Chapter 6

While Leah remained outside on the porch, Jesse went back into the parlor to deliver the “good news” to Aunt Estelle and Uncle Robert. He returned several minutes later saying the older couple would meet them at Jesse’s homestead, where the wedding would be held. Aunt Estelle needed to ride over in their wagon because of her poor eyesight.

He offered his arm, and Leah took it. They began walking toward a log house, a barn, and several outbuildings. Nervous flutters filled her insides. How could she live in such a place? No brick structures, churches, schools. No paved roads … no department stores!

“Could we stop just a moment under the church tree?” Perhaps it would calm her.

“If that’s what you’d like.”

When they reached the tree, Jesse picked a bunch of wild white blooms from the riverbank and presented them to her. “They’re windflowers. Probably not as good as a wedding bouquet of roses, but—”

“They’re lovely, Jesse. Thank you.”

She glanced up into the treetop. Barely any breeze stirred the heart-shaped leaves, but they rustled and made a sighing sound—just like the one sound she missed most: the surf.

She sat on the bench nearest the trunk and closed her eyes. “How can this be? I can almost imagine I’m at the seashore.”

“Well, never having heard the ocean before, I’m not one to say, but more than one traveler has told me that when the cottonwood’s leaves rustle, they sound like waves.”

“Will I be able to hear it from inside your house?”

“Most likely, if you listen real close. The front and bedroom windows face this way.”

Thank You, God. Leah would probably never see the ocean again, but it would still lull her to sleep every night during the summer. Such a perfect wedding gift from her heavenly Father.

Standing, Leah took Jesse’s arm again. She felt more ready to see her new home.

No sooner had her foot touched the first step of the wide front porch when a large black-and-white dog came running from around the house. He skidded to a halt, barking at first then wagging his tail and sidling up to Jesse.

He knelt and gave the hound a good rubbing. “Your aunt said you don’t mind pets.”

“Actually, I love animals.”

“Glad to hear it.” Jesse stood. “This is Sarge.”

Leah allowed the dog to smell her hand before she gave him a scratch behind the ears. “Sarge, I hope you and I will become good friends.”

But, more importantly, she hoped she and her husband would become good friends. Someday.

If that wasn’t the sorriest excuse for a wedding. It was over within minutes. The marriage license had been signed, Nellie and her husband Zeb penning their names as witnesses, while close friends gathered around. But Leah deserved better than such a hasty affair. It ended so quick, he didn’t get a chance to give her her special wedding gift—his mother’s ring.

Worse, he didn’t kiss his bride after they took their vows!

Why this fool idea of marrying Leah off practically the minute she got off the stagecoach? Maybe he should have insisted the wedding take place tomorrow … except he knew the reverend’s intentions were honorable. The man was simply preoccupied with Miss Estelle’s failing health and their journey to Portland.

Besides, Jesse could kiss his bride later.

Yes, sir, she was a treasure, and he knew it. But where did her aunt and uncle get the idea that she was so plain? Standing here, watching her fuss around the kitchen alongside his sister, Jesse felt particularly pleased with his new wife.

They’d be happy together, all right—once her shock wore off.

After enjoying the supper provided by several guests, Nellie and Zeb took baby Henry home for bed. The Bigelows, with their boys in tow, and Mrs. Rigley left next. Will and Emma Canfield, owners of the town’s general store, took their leave shortly thereafter.

Finally, the reverend and Miss Estelle were the only two left.

“Good-bye, my dear,” the reverend told Leah, although he made no move to give her a hug.

“Good-bye, Uncle.”

Miss Estelle grabbed ahold of her and hugged her tightly. “You were the prettiest bride I’ve seen in a long while.”

That wasn’t saying much, since Miss Estelle couldn’t see the next step in front of her face.

Leah didn’t seem to take notice. “Thank you, Auntie. I’ll miss you both. I’m sorry I won’t see you tomorrow before you leave.”

“At first light you’ll have your own duties to fulfill,” the reverend said. “We’ll say our good-byes now. It’s best for all of us.”

Leah’s features fell with obvious sadness. Jesse slipped his arm around her waist to show his support. She could lean on him if she needed to.

“You’ll be fine, dear.” Miss Estelle patted Leah’s arm. “Robbie and I are leaving you in the hands of a good, strong, capable man.”

Leah merely nodded and sniffed into her hanky.

Poor thing. He tightened his hold.

“I’ll expect a letter soon, telling me of a baby on the way.”

He heard, and felt, Leah’s sudden intake of air, although she didn’t reply.

Jesse chuckled to cover for her, unsure who was more outspoken and opinionated—Miss Estelle or Mrs. Rigley.

Leah moved to hug her aunt one last time, and Jesse released his hold on her. He walked the aging couple to their wagon and saw Miss Estelle safely inside. “Godspeed, Reverend. Let us know when you and Miss Estelle arrive in Oregon and what the doctor says.”

The older gent tugged on the rim of his hat. Then with a flick of the reins, the wagon started forward.

Back inside the house, Jesse closed the door. Leah turned into a busy hummingbird, flitting here and there.

Jesse trailed her into the bedroom—their bedroom. With that big, built-up hat of hers now on the dresser, she looked a half foot shorter—and softer, too.

“Leah …”

She rushed past him and back into the kitchen. She rummaged around in the cupboard, looking for who-knew-what, while he stayed out of the way.

“What can I help you find?”

“Nothing. I’m just looking around, getting familiar with the layout of things.”

The layout? On their wedding night? “Can’t that wait till tomorrow?”

She turned from the open drawer, her gray eyes wider than usual.

Was she frightened? Of course she would be. She didn’t know him—or know that Jesse wouldn’t force his husbandly rights on her. Well, he wouldn’t.

“Let’s sit out on the porch and relax until the mosquitoes chase us inside.”

Her entire being seemed to melt with relief. “Yes, I think I’d like that.”

She poured them some leftover coffee, and, tin cups in hand, they headed outside and sat down.

Night sounds filled the air, but the silence between Leah and him didn’t seem natural. Jesse had to break it.

“Leah, I’m honored that you’ve become my wife.”

That brought her gaze up from her cup. “Thank you. I’m sorry that I’m not great company. I get quiet when I’m tired.”

So that was it. At least her silence didn’t mean she was completely disgusted with him. “I think we should take things kind of slow. You can have your privacy in the bedroom, and I’ll bunk out in the barn.”

She fell silent for several agonizingly long seconds. “Thank you,” she said at last.

Jesse stood and stretched. “You’ve had a hard day, so it might be a good idea to turn in early.”

The sound of harness and horse drew his attention. Warren Givens’s rig pulled up the road and stopped right outside the door. Leah’s luggage. He’d forgotten about it in all the fuss of the wedding. Jesse stood to greet Givens, who eased himself down off the wagon bench.

“Heard you married Reverend Hermaning’s niece, Jess.”

“That’s right, I did.”

“You still can’t win the election Tuesday. Getting hitched today don’t make you a family man like Luther Welton.”

Jesse almost laughed. Welton, a family man? No, he was a man who enjoyed exploiting women, and Jesse doubted he treated his wife with the reverence God demanded.

Taking one side of Leah’s trunk, Jesse motioned for Givens to take the other. Grudgingly, he did so. They carried the weighty object into the house then set it under the open north window. Leah followed them in, carrying hatboxes and her valise.

“Appreciate you bringing her belongings over.” Jesse saw the man to the door.

“Sure thing.” Givens held out his hand.

Jesse dropped a few coins into it, and Givens left.

Closing the front door, Jesse turned to find Leah standing closely behind him, her expression tentative.

“I … I have a request.”

“All right,” Jesse said. “Let’s hear it.”

“A bath. I’ve been delighting in the idea of a bath for days. Will you point me in the direction of the tub?”

Jesse rubbed the back of his neck. “No tub here in the house.” At her disappointed pout, he added, “But there’s a nice spring-fed pond out back. It’s real secluded. And the outhouse is fairly new.”

“AAAEEEHH!” The sound was akin to a cougar’s angry screech. Leah whirled on her heel, marched into the bedroom, and slammed the door.

Jesse put his hands on his hips. Whoo-eee! That woman had some fire in her veins.

He shook his head. So this was what married life was like.