by Jaclyn Hardy
“There are a few being built around here, but nothing quite ready yet. We will just have to find a priest.” Joshua searched the area for someone he could talk to and found a few men just outside a nearby tavern. “Give me one moment.”
Charlotte grabbed her bags. “You’re not leaving me here again, are you?”
“No. I just needed to talk to someone about a priest. Let’s put your bags in my cart and then you can come with me.”
“Okay.” Charlotte handed him the two heavier bags and followed him.
Joshua set the bags inside and then waited for her to catch up. “How was your trip here? Were you treated well?”
“Yes, it was nice. A little bumpy, but not bad.” Charlotte tripped and Joshua reached out to grab her. Her face turned red as she steadied herself. “Sorry. I hit a hole in the road. I may need different shoes. These do not seem to be appropriate.”
“We can find some that work better for you if needed.” Joshua held out a hand to one of the men at the tavern. “Excuse me. Do you know where any priests are?”
The man sneered and looked over at Charlotte. “Why? To marry that pretty little thing? If I knew where a priest was, I’d marry her myself.”
Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, and her fists clenched. “Like that’d actually happen.”
The man and his friends broke into laughter. Joshua knew this wasn’t going to go anywhere, so he took Charlotte by the arm and pulled her away.
“Don’t let them provoke you.” Joshua sighed. “I don’t think we’ll find who we’re looking for here. But I know there’s a priest in a town nearby if you’re up for it.”
She shrugged. “That will do.”
Joshua blinked. She was certainly not like any high society people he’d known. He searched the nearby crowd and found a young man leaning against one of the cabins. Joshua pulled out a coin and held it out to the boy. “Can you deliver a message for me?”
“What sort of message?” The young man snatched the coin from Joshua.
“I need you to go into Oakley and find a priest. There should be one or two near the tabernacle. Tell them I request their assistance as soon as possible at the Hale homestead out in Cottonwood. Understand?”
The boy glanced between Charlotte and Joshua. “What sort of assistance?”
Joshua held up another coin. “Just get him. And hurry. We don’t have a lot of time.”
“Thanks, sir.” The boy snatched the other coin and sprinted off.
“Now we’ll see if he actually does it.” Joshua shook his head. “Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat before we go?”
Charlotte’s eyebrows wrinkled. “Shouldn’t we be on our way?”
“Soon. But we need to give the boy time to get to the priest, so we can eat first if you would like.” Joshua veered away from the tavern and found a small inn that promised a hot meal. “Let’s go here.”
Charlotte bit her lip and glanced at her luggage before following Joshua. “You’re sure my things are safe?”
“There’s a sheriff resting his eyes next to the stagecoach station. Ruffians will know better than to try to steal your things.” Joshua opened the door to the inn and found the bartender. “Hello, we’d like some of your stew and some bread, please.”
The innkeeper nodded and left the room while Joshua looked for a place to sit. He found a seat by the window.
“We can watch my cart from the window if that helps you feel better.” He held out a chair for her.
Charlotte sat down and scooted in so she could see out the window. “This is good. Thank you.”
The innkeeper was out shortly with two bowls and a small loaf of bread. Charlotte grabbed her spoon and took a bite of the stew. Her eyes widened.
“What’s in this?” She took another bite, and then another.
Joshua held in a smile as he picked up his own spoon. “Beef, I believe. Potatoes, carrots, and whatever else they could find.”
Charlotte groaned. “It’s wonderful.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Joshua had never seen a woman eat that quickly or enjoy food as much as Charlotte seemed to like hers. “Did they not feed you on the way here?”
Charlotte paused with her spoon half-raised to her mouth, her cheeks reddening. “Sorry. I’m famished, and this is really good.”
“It’s good we ate first, then.” Joshua glanced outside. “It looks as though your luggage is drawing a crowd. We should go.”
They stood and paid, then hurried across the street. He helped her up onto the cart and then climbed up next to her. “I’m sorry this isn’t nearly as comfortable as the stagecoach, but I’ll go slowly so we don’t get knocked off.”
“How far is this town we’re going to? Is it going to be dark before we get there?” Charlotte stood and adjusted her skirts.
Joshua flicked the reins and Louie started forward. “Well, that depends on how quickly we travel. If I’m on my horse with no cart, we can be there in an hour. With the cart, it will take longer. At this rate, it’ll be near sundown when we get there.”
Charlotte grabbed onto the bench where she sat. “Well, then I guess we’d better go faster.”
“I guess so.” Joshua grinned and urged Louie forward. He hoped the priest would meet them so they didn’t have to go all the way in to town. Otherwise he would have to switch out horses before continuing on.
“So, is this how it usually works? We show up and then have to find a priest?”
Joshua glanced over at her bouncing next to him. “No. Usually there’s a priest waiting at the stop to marry the couples right there. I apologize that things aren’t as they should be, but as far as I know, you’re the first to come to this settlement.”
Charlotte’s smile lit up her face. “Except for having to wait at the station, it hasn’t been so bad. This way I can see more of the land.”
“I guess you’re right. Now, hold on tighter so you can see just how fast Louie can go.” He laughed at the look of determination on her face as she braced herself. He flicked the reins again, and Louie broke into a gallop.
Dust kicked up with each step, but Charlotte didn’t budge from holding on tightly. As they got closer to his homestead, Joshua slowed Louie down to allow him to rest, then pulled out a handkerchief to give to Charlotte.
“Here. You can clean yourself off with this.” He had to admit he liked having someone to travel with instead of being alone.
Charlotte eyed the handkerchief before taking it to wipe off her face. It only made things worse as the dirt mixed with the sweat on her brow. She winced at the mud and dirt on the cloth. “Is there somewhere I could wash my face? I must look atrocious.”
“We’ll be to my homestead in the next half hour. If he hasn’t shown up by the time we get there, you can freshen up there before we continue on.”
Charlotte was silent for a moment. “How much longer will that take?”
“It’s about the same as the trip from the station to my homestead.” Joshua pointed in front of them. “See that large tree in the distance? The one standing by itself?”
“Yes.”
“That is my—our—land. The house is just past the boundary.” Joshua worried that she wouldn’t like it. That she would turn right back around and go home because she didn’t like him or their house.
Charlotte closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. “It’s so beautiful here. So wide open.”
“And full of sage brush that doesn’t want to budge.” Joshua laughed. “I fell in love with this area the moment I saw it.”
“What brought you here?”
Joshua turned into his homestead. “The promise of a fresh start. And the land was cheap.”
“Sounds like the perfect combination.” Charlotte gasped a moment later when the home came into view.” This is our house?”
Joshua nodded, suddenly nervous. “I know it’s not much, but I was limited by supplies and money. We can build on later, though.”
Charlotte shrugged and wiped her brow. “I like it
how it is right now.”
“Just wait until you see the inside. It may change your mind.” Joshua sighed with relief when he saw the priest’s horse tied up next to the house. “Looks like my messenger came through.”
Louie came to a halt next to the house and leaned down to get a drink from the horse trough. Joshua climbed down from the cart, then reached up to help Charlotte. She stepped down and immediately tripped on her skirts.
“Sorry. So sorry. I’m not used to these skirts for traveling, but I ran out of clean traveling clothes weeks ago.” Charlotte blushed. “Is there any way I can clean up before meeting him?”
Joshua nodded and guided her around Louie to where a water pump stood. “Take your time. I will go meet with the priest.”
Joshua went around the house and took a breath. When he sent in the application for a mail order bride, he’d hoped that they might have something in common. Now that Charlotte was here, he knew he’d made the right choice. He just hoped she felt the same way.
Charlotte pulled the lever on the pump, and held her hands underneath, but nothing came out. She frowned. That should work, right? She pushed the lever down and pulled it back up again. Still no water—but she could feel a pull. So something was happening . . . She looked around the pump to see if there was another part she was missing, but there was nothing but sage brush and firewood.
She’d only been here for a couple of hours and already had her share of mishaps. Being forgotten at the station, no priest to marry them there, and now the water pump was refusing to do its job. Charlotte grabbed onto the handle and tried it a few more times, hoping it was enough. Clearly all the lessons with Naomi before coming had not helped. But then she never thought she’d have to fight to get water.
“Charlotte? Is everything all right?” Joshua asked as he came around the corner. He raised his eyebrows. “You haven’t washed yet?”
“Uh, well, your pump isn’t working.” Charlotte wiped her hands. “I’m sorry it’s taking so long.”
Joshua walked past Charlotte and picked up a bucket of water from the porch. “You need to prime the pump first. Like this.”
He tipped the bucket to prime the pipes, then pumped the handle until water came out. It wasn’t a steady stream like she expected, but it worked. Charlotte ran her hands under the cool water and splashed some on her face.
Once she was done, Joshua refilled the bucket and pointed over to a large container. “Bring that milk can to me. I might as well fill it while we’re out here.”
Charlotte did what he said, but the water inside made it heavier than she’d expected. It sloshed out and all over her. She gasped in surprise and almost dropped it.
Joshua laughed. “Here you take my place, and I’ll carry it the rest of the way.”
The pumping was a little harder now that water was coming up, but at least she didn’t have to carry the milk can. Charlotte’s face was hot with embarrassment. She’d made a complete fool of herself in front of a complete stranger who would be her husband in just a few minutes.
Once it was full, Joshua lugged the milk can back to the porch. “Ready?”
“Yes.” She would have given anything for a hot bath and a clean dress right then, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it. She missed Naomi more by the minute.
The priest was inside, waiting for them. Waiting so she could marry Joshua. Charlotte shook her head. What was she thinking? Coming here, being someone she’s not. It didn’t matter, though. She was here, and Joshua was kind and willing to overlook her mistakes. Not to mention his eyes were the perfect shade of blue, and his hair fell just right.
“Would you like to delay this? We could just have him leave and marry us tomorrow if you would feel more comfortable.”
Enough stalling. Charlotte took a deep breath, smoothed her dress, and shook her head. “No. He’s been inside waiting long enough that I would feel bad if we sent him away. It’s just a little water on my dress.”
“Are you sure?” He glanced into the house.
“Yes. Let’s go.” Charlotte lifted her skirts and stepped into the small home while she still had the courage. The house was sparsely furnished and desperately needed a woman’s care. The boy from the station stood nearby, most likely there as the witness.
An older man dressed in a suit stood from the makeshift couch and held out a hand. “Hello, I’m Philip Poulton. Joshua tells me that you two want to marry.”
His suit was richer than she would have expected, and he wasn’t wearing a collar that most of the priests wore back home.
Charlotte took his hand. “I’m Charlotte. It’s so nice to meet you. And yes, we would like to marry if you’re willing to do the service.”
“Of course. I wasn’t aware that Joshua was betrothed.” Philip chuckled.
“He wasn’t. At least not to me.” Charlotte glanced over at Joshua. He hadn’t said anything about the mail order thing?
The priest rubbed the back of his neck. “Ah. How long have you two known each other, then?”
“About, what, five hours? Give or take.” Joshua picked up a paper and handed it to Philip. “There was an ad for brides. I needed someone to help me out around here, and there are few women in the area.”
“I see.” Philip read through the ad, then looked over his glasses at Charlotte. “And you went along with this?”
Charlotte nodded. “It was my choice to be a bride. I wanted to come out west, and when I saw the opportunity to own land or maybe even vote, I jumped at the chance.”
“While it is rather unorthodox, both of you approve of the marriage, so I see no reason why I cannot perform the ceremony.” Philip waved for the young man to come forward. “Jeffrey here will act as our witness. He’s a little young, but he’ll count.”
“I’m fourteen. That’s not young.” Jeffrey rolled his eyes. “I’m only a few years away from getting my own homestead.”
Philip chuckled. “Very well. Let’s get started.”
Joshua took Charlotte around the waist and held her other hand in his. Charlotte winced at the roughness of his hands, but the arm around her was strong and protective. His eyes met hers and she swallowed hard.
A blush creeped up her neck as the ceremony took place. She vaguely remembered hearing the vows, and spoke when Philip gestured for her to say her lines, but it was all a blur. The priest could have said she was flying to the moon and she wouldn’t have known it. What she did know was that no matter how crazy this seemed, it also felt . . . right.
“Charlotte?” Joshua whispered in her ear.
She jumped. “Sorry. What? Yes. I do.”
“You do . . . what?” Joshua touched her cheek, sending a wave of emotions through her. “Are you well? Did you get too much sun?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. Sorry. I must be tired.”
Philip leaned forward. “I said that he may kiss the bride. Once that’s done, I can leave.”
“Oh! Right.” Charlotte met Joshua’s eyes, then dropped her gaze to his lips. He was a little scruffier than most of the guys she’d courted back home, and she couldn’t help wondering how rough his beard would be on her cheek.
His lips touched hers, and all of the random thoughts fled from her mind. His kiss was soft, but firm. She moved to put her arms around his neck, but he pulled away. Charlotte blinked, dazed.
“We will draw the papers up and have them delivered to you tomorrow.” Philip turned to Jeffrey and handed him another few coins. “You’d better be heading back to your settlement before you worry your mother.”
Jeffrey stared at the coins in his hand, then shoved them in his pocket. “Thank you.”
Philip put a hand on Joshua’s shoulder. “I do hope I will see you two at church on Sunday.”
“Good night, Philip. We will go into town in the morning and stop by for the papers.” Joshua opened the door for the priest. “We appreciate that you came all this way.”
Charlotte walked around the small room, memorizing the d
etails. She touched the table nearby, impressed by the craftsmanship.
“My father made that.” Joshua walked across the room to where she stood. “It was very expensive to get it here, and I had to repair one of the legs, but it was worth it.”
“It’s beautiful.” Charlotte ran her fingers along as she moved toward the small sink. “There’s no faucet.”
He shook his head. “There is no way to get water in here yet. We have to use the pump outside.”
Charlotte froze. “What about a toilet?”
“We have an outhouse in the back. But I do have a toilet that has been ordered. I’ll build onto the house when it arrives.” Joshua leaned against the counter. “Your family must be well off if you had those luxuries.”
“We had enough.” Charlotte’s eyes widened when she got to the stove. It was hard enough getting used to the stove back home. This one had different compartments than the one she was used to, and she’d barely learned how to work that one.
Joshua pointed to a line of pots on the wall. “I thought hanging them here might be easier to organize the kitchen. If you don’t like it, we can take them down.”
“It’s great. Thank you.” Charlotte yawned. She was more tired than she’d thought. “Sorry. I think we’ll have to continue the tour of your house tomorrow. Right now, I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“I will go get your bags and be back in a moment.” Joshua paused at the door. “Thank you for answering my ad. I hope that I’ll be able to provide you a suitable home.”
Charlotte smiled. “I’m glad I did too.”
***
Not having indoor plumbing was the worst, Charlotte decided. She hefted the bucket of water up to the sink and poured it in, avoiding the steam coming off it. Instead of just turning on the hot water, she had to get it from outside, heat it on the stove, and then pour it. Charlotte leaned against the counter and sucked in a breath. She would have to write home to all her help and thank them for everything they’d done for her all her life.
The door slammed as Joshua came inside. He glanced down at the sink and then up at her. “You should have let me do that.”