Ellen: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides

by Rachel Wesson

  “Your ma isn’t the teacher, I am. Book learning is important but so is learning about the world we live in.”

  “I don’t see what an Indian can teach a white boy.”

  “Manners.”

  Ellen had to hide a smile at the look on Bertram’s face to Wilma’s remark. He opened his mouth to retaliate but the severe look she sent in his direction made him think better of it. She could only imagine what insult young Master Shaw would throw at the new school helper.

  “Bertram, it is important all children learn how to handle animals starting with riding a horse. You don’t live in a city so chances are some day you will need to know how to ride. Little Beaver is an expert with horses and he has kindly volunteered his time to help us. Please mind your manners and make sure you give him the respect he deserves.” She pierced him with a glare until he mumbled.

  “Yes, Miss O’Callaghan”

  She saw Wilma roll her eyes and had to turn away to suppress another giggle.

  Wilma had turned out to be an even bigger asset than Ellen was expecting. Not only was she wonderful with Rosa and John, who blossomed when she was around, but the other children liked her too. With the exception of master Shaw and his mother. Ellen bit her lip thinking of how Mrs. Shaw had come barging into the boarding house demanding to speak to her. She had berated her for bringing an ex-slave into contact with her precious son. Ellen hadn’t known Wilma had been a slave. But she wasn’t surprised. Even though she had the biggest smile in the world, her eyes hinted at sadness.

  She had sent Mrs. Shaw packing with some help from Father Molloy who suggested she refresh her knowledge of the Bible. Ellen almost giggled but had to turn it into a cough causing Wilma to look at her in concern. She could still see the look on Mrs. Shaw’s face as the priest lectured her on her lack of understanding of the holy book. Mrs. Shaw had threatened to tell Reverend Timmons but gossip was that when she did, he had offered to arrange bible classes to help her understanding.

  “Wilma, are you sure you can manage the wagon?”

  “Yes, Miss Ellen, I done drove a wagon lots of times. The children will help me if I get lost. You go on now and go collect the horses from Mr. Petersen. He is ever so kind to lend us the animals.”

  “Jenny will ride one of the horses, so I only have to take one alongside me.”

  The group moved outside the classroom toward the wagon. Ellen placed the burlap bag she had filled with fried chicken, a fresh loaf of bread, some sugar cookies and a jar of water into the wagon. Mary would have plenty of food but she didn’t want to arrive empty handed.

  “I will see you at the ranch shortly. Children, be good for Wilma. Peter, I expect you to help as much as possible. You are the man of the group until Little Beaver meets you. He had to check out some things for the sheriff so he said he would meet you on the outskirts of town.”

  “Is there more trouble coming to Clover Springs?” The gleam in Bertram’s eyes upset Ellen more than she cared to admit. There was something worrying about a child who thrived on other people’s misfortune.

  “Nothing like that, Bertram. As deputy sheriff, Little Beaver has to make certain checks every day. Now, sit down and be good for Wilma.”

  Ellen waited for the wagon to roll out before she walked over to mount her horse. She had missed riding. She knew some still frowned on ladies riding astride but that was mainly those women who had never sat on a horse.

  She rode the horse in the direction of the Petersen ranch, her thoughts filled with Samuel. From next week he would be working closer to town. Davy and the other men had finally agreed on the location for Hope House. It would be situated on the edge of town.

  Father Molloy and Reverend Timmons wanted it to be near to the school but away from the saloon. She suspected the two clergy men also wanted to protect the orphans from any unwanted attention from the townsfolk. Even though the majority had agreed to the orphanage being opened, there were still a few who openly disapproved. Charlie Stanton being the main ringleader.

  Ellen wrinkled her nose in distaste. Mr. Stanton was becoming a real pest. He had taken to calling at the boarding house on a regular basis, as if more time in his company would endear him to her. The more she tried to discourage him, the more interested he appeared to be.

  Stop thinking about him. You will ruin your day.

  Sighing loudly she drew up outside Sorcha’s house. The door opened as Jenny ran outside, closely followed by Sorcha with little BJ in her arms.

  “Morning, Ellen. Beautiful day isn’t it? “

  “It sure is. I missed days like these in Boulder. It’s pretty up there too, but nowhere is as nice as Clover Springs.”

  Sorcha smiled in agreement as Jenny led over two horses.

  “Thank Brian for me please.”

  “I will. He had to go out on a job with Frank, but he said to reassure you both horses will be gentle with the children.”

  “Most of the children have been on horseback at some point. Little Beaver will be there to help so we should be fine. Tell Brian, I will bake him a pie as a small thank-you.”

  “He would love that so long as it’s not pumpkin, isn’t that right, Jenny?”

  Jenny blushed prettily as her step mother teased her. Sorcha had told Ellen the story of Jenny telling her Brian’s favorite pie was pumpkin when, in fact, it was just about his most hated food. She smiled to see the woman and girl laughing and teasing. They loved each other now, that was plain for everyone to see.

  “Come on, Jenny, we best get moving.”

  “Yes, Miss O’Callaghan. Bye, Ma. Bye, BJ.”

  Ellen and Jenny didn’t take long to reach the Sullivan ranch. Just as Brian had said, the horses were docile and easy to handle. As they neared the ranch, they saw Little Beaver and Wilma surrounded by all the children. She didn’t see Samuel at first as he was standing behind the other adults. Mary appeared at the door of the house as soon as they arrived. It was almost as if she had been looking out the window for them.

  “Ellen, you are just in time to have some coffee. I brewed a fresh pot and Mrs. H made some cookies. Oatmeal for the adults, and sugar ones for the children.”

  The children cheered.

  Ellen had barely touched the burlap bag when Samuel was at her side. “Let me help you with that.”

  He took the bag out of her hand, his touch sending tingles up her arm, through her body. She looked into his eyes as he smiled up at her. She got flustered by his attention and almost fell as she dismounted causing the children to laugh.

  “Go on inside and get your cookies or I will tell Ma to forget about them.”

  The children scattered at his threat, closely followed by Wilma, Little Beaver, and with a wide smile on her face, lastly by Mary.

  “Are you alright?” His deep rich voice having a funny effect on her insides.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Just you look kind of flushed. Like you got too much sun.” He leaned in closer, causing her heart to beat faster. “In fact, I swear you have more freckles on your pretty nose than you did this time last week.”

  “Samuel Higgins, are you teasing me?”

  “Me? Not at all.” The laughter in his eyes told another tale.

  She backed up slightly closing the distance between her and the horse, causing the animal to start nibbling her hair. It tickled making her laugh. He laughed too as he moved closer. He put his hand up to gently push the horse’s head back.

  She stared at his face, her eyes shifting to his mouth. Please kiss me. The heat flooded her face at the direction of her thoughts. She closed her eyes afraid he would see what she was thinking. His hand lightly grazed her chin as he pushed her head up. She opened her eyes in time to catch him glancing at her mouth. Unconsciously she licked her lips, seeing his eyes widen in response.

  “Ellen, I’ve waited so long for this.”

  He drew nearer until his lips met hers. His touch was everything she dreamed of and more. She clung to him as he moved his mouth against hers
before setting her free.

  “Much as I would love to continue, it wouldn’t do for anyone to report back to town that a ranch hand was kissing the school teacher.”

  Ellen pulled back as she remembered where she was. Her thoughts were as flustered as her body, her breath coming so fast, she silently cursed the corset she was wearing for not letting her breathe freely.

  “What’s wrong with a ranch hand kissing a teacher?” She asked breathlessly.

  “Mrs. Shaw and her like wouldn’t approve.”

  “Since when did you care about that old bat?” Ellen said. Before she could reconsider, she reached up and kissed him on the lips. “There. I hope someone saw and tells Mrs. Shaw. Give her something to think about for the next few days.”

  “I don’t know about that but it will certainly play on my mind. Ellen, I…”

  “Miss O’Callaghan, are we going riding yet? The sugar cookies are all gone.”

  Bertram Shaw’s whining voice brought Ellen back to earth.

  “I have to go. Sorry.” Ellen darted under his arm, and tucking her hair back behind her ears, entered the house.

  Samuel gathered the horses’ reins tethering them to the post. It wouldn’t do for Ellen and the children to come out and find the horses had wandered off. He closed his eyes briefly allowing his mind to relive the last ten minutes. He had finally kissed Ellen. About time too. Took you long enough to get the courage up. Not enough to ask to court her though. How long will that take you?

  “Samuel, can you go with Miss Ellen today? Davy said you could be spared.”

  Samuel looked at his ma. “What?”

  “Has the sun got to you, Son? I asked if you could go with Miss Ellen today. Miss Mary is worried there aren’t enough adults with the group. Not that she doesn’t think Miss Ellen is capable.”

  “Little Beaver and Miss Wilma are going too.”

  “Well, they were, but turns out Wilma isn’t a fan of horses. She don’t mind driving a wagon but she don’t want to ride astride. I can understand that too. At a certain age, us ladies need to keep our dignity together.”

  At the look on his ma’s face, Samuel burst out laughing. “Ma, you sound like Mrs. Shaw or Ma Kelley. There’s nothing wrong with ladies riding horses properly. They have those fancy skirts made to protect their dignity.”

  “That’s all fine and dandy for the young’uns not mature ladies like me and Wilma. Anyway, I quite like the chance to sit and have a chat with Wilma. She’s great company. Her stories about the wild side of Boston would set your hair on edge.” Ma Higgins cocked her head to one side. “I thought you would be raring to go out with the young’uns. I can ask Aaron to go instead if you don’t feel up to it.”

  “That’s not necessary. I can do it.”

  “Good. I have a picnic packed. Come into the house and get it.”

  “Yes, Ma.” Samuel almost saluted but thought better of it at the last minute. He couldn’t shake the feeling his ma was up to something, but what, he wasn’t quite sure. Could she have seen him kissing Ellen? No, that couldn’t be it. She’d have boxed his ears for taking liberties as she’d see it. If she thought riding astride was bad, what would she think of him kissing the school teacher in broad daylight where anyone could have seen them? It had been worth it though, just to feel Ellen in his arms for a brief time. He was totally convinced they had a future together. Now, he just had to find a way to make himself worthy of her. Tonight, he would tackle Aaron about staking a claim. If his brother didn’t want to go in with him, he would ask Davy to help him. Ellen was more important than his pride.

  Chapter 25

  Mary pushed the curtain out of their way.

  “They’ll see us.”

  “No they won’t, Mrs. H. They don’t suspect a thing.”

  “Are you sure about this? I know Ellen likes Samuel and he likes her but as friends. He looked after her when they first came here. I always thought she saw him as a brotherly figure.”

  “I ain’t got no brothers, least of all none I know about but I tell you, I ain’t never seen a sister look at her brother the way Miss Ellen looks at your boy. No, Sir. They is in love. They just don’t know about it yet.” Wilma smiled widely.

  “Katie told me Ellen liked Samuel, and she thought he liked her back. But he is so shy, and Ellen is so intent on doing what she thinks her daddy and Katie want, she is likely to leave and go back to university. Even if her heart isn’t in it.”

  “I’m not convinced. I love my boy, he has a real kind heart and is good with children and animals but as a husband for a school teacher?” Mrs. H shook her head.

  “Why not?”

  “Well his stammering is bound to embarrass her, and he can’t read too well neither.”

  “Who can’t read well, and what are you all doing clustered around the window?”

  Laura looked from one to the other. Mary looked back trying desperately hard not to laugh.

  “What’s going on?” Laura asked again.

  “We sent Samuel off on a riding lesson with Ellen.”

  “Ellen knows how to ride.” Laura looked puzzled.

  “The children are here to learn how to ride. Little Beaver is going to teach them. Wilma was going to go with them but she doesn’t like riding.”

  “Since when? You told me you used to ride bareback when you were a little girl.” Laura stared at her friend who looked everywhere but back at her.

  “Come on, spit it out. What are you really up to?”

  “We are trying to match Samuel and Ellen.” Mary said not quite sure how Laura would react. She was amazed to see a large smile on Laura’s face. “You agree?”

  “Oh, yes. They are great together. He is so kind and gentle, so caring which is exactly what Ellen needs. He is also firm so he won’t be a pushover.”

  “But what about his, well you know, his problem?”

  Mary wanted to give Mrs. H a hug. She obviously loved her sons, but Mary hadn’t known until now how worried she was about Samuel’s stammer.

  “Samuel isn’t stupid. In fact, he is very intelligent. He just can’t read the same as you and I can. I am not an expert but I think he doesn’t see the letters properly. He said his stammer came from something he saw as a child.”

  Everyone turned to look at Mrs. H who sniffed.

  “Sit yourself down and I will make you a cup of tea. You all take a seat, especially you, Miss Laura. You should be resting.”

  “Don’t start lecturing me, Wilma. Paul doesn’t stop. I came here to get away from it.”

  “What happened to Samuel, Mrs. H?”

  “He blames himself for his pa dying.” Mrs. H dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

  “But the Indians killed your husband. What could he have done?”

  “I told him that over and over but he feels responsible. He was only a young’un. He didn’t even know how to use a gun back then. Tom, my husband, didn’t think it was right for boys that young to handle guns.”

  “So how was it his fault?”

  “It wasn’t, but he saw the Indian that killed his pa. Tom told the two boys to hide in the cellar with me but Aaron ran to the barn and Samuel followed him. I watched through the window. Samuel hid behind the horse trough when an arrow got a little too close to his ear. Aaron rode off. Lucky he did as he found a company of soldiers who came and rescued us. But it was too late for my Tom.”

  Mrs. H buried her head in her hands and wept. Mary stood up and put her arms around the housekeeper. “I’m so sorry for asking you and bringing up all these memories. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “It’s not your fault, Miss Mary. My Samuel thinks he wasn’t as brave as Aaron. He didn’t help his pa and he didn’t ride for the soldiers. But he was only six. What could he have done? Only one responsible for killing my Tom was the Indian that done it.”

  “Was Samuel examined by the doctors?”

  “Yes. He didn’t speak at all for a year after. It was only when we came here and Mr. Sullivan, ma
y he rest in peace, gave me a job that Samuel started talking. Aaron heard him talking to some horses and he came and got me. He doesn’t stammer when he talks to the animals.”

  “He doesn’t stammer all the time.” Mary said.

  “No, he doesn’t, Miss Mary. Only when he gets annoyed or embarrassed. But then, it can get so bad, he can’t get a word out of his mouth. It’s a dreadful thing to watch. How will he feel being married to the school teacher?”

  “If he loves Ellen, he will be happy. That’s all we should be worried about.” Laura said. Then she smiled.

  “What’s so funny?” Mary asked.

  “What do you expect to happen between them when they have the whole school as chaperones not to mention Little Beaver?”

  The other three women looked at each other before they giggled. “We didn’t really think of that.” Mary said sheepishly. “We couldn’t think of any other way to force them to spend time together.”

  “Does either Samuel or Ellen know you three arranged this?” Laura asked as she massaged her stomach.

  “No, and they can’t either. You know what Ellen is like. She is really stubborn. Samuel isn’t much better.”

  “We best let them believe I is scared of horses. Now who wants a cup of tea?”

  Ellen was thankful Little Beaver was so good with the children. She couldn’t concentrate on anything but how it felt when Samuel had held her. She wished he was able to come with them but he had work to do on the ranch.

  “Ellen, wait.”

  Ellen turned to look behind her. He was riding hard to catch up with them.

  “What are you doing here? Where is Wilma?”

  “She didn’t want to come so Ma sent me instead. Are you disappointed?”

  Ellen decided not to answer.

  “Why didn’t Wilma want to come?”

  “Seems she is scared of horses?”

  Ellen looked at Samuel, disbelief evident in her gaze.

  “Don’t look at me like that. I’m only telling you what Ma said.”

  “Funny Wilma didn’t mention it before.”

  “Maybe she didn’t want to bother you. Anyway I’m here now. What do you want me to do?”