“Should we go tell your children?” Grace asked.
“Yes,” Jed said, turning around and opening the door. “Then I’ll head over to the church and see if the reverend can perform the wedding right away. We won’t be able to have anyone join us, apart from Susan and Michael here.”
“I’d like to invite Annabelle and Colten. If that’s all right. Annabelle was my good friend back in New York. She’s the reason I decided to move out here.”
“That would be fine. Do you need to pack up your belongings?” Jed asked. “I’d like to be on the road as soon as possible after the wedding.”
“It won’t take me long. I still have most of it in my trunk from my trip here.”
Jed walked into the house and called his girl’s names. “I have something to tell you.”
“Is it time to go already, Papa?” Missy asked.
“Soon. But I wanted to let you know I’ve spoken with Miss Grace about how much help I need at home to take care of you and the house and the farm. She’s agreed to come live with us, and take care of you all, just like a momma does.”
“She’s gonna be our new momma?” Missy asked.
“If you and Lottie are all right with that. From what I saw today, it seems as if you all like her well enough.”
“Oh yes, Papa,” Missy said and looked at Lottie. “Miss Grace could come be our momma and read us stories, and make us cookies and biscuits and bread.”
Lottie looked excited at the mention of cookies.
“Do you agree then?” Jed asked kneeling down to look at both his girls. “Will you mind Miss Grace just like you always did for your own momma?”
“Yes, Papa. I promise. Lottie promises too,” Missy said. “I’ll make her.”
Jed chuckled and Grace smiled at the girl. Then Missy looked past Grace and spoke. “Miss Susan, I’m getting a new momma.”
“Oh really?” Susan asked, making Grace turn around at the tone. She didn’t seem surprised at all. Though Grace didn’t think Susan could have really had anything to do with this.
Jed straightened up and nodded at Susan, then looked at Grace. “I’ll head over to see if Reverend Morrison is home.” He took a few steps then turned around. “Susan, could you and Michael be the witnesses?”
“Of course,” Susan said, not even looking at Jed, but keeping her eyes on Grace. As Jed left the room, Susan cocked her head to the side and placed one hand on her hip. “Mind explaining just a little more about what happened?”
Grace shrugged. “He needs help. I’m available. I said yes. Excuse me please, I need to go pack my things.”
Susan followed Grace up the staircase and walked with her to the room. “I recall you were very surprised when you found out how quickly Annabelle and I agreed to marry our husbands. And here you are, jumping in as if you’ve given up hope of finding a man you could love.”
Grace smiled. “I’ve already fallen in love with his children. And he is an honorable man. He won’t treat me poorly.”
“Can you live a life married to a man that only wanted you there for a helper?”
“At least I won’t be thought of as an old maid anymore. Or a spinster. What is the term out here?” Grace said, trying to make light of it.
“They’re the same thing. And I know that’s a worry you don’t have any longer. But Grace, be careful about your heart. Jed is hurting and mourning his wife. Don’t let him just ignore you or treat you as a farm hand. I’m not saying you have to try to make him forget Lizzie, but don’t be afraid to let him see you as a woman as well.”
Grace shook her head, feeling her cheeks heat at the thought of trying to make Jed think of her as a wife. No, things would be so much better if she just considered herself more of a nanny.
“I hate to ask this,” Grace said. “But while I’m packing, could you go invite Annabelle to come for the wedding. I don’t want her to miss this and I’d like to have a chance to speak with her about it.”
Susan laughed as if she’d just thought of something. “I’d better get Mrs. Howard on board too. She’ll throw together a wonderful celebration and we’ll invite the whole town. We can have this wedding tomorrow mid-day and get you two home by supper tomorrow.”
Grace turned from her packing. “There isn’t time for that. Jed wants to get home tonight. He has a cow to milk as well. He mentioned her before dinner. And I don’t think this type of arrangement is right for a celebration.”
“But it’s a wedding. That’s a good thing.”
Grace nodded. “I think it’s a good thing. And it will be good for Jed and his children to have some help. And it will even be good for me to feel useful and valuable again. But like you said, this isn’t a wedding based on love. I don’t want to tell anyone besides Annabelle and her husband. We should be on our way back to his farm as soon as possible.”
Susan agreed with reluctance. “I’ll go find Annabelle, and do my best to not let her mother-in-law know. But when Mrs. Howard finds out, I think she’ll be disappointed she didn’t get to celebrate with you. So don’t be surprised if you hear about it.”
“I’ll take full responsibility for the consequences that follow,” Grace said.
Susan left the room to run her errands and Grace packed quickly. The window to her room was open and she heard Susan speaking with Jed and another man. When Grace peeked out the window, she saw a man that looked to be the reverend and Grace felt a sense of relief that he was there. Then immediately afterward, her heart started pounding. This was a huge step and something that would affect her life forever.
She went down the stairs to meet the reverend, and as she heard the children and the reverend talking, and how they exclaimed their joy at having Grace join their family, the nerves that had begun to plague her disappeared. Her introduction and following conversation with the reverend and Jed and his children helped her even more.
“I’m happy for the two of you, then. Or I should say the five of you.” Reverend Morrison looked at the children with his addition. “The importance of family and children is great in the sight of God. I believe your union will be blessed for your efforts.”
He shook Jed’s hand then took Grace’s hand. “You, my dear, are an answer to prayers, I’m sure.” Reverend Morrison looked between her and Jed. “I understand you’d like the ceremony to take place immediately?”
“Yes,” Jed said. “I’ve got to get back to the farm.”
Reverend Morrison nodded. “I’ll need some witnesses. Where are the Clarks? Michael was just here a moment ago with those girls.”
“I don’t know,” Jed said standing up and looking out the window. He smiled, then turned back to the reverend. “He’s just outside. They’ll be back in a moment.”
“Susan went to bring my good friend Annabelle over. I hope they’ll return soon.” The words were barely settled when the door of the boarding house opened and Susan stepped inside with Annabelle and her husband, Colten, right behind.
Annabelle held a folded quilt over her middle and hurried over to Grace. She gave her a hug, bumping Grace’s middle with her round belly, heavy with child, and whispered, “I thought you might like a quilt of your own to start out your new life.”
“Oh goodness,” Grace said hugging her tightly. “That is too kind of you. You must have spent ages on this quilt.”
“Not that long,” Annabelle said. “Besides, you’re worth it. I’m happy for you. Jed is a good man, and his children are so sweet. I wish the best for you always. And I think you’ll come to find your decision to move out here to Birch Creek is the best thing to ever happen to you.”
Michael came into the room, herding the two young girls as he held the babies, one in each arm. The girls held flowers and they rushed over to Grace, presenting her with a bouquet for her wedding. She bent down careful of her leg and hugged them both. “Thank you for this. They are lovely.”
The girls smiled and stood to the side of her, holding onto her skirts as she held the flowers. She looked at Jed who
turned to face her in front of Reverend Morrison.
“I believe we’re ready.” Jed nodded to his bunch and then the reverend.
“Then let us begin.”
***
Jed couldn’t help marking the difference between this wedding and the first one he’d had. With Lizzie, he had been beside himself with nerves and eager anticipation of starting a life with her. Now, he only felt relief and a sense of gratitude at what Miss Grace was doing for him and his children.
She answered that she would love honor and cherish him, and all that went with the vows, sealing the agreement she’d already given him.
When it was Jed’s turn, he listened to the words. Could he love, honor and cherish Grace? He would honor and respect her for sure. There would be a friendship type of love. But she already knew he couldn’t love her the same way he had loved Lizzie. But he would care for her and treat her well.
“Yes,” Jed replied, knowing he would do his best.
With their agreement done, the only thing left was for Reverend Morrison to pronounce them husband and wife. When he had done so, he looked at Jed. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Jed hadn’t really thought the reverend would include that in this ceremony. Especially given the fact that he knew it was a marriage of convenience to help him with his farm and children. But perhaps it was part of the tradition, or even a binding part of the ceremony. It wouldn’t do at all to just shake her hand.
Jed adjusted his footing and leaned down to place a simple kiss on her lips. As his lips touched hers, he wasn’t surprised that the passion and love he felt for Lizzie wasn’t there. Yet the softness and rightness of a kiss with Grace got him wondering. Was every kiss with a woman a pleasant thing? Lizzie was the only woman he’d ever kissed before, and he had never wanted to kiss anyone but her. But now Grace was his wife, and her lips were soft and warm and inviting.
And that worried him. He would have to keep his distance from Grace if he wanted to keep all memories of Lizzie fresh and strong. He would never forgive himself if he got over Lizzie in the arms of another woman.
The sound of clapping from his girls helped Jed to return to the moment and push the kiss with Grace out of his thoughts.
In less than thirty minutes, they’d signed the marriage papers and had Grace’s trunk loaded in the wagon bed with the rest of his things from the mercantile and they were on their way toward home.
CHAPTER THREE
Grace remained mostly silent as the wagon wheels bounced along the dirt road leading out of town. The girls sat in the back of the wagon bed on the boxes that had been loaded in and talked a little of what they liked to do back home on their farm. Grace asked a few questions every now and then when the girls stopped talking, but though the questions weren’t only meant for the children, Jed seemed content to let the girls answer them.
Milo sat on her lap and with the motion of the wagon eventually fell asleep. She hoped that wouldn’t make it difficult for him to sleep in the night, but it would take a while to figure out everyone’s schedules and routines. And she was sure with the loss of their mother, things would have been off schedule anyway.
They traveled for miles over mostly empty land. Sage brush and tall grasses grew through the center of the valley, but along the sides of the valley were trees indicating more creeks and streams.
“Do you have a creek running through your land?” Grace asked.
“Yes,” Jed replied. “It’s not as large as Birch Creek, but it’s been what we use to irrigate our fields. Lizzie and I built up some dirt walls nearby a side spring and made ourselves a pond for when the creek starts to dry up each fall. It’s helped keep us in water for longer in the season.”
“Sounds like a great idea.” Grace looked at Jed and the small upturn of the corner of his lips made her think he appreciated the comment. Then the conversation died down again and they rode in silence for another mile.
“Will you make us breakfast?” Missy asked from the back.
Grace turned on the front bench and looked at the little girl. “Of course. Do you have chickens?”
“Yes,” Missy said. “Lottie and I go gather the eggs every morning.”
“Wonderful,” Grace said. “How many eggs do you get each day?”
“Too many to carry,” Lottie said. “I has to use my skirt to hold dem all.”
“Perfect,” Grace said. “I’m sure I can come up with all kinds of things to fix for you. And it looks like your father has purchased flour and sugar and salt. Breakfast will be easy to do.”
“The girls will be a big help to you,” Jed said. “They will bring in the wood and kindling when you need it. If you show them what to do, they’ll help out.”
“I’m counting on it,” Grace said meeting his eyes. “Tomorrow, what can I help you with?”
“You will probably be busy with the house. With Lizzie gone, things were left for too long. I’ll make something myself for breakfast and head right out to get plowing. That will let you just take care of the kids and the house. You might need to do a look through the larder to see if we need anything else. I didn’t cook much and don’t know what might be needed for a woman who knows cooking.” Jed paused and looked at her. “I suppose you know how to cook?”
“Yes,” Grace said. “Might be different than what you’re used to, but I can feed hungry kids and grown men.”
“Thank you,” Jed said. “After tomorrow’s plowing, I’ll show you the garden area and you and the girls can get started on that.”
Grace nodded, hoping she’d be able to learn how to work a farm. She’d never had to milk a cow, or gather eggs, or take care of a garden. But she was a quick learner and would do her best. With Missy and Lottie to help, she was sure she could figure things out as well. And Milo was still small enough she could probably fashion a baby carrier to keep him close and out of the way of danger.
They crested a small hill, and down below, Grace could see a house. There was a shed to the side which looked like it held animals, and there was an outhouse about twenty feet behind the shed and a garden along the back of the house. A few trees lined the front yard and Grace knew they would help shade the house and keep it cooler in the summer months to follow. Behind the house and further out past the garden was a section of trees that looked to have been planted in a straight box shape. She wondered what their purpose was.
“This is home,” Jed said.
“It looks nice. Well thought out too. You must have worked very hard on this place.”
“We did,” Jed said. “You can see where the garden is. And past that, Lizzie and I planted some fruit trees. There are apple, pear, cherry, and apricot. Behind the fruit orchard, is where the wheat crop will be. I only managed to get about a third of it plowed before the plow broke. Once I get the soil all turned and ready, I’ll plant wheat there.”
“Will the whole field be wheat?” Grace asked.
“Yes. And it will take a lot of work. Watering it at the beginning is the hardest. I have to do it by hand at first until the sprouts come up. Otherwise if I tried the flood irrigation, I’d wash away all the seeds.”
“Where do you get the water?”
Jed leaned toward her just a little as he pointed at the ridge. “That’s the water pond I mentioned. For the first year, we had to haul water from the creek, but I was able to get a primer pump installed behind the house. You’ll have to bring the water into the house from just right out there instead of directly in the house like some of those places in Birch Creek have.”
“That’s not a problem,” Grace said. “I’m just grateful it’s not all the way to the creek.” She rubbed her leg in sympathy of what it would have felt like to trek that far every day and stopped when she noticed Jed looking at her leg.
“Do you think you could unload the wagon while I go take care of Tess?” Jed asked.
“I could get started on it. I think most things would be easy enough for me to unload.”
“I’ll be back a
nd help you as soon as I can. I’ve left Tess a little too long, and I think she’ll be a tad upset if I don’t milk her right away.”
Grace smiled. “What other animals do you have?”
“The chickens you know about. The cow and the horse here. I’ve got a sow that should have a litter of piglets soon. I have plans to get some sheep. They’ll be kept in that section of my property.” Jed pointed on the other side of the house away from the wheat field. “That’s all the farm animals. We do have a dog to help keep other critters away from the animals, and a cat that helps keep the mice down.”
“Mice?” Grace asked. “I hope your cat’s a good mouser.”
“She is.”
Missy piped up from the back. “Her name is Mable. Momma named her that.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting Mable.”
“I’ll show you all the animals. And teach you how to feed ‘em. I’m good at that,” Missy said.
“Me too,” Lottie piped up.
“I’d love the help.” Grace smiled at the girls, happy to see they were so eager to help. She was sure there would be tough times ahead, but with the girls so eager to please and wanting to help out in everything, it wouldn’t take long until they had a good routine down.
***
Jed pulled the wagon up to the front of the house. He knew her trunk would be a little too heavy for her to get it out by herself so he pulled it down, then as the girls climbed out of the back of the wagon, Grace took Milo inside the house.
“Missy, will you keep Milo out of things while I help your papa unload?” Grace asked when she came back outside to the wagon.
“Yes, Miss Grace,” Missy said. Jed looked at Grace, wondering if she’d accept that name or if she’d want to be called momma. Grace just thanked the girl and joined Jed in unloading.
She climbed back into the wagon and moved the crates, boxes, and sacks of things to where he could reach them and heft them out of the wagon. She worked hard and had a pleasant demeanor about her. Even in the dimming light of the late evening, he could tell she seemed happy and content.
The Widower's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (The Brides of Birch Creek Book 3) Page 3