A Bride For Gideon

by Caroline Clemmons

  “He does for a fact but you need your sleep as well. Besides, if you don’t sleep together, I’ll never be an aunt.”

  “Well, that part’s not sleeping, now is it?” Keira gasped, unable to believe she’d been so saucy.

  Orla clapped her fingers to her mouth to cover a giggle. “What on earth will you do to remedy your predicament?”

  “I’ve been thinking about this dilemma all morning and believe I’ve come up with a solution. Is there a furniture store in Haverhill?”

  “There is but it’s small. I don’t think you’ll find a larger bed there.”

  “I suspect you’re right but I hoped the store would have mattresses. I intend to buy two and join them at the side. I’ll alter them so they’re a bit smaller, hopefully so there’s no lump or ridge at the seam. Then, I can turn them so they’re six feet wide and about eight feet long. That would give Gideon all the room he needs and leave enough space for me.”

  Orla offered a bright smile. “That’s brilliant. Oh, but where would you get the frame to hold such a huge mattress?”

  “Surely Gideon could build a sturdy one. I’ll have to sew new linens of course.”

  “I’ll help. The Mercantile has the fabric you’ll need. If they don’t have what you want, they’ll order it for you.”

  “I was hoping to get all of this done within a few days. Ordering would take too long. While a pallet on the floor is not disgraceful, it’s not ideal.”

  “Keira, have you measured the bedroom? If you get a bed that size in there, will there be room to walk Can you even get it into the room?”

  “That’s a good point. I’d better measure the room first thing. Will you help me?”

  Chapter Four

  Gideon had planned to skip lunch. He didn’t feel he could finish the axle unless he worked quickly and Bradford was coming at five. The last few months it seemed every customer needed his work done immediately.

  At noon, Keira showed up with a bundle and a jar. “Orla warned me you’d work through with no break so I’ve brought your lunch.”

  “I’ll wash my hands.” He pumped and held his hands under the water. When he’d dried them on a cloth, he reached for the food she’d brought.

  “Your hands are still dirty.”

  He held them out and examined them. What did she expect? “This is as clean as I can get them out here.” He unwrapped the sandwich she’d brought. “Last night’s roast. Thank you.”

  She unscrewed the lid of the canning jar she’d used for milk and set it within his reach. “If you’re always so busy, can you not hire someone to help?”

  “Too much business for one but not nearly enough for two. I’ve kept my eyes open for someone who’ll work a couple of days a week. Has to be someone whose work I trust.” He took a bite of the roast beef sandwich, grateful for his bride’s thoughtfulness.

  “Of course. Their work would reflect on you. Any potential employees?”

  He nodded while he swallowed. “One, a rancher near the edge of town. His name is Mark Walker and he needs a bit extra until he gets his spread making a profit. He came by and asked for a job. Told him I’d give him a shot and he’s coming Thursday and Friday.”

  “I hope the arrangement works for you.” She chewed on her lip and gazed at him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You didn’t know but you kept pushing me out of the bed last night. I spent most of the night on a pallet on the floor.”

  She must be ready to let him have the sharp side of her tongue. “Sorry, I hope you aren’t injured from the falls.”

  “I didn’t tell you to embarrass you. I guess I’m asking your permission to remedy the situation.”

  That was a surprise. “How?” He sure hoped she didn’t intend to have separate rooms for he’d not tolerate that arrangement.

  She explained a complicated plan. “I have the money for the mattresses. Since we’re newly married, I thought I should discuss my idea with you before I implemented the plan.”

  He was relieved she wasn’t going to complain and instead was consulting him. “Not sure a bed that size will fit in the room. Even if it will, there might not be room for the rest of the furniture.”

  “Orla and I measured and there won’t be a lot left over but there is enough room. Will you agree to the idea if I get the mattresses?”

  He grinned. “I suppose you’re counting on me providing the bed frame?”

  She returned his grin with a conspiratorial gleam in her wide blue eyes. “Yes, but we could put the mattress on the floor until you’re not so busy at work.”

  He drained the last of the milk from the jar. “Go ahead and buy what you need. You can’t sleep on a pallet and I can’t take up less room than I did last night.”

  A broad smile appeared on her beautiful face. “You’ll sleep better when you can stretch out and not have your feet sticking off the end of the bed.”

  He met her gaze, remembering their wedding night. “Aye, and I’d like to hold my wife in my arms all night.”

  She blushed and looked down. “I’ll take these back to the house so you can get back to work.”

  He held her shoulders. “Keira? There’s no need to be embarrassed because your husband wants to hold you in his arms.”

  “I don’t know what to say or do. So much has changed in only a short while.”

  He took the items from her and pressed a kiss to her rose petal lips. She leaned into him but didn’t respond for a few seconds. He increased the pressure on her lips and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  The creak of a wagon startled him. Someone called, “Whoa.”

  Keira stared at Gideon but her eyes didn’t appear focused. She opened her mouth as if to speak but said nothing. Gideon kept his arms around her.

  Bud Palmer came into the smithy. “Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  Gideon changed so only one arm was around Keira’s shoulders. “Keira, this is Bud Palmer. Bud, Keira is my wife.”

  Bud pumped Gideon’s hand. “Congratulations.” He took Keira’s hand. “Welcome, Mrs. Ross. Sure hope you like Haverhill.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Palmer. I already like this town.” Once again she picked up the things from lunch. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get back to the house.”

  Bud stared after her. “You’re a lucky man. I believe that’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Gideon agreed, yet an odd feeling gripped him. He didn’t want Bud gaping at his wife with that appreciative gleam in his eyes. He didn’t want any man looking at her in that way. Who was he kidding? He suspected every man who saw her would stare no matter what her husband wanted.

  He faced his visitor. “What can I do for you?”

  Chapter Five

  Keira left stew in the oven while she and Orla went to the furniture store. “Perhaps we only need one mattress since we already have the one.”

  “We bought it new when we arrived, but Gideon does take a toll on furniture. Not his fault, of course, but his size.”

  “Are others in your family as large?”

  “Our father and grandfather were both big men. We had a great-uncle even taller than Gideon but he died in the war.”

  At the furniture store, Keira relented and purchased two identical mattresses. “You’ll deliver them this afternoon?”

  Oscar Colbert, the store’s owner beamed at the sale. “Yes, ma’am, my son and I will be there before supper time.”

  As they left the store, Keira was happy with the purchase. Having Orla along was fun and a comfort. “Do you have time to show me the Mercantile?”

  “I can’t wait.” Orla linked her arm with Keira’s. “Having a sister is so nice.”

  They entered the store and went to the fabric section. Keira held up a white percale with the look of linen. “What do you think of this for sheets and pillow cases?”

  “I love it. You know he has only the one set of sheets. You can sew them together, but then that’s only half a set.”
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  “How did you manage the clean sheets on the bed?”

  Orla rolled her eyes. “That brother of mine hadn’t changed the sheets in so long I doubt they’ll ever come clean. I gifted you the fresh set and will save the old ones for rags.”

  “Thank you.” Keira counted the times the fabric was wrapped around the pasteboard foundation to estimate how many yards were there. “I’ll take all of this.”

  A smiling older man dressed in brown approached. “May I help you ladies?”

  Orla gestured to Keira. “Mr. Forbes, this is my sister-in-law, Mrs. Ross. She and Gideon recently married.”

  His smile increased. “Welcome to Haverhill, Mrs. Ross. Can I measure off some of that for you? We just got that in this morning.”

  “I’ll take all of it, Mr. Forbes. I also want ticking fabric for four pillows. Do you sell goose down?”

  “No, and I’m sorry that I don’t know anyone who does. Mrs. Taylor has chicken feathers if those will do. If not, I have quilt batting which is soft when folded over and over and used in a pillow.”

  “I’ll take enough batting for four extra large bed pillows. I don’t care for the smell of chicken feathers. I’ll need several blankets as well.”

  She selected four blue and four green blankets. Alec had warned her Montana winters were very cold. When she sewed these together, that would provide two blue and two green for cover. She wasn’t fond of the gray blankets Gideon had. She suspected they were left over from the Army.

  “We’ll have this delivered to your home, Mrs. Ross. Are you putting this on your husband’s account?”

  “No, I’ll pay cash for this. In the future I’m sure I’ll need to add things to his account.”

  She had completed her purchases when three women entered.

  Beside her, Orla groaned, “Not her.”

  The middle woman of the three smiled, but it didn’t reach her cold eyes. “Hello, Mrs. McVie.”

  The other two greeted Orla as well but appeared sincere.

  Orla didn’t act pleased. “Keira, these are Ella Price, Amy Bolton, and Nellie Colbert. You remember Nellie’s husband from the furniture store earlier. Ladies, this is my sister-in-law, Keira Ross.”

  Nellie smiled. “I’m happy to know you’ve found our store. I hope that means you’ve purchased something.”

  “I did and your husband is graciously delivering my purchase later today.”

  “Then you’ll also meet our son, Willie. He helps out after school, especially with deliveries.”

  Ella’s face paled and she gaped. “I-I didn’t know your brother had married.”

  She grasped Keira’s hand. “Oh, you poor dear. I feel such sympathy for you having to abide your husband’s awful scar. What must you think when you are forced to look upon it, even kiss it?” She gave a little shiver as if to emphasize her words.

  Her two companions and Orla gasped and stared at Ella.

  Keira pulled back her hand and smiled sweetly. “When I see his scar, I am reminded what a brave and wonderful man I married. He received that scar in the war saving the life of Orla’s husband, who was injured and lying exposed to enemy fire. Even when wounded and bleeding and in terrible pain, my husband returned into the line of fire again and carried my cousin, Alec Fraser, to safety. Gideon Ross is a magnificent man and I’m so proud to have him as my husband.”

  Ella sputtered, “I-I.…”

  Keira nodded. “Nice to have met you, ladies, but we must get on with our errands.”

  She and Orla left the store and made their way down the boardwalk.

  Orla stomped rather than walked. “Did you see her fish face? What a witch. I cannot abide that woman. Thank goodness you put her in her place, and perfectly, in my opinion.”

  Keira glanced at her friend. “I’m missing something here, aren’t I?”

  Orla glanced around then leaned toward Keira. “Promise you won’t tell Gideon if I explain to you?”

  Keira grinned and linked her arm with Orla’s. “I can’t for I want to be honest with him. However, I can promise to throttle you if you don’t explain.”

  Orla’s good humor returned and she laughed. “Well, when you put it like that, I have no choice.”

  She waved her free hand dismissively. “Ella is the woman who was to be Gideon’s mail-order bride about six months ago. When she met him, she refused to wed him. Not only that, she denounced him publicly in the most unflattering way you can imagine. Then, she married Alfred Price, who is handsome but a gambler who drinks to excess.”

  Keira’s anger sparked. “Serves her right. I’m glad she didn’t marry Gideon, though, for I doubt she’d have made him a good wife.”

  “Oooh, I’d hate having her as a sister-in-law plus then I would never have met you. But, his feelings were terribly hurt by her denouncement even though he felt no attraction toward her. He tried not to let his hurt show, but I could tell and so could Darren.”

  Orla leaned closer. “The best part is, Ella came to Gideon on the sly one evening two weeks ago and told him she’d reconsidered and would divorce Alfred if Gideon would agree to wed her. Darren was coming to visit with Gideon but was still in the shadows of the smithy. Ella didn’t see him and Gideon didn’t know he was there either.”

  News of his mail-order almost-bride upset Keira. She might have known he’d chosen someone else before her. She shoved her disappointment aside.

  “What did Gideon say?”

  “He sent her on her way, of course. First he told her shame on her for being disloyal to her husband, for cheating on him in her heart and mind, and for having the nerve to approach Gideon after she’d criticized him so openly.”

  “But, she doesn’t know Darren heard?”

  “No, and she is smart enough to know that Gideon would never tell. Darren told Gideon and made sure he knew overhearing them was accidental.”

  “Now I know another reason I didn’t like that woman.”

  “Thank you for what you said to her about Gideon. He really is a wonderful man. Hearing you defend him would have made me tear up if I hadn’t been so angry.”

  “The other two women with that Ella person acted shocked at what she said.”

  “Don’t blame them as they’re both nice. I suppose they just tolerate Ella to be kind.”

  They arrived at the Ross home. Keira hung her shawl on a peg and put her purse in a drawer. No matter how she tried not to think of Gideon having sent for a mail-order bride, the matter kept popping into her mind.

  She chastised herself. The man was in his late twenties so naturally he’d had thoughts of wedding before her. She should put it out of her mind and concentrate on making their home more pleasant.

  “Now I have to move the current bed to another bedroom before the mattresses arrive.”

  Orla took off her hat and put it on a table where she deposited her purse. “I can help. Darren will be home soon and will help, too.”

  Keira stacked the two pillows in a corner. “I’m not a dainty flower. I think I can get the job done. I hope the measurements are correct and the mattresses will fit and leave room to walk.”

  Orla folded blankets and stacked them in the same corner. “They will. We measured twice.”

  She stopped and touched Keira’s arm. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to know you are considerate of Gideon’s feelings. Usually people think because he’s a big man that he doesn’t get hurt, but he does.”

  “Thank you, Orla. My cousin Alec is almost like a brother. He’s large, though not as much as your brother. I hate that his wife Millie is not considerate of him. Everything is about her or their children or her mother. I’m so afraid he’s not happy.”

  “You understand then?” Orla pulled the sheets off the bed.

  Keira tugged the mattress on its side and scooted it through the doorway and into the room next door. Then she went back for the pieces of the iron bed frame.

  “Gideon didn’t make this frame, did he?”

  “No, he bought
it from the furniture store. Darren and I have one just like it that was mine when I lived in this house. The three of us came here at the same time, but Darren and I didn’t get married until Darren was making enough from the barber shop to support us.”

  Orla helped move the frame to the next room. “Just in time, here come the mattresses. I hope Mr. Forbes’ delivery boy arrives soon.

  Mr. Colbert and a boy in his teens brought in the first mattress from the wagon.

  Orla pointed toward the master bedroom. “Right this way, Mr. Colbert. Hello, Willie.”

  Keira waited in the bedroom. “Can you put it on that wall, please? No, wait, lay it down and scoot it almost to the corner.” When the mattress was where she wanted it, she sighed.

  The store owner regarded the arrangement and shook his head. “Where do you want the other one?”

  “Beside this one.” She gestured with her hand. “I’ll sew them together.”

  Mr. Colbert scratched his head. “Well, I’ll be. A man Gideon’s size will sure sleep better if he has room to stretch out.”

  “That’s my goal. He works hard so he needs to be comfortable at home.”

  She hoped she hid her embarrassment that the man knew she would be sharing the bed. He wasn’t in any way disrespectful and she shouldn’t be embarrassed. A husband and wife should share a bed. The men brought in the second mattress and placed it to Keira’s liking.

  Mr. Colbert shifted his weight. “You know, I have an oversized upholstered chair coming in soon that would suit Gideon’s size.”

  Keira would bet he’d ordered the chair with Gideon in mind. “Please let me know when it arrives, Mr. Colbert, and thank you. If you get one to match that would be ideal for me, let me know about that, too. As you can see, I’m tall and need a higher than usual back on my chair.”

  After they’d gone, Mr. Forbes’ delivery boy, Danny Tate, brought her fabrics. She’d also purchased embroidery thread and a floral border pattern to use for the top sheet embellishment. The pillow cases would also have an embroidered border on one side. Her order included crochet thread to make a lace edging for them and yarn for knitting sweaters. She laughed at herself. My, but she had big plans.