lucky,” Bea said, huffing to keep up with Polly’s brisk pace. “You know very well that the ladies will be excited to have something new to talk about, and every single one of them will want to meet Ford.”

  Bea was right, but Polly still had hopes of keeping the wedding as quiet as possible. “I don’t want any of them to meet Ford.”

  As they passed by the fire station, Fiona Bushnell, the fire chief’s wife, followed behind them saying, “I was in the florist shop a while ago and heard that you’re getting married so I was on my way to the church. With such short notice, I didn’t have a chance to make you a nice gift, but I ordered some apple turnovers from the bakery to be delivered.”

  Polly stopped and Bea had to take a few steps back to stay with her. Her throat tightened but she managed to say, “Thank you, Fiona. That was a lovely thing to do.”

  “Oh, and I invited Jessica. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Polly certainly did mind but since Polly hadn’t invited Fiona either, she could hardly say that she objected to Fiona inviting her sister-in-law, the town doctor’s wife. “Of course not. That was very neighborly of you.” She nearly choked on her words.

  Jessica Bushnell hailed them with a wave. “I’m so happy for you, Polly!” She held up a basket. “Baby things. I’ve been saving them for our town’s next wedding. First baby can come anytime—the other ones take nine months.” She giggled. “We won’t mention how many first babies in this town were premature.”

  “Thank you, but I’m not in a family way.”

  The matronly lady winked. “You will be shortly, then.”

  Polly tugged on Bea’s arm. “We best be on our way.” She set off for the church once again, this time with several ladies and a few gentlemen following. So much for her secret marriage. With luck, Ford wouldn’t be put off by the folderol and back out of their deal.

  She cast a glance at Bea, who had the decency to look sheepish.

  “I don’t know where they got the idea that you’re having a baby.”

  “How many people did you tell, for land’s sake?”

  “Only Jane Dorchester just now. Honest! I didn’t tell anyone else.”

  Polly didn’t want to upset her friend but this whole affair was turning into a fiasco—and all for a wedding to a man she didn’t even know.

  By the time they got to the church, several buggies were parked alongside and people were milling about. Polly stopped cold and Fiona bumped into her back.

  “I’m so sorry. Are you all right? You look a mite stunned.”

  Considering her stomach had taken a swan dive when she’d seen all those people, no she wasn’t all right. Not at all.

  “I’m fine, just a bit nervous.”

  Fiona took Polly’s hand. “Weren’t we all. You’ll be fine.”

  Jessica shouldered in between Bea and Fiona. “We’re here with you to help—whatever you need, just ask.”

  What Polly needed was a whole lot less help and all these people to be gone, but she kept her counsel.

  The banker’s wife, Vallie Collins, rushed out of the church and headed straight for Polly. “We have the reception set up out back of the church, so we’ll go there directly after the ceremony. You best come inside now—your groom’s waiting and he seems a mite anxious—pacing and all.” Since Vallie’s husband was also mayor of Mockingbird Flats, Polly might as well have put out flyers announcing the wedding to every residence in town.

  “That’s perfectly natural,” Jessica said. “My Eugene’s knees were knocking together so hard that they sounded like a clogger was dancing on the altar.”

  For two cents, Polly would hightail it back home, but she couldn’t, for the children were counting on her. They might not know it, but they’d shown no hope for the future when they’d first arrived, and the mere fact that they were learning to play said a lot about their chances of leading normal lives—even Noah, who still hadn’t uttered a word.

  With her children in mind, she straightened her shoulders and headed for the church door. This marriage would’ve been a lot easier to stomach if the townspeople were home or working like they were supposed to be. But easy or hard, Polly was determined to go through with the sham until her children’s future was secure.

  * * *

  Ford waited with Steve in a little room off the side of the altar. Occasionally, he’d peek through a slit in the door as the people entered the sanctuary and seated themselves. Many carried gifts or flowers, and some brought food.

  “The first five pews on both sides are plumb full, Steve,” he grumbled. “I thought this would be a quick ceremony so we could sign the papers and tend to business.”

  “We just went through this last week. I wanted to get married at the courthouse but Bea wanted a church wedding, so I had to grit my teeth and keep remembering that it’d be over shortly, which it was. Relatively painless, actually, and the end benefit was worth all the trouble.”

  “Yeah, well I’m not going to get any ‘end benefit.’ Why’d she invite all these people?”

  “Best ease up on Polly—she couldn’t have.” Steve sat on a wooden chair in the corner and rested his ankle on his knee. “She didn’t have time. My guess is the florist spread the word. Myrtle’s not known to keep a confidence more than ten minutes. And anyway, you know as well as I do that in a small town, your neighbor knows your business before you do.”

  “Yep. Same in Dailyville, but th
at doesn’t ease my mind much.”

  “You can always jilt her at the altar.”

  Ford did feel like bolting, but he’d given his word. At that moment, it seemed like a hasty word.

  “Can’t do that to her. We only met today and we’ve talked for a short few minutes, but that was enough time for me to see that her intentions are honorable and she has a sincere soul.”

  “That pretty much describes our Polly. Everyone in Mockingbird Flats has taken a liking to her and her sister Merry. They bought the hotel and turned it into a boardinghouse—astute at business, they are, and always ready to help someone in need.”

  “Sounds as if you’re talking about two angels.” He clasped his hands behind him and walked the two steps across the room, then back.

  “It does, but I’m sure they have their faults. We all do.”

  “They don’t look alike at all.” He ruffled his hair, then patted it down and took another tour around the room. What he needed was a good brisk ride with wind in his face and bugs in his teeth.

  “They’re adopted sisters, not blood sisters. Seems like that makes them closer for some reason.”

  Ford went back to the door and took another look into the sanctuary. “The place is nearly full now. I wish the preacher would get the show on the road.”

  “You might as well sit your sorry butt in that chair over there. This room isn’t big enough for your infernal pacing.”

  The reverend called through the door. “The bride’s here. Are you ready?”

  “Ready as any man who’s waiting at the gallows,” Ford muttered.

  “Join the club.” Steve snorted as he stood. “Let’s get you hitched up to the second prettiest girl in Mockingbird Flats.”

  Ford wasn’t so sure about that—Bea was pretty, all right, but Polly... well, he had a hard time keeping the image of her sweet lips from his baser thoughts.

  He opened the door when he heard piano music.

  Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.

  * * *

  Noah worried that all the jostling would make Evie sick. Just about everything made her sick. Really, she was a lot of trouble but he’d always felt the need to protect her. They hadn’t been captured by the Children’s Society at the same time—they caught her first, and then him a month or so later.

  He didn’t only worry about the jostling. The tarp covering the load seemed to suck in the heat of the afternoon sun, and they’d already drunk all the water in the canteen he’d brought. He’d never been so hot in his life.

  She motioned to him asking when they’d get off the wagon.

  He walked his fingers across his palm indicating they’d sneak off when they got to some people—in a town. Only thing was, he worried there wouldn’t be a town anytime soon. He could survive in a town but he didn’t know a thing about the country and neither did Evie.

  Evie took a coin purse out of her skirt pocket and handed it to him.

  The coins came to several dollars, enough to buy some food for a week if they were careful. He raised an eyebrow and gazed at her.

  She grinned and rubbed her thumb on her first and second fingers.

  After a while, the driver hollered, “Whoa!” and the wagon stopped.

  Noah peeked from under the tarp and saw several men around a campfire, and one walking toward the wagon.

  “Did you make a good deal, Boss?” the man said.

  “Fair to middlin’.” The driver hopped off the wagon. “You unload the empty barrels. We have to refill tonight, for old Lucky bought two more barrels than I thought he would.”

  “You hungry? There’s flapjacks on the griddle if you want some.”

  Noah heard the driver fiddling with the tarp ties. What should he and Evie do? He’d already planned how they were going to sneak off the wagon, but he didn’t know what direction to go after that. Always in the city, they’d run off and mingle with the crowd. Except he didn’t think there was a crowd within fifty miles.

  He poked Evie and gave her the “run fast” signal.

  The man flipped the tarp open.

  Noah and Evie took off like a musket shot. One thing they knew how to do was get away from mean grownups, and that worked whether they were in the alleys of New York or the hot Texas emptiness.

  He grabbed Evie’s arm and headed for a big pile of rocks. Only then did he realize he’d left the bag of food they’d pilfered in the wagon.

  Chapter Six

  “Oh, dear.” Polly stood at the front door not knowing what to do. “I’m supposed to go have a talk with Mr. Jones and Ford, but I can’t even get into the church.”

  Bea held up one finger. “Let me investigate.” She disappeared into the crowd and, within a few minutes, returned. “Apparently because of the unexpectedly high attendance, Reverend Jones has decided to forgo the pre-ceremony talk. But stay here and I’ll be right back. Steve said he’d leave the bridal bouquet with Mrs. Jones.”

  “I’ll wait with you,” Fiona Bushnell said to Polly, then turned to her sister-in-law. “You might as well go in and find seats for us.”

  After Jessica left, the music started.

  Polly started to walk up the aisle but Fiona held onto her arm. “Bea hasn’t brought your bouquet yet, dear.”

  “But it’s time to go—the music’s playing.”

  “Not yet!” She motioned to John Allsup, the town telegrapher who lived at the Mockingbird Flats Boardinghouse, who’d just come in. “John will escort you up the aisle. No young lady should have to walk alone.”

  John, a very tall man in his fifties, offered his arm. “I’d be honored, Miss Polly.” He still wore his telegrapher’s clothes so Polly reckoned he’d likely come to the church straight from work.

  “Much obliged.”

  Bea rushed back with the flowers. “Here you go, Polly. You’re a beautiful bride—I so love the daisies with your pink and white dress—you look like a princess. Ford’s bound to love what he sees.”

  Of all people, Bea should know that Ford thought nothing of the sort, nor should he, for as soon as the marriage was annulled, they’d likely never see each other again.

  Polly laid her hand on John’s arm. “I’m ready.” But she wasn’t. Her secret wedding would be witnessed by at least forty people. They must have come out of the woodwork to attend her wedding. She didn’t see any of the boarders, though, except for John.

  She hadn’t arranged for the music and she certainly hadn’t organized a potluck reception that had been set up outside the church complete with a wedding cake with Mr. and Mrs. Ford Daily written on it. She’d go through with the ceremony for the sake of the children, but she had no idea how she’d explain Ford’s disappearance after the Children’s Society was satisfied that she could legally adopt Noah and Evie.

  As she got halfway to the altar, Ford and Steve walked onto the dais from one of the side rooms. Ford had a serious look about him and stood straight as a rolling pin. But once his gaze caught hers, he broke into a grin. That put her at ease some, for she worried he’d be annoyed with her even though she had done nothing wrong—other than agree to marry under false pretenses.

  But Ford stood at the altar and waited. His sack suit emphasized his broad shoulders, and his black hair was parted on the side and slicked back. A boutonniere adorned his lapel and he looked all the world like a handsome groom in love with his bride. If only that were true, for she’d always dreamed of a dashing prince sweeping her off her feet. No one knew her private fantasy—Merry didn’t even know.

  Ladies smiled and gents nodded as Polly passed them. She gripped her bouquet and willed her feet to keep walking. The aisle hadn’t seemed so long last Sunday. And all the people! But the one person she most wanted to be there, Merry, was home with the children.

  John escorted her to Ford’s side, then stepped back once Reverend Jones nodded at him. Then the reverend started talking. Polly made an effort to listen but her palms felt sweaty. Who decided that ladies should wear gloves in the Texas heat? The heavy church
air closed in on her but she took short breaths to counteract it.

  The reverend got her attention as he said, “...be you well assured, that if you are coupled together for reasons other than God's word allows, then you are not joined together by God, and neither is your matrimony lawful.”

  Her stomach churned as if a squirrel was chasing a bag of nuts in it and she was grateful when Bea nudged her to offer her hand to Ford. Reverend Jones nodded at the groom, who took her hand, and that brought her attention back to the reverend’s fateful words, or at least his voice. She gazed into Ford’s eyes, enchanted with the depth of his character.

  In that moment, she knew Ford would always be true and loyal to those he loved. And in the next moment, she felt bereft that she’d never be one of those people. And even though she had only spoken with him twice, she regretted that they’d never get the chance even to get acquainted.

  The reverend intoned, “Will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, so long as you both shall live?”

  Ford glanced at Reverend Jones then settled his gaze on Polly, who felt her face grow warm. Just when she thought he wouldn’t answer, he said, “I will.”

  To her, the reverend said, “Will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, so long as you both shall live?”

  “Reverend Jones,” a man called from behind the altar. “I limed the outhouse and cleaned the pot. You want me to start on the windows?”

  The townspeople laughed as Reverend Jones turned to his handyman. “You’ll have to wait until after the wedding, Yancey. You might as well stay for the reception.”

  Yancey backed away, his eyes wide. “Damn, uh...” He smacked his hand over his mouth and muttered, “Sorry.”

  The break gave Polly a chance to convince her voice box to work. When the reverend got back into his position, he said, “Let’s continue. Polly?”