Married by Midnight

by Christine Sterling

  She grasped one of the pins holding her hair in place and yanked. It took a few tries, but it finally came free from her bun.

  She grabbed another. Then another. Twenty pins in all lay on the table when she was done. No wonder her head hurt all the time.

  Her hair flowed in waves below her shoulders. She ran her fingers through the locks trying to tame out the kinks from being wound so tightly.

  She heard the door open again. Perhaps Dell was returning for the bicarbonate. She picked up her cup and walked towards the kitchen.

  “Dell. I want to ap-.” Sarah stopped short when she saw Ian standing in the kitchen. “Ian.” Her breath came out in a rush.

  Ian stopped and looked at her. A peculiar look came over his face and he moved closer. “Sarah,” he said. “You look beautiful.” Sarah felt a blush creeping over her cheeks. He lifted one hand and caressed her cheek. Sarah could feel that his fingers were calloused as he gently touched her.

  Sarah never had a man touch her that way. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. She felt Ian cup her chin with his other hand, so she opened her eyes.

  His brown eyes were swirling with emotion. He whispered her name again and leaned down to kiss her. She tried to press her lips tightly together, but she melted as he gently moved his mouth. Her arms lifted around his neck and she pressed herself close to him. The sound of the teacup falling out of her hand jolted both out of the tenderness of the kiss.

  Ian stepped back. “I couldn't help myself. I wanted to do that all day today.”

  Sarah nodded. “No harm done. We just got caught up in a moment.”

  Ian looked away. “Right. The moment.” Sarah could hear the hurt and disappointment in his voice. When he looked at her again, his lips were tight, and she could see a tic in his cheek flexing.

  Sarah gave a little cough. “What did you need? I was just about to lock the door.”

  “Dell is having chest pains. I thought maybe you have some soda I could mix for him.”

  Sarah nodded. She went to the cupboard where her baking supplies were and pull down a metal tin. “Take this,” she said handing him the tin of bicarbonate soda. She grabbed a large mason jar from below the cabinet and handed that to him as well. “Put two teaspoons in the jar and add water. Have him drink it. It should settle the indigestion.”

  Ian thanked her and headed to the door. Sarah followed. When he reached the door, he looked at her. “I'm not sorry about that kiss, Sarah.” Before she could respond he was gone into the darkness.

  Sarah locked the door and lifted her fingers to her lips. They were still warm from where Ian had kissed her. She didn't realize how badly she needed a human connection until Ian took her by surprise.

  Perhaps Dell was right. She needed to take stock of what she was doing before she killed herself.

  She had put it off long enough, so she made the trek into town to see Mr. Rodgers, the attorney.

  Sarah was sitting in Mr. Rodgers’s office mulling over her options. There was bad. And then there was bad.

  “What would you like me to do?”

  Sarah looked at the attorney. “How much would it cost to have a letter sent to the bank?”

  “Two dollars.”

  Sarah noticed Mr. Rodgers didn’t even blink an eye. Maybe she should marry an attorney if they made that type of money.

  “And if I deliver the letter myself?” she asked hopefully.

  “It would still be two dollars.” He pushed the papers back towards Sarah. “Have you found your father’s will yet?”

  Sarah shook her head. She didn’t want to say that she had a stranger at the house who was consuming all her time and thoughts. At least he moved into the barn.

  Sarah shook her head. “I’ve been looking, but I haven’t found it yet. Are you sure he had one?”

  “I know he created one, because I helped him write it. However, he had the only copy.”

  “I’m still looking.” Sarah flipped the pages over in the agreement. “Can you tell me what this means?” she asked, pointing to the paragraph where it referenced marriage.

  Mr. Rodgers took the paper and reviewed the paragraph. “Most property belongs to a husband, not a wife. This says you if get married, then the debt becomes your husband’s and he can negotiate on the estate’s behalf.”

  “That’s it? I just need a husband.”

  “Wait a minute, Sarah…,” he started.

  “I just need to know if that will solve this.”

  “That would get you a delay in payment as your husband gets your affairs in order. But I am not condoning marrying just anyone. Many men would see this as an opportunity to gain land, sell it from underneath you and then leave you destitute.”

  “You have a very grim view of men, Mr. Rodgers.”

  He gave her a little smile. “I’m a lawyer.”

  Sarah laughed. “Let’s say I do get married… to the right person.” She looked at him as she said that. “When would I need to be married by?”

  Mr. Rodgers flipped through the papers. “It says here that you either need payment or a letter with a marriage certificate by fourteen days from the date of the letter.” He looked at the calendar on his desk. “That would be by this Thursday.”

  “So, I have two days?”

  “You actually have one.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The marriage needs to take place before Thursday.” Sarah looked confused. “You need to be married by midnight.”

  Sarah was on her way home when she saw Mrs. Pennyworth approaching from the other side.

  “Hello dear!” she called, lifting her hand.

  Sarah lifted her hand as well. “Mrs. Pennyworth. I didn’t get a chance to finish our conversation that day.”

  “It’s alright, dear. I figured you were too busy with your company.”

  “My company?”

  “Yes. That nice young man who hit his head.”

  “How did you know that?” Sarah looked around. She was still reeling from the kiss she and Ian had shared. She didn’t want anyone to know that she had someone staying with her. Even if Dell had been present the entire time, it would still look improper.

  “My husband, Edward saw it happen.”

  “Poor man was out cold for four days, but he is much better now.”

  “How did your meeting go with the lawyer?”

  Sarah looked at Mrs. Pennyworth. “How did you know?”

  Mrs. Pennyworth pointed with her cane. “Let’s walk together, shall we?”

  Sarah slowed her pace to match the elderly woman. “Do you need me to carry that basket?”

  “Oh no, child. I’ve been carrying this for years. Carried it at my Edward’s funeral too.”

  Sarah stopped. “His funeral? How could he have seen Ian hit his head if he is dead?”

  Mrs. Pennyworth kept walking, as if she hadn’t heard the question Sarah asked. “You didn’t listen to a word I said when we had tea, did you?”

  “I remember falling asleep. The fire was so heavenly.”

  Mrs. Pennyworth gave a little chuckle. “Many heavenly things were around there.”

  “You know what’s odd? I had a dream that you were an angel.”

  “What’s so odd about that?”

  Sarah shrugged her shoulders. “I just don’t think I’ve ever known an angel before.”

  “Angels are everywhere, my dear. Remember the scripture: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

  “So, you really are an angel?” Mrs. Pennyworth nodded. “Why can I see you?”

  “You can see me, because I’m your guardian angel. You can’t see other folk’s angels.”

  Sarah thought about it for another moment. “So, Mr. Pennyworth is an angel as well?”

  “Yes. He has his own folks to deal with.”

  “Like Ian?”

  “Well I can’t really discuss that. That is Ian’s business.” Mrs. Pennyworth looked at Sarah with a
twinkle in her eye. “He is a handsome man, isn’t it?”

  “Now that his face isn’t swollen.”

  “Maybe you should discuss your situation with him?”

  Sarah gasped. “I don’t know him.”

  “All the better.”

  “Besides. I’m going to offer Mr. Snyder water rights for a fee. That should take care of the taxes.”

  “You don’t want to do that.”

  “Why ever not?”

  “If you go down that road you might start a chain of events that can’t be undone. Wouldn’t it be better to look at what’s directly in front of you?”

  “I need to get the taxes paid by Thursday. I know Arlan has the money.”

  They stopped at a fork the road. If she headed right, she would end up at her farm. If she headed left, it would take her towards the Snyder farm.

  “Think wisely child.”

  “I can always ask tomorrow.”

  “Good choice. Now head home and give some thought to marrying that young man.”

  Sarah headed up towards her farm. She turned to ask Mrs. Pennyworth about Ian’s memory, but she was already gone.

  It was an uphill climb to the farm, and by the time Sarah arrived at the front of the house she was winded.

  “Miss Sarah!” Dell said running towards her.

  “What is it, Dell?”

  “I was watching for you.” Dell appeared winded, but not as winded as Sarah.

  She placed her hands on her knees and drew a deep breath before standing back up. Her eyes glanced over Dell’s shoulder and she felt her insides boil. There was no mistaking the black horse that was tied outside her barn.

  What in heavens name was Arlan Snyder doing at her farm?

  Sarah pushed past Dell and strode towards the barn. She could see a gathering of about eight men standing in a circle.

  “Wait, Sarah!” Dell cried.

  “What are you doing here?” Sarah asked, pushing her way through the men. The men moved to let her pass and she found herself standing face to face with the devil himself.

  Arlan Snyder looked at her and a sneer appeared on his otherwise handsome face. He was two heads taller than she was, and she wasn’t petite at all. He had long dark hair that flowed past his shoulders. His dark eyes and long lashes made the women in town green with envy. He was muscular under his shirt, as Sarah could see the muscles flex in his arms and legs.

  “Miss Sarah,” he said, taking off his hat and making a grand gesture of a bow. Laughter rang out from the men around him. “I just thought I should come and pay my condolences.”

  “Fine. You’ve done that, now be gone.” She looked around at the men in the circle. “And take your cowpokes with you.”

  Arlan threw back his head and laughed. “You have spunk for a woman without options.”

  “I have plenty of options. I’ve just not decided which one to use.”

  Arlan put his arm around Sarah’s shoulders and led her away from the crowd of men. “Let’s have a little chat, shall we?”

  Sarah shrugged his arm from around her shoulders and strode to the end of the pen by the barn doors. Then she turned around and looked at Arlan. “I’m listening.”

  “Sarah, I’m truly sorry about your parents and sister. I was sick when I heard the news.”

  “I’m sure that isn’t why you stopped by.”

  “You are astute,” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigar. Striking a match on the heel of his boot he lit the tobacco and inhaled a deep breath. “I came to make you a deal.”

  “What kind of deal.”

  “Well I know you need to pay the taxes on the farm. I thought that perhaps we could just get hitched and then this whole thing would go away.”

  Sarah threw her hands up in the air. “How dare you even suggest that. I would rather see this barn burn than to have it go to you.”

  “Either way, Sarah, I’m going to get this property and the water that comes with it.”

  “You can pay me one hundred dollars and your cattle can have access to the stream.”

  Arlan laughed. “I’d rather wait for the tax sale. I can have everything for fifty dollars.”

  “Get off!” Sarah pointed towards the road. “Get off my land right now.”

  Arlan moved his cigar from one side of his mouth to the other. “Think about it. Time is running out. You can marry me, or you can wait until the tax sale. Either way, this land will be mine.”

  “I would never marry anyone I blame for the death of my parents.”

  Arlan paused. “What was that?”

  “I blame you for the death of my parents.”

  “Miss Abrahams, I had nothing to do with the death of your parents.”

  “You were forcing my father to sell this property.

  “Your father was being pursued by plenty of men. He has some of the best grazing land around here. And water as well.”

  “Well, the only one I saw was you.”

  “Your father and I were trying to come to a deal to merge my herds onto his land and split the profits. Your father was one of my closest friends. Now what would I gain from his death? Either way, you’d still be in this position. Working land you can’t afford. You can’t hire hands. You don’t have a clue about farming. Face it, little girl, I’m the best chance you have.”

  “You can say what you want, I still don’t believe you.”

  Arlan dropped his cigar and crushed it under his boot. “Think what you want, Miss Abrahams. I’m not the boogey-man you think I am.”

  “What about that?” Sarah tilted her head towards the men.

  “You mean my grand bow?” Sarah nodded. “I have an image to maintain with them. If they even think I have a heart it will be over before it begins.” He gave her another hard stare. “Your time is running out.” He tilted his hat to her and headed back towards the men.

  As he rode out of the yard, Dell came running up to her. “I told him it wasn’t a good idea. He…” Sarah put her hand up to stop the old man from speaking.

  “Not now, Dell.” She lifted her skirt and headed back to the house.

  Chapter 8

  Ian watched the whole scene unfold with interest. He couldn’t hear the words, but from this distance he could see that Sarah was upset about something.

  Her face was turning red and her arms were in the air. Whoever that man was, he was enough to get her all kinds of angry.

  Ian was about to run over and tell the man to back off, but Dell grabbed his arm. “Let her handle it, son.”

  Ian nodded and shrugged Dell from his arm. Soon the man crushed his cigar and leaned over to say something to Sarah.

  She looked crushed. He wondered what it was about. Dell ran to see her, but she brushed him aside. As she passed the pen, she spied Ian and stopped.

  “Did you get settled alright?” She gave him a little smile.

  Ian wanted to see more of those smiles. He nodded. “Dell set me up with the farm hands.”

  “Good. Did you get your belongings back?”

  “Yes ma’am. Thank you for washing my clothes.”

  “I’m glad I found something to fit you.” He was wearing her father’s work clothes. Sarah didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I’m afraid many of the pages in your journal were ruined. I tried to dry them.”

  “It’s no bother. It was just a bunch of scribbles.”

  “But perhaps it would have helped you remember your past life.”

  Ian lifted his chin in the direction that man had gone. “Is he giving you trouble?”

  Sarah stepped on the bottom rail and leaned over into the pen. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  “It seemed you were very upset about something.”

  “He wants this farm. He’s wanted it since he moved in. That’s all.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  Sarah gave a sharp laugh. “Unless you can find me an honest husband by tomorrow night, then no.” She hopped off the rail. “Dinner will be served
in a little bit. Wash up when you hear the bell.”

  Ian watched her walk back to the house. Her shoulders were rounded. He remembered someone telling him that was a way folks protected themselves. He wished he could remember more.

  So, she was looking for an honest husband? Ian had a thought.

  “Hey, Dell,” he called, waving the man over to him.

  “What’s on your mind?”

  “Sarah mentioned she was looking for a husband pretty quick. What’s that about?”

  “Ain’t my place to say. And don’t you go asking her any questions either.” Dell started coiling rope that had fallen from the side of the barn.

  “Someone’s coming,” Dusty yelled.

  Ian and Dell looked down the road. There were two men dressed in rags. Ian could see them point to the side of the barn.

  “I better tell Sarah we got extra folks for dinner.”

  Ian didn’t have an opportunity to talk to Sarah until she was doing the dishes after dinner. The guests were two train jumpers that were on their way to New Mexico. One had heard that there was a mining camp south of Santa Fe that was hiring.

  As soon as dinner was done, Dell took the men out the barn to get them settled in the hay loft for the night.

  “Let me dry that.” Ian took a plate from Sarah and wiped it dry with a towel.

  “You don’t have to do this. I can get it done.”

  “Honestly, I want to be here with you.”

  He thought he saw the makings of a smile on her face, but just as quickly it was gone.

  “You can put the dry dishes in the cupboard over there. Normally I just let them air dry in the rack. It is nice to have help.”

  “I’ll always help you, Sarah.” She stopped washing the dish in her hand and shoved it back into the water. Ian put the plate and towel down on the table. He moved closer to her, placing his hands on her shoulders and pulling her back to him.

  He could see her pulse quicken at the base of her throat and she gave a little exhale.

  “Can you tell me what’s going on?”

  Sarah dropped her head.

  “I’m going to lose the farm.”

  “Why do you say that?”