Aaron's Annulment Bride (Sweethearts of Jubilee Springs Book 3)

by Zina Abbott

  Lewis nodded in response.

  “Although, it seems more and more Lloyd will line us out with the work he wants us to do then says he needs to go back to the ranch to take care of some business. He’s usually gone a couple of hours. Maybe he’s been seeing her then.”

  Lewis jerked his head towards Red, and stared. Then he looked straight forward.

  “Boss, you planning on getting us a room so we can go back on the train tomorrow? The horses could use the rest after that ride up from Denver.”

  Lewis considered the question a moment before he answered. “No, we’re going to get our horses from the livery and ride back to Denver this afternoon. We’ll get back late, but the horses can rest then and on the train to back home. Andrea’s not coming. She up and got herself married. I got things to take care of at home. For one thing, I got to get someone out to the ranch who can cook.” Lewis didn’t say so, but he also had to do something about getting a new foreman. He dug in his pocket and pulled out some coin. “Here. The livery guy said there’s a saloon over on the next block. Go get yourself a cold beer and wait for me. I have something to take care of, then I’ll join you for a drink before we go.”

  ~o0o~

  Lewis walked back to the mercantile and knocked until Simon let him back in. “Get her down here. I need to talk to her before I leave.”

  “I’ll see if she’s willing to come down.” Desi walked up the stairs. A few minutes later she led Andrea down, holding her tight against her side to help support her both physically and emotionally.

  Lewis studied his daughter with her red-rimmed eyes and face red and puffy from crying. He noted the way her body quivered and how she avoided his gaze. He took a deep breath. “Well, Andi Mae, I guess you’re married now, so I’ll be leaving you.”

  At the use of the endearment she hadn’t heard from Lewis Dalton since before her mother died, Andrea looked up at her father. He continued. “I didn’t know about this business with Lloyd or I would have put a stop to it. You should have said something.”

  “He said he’d kill me if I told you, Pa. Then later he threatened to kill you, too. Besides, I knew you were busy with the ranch.”

  Lewis nodded as he considered her words. “I hope you like it here and everything works out for you. Like you said, I got to get back. The ranch won’t run itself.”

  “I’ll write, Pa.”

  “That would be all right. I can’t promise I’ll find the time to write back. It would be nice to know if there are any grandchildren, even though they won’t be Daltons.”

  Aaron interjected. “If there are grandchildren, they will all be Brinks’.”

  Lewis acknowledged the meaning behind his new son-in-law’s words with a nod.

  “I’ll still write, at least at Christmas.”

  “That would be appreciated, Andrea. You take care.” Lewis turned to Aaron and held out his hand. “I need my pistol.”

  Aaron turned the gun and handed it to the man handle first. Lewis Dalton nodded to Desi and Simon before he walked out of the mercantile and closed the door behind him.

  Silence settled over the Brinks family. Aaron turned to his wife. “Andrea, may we talk for a few minutes.”

  Andrea closed her eyes and her voice sounded like her life had almost drained out of her body. “Not yet, Aaron. Please. Maybe later. I didn’t want you to know what a horrible situation I got you into, which is why I said what I did. Now you know anyway. I’m so sorry.”

  Andrea stepped away from Desi and slowly walked back up the stairs. Desi turned to her son. “Aaron, did you pack up your things from your room?”

  “They’re ready to go, and sitting just inside the door.”

  “I’ll get them out. I’m going to get her out of that dress and into a nightgown. I’ll try to get her to lie down in your old room and maybe take a nap. You get what you need for the house for tonight, and then help your pa with the others. And Simon? Not word about this to anyone. If customers ask about what just happened, you start talking about the weather.”

  Simon returned the shotgun to its place behind the counter and turned the store sign to “Open.”

  Aaron forced himself to focus on gathered the bedding and food he figured would get him through until the next day. He didn’t know if Andrea would be coming home with him or not. Then he turned to help his father with the others so they could close up the store for the night.

  Once they pushed the last customer out the door while avoiding questions from the curious, the two men went upstairs to the living quarters. Aaron noticed the door to his old room was closed and his personal items were stacked against the wall next to it.

  He sat down at the table on which Desi had placed a cold supper of leftovers. After the blessing on the food, Aaron leaned back and ran his fingers through his hair. “What am I going to do, Ma? I want to have a normal family life with a wife and children. But, after what she’s been through with this man, I probably won’t be able to get near her without her thinking about how it was with him. I’m afraid she’ll be scared to death to let me touch her.”

  Desi put her fork down. “I don’t know what to tell you for sure. I think you’re going to have to be patient and take it slow with her. Tell her to let you know if anything bothers her or frightens her. She may have her bad moments for some time, but I think if you gain her trust, she’ll come around.”

  Simon spoke up. “I was proud of the way you let her pa know if she has a child by this other man, you’ll stand behind her.”

  Aaron waved away the compliment. “It wasn’t her fault this happened. She’s my wife, and I won’t let her face it alone. I just don’t know what to do right now to help make this right for her.”

  “Maybe she should stay here for tonight. She can stay here longer if she needs to. If people question why she isn’t at the house, you can just say you didn’t get a chance to correspond, so you’re taking more time after the wedding to get to know each other better.”

  Aaron sighed and shook his head. “I’ll go to the boarding house and see if I can get someone to pack up her things so I can bring them here. Then I’ll take my things to the house. Maybe she’ll be ready to talk tomorrow night.

  ~o0o~

  Aaron walked into his new company house and dropped his armload of clothing and supplies onto the divan in the living area. He lit a kerosene lamp, and found a sheet and a pillow. Back in the bedroom, he tossed the bare pillow on the bed, stripped to his union suit and collapsed on the mattress, pulling the sheet over him. After blowing out the lamp, he flung his arm over his eyes, wondering if he would be able to sleep that night.

  This was not how he had envisioned spending his wedding night.

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  CHAPTER 13

  ~o0o~

  Aaron woke to someone moving around in his kitchen. He rose from bed and hurriedly pulled on his Sunday wool pants before he strode to the connecting door. Andrea stood at the stove, her back to him, cooking something in a cast iron frying pan. She turned and froze in place when she caught sight of him. Aaron noticed her eyes still had a hollow, haunted look about them.

  Aaron stepped into the room and sat at the table. “Andrea, what are you doing here? You can come anytime, but I didn’t expect you here this early.”

  I came to fix you your breakfast and lunch before you leave for work. It’s nothing fancy, since there isn’t much food here yet. I can bring more out later today if it’s all right for me to charge it at the store. I may need to get some meat from the butcher and arrange for them to bring some ice out for the icebox. Will that be all right?”

  “Sure, Andrea. You’re my wife now. You charge whatever you need.”

  “There was a little wood here, but I’ll have to arrange for more. If I’m going to bake and cook for you every day, this won’t last long.”

  Aaron stared at Andrea who had turned back to the stove. “Does this mean you will be staying here? We need to talk about
what you want to do, but that will wait.”

  “Your ma said I could stay there for awhile. I still will come out to make sure you’re fed and your laundry is done. As long as we’re married, you have the right to expect me to take care of your home.”

  “You don’t have to feel obligated, Andrea.”

  “I want to. If it’s all right, I’ll make you some curtains for the windows and make some nice house linens for you. What color would you like for the curtains in front?”

  “I don’t know. What do you think would look good?”

  “Think your folks have some nice blue with a narrow navy stripe that would make nice curtains.”

  “That would be fine. What do you think would look good in the kitchen?”

  Andrea brought a plate of flapjacks to the table and set it before Aaron without looking at him. “Some red and white gingham curtains with a matching tablecloth would be cheerful. Your ma says she has a sewing machine she can teach me to use. I can make them up in no time. I can also embroider some nice dishtowels to go with them.”

  “Thank you, Andrea. That sounds good. These hot cakes are good, too.”

  “Your ma said I can help her fix supper at her place and we can eat there for now. She says since you’re used to walking there after work, it shouldn’t be a hardship.”

  “It’s not.” Aaron didn’t know what to think. This was his wife, yet they were talking like they were discussing a business transaction. Still, she was at the house and it was a start.

  Andrea looked at him and sighed. “I’ll do what I can to get the house set up for you, Aaron. I still don’t know what to do. I hope you can understand and forgive me for the mess I made of your life.”

  That night Aaron stopped by the house long enough to see what Andrea had done. If she was still there, he wanted them to walk to town together. All the supplies and his clothes were neatly put away, plus there was ice in the icebox and food supplies stacked on the counter by the sink. He would have to see about getting a cabinet to hold dishes and food, plus it would provide another surface besides the table for Andrea to prepare food. He washed up and changed to a clean shirt he would wear to work the next day before he walked to town for supper.

  The mealtime conversation between him and Andrea was strained, but his parents kept up their usual banter. Once his mother and Andrea rose to clear the dished, Aaron cleared his throat. “Ma, do you think I could have a few minutes to talk to Andrea in private?”

  Desi set the last of the used dishes in the sink to soak. “Certainly, if it’s all right with Andrea.” Once she saw Andrea look at her lap and nod, she called to Simon. “Come on, dear. It looks like we have time now to sort through that new shipment that came in this afternoon.”

  Alone, Aaron turned to his wife. “You know I know there might be a baby coming, right?”

  Refusing to look at him, Andrea nodded.

  “And you know I told your father I would claim it as mine if there is? Any child that comes will be a Brinks.”

  Andrea looked up and studied his face. “No. No one said anything about that. Your ma mostly helped me get things ready for the house.”

  “Andrea, I want you to pack your things and come home with me to the house. You can sleep in the bed and I’ll stay in the front room. If you plan to be there to make my breakfast and lunch everyday, it will be easier for you. But, that’s not the biggest reason. I’ve had all day to think about this. I don’t mind you staying here, it’s not that. But if a baby does come, it will be better if people know you and I have been in the same house from the start. I want there to be no question it is mine.”

  “Isn’t that lying?”

  “There are some things more important than people knowing all the details. You, me and our parents know. Everyone else, it’s none of their business. What is important is first, protecting your reputation, because you did not deserve to have this happen to you. Even more important is to be sure the child is not born with any cloud hanging over it. We don’t want anyone questioning his parentage.”

  Andrea looked away. “You’d do that?”

  “Yes. I want you to come home. I’m sure Ma would welcome you back during the day to sew on her machine. I want you to buy or make two new dresses for yourself. I’d favor one with some pink in it if you’re agreeable. You still have your month to decide what to do. By then you’ll know if you’re carrying a child or not. Either way, it will protect you and the child.”

  Andrea’s eyes welled up with tears. “I’ll come. I still don’t know what to do yet, but I’ll come. Let me clean up these dishes first and then I’ll get my things. Only I’ll sleep in front. I’ll fit on the divan better, and you need your sleep in a comfortable bed.”

  In the fading light of dusk, the two walked to their house, Andrea with her quilt over her arm and carrying a tow sack of food, and Aaron carrying her valise in one hand and a wooden box of supplies under his other arm. He hoped enough people were looking out their windows for word to get around that Andrea had come home with her husband.

  ~o0o~

  Three nights later Aaron ran up the back stairs to his parents’ living quarters. He fought back the panic he had been feeling ever since he arrived home and found Andrea missing. “Ma! You here? Is Andrea here?”

  Desi rushed over to him, her finger held to her lips. “Hush, Son, everything’s fine. She’s in your old room sleeping.”

  Aaron exhaled and shook his head. “I’m so glad she’s here. When I got home and saw her gone, and the breakfast dishes still soaking in the sink and dried food still stuck to the skillet, I knew something had happened. It’s not like her to leave the house like that.” Aaron turned to his mother with a puzzled look. “Why’s she sleeping? Did she injure herself? Is she sick?”

  Desi shook her head. “She’s fine—just a little under the weather is all. She might be just fine by the time she wakes up.”

  “Why is she under the weather?”

  “It’s her time. She realized in her rush to leave Kansas, she forgot to pack her woman’s supplies. She came racing to the store this morning asking to charge some fabric and use the sewing machine to make some pads.”

  “Her time. As in…”

  “Aaron, you’re a married man. You do know about a woman’s monthlies, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I know. That is what today was all about?”

  Desi nodded. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

  Aaron continued to stare at his mother. He was pretty sure he knew what it meant but didn’t dare answer in case he was wrong. He didn’t want to get his hopes up for either him or Andrea.

  “Son, it means there won’t be any baby, at least not this month.”

  Aaron released a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. “I’m happy for her, Ma. Maybe this will take the pressure off of her and help her feel better about our marriage.”

  “Just keep being patient with her, Son. I don’t think her pa did a very good job of convincing her she deserves to be his daughter. I think if you can convince her she deserves to be your wife and you want her by your side, she’ll be able to overcome her doubts about herself. Now, go wash up, and I’ll get supper on the table. Maybe she’ll be ready to wake up and join us by then.”

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  CHAPTER 14

  ~o0o~

  After church on Sunday, Aaron, with his bride of two weeks on his arm, joined his parents. He fought back a smug smile as he saw how his mother’s eyes gleamed with approval at the sight of them. He was the first to admit Andrea looked beautiful in her new calico dress with a pink and green floral design on a white background. She definitely looked nice in pink. This dress wasn’t as fancy as the silk gown that had been loaned to her for the wedding, but Aaron thought it suited her better. Besides, for the summer heat, this one had to be more comfortable. The shade from the wider-brimmed straw hat his mother convinced Andrea to buy had to help too.

  Simon
Brinks was the first to speak. “Good service, good service—although I don’t know why these pastors have to take so long to say their piece. Guess they figure the Lord pays them by the word and it makes it more worth our while if he stretches it out.”

  Desi playfully swatted her husband with the back of her hand. “Now, Pa, that’s no way to talk. I thought Pastor Alwin delivered a mighty fine sermon. In spite of the heat, I didn’t see too many falling asleep in there, so it wasn’t too long.” She turned to Aaron and Andrea. “Did you two bring a picnic lunch? You’re welcome to join us at the park if you did.”

  Aaron looked down at Andrea before he answered. “If you don’t mind, not today, Ma. I thought I’d walk Andrea down by the river and find a shady spot for our noon meal.”

  “I understand, Aaron. Well, I suppose we better head back to the store long enough to pick up our picnic lunch. I have it made, but with us only being a block from the park, it makes it easier to leave it there in the icebox during meeting.”

  Andrea held her hand up, palm out, as if to stop them. “Um…if you don’t mind, would you have time to walk out to our place first? I’d like you to witness something real quick before we all go our separate ways. I promise it won’t take long.”

  Puzzled over what Andrea had in mind, Aaron shrugged in response to his parents’ questioning glances directed his way.

  Desi nudged her husband. “We’d love to come, Andrea. Wouldn’t we, Simon? Besides, this will give Simon a chance to see what Andrea has done with the house.”

  “Certainly, dear. We could use a nice walk. If you don’t mind, though, I’ll shed this coat first.”

  Aaron nodded in agreement. “Good idea. I’m sure the Lord will understand if the tie comes off, too.”

  His coat with the tie tucked into a pocket over one arm, Aaron offered his other to Andrea. The foursome walked up Schoolhouse Road towards the bridge that led to Aaron’s assigned company house. Desi kept a stream of light-hearted conversation with her husband going all the way. Except for occasionally smiling at something his parents said, Aaron walked in silence, enjoying having Andrea walk next to him.