CHAPTER 2

 

Arriving at the Carrolls’ home Edward climbed down and came around to her side of the wagon.

She looked for a way to get down from the bench but couldn’t figure it out. He’d have to show her next time.

Edward raised his arms. “Lean over. I’ll catch you and lift you down.”

Trusting he would not drop her, she did as he asked.

He caught her under her bosom and lifted her down. Was it just her imagination or did his hands linger just a little longer than necessary?

“Thank you. You can let me go now. Um…could you grab my carpetbags for me? I’d like to change clothes, if possible.” Adele broke the spell and blushed as he removed his hands from her body. She was almost sorry. She felt like his hands belonged there…on her. Stop thinking your fanciful thoughts. He probably doesn’t even notice.

“Certainly.” He went to the back of the wagon and lifted out the luggage. He held the carpetbags in one hand and gave her his other arm. She walked at Edwards’s side up the flagstone covered path to the single-story, white house with dark blue shutters. In front of the house lay a delightful garden. Adele didn’t recognize the types of flowers but the sight made her miss her garden in New York.

Edward knocked on the door. A petite and, very, very pregnant woman with auburn hair and deep emerald eyes opened the door. She was much younger than Adele would have imagined, thinking the preacher was probably an elderly man. Either he was also younger than she expected or he had a very young wife.

“Why, Edward, it’s so good to see you.” She waved an arm into the room. “Come in. Come in. You may lay your coats on the sofa. You’ll warm up faster without them now that you’re inside.” She clasped her hands in front of her skirt. “Now, you must be Adele Jensen. I know absolutely nothing about you other than your name, which we got off the envelopes of your letters to Edward. In case you haven’t noticed, he’s not exactly outgoing anymore. Too bad, too because a lot of us miss him.”

She talked as though Edward was not in the room, which made Adele a little uncomfortable but perhaps that was the only way to get through to him.

Edward closed his eyes and his shoulders slumped a little bit before he caught himself and straightened. “Ginger, you know why I don’t come around anymore.”

“And you know those reasons are not applicable. No one blames you. Almost as soon as she got here, Catherine was looking to get out of ranch living.” Ginger turned to Adele, eyes narrowed. “Will you run when the going gets tough? When getting out of bed is hard because you’re sore from the chores the day before? When only the kittens in the barn make milking the cow tolerable? Will you run away from your family like Catherine did?”

Adele looked up at Edward her eyes wide. She immediately thought about her running from Richard and her life in New York, but she wouldn’t run this time. She was pursuing her dream and she would never let that go no matter how hard, from Ginger’s words, ranch life must be. Adele shook her head. “No, ma’am. I will not run. My marriage vows are sacred.”

Ginger smiled. “Wonderful. The only good things to be said about Catherine are she gave us Lissa and then had the good sense to die the same day she left.” She looked at Adele. “She was killed in a stagecoach robbery on her way to catch the river boat with that gambler she left with, but you know that already, I’m sure.” Ginger looked closely at Adele. “Your eyes are beautiful. The green is so pale and rimmed with a black line. Amazing. I’ve never seen eyes as unusual as yours. Mine are so much darker than yours and, comparatively speaking, so common.”

Adele couldn’t help but laugh. The woman was a bundle of joy wrapped up in a tiny package. “Thank you for saying so.”

Edward put a hand on Adele’s waist. “Ginger, my bride needs to clean up before the ceremony. Can you help her with that task?”

Her cheeks turned pink. “Oh, my, of course. How thoughtless of me. I remember the ride in that dilapidated clap-trap of a stagecoach. I’ve never been more uncomfortable. Come with me, and we’ll get you refreshed.”

Adele picked up a carpetbag in each hand and followed Ginger out of the room, but she looked back at Edward. He was smiling. For some reason she found that odd.

They reached a bedroom she assumed belonged to Ginger and her husband. It was lovely. The bed was covered with a wedding ring quilt and had carved wooden head and footboards. Not exactly something she would have expected on a preacher’s income, but who was she to judge? After all she had her own money. Perhaps they did, too. The mirrored oak bureau, commode and tallboy dresser all matched the bed. Adele should know, her bedroom suite back home was varnished oak. She’d rubbed it with linseed oil once a month to keep it in good shape

“Let me get you water and soap. You don’t want to use the nasty lye soap from the kitchen. My rose soap is so much nicer.” She poured water from a pitcher on the commode into a matching basin. Then she pulled a washcloth, towel and the soap from the top drawer. “There you are. Do you require some assistance dressing?”

“Oh, yes. Thank you so much. You’ve been more than kind.”

Ginger waved a hand in front of her body. “Don’t be silly. We brides need to stick together.”

“Brides?” Adele unbuttoned the jacket of her hunter green traveling suit. “I hope you don’t mind if I continue refreshing myself while we talk.”

Ginger waved her hand in front of her. “Not at all.”

Adele tossed the jacket onto the bed, followed by her once white blouse with a ruffle at the neck. Then she washed her face, neck, arms and chest. The water was almost too cold, but it felt so refreshing. She’d give anything for a bath.

“Oh, my, yes. I was the eleventh mail-order bride to arrive in Angel Creek. You are the eighteenth and believe me, you are very welcome here.”

“How did you come to be a mail-order bride?”

Adele saw Ginger in the mirror as she washed. Her expression saddened. “It was after the war. Charleston was overrun with Union soldiers and being alone, I finally realized I wasn’t safe and the only thing I had keeping me warm at night were my memories. My friend, Caroline, had come here and invited me to join her. I didn’t at that time, but eventually I sold everything I could and came west to Montana.” She smiled wide. “Flint and I finally found love together and married. I’ve never been happier. Why did you decide to be a bride?”

Adele turned and faced Ginger while pressing the cold cloth against her neck and chest. “My last position as a governess ended. The children were old enough to attend school and my services weren’t needed. I decided I was tired of raising other people’s children and wanted some I could call my own. I can’t wait to meet Edward’s daughter.” I hate having to lie to her. She’s been nothing but welcoming and kind. Still, I hope she believes me and no one ever checks my references. I did say they were in England, so it would be hard to inquire about my services.

After setting aside the washcloth, Adele opened the blue bag and pulled out a carefully folded pink silk dress. It had been her mother’s wedding dress and now would be hers. As Mother wanted.

She removed her skirt, corset and petticoats to don the dress. She retrieved a clean corset from the green bag where her undergarments were kept.

“That’s a beautiful dress. May I help you?” Ginger reached for the back of the dress.

“Yes, please. I can button them myself but I appreciate having someone assist me as it makes donning the dress so much easier.”

“I understand completely. I miss having a maid, but I’ve learned to do for myself and, if I really need help, Flint is here to assist.”

Adele held the matching silk wrap to her chest. Normally, she would let the wrap simply lie in the crook of her elbows, but because the bodice was so low-cut she wore it over her shoulders and crossed in front of her, hiding her bosom. “The style had been the ultimate in high fashion when her mother had married forty years ago. “I’m so happy for you that you found love here. I hope Edward and I will do so, too, eventually. I know it won’t happen right away, but I’m hopeful nonetheless.”

Ginger placed a hand on Adele’s shoulder and lightly squeezed. “I hope you do, too. Edward deserves a good woman…someone who will love him. Catherine wasn’t that woman, even though they courted and knew each other. She hated being on the ranch, far away from town. I can understand the loneliness she might have felt, but many people live on the ranch, even if most of them are men. More importantly, I can’t imagine abandoning my child.” She rested a hand on her large belly and the wonderful blessing below.

Adele nodded. “I can’t imagine that behavior either. What kind of woman would do that?”

“Exactly. But enough talk about his late wife. Look at you. You are absolutely lovely.” She put her hands on Adele’s shoulders and turned her toward the bureau.

Adele looked in the mirror. The dress fit perfectly. The style was some forty years out of date, but it was still beautiful. The garment was off-the-shoulder with little cap sleeves and a fitted bodice ending in a deep vee down the front of the skirt. She wore two petticoats with it. Lastly she opened her reticule and brought out her grandmother’s pearl necklace and ear bobs to complete the outfit.

She smoothed her skirt one last time. “I think I’m ready now.”

“All right let’s go.” Ginger took her hand and led her to the living room where Edward waited with two men.

One man was tall, with dark hair a little too long and blue eyes, with a strong jaw, straight nose and full lips. He also had a revolver on his hip. Though he was quite handsome, she thought Edward was more so.

The second man was shorter, with blond hair and a full well-trimmed beard. He, too, was quite handsome.

Ginger introduced them. She started with the man wearing the gun. “My husband, Flint, is the preacher here in Angel Creek. And this handsome brute is Johnny Roberts, a friend of ours who happens to be visiting with Flint.” Then she chuckled. “How often do you find two couples with the same coloring? The men are dark haired with blue eyes and us wives are redheads with green eyes.”

Adele bowed her head. “Pleased to meet you gentlemen.” Then she laughed. “You’re right, but there are subtle differences between our colorings. Edward’s eyes are darker than Flint’s and your eyes are much darker than mine, as is your hair.”

She glanced at Edward.

He stared at her like she was a steak and he was a starving man. “You look beautiful.”

Her stomach did somersaults and her face heated to points in her cheeks. “Thank you. That’s very kind.” No one had complimented her on her appearance in years. She liked that Edward found her nice to look at.

“Nothing kind about it, just stating a fact. You’re lovely.” He held out his arm. “Should we get this done? I’d like to get home. I don’t like leaving Lissa with Cookie too long. She comes up with words no seven year-old should know.”

Adele chuckled. “Who is Cookie?”

“He’s one of the ranch hands. He had some experience cooking so I had him come up and cook for us when Mrs. Underhill needs help or has a day off. All of the men eat their meals with us in the kitchen.”

“He sounds like an interesting man and Lissa sounds quite precocious.”

Edward held his chin high. “She is very smart and she has no qualms about using that intelligence to outsmart you.”

Adele lifted a brow. “I’ll have to keep on my toes then, won’t I?”

He smiled like the proud papa he was. “Yes, you will.”

Flint cleared his throat. “Shall we get this ceremony going? Before we start, I need your middle names.”

Adele smiled and looked at the floor. “Um, yes, of course. Mine name is Colleen.”

“And mine is James.”

The preacher pointed toward the hearth. “You two, stand there. Ginger will be on Adele’s left, and Johnny will be on Edward’s right.”

They all took their places.

Flint opened his Bible. “Very good. Dearly beloved we are gathered here in the sight of our Lord, to join these two people in holy matrimony. Do you, Edward James Wharton, take this woman, Adele Colleen Jensen, to be your lawful wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, and to keep yourself only unto her for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Adele Colleen Jensen, take this man, Edward James Wharton, as your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, to honor and obey, and to keep yourself only unto him for as long as you both shall live?”

She gazed up at Edward, saw his smile and smiled back. “I do.”

The preacher continued. “Then by the power vested in me by the Lord God Almighty, the town of Angel Creek and the Montana Territory, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Edward turned, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply.

Definitely not the quick peck on the lips she’d expected. “Oh, my.” She felt her stomach quiver and her pulse quicken. Not something she’d felt with Richard in a long time.

He grinned. “You’ll do, Mrs. Wharton. You’ll definitely do.”

Her face heated. “Thank you, sir. You will do as well.”

Edward turned to the preacher. “What do I owe you, Flint?”

The man stood with his Bible held by both hands in front of him. “Five dollars ought to do it.”

Her husband pulled out a small wad of bills from his pocket, found a five-dollar bill and handed it to the preacher. “Take Ginger and the kids to The Eatery for dinner.”

As he pocketed the money, Flint grinned. “My thoughts exactly. They haven’t had an evening out in quite a while, and they never complain, so I’ll take them out for a meal we’ll all enjoy.”

“Good plan. Now, I need to get home to Lissa. She must meet her new mama.” He smiled down at Adele.

She couldn’t help but smile back. Her dreams were coming true. She now had a husband, a child and a home to call her own.

After she collected her carpetbags she walked beside him out to the wagon, where Adele couldn’t stifle a groan.

Edward stopped and looked at her. “What’s the matter?”

Resigned to having to make the trip on another hard bench seat, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, then turned her gaze his way. “I’m so sore from the hard bench seats. The stagecoach nearly finished me. I think we hit every bump and hole in the trail.”

Edward nodded. “I have taken that stage myself and know what you mean.” He stood on the wheel axel and reached under the seat. “Here.”

The thick, wool blanket he brought out was folded enough to make the trip to the ranch much more comfortable. So much so, she could enjoy the countryside even though it was much the same as she’d seen from the stagecoach…cattle grazing and empty fields that, according to her reading about Montana Territory, were supposed to be of winter wheat. It should be starting to grow enough to flower assuming it has not already done so. The plant only needs a couple of cold weeks to go dormant until the spring when it would be tilled into the soil before normal crops are planted. She also saw dark orange flowers called Indian Paintbrush which did actually look like a paintbrush.

Adele turned toward Edward. “Do you raise crops, too?”

“No, just cattle, plus a dairy cow, some chickens and two little goats that are Lissa’s pets.” He chuckled. “Along with three dogs and I don’t know how many cats in the barn, that she also considers pets. We have so many cats it seems like a cat is having kittens every week or so.”

She widened her eyes. “Oh, my. Do you feed all those animals?”

Edward shrugged. “All of them but the cats. They have to find their own food.” He angled his head toward her. “Don’t you start feeding them either, except for the first few squirts of milk. If you do, they’ll expect it and won’t keep the house, barn and hay free of mice.”

Squirts of milk? She lifted a brow. “Do you expect me to milk the cows?”

“Of course. That’s one of your chores, at least, until Lissa is old enough to do it by herself. But that won’t be for another three or so years.”

 “Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I haven’t milked a cow since I was a child.”

He laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you. I didn’t expect you to know how to do the chores except for cooking, cleaning and laundry—”

We obviously should have corresponded more, but I wouldn’t have changed my mind even if we had. Adele held up an arm bent at the wrist. “Stop right there. I haven’t done my own laundry in more than seven years. I’m not sure I remember how. As for cooking and cleaning, I can do those but you’ll have to have someone teach me anything else you want me to do.”

He chuckled. “I have a housekeeper, Mrs. Underhill. She’ll help you with the laundry and whatever other chores in the house that you need to know. She lives in a room off the kitchen and although you will be responsible for the upkeep of the house, I have no plans to relieve us of her services. I don’t want all of your time taken up with chores. I want you to spend as much time as possible with Lissa.”

Adele’s stomach turned over. “What if she doesn’t want to spend time with me? I don’t want to alienate her right from the start, but I do know that children her age like to learn new things. When my little sister was small, she would watch intently as my mother and I mended clothes and darned socks. She wanted to learn and she was younger than Lissa. By the time my father broke his hip and we all had to get jobs to fill the void, Madeline was very good at mending and helped mother with it to bring in money. Father’s jobs didn’t pay well, but better than all of us together.” Her hands fisted in her lap. “My brother took over both of father’s jobs but they started him at a very low wage because they knew they could.”

“She may want to learn or not. You’ll have to find out for yourself and then find things she wants to do with you or you with her. She loves being in the barn with the kittens. Go with her. Make friends with her goats. Do you know how to ride?”

She widened her eyes. “Ride a goat? Definitely not.”

Edward laughed. “No, ride a horse.” He muttered under his breath. “Ride a goat? Whoever heard of such a thing?”

Heat invaded her face and then she laughed. “That was a rather silly answer wasn’t it? Oh well, in response to your question, yes I know how to ride.” Richard took me riding in the park once a week at what seemed like the busiest time he could. Like he was showing me off. I never minded. I was just glad to ride.

“Good. I’d like to show you the ranch and many places a wagon or buggy can’t go.”

“I’d like that. Will we take Lissa?”

“Probably not the first time, but some places we’ll see are good for a picnic and when the weather is warmer we can bring her then. One I like best is by a shallow, slow moving stream. We all can go wading.”

“That would be fun if the season was summer, but being that it is fall and the temperature of the water is probably freezing, I don’t think a wading picnic is the best idea.”

He shrugged. “That’s true, but we will still have some very hot days until the first snow. Indian summer, they call it.”

I guess there were some days in the fall in New York that were very warm. I do remember riding in the park when the leaves were changing and the weather was warm enough that even my riding outfit was too warm. But the water in the streams was still very cold when the horse splashed it up on me as we galloped through. “Hot enough to wade in cold water?”

“Yup.” He flicked the reins on the horses’ backs. They walked faster.

She faced the front but then faced him as another question occurred to her. “How far is it to your ranch?”

Will Lissa be there to greet us? What if she hates me right off? How will I win her trust?