Tillie looked into his eyes and found a reassuring measure of trust there. "OK, I'm ready."
Chapter Ten
Jeb had been right of course. Compared to her brother's mansion in Savannah, her house in Hope Springs was small but it was most certainly spacious enough and like he'd said, easy to clean. As time went by, she would maybe change the furnishings and give the place less of a bachelor feel and plant out a flower garden in the front between the porch and the front fence. She'd made friends with the cook, Laura Ray and together they talked about starting up a proper kitchen garden out the back and perhaps an outdoor area for cooking and eating when the heat of summer made it too hot in the kitchen.
True to his word, Jeb had not insisted on claiming his marital rights, although they did share a bed and a bedroom. He was right too, about life being different out here. She'd been here for two weeks and was more relaxed than she'd been in years. In fact, it felt as if she had finally found her true home. She couldn't help but believe the Lord had led her here. He most certainly worked in wondrous ways to bring His miracles to fruition. Happy and content best described how she felt.
She'd also noticed how attentive Jeb seemed toward her. He always made sure anything and everything she wanted was given to her and was always solicitous of her feelings, even down to letting her know if he was going to be late home from work. Although he hadn't spoken his feelings aloud, she was sure he'd fallen in love with her. Of course, his special treatment of her only brought her to feel the same for him.
Upon arriving home after church services that Sunday morning, he informed her he had something to discuss with her after dinner. Tillie prayed all afternoon and throughout the evening meal about what he wanted to tell her, though she didn't want to convince herself it could be true.
Margaret, the cook who was every bit as good as Clara, had begun to clear the table. Jeb rose and came to help Tillie from her chair before leading her into the parlor. He closed the door behind them, which was unusual. Normally, he didn't mind leaving it open. She thought something was wrong or he had some bad news about her brother to impart. Her heart beat faster as she tried to figure out what was happening.
She perched upon the sofa, her nerves fighting to separate themselves from her body. He moved the ornate, padded chair in which he usually sat, and placed it directly in front of her, then lowered himself into it. When he gazed into her eyes, she saw the seriousness that was also displayed on his handsome features. As if that wasn't enough, she noted a detectable glint of anxiety. She waited for the blow to fall, whatever it could be.
He reached out and grasped both her hands in his. "Tillie, I know we only met a month ago and were quickly married, but I must tell you something. I can only hope you will understand, and if God is willing, maybe you will respond the same."
She felt her heart attempt to climb into her throat, and swallowed hard several times. She sent a silent prayer in the general direction of Heaven... please give me the strength to cope with his news, dear Lord. "I suppose that would depend on what you have to say. Whatever it is, I'm listening intently." She was glad to hear her nerves hadn't come through to betray her nervousness.
The grin that lit his face only served to make him more handsome, and she couldn't help wanting to melt where she sat.
"Every moment I've spent with you, I've felt as if I were in Heaven."
He paused, and she nodded to encourage him to continue. It wasn't going to be bad news then. The truth was, she couldn't think. His statement had made her blood pump faster, causing her mind to spin.
"What I'm trying to say is that I believe I've fallen in love with you." Now there was an uncertain expectancy in his eyes.
If she could only speak, she'd tell him the same. Seconds were ticking by and he was waiting for her to say something. Fighting with all her strength and will, she pushed all thoughts aside and concentrated on his last few words. The best she could do was to repeat them.
"I believe I've fallen in love with you, too." Thankfully, she'd spoken loud enough for him to hear, and with conviction, as well.
He released her hands, tenderly stroked her cheek, and brought his lips to hers. At first, the touch of his kiss was soft and gentle, but she found herself wanting more. He seemed to sense her thoughts, and intensified the pressure. Before she knew what was happening, she felt as though she'd suddenly been taken bodily into Heaven. She could stay like this for all eternity, with never a desire to leave. So much for being a Mail Order Bride. Her husband loved her and she him, for always.
End
Chapter One
The sun had been up for only an hour when the door of her past slammed behind her, as it had done her entire life. Heading down the short walkway to the street, Millie Wyatt turned to gaze one final time at the place that had been her home for the last ten years. She was glad to be leaving the Charleston Orphanage, and knew she wouldn't miss it in the least.
It wasn't a bad place and was certainly better than some orphanages she had heard about, but it was a long way from a proper home with loving parents. She did however, understand the need for such places because children like herself had to live somewhere. But she was eighteen now, and old enough to be on her own. For sure the orphanage wouldn't keep her when she could be out in the world working at some job or other. No, it was high time she made her own way in the world and it was a heady feeling. She was free. The downside was, she had little experience of the world, especially the rough and disreputable types who seemed to live on the streets. She'd been protected from the outside world in the orphanage and while she'd had her share of rough treatment at the hands of the warders, she instinctively knew she would be more vulnerable once outside the formidable walls. Still, she had to make her own way and rely on her inner strength to get her through the difficult times ahead.
Millie was aware that God had a plan for everyone, though what His plan was for her, she hadn't been able to figure out yet. Her mother had taught her all about God and the Bible before she passed away and her faith had sustained her ever since. She was only seven then, and had no idea what tuberculosis was until after her thirteenth birthday when she finally found out and understood what her mother had died from.
Not long after Mother's funeral, her father began to drink, remaining intoxicated because, as he'd said, "It eases the pain of living without her."
Millie didn't believe that for a moment, but what could she do? She was only a child, and before her eighth birthday, her father's drinking had increased to a point where he was unable to care for and raise her properly. The orphanage had been her only home since that time and from the day her father left her there, she'd not seen him again. He could be dead for all she knew and while her memories of the early years with her parents were good ones, the rough treatment regularly doled out by her father when he was drunk meant that she now preferred not to think about him. She'd taken the bad times along with the good since then and had become self sufficient and hard working, sure in herself that everything would eventually work out.
Enough of reminiscing. Pushing those thoughts aside, she concentrated on her immediate task. She had to get to the stagecoach that would take her to Atlanta, Georgia. From there, she'd board a train headed for Hope Springs, Texas. The previous year, not knowing what would become of her once she left the orphanage, she'd brought her concerns to one of the warders. A few days later, the head warder came to her and suggested she begin correspondence with a man who was seeking a wife. At first, she wasn't sure about the idea, but within a week she'd decided it was the only option she had available to her. After all, she had no profession to speak of, besides being proficient in all domestic activities required to run a home and look after children. She began writing to a man named Jake Benson, the Sheriff of Hope Springs.
From his letters, he seemed like a nice man, although she had little in the way of experience with the ways of men, and she liked the fact that he was eight years older than her. It gave her a small sens
e of security. She was confident of her ability to provide a clean, comfortable home for him, as well as provide companionship and perform the other wifely duties she would deal with when circumstances permitted. Never would she let on that she had a fear of those duties, having seen what happened to some young women when they performed those duties without the benefit of marriage. There had been more than one unwed mother give birth in an agony of unhappiness at the orphanage, leaving the baby behind before returning to the streets. In her last letter to Jake, only a short month earlier, she'd agreed to his proposal of marriage and now she was leaving Charleston, on her way at last to meet the man who she would spend the rest of her life with.
Turning the corner, she noticed the stagecoach near the next intersection and it appeared ready to depart. She rushed to catch the driver before he could climb up to his seat.
"Pardon me, sir. Is this the coach to Atlanta?" Though she was a bit out of breath, her words came out crisp and clear.
"Yes, it is. Have you a ticket?" It was obvious his reply had been given to many previous travelers.
"I do, sir." She set her two small suitcases on the ground next to her, and opened her reticule to retrieve it. "Should I give it to you now?"
He was a tough sort but polite. "Take it inside and give it to the man behind the counter." He waved his hand toward the building behind her. "He'll give you a piece of it to bring back to me. I'll wait a few minutes for you, but don't be long 'cause I'd like to get moving."
"Thank you. I shall try to be quick." She flashed him a smile she hoped was grateful, then turned to enter the stagecoach office, leaving her bags for the driver to load onto the coach.
~#~#~#~
Riding in a stagecoach was something she'd never experienced until now. Although it was thrilling to be heading out on an adventure, she hadn't expected the ride to be so bumpy. Her stomach tried to turn itself inside out, and she was glad to have only had a small breakfast before leaving earlier that morning. She sent out many silent prayers in the hope it would stay right where it belonged, which was in her stomach.
Three other people were riding with her. A man and a woman sat opposite her, and appeared to be a married couple from the way they seemed to be so comfortable with each other. The young boy who was next to Millie seemed to be about twelve years old, and kept stealing glances at her. His cheeks colored to a deep rose shade each time she smiled back at him.
Although she tried to hide her discomfort, it was soon apparent she hadn't been successful in doing so. Only ten minutes had gone by when the woman finally spoke to her.
"Is this your first trip, dear?" Her smile was polite, and her words almost motherly.
Millie felt a bashful grin form, and her cheeks warmed a bit. "Yes, it is. I had hoped it wasn't so obvious."
The woman's smile remained the same. "You'll be fine in a little while. After we've been going for a time, you'll adjust to the movement and find yourself wondering what you were worried about." She paused for a moment. "Do you have family in Atlanta?"
Millie tried to maintain a neutral expression, but wasn't sure she achieved her goal. "I have no family. My mother died when I was only seven, and my father wasn't able to care for me." She lowered her gaze to her hands in her lap. "He placed me in the orphanage when I was eight, and I've not seen him since. I cannot say whether he is still alive, or if he's passed away also."
When she looked up again, the couple appeared sympathetic. "But that is the past." Millie attempted a brave smile. "Today is my eighteenth birthday, and I'm going to Hope Springs, Texas to meet the man I will marry. We have been exchanging letters for a year, and I believe the Lord has His hand upon both of us."
The woman seemed to cheer up. "That sounds like a wonderful adventure! Doesn't it, Henry?" She glanced at the man next to her.
"I agree completely, Rebecca, my dear. A great adventure, indeed." His grin was reassuring.
A brief silence fell upon the group of travelers. Millie gazed out the small window, pretending to be interested in the countryside as it passed by. In truth, she was praying the Lord would grant her a safe trip, and her future husband would be the man he claimed in his letters. She knew it was a risk marrying a man she'd never met but plenty of women did it and it seemed to work out for them. Sure, it was likely there would be a few couples who didn't hit it off, but like most women of the times, she would do what ever it took to make her marriage a success because there was little in the way of alternatives. Falling in love would be like icing on a cake and for a moment, she hoped with all her heart that she would be lucky enough to marry a man she could love and who loved her in return. Then again, she was used to eating cake without icing and it tasted just fine.
"We'll be visiting my family." Rebecca's voice cut into her reverie. "My parents haven't seen our son here, Steven, in more than five years. They'll be hard put to recognize him because he's grown so much. He's turning into a young man before our eyes and no doubt will be turning a few female heads before too long. I'm looking forward to seeing them too - my parents, not Stephen's admirers." Rebecca laughed comfortably at her joke.
Millie beamed a polite smile in her direction, then toward the boy. His face turned a seemingly uncomfortable shade of cherry red and she thought that twelve was an awkward age for a boy, being neither a child or a young man.
For the remainder of the ride to Atlanta, Rebecca regaled her with stories of how she and Henry had met, fallen in love and married, instances from Steven's childhood, and general family tales. Millie could only hope that one day she'd have such happy stories to tell. To have a proper family of her own, complete with a loving husband seemed to her like the most noble of dreams. She had love to spare for a child and a husband, and silently vowed to have as happy a time of it as Rebecca.
~#~#~#~
Chapter Two
By early afternoon the stagecoach had made it to Atlanta, and the taciturn driver directed her to the train station. Millie was glad to know it was only a few blocks away because she didn't fancy a long walk in the afternoon heat. She did however, take a few moments to thank her new friends for keeping her occupied on the trip.
"It has been a pleasure riding with you." She reached out and shook Henry's hand, then turned to Rebecca. "One day, I hope to have as many lovely family tales to tell as you. In fact, I would be proud to have a family like yours."
"I'm sure you shall, dear." The woman's smile could brighten anyone's day, having the ability to put everyone she came into contact with, comfortably at ease. She reminded Millie of her mother before she died, a peaceful, happy, well grounded woman, comfortable in herself to be a loving mother.
Millie turned her attention to the boy who had spent a good part of the morning in a state of embarrassment. "Make sure to mind your parents, Steven. If you can do that, I've no doubt at all you will grow into a fine young man." She patted his cheek and felt the blush intensify as the awkward feelings overwhelmed him again.
"I'll do my best, ma'am." His reply wasn't much more than a whisper.
She regarded the three of them, glancing from one to the next. "I shall keep you in my prayers for a good and happy life."
"We shall do the same for you, dear." There was a strong sincerity in Rebecca's words.
With a broad smile, Millie picked up her bags, turned, and headed in the direction the coach driver had indicated. She'd taken only a step or two when she heard the boy address his father.
"I like her, Pa. She's a nice lady."
"Yes, she is, son. Whomever she's going off to marry is a lucky young man."
Millie wasn't sure it was possible, however, it felt as if her smile widened further. She sent out a fast prayer that she'd meet more nice folks on the train to Texas. Her new freedom was turning out well and she thought of how many good people there were in the most unlikely of places. It seemed as though her earlier fears were perhaps unfounded. People were basically good at heart. After all, that's how God made them.
The station
seemed closer than she'd been told, and in a few minutes, she'd arrived at her destination. Following the signs to the Departures clerk, she noticed no one waiting in line, stepped up to the counter, and set her bags on the floor next to her.
His greeting was formal, yet friendly. "Good afternoon, ma'am. May I help you?"
"Yes, please." She opened her reticule, retrieved her ticket, and handed it to him. "I'm going to Hope Springs, Texas."
A delighted smile lit up his face. "I have an aunt who lives there. Her husband is the innkeeper there."
Millie's eyes widened with cheerfulness. "She must be a lovely lady, I'd wager."
He chuckled. "Aunt Emma is a spirited one, for sure, but she's also quite charming."
"In that case, I must make certain to meet her. She sounds like someone I'd enjoy spending time with and it would be good to have a friendly face to visit with." She paused, wondering if she should ask the question that just popped into her head. Two seconds was all she needed to decide. "Would you like me to take her a message from you?"
A look of slight surprise appeared on his face because people weren't usually obliging in his experience. "That's a very nice offer. Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all. It would be my pleasure - and give me a reason to acquaint myself with her." She hoped her smile was as congenial as she'd intended.
He appeared to be in deep thought for a minute. "Please tell her Douglas will be coming for a visit in a month. I'll be bringing my mother with me." He paused. "I've sent her a letter with all the details."
Mail Order Brides of Hope Springs Three Book Boxed Set: A Clean Historical Mail Order Bride Romance Page 4