by Amelia Rose
Mason’s hand closed around hers and he laughed with her. After a few moments, she sobered. “I believe it’s time for me to retire for the evening.”
“Not just yet,” Mason said. “How do you feel about getting married on Saturday?”
Jenny’s breath hitched. That was only four days away. However, she already had her dress and the ceremony wouldn’t be lavish, so planning it wouldn’t take much time. Cecilia and Herb would be their witnesses. She’d saved as much of her governess wages as possible for the trip West, and she had plenty to cover a nice dinner at the Station to celebrate after the service.
Gazing into Mason’s eyes, Jenny asked herself if she was ready to marry him. It was a serious decision; once they’d said their vows, there’d be no going back. Happiness stole into her heart and the answer it sent back was a resounding yes.
“I would love nothing more than to become your wife on Saturday.”
The grin that spread across Mason’s face sent her heartbeat skipping along. “I’m glad to hear it. We’ll tell Pastor Gibbons right away.”
Excitement overtook Jenny, and she squeezed his hand. “Yes. Right away. Now, I really must go before I throw myself at you again.”
Mason laughed. “Feel free to throw yourself at me anytime.”
Jenny stood and wagged a finger at him. “No, no. That’s enough for now.”
Mischief shone in her eyes as she bent down and pressed her lips to his. Before he could capture her, she danced away, gave him a flirtatious little wave, and went inside.
Mason wondered how he’d gone from dreading marriage to being anxious to tie the knot in only a couple of days. He was a practical man by nature, and not given to flights of fancy. But there was something about Jenny that made him forget common sense. Instead of being dismayed over it, Mason felt lighter, happier than he’d been in a long time.
When he’d been a young man, his mother had told him to choose his future bride wisely. She’d said that while it was important to be sensible about picking a wife, it was much better to find a love match.
Mason wasn’t sure about love, but he liked Jenny an awful lot and she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. Wasn’t he supposed to admire and desire the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with? He smiled as he imagined his parents approving of his aunt and uncle’s insistence that he get married. Something deep in his soul told him that he’d chosen the right woman. Saturday couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter Six
Over the next few days, Jenny began settling into her new home. Always thirsty for knowledge, she eagerly soaked up information about all things related to running the ranch. Since she’d never done that kind of work before, she paid close attention to Cecilia’s instructions on gathering eggs, milking cows, and cooking.
It surprised her how much of the manual labor fell to women. Cecilia did everything from throwing down hay for the milk cows to carpentry work when something minor broke. She also did all the usual women’s work such as sewing, mending, cooking, and cleaning. Jenny didn’t know where the older woman got all her energy.
When she commented on it, Cecilia said, “It’s different for women out here. Lots of times, the men are working far from the house or away on cattle drives, so we have to fend for ourselves. We have to be able to move the steers to different pastures, mend things when they break, and keep the place going. If we have heavier work that we just can’t do, sometimes we ask our closest neighbor fellas to help, but there’s no guarantee they have time. So, we have to find ways to do it.”
Jenny’s appreciation for pioneer women had grown even greater after this explanation, and she became determined to become as proficient as possible at ranching life. Her curiosity about the work extended to the business and financial side of the operation. At first, she’d been hesitant to broach the subject with Mason. But she thought that, since she’d have to help with all the manual work when the men were busy or out of town, she’d also need to be familiar with their finances.
One night after supper, she and Mason took a walk, enjoying the cooler night air, and she took the opportunity to bring it up.
“Mason, do you think I’m intelligent?”
He gave her a sidelong glance as they strolled up the lane toward the main road. “Of course I do. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have hired you as the schoolteacher.”
She nodded. “In that case, I’d like to learn more about our finances and how to run our ranch.” Mason grinned and chuckled, making Jenny bristle. “Are you making fun of me?” she demanded.
His eyes widened and he raised a calming hand. “No, I’m not. I just like hearing you call it our ranch, that’s all.”
Jenny’s irritation faded and she smiled. “Oh, I see. I’m sorry for being so touchy, but where I come from, women are often treated as delicate creatures with no minds of our own. We’re good enough to marry, have children with, and so on, but it’s rare for women to be allowed an education beyond a certain point. I was fortunate to have a father who thought that women’s minds are just as capable of higher learning as men’s.”
One of the herd dogs had accompanied them. Mason found a stick on the side of the road and threw it for the dog before answering. “As you’ve seen, Aunt Cecilia is a strong, smart woman. If she wasn’t, our ranch wouldn’t be doing as well as it is. You also know that women here work just as hard as men.
“I’ve noticed the way you pitched in and started learning right away. Aunt Cecilia says you’re a quick study and that you haven’t complained once. It’s a relief that you’re so capable and willing to do farm work. It’s also good that you want to learn the business. So, I don’t mind teaching you about it at all.”
Relief and pride filled Jenny. “I’m so happy that both of you approve of me.”
Mason stopped walking and turned to face her. “It ain’t just us. Uncle Herb and the ranch hands do, too.”
“They do?”
“Yeah. They’ve also noticed how pretty you are.” His smile captivated her. “I had to make it clear that I wouldn’t tolerate any inappropriate behavior toward you.”
A blush tinged Jenny’s cheeks as she chuckled. “Well, women aren’t averse to a little admiration. As long as it goes no further than that, I don’t mind either.”
Mason’s expression sobered, and an intense light lit his eyes in the deepening twilight. “Well, I do, and I let them know it.”
“Goodness, Mason,” Jenny said. “I didn’t know you were so possessive.”
“I never was before I met you.” He closed the distance between them and slipped an arm around her waist. “I can’t stand the thought of another man putting his hands on you.” He pulled her against him. “Or anyone else kissing you.”
Jenny’s heartbeat accelerated as Mason glanced at her mouth before meeting her gaze. She answered the question in his eyes by tilting her face up to his. He captured her lips, igniting her passion. She responded in kind, reveling in the warmth of his lips and how good it felt to be in his arms.
Her mind reeled when Mason broke the kiss. “Dang, Jenny. I can hardly control myself around you.”
Jenny giggled and laid her head against his chest. “The feeling is mutual. You didn’t hear me complain, did you?”
His laugh rumbled under her ear. “No. But that doesn’t help any.”
Laughter overtook Jenny and Mason joined in as he drew away. He took her hand and tugged on it. “I think we best go back to the house before I get carried away again.”
Jenny sent him a saucy smile. “I don’t want to, but I suppose it’s prudent. Although, I will say that I don’t mind getting carried away with you.”
Mason groaned. “You are a wicked woman, Jenny. I swear you’ve cast a spell on me.”
She nudged his arm. “Perhaps I have. How do you feel about me getting a black cat?”
Their laughter filled the night as they teased one another on the way back to the house, and Jenny felt happier than she could ever remembe
r.
THE NEXT DAY, AS JENNY and Cecilia worked in the large vegetable garden, Mason rode by on his way to the barn. He smiled and waved. Jenny returned his greeting and watched as he rode out of sight. Jenny loved the natural way he sat a horse with his back and broad shoulders straight yet relaxed. Despite the strength in his work-roughened hands, he had a light touch on the reins.
Cecilia’s chuckle interrupted Jenny’s daydreaming about her handsome man. She blushed and smiled sheepishly.
Cecilia’s eyes gleamed with humor and a knowing smile tugged at her lips. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, dear. Mason’s a good-looking young man, so I’m not surprised that you’d look at him like that.”
“Yes, Mason is quite attractive,” Jenny said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find him appealing. He’s also a good man, no doubt due to his excellent upbringing.”
Cecilia gave a short laugh. “We’ve done our best to raise him right. I’m glad our lessons stuck with him and that he’s following our example. He was a little rambunctious when he was younger, but that’s normal for boys. But he settled down, and we’re proud of the man he’s become.”
Jenny bent down to pull a few weeds that were growing close to a tomato plant. “He’s never spoken of his parents. I don’t mean to pry, but I can’t help being curious about them.”
Cecilia straightened, threw some weeds in the bucket they’d brought with them, and wiped her hands on her apron. “Well, it’s a sad story.”
Jenny moved down the row a little. “I’ll understand if you’d rather not tell me. I know how painful losing loved ones is. My father passed away from consumption a few years ago. So, I’m acquainted with that kind of heartache.”
Cecilia’s gaze turned sympathetic. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
Gazing off to the field beyond the garden, Cecilia said, “Hank and Rose were the most wonderful people. She was a little too serious sometimes, but Hank could always pull a laugh out of her. They were so devoted to each other. Mason looks like his ma. She was so pretty. Hank was tall and lanky like Herb, and he had dark eyes that always seemed to have a smile in them.”
Jenny smiled at the picture of Mason’s parents that was being painted.
Sadness tinged Cecilia’s expression. “Mason was only nine when they passed.” She gestured toward the field. “Their house was just over there. Hank was always a stickler for keeping the chimney clean, so we’re not sure how it caught fire one night while they were all asleep. One of the ranch hands got up to go to the outhouse and saw the flames.
“He alerted everyone and started throwing buckets of water on it while Herb ran in the house to get everyone out.” Cecilia swallowed before continuing. “Hank and Rose had inhaled a lot of smoke and they were already gone. They brought them out, but we couldn’t revive them. Mason was farther away from the chimney, so he didn’t inhale as much smoke. He coughed a lot that day, but he was fine otherwise.”
Tears sprang to Jenny’s eyes as the horrible scene rose in her mind. It was awful enough to lose a parent, but doubly so to lose both in such a terrible manner. “I can’t imagine how devastating that must have been. Mason told me that they’d passed away, but he didn’t tell me how it happened.”
Cecilia brushed away a couple of tears. “He doesn’t talk about it much. He was withdrawn and angry for over a year after it happened. We tore down the house, but we also had to completely remove the foundations because it upset him so much whenever he looked at it.”
“That’s understandable,” Jenny said. “I would have felt the same way. I wish I could’ve met his parents.”
Cecilia smiled and put a hand on Jenny’s shoulder. “They’d have liked you. You’re just the sort of woman they would’ve wanted for Mason.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
A warm glow spread through Jenny at the thought that Mason’s parents would have approved of her. The subject was dropped then, and the women returned to their work. As she pulled weeds and removed dead leaves from various plants, Jenny’s mind turned to her future husband, and she grew even more eager for their wedding day to arrive.
Chapter Seven
When dawn came on Saturday, a misty rain was falling, but it didn’t dampen Jenny’s spirits at all. Her excitement about marrying Mason outweighed any nervousness she felt. She hummed as she bathed, imagining the wonderful life ahead with an equally wonderful man. Her initial impression of Mason had been confirmed over the last four days.
Everyone she’d met had only had good things to say about him and his family. He’d taken her on a couple of outings as well. One night, he’d surprised her with a picnic supper. On another, they’d gone to the Station for dinner. He was always attentive and amusing, and he treated her with respect.
They’d shared several passionate moments, but he’d never tried to go beyond a certain point. Jenny had kissed other men, but none had ever incited such passion in her. When she’d come to Spruce Valley, she hadn’t expected to be so attracted to her future husband, and she was glad that they got on so well.
She took great care as she dressed in a mint green satin dress with a tight bodice and puffy sleeves. She wore enough petticoats to make the full skirt flare out, which gave it an elegant swish when she moved. Cecilia helped braid several sections of her hair and create an intricate updo.
Her mother had given her small emerald earrings, handed down from her grandmother. She put them on and looked at herself in the mirror. The earrings complimented her dress and drew attention to her graceful neck, and Jenny was satisfied with her appearance.
“You’re a vision, Jenny,” Cecilia said, coming to stand beside her. “Mason won’t know what hit him when he sees you.”
Jenny smoothed her skirt. “Are you sure I look presentable?”
“As sure as I’m standing here.”
Jenny took Cecilia’s hands. “Thank you for all your kindness and for helping me get ready today. Since my mother can’t be here, you’re filling her shoes and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Cecilia blinked away tears as she hugged Jenny. “I’m glad to do it, and I’m so happy you’re joining our family. Mason’s getting himself a fine woman.”
Jenny returned the embrace for several moments before drawing back and brushing away tears of her own. “Thank you.” She looked at the clock on her bureau. “Goodness! We must leave or we’ll be late. I don’t want to keep Mason waiting.”
“You’re right. I’ll tell Herb to bring the buggy over to the house.”
As Cecilia left the room, Jenny took a last look at herself in the mirror. It would be the last time she did so a single woman. Thinking about the wonderful future ahead of her, she turned from the mirror and followed Cecilia.
MASON STOOD AT THE front of the schoolroom, looking at the clean blackboard. His lips twitched as he contemplated writing: “Welcome to the wedding of Mr. Mason Crawford and Miss Jenevieve Carson.” A couple of nights ago, she’d informed him that Jenny was her nickname and that her mother had chosen an unusual spelling of Genevieve to be unique.
Since Jenny wasn’t an uncommon name, he’d just assumed that it was a shortened version of Jennifer. He realized there were a lot of things he didn’t know about Jenny, but they had the rest of their lives to get to know each other. His stomach tightened with anxiety as the reality fully hit him. He was about to become a married man, to tie himself to a woman for the rest of his life.
“You doing well, son?”
Mason turned around to face Paul. “Yeah. Just thinking.”
Paul smiled at him. “I’m sure you’re a little nervous, but there’s no need to be. Jenny is a fine woman, and you’re a lucky man to have found someone like her.”
“I know. I just hope I’m a good husband to her. Can I tell you something?”
Paul looked toward the doors. None of the guests had shown up yet, so he said, “Yes, of course. Go ahead.”
Mason blew out a
breath and straightened his suit jacket. “I didn’t want to get married. I only advertised for a mail-order bride because Aunt Cecilia and Uncle Herb coaxed me into it. Well, sort of forced my hand. I know they were only doing what they thought was best for me, but I resented them for it.”
Paul grew concerned. “Do you still feel that way?”
Thinking about Jenny, Mason smiled. “No. When I first went to meet Jenny, I felt like I was being led to the gallows. But as soon as I met her, that changed. I don’t know what I expected, but it sure wasn’t such a beautiful, smart, fun lady like her.”
“I’m very relieved to hear that, Mason. I’ve married couples before who were getting married for the wrong reasons,” Paul said. “It’s not something I care to repeat, especially in your case. Are you ready to marry her?”
Mason placed a hand over his heart. “I know this will sound crazy because I haven’t known her long, but I think I’m falling in love with her.” This was hard for him to say. It made him feel vulnerable and scared, but he couldn’t deny what his heart was telling him. “She makes me happy and I can’t imagine my life without her now. Yes, I want to marry her.”
Paul’s dark eyes glittered with happiness. “That’s wonderful! We never know when the Good Lord will send us our partner, but when it happens, we should embrace it. Your folks knew what they were doing. Perhaps God urged them to prod you about it. I’m confident that you and Jenny are a good match, and that you’ll be very happy together.”
Paul’s confirmation of his own feelings bolstered Mason, and he felt better for having talked to the pastor about the situation. “Thanks, Paul. I appreciate that.”
“You’re quite welcome,” the pastor replied.
Shortly after, people started filing into the schoolhouse that was being used as the church for the day. The school desks had been pushed against the walls, and benches had been brought in for the guests to sit on. Mason smiled as he imagined how surprised Jenny would be to see them. He’d been surprised about it when Damon had informed him on the sly that the townspeople had sort of invited themselves, stating that they refused to let the wedding of the town founders’ grandson take place without celebrating the occasion.