At Diedrich’s puzzled look, Regina stifled a giggle. “Mama stopped by while you were gone. She got a letter from Sophie today saying Henry will be getting a little brother or sister soon.” She laughed. “Mama wondered if helping Elsie with her and William’s little Catharine made Sophie want another little one of her own.”
Diedrich chuckled. “Soon our Vaters will have more Enkelkinder running around than they will know what to do with. And since Ezra and Sophie bought Herr Roberts’s big brick house in Salem, they will have plenty of room for even more Kinder.”
Regina perused Frederic’s letter. “Have you told Papa Georg yet about Frederic and Hilde?”
He nodded. “Ja. On my way back from Dudleytown, I stopped by the mill to deliver to Herr Tanner a letter from Eli.” He grinned. “Vater is sehr excited about the news.” His grin disappeared, and his gaze skittered from hers, signaling a measure of unease. “Eli and Herr Roberts believe they have discovered a rich vein of gold on their claim near San Francisco.” The tiny lines at the corners of his mouth tightened. “Perhaps you will think you should have married Eli after all. You could be a wohlhabend woman now.”
She cupped his dear face in the palm of her hand. “I am glad for Eli and Herr Roberts, but I married the right man. And I am a wealthy woman.” She turned to cut the cooling corn bread. If his face held a tinge of regret, she would rather not see it. “And if you had joined Herr Roberts instead of Eli, the gold would be yours.”
He grasped her waist and turned her around. His soft gray gaze melted into hers. “Gott has given me more treasure here in Sauers than Eli will ever find in the hills and streams of California.” He bent to kiss her, but before their lips touched, a soft mewling sound that quickly became a full-throated cry halted them.
Regina sighed and slipped out of her husband’s grasp. “I must see about our Sohn.”
Diedrich followed her to the doorway between the kitchen and front room. “Perhaps he is hungry.”
“Nein.” Regina shook her head. “I just fed and changed him a few minutes ago.”
By the time they reached the front room, the baby’s crying had stopped, and the cradle was empty. As Diedrich and Regina shared a look of alarm, the sound of quiet singing wafting through the open front door turned Regina’s sharp concern to mild curiosity. On the porch, they found Papa Georg in the rocking chair, cradling his swaddled grandson in his arms and softly singing a hymn.
Papa Georg stopped singing and looked up at them. “Jakob and I are just enjoying the nice day,” he whispered, glancing down at the now sleeping infant. “So since we require nothing at the moment but each other’s company, maybe the two of you could find something else to do.” Grinning, he went back to rocking and singing, while Jakob’s rosebud lips worked around his tiny thumb.
At the sight, Regina’s heart melted. A little more than a year ago, she would not have imagined witnessing such a scene. Her eyes misted at the culmination of all her prayers. The words of Psalms 100:5 echoed through her heart then winged their way heavenward in a prayer of thanksgiving. “For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
Diedrich and Regina shared a look, and their smiles turned to wide grins. Diedrich nodded. “Sehr gut, Vater. We will leave you alone with your Enkel.”
Inside the house, Diedrich took Regina’s hand. He glanced at the kitchen door then at the stairway that led to the loft. “The corn bread is baked, and you won’t need to start dinner for at least another half hour. And I can’t do any hammering, or I may wake Jakob. So what should we do?”
Her heart full, Regina grinned up at her husband. “Surprise me.”
As he towed her toward the stairs, Regina knew that whatever surprises the years might bring, as long as she and Diedrich were together, life would be sweet.
SONORAN SECRET
by Nancy J. Farrier
CHAPTER 1
Arizona Territory, 1870s
Eduardo Villegas twisted the tip of his mustache, then smoothed it back into place. In the distance, a cloud of dust heralded the arrival of his bride-to-be. Soon his lonely evenings would end.
“You look a little nervous, my friend. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Eduardo glanced over at his friend and pastor, Matthew Reilly. He shrugged, then continued to stare down the road. “I gave my word, Pastor. Besides, the Lord clearly showed me this is the right thing to do.”
Deputy Quinn Kirby, another friend of Eduardo’s, chuckled. “I know you can trust God. Trusting Diego Garcia is the problem.”
“What’s to trust? He promised to give me his daughter, Teresa, in marriage. After the wedding, I’ll forgive the debt he owes me. It’s as simple as that.”
“With Diego, nothing is ever easy. That’s why I’m here.” Quinn brushed his fingers across his holstered pistol. “I wasn’t sure Diego would even show up.”
Eduardo frowned as the buckboard lurched into view. Quinn knew Diego too well. Diego would do anything to cheat on a bargain. Eduardo didn’t know how else to settle the debt between them, short of bringing in the law. When Diego approached him with the idea of marriage to one of his five daughters as a way to pay what he owed, Eduardo prayed about it, then agreed to the arrangement.
Now, Matthew was right. He felt like turning around and running as fast and far as he could. What had he gotten himself into? Did he really hear God saying he should marry Teresa Garcia? He didn’t even know the girl. Lord, I’m a little nervous about this. Please let me know if this is part of Your plan for my life.
As the wagon clattered to a stop in the grove of trees that straddled the Villegas and Garcia properties, a calm descended over Eduardo. He nodded in satisfaction, knowing God answered his prayer with His peace.
Diego Garcia stepped down from the wagon, then turned to take the hand of the young woman clad all in white. The long dress rustled in the quiet as she eased over the side of the wagon. Eduardo couldn’t be certain from this distance, but he thought his bride might be missing her shoes.
“Thank God, it’s a cool day,” Matthew whispered to Eduardo. “Otherwise your wife-to-be would melt in all of those clothes.”
Eduardo bit back a smile, knowing the truth of Matthew’s words. In the Arizona Territory, the sun could be merciless. Long-sleeved dresses and gloves in the summer would bring heatstroke in a short time. The heavy veil that covered Teresa’s head and blocked out fresh air must be suffocating, despite the cool day.
Diego leaned close to his daughter, speaking words too quiet for the others to hear. She stiffened and took his proffered arm. They moved toward Eduardo. He wondered if he detected reluctance in Teresa’s steps. Brides are always nervous and unsure, he admonished himself. After all, he’d only spoken to the girl once over a year ago. He remembered her as being a little saucy. She wasn’t beautiful, but pretty enough. There were worse things than having a wife who wasn’t a beauty. Eduardo recalled her being sturdy. She would be able to work hard and have his children.
Lord, Eduardo lowered his eyes, hoping his friends weren’t watching, I’m trying to have faith in You. I know in my head that Your plans for me are right, but I don’t want a wife who’s only good for working and bearing children. I want someone who loves You, a wife who will be a friend.
“Well, here is my future son-in-law.” Diego’s low, gravelly voice grated on Eduardo’s taut nerves.
Looking up, Eduardo stared at the woman encased in white. The long, thick veil, concealing any evidence of her features, draped to cover nearly to her elbows. White, beaded gloves, tucked into the long sleeves of her gown, hid even her small hands from his sight. Eduardo took a deep breath. Part of him was relieved, but part of him wanted to rip the veil away and see how Teresa felt about this marriage. Would she be able to love him? Could he learn to love her? He could clearly recall the way his mother and father looked at one another, their eyes glowing with unspoken feelings. Anger knotted his stomach at the thought of his parents�
�� needless deaths. As if sensing his mood, Quinn nudged him. Eduardo tamped down the rage, refusing to allow it to boil over right then.
Matthew cleared his throat. “Diego, I’m surprised your wife and other daughters didn’t wish to attend the wedding. Are they coming later?”
Diego grinned and shook his head. His greasy mustache trembled with the movement. “My wife wasn’t feeling well this morning. She needed the other girls to stay home and help her.” He pulled his daughter forward a few steps. “Shall we get this over? Eduardo, I’m keeping my end of the bargain. Do you have the papers releasing me from my debt?”
Lifting the envelope in his pocket, Eduardo nodded. “They’re right here. I’ll hand them over as soon as the ceremony is done.” He could almost feel Quinn’s approval at his caution.
Diego’s beady eyes fastened on the envelope. He licked his lips. “You know, you are getting quite a wife here. Perhaps we should add a little something to even things out on my end of the bargain.”
Quinn shifted forward. Eduardo lifted his hand to stop his friend.
“Diego, my father was very generous in his help to you and your family. Your debt to my father, and now to me, is worth more than everything you own. Over the years, you have paid nothing against this debt. I am trying to be just as charitable by agreeing to forgive what you owe me. I believe that is enough of a bride price for your daughter.”
Quinn stepped forward, his hand resting on the grip of his pistol. “If you don’t think Señor Villegas is right, then he and Pastor Reilly can return your daughter home, and I’ll escort you into Tucson. I’ve got a cozy little cell for you. In fact, I would prefer to have you behind bars.”
Sweat beaded on Diego’s brow. He held up his hand. “No, Señor Villegas is being very generous. My daughter is pleased to marry him.” He pushed her white-gloved hand toward Eduardo. “Please, let’s begin the ceremony.”
Matthew opened his Bible and cleared his throat. “Would you like me to use your full name, Señorita Garcia?” Her head shook from side to side. The veil fluttered.
“My lovely girl is very nervous. Without her mama and sisters, she gets shy. Just Señorita Garcia will be fine.”
Matthew frowned and glanced at Eduardo.
Eduardo gave a brief nod, stepped over beside Teresa, and took her hand in his. She seemed shorter than he remembered. Her fine-boned hand didn’t feel as sturdy as he thought it should. A vague sense of unease swept through him, then was gone as quickly as it had come. Eduardo tensed, trying to pin down the strange sensation before giving up, convincing himself that he, too, had a case of nerves. He straightened, took his hat off, and handed it to Quinn.
Matthew flipped through the Bible until he reached the book of Ephesians. His strong voice rang out with the words written to husbands and wives in the fifth chapter. “‘Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord…. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.’” Eduardo wondered if he would be able to love his wife as Christ loved the church. That kind of love would take work and commitment. All his life, his parents had talked to him about the importance of marriage. He was prepared to do his best to love and cherish Teresa.
When Matthew asked Teresa to repeat the vows, she remained silent. Shifting to the side, she turned her head toward her father. The veil rustled.
“I’m afraid my daughter is unable to speak. If you will say the words, she will nod her acceptance.”
“Why can’t she say the vows?” Quinn’s question carried a tinge of distrust.
“Ahh! You know these women. Flighty creatures, they are at times.” Diego’s strained smile didn’t set Eduardo at ease. “My daughter, when she gets nervous, she has trouble talking.”
“With some women that would be a blessing.”
Teresa stiffened at Quinn’s mumbled words.
“It’s okay.” Eduardo wanted to get this over. “Just get on with this, Matthew.” He wanted to add that, the sooner the marriage ceremony was finished, the faster Diego Garcia would be off his land.
Matthew proceeded to recite Teresa’s vows. She nodded her assent. Eduardo said the vows and slipped his mother’s wedding ring over his bride’s gloved finger. Her hand quivered like a leaf in the breeze. The ring stopped partway up. He knew she could put it on right later. He gave her hand a light squeeze, trying to reassure her.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Diego slapped Eduardo on the back. “Well, son-in-law, I reckon it’s time to get those papers out and hand them over.”
“What happened to kissing the bride?” Quinn leaned forward, his gaze focused on Diego.
A nervous laugh bubbled out of Diego. “I need to get back to my wife. She’s sick, you know.” He held out his hand to Eduardo. “If you give me the papers, my daughter can change, and I’ll be getting home.”
“What do you mean, your daughter can change?” Eduardo couldn’t keep his apprehension in check any longer.
Waving a hand in the air, Diego forced a laugh. “Oh, you see, this is her mother’s wedding dress. This gown must be kept for her sisters.”
“Then we’ll return the dress later.”
“No, I think my wife would be too upset if I returned without her gown. She considers it very precious.”
Eduardo fought the urge to roll his eyes. He pointed to the thick stand of trees behind him. “She can go over there and change while we sign the papers.”
Diego rushed to the wagon and came back with a bundle of clothes tied with string. Teresa moved off to more privacy. Quinn pushed forward as Eduardo pulled the debt release papers from his pocket.
“Diego, I don’t like the sound of this. Something isn’t right. If you’ve tricked Eduardo in any way, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
“Please, Señor Kirby. I have brought my daughter to Señor Villegas as I promised. You have been here for the whole ceremony. What have I done wrong?”
Quinn growled and stepped back. Eduardo opened the papers, scratched his signature in the appropriate place, and handed them to Diego. After a quick glance, Diego shoved them down in his shirt and headed for his wagon.
“What about Teresa’s clothes?” Eduardo gestured toward his own wagon, brought for the purpose of transporting whatever she’d brought with her.
“Thank you for reminding me.” Diego whirled around and stalked off into the trees after Teresa.
“Do you want us to stick around?” Quinn’s narrowed gaze followed Diego’s retreating back.
“I’ll be fine.” Eduardo tried to sound sure of himself. “I know Kathleen is expecting you home before dark. It’s a long ride back. Thanks for coming out.” Eduardo clapped Quinn on the back as he walked with him toward his horse. After all the trouble Diego Garcia caused in town, Eduardo knew Quinn had plenty of reasons to be suspicious.
“Fealdad, where are you?” Diego’s words hissed through the air.
Fealdad Garcia shivered. Fear clenched at her heart. She smoothed her skirt and shook her ratted hair so the tangles would conceal most of her face. Fealdad—“ugliness.” That’s what her name meant, and that’s how she had to appear so her father wouldn’t take out his ever-present wrath on her again. As far back as she could remember, she’d been treated differently than her sisters. While they were coddled, she did chores. When excuses were made for their mistakes, she was beaten.
She thought of the man who was now her husband. She’d only seen him from a distance once, when he visited their house to talk to her father about some business. Until today, she hadn’t known how handsome he was. He had the thickest, blackest hair she’d ever seen—the kind that made her want to touch it. A long, straight nose and square jaw gave him a rugged, strong appearance. His deep brown eyes drew her in. He’d looked at her with such kindness. Oh, she hoped he would be kind to her.
“Girl, I’d better find you soon, or you’ll regret hiding from me.” Papa’s voice sounded like the warning of a venomous snake.
The sinister threat made her fingers fumble. She slipped her shawl over her head, picked up the neat pile of wedding clothes, and stepped through the thick brush into his path.
“About time.” He growled out the words as he jerked the white garments from her. One of the beaded gloves dropped. Fealdad snatched it before the garment reached the dirt. She slipped the glove on top of the pile of clothes, wishing her father would go. His black eyes took on a feral gleam as he looked at her. Fealdad stood her ground, refusing to let him see the terror she felt. He loved to hit her. He always had.
“Diego, I need to get back. I have chores to do.” From the sound of his voice, Eduardo was growing impatient.
Diego stared a moment longer. His lip curled into a snarl. “We’re glad to be rid of you, girl. You’ve never been any good for anyone. You don’t do anything right. Ugly and stupid, that’s what you are. Villegas thinks he’s gotten one over on me, but I’m the one who wins.” He pivoted and strode away through the trees. Coming to a halt, he turned and came back. He grabbed her wrist tight enough to make her gasp.
“Your husband is waiting for you.” He gave a leering grin. “I’m sure he can’t wait to see his lovely bride.”
Fealdad tugged at her wrist. Dread clutched her heart. How could she face Eduardo? What man, no matter how kind he was, would want an ugly, worthless person like her? Would he beat her like Papa had? Would she be the cause of him turning to drink as she had with her father? Her insides turned liquid. Her legs felt limp. Stumbling behind her father, she didn’t look up until he came to a halt. The polished boots in front of her didn’t move. The pull of Eduardo’s gaze was like a physical force, moving her chin upward. She lifted her head, hoping this time might be different, hoping she might see some sort of love and acceptance from a man instead of resentment.
A Bride's Agreement Page 43