Blaire's Ambushed Heart

by Marlene Bierworth

  “Spalding is growing, but it’s not nearly as big as Pelican Rapids. We do, however, enjoy a few benefits—our location offers us protection from the extreme temperatures, and we seldom fall prey to the tornadoes that often sweep across Minnesota.”

  “That is a relief,” Blaire said. “Kentucky enjoys favorable weather most of the year, and once again, I’ve been spoiled by living there.”

  “Will you miss it desperately?”

  “I don’t think so. I am a grown woman and need to leave my childhood behind. I will be happy wherever my husband takes me.”

  “Noble attitude, but I do want you to have a say in how our lives unfold. I am not an old-fashioned man who demands his own way, disregarding your suffering and trashing your desires in the wake of my goals and ambitions.”

  A lone tear escaped her eye, and he reached for her hand as it lay on the table.

  “How have I offended you?” he asked.

  Blaire sniffled and wiped away the tear. “In no way at all. It seems the Lord has heard all my prayers and chose to bless me with a rare breed of man living amongst a nation of self-absorbed tyrants.”

  “You do not appear to have a good opinion of the male species,” Lyle said, wondering how he would ever live up to such a high endorsement on a regular basis.

  “My father is rather overbearing along with the men he and my mother brought home for me to court,” Blaire said. “I am a self-made career woman and do not fall into submission easily. You should know that straight off the top.”

  Memories flooded him of wife number one—unpleasant ones—which usually launched from the same assertive attitude that Blaire Davis so casually warned him concerning her character. He shrank from her boldness, but he refused to become a puppy, begging for crumbs at anyone’s feet again. At the same time, he did not wish to be an overbearing dictator.

  Could they find a happy medium before they destroyed one another?

  “It is my hope, Miss Davis, that we arrive somewhere in the middle, neither of us trampling the desires the Lord has placed in each other’s heart.”

  She lifted her glass to him, “I will toast to that, sir. You will find me able to bend when the need calls for it. I understand the role I am taking on in becoming a man’s wife, but selfishly wish to retain a smidgen of independence. Does that make any sense to you?”

  He clinked the crystal of her glass with his and smiled. “I would expect nothing less than for you to be the person God created you to be. The fact that we can discuss this without you or me flying off the handle and racing for the door gives me hope that all will find its path in due time.”

  By the time the main course of creamed potatoes, ham, and mixed vegetables arrived, they were already discussing the wedding.

  “I do hate to rush our courting—if that’s what you label this sort of arrangement—but my practice is demanding, and patients hope I will not be gone too long.” He suddenly recalled that she’d mentioned a career of her own. “What type of work did you do while in Kentucky?”

  “You will be pleased—or perhaps not—to know that I am a certified nurse and have many years experience serving at the end of the Civil War and the years following at the nearby hospital.”

  He laughed. “Really? That is the big secret Ms. Milton would not tell me. She only hinted that I would be pleasantly pleased.”

  “And are you?” Blaire asked. “You should know, I am quite willing to step back and tend to business at home or assist you in your vocation. That would be your choice. I have resigned to leaving that decision up to you.”

  “Do you want to continue nursing?”

  “With all my heart. I did enjoy helping patients in that capacity, but I would never want to overstep my husband’s calling.”

  “A noble attribute, my dear, but an unnecessary one. I am only one person who works far too big an area, and I’m oftentimes overwhelmed. I should welcome an extra set of hands and expertise in the field of medicine.” He sighed deeply pondering God’s provision of such a worthy partner. “Honestly, my heart overflows with gratefulness that you are considering becoming my wife.”

  She grinned that tell-tale smile that he’d begun to recognize as playful, sparking a life within her face, which in turn, set his insides to quivering. “Thank you for the invitation to help with your patients. It will allow us more time together, at least, in the beginning.” She blushed after saying that, and Lyle’s insides near burst.

  Before dessert, he dropped to his knees at her side and clasped his hands in hers. “Miss Blaire Davis, will you do the honor of marrying me before Almighty God and witnesses?”

  Blaire smiled and his heart skipped a beat. “As a mail-order-bride, I did not expect a formal proposal, but must confess it satisfies the little girl dreams locked inside me.”

  He brought a ring from his pocket. “I took the liberty of purchasing this ring, with the hope you would say yes.”

  She gasped, and he witnessed the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. The woman certainly wore her emotions on her sleeve. “Yes, Mr. Frazer. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to marry you.”

  He slipped the promise ring on her finger. “I have a matching band to give you when we say our vows.”

  Blaire lifted her hand to more closely examine his gift. “It’s such a delicate thing and a far more modest display than the gaudy diamonds that women sport back in Kentucky. It’s perfect—probably the grandest demonstration of love I’ve ever seen.”

  “I am, indeed, humbled by your response, Miss Davis.”

  “Blaire is my Christian name—I’d be pleased if you’d call me by it. No sense prolonging formality between the two of us,” she said. “I also brought my grandfather’s wedding band for you. I trust a used ring does not offend you. He and my grandmother were the most joyful couple I’ve ever seen and I so prayed that same blessing on the man who would wear it for me.”

  “I would be honored, Miss Davis.” He brought her left hand to his lips and when he covered the ring and kissed her fingers, he felt a rush of something that must be akin to love, and he marveled that he hadn’t experienced such pleasure with his first wife. His heart and mind confirmed that he would have no trouble loving this woman for all time.

  The next hour was spent talking about wedding plans. They decided it would be a simple ceremony as neither of them had family that would be attending. The Miltons would be their witnesses and the preacher from the Lutheran church would officiate. The only question was the location, but when Lyle showed her the drawing room, she immediately agreed it was the ideal place to say their vows. Three hours later, he left her with the promise of returning after supper to take her on a buggy ride.

  Blaire was standing in the drawing room’s doorway with her hand clasped under her chin, tears running freely down her face.

  Ella hurried inside the house, found Blair, and said. “My goodness—I thought you two would never say goodbye.” She stopped midway her spiel and touched Blaire’s arm. “Are you all right, my dear? I listened for your scream.”

  Blaire smiled. “He was the perfect gentleman. You were right to assume I had no reason to fear our meeting.”

  “And what is that gem I see glistening on your ring finger?” Ella asked in a playful voice.

  Blaire thrust her hand out so they could view it. “Isn’t it simply gorgeous? The man came prepared.” She giggled and felt like a schoolgirl.

  “I am pleased he met with your approval.”

  “Oh, yes, Ms. Milton. You could not have found a better match had you spent another entire year scanning your mailbox for a suitable husband. Thank you—I shall be forever in your debt.”

  Blaire swept her arm across the most perfect room she could have ever imagined. “And here is where we will have the ceremony, if that is all right with you and the preacher.”

  “I offered it,” Ella said. “Besides, I’m always pleased when brides choose to wed in my home. I think it sprinkles just a little more of God’s blessing
over my family and my agency.” She rubbed her hands together with obvious delight twinkling in her blue eyes. “Two questions: when is the date, and how shall we decorate for the occasion?”

  Blaire studied the woman who seemed far more excited than her own mother had been, and she could not stop herself from hugging Ella Milton fiercely. “Thank you for all you are doing here. I will continue to pray for future successes in all your matches.”

  “I take matches very seriously, young woman, for marriage is a long time to spend in misery.”

  Blaire turned her attention back to the room. “I did wonder why you chose not to have the upright piano in this room to use when entertaining guests or playing when wedding’s take place in your home?”

  “A hindsight.” After a moment’s thought she clapped her hands together excitedly. “Perhaps we can persuade the boys to move it to the drawing room, and if I like it, I will keep it there. If not, I will hoodwink the next young man that comes our way to help Josiah put it back. It is a splendid idea: I’m not sure why I never thought of it before. Quite often I have ladies in who love to gather around and sing hymns.”

  “No, forget I mentioned it. It is too much work to decorate both the dining room and this one, for I shall like lots of flowers.”

  “Fiddle-de-dee! This is my business, and I love flowers almost as much as I love parties, especially wedding celebrations. I am a soft-touch myself, and if you don’t mind, there is a small group of friends from the congregation who always appreciate an invitation. The memories are always sweeter with a crowd of witnesses, even if they are strangers, but the women all cry tears of joy on cue, and the men provide much-needed support for the groom: All are experts at throwing rice on the happy couple at the appropriate time.”

  “It sounds lovely,” Blaire said. “Can we have it soon? Lyle has informed me that his patients do not like the doctor to be away from Spalding too long.”

  “Lyle? My, how you have progressed with the man,” she teased. “Spalding is a delightful wee town. You shall be very happy there. Sent a young lady there a couple years back—Marnie was her name. Be sure to look her up.”

  “Another mail-order bride?” Blaire said. “I certainly will hunt her out.”

  “I have another idea running around in this busy brain of mine,” Ella suggested. “Since you love nature and flowers so much, why don’t we move the wedding-arbor that I keep on hand, into the apple orchard, and you can say your vows there? Then, we will come to the drawing room, which we will decorate to the hilt, and where my cook will have a table of delicious finger foods and refreshments for the guests.”

  “I love that idea, but I will reimburse you for the cost of the food,” Blaire said.

  “Dr. Frazer has beat you to it. He said he’d pay for anything his bride wanted to make her day special.”

  “He did?” Blaire said hardly able to contain her gratitude.

  “You are marrying a fine man, Blaire Davis, and don’t you forget it when misfortune comes knocking on your door, for you do realize no marriage is trouble-free forever, right?”

  “I do, Ms. Milton, but thanks for the reminder—it will keep my feet grounded. But for now, I will cherish these perfect days set before me and leave tomorrow in the Lord’s capable hands.”

  “A good code to live by.” Ella became distracted. She placed a hand under her chin and scrunched her brows in thought. “I just remembered that there is no piano in the orchard, but I happen to know a gentleman who plays wonderful tunes on his guitar. He can make the strings come to life, as his fingers dance on both ends of the instrument. It will add atmosphere to the outside ceremony. What do you think?”

  “It sounds perfect,” Blaire said.

  “As you most likely suspect, this is not my first time helping to plan a wedding. Now, some couples are just eager to get it over with, but I wonder if they will regret that their beginnings were not as memorable as they could have been someday.”

  “You needn’t fear that of me, for mine will be perfect—you and I will see to it. When Lyle Frazer waits for me under the arbor, I will be the happiest bride in all of Minnesota.”

  “I’ve never seen a woman fall so hard for a man after their first encounter.”

  “In truth, I have lived with the dream of a person such as he for so long that it was a simple task to transfer that love to the flesh-and-blood man God and you have presented me.”

  “My skin is covered with prickles,” Ella said. “This is an appointed union, to be sure.”

  That evening, Lyle arrived in a stately carriage, and Blaire played the swooning fiancée. “Why, Mr. Frazer—you’ve come calling in style.”

  “Josiah loaned it to me. He claims that nothing is too good to tote a man’s woman around the countryside. Of course, he was comparing it to the wagon I brought from home.” Lyle laughed “Wasn’t sure how much stuff you’d bring and if the stage coach could hold it all. To be completely transparent, I selfishly thought the day’s ride to Spalding alone with my new bride would give us more time to get acquainted.”

  “You do think of everything, don’t you?”

  “I try. For example, tonight, I will drive you along the river path and hope you will hear the music that played non-stop in my heart since I met you.”

  “I shall listen very carefully, sir, and trust you will hear a melodic harmony from my heart in response.” She felt a rush of red ambush her face, which she did not try to hide from his view.

  As he led her by the hand toward the carriage, Blaire spoke: “Ms. Milton and I have been buried deep in plans since you left. The wedding shall be Saturday morning at eleven, if that is alright with you, and the ceremony will be held in the orchard under the shade of a blossoming apple tree.”

  “Outdoors? Why am I not surprised?” Lyle said.

  “Do not be fooled into thinking you have me all figured out, Dr. Frazer,” she teased before continuing. “After the vows are promised, we will return to the drawing-room for a light luncheon and refreshments. Ms. Milton has contacts, and she will invite the guests to make our day memorable, including a musician to entertain us.”

  “It sounds marvelous,” Lyle said. “And I shall book us a room at the hotel in town and order a grand honeymoon supper for that night. If you have no objections, we will spend the Lord’s Day traveling home to Spalding.”

  “None whatsoever. Thank you for everything, Lyle,” Blaire said. “You are a kind man to indulge me.”

  “And you are a most deserving woman, one I hope to make happy every day of her life from this day forward.”

  Chapter 5

  Sunday arrived, and the newlyweds had pulled out of Pelican Rapids before sunup and headed in the direction of Spalding. She wore a simple traveling dress for the occasion and wrapped a woolen shawl around her shoulders to protect her from the early morning chill. Lyle covered their legs with a rug, and together they watched the sun rise in the east as it cast bright yellow rays across the dirt road ahead of them. Neither of them spoke while clasping hands under the heavy blanket and taking in the wonder of a new day dawning. It was their first day of marital bliss.

  When all signs of the town had disappeared behind them, and the open road stretched before them, Lyle broke the silence. “Was it everything you expected?”

  “The wedding or you?”

  He grinned and said, “For me, the day you ladies planned was perfect, and I enjoyed all the folks Ms. Milton invited to share it with us. From the moment they arrived, they fit right in like we’d known them our entire lives.”

  “Yes, a gracious lot to be sure,” Blaire said.

  “Are you partied out?” he asked.

  She watched his eyes dance and found herself wondering what the man had up his sleeve. He seemed to love surprising her, and she ate it up like a child on Christmas morning. “I’m sure yesterday was enough to keep me satisfied for a while. Before the next dancing event in your fair town of Spalding, I will need to give you some lessons. My toes suffered from you
r efforts in the drawing-room.”

  “I suppose I am rusty, but I did enjoy the guitarist, and I especially loved it when my wife played the piano. I shall have to save up for one. Your talent should not be wasted.”

  “What does our home look like?”

  “Our home? Well, about that,” Lyle said, “right now, it is one room at the back of the infirmary, but I made old Tom promise not to sell his house until I returned. It is a short walk, just outside the main street in town, so we are still close to work, but it is a grand, two-story, wood-sided home. There is a verandah out front. It’s not a wrap-around like the one at the Milton farmhouse, but I can build that for you if you decide you want to set up housekeeping there.”

  “You waited for me to make the decision?” she asked.

  “Not knowing your background in Kentucky, or your expectations for the future, I thought it best if we chose our home together.”

  “I have no expectations that you have not already exceeded. And it doesn’t matter from where I came, Husband, it only matters where I am going.”

  “I still have to pinch myself to believe that you are really here beside me. You have surpassed everything I dared hope existed in a mail-order bride.”

  “Well, keep your eyes on the road, Mr. Frazer. This bride is eager to see her new home and meet all your friends,” Blaire said. “It is my goal to make you very proud.”

  “Eight hours of jostling around in this wagon on rough roads that are mere trails at some points will test your perseverance,” Lyle said. “Do you think you can endure it over the course of a single day, or shall we make camp for the night?”

  “As appealing as that sounds, Minnie Jacobs wrapped every leftover morsel from our wedding feast, sent it packed in ice to the hotel, and I’ve brought it all with me this morning. We can easily ride all day and munch on the festive surplus. When we arrive after a long day’s travel, your one room at the rear of the infirmary will indeed seem like a palace fit for a king and his queen.”

  “Oh, that comparison definitely falls short of the picture you’ve painted. The bed is not nearly as big as the one at the hotel or the one the great outdoors will provide.”