CHAPTER FIVE

 

 

 

 

Colten was married, and as the celebrations began, he allowed himself time to contemplate what was next for them. After Michael had married Susan out of the blue the day she’d arrived, the people of Birch Creek had rallied beautifully and accepted Susan with open arms. And now, as he and Annabelle visited with everyone together as husband and wife, he knew they would accept Annabelle just the same.

No one brought up how she’d arrived or talked about Lester by name, but everyone expressed pride or appreciation for his forethought in saving Annabelle from a disadvantageous marriage.

Though he knew it was honorable of him to have done so, he realized after a few neighbors repeated the same thing that Annabelle got quieter and quieter as the conversations continued.

“Would you like to head over to the food?” Colten asked. “Maybe that way, everyone will sit down and let us have a bit of a breather.”

Annabelle nodded. “Yes, please. I was so nervous earlier, I didn’t eat much. And it would be nice to just sit with you for a moment.”

Colten took a few steps, then paused and reached for her hand. “Allow me.”

She placed her hand in his and joined him at his side, walking toward the tables and wagon beds that had the different foods set out. When his mother saw them approaching, she turned to his father and told him to get everyone’s attention.

His father put his fingers against his lips and whistled loudly. The chattering and laughing and running of children stopped and Colten’s mother spoke.

“Thank you so much for coming, everyone. I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally have a daughter. And it looks like the new couple are hungry, so let’s eat. Then when we’ve all had our fill, we can start the dancing!”

A cheer went up and a few people patted him on the back as they lined up for the food. Colten made sure Annabelle had what she needed, then the two walked back to a table with some actual chairs and began to eat.

At first, they remained silent as they watched the townsfolk but Annabelle slowly started asking a few questions about the people. It seemed as if she was trying to get names and faces memorized so when she saw them later she’d know.

He appreciated the fact that she was trying to fit in well. Before they’d finished eating, the fiddle and harmonica began to play and soon dozens of children gathered in the center of the area to dance around. Before long, couple after couple joined in and more than a few waved to Colten and Annabelle to join them.

“You want to dance?” Colten asked.

Annabelle nodded. “Sure, but this looks different than anything I’ve seen before. I might not do it right.”

“No one will care,” Colten said. “Just get out there and have fun. That’s all that matters. And I’ll be with you to show you how it goes. Just follow me and watch the other women. You’ll pick it up in no time.”

Annabelle smiled at him and Colten liked the way it felt to have her approval. He took her hand and led her to the open space to join the dance.

As she began moving and laughing with the others as they spun and twirled and showed her which way to go next, Colten saw the free and open joy inside her. If he could see her that carefree and happy all the time, then married life would be easy.

 

 

 

***

 

 

Annabelle hadn’t thought she’d enjoy herself on her wedding today. When she had woken up, she’d been too nervous to eat, but Susan had insisted she have a bite of eggs and a slice of bread. Annabelle had done the morning chores of milking, egg gathering and feeding the pigs while Michael and Jessie headed out to prepare the church lot for the wedding. Then she had worked on finishing the dress and helped Susan with the food and goodies before they had left for the wedding around supper time.

And now, after more than an hour of dancing and laughing and visiting with everyone at the celebration, she was ready to just sit down and not move again till the morning.

But the party seemed to just be gaining speed. A few families had left in order to return to their farms since they had a few miles to travel. But those who lived nearby in the houses close to the center of town continued to visit.

When a small child yawned widely with open mouth, Annabelle felt the same reaction hit her and she tried in vain to stop the yawn. Though she did her best to cover her mouth. Colten turned to her.

“Now don’t start that. It’ll spread like wildfire.” Colten yawned as well, then laughed. “See.”

“I didn’t start it,” Annabelle said. “I saw a little boy over there do it.”

“I suppose it is getting late. Maybe we should start cleaning up and thank everyone for joining us.”

Annabelle nodded. She moved over to the group of ladies where her new mother-in-law was visiting. “This has been so wonderful. Thank you all so much for your help today. I can’t believe how kind everyone is.”

“You’re part of Birch Creek now,” one of the ladies said. “We always take care of our own.”

“How can I help clean up?” Annabelle asked.

“Oh, now don’t you worry about that part at all,” Mrs. Howard said. “Douglas and I will make sure all of this is taken care of. You and Colten can head home and get settled.”

Annabelle looked toward where Colten stood, seeing he was getting the same kind of treatment and being waved away. Men started moving tables and benches and chairs around. Wagons were hitched up again in preparation to head home.

She watched him for a moment, wondering if she should go to him, or wait for him to come to her. When he turned and met her eyes, she smoothed out her skirt, not sure what to do with her hands, but as he headed toward her, she found herself walking to meet him.

“They won’t let me help,” Annabelle said.

Colten nodded. “Same. I guess that means we should head to the house.”

“Where will we be staying?” Annabelle asked when he took her hand.

“Would it bother you if we were with my family for a while? It might take a bit to build a house of our own. I don’t want to stay with them long. I think it would be good for us to rely on each other.”

“I don’t mind,” Annabelle said. “And I think a place of our own someday sounds wonderful.”

“Michael and Susan offered their place as soon as they’ve moved over to the boarding house when it’s done.”

Annabelle nodded. “That’s what Susan told me as well. It’s a good place to start.”

“I’m sorry I don’t have anything else.”

Annabelle slowed down and faced him. “I couldn’t ask for more than you’ve done already. You’ve given me a home and a name. You’ve saved me from the wrong kind of man. I’ll always be grateful for that.”

They continued walking again, leaving the sounds of movement and clean up and children running and laughing.

As each step brought them closer and closer to the store and the house that was attached to it, Annabelle wondered how to bring up her request.

She’d loved the kisses he’d shared with her at the wedding. But she just wasn’t ready for anything more. Not yet. She wanted time to adjust to the fact that she was married. But how could she tell him she didn’t want him tonight?

He must have noticed something was amiss because he stopped and turned to her. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, but couldn’t speak.

He looked at her for a moment then continued walking, and she fell into step with him easily. The darkness helped keep her face from giving away her nervousness, and she tried to form the words that Susan had suggested, but she just couldn’t quite say them aloud.

As they reached the front porch of the house, Colten paused and faced her again. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Just a little nervous I suppose,” Annabelle admitted.

Colten took both her hands in his. “I can understand that. I am as well. Don’t think anyone else around here except for Michael and Susan have had a shorter courtship. It will take time for us to get comfortable with each other.”

Annabelle nodded, relieved he was aware of her concern.

“I want you to come to trust me,” Colten said. “We can proceed slowly.”

“Thank you,” Annabelle said. “That means a lot to me.” She moved her thumbs slowly across the tops of his thumbs then squeezed his hands.

Colten turned to the door and opened it up, allowing her to walk inside.

“Perhaps I should give you a tour of the house. So you’ll know where things are.”

“I’d like that,” Annabelle said as he lit the lantern then adjusted the wick until the room was bright enough to see. He took the lantern in his hand and carried it back to her. With his free hand, he took hers. “This will help us get used to each other, I think.”

She smiled in agreement. “Smart thinking.”

“This is the front parlor,” Colten said. “Through those doors are the kitchen and the dining room. To the right are the stairs that lead to the bedrooms. There are only the two of them, so we’ll have to share mine. Is that okay?”

Annabelle nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

“Mother will prepare breakfast in the morning before we open the store. If you’d like to help out in the store tomorrow, I could show you that in the morning. It’s not difficult.”

“All right,” Annabelle said. “Thank you.”

“The privy is out that door down a rock path.” Colten continued showing her through the house. It was smaller than the boarding house she’d rented a room at in New York, but it was much larger than where Susan and Michael were staying. It didn’t take long to give her the tour and explain things about the house before they found themselves standing at the foot of the staircase that would lead to the rooms upstairs.

“Shall we go to bed?” Colten asked.

“Before we go upstairs,” Annabelle began, then hesitated a moment. She took a slow breath and continued. “I wondered if we might have a moment to…” She bit her bottom lip and looked at his lips, then down at his chest, embarrassed at her wants and the inability to express it.

“Would you allow me to kiss you?” Colten asked after a moment.

Her gaze jumped back to his and she nodded quickly. “That’s what I wanted to ask.”

Colten’s lips rose in a smile as if he had known exactly what she wanted. She stepped closer just as he did and looked up as he placed his hands gently on her cheeks near her chin. He brushed one thumb against the corner of her lip and her mouth parted in anticipation.

Colten’s dark head bowed down and his lips brushed against hers, softly at first then with just a little more pressure. She reached her hands up and placed them on his wrists as if wanting to pull him closer, but then slid her arms to his shoulders then around his neck.

Before she lost herself too deeply into the kiss, Colten froze and Annabelle heard the sound of footsteps on the front stairs. She pulled her arms away from him, and clasped them in front of her as Colten stepped back just as the door opened.

“You made it,” Mrs. Howard said. She placed her things in her hands down then glided over to Annabelle and wrapped her in a hug. “I am so happy for you two. Now you should get some rest. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow. We’ll be as quiet as we can to not disturb you two.”

“Should I help you and Pa bring in the things?”

“No no,” Mrs. Howard said. “Most things can just stay in the wagon till the morning. I’ll get the important things out. You’ve both had a very long day. Now get off with you.”

Colten stayed rooted where he stood and Annabelle looked at him, then at his mother. She didn’t want to upset her mother-in-law so she turned to the stairs and lifted her skirts enough to walk up them. When she turned around, she saw Colten slip out the front door.

“I’ll be up soon. Just going to help Pa with the horses.”

Annabelle nodded. He was just as nervous about this as she was. When she reached the top of the stairs, she paused. She had no idea which room would be his. And hers. She opened the door to one, and saw a large bed and items that looked like they belonged to Mrs. Howard. She closed that door and moved to the next one.

The bed in there was smaller in width, though long enough to fit Colten’s tall frame. There wasn’t room to have anything more than a chair, a trunk, and a chest of drawers. She would have to sleep on the bed.

“It’s fine,” she murmured. “Things will be fine.”

Annabelle moved over to the porcelain pitcher and basin and was pleased to see there was still water there. She took a small cloth nearby and cleaned her face and neck to help cool herself off after the evening of dancing. When she’d finished that, she heard sounds from downstairs, including Colten’s voice but no indication he was coming up to his room.

She began undoing the buttons, happy she’d placed them where she could reach easily enough to take care of it herself. After removing the dress, she carefully laid it out across the trunk to keep it from getting dirty. She would have to wear it again tomorrow since she hadn’t thought to have her own trunk delivered here from Susan’s place.

Hoping she wasn’t going to upset Colten, she climbed into the bed, tucking herself against the wall. That would leave him plenty of space as well. She pulled the covers over her shoulder and faced the wall while her mind ran wild with worry.

Earlier, she’d been afraid of being in his bed with him, but as she lay there all alone, she worried he didn’t really want her there. Especially since minute after long minute passed without any sign of him.

Refusing to let the strange tears that appeared out of nowhere fall, Annabelle did her best to clear her mind of all thoughts. As her tired body relaxed into the soft mattress and clean bedding, all the exhaustion of the day caught up with her and she fell asleep alone.

 

 

 

***

 

 

Colten wanted to give Annabelle all the time and space she needed. And he figured if he took his time unharnessing the horses and unloading the wagon, she’d have a chance to get used to the idea of being in his house. He cleaned up in the kitchen with the water pump so he wouldn’t have to do it upstairs with his pitcher and water basin. He hoped he’d left it with water for her to use.

It would take a while to get used to the needs of another person. Knowing he had to go up there eventually, Colten approached the stairs with trepidation. He had to just get it over with. She had enjoyed the kisses, so maybe things could move from there.

That thought gave him the energy to move and he worked his way up the stairs, trying to keep his footsteps light so he wouldn’t wake his parents.

When he reached the landing, Colten realized he hadn’t shown her which room was theirs. Hopefully his mother had. Colten turned to his door and opened it up, expecting to see the light of a candle, but it was dark. He took the lantern that he still held and checked the room. Her dress was laid out across his trunk, and against the wall on one side of the bed, he could see her.

He watched the rise and fall of her ribcage and knew she was asleep. That both solved his problem, and saddened him. He changed out of his clothes and pulled on his long night shirt, then climbed onto the bed as carefully as possible. The warmth of her body was a pleasant sensation, though he didn’t touch her, he could feel it radiating through the blankets and thought it would be a nice addition in the cold months.

As he lay on his back, he listened to her breathing, thinking it might take a bit of getting used to, but at least she didn’t snore. Before long, he found himself lulled to sleep as well. Not exactly how he thought his wedding night would go, but overall, not bad either.

 

 

 

***

 

 

Annabelle woke with a panic. He was after her. Mr. Staley had followed her from the factory and grabbed her again, pulling her into the darkened alley between buildings. She struggled to push him away and cried out in fear.

“Annabelle,” he said. “Stop. What’s wrong?”

The voice wasn’t Mr. Staley’s. She shook her head, trying to clear it.

“Annabelle,” Colten’s voice said. His strong hand rested on her arm, but didn’t feel threatening. “Shh, I think you were dreaming. It’s all right. Shh. You’re all right.”

Relief washed over her when she realized she was not in New York anymore. She was in her new home. Birch Creek. With a man who was nothing like the one she’d run from. Or the one who had tricked her into coming here. But with such horrid examples, how could she dare trust Colten?

Annabelle covered her face and turned to the wall, trying to hide the tears, or at least stop them, but her shoulders shook. The movement of blankets behind her made her freeze, but when Colten tucked himself softly behind her and rubbed her back gently, she relaxed and the tears soon stopped.

“Are you all right?” Colten asked.

“Mm hm,” she hummed. “I think so. You were right. Just a dream.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Annabelle shook her head, then not sure if he could see that, she said. “No. But thank you. Thank you for helping me calm down. I’m sorry I woke you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I think I might have bumped you. I woke when you pushed me away.” There was a pause. “I didn’t mean to touch you as we slept. I suppose I’m just used to having all the bed space to myself.”

“It’s fine. Good night, Colten.” She spoke quietly, hoping to ease back into sleep soon. She worried having him right there next to her would cause her to over-think everything, but instead, his quiet presence and comforting warmth helped lull her back to sleep.