“I really didn’t know it would hurt so much. I suppose I should have realized this, considering how this young man will arrive,” said Celia when the pain stopped for a moment.
Aunt Mary smiled and held her hand as they waited on the midwife to arrive.
“Now let’s take a walk around the house. Remember she said to walk around for a while when you feel the first pain. She’ll be here soon and advise us further.”
Celia nodded and started a walk around with tentative steps knowing that soon she’d see the face of her beloved Seth’s son.
Chapter 3
“Seth? Seth! Good gracious, where is that boy? Seth!” Aunt Mary’s cries could have raised her husband from the grave, but her nephew had no trouble ignoring them. Seth Jr. currently lay curled behind the parlor room sofa. Hidden from his great aunt’s view by the velvet curtains that framed the window, he’d curled up here nearly twenty minutes ago during a game of hide and seek and fallen asleep while his aunt searched for him.
His mother walked through the front door at that point, her blonde curls blowing in a violent wind. She shoved the door shut behind her and the housemaid who’d accompanied her to town. She was carrying an arm full of shopping which she deposited into the arms of the housemaid with thanks. She stripped off her coat and bonnet and dropped them on the chair in the entryway as she called out for her family.
"Seth! Aunt Mary, we're back!"
“Thank the Lord,” came Aunt Mary’s response from the area of the kitchen. “I’ve lost your son. He’s bested me at hide and seek for the fourth time running and now he’s vanished for good.”
“He’s around here somewhere,” laughed Celia. She began peering around the adjoining rooms. “Seth? Be nice to your auntie. Where are you now?” Mary sighed and shook her head as Celia wandered towards the parlor.
“I’ve been in and out of that room three times already, if he’s in there, he’s a magician.” She wandered into the back of the house again. They searched together for five minutes until Celia called, “Aunt Mary! He’s here. I’ve found him.” Aunt Mary bustled into the parlor, looking around the room.
“Where is he? Unless he came down the chimney chute I don't see how he could be in here now.”
She stopped talking as Celia raised a finger to her lips, indicating the curtained window. Confused, Aunt Mary listened. Very quietly, the sound of Seth’s gentle snores could be heard coming from the corner. Celia climbed up on the couch and pulled the curtain away from the pane. This revealed Seth's tiny bottom, the only part of him that was visible, sticking out from behind the settee.
"Fast asleep,” whispered Aunt Mary. “Of course he is. No wonder he wouldn’t come when I called. That young man could sleep through an earthquake.”
“Just like his papa,” Celia whispered back. She climbed off the couch and then proceeded to lift her son into her arms. She took him to their room and laid him in the small bed his great aunt had purchased for him on his first birthday.
“I guess it was time for a nap,” she chuckled as she entered the kitchen. Aunt Mary was perusing a newspaper and merely nodded in response. “Tea?” asked Celia as she put the kettle on.
“Please,” replied Mary without even looking her way.
Celia set two steaming cups on the small kitchen table and Aunt Mary cleared her throat, purposefully. Celia put up a hand to ward her off before she was even able to get the words out.
“I know what you’re going to say.”
“Not necessarily,” replied her aunt.
“I know the general idea,” she said and her tone dripped annoyance.
“You know I’m correct.”
“Auntie, my marital prospects aren’t exactly vast.”
“You haven’t even made the attempt.”
“No man wants a woman who already has a child. There are a million other eligible ladies here in Boston. Society girls with good standings, widowed women without children.”
“You’d be surprised,” her aunt’s face wore an extremely stubborn expression.
“What are you on about?” Aunt Mary flipped over the paper then and pointed at the adverts she’d been perusing.
“Eligible men! There are plenty of them right here!”
“Yes, Auntie. I see. But these are in Wyoming, California, and Kansas!” laughed Celia.
“And Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, even Texas. Look! They’re everywhere out West.”
"How can I marry a man I’ve never met or take Seth across the country to have a step-father he’s never known. There is absolutely no way of knowing what kind of men these are. How can I put Seth in a position such as that? Or myself?”
“You’re holding out for a royal Duke, are you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Celia rolled her eyes and turned away from her silly aunt.
“Then why not one of these hard working men?”
“If they have to put an advert in the paper to find a wife, there must be a reason they aren’t already married.”
“Rubbish, and you know it. There’s just a distinct lack of women out there! Listen,” she continued when Celia started to interrupt. “They’ve all rushed out there to get established. They put off finding wives in favor of starting up businesses and farms. How nice would it be to marry a man already well set in his trade? A man who already has a house and land, and a livelihood?”
"All right, all right, then,” Celia said and held out her hand for the paper. “Let me see it.”
Trying and failing to suppress the look of triumph that crossed her face, Aunt Mary handed over the paper. Celia noticed that her aunt had actually circled a few of the ads. Repressing the need to roll her eyes again, Celia read the first ad out loud.
“Lonely, hard-working man seeks companion on working ranch. Must be unafraid of labor and be a good cook.” Celia looked up from reading the ad to stare at her aunt, who was grinning.
“You’re a great cook.”
“A ranch, Auntie? This man wants someone to run a ranch and do all the cooking. I’d be nothing but a work horse. That’s not a life I want.”
“Fine, look at some of the other ones, they’re better.”
“Wealthy, traveling business man seeks wife with a sense of adventure,” read Celia, with a sarcastic voice.
“He has money!”
“He says he has money.” Celia kept scanning the ads, now reading them in her head.
“My favorite is this one,” said Aunt Mary, indicating an advert towards the bottom of the column.
“Seeking a loving, responsible, and sweet wife to work alongside me in my tailoring and cobbler business. A friendly disposition is a must,” Celia read it out loud to humor her well-meaning aunt.
“You’re friendly enough. Your manners could do with some work,” said her aunt with a roguish wink.
Celia stared at the ad, surprised at the tiny notion of curiosity that took hold of her when she’d read it. Then looked at her aunt with uncertainty.
“Write a letter to him,” urged Mary. When Celia still looked doubtful she added, “It’s a letter, Celia. Not a marriage promise or a death sentence.”
There was a heavy silence.
Then, Aunt Mary continued her quest to find Celia a husband. “Look at me.” Celia turned her head to look into her aunt’s eyes. “I see through you. These few years I’ve watched you pine for your husband. But, dear, he’s not coming back. He’s looking over you both now and he wishes for your happiness. I’m sure he understands your loneliness. You know in your heart of hearts that Seth would never have wanted you to be alone forever.”
Celia wiped a tear from her eye, gave her aunt’s hand a squeeze, and nodded.
Chapter 4
Though Celia still had her doubts, she understood what Aunt Mary had been trying to tell her for a year. Move on, it’s okay to move on. Celia knew that Seth wouldn’t have wanted her to be alone for the rest of her life. She also knew that her son needed a father. She needed a good man to provide for her, to
stand beside. So, before Celia wrote her letter to Mr. Joshua Maxwell, she said a prayer.
Lord, let me do the right thing for my son and for myself. Let me find a good man, help me to be a good mother and please, help me to be a good wife.
Celia moved away from her bed to the writing desk that sat in the corner of her room and stared down at the slip of parchment for a while. She prayed again that the Lord would guide her and set her pen to the paper.
Dear Mr. Maxwell,
Further to your inquiry for a companion I would like to offer myself for the position of your wife.
No, she couldn’t write that. That sounded as though she were applying to a posting concerning an open job. She hastily scribbled out the sentence and tried again.
Dear Mr. Maxwell,
I find myself searching for a husband to help fill my growing loneliness. As of four years ago in October, I am a widowed woman. My previous husband having passed away due to an unforeseen accident while riding horseback. While I mourn him still, I have someone to think about besides myself as I have a son from that marriage. I am currently living with my aunt in Boston, Massachusetts, as I have been for nigh on four years. She is a wonderful woman, though I think she senses my loneliness better than I do myself. It is she who encouraged me to answer your advert, though in all honesty, I am unsure of the idea.
While I am inexperienced with sewing or shoe making, I have much experience with bookkeeping and a willingness to learn the trade. I desire security, love, and a wonderful father for my son. If you think you can provide these things to us, please respond.
Warm wishes,
Celia Burke
There, that sounded alright. It was honest, to the point and friendly. She copied it onto a fresh sheet and waited for the ink to dry before sealing it in an envelope.
She checked on Seth, who was playing happily in the sitting room with Aunt Mary.
“Mama. I got bug,” was Seth’s greeting and he showed her the small lady bug sitting in his palm.
“So you did, darling.” Celia waved the letter in Aunt Mary’s direction.
“Give it here then.” came her aunt’s predictable demand.
“I will do no such thing,” exclaimed Celia. “I’m running it straight to the post office.”
“That’s because you’re over excited about it. Let me read it before you send it off.”
“No, Auntie, you will just have to wait in suspense.” With that, Celia stopped to give her son a quick kiss and tell him she’d be back in two seconds. Then, waving coyly at her aunt’s annoyed expression, she departed.
“It’s been over five weeks, Celia. He must not have been interested.” Celia looked up at her aunt, who was observing her keenly over her morning tea.
There hadn’t been any response from Mr. Maxwell. Although Celia had been more than prepared for such an eventuality, she still found herself disappointed. The disappointment was a bit of a surprise since she wasn’t sure this is what she even wanted or what was best.
“It’s beyond time to pick a new ad to respond to. I know you had your heart set on being the wife of a cobbler, but you can start over.”
Celia laughed at her aunt’s ridiculous presumption and went to pick up the mail, as she’d heard the click of the mail slot on the front door. Seth ran around the kitchen, playing with all the un-breakables that had been moved to the bottom shelves since Seth learned to walk. “This time,” said Aunt Mary. “I’m circling several more, and you have to pick at least five to write to.”
“Are you really that determined to be rid of me, Aunt Mary?”
“Of course I am, you and this child have been a thorn in my side for far too long.” Mary looked down at her great nephew, who was tugging on her ruffled skirt, and smiled.
Celia could tell that the woman thought she knew what was best for Celia and her great nephew. She’d told her before that she didn’t want her niece to grow old and die next to her in this place. Mary felt that Celia needed a husband and Seth needed a father and that’s all there was to it.
"Well, you may not have to wait long.” Celia came back into the kitchen, holding a single letter in her hand and smiling.
“He wrote? After all these long weeks. The scoundrel. What took him so long?”
“Maybe we’ll find out.” Celia had already torn the envelope clumsily from the letter and was on the point of unfolding it when it was snatched out of her hands.
“Aunt Mary!”
“I want to check that there’s no funny business going on. Who on Earth would keep a pretty lady like yourself waiting six long weeks? I’m reading it first.” Celia sighed and shook her head.
“Read it aloud then.”
“No.”
“Aunt Mary! I think you’re the scoundrel!”
"You waited six weeks, you can wait five more minutes. Here,” she shoved a small photo into Celia’s hands. “Have a look at him, he’s handsome.”
Aunt Mary wasn’t wrong. Although Celia was burning to read what Joshua had written, she looked down to examine his photograph instead. She couldn’t resist, actually.
His features were darker than she had expected. Somehow, she had been picturing him light haired. His hair was very dark in the picture, however. Although it was hard to tell the color of his eyes from just the photo, Celia thought that they looked very kind. Joshua possessed a strong jaw and defined cheekbones and she was finding it hard to stop looking at him now that she had started.
"Here you are then,” said Aunt Mary, a smile dancing around her thin lips. And at last, she handed Celia the letter.
Dear Miss Celia,
I’d like to apologize for my delay in writing. It was not for lack of interest, but more because I was unsure I had the capabilities you were asking for. You see, I never imagined such a lovely woman would respond to my advert. Nor did I imagine that she would already have a child. I am not adverse to the idea of children at all. I like them very much. However, I did not expect to become a father immediately upon my marriage and I needed time to find in myself the strength to consider such a task. I am a faithful man, I confer with the Lord on many things. I do believe that I have made the right choice in responding to your letter and beg you forgive my lateness. Although, I do feel inclined to warn you, that my response does not necessarily mean our relationship will progress further than these letters.
I am sorry for the loss of your husband, and I understand your feeling of loneliness. It was such a feeling that prompted me to seek companionship in this life. I would love to know more about you. Your family, the things you like to do to pass the time, I would even like to know about your faith, but most importantly I would like to know more about your son.
I have been a tailor and cobbler almost my entire life. My father was, as well, and I learned my trade at his knee. When he died a few years ago, I moved to Derby to start a shop of my own. I have a single brother and he lives about two days ride away from Derby on a ranch on the north side of Wichita.
I understand if you no longer have interest in me and have moved on to other prospects. If that is the case, I will bid you farewell and wish you a happy life. If that is not the case, I look forward, very much, to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Joshua Maxwell
Celia read the letter through several times, her heart filling as she did so. Seth had clambered up onto her lap now and was gazing at the picture of Joshua he had taken from her. Aunt Mary was watching Celia’s face, observing her with smugness. I like him, was Celia’s first coherent thought. I really like him.
Chapter 5
Celia stood nervously upon the train station platform holding her son’s hand. Seth was so interested in everything that was going on around him that Celia was afraid he would crick his neck if he continued twisting it this way and that.
Celia had never traveled outside of Massachusetts. The experience was nerve wracking. She’d hardly been able to close her eyes on their long journey. This wasn’t only because Se
th had been so full of excited energy that she could hardly get him to sit still, but also because she herself could not stop watching the scenery pass by the window.
They were leaving behind everything familiar and taking a journey together into the complete unknown. Despite her and Joshua’s continuous correspondence, he was still a completely unpredictable entity. Celia had been unnerved since she received Joshua’s response. She was so determined to make the right choice for her son.
She had fasted and prayed for two days when Joshua had asked her to come to Kansas to marry him. She believed God would guide her into making the right decision. Even so, she worried she may soon collapse from anticipation if Joshua didn’t arrive to pick them up soon.
“Celia?” It was a question and the voice that had asked it sent a shiver of excitement down her spine. She gripped Seth’s hand more tightly and turned to face her future husband.
“Joshua,” she responded, her face breaking into a relieved grin. He strode forward and held out his hand formally. Celia shook it, then, feeling they might as well do the thing properly, she stepped forward and embraced him. This seemed to take Joshua by surprise and it was a moment before he wrapped his arms around her for a brief and awkward hug. Then they broke apart and Joshua knelt down so that he was on an eye level with her son.
“Hello, Seth,” he said, and held out a large hand to him as well. Seth stared into Joshua’s face for a second before he slowly extended two fingers. They shook hands solemnly, both expressions displaying nearly identical forms of apprehension. Celia smiled and Seth retreated behind his mother’s skirts as Joshua stood up. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you in person.”
“And you,” replied Celia. She was having a difficult time not staring at Joshua. He was even more attractive than he had appeared in his picture. His chest and shoulders were broad and appeared well muscled, despite the lack of hard labor his trade required. He apparently was having just as hard of a time trying not to stare at her. “I hope you’re not disappointed,” she said, attempting bravado and failing.
Christmas Miracles: Mega Mail Order Bride 20-Book Box Set: Multi-Author Box Set Page 47