by Kate Sheperd
He gave me a long look.
“Thank you, Lillian. You didn’t have to go to all that trouble,” he said.
“Oh, it was no trouble. I figure a wife should send her husband off on a full stomach with a good meal for his lunch,” I said quickly. “Besides home cooked meals should be more than just dinner.”
We walked down the stairs together. I had arranged his food at the head of the table and my own setting at the seat to his left.
“I never asked you how you like your eggs,” I said when we were settled.
“Cooked,” he said.
We both had a small laugh. He asked about my plans for the day.
“I thought I would take Hibiscus for a ride. I would like to learn the land and find things to collect here. Come home around lunch and tidy the house,” I said.
He nodded and grabbed another biscuit and a piece of sausage.
“What is your day like?” I asked.
“There is really no schedule. I just like to make the most of the day,” he said.
“I don’t suppose you would want to join me,” he offered.
I raised an eyebrow intrigued by the invitation.
“It wouldn’t take long to saddle your horse. You could change clothes,” he said. “This way I could show you around the area a little bit for your first time. It may help your exploring.”
“You really wouldn’t mind?” I asked.
“No, I like that you keep yourself occupied and learning. You have an active mind,” he said.
I blushed a little and went to change and he prepared my horse.
Chapter 7
A few minutes later we were on a trail not far from his home. I followed as he led through a small path in the woods toward the mountains. He named wildflowers and bushes as we passed and gestured toward where I might see different birds and animals. He described the weather for the seasons here.
He seemed pleased that I enjoyed the outdoors and new things. I felt a bit more relaxed knowing we had something in common. Now that I had committed myself to him, I hoped we could get along.
Among some smaller rocks before the base of the mountain, there was a cave.
“Here we are,” he said.
He came around to help me from my horse, but I had already dismounted and was staring mouth agape at the cavern.
“You spend your days in places like this?” I asked.
“I do now. I’ve profited off oil and the contracts I had designing sky scrapers. Mrs. Goodman gave me a gift from the sale of their business for my hand in its success. I feel like mining silver is the next profitable venture in Colorado,” he said confidently.
He took my hand and led me into the cave. He showed me the markings he used to know where he had already searched and which tools were for what task. He led me and talked about types of rocks and rock formations. Then, He let me swing the pick axe a few times.
“I have never seen a woman so happy to play in the dirt,” he laughed.
I was beginning to like his laugh.
“I have never seen a man who smiled about a woman who happily plays in the dirt,” I replied.
He gave me another smile and a nod. Then he led the way back to the opening we entered from. Hours passed in what felt like minutes, so we settled down for lunch.
“You are welcome to come with me any time you want, but also feel free to entertain your own hobbies. I don’t want you to feel you are a trapped house wife,” he said.
“Far from it,” I said. “I feel freer than ever. Today, I wanted to come with you. Perhaps tomorrow I will plant something in the soil you tilled or take my new horse for another ride.”
“Good,” he said.
“Would you mind if I purchased one or two things in town this week,” I asked.
“Of course not. You should have whatever you need and things to entertain yourself,” he replied.
“I want to find a new box for things I find and perhaps get some painting supplies and yarn,” I said.
He nodded as he chewed and swallowed.
We continued talking about our hobbies and finished our lunch. I explored the area a little more while he went deeper in the cave. We rode home together a little before sunset and enjoyed a late supper.
I wrote my sister again before I went to bed. I hoped to hear from her soon. I was pleased things with Jacob had been going smoothly, but I wondered how much damage I done to the relationship with the last of my family.
Chapter 8
The next morning Jacob got up a little earlier and we tended to the animals together. I made breakfast. He joined me on my excursion into town and introduced me to the shop keepers. He added me to his tabs and made sure to purchase a variety of painting supplies and an easel as well as a variety of yarn. Before heading home we went to the furniture store and purchased a new trinket box for new keepsakes and collectibles.
Our third day being married he went back to the cave and I paid Mrs. Goodman a visit. I brought over lunch and a batch of teacakes.
“Are you enjoying married life,” she asked.
“I suppose I am,” I said.
“Is anything wrong,” she asked.
“Well, not with Jacob. Not really. He is kind and helping in every way he can to make me comfortable. We are getting to know each other better,” I said.
“Well, something is troubling you,” she pressed.
“I just haven’t heard from my sister yet, my first letter would have been to her over a week ago and I would think she would write me quickly even if only to fuss. I guess I miss her mothering me,” I laughed with a small tear.
“Dear, our local postal service is still fairly new and a week is not too long. Give it time. If she is upset, give that time, too,” she said.
She was always so reassuring and seemed to believe good would come of every situation. She made me believe it, too.
We visited until late in the afternoon. I gave a few sweets to Prudence and Robert and promised that Jacob and I would be over for dinner before the week’s end.
More and more I settled into my new home. I learned Jacob’s ways and habits, likes and dislikes. I sent more letters to my sister and after a month I received a letter in return. [j30]
“Dear Lillian, We are glad you are well. Rebecca is worried, but I have told her to trust your letters and you. If it is no trouble to your husband, I would like to bring your sister to spend a week in Denver. We wish to meet your husband and Mrs. Goodman whom you have written so much about in your letters. Even the best life is only as good as the people you spend it with. Love, Michael.”
While I hated that Rebecca had not returned my letters, it was nice to have a brotherly response from Michael. That evening I prepared a rather large meal and invited Mrs. Goodman to join us.
Jacob came home a little early to be properly clean and dressed when Mrs. Goodman arrived. I served out meal at six being sure to set aside a few things to send to Robert and Prudence.
We chatted normally while I built the courage to ask another favor from my new husband and, for all intent and purposes, mother in law.
“I hope you both enjoyed everything,” I said.
“Yes, dear. It was all delicious. I must get your yeast roll recipe,” Mrs. Goodman said dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
“Lillian, you have proved on many occasion now that you are a good cook,” Jacob said with a firm nod.
“Wonderful,” I smiled.
I couldn’t think of a tactful way to ask what I needed.
“Is something on your mind?” Jacob asked.
We still had only known each other just shy of two months, including our correspondence, yet he could read me like a book.
I gave a nod and asked them both to the sitting room. Once we were all settled I allowed them both to read Michael’s letter.
“Could they come for a visit?” I asked.
“Of course, I didn’t marry you to take you away from family,” Jacob said. “This is your home. Your
sister and her husband are welcome any time you wish. Most likely they want to see that you are in good health and well provided for.
“I look forward to meeting your family,” Mrs. Goodman smiled and gave my knee a little pat.
I smiled and gave a little sigh of relief. We discussed when they could come and for how long. Mrs. Goodman seemed very excited to get to meet my sister. I couldn’t read Jacob. He spoke his piece and seemed content in leaving the rest to me.
I rode with Jacob to drive Mrs. Goodman home since our discussion of Rebecca’s visit ran later than expected. He walked her to the door and kissed her cheek, then returned to the carriage to drive us home.
“Thank you, again,” I said.
“For what?” He asked genuinely confused.
“For being so good about all of this. You are a kind and giving husband. Now my family is coming out of the blue and you are so calm,” I said.
“Not really. I’m terribly concerned about your sister’s visit,” he said frankly.
“Really?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said. “My wife was my family. My parents are long gone and I have no brothers or sisters to introduce you to. You are my wife. Your family is my family. As far as impressions go I cannot have started on a very good foot. Your sister probably had certain expectations for your wedding. Your brother in law probably imagined he’d give you away or have a dance at your reception. They probably imagined you always living nearer. I have changed all of that.”
“For the better,” I assured him. “Rebecca will meet you and be happy you can provide for me. Michael will be pleased that you are a man’s man, but also that you do not treat me harshly despite our arrangement. Besides, advertised marriages are a modern thing and I think you and I have done well. We certainly seem content as any couple I know that courted normally.”
He gave a nod. A few moments later we were back at our own home and he was at my side to help me from the carriage.
“Continue to be the Jacob Johnson I have gotten to know and I think they will be just as pleased as I am,” I said giving him a reassuring smile.
“You’re pleased?” he asked still holding me from helping me down.
He looked into my eyes almost trying get a response from them.
“Yes,” I said keeping his gaze but separating our stance.
He put his arms to his side and smiled. Then offered me an arm as we walked into the house.
Chapter 9
A few weeks later Jacob and I stood on the same train platform I arrived on only a few months earlier. I was daydreaming about all that had happened when we heard the whistle of the train as it made its way down the tracks. We brought jerky for Michael and a specialty chocolate as a gift for Rebecca.
The moment my sister stepped off the train I felt excitement rush through me.
“Rebecca,” I called and raised my arm to get her attention.
She tapped Michael’s arm and gestured in my direction. I placed both their presents under my left arm and threaded my right through Jacob’s. He gave me a surprised smile and then turned to face my family. We met each other about halfway and exchanged hellos, introductions, and gifts.
The men carried everything to the carriage and rode in the front while Rebecca and I walked behind them and then rode in the back.
“He is quite handsome,” she said once she felt the carriage begin to move.
“That he is,” I agree honestly.
“You look well, and I believe your dress is new. Isn’t it?” She asked.
“It is, and thank you. He bought me a few things as gifts to help me feel more at home once we were married. He really is a good man. I think you will be approving once you get to know him,” I said.
“I’m sure I will. You have always had good judgement. I think more than anything I just hated that you didn’t tell me. Then, I wasn’t a part of your special day. I know mom couldn’t be there and having her around made such a difference when I first married Michael. I knew I loved him, but had no idea what I was doing as a wife,” she said.
“Well, Jacob and I have a good friendship and as a wife, I do no more than what I saw you and mother do. I do have a good amount of freedom though. The west is a far less restricting world than we grew up in, sister,” I said.
The air was clearing between us and our trip began to become a good visit quickly.
I pointed out a few sites as we made our way out of Denver. We lunched at Mrs. Goodman’s. I could tell Michael and Rebecca were pleased to meet her. Just as she did when I first met her, she sang Jacob’s praises. She told them of his work with her husband and regaled us all with stories of different experiences she and Jacob had before her husband had passed and since. By the time we parted to our home, one would have thought Rebecca and Michael were also old friends of Mrs. Goodman.
“This is our home,” Jacob said as we approached our house.
The gentlemen helped Rebecca and me from the carriage. She and Michael took in the property before them and seemed pleased. I gave them the tour of the house and then Jacob and Michael put the horse away and toured the property. I helped Rebecca settle their belongings.
We moved to the kitchen and talked as I prepared dinner. We could hear the men laughing loudly at something outside.
“You, really do seem happy here. I can easily see why,” Rebecca said.
“I am,” I replied.
I was kneading dough to cut biscuits. She peeled a few potatoes. A ham was baking.
“You two seem a very good match,” she continued.
“Thank you,” I said. “I don’t know that I could have married better if I had actually tried.”
“Do you love him?” she asked.
“We just have an agreement,” I said cutting the biscuits.
She gave me a long look, then nodded. She excused herself to lie down. The day had been a bit exhausting and she wanted a small rest before dinner. I continued cooking and called the men to wash up just as everything was ready. I called up the stairs to Rebecca once the table was set.
Once we were all seated. Jacob led grace. The season was changing and it was getting cooler; after dinner Jacob prepared a fire in the fireplace.[j31] Michael moved to sit closer to Rebecca and they shared a smile between them.
“We actually had another reason for coming,” my sister said.
Jacob came to stand beside the chair I was sitting in.
“Oh, dear, is there bad news,” I asked.
“Oh, no, of course not,” Michael reassured me quickly. “In fact, I think we have the best news of all.”
I looked back and forth between the two of them. Then, the realization washed over me and they both smiled and started nodding rapidly. My sister and I stood, hugging, screaming, and laughing with joy.
“Well I’m out of the house, but a few months and it looks like you got to work,” I teased Michael.
Jacob stepped forward and Rebecca let him in on the joke.
“We are having a baby,” she exclaimed excitedly. “After trying and trying I’ll be a mother!”
“And such a good mother,” I added. “Michael, you will make the most wonderful father.”
“Congratulations to you both,” Jacob said shaking Michael’s hand. He looked most shocked when my sister threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
“I am happy that our family is growing all around. You are part of this family, too, Uncle Jacob,” she teased.
We talked into the night with the excitement of all the changes that had occurred. In fact, the rest of their week-long visit was nothing but smiles with the exception of some mild morning sickness my sister had. Mrs. Goodman insisted that my sister keep correspondence with her as well and asked if the baby could call her Nana. Michael’s parents were still alive, but a bit more solemn in personality than Mrs. Goodman. He and Rebecca welcomed the friendliness of our dear neighbor. [j32]
When they returned to Kansas it was hard to tell who would miss whom more.
As Jacob and I drove home from the station we talked about the joy they would experience with a child to complete their family. I found myself thinking about the kind of father he could be someday. I knew he would be a good father if given the opportunity.
Did our agreement have such opportunity?
Chapter 10
We survived the cold of the holiday season and spent a great deal of time with Mrs. Goodman. In fact, we welcomed 1875 at her home. Prudence and Robert had the night off and had gone to a party with a few other service workers. We did not expect them to return and decided to stay the night at Mrs. Goodman’s.
At midnight, she kissed each of our cheeks and insisted we dance while she played piano. It was quite a time for only three people. She went to bed around one o’clock.
Jacob and I sat up together a little longer and watch the fire die out. Then, he walked me to the room I first stayed in when I arrived to Colorado. He kissed my forehead and went down the hall to rest on the couch in the study.
I looked forward to the New Year.
There were little touches of my own throughout our house now and Jacob and I had a routine that could have been enviable to any marriage. We had breakfast and dinner together every day. Sometimes I would ride to the site he was working and we would share a picnic lunch. Mrs. Goodman and I would visit town together once a week. The three of us always had Saturday lunch at our house and Sunday dinner at hers.
I rode so often that new trails were taking shape around our property and the Goodman house. There were all sorts of interesting things to collect and I painted pictures of things that were too large to keep. I could not ask for more.
Jacob had even begun seeing results in one of the new caverns he was exploring. He came home regularly with a few grams to an ounce of silver.
We made it through spring with a nice garden, new animals, and letters of good progress on my sister’s pregnancy. She was due at the end of June and Jacob had arranged for me to spend six weeks to help her recover and care for the baby.
Our niece, Gillian, was born July 20th and healthy active baby from her first breath. I enjoyed my time with my sister’s family and the new little one, but I had the strangest aching feeling the entire time I was gone.