A Spinster in the West

by Katie Lockwood

  As the weather got harsher over the days, the mailman chose to compile all three envelopes and bring them over to the ranch at once. Bert was in his shed when they arrived, and a knock on the door followed by Chuck with the envelopes in his hand was enough to put a smile on Bert’s face.

  “These just came in.” He placed them down on the desk in front of him.

  Bert forged nonchalance. “Ah, thank you.” He returned his eyes to the document he was studying.

  “Ain’t you gonna open ‘em?”

  “Wha—now? No, I’m workin’.”

  “Come on. I wanna know.”

  Exasperatedly, he rolled his eyes before addressing his friend. “I took your advice. I’m writing to three women now. Will you let it be?”

  “Anyone you took a likin’ to?”

  “Too soon to tell,” he scoffed, looking back down at the pages.

  “All right.” Chuck playfully banged his knuckles on the wooden surface. “I’ll leave ya to it.”

  Without looking up, Bert could hear his friend’s not-so-subtle laughter as he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

  Immediately tossing the papers over the desk, he leaned forward and pulled the envelopes closer, opening the first… then the second… then the third.

  Like those who prefer to leave dessert to the end of the meal, something in his mind told him to leave Kitty’s letter for last. He read the other two with a great deal of focus—an attempt to not let Miss Blume’s clever puns and intelligent eloquence affect his judgment.

  Nevertheless, the heart wanted what it wanted. Half an hour later, Bert was done reading all three and his hands were expertly crafting two letters to the other ladies, excusing himself from corresponding any further.

  He did, however, put off responding to Kitty until his workday was done. He desired to write it with more attention, preferably alone and with a glass of whiskey.

  When Chuck came over later that evening for a drink on the porch, Bert tried to use the cold night wind as an excuse to call it a day and go to bed.

  “Say, I saw two sealed envelopes on the table back there.” Chuck sneered. “Do we have reason to believe that we got ourselves a winner?”

  “And why wouldn’t I write to her?”

  He shrugged, chortling playfully. “I dunno, I dunno.” He then looked him straight in the eyes. “I know it’s easier to shoot someone down than to impress ‘em. Maybe you’re brewin’ up a good response as we speak.”

  Bert couldn’t believe how well Chuck could read him. He chuckled, shrugging before he took a long sip of liquor as a way to dodge the question.

  “That’s all right, I’ll see myself out.” Chuck got up, patting him on back as he walked past him into the house. “Don’t stay up too late,” he hollered before Bert heard the house door close.

  As Bert wrote his second response, and third, and fourth, his weeks and months were no longer counted in days, but in sealed envelopes that brought joy to his soul.

  Clearly amused by how quickly and thoroughly Bert became engrossed with the young Chicagoan, Chuck did not miss an opportunity to tease him about it.

  “Gotta admit, you owe me.” He humorously bumped his shoulder one evening as they were walking out onto the porch.

  “All right.” Bert casually shrugged as they sat down. “I’ll make you the best man at our wedding.”

  Faking a dramatic gasp, Chuck widened his eyes as his eyebrows shot up. “Two things.” He held up two fingers in the air. “Was there going to be another best man?” He jokingly looked around. “The ghost of your dead cousin?”

  Bert chuckled as he poured them a drink.

  “And secondly, did I hear ya right? You proposed?”

  “I’m thinkin’ about it.”

  Smiling, Chuck grabbed his glass and raised it up, shaking his head in approval. “Well, I’ve never seen ya happier.”

  Chapter 7

  Having promised Fanny to tell her how things were going with her Oklahoma friend, Kitty would occasionally open some of his letters in her presence.

  This was one of those days.

  Sitting by the window in Fanny’s room—for fear that Jezebel would barge into Kitty’s room, being a shared accommodation—Kitty opened the envelope and her long fingers pulled out the carefully folded paper.

  From the ink imprint on the back, she could tell that it was a rather short letter. Much shorter than Bert’s usual.

  Her heart skipped a beat.

  Eagerly unfolding, she glanced at her friend’s keen eyes as they patiently fixated on her face for a good sign.

  … and so, I would be honored if you choose to accept my heartfelt invitation for you to join me at the ranch house, where we could be further acquainted. If you feel that ranch life suits your wishes—and I hope you would—we could soon be married at the church in town.

  Her eyes widened with utter surprise as a gasp escaped her lips before she lifted her hand and her fingers covered her mouth in astonishment.

  “What is it?” Fanny impatiently asked.

  She read the words over and over again.

  Fanny audibly exhaled. “Well? I can’t bear the suspense, Kitty.”

  “He wants me to go there and stay at his estate,” she whispered, barely able to contain her mixed emotions. “He—he wants us to get married!”

  The expression on Fanny’s face soon turned from concern to sheer happiness. “That’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

  Kitty sighed, quickly looking at her friend before turning back to the letter her fingers still held.

  “I do suppose you have some reason to worry,” Fanny contemplated, visibly trying to restrain her own excitement. “It may not be safe or prudent to travel all this way alone to meet a complete stranger.”

  “Well, he’s not a complete stranger.”

  “Even if you think you know him. You don’t know the road, the cities, the town near his ranch.”

  “You’ve got a point.” Kitty’s shoulders drooped as her hands placed the letter in her lap. “I’ve never even been out of this town.”

  “Listen.” Fanny lovingly placed a hand over Kitty’s arm. “You don’t really have to decide right this instant, do you? It’s only a letter, and you can respond whenever you please.”

  Kitty’s eyes conveyed her confusion.

  “Say,” Fanny continued, “why don’t you sleep on it? Think about it long and well, and only write back when you’ve thoroughly considered what you ought to do.”

  “Suppose I don’t have to respond immediately.”

  “Precisely. It’s nice and promising, and he seems like a real gentleman. But you’ve got to look out for yourself first.”

  “Right.” She took a deep breath and exhaled to calm her nerves. “Thank you, Fanny. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  She playfully smacked her knee with her fingers before standing up. “Nonsense. You’re a smart young woman and you’ll figure this out.”

  “Still.” She stood up to face her. “Thank you.”

  Hugging her best friend, Kitty knew that this was her chance to turn her life around. But she did have to ponder every detail and work out every step before she could pack her things and leave the orphanage forever.

  A few days passed with Kitty’s mind storming, a hundred different possibilities of what could happen and who he could turn out to be plagued her thoughts. Nevertheless, on the fifth day, she still couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a leap of faith worth taking.

  It was early morning and she knew that if she hurried, she could catch Fanny outside of class before her first period began.

  “I’ve made up my mind,” she announced without introductions.

  Fanny’s shoulders rose as she took a deep breath. “And?”

  “It’s a chance I can’t miss.” Determination filled her head and spilled over into her voice. “I want to go to Bert in Oklahoma.”

  “All right.” Fanny looked behind her where the first students beg
an to arrive. “Meet me in my room before dinner. I might have an idea.”

  Excited by her new, life-altering resolution, Kitty floated through the day as if walking on clouds.

  Visions of her meeting Bert—whose picture she had never requested to see—and discovering that her feelings for him could be what literature called love. She was definitely very fond of him, but the idea of being with a man for the first time left a trail of feelings in her gut that she couldn’t begin to fathom.

  When Fanny’s school day was over, Kitty eagerly made her way to her room. She ran into Jezebel in the corridor.

  “Kitty, I’ve been meaning to speak with you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Well, your birthday’s coming up. Have you made up your mind about joining yet?”

  “Did Mother Superior ask again?”

  “Not since she told everyone to think about it.”

  “Well, I might be reaching a conclusion soon.”

  “It would pain me to see you go.”

  “Likewise, Jezebel, but I don’t know yet. It’s a difficult decision.”

  “I’ll keep you in my prayers, sister.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  The instant they parted ways, all thoughts of joining the cloister evaporated from Kitty’s mind as she resumed her path toward Fanny’s room. She was there, waiting for her.

  “Do you still want to do it?” Blessed Fanny always tried to be the voice of reason.

  “Undoubtedly.”

  “In that case, would you allow me to accompany you?”

  “What?”

  “On the journey and in the initial days,” she explained. “I’ve always considered you a little sister and would like to see to it that all was above board. Once you feel happy and settled in the new Western life, a safe, married woman… I’ll leave you to it and return here.”

  Overwhelmed by her friend’s most generous offer, Kitty raised both hands to fiddle with her hair as her eyes wandered about. “Oh, dear. I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say that it’s a brilliant idea.” Fanny’s genuine smile warmed her heart. “Accept me as a temporary partner on this adventure.”

  “Yes! Yes, of course.” She pulled her in for an embrace and they hugged affectionately. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  After pulling apart, Kitty’s mind started racing, just as her heart did. “Oh, my. There’s so much to do.”

  “Yes.” Fanny’s hands gripped her arms to fix her in place. “But your priority now is to write to Bert, first informing him of your acceptance. And second, asking for his permission to bring a friend.”

  “And I shall do just that.”

  That night, and after penning her response to her dear Bert, Kitty spent the sleepless hours tossing and turning with exhilaration over the voyage that awaited her and Fanny.

  Chapter 8

  The morning Bert received Kitty’s letter of response, Chuck knew that it was going to be a big moment for his friend.

  While Bert was positive that she was going to accept his proposal, Chuck was secretly concerned about the possibility that his mate would face another heartbreak. He insisted on being there with him when he opened it.

  He was also waiting for the right moment to tell him that his own courtship had fallen apart since the lady in town had no interest in living on a ranch or dealing with the life of a farm.

  As soon as Bert unfolded the letter, he furrowed his eyebrows in sheer focus while his eyes absorbed the words. Chuck watched his expression slowly change from that of anticipation to one of utter happiness.

  “She’s coming.” Bert smiled victoriously. “And… she’s bringing a friend.”

  “That’s great!” He chuckled, pressing his palms together as he looked out the window. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.” He stood up, ready to leave the shed.

  “To what?” Bert looked up, his eyes still dancing with joy. “I’m not responding with a letter, that’s a waste of time.” He got up, joining him at the door. “The weather will soon be harsh, I’d rather speed things up and send a telegram.”

  “Good idea.” They stepped out together.

  “I’ll go now, but you’d be of great help if you could send someone out to Mrs. Butler and get us some help for the house.”

  His excitement was contagious, and Chuck soon forgot all about his woes as he made a mental list of the things that needed to be done. “We’ll need about six or seven maids to get the job done in time.”

  “No problem.” He enthusiastically leaped atop his horse in one graceful move. “Spend from the safe.”

  He chuckled. “You got it, boss.”

  As Bert rode away, Chuck fervently marched toward one of the enclosures and called on Earl. He was one with the most connections to all sorts of service providers in town.

  “Mornin’ Chuck.” Earl touched his hat in acknowledgment.

  “Mornin’. Listen. Mr. Biggum’s gon’ be hostin’ guests over from Chicago. Two ladies. Now, I want you to rush over to Mrs. Butlers and have ‘er send six or seven cleaners of good health.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “We’ll also need someone to go buyin’ curtains and linens with Mrs. Butler herself if she’s available.”

  “I’ll let ‘er know.”

  “Her son-in-law or someone in the family’s a good plumber, I hear.”

  “Her nephew,” he corrected him.

  “Right, nephew. We gon’ need ‘im too. The washroom’s old and needs to be redone.”

  “That’s a lotta work, but it can be arranged.”

  “We’ll pay for their trouble.”

  “Understood.” Earl shifted, ready to go. “I’m on it.”

  “Oh, and Earl?”

  “Yeah?”

  “No need for anyone in town to be gossipin’ ‘bout this. Y’know Mr. Biggum likes to keep his private life private.”

  He dutifully nodded. “Ain’t no need to tell me, Chuck.”

  The following days were quite interesting for both Bert and Chuck as they watched the house become gradually beautified.

  Having never needed any curtains before, Bert waited for them to be sewn by the assigned help before the day they were ready to be hung. As they were being installed, not only did he view privacy in a new light, but he also began to see the inside of his house differently. The once unnecessary, “feminine” idea he had of drapes was now gone as they became a welcome addition.

  “What d’ya think?” Chuck rubbed his chin with two fingers as Bert examined the first curtain out in the sitting room.

  “Mrs. Butler has good taste.”

  He chortled. “Those were me, actually.”

  “Oh yeah?” He turned to him with a sarcastic look. “Well, that’ll help when you’re settin’ up your own place,” he mocked, playfully smacking Chuck’s shoulder with the back of his hand before walking off to inspect the rest.

  He followed. “I was meanin’ to tell ya—”

  Bert turned around.

  “It ain’t workin’ out.” Chuck casually shrugged, scratching the back of his head as he forged a careless wince.

  “Wha—since when?”

  “Couple o’ weeks.”

  “And you didn’t tell me.”

  “Well, you were preoccupied. Waitin’ for Kitty to write back and whatnot. I’m tellin’ ya now.”

  “I’m sorry it didn’t pan out the way we hoped.”

  “She ain’t the last woman in Oklahoma now, is she?” With a chuckle and a wave of his hand, Chuck dismissed it as he approached the next curtain, his fingers feeling the delicate fabric as he assessed the finish.

  Without saying another word on the matter, Bert covered the distance between them and gave his friend a pat on the back. They regarded each other with a knowing look, and that was all they needed to do.

  They were tough men and discussing matters of the heart did not come easy. Especially not in the middle of the day, completely sober, while maids and workers swarmed around t
he buzzing house.

  When they made their way over to the washroom, the plumbers were finalizing the bathtub installation, while the carpenter was working on a sitting bench in the corner.

  “I had no idea you knew so much ‘bout furnishin’ houses, Chuck.” Bert’s eyes scanned the novel surroundings.

  “Really ain’t me. Mrs. Butler’s maids clean for most businessmen in town, those from the city included. They tell ‘er everything.”

  “Well, I’m glad we asked for her help, then.” He turned to him with an appreciative look. “Thank you. And one day, I’ll be doin’ the same for your home.”

  Not sure if he could be bothered with another woman who wouldn’t tolerate his rough lifestyle, Chuck silently forced a smile and nodded. As his hand reached back to his nape, he ran his fingers through the tips of his hair, wondering if he was ever going to venture another failed relationship.

  Or perhaps he could place a personal ad himself.

  But now was not the time or place. Their next stop was the bedrooms, for the new linens were being fitted on the beds, along with fresh, new pillows.

  Watching his best friend’s excitement shine through his face, he soaked it all up, for it was contagious. Even Chuck could not wait to meet the mysterious Chicagoan who captured that tough cowboy’s heart and propelled him to turn everything upside down in preparation for her arrival.

  But she was raised in a Christian orphanage, and her friend was coming along. What were the sleeping arrangements going to be like?

  Deciding that he had worried about logistics far too much, Chuck allowed himself to enjoy the renovation process for however long it lasted.

  Soon, everything was going to become clear. He just needed to go where the wind blew.

  Chapter 9

  Excited about the trip to the Wild West, Kitty’s eyes were glowing with joy as she and Fanny both waved their goodbyes to the Sisters at the orphanage from the wagon window.

  Feeling her heart race madly for the first time, Fanny genuinely could not discern which of them was more enthralled about the adventure that awaited.