Jake felt heat under his collar. He nodded at the gentleman seated nearby, and the man turned back to his food. Jake searched his mind for a way to calm Evangeline down. Keeping his voice low he said, “You were never a nurse in the war?”
“Yes, I was.” She adjusted the napkin in her lap, allowing time for gapers to lose interest. “My sister and I accompanied her husband as his nurses. I worked both in the hospitals and on the battlefield. The experience gave me the desire to become a doctor.”
Jake let her words ruminate. God, when I asked you to provide an educated woman, this is not what I had in mind.
“If this is too uncomfortable for you, we can call off the marriage and part friends. I will hold no ill will toward you.” Evangeline looked down and focused on slicing her roast.
Jake found reading this woman more of a challenge than reading a man. If they were playing poker, he’d fold just to be on the safe side. He’d read Nora wrong and look where that got him. How uncomfortable was the idea of marrying a doctor?
What if I take my hat, give a gentlemanly bow, and leave?
But how would he explain it to Juliet?
Jake, you’re a bigger man than that.
“May I ask why you came all this way to tell me the truth rather than writin’ a letter?” That old feeling of betrayal clutched his heart. He studied this woman closely, her head bowed as if in prayer.
She twisted her napkin and looked up. “No one should hear such things in a letter. That would be cruel.” Her voice caught. “I speak from experience. I was engaged before. His sister wrote to tell me he had married someone else.” She took her napkin and dabbed at a crumb. “Truthfully, the Lord directed me to come to you.”
“How?” Jake leaned forward, his food untouched, his fists clenched in his lap.
“You mentioned several times in your letters about your faith. So, I’m hoping you find my explanation encouraging rather than crazy.” She shared the account of Fiona’s vision and the events that led up to her coming. “And when I realized the date on Maggie’s first letter matched the time Fiona told me her vision, as much as my logical mind wrestled to deny it, I knew it was the direction of the Lord. I had been praying for a change. After reading your letters, I knew only God could put such a thing together. Once I sent the telegram, His peace filled my heart.”
“Does God often give you visions?”
“No.” Her smile was endearing. “He never gives me visions. Whenever I think I hear the Lord’s voice, it sounds like Fiona.”
The candlelight created golden flecks in her eyes. Lord, what have you gotten me into? Realizing he had been staring tongue-tied for too long, he searched his mind for a response.
“For me, the Lord sounds like my old friend, Ben Mitchell.” Jake scratched the back of his head. “So, the Lord directed you, but you weren’t seekin’ a husband. I won’t hold you to somethin’ you don’t wanna do.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t willing. I felt you needed all the facts. This mail-order bride arrangement is difficult enough without misrepresenting myself.” She shifted in her chair. “I made a commitment to come west and marry you, and so I shall.”
“I don’t shirk on my commitments either.” Jake placed his hand on hers, feeling a slight shiver. He put the envelope in his jacket pocket with his free hand. Evangeline extracted her hand. “I assume you’ve never been married. Which makes one wonder why?”
Her question caught him off guard. “I musta left that detail out.” His thoughts took on Cookie’s voice. Reckon you can’t call the kettle black about secrets, now can ya?
Her eyebrows lifted in question.
“I was married for only two months, a long time ago. Mary died of consumption.” He looked up to see sadness in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry. You must have loved her very much to have remained single for so long.”
“Yeah, guess I did.” He gulped his lukewarm coffee, forcing the guilt of the half-truth down with the liquid.
Evangeline picked up the conversation with a forkful of potatoes. “Then we can go forward with the marriage with some … reservations.”
“Reservations?” Now what? He tried to eat, concentrating on his food and away from those probing eyes.
“Jacob, I mean Jake, you agree we are strangers?”
“We are that.”
“As strangers, I’m not comfortable being intimate just because a preacher says the words. I would prefer to … wait.” She stared at her food.
“Well, one thing your niece wrote is true. You shore do speak your mind. My response to your honesty is, take all the time you need. You’re right, we’re strangers. Waitin’ makes sense.”
Her face visibly relaxed with his words.
“You do realize there won’t be no time for courtin’. There’s no minister in Charleton. We’ll get hitched before we head to the ranch. As you said, Juliet’s the most important thing in my life. She needs a woman of refinement. I ask you to keep our confidence about those letters. Juliet don’t need to know. She read each one over and over ever day until the next one come. Promise me you won’t hurt that girl. She’s hung a lot of hope on havin’ herself an aunt who she can be like.”
Evangeline’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Rest assured, our secret will remain between us.”
They picked at their now cold food.
“I want this to work, I really do,” Evangeline said.
“So do I.” Jake took a sip of his coffee and grimaced at the cold contents. “But if we’re bein’ honest, I’m not sure how I feel about being married to a doctor.” He wondered if the community would refer to him as the doctor’s husband. Or worse … the doc’s wife. He could just picture Thomas Farley’s smirk.
“Are you saying I can’t practice medicine if we marry?”
“No, ma’am, I’m sayin’ I gotta get used to the idea.” Again, the sound of forks scraping plates dominated the space between them. “Do you plan to keep doctorin’?”
“Not right away. Getting married, making a home, and teaching your niece—all these new things. It’s a bit overwhelming.” Evangeline wiped her mouth with the corner of her napkin. “If it’s in God’s plan in this new place, then surely I will.” She took another bite. “Perhaps you would prefer we not mention it to anyone at first.”
Jake kept the uncomfortable feeling covered as he spoke. “Maybe. We have enough things to learn about each other right off.”
“Promise me you won’t say no when, or if, I decide to take up my practice again.”
Jake fished for words to make his promise truthful. “Fair enough—if you promise to give me plenty of time to get used to bein’ married to an educated woman.” He went back to eating.
“Let me assure you, I may be educated in the medical field, but I’m ignorant of ranching and all that it entails. I’m confident you will have much to teach me.”
They chatted further over dessert, keeping the conversation light. When Evangeline’s head began to droop from fatigue, Jake escorted her to her room.
“Thank you for greeting me so warmly. I will see you in the morning, and I promise to be better company.”
“I figure we can take a day here to let the horses rest, and you can see if there’s anythin’ in the stores you might want. They have more choices than in Charleton.”
“Walking sounds wonderful after sitting for days.” Evangeline extended her hand. “Thank you again. You’ve been ever so patient and kind.”
Jake wrapped both his work-worn hands around her slender, soft one. Her lovely eyes flickered a moment at his touch.
“As I said, take all the time you need.” He tipped his hat and bid her good night.
CHAPTER 6
Evangeline smoothed the creases of her mother’s wedding gown. Katie had helped her lengthen the hem and widen the waistline. Her mother had been a girl of sixteen when she married, but Evangeline’s womanly curves needed more room. The dress was out of style, but it brought her mother close. Katie had
managed to find a white hat to embroider with the same bird design her mother had stitched on the collar of the gown. Her sister’s ability to pair the old and the new pleased her.
Lord, this dress reminds me how You are bringing together all the wonderful things in my past with the new joys yet to come.
At least that was how she chose to look at this marriage.
Father, please keep the sorrows of my past locked away from this new chapter of my life.
A gentle rap caused Evangeline’s stomach to clench, but with a determined gait, she crossed the room and opened the door. Jake stood before her, his fingers rotating the hat in his hands.
“Evangeline, ma’am, you look mighty fine.” He placed the hat on his head and offered his elbow.
“Thank you, kind sir. You look very dashing yourself.” She took his arm and closed the door behind her.
The time spent in town the day before had been pleasant. The area surrounding their hotel was a little too rowdy for her taste, but they’d found a lovely park for a stroll.
“What do you think of having our picture taken to mark the day?” Jake’s smile brought out one of her own.
“You did purchase that silver frame I admired so much.” Her stomach lurched. A photo seemed so permanent. “A wedding picture would look lovely in it.”
I wonder how well fear looks framed in silver.
The morning air was crisp with the heat of the day still hours away. The street had quieted considerably from the evening before. Evangeline pushed away the nightmare all the noise from the surrounding saloons and gambling establishments had dredged up in her mind.
“Would you like to catch a ride on a buggy?” Jake asked. “I’d hate to see you ruin your lovely gown.”
Walking would allow more time for her nerves to settle and delay the inevitable, although Jake’s observation was not only considerate but correct. Ruining this heirloom was not in her plans.
“Yes, let’s do.”
Once inside the carriage, she took in the scenery as it passed from dilapidated to freshly painted buildings. These storefronts held a grocer, baker, and millinery shop. Next to the parsonage was a photography shop. Evangeline pointed as the buggy stopped. “How convenient.”
“The parson’s wife runs it. Heard she’s a right fine photographer.” Jake helped her down and paid the fare.
“Imagine … a female photographer. How progressive.”
Jake chuckled. “I figured you’d be impressed.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and escorted her to the door.
***
Jake was carefully wiping his feet when a tiny middle-aged woman opened the door and greeted them with a broad smile.
“Come in, come in. What a wonderful day for a wedding. I’m Loretta Norton, the pastor’s wife.” She waved them into the parlor.
Pastor Norton came down the hall buttoning his vest. A single hair stood at attention on his bald pate. “My, my, I do appreciate punctual people. Although today I am not one of them.” His left hand smoothed the errant hair as his right hand extended to welcome Jake..
“Before we begin the ceremony, I would like to take some time to share a few marriage insights my lovely bride and I have discovered over our thirty years of marriage.”
Evangeline and Jake sat as Mrs. Norton set tea and cakes before them. Jake took a deep breath. So much for gettin’ this over with quick.
Pastor Norton settled in the chair across from them, holding his Bible. “This, my friends, is the key to a successful union. Read it, apply it, and you’ll get through all the rough-and-tumble parts of your marriage to enjoy the sweetness beneath.” He turned several pages as he spoke. “Ephesians tells us the wife is to submit to her husband. Everyone knows that verse. But there’s another one far more important that we husbands often forget. It’s a hard chore to join two lives together as one when you’re in love. It’s even harder when your bride gets off the train, and you see her for the very first time.”
Jake squirmed, unable to look at Evangeline.
“When I was told I could not pastor a church without a wife, I felt God directing me to propose to this tiny creature.” He glanced at Loretta, who ducked her head like a shy schoolgirl. “After a lot of prayer, she agreed to marry this prideful seminary graduate. But I was so determined to make a success of my ministry, I ignored her. When I found her bags packed one day, she had my attention, and I begged her to stay. I got down on my knees and asked God to show me the way. This was the verse he led me to, Ephesians 5:25. ‘Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.’” He looked solemnly at Jake. “That, my friend, is the real key. Marriage takes sacrifice. Every day, I ask Jesus how to love Loretta like He does. Each couple is different, so Christ’s love is manifested in a different way.”
Jake found the pastor’s words a heavy weight on his shoulders. It was so easy for him to put the ranch and whatever needed doing before the Lord, but now he had to try and put his wife’s needs first. Sweat formed on his palms.
“Are you both Christians?” the pastor questioned.
“Yes, we are,” Jake said.
Pastor Norton turned to Evangeline. “Young lady, I imagine you can speak for yourself. Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good. That’s the first step.” He gave a satisfied nod before flipping the pages of his Bible once again. “Now, let’s look at a few other verses.”
The pastor continued with his instructions as Jake stared at the clock on the wall. Each quarter-hour chime made him more anxious. They could be married and on the road, and yet here they sat. Seeing Evangeline poised and attentive brought conviction to his heart. God forgive me. I know this is important, and if we weren’t in such an all-fire hurry, I’d … He set his teacup on the table and tried his best to focus.
“There you have it. My advice for a peaceful, happy marriage.” Pastor Norton rose from his place. “Now, if you two will join me before the fireplace, we’ll get on with the ceremony.”
CHAPTER 7
Evangeline’s Journal
April 17, 1873
Here I sit in the lobby of the hotel, waiting for my new husband to bring the wagon. I’m still nervous, but now that the wedding is over, my stomach aches less. We spent yesterday exploring Hardyville. That day is a fog in my mind. The long silences confirmed my suspicions that Jake is a man of few words. Nausea threatened to embarrass me all day. God graciously answered my petitions in that regard, and I managed to keep meals down. Nightmares sent sleep far from me. I rose early this morning to watch the sunrise and had a few hours for a good cry. I managed to deposit my bank draft in the Hardyville Bank my first day here while Jake retrieved my things from the train depot. I know providing my own way of escape is not very Christ-like.
This morning I became Mrs. Jacob Marcum. I take comfort from the scriptural account of Rebekah, who went to a distant land to marry a stranger. Wearing my mother’s wedding dress made her seem close. I imagined her smiling at me. At least I hope she was smiling. Katie’s worried expression haunted my vows.
Jake insisted we have our picture taken to commemorate the day. He purchased a lovely silver frame as a wedding gift. He has been very thoughtful and kind. I find it strange to look down at my hand and see a gold band there. He thought I would want a ring. We will soon be on our way to his ranch. Perhaps my anxiety will lessen as we travel. God is showing me many of his good qualities. He doesn’t smoke or drink or swear. He is slow to speak, which is unnerving at times but, overall, shows a man who is thoughtful with his words. I need to focus on those things. Fiona said my past can only affect my future if I let it. I pray daily I might overcome.
***
Evangeline took note of Jake’s brown trousers and a blue cotton shirt with a neckerchief. He sported the same familiar Stetson. This is how she had imagined he would look from his letters. It suited him. She had chosen her green calico dress and had on as few pettic
oats as society deemed decent, along with a simple sunbonnet. She debated about wearing a corset, recalling Katie’s thoughts on proper female apparel. But the corset had chafed on the long train trip, and two days in a wagon confined in that contraption seemed ridiculous. She plaited her hair into a long braid that hung just above her waist, rather than putting it up. Jake helped her into the front seat of his over-filled wagon.
“Guess I don’t need to worry none. I figure you must be pretty serious about stayin’ with all this baggage.”
She appreciated the fact that Jake made sure her skirt was tucked into the buckboard before he climbed into his seat. His close proximity caused a shiver Evangeline held in check. Lord, help me. Give me peace. They rode in silence through town. Out on the open road, she ventured to speak.
“In my whole life, I’ve only made two choices on my own. The first to become a doctor, and the second to marry you.”
“Are you sayin’ that to ease my mind?”
“I suppose.” Mine as well. Silence fell once more between them. Evangeline gazed at the prairie that spread out toward the mountain vista, almost forgetting her traveling companion until his voice caught her attention.
“What was medical school like?” His eyes lingered for a moment as she gave him her full attention, then he focused once more on the team of horses.
“The studies weren’t hard. I love to learn new things. However, a professor at medical school believed women were too weakbrained to be doctors.”
“Is that true?”
“You think because a male professor said it makes it true?” Her nerves prickled and her voice rose with her answer.
Secrets & Charades Page 4