Mail Order Bride: JUMBO Mail Order Bride 20 Book Box Set

by Hope Sinclair

  Daniel paled. He had not given much thought to Mary Margaret’s looks but he sure didn’t want to end up with a wife who was an eye sore.

  The matter of where Brett would live, hung between them. His older brother had always intimidated him with his confidence. Daniel gathered his courage.

  “So, what of your living arrangements?”

  Brett laughed. “Is that why you look so worried? Have no fear, I’ll give you love birds more than enough space. Are the farmhand quarters still up?”

  Daniel nodded with relief, tingled with guilt. He would have the whole farmhouse to himself while his brother would live in the farmhand quarters. He shrugged. There was no other choice as they couldn’t well all live in the main house.

  Brett took the broom and started sweeping, fitting in as though he had not been away. Daniel watched him for a moment and then went to clean up the counter. With Brett’s help, he finished earlier than he normally did and in half an hour, they were closing the saloon for the night.

  “Where’s your luggage?” Daniel asked.

  “What luggage?” Brett countered.

  That was just like Brett, Daniel thought, getting into the driver’s seat of the buggy. He never volunteered any information and laughed away attempts at serious conversation. Daniel gave Brett no more thought, as he had his own matters to take care of. He wanted to write the letter as soon as he got home and have it posted first thing tomorrow morning, after he bought the ticket.

  “Still as rugged as ever, I see? You don’t do much around here, do you?” Brett said when they got off the buggy.

  Daniel felt himself grow stiff. “There’s not much time left after working in the saloon from Monday to Monday.”

  “Take it easy, just a harmless comment,” Brett said, squinting his eyes against the light from the moon.

  He would get a bigger shock in the morning, Daniel thought. Against the harsh light of the sun, the farm looked more neglected, which it was, with overgrowths of grass and weeds. He followed Brett into the house and busied himself seeing to their dinner. Daniel felt a little put out. Now he would have to fend for Brett and himself, when he barely had time to feed himself.

  The jar of salted meat still had a few more pieces and he retrieved it from the pantry.

  “Is that dinner?” Brett said making a face.

  Daniel nodded. “Not grand enough for you?”

  “Are there chicken? I could fry some eggs for myself instead,” Brett said ignoring Daniel’s insinuation.

  “None, no one to feed them,” Daniel replied.

  “It’s a good thing that I’m here then isn’t it?” muttered Brett.

  Daniel held his eyes.

  “What has changed? Three years ago, you never once ventured out to the farm; as far as you were concerned, the farm was for sleeping and nothing else.”

  To his surprise, Brett did not answer in his usual offhand manner. He looked at Daniel solemnly.

  “Daniel, people do change you know. You are right in that my interest never was farming and it isn’t now. But sometimes, you do things because you have to, because it’s your duty.”

  “A little late for that, I would say,” Daniel replied surly.

  Brett waved his hands as though in surrender. “Let’s not fight Daniel, we did it as children and now we’re all grown up, it’s time to stop.”

  As his brother walked away, the bittersweet joy of his return left Daniel feeling very uneasy.

  FIVE

  Mary Margaret had promised herself that she wouldn’t cry, but now that the moment had come, her heart was full of emotions, as if it would burst. She looked at all the faces surrounding her, girls who had been her family for the last couple of years. She had not realized how terribly she would miss them all.

  She clutched at a small case bearing the three dresses donated to her by the nuns. Though old and plain, she was thankful as they encompassed all her worldly possessions apart from the long black coat, which she now wore.

  “May the Lord go with you and guide you child,” the Mother Superior said. She was a middle-aged woman. Her lined face shone with the Love of God, Mary Margaret had always thought.

  “We don’t have much to give you, but here, take this with you; it will give you a start in your new life.”

  Mary Margaret took the straw basket and peered into it. To her surprise, she heard the flutter of feathers and soft movement inside the basket. They were chicks, hardly three weeks old. Also in the basket was a wrapped package, which she assumed to be ground corn for the chicks. Mary Margaret looked at the Mother Superior questioningly. The convent depended on itself for food and other requirements, and for them to give her six chicks, was a big sacrifice.

  “They will remind you of us,” the Mother Superior answered gently.

  After a few moments of embraces and goodbyes, Mary Margaret finally left the convent; in her pocket, the train ticket which would take her to Carson City, Nevada. She felt joy and hope. Mary Margaret could have shouted in jubilation, but she contained herself and concentrated on walking as fast as possible.

  The train was due to depart in an hour, and while she knew the chances of missing it were slim, she preferred to be in the safety of her carriage waiting. She reached the station located at the heart of the city and gave her ticket to the stationmaster.

  “You can go into the train now ma’am,” he said.

  Hers was a second-class ticket, which did not bother Mary Margaret in the least. She was used to a few discomforts, like sleeping on a small bed with a thin mattress such that the wood poked and dug into one’s back. Sitting upright through the four-day journey would not be a hardship for her.

  Mary Margaret chose the seat by the window. She placed her basket of chicks by the side and opened it up so that the chicks would not die of suffocation.

  She had carried a bottle of water and a small container to give the chicks water. Mary Margaret hoped her fellow passengers would not be offended by the smell of chick droppings. Once settled, she opened her bible, flipped through it and read the story of Ruth, a particular favorite of hers, more so now when she was embarking on her own journey.

  Passengers filled the compartment and when the whistle was blown for the final call, every available chair was taken. Mary Margaret happily noted a woman with five young children also had a tied up chicken with her.

  “Shall I take him into my lap?” Mary Margaret said to the woman, referring to her two year old who fretted and wriggled in her arms.

  She had another child, who looked to be a year younger, and Mary Margaret could see that managing the young children was difficult for her. The three older ones had their noses pressed against the window, watching the countryside go past.

  “Would you? Oh thank you, God bless you,” the woman replied.

  Mary Margaret took the two year old and held him facing her. She made faces at him until his whimpers subsided and he laughed softly. After a while, Mary Margaret faced him towards the window so that he could be entertained by the passing scenery. Once the child settled, Mary Margaret turned her attention to the mother.

  She held a baby on her lap, breastfeeding him, her head thrown back and her eyes shut. She had premature lines around her eyes and by looking at her arms and shoulders, Mary Margaret saw that she did not eat well. Where was she travelling to with five children? Mary Margaret wondered. The baby had his fill and fell asleep. The lack of suckling movement woke the mother up, who wearily tidied herself up.

  “He fell asleep too,” Mary Margaret said softly.

  The mother smiled.

  “My name’s Mary Margaret.”

  “Mine’s Anne.”

  She had a soft voice and manner. Mary Margaret was used to interacting with poor people from the city, and could see that the woman was hard up. Her children wore tattered clothes, though someone had made an effort to repair them. She coaxed information from the woman.

  It turned out that her husband had gone on to California a year and a hal
f earlier to prospect for gold. The woman had resisted joining him there for fear of the future of her children. At least in New York, her other family were nearby. Her husband was threatening to separate from her if she did not join him immediately.

  “The Lord walks ahead of us so that even though danger or hardship lies ahead, He cushions us from it,” Mary Margaret explained. “So the scriptures say.”

  She found a willing listener in Anne and Mary Margaret used their time together to encourage her and to keep Christ close to her heart. Here she was, Mary Margaret mused later, fretting over her own future; yet she had no one else to worry about but herself. Anne had five children to worry about, it was no wonder she appeared so weary.

  Anne and her children got off a few stops before Mary Margaret, where they would take another westbound train.

  “Thank you so much for all your help,” Anne said, holding one baby on her waist and the other by the hand.

  “God brought us together for a reason,” Mary Margaret said, a firm believer in destiny. “Here take this with you; they’ll give you eggs in a few months.”

  Anne gestured at her oldest one to take the straw basket. She had tears in her eyes. With a final wave, they left the carriage, and once on the platform, Mary Margaret waved until they melted into the crowd. She would say a prayer for Anne, Mary Margaret told herself. She hoped that her husband was a good sort and would take care of his family properly.

  The train lurched forward and Mary Margaret’s mind went to Daniel McGraw. She had not thought of him throughout the journey. She had been so occupied with Anne and her children. She felt no fear at meeting her groom in the next couple of hours. She was ready and had been for a very long time. She ran her fingers through her hair. It was odd having it uncovered. She wondered what he would make of it. What he would make of her. Then she smiled to herself. She had faith that this was God’s will. She couldn’t wait to start her new life. Content she snuggled into her seat, daydreaming of what was to come.

  SIX

  After reaching Carson City, Mary Margaret travelled by stagecoach to her final destination Jamieson Ville, a mining town in Nevada. As she stepped off the stagecoach, Mary Margaret looked around in confusion. Although the town wasn’t very big, it seemed half of its inhabitants had chosen this very day, to be out and about. She held her small case lightly and moved to the side, away from the worst of the crowd. After fifteen minutes, the congestion eased and she saw two men scanning people. They wore smart suits, though Mary Margaret noted they didn’t look very comfortable in their attire.

  The shorter of the two glanced at her and after a moment’s hesitation, he came towards her.

  “Mary Margaret Lay?” he queried, his voice deep.

  “Yes, that’s me, are you Daniel McGraw?” she replied.

  “Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Lay. Welcome to Jamieson Ville.”

  Mary Margaret beamed and shook Daniel’s outstretched hand. As his warm fingers gripped hers, a strange tingle went up her arm and heated her cheeks. Before she could ponder anymore about the odd sensation, her husband-to-be turned around and introduced her to the man next to him.

  “This is my brother Brett.”

  Brett McGraw had a twinkle in his eyes and Mary Margaret felt at ease with him immediately.

  “Welcome to Jamieson Ville. We welcome strangers and strays with open hands, and my brother here is the salt of the earth. You chose a good man,” Brett said.

  “Thank you,” Mary Margaret replied, with a smile of her own.

  “Where’s the rest of your luggage?” Daniel asked stiffly.

  “It’s all here,” Mary Margaret answered, gesturing at her small case. Daniel looked from her to the case appearing puzzled.

  Brett let out a loud chuckle. “A girl after my own heart.”

  Mary Margaret followed the men to the main street. She was happy to note that there was a calm bustling ambiance in the small town. She had been swallowed up in the large city and it would be nice to get to live somewhere where she would know the townsfolk. She was not bothered much by Daniel’s lack of enthusiasm at her arrival. He was probably the kind of person who took time to warm up to strangers. At least that is what she hoped. Having no experience of how matters progressed between men and women, she could very well be wrong.

  She was embarrassed to note though, how relieved she had felt at how handsome he was, when he wasn’t frowning that is.

  “My plan was to have us wed right away, but I don’t know about your…eh dress,” Daniel said.

  Mary Margaret looked down at the blue dress she wore, the best of the lot she owned. The color was faded and the material looked thin in some places. She shrugged.

  “If she’s comfortable I don’t see why you shouldn’t go ahead with the ceremony,” Brett said. “After all, it will only be the three of us and the preacher. Look at me; I’m smarted out but as uncomfortable as hell.”

  Mary Margaret cringed. Much as she had interacted with people, the casual cusses that left people’s mouths dismayed her.

  “You shouldn’t say that, you know,” Mary Margaret said.

  “Hell,” she added at Brett’s questioning look.

  “Don’t tell me that you’re one of those religious types.”

  By now, they were a few steps away from a small wooden church. Mary Margaret looked at Daniel and agonized over whether to tell them that she was a former religious novice. She had lied by omission by not telling him. She looked at the church and how close she was to her dream of marriage and merely smiled at the question.

  The men lost interest in the conversation after that, and they entered the church together.

  “You’re late,” the preacher barked.

  Mary Margaret jumped, stunned at the impatient look of the heavily bearded man. She’d had the image of an emotional ceremony, but her wedding was over even before she had registered what was happening.

  “He’s a circuit preacher and tired out of his mind. He performs ceremonies throughout the county and from here, he’s probably needed elsewhere,” Brett explained.

  Mary Margaret nodded gratefully. She felt glad that he was there. Daniel stood morosely outside the church, looking as though he would rather be elsewhere.

  “Shall we show Mary Margaret where we work before you lovebirds go on home?” Brett said with a mischievous look.

  Mary Margaret felt closer to Brett than her new husband. While Brett was an open book, Daniel was much harder to read and kept most of his thoughts and feelings to himself. They strolled down the main street, curious eyes glancing at them.

  Both men exchanged greetings with several people, and Mary Margaret felt warm all over. She found it odd that Daniel did not introduce her to any of them, but she comforted herself with the thought that he was not used to his new status yet. Something caught her eye at the end of the street.

  Two men appeared to be embroiled in a brawl. The men quickened their pace and so did she. The two men went at each other, kicking and punching until both sprawled to the ground. The sign on the saloon door read McGraw saloon. Mary Margaret felt her blood grow cold. By now, the brawl had attracted a small crowd and Daniel and Brett pushed their way to the two men and struggled to part them.

  Mary Margaret stood rooted to the spot. Her eyes went to the sign again and then to Daniel. Bile rose from her stomach and she fought to push it back. Her hand moved of its own accord to her forehead and she made a sign of the cross. Her mouth moved, chanting over and over again:

  Hail Mary full of grace, The Lord is with thee.

  Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of the womb, Jesus.

  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

  “Mary Margaret, what are you doing?” Daniel said.

  Mary Margaret’s eyes flew open. The fight was over and the two men were nowhere to be seen. A few of the people from the crowd looked at her oddly and then dispersed. She let go of her cross and looked u
p at the sign again.

  “Does this belong to you?” she asked.

  Daniel and Brett looked at each other.

  “You never told her?” Brett said.

  He looked at her again and nodded. Mary Margaret’s fingers frantically searched for the cross hanging on her chest. She looked Daniel straight in the eyes.

  “Before we agreed on this marriage, I was a novice nun,” she said in a soft voice.

  Daniel went very still and then he covered his face with his hand.

  “I’ll be dam—excuse me Mary Margaret,” Brett stuttered, looking as flabbergasted as both newlyweds.

  SEVEN

  Daniel was in a foul mood. He served whisky and ale and did not talk more than he needed to. It was a week now since the marriage ceremony. If he felt lonely before, it was ten times worse now. A novice nun… a nun for heaven’s sake.

  Word had gone round that he had married a former nun and he had taken a little ribbing from the regulars, but after that, no one paid him any mind. He felt Brett’s eyes on him while they worked but other than that, he too kept his thoughts to himself.

  When he had first set eyes on Mary Margaret, he couldn’t believe his good fortune. She was stunning. Even in her drab dress, looking like a pauper, any man would give his right arm to make her his. And she was about to be Mrs. Daniel McGraw.

  He knew he had come across as gruff and maybe a bit surly. That was because he had become tongue tied at the sight of her. Then he had shaken her hand and been surprised to find it rough with callouses.

  She had a farmers hands and an angel’s face. A complete contradiction. Who was he kidding? They were as incompatible as water and snow. The evening of their first night as man and wife, she spent her time on her knees praying – presumably for his tainted soul. Once she had finally finished, she lay in bed like a frightened rabbit. As if he would ravish a maiden! He had laid down next to her, turned to his side and pretended to go to sleep. In fact, sleep had been hard to come by, lying next to an angelic vision that smelt like lavender. Why did she smell so good?