Owen tied his horse off in front of the pastor's house, which was located just behind the simple church that the local people had built a few years earlier, in hopes of drawing a pastor to their community. He knocked on the door.
The pastor himself answered the door, “Well hello there, Mr. Miller.” He said warmly.
“Good afternoon, Pastor Smith.” Owen answered, getting straight to the point. “My sister told me that she dropped Miss Russell off here earlier today. I was wondering if I might have a word with her.”
“Unfortunately she is not here right now. She is out with the missus. They are going to talk to some people about the possibility of her renting a room.”
“Do you know where they might have gone? It's really important that I talk to her right away.”
“I'm sorry. I'm not sure where they went, but you are welcome to stay here if you'd like and wait for the missus to return.”
Owen felt his anxiety growing. He could not just sit around and wait. He would go stir crazy. “Thank you pastor, but if it's just the same to you, I think I'll ride around town to see if I might be able to bump into them. If not I'll come back later today.”
“That is fine, and good luck.” The pastor said. “I hope I'll see you at church on Sunday!”
“I wouldn't miss it.” Owen knew that he probably would, but not so much because he wouldn't want to go, but because he so seldom came to town.
As he walked back toward his horse, he heard the pastor call out to him, “Actually I seem to remember the missus saying that she thought Mrs. Abernathy might have a room she could rent out. You might want to start there.”
“Thank you Pastor Smith! At least now I have a direction to go!” Owen called back to him, mounted his horse, and then set off toward the Abernathy home.
Mrs. Abernathy was a kindly, old woman, who had been widowed a few years early when her husband of over fifty years succumbed to pneumonia. She had a large house, in which she lived alone. Most of her children had moved away from the city to make a better life for themselves, so she would probably be thrilled to have someone around to help her keep up with the house chores, and to keep her company.
The house was located across town, but it didn't take long to get to it on horseback. As he approached he was happy to see a buggy out front, assuming it would be the pastor's wife and Grace.
He approached the door and knocked, feeling just a bit awkward about interrupting the women. Mrs. Abernathy answered the door and greeted Owen warmly, though she apparently didn't recognize him.
“Hello Sir. How may I help you?”
“Hello Mrs. Abernathy. I'm Owen Miller. I just came from speaking with the Pastor Smith, and he told me that I might find Miss Russell here. I was wondering if I could have a word with her, please.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Abernathy said as she opened the door wider to the living room and stepped to the side, “come on in.”
***
Grace recognized the voice at the door immediately and was shocked that Owen would have shown up there. Why would he have gone through so much trouble to find me? She thought to herself.
She remained seated next to Mrs. Smith as she waited to see what he wanted. Though the couch she sat upon faced the front door, she could not see him because Mrs. Abernathy had only opened the door wide enough to stand in the doorway and face the visitor. As the elderly woman stepped to the side and allowed the door to open fully, Owen slowly came into view.
He held his hat in his hands, and appeared quite nervous. His skin was flush and he swallowed heavily as he noticed her still seated on the couch. Neither woman stood up as he stepped inside.
He hesitated to speak, and looked very much as if he was building up the courage to speak his mind. Grace was impatient, and decided to break the silence. “Mr. Miller? What brings you here?”
“Miss Russell—” He began, his eyes darting briefly to the two older ladies in the room. “I've come to ask you if I might have a word with you, in private if you don’t mind.”
Grace looked at the other two women, not wanting to be rude, but desperate to find out what this was all about. Mrs. Abernathy gave her a barely noticeable, yet knowing, nod of her head, so Grace rose saying, “Of course. We can go outside.”
The two walked outside and stood on the porch until the front door had been closed by Mrs. Abernathy behind them.
Owen took Grace by the hand and led her from the porch to an ornate, iron bench that had been painted white to match the color of the picket fence across the yard. There the two took a seat next to each other.
“I see that Mrs. Smith has introduced you to Mrs. Abernathy.” Owen said, still holding his hat.
“Yes, she did. Mrs. Abernathy has agreed to rent a room to me, and she'll waive the rent for the first month in exchange for my help with the chores around the house.” Grace said, still curious about why Owen was there. She was beginning to worry that he had bad news.
“That is good. Mrs. Abernathy is a good woman.” Owen said, still having difficulty getting to the point.
“Mr. Miller, I'm sure you didn't come all this way to talk to me about Mrs. Abernathy. Come out with it. Is everything alright? Nothing has happened to Constance, has it?” She asked, intending that Owen should get to the point more quickly.
“No everything is fine. It's nothing like that.” Owen said, still not quite getting Grace's sense of urgency.
“Mr. Miller! Out with it! What did you come here for?” This time she said it with a bit more firmness to make sure that he understood that she did not want to beat around the bush any longer.
“I came because there’s something that I've had on my mind for a while now that I need to talk to you about, and it can’t wait any longer.”
“Okay.” Grace answered, satisfied that they were finally getting somewhere.
“Please bear with me because it is difficult for me to say.” Owen said, cleared his throat, and then continued. “Since the day you showed up at my house with my sister, I have felt a certain attraction to you. I have felt that attraction grow with each passing day, and I can no longer deny that my feelings go beyond a simple attraction for you. I love you, Grace.”
“Oh, Owen. Please stop.” Grace stood up, completely unaware that she had address Owen by his given name, dazed by the words he had just spoken. “You can't say that. You are practically engaged!”
“I've denied it to myself, and I've tried to keep myself from falling from you because I've felt that it is a betrayal of the promises that I made to Nina. But it can't be denied.”
Grace felt her confusion growing, as his words began to sink in. She knew that her presence was causing him some concern over his decision regarding his childhood girlfriend, however she had no idea that he felt that he had fallen in love with her.
Rising from where he was seated, Owen knelt down on one knee, and took one of Grace's hands into both of his own. Grace's heart started beating out of control as she had no doubt what was to come next.
As he made eye contact with her, he continued, “Miss Russell, I have come here today to ask you to marry me. I truly love you, and only you. And I desire more than anything else that you will accept my proposal to be my wife.”
Grace stood, pulled her hand away from him, and tears began to slowly fall from her eyes. “I am sorry. I cannot accept your proposal.”
Owen stood, a wave of sadness overcoming him. He took a deep breath, appearing to resign himself to accepting that Grace does not feel the same for him as he does for her.
“Alright. I have to accept your answer.” Grace had never heard such sadness in Owen’s voice. “Can you please tell me why? I know that you have feelings for me also, I can see it in your eyes, even now. Have I done something? I would do everything in my power to be the best husband for you that I can be.”
“I know you will somebody make a good husband. You are a very good man. I am just not sure if that somebody is me.” Grace answered, trying to convey that she believe
d that he was meant for someone else.
“What do you mean?” Owen said, looking genuinely confused.
“A love divided cannot be used as a foundation for a marriage. In time, the marriage will crumble a part, leaving two broken hearts in its wake.” Grace said, hoping that Owen would understand.
She began to walk back toward the house, but Owen reached for her hand and beckoned her to sit back down. “Please, just give me a couple more minutes. I think that I understand now.”
“Alright, but my mind is made up.” Grace said, not wanting to encourage him.
“I know that you are concerned that I am in love with Nina. I want you to know that it took me a while to realize it, but I can say with clarity of heart, that this is not the case. I do not love her. She was a childhood crush, who in all honesty, I don't even know anymore. Even our letters to each other have become more and more distant as the years have passed by.”
Owen had her attention now. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I have never felt anything for her as strongly as I feel my love for you now.” Owen said. “A marriage between you and I would not be built on a divided love. It would be built upon an uncompromised, and undying love.”
“I—” Grace knew what she wanted to say, but was afraid to say the words. She sat silent for a few moments, collecting her thoughts. Owen waited patiently, always looking into her eyes. “I love you too. But I can't accept your proposal because I could not bear the thought that if we were ever to hit a rough patch in our marriage, that you might be tempted with 'what might have been' as you question whether or not you chose the right girl.”
Owen tightened his grip on her hands, and his gazed penetrated into the depths of her soul. “I will never question whether or not I should have married her. In fact, I have already sent her a letter to let her know of my decision. I will not marry her even if you reject my proposal, because I do not love her.”
“What?” Grace was at a loss for words.
“It's true. I mailed the letter to her. I told her that I would always cherish our memories, but that I am not in love with her. And that I love someone else.” Owen paused, to all what he was saying to sink in. “I left early this morning because I wanted to buy this ring, for you, in hopes that you will accept my proposal.”
“Then it's true. You really don't love her.” Grace said. “And you DO love me!”
“Yes. It's true.” Owen answered, dropping back down to his knee. “And I’ve never loved another as I love you. I will love you always.”
Grace could contain herself no longer, and threw herself into his arms. “I do love you too, Owen! I love you so much! I do accept your proposal to become your wife!”
EPILOGUE
April 2, 1897
“Can you unwrap the candles on the counter and bring them over to me?” Grace said as she adjusted the position of the candle holders on the table yet another time.
“Of course, my dear.” Owen said, carefully unwrapping the cloth that the merchant had wrapped the two white candles in, and discarding it in a small heap on the counter. “Here you are my love.”
Grace took the candles and pressed the bases into the holders, checking to makes sure they were perfectly upright.
“The table looks wonderful, and the food smells so delicious. I can hardly wait to sink my teeth into the chicken.” Owen said.
“Well you won't have to wait too much longer. They should be here any time.” Grace glance out the window as she spoke, and not seeing her anyone coming up the driveway yet, turned her attention back to the table. She wanted to make sure everything was perfect, and that it would be a most memorable evening for everyone.
“Why don't you join me over here on the couch and relax a bit until they get here?” Owen said. “Everything is perfect as you have it, and I'd really like to cuddle with my sweetheart for a few moments while we are still alone.”
Grace looked up into the eyes of the man that she had married, the eyes that proclaimed his love for her more deeply than words could ever express. She felt her panic slip away, replaced by her own strong desire to melt into the arms of her truest love. Settling her head onto his chest, and feeling his strong arms holding her in an affectionate embrace, she knew that she could never find a happier place to retreat to.
“Wouldn't you know it?” Owen laughed, pulling Grace out of the moment. “Just as we get comfortable, they have arrived.”
“Let’s just turn out the lights and pretend that we are not here, that we forgot that the dinner was scheduled for tonight.” Grace teased, her head still resting on her husband’s chest, but turned so that she could look up at him.
Owen lowered his head and pressed his lips to Grace's and kissed her. “Mmmm. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” Grace responded, gave him one last quick peck on the lips, and then sat up. Standing up she brushed her hands across her dress, and, joined by Owen, she went outside to wait for their guests to pull up in front of the porch.
“Fashionably late again, I see!” Owen called out, his characteristic grin spread wide across his face.
“Go easy on her Owen, it's my fault. I was late arriving to pick her up.” Paul Witter said as he hoped out of the wagon and helped Constance exit the wagon. He and Owen had grown to become good friends during the past six months that Paul had been courting Constance.
Grace stood back as her husband greeted Paul with a hearty handshake. The respect that both men had for each other was obvious to her, and she was happy that they had grown so close.
“How was the trip over?” Grace asked, as she gave a warm hug to Constance.
“It was nice, though I think next time I'm probably going to have to remember that it still gets cool in the evenings this time of the year, and remember to bring a blanket to keep warm with.”
“Well, let's get you inside where you can warm up.” Grace said as she guided Constance through the front door, followed closely by the two men.
“Wow! Look what you've done.” Constance said as she noticed the care that Grace had put into making sure the table was set perfectly, even down to using the nice dinnerware set that had been given to them as a wedding gift. “It is beautiful!”
“And smell all that delicious food!” Chimed in Paul, whose voracious appetite had become well known, and fodder for Owen's light-hearted teasing.
“Of course, that would be the first thing you notice, Paul.” Owen said with a chuckle.
“Don't you act all innocent, Mister.” Grace said, giving her husband a disappointed glance that nobody could mistake for sincere. Turning toward Constance, “It was all I could do to keep him from sneaking a taste before you arrived.”
“Well, enough talk. Why don't everyone take a seat, and then before we dig in, I'd like to make a toast.” Owen announced.
Everyone took their seats around the table, and all eyes turned toward Owen. Grace felt a sense of pride as she looked up at her husband, whose excitement radiated from him as he cleared his throat to begin his toast. Though she knew what he planned to say, she eagerly awaited his words.
“I am so happy that you both were able to join us tonight. It seems like just yesterday you witnessed me becoming the happiest man on the face of this earth.” Owen said with a nod toward his sister. “As the days have gone by, my joy and my happiness have continued to grow. Yet, all the joy that I've ever experienced pales in comparison to the joy that Grace gave to me a few days ago, and I've just been dying to share my happiness with you.”
Owen paused and walked over to where Grace was seated. He placed his hands affectionately on her shoulders as he stood behind her, causing her to choke up with emotion. She held back her tears, as she waited for her husband to continue.
Owen hesitated long enough to plant a kiss on the top of Grace’s head. “Because of her, I now have a new purpose in life... to be the best husband and father a man can be!”
The tears could be held back no longer as Grace listened to
him finish the toast.
Constance was the first to break the silence, as she threw back her chair, practically causing it to tumble across the floor. As she rushed to Grace's side, her words came quickly, they were barely discernible. “You—mean--you are—that I'm going to be an Aunt?”
“That is exactly what Owen is trying to say!” Grace said proudly. “I am pregnant!”
Paul's hands slapped the table with a solid thunk, and he stood and extended his hand across the table and took Owen's hand. “Congratulations buddy! I'm so happy for you, too, Grace! This is certainly a day for a joyous celebration.”
Things settled back down, and despite Grace's protests that she was not that far along, Constance insisted that Grace relax while she served out the food.
“You shouldn't have gone through all this trouble, Grace!” Constance insisted.
“Enjoy it while you can, I might not have the energy to put something together like this again in a couple of months.” Grace said, glancing down and running her hands across her stomach lightly.
As everyone prepared to dig into their food, Grace could not imagine the day being more perfect. She sat next to the love of her life, whose child she was carrying within her, and had just shared the news with the two other most important people that she knew. She looked at each person individually, the genuine happiness each felt at the news expressed perfectly on their faces.
As she sat there reveling in her own happiness, she caught the slight nod of Constance's head in Paul's direction and instinctively knew that Constance had silently given her consent to him to do something.
As if on cue, Paul took his fork and tapped the side of his glass with it, drawing everyone's attention to himself.
“Before we start, I just want to congratulate you both, Owen and Grace, on this wonderful news.” He raised his glass to them, and then took a sip of his wine. “Not knowing that you had such a wonderful thing to announce, I had prepared a lengthy speech for an announcement of my own. But I don't want to take away from your moment in the spotlight Grace.”
Montana Bound: A Sweet Mail Order Bride Historical (Mail Order Bride Journeys Book 2) Page 10