by Emily Woods
Timmy shrugged. He had been so desperate to help his brother that he had posted the marriage advertisement pretending to be Danny. When Jeanne’s letters began to arrive, Timmy continued posing as his brother, and while he felt unsure of how he had gotten Jeanne to venture to Pinecone, he was certain that the Lord was guiding everything.
“It will be fine, dear,” Timmy reassured Cassie, squeezing her hand as they navigated the dirt road. “The Lord knows just how badly Danny needs to find love again, and from what she said in her letters, it sounds like Jeanne needs someone to take care of her. They’ll both be so happy that they found each other that they won’t stop to be mad at me, their loving brother!”
Cassie rolled her eyes at her husband, but she smiled as she wrapped her arm around Timmy’s waist. “You and your schemes,” Cassie sighed.
Timmy smiled at his wife. “Remember how in love I was with you when we got married?”
Cassie raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound like it was years ago! We only got married last year. I loved you then, and I love you even more now. You know that. Mark my words though, Timmy. If you ever pull a scheme like this on me, I ain’t gonna love you anymore. You best pray that Danny and Jeanne hit it off, or you’re gonna be in real trouble.”
Timmy nodded, knowing his wife was correct. “Oh, trust me, sugar,” Timmy said. “I’ve been praying harder than you’ll ever know.”
“Where is he?” Jeanne muttered to herself as she stood in the Pinecone Train Station. She was dirty from her travels, and as she held tightly to Joela’s sticky hand, Jeanne felt her heart sink. What if it had all been a trick? What if Danny’s letters had been a terrible, cruel joke, and now, with her small daughter, she would be stuck in the middle of California, alone and destitute?
“Mama,” Joela cooed, her dark ringlets greasy from the month-long train trip. “I tired, Mama.”
Jeanne scooped Joela into her arms and held her close. “Just rest, baby girl,” Jeanne whispered to her daughter as passing passengers bumped into them. “We’ll be home soon.”
Jeanne could hardly keep her eyes open. She had never imagined that she would ever leave Massachusetts, let alone the East Coast, but now, she cradled her daughter in her arms thousands of miles away from the only lives they had ever known. Everything had happened so quickly. One day, Jeanne had been crying on the floor of the bedroom, terrified of her future, and within a few weeks, she and Joela were on a train bound for a new life in California.
Jeanne had prayed for guidance, and when one of her friends at the factory had casually mentioned a marriage advertisement, Jeanne’s interest was piqued. She peppered her friend with questions, learning about the unconventional practice that was becoming wildly popular amongst young, single women on the East Coast.
“It’s a great way for you to find a nice, kind man to take care of you,” Jeanne’s friend had gushed as the women shared lunch together. “The men from the West don’t have many women to choose from, and when they want to marry, they place advertisements! You can have your pick of the men. The advertisements are in the back of the newspapers, and they list the men’s pertinent information. They sometimes tell a lot, sometimes tell a little, but you can send letters to them if you think they would be a good match!”
Jeanne’s dark eyes had widened. She was curious about the marriage advertisements. She had never heard of such a practice before, but with her fears for her safety growing with every passing day, she knew that she needed to make a change.
“A pretty thing like you wouldn’t have any trouble finding a man through an advertisement,” Jeanne’s friend assured her. “Take a penny down to the boardwalk and get one of those small black and white photographs taken. That’s what my cousin did, and she had a response from every single fellow she sent a photograph to!”
Jeanne had thanked her friend for explaining the marriage advertisements, but she was still unsure of how to proceed.
“It seems dangerous,” Jeanne had prayed that morning after arriving home from work. “Lord, I ask for Your guidance, and I am thinking about these marriage advertisements. Show me Your way, Lord.”
The next morning, as Jeanne walked home from work, she reached into the pocket of her woolen skirt and found a spare penny.
“That’s strange,” Jeanne murmured to herself. “I didn’t put a penny there.”
She thought back to her conversation the previous day, and remembered her friend urging her to take a penny and have a photograph taken.
“Take a penny down to the boardwalk and get one of those small black and white photographs taken. That’s what my cousin did, and she had a response from every single fellow she sent a photograph to!”
Jeanne rubbed her fingers across the small penny, thinking of the conversation and her prayers about the marriage advertisements. She felt her heart beat faster in her chest, and to her own surprise, she turned in the direction of the boardwalk. Jeanne marched into one of the little photography booths, and fifteen minutes later, she emerged with three tiny photographs of herself.
“I didn’t put a penny in my pocket. The penny must be my sign,” Jeanne thought as she walked home to her daughter. On the way, she purchased two newspapers, and as Joela slept the rest of the morning, Jeanne began to write letter after letter to the most promising men in the marriage advertisements.
Two weeks later, the first response arrived from a man named Danny in California. He worked with the sheriff, and he would eventually be the sheriff of Pinecone, the town where he grew up.
I grew up in the east; my parents were from Charleston, South Carolina, but I don’t remember much of our lives there. All I really know is the west; Pinecone is home for me, and I hope it will be a happy home for the woman I marry….
I read in your letter that you have a daughter, but that your husband has gone home to be with Jesus. I am real sorry for your loss. I want you to know that I love children; I want many, many children of my own someday, but if I were to marry someone with a child, I would love her child as my own.
You seem like a real good lady of God, Jeanne; I was real happy to see that you quoted the scriptures in your letter to me, and I hope you saw in my advertisement that I am a good, faithful Christian man. My parents are good Christians, as is Timmy, my wonderful, smart, handsome brother, and I hope the woman I marry loves my family as much as I do.
Jeanne, I am a good, loyal, kind man. I am looking for someone who is loving, quiet, and faithful. If you feel like you are that kind of woman, please write me real soon.
Jeanne had not hesitated to respond. Danny seemed like a good, simple man, and after spending many fearful mornings walking to and from her job, Jeanne was ready for a quieter life in rural California.
Your life in California sounds lovely, Danny. I have never left Massachusetts before, but I would be happy to go if I found the right situation for my daughter and me. When my husband died, he left us with very little, but I have my faith, and I am a hard worker. I work nights at a nearby factory, and I am very strong and healthy. I could make a good wife to someone in the country, and I am sure I could bear many children for the man I marry.
Danny, you mentioned that you were pleased with my reference to the scriptures, so let me give you another verse that is dear to my heart. My own mother, who is now with Jesus herself, used to whisper this to me when I was a little girl, and it brings me great comfort when I am feeling downtrodden:
Isaiah 40:31: “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I pray that this verse is meaningful to you. I am praying over this letter, and I hope it finds you well.
Within a few days of posting her letter, Jeanne received another letter from Danny. As she opened the envelope, several dollar bills fell out!
“What on Earth?” Jeanne muttered to herself as she picked up the money from the floor. “Why did he send money to me?”
&nb
sp; The answer was revealed to Jeanne moments later. With shaking hands, Jeanne read the letter that would change her life forever.
I ain’t met a woman like you in Pinecone, Jeanne. You are sensible, and you are a woman of God. I have sent you money to purchase a train ticket to Pinecone. Come join me here, Jeanne. Join me in Pinecone as my bride. I will be a good husband to you, and I will be a good, loving, Godly father to your daughter. Come to Pinecone, and come as quickly as you can! I’ll be praying for you.
Now, as Jeanne stood in the crowded Pinecone station, reading Danny’s proposal letter felt like ages ago. It had been an arduous, uncomfortable journey to Pinecone. Jeanne had hardly slept on the bumpy train ride, and Joela could hardly keep down the stale food served to the passengers. Both Jeanne and Joela were tired and filthy, and as Jeanne anxiously searched the train station for a glimpse of her husband-to-be, she felt her stomach churn.
“Jeanne?”
Jeanne turned around to find a tall, bearded blond man, and a smiling woman standing behind her.
“Danny?” Jeanne whispered, her voice shaking. The man shook his head.
“I’m Timmy, his brother,” the man said, extending his hand to shake Jeanne’s. “I’ve come to fetch you. This is my wife, Cassie. She’ll be your sister soon!”
Cassie threw open her arms to hug Jeanne, and Jeanne felt her shoulders sag in relief. Someone had finally come for her!
“Welcome!” Cassie said, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Jeanne, welcome! And this must be the little girl! My new niece!”
Cassie stroked Joela’s messy curls, and Jeanne blushed, embarrassed that she and her daughter were so unkempt.
“We’ll get you home and straight to bed! You both must be exhausted!” Cassie said, looking at Jeanne with a kind smile.
“What about Danny?” Jeanne asked, her nose wrinkled. “When will I meet my husband-to-be?” Jeanne watched as Cassie and Timmy exchanged looks. “What?” Jeanne asked. “Where is he?”
Cassie took one of Jeanne’s hands and squeezed it tightly. “He’s at home now! He wasn’t...feeling well! We told him we would get you real quick. We’ll take you to our house to sleep, and then in the morning, you and Danny can get acquainted.”
Jeanne nodded, too tired to argue with her future sister-in-law. “That sounds just fine,” she said.
The next morning, Jeanne woke early, but she did not rise from the warm, large bed that Cassie had shown her to the previous night. Jeanne felt at ease at last. She was rested and clean, and Joela snored gently beside her as the morning sunlight streamed in.
“We’re here, Joela,” Jeanne whispered to her daughter as Joela slept. “We’re home.”
A few moments later, Jeanne heard Cassie’s gentle footsteps up the stairs.
“Jeanne?” Cassie said as she knocked lightly on the door. “Jeanne, breakfast is ready.”
“Come in, Cassie,” Jeanne said.
Cassie walked in the door and grinned at Jeanne. “You look like you got a real good sleep,” Cassie said approvingly.
Jeanne nodded. “Thank you for your hospitality. It was so nice to sleep in a real bed after that long journey on the train!”
Cassie beamed. “Of course! We are real pleased to have you here. Pinecone is a real good town, and you and Joela will be so happy!”
Jeanne leaned up and stretched her arms over her head. “Cassie,” Jeanne said as she yawned. “After breakfast, will I meet Danny?”
Cassie took a long breath, but finally she answered. “Yes,” she said. “Danny will be real interested to see you.”
Jeanne tilted her head at Cassie’s answer, but before she could respond, Cassie had turned on her heel and walked out of the room.
“I hope he’s as kind as in his letters,” Jeanne thought as she stroked Joela’s arm to wake her. “I hope he’s excited to meet me.”
A few hours later, Cassie and Timmy escorted Jeanne and Joela to the home of Julia and Jackson, the boys’ parents.
“Why are we going to your parents’, Timmy?” Jeanne asked.
Timmy paused. “Danny has been staying there,” he responded, his eyes skirting to meet Cassie’s. “You’ll get to meet our parents and Danny! That’ll be real nice!”
Jeanne did not question Timmy further, but she felt nervous as the quartet walked along the dirt road. When they finally arrived at the home of Julia and Jackson, her future in-laws, Jeanne could feel beads of sweat gathering at her temples, and her face was growing warm.
“We’re here!” Timmy said as he opened the door to a modest, but nice wooden, two-story house. “Ma? Pa? Danny?”
A middle-aged couple walked into the room, looking quizzically between Cassie, Joela, Timmy, and Jeanne.
“Who is this?” the woman asked, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. Jeanne’s hands shook. This must be Danny’s mother. Didn’t she know that Jeanne was coming? “I’m Julia, and this is Jackson, my husband,” the woman said, gesturing to the short, portly man. “Timmy? Cassie, dear? Who are these two? Are these friends of yours?”
Timmy took a long, deep breath. “Ma? Can you go get Danny?”
Julia shook her head. “Today is not a good day,” she whispered, looking at Timmy sternly. “You know that. Danny is not receiving visitors.”
Timmy nervously folded his arms across his chest. “Ma,” Timmy said. “Danny will want to meet this woman.”
Julia smiled kindly at Jeanne, but then returned to meet Timmy’s gaze. “Timmy,” Julia said. “Why on Earth would Danny want to meet this woman?”
Timmy looked down at his leather boots. He ran a hand through his thick hair, and after taking a long pause, he said, “This woman is going to be his wife.”
4
Jeanne sat outside of Julia and Jackson’s house with her head buried in her hands. Cassie had taken Joela back to her house to rest, and now, Jeanne could hear Timmy and his parents fighting inside.
“How could you do this? This ain’t right, Timmy!” Jackson shouted at his son. “Danny is down because Evana is marrying someone else, and you went and sent for a girl and her child to come here? Timmy, of all of your ideas, this is the worst! You ain’t thought this through! This woman and her child are in need of care and love, and Danny ain’t able to give that right now!”
Jeanne felt the hot, sticky tears cascading down her thin face. How could she have thought that venturing off to California with her little girl was a good idea? How could she have left everything she ever knew to meet a stranger? Jeanne clutched her knees to her chest and bit her bottom lip. She had never felt more helpless, and as she listened to Timmy and Jackson arguing, she worried that the security she had been promised by marrying Danny was gone forever.
“Pa! Danny ain’t ever gonna be fine again if he stays here, alone and sad! He needs to fall in love again! I remember how happy I was when Cassie became my wife, and I know that falling in love with Jeanne will bring Danny back to himself! She’s a real good girl, Pa, and I know she and her little one will make Danny happy!”
Jeanne shuddered. The way Danny’s parents had looked at her had turned her blood cold. They had not been unkind, but they were dismissive, and it was evident that they did not believe there would be any interactions, let alone a marriage, between she and their distraught son.
The quarreling continued, and when Jeanne couldn’t take it anymore, she stood from her spot outside of the house. She brushed the dirt from her long, green skirt and turned to walk away.
“Ma’am?” Jeanne heard a deep male voice behind her. She turned around to face a tall, blond man with dark blue eyes. “Who are you?”
Jeanne gave a polite curtsey. “I’m Jeanne,” she answered. “I’m from Massachusetts.”
The man looked puzzled. “What brought you to Pinecone?”
Jeanne gestured at the house. “They did,” she answered. “It seems some sort of trick was played. I answered a marriage advertisement from a man named Danny, and apparently, it was his brother who placed the notice.
From what I can gather from the fight Timmy and his father are having, the Danny fellow had some sort of heartbreak. Timmy wanted to help his brother, and he pretended to be Danny, posting and answering letters.”
The blond man crossed his arms, his blue eyes widening. “You came here for me?”
Jeanne’s mouth dropped open. “You’re Danny?”
The man nodded. “I am,” he said. “You’ve heard the story right, I reckon. I had a real bad time when the girl I loved agreed to marry someone else, and I’ve been keeping to myself these days. I had no idea Timmy placed an advertisement. What did you say your name was?”
Jeanne curtseyed again. “I’m Jeanne,” she said. “Pleased to meet you.”
Danny nodded. “It’s real nice to meet you, but I don’t know about this,” he said, his voice gruff. “I been down at work talkin’ with the sheriff about my job, and after everything I’ve gone through lately, I ain’t got the strength to care for a wife.”
Jeanne shrugged. “I shouldn’t have been so stupid,” she said, staring into Danny’s eyes. “I should have known it was too good to be true. I prayed about this, but I must have listened to the Lord without listening to my mind as well.”
Danny shook his head. “I gotta talk to Timmy about this,” he murmured, watching as Jeanne’s face crumbled. “This ain’t right. He’s got to make a plan for you. I’ll go talk to him now.”
Jeanne watched as Danny stormed into the house, his voice joining the shouting match that was taking place as Jeanne watched helplessly outside. What was going to happen to her? What would Danny and Timmy decide? Jeanne huddled on the steps and brought her forehead to her knees, trying to stay strong, but unsure of what plans the Lord had for her next as she wailed in despair in the middle of California.
5