by Megan Besing
“Sure you’re not going to change your mind?” Pa’s tone sounded more like checking the weather, rather than hoping she’d stay.
“My mind’s made up. I’ll write to you when I arrive.”
He shuffled his feet. “Thing is, we’re leaving soon. Me and Joe, that is.”
A plume of black smoke arose in the distance. The vibration from the tracks grew louder, matching the roaring in her ears. She tightened her grip on the handle of her valise. “How…How can you be leaving? Where will you go?”
“To Chicago. Lots more work there. We’ll take a room in a boardinghouse. Couldn’t do that if you weren’t going west.”
Her world shifted. Somewhere in the back of her mind she’d believed she could always come home to Waters Grove. She stared at her father, speechless.
After a moment, her brother spoke. “Don’t look so shocked. You’re not the only one who wants out of here.”
“But…How will I know where you are?”
“We’ll get word to you once we’re settled.”
The bell on the locomotive clanged. Steam billowed from beneath the wheels as the train braked to a stop. Once the departing passengers disembarked, it would be Helena’s turn to board.
Pa gave her an awkward pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry none. We’ll be fine.”
But what about me? she wanted to scream. If only he’d put his arms around her this one time. Instead he picked up her valise and handed it to the conductor.
Helena stumbled into a passenger car, chin thrust high. She didn’t look back. With no home to return to, she’d make this marriage work, no matter what.
Chapter 3
The bouquet of wildflowers Daniel held drooped in the heat. His companion, Reverend Philip Marley, slipped out of his black frock coat and draped it over his arm. He stepped toward the shaded portion of Spalding’s modest railroad depot.
“We don’t have to stand here in the sun.”
Daniel followed him for a moment then returned to the edge of the platform to peer along the tracks. If Felicia saw him waiting there, she’d know how eager he felt about their marriage. Insects chirped in the bunchgrass surrounding the station, but try as he might, Daniel couldn’t hear the rumbling of a locomotive.
“Train’s late.” He returned to the preacher’s side.
“Not by much, is my guess. See there?” He pointed to the south end of the platform, where the stationmaster pushed a baggage cart toward the rails.
A Northern Pacific train rumbled around a low hill then barreled straight into the station. Brakes squealed as the cars came to a sweeping halt.
Daniel studied the three passenger cars, wondering which one carried Felicia. He turned to Reverend Marley. “Appreciate you coming with me. Soon as we get Miss Trimble’s bags, we’ll go straight to the church so you can marry us.” He knew he’d repeated the plan more than once, but he couldn’t think of anything else to say. After wiping his sweating palms on his trousers, he removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Settle down, son. She’ll be here in a moment.” The reverend clapped his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.
A few passengers disembarked and strode into the depot or out to waiting buggies. No Felicia. After another minute dragged by, a slender blond woman stepped into the sunlight. She dropped a valise at her feet and surveyed the platform with one hand shading her eyes.
“She’s beautiful.” Daniel spoke in a whisper. “She looks like an angel, standing there in the sunlight.”
“You’re quite the poet,” his companion said. “Is that your bride?”
“No. According to her letters, Miss Trimble has red hair, and she’s more full-figured. My intended must still be on the train.”
The station agent pushed the loaded baggage cart past them. No one else disembarked. In another few moments the locomotive bell clanged and the Northern Pacific continued its journey west.
Daniel’s heart seized. Had Felicia not received the tickets? Did she miss the train? Worse yet, had she deceived him? He’d spent almost all the profit from last year’s wheat harvest to purchase her fare. He cringed to think he’d told everyone who would listen that today he would be bringing home a bride.
His face burned. Daniel McNabb—the biggest fool in eastern Washington.
Helena squinted into the brilliant sun at two men who stood side by side next to the depot. They were of similar height, about six feet. The man on the left had wide shoulders that strained at the cut of his fawn-colored sack coat. He clutched a bouquet of drooping flowers in one broad fist. His hawk-nosed companion appeared to be the older of the two, judging from his gray mustache. She hoped the one holding the flowers was Daniel McNabb, but if so, why wasn’t he coming forward to greet her? What if neither of them was Daniel? Then what would she do?
After a moment’s pause, she stepped forward. “Excuse me. Is one of you gentlemen Mr. McNabb?” Her heart drummed.
The younger man tipped his wide-brimmed hat, revealing slicked-down red hair. His deep-brown eyes met her gaze. “That would be me, miss. How do you know my name?”
She’d rehearsed how she’d explain she wasn’t Felicia Trimble, but now that the moment had arrived she couldn’t remember what she’d planned to say. Fingers trembling, she opened her handbag and gave him his letter. “I’m here in answer to this.”
“You’re not Felicia. She said she has red hair and—” He cleared his throat. “Where did you get this?”
“I can explain if you will listen.”
“D’you take me for a fool? Listen to what?”
“Give the lady a chance.” The older man removed his hat and bent in a half bow. “I’m Reverend Marley, friend of the family. We expected a Miss Trimble to arrive today. She gave you her tickets?”
Grateful for the preacher’s kind tone, Helena dipped her head and mumbled, “Not exactly.”
Daniel clenched his hands at his sides. “I thought not.” He dropped the wilted bouquet on the platform and kicked it aside.
“I found your letter in the trash.” Her voice wavered. “My brother wrote to you for a joke. When you sent the tickets he threw them out.”
“Threw them out. Nearly a year’s profits. A joke.” He took several steps away then wheeled around to face her. “So why are you here? To laugh?”
“No, Mr. McNabb. You advertised for a bride. That’s why I’m here.”
“I don’t even know your name. The letters said she’s a schoolteacher. Are you?”
Her shoulders sagged. There had to be some way to rescue this situation, but she couldn’t imagine what it might be. No telling what else Joseph had written in his letters. She’d been beyond naive to believe she could take a fictitious person’s place. Of course Mr. McNabb wouldn’t marry a stranger. She blew out a breath.
“My name is Helena Erickson. I’m not a schoolteacher, but I am a hard worker.”
He snorted. “That’s not important now. Reverend Marley came here to marry Felicia and me so I could take her to my farm. Now I don’t know what to do.”
Many of the stops along the trip west had featured overnight hotel accommodations for travelers. A quick glance beyond the depot revealed nothing more than a dusty street dotted with a few shacks. Her plan lay in shreds. She couldn’t have made a bigger mistake if she’d tried.
Chapter 4
Daniel turned toward Reverend Marley. “What if the Hallidays don’t have room?”
“Only one way to find out. The turnoff to their place isn’t too far ahead.” He hooked one arm over the back of the seat. “Be glad to get out of this sun for a spell.”
The buggy swayed on the rutted track leading east from Spalding to farmland beyond. Miss Erickson shared the narrow rear bench with her trunk and valise. She hadn’t said a word once Daniel and the preacher discussed asking his neighbor to take her in.
He felt guilty about foisting her off on the Hallidays, but this late in the day no other solution came to mind. Tomorrow he’d find better lodgi
ng for her. His chestnut gelding stepped along with a lively trot, no doubt believing he was headed for the barn.
Daniel pulled up on the reins, guiding the animal onto a narrow lane leading to the Hallidays’ cabin. As soon as the buggy halted, the cabin door flew open.
Sarah Halliday stepped onto the covered porch. “Daniel! I want to meet your bride.” She bustled toward them, strands of honey-brown hair flying loose from the bun at the back of her head. Before he could respond, she reached the buggy and peeked around the trunk at Miss Erickson.
“I’m your neighbor, dear. Come in and refresh yourself. You must be plumb worn out after all those days on the train.”
Miss Erickson leaned forward. “Thank you, ma’am, but—”
“She’s not my bride.” Daniel hopped down and wrapped the reins around the hitching rail. “There’s been a mistake.”
Sarah glanced from him to Reverend Marley and then back to Miss Erickson. She quirked an eyebrow. “Come in, anyway. This poor girl looks downright peaked. Must be some story.”
“Thank you, Miz Halliday.” Reverend Marley offered his hand to help Miss Erickson from the buggy then followed their hostess along a stone pathway.
Daniel trailed behind. Miss Erickson looked done in, for a fact. His anger had subsided enough for feelings of pity to emerge, but he ignored them. She’d brought this on herself. If she was concerned about those tickets, why didn’t she simply send them back?
Once inside, Sarah drew a chair away from a rectangular table near the kitchen area in the main room. “Come here and sit, dear. What did you say your name was?”
“I’m Helena Erickson, ma’am.” A blush colored her fair skin. “I’m grateful for your kindness.”
“Pish. It’s nothing.” Sarah crossed to a shelf, placed four cups on the table, then filled them with water from a gray crockery pitcher. After seating herself next to Miss Erickson, she fixed her gaze on Daniel and Reverend Marley. “Now, tell me what this is all about.”
Daniel stared into his cup. He couldn’t find the words to describe his bitter disappointment. First Ross, now this.
After a moment, the reverend stood. “To come straight to the point, Miz Halliday, this young lady is not Daniel’s intended. The circumstances are unclear, but we’re here to ask if you and Will could put her up overnight. She obviously can’t be at Daniel’s cabin since they’re not married.”
Miss Erickson dropped her gaze to her lap.
Sarah placed her hand on the girl’s arm. “We’d be happy to. We’re so far from family here that it’s a treat to have a visitor.”
“It’s settled then.” Daniel sprang to his feet. “Tomorrow I’ll find a better situation for her.” He strode to the door, thankful to be relieved of Miss Erickson, if only for the night.
She told him she was a hard worker. He’d knock on every door in town. He’d find someone who needed help in return for room and board.
Helena followed Mrs. Halliday behind a partition opposite the kitchen to three sleeping areas divided by further partitions. She carried her bonnet and valise. Mr. McNabb had left her trunk in his buggy, no doubt to signal her stay in Spalding was only temporary. No matter what he planned, she wouldn’t—couldn’t—go back to Waters Grove. She’d be sure to make that clear when he returned for her tomorrow.
Mrs. Halliday stepped into one of the rooms. The space held a narrow bed topped with a double pink coverlet quilted in a star pattern. A bureau graced the far end of the room, two dresses hung from pegs on the wall, and a round rag rug covered the wooden floor. “This is Beth’s room. She’s thirteen. Our son, Grant, is sixteen. You’ll meet them soon. They’re both out helping their father. We’ll decide who sleeps where when they come in.”
Helena’s eyes burned with unshed tears. The girl who slept in this room was blessed to have a mother like Mrs. Halliday.
The older woman settled on the edge of the bed and patted the space beside her. “Come tell me what Daniel avoided saying. You didn’t just pop up here like a mushroom.”
Tears momentarily at bay, Helena sank onto the soft coverlet. “I found the train tickets in our trash bin.” She told Mrs. Halliday about her brother’s cruel prank and why she made her subsequent decision. “I didn’t know about all the lies he put in his letters. I thought it would work to come here as Mr. McNabb’s mail-order bride.” Tears slid down her cheeks. “Then as I was leaving, my father told me they were moving to Chicago.” She drew a shuddering breath. “Now I don’t even know where they are.”
Mrs. Halliday slipped her arm around Helena’s waist. “Did you pray about this before you left?”
“Not very much. It seemed like a gift from heaven to find the tickets.”
“Maybe it was a test, not a gift.” Mrs. Halliday spoke in a gentle voice. Her expression held no condemnation.
“A test?” Helena swallowed. “What do you mean?”
“Are you trusting the Lord for your future? Or did you run ahead of Him?” A moment of silence passed, then she rose. “There’s water in the pitcher on the bureau. After you’ve refreshed yourself, I’d welcome your company while I prepare supper.”
Mrs. Halliday’s questions echoed in Helena’s mind while she splashed cold water on her tear-stained cheeks. Did you pray about this? In truth, she had not. Praying had died with her mother.
After a restless night, Daniel sat on his doorstep nursing a cup of coffee. Dawn swirled golden light over wisps of cirrus clouds. He’d imagined he’d be eating breakfast with his bride this morning. Instead, he’d be spending time searching for a place for Miss Erickson to live while he saved enough funds to send her back to Illinois.
His rudeness to her stung his conscience. When he closed his eyes, he pictured the flush covering her fair skin when she confessed her deception. True, she used tickets meant for someone else, but she didn’t steal them. She didn’t claim to be Miss Trimble even for a moment. Now he wondered why someone as pretty as Miss Erickson would be willing to leave the comforts of an established town to marry a struggling homesteader. He wished he’d asked.
He huffed out a breath and stepped inside to place his empty cup in the kitchen washbasin. First he’d tend to his chores then go to Spalding and find lodging for her. Several boardinghouses had sprung up with the influx of settlers seeking land. Should be an easy matter to find a proprietor who’d be glad to rent a room in exchange for help with cleaning. Then he’d have time to transport Miss Erickson and her trunk into town before evening.
Helena carried a bowl of potatoes to the supper table. Mr. Halliday shot her a teasing grin from his seat next to his son, Grant. From his slicked-back dark hair to his tanned skin and muscular forearms, the young man was the image of his father.
“So my Sarah’s put you to work already.”
Mrs. Halliday matched his wide smile. “I told her she was our guest, but she’s as stubborn as you are. Insisted on helping.”
“It’s the least I could do,” Helena said. “You are beyond kind to allow me to stay here. Mr. McNabb promised he’d come for me today, but he didn’t.”
The Hallidays’ daughter, Beth, patted the empty chair next to her. “Please sit by me. I’m happy he hasn’t come. It’s nice to have a big sister for a change.”
Helena bowed her head as Mr. Halliday spoke a blessing on the meal. While he prayed, she clenched her hands in her lap, feeling lost. She hadn’t expected to live in a log cabin instead of a real house. Beth told her that Mr. McNabb’s cabin was just like theirs except for the sleeping arrangements. With a blush, she whispered that he had just one bed.
The quiet of the prairie also unnerved her. By comparison, Waters Grove hummed with noise—horses and buggies clopping by on the street, locomotives rumbling through twice a day, dogs barking, children playing. Helena hadn’t noticed how much sounds were part of her life until she experienced today’s silence, broken only by the occasional screech of a hawk or caw of a crow.
With a start, she realized Mrs. Halliday was speaking to
her.
“It’s not dark yet. Daniel may still arrive.” She reached across the table to pat Helena’s hand. “But if he doesn’t, don’t you worry. Beth won’t mind giving up her bed for another night, would you, dear?”
“No. I like Helena.”
Although her heart warmed at the girl’s words, Helena gazed across at Grant. “You are the one who’s displaced. I’m so sorry.”
He forked fried venison onto his plate then set the platter down with a thump. “Pa can tell you, I’m happy sleeping in the barn loft. I already had a bed fixed up there.”
“Trick is keeping him from sleeping there when he’s supposed to be tending to chores.” Mr. Halliday’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he poked his son’s shoulder.
The banter between father and son took Helena back to Pa and Joseph. She swallowed a lump in her throat as a stab of loneliness reminded her how far she’d traveled from Illinois. Managing a smile at the two of them, she took a tiny bite of potato.
Where was Mr. McNabb? Yesterday, he couldn’t wait to be rid of her. She feared he’d abandoned her to the care of this kind family.
Chapter 5
Daniel trudged to the door of the Hallidays’ cabin. On the road from town he tried rehearsing what he might say, but nothing could describe the quandary in which he found himself.
Sarah opened the door at his knock then flung it wide. “Daniel. I knew you’d get here sooner or later. Come in. Helena—Miss Erickson—can be ready quickly.”
At the sound of her name Miss Erickson paused at her task, dish towel in hand. His heart twisted when he noticed the glow in her eyes.
She draped the towel over a hook. “It will only take me a minute to pack my things.”
“Hold on.” He held out his hands, palms up. “I’ve tried every boardinghouse in Spalding. I can’t find a reputable one that will take a single lady.”