by Mercy Levy
Without anyone else to turn to, she decided to ask one of the ranch hands what they thought of Robin. Olga waited for her chance to speak with one of the men in private, but it seemed they were all avoiding her. Every time she would see one of the men in the barn, they would leave quickly, finding an excuse not to speak to her.
There was something suspicious about the way they were all acting, and as the day of the wedding drew nearer, she knew she had to get answers quickly, or she would be trapped in an unhappy marriage – possibly for the rest of her life.
At last, Olga saw her chance. It was Thursday afternoon, and Robin was already drunk. He had done little with Olga that day besides tell her how beautiful she looked, so Olga was relieved when he got on one of the horses and rode off into the distance. She didn’t know where he was going, but he would often be gone for a couple hours.
Two of the ranch hands were in the barn, and although Olga would have preferred to speak with one in private, she knew this could be her only opportunity before the wedding.
“Gentlemen!” Olga said as she pushed open the door, and the two men appeared startled. One was considerably younger than the other, looking close to Olga’s age. The other looked to be well into his fifties. He had grey hair and a long, grey beard, whereas the younger only had a scruffy beard to match his overgrown shag.
“Miss Petrov. How can we help you?” The older man addressed her, and Olga took a step closer.
“I was wondering what you could tell me about Mr. Drew. I have spoken with him through letters for over six months, but I am afraid he is nothing at all like I thought. Has he always been like this? What can you tell me about him?” She spoke quickly and in a low voice, and immediately noticed both men looked uncomfortable.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to come and ask us about our boss. He seems just fine to me, and you’re the one who’s going to marry him, so if you want to know something, ask him.” The younger one shook his head at her, then walked out of the door. Olga’s cheeks burned with anger and shame. He was right; it wasn’t appropriate for them to talk about their boss, but they were the only ones who knew him, and her only chance at the truth.
Olga turned to go, but the older man stopped her.
“Miss Petrov. I can tell you one thing, and one thing only. Mr. Drew is a very kind man, and he is nothing at all like the Mr. Drew you are seeing. He’s a good man.” Olga turned to ask what the old hand meant, but he lit a cigarette and walked out of the barn, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
“Nothing like I’m seeing?” Olga muttered to herself, then reluctantly walked back into the house. There was something very strange going on with those men – and the man she was supposed to marry.
“There you are!” The words floated into the room, slightly slurred. Olga looked up. She was sitting in the sun room with a book she had found, enjoying some time to herself. She was trying to forget about the situation she was facing with Robin, but here he now was, right in front of her.
“Robin? What is it?” Olga asked, looking confused. Robin stumbled into the room, even more intoxicated than when he left.
“Oh, nothing really. I just heard that you were asking about me.” He stopped in front of her, and Olga’s heart sank. She should have known the men would say something!
“I was. I wanted to learn more about you – we’re to be married in a few days, and I don’t know that the letters have done their proper job in showing me who you are, that’s all. I thought asking the men who have been working for you might be a good way to gain some insight.” She smiled sweetly, but Robin slammed his hand down on the table in front of her, causing her to jump.
Leaning forward, he put both his hands on the arms of the chair she was sitting in, trapping her inside. Olga could smell the whiskey on his breath, and his eyes were bleary and red.
“I want you to understand something right now,” he said in a low voice. “My men are my men, and they are loyal to me. If you have a problem with this relationship, you see where the door is. As it stands, you are to be my wife, which means you are to respect me as your husband. Respect!” His voice grew louder as he spoke, and Olga grew more terrified.
Robin stood and straightened his shirt collar, then turned and walked toward the door. He could see that Olga was crying, but his face was cold and uncaring, as her father’s had often been. Robin stopped at the door, then turned.
“Oh, and one more thing, if you ever try to go behind my back again, I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget.” He gave her a menacing look, then stalked out the room.
Olga’s heart was racing and her chest heaved up and down as she struggled to breathe. Who was this man?
And what had she done?
Chapter 9 – A Marriage Interrupted
Olga spent the next few days keeping to herself as much as possible. Ever since the interaction she had had with Robin in the sun room, she had felt scared of him. He never apologized for the way he had treated her, and when she had apologized for going behind his back and asking questions, he told her to make sure it never happened again.
Olga lay awake in bed, staring up at the ceiling. She thought of her father, and wondered how he was doing. He would be back in Russia by now, and she desperately hoped he was happy. She tried to think over the past few months, and the different things she and Robin had discussed in their letters, but despite wracking her brain, she couldn’t think of a reason why he would be so different in person.
How had she missed this in all of their letters? Surely there must have been some signs she had ignored – but she remembered reading through the letters several times. She had always hung on their every word. There was no way she could have got it this wrong; it was simply impossible.
The wedding was to take place the following day, and by the next night, she would be Mrs. Drew. A few weeks prior, that thought had filled her with excitement, and sent shivers of anticipation down her spine. Now, the shivers that ran down her spine were of anything but excitement.
Olga closed her eyes, but sleep escaped her. There was far too much to think about. She could be on the verge of making the biggest mistake of her entire life, but she didn’t see any way to stop it. He had told her if she wasn’t happy, she could leave, but where would she go?
Now, instead of being alone and penniless in New York, she was stuck out in the Wild West – a harsh and unforgiving terrain for a small woman such as herself. With a sigh of resignation, Olga began to accept that her fate was sealed. Perhaps marriage wouldn’t be that bad. Perhaps they would manage to get along after all.
Or perhaps this was the beginning of a life of hell.
The next day, Olga took her time getting ready. She knew she must look her best, or Robin was going to be upset with her. Soon, they would be on their way to church, and as she laced up her dress, she prayed silently that he wouldn’t be drinking.
As they stood side by side in the pew and listened to the sermon, Olga couldn’t help but notice the glances that were being cast their way. She remembered Robin telling her in one of his letters that he rarely left the ranch – a fact that was painfully obvious with all the attention they were attracting.
She did her best to keep her mind on the service, but she couldn’t help but think about the ceremony that was about to take place. Of course, most of these people would stay for the wedding, but she wished they could just be married in private.
She was nervous enough as it was, without a church full of strangers watching her be joined in marriage to Robin. Glancing around the church, Olga jumped when Robin grabbed her hand and squeezed it a little too hard. Surprised as she was, Olga didn’t cry out, and looked out of the corner of her eye at Robin.
“Pay attention to what the preacher is saying, you’re making us look bad.” He hissed in her ear, and Olga fixed her eyes on the preacher alone. He was a fiery minister, and didn’t seem to notice the interaction between the two, although several of the people in the surrounding pews gave O
lga a look of pity and whispered among themselves.
Olga tried to ignore them and kept her eyes fixed directly on the preacher. In the past few days, if she had learned one thing it was that it was best not to upset Robin. If he was happy, he was decent enough to be around, but she certainly didn’t feel any love from him. When he became angry, however, he scared her.
Olga could feel the pitiful glances being cast in her direction, but she prayed silently that Robin did not. She knew that he would somehow blame it on her, and that was the last thing she wanted. With her eyes fixed straight ahead, Olga told herself to take a deep breath, and just get through the ceremony.
After that, she could return to the ranch and get on with life away from the glances and whispers.
“Excuse me! Preacher Aldon! Yes, that’s right. Hello. My bride here and I were wondering if you could marry us before moving on.” Robin had Olga’s hand, and the two of them had hurried to the front of the church before the congregation had a chance to clear.
Several people who had heard what he said stopped, and returned to their pews. The preacher looked from Robin to Olga and back again, then a smile spread across his face.
“I would be happy to. Come right this way.” He led the two of them to the front of the alter, and turned them to face each other. He instructed Robin and Olga to hold hands, then began reciting from the bible.
Olga’s heart was pounding. She was looking into Robin’s eyes, but fighting tears forming in her own. The minister started the vows with Robin, and Olga couldn’t help but feel her heart sink when he said the words “I do.”
It was then her turn. Methodically, Olga heard herself recite each of the phrases, although it was hard for her to get them out. She stumbled over the last vow, and the preacher smiled.
“Such a nervous thing! Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” He asked, and Olga hesitated. The look in Robin’s eyes told her she better answer quickly, but she feared she was going to be sick.
“Stop!” A voice from the back of the church caused everyone to turn. Robin gasped, and Olga felt as though she would faint. A tall, slender man with blonde hair and blue eyes stood at the back of the church, holding his hand up.
“Don’t marry that man!” He said once again, and the preacher spoke up.
“Pray, tell why not?” He asked.
“Because I’m Robin Drew!” The stranger said.
Chapter 10 – “I Do”
“He’s lying! Get him out of here!” The man who Olga had thought was Robin shouted. She pulled her hands away, turning to the man at the back of the room.
“What do you mean? Explain yourself!” She asked, her voice trembling.
“That man there is Frank Barnes: he was my head ranch hand. Just about a week ago, he and another of the hands jumped me when we were out in the back of my pasture. They beat me and left me for dead – and could have easily succeeded.
‘I was found by a passing tribe of Indians who carried me some distance with them. By the time I had come to, I was miles from here. I was in no condition to travel, and was forced to stay with the tribe until I got my strength back.” He wavered, then steadied his himself on the back of the pew.
“You’ve always been jealous of me, and now you’ve tried to pose as me to steal my life! Olga, do not marry that man; he’s a monster.” Robin was breathing heavily, and Olga had backed away from Frank. He had paled, but it was evident he was going to keep up his charade.
“You have no proof! We live out in the middle of nowhere, how do I, or any of these people, know that you aren’t Frank Barnes, trying to do the very thing you accuse me of doing?” Frank challenged, but Robin shook his head.
“Nice try Frank, but you didn’t manage to steal all the letters. Olga, ask this man the one thing it took you months to tell me. What was your mother’s name?” Olga looked from Robin to Frank, and hesitated.
“Olga! Trust me on this! I’ve kept that letter separate from all the rest, because it was the first letter in which you confided in me. Ask him straight!” Mr. Drew pointed to Frank, and Olga sighed.
“What was my mother’s name?” She asked, and Frank laughed nervously.
“Darling, don’t tell me you are going to actually believe this man; that’s ludicrous!” He put his hands over hers, but she pulled back.
“I asked you a question: what was my mother’s name?” She said again, fiercer this time. Frank shifted from one foot to the other, and all eyes in the room were on him. Finally, he shrugged.
“Katerina.” He said.
“Darya!” Robin shouted from the back, and Olga turned with tears in her eyes.
“Robin!” She yelled, and flew down the altar steps. She ran down the aisle with tears running down her cheeks, and threw herself into the arms of Robin Drew.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get back here. But I came for you, my love. I promise I won’t let anything ever hurt you again. Olga, will you marry me?” He whispered, and she nodded. The members of the congregation clapped, and Frank jumped down the steps and ran out of the side door.
“What are you going to do about him and the other ranch hands?” Olga asked uncertainly, fearing that they would cause problems for her and her new husband.
“Don’t you worry about them. I have already contacted the sheriff, and he’s not going to make it far. I can find new ranch hands: good men I can trust with my ranch and my cattle – and my wife.” Robin leaned over and kissed her on the forehead as they reached the front of the church.
“I know this is rather unusual, but Preacher, do you think you might be able to marry us instead?” He asked, and the preacher laughed.
“It’s not the most unusual wedding I have ever been to, so why not? Come on up here and please stand as I was having you stand before.” The preacher then walked them through their vows once again, starting with Robin then moving to Olga.
This time, there was no doubt in Olga’s mind. This was the man she had fallen in love with, this was the man who had written all those letters to her, and this was the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. She was so grateful the wedding had been delayed, and even more grateful she had chosen to stay.
When it came time for her to recite her vows, she said each of the words with conviction, knowing she meant each and every one of them. At long last, the preacher asked, “Will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Looking up into Robin’s beautiful, blue eyes, Olga smiled.
“Yes, I do.” She said, and for the first time, their lips met. Cheers erupted from the congregation, but Olga was so lost in the moment she hardly heard them. At long last, he pulled back and looked in to her eyes.
“I love you.” He whispered, and Olga smiled.
“I love you, too.” She whispered in reply, and she meant it – with all her heart. THE END
Laurel’s New Beginning
1.
Priscilla Callahan twirled in her new white gown while her older sister Laurel sighed and shook her head. White, of all colors she could have picked for the picnic, she had demanded a white dress from her father. Of course, Father hadn’t been able to refuse; he never could say “no” to his younger daughter. Sometimes, Laurel resented being the eldest. When their mother had grown ill with consumption, it was Laurel who had nursed her until the doctors had told them there was nothing left to do but let her go.
Laurel watched her sister stare at her own reflection in the mirror. “I do hope you will take care not to ruin it,” she chastened her sister. “Father doesn’t have money to throw away on a new dress every time you decide what you have isn’t good enough to wear again.”
“You’re just jealous because he doesn’t buy you dresses anymore. What’s the point, when no one will want to marry you?” Priscilla’s mouth shut with a snap, but the damage was done.
“You are a cruel, spoiled child, Prissy, and one day you will regret your lack of loyalty.” Laurel shook her head and turned away
before Priscilla could see the tears in her eyes. She loved her sister and her father so much it hurt sometimes. But, all she was to her father was a nursemaid for his beloved Priscilla, the daughter who was a daily reminder of his beautiful wife.
“Oh, Laurel, don’t hate me. I was only mean because you made me feel selfish for asking for such a beautiful dress. But, I’m not like you. I must attract a husband to take care of me. You’ll grow old here with Father, where will I go?” Laurel stiffened as Priscilla wrapped her arms around her waist and hugged her from behind. “Please don’t stay angry with me.”
Laurel patted her sister’s hands before prying them away from her. “Get changed and help me with supper, please.” She didn’t bother to tell Priscilla that she was forgiven. She already knew the girl meant the apology even less than she’d meant the hurtful words that had preceded it. Priscilla was a pretty girl with a head full of fairytales and daydreams. She had never really known their mother, and was raised on stories of how her beauty and grace had defied the harsh land on which they lived. In Priscilla’s mind, her only purpose for living was to attract a wealthier man than her father and forget she was raised on a farm by a poor man in tight times.
Laurel climbed down from the loft her father had built for them to share, planning to go outside and bring in wood for the stove. Mr. Callahan was sitting below at the kitchen table, rolling the two cigarettes he allowed himself before dinner, and two more for after. Laurel said nothing as she watched him roll them extra thin. No doubt he’d gone without his meager ration of tobacco to pay for the extravagant dress. With a sigh, Laurel prayed that the girl made it through the picnic without ruining the precious white superfine cotton. At least if she could be convinced to wear it twice, it wouldn’t feel like such a waste.
“Supper will be shortly, Papa. I got stew simmering on the stove, and I’ll make you cornbread to go with it, if you can wait for me to go milk Dotty.”
Her father pursed his lips and watched his elder daughter. He’d never admit it, but Priscilla’s words had stung his pride. Cole Callahan was a man who believed he gave both his daughters the best he could. Now, he was forced to admit his younger daughter had become the kind of girl he’d never wish on any man. Meanwhile, Laurel had put away her heartache and served both him and Priscilla better than her mama would’ve hoped.