A Bride's Agreement

by Elaine Bonner

  Steven never batted an eye. “Well, let me put it to you this way. I am the father; you are the son, whether you like it or not. My word will stand. What I say goes. Is that clear?”

  “Yes sir!” Matt turned and fled.

  For a moment, Steven just stood there. What did Matt mean, they never heard a word from him? He had written Becky regularly, at least at first. And he had sent money every month since he left five years ago. Did she not ever tell the kids that or show them one of his letters? Maybe someday he could talk to Matt about that rationally. But he doubted that it would be any day soon.

  CHAPTER 5

  Easter Sunday, and what a glorious day! The sun was bright; the birds were singing; the flowers were blooming; all was right in God’s world. At least those were Emily’s first thoughts when she awoke that morning. Then she remembered where she was, and she knew hardly anything was right in this house.

  She looked at the clock and realized she had plenty of time before anyone had to leave for church. Maybe a special breakfast this morning. The family arrived as she set a steaming plate filled with light fluffy pancakes on the table.

  “Good morning. And a glorious Easter morn it is,” Emily said in the most cheerful and convincing tone she could muster.

  “Good morning, Miss Emily,” Sarah chimed. “I’m gonna wait until after breakfast to put on my beautiful dress. I didn’t want to get it dirty.”

  Emily looked around the table as she asked, “What time do we have to leave the house in order to get to church?”

  Matt and Mark looked at each other, then Matt sharply questioned, “Do you plan on going to church with us?”

  “Yes, Matt, I do,” Emily answered firmly. “I always attended church back in Abilene. Sarah asked me to attend with her this morning, and I’m going to.”

  Silence once again struck the Barnes clan at the dining table. Matt and Mark both looked as though they might be ill. Sarah looked confused by the whole exchange, and Steven and the twins appeared not to notice anything but the pancakes.

  Emily decided to break the silence. “I’m really looking forward to meeting some of my new neighbors. Is church at eleven here? What time do we have to leave?”

  “Church starts at eleven, and it’s two miles down the road. It depends on how fast you can walk as to how early you have to leave,” Matt replied.

  “Matt, we always take the wagon to church,” Sarah reminded him.

  “If I have to go to church, I’m not riding in the same wagon she’s in. We’ll take the wagon, but she can walk.” Matt left the room.

  Nothing more was said. Emily cleaned the breakfast dishes, then went to her room to dress. She guessed she had better leave by ten-thirty. Maybe someone would at least tell her which direction the church was. She didn’t remember passing one when they arrived here, but she had been so nervous that day she could have missed it.

  Emily walked out on the porch. Sarah was dressed and sitting in the porch swing. “Emily, could you help me with my hair bow?”

  The wagon pulled up at the front gate as Emily finished Sarah’s hair. Matt yelled, “Ya’ll come on. It’s time to go.”

  Just as he yelled, Steven rounded the corner of the house and walked up to the wagon. “Matt, it’s really nice of you to drive everyone to church this morning,” he commented, opening the gate for the twins.

  “I told you I’m not riding in the same wagon as that woman!” Matt said angrily.

  “Then I guess you’d better step down from there because Emily’s riding to church in this wagon.” Steven stepped up on the wheel and took the reins from the young man.

  Matt refused to budge. In a commanding voice, Steven declared, “You either get down on your own, or I’ll pull you down.”

  “I’d like to see you try.” The words were barely out of Matt’s mouth before Steven grabbed him by the collar and in one fell swoop picked him up and set him on the ground.

  Everyone gasped, but no one was as surprised as Matt himself. He was on the ground before he knew what happened. He stood there dumbfounded.

  “Now, young man, you can walk to church.” Steven turned and looked at Mark and the twins, who were already in the back of the wagon. “If there’s anyone else who feels he is too good to ride in the same wagon with Miss Emily, this would be the time for you to step down.”

  The twins stayed right where they were, but Mark climbed down from the wagon. He walked over and stood beside Matt.

  “Emily, Sarah, I’m driving you to church,” Steven called to where they stood on the porch.

  Steven assisted Emily up into the wagon, then picked up Sarah and set her on the seat beside Emily. He climbed up beside the ladies and slapped the reins. The horses started down the road.

  The church was a small white building with a tall steeple. Just as it came into view, the church bell began to peal out the call for all to come worship. Emily wasn’t too sure any of this family was in a worshipful mood, but she knew there couldn’t be a family there who needed it more. Steven pulled the horses to a stop and jumped down from the wagon. He lifted Sarah out and set her down gently on the ground.

  After helping Emily down, he said, “I’ll be waiting out here when the service is over to drive you home.”

  Without another word, he climbed back up in the wagon and drove away. Sarah took Emily’s trembling hand and led her toward the open doors of the church.

  A hush fell over the crowd gathered outside the doors as they approached. Emily deduced that the tall slender man standing on the steps greeting everyone was the minister.

  Sarah pulled Emily toward him. “Brother Kirkland, this is Emily. She’s living with us now and taking care of us.”

  The minister extended his hand. “Hello, Emily. I’m Thomas Kirkland. I’m very happy to have you worship with us this morning.”

  The tone of his voice and the kindness pouring from his eyes almost made Emily feel welcome. “Thank you, Reverend Kirkland. I’m happy to be here,” was all she could manage to respond.

  When the service was over, Sarah shot out the door with her friends and Emily was left standing alone in the midst of strangers. Finally a familiar face, Alice Bentley, walked up to her.

  “It’s good to see you, Emily,” Alice greeted as she extended her hand. “How’s everything going?”

  “I guess it could be worse, but I’m not sure how,” Emily answered honestly.

  A crowd of curious onlookers had joined them. Alice began to introduce Emily to each of them. There were no warm smiles among them, just a few grunts. She noticed Alice introduced her just as Emily, never mentioning her last name. Oh well, she would try not to be judgmental. It would take time for these folks to get to know her. She had to be patient and give them the time.

  Outside, Steven waited by the wagon. A couple of men had wandered over and were talking to him, seeming genuinely happy to see him. She thought she even spied a grin on Steven’s face, but she didn’t want to keep him waiting, so she strolled over to where he stood. As the men left, Steven called the children. They all boarded the wagon and started home.

  “Everyone just loved my dress, Emily. Thanks for making it for me.” Sarah looked up at her father, as if wanting him to say something to her. But as usual, he maintained his silence.

  Emily had caught a glimpse of Matt and Mark just as the service ended. They were headed out the back door. She was glad they had come to church even if they didn’t want to be seen with her. Today’s message was one everyone needed to hear. It was too bad Steven hadn’t joined them, but she would continue to pray for all of them.

  Emily had tried to make Easter dinner a special occasion. She had put a tablecloth and the fancy dishes on the table. But nothing she did made any difference. The boys never refused to eat, but there was always some whispered comment about how their mother did things. Of course they whispered it loud enough for Emily to hear. Steven never ate much and never commented on the quality of the food. Sarah was the only conversationalist during mealti
me.

  Emily was determined that she would not let this gloomy family bring her spirits down today. She would keep in mind that this was Easter, that her Lord arose from the dead today, and she would rejoice and be glad.

  The days dragged on. Nothing seemed to change. The children would go off to school, and Steven would head out for the fields. He would always tell her not to worry with dinner for him, but she would always make sure she left something easily accessible to him. She filled her days with household chores and long walks exploring the territory.

  She had been in this place a month, and the only friend she had made was Sarah. Today she decided she must do something about it. She had attended church every Sunday, but no one had made an effort to become her friend. Alice greeted her each time she saw her, and today Emily decided she would make the first move to win Alice’s friendship. She changed into a clean dress, grabbed her bonnet, and started down the road.

  The Bentley residence was a well-kept white house with a white picket fence around the yard. Emily knocked on the front door, and Alice welcomed her inside.

  “I hope you don’t mind me dropping by unexpectedly. I just had this terrific hunger to visit with another woman,” Emily explained.

  Alice replied warmly, “Not at all. I should be ashamed of myself for not getting by your place to see how you were getting along. Let’s go out in the kitchen. I just made a pound cake and some fresh lemonade.”

  The kitchen was a large room, much like Emily’s. But something about it felt much different. The cabinets were painted white and a pretty curtain hung over the window. Some fresh-cut daffodils sat in a vase in the center of the table. The room and the lady reigning over it made you feel at home. That was the difference between Emily’s kitchen and this room.

  Alice poured them each a glass of lemonade and cut two pieces of cake, and the two ladies began to talk. Emily poured out her heart to Alice. She told her about the power struggle between Matt and Steven. How they all seemed to hate her, with the exception of Sarah and maybe the twins. She told Alice how lonely and miserable she felt.

  Emily was really struggling and suffering to make a family out of complete turmoil. Her heart was showing on her face as she shared with Alice.

  “You’ve mentioned how everyone feels about you and how you feel about them. That is, everyone except Steven. What’s going on with the two of you?” Alice questioned.

  “Absolutely nothing,” Emily replied. “There’s no conversation, no nothing between us. Most of the time it’s as though he doesn’t even notice that I’m there.”

  Surprised, Alice asked, “You don’t talk about anything? Not even the children?”

  “He occasionally gives me some kind of instruction. And if I ask him a direct question, he’ll answer it with as few words as possible.”

  “We’ve got to get you out of that house and involved with other people,” Alice announced. “Day after tomorrow is our quilting day at the church. You’re going with me. We all take a sack lunch and quilt and visit all day. It’ll be a good chance for you to get to know some of the ladies and for them to get to know you.”

  “I’m not so sure they want to get to know me,” Emily replied timidly. “They’re pretty standoffish at church.”

  “Oh, hogwash. If I can change my mind about you, anybody can. I’m one of the most stubborn old women there.” Alice laughed.

  It was good to share laughter with someone again. They spent the rest of their visit just getting to know one another.

  “Oh my, would you look at the time. I’ve got to get home. The kids will be coming in from school, and I’ve got to start supper,” Emily said. “You’ll never know how much this visit has meant to me. You’ll have my friendship for life because of the time we have spent together today.”

  Alice embraced her newfound friend, then walked her to the door. “Don’t forget, day after tomorrow. I’ll pick you up about nine o’clock.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Emily called as she opened the gate.

  As Emily finished her chores the next morning, she made another resolution. Her visit the previous day with Alice had turned out so well she decided to try something new today. Today she would make a picnic lunch and take it out to Steven. She knew where he was today. She had seen him working the field behind the barn.

  Filling the basket with fried chicken, potato salad, and fresh baked bread, she headed out to find him. She stopped by the well first and pulled up the bucket where she had lowered a jug of freshly brewed tea earlier to cool. She wrapped it in towels and started toward the barn.

  Emily found Steven hoeing the rows of cotton just as she had expected. Hearing her call his name, he laid down his hoe and walked over to her.

  “Something the matter?” he asked.

  “No. I was in the mood for a picnic. It’s no fun to have one by yourself, so I hoped you’d join me,” Emily explained.

  She spread the blanket in the shade cast by the barn and began to unpack the tempting morsels. She never gave Steven a chance to refuse.

  Taking the large glass of cool tea she offered him, he drank it down without taking a breath. “That really hit the spot,” he remarked.

  She filled his glass again and handed him a plate of food. He actually seemed to relax a little.

  “I don’t know much about cotton, but those plants certainly do look healthy,” she observed.

  “Yeah, as long as we get a little rain now and then, we should make a good crop.”

  Steven ate more than she had seen him eat since they arrived here over a month ago. He even grinned a little when she offered him a piece of the pound cake she had baked that morning.

  “Pound cake’s my favorite,” he said softly.

  This was the most pleasant meal Emily had enjoyed in a long time. The conversation wasn’t extensive, but it was pleasant. The thing she enjoyed most was there was no arguing and no one commenting under their breath about how Momma would have done it.

  She packed up the basket while Steven folded the blanket and handed it to her. He seemed very nervous and was fidgeting like a schoolboy on a first date. She almost laughed, but she thought he was very cute.

  “The meal was very good. Thank you,” he said as he picked up his hat and started back to work.

  Emily was pleased with the way this new adventure had turned out, too. Not nearly as dramatic as yesterday, but the least little improvement with Steven was progress. She could hardly wait until tomorrow. Maybe meeting the ladies of the church at a social function would be friendlier than at the worship service. She could only pray her third new adventure would turn out as well as the first and second.

  She was waiting on the front porch with her sack lunch when Alice drove up in her buggy the next day. When they pulled up in front of the church, Emily could tell by the number of buggies that quilting days must be well attended.

  Inside, the quilting frames had already been set up and a couple of ladies were already busy stitching. As Emily and Alice entered, a hush fell over the crowd. It wasn’t just Emily’s imagination; all eyes in the room were on her. Alice took a firm grip on her arm, probably to keep her from fleeing the lion’s den.

  Alice pulled her forward as she spoke. “You girls remember Emily Barnes. I asked her to join us today. She’s been in our community for a while now, and we all need to get to know her better. And we have to give her a chance to get to know us, too.”

  Alice directed Emily to the chair next to hers. “Emily, I’m sure you don’t remember everyone’s name, so let me introduce you again. To your left is Suzie Atwater, and the lady next to her is our preacher’s wife, Rosemary Kirkland.”

  Alice continued until she had introduced her to everyone seated at the quilt. Emily picked up her needle and thimble and began to stitch. All eyes were still glued on her. She knew that not only did she have to win approval for herself at these quilting functions, but her stitches had to pass their critical eye, too.

  Apparently her stitches met wi
th their approval. Their eyes finally were drawn to the squares in front of them and they began to sew. Conversations could be heard all over the room, but Alice was the only person who talked with Emily.

  Emily decided to try another daring adventure and proceeded to engage Suzie in conversation. This adventure failed miserably, so she continued with her quilting. At Rosemary’s suggestion, they broke for lunch. Most of the women went outside and sat under the shade of the big trees to eat their lunches. Much to Emily’s surprise and delight, Rosemary Kirkland joined Alice and Emily as they sat down.

  “I hope you don’t mind my butting in on the two of you.” Rosemary’s voice was friendly.

  “No,” Alice said. “We’re delighted to have your company.”

  The ladies opened their lunches and began to chat. It seemed a big revival was planned for the month of June and Alice was in charge of arranging the meals to feed the pastor and visiting preacher. Emily gathered that the church family took turns feeding the ministers during the two weeks of the revival.

  Emily had sat quietly during the ladies’ conversation and Rosemary finally addressed her. “Alice tells me you’re from Abilene. I’ve never been that far west. It must have been a hard decision for you to leave your home and come so far to start life all over.”

  “It was a very hard decision. One I didn’t take lightly. But it seemed like the right thing to do at the time,” Emily told her.

  “Did you grow up in Abilene?” Rosemary inquired.

  “No. I grew up in El Paso. My husband and I moved to Abilene about ten years ago. When he was killed, I just stayed on there. It’s been home to me for quite a while,” Emily confided.

  Rosemary had a natural way of making folks feel comfortable. Emily hadn’t meant to share so much of her personal life with her so soon, but she was glad she had.