Rowena & Jeb

by Annie Boone

  “Oh, and we had mail,” he finished it off with a flourish, pulling out two bent letters from his pockets.

  For a minute he toyed with them, preventing her from grabbing them. She reached out, but Lucas danced them around her. Susannah laughed, shaking her head at him before lightly punching the knee on his unhurt leg. It would have no effect on a man of his stature, but he played off a wince and handed over the papers.

  Climbing up to her feet, she put the towel down and wiping her forehead, glanced them over curiously. There was something about mail, about having it arrive and wondering who it could be from and what it said.

  One was from her aunt in Boston, and Susannah beamed. She was about to open that one first until the other caught her eye. She didn’t recognize the handwriting and it was addressed to the Jessup Boarding House for Women. Gasping in delight, she took a seat and let Lucas off to go change his pants as she opened the letter from a young woman in Vermont.

  To the Jessups of the Boarding House in Rocky Ridge, Colorado:

  Greetings to the Jessups, and I pray all is well. I am a woman from Vermont in need of a place to stay out in the western territories. I am hoping there is space available in your boarding house. Unfortunately, I’ve already begun my journey and will follow my letter soon after.

  There is reason for me to leave town suddenly and I am booked to leave on the first train. If there is not space available when I arrive, that is understandable.

  Here are the details about me in case I will be welcomed. My name is Olivia Foster, and I have lived in Vermont all my life. My parents grew sick soon after I was born, and I was raised by my grandmother. She taught me everything she knew, and I am skilled in a few basics such as sewing, weaving, and cooking. For the last five years, I’ve worked under the employment of the town’s doctor as a nurse. Soon after my grandmother died, I became betrothed to a good man, but he suffered a terrible accident. Now I fear I have become a burden to his family. I feel a need to be where I am wanted, or at least needed. I believe that your advert offers such, in so many words.

  I have a little to pay my way, and I can work hard to earn the rest as I go along. I only pray that my good friend is able to send this off in time and that the post runs quickly. My hope is that I don’t arrive before my letter.

  May God bless you.

  Olivia Foster

  Susannah had read it three times before Lucas returned, his hair wet from a quick wash and wearing clean pants that didn’t have a spot of blood on them. Her heart pattered as she looked up, having mixed feelings about the contents of the letter. The moment she caught her husband’s gaze, though, she forgot everything in his smile.

  Strolling over, Lucas took the seat beside her. “Hello.”

  “Hello.” Susannah let him kiss her cheek before the plates were put in front of them.

  “Who was the letter from?”

  She waited until he said Grace to answer his question. “A young lady. Miss Olivia Foster,” Susannah announced. He looked up at her, fork in hand, and waited for her to continue. His gaze was unreadable. “She is already on her way here. She sounds skilled, and is in desperate need of a new home.”

  “Then it’s good a thing we have one here for her,” he commented lightly, filling her mug with hot tea.

  She set a large piece of cornbread on his plate and pushed the pot of butter towards him. “Indeed it is,” Susannah nodded, smiling. She stood up to go to him and leaned down to kiss him when she was close enough. He hadn’t shaved that morning, so his scruff was coming in quite nicely and was prickly against her cheek. Rubbing a hand over it lightly, she shook her head at him. “I thought you were going to stay clean shaven this summer?”

  Kissing her hand, Lucas leaned back. “We’ll see. I thought you liked the beard?”

  Winking at him, she picked up her fork. “We’ll see. Now, about Miss Foster. I was thinking she could take a room on the ground floor? And perhaps I’ll make some muffins in preparation of her arrival. Trains move so quickly now, so I think she’ll be here before the week is out.”

  Chapter Two

  It was an old, tattered photograph falling apart at the edges. Cream and brown, now, no longer black and white. And much of it was faded, except for the face at the center. A kind face, framed with soft curls and the sweetest smile. Though this was taken many years ago before the wrinkles and white hair had set in, it was clearly the photograph of someone good in the world who had so much love to give. Clutching the photograph with both hands, Olivia Foster looked at her grandmother’s sweet face and pondered what the woman would think of her now.

  A tear escaped, and she hurriedly wiped it away. Sniffling, she slipped the photograph into her family’s Bible, along with two other photographs she always kept with her. The book went into the bag, along with her other shawl. By then, her bag was full and she clasped it shut. Buttoning the cloak she wore, the young lady marched over to the door and gave one final sweeping gaze around the place she had so recently called home.

  Even then Olivia could recall the first day she had arrived, light with hope and joy. It was a sweet home filled with good people at the time, people who she had thought cared about her. Strange how time changed things. Swallowing hard, she closed the door quietly and walked down the hall until she was outside. Winter was ending, but these mountains had hardly noticed. A chill entered her bones and she shivered, but kept moving. She couldn’t stop now.

  The sun was getting ready to rise, and she was late.

  Wrapping her arms close around herself and clutching the bag tightly, she made her way down the street and over several blocks. Her eyes darted around everywhere, soaking it all in for the last time. Walking quickly, soon she was out of breath and panting before she made it to the stage coach. Too north for anyone to care, Vermont lacked trains and she would need to catch a ride to New York to reach one.

  “Hold up!” She called, seeing the horses geared up and ready to go. Waving an arm, she shouted in the streets, her heart leaping out of her throat. “Please!” They stopped and the driver glanced back. “I’m coming!” Her breath came out in white puffs as she hastened to reach the wagon.

  “You’re holding us up,” the man said gruffly, eyeing her critically. He glanced at the road and then sighed, hopping down. “Come along, now. It’s a nickel through each station. Have you any bags? We have a schedule to be on.”

  She shook her head, and handed over a quarter. “I’m going to New York. This is all I have. You can take me there, right? Where I can find a train?” Though she tried to smile politely, she was too out of breath.

  He stroked his beard and then shrugged before climbing back up into his seat. “Most likely. Get in, then.” There were only three other people inside, but they opened the door and she clambered in. It was stuffy and bumpy but it would get her to safety.

  Olivia looked around, still gasping for breath as she glanced at the people and then outside where the town was rolling by. It was the entire life she had known, rolling away and soon to be gone forever. She could hardly imagine such a thing. These folks must have come from the border themselves and were headed down to the larger cities to find work. At least that’s what she’d heard they did when they came to America. But there were so few that left her small Vermont town.

  She gulped and settled back in her seat. She was doing this for a new life. For a safe future, she told herself. She wanted to, and she had to. Trying to ignore the lump forming in her throat, Olivia sorted through her plan again. It wasn’t much of one, but it was still better than what had been in store for her.

  There was a lot of time to think over the next few days as she made her transition from stagecoach to train, and it was still another five days to reach Colorado. Olivia Foster reflected on all those that she was leaving behind, everyone resting in Elder Grove. Her family, her fiancé, she was leaving them all behind.

  “Forgive me,” she mouthed quietly, and leaned back in her seat on the train. Tightening her grip on her v
alise, Olivia shifted and then stared at her hands. They were scratched and pricked, but white and clean. She was good at that much. Rubbing the dry and flaking skin away, she sighed.

  If anything, she would also miss Dr. Hadley and his practice. The man had taken her in five years ago to act as a nurse in the office, teaching her valuable skills and bringing in a small income for her and her frail grandmother. Dr. Hadley was a good man who was growing in his years with a healthy sense of humor and generous nature. He had been kind to drop the letter off for her yesterday afternoon, before she had returned home to pack.

  He had listened carefully as she had explained her plan. It was risky and may not work, but it was better than nothing and better than what was in store for her there. “But they can’t force you to marry someone,” Dr. Hadley had looked at her with a creased brow. “Surely they want what is best for you, my dear?”

  With a strained smile, she had handed him her letter with a nickel. “I’m afraid it’s not as simple as that. We’re not family, we never had the chance to…“ Olivia had swallowed hard and tried not to say anything mean. They were a good family, just misled. She was certain of it. When Jack had been around, nothing like this would have happened.

  Her friend wouldn’t understand what this meant, for he was just another man who could control his destiny. Men had it more easily in their world, and she accepted this. But they wouldn’t control hers, unless she had exhausted every effort first. Of course the Hendersons were a nice family and they had offered her a place to live when her grandmother had died. Had Jack survived, they would have been married and there would be no trouble at all.

  But Jack had died in the accident, and the Hendersons thought differently now. She couldn’t blame them, but it meant she had to change things before they made plans that she didn’t want to be a part of.

  “Can you please send this off before you reach home?” She had asked him again. “And I’m sorry for providing such short notice. But I do believe Mrs. Rachel Hyland will be most helpful in replacing me here. She’s a wonderful midwife and could use the extra income.”

  Sighing, Dr. Hadley had gone through his drawers, and pulled out his wallet. “Then the least I can do is ensure your safe arrival. Here is your pay, along with a bonus. You have done more than enough work here, and as good as Mrs. Hyland is, I don’t think she’s nearly as tidy as you are. I hope you taught her your tricks.”

  Olivia blushed, and grudgingly accepted the bills. She swallowed hard. Frowning, she shook her head. “Oh, sir, that’s too much. Please, I’ll be just fine.”

  He patted her shoulder and smiled through his thick mustache. “You may need it, Olivia. You’ve been so good, I don’t want anything to happen to you, dear. You deserve better than this, after everything you’ve been through. You’ll be safe, won’t you?”

  Swallowing hard, she had nodded several times. “Yes, yes of course. Thank you so much, Dr. Hadley. You’ve been so good to me, truly. Thank you!” She hugged him one last time, and left through the door.

  It broke her heart. Leaving the only life she had ever known, she wondered if it was the right choice. But to count everything she had and everything she had lost, it was clear that she had little else to keep her in Vermont. The familiarity was all she had, but little comfort. Besides, if she stayed, there was little of that familiar life that she would be able to keep if things went the way that the Hendersons had decided upon.

  Now, on the train, Olivia sighed and patted her pockets carefully. The money was still there. Taking a deep breath, she glanced outside just as the train conductor announced the next stop. Her stop. She was there, and Rocky Ridge, Colorado was waiting for her.

  About Annie Boone

  Bestselling author Annie Boone admits that sweet love stories are a passion for her. She also enjoys history, so writing about the two together is the perfect combination for her. Her love of history was passed down by her father and cultivated by her husband.

  Annie has always had a quiet story teller hiding inside and now she has the time to put those stories on paper and share them. Her hope is that her stories will entertain readers and her words will inspire the ones who need it the most. The Christian elements she includes often help remind her of her own faith as she writes.

  Annie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and the two most wonderful cats in the world. She loves to travel, cook for her family and friends, and watch as much sports as possible. She also loves to read. Of course!

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  Also by Annie Boone

  Annie is a bestselling author with books in series and stand alone stories. Each series is a set of books with a common thread, but stories don’t have cliff hangers and each one always has a happy ending.

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  God Bless the Children

  Kansas Mail Order Brides

  The Parson’s Daughters

  A Ready Made Family Plus the Sequel – Two for one special package

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