Pearisburg, Virginia, 1868
Do you believe him to be the man of your dreams, Miss Wooley?” Xander leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees. He’d worked hard on this match. John Sprouse was a good man but ten years older than Miss Wooley. Age difference was the one concern he had.
Sarah Wooley looked up at him with moistened blue eyes. “Yes,” she whispered. “I believe he is. Have you consulted with Father?”
Xander nodded. It was difficult matching women with men when parents paid for the service. Xander believed he had a responsibility to the future spouses. Ultimately, they were the only two people who mattered with regard to the decision. In Miss Wooley’s case he felt the need to be certain that she wasn’t being pressured into a relationship she wasn’t ready for. He would not bring her to Tennessee unless she showed genuine desire and interest for John. “Yes. However, Mr. Sprouse would not be interested in you if you personally did not desire to come and meet him.”
Sarah nodded. Her golden-blond hair stayed in place. He often wondered how long it took a woman to pile her hair upon her head in such a manner.
“Excellent. I will wire Mr. Sprouse and let him know you are coming.” Xander stood up. “We will leave in seven days. I will pick you up.” He pulled a folded paper from his pocket. “This is a list of the items you should bring. Additional items can be shipped after you are settled in Tennessee.”
“Thank you, Mr. Russell. I appreciate your care in this matter.”
Xander gave a slight bow. “I’m glad I could help.”
Another woman entered the room; she was about the same age as Miss Wooley. Her features were more delicate, but the similarities with Miss Wooley spoke volumes. He gave a nod of his hat to her and continued out the door. The Wooleys’ home was of moderate income, perhaps on the border of being wealthier than most. However, they were frugal with their finances, and the livestock they raised added to their income. Mrs. Wooley had purchased many of his tin wares over the years.
Xander’s wagon of wares stood in the front of the house on the edge of the street where there would be a curbstone if this were a larger town. Pearisburg was one of the oldest farming communities in this part of Virginia. The brick courthouse in the center of the town had been built in 1836. Mentally, he calculated the rest of his stops. He still found it hard to believe his business of making and selling tinware had produced a side business of matchmaking. The Wooleys were a prime example of how he helped folks. Xander’s talent with tin design had given him a fair hand at sketching, and he was able to sketch the faces of his clients. His smile broadened as he remembered Sarah looking at the sketch he’d drawn of John. Sarah Wooley was not unpleasant to the eye but she was rather plain, and the men of Pearisburg, Virginia, hadn’t taken the time to get to know Miss Sarah. It was their loss and now John Sprouse’s gain.
“Mr. Russell, may I have a word with you.” Mr. Wooley came out the front door.
Xander paused and turned back to meet his client. “Yes, sir.”
“I wish to send a dowry with Sarah, and I understand your wagon doesn’t have enough room. Would it be appropriate to hire another wagon and driver to accompany you?”
Xander shrugged. “Most of the roads are in good repair. But let me show you what I’ve done to my wagon to prevent a broken axle on route. Why not send the freight by train?” After all, the Pearisburg station was a mere six miles from here.
Mr. Wooley came up beside him, a robust man with a balding pate. “I’d feel better having the wagon come with her so that Mr. Sprouse will find her not a burden but an asset.”
“If you wish.” Xander knelt down and pointed to the axles. “Note they are more rugged than an axle for driving in a city or around town. Of course, my equipment is heavier than clothing your daughter might bring with her.”
“She’ll be bringing a full set of china, a few baking pans and other items my wife has put together for her from our kitchen, as well as some herbs, spices, and some seeds for spring planting. Sarah is a very good cook. You might want to take advantage of her culinary skills on the road.”
“I’d be happy to. However, most nights we shall be staying in various inns along the route.” Admittedly, most were farmhouses, like the Wooleys’ home. The owners would rent a room for a night or two to those passing by, travelers heading west or, in his case, merchants running back and forth selling their wares.
Mr. Wooley’s smile broadened as Xander went over a few of the other adjustments he’d made. He didn’t know whether Mr. Wooley would be able to procure another vehicle for the trip in seven days, but that was not his concern.
Xander climbed aboard his wagon and headed a couple of miles out of town to the home of the Reddings. They had placed a small order of new tinware, and he had finished the items earlier that day.
He liked his life. Even though he spent a lot of time on his own, he enjoyed the interaction with his customers. He even scheduled extra time for some of his older customers who loved to tell tales. He’d be on the road for two days, spend a few with his family, then return to Pearisburg and pick up Miss Sarah Wooley. A caravan was a slower way to travel. Xander sighed. He’d have to rethink his travel plans and allow for the additional wagon. He only hoped and prayed Mr. Wooley would rent a suitable one for the cross-country trip.
Seven days later, Jo still could not convince her cousin to stay in Pearisburg. She had to admit the sketch of John Sprouse was not an unpleasant one to look at. He wasn’t the kind to make her heart swoon, but Sarah wouldn’t be stuck with a man she would not want to be seen in public with. And he seemed decent in his letters. Still … it just didn’t seem right. Jo couldn’t help but wonder if Sarah’s parents were simply getting rid of Sarah, marrying her off so Abigail could marry.
Jo went to the armoire and started to pack. Aunt Margaret and Uncle Felix didn’t care if she married or not. They’d housed her since her parents went to Europe and hadn’t returned in two years. Jo often wondered if something had happened to them. But occasionally she would receive a letter telling her of the wonderful places they were seeing in Europe. Why they hadn’t taken her she couldn’t fathom.
She pulled open the door to the left side of the armoire and took one of her dresses off the hanger, folded it, and placed it in her carpetbag. She selected another casual dress more suited for travel and put that in the bag as well. Then she selected the unmentionables she would need for a week of travel and placed them in the carpetbag. She removed her housedress and put on a traveling costume and changed into more durable, small-heeled shoes for travel. Sarah doesn’t know it, but I’m coming with her. She didn’t trust this Xander Russell. It seemed odd to her that a man would hitch up men and women from different parts of the country. He was a tinsmith, not a matchmaker.
Uncle Felix had hired a man to drive a second wagon with all of Sarah’s belongings out to Tennessee. There was bound to be enough room for her.
Once changed, Jo burst into her cousin’s room. “I’m going with you, Sarah.”
“What?” Sarah held the dress up in front of her.
“I’m going with you. I’ve packed my bag and I’m ready. It isn’t right for you to go by yourself with this stranger.”
“Jo, I’m going. You can’t stop me.”
“I’m not stopping you. I’m going with you. Together we’ll meet this Mr. John Sprouse and see if he’s worthy of you.” Josephine closed the bedroom door and lowered her voice. “You said it to me before. Abigail can’t marry until you are married. I know this is why you’re settling for this man.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Did you not read his letters? He’s a kind man.”
“Yes, I read them. You know that. He may be a kind man. Or it might simply be a ruse. I’ve packed my father’s six-shooters.”
Sarah’s blue eyes widened. “Do you know how to use them?”
Jo shrugged. “Of course I do. You simply aim and pull the trigger. What can be so hard with that?”
Sarah slipped into her dress. Jo came up beside her and helped fasten some of the buttons. “It would be nice to have someone with me.”
“Thank you.”
“But you haven’t packed the items on Mr. Russell’s list.”
“We have an hour for me to run to the general store. What do I need?”
Sarah went over the list.
“I can purchase the mosquito netting and food items. I have just about everything else.” Jo took the list and headed for the door. “I love you, Sarah. I only want what is best for you.”
“I know you do, Jo. But Father and Mother were quite careful before choosing Mr. Russell.”
Jo sighed. “I know. I’ll be right back. Don’t let Mr. Russell leave without me.”
Sarah waved her off. Jo hurried toward the stairs as Aunt Margaret was coming up. “Where are you rushing off to?” she asked.
“I’m going to the general store and …” Jo hedged for a moment. “I’ve decided to accompany Sarah out to Tennessee.”
Aunt Margaret leaned back and grasped the railing. “You’re what?”
Jo repeated her intentions.
“I realize you don’t believe your uncle and I are responsible for you, but we are. Did you think for one moment we would let you go without our permission?”
Jo paled. She knew she had a tendency to jump in when others would think and ponder. “I’m sorry. But don’t you think it would be wise if I were to accompany Sarah?”
“Josephine Wooley! I don’t know what your parents will do with me if I were to let you go …”
“But you’re subjecting your own daughter to the same travel.”
Margaret closed her eyes. “You’re right. Fine, go. Not that I could have stopped you.”
Jo leaned over and gave her aunt a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Aunt Maggie.”
“Your uncle will not be pleased.”
“You can convince him, I’m certain of it. Forgive me, I must go and get the items on Mr. Russell’s list.”
Aunt Margaret moved over to the right. Jo flew down the stairs and out the door to the store. In a way she understood her parents and their love for travel. Half of Jo’s life had been spent living with her aunt and uncle as her parents roamed the world. There was no doubt in Jo’s mind that she’d picked up the same wanderlust that her parents had.
She scanned the shelves of the general store, picked up the mosquito netting, and noticed some galoshes. They weren’t on the list, but she picked up a pair for her cousin as well. The parasols she had at home were for fashion so she picked out one that would shed water, another item not on Mr. Russell’s list. A few other necessities not on the list she purchased as well: a jackknife, oilcloth, strikables, some thin leather straps for ties, a roll of bandage cloth and dried beef. She debated about a small tent, but according to Mr. Russell they would be staying overnight in some inns along the way. She brought everything to the counter. As the storeowner was tallying up the order Jo spotted some candles. “Add a dozen of these as well.”
Mr. Gaven smiled. “As you wish. I take it you are heading out to Tennessee with your cousin.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll be leaving later today.”
“Would you pass a message on to Mr. Russell for me?”
“Sure.”
Mr. Gaven leaned over and scratched out a note, then folded it and sealed it with some sealing wax. He handed it to her. “Thank you.”
Jo stuffed the note in her pocket. “You’re welcome.”
The order packaged, she hustled back to the house. Outside the front of the house stood Mr. Russell’s wagon, along with the other one Uncle Felix had hired. A man was leaning under it, Mr. Russell she presumed. Sarah came out of the house with her father carrying a couple of her bags. Jo hustled up to the wagons. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
“Josephine Wooley,” her uncle said sharply. She stopped in midstride. “Your aunt spoke with me, and it is not necessary for you to accompany Sarah. I have it on great authority that Mr. Russell is a man of honor.”
Mr. Russell raised his head up and bumped it on the underside of the carriage. “Who’s accompanying who?” he said as he rubbed the black curls on the back of his head.
Jo squared her shoulders. “I’ve decided to come with Sarah and make certain she is being well cared for.”
He scanned her from head to toe then turned toward her Uncle. “I promised to care for your daughter, not a wagon train of others.”
“Josephine!” Felix Wooley bellowed. “You will not ruin Sarah’s chance at happiness.”
“Of course I won’t, Uncle. I merely want to be certain she is well cared for on the trip and that Mr. Sprouse is as honorable as Mr. Russell claims him to be. Don’t you agree it would be wise to have another there in order to make certain Sarah is in the best hands?”
“Since you’ve come of legal age you’ve been insufferable, just like your father.” He waved his hands at her. “Go, go if you must.”
She ran to her uncle and embraced him. “Thank you.”
Xander turned away. Great … a strong-willed woman who can manipulate a man with a simple phrase or the bat of an eye. Xander groaned and made certain the line was taut. He wanted to say he would not be responsible for the young woman’s care, but he knew better. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe, just as he would with Sarah Wooley, his charge.
“Let me get the rest of my things.” Josephine Wooley ran into the house.
Miss Sarah came up beside him. “She’s a good traveling companion. You don’t have to worry about Jo.”
Jo … she even has a man’s name. “I’m certain it will give you great comfort to have your sister.”
“Cousin,” Sarah supplied.
Xander helped load the rest of the women’s belongings into the hired wagon. Mike Ellsworth seemed a competent driver. He’d been hired to bring the wagon to and from Tennessee. He was a young man, perhaps seventeen years old. He would sleep in the wagon each night and protect the women’s freight.
Xander pulled out his pocket watch. “We need to leave or we won’t make it to our first stop before dark.”
Mike hustled up on top of his wagon. Sarah Wooley joined him. Josephine glanced at the full seat then at Xander’s wagon. “You may join me, Miss Josephine.”
Mrs. Wooley came out with a basket. “Here’s a little something for your trip. It isn’t much but it will at least give you a nice lunch today.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Sarah embraced her. Tears flowed from both women’s eyes. This was perhaps the hardest part. There was a good possibility the two would never see one another again, and each knew it. He hoped the parents would travel at least once to see their daughter and her family but it wasn’t always possible. Perhaps, with the expanding railways people would find it easier to travel.
Xander checked his emotions and sat down on the bench. Josephine hugged her aunt and uncle and said, “I’ll be back as soon as I can. And I’ll make certain he’s a good man.”
Felix Wooley chuckled. “He is, darling, or I wouldn’t send such precious cargo.”
Josephine Wooley smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “You know me.”
“All too well, dear. All too well,” her aunt said as she hugged her.
Josephine was a rather stunning woman. She had petite features and was much prettier than her cousin Sarah. Why hasn’t she married? he wondered, then thought back on the interchange with her uncle.
Josephine climbed up without the assistance of a man. That’s a good sign. Her attire was casual, a bit fancy for his tastes, but not as fancy as some of the ladies. The skirt of her dress was not overwhelming but appropriate for travel. Her shoes were sensible for travel as well. Perhaps this woman would not be a huge burden.
Xander jiggled the reins … the horses stepped forward in unison. Miss Josephine Wooley moved with the rhythm of the wagon. She placed a hand on the cushion he had on the bench seat. “This is nice.”
“Thank you. My mother made them for me.”
“Does your mother know that you sell women?”
Xander tamped down his anger. “I do not sell women, Miss Wooley. I merely provide a suitable match for them.”
He couldn’t believe she was so antagonistic about his role in bringing Sarah to her future husband. Why was she coming? Was she planning on ruining Sarah and John’s potential happiness?
She nodded and held her tongue. Which was advisable. He didn’t need to bring this woman. He could dump her out on the streets here. They were not even five blocks away from the Wooleys’ home. “If your intention is to sabotage Sarah and John’s marriage before they are acquainted I’d be more than happy to stop right now and let you walk back home.”
“I will not stop Sarah from making this choice, unless Mr. Sprouse is not the man he purports himself to be.”
“I hope I have your word on that, Miss Wooley, because I know John Sprouse. He is an honorable man and will make a fine husband for your cousin.”
“So you say,” she whispered. She may have thought he didn’t hear her, but he did. He’d have to watch this woman. She might be pretty on the eyes, but she definitely challenged a man’s stability.
They continued the rest of the morning without speaking to one another. They stopped for lunch where the horses could be refreshed. Mrs. Wooley had been correct—the food was very tasty.
“Mr. Russell?” Sarah Wooley came up to him. “Jo tells me your seat is cushioned. Would it be an inconvenience for me to sit with you?”
“I’d be honored, Miss Sarah.”
Sarah Wooley’s blue eyes brightened. “Oh, thank you. I don’t think my backside would have made it the rest of the way.”
“I understand completely. Which is why my mother has made those cushions for me.” Perhaps a hard seat would help soften Josephine Wooley’s hard heart, tenderize her a bit.
Sarah walked over to her cousin. They exchanged a few words then a hug. He watched as Josephine climbed up on the other wagon. Perhaps her heart wasn’t that hard.