by Linda Ellen
“Now you see how this place got its name,” he mumbled. “Something about being here, on this rock, out here all alone... A man can’t seem to help himself...”
“Nor a woman, I see,” she responded, a flicker of mischief in her eyes.
“I see,” he chuckled and sat up, pulling her upwards with him. Then for good measure, he stood to his feet and drew her up as well. Stretching down, he swiped the blanket up and pressed it into her empty hands, then took her elbow and led her to the edge of the rock.
He jumped down, then reached up and placed his big hands around her tiny waist, drawing her slowly down while their eyes were locked, allowing her body to slide just slightly along his, although the blanket was between them.
Setting her on her feet, he leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips, whispering, “And you, my bride—those kisses of yours heat my blood faster than a match to a stick of dynamite.”
She giggled as he took her hand and led her back to the surrey as he added, “I think we’d better get on the road.”
“Whatever you say, my groom. You speak and I’ll obey.”
“Mmmm,” he mumbled and she giggled again.
“So...where did you two go today?” Charise asked as she passed a bowl of mashed potatoes to Beth. The five of them were once again enjoying a meal at Finn and Charise’s kitchen table.
“Yes, Bethie, do you know everything there is to know about our fair town yet?” Zeb asked as he forked a pork chop and passed the plate on to Finn.
“Did you take her to see the mill, Sam?” Finn asked, passing a bowl of pickled beets to his wife.
“Yes, do tell us,” Charise added, as she picked up the gravy boat and handed it to Sam. “You were gone all day, where all did you go? The mercantile? The church? Did you meet anyone or go anywhere special?”
It was then that she seemed to notice both Beth Ann and Sam’s faces were a bit pink.
Sam peeked at his sister-in-law, only to look away guiltily, all the while telling himself that he really didn’t have anything to feel guilty about. But...for his family to know that he had taken his new bride of two days up to Lover’s Vista and enjoyed what nearly amounted to a lover’s tryst with her there...
He cleared his throat and darted a look at Beth Ann, who raised her eyes from her plate and met his gaze. Thankfully, her eyes were sparkling with merriment. It was as if she sensed the questions were making him uncomfortable and she was content to let him stew in his own juices, so to speak—while unwilling to answer any herself, the little minx. Nevertheless, he sent her a wink and looked around at the now extremely interested group and gave them all an unabashed smile.
“We enjoyed ourselves, thank you. Yes, she saw the mercantile—and old Sebastian is already taken with our Beth, as I knew he’d be,” he added with a proud grin. “We paid a visit to the church and the mill...she met the McKnights, the Bortners at the drugstore, old R.W. at the Nebraska Advertiser...and oh yes...she had her first encounter with Elvira.”
“Good heavens, that’s quite a lot for your first day in town!” Finn laughed, addressing his comment to Beth Ann, who responded with a casual smirk and a giggle. Sam was just glad the attention on him had been diverted.
Charise laughed. “Miss Elvira. Did I exaggerate in my description of our dear local phenomena?”
Beth Ann laughed along with her and shook her head, swallowing a bite of buttered bread. “No, you certainly didn’t. She is quite...talkative, isn’t she?”
Charise snickered, but put a hand to her mouth before murmuring, “When I first met Pastor McKnight, he coined a word for her—loquacious.”
“Who is this woman you all are talking about?” Zeb spoke up. “I gather she is a lively conversationalist...and from working in the field of words most of my life, that adjective refers to someone who is gossipy, blathering, long-winded, wordy, verbose, and basically mouthy...”
Four voices around the table chorused in harmony, “Exactly!” before bursting into laughter once again.
“Oh, Lord, forgive us. It’s bad of us to talk about her like this,” Charise lamented when she could catch her breath. Placing two fingers over her mouth for a moment, she then held up one finger and declared, “In her defense, Elvira Davis is hard working, kind, thoughtful, and would give you her last dollar or the dress off her back if you needed it. She’ll help anyone do anything, anytime day or night, and never back down or complain.” Pausing briefly, she pursed her lips and scrunched up her nose with a silly shrug and added, “She might babble about it to anyone who will listen, but she won’t complain!”
Everyone roared in laughter.
As the family settled back down to giving attention to their plates, Beth Ann spoke up, “Getting back to the newspaper, Papa, I thought you might visit the office of the Advertiser and see if the editor...what was his name again, Sam?” she swung her attention toward him, asking for his assistance.
“R. W. Furnas. Yeah, Zeb, Beth Ann had a good idea there. R. W. lost his typesetter a few months ago—fella’ named Gerald Smith—and he’s been griping ever since about having to do everything himself. Gerald...left town under dubious circumstances,” Sam put in with a bit of mystery.
Zeb raised one eyebrow in query.
Finn laughed and leaned close to the old man. “What Sam means is, ol’ Ger’ got caught red handed with his fingers in R.W.’s till and before R.W. could get the sheriff to clap him in jail, he lit out for parts unknown.”
“Ahh. Then I will definitely go and have a chat with Mr. Furnas,” Zeb responded happily as he winked at Beth Ann. “You see, my dear? God knows how to work things out, if we leave everything in the Almighty’s hands. He knows what we need before we even ask. He knows how to put two and two together—and He always comes out with four!”
“Hear, hear!” the others agreed, each one lifting their beverage glass and giving a heartfelt salute.
Taking a sip of his water and stealing a quick look at his bride, Sam couldn’t agree more.
Bright and early the next morning, just as the four current residents of Finn and Charise’s apartment were sitting down to breakfast—predictably—there was a knock on the door, followed by said door being opened.
In the act of placing a large bowl of oatmeal on the table, Beth Ann stopped and watched as her husband walked in the back door giving out his customary greetings before locking eyes with her. How handsome he looked! He was wearing...a suit! Not only a suit, but from the look—a new suit. Stylish and cut to fit, the brown wool jacket and trousers, complemented with a matching silk vest along with a brown and blue paisley cravat, transformed the lumberjack into the most handsome man Beth Ann had ever laid eyes on. Her mouth literally fell open.
“S...Sam. Oh my...you look wonderful. My goodness,” she stammered as she strove to get control of her reaction.
Finn walked through the kitchen door at that moment and stopped dead in his tracks, looked his brother up and down, and let out a low whistle. “Man oh man, brother. What the heck are you wearing? Where’d you get that?”
Charise, who had turned from the stove with plates of sausage and fried ham in her hands, stood staring at him as well.
Sam stopped in the middle of the room, cocky pride plastered on his face, and with his hands gripping his lapels, he slowly turned in a full circle to allow them to get the whole effect.
“It’s my new suit,” he explained needlessly. “Ya like it?” he asked, his question addressed to all of them, but his eyes were directed at Beth Ann. Wordlessly, she nodded, her eyes feasting on the vision before her.
“B...but where...” Charise sputtered.
“I ordered it at the mercantile,” he explained as he unbuttoned the jacket and showed them the vest. “Sebastian didn’t have one in stock to fit me, so he had to order it from Omaha. It was, uh...” he wavered with a sheepish look on his face as he met Beth Ann’s eyes once again. “It was supposed to get here on Thursday so’s I could wear it for our first meeting...as husband and
wife...but it didn’t come. It did, however, come on Friday’s train—the same one you were on—but Seb didn’t unpack the shipment until Friday night and, well...” he shrugged. “So, he had his delivery boy take it out to the mill. It was there when I left here last evening. Seb said when I brought you in, he took one look at my lovely bride and it completely slipped his mind,” he added with a roguish wink. Beth Ann felt her cheeks heat up.
“Well, you look very handsome in it. I love it, Sam,” Beth Ann purred as she circled the table and came up to him to lay a hand on the fine material covering his arm. Then, she reached up and straightened his cravat in an unconscious, wifely manner.
She smiled up at him as he grinned back, before leaning down and planting a possessive kiss on her lips, and then ushered her back to the table as the others inquisitively watched.
“Wanted to look my best to escort you to church this morning. By the way,” he added, giving her turquoise outfit an appreciative once over, “you look beautiful this morning. But then...I haven’t seen you look anything but beautiful, yet.”
She inclined her head. “Thank you, kind sir.”
As they sat down to eat, Beth couldn’t prevent her eyes from straying to the attractive picture her husband made. And to think...he did all of that for me...purchased a new suit, and wanted to wear it just to please me. What an amazing man I’ve married!
They enjoyed a wonderful service at church, after which Beth Ann felt like she must have met nearly everyone in Brownville, before the five of them headed back to the apartment to partake of lunch—one of Beth Ann’s specialties, her famous potato soup. She’d left it simmering on Charise’s stove since early that morning.
Zebulon complimented her a number of times, telling little funny anecdotes about how he always loved the soup’s delicious aroma and the fact that many times Beth would have him look in on it while she was at work and make sure the fire was low enough—thereby giving him the perfect opportunity to finagle an invitation to dinner. Beth Ann replied, amidst the teasing laughter of the others, that she had known what he was up to, and that was why she always added a few more potatoes to the pot!
After lunch, Beth Ann had changed out of her good dress and then she and Sam bid the others adieu so that they could spend a little time together. He had borrowed the surrey again, and after stopping off at the mill so that he could change out of his new suit, he directed the horse toward the cabin.
Already, riding together in a surrey seemed natural and comfortable. The pair kept up a constant chatter along the way and Sam was quite pleased that Beth Ann seemed excited to see the place that would most likely become their home.
“What was it like to grow up in the orphanage?” he gently asked during a lull in the conversation.
Beth Ann glanced at him with a wistful expression and let out a soft sigh. “Strict...a bit like the military they say...you know, with all the rules, time for chores, time for school, time for bed. But there were good times, too...every kid, on their birthday, got treated like a prince or princess for the day—no chores, their favorite foods, and something special, just for them. And at Christmastime, a local church group would come over and bring us all a wrapped gift or two, with lots of hard candy, fruit, and nuts. I guess it wasn’t the worst place to grow up...and over the years... Well, I’ve heard some horror stories about orphanages, like those up in New York. All in all, it was better, by far, than living with Grandma had been—always cold, hungry, and scared...”
Sam wondered what she meant by scared, but he remained silent and let her continue. “At the orphanage, I had two good friends my age, Sandra and Earline, but...both of them turned eighteen and were released about six months before I did and they found jobs in the hotel near the Portland Wharf. It wasn’t long before they married deck hands from passing steamboats, and I never saw them after that, although I heard that they were both living down in New Orleans. I did get a letter from Earline, once though...she and her husband had a little boy...”
Reaching over, Sam placed his arm around her and drew her against his side, wishing he hadn’t brought the subject up. He felt heaviness in his own heart to feel Beth’s spirits plunge slightly at the thought of missing her old friends. She looked up at him with a soft glow of gratitude lighting her eyes. “A lot of water’s gone down the river since then. Plus, I became friends with Charise after that,” she added with a tiny shrug.
Providing steadfast support, Sam remained silent, allowing her privacy for her memories until minutes later they pulled up to the front of the cabin and he hauled back on the reins. The buggy rolled to a stop and the two sat looking at the outside. He noticed that Beth Ann’s eyes seemed to be taking everything in with a sort of wonderment, and he could only speculate on what she might be thinking.
Climbing down, he lifted her out of the carriage. “Now, I warned you...it’s in kind of bad shape. I think somehow the back door must have blown open or something, because animals had taken up residence—”
“That’s no problem,” she interrupted, glancing at him with shimmering eyes. “I’m sure it’s nothing that a little soap and elbow grease can’t fix. Show me inside?”
With a nod, he stepped forward and opened the front door, ushering her into the main room. Walking over to the mantel, he shook both lamps, relieved to hear the slosh of oil inside, and proceeded to light them and adjust the globes. Then, he turned around and just stood with an indulgent smile watching Beth wander around the room, touching this or that, wiping dust off the back of a chair, swiping at cobwebs on a shelf, and peeking into each of the bedrooms off the main room.
Finally, she turned from fingering the curtains his mother had sewn that were still hanging at the window over the sink and met his gaze. His heart plunged when he saw that there were tears in her eyes! Oh no!
In three strides he was at her side.
“Beth, darlin’? What’s wrong?” His heart was thumping so hard he hoped he’d be able to hear her answer, but at the same time, he was dreading the words. She hates the place. I just knew it was too soon to bring her here! She’s gonna tell me that under no circumstances will she live here with me. She’ll tell me she changed her mind and decided she doesn’t want to be married to me any longer. That she wants to go back to Louisville. She’s gonna say...
In the midst of his runaway imaginings, with trembling lips, his bride whispered, “Oh Sam...I love it. It’s...it’s...it’s a dream come true!”
Drawing in a huge breath as relief washed over him like cool water on a hot day, Sam blinked away the fear and dread that had seized his mind and reached out to draw her into his embrace. She slipped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. They stood thus for a long moment, swaying in a gentle rhythm, while his heart returned to its normal pace.
“Oh darlin’...I was so afraid you were gonna say you hated it,” he admitted softly, when he could finally form words again.
She immediately pulled back and her eyes fluttered up at him in confusion. “Hated it? Why on earth would I hate it? This is such a charming cabin. Why...I can feel the love that you and your family had for one another while living here...I can see the fine workmanship your father put into it...”
Disengaging from his arms, she turned as she spoke, “I love that huge rock fireplace and the carved design on the mantel, oh it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of...I can imagine hanging stockings there at Christmastime, filled with apples and hard candy, knitted socks, and all sorts of nuts and dried fruit...” she turned a bit and pointed to the open doorways. “I love how the two bedrooms are on either side of the hearth, with matching corner fireplaces inside to keep the rooms warm. I love the windows, and the loft up there,” she pointed upwards. “And...oh everything,” she gushed, turning in a full circle.
“Then...why were you crying?” he asked gently.
She walked back to him and went into his arms again, tipping back her head and smiling up into his eyes, her countenance now utterly at peace.
His brows furrowed. “Huh?”
She gave a nod. “I’ve dreamed of this place more than once, but I never knew why or where it was, nor did I really think I’d ever see it...although someone at church once told me that it was a dream of my future. In my dreams, the cabin was in perfect condition, spotless and clean. But...the way the rooms are situated...what it looks like outside with the rocks bordering the pathway to the front door and how the porch is built...how the furniture and rooms are arranged in here...and even...” she turned her head and stared at the curtains over the sink. “Those.”
He looked. “Mama’s curtains?”
Again she nodded. “Mmm hmm. Each time I would dream of it, I’d see those exact little curtains hanging in the window above the sink. Yellow with tiny red roses on them, ruffles...exactly like those!” She looked up into his eyes and smiled, her eyes welling again. “Sam, my husband...when I saw those just now, I knew...I’ve come home.”
There was nothing for it. Nearly overcome with joy and emotion, Sam whispered, “Oh darlin’,” as he leaned forward and captured her lips in a sweet kiss of affirming love. When he pulled back, he looked deeply into Beth’s eyes.
“I love you, Beth Ann. I want you to stay with me and be my wife forever. I want to say vows with you in church. I want to have kids with you and grow old with you.” He watched as her eyes filled with such joy and love it nearly made his knees buckle. “Beth Ann Maynard, will you marry me...again?”
One tear spilled from each eye as she managed a nod and whispered, “Yes, Sam. I love you, too. Oh, my darling, yes. I will marry you again.”
Chapter 11
O ver the course of the following weeks, the couple worked hard on the old homestead. They made a very efficient team.
