A Bride's Agreement

by Elaine Bonner

  Lon listened patiently as she finished the story. “What are you going to do?” he asked.

  “Right after he left I thought, ‘how stupid, why didn’t I just tell him no.’ I decided right then and there that I would tell him no thanks when he comes back for his answer. But, for some reason I couldn’t stop thinking about his proposition. That’s why I didn’t get any sleep last night.”

  Lon, a dedicated Christian, asked the question she expected: “Have you prayed about this?”

  “Yes, I have,” she answered. “And the more I pray, the more confused I become. I have thought about getting married again for a long time. But silly me, I always thought in terms of marrying someone I was in love with. I thought God promoted that idea. One thing I do know for sure, Steven Barnes is not in love with me. I have never thought of him in terms of marriage either. The thought of five children really scares me, too.”

  Lon looked thoughtful. “God does want there to be love in a marriage. But you said Steven made it very clear that this would be a marriage in name only, that he was really offering you a job. I have known a few couples whose love came after marriage. They got married for some good reason or another without being in love, but the love grew with time.”

  “So are you saying that if I marry Steven just to help him raise his children, that eventually we might fall in love?”

  “That could be a possibility. You know some folks start out in marriage just being friends. As a matter of fact you have to be friends with the person you marry for a marriage to last. Do you like Steven? Are you friends?” Lon asked.

  “I like him,” Emily responded. “I don’t know if you could say we’re friends. The only place I’ve ever seen him is here.”

  “When do you have to give him your answer?”

  “Tomorrow,” she replied. “You sound as though you think I should accept.”

  “Not at all,” he stated. “But I do think you should consider all sides. Since you didn’t give him an immediate no, then the proposition must not have sounded all bad to you. You said the more you pray about it the more confused you become. Maybe God knows something you don’t. Just make the decision you think is right for you, and I’ll stand by you all the way. There is something for you to consider—do you know if Steven is a fellow believer?”

  “That is a concern; I don’t know. But since this is a job and not a marriage, if he isn’t a Christian, his children might really need me. They would need someone to instruct them in the ways of the Lord.”

  Lon left her alone with her thoughts. Emily had really thought Lon Blackstone would think that Steven should be horsewhipped for making such a proposition to her and that she should tell him no thanks! Instead, she was even more troubled, if that were possible. It looked as though it would be another long night in her lonely room.

  Late the next afternoon, Emily heard the door open. Looking up from the counter, she saw Steven. Maybe for the first time in all these years, she really looked at him. He stood a little over six foot tall and he had brown hair and blue eyes. He was not the best-looking man she had ever seen, but he wasn’t bad, not bad at all.

  What was she thinking? She had to keep everything in perspective. She had to remember he didn’t want her for his wife, just as a mother for his children.

  Steven walked over and sat down on a stool at the counter. “Could I get a cup of coffee?”

  “Sure.” She wasn’t about to say anything first; he had to bring up the subject. With trembling hands, she poured his coffee.

  He drank almost the whole cup before he spoke again. “Well, have you thought about my offer?”

  “Yes, I have. Actually I have thought of nothing else the past two days,” she replied.

  “Have you come to a decision?” he asked calmly.

  Her heart was pounding and her knees were shaking. She felt as though she was gasping for air. When she finally found her voice, she answered weakly, “I have a couple of questions first.”

  “Okay, what are they?”

  Still with trembling voice, Emily asked, “Steven, are you a Christian?”

  Steven drank another sip of coffee and then answered. “I believe in God. Used to even call myself a Christian. But I don’t go to church much. Guess I sorta got out of the habit.”

  That was not the answer Emily had hoped for, but it would have to do. She went on to her next question. “Why are you here and your family still in east Texas?”

  “I left to find work,” he choked out.

  “But why did you never go back home?” Emily pried.

  “I kept thinking just a little more time, a little more money to send home. Before I knew it, too much time had gone by, and I wasn’t sure I had a home to go to anymore.”

  “Surely your wife and children wanted you back more than they wanted the money you were sending,” Emily suggested.

  Steven looked aggravated. “Don’t be too sure of that. Are you concerned about my leaving you someday?”

  “To be honest, that did cross my mind. I’m not sure I’d want to be left alone with children that weren’t mine.”

  Reaching into his jeans pocket, Steven pulled out a wad of bills and shoved them across the counter to Emily. “That’s my month’s wages. Take it and put it away. You can use it for a little security. I know I can’t convince you that I would never dump my kids on you, but at least that would be enough to get you by for a few weeks. As soon as we get back to east Texas, I’ll have the judge draw up papers as to who will care for the children in the event of my death or disappearance. Does that ease your fears?”

  “I guess so,” Emily mumbled. “But you don’t have to give me this money. I know you’ll probably need it for the trip.”

  “No, you keep it. I hope I’ve answered enough questions.” Steven sounded agitated. “Now, are you going to accept the job or not?”

  Emily hesitated just a moment, then answered, “Yes, Steven. I’ll accept the job and I will marry you.”

  She had said it! She had accepted his proposal. She could hardly believe her ears. Had she really told Steven Barnes she would marry him?

  His expression never changed. “I’ll go talk to the preacher and see if he can marry us tomorrow. Can you be ready to leave early Friday morning?”

  “Sure, I guess so.”

  He never said I’m glad you said yes or even thank you. It really didn’t seem to matter at all to him one way or the other. She hadn’t expected him to kiss her or even embrace her, but he could have at least smiled. Instead she got nothing!

  “I’ll be back after I talk to the preacher to let you know what time the ceremony will be,” he stated as he walked out the door.

  Emily had to sit down before she fell down. Her knees were about to buckle under her, and the butterflies in her stomach must have turned into birds. Really big birds. She couldn’t believe she had actually said yes. Well, there was still time to change her mind.

  She was still sitting down when Steven returned a few minutes later.

  “The circuit judge is in town. I ran into him on my way to the preacher’s. In light of the circumstances of our marriage, I decided to ask him to perform the ceremony. Is that okay with you? He can do it about three o’clock tomorrow.”

  Still in a state of shock, Emily replied, “That’s fine with me. Where will the ceremony be held?”

  “That’s a problem,” he said. “There isn’t a courthouse here, so I guess we’ll have to use the sheriff’s office. It really doesn’t matter. Do you want me to pick you up here or at your boardinghouse?”

  “The boardinghouse, I guess,” she responded. “I’ll go and talk with Lon now and tell him I’m quitting. I sure hate to leave him in a bind, but maybe he’ll understand.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow about fifteen till three,” was all Steven said before he left.

  Emily closed the café and walked over to the Blackstones’. As she walked, she tried to sort out her feelings. She didn’t know what to say to these people. They had b
een so good to her. She sure hated not being able to give them more notice. She knew they would be happy for her if she were truly in love, but as it was, she couldn’t explain why she was marrying Steven. Loneliness was the only explanation.

  Emily arrived at the house, summoned up her courage, and finally knocked on the door. “Emily, my dear, do come in. What brings you by here tonight?” Helen asked as she invited Emily into her home.

  By this time Lon had come into the room. Emily made herself as comfortable as she could on the sofa, then she began. “I have come to share some news with you.” She tried as best she could to put a smile on her face and enthusiasm into her voice when she added, “I’m getting married.”

  “Oh my dear, that’s wonderful! Who is the lucky fellow?” Helen wanted to know. When Emily didn’t immediately reply, Helen added, “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

  Shyly, Emily began to explain. “It’s Steven Barnes. He asked me to marry him, and I accepted. The problem is, we’re getting married tomorrow, and then we’re leaving early Friday morning for east Texas. I’m so sorry I couldn’t give you more notice. You two have been so good to me; I really hate leaving you in a bind.”

  “This is all very sudden, isn’t it? I didn’t know you and Steven had feelings for one another. You never mentioned it,” remarked Helen.

  Lon had not said a word. “I might as well tell you the whole story,” Emily said. “Steven asked me to marry him so I could go and help him raise his children. It seems his wife recently passed away, and now he’s left with the task of being a father and a mother. As you know, he hasn’t even been a father lately. I guess he just didn’t want to face them alone, so he asked me to help him. This will be a marriage in name only. I am to help with the children and take care of the house.”

  “It seems to me those are jobs he could have hired someone to do. He didn’t have to marry himself a nanny and housekeeper,” Helen angrily stated.

  “Actually Helen, he did hire someone to do those jobs—me. The marriage is just for appearances,” Emily informed her.

  “But—” Helen began before Lon cut her off.

  “Helen, that’s enough. I know Emily has considered this very carefully. I know she feels she’s doing what’s right for her. What time is the wedding?” he inquired. “We’d like to be at the church to see you married—if that’s okay?”

  “There is no one I’d rather have at my wedding than the two of you,” Emily answered. “The wedding is at three tomorrow afternoon, but it isn’t going to be at the church. Steven thought under the circumstances he’d ask the circuit judge to marry us. The ceremony’s going to be in the sheriff’s office.”

  “At the sheriff’s office!” Helen exclaimed. “That will never do! Lon, you get in touch with that judge and tell him the wedding will be here. At least a living room is more pleasant than a sheriff’s office. I’m sorry, Emily. I know I’m butting in, but we’d love for you to be married in our home.”

  “Oh Helen, that would be so wonderful. It would be a lot nicer and warmer here. Thank you so much,” Emily said with tears in her eyes.

  “Lon, you find the judge and tell him about the change in plans,” Helen instructed.

  “I’ll tell him. I know where to find him. He always stays at the same place. You don’t worry about a thing, Emily. Helen and I will take care of every detail. You just bring Steven over here.”

  “You don’t think Steven will mind the change in plans, do you?” Helen asked, with concern in her voice.

  Emily looked at her and replied, “I don’t think so. But after all, it is my wedding, too. I should at least get to pick the place for the ceremony. You two are so wonderful. How can I ever repay you for your kindness?”

  “Kindness never has to be repaid,” Lon stated. “You just be happy. That’s all we want for you.”

  Emily hugged both her friends and left. She would have never made it these last seven and a half years if it hadn’t been for Lon and Helen. Not only had they given her a job, but they had been like parents to her. She would miss them terribly.

  Back in her room at the boardinghouse, she began to load her few personal belongings into her trunk. Mrs. Jenson had been very surprised to hear her news. She’d wished Emily well and even refunded the balance of her month’s rent as a wedding gift.

  Emily had very few possessions, and she didn’t need long to pack. She didn’t know where she would be spending tomorrow night. Steven hadn’t mentioned it. She figured she would stay here, but just in case, she would be packed and ready to go. She laid out her best blue dress to be married in. This was nothing like her first wedding when she was so in love.

  She had hardly been able to wait to marry Jim. He was her handsome prince and loved her with all his heart. She had been sure of that. She had worn a traditional white dress, and her father had walked her down the church aisle. It had been a wonderful day.

  Her mother wasn’t there, for she had died when Emily was a baby. Her father had never remarried, and he passed away just a year after her marriage to Jim. Still, she and Jim had a wonderful but short marriage. They had shared only five years together, but she had been left with nothing but happy memories. It seemed those memories would have to last a lifetime now. She was sure there would be no happy memories made tomorrow.

  Emily was awakened by the sun shining through the window onto her face. She didn’t know how long it had been since she had slept this late. Of course she had no idea what time she had finally fallen asleep; she hadn’t slept much in the last two nights.

  She got up and washed her hair so it would have plenty of time to dry. She had decided to try to fix it a little special today. Although it wouldn’t matter to Steven, it might make her feel better.

  Mrs. Jenson was more than willing to help, but there was nothing Emily could think of for her to do. They spent the morning visiting together, but Emily couldn’t bring herself to tell Mrs. Jenson all the details of her marriage. She loved her, but she knew Mae Jenson was one of the biggest gossips in town. Emily let her think that she and Steven had a mutual affection for each other and had decided to get married since he was having to leave town. Mae thought Emily was very noble for having said yes to a man with so many children.

  After lunch, Emily went upstairs to dress and work on her hair. She fixed it, looked at it, then took it down and tried again. After a couple more tries, she noticed it was getting late. This time would have to do.

  When she put the last pin in, she admired her handiwork. She had pulled most of her hair up but had let some soft curls fall around her face. The outcome was rather flattering. No one except Jim had ever accused her of being pretty, much less beautiful, but today she didn’t look half bad.

  She put on her dress and made a final inspection, pleased with what she saw. She would try to feel good about herself, no matter what happened today.

  Mrs. Jenson called to her from the foot of the stairs. Knowing Steven must have arrived, Emily took a deep breath and started down the steps.

  He was waiting for her in the parlor.

  “You look lovely,” Mrs. Jenson said, giving Emily a hug. “I wish you and Steven the best.”

  Steven looked on and said nothing. Finally he told Mae good-bye, then turned to Emily. “We’d better be going.”

  He opened the door, and Emily walked out into the sunlight. Once outside and safely out of earshot of Mae, Emily said, “There’s been a small change in plans. The wedding is going to be in the home of Lon and Helen Blackstone. When I went over there last night to tell them I was leaving, they just insisted. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, that’s fine with me. You did tell the judge, didn’t you?” he asked.

  “Lon said he would take care of that for us.”

  They walked the rest of the way in silence. Emily was praying the entire time, God, please let me be making the right decision.

  Lon greeted them at the door, extending his hand to Steven. “Congratulations, Steven. You’re gettin
g a wonderful girl.”

  Steven shook his hand and thanked him weakly. Emily noticed the vase of fresh flowers on the mantel, and from the fragrance in the air, she detected that Helen had baked this morning. Emily certainly hoped they hadn’t gone to a lot of trouble. She didn’t know how Steven would react.

  The judge was already there waiting for them. Steven turned to him and said, “I guess it’s time we get started.”

  “An eager bridegroom. I’ve never met a man yet that wasn’t in a hurry to get the wedding ceremony over,” the judge teased. He walked over and stood in front of the mantel. “If you two would just stand in front of me here, we’ll get started.”

  Emily was in a daze, not from happiness but from fright. She still couldn’t believe she was doing this. But she must have answered all the judge’s questions to his satisfaction, although she didn’t really hear what he was saying. When the judge asked Steven for the ring, Steven’s face went pale. Getting a ring had never crossed his mind. Emily saw his despair and discretely slipped the small gold band that Jim had given her off her hand, then handed it to Steven. He in turn handed it to the judge, who was somewhat bewildered by this time. The judge continued with the ceremony, and Steven slipped the ring on her hand. Then came those words: “By the authority vested in me by the state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  What would Steven do now? Just ignore it, shake her hand, what? To Emily’s surprise, he leaned down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Her stomach did flips. She was completely amazed that his faint kiss could do that to her. Emily reminded herself she had to keep her emotions in check. This was not a true marriage, and she must not forget that.