by Nathan Adams
I was wearing a negligee now, waiting for him to come in so that I could surprise him with my more daring display. This would be the first time he would have seen me so bare, and I was nervous.
Unlike Connecticut, no snow fell in Texas. It was dry and mild, and the days just seemed shorter. While I was watching our Lord at work, I heard our door open. It was Brandon, and he came inside dressed down in a robe.
I had to admit he was quite handsome that way. I admired his physique, and he seemed just as nervous as me. We both gave each other a weak smile before letting out our own nervous laughs, but I noticed Brandon’s eyes trace over my feminine figure, and he came closer to me as he pulled me near. “For the first time, I can be with the woman I truly do feel close to. I never expected myself to fall in love so quickly, but here I am.” He said with a light laugh, “You look beautiful by the way.”
“And you are quite handsome…Can I ask you a question Brandon?”
“Certainly.”
“Why a mail order bride? Why not a woman here? Why did you take me, someone who has so much baggage?”
“Because why would anyone without some sense of understanding know what I’d gone through? I made mistakes, broke my brother’s heart…Gave life to my daughter, but robbed her mother of it. I fell into sin, and I live each day carrying that burden. In a sermon one day, our pastor made a good point however. He said we can’t move on with God unless we learn to forgive ourselves. I can only pick up the pieces and move forward from here. Ruth deserved a mother, and I deserved love…You did too, and that’s why we are here together now.”
I held him near, “Brandon you’re absolutely right.” I said softly.
He hugged me to him tighter still and kissed just behind my ear, “When I saw you walk down that aisle, I knew I had done the right thing.”
We stayed this way for quite a long time, enjoying one another’s embrace. We did not make love for fear that we might harm the baby, so our bodies being close to one another’s for the first time was the feeling that we enjoyed that night.
Before Spring could grace Texas, Lilly Anne Hynes was born, and I watched as she clung to me for what nourishment I could offer her. She had my eyes, and while her father’s features were undeniable on her tiny face, all I saw was love. Brandon seemed to feel the same, and he looked on at her in awe. “She is quite beautiful Vanessa…” he said, “I believe we picked her name well.”
“As do I.” I said with a bright smile. I watched her eyes study mine, and Oliva came in with a fresh water and cloth for me.
“She truly is beautiful…Lilly Anne Hynes…Such a gorgeous name too.” She said in admiration.
Brandon turned to her and nodded, “She’ll be the light of Ruth’s life, don’t you think?” he asked her.
“Yes! Ruth will love her to death. God certainly is good, and you both are very blessed.” She said as she wrung out the rag and began to gently wipe my neck and forehead. “I can only imagine what the day will be like for me…” Olivia said dreamily.
I giggled, “Oh Olivia…You still have so much more time before you should be thinking of things like that. You’re only 17.” I said chidingly.
“Perhaps, but I have always wanted a family. I assume it’s because I never really had one…” she said looking thoughtful.
I frowned a little, “It is sometimes the way of things, but I assure you that you are cared for.” I said.
Olivia seemed grateful, but soon after the exchange of words, someone was knocking on my door. Olivia skirted over to answer it, but instead of welcoming the guest inside, she stepped out. I rose my eyebrow in confusion. What she did meant the guest would not normally be welcomed inside, and I feared the worst.
After a moment, she stepped back in. “You have a special guest.” She said looking a bit worried.
“Well go on, tell me who it is.” I asked curiously.
“It’s Emily.”
I froze, not knowing how to take that news. “Let her inside.” I finally urged as I leaned over to look.
Olivia opened the door, and sure enough Emily was standing there, as radiant as ever. She glanced around the room, looking to Brandon, then to myself, and finally her eyes rested on Lilly. “She’s gorgeous Vanessa.” She said looking up at me with a smile.
I did not smile back in response. I was trying to find all of the energy God had given me to forgive and remember what I had vowed to do before a wobbly grin graced my own features, “Thank you Emily. What brings you here?” I asked.
“To apologize.”
Brandon looked between myself and Emily, “I think I’ll let you ladies be. I’ll come back in once you’re done.” He said nodding politely to Emily, and kissing my lips. He left Emily and I alone.
“There’s nothing to apologize…”
“Yes there is.” She interrupted me.
I shut my mouth for a moment to allow her the time to speak her mind.
“I slept with Lawrence. He complained that your marriage was growing stale and he was running out of options with how to keep it together. He said it was taking much too long to try for a baby, but he was too embarrassed to admit that it might be his own fault.” She said looking sad, “He asked me to help him get his spark back. At first I declined, but I started getting jealous. I haven’t been married yet, or even courted. I’m more than worried it’s about my father’s position. Everyone’s afraid to date me.” She explained.
I smiled gently at her, “Emily, I already figured it out when I saw the paper. On everything, on the infidelity, on the slander, I say it’s alright. God has forgiven you, and he will forgive me too for my bitterness. I don’t want you to shoulder that regret anymore. Besides, Lawrence was right. We had little in common, and it was more of a political move than anything else.” I explained.
Emily seemed grateful. “Thank you Vanessa. I only wish that I could have been stronger, but you’re right.” She said softly. “I’m sorry to have bothered you at such a time, but I do want to ask…May I visit with the baby?” she asked curiously.
I didn’t decline her, and we spent a long time discussing the way of things. Before she left for the day, she vowed to clean up my name back in Connecticut.
By evening I was watching Lilly sleep peacefully in her bassinet, and I rested for the first time all day since she had been born. Brandon came into the room, the happy expression on his face now worn and tired. “I suppose it’s just us for the rest of the evening then.” He said, “I only wish we could allow Ruth in to see you now. She’s begged all day, you know.”
“After the baby has rested for the first few days, she can come in. The doctor says it may even be sooner than that with how healthy she turned out to be. I was stunned myself.” I admitted.
He climbed into the bed next to me, wrapping his arms gently around my midsection and drawing me near. “I believe I really lucked out when you answered my ad.” He said quietly.
I took his hand in my own, and we kissed once more under the fading glow of the oil lamp. His hand intertwined in mine, and our love only began to grow stronger still.
I never thought I would meet a man like Brandon, or have my life back. I could only see us growing stronger together, despite the pasts we came from.
THE END
Return to the TOC for Bonus Content
The Hole in His Heart
Chapter 1:
Wayne Thurgood was a good man, hardworking, and loyal. His entire life revolved around two key things: his wife and his children. Betsy Thurgood was a rough-and-tumble woman who knew how to take care of business and never complained about anything. She was God-fearing and cared deeply for the well-being of her family as they settled in Wyoming, where life could get hard. That very attitude carried her though till the end, and even on her deathbed, she didn’t break in the face of death. She stared it head on, and told Wayne it was OK for him to move on because one day she’d see him again.
It had been roughly three months, but it still hadn’t been easy for
Wayne. His heart was hurting again today as he sat in the kitchen where his daughter Melinda was making breakfast. She was only 8, but the young girl knew how to cook up a mean meal like her mama.
“Smells good in here,” he said after a moment of scanning through the paper.
“Thanks, Daddy. I figured you’d want something good to start the day right with. I know things have been hard.”
“That is true, but we don’t need to dwell on that. We take the good with the bad around here,” he said.
She continued to cook, and Wayne resumed looking in the paper again. He was searching for something in particular, and after a few more moments, he found it. He’d placed a mail-order bride ad in the paper about a week ago, but he hadn’t gotten any responses yet. He kept running it, hoping someone would answer the call soon. “Maybe I ought to change my phrasing,” he said with a sigh as he looked at the description.
It read, “Wanted: Wife who knows how to take care of multiple children, cook, clean and doesn’t mind the ways of the Midwest. Travel expenses will be taken care of, and living arrangements can be made if necessary.”
When he thought about it, the ad might not sound too enticing. What woman would want to take on the role of raising three children who weren’t her own, as well as live in such a harsh environment? Everyone knew about the problems the Midwest faced, with attacks by Native Americans only being one of the issues. It wasn’t the most glamorous place to call home, and most women preferred to stay on the East Coast and up north where the living was much easier.
Charlie and Elisabeth came in from outside laughing and carrying on, though Elisabeth was whining. Wayne grinned at the younger kids, “What’s got you two so riled up?” he asked.
Charlie, who was 6 at the time, smiled. “We were just playing by the well, and I made up a story about a witch being down there. You should have seen Elisabeth’s face,” he said laughing harder at the flustered girl.
Elisabeth was only 5, not very far apart from Charlie, so they got along—most of the time. She stomped her foot angrily and crossed her arms, “Charlie’s just mean! Tell him to stop making up stories, Daddy,” she begged.
Wayne stood up and mused Elisabeth’s hair lovingly. “Sometimes we just need to grow a little bit of thick skin. But what have I told you both about playing near the well?” he asked, getting more serious now.
Both kids shifted from foot to foot quietly.
“Well?”
“Not to do it.” They answered in unison.
He sighed deeply and then ushered them toward the table. “Now hurry up, wash up your hands and settle down. Your big sis is about to get your plates ready,” he said.
He walked out onto the front porch with the full intention of getting some fresh air, but then he saw a familiar wagon out front, and it made him sigh deeply. Sheryl and James Carson were here, no doubt to discuss the children’s “dire” situation with him once again. These were his wife’s parents, and they’d always been overly concerned about their grandchildren and their upbringing.
“Wayne, you’re looking well,” his heavyset mother in law said as she stepped out.
Wayne nodded and adjusted his hat. “Same to you, Sheryl,” he said.
“Now what have I told you about addressing me like that? We aren’t that familiar, Wayne,” she scolded lightly before coming up and taking a seat in a rocking chair.
Mr. Carson came over next, and he was the very antithesis of his wife, standing very tall and lean. He was a proper man, nothing like Wayne with his bulging musculature and simple manner of dress. “Good day to you, Wayne,” James said before taking his own seat.
“I take it you both are here to discuss more about the kids,” Wayne guessed.
“Quick to the bullet, aren’t you, Wayne? Well, you’re right. I just so happen to think that it’s been long enough, and it’s high time we start getting serious about their arrangements,” Sheryl said.
“Their arrangements are fine. There’s no need to uproot two kids from their daddy, move them halfway across Wyoming and put them at more risk just from the travel alone,” he said.
“We already mentioned we were considering building a house here,” James said. “This is just you stalling.”
“There isn’t a way in hell I’m going to let you both keep coming over here and causing trouble. They already said they don’t want to go with you,” Wayne retorted.
“You see, it’s that brute behavior of yours that makes me really worried about leaving my grandchildren here. We’re going to have to take this to court if you don’t cooperate. You already have your hands full with the ranch, and the kids are always running around here not being minded as it is. You won’t even get a nanny for them,” Sheryl said pointedly.
“They don’t need a nanny. They’re smart enough to manage themselves while I work,” Wayne said.
“Then what about when I came rolling up and saw Charlie and Elisabeth playing by the well again?” Sheryl said narrowing her eyes and leaning forward. “You think that’s smart enough? They’re children and don’t know any better, and they need guidance. I fail to see why this even needs anymore discussion,” she said.
Wayne was about to say something, but suddenly Elisabeth ran out of the house and hugged both James and Sheryl. “I missed you two!” she said happily.
Sheryl’s venomous demeanor turned loving and sweet when she caught glimpse of her granddaughter. “Well, I missed you, too, you sweet thing you! How would you like to come stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a bit?” she asked.
Wayne stood upright at that one. “Now don’t you think you can just come here and start playing mind games with the kids,” he said angrily.
Elisabeth looked shocked. “Why can’t I, Daddy?” she asked softly.
Wayne grimaced a bit, but then pointed to the door. “You need to finish your food, and all of you need to stay in there until I come back inside,” he said.
Elisabeth looked confused and hesitated, but after a moment, she ran off inside just as she was told.
Sheryl chuckled low. “Seems to me like they’d be just fine coming to stay with us,” she said. “That’s fine, though. Once a court looks at all of this evidence, then I’m sorry, but you’re going to lose, Wayne. Two parents that make much more money than you, and two parents who have raised kids before. They’re not going to give you the time of day,” she said as she stood up and walked down the steps slowly.
If he was any less of a man, he would have knocked her down the steps. James stood up and eyed Wayne condescendingly. “I never wanted you to end up with my daughter anyway, but these kids deserve a better home than this,” he said and walked off with his wife.
Wayne watched them pull off in all their self-righteousness. When they were finally gone, he kicked the railing on the porch in his agitation about the whole thing. He knew they were just using this to get back at him for stealing their daughter away. Now she was dead, and no matter the reason, they would always blame him. He failed to see how logic escaped them when it came to the kids, however. How would these gifts from God have come to exist without his marriage to Betsy?
. . .
A few days passed, and there was still no sign of a woman accepting his proposal. With a summons in hand, the time was drawing nearer and he was getting more desperate. At this point, he was prepared to pay for the woman’s time and even make it a shorter gig.
He walked into the post office, and just before he was about to speak, he got the news he’d been waiting for. “Hey, Wayne, a telegram came in for you earlier. Care to take a look?” the postmaster asked.
Wayne couldn’t help but grin ear to ear and walked over quickly. “Sure do!” he said and sat down to look at it.
To my dearest Wayne Thurgood,
My name is Chelsea Sharpton, and I happened upon your ad looking for a wife who can care for children and tend the home. I am young, have never been married and have never had children, but it has been all my life that I have spent raising the c
hildren in my community and assisting at the schoolhouse. I’m certain I would be perfect for this, so if you accept me, please write me back.
Sincerely,
Chelsea Sharpton
She sounded perfect, and Wayne was getting excited just thinking about it. The fact that she was young was even better because that meant she wouldn’t be clingy. When this was all over, she could go back home, and there would be no more questions asked. “Let’s go ahead and respond to this now,” he said as he vigorously wrote down his response. He couldn’t wait to meet her, and he hoped she was everything she was saying she was. If this all worked out, he wouldn’t have to worry about his meddling in-laws anymore.
The telegram was sent quickly, and all that was left was to get a response. Wayne was surprised when it came back as quickly as it did, and soon the plans were set. He was one step closer to proving Sheryl and James wrong.
The postmaster smiled. “It’s been set, and the money has been sent,” he said.
James thanked him for his time and help and proceeded back home. There was still a load of work to be done around the ranch, and despite the fact that he was already hours behind, he didn’t care. He could work forever now knowing that his kids would be cared for and they would never have to leave him.
Chapter 2:
The sun was setting when the train pulled into the station. Wayne stood there with all of his children dressed nice and presentable.
“Daddy, you look really nervous,” Melinda said with a smile.
Wayne’s eyes darted down to her before looking back up at the slowing train. “I am. Can’t help it, darling,” he answered honestly.
“Do you think I did a good job on Elisabeth’s hair?” she asked, looking for his approval.
Wayne looked down with a gentle smile and squeezed her hand. “You sure did. She looks like a million bucks. So do you,” he said.
Before long, however, the people poured off of the train. Wayne tried to get an idea of who the girl might be. He wasn’t sure why he was so curious about how she looked, especially because whatever woman he was seeing was his business, but he was curious. He hadn’t deemed himself ready to get into another relationship yet, so he wasn’t really in the market.