by Natalie Dean
He had the broad shoulders she’d always imagined and an intense look that took her aback. His eyes were the color of a rainstorm and his hair as black as midnight. It was obvious he’d spent most of his life working out in the sun. His skin was tough and tanned and his beard thick. It had been a while since this man had last seen the barber. He brushed his long hair out of his face, looking down at Bridget.
“Who are you? I’m not interested in whatever you’re selling.”
“I’m not selling a thing! I’m your wife!”
He eyed her critically and then grunted. “Bridget? They told me you wouldn’t arrive for several more weeks.”
“Well, I’m here now, though I can still catch the train if you don’t want me here,” she murmured, crossing her arms over her chest. She was almost hoping he would tell her to go.
“I have far too much money invested in getting you here. You’re going to stay.” He opened the door wider, and Bridget sighed, pulling her trunk into the house.
Inside, the cabin was what she’d expected. A small communal area made up the living room and eating area, and a loft sat above it. There was one separate room in the house, which she assumed was the bedroom.
“Go put your things away.”
“Giving orders already, huh?”
“You’re my wife. It’s my job to give you orders.”
Bridget set her mouth in a thin line but took the trunk to the bedroom. She closed the door behind her, her heart beating just a little too fast. She set the trunk off to the side and sank into the bed that was barely big enough for two people. She dropped her head into her hands, taking a deep breath. She’d been here barely two hours, and she already wanted to go home. It was hot here, and the air was dry. Her husband seemed to be a cruel, callous man and she was going to be expected to work the land! This wasn’t what she had in mind at all.
She managed to pull herself together before Jack came poking his head in the room. “Come out here. You aren’t here to rest! I want you to meet someone.”
Chapter 5
Bridget followed him out of the room and was surprised to see a small girl no older than five standing before them. She had long dark hair that came down to the small of her back, and her eyes were as blue as the endless sky. Fair skin and long lashes made her look more like a doll than a child.
“This is Roan. My daughter.”
The little girl looked up at Bridget, chewing on her fist and cocking her head to the side. “Are you my new mommy?”
Jack visibly stiffened and took a breath. “Yes, baby girl. This is your new mommy.” The sadness in his voice was thick, and it made Bridget keep her mouth shut. It was easy to see this man was hurting.
Bridget didn’t have much experience with children, but smiled anyway and leaned down so that she and Roan were eye to eye. “Hello, Roan. I’m Bridget. It’s nice to meet you.” They shook hands, and the little girl ran to the ladder that led to the loft, climbing up it and disappearing into a pile of blankets.
Jack turned his gaze back to Bridget and nodded towards the door. “Let me show you around. Your duties start tomorrow.”
“Duties? Excuse me?”
They walked outside, and Jack raised a brow. “You don’t think you’re just going to sit around, do you?”
“I have some questions first.”
He sighed and crossed his arms but nodded. “Fine. Ask.”
“How did you afford to bring me here?”
“My finances aren’t really your business.”
“I’m your wife!”
“And wives don’t meddle in their husband’s finances,” he said simply. “Now it’d best to move on to your next question.”
She clenched her fists at her side, practically vibrating with anger. “I’m not going to be your slave, Jack!”
“Correct. You’ll be my wife, but that comes with certain duties. You will cook, you will clean, you will do some of the lighter farm work, and you will take care of Roan.”
“I will do none of those things!”
He turned slowly and stared at her for a long moment. “You act like you have a choice in the matter. I am not asking you, Bridget. I am telling you what is going to happen. Now, I paid a good sum of money to bring you here, and you aren’t getting out of this without paying me back.”
“What?”
“If you want to leave then you owe me $1,000 and not a penny less. That is how much it cost for you to come here.”
“I don’t have that kind of money!”
“Then it looks like you’ll just have to work until it’s paid off.”
She stared at him, her heart dropping into her stomach. She was never the type of girl to let herself get down, but this was bad. She’d never expected to find herself in this situation. She’d spent her entire life owing people money, but $1,000 was more than she’d ever be able to pay back. How was he even going to keep track of the money she owed him?
“You can’t keep me here.”
“I can, though. You signed a contract, Bridget, and if you break that contract, I can have you sent to jail. I don’t think you want that.”
“This isn’t what I wanted!”
“I was very clear in my letter. You told me you could cook, clean and raise children. That is what I’m asking you to do!”
She suddenly recalled the strange questions the woman at the Mail Order Bride company had asked her. She had indeed said she could do all those things. She was trapped, and it was her own fault. Finally, Bridget nodded.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
“That’s a good girl.”
The hair on the back of her neck stood up at that, and she wanted to smack him, but she remained cool and collected by the grace of God. This was not going to be an easy relationship. She knew that already.
“Follow me.”
He showed her around the farm, showing her where she’d collect the eggs and what animals she was supposed to feed. Massive crop fields stretched on behind the house, but a smaller garden was what she would have to take care of. She looked around her, feeling anger bubble up in her chest. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t be a farmer’s wife and here she was.
“Do you think you can handle it?” Jack asked, glancing over his shoulder as they came to the back porch of the house.
She rubbed her arm, glancing at the seemingly infinite fields behind her. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
Jack leaned in close and looked her up and down. “I’m not looking for a fight, Bridget. I called you here because I can’t do this on my own. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Which way would you rather do it?”
“I just hope you don’t expect me to roll over and do your bidding without question. That’s not who I am, Jack.”
With those stern words, she turned and went back into the house, leaving Jack stunned, and maybe just a little impressed.
Chapter 6
Bridget wiped her brow as she stirred a large pot of stew that she’d been trying to perfect over the last couple of hours. She was quickly learning that she was not wife material and her cooking was where it showed up the most. She dumped roughly chopped carrots into the water and sighed, watching the water start to roll and boil.
She leaned back and fell onto her ample bottom, putting her arms around her knees and drawing them to her chest. The floor creaked underneath the soft, pitter patter of feet. Roan clambered down from her loft and moved to sit beside Bridget in silence.
Roan was a well-behaved child, and Bridget was thankful for it. She’d been shocked to find that she was suddenly thrown into the role of a mother. It was something she hadn’t prepared for. She never saw herself as the mother type. She’d never been good with children and lacked the maternal instinct needed to raise them.
“What are you making?” the little girl asked.
“Stew.”
“It smells funny.”
Bridget turned to look at Roan and offered her a sharp look. “You shouldn’t be
so rude, child.”
Roan dropped her head and toyed with her fingers, nodding. “I’m sorry, mommy.”
Bridget stiffened at the word and rubbed her temple, letting out a long sigh. She wasn’t used to being called ‘mommy,’ and she didn’t think she ever would be. It wasn’t a role she saw herself filling, yet here she was. At least Roan seemed to be a good girl.
“What happened to your mum?”
“My mum?” Roan wrinkled her nose, brows drawn together.
Bridget sighed “Your mom.” She took extra care to say the word like an American would.
Roan chewed her lip nervously and scooted closer to Bridget. “Daddy told me she went away.”
“Huh…”
“I don’t know where.”
“Right.” She didn’t ask any more questions, and she didn’t push Roan away. After all, it wasn’t the little girl’s fault that she found herself in this predicament.
They sat in silence for a long time before Roan finally stood on her twiggy legs and went back up the ladder to play with some handmade wooden toys. They left each other alone for the rest of the day and Bridget didn’t say much of anything until dinner was ready.
She pushed herself to her feet and went to the door, grabbing the small metal stick that she could bang on the triangle. The sound rang through the farm, and soon enough she saw Jack making his way towards the house from the stables. Sweat dripped from his brow as he made it to the porch and he reached up, wiping it away. His hair hung in his stormy eyes and his shirt clung to him.
Bridget’s cheeks went pink, and she cleared her throat, looking away and rubbing the back of her neck, trying to get herself together. He was an amazingly good-looking man. That couldn’t be denied. She hated that his good looks and steely gaze caught her off guard as much as they did.
“Dinner ready?” he grunted, heading into the house. He took off the stiff cowboy hat he always wore and set it aside, running his fingers through his thick mop of hair.
“That’s why I called you.” She murmured, crossing her arms over her chest and trying to ignore the way he made her heart flutter.
He grunted but wandered inside and poured himself a bowl of the stew. Everyone settled in around the small dinner table and started to eat. When Jack took his first bite, his nose wrinkled and he pushed the bowl away.
“What is that supposed to be?”
“It’s beef stew,” Bridget murmured.
“It tastes like what I feed to the horses!”
Bridget had been trying to keep herself together, she really had, but this broke the camel’s back. She stood up and the chair she’d been sitting in, toppled over. “I’m sorry! I’m trying my best! If you don’t like my cooking, perhaps you should find your other wife and have her cook for you! Or did your brutish demeanor run her off?!”
Jack fell silent and just stared at her, gripping his spoon so tight his hands were shaking. “My other wife?” he whispered.
“Yes! Roan told me she went away! It was probably because you chased her off! I can’t imagine a woman who would want to be around you! I know I certainly don’t!”
Without warning, Jack picked up the bowl of stew and threw it across the room. It hit the wall right next to Bridget’s head, and she screamed, ducking as it cracked against the wall and shattered into pieces. Bridget stood there for a moment, shocked and shaking as she tried to calm herself down. Even with her smart mouth and attitude, no man had ever reacted violently to her words. Then again, she’d never said something so cruel.
“You need to learn to think before you speak,” he whispered, his voice low and quivering. “And not to talk about things you don’t understand.”
Roan sat in silence, her eyes wide. “I’m sorry, daddy. I—.”
“This isn’t your fault, Roan,” he said, walking over to her and ruffling her hair.
Bridget stood silently, her hands clasped in front of her as Jack picked Roan up and put her on his hip. “We’ll go into town and get something to eat.” His voice was soft now, though Bridget had to guess that the reason for that was because he was speaking to Roan.
“Alright, Daddy,” she whispered, keeping her eyes on the ground.
Once they left, Bridget stared at the bowl, trying to ignore the angry tears that burned behind her eyes. She kicked the broken bowl across the floor and went to the bedroom, locking the door and collapsing on the bed. This wasn’t the life she’d wanted, and it wasn’t the life she’d expected.
All she could think about was how she was going to get out of here.
Chapter 7
The next morning, Bridget woke as the sun rose and cast light into the bedroom. Warmth kissed her skin, waking her up slowly. She sighed and sat up, realizing that she’d fallen asleep wearing her dress. She smoothed the fabric and stood, going to the wardrobe and changing into one of the other dresses she’d brought with her from London. She’d been so excited to wear them when she thought she was going to New York to live among the wealthy. Now they just made her feel silly. They were far nicer than what the other women wore, and it made her stand out.
She walked into the main living area and glanced up into the loft, making sure that Roan was still sleeping soundly. As she turned the corner to finally pick up the mess she’d left the night before, she was surprised to see Jack kneeling and sweeping up the last of the shattered bowl with a hand broom.
“Jack?”
He turned to look at her over his shoulder. His eyes were red and tired. Guilt settled in her belly, and she cleared her throat. “I feel like I should--.”
“Apologize?”
“Yes.”
He put his hand on his knee and stood up, grunting softly before turning to look at her. “You’re right. You should, but I think I ought to first.”
Her brows furrowed as he motioned for them to go outside. She followed him, taking in the beauty of the rising sun. It was one of the few good things about being in this no man’s land. There was no smog or buildings to block her view of the golden sunrise. Pink and yellow streaks dotted the landscape as the sun pulled itself over the tops of the distant mountains.
Jack sat on the steps that led up to the house and Bridget did the same. “I’m sorry, Bridget. I know I haven’t been the easiest to deal with, but I hope you understand that it is not you. It’s the circumstances.”
“What do you mean?” Bridget asked, brows furrowed.
Jack took a deep breathe in and out. “My wife didn’t run away. She died of consumption.”
Bridget’s hand went to her full lips, and her eyes widened. “Jack…I didn’t--.”
“I know you didn’t know.”
“Why did Roan say she went away?”
“Because I couldn’t tell her the truth, Bridget. She’s just a little girl,” he sighed, rubbing his face. “She doesn’t understand death, and I didn’t want to scare her or make her even sadder. One day I’ll be able to tell her the truth, but not today. I want her to be able to be happy and live a good life. There are so many children here who don’t have parents. This land is so unforgiving,” he sighed, looking out onto the horizon. “I didn’t want her to end up alone. I really was afraid that something might happen to me. I was sure that…”
Bridget sighed and reached down, touching his shoulder gently. “You don’t have to say anything else.”
“I want to. I’ve been holding it in,” Jack said, licking his lips. He had a slight tremble in his voice. He cleared his throat and dropped his head. “I was afraid that something would happen to me. I was afraid I’d get sick, and then Roan would have no one. I loved my wife. I loved her more than anything. I wasn’t looking for a physical relationship when I sent for you. I wasn’t even looking for love,” he sighed and rubbed his face a little. “I was looking for someone to care for my daughter if anything ever happened to me.”
Bridget was quiet, and that was a feat. She wasn’t a quiet woman, and she never had been, but this time she felt it was necessary. Jack had a lot on his
chest, and he needed to get it off. She didn’t mind being the shoulder he leaned on. Finally, she smiled and touched his arm.
“You’re a good father, and I’m sure you were a good husband as well.”
He nodded and sighed, taking his hat off and setting it to the side. His thick hair tumbled out and hung around his chin. Bridget couldn’t stop herself from pushing it out of his face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said the things I did.”
“It’s all right.” He said, licking his lips. “You didn’t know.”
“That isn’t really any excuse. I shouldn’t have said it. It was rude, and I was lashing out.”
They were silent for a moment, and Jack ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, I want to make this work. I want Roan to be happy, and I want her to have a real family. Life here isn’t easy, and I know that when she’s older, she’ll have a hard life. A lot of kids around here already do. I know kids who are barely ten, and they’re already working on farms for food. I don’t want that life for her.”
“She’s going to be happy, Jack. She has a good dad and I know I haven’t had the best attitude, but I’m willing to change. This is my life, now.”
“Are you okay with it?”
She smiled sadly and shrugged. “I’m a bit homesick, but there’s nothing for me in London. I left it behind because I needed a new start and this is definitely new.” She smiled and leaned into him. “You’re a good-looking man, Jack and you’re kind. I know I’ve been a handful, but I’m done with that now.”
He chuckled but wrapped an arm around her, giving her a squeeze and holding her close. “I’ll miss your wild attitude,” he said. “Maybe you could be just a little bit of a handful?’
She laughed and leaned into him, enjoying the warmth that radiated off his strong body. “I’ll try. Just for you.”
Chapter 8