Susannah & Lucas

by Annie Boone

  With time, Susannah had come to love the mare he had bought her. The horse was white and brown and not very big. She had been named Star, and loved big red apples and the thickest carrots. And more importantly, Susannah loved riding her, since her walking style didn’t jostle her around. Lucas’s own stallion had such a stiff step, she didn’t know how Lucas managed.

  “Isn’t she beautiful?”

  She dropped her bucket as she jumped, not having noticed her husband there. Giving her an apologetic smile, the man picked up the fallen pail and glanced in her empty container. “Looks like you still have some work ahead of you. Or, mayhap, you were wondering about this most perfect beauty?”

  Susannah tried to smile. “I thought I was the most beautiful one.”

  “You are,” he nodded, and draped an arm around her shoulders. “Which is why I found the most beautiful horse that I could possibly manage. And before you protest,” Lucas started when she opened her mouth, “this little filly came from Joshua’s stock and was a gift for you. I wanted to wait until things settled down, and I’ve been doing some training with her in the stables in town.”

  Biting her lip, Susannah allowed him to put the bucket down by their feet, and he started guiding her around to see the front of the animal. She had to be just a little smaller than Star, she decided, and looked softer. Why, even after the ride here from the center of Rocky Ridge, the horse’s mane barely looked touched. “She’s very soft,” she whispered as she lightly stroked her neck.

  He nodded. “Hardly a year old, and very gentle. Josh had been keeping an eye on her since the day she was born. He said the other horses frightened her, so he gave her some special treatment, and the sweet girl perked right on up. But he knew she wouldn’t be appropriate for long hauls or any hard riding, and we knew she could be just perfect for you.”

  For a minute she considered it. It was much too gracious a gift, Susannah knew, even from a good friend. But with Joshua gone, she couldn’t turn down the offer and that’s probably why Lucas hadn’t said anything.

  “Well?”

  “Don’t rush me,” she said immediately, and he gave her a look. “Sorry,” she amended, and squeezed his hand. “What if she doesn’t like me? What if she doesn’t have a smooth gait? I don’t want to hurt her, or turn her down. Or get hurt,” she added after a heartbeat.

  Lucas just shook his head. “You’re thinking about this too much. Horses are smart, remember? I promise you, this little filly has the energy to do whatever she pleases, but likes to be a lady more than anything. You give her some special treatment, and she’ll ride smoother than if you two could walk on water.” She raised her eyebrow at the analogy but the man just shrugged, and began to tug her forward. “Before you get all panicked, at least give her a try.”

  So, she did. Reaching up to the rope harness, Susannah took a deep breath and stepped close enough to touch the young horse again. The animal looked at her curiously through thick lashes, nodding as though she understood how nervous Susannah was. The creature nickered quietly as Susannah breathed softly into her nostrils, and carefully brushed her fingers along the nose.

  Within moments, it was apparent to them both that they would be friends. “I told you so,” Lucas murmured, coming up from behind to rest his chin on the top of her head as Susannah ran her fingers through the gorgeous mane. “What are you going to name her?”

  His breath tickled her cheek and she smiled. “Sunny.”

  Lucas chuckled. “You and your pet names. I like it.”

  “Better than Sampson,” she reminded him.

  The man objected, “He’s in the Bible. You can’t get better than that.”

  “For a pig? You know he’s food, don’t you?”

  “Of course, I do. But everyone deserves a name and, you know, it seemed good at the time…” Lucas trailed off and grinned. “I don’t know. I feel like it kind of fits him. If he really wanted, Sampson the pig could break those fences and run to freedom.”

  Laughing, Susannah shook her head as she took the rope harness that led her new horse, and started into the barn. “You’d better hope that doesn’t happen. After all, it would be your responsibility to rebuild whatever he breaks.”

  He just winked, and she focused on brushing down the horse. As she quickly discovered, the young filly preened and loved every minute of care, shaking her head back and forth and whistling through her nose softly. Whenever Susannah stood close enough to her head, Sunny would lean forward and nudge her gently, as though to let her know she was doing a good job- and that she shouldn’t stop. Susannah was still chuckling as she left and returned towards the house.

  There, Lucas was filling up her bucket with vegetables from the garden. Grinning, she placed the last cucumber on top. “Why thank you,” she nodded graciously as he picked it up for her. “And I do mean it,” the woman added after a moment, touching his arm. “I’m excited to ride her.”

  “Good,” his brow cleared. “That will be good. Perhaps we can return to our Sunday rides. You haven’t seen the flowers up on our hill.”

  She opened the door for him. “You’re right, I haven’t. And it’s about time.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  After giving her husband a kiss on the cheek, Susannah pulled the door closed behind them and helped him pull his jacket off. As her husband left to wash up, she headed to the kitchen to see how Jane was coming along with supper.

  They were putting together the last of the meal when Lucas returned and brought out some papers from his jacket. He traded those for the plates Susannah pulled out, and she glanced through them. One was a letter from Lydia, a quickly scribbled greeting filled with gratitude and joy, with a promise for a longer letter soon.

  One was from her Aunt Sally, still checking in with her after all this time. Over the last couple of years, Ruby had passed away, and Mary only wrote during the holidays. It was sad, but she knew there were other things more important. Even her parents wrote rarely since there was nothing new to share because nothing changed in Boston for them.

  And the third was a letter from Rhode Island. Curious, Susannah stepped towards a candle as she opened it up, finding a pretty little scribble. The unfamiliar script made sense, however, and Susannah knew without reading a single word that it was about a new girl inquiring about a potential match to a man from the western territories.

  To Mrs. Susannah Jessup of the Mountainside Residence for Women

  I send you greetings from Rhode Island, where it is windy but gray and green. I have enjoyed living here all of my life. However, I address you now in the hopes of leaving this place and never returning. Word of you and your services has reached my parts and though most of it is based on rumors, I wanted to seek you out in the hopes of influencing my own future.

  As I’m sure you can tell from my writing, I have been raised well and am well educated. My family comes from a bit of money and while they believe themselves to be ready for the turn of the century, they forget I am a woman with my own voice. For all intents and purposes, I come with a rather large dowry on top of everything else and for that reason, I know I have low expectations and little hope of finding a good man here. I’m sure there are decent ones, but none that will be considered or esteemed highly enough to win my family’s favor, and I couldn’t even begin to trust anyone when all they must see is money.

  I am only seventeen years old, but I come into my inheritance next year and the dowry by my twenty-first birthday. It is only by heading out west, to a place where no one will know of my name or money, that I believe I can find a marriage based on the better principles of the Lord’s way, and if I’m so fortunate, joy.

  From what I understand, you help women find a man to settle down with. And you do it with the help of the Lord. Please write back to me if I have misunderstood, and I will endeavor to change my understanding. And if I am correct, please write me back all the same and let me find a way out of this dreary life I now lead. My parents are plotting an engagement even as
I speak, and I have had to sneak this letter from the house since I have mentioned you before and they did not approve. I will not have my parents’ blessing as a mail order bride, I am afraid, but I believe I have the Lord’s.

  I will watch for your letter with high hopes,

  Miss Emmaline Mary-Elizabeth Buchanan

  Susannah read it through a second time, her eyebrows arched more highly during the second reading. It was different than the other letters she usually received. Most of the girls that came to her had problems that kept them from being a desirable wife. Some had disfigurements or were less attractive than other girls of marriageable age in their towns. All of them needed help finding a husband.

  This girl was rather young, and definitely refined. It was not what Susannah had in mind when she had started her Mountainside Residence. She had a heart for helping those who needed it the most.

  But didn’t she give all girls a chance? Folding it up, she decided to speak to her husband about this one. Shaking her head, she put the letter in her pocket and took a seat as Jane and Lucas brought over the last items for their supper.

  “Is everything all right?” Jane asked her politely, pausing before filling her glass with lemonade.

  She smiled tentatively. “Everything is fine, but thank you for asking. Now, would you mind saying grace tonight?” The girl nodded and clasped her hands as Susannah felt her husband’s gaze on her. He rose an eyebrow questioningly, and she nodded to confirm what had gone unsaid. Another letter, another girl.

  It wasn’t until after supper was finished, cleaned up, and they were settling in their rooms for the evening when Susannah brought it up. She slipped the note from her dress pocket for him to read. She curled up on their bed, brushing her long hair as he studiously read the letter.

  Lucas is such a handsome man and I’m so grateful for his kind nature. Susannah’s thoughts wandered as she watched him. Even with the scar, he always had been the most handsome man in the world to her. Granted, now she hardly even noticed it.

  He was a quiet type of beautiful. Rugged and restrained. Over the last many years, Susannah had cherished every moment in learning about the man. He still surprised her with his talents, his words, and that sense of humor. Biting her lip, she paused and couldn’t wait any longer. “Well?”

  As he set the letter down, her husband frowned. “While her parents are still her legal guardians, anything that happens, even if it’s her decision, would bode ill for us. We could even be arrested for kidnapping.”

  “Even if you’re the sheriff?” She tried to joke, but he was serious as he took off his shirt and joined her on the bed. Sighing, Susannah fiddled with her hair brush and eyed his chest. No bruises at the moment. He was solid and strong, but his chest and back was covered in even more scars. “You know I hate to say no, Lucas. Is there anything we could do? At all?”

  Picking up the brush, Lucas leaned against the headboard and began combing her hair for her. The longer his strokes grew, the more she felt the tension ebbing out of her. It was a solid two minutes before he said anything.

  “I don’t blame the young lady for wanting an escape, but we can’t do anything while her parents are her guardians. While you know I don’t like tearing a family apart, as long as she isn’t married or under age by the time she gets here, then she can do anything she likes. But I’m concerned that perhaps they may come after her, or she may lose her money. It doesn’t sound like she’s taken that into consideration.”

  Closing her eyes, Susannah sighed and tried to think. She felt the brush weaving through her thick hair, starting at the top of her head and trailing all the way down her back. Whenever Lucas came upon a knot, he gently wove his fingers through the strands to keep the work pain free for her.

  With an absent smile, she sighed again and knew he was right. “I’ll tell her that,” she said decidedly. “We can keep writing, and I’ll even look through the possible bachelors. And if this is something she really, truly wants, then we’ll help her.”

  Their gazes met. “After she’s eighteen.”

  Neither of them liked it, but she accepted this. “After she’s eighteen,” she repeated, and smiled at him. “You’re such a smart man.” Kissing his cheek, she took the brush and put it down to put her hair in a braid.

  “Good night, my love,” he murmured as he blew out the lantern.

  As she settled down beneath the covers, Lucas found her hand and kissed it lightly. She turned to him, smiling in the moonlight. “Good night, Lucas.” And for once, she managed to make it through the entire night sleeping without waking up.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The following day, Wednesday, was very busy, just as Susannah had hoped. They cleaned, they cooked, they baked, and then Jane’s Robert Malcomb arrived for supper. All the fuss was just for him.

  After proper introductions and plenty of blushing, the four of them gathered around the table to eat the meal that Jane had prepared.

  “Robert, I don’t mean to brag on Jane, but she did almost all the cooking for supper tonight. She’s a wonderful baker and that bread you’re heaping butter on right now came from Jane’s expert hand at it.”

  Robert looked over at Jane and gave a lopsided smile. “It’s mighty good, Miss Jane. I don’t believe I’ve ever had bread so tasty. And I do like a good piece of bread.” He nodded slowly as he took another big bite of the bread.

  Jane blushed deeply, but managed to smile back at him. “Thank you, kindly Mr. Robert. I’m pleased as punch you like it.”

  Lucas chuckled. “I’ll be sad to see her go, that’s for sure. Not that my Susie can’t bake a good loaf of bread, but Miss Jane here is a true gem in the kitchen.” He winked at Susannah and she smiled back with a raised eyebrow.

  Just as she turned back to her plate, Jane dropped her fork. When it clattered to the floor, her knife followed it and almost stabbed Robert’s hand as he had leaned down to pick up her fork.

  “Well, golly gee, I’m so sorry. Stabbing you wasn’t in my plan for the night, Robert.” The blush returned to Janes face in a deeper tone this time. “Thank you.” She gazed at him sideways as she took the utensils from him.

  Susannah rose to bring a clean fork and knife to the clumsy girl. She didn’t miss a beat and didn’t comment on the incident.

  “You’re quite welcome. I’m glad you dropped the fork instead of me.” Robert looked at her with a flicker in his eyes. “I’m usually the one who has to get clean utensils to finish a meal. We’re very much alike, I think.”

  Jane smiled at him and nodded. “I doubt that, but thanks for saying so. I’m actually pretty clumsy. I drop everything.”

  Robert laughed again and continued eating. “As long as you don’t forget how to make suppers like this, we’ll be a perfect match, Miss Jane.”

  Jane’s smile couldn’t be suppressed. The praise from Robert had opened her up. Susannah looked at Lucas and gave a quick nod—her communication to him that she’d been right. He raised an eyebrow back and smiled.

  Jane had no confidence and her self-esteem had been badly damaged. Her parents had criticized her incessantly and made their opinions about her shortcomings well known. Jane was embarrassed to be seen in their small community. Building her up and helping her believe in herself had been a challenge, but Robert had managed to accomplish more in a few short moments than she had in many weeks.

  Thank you, Lord.

  “Is anyone interested in dessert on the porch? We have pie, apple and berry, I think. Is that right Jane?”

  “Yes, that’s what we have. I prefer the apple pie, myself.” She stood and took Robert’s empty plate with hers to the kitchen. “I can do the dishes later.”

  The small group gathered together on the porch and enjoyed pie and easy, casual conversation. Robert’s obvious infatuation with Jane made the evening a sweet and precious one for Susannah.

  “Well, I suppose I’d best be getting out of here and let you folks get some sleep.” Robert stood and turned to Jane.
“If it’s acceptable to you, Miss Jane, I’d like to call on you tomorrow afternoon.”

  “That would be lovely. I’ll be looking forward to it.” Jane smiled at Robert and this time, she didn’t blush.

  Susannah and Lucas stood and walked with Robert down the steps and into the yard. “So glad you could join us tonight, Robert.” Susannah gave him a quick hug and headed back to the porch were Jane waited.

  “He really is nice,” the girl murmured.

  It made Susannah want to sigh in relief, knowing that once again she had made the match work. In this case, it was obvious this couple would have a long and happy life together. That made Susannah thankful for what she did.

  There had been only three occasions where the matches had not turned out well, but that meant she still had a great success record. Except it never got any easier, and Susie never allowed herself to get complacent. Not when other people’s happiness was at stake. So every time still felt like the first, with a prayer in her heart that it would work out.

  Over the next few days, Susannah and Jane talked more than usual since their time together was coming to an end. Jane had been there long enough and was more than ready to run a household. Robert stopped by daily for the rest of his time there. The two went for horse rides and strolls where they could talk and get to know each other better. Most every night the four had supper together in the Jessup’s big dining room.

  And sure enough, the next Saturday brought them another wedding. Jane had hemmed her nicest dress and Susannah had given her flowers collected from the garden. The ceremony was short and sweet, the new married couple blushing madly as they held hands. Before Jane and her husband left that night, she made sure to hug Mrs. Jessup tightly.

  “Thank you for taking me in. For all you did for me. I don’t know what I’d have done if not for you.” Tears filled Jane’s eyes but she quickly recovered. “I don’t mean to cry. This is a happy occasion!”