Mail Order: Four Christian Romances 5e2y10

Mail Order: Four Christian Romances

By

Tara McGinnis

Copyright 2014 Tara McGinnis

Smashwords Edition

Maggie Falls Off A Train

Maggie looked at all of the bags and trunks that she’d packed and sat down on the edge of her bed, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of them. There were far too many of them, and far too few at the same time. She was packing her whole life away, after all. “Do you think you have everything?” Maggie looked up to see her father standing in the open doorway. His half smile told her he was joking. “Father, I’m going away for God knows how long,” she said. “However long it takes,” he put in. “However long you want.”

“Exactly,” she said. “Who knows what I’ll need and what I won’t. I’m trying to be as thorough as possible.” “New York’s a thriving metropolis, Maggie,” he said. “It’s not as if you won’t be able to find things you need there.” “I know,” she sighed. “I guess I’m just nervous.” Her father laughed and shook his head. “You, nervous? Never. I never believed I’d see the day when my daughter was actually nervous about something.” Maggie smiled up at her father. She was actually nervous about a lot of things, such as impressing the men he worked with, acting like a proper businessman even though she was a woman, and about getting the kinds of marks in school that would ensure her success in her father’s world. He put a lot of pressure on her, but Maggie found it rewarding to please him and herself. Maggie’s mother had died bringing her into the world, and her father had been so heartbroken that he’d never remarried. He always had a wistful, faraway look on his face whenever he talked about her, and Maggie felt guilty at times for being the source of his grief. She brought it up once, though, and had never seen him so angry. “I could never resent you for your mother’s death!” her father had roared, scaring her half to death. “I only meant —” she tried to say, but he cut her off with a violent slashing gesture. “Know this,” he said. “You look exactly like her and it breaks my heart, but it is never, never your fault. God had a reason for what happened, though neither of us knows it yet. We may never know the reason your mother was taken from us. “But I never blame you. I wish I were better for you, Maggie. I wish I could be better. However, I’m just a businessman teaching you everything I know. Your mother was a saint — is a saint — and you’ll meet her again in heaven.” Maggie had never brought up her mother again, though her father still talked about her fondly, the same way a person talked about a friend who lived far away.

Being raised by her father was an interesting experience — much different, Maggie found out, than the other childhood experiences of her school friends. While her girlfriends were getting lessons in serving tea properly from their mothers, Maggie was learning how to balance a ledger for her father’s business. While other girls got laced up in tight corsets and paraded before suitors, Maggie took notes during her father’s business meetings and offered her assessments on different situations when asked. “Is this some kind of social experience?” her father’s partner asked him one time. “We all understood when you brought her in as a little girl. In addition, she was a good girl, too, never getting underfoot. But the fact that you actually trust her with facets of the business —” “She’s my own flesh and blood,” her father had replied calmly. “Of course I trust her with my own business. You’d do right to do the same. When I’m gone, I intend her to succeed me.” That statement had shocked Maggie just as much as it had her father’s partner. “Do you really think I can lead your business?” Maggie had asked later, as they ate supper together. “Think? I know you can,” he responded, mopping up some juice from his steak with a piece of roll. “You’re a talented young lady, Maggie.” “Most other talented young ladies are learning to play the harp to impress their future husbands,” Maggie said drily. “Is that what you want for your future?” he asked. “To decorate the arm of someone?” “No,” she said. “That’s not what I want. I want to be useful. I want to do things. I want to lead a meaningful life.” Therefore, that was why her father had decided to send her away from London to New York City, to broaden her mind and her education. “You’ll do fine, Maggie,” he said, staring at all her trunks. “Don’t be nervous.”

“I’ll try not to be,” she said, smiling at him. She knew that he would do the same for his son, had her mother survived and bore him one, and Maggie knew she had several big roles to fill for her father. She didn’t want to disappoint him. If he couldn’t have a son, if all he had was Maggie, she would be whatever she possibly could be for her father. She cared for him deeply and wanted him to be proud of her. “We’ll leave in the morning,” he reminded her, closing and locking one of the trunks she’d already filled up with dresses. “I haven’t forgotten,” she said. “I’ll probably be up before you are.” “Do try and get some rest,” he said. “I’m not sure how comfortable you’ll be on the ship.” “All right, Father.” Maggie gave him a kiss on the cheek and smiled. “Good night.” “Good night,” he said, beaming at her. “I’m so proud of you.” “Thank you, Father,” she said, looking shyly at the floor. “I’ll do you proud. I swear.” “You already do.” As her father walked out, pulling her door closed behind him, Maggie looked helplessly at all of her trunks and suitcases. Twice the amount wouldn’t help her where she was going. All she had were her wits and what her father had taught her. She didn’t want to let him down, and she wanted to go to New York City. It was his dream for her, and he knew the knowledge she gained abroad would open doors for her here in London. It was just so hard to be uprooted from everything she knew and shipped away, essentially. “God, please help me,” Maggie prayed, standing over all of her packed up belongings. “Please help me do what my father wants. He would be so pleased if I was successful in New York. Please give me the strength and courage I need to do this for him. Amen. Oh, and please tell my mother I said hello. Amen.”

Maggie was sure she wouldn’t at all that night, but she was surprised by the lightening sky when she blinked her eyes open. It was morning. Time to go. Maggie had so many trunks that her father had to hire several extra carriages to handle all of it, and she was acutely embarrassed. “If you want to send any of it back once you get to the city, feel free,” her father told her. “No, I might need something,” Maggie said, wincing as she watched a couple of porters unload one of the trunks rather roughly. She hoped it wasn’t the one that contained her perfumes, or the one that held her typewriter. “Goodbye, Maggie,” her father said, holding his arms out to her. “Good luck. I love you.” “I love you, too, Father,” she said, hugging him tightly. “I’ll do you proud.” “Try to have fun,” he said. “Think of it as an adventure.” Life was already such an adventure being raised by him that Maggie didn’t know how much more adventure she could take, but she didn’t say so. Her father did the best he knew how, and she had to do her part now. The voyage west wasn’t too troublesome. Maggie had a private room and two of her trunks, so she was quite comfortable. They ed through a storm one night that had her sick for the whole next day, but a walk about on the deck above in the fresh air set her right again. She prayed every day, studied some books that her father had sent along with her on economics and business management, and stayed occupied.

She was on deck when they spotted the shoreline, and was able to ogle the glorious city of New York as they approached.

London was an old, refined city, much like an elegant lady. New York City was rough, brash, ostentatious, and utterly intoxicating. Maggie forgot about her nervousness and embraced the hustle and bustle, hiring three carriages to cart her many possessions to the hotel where she was staying until she could find a more permanent option. She had a week to acclimate before classes at the university started, and Maggie couldn’t wait to explore. She ate foods she’d never even considered, talked to all manners of people from all around the world, and marveled at the spectacle of buildings reaching for the sky. She’d never thought that a place could have such audacity, such hope for the future, and she understood why her father had sent her here. If she could survive this city, she could do whatever she wanted — including lead his business.

When classes did finally start, Maggie’s exhilaration was only slightly dampened by the fact that she was the only female student in all of her business courses. However, she was used to getting strange stares from her father’s partners and other men and women who came in to do business with the company. She could handle being a sideshow, especially if she got to dazzle the gawkers. She had many opportunities to do that early on, answering the professors’ questions quite capably as her male counterparts stared on, mouths agape, but during her second semester at university, something happened. Maggie woke up one morning and just couldn’t quite get out of bed. It was the most ludicrous thing she’d ever experienced. She had the willpower and felt quite all right, but her legs didn’t want to work. After a good deal of struggling that made her miss breakfast in the interest of getting to class on time, Maggie had dragged herself to campus. “You’re not looking so well,” her partner for a project had hissed at her when she staggered into the classroom. That was odd. Maggie had glanced at herself in the mirror not long before, and she thought she looked remarkably well for how terrible she was beginning to feel. A hot, sweaty forehead told her she was feverish, but she tried to ignore it. That night, after having miraculous made it through the school day somehow, she prayed.

“God, please heal me,” she intoned. “Please don’t keep me from my studies, especially when everything’s been going so well.”

The next day was an even more intense struggle to get out of bed that left her utterly exhausted and made her late for her first class. “Why, Miss Maggie, I hope your toilette isn’t the reason you’re late for my lecture,” the professor had sneered. Maggie had wheeled around, opened her mouth to deliver a scathing retort, and promptly fainted on the spot. She’d awoken in the hospital. “Excuse me,” she told a nurse, but her voice sounded so weak that the woman had just shaken her head and held a finger to her lips. Maggie had gone to sleep. The next time she woke, a doctor towered over her. “Please, doctor,” she said, still unsure why she felt so tired. She’d just gotten a good night’s sleep. “I need to return to school. I can’t afford to miss more than a day of work.” The man had given her a queer look. “Miss, you’ve been in the hospital for two, nearly three weeks,” he said. “You’ve had quite a health scare.” Maggie’s specialty was business, not medicine, and it was hard to wrap her mind around the Latin the doctor used to talk to her about the sickness she’d fallen under, but one thing was clear. “You must leave the city for a time,” the doctor said. “I can’t afford to lose the time away from the university,” she said. “Really, all I feel is a little tired. I can do this.” “You can’t afford to continue on as you have been,” the doctor said. “You must go somewhere where you can rest completely. Have you anywhere in mind?”

“No,” Maggie said, shaking her head. “I came to New York City to get an education — not sit idly.” “I recommend California,” the doctor said. “Lots of open space, lots of fresh air, and far removed from the hustle and bustle and clutter and stress of the city. The only way I’ll release you from the hospital — the worst of your sickness is over — is if I put you on the train myself. If you really want to get your education, you must know how important it is to maintain your health. The university will be here when you return. For now, though, you must take care of yourself.” Maggie knew the doctor had the wisdom and knowledge to make this type of recommendation, but it still burned her to miss school. On the day they let her out of the hospital, she got cleaned up and met with the dean of the university to explain what was going on. He agreed to let her defer her degree, and Maggie went home to pack. She wrote a letter to her father, hoping that he wouldn’t be too terribly angry with her for falling ill.

Dear Father, I have been quite ill for some time, but I’m not writing this letter to worry you. The doctor says that the worst of it has ed, but he recommends I get some fresh, dry air into my lungs. New York City has been wonderful to me, but it is time I took my leave for a temporary sabbatical. I’ve spoken already with the dean of the university, who agrees that I should take a break from my studies to better recover from my illness. Overall, I’ll be a semester behind, which isn’t too shabby. I’d be two semesters if I didn’t try to do all my work while I was sick. The doctor recommended California, so I’m to leave tomorrow. I’ve checked a map, and it’s clear on the other side of America, the very western coast. I’ll treat it as a learning experience and will keep my eyes, ear, and mind open. I’m counting myself lucky. It’s not every person who gets to take a holiday in the middle of another holiday, which is what being in New York City has felt like. Besides getting sick, I have really loved it and must thank you for pushing me to

have this experience. I’ll write you when I know what address you can reach me at in California. Much love, Maggie

Maggie only wished she had felt better, or at least well enough to fully enjoy the sights she was seeing on the way to California. The train brought her through plains and prairies, mountains and deserts, and all she could do was lie in her berth and only occasionally find the strength from time to time to hoist herself up to try to see the landscapes rushing by. “Lots of rest, lots of fresh air,” the doctor had told her. Maggie tried to open the window just a crack to at least try to breathe in the ing experiences, but even such a simple task was physically beyond her. She couldn’t believe just how ill she was. “Let me help, Miss,” the conductor said, stopping by. “That’s quite all right,” Maggie said, mortified. She was capable of opening a window by herself, and she didn’t need anybody’s help. “I was just fiddling with it. I didn’t want it open.” “Are you sure?” The conductor looked like a kindly old man, but Maggie nodded firmly. Negotiating the swaying train cars was another challenge. Whenever Maggie needed to go to the restroom, it was all she could do to muster her strength for the task. It usually made her so tired that she had to remain there for much longer than she required — only trying to regain her stamina for the trip back to her berth. She felt lucky that she didn’t have an appetite. There was no way she could make it down to the dining car. Later on, the conductor stopped by to check on her again. He must’ve realized that she was ill, and Maggie braced herself to be dumped off at the nearest station.

“Miss, it is a fine night outside,” the conductor said. “Lots of cool air and a lovely breeze. It would be my pleasure to open your window.” The air was getting musty. “I would appreciate that,” she said. “I must it that I am not feeling well.” It was better than itting that she was headed for California to convalesce, and hopefully it wouldn’t get her kicked off the train. “I understand completely,” the conductor said, easing open the window. The wind smelled of dew and grass and instantly lifted Maggie’s spirits. She wished she had just let the man open the window for her days ago. “Thank you,” she said. “That’s lovely.” “May I have the pleasure of bringing you something from the dining car?” the conductor asked. “Our chef specializes in meals for those who aren’t feeling well. Some broth, perhaps, with bread?” Maggie was about to refuse, but her stomach growled loudly. The fresh air reminded her that she was hungry. “You’re too kind,” she said, smiling and nodding. “Thank you.” The conductor returned with a steaming bowl of chicken soup, a still warm half a loaf of bread, and a glass of water. “Please let me know if you need or want anything else,” the conductor said. “I want all of my engers to travel in comfort.” “I will,” Maggie promised. She hated to rely on anyone else but herself. It was a lesson that her father had instilled in her. However, she was too debilitated now to not accept others’ help.

The next afternoon, the train pulled into its last stop: the station in California where Maggie was getting off. She only wished that she would feel a little better. This was an exciting adventure, after all, another chance to soak in the culture of America. She’d have to find a post office to send a letter off to her parents.

She allowed the porters to carry her suitcase off the train and retrieve her trunk while she got herself off the train. It was a more difficult task than she would’ve imagined. The exit to the car was past the restroom, and nearly beyond the limits of her physical strength at this point. Her illness had ravaged her. Maggie felt dazzled by the late afternoon sun and the warmth of California. She immediately broke into a light sweat and hoped she wasn’t still feverish. The porter brought her suitcase and trunk to her, and Maggie longed to sink down to sit on the large chest. She knew that she’d have more trouble regaining her feet, though, so she remained standing. “Pardon me,” she said before the porter could rush off. “Could you engage a carriage service to take me to the nearest hotel?” The porter gave her a queer look. “Carriage service?” he repeated. “Hotel? Not out here, Miss.” Another traveler beckoned to him and he left, stealing one last confused look at her before hurrying off to do someone else’s bidding. Maggie frowned. No carriage service? No hotels? Where did people who came visiting stay and how did they get there? She knew that California was no New York — and certainly not a London — but she would’ve expected that a town with a train station would at least have a small hotel to stay in. Maggie gathered what remained of her strength around her and took a few small steps forward, intent to see for herself if there was no small inn at least for her, when she felt herself falling. It was the strangest thing. Her legs just gave out beneath her, unable to hold her weight for a moment longer, and she simply drifted toward the ground. It was just one of those things, she supposed, and steeled herself before hitting the ground, but she never made it that far. Strong arms encircled her and hoisted her back up to her feet. “Are you all right?” Maggie had to shield her eyes from the sun’s glare to see the face of the man who’d kept her from falling. He had piercing blue eyes and a face so tan that she wondered if he ever spent any time inside at all.

“I’m fine, thank you,” she said. “You can let me go. I just tripped on something, is all.” “There’s nothing here to trip on,” the man said, looking around. His arms were still around her, like an embrace, and it made Maggie uncomfortable. “You’re quite pale.” “I’ve been ill,” she said. “I’ve traveled from New York to convalesce here in California.” “Sounds like you’ve traveled a lot farther than that,” the man observed. “I’m Tom.” “Maggie,” she said, sticking out her hand in the hopes that he’d be forced to unhand her to shake it. “Pleased to meet you.” He took her hand, his giant paw completely engulfing hers. That was a hand that had known hard work, a hand that meant business. “Well, thank you for saving me from discomfort and embarrassment,” she said. “I’ll be going.” “Wait a second,” Tom said. “Where are you going to be staying? I’ll carry you there.” “No need,” she said. “I have to perfectly good legs of my own.” “At least let me help you get your belongings to the proper house or wagon,” Tom insisted. “Please. I’d feel terrible otherwise.” “Well,” Maggie began, “in the interest of your feelings, I’ll allow that.” “Excellent,” Tom said, stooping for her trunk. “Now, who are you staying with?” “I’ll be staying at whatever hotel or inn you have in town that has a clean room,” Maggie said briskly. Tom paused, then slowly straightened. “We don’t have a hotel or an inn,” he said. “This is a very small town.”

“Then where do travelers stay?” she asked. “People don’t exactly travel to this particular city for a vacation,” Tom said. “I’m not on a vacation,” Maggie said sharply. “I’ve been sick. I’m only here under doctor’s orders.” “I understand,” he said. “It’s just that all we have really is a boarding house, and —” “This boarding house sounds just fine,” Maggie interrupted. “Take me there, please.” “I can’t,” Tom said helplessly, blushing to the roots of his sandy hair. “Well, why not?” she asked indignantly. “I need a place to stay.” “You’ll have to excuse my frankness, but I’m not taking a lady as fine as you are to that boarding house,” Tom said. “It’s a boarding house, sure, but the only people who stay in it are the drunkards who can’t make it home from the saloon or the drunkards who decide to take one of the working girls there and —” “All right!” Maggie said quickly. “I understand. You don’t have to explain. I’m sorry for pressing the issue.” She wrung her hands, not sure what to do now. She had counted on this town having somewhere she could stay, but perhaps she could find a bigger city — if such a thing existed — elsewhere in the state. “If you’d be agreeable to it, you could stay out at my ranch,” Tom said, glancing up at her. “There’s lots of fresh air out there, and it’s very peaceful. Lots of time and space to rest and recuperate.” “That would be an utter imposition,” Maggie said, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I cannot accept. I’ll just buy another ticket to another city and see about lodging there.” “That was the last train for the day,” Tom said, pointing at the locomotive as it rolled out of the station. Maggie hadn’t even heard it leaving. “Then I can spend one night at the boarding house,” she said bravely. “I’ll treat it as an adventure.”

“Maggie, it’s so much of an adventure that even I wouldn’t spend a night there,” Tom said. “Please, let me do this for you. I’d never forgive myself if I just left you here in town without a place to stay except for the boarding house. I’m a perfect gentleman.” “I’m not doubting your character,” she said. “I just don’t want to inconvenience me.” “There wouldn’t be any inconvenience,” he said. “In fact, you’d be doing me a favor. I really wasn’t looking forward to going home. The ranch can be a big, lonely place sometimes.” Tom looked so genuine that Maggie only thought about it for half a minute before caving. “Just for tonight,” she said as he grinned widely. “I’ll get another train ticket tomorrow, if you’ll give me a ride back.” “You’ll fall in love with the ranch,” he said, “you just wait.” He hoisted Maggie’s trunk and took it to a wagon nearby, then came back for her suitcase. She followed him, taking slow, small steps. “Here, allow me,” he said, bending down to sweep her up into his arms. Those strong arms made her feel so strange. Maggie had been taught to rely on herself and to always present a strong front, but Tom’s arms made her melt inside, made her feel safe, made her want to give herself over to him and let him take care of her. It was, frankly, disturbing. “Wait,” she said weakly as he hoisted her up into his wagon. “Don’t you have someone you’re meeting here at the station?” “No,” he said, looking at the ground. “No, I don’t.” “Then what were you doing waiting around for the train in the first place?” Maggie asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. She was feeling increasingly strange about accepting the man’s offer. Maybe she should insist on staying at the boarding house, no matter what she might see during her stay. “It’s a long story,” Tom said. “One that I’m afraid I would bore you with.”

“Try me,” she suggested with a tight smile. He sighed and looked everywhere but her eyes. “You’re going to make fun of me,” he said. “Laugh at me.” “I swear that I won’t,” she said. “We may have just met, but I can assure you that I’m not a cruel person. Please. What were you doing at the station if you weren’t meeting anyone? Do you make it your business to catch swooning women and swoop them away to your ranch?” “No,” he said, taking off his hat. “I was here to meet the woman who was supposed to be my wife. She never showed up.” “Never showed up?” Maggie repeated. “Was there some sort of mix-up? Some sort of miscommunication?” “Both of those, maybe,” Tom said. “Have you ever heard of a mail order bride?” “I haven’t,” Maggie itted, feeling vaguely displeased. She wished he would ask her about capitalism or the free market. She could talk for hours about those. Maggie felt a vague but strange pull to want to impress this man. She couldn’t quite explain it. “Well, it’s a company that matches men in need of brides with women in need of grooms,” he said. “A lot of the ranchers around these parts have been doing it because there are so few women coming out here. Life’s still hard, but good.” “So, men and women agree to basically have a company act as a matchmaker?” Maggie asked. “In a nutshell, yes,” Tom said. “I’ve been out here for about five years, and I’m enjoying a small bit of success with my ranch.” “Congratulations.” “Thanks.” He smiled briefly at her, but the flash of white teeth in his tan face still had a dazzling effect. “I figured that it was probably time to start a family, so I asked around and got the address of a company some of the other guys had been using — with success.”

“And you were supposed to meet the woman who was going to be your wife here,” Maggie said, covering her hand with her mouth. “I’m sorry.” Tom shrugged. “There’s nothing really to be sorry about,” he said. “There’s really no one to blame and really no one at fault. I wrote the letter to the company explaining who I was and what I wanted —” “Wait a second,” Maggie said. “Oh, sorry for interrupting.” “That’s quite all right,” he said, holding his hands out. “Go ahead.” “You can basically tell them what kind of woman you want?” she asked. “Do they have like a rack full of women they choose from for their orders?” “I’m making it sound that way, aren’t I?” Tom asked, shaking his head sheepishly. “I’m sorry. I’m doing a poor job of explaining it.” “Oh, no, I’m the one who’s sorry,” Maggie said quickly. “I’m not meaning to interrogate you. I’m just interested in business and commerce and the like. It had never really struck me that marriage could be considered a business. Please, continue.” “Well, the thing about writing to the company is so you can tell the woman what she can expect,” he said. “I told them that life on the ranch isn’t easy, that it’s hard work. They wrote back, telling me they had the woman for me, and to expect her on the train.” “On this train?” Maggie asked. “The one I came in on?” It was already well on its return journey, back east across the country. “No,” he said. “She was supposed to arrive yesterday. This is the last train for today, and I guess I should stop hoping. I got another letter the day before from the mail order bride company explaining that the business had unexpectedly folded and not to expect my wife. I just sort of hoped beyond hope. I was ready for a family.” Maggie ached for this kind stranger. He had put his hopes and dreams on paper and relied on a business to fulfill them, and it had fallen short. She wished there was something she could do to make him feel better.

“Well, if you hadn’t been here, I would’ve fallen flat on my face,” she said. “So there’s that. Maybe — in spite of your disappointment — maybe you were meant to be here, if only to help me. Is that selfish of me to think?” Tom smiled at her. “I don’t think so,” he said. “Maybe I was meant to be here to help you. You believe in God?” “Definitely,” she said. “And I believe he has a plan for all of us.” “My thoughts exactly,” Tom said. “Now. Can I take you to the ranch, now? You have some color back in your cheeks, but I still think it’s important to get you some rest.” Maggie had enjoyed talking to Tom so much that she had completely forgotten about how woozy she felt. It was strange — she felt like she could go on and on talking to him.

The ride from town to Tom’s ranch was about three hours, but it flew by. Maggie explained why her father had sent her to America in the first place and what she was doing. “My folks took me to New York when I was a boy,” Tom said excitedly, and when he grinned at her, Maggie could imagine the impressionable little creature he’d been. “I feeling so small but so enthralled.” “That’s exactly how I felt,” Maggie agreed. “Now, don’t get me wrong. I love London, and it is a big city. But New York is a different animal entirely.” Tom shook his head. “You’ve been across an entire ocean,” he said. “I can’t imagine it. I thought coming out here from Virginia was a big deal.” “It is a very big deal,” Maggie protested. “I only wish I hadn’t been so ill for the train ride. It is a beautiful, enormous country.” “Well, as an American, I thank you,” Tom said. “Now. Tell me what you think about this big, beautiful ranch.”

Maggie was stunned to realize that they’d arrived at Tom’s home already. There was a large house near to an even larger barn. They were surrounded by land for as far as the eye could see, tall grasses waving in the wind. “What you can’t see is the river,” Tom said, pointing beyond a hill in front of them, “and my herd of cattle. It’s small for now, but thriving. I’m looking forward to building my business in the future.” “It’s wonderful,” Maggie said. “I really love it.” “Think that you can convalesce here better than you could at the boarding house?” Tom asked her, raising an eyebrow. Maggie laughed. “All right, you’ve convinced me,” she said. “Would I inconvenience you terribly to ask to write a letter to my father? I told him I’d let him know when I had an address where he could reach me.” “Not at all,” Tom said. “Let me help you get into the house. Tomorrow, I’ll run into town to pick up a few supplies and I’ll get your letter in the post.” He insisted on carrying Maggie even as she insisted she could walk — though she was exhausted by all the day’s emotions and physical toll. Tom set her up in his spare bedroom — a clean, bright space — and it was all Maggie could do to jot down a quick letter to her father before she feel fast asleep.

Dear Father, I’ve enclosed the address where you can reach me. I’m staying on a ranch here in California, and it is very beautiful and restful. I’m hoping that I’ll feel better soon and well enough to return to my studies in New York. Love, Maggie

Maggie awoke the following day with a tray of food on the bedside table and a

note from Tom.

Maggie, Didn’t want to wake you. I’ve gone to town to mail your letter and left you some breakfast. Try to eat some. Rest lots. See you later. Tom

The food had gone cold, making Maggie wonder just how long she’d been asleep, but she managed the toast and tea. It made her feel so good that she got out of bed and splashed water on her face from a basin that Tom must’ve brought in while she’d been slumbering. She was surprised to realize that she didn’t worry about what he’d seen or did while he was in there. She knew she was a guest in his home — and somewhat under his mercy — but he was a genuine man with a good heart. It hurt her more than she cared to it that he had been waiting for a wife to come to him on a train and had been disappointed. Wandering outside her room, Maggie was impressed with how clean Tom kept his house. The stove gleamed as if it was new, and even his own bed was made. She’d been under the impression that bachelors were a sloppy sort — at least the ones she’d been attending school with. Maggie walked back to her bedroom and made the bed, but she didn’t like the effort it required of her. She was still weak — too weak — and she hated it. She decided to sit on the porch and enjoy the air while waiting for Tom, but the rocking chair she plopped into was too comfortable. After just a dozen ages back and forth, she was fast asleep, her body still recovering from her long journey and the sickness that had necessitated it. Maggie awoke in Tom’s arms. “I didn’t mean to wake you up,” he said. “I just wanted to get you inside because

the sun’s down and the evening’s chilly. I just got back from town.” “I must’ve dozed off,” she said. “I feel like that’s all I’ve been doing lately.” “It’s good for you,” he said, setting her down at the table in the kitchen. “Means your body is healing. Now, are you hungry?” “I think I could eat a little something,” she said. “What can I help you with?” “You can help me by staying put in that chair and letting me cook for you,” he said. What followed was a glorious chicken dinner. Tom had fried up the majority of it, but he’d made Maggie a broth just in case her appetite wasn’t good. She slurped right through the bowl and ate two pieces of the delicious chicken pieces before she gave up, exhausted as if she’d been awake for a day straight. “It’s all part of the healing process, I figure,” Tom said, helping her to her room. “You just sleep all you can, Maggie.” “You’re too kind,” she said. “I want to help out in some way. Let me do the dishes or something.” Even as she said that, her eyelids drooped. “Help yourself first,” Tom said. “Good night.”

The next day, Tom took her on a very slow walking tour of the yard between the house and the barn. He threaded his fingers through hers, which made Maggie blush. “I want to keep you from falling if you feel faint,” he explained, and she simply got used to it. Maggie was starting to get used to the idea that Tom was going to get his way about her health. The walk had tuckered her out, though, and she fell asleep again on the porch. She felt like she was asleep more than awake those first few days. Then, though, Tom suggested a longer journey down to the river. The hang-up

was that he’d carry her. “I can ride a horse,” Maggie said. “I’m sure you can,” Tom answered patiently. “But your doctor told you to rest, and that’s what you’re going to do. God forbid that you should get sick again because you were overexerting yourself. Now, let me do this. I want you to enjoy the ranch.” Maggie nodded shortly and Tom gathered her in his arms, walking easily through the grass and over the uneven ground. “Careful,” Maggie warned, snaking her arms around his neck. “I won’t drop you,” he said, and Maggie blushed at their closeness. “I know you won’t,” she said. “I’m telling you to be careful so you won’t hurt yourself.” “I’m not going to hurt myself carrying you,” he scoffed. “I’ve hauled sacks of flour heavier than you.” They crested the hill that Tom had pointed out when they’d first arrived at the ranch and Maggie gasped. A glittering river curved here, carving its way out of the earth. Trees dotted the shores, and she could see the herd grazing not too far away. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “Thank you,” Tom said happily. “I’m just glad I have someone to show it off to.” They headed to a quilt spread out right on the banks of the river with a basket. Maggie was surprised — Tom must’ve come down here earlier to set all of this up for her. “You’re really too kind,” she said. “You don’t have to keep doing all these nice things for me. I can rest just as well without you taking care of me.” “Maybe I like taking care of you,” he said. “Have you ever thought about that?”

His chest was so strong, and she could swear that she could feel his heart beating next to her. She’d never been so close to another human being in her life. “I just know that you have a lot of things to keep you busy,” she said. “I don’t want to be a distraction.” “You are a very happy distraction,” Tom said, setting her down gently on the blanket. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll be tending the cattle downstream.” “All right,” Maggie said, smiling up at him. Even when she tried to pick a fight with Tom, he always defused her. He was always doing thoughtful things for her. Comfortable on the quilt, Maggie peeked into the basket and grinned. He’d packed a picnic lunch for her, even including a couple of her books and some stationary and a pen for taking notes. He was so thoughtful that it made her heart swell. He really just wanted to take care of her. She ed the rest of the glorious day relaxing, lulled into a drowse by the murmuring river. When she woke up, Tom was stretched out beside her, watching the water flow by. “Was I asleep for long?” she asked, her voice still thick with slumber. “Couple of hours,” he said, smiling at her. “Lazy.” Maggie snorted. “I’m not lazy,” she protested. “I’m convalescing. It’s practically the doctor’s orders to laze about all day.” “I wish I was convalescing,” Tom said wistfully. “I want nothing more than to picnic with you every day.” “We can picnic every day,” she said. “Let me ride a horse with you to wherever the herd is. It’ll be good, gentle exercise to help me regain my strength. We’ll bring a blanket and a basket, and as soon as you’re done, we’ll have lunch.” “You make a pretty convincing argument,” Tom said. “Picnics it is.”

The days stretched into weeks, and before long, it had been a whole month since

Maggie got there. She had been riding more and more, and walking when she wasn’t riding, and even Tom had to agree that she was doing much better. She insisted on helping out with the chores, including hoeing the crops, tending the garden, and learning how to cook. “I can’t believe you don’t know how to cook,” Tom teased after she’d cheered jubilantly at her first successfully cracked egg. “What kind of woman are you?” “The kind of woman raised by her businessman of a father,” she said. “Now, hush and let me concentrate so I don’t burn the blasted thing.” She worked the skillet over the stove, as Tom had shown her, and soon had a delicious-looking cooked egg. “I’ll start delegating kitchen duties to you immediately,” Tom announced after he’d tried it. “You might want to hold off a bit longer,” she warned. “I can’t be held responsible for bad recipes or sicknesses. She loved being around Tom, loved seeing him day in and day out. They stayed up late by the fire, talking about their childhoods and their futures and their hopes and dreams. It had been difficult for Maggie to have friends when she’d been younger. It had just been too difficult with the way her father was raising her. Tom was the closest she’d ever been to a person, and she enjoyed every moment of it. One day, they went to town for a few supplies. At the post office, there was a letter from her father that Maggie ripped eagerly into. It’d been far too long since she’d heard from him.

My dear Maggie, I’m so sorry to hear about your illness. Please let me know if you want me to bring you home or come out there to be with you. I forget sometimes that you’re only a young woman on her own — my own daughter. I’ll be there with you in a heartbeat if you say the word. Don’t worry about missing school. Focus on getting better. School will be there

when you return, and you can continue to learn while you’re away from the university setting. I’m relieved to hear that you’re spending time on a ranch. They’re interesting operations — I’ve asked around — and you might very well make a business model for it to stay sharp — as well as thank your hosts for letting you stay there. Keep me informed as to how you’re doing, and thank your kind hosts for me. All my love, Father

Maggie bit her lip and felt guilty. She’d written her father initially when she was tired and about to drop off to sleep. Her letter had been very short, but she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d kept it deliberately vague. If her father knew that she was staying on a ranch alone and unsupervised with a single man, he definitely wouldn’t approve. He would probably charge right across the Atlantic Ocean and continental United States to drag her off Tom’s ranch himself. She knew her father wouldn’t understand how kind Tom had been and the kind of relationship they had. She hardly understood it herself. However, Tom made her feel protected and relaxed, and she often looked forward to seeing him each day. In fact, she was getting to quite like him. “News from home?” Tom asked, peering at her letter. “Just my father,” she said, folding the piece of paper quickly. “Nothing to report.” Tom took her fishing that afternoon, and they cooked their catches for dinner. Maggie had never tasted anything as delicious as that fish, battered and fried until it was crispy and golden. “What are you smiling about?” Tom asked her as they both sat stunningly full at

the table. “I’m just smiling about how good life is,” she said. Every day, it seemed like she was learning something new about how the world worked. She was harvesting crops and growing food. She milked cows and assessed the health of the herd right alongside Tom. They pulled their dinner from the river and watched the stars fall from the sky. It was wonderfully pastoral, wonderfully romantic. “It could be like this all the time, you know,” he said shyly. “If you stayed, I mean.” “It’s a pretty thought, Tom,” she said. “But we both know I have to finish my studies in New York.” “Of course,” he said, looking down at the table. “Do you think you would want to come back out here, maybe, after you finished with your schooling?” Maggie swallowed. “I’m not sure what I’m going to be doing after I’ve finished my courses,” she said. “I know I’m expected to take over my father’s business, but that’s once he’s died. I know I have a lot more to learn from him before then, though, so I imagine I’ll be going back to London.” Tom met her eyes and smiled sadly at her. “This time with you here on the ranch has been the happiest I’ve ever been,” he said. He stood up suddenly from the table, the chair scraping back on the floor and walked around to face her. He took her chin in his hand and tilted her head up to look at him. Maggie thought he was going to kiss her, but he only stared into her eyes for a long time before walking away. She heard the front door open and close, and realized he’d gone outside. It was a pity. She rather wanted him to kiss her. She loved him, after all. Maggie gasped and her hand flew up to cover her mouth as if the gesture would muffle the thoughts and feelings raging within her. Did she really love the man she’d been living with all this time? He was lovable, she could it that much. He was kind, considerate, and always willing to go out of his way to help her. She enjoyed talking with him and listening to him.

She would do anything for him. She had wanted him to kiss her. She thought of all the time she’d spent with him, the long walks they’d taken, how he’d held her hand and told her it was because he didn’t want her to fall. Even when she’d gotten stronger, they’d still held hands. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do. Maggie didn’t want to be in love with Tom. She couldn’t be in love with him. Her father had sent her to America to get her away from the idea that she had to marry anyone. However, she didn’t understand how or why she had become so attracted to the rancher. On some level, she knew, but she also understood that it simply couldn’t be. She had unfinished business in New York and then business to begin in London. She couldn’t put her entire purpose behind her because of one man, could she? One day, over the breakfast he cooked them, she took a deep breath and put her fork down. “Tom, I really must thank you for everything,” she said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done out here without you.” “I wasn’t going to leave you at the station,” he said, grinning at her. “Even though I know how badly you wanted me to.” Maggie shrugged. “I’ve been raised to be independent,” she said. “Selfsufficient.” “And I like that in a woman,” Tom said, still smiling. “I’ll make a real California woman out of you yet.” “Well, that’s what I need to talk to you about,” Maggie said, folding her hands on the table and studying them. “I appreciate all your kindness in these past few months. I really do.” “But?” Tom’s smile had faded a bit. “That’s what’s coming next, isn’t it?”

Maggie tried to keep her face as expressionless as possible. “But, I need to go back to New York,” she said. “I came to America to get an education, Tom. I fell ill and needed a change of pace, and I got it. I’ll never forget my time out here in California with you. However, the truth is that I need to return. I need to do what I set out to do.” “I understand,” he said, but he looked so crestfallen that Maggie’s heart hurt. “I knew that you weren’t going to be able to stay out here forever. Now, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish you would stay.” “It’s beautiful out here,” Maggie agreed. “I really love the ranch — I’ve learned a lot about things I’d never even considered — and the company hasn’t been half bad, either.” Tom laughed. “Can you tell me something, though?” “Anything.” “How is learning in New York different from learning in California?” he asked. “You just said yourself that you were learning lots of things out here. We might not have any fine universities or big buildings or things out here, but there’s plenty to learn.” “I know that,” she said. “I’m living it. Nevertheless, I’m supposed to be learning about business, about commerce. There aren’t any ranchers in London, Tom. I’m sorry.” “Is that what you really want to do, then?” he asked her. “You really want to leave her to go back to New York City?” “It’s what I was sent over here to do,” Maggie began, but Tom held his hand up. “You’ve told me time and again what you were supposed to do,” he said. “I know all about that. What I want to know now is what you want to do. What does Maggie want to do?” Maggie swallowed. What she wanted to do and what her family wanted her to do had always seemed like the same thing to her. Why was she struggling now? She knew that California wasn’t where she had originally intended to be.

Nevertheless, was there some possibility that God had led her here for a reason? Closing her eyes, Maggie tried to listen to her heart to let it guide her, but there were so many conflicting thoughts in her head that she couldn’t quiet. Her father was so proud of her, so excited for her to learn all she could to carry on the family business. However, she had ended up in the arms of a man she couldn’t explain, a strong, kind soul who had already taught her so much. A man she had become very fond of. “I can’t,” she said suddenly. “I’m sorry, Tom. I need to go catch a train back to New York City.” “Is that what you want?” he asked quietly, his blue eyes seeing straight through her. “Yes,” she whispered.

Maggie had had an easier time packing up her entire life in London to take to New York than she did packing the single trunk and suitcase to leave California. Each item of clothing or book became an individual struggle to put away. She’d gotten used to living out here. It was an easy place to live, especially when there was someone she cared so much for. “Maggie? We ought to get going if you want to catch that train.” Tom stood on the other side of the closed bedroom door, and Maggie stared at the shadow of his feet on the floor. “You hear me?” he asked, knocking gently. “I hear you,” she said. “I’m ready.” It was a lie, but it was one she needed to say. She couldn’t stay here. She had things to do in New York. She had a life to live. Tom hauled her trunk out to the wagon, and they took the long ride back into town. He talked about this and that, the cows that were going to be having calves soon, the new crops he was going to try, and the horse he was getting ready to break. Maggie let the words wash over her, but they didn’t do a single thing to

wash away the guilt and misery that filled her. If going back to New York City was the right thing, why did it feel so wrong to be leaving Tom and California? The arrived at the station much sooner than Maggie would’ve liked. “Can I ask you something?” Tom began, taking her small, soft hand in his big, rough ones. The difference between them made her marvel. “You can ask me anything, Tom.” “Would you mind writing me once you got back to New York City?” he asked. “Of course.” “I’d just like to know you made it back safely,” he said. “And then, maybe, would it be all right if I wrote you back a letter?” “Sure, Tom.” “I’d write back to tell you I got your first letter,” he explained. “If the calves are here by then, I could tell you that, too.” “That sounds wonderful.” “And then maybe you could write me another letter, telling me you got mine,” he continued, looking away. “Maybe we could just keep on writing each other back and forth, and maybe this country wouldn’t seem so damn big all of a sudden.” The curse was mild, but it let Maggie know just how upset Tom was at losing her. It hurt her heart worse than she could’ve ever imagined. “I would love to write letters,” she said. “We’ll be able to keep track of each other that way.” “Maggie?” “Yes?”

“I love you.” There it was. The thing they’d been dancing around this whole time, hanging out in the air. They couldn’t ignore it any longer. It wasn’t their sweet, unspoken understanding anymore. It was real, and Maggie had to decide what to do about it. “I know you love me,” she said, “and I love you, too.” “But?” She sighed. “But the life I’m supposed to have is in New York.” “Maybe the life you’re supposed to have is here in California, as my wife.” Maggie’s breath hitched in her chest and a single tear rolled down her cheek. “You’re making this hard, Tom.” “Good,” he said. “I’m glad. It should be hard to try to leave the one you love. I love you, Maggie. Don’t leave me. Don’t leave this. This isn’t something that just happens. You were meant to come here to be with me. I don’t know how or why. I just think that God has a purpose for us.” She took a deep breath, dried her face, and set her shoulders. “My purpose is in New York, Tom,” she said, getting down from the wagon. “Thank you again for everything. I’ll write.” She turned on her heel before he could see her fall apart and wept all the way to the train. When she got to her seat and looked out her window, she sobbed even harder, seeing Tom still sitting in the wagon, his head in his hands. Why was this so hard? “God,” she prayed under her breath. “If I’m supposed to stay here, I need to know. I thought I was supposed to go to New York, but I will stay here if it’s your will. I just don’t know. I need your help, Lord.” Like a bolt out of the blue, Maggie realized that her heart had been telling her

what to do this entire time. That’s why it hurt so much telling Tom that she couldn’t be with him. God had brought them together, and the Lord meant them to stay together. She loved this man and he loved her. She hadn’t meant to go to California, but it had happened anyway. God had made it happen, meant her to find the man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with. Her father might be disappointed that she wasn’t going to stay in New York and learn things to help the family business, but that just wasn’t what Maggie wanted. It wasn’t where her heart was. Her heart was with Tom, here in California. Maggie pressed her hand over her chest and wept as she stood up from her seat and started for the exit. However, the train shrieked its departing whistle and jolted to a start, throwing her to the floor. “Miss! Are you all right?” The conductor helped her up and tried to dust her dress off, but Maggie jerked away. “I have to get off this train,” she said. “I can’t go. I have to stay here.” “The train’s already moving, Miss,” the conductor said. “I’m afraid you have to stay put.” “I can’t!” she shouted, elbowing him out of the way and sprinting to the door. It didn’t look like the train was moving very fast yet, but they were nearly out of the station. Maggie took a deep breath, staring at the ing ground in front of her, and took a very literal leap of faith. “No, Miss!” There was a ripping of cloth where the conductor tried to keep her from jumping, but Maggie had already made her move. She seemed to fall in slow motion and was forced to recall the time when she first arrived in California. She had been so weak from her illness that she’d fainted on her feet and Tom caught her. It was a sweet memory, and had propelled everything that followed, and Maggie smiled. She was going back to him now. She wouldn’t go back to New York. Her father would have to understand. Right before she hit the ground, a very familiar pair of strong arms caught her.

“What are you thinking, you fool girl?” Tom raged at her, jerking her back to her feet. “Do you have a death wish? You just jumped from a moving train.” She blinked a couple of times, looking into his piercing blue eyes, the eyes she’d grown to love so dearly. “I asked you a question, Maggie,” he said, shaking her a little bit. “What are you doing?” “I’m kissing you,” she said, and did so, halting anymore of his protests with a sweet, petal soft kiss, doing what they’d come close to many a time but had never quite done. It felt so right that Maggie decided she would never stop kissing Tom, never in a million years. She thought she’d felt right in New York, but it hadn’t held a candle to this moment. Tom was where she was supposed to be. She understood that now. “You’ve missed your train,” he said softly when their lips finally parted. “I was supposed to miss that train,” she said. “I’m supposed to be with you, Tom. That’s what I want. That’s what God wants.” He threw his arms around her and held her tightly. “Won’t your father be upset?” “He’ll get over it,” she said, smiling. “Sometimes, a girl has to follow her own heart and not listen to anyone else.” “Let’s go home,” Tom said. “Actually, let’s wire the next station and see if they can’t get my luggage sent back here,” Maggie laughed. “All I have is the dress I’m wearing, and it’s ruined.”

THE END

Jasmine’s Lonely Cowboy

Justin Crowder needed a helpmate. Even though the Civil War was raging on, he took the risk of finding himself a wife, and a mother to his two children, Lucy and Donnie Bill. His wife had died along with their third child, during birth. He was left to carry on, raising his four-year-old son, and fourteen year old daughter. He’d tried to find a wife in Kansas City for the last two years, but had failed to find a woman that could love his children as her own. Now, he was relying on his Aunt Maggie to find the perfect one. He sent a letter off to New York City, and sealed it with hope. Then, he sat back and waited. Five months later, he received a telegram from his helpful Aunt, sharing her good news. She had put the word out that she had a young and dashing nephew what needed a wife, at one of her local social clubs. It wasn’t long until she had a long list of women who were willing to take the plunge. After she personally interviewed thirty young, available ladies, she was down to choosing between three. One was Emily Perkins. Her father owned part of the railroad and Maggie wondered why the young daughter of a very prominent man would want to end up with a handsome, but poor widow. It didn’t take much checking into her background to figure that one out. Her father had disowned Miss Emily, due to her promiscuous lifestyle. Her name was scratched from the list, immediately. Then there was Rhoda Dirks. She was young, but after meeting with her in person, she also was scratched. There was just something about Rhoda that made Maggie’s skin crawl. Last, but not least, there was Jasmine Terrell. She was Maggie’s pick because her name started with a J. She couldn’t think of any other reason, because Jasmine seemed very plain to her. However, the list had gotten to be very short after only a few days’ time.

Jasmine was only twenty-three, just barely out of diapers according to Maggie. She figured if nothing else, she was trainable because she was so young. Jasmine came across as plain to Maggie, because she didn’t insist on wearing the jewelry that other ladies wore around New York City. She also didn’t attend many functions, picking and choosing which she’d take the time to up with. Jasmine came across as a goody two shoes, and as far as Maggie was concerned, she had no reason to feel that way. Her daddy was no one important. He was a Post Master in New York City. The only reason Jasmine’s name was on the list, was because her daddy had snuck it there. He didn’t want his daughter to stay in New York City, being afraid that she’d end up just like all the other women. When Maggie returned to the Post Office, to collect a list of eligible ladies, Jasmine’s father had added her at the last minute. Maggie met with Jasmine and questioned her, lacking mercy. For two hours, the young girl was tested for her sharpness, her morals, and her ability to cook. When Maggie was finished, she felt satisfied enough. Then, she sat down and wrote a letter to her waiting nephew. Justin got the letter when he stopped by the Post Office to check for the fifteenth time in a week. By the time the letter arrived, the postmaster was sick to death of seeing Justin every day. He saw him ride into town, and before Justin could hop down from the saddle, the postmaster hollered out the door. “Justin Crowder; that letter you were expecting is here!” Hurrying over, Justin left his horse standing in the middle of the dirt road. Running up the steps, he skipped several and landed in the center of the room. “Where is it, Paul Wayne?” “Right here. Now, get out of here!” “Man, you are a grumpy old man. Maybe you should get you a mail order bride yourself. It could only help.” “Forget that. I’ve seen too many lousy endings.”

Justin laughed and opened the letter on the run. By the time he got to his horse, he was in love. Maggie described Jasmine as being plainly wholesome, and that won him over. It didn’t hurt anything when Maggie added that she had very long, blonde hair, blue eyes and a body to die for. However, as he stepped one leg in the stirrup, he came right back down. There in bold letters, it read ‘She has one child, and she’ll be bringing her, too.’ He wasn’t planning on another child. However, after picturing Jasmine in his mind several times, he quickly changed his mind. Excited, he cantered his horse all the way home so he could tell Lucy and Donnie Bill that company was about to arrive.

The children had been hounding him to find them a new mama for some time and they were ready for it long before he was. Riding up the drive, he was hooting and hollering, and they heard him from the porch. They ran out to meet him because they knew he had either struck gold, or found them a mama. Lucy made it to him first and she ran along beside him, meeting Donnie Bill, along the way. Justin hopped down, grabbed them both and scooped them into his arms. “Kids, it won’t be long now. You’re getting a new mama.” “What’s she look like Daddy?” “I don’t know Lucy. But, I do know that she’s got long, blonde hair.” That thrilled Lucy, because she too, was blonde. Little Donnie didn’t care what color of hair she had, as long as she had a real nice voice and a lap to sit on. “Who cares what color her hair is? It could be green, and I’d love her.” “When’s she coming, Daddy?” “The letter said she’ll be here in a month. We have got to get this place ready.” Lucy jumped up and down, excited to help her pa get the house ready for another woman. She was tired of sharing a home with two men.

Something that his Aunt Maggie had left out of the letter was that according to the locals, Jasmine was a bit crazy. She failed to mention that, and she was hoping that people were wrong.

The truth about Jasmine was that people just thought she was crazy. She had dreams, big dreams. Her wants didn’t fit the social life around New York City. She’d dreamed of meeting a real cowboy all her life, since she was a little girl. The locals thought that was crazy. She had a reputation of being crazy because she had a dream that didn’t match other dreams of women in New York City. They used to hear her pray in church, asking God to send her a cowboy. Jasmine had her a cowboy, but he lived only six weeks after they married. He came down with Yellow Fever while she was carrying her daughter, Jaqueline. He never even got to meet his baby girl. However, he loved Jasmine more than any man could have, always providing for her, and her coming child. Jasmine made a vow to herself after he died, that she’d never marry until she could find herself a cowboy at heart, just like her husband, Richard. Now, she was about to meet someone who would understand her late husband and could love her like a cowboy loves his bride.

Justin and his children prepared for her coming, cleaning and moving furniture around. He could count on Lucy to tell him what needed to go where. Trusting his daughter’s judgment, he left the furniture right on the spots she had picked. Little Donnie didn’t care much about getting furniture arranged. He spent most of his time getting his ant collection and other insects ready to show Jasmine’s daughter, Jaqueline.

A month soon ed by and the day that Justin had to pick her up, he was a nervous wreck. It finally took Lucy to get him dressed properly. When she said he was ready, he piled them all into the wagon and headed for town. There, they

would wait for her at the train station. He rode along, trying to rehearse everything he would say. Lucy told him that he’d be better off just flying by the seat of his pants. “Daddy, it sounds too staged when you say it like that. Stop practicing what’s in your heart.” He just stared into his daughter’s eyes, wondering how she ever got to be so smart. “I do declare, Lucy Anne, that you get more like your mama every day.” She cuddled up closer to him, because she always loved to hear him say that. She missed her mama so much and when her daddy reminded her that she was like her mother, it made her feel so warm inside. “Thanks, Daddy.” They pulled into town and climbed from the wagon, and walked to the station hand in hand. People watched from the stores as they took their place, sitting on an outside bench. Paul Wayne, the postmaster had put the word out all over town that a young mail order bride was about to come to Kansas City. Everyone was gathering around, watching from store windows to get a peek. Just as more townsfolk piled into stores, the train’s whistle could be heard. Doors and windows opened instantly. Justin and his two children sat straight up on the bench, watching the train as its wheels hummed along. Then, it came to a stop right in front of the bench. One by one, men, women and children climbed down the steps of the train. Carrying babies and luggage, they all headed off in one direction or the other. As Justin searched the crowd, he eyed one blonde-headed woman, and he knew it was Jasmine instantly. She was amazingly and beautifully plain. Then, in a matter of minutes, he saw a tiny head bobbing up and down, as she skipped along beside her mother. She too, was blonde headed, and had a smile on her face which told him that she couldn’t be happier.

Taking the time to watch Jasmine walk along the crowd, he didn’t want to interfere with his view. She was stunning, and grace had to be her middle name. She moved through the crowd, one step at a time that seemed to make her glide. He was taken with her the minute he laid eyes on her. Lucy was as taken with her as he was. Little Donnie couldn’t wait for his pa to greet her, and he slipped out of his father’s hand and ran to her instantly. Somehow, even he knew which one she was. As he ran off from Justin, he hollered her name. Looking up through the crowd around her, she could hear her name being called. Immediately she made her way through and Donnie ran straight into her flowing, emerald dress. Reaching down to him, she scooped him up into her arms. “Look at you. You must be Donnie Bill!” “Yea, I’m Donnie Bill. My pa is Justin, and you came here to be my mama.” Giggling at his excitement, she nodded her head up and down, fully agreeing with him. Her daughter, Jaqueline stuck to her mother like glue. Justin and Lucy hurried over to her, and when Lucy looked into her eyes, Jasmine fell in love. “You are a beautiful young woman, Lucy. I bet you are the spitting image of your beautiful mother.” Lucy blushed and decided that she liked her already, since she had called her mother beautiful. She took Jaqueline by the hand and stood by, waiting for her father to take Jasmine’s arm. He stood as if he was mesmerized, not able to move a muscle. Lucy noticed his strange stance and elbowed him in the side. This woke him up to the fact that he should greet his new bride. “Hello, Jasmine. I’m simply delighted to meet you.” “Hello, Justin. I’m also delighted.” He took her by the arm and led her back to their wagon. Taking her luggage, he left Donnie in her arms, frowning at him for his forwardness. After helping her into the wagon, he lifted Jaqueline up into his arms and sat her down beside her mother. Lucy and Donnie were placed in the back, and they leaned over the seat the entire trip.

Justin didn’t live too far from town, so the trip didn’t take very long. By the time they did arrive back at the family home, Donnie had talked her ear off. They all jumped down from the wagon and took their new guests inside, shutting the world outside. The day was filled with showing them around and sharing conversation around the living room fireplace. The wood was crackling and the lamps were lit low, presenting a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Every time Jasmine would even act like she needed something, or was getting up, little Donnie was at her disposal. When Justin felt like he was taking up her space, he’d ask him to give her some room. However, she wouldn’t hear of it and she’d reach down and pull him up onto her lap. She looked quite content with a young son in her arms. Nightfall came and after seeing the children off to bed, Justin and Jasmine enjoyed each other’s company well into the early morning hours. Justin couldn’t get over how easy she was to talk with, and his heart became very hopeful that they would make a fine pair. She too, was filled with hope that she had finally found her cowboy. Finally, they decided they should tuck themselves in, so they could be filled with energy the next day. Kissing her on the cheek, he said goodbye to her at her door, and he turned around, going to the room that he was sharing with his son. Only the nights wind knew what the two were thinking as they lay in their beds. Morning would bring new promises, and they fell off into their own dreams.

The following morning, Jasmine woke up early, hoping to get started on their breakfast meal. When she wasn’t able to find things she needed, she crept back into the bedroom where she had slept with the girls. She leaned down close to Lucy and woke her with a loving smile. Lucy hadn’t been woken up like that since her mother had died, and she nearly cried at the sight of Jasmine looking into her eyes.

“Lucy, I’m sorry to have to wake you up. But, I’m fixing breakfast, and … “And you can’t find the lard?” “Yes, that’s right. How did you know?” “Because, I tried to tell Daddy where you’d be sure to find it. He disagreed and put it on the back porch, on the lower shelf.” “Well, I see that your daddy should have listened to you, my dear.” “Can I help you with breakfast?” “Of course you can. I would love that.” She took her by the hand and helped her out of bed. Noticing that her little slippers were lying nearby, she told her she should slip them on, because the floor was surely cold. Lucy slipped them on and followed her out of the door.

Breakfast was ready by the time the rest of them began stirring. Jasmine smiled sweetly as each one came into the kitchen, rubbing their eyes. “Where’s your father, Donnie Bill?” “He’s got up before the cock was crowing. Guess he was nervous.” She laughed at his answer and rubbed his head. “Okay, why don’t you hop up there in your seat, and I’ll call your father in.” She walked to the back porch, and hollered out the door, calling Justin in for breakfast. To his surprise, he loved the sound of her voice ringing across the back lot. It was pure heaven to hear a female’s voice again. “I’ll be right in, Jasmine.” She shut the door, and feeling the draft under the door on her feet, she could tell that it was going to be a very cold winter. It was only October and it was already getting cold. Running to the wood stove, she warmed her hands, watching out

the window to see Justin running to the house.

Breakfast went well, being led by family prayer. All heads bowed as Justin led them into praises and thanksgivings to the Lord. Before Justin could say Amen, Donnie threw in his own special prayer. “And, dear God, please see to it, that Jasmine and Jaqueline stay with us. Amen.” They all laughed, getting a kick out of his prayer. Jaqueline especially voiced how much she loved it, shaking her head and thanking Donnie Bill.

Another night and another day, and the two families began ing hands in love and heart. As each day ended, they could all feel their families uniting. It seemed to be an answered prayer for all. Nevertheless, with the Civil War taking place, the town was beginning to show signs of its destruction. It was becoming hard for people to get supplies, with all of their shipments being sent out of the community. Prices were rising, leaving no one able to afford anything. This led to violence very quickly and shootouts and fights filled the streets. Justin made it clear to his family that they would not be going to town, under any circumstances. He also knew that it wouldn’t be long until town would be coming to the country. Immediately, he began polishing and preparing his firearms, and hiding them in certain places, and he trained his entire family to use them. This created problems between him and Jasmine. She was totally against using any kind of weapons and was even more against the children being exposed to them. Trying to get her to understand, Justin became impatient with her. “Jasmine, you may come from a big city life. However, you have no idea how to live and survive here. You, too, must learn how to use these guns. I’ll expect you to be capable of defending your daughter and my children.” “I won’t touch a firearm. Violence leads to death. There are better ways to work out differences.”

“I agree. However, when it comes to someone who is hungry or just evil, they have no interest in working anything out. Even a child knows this.” “I won’t.” She slammed the back door and went back into the cabin, leaving him and all the children standing in the middle of the backyard. Justin was getting nowhere with her, and he knew his time was running short. Already, there had been word from town that gangs were riding into town, shooting anyone that crossed their paths. Yelling at her from outside, he said, “Dammit Jasmine! There’s a war going on! Can you understand that?” She poked her head out, replying, “Well, it certainly isn’t in my front yard. The only person I see creating a war is you!” Then, she slammed the door twice as hard.

Days ed and he gained no ground or . Nevertheless, Justin continued to teach the children how to aim and shoot. He taught them how to hide, and where to hide. He took them all over the farm, showing places they could hide out. He took them to the woods, teaching them how to climb trees quickly and quietly. He taught them how to survive in the woods, without anything. He wasn’t going to just sit in the house and wait for rustlers to come in and rape and kill his family. Jasmine could hear him outside and she held her hands over her ears, sinking into tears. She was considering returning to New York City, so she began collecting her things, and her daughter’s, throwing everything into suitcases. This wasn’t the cowboy she was looking for. Days went by and both of them continued their own devices at survival, and nights were long and miserable.

One morning, a horse could be seen down the road, and there was no rider. Justin

told them all to stay in the house, and he handed each child a gun. Then he walked over to Jasmine and placed one on her lap. He grabbed his rifle and began to walk down the long path, leading out to the road. The closer he got to the horse, the more he suspected trouble. It would take only five minutes for him to find out just how right he was. Out of nowhere, two men ran out from the woods and they jumped him. They were about to beat him to death, when his daughter ran out with her gun. Donnie Bill was right behind her. They began shooting before they got to them, and they both ran off in the woods. Jasmine wasn’t too far behind them, bringing the wagon. There, she helped his children load him into the wagon and they took him home. She wanted to take him to town, to the local doctor, but he refused to go. It took him three days to heal up from the beating, but when he did, he made it known to Jasmine that the men would be back in a matter of time. She stood gazing at him, realizing that he might be right and she finally gave in, allowing the guns to be in the house. It wasn’t long until she too, was taking practice, shooting at anything she could aim at. On one evening, just as they were being settled into their beds, she thought she heard a child crying. She ran to Justin and they both ran to the windows, listening to the sounds in the dark. She wanted to run outside and search for the child that she could hear crying, but he told her that it could be a trap. Not believing him, and thinking he had become heartless, she ran out to the porch. Standing on the edge of the porch, she listened, and just when she started to step down, Justin grabbed her and threw her back in the house. Within five minutes, a man ran up to the porch, trying to force his way in the home. He had used his own child as a decoy and was planning to kill all in the house. When Justine searched him, he was carrying a pistol in his pants and had planted two knives, just on the other side of the porch where Jasmine had stood. When Justin tried it her way, talking to the man and offering him and his daughter something to eat, the man acted out and went for his gun. This was the

first time that Justin had to shoot in order to live. The man fell to the ground, dying instantly. The daughter became an added family member and now they had one more mouth to feed. Slowly, Jasmine was becoming aware that country life and city life were two different ways to live. However, she didn’t run out to the porch for every noise she heard anymore. The war was everywhere, not just on some battlefield far off. It soon became every man for himself and the ones who ventured into town, either didn’t come back, or they were very good at sneaking in and out. People soon became aware that they were left to their own supplies and they would have to make do. The problem was always that the ones who hadn’t prepared, were the ones who would wreak havoc on those who had. Country wasn’t country anymore. Soldiers from both sides rode through the towns, ravaging women and children, stealing firearms and taking supplies, leaving the town raped and without. The ones who did survive their visits had to find food for themselves, and they knew right where to go. Day after day, Justin and his family had unwelcome visitors. They came announcing themselves, pleading and begging, and were fed and sent on their way. Alternatively, they came unannounced and were somehow, sent on their way to somewhere. Justin had no problem taking care of his own, even if it meant taking a life.

The battle raged on in battlefields all over the land. Family farms, as well as saloons in town, stunk of dead bodies left behind. There was no such thing as funerals and burials. When the battles were over, people would creep out into the streets and quickly remove the bodies to the outskirts of town. Nothing more could be offered, except prayers for the souls. During the raging war, Jasmine found out real quickly, that Justin was the man she had been looking for, and she went to him one day, claiming her love for

him. He was elated, wanting to marry her and set a ring on her finger. She pleaded with him to just be satisfied with having her there and begged him to not go into town. He was determined that he’d find a preacher, bring him back, with a ring in his hand. Nothing would talk him out of it. He told her to get ready to become Mrs. Justin Crowder, and waved a sweet goodbye. He had shown them all where they were to hide, if they saw or heard anything while he was gone. He had dug a cellar, and it was at the edge of the garden, just before the tree line began. That is where they would have to run to in order to hide. They could crawl down inside, pulling brush back over its opening and they’d never be seen. He had planted guns there, as well as food and water. All the children had practiced running, or sneaking out to the cellar, and had gotten quite good at it. While Justin was gone, Jasmine and the children were just sitting down for the noon meal. They could hear the horses stirring around in the barn and they knew something was afoot. She took them by the hand and she crept along the back yard, making their way to the prepared place. Only by God’s mercy were they able to get down into it without being seen. However, as they sat crouched down they could hear voices outside. The front door was slamming several times, and they could hear horses’ hooves hitting the dirt. Several times, Donnie Bill tried to get out of the cellar, knowing they had just been robbed. Nevertheless, Jasmine held him back. After they waited for a while, the noises stopped and she allowed him to peek out. Although there was no one around, they were amazed when they walked into the house. All their supplies and food was gone. Donnie ran to the barn, finding only two horses left. Jasmine began crying, thinking that she was to blame, but Lucy walked up to her and said, “Don’t cry Jasmine. We’ll be fine. The Lord will provide.” Jasmine grabbed her and held her close to her, knowing that a child had more faith than she had, and she dropped her head in shame. While she was holding her, they heard another set of hooves, and when they turned to look, it was Justin, and sitting behind him, was Preacher Jones. Justin was waving his arms, and in his hand, was a tiny golden band. Jasmine ran out to him, crying and confessing that she had failed him.

“What are you talking about?” “I have failed you and the children. We’ve been robbed.” He hopped off his horse and took her in his arms. “Jasmine, you haven’t failed. You protected the children. They’re alive.” “Yes, but everything we had is gone. All the food is gone.” “No, no it’s not.” “What?” “Darling, the food in the house would be stolen sooner or later. That’s why I keep the rest of it hidden in special places. We have much more, enough to live on for a year out here. You haven’t failed anyone.” She was filled with joy. He took her in his arms and looked at Preacher Jones. “Preacher, please hurry up and marry me to this woman, before someone comes along and steals her from me.” They all laughed and the two stood before God, repeated their vows, claiming to love and protect each other, until death do they part. It was a beautiful, but very simple ceremony, with only the children, Preacher Jones and the stock looking on. Nevertheless, that night, Justin was finally able to welcome his bride into his bedroom, keeping her warm through the night.

Mornings came early and most nights, they all took turns sleeping in shifts. This was the only option, because someone was always snooping around outside. Their biggest mistake would be not hearing them. Night after night, someone took their spot, sitting in special places, out of sight. They had their family dogs, two of them, and they were priceless for the times. Henry and Boo had been pets, living in the house for years. However, now, they

were needed on the front and back porch. One sat on each, and they heard if a grasshopper moved. This allowed the whole family to sleep much better. With the hard times of the war, all kinds of things happened. There were babies being brought into the world, somewhere across the county, weekly. There were still sick people that needed cared for, and somehow, education continued. Where there used to be one school and all the children traveled there, now there were many schools, which were convened in family homes. Church was the same way. No war was keeping Kansas City from sharing fellowship, and people met in one another’s home every week, faithfully. There was much to gain from the war, and it wasn’t all loss. Babies filled family homes with new cries, puppies and livestock were born, with the wails of all echoing across the fields. New friendships were made as they traveled to meet in fellowship. With the bad, always comes the good, and they learned quickly to appreciate every good moment they had.

Justin and Jasmine were very compatible and it wasn’t but a couple months when she delivered the news to her husband that he was about to become a father again. Staring down into her beautiful blue eyes, he was thrilled. He had one worry, and it was getting the doctor to her when it was time. He decided that he’d plead with Doc McCoy and see if he would come and stay with them, when it was closer to the birthday of their child. It was too risky to wait until the moment she went into labor. After a week, the doctor finally sent word back to Justin in a letter. “Justin, I would be very happy to come out and stay with you. Please get word to me, exactly three weeks before Jasmine is due. Then, I shall come.” It was signed by Doc McCoy, and sealed with his ink stamp. Justin was relieved and stopped worrying so much about it.

Weeks ed, and things had been running very smoothly for them on the farm.

Their lives were filled with chores, laughter and fun. They grew closer by the day and the home was bouncing with love. Jasmine became very useful to the entire community. She had ways about her that spelled nurture. She could take anyone that was sick or upset and they’d be up and around in no time. Doc McCoy was glad to have her and he offered her a job with him, after she had the baby. Justin wasn’t sure if he wanted her working outside the home, but after seeing her excitement, he agreed, along with his . She began at once studying medical books that the doctor had sent to her. She knew much of what she was seeing in the books, and at times, she thought the knowledge was useless. However, she still devoted a few hours a day to carefully reading them.

Summer turned into fall, and the north winds began to blow, leaving them with chilly nights. Leaves, golden, crisp and brown could be heard crunching beneath the children’s feet as they’d play. Nevertheless, with the leaves turning, Justin knew that it wouldn’t be long until the leaves would be covered with snow. Winters were very serious times in the country and he wasn’t sure how much Jasmine knew about winters. “Jasmine, how bad were the winters where you lived in New York City?” “Oh, they were horribly cold. However, I didn’t get out that much. Where I lived, in the same building, was the school. That’s where I worked.” “Well, winters here are horrible too, but we can’t stay inside. I will have to make sure I teach you the importance of dressing in layers.” “I’ll be fine, darling.” “I don’t want you going outside at all, when the cold blows in, do you hear me?” “That’s silly, Justin.” “No, no it’s not. This is especially important until after the baby is born and after

that, you must promise me that you will listen to me. You’ll be the only provider of our baby’s milk too, do you understand?” “Yes, of course.” Even the children knew the dangers of cold weather and they were already practicing what they knew. Donnie Bill knew how many layers it took in order to keep him from getting frostbite. He knew how long he could be out in the cold without being in danger. Lucy too, knew how to take precautions. Now it was time for Jasmine and Jaqueline to have their own lessons. Repeatedly, Donnie Bill made sure they understood how fast frostbite could take a foot or other body part, and he tested them. Their new mama took on very quickly to her children’s teachings and she thanked the Lord for their sharp minds. Not only was the time getting closer for Jasmine to have her child, but she also took part in helping other families bring their children into a broken world of war and chaos. She spent many hours in prayer, asking for God’s hand in matters. Two weeks before Doc McCoy moved in with her and the family, she helped him deliver a young woman’s baby. This time, it was sad news and it left Jasmine with a sour taste in her mouth for medicine. She had held the baby in her arms, breathing into his little mouth, but no matter how devoted she was, she couldn’t save the child. It tore her up for three weeks. When Doc moved in, he knew that she needed to get over her depression and he desperately tried to find ways to bring life back to her. She sat for hours at a time, staring out a window, looking at nothing. He’d also find her with a handful of laundry, not knowing what she needed to do next. Out of concern, he sat Justin down and told him that he was growing very worried about Jasmine. “I’m telling you that if we can’t find something, and soon, to bring her out of this, it could put her and your child in danger.” “What can I do?” “First of all, pray that the Lord will warm her heart with His almighty presence. She needs His peace. Next, I really don’t know, Justin.”

Lucy heard Doc and her daddy talking about it and she went away, sitting on the front porch, crying. She had to come up with something, and she must hurry. She spent a week, thinking about it. Then, one Sunday morning, she tried it. It was time to get ready to go to church. Jasmine wasn’t known to ever miss Sunday church, even in the worst of times. Nothing was any different when she was depressed. She may have slacked at anything else, but not church. She was up early, getting things prepared and she noticed that Lucy wasn’t out in the kitchen. That wasn’t normal for her and she ran into her bedroom. There, she found Lucy curled up in a ball, holding her stomach and in tears. “Oh my Lord, Lucy, what is it?” She ran to her side and lifted her up into her arms. “I’m feeling awful sick, Jasmine. I need my mama.” “Oh darling, I’m so sorry. What can I do to help?” “I need Mama!” She cried and cried, not being consoled. Jasmine was beside herself with worry. She couldn’t stand it when a child was sick and it brought her quickly to putting Lucy’s condition above all. Lucy was brilliant and she was doing a great job faking her illness. Her younger brother knew when she was sick and when she wasn’t. He walked in and said, “She’s not sick. She’s faking.” “What?” Jasmine couldn’t believe it. She rushed to him, asking why he would say such a thing about his sister. When her back was turned, Lucy shot him a frown and hinted to him to shut up. If it wasn’t for the fact that Lucy was such a good sister to him, he would have carried on with the truth. However, something in her eyes, made him follow the plan. When Jasmine ran from the bedroom to the kitchen, Lucy leaned over and told her little brother to run to his room and act sick. He didn’t know why he was doing it, but he did it. Before long, Jasmine’s time was spent running back and forth between the

children, tending to them. The plan worked. It got her mind off her own thoughts long enough to finally discover what the children had done. Although it warmed her heart that they would take control of the situation and pull her out of her depressed state, they still had to face the penalty of causing them all to miss church that day. They spent the whole week with their Bibles in their laps, every minute they weren’t doing outside chores. Nevertheless, they didn’t mind and shared secret grins about it and it got them through the week.

It was three weeks until Jasmine would be going into labor and Doc McCoy had everything in place in order to bring their child into the world. Jasmine was better and no longer dealing with her depression and guilt over losing the baby in delivery. She was bright eyed and full of boundless energy. The cold weather had come and the crunching leaves were now covered with layers of snow. Jasmine wasn’t allowed out of the house and everyone in the family was keeping a close eye on her. If she attempted to go out, someone was right behind her, pulling her back in. Rustlers and drifters had come to a lull and the town was keeping itself above water. Kinfolk had come together, as well as neighbors, and they were pitching in and providing for one another. During the raids, some homes had been burned down, but they managed to rebuild before the winter storm blew in. Grocery shelves were once again filled, and farmers weren’t afraid to bring their products to town to sell. The idea of war was beginning to look like a fairy tale and many people became complacent. One person though, didn’t fall for the illusion. Justin had seen it before. He knew that there was an underlying battle going on and it was only going through a phase of what only looked like peace. He continued to live and prepare just as he had been doing. He, at times, had to remind Jasmine that the war was still on. He still kept most of their food and supplies hidden and out of sight. His children were a huge blessing to him because they weren’t easily fooled, either.

The cold bitter storm in Kansas City came to an unusual extent and no one was prepared for its bite. People, who ventured out too far or too long, were taking a risk of losing their lives. Unfortunately, several did. When Justin returned from town one afternoon, he came upon a wagon and when he approached it, with his gun drawn, he saw that is was empty. Climbing down from his horse, he crept closer and when he reached it, he peeked inside. There, he found an elderly woman huddled in a corner, barely alive. He rushed to her side and began warming her immediately. When he searched for her hands, he found them curled up, and frozen. She had them tucked inside her clothes, but to no avail, because frostbite had taken them. He took her into his arms and began massaging her, and praying out to God, he asked him to let her live. The woman couldn’t speak and he could hear rattles coming from her throat. When he asked her where her kin was, she raised her limp arm the best that she could and pointed it in the direction to the south. He removed his outer coat and wrapped her in it. Then, he stepped out of the wagon. Holding his hand up over his face, his eyes scanned the area in front of him. The snow was blowing so hard, that he couldn’t see a thing. He knew that if her husband had left the wagon that he never made it alive and the only choice he had was to take the woman with him on his horse. Both their horses had dropped dead and were nearly frozen to the ground. He picked her up in his arms and carried her to his horse. Somehow, he was able to lift her up, placing her in the saddle, and then he hopped up with her. Turning her around, facing him, he leaned her into him and he covered her upper body with a blanket on the horse. He rode the rest of the way home, with her head buried into his chest, and he could feel her wheezing. He continued to pray for her life and by the time he reached his house, she was able to move. He could feel her move her arms underneath the blanket, as if she was trying to pat him. It broke his heart, and he began singing praises to God, hoping that it would strengthen her faith. When he rode up his son, Donnie Bill, could see him coming, and he ran out to

meet his daddy. Fighting the wind, his little body rocked to and fro, as he made it to his daddy’s side. The boy wasn’t big enough to take the woman down off the horse, so he had to stand there and wait until his pa could get down. Justin managed, and then carried her inside the house. Lucy was at his side immediately and hollered out for Jasmine, who had been in the back bedroom, laying her daughter down. Jaqueline had caught a cold and had been suffering all morning with fever and aches. “Oh Justin, what happened?” she cried out, when she saw him lay her down near the fireplace. “Grab me all the blankets you can find, and hurry!” He placed her on a thick rug in front of the fireplace and continued massaging her body. Looking at her thin legs, he worried that it might be too late. They were beginning to turn dark. Doc McCoy had been outside and when he heard the commotion, he ran inside. Barreling through the kitchen, he reached Justin’s side. He looked down at the woman and nearly choked on tears. He tapped Justin on the shoulder and pointed to her hands. Shaking his head, he knew that he was going to have to remove them both. Justin began to tear up and he hit his knees, praying for God to save her hands. Jasmine ed his side, along with the children and they prayed for God’s almighty hand to warm her. Doc continued to massage them while they prayed.

Nearly two hours later, Doc could see her hands turning back to normal. He reached down and touched them, turning them gently. She was able to move them and he yelled out in delight. “My God, my dear God, He has spared her hands!” Everyone ran to her side and they began singing praises to God for His mercy. The little woman began holding up her hands, wiggling them back and forth,

with a smile across her face. Doc pulled the blanket off her legs and where they had begun to turn black, they were now white. He buried his face down into the woman’s chest, crying and thanking God. The woman’s name was Mabella Reed. Her and her husband had been ing through, trying to beat the storm. When the snow became so thick and the horses couldn’t go on, they were forced to pull over. Leaving his wife in the wagon, he got out and was going to try to seek help. However, she hadn’t seen him in two days. Everyone gathered around her as she told her story and tears ran down her face. She had to accept the fact that she had lost her husband somewhere out there in the storm. Justin ran to her side, promising her that as soon as the snow cleared some, he would go and find her husband, Clyde and give him a decent burial. Mabella continued to be warmed and her body did recover. One hand remained partially weak and she wasn’t able to hold anything in it. However, that was a small loss, compared to what it could have been. The snow did ease up long enough for Justin and Doc to hunt down Clyde, and they found him, buried in snow. His foot was the only thing sticking out. When they pulled him out and carried him to the wagon, Justin noticed that he was holding something in his hands. Carefully, he was able to remove it, sliding it between the man’s fingers. It was a heart locket necklace. Justin wrapped it in a hankie and slid it into his shirt pocket, and then they returned to the house. When he went to Mabella’s side, he leaned down and slid the heart locket into her hand, and she wept.

They buried Clyde, underneath a tree that Mabella had chosen, and she was promised that as soon as weather permitted, she would be allowed to go to his side and say her goodbyes. Justine and Doc made a bench, and working in the barn for a couple hours, they came out. Mabella watched from a window as they placed the bench beside his grave. Looking up into the snow filled sky, she thought about the day when she’d be

able to sit by her husband. With a sigh, she sunk down into her chair, falling asleep. However, for now, Mabella had a new family and a new home. They had another new member of the family. The little girl, Elizabeth, that was part of their family now, never asked about her daddy who had used her as a decoy in order to rob them. Melissa grew to love them more than she had loved her father. Being six years old, she had found a playmate in Donnie Bill and they became inseparable. Now, they had taken in two new in their family.

It was a Sunday morning, when Jasmine’s child decided to enter the world. The storm had returned vigorously, and going to church become an outdated concept. No one went outside the walls of the cozy home. However, when Justin was sitting at the kitchen table and he heard that all too familiar scream, he ran to her side. Doc wasn’t far behind, and the children in the house began pacing the floor. She was in labor, and there was nothing going to stop it. Between Doc, Justin and Lucy, the bouncing baby girl came into the world, very hard. Cries rang out from the child and Jasmine wept uncontrollably. Mother and child were in perfect condition and Justin ed her in praises to God. Doc handed the baby over to Jasmine, reminding them both that she needed a name. They sat together, holding hands and the beautiful child, and Jasmine looked into Justin’s eyes and said, “I think we should name her, Winter Rose. Winter, because she was born in the dead of winter and Rose because we long for spring.” “I think that’s a wonderful idea, sweetheart. I’ll bounce it off the children.” He got up, ran out to the living room, and announced to them that they had a very healthy sister, and her name was Winter Rose. They all ran to him, begging to see her. One by one, they ed Jasmine’s side, gazing on their sister. The Lord had given and blessed and everyone, including Mabella, rejoiced.

Winter Rose grew and never had to worry about being neglected. There was always someone at her side. Mabella became very helpful, loving to rock her. Mabella’s legs hadn’t returned to normal, but she could manage rocking a baby on her lap. She sat for hours, spoiling the newcomer. However, not many cries were heard, because if she started to cry, someone picked the baby her up. Jasmine scolded them for constantly picking her up, but it became a useless effort, and she gave in, letting them spoil her rotten. Doc stayed with them for another week, making sure that mama and child were coming along, and then Justin drove him back to town. They were sad to see him go, but looked forward to his coming visits, once the snow ed.

Things returned to a normal household that was filled with laughing children and the sounds of a baby’s coo. She was delightful and had stolen the hearts of all. Jasmine blossomed, becoming more beautiful with time. Justin and she became very affectionate to each other, always kissing one another’s cheek, displaying their love for one another. Lucy and Jaqueline grew quite close, always together, running back and forth through the home, chasing Winter Rose. Justin kept his eyes fixated on the skies, looking for signs of storms and his ears listened in the darkness for any stragglers hanging around. His son, Donnie Bill was growing into a fine young boy, full of puppy dog tails and his frog collection. A day didn’t go by when someone, somewhere, didn’t wake to a frog slipped inside their covers. As odd as it seemed to Justin, Jasmine had forbidden the children to call her mama. It broke his heart to watch his children bite their tongues, so they wouldn’t mess up. They desperately needed to say the word, and he needed to hear it. She, of course, allowed her own children to title her with the precious label, but Justin’s children were not allowed. He grew tired of seeing his children’s sadness, and finally drew her to the side and asked her why she forbade it.

“Justin, I just can’t stand on that sacred ground. Their mother is their mama.” “Darling, let me show you something. Can you put on your heavy coat and come with me?” “Why, I suppose.” She ran to get her coat and ed his side. They walked to the pasture outback and he drew her close to him, providing his body heat. “Look out there. Do you see that tiny calf?” “Yes, I see it.” “Okay, just watch. It won’t take too long, now.” A small calf stood out in the pasture, shivering. Its mother had died early that morning and Justin knew what would follow. He chose to use the situation, in hopes to reach his beautiful wife. As the calf stood in the middle of the pasture, it cried out, with the sounds of ‘mama’. Repeatedly, it cried. As Jasmine watched, her eyes scanned the heifers and cows that were standing a distance away. None would come to the poor thing. “What’s wrong with them all? My Lord, why aren’t they going to it?” “Its mother died early this morning. There’s nothing that can be done, unless one of these go to its side and accept it as their own. Just watch.” One by one, the older females would turn their backs as the calf cried. However, with time, one female approached the young calf and it wasn’t long until she took the calf to her. Jasmine watched carefully as it nurtured the baby. “Look! She’s taking it. She’s taking it. Thank the Lord!” The calf turned quiet, looking content and the cries for ‘mama’ were silenced. It had found its home. Justin turned to Jasmine, hoping that she would understand. Then, he said, “My children’s eyes are pained. I see it. They need to say the words, mama. I need to hear those words. Jasmine, they need you to fully accept them as their mother.

“Can you see?” She broke down in tears and fell into his chest, weeping bitterly over what she had done. In her effort to keep their mother’s memory alive, she had stolen from them their ability to feel loved. She begged him to forgive her and then she ran to the house, and grabbed them all into her arms. “My children! Please, please call me mama. Please accept me as your new mother. I’ll never try to take the place of your mother, but I dearly need to hear the words, mama.” They wrapped their arms around Jasmine and Justine stood, watching, with tears rolling down his cheeks. Once again, Justin was able to apply a real life situation, to a real life tragedy that was taking place. Now, his family could move on. After that moment, mama was heard echoing through the hills, from every direction. Yes, the hills were alive with sounds of love and the children finally found their secure resting spot in Jasmine. Never again, did Justin have to feel his children’s pain, because they needed to say one little word.

Towards the end of winter, Jasmine took Lucy to the side, realizing that she was at the age of maturity. She could sense that she would soon be facing womanhood. Not knowing if the child had been told anything, she wrapped her loving arms around her, explaining what her body would be going through. “How do you know that I’ll be going through this in the next week or so?” “Let’s just say that a woman has a way of knowing these things. Just what I have told you, and why these things will happen. Can you understand?” “Yes, I think so. I Mama telling me that someday I’d wake up to a surprise. I guess she was right.” “Yes, your mother was very right. I wanted to speak with you about it, so you wouldn’t be afraid when it happens, sweetheart.” “Can I run to you when it does come?”

“Oh dear, you can run to me every time it comes.” They laughed and returned to their daily chores. It was about a week later, and the rooster had crowed. All was silent in the house, not even a baby was crying. Jasmine was awakened to the sounds of groans. She smiled and leaned over, kissing Justin on his face. Barely awake, he asked, “What is it, why are you getting up?” “I do believe that your daughter has just come into womanhood.” “What?” He sat straight up. “Just relax dear, and let nature take its course. She’ll be fine and will always be your baby girl.” “What are you talking about?” “I’m telling you that your daughter just started her monthly menstrual cycle.” “Dear God, Jasmine. It’s five in the morning. They’re all asleep. How would you know this?” “Not everyone is fast asleep. One young girl is having cramps.” “What? I don’t see her. I don’t hear anything.” “You, my dear, are a man. A woman can sense these things.” “Well, you must have some pretty good ears, if you hear Lucy cramping.” She kissed him and hurried out of the room and to Lucy’s side. She took her into her arms and cuddled up with her. Placing her hand on her tiny stomach, she began to massage it. There sat Lucy, finding the comfort she needed. “Jasmine, how did you know?” “A mama always hears her children when they hurt.” Lucy cuddled up and fell back to sleep in no time at all. An hour later, when she

woke, she hadn’t walked very far and the surprise her mother had warned her about, finally came. As she stood in the center of the kitchen, she took out running for the back door. Jasmine laid down her dishtowel, patted Justin on the shoulder. She grabbed some linens and said, “Watch the children, dear. Your daughter needs her mama.” Looking like a calf at a new gate, Justin sat straight up. Then, he ed what she had told him earlier. Shaking his head, the first thing he thought was, Oh dear, now I have another woman to deal with. He finished that thought with a half-smile.

Spring was in the air, barely, but its promise was lingering. Everyone in the house could feel it and they shared the same affection for its arrival. Mabella was even into the celebration. For an elderly woman that had suffered in the dangerous weather, she was able to dance a few steps. Picking up Winter Rose, she turned in slow circles, singing, “Winter Rose, Winter Rose, do you feel it? Winter Rose, Winter Rose, can you see it? Winter Rose, Winter Rose, can you hear it? Roses are about to bloom!” She then looked down into the child’s eyes, and said, “Little one, you are about to find out why your sweet mama gave you the middle name of Rose.” The snow began to melt, green grass began to sprout, and the sounds of birds filled the day’s noises. Donnie Bill wasted no time at all and he went as actively searching for all kinds of critters. The skies sun began to shine down, promising warm weather right around the corner. It gave more of a reason for them to get complacent, thinking things were all fine. However, Justin reminded them that the war was still raging and he sat them down one day for a very important talk. Grabbing a kitchen chair, he sat down in the middle of the living room. Everyone circled around to hear him. Instead of him telling them a bedtime story, or one of Jesus’ parables, he was going to give them strong and needed advice. “I know that you all are filled with excitement because of spring, but I have to

remind you all that there is still a war.” “Justin, please, just let us enjoy what is to come.” “We can assuredly enjoy it and appreciate its coming. But, we mustn’t forget what else is coming.” Jasmine was tired of hearing the warnings. She was tired of sad tragedies, taking lives. She only wanted to hear the good things. “Jasmine, please hear me out. What’s coming, is something you’ve never experienced. And though things are quiet now, it won’t be long until quiet will be a thing of the past.” “What in the world are you speaking of? Spring is coming.” “Yes, it is. More people will be out and about.” “Of course. We all want to get out of our homes. The war is not in our backyard, Justin. It’s going to end soon.” “No, it’s not in our backyard, but it’s coming. In addition, yes, it’s ending. But, the aftermath will do the damage that will affect us personally.” Mabella knew exactly what he was getting at. She stood and cleared her throat and told them all to listen up. “I have taught you all everything that you need to know. I have shown you where to go for shelter. You know where the food and water are hidden. You know how to shoot and hit your target, and you know how dearly I love you all.” Jasmine was listening, but she didn’t like it. The children’s ears perked up, and they moved in closer to their father. “Daddy, are you trying to tell us something to last a lifetime?” He took Lucy into his arms and nearly wept at her words. “Lucy, I speak what I feel, and I want you all to know how dear you are to me; that’s all.”

He left them with a lesson and without even knowing it, he was leaving them his love, just in case things went bad.

Weeks ed and word came from town, ripping through the hearts of those who understood. Feeling blessed by the fact that the telegram brought news of the ending war, was mixed with the fear of what would come. Only those who really understood walked away with bittersweet thoughts. Gathering their loved ones, people scurried off to their homes. Justin heard the news when a friend and neighbor, Porter Thompson, rode up into his yard. The two had grown up together and they both had a past of getting each other through the hard times. They also were aware that just because a war has ended, it didn’t mean that another one hadn’t just begun. As Justin hugged his dear friend, a tear ran down his cheek. They held each other for a time and wished them well. Then, Porter rode away, never to see Justin again. Jasmine began thinking about what her husband was trying to tell her and daily, her heart felt increasing sadness. She began drawing her children to her breast, holding them for extended periods. Their bright eyes gave her hope, courage, and the faith she needed. She wasn’t sure what could happen, but she knew that her husband knew what he was talking about. Jasmine was seen curling up in his arms as they say on their sofa, watching the children play on the floor. Times that were once sweet turned sweeter with everyone fully appreciating one another’s love.

It was two weeks later, when the final tragedy came home. The sun was blaring in the sky, looking promising for a good day of fishing. Donnie Bill was excited, waiting for his father to get ready to hit the fishing hole. His sisters were looking forward to the picnic they’d have when the men returned with a basket full of fish. The birds were chirping and flying in the sky,

yet a silence fell. Standing in the barn, Justin could sense that the day would bring an encounter. Slowly, he walked from the barn and ed his son’s side. “Son, we’re not going to be able to hit that fishing hole this morning.” “Aw, pa, why not?” “ what I have told you about the things that would be coming?” Very seriously, he studied his father’s face. “Yes, I do, daddy.” “Well, I could be wrong, but I think something will happen today. You need to only what I have taught you son. No more, no less. Can you understand?” “Yes, pa.” He hugged his father and then he stood, looking two feet taller. Justin looked down into his son’s tender eyes and he saw the spark he needed to see. The boy had become a man, or at the very least, acted like one. Justin could see the transformation and it pleased his heart that his young son would be able to face his trial. He prayed to God as he held Donnie Bill, asking the Lord to save his son, and all his children. His greatest desires were whispered from his heart and then, he walked the boy inside. “I thought you two were probably gone by now. We need that fish so we can enjoy that picnic.” “We aren’t able to go this morning, Jasmine.” “Why not? Is one of you ill?” “No dear. I believe that we should all just stick together and enjoy our company. We’ll fish on another nice day.” Jasmine nearly spoke out, until she saw the new look on her son’s face. She too, could see the child transforming into a fine young man. She looked back and

forth to her husband and to her son, understanding perfectly well, why fishing would have to wait. She ed her husband’s side, wrapping her arm around his waist. Then, they went into the living room and sat in a circle, singing songs.

It was another two hours, before time would tell if Justin had sensed the coming. As they say there, the house went silent, and they heard horse hooves hit the dirt, and hooting and hollering as well. Justin rose from his chair, picked up his gun and walked to the window. There looked to be about a dozen or so; horses with a rider on each one. They were a distance away, but still, they were coming. He turned to Jasmine and told her to take the children and to go to their hiding space. Tears poured down her face and she handed the baby over to Mabella. “What are you doing, Jasmine?” “I’m standing with my husband.” “No, you’re not. Get your butt out to the cellar, right now.” She stood firm. She ordered the children and Mabella to take their place in the cellar and she crossed her arms in front of her. “I’m not going. There’s nothing you can do. Don’t waste our time by throwing out effortless demands.” Lovingly, he looked into her eyes and saw her devotion and her courage. He didn’t want to accept it, but he knew she was serious. For the sake of the children’s safety, he ordered them all to go. One by one, they ran, hand in hand, heading to the cellar. Justin returned to the window, watching the riders approach. Jasmine stood, with her rifle in one hand and her arm around her husband. Mabella made it to the cellar, placed Winter Rose deep inside, and then she

began sitting all the children down. That was when one child got loose from her and Donnie Bill crawled back out of the hole. “You get back here, Donnie Bill! Come back.” She screamed for the boy to return. It went unheard and he ran to the house. “Donnie Bill! We have guns in here too, come back.” He ran all the way and opened the back door. She sank back into the cellar, weeping. The young boy who had transformed into a man, in a moment’s notice, had ran back into the house, to take his place with his father. By the time Justin saw his son, it was too late to make him leave. The riders were at the edge of the path that led straight to their cabin. Justin grabbed his son, tears ran down his eyes, and he kissed Donnie Bill on his cheek. Jasmine cried out for Donnie Bill to go back to the cellar. However, Justin placed his hand on her shoulder, hushing her. He knew that the man in his young son wasn’t going to hear her. She looked into Justin’s eyes, and she whispered “I love you.”

It didn’t take long for one side to win. The riders barreled into the house, deciding to take their chances. Although several were killed in the gun battle, the only ones that walked out alive, were the three that came in on horses. Jasmine, Justin and their grown up son, Donnie Bill, held down the fort, giving their family time to remain hidden away. However, as shots rang out, each one watched as the other took a hit. When the smoke had cleared, one of the riders stood over the three bodies, and said, “Damn, that one was just a little boy. He was a hell of a shot.” There they lay. They managed to meet in the middle of the room. Their hands were ed as they took their last breath. The battle, for them, was over. The riders rummaged through the house, taking all they could fit on their horses. Then they began to circle around the farm, entering the barn and finding nothing to steal, they walked back out. As they were heading back to their horses, one of them stopped dead in his tracks.

Slowly he walked backwards, toward the hidden cellar. Kicking the dirt along the way, when he stood right over the opening, he paused. Then, he turned around, walking away. The other two men had their backs to him, and they had been checking the garden for ripe vegetables. That’s when Mabella raised the cellar door, very quietly. With her weak arms, she raised the rifle up to her face. She could sense that the man was going to come back and she wasn’t taking the chance. Just as the man yelled out, telling them that he heard something and was hunting it down, she fired the gun, and the man dropped to his knees. The other two ran towards her with their pistols drawn and Mabella fired two more shots, hitting them both. An older woman that needed the strength to hold a rifle, found that strength when she needed it. Moments after she had shot the men, her arm went back limp, hanging to her side. The Lord provided when it was time.

Mabella and the girls were able to collect their fallen loved ones and they buried them alongside of her own dear husband, who had died in the snow. It was a quiet and sad day, and not many words were spoken. However, the love that lived in the home, lived on. They went on to take care of the family farm, bringing in an abundant harvest. Storing food for the winter, they ed everything that Justin had taught them. They saved enough food for a year and they tucked it out of sight, in secret places. They kept the cellar stocked as well. They continued to practice their hunting and gathering skills, and they kept their father’s targets up, hanging along the fence.

The wars had ended. Daily chores filled their time, and they sat in the living room, worshiping God and thanking Him for their blessings. Mama became a title that had to be laid to rest, until one day, Lucy would bring her child into the world.

They spoke of their blessings and they kept their mama’s memories alive.

Six years later, Lucy met a young man, and she was courted the old fashioned way, for a good year. Then, on one fine spring day, she stood before God and her family and gave her hand over to Bradley Stone. As she stood, looking out at her sisters, she smiled, knowing that she too, would soon be making her own family, giving them many to love. Bradley didn’t have the heart to move Lucy away from her family, so he moved into their family home, making it his own. Months went by and sounds of laughter filled the home again. One spring day, Lucy walked up behind her husband and wrapped her arms around him. He grew silent, when he felt a distance between them that he’d never felt before. Reaching around, he gently grabbed her arm and turned around to face her. “Are we …. “Are we what?” “Oh, dear God, are we having a baby? Are you expecting?” “What in the world makes you say that, Bradley Stone?” “Well, um. I don’t mean anything by this, but you seemed so far away when you were behind me.” She chuckled and slapped him on the arm, gently. “Are you trying to tell me that I’m getting fat, Bradley?” “No, of course not. I don’t think so. Lord, help me out of this one.” She laughed and then she jumped up into his arms. “Yes! Yes! We are having a baby!” They both screamed and danced in circles. About that time, Mabella turned the corner, seeing them. A smile spread across her face and she quietly tucked away

into another room. “Oh, Lord, were having another baby!” she whispered to herself. She kept the secret, waiting for them to announce their news. Finally, that afternoon, Lucy sat them all down, and she said “I miss that one word, don’t you guys?” They knew exactly what word she meant, because they all missed the sweet sounds of mama ringing through the house. With Donnie Bill gone, all that was left was Jaqueline and Elizabeth. They both had been growing lonely and missed the sounds of mama. Jaqueline turned to look at Lucy and before Lucy could even tell her, she knew. She ran to her side and wrapped her arms around her, weeping. “Sweetheart, it won’t be long until you’ll hear that one little word that brought this family together. We are having a baby. You’re going to be Aunt Jaqueline, and you’re going to be Aunt Elizabeth.” They jumped up and down and knew that celebrations were in order. They spent the day eating all the food that Jaqueline and Elizabeth could cook. Then they ended the evening with Bible study and prayer. As they each crawled under their blankets, you could hear that beautiful word, mama being whispered in the dark.

The war had ended. Its affects had also faded away, leaving half of a family behind to withstand the pain in their losses. However, certain little memories stayed near and each one meant something new each day. The girls missed their brother and they secretly prayed for Lucy to bring another boy into the family. Of course, they’d love a sister, but their hearts missed the sounds of a brother, collecting his critters and sneaking them into their covers. They missed Donnie Bill and his amazing carefree spirit. They longed to see through the eyes of a small boy, because their brother had transformed into a man when the trial lay before him. They paid visits to their loved ones graves daily. Someone was always stopping by to drop little dandelions or wild flowers by their headstones. Life went on, but

the memory of those they loved, also went on. Mama was a word that was clearly heard after Lucy gave birth to her first of many children. A bouncing baby boy made his way into his Aunt’s hearts and it wouldn’t be long until he would remind them that he too, could catch critters. Willie Don was a delight and he was most proud of the fact that he carried his great Uncle’s name. He told everyone he met that he was named after his Uncle Donnie Bill. “Yea, my Uncle was Donnie Bill. You know, Bill is short for William, which is long for Willie? I’m Willie Don.” People just rubbed his head, smiled and walked on, repeating the names over in their minds, trying to see the point. You could hear the couples discussing the two sets of names, as they walked away. However, no one truly understood the meaning of the names, more than Lucy. Her dear brother lived on in the name of her son.

Lucy went on to have three more children in the next four years. Mama could be heard, from every direction and each time she heard it, she smiled. Jacqueline also grew up and she began courting a nice young boy, who visited for supper every Sunday evening. Mabella lived long enough to see Lucy’s second child, a little girl they named Mary Bell. She held her on her weakened legs, up until the day she died. Taking her last breath, she spoke to Lucy, telling her of her undying love. Then, she closed her eyes. Lucy filled her home with amazing children and she kept her parents and brother’s memories alive. She never forgot the day that Jasmine ran into the house, allowing the children to call her mama. The look in Jasmine’s eyes told her that she had yearned to be called mama ever since the day they met. However, because Jasmine was afraid of walking on solid ground, she had chosen to suffer the loss. Where Justin loved his children, he found a most

loving way to help Jasmine lay the children’s mother to rest, taking her by the hand and having her watch the lone calf. Now, Lucy stood at the graves, dropping petals of flowers down onto the ground. Looking at her mother’s grave and then back at Jasmine’s, she smiled and whispered, “I love you, Mamas.” Then, she walked back into her family’s cabin, hearing Mama ring out as soon as her children heard her footsteps. What a glorious thing it was to be called a mama!

THE END

Starving Orphan Girl

“You there! Get back here!” Beatrice panted even though she was barely trotting away from the policeman wielding a baton. She stuffed the pilfered roll into her mouth as she urged her weak legs to carry her a little faster. Beatrice knew the bit of bread wouldn’t grant her instant strength or speed. It wouldn’t even sustain her until the next meal she was able to scrape together. However, she’d needed something. Anything. In addition, she thought she’d been discreet. It was just a little roll, after all. No one was going to miss it. “I see you!” the policeman bellowed, making Beatrice jump, but it was hard for him to slip through the crowd of people she was darting through. Ever so often, it paid to be as slight as she was — even if it was symptom of not having enough to eat. She finally managed to chew and swallow the roll, wondering if the small dent it made in her hunger would be worth it. She willed herself onward, ducking through one alley and another, counting on the fact that getting caught up in the crowd would slow the policeman, make him lose sight of her for just a few precious seconds. All it took was seconds to find a safe place to hide. Beatrice rounded the corner, her lungs burning at her pace, and saw her salvation as plain as day. A small chapel, tucked away among a row of buildings, would be perfect to duck into — as long as the policeman didn’t see her do it. Her goal in sight, Beatrice took the time and effort to dart into several more alleys, taking a roundabout path to the chapel to ensure she’d knocked the policeman off her scent. She was running so fast now that she didn’t dare turn back, her skirts flapping around her. When she finally gained access to the chapel via an open side door in a terribly

narrow walkway, Beatrice had to struggle to slow her breathing. It sounded harsh to her ears, and she was sure vicars and faithful alike would be able to tell that she was in trouble just from the rasp and rattle. However, the sanctuary was blissfully empty. Perhaps the vicar had stepped away only for a moment. It was fortuitous, and Beatrice would take whatever divine intervention God might grant her. He was the only one intervening on her behalf now, and she didn’t often get in his good graces anymore. More often than not, Beatrice felt like she was the only one in her world. No one helped her. Collapsing into a pew, her heart still struggling to regain its normal pace, Beatrice reflected on her life. A chapel was as good a place as any One good thing about her life, she decided, was that she too busy to lament anything. If she ever stopped one day and had the time to really think about things, she was afraid she’d never be able to stop. There were plenty of things to regret, plenty of things to decry, but Beatrice didn’t have the luxury of lounging around all day, regretting and decrying her life. The worst of it wasn’t her fault, she knew. The worst of it was just a terrible combination of bad luck, a chain of events that she could do nothing with but cope. For one, she was born a woman. That was the first cosmic error. The second was that both of her parents had died during an epidemic of influenza, leaving Beatrice an orphan at a young age. Even when her parents had been alive, everything was hard. If there wasn’t an illness sweeping the cramped confines of the city, an epic freeze lasted for weeks killed people in their homes. Both of her parents had to work to scrape together enough money to keep their small flat over their heads and a little bit of food in their bellies. Beatrice’s mother had been a washerwoman, and her father had worked at the docks on the river, offloading cargo from ships that had come to London from all corners of the world. Some of Beatrice’s brightest memories were of speculating with her father just what all those boxes contained.

“Pearls,” she’d gush, her eyes wide. “Rubies,” he would counter, grinning. Her parents always tried to distract Beatrice from the fact of their destitution. Truly, it wasn’t until their deaths that she realized how poor they had been. “Look at this hovel,” one policeman had muttered to the other after they’d arrived to escort Beatrice to the orphanage. “Where are your things, girl?” the other demanded. “Haven’t you packed yet?” “Packed what?” she asked meekly, hardly daring to glance up to meet their eyes. Both of them had laughed like she’d just made the funniest joke they’d ever heard. “Nothing in the world but the dress you’re wearing,” the first policeman had said finally, “and there are still those worse off than you.” “I don’t know,” the other policeman said as they escorted Beatrice out of the only home she had ever known. “Nothing much worse than an orphan girl.” There it was. Spoken like a prophecy, the words echoed around in Beatrice’s mind, staying with her even years later. It was her experience that there was truly no worse sentence than that; a young orphan girl. Life at the orphanage had been so brutal — beatings from the monsters who had been in charge, not enough food to feed all of them at mealtime, the bullies who lived among the population — that Beatrice had decided to take her chances living out on the streets. Packing up a little food she’d been able to pilfer, Beatrice sneaked out of the institution late one night and slept in a doorway in a quiet alley. She’d thought that nothing could be as bad as the conditions inside the orphanage, especially as she still grieved for the parents she’d lost, but Beatrice had been so naïve.

Her situation was no better on the streets, she soon discovered. On the streets, youngsters ran around in gangs. Beatrice had been too timid to up with any of them, too scared to approach anyone, child or adult. She ate whatever she could find, learned to steal quicker than she’d like to it, and grew to realize that the best way for her to survive was to make herself invisible. As long as she could slip through the streets and alleyways as unnoticed as possible, she found that she could escape the wrath of most anyone who didn’t like children — or girls. In her teens, Beatrice thought she met her guardian angel. “You, girl,” said a woman with a downright imperial voice, pointing at Beatrice. At the time, Beatrice had been eating an apple. To this day, the fruit still held a special meaning for her. “Me?” Beatrice had asked, pointing at her own chest. “You’re the only girl around,” the woman said. She had a posh fur slung over her shoulders even though the weather wasn’t cold enough to warrant it. Beatrice suddenly had the idea that the woman would probably wear the fur in sweltering weather — simple because she had it and wanted other people to see her sport it. Beatrice approached cautiously, ducking her head down as the woman studied her. “You’re a pretty little thing,” the woman said. “Are you in need of employment?” Beatrice flinched. If the woman was already saying she was pretty, why did she want to give her a job? Wasn’t she concerned about how her husband would behave around a “pretty little thing?” “I’m always looking for work, ma’am,” Beatrice said politely, giving a tiny courtesy. “What would you have me do?” “My name’s Madame Red,” the woman said, tossing her hair grandly. “You’ll work in my club as an escort for gentlemen.” “An — an escort?” Beatrice squeaked. “I’ve never done anything like that

before.” “Really?” Madame Red asked, raising one eyebrow. “You’ll never want for money again if you come work for me. Room and board included. Think about it. Here’s my card.” Numb, Beatrice had taken the woman’s card and watched as she left in her carriage. Madame Red had seemed so fine. Next to her, Beatrice felt shabby — nothing like a “pretty little thing.” At that point, Beatrice had held a number of odd jobs and grueling tasks. She’d worked as a scullery maid, toiled in a garment factory, cleaned houses of those so much wealthier than her that it seemed as if they lived worlds apart. Nevertheless, as soon as she would settle into the routine of one job, something was always bound to happen. She bobbled one too many glasses as a scullery maid, the garment factory was shut down, and the rich wives who oversaw her work noticed their husbands’ eyes on her. Being fired from those jobs both angered Beatrice and made her feel hopeless. This was her God-given face and her God-given body. She couldn’t do anything else about it. Shouldn’t the wives have been angrier with their husbands for their unwanted attentions? That was why Beatrice actually gave some thought to what Madame Red had said. Her beauty was a rare commodity. She had been so unsuccessful at holding down a job that she was more used to living in the streets than living with a roof over her head. Maybe it was time for a change. Maybe this was something Beatrice could pursue.

Thus began her relatively lucrative career as an escort. As a child, Beatrice’s parents had rarely taken her to church. They were usually working odd shifts or random jobs to try to scrape a few more pennies together or they were exhausted from their usual duties. Even so, they had instilled a love

of God in Beatrice through reading the Bible together. Some of her favorite bedtime stories had come from those sacred pages. However, after her parents’ deaths and her subsequent descent into the London underworld, Beatrice hadn’t had much faith at all in God. If he truly loved her, wouldn’t he try to help her take better care of herself? Wouldn’t he help steady her hand as she was carrying trays full of fine crystal goblets, or make the garment factory succeed so she could keep her position there? Alternatively, couldn’t he have just made her plain and ordinary so she could attach herself to a household as a live-in servant? It was that thought that pushed Beatrice to go to the address listed on Madame Red’s card and accept the offer. If God had given Beatrice her looks, then who could say she shouldn’t try to capitalize on them? Beatrice could it to having a few qualms about the morality of her newest foray into the world of work. However, it didn’t turn out to be so hard after all. She just sort of cringed away, holed up in some place deep inside of her, and soldiered through. Beatrice had never eaten so well or had such a steady source of income in her entire life. In addition, she was able to sleep for whole hours at a time — though they usually came in the day — without worrying about getting mugged or beaten or worse, as she always considered when sleeping out on the streets. Then, though, Beatrice had gotten ill. She tried to fight it off, tried to continue to see her clients and earn money, but finally Madame Red had noticed and called a doctor. “It’s really nothing serious, Madame,” Beatrice said, waving the doctor away even as she trembled. “Just a touch of fever.” “I don’t want your fever touching anyone else here,” Madame Red said drily. “I can’t have my escorts decimated by a plague, you know.” The doctor had left Beatrice with some tinctures that made her sleep for too long, and gradually the sickness had subsided. It wasn’t until much later, though, that Beatrice found out the direst consequences of her little fever.

It was even after she’d stopped being an escort for good — courtesy of a policeman. She had been walking down the street feeling very fine thanks to a new dress she’d had made with her profits when she caught the eye of a policeman patrolling a corridor of shops. “Miss,” he said, approaching her as she froze. “I think I know you from somewhere.” “I don’t think so,” Beatrice demurred, casting her eyes downward. If he’d seen her at Madame Red’s club, it was all over. She tried to walk on but he caught her wrist and gave it a squeeze. “I think you’re a lady of the night,” the policeman said, leering. People were beginning to give them curious glances, and Beatrice knew she had to get out of there. “I’m not,” she protested. “Please, let me go. You’re hurting my wrist.” “I have a government-granted right to investigate you if I suspect that you are a prostitute,” the policeman said. “I think I’ll investigate you over in that alley.” Beatrice yanked her wrist and twisted it from the policeman’s grasp so sharply that it took him off guard and she ran for it. She was lost in her flight, then hid beneath a bridge until nightfall. When she finally made it back to her room at Madame Red’s club, the proprietress fired her on the spot. “I can’t keep you if you’re not here to receive clients,” Madame Red explained. “But I was chased by a policeman,” Beatrice cried. “I hid from him before coming here. That’s why I’m late.” “Then I really can’t keep you. Not when you’re inviting such suspicion. Good luck.”

Beatrice had been back on the streets since then, slowly wasting away, doing the bare minimum of what she could to stay alive. In a way, she was relieved that she wasn’t an escort anymore. Nevertheless, she did miss her regular meals and her comfortable bed. Beatrice’s hungry stomach growled so loud that she could’ve sworn she heard it echo in the chapel. She doubled over, clutching it as a cramp worked itself out. Her hands shook, and her breathing still wasn’t back to normal. She was worn out. She was bone tired and was now faced with the reality that she was going to starve to death. It was a terrible way to go. Beatrice had seen other people die in similar situations. She didn’t want to die. She wanted to live. She wanted to live so badly. “Dear Lord,” she whispered, crouched on the kneeler. “Please show me some small sign that you’re here. Please give me an indication that you still have love for me, your poor child. Please save me. Please take me away from all this. Please show me a way out of this life.” Tears poured down her face. This wasn’t where she wanted to be, but there didn’t seem to be any sort of escape, no deliverance from the evil reality of her life. Beatrice rested her face on her clasped hands, letting the tears roll down her wrists, trying not to sob for fear the vicar would discover her and kick her back out onto the streets. She just wanted a few moments to rest, a few moments to beg God for mercy. She knew she was a sinner. She knew that she had done terrible things just in the name of survival. Maybe all of that had displeased God. Maybe she had been meant to succumb to her circumstances, to let go, to give up; to die. The quiet of the darkened church was soothing, and crying had taken away that last strength she’d had. With a knot of hunger growling away in her stomach, Beatrice curled up on the floor, pressed against the pew, and slept.

“Miss! You can’t be in here!” Beatrice flinched away from the voice, pushing herself to her feet with practiced readiness even though she was still half asleep. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said, the shape of the vicar gradually coming into focus in her bleary eyes. “I was praying and fell asleep. That’s all. I wasn’t squatting.” “A more likely story is that you’re a little strumpet trying to get a little rest from the streets,” the vicar sneered. “Out with you. This is the Lord’s house.” Beatrice wanted nothing more than to protest, to say that she wanted to be a respectable young lady, but it was no use. The vicar saw her for what she was, and there was no arguing with that. The day had deepened into evening, which gave Beatrice a little indication as to how long she’d slept. If only she had remained undiscovered through morning. A church was as safe a place as any to sleep, and if you went undetected, there was no rent to pay. She thought back on the first apartment she’d rented. That was back when she’d worked at the garment factory. She and nine other girls had had to pool their resources in order to afford the exorbitant one-room apartment. The crowd of bodies in there made it miserable in the summer, but she was always thankful for the extra heat in the winter. The biggest thing Beatrice ed was the coal dust. They would rotate chores to keep everything fair, but Beatrice had always been convinced that there was more coal dust on the days when she had to sweep. Coal dust didn’t care what season it was. There was just as much in the summer from the factories that required coal for fuel as there was in the winter, when everyone burned it for warmth. Beatrice could never get it all. As soon as she’d dispatched the pile she’d collected from the room, another light coating would fall, distributed by the girls who were returning from their shifts at the factory or back from errands in the street. There was no escaping the coal dust, and Beatrice was convinced that it was a

sign that there was no escaping from her life. Beatrice paused for a moment on the street, getting her bearings. Her empty stomach felt like a bottomless pit inside of her. She would have to eat again soon — that roll wouldn’t sustain her. In addition, as the darkness grew, she realized she’d like to get off the streets, find some doorway in an out of the way alley to the night in. London was hard enough in the daytime for her. After dark, it could be a nightmarish place. “God, help me,” she murmured under her breath. If only she could just sprout wings and fly away from this life.

Just as she was about to cross the street, a crumpled up piece of paper tumbled into the gutter before her, tossed by the wind. Curious, Beatrice picked it up and struggled to make out the faded letters. Her parents had seen to it that she learned how to read and write, though the schooling at the orphanage had been ghastly. One teacher had rapped her on her knuckles with a ruler for every misspelling she’d had in an assignment, and Beatrice had avoided writing like the plague ever since. Ladies, if you are having trouble finding the man of your dreams, the man you want to share your life with, your one and only true love, may we suggest employing the services of Martin and Associates, one of the leading mail-order bride companies in the world. Beatrice’s brow furrowed. What was a mail-order bride company? She moved beneath a lit streetlamp to finish reading the bulletin in the gloom of nightfall. Located in New York City, Martin and Associates is the gateway to your future. We have a wildly successful record of accomplishment of matches and we’re sure we can help you secure your future. Currently, there are a number of eligible bachelors awaiting our services in the western half of the United States. If you’ve always wanted an adventure —or even just a fresh start —, this could

be your sign. Beatrice swallowed hard. From what she could understand, this company paired up men and women for apparent marriages. Did that really work? Could this bulletin actually be true? Could it actually be a sign from God, an answer to her tortured prayers in the chapel? Ask our London office for information on discounted rates to book age across the Atlantic. Across the Atlantic. That almost sounded too good to be true. Across the Atlantic and into America’s west. That was practically a world away. A world away from her problems and her pitiful life. Beatrice checked the address on the bulletin and then glanced at a nearby clock tower. She could make it in time before the office closed. She could see just how much it would cost to secure the future that Martin and Associates promised. Hurrying through the crowds of shoppers, people just looking to get home after a day’s work, Beatrice finally found the London office of Martin and Associates. It was an assuming building, but one whose lights were still on. She pushed the door open and hurried to the counter. “I hope I’m not too late,” she said, the words spilling out of her. She held out the bulletin to the attendant behind the front desk. “I’d like to know about the discounted fare to go to America. I’d like to be matched with someone in the west.” “Very good,” the man said. “Just put your information in this ledger. The discounted fare is just twenty pounds. Have you the money? You can purchase your ticket here, through me.” Beatrice sagged against the counter. “I don’t have the money,” she whispered. Twenty pounds! She’d never had that kind of money, except … Beatrice brightened. Madame Red had saved her life once. Would she do it again? Surely there had to

be uncollected wages from her sudden departure. “How late do you stay open?” Beatrice asked. “I think I can get the money.” “We’re clo now,” the man said. “But we’ll be open first thing tomorrow morning.” “I’ll be there,” Beatrice promised, dashing out of the office. Other shops were being swept out and locked up for the night, but this was just the hour that Madame Red’s club was just getting warmed up. Beatrice had never again run into the particular policeman that had forced her out of the career — London was a big city, after all — but that didn’t keep her from treading cautiously. When she reached the club, Madame Red received her with open arms. “My dear, your eyes are so big,” the woman exclaimed, studying Beatrice closely. “And you’ve lost far too much weight. You’re skinnier than I you.” “Life has been challenging,” Beatrice itted, “but I have faith that it’s going to get better very soon.” “Good for you,” Madame Red said, patting her on the shoulder. “Now, tell me why you’re here. I know this isn’t a social call.” Beatrice flushed. “I was wondering if I could collect any wages I might have missed when I left your employ,” she said, looking at her feet. “I’m going to get married.” “My, my!” Madame Red exclaimed. “Congratulations are in order. Who is the lucky young man?” “I haven’t met him yet,” Beatrice itted. “I’m going to be a mail-order bride. I’m going to America, then to the west. That’s why I need any money I might be owed. To afford the ticket.” Beatrice couldn’t look at Madame Red. She didn’t want to see whatever expression was on the woman’s face. She knew the proprietress wasn’t a

romantic. And saying her plan aloud had made Beatrice feel terribly foolish. “How much do you need?” Madame Red asked softly. “The ticket is twenty pounds,” Beatrice said. “I’m giving you forty. Get yourself a new dress and something to eat before you board that ship. And food for the ship, as well.” Beatrice couldn’t believe what she heard. She threw her arms around Madame Red and hugged her tightly. “Thank you so much,” she whispered.

She had never enjoyed a meal so much in her life that night, and the next morning, she beat the man to the Martin and Associates office to purchase the ticket for the ship. The transatlantic trip was something of a nightmare, though, and Beatrice stayed sick in her bunk for the majority of it. When they finally reached the far shore, Beatrice somehow found the strength to drag herself out on deck to witness the ostentatiousness that was New York. It was gorgeous and terrifying all at the same time. Beatrice could hardly believe that she was there. God was so mysterious. She just hoped he would be benevolent toward her in this next part of her journey. After disembarking, Beatrice noticed a man with a placard displaying her name. The attendant at Martin and Associates in London had told her to expect this, and she approached him. “Welcome to New York,” a man said, smiling at her. “I’m Dan Martin. I’m here to accompany you to the office to make a match.” “It’s a pleasure,” Beatrice said, taking his arm as her legs wobbled a bit. She was so weak and shell shocked by the spectacle that was New York. It was a bustling city, and she was a part of it — no matter how briefly.

“We try to meet all of our potential brides who come across the Atlantic personally,” Dan explained. “It’s a long journey and you’re in an entirely new place.” “Thank you,” Beatrice said. “It can be a little overwhelming.” Once they arrived by carriage at a very sumptuous building, Beatrice nearly fainted in relief. They served her tea and tiny little sandwiches while she was waiting. She had to force herself not to wolf them all down at once. “Here we are,” Dan said, reentering the room with a flourish and a piece of paper. “I have Jake King here for you. He’s a rancher in California who’s ready for someone different. Do you think you fit the bill?” Beatrice could it that she was very different. However, she wanted a fresh start here in America. She wanted to leave behind all of the negativity of her previous life in London. “I suppose the most different thing is that I’m from London, not California,” she said brightly. “If you think it’ll make a match, I’d be happy to go.” Dan fired off a quick response and put it in the post for Jake King — the name made her shiver every time Beatrice thought of it — and put her up in a hotel until she could arrange for a train ticket west. Dan had asked if she’d like him to ask Jake King to send some money to help with the fare, but Beatrice refused. She didn’t like the idea of instantly asking the man who was to be her husband for money. He’d think she was dishonest. Her hotel room was clean enough and comfortable, but Beatrice began to panic as she saw her money dwindling. She hadn’t liked to change it, either. Pounds seemed weightier than dollars, somehow. When the time came for her to buy her train ticket, though, she suddenly realized that she hadn’t the funds. “I’m so sorry,” she told the ticket agent, counting her money repeatedly. “I thought there would be enough, but there just isn’t.” “I’m sorry, miss,” the agent drawled. “Next?”

“No, please,” Beatrice begged. “I’m going out west to meet my husband. We’re to be married. Please, I must go.” Unexpectedly, Beatrice broke down into tears, which only added to her misery. Why had she been so stupid? She should’ve asked for the money. Now she’d have to it that she hadn’t had it in the first place and needed Jake King to send some. What a terrible first impression. “I can take what money you have, miss, if you agree to ride in cargo,” the agent said softly, holding his hand out. “But you can’t be seen, understand?” “Oh, thank you,” Beatrice said, surrendering the bills and coins. “Thank you, thank you.” The agent helped her sneak on, and soon, the train rolled to life. Beatrice felt downright giddy. This was really happening. Then, though, she got hungry; really hungry. Beatrice just had to hold on for a little while longer. She had been hungry like this before. She could do this. Just a little while longer — mere days — and she would be with her husband to be: Jake King. It was a strong sounding name. She liked that. She was sure he would have food — he lived on a ranch, after all, which had to be some sort of a big farm — and she was sure he wouldn’t mind her eating it. Husbands wanted their wives to cook, she was sure.

It was hard to gauge time in the cargo train. The train stopped and started, and it was cold more often than not. Beatrice bet one day that if she went to sleep, she would probably wake up in California already. They had to be close. Of course, if she were in a proper enger car, there would be a conductor to tell her exactly where they were, exactly which towns they stopped in, and exactly how much longer she would have to wait for some food. No, that was wrong. If she were traveling in the proper enger cars, the

conductor would simply point her in the direction of the dining car. Beatrice moaned softly, pressing her hand against her forehead and thinking of all the food that would be served tantalizingly close to her. Would there be roast beef? Potatoes, perhaps? The thought of any sort of dessert item was almost too painful to bear. Belatedly, Beatrice realized that her forehead was sweaty. That was odd. It was freezing cold in the cargo car. All she had for warmth were the trunks and cases she was pressed up against. There could be something of use in anyone of them — like a spare shawl or coat — but Beatrice wouldn’t dream of attempting to force a lock open on them. She’d vowed to herself that she would never again do wrong once she’d crossed the Atlantic. This was a new life. A fresh start. She could be the woman she’d always wanted to be. She could be a good wife to Jake King. Good wives didn’t steal. In addition, they asked before borrowing anything. Beatrice lowered her hand and noticed it trembling. That could very well be from food as from cold. She pushed herself up to a sitting position and her head swam. Was it a fever? She felt hot and cold all over. Rest. That was what Beatrice needed, she told herself. She needed to rest up so she could be fresh, vibrant, and as cheerful as possible for when she met Jake King, the man who would be her husband. Fresh and vibrant? Beatrice giggled as she reclined once again on the hard floor of the cargo car. She was certain it was a fever, now. It had been longer than she cared to since she’d been able to bathe. Perhaps she could find a pump before Jake King found her. Yes. That was a good idea. Beatrice fell into an uneasy slumber, her head pounding with the rhythm of the wheels beneath her. Strange dreams made her toss and turn. In one of them, she’d never left London. She awoke from that nightmarish fear with a start, and then sunk into a deeper, visionless place. When she finally awoke next, she was staring into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.

“You’re awake,” Jake said, blinking as he stared into Beatrice’s big, brown eyes. She was the most beautiful and exotic thing he’d ever laid eyes on — so slender it scared him, and naturally petite to make him worry that she’d break if she took one wrong step on her dainty feet. He had kept vigil at her bedside ever since the day he’d found her. It was still hard to believe she was real, even as she blinked up at him, and Jake found himself transported to nearly a year ago, when his own search for a family began. Jake had traveled west with Kate, who had agreed to leave the town where they’d both grown up in order to help him carve out a ranch in California. They were to be married, and Jake looked forward to creating a beautiful family with her. They had been childhood sweethearts, and everyone talked about how they would be married someday. However, getting west had been hard. They’d taken a train as far as they could get, then purchased a wagon to take them the rest of the way. Kate had been challenged on the journey. Jake hadn’t been sure she was up for it. She didn’t seem to understand that there wasn’t anything waiting for them in California but a plot of land. “But where will we sleep tonight?” she demanded, tears pouring down her face. Jake had never seen her cry — not once — in all the years he’d known her. He was beginning to suspect that he’d never completely known her until this journey. “We’ll sleep beneath the wagon or beneath the stars, as we have been doing,” he comforted her. “We’re here, now. This is going to be our home. We just have some work to do on it, is all.” “Some work to do?” she shrieked. “We have to build it and get your cattle or horses or whatever —” “We’ll need both.” “Whatever!” she cried. “This isn’t what I thought it would be, Jake. This is just

too hard.” He got her calm enough to sleep that night, and rose before the sun to build a fire and cook her breakfast. As soon as she was done eating, though, Kate looked up at him calmly. “I’d like to go home now,” she said, her voice even. “You are home,” he said, confused. “Back east, I mean,” she said. “And you should come with me. We can be perfectly happy back there. I don’t know why we ever came here in the first place.” “We agreed that this was our dream,” Jake said, dumbfounded. “I thought you wanted to live off the land, to lead a simple life away from people.” “Does any of this look simple to you?” she demanded, throwing her hands up in the air. “There’s nothing here, Jake. We’d have to sweat blood to even get a house raised before winter.” “I’m going to hire people from town to help,” he said. “This will work, Kate. Don’t give up on this. Don’t give up on us.” “I’m sorry,” she said. “But I can’t do this.” Jake had sent her back east and became something of a changed man. He toiled day and night, trying to distract himself from the heartache of a betrothal ended. He hired a couple of men from town, but found that he liked working better alone. Therefore, he nailed board after board together, fitted glass windows, bought furniture piece by piece, and grew his herd of cattle animal by animal. When the house was up, the barn was up, and the cattle were thriving, Jake realized that he was living his dream. The only thing missing was Kate.

Even as that realization dawned on him, he understood that it didn’t have to be Kate anymore. His heart had moved on from her, had begun casting around for other possibilities. The only problem was there weren’t hardly any possibilities out west. There were no eligible women in town. It was one of those trips to town that had given him the answer. At the post office, Jake was casually glancing over the fliers and bulletins posted when he came across one for Martin and Associates. “FIND YOUR BRIDE,” it blared, and at the moment, on a whim, Jake purchased some stationary and a pen and wrote a letter.

Dear Martin and Associates, My name is Jake King and I am writing to employ your services. I have need for a wife, who will me at my ranch in California. I think it important to inform you that I have ended a betrothal and am in search for something new. If you have someone who would be considered unconventional or different in some way, someone whom you might not consider a typical woman, I would welcome it. I have been burned by someone who I considered would make a good wife. As long as she is a Christian woman, I invite someone you might otherwise hesitate about sending. I would be in your debt should the match work. Sincerely, Jake King

Jake had agonized as he waited for a response. He had nightmares about the kinds of women he might be matched with. Maybe he shouldn’t have included the part about the betrothal to Kate ending. Maybe Martin and Associates would

see that as some kind of a red flag, some kind of indication that he wouldn’t be good for anyone. Then, on a trip back into town and a stop by the post office,

Dear Jake King, We think we’ve found just the woman for you. Beatrice Adams is fresh off the boat from London. She is pretty, cheerful, and seems to be a good woman. Just wait until you hear how she speaks! You’ll never grow tired of it. Let us know if you’d like to proceed. We told her a little about you and she seemed agreeable about ing you in California. Sincerely, Dan Martin

Well. That had necessitated a breakneck sprint to the postmaster to transmit a telegraph directly to Dan Martin. It only had two words: Send her. He obsessed over the idea of his bride over the next week, cleaning the house, trying to get the blasted dust that drifted in from the fields out of the floorboards, even going so far as to try to give as many cows baths as he could. He wanted to hear his bride speak. He craved it. When the day finally arrived for him to meet her on the train, though, she was nowhere to be found in the crowd. Jake even approached women already standing with their loved ones to ask if they had the good fortune of being Beatrice Adams. Where could she be? Had there been some mix up? Jake reread the telegram that he’d kept in his pocket ever since he’d received it, but it told him that this was the day and time to meet his intended.

“Sir, may I help you?” A conductor had peeled off from the crowd, drawn by what Jake could only guess was a tremendously frustrated expression on his face. “I was supposed to meet someone on this train, but I can’t find her,” Jake said. “Did you by chance meet a woman named Beatrice Adams? You would have ed her. She’s English — from London.” “That doesn’t ring any bells,” the conductor said, frowning. “And I’ve been on this train since New York.” “She’s going to be my wife,” Jake said, now sure why he was telling a stranger this. “She’s going to be my wife, and I’m worried about her.” “Let’s search the train,” the conductor said immediately, and off they went. Nearly all of the engers had disembarked, and they moved quickly through the enger cars. They checked the dining car next, but there was no one in there except the chef, who was taking inventory. “Maybe I missed her completely,” Jake said, not sure how that would be possible. “Perhaps she’s outside now.” Nevertheless, when they emerged back outside on the platform, nearly everyone had cleared out. “Let’s check the cargo car,” the conductor suggested. “Maybe she went there to try to retrieve her luggage herself.” “Good idea,” Jake said, striding alongside the eager man. When they reached the cargo car, though, it had all been cleared out. Everything but a pile of rags in the corner. Then, a hand emerged from the pile, and Jake ran forward. “Beatrice?” he shouted. “Beatrice Adams?” What he’d thought was a bundle of rags was a tiny woman, unconscious and

burning with fever. “Beatrice Adams, is it you?” Jake asked loudly, giving her a little shake. “Hello,” she mumbled in her sleep, and even though the word had been barely audible, he heard it for what it was; musical. It had been breathy and beautiful, two vastly different syllables — a “huh” and then a “low.” “Huh-low.” That was what she had said. It was almost like a different language. “This is her,” he said. “This is the woman who I’m going to marry.” “She looks like she’s in a bad way,” the conductor observed. “Need some help getting her out?” “No, I can manage,” Jake said, bending forward and scooping her up. He had seen her smallness, but Beatrice’s lightness stunned Jake. He unconsciously tightened his hold on her frame, and she pressed her sweaty forehead into the front of his shirt. He held her close, breathed her in, and felt the faint heartbeat beneath her thin skin. She was so small and so weak. Jake felt a surge of protectiveness hit his heart, followed by a dose of righteous anger. “Why was she in the cargo car?” he demanded, turning on the conductor. The conductor shook his head, looking sick. “We’ve been having some issues with several of our ticket agents running a sort of smuggling ring,” he confessed. “They’ll take whatever a person has and sneak them onto the cargo car, keeping the cash for themselves.” “She must not have had the money to pay,” Jake said slowly, looking down at Beatrice, his heart sick. Why hadn’t she wired him to ask him for help? Why hadn’t Martin and Associates told him anything? Her dress was shabby, and it she was dusty from traveling. Jake didn’t even have to wonder whether she had any luggage at all. This poor woman had been through hell to get here, he realized, and he pressed his lips against her damp forehead.

He was going to fix this, Jake vowed to himself. He was going to make her well again. He would give her whatever she needed, whatever she asked for. In addition, right now, it looked like she needed a doctor. “You’ve helped me a lot,” he told the conductor, “but I need one more favor.” “Anything.” “Please find the town’s doctor — the name’s Mobley — and tell him to hurry to Jake King’s ranch.” “Of course,” the conductor said, hurrying off.

Jake walked as quickly as he could without jostling the woman he carried and got to the wagon, placing her gently in the back. He took the blanket that he kept folded atop the bench in front and wrapped her with it. He urged the horse to go as fast as he dared, frequently looking over his shoulder to see how Beatrice fared. She never once opened her eyes or so much as moaned. It scared him and made him whip the horse into a trot, never mind the bumps in the road. Jake had just set her down in his own bed and was going to the pump for a basin of water when Mobley rode up, his horse in a lather. “Came as quick as I could,” the doctor said. “Where is she?” “In my room,” Jake said, pointing as he pumped. “I’ll be right there with some water.” Jake stood by, mopping Beatrice’s face whenever he could work around the doctor. He wanted nothing more than for her to be comfortable, but he wouldn’t dream of bathing her without her consent. The last thing Jake wanted was to frighten her or make her feel unwelcome. “This is a very ill young woman,” Mobley said, glancing up at him as he

prepared an injection. “I know it,” Jake said softly. “Will she be all right?” “She needs lots of rest,” Mobley told him. “And as soon as she’s awake, she needs to start eating. She’s practically starved — grossly underweight.”

“I’ll see to it,” Jake said. “Anything else?” “The medicine should take care of the worst of it,” Mobley said. “Just keep an eye on her.” And that’s what Jake had done, gently sponging the dust from her face, combing her hair away from her closed eyes, and cleaning her hands and nails. She had such delicate hands that he was afraid he’d harm them. After the first night, he decided to take her boots off and wash her feet, his concern for her comfort outweighing his trepidation at overstepping himself. Her feet were lovely, and he bathed them gently, looking at the scarring made from old blisters. These were feet that had done a good deal of walking, he realized. When Jake sat down again, Beatrice’s eyes were open. “You’re awake,” Jake said, staring at her. She was so beautiful he didn’t know what to say, but as her lips pursed into a question, he blundered ahead. “You’re Beatrice Adams — I mean, I’m Jake King. I found you in the cargo car at the train station and took you here. You’re very ill — I mean, you have been. The doctor’s been by to see you and he’s given you some medicine. How are you feeling?” Beatrice struggled for a moment and Jake quickly intervened to help her sit up. She was so weak that it hurt him to watch her move. “I’m feeling very tired, but very happy,” she said, giving him a small smile. There was that glorious accent, like opening a music box and standing in front of it, entranced. Jake realized he was grinning like an idiot at her when Beatrice giggled behind one of her tiny hands. “You’ll need lots of rest,” he said quickly. “Doctor’s orders. And I’m to feed you whatever you want to eat.” “Whatever I want?” she asked, her eyes shining. “Do you really mean it?”

“Of course I really mean it,” he said. “I want to give you whatever you want. In addition, whatever you need. All right?” “I want to eat a whole cow!” she laughed, then flushed and looked down at her hands. “I have an entire herd, and I will make you hundreds of steaks,” Jake swore. “You just say the word. “No, no,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. I’ll — I’ll just take a bit of bread, if you have it. Some water, perhaps. Some broth, if it’s not too much trouble.” “You’re getting more than that,” Jake said. “Stay put, now. I’ll be right back with some lunch.” Jake practically sprinted to the kitchen and started throwing things together. He’d become a accomplished chef in his years of bachelorhood, and soon had a nice spread of biscuits, bacon, chicken, a tall glass of milk, and some storebought cookies. When Beatrice saw the tray he carried, her eyes lit up, but she conducted herself politely, taking tiny bites and dabbing at her mouth with the cloth napkin he’d scrounged up. “Don’t hold back on my ,” he said, which was the only thing he had to say for her to go crazy. He’d never seen a woman eat like Beatrice ate, shoveling in the food as if someone was going to take it away from her, as if she hadn’t eaten in recent memory. Thinking back to her condition in that cargo car, Jake realized it would be safe to assume that it had been a long time since she’d eaten. After she’d polished off the last cookie, she gave a glorious sigh and smiled at him. “Thank you so much,” she said. “That was delicious. You’re an excellent chef.” She frowned, then, and lowered her eyes, blushing.

“What is it?” he asked. “I —I just don’t like the idea of you waiting on me,” she said. “I feel terrible. You were expecting a wife and you got me.” “You just rest,” Jake said, taking the tray from her and turning down the lamp. “You’ll get your strength back. You’ll see.”

The days ed and finally Beatrice made it out of bed — only to tumble down to the floor so that Jake had to carry her. He gave her a tour of the ranch like that, just carrying her in his arms. He never once even got winded — that’s how light she still was. Jake was resolved to make her healthy again. In addition, after each day, Jake knew a little bit more about her. He knew that she was an orphan, but he hadn’t pressed her about it. It seemed to be a painful memory and an even more painful ission, and the last thing he wanted to do was cause her pain. Nevertheless, she was so easy to love. Jake realized that he had loved her from that first throaty “hello” he’d heard in the cargo car. When she was strong enough to walk around on her own, there was nowhere she wouldn’t go. She’d accompany Jake on his chores, listening to him chatter away. “What do you think about the name Martin?” he asked one day, teaching her how to milk one of the cows. “Like Martin and Associates?” “Exactly.” “They brought me to you,” she said with a smile. “Of course I like the name Martin.” “I was thinking of that for our first son,” Jake said. When her hands froze on the cow’s udder, he knew he’d misspoke. “Martin’s a lovely name,” Beatrice said, turning to look at him. “But don’t you

think you should marry me first?” When she squirted milk at him, he realized she was being saucy and chased her around the barn, both of them whooping and laughing. She cooked wonderful things for him, always excited to prepare a dish he already knew in a completely different way. One day, after their meals, Jake noticed that Beatrice was pensive. She looked so beautiful sitting at the kitchen table, toying with her fork. “Do you miss it?” Jake asked her, watching her as she stared off across the fields. “Miss what?” Beatrice asked, returning her attention and her too-big brown eyes on him. Jake felt a stab of tenderness strike right through his heart. His woman was filling out gradually, eating more and more every day, but those eyes hadn’t gotten any smaller even as her face lost its sharp angles. Those eyes looked like they always craved something, and he was desperate to give them anything they desired. “London,” he said. “Your home.” “This is my home now,” she said, smiling at him. That made his heart swell. He knew she meant the ranch, knew she meant California in general, but part of him liked to pretend that she’d really meant him. That he was her home. Because looking at her, talking with her, simply being around her was home to him. He’d always loved the ranch. That would never stop. Now he could honestly say that he loved something more than the life he’d carved out of the land. He loved Beatrice. “So, nothing you miss about London?” Jake pressed. He couldn’t help himself. He loved to listen to her speak. Beatrice had a faraway look in her eyes, and Jake knew she had directed her

attention a world away. London. He couldn’t even imagine it. Even though the woman sitting in front of him was flesh and blood, he sometimes couldn’t believe that she existed. That she existed and she was going to be his wife. “I’ll tell you one thing I don’t miss,” she said, her lilting voice making him smile. “Coal dust.” “Coal dust?” “Coal dust.” She shuddered. “Nasty stuff. The factories there burn it, and the people burn it for warmth. Coal dust is black as night and just when you’ve swept it up, there’s a new layer all over everything.” “Sounds like my brown dust from the fields,” Jake said. “No, your dust from the field is lovely,” Beatrice said, smiling. “In fact, I want to go take a walk this instant and feel it between my toes.” She rose and Jake had no choice but to do the same, laughing at her lighthearted spirit and capricious nature. She’d stop doing the dishes just to wander over to the window to see what patterns the wind wove through the grasses. That was the first time they kissed — their bare toes dug in the powdery dirt, the wind whipping their hair around, and their lips such a natural fit that Jake didn’t ever want to stop kissing Beatrice.

When they got married, it was the happiest Jake could ever being. They did it there at the farm with a few people from town in attendance. Beatrice looked like an angel — too beautiful to believe. Jake was always pretty good about giving thanks to God. That day, he made extra sure to give it. It was perhaps two months after they’d married — two wonderful months of living as man and wife — that Jake made the error of surprising Beatrice while she was cooking breakfast. “When are you going to give me children, woman?” he mock-roared at her,

making her jump. He regretted it immediately. He hated startling her, hated the shock and hurt in her eyes. He realized that she looked more wounded than amused at his little prank, and Jake had to wonder at that. She’d been hesitant on the subject of children before. “Bea, tell me you want kids,” he said. He hated to press her on it, but he had to know. Rearing a family here on the ranch was his biggest dream. Now that he’d found the woman he wanted to be with for the rest of his life, he needed to know that she shared his dream. “Of course I want children,” she said, those big brown eyes so full of want that it hurt him. “It’s just that —” She interrupted herself, casting her eyes to the downward. One of her tiny hands flew up to cover her mouth as if it were shocked at her. It trembled and it was all Jake could do not to grab it, to caress and comfort it, to tell Beatrice that everything was going to be all right. He needed to know. “It’s just that what?” he prompted. “What is it?” She flushed and then paled, backing away from him step by little step until she could safely collapse into a chair at the table. With a start, Jake realized she’d been close to fainting and he hadn’t realized it. That was how intent he was on finding the underlying cause of this. Feeling guilty, he switched tack. He didn’t want to bully Beatrice into responding to him. All he wanted was a simply answer. “Bea, you can tell me anything,” he said, kneeling in front of her. “I hope you know that.” She raised those big eyes to meet his and they were luminous with unshed tears. “I know,” she said, her voice barely audible. She looked so small, even from his vantage point on the floor, that he just wanted to take her in his arms and soothe away this mysterious hurt. A revelation blossomed in his mind.

“Is it because you’re an orphan?” he asked. “Is that what this is about?” She stared at him, numb. Jake rushed to explain himself, to stymie any further pain her could cause her. “Because if you’re afraid something could happen to either of us, you can put that thought right from your mind,” he said, his words tumbling into one another. “We’re going to raise a houseful of children, and then we’re going to be around to see our children’s children, and even their children’s children. We’re going to get old together, Bea, and our ranch is going to be full of children and laughter and love.” “I can’t have children,” she said finally, two tears streaking down her delicate cheeks. “What?” Jake was suddenly thankful that he was kneeling on the floor. If he’d been standing, he might’ve falling right on his rear. “Can’t have children?” he asked slowly. “Or won’t have children?” “Can’t,” she said, the ission sounding strangled. “I’m sorry.” “I’m sorrier,” Jake said, feeling his heart rage in his chest. “All I’ve ever wanted was to raise a family here on this ranch.” “I know that,” Beatrice tried to say, but Jake cut her off with a sharp slash of his hand through the air. “You misled me,” he said, unable to even look at her. “Jake, I would never!” “You did! You knew from the first time I mentioned them that you couldn’t have children! You lied to me!” “I — I suffered a sickness when I was in London,” she said, tears streaking down her face now. “I want to have children — I want to have your children, Jake. Our children. However, I can’t. I don’t have the ability to. I didn’t know how to tell

you. I didn’t want it to be like this.” “I don’t want this, either,” Jake said. He pushed himself up from the floor, turned his back on Beatrice, and walked out into the bright sun.

When Jake left, Beatrice cried like she’d never cried before. She loved him so much, loved him more than she even understood, but she just wasn’t sure that she could give him what he wanted. Children. She had found out after scraping enough money together to go to the doctor when she’d been coughing blood and feared for her life that she discovered her inability to have children. It had to do with the strange fever she’d tried to fight through during her tenure as an escort with Madame Red’s club. It was, Beatrice thought at the time, perhaps an appropriate punishment for her immorality. If this was the penance she was going to pay for her sins, then so be it. However, that had been before she’d gone to America, before she’d met Jake and fallen so deeply in love with him. He wanted children so badly and she wanted nothing more than to give them to him, but she simply couldn’t. “You will never have children,” the doctor had told her, and Beatrice knew it was true. Beatrice left the kitchen and climbed in her bed, too despondent to remain upright any longer. She hadn’t lied to Jake, and she hadn’t meant to mislead him about anything. She had just wanted to be a good wife to him, for him to think that she was a good person. She had never wanted him to know about the things she’d been forced to do in London to simply stay alive. She wanted to be a better woman than that for him.

Time ed and Jake didn’t return. Beatrice didn’t even know how she could go about finding him, or if he even wanted to be found. She curled up in her misery and tried to ride it out. It had been worse than this, hadn’t it? Even as she wondered that, she couldn’t pick a single time in London that had been worse than this. She loved Jake too much for it not to hurt so badly. The shadows lengthened and Beatrice finally found the strength to get out of bed. She loved watching the sunset now without the filthy coal dust or tall buildings or crush of people to obstruct her view. When the horizon changed from a fiery red to a more demure pink, then purple, she went back to the kitchen, her stomach grumbling. Jake had told her he never wanted her hungry again, and Beatrice didn’t want to be hungry again. Even though she was devastated at the way he’d fled from the house, even though he’d been gone for hours, she was going to make something for them to eat. It helped, she discovered, to have something to do. It didn’t hurt so much when she could focus on something else. Beatrice lit a few lamps and mixed some ingredients in a bowl before bathing the pieces of cut-up chicken in the marinade. She placed them in a pan and put them to roast, and then saw to some ears of corn and a great bunch of string beans. The air changed and Beatrice turned from the stove to see Jake, standing in front of the open door. “Hello,” she said, her fingers rising to flutter against her chest. “You gave me a scare. I’m glad to see you.” He didn’t say anything. He just stood there. Beatrice swallowed hard and pressed forward. “I’m making the chicken you like for dinner,” she continued. “And I thought we could have a chat. I didn’t mean to mislead you, Jake. I really didn’t. I — I just had a hard life in London, and I thought it would disgust you to tell you some of the things that happened, and I — oh!” Jake rushed forward suddenly and took her in his arms, lifting her clear off her feet. He crushed her to him, making it hard to breathe, but Beatrice didn’t care. She didn’t need to breathe, she didn’t need air, she needed Jake, she needed his love, and she needed him so much.

She hugged him as tight as she could, not letting go even when he set her back down on the floor. “I don’t care about children,” he said, holding her face in his hands. “I love you, Beatrice. I want you to be my wife. That’s all that matters.” “You do so care about children,” she chided him softly. “And there are options, you know. Think of how things would’ve been different if I had been adopted by someone out of that orphanage before I — well, before everything had happened.” “You don’t have to tell me what happened if you don’t want to,” Jake said. “I would never want to force you to do that. But know this: I will always you and always love you, no matter what.” “I love you, too,” she said, pressing her forehead against hers. “Let’s send away to the nearest orphanage right now. Tell them to give us every child they have. We’ll fill this ranch with children, Jake, you’ll see, and they’ll be ours. I promise.” He chuckled and brushed his lips against her forehead before tipping her chin up so that she looked in his blue eyes. “I’ll do anything for you,” he said, kissing her deeply. Beatrice’s heart lifted. She knew he was speaking the truth. “You know, I do like the name Martin,” she said. “I bet we could even find a Martin, if we tried.” Jake laughed again and twirled her around. “Anything for you,” he said again, and Beatrice didn’t know how so much love could possibly fit in her heart.

THE END

Brides By Mail: Burning Bridges

1902, Lander, Wyoming…

I wanted a bride, and I did not want to settle for just any bride. I wanted to bring a young lady from upscale New York City. I guess you would ask me why I wanted to torture myself with a city lady who would know nothing about the west and the many challenges it could bring. I wanted to share my life and my ranch with a lady of grace, one who would move upon my land and add a touch of class to the rolling hills and the open blue skies. I hoped for a lady with fine education so that she would be able to down her intelligence to our future children. I began seeing her in my mind, and could not get the vision out of my head. There were women around my area of course, but options are not many in these parts and I longed for a vibrant and colorful woman who could offer to my home and our children variety. I knew that it would be a search that I would be on for some time, being careful to not get myself locked into a woman of greed and vanity. I prepared myself for many disappointments as I placed the ad, knowing I would have to apply my skills at weeding through those types, but I started early. I chose to begin my search when I was only twenty-five years old. I figured if it took me ten years to find her, I would still be young enough to love her at thirtyfive. My own father had found my mother, his bride, the same way, but he had to wait ten years and by the time he found my mother, they were well into their forties. My father placed an ad in the church bulletin when he was thirty years old, and after many disappointments, he found my mother, Bessie Bridges, when he was forty-three. His preacher had advised him to begin before he was twenty, but he put it off as

he was building up his ranch and business. When he found his bride, she turned out to be everything he dreamed of. They had five children and I was their youngest. I have four sisters and you can only imagine what it was like for me to grow up with four girls. I learned real fast what kind of a wife I would not want. My sisters contributed to the reason I chose to follow Pa and find a mail order bride. Young ladies in our area had grown so used to living on the frontier that they had no appreciation left in their souls. They hated the long winters and they grew tired of the suns blazing rays. It seemed the girls I had grown up with were all yearning to be off the prairie, not on it. So, I began my search to find me a bride that would not be happy living in the city and would find home out on the prairies. Even my own sisters all moved away to cities, claiming that they had enough of the challenging lands. I was like Ma and Pa and I was not stepping foot off country. I followed my Pa in his search and I paid a visit to Pastor Russell, and he led me to the back of his little corner of an office right behind the choir box, pulled out a piece of paper and sat me down. He had a smirk on his face and laughed as he watched me take the pen in my hand, shaking like a leaf. He leaned over me as I tried to put words to paper, and he said, “Son, it is not like you are filling out a job application. Just be yourself and make a note of your requirements for what you are seeking.” I just was not that comfortable going about finding a wife that way and thought it seemed like buying a horse or something, but once I sat down, I saw the vision of my lady. It was not so much a vision of her physical appearance, but rather what I felt in her heart. I felt a surge of warmth go through me. It was like I was seeing straight to her God loving soul. This was my longing, to find a woman with a heart for God. My mama had lived as a Proverbs 31 woman, straight from the scriptures themselves. She was loving and kind, strong in faith and a blessing to her husband; that was Mama. It did not take me long to write that ad and when I was finished I sealed

it with hope. As long as it took Pa to find my mother, I was glad I sat down that day. Pastor Russell promised to send it off through the church bulletin and it would be placed in New York City’s finest news. He said that the good Lord would lead that ad straight to the hand of the one I loved in my heart. I had to believe him and he reminded me to have patience in the Lord. I left the church and rode my mare all the way back home with a new hope and a polished idea of how she would be when I laid my eyes on her. I began making some changes in my cabin as well as the barn and the fenced arena. I just knew that my lady would have a love for horses, whether she had ever been on one or not. I could feel it inside of me that she would be willing to learn. The first change I made was to design our home as beautiful and efficient as possible for a young lady. My first major project would be to build two new, necessary buildings and I would have them close enough to the house as possible. The outhouse I had at that time needed some restoration and instead of having just one, I decided that two would be more convenient for us both. I put special touches for my lady in hers, so that she would be comfortable and feel safe at the same time. It has been known from time to time for little critters to announce themselves, as they would find a way into your business. So, the new buildings would stand no chance at a critter getting inside. There is not too much you can do to pretty up a building of the sort, but I did what I could to make it as clean as possible. When I had finished with them both, I stood back and realized that they were some mighty fine buildings and thought they would be sufficient. Then I moved along to the next chore on my list and that was to find a new bathing tub that she would be able to soak her body in at the end of a draining day. I recalled that I had seen some new designs in town at Howard’s hardware store and I at once took the wagon to find myself a brand new tub, big enough for two. When I had found the perfect bathtub for my darling, I then decided to replace the floor underneath it, added a very soft bearskin rug that my Pa had won from an old Indian he met in a game of poker.

Pa was that way with the Indians around us. There were not the many left from a certain tribe that settled about ten miles east of us. He wanted to be sure that they would see him as a friend and not an enemy and he rode straight into their camp one day, introduced himself and them to a game of cards. Mama was not real happy that Pa taught them to gamble and she threw a few fits until she finally realized that it was harmless. He had kept the rug and it had been hanging on the back porch wall and I knew that it would be perfect to place under the tub and it would be warm to place her feet on in the winter and would add a touch of beauty, too. I decided while I was taking the time to do that, I might as well look a little closer at the décor of the wash room and I thought I could probably get a female’s point of view. So, I again headed into town and I went to see Rosie at her diner. She was an older woman, but she knew what a pretty lady would like. We sat and discussed it and she decided that it would do a world of good if she would visit and look for herself. After she left her oldest son in charge to run the diner, she took a ride with me to my home, talking up a storm all the way. She loved to talk to hear herself talk, I think. She was being nosey about my projects and I went ahead and shared with her my plan, asking her to keep a lid on it, if she would. She teased at me and promised to keep it hush and we rode along talking about all my plans. When we arrived back home, she walked on in and I tied up the team and soon ed her. She looked the wash room over and at once began to come up with little ideas to make it more womanly. She told me that she even had some pretty things that we could hang on the wall and gave me ideas for a buffet, a vanity and a clothes rack that I could build and put in the room as well. She had good ideas that would keep me busy until my bride would arrive. She also told me too add the touch of placing a window in the bathroom, because all women appreciate a window to look out as they soak in the tub. When she was finished with her plans and the long list she made, I then took Rosie back into town, thanked her and was on my way back to Howard’s for

anything I might need. I knew that it would be quite a while before I even heard back from any lady due to how long it took to get a letter, but it gave me plenty of time to work on things. It took me a good month of work to get the tub fancied up and the window put in and then I began building the buffet dresser, the vanity and the clothes rack. I found some beautiful wood from trees that had fallen down in some earlier storms, and they were perfect. I found oak and cedar wood both and I was able to make all three items from the wood. The more I made the changes, the more excited I became. I was so looking forward to hearing back from her and could think about nothing else. I was considering hiring a hand for a short time so that I could apply myself to making changes without having to worry about all the chores of the ranch, so I rode into town and hit the streets putting the word out that I would be needing a ranch hand, and I was seeking a younger lad that would be willing to apply himself for a good summer’s pay. I left announcements with Howard, Rosie and Pastor Russell as well because of their reputation and good judgment. It was not long until a young man rode into my ranch on a mare with a bed roll on his saddle, a rope at his side and a fresh new pair of boots on his feet. This looked to me like a man that was serious about making a summer’s wage. His name, when he introduced himself was Bane, and he looked to be about twenty or so, but informed me that he was sixteen -- nearly seventeen. I believed the lad was lying to me, but I hired him anyway.

Bane settled right in and he was proving himself with determination and steel guts. I could not believe how he could ride and he had no problems roping the calves. He was a decent enough young man and I liked him a lot, but I just felt like there was more to this kid and his past than he was telling me. I decided that I would have to go talk to Howard to find out more about him. I hadn’t seen Howard since the day I left word that I needed a hand. I left Bane to

the chores and told him I would return by nightfall and he would have plenty to keep him busy. I jumped on my horse and headed for Howard’s. When I arrived, Howard was out back of his store and I must have caught him at a bad time, because his wife was standing near him with a frown spread across her forehead. So, I excused myself and told him I would come back later. Howard’s wife was one of those women that hated the country. He had met her when she hopped off a stagecoach. She was on a layover, because the coach had problems with its wheel’s axle and would have to be tended to. She was stuck in town for a few days until it could be repaired. Howard was crossing the street when she got out of the coach as mad as a wet hen. She was only ing through and everyone that laid eyes on her knew it. Mabel Bell Lee was her name and her husband had owned a very fine hotel in Chicago, Illinois until he was killed in the Great Fire in 1871. Mabel packed up and decided to move to Colorado, where her sister lived. Mabel, by that time, was in her forties and did not want to remain in Chicago. She had no intentions of stopping in Wyoming until she met Howard. It was love at very first sight for the pair and they have been together since. Mabel does fine as long as she’s in town and not getting her hands dirty, but if work needs to be done, she is on Howard to get it done. She has grown to hate living out here and it seems to be getting worse the older she gets. Howard tolerates her and her moods as much as he can and just shakes his head a lot. I guess he loves her and most times you catch them laughing together, and once in a while you see her reach out and take his hand. When you saw that frown on her forehead, you knew it was time to go the different direction. So, I waited at the saloon. It wasn’t long until Howard came moseying in, looking like he had just been given another long list of things she needed him to do. She was onto him about building her a new room on the store. They live at the back of the store and with all the merchandise; it does not leave much room for living space.

I left Howard and Mabel alone so they could work out whatever was going on between them and I went on down to visit Rosie. I wanted to bring her up to date with what I had gotten done with fixing the house up real nice for my lady when she comes. I knew that it would be at least a couple months, possibly three until I would find my girl in New York City. I will have to wait for her to reply and then we will correspond for several months and by the time we decide to meet; it will be almost a year. Therefore, I was very glad I started early. I was beginning to understand why it took Pa ten years. It would do me good to get everything done with the ranch and the house. I also had plenty to do with my new hand, Bane. He would be staying with me for the summer and as much as he never talked about family, I began to wonder if he had any. I did not want to pry into the man’s business, but I also did not like being completely in the dark about him. I would have to sit down, have a talk with him, and see if he will be upfront with me. After visiting Rosie and going by to see a few of the guys at the saloon, I headed back to Howard’s to see if I could sneak in a visit and Mabel had gone and went back around to the living quarters. I rushed right in and saw Howard standing with his fist in the air as if he was shaking it behind Mabel’s back and I had to laugh, thinking I probably would be guilty of that too, if I had Mabel as a wife. I approached Howard with my concerns about Bane. “Well, Howard, something just does not add up with him. He’s a fine lad, but where is he from and how did you find him?” I could tell that Howard was about to lie to me, because he always gets that look in his eye, then he clears his throat and turns his head and always in that order. I started to tell him to save the hogwash because I didn’t have time to hear it. About the time I let him know that I could tell he was lying, he looked me in the eye and confessed to me that Bane was his own son. Howard said that long before he met Mabel that he met Bane’s mother and she had saved his life at a river when he was attempting to cross with his team and wagon. They lost the wagon, but his life and team was spared. Bane’s mother was “Little

Wind” and was a Native American who had been traveling down to the river when she saw Howard in danger and saved his life, pulling him out of the river. He said she took him back to her camp and kin, he ended up staying with her for several months, and they fell in love. Her father and brothers did not approve of Howard and when she had her son, they kept the boy with them and they forced Howard to leave. He also told me that he never did desert the boy or his love for the boy’s mother and met with them through the years as the boy was growing up. The reason the boy was with Howard after all those years was because his mama died and he chose to go back and be with his father. Howard was not able to tell Mabel because she hated Indians and she would never understand or accept Bane, so Howard had been hiding him in the barn. Howard suggested to his son that he should take me up on my need for a hand and it would give him a place to live and still be close to Howard. After we discussed it, I told Howard that his secret was safe with me, that I had no problem with Bane, and that he had a home for as long as he wanted it. I don’t think I ever seen a man cry that hard in all my life. I was just glad that I could help him out. We finished talking and I mentioned to Howard that I was waiting on my bride to answer my ad, and I sure was hoping it would not be much longer. I had practically changed the whole ranch around for her by this time. I was glad to have Bane living with me, because it kept my mind off the long wait. One afternoon I was out in the field with the team, trying to break up the field for my next planting and Bane came running out towards me, holding something up high in the air and the closer he got, I could tell it was a letter of some kind and my hands dropped the reins and headed straight for him. Sure enough, the letter was for me and we both stood in the middle of the pasture, reading what it said. It was a reply to my mail order bride ad and I could not have been happier. It had been four months since I placed the ad and I was more than ready.

After initially telling Bane what it was, then I chose to go and be alone, just in case it would not be a likely candidate. As I read, I began to feel like I already knew her. Her desires matched mine and everything she wrote made me feel right at home with her already. As soon as I was finished reading it, I jumped on a horse and ran to town to give Howard a message to send her through telegraph. I was so relieved that we had the capability of telegraphs and this would be able to speed things up by quite a bit. My father, when he was searching for his bride, had to wait many months just to get a letter. I would be able to communicate through telegraphs. I got the telegram off to her and I was so excited that I could not hold it in. Now I had a reason to get up in the mornings; now I had a reason to fix the ranch up; and now I had found my future wife, as long as we enjoyed our correspondence. We still were going to write back and forth for several months before I would have her come to visit, but now I had hope. Bane was even very excited and he at once began to help me replace old wood floors in the cabin, fix up a new cook stove and anything else we saw that looked outdated. We also spent time re building fences around the ranch house so things would just look better. We had plenty of time to get things arranged just how I wanted to present them to her when she would finally arrive. I was able to find new furniture and a new bed for each bedroom and we even built a new room on the house for Bane, so he could have his own room. He had been sleeping in the extra room that would someday be the room for our first child. As I sat down one night thinking of her, I was saying her name--Victoria-repeatedly and it sounded so sweet that it just rolled right off my tongue and was so fitting. I caught myself pondering what we would name our children when the time would come. With such a beautiful name as Victoria, we would have so many options for a daughter’s name. With every letter I would get, I would get more excited. We discussed everything, things we loved and things we detested and I noticed that she hated gossip and I thought, “a woman after my own heart,” because I cannot stand to

be in the presence of a woman who wastes time with gossip. We began to send telegraphs as often as we could and as the weeks went by, we both began finding ourselves falling in love. I had no doubt that she too loved me just by the way she would address me in her letters. It was clear that we both were so excited and would not be able to wait for many months, and we would be meeting sooner than we both had thought.

I had been working on the ranch house and Bane and I began putting up fences all around the ranch and this turned out to be a mistake due to the wealthy ranchers all around me. The Homestead Act that had ed was bringing new prospects that wanted land of their own and a fair chance at becoming ranchers and farmers. When they would receive their free land that was titled to them through the Homesteading laws, they would claim their land and immediately began putting up fences to protect their animals and property. Always before, us ranchers had let our cattle graze freely, roaming around, but due to the many homesteaders moving into our territory, it began a feud that sparked a raging war. When I put up my fences, it had nothing to do with trying to insult the ranchers around me, but they took it as I was a traitor, taking the sides of the new homesteaders. I was approached on several s that I should them with their thoughts and their actions at driving out the newcomers. This I had no interest in and told them I wanted no part of their deeds. Putting up fences, they said made it seem I was following suit with the homesteaders. Bane and I began seeing the problems creep up on the horizon. We would see cattle ranchers stalk our cattle and keep a watch on us from distances. I had hoped that they would stay to themselves, but I was concerned that they may not. I had more things on my mind, like courting Victoria by letter and finally bringing her to Wyoming to be married. We had been exchanging letters for nearly six months and the time to meet was soon approaching. We had shared quite a bit about ourselves and it seemed we

both were excited to meet. Victoria was from New York City, and lived with her Uncle Charles Willington and his wife, Julia. She had a sister, Savanna who was two years older. Their parents had been stricken with cholera years before when the girls were young and they moved in with their relatives. Victoria had become a licensed midwife in New York City, and her sister Savanna was a teacher. She shared with me how she and her sister had both wanted to move from New York City due to cholera breaking out so many times and they both feared for its return, and she came across my ad in the church bulletin that her Pastor had shared one morning with the congregation. She was only twenty years old and five years younger than me, which did not bother me in any way. Her sister Savanna was two years older and had chosen to stay in New York City to help other families who had lost family to cholera and was not comfortable leaving their Aunt and Uncle. Our letters were such a warming comfort to me, knowing that soon I would have myself a bride out in Wyoming. There were other ladies, but most were wishing to leave the country, or were already taken. There was a shortage of women in these parts due to all the people taking up homesteading. Either men moved out here, or the women that came were already married and that is what drove me to placing the ad. As time grew on, our letters were the highlights of my day and I so looked forward to each one. It sounded like we were a match made from heaven. I kept every letter and would read it repeatedly. One letter in particular warmed my heart as she wrote: “My dearest Bridges, I so long to travel the distance by mile and by heart to finally meet you, and to be taken into your arms. I know that my heart has found its home within your heart. I feel that I have known you all my life and yet it has been a matter of months. The days are long, as I wait until we know without a doubt of our future. My nights are lonely as I wait to sleep in your arms. I have only dreamed to have found a man such as you, kind, gentle, intelligent and strong.

I long for the walks that we may take around your glorious land, unwrapping a blanket to place upon the ground, as we lie in each other’s arms. What a nice picnic we will share amidst the soft meadows and billowy clouds above us. What joys fill my heart as we work together, side by side; producing what you have planted in your rich soil you have been gifted with by the Lord. I see our future more clearly every time I receive word from you and I can feel that our time is soon at hand to meet. Oh, how I am a little nervous about that coming day, wondering if I can meet your expectations. My heart dances with delight when I think of you and I can only hope that your heart dances with mine. I long to sit and discuss our children we shall have and what their names shall be, boy or girl, it would not matter. I imagine our daughter would resemble me, while our son will carry traits of his fine father. I shall think of you every moment until we meet.” It was signed ‘Yours truly, Victoria’. This one letter grabbed at my heartstrings and after reading this one, I found myself longing to receive my bride. She had written in many letters how much she would dream of seeing such open skies with swirling puffy clouds and the sun that would bear down upon the land. She loved sunshine and looked forward to all the time that we would spend with our gardens and animals. What I did not have time for was the wars that had started up over the coming homesteaders. Men that I had known all my life were now crossing lines and becoming strangers to me. The wealthy cattle ranchers would not accept the newcomers and they began a fierce battle against them. I had been approached on several occasions and been asked to take a stance with them and to get involved with their deeds in fighting the homesteaders. I had told them on every occasion that I had no interest in doing so, and I would not them in their misdeeds. I was losing friends, one by one; and it was coming quite clear that trouble was on the horizon, even for me. I did not look forward to having conflicts with people I had known all my life, but I could not agree with their choices and judgment either. I also would not stand by and watch, or turn my head to what they were doing and planning to do.

They had all come together in agreement, all in one accord; that they would attack the newcomers in any way it took to drive them out, even if it meant burning them out. This, I would not stand for and Bane was with me on it. We began making daily visits to newcomers that were located near us and finding out what kind of problems the old timers were causing. I was receiving horrible reports and it led me straight to the one I figured was doing the leading, Henry Walls. Henry was in his fifties and he held a lot of clout among the ranchers. Pretty much what he said, they followed in agreement, so I knew I had a battle on my hands. I left Bane at the ranch so I could pay a visit with Henry because with Bane being half Indian, that would create a bigger problem. The ranchers nearby hated Indians and so far, no one had known that he was Indian. Bane was from the Shoshone Indian tribe nearby. Lander is located in Popo Agie Valley, which is near the southern boundary of their tribe. I knew that it would only add to the already heated up minds of the ranchers. When evil enters, it heads toward a downhill slide and there is nothing that will be held back once the snowball begins its roll. I traveled east into Riverton as well to get reports from newcomers, who now were owners of rich soil and mounds of grassy meadows. I knew that the old timers would review that area as well, wanting to relieve the newcomers of it. The reports I got were enough to make my blood boil. Fires were already taking place to about ten farms and they were heading for the cattle owners next. Arriving at Henry’s went exactly how I expected it would go. I was met at the gate to his ranch by five ranch hands, loaded with guns in hand, acting as if they did not know me for the past fifteen years. Most of these men had even took part in bailing hay parties at my place, each one of us making our rounds taking care of the chores of even planting crops. We had been a close enough group to see to it that we all had what we needed, but much had changed once the Homestead Act went into effect. My conversation with the men who were standing guard was short and to the point as I demanded to see Henry. When they refused to call on him, they ordered me off their land, saying “We believe that you have turned traitor

Bridges and Henry has nothing to say to a traitor, except for the usual warnings we would give to a traitor.” “You know I’m not a traitor. I’m with you all, except we part ways when it comes to violence. We can all get along quite fine as we welcome the new homesteaders. What are they doing to bother you boys?” “What are they doing to bother us? You just wait long enough and you will see what they will do. They will be stealing and claiming our stock and taking over the land.” “They are only claiming their own land that they are entitled to, whether we like it or not. They sure don’t have any plans to steal any livestock.” “You speak words of promise that you cannot keep Bridges. You are a traitor, the way we see it, you have left those you have known to strangers in our land.” “Will you just go get Henry so I can try to make some sense of all this before there is bloodshed?” As I turned to enter through the gate, three of the men stepped forward, raised their guns and shot in the air, as a warning. I knew that I would not be able to speak to Henry this way, so I would wait until an opportune time and turned around and rode off. I knew it was just the beginning and would get ugly. This was not a good time to be considering taking on a bride, but I still longed to get her here.

Victoria Willington was receiving letters from Bridges and in order to keep up with his dreams and desires, she was not able to put to paper how she felt so she had been keeping a secret: Her sister Savanna had been the one writing the letters. Neither lady intended any harm, and they never considered any consequences they may face later. One day Victoria received a very heartfelt letter from Bridges that read, Sweet Victoria, Your kind and most generous letter that I received last have sent me into a

tailspin of emotions. I am like a leaf that is taken with the wind and sailing through the air, slowly as it nearly touches the ground and then once again to soar high into the sky, choosing carefully a place to rest itself. My dear, just to read your warm and comionate letters makes my day and I find myself in meditation of you, picturing you in my mind as you write your love and desires to me. I feel like you have allowed me into a secret hiding place where no man has gone and I am in splendid happiness to be that man. Our desires are the same; our dreams meet in the night, as we hold hands walking around the beauty in which the Lord has made. I see you today in the bright daylight, just as you described in your letter, as you sit upon the blanket and we voice our wants and our futures. I long to bring children into his world by such a fine young woman as yourself. I shall think of you tonight when I carry my tired body into my room, closing the door, and lying upon my bed. I shall kiss you sweetly and may you feel my warm lips caress you with care. Until we meet, shall you know of my love?” In addition, it was signed: “Lovingly Yours, Bridges” Victoria rushed into Savanna’s bedroom to share with her the romantic letter that she received from Bridges and as she sat reading his words, Savanna became quite distant and would catch herself turning her head away, as to hide any tears that may flow down her cheeks. Savanna had fallen in love with the man she had been corresponding with, all the while fighting any desires she may have had within her. She kept it secret the day that Bridges had proposed to Victoria, that she felt the love when Bridges sent his proposal. She believed that she was the one that felt the rush more than her sister had who had shown little expression over it. She had to hold her love back and she would not allow getting in the way. So, she would just turn her head, leaving the news to belong to Victoria. A problem was on the horizon, but Savanna had already decided to sacrifice her love that had developed for Bridges for the love of her sister’s happiness.

New York City for Savanna was becoming her secret dwelling place as she was talking herself into remaining entrapped to the city life and remaining loveless. Victoria was filled with excitement with the thought of leaving New York City in the coming months, but without realizing that something was lacking within her for Bridges. She carried on as if her heart belonged to him, with no complaints or concerns being voiced. She at once began preparing herself to leave her home and made checklists each day with things she would need to do before she left. She was making out lists of wedding announcements that she would be sending my telegraph once the relationship fully developed and the date was set. Her days were spent making hoards of plans for the wedding, as Savanna slumped deeper into silent cries. Both sisters had secrets in their hearts that longed to be loosed, but because of pride and devotion, they continued with their charades Meanwhile, as the sisters toiled with their inner secrets, they both had no idea that the other wished to be set free to love. Victoria wished to love, to feel that rush that people speak of. She went to sleep at night, being sure to keep Bridges on her mind, drifting off to sleep, lacking the fire. Savanna wished to rid herself of the agony of having to withhold her desperate love she had for her sister’s coming groom, closing her tear filled with silent tears. They both would wake to a new morning, growing further apart in heart and being forced into loneliness. Meanwhile, Bridges had enough to handle with the ranchers deviant acts upon new land owners and his time was being taken up by making daily visits to those who had been under attack. So far, there were small fires being set and fences being taken down, causing the new homesteaders animals to wander off their land and onto the old timers lands. Henry had put out orders that if any animal that was not theirs wandered into their lands, the animals were to be shot and then taken and dumped back onto the homesteaders. Several of the new neighbors had lost some of their livestock and this was getting now out of hand. Bridges left at once and headed for Henry’s ranch, ordering that they stop their

doings immediately or he would be going to the Sheriff about it. When he arrived, the five men standing guard were not present and Bridges entered through the gate, riding up to the ranch. As he tied his horse to the house post, he caught an ear of Henry telling the hands to not shoot, and to let him enter. Bridges did not hold back for one moment and walked inside. “Henry, I have just found out what you and the boys are doing now and this must stop. These people are not attacking you or your land. You are killing off their stock. What is going on in your mind to do such things?” “Well now, Bridges, I see you have not a lick of smart in your head. I am just nipping in the bud what they plan to do to all of us. Have you forgotten that you are us?” “No, I have not forgotten that I am us, but I will not be involved in such devious crime, and won’t tolerate it as well.” “Oh, and what do you think that you can do about all this, Bridges? From what we hear, your life and mind is all tied up with your city bride you think you are going to enjoy soon.” “What the hell? You leave my fiancé out of this, Henry!” “Oh, I have no desire for your bride Bridges, but don’t you think you should just concentrate on convincing her to take you and then taking care of her once she gets here? I don’t think you would want anything to happen to her now, would you?” With that remark, Bridges flew across the room and before Henry’s hands could touch him, he hauled off and threw a punch and hit Henry right upside the head, knocking him in his desk chair. At once about ten men piled on top of Bridges, holding him down and began beating him. Henry stood up over the bunch and raised his gun in the air and a shot rang out. “Leave him alone and get off of him. I am sure Mr. O’Brien is aware of

consequences by now and that he will do what it takes to keep his coming bride safe, won’t you, Bridges?” Getting to his feet, Bridges shook his head, picked up his hat and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The war had just involved him and he knew it. Bridges rode back to his ranch and once he hit the gate, he began hollering for Bane to meet him out front. He jumped off his horse and as he headed into the house, Bane came from the barn. “What is it Bridges, what’s wrong?” “You better get prepared because there is fixing to be a war and we will have no choice but to be in it.” “What do you mean, we will be in it?” “They have just threatened my bride to be, trying to coerce me into lying down as they kill off these homesteaders stock and they might just begin killing the people as well.” “They are talking about killing people now?” “No, they did not say it, but if I know them, they will stop at nothing and how do you think all this will end? The newcomers are not going to pack up and leave, because they’d leave for where? No, they’ll stay, they have nowhere to go, and they will fight to their deaths.” “Just what exactly are we supposed to do right now? Prepare what?” “I want you to prepare for war. Inspect the guns and ammo, and have them ready. Get us cover ready because when they ride in, we best have plans b and c ready to go. Get the animals in the fields, closer to the house in the front pasture and get animals out of the barn in case they set it on fire.” “Do you think they will do all that to you? They’ve known you for years.” “Bane, it doesn’t matter if I was Henry’s own brother, when evil thoughts enter into one’s mind, the evil will get more evil. Trust me on this, they will come.”

Bane took his advice and set out at once getting them prepared for the worst kind of war, even cutting out slits in the barn so that they can see for miles through cracks. He inspected the cellars to be sure they were safe to get into. They both knew that if they go as far as burning down the barn and the house, then they would just burn. If they are able to stop them from that, then they will have to fight them until the end. Bane had a thought of Victoria coming and he at once ran to Bridges and asked him what he planned to do about her arrival. Bane believed that Bridges should at least momentarily cancel her arrival until they knew for sure there would be no danger. Bridges just said that he believed it would all be over before she arrived and he left it at that. With all the chaos going on with Bridges and Bane, the thought of bringing Victoria into the middle of it began to eat away at Bridges and he decided that Bane was probably right, so he sent Victoria a telegraph to hold off on planning the trip for a time, until she would hear from him. Not explaining it very well, Victoria was even more determined to make her visit on time and she immediately sent back a message that she would like to proceed if Bridges would approve. Bridges knew by the tone of her letter that she would come anyway, so he might as well approve. If he had to he would take her to stay with someone else if things got heated up and he messaged back that it would be fine to come and he would send her the funds. After discussing it with Bane and explaining that she was going to come now, whether it was approved or not. She had grown so excited and could not wait any longer. So, a time was chosen and it would be putting her in Lander in about three weeks. Spirits were high and preparations continued on for her arrival. In the meantime, both men kept a close eye on their animals and their ranch and it seemed as though nothing was going to happen. More work was done on the house and Bridges went to town getting supplies, brought them home and at once put things in their places. By the time the three weeks was used up, they were ready for Victoria to step foot off the train. As the day grew closer, while she was in route, a couple of

Henry’s men had been seen at the far corner of Bridges’ land and again, they were on watch. With Victoria arriving any day, they feared something would happen while she was here, but there was nothing they could do about it, except to keep her safe. Bridges woke up on the morning he was to go and get Victoria at the train in Rock Creek, and he was elated. Dancing his way into the kitchen, he was very happy the day had finally arrived. He hurried around, getting all his tasks done and when he was about to hitch up his wagon to the team, some of the homesteaders rode up on their horses to inform him that more fires had been set and this time two people had been hurt. They had come to ask Bridges if he could go with them to decide what they would do about Henry and his men. With no time to argue, Bridges asked Bane to ride into Rock Creek and pick up Victoria and he would meet them both back at the house. He knew that it should be him doing the talking at this meeting, so he allowed Bane to go and fetch his bride. Then he hopped on his horse and rode off with them. Bane finished hooking up the team to the wagon and headed down the road to bring Victoria back. When he arrived at the station, he was a little early, so he pulled the wagon over in the stables and he took a bench to watch the train ride into town. As he sat there, he tried to picture what Victoria would look like, since they had seen no pictures. He figured she would be somewhat pretty at least, but he was not ready for what he saw when the train pulled into view and a little head was sticking out one of the car windows. With raven hair curling down her chest and bright eyes and rosy cheeks, he about guessed she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen. He ran up closer to the train and as it came to a stop, he took a few steps back, giving the engers room to get off. As he watched them get off the train, one by one, his eyes kept glancing up to catch the next face and suddenly a tiny and fragile face filled with rosy, puffy cheeks appeared. As he reached up to take her hand, their eyes met and she said hello so softly that he had to ask her what she said. “I said hello, are you Bridges O’Brien?”

“Um, no ma’am, I am not; I am Bane, but Bridges sent me to pick you up. I have some letters to show you that I am who I say I am.” Pulling from his pocket letter that Victoria had sent to Bridges, he then handed them to her, smiling and waiting for her approval. “Yes, I see that those are my letters indeed. Now, why Bridges could not pick up his own bride to be is beyond me, but that is fine, let us go and fetch him.” “Yes, ma’am, we sure can.” Bane could hardly speak and could hardly take a step forward because he was smitten with her and he knew he ought not to be, since this was his boss’s lady. Victoria ushered Bane on so that he would pick up her baggage, elbowing him finally to wake him out of his fixation on her. Bane shook his head, reached over to the driver, took her baggage from him, and at once took it to his wagon, leaving Victoria standing alone. He started to jump up on the wagon seat and realized that he had forgotten her and jumped back down, rushing over to help her to the wagon. It must have been a sight to Victoria to see this young man so taken with her that he could not think straight. She giggled to herself as he stumbled all over himself when he finally made his way back to her. “I apologize Ma’am, I did not have much sleep last night and I must still think I am dreaming.” “Dreaming -- you dream a lot do you, Mr. . .” “Bane, Ma’am.” “Oh yes, Bane. Please call me Victoria. No need for Ma’am.” “Oh yes Ma’am, I mean Miss Victoria.” His face by this time was turning red and his hands were beginning to shake. He offered his arm for her to take and he led her over to the wagon. When they stood right before the wagon, she paused and waited for him to assist her up into it and he again lost himself, not knowing what was expected.

“Do you mind giving me a little lift, Bane?” “Oh, yes Miss Victoria, of course. I guess I am just not used to seeing such beautiful women in these parts.” Offering his hand, he lifted her into the wagon, placing her on the seat so hard that she tilted over to the side. She just sat up straight, straightened her dress skirt, and readjusted her hat. He never even noticed that he had messed her up. Bane jumped up in the wagon, nearly landing on top of Victoria and she let out a giggle. Once the awkwardness was out of the way, Bane grabbed the reins and they were on the way. Bane and Victoria were having wonderful conversations and realizing that they could carry on quite well between themselves and each were so caught up with each other that they did not notice they were being followed. Finally, when Bane was able to look at something else besides Victoria, he saw four men riding behind them and he knew exactly who it was. Henry’s boys had come to get Victoria, just as Bane had feared. He knew he would not be able to outrun them, but he gave it a try and kicked up the speed a bit. With them being in a wagon, there would be no way to get away from them, so he just slowed it down. It wasn’t but seconds and the three men were on Bane, while the fourth grabbed ahold of Victoria, pulling her out of the wagon, leaving her baggage in the wagon. Bane was being given a beating of his life and Victoria was screaming and kicking trying to get away. “Who are you? Why are you beating that man? Let me go!” “Shut up or we will give you a beating just like we gave him.” “I will not shut up. Get your hands off me and get your hands off that young man!” Of course there was nothing Victoria could do and she screamed Bane’s name as they threw her on their horse and laid her over the saddle. Bane on the other hand had been beaten so badly that he was nearly unconscious. He heard them as they threw her on the saddle and he heard her scream for him. As the men ran away on their horses, he knew exactly where they would be and

he could get her back. First he had to get to Bridges and the homesteaders. Blood was pouring from his face and his mouth was full of dirt where they rammed his face into the ground. He thought he may have a few broken ribs, but other than that, he was good enough to walk. So, he began walking in the direction that he knew one of the homesteaders would see him. It must have been about an hour before anyone came upon Bane and it was one of the new homesteaders, Terry Wallace and his son, Jeremy. They rushed over to Bane, knowing exactly what must have happened. The only thing they did not know was that he was picking up a bride for Bridges at the station. Once they got him into their wagon and knew that he was all right, just banged up pretty bad, they then had to ask about the bride thing. “Yes, I was picking up Bridges new lady that he has been writing to. He’s over at Dawson’s so I had to go get her.” “We didn’t know that Bridges was getting married. He’s been writing to her long distance and now they’re getting married? Isn’t that called a mail order bride?” “Yes! No. Er...not really. I think she was a friend of his family or something like that.” “I bet she’s a mail order bride. I heard that Bridges own pa did that too. I guess that really works.” Terry’s son Jeremy could not let go of the idea and was on Bane like crazy to find out more about this bride. “Son, enough about the mail order bride. I guess it works, cause I heard that Bridges pa was very happy with his mail order bride.” Looking over at Bane, Terry said, “Oh, I’m sorry Bane, but you have to it it is a tempting subject to talk about.” “Yes, it is, but can we go now? I have to get to her.” “Get to whom? I thought you went to pick her up, where is she? Was she a no show?” “No, I am trying to tell you...Henry’s boys came along and stole her and beat me like this. I have got to get her back.”

“Oh! I didn’t know. You didn’t say. Let’s go, then.” Terry Wallace had moved his family from Missouri out to Wyoming when he had heard of the homesteading laws and he was thrilled to have had the opportunity to receive free land to start a new life. His wife Sally did not want to make the long trip but after seeing her children Jeremy and Josie so happy out in the rolling hills, she had quieted her tune. She was now at home and loved every minute of it, until the ranchers began harassing them. Terry was dreaming of becoming a rancher himself, but for now he had that spot of land, some chickens, hogs, sheep and a couple young calves that he was given by Bridges. He received the young calves as gifts to the children for a housewarming present and it would help them all get used to having cattle around. Terry had no idea how to be a rancher and Bridges intended to help him out and to teach him slowly. Bridges offered him a fall job on his ranch so that Terry would be around cattle and could learn from Bane how to rope, rides and brand cattle. His wife Sally had been onto Bridges about finding himself a lucky lady so she could have someone more feminine to visit, but she had no idea that he had one on the way. “Sally is going to be so thrilled now that Bridges has a lady coming. She has been dogging him since we got here, to get a lady so she could visit her.” “Yeah, I bet.” “No really, she has laid into Bridges every time she saw him. We had no idea that he went and got himself a mail order bride. I will have to explain that to Sally, what that is and all.” “What’s to explain? It’s just a woman that hates the city and wants to meet a man that lives out west.” “Well, you and I know that, but women seem to think a little different and I don’t want her thinking this lady is, well, you know…” “No, I don’t know.”

Jeremy broke in and said, “Yes, you do know! A whore!” “Tell your kid to learn his manners. Terry. Victoria is no whore!” Terry shot Jeremy a look he well understood and Jeremy crawled to the back of the wagon, murmuring to him… “Gosh, he knew what I meant and he just wanted me to say it.” “Bane, you just never mind my son. You know what he means. He does not mean that Victoria is one. You know what people say and hear. I’m sure this is a different case with Victoria.” “Well, all right, but I would appreciate it if he would not let her catch him saying anything like that. She’s a fine lady.” “Well noted, isn’t it, son?” “Sure is, it sure is.” Jeremy rolled his eyes, knowing that he did not mean that she was a whore, but mail order brides were weird in his opinion. “Where do you want to go first Bane, after her or do we go and get Bridges?” “Maybe we had better go get Bridges, since she’s his soon to be bride.” “Good idea.”

“Get your hands off of me, you filthy skank!” “Oh it looks like she’ll be a feisty one boss.” “Ma’am, just keep your mouth shut or he will have to tie you to a chair and if you still don’t shut up, he will stuff your mouth as well.” “Hey boss, we could have some fun with this city broad.” “Over my dead body you will. You won’t lay one hand on me in any sexual manner!” “That too can be arranged, if you don’t shut up. It don’t matter, dead or alive,

does it boss?” That was about all Victoria could take. This turned her into a screaming fit, kicking her legs and swinging her arms so much that it only led to being tied to the chair. They accomplished that promise. “I tried to tell you, now do you want this old sock in your mouth as well?” This calmed her to a total silence, realizing they were nothing but serious. She calmed right down, looking as if she was a pinned calf. “What are we going to do with her boss? We will have to watch her closely.” “Well, that will be your job Sikes, and don’t get the urge to touch her. Wait until all this is over so you can concentrate on killing ‘em all.” “Killing who? You’re going to kill people?” “That’s what we do broad, that’s what we do.” This sent her to praying aloud and the guys all just laughed at her as if she was on display. She continued to pray for Bane, for Bridges, and for herself, aloud. Henry and his men had no intention of backing down when they went to fetch Victoria, and he knew that Bridges would come. Therefore, they at once began getting prepared for war. Sikes was left in the house to stand guard over Victoria and the rest of them went out to the barn and gathered up all their guns and ammo they would need. Victoria was going to be a pawn and they didn’t care whether she lived or died. They could get plenty of women and she was nothing special. Meanwhile, Terry took Bane to Bridges ranch and when they pulled up, he was just getting back from his visit at other homesteaders. Jumping off his horse, when he saw Bane, he ran over to them. “What the … what’s going on?” “Boss, I am so sorry, but Henry and his men beat me to a pulp and they took Victoria right out of the wagon. I couldn’t stop them.”

“Oh my...well, there’s only one thing left to do then. Bane, come on; are you good enough to go with me to get her?” “Yes, sir!” Jumping out of the wagon and running to his horse, Terry thought about it for a minute and told them both to hold on and discuss a plan. There had to be a plan and Bridges and Bane could not do this alone. Realizing that Terry was right, Bridges decided to take the time to make a plan. So, they gathered in the house and came up with a plan. Bane would go and he would hide off a piece from the ranch house and he would be the one to sneak in and get Victoria, while Bridges would try to first talk some sense into Henry. If it went bad, then that’s when Terry and some of the other homesteaders would go in and fight if they had to. This was a better plan. They at once took off for Henry’s. “Bane, I want to concentrate on nothing other than getting Victoria, do you understand? You must not try to fight anyone; you are my only hope of getting her out of there before the war starts.” “Yes, sir, I can do that.” “I will first try to talk to Henry, if it goes bad and then the others will be there for back up. I want no blood shed. This bloodshed has got to stop.” Terry, in the meantime, took his son to his mother and he began gathering up as many homesteaders that he could and they would wait in a distance as back up. Everyone that had even met Bridges agreed to go and they all got gunned up and ready, piling on their horses. No one even considered not helping Bridges because he had done so much for them. In a matter of a half hour Terry had collected every homesteader that they knew and they headed for Henry’s ranch. Spirits were high and they were ready for anything that would happen. They knew that it all had to be brought to a stop before more people died or lost their homes. They had finally come to a point where they could not turn back. They left their women with guns as well and they had taught them how to use them. They also left word with their wives that if they were not back before dusk, that

they were to go to town and get the Sheriff. Now, it was time to go and reclaim what was theirs--Victoria and their rights to their life and property. Victoria, on the other hand, had no idea what she had walked into when she accepted Bridges’ offer as his wife and she was beginning to have all kinds of worries and doubts, but she could not help herself thinking that Bane was a good person. He did not seem like an outlaw type, so she was left in confusion. She knew nothing about the homesteading laws, so she had no idea what this whole battle was over. Henry’s men were not telling her either. So, she sat as quiet as her lips would allow, only occasionally trying to scream out some foul word here and there. Sikes had more patient than the rest of the men would have had with her, because he had interest in her. The rest of the men didn’t need her, but Sikes thought he did. He did not plan to let one hand touch her and harm her. He would keep her for himself. Bridges had no intention in leading a bloody war and all that was on his mind was getting Victoria freed and getting out of there for now. As he rode to Henry’s, his eyes filled with tears, trying not to imagine what they had done to her. He gasped between his sobs and began pleading with God to lead him in this battle. “God, do not let my hand choose a move. Lead me, God, in this battle. Go before me and open the gates to get my darling. Do not let me make a mistake that I am able for. Let it be your hand, oh God, that strikes a man down.” Handing the situation over to Christ and trusting in Him would allow Bridges to keep his head and to hear God as He would lead. He wanted to hear God as He would speak and lead. He arrived at the end of the lane and appeared at the gate waiting to be stopped. Bane had already gone around to the back fields and would be finding his way into Henry’s property and into the house, but he would have to wait for the right time. Meanwhile, Terry Wallace had gathered up all the young and older men and they were also watching for the sign to go in. It was as intense as it was going to get

and they all knew that anyone could die at any moment, but a war that could not be ignored. Everyone had taken their places in the final battle that would decide the outcome for lives and rights. Some began tearing up as they thought about their wives, their children and mamas. They held their course, praying for miracles. They waited in the sidelines as they listened for sounds of gunshots, fully prepared to aide Bridges. As Bridges reached the house, Henry met him outside with gun in hand. Bridges climbed off his horse and hollered for Henry to come closer and talk with him as a man and an old friend. Henry came to him quickly and lowered his gun and laid it on the ground, claiming that they two would have to fight this one out. Bridges lowered his gun and laid it on the ground, ready and willing to oblige. “I just want Victoria. I came to get her and I am not leaving until you give her to me. Let’s not cause more bloodshed. No one needs to die Henry, but I am not leaving without her.” “You are not getting this broad back until you us and run these thieves out of our lands.” “Henry, there’s plenty of land for all of us. These people are not after your land. Your cattle can still roam freely. Why do you see it only one evil way? The Lord provides for all, does He not?” “You can take your Lord and your notions and stick ‘em!” Henry began walking closer, clearly showing that he wanted to fight Bridges one on one and Bridges walked closer as well, showing that he too was willing. As the two came together, Henry’s boys began to laugh, thinking that they were about to see Bridges get his tail end kicked for the first time. They all stood with guns drawn, ready to take any down that would interfere. By this time, Terry had brought the homesteaders into full view and they all stood with their guns drawn as well. This took Henry’s men by surprise and you could see them rethinking their part in Henry’s choices.

They stood firm, yet they looked weakened when they saw how many had come. Each one was contemplating whether they wanted to die for Henry. Henry had hired them all and had paid them for only half a man’s wages and as they stood there, they began thinking whether they wanted to keep receiving half a man’s wage and empty promises for their devotion to Henry, a man that was known for spewing out empty promises. There were thoughts in every man’s head and as they thought about the consequences, their guns started to hang closer and closer to the ground. The homesteader’s guns stayed where they were. They remained high in the air, all willing to give their life to the cause of getting an innocent captive woman freed and the cause of protecting and preserving their lives and the lives of their loved ones. God was moving upon a people, giving courage and strength to one group and removing it from another. Henry never took the time or had the sense to notice that his own men were backing down, contemplating his choices and judgments on the new neighbors. He carried on as if he had no worries about his men’s faithfulness. Walking up to Bridges, he looked him square in the eye, and said “One of us is gonna die here today Bridges, my friend, and it won’t be me. Are you sure she’s worth it? Are you sure these measly thieves are worth it to you? Why would you want to go and be a traitor? You have known me and most of us here for many years, boy.” “Like I said Henry, there’s no reason to carry on this war. There’s plenty of land and fresh water for us all. This is a war you have within your own sick mind. You have the chance to repent and to turn this around. I am not backing down and this war stops here.” At his words, Henry threw the first punch and hit Bridges upside the head, knocking him to the ground. The neighbors who had come to help started to rush in and Henry told them they had to wait. “Bridges told us to not jump the gun and to wait until we see the sign. Stand down.” Each devoted man and son took his order, and they moved back to their places, forming a line and keeping their guns erect in the air. Henry’s boys had moved forward as well and when they saw Terry’s stand down, they too stood down;

only they had now dropped their guns to the ground. However, Henry had not noticed that his own men had laid their guns down and he continued on to fight without having any one to back him up if things got out of hand. After about fifteen solid minutes of Henry and Bridges fighting fist to fist and rolling on the ground, Henry made his way back to his shotgun, picked it up and was about to shoot until he saw Bridges with his own gun in hand as well. “Oh, I see you got some guts after all. You going to shoot me then, are you?” “I will do what the Lord leads me to do. If I am to shoot you because you won’t stand down, then I will shoot you. The war stops with your final decision Henry.” “Well, then, if it’s my final decision, let me make that decision known.” He raised his gun and aimed it right at Bridges and every man on the field stood and stared, waiting for the outcome. Bane didn’t waste any time and he’d already made his way into the house. Sikes had been watching out the window at the whole fight going on and he was in a relaxed state and had no intention on dying for Henry. When Bane walked in, there was no fight left in Sikes and he sat and watched as Bane untied Victoria and removed her from the cabin. Sikes was left standing knowing what the outcome would be, and he just slowly walked out and stood beside the other hands, and lowered his gun to the ground as well. The war had stopped and the only person that was not aware of it was Henry. Bane took no chances and he set Victoria upon a horse, assuring her that he would explain the whole mess when he got her to safety and this satisfied her enough to get her home. Bane snuck her around the back of the house and took a very long way home, assuring that Henry would not even know that she was gone. He had to trusts that Bridges would be all right and that all the men and boys that had come to help would be able to handle the situation. They would get home to Bridges ranch and wait for the outcome.

Bane took Victoria into the house and began trying to find ways to settle her down so that she would quit yelling and listen. “Are you an outlaw? Was I mixed up with filthy outlaws coming here? I demand an answer right now!” “Victoria, you need to settle down so I can explain this to you. We are not outlaws. Have you ever heard of the homesteading act?” “Well, no, but what has any act got to do with what I’m going through?” “I am trying to tell you if you will just hush a minute. We are not outlaws. The Homestead Act was ed and it allows people to be entitled to free land for farming and raising livestock. Many people have recently come from far away and claimed a piece of land so they too may have a life here. “There are ranchers around here that have a lot of money and a lot of influence. They do not want the homesteaders here, claiming that the new neighbors will steal their cattle and take over the land and water.” “That still does not explain why I was taken captive by a bunch of filthy men.” “No, I know it doesn’t. It was a timing thing. They found out that you were coming and it was a way to get to Bridges so that he would them in their perverse way of thinking. They have been burning down homes, barns and cutting fences, letting the animals out and then when the animals would show up on their property, they killed them. “They took you thinking it would make Bridges their ways.” “Well, I would hope that this Bridges, the man I am supposed to be marrying, would not go along with such a thing!” “No Ma’am he would not, and that’s why today happened. He sent me to sneak in and get you and get you out of the way so that he could end it all right now. We wanted you safe first, Victoria.” “Who are we? Is that you too, Bane? Did you want me safe as well?” “Well, of course I do. I would die to protect you.”

“You don’t even know me Bane, so why would you die to protect me?” “I’ve seen enough of you Victoria to know I would die for you.” Walking over to Bane, Victoria sank into his arms and released all her fear she had bottled up when she was being held at Henry’s. “I’m sorry, but I was so scared. I’m so thankful you came to my rescue. Thank you, Bane.” “Of course I would save you. I am sorry we met like this, but what a story it is, don’t you think?” “Yes, it is quite one I will never forget,” Victoria said as she tried to relax a bit and chuckle. Victoria was safe and Bridges knew that she was because his sign would be when he would either hear a shot or Sikes would walk out. Since Sikes had walked out and Bridges saw him lay his gun down on the ground with the rest of Henry’s men, he knew that Bane had rescued Victoria and gotten her out. As he looked out across the yard, he saw every man of Henry’s take one step back, not picking up his guns. He knew that the war had ended right there, and either Henry would shoot him or the Lord would raise his hand to his own gun to shoot Henry. He stood in silence as Henry stood there cursing Bridges and falling further and further away as a total stranger to Bridges. Bringing his eyes back to Henry, he saw the arm raise, the hand on the gun and saw it point straight at his face, as if it was all in slow motion. As Henry’s gun came into sight, he felt his own arm raise, his own gun point directly at Henry and he felt his own fingers place themselves upon the trigger, firing a shot across the yard, striking Henry before he could even get a shot off. The war had ended and Bridges stood in his own footprints. He had lived and someone else had taken his place in death. As Henry’s men watched their boss fall and hit the ground, each one of them

slowly backed further away from their own guns, showing the homesteaders that they had no intention of carrying on the war. Satisfaction had been met. One lived, one died, and the war was over. No longer were Henry’s men enslaved by a man’s evil thoughts and no longer were they trapped in schemes that their hearts were not built for. They were now free to let go of their chains that they had allowed to hold them down. As they reached for their hats they brought them down, placing them in front of their chests, and they nodded their heads, showing that they all had agreed and there would be no more killing, no more fires and no more war. The homesteaders took their cues and they too lowered their guns to the ground and tilted their hats as well. The war was over, and only one man lay on the ground. Each man sent a prayer to God, thanking Him for leading the war and ending a war that could have taken the lives of all. As each man on both sides shook their heads, they also shook the walls down that had separated them. The two lines of men came together in the middle of a field, shook hands and introduced themselves, one by one. Bridges had built a bridge between two sides that had never been given he chance to meet. Now instead of two sides, there was only one. Now, all he had to do was to get back and explain all this to his bride to be. This, he thought would be the hardest part of the day. The war was over, both sides had come together as one and peace was amidst the men. Bridges toughest job would be to go back and hopefully reclaim his bride. Not knowing what she must be thinking and hoping that she had settled down by the time he arrived, he pushed forward feeling this would not be easy to explain how she got involved in such a mess. Hanging his head, feeling ashamed for the lack of desire he was feeling for Victoria, he stopped under an old elm tree to have a word with the almighty God that had stopped a man’s war. He now had to give his concerns to God regarding Victoria. Of course he loved her, he had sent for her to come be his bride.

He also knew deep down that something just did not feel right. As he sat there, one knee bent, he poured out his heart to God, and asked for God to give him the desire for this woman. She had traveled far to become his bride, he had fought for her and yet he felt something was missing. He stayed under that tree on his knee for an hour or so and decided to head on back, because he did not hear the answer. He was feeling deserted, but he knew better than to give up on God, because God always answers prayers to those who follow Him. He knew that God would be heard eventually. Bridges rode up on his horse and before he was even in the door, Bane had met him, ran up to him and grabbed him with a hug of gratitude to see him alive. The rest of the homesteaders all came too as well to show Bridges their appreciation for not only ending the war, but for filling the gap between them and Henry’s shackled men. The shackles on the men had set them free and now they were all free to be the neighbors God intended them to be. The one removed was intended to be removed and now they all would find their peace among their heavens of Wyoming. As Bridges stood outside talking and shaking hands with every newcomer, he glanced up to see Victoria standing at the door. He tilted his hat at her, and everyone took their places as they rode on out, returning to their own families and allowing Bridges time with his new bride. Bane also took his own back seat and headed for the barn, leaving Victoria and Bridges alone on the front porch. “Well, you must be the fine Bridges that stopped a man’s war.” “Yes, Miss Victoria, I am Bridges. How do you do?” “I am fine now, but I couldn’t say such a thing only hours ago.” “No, I am sure you couldn’t. Would you care to go in and I can fill you in on everything that has happened?” “Yes, I’d love to.” Taking her by the hand, he led Victoria into his home and offering her a cold drink, he sat her down at the table, ready and willing to share with her what

happened. They sat at the table for a couple hours as he told her everything that Bane had told her and she soon realized that it must be the truth because both men had the same story to tell. When he finished telling her how she got mixed up in the mess, he then asked her to forgive him for sending for her to come when he did. He realized that Bane had been right all along and he should have postponed her trip. “You mean Bane mentioned to you that you should wait until it was all over with to send for me?” “Yes, Ma’am, he did and I should have listened to him, and that I have to live with. I made a dreadful mistake and it was selfish of me. I do hope you can forgive me in time.” As Victoria sat and listened to Bridges, she accepted his apology, but what she was holding in her heart was that Bane thought of her and wanted to spare any danger coming to her. This she kept in her heart. Bane had made an impression upon Victoria that she could not deny. She found herself in deep thought from that moment on and then she recalled as well, Bane saying that he would die for her. This left her with an uneasy feeling and she kept it to herself. After the two had been alone for quite some time, Bane did come back to the house, only to retrieve his things and he would go to the barn, leaving the two of them in the house. As he started to walk back to the barn, Bridges stopped him and informed him that there was no reason for him to stay in the barn. They had built an extra room on the house and there was plenty of space for him as well. He would not hear of him living in any barn. After a time of arguing about it, Bane found himself back in the house, feeling grateful, but yet, uncomfortable. He was not sure what he would do with some feelings of his won that were creeping in. He waved his hat at Victoria and retreated to his room for the evening, and stayed there the rest of the night. Bane, being the son of a white man and an Indian woman had things to consider and the fact that he adored his boss. It did not matter what feelings he was

having for Victoria, they would have to remain hidden. There was no way that he would do his boss wrong, and besides if she knew he was the son of an Indian, she would look at him very differently. He lay there in his bed, even considering moving on, leaving Bridges ranch and Victoria, and began to ponder on where he could go. Coming to the conclusion that he had nowhere else to go at the time, he would just have to avoid Victoria. She was meant for Bridges and he would never dirty his friendship with Bridges. No woman would be worth that kind of hurt. Victoria also retreated to her own room for the evening and she plopped upon her bed, as she began to recall everything that had happened since she got off that train. She, too, was finding in her heart, a love for a man, but she was not sure it was for the right man. She, too, thought about leaving the ranch and returning to New York. She could not understand why she felt like she was lacking something for Bridges. He was a wonderful man, kind, gentle, strong and courageous. Why did she have reservations in her heart? She thought herself to sleep and woke up in the same clothes she had worn the entire time. A beautiful sky’s sun brought glorious light, shining directly through the bedside window where Victoria lay her head. As her eyes opened to its light, there was a refreshing healing that had taken place in her body. She also noticed that she had never experienced a morning sun quite like the one that had just woken her. She raised herself up to one elbow as she leaned her ear closer to the outside surrounding her window, and she heard the sweetest noise just outside the window. This caused her to spring from her bed and that is when she noticed that she had fallen asleep in the same clothes she’d arrived in. This disgusted her, but the calling of the bird drew her back to the window. Raising the window to its fullest, she peeked her head out and to her amazement, there was a tiny bird staring right back at her. It startled her to see such a thing. It was as if that tiny bird knew her. This had never happened to her before, never. It enticed her to sit and watch to see what the tiny bird would do. As she watched the bird seemed to dance for her as it hopped from spot to spot, collecting small twigs and she wondered why he would collect twigs and not bugs. As she

watched in joy, she saw the bird carry the tiny twigs way up high into the large tree outside her window and saw the bird plant them in what looked like a big clump of hay and dirt. This she had never seen before either. Her life in New York City was not ever this peaceful and quiet to be able to catch a bird filling it nest. That is when she realized that she would have tiny baby birds one day soon just outside her window. This was too much excitement for her first morning at the ranch and this sent her heading for the door. When she threw the door open, she saw that Bridges was not sitting at the table, but it was Bane. Thrilled, she ran to him, sharing with him what she had seen. She grabbed him by the shirt tail and she drug him to her window to see what words could not express. As Bane watched Victoria gazing at the bird filling its nest, this was another one of those moments when he had to resist and this sent him straight out of her room and back to the kitchen. Realizing that he had left abruptly, Victoria ran back to the kitchen to see where he had gone. Bane was not ready or strong enough to even answer her next question, so he just acted as if he was running behind. He excused himself, tilted his hat her way and ran through the door. Victoria stood still just watching him run; thinking to herself that it probably was for the good. Bridges had already started his chores while his lady slept. He was not sure how long she might sleep in after all her first meeting had brought to her. He moved about the morning like he was behind on everything, and worked hard, giving him no time to ponder on things. He knew that the lady inside that house was a beautiful woman and everything about her was quite attractive, but he still wondered where the spark was. He decided that it may just take time to get to know her and to spend time with her would surely ignite that spark. He certainly was not going to consider calling anything off but he found himself staying very busy most of the time. Day after day, he would tie himself up into work that could have been brushed to the side. He began doing so many chores that he was even taking over Bane’s. This left Bane in a quandary, not knowing how to handle all this free time. He could not spend that time in the house now, because she was there.

Both men had pulled themselves away from her and neither knew why. This was causing Victoria to become lonely, even lonelier than she was in New York. She began thinking about her sister, Savanna and found herself missing her so much that it sent her to sit down and write Savanna a letter. She did not want to live without Savanna close by and she decided that Savanna must come to stay with her. Considering this, she went to Bridges first, asking him if he would have anything against inviting her sister to their ranch, because she missed her horribly. Of course Bridges had nothing against it, but he wondered when the spark would ever ignite in either one of them. He was watching them grow no closer than close acquaintances and he wondered if maybe that is how love is and that is what couple’s marry for. He had hoped that it would be a little more exciting and emotional. He told Victoria that she could invite her sister to come for as long as she wanted. So, Victoria was off to write the invitation and rushed into town to have it delivered. When the telegram came from savanna, Victoria was as excited as a school girl and when she opened and read the message, she stopped smiling and laughing and read the words from Savanna.

“My dearest sister, I am not able to visit at this time, but perhaps at a later date. I do, however, miss you horribly.” It was signed, “Loving You Always, Savanna

Victoria was at a loss for words. How could Savanna not come? How could Savanna not miss her as much as she missed Savanna?

This was her thoughts and she could not understand why Savanna would not come. She would not give up on this and would try again soon. She did inform Bridges that Savanna was not able to make it but maybe she could at a later date. She carried on. Victoria now had to find things to do, because it was clear that ranch life kept the men terribly busy by the way that both those men were never around, except to eat a quick bite. This did not make this bride to be very happy or feel loved. Savanna held the note close to her chest and tears began falling from her face. She wanted to visit her sister! She missed her so much that she had not spent one day or night without crying herself to sleep. She was even regretting writing the letters to Bridges for her sister. If she hadn’t, maybe he would not have sent for Victoria. She did want to go and visit, but she could not. Because the other part of her heart that was broken, was broken because she herself had fallen in love with that man. She had found herself in love with Bridges long ago when they would write back and forth. Her love for her sister won out and she had to hide her love for Bridges. There was no way she could get through the heartache if she were to visit her sister and see them together. “Oh, I have made a fine mistake Lord. I have written letters to a man for my sister, so that he could fall in love with her. I may have made the worst mistake in my life, Lord. I found myself in love with the man in the letter and now, not only have I lost this man I am in love with, but I have lost my sister as well.” Savanna cried out to God, pleading to help her decide what to do. She wanted to see her sister badly, but she was afraid that he love for Bridges might show through. She knew that if she went for a visit, that she may not be able to hide her affections or her pain. She had fallen in love with the man on the other side of those letters and she had not been able to get him out of her mind. He was everything she ever wanted in a man and she had opened her heart up to him. She decided to leave it to God’s hands, but for now, she would not dare and visit. The ranch in Lander had become a stranger to itself. Words were being quieted and thoughts were being hidden between the dwellers. There was a fine storm of

problems on the horizon and for each one involved, eventually a solution would come, but for now; they kept to themselves. They all were good hearted people, following the ways of the Lord and they each had given their problem to God, looking forward to His divine intervention. As they all three kept to themselves and as the problem lay dormant, the friendly atmosphere grew. On the surface, they all became quite close friends, leaving one not even imagining that a marriage might be taking place soon. The three of them shared times of friendship on the surface, always lending a helping hand to one another and enjoying many nice evening meals. Victoria had learned how to cook since she had been there and was having a good time as she would prepare their meals and then have the men carry the food out to the picnic tables that Bane had built. They spent many evenings as they would talk about the livestock, the gardening and even the beautiful weather they had been blessed with. Each made sure that the topics of discussion were light and it bothered not one of them that an attraction of desire had not been seen yet. They all were keeping that to themselves. They did not know that God was moving in their lives, but they had faith that he would, and as each one left in mind one thing; to be friends, it was allowing Jesus to weave in His touches. Each person on that ranch had their own story, their own confusion and their own love building. All the while, they were able to keep any lifetime decisions at bay, while they enjoyed one another’s company. Bridges had accepted a paid week trip that he would be taking with some of the new homesteaders. They wanted him to them because of their trust in his judgment and they were traveling to look for supplies they would need in order to get their crops in. They were now ready to purchase some pull teams and were interested in looking at oxen and mules. They did not trust themselves in such a major decision, so they asked Bridges to go along with them.

Bridges could not turn down their request and he felt obligated to give him their advice because he had always been very successful in his crops and the animals he had bought. He at once mentioned this to Victoria and offered her place on one of the wagons. At the time Victoria had spent enough time on trips, so she told him that she would like to decline the invitation and looked forward to using her time putting in a fresh garden as well as tidying up the house. Both agreed to the decision and said their goodbyes. Bane was left holding his fear, as he watched Bridges pull away in one of the wagons; he only wished he could him. Now, he would have to stay out of sight even more. Bridges thought in his mind that the separation would do him and Victoria good because it was plain to see that neither of them had developed all that love was said to be. He did not want them to marry if they were not in love, but he did not want to lose her either. He was a mess with confusion and knew that the trip would do them both good. He was confident that the land war was over due to the constant state of peace between the homesteaders and Henry’s hands that had now moved on to their own lives. He knew that Bane would also be there for protection or for any kind of help Victoria may come across. Victoria, on the other hand, had not had enough time to think about Bridges being gone. Aafter about two hours and Bane not in sight, it hit her that she had placed herself back into an uncomfortable situation. She realized that she would have been better off being on the trip with the man she was to marry, instead of being left behind with a man that meant too much to her. She had made a mistake and once again this sent her to her knees. After a good “come to Jesus meeting” she allowed herself to wander out into the garden as she looked over it well so she could decide what seeds she would like to plant and where. While she was there she heard sounds coming from the barn and she was sure that it must be Bane, but she had thought she saw him ride away a little while after Bridges left. So, she headed for the barn to be sure that Bane was gone.

When she got to the door, Bane stuck his head out, and would not open the door to her, and she found that quite odd. It seemed that Bane was using his own techniques to keep them apart, just as she did the same when she was in control. She did not understand what he was acting this way for because he had never stressed to her about his own feelings for her. It was a strange atmosphere on the ranch as each one knew nothing of the other and they all were trying desperately to do the right thing in the sight of the Lord. “Bane, why will you not open the door? Is a lady such as myself not capable of handling the sights of a barn?” “Uh, yes, I am sure that you are capable, but I have things to do and the barn is quite a mess right now. Perhaps you could come back after it is tidied up.” Bane was still holding one hand on the door, leaving it only open a minor crack big enough to carry on his conversation. Finding his behavior weird, but accepting his request, she obliged and walked away. “This” she thought, was getting to be quite crazy, for them to act the way they did at times. She was growing tired of everyone’s changing moods, including her own. She decided she would take a trip in town and do some shopping, not only for seeds, but maybe for some new dresses as well. She walked back to the barn and asked Bane if he would mind saddling up one of the horses for her, because she would like to go into town. “You’re going to town?” “Yes, I thought I would do some lady’s shopping, if that’s all right?” “No, I mean yes that would be fine. It’s just I was going to go to town as well.” “Oh, you’re going too?” “Yes, I needed to go check on some supplies.” “Well, then, I suppose we both should. Or, I mean, we could go separately. I don’t know how long I’ll be and I know you have plenty to do.”

“Yes, I think we should go separately as well.” It was decided, they both would go separately and forgetting how small the town was, this was a silly suggestion, but a worthy one. Bane saddled up a horse and left it at the front tied to the porch. He hopped in the wagon because he had said he would be getting supplies and he rode off first to get there first. Where he was going he had not shared with her and he knew if he beat her to town, he would not be seen. He was going to see his father, Howard. He had not seen him in a while due to having to always hide from Howard’s wife Mabel. He was tired of her hating Indians, since he too was one, because it kept him from seeing his father. He needed to see his pa because he had a huge problem with Victoria. Victoria stood watching through the window, waiting for Bane to leave because she did not want to be on the road directly behind him. She, too, needed some time to think and thought shopping would do the trick. As soon as he got out of sight, she then changed into a dress quite suitable for shopping and her riding boots, and out the door she went. She had loved learning to ride. Bane had shown her how to ride when Bridges was too busy to bother. She loved her time on a horse. It was so peaceful to ride along watching little animals peek their heads out, and feeling the wind blow through her hair. She loved the feel of the horse under her as she galloped along. She loved the freedom it gave her and the horse. Bane did make it to town before Victoria and he tied his horse to the pole outside the saloon. Then he walked on down to his father’s business and peeked inside to see if Mabel was there. He could not see her, so he walked on in, finding his father coming out of the back store room. “Father, I am so glad you’re here.” “Son, is everything all right? Did Mabel see you come in here?” “No, and I really don’t care if she did. Aren’t you getting tired of having to hide me all the time because of her?”

“Yes, of course I am. That will change soon. I plan to break the news to her.” “You make it sound like I’m awful news, Father.” “No, I didn’t mean it that way son, I promise you. It is just that she will throw a fit at first. Anyway, what brings you here?” “I need to talk to you about a problem that I don’t know how to fix.” “What kind of a problem? Are you in trouble?” “No, I’m not in any kind of trouble--not with the law anyway.” “What kind of trouble could it be if it is not trouble with the law then?” “Well, it could be trouble with...with Bridges.” “What the … kind of trouble could you have with Bridges? He is such a good, fair man. What have you done son?” “I haven’t done anything, father. I think I’m in love with his bride to be, Victoria.” “Oh my word, son, that cannot happen. He’s to marry that woman. You must ask God to forgive you and remove that desire from your heart.” “I have tried father. It is not that easy.” “We will have to talk about this later. Mabel could show up at any time. She went to Rosie’s dress store.” “Father, when will I ever be able to visit you, I mean, sit down and visit you?” “Soon son, soon. For now, you must move along.” “All right then!” Bane stormed right out the front door and smack dab into Mabel. As he turned the corner, Mabel rushed into the store, yelling “Howard, what happened with that young fellow? What have you done to piss off a customer that much?”

Howard came creeping around the corner of the store and raised his eyes to Mabel, not sure of what to say and thinking quickly he said that the young man had walked into the wrong store looking for someone. Mabel, of course did not buy his explanation, but she let it go, knowing full well that sooner or later she would learn the truth. “This town keeps no secrets from me Howard. I will know what happened, sooner or later,” then she marched back down to Rosie’s to blow off some steam. When she arrived at Rosie’s she began a conversation with a customer that seemed to be new in town and Mabel had never laid eyes on the pretty woman. Mabel walked straight up to her and introduced herself to her. “Hello Miss, I don’t think I have ever met you before. My name is Mabel and my husband Howard and I own the parts store in town. What would your fine name be?” “Hello, Mabel, my name’s Victoria….” “Victoria? Are you the Victoria that came from New York to marry Bridges O’Brien?” “Well, you could say that. Yes, I am Victoria from New York.” “How does that mail order bride thing work? I find that quite, well--quite odd.” Rosie broke the conversation up at that point, knowing where Mabel was going, and she wasn’t going to allow her to begin bashing Victoria. “If you could excuse us Mabel, while you shop, I have to show some items to this young woman that she was asking about. I am sure you can understand customer service, being such a fine business woman as well.” Mabel knew exactly what Rosie was hinting at, and Mabel marched herself right out, huffing and puffing. “Who was that?” “That, my dear, is not someone worth knowing half the time. That’s Howard’s wife Mabel. If it turns out that she acts like she hates you, never mind her--she

hates everyone.” “I have heard the name Howard before.” “I’m sure you have. He has the only hardware and supply store for miles and miles. Bridges knows him quite well. I believe he referred a hired hand to Bridges here a while back, name something like Blaine, or …” “Bane? Would that be Bane who works for Bridges?” “Yes, I believe it was Bane. I’ve seen him a few times and I have noticed he never visits Howard when Mabel is around the store. I don’t think Bane likes Mabel too well either. Most do not.” “My, that’s a shame that a woman could be so unlikeable. Is she a Christian woman?” “Who knows who’s a real Christian in these days? Used to, you could tell, but not anymore.” “Perhaps not.” “Well, what can I do for you today Miss Victoria?” “I was just taking some time to get away and do some lady shopping. I’m sure you can understand when sometimes a lady must just get off by herself. At times I’m not sure about men, because they confuse me.” “Oh, don’t they all? With Bridges being such a fine man, it sure must make you feel very blessed to have been chosen as his bride. Tell me, did you enjoy his décor of the house, mainly the bathroom?” “Yes, I found his taste quite charming indeed.” “I am so glad you enjoy it. I was the one that Bridges came to in order to get advice on the décor for a beautiful woman like you.” “Bridges came to you and had that done special for me?” “Why, yes he did. He wanted to present you with some beauty inside the home.”

“Well, I would say that is fairly impressive for a gentleman.” This made Victoria feel that much worse because no fire had lit between her and Bridges, but she dared not share that with Rosie. She longed for someone she could talk to and with Savanna refusing to visit, she had no one to confide in. She thanked Rosie and walked slowly out of the store, got back on her horse and rode out of town. This left Rosie wondering what was going on at the O’Brien ranch. Victoria never planned for any of this to happen. She thought that she would meet Mr. Right, the same Mr. Right that she shared letters with for so long, and that she would just naturally fall in love with him. He was kind enough, gentle enough, very smart, and courageous enough. She knew that he was a man of God. The fire had never ignited between them, they both knew it. She had never asked him if he had fallen in love with her yet, but he did not have to tell her, she could just tell. “Somehow a woman just knows when her man is in love with her, surely she does,” she thought as she rode along. She was not paying attention to how fast she was riding the mare and before she knew it, the horse tripped and she went tumbling off. She landed in a bush that was full of briars, and she knew at once that she had landed in what felt like needles sticking all through her. As she raised her dress to investigate, she caught a glance of movement, and she looked up and saw Bane running from under a tree. Bane had stopped along the way and had sat down to think under a tree and when he looked up and heard her thrown from the horse, he immediately ran over to see if she was all right, and then he took off after horse. With no time to answer her, he took off on his horse and was chasing it. As she stood there thinking he had left her in the middle of a briar patch, she at once began screaming, and crying and throwing a fit. “I do not understand men. I hate all men! Why they act like they want to be your knight in shining armor and then when it comes right down to it, they always run when you need them the most!”

By the time Bane returned with her horse she was madder than a wet hen, not fit to even be tied. She was pacing all across the pasture, back and forth, yelling, stopping to bellow out a scream here and there, and finally released all the tears she had stored up. Bane could not believe his ears when he approached her and he heard her scream “I love you Bane! Rats! I love you!” That was all it took for Bane. He heard the woman he fell in love with say that she loved him. Then he thought maybe he misunderstood the name. “Maybe she said Bridges and I just wanted to hear Bane,” he thought. This slowed his run to a pace, and on down to a walk, as he approached her. When he got right to her, she turned around, ran right into his arms, and kissed him like he had never known a kiss to be. He jerked back and held her out where he could take a good look at her, and said to her, “Do you know what you just did? Have you lost your mind?” “Yes! I know what I just did. Did you not want that kiss?” “Of course I do, because I’m in love with you and have been ever since you got off the train.” “Oh”…sobbing and crying “Oh” between the sobs. “What will we do? We have wronged ourselves.” “I don’t know what to do. That’s why I have been making myself so scarce. I will not allow me or you for that matter, to do Bridges wrong.” “Well, there’s only one thing that we can do. I am going back to New York then.” “Going back? You’re going to leave us both?” “Well, I certainly cannot have you both, now can I?” “Well, no, but surely there’s something else we can do. Why can’t we tell Bridges?”

“Do you want to be the one to tell him Bane? Well, do you?” “Not really, I think you should. You are the one that does not love him, I… I do love Bridges. He gave me a job and a home.” “You love him? Well, then why don’t you just marry him?” That was not funny to Bane and he dropped her to the ground. “Why did you do that?” “Because that statement was uncalled for. You know what I mean by “I love him.” “Of course I do, I was only teasing. Lighten up.” “I would if there was anything to lighten up about.” “Well, let’s take the time to discuss this then, so that by the time he returns from his trip we will have a plan.” “That sounds evil, to have a plan.” “It is more evil to keep it a secret the way we have been; wouldn’t you say that is evil of us?” “I don’t want to talk about this. Bridges is my dearest friend. You don’t know him the way I do. We cannot do him this way. You were not supposed to love me back Victoria!” “Well, that’s nuts. That is just selfish of you Bane! You want to go on the rest of your life as our hired hand and being in love with me? Is that what you want? Should I not love the one my heart chooses?” Looking down into her eyes, Bane realized that she was in just as much pain as he was. She truly loved him and they did have to find a way to deal with it. There is no way that he could remain at Bridges’ ranch as long as he loved her so much. He knew they had to discuss it, and he had to accept the fact that she too, loved

him. This was a bigger problem than he had thought.

Gathering up themselves and her horse, and his wagon, they decided they might as well head back to the house and discuss it more. As she rode along in front of him, Bane heard his heart tell his mind that he could not let her go. Knowing now that she felt the same way, this made the whole situation different; it made it all more difficult. Something had to be done. A wedding was supposed to take place and the one he loved was expected to marry his own boss. This would never work and he would not allow it, as well. His eyes filled with tears as he thought about Bridges and how good he had been to him. He considered taking Victoria and they could just run off, but he could not bear to do that to Bridges. The more he thought about it, the more he also wondered why he had not seen any special touching or looks between the two. Well, according to Victoria, she was not madly in love with Bridges. Why did he not see those looks in Bridges’ eyes, either? Was Bridges not madly in love with Victoria? Why would Bridges go through with marrying a woman he was not madly in love with? None of this made any sense to him and love hurts, is what he decided. Maybe when he got back to the house, Victoria could make more sense of it all. He thought that since she’s a woman, maybe she could explain love to him. When they arrived, Victoria hopped off her horse while it was still walking and she nearly fell to the ground. Managing to catch herself, she looked back at Bane and snarled at him. He looked at her, nearly laughing and still not understanding why women get like that if they have just found out they love you? He took the opportunity to just snarl back. It seemed fitting. When he opened the door, he asked Victoria to sit down and they would have to discuss the situation and for once she was quiet and sat down. “Can you explain to me why you would snarl at me, if you love me so much?”

“You snarled back--why did you do that?” “Because I’m frustrated. What I really want to do is grab you and kiss you and tell you how I love you. I can’t now, can I?” “Well, silly, have you considered that maybe that is why I snarled at you first; frustration you know?” “All right, so we have concluded that we both are frustrated and the way we handle frustration is snarling back and forth. Fine, just fine. What do we do about the fact that we are in love and you are supposed to love Bridges? By the way, why don’t you love Bridges? What in the world is not to love about him?” “That is the craziest thing I have ever heard a man say when a woman tells him of her undying love for him.” “Well, it might be crazy, but it’s true. Why would you fall in love with me and not him?” “I don’t know. A woman cannot help what idiot she falls in love with, can she?” Looking at her when she said that made him long to grab her and kiss her again and he said, “Look, I guess I have never been in love before, because this is all very confusing to me. “Well, do you think I have been in love before? Gosh, I’m only twenty years old. It’s confusing for me too. I thought I should love Bridges also. It doesn’t feel like love to me and he doesn’t love me, either!” “Oh, now he doesn’t love you? How do you know that? Surely the man loves you; he brought you here to marry you.” “Well, maybe he thought he would naturally love me too, and maybe he can’t.” “I don’t know, but I do know that it has to be fixed. How did you two fall in love through the mail? What was said that made you decide to come here to get married?” “I don’t know. I guess I felt obligated to.”

“That’s nuts. Who would marry someone out of obligation?” “I don’t know. I didn’t write the letters. I can’t help what happened with the letters.” “What? What did you just say?” “I said I did not write the letters. I am not good with words, so I had someone else write the letters. I guess Bridges fell in love with the stupid letters.” “Who in the h… who wrote them if you didn’t?” “I had my older sister Savanna write them. She’s a teacher and very good at words.” “Your sister wrote all your letters for you? He fell in love with a ghost writer?” “What do you mean, a ghostwriter?” “Someone that is not there or not meant to be seen. I would call that a ghostwriter.” “Victoria--what if your sister is in love with Bridges? What if it was her own heart speaking and that is what Bridges got out of the letters and then when you showed up, that love was not there?” “What are you saying? You mean my sister may have fallen in love with Bridges when she was writing letters for me?” “Well, what do you think? Did she ever act funny about it?” “I don’t know. I did notice that she got quiet at times, especially when I told her I was leaving for Wyoming.” “Your sister might be in love with Bridges and because she loves you, she is sacrificing her love for Bridges!” “You know, when I wrote her a while back, I asked her to come for a visit because I miss her so much and she refused. She gave me no real reason and just said perhaps later.”

“Victoria! She would not allow herself to come because of the pain she would endure seeing you with the man she loves. This is wonderful news, even for us!” “Why is this good news? She refused to come.” “That’s because she thinks you are in love with Bridges. Have you told your sister that you do not love him?” “Well no, of course not. I am supposed to be in love with him.” “Maybe we could trick her into coming and then get them together. Maybe she will come for the wedding?” Bane had come up with a solution that would fix everyone’s problem, but poor Victoria still wasn’t catching on and she said, “Wedding? You mean, you want me to marry Bridges?” “What’s wrong with you Victoria? No, make her think you are getting married and when she gets here, give them both time to know each other. If they loved each other through mail, then the physical love is guaranteed. “Let them discover their love and then you tell her that you do not love Bridges. Don’t you get it?” “Oh my word. I could trick her into coming to my fake wedding and let them spend time together so they can find their love and then they could get married. She would think she’s coming to my wedding. We could make it a double wedding. All of us would be getting married together!” “That’s a great idea! Let’s get started.” As the night drew near, they had figured out a plan and they both said goodnight. Bane went back out to the barn to sleep and Victoria went to her room. Neither once thought about getting together and all that was on their minds was correcting the situation. As Victoria lay there, she began thinking about how much her sister must love her. All those months Savanna sat writing letter after letter and falling deeper into love with the man I was intending to marry. The poor girl probably found out one day that she had fallen in love and she was doing all she could to ignore that

fact. Even her refusing to visit, when she missed Victoria horribly was a sign that she never intended to fall in love. Victoria thought, “How horrible it must have been on Savanna to read the letters from Bridges that were really meant for her. How awful to know that she could never be with the man her heart yearned for. I wonder if Bridges wonders why he does not love me when he loved me in the letters. What a mess.” In the morning, Victoria and Bane had many things to do. For their plan to go through they both had to be sure that it was God’s calling as well. They each parted company that next morning and they both went to be alone with God and they poured out their hearts honestly to God, asking for His almighty hand and guidance at ending the situation. Then, after they had prayed, they waited. They waited for two days and then they decided to begin making plans again. They both knew that the Lord would provide them with the plans to take and that he would be working in the background. Victoria met Bane at the barn door and she asked him if he had any other ideas about getting the two of them together. “I think, when it’s time, that you should write Savanna and ask her to come to your wedding and that you won’t get married without her here. She surely will come. Then when she comes, have Bridges go get her. I will make sure I am busy and cannot. This will give them a ride together where perhaps God will take it from there. If they wrote each other for months, then they know each other. That is what is so weird. It was not your heart that Bridges fell in love with; it was hers. They will know that they are in love. Then they will be in the same nervous shape that we’ve been in, won’t they?” “You know, you’re right. He fell in love with her heart. He does not know of course that she wrote the letters. That’s why he has been so agitated and confused. He does not understand why he can’t love my heart. We know why. That sounds like a great idea.

“We’ll wait for Bridges to get back and then I’ll begin planning or acting like I am planning our wedding. Then I’ll send a letter off to Savanna. Let’s just hope she’ll come.” “Oh, she’ll come. She won’t break your heart and she will just know that she has to keep her feelings hidden and she’ll probably think that it is the best way to let go of her love, to actually see you get married to him.” “You’re right--she’ll come.” Victoria and Bane had six days left before Bridges would return and they knew they had to get busy to get everything done. First, Victoria would write to Savanna, pleading with her to come for her wedding. She sat down and wrote a letter to her, asking her to come in two weeks from the time she got the message, that she would be getting married. She also added that she will not get married unless Savanna comes to the wedding. Victoria hoped that this would convince Savanna to come to her wedding. She then began arranging for a double wedding ceremony, because she planned to surprise everyone that would attend. Instead of Bridges marrying her, he would be marrying his true love, Savanna. Instead of Savanna watching her sister get married, she would be a bride. Instead of one couple getting married, there would be two. It all sounded like a fairy tale and the more she planned, the more excited she got. She just knew that it would work and that God’s hand would move through the beautiful pages. She also knew that she needed help and the only person she knew could help would be Rosie. She would have to tell Rosie the truth. She told Bane that she must tell Rosie, because it would never work without the help of someone. It took Victoria a while to convince Bane of this and for reasons that she did not know, Bane was not sold on it. Rosie knew every bit of gossip that hit the town and Bane had secrets of his own. Now Bane was looking head on with a new problem he had not thought of. This sent him straight to town as well. When he told Victoria that he too had to go to town, she wondered why he always did that.

“Well, it seems that every time I get the idea to go town, you decide to get the same idea?” “No, I just have some things to pick up. I think I would like to build an arbor for us to stand under when we kiss.” “Oh, now that sounds romantic!” “Okay. Well, get going and I’ll meet you back out here this evening.” That was all it took to get Victoria to run on into town, leaving him there to think a little longer on how he was going to plan his part. He had to tell his father that he was getting married to a woman that is supposed to be marrying someone else--someone else that Howard adored. Then, he was supposed to have his dad attend, when his own wife hated Indians, which he was half Indian. How would this ever work? He refused to get married and not share that moment with his own father. There was much to be done. He knew, as he sat there thinking, that nothing in his own power could make this work out for everyone, so he got on his knees, asking God to work His own will out for this wedding. This is when he handed it all to God, no matter what would happen, he would accept the results. He also wondered how in the world Victoria was going to confess to Rosie that she loved him and not Bridges. How did she think that Rosie would help them out when they appeared to be up to no good? Those are the questions that went through his head as he jumped on his horse and headed to town. Reaching town was the easy part, getting to his father was not. When he came around the corner, he saw Mabel standing on the porch of their store as Howard was hanging a new sign. He knew he would have to sneak around back and wait to see when his father would be alone. He was so tired of sneaking to see his father. Because his father would not tell her that he was his son, he obeyed Howard and went around back, waiting behind the store.

Meanwhile, Victoria reached Rosie’s at an opportune time and she asked Rosie if she could speak with her in private. “Rosie, I wonder if I could speak to you about something that I need your help with. It will take up some time to explain things, but I believe it would be worth your time as well.” “Well, sweetheart, you could not have caught me at a better time. I was just fixing to leave it to my son for the day, go on home for a glass of sweet tea, and sit in a nice bit of shade. Would you care to me there?” “Yes, and thank you, that sounds delightful.” As they were heading out of town, Victoria saw Bane at the back of Howard’s store again and she just waved high in the air to him, with a smile spread across her face. His job seemed to him to be much harder than hers, but he waved as if things were going along as planned. He bit his lip so hard that it bled. He was a nervous wreck just because he wanted his father to understand and accept his plan. When he saw her get out of sight he then jumped off his horse and snuck up to the back of the door and he sat and waited for Howard to come back in the store. Instead of Howard coming to the back room, it was Mabel and she caught him looking through the window. As he jumped away, it was too late because she swung the door open and began screaming for him to come back. He lowered his head and began walking back to the store and as he got to the door, his father ed them all in the back room to see what all the commotion was about. When his father’s eyes met his, they both knew that the time had come for truth to come out. Was it relief? Neither of them could tell by the look on Mabel’s face. Howard looked at his son’s face and it hit him for the first time, the pain that he had caused his son in hiding him in his life. He could not allow this to go on, and he told Mabel to go sit down in a chair. As she looked at him, she at once began to argue about it and he did not allow

that as well, telling her to take a seat because he had something to tell her. Whether Howard and Bane were ready for what was about to take place, the time had come and they both took a seat beside her. “Mabel, there’s something that I must tell you. No matter what the outcome is, I must tell you. I have wanted to tell you ever since we met, but because of your hatred in your heart, I chose to not tell you. This has killed me through the years and changed the man I was.” “What are you talking about--hatred?” “Your hatred for Indians, for anything different than you--that hatred.” “I didn’t realize I have so much hate in me. Of course, I hate Indians. Can you honestly say that you do not hate Indians, Howard? Who doesn’t hate Indians? They are savages.” Looking over at the pain on his son’s face was all it took for Howard to finally stand up to his wife who had become so bitter in her life. He did not even know why she had such hate for Indians, but it was time to find out why. “Mabel, there must be a reason that you hate them so horribly in your heart. Can you tell me?” “No! I don’t have to discuss anything with you!” “All right, then I have something to discuss with you, and hear me out. Afterwards, what you do about it is completely up to you.” Mabel eyed Bane and as she leaned forward to look closer at him, she at once saw something in the young man’s face that spoke to her. She wondered why in the world was her husband speaking to her with such determination about Indians, and then the idea hit her that this young man sitting beside her must be an Indian. “Oh my, oh my. This boy is an Indian! Is he not Indian? Why is this Indian sitting in my chair in my store?” “That’s what I want to talk to you about Mabel. This boy is Indian, yes he is. This boy Mabel is, well, he is my son.”

“He’s what? He’s your son?” “Yes, he is, and it’s high time I stop hiding that fact from my dear wife who should love me and love what is mine!” “Well, how old is this young man? He looks to be a young man and not a boy.” “I am twenty years old Ma’am.” “I did not ask you and I’m talking to my husband. “He’s twenty, Mabel.” “Well, how did he become your son Howard? You mean you had… you had relations with an Indian?” “Yes. I did. I was in love with his mother years ago, long before I met you, Mabel. I met his mother when I was trying to cross a river with a team and a wagon. I ran into problems and the wagon flipped over and I myself got tangled up in some weeds and brush under the water. I would have died as I tried to get untangled. His mother came along and saw me in the middle of the river, struggling to get loose, and she risked her own life as she dove under the water, freed me from the tangled weeds that were wrapped around my neck. She then pulled me up out of the water and swam with me to the bank. The woman saved my life, went back out into the river, trying to save my horses as well.” “An Indian squaw saved you from a river?” “Yes, and she then took me back to her camp and her kin so that she could watch over me as I would need some healing up. When I came to, she was there beside me. She stayed by my side the whole time. Afterwards, as I was healing up, we spent much time talking and we found ourselves very much in love. We managed to act upon that love, she became with child, and we called him Bane. As time went on, her father changed his mind and him and her brothers ordered me to leave their camp and to never return. By that time, Bane had been born and I loved the boy so much. I did not want to

leave him or her. She promised me that she would make sure that I would grow up knowing the boy, and she always met me through the years so I could see him.” “Why did she not leave them and come to be with you, then?” “Because she was afraid it would start a war up between the Indians and the white man, and she was afraid that the white man would not accept her halfbreed son.” “Yes, kind of like you can’t accept me.” Bane had to throw his two cents in because by this time he was studying her face growing harder by the minute. “Mabel, do you know how you feel about Indians? That is why Lilly did not come to be with me. She knew that many white people feel the same way as you do. She chose to not make me go through that for the rest of my life, or for our son to either.” “Well, how is it that he’s here now?” “I am here now because I want to know my father. I spent all my life being kept from my father, kind of like you are keeping me from him now.” “Mabel, sit down!” Mabel had started to get up and walk out when Bane said that to her and Howard sat her back down, knowing that eventually her heart needed to soften. “I am here now because I want to be with my father. I have nothing left back with my tribe. My mother is dead now and I would like to be with my real family.” “Your mother is dead?” “Yes Mabel, his mother died. He has chosen to leave the tribe and to spend his life with me. Now, I intend to let him do so. I have been hiding him for too long. He had to live in our barn for a while and even that got to be too close a call, so I had to make the boy leave.

That is why I referred him to Bridges, because I knew that he would accept the boy and give him d job and a place to live. Now he’ll be able to come and live with me. If you can’t handle that, then you’ll be free to go.” As Mabel sat and looked into her husband’s face, she knew without a doubt that he was totally serious and she sat quietly, looking down to the ground. She did not know what to say. All she knew was that she was mad. God had not brought a miracle forth at this time and the longer the clock ticked on, the more upset she became. Just as Howard expected, his wife was no softer hearted than she was before. He looked at his son, and he shook his head and then he looked right at Mabel and said, “Mabel, the boy has come to discuss something with me and as you are not considering yourself to be a part of my family, then I must ask you to leave the conversation at this time. You may come back when you have a change of heart towards the son I love.” “You mean you’re kicking me out of your presence at this time, Howard?” “No Mabel, it is you and your hard heart that is separating us at this time.” Bane couldn’t believe what he was hearing and his heart was screaming justice and comion all at once. He felt wonderful seeing his father finally standing for him, but at the same time he saw the pain in his father’s eyes as he was setting his wife straight. He spoke into his father’s ear. “Father, I do not have a problem with letting your wife stay if you would like.” “No, I know that you do not son, but I do, and she can only come back when she has repented of such foolishness.” Mabel sadly looked at her husband, and she understood that he was determined to stay the course, and she stood erect and excused herself. As Howard watched his wife, she grabbed her bag and she exited the store, turning the sign to the closed side as she shut the door. It broke his heart, but this was one time he knew he had to stand up to what was right and what was wrong. “Now, what did you come to talk to me about son?”

“Well, I came to tell you what has happened with Victoria. We are in love and as you know Father, you cannot stop love. We also have realized that Bridges is not in love with Victoria either. Let me tell you how this all came about before you jump me on this.” “Well, I’ll let you talk, but I don’t see how you think Bridges is not in love with a woman that he brought from New York City to marry.” “He fell in love with the woman who wrote the letters to him Father. Victoria could not write letters so her older sister wrote them for her. As he read them, he fell in love with the person that spoke her heart and that was not Victoria. “I know it is a big mess, but we believe that Bridges is in love with Savanna, Victoria’s sister, even though he does not know that yet. Our plan is to bring Savanna here and making her think that she is attending the wedding of Victoria and Bridges.” “Why tell her such lies, son?” “Because she is giving up on love. We believe that Savanna also fell in love with Bridges as she would read his letters and answer them for Victoria. Because she loves her sister, she will not allow herself to act upon that love. “We cannot tell her anything except that she will attend their wedding. We figure once she gets here, then God will take control of their meeting.” “Son that is the saddest thing I have ever heard. I can only pray that you two are right and that no one gets hurt over this. I hope that you’re letting God lead you in such a plan.” “Yes, Father, we are going to God every step of the way.” “Well, then, if that’s the case it can’t go wrong. The good Lord will lead the way. Now, what can I do to help?” “I will let you know exactly how you will help, once we get everything ready and planned out. “Thank you, Father.”

“All right, and now you may come any time that you wish to this store and to my home. Mabel’s heart will either soften, or it will not.” “Thank you Father, but to not be too hard on your wife. I am sure she loves you and maybe there is good reason for her hatred for my people. Maybe there are things that you too do not know. I recall that you too have kept secrets; maybe Mabel has a few of her own. “It would be worth waiting to see if that is the case. I will come now and see you often.” “Perhaps you’re right and only time will tell if there’s good reason that she can’t get over this hatred. You’ll be the first to know if I find out such a reason.” “All right, that seems fair. Now, how would you like to get us a bite to eat, since she may not be in the mood to serve you a dinner this day?” Laughing a well-needed laugh, his father grabbed hold of him and gave him a nice warm hug, and the two wandered down to the diner to see if Rosie could cook something up. When they got there, Bane ed that Victoria was paying her a visit and he explained that quite possibly she would not be there. Rosie had a lot on her table. She started out owning a women’s clothing store and then since she was there so much, she decided to open a diner as well. This gave her the freedom to have her clothing store at her own convenience and not lose money by still having the diner as well. This also provided her son with a job and their meals when they were stuck at their business. On certain days, Rosie could leave her son in charge of the diner, but she never left him in charge of her clothing store. She always said that there are certain things that men just cannot do, and one of them is to sell ladies’ clothes. Therefore, it did not matter if Rosie was not there, they could still get themselves some food. As they spent the rest of the day together, out in public, it gave them the idea of what their new life would be like and as they looked at each other throughout the day, no words had to be spoken to express how good it felt. While they enjoyed their day, Victoria had ed Rosie at her home for some sweet tea and for an

afternoon of sun. Rosie was no harder to talk to than Howard was. Both of them were Christian and understood how hearts feel that have been broken. Rosie herself had suffered a broken heart when her husband, her son’s father had chosen to leave them both high and dry. He chose a life of wandering and has never been seen since the day he left. Rosie finally stopped leaving her heart open to pain after ten years. She closed her heart to thinking about him and from ever thinking he might come back. Her son was only ten years old when his dad left them and he’s twenty now, so they did not look for his return. As Victoria approached her problem she began with a prayer as they both bowed their heads and from the sound of the prayer, Rosie knew that something big was up and she reached over, taking Victoria by the hand saying, “Sweetheart, no matter what your problem is, it can be solved. The God upstairs? That is what He is all about. Do not worry about what I may think one way or the other. “I am not one to ever look down on someone. I have lived and I will die, just as every one of us will.” Victoria began the talk with a prayer, asking God to bless them both with an open heart to His will, and then she just looked Rosie square in the face and dropped the news. “I’m in love with Bane, not Bridges.” “Oh, you don’t say? I guess I’ll have to share something with you, as well. I knew from the start that you were having a tough time, trying to figure out why you couldn’t love Bridges, but I didn’t know you were in love with Bane.” “How did you know that I could not love Bridges?” “By the way you would talk when you would come in the store. No woman in love would be so quiet and walk around without wanting to scream her news.” “Oh, well I would have to agree, I was very quiet. I need to explain it to you, because I am going to need your help in what I have planned.” “All right, let’s hear it.”

“It began with me answering Bridges’ ad. He replied back and we began writing back and forth. I only was able to write a few letters, because I just was not feeling anything at all when I would read his. “This is when my older sister came in to the picture. She’s a teacher in New York City, very good with words and emotions. I went to her to help me write my letters to Bridges, not knowing that it would create such problems. She never thought about what could happen either. “She just wanted me to be happy and helped me out. So, she would come to me in my room and she would read his last letter and then she would write a letter back to him.” “Can I ask you this? When she would write them, was it you telling her what to write?” “No, that’s just it. I couldn’t feel a thing and we thought I was just young and not able to recognize what I felt, so she would write them, thinking this is what I must be feeling. What I think happened along the way though, is that she fell in love with Bridges herself. “I recall seeing her sit there writing him and her head would be tilted over and she would smile. It seemed she was into writing the letter, but I think she was feeling every part of his letters. They shared much back and forth, but it was not my heart she was sharing. “I think Bridges fell in love with her through the letters. When I arrived, he became disappointed and confused because I did not seem like the letters and how could I when I did not write them, and did not feel what was written?” “Oh my, I think I see what’s happened. You did not fall in love with Bridges; you fell in love with thinking you must be in love. Savanna fell in love with Bridges. He fell in love with the one who was able to express her love in the way she did. “This is a mess.” “Yes, it is. I’ve fallen in love with Bane since I came here and he’s told me he loves me. We have been ignoring it ever since I arrived and have not done any harm at all in any way. We know that we cannot leave things this way, nor can I let myself marry Bridges. So, we have thought up a plan where everyone wins.”

“How can everyone win in this mess, honey?” “We know that Savanna fell in love with Bridges and Bridges fell in love with the girl who wrote the letters, not the one that mailed them. We know that I love Bane and he loves me. Deep down, Bridges knows that he does not love me, but he is afraid that I love him and so he is being a gentleman, still planning to marry me while he would be suffering over never finding his true love. “I believe that my sister knows that she loves Bridges, but she, too, is sacrificing love because she loves me. Neither of them knows that the other one loves them. She has no idea that Bridges is in love with her, and he does not know that she is in love with him.” “So, you think that you can get them together?” “Yes. We plan to write Savanna and see if I can get her to come to my wedding, or the one she thinks will be mine.” “What do you mean, thinks?” “Well, if we can get here to come to a wedding that she thinks is mine, then when she gets here, she will meet Bridges and we will finally let it be made known that I am not in love with Bridges. “This will free Bridges to love Savanna, and set her free to love Bridges. They both are just not acting on their love. I believe that Bridges is confused, wondering why he feels nothing for the woman that sent the letters. He will finally know that I am not the woman in the letters, and that I just mailed them.” “This is the worst story I have ever heard. You are right though, something must be done.” “Yes, we plan to get her here and Bridges will be asked to pick her up for me. Bane will be busy with something and Bridges will have to pick her up. They will meet, their eyes will sparkle and they will have a long ride back home. As the days go by, they will recognize their own love. “Then I can make it known that I am not the one who wrote the letters and that he fell in love with the one who wrote the letters. This will free them both. Then, with your help, we will have a double wedding ceremony.”

“That sounds fantastic and I will be glad to help. Let’s get started right away. Do you know your sister’s measurements?” “Oh, yes, they are the same as mine--quite the same.” “Well, then, I am so glad you told me this and we can get everything done in plenty of time before she arrives.” “Great, I am running home then so I can tell Bane that our plan will work.” “Yes, I believe your cannot fail.” “Oh, and Victoria, I will make the two most beautiful dresses that this side of Wyoming has ever seen. Both as beautiful as the other just like the sisters.” “Thank you so much Rosie. I couldn’t do this without you. I don’t mind if Savanna’s dress is more beautiful than mine, really I don’t.” “Victoria, don’t be silly. One doesn’t have to be more beautiful than the other. They both will be the most beautiful. Like I said, just like the sisters wearing them.” Running and jumping into Rosie’s arms, Victoria found her home. She found a woman who may not be able replace her mother, but will sure do a fine job trying. She kissed her cheeks, and then told her that she would see her the next day, but for now, she was dying to see Bane. Victoria and Bane had several days left before Bridges would be home from his trip with the neighboring homesteaders. They both had plenty to do and each day was filled with regular daily chores on the ranch and preparing for the plans they had made. Savanna’s dress would need to be sewn and Rosie would needed measurements for both ladies. Savanna was a little bit taller than Victoria, but other than that, they were very close in size. Rosie began at once searching for the perfect material for the dresses and collecting rows of lace, beautiful pearls and layers of satin lining. Just as she had promised Victoria, she finally found everything she would need to make the sisters’ dresses unique and one just as stunning as the other. In order

for Rosie to have a special surprise for Victoria, she measured her body very carefully as she tailored Savanna’s dress, taking notes on each curve of her figure. She planned to make Victoria’s dress without letting her even see it. She was not quite sure if this could be done, but she was willing to try. She thought it would be delightful to stand back and watch Victoria’s face when she would lay eyes upon her own dress for the first time. This meant she had to be very exact with her measurements and that could be a chore, because she wanted it to fit her perfectly. She was able to find just the right material for the girls’ veils, and planned to make them extravagant, not letting Victoria see the finished veil. She would show to her a shorter version, but on the day of her wedding, the veil will be cathedral length strewn with lace and pearls trimming the edging. Rosie was able to find enough material to design both girls to wear a ball gown type dress fit for a princess. After choosing several necklines Victoria chose a sweetheart neckline for both Savanna and herself and Rosie would tailor it with pearls tipping the edges and beads run throughout the front bodice as well as the lace up back, making it an eye-catching corset style. Their trains would appear to be a shorter version to Victoria and then being extended to a chapel length on the day of their weddings. Victoria had chosen an ivory color and giving Savanna’s the color of winter white. Of course, each dress would be very tastefully sprinkled with shining beads throughout, as well as on the veils. Rosie had ideas for their hair as well and she would be saving enough pearls and ribbon to weave into their hair as it falls across and down their chests and backs. She planned to build enormous bouncy ringlets into their hair, pulling back just enough to enhance their gorgeous delicate facial features. Rosie made a list of items and accessories she would need: Rows of beaded lace, pearl accents, satin lining, beads, corsets, ribbon for weaving, satin material, sheer netting, prairie grass and wild flowers that she would weave into their bouncy ringlets.

This would be what she would need and it would take a swift, yet careful hand to create what she had seen in her mind for her two new friends. Rosie was an excellent seamstress and had made nearly every young woman’s wedding dress in the surrounding counties of Lander. She was known for her unique light touch of adding what came across as shimmers of gold and silver. She chose to never give away her secrets how she made the dresses sparkle and dance in the sunlight. She knew she had not much time, but she knew plenty of shortcuts that would create luxurious dresses that one would think would have been special made in New York City, for the elite. She added special touches of simplicity and perfection, bringing the lady of the prairie and frontier down to the beauty and basics of nature, yet providing for her a day to become a princess. In New York a ball gown may be huge, round and stiff looking where Rosie’s could create a ball gown that gives the bride a feel of being a princess, yet she would work her fingertip touch to make the dress soft and free flowing instead of stiff and hard. She would bring a sense of wholesomeness to a dress’ neckline, while allowing the bride’s bosom to be flattered. If there ever was a bride that cared to be daring, yet appear innocent, they knew who to go to that could deliver both. Rosie would bring necklines to the forefront of what made the dress, and she would lower the neckline to a plunge that flatters, yet leave it touched with subtleness, guaranteeing to be accepted by all. Not many women knew the advantage of receiving the gift of a cascading long train, unless they had been gifted with Rosie as her personal seamstress. Many women knew little of bringing such luxurious trains to the beauty of the prairies. They seemed to just settle for plain styles when they could add touches of shimmering pearls and other accents. Rosie decided to give the two sisters what would appear as simple and elegant all in the same dress. She became more excited the further progress she made, and she was known for delivering her product very quickly. She had no worries of not getting them finished in time. Her son could run the diner and she could be free to sew while she ran her clothing store. She may have put in night after night, but it would all be worth her hard work on

that coming day. She could see these two sisters as being the most beautiful brides that ever walked the prairie. As Victoria waited not so patiently to see the progress of her dresses, she decided that while Rosie would be working on the dresses, this would be the right time to send a telegraph to Savanna and plead with her to attend her wedding. Since Savanna had turned down the invite to visit, she was afraid that she might turn this down as well and Victoria was prepared to beg. She would put it to Savanna that she would not marry until Savanna agreed to come. She could hope and she could lay it in God’s hands. She knew that her sister would first try to decline with some excuse, but she also knew that it was because Savanna was in love with the man that she thought Victoria was marrying. If Victoria sent off her invitation to her sister early, this would give Bridges and Savanna the time they would need to allow their hearts to finally find the other. Victoria had visions of her sister and her beau as they would finally lay eyes upon the other and she knew that their expectations would burst forth as they finally come together and in a little time, they would not be able to resist letting their love be known. Just as Victoria and Bane found out that one day, that they could no longer be able or willing to let their love fade away, neither would they. Then to add to the fact that Bridges would finally know that it was Savanna who wrote her love to him and not Victoria, this would seal their future. While Rosie would be working away at the dresses, Savanna and Bridges would be sealing their love. So, with all this racing through her mind, Victoria sat down and addressed her letter to her sister. She then took her plea and had it delivered through telegraph, and then she sat back and waited with faith that God would bring Savanna. Time seemed to stand still as she waited and on the same day that Bridges returned from his trip, Victoria received her answer in her sister’s letter. Savanna was coming! She could not find it in her heart it seemed, to disappoint her younger sister and she would be on her way as soon as she packed up her baggage and caught her own train, with a destiny unknown. Victoria had carefully planned everything so that when Savanna would arrive, that the only one that would be able to pick her up would of course be, Bridges.

She knew once he saw her step off that train that everything else would fall into place. Her plea had been heard, and her sister was Wyoming bound.

Bane was as excited as Victoria was about Savanna accepting the invitation and he knew that the sooner she arrived, the sooner the truth would be out and he could finally express his love for Victoria. He also knew that with all the busy days flying by that he had not had the time to talk with Victoria about his visit with his father and that had to be done. Suddenly, he was frozen with fear. His mind wondered whether there would be a problem with the fact that he was half Indian. He had just realized that he had never talked to Victoria about it and the guilt began rushing in and flooding his every thought. He knew it was not right that he had not informed her of that, at least giving her the option to make a choice. He did not want to lose her, but just like her, he too had a secret that had to be told. He also knew that the best time to tell her would be while Bridges was still away on his trip. So, he walked out of the barn and into the house and when he got to the front door, he met her with an armful of vegetables that she had collected from the garden. Reaching out to take them from her arms, she noticed that he looked as white as a sheet, “Bane, what’s wrong, are you sick with something?” “No, why? Do I look sick?” “Well, yes, you sort of do. You’re as white as a sheet. Are you ill?” “No, I am not ill. There’s just something I need to talk to you about. I realized that we have been so busy that I have forgotten to tell you something that makes a difference.” “What in the world could make a difference now?” “Well, come and sit down and we will see.” Walking Victoria over to the kitchen table and laying the garden vegetables in the bowl on the counter, he then walked over to where he had sent Victoria. He

took her hand in his and first apologized for not taking the time to tell her everything. He knew he should have done it long ago. “Victoria, I ask forgiveness from you because there are some things you do not know that may change your mind about me. I forgot all about it because you treat me so well and do not come across as prejudiced, so it just slipped my mind.” “Prejudiced? What on earth do you mean?” “I am half Indian. My mother was Indian and she lived nearby. We are in the Popo Agie Valley, near the Southern boundary of the Shoshone Indian tribe. I was born there with my mother’s people.” Victoria was still and didn’t interrupt Bane, and she knew that he must have more to say, so she just sat and listened. “Do you Howard in town?” “Yes, of course. He is a friend of Bridges.” “Well, he is also my father.” “Your father?” “Yes, he is my father. Long before he married Mabel, he met my mother down by a river as he was trying to cross. If it was not for my mother Howard would have died. Howard was crossing the river with his team and wagon and the wagon caught on some branches and weeds and it turned over, and Howard went down as well. “As he was trying to get the wagon untangled, he was tangled up as well and the weeds had gathered around his neck. “He would have died, but my mother was also arriving to the river and she saw the flailing around in the water. She went down and was able to loosen the weeds from his neck and she pulled him of the water. He lost his wagon, but his life was spared. He was not well, so my mother took him with her to her people and

he was taken care of. “My mother spent many days by his side as he slept and when he was better, they were able to spend time together. They fell very much in love, and through their love I was formed. My mother and Howard planned to marry, but after I was born, my mother’s father and brothers would not hear of it and they ordered Howard to leave and to never return. “Howard was ready to fight for my mother, but she pleaded that he do as they ask and that she would see to it that he would still see me. They spent all my growing up years meeting in fields and at rivers so that father could see me.” As he paused Victoria reached over and took his hand in hers and looked into his eyes saying, “You thought I would change my mind because--why?” “Because of the obvious, because I just told you I am Indian.” “Why would it bother me that you are an Indian? It bothers me more that you have not shared with me that Howard is your father. That changes some things now, does it not?” “What do you mean?” “Well, I wanted Howard to come to the wedding for Bridges because they were good friends. He being your father makes it even more important for him to be here. I just spoke with Mabel….” “Mabel? You spoke with Mabel about our wedding? “Well sort of, of course she thinks I am marrying Bridges, but she too will find out soon enough that I am marrying you.” “You need to know something else Victoria. Mabel has a deep seated hatred of Indians, and she has not accepted me. She did not know about me until the day I went to town and talked to father about our problem. “Father had kept the truth from her about me because of that hatred.” “Well, now I bet that will change--don’t you? How could she hate the boy that shall be giving her such a fine grandson one day?”

Bane had gotten himself all worked up before he told Victoria what looked to be like it was for nothing. He could not believe that even her facial expressions did not change when she heard him say that he was Indian. The only time she frowned at all was when she found out that Howard was his father. “What time we have wasted in not telling each other our secrets. I do love you Bane, and you have nothing to worry about with what I would think of you being Indian. My goodness, I moved to the west knowing that Indians were here. I moved to the west because I wanted to be around the people who love God and appreciate His beauty He has made. You are one of those beauties.” “I thank God for you Victoria, I thank God for you. I am sorry that we have been so busy and I had not explained it all to you. I haven’t had a relationship with Mabel and that, I am afraid, will be left in God’s hands.” “As all things should be,” Victoria smiled sweetly. “All things are possible through Christ Jesus, Bane. All things.” “Yes, I believe they are and maybe He shall bring Mabel and my father back together.” “Oh, they’re not together? How silly, over such a thing. Well, I just bet that enough time and the right event, things could change.” “I feel better that I have had the time to tell you. Thank you for your forgiveness.” “I will always hand you forgiveness Bane, always. Who am I to not forgive anyone? Why if I did not forgive; the Lord surely will not forgive me as well.” “Yes, perhaps; but it seems a lot to me to forgive.” “Not really, because you have just reminded me of some other thing I have not told you, or even Bridges. We have spent my whole time here fighting against our love, trying so hard to do what we thought was right, but as it turns out God had other plans. I have been so wrapped up in fighting my own heart that I have forgotten one other thing.” “What have you forgotten?” Bane was scared out of his mind that his honesty was now going to crush him and she had changed her mind.

“Well, as it is, I am to be a wealthy woman. I am a wealthy woman, which I had forgotten all about.” “Wait! What do you mean you forgot you are a wealthy woman? How does one forget that they are wealthy?” “You forget that you are wealthy if you have always been wealthy. Wealth brings no happiness; it corrects nothing, so it seems to just get forgotten along the way. Here, sit down and let me explain.” Bane pulled over a chair and sat next to her, fearing the worst and praying to not lose her. “My mother and father were wealthy, and so was my father’s brother. My mother and father came down sick and they neither of them survived. That left Savanna and I in the care of my Aunt and Uncle. Money was never a problem for us and we just grew up with it. “When father died, he left all he had to Savanna and to me and the biggest portion is just waiting for us when we turn twenty-five.” “Your father left you rich?” “Well, I guess so. It sits in a bank in New York City and it shall sit until I reach the age of twenty-five. While money does not bring happiness, it still shall be a wonderful thing when we want to buy our own land and it will be bleson blessing, raising our children.” “You’re right, Victoria. We have both been so caught up in fighting our love that we have held back truths that should have been shared. I’m glad that the Lord has such patience.” “We will be fine and the reason the Lord will continue to bless us Bane, is actually because of our honest hearts. Look, we both knew that I was supposed to be Bridges’ bride and we spent months and months making sure that we did not do anything, and we fought our obvious love, did we not? “The Lord has seen with His own eyes how we have tried to do what is right until He would move upon these prairies and he would arrange His own plan.

That’s why the Lord has been patient. He is patient and kind and He knows our hearts. We have done nothing wrong. We have discovered the truth, the truth that it is each other that we love and it has not hurt Bridges because the truth is very soon to come to him as well. He too has had a good heart, trying to do what is right. He will be set free also very soon.” Bane and Victoria had found what many people never find in the Lord. They found that if they can step out in total faith of the Lord, then He will lead them. Clearly we see that the Lord has been their guiding light. Victoria, being unaware of her sweet honesty has humbled herself before her God and she rests in Him each day, letting Him handle all things. Many never find that in their life as they seek to provide for themselves, making mistake after mistake. Victoria chose to leave New York and to find a man of country, a man of honesty and honor, so she replied to an ad of a man that was seeking a woman of virtue, a woman of honesty and a woman of God. As they began to write letters back and forth, she found that she was missing something in her heart, yet she knew that she had stepped out in faith. She felt drawn to Bridges and Wyoming and yet her words could not come. So, she went to her older sister who was a woman of choice words and asked her to help her express her new feelings. What she didn’t know was that her feelings were to find her love, and Bridges was not her love. Savanna on the other hand, loved her sister and saw nothing wrong in aiding her sister in her letters, but she was not aware that she would fall in love with the man that she was writing the letters to. Where her honesty came in, she realized that love growing and she stood down and held her feelings back so that her sister would reach her dreams. As Victoria took the step to go to her beau, she leaves Savanna home to her own quieted cries, not knowing that her sister had fallen in love.

God works across lands, across the world as He weaves in His plans for those who love Him. He knows all and sees all, and He knew that His work would prosper at bringing those together He intended. What a joy it is to know the Lord works all things in your life, and these two couples are lovely in His sight as they hold on and wait and hold back their love in order to not sin.

They wait upon the Lord to guide them when to step forward. Taking their hands in one another’s they just smiled and Victoria quietly told Bane goodnight and that there was nothing to worry about because “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” The time it was taking to make the dresses went by quickly and the time for Savanna’s arrival had finally come. Victoria and Bane had tried with all their might to act as normal as possible, but it was getting very hard to keep their excitement a secret. Poor Bridges had no idea what was about to hit Lander. In Victoria’s mind, she had come to have such a high respect for Bridges, knowing that he was willing to sacrifice what his heart longed for and to marry her. She knew that he had tried with all he had to love her, to find the fire that should ignite, but he had failed. He had not failed to any fault of his own and Victoria’s heart cried out for him. A heart cannot desire another heart unless it has found its home and finding Victoria was not finding its home. Bridges knew that something was lacking, yet he was a man, a good and gentle man who had brought Victoria to his land, to his home and he was fulfilling a duty. He had no way of knowing that he had brought Victoria to him through false pretenses. No one, not even Victoria, knew that the love would never develop between them. Months earlier, she too, was willing to marry a man that did not light up her life in the way her heart yearned for. So, with Savanna on her way, Victoria was having a hard time keeping her emotions under control. As she watched Bridges pretend to himself that he was in love enough to marry her, it broke her heart and yet at the same time, her mind stayed focused on the soon coming day that his eyes would look into the eyes of his real love. Bridges, by the time the day had come for Savanna to arrive, had become very quiet and had begun drawing into himself. Not enough for others to notice, but enough for Victoria to know that same dwelling place.

On the morning the train would pull into Rock Creek, she made sure that Bane was long gone for the morning and when she awoke, she managed to pretend that she was running behind on some very special projects for their wedding that was creeping upon them quickly. She ran into the kitchen and announced that Bridges would have to do her a favor of picking her sister up at the station. She had already decided that when he would try to wiggle out of it, she would have to get more convincing, and that she could do. “Bridges, I’m afraid that I am not able to pick up my sister in time and I need you to please pick her up for me. Please do not be late; the train pulls in at noon. We have no other alternatives, so I’d love it if you could this one little thing for me. “I’ll give to you one of our letters that we shared and you may show to her that letter, and she will know that you are in fact, Bridges.” “Oh no, I won’t be able to do that and I have things I need to do.” “Really? What could be more important than picking up my older sister for our wedding? Surely, your homestead friends would understand how very important this is.” Tilting his head, knowing that she was right, that they would understand and they would more than likely, agree with Victoria. So, he shook his head in agreement. “Okay, yes, you are right and I can do this; and I will not be late.” “Thank you so much. I mustn’t be late for my fitting of my dress and to check on other items as well. I appreciate this more than you know.” “I am glad to do this for you Victoria.” “You will be when it all is said and done. You will be, Bridges.” As Victoria turned to look at Bridges, she caught herself looking closer than she had, maybe since she arrived long before. She realized just how very good

looking Bridges truly was, and she giggled inside knowing how very pleased her sister would be when she finally was able to know that he was, in fact, hers. Bridges had a build that could not hide his strength. He was dark haired and very deep blue eyed. His brows upon his forehead were perfectly spaced, his cheeks high, his lips nice enough. But it was his eyes that Victoria knew would attract Savanna the most. There was tenderness in his eyes that could not be denied. Even though she was not able to fall in love with him, his attractiveness played no part of the failure. He was an extremely good-looking man. Bane on the other hand, had attracted her instantly, and funny enough, but it was his eyes that caused her to fall in love with him. As tender as Bridges eyes were, Bane’s were equally as tender. By their eyes, she would have thought them to be kin. Bane had a certain amount of leisure in him that I so loved. Even in the middle of a stressful situation as we were in together, he gave to me a sense of calm, a calm much needed. He took life easy and he portrayed that in all his moves. Victoria had fallen in love with him even more and they’d found ways of dealing with their desire for one another. Bridges removed himself very gracefully from the ranch and hooked up the team and wagon, and as he looked back at Victoria, he tried again to fill the shoes of an expectant groom, smiling as if he was the happiest man in the world. Even he knew that he had not been very communicative with her even since she arrived. He wondered all the way to Rock Creek why this woman Victoria had any interest in marrying such a man, a man who could not even muster up conversation with her. It made no sense to him and he thought “If this is love, then I find it strange.” He went along because of the man that he was. He carried through with promises and it seemed he must have made a promise somewhere along the way. He knew that Victoria would make a splendid wife and mother to his children, but he was wondering how he would handle the romantic situations when there was just no fire.

While Bridges was gone, Victoria took advantage of the time and she ran to town on her horse to check on the progress of the dresses and some other things and as she got close to Rosie’s, she noticed the lady, Mabel, was coming out of the hotel. Mabel had been quite rude when she had met her, and yet Victoria felt drawn to her for an unknown reason. After she hitched up her horse in front of Rosie’s she waved high in the air at Mabel and when she got no response, she walked on over to the woman. “Excuse me, but aren’t you Mabel? Did I meet you in Rosie’s a long time ago?” “What? Oh yes, we met. What do you need dear?” “Oh, I don’t need anything; I would just like to reintroduce myself to you. I’m afraid my mind was more than likely elsewhere the day we met. My name is Victoria and I’m new in Lander.” “Yes, I know who you are and I do apologize dear if I came across as rude. I’m rude much of the time, and it’ is not right. I heard that you are getting married to Mr. O’Brien?” “Uh, yes of course, I am due to marry Bridges and I would like to invite you to my ceremony, if you would so oblige me.” “Me? Why would you want to invite me? I really don’t know Mr. O’Brien very well. I am sure he’s a fine man, but I only know him through my, well--through my husband.” “Well, to be honest with you Mabel, I am inviting you personally, for me. I would like to see you there and there will not be many people there that I know as well.” “Maybe I could take you up on the invitation, that is. Although I’m not sure. Do you know if Mr. O’Brien has invited my husband, Howard?” “Oh, I’m sure he will if he hasn’t already. Would you care to take me there now and I could personally invite him?” “Oh no! I mean, no, now would not be a good time. He’s so busy and all.”

“All right then, but please do tell him of his invite as well. If perhaps he can’t make it, then maybe you will?” “Yes, if Howard isn’t able to go, perhaps I could show for the both of us.” “Fine then, it’s a date.” Walking away, Victoria left Mabel a sweet smile and Mabel without knowing yet, approved of Victoria in her heart. Rock Creek was a station that connected to rails all around the world and you met all kinds of people as they would travel from one place to another. Bridges was in no mood for surprises and he found a way to keep to himself as he waited at the station. Many women walked by him, nodding their heads at him in approval and it disgusted him that women could be so bold. He hated being single and perhaps just getting married would bring him a happiness and joy that he never knew. He sat and was allowing himself to think about Victoria, and he decided as he sat there alone on a bench that he would do all in his power to fall in love with the pretty woman. It was not her fault that he felt no fire within. He thought perhaps with time, he may fall for her. Even if he did not, he would be a man and provide for her. He could see that she was a God loving woman and this would be more than you could find at this station, he told himself. The clock ticked away and with each minute the train was rolling along, coming closer, until finally it pulled into sight. Pulling his body up off the bench, he stood up so he could spot Savanna through the crowd. The place was filled with people and he thought to himself how unlucky he was that Bane was too busy to do this job. He tried to change his mood so that he could present himself respectfully to Victoria’s older sister. As the train drew near, its wheels screeched at such a high pitch that he had to cover his ears for a time. Then, as it came to a rest, he drew nearer in order to get a good view. He stood there waiting and watching person after person walk down the steps and then came a young woman, dressed in a rose-colored dress,

with a look of heaven. Her countenance was perfect, her movement full of grace. He caught himself for the first time looking at a woman with desire. He instantly shook himself, wanting to hit his head against anything. He should not even think about noticing another woman--he would be marrying Victoria soon. This woman had captivated him into almost believing that he had met her before. He told himself that was crazy because he knew that this beautiful woman had never been in Lander, or the whole town would have noticed. He was not the only one noticing her beauty. He was fixed on her and could not shake himself loose. He needed to take a step forward. He needed to take his eyes off of her and to look for Victoria’s sister. He needed to slap himself. When he got ahold of himself, he then noticed that she was still standing off to the side of the train, as if she had to wait for someone to come claim her. How ridiculous that someone has to come and claim her. He could not imagine why the man who was supposed to claim her was not there. As he stood, gawking at her, she began to fidget and pull at her hat, then her gloves, then her hat; and he found that extremely attractive. He then wanted to run. When he looked again and watched all the people walk away, arm in arm, there were couples, and yet this gorgeous woman stood alone. It was when the train began to pull away when he realized that Savanna had not gotten off the train. He at once ran up, caught one of the train officers, and asked him, “Hey wait a minute, is there a Savanna Willington on this train?” “Who?” “Savanna Willington.” Hearing Bridges ask about a Savanna Willington brought Savanna out of her fidgeting long enough to say, “I am Savanna.” Raising his head and following the voice with an ear, his eyes reached Savanna and he said, “Who?” “Savanna Willington. I am Savanna.”

“Excuse me, you are Savanna?” “Yes, I am Savanna. May I ask who you are, sir?” “Uh, my name is Bridges.” Savanna heard the name Bridges and she nearly fainted. He had said his entire name, but she never got that far. “You are Bridges O’Brien? “Yes, Ma’am.” The two stood frozen in place and they stood there so long that the train conductor got tired of waiting to see if he could help Bridges or not, and the train pulled out. There was total silence for quite the moment. Their eyes were locked and voices were stolen. As Savanna and Bridges stood looking at each other, it was as if they had finally found the one they had imagined, had known through their many letters. They felt awkward, yet simply at home. Once they got past their awkwardness, they were able to step back and see the other.

Savanna has come to see her sister marry the man she loves and Bridges has come to deliver his bride’s sister to his own wedding. He knew how he should conduct himself and she would as well. They toiled with their thoughts in their own minds, yet they feel a pulling of their hearts to one another. Only one knows who wrote the letters. Two recognized the twisted knots they were feeling in their stomachs. Trying to control themselves they succumbed to pretending once more that they were not who they truly were. As Savanna broke the ice that had caused them to freeze in their footsteps, she reached for her luggage, hoping that this would break his gaze on her. Bridges, the gentleman that he used to be, suddenly forgot his manners and just

stood in time. Again, she reached for another bag, trying to carry them both and this brought him from his stupor; and he quickly reached out and took a bag from her hand, accidentally brushing her arm. “Oh, I’m sorry; I just need to get your bags. Forgive me for my forgotten manners. I’ve just had a very long morning already.” “No need to apologize. I’m feeling a little tired from my trip, too. Thank you very much,” she said, handing him her baggage. Bridges carried her bags and she followed him to the wagon. Her heart was fluttering out of her chest and she felt like running back to a train that was nowhere in sight. Looking back and pausing, she did not realize that she had stopped and he turned around and said, “Are you coming, Miss Willington?” “What? Oh, yes I am. Sorry.” They got her baggage loaded up into the back of the wagon and as he reached down and gave her a lift into the wagon and onto the seat, both of them froze. There it was again, that flutter of the heart, that odd sensation that was coursing through each their veins. To them both, this was unacceptable in their minds and she quickly brought herself to a seat and she scooted as far over to the other edge as she could. He followed suit when he stepped up on the wagon, scooting himself over to his edge. Their bodies drew near to one another, yet their minds spoke another song. The ride all the way back to Lander was long and almost unbearable and the two of them felt as helpless as two people could feel that discovered love. She would begin to speak and he would interrupt, and then he would begin to speak and she would voice a word or two. They found themselves stuttering and lacking a word here and there that felt appropriate. All it left for Savanna to do was to begin her fidgeting and this stole his heart again. Savanna to him, was the most beautiful when she was fidgeting. She would take her tiny hands inside those white gloves and she would trace the edges of the seams over and over, and then she would re adjust her hat on her

head, pulling her dark ringlets back to the front of her chest, and then she would place them towards the back. Next, she would readjust her dress skirt, making sure it was lying correctly upon the seat. He enjoyed watching her from the corner of his eye every minute and he so hoped she would continue. Every once in a while she would become aware of what she was doing and she would suddenly pause, clear her throat and look to the right at the meadows as they ed by. Then it would start all over again. This was their ride back to Lander. The awkward trip back to Lander finally ended and as the wagon took the turn onto the ranch, Victoria had placed herself on the front porch, waiting to see them arrive. She jumped off the porch as soon as she saw the wagon in the distance and she at once began screaming at the top of her lungs. “Savanna! Oh my dear Savanna is here. Come quickly, Bane; she’s here!” Bane came from around the corner and he ed Victoria in the front yard. It was all he can do to keep her from running in front of the wagon, and as the wagon came to a stop, Victoria jumped on top of Savanna before she could even get out of the wagon. Two sisters had finally come back together and their emotions could not be held back. Tears streamed down their faces and they were holding each other for so long, that Bridges began to shift from side to side, aching from the long ride. Bane was the one to try to bring the two sisters into the house where they could visit more comfortably. “Victoria, why don’t you bring Savanna in the house and you two will be comfortable?” “Oh, I’m so sorry. I need to introduce you two. Savanna, this is Bane. This is my...” Realizing that she nearly said this was the man she loved, she then said, “This is my fiancé’s dear friend, Bane.”

Reaching her hand out to shake his hand, Savanna said, “Hello Bane, I’m so glad to meet you.” “Hello Savanna, I’m honored to meet you as well.” Bane reached for her arm and led her into the house and Victoria walked over to Bridges and walked inside with him. Once they all got into the house, the four of them sat at the kitchen table and began to relax with each other and it was almost like things were meant to be, except for the small matter of who would be marrying whom. They spent the entire day just talking and sharing stories of their lives, Savanna telling stories about her sister, and Victoria returning the favor. When night had finally come, it had snuck upon them and they all decided they had best turn in. Victoria took Savanna into her bedroom where she would share a night’s sleep with her, not willing to let her sister go yet. They both jumped into the bed, giggling like little schoolgirls seeing each other after years apart. Bane and Bridges took their places in the barn and as they lay there, thoughts of the day went through each of their minds. As Victoria lay next to Savanna, she smiled at her plans and how she would be able to finally set Savanna free, even though her sister did not know that she would be given that sweet gift.

Morning came and it was to bring a busy household, each being given certain errands to run and as Victoria began her plans behind the scene, she found little subtle ways to make sure that Savanna would be somehow left alone with Bridges. It was a sneaky thing to do, but quiet the necessary thing to do. Bane was as much help in the plan as he could be. Every time that Bridges would say he had something to tend to, Bane would jump and do that for him. Bridges was unaware at what was going on behind the scenes, but he also was intrigued by every minute he was able to spend with Savanna, putting up no fight to do so. They were able to sit under trees and take walks along the meadows. Victoria would begin a walk with them and then she would immediately excuse herself with some task, leaving them alone. This continued for weeks.

Victoria knew that this would give them time to be with each other, allowing their love to be recognized until they could not deny it just when the time was right. The four of them spent many glorious evenings as they sat under the stars in sweet conversations and Victoria and Bane would always have something they forgot to grab or do, leaving the two of them under the heavens.

Finally, the day had come when Victoria thought it was now or never. She had watched closely how Savanna would look into Bridges eyes and how Bridges would always turn to take one last glance Savanna’s way. She knew that they were in love whether they knew or not. Bridges never once looked at her that way. It was time to announce the truth. She chose the time to make the announcement during dinner one evening, while it would be dark outside and Savanna would have nowhere to run if she felt the urge. She knew her sister too well and she would never run out into the dark wilds alone. Victoria had set the table and made sure that Savanna was to be sitting right beside Bridges and as they all sat down together, Victoria looked over at Bane, nodding her head in agreement that tonight was the night. She asked Savanna if she would please her one of the trays of food, and Savanna reached out taking the tray in hand, and then she slowly handed the tray to Bridges, and accidentally dropped the tray right into his lap. Victoria had thought of everything, she had taken some lard, and she swiped the bottom and the sides of the tray with it, making it slightly slick, so that Savanna might possibly drop the tray onto Bridges. The tray was holding biscuits and they all tumbled all over him. As Savanna saw what she had done, she at once began grabbing the biscuits and apologizing repeatedly. This made Bridges absolutely taken with her. He had fallen so in love with her awkwardness and the ways she would respond when she was nervous, and in the middle of her murmuring, he reached out, took her hand in his, and sweetly laughed.

She at once relaxed and began laughing with him. It was perfect! “Was it horribly hot today, or what?” “What?” Bane was totally lost on why Victoria said that. She had forgotten to tell him that she had hated the heat and that Bridges should have wondered on that one, because Savanna had gotten so wrapped up in her letters she wrote for her, that she had mentioned that she was the one that loved the sun’s heat and it was Victoria that hated the sun. “Yes, it was horribly hot and I just hate the sun’s heat. Savanna just loves the sun; she would sit outside under the sun all day long if she could. I always hated the heat.” “Huh? You hate the sun? You hate the summer months? It seems I reading that once in one of your letters. I’ve noticed that you can’t take the heat of the day too much. Yes, I now, you had said that is was Savanna who loved the sunshine so much that she would sit in it all day long. “Is that right Savanna?” “Oh, yes I do love the sun much more than Victoria ever did. Daddy and I used to play out in the sun filled days and Victoria could not take it so she would sit under a big shady elm and watch us.” “I love the summer months, for it is my favorite time of the year. I would much rather be outside in it, then to be cooped up in the house.” “Yes, I would have to agree.” “Well then, that would mean that my sister could take over the garden if she chooses to stay then, does it not?” “Oh, no, we are not going there sister. I will be leaving after you two are married.” “I so long to travel the distance by mile and by heart to finally meet you, and to be taken into your arms. I know that my heart has found its home within your heart.” Victoria had finally done it. She repeated Savanna’s own words that she had written to Bridges in a moment of ion, forgetting that she was not the

one that was supposed to be in love. “What?” This woke Savanna’s heart and senses and the words were like music to her ears as it was a crushing blow all in one. “Oh my dear sister, have you so hid your love for this man that you have forgotten words your heart spoke?” “What? What are you speaking about?” “The letter, one of the letters you had written for me to Bridges.” This broke the night into a still silence and Bridges looked over at Savanna and then back at Victoria. “Whatever do you mean, one of the letters that she wrote for you?” Savanna felt like she had been betrayed and her face grew flush and she thought she might even faint at what she was hearing. Bridges was to never know that she had written those letters. What was her sister doing? Had she lost her mind? For Victoria, it was now or never, she was ready for now, and she jumped from the table and ran to the shelf where she had placed the letters. She went over and stood above Bridges where he was seated and she said, “Yes, it was Savanna who wrote those letters to you. Did you not notice how after the first few letters that the words totally changed into beautiful love, almost as if it was poetry, meant to be?” “What are you talking about Victoria--poetry that was meant to be?” Savanna tried to rise and excuse herself and Victoria stood in her way and looked down into her faithful sister’s eyes saying, “My dear Savanna, the time has come for you to let go and to allow your heart to speak the words that your heart is feeling. You have loved Bridges from the moment that he began writing to you.” “Writing to me? Bridges was not writing to me. Okay, so I wrote some letters for you, but they were just written for you, not me.” “Wait a minute--you’re the one that penned those words to me, not Victoria?”

“Well, yes, she is not as good with expressing her feelings and I was asked to help her do that.” Victoria was ready to blow the whole thing wide open and she asked everyone to please take their chairs because she had something to say. Each one very slowly sat back down and their faces were exactly what one would expect, filled with paleness. Secrets were being made known, heartbeats were rushing. “I replied to your ad Bridges, yes I did; and with an honest heart in hopes of finding my new love. As we began courting through post, I was not able to feel the fire that I expected to be there within me and I eventually went to Savanna to aide me with my letters back to you. She would come in and read your letters in order to be able to answer them and as time went on, it was her that fell so deeply in love with you, not me. She was failing, she was writing her love to you, and it was me that was mailing them. Being so young and never in love before, I was unaware that I was not in love as it should be. I continued on in my ignorance and finally accepted your hand in marriage. “I did not know at the time that Savanna had fallen in love with you and that you had fallen in love with her. This is something that happened beyond all of our control. This was the hand of God. We each have been playing our parts for so long out of love and respect for each other. “You know in your heart by now that it’s not me you love. You have never fallen in love with me, not once. You must allow your heart to it this, or you will miss out on your chance to answer to God’s will for your life. As for you, Savanna, you remained behind as you watched me move to Wyoming to marry the man that you knew in your heart you had fallen in love with. “I love you sister, and you have proved that you love me indeed by not allowing yourself to act upon that deep love. It’s time for us all to take our places and your place is with Bridges, while my own place is with Bane.” “Bane? You’re in love with Bane?” “Yes, I’m not sorry to say that I have fallen in love with Bane. We fell in love

and we have never once acted upon it, but we have finally come to the point where we have to acknowledge it. My dear, your heart belongs to Bridges and his heart belongs to you. “Why would either of you want to escape such a thing, especially when you are being set free to love each other? I have just told you both that God’s hand has been in this from the beginning and we now can all take our places. “No one has done anything wrong. Everything started because of love and it shall continue in love. I love you Savanna, and I love you even more knowing your devotion to me as your sister. “You stayed behind and you sacrificed your love you had for Bridges because of your love for me. “Bridges, I love you as well and respect you for the way that you could not feel the fire for me as I could not feel for you, but yet you sacrificed your love for the woman in the letter in order to fulfill your duty that you thought in marrying me. “This is love. This is the love of God for two people to sacrifice; to up their chance at love in order to do what they believed was right. What beautiful love! You both have proven your love for others and for Christ in your sacrifices. The Lord has also been guiding each one of us, even when we may not have known, and His plans are being laid out before you. Do you want to marry a woman that you have no desire for Bridges? Do you want to go on living your life Savanna, watching your sister married to the man you love? What do I have to do to show you that I am not in love with Bridges? “What do I have to do to help you let go of your true heart you have for my sister?” Bridges scooted his chair back and stood up, looking into Victoria’s eyes, possibly for the first time since she had arrived. He finally felt safe enough to show to her his honesty and he said, “So, let me get this straight. You’re in love with Bane? You found out after you arrived that you could not feel any fire inside you for me? You found out that you were not in love with me after all? You then fell in love with Bane?” “Yes, that’s exactly what I am saying. I’m in love with Bane. It was not planned.

I only thought I should love you when I made the trip here, but I never could love you in that way. A true loved developed between Bane and I and when we finally realized it, we ran from each other, just like you and Savanna are also running, when you need not run. “You are both free to love one another, and quite frankly, I do hope you hurry up and set your hearts free to do so. Bane and I are getting very tired of waiting!”

All that was left to do was laugh, just laugh. The truth was out, the ice was broken and walls were tumbling down. Victoria had allowed herself to act upon God’s will in her life and she was now preparing two people to do the same. The whole home became filled with laughter and relief poured from them all. There were tears, then laughter and then some tears again, until finally all became still. That’s when Victoria took the opportunity to inform them that the wedding was still on. “The wedding is still on. All the plans have been made and everything is ready!” “What?” This took Bridges and Savanna by surprise and very quickly you could see them both even become a little aggravated, wondering why then, if Victoria just said she was not in love with Bridges--why would the wedding still be on? Placing her hand over her stomach and laughing so hard that she had to sit down, Victoria then said, “Yes, the wedding is still on! Do you think I would let this get this far and then one of you back out? We shall have a wedding, but we shall have a double wedding. Two sisters shall wed next week, right on time!” “Oh my sister! What have you done?” “Yes, Savanna, your dress has been made as well and it awaits the bride that shall fit into it. Everything has been prepared and all we are waiting on is for you two lovebirds to say yes. We shall have a double ceremony!” “Yes! I say yes,” Bridges almost yelled out. “Yes, of course, yes, yes, yes!”ell, the story has reached its conclusion and we see how God has worked and woven

His touch into lives. We see how an almighty God can bless us repeatedly as we follow Him. The faith that two sisters had in the Lord kept them in their faith and gave them the patience to wait for their promises He gives.

Four people who found their love, fought that love because they thought they should in order to remain a faithful people. As time went on, that love was so strong that they knew that it must be dealt with. As they each waited on the Lord to work their lives, they each hid what they felt as long as they could and as long as needed. Each with secrets, and each not knowing that those secretes were safe to be shared and released, continued on with their own pain. Two sisters who loved each other and proved that love to not only themselves, but to God as well. There was a wedding the next week and it was a wedding for two sisters who had waited a long time to be free to love and free to be with the one they were meant to be with. On a beautiful fall afternoon, many townspeople, homesteaders, Henry’s hands who had been freed from Henry’s evil rule, Rosie, her son and even Howard all gathered onto a soft spread of green grass and they took their places as they wiped tears away. Before them stood two of the most beautiful women the prairies had ever seen, dressed in wedding attire fit to dress a princess. Hand in hand, the sisters stood as they waited for their grooms to take their place beside them. As a little joke, Bane made his way over and he stood next to Savanna, then shaking his head, he turned and walked straight over to stand right where he belonged, next to Victoria and the moment everyone was waiting for was when Bridges walked right up to Savanna and took her hand in his. He had finally brought home his mail order bride, the bride that he fell in love with through their letters. It was such a beautiful sight to see four people in such love and four people so relieved that they could feel that love. As the music was being played and all eyes were on the two couples, a voice rang out from somewhere, but no one knew who it could be.

“Wait! Wait! You cannot have this wedding without me!” Everyone turned their heads to see who in the world was yelling, and they saw a woman atop a horse, her hat nearly falling off her head and as Howard stood to see who was making such a racket, his eyes grew huge when he saw that it was none other than his wife, Mabel. Mabel had finally come to her senses, and she did not want to miss this wedding for anything. Howard immediately ran out to meet her and he brought her over to sit next to him, as proud as he could be. Before she sat down, she motioned to Howard to let her get by him and she walked right over to Bane, looked into his eyes, and said “Did you think you were going to marry this fine woman without me here, son?” You could have knocked Bane over with a feather, as his mouth dropped open and tears ran down his face, and as they stood there crying, Howard ed them with a hug. Victoria was all smiles and she glanced over to Savanna, who had no idea what was going on and she said, “See how God moves...see how He moves.” Howard and Mabel then took their seats once again and the wedding began with a Preacher leading, God overlooking, and four people most assuredly in love. It was a most beautiful wedding for all to lay their eyes upon, and perhaps there has not been one like it ever since. The prairies are always filled with rich promises and this was one of the most beautiful promises that many were able to share. God does move in lives when those lives trust in Him. Savanna had finally come home to Lander, Wyoming and her sister Victoria had also found her way home as well. The couples lived their lives out in Lander, Wyoming. Each sister had children, Savanna having six children, and Victoria having five. Savanna went on to apply some of her inheritance towards building a new school house, and she became the school teacher for many years. While Victoria, being a trained midwife, went on to deliver many babies in Lander and the surrounding

counties, including her very own nieces and nephews. Days and nights became work and play as the four people who stood the trials of time, shared land, love and family on their ranches. Victoria and Bane bought pieces of Bridges land that were near enough to holler across the way and they all pitched in with the rest of the homesteaders who were no longer called the newcomers, and built their new log cabin. A community had been built on love and trust in God.

Once, where Henry’s men had been in bondage to Henry’s evil ways, there were now men being seen working and toiling with their hands, as they lifted the walls of Bane and Victoria’s cabin. No longer were they taking orders, following the wrong, but they were offering a hand and their love for the right. Lander became an even more beautiful place to be after two young sisters became a part of it. One woman who had been so filled with hatred was somehow healed and she was set free to once again love. The Lord worked her heart over so good that on any given day you could look out across the sweet meadows and see her as she would dance along the fields with her little grandchildren, as they would do a rain dance, and holding her hand over her mouth, she would let out noises that sounded a bit like Indian noises. This was a sight that brought smiles to the faces of Howard and Bane. Mabel had finally been allowed to let go and now she was playing in the fields, looking a lot like an Indian squaw from a distance. It was amazing what God can do. Many found out that, “They can do nothing without Christ.”

THE END