The Shotgun Proposal

by Barbara Goss

  Elsa nodded. She feared that if he was still around, he’d surely try to hurt Rance again. She gave Rance a worried look, and he kissed her forehead and said something in a calm voice, which always helped her to relax. She didn’t know what he said, but it was soothing, nevertheless.

  Elsa said to Clara, “Please thank him for all his is doing for my family, but tell him to be careful because my father is a desperate man right now.”

  Clara relayed the message and Rance answered Clara.

  Clara said Elsa in German, “He said not to worry. The constable has scattered a few men around the property to keep a watch for him. Your father won't be able to put a foot on this land.”

  Each morning, Rance put a clean dressing on her wound, kissed her cheek or forehead, and told her he loved her‒those were words she clearly understood. Alois came each day and taught Elsa and Marta English.

  A week after coming to the ranch, Elsa said goodbye to her mother and three sisters, and Rance took them to the train depot, having arranged and paid for their passage.

  The house was quieter now, and Elsa was feeling better every day. The pain had lessened, and she barely felt the wound. Rance had taken out the stitches, which had pricked a bit. She knew now it wouldn’t be long before she was ready to consummate the marriage, and she was nervous and excited at the same time.

  Elsa was finally able to lay on her back without any pain. She was patiently waiting for the day when Rance would finally make a move toward making her his in every way. He slept beside her each night and sometimes, in the early morning, she’d feel his arm around her.

  Alois was an excellent teacher and she was learning English much quicker than she had with Clara, but putting the words into sentences still remained difficult for her. Marta and Elsa tried to speak to each other in English as much as they could, as Rance had requested.

  The day after Rance had removed her stitches, he helped her put on a robe and escorted her to dinner downstairs. She walked on her own, but he carried her up and down the steps. She loved being in his arms and was tempted to snuggle up to him, but thought that it wasn’t the time for romance; she had to let him make the first move.

  It had been three weeks since the shooting, and she was able to go about the house and get back to normal, everyday living, but Rance had yet to make a move to consummate the marriage. Sleeping beside him was becoming a bit frustrating for her, to say the least. Was he waiting for her to be able to speak to him in English? If so, she’d have to learn even faster.

  The fourth week after the shooting, Rance came into the room, carrying her cape. He put it on her and gently helped her down the stairs and out into a waiting buggy. She had no idea where he was taking her, but the thought that he'd changed his mind and was taking her back to Victoria crossed her mind, especially as he'd chosen to drive in that direction when he started up the buggy. Her heart beat harder and she had to keep blinking to keep the tears in check. He was taking her back to Victoria. She felt disappointed and sick to her stomach. If only they could converse…She thought of all the English she’d learned and tried to put the words together in a sentence.

  “Why Victoria?” she asked.

  He smiled and held up his index finger. “Wait,” he said.

  He wanted her to wait‒she knew that word‒ but for what? She sat quietly, continuing to fight the tears as they threatened to flow.

  She was heartbroken when they entered Victoria. What had she done to change his mind? Was it the language barrier? Whatever the reason, all her hopes and dreams for the future had died.

  Chapter 12

  Elsa turned her head so Rance wouldn’t see her tears. If he was going to dump her in Victoria, she’d stay with Lydia Grandville. She had pride though, and didn’t want him to see her cry. He’d done so much for her and her family that she refused to make him feel guilty for not wanting to continue with the marriage. She did understand‒being married to someone with whom he wasn't able to communicate must be as frustrating for him as it was for her—but she was learning.

  He drove the buggy past the house where she once lived, past Lydia and Geoffrey’s, and stopped before the newly built Catholic Church. Had he brought her here to begin annulment proceedings? She’d be strong; she had to be.

  Rance came around and helped her down from the buggy, kissed her forehead, and led her inside the church. He kissed her—that was a good sign, wasn’t it? Or was it a goodbye kiss? A sympathy kiss?

  He led her to the first pew, sat down beside her, and looked at his pocket watch. He slipped the watch back into his vest pocket and they sat solemnly and waited‒for what, she didn’t know.

  Father Voelker soon walked out, motioned them forward, and Rance took Elsa's hand to lead her to the altar where they stood before the priest. Two other priests stood there with Father Voelker.

  The priest said in Elsa's language, “Dearly beloved, you have come together into the house of the Lord so that in the presence of the Church’s minister and the community, your intention to enter into marriage may be strengthened by the Lord with a sacred seal.”

  At the very same time, one of the other priests recited the same words in English for Rance's benefit.

  Elsa realized she was about to be married, again! She turned and gave Rance a beaming smile.

  The priest continued, “And may your love be enriched with His blessing so that you may have strength to be faithful to each other forever, and assume all the responsibilities of married life. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.”

  Father Voelker took Elsa's hand and asked her, “Do you give your consent to this union?”

  Elsa said, “Ja.” She looked over at Rance and said, “Yes.”

  The other priest asked Rance the same question. He looked at her and said, “Yes.” He turned to face Elsa and said, “Ja.”

  “Join your right hands,” Father Voelker said. "Repeat after me…" and he read the vows which she repeated in German. The other priest did the same for Rance.

  When Father Voelker pronounced them man and wife, Rance leaned down and kissed her lips softly. She could see something in his eyes, something wonderful: the sparkle of love. She hoped her eyes reflected the same.

  They rode home in silence, but both were smiling.

  “Clara,” Rance said. “Explain to Elsa that our marriage will now be recognized by both of our churches and cannot be undone—after tonight, that is.” He winked at Elsa.

  Clara told Elsa what Rance had said. Elsa cast her eyes downward and blushed.

  As they ate dinner, Rance knew Elsa was nervous, for she pushed the food around on her plate to make it look like she’d eaten, but he noticed she hadn’t eaten much at all.

  If she only knew how nervous he really was. He felt nervous about making love to his wife when he couldn’t speak to her. What if he did something to frighten her? What was she expecting from that night?

  Clara had laid everything out for Elsa. On the bed was a frilly, white nightgown that made Elsa blush when she looked at it; Rance smiled at her embarrassment.

  Candles had been lit all around the room‒Clara went out of her way to ensure the night went well.

  The only question remaining was how he was going to consummate the marriage without words? She knew quite a few English words by then, but was only just learning how to put them in order to form a sentence. He supposed they’d have to settle on using the language of love.

  They both stood just inside the room, looking nervous. Rance wondered how he’d tell her he’d go out and wait until she’d gotten into her nightgown. He touched her shoulder lightly, so as not to frighten her, held up his index finger, pointed to the nightgown and then to himself and then to the door.

  “I go and come back,” he said, pulling his watch from his pocket and pointing to it. “Ten minutes.”

  She nodded. “Ten, yes.”

  He left the room, went downstairs, and outside, to the porch. It was a lovely evening, so he decid
ed to spend his ten minutes praying for their union.

  Rance pulled out his watch, tapped on it, and held it up to his ear to make sure it was working, for it hadn’t seemed to be moving fast enough, but it was working. He sighed. All he needed was just some patience.

  Finally, the ten minutes were up and he started for the door. He was anxious, but at the same time, hesitant. He prayed he wouldn’t make a mess of it. He wanted the night to be perfect.

  He walked slowly up the stairs and turned toward their room. This was it‒the moment he’d been waiting for since Elsa had been shot and he'd realized he'd loved her.

  He opened the door slowly and walked in. Elsa was already in bed, the quilt pulled up to her chin. Rance knew she was shy about the thin fabric of her nightgown. She’d probably never even undressed in front of her sisters before. His grandmother had bathed in her clothes for fear someone might see her without them on. He’d respect her modesty—for now.

  Rance walked into the closet, removed all of his clothes except for his smalls, walked back into the bedroom, and slid in under the quilt with Elsa. Her head was turned away from him, and he knew she was afraid. He'd have to be gentle. If they only spoke the same language, they could talk a while before…

  He turned her to face him and whispered, “Elsa, I love you.”

  She gave him a nervous smile. “And I love you, husband.”

  He touched her face with his hands and caressed her neck. “Come,” he said, and patted his chest.

  Elsa moved closer and laid her head on his chest. Rance rubbed her back with one hand and stroked her hair with the other.

  “Elsa,” he said with the hope she’d look at him. When, at last, she gazed up at him, he found her lips, and kissed her with all the love and passion he could muster. She'd soon loosened up and returned his kiss. She even gently caressed the back of his neck. They were soon both breathing hard. He rolled her over onto her back, kissed her neck, and then began to kiss her upper chest beneath her neck, and he was able to feel the fast beat of her heart.

  Through the stillness of the room, he could hear her heart’s frantic beating. She must wonder what might happen next and he had no way of telling her. He moved to her lips again and kissed her tenderly. All he could do was tell her, “I love you," over and over again.

  She said, “I love you.”

  “I will be— “ He wasn’t sure which word he should use, but settled on “Easy…gentle,” he murmured. “I want to make you mine.”

  “I know,” she said. “I am good. Ist time.”

  He smiled. Her accent was adorable and he loved hearing her speak.

  She pulled herself closer to him and kissed his lips and then his neck, and caressed his bare chest. “Now,” she said.

  If she lived to be a hundred, she knew she’d never experience a more poignant memory as when they joined as husband and wife. She was now his. Of course, she’d been frightened, and she still wouldn’t let him see her body. She and her sisters had been brought up to hide themselves. He'd allowed her this privacy, but she knew it wouldn’t last. He’d want to see his wife, and when she was a bit more comfortable, she’d oblige him. She’d do anything to make him happy.

  Their coming together was a beautiful thing. What she liked most about it was that she was with the man she loved with all her heart. She couldn’t imagine having to do such a thing with some stranger her father had chosen for her. She loved Rance and trusted him completely. He was gentle, kind, and generous. During their joining, he’d been considerate, patient, and loving. She felt as if God had surely blessed her.

  There were still things that troubled her, like her father's trying to kill Rance, and as long as he was on the loose; she’d worry. Another concern she had was that her husband might soon lose interest in her. Her father must have been just as tender with her mother—at least five times‒so what happened to make him the cold and calculating man he was at present? She couldn’t ever remember him showing her mother any affection, whatsoever. Would Rance turn out like that once he’d gotten used to her? And who was Anna? She was afraid to ask him out of fear she wouldn't like the answer.

  After they’d made love, he held her tightly and told her over and over that he loved her.

  Good gracious, Rance thought. He felt as if he’d died and gone to heaven already. He thought she’d be an inactive recipient of his lovemaking but she was more passionate than he’d imagined. If he thought he'd loved her before, he loved her even more now. She was everything he could ever want—or would be, when he was, at last, able to talk to her.

  He held her closely afterwards and they fell asleep in each other’s arms

  In the morning, Rance felt someone caressing his cheek. He opened his eyelids to the beautiful, green, almond-shaped eyes of his wife. She smiled at him. He didn’t need any more encouragement than that to do a repeat performance of last night’s union. Her body in the thin nightgown felt so enticing. He was thrilled she had been the one to initiate the union, which had meant she'd enjoyed it as much as he had. He knew they’d have a happy and blessed marriage.

  After they’d made love, he held her tightly. “I love you even more,” he said.

  “More?” she asked, surprised.

  “No,” he said, trying hard not to laugh. “I am more in love with you than before.”

  She gave him a puzzled look. She hadn’t understood. He kissed her forehead. He prayed they’d soon be able to talk to each other.

  Rance took one of Elsa's dresses from the closet and placed it on the bed, kissed Elsa, and went out of the bedroom. He met Clara in the kitchen, and hoped she had enough decency not to mention the night before, as it was too personal to talk about with his housekeeper.

  She simply wished him a good morning, and continued frying ham.

  “I have to ride into town and talk to the constable. Alois Berger should be here soon. Now that Elsa is out and around, can you make sure to give them a quiet place to work?”

  “I thought the library would be perfect,” she said.

  “Yes!” he said. “Elsa is getting dressed, but I don’t know if Marta is up yet.”

  “She is and she's already eaten. I believe she went out to the stables to look at the horses,” Clara said.

  “All right. I’ll find a way to send her in, since Mr. Berger should be here shortly.”

  Once in town, Rance visited the constable and discovered they still could find no trace of Ernst, which made Rance nervous. Even so, he visited his lawyer and changed his will again. At least, if Ernst killed him, Elsa would be taken care of. He seriously doubted Elsa would let him near enough to take her money, anyway. In fact, he’d given Manny and his men instructions to ban him from the property.

  Elsa and Marta sat in the library with Alois Berger. It was decided he’d spend three hours with them each morning and three hours with them each afternoon.

  Alois had lessons, books, and a slate for each of them.

  When the first three hours were up, Elsa walked into the kitchen. She asked Clara in her own language, “Isn’t my husband back yet?” She missed him already.

  “No, I haven’t seen him, but you can check out the stables. He may have come home and gone right to work,” Clara said as she basted a roasted chicken.

  Elsa walked out to the stables along the long aisles, viewing all the beautiful horses. There was no sign of Rance, so she wandered out of the stables and walked out behind the barn. She hadn’t explored her new home yet, and she was anxious to see it all. In the distance, she could see several corrals with horses being trained by some of the workers, but none of them were Rance.

  She wondered if she'd be able to find that brook where she and Rance had sat that day, and she started to walk across the field, but then she changed her mind and turned around. It was much too far to walk alone.

  She saw Marta running out to meet her.

  “Where are you going?” Marta asked.

  “I was thinking of finding the small brook Rance and I crosse
d one day, but it’s too far to walk alone,” she said. “So I was returning to the house.”

  “The house is so stuffy,” Marta said. “Besides being hotter than Hades out today, Clara has the oven going. I’ll walk with you.”

  The two headed in the direction Elsa thought had led to the brook.

  Just as Elsa spotted the brook, a man jumped out from behind some bushes and walked toward them. They both froze. They were about to run back to the house when the man yelled, “I’m one of Rance’s men!”

  Elsa only understood the word, "Rance," so she grabbed Marta and they ran as fast as they could.

  Chapter 13

  Marta and Elsa ran into the kitchen and tried to tell Clara what had happened, but they were so out of breath they weren’t able to get the words out.

  “Sit down and relax,” Clara said as she walked over to lock the door. “If someone’s chasing you they won’t get in now, so calm down and tell me what happened.”

  Finally Elsa was able to speak. “What does ‘I’m one of Rance’s men’ mean?"

  Clara interpreted the words and both women leaned back in their chairs and let out a breath of relief.

  “Rance has all perimeters of the property guarded,” Clara said. “I would have warned you had you bothered to tell me you were going exploring around the property.”

  “He is home yet?” Elsa asked.

  Elsa noticed a worried look flash across Clara’s face. “No, not yet.”

  “He only went to see the constable, right?” she asked.

  Clara nodded.

  “It’s nearly dinner time. Where is he?” Marta asked.

  Elsa stood and paced in front of the table. “He has the ranch protected, but what protection does he have in town?”

  “None,” Clara said.