[2016] Widow Finds Love

by Christian Michael

  “Are you here for the ad?”

  The man’s question took Trinity by surprise. What ad?

  “I’m sorry?”

  “The mail order bride ad? You know… I was supposed to meet a group of young women here, all headed out to Oregon in reply to some ads that were posted. Evidently you aren’t one of them so excuse me while I find them.”

  He pulled away, but Trinity was intrigued. She had heard of the concept of a mail order bride, but she hadn’t met anyone that had actually gone through with it. The idea seemed so foreign… yet so thrilling to her. She couldn’t just walk away.

  “Suppose I want to join in on the group? I am looking for a reason to move out West, and this seems as good a reason as any.”

  The man looked at her in surprise, looking her from head to toe and back again. He looked up and down the street, as though he feared this to be some kind of trap. Then he sighed. He reached deep into his pocket, and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

  “Here, take a look at this, most of the ads have been replied to, but the few that have the pen marks on them have not. If you want to answer any of those, or head out on the train tomorrow afternoon, you can find me here the same time tomorrow. If you are going, be ready, I’m not waiting around here like this again.”

  Trinity took the piece of paper and thanked him, uncertain as to whether he was telling her the truth. Surely, if there was a group of young women going out west, she would have heard about it. That seemed like a big deal for her small Vermont town. Then again, she didn’t get out much.

  Trinity mailed the letter for Mrs. Graham, then headed home. Suddenly, it felt as though she had some direction in her life, and this was her chance to make a change. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt excited… happy, even.

  The sun shone through the curtains, but Trinity was already up and dressed. She had carefully read the ads on the paper, picking apart each one, and trying to picture the kind of man that would have penned them. For part of the night she would favor one, then she would change her mind.

  Eventually she settled on Emmett Crow. His ad as short, sweet, and to the point. He was a widower that was looking for a wife once again. Someone that knew what it was like to lose something, and someone that was open to becoming a family.

  Although Trinity had been left when she was too young to remember her parents, she still felt she had something in common with this man. There was a kindness in the way he wrote that made her wish to know him more, and there was a neat kind of style in the words he chose that gave off the impression he had been educated.

  Trinity wasn’t too picky about what she was looking for, because all she really wanted was a change, and if this man could give her that change, and give her a new life at the same time, she was all for it. Trinity had spent the rest of the night packing her things, and writing letters to those she wanted to say goodbye to.

  She explained everything to Pastor Davis in one letter, and in another letter she thanked the families in the congregation for what they had done for her. Mrs. Graham also got a letter, as did Olga. Trinity planned to give Olga the letters to spread to each recipient, and spend the day with her friend before she left on the train.

  Olga was happy for Trinity, and made her promise to write often, which Trinity assured her she would. Olga even walked with her to the train station, where they met the same man Trinity had met the day before. There were still no other women on the journey, but Trinity had her mind made up.

  Scary or not, this was an adventure, and that was just what she wanted. She hugged her friend and gave her the letters, then she purchased her ticket and boarded the train. Trinity’s stomach fluttered as the train lurched and slowly pulled out of the station.

  Ready or not, her journey was started.

  Chapter 4 – Traveling with Thomas

  “I don’t believe I formerly introduced myself yesterday. My name is Thomas LeRoy Jacobs, but I greatly prefer being called simply Thomas alone. What is yours?”

  “Trinity.”

  “Just Trinity?”

  “Yes.”

  “I like that. A woman of few words is a wonderful woman indeed. You have no idea how many different kinds of women I have met, and boy do they like to talk!”

  Trinity looked at her escort inquisitively. She was intrigued by this man, though something inside her told her she was better off keeping her distance. He was lean, and dressed much like the ring master from a circus. He had a sharp, black mustache and goatee, with angular features that seemed to match his facial hair.

  “Do you do this kind of thing often?”

  “What? Escort brides? Yes, indeed. You see, there are a great many more ranchers and miners out West than there are brides to marry them, so sending out for brides has become something quite commonplace. Now, nobody wants their bride to be coming all that way alone… how is she to know where to go, after all?”

  Trinity felt inclined to believe him, but there was still something about him she didn’t trust. There was something that almost made him seem like a con man, though she wasn’t sure what it was. Pastor Davis often told her not to be suspicious, and certainly not to judge anyone, but Mrs. Graham was suspicious of and judged everyone.

  “You must know Emmett Crow personally then? Tell me what he’s like.”

  Thomas looked at her for a moment, as though he was deciding whether or not that was a good idea. Finally, he shrugged and simply said that Emmett was a soft spoken man.

  “He works hard, and he takes care of what he has. I’ve never heard a bad thing said about the man. What else is there to know? You will have to see for yourself when you get there.”

  Trinity was slightly offended by the statement, but she didn’t say anything else. There was nothing more to say, beyond pressing Thomas for more information, but she didn’t get the impression that he wanted to give any more information. This caused her to think of him as a con man all the more, but she told herself not to worry about it.

  As soon as you get to Oregon, you won’t have anything to worry about. Just keep an eye on your trunk and make sure he stays out of it, and you will be fine.

  The two had to change from train to stagecoach, making their journey slower and a lot less comfortable. Trinity had heard rumors that they would soon connect the railroad from one end of the country to the other, but she hadn’t been so lucky as to see that with her own eyes.

  Not just yet anyway.

  She had slept for several hours on the train, so now she was wide awake, watching the scenery rumble past out her window. The stagecoach felt rickety and dangerous compared to the train, but Trinity told herself that was simply because she had never ridden in either one before, and of course the train would feel safer.

  Thomas was asleep on the seat opposite her, and she was glad. It was getting difficult for the two of them to think of things to talk about, and the silences were growing longer and more awkward, not to mention more frequent. They had been on their way for nearly a week now, and Trinity was tired of the travel.

  She tried to think about Emmett as they bounced along, but she had little to go on for her imagination to work with. Part of her thought it would be a bad idea to imagine, in case she were to imagine someone a lot more charming and better looking than Emmett really was, but part of her wanted something to look forward to, and a reason to keep pressing onward.

  Towns came, and towns went, each one looking much the same was the one before, but the scenery was changing. Where the flat prairies had stretched on and on, now mountains rose and took their place. There were rivers and ravines now, not to mention all kinds of pine trees. Thomas chattered on mindlessly now, giving Trinity hope they were almost to their destination.

  “We will be there before the day is out. I hope you are ready.”

  “Will Emmett be there to meet me?”

  “Yes, I sent a wire ahead the morning we left, so he knows your coming. I’m sure he is looking forward to it, and has made al
l necessary arrangements.”

  Trinity looked at Thomas with questioning eyes. He was looking out the window, but when he turned to her, he raised his eyebrows and replied.

  “The preacher isn’t often in town, and I’m sure you will want to get the ceremony out of the way right away. Emmett will get that lined up, not to mention getting the house ready. It’s quite an adjustment adding an entire new person into the house, I’m sure.”

  “Oh.”

  Trinity didn’t know what else to say, so she turned her attention back out the window. She hadn’t thought of it before, but today was going to be her wedding day. Of course she knew she was going to be marrying Emmett, after all, that was the whole reason she came out west, but she hadn’t really thought about the wedding ceremony until now.

  As a child, she had always thought she would get married, but she never thought it was going to be like this. Then again, Trinity wasn’t sure what she had thought it was going to be like. Growing up, all the girls had listened to Ashley plan her wedding, but few of them ever really thought of their own.

  I suppose Ashley would turn red with jealousy if she knew I was going to be married before she is. And I had to come all the way to Oregon for my wedding dress… and my entire wedding.

  Chapter 5 – Emmett Crow

  As the stagecoach pulled into town, Trinity craned her neck to see the people gathered around. She had no idea what Emmett looked like, besides the fact he was short with brown hair. Trinity glanced over the crowd, but she didn’t see anyone she thought to be remarkably short.

  “That’s him. That’s Emmett.”

  Thomas pointed to a man that was near the side of the platform. Trinity was relieved at how normal and kind he looked. She was somewhat nervous after meeting Thomas that she was being taken away to some kind of circus, but the sight of Emmett melted her fears away.

  Her parting with Thomas was short and to the point. Emmett thanked him for accompanying his bride, and paid him what Thomas said was due, then Thomas made an elaborate bow to the both of them, and took his leave. Once they were alone, Trinity suddenly felt nervous.

  “You aren’t what I expected you to be… in a good way, of course.”

  She felt embarrassed right after she said it, but Emmett laughed.

  “I don’t know what you were expecting, but I am glad to exceed your expectations. In a good way, of course.”

  He mimicked the same way she had phrased it, and Trinity laughed along with him. It felt good to laugh, and he held his arm out to her. They were making their way to the church, to meet the preacher. The more they chatted, the more Trinity felt she could be at home here. There was an instant connection she felt to Emmett, and that was something that was rare for her.

  By the time they had gotten to the church, Emmett had explained to her how he had set up her own room for her, across the house from his own. He hoped that didn’t make her feel unwelcome, but there was simply no other place to put her for now. He also described to her the animals he owned, as well as the basic chores he hoped she could do around the house.

  Trinity liked Emmett. He was a little older than she had pictured. He hadn’t said his age in the ad, and she hadn’t asked Thomas. Trinity had to admit she assumed he was going to be close to her age, but in reality he was about ten years older.

  When Trinity first realized this, she thought it may be a bit of a concern, but in no time at all she realized Emmett was so different from any other man she had ever met, those few years between them weren’t going to make any difference to her at all.

  Emmet was kind, and he was funny. From the beginning it was clear that he was a gentleman, and he knew how to treat a woman properly.

  She liked the way he said things, in a straight forward, open way. There was no beating around the bush, there was no shame. He was very clear with her, yet charming. Their ceremony was very short and had only a few people attending, but that was ok with Trinity.

  Though she had always assumed she would be in a grand wedding, she was perfectly content with the wedding she had. So much in life was different than what she imagined it would be, and now she was ready for things to settle into a new normal. Into a normal that she could enjoy.

  They stopped at the general store after the ceremony. Emmett said he needed to grab a few things to take back home, and he wanted to treat his new bride to something she liked. Inside, he told her to pick out anything she liked, whether it be dishes, a dress, or even just some candy. Anything she wanted, he wanted to get for her.

  Trinity looked over the shelves, unsure of what to pick out. She liked candy, but candy was so common. She liked the dresses they had on the shelves, but they looked so rustic compared to what she was used to seeing, she wasn’t quite sure she was ready to dress the way the locals did.

  Finally, Trinity settled on a little porcelain figurine. It was a young lady in a pink dress, she was holding in one hand a basket full of flowers, and in her other hand, she held a small dog. It was a beautiful little figure, and Trinity fell in love with it immediately.

  The clerk wrapped the figurine in newspaper before carefully packing it into a box, and Trinity insisted on carrying the box on her lap on the ride home. The wagon they rode in was far less tedious than the stage coach, but there were still bumps and jolts in the road, and Trinity didn’t want to risk her doll breaking on anything on the way.

  The farmhouse was small, just as Emmett had described, with a barn off to the westward side. There was a cow in the barnyard, and chickens milling about the entire area. Trinity fell in love with everything about it.

  “I can see us becoming a real family here! Think of it… why, there’s already a swing in that tree!”

  Trinity laughed as she pointed over to the large oak behind the barn. Emmett cleared his throat but said nothing. Trinity looked up at him inquisitively, but he was guiding the horses into the yard around the chickens.

  He put the brake on the wagon and walked around the side to help Trinity off the side. She laughed as he helped her down, then followed him into the house. He threw open the door and Trinity stopped short.

  “Daddy!”

  “Hey there, Sweetie, how are you?”

  Emmett scooped up the child in his arms, and tossed her above his head, then caught her again. The girl squealed and kicked her legs, then looked over Emmet’s shoulder at Trinity, and her eyes widened.

  “Is that my new mommy?”

  She pointed, and Emmet turned around.

  “Yes it is, Sweetheart. Trinity, I’d like you to meet Maddie… my daughter.”

  Chapter 6 – Motherhood

  The days to follow were unlike any that Trinity could have imagined. She thought she was coming out here to marry a widower with a farm. That was what she had been expecting, and that was what she had essentially done. Yet, the one little detail Emmett had left out of his ad, and the one little detail Thomas had left out of is description of Emmet, happened to be the biggest detail of all.

  Trinity had never thought about what motherhood would be like, and now that she was taking on that role, she wasn’t at all sure she was ready. She had been good at helping Mrs. Graham, but Mrs. Graham had told her what to do, with a child, Trinity was the one that was supposed to have the answers.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you have a child?”

  She couldn’t hold back the question any longer. It had been nearly a month, and Emmet had acted since the first day as though marrying someone without telling them you had a child was the most natural thing in the world. Then again, moving all the way across the country to marry a man you have never met wasn’t entirely natural, either.

  “What’s wrong? Aren’t you getting along?”

  Emmet was drinking his morning coffee, getting ready to head out to the fields. Trinity was washing the breakfast dishes, but Maddie wasn’t out of bed yet. She was young, too young to be attending school, which meant Trinity spent a lot of time with her during the day.

  “We get along just
fine, but…”

  Her voice trailed off, and Emmet stood up. He walked over to her, and pulled her away from the wash basin, wrapping his arms around her.

  “What’s wrong, my Love?”

  Trinity couldn’t help it. The tears formed in her eyes and brimmed over, running down her cheeks and leaving wet trails on Emmet’s shirt. He hushed her, and rocked her in his arms, trying to soothe her.

  “What’s wrong with Mommy?”

  A voice came from the edge of the kitchen, and Trinity pulled away from Emmet. She didn’t know how she felt about Maddie calling her that. She wasn’t Maddie’s mother, and she didn’t feel right about it. Trinity grew up without a mother or a father. She didn’t call anyone by those names. She didn’t have any.

  Now, with this little girl, she didn’t feel that it was right, either. Trinity wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands, and dried them on her apron.

  “Nothing’s wrong, Sweetie, your father and I were just talking. Come, here’s some eggs and bacon waiting for you.”

  Trinity pulled the cast iron lid off of the plate on the table. She had left it there to keep warm for Maddie, and was pleased to see that it still had steam rising off of it.

  “Yay!”

  Maddie ran over in her bare feet and climbed up on the chair. She said a quick prayer of thanks as her father had taught her to do, and began to enjoy her breakfast. Emmett looked helplessly from Maddie to Trinity, then back at Maddie. It was clear he didn’t know whether to stay or leave…but the chores needed doing.

  He kissed Trinity on the cheek and Maddie on the forehead, then told them both he hoped they had a good day. With that, he was gone. Trinity finished washing up the dishes, keeping an eye on Maddie, but not saying much. Maddie finished her breakfast, then took some of her dolls outside to play.

  Trinity stood by the window in the kitchen, looking out at the little girl playing in the dirt with her dolls. There was so much about that little girl that reminded Trinity of herself. So much that she could relate to. But this little girl knew what it was like to belong. She knew what it was like to have a father, and a mother even, though her mother had passed away.