If it’s this frigid in September, I wonder how cold it will get in the winter? I will need warmer clothes, boots, mittens. The winters in Maine are cold and wet, but living with Grandmother I hardly ever had to step outside. I’m not prepared clothing-wise for Wyoming weather.
Henrietta and the other mail order brides, who were dispersed in three wagons, gave a cheer as the wagon drew near the town. Although the brides seemed jubilant, she could feel apprehension fill all twelve women. She trembled.
Lord, please let Benjamin be kind. It doesn’t matter that he isn’t rich, or prince charming. I’m an old maid, so I can’t ask for much. A small home, a kind husband…
Her shoulder’s shrugged. At least until Benjamin and I marry, I’ll be a cook. Maybe not in my own restaurant as I’ve always dreamed of, but I’ll be able to continue doing what I love.
Her eyes strained, searching the row of buildings for a sign to indicate the location of the Angel Vale Eatery. In his most recent letter, Benjamin assured her the new restaurant needed a cook and was holding the job for her. She was thankful because she wanted to be able to make money and pay her own way during the months before she and Benjamin married. Aside from a whole new winter wardrobe, there were things she would need. One trunk of clothes and a small valise of personal items were all she owned.
Benjamin had written that he and his father owned a small mine and made enough money to provide a comfortable life, nothing extravagant. But as they drew closer to the town and she noted the poor condition of the buildings, she wondered what his idea of a comfortable life meant.
The road leading into town was nothing more than an old oxen trail and the short row of buildings was unimpressive. They passed the blacksmith shop across from the row of buildings. She noted a sheriff’s office next to a small legal office.
At least there is some law and order here. Amanda’s future husband is sheriff. I wonder how she will be able to live, always worried about him getting killed?
There was also, unfortunately, a saloon called the Golden Nugget. She bit her bottom lip. Benjamin never mentioned if he is a drinking man. He claims to be a Christian, but… Her stomach twisted as more thoughts surfaced. There were many unanswered questions.
The driver clicked and pulled on the reins. The horses stopped in front of the Underwood mercantile. “Welcome to Angel Vale,” the mercantile owner’s voice rang out.
With a huge gulp, Henrietta glanced up. A row of men lined the boardwalk in front of the store. Her eyes searched each man’s face until she found the one that matched the tintype Benjamin had sent her. For a moment their eyes locked.
Henrietta’s lips twitched into a small smile. He was as handsome as she had hoped.
*****
After Sophia introduced each woman to the group of men clustered by the mercantile, chaos reigned as the men moved forward to greet their brides-to-be. Henrietta noted her two small pieces of luggage still in the wagon that would be taken to the place she and several other brides who were not getting married right away would stay. For a moment she stood gazing outward thinking.
Not much to bring into a marriage, Lord. I have no money, no dowry, hardly enough clothes to last out a year. I only hope I can please Benjamin in other ways; cooking, cleaning, sewing.
“Henrietta?” a deep voice startled her reverie.
She turned too quickly. Benjamin was standing so close, she had to step back, but as she did, her foot caught on the edge of the suitcase and she tumbled backward, landing on the hard, dirt ground, in a sitting position.
She could feel the red heat of embarrassment seep into her cheeks. She covered them with her hands and looked up at him. She was pleased to see a spark of amusement in his eyes.
“Well, I’ve never fallen for a man before.” She giggled.
Benjamin’s eyes registered shock at her comment, but almost immediately a huge grin spread across his face. He took her outstretched hand in his and pulled her to her feet with such power, she fell against his muscular chest. Henrietta placed her hands on his chest and pushed away. When she was finally standing on her own two feet, their eyes locked and they both burst out laughing.
“I’m glad you have a sense of humor, Benjamin. I’m afraid with me around, you will need one.”
Chapter 2
Benjamin stood on the boardwalk with the other men. He and Sheriff Calloway had chatted for a few moments. He, too, was expecting a mail order bride.
Benjamin ran a hand through his hair and sighed. What was I thinking, Lord? I want a wife, but was I just plain crazy to get involved in Jake’s scheme? Who in their right mind orders a woman through the mail, like ordering a pair of shoes from a catalog? Maybe I should have gone to the east coast, met a woman, courted her appropriately and then asked her to marry me?
But Benjamin knew that was something he would never have done. The women in the east would never give a gold miner a second glance, at least not until they knew how rich he was. Then, if they found out how much money he had accumulated, he could have had his choice of the most fashionable woman from the wealthiest family. But Benjamin didn’t want a woman who only married him for his money. He wanted a woman who would love him for himself. And that was why he had not told Henrietta about his wealth. He wanted her to get to know him first, as a Christian man, a hard worker, and hopefully as a good catch. If she did come to love him, and they did marry at Christmas, he would tell her the truth. Until then, she would have to assume him to be a hard worker, eking out a small living working with his father at the mine.
No one in Angel Vale knew about his wealth, except the local assayer who was his best friend. And no one knew he was the one who had recently bought the corner building and opened the Angel Vale Eatery. It had all been done privately.
This Benjamin had done on a whim. In one of the few letters from Henrietta, she had revealed her dream of owning her own restaurant some day. It had sparked an idea in his mind. He could buy the building, open the eatery, and provide a job for her as a cook until they were married. Then, he would give her the restaurant as a wedding gift. He knew it was a good investment as well. The town was overrun with hungry men and with the new brides coming in, the town would soon start to be civilized. Once he told her he was the owner, they could run the eatery together because he was tired of working the mine. With the money he had already made he didn’t need to suffer the elements and drudgery of that lifestyle any longer.
For now, he would allow Henrietta to believe he still worked the small mine with his father and surprise her on their wedding day.
The boardwalk began to shake as the men cheered and waved. His head shot up. Three wagons loaded with trunks, girls, and a printing press, pulled into view. The Morgan horses pulled the heavy six seated wagons toward the mercantile.
Benjamin watched as the driver pulled on the reins and brought the animals to a stop. His eyes immediately started to scan the women’s faces. He passed over the brunettes and red heads and finally landed on a lovely blonde. He gulped. She was even more beautiful than she had appeared in the small tintype she’d sent. Even travel-worn, he could see she was a proper, east coast woman. For a twenty-nine year old, she had the fresh look of a much younger woman.
For a second his heart plummeted. What was I thinking, Lord? This is no place for a woman like her.
*****
As Jake and the other men helped the women off the wagons, Benjamin quickly made his way toward Henrietta. She was standing amidst the chaos, staring into space.
She must be contemplating running away already. I don’t blame her. Benjamin scanned the sad looking town. There was little here to appeal to a woman from the east. There were no dress makers and no haberdasheries. Perhaps, the jewelry store might be of some interest. However, for now, he wouldn’t let on that he could afford to buy her even a small piece of jewelry.
“Henrietta.” He spoke her name. Her head twisted, she turned and immediately took a step back, but as she did, her foot caught on the edge o
f a suitcase and she tumbled backward, landing on the hard, dirt ground, in a sitting position.
Benjamin was enthralled as a pink hue flushed her cheeks. But when she spoke, he was amazed.
“Well, I’ve never fallen for a man before.” He heard her songlike giggle.
Benjamin stared at her for a long moment, not sure how to react to her statement. Finally. his lips split into a huge grin. He reached over and took her outstretched hand in his and pulled her to her feet with such power, she fell against his chest. He felt her hands as she tried to push away. Their warmth caused boiling heat to rush through his blood. When she was finally standing on her own two feet, his grey eyes locked with her blue eyes and they both burst out laughing.
*****
After several moments, Benjamin asked which trunks were hers. Henrietta pointed to a rather old, shabby one and a small valise. He grabbed the valise and memorized the look of her trunk, so when they reached the mill he would be able to get to it right away.
“Anything else?” He handed her the valise.
She grasped the small bag and shrugged.
“That’s all you brought?” His voice sounded incredulous. He’d never met a woman who could have traveled all the way to Wyoming with such a small amount of luggage. Not that it bothered him. He could buy her anything she would want or need, it just seemed curious.
She nibbled her bottom lip. “I don’t own anything else. When Grandmother passed, everything went with the house. Even the blue willow tea set I so loved.” Her voice faded. “But, you don’t have to worry about providing for me, yet. Once I start working, I’ll be able to purchase whatever I need.”
She stretched her neck so she could look down the street. “Is that the eatery, down there?”
“Yes. They are expecting you to begin your duties as cook Monday. In the meantime, we can get you settled into the old mill, with several of the other brides-to-be. Then, if you are hungry, we can go to the eatery. Right now they have a Chinese man doing the cooking. The food’s a bit strange, but it’s the only place to eat.”
“If there is already a cook, why did the owner agree to hire me?”
“The Chinese man is only cooking on a temporary basis. He regularly works at the laundry.”
“I’d hate to take a job from anyone.”
“You won’t. Believe me, since the eatery opened a few weeks ago, the men have been filing in daily for two meals. Most of them can barely stand the food, but are willing to eat it instead of cooking their own. If you are even a semi good cook, the restaurant will become a success overnight.”
“I hope I can please them. I’m used to cooking plain, simple fare. The boarders in Grandmother’s boardinghouse didn’t want anything fancy.”
“Believe me, the men in this town don’t need anything fancy, either. If you can cook ham and eggs, bacon and eggs, grits, potatoes, and steak, you will be able to please them all. Even I will come there for my meals. I’m tired of burnt biscuits and tough bacon.”
“Is that all you know how to cook?”
“Aside from beans, that’s it. No one in this town knows how to cook much more than that.”
A small trill of laughter escaped Henrietta’s lips. “Then, I expect I will be the most popular girl in town. You better watch out, Benjamin. Once the men find out I’m doing all that plain cooking, you might have some competition for my hand in marriage. Maybe even have to fight it out with a rich miner.”
She turned a coy smile toward him, but was taken aback by his expression. His grey eyes now looked stormy.
What did I say wrong, Lord?
She wanted to kick herself.
Chapter 3
Benjamin ground his teeth together. So that was the way of things. What really mattered to Henrietta was money. Oh, she had agreed to marry him, but from her statement, he could tell she wanted someone richer.
Lord, you know that was my one desire. To have someone love me for myself, not my gold. I was so sure she was the one for me. That’s why I proposed marriage in my last letter to her.
He glanced her way and noted her lip trembling. Then he noticed her clothing. She wasn’t dressed warmly enough for the weather in Angel Vale and it hadn’t even begun to get cold yet.
“Better get you to the mill.” He grabbed the small valise from her hands and left her standing behind with nothing to do but follow.
Benjamin trudged toward the mill which had been converted as a place for the mail order brides to stay. A house of angels, as some of the men were calling it. Well, Henrietta was a real beauty, but if she were truly only a money grabber, then she was not an angel. Still, she had agreed to come to Angel Vale and marry him. He had never given a hint as to how much money he had, only indicated he could provide a comfortable life. She must not have been expecting too much.
I guess I’m overly touchy on the subject. She was laughing when she said those words. Perhaps she was only joking.
From the corner of his eye he could see her scurrying behind him, trying to keep up with his long strides. She was holding her too thin skirt up and trying to avoid mud and horse droppings. He slowed, berating himself for his behavior. She might not be an angel, but he surely wasn’t acting like a gentleman.
Benjamin stopped and turned around to apologize. Intent on keeping up, she failed to see him turn and plowed right into him. This time, Benjamin lost his footing and wobbled. It took only a second before he landed abruptly on the ground. After the initial shock, he glanced at her. She stood rigid, her hand over her mouth in surprise.
Benjamin shook his head. “Now I’m the one falling for a woman.” He grinned. Her laughter trilled through the air again. The sound was like a gentle breeze. It refreshed his soul.
On his feet again, he led the way once more, and this time he walked slowly beside her. He took time to point out some of the details of the town. She asked several questions about the other businesses on the boardwalk, but most were about the eatery.
As owner of the eatery, it was surprising how little he knew about it. She wanted to know about the stove, the supplies, and about the menu. All those things had been handled by the assistant manager, Rorey Peterson, so far. The man had only been in Angel Vale for a year, tried his hand at mining and had quickly given that up and turned to buying food goods from the mercantile and selling them to the miners who lived farthest away from town. He made a profit and the men didn’t need to stop work to come to town for the supplies.
Benjamin hired him through letter to supply the eatery with everything it needed. Rorey agreed and began having things sent in. So far, it seemed Rorey had everything under control.
“I’ve been told the assistant manager, Rorey Peterson, is in charge of that. I’m sure he can answer your questions when you start work Monday,” Benjamin muttered.
Henrietta nodded in understanding.
“Well, here is your new home.” Benjamin indicated the large building in front of them with an arm gesture. He grasped the door and pushed it open. They both stepped inside.
*****
Henrietta sat on the cot, which was her assigned bed for the next few months and scanned the room. Plain and bare, but clean. Nothing like the room she lived in while growing up in Melville, Maine. Not a single blue rose was painted on the wall, not a feather comforter on the bed or a soft rug. Her grandmother had been far from rich, but she always made sure all the room in her boardinghouse were decorated and offered warm quilts for the boarders. Benjamin had introduced her to the matron who was staying at the mill to oversee the women. Mrs. Agnes Philips was about as close to a grandmother figure as she could hope for.
A tear threatened to slip out of her eye, but she squeezed it back. This was not the time to be reminiscing about the past. This room, this cot and the rough wool blanket would suffice. Two months was not too long to wait for a home of her own.
Of course, that was the one thing she and Benjamin had not discussed in their letters. Henrietta realized she had no idea where they would liv
e once they were married.. There had been a slight mention of a shanty by his mine.
Lord, I feel like I’ve jumped into a hot skillet here. There are so many unanswered questions about my future, and after the way Benjamin treated me today, I’m not even sure he wants to marry me.
Since Benjamin had suggested she rest for a while and indicated he would return in an hour to take her to the Angel Vale Eatery, she decided to use the time to jot down some questions. At least it would give them something to discuss. Henrietta searched her valise for a pencil and a small pad of paper. Then she began to write:
1. Where do you live?
2. Where will we live once we are married?
3. Will we have a big wedding or just a small private wedding?
4. Will we have a reception, if so where?
5. Do you want children right away? (She blushed as she wrote that question)
6. Will I be able to keep working after we are married?
7. How much money do you have?
She read over the questions. At least it was a beginning. She almost crossed out the last one. It didn’t really matter how much money he had, but she would need to know what kind of lifestyle to plan for. His letter had mentioned a comfortable home, but she wondered what that meant.
Henrietta, stood and wiped the wrinkles from her dress. She placed the paper in a pocket at the side of her skirt and then moved across the room toward the door. She had agreed to meet Benjamin near the mill.
Once outside, she thought about her need for warmer clothing. She could feel the chill seep in as the wind whipped her skirt. She pulled her shawl closer to keep warm.
“Well, look a here. A purty little lady, all alone, just a waiting for a big, handsome feller like me.”
Henrietta whipped around at the slurred tone. As she suspected, a drunk man leaned against the building within breathing space. She stepped back, but his hand shot out and grasped her arm. She winced in pain.
Christmas Mail Order Angels: The complete 11 Volume Set Page 33