by E. Walsh
“I am ecstatic,” she said with a smile. “And I think tonight you might be, too.”
“Stop that talk,” Jess said, swatting her hands away. “I just hope I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life.”
“It will be fine,” she said, patting her palms against his chest. She put her hands on his shoulders and shook him. “You must open your heart to her, Jess. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for your little girls.” She nodded toward the porch. Jess’ daughters had made their way to meet their new mama.
“Are you our new mama?” the youngest said.
Sarah held out her hands and gave them the best smile she could muster. It dawned on her that she was minutes away from being the mother of three little girls. “I am going to be your stepmother,” Sarah said, her voice quivering a bit. “My name is Sarah. Who are all of you?”
“I’m Nancy,” the one with blonde curls said.
“I’m Lucy,” said the youngest. She held her hands out and bounced on her toes. “Pick me up, mama!”
The oldest girl, Eve, grabbed Lucy’s arm and jerked her back. “Stop it, Lucy, she’s not our mother.”
Sarah looked at the girl and saw Jess in her eyes. “You must be Eve,” Sarah said. “So glad to meet you.”
Eve glared at her for a moment, then grabbed her sisters’ hands and led them away. Sarah felt her heart sink as she watched them go.
“Don’t worry,” Eleanor said, patting her back. “They’ll come around.”
“I hope so,” Sarah said, forcing a smile.
Jess and the preacher came to the porch and the preacher gave her a smile. He said, “Are you ready to be wed, my dear?”
Sarah looked at Jess and Jess looked away. Forcing herself to be strong, she gave the preacher a nod and said, “Yes, let’s do this before he changes his mind.”
* * *
Chapter Twelve
The ceremony was quick and relatively painless, at least for Sarah. Jess looked like a wolf caught in a trap and Eve looked like a tiger ready to strike. When the preacher pronounced them man and wife and told Jess to kiss his bride, the best he could muster was a peck on the cheek.
Ten minutes later Jess had Sarah and the girls loaded in the buckboard headed for home.
The first few minutes of the ride were silent, then Sarah took a deep breath to say, “Your daughters are delightful. You must be very proud of them. It can’t have been easy raising them alone.”
Jess glanced over his shoulder. The girls were enjoying the ride and paying them no mind. He said, “They’re good girls, but it’s been hard on them, losing their mother so young. It’s hardest on Eve. I burden her and I shouldn’t.”
“Both of my parents are still alive, but I grew up with nannies and governesses so there isn’t, wasn’t, quite the same bond. I had a role to play and grew tired of it. I’m willing to learn and there’s nothing I can’t do, I think,” Sarah furrowed her brow as she wondered, was there anything she couldn’t do.
“Here we are now, home sweet home,” Jess said, “You can take my room and I’ll sleep on the floor in the girls’ room.”
“Please don’t put yourself out on my account. This is your home. I’ll sleep anywhere.”
Sarah looked around, it was indeed much smaller than she anticipated. Even the servant’s quarters were bigger at home. No, she scolded herself; this is your home now.
The girls jumped out of the wagon as Jess came around to help Sarah down. Her dress caught on the step and Sarah stumbled and fell into Jess’ arms. Her head landed in his chest and he could smell her hair. She was so clean and fresh.
Eve saw it happen. Under her breath, but loud enough to hear, she said, “Should’ve let her fall.”
Sarah and Jess straightened themselves up. For her part, Sarah was surprised at how strong and muscular Jess’ arms felt.
Even his chest was hard, not soft like her father’s and even dancing with the gentlemen, she had never felt such hardness in the arms. It intrigued her. It must be all the farm work.
“Mama, carry me,” Nancy cried, bouncing up and down.
“Me, too!” Lucy said, joining in the bouncing.
Sarah took a breath and scooped them up. My goodness, she thought, if only Mother and Father could see me now.
* * *
Chapter Thirteen
Once she was settled in, Sarah sat at the kitchen table and opened up a small bag she had brought with her from Savannah. “Girls, I’ve something for each of you,” she said, handing Nancy and Lucy each a doll. To Eve, she gave her a beautiful silver comb and mirror.
“Eve, I did buy you a doll, as well, but now that I see how grown up you are, I think this will suit you better.”
Jess frowned at his daughter. “Evie, what do you say?”
“Thank you, Miss,” Eve said without taking the gift. She turned and quickly went out the back door.
Sarah looked at Jess with tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Jess said quietly. “This is going to be an adjustment for all of us.” He watched the younger girls playing on the floor with their dolls for a moment, then went to find his oldest daughter.
Eve was in the barn petting one of the new foals.
“Eve, I know today has been a shock,” Jess said, coming to stand beside her. “It was Eleanor’s idea and Sarah just turned up. But she seems nice, doesn’t she?”
“She’ll never be my mama. Why did you marry her?”
“Poor Evie, only you and I know what your poor mama went through. The others are too young to remember. It’s good that you remember her and I never want anyone to take her place, but Sarah is here to help us. You need to lie in bed in the mornings and not have to worry about me. You have been a wonderful help to me, but aren’t there times you just wish it didn’t need to be like that. Think of when you’re at Eleanor’s and can play, doesn’t that feel good? You’re too young to carry my burden.”
As he was talking, Eve had sidled over to her father and had cuddled into him. She was just a little girl who was hurting inside.
“We’ll give Sarah a chance, you and I, we know what we want. But she’ll need help. She’s from the city. Heck, I bet she can’t even fry an egg?”
She looked up and mustered a smile for him. She said, “Yes, papa, I will help Sarah settle in, but I won’t ever call her mother.”
“Just be gracious and kind like your mama was, that’s all I ask.”
* * *
Chapter Fourteen
“Thank you Sarah, the mirror and comb are very pretty. Would you like to see our foal?” Eve managed to smile at Sarah. Sarah could see she had been crying.
“Yes, thank you, Eve. Come on girls, let’s see the foal.”
Off they marched to the barn. Jess watched them as they went. Eleanor was right, the girls needed a woman and Sarah was the right choice but would she stay, Jess wasn’t sure that Sarah wasn’t just running away from something rather than towards a new world. It would break the girls’ hearts. And his, if only he allowed him to realize that.
That evening, Eve showed Sarah how to make dinner; cornbread, beans, and salted ham from the smoke house.
Sarah wanted to sing but the girls didn’t know any of her songs nor she theirs. So they decided to make one up.
Jess left them to the washing up to do a final check of the barn and he smiled to himself as he could hear the laughter and singing coming from the cabin.
The sleeping arrangements were already decided. Sarah would sleep with the girls and Jess kept his bedroom for himself.
* * *
Chapter Fifteen
Sarah got a big shock when she was woken before dawn by Eve. “Sarah, it’s time to get up, we have chores to do.”
Sarah had never seen this time of the day, except for one night when a party kept going until dawn. This was cruel and unusual punishment. This was going to be a hardship for her but despite her best efforts to stay asleep, Eve made her get up.
&nbs
p; They set about doing the chores, getting the fire lit, milking the cow for the household milk and boiling water for washing clothes.
Then the breakfast needed to be prepared with some bread and meat for Jess to take into the fields. After that, it was time to get ready for school and she’d have to get the girls ready, clean clothes, brushing hair and washing faces and hands. Harry usually picked the children up to bring them to town. By the morning’s end, Sarah was fit for bed again.
“Oh my goodness, Jess, that was a lot of work of a little girl. What shall I do now?”
“Well, I have to head out for a while, I need to do some clearing but if you could wring out the clothes and hang them up. You said you can ride. See if you can find your way around. Just head that way to Eleanor’s,” Jess pointed as he spoke.
“Okay, I can do that.” Sarah had to admit it to herself she was very proud of what she had accomplished in the early hours of the morning.
It felt good to see what one could accomplish. She saddled up one of the horses; Jess had told her which one to choose. She found Eleanor’s home and she was delighted to see her.
“Now Sarah, this is how you…” And so the lessons began on baking. Little tips that would make her life easier. Eleanor and Sarah were very comfortable in each other’s company.
“It’s time to head home now, Sarah. Take this cake for your tea. Now remember how to get back.”
Sarah was feeling very free. She had never been allowed to go anywhere without a chaperone.
And here she was married, finding her way around and working. As she trotted along, lost in thought, she didn’t notice the snake up ahead.
Her horse reared up and threw her to the ground, knocking her unconscious, as she rolled down the hill.
* * *
Chapter Sixteen
Jess had returned home earlier than expected and was cutting some timber when the girls returned home from school. They were chatting and excited and the younger two rushed into the house to see Sarah. But she wasn’t there.
“Papa, where’s Sarah, we wanted to tell her what we learned today.”
“She’s at your Aunt Eleanor’s. She rode over this morning. She should be on her way back, she wanted to be here when you came home.”
Eve looked around and she was happy that Sarah had finished the clothes washing. Maybe she would be okay to live here.
But as the evening wore on, Jess was becoming concerned. Sarah should have been back by now.
“I’m going to head out to look for Sarah. Something isn’t right. Eve, you know your way around, why don’t you ride out with me. We’ll head towards Eleanor’s and get Harry too. You two stay put.”
The search party headed off. They weren’t gone very far when they came across the horse Sarah was riding. Jess took its reins and they continued on.
“Eve, go down that way and I’ll head up here. Holler if you see anything.”
“Please Lord let her be okay.”
This was Jess’ prayer and Eve’s prayer also. “Please dear Lord, don’t let me lose another mother. I promise to be good.”
Eve was a skilled rider and she eased her pony down along the hillside, there was something at the end.
“Papa, there’s something down here.” She yelled and Jess came to her. She had jumped off her pony and ran down to the figure, it was Sarah.
“Sarah, Sarah, wake up, it’s Eve. Wake up.” She had her Sarah’s head in her lap and saw the blood. She thought she was dead.
“Please don’t die on me, please Sarah, I’ll be a good girl. Don’t leave me.”
It upset Jess to hear her speak like this. In just a day, Sarah had captured their hearts but he needed to focus on her. Was she dead?
“No, she’s not dead, Eve, let’s get to the doctor.” Jess scooped her up and ran as fast as he could up the hill, taking care not to fall back down. He gave Sarah’s horse to Eve and put Sarah on his horse. Eve held her in place, while he jumped up and he raced as fast as he could.
She protested, but Jess eventually convinced Eve to go home and stay with the girls.
* * *
Chapter Seventeen
At the doctor’s, Sarah was beginning to come round. The doctor stitched up her head and she had some nasty bruising.
“Where am I...” She looked around, confused. When her eyes finally found Jess’ face, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Sarah, you fell off your horse. The doctor is looking after you.” Jess came to her side and took her hand. “We were so worried about you. Eve found you and thought you were dead.”
“Eve, that’s lovely...” She drifted off again.
“Head injuries are difficult,” the doctor explained, “she may suffer memory lapse, she may faint on and off, she may be sick. We just don’t know what’s to happen, it’ll take a few days. You can take her home tomorrow, but you’ll need a wagon. Let her rest here for now.”
“I’ll be back with the buckboard in the morning,” Jess said.
As he walked out of the doc’s office, Jess felt a strange flutter in his chest. He looked back through the doorway and realized it was because he was leaving a piece of his heart behind.
* * *
Chapter Eighteen
Jess sat in the chair beside Sarah’s bed. Nancy and Lucy tucked their dolls in beside her and Eve brought in her mirror and comb to do Sarah’s hair.
Sarah was glad to be home. She still had a headache and was nauseous, but the sight of her family by her side made her forget her ills. She smiled at the little faces looking at her with concerned smiles.
Eve was brushing Sarah’s hair when the Sheriff appeared at the bedroom door. He sported a look of frustration that immediately caused alarm in Sarah’s stomach.
“Sheriff, what are you doing here?” Jess asked, getting to his feet and sticking out his hand.
“Jess, there’s some people here looking for your new wife,” the sheriff said, nodding at Sarah.
Sarah pushed up on her elbows and said, “Who...”
Before she could finish the question, a voice boomed from the hallway. It was a voice she recognized immediately. She felt the bump on her head start to throb.
“Sarah Ann McIntosh, get yourself out of that bed and prepare to leave!” her father said as he entered the room like a Texas tornado. “I’m taking you back to Savannah where you belong!”
Sarah could hardly believe her eyes. Standing behind her was Bernard Hughes, her lanky, jilted beau. Little Nancy leaned in and whispered to Sarah. “Mama, what’s wrong with that man’s ears?”
Sarah sat up straight and defiantly lifted her chin. “No, father, I will not return to Savannah. This is my home now. I’m sorry you have wasted your time.”
Her father huffed and set his hands on his hips. He waved a hand at Sarah as if conjuring magic. He bellowed, “You are coming home with me and that’s that!” He narrowed his eyes at the children. “You ragamuffins get off her so she can get dressed.”
“Now hold on a dang minute,” Jess said, stepping forward. His sudden movement caused Bernard to take up a position behind Sarah’s father.
“Who are you calling a ragamuffin?” Nancy asked. For good measure, she ran over and kicked him squarely in the shins.
“Why you little monster!” The older man started to raise his cane, but Jess was too quick for him. He grabbed the man’s wrist in one hand and his perfectly tied cravat in the other. The sheriff stepped aside with a hand covering the smile on his face.
“Mister, you’re gonna look awful funny with that cane stickin’ out of your ear,” Jess said calmly, though the threat in his tone was unmistakably clear. “You have said your piece and Sarah has replied. Now it is time to leave.”
Sarah’s father’s eyes bugged out. Never had he been addressed so rudely. He pulled himself from Jess’ grasp and looked to the sheriff. “Are you going to let him manhandle me that way?”
“Better him do it than me,” the sheriff said. He gave the old man a nod. “I think y
ou’ve outstayed your welcome, sir. Time to move on.”
“This is your last chance, Sarah,” her father said. “Are you coming home with me or not?”
“My wife’s not going anywhere,” Jess said, moving back to stand next to the bed. He held out his hand and Sarah took it. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
Jess said, “The good Lord brought Sarah here, to me and to my three little girls. I won’t let the likes of you or anyone else put asunder what the Lord has joined.”
Sarah’s father blinked at Jess for a moment, then turned to look for Bernard, who was still hiding behind him. “Well?? Aren’t you going to say anything?”
Bernard’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he cleared his throat and stepped around Sarah’s father. He took off his expensive hat and gave the happy couple a nod. “Congratulations,” he said. “I hope ya’ll are very happy.” And with that, Bernard put on his hat and left the room, leaving Sarah’s father with a look of total confusion on his round face.
“Fine,” her father huffed. He turned to leave, then paused in the doorway and spoke without looking back. “You will write to us then, Sarah Ann?”
“Yes, father, every month,” Sarah said. She put a hand to her mouth. Her lips were quivering. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he said. He took a deep breath and went through the door.
* * *
Epilogue
By the next morning Sarah was able to move about the house, and then surprised them all by baking a cake as Eleanor had instructed her. The surprise wasn’t that she had baked a cake. The surprise was that it was actually edible.
Jess found himself humming as he worked in the fields. He was happier than he’d allowed himself to be in a long time. It was as if a great weight had been lifted off his heart.