by Alice White
Apparently the two men that we had in the back of our wagon had escaped from the local jail and were wanted for robbery and murder. We also learned that Boris had been bitten by a snake that had somehow managed to get into our wagon and the poison had killed him almost instantly. When we heard the news, neither of us said anything but we looked at each other, thinking the same thing.
God had been watching over us that day.
Chapter 10
We stayed at the trading post for several days, wanting time to recover from the ordeal. We were given the reward money for capturing the fugitives and Adam bought an engagement ring with it. He managed to keep it a secret from me until the last day, when he proposed. It was during a lightning storm and it felt like the heavens were putting on a show just for us.
I returned to Madison an engaged woman, but I also returned a stronger woman. Any and all doubts I’d had about myself were completely gone. If I could take down two dangerous criminals, I could take on the world and nothing was going to stop me.
Our wedding was going to be a town affair and soon everyone was insisting on doing something for it. After a long, hard road of praying, I even decided to invite my parents.
They arrived just in time for the ceremony and my mother wrapped her arms around me, her eyes wet with tears. She apologized and begged my forgiveness and I just held her close, promising her I already had. I didn’t hold anymore resentment for my mother. Without the bullying I never would have come to Madison. I accepted that the Lord worked in mysterious ways.
Soon we were man and wife. It didn’t take long for me to become pregnant with our first child. As brave and strong as Adam was, he was a mess when I became pregnant. I never teased him or got onto him about it, though. I knew he was afraid for good reason. He didn’t want to lose me the same way he’d lost his first wife.
Even though there was always an undertone of fear, he was excited to welcome our child into the world. He had a crib built for the child, making sure to have a prayer carved into it. It was a sweet gesture and made my heart flutter. Somehow he was managing to make me fall even deeper in love with him, which I wasn’t even aware was possible.
We welcomed Abigail into our lives at the end of winter. The midwife said that her birth was one of the easiest she’d ever attended. When the midwife put Abigail in my arms and I stared into her warm face and blue eyes, I couldn’t help but feel that Louise was smiling down on our family that day.
That was three years ago and I was pregnant again. I smiled and patted my round belly, watching Adam snatch Abigail up out of the river. The bottom of her dress was soaking wet, but I wasn’t about to scold her for exploring the world. My own mother had always been extremely critical about girls who played outside. I wasn’t going to do that to my children. I wanted them to start out strong and confident. I never wanted them to face the insecurities I’d faced growing up.
Adam carried Abigail up the bank of the river, holding her under one arm as he walked through the grass and up to our porch where I sat, rocking. Once they reached the steps he set her down and Abigail ran over to me, her hands outstretched. She was holding an apple that she’d most likely plucked from the tree in our yard.
“Here you go, Mama! For baby!”
I smiled and took the apple, pulling her into my arms and kissing her on the cheek. “Thank you, child. That’s very sweet of you.”
Adam smiled and pressed a kiss to my lips, ignoring the disgusted sound little Abigail made. “How’s my baby?”
“Which one?” I teased.
“Both.”
“Well, my feet are sore but the baby is having a grand old time kicking around in there,” I said, patting my belly.
He put his hand over mine and cupped my cheek. “I’ve said it a million times, but I’ll say it again: you’re amazing.”
My heart fluttered and I smiled, offering him another kiss. “I love you too,” I teased.
He chuckled and pulled away, lifting Abigail into his arms and running off down to the river again. I watched them go and sighed happily. This was my paradise.
THE END
Return to TOC
A Race for Maxine
Return to TOC
Chapter 1
Matthew threw Maxine out like she was an old newspaper, leaving her with nothing but the clothes on her back and her pitiful suitcase. All this for some pretty little harlot, paid to show up at his doorstep just like her. He had told her to “go back where she came from,” but that was easier said than done. It was her Mama's death and the debts that settled on Maxine's shoulders and made her answer that ad in the paper in the first place. The only place she had to go was her sister Lizzy's, which was an hour away by train, but Maxine had no money for a ticket. She considered going back up the stairs and knocking on the door, demanding Matthew to at least give her enough money to get to Lizzy’s, but decided against it. He likely wouldn't give it to her anyway,.
Although... he hadn't bothered to take his engagement ring back. Maxine twisted the pretty band on her finger. It wasn't the fanciest ring. In fact the diamond was quite small, but the ring in itself was made of real gold, and it would definitely get her the money she needed for the train. After a trip to the pawn shop she had what she needed, though she had the distinct feeling that the shop owner had ripped her off. No matter. She had a handful of cash and a destination. Hopefully Lizzy wouldn't be too cross with her showing up so unexpectedly, but it was better to face her sister's anger than spend a night out on the streets. She caught the earliest train she could, having only to spend half an hour waiting in the hot sun before boarding with a small group of fellow travelers.
That was the last time she would answer a personal for a bride in the newspaper–all it had done was bring her bad luck. Matthew hadn't even bothered to marry her before he found a mistress. He hadn't delivered on any of the promises he had made, both in the ad and in person. No fine horses or fancy dresses. The only thing he ever gave her besides a headache was the ring. Maybe Lizzy would have some idea as to what she could do with her life. Besides, they were both mourning the death of their Mama, and in times like those it was best to be around family.
A few men on the train gave her appreciative glances, but Maxine ignored them. She was no whore to be ogled and pawed at, despite how answering that ad had made her feel. She ignored the looks as well as a well-dressed older gentleman’s offer to help with her luggage. She was more than capable of putting her suitcase on the luggage rack. He left, after giving her a slightly dirty look, and Maxine sat herself on an empty bench, scooting down so she could lean against the window and watch the world rush by.
The car was relatively empty until the next stop where a whole gaggle of people piled in, including an elderly woman who sat next to Maxine and promptly fell asleep. Maxine shied away. The sun was too bright for her to be able to doze off anyway, and her anxiety wouldn't have let her even if it was dark out. Instead she listened to the woman's quiet snores and pulled nervously at her gloves.
She hadn't seen her sister since Lizzy married. They wrote often enough, and she knew her sister was doing well, but exchanging letters was far different from talking in person. She wondered how Lizzy was taking their mother's death. Maxine thought she had gotten the worst of it herself. Since she was unmarried and still living in their old house, she was the one burdened with the leftover debt. At least Lizzy had a husband to comfort her, and a baby on the way. Maybe Maxine could help her with that. Surely there would be many tasks that a woman in Lizzy's condition ought not to do. Maxine was young and fit, after all. She could do her fair share of housework and Lizzy could have more time to rest.
The train rattled on as she got lost in her thoughts, keeping a steady pace until they neared towns and stations. Maxine watched people get on and off, looking carefully for her stop. Her father's pocket watch showed her that she was still another twenty minutes from town, but it was best to be sure. The last thing Maxine needed was to miss the station and end
up God-knows-where, unsure if she had enough money to get where she needed. She certainly didn't have enough for a room, not after buying her ticket. Maybe she should have sent a telegram first and seen if Jacob could come and fetch her...
Well, it was too late for that now. She was already almost there, and she would just have to deal with Lizzy's reaction, whatever that may be. She knew her sister would take her in regardless, at least, and it would be nice to have someone to talk to about Matthew. He had seemed like such a nice man...
The train whistle blew, knocking Maxine out of her thoughts and into the present. She reached into the collar of her dress and wrapped her fingers around the golden cross that lay against her chest. Time to find her sister.
Chapter 2
Lizzy had lived in Amarillo for almost two years and not once had Maxine ever visited her. There simply hadn't been time, not with Mama as sick as she was. She stepped onto the train platform, her nerves a squirming bundle in the pit of her stomach, and looked out at the little town she hoped to make her new home. Hopefully she wouldn't have too hard of a time finding her sister. First stop was the saloon. It was hard to miss, being that it was the largest building in town save for the church. Maxine picked up her suitcase and her skirts and made a beeline for the building.
Inside it smelled like cigarette smoke and whiskey. There was a man playing a jaunty tune on a small piano in the corner, just loud enough to be heard over the hum of conversation. It seemed unusually crowded for so early in the day. A number of rather lewdly dressed women hung by the bar, chatting amongst themselves while throwing coquettish glances at the men folk. After seeing no sign of Lizzy or Jacob, she made her way over to the bar to ask after her sister. The bartender glanced at her and raised a finger to signal her to wait, then finished wiping down the glass in his other hand.
“What'll it be?” he asked, turning to face her and running a hand over his bushy whiskers. “You look like a whiskey girl.”
“No, actually,” Maxine said. “I'm not here for a drink. I'm looking for someone. Lizzy Brooks?”
“What'cha lookin' for her for?”
“She's my sister,” Maxine replied. “She's expecting me, but she got the train times mixed up.”
The bartender nodded and pointed towards the doors. “Head out there and go left, 'bout halfway down the street is a house with flowers on the door. Brooks' place is two doors down from that. You shouldn't miss it.”
“Thank you,” Maxine said, and turned around.
“Do you need help with that bag o' yours?” the man called after her. “Looks mighty heavy.”
“I can manage,” Maxine said over her shoulder, “but thank you.” She smiled politely and left the saloon, hooking an immediate left. She kept towards the side of the street, out of the way of the horse and cart traffic and taking great care not to step in anything unseemly. She found the door with the flowers easily enough, went two houses down then, and stepped up to the door. With a deep, steadying breath, she knocked on the door. She didn't hear anything inside, and was afraid that maybe Jacob and Lizzy were out, or that she had gotten the wrong house after all, but half a minute later the door opened and her sister stood in front of her, wiping her hands on a well-used apron before brushing her brown hair out of her face.
“Maxie?” she asked, her eyes widening in surprise. “What in the world are you doin' here?”
“It's a bit of a long story,” Maxine replied, glancing away from her sister. “I hope I'm not intrudin', but I don't have anywhere else to go.”
“Not at all,” Lizzy said quickly, ushering Maxine inside. “Jacob!” she shouted, shutting the door firmly. “Jacob, get down here!” There was a thud from upstairs, then footsteps on the stairs. Jacob came in, smoothing damp hair back from his face. He was an attractive man, only a few years older than Lizzy, with gentle brown eyes and brown hair, always clean-shaven and well dressed.
“Maxine?” he said, looking as startled as Lizzy. “Is everything all right?”
“I'll put on some tea,” Lizzy said. “Jacob, take her bag upstairs, would you? Come on, Maxie, you look hungry.”
“I am,” Maxine replied, and handed her case over. She brushed her sweating palms off on her skirts and followed her sister into their tiny kitchen. Lizzy put the kettle on and leaned against the counter, holding her hands over the swell of her belly.
“What's the matter?” she asked. Jacob re-entered and settled at the table with Maxine, his eyes curious. Maxine twisted her fingers together and stared at the table. “Maxie, did something happen?”
“Do you... remember that man I was going to marry?” Maxine began.
“I remember you wrote me about him,” Lizzy replied.
“Well, he...”
“Did he hurt you, Maxine?” Jacob asked, putting a hand over hers on the table.
“No, no,” Maxine said quickly. “Nothing like that. Only he... well he found someone else, and he threw me out like I was nothing!”
“That rube!” Lizzy said firmly. “And here I thought he was a proper gentleman.”
“So did I,” Maxine replied, “and with Mama gone, well, I had nowhere else to go, I'm sorry for coming so abruptly. I should have sent you a telegram.”
“Nonsense,” Jacob said. “You couldn't have known what would happen. You have a place here, doesn't she, Lizzy.”
“Of course,” Lizzy said.
“I thought I could help around the house,” Maxine said quickly. “What with the baby comin' soon and all, you should be resting more.”
“I won't lie,” Lizzy said, “some help would be nice. Jacob's so busy with the shop nowadays, not that I mean that badly. The money's always needed.”
“I'll have the spare room made up for you,” Jacob said.
“Thank you both,” Maxine said, looking between the two of them. “Truly.”
“You're family,” Jacob replied. “Think nothin' of it.” All of the tension drained from Maxine's body at once, leaving her feeling tired and relieved and very eager for her cup of tea. Jacob left to prepare the room and Lizzy poured out the water for their tea.
“Thank you,” Maxine said again. “I mean it, really. I know this is a mighty inconvenience for you.”
“Hush,” Lizzy said. “You're my only sister. I would never turn you away.” Maxine stood to embrace her sister, mindful of her condition. “Would you like to feel?” Maxine nodded and let Lizzy put her hand on her pregnant belly. “It'll be good to have an extra pair of hands around,” she continued as Maxine felt the baby kick. “So don't you go worryin' your head about anything.” Maxine smiled at her sister. Lizzy broke the embrace to kiss her cheek and then went to finish preparing the tea.
Chapter 3
Things were fine, for a time. With Jacob so busy at the general store and Lizzy's due date fast approaching, there was no shortage of tasks for Maxine to perform around the house. But after the baby was delivered—a healthy boy named James—the house suddenly seemed too small, and despite her attempts to be helpful, Maxine felt like she was getting in the way.
One day, while she was out on the town, she picked up the paper on a whim and turned to the ads, browsing the wanted section. She had no interest in being another man's bride, but maybe she could find some work suitable for a woman of her skills, close enough that she could still stay close to her sister.
Most of the listings were for manual labor, except for a call for servers at the saloon. For a moment, Maxine considered it. It couldn't be much different than bringing drinks to Jacob and Lizzy. Then she remembered the look of the crowd and the women who lingered at the end of the bar and changed her mind. Those women did what they needed to earn their keep, but Maxine wouldn't subject herself to that if there were another option. She paid the boy on the corner for the paper and slipped it into her bag along with the things she had bought for Lizzy. Jacob would like to read it, after all.
Lizzy and the baby were both asleep when she returned home, leaving the house quiet. Maxine was glad
for it. James was an adorable little thing, but he was loud, and the whole house suffered for it. Maxine kept as quiet as she could, not wanting any sudden noises to wake the baby.
She had dinner started up by the time Jacob came home. As he walked in, he nodded at her before heading upstairs to greet his wife and child. Maxine was plating the food when they came back down, James wrapped up in his mother's arms.
“Thank you for cooking dinner, Maxie,” Lizzy said. “You didn't need to.”
“It's the least I can do to pay you back for taking me in. You have enough on your hands.” She set the plates down and took her place at the table. “In fact... I was thinking about finding some proper work.”
“Have you?” Lizzy asked. “What for? It's no trouble having you here.”
“I don't want to take advantage of your good will any longer than I have to,” Maxine said. “I took a gander at the paper today, but there was nothing suitable.”
“I might know of something,” Jacob said through a mouthful of potatoes. “Some ranch hand called Wagner came in to the shop today, said Mr. Wilkinson's housekeep just retired. Ranch ain't too far from town, likely a good deal of work for a woman like you if you have a mind for it.”
“I've done plenty of housework in my life,” Maxine replied. “How would I meet them?”
“Wagner's due to come back tomorrow to pick up some goods he ordered. I'm sure he'll be happy to drive you up. Come down round lunch time and you’ll find him.”
“Are you sure about this, Maxie? It really isn't any trouble having you here, I mean it.”
“I’m sure, Lizzy,” Maxine replied. “I feel terrible living off of you and Jacob.”
“You know you're welcome here any time you like,” Jacob said.
“I can't thank you enough,” Maxine said. “With all my heart, thank you.”
“You just come on down tomorrow, Maxine,” Jacob said with a smile. “We'll get you all sorted out, you have my word.” Maxine slept easy that night, despite having to listen to James' soft wailing from the next room over and Lizzy trying to shush him.