by Megan West
Anton took her hand when she had finished speaking and looked into her eyes.
“I may not be able to give you the life that you and Emmett had or even the one that you dreamed of together. But I swear to you that I will do my best to make sure that your life is a happy and productive one. I vow that you will be my equal. Our marriage will be a partnership and I will always respect your opinion no matter what the subject.”
“That…that means a lot,” Sabra stammered as she fought to keep the gathering tears at bay. “Will you tell me what brought you to seeking a mail order bride?”
“Of course,” he replied. “I will be happy to share my story with you but I do believe that we have a wedding to prepare for just now.”
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
“Oh! You’re absolutely right!” Sabra leapt to her feet. “That’s probably Christina now!”
Racing to the door, she whipped it open and, sure enough, there stood Christina.
“Hello there, Blushing Bride,” she said gaily. “Is he here yet?”
“Shhh,” Sabra whispered as she pulled Christina inside. “Yes he is! And you will not believe how handsome he is!”
“Really?” Christina whispered back. “Well, where is he?”
They huddled together giggling like school girls.
“He’s in the parlor. Come on.”
Taking her sister by the arm, Sabra tugged her in the direction of the parlor and made sure that she could see her face when Christina first laid eyes upon Anton. She was rewarded with a momentary eye popping reaction.
“Anton,” Sabra said as they walked into the parlor. “This is my sister, Christina.”
Instantly standing, he offered his hand to her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said. “I’m Anton, your about to be brother in law.”
Taking his hand, it seemed that Christina was in some sort of trance as she stared at this gorgeous man. Finally, she came back to herself and smiled at him.
“Yes, we are about to be related quite soon,” she said. “In fact, Sabra, we need to get you dressed. Anton, did Sabra tell you that we are holding a small ceremony at my home? It will be in the garden.”
“Actually, we had not quite got around to discussing those details,” he replied smiling. “But that sounds perfect. Now, I will take my leave as I am sure you ladies have things to do.”
“My husband will come to collect you at the hotel when it is time,” Christina. “His name is Walker Miles.”
“Excellent! I’ll notify the front desk to expect him. It was lovely meeting you, Mrs. Miles.”
Then he turned to Sabra and took her hand.
“I shall see you at the altar,” he said softly before kissing her hand.
“Yes,” Sabra whispered.
Once he had left, the two women stared after him as if they were both somewhat stunned.
“Well,” Christina said as she cleared her throat. “I must say that he is much more than I was expecting.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Sabra nodded. “I have to confess that I had begun to get nervous about the whole thing but, now, I feel quite good about it all.”
“I can understand why,” Christina giggled. “Now, let’s get you to my house. You’ve got a wedding in a little over an hour.”
The wedding was small but elegant and sweet, especially given that the newlyweds were veritable strangers. It was impossible not to see that they were both very attractive people and made the perfect couple, physically at least. Christina and Walker were not the only guests that noticed how shy, yet glowing, that Sabra appeared in her light blue gown. She kept glancing surreptitiously at her new husband. As for Anton, he was having a very difficult time keeping his eyes off of his new bride.
Both of them would have been aghast if they had known how they were behaving and just how many people were noticing. As far as each of them were concerned, theirs was an arrangement of convenience that would benefit both of them. Love did not factor into this equation and, surely, that was not going to happen between them. Yes, Sabra was very pretty even though she may not realize it, and Anton was quite striking in appearance. Of course, these two people could get along with each other and likely form a solid bond together. But love? That was really sort of out of the question, now wasn’t it?
Christina took Sabra aside before she and Anton left for the Inn.
“Sabra,” she counseled. “I’ve been watching you and Anton all evening. There is something between you; a connection of some sort. Don’t try to fight this. Emmett wanted you to be happy and I am sure that he’s smiling down on you today. Be open to receive whatever Anton may want to give to you in this marriage. This may be the best decision of your life.”
After hugging Christina and Walker one last time, Anton helped her into the carriage and they rode to the Magnolia Inn. It seemed that everyone in town knew about Sabra’s marriage to this stranger from across the country. They all had gathered on the sidewalks and just inside of the Inn’s lobby.
They stopped at the front desk so that Anton could collect the key to their rooms. Sabra waited behind him and looked around surreptitiously. She noticed several people that she knew as well as strangers that she had never seen and assumed that they were visiting or simply passing through the city. As she stood there watching the activity in the lobby, she noticed a man standing over by the door of the Inn who looked rather out of place. The longer she stared at him the more familiar he became.
Even though he had not appeared to her in a long time, Sabra was not entirely surprised to see him on, this, her wedding day. Emmett smiled at her and nodded, letting her know that he approved of her choice and supported her in it. She smiled back at him and felt tears gathering in her eyes.
“Sabra, are you alright?”
She had not realized that Anton was standing right by her side, key in hand. Startled, she jumped slightly and gave a short, nervous laugh.
“Oh! I’m fine,” she said, clearly flustered. “I just thought I saw someone I know.”
“Do you want to go say hello, then?” he asked.
“Oh no, no,” Sabra said. “I was mistaken.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, yes, it was no one that I knew after all,” she insisted.
“Alright, then,” Anton said as he offered her his arm. “Shall we go upstairs?”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Sabra replied as she took his arm.
Together they climbed the wide staircase to the third floor. It seemed much quieter up here than in the lobby or even the second floor.
“This really is a nice Inn,” Anton commented as they traveled the long length of the hallway to a set of double doors at the end.
They came to a stop at those doors and Anton slipped the key into the lock and turned it. Then he opened the doors and stepped back to allow her to enter first.
“I got us the suite for tonight,” he said. “I felt that it would be more restful and we would be able to get ready at our leisure before leaving tomorrow morning.”
Sabra gazed around at the room she found herself in and smiled. They seemed to be standing in a large sitting room furnished with an overstuffed floral print sofa, matching armchairs, ottomans, a coffee table, and a fireplace. A room size rug decorated the hardwood floors. One end of the room held a fireplace that was burning cozily and on the side walls were large windows. There were two doors on either side of the room that led into bedrooms.
This is certainly a lot different from my first wedding night, Sabra thought.
When she and Emmett married, they had gone straight to their newly purchased home and sat up for hours drinking champagne and eating from a platter of fruit, cheese and freshly baked bread. Later, he had carried her up the stairs to their bedroom, where she had learned what it meant to be a fulfilled wife. They had three full days together and they never left the house. Now that she thought about it, she was quite sure that they had not even bothered to get dresse
d that entire time.
Smiling slightly, she let those memories drift through her mind and then released them. Those days were in the past. She had a new husband now and needed to make the most of her marriage and future. Besides, Emmett himself had given her his approval, hadn’t he?
“This is lovely,” she said as she turned to face Anton. “Thank you.”
“I’m just so happy that you are pleased,” he said as he nodded slightly to her. “Now, what do you say that we get comfortable and just relax a little?”
“That sounds wonderful,” Sabra said. “I had not realized how tired I am.”
“Of course,” Anton said, suddenly solicitous. “Would you like to go to bed instead?”
“Oh, no, that’s not what I meant,” Sabra laughed. “I look forward to sitting in front of the fire for a bit, but I really do want to change clothes.”
Nodding, Anton agreed that they may both want to get a little more comfortable.
“So, where are my things?” she asked.
“I apologize for my ineptness,” Anton said. “Here, your things have been placed in this room.”
Leading her to one of the open doors, she saw that her luggage was, indeed, sitting at the foot of a rather large bed.
“Thank you, Anton,” she said. “You are anything but inept. This is all perfect.”
“One more thing,” he said. “I wanted to tell you that you were absolutely beautiful today. I am very proud to have the honor of calling you my wife.”
In spited of herself, Sabra could feel her face growing hot and knew that she was turning a bright red. She had not blushed in ages.
“I’m…I’m glad that you feel that way, Anton,” she said. “I, too, feel that we are well-matched.”
“Indeed,” Anton said as he smiled. “I’ll leave you to change now.”
Pulling the door closed, he left her alone in the large bedroom. She realized that she actually felt good. Maybe she was not ecstatic as she had been when she married Emmett but she was…content. Anton seemed to be a good man and he was certainly very easy on the eyes. She decided that she was looking forward to getting to know him better.
She changed into a modest, pale pink gown with a matching robe and slippers. Glancing into the vanity mirror, she decided to take her hair down and brush it out. It fell in soft, thick, ebony waves to the middle of her back. Opening her new palette of rouge that Christina had given her, she applied it lightly to her pale lips and cheeks.
There, that’s better.
Rising, she returned to the sitting room where she found Anton enjoying a glass of wine by the fire. He was dressed in silk pajama pants and a smoking jacket.
His eyes widened slightly when he saw her.
“Would you care for a glass of wine?” he asked. “A bottle was delivered as a gift from management.”
“Ah,” she smiled. “Yes, that would be lovely.”
They sat in front of the fire enjoying their wine and talking for quite a while. Before they knew it, the wine was gone and the fire needed another log or two. Without warning, Sabra yawned and she tried to stifle it.
“I have kept you up way too late,” Anton laughed taking her glass from her. “Why don’t we retire for the night? We do have a long day tomorrow.”
Nodding and laughing with him, Sabra agreed.
“Yes, you’re absolutely right,” she said. “I do need to sleep. I don’t think I’ve slept well in ages.”
“Then let’s get you to bed,” he said as he helped her from the sofa.
“You…you’re coming with me?” Sabra stammered.
For a second he looked puzzled. Then comprehension appeared in his eyes.
“Sabra, you have nothing to fear from me,” he said gently. “I am simply accompanying you to your bedroom door.”
Sabra sighed in embarrassment.
“Anton, please forgive me! I am your wife and you have every right to….”
“Sabra,” he said sternly. “This is a completely new arrangement for both of us. We are still getting to know each other and who knows how long that might take? Do I hope that we will become closer one day? Of course. But that closeness is something that must grow over time. I will never expect anything other than companionship from you until or if the time comes when we both are ready for something more. Do you understand?”
Nodding, Sabra silently agreed.
“Thank you for everything, Anton,” she said softly. “I do want a true marriage as well and am willing to be patient for it to development.”
“Good!” Anton smiled broadly. “Then we are in agreement! Now, let’s get a good night’s sleep. We have a long journey tomorrow.”
The next morning dawned bright and sunny. Sabra had actually slept quite well and was very excited to start the first part of her trip that would take her to her new home. She and Anton had breakfast and then boarded the private carriage that he had hired. As the driver guided the carriage through the city to reach the road they would travel, Anton turned to her.
“This is really a very nice city that you have here,” he said. “I am surprised that you want to leave it.”
“Oh it’s not that I want to leave it,” she replied. “I simply do not have quite the attachment to it that I once did. I will miss my sister, but I am ready for a new start. This is an ideal situation for me now.”
“I understand,” he said as he studied her. “You are strong as well as beautiful.”
Lowering her eyes, she smiled shyly. That was twice that he had called her beautiful.
They spent the better part of the trip talking and exchanging anecdotes of their lives. By mid-afternoon, they arrived at a small town with a nice little pub in the center of it. That is where they stopped to have a late lunch. As they dined on some rather impressive food, they discussed the fact that the horses and driver may need to rest. Following their meal, Anton spoke to the pub owner to see where they might find a room for the night. He was told that there was a small inn at the edge of town.
Anton released the driver so that he could care for the horses and get some rest himself. Then, he and Sabra walked down the sidewalk to where the inn was located. It was small with only two stories.
“I don’t suppose they get a lot of guests here,” Sabra commented. “But it looks very neat and clean.”
“Yes, I do think it will be fine for tonight.”
There were no large suites to be had at the Welcome Inn, but they managed to get two connecting rooms. Once settled in their rooms, they left the Inn to walk around the small town for a bit until it was time for dinner. Again, it was a wonderfully companionable time together between two people who were slowly getting acquainted. Dinner was a simple fare, but tasty, and afterward they each retired to their own rooms for the night.
Sabra was sleeping peacefully when she was awakened by something that she could not identify. As she searched the room with her eyes, she spotted a light at the foot of her bed. This light grew quickly into a man sized glow that surrounded Emmett.
She sat up abruptly and stared at him. This time he was not smiling at her but, instead, seemed to be wearing a worried expression.
“Emmett?” she asked. “What is it?”
By now, she had become accustomed to him appearing to her on occasion so it no longer frightened her. Emmett had loved her in life and she knew that he would never harm her in death. He was here for a reason and she needed to find out what it was.
“My darling Sabra,” he intoned. “You must not travel tomorrow. You will be in danger if you do.”
“What do you mean, Emmett? Why cannot I not travel?”
He just stood there bathed in light, shaking his head. Then he was gone just as quickly as he had arrived.
“Emmett?” Sabra called. “Don’t leave yet. What do you mean?”
But it was no use. He had gone and she already knew that it would be impossible to bring him back. She was still sitting up in bed when there was a knock on the connecting door.
“Sabra?” Anton called through the door. “Are you alright?”
Oh no! I must have spoken too loudly!
Grabbing her robe, Sabra quickly got out of bed and went to the door.
“Sabra, is everything alright? I heard you calling out,” Anton said.
“Oh yes, yes,” Sabra tried to laugh. “I’m fine. I should probably tell you that sometimes I talk in my sleep.”
“Are you sure?” he asked again. “I could have sworn it sounded as if you were talking with someone.”
He doesn’t believe me. I will have to do better than this.
“Yes, I’m sure,” she replied. “I tend to talk in my sleep when I am over tired. Happily, it does not happen often. But thank you for your concern.”
Anton nodded absently but his face still held a look of worry and puzzlement.
“Seriously, Anton,” Sabra managed to laugh more convincingly. “I’m fine! I’ve just had too much excitement in the last few days. That’s all. I do apologize for disturbing you.”
“It’s no trouble, Sabra,” he said. “Would you like me to sleep on the chaise lounge in here?”
“No, no,” she protested. “There’s no need for you to be uncomfortable on that small chaise when you have a perfectly good bed right in your room. I truly am fine.”
“Alright then,” he replied. “If you’re sure, I’ll go, but if you need anything, please do let me know.”
“I will do that, Anton,” Sabra assured him. “Thank you. You are very kind.”
“Good night, then,” he said.
“Good night, Anton,” she replied before closing the door between them once more.
She returned to her bed although she knew that sleep would be elusive for her now. How was she going to get Anton to postpone their travel for a day or so? Obviously, she would have to think of something. She had learned from past experience to not ignore any of her visions whether they were dreams or information from ghosts. Naturally, she could not tell Anton that the ghost of her dead husband had appeared to her and told her not to travel.