by Annie Boone
“Happy, indeed. And Jane, you’d have done fine without me. You had it in you all along.” Susannah reached out and took her hand. “Never forget that.”
Jane nodded, then paused. “Is this what it was like for you, when you first came out here?”
Susannah wasn’t certain she’d been asked that before. Biting her tongue, the woman considered it. “I didn’t have anyone here to help me in the beginning. That’s why I do this, to help other girls now. Because I’m very happy, Jane, and I want you all to be happy as well.”
“Do you ever get tired of this? The silly, naïve girls and all those weddings?”
With a shake of her head, Susannah answered, “I do not, not one bit. Every one of you girls brings me such joy. And who doesn’t love a wedding?” Chuckling, she pulled back and allowed the young bride to be pulled up into the wagon. “Your last assignment, Mrs. Malcomb, is to write to me. I won’t have you forgetting about what you’ve learned here. I won’t have you forget us.”
The girl beamed. “I wouldn’t dare! I’ll write you a letter tomorrow, Mrs. Jessup. I could never thank you enough.”
“We could never thank you enough,” her new husband corrected her and they shared sheepish smiles. “Come visit us soon,” he added and their entwined hands waved as one as they left.
She backed up, sighing as the last weight lifted off her shoulders. It wasn’t a heavy one, but it surely kept her grounded. That sort of weight kept her focused and centered. And now, while it felt good, Susannah wondered if she would float away.
Just as she wondered this, Lucas’ arms wrapped around her, and she leaned into him. He would keep her feet on the ground. The sun was setting and their day was coming to an end. Her body was exhausted after the busy day with the wedding, but her mind was lively and thinking back to the young girl’s question. What was it like in the beginning, being a mail order bride and coming to marry a man she didn’t know?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Colorado Springs, Colorado; 1872
It was just after Christmas, and there had been a big storm. Tired of Boston and knowing that her poor, hardworking parents could do nothing for her, she had decided to strike out and try for an adventure.
With so little promise for a good future, she thought she’d take it into her hands with the help of God, and go somewhere new. After a tearful goodbye, she’d boarded a train.
The ride was only supposed to take four days to reach Colorado, but the big storm had slowed them down. An avalanche kept them from passing through the mountains for a week before the way was cleared, and two weeks later she arrived in the freezing Colorado Springs.
Her city boots were not made for a place like this. She’d grown up with snow in the winter, but it seemed different than this. She was unprepared for brutally cold weather like this.
Her feet chilled as she’d looked around the station, wondering what she was supposed to do now. Doubts had overcome her mind with the travel delays, worried that the man she was supposed to marry—a Mr. Lucas Jessup—had given up on her. He had mentioned it would be a bit of a ride to his house, since it was supposed to be outside of Colorado Springs. A place called Rocky Ridge.
“What does that even mean?” She had muttered, stamping her feet to pull some warmth into them. “How can someone live outside a town? You’re always in one, aren’t you?”
She waved away the puffs of smoke caused by her deep breaths, and carefully climbed down the steps. For a moment Susannah had thought it would help her to see further around her, but now that she was on ground level, all she could see were horses and strangers and buildings around her. Rolling her eyes at her silly decision, the young woman considered going back to the station.
Except there was nothing there for her, unless she wanted to try and turn back for Boston. But that train was going further west, and she’d have to wait a good long while before finding a train that was headed back where she’d come from. Clinging to her heavy bag, Susannah tried to decide what she should do next.
“Dear Lord, please don’t let me freeze,” she mumbled.
One of the buildings across the street had smoke streaming from the chimney. Drawing a closer look, it was discovered that there were people going in and out of the doors, laughing and talking happily. As the doors swung back and forth, the young lost woman smelled something that drew her to the place. She had to see what they offered.
“Mmm…” Susannah stepped through the front door and stood still as she took it all in.
Whatever this place was called, she realized immediately it was nothing like home. If anything, it looked like one of the saloons she knew many men would wander into in the evenings. But, Susannah pondered, there were a few women there, and they were decently dressed. Certainly, this meant it was an acceptable place?
Dropping her gaze as several people stared at her, Susannah made it across the room and sat at a small round table that was unoccupied, and set her bag at her feet. It was a cozy little place packed with people. Even in a decent place in Boston, it wouldn’t be so full. Perhaps, her stomach rumbled, the food was good.
“Or just warmer than outside,” she murmured, and glanced around to see how she should order. Would someone come see her, or did she need to find someone behind the counter? Just as she was wondering about what to do, a large man covered in a filthy apron arrived at her side.
“What can we get you today?” He grumbled loudly.
For a minute she gaped. “Um… soup?” It was impossible to know with a certainty what they served. Every place should have soup in the winter, shouldn’t they? She supposed she could ask what they have, but soup would warm her up on a day like today.
The man muttered something, but he had a strong accent and was already wandering away to the counter. Biting her lip, Susannah felt her heart pound loudly as she was reminded again that she was in a strange place surrounded by strange people.
Her parents had asked her what would compel her to do such a thing, leave a familiar home for the unknown. At the time, she couldn’t answer them. It made little sense in any form. But somehow, she just felt that she had needed to do this. She had to. Even if, right now, she was doubting her decision with all she had.
“Well now, isn’t that a friendly face.” She looked up in surprise to find someone talking to her. “Are you waiting for anyone in particular, little lady?”
His tone was as friendly as the smile he wore, but there was something in his eyes that made Susannah put up her guard. No one was watching her now. Tapping a heel on the hard plank floor, she hesitantly turned back to the man. “I think so.”
Only then did it occur to her that she should have been more assured. Dropping her gaze, she tried to think of something to say to get him to leave, not wanting to spend the afternoon with a stranger. Especially not this one. He was dirty, he smelled very bad, and she didn’t like the way he was looking at her.
There were enough men like him in the city, too, and she had hoped they had all been left behind in the dust and crowds. Biting the inside of her cheek, the young woman glanced around in hopes of finding someone there who might pull this man away from her. But they were all ignoring the two of them now.
Patting her damp hair self-consciously, Susannah tried to find something to ask the gentleman to go away. But he leaned over the table, his eyes on her. “You’re awful pretty. Too pretty to be alone. I can take you back to my place, if you like. How about we leave now?”
Startled, she felt the hair on the back of her neck raise as she swallowed hard. “I, um… no, I told you, I’m waiting for someone—”
But his smile was fading as he stood, gripping her bag as he reached out and took her by the elbow. It was a hard hold, and she knew immediately she wouldn’t be able to escape it. “They’ll find us at my place. Don’t worry, little lady.”
“Jamison Minks, the young lady said no.”
A voice came from nearby the counter, and she dropped her gaze, biting her lip. Now the folks decid
ed to pay attention. She could feel the eyes just as surely as she felt the blush crawling up her face. The man that held her whirled around, nearly tipping her off balance.
“Don’t you talk to me like that, you—”
Susannah cried out, feeling herself falling as the man went down. Her heart jumped in her throat and she tried to prepare herself for the hard ground. But just in time, she was yanked in the other direction and the next time she opened her eyes, the ground was still steady below her feet with a gentler touch on her shoulders.
Carefully squinting around, Susannah swallowed hard and hid her shaking hands in her skirts. Most of the folks had turned back to their food, now that most of the excitement was over. She was annoyed that each of them had uselessly stood by when she needed assistance.
At her feet, she found the despicable man, apparently his name was Jamison Minks, lying there, out cold. There was blood trickling down his nose and drool hanging off his bottom lip.
Speechless, she glanced up to find a tall man there who dropped his arms from her and took a step back so that they could appraise one another. Tall, and of a good stature, she noticed immediately. Dark unruly hair and a firm dark gaze. She saw the sparkle of a badge on his chest but barely noticed it once she saw the scar.
Lucas Jessup had told her about it, warning her that she wouldn’t be finding herself a pretty husband. The man had faced outlaws and other dangerous folk from all over in his days as a Texas Ranger, and had the marks to show it.
Susannah had prepared herself, thinking that perhaps a scar would make her husband appear debonair. But now, in her state of shock, she marveled at the fact that his serious expression only made the scar appear more intense, stark white against his tan frame. All she could think was that Jamison Minks had to be a fool to try and stand up against a man like this.
As she decided between cowering or fainting, the man made the decision. “Howdy, ma’am, and welcome to the west,” he offered a tight smile as he took off his hat and set it on the table. “Would you take a seat? I’ll take him out, and I’ll be right with you.” Without waiting for her reply, Lucas Jessup grabbed Minks and took him outside to the street.
So much for first impressions. Surely her legs wouldn’t hold much longer, so Susannah found herself slipping back into her seat. Eyes flitting around, she saw her bag still lying on the floor and hurriedly snatched it up, brushing away the dust.
“Coffee cake?”
Jumping, Susannah looked up with wide eyes to find Lucas there again, holding two plates in one hand, and two glasses in the other. There was a patch of snow on one shoulder, and he was giving her a sheepish smile.
“Oh, well… of, of course,” she stammered, failing to find anything else to say. “Thank you.”
He set them down and glanced at the chair, hesitating. It was only a moment, however, and Susannah wondered if she had imagined it. By the time he sat down and turned to her, the man’s facial impression was impassive as he carefully set the plates, forks, and glasses in their proper places.
“I’m Lucas. Lucas Jessup,” he stated calmly. “I believe I’ve been looking for you for some time now.” And his eyes caught hers as though she’d fallen into a trap. Those eyes of his were so clear, not in color but in purpose and faith.
Though her lips parted, it took a minute for Susannah to find her voice. She had been worried he wouldn’t know her, that he wouldn’t find her. But he did. He had found her. How?
He was identifiable by the scar, but she had no distinctive characteristics. Shaking the confusion from her mind, Susannah told herself to pull together. Nodding, she offered a small smile. “I thought it was you. I’m Susannah Tumlin. And I’m terribly sorry, but there was an avalanche, and we were stuck on the train for days. I wasn’t sure what to think, if you would come back or just forget about the whole thing. I didn’t know if you’d know about the delay or not.”
Shaking his head, he picked up his fork. “You don’t forget or give up something like this. It’s a bit of a ride, but I’ve made it every day in case you showed up. So, I’m mighty glad you finally did.”
“Oh,” she was taken aback at his efforts. “I’m terribly sorry for your trouble.”
He took a sip of the drink. Hot coffee, she realized finally, and hurriedly sipped hers as well. Warmth immediately spread from her throat to her fingertips. “Don’t be. Out here, nothing comes easy and I would expect nothing less. I’m only sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”
“What do you mean?”
Pointing behind him, he gestured towards the porch. “Minks.” Surprised, she realized she had already forgotten about the other man. Settled comfortably in her seat, there was something about the confident, calm tone of Lucas’s voice and his steady gaze that made her feel secure and safe.
“He’s been plenty of trouble but nobody could prove it. I’ve tried a few times whenever he stops by Rocky Ridge. This is enough to keep him in a cell for a few days, and let him stew until we figure something out.”
Swallowing, she nodded but didn’t know what else to say. Their conversation wandered as he asked her about Boston and the train ride, and then as she asked him about the area and his life. Eventually, they finished up and he took her to the next street over to the boarding house where she would stay until they were married.
She wanted to know more about him, but the last few hours had been trying. Though she’d spent the last two weeks basically alone, she still craved some time to herself. She wasn’t sure what came next, but she’d deal with it no matter what.
Chapter Thirty
“So, here we are. The Main Street Boarding House. It’s not fancy like what you’d find back in Boston, but I hope it’ll meet your needs.” Lucas opened the door and stood back to let her go inside before him.
He walked up to the desk and tipped his hat. “Hello there. This lady here needs a place to stay. I talked to Mr. Talmadge about it just the other day. Miss Susannah Tumlin.”
“Yes, I have the name here. And you’ll be picking up the bill, I assume, sir.”
“Yes, I will.”
“Good. Good. Sign here in the registry, then, please.” The clerk turned to look at Susannah. “Shall I show you to your room now, ma’am?”
Susannah hesitated as she clutched her carpet bag in front of her. There was a dusty smell to her, and she knew she had to look rumpled at the very least. But she wasn’t sure what would happen next, what she should do. As they stood there, she tried to find the right way to ask him.
“Should I hurry and put my bag away, or will I see you tomorrow?” She bit her lip and looked at him. Standing on that first step, now they stood eye to eye.
His scar stood out prominently high on his cheekbone, and she wondered if it had hurt badly.
“I really should return to Rocky Ridge,” he admitted. “I have Old Jerry in a cell back in town, sleeping off a few pints and have to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself. But I’ll be here tomorrow morning if you don’t mind a late breakfast?”
Trying to quell the nerves, she nodded quickly. “Yes. Yes, of course.” Biting her lip, she watched him tip his hat and turn away. The man never looked back as he crossed the room and stepped out the door. There was a large window in front and she saw him step across the street, and finally mount a large horse. Soon, he and the horse were gone.
She turned to the clerk and smiled. “Yes, I’d be happy to see my room now, please.”
The man nodded and stepped around the desk and to her side. He stuck out his hand and took her bag. “I’ll take this for you, ma’am.”
“Thank you.”
“Now we’re not formal or fancy around here. The kitchen serves supper at five o’clock. Be sure to not miss it or you’ll go hungry. Tonight is roast chicken and vegetables. The cook is pretty good, so hopefully you won’t go hungry.”
“Sounds lovely. Thank you again.” Susannah followed him to her room and was thankful they were finally there.
As soon as she was alone insi
de, she stretched out on the bed, still wearing her boots and her cloak. The room was chilly, but she was too tired to build a fire. She’d do that in just a minute.
Finally, she opened her eyes and realized she’d been asleep for almost an hour. She jumped up to check the time as she didn’t want to be late for supper. She’d had a little bite to eat at the restaurant earlier, but she felt her stomach grumble. There was a few minutes to spare and she let out a sigh of relief.
She got up and made a fire in the small fireplace. Thankful the wood box was full, she thought about her next few days and what they might bring. Changes, for sure.
She needed time to fully accept that she was actually here in Colorado and had met the man who would become her husband. For better or for worse.
Chapter Thirty-One
As promised, he returned the following morning. Lucas showed her around town after borrowing a buggy. There was an old couple he knew, who kept bees and showed her around and gave her a small jar of their finest honey. It was delicious and more pure than anything she had tasted before.
Just as they were returning to town, there was a brawl that had spilled out into the streets from the nearby saloon.
Immediately Lucas had straightened up and handed her the reins after pulling the horse to a stop. “I need to take care of this seeing as there’s no other lawman around,” he said and left her. Susannah stared, barely recalling that he’d mentioned the sheriff in this town did very little when he was drunk and even less when he was sober.
Holding the reins, she wondered how he was going to stop them just as she learned the answer. Lucas shouted and waved his arms to get their attention, but they hardly noticed. Susannah bit her lip in concern and then waited for his next move.