by Faye Sonja
Why on earth didn’t he already have a wife?
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James was stunned at the woman before him. Her ruby dress matched her lips and her porcelain skin colored up perfectly with her moods. Tall and slender, she was the very last sight he expected when meeting Adeline Archer. He’d dismissed her as the one for several minutes until it was clear she was waiting there for someone in the designated place and no one else was around.
He could see why the man she hated from New York wanted to marry her. Adeline Archer was nothing short of exquisite, and James could barely believe she would already be so chagrined with the world that she’d settled on a life without love. It made him quite sad that she was to be wasted on him.
He picked up her case, and she walked beside him not saying a word. Her chin was high, and her steps long and graceful. James couldn’t stop stealing glances at her. If he wasn’t so awkward in conversation, he might have said something more.
“Are we still to be married today?” Adeline asked.
“Yes. Reverend Phillips will be there when we need him. He knows how easy it is to lose time on such a trip.”
“My dress won’t be wasted then. I have brought much more suitable clothing for farm life.”
“You look perfect.” James looked to the floor. Very awkward.
“Thank you. I’ve not eaten, have you?”
Had she changed the subject for his benefit? “Not since breakfast. Perhaps we’ll grab something to eat on the trip home. Unless you’ve changed your mind about lodgings for the night?”
“No, I wish to get to the farm as soon as possible.”
“Sure. Let’s go.”
James thanked the good Lord for sending Adeline his way. She certainly was a woman of her word and she didn’t speak very much in the three hour trip back to Goldrush. Despite himself, he’d wished he’d kept quiet and allowed her to speak as she wished.
The silence proved more a challenge, he suspected, than her intelligent conversation would have. The fact was, Adeline Archer was the most beautiful young woman he’d ever had the privilege to sit next to and surely her life would be wasted with him.
Perhaps she’d thought him not worth the trouble to speak with anyway, as he was clearly not as well-schooled as she. He hoped the farm life wouldn’t be too taxing on her. He’d noticed her perfect hands and fingers were unblemished in any way. That was certain to change.
He pulled the horses to a halt outside the church with its quaint cottage out back. “We’re here. I’ll take you to the Reverend’s wife to freshen up a little while I tend to the horses and tidy myself a little as well.”
“Thank you. That would be lovely.”
“The light is long in the day at this time of year, so we can have an hour to get married and still be home before nightfall for supper.” He led her through the gate and down the path and knocked on the door. Mrs. Phillips answered. A small blonde woman, just older than Adeline, smiled when she opened the door. “James! You’re here. How exciting. This must be Adeline.”
James grinned; he’d had quite extensive talks with the Reverend and Mrs. Phillips. “Yes. Indeed. Adeline Archer, please meet Mrs. Mollie Phillips.”
Adeline offered her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Phillips.”
“Please, call me Mollie. I hope we’ll be firm friends. I came out from New York three years ago and I’m dying to hear how it’s changed. Come in.” She grabbed both of Adeline’s hands and pulled her inside the doorway. “Shoo, you. We’ll see you in the church in half an hour. The Reverend is in there making it ready for the service.” Mollie closed the door.
James walked back off and took the horses to the church stable for a rest and some water. It was surely some cruel twist of fate that the woman he presumed to be ordinary and perhaps even unattractive, had turned out to be the exact opposite. Never in a million years would such a refined beauty pay him any attention under normal circumstances.
He had no complaints, but he did worry again now about whether he was doing the right thing with a woman from the city. Perhaps he should’ve just found a nice country lady to marry. If only they didn’t all want love. If it wasn’t for that, he could’ve married a girl who knew about farm life.
Now he’d found a woman who also didn’t want love, but it just didn’t seem right that she shouldn’t be with a man who could love her completely. Everything within him wished he could be that man, but that was impossible.
* * *
4
The Wedding
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“ From a woman wanting to be
spinster to a mail order bride. "
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When Adeline walked into the church with vibrant red roses taken from the Reverend’s garden, her heart gave a tug for all that this wedding wasn’t. It wasn’t a union in true and undying love. It wasn’t a day she proudly shared with her closest family present. Her pa wasn’t walking her down the aisle. Instead, she took herself down to her betrothed and headlong into her life from here on out.
Mollie had fussed about her hair and put some pink to her cheeks and lips. She handed Adeline the bouquet of red and white roses she’d made that morning. Mollie was enamored with the red silk dress Adeline wore. The shade matched the roses perfectly.
In a compact red silk evening bag, Adeline held all her identification papers regarding her birth and education, and also her parentage. The service was short, and quite sweet. Adeline smiled as James said his vows to honor and love her for life. She hoped half of that was true. If he couldn’t love her, perhaps he could come to care for her. She’d prefer they developed a friendly affection for each other.
She repeated her vows and held her fingers crossed behind her back and said a silent apology to her Lord at the word obey. She’d do her best and ask for forgiveness. Adeline would always need to do her best by her family, and she hoped her new husband didn’t find it aggravating.
He placed a delicate gold wedding band on her finger. “This was my Grandmama’s. My mama gave it to me.”
Adeline nodded and smiled.
The vows were made and with the help of Mollie and the Reverend the paperwork was signed and sealed. Adeline Archer was now Adeline Blair. They didn’t kiss, but he took her hand and led her out of the church into the sunshine. Adeline looked forward to writing her ma and sisters and letting them know.
“Mr. Blair…James…”Adeline tried not to be embarrassed. “I’d just like fifteen minutes to write home and let my mama know of my safe arrival and wedding.”
“Sure. You can write it at the post office. I’ll refill the water canteens and buy some bakery shortbread. Then I’ll come back and wait for you.”
“I’d like that.” Adeline smiled. “I’ll hurry so we get home before dark.”
“Much appreciated.” He tipped his hat and helped her up on the wagon. “Up we get, Mrs. Blair.”
“Thank you.” The sun was bright and very warm. Another of God’s miracles, letting her know she’d made the right choice. Mrs. Adeline Blair had a nice ring to it. Now she just had to stick to plan and get her sisters and mother here successfully. Surely Lex Baxter couldn’t be bothered to travel this far, even if he found out where they were.
This whole new life would be good for them all. Adeline looked forward to learning more about the farm, and though she hadn’t done a lot of manual work, she was very willing to get in and try. The large brown and white draught horses moved off at a walk and the cart moved smoothly which she was grateful for, given the sometimes rough passage of the roads so far.
The post office was at the end of the main road and James came around to assist Adeline down. “I’ll just be across the road.” He pointed to the bakery. “They’ll have my shortbread packed and ready. I told them last week I’d need double for today’s trip home.” He grinned. “That should’ve kept them talking for the week.”
“Probably. But most women are too busy gettin’ done what needs to be done. They’re pioneers as much as us men. ”
“That’s refreshing. To be treated as an equal and not a commodity will be a nice change.”
“I’ll remind you of that when we’re carting water to the fields tomorrow.” His smile always lit up his eyes.
“I’m very much looking forward to being an asset to you and your farm, James.”
“Our farm, Addie. Tis our farm now.”
Adeline let the joy spread across her face. “So it is. I’ll hurry.”
As Adeline went to say how excited she was to see the farm, she jumped and gripped her bonnet as a massive clap of thunder sounded and the sudden gust of wind swept through the streets. James looked into the distance behind her with one hand shading his eyes.
“Best hurry. Looks bad.” The wind almost whipped his hat off his head and James held it on.
Adeline looked in the direction of his frown and saw the clouds were black over the horizon. “Is it a storm?”
“You’ve got ten minutes.”
Adeline made her way past the people and into the post office building. Her fancy dress was the subject of many an admiring glance. She wished she’d gotten changed after the wedding. She penned a fast few lines at their writing station letting ma know she was here safe, and she’d write more as soon as she was settled in. Once the ink dried she paid for an envelope and stamp and handed the letter to the postmaster.
Another clap of thunder, even louder, and Adeline rushed outside to find James up on the cart waiting for her. “Jump up, girl. Gotta try and beat this storm home.”
A large drop of rain hit on her face, and the streets became spattered with wet drops. Adeline pulled herself onto the cart, her dress getting caught up. “Oh bother. I wish I’d worn more sensible clothing.” She wriggled herself into place. At least they had a little cover from the rain.
“You looked pretty.” He never looked at her, he just roused the horses to full speed.
Adeline fought her heated face from his simple compliment as she tried to hold onto something.
“Hold onto me.”
“Pardon?” Adeline thought she’d heard him wrong.
“The ride will get rough. Just grab me if you need to.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep hold of the seat for now. You have enough to worry about without me.”
“I’ll worry more if you topple off, so grab me if needed. The horses get a fine pace up, but they aren’t real graceful.”
Another rumble of thunder gathered behind them and the final clap made the horses charge harder along the narrowing road out of town. A surge of energy went through Adeline at the same time. They had storms back East but she’d always waited them out in the comfort and warmth of her parent’s home, thrilling at the power of the lightning, raw and wild.
She admitted that being out in the elements brought with it a lot more fear than wonderment. “Will we be alright?” Adeline shouted the words over the din of the horses galloping along the dirt track.
“It’s the crops I’m worried about. We’re a week off harvest.”
The wagon pitched and bumped impossibly. Adeline gripped the seat but a sudden lurch made her grab for James and hold on tight. He was clearly an expert at staying put on wild wagon rides and Adeline didn’t feel like she might fly off the seat at any given moment like before. “How far do we have to go?”
“About half an hour. We’re on the outskirts of the property now,” he called back.
“I’ll need to change.” The rain chose that time to hammer down on them.
James didn’t answer, he just cussed. Adeline’s first day wasn’t going without tribulation after all, but she knew the Lord wouldn’t give her more than she could handle. She’d be happy to get out of the hoop of the dress; although flat-fronted and not a huge size, it did impede her comfort and freedom of movement somewhat. She wondered when she’d ever have cause to wear it again out here.
Her heart grieved momentarily for the loss of the gowns, the social gatherings, and the maid service. But that would’ve all been gone eventually in the city anyway, once all was sold up. Still, she wouldn’t be human if she didn’t admit there was a lot she’d miss.
They rounded a corner at breakneck speed; all Adeline could do was grip onto the body of James to keep from sliding off the seat, and Adeline held on for dear life. The wagon was up on one side careening on two of its four wheels, sure to tip fully and crash into the mud. Her heart hammered as fast as the horses’ hooves and she couldn’t help a little scream as the wagon righted itself with a thud and James urged the horses to continue their rampage.
Just when Adeline was sure this would never end without an accident a small timber homestead came in to view. The fields were full of grown wheat bending and swaying, some green and some a golden straw-color with heavy heads whipping in the wind.
“I’m going to lose my crops,” James growled out. “Won’t these horses go any faster?” His mood had changed dramatically from the man who’d picked her up in the city and taken her to a quaint ceremony to become his wife.
“I’m sure they can’t.”
James said nothing, and steered the horses and cart closer to the large barn just as the huge drops of rain hammered down at a relentless pace.
He brought them to a sudden halt just beside the barn. James jumped down and came around to lift Adeline down. She almost fell at the momentum when he let her go. “A little care, please. The rain is what it is. Surely water is good for the farm.” She’d meant to take the brighter side but she got the exact opposite from James.
“Not when the wheat I’m about to harvest is waterlogged.” He waved his arms, indicating the crops. His voice roared above the pounding rain.
“There’s no need to shout at me, Mr. Blair. I didn’t bring the storms.”
“Maybe you did. Maybe your God is telling me what a fool I am to bring a city girl here and expect to prosper. I should’ve been here instead of leaving the farm to get married.”
Adeline steamed at his sarcastic tone, with the words ‘her’ God. “Maybe you should try having more faith instead of feeling sorry for yourself.”
“I don’t have time to argue. I need to go dig channels and hope the seeds I planted yesterday at least survive.” James opened the huge barn door and led the horses inside with the cart attached.
Adeline followed him in. He just continued his scowling way back out the door with a shovel. She had to get this drenched, heavy dress off. The house was still too far to walk with her case, so she rummaged inside and pulled out a thick woolen shift she’d had made just for work.
After what seemed an age, Adeline was out of her previous finery and into her more rustic outfit. She saw a battered oilskin coat hanging on a hook and crinkled her nose up as she pulled it on. It smelt stale and old but still she pulled the hood over, then she grabbed the other big shovel and set off in the rain to find her husband.
She’d show him what this city girl could do. She’d match any born and bred country girl in determination, if not ability. The clouds had darkened the sky, and the rain made visibility impossible. Where did he go? She shaded her eyes from the downpour and looked towards anywhere she couldn’t see a crop growing.
Shortly afterwards, she saw James stand up and then bend with the shovel a few fields over. She marched along the side of the soggy wheat and up to James. “Where do you want me to start?”
* * *
5
Defiance
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“ From a woman wanting to be
spinster to a mail order bride. "
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He looked
at her in amazement and disbelief. She’d walked out here to help after the shocking way he’d spoken to her. “You don’t have to help. Likely it won’t do no good anyhow.”
“Nonsense.” Adeline pushed her shovel into the muddy earth with her foot, and turned over some dirt right beside James. “I’ll keep digging along here.” The water tracked down her face around the hood, but at least the air was still warm.
“Right. If the water flows out the end, instead of waterlogging the seeds, they might have a chance.”
Adeline had no idea that if these crops failed, he’d have to leave the land next year. He watched her dig a shallow trench. She had pluck, he’d give her that.
She bit the shovel into the ground again and turned the ground over. James continued to dig also; if this rain kept up, no telling what damage would be done. He dug faster, deeper with each stroke. He had to try.
After what would’ve been an hour the sky was dark with night and James saw some stars twinkling on the horizon. The weather had broken. He couldn’t see the extent of the damage to his growing crops and the ones just waiting for the seed heads to droop in readiness for harvest. He should’ve put off the wedding, but he wanted to reap this harvest with his new wife and start off on solid footing.
So much for that idea. He stepped over the raised seed channel and touched her arm. “Let’s go. You’ll catch your death of cold on your first night.”
The rain stopped. The thunder now rumbled in the distance as the storm rolled away. Adeline looked a wreck. He daren’t tell her that, of course. He’d make sure he heated water so she could bathe. Adeline’s large, dark eyes flashed with relief but she never said a word.